#jake in the background of the last gif not knowing what the hell is going on | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ofstoriesandstardust · 3 months ago

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can't take the home out of oklahoma - iiii. (k.c.)

a/n: dear God the behemoth of the crossover fic is finally finished. please remember to be kind in my comments, but of course i'd love to hear what everyone thought :). if you're new here, you can check out the other three parts here

summary: Two years after leaving California, Tyler hears from Jake, asking him to come to his engagement party. With an offer of putting the whole crew up in a hotel for two nights and an off-season lull, Tyler accepts. Two years after leaving California, you finally have to confront Javy.

warnings: background iceman and hangster, happy ending, alcohol, swearing, please remember we are all the villains in someone's story thank you

word count: 13.2k

“So, I was thinking-”

“Dangerous thing.” Kate mutters around a bite of waffle, prompting a fit of giggling from the two of you as Tyler narrows his eyes.

“-I was thinking, instead of heading out to Arkansas straight after the end of the season, we take a road trip.”

“Where you thinking T?” Boone asks as you pick up your coffee cup.

“San Diego, California.”

You freeze, eyes flickering over to the blonde over the rim of your coffee cup, thankful you hadn’t taken a sip of the hot liquid yet.

“What the hell, Owens?” You ask tersely, setting the mug down harder than you intend to, the brown liquid sloshing over the side.

Tyler is pointedly avoiding your look as he sighs, shoulders deflating. “Look, my brother called. He- He’s getting married.”

Your eyebrows shoot up. “To Bradley?”

He nods, confirming. “Anyways, they’re having an engagement party out at Brad’s godfather’s. Jake’s invited us, all of us. Offered to put us all up in a hotel for two nights. I was uh- thinking about going.”

“I think I’ll sit this out.” You say quietly, pushing your chair out.

“Yeah, I ain’t so sure it’s the best idea to throw her into all of that.” Dani says, Lilly nodding alongside her.

The girls had been told the story of your fiery departure from your hometown one night this past season, motel beds pushed together, wine drunk and cheap pizza forgotten. You’d told Dexter a week later, while you remarked on your ex-boyfriend’s love for a Louisiana crab boil, after you all had crossed into Louisiana to follow a storm.

“Jake asked specifically about you.” Tyler admits quietly.

You sigh, glancing up at the ceiling. “I don’t think the rest of them care to see me.”

“We’ll make it work, okay? I ain’t gonna let anybody come at you.” Tyler pleads and you sigh again.

You look at him for a moment but that’s all you need. It’s clear that Jake reaching out, asking him to come to this monumental event, means a great deal to him and you know as his family, it’s only right to step up to the plate for Tyler, no matter how uncomfortable it might make you.

You know Tyler would do the same for you in a heartbeat.

“Okay, T. I’ll go with you guys.”

His grin is splitting as Boone whoops, already chattering about the beach.

“I ain’t promising to be nice to them.”

Your words don’t even phase Tyler.

“Wouldn’t even dreaming of asking that of you, kid.”

The blue water sparkles as you peer out the window, the golden sunlight making it shine.

“Jesus, I forget how blue it is.” You whisper to yourself as you take in downtown.

The skyscrapers peer down back at you, the boats in the bay dotted across the docks. In the distance, you can see the outlines figures of the USS Midway and the Star of India.

“How you feeling?”

You shake your head, looking back at Kate. “It’s weird, kind of. Disorientating. I remember the first time I came home from college, it’s kind of like that. It all looks the same but the world kept turning after you left. Life kept going even though you’re not there to witness it.”

She reaches out to squeeze your hand from the back of the truck. “I get what you mean.”

Tyler glances at the two of you from his position in the drivers seat. The group had elected to take the van and your car, the SUV you’d bought last winter after you’d gotten sick of sharing Kate’s own storm chasing truck.

Tyler’s red truck and Kate’s pickup had just not suited themselves to a cross country road-trip, which led you and Kate to driving most of the way. Tyler had finally corralled you into giving him the keys, under the condition you would sit passenger seat and give him directions.

“Hey T, can we stop and get food before this thing?”

Boone’s voice crackles over the radio and Tyler grabs it. You hadn’t really needed a radio of your own, but Boone and Tyler had insisted, outfitted the whole thing themselves. It sort of made you feel like a kid again, shouting across the room with your siblings in lieu of having walkie talkies while you played — everything followed with an OVER.

“I think they’re gonna feed us there Booney.”

“Tyler, I am a starved woman. You rushed us out of breakfast this morning and we’ve been up before the sun was. It’s almost three in the afternoon and California already said we’ve got a decent drive across the city to get to this place. We’re stopping.” Dani’s voices comes through and Kate lets out a laugh from her seat.

“Know any good places California?”

You light up at Boone’s question, reaching for the radio but Tyler holds it just out of reach.

“If you suggest In-N-Out one more time, I will drive this car into the ocean, so help me God.”

Niall Horan’s voice floats softly through the speakers as the car creaks to a stop in front of a familiar house.

Your stomach flips as the barbecue from a locally owned joint near your Mom’s threatens to resurface. You distantly recall telling the group you’d been friends with the owners daughter in high school in a sad attempt to drown out Boone’s loud voice saying it would never be as good as Cathy’s.

“You good California?” Javi asks and you startle, not even having realized you’d pulled yourself from the car. “You’re looking a little queasy there.”

“Nerves.” You breathe and Kate takes your hand, squeezing it.

“Thought you said they were nice.” Lilly says.

“They are.” Just not to me.

“This is quite the affair.” Dexter comments, glancing around the street as you walk up the road. “There’s hardly any spaces left.”

“Bradley’s family is big.” You blurt out. “Lots of retired pilots who are probably thrilled to see their Baby Goose get married. Lots of friends from the service too I’m guessing.”

“I wouldn’t want to be footing the bill for that wedding.” Dani whistles.

The group begins to chatter and you wince, feeling your stomach roll as you step onto the grass.

“You got this.” Kate whispers as you follow Tyler to the front porch. Tyler reaches out to press the doorbell, only to pull back at the last second.

You raise your eyebrows. You don’t think you’ve seen the Tyler Owens cower back down from anything, much less a doorbell separating him from his twin.

“You do it.” He says to you, stepping back.

“Me do it?” You ask incredulously. “You want to be kicked out before we ever step foot inside?”

“I’ll do it.” Kate volunteers. She rings the doorbell, a short buzz followed by the sound of an I got it Mom! from somewhere inside behind the closed door.

The door opens a few minutes later, revealing the now-taller daughter of Penny Benjamin. She blinks at the rag-tag crew. “Can I help you?”

“Hi. I’m Kate and this is Tyler, we’re here for-“ Kate cuts herself off under the rather impressive stare of Amelia. Kate tugs on your arm, pulling you into view. “Here, you talk to the scary teenager.”

“Hi Amelia.” You say softly.

Amelia’s face lights up at the sight of you, exclaiming your name, drawing the attention of Tom as he rounds the corner to see who was at the door. Tom appears over her shoulder, nudging the girl back inside the house.

“Tell Jake his brother’s here!” Tom calls after her before turning his attention back to your crew. “You must be Tyler and his crew. Jake mentioned that you guys would be stopping by. They’re all out in the back playing dogfight football.”

Dogfight football? Tyler mouths to you as you all step inside the foyer. You shrug at his confused look.

Long story you mouth back.

“Anyways, I’m Tom, I’m one of Brad’s godfathers. I can take you all out to the back to meet the group?”

You let your friends filter in front of you, hanging by the entrance to the kitchen and living room area.

“I’m just gonna…” You mutter, letting your friends file out the glass door after Amelia and Tom. Penny gives you an unimpressed look from where she catches sight of you at the kitchen island and you give a sheepish shrug, feeling your cheeks heat up. “Selfish self-perseveration, sue me.”

Pete glances up at you from one of the cabinets at the sound of your voice, lighting up as he does. “Well kid, I do have to say we never expected to see you again.” He holds out his arms and you grin, taking the invitation for a hug.

If there was anything you’d learned about Pete Mitchell in the two and a half years you’d spent around his pilots, was that he offered Dad hugs to anyone at any chance he got. And boy, were they some of the safest hugs you’d ever had.

“Hi Pete.” You say into his shoulder as he squeezes you.

He pulls back, studying you. His thumb ghosts over a new scar on your cheek (thanks to an ill-timed rocket from Boone) and taking in the new piercings. “You look good kid.”

“Thanks.” You breathe, unable to stop the genuine smile at earning his approval.

His hand rests on your shoulder, guiding you farther into the kitchen. “Nick and Carole are outside with Coyote’s Dad and brother getting all the fixings grilled up. Do you want anything to drink?”

You pause, stopping next to Javy’s Mom Lydia. You swallow, unsure of how she’ll react to you as you tell Pete you don’t want anything. He nods, grabbing his glass and nudging Penny towards the back patio after her daughter.

“Hi Lydia.” You say softly. She studies you for a moment before pulling you into a tight hug. You melt into her touch, knowing you had accepted you may never get it again.

You think of all the times you’d gotten the same hug from her, the innate soft care and compassion the woman had offered you, the same one she’d passed down to her son.

You pull back, smiling at Javy’s sister-in-law (it seems like James had finally put a ring on it) and the little boy she holds in her arms. “Hi Scarlet.”

The girl gives you a big grin. “How you doing?”

“I’m good.” You answer. “Yeah, I’ve been good.”

She smiles. “Good to hear.” She glances over Lydia’s shoulder. “Would you want to hold baby Jameson here for a minute while Dia and I go grab something from outside?”

Your eyes grow wide. “You want me to hold your baby?”

She shrugs. “I trusted you enough back then, I doubt I can’t trust you now.”

You swallow, nodding. “Yeah, yeah of course.” You take the boy gingerly from her arms as he grins up real big at you. The boy only has two teeth but it looks like the nub of a third is growing in. “You and James make really cute babies.”

“I know.” She says smugly, before heading outside with Lydia.

You bounce the baby in your arms gently, cooing at him softly.

“I sort of feel like I’m watching some alternate version of my future right now.” You gasp, whipping towards the sound of the voice.

Leaning up against the doorjamb is Javy.

The same Javy you’d fallen in love with all those years ago, a fond and yet pained smile on his face as he sticks his hands in his pockets.

“Self preservation doesn’t work if you’re not outside with all your friends.” You breathe out as Jameson starts making grabby hands for his uncle. Javy walks towards the boy, letting him take his finger. It quickly becomes his new favorite chew toy as he shrugs.

You snort as Javy smiles down at the kid. “Wanted to change. Scarlet knew I was in here so now I’m kinda figuring she left him here with you so we’d have to be civil.” You swallow, all humor leaving you as your eyes dart around the kitchen.

In all the years you’d been gone, the Mitchell-Kazansky house hadn’t changed all that much. Maybe there were a few more pictures on the fridge, a coupon for a new pizza place, new throw pillows on the same worn couch, but the small beach front property that was inherently them had remained the same.

“I don’t- I never expected- How are you here?” Javy asks, finally landing on words after a minute of silence and restarted attempts.

“Jake’s brother.” You say quietly. “I’ve been working with Tyler in Oklahoma.”

Javy reels back, Jameson letting go of his finger as he does. The toddler is quick to shift his attention to your hair, tugging on it. You wince. “Okay, I probably deserve this.” You mutter after a particularly hard yank from the toddler’s fist.

Javy snorts, and you think it surprises him as much as it does you as a shy, goofy smile flickers on his face. “In another life, you were probably his auntie.”

The words are meant to be light-hearted but they’re like an iron punch as the breath gets knocked clean from your lungs.

“Javy-“

“Sorry, that wasn’t funny.” He dismisses as he crosses his arms. “So- Oklahoma huh? You liking it? The countryside is the last place I expected you to end up but you, uh- you look like you’re doing well.”

You swallow around the lump that’s growing in your throat at the grief you’re having to confront earlier than you had anticipated.

“I- Yeah, I like it out there. I’m good. Happy.”

“I’m actually uh, not surprised to hear it. That you’re in Oklahoma. Just surprised at finally getting the confirmation.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, about a year ago, Fanboy had one of their streams on. He was just a casual fan, you know, background noise. The camera couldn’t have been on you for more than thirty seconds but I swore it was you. I made him go back and replay it a hundred times, I pulled up a hundred examples from other videos on the channel. The team was so convinced I was starting to lose it that Fanboy got banned from playing those streams anymore. Your hair was shorter in that first video, but I just- I knew it was you.”

You hum, thinking to yourself. You’d appeared in the background of streams and edited videos countless times, but there had only been one haircut in two years. “It must’ve been after the rocket incident.”

His eyes go wide. “The rocket incident?”

“Boone still feels bad and Ty won’t let anyone really bring it up because it makes his blood pressure rise but imagine my surprise when I’m fiddling with something on top on the truck and Boone leans over on the console and accidentally sets off a rocket.”

“That would only happen to you.”

You snort. “I know. Most of the hair on one side was singed off anyways so I took the kitchen shears we have and chopped it all off in the back of the RV after we left urgent care.”

A beat passes as he drums his fingers against the countertop. “Hey, how long are you in town for?”

“We’re supposed to leave sometime tomorrow, we’re gonna stop off in Vegas. Why?”

“I was gonna see if you wanted to stop by the house. I’ve still got, actually quite a lot of your stuff. Like keepsakes and stuff your Mom tried to get rid of. If you wanted to swing by on your way out and pick through it.”

You nod. “Yeah, I should be able to fit that in.” You reach a hand out, nudging his shoulder. “Hey, how was Bob and Sophia’s wedding?”

“The kind of classy country you can only imagine. It was so them.”

“Did you cry?” You tease and he ducks his head.

“Maybe shed a tear or two.”

“Hey, how’s your Mom?” You ask softly.

You remember all too well Javy getting that phone call.

Four days before you were meant to defend your Masters thesis, Javy had gotten a call from his Mom, telling him that she had been diagnosed with DCIS — breast cancer.

It had been non-invasive, thankfully, and after a quickly scheduled surgery, Lydia had expected to have a full recovery.

Still — it had been a terrifying few weeks for Javy and you’d written out and deleted a hundred text messages to him on each anniversary of the diagnosis.

“She’s good.” He says softly. “Still no signs of a return. Thanks for asking.”

You nod. “I think about her a lot. And you, you know. How you all are doing. If she’s healthy, if you’re safe.”

His eyes shine with a feeling you can’t quite name, but can describe only as a response to hearing words he never thought he’d hear but mean more to him then he’ll ever admit.

“I think about you too. If you’re happy, if you’re happier than you were with me. If you found what it was you had been searching for.” He shakes his head, clearing your throat. “Grieving someone who was still alive-“ He lets out a low whistle.

“I’m sorry.” You whisper. You know he hears you but he doesn’t say anything, letting the two of you exist in silence as baby Jameson babbles nonsensically.

“I can’t help but ask — you dating anyone?”

The questions feels so stilted as you swallow. You knew he was trying to play at some cool nonchalance but he missed by a mile; it was obvious your answer meant a great deal to him. “I am.” He raises his eyebrows, clearly waiting for more information. “I have a girlfriend.”

“What’s this girlfriend’s name?”

You shake your head. “Don’t think it’s appropriate to bring her into this.”

He sighs, letting his weight rest against the kitchen island. “I guess that’s fair. You were always more mature than me about stuff.”

The two of you sit in an awkward silence for a few minutes, the hollers of his friends from the back patio coming closer. You have a hundred questions for him and he probably has a thousand more for you but you both know you can’t ask them in this moment. His team must have come up off the beach and would probably be headed inside soon. His eyes flicker towards the back door, probably making the same assumptions as you.

“Hey, do- do you think we could talk sometime tonight?” Your eyes flicker over to him, seeing the pain in them so clear. It feels unnatural to not reach out and smooth out the lines in between his eyebrows. “Now’s not the time but I- uh-“ He cuts himself off, shaking his head.

You nod. “Yeah, we can. Just- later, okay?”

You owed him closure. After the way you’d left, with the way you’d burned him, you owed him that at the very least.

Kate would understand.

The backdoor slides open, the pilots shuffling in. Behind them, you can see the Wranglers, save for Kate and Tyler, take hesitant seats on the couches. It looks like Dexter’s still outside.

“Holy shit!” Omaha yells, sliding his sunglasses up. The pilots turn, a bunch of oohs being tossed up.

“Does anybody else get the weird feeling we walked into some weird alternate timeline where her and Coyote got married and had kids?” Payback asks and Javy lets out a low groan.

“Aliens.” Fanboy breathes out and his pilot tosses him a strange look.

“It’s like seeing a ghost.” Natasha comments.

“Yeah, a really bitchy ghost.” Omaha adds and you turn sharply, plopping the toddler into his uncle’s arms.

“Would you look at that, some things really do never change. I still really hate your friends.”

“Can I have a hug?” Jake blurts out, silencing his friends.

You raise an eyebrow as you give him a once-over. “Um, I guess. If you put a shirt on first.”

Mickey hits his pilot as Jake disappears around the corner. “My alien theory isn’t so weird now, is it?”

Payback winces, rubbing his stomach where Mickey had smacked him. “Nice to see you too Mickey.” You say, rounding the kitchen island.

The boy gives you a nervous smile. It’s an odd look on the boy who’d always greeted you with a wide grin, home-cooked food, and a picture of his new Lego set. It’s an odd look for the kid who’d probably been your favorite of Javy’s friends, and definitely the closest to you, so long as no one said that in front of Bradley. (Bradley Bradshaw had taken it upon himself to name his role in your life as unintentional big brother). “Hey.”

Jake reappears, having tugged one of Bradley’s old Top Gun shirts over his head. “Hi.” He says softly, stopping in front of you. “Can I have a hug now?”

You sigh. “Fine, I guess.”

You’re not sure what you’re expecting from Jake (a hug certainly wasn’t on the table) but his hug is tight, borderline painful as you hesitantly and awkwardly wrap your arms around his much larger and taller frame. You step back as someone clears their throat. Jake lets you go willingly as Boone reaches out for your wrist, tugging you to sit down in between him and Dani.

Jake turns, facing the person who’s just walked into the house.

“Knock knock.” She says and your head turns, catching sight of Lainey’s blond hair. Javi reaches around Boone, nudging your back, reminding you to breathe as Jake’s face lights up. “Wait, there’s two of you?”

“Lainey! Didn’t think you’d make it! Yeah, uh, this is my twin brother Tyler. We, uh don’t talk much.”

“Oh, we know.” You say under your breath, only loud enough for your friends to hear, and Boone spits out a laugh, Javi having to cough into his fist to cover up his own laughter.

Tyler snaps, eyes narrowing, turning to you. “I thought you’d agreed to being on your best behavior.”

“I didn’t say anything!” You defend, which elicits a loud laugh from Dani as Lilly throws out a “Stop being so hard on her T!”

Tyler huffs, his hands fall to his waist and you have to bite back a giggle that eventually falls out anyways when you see Kate doing the same thing.

“You’re such a Dad, T.” You say through a laugh, shaking your head which elicits laughter from the whole group.

Lainey turns as you talk, face softening. “I didn’t think any of us would ever see you again. Where you’ve been?”

“Oklahoma!” Javy shouts from across the kitchen. It sends his friends into an uproar, reeling from the fact.

“See, my aliens theory is looking more and more true!”

Kate doesn’t want to admit that her stomach drops at the sight of your ex quietly slipping out the door after you but she knows it’s warranted given the way all his friends notice.

“What’re the odds she gives Javy another chance?” Jake’s fiancé asks Jake. Jake lets out some discontented noise from the back of his throat before pushing himself off his seat on the floor and meandering into the kitchen.

“I will put money on her coming back. I’m so Team Javy, you know this.” One of the other pilots (Fanboy, her brain recalls).

“I’m team her staying in Oklahoma with her girlfriend. She’s earned that quiet life.” One of the girlfriends (Kaycee, she’s dating Phoenix, you’d run through all the possible attendees with her and Tyler in the car this morning in the quiet calm, dawn barely peaking over the horizon) pipes up with.

“Of course you’re on her side.” One of the others says. “You always liked her more than the rest of us.”

Kaycee’s eyes slide up to the man. “Well yeah, Payback, I was the one consoling at her at every group event when Hangman came down on her and made her feel unwanted. So of fucking course I don’t want her to get back together with the guy

whose friends made her feel like shit.”

“You take that too seriously, K. We were obviously just fooling around, not our fault she’s too sensitive.”

The girl’s eyes narrow at the man. “Omaha, so help me-“

“She’s not your piece of meat to fight over!” Dani finally bursts. The in-fighting stops abruptly as the attention turns to them. “I’m just saying- if she’s happy, can’t you just leave her be? She’s a person, not some object for y’all to fight about.”

The group all but forgets Dani even said anything when the one with the glasses turns back to Bradley. “You really think she’ll take Javy back?”

“A hundred percent. You remember how she used to look at him. And he was ass over teacups for her. Remember that year she bought him the Saints jersey with his last name on the back and he near lost his mind the first time she stole it to wear?”

“Dude, he wasn’t half as bad dating as he was before. Remember the first time he brought her to the Hard Deck and he insisted he buy every drink for her?” Mickey chimes in.

“I remember when they came to the house for the first time to watch a movie and Mickey kept teasing her about not doing anything on the couch, I thought Coyote was gonna drown Mick in the pool. He was so desperate to impress her and yelled at us for potentially making it so she never talked to him again.” Bob adds through a laugh. “Which she totally did, she fucking loved him from the first time they matched. Remember how his hands used to start sweating cause he got so nervous around her?”

She glances at Javi and Boone next to her, glad to see her own unease is mirrored on their faces. Lilly’s reminder from earlier resurfaces in her mind as she plays with tab on her soda can.

She loves you Kate. She wouldn’t go anywhere in the world you ain’t.

“Coyote’s always had a way with words around her. He’ll say the right thing, tell her he’ll miss her, and she’ll come back just like she was always meant to.” Phoenix comments and she swallows, looking down at her jeans.

Javi and Boone both stand up next to her, a whispered conversation happening she doesn’t care to try and hear as their exit goes unnoticed. The discomfort and unease in her stomach grows, feeling her whole world tilt at the thought that someone may say something to make you realize you’d been wrong to come to Oklahoma, wrong to love her, and that you’d go back to the place you had belonged this whole time.

She catches Tyler’s eye, a stormy look growing on his face.

I don’t like this, it says.

She didn’t either.

“See, I’d ask if you’re just taking a breather, but I know you, so you’re definitely hiding.”

Your eyes shoot up at Javy as he gently shuts the front door to the house, moving to sit down on the porch swing across from where you’re resting your weight on the porch railing.

“Yeah, well, when they start eating my food straight from my hands I think I have to bow out.”

He grins at the memory.

Just half an hour ago, you’d been trying to shove Boone off of you as he attempted to take a bite of your burger, crowded up into Lilly and Dani’s space more than they probably ever wanted you to be. Javi had leaned over, taking a huge bite of burger as it had been sitting in your hand farthest away from Boone’s reach and you’d frozen in shock when you’d seen what he’d done out of your periphery.

Dexter had tried to save face, over the sound of Dani yelling about how foul the move was, by saying that usually the lot of you were much more civilized but Tyler and Kate had immediately refuted it with a unified no, we ain’t. It had been all the encouragement you needed to plop what was left of the burger in Javi’s hand and to disappear outside.

“They seem to really like you. That one, Boone, was telling me we weren’t allowed to have you back. You’re theirs now.”

You sigh, crossing your arms. “They’re- they’re really good to me. They’re family.”

“I’ll admit that’s kind of hard to hear. Rooster and Fanboy kinda seem to be under the impression that you still might come back. Mav too. If I play my cards right.”

You let out another sigh, looking away from him. “Javy, don’t even go there. Please don’t start that with me, cause you aren’t gonna like what I have to say.”

He shifts, bending to lean on his knees as he does his best to catch your eye. “What can I say to fix this? What can I say to convince you to come home?”

“Oklahoma is my home!” You insist, feeling frustration begin to tighten in your chest.

“No the hell it isn’t. How many times did you say your heart belonged here? How many times did you say you were meant for city living by the beach? And now you’re telling me that you live on a farm in the middle of buttfuck nowhere Oklahoma and you just what, love your life? I don’t believe that. Not for a minute.”

