#promise I won’t pull up a harper | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

fluentmoviequoter · 9 months ago

Text

A Room Away

Requested Here!

Edit: Part 2 Here

Pairing: Tim Bradford x fem!reader

Summary: Tired of Tim's bad moods, Angela gets him a new roommate: you. As Tim gets to know you and learns about your past, you slowly become more than his roommate.

Warnings: mentions of past domestic abuse (reader and Tim), reader has chronic migraines from past head trauma, nightmares, reader has a panic attack, angst, fluff, Nyla and Angela. (roommates to lovers)

Word Count: 4.2k+ words

A/N: Parts of this are so self-indulgent. The migraine depictions are based on my migraines, but I think they're some of the most common symptoms. I hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think! (I'm still trying to get Tim's character down, so apologies if he's OOC.)🤍

Masterlist | Tim Bradford Masterlist | Request Info/Fandom List

Picture from Pinterest

Tim sits in the back of the room for roll call, his arms crossed tightly across his chest as unimpressed sighs escape him. Angela is getting tired of his seemingly perpetual bad mood. Clearly, he’s lonely, but he will never admit it. And that loneliness makes him mopey and broody (Angela’s official motto for Tim Bradford) until he has enough and snaps at someone.

Sitting at her desk, Angela watches Tim yell at a boot. He’s always harsh with them, trying to prepare them for anything, but now he’s using them as punching bags for his forbidden feelings.

“What’s his problem? He’s grumpier than usual,” Nyla says as she joins Angela.

“He’s lonely,” Angela answers. “Won’t admit it or do anything about it.”

“That man needs a girlfriend,” Nyla muses.

Angela sits up straighter and smiles. “You’re a genius, Harper.”

“I know.”

Angela opens a website on her computer, and Nyla pulls up a seat to watch her intervention into Tim’s personal life.

“You’re going to rent out his spare room without telling him? This’ll be fun to watch,” Nyla says, laughing.

“He has way too much room for just one guy. Getting him a roommate and a girlfriend will surely help with.. that,” she finishes, gesturing toward Tim.

“A roommate and a girlfriend, or a roommate who becomes a girlfriend?”

“Either should work.”

“That’s your number.”

Angela nods, putting her contact information on the listing. “Tim would shut it down after the first call, so I’ll interview them, run background checks, whatever, and find the perfect one.”

“Well, Mrs. Right is always found on Craigslist,” Nyla jokes.

“This isn’t Craigslist.”

“Semantics.”

Angela posts the listing, and she and Nyla hope getting Tim a roommate will help nudge him out of his bad mood. He needs someone to talk to and bond with, but he’ll never come to that conclusion on his own. Which is why Angela considers herself to be such a good friend.

✯✯✯✯✯

Los Angeles is a big city, which is part of why you chose it without another thought. Full of opportunities and a chance of fading into the background, it’s the complete opposite of your home, which overflows with memories. The patched drywall you were pushed into, the stained tile where you thought everything was going to end, and the china cabinet with the shattered glass are left behind and traded in for a minimum wage job, a used car, and a lot of panic that you won’t be able to find somewhere to live.

You’ll need a roommate until you can save enough money for your own place. However, finding a decent place with a decent roommate is nearly impossible in your price range. Browsing online listings, you see one that could be promising. The information at the bottom says there is an interview process, which catches your attention. Sending a text to Angela Lopez, you cross your fingers for good luck before walking into work.

By the end of your shift, Angela has replied and asked you to meet somewhere nearby. You want to go home, a dull headache building at the base of your skull impairing your mood. But you also really want a better place to call home than the pay-by-the-month motel you’re currently living in.

Angela gives you a firm handshake as she introduces herself as an LAPD detective. She asks questions about your life, job, hobbies, and finally, why you moved to Los Angeles.

“I just needed a change of pace; was ready to leave my old life behind, find something bigger and better,” you answer, a simplified version of the truth.

Trying not to show it, Angela immediately takes a liking to you. Each of your answers solidifies her gut instinct that you’re a good fit for Tim. You ask why her name was on this listing if it’s not her house, and she follows your lead and gives you the truth, but not all of it.

“Tim, the owner of the house, is a coworker and friend, and I’m just trying to help him out while he’s busy with work,” she explains.

As you leave the meeting, Angela gives you her personal number, as well as someone named Nyla Harper’s number, “just in case you need anything.”

She texts you a time and address, telling you to meet her at your new place the following afternoon. You thank her repeatedly before driving to the trashy motel one last time.

✯✯✯✯✯

Parking outside the house, you fall in love with the neighborhood and the cute architecture of the home. Angela meets you in the driveway, seeming more nervous than excited. You realize she may not have been totally honest with you as you follow her to the door.

An incredibly handsome man opens the door, sighing when he sees Angela. He lets both of you in, seeming to trust Angela completely.

✯✯✯✯✯

Tim knows he will regret opening the door, but the woman with Angela is beautiful, and deep down, a small part of him wants to know who she is and why she’s on his doorstep.

“This is your new roommate,” Angela announces, giving Tim your name.

“You didn’t,” Tim responds. “Please tell me you didn’t rent out my spare room without asking me, Lopez.”

“I won’t tell you that, then.”

Standing quietly to the side, you anxiously watch their argument.

“Um, sorry,” you begin, interrupting them. “But I can go, and find a new place, since this is clearly not what you signed up for.”

You move toward the door before stopping when Angela demands, “Don’t go anywhere.”

She gives Tim a stern look before cocking her head to the side. He sighs like he has accepted his fate, a tragedy based on his reaction. Gesturing for you to follow him, he gives you a quick tour before showing you to your new room and bathroom.

“I’m not home a ton, but when I am, I’m usually watching a game or just hanging out, so,” he tells you before trailing off.

You nod before promising, “You won’t even know I’m here.”

Tim wants to believe you, but he also thinks you’re pretty and kind enough that he wouldn’t mind seeing you occasionally.

✯✯✯✯✯

You cross paths with Tim a few times in the first two days of living with him. He’s struck by your beauty each time but recognizes that you don’t open up willingly, so he never presses you to talk. Content to be ships passing in the night, Tim gives you a nod before continuing out the door.

It’s your third night in the house that Tim learns your reserved qualities may not be as simple as a personality trait. Waking when he hears a strange noise, Tim listens in the darkness before deciding it’s your footsteps he hears. Based on the sound, you're pacing, so Tim gets out of bed and walks to the kitchen. He walks right past you, and you give him an apologetic smile before slowing down. Tim makes you a mug of calming tea, sliding it across the kitchen island before sitting beside you as you drink it. Suspecting you had a nightmare or some similarly disturbing experience, Tim reminds you where you are and that everything is okay in his own way.

Over the next week, you wake him up a few more times, thrashing in your bed or exiting your room once you wake. He nudges each time, offering to let you talk about it, but you never do. You always apologize for waking him, thank him for keeping you company and making you tea before you disappear back into yourself and into your room.

✯✯✯✯✯

You’ve lost count of the days and nights spent in Tim’s house, your sense of time thrown off by the continued plague of nightmares and the monotony of your days. As you wake up after a surprisingly dreamless sleep, you immediately turn your face back into the pillow. Your heartbeat pounds in your head, and everything seems brighter and louder. The migraines have been nearly as consistent as the nightmares since before you left for Los Angeles.

Tim knocks on your door, and you groan as the sound echoes in your brain. He cracks the door, concerned that you aren’t up yet.

“Are you okay?” he asks, seeing your current state.

“Migraine,” you answer. “I called in sick.”

He closes the door to block the light from outside and lowers his voice to ask, “Do you need anything before I leave?”

“I’m okay. Thanks.”

“Well, call me if you do, or if anything changes, okay?”

“I will. Thank you, Tim. Have a good day.”

Tim nods, even though you can’t see him, before backing out of your room and exiting the house as quietly as possible. He keeps his ringer on, looking at his phone every few minutes as his concern for you remains at the forefront of his mind.

Angela and Nyla notice his usual grumpy disposition seems to have been replaced with concern for something, or someone. After he checks his phone for the fifth consecutive time, Angela decides to pry.

“How’s the beautiful roomie? Still just a roommate?” she asks.

“She’s not feeling well,” Tim answers.

Angela waits for an elaboration, but Tim doesn’t offer one. She looks at Nyla, who gives a knowing look. It’s obvious that Tim is softening toward you, but you haven’t made enough of an impact that he’s less grumpy or snappy. As the day continues, his usual personality returns, convinced that you must be okay, or you would have called.

The next day, after learning that you are, in fact, feeling better, Tim is back to his pre-roommate levels of anger and high strung-ness. To worsen his mood, you wake him up with a nightmare but refuse to let him in, not even acknowledging his kind questioning as to how you are. He’s worried about you because you welcomed his presence before, but he is also angry that you changed so quickly, and now you don’t trust him. Everything is piling on, and Tim isn’t sure how much more he can carry.

✯✯✯✯✯

“Just tell me something,” Angela presses.

“Stay out of it, Lopez!” Tim yells, his emotions reaching a boiling point. “I didn’t even want a puppy- a roommate! If you like her so much, why don’t you take her in?”

Angela waits for his shoulders to drop slightly before asking, “Timothy… is this because you don’t like her, or because you do?”

Tim’s jaw clenches, and his nostrils flare as he turns away, offering to go on patrol while Nolan and Celina go to the shooting range. Everyone seems to think they know Tim better than they do; Angela is pushing him toward you while you’re distancing yourself, and the push and pull is tiring.

✯✯✯✯✯

Tim waits in his truck in the driveway for a few minutes before walking in. When he walks in, you’re standing in the kitchen. He hasn’t actually seen you since the day of your last migraine when you stopped trusting him, and your sudden willingness to be in the same area confuses him. Anger and confusion rarely mix well; with Tim, it’s a fatal combination.

You notice his tension and knitted brows, chewing your bottom lip before asking, “Are you okay?”

Stumbling to his tipping point for the second time in the day, Tim takes all his anger and confusion over his feelings out on you.

“What do you think? You can’t decide if I’m worth trusting with something as small as a nightmare, and Angela thinks that I’m practically neglecting you,” he begins.

You swallow harshly as his voice rises, stumbling backward when he starts moving his arms.

“Especially considering I didn’t even want you here!”

Flinching, you snap your eyes closed and catch yourself on the corner of the wall. Tim freezes as he watches you. Everything begins snapping into place in his mind: your nightmares and the distance added to your reaction to him yelling and moving his hand are all signs he should have noticed sooner.

Your chest is heaving as you take short breaths, and when you finally open your eyes, you look terrified. Tim steps back, keeping his hands where you can see them. You focus on him as you slide down the wall, cradling your head in your hands as you fight off bad memories and a growing headache.

Tim watches you before sitting on the floor, keeping his distance. He waits for you to calm down, willing to let you decide whether or not you want to talk to him. You finally look back up at him, but he doesn’t move.

“I- I’m sorry,” you whisper.

“Can I come closer?” Tim asks.

You nod, and Tim slides across the floor, not wanting to stand up and look any more imposing than necessary. His knee presses gently against your thigh, and when you don’t move, he gives you a small smile – the first you’ve ever seen.

“I’ll leave in the morning,” you say, fiddling with your fingers.

“Please don’t,” Tim replies, shaking his head. “I’m really sorry. I wasn’t mad at you, just angry with a long day. But that’s no reason to yell at you or act like that. You confused me, and I didn’t know how to deal with it. That’s on me.”

“I’m sorry,” you repeat.

“Don’t. When I was younger, my dad took his anger out on me sometimes. I’m sure I deserved it once or twice, but I also know better than to treat people like an emotional outlet. If you ever want to talk, I’m here.”

You nod before saying, “My ex.”

Tim feels a protective surge at the idea of anyone hurting you, let alone doing it enough times that yelling pushes you to the point of a panic attack.

After comforting you with proximity and kind words, Tim offers to walk you to bed. Your hand brushes his as he opens your door, and you smile as you thank him for everything. It’s a minor change in your relationship but an important one.

✯✯✯✯✯

Tim leaves before you wake up the following morning, determined to find out as much as he can about you and your past. He’s not necessarily being nosy, but he wants to know if there’s anything specific that could help or hurt you.

“What do you know?” he demands as he storms up to Angela’s desk.

“About what?” she replies, raising her brows.

“What do you mean ‘about what’? Her!”

Nyla leans back in her chair, glad to watch the unfolding drama.

“Tim, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Angela explains.

“Why’d she move to LA?”

“Are you seriously trying to find something wrong with her? That’s low.”

Tim moves around her desk, dropping his voice to answer, “I’m trying to figure out who thought it was okay to put their hands on her. Because she won’t let me in.”

Angela begins connecting the dots you left untouched. You ran from the person controlling your life, not your actual life. She knew that you were omitting something during your initial meeting, but she didn’t expect it to be so big.

“Have you been open with her?” Angela asks finally. “Because that’s a two-way street. I’ll talk to her if you want me to, but she trusts you, Tim.”

“How do you know that?”

Nyla’s eyes bounce back and forth like she’s watching a tennis game. She sighs before deciding to interject. “She told her! Sent her a text one night!” she calls out, smiling and waving when Angela and Tim look at her.

Tim nods, giving Angela the closest she’ll get to an apologetic look before leaving.

✯✯✯✯✯

Returning home, Tim is surprised to find you on the couch, in your work clothes, with your face pressed into a pillow. You wave your fingers without moving to acknowledge him, and he remains silent as he walks to the kitchen.

“You don’t have to be silent, it’s your house,” you mumble. “I’ll figure out a way to get to the bedroom.”

“You’re fine here,” Tim answers, setting a glass of water beside you. “Another migraine?”

“Skull fractured from getting my head pushed through a window a few months ago,” you explain with a sigh. “The migraines have gotten worse since then.”

Tim lays a hand on your shoulder, giving you plenty of time to tell him not to touch you. You don’t, relaxing under his touch instead. Tim takes a seat beside you, hoping to comfort you once more.

“Your ex?” Tim asks.

You hum a yes, and Tim’s jaw tightens, even as he comforts you.

✯✯✯✯✯

Walking into the police station, Tim’s wallet is tucked safely in your bag. Approaching the front desk, you say your name and are wordlessly handed a visitor’s badge before someone gives you directions. You don’t have time to argue, shrugging as you attempt to remember where to turn. Angela sees you before you see her, rushing to your side and looping her arm with yours.

“What are you doing here?” she asks happily.

“Uh, Tim forgot his wallet. I was just going to drop it off, but they sent me back here,” you answer.

Tim says your name, coming around a corner, and Angela pushes you toward him, joining Nyla as they watch your interaction.

“You know she was trying to get you a girlfriend and not just a roommate, right?”

Tim nods a thanks as he accepts his wallet, glancing over at your audience. “I’m half-tempted to make them think I kicked you out.”

You smile brightly, and Tim licks his lips to keep his smile from mirroring yours. His eyes tell you more than enough, and you’re happy to see him, too.

“Do it,” you whisper. “Just let me know when so I can play my part. Angela told me to call her if you were ever mean to me.”

“Have you?”

You don’t answer, opting to wink at him before stepping back. Waving at Angela and Nyla, you leave the station as they rush to Tim’s side. As they ask overlapping questions and talk about how cute you and Tim look standing together, Tim ignores them before walking away.

✯✯✯✯✯

Tim is pulled from his sleep by your panicked yell. He leaves his bed and barges into your room with no thought. His heart rate slows when he sees your teary face and tangled sheets.

“Sorry,” you mutter as you wipe your tears. “I just don’t know how to make them stop.”

Tim sits beside you, opening an arm toward you. It’s a bold move, especially for him, but you take his offer and curl into his side.

“Are- did you mean it when you said I could talk about it?” you ask.

Tim nods, and you tell him more, but not everything. You remind yourself that he’s your roommate and maybe, just maybe, he's your friend, but he’s not here to listen to all of your baggage.

“The last thing he said before I left was, ‘there is nowhere you can go that my love won’t lead me to find you.’”

“You know that wasn’t love,” Tim replies, waiting for your nod before continuing. “And I’ve got your back, Angela and Nyla are right here, and we won’t let anything happen to you. No matter what.”

Drifting back to sleep in his warm, safe embrace, you finally learn what it’s like not to be scared.

When you wake alone, neither you nor Tim acknowledge what happened. You’re okay with slow changes, as long as there are changes.

“Tim,” you say, interrupting him on his way out. “Thank you. For last night.”

“I’m only ever a call away,” he reminds you.

✯✯✯✯✯

Your head starts aching around noon, quickly worsening into a full-blown migraine. When you’re ready to go home, it’s bad enough that you can’t drive. Sitting in your car and resting your head against the steering wheel, you want to call Tim but can’t find the strength to move.

Tim, meanwhile, returns home and begins wondering where you are. He calls, and you don’t answer, so he lets his worry control him as he gets back in his truck and drives your usual route. Tim hopes to pass you or find you waiting as someone changes your tire. When he gets to the parking lot of your job and sees you slumped in your car, he has to fight not to panic.

Rushing to the door, he’s both grateful and concerned that it’s unlocked. He kneels beside you, saying your name before bending to see you. Your eyes are tightly closed, but tears are still leaking out.

“I’m taking you to the hospital,” he says.

You whimper as he picks you up, clinging to him until he lays you down in the backseat of his truck, buckling you in as well as possible.

“Hospital can’t help,” you mumble.

Tim wants to argue, but remembers what you said about the skull fracture. You’ve already been to the doctor, so maybe getting you home and comfortable will be enough.

After a nap partially influenced by unbearable pain, you wake to see Tim sitting by your bed.

“Why are you so nice to me? You didn’t even want a roommate,” you mutter sleepily.

Tim smiles, making you think you’re hallucinating. “Yet I got something better.”

✯✯✯✯✯

You don’t quite make it to work the next day. Walking into the station, you’re surprised when Nyla greets you first.

“I’m assuming it’s a joke,” she says.

You furrow your brows in confusion before you see Tim leaning on a desk with his arms crossed while Angela yells at him.

“Unless he really kicked you out,” Nyla adds.

You nod, walking towards Angela and Tim.

“No, you don’t get to blame me! I got you a roommate, a friend, a beautiful woman who could have been more than a friend, and you’re mad at me?” Angela exclaims.

Tim locks eyes with you, not changing his expression as he gauges whether or not her yelling is upsetting you.

“Can I talk to you?” you ask Tim.

Angela steps back, hoping to hear Tim apologize, but he stands up and gestures for you to follow him without speaking. Worried that you’re sick again, Tim waits silently.

“I’m okay,” you promise. “I just wanted to see you.”

Not believing something so simple, Tim shakes his head. “Tell me what happened.”

“I saw a guy who looked like him while I was driving to work. He was yelling at a girl outside of a diner, and it made me nervous.” You keep your eyes on the floor, but Tim gently raises your head.

“You’re not alone, and I know that things still seem uncertain, and probably will for a long time, but you don’t have to be afraid of anything while I’m here.”

“Then why’d you kick me out?” you tease with a pout.

Tim shakes his head, telling you to go before following you out. You wipe an imaginary tear before waving at Angela.

“No, you’re not leaving,” she says, grabbing your shoulders and steering you toward her desk.

Nyla smiles at Tim, and he sighs before following.

“Tell me exactly what happened between you two,” Angela commands.

You look past her before tensing, and Tim immediately catches on. He follows your line of vision and sees Nolan and Celina booking someone. You shrink in on yourself, and Tim moves to block your view.

“Get her out of here,” he tells Angela.

Angela doesn’t wait before obeying, ushering you into the bullpen and out of sight.

“What’s the charge?” Tim asks Celina.

“Assault. Beat up a woman outside a diner,” she answers.

Tim’s jaw tightens at the knowledge that this man made you nervous this morning, reminding you of your ex. He hates abuse in every situation, but when you’re involved, his protectiveness and anger differ. Tim leaves before saying or doing something he’ll regret.

When he finds you in the bullpen, he takes one look at you before hugging you. It’s quick, but Angela and Nyla look at each other in shock.

“So, you’re good?” Nyla asks.

“We were never bad,” you reply. “Just wanted to get back at Angela for trying to set us up.”

“It worked?” Angela inquires excitedly.

“Not yet.”

“Not yet?” Tim repeats, looking over at you. He shrugs as he concedes, “Okay.”

✯✯✯✯✯

When Tim gets home, he drops his stuff by the door, raising his arms in question as he looks at you. “Not yet? What is that supposed to mean?”

“You haven’t made a move. How do I know you’re not just protective and caring under that handsome, gruff exterior?” you ask with a shrug.

Tim shakes his head, cupping the back of your head gently as he kisses you. You raise your hands over his chest to hold his jaw, pushing yourself closer as you reciprocate his every move.

“Because I don’t protect just anyone like this,” he says against your lips.

You kiss him again before asking, “Does this mean you can reduce my rent?”

Tim rolls his eyes, tucking you against his side where you’re safe from everything and everyone.

#tim bradford x reader #tim bradford x fem!reader #tim bradford fluff #tim bradford imagine #tim bradford the rookie #tim bradford #the rookie #requests

725 notes · View notes

pixiesfz · 11 months ago

Note

I was the anon that requested the Charli fic I loved it would love a Katrina gorry fic also if you write for her

Ask and you shall receive (I’m not kidding guys when you send a request I will most likely do it, I only won’t if I don’t physically find them attractive or don’t know the player well enough to write it fluidly)

okay but here is my beautiful mini.

plot: y/n had only joined the Matilda’s about a year before mini left to have her baby and she was her biggest supporter through it all, well until you get transferred to Chelsea

warnings: pregnancy, idiots, and I’m not sure what else, timeline doesn’t add up but deal with it

“Thankyou Tong for this opportunity I won’t let you or the team down I promise” you smiled into the face time which Tony nodded at “Well you’ve been an important necessity for this team for a couple of years now so I don’t imagine you wouldn’t” he laughed and you joined him.

“I’ll let you get to it now, I have some many more calls to make” he said as you nodded, thinking to the younger players in the team “I’ll let you get to it” you smiled and ended the face time.

“Was that Tony?” Katrina asked from behind you and you nodded “wants me to play for the next camp, which you in a few months time should be able to play” you cheered as she held her very pregnant stomach.

“It would have been another year if I didn’t have you” she smiled and you playfully rolled your eyes “please I just say here and looked pretty most of the time”.

“Yeah you did” she confirmed and you blushed, you weren’t sure when you started to have feelings for the midfielder, you were actually quite scared of her when you had your first call up for the Matilda’s and then she left to have Harper and you put your hand out to help, you loved the closest after all.

“I do have a question for you actually” Katrina said as she sat next to you on the couch “shoot” you smiled “how come it took you so long to join the Matilda’s, I know for a fact you have been called up many times before you finally joined”

You shrugged your shoulders “I had terrible anxiety in my early 20’s” you admitted “as you know my family weren’t the best at encouraging me after I came out” you said and Katrina nodded.

She knew about your family problems after a night where you maybe had a few too many at your stay at home New Year’s Eve.

“So I never thought I could do our country well enough” you said and Katrina moved her hands from her bump and onto your hands “You were and still are now, Jesus do you remember how the media blew up after your debut” she asked and you shook your head with a smile

“It was a bit funny” you shrunk your fingers “A hatric against Canada” Katrina almost yelled as she squeezed your hands.

“Yeah which you assisted two out of the three times” you said “I know I am pretty good” she said with a smirk and you rolled your eyes “okay now” you laughed and tried to walk away but Katrina pulled you back down again.

You looked down at her with a smile and she was looking up at you with eyes you’ve never seen before “you are amazing y/n” she said and her eyes darted down to your lips as you did to hers.

You couldn’t control yourself, not when she looked so beautiful.

You leaned in slowly before Katrina took the initiative and put her lips on yours.

It wasn’t rushed and it wasn’t crazy, it was nice and lustful but then you remembered and pulled away.

“What?” Katrina asked softly and you dropped your head “I haven’t been honest to you, I was planning to tell you soon but I just haven’t had the chance and-“

“Y/n what is it?” Katrina asked again as she lifted your head up with her fingers “Chelsea has offered me a spot on their team” you admitted and Katrina nodded her head “then take it” she said

“What?” You asked “Chelsea is amazing” Katrina said as she got up “But Chelsea is in London, you’re here”

Katrina looked away “but it’s better for you, I’ll have Harper with me, I’ll be fine” she said as she tried to hide the tears welling up in her eyes, you didn’t hide them well as they started to roll down your cheeks slowly.

“You- you want me to leave?” You asked

“I want you to do what is best for your career and chelsea is that, Melbourne city isn’t doing anything for you, Chelsea will make you a known name, just like Sam” she said and you rolled your eyes “what if I don’t want to go”

Katrina scoffed “then your stupid”

“Am I stupid for wanting to stay here and look after you and Harper?” You asked bitterly “yes” Katrina said, still refusing to look at you “Harper is mine” she stated “always has been you were just near and you decided to help me”

“Okay” you said as you stood up “I’ll go tell Emma” your croak in your voice evident to Katrina that you had been crying “you do that” she said as she wiped her eyes, you stayed still for a moment hoping that Katrina would ask you to stay but she didn’t, she stood still.

“Fine” you whispered before going to your ‘guest room’ that you actually hadn’t slept in for weeks as you slept in Katrina’s bed.

When you left Katrina finally turned around, tears running down her eyes as she kept her hands on her bump.

You packed as Katrina turned on the TV, watching a show that she didn’t care about, she just wanted to look like she wasn’t affected by you leaving.

When you finished, you went into the room “I’m leaving” you stated and she kept her eyes on the TV, scoffing you grabbed the remote and turned it off.

“I was watching that” Katrina complained “I’m staying with my parents, then I’m getting on a plane to London, I’ll stay with Sam and then I’ll get my own place I- I” you stopped “I don’t know why you’re so okay with this!” You yelled “because I care about you!” Katrina shot back

You sniffed as she rose “I care about you and that’s why you need to leave, go to Chelsea become a world known name, you can’t stay here and look after a child, it’s too much of a distraction”

“That is not your decision to make for me” you told her and she stepped forward “trust me y/n, you don’t want this”

Your eyes were watering again “just” you started “just let me kiss you one last time” you whispered and Katrina finally let her tears fall on her face as she stepped closer to you until her faces were inches apart.

