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lord-explosion-baku · 3 years ago

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Trident Tale part 2

Mermaid!Shinsou x reader x Kirishima x reader

Warnings: adult themes (minors DNI)

Author’s note: sorry to those of you who have asked me to put on the tag list! I don’t do tag lists! But if you don’t want to lose this story, you can always bookmark it on AO3.

Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3

Original image by @maewoahoah

Moving to an island where everyone is big on the surf scene and other oceanic happenings might not have been the brightest idea for someone so afraid of anything that has to do with water, but you make do by spending your days looking after the Bed & Breakfast, trying not to burn the house down when you fry a few eggs, and obsessively scrolling through Eijirou Kirishima’s social media page. He’ll never notice you, and you think you’re fine with that, until a mysterious force washes into Ms. Shuzenji’s pool after a particularly nasty storm.

Hitoshi Shinsou is a pain in the ass from the get-go, but you put up with him, fins and all, when he promises he can help unite you with your soulmate. The catch? The fish is hellbent on taking back what was stolen from him, and he won’t lift a gracious finger until he gets what he came for.

You’re helpless to lend him a hand, so long as you stay dry. Unless, of course, he has other plans.

You know how the saying goes: you rub his fins, he’ll rub yours.

The thing about being hungry is that you can sometimes convince yourself that you’re full. You can sip water, swallow your breath, pop a few mints in—hell, you could even pretend to eat. However, even if you might trick your brain, your stomach will still be empty.

By the time you finally get some real goddamn food in your stomach, it will be aching from being teased.

It feels like this is exactly what Hitoshi Shinsou has done to you. Teased you. He’d mentioned being one of Ryūjin, which you can only assume is something religious or magic. You know he’s a fish, and that he makes people’s skin glow when he touches them, and apparently his lips or his saliva can heal wounds. But he’s not yet given you any real goddamn food.

The jerk has been swimming circles around the pool, commenting on how disgusting it is being stuck with all the trash, and complaining about your poor hospitality, but has not yet told you what the hell he’s doing here.

It’s not like you ever asked for some creature to crash into Ms. Shuzenji’s pool. Maybe some people would be ecstatic over finding an actual merperson, but life isn’t all about singing songs and talking to seagulls. He’s definitely not an Ariel, unless he is in fact looking for a prince. With all his sass, you think he’s much more of an Ursula than a Disney princess. If he is a sea-witch, he refuses to tell you.

It won’t matter much by the time Denki gets here anyways. You had been honest when you said you wouldn’t put it against him to call some news station when he sees Hitoshi. You figure that after some science lab’s helicopters carried your intruder away to run tests on him, the fish-man will be out of your hair and a thing of the past.

Despite the cynicism crawling through your head, the thought actually makes a guilty pit form in the bottom of your stomach. A life is a life, afterall.

“At least tell me why you tried to…to…” Your mouth flattens when you recall Hitoshi leaning into you, his lips a whisper away from yours.

“To?” Hitoshi asks while he observes the wayward bra that blew into the pool with notable repulsion.

“To kiss me!” You bark out, ears warm.

“Oh, that?” He purses his lips, spinning the bra around in the water. Then, he’s contemplative for a moment, as if he’s thinking of an excuse that won’t make you angry. Or will. He seems to get a kick out of frustrating you.

“I suppose I should’ve considered that it’s not a social norm for humans to greet other humans with their lips,” he says with a cocky, probably lying smirk. “My bad.”

“You expect me to believe that mermaids kiss each other to say hello?”

“Not a mermaid.” The fish is all teeth as he regards you. “I’m one of Ryūjin. And I’d like to think that you’d believe anything I tell you, since you seem to know nothing about my people.”

“Because you won’t tell me anything about your people,” you mutter right before the house bell rings. Your heart jumps with a spike of panic. You haven’t thought about what you’re going to say to Denki yet. You begin thinking about science labs again, and that knot in your stomach tightens.