A whimper of frustration slips out as your hands come down to scrub your face. “Javy.” You say shakily. “I am happy to have any kind of closure conversation you need to have to find peace and move on. But if this is going to be about you trying to convince me to come back to a life I don’t want anymore, then I will go back inside.” You say, mustering up a calm tone you don’t feel and he reels back as if you’ve hit him.

“I just don’t understand.” He says softly and your shoulders deflate. “I love you. You were my whole world, I wanted everything with you. I don’t understand. Help me understand.”

His voice cracks and the lump in your throat from earlier reappears. “I was- I was unhappy for a really long time Javy.”

He immediately shakes his head, cutting you off. “No, no that’s bullshit. I know that’s bullshit. C’mon, was there someone else?”

“Are you insinuating I fucking cheated on you?” You near shout, straightening up.

“Well!” He matches the raise in voice, standing up from the porch swing.

“That’s bullshit.” You say. “If I recall, I was 25, working a dead end barista job because the masters degree I went into thousands of dollars of debt for proved to be useless with a boyfriend who let his friends walk all over me! I didn’t just wake up that day and decide I was miserable Javy! It was a slow build, a build you contributed to!”

The front door opens and shuts and you spare a glance to see Boone and Javi lingering by the front door.

Later, they’ll confess to you that the only reason they’d ventured outside to interrupt the conversation is because the pilots inside had gotten so smug in their surety that Javy would convince you to leave Oklahoma to be with him, they’d started to worry about you being alone on the porch.

Javi had hastily assured you that they didn’t think you couldn’t handle yourself, but he was afraid he’d hit all your guilty spots, Boone sure he’d say all the things you’d wanted to hear back then, and you’d leave the Wranglers without so much as backwards glance. They’d wanted you to know they had your back.

They’ll admit it was selfish of them and Dani will tell them they’re stupid for not remembering how much you love your life here, and you’ll tell them that you’re not angry, that their intentions had been good.

All their presence does now in this moment though is piss your ex-boyfriend off as he throws his hands up. “Can’t even have one conversation without your little fucking guard dogs, huh? Little side pieces behind your girlfriend’s back?”

“Stop it.” You say sternly. “Stop going there. You know I was never unfaithful to you, you know that I never would’ve done that.”

“I don’t know if I ever knew you at all. Not really. So yeah, who’s to say if you aren’t a cheater if you were quietly miserable enough to dump me and run halfway across the country.”

You groan, rubbing your temples. “God, you’re not listening to me. You didn’t listen to me then, you don’t listen to me now.”

“All I ever did was fucking listen to you! You never shut up!”

Boone lets out a “Hey man!” alongside Javi’s “Whoa there.”

“Don’t talk to her like that man.” Boone says. “Have some respect, that there’s a lady and she was a lady you cared a lot about, so be nice.” Boone drawls.

Your ex fixes him with a glare that would’ve made a weaker man whimper, but Boone isn’t one to back down. He drives into tornados and shoots rockets at them for fuck’s sake.

Unintentionally or not, Boone’s intervention gives you the pause you need to take a deep breath and collect yourself. “Javy.” You start, softer this time. His eyes snap over to yours. “I understand the anger and frustration and the confusion. I know that I left rather suddenly and I never gave you any explanation as to why. But you have to know, we were fighting all the time and I was so unhappy, not just in my relationship with you, but in my job and myself. And after Texas, I snapped. It was a catalyst event that permanently altered the course of my life.”

His eyebrows furrow in confusion. “The fuck does Texas have to do with anything?”

You sigh. “You keep saying that you still love me, yeah? The problem with that Javy is that you’re in love with a version of me that doesn’t exist anymore. That girl that you loved died in Texas and she’s never coming back.”

“I still don’t understand.” You sigh, licking your lips as you glance at your friends. Javy’s voice is rising again but you know that you’ll never be able to get him to understand the truth without blowing up Jake’s spot. And truthfully, maybe it’s long past due. “We were in love, we were happy, you were my best friend. We go to Texas for Bob’s bachelor party and three days later, you’re dumping me to go hop on a plane to Oklahoma to never be seen again. That doesn’t make any fucking sense! What the hell does Texas have to do with anything?!”

You move faster than you let your brain think about it, sliding through your friends as you push open the front door, striding through the foyer. You catch Bradley’s eye as you do so and he straightens. “Where the fuck is Jake?”

Jake comes into view as he shuts the fridge, turning to face you. “What?” He asks tiredly, but judging by the look on his face, you think he already knows.

“I want you to be honest.” You say, every bit of the calm you’d tried to collect slipping through your grasp as you inch closer to Dani and Lilly. “Tell them the truth about what happened in Texas.”

“Are we really doing this?” He asks, plopping down on one of the bar stools by the kitchen island.

“You owe me, Seresin. After everything you put me through, you owe me.”

Jake sighs, scrubbing a hand down his face as Javy’s head swings wildly between the two of you.

Just when you’re about to turn and accept the villain narrative these men had decided for you, Jake sighs again. “I asked her to lie about the rodeo.” He says quietly. “We never made it to shelter.”

“So? A little wind, a little rain, that’s your excuse for going off the deep end?” Javy snaps but Jake isn’t finished.

“We watched Steven die.”

The silence that follows is one you never want to experience again as the whole room tunnels in on Jake. Lilly stands up, Dani not far behind her, nudging you towards the door and silently talking over your head to your friends but you feel rooted to your spot.

“What?” Lainey asks first, pushing her self up as she takes shaky breaths. “You- you saw him die? And you never told me?”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me that Jake?” Bradley asks quietly, a quiet concern and cool anger laced into the words.

“I don’t know. I wasn’t thinking. I don’t know if I was trying to protect her or me but I did it anyways. It’s why I gave her Tyler’s number.” He says, finally raising his eyes to meet the room. “I’m the one who gave her Tyler’s info. When she dumped Coyote that day, I knew she was a serious flight risk in more ways than one and I- I knew if I could get her to Tyler, he’d take care of her. I knew she’d be safe with Ty. And I mean obviously he did.” He says, waving a hand at his brother and Kate. “I owed it to her after all this times I said those things about y’alls sex life, all those times I made fun of her behind your back. I mean, everything I said about her age or about how you guys wouldn’t work long-term so you guys would break up-“ Jake cuts himself off, sniffing. “I was awful to her under the guise of trying to be a good friend but I was a rotten friend and a rotten person and I’m sorry.”

“What the hell is wrong with you?”

You expect it to be Javy but it’s Tyler and you think you can see his hand shake as he pulls himself off of the couch.

“Genuinely, you haven’t changed a day. You’re still that same piece of shit you were then, when you couldn’t bother showing up to our grandparents funeral, the people who raised us, because of some stupid little trophy. You’re out here a decade later making a poor girl in her twenties who was simply trying to exist with the guy she loved feel like her life isn’t worth living anymore, that she doesn’t offer anything of value to this world.”

“But, I mean- it worked out right? she’s been with you guys and she’s happier than she’s ever been in her whole life.”

“Oh, sure no, it worked out.” Javi intervenes. “If you discount the irreversible trauma and her inherent belief that she would always, eventually, force the people around her to see her as a burden, then yeah, it totally worked out.”

“Which we’re still working on undoing, by the way. Thanks for that. ” Dani comments dryly.

“Okay, hey, hold on- that’s not all on Jake.” You interrupt and Bradley’s head swings towards you.

“Are you seriously fucking defending him right now?”

“I’m defending him because that’s wrong! What Jake did didn’t do anything other than reinforce an idea I have held about myself my whole life, Bradshaw! But you don’t get that, just like you never got it back then! You had two parents who loved you unconditionally and friends and all the support in the world! I’ve never had that! I grew up with a piece of shit family, I grew up with awful friends and an even worse ex-boyfriend, and you people refused to ever understand the life I came from! Don’t pin that all on Jake!”

Lilly tugs on your arm, telling you to breathe and it’s the first time you realize you’re even crying.

In a flash, you dig the keys for one of the cars out from Lilly’s pocket, turning on your heel. Your friends call out after you but you don’t listen to them as you wipe tears from your eyes, vision blurry as you make your way towards the car.

And then someone’s there, wrestling the keys from your grasp.

It’s Javi.

“I’ll take you wherever you want to go.” He says softly. “I just- don’t want you driving right now.”

You nod, climbing into the car passenger seat. Once you’re in, Javi reaches over the console to give you a hug. It’s at an awkward angle and you can’t stop crying, but it’s warm and safe and all you need in that moment.

“You’re gonna be okay, California. We got you.”

“Where did you guys go?”

Boone asks from his spot on the couch. He’s leaned up against Lilly, feet on Dani’s lap as Dexter putters around the kitchenette in your two bedroom suite Jake had paid for.

“The beach.” Javi says, setting the keys on the entryway table.

“Where’s Ty and Kate?” You ask.

It goes eerily quiet. “Um, they had to run an errand.” Boone says after a long minute.

“I’m too tired to even unpack that.” You say, running a hand down your face. “I’m going to go shower.”

You slip inside to the bedroom you and Kate had been sharing with Dani and Lilly, walking into the bathroom. After shedding your clothes, you step into the hot water. It soothing against your skin as you bite back a yawn.

You’d told Javi to pick a beach, any beach, and the two of you had found a picnic table over looking the shore as you looked out at the moonlit waves.

It had been a quiet, grounding peace that had settled over you as you had reviewed the events of the night. Javi’s quiet voice mixed with the crashing of the waves, soothing you as he talked about Miami, and the Tornado Tamers, and the military, and a hundred different things.

Now though, in the lull of noise, save for the quiet murmurs of your friends through the wall, guilt prickles at you underneath your skin, heavy and all consuming.

It’s second nature, autopilot, climbing out of the shower and tugging on Kate’s sweatshirt, blindly pulling out a pair of sleep shorts from one of your bags. The bed that had once looked so appealing no longer looks comfortable as you have to work considerably to swallow around the rapidly growing lump in your throat.

You open the door right as Kate and Tyler return to the hotel room. Tyler gives you a grin as he waves a bag in the air. “Look where we trekked to. Surprise.”

Normally, you would’ve grinned and laughed and said I’d pay good money to see the Midwesterners in an In-N-Out but now all you can do is shrink into Kate’s sweatshirt as you get the overwhelming feeling that you don’t deserve this.

You don’t deserve Kate, you don’t deserve this team. Not this job you loved so much, not this life you’d carved out for yourself.

Kate’s face falls as she closes the distance between the two of you. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m so tired of feeling guilty.” You gasp out, a sob you hadn’t expected coming out. It leaves you scrambling for breath, coming in ragged pants. “I’m tired of feeling guilty for being happy, for having this job, for tricking all of you into thinking that I’m- that I’m worth something. I’m so tired of- of feeling guilty for leaving him and- and I’m tired of feeling guilty for living.”

Kate’s hug is tight, almost as if she lets go, you’ll slip right through her fingers. “Sweetheart.” She whispers into your shoulder as you hesitate to wrap your arms around her.

“I don’t feel like I deserve it. I don’t feel like I deserve any of it. I didn’t feel like I deserved it then and I don’t feel like I deserve it now.”

Kate lets you go, a soft look coming over her face as her hands find your face. You feel like you look worse than you ever have, tears sliding down your face, choking on your own words and sobs and snot.

“Baby…” She says, so soft and tender, in that way that’s all Kate and usually makes you blush, makes you feel more seen then you ever have in your entire life. “You’ve had one hell of a go at life, I’ll admit you got a rough set of cards. But you- you went through something traumatic and you made the only decisions you could at the time. Those people- they’re angry at you because they feel bad for their friend cause he got hurt. And maybe we’re all a villain in someone else’s life but you shouldn’t feel guilty for doing what you need to do for you.” She takes a deep breath. “You didn’t deserve to die for him any more than I deserved to die for my friends. And for the first time, I really mean that. We don’t deserve to suffer or feel pain for the rest of our lives because of it, you know? It’s okay for us to continue to live and laugh and love — our mistakes, they don’t define us. We don’t have to live there.” Kate’s eyes are pleading, begging you to hear her and understand her; to believe her.

You nod as she swipes a thumb to wipe away a tear.

“You would never blame me for what my happened to my friends. You’d never say I should suffer in pain or in a life of exile because of it. You’d tell me for what it is — that it was a freak accident and it was out of your control. You can’t spend the rest of your life in those haunted what ifs and I know you’d never want that for me either.”

“Yeah.” Your voice is gravely, raw, but you can’t even focus on it as Boone’s lanky arms wrap around your frame. “Yeah, I hear you.”

“Sides, even if it were your fault-“

“Boone!” Lilly chides, even as she wraps her own arms around you.

“I ain’t saying it is! You people, you always assume the worst outta me-“

“Get to the point!” Javi’s exhausted voice comes from the kitchen. You snort, leaning your head into Boone’s shoulder.

“Get on with it, Booney.” You whisper.

“‘M just saying, even if it were your fault, it don’t change that your part of our family now. Always gonna be, no matter where them wind or tornados take us. Or what some stupid Navy guy says about you for that matter.”

Boone squeezes you before he steps back. Lilly lets you go, albeit hesitantly and you wipe your nose on the sleeve of Kate’s sweatshirt. Javi’s hand finds your back, wrapping you into a tight hug as you turn.

“You gotta start letting yourself believe you’re worthy of good things.” He mumbles into your sweatshirt. “Trust me, I- I get it okay. It was just as rough for me when I left StormPar, but Boone’s right. We’re a family.”

You nod into Javi’s shoulder, squeezing the man before letting him go. You wipe your eyes, taking a breath. “Okay, okay, I think I’m good. Just been a hell of a night.”

Javi nods and the room breaks into quiet chatter as the bags of food get passed around, burgers getting split up among the group.

Tyler grabs your arm as you pad over to sit on the couch next to Kate. His hug is tight, the smell of cedar and campfire lingering on his flannel a far cry from the smell of jet fuel and whiskey that followed his brother.

“You saved my life T.” You say quietly, even though no one would be able to hear you through the conversation at the couch. “The Wranglers saved my life. I hope you know that.”

He squeezes you. “Nah, kid. We just loved you enough for you to see why you should stay. The saving part was all you.”

“I need to go run an errand.” The table looks up at you, pausing around mid-conversation, breakfast plates forgotten. “So you guys can head out on the road ahead of us.”

“What’re you up to?” Boone asks.

You shake your head. “There’s just something I gotta do before we head out.”

“Some unfinished business?” Javi asks.

“Something like that.”

The weather is unusually dreary, rain drizzling down on and off as you make the drive over the Coronado bridge. You park in front of the boys house, turning the key in the ignition as you turn to face Tyler and Javi in the backseat.

“I’m not sure how long this is gonna take, but I’ll be back.”

“Man, what am I supposed to do to entertain myself?” Javi moans and Kate turns, giving him a sharp glare.

Late last night, after everyone had fallen asleep, you’d admitted to Kate that you didn’t think you could leave things with him like that, that you couldn’t live with yourself if you never gave him the closure he so desperately needed.

Kate had told you, voice muffled, that she understood. That she’d stand by you in whatever conversation you wanted to have with him.

“Go take a walk for all I care. It’s a nice neighborhood.” You say, before wrenching the car door opening, cutting off Javi’s bemoaned But it’s raining! as you slam it harder behind you than you normally ever would’ve allowed it to.

You wince, already hearing Tyler scold you in your head as you stride up the expansive driveway, saying a silent thank you that Javy’s beat-up truck is sitting in the driveway.

You force yourself to take a deep breath as you knock on the door. The blue paint is peeling more than ever you note, before it swings open, revealing Mickey. He’s donned in basketball shorts and a muscle tee and must’ve just come back from a run, based on the sweat and rain accumulated on him.

He almost doesn’t seem surprised to see you.

“Hey.” He says, leaning against the door.

“Hey.” You respond. “Is Javy here?”

He nods, opening the door enough to let you inside and the oak shuts firmly behind you as you follow him through the familiar foyer to the couches in the living room.

“You guys are not much for redecorating.”

Mickey groans. “Kid, the fact that we’ve gotten anything on the walls as long as we lived in this place is a miracle in and of itself, you know that.”

Despite the situation, you snort, recalling when the boys had enlisted you to build Mickey’s desk one time two years into them living here. “Oh, I remember.”

“Coyote!” Mickey shouts up the stairs as you arrive next to the couch, nudging Jake. He gives you a soft smile, pushing himself up to give you a quick hug.

“I’m really sorry about last night. I didn’t mean to ruin it.”

Jake shakes his head. “‘S my fault. You and I both know there was probably no other outcome than that.”

The fabric of his Texas sweatshirt is soft as he squeezes you, letting you go as you hear footsteps on the stairs.

You sigh, turning catching sight of your ex turning the corner. His eyes widen slightly at the sight of you and he tugs on the edges of his Saints sweatshirt.

He’s nervous, you realize. The taste of that truth is bitter and acrid on your tongue.

“We need to talk.” You say with more stern bravado then you feel and you force yourself to soften as Mickey lets out a low whistle. “And you, uh, said you had some of my stuff.”

“We have all of your stuff.” Mickey comments into his protein shake. “It’s all in Bob’s old room.” He points with a finger over his shoulder, but you still know the way.

You head in the direction to Bob’s room, tugging on the sleeve of Javy’s hoodie as you do.

He follows you, shutting the bedroom door behind him as you scan the room. “When did Bob move out?” You ask as you pull a box out, sifting through the books.

“Like two or three months after you left. Think he had plans to move out earlier but uh-“ Javi pauses and your eyes flicker up to study him. “I think they were concerned I’d do something stupid to myself if it was too much change at once.”

You sigh, eyes fluttering shut as you squat and brace yourself against the box. “Javy.” You breathe out.

“I’m really sorry about how last night went.” He says as he leans up against one of the taller stacks of boxes. “My Mom’s pretty pissed at me for how I handled myself. I’m mad at myself too. I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that. Drinking or not, you didn’t deserve it. I was just- confused and frustrated and so hopeful it made me scared. I guess I never prepared myself for what it would be like to see you again, even though clearly-“ He says, gesturing to the room. “I always let myself keep that door open.”

“Why did you keep this shit anyways?” You ask. “You coulda let my Mom toss all this shit out.”

He shakes his head. “I couldn’t have. I- I always thought maybe you’d come home. That when you did come home, you’d roll your eyes about your Mom and want your stuff back. Fools hope I guess.”

You let yourself fall to the floor in a cross-crossed position, scrubbing a hand down your face. “Javy, I am so sorry about how I left. You deserved a lot better than that from me, after everything you did for me. But I was scared and I ran and you got caught in that.”

“Every day since then, I’ve wondered what it was about me that wasn’t enough to make you stay. Did I not love you right? Did I do something to hurt you? Did I not stop when I should’ve?” He takes a sharp breath at the thought that he might’ve pushed you too far while being intimate as being your reason for running. “Every night for two years, I’ve laid in bed at night, going over every single detail. But last night, after hearing that it was Jake’s fault, I’ve gone over every what if. What if he had listened to you? What if he hadn’t taken you? What if I hadn’t gotten drunk that night before or- or had convinced you to stay? What if you had stayed home from the trip; what if Sophia had never asked you to be a bridesmaid? What if-“

“Javy, stop.” You stay sternly, pushing yourself up off the floor. “You can’t live in those what ifs. They’ll drive you fucking crazy. You can’t keep living in the past. And it ain’t Jake’s fault, much as we would all, himself probably included, like to lay the blame on him. We can’t go back and change it and we can’t live in that history neither. What happened, happened.”

He lets out a breath. “You’re handling this better than me.”

“I’ve had two years to process it. I’ve had two years in a new town with a new job and a new partner and new friends to heal from all of it. You haven’t even had two days to grapple with the truth.” You say as you pop the lid on the box. Your eyes scan the room as you let him process the information, trying to catalogue all that he has, what you need and what you don’t.

“My Niall Horan shirt!” You exclaim, wrestling a box out of the corner of the room. “I’d been wondering what happened to this!” You pop the lid off, subsequently discovering your American Girl doll. “And Julie! I remember that year I went as her for Halloween and brought her over here. She was the highlight of the party for all the drunken idiots.”

“That was the year of the dolls.” He comments from behind you.

“Yeah, yeah, cause you guys all went as Ken dolls, except for Mickey, who went as Carlos from Big Time Rush, and I finally had to explain to you who they were after I made that joke, that they were the greatest boy band of our generation, on our second date.”

“It’s crazy to think about now, how the yahoos could all see how I felt about you and I was still insisting we were just friends.”

“Oh, enough time has passed. We can admit now that we weren’t just friends. We made out too much, in public no less, for that to be anywhere near platonic.”

He doesn’t say anything for a minute and you turn, worried you’ve gone too far. His eyes are glassy, a fond smile on his face.

“I really loved you, you know that?”

“Javy…”

He gives a half-shrug, looking down. “You can say what you want about being unhappy, about needing to leave, but I hope you know that I really loved you. I really cared about you and I really thought some day you’d come home to me. You were my best friend and I wanted to grow old with you. It just- it just feels like it didn’t mean anything to you.”

A lump grows in your throat as he wipes a few tears away from his cheeks. You look down, unsure if you should admit the truth.

“Javy, I found the ring.”

“W-what?”

“The night we got back from Texas, I accidentally found it. But it- it freaked me out. I was already walking such a fine line those days, so afraid and so mixed up from what happened, already so unhappy and I knew it was over then and there. Because I found it and pictured you getting down on one knee and tried to think of what I’d say and when I knew I’d say no, I knew I needed to end it.”

He lets out a choked sob as you work your throat around the ever-growing lump, knowing you have to finish this conversation, as much as it pains you.

“Javy, of course it meant something to me.” You say, unclenching your hand from where it’s fisted in the dark blue material of the t-shirt. You set the objects down back in the box, taking a few steps towards him. “Javy, I did love you. Really. You were my first real boyfriend, my first serious boyfriend, my first. I thought the world of you and you were my best friend too. Okay, my favorite times were when we would stay up all night laughing or- or all those times we just existed together. But both things can be true — you can have hurt me, I can have been unhappy, and we both can still have loved each other the best we could’ve at the time.” You say, taking another step towards him. “But that’s what I keep trying to tell you. That girl that I was with you, that person you fell in love with, she doesn’t exist anymore. I’m not that version of me anymore.” Javy only looks at you as he cries as you cling to the hope that this time he’ll finally listen.

“Can I have a hug?” He croaks. You nod, reaching out for him and he’s quick to tug you into his embrace, as if you might change your mind waiting a hair of a second longer.

His hug is tight, and you can feel the way his tears wet your pale yellow Oklahoma crewneck, the same way you know you’re soaking his Saints hoodie.

It’s weird, because hugging him doesn’t feel like coming home like it used to.

It’s weird, because it feels like the door on this part of your life is finally shutting behind you.

You think you’re at peace with it.

“You sure you won’t come back?” His muffled voice sounds.

“You know I can’t.” He whimpers as you shake your head. “I’d be coming back to a place that isn’t my home anymore, a life that isn’t mine. Javy, you have to let me go. If not for me, then for yourself.”

“I don’t know how.” He pleads into your shoulder.

“It takes time.” You whisper. “But one day it won’t hurt so much. I promise.”

You aren’t sure how long the two of you stand there, but finally he lets you go, stepping back as his back hits the wall, sliding down. You take that as a sign that you can get back to sorting.

“Hey, you’ve asked me a lot of questions about what’s changed since you been gone. Can I ask you questions about what you’ve been up to?” He asks, voice watery and raw.

“Seems only fair.” You say, squatting down to rifle through a box full of high school memorabilia.

“Are you dating Kate?”

You swallow, glancing at him as you pull out your yearbooks. “Yeah, I am.”

“I figured.”

“How’d you figure it out?”

“She looks at you like how I used to.” He says with a shrug as he stretches his legs out in front of him. Upon seeing your dubious look, he lets out a wet laugh. “She just- she always found a reason to be next to you last night. She always brought you into conversation, looked for you when you weren’t with her, looked for you even when you were with her. It was obvious she cared a great deal about you and I sort of guessed she was who you didn’t want to bring into this.”