She nodded before you grabbed the sides of her face and pushed her towards you, your lips melted together as you both tasted the salt from each others tears

“I love you” you admitted as you left your forehead on hers “you have to go” she said back and you sobbed and nodded “okay”.

When you once met again, it was about a year later against your national game against New Zealand, you were trying out your New players on the pitch and you still couldn’t believe that she had come back to play.

The first thing you noticed when she walked in was the young toddler that she held in her arms, “Harper” you breathed out as the little girl looked at you and pointed.

“Sorry” Katrina laughed before looking at you again “She’s seen some pictures of you before and now she’s finally seeing you in real life”

You had no reaction to the words as you stated at Harper “hey Harps” you smiled and walked closer to her “Katrina watched carefully as she took your emotions in, she saw your eyes and how they started to gloss over.

She was partially to blame of course, she practically kicked you out after you had helped her for 8 out of 9 months of her pregnancy.

“Do you want to hold her?” Katrina softly asked and you nodded “yes please” you said and Katrina smiled sadly “here” she passed her over and you held her perfectly.

Katrina had to stop her eyes from watering as you remembered the ways to hold a child as she remembered you searching it up when she was still pregnant.

Harper seemed to have clung on to you immediately before her snores filled the room.

“She’s gorgeous” you told her “just like her mumma” you smiled and Katrina blushed.

“It was silent again before she spoke up “I’m getting transferred” she piped up “that’s amazing” you smiled and she nodded “where?�� You asked “west ham” she said and you tried to hide your happiness at her answer.

“So I’ll finally see you at the wsl” you smirked proudly “yeah I’m excited” she said and you merely nodded.

“I’m excited too”

329 notes · View notes

ethicaltreatmentofcowplants · 3 months ago

Text

sulani: set sometime after this

cw: while i tried to deal with it in a light way (without trivialising the issue), this does allude to consent. nothing happens, everyone’s wishes are respected, and no one is persuaded/pressured to do anything. just in case the subject may understandably be triggering for some though.

(also while I did my best with @akitasimblr's leo harper - or rather my homebrand cc free knock-off - nothing he does is canon unless Ana says it is!)

* * *

"Looking good, Leo. Why, thank you, you handsome devil. Have to say, Ms. “I’ve done more mucking out than messing around” was not the contestant I was expecting this call from. But we all saw her in that bikini. I would hardly refuse."

It was at this moment, Araminta knew that she had fucked up.

(Oooh, he is going to hate me. And completely ruin my chances with Dodo, if not my entire reputation simply out of spite. I know his type too well. Still, Minty. An explanation is owed - and an apology. You come from two long lines of royalty, so you must have a spine somewhere. Find it.)

"I have to say, this was an unexpected surprise, but not an unwelcome one. Can I get you anything? There’s a chardonnay chilling that will knock your socks off. And a few other things too, but we can take our time with that."

"..."

"Uh, Minty? I assume we’re on pet name terms, or we’re about to be. If it’s the chardonnay, I can have something else brought up."

"... .... ...."

"Listen, between you and me, when you get us five star celebrities between the sheets? We’re just Some Guy. Well, some of us anyway. I have it on good authority that Thorne Bailey for example is the worst woohoo. Like not even one star. So don’t be nervous! Assuming that you’re nervous because it’s me."

(cue Leo's own math lady meme moment)

"Orrrr are you nervous because you’ve changed your mind - and you don’t know how to tell me?"

(looks up at him hopefully)

"Well, I’m taking anything other than shoving me onto the bed as a resounding ‘no, I’m not into this anymore.’ Why don’t I check on that chardonnay, and you take a moment? If I end up having the entire bottle to myself, that’s okay."

"See? It was fine. You are fine. Pull yourself together, Araminta."

* * *

"I… didn’t mean to text you. Your profile pictures look exactly the same."

"Funny how that works. So, you thought that you were texting my brother? And in spite of having at your fingertips the hottest commodity in the entire Simsverse - ie. my own personal private number - you decided that you’d rather attempt a night of passion with that doofus instead?"

"Well... yes?"

(leaves unsaid that there wasn't even a decision to be made. also - ahem. dodo is not a doofus, thank you.)

"But Watcher, everyone knows that I’m the sexy twin!"

(tactful silence)

"I am so terribly sorry, Leo. And quite frankly, mortified. I’d tear up my contract right now if I could."

"Contracts don’t work like that, Princess. Trust me. Don’t sweat it. It’s nothing to leave the challenge over. I can’t promise that I won’t laugh at you later or bring it up on the show at some point, but apart from you being a boring do-gooder, we’re cool. Deep breaths."

"I did, er, bring some wine myself. It’s an aged Chestnut Ridge red from our cellar, and I had thought that Dodo-"

"Totally wasted on him. Give me that."

"Thank you, by the way, for being so nice about this."

"Nice? Ha. I thought you lived on some Henford estate, not beneath a rock. But I’m not a creep. If you don’t one hundred percent want to be here, then I don’t want you here. Period. Go downstairs and get a massage or something. It looks like you need it."

"I may do just that."

"Wait - let’s check that you have my brother’s number right. You may have picked the wrong twin, but there’s nothing wrong with your taste in wine. And if you and Dodo don’t work out, then I’m always happy to mentor a promising up-and-comer." (winks)

"I’ll, uh, bear in mind that generous offer."

"No you won’t. You’re just being polite. Now scram. I’d totally smack your arse on your way out, but the Watcher is too cheap for that pack. And if you ever tell anyone other than Dodo that I wasn’t a total dick to you, I’ll spread a rumour that you once drank white wine with red meat or some other shit that would totally ruin your good name within 'polite' society."

"Plum, she really was that surprised at me being cool with her not wanting to sleep with me. The bar for men is so low, it must be in fucking Selvadorada. Here’s to being the sexy twin. And to all my daughters hopefully being lesbians."

"Hey, this is really a nice vintage. Nice girl too, unfortunately. But I could have fixed her, Watcher..."

#mad about dodo #araminta hearst-irsay #context: araminta texted the wrong twin #and was worried leo would be nasty when she refused #but he was chill #and in his mean traited way actually dropped some truths #the 'even bad guys have standards' trope everyone #anyway i promised you something light and silly ana #i don't think this was it #but i hope you begin to feel better soon #other people's sims #other people's cool stuff #leo harper

42 notes · View notes

sycamorelibrary754 · 10 months ago

Text

Guardian Angel

Chapter 8: Chocolate Coins

Summary: Things are looking up now. You are finally heading back to work at The Candy Bar, and you have taken a big step forward in your relationship with Wanda by meeting Billy and Tommy. Can anything bring you down today?

Warnings: None?

Word Count: 3.2k

A/N: I’m so excited! We’re headed for some angst and suspense in the coming chapters. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Guardian Angel Masterlist

“Are you sure you're ready?” Wanda asked cautiously.

The redhead had dropped Billy and Tommy off at school and then came over to the compound to help you get ready for your first day back to work at The Candy Bar.

“Sweetheart, we've talked about this. Helen and Bruce have cleared me: no more walking boot, no more sling. I completed the required month of physical therapy, and I feel good. I’m ready for this,” pulling an outfit out of your closet.

“Ugh…you’re right, you’re right,” flopping down onto the bed and covering her face with her hands.

You crawled onto the bed and lay beside her, still in your pajamas.

“Hey,” moving her hands away from her face. “I’ll be fine. Besides, it’s not like I’m fighting fires or anything. I’m bagging candy and scooping ice cream all day.”

The redhead turned sideways to face you on the bed. “Just promise me you’ll listen to your body. Sit down if you need a break; if there’s something high on a shelf, let Harper get it.”

You cut off her rambling with a gentle peck on the lips.

“What was that for?” Wanda asked.

“It was the only way to get you to stop,” giggling at the redhead.

After a hearty bowl of frosted flakes and a steaming cup of coffee, Wanda drove you to work. You hadn't figured out what to do about a new mode of transportation yet, as your car was totaled in the accident. Honestly, it was the last thing on your mind at this point. All you could do was take your recovery one step at a time, and the next step was to go back to work.

^*~*^

Walking into The Candy Bar after almost three months filled you with excitement and nostalgia. The familiar aroma of sweets filled your senses, and you couldn't help but tear up at the sight. You had kept in touch with Harper, your best friend and business partner, over Zoom and FaceTime, but you had promised yourself that you would return to the store only when you could walk back into it on your own.

“Harper?” you called out.

“Surprise!” Harper shouted.

The lights flipped onto reveal your best friend holding one of your mini ice cream cakes in front of a banner behind the counter that read, Welcome Back, Y/N!

“Aww, this is so sweet, Harper,” walking over to hug her. “You didn’t need to do this.”

“Oh, Please! I don't want to hear another word. This is a triumphant return; of course, we will celebrate,” she said.

“Thank you so much. This means a lot to me.” You were so engrossed in hugging your best friend you almost forgot about the redhead standing beside you. “Oh, Wanda! Where are my manners?! Harper, this is Wanda Maximoff.”

“Hi, wow. Harper Bailey,” shaking Wanda’s hand vigorously. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for, you know, the world,” still shaking her hand.

“You’re welcome,” Wanda giggled and looked over at you.

“Okay, that’s enough, Harper,” you said, separating their hands.

“Right! Um, I’ll go turn the closed sign to open,” she offered.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here,” Wanda said, taking in the space.

You put on your Candy Bar apron and adjusted your name tag. It felt so lovely to be back in your work attire. You glanced at your watch.

“Sweetheart, don’t you have a meeting with the team at 10:30?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. They won’t start without me,” she said, dismissing your question.

“Wanda, it's okay. Truly, you don’t need to hang around here all day. I’ll call you on my lunch break. Go, have a good day, and I’ll see you tonight,” you said.

Wanda sighed and walked toward you. “Okay,” placing her hands on your cheeks, “but if you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call me,” ending her speech with a kiss.

“I won’t. Bye, sweetheart,” you replied.

“Bye,” she said.

You watched the redhead leave. Just as you did the first time she walked into your shop. The feeling of Deja vu was mutual, as Wanda glanced back at you with one final wave as she walked out the door.

“Man, do you two got it bad,” Harper said as she joined you at your side.

“Shut up,” blushing at the thought. “I’ve waited three months to say this, Harper. Let’s go to work.”

*^~^*

Steve's voice jolted Wanda out of her daydream, and she quickly refocused her attention on him. "What do you think about running point from the compound on this upcoming mission?" he asked her. "It'll let you get your feet wet before you're out in the field again."

Wanda considered the proposal for a moment before nodding. "Sure, I'm up for it. Whatever you need."

"Great," Steve said, looking pleased. "I'll make sure to give you all the necessary details as soon as we have more information on movement from the targets."

Maria stood up from her seat at that moment, signaling the end of their meeting. "Thanks, everyone. Let's reconvene in two days to finalize the plan.”

As Wanda approached the door, Bucky stepped before her, blocking her path.

"May I help you?" she inquired, puzzled.

"Okay, Wanda. What's going on?" Bucky asked, concerned.

Wanda tried to play it cool. "What do you mean?"

"You've never zoned out in the middle of a meeting before. What's on your mind?” The super soldier asked.

"Nothing," she replied, trying to dismiss the subject.

"You're a terrible liar, you know that," Bucky remarked, seeing right through her.

Wanda knew that Bucky had a knack for cutting through the bullshit. "Is it Billy and Tommy?"

"No, no, the boys are fine," she quickly dismissed the idea.

"Is it this mission?” He suggested. “I can understand why you might be hesitant. It's been a long time since you've been out there."

"It's not the mission," she replied, turning around and walking back to the conference table.

Bucky followed her. "Then what is it?"

"It's y/n's first day back at the Candy Bar, and I'm just worried about her, that's all," Wanda confessed, exhaling deeply.

Bucky smirked. "You realize our job is vastly more dangerous than hers, right?"

"Yes, it's just... This is a big step in her recovery, and the shop means so much to her. I want it to go well."

"She'll be fine," Bucky reassured her, wrapping his arms around her. "She'll be home before you know it. Plus, it's movie night. You know how Y/N loves a good movie."

Wanda relaxed into Bucky's embrace. The super soldier had become a trusted friend, especially since her return to the team.

"Ooh, shoot," Wanda said, glancing at the clock. "I have to go pick up the boys at school, and if I don't leave now, I'll be late."

Bucky nodded. "Thanks for listening, Buck. I'll see you later."

"Okay, see you later," watching her rush out the door. Despite his attempts to reassure her, he could sense that Wanda was still concerned.

*^~^*

“Thanks, and please come again," you said as you handed the customer her bag of candy and homemade chocolate chip cookie. "Phew," you added, wiping your brow with the back of your forearm.

“Are you okay?" Harper asked

"Yes, I'm fine. I just forgot what the afternoon rush was like,” you lamented.

"Why don't you take your lunch break now?” Harper offered. “I can handle things for a bit."

"No, that's not necessary. I can do it,” you insisted.

“I know you can,” Harper touched your shoulder, "I just don't want your girlfriend on my case for not making sure you're taking it easy."

You laughed and replied, "Okay, I'll take a break. But not because of my girlfriend, because I know my limits.”

“Of course you do,” Harper smiled.

You step out of the shop onto the quiet side street, craving fresh air. After munching on the delicious peanut butter sandwich and apple slices that Nat had lovingly packed for you, you take out your phone and dial Wanda's number.

As soon as she picks up, you feel a wave of warmth washing over you. "Hey, sweetheart! I've been thinking about you all day. How's everything going down there?"

You smile to yourself, feeling grateful for having someone who cares about you so deeply. "It's going well," you reply, strolling back and forth. "I didn't realize how much I missed the shop until today. I'm on my lunch break right now. What are you up to?"

Wanda chuckles, and you can hear the sound of her kids playing in the background. "Just picked up the boys from school. They're supposed to be doing their homework, but I'm pretty sure they're playing rock, paper, scissors."

You laugh, feeling like you can picture the scene perfectly. "Why do I feel like I would be right there playing with them?"

"Because you totally would," Wanda agrees, and you can't help but grin.

"I miss you," you confess, feeling a little pang in your chest.

"I miss you too," Wanda says softly. "I can't wait to see you in four hours and eighteen minutes."

You chuckle, happy to hear she's also keeping track of time. "You watching the clock too?"

"Maybe..." Wanda giggles, and you feel your heart swelling with love for this remarkable woman.

Suddenly, you hear a commotion from inside the shop. Harper is calling you urgently. "Hang on a second, Wanda," you say, quickly moving the phone from your ear.

"What is it?" you ask Harper, feeling your heart racing.

"There's a strange man in the shop," Harper whispers, looking at you with concern.

You feel a chill run down your spine. "I gotta go, honey," you tell Wanda. "Harper needs me. I'll see you in a little bit."

"Okay, bye, y/n," Wanda says, her voice filled with concern at the abrupt departure.

"Bye," you say, ending the call and rushing back inside the shop to face whatever danger might be lurking there.

As you scanned the shop, you noticed a man standing near the candy with his back to you. He wore a black leather jacket, gloves, and a black baseball cap. You felt a little uneasy and were just about to call Wanda back to ask for help when he turned toward you. Your breath caught in your throat momentarily, but you immediately recognized the familiar face and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Oh, for God’s sake! It’s okay, Harper,” you called out. “I know him. Bucky, what are you doing here?”

“Oh hey, y/n! Is this your shop? I didn’t realize...”

“Buck, what’s going on? Did Wanda send you down here? I was just on the phone with her. She sounded fine,” weaving through the rows of candy.

“Dear God, no,” Bucky said. “She has no idea I’m here. But you should’ve seen her during the team meeting this morning, y/n. So distracted with worry over you going back to work. I wanted to ease her mind a bit.”

“That’s very sweet, Bucky,” you said, patting him on the back. “As you can see, I’m fine.”

He nodded in agreement and wrapped an arm around your shoulder.

“You know, for an Avenger, I was expecting a more covert disguise,” you said with a smirk as you wiggled the bill of his hat. “Isn’t Tony in charge of ensuring you guys are badass in style?”

“I would rather take a bite out of brick than wear a superhero costume,” he chuckled.

You looked over your shoulder to see your best friend watching you with a look of confusion on her face.

“Come on, I’ll introduce you to Harper. You scared the crap out of her.”

“Oh, no. That’s okay. I should be getting back to work,” Bucky said, pointing towards the door.

“I thought this was work?” You asked

“More like freelancing,” he replied .

“Hmm, I see… You want some ice cream?” you asked, gesturing towards the ice cream display.

Bucky peered over your shoulder at the menu on the wall. “Do you have Pistachio?”

“I think I can scare up some Pistachio,” you giggled.

*^~^*

After a long day at work, Wanda showed up to pick you up and drove you back to the compound. Despite your insistence that you could call for a ride, she was determined to take you home. As you got into her car, you expressed gratitude and apologized for the inconvenience.

"Where are Billy and Tommy?" you asked.

Wanda smiled and replied, "They're at the compound playing with Morgan. If you're up for it, I'd love to introduce you to them tonight. I know you've had a long day back, and it's a school night, so we won't stay long," she reassured you, "but I would love for them to meet the woman who's making me so happy."

As you listened to Wanda speak, you felt a lump form in your throat and had to look away for a moment to compose yourself. You had longed for the day when Wanda would feel comfortable enough to introduce you to her sons, but you didn't want to push things too fast. You knew that they had already gone through so much pain and heartache in Westview after losing their father, and you didn't want to disrupt the new life that Wanda had worked so hard to build for them as a family of three. Despite your desires, you respected Wanda's boundaries and tried to be patient, hoping that one day, she would feel ready to take that step with you.

“Nothing would make me happier, Wanda,” you said.

*^~^*

As you stepped out of the elevator and into the common area, you were greeted by the comforting aroma of food cooking. You spotted Maria and Natasha moving about the kitchen, preparing dinner. The sound of sizzling and chopping filled the air, making your stomach growl with hunger.

Maria noticed your arrival and greeted you, "Hey, y/n! How was your first day back at work?"

You placed your messenger bag on the counter and took a seat on the island, feeling the tiredness from the day setting in. "It was terrific," you replied, "I'm tired, but it's the good kind of tired. A successful day at the Candy Bar," you said.

Just then, Yelena walked into the kitchen with a bottle of Vodka and a shot glass. "Ah, perfect timing! The candy maker is home," she exclaimed.

Yelena explained that it was a team tradition to mark the occasion of someone recovering from an injury and returning to the field with a celebratory shot. Natasha quickly dismissed her sister's intention, saying that you didn't have to do it if you didn't want to.

But you liked the sound of it and picked up the glass, gesturing to Wanda. "To life," you said with a wink before downing the shot in one go.

Impressed, Yelena complimented you, "Congratulations, y/n. We're glad to have you here," patting you on the back as Wanda kissed you.

As you were chatting with Wanda, suddenly, you heard a commotion down the hall, and the next thing you knew, Morgan, Billy, and Tommy came running through the room.

“Careful!” Nat shouted as Tommy super-sped around the sofa.

“These must be the guests of honor,” you whispered to the redhead next to you. She just chuckled at your statement.

“Boys, could you come here for a moment?” Wanda asked. “I have someone I want you to meet.”

The two sons stopped at their mom’s voice and approached you.

“Boys, I’d like you to meet y/n. Y/N, this is Billy and Tommy,” Wanda gestured to each of her sons.

“Hi, I’ve heard so much about both of you from your mom. It’s nice to meet you!” You said, shaking both of their hands.

“Hi,” they both said, a bit shyly.

“Remember the special candy bags you two got for birthdays?” Wanda said. “It was from y/n’s shop, The Candy Bar.”

“Wow, you own a candy shop? That’s so cool! So you get to eat candy all day?” Billy asked, his eyes wide with excitement.

“I did for the first couple of weeks after I opened the shop,” you explained, “but I always had a nasty stomachache.”

“Did you bring any candy with you?” Tommy asked, looking at you with puppy dog eyes.

“Tommy,” Wanda scolded.

“No, that’s alright. Hmmm,” you rubbed your hands together. “I think I might have something,” you said, reaching behind Tommy’s ear and pulling out a chocolate gold coin.

“Woah, cool!” Tommy exclaimed.

“I think you may have one back here as well,” you smirked, reaching behind Billy’s ear and pulling out another coin. “Oh, look at that, I was right!”

“Awesome!” Billy said.

“What do you say, boys?” Wanda reminded them.

“Thank you, Y/N!”

“Yeah, thank you, Y/N!”

“You're welcome, guys.”

“Can we go back to playing now, Mom?” Billy asked.

“You may,” Wanda smiled.

“Oh, and Morgan, come here for a second,” kneeling to the little Stark’s level. “Ah, there we go!” Reaching behind the girl’s ear and pulling out another gold coin.

“Thank you, Y/N!” Morgan gasped with joy.

“You’re welcome, honey,” you said, wrapping her in a hug.

All three kids ran off happily back toward Morgan’s room.

“That was a surprise,” Wanda said. “Since when are you a magician?”

“You don’t know everything about me yet,” you smirked, repeating the exact words she said on your first date. “It’s part of the magic that is me.”

“Ah, I see,” Wanda said, wrapping her arms lovingly around your neck. “Well, I can’t wait to see what other tricks you have up your sleeve.”

“I’m just getting started,” you winked, feeling a rush of affection for the redhead.

*^~^*

The day had been long and tiring, and you were looking forward to movie night with the rest of the team. After saying goodnight to Wanda and the boys, you joined the others in the living room, where they were bickering over which movie to watch. Kate and Clint couldn't agree on the genre, but eventually, they settled on an action movie that you weren't particularly interested in. You found a comfortable spot on the end of the sofa and snuggled up in your favorite fluffy blanket.

Tony was sitting next to you, reading the newspaper, one of the many things that intrigued you about him. The entire compound was futuristic and filled with state-of-the-art technology, but Tony still enjoyed the simplicity and controversy of the printed word.

As you watched the movie, a name on the newspaper's front page caught your eye. You asked Tony if you could see the paper, and he handed it to you. The headline read,

"Onyx Petroleum Company seeks permission to drill on remnant Sokovian soil. Y/F/N Y/L/N, Y/M/N Y/L/N to meet with Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Your heart sank as you read those words. No matter how far you ran, your parents always found a way to return to your life in the most unexpected and disastrous ways. You tossed the paper aside, feeling troubled and uneasy.

"Excuse me, everyone," you said, standing up. "It's been a long day, and I'm pretty tired. I think I'll call it a night. Goodnight, all."

You walked towards your room, feeling the weight of the news on your shoulders. Tony was the only one who noticed the troubled look on your face. He picked up the newspaper and read the headline. His heart sank, and his blood boiled. Without saying a word, he got up and followed you to your room, determined to help however he could.

#guardian angel #wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff x reader #wanda x reader #wanda x you #billy maximoff #tommy maximoff #natasha romanoff #maria hill #steve rogers #bucky barnes #yelena boleva #kate bishop #mcu #the avengers #fluff #light angst

74 notes · View notes

letstalktea · 11 months ago

Text

Content: GN!Alpha!Harper x GN!Omega!Reader, doctor and patient are both playing a game here, dildo, fingering, Harper has many thoughts

Note: Blame Pip. I saw Harper and omega in the same sentence, blacked out, and this fic was written.

Word Count: 2.5k

“And what's the nature of your visit today?” Harper asked as they wiggled the mouse of their computer to awaken the screen and pull up your file.

You squirmed in your seat, shifting back and forth in such a way that they knew the fabric of your underwear must have been rubbing against your hole. “My suppressants aren't working.”

“Again?” They feigned shock, but they could tell. Your sweet, submissive scent was flooding their office and it took all of their self-control and barely maintained professionalism not to flip you onto the nearby examination table and hump your leaking hole until they had you thoroughly bred. Clearly they needed to replace their suppressants as much as you did. “I distinctly recall informing you that you were likely suppressant resistant several visits ago so you could be aware and take the proper steps to manage yourself before it became severe enough to visit.”

They typed your reason for visiting into the notes section of your profile, glancing at you only briefly to enjoy the sight of you trying to stop yourself from grinding down against the chair where you sat.

“How long since the start of your current cycle?” Harper asked.

“Two days.”

They typed your answer before continuing to ask more questions. “Have you had sex with anyone in those two days?”

They watched you closely. They way you bit the inside of your lip told them the answer wasn't affirmative and that you were hesitant to divulge such information.

“We've had this conversation before. If your suppressants aren't working, you should find an alpha to help ease your symptoms.” That is, an alpha who was willing to fuck your desperate hole and flood your body with enough cum to reset your brain and hormones.

“I don’t…” you muttered, “I don’t have an alpha I trust like that.”

“None?”

“The only person I trust is a beta, but… I don’t like them like that.”

“Attraction is irrelevant when it comes to a single sexual encounter for the sake of managing your symptoms.” They sighed as they leaned back in their chair. They took the glasses off of their face and held the bridge of their nose in exasperation. “But you’re right. Even if you were to sleep with a beta, it wouldn’t produce the right endorphins and your symptoms would only worsen. That won’t be sufficient.”

“Can't we change my suppressants instead? Or up the dosage on my current ones?”

They raised an eyebrow before putting their glasses back on their face and changing which section of your profile they were viewing. They turned the screen around so you could see the laundry list of medications and shots you'd taken over the years to try and manage your heats. Each one with a corresponding note about how long it had lasted and why you had been taken off of it; tolerances, unforeseen side effects, ineffectiveness, the list went on.

“We're running out of alternative options for you to try.”

You looked uncomfortable as you fidgeted in your seat, clearly still rubbing yourself against the hard plastic more noticeably than earlier. “Isn’t there anything we can do?”

Your scent had spread through the entire office, clinging onto every surface and waving the promise of a warm, wet hole at any alpha who would happen to catch your fancy (or any whose fancy you caught by mistake). Their fingers were practically twitching as the instincts in the back of their head growled to claim the omega seated in front of them; rip your clothing to shreds and leave you spread on the floor with their cum dripping out of your bite-ridden body. Their suppressants prevented them from entering rut, but that did not make them sexless. They could still appreciate the aroma of an omega flaunting their heat.

“There is one other method we could try,” they said, trying to hide the thin smile creeping across their face.”It was used some time ago and has fallen out of favor since the introduction of suppressants and medication, but it may be the best option for you.”