“Okay,” you say in a warning tone, “I’m gonna let Denki in now…”

“Uh-huh.”

“He’s gonna see you…”

“That’s the plan.” Hitoshi lifts a brow. “You’re not worried for me, are you?”

“I just think you should be more worried about yourself,” you say. “Humans aren’t…” There’s a pensive pause when you try to search for the right word. “Humans aren’t good.”

“Would you say that you’re a good human?” He asks.

What a question. You’d like to believe that you are, but you can’t kid yourself. Never one to be very self-sacrificing, you utter your next words with confidence. “Nope.”

“And yet, you haven’t done anything malicious towards me. Nothing, besides that half-assed attempt to kick me away from you, anyways.”

Rolling your eyes to keep your couldn’t-care-less facade up, you left the smirking merman to wade around in the murky pool. There’s not another second to think about what you could possibly say to Denki about your surprise guest, because when you enter the house, you see his face peeking through the side window next to the front door. You could see a drink holder and a Tiki Burger bag in his hand. His smile is bright, while yours is grim.

He pouts, seeing through forced body language, and proceeds to make a funny face. You let out a half-sigh, half-laugh. You might not be a good person, but Denki is. He’s an idiot, but you don’t think he’d ever do anything to harm another creature, mythical or not. This could even be fun to him. Exciting. Something extraordinary happened, and you’d been too scared to react to it appropriately, but Denki would be different.

Your changing emotions grow palpable when you finally reach for the handle.

“Heard you had some thingies that needed twisting,” Denki says as you open the door. He’s wearing his company’s shirt, a brown thing with the PoolPros logo on it, though it’s cut raggedly short to show off his midriff. He’s been particularly confident ever since he’d gotten his navel pierced, and happily showed off the topaz stone that Kirishima had given him. It hangs right above his buckle. It forces onlookers to look at his abs…or maybe his groin. He says it’s lucky, and you haven’t argued with him about it. You would probably call something Kirishima gave you lucky too.

In a flash, you’re grabbing him by his shirt collar and guiding him in and against one of the hall mirrors.

“Something’s happened.” The words immediately spill out, even while you still do not know what you’re going to say. You hope that if the right things tumble out of your mouth, Denki will get the picture.

“Uh…” Denki’s cheeks are red hot, reacting to your close proximity. “Was it a spike in your libido?”

God.

“No, shut up!” You smack his chest and glance down the hall towards the back door. The pool isn’t in your line of vision, but just knowing what lurks there gets your blood pumping. “This is going to sound crazy, but I need you to keep an open mind.”

He bobs his brows. “For you? Always.”

After an exhale, you gather your composure, and tell Denki everything with as much eloquence as you can muster.

“There’s something living in the pool!” You bark out, erratic. “It’s big and it has zero impulse control and it’s rude! It talks! When it touches me, my skin glows. Then it tried to kiss me, Kaminari! And it’s rude!” You add that in again, because you cannot stress it enough. Hitoshi Shinsou is as unrefined as a piece of driftwood, and he had the audacity to make comments on behalf of your decorum. “It won’t tell me what it’s doing here, either. I offered to get it back into the ocean, but it said it wanted something else, but it won’t tell me what, and I don’t know what to do!”

Denki blinks rapidly, like his eyelashes are repelling every word you toss at him. There’s a beat, he swallows, then his lips tilt up into a knowing grin.

“Alright,” he says, “I see you.”

“You do?” Maybe you had to give Denki a little more credit. That hadn’t been your best description of a nightmare scenario.

“Sure do, little lady. This is some kinda belated birthday prank, huh? Thought you could slide one past me when I was least expecting it! I was thinking that maybe you just forgot about it, but now you’ve got something up your sleeve, don’t ya! Well cutie, I might be dumb, but I’m not stupid!”

Striding into the house, Denki places the shakes and burger bag onto Shuzenji’s kitchen counter. Shoulders deflating, you follow him while he fishes a few fries out of the bag. If he doesn’t get it now, he will soon enough.