You shake your head. “This isn’t her fight. She’s got my back, I know that, but this didn’t need to involve her if I could help it. It was between me and you.”

“She seems cool.” He finally comments after a minute.

“Freaky genius and all the wit to match.”

“Like you.” Your cheeks warm at the compliment as you untangle the honor cords. “She make you happy?”

“Honestly?” You say and he nods. “I see my whole life with her in a way I’ve never seen it before. She’s my best friend and my partner. I love her to death and there’s nowhere in this world I wouldn’t follow her.”

“You guys have any pets?”

“Two dogs and a cat.”

“Jesus, is this farm you live on really a zoo?”

“I think her Mom feels that way sometimes.” You say with a chuckle. “No, the team has Buttons, but he’s really Boone’s if you want to get into it. Ty’s taken on a dog I named Enid by sheer force of will from this dog. And Kate and I adopted a kitten named Peaches about this time two years ago. Ty and I are getting horses in October too.”

“So… you and Kate living together?”

You shake your head. “No. Not yet, anyways. Technically, I got a small two bedroom apartment in Tulsa I rent with the other Javi but he’s almost always somewhere in Arkansas with Boone in the off-season and I spend all my time with Kate on her farm when we aren’t out on the road.”

“They seem like really good people.”

“They’re some of the best. Hey, are you still in touch with Elle?”

Javy’s eyes widen. “Your friend from grad school? Some, why?”

“You should ask her on a date.”

“No- No, I couldn’t.”

You fix him with a look. “Why not? I bet that girl is still enamored with you.”

“She was your best friend, that would be wrong.”

You shrug, setting aside a snow globe. “We ain’t together anymore and Elle and I ain’t friends anymore. And trust me, if you and I hadn’t been what we were when Elle came into my life, Elle would’ve a hundred percent gone after you. And I wouldn’t be mad you know. You deserve to move on.”

“Not with one of your friends.”

You click your tongue. “I’m just saying…”

Kate’s drumming her fingertips on the edges of the door as the minutes tick by, the gnawing in her stomach resurfacing as the time drags on. Javi huffs for the millionth time, blowing a stray curl away from his face as a blue Bronco passes them, pulling up to park in the driveway.

Javi leans forward, peering over the center console to study the two men climbing out of the Bronco through the windshield. “Hey Ty, isn’t that your brother’s fiancé?”

Tyler looks up from his phone, glancing out his window. When he finally responds, his voice is impossibly tight, making her wince. “Kate, where exactly are we right now?”

Upon her non-answer, Tyler pulls himself from the car, a colorful swear leaving his mouth as Javi follows right behind him. She scrambles out of her door, tugging on the two men’s arms. “Stop it.” She pleads, causing them both to turn. “Look, I don’t like it either but I gotta respect the fact that she wants closure. I’d do anything to have that, you know that.”

Tyler yanks his arm back, striding across the lawn towards the two men as they let themselves in the house. Bradley’s eyes are wide as he catches sight of Tyler, shouting into the house.

She groans when Tyler shoulders past Bradley and Pete, Javi still hot on his heels. “I am so sorry about them.” She apologizes to the two men as they shut the front door.

“Tyler.” Jake growls, yanking on his brother’s arm. “I will sit on your head like I did when we were kids.”

“I am not gonna let you do this to her again. For two years, my team has been putting that girl back together, putting together pieces of her you broke.” Tyler snaps, poking his finger into Jake’s chest.

“Yeah? And he’s waited two years for this conversation, to finally get closure. They need this. And if you interrupt it, so help me God.” Jake says as he pushes his brother towards the couch. Jake takes the hint, sitting as Javi hesitantly follows suit. After a few moments of awkward silence, Kate clears her throat, catching Tyler’s eye. She jerks her head to his brother and he shakes his head. She does it again, causing Pete to glance up at her.

“Are you okay, kid?”

“Tyler.” She crosses her arms. “You know she doesn’t want you to leave it like this.”

Jake’s eyes flicker up at her, giving her an eery sense of deja vu. It had been a strange adjustment, seeing a carbon copy of a person they all knew and loved, but yet acted so different. Whereas Tyler was rough around the edges, thick cowboy country accent and swear words that would make milk curdle and friends with everyone, ever the life of the party, Jake had kept a lot to himself the night before. He held himself together, never in anyway that would indicate cracks in his well-maintained image. She saw him let loose a few times with his friends, eager to hear about your and Tyler’s lives, and always polite to the Wranglers but there was a certain detachment from it all that Tyler lacked.

“Tyler, I am sorry.” Tyler grunts, crossing his arms. Jake sighs before trying again. “For all of it. Genuinely. I know you’re thinking I’m real selfish right about now and I’m thinking it too. I’m sure she didn’t let up to the worst of it and I’m really sorry about all of it. But I didn’t call you for some sick or twisted reason of hurting her. I called you here because you’re my brother and I want you here. I want you to see this life that I’ve built for myself, cause I’m finally happy, and I- I want to share it with you.”

“Oh, you mean the life you were too busy building to come to our grandparents funeral? Some life.” Tyler scoffs.

Jake’s shoulders fall. “Ty, I’m sorry.” He whispers. “You’re my brother, you were my best friend, and there hasn’t been a day that goes by that I don’t regret stepping up when it mattered. No stupid trophy or promotion was ever worth losing you.”

Tyler swallows, letting out a deep breath but doesn’t say anything further and Jake clearly accepts that that’s all he’s going to get out of him. He turns to Kate. “Is she happy? With you?”

“Yes.” Javi blurts out. “So happy.”

She peers down at her friend, who has a rapidly growing sheepish grin on his scarlet face. “The way you say that makes it sound like we aren’t happy.”

“Just have to make the point.”

She gives an exaggerated roll of her eyes. “You’re ridiculous.” She turns back to Jake and Bradley. “Yeah, yeah she really is happy.”

“Does this mean I can go back to watching the Wranglers streams now or am I gonna get yelled at again? Cause now that you think about it, we all kinda gaslit Coyote.” Fanboy calls from across the kitchen. Tyler turns, giving the boy a curious look.

“What?”

“Mickey used to watch your guys streams until I started appearing in them.” You comment, appearing next to Kate. She jumps a little, taking you in. Your face has the remnants of tears, voice raw, but there’s a lack of weight in your body she’s been seeing you carry ever since she’s known you. You wrap your arms around one of Kate’s leaning your head on your shoulder after setting a plastic tub on the ground. “They all convinced him,” You say, jerking your head towards your ex. “That he was losing his mind. Also, how come my errands never get to just be my errands? What part of stay in the car until I got back did we not understand?”

“I tried to stop them, really I did.” Kate protests. You let out a quiet laugh, hiding your face in the back of her shirt.

“Have T and Jake made up?” You say quietly. She shakes her head and you sigh.

“Tyler-“

“No, and we’re leaving.” Tyler says, cutting you off as he pushes himself off the couch. “With the way Boone drives they’re probably halfway to Vegas by now.”

“That’s physically not possible.” Kate mutters and you snort.

“Tyler, I don’t want you to leave things like this.”

“That’s not your choice.” Tyler says gruffly, stalking to the front door. Both you and Kate wince as he slams it.

“I don’t know where he thinks he’s going, I still have the keys.” You say, finally letting go of Kate. “It’s my car anyways.” You mutter under your breath before sighing. “Anyways, we should really be on the road because Boone’s probably stopped at the alien tourist stop in Bakersfield by now.”

“If Tyler complains about traffic again, can we take a group vote to leave him on the side of the road?” Javi asks as he cranes his head up at you.

“We’re not leaving Tyler on the side of the road.” Kate says with a tired sigh.

“Even if he walks to Vegas?” Javi protests earning a tired laugh from you.

“Okay Kate, will you drive?” She nods as you hand her the keys, Javi standing up from the couch. “Javi, take that.” You say, pointing to the box. “I’m going to be out in just a minute.”

You wait for the door to shut behind them before turning to Jake. “Okay Jake, you can have your real hug now.” He grins as you pull him into a hug. “Don’t worry about him. It’ll take time.”

“I’m sure with a couple hours trapped in a car with you, he’ll cave and call.” Jake says softly, forced humor in the words.

(It would take three weeks, an incessantly annoying three weeks on your part, before Ty got so frustrated with you he’d called Jake while sitting on top of his truck on the ranch in Arkansas. You’re still not sure what they talked about, what was said, but by the end of the week, Tyler walked into the house with a wedding invitation on fancy card stock Tyler teased Jake endlessly for.)

“Don’t be so hard on yourself, though.” You say, squeezing him. “Let bygones by bygones. I have.”

He hums. “Take care of yourself.”

Bradley gives you a brief hug. “I’m glad you’re happy and safe kid. That’s all I would’ve ever wanted for you.”

“Hope you weren’t too hard on Jake.”

“No more than the normal amount.”

“The normal amount is zero.”

Bradley laughs. “You’re being more fair to him than he deserves, hope you know that.”

“Something something time space therapy.”

You reach your arms out for Pete and he stands up, giving you a grin, as Bradley laughs harder. “Don’t do anything out there that I would do.”

You laugh. “No promises.” You pad over to Mickey, giving him a tight hug. “If you ever decide you get tired of the pilot life and want to become a storm chaser, you let me know.” Mickey laughs.

“You’ll have to unblock me first.” You cringe at the reminder and pat his back.

“Done. You take care of yourself.” He gives you a two finger salute, letting you step back.

You turn back to Javy, who’s mostly kept to himself through the whole conversation. “Come here you.” He looks surprised you’re offering him another hug, but he returns it nonetheless. “You be safe out there, you hear me.”

“Yes ma’am.” He whispers. “Don’t get sucked up into a tornado.”

“I’ll try my hardest. And uh, really do think about my Elle suggestion.”

You both linger for a minute longer before eventually he pulls away. “You sure that’s all you want to take?”

You shrug. “Yeah, I got what I need out there. Sell the rest of the stuff, make a quick buck off of me. It’s the least I can do.”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “Sounds like a deal. Uh, can I walk you to the door?” You nod and he trails behind you quietly. “So this is uh, really goodbye.”

“Seems like it.”

“I’m uh, really happy you found what you’re looking for. I can only hope I’ll find it someday.”

“You will.” You say quietly. “I’m really sorry it didn’t work out between us.”

“It’s for the better it seems.”

You nod. “Well-“ You clear your throat. “Goodbye Javy.”

The door shut behinds you with a soft thud. You sigh, padding across the wet grass as you slip in the seat next to Kate. As she pulls away from the curb, Javi asks how you’re feeling.

“It’s stupid.” You mumble. “But I keep thinking of this Taylor Swift lyric.”

“Not this again.” Tyler mutters and through the rear view mirror you can see Javi flick his ear.

“What is it?” Kate asks softly.

“It’s just this one line — what a valiant roar, what a bland goodbye. It’s just odd, I think. I did really love him at one point and I did really think maybe I’d spend the rest of my life with him, that those would be my best days. And it all just kind of ends here.” You sigh, settling back into your seat. “But- I don’t know. I’m not mad about how it all happened, I guess. It lead me here.”

Tyler lifts his chin, giving you a soft yet sincere smile through the rearview mirror. “And we’re happy to have you here.”

“So,” Kate starts from the balcony of your Vegas hotel room. Your friends are fast asleep inside, all piled somewhere on the beds pushed together. You’re pretty sure when you left, Boone had pushed himself in between Tyler and Javi and was snoring. “I’ve been sort of- I kind of have something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.”

You glance at your girlfriend. “Yeah?”

She nods. “Last night, when Javi and Boone left cause of the bad feeling they got- they weren’t the only ones who felt that. It kinda made me sick, hearing them talk about you like that, and thinking about the fact that you might actually do it. That you might remember that you liked your life there better and leave Oklahoma.” She takes a sharp breath. “Leave me.”

“Kate-“

“I know I’m not really the best at- at always showing you how much you mean to me, that sometimes I get caught up in chasing the storm, in actually making it all mean something, that I forgot about how great of a thing I have. I’m trying really hard not to take it for granted, because I did once and I can’t- I can’t go through that again. To lose you would be one of the greatest losses of my life.”

“Kate, I love you. You aren’t gonna lose me, I’m not going anywhere. I only want to be with you, there isn’t any other life for me except for the one right next to you.”

She reached up, brushing away an eyelash that had fallen onto your cheek. “I think I’m sort of starting to understand that now.” She reaches out for your hand. “Listen, I‘ve sort of- sort of been keeping my eye on some places going up for sale in Sapulpa. I know my Mom doesn’t mind having us around but I think maybe it’s time we give her back her peace and quiet.”

“Kate…”

She reaches a hand up, tucking a hair behind your ear. “We can keep the barn as home base but I found this really cute place for not too bad of a price while we were driving out here. I sort of scheduled a tour with the realtor for the day after next.” She’s wearing a soft, cautious smile.

“Kate,” Your breath hitches. “Kate Carter, are you asking me to move in with you? Are you asking me to buy a house with you?”

She gives a sort of nonchalant shrug. “If that’s what you want.”

“I- Yes, of course that’s what I want!” You exclaim, belatedly realizing you may wake your friends. Well, not Boone at least, who sleeps like the dead. Your voice drops considerably. “Yes, yes I would love that.”

Kate gives you a grin, reaching out to tug on the elastic band of your pajama pants to bring you closer to her. You laugh, colliding into her. Your hands brace yourself on her shoulders as Kate smiles wider than you think you’ve ever seen her.

“I love you so much.” She whispers. “How lucky am I.”

“I hope it’s like this forever.” You say softly. “I know, there’s no guarantee and eventually, they’ll find other things. But I hope it’s always this easy, you know? Not just with us but with them too you know? They might not be the Wranglers forever but I hope they’re our family forever.” You say, turning your head to look at your friends through the glass.

You feel the outline of Kate’s smile on your cheek. “They will be. I promise. No matter where we all go, they’ll still be here. Can’t take the home out of Oklahoma, right?”

#twisters #twisters fic #kate carter #kate carter fic #kate carter x reader #kate carter x female reader #can't take the home out of oklahoma

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midnight1199 · 3 months ago

Text

Fated To Meet You

PAIRING: Jake Sully x Reader

WARNINGS: slight!angst, avatar!reader, fem!reader, can't think of any more rn, AU, happy!ending hopefully, not beta read

NOTES: Hello dear readers, this is my first time posting a multichapter fic on any platform so crossing my fingers that I do justice to your expectations. I'm not a native English speaker and English is my second language so please let me know where I can improve my writing skills. Moving on, please enjoy the story!

SUMMARY: The first time you saw him, you felt pity for him—Jake. Maybe that was the spark that would lead to the inferno of feelings you would hold until your last breath on Pandora.

Chapter 2

Chapter 1

Uprooting your current life and moving to an entirely different planet for a new beginning came as a surprisingly easy decision for you to make. Your fascination at your grandma’s storytelling of the lush green forests surrounded by trees as tall as the grim concrete skyscrapers, the sounds of life of the various creatures of the forest almost as prominent as the grinding of the metal machinery on Earth was what drew you to sign an application on a piece of paper which basically would sign your life away for the next 18 years to an organization called RDA.

Getting selected for the Avatar program as a xenobotanist was not something you expected. So you spent the next year and a half learning about the native flora and fauna life of the alien moon, Pandora. The week before your team was supposed to board the ISV Venture Star, you came to know of the death of your friend and colleague, Tom Sully. Killed for the few papers in his wallet. That is when you also learn of the RDA’s plans to send Jake, Tommy’s twin brother, in his stead to Pandora to prevent the monetary loss of losing an Avatar driver and subsequently wasting an asset.

You had only met Jake once when Tommy had brought him to the Training camp for a tour, and aside from greeting each other, there had not been any further interaction between you two. So, to say that seeing Tommy’s identical copy roll into the port almost gave you whiplash would be an understatement. Meeting eyes from a distance, you could only nod and wave at him before being hurriedly ushered by the staff toward the med bay for a final checkup before being put into cryosleep.

A dry mouth and blurry eyes were the first things that you noticed before your ears picked up on the med tech staff announcement. “You’ve been in cryo for five years nine months and twenty-two days. You will be hungry; you will be weak. If you feel nausea, please use the…” His voice fades to the background as you float to your assigned locker, you vaguely notice another hand reaching to the locker next to yours. You follow the hand to a familiar face – Jake. Jake barely looks at you before he grabs a bottle of water from his locker and floats away to his assigned seat to prepare to land. “They did not even have the courtesy to rename his locker,” you mumble. You brush a hand over the embossed ‘Sully. T.’. “See you on the other side, friend” you whisper before grabbing your items and floating off to your seat. The entry into the Pandoran atmosphere goes by in a blur. The dystopian dull grey of Hell’s Gate sticks out like a sore thumb between the beauty of the lush greens and emeralds around you.

You are rushed out of the Valkyrie shuttlecraft, breathing mask secured on your head, and the RDA militia screaming at you to hurry along. Carrying your knapsack, you make your way to the mess to watch Colonel Quaritch’s speech in silence. You can’t deny that the man has a flair for dramatics. “You're not in Kansas anymore. You're on Pandora, ladies and gentlemen. Respect that fact every second of every day.” You watch from the corner of your eye as Jake rolls in on his wheelchair, meeting your eyes for a split moment before redirecting his attention to the man’s speech. “If there is a Hell, you might want to go there for some R & R, after a tour on Pandora. Out there beyond that fence, every living thing that crawls, flies, or squats in the mud wants to kill you and eat your eyes for jujubes. We have an indigenous population of humanoids called the Na'vi. They're fond of arrows dipped in a neurotoxin that'll stop your heart in one minute. And they have bones reinforced with naturally occurring carbon fiber. They are very hard to kill. As head of security, it is my job to keep you alive.” He glances around. “I will not succeed. Not with all of you. If you wish to survive, you need to cultivate a strong, mental attitude. You got to obey the rules: Pandora rules!”

You zone out as the man starts listing the rules you needed to obey. You wonder if the others standing in the room with you realize the hypocrisy of the Colonel’s speech. Reading between the man’s words was easy and the message was clear – Kill or be killed. The RDA was expecting you to follow their orders without question and you would be damned before you let a few military goons browbeat you into submission.

Post briefing, you head out towards the labs as instructed. “Jake!” A loud shout rang through the hallway. Norm Spellman, a fellow Avatar Driver, rushed past you towards a clearly taken aback Jake. Internally sighing, you quickened your pace to catch up with both of them, wincing slightly at hearing the end of Norm’s introduction, “…Wow! You look just like him. I’m-” “Norm Spellman”, you cut in, “and I’m Y/N. Nice to meet you, Jake. We went through Avatar Training with Tom.”

“Yeah, he mentioned your names—both, uh, both your names. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Why don’t we explore a bit? Check out our Avatars?”, smiling you nudge Norm to walk ahead. He petulantly calls you a bully but ambles on ahead. Snickering, you head behind Jake and push his wheelchair ahead. “Hey, I’m sorry about Norm. He’s a bit awkward with introductions, subtlety isn’t his strong suit”, grimacing slightly you continue, “the guy is all brains and no grace but he’s good at heart…”. Jake shrugs and glances back at you. “It’s alright, no harm done.”

Following Norm, you find yourselves in the bio-lab. “That’s your avatar right there.” You point Jake towards an incubated blue form in a large blue tube-like structure. A similar female figure in another tube grabs your attention and you head towards it. Your Avatar looks exactly like you except leaner, taller, and very very blue. She’s curled up in a fetal position, twitching occasionally, as if dreaming. You press a hand on the glass. This was what your training had led you to. A step away from your dreams. A step away from Grandma’s stories.

The meeting with Grace had gone as one would expect an open can of milk sitting in the most humid part of the house for a week to smell, that is to say, bad—Grace Augustine; xenobotanist, xenoanthropologist, and Head of the Avatar Program on Pandora. You had known of Grace through her books on the Pandoran flora, so when Dr. Patel—a scientist for the Avatar Program—introduces you to Grace, you’re sure you’re about to faint.

“Grace, I’d like you to meet Norm Spellman, Y/N, and Jake Sully.”

The woman turns around, puffing the cigarette smoke out, and walks towards you. “Norm, I hear good things about you. How’s your Na’vi?” “Awvea ultxari ohengeyä, Nawma Sa'nok lrrtok siveiyi”, the man responds. You and Jake watch as they continue conversing, with you catching bits and pieces of the conversation. Admittedly, your year and a half of training did not center around the necessity of learning the language. You’re still better off than Jake, who you see is lost and zoning out.

“Uh, Grace? This is Y/N”, Dr. Patel adds pointing at you, “and Jake”. You step forward to shake hands with the older woman, “Ma’am. It is an honor to work with you! Your books on Pandoran botany were the materials we used at the Academy.” You lean in closer and continue, “I can’t wait to explore in person!” Grace nods once and drops your hand. Your smile drops along with that clear dismissal. She turns to Jake and you see him move to offer his hand. “Ma’am-”

“Yeah, yeah. I know who you are, and I don't need you. I need your brother”, she turns to Dr. Patel, “You know, the PhD who trained for three years for this mission-”

“He’s dead.” Jake lowers his arm, “I know it’s a big inconvenience for everyone.”

Grace stays silent as she stares back at Jake. You want to step in before the conversation escalates but are too nervous to slice through the mounting tension. The silence lingers between the five of you before it is broken by a furious Grace storming off. Your shoulders slump, all tension leaking out before exhaustion hits you. The emotional rollercoaster of the day completely drained the energy out of you.

Dr. Patel sighs and turns towards Jake, “Here tomorrow, 0800. Try and use bigwords.”

He leaves you staring after him as he follows after Grace. “That went well…”, you hear Norm mutter. “Let’s just head to the dorm, guys”, you say as you move towards the said dorms, “and don’t forget to video log your experience. Don’t need the Wicked Witch of the West on our asses for that.” Jake and you share a laugh while Norm huffs and stomps his way toward the dorms. You turn to follow after him but a hand grabbing your arm stops you. “I saw you trying to step in y’know, earlier”, Jake murmurs, “Thanks for caring about Tommy, he had a good friend in you.” It’s the complete exhaustion and defeat in his voice that makes your heart pang with grief. A week—that was all RDA had given to the man before you to grieve his dead brother. His dead twin brother, someone whom he had once shared a womb with. You smile softly at Jake and take his hand in yours. “I didn’t do it for Tommy”, squeezing his hand you continue, “I did it for you, Marine. Figured somebody needed to give you a break.” A hurried staff rushing past you snaps you out of the moment and you clear your throat while pulling your hand away from Jake’s.

“Let’s head to the dorms, shall we?”, without waiting for a reply you hurry ahead. Jake following after you after a short moment of silence.

#jake sully x reader #avatar x reader #jake sully #female reader #fem!reader #avatar!reader #human!reader #jake sully x y/n #jake sully x you #jake sully fanfiction #jake sully fanfic #avatar 2009 #avatar #avatar fanfiction #alternate universe

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cuttergauthier · 2 years ago

Text

Snowstorm

Female reader x Cole McWard

Warning: against, fluff, Cussing

word count: 2.3k

let me know what you guys think🤍

I’m a senior at Ohio State, my younger brother Tyler plays on the hockey, while my twin brother Dylan plays for our rivals the Michigan Wolverines.

The boys decided to rent out a big ski cabin for the week since it was spring break, and they didn’t have any games. Since i was close with my brother and some of the guys, I was invited.

The house is only 4 hours away from Ohio everyone had already left earlier this morning, I told my brother I would meet them there since I had one exam left before spring break.

It was now noon, and I was finally done with my exam, it’s snowing outside there’s supposed to be a snowstorm starting later today, but I guess it started earlier.

I made the walk from the building to my car, I put my backpack in the trunk before getting in the driver-seat. When I tried starting my car, it wouldn’t start.

“No no no, not now” I mumbled to myself, why couldn’t this happen yesterday, so I could have asked one of the guys for a drive.

“for fuck sakes”

I took my phone and called Tyler. It rang twice before he answered.

“Hey sis, are you on the way?”He asked

I sighed

“Sorry Ty, I’m not going to be able to make it” i said sadly.

“What do you mean, you aren’t going to be able to make it?”