Your eyes lit up and Harper had to swallow the drool pooling in their throat.

“Some time ago, doctors used to personally see to omega in heat and help them find relief.” That was to say, an omega in heat would strip down and spread their legs so they could be touched and fondled until their libido calmed down. “That method may work for you since everything else has failed.”

They didn't fail to notice the flicker in your eyes, though they couldn't identify what emotion it was you were experiencing. “Are you sure?”

“We can only try.”

They stood from their seat and sauntered over to the box where gowns were kept, pulling one out and handing it to you. “Remove all of your clothing, change into this, then take a seat on the examination table. I need to grab something to help with your treatment then I'll return.”

Harper walked out of the room before you even stood from the chair.

You stared at the gown in your hands. Cheap blue fabric that felt more like plastic than cloth and looked like a backwards robe. You removed your clothing, taking special care as you peeled the drenched fabric of your underwear away from your hole. You placed your clothing on the chair where you’d been sitting, placing the damp underwear on top before slipping your arms through the holes of the gown and struggling to tie the strings in the back before giving up after the first one.

With your new dressings, you finally took a seat on the examination table. A mild chill ran up your spine as your skin made contact with the cold surface, but you slowly eased into the spot.

Then, you waited.

By the time Harper came back into the office, you had started to worry that they’d given up on you and were trying to think of ways to tell you that your case was hopeless. Instead, they came in with a small bag in their hands that they sat on the floor beside the examination table before rolling their seat over to you.

They didn’t sit just yet. Instead, they bent down to reach into the bag before handing you some kind of handkerchief. “This has been doused in alpha pheromone. You may find it alieving during your treatment.”

You took the cloth from their hand, staring at it before looking back to them. “What do I do with it?”

“Generally, omega used to find comfort in huffing it, but I don’t think it matters what you choose to do with it.” They finally took a seat and settled at the foot of the table. As they gave their next directions, they began to slip on a set of purple gloves. “Lie back, bend your knees, and spread your legs.”

Your face felt hot at their request. “Really?”

They looked up at you impassively. “It’s part of the treatment.”

So, you did as they said. You lied back, bent your knees, and spread your legs wide enough that you could feel the cool air of the conditioner blow across your exposed hole. You also knew that Harper was looking at you, staring at how much slick was leaking out without having been touched, all because of your heat. You couldn’t see them, but you knew they were there.

The handkerchief still in your hand made you curious. They said it was used by omega for relief, but you couldn’t imagine how. Tentatively, you brought it under your nose and gave a small sniff. Immediately, something inside of you, something you didn't even know was there, snapped.

Harper couldn’t see your face any more easily than you could see theirs, but they knew by the sound of your sniffing that you had finally used the cloth. They could also tell what kind of effect it was having on your body by the way your hole began to gush in front of them.

Such a good little omega. You made them glad that they'd taken the time to cum on that handkerchief before handing it to you. Now they could enjoy the fact that you were inhaling their scent like a drug while they were stuck satisfying your heat without any relief for themselves.

How had you managed to make their office smell even more like you than it already had? Now it smelled of you and sex. Not the act of sex, but the desire for it.

They dragged a single gloved finger through the slick dripping down your thighs. The small surprised jolt you made before settling down again caught them off guard, but they weren't deterred from moving their fingers to press against your hole. You were already so wet that they faced little resistance as they pushed them in to the first knuckle.

“Alpha?” You cried out, voice muffled by the handkerchief that you had pressed tightly against your face.

“Stay calm. I'm only doing the preparations.”

Those words weren't for you. Harper had to remind themselves that you were their patient in this moment. Even though you were a dumb omega that had flaunted your heat and inviting hole directly in front of them, it was their job to cure you. Although, the thought of leaving you to suffer through it until you went mad was equally appealing. Maybe you'd go hysterical and they could commit you to their waiting embrace. It was something to consider.

For now, however, they were left salivating at the sight of your body swallowing up the second finger they slipped beside the first. Such a good omega, accepting them so easily.

They pretended to ignore the small whimpers you made as they pulled their fingers out so they could reach down into the bag on the floor. Instead, they tried to focus on what kinds of sounds you'd make once you realized what kind of treatment you were really getting.

You were still huffing the cloth that smelled strongly of alpha when Harper began to pull their fingers away. Your body chased after them, lifting and rolling back to try and plunge them back inside. Unfortunately, you weren't lying at the right angle to succeed, so all you could do was continue to lie there and indulge in the scent of alpha flooding your head.

Your poor hole felt lonely and neglected in the time before Harper returned. This time, however, it wasn't their fingers pushing into you. It was something much thicker, smoother, colder than their fingers, and it was prying your hole open one inch at a time until it couldn't go any deeper. Then, they began to pull it out halfway before pushing it in again. The pace was slow and rhythmic as the object slid in and out of your hole, guided by Harper's steady hand.

And what a greedy hole you had. It opened up and accepted the phallus so easily. Harper barely needed to coax your body more than the basic prep required. Clearly, you had been suffering during your heat if you needed to be fucked so badly that you accepted the first dick offered to you. Given enough time, maybe you could be convinced to finally allow yourself to be touched and fondled by any alpha that liked your sweet smell and then share all the vivid details of your entanglements at your appointments.

They couldn't help but notice the quiet grunts and groans you made as they fucked you with the toy in their hand, nor could they ignore how you were starting to hump against it.

“Alpha… alpha…” You muttered from behind the cloth soaked in their scent.

“That's right. Just think of me as your alpha,” they said, trying to ignore how turned on they were by the thought of you calling out for them.

They wanted to see your face, to see what pleasure looked like when you were in its midst. They wanted to yank the toy they were using out of you and replace it with their own dick. They wanted to be enveloped by your warm walls and greedy hole until your cry for an alpha was replaced with their name and your body couldn't calm down without them. They wanted to cum so deep inside of you, empty so much that it would distend your belly and show them what you'd look like once their seed managed to catch and you grew a child inside. They wanted to grab you by the neck and bite down until their mark was impeded into your very DNA.

But they shook those thoughts off, chalking them up to instinct rather than rational thought.

Their only involvement in this treatment was to endure the sweet scent of your desperate hole while ensuring you came for– because of them.

“More! Alpha! Fuck me more!” You screamed as they watched your hole clench down around the toy.

A stray thought slipped out subconsciously before they could contain it. “Are you about to cum? What a good little omega.”

The screech that came out of your mouth as they slammed the dildo to the base inside of you was like its own siren song; arousal and satisfaction made into its own sound as you came so violently around the toy that you managed to squeeze it out and let it fall to the floor despite how deeply they'd lodged it.

Again, Harper had to push the effectiveness of their own suppressants to their limits, pushing aside the way they were starting to strain against their stacks. It wouldn't be right of them to lap up the arousal still dripping from your recently abused hole and caked across your inner thighs.

They let you lie there in silence for a few moments longer to catch your breath and so they could calm themselves down. It felt like hours passed in the small office, staring between your legs and drowning in a scent so powerful that it pushed all their rationality aside.

“How do you feel?” Harper finally asked once they were no longer comfortable with the silence.

You sat up slowly. “Better.”

They removed their gloves. “And your heat?”

You paused, seeming to take account of yourself before answering. “I feel like it's calmed down.”

“Then I believe we can say the treatment was a success.” They rolled back in their chair to the computer, wiggling the mouse and typing something into your file. “Unfortunately, this form of treatment is only temporary. I would like to see you again next week to continue it.”

My omega.

“Really?”

“It's best for your health, since suppressants don't work to control your heat. As I said, this method is much older, but it appears to be effective at the moment.”

You seemed to turn their recommendation over in your head a few times before nodding in agreement. “I understand.”

“If we find an alternative method that proves to be more efficient, we can switch to that later.”

Not that they would be looking for one.

“Whatever you think is best, since suppressants aren't working.”

Although, maybe they would if you bothered to take them in the first place.

#h2ho #a cool drink of water #degrees of lewdity #harper the doctor #tw a/b/o #tw doctors

89 notes · View notes

more-cardigan-than-woman · 1 year ago

Text

Brother & Bestie: The Roy Problem

Summary: Still keeping a secret from your bestie your new fuck buddie tries to solve the problem.

1.9k

Dick Grayson x Reader

Warnings: SMUT 18+, edging, fingering, piv, blackmail.

The First Time

"Dick, you still haven't told me what you're going to do about Roy. What if he tells Jay? We're fucked," you start to pace around your kitchen, "we'll I'm fucked. Not like he's going to kill his brother." You sigh, planting your head on the kitchen counter.

"I'm handling it. Don't stress yourself over it," he leans down, kissing into your hair, "it'll be fine," his hands wrap around your middle pulling you up to hug you from behind, "I gotta go. Stay here and try not to spiral okay."

"I'll try, but I make zero promises."

"Good girl," he steps towards the door checking his phone, but just as he's about to leave he turns to face you, "and Pet, if he was to find out from Roy. I'd be in way more trouble than you." He shuts the door leaving you to reel in that statement until he gets back.

"Mr Harper, take a seat." Dick smirks at the younger man.

"What is this Grayson? You trying to intimidate me?" Roy tries to sound confident, but it comes across as the opposite.

"Nope, just wanted to talk."

"About what?"

"Exactly. Nothing. I just wanted to show you something." He opens his laptop, a file sitting on it labeled Harper's Harpies. "Thought you might want to see this."

"What is this? Blackmail? Didn’t think you’d sink this low."

"No, I just wanted to remind you that you did things that maybe you weren't proud of and that maybe you'd like Little Wing not to know about."

"You're not proud of her? Should be, you know Jay told me about the talk you guys had."

"Which talk was that?"

"When he asked you not to fuck her. To keep that fuckboy dick of yours in your pants. Don't know why he hasn't noticed yet, how long has it been going on?"

"None of your business."

"So you are fucking her."

"Look Roy," he leans down on the table, "I don't care if Jay knows. But she does, so I am asking you not to tell him." He changes tactics, knowing how the outlaws feel about you, "I know you guys have your banter, but you wouldn't do this to her would you?"

"Using her to save your skin? Not very classy Grayson."

"Blackmail didn't work, so yeah. She is though, she thinks he'll kill her."

"Kill you more like."

"You think I don't know that?” he runs his hands through his dark hair, “Please just keep it to yourself."

"Do you love her?"

"What a question." He sits down, resting his head in his hands. Dick sighs, does he love you? He could, he sees it when he goes to sleep at night. But what is this to you? He doesn't know.

"You're scared, I get it." Roy stands, "We’ve been friends a while and I love you, man. I won’t tell him, but you should. Keeping this going in secret isn’t good for anyone. Just promise me you’ll delete this and think long and hard about what you’re going to do and we're even."

"Didn’t think you cared about Jay seeing it?”

“I don’t, but I still don’t want it floating around.”

“Thank you." Dick clicks delete on the file, then looks up from his hands to see the pitying look on Roy's face as he opens the front door.

"I’m not doing it for you.” he pauses one foot already out of the door, “And Grayson,"

"Yeah."

"If you hurt her, even slightly as badly as Asami did. You will get twice the punishment," He slams the door and leaves Dick to dwell on his feelings.

"What happened? What did he say? Is he going to tell him?" You swarm Dick with questions as he comes through your door.

"Told ya I'd sort it, but Pet-" he's cut off when you jump into his arms, yours wrapping around his neck as your legs hold you close to him.

"Thank you, thank you," you liter his face with kisses. His hands sink into your ass grinding you down onto his cock.

"We should talk, I need to"

"Later, please. Please Dick."

"Okay Pet, later." His fingers slip under your dress, pulling your panties to the side, "you need me now don't you?"

"Yes, right now."

"So needy for me," he pushes your back into the wall, his fingers flicking through your pussy stopping to rub at your clit, "so desperate for my touch," his face pushes into your neck, licking and sucking at the soft flesh, "my pretty little pet. You've been such a good girl for me. You deserve a reward."

"Please," your nails dig into his back, gripping his shirt and pulling it over his head, "want to feel your skin."

"Hmm, smart girl. Clean these for me." He shoves his fingers in your mouth and when he's satisfied he pulls your dress up over your head, "no bra, Pet? Fuck, you really are perfect," his lips seal around your nipple while your hands fiddle with the button on his jeans, "there's no rush, let me take my time with you. I'll make you feel so good." His fingers thrust back into you, his teeth biting down on your nipple while his tongue flicks over it.

"Yes, fuck." You dress down onto him, your tit pressing out into his face. You can feel your release edging closer, your pussy clenching on his fingers while your tits tingle in his mouth.

"Can feel you getting close Pet," he mumbles his kisses moving up your body, "don't you cum."

"But you said you-"

"I promise to make you feel good. Trust me," his voice now in your ear, "do you trust me?"

"Really? Aladdin? Right now?"

"Stopped you from cumming didn't I?"

"Yes. You dick."

Grayson laughs, pulling his fingers from you and starting to walk down the hall towards your bedroom.

He drops you on the bed and drops his pants almost as fast. "Bring that pretty pussy to me, Pet." His fingers dig into your thighs, pulling you down to the edge of the bed. His face is buried in your pussy as he starts to lick you up.

"Fuck, give a girl a chance."

"No Pet. No chance," he smiles into your pussy before slowing down, his lips pressing their way into your inner thigh, "do you want me to stop?"

"No, don't stop."

"And your safewords?"

"Lance Tucker." You start to thrust up into his face.

"Good Pet," his tongue licks at you, laps at you, his fingers slipping inside you, "I know your body so well, Pet." His fingers split, spreading you open, and holding your cunt apart, "better than even you."

"Di- fuuc- I. AHhh."

"Like that noise means you're going to cum soon."

Your hands fist the sheets your heels digging into nothing as you try and find leverage go push your pussy further into dicks face, "dick, more, I need-"

"I know exactly what you need, Pet," he mumbles into you, "you need to hold it."

"Yes, I can-"

"I want you to want it" he starts to suck on your clit and when your pussy starts to pulse around him he stops, "I want you to want me."

"I do."

"Do you want me or do you just wanna cum?" His breath grazes over you, his finger just toying with you, "be honest."

"I want you to make me cum." you pant, squirming in the sheets as he climbs over you, crowding you into the mattress.

"That's a great answer, Pet. Because why?"

"Noone can make me cum like you can."

"Fucking right." Dick hoists your legs up over his shoulders, bending you in half as he kisses you deeply, "and Pet." His cock parts you, teasing you so bad it makes you shiver.

"Dick," you grab at his face, pulling his down down a deep kiss.

"Noone takes my cock as well as you." He shoves himself inside you grinding his pelvis down onto yours, his cock making you feel so full and fuck, you're so close already.

"Dick, if you don't stop that i-"

"I know, Pet. I can feel it."

"Fufk, can you, stop."

"No, I want it all." He grinds down harder, "all your cum," his nails dig into your thighs, his lips stealing another kiss, "it's mine Pet." You feel his cock throb inside you, "give it to me," he bites down on your lip, growling into your mouth, "give all of yourself to me."

"Ah, fukdk dick, I hwhs-" you moan a jumble of words that gets lost as your brain starts to melt and your legs start to chase. You can feel your pussy sucking dicks cock in, feel it hitting ao deep inside you and when he bites you again you lose your mind as you shatter underneath him.

He doesn't stop, instead changing movement to slam his hips into you. "Fuck, you take it so well," he drops your legs wrapping them around his hips, "draw me in, Pet." His hand holds your face, "look at me," you try but your eyes are so close to just rolling away to space, "stay here," he kisses you as if to keep your mind on this plane, "stay with me, Pet. Don't float away on me."

"I'm here," you flutter your lashes, trying to focus on those pretty blue eyes staring down onto you.

"Good girl, stay with me," he continues to pound into you, fucking you so full. But you keep your eyes on him and fuck if his smiles doesn't make this harder, make you want to cum harder, make you want to take him every moment of every day, "you’re doing so well for me, Pet."

Your hands grip at his shoulders as your back starts to lift from the mattress and he hits so deep within you. His cock throbs inside you, his Pacing becoming erratic as he changes his release inside you. It's so fucking hot the way he uses you like this, like you're his own little fuck toy, "Dick, I'm getting close again."

"Just let it out," he moans, "let all of it out and I'll follow you."

You pull him down for another kiss, your legs tightening around him and holding him so hard that he can barely move his hips to fuck you. "Fuck Dick," you fuck up onto him, pushing him further and deeper inside you.

"Yes, yes let. Fuck- I can feel it, you. God-" your cunt pulses and clenches down so hard on him, your body goes into full shakes as you cum on him. The sight of you losing yourself like this sends Dick over the edge and he cums so hard that his muscles tense and he collapses on top of you. Your legs are still holding him deep inside.

"Fuck, Dick. You ok?" You ask, your pussy still twitching around him.

"Hmm, sleepy. Are you alright?" He sits up, giving you space to breathe and inspecting the marks on your thigh, "do they hurt?"

"No. I like the sting.".

"Course ya do. Little degenerate." He pulls out of you, rolling onto his side and pulling you up to him and kissing your forehead.

"That was kind of intense." You angle into him, squirming at the cum dripping from you.

"Intense bad?"

"Just new. Any reason for that?"

"Maybe, maybe I just think you needed a treat. My pretty pet." He angles your face up so he can give you a sweet kiss.

"And Roy?" You finally ask.

"Let's not talk about hmHarper right now. Can we just cuddle in peace?"

"I guess. But we will talk about it, right?"

"Yeah," he pulls the comforter up over the both of you, "later."

#dick grayson.#dick grayson x reader #brother and bestie #reader x dick grayson #dick grayson #x reader #nightwing x reader

123 notes · View notes

karahalloway · 1 year ago

Text

Morally Grey: Part I - Game of Thieves

Fandom: TRR x Mission: Impossible II

Series: Morally Grey

Pairing: Drake Walker x F!OC (Harper Gale)

Synopsis: Harper's illicit plans go awry when Drake's appearance at the Beaumont Bash throws an unexpected wrench in the works

Word count: 5,000

Rating/Warnings: E (swearing, aggravation, illegal activities, a handful of lemon-scented moments)

Chapter theme song:

A/N1: This is my submission for @choicesprompts' Rewrite Challenge and the scene I chose to redo with my OTP is the one from Mission: Impossible II where Nyah steals the necklace from the hacienda in Seville. This is (still) one of my favourite movies of all time and I especially love this scene for the music, the way it's shot, the situational humour and the sexual tension... basically everything about it! 🙃

A/N2: The clips (for anyone who hasn't seen the movie, or doesn't remember) are below (I couldn't find a YouTube video that had the entire scene in one video). Enjoy!

youtube

"Evening, ma'am," greets a liveried footman as he reaches for the door handle of the Mercedes AMG SL 63 roadster that I've just revved to a stop. "And welcome to the Beaumont Bash."

"Thanks," I say with a smile, spinning in the seat to swivel my legs out of the car. "Looking forward to seeing if the experience lives up to the hype."

"Oh, I can assure you that it does, ma'am," he chuckles, handing me a token for my car. "The Bash gets wilder every year."

"Does it really?" I ask with wide eyed surprise as I open my clutch up to carefully stow the token away.

"I promise, you will not be disappointed, ma'am," he assures me with a wink.

"Bet your ass I won't, bud," I murmur under my breath as I turn towards the House. "Because I have something special planned for tonight..."

Stepping onto the red carpet lined stairway of the the stately, baroque manor, I can tell that the party is already very much in full swing: the thump of the bass echoes out in the night, the occasional shrill laugher rising above it as shadowy silhouettes drift and mingle.

Which is perfect.

Because even though I am normally very much a punctual kind of girl, there are certain situations where it pays to arrive fashionably late... or not at all.

As in my line of work, timing is everything.

And I intend to make it rain tonight...

...assuming everything goes to plan.

I have no real reason to think that it won’t. After all, I've been planning this job for over a year and I've made sure to account for every step, every detail, down to the time of my arrival, to the way I’ve styled my hair, and even the black lace mini dress I’m wearing.

Because when the potential pay-off is this big, nothing can be left to chance. And I am nothing if not a perfectionist.

Making it to the top of the steps, I am greeted by a pair of burly-looking security guards.

"Good evening, ma'am," says one holding a tablet. "Your name?"

"Lady Riley Brooks," I say with a demure smile.

A lie. But, then again, I’m not stupid enough to have booked myself onto the high-profile guest list under my real name.

The guard taps on the screen a few times before nodding.

"May I take a look at your bag, ma'am?" asks the other.

"Of course," I reply graciously, handing my black leather YSL clutch over.

The guy opens it up, pulling out my phone, a USB charger, a compact mirror, and a tube of lipstick, before slotting everything away again and returning it to my hands.

"Have a good evening, ma'am," he nods, opening his arm to indicate that I may enter.

"I very much intend to," I say with a smirk, stepping through the doorway into the House...

...and I am instantly transported into another world.

The strategically placed mood lights bathe everyone and everything in the lavishly decorated room in a heady mix of rose and violet, providing an ethereal backdrop to the acrobats that are twirling seductively through the air with the help of various hoops, aerial silks, and trapeze lines.

Heightening the trance-like effect are strobe lights that flash in perfect accompaniment to the EDM-remixed classical music, illuminating the glitter and lavender-scent infused smoke slithering around the guests' ankles.

But what truly takes my breath away is the centre piece of the extravagant show, which is a pair of scantily dressed dancers, performing a racy ballet routine on top of a snowy-white Lippizaner.

"Apparently money can buy you anything," I muse softly, surveying the combined effect of the spectacle that is more than on par with anything ever put on by the Cirque du Soleil.

And even though I would love to lose myself in the magic of it all, I’m here for business, not pleasure. Which means that I cannot afford any distractions.

So, taking a breath, I plunge into the crowd. Weaving between the ballgowns and the tuxedos, I'm careful to avoid direct eye contact with anyone as I skirt ‘round the edge of the performance area, trying to look the part while remaining as unassuming as possible.

But despite my attempts to lose myself in the press, I feel an unmistakable tingle rise up the back of my neck.

I'm being watched.

I come to a stop, debating what to do.

Part of my mind tells me that I should ignore it, that it's probably just some drunk duke checking out my ass.

But a deeper, more instinctual part of me knows the difference between a pervy once-over and an unrelenting, focused stare. And this is definitely the latter.

So, probably against my better judgment, I lift my head in silent challenge...

...and my gaze instantly collides with his, bringing the world around me to a sudden, screeching halt.

My breath lodges in my chest as I find myself helplessly immobile under the weight of his scrutiny, like a deer caught in the headlights. The music, the laughter, it all falls away until it feels like it's just me and him, suspended in time and space across the room.

Because even with the distance separating us, I can feel the heat of his gaze scorching into me, stripping me bare, until I'm left naked, exposed in front of him.

And still he doesn't look away. He doesn't blink, or flush, or avert his gaze in any semblance of pretence that his attention had actually been focused on anything else.

He simply stands, unmoving, on the other side of the dancers, his dark eyes binding me unapologetically, giving me no corner, no chance of escape.

Yet escape is exactly what I must do.

I have no clue who this guy is, and I have even less interest in finding out. As best case scenario, he is simply a dangerous distraction. But worst case? He somehow knows exactly who I am and my reason for being here.

And neither of those options are good.

So, as the dancers pirouette across the floor, throwing their arms out and breaking the line of sight that connects us, I wrench myself out of my stupor, diving into the crush behind me.

"Holy shit! Who was that guy?" I gasp under my breath, feeling my heart race at a million miles an hour in response to the strangely intimate nature of the encounter.

But despite my shock, I know in the back of my head that the details are irrelevant. That the only thing that matters is getting as far away from him as possible. Because the last thing I need right now is him following after me and derailing all the hard work I've put into getting here tonight.

Keep it together, Harper, I tell myself, bending my head low as I use the anonymity of the crowd to hide myself, hoping that I've managed to give him the slip.

Reaching the end of the throng without incident, I duck behind a doorway to give myself a second to catch my breath, and make sure that the coast is clear.

Satisfied that I've lost him — at least for the moment — I turn towards my next objective, which is the grand staircases.

It's an exposed location, so I know I'll have to be quick. Especially since there is a pair of guards stationed at the bottom of the steps, tasked with preventing exactly the kind of protocol violation that I am about to commit.

Luckily, just at that moment, a group of very much worse for wear noblewomen stumble out of the main party, shrieking loudly.

"Oh, my goodness!" exclaims one, feathering herself with her silk fan. "Did you see the size of that lad's package!"

"Calm down, Abigail!" admonishes another. "We know that husband of yours is next to useless, but you should at least try to not make such a spectacle of yourself!"

"Mmm, speaking of spectacle..." purrs the first, laying eyes on the guards.

"Abigail!" cries her companion, even as snorts of laughter rise up from the others. "You are absolutely incorrigible!"

"Better to be incorrigible than a vapid, old nun!" comes the pithy response as Abigail stumbles across the hallway.

Seizing my chance, I fall into line at the back of the group as the women crowd around the guards, laughing and swaying as they try to secure their attentions.

As expected, the focus of the guards quickly becomes diverted by the ladies, even if it's only to the extent of trying to maintain some semblance of professionalism in the face of the relentless coquetry, and I use the opportunity to dash up the stairs behind them.

Keeping to the shadows, I fly up the steps two at a time, knowing that I have scant few moments to make it to the upper floor before I am spotted.

Reaching the top of the landing, I throw myself behind a suit of armour. But, it seems that Lady Luck is with me tonight, and apart from the sound of the party continuing in full swing downstairs, I hear no signs of a pursuit.

So, I take advantage of the momentary reprieve to retrieve the pair of satin opera gloves that I've stashed in my garter. Pulling them on, I slip out from my hiding place and make my way towards the master wing, using my mental map of the manor's blueprints as a guide.

Arriving at the correct set of doors, I try the handle, and breathe a sigh of relief when it turns easily in my hand.

I've brought a set of lock-picks with me, of course, but being able to save time and effort in not having to use them is a massive win.

Letting myself into the room, I click the door softly closed behind me.

An opulent, Rocco-inspired suite greets me, complete with a four-poster bed and a full-blown hand-painted mural on the ceiling.

But I’m not here to gawk. And I have precious little time to get what I came for and get out.

So, pulling my compact mirror from my clutch, I open it up to reveal the miniature voltage detector concealed within.