“What could it be?” He ponders, tossing a fry into his mouth. He nods towards one of the cups and mumbles about a shake for you, then towards the back door. “Couldn’t be a party—it’s too early for a party. And you don’t talk to many people…”

Ignoring the slight burn, you front Denki, and extend your hand out to his. His eyes widen for a moment, he wipes his hand on his pants, and takes yours.

“I need your help, Denki. Seriously.”

“Yeah,” he says, a touch more reformative. “Okay.”

What should’ve been some grand reveal, however, turned out to be anything but.

The pool being clean is the first thing you notice, as absurd as that is. It’s now half-filled, with only sprinkles of algae leftover by some miraculous clean-up. There’s no more silver fish swimming around, and all the trash that had previously taken sanctuary in the pool now lays on a mountainous pile with the bra sitting at its peak. Your guest is no longer in the pool—the very clean pool.

Denki chuckles and says, “well, this doesn’t look bad at all. By how hysterical you were on the phone, I was expecting something much worse. Oh! Hello!”

Your jaw drops as Denki waves at Hitoshi—a very comfortable-looking Hitoshi who lounges on one of the reclining pool chairs, head turned back like he’s sun bathing, one leg crossed over the goddamn other. Legs. Attached to feet—feet that definitely were not there when you’d met him.

Tricky, magic fish-man.

“Oh,” Hitoshi says, carefully considering Denki. “We have company?”

The ‘we’ in his statement doesn’t sit right with you anymore than his appearance does. He stands, and both you and Denki gasp when you see his new outfit in its entirety. It’s all royal blue, fine silks, and sheer fabric that only covers the places that would make Denki blush. Puffy, yet flowing sleeves connect to his now two golden cuffs. A heavy gold necklace hangs around him, and he’s got a light sash thrown around mostly his bare chest. A golden, v-shaped belt holds his deep blue harem pants up.

They are the gaudiest goddamn pajamas you’ve ever seen.

Hitoshi moves like water to face Denki, then firmly grasps him by the forearm, yanking the boy forward so that their lips are mere inches away from each other. Noting that there’s no glowing from their contact, you watch as Hitoshi’s indigo eyes slide from Denki’s lips, to you, and shows off a dubious glint.

“Whoops,” Hitoshi murmurs basically into Denki’s mouth. “I almost forgot that you don’t greet people like this here.” He takes a step away and smirks. “Forgive me. I’m Hitoshi Shinsou. You must be the pool guy.”

“Um, yeah. ‘M Denki Kaminari.” Denki laughs nervously. His cheeks burn red, and he keeps shifting his weight from one leg to the other. Grabbing onto your hand tightly, he starts back towards the house, towing you along, saying, “excuse us, we just have to—uh. Talk.”

In a tick, you’re whisked right back inside, in the land of private conversations.

“It didn’t look like that before, Denki. I swear to god.” You’re insisting as soon as the door is closed.

“It?!” Denki balks, his cheeks turning even more red. “Do you mean the pool or that hunk of a man hanging around your backyard?!”

“Both, I guess, but I wouldn’t call it a man! It had a giant purple tail before you showed up!!”

“That’s very rude, y’know.” Denki peers back at Hitoshi who’s lackadaisically cleaning his fingertips. “What are their pronouns?”

You imagine Hitoshi surrounded by others like him, all either screaming or clicking to communicate with each other in an inhuman language. “I don’t think pronouns matter wherever it’s from!”

“Hmm.” Denki slides the door open and pops his head out. “‘Scuse me, Hitoshi, what are your pronouns?”

Without missing a beat, Hitoshi answers him. “As in titles? You can call me Shinsou, but if you’re so inclined, I’ll allow you to call me lord.”

“Lord, of course.” More nervous laughter as Denki closes the door. “Lord. That’s a kink thing, right? It’s gotta be!”