“I’m still on campus and my car won’t start, plus it’s already snowing pretty bad right now, so i’m just going to go order an uber and go to my apartment”

“I’m putting you on speaker”

“Y/n, i’m pretty sure Cole is still on campus, he also had an exam this morning, i can text him and ask, you guys could ride together “ Davis said

“Burnsy, you know Cole and I do not get along, he not going to want to give me a ride” i said seriously.

The first time i met him last year, he was an ass to me, yet he’s nice to everyone else, nothing changed, he’d insult me, tease me, make fun of me, you name it. I tried being nice to him, but what he says hurts so i gave up and started hating him.

“I can tell Cap to threaten him, so he won’t have a choice but to drive you, we all want you here” davis said

“Even if he says yes, it’s going to be hell being stuck in a car with him for 4 hours, especially when it’s snowing so it might take longer” i argued

“Look if you don’t want to that’s fine, but Davis is calling him right now” my brother said

“Fine” i sighed

“I told him where you were, he said he’d be there in like five minutes” davis said

“Thank you, i’ll see you guys soon” i said

“bye, love you sis” tyler said

“Love you to Ty” i said before hanging up. I put my phone in my pocket and waiting for Cole to get here.

A few minutes later he pulled up in the parking spot next to me.

I got out of my car and walked to the trunk to get my suitcase along with my backpack. Cole got out of his car and made his way to me, before he took my suitcase.

“Your car just had to stop working today didn’t it?” He said annoyed. I rolled my eyes before taking my backpack and making my way to the passenger door.

I locked my car, and a few seconds later cole got in the driver’s seat.

“Do you have everything? I’m not turning around once we get on the road” he said looking at me

“I have everything” i said before turning my head and looking at the snow falling.

Cole sighed before backing out of the parking space and started to drive to the location Jake Wise the captain had sent everyone.

It was awkward and silence, neither of us were talking, the only sound was the music playing softly in the background. The snowstorm was getting worse and i was worried we might not make it there.

I started getting nervous the road are getting pretty bad and were only an hour in the 4 hour drive. I couldn’t stop shaking my leg, it usually happens when i get nervous.

“Can you stop that?” Cole asked annoyed, i turned to look at him confused.

“Stop what? I’m not doing anything”

“Stop shaking your leg, it’s annoying” he snapped.

“I’m sorry okay the roads are getting pretty bad right now and it’s stressing me out” i snapped back.

“What, you don’t trust my driving?” He teased

“That’s not it, the roads are already bad, and were only 1 hours in, it’s only going to get worse”

“Well it’s to late to turn around now”

“Can we stop somewhere?” I asked looking at him, i really don’t want to stay on the road when there’s a chance we could get in an accident.

“No”

“Cole please? The road aren’t going to get any better and i don’t want us to get in an accident” i pleaded.

“ we aren’t going to get in an accident” he said sending me an annoyed look before looking back at the road.

I stayed quiet until i saw a sign saying there was a hotel at the next exit, i really didn’t want to stay the night alone with him, but it’s better than driving in a storm.

“Look, there’s a hotel at the next exit, can we please stop for the night? Staying on the road is starting to scare me.” I begged and he looked at me for a second before looking back at the road.

“For fuck sakes, fine” he sighed he said before taking the exit, he turned into the hotel’s parking lot, found a spot and parked. I hope there’s more than one room available i don’t want to be stuck in the same room all night with him and the parking lot was packed of cars.

We took off our seat belts and got out of the car, Cole opened the trunk and handed me my suitcase before taking his and closing the trunk.

The snow was pretty bad, and it was freezing.

“They better have a lot of rooms left, there’s no way i’m going to be stuck in the same room as you.” He said

“The feelings mutual” i said rolling my eyes.

We made our way inside and to the front desk. The lady at the desk smiled at us.

“Hey, are you guys here to check in?” She asked

“No, we were on our way out of town but the roads are pretty bad so we thought it would be safer to stop for the night, is there any chance there’s two rooms available?” Cole said nicely.

He’s always nice to anyone but me.

“Let me check” she answered before typing in the computer.

“I’m sorry but it looks like we only have one room left with a king bed, there is also a couch, were pretty busy since spring break is starting” she said

“That’s fine we’ll take it” Cole said.

She nodded before taking his information and giving us the keys to the room.

“Enjoy your stay” she smiled

“Thank you” we both said before making our way to the elevator.

It was quiet until we got to our room, once we got in Cole turned to look at me “ you’re sleeping on the couch” he said and i rolled my eyes.

I’m not surprised.

“Yeah whatever, i’m going to call my brother and tell him we won’t be there today” i sighed annoyed.

Tyler answered after the first ring.

“Hey, where are you guys now?” He asked

“We stopped at a hotel, the roads were pretty bad, so we’ll get back on the road tomorrow once the storm clears” i told him

“Okay, i’m glad, i want you to be safe, call me tomorrow before you get back on the road, and let me know if Cole is being an ass to you, i’ll tell Jake” he said making me chuckle

“I will, love you”

“Love you to sis”

Once i hung up i saw cole was already laying in bed searching for something to watch on the tv. I made my way to the closet to see if there was any spare blankets that i can use to sleep on the couch tonight.

Thankfully there’s a pillow and a small blanket, so I hope i’m not freezing, it’s already cold.

I got them out and put them on the couch. And went to my suitcase so i could grab my ohio state hoodie and some legging, i usually sleep in shorts but it’s to cold to do that here plus I wanted to get comfy since it was only 3 p.m.

I made my way to the bathroom to change out of my top and jeans. Once i was done, i got out and put my stuff in my suitcase before sitting down on the couch and going on my phone.

Cole had found some hockey highlights on the tv , so he was watching that.

I texter my brother Dylan, Michigan has a game tonight so i thought i would wish him luck before i forgot.

I was starving so I grabbed the room key and put on my shoes, Cole looked at me confused.

“Where are you going?” He asked.

“Downstairs to the restaurant, I’m starving” i said

“I’m coming to, i could eat” he said before he put on his shoes and met me at the door.

I rolled my eyes and we made our way to the restaurant.

There was already a bunch of people here so we thought we would order and eat in our room.

Thankfully our food didn’t take long so we made our way back to our room.

I sat back down on the couch while Cole went to the bed.

I started eating, the food is really good.

Once i was done i went to throw out the rest and went back to sitting on the couch. I looked up at Cole to see him watching the hockey highlights again.

“Hey um, thanks for stopping here for the night, it really didn’t feel safe to stay on the road” i said shyly, i really didn’t want him to argue with me.

All he did was nod. The reste of the night was pretty much the same, it was quiet, we weren’t talking to each other so at around 10 we both went to sleep, except i couldn’t fall asleep since it was so cold and the couch wasn’t comfy, my teeth are grinding together and i was practically shaking as i was wrapped up in the blanket.

“Why the hell aren’t you sleeping? I’m exhausted & i won’t be able to sleep if you keep grinding your teeth” Cole asked annoyed

“It’s not my fault it’s freezing in here”

He turned the lamp on and got out of bed to check the thermostat.

“It’s 76 in here, it shouldn’t be cold” he said

“What?” I got up and checked it myself and he wasn’t lying.

“For fuck sakes, it’s probably broken” i said, cole looked at me.

“Jeez you’re literally shaking” he said

“Yeah, well I’m literally freezing”

“Get in the bed, if you stay on the couch you might actually get hypothermia, and i don’t want to have to explain that to your brother” he said

I made my way to the other side of the bed and got under the covers and faced the wall. The other side of the bed dipped, cole got under the covers turned to face my back, next thing i know he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me to his chest.

“What are you doing?” I asked confused

“You’re freezing, just shut up and let me help okay?” He said

I started to feel the warmth of his body making me stop shivering.

“Thank you” i whispered

“Don’t mention it” he whispered back.

Now i couldn’t sleep because the guy that doesn’t like me is so close to me. I always thought he was good looking and had a crush on him, but i think this is the first time he’s been nice to me since the 2 years i’ve known him.

“I can feel the wheels turning in your head” he said softly.

“Why do you hate me?” I asked

i felt him go steady. I turned around in his arms, my cheek was now against his chest.

It took him a minute before he started talking.

“I don’t hate you, when i first met you, i thought you were the prettiest girl i’d ever seen, but i never thought you go for me, so it was easier for me to pretend i didn’t like you at all”

“Do you still think i’m pretty?”

“You’re even prettier now” he said making me chuckle.

“I’ve always had a crush on you to, but i thought you didn’t like me so i never told anyone, even thought my brother and davis usually tease me about having a crush on you”

“Really?”

“Yeah”

“So if i ask you out, would you say yes? Even now after i was mean to you?” He asked

“Yeah, everyone deserves a second chance.” I said softly. He smiled and kissed my forehead.

“get some sleep, well talk more in the morning, i promise.” He whispered and i nodded and closed my eyes.

Before i fell asleep I heard Cole whisper “you’re always going to be the prettiest girl in the world to me, I really hope you give me a chance”

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crinkled-emotions · 2 years ago

Note

Oh. G. You lovely human. I've come to humbly request more Jake. PLEASE 🥺

Hangman xOC (Or dealers choice. Whatever you're feeling) and impatient and frustrated with a Slow healing break

Thank you! I hope 2023 is kind to you!

“Impatient and frustrated” with “a slow healing break” with Jake x OC please?

Ah, Kat... you know me too well! I have been couting down the fics to this one I’m not gonna lie 😂

I've had this ready for about a week, but I had to wait for my wifi to sort itself out which was a BLAST considering hotspotting my phone to my laptop is straight up just a bad idea lmao.

Everyone, meet my new OC; Savannah! Nickname is Sav and she fits in nicely in the same universe of my Rooster OC (her name is Dee, short for Development but also known as Dee-saster to Pooty and Pooty only) who is remaining in the background for now.

Savannah barrelled down the hallways of the Navy hospital, dodging and ducking everyone in her way. She spotted the tall, broad form of Rooster standing outside a room and yelled for him, narrowly missing accidentally running into a patient walking past.

“Rooster!”

“Savannah, hey. Hey, take a sec. You don’t wanna freak him out more.”

“Is he okay? What the hell happened? Rooster, I swear to god, let me through-“

“-he had to eject, Sav. That’s what the hell happened,” Rooster said. He refused to meet her eyes, darting all over the place which was very unlike him. As much as he disliked Jake, she’d never had a problem with him personally and he’d always been straight with her. When he still shifted nervously Savannah froze, assuming the worst.

“How- what- is he- Bradley-“

“-he’s okay, for the most part, but uh- Cyclone is in there with him and Mav. You might want to give it a minute.”

“Is he in trouble?” Savannah asked, the fear building in her stomach. When Rooster shook his head, she ducked around him and pointed at Coyote, Jake’s right hand man and one of his oldest friends.

“Hey, Javy. Is my husband in the shit?”

“Nah, he did what he had to do, Cyclone gets that. Sorry I called like that, I hope I didn’t freak you out.”

“Uh, yeah, I’m not gonna lie, you definitely spooked me.”

Coyote got up from his spot beside Bob on the seats and approached Savannah, giving her a hug.

“It’s good to see you anyways,” he said. She sighed, resting her head on his chest.

“How bad is it?”

“Well, it’s not good,” Phoenix said bluntly. Savannah lifted her head from Javy’s chest to glare at the other pilot.

“This is not the time to be quoting 9-1-1,” she said, but when Phoenix shrugged Savannah realised she wasn’t even mad because it was exactly something she would have done to cope had the shoe been on the other foot. Whenever Phoenix was stateside she and Savannah binged the show like there was no tomorrow- Bob had joined them last time and had surprisingly been down for the thirsting over the men and women of the 118.

The door to the hospital room opened and Maverick stepped out with Cyclone, his attention turning straight to his godson... who wasn’t looking all that great either.

“Come with me. The rest of you, give Savannah and Jake some space.”

Savannah watched Rooster and Maverick walk toward the exit, then turned her attention to Cyclone.

“Admiral Simpson, sir, how is he?”

Cyclone’s usually harsh exterior tended to melt when he was speaking to spouses. No one really knew exactly why, but they appreciated it nonetheless. Dee, Rooster’s wife (and another 9-1-1 binger), often commented that she appreciated the generosity Cyclone had displayed to her in the past, especially when it came to their kids.

“Well, Mrs Seresin, I have to be honest; he’s really lucky to only come away with the injuries that he did. The doctors said he could have snapped his back in two, or his neck, with the way he ejected.”

“And what are his... injuries?”

Cyclone stepped to the side, reaching for the door handle.

“Maybe you should go and see him, ma’am,” he said softly, so Savannah stepped into the room.

“Jake?”

Jake couldn’t even lift his head from the hospital bed, and Savannah could see from the door that he was flat on his back, completely silent.

“Oh, honey...”

Jake’s right arm was in a sling, right leg in a cast, and his face was all shades of black and blue. Savannah paused right where she was, a hand to her mouth. She knew she couldn’t lose it, not when he needed her, but her heart was going a million miles an hour and she knew he was going to lose his shit when the drugs had worn off. Swallowing the growing lump in her throat she approached the hospital bed, taking Jake’s good hand when he reached out to her.

“M'good,” he croaked and Savannah smiled despite the tears threatening to fall.

“I can see that, cowboy. God, fucking hell Jake, you really scared me. What’s the damage?”

“Pretty self explanatory,” he replied, gesturing to his arm in a sling and his casted leg, “broken collarbone and leg, some bruises in some very attractive places, and time off with a psych evaluation waiting for me on the other end.”

“Sounds like you’re lucky to be alive, let alone able to walk again.”

3 weeks later

Kneeling by Jake’s side of the bed, Savannah pressed a kiss to his forehead and gently shook his shoulder enough to stir him but not enough to make his collarbone hurt.

“You with me, Jake?” She asked softly. He hummed, frowning as he lifted his good hand up to scrub at his eyes.

“What time is it?”

“10, baby. C’mon, up and at ‘em, you need to do your exercises.”

“Fuck the exercises, they hurt and make me nauseous.”

“It’s not the exercises that make you nauseous, Jake, it’s the discomfort from the exercises.”

“Don’t act like you know what you’re talking about, Savannah.”

“And don’t act like you don’t need me to help you to the bathroom in the middle of the night,” Savannah snapped. They fell silent for a moment.

“I’m sorry,” Jake huffed, “I’m just...”

Savannah didn’t try and fill in the blanks for him, and Jake cleared his throat.

“It’s hard to go from the gym twice a day, dogfight training and constant stimulation to nothing. I’m batshit bored, my leg fucking itches all the time, my collarbone hurts and I just want to touch you but I can’t and it’s driving me crazy.”

“I’m sorry too, Jake. I’m not trying to assume I know everything you’re going through. I just want to help.”

“I can’t even- y’know.”

Savannah frowned.

“Pretend I don’t.”

Jake sat up, crossing his arms the best he could, the biggest pout Savannah had ever seen him muster crossing his features. She burst out laughing.

“Jake, I appreciate the thought, but right now? I’m just very fucking happy to see you alive. I don’t even care about that, there is plenty of time when you’re feeling better.”

She moved around the room, pulling their bedroom curtains open and passing Jake’s phone over. He did a quick check of his emails, yawning.

“Are you still okay to take me to that appointment this afternoon?” He asked, eyes still trained on his phone. Savannah hummed, opening drawers for clean clothes. She was still in her sleepwear despite being up for almost four hours- Jake had startled himself in the middle of the night and she’d found it hard to go back to sleep because her heart was racing almost as much as his. Eventually she’d given up and started getting her work done for the day so she didn’t have to worry about it; especially if the appointment went badly.

The unsettled feeling in her gut told her it was going to, and Jake wasn’t going to take it well. Coyote was on standby.

“Good afternoon Lieutenant, how are we feeling?”

“Not great, sir,” Jake complained as he settled on to the exam chair, glancing over at Savannah who took the crutches once he was settled. It had been a slow journey from their bed to the car, then from the car to the doctor’s waiting area, and then again from the doctor’s waiting area to the exam room. Considering Jake had gone three different shades of green and white, and he was now clutching the arms of the exam chair so hard he was probably going to leave marks, Savannah could tell he wasn’t comfortable.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Can you tell me a little more about what’s going on?”

Jake glanced at Savannah again, and she squeezed his good hand.

“It’s okay,” she reassured. The doctor waited, patiently, and finally Jake cleared his throat.

“I’m having trouble sleeping...”

As Jake started to explain what was going on; his inability to stay asleep for more than a couple of hours, the aches and pains, the nausea, the doctor listened intently whilst making notes. Finally, when Jake was done, the doctor gestured to his collarbone.

“Let’s start here, and see how we go. I want to get some more scans done, especially if you’re still in pain after three weeks. From there we can make a plan. Sound good?”

“Guess it has to,” Jake muttered. Savannah glanced at him, unsurprised to find him looking at her too. She sent him the most reassuring smile she could, but her gut still continued to clench.

The doctor put the x-ray films up on the screen for Jake and Savannah, gesturing with his pen toward where there was a plate in Jake’s leg holding it together.

“So, one of the screws has managed to dislodge itself, which would explain why you’re in so much pain. The break is a bad one, as you probably already knew, and it’s going to take a lot longer than the standard six weeks to heal. I understand you want to return to your career and your team, Jake, but I really need you to stay off that leg for as long as you can.”

“You- you mean... more bed rest?” Jake asked, horrified. Savannah reached over to squeeze his hand but Jake pulled away, eyes wide.

“More fuckin’ bed rest? It has been three weeks of nothing but bed rest and my wife having to help me to take a fuckin’ piss! I am tired of bed rest. No, fuck this, is there any other option?”

“-Jake, cut it out,” Savannah hissed through her smile at the doctor, trying to be polite but also ready to put Jake’s head in the ground. She could tell he was about to do a Hangman and be the biggest brat possible. When he tried to get up she put her head in her hands.

“Jake. Sit,” she begged. He glared at her, but did as asked. The doctor sat back on his seat, reaching for his notes.

“You still have a long road of recovery ahead of you, Lieutenant Seresin,” he said. Jake stared at his lap, and Savannah could almost feel the way he was shaking with frustration.

“Take a breath,” she whispered to him, turning her attention back to the doctor.

Back at home, Jake stumbled over to the couch and Savannah went into the kitchen, tossing her car keys on the bench and searching for a bottle of water. If she squinted hard enough at the clock saying 3pm, she could pretend it was 5pm. It was enough for her to wonder if it was okay to crack the bottle of wine yet.

“Sav?”

“Yeah?”

“Can you come here a sec?”

Savannah rounded the corner back into the living area, raising an eyebrow.

“You okay?”

“I’m sorry.”

She frowned, crossing the room to sit on the couch beside Jake, leaning into his side.

“The accident wasn’t your fault, Jake, it’s not like you chose to get hurt.”

“No, I’m sorry for how I behaved in the doctor’s office. I didn’t mean to- I’m just...”

“Impatient? Frustrated?”

Jake huffed, rolled his eyes, but then nodded.

“Yeah.”

“That’s understandable.”

Savannah snorted, reaching out to give her husband a kiss.

“Can I give you some advice?” She whispered. Jake studied her face for a moment, then he nodded.

“Always.”

“Take your time recovering, okay? The more you push yourself the more you actually set yourself back, and I know it’s the most frustrating thing in the world to you, but I need you to understand that if you come back too early, and something happens, you know they won’t let you come back for even longer if at all. I don’t want you grounded permanently until you’re ready to be on the ground.”

Jake was quiet for a moment. Savannah held her breath, waiting for him to start yelling. Instead, he reached for her and she buried her head into his shoulder.

“I love you,” Jake whispered. Savannah pinched his side.

“I love you too. Stop doing stupid shit, let Mav do the self-sacrificing.”

Jake pulled away from their hug, frowning.

“Hey, speaking of Mav, was Bradshaw at the hospital? I don’t remember seeing him.”

Savannah raised an eyebrow, nudging him.

“What, were you worried about him? I didn’t know you two were back to best buddy status.”

“We’re civil. His dad was killed in an accident similar to mine.”

“When I got to the hospital no one looked all that hot. I’ve never seen Phoenix’s hands shake like that. Uh, the others- the others left pretty quickly after I arrived, Cyclone and Mav sent them out- oh, hang on, I kinda remember Mav taking Rooster outside, and when I went to get some air I saw Rooster talking to Dee and he was smoking.”

“That’s not good. I’ll call him later.”

Jake winced and Savannah looked at him, raising an eyebrow.

“Are you still hurting? You can have another dose of painkillers now, I think.”

“No, I- I don’t want the pills. I just- thank you. For putting up with me.”

“It’s a struggle but we make it work,” Savannah teased, Jake rolling his eyes.

“You know what I mean.”

“I do, and it’s not putting up with you. It’s loving you.”

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mccarthawrites · 2 years ago

Text

Can You Marry Us Over the Phone?

Relationship: Jake “Hangman” Seresin/OC!Carter

Rating: General Audiences

Summary: Jake and Carter call her best friend Mykie, and ask them to marry them over the phone.

Author’s Note: Inspired by a real phone call I got from my best friends asking me to marry them over the phone. Yes, I am ordained.

Words: 761

Jake & Carter Masterlist || Top Gun Masterlist

Mykie sat in bed mindlessly watching Criminal Minds when their phone rang. Confused and concerned to be getting a call so late, they grabbed their phone to see it was a call from their best friend’s boyfriend, Jake.

“Is Carter okay? What’s wrong?” Mykie asked, picking up immediately and panicked. The sound of their best friend laughing in the background made them calm down. “Why are you calling me, Seresin? Do you know what time it is?”

“Told you to text them that it wasn’t an emergency.” Carter’s voice put Mykie at ease.

“Did we wake you?” Jake asked.

“I’m an insomniac so no. What do you need to be said over the phone that couldn’t be texted? Put my girl on.”

“Wait. Hold on, I have a question for you.” Jake told them.

“Which is?”

“Carter said you’re ordained. So can you marry us over the phone?” Jake asked. The silence lasted a bit too long. “Myke?”

“Y’all got engaged and didn’t even bother to mention it?” Mykie asked, sounding betrayed.

“Give me the phone.” Carter snatched the phone from Jake. “Hey, Myke.”

“Are you engaged? Tell me that he went all out and-”

“We’re not engaged- well not officially. There’s no ring or anything. We were just talking and he got a little too excited when I mentioned you could marry us.” Carter explained. “How are you?”

“Wait, but you guys are getting married or not? I am so confused.”

“Put it on speaker.” Jake grabbed the phone. “So can you marry us over the phone or not?”

“Legally? I don’t think so. But wait- so you haven’t proposed?”

“Not officially. No. Does that matter?”

“Does it matter?” Mykie asked. “Does it fucking matter? Of course, it matters. Carter deserves the best most amazing most beautiful proposal and you better give it to her.” Carter laughed. “But no I cannot legally marry you over the phone.”

“When we do get married, can you officiate?” Carter asked.

“Yes! I specifically got ordained to marry my best friends. Wait- are you guys getting married in Cali?”

“Or Texas.” Jake proposed.

“We don’t know yet. Why?” Carter asked.

“Ordination and officiating marriages is a shit show in the country depending on the state. I’d have to get the right paperwork for the state. I’m only good to go in New York.” Mykie explained.

“We’ve got plenty of time to figure that out, right?” Jake asked.

“I guess. So was this the marriage is on the table talk or the I can’t live without you talk?” Mykie asked.

“I am crazy about your best friend and I want to spend the rest of my life with her because I’m in love.” Jake explained.

“You’re so lame.” Mykie teased.

“Yeah, he’s a dork. We miss you. When are you going to come visit?” Carter asked.

“You know if you invited me I could be on the next plane in the morning.” Mykie replied.

“So why don’t you?” Jake asked.

“If you’re joking you better let me know because I just turned on my laptop to look at flights.”

“You might be able to watch Jake and his friends play dogfight football on the beach.”

“What the hell is that?” Mykie asked.

“They all get shirtless and roughhouse in the sand.” Carter replied. “It’s quite a sight.

“Say less. I’ll be there in the morning.” Mykie laughed. “How about I show up sometime next week say- Thursday? I stay for the weekend and fly home Monday?”

“You can stay longer than that. It’s why we have the guest room.” Carter replied.