Stepping further into the room, I hold the device out in front of me, the faint chirps serving as a beacon guiding me towards my destination.

The beeping suddenly intensifies as I swing the detector past the line of the bathroom, and I know I'm getting closer.

Adjusting my course, I follow the compass-like arrow in my hand. Zeroing in on the oversized bathtub, I am rewarded with a series of high-pitched cheeps.

Jackpot.

Why someone would choose to hide a safe in a bathroom, not to mention in the vicinity of a bathtub that is prone to flooding and other types of short-circuit causing disasters, I have no idea.

That said, it is innovative.

Though not innovative enough to fool a professional thief like me.

Because that's what I am — a career larcenist who specialises in small, high value items. Jewellery, art, antiques... I’m not picky. As long as it has a five-to-six figure price tag and I can hide it in my cleavage, I am willing to put in the effort to lift it.

And that's why I’m here tonight — to get my hands on the 24 carat Bvlgari diamond necklace that has graced the neck of every Duchess of Ramsford since the turn of the last century. Not only is it worth millions, but it's also a stunning work of art. And it deserved to be worn, rather than gathering dust in an expensive safe somewhere.

Scooting into the marble tub, I place my clutch onto the mosaic tiled surround as I scan the expanse of the walls with the voltage detector.

The indicator suddenly jumps to the right and down, and I can't help but feel the familiar rush of butterflies in my stomach.

This is it.

Dropping the detector back in my clutch, I extract my phone and the tube of lipstick. Twisting the bottom off the tube, I pull out the miniature lock-pick hiding within and, with the help of the flashlight on my phone, I begin to move over the tiles, looking for anything out of the ordinary.

Suddenly I spot it — a tiny inconsistency in the mortar between the edge of two tiles. Reaching down with the pick, I dig at the protrusion until it pops free, revealing some kind of card slot.

Turning the flashlight off on my phone, I flip it over and snap the protective cover off, exposing a flimsy bit of plastic nestled within. Connecting the keycard decoder to my phone via the micro-USB port, I slot it into the nearly invisible slit between the tiles.

Booting up the hidden app on my phone, I quickly run the hack program and am rewarded with a beep and a click as the high-tech safety net falls away...

...only to have my sense of achievement instantly dashed.

Because instead of a discreet jewellery box nestled in the belly of the safe, I am greeted with yet another layer of security.

A slice of mosaic tile slides back on the bathtub surround to reveal a complicated-looking, multi-lock compartment within.

And this one has no electronic overrides.

"Crap..."

"I see you've found it."

"Jesus Christ!" I gasp, nearly jumping out of my skin at the sound of the unfamiliar and unexpected voice.

Whipping around, I come face to face with the guy from downstairs, perched on the side of the tub with a conspiratorial smirk on his face.

Like this is all some kind of massive joke.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I demand, angry at him for sneaking up on me, but even angrier at myself for letting him get this close in the first place without my warning bells going off.

Because thieves without self-preservation instincts don't survive long... and mine have just let me down big time.

Which is even more annoying given the fact that he is staring at me with that calculating, predatory gaze again, his entire body exuding a tightly-coiled, barely suppressed energy, like a panther waiting to pounce.

And even though he is dressed in a custom-tailored suit that moulds effortlessly to his muscled form like a second skin, and the watch that peeks out from beneath his cuff is worth almost as much as my car, he isn’t fooling me. Not one bit.

Because as much as he’s tried to hide it, he is an interloper here. Just like me.

His rich baritone is missing that characteristic upwards inflection that the nobility like to force upon their speech in an effort to differentiate themselves from the rest of us. And no duke, count, or baron would be caught dead with the type of five-o'clock shadow this guy is sporting, much less condone the uninhibited way with which his thick, chocolate-coloured hair has been left to fall around his face.

But that doesn’t mean that I’m going to lower my guard. Just the opposite.

Because regardless of who he is, or what he looks like (...which is hotter than hell), the guy reeks of trouble.

And his next words only help reaffirm my initial assessment.

"Think you're the only one who can pick a lock?" he asks, brow quirking upwards in sardonic challenge.

"Pfft!" I snort. "Seeing is believing, bud, and as far as I can see, I'm the only one wh—"

The sound of the bedroom door clicking open interrupts whatever retort I was going to throw at him.

Our eyes meet — mine in panic, his in measured curiosity — and in the next instant, I've grabbed the lapel of his expensive jacket, and yanked him towards me.

We hit the bottom of the tub just as the owner of the manor bursts irately into the room.

"I swear to God, Maxwell," seethes the Duke of Ramsford, the stomp of his pissed-off footsteps echoing off the wood planked floor as he enters the suite, "if one more ruddy bird defecates on my shoe, I'm culling the entire bloody lot!"

"He just got scared!" comes his companion's plaintive response. "You did boot him up the behind in a very undignified fashion..."

"Because he shat on my Oxfords!" cries the Duke, clearly incensed, as he rummages around the closet, no doubt for a replacement pair of loafers.

"Maybe if you tried being nicer to Lord Featherington—"

An unintended snort escapes me. Were these two for real right now?

"You try'na give away our position?" asks the guy from above me, his voice barely a whisper as his face hovers mere inches from mine.

"No," I hiss back, trying to sound irritated even as I struggle to contain another bout of amusement at the sheer hilarity of the situation — listening to two grown men argue about peafowl while trying to hide a third between my legs. "But it sounds like you are."

"I happen to like this position," he murmurs softly, his words sending an unexpected shiver down my spine.

"Well, don't get used to it, bud," I reply dryly, trying to ignore the feel of his overwhelming and inescapable proximity, while listening out for the Beaumont brothers. "This is a temporary situation, nothing more."

His whiskey-laced breath washes over my lips. "All the more reason to enjoy it..."

"In that case," I purr, meeting the full force of his rich, mocha-coloured eyes head on, "you wouldn't mind if I'm on top, would you?"

"Not one bit," he grins.

"Good," I smirk back as I begin to shift my weight beneath him. "Because I wouldn't have given you a choice, anyway."

He stifles a scoff as he rolls to the side.

"Something funny?" I ask with a raised brow, scooting out from under him.

"Nope," he replies, snaking a hand around my waist to pull me on top of him. "I'm just here for the ride."

"Then you better get comfortable," I tell him, as the Beaumonts make their way back across the room.

Hearing the door open and click shut again in their wake, I push myself back up, noting with more than a hint of annoyance that I now smell like the warm spice of his aftershave.

But that inconvenience can’t be helped, nor can I let it distract me from the reason I am here. I'll simply have to wait to wash it off in the shower once I am clear of this place.

So, reaching into my up-do, I extract the tension wrench hiding in my hair, and collect my lock-pick from where I dropped it on the bathtub surround earlier before refocusing my attention on the safe.

Upon closer examination, it seems to have three separate compartments, each secured by its own, dedicated lock. And I have no idea which section contained the necklace... or whether there are any hidden alarms embedded in the locking mechanisms if I pick the wrong one.

But, even with the odds — and time — stacked against me, I know I have to make a choice, because I didn't come all this way to chicken out at the final hurdle.

Taking a breath, I lean towards the middle compartment, figuring that out of the three possibilities that woul—

"You're not gonna find it there."

I nearly drop my tools all over the marble tiles.

Gritting my teeth, I glance down between my legs to find Mr Impeccable Timing smirking up at me, his hands folded easily behind his head, like he’s lazing on a tropical beach without a single care in the world, instead of at the bottom of a porcelain tub, with a stranger straddling him.

"Find what?" I bite out testily.

Who knows...? Maybe this is his idea of a good time. But it sure as hell isn’t mine.

"The former Lady Beaumont's one-of-kind Bvlgari necklace that goes up for auction next Tuesday," he replies.

My eyes narrow suspiciously. "And are you going to tell me where it is?"

He holds my gaze silently for a long moment before nodding his head, "Far left."

"Hmph," I huff, not convinced that I can trust him any further than I can throw him; which, given his size — he’s 6ft tall at least — is not very far at all.

But, unfortunately for me, I don't have time to try and psychoanalyse the possibility of whether or not he is trying to play me. The night is wearing on, the Beaumonts could return at any time, and I need to get as far out of the country as humanly possible before anyone notices the theft.

So, I am going to have to take a leap of faith.

Leaning forward again, I slide my tools into the lock of the indicated compartment and start feeling around for the binding pins.

I manage to locate the first and second relatively quickly. But, finding and setting the third proves to be slightly more elusive and I feel myself growing more agitated with each passing second.

"Damn it, why won't you move?!" I seethe under my breath as I battle with the pin.

"Hey, you put me here, remember?" comes the wry response from beneath me. "I just do as I—"

"Oh, screw you..." I huff exasperatedly, lifting my leg to give him a perfunctory knee to the gut.

"Christ, girl!" he wheezes painedly, sitting up behind me. "If you want to play rough then—"

"Gotcha!" I exclaim triumphantly, finally managing to slot the irksome pin into place and making quick work of the fourth.

The door of the compartment pings off its bolts and I drop my tools to open it up eagerly. To my relief, I'm rewarded with a velvet-lined jewellery box, which I pull quickly out.

Laying the container down on the tiles in front of me, I reach for the lid, my heart in my mouth as I lift it up...

...and I can't help but gasp at the sight in front of me.

The diamond necklace is even more stunning in real life than I could've imagined. Several hundred painstakingly curated gems gleam up at me from a nest of black silk, perfectly offsetting the elegance of the winged design to make it seem like the whole necklace is floating.

But, given that I am working on borrowed time thanks to all the unforeseen setbacks that I've run into tonight, I know that I am not going to be able to give the beautiful item the attention it deserves. At least not until I am back home.

So, reaching down, I grab the coolness of the white gold. Quickly unscrewing the heavy clasp, I unfurl the strand of precious metal and slide it down into my bra, giving my breasts a slight readjustment to help conceal my illicit cargo.

Snapping the lid of the box back closed, I turn to face my uncalled-for spectator.

"Right," I say, slotting the box back into its place. "Now that that's done, you're going to tell me exactly who you are and—"

"I wouldn't do that."

"Do what?" I bristle indignantly as I slam the safe's door closed with one hand.

An ear-splitting alarm shrieks to life.

"That," he clarifies blandly.

"Shit!" I gasp, grabbing for my stuff and haphazardly throwing them into the clutch as I scan the bathroom for possible exit points.

But my off-the-cuff plan of jumping out of the second storey window is quickly dashed as the door of the master suite bursts open to disgorge the two security guards from downstairs into the room with guns drawn.

Dread settles in the pit of my stomach like a lead weight as the guards start shouting. "Shit..."

"T'enquites pas!" comes the sudden voice of guy from behind me.

Glancing up in surprise, I see that he's pushed himself up to his full height and is gesturing at the guards to lower their weapons.

"Mr Dallas!" cries the Duke of Ramsford, bursting into the room as well. "What in blazes is going on here?" Turning to the guards, he adds, "You twits! That is Mr Dallas — our external security consultant! Apologise at once!"

"No need for that, Lord Beaumont," smiles Dallas, flapping my keycard decoder discreetly behind his back as the alarm is finally turned off. "They're just doing their jobs."

I snatch it out of his hand and stow it in my bag, throwing the satin gloves after it.

"Now, Miss Gale, my associate—"

My eyes widen at the sound of my real name as I flip my clutch closed. How did he—?

"—has your necklace in a very safe place," continues Dallas conversationally, stepping out of the bath. "But obviously, we both feel that the alarm should've gone off a bit sooner. Isn't that right, Miss Gale?"

I quickly paste a demure smile onto my face as I turn around. "Yes. Agreed. Much sooner."

Dallas — if that is even his real name — holds his hand out to help me navigate my exit from the tub in my heels while continuing his disquisition. "Now, given the circumstances, our recommendation would be to reset the sensors to respond to a lighter load. How d'you feel about sixty kilos, Miss Gale?

I shake myself out of my stupor to do some quick mental conversion, before beaming, "Perfect!"

Name? That’s one thing. My exact weight? That’s a whole 'nother league... Because no way had that been a simple guess.

But right now is not the time to ponder whether he's managed to get his hands on my Social Security number as well. Because we’re still very much in deep water.

"Shall we?" asks Dallas graciously, his face a mask of innocence as he holds his hand out in front of me.

"Let's!" I nod eagerly, stepping towards the door, my head still spinning from the sudden whirlwind of events...

...but I feel myself get pulled backwards.

"Erm, Miss Gale..." murmurs Dallas, his dark brows quirking upwards questioningly. "Aren't you... forgetting something?"

I frown in confusion. "Umm... don't think so..."

He fixes me with a level look.

My frown deepens. He’s not serious... Is he?

He stares me down uncompromisingly.

I let out a huff of annoyance.

"My lady!" cries the Duke, clearly scandalised as I reach down between my breasts. "What are you trying to do! Rob me?!"

"The thought had crossed my mind..." I reply with a tight smile, pulling the necklace out and handing it back to its owner.

"Yes, well, thank you for your..." The nobleman gulps visibly as he takes the strand of warmed metal from my hand. "...sincere efforts, Miss—"

But I've already stomped out of the room.

Flying down the grand staircase, I push my way through the — now very much more rowdy — crowd and out of the front doors of the manor, intent on putting as much distance between me and Dallas as I can so I didn't end up murdering him in full view of all of Cordonian high-society.

Un-fucking-bel—

"Harper!"

"You've got to be kidding me..." I grit as I continue my aggravated jog down the carpeted steps, pulling the token out for my car as I went.

"Harper! Wait up!" Dallas hollers again, managing to catch me by the arm just as I hit the last step.

"Fuck off," I snap, wrenching my arm out of his grasp.

He snaps a hold on my wrist to whirl me back around. "Look, just hear me out, will ya?"

"Why should I?" I hiss into his face. "Had it not been for your last minute growth of a conscience, I could've walked out of there with that necklace and that duke would've been none the wiser!"

"At least you walked..."

"Ha! Funny!" I hit back sarcastically, giving him an unmitigated shove to extricating myself from his grasp again. "Only I'm not laughing because your fucking chivalry just cost me a year's worth of work!"

"I needed to see how good you were," he replies evenly.

"Oh, really?" I scoff over my shoulder as I veritably throw the token at the nearby valet manager. “And why is that?"

"I find myself in need of someone of your unique skill-set."

I stare at him incredulously for a moment before bursting out laughing. "Yeah. In your dreams, bud! I work alone. And even if I didn't, I would never team up with someone I didn't know, much less—"

"You wanna know me?" he interjects, suddenly up in my space again. "Fine. My name's Drake. Drake Walker and—"

"Let me guess..." I gripe, folding my arms as my Mercedes pulls up. "You're not really the Beaumonts' external security consultant."

"Nope," he confirms, reaching out to grab the driver's side door as the valet gets out. "But, then you're not really Lady Riley Brooks, so I guess we're even on that front..."

I roll my eyes at him.

"...and if we're being honest, I should probably come clean about one more thing."

My eyes widen as he holds up a small fob.

"I triggered the alarm," he admits, pressing the button and causing the manor behind us light up with the wail of the claxton again.

I stare up at him, utterly speechless.

He shrugs down at me apathetically. "Sorry."

I manage to recollect myself enough to throw an ice cold glare at him as I get into the car. "For future reference, I don't do early mornings, date, or put up with two-faced bastards who get a kick out of screwing me over. So, you can take your job offer and shove it, Walker."

Grabbing the door, I slam it closed — getting more than a bit of perverse satisfaction out of the fact that the suddenness of the movement manages to pull him off balance — before kicking the throttle down and leaving him in a cloud of exhaust in my rear view.

Fucking asshole.

The story continues in Part 2 - Hard Drive

Bonus: Artwork

Permatags

@twinkleallnight @lovingchoices14 @kingliam2019 @petiteboheme @angelasscribbles @aussiegurl1234 @nestledonthaveone @queen-arabella-of-cordonia @tessa-liam @alyshak92 @secretaryunpaid @princessleac1 @walkerdrakewalker @tinkie1973 @twinkle-320 @knaussal @nikkis1983 @lunaseasblog @ficloverevie @indiana-jr @differenttyphoonwerewolf @kristinamae093 @eversoaringqueen12 @peonierose @3pawandme @alexabeta @veebug8 @fangirling12566 @queenmiarys @lancelotsimp @coco-lina-s @lolablackwrites @ivyflowers13 @persephone13 @hollygirl1269 @adri-ja-96 @harleybeaumont @katedrakeohd @uneravine @alj4890

Picture credits:

Drake - Necklace - Bathtub - Harper

#the royal romance #drake walker #harper gale #trr au #mission: impossible #rewrite challenge #game of thieves #morally grey

56 notes · View notes

thexsanctuaryx · 1 month ago

Text

{ that I won't be what you need }

Summary: Emma is feeling insecure and goes to Marc about it. Based on the song "Phobia" by Savannah Sgro { 3 of 3 } Pairing: Original Character { Emma Harper } x Marc Spector { mentions of } Emma Harper x Steven Grant && Emma Harper x Jake Lockley Contents: fluffy angst, hurt/comfort, insecurity, happyish ending Warnings: none really Author's Note: I got really stuck on this song that reminded me so much of how Emma feels about the Boys, and so I decided to do a trilogy of "oneshots" based around the lyrics where each Moon Boy got a different lyric from Emma. This is Marc's. Word Count: 611 Taglist: @my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction

She’d been pacing in front of him for at least five minutes—or was it ten—trying to resist the urge of becoming—what she perceives as—irrational.

She was being irrational.

He’d given her no reason to believe the things that were racing through her mind. No, those things stemmed from a long history—a history of being left behind.

Eventually, she inevitably got to be too much. Or people got bored with her. Or any other number of reasons why people just didn’t stick around.

She blames herself for it of course.

Meanwhile, Marc sits on the couch watching her wear out the floor with a troubled expression etched into his features.

She’d said they needed to talk when he’d gotten home from a round of Uber driving. She hadn’t said about what, but clearly it wasn’t anything good.

That had been a good fifteen minutes ago.

Marc wasn’t always the best with these things. Talking that is. And he didn’t want to pressure her to speak before she was ready to, so he’d sat here, anxiously waiting while she tried to find the words.

When she starts to look more worse for the wear he finally speaks up himself.

“Please talk to me, baby…” He urges softly.

She almost jumps out of her skin, having been so lost in thought she almost forgot he was sitting there.

Her face scrunches up in silent distress.

“I promise we’ll figure out whatever it is—together…” He continues, resisting the urge to reach for her.

“I’m—I’m terrified…” She confesses almost inaudibly.

Marc keeps his tone soft and even, “of what, baby?”

Her face crumples a little again, sucking in a sharp breath as she barely holds back tears. Her voice begins to tremble despite her best efforts to keep it strong.

“That one day, you’re gonna wake up and get sick of me—that—” She inhales sharply.

“That I won’t be what you need anymore…” She finishes with a choked sob, burying her face in her hands as she begins to quietly cry.

Marc is swift to rise from where he sits, closing the distance between them in seconds.

He gently pulls her hands from her face, just so that he can take it into his own as she shakes.

“That is never going to happen…” He states firmly, wiping the tears that stream slowly down her cheeks.

She refuses to open her eyes, shaking her head as she coughs.

“Look at me, baby…”

She cracks her eyes open, her brows pulled painfully together as she looks on him pleadingly.

“I’m never going to get sick of you, I’m never going to stop wanting you, and I’m never going to stop needing you…” He pauses. “Those things are non-negotiable.”

“You can’t be sure—”

“I can and I am.” He cuts her off.

At his words, she breaks down into more forceful sobs, just trying to remain upright.

Again, Marc is quick to move in to cradle her, holding her safely and firmly against himself.

“I’m not going anywhere, baby—we’re not going anywhere. I promise.” He reassures her.

“What if you change your mind?” She asks brokenly, clinging desperately to him.

“Not possible…” He says, a sense of awe in his tone, a soft smile of pride lacing through his words. “You’re the love of our lives.”

She inhales a quiet sniffle, hugging herself tighter to him, pressing a grateful kiss to his heart through his shirt.

He withdraws just enough to wipe more tears from her face, looking her over.

“Someday you’re just gonna have to believe that…okay?”

She nods quickly, sniffling again, her voice small. “Okay…”

#moon knight #moon knight fanfiction #moon knight fanfic #moon knight fic #moon knight system #moon boys #marc spector #marc spector x oc #steven grant #steven grant x oc #jake lockley #jake lockley x oc #muse: emma harper #muse: marc spector #temp tag: marc/emma #{ oneshots }#{ trilogy } phobia #that life seems like light years away { queue }

4 notes · View notes

centralperkchenford · 1 year ago

Note

chenford + Tim doesn't realize how close Genny and Lucy have gotten and he's got some thoughts about it

Ahhh sorry this took so long! Sometimes inspiration doesn’t hit me right away! But I hope you enjoy it! Once again I combined two prompts because they fit together 😌

It's you and me, that's my whole world.

Chenford + Tim doesn't realize how close Genny and Lucy have gotten and he's got some thoughts about it

Chenford + a double date with Chenford, Genny & her new boyfriend.

It starts with a lunch, Lucy tells him she will be back in a couple of hours. Tim doesn’t question it, he simply kisses her goodbye and tells her to have fun. She kisses him back and then skips to the door.

Tim realizes he hasn’t ask who she’s going to lunch with. He figures it’s Tamara or even Nyla who she seems to be getting closer with.

“Who are you going to lunch with?” He asks as her hand is on the door handle.

“Oh Genny!” She says brightly and then she’s gone before he can say anything more. Tim is surprised it’s Genny, she is the last person he thinks Lucy would have lunch with. Not that it’s a bad thing, he’s glad Lucy and Genny are getting along so well.

He doesn’t think of it any more until Lucy comes home a few hours later a big grin on her face.

“Hi.” He says as she makes her way over to him kissing him on the cheek.

“How was your lunch?”

“It was great. Genny is great, she’s starting all over again with two young kids and she’s thriving.” Tim nods and pulls Lucy closer. “She’s always been stronger than me. I have no doubt she and the boys will be fine.”

Lucy pulls away from him, “Tim, you are the strongest person I know. You have been through so much and you have come out stronger.”

But Tim shakes his head. “I had to be strong and tough for Genny and my mom. Genny always has had this braveness about her that just can’t be touched.”

Lucy shakes her head and kisses him gently. “You don’t give yourself enough credit baby. You are you despite everything that has happened to you. You are strong because of that, don’t put yourself down so much.”

Tim just blinks at her wondering if she will ever stop surprising him with her words. He hopes not, because sometimes that’s what get him through his day.

A few days later, Tim has the day off and is planning on making Lucy dinner when his phone rings.

“Hello?” He answers.

“Hi baby.” Comes Lucy voice through the phone. He grins happy to hear her voice after not seeing her all day.

“Hi Luce. Are you off work yet? I’m going to—”

“I’m going out with Genny.” She says quickly. “The boys both have sleepovers and so I invited her to hang with me Lopez and Harper.”

Tim sighs as he looks at the counter full of ingredients. “Okay.” He says slowly. He guesses a night alone would be nice but he much rather spend it with Lucy tucked in at his side.

“I won’t be out late.” She promises him.

“Okay. Have fun.” He says. She says bye and they hang up. Tim sighs and starts to put all the ingredients away. So much for that plan. He doesn’t mind Lucy hanging out with Genny, he just has this funny feeling in the pit of his stomach he can’t get rid of.

There’s a knock on the door a little after 1am and Tim jumps up to answer it. Lucy still isn’t home and he’s losing his mind a little. He checks to see who it is and is relived to see his sister and Lucy. He opens the door and Lucy practically jumps into his arms.

“Timmm.” She slurs and Tim grunts as he tries to hold her up. He looks over at Genny who just shrugs.

“We had a good time.” She says causally as if it’s not 1:00 in the morning.

“Uh huh.” Says Tim. “Stay there.” He gives her a look and she holds up her hands. Tim brings Lucy inside depositing her on the couch. He goes back and gets her a glass of water.

“Drink.” He tells her. “I’ll be right back.” He heads back over to the door, Genny is still standing there waiting patiently.

“How much did she drink?” He asks her. Genny sighs.

“The girl loves tequila. I think she had maybe 5 shots and a beer.”

Tim closes his eyes and then looks over his shoulder at Lucy who is still holding the glass of water. It doesn’t look full, so he knows she drank some of it.

“What did you do other than just drink?” He asks her. Genny shrugs again.

“We just talked Tim. Geez what’s with all the questions.” She says and she looks at him as if she’s trying to figure him out.

Tim pinches his nose and just shakes his head at his sister. He really doesn’t want to get into this right now, he just wants to make sure Lucy is okay and then get her to bed.

“It doesn’t matter Gen. Thanks for getting her home safely.”

Genny nods and gives him one last look before she walks away. Tim closes the door behind and heads over to where Lucy is. She’s laying down now, a pillow covering her face. Tim laughs and bends down and removes the pillow.

“How you doing baby?” He asks softly.

“I shouldn’t drink anymore.” She mumbles. “I’m not in my twenties anymore.”

Tim laughs again as he kisses her forehead. “C’mon on Luce. Let’s get you to bed.” He stands up and then offers his hand to her which she reluctantly takes groaning as he pulls her up.

He leads her to the bedroom and sits her on the bed and starts to undress her. He pulls out one of his shirts and puts it on her. She moves herself to the headboard and lays down.

“Did you have fun tonight despite drinking too much?” He asks. He heads into the bathroom to get more water and Advil, knowing she would need it soon.

“Yes. Your sister is cool. She fits right in with us.” Us Tim assumes is Angela and Nyla.

“That’s good.” He says coming back out and handing the Advil and water to her. “Thank you for including her, she probably appreciates it.”

Lucy shrugs and she gulps down the water and Advil. “She’s family, of course I’m going to include her.”

Tim climbs into bed after her. “It also means a lot to me Luce. Gen and I didn’t have a great childhood. I mean—”

Despite being half asleep and out of it, Lucy still reaches across to cup his cheek.

“She’s family. You don’t have to be the only one looking after her anymore Tim.”

Tim wraps himself around her, and after a few minutes he realizes Lucy is asleep. The funny feeling returned, a feeling he can’t quite name. He will talk to Lucy later about it. For now he just closes his eyes and sleeps.

A few days later, Tim sees Genny at the station. She’s looking around the station and waves him over when she sees him. He walks over quickly, his heart beating fast. Did something happen to the boys?