“Don’t tempt me or I’ll just move in.” Mykie teased.

“Why the hell not?” Jake asked.

“Nah. You and I would clash if we spend too much time together, Jakey.”

“It’s getting late and Jakey has an early training flight, so we’ve gotta let you go, Myke.” Carter explained.

“Okay. Congrats on not being officially engaged. I’ll find out what I need to do to marry y’all in Cali or- Texas. See you next week.”

“Have a goodnight, Mykie.”

“You too. Next time text me so I don’t panic.”

“That’s what I told him.” Carter laughed.

“I’ll see you too next week.”

“Text me the flight details so we can pick you up from the airport.”

“Sir, yessir.” Mykie teased. After the phone call ended, Jake looked at Carter.

“What?” Carter asked.

“I just love Mykie and I hope they get to marry us.” Jake replied. Carter laughed.

“They will. Mykie will do everything in their power to marry us. I promise you that.”

#Top Gun #Top Gun: Maverick #Jake Seresin #Jake 'Hangman' Seresin #Hangman Seresin

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navybrat817 · 2 years ago

Note

look at this loser

I adore

I adore him, too! ❤️

Lapper

Pairing: Motocross!Jake Jensen x Female Reader Summary: Jake is a loser on the tracks, but a winner in your heart. Word Count: Over 840 Warnings: Brief explicit sexual content, oral sex (m. receiving), light fluff, Jake Jensen getting the love he deserves (is that a warning?) A/N: Meet Loser and Lucky! This is set before Starting Gate, but we'll see more of them in this AU. Thanks to you @edwardbaldwin and @blizzspeaks for inspiring Jake for this AU. @drabblewithfrannybarnes @yarnforbrains @ysmmsy @blackwidownat2814 as well! I hope you lovelies enjoy. Not beta read and written on my phone, so any and all mistakes are my own. Please follow @navybrat817-sideblog for new fics and notifications. Please reblog or comment as it means the world!

Jake Jensen is a loser.

Ask any of the riders or spectators and they’ll tell you the man has never won a single race.

It’s not that he’s bad at the sport. He tries. He just isn’t as great as the others.

Most of them didn’t understand at first why he continued to go on the track.

The truth is, he loves motocross.

Points and standings didn’t matter to him and he couldn’t care less if he had a wall of trophies or medals. They would be nice, but they weren’t a reflection of the love he had for the sport.

The guys respected him for that. Even Maddox didn’t give him too much grief.

Putting on his helmet and getting on his bike, he was a loser on his own terms.

And the luckiest guy in the sport because he had you.

He excitedly told everyone you were going to a race before they met you. The pit lizards didn't pay much attention to him, so everyone was intrigued by this mystery girl.

They were shocked when you showed, waving to Jensen with a bright smile.

Since that day and every race you attended after, he hadn’t crashed once. He even managed to move up in the standings.

Everyone called you Lucky.

Seeing you whenever he removed his helmet put a dopey smile on his face.

After the first race you attended, he half expected you to be embarrassed since he was lapped.

You ran into his arms, uncaring of the dirt or anything else, as everyone stopped and stared.

You peppered kisses across his jaw before pressing your lips against his. The moment his lips parted, you licked into his mouth and pushed yourself closer.

The obscene moan torn from his chest wasn’t missed by anyone close by.

“C’mon. You deserve a treat,” you declared when you gave him a chance to breathe.

“I didn’t win,” Jake protested as you took him by the hand and tugged him away. “I smell.”

“And I want your cock in my mouth. We’ll get waffles after.”

That was the beginning of the two of you being caught in compromising positions, usually with Jake’s pants around his ankles.

He was shy about it at times, but that was mostly for your dignity.

“What if we get caught again, Lucky? Pretty girl, I don’t-”

“Let them see,” you said every time, unbothered by anyone seeing you pleasure your man.

Whenever his cock plunged into your wet mouth or pussy, any and all shame went out to the window.

“God, that’s it. Moan for me. Fuck, you take my cock so well.”

“Fucking hell,” Ari grumbled the last time he found you on your knees behind one of the trailers, turning on his heel and keeping anyone else from heading over.

Jake’s eyes widened before they rolled back, forgetting about everything else around him as you hollowed out your cheeks.

“Again?!” Steve asked in the background as you took Jake deeper in your throat.

You winked as you bobbed your head faster, determined to make him spill down your throat. You knew he was close.

“My toolbox is over there. He makes a mess on it-” Chris began.

“You know he won’t do that,” Steve cut him off.

“Should call him ‘Lucky’. Fucking bastard’s always getting laid,” Ari said.

“How?” Bucky questioned, exhaling slowly when Jake yelled “fuck!”.

Everyone wanted to know how he got a girl like you.

“When you figure it out, let me know,” Ari said, shaking his head.

Bucky walked off on his own to drown out the sounds of Jensen's orgasm, almost running into Natasha.

“Woah. Where’s the fire?” she asked.

“No fire. Just Loser getting his dick sucked.”

“Again?” the redhead smirked. “Wait, what’s the matter? You’re not into Lucky.”

“No, I’m not,” Bucky swore.

Everyone was protective and respective of your relationship.

Even if he wanted you, he wouldn't fuck with Jensen. He not only appreciated him being ex-military, but he was smart enough to do damage to his bike without getting caught.

Sometimes you had to look and watch out for the nice guys.

“It doesn’t matter,” the brunette shut down quickly.

Natasha watched Bucky closely as you and Jake emerged minutes later, hand in hand and ready to go to your favorite diner for waffles.

The dopey smile was back on Jake’s face, his cheeks red as he adjusted his glasses.

There was longing in Bucky’s eyes, but it wasn’t directed at you or Jake.

“You know, I still haven’t won a race,” Jake said as he walked past them.

“You’re still a winner to me,” you stated, walking closer by his side.

Bucky looked away with a slight clench in his jaw. Jake hadn’t podiumed once, but you cheered him on like he finished first every time.

Natasha knew what the problem was: her friend wanted what Loser and Lucky had.

Someone who didn’t care about the wins and losses. A person who simply cared.

“You’ll get a Lucky of your own one day,” she told him.

She’d make sure of it.

*****

We'll see more of Loser and Lucky, along with Hothead and Spitfire, soon. Love and thanks! ❤️

#navybrat writes #jake jensen x reader #jake jensen x female reader #jake jensen x you #jake jensen x y/n #motocross!jake jensen x reader #motocross au #loser and lucky #jake jensen fanfiction #jake jensen imagine #chris evans x reader #chris evans x female reader #chris evans x you #edwardbaldwin #sending love ❤️#asks are always appreciated

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bonitanightmxres · 2 years ago

Text

If I Didn’t Love You || JAKE ‘HANGMAN’ SERESIN

PAIRING: Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin x fem!reader

SYNOPSIS: Years after you break up with jake, he re-enters your life and you want to make things right, but things aren’t the same anymore._

WARNINGS: angsty-ish, language, i think that’s it lol

LENGTH: 2.8k words

a/n: i apologize in advance. and sorry it took so long!

|| Part 2 ||

This was in no way your first break up. Hell, you’d lost count of how many relationships turned sour throughout your life, but you’d agreed to entertain the idea of going out with some random guy your college friends set you up with. He was cute, sure, and there wasn’t much that could go wrong, you figured. Worst case, he’d want to break up eventually. Or maybe you’d lose feelings first, as you often did—and that’s pretty much how it went. As you sat alone in the bar on your second round after letting him down easy, it didn’t really hurt anymore, the pain from a casual breakup never amounted to the pain you felt the day you and Jake Seresin, the only true love you had, broke it off.

Knowing Jake since high school, you automatically knew the kind of guy he was—charismatic, handsome, confident, a deadly trio when it came to Jake Seresin. You knew the risks that came to being the girlfriend of someone like him; all the girls who’d swoon and ignore your existence, or the ones who tried to get his attention behind your back, but you didn’t care. It was Jake’s responsibility to fend them off, and he did just that. In terms of being a good boyfriend, Jake ran circles around the other guys in town. You considered yourself lucky, the other girls in school complained about how they couldn’t get their boyfriends to go out sometimes; and Jake was the one who loved to plan your weekends together.

For years, he was yours and you were his. It was that simple really. Nobody in high school was as exclusive and as in love as you two. So much so that during his senior year, you were both voted “Most Likely to Get Married and Have a Litter of Kids.” Oddly specific, but Jake loved it. Even though you were seventeen at the time, you’d both talked about your dreams. And one that you’d had in common was having a huge family.

...

_“I want at least, like, six. Maybe seven. Think that’s possible?” He told you one night as you both lay in the bed of his old truck. _

_“Jesus Christ, Jake. What do you think I am, a baby-making machine? I was thinking like four. Five, max.” _

_“What? No no, that won’t work,” He insisted, “I need enough kids to make at least half a Longhorns team!” _

You laughed, playfully punching his arm, and he brought you closer into his chest as you both stared into the night sky, with nothing but the chirps of crickets filling the background.

...

Too bad it didn’t work out like that.

He’d gone to the Navy during your senior year, and surprised you when he came back for your prom and graduation. Everything was going perfectly; perfect boyfriend in the Navy, you were about to start college, nothing could’ve gone wrong.

Until it did.

Somewhere along your third year in college, you and Jake began to drift apart. He’d spent so much time away from you, and when he was with you, it seemed like he wasn’t. When he first went away, you never thought that things would get harder as the time went on.

...

_“Sweetheart, I never said it was gonna be easy,” he’d told you one night as he packed his things after only seeing you for a day. _

_“I-I know, I just… I didn’t think it’d be this hard.” _

_“Don’t worry,” Jake brought your head to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss. “Everything’s gonna be okay. I promise. I’ll see you in a couple months.” _

_A couple months turned into six, then turned into eight. He came home during Christmas week, but for you, it was so hard to enjoy the holiday, knowing it wouldn’t last—that you’d hug him goodbye once New Year came and then you’d be alone again for who knows how long. _

_“Sweetheart, I just don’t understand why you’re so upset.” Jake said when you were being particularly cold toward him. _

_“C’mon, Jake, don’t play dumb,” you counter. “You know why.” _

_He shook his head, “This my career. You knew that I’d be gone for a long time from the get-go, so giving me the cold shoulder isn’t fair.” _

_Running your hand down your face, you take in a deep breath. “I know, I know. But it doesn’t make it any easier. It’s not fair to me when you’re with your buddies and I’m the one who’s missing you all the goddamn time!” _

_Jake scoffed, “What about when you’re with your friends and I’m coming home? It’s the same thing!” _

_“No, it’s not! I don’t even have plans until you make yours without me!” _

_“I asked if you wanted to come!” Jake tried defending himself. “You said you didn’t want to, so I wasn’t gonna force you.” _

_By now, the argument was nothing more than a back and forth yelling match about the most arbitrary things, about things that didn’t even matter anymore, but here you both were—fighting and fighting and __fighting. _

_“Our lives are going in opposite directions and tearing us apart,” you began, eyesight blurry from the tears clouding your eyes. “It’s ruining what we had.” _

“What we **‘had’**?” Hold on, hold on. What are we doing here? What are you trying to say?” Jake’s expression turned hard, crossing his arms.

_“I love you, Jake. More than anything,” you held Jake’s face with both hands, his eyes refusing to meet yours. “But I don’t want to be the reason you didn’t follow your dreams. I don’t want you to resent me for that.” _

_“A-are you being serious right now? Are you br—” _

“Goodbye, Jake.”

...

That was almost ten years ago and it pained just as much today as it did then to have said goodbye to the only person you truly loved. So when you heard a particular laugh that sounded _identical _to Jake Seresin’s, you downed another shot. Frozen in place, you couldn’t muster up the courage to glance over and see for yourself. Realistically, it was more than likely just another man, and it was just your head that played games with you. But you were just so curious, what if it was him? You had to know. You had to know for sure. Against your better nature, you turn your head quickly, and sure enough, Jake Seresin as he lived and breathed, sat in a corner booth with what looked like his friends. He was still far enough away from you that you couldn’t see the sparkle of his green eyes, but you knew that smile anywhere. God, that smile. That stupid smile of his as he threw his head back in laughter made your heart stop. So after one last shot, you paid your tab, and naturally snuck your way out of the bar.

The cool breeze smacked you right in the face as you opened the door to leave, almost stinging your skin. You weren’t even sure what time it was, only that it was pitch black outside and the sun was still up when you arrived earlier. Maybe it was the influence of all those shots you decided to chug like there was no tomorrow, but visiting memory lane hit you like a goddamn truck as you fumbled with the keys of your old car. The keys missed the keyhole, falling from your hands and onto the dirt lot, and you groaned as you bent over to pick them up.

“Hope you’re not planning on driving like that!” A voice called out to you, startling you, and the keys fell from your hands again. The voice is all too familiar, and you’re not sure if it’s the cold weather that sends a chill through your body or the fact that the voice you’ve missed for the last decade is actually speaking to you. You blame it on the tipsy feeling to ignore him and not strain your eyes across the parking lot, but the truth is, if you dare to look back and see Jake Seresin, you’re afraid you won’t be able to leave. So instead, you wave him off, and bend back down to pick the keys up once more. This time, you could easily fit them into the door of your car and unlock it. When you slide into your seat and look into the side-mirror Jake is only a car’s length away. Your racing heartbeat and settling buzz cause you to fumble with the keys again as you place them into the ignition, and as if things couldn’t get any worse, your car sputters as you turn the keys. Heart beating faster and faster as Jake approaches closer, your anxiety rises, but the car doesn’t give. Gripping the steering wheel, you groan and lightly smack your head against it in frustration—if only you’d taken the old piece of scrap metal into the shop when you were advised to, you wouldn’t be sitting in your broken down car, with Jake Seresin tapping your window.

With a deep breath, you climb back out of the car, and Jake steps back. Blinking a few times to wake yourself up from this messed up dream, you come to realize that it really is just reality.

“You shouldn’t be driving right now.” He says. “And from the looks of it, you won’t be driving anywhere in that.” Jake nods over to his own truck, “C’mon, I’ll give you a ride.”

"Thanks for your concern,” you tell him as you begin to walk home. “ But I’ll be fine.”

“I wasn’t asking. Let’s go.” His hand hovers over your back, guiding you to the same truck you remembered after all these years. He helps you in, even buckling your seatbelt for you, and now you feel trapped. Only moments ago you were drowning in the memory of Jake, and now here he was, driving you home because you were too buzzed and stupid to do it yourself. It was like your mind was buffering, like it couldn’t process the fact that he was only an arm’s length away. “H-how, uh,” you cleared your throat, “How’ve you been?”

Jake let out a small chuckle as he backs out of the parking lot, “After ten years, that’s all you’ve got to say?”

“I-I didn’t, I-mean, I-”

“I’m kidding. I’ll be going to California soon for work. Just thought I’d come home for a bit and visit. And you? How’ve you been?”

You shrug, “I’ve been the same.” It wasn’t a total lie, but how were you supposed to admit how a void had been left inside you since the breakup? “Same house, same job, same life.”

“Fine, don’t tell me.” Jake says with a hint of shade in his voice. “Just trying to make small talk.”

“I-I’m sorry,” you sigh, shaking your head. “You know how much I hate it. I was never good at it.”

“Yeah, but it wouldn’t kill you to keep a conversation going.”

You roll your eyes and groan, “What do you want me to say, Jake?”

“God, anything! You’ve barely said three sentences to me, and I know you left that bar because you knew I was there.”

“Of course I did!” You counter, “Why the hell would I stay in the same vicinity as my ex-boyfriend?”

“I don’t know, maybe because we’re mature adults and can handle being around each other?” He shook his head and let out a deep sigh. “It’s a small city, you can’t avoid me forever.”

“I can try.” you muttered, crossing your arms, and staring out the window.

The rest of the drive is awkward and silent, the only words spoken are _“thank you” _and “you’re welcome” when Jake drops you off at home. Eyes glued to the back of the vehicle, a sinking feeling in your stomach emerges. And you can’t help but realize how you probably fucked everything up with Jake a second time. When your car magically sat in your driveway when you woke up the next morning, you knew he was behind it, and immediately felt horrible for the way you treated him the night prior. Maybe you were being too hard on him. You tossed and turned at the idea of showing up at his house to apologize and thank him for having your car fixed, but every time you got the courage to do so, you chickened out. Finally, after a few days, you got in the car and drove to his family’s old home, hoping to repair the damage.

Now sitting in your car in his neighborhood, across the street from his house, you felt nauseous, and almost drove away. But the better part of you knew that Jake deserved your thanks and an apology at the very least. As you knocked on the door, your heart raced, your palms became sticky with sweat as you rubbed them on your jeans, and that nausea made your head spin as you waited for the door to open.

“Hello?” A young woman opened the door, and you didn’t recognize her. Could you have accidentally gotten the address wrong in the heat of your panic? Nope, you glanced at the side of the house and at the street sign, and the address was right. Maybe his family had moved, you thought, after all, they didn’t owe you or anyone in town an explanation. But how in the world would you not have heard something about them moving houses? It was very possible, you decided, but it didn’t seem very likely. “Can I help you?” She asked again, her voice high, and she couldn’t have been much younger than you. Maybe she was the same age, but it was hard to tell with all of the makeup she wore. Quickly glancing at your own appearance in the window of the house, you weren’t very much to look at in the moment; you hadn’t bothered to wash your hair today, and it wasn’t a day to wear makeup, except for a bit of mascara. Did other women always put that much effort into their daily look the way this girl did?

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize the family who lived here moved.” You tell her.

“That’s okay,” she smiled sweetly at you. “Maybe my husband knows who you’re looking for. He grew up in this city.”

“Oh, no, that’s okay, really, I-”

She waved her hand, telling you it was no problem at all and it was then that you noticed the brightly shining ring on her left hand. “Babe, can you come here for a sec!” She called out.

And it was in that split-second moment that you immediately regretted having come to Jake Seresin’s house. Because come to find out, it was still his house. Well, his and the apparent Mrs. Seresin’s. When Jake locked eyes with you, all the color drained from his face as he stood still.

You couldn’t even process the words, and it took all of your might to keep the tears from forming and spilling down your face. But this was your reality—you’d taken so long to try and mend your relationship with Jake, life clearly had other plans. Maybe if you would’ve gotten over it sooner, you’d be the one in his house, hanging onto his arm while a confused and disheveled and heartbroken woman came knocking on the door.

“I-um, I was looking for an old friend of mine,” you clear your throat, voice on the verge of cracking. “To apologize for the way I treated him. For the way I didn’t support him. And to thank him, for getting my car fixed. But he obviously doesn’t live here anymore,” You stared into Jake’s eyes as you spoke every word, hoping he got the message. Turning to his wife, you speak again, this time with a chipper voice and a fake smile, “I’m so sorry for disturbing you. Thanks anyway for your help, but I really have to go now.”

You don’t even look at Jake again before you skip down the steps and back to your car, not wasting a second before beating it out of that neighborhood and back home. You felt stupid for thinking he’d live alone or that he wouldn’t have a girlfriend, let alone a whole wife. And here you were, still crushed over the heartache from your early twenties that you single-handedly caused. Part of you kept wondering what life would have been like, had you just persevered through the tough times. But this was reality—Jake was married and you couldn’t do a damn thing about it.

Time was supposed to help your pain, but it hadn’t. Seeing Jake again was supposed to heal your heartache, but it didn’t—it only made it worse.

#jake seresin #jake hangman seresin x reader #hangman x reader #angst #heartbreak #fanfic #top gun #top gun maverick #top gun maverick fic #jake seresin x you #im sorry in advance #vicky's fics #this broke my heart too #jake hangman x reader #glen powell

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iamcalmdammit · 2 years ago

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She said yes 5 - Secrets || [Steven Grant x reader x Jake Lockley]

Summary: Steven finds out Jake saved you and he gets jealous. Jake convinces you that he's right. And with Layla's help you get some important news.

Note: part 1, part 2 and part 3, part 4. The last part of this chapter is written from the reader's POV instead of Marc's. (This is a first, I usually write from the boys' POV. I might switch to multiple POV instead of just one.) Unedited as usual. What do you think?

Taglist: @crystalchrysalis19 @pyrokineticbaby @susbuttercup @abrielleholland @yuukiahim @0mint-chocolate0 @collyrubies @wheresgamora @tubble-wubble @daddysfavoritesexkitten @obnoxioussmiley @moony-artemis @uncle-eggy @lokibutterknife @andrewgarfieldsspidey @dembiscuitstho @coffeyorky @padfootlovesyou @natkisskiss @princessleah129

Steven woke up to having his arm wrapped around a warm body in bed, with the person’s back pressed against his chest. He couldn’t remember falling asleep. No, the last memory—as it came back with a crushing feeling—was you being pushed into a cab against your will.

But when he took a deep breath and pulled back his arm, his brain kicked in and he recognized a familiar scent. It was you. It was really you. “Y/N!” he exclaimed as he gently turned you around. You opened your eyes while you let out a tired groan. “How?”

It took you a few seconds to wake up enough to talk. “It’s okay, Steven, I’m fine. Jake found me,” you explained with a faint smile.

“What? How long was I out?”

“I don’t know, you should check the date and time.”

He reached for the phone on the nightstand and checked its screen. Oh, God, could it be possible? “Over three days?” he asked incredulously, looking at you as if he was waiting for you to verify it. “Anyway, are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

You shook your head. “No, they didn’t. They just gave me a sedative or something so I was out for a while.”

Pulling you into a hug, Steven kissed the top of your head. “I’m so sorry, love, I didn’t know you would get into the middle of this mess,” he apologized.

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“Yes, it was,” he said, sounding upset. “If it wasn’t for me—for us—they wouldn’t have come after you.”

You looked up at him and let out a sigh. “I’m fine. This is all that matters,” you told him with a warm smile.

Steven nodded, but he didn't know what else to say. So he did the only thing he was sure of—he held you close and peppered your face with kisses. You had parted following a fight before you were kidnapped and he could only hope you knew how much he loved you.

But the problem didn't go away. No, it was part of the system, something that would be around no matter how hard he tried to fight it. Hell, Jake could force his way to the front, keeping both him and Marc in the background with no recollection of what he was doing with the body.

What he was doing with you.

He gulped loudly then leaned back to look at you. “So Jake saved you?” he asked hesitantly.

“He did.” There was something about your voice, a hint of softness he had only heard when you were talking about your loved ones. “What’s with the look?” you suddenly asked.

“There’s no look.”

You shook your head and pointed a finger at him. “There was, I could see it,” you told him then stopped to think. “Are you… jealous?”

Yes.

But he didn’t want to admit it. He’d been talking about how much he loved you, how much he trusted you since the beginning, but now that level of trust was slipping away. He was terrified that Jake might find a way to get under your skin and put him on the sideline.

“Steven, listen. There’s nothing to worry about. I’ll find a way to tame Jake so he'll stop with this nonsense. I promise,” you said before you placed a soft kiss on his lips.

He wished he could believe you, but a voice in the back of his mind told him it wouldn’t be this easy.

Once they were back from Cairo, Jake forced himself to the front the moment he could to visit you. He had to see you because he couldn’t think straight anymore. So he bought flowers and chocolate and ignored Khonshu who was constantly talking to him about his plan to get rid of Harrow for good.

He nervously fixed his tie while he waited for you to open the door. Will you be angry? Or was that night after he saved you enough to change your mind about him?

You opened the door, standing there with your arm resting against the doorframe. “Jake?”

“How did you know?” he asked with a questioning look.

“White shirt, tie, ugly hat. Steven or Marc would never,” you explained as you stepped aside to let him in. “What are you doing here?”

You sounded angry. Were you mad at him? He wasn’t entirely sure and he didn’t want to make you more upset by asking. So he kept his mouth shut and walked inside, handing you his gifts with an unusually nervous look on his face. You gave him a pointed look but took them nonetheless, quickly putting the flowers in a vase.

“What you did that morning,” you finally began, and from these words Jake already knew you were mad at him for pretending to be Steven… again. “If I knew it was you, I would have said no.”

“Come on, deep down you knew it wasn’t him.” He cautiously walked over to you, putting a hand on your shoulder then letting his hand run down your arm. “You knew from the moment I kissed you,” he said as he leaned so close that he could almost kiss you.

You gulped loudly, your body staying still as he breathed in your scent. “I thought he was in a good mood,” you noted before biting on your lip.

“Sweetheart, stop denying it. Maybe you don’t know me well enough yet to tell the difference by a single look, but you can easily tell us apart by the way we kiss you,” he said, putting a hand on the back of your neck and gently pulling you even closer. “And I’m pretty sure the sex was entirely different too,” he whispered in your ear.

He could barely hear it, but Jake was sure you said the word stop. But it didn’t make sense. “You don’t really want me to stop. No, you want more of what you got a taste of that morning,” he told you quietly.

“Jake, please, Steven doesn’t deserve this.”

There it was. You were thinking about hurting Steven’s feelings. You didn’t say no because you didn’t want it. No, you just didn’t want to cheat on your fiancé. But why should you keep yourself from the pleasures he could offer? You had fun that morning, you made it very clear then, and he was more than willing to give you more, even if it meant you had to do it behind Steven’s back.

“Maybe he doesn’t,” he said eventually. “But I want to give you exactly what you deserve. Wanna know what that is?” He leaned back to see your face and he noticed the small nod you gave in response. “I want to make you beg for more. I want you to fall apart so I can build you up from scratch, just the way I want. When I’m done with you, you won’t even remember Steven’s name.”

“I can’t do this to him,” you told him weakly.

“Come on, you can,” Jake went on before kissing you, surprised to feel you returning it without much hesitation. He moved his hand down your chest, moving all the way between your legs. When he reached your panties, he smiled at you. “You wouldn’t be this wet already if you didn’t want it,” he breathed against your neck.

You let out a quiet whine as he playfully bit your neck and Jake couldn’t help but laugh. You were enjoying this, giving him better access by moving your head to the side as your arms sneaked around his body. He took your reaction as a green light and began to push you towards the bedroom, ready to repeat the last time the two of you got intimate—except now you knew perfectly well who you were having sex with.

“I don’t trust Jake,” Marc stated angrily as he paced in his living room. They had a blackout recently and found out Arthur Harrow was missing, presumably being dead. “He killed so many people in Cairo that—It’s insane! We were blaming each other with Steven. And now this.”

Layla seemed tired of listening to her husband, and you assumed it was because she had the fortune to listen to his tirades for weeks now. But eventually she stood up and walked over to him, soothingly wrapping an arm around his body then placing a kiss on his shoulder.

They were so in love once again that the sight of them made you feel sick. Not because it was way-too-sweet for you, but because of what you were doing behind Steven’s back. The two of you were supposed to be just like this, celebrating your engagement and planning an unofficial wedding even Marc agreed to do somewhere far from London. But things had changed since you fucked up.

Several times.

In the past few weeks, you’d met Jake more and more often, by now recognizing him by a single look in his brown eyes. He was right, he really did make you forget about Steven, and every time the two of you were alone, your mind was always focused on him alone. You never thought about what you were doing, that you were cheating on the sweetest man you’d ever known.

Steven didn’t deserve this, yet you kept going back to his alter, begging him for more.

“Maybe you should try to talk to each other. Y/N might be able to help mediate,” Layla suggested. “Apparently Jake is only willing to talk to you after all,” she told you.

You gulped. “Yeah, sure,” you said quietly, your eyes fixed on the floor.

“Yeah, but when was the last time you saw him?” Marc asked, pushing a rebellious lock back to its place. “Right after we came back from Egypt. That was weeks ago.”

Suddenly his posture changed and he moved closer, kneeling in front of you. “You haven’t seen him since then, right, love?” Steven asked.

It was hard to get used to how seamlessly they switched places with Marc now. With Jake it was still forced. Well, Jake forced his way to the front and the others still had no idea what he was doing. With these two? They knew everything about each other.

Clearing your throat, you flashed a weak smile at him and shook your head. “No, that was the last time,” you lied.

Out of the corner of your eye you noticed a strange look crossing Layla’s face. Was she suspecting something? Was it too obvious that you were lying? Steven hadn’t noticed yet, and you hoped it would stay that way. You didn’t need the drama in your life. You didn’t want to see him with a broken heart.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked worriedly, gently taking your chin in his hand to make you look at him. “You look sick.”

He was right, you felt sick. You’d spent quite a lot of time kneeling in front of your toilet in the past few days, but you didn’t think it was anything you should worry about. It was just a stomach flu or something. No big deal. This is what you got for eating at some shady place with your co-worker.

But you didn’t want Steven to worry so you flashed a smile at him and said, “I’m fine, I just need some fresh air, I guess.”

“Let’s go out for a walk then,” he offered immediately.

You shook your head. “Would you mind if I went alone? I’ll be back soon, I promise.”

Suddenly Layla cleared her throat. “I can go with you. I could use a short walk too,” she said kindly.

As long as Steven wasn’t around, you were fine. Recently you found it harder and harder to be around him, and you weren’t sure how long you could keep doing this to him. Lying was harder than you’d ever imagined, you didn’t even know how some people managed to do it through their entire lives.

So you and Layla made your way out of the apartment, but once you stepped out on the street, she grabbed your arm and made you stop. “Are you pregnant?” she asked seriously.

“What? Me? No,” you replied with a dismissive wave of your hand.

“I heard you throwing up back there, and Steven’s right, you do look sick.” You kept shaking your head, trying to get rid of the idea of becoming a mother, but Layla was relentless. “We’re buying you a pregnancy test right now,” she told you, her tone making it clear she wouldn’t take no as an answer.

You wanted to object, but you soon realized resistance would be futile. You followed her lead, wondering if this was the reason why she had given you that strange look back there. Did she only notice you were sick? Was she oblivious to you lying to Steven and Marc about Jake? It was getting too much and too confusing.

You had no idea how, but Layla managed to convince to store owner to let you use the staff’s restroom to take the test. She wanted to know the result, so she waited outside and tried to entertain you through the door by telling you stories about their trip to Egypt. Stories you’d already heard from Steven, although from their perspective, which wasn’t necessarily the same as Layla’s. But you were grateful for that, because the conversation made time pass faster.

Your phone beeped, telling you it was time. Hesitantly, you picked up the test and took a look at it.

“Oh, shit,” you said defeatedly as you unlocked the door.

Hearing the light click, Layla teared the door open and rushed inside to see the result with her own eyes. “It’s positive,” she whispered, a wide grin growing on her face. “This is fantastic, Steven will be thrilled!”

She pulled you into a hug which you returned as if you were celebrating with her. But you weren’t happy about it. Sure, Steven would be a great father, but you weren’t sure if he or Jake was the father. Which in their situation was absurd, because technically speaking, it was Marc’s child. He just… wasn’t around when you got pregnant.

(part 6)

#moon knight #steven grant #marc spector #jake lockley #steven grant x reader #jake lockley x reader #layla el faouly #steven grant imagines #steven grant imagine #jake lockley imagines #jake lockley imagine #marc spector imagines #marc spector imagine #moon knight imagines #moon knight x reader #moon knight imagine #marvel #fanfic

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sheerfreesia007 · 3 years ago

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Finding Love In Legacy Oaks pt. 11

Title: Finding Love In Legacy Oaks pt. 11

Fandom: Kingsman

Pairing: Agent Whiskey x OFC

Author: @sheerfreesia007

Words: 7,484

Warnings: Mention of injury

Permanent Tag List: @paintballkid711, @fioccodineveautunnale, @phoenixhalliwell, @linkpk88, @weirdowithnobeardo

Author Notes: So Bunny’s life isn’t all rainbow and sunshine, I’m just trying to write relatable things into this story and loved the idea of this happening to Bunny. There’s a method to madness for putting Bunny through a little bit of pain. Jack opens up a little bit about his family finally! We get a bit of family history from both Bunny and Jack. I can’t wait to show you how I draw these two idiots closer together! Hope you enjoy!

Gif Credit: Google

Blinking her eyes rapidly Bunny sighed softly and rubbed at them feeling how strained and tired they were. Quickly saving her work on her laptop she closes down the web design program and powers down her laptop closing the lid. She turns in her desk chair and spots Butter sleeping in the plush dog bed that she keeps in her office, his tongue as always hanging out of his mouth as he lays on his back with his feet in the air. She chuckled softly, shaking her head as she heard him snore loudly from his comfortable spot. Just then her cellphone began ringing and she saw that Jack was calling her. Furrowing her eyebrows she answered the call and pressed the phone to her ear.

“Hey Jack, everything alright?” she greeted him and heard his soft warm chuckle on the other side of the phone.

“Hey Bunny, everything’s good. Just got a few moments to kill, you got time to just chat?” he asks warmly and Bunny can feel a warmth start to develop in her chest at the idea that he just wanted to call her to talk. Brining one foot up to rest on the desk chair she leans back and gets comfortable in the chair.

“Of course, you’ve got impeccable timing Jack.” Bunny replied with a soft chuckle.

“Work dragging you down?” he asked curiously and Bunny could hear shifting in the background on his end of the call, he was probably getting comfortable himself.

“Not dragging me down, but I’ve been staring at my laptop screen for the last few hours and it’s starting to do a number on my eyes. Thankfully I was able to get a good chunk of this project planned and mapped out.” She explained easily as she snuggled further into her desk feeling the cushions sink and surround her.

“Does that normally take a long time to get done?” Jack asks and Bunny is was pleasantly surprised at his questions, normally people didn’t really care to learn about the process of designing a website.

“Depending on what the client actually wants it could take a few hours to code the links and pages to open the right way. But normally it takes about half a day to plan and map out the website.” Bunny explained in layman terms so that she wouldn’t confuse him.

“And what’s the next step after that?” Jack asked curiously. Bunny smiled as she thought about the next part of the project that she would have to work on, it was her favorite part.

“Designing the face of the website. See the planning and mapping of the website is the background work, it’s how the website is coded to work. If you click on a link and it brings you to another page that’s the mapping part of it. The design is how it looks to the client. I can make it look a certain way based on what the client has requested.” Bunny explained passionately as she started getting even more comfortable in the conversation about her work.

“What was the most outlandish website you’ve been asked to design?” Jack asks with a soft chuckle and Bunny sits for a minute to think.

“I had a client come to me and request a website be made for his young daughter. Apparently she wanted a place to be able to post all about her latest obsessions. But there was no rhyme or reason to the website, random music played on different pages and the mouse would be different shapes for different pages. And it would randomly have sparkles falling like snow on the pages. Think of that Myspace era and dial it up to thousand percent. That project gave me so many headaches I think I invested in the aspirin companies.” Bunny explained with a groan and Jack laughed loudly on the other end of the phone call.

“Oh goodness, I remember those fads. They were horrible now that we’re well past them. I’m lucky that Es wasn’t old enough for that back then otherwise I’d be tortured by all of that. What was your favorite website design?” he said as he still chuckled.

“Oh yeah she’d have loved all of that stuff. What with her love of sparkle I’m surprised she hasn’t gotten you just let her glitter her whole room.” Bunny laughed happily and Jack scoffed softly.

“Don’t you dare give her that idea! She’s already tried to convince me to let her get more sparkly items for her room. I think my eyes are constantly blinded whenever I have to walk into or even past it. Bunny, too much sparkle.” Jack bemoaned to her and Bunny burst into laughter.

“Alright, alright I won’t mention glitter to her.” Bunny conceded as she laughed delightedly. She grinned as a lull in the conversation happened naturally and they both calmed a little.

“So favorite project?” Jack asked again. And Bunny grinned as she remembered her favorite project that she worked on.

“I have an annual client who comes to me to design her family reunion website. Nice elderly lady with a very large family, I’m talking like the last reunion two years ago had I think twenty grandkids. She normally contacts me in the beginning of spring to start designing the website so that it’s ready for early summer and their reunion is towards the end of the summer. It’s a week-long event for them where they go to the family lake cabin and just spend the week doing boating activities, there’s competitions between each branch of the family and there’s nightly outdoor movies and bonfires. It’s a lovely affair and all their pictures are so funny to see when she sends them to me to place on the website. It’s my favorite project because she’s such a sweet woman and I love listening to all her stories she tells me.” Bunny said warmly as she leaned further into her desk fondly remembering all the conversations she’s had with the woman.

“Have you ever met her in person?” Jack asks curiously and Bunny’s smile falters a little bit. “I only ask because you sound like she’s gotten close to you after being a client for a while.”

“Yes, I’ve worked with her for about five years now and have met with her in person every year while working with her on the websites. We usually go out to a long lunch and just spend the day talking about life and how we’ve been and also about the project. She’s truly a wonderful woman and she’s become kind of like a surrogate mom to me since mine lives so far away. But her family reunions are always fun to hear about and all the crazy adventures they get into.” Bunny says wistfully.

“You like the outdoors Bunny?” Jack asked warmly and Bunny grins widely at the question.

“I do, my family was always big on camping when I was growing up and while I don’t get to go as much now I still love to go camping and hiking. Butter and I have done a few mountain hiking trails together.” Bunny said fondly as she remembers her adventures with Butter.

“No way! Butter can hike? I’m surprised that little sausage roll can make it up your steps every day.” Jack teases and Bunny laughs into the phone.

“It’s all fur, don't let that fiend fool you.” Bunny said in a quiet confession and Jack laughed happily.

“Do you like outdoor activities?” Bunny asked curiously and Jack’s laughter faded in her ear.

“I do but it’s a little different than your idea of outdoors. My family back in Kentucky owns a large farm and I grew up there. Worked on the farm until I went to college and whenever I had a break I would come back home and help out when I could. Unfortunately when I started my career in security I wasn’t able to come home as often and help out. But the family still has the farm and it’s prospering so they’re all doing well for themselves.” Jack explained easily and Bunny nodded her head loving that he was actually sharing some information about himself with her. “We used to go out into the pasture a lot during the summers and sleep under the stars with a small campfire. It’s one of my favorite memories about the farm and my siblings.” Jack confessed warmly and Bunny felt that warmth that had started to grow in her chest began to spread and consume her body as she listened to Jack talk about his family’s farm.

“Do you have a lot of siblings?” Bunny asked, wanting to keep the conversation going and gather as much information about Jack as she was able to. He was still a mystery to her and while she knew he was a good man and cared greatly for his daughter she still didn’t know much about him. She wanted to begin a friendship that could hopefully turn into something so much more. And while they had begun flirting and teasing each other Bunny was ready to wait to see how this relationship blossomed. After the hell that she had been put through by her ex-husband Bunny was more than happy to wait and see how a relationship now panned out.

“I’ve got two sisters, one older that’s Rebecca or Becca. She's I think a year or two older than me. Then there’s Amelia, she’s the younger one, she’s five years younger. And finally there’s the baby of the family Will, he’s the youngest but don’t tell him that sometimes he acts like the oldest out of the four of us.” Jack replied easily and Bunny could hear the affection full in his tone over the phone. She could easily tell that he loved and cared deeply for his siblings. She smiled softly as she nodded her head. “What about you? Is it just you and your sister?” Jack asked.

“Actually I’ve got three siblings. There’s Sasha that you know about, she was adopted when I was eight and she’s two years younger than me, she’s the only one of us who’s got kids. Then there’s Jake, he was adopted when I was eleven he’s three years younger. And Freddie is five years younger than me and he was adopted when I was sixteen.” Bunny said smiling as she thought back to when her siblings were adopted and the parties that were thrown.

“So you’ve been through the adoption process?” Jack asks curiously and Bunny has to stomp down the urge and desire to be Esme’s mom that she had the other night at the sleepover.

“Yeah it was a bit hectic as a kid because my parents fostered a lot of kids while growing up and it was both good and bad. The kids that we were fostering, some had some serious mental health issues, like Sasha she has horrendous panic attacks and anxiety attacks all throughout her foster life with us. She still gets it sometimes but they’re not as severe she’s told me. And Freddie has bipolar disorder that he’s managing with a team of doctors, he’s got his good days and then he’s got some really bad days. I check up on him a couple times a month just to see how he’s doing and if he needs anything.” Bunny explained feeling a dull achy pain in her chest as she talked about her siblings’ mental issues. She hated seeing them troubled and if she could take away their pain she would in a heartbeat, Sasha and Freddie were the best type of people and the fact that they had to deal with these issues pained Bunny. She knew they were dealt a hard life but she hoped that by joining her family they had found some sort of peace, and while they had told her this before she hoped it was true.

“Wow, I didn’t realize that the foster kids your parents helped were dealing with those types of issues.” Jack said solemnly.

“Yeah there were others who needed more help than my parents could offer or give and those were the ones that were either placed with another foster family or the state government eventually took custody of them. They became a ward of the state.” Bunny explained softly.

“Well I’m hoping they got the necessary care they needed wherever they ended up.” Jack said in a calm, easing voice.

“I do too.” Bunny replied easily before her mind turned back to Esme once more and the sleepover fiasco was in the forefront of her brain again. “Hey while we’re talking about this stuff. I-uh wanted to let you know that Es had a run in with Cynthia and it wasn’t pretty.” Bunny began to explain. She took a breath in and heard absolute silence on the other end of the call and for a moment she thought the call had dropped. She began to move the phone away from her ear to check when she heard Jack’s deadly calm voice speak up.

“What did Cynthia do to Esme?” he asked in such a harsh cold tone that Bunny physically shivered in her seat.

“Es got caught up in all the excitement with the other girls at the sleepover and called me Mom in front of everyone. Cynthia heard and was a bit of a nasty witch to her and to be honest I can’t remember the exact words because I only saw red and ripped her a new one for her shit talking, but anyway she said something about needing to talk to you about her hanging out with me too much that she was thinking I was her mom.” Bunny explained in a rush as she felt the white hot blind rage she felt after Cynthia snapped at Esme.

“Easy Bunny, easy.” Jack said softly and Bunny took in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. “Es called you mom?” Jack asked quietly and Bunny felt her heart clench suddenly at his question.

“She did. And Jack I don’t mind one bit. She just got caught up in the chaotic energy the girls were causing and it was just a slip of the tongue. Honest.” Bunny said quickly to try and ease him if he was having second thoughts of her being around Esme so much. “And I talked to Es about it. Told her it’s no big deal and that I’d be lucky to have her as a kid. But I told her what Cynthia said was uncalled for and that she didn’t have to listen to her since she was mean to Es.”

Bunny felt uneasy as if she was rambling as she tried to explain to Jack what had happened the other night and as the silence fell over the phone conversation she felt her anxiety skyrocket inside her. She tried to wait patiently for Jack to say something but when he didn’t say anything after a while she sighed softly, figuring that he’d want to put a stop to them spending so much time together.

“I understand if you don’t want me watching her anymore or taking her to yoga.” Bunny said softly and dejectedly.

“Now hang on.” Jack said suddenly and confidently. “That’s not at all what I want.” Bunny heard his firm words and she felt hope unfurl in her chest making her breath catch silently. “You have been the best thing that has happened to both Esme and myself. You’ve helped me out so much with watching her for me. And Esme has had a rough time making friends in her new neighborhood and school but you’ve done wonders for her confidence that she now has a few friends. Bunny you not being in our lives is the last thing I would want.” Jack stated vehemently and Bunny felt tears prick at her eyes. “I’m more upset that Cynthia had the nerve to say something to Es about calling you mom. I can’t believe that woman.” He said honestly and Bunny sighed softly as she nodded her head.

“Yeah Cynthia I think has it in her head that the two of you are becoming a hot item.” Bunny said thoughtfully and Jack scoffed over the phone.

“She’s married Bunny.” Jack lamented softly to her and Bunny nodded her head at his words.

“I know that, but I don’t think she cares. Ever since I’ve met her she’s always been looking for the next best thing for herself.” Bunny said truthfully.

“She’s always been like this? It’s not just because of me?” Jack asked seriously and Bunny smirked softly, seeing an opportunity for her.

“You’re handsome Jack but you’re no Mark Strong.” Bunny teased him as she grinned widely.

“Oh ho! So you dig the older men huh Bunny?” Jack teased right back and Bunny blushed deeply.

“What can I say, he's dreamy.” Bunny said dismissively and Jack laughed softly.

“Well now I know who my competition is then.” Jack said sultrily and Bunny felt desire jolt down her spine making her gasp softly.

“C-competition?” she stuttered out softly before she heard muffled talking in the background on Jack’s end of the phone call. She could hear Jack responding to whoever was with him distantly as her mind began to race with the thought that Jack was competing for her affection.

“Hey listen Bunny I’ve got to get goin’. Thanks for taking my call and chattin’ with me. Tell Es I’ll give her a call at dinner time alright?” Jack said and Bunny let out her breath slowly through her nose.

“Yeah of course. I’ll let her know. I’ve gotta start getting ready to go get her from the bus stop anyway. We’ll talk to you then.” Bunny began to quickly ramble and she cringed softly as she heard his soft chuckle.

“And yes competition. Can’t let a Brit git one over the good ol’ American boy. Talk to you later Bunny.” Jack said in a low gravelly tone that made Bunny suddenly tense with arousal as she heard his tone and words. And then the line was hung up.

Huffing softly she slouched in her chair and pulled the phone from her ear slowly. Setting it down on the desk gently she turned and saw Butter was still passed out in his bed. Running a hand through her hair Bunny sighed softly.

“That man’s got a seductive tongue.” She said softly to the quiet office and Butter huffed in his sleep making her chuckle softly. “You said it Butter.”

*-*-*-*

As soon as Esme walked down the bus steps Bunny could tell that she was feeling down. Tilting her head to the side she watched as Esme walked down the sidewalk towards. The two older girls from the last bullying instance were walking behind her giggling and whispering to each other and Bunny felt rage rush her body with red hot anger. The girls looked up from Esme’s back and both instantly stopped talking as they spotted Bunny glaring at them.

“Girls.” Bunny said stiffly as Esme came to a stop next to her and the girls both gulped silently before one hesitantly let out a smile before the two made a dash for their houses. Bunny sighed softly and looked down at Esme who was dejectedly scuffing her sneakers on the sidewalk. “Bad day at school?” Bunny asked softly.

Esme shrugged her shoulders and continued to scuff her sneakers on the sidewalk. Butter looked up at Esme curiously before head-butting her calf with his head. Esme moved a little bit before stepping to the side to avoid Butter doing that again.

“Yep, bad day at school. Why don’t we go for a walk and if you wanna talk I’m all ears. If not, it's no big deal.” Bunny said softly as she looked down at Esme. Esme shrugged her shoulders once more and Bunny nodded her head before gently holding out her hand for Esme. The little girl took a hold of it after a moment's pause and Bunny began leading her and Butter towards the main park area of the community.

The three of them walked in silence and Bunny kept her head held high not wanting to constantly look down at Esme. She was worried it’d upset the little girl more if she constantly tried to check in with her. As the three of them finish crossing the street to the park area Esme starts to slowly perk up.

“Hey Bunny?” she asks suddenly and Bunny hides her smile as much as she possibly can and looks down at the little girl at her side.

“What’s up Es?” Bunny answers in a question and Esme smiles softly at her.

“Have you ever called someone Mom who wasn’t your mom?” Esme asks softly and Bunny nods her head adamantly.

“Oh yeah! So many women.” Bunny said with wide eyes and Esme giggled softly. “I’ve called a bunch of my teachers in school Mom. Let’s see who else, oh! I called Molly’s mom that once and she wouldn’t let me live it down. Wouldn’t stop insisting she was my mom now. And then there was that time that I accidentally called Mr. Quinten dad and it was a whole big thing with him.” Bunny confessed as she sighed and rolled her eyes. Esme giggled brightly as she walked next to Bunny as she began to skip alongside her. “Look Es, there’s nothing wrong with calling someone Mom. It happens all the time.” Bunny stressed earnestly as she stopped walking and bent down to Esme’s level.

“Really?” asked the little girl as she looked at Bunny with a lost expression on her face.

“Yep. Sometimes we just forget where we are and the name just comes out. Other times we see the person we called Mom as a mother figure. It just means that you see that person as someone who you can trust and go to for anything. And I’ll let you in on a secret, come here.” Bunny said surreptitiously as she gestured Esme closer to her. “It means so much to me that you could think of me like that. And I will do my best to be there for you no matter what, understand? You’re stuck with me kiddo.” She said fondly as she nudged Esme under her chin making her giggle. Just then Esme launched herself against Bunny and Bunny caught her easily in her arms holding her close to her.