“Hey Gen. What are you doing here?” He asks as he approaches her. Genny shifts a little bit not answering his question right away.

“Is Lucy around?” She asks she looks around the bullpen again as if Lucy is magically going to appear.

“She’s on patrol.” He answers. “Why do you need her?”

Genny gives him a long look. “We are meeting for lunch.” She says. “She said to meet her at the station.”

Tim nods but the funny feeling is back. “You guys have become close.” He blurts out. “Like really fast.”

Genny huffs our a laugh in disbelief. “I’m sorry am I not allowed to hang out with your girlfriend?”

“No. Of course you are Gen but you two barely know each other. You went to one lunch and one girls night out and you are suddenly best friends.”

“Again am I not allowed to be friends with your girlfriend?” She asks a little hotly

“You never have before. Not even Isabel.” Tim shoots back.

“Well maybe I never saw a future for you with them. Maybe I see that with Lucy. She’s a great girl Tim. And I have seen the way you guys are together, the way you look at each other. There’s no denying she is the one for you.”

Tim gapes at his sister. He doesn’t disagree with what she is saying. He just can’t believe his sister who has only seen them together a handful of times came to that conclusion. That Lucy is the one for him.

“You love her right?” Asks Genny. And Tim looks at her and nods. He does love Lucy. They haven’t said it out loud yet but it was just a matter of time.

“Yea I love her.” He admits and Genny grins. “Well she loves you too.”

Tim nods and smiles at his sister. Lucy loves him. He’s not sure how he got so lucky. Just then Tim sees Lucy walking up with Aaron. She waves at them and smiles at Aaron before walking over to them.

“Hey.” She says. Her eyes are on Tim first searching his face and then on Genny.

“Are you ready to go?” She asks Genny. His sister nods at her smiling.

“I’ll be right there.” Lucy tells her. Genny nods and walks away a little to give them so privacy.

“Hey.” Lucy says touching his arm briefly before pulling away. “Are you okay?”

He nods. “I’m fine Lucy. Have fun with Genny.” He says and winces at how flat it sounds.

“Okay.” Lucy says and he knows she heard it too. He sighs as he watches them go, and walk out the station doors. This is good he thinks to himself stop being an idiot Bradford.

He goes back to work and tries to forget about the funny feeling welling up in his stomach. He will talk to Lucy later about it.

Later comes when Lucy gets home after him. He’s already on the couch, the TV on low. He glances up when he sees her coming in.

“Hey.” He scoots over to make room next to him but Lucy doesn’t sit down. She stands in front of him and studies him for a minute before speaking.

“Why are you being so weird about Genny and I hanging out?”

“I’m not.” He protests but Lucy gives him a look. Tim sighs because the thing he is, he’s not sure why he is being so weird. Maybe it’s because even though he would do anything for Genny, she still goes to other people. Like Nolan. And now Lucy.

“I don’t know,” he admits. “Maybe I am just not used to sharing you. And I’m not used to Genny hanging out with my girlfriend.”

Lucy stares at him.

“You’re jealous?”

“Not jealous. ” replies Tim hesitantly because he still can’t place a emotion on what he’s feeling. And maybe it is jealously. Lucy gives him another look, as if she doesn’t believe him at all.

“It’s not jealousy- not really.” Tim says still hestiant. “It’s just I’m not used to my girlfriend hanging out with my sister. Isabel knew her but barely. Rachel never knew her. And Ashley talked to her once and that was when I was going in for emergency surgery.”

Lucy does sit down now, and looks at him. “It’s okay to have feelings about it Tim. But don’t hold them back. You have been acting weird and I thought you didn’t want me hanging out with Genny.”

Tim nods and motions her to come closer. She does. “I’m sorry. I like that you are getting along with my sister. I really do.”

Lucy nods against his chest. “Well that’s good.” She says and it’s more muffled now. “Because we are going on a double date with Genny and her boyfriend.”

Tim gently lifts her head from his chest and gives her a alarmed look. “What? Since when does my sister have a boyfriend?”

Lucy shrugs. “She just mentioned him to me. It’s new but he seems like a good guy Tim.”

Tim clenches his jaw, no matter how old they were he would always be protective of his sister.

“And you agreed to go on a double date with them?” He asks quietly. Lucy frowns at his tone, and moves away from him.

“You don’t have to go Tim. I will go by myself but Genny will be disappointed.”

Tim shook his head at her. He would never make her go alone, he just would have liked to vet this guy out first.

“No it’s fine Luce.” He says. “I want to go.”

Lucy gives him a long look, one he can’t quite decipher and then moves closer to him.

“Okay. Tomorrow night okay?” She says. Tim sighs but he leans over to kiss her. Okay.

Lucy and Tim arrive to the restaurant first and they are seated. Tim is nervous he’s not sure why after all it’s just his sister. Genny and her date show up, fifteen minutes later. Tim gets up to greet his sister. She’s standing next to a good looking man, brown hair and green eyes. He smiles brightly at both Tim and Lucy.

“Zach this is my brother Tim and his girlfriend Lucy.” Zach reaches out to shake Tim’s hand and then Lucy’s.

“Genny says you are both police officers?” He says sitting down and Genny sits down next to him.

“I’m on patrol but I’m studying to be a detective and Tim’s a Metro sergeant.” Lucy replies. Zach nods and turns to Tim. His green eyes kind and Tim really doesn’t hate him.

“Genny speaks very highly of you. Of you both actually. I’m glad we could do this.” Zach says and Tim turns to Genny but then quickly back to Zach. “How did you two meet?” He asks curiously.

“At the baseball practices actually.” Said Zach. “My son is also on the team. And Genny and I just clicked. And our Tyler and my son did too.. it was just kind of history from there.”

Tim smiles at him because he really is happy for his sister. After that the conversation is nice and causal. Tim really didn’t have anything to be worried about, Zach is a nice guy and he really seemed to like Genny.

Later as they are getting ready to leave, Genny pulls Tim aside. Lucy is still chatting with Zach.

“Thanks for coming on this date.” Says Genny. “I know these really aren’t your thing.”

Tim shrugs his shoulders. “I did it for you Gen.” he says and then adds. “But I really do like Zach.”

Genny gives him a quick hug. “Thanks Tim. And I like Lucy too. I will be stealing her away for more girl’s night out.”

Tim laughs and turns to look at his girlfriend who is now looking at him a curious expression on her face.

“Fine. But don’t take her too much. I would like at least some time with her.” He says teasingly and Genny punches his shoulder.

They head over to Zach and Lucy. Lucy instantly tucks herself into Tim’s side.

“It was nice meeting you both.” Zach says sincerely. “We should do this again.”

Tim shakes his hand again and Lucy gives Genny a quick hug. “Lunch Saturday?” She asks glancing at Tim and then back at his sister. Tim rolls his eyes. “Luce, you can have lunch with Genny. I’m not stopping you.”

Lucy smiles at him and then looks back at Genny to confirm. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.”

They go their separate ways, and Tim and Lucy hold hands until they get to Tim’s truck.

“See? That wasn’t so bad.” She says nudging him. “Zach’s nice. I like him.”

“I agree.” Says Tim quietly. And then he backs her against his truck. “I may be a little grumpy on Saturday though.”

Lucy snorts and stands up to kiss him on the lips. “Don’t worry it’s just lunch. And then I’m all yours.” She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

“I’m holding you to that.” He says whispering in her ear. She grins up at him and pulls him closer by his jacket.

“You know we still have tonight.”

Tim groans a little and then reaches over to open her door.

“Then what are we waiting for?”

#chenford #chenford fanfic #the rookie #tim x lucy #tim bradford #lucy chen #anon answered #chenford fic

41 notes · View notes

pandorafallz · 3 months ago

Text

Vampire AU | New histories and in sights

News of the spirit tree did spread between the camps in the few days that passed and Jake was well aware of those for it and those less willing to try it out and it became a discussion over the radio of who was going and when (based on Mo’at’s availability) and the aftermath of the connection which would upset the camp’s balance until people had adapted to the new connection.

Morgan, Bree, Kim, Jerome, Kendra, Ashley, Harper, Zane, Zeke, and Xavier were straight off the bat interested in connecting to Eywa (those with avatars would go there in human forms for their native bodies to adapt)

Eliza, Maria, Danielle, Kung, and Matthew all were disinterested in connection. The rest, Wei, Sean, Marcus, Will, Ming, and Austin were willing to connect but would wait until another time to do so, very casual about it. Nadine was the only one who wanted to go but was unwilling to enter the cave system to get there. Moran wanted to as well but had concerns with compatibility with his cranial implants that lived under his skin.

A mixed bag of cats but Jake was glad to see so many humans were willing to try it out and see. One day, those disinterested would connect. The hot springs were still a hit, despite the initial mood-killer but Jake had taken the time to visit again the next day (and to properly wash the human clothes from his camp) in a far better mood which really helped restore the caves for him.

Jake’s attention turned up to Ruby as her tail once again thumped irritably against his back occupied in gently spinning together at Hometree. The slight recoil was the only indication he was being softly struck since he was human today. “You okay, Ruby?” he decided to ask after the third time.

“Hm? Oh yes.” Ruby nodded. “It’s…nothing.” Her tone wavered a little.

Jake eyed her expression for a moment, noting the pull between her eyebrows and her… lack of concentration on her actual work as she spun her fibres. Working on auto.

“If you want to talk, I’m about or Mo’at. I heard she took Bree and Zeke down to the caves to connect to Eywa this morning and let them rest up quietly in her den.” Jake offered.

Ruby paused, expression turning frustrated. “I wish she allowed me to go down today.”

“You know why.” Jake said softly, “I’m… I know I don’t get why and I won’t ask but… I think Mo’at probably needs to understand why you need to feel Eywa’s love so intently.”

Uncertainty lingered in Ruby’s yellow eyes. “It’s… complicated.”

“I figured as much but… Mo’at is doing her best to try and help humans. She’d been helping Nadine with her PTSD from the wars and had been learning how humans interact by learning from us. She is the spiritual leader and a healer for a reason. She could help you if you let her. I can try if you want.”

Ruby chewed her lip for a moment before she set the spindle down and stared at him for a moment in quiet contemplation as she clearly weighed the options. “Zane’s at camp so… I can’t bring him along for emotional support. I can… I’m willing to trust you to not spill what I say to Mo’at, right?”

“You have my confidence,” Jake promised because… he hoped this was a good step for Ruby to evolve. To reach out to someone else and while he wasn’t the brightest person, he’d be someone that they could rely on.

Ruby nodded and gestured softly as a means of asking to pick him up. Jake nodded, raising his arms and settling his arm onto her shoulder and she grabbed his chair with her other hand.

Up the spiral, the den was quiet, the familiar bowls with fire in to light up the space, Mo’at was tending to Kim’s pregnant belly, carefully feeling the bump with expertise and Eliza was off to the side with a tablet and ultra-sound, examining what looked like a scan of the babies.

Bree was there, sitting up against the wall but drawing in her sketchbook a little listless but focused nonetheless. Zeke on the other hand was conked out asleep and it looked like someone had drawn a moustache and monocle on his mask. Probably Bree.

“<Your children feel healthy. Their tsalnu sacs seemed to have separated fully from each other which will is good. You’ll be able to birth them separately and safely. That is why your belly has grown a little.>” Mo’at spoke, sparing a second to the scan Eliza had to be certain.

Kim let out a sigh of relief. “<That’s a relief.>”

“<You’ll have a little over two months before you deliver.>” Mo’at carried on, “<It will be wise for you to move into Hometree for the duration of the tsalnu maturation before they’re fully birthed to the world. Since there are two, they’ll have to be delivered earlier than that of a single birth.>”

“<I’ll talk to my mate about it but we make no promises.>” Kim said, unsurprisingly before she sat up though she smiled softly as she saw them though it turned a little concerned. “You two okay?”

“I got a…private talk with Mo’at I think I… need to address,” Ruby said, nervously, her grip tightening a little around him like he was a teddy bear. “Preferably now, or I might chicken out.”

Bree paused a little, looking their way from her book “Let me get my ear pods.” She reached slowly for her bag and tugged it close, rummaging around before she pulled the little case out and set them into her ears before pulling out her tablet to start the music. Loud enough for them to just about hear it.

Kim sighed deeply, annoyed. “We’re kinda in the middle of a check-up, guys…”

“Sorry for the interruption, Kim, but… please give us at least twenty minutes, Kim.” Jake gave his campmate a solid look, feeling Ruby’s arm tighten more and she felt her reluctance return. “It’s important.”

Kim’s jaw tightened a little, lingering on him for a moment then up to Ruby. “Fine.”

“You can stay and listen if you want,” Ruby stated her tone a pitch higher. “It’s not a pleasant story.”

Kim shook her head, her hand coming to her belly with an annoyed sound. “One of my kids is pressing on my bladder. I think that’s telling me something.” She waved away Mo’at’s offer to help her onto her feet, pulling her loincloth straight, both front and back, and waddled out quickly.

Eliza, not saying anything set her tools away and also took her leave but no doubt would return when they were gone. She patted Ruby’s blue leg in passing.

Mo’at sighed softly but collected her tools together. “”

Jake snorted a little. “<She’s a stubborn person. It’s easier pulling teeth.>” He was gently set down a few feet from the Tsahìk onto Kim’s former mat, taking a moment to organise his limp legs before Ruby sat down a little beside him, dwarfing him easily as her long blue settled around him. Her fingers tapped along his shoulder absently for a moment.

“<So…>” Ruby hesitated. “<I… my childhood isn’t a good one. I’ve… never spoken to anyone about it properly except to Zane and it’s… why I can’t go back to Earth and why I want to keep connecting to Eywa. Jake said… you might be more understanding.>”

Mo’at finished setting her tools away, turning her attention fully to the gatherer. “”

Ruby nodded, her ears shifting a little as she contemplated. “I… I know it’s something I need help with and I… don’t like asking for it. I’ve spent a while not emotionally relying on people around me. It’s easier for me.”

Mo’at nodded softly. “<You closed your heart.>”

Ruby nodded. “” She admitted. “<I… hours after I was born, my birth mother tried to dispose of me by abandoning me into a trash canister outside at night.>” Ruby’s ears pinned, pained as the words left her lips. “My own mother didn’t want me… and I don’t understand why she didn’t give me up at a hospital or… a fire station. She had nine months to do that or abort the pregnancy. Instead just… left me some random bin in nothing but a kitchen towel.”

Mo’at’s expression turned sorrowful. “<That is awful, I cannot imagine how painful it is for you to have gone through that. Children are a gift and should be treasured.>” She paused for a moment. “<May I ask, what is a> fire station?”

“Fire stations are facilities designated for fire control for the surrounding public.” Jake spoke softly to Mo’at softly “But they also provide public aid or a safe zone for adults or teen parents to leave their babies or children if they cannot look after them or have a reason to not keep them. Hospitals are medical areas. Any children abandoned after birth can be given up there safely and the child rehoused to a family willing to take them in.”

Mo’at nodded in soft understanding. “”

“I would have been better if I had been given up somewhere safe.” Ruby shook her head. “I only survived the trash heap because I was found by a school kid when he was bin surfing for tech junk. He heard me crying and took me home with him in his backpack. His mom got the cops when she found out and I was put into a care system. No one wanted to adopt me.” Her hand moved, pulling her tail around to fiddle with the puff of hair at the end.

Jake reached forward, patting her knee but his heart also ached a little. He couldn’t fathom all of that and while she no doubt knew this all from second-hand, it didn’t erase anything or the turmoil that came with it. It still happened to her. The knowledge that hung over her head.

“I grew up in the system. Foster family to foster family. A few okay ones, a few shit ones who could barely afford to eat…” Her eyes looked far away, “I got to another foster family when I was ten. I thought they were going to be my family for good. Two parents, an older brother and sister, and their second cousin who became orphaned so he had to live with them. My… foster parents at that time were distant. Not there for anyone emotionally but I got on well with my new cousin, Marty, he was… a good guy.”

Jake distantly remembered his fate with a wince. A good guy was lured away and killed; only to be found six months later as bones.

Ruby’s face lost a lot of colour, her eyes brimming with unshed shed as she carried on without stopping. “When…I was fourteen, my foster brother… assaulted me in my room. Said it was okay because we weren’t blood-related and… he wanted to practise.”

Jake closed his eyes, his jaw clenching. Mo’at inhaled deeply but understood the implication, no doubt through Neytiri. It wouldn’t have been an easy conversation but necessary.

“I...I got the police involved, and got him jailed for it but… everyone at school found out what happened…the story got twisted by his friends. I got bullied and blamed for the assault and said that I ruined a good boy’s life and he had a good future ahead before I split. No one even considered what he had done to me or what scars he left on me. That he had ruined my life.” Ruby’s breath shook. “I got out after a year of saving up money. Some friend has a friend who I paid off to get me out. I… changed my name, new date of birth, and new identity codes for myself to have a life. Once I had all that I just… disappeared from that life. Shut away the feelings to concentrate on where I needed to be.”

“You became Ruby Carr, a brilliant scientist.” Jake offered quietly. “You made it all the way to Pandora.”

Ruby nodded airily. “I worked hard in the new school I enrolled in. Worked a side job to afford it and a place to sleep. The only meals I could eat were at school because those were free. I scraped by and got good grades. Got the RDA’s attention to get a scholarship to the sciences. When I was old enough, I signed up for their labs for a few years before I applied to come here and join the Avatar program when I was twenty-three. For a while, it was okay. I had no problems until I learned my former foster brother had joined a gang in prison. I always kept taps open on him as a precaution and… my fear wasn’t misplaced. His new friends had connections everywhere and he was able to find out my new identity and where I was. If I went back home, I’d lose the RDA protection and… I can’t return back. I know he’d come for me if given that chance. I couldn’t give him that chance.”

Mo’at leant down, her hand soft and slow as she touched the Dreamwalker’s face. “<He will not find you here, Rubycarr. You are safe with the people. You are safe with your friends.>”

Ruby stared at her for a long moment then broke her gaze. “I know that here.” She reached up and tapped her temple. “But not here.” She tapped over her heart. “<Eywa… she makes me feel safe and protected. Like a home I never had.>”

“<The great mother provides you with an ocean of unconditional love.” Mo’at dropped her hand to rest on her shoulder.. “<An ocean can be welcoming and beautiful under its surface but… sooner or later you have to resurface or you’ll down within and lose yourself.>”

“<But it’s the only way I can feel happy.>”

“<No, child.>” Mo’at shook her head. “<Happiness is around you and in arms reach. You’ve guarded your heart for so long that you do not see the walls you’ve put up. You look out, not inwards. Happiness is there. You have your friends now to help you. Zanemadaki, who you’re courting would no doubt help you.>”

Jake squeezed her knee softly, looking up to her softly. “<We’re all here to help. Messy feelings and all. Now is a time for healing and community.”

Ruby’s low ears perked up a little, her eyes still large and tearful. “Zay makes me happy. I know I love him.”

“Does he know?”

Ruby nodded softly. “<I told him after we started to date more seriously… I didn’t want to start with lies and… I didn’t want us to rush or anything. It took over a year of us dating before I invited him into a more… physical relationship. He waited until I was ready. Such a gentlemen>.” She smiled fondly. “”

Mo’at remained quiet for a moment then sat back. “<You carry a massive burden from your past and it will take time for you to let those walls down and find the connections to others to bring you joy more naturally.>”

Ruby’s tail swished from her fingers, frowning softly. “”

“<You can relearn. I still have much to do but I will spend some time at your camp tomorrow and start the process if you allow me.>” Mo’at offered.

The Dreamwalker’s head tilted before she hummed if a little reluctantly in consideration. It was probably a little overwhelming for her but he hoped she’d stick with it. She had a lot to give if she allowed it. It’d be great to see her open up as well but in all honesty, he was well aware how sparse he had been with his human defectors with his training.

Jake patted her leg, her head turning down at him. “It’s okay. Zane can be there as well if you need.” He assured. “She wouldn’t offer if she wasn’t able to do it. You’re not going to burden her.”

Ruby chewed her lip and then sighed deeply. “I… suppose. I… it’s... sounds like such a task.”

“You’re worth the trouble.” Jake said, “It won’t be easy for you but if you want to feel that connection and happiness, you need to put that work in as well.”

Ruby’s jaw tightened but she understood her part in it. “I know.” She released her breath, her hand coming to rub her face.

The mood was still a little… fragile with that all out in the open and he could tell Ruby wasn’t sure what to do now, so he decided to step in and crack that ice.

“If… you don’t mind me asking, what was your name before?”

Ruby let out a heavy sigh, her hand dropping down into her lap. “Nancy Bane.”

“Nancy?” he couldn’t help himself on the echo but… it was such an outdated name. It was rare on his side of the pond. The English, maybe, but they were a weird folk to keep those old names about still, like Margret or… Patricia.

Ruby snorted, with a little more life to it. “I was never fond of the names. I always liked the gemstone ruby so it wasn’t hard to change it. I let the guy who changed my identity choose my last name. I didn’t care either way. A new name was a new name.”

“I’m included to agree. Ruby’s a far better name.” Jake agreed. “So, is there anything else you wish to discuss?”

Ruby paused, “Er… I may need some herbs to help with my human body. I’m… getting a little constipated and indigestion a lot more. Eliza’s meds are okay but harder to come by. I’d rather start moving onto more easy-to-come-by remedies and save her meds for more dire needs.”

Mo’at nodded, “I’ll find you something before you leave tonight.”

Ruby collected Jake back up as she took her leave, carrying him back down though she looked… more content, he noted, her posture far loosened up.

“What?” Ruby asked, setting his chair down.

“Have… Have I been too absent from people? Like, the humans?” Jake asked, sliding into his chair. “I know I speak to people when they come here and when we’re on the radios but… I feel like I’ve missed out on getting to know people more personally, you know?”

Ruby hummed shortly. “You’re a busy man when you’re in your avatar; Neytiri works you hard when training and you’re in your own bubble when you’re human here. I’ve always considered that to be your mental vacation from training.”

“You’re too kind,” Jake said, a little dissatisfied, shifting a leg to rest more naturally. “I need to do a lot more than be in my own bubble. Once training’s done, I’ll try and be about for you all. We should all go down to Homebase one night. I have a projector. Have a movie night?”

Ruby’s eyes lit up a little. “You have movies?”

“Shit tons. Haven’t watched too many since we’re out of here but I think it would be fun to have a weekly thing for us lot. Nadine can’t go in the caves but I’m sure we can get a few to watch with her as well at another camp.”

“Zeke’s a good option.”

“Ooh, Zeke watching a movie, oh that’ll be fantastic!” Jake realised; at least half the entertainment would be generated by the man’s verbal reaction alone. He had heard Bree had set the creepy puppet doll up in the shack module’s airlock in the mountains as a prank when they were still cutting the shacks up and everyone there knew when Zeke found it. He was kinda sad to have missed that.

Ruby laughed. “Yeah, he’s fun to watch a film with. I only had a few and we’ve watched them over a few times.”

“Next time, I’ll bring a tablet or maybe Morgan or someone can visit and drop off a tablet and you can download from there,” Jake promised, wheeling now back towards the spinners where he could see a few of the miners were set up with bead making he couldn’t help but notice now Marcus was about but looking a little distressed.

Ruby broke away to find Harper so Jake pushed on to Marcus’s side, sparing a look at his cause of concern.

Bead organisation. There was a small pile of beads that were in one basket and often made by many hands and it was preferred to be separated by colour for artists to draw from when they continued their pieces more easily unless they made their own beads with specific purpose.

It was an easy task that children could do, toddlers even.

“You okay?” Jake asked.

Marcus let out a frustrated sigh. “I need to learn Na’vi. The lead guy put me on this and… I can’t do it.”

Jake looked at the beads and then at him before he realised why. “You’re colour blind, aren’t you?”

Marcus nodded slowly. “Tritan colour blindness. I don’t know how to tell them without them thinking I’m stupid or something. ”

“Ohh…” Jake spared a look around, “You got a tablet?”

“In my bag.”

“Can you get it? I assume you have a camera on it?”

Marcus nodded, relieved as he stood up and hurried to his bag set off by the side to be out of the way and return a moment later with it. Looking at it, he noticed it looked regular, but turning it on, he realised the screen was monochromatic. Black and white. Simple.

“Mind if I turn the colours on? I’ll turn it back once I’m done.” It felt polite to ask at the very least given it wasn’t his tablet.

“Okay?”

Jake nodded, relieved. “<Ten’nel, can you come here please?>” He called.

The Na’vi in question looked up from examining his apprentice’s work of small beads along a string before he got to his feet and came over.

“<Is he not done?>” Ten’nel asked eyes on the pot still. “”

Jake clicked his tongue. “<Marcus here doesn’t know enough Na’vi to tell you that he had a visual disability. He cannot do this task.>

Ten’nel’s head turned to him sharply but he looked more serious now than before. “<A disability? Poor eyesight?>”

“<He cannot perceive certain colours. Humans call this colour blindness.>” Jake answered, he leaned over and took a photo of the beads Marcus had been set to do then moved to the editor to add a filter over it. “<Humans have a few variants of colour blindness depending on which colour rods in their eyes are affected. Some humans cannot see Red, yellow, Green or blue. In some cases, everything is grey, not colour at all. Marcus here, while he can see everything in clarity, he cannot see yellow or blue.>”

He held out the tablet for the bead maker to see, watching as the man’s eyes slid to the screen in fascination at the filter and then to the actual colours the real thing had beside it; comparing both.

“<The yellow is a pinkie-grey?>” Ten’nel’s voice was filled with genuine intrigue. “<Fascinating…>”

“<Is there a task Marcus can do here that doesn’t rely on colour?>

Ten’nel hummed in soft consideration, still looking between. “<He could remain to simply make the beads or assist with crafting of pieces>”

“You good to stick with just making beads?” Jake offered to Marcus, “Not a lot of colour work?”

“Hm, I might not stick with beads. It’ll pass the time for now but I’m still looking about for something that calls, you know.” Marcus stated, scratching his chin under his mask. “Maybe I’ll try the leather working route or spinners. Weaving is kinda of interesting but… too many colour-dependencies. I’d rather not need to check with people constantly on my own work.”

Jake hummed softly. “I suppose there’s still plenty of time to find out your thing.”

“<Is everything alright?>” Ten’nel asked.

“<Yes, just offering the suggestions for him.>” Jake answered before he looked up at Ten’nel for a moment before he looked down at the tablet. An idea sprung to mind. “<Can… Can I take a photo of you? I wish to see what he sees when he looks at Na’vi. He cannot see blue or yellow.>” And Na’vi were blue and yellow.

Ten’nel allowed him with a curious nod and Jake blinked at the result.

“Na’vi are green to you?” Well, not a deep overly green; they looked closer to turquoise than anything but still… and their eyes, like yellow beads, were grey but with a hint of pink to them. Any red naturally stood out, unchanged and very vibrant.

“Yeah?” Marcus snorted a little. “Like, I mostly know the difference between blue and greens based on shade intensity but it depends on the saturation levels the colour has.”

“How did you make it this far to Pandora with this colour blindness? I know they don’t discriminate based on disability but… you’re a geologist.” There had to be a story there.

“I signed up as a miner; to work in the mine but some of it was bull-shitting, white lies and help. Alejandra helped a little in adding symbols to colour systems when we were working.”

“Wait, you’re colour-blind?”

Jake’s head turned suddenly to see Kung standing a few metres away, a basket of fibres in her arms looking a little baffled and annoyed.

Marcus’s eyes widened a little before he sheepishly nodded.

Kung set the basket down, her hands coming to her hips. “Why didn’t you say anything? I would have been less of an asshole.”

“Because you would have moved me off elsewhere. I know I’m supposed to note that down for my superiors but you ran the mines by the book.” The blond said, gesturing up wildly before clambering to his feet. “I wanted to keep my job, Zee.”

Kung’s brow pulled in before she clicked her tongue, picked up her basket again and walked away without another word.

Marcus huffed, his hand coming to his face but was stopped by the mask. “Aye yai yai…”

Jake looked between the man and the leaving major. “You two got history?”

Marcus nodded. “We took to her bed a few times.” He answered, “I’ll… get back to work.” He decided, moving towards the maker’s side of the area.

Tsu’tey led the hunting party back with a glint of satisfaction at each of his student’s work. The human of the group, MingWu was a surprise; having to succeed with a clean kill. Ashleysloan wasn’t a surprise at all she had shot her yerik straight through the frontal eye and killed it instantly. Ka’ani and Saeyla had taken down the same prey but both shots were true.

Iknimaya would be granted to all accept MingWu, as a human could not bond with an Ikran. A known statement but he would need to confide with Mo’at and Eytukan to find an alternative rite of passage for the human that did not involve tsaheylu that would allow the woman to hunt freely as the people. Not all hunters had Ikran but often hunters had Pa’li to ride on to travel. She couldn’t even do that.

It was a little of a headache to think about but he had an idea.

At Hometree, his trainees separated after his word to other tasks as the afternoon was drawing in, Ka’ani leading the kills towards the butchers with Ashleysloan who requested some of the meat for her camp.

Tsu’tey eyes sought over the people, noting the humans, the small form of Jakesully by the weavers stood out by the yellow of his wheeled chair with some dissatisfaction. He moved his gaze on before he moved toward Eytukan who had returned as well with a high head but also was ascending up to the higher level.

Tsu’tey followed. “” He greeted politely to draw the clan leader’s attention.

“<I see you, Tsu’tey. How were your hunters??” Eytukan asked as he set his bow down on his personal rack.

“<True shots. MingWu included.>”

Eytukan hummed in surprise. “<The human, interesting.>”

“<MingWu has surprising dedication but due to her species, she cannot pass Iknimaya as an Ikran Makto without a tswin.>”

Eytukan led on towards the Tsahìk’s den, the sounds of her moving about unmistakable and her soft voice.

“<Have you considered options?>” Eytukan asked, pausing outside the den “<There are a few that aren’t easy or feasible for a human. They are tiny and weaver than a Na’vi.>”

“<The Great Hunt, three weeks away.>” Tsu’tey suggested. “<She will have to ride as a passenger onto a Pa’li but if she strikes true among the talioang migration, then that should be a tremendous task achieved much like Pa’li Makto.>”

Eytukan let out a considering hum. “<That’s a good suggestion for the human hunters. What of the Dreamwalkers?>”

“<Ashleysloan had defied all expectations and can put Manu to shame in skill. She would go far in the clan if she was not held back by being a Dreamwalker.>” A sad fact really. It didn’t go unmissed that she had the attention of a few men and women who valued skill and, even by Tsu’tey’s standards, her Dreamwalker did have an attractive face. However, the extra finger was still a firm reminder of what the woman was under the false skin.

“<You sound disappointed>” Eytukan chuckled.

Tsu’tey tittered a little, pursing his lips discontented. “<She doesn’t have my interest beyond that of a mentor to a student.>” He was to be mated with Neytiri and so, he had no reason to look elsewhere. A Dreamwalker was not a suitable mate to even consider, so he didn’t. But he could appreciate the work this Dreamwalker put in with the clan. Tolerantly, even. “<Why was Jakesully not in his Dreamwalker today? I expected him to join the group in the hunt>”

“<Neytiri will see his first successful hunt tomorrow.>,” Eytukan said, “”

“” He paused, noting the slight tenseness in the Olo'eyktan’s posture. “<Was your hunt successful?>”

Eytukan hummed, turning discontent. “”

Tsu’tey felt his insides turn tense, cooling with a flicker of fear. These blood demons had killed a Palulukan? It took many warriors and many arrows to down a beast of death and often there were casualties. They were creatures of both fear and respect for a reason. “<Was… what signs did you see?>”

“<It’s neck was broken. Not cleanly. The… ribs show claw marks that have five fingers to them. It has one cleanly broken leg and smaller fractures along the rest of the legs. The cave itself bears claw marks of both kinds so it likely died within and with great ferocity.>” Eytukan let out a firm breath. “<This knowledge carries a heavy burden.>”

“<If a single one can kill a Palulukan…>” He didn’t finish. What hope did the people have against these creatures? Eytukan had been wise to not let these creatures be his focus but the more he heard, the more he knew how harder it would be to protect the people.

Eytukan’s hand reached out, grasping his arm intently. “<As fearful as we are, Cold Ones have sight of Eywa. As long as there is no provocation, we should not gain their attention.>”

“<Wise worlds, beloved.>” The Tsahìk’s words echoed out, reminding them both where they were.

Eytukan ducked into the den first, empty of people and humans and Mo’at was finishing up her organisation. The two leaders closed the distance, grasping each other and Eytukan touched her cheek with fondness and her head tilted into his touch.

“<How was your day?>” Eytukan asked. “”

The spiritual tree, Tsu’tey had heard about that with the rest of the clan. One tree for the sky people and… it was still a little hard to believe that Eywa would create such a blessing with a species like the Skye people in mind but he was not the one to question the Great Mother. He hadn’t seen such a tree and didn’t have the intention to either.

“<Yes, two connected and have experienced their communion Eywa. I will be busy tending to their communions. Once Neytiri is free from training Jakesully, I will need her attendants to watch and take over the communion until all are connected. I still have our people to tend to. I fear I will be too pulled away from my duty here now that the tree is discovered and so readily available..>” Mo’at spoke, worried. “<the humans that are with us are�� uncannily driven to connect. Some more than others.>”

“<Is that a trouble?>”

“<The more I hear of their life in their home world, the sadder I am for them and for all that they have gone through>” Mo’at sighed deeply. “<The social complexities are beyond simple navigation. Their destruction, their closed hearts and their need for walls to hide themselves. Some have not even experienced love from their own family. Like it is a foreign concept but is desperate to feel it like children begging for food>” Mo’at looked genuinely upset. “<If anything I have learned, there is no life on Earth; only survival.>”

“<That is a very… bold statement.>” Eytukan said.

“<It rings true in my heart, my love. You should spend more time with the humans and see for yourself.>” Mo’at said. “<They need help but I cannot do it alone. The clan can guide these people to a better sense of self. To live beyond survival. To see the world in new life. I believe that is how we can achieve peace with the sky people.>”

Masterlist

#avatar #avatar au #grace augustine #jake sully #mo'at #neytiri #neytiri te tskaha mo'at'ite #tsu'tey #eytukan #ruby carr #vampire #vampire au #vampire grace #ashley sloan #james cameron avatar #avatar james cameron

5 notes · View notes

fluentmoviequoter · 9 months ago

Note

Tim Bradford x fiancé rookie!fem!reader please? When the reader is a rookie and she pulled over her fiancé. Cute fluff 😂

https://youtube.com/shorts/zGueyvDS8DI?si=NOJ5fjs6HqbNdwYD

I love this! I hope you enjoy!!🤍 Picture from Pinterest

Warnings: fluff, Nyla Harper (this probably doesn't need an explanation). rookie!reader, 1.8k+ words.

Flirting With Cops

“I’m sorry, I don’t- run me through this one more time,” Nyla says, somewhere between exasperated and interested. “You had a secret boyfriend that nobody knew about, and then you just show up with a rock after a weekend off? Secret boyfriend is now secret fiancé?”

“Kinda,” you answer, slowing as you approach an intersection.

“Kinda. Elaborate?” Nyla asks, leaning forward with wide eyes.

“I thought you didn’t like to talk about personal lives in the shop,” you argue.

“I don’t talk about my personal life in the shop. Right now, we’re talking about yours.”

You don’t answer, but Nyla’s eyes remain on you. Sighing, you make a right turn as you decide where to start.

“Secret boyfriend is secret fiancé now, yes,” you begin. “But he’s been secret fiancé for a while. I just forgot to take my ring off this morning. And I mean, I didn’t think it was a problem if I didn’t tell anyone I was seeing-“

“If you told me right now, would I be the first to know?” Nyla interjects.

“No. Grey knows.”

“Grey? Wade Grey? Sergeant Grey, Watch Commander-”

“Yes, that Grey. I needed an afternoon off to deal with some relationship stuff a while back, so I told him.”

“Then why won’t you tell me?”

“I don’t know how my fiancé would feel about that.”

Nyla sits back, quiet until she says, “He doesn’t get to decide who you tell about your life. How am I supposed to decide if he is good enough for you?”

“I thought TOs thought boots weren’t good enough, shouldn’t that be the other way around?” you joke.

Nyla says your name, and you immediately turn serious.

“Harper, I just- it’s not about him controlling me, and he doesn’t, I promise. I’m just not sure why it’s a problem.”

“Not a problem, just a trust and general welfare thing. I need to know that you’re okay all the time because your personal life impacts your cop life.”

“Got it. I will let you know if anything worth mentioning arises.”

“As your friend though-“

“We’re friends?”

Nyla says your last name, a quick warning. “As your friend, I want to know that he’s good enough for you because it’s what you deserve as a person, regardless of your career. Dating is a- there’s a lot that can and does go wrong in the dating world, but Los Angeles is a different animal. If you’re engaged, I’ll assume you know him well, but if or when you want to trust me with this, I’m here.”

“Thank you, Harper.”

“And tomorrow is plain clothes day, so if you want to talk about him while I’m not here, feel free.”

You chuckle, hitting the sirens and answering, “Yes, ma’am,” before calling in a traffic stop.

✯✯✯✯✯

“Hey,” Tim greets.

“I’m mad at you,” you reply, closing the door and moving around him.

“I’m sorry. Although I’d like to know what I’m sorry for,” Tim replies, his brows raised.

Setting your bag on the counter, you raise your left hand and look at him.

“I apologize for… proposing?” Tim guesses.

You sigh, dropping your head and your hand in tandem. Tim walks to you, and you let him pull you into a hug, putty in his hands as he holds you close.

“You- you put my ring on this morning before work and I forgot to take it off,” you murmur.

“So, our friends and coworkers know? Is that a problem?”

“Of course not. I’m not ashamed of you or trying to hide this or anything, Tim. I just- Nyla wants to know everything to decide if my fiancé is good enough for me.”

“And what will she find?”

“I’m honestly not sure,” you joke.

“Maybe I’ll tell her that it was a pity proposal. You’re a terrible fiancée.”

“I love you,” you reply, kissing his cheek.

“You’re a terrible fiancée… who doesn’t play fair,” Tim repeats, softening under your hands and kisses.

“What are you doing with your day off tomorrow?” you ask. “I know you miss plain clothes day.”

“I don’t know,” Tim answers, his hands sliding from your waist to the curve of your hip. “Rob a liquor store or something to see if you’re ready to ride alone, I guess.”

“Hmm. I was hoping for a real husband and not a prison husband.”

“Don’t start with me,” Tim warns.

“You brought up the liquor store!”

Tim’s hands tighten gently, his fingers pressing into you. You chuckle, leaning against him again as you sigh.

“You’re just going to sit here and miss me, I knew it,” you say against his shirt.

“You’ve got me figured out. Guess you’re good enough for me at least.”

“You guess?”

Tim doesn’t give you time to finish teasing him, pulling you impossibly closer as he kisses you to silence you.

✯✯✯✯✯

“Just remember that I’m not here. Our shift got bumped so we’re working into the night, but don’t let that mess you up. You can do this as long as you remember what you’ve learned and apply it,” Nyla says, buckling her seatbelt.

“Nolan warned me that you were intense, but you’re really nice to me,” you reply.

Nyla doesn’t answer, invisible while you ride alone. Smiling to yourself, you wonder if talking about your fiancé would make her break.

✯✯✯✯✯

Thirty minutes after sunset, you haven’t done much on plain clothes day. Completed a few routine traffic stops, responded to two domestic calls, and narrowly avoided a flat tire, but nothing unusual or extreme. Your shift is nearly over, and while it’s too late to visit Tim, you’re ready to get home and rest before seeing him tomorrow.

Driving through Tim’s neighborhood as you finish your patrol, you hit the sirens when a blue pickup truck runs a stop sign. Nyla exits the shop as you do, standing at the back of the vehicle while you approach the window.

“Good eve-“ you begin, freezing when you see who is sitting in the driver’s seat.

“Can I help you, officer?” Tim asks, failing to hide his smile as he sits back in the seat.

“I, uh… you ran a stop sign.”

“Yeah,” Tim answers. “But, surely, there’s some way you can let me go. Right, officer?”

“It’s frowned upon to flirt with police officers during traffic stops, sir.”

You suddenly remember Nyla is behind you and glance over, unsurprised to find her watching you intently.

“Uh, Harper, would you give a fellow cop a ticket for running a stop sign?” you ask.

“I’m not here,” she reminds you, failing to hide that she wants to know who’s in the truck.

Turning back to Tim, you ask, “License and registration?”

Tim nods, pulling his wallet out and handing it to you. When you open it and have no problem finding both, Nyla begins fidgeting.

“Whose car is this?” you ask quietly.

“Rental. My sister needed help moving something but my power steering’s acting up.”

Nodding, you hand his wallet back.

“I’m going to let you off with a warning, sir, but regardless of whether or not you live here and know how busy the intersection is, you need to stop.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Tim replies, brushing his fingers over yours.

He drives away as you and Nyla get back in the shop. Her eyes are on you, but she remains silent. When your watch beeps at the end of your shift, and you’re still two blocks from the station, she breaks.

“Who was that? You were flirting so I thought it was your fiancé or something but then you asked about a fellow cop,” Nyla says quickly, not taking a breath until she’s done.

“You weren’t there,” you argue. “You didn’t see a thing.”

Nyla groans. “I will find out. I know I told you it was your decision to trust me, but I need you to trust me. Please?”

“Maybe tomorrow. When you’re back in the shop with me. By the way, how’d I do?”

“You did great. Until the end. That last traffic stop was iffy but since it was a fellow cop I’ll give you a pass on that one. You did check everything and give a warning, so I can’t really ask for more.”

Sighing, you park in the station lot and turn off the ignition.

“Thanks, Harper. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Oh, you most definitely will.”

✯✯✯✯✯

“This isn’t going to end well for me,” you whisper as you walk into the station.

“It’ll be fine,” Tim promises.

“You don’t have to ride with Harper after she finds out!”

“Hey,” Tim calls, gently hooking his fingers behind your bicep to pull you back to his side. “You will be fine.”

“I know. Thank you.”

A few minutes later, as you enter roll call, Nyla sits on the table in the front row.

“Spill,” she demands.

“Wait, what’s happening?” Angela asks.

“She’s dating a cop. Scratch that- she’s engaged to a cop. Pulled him over last night and got all flirty.”

“No ‘what happens in the shop stays in the shop’?” you ask.

“Nope. Now, do we know him?” Nyla asks.

You nod, and Angela asks, “Have we worked with him often?”

“Yes.”

“Is he in this room?” Nyla asks, looking over her shoulder.

“No.”

“Oh, thank goodness. I was having serious concerns about your taste in men,” Nyla sighs.

“Was he driving his own car last night?” Angela inquires.

“Oh, that’s a good question. I didn’t recognize it,” Nyla adds.

“No, it was a rental,” you explain.

“Just spit it out!” Nyla begs.

“Harper!” Tim yells, stepping inside. “Grey needs to see you.”

“He’s in the room now,” you whisper.

“Timothy Bradford?!” Angela yells.

“What?” Nyla asks, looking back and forth between you quickly.

“Tim and I started dating while I was in the academy, and we got engaged about a month ago,” you state. “And Grey knows because we had to tell him.”

“Wait, so you pulled over your fiancé last night?” Angela smiles at you before looking at Tim. “What did you do?”

“I ran a stop sign. Nothing you haven’t done. Don’t look at me like that Angela.”

“You’re dating a boot, I get to look at you however I want to.”

“So, Harper, is he good enough for me?”

Nyla purses her lips in thought. “Depends. Let me see the ring?”

You laugh, and Tim smiles before exiting the room, glad he can talk about you freely now.

✯✯✯✯✯

“Nyla wants to talk to you,” you tell Tim when you pass him coming out of the locker room. “Good luck.”

“Can’t be as bad as what Grey told me,” Tim replies, shrugging.

“What did Grey tell you?”

“Uh- well- I think Nyla needed to see me, so I’ll meet you at the truck in a few minutes,” Tim rambles, avoiding your question.

✯✯✯✯✯

“I’m glad we told people. Even if we were partially forced to,” you say, leaning your head against Tim’s shoulder.

“You want to show me off? I mean, I understand, but I thought-“ Tim groans when you hit his shoulder.

“I love you,” you whisper.

“I love you. Even though you’re a terrible fiancée.”

“Imagine what a terrible wife I’ll be.”

Tim tugs you closer as he responds, “I do. All the time. Especially when you pulled me over.”

#tim bradford x reader #tim bradford fluff #tim bradford the rookie #tim bradford imagine #tim bradford #the rookie #requests

876 notes · View notes

missrosiesworld · 3 months ago

Text

Chapter 3: The Start of Something New

A @campwillowpeakvn fanfiction 💚 'Camp WillowPeak' is a Murder Mystery Visual Novel that is in development for adults 18+, created by @papaziggy-devblog. Minors do not interact.

Chatting with Harper along the way, Ebony found him to be an alright guy. Despite his intimidating appearance—likely due to his towering height—he had a goofy, laid-back demeanor that put her at ease. His easygoing nature was a stark contrast to his imposing figure, and she found herself relaxing in his company. As they walked, she glanced up at him, her curiosity piqued.

"So, what made you want to sign up to be a counselor? No offense, but I don’t really get much of an outdoorsy vibe from you," she teased, her tone light and playful, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.

Harper stuck out his tongue and winked at her, laughing. "Yeah, you’re kinda right. I have my reasons, though," he replied, trying to sound mysterious, though the twinkle in his blue eyes gave him away.

Ebony raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his vague response. "Oh yeah? And what might those be?" she pressed, leaning in slightly as if expecting some grand revelation.

Harper stuttered momentarily, trying to find the right words. As if buying time to come up with a plausible answer, he scratched the back of his neck. "Err... New experiences? Meeting new people? I, uh... was bored?" he finally admitted, though his tone lacked the conviction to make it entirely believable.

Ebony couldn’t help but laugh, nudging him with her elbow. "Not gonna lie, it sounds like you’re pulling all that out of your ass," she teased, her green eyes twinkling with amusement.

Harper joined in her laughter, shaking his head in mock defeat. "Aw, come on! I thought they were good reasons!" he shot back, grinning widely. "What’s your reason, then, if it’s so much better?" he added, cheekily challenging her.

Ebony grimaced playfully, realizing she might have set herself up for that. "Honestly? Meeting new people is actually one of my reasons," she admitted, a sheepish smile spreading across her face.

Harper laughed, his tone light and teasing. "Your reason is just as lame as mine!" he joked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Ebony laughed along with him, but her laughter gradually faded as she tried to defend herself. "Okay, but I'm serious! Lately, it feels like everyone’s been distancing themselves from me," she confessed, her voice softening. The weight of her words seemed to settle between them, and as she looked away, a flicker of sadness briefly dimmed the usual brightness in her green eyes. "And I don’t really know why," she added, her shoulders sagging slightly under the unspoken burden.

Harper’s expression softened, his eyes reflecting empathy as he listened. "So, I thought maybe here I could, I don’t know... make some new friends who won’t just up and poof on me," Ebony confessed, her voice tinged with vulnerability that she rarely let surface.

Harper, still focused on her, paused thoughtfully, letting the silence stretch for a moment before softly saying, "Oh..." A gentle smile began to spread across his face, the kind that lit up his eyes and revealed the sharp canines that added a unique charm to his expression. "I mean... can’t say I plan on going anywhere," he reassured her. "Unlike them, you can count on me to stick around~."

Ebony looked up at him in disbelief, her eyes searching his face for sincerity. Harper’s smile remained kind and genuine, his expression open and honest. He seemed almost earnest in his promise, as if the idea of leaving her side was unimaginable. "Really?" she asked, still somewhat skeptical. "How can you say that when we just met?"

Harper shrugged with a casualness that belied the intensity of his feelings. His smile never wavered, his eyes shining with a quiet determination. "Gut feeling. Come on, does this look like a face that would lie to you?" he asked, tilting his head slightly as he put on his most innocent expression, his features softening into a look of pure sincerity.

Ebony couldn’t resist teasing him, the corners of her mouth lifting into a mischievous grin. "Honestly? A little bit," she replied, her tone light, the earlier heaviness momentarily forgotten. She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "And you look like you’d be a little shit about it too."

Harper gasped theatrically, placing a hand over his chest as if he were truly wounded. "Mean!" he exclaimed, pouting in exaggerated disappointment. "Wow, I didn’t know my new roomie would be such a bully!"

Ebony struggled to keep a straight face as Harper paused, giving her a look of mock hurt that quickly dissolved into a sly smile. He stuck his tongue out, revealing the glint of his tongue piercing. "My Nonna raised me to be a man of my word. Guess I’ll just have to endure and stick around~."

That was it—Ebony couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer. "You’re such a dork," she said, shaking her head, clearly entertained by his antics.

Harper’s grin only grew wider as he leaned in slightly, his voice taking on a teasing lilt. "A dork, aaaaaaand your new buddy, yeah?" He fluttered his eyelashes dramatically, adding to the over-the-top charm.

Ebony’s laughter slowly subsided as she looked up at him, her green eyes still dancing with amusement. "Oh, but of course," she replied, her tone just as playful, fully embracing the lighthearted banter.

Harper’s smile brightened even more, satisfaction written all over his face. "Perfect~. I knew we’d get on great~," he said, his voice full of cheer, clearly thrilled with how their connection was shaping up.

As they reached the firepit, Ebony noticed that everyone was already there, busy setting things up and chatting among themselves. A circle of rustic wooden benches surrounded the firepit, and the air was filled with the crackling sound of wood and the murmur of voices. Glancing up at Harper, Ebony noticed a subtle shift in his demeanor. His typically cheerful expression faltered, and a shadow of displeasure crossed his face as he observed the gathered group.

Sensing something was off, Ebony instinctively stepped closer to him, her eyes searching his face with quiet concern. "Are you alright?" she asked softly, her voice gentle and reassuring.

Harper blinked, snapping out of his thoughts as he quickly looked away. "Ah, yeah... Won't lie, I'm not really that social of a person," he admitted, his tone subdued. Ebony tilted her head slightly, her concern deepening. "Oh? You seemed pretty comfortable earlier," she observed, her voice soft, genuinely trying to understand.

Harper looked down at her, a small smile playing on his lips. "Guess I'm just comfy with you," he said, his voice warm and sincere. As Harper said this, Ebony felt a slight flutter in her chest. She thought to herself, “Comfy with me, huh?” She couldn't help but feel a bit flattered and surprised by his words.

Just then, two people approached Harper and Ebony, the displeased look returning to Harper's face as he stood protectively behind her. The guy leading the way had striking blue hair and a confident grin plastered on his face. He stood at about 5'10" and wore the camp's green polo shirt with cargo shorts and sandals, giving off a laid-back vibe. The girl beside him, significantly shorter at 4'8", had lush red hair cascading in soft waves and vibrant green eyes. She wore the same camp uniform, with knee-high white socks and black flats, adding a touch of contrast to her outfit.

The blue-haired guy greeted them with enthusiasm, "Heeey there, you two! We've all been waitin' on ya!" His voice carried a light-hearted tone as he pointed at each of them in turn. "You must be Ebony aaand Harper, yeah?"

Ebony smiled, nodding at the energetic greeting. "Yeah, that's us," she replied, her tone friendly but casual. She glanced at Harper, then back at the guy with blue hair, curious about who they were. "And you guys are?" she asked, prompting introductions.

The blue-haired guy continued with a smirk, "I'm Gavin, and this little cutie here is Sophie," he said, gesturing to the girl beside him. He then turned his attention back to Ebony, giving her an appraising look. "Though, gotta say, you're pretty cute yourself~," he added, his tone flirtatious.

Ebony felt a wave of annoyance wash over her. “Ugh, is this guy serious?” she thought, barely managing to keep her smile from turning into a frown. Meanwhile, Harper's expression darkened behind her, his eyes narrowing and jaw tightening, clearly not pleased with Gavin's boldness.

Sophie, noticing Gavin's flirtation, looked up at him with a raised eyebrow. "Are you really going to flirt with everyone you meet here?" she asked, her tone dripping with exasperation.

Gavin shrugged, seemingly unfazed by her comment. "Hey, can't score if I don't shoot my shots," he replied with a nonchalant grin, clearly enjoying himself.