��Thanks Bunny.” Esme whispered softly.

“Any time kiddo. Any time.” Bunny said softly into the little girl’s hair. “Now what do you say to go for a walk and just hang out before we crack down on homework and then dinner?” Bunny asked hopefully that the little girl was feeling a little bit better.

“Yeah! Oh can we roll down that hill over there?” Esme asked, suddenly excited as she pointed to the medium sized hill that obscured the soccer field from view. Bunny shrugged her shoulders before grinning at Esme and taking off with Butter running besides her.

“Beat you to the top!” Bunny called and Esme shrieked with indignation as she began running as quickly as her little legs could carry her after Bunny.

“You cheated!” Esme cried as she began chasing after Bunny.

“Only if I win!” Bunny called over her shoulder laughing heartily before she began huffing dramatically as Esme caught up to her. Esme giggled as Butter barked chaotically at Bunny’s side as if he was trying to get her to pick up her pace. Once Bunny saw Esme pass her she began to overtly huff and puff as she chased the little girl up the hill.

“I win!” called Esme and began to dance in celebration as she reached the top before Bunny. Bunny made a show of bending over and gasping for breath which made Esme laugh harder. Butter hopped around Bunny barking at her and Bunny laughed softly at the dog as he did his best impression of an angry coach. “Ok, ok. Let’s do this!” cried Esme happily as she threw her back pack to the ground and began to lower herself down to the ground at the top of the hill.

“Alright you go first and then when you come up I’ll go.” Bunny instructed and Esme looked up at her gleefully. “What? You thought I wouldn’t roll down a hill? I’ll have you know I’m an expert roller.” Bunny said self-importantly and Esme burst into happy laughter before she shook her head.

“Bunny!” The little girl drew out the name in an exasperated tone and Bunny laughed softly before gesturing for Esme to go. Butter began to bark excitedly and was jumping around Bunny’s legs as Esme prepped herself to roll down the hill.

“Alright I’m gonna time ya. On your mark!” Bunny called happily and Butter began to jump more furiously around her. “Get set!” was the next call out and Esme prepared to begin rolling as Butter began barking like crazy. “Go!” called Bunny and instantly realized her mistake as Esme began rolling down the hill at a moderate speed.

Suddenly Bunny’s legs were knocked out from underneath herself as Butter took off down the hill dragging Bunny along after him. Shrieking in surprise Bunny heard a distinct crack and felt the back of her head bounce on the ground when she met the ground. Groaning in pain she raised her hand to her head before feeling her arm being jerked after Butter as he dashed down the hill after Esme. Bunny felt every hit with the ground as Butter dragged her down the hill and she moaned softly as he finally came to a stop at the base of the hill.

“Bunny!” cried Esme worriedly and Bunny peeked one eye open to stare over at the little girl as she got up and rushed over to her. Bunny could feel the aches in her body from when she had collided with the ground. Gritting her teeth and hissing softly as she shifted on the ground trying to sit up.

“I’m okay Es. Butter just got a little too excited.” Bunny began to reassure Esme as she saw the little girl’s face filled with worry and concern. Bunny set her hand down on the ground and moved to sit up on the grass. Hissing in pain Bunny quickly pulled her wrist up to her chest and clutched it there for a moment feeling the sharp pain coursing through her wrist. She laid there for a moment with her eyes shut clutching her aching wrist to her chest trying to breathe through the pain.

“Bunny?” Esme asked softly and Bunny opened her eyes to see Esme now kneeling next to her body as Butter crawled along the ground towards the two of them.

“I should be okay just banged up.” Bunny reassured her and sat up completely still keeping her wrist close to her body to limit the chance of irritating it further. Shifting on the ground to get into a better sitting position she felt a sharp twinge coming from her right ankle. Moaning softly her right hand fell to her ankle to try and steady it as pain jolted quickly up her leg making her muscles seize. “Nope, nope. Not okay. Let me just see if I can stand up for a second. Hey Es, can you come hold Butter’s leash for me?”

Es stood quickly from her kneeling spot and gently unwound Butter’s leash that was wrapped around Bunny’s left wrist and arm. She led Butter a step or two away from Bunny as she stood there watching silently with worried eyes.

Bunny rolled onto her knees and gritted her teeth as she felt the pain in her ankle begin to throb. Slowly blowing out a breath through her mouth Bunny used her left leg to push up from the ground. Taking in a few quick breaths Bunny stood on her left leg and tentatively placed her right foot down flush with the ground. Placing a little more weight on it she felt it suddenly give out and she collapsed to the ground on her knees groaning in pain at the impact.

“Definitely not okay.” she said softly and felt tears prick her eyes as the pain consumed her suddenly. Quickly blinking the tears away she looked over and saw Esme shifting on her feet with watery eyes. “Hey it’s okay. We just need to go to the hospital. I'm pretty sure I broke my ankle.”

“Oh Bunny!” Esme cried softly and Bunny shook her head as she settled back onto the ground.

“Es do you see my phone anywhere? I need to call an ambulance, I can’t stand on my right leg.” Bunny said as she began patting down her pockets not feeling her phone. Esme looked around the ground in the area that they had landed before darting over to the side where the phone laid in the grass. Bunny grimaced as she shifted on the ground and grunted softly in pain as her ankle was jostled before turning to see Esme already holding her phone to her ear. Bunny watched in surprise as Esme effortlessly called 911 for her.

“Hi, I need an ambulance to Legacy Oaks community. My babysitter fell down a hill and she can’t stand on her right leg and her left hand hurts.” Esme explained easily and Bunny tilted her head slightly at how calm Esme was as she talked to the 911 operator. “Yes she’s breathing and sitting up. We are at the main field area by the soccer field. Closest intersection is Main Street and West Legacy Boulevard. Ok hold on.” Esme relayed easily before moving closer to Bunny and holding out her phone to her. “They want to ask you some medical questions.” Esme said hurriedly as she came to Bunny’s side and handed over her phone.

“Hello?” Bunny asked, still in shock at Esme’s behavior as she watched the little girl take a seat next to her and began to coo at Butter.

“Yes ma’am, we have an ambulance on their way to you and I just need to ask a few more questions.” Said the operator and Bunny nodded her head slightly.

“Of course.” She replied as her eyes stayed glued to Esme who was sitting there rubbing Butter’s back letting her fingers drag through his fur.

“So it’s your right ankle that is injured?” asked the operator and Bunny could hear keyboard keys clacking in the background and other voices relaying information about other calls.

“I can’t put any pressure on my right ankle, my leg gives out when I try to. And my left wrist is throbbing with pain whenever I move it.” Bunny relayed to the operator and heard the clicking of the keyboard as she talked.

“Ok, I’ve already let the ambulance crew know and they are on their way. Is there any special directions for them on how to find you?” asked the operator.

“No, we’re the only ones here in the main park area. They’ll be able to see us.” Bunny said and watched as Esme looked over at her silently.

“Ok, if anything changes, call us back but the ambulance should be there shortly.” Said the operator and Bunny thanked him before hanging up the phone.

“I have to call Jeremy and see if he could come grab Butter before the ambulance gets here. Are you okay?” Bunny explained as she looked down to her cracked phone screen and pulled up Jeremy’s contact info with a little difficulty before she looked up at Esme. Placing the phone at her ear she watched Esme look at her with slightly teary eyes and a worried face.

“Hey Bun-Bun!” cheered Jeremy happily as he answered the phone after two rings.

“Hey Jer, I have to go to the hospital. I’m okay but I think I broke or sprained my ankle and wrist really badly. Es and I are at the main park with Butter, would you be able to come get Butter before the ambulance gets here?” she quickly relayed to him hoping he’d be able to help her out.

“Of course, I’m just getting ready for work so I can swing by now and grab him. No problem. Are you sure you’re okay? Is Esme okay?” he responded easily before asking about the well-being of her and Esme.

“We’re okay, I think just a little shaken up is all.” Bunny said softly as she watched Esme sniffle softly and swipe her hand under her nose.

“Okay, I’m on my way. I'll be there in two minutes.” Jeremy said quickly and Bunny said goodbye before hanging up the phone.

“Are you okay sweetheart?” Bunny asked softly as she focused fully on Esme. The little girl looked at her with such saddened eyes that Bunny felt such a severe urge to pull her close and reassure her, but when her body shifted to move closer to Esme she gritted her teeth as pain shot up her leg and arm. “C’mere.” She cooed softly to Esme and the little girl moved closer to her side and pressed gently into it resting her head on Bunny’s right shoulder. “I promise I’m okay. Just probably broken bones. No big deal, okay?” she reassured the little girl as she gently wrapped her right arm low around Esme’s lower back.

“It’s my fault.” Esme said sorrowfully in a low tone and Bunny immediately shook her head at the girl’s words.

“No it’s not sweetheart. Accidents happen and it’s more my fault.” Bunny said easily as she kept shaking her head. Esme turned to look up at her confused. “I said ready, set, go and Butter knows those are play words. So I should have known better. It’s not your fault Es. Don’t think that it is because that’s the farthest from the truth.” Bunny said adamantly as she watched Esme closely.

“But if I didn’t want to roll down the hill then this wouldn’t have happened.” Esme said softly in such a heartbroken tone that Bunny felt her heart clench in response.

“Uh if you recall I also wanted to roll down the hill missy.” Bunny teased softly and Esme scoffed softly as her shoulders slumped forward. “Hey, I’m serious. It’s not your fault that I got hurt. It was just something that happened, it’s really no one’s fault.”

“But Bunny!” Esme cried indignantly as she tried to convince Bunny once more that it was her fault.

“Look, you couldn’t have predicted that this would have happened. And it’s not like you wanted me to get hurt when we decided to roll down the hill, right? And you didn’t push me. So it is not your fault. Accidents happen, we just have to deal with them and move on. Okay?” Bunny said firmly as she stared down at Esme. “Trust me I’m not mad or upset. My bones will heal and maybe if it’s broken I’ll get a cool cast and you can draw and sign it for me.”

“But-“ Esme began again and Bunny quickly shook her head as interrupted the little girl.

“Nope. No buts. It’s no one’s fault. I won’t hear anything else about it.” Bunny insisted as she shook her head at the little girl.

“Fine, but I still feel bad.” Esme huffed out softly and Bunny smiled warmly at her.

“You can feel bad for me all you want. It’ll help me lay it on thick to Jeremy and your Dad to help me out if it’s broken.” Bunny said, nodding her head eagerly and Esme giggled softly.

“I can help you too.” Esme said cheerily and Bunny nodded exaggeratedly making Esme giggle again.

“Uh duh. You’re definitely gonna be my number one helper.” Bunny said fondly and Esme nodded her head confidently as she watched Bunny determinedly. “Oh reminds me I should call your Dad and let him know what’s going on.” She said absentmindedly when suddenly Jeremy’s bright yellow jeep pulled up to the curb and Butter started barking excitedly as he recognized the car.

Bunny sat next to Esme as the two of them watched as Jeremy hopped out of the jeep in his security guard uniform and rushed over to them. He had a concerned expression on his face as he walked over to them and his eyes were darting first around Esme and then landed on Bunny.

“Are you okay?” he asked worriedly and Bunny nodded her head as she gritted her teeth when her wrist protested with her shifting movement on the ground.

“Yeah, just banged up. Took a tumble down the hill that’s all.” Bunny said as Jeremy came to a stop standing in front of her splayed legs. He looked down at her with a soft fond look in his eyes after he heard her explanation.

“You’re always getting up to something aren’t you?” he teased softly and Bunny stuck her tongue out at him making Esme giggle softly.

“First time it’s because I wanted to roll down a hill.” Bunny retorted and Jeremy scoffed softly.

“First time for everything trouble maker.” He quipped back and Bunny laughed as she shook her head at him.

“Whatever man.” She bemoaned to him as she shifted again on the ground and gritted her teeth as pain coursed through her again.

“So what hurts and how can I help?” he asked kindly and Bunny smiled in thanks to him.

“My right ankle and leg are in a lot of pain whenever I move it and I can’t put pressure on it. And my left wrist is in a lot of pain too. Not sure but I might have a concussion too, banged my head a few times on the ground as I came down.” Bunny relayed to him and Jeremy whistled low, Bunny nodded her head in response to his whistle and gritted her teeth as a dull ache began to form in her brain.

“Man you know how to fall hard when you do huh?” Jeremy asked teasingly and Bunny chuckled at him.

“What can I say? Gotta do it right the first time right?” she asked and Jeremy shook his head at her. Just as Jeremy was moving closer to her and Esme they all spotted the ambulance driving down the street. Jeremy turned and waved them down as Bunny shifted again and felt Esme lean slightly closer to her. “I’m okay. It’s gonna be okay, I promise.” Bunny reassured her softly as the paramedics parked the ambulance and hopped out.

“Hey guys, she’s over here.” Jeremy said easily as he directed the paramedics to Bunny.

“Are you her husband?” asked the male paramedic as he looked from Jeremy over to Bunny and Bunny grinned as she fluttered her eyelashes at Jeremy who laughed at Bunny’s antics.

“No, just my best friend.” Jeremy said fondly as he walked over with the paramedic.

“So what happened miss?” asked the younger female paramedic who was now kneeling down at Bunny’s other side with the medical bag set on the ground next to her. Bunny watched as she looked across Bunny to Esme and smiled softly at her. “Don’t worry honey, we're going to take good care of your babysitter.”

“Got knocked down the hill by my overly excited dog.” Bunny said as she gestured with her chin to Butter who was now rolling in the grass on his back trying to get the paramedics’ attention. Both paramedics laughed at Butter and Jeremy just shook his head as Esme giggled softly. “Banged my head a couple of times on the ground, did something to my left wrist, it's throbbing in pain, and my right ankle is in a lot of pain too. Can’t put any weight on the right leg either, tried to stand up and my leg gave out.” She explained as they all looked at her and Esme who was still cuddled into her side.

“Ok, well I suggest we take you to the hospital to get your wrist and ankle checked out to see if you just sprained them or broke them. Also if you choose to let us take you we’ll check for concussion in the ambulance. We can’t force you but that’s what I suggest.” Said the female and male nodded as he stood next to Jeremy.

“Yeah, let's go to the hospital.” Bunny said, nodding her head.

“Okay, Chase, can you grab the stretcher while I start her paperwork?” the female asked as picked up her metal clipboard and began filling out the paperwork with Bunny right there. “Do you want us to take her in the ambulance as well or will your friend be taking her?” the woman asked as she nodded her head at Esme. Bunny felt Esme’s hands come up to clutch at her bicep and she leaned closer to her silently.

“She’s gonna go with me if that’s alright with you guys.” She replied and felt Esme relax against her a little bit. The woman nodded her head and winked at Esme who smiled softly and relaxed further against Bunny.

“No problem with us.” She answered with a smile and finished filling out the paperwork. Bunny’s eyes darted over to Jeremy who was walking with Chase as he wheeled the stretcher over towards them. Once it was lowered to the ground Bunny looked over at Jeremy for some help which he gladly stepped over.

“I’m gonna just lift her up onto the stretcher. It’ll be easier.” Jeremy explained as he squatted down next to Bunny and Esme. “Hey Es, do me a favor and just hold onto Butter for me while I put Bunny on the stretcher okay. Once I’m done and they load her up in the ambulance you’ll be able to get in with her.” Jeremy said softly and kindly to the little girl who was still pressed up against Bunny’s side. Bunny could see the worry flash across Esme’s face and Bunny nodded her head at her.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let them leave without you. You’re coming with me.” Bunny reassured her and Esme looked up at her with concern. “Here take my phone that way you know for sure you’re coming with me since we still gotta call your Dad and let him know what’s up.” Bunny said as she handed over her phone to Esme who quickly took it and Butter’s leash leading him a few steps away from the stretcher.

“Alright c’mon lady let’s get you up on that stretcher.” Jeremy said as he slid his arms underneath Bunny’s knees and behind her back before standing up with her cradled in his arms. Bunny gritted her teeth lightly when her ankle fell with gravity as Jeremy lifted her. “I got you sorry.” Jeremy apologized and Bunny shook her head at him.

“No worries, it's okay.” Bunny said softly as he set her down on the stretcher and Chase lifted it up gently.

“Hey call me if you guys need anything and when you get done with everything and I’ll come pick you two up. That way you won’t have to worry about anything okay?” Jeremy said as Chase began to wheel you towards the ambulance.

“Okay. You sure? I’m sure I could call a taxi or something.” Bunny said as they all began walking towards the ambulance behind her.

“Yeah, call me and I’ll come pick you up. You’re already gonna have a lot going on so just call me.” Jeremy insisted and Bunny nodded her head as she watched him turn to Esme and held his hand out for the leash. “C’mon sweetheart let’s let them get her loaded up and then I’ll help you up there.”

“Thanks Jeremy.” Esme said softly as she hung back with Jeremy as the paramedics loaded Bunny into the back of the ambulance. Once they were done Bunny looked out at Esme and gestured her up once the female paramedic got situated in the back with her.

“Alright honey you’re gonna come sit on the bench over here okay?” she said as pointed to the bench seat next to Bunny’s stretcher on her left side. Bunny watched quietly as Esme climbed into the back with Jeremy’s help and came to sit down on the bench. When she was finally settled in her seat she gripped onto the stretcher railing and watched anxiously as the woman began to get a blood pressure cuff secured on Bunny.

“Alright we’re good to go. We’ll be heading to Three Sisters’ Hospital.” Chase said easily to everyone as he began to close the back of the ambulance. Bunny smiled at Jeremy as he nodded at her and then turned to Esme trying to ease her as they began their trek to the hospital.

#kingsman the golden circle #agent whiskey x ofc #agent whiskey #FLILO #my writing

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mirkwoodshewolf · 4 years ago

Text

Legend of the band; AU Ghost! Queen x teen reader

*Author’s note*

Hey guys well this is a story that's been going through my head for a few days. I was originally gonna save this before Halloween but I figure I just go ahead and post this now in case I lost it amongst all my other writings in the near future. So background on this story it takes place in present day and the band members of Queen are ghosts. Now I want to also put this out, I've inspired the ghosts designs from Guillermo Del Toro's film Crimson Peak. So just type in how the ghosts look and you'll see just why I've made the boys ghosts different colors.

Warnings: Swearing, death, slight attempted of assault (ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION BEFORE YOU TRY TO KISS SOMEONE), some horror elements?, fluff and angst.

*EDIT 7-27-20* NEW PARTS DOWN BELOW!!!

Part 2

Part 3

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things

@waddles03

@psychosupernatural

@ixchel-9275

@simonedk

@platawnic

@geek-and-proud

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

@queendeakyy

@queensdivas

@kairosfreddie

@eileen-crys

_________________________________________________________

It started off as a dare-pact that my friends wanted to do. Every year around Halloween we try to do some sort of Halloween dare together whether it was going to a graveyard, using a Ouija board, or crashing a Halloween party in one of the upper class neighborhoods dressed as monsters and scare the shit out of them.

It was either one person or we would do it as the entire group and this year we decided to do our next Halloween dare as a group. The ringleader of the group Aaron gathered us up in our private clubhouse (his basement) and we were all gathered around to discuss just what we were going to do.

“Right, I call this meeting of the Halloween dare to order.” Aaron proclaimed.

“So what’s the plan for this year?” asked Brandon.

“How bout we go downtown and scare the little kids at the daycare during their Halloween party?” suggested Jake.

“No that’s just cruel even for us.” Said Amy.

“I agree.” I added. “Besides you just want to do that cause you’re little brother’s gonna be there, right?”

“So what? The little asshole got me into trouble last week. He deserves some payback.” Jake hissed.

“Alright Jake settle down. Okay so we had Amy and Susan do the Ouija board last year.”

“Which I still don’t forgive you guys. I swear I think my house is still haunted.” Susan said.

“Oh I’ve got it!” Proclaimed Brandon.

“Lay it on us Bran.” Aaron said.

“Three words for you guys. Rockfield. Farm. studios.” At that point everyone went silent.

“ARE YOU INSANE!?!?” exclaimed Amy.

“Yeah Brandon do you want to commit suicide or something!? Do you hate life!?” Jake snapped.

“Brandon, why in the fuck would you suggest that?” I asked.

“Oh come on! We’ve done practically the same stupid shit every time. Yeah sure the Ouija board could do some serious things but never have we actually tried to go to a real haunted house. So why not Rockfield farm?”

“Wait, I don’t get it. What’s Rockfield farm?” Susan asked. Susan was the recent member to join the horror crew when she moved here from Michigan. Almost no one wanted to speak that was until I finally told her the legend.

“Rockfield farm was used as a recording studio a long time ago. Like back in the 70’s. Anyway there was this up and coming band called Queen. You know the ones who made the song Killer Queen?”

“Oh yeah my mom still has her vinyl record of that album.” Susan said.

“Well anyway, in the summer of 1975 they went to record their next record. Legend says it would’ve been their greatest album yet. It could’ve really made them even more famous than they were. But—an accident occurred at that farm.”

“What happened?” she asked.

“Well that’s where the story gets a little iffy. There have been several theories throughout time on what happened.” I explained.

“One theory is that an electrical fire happened while the band was in the studio, and they couldn’t escape in time and ended up being burned alive.” Jake said.

“Another theory is that someone broke into the property and slaughtered the band mates in their sleep.” Amy said.

“A slightly different version to that theory is that it was actually the band’s assistant that killed them in cold blood. Apparently he was in love with the front man. And in rejection he slaughtered the whole band before killing himself.”

“Whichever story you choose to believe in, it is said that the ghosts of the band members still haunt the property to this day. And anyone who has entered inside, is never seen again.” Aaron finished.

“Which is why not even I will go there.” Jake emphasized.

“Oh what’s wrong Jake? Don’t got the balls to make a drive up there and spend the night in the haunted farm?” teased Brandon.

“Shut up arsehole! At least I have balls.” Brandon was just about to pounce on Jake when Amy stopped the two of them by pushing Brandon back onto the floor and I said.

“Look, I thought it was foolish enough to go to the graveyard at night. But this—this is foolishness. No way am I gonna be possessed by a ghost or anything like that.”

“You know what you guys are all chicken!” Brandon exclaimed. “We’ve done almost every single Halloween dare known to man and you lot are scared to go to a little haunted house in the country and spend the night there.”

“He’s right.” Aaron finally spoke up.

“I’m sorry what?” Amy snapped.

“He’s right. We’ve been pulling out the same stuff every year but with different people. There’s no real haunted places here in the city but Rockfield is the closest thing we can get to.”

“Thank you!” Brandon exclaimed.

“Aaron, I swear to god if you make me go to that place we are finished! Do you hear me finished!” Amy snapped as she walked right up towards her boyfriend of 3 years.

“Sorry babe, I’ve made my mind up. We’ll leave in 2 days. Meeting adjourned.” Oh god what has Brandon done?

Later that night I was staring up at the full moon from my window when my nana came in.

“I thought I had told you to go to bed sweetheart. You’ve got school in the morning.”

“Couldn’t sleep nana.” I said solemnly.

“Alright, what’s wrong?” she said as she came up and sat down next to me.

“Just something my friends want me to do.”

“Those troublemakers that always make you trespass on private property? Or crash a party? Honestly (y/n) I don’t know why you hang out with kids like that.”

“They’re my friends nana. They always got my back when I need them.” She sighed and surrendered.

“Alright, alright. But what’s gotten you so rattled up?” now I couldn’t really tell her just what was going on. She’d never let me go on a road trip to Rockfield farm so I had to think of something.

“They—they suggested going on a trip and…..I don’t like to leave you alone.” She smiled at me and tucked a strand of hair.

“Oh poppet. I maybe old but I’m not frail. How long are you planning on leaving?”

“It’s just for Halloween. We’ll be back the next day.”

“Okay then. Now even though I don’t approve of your friends behavior, I can’t stop you from going out Halloween night. Just promise you’ll stay out of trouble.”

“I will.” That’s a promise that not even I know how to keep. “And you’re sure you’ll be fine?”