Annoyed by Gavin's behavior, Sophie reached up and grabbed him by the ear, pulling hard enough to make him bend down in pain. "Ow! Ow! Ow!" Gavin yelped, grimacing.

"Down, boy," Sophie commanded, her voice firm as she shot him a disapproving look. Ebony smirked to herself, amused by the scene. “Looks like someone’s got him on a short leash. Not that he doesn’t deserve it,” she thought, finding it hard not to laugh at Gavin's predicament.

Sophie, still gripping Gavin's ear, turned her attention back to Ebony and Harper. "It's nice to meet you! Everyone else is busy finishing setting up, but I'm sure they're all excited to meet you!" she said, her tone polite but firm. She gestured to the firepit behind her with her free hand. "We were actually just about to grab a bit more wood for the fire. If you want, you can head over to the s’mores station and start setting up?"

Ebony nodded, smiling. "Sure, sounds good!" she replied, grateful for the distraction from Gavin's antics. She glanced at Harper, who seemed relieved to move away from the encounter, and together they headed towards the s’mores station, leaving Sophie to deal with Gavin.

As Ebony and Harper headed over to the firepit, they spotted a foldable table set up with boxes of graham crackers, bags of generic brand chocolate, and marshmallows. Ebony couldn't resist making a quip. "Wow, they really went all out with the store-brand goodies. Guess we’re not getting the gourmet s’mores experience," she joked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Harper chuckled, picking up a piece of paper from the table. "Looks like there's even a little to-do list... Pretty much just skewering marshmallows and portioning out chocolate and crackers," he said, reading through the instructions.

"Sounds easy enough," Ebony replied with a shrug.

They got to work, methodically skewering marshmallows and setting out portions of chocolate and graham crackers. As they worked, Harper seemed to lighten up, his mood noticeably more cheerful.

Ebony observed him out of the corner of her eye, noticing how genuinely happy he seemed when it was just the two of them. “It’s like he’s a completely different person when we’re alone,” she thought. “He’s all smiles and laughs with me, but he looked almost irritated when Gavin and Sophie showed up.” She couldn’t help but wonder why Harper seemed so comfortable around her yet so visibly displeased with others. It was both flattering and a little puzzling, and it made her curious about the reasons behind his demeanor.

As they continued setting up, Ebony decided to strike up a conversation. "So, do you have any friends back home?" she asked casually, glancing over at Harper.

Harper looked up from the marshmallows, slightly caught off guard by the question. "Huh? Oh, yeah! I’ve got a nice little friend group back home. They’re pretty great," he replied with a smile.

Ebony nodded, her hands busy arranging the chocolate bars. “It’s good to know he has a support system back home,” she thought to herself. She felt a bit reassured, seeing that Harper had a life outside of this camp. It made her feel less worried about his earlier reactions and more curious about who he was beneath the surface.

As they continued working, skewering marshmallows and setting up the rest of the s'mores ingredients, Ebony decided to delve a little deeper. "What about a partner? Are you in a relationship?" she asked, trying to sound casual, though her curiosity was genuine.

Harper choked a bit on the marshmallow he was trying to sneakily eat, his eyes widening in surprise. Ebony couldn’t help but laugh, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Easy there, big guy. Didn’t mean to surprise you," she teased, patting him on the back.

Harper managed to swallow the marshmallow, coughing as his cheeks turned a deep shade of pink. "A-a partner? R-relationship? Erm, no, definitely not..." He looked down at Ebony, who had moved her hand away from his back, his eyes searching hers for a moment. "I, uh... Why... Why do you ask?" he stammered, clearly flustered.

Ebony smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Just curious~," she replied, drawing out the last word teasingly.

Harper raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her tone. "Oh, ooh, curious? And why would that be?~" he pressed, leaning in slightly, his interest piqued.

Ebony resumed skewering marshmallows, nudging him with her hips as she did. "Stick around like you promised and maybe you’ll find out~," she teased, giving him a sidelong glance.

Harper smirked, chuckling softly. "I guess I really don’t have a choice then~," he said, his voice light but sincere. He looked at her with a soft, almost tender expression. "Not like you’d be able to get rid of me anyway, Cara Mia."

Just then, the woman’s voice from earlier cut through the moment, calling out to the group. "Alright, everyone! Come on over and introduce yourselves!"

Harper’s expression turned annoyed, and he let out a sigh as he stood upright. "Damn, guess we gotta head on over..." he muttered, clearly reluctant to leave their conversation. Ebony gave him a knowing smile as they headed towards the firepit, ready to join the rest of the group.

When there are more updates to the game, I will continue writing this fanfiction. I would like to thank all those who have read this. I am grateful for your kindness. 🧡

#x oc #cwp #cwp oc #cwp fanfic #cwp harper #cwp harper x oc #camp willowpeak harper x oc #camp willowpeak fanfic #campwillowpeakvn #camp willowpeak oc #camp willowpeak harper #camp willowpeak #long read #work in progress

2 notes · View notes

middleearthpixie · 2 years ago

Text

Seven Days ~ Chapter Twenty-Nine

Firefighter Frerin Durin died in a fire set deliberately. But after he helps his brother, Thorin find happiness, Frerin is offered a second chance. He has to prove himself worthy by righting the one major wrong in his life. Otherwise, history will repeat and he will die for good this time. The catch? He has seven days in which to do this and isn’t even certain what his major wrong is.

At least, he doesn’t know for long.

Syd Prescott has known Frerin since high school. She spent one night with him and then he vanished from her life. Now, he claims he wants to make it up to her, to right was he realizes was his major wrong. But can she trust him? And can he prove to her that she can before it’s too late?

Pairing: Modern!Frerin x OFC Syd Prescott

Characters: Frerin, Syd, Alex, Thorin, Gram, Christina

Warnings: none

Rating: M

Word Count: 2.5K

Tag List: @mrsdurin @i-did-not-mean-to @lathalea @linasofia @fizzyxcustard @legolasbadass @kibleedibleedoo @xxbyimm @arrthurpendragon @exhausted-humxn-being @rachel1959 @laurfilijames @sketch-and-write-lover @sherala007 @enchantzz @knittastically @notlostgnome @myselfandfantasy @medusas-hairband @guardianofrivendell @jotink78 @frosticenow @quiall321 @dianakc @msjava1972 @glassgulls @evenstaredits @heilith @asgardianhobbit98 @albionscastle @absentmindeduniverse @way-too-addicted-to-fandoms

If you’d like to be added (or removed) to the tag list, please just let me know!

Previous chapters can be found here.

The mall normally closed at nine, but because of the Christmas rush, they extended their hours to eleven. Syd tried to ignore the flutters in her belly as she and Gram sat in Gram’s Lexus, in the parking lot closest to Macy’s. They both figured that since Harper’s Jewelers was at that end of the mall, this entrance made the most sense for Christina to use.

It was almost eleven and as the minutes ticked away, Syd felt calmer with each one. This was going to work. It had to. She didn't want to think about the alternative if it didn't work.

It will work.

Little by little, the parking lots emptied until only a few cars remained. Syd could only hope one of those cars was Christina’s. It might have been just her imagination, but it felt as if her nazar warmed as several women emerged from the west entrance. Warmed and then, as they went their separate ways, began humming against the hollow in her throat.

“Is that her?” Gram asked, nodding toward a woman two rows down, heading toward a dark colored Honda Pilot.

Syd nodded. “Yeah. That’s her.” She looked over at Gram, who didn't take her eyes off Christina. “You promise me you won’t back out, right?”

Gram nodded slowly. “I promise you, Syd. I won’t back out.”

“Okay. Are we ready?”

“No.” Gram reached across the Lexus’ interior and caught her by the hand to give Syd’s a squeeze. Gram’s hand was wrinkled and thin, her knuckles slightly swollen from arthritis, but there was absolutely no weakness in her grip. “I trust you, Sydney. You have to trust me as well.”

“Gram, there is no one I trust more.”

“Except your future husband.”

Syd smiled and bobbed her head. “Except for my future husband, which is weird to think about, to be honest.”

“Tell me about it.” Gram gave her another squeeze, then pulled her hand away. “Let’s go.”

Syd took a deep breath and pushed open the door to climb out into the chilly, clear night. Gram had made certain to park out of the halo of light from the poles scattered about the parking lot, and Syd dressed in black to minimize the odds of being seen too early.

Christina had her back to Syd, and as she reached for the handle on the driver’s side door, Syd cleared her throat. “Where are you going?”

“How did I know it was you over there?”

“I don't know. Lucky guess?”

Christina turned around and Syd almost stepped back reflexively at the sheer ice in Christina’s otherwise flat dark eyes. They reminded Syd of river rocks—cold, shiny, and void of any emotion whatsoever. “You are a fool, you know. What can you possibly do to me?”

“Why won’t you just let him go? You know he’s happy here. Being here is all he wanted, why do you think he fought so hard to stay here?”

Christina shook her head. “Change is scary. It’s uncomfortable. He missed his mongrel dog and his blockhead brother and apparently you.”

“I didn’t think jealousy was something you felt in heaven.”

“Heaven? Is that what he told you it was?” Christina shook her head. “That��s not how it works, honey. You don't get an automatic pass. You have to prove yourself.”

“He is a firefighter. He’s already proven himself.” Syd stepped closer now, her heart slowing down as anode calmness set in. “But you… you’re a different story, aren’t you? You sacrificed kids to save your own skin and for what? He still got you, didn't he? How old were they, Tori? High school? Middle school? Were they little kids who only barely had a chance to be alive before you knocked them into the path of an AR-15 to save yourself?”

“Shut your filthy mouth.”

“It was, wasn’t it?” Syd shook her head, mindful of the soft creak of Gram’s car door opening, following by the sound of her feet on damp pavement. She tried to ignore it, tried to focus on Christina. “Little kids. Was it worth it? What I want to know is, how did you get a second chance? What you did was shitty.”

A hint of triumph gleamed in her eyes. “We all get a second chance. I was put with Frerin so he could show me how to be a saint, like the Big Guy saw him.”

“He ran into burning buildings to save lives, Christina. You pushed little kids down and trampled over them to save your own. There is a world of different between you and Frerin.”

“Syd, what are you doing?”

“I’m fine, Gram,” Syd called without turning away from Christina. “Just having a chat with an old friend.”

“Be careful, Syd. You don’t know what she might do.”

“Yes, Sydney,” Christiana whispered. “You don't know.”

“I’m fine.” Syd shook her head. “And I’m done with you. He doesn’t want you, Tori. He’s never wanted you.”

“He will.”

“No. He won’t.”

“Sure he will.” Now a hint of warmth gleamed in those river rock eyes as Christina offered up a triumphant smile. “You’ll see.”

Frerin couldn’t sit still. He paced the length of the kitchen endlessly, even as Alex said, “Please, you’re making me seasick, Frerin. Sit down.”

“I can’t. Al, I feel like I’m going to lose my fucking mind. How could I let her talk me into thinking this was a good idea?”

“Because you trust her?”

“Yeah.I trust her. I don't trust the dead bitch who wants to see me dead as well.”

“Frerin,” Alex rose from her chair and came around to step in front of him, her hands coming to rest on his shoulders to halt his pacing, “please… she’s going to be okay. She’s got Gram and her gifts and it’s going to be fine.”

“Yeah? You think so? What if we are all wrong, Al? What then?”

“That won’t happen.”

Thorin thudded into the kitchen, shrugging out of his jacket. “What won’t happen?”

Frerin looked at Alex. “You tell him. He’s heard enough crazy shit from me the last few weeks as it is.”

“Tell me what?” Thorin looked from him to Alex and back. “Someone tell me what’s going on?”

“Syd is confronting Christina.”

“Christina.” Thorin turned to him. “The crazy woman from the jewelry store? The one who thinks she’s the undead?”

“Not undead,” Frerin sighed, rubbing his face with both hands. “She is dead. An angel, or so I thought, but I don't know now. I always thought angels were good.”

“Well, remember, Satan was a fallen angel, so…” Alex sighed softly. “Syd has a plan to get rid of her and Frerin is freaking out about it.”

“Frerin is freaking out,” Frerin replied, “because Syd’s plan is to sacrifice herself. That’s why Frerin is freaking out.”

“What?” Thorin’s eyes were almost perfectly round. “She’s going to what?”

“She is going to let Christina inhabit her body, just like she took over Christina’s body. And when she does, Syd is going to get as far away from Christina and Gram and let Gram shoot her.”

“Are you fucking kidding me, Alex?” Thorin’s voice echoed off the kitchen walls. “And you’re letting this happen?”

“It’s not up to me, Thorin. It’s not up to me or Teddy or Charlie or Gram or Frerin or you. It was Syd’s decision and I trust she knows what she’s doing.”

“And this is also why I’m freaking out.” Frerin threw himself down into Alex’s vacated chair. “It’s insane.”

“So, what happens after Gram—Mahal, I can’t believe I’m saying this—shoots her?”

“She goes to wherever Tori went and Frerin went when they first died and she gets her second chance.”

“Alex,” Thorin’s voice went strangely calm, as if he was talking a jumper down from a bridge, “do you hear what you’re saying? How do you know that’s what will happen?”

“I don’t. Not with one hundred percent certainty, anyway. But, you got a second chance,” she pointed to Frerin, “and I assume Tori did at some point to, so why wouldn’t Syd?”

“Then why didn't your parents get a second chance?” Thorin asked softly.

Alex blanched, and for a moment, looked as if he’d punched her in the stomach. But then, tucking a wayward black curl behind her left ear, she said, “I assume they either chose not to accept it or they weren’t given one because of something they’d done that Gram has never told us about.”

Frerin drummed his fingers against the table and glanced at the clock. Ten-forty-five. “We can still make it to the mall before it closes, T.”

Thorin reached for his jacket and tugged his cell from the pocket. “I’m going to call this in and let CFPD handle it.”

“No,” Alex caught him by the wrist with one hand and plucked the phone free with the other, “neither of you is doing anything. Let Syd handle this. She knows what she’s doing.”

“She does not know what she’s doing,” Frerin countered, rising once more. “She’s never been dead, Alex. She hasn’t got a fucking clue what she’s doing and if she’s wrong, she won’t be back.”

“And neither will Tori and that’s all Syd cares about,” Alex reminded him softly. “You have to trust her.”

“Al,” Frerin’s voice cracked, “if she’s wrong, that’s it. She’s gone.”

“I know. And she knows, too.”

“It’s fucking insane.”

“Yep.”

“And we’re letting her do it.”

‘We don't have a choice, Frerin.”

“Lex, let me call for the rescue squad, then,” Thorin said, reaching to pull his phone from her grasp.

“You can’t.” She shook her head again. “She can’t be revived, Thorin. Any paramedic or EMT or cop touches her too soon, and Tori will simply slip into that body and go on her merry way. This is the only way it can work. This is how it has to be.”

Frerin’s gut roiled, bile rising in his throat as a brackish taste flooded his mouth. He bolted from his chair, to the half bath off the kitchen, just making it in time as he was sick. He sank to his knees before the toilet, gagging and heaving until there was nothing left to bring up, then sank back against the plum colored wall, head back, eyes closed.

Alex crouched beside him, pressing a towel into his hand. “It sucks. I know it sucks. But, you have to trust Syd knows what she’s doing, Frerin. I’ve known my sister literally all my life and I know what she can do and I trust her more than I trust just about anyone.”

He let his head loll in her direction. Where Syd’s eyes were that perfect blend of sea and sky, Alex’s were pure green. Green and direct. “I don't want to lose her, Al.”

“You won’t. And why do you call me Al?”

He offered up a weak smile. “Because I like it.”

“Yeah, but since when?”

He shook his head. “Ask me when this is all over, okay?”

“It’s from when you were dead, isn’t it?” She looked up at Thorin, who’d come up behind her. “Do you know why he calls me that?”

Thorin shook his head. “No. Aside from the fact that he’s Frerin and does what he wants.” He reached over Alex’s shoulder, a can of ginger ale in his hand. “Here.”

“Thanks, T.” Frerin took the can and popped the top, then brought it to his lips for a small sip, just like his mother would insist he do when he was a little kid and had a stomach flu. Then he sighed and let his eyes close once more. “When will we know if this works?”

“When Syd comes through the front door.”

“Syd, step back.”

Christina’s dark eyes flicked slightly upward, and Syd knew she looked at Gram. “I’m fine, Gram.”

“You should have listened to your grandmother.”

Syd’s jaw clenched involuntarily as Christina grabbed her by the wrist. Icy cold bit into her with fangs as sharp as razors, and spread up through her arm. The cold burned, crackled and snapped as it swept through her, unlike anything she had ever felt before and it took every ounce of will she possessed to not jerk back, to not free herself. Christina’s eyes widened, glowing almost amber, her smile all teeth and gums now and filled with triumph.

You stupid little fool. You are no match for me.

Syd ignored the cliché villainy frothing from Christina’s lips. Instead, she focused on Frerin. On what she would lose if she failed.

But the cold overtook her. Icy. Burning. Hot. Freezing. Her head spun and her stomach roiled and the feeling of being crowded in her own skin was the most unpleasant sensation ever to course through her.

He will think I’m you, you dumb bitch. And he will never know the truth.

The hell he won’t. Syd clenched her free hand until her fingernails bit into her palm.

So, this is what it feels like to be you. And soon, I’ll know what it’s like to be with Frerin. Too bad for you.

The oily voice grew harsher, and the cold began to fade. Every instinct screamed for Syd to jerk back and free herself from the force that was Tori filling her. If she broke contact now, she could fight Tori out of her body and back into Christina’s.

If she broke contact now, all would be lost.

She had to wait. Ignore the cold. Ignore the heat. Ignore the pain. Ignore the taunts.

Focus on the end game.

“Syd?” A hint of panic wove into Gram’s voice but Syd knew her well enough to know it wasn't genuine. Gram trusted her.

The old lady is panicking. You should have listened to her.

Syd let her eyes close as the vibrations that had rippled thorough her slowed. She saw Christina stagger back, saw her slump up against her car and as she did, Syd gritted her teeth and forced her body to obey her one last time.

She spun around, away from the Honda Pilot, staggering back herself so she wouldn’t touch Gram.

As she did, Gram calmly lifted the Glock she usually kept in the shop, and in one fluid motion, aimed and fired.

The scream that pried itself from her lips was not Syd’s voice. Syd felt the heat from the bullet, felt it tear into her, felt the warm rush of her own blood and the intense pain of torn flesh and shredded muscle, of hot metal ripping through soft organs.

Get to the old woman! Do as I say and touch her, you bitch.

Tori tried to make Syd’s legs obey, but it was of no use. The blast knocked her back, she staggered and fell, only barely hearing the thud of her head hitting the pavement.

Do it!

Tori forced her onto her stomach and Syd’s vision swam as she fought to focus on Gram, to make sure she stayed well out of reach. Tori tried to take her voice, but as she tried to speak aloud, Syd coughed and blood bubbled to her lips, hot and coppery.

You worthless bitch, you can’t do this.

“I can,” Syd managed as the cold set in once more. Only this cold was different. This was the cold of her life draining away with each beat of her her heart. Tori could try to force her to move, but even as she managed to make Syd’s arms drag her toward Gram, Gram just backed away, maneuvering herself between Syd and Christina.

Syd’s eyes didn't want to focus. Her thoughts grew sluggish. And as the light in the parking lot faded, she smiled as Tori let out an unearthly howl and in an instant, was gone.

Then everything went black.

#Gerard Butler #Frerin Durin #Richard Armitage #The Hobbit #Thorin Oakenshield #Hobbit Fic #Hobbit Fanfic #Fan fiction #The Hobbit fan fiction #Frerin x OC #AU #Frerin Fic #Is it hot in here?#Romance #Modern AU

17 notes · View notes

em-writes-stuff · 1 year ago

Text

flufftober + whumptober day 10

prompts: love of my life + stranded

890 words

warnings: cursing, toxic relationship, implied past abuse

characters: isadora harper, silas, chrysanthemum, and imogen gable

part one

Scratch pulls her hand away from Silas and bends over, its hands on her knees. “I just…” she pants. “Need a minute to…catch my breath.”

Silas nods and takes a few breaths himself, “We have to keep moving. It’s dangerous out.”

She rolls her eyes and lifts its head to look at him, “Maybe I’d be more willing to run if I knew what was going on.”

She looks at him expectantly and frowns when he ignores her. “We have to go. I can explain once we’re somewhere safe.”

“Yeah,” it says, shaking its head. “I’m not going anywhere with a guy I just met. I can figure something out.”

Silas sighs and looks around anxiously, “Fine,” he says, digging in his pockets. “I have a note from Kaya. He asked me to take care of you? So, please, let me? Because he’s one person I don’t want to piss off.”

He hands her the letter and she reads over it. “Alright.” she says, handing it back. “But one wrong move…”

Its hands move defensively to its dagger and Silas raises his hands, “Got it. Hands to myself.”

She nods and motions for him to lead the way. He tucks the letter back in his pocket and starts running again, barely looking behind himself to check that Scratch was following.

She trips over crumbling cobblestone and barely avoids running into people to keep up with him, huffing and puffing the entire way. He ducks behind a curtain and she nearly suffocates getting past it. He’s standing on the other side, a shit-eating grin on his face.

“You alright?” he jokes.

It glares at him, “Shut the fuck up.”

His eyes widen and his smile changes to one more genuine. “We’re safe now.” he gestures to the small room with an extravagant flourish of his arms. “Welcome to my home.”

Scratch looks around, unimpressed. “You live here?”

She glances over the tattered blankets tacked up against what it assumes are windows and frowns. The walls are covered in mold and the whole room smells rotten. Its nose wrinkles and she smiles. “How long are you letting me stay?”

Please don’t be a long time, please don’t be a long time, please don’t be a long time.

“Oh, just until you find somewhere else to stay. Don’t worry, I won’t kick you out. Kaya told me to take care of you.”

“Told us to take care of her,” Someone says, pushing past the curtain, and standing in the doorway. “Hi,” they say, reaching out their hand for her to shake. “I’m Chrys.”

Silas’ face falls, but he quickly recovers his smile. “How’d you find us?” he asks, shifting his weight on his feet. “I spent days looking for somewhere you couldn’t find.”

Chrys frowns and makes a disappointed sound. “I followed you. You’re not as good at hiding as I am.”

“Neither of you are good,” another voice says. She comes out of a shadow and waves coyly. “Hi, Imogen.”

Scratch blinks a few times before waving back, “Nice to meet you all. Siblings?”

Silas clears his throat, “Triplets.”

“Fun.”

“If you say so.”

It chuckles and looks at Chrys. “You look like you’re in charge. Do I have to do anything to keep my place?”

“No,” Silas says before Chrys can answer. “Nope, just…chill until you find your footing.”

Chrys glares at him and nods, “We have a little…friendly competition every other night. You’ll have to compete every other time.”

Silas stares at Chrys and shakes his head, face begging them not to follow through on the promise. Chrys’ face sets and they grab his arm.

“I need a moment with my brother,” They say, tucking behind the curtain.”

Scratch puffs out her cheeks and turns to Imogen. “So,” she says, “Two brothers?”

“Two brothers,” she responds.

“I hope you don’t mind. I know a new person is gonna be awkward.” Scratch says, itching her arm.

Imogen scoffs, “You’re not staying at our house. You’ll be staying with the other fighters. Silas likes to make his own rules. It’s safer if you stay there anyway. Less likely to be chased away.”

On the other side of the curtain, Silas yelps and holds a hand to his cheek. Chrys lowers their hand and takes a deep breath.

“We need to do this to get even with Kaya. Don’t you get it?” they spit.

Silas looks up at him, “I just don’t know why we have to start her there right away. She’s just been stranded here.”

“Unless you want to start fighting again…”

“No,” he interrupts. He runs a hand over the scar on his stomach and shakes his head. “No. Just, give her a day?”

“Did you get a day?”

They don’t wait for an answer and walk back through the curtain, catching the last of Scratch’s sentence.

“-need to get back to the ship for Beau.”

She snaps her head around and her mouth turns into a small lipped smile. “Everything alright?”

“Perfect,” they say. “Who’s Beau?”

It closes its eyes and smiles softly, “My best friend. Pretty much the only reason I’m considering going back to Kaya and definitely the only reason I’m still alive.”

Chrys hums and nods, “He sounds lovely.”

They walk up to her and put his hands on her shoulders, “Ready for your fight tonight?”

#flufftober2023 #flufftober #whumptober #whumptober2023 #love of my life #no. 10 #oh seas #imogen gable #silas gable #chrysanthemum gable #isadora harper #em writes #em writes stuff #my writing #whump

3 notes · View notes

silver-rings-and-rabbits · 4 months ago

Text

Open Heart - Chapter 7

Patient X

Matthew didn’t know what to say. He shouldn’t have been there, it didn’t concern him. Seeing Dr Ramsey so desperate was extremely disconcerting.

“I’m so sorry,” he said gently. “I know how close you two are. This must be incredibly difficult.” He hesitated. “Is there anything I can do?”

Surprise momentarily flickered across Dr Ramsey’s face before he shook his head. “No. But thank you.”

Matthew could hardly tear his eyes from the window as Ramsey’s pager went off. He checked it with a grimace.

“I have to go. Please, say nothing of this.”

“Dr Ramsey, wait! You can’t just tell me one of the greatest doctors this country’s ever seen is dying and then just…walk away.” Dr Ramsey looked unhappy as he realised Matthew was right. “You want me to keep this a secret but you won’t even tell me what ‘this’ is.”

Dr Ramsey spared his pager one more glance before stepping close to Matthew, keeping his voice low and urgent.

“The short version is Dr Banerji’s organs are failing and I can’t identify the cause. It started two months ago with minor symptoms: cough, fever, confusion. He brushed it off as a cold and age. But then it progressed to severe headaches and high fever, and he couldn’t keep fluids down.”

Matthew’s mind raced to keep up.

“Meningitis? Pneumonia?” he offered. Ramsey shook his head.

“I thought that too, but he got worse and now he’s in sepsis.” His jaw tightened. “We fought about whether or not he should tell the chief – Harper deserves to know – but he couldn’t stand the idea of anyone knowing he was so sick.”

“Is that why he retired suddenly? Because he was so sick?”

“Yes. His kidney’s started to fail and he couldn’t hide it. He wanted everyone to think he was retiring to the south of France where he could die in the sun. I managed to strike a deal with him: I would keep it a secret if he let me admit and treat him in secret. He couldn’t stand the idea of a mystery illness attracting every diagnostician on the planet.” He chuckled humourlessly. “Ever since then, I’ve kept him on dialysis and tested him under a fake name.”

“Patient X.” Matthew nodded. “And no one got suspicious?”

“You mean besides you?” Another dry chuckle. “People tend not to ask questions when I want something.”

“But…what’s causing the sepsis?” Matthew asked and Ethan sighed, looking very, very tired.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to find out. I’ve run every test I can think of and nothing is conclusive! And if I can’t stop his kidney’s failing…but if I tell anyone else about this, he will never forgive me and I can’t lose his trust like that!”

Matthew didn’t know what to say. He had never known Dr Ramsey to be so stumped by one case, but worse than the confusion was the sheer misery that he couldn’t help his friend. It was worse than Dolores’s case; Dolores’s cause was at least known…Ethan had accepted it as a consequence of her decision.

“You say there isn’t, but if there is anything I can do to help, just let me know,” he said, running a hand over his hair.

“Thank you, Matthew.” Dr Ramsey’s pager beeped again and he almost physically pulled himself together, smoothing his expression. Matthew was a little unnerved at how easily he had managed it. He wondered how many years of experience it took to make the change so quickly.

“Now I really have to go, but listen, Matthew…” Ramsey held his eye contact, determined. “Promise me you won’t breathe a word of this to anyone.”

Matthew gulped, the enormity of the situation scaring him.

“I promise.”

“Thank you.” Ethan nodded once, glanced back into Dr Banerji’s room mournfully, and then hurried back into the main hospital.

Matthew’s head was spinning with what he’d just found out, and he couldn’t even tell anyone…he hated secrets, especially when it meant lying to his friends.

Most regrettably, once he left the construction area, Zaid was glaring down at him.

“Unless you quit medicine to become a foreman, I’m not sure what you could possibly be doing in there!”

“I was, er, lost!”

Zaid looked completely perplexed. Matthew realised, too late, that this was not the best excuse he could have come up with.

“You’ve worked here for a month now. The tape, the construction materials…none of that clued you in that you were in the wrong place?!””

It transpired that a doctor’s brain did not always come up with a reasonable excuse on the fly.

“I guess not!”

Zaid sighed, wearily.

“Just…please stay out of there. If you get hurt, hospital insurance will look for any reason to dismiss your claim and, as much as I’d enjoy being rid of you, it would be a lot of paperwork.”

“Understood, Dr Mirani!”

Zaid nodded and Matthew took that as a dismissal. It could have gone a lot worse, he was just lucky Zaid didn’t have any patience for excuses. Still, it was going to be a lot harder to hide it from his friends.

The bombshell of Dr Banerji had almost pushed Remy from Matthew’s mind, so the ukulele in his locker perked him right up. He showed it off to his friends when he got home, keeping them all suitably distracted from asking anything else. It worked; his roommates were suitably touched by the story and shared their own little wins for the day.

Matthew carefully propped the ukulele on his desk, making a note to find out how to hang it properly. He texted Rafael about it and Rafael replied that he was glad things worked out. Apparently some patients would send the paramedics chocolates and cakes as thank you gifts. He recalled one day he had been called to a child’s birthday party – it was a broken leg, but the panicked parents hadn’t known who else to call – and he had come away with a slice of cake and a goody-bag of candy.

Matthew was at the nurses station the next day, going through his charts when a voice made him glance up.

“Dr Lahela, that was exactly the sort of proactive behaviour I like to see in my surgeons.”

Dr Tanaka – head of cardiothoracic surgery – was leading Bryce and a small group of interns down the hall. Bryce had his confident grin. The others were more subdued.

“You’re gonna see a whole lot more of it, Dr Tanaka.”

Dr Tanaka smiled back at Bryce before turning to glare at the others.

“The rest of you, take note. There’s no room for wallflowers in my OR.”

Tanaka continued down the hallway as the group dispersed. Matthew caught some angry whispering:

“…thinks he’s so great…”

“…sure love to knock him down a peg…”

“Asshole…”

Bryce just strutted over to Matthew, flicking his slightly sweaty hair off his face.

“Gonna congratulate me on my amazing surgical save?”

“Seems I’m the only one who will. Your friends seem pretty pissed about it.”

“Then they should think better on their feet! You can’t hang around with complications. That was the problem, the general surgeon was taking too long to arrive so I just stepped up and asked Tanaka what to do.”

“Your fellow surgeons don’t seem too impressed that you’re jumping the gun.”

“Never been one to care about what other people think.” Bryce winked at him. “Anyway, I was gonna ask if you were coming to Boston Common tonight. Sienna is extremely hyped.”

“Why? Isn’t it just…a big park?”

“No, they do this thing called Classics on the Common once a month: they set up a big outdoor screen and play a movie.”

Matthew put on a snobbish tone.

“I’ll check my schedule…I’m a busy man, I don’t have the time to just hang out or whatever.”

Bryce burst out laughing.

Matthew diverted back to the locker room before rounds to text Rafael and ask him if he’d be at the Common. A couple of hours later, Zaid and Ines caught up with him on the fifth floor.

“Matthew, I’ve been looking for you!” Ines said. “The emergency room needs some help downstairs.”

“No detours, Valentine,” Zaid added, pointedly.

A few minutes later, Matthew exited the elevator and entered the emergency room where he was directed to a woman on a gurney, a young man standing beside her. They were about Matthew’s age.

“Doctor, hi!” The young man shook Matthew’s hand, very enthusiastically.

“Wow, hi! And hello…Willow?”

“That’s me,” the brown-haired woman smiled. “This is my twin brother, Rowan.”

“Wait,” Matthew said. “Aren’t those both trees?”

Rowan chuckled.

“Yeah. Our parents are real, uh, outdoorsy types.”

“They’re hippies!” Willow said, cutting the crap. Matthew and Rowan both laughed. The twins described themselves as hippie-lite: they liked the environment, but also indoor plumbing.

As they were talking, Matthew noticed Willow was scratching at her skin and the whites of her eyes were jaundiced. When he questioned it, Rowan said she had had it for a couple of weeks and they had previously seen a doctor at Mass Kenmore. Willow said the doctor had been a creep and her friends told her the Edenbrook doctors were much nicer. Matthew couldn’t help another chuckle.

He ran a quick fluid wave test to check for build-up in the abdomen, and frowned; something wasn’t quite adding up.

“What did the doctor at Mass Kenmore say?”

“Well, he didn’t spend a lot of time with me. He said it was likely the flu.”

“The flu?!”

“He did seem sketchy…” Rowan glanced at Willow cautiously.

“Totally sketchy! Just because my chest hurts doesn’t mean you have to conduct the entire consultation on my boobs, right?” Willow laughed.

Her laughter had a forced, hollow ring to it, and Matthew didn’t like the increasingly nervous glances that Rowan was giving her. Furthermore, if Willow had what Matthew suspected, she should never have been diagnosed with the flu.

“What was his name?” Matthew asked them.

“Doctor…”

“John…?”

“Smith! Yeah! Dr John Smith…or maybe it was Jonathan…”

“OK, I’ll call Kenmore and put in a complaint…”

“Wait, why would you need to do that?!” Rowan gasped.

“Because if he’s as inappropriate as you say, as well as making a misdiagnosis, that needs to stop.”

“Misdiagnosis?” Willow asked, faintly. She looked toward Rowan with quiet fear.

“Willow, I think you have hepatitis C.”

“Hep C?” Willow’s fear turned to horror. Rowan had also gone very pale. They didn’t need to worry, hep C wasn’t necessarily a death sentence.

“I know it sounds scary, but it’s curable in a matter of weeks with medication.”

“Treatment sounds…y’know, expensive…”

“I’m afraid it is notoriously costly.” Matthew grimaced as his stomach squeezed; this part was never easy. “But it’s really important to get this treated, before it leads to liver failure or cancer. I’ll take down your insurance information, that will help.” He turned to the insurance page on Willow’s chart and readied a pen. “So, the list price is about $28,000 a month and you’ll need a three-month supply—”

“Oh, don’t worry about all that!” Willow said, breezily. “We gave our insurance info to the staff when we got here! Right, Ro?”

“Right!” Rowan agreed too quickly. Matthew suddenly realised why they had been acting so oddly.

“You don’t have insurance, do you?”

Willow’s face fell.

“No. We don’t.”

“There was no John Smith either,” Rowan said, miserably. “We went to Mass Kenmore and insurance was the first thing they asked about. We told the truth and they refused to admit her.” He looked at Willow desperately. Matthew suddenly wanted to hug him.

“I usually just wait for the sickness to pass,” Willow said. “We can’t usually afford medical treatment…definitely not twenty-eight grand a month!” Tears welled up in her eyes and she dabbed at them hastily. Matthew took in a deep breath as he put a friendly hand on her shoulder.

“It’s total bull,” he said, darkly. “Believe me, it makes my gut churn to tell a patient they can’t afford what they need to survive.”

His father was a financial advisor and had a good steady income, and they were lucky enough to be on his work’s health insurance plan. Holly had worked at the zoo, which wasn’t nearly so well-paid but it didn’t matter. She quit when Casey got sick: their father’s income was still enough to cover expenses without sending them under, but they had lost that safety net after the divorce. Matthew remembered how much she had worried about the possibility of either of them getting sick when they lived with Uncle Tony. She would cry about it when she thought Matthew couldn’t hear.

Matthew cleared his throat and stepped away, offering Willow a tissue. She accepted it gratefully, and Matthew turned back to Rowan.

“What do we do?” he asked in desperation. “I’ll do all I can to help Willow, but I don’t earn much. I’m a waiter for god’s sake!”

“Oh, Rowan…” Matthew had never been a server himself but knew enough about tipping culture to know Rowan’s wages could barely cover a water bill, let alone medical treatment. “I take it your parents can’t help?” he asked, delicately.

“They don’t have savings,” Rowan confirmed. “They don’t even believe in modern medicine.”

“I told Mom I was sick, and she told me to sleep with an amethyst on my chest. We had to sort out our own vaccines behind their backs as teenagers,” Willow said, grimly.

Rowan grew agitated.

“We’re already deeply in debt from college! This bill will ruin us! Doctor…is there anything we can do?”

“I’m…not sure,” Matthew said, very quietly. From one brother to another, his heart truly went out to him.

“Rowan…we’ll just have to go…” Willow said, mournfully. She was accepting her own death sentence.

“Wait!” Matthew’s voice was strong again. “Don’t leave yet, I’ll see what I can do. I can’t promise anything, but if I can find a way to help you, I will.”

The twins practically collapsed in relief, though there was still an edge of caution as Matthew reiterated that it wasn’t a guarantee. He tried not to dwell on it as he took a blood test to determine Willow’s hep C genotype, and looked for Ines to sign it off…but he couldn’t lie to her.

“I’ve admitted her, but she can’t afford the stay, let alone the treatment. She wants to leave.”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to let her.”

“Ines…!”

“Matthew.” Ines took his hand and spoke as comfortingly as she could. “It’s one of the hardest things you’ll have to learn, but you can’t save everyone. As a doctor, your duty is to the people you can help.”

She squeezed his hands once more before walking away. Matthew was left standing alone in a hospital corridor. The disappointment came back tenfold when he finally checked his phone to a see a text from Rafael: I wish I could join you but I’m working nights for the rest of this week ☹.

Matthew sighed, his stomach sinking into the floor. Some days just weren’t yours.

He did his best to put on a smile for everyone that evening, particularly Sienna who had dressed up for the occasion. Her hair was tightly curled and she was in an elegantly cut dress with short sleeves and a skirt that fluttered around her knees. She giggled when Matthew tipped an imaginary hat to her and offered her his arm.

Bryce, Landry and Elijah were already there, having staked out a spot near the front of the screen. Danny was there too, stumbling over his words when he saw Sienna. He had to take a gulp on his inhaler. Elijah and Matthew shared a smirk as they settled around a picnic basket rammed with fruit and pastries.

“Found time to bake again, Sienna?” he asked, making himself comfortable on the blanket.

“Actually, Danny was nice and gave me a lift to the bakery earlier today.”

“’Nice’ was Sienna letting me choose the pie,” Danny grinned. He had got his breath back but his face was still slightly flushed. “Unless you don’t like it, in which case it was all Sienna’s idea!”

They all laughed and settled down, chatting about work. Matthew was quiet, not wanting to talk about Willow, but then Landry asked Bryce how the surgeries were going and no one could get a word in edgeways. Matthew started to relax when Jackie showed up, though her eyes slid past the spot beside him and she sat beside Landry instead. Matthew tried not to let it bother him too much; she had to come round eventually.

He helped himself to an iced doughnut as the music started up…an overture that none of them recognised.

“Wait, what are we watching?”

“Delano Clark…and…Orchid Montague…” Bryce was reading like an old-timey announcer. “In…Love and War.” He switched to his normal voice. “Gotta be honest, I was hoping for a modern classic.”

Jackie stretched and grabbed a muffin from the basket.

“Wayne’s a no-show again?” She asked Sienna, who sighed heavily.

“I invited him…just, you know, his work.” She looked tired.

Danny was biting his lip and looked like he wanted to give Sienna a cuddle. Jackie rolled her eyes so hard you could practically hear it.

“Sienna, when are you going to wake up and dump that asshole? You deserve better.”

Matthew agreed with Jackie, but Sienna flinched like she had been slapped and he grabbed her hand in support.

“Lay off, Jackie,” he warned her. “It’s none of your business, OK?”

“Oh, come on,” Jackie snorted, speaking to him directly for once. “You think he’s a jerk too.”

“You do? Wait…” Sienna looked round the group. “Do you guys all agree?”

There was a slight pause. Then Bryce said “…Yeah, pretty much.”

“We’ve known you, what, six weeks?” Elijah said. “He’s only come over once, and that once wasn’t great.”

Sienna was chewing her lip, her eyes misting up. Danny made a move like he had to stop himself from hugging her.

“He’s changed since he moved here.” Sienna was looking at the ground. “I just really didn’t want to admit it, but that won’t make it any less true. I’m worried. Really worried.”

“Have you talked to Wayne about this?” Matthew asked.

“We all care about you,” Bryce said. “Maybe you should have a frank discussion with him about it and go from there. We’ll be right behind you, no matter what.”

Sienna smiled at them.

“I should do that. Maybe we can work through it. But it helps to know that you’re all here for me.”

Seeing how she’s perked up, the group turned back to the movie.

“Thanks for sticking up for me just now,” Sienna whispered to Matthew, who smiled. He was relieved she wasn’t annoyed at him: he could handle Jackie, but he hated the idea of upsetting Sienna.

They had missed the first twenty minutes of the movie with their conversation, so Landry had to look up the synopsis. 30s darling, Orchid Montague, was playing a spy going undercover as a reporter to infiltrate Delano Clark’s newsroom to spread subliminal messaging through the paper.

“She can’t possibly have a healthy diet to maintain a waist that small,” Matthew muttered. Bryce flicked his ear.

“Switch that brain off! The movie was made in the 30s, that woman’s either dead or almost dead. Besides, Hollywood lives on drugs, cigarettes and coffee.”

He plucked a grape out the basket and tossed it at Matthew, laughing when it bounced off the bridge of his nose. Matthew retaliated by throwing two at once, they hit Bryce in the chest and the forehead. This continued for a few minutes until an elderly man nearby told them to grow up.

“Hey Matthew, did you ever find out about Patient X?” Elijah asked suddenly. Everyone forgot the movie and turned to look at him. Matthew froze.

“I…I don’t know anything!”

“Bull.” That was Jackie.

“I don’t! I’ve been asking but no one will tell me anything!”

“I can confirm you’ve been asking the nurses some weird stuff,” Danny sniggered.

“See?” Matthew said. “It’s probably just a case study.”

Landry and Elijah were mildly disappointed. Jackie remained sceptical but dropped the subject. The cold shoulder had it’s advantages.

The film reached intermission and Elijah said he was going to get a coffee. Matthew volunteered to go with him when everyone placed their orders. He couldn’t help glancing round the park. One of these days he ought to explore the city properly when he had the chance.

“I didn’t see you round the hospital much today,” Elijah said, casually. Matthew pushed his hair back.

“Yeah, I had kind of a hard day. My patient desperately needs treatment, but she doesn’t have insurance. She’s going to leave and get terribly, probably fatally, sick or…”

“Or get healthy and be financially ruined.” Elijah finished Matthew’s sentence with fire in his voice and when Matthew glanced down, Elijah’s hands were clenched into fists.

“Elijah?”

“It just hits close to home,” Elijah muttered. He swallowed and looked up at Matthew. “I was born with chronic spinal cord damage. My parents chose an experimental surgery to save my life, but insurance wouldn’t cover it and it bankrupted them. They’ve only just been able to start to recover.”

“Oh, Elijah…”

“They never talk about it, but part of me has always felt guilty. Like it’s my fault.”

“But it wasn’t your fault!” Matthew said desperately. “The system did this to them, not you.”

It was baffling to think that America could claim to be one of the most powerful, most advanced countries in the world and yet not grasp the idea that free healthcare should be a basic human right.

“Can I admit something?” Elijah asked quietly, and Matthew nodded.

“The doctor saved my life by inventing a brand new procedure. That’s where I want to be, pushing boundaries and paying it forward. There’s clinical trials held at Edenbrook where patients have their care fully funded by the government. I’m gonna join them if I can.” A hopeful smile crossed his face. “One day I’ll save lives that people thought were hopeless.”

“I have no doubt that you will.”

Elijah’s eyes started to water and he looked away, blinking back tears. Matthew stood beside him in silent support.

They passed around the drinks once they got back: Sienna and Danny had hot chocolate, Matthew had tea, the rest of the group had coffee.

“Anyone got any whiskey? I could make Irish coffee,” Bryce suggested.

Jackie rolled her eyes. “You’re crazy, Lahela.”

They slurped their drinks lazily as they waited out intermission. Jackie, Landry and Elijah were talking about the rankings so Matthew actively dissociated from them. Sienna and Danny were off to one side, talking quietly, but sitting so close together it seemed rude to interrupt. Bryce distracted him with a challenge of who could do the most press-ups: Matthew struggled to reach thirteen, Bryce reached twenty. When he collapsed back onto the grass, Matthew realised the second part had started without him even noticing.

“Is it just me or is this the most boring movie ever made?” Bryce sighed, rolling onto his back.

“It was your idea,” Matthew reminded him.

“Everyone makes mistakes,” Bryce shrugged. He grinned up at Matthew. “What do you say we sneak off and find an adventure?”

Matthew glanced over at the rest of their friends, none of whom were paying attention to the movie.

“Adventure it is.”

The two of them ducked under the screen to walk out of the park and into the street, walking in peaceful silence for a while. Matthew scanned the roads ahead, glancing down the side streets. Maybe if he were just in the right place at the right time…

“What are you looking around for?” Bryce asked suddenly.

“I’m not looking for anyone,” Matthew said, quickly. “Can’t a guy just take the time to admire the city he’s barely seen outside of work?”

“If you say so,” Bryce smirked. Matthew blushed and quickly changed the subject.

“What sort of adventure are you envisioning?”

“Dude, you can’t just plan an adventure. You just open yourself up to one and let it find you.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes! Everyone gets opportunities to try something new or have a little fun at least a couple of times a day. I just…take them when I see them.” He winked at Matthew. “Try it sometime.”

“Hey, I’m here, aren’t I?” Matthew grinned, as a group of women suddenly stumbled round a corner up ahead. They were dressed for a night out, in tight dresses and high-heels. One of them wore a tiara and a sash that said Bride-to-be! and they all sparkled under the streetlamps.

“Holy crap, Twilight was real,” Bryce muttered, before putting on his charming smile. “Ladies! Where’s the party?”

“You’re looking at it!” declared a woman with a mass of curly hair. “Carlie’s bachelorette party!” She threw her arm around Carlie, who giggled hysterically and tottered a little in her heels.

“Why are you covered in glitter?” Matthew asked, and a short woman with a pixie cut grinned.

“That’s what the strippers had in their rocket launchers! It was so much fun.” She eyed them both. “Hey, do you guys want to come along? The bars won’t stay open forever!”

“Wait, us?” Matthew blinked. “We’re not bachelorettes!”

“Who cares?” Carlie squealed. “Besides, technically neither are some of my friends. Gonna tell the party police?”

Matthew looked over at Bryce and he knew; there was no way they could pass this up.

They stumbled along with the women to a fancy club that had four floors, several dancing poles and a hot dog stand on the second floor. Matthew and Bryce allowed the women to wrap tinsel around them as they got to know their new friends.

The woman with curly hair was Brenda, who had apparently introduced Carlie to her fiancé: she had gone on a date with him first and ten minutes into said date, she realised he might be better suited to Carlie so set them up that same day and they never looked back. Carlie confirmed this story as Brenda left a smear of pink lipstick on the collar of Bryce’s shirt.

The woman with the pixie cut was Denise, who had known Carly since college. She dug eyeliner out of her purse and drew cat whiskers on Matthew’s face.

“Who wants shots?” Bryce asked, and the party cheered. “Call it an engagement present, Carlie,” Bryce said, winking at her as he headed to the bar.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Carlie said, clumsily leaning forward. “You guys know how much I love Michael?”

“Yes, we know, honey,” Denise said, patiently. “And he loves you too.”

“Maybe…in another life…if I had a list…I’d go for that one,” Carlie nodded towards Bryce.

“Leave some for the single gals,” Brenda gasped. “She’s right though, Matt, your friend is super-hot.”

Matthew decided it was pointless to complain about being called Matt. You should see the paramedics he thought as Bryce came back with a tray full of rainbow shots.

“I told the bar tender to make us something special!”

“Ooh, I’ve had these before!” Brenda howled. “They pack a punch!”

The women eagerly grabbed a shot glass each. Matthew took a green one and Bryce had yellow. The group downed them as one, following up with a series of gags and coughs. The liquor made Matthew’s eyes water.

“Took it like a champ!” Bryce congratulated him.

“You’ll take me to hospital if I collapse, right?” Matthew coughed.

“Nah, who could afford the bill?” Brenda said. “Just leave me in a ditch and make sure I don’t swallow my tongue!” She laughed maniacally, falling back into one of her friends. Matthew laughed with them, but the alarming reality in Brenda’s words suddenly made a second shot more appealing.

It was three bars later when Bryce and Matthew left the ladies to their celebrations. They both wore tinsel crowns and Carlie had scrawled her Pictagram handle on their arms. Matthew still had cat whiskers but flowers had been added around his eyes, meanwhile Bryce was proudly displaying the lipstick smears on his neck. The two of them shared a large soda and even larger loaded fries as they wandered into the subway station, which was empty. Matthew realised he had still been hoping to see Rafael. Still, they were bound to see each other at work sooner or later.

He grabbed a handful of fries and Bryce watched.

“Worth ditching the movie?” he asked.

“Absolutely.”

Matthew flopped onto a bench and Bryce sat beside him.

“You know…” Matthew said thoughtfully. “I really envy you sometimes.”

“Really?” Bryce seemed surprised. Matthew would have thought he’d be smug.

“Yeah. I’ve seen you in and out the hospital and you never seem to doubt yourself. I just wish I could live like that…honestly and spontaneously. No doubts or secrets.”

Bryce had been preening at Matthew’s compliments, but stopped suddenly at the last sentence.

“I never said I don’t have secrets.”

Matthew sat up straight.

“What do you mean?”

Bryce glanced at Matthew as if calculating something. He opened his mouth to speak…and then they heard the rumble of a train coming in.

“I’m close enough to walk from here so this is where I leave you,” Bryce said casually. Matthew sighed.

“You keep the fries and I’ll keep the soda?”

“Sounds fair. You got a deal.”

Matthew hopped onto the train as Bryce waved goodbye. He drank from the soda cup, slowly as his mind wandered. What Brenda had said about hospital bills was nagging him. It reminded him of what Elijah said about clinical trials being funded by the government. He grew increasingly restless as the train carried him home. He had research to do.

Matthew got to work early the next morning, a stack of papers under his arm, and asked every staff member he came across if they had seen Harper Emery. Danny thought he saw her headed to OR 2, even though no surgery was scheduled at the moment.

Matthew walked towards the operating room cautiously; the surgical equipment was a touch creepy. Harper wasn’t fazed, rather she gently ran her hands over the stainless steel tools like she was greeting an old friend. Matthew suddenly felt like an intruder. He wondered if he should just go and try again later when Harper looked up, a touch surprised.

“Dr Valentine, is it? What can I do for you?”

Matthew took a deep breath, trying to sound calm and professional – the Chief of Medicine was still a little intimidating – as he filled her in on Willow’s condition.

“I was up all night researching and found a study. Human trials for new medications. They’re looking for fraternal twins to test on. If Edenbrook agrees to host these test subjects, the government would subsidise any care they happen to receive.

Matthew handed her the papers and she quickly read through them.

“You want to deliberately manipulate a government study to provide care for an unrelated case?”

She didn’t sound angry, but Matthew gulped.

“Please, Chief Emery, it’s the right thing to do. I take the Hippocratic oath very seriously and I strongly believe that letting Willow leave now or incurring crushing debt would do serious harm.”

“That’s a noble sentiment…but a slippery slope. Be careful, Dr Valentine.”

She looked at his face, his eyes heavy and red-rimmed from his sleepless night, but they were also determined. She smiled.

“Fill out the paperwork. I’ll sign it myself.”

Matthew exhaled in a rush. “Thank you Chief Emery!”

Matthew found Willow and Rowan in Willow’s assigned room, looking scared and sad. Matthew broke the good news about the trial, emphasising that both twins had to agree to be approved, and their faces lit up.

“Are you serious?” Rowan howled as he jumped up and seized Matthew in another bone-crushing handshake. “Of course I’ll do it too! I’d do anything to help my sister!”

Willow was so relieved she burst into tears. Matthew’s chest filled with pride that he had saved them from so much heartache. He’d have done anything to help his sister too.

#playchoices #open heart #rafael aveiro #mc x rafael aveiro

1 note · View note