“Yes, yes. And don’t worry, your father won’t hear a thing from me.”

“Really?”

“I’m his mother. I don’t have to tell him anything.” She winked at me. “Now go to sleep.” She lectured me before giving me a kiss goodnight and we both told each other I love you.

Two days later it was time. Right after school, we all piled in Brandon’s RV and we drove the long drive to the country side to Rockfield studios. Just as the sun was about to set, we finally arrived at the farm.

God it looks even more desolated and frightening than the pictures. The entire housing was swamped with vines, weeds, and any other ounce that Mother Nature could throw at it. The bricks at certain spots were chipped away or even rotting away (how that’s possible I don’t know).

We slowly walked up towards the main house and we just stood before it fearfully.

“Whose gonna go in first?” Amy asked.

“I vote our raining president of this idea Brandon.” Jake said.

“I second that.” Amy replied.

“Ditto.” Said Susan.

“Fine I’ll go in first.” Brandon said as he walked up the steps of the deck before standing before the front door. He just stood there, still as a statue before Jake cried out.

“Well go on smartass and go in already!”

“I’m going I’m going!” Brandon snapped back. He took the door handle and slowly opened the door which made an eerie creaking sound. He took one small step into the house before he was suddenly pulled in.

“BRANDON!” we all cried out. Soon we all piled into the house and it was so dark you could barely make out what was in front of you. The door suddenly slammed loudly behind us which made a few of us jump.

“Come on Brandon, this isn’t funny!” Jake called out.

“Brandon?” Aaron spoke up.

“Brandon seriously if this is a joke it’s not AHHH!!!” Amy spoke before suddenly screaming as something grabbed her. We all soon began screaming before a laugh rang out. Coming out from underneath a white sheet was Brandon.

“You guys should’ve seen your faces!” he laughed.

“You sick fuck who does that!?” Amy said as she began to punch him as hard as she could.

“That wasn’t funny Brandon.” I scowled.

“It was pretty funny!”

“Guys I think I found the light’s switch.” Susan said as she then flipped a switch on and soon the lights came on.

“Okay so we’re here now. Why not have a look around?” Brandon suggested.

“Man do you not know your horror film goofs!? If we split up, the ghosts will hunt us down one. By. one. Starting with the good looking comedy relief guy, me!” Jake proclaimed.

“Get a grip Jake! We’ll split up into pairs. Amy and I will go together and take the barn. (Y/n) you and Susan…..”

“Oh hell no. I can’t even stand to be near Brandon right now!”

“Oh what you a wittle scaredy cat Jakey-wakey?” Brandon teased.

“SHUT UP!!!”

“Alright! Jake you and (Y/n) go take the living room, and Susan you and Brandon can take the upstairs.” Aaron said breaking up the fight with the boys. I rolled my eyes cause I knew Jake was gonna try to flirt around with me (he’s been doing that since the start of secondary school).

“I can dig with that.” Jake said as he came right up beside me.

“Do you seriously hate me Aaron?” I muttered before we finally split up.

Jake and I came to the living room and saw a small piano right there in the middle of the room, and jointed next to the living room was the kitchen.

“Pretty spooky huh? Just imagine if this piano started playing on its own. But no worries (Y/n), if you get scared you can hold onto me and I’ll protect you.”

“My hero.” I muttered sarcastically. It was then something caught my eye. I walked towards a table to see what looked like an old photo album. I blew away the dust and wiped the cover to see the writing say.

PROGRESS ON LATEST ALBUM

“Whatcha got there?” Jake said as he came up to me and shined his phone flashlight down on the photo album.

“It’s an old photo album book.” Jake scoffed.

“Wow. The only person who has stuff like that are my parents. Man thank god we have technology nowadays. Otherwise no one would get to see my handsome face.” Why does this man even exist? Seriously I don’t see why all the girls on the cheer squad go for him?

“And what a shame that would’ve been.” I muttered as I opened the book up.

“I know right?!” I turned the next page and there were a few photos of Queen inside a recording studio of sorts and below it a caption that spelled,

AT HARD WORK WITH THE LADS. R.M.T.

“What does RMT stand for?”

“I don’t know. Could be some sort of acronym or something. Maybe initials for a name.”

“Well you’re an expert on all those old guys that existed back in the Medieval ages. What were the names of the band that died here?”

“It wasn’t the Medieval ages Jake. It was 40 years ago. And I don’t really know their names. I just know them as Queen.” I flipped to the next page to see a man with long black hair at the piano and the caption under that said.

FRED AT PIANO - Bri.

“Fred huh? He doesn’t look like a Fred to me. And who signs off with Bri?” I shook my head and continued to flip through the pages. Each picture were of the band doing certain things while recording or just being around the farm, and each picture was signed with initials RMT, JD, FM, or BRI. Finally the last picture was all four of them together.

“Check out the date.” I said. In the picture it read 8-13-75. “This was taken the day when the band died.”

“Holy shit you’re right. They must’ve taken this picture just before whatever happened, happened.”

“They look so young.” I said solemnly.

“Yeah. But if they had lived they’d be like—our grandparents by now.” Suddenly I heard a voice.

No wait it was—singing. I looked around trying to find out where the singing was coming from. It was—beautiful. Hypnotic almost. It was the most beautiful sound I ever heard.

“(/n). (Y/n)! Oi (Y/n)!” I was snapped out of it by Jake. “Jesus you looked like you were in a trance or something.”

“Was I? Sorry I….”

“No need to apologize. Hell if it was all about me, then maybe I’ll let it slid.” He said as he stroked up my arm.

“Jake! I’ve tried to let you down easy but please for the last time. I don’t like you that way! So stop with the flirting!”

“Oh c’mon (Y/n). What is there about me that you don’t like?” Gee where do I begin? “C’mon just give me a chance.” He walked closer to me but I tried to push him away.

“No Jake stop! Back off!” suddenly the fireplace just a few feet away from us ignited. The flames reached as high as they could and call my crazy but I thought I could see someone’s face in the fire. Jake jumped away from me and that’s when we heard the piano being played.

Play video

It was a random play on the keys at a very fast pace on the upper keys while also hitting a couple of the lower keys every now and then.

“What the f—” the piano then hit a single key for a couple of beats before finally changing tune to that of a marching tune. Like someone was coming towards you and you could just hear the beat of their footsteps.

Getting freaked out by the piano, Jake ran screaming out of the living room while I was just frozen in place. The fireplace suddenly turned off but there was still some sort of light. I slowly turned around and saw a yellow light ball shining right there. But it wasn’t just some random ball or something.

This was some sort of spiritual ball because I could see smoke slowly dancing around it as it floated before me. I wanted to run but I was either too scared or stunned by what just happened. It was then I heard the singing come back, and it was coming from this spiritual matter in front of me.

And I don’t know how or why but—it made me feel safe. Listening to the singing that came from this ball, it was like being wrapped up tightly in a warm hug. Or sleeping in your own bed, like the weight of the world has been dropped from you.

I soon found myself walking towards the yellow spirit ball. It moved backwards as I walked towards it. It floated towards the fireplace and I wouldn’t have known if I weren’t in my trance-like state once again, but the fireplace opened up to reveal a long corridor.

*3rd Person POV*

As Jake ran on ahead he soon tackled into someone and that someone ended up being Amy.

“What the hell Jake!? Get off me you perv!”

“Guys! Guys! Guys! P-p-p-p-pi….pi-gh…..(y/n)…..”

“Stop your blabbering and tell us what happened!?” Aaron said as he forced Jake off his girlfriend and helped her up.

“Piano……playing itself. Fireplace……flames go up.”

“What’s he blabbering about?” Brandon’s voice soon spoke up as he and Susan came around the hallway.

“Where’s (Y/n)?” Susan asked worriedly. They all looked at Jake who still had a look of fright on his face. They quickly raced towards the living room and they all gasped to see (Y/n) just about to turn right of the long corridor that stood them.

“What the hell!”

“Why did you leave her you dumbass!?”

“(Y/n)!” her friends tried to run after her but the fireplace soon closed back up and the flames were once again fully ignited. Soon coming out of the flames was a pure white figure.

His hair was all curly and long like a poodle. He wore a few necklaces 2-3 which were wrapped around his neck while the other one draped over his bare chest due to his shirt having a few of the buttons undone. But what had the kids most horrified was that this man was transparent.

Gentle wisps of smoke flowed from his hair, fingers, and even the cut along his cheek which seeped out small amounts of ghost blood. His eyes which were a pure dark grey stared right at the young teenagers and he let out a haunting whisper.

“She belongs……to us!” at that phrase the teens all screamed and ran off. The girls ran towards the backway while the boys ran up the stairs. The girls raced out towards the barn and hid underneath a hay cart.

“Was that a……” Susan started off.

“No! It couldn’t have been! It’s impossible!” Amy exclaimed in denial.

“Oh it’s entirely possible.” A male voice soon spoke up. They slowly turned their heads and saw another ghost.

Unlike the one they saw earlier, this one was a blue spirit with haunting ocean like eyes. His hair was long and flowing and he wore a smug grin on his face. Susan and Amy were in gawk at this ghost. “Now, now ladies I know I’m a looker but there’s no need to stare.”

They then screamed as they tried to get out but just before they could leave the barn, the doors suddenly shut.

“Leaving so soon? Oh that’s not fair. Not before I’ve had the chance to know your names. God it’s been so long since female company have come to this farm.” Susan and Amy were terrified at the point. They tried to get the doors open but it was all in vain.

Suddenly they felt themselves being levitated up in the air and the ghost appeared before them and said in a low, haunting tone.

“And the three of us are gonna have such fun together.” Only the piercing, terrified screams of the girls echoed through the barn.

Back in the house, Brandon, Jake and Aaron all headed for the basement in one of the tightest rooms the house had. They all panted heavily and Aaron said.

“Did—you guys see what I saw?”

“You mean that curly haired ghost that just said (Y/n) belongs to them. No.” Brandon said.

“Same.” Jake said. The room suddenly got colder than it was, so cold in fact that the boys could now see their breath. It was then Jake suddenly felt something pick him up by his throat. He squirmed in the grip of the invisible force.

“Jake!” Aaron called out but then suddenly he and Brandon were pushed up against the wall and they couldn’t move. No matter how much they squirmed, they couldn’t budge an inch. Suddenly Jake was thrown down onto the small rickety bed and that’s when he appeared.

A fully black ghost with long hair. He looked younger than the last ghost they saw but there was something about him that felt—angry. The young black ghost turned to Jake and his voice which was a soft, honey like tone say.

“If I remember, No always means No. No matter who it is.” He slowly crawled on top of Jake pinning his arms down. “But since you can’t seem to understand what it feels like to be in such a vulnerable position, maybe I should show you.” by the end of his statement his voice suddenly got lower, darker. Almost sinister.

Through Jake’s eyes he saw as this ghost’s face actually morphed into the Devil himself. Burned and scarred with pure red and black eyes. Jake screamed in pure terror.

*My POV*

I kept following the light as well as the voice. The beautiful, soulful, most angelic voice. God it was—almost inhuman of how this voice could sing. With such gentleness but also control it when he belted out a note or a phrase.

The light ball quickly faded away and had now become a record player with an album that stood right up against it. I slowly reached out for it and it read.

QUEEN

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA.

As I held it in my hands there was a moment where I heard screaming. Wait my friends? They were……

“Play the record darling.” The voice soothed me. I felt a gentle caress under my chin. I closed my eyes and took out the record and placed it on the record player. “Play it, play it. You know you want to.” The voice continued to coo. I turned the record on, lifted the needle but just before I could place it at the top the voice whispered to me again, “Lower.”

I adjusted the needle as the voice continued to whisper lower again and again softly in my ear.

“There!” it suddenly hissed out which frightened me and forced me to let go of the needle and soon a quartet of voices soon began to sing with no instrument backup.

Play video

My god. This……this really was Queen. I mean I’ve only really heard a few of their songs but this was definitely them. The way their voices melded together in perfect harmony. The piano soon came in and I sat down by the record player and just took in this song.

I literally felt like my soul was being sucked out as the vocals took me on a trip. Then the bass picked up as the leading front man started singing the song, the very voice I’ve been hearing from the spirit force earlier.

As the song continued to play and went on a brief instrumental break, I looked at the record to see just what this song was called because I hadn’t heard a single word that stands out except Mama. I then saw a finger point to the second to last song. I looked up and shocked to see one of the band member’s ghost right there with me.

His entire ghost form was the same yellow color as the spirit ball from earlier, his wild hair went down to shoulders and he had an overbite but somehow it worked on him. He looked pretty exotic (by that I knew he wasn’t from London, maybe India or something). He nodded and gestured to the song again. I looked down at it and read it out loud.

“Bohemian Rhapsody?” he smiled happily and soon a guitar solo came on. But along with that, I heard the same guitar playing the same notes, almost as if—holy shit!

A curly haired pure white ghost soon held a red guitar and began playing the exact guitar solo right there. I turned to the ghost beside me who was still smiling devilishly and he gestured for me to look back at the guitarist. As I watched the white ghost play the guitar, I was amazed and mesmerized by how he played the guitar.

As a Classic Rock fan I’ve seen the greatest guitar players such as Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Alex Lifeson, and Eddie Van Halen, but this guy—this was unlike anything I’ve ever seen a guitarist do or even play. It was like his guitar was actually singing a solo, instead of just being an instrument. Like it was a person, and she sang beautifully.

The song then went quiet as the lights went out and only a single piano note was now playing over and over. Soon the silhouette of the ghost that led me here stood before me as a single spotlight hit him. And I don’t know whether the vocals suddenly turned off or whatever but I could actually hear singing right there.

Next thing I know, the yellow and white ghosts are now joined up with a soft blue and pure black ghost. The four of them standing together in like a diamond shape patter with the yellow and white ghost at top and bottom respectively, the blue ghost was on my right while the black was on the left.

The four of them once again jointed in a quartet harmony before suddenly their voices boomed out like a canon firing. And I know it sounds crazy but I swear I think they duplicated themselves about a dozen times to get that full powerful choir sound. The blue ghost then started to sing in a really high falsetto tone while the yellow ghost backed him up on the lower range before making his voice waver.

This pattern continued as the front man sung again softly and then the other three ghosts (or copies) backed him up. Wow this song it’s—literally unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The way it started soft before BAM exploding right in your face. Just like an Opera.

I bopped my head along to the beat softly to the beat and then when the rock out section came on. I’ll admit I banged my head as hard as I could (may come to regret it later but I didn’t care). The setting soon changed to an actual rock and roll concert stage and I saw all four of them up on the stage.

The black ghost on bass, the blue playing the drums, the white playing his guitar and the yellow one center stage, well more like everywhere as he strutted around and sung as loudly as he could.

I smiled and stood up and couldn’t help but jump up and down as I rocked out along with them. The yellow ghost soon went back to the piano and began playing it and as the four ghosts vocalized softly, the song slowly died off the hard rock and grew soft once again. The yellow ghost sang the last verse as the piano solely took over now just before the white ghost played his guitar for the last time.

Then when the soft bang of a gong, the song ended and the room went dark once more.

“That’s it? Oh come on please that can’t be the end of the song!” the lights soon came back on and I now found myself in a recording studio. The four ghosts all standing there. The yellow one came up to me with a soft smile and gently touched the center of my forehead with his index and tall fingers and I felt this warmth come over my yet again.

“We’ve got more songs than that dear, believe me. But this is the one we’re most proudest of.” His normal voice spoke to me.

“It was either that or I’m in love with my car.” The white ghost groaned out.

“I told you before Brian it’s a metaphor!” the blue ghost snapped.

“After all these years Roger it’s still unusual. What exactly are you doing to that car?” the black ghost sassed.

“Ignore him darling. He’s just a little peeved that after all the fussing and locking himself in a cupboard, his song didn’t get the chance to go on the B side to our single. Which is my masterpiece.” The yellow ghost told me.

“Umm…..not to sound cruel but, I mean I know you guys are Queen but uhh—what are your names?”

“Oh yes that. Silly me. You my darling may call me Freddie Mercury.” The yellow ghost introduced himself with a twirl.

“Brian May. Thank you again for giving us a chance to show you our hard work.” The white ghost introduced himself. Wow he sure was polite.

“Roger Taylor. And I must say my dear, you are quite adorable, especially when you let loose and rock out.” The blue ghost gave me a wink. Normally I wouldn’t give flirting a second glance, especially after Jake’s insistent flirting, but for some reason I couldn’t help but blush at his compliment.

“Please forgive him. He always goes crazy over a pretty girl. John Deacon it’s lovely to meet you.” The black ghost said as he gave me a greeting bow of his head. Freddie, Brian, Roger and John, these guys were the men behind Queen.

“It’s—an honor to meet you four. I’m (Y/n). So—all the times people have been coming into the studio, all you wanted was for someone to listen to your album?”

“Yes, but no one would stick around. All because we’re ghosts.” Freddie whined as he pouted and crossed his arms over his chest.

“And you were the only one who had any sense of musical taste.” Roger pointed out my Hendrix shirt. I rubbed the back of my neck and said.

“Yeah, kinda a music geek. Mostly through classic rock. But none of my friends—oh my god my friends! What did—those screams from earlier. What did you guys do to them?!”

“Take it easy lovie, your friends are safe and unharmed.” Roger assured me.

“Really?”

“Yes. I mean minus the fright we might’ve caused them, they’re completely fine. They’re passed out in that van of yours outside right now.” Brian said.

“Though Deacy dear, I must admit you truly traumatized that one young boy earlier. I could barely keep my hold on (Y/n)’s mind to bring her here cause of the screaming you had that boy doing.” Freddie said.

“Who? You mean Jake?” I asked.

“What he did to you back there. It—wasn’t right. If a woman says no, it means no.” John growled softly.

“Thanks John. I’ve tried telling him for years I never once liked him like that, but any chance we’re alone he tries to come onto me. I was getting sick and tired of it.”

“Well not to worries dear, I think from what John did to him, he’ll never bother you again for a long time.” Roger said as he ruffled John’s hair up. John pushed his hand off his head and he came up to me and asked.

“You sure he didn’t hurt you?”

“I’m fine, really. I’m okay.” He sighed in relief.

“Hey guys,” they all looked at me giving me their full attention. “I—I don’t mean to get personal with you all. But uhh……How did you guys…..forget it. You don’t have to answer it. It’s probably none of my business.”

“It’s not? Then why so interested?” asked Brian. He didn’t ask it out of annoyance, I could genuinely hear the concern in his voice.

“Well I was gonna ask, how did you guys—you know……”

“Die?” they all said together. I nodded.

“Well dear as much as we would like to tell you, we can’t.” Freddie said.

“Yeah I get it. I mean if I were in your shoes I wouldn’t either.”

“It’s not that (Y/n).” John said. I looked at him confused, “See while we remember some parts of our lives as humans. The day we died—that part’s fuzzy.”

“For decades we’ve tried to remember what had happened but every time we try it just—doesn’t come around.” Brian finished. Oh wow I never knew that that could happen when you become a ghost. Not knowing how you die and have to remain here on Earth.

“Tell us dear, what all has been said about our deaths?” Freddie asked me as he leaned sat down on the chair and rest his chin on his hand.

“Well there are several theories. The ones I know about are an electrical fire in this studio and you guys being trapped inside.”

“Sounds boring.” Freddie bluntly stated. The other three looked at him questioningly.

“What else?” asked Roger.

“Well another theory is that someone snuck in and massacred you guys. Some people even go into detail about the homicide and what happened to each of you. I—I was honestly heartbroken hearing that and cried.”

“Aww you sweet thing.” Freddie and Roger cooed.

“A slight alteration to that theory is that it was a—day to day manager you guys had was the one to kill you guys.”

“Oh him. Well we’re proud to say he’s no longer with us anymore.” Roger said.

“I think I remember that he also died along with us. And if he did, he’s right where he belongs cause we haven’t seen him since our death. Thank god.” said John. I softly smiled before letting out a soft yawn.

“It’s getting late, you should get some sleep.” Brian said to me.

“Where can I sleep at?” I asked.

“You could pick one of our old rooms.” Roger suggested.

“Just hope you don’t mind sleeping on rickety old beds.” Brian softly laughed. I softly laughed and said.

“Okay uhh…..John do you mind if I take yours?”

“Not at all. Follow me.” I followed behind him and we walked out of the recording studio and back to the main house. He walked down the steps to the basement and he said, “Just a word of warning, it’s small and it gets colder than the other rooms. You sure you still want it?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” We came to the bottom of the steps and I saw that it was indeed a tiny room. Kinda reminded me of my childhood room when my parents and I were living in a small flat.

“Again I apologize, I didn’t choose this room. Yet I’m bound to it for all eternity.” He said as he placed his hand on the dresser but it went right through it. “Kinda the price for being the youngest and most forgetful member of the band.”

“I never thought that.” He turned towards me. “From the songs I’ve heard on your three albums, your basslines are unique and easily recognizable. Especially this one song uhh—god it’s been awhile since I listened to it what’s it called…..Lies?”

“Liar?”

“That’s it! That solo is phenomenal.” He softly smiled and thanked me. I walked towards the small bed and tucked myself in suddenly feeling tired than I was before.

“Thanks again for allowing me to take your room tonight John.”

“Anytime. Sleep well (y/n).” I then shut my eyes and finally fell asleep.

*John’s POV*

I don’t know how to explain it. Normally I’d never allow anyone to try and sleep in my room. All the humans that have entered this farm whether on a dare or trying to discover the secrets of this place, I’ve made sure to keep out anyone by frightening them away.

But this young girl there was something—familiar about her. Was she—no. No that’s impossible. I’m crazy for even suggesting it, there’s no way that’s possible. It’s a one in a billion chances. I sat there in the corner of my room and watched her sleep, while trying to make sense on why I’m feeling this strange pull towards her.

*My POV*

2 weeks after that night, the guys actually gave me the Night at the Opera record and I was just amazed by all the songs it had, but my favorite song will always be Bohemian Rhapsody. But there was another song called ‘You’re my best friend’ (written by John) that had a special connection with me.

Right now I was helping my nana with some reorganizing in the attic when I came across an old box of stuff. I opened it up and was first greeted with some dust. I let out a sneeze as I wiped the dust out of my face before pulling out a beautiful wedding dress.

“Nana! What’s this?” she climbed up the stairs and when she saw me, her face grew solemn. She walked up towards me and knelt down beside me.

“Now this is something I haven’t seen in years. This—was my wedding dress.”

“It’s beautiful.” I said as I stroked through the fabric.

“Yeah. But oh did I look like a balloon in it. I was pregnant with your father at the time I got married.” She went through the box and soon pulled out a photo album and opened it up. “See, this was me on my wedding day with—with your grandfather.” I looked down and I was shocked.

There was her and John standing together. The two of them smiling as the picture was being taken. Her back to John’s chest and his arms wrapped around her pregnant stomach.

“It was a surprise, the pregnancy. And we were incredibly young but—John praised about becoming a father. But then…….” She stopped and wiped away her tears.

“Nana are—are you okay?” she sniffled and dabbed her eyes and said.

“Yes. Yes poppet I’ll be okay. Sorry. It’s just—so hard, even after over 40 years. He was my best friend, the love of my life. I wish your father talked more about your grandfather to you. Oh he would’ve loved you soo much dear. Spoiled you rotten probably.”

Oh if only she knew. Wow so—my grandfather is John Deacon. Wow that’s—not everyone can say something like that.

“What….what was grandfather like?” I asked her.

“Well, we met way back in 1974 at a Disco club. My friends and I were out for a girls night out when—” she then proceeded to tell me the entire story of how she and granddad met and fell in love.

Hearing it from her own voice, it was like something out of a fairytale. She and John really did love each other and it seemed like they would’ve stayed together forever had what happened to Queen not occurred.

“Did—the police ever tell you what happened?” I asked her.

“For years I tried to get them to give me an answer. But the case went cold and they just ruled it as accidental. I had to live with that heartbreak ever since. So I raised your father as a single parent because there wasn’t anyone like John Richard Deacon.” I leaned against her shoulder nuzzling her arm.

She wrapped her arm around my head and gave me a soft kiss to my head. Together the two of us sat there and she told me as many stories as she could remember between her and John.

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