“It’s not!” You bark, but Denki doesn’t hear you. Instead, he rushes towards one of the hall mirrors and begins fussing over his hair.

“I honestly can’t believe you did this. I mean, you, of all people. You’re braver than I gave you credit for. Coulda given me a heads up, though. I would’ve worn somethin’ nice. Or not come at all. I do feel like I’m intruding.” Denki’s eyes light up. “Unless this is for my birthday and you’re…you want me to join you?”

“You’ve lost me.” You're too busy trying to figure out what you can do to convince Denki that Hitoshi is a mermaid. You’ve considered pushing him back into the pool, but you don’t know if that would change him back to his sea-man state, or just make you look like a jackass.

“This is so weird. I haven’t seen that guy on the island before, and believe me, I know everybody. It must’ve cost a pretty penny to get him here. On top of everything else-“ He clears his throat- “how much is this costing you? Does Shuzenji know what you get up to while she’s away?”

It hits you like a freight train. “Oh, Kaminari…No…”

“The jig is up!” Denki stomps his foot defiantly and points towards the door. “You’re paying that man for sex!”

“God no!” The very idea that you’ve paid Hitoshi to be here, to touch you, flusters the hell out of you. If anything, you’d pay for him to leave. “You’d honestly think I’d hire a prostitute?!”

“Escort is the term they are using nowadays, and no, I wouldn’t think you’d hire an escort until now!” Denki scoffs, then moves his hand through his hair, exasperated. “The thing is, babe, you don’t need to. You’re cute and fun! If you got out every once in a while…”

“Fish!” You yell, cutting him off, because you’re not about to have another conversation about your hermit lifestyle. “He’s a fish, Denki! I didn’t fuck a fish! Nor am I planning to!”

Denki blinks at you. Not like before—not like he’s reflecting your words. This blink is more like a blink one would offer someone who’d been having an otherwise normal conversation, until they started talking about the earth being flat, or homosexuals burning in a lake of fire.

I’m not crazy, you think and will Denki to believe. I’ll prove it.

Before you can give Denki a play-by-play of what happened—properly this time, and not just your rambled recall—the door slides open, and Hitoshi steps in.

“May I enter?” The regal-looking man asks.

At the exact same moment you say, “no,” Denki says, “of course.”

“I was just hoping to find something to eat.” Hitoshi stops in the kitchen, arms crossed and expectant.

“You haven’t fed your hooker?” Denki whispers and it blows your mind that he can say hooker and you can’t say prostitute. “You can have half my burger!”

“Burger,” Hitoshi repeats the unfamiliar word, and looks around, probably wondering what it could be. Denki takes the hint and proceeds to fish his meal out of the bag. Overly familiar with Shuzenji’s kitchen, he finds a knife to cut the sandwich in two, then hands one half to Hitoshi.

Hitoshi frowns.

“I’m sorry, are you a vegetarian?” Denki asks, and you can tell he’s being overly hospitable in a house that is not his. When Hitoshi doesn’t answer him, but doesn’t stop frowning, Denki asks, “do you not eat meat?”

“This is meat?” Asks Hitoshi, shaking the burger in the air. Some mayonnaise-covered lettuce falls to the kitchen floor.

“I have to clean that!” You yip and wet a paper towel. When you’re on your knees, Hitoshi gives you a smirk of indifference.

“What, do you not have hamburgers where you’re from?” Denki asks, and when Hitoshi refuses to answer him again, he says, “the meat is the patty. It’s beef.”

“Beef.” Hitoshi begins dissecting the thing, throwing the bun halves, pickles, tomato, and lettuce all on the floor. You continue to curse at him while he sniffs at the patty. “What animal is this?”

“Beef is cow, dude.” Denki sounds more skeptical now, which you’d be grateful for if you weren’t already on your hands and knees, scrubbing ketchup out of the tile. “Man, throwing food on the floor is rude no matter where you’re from. Babe, you shouldn’t have to clean that up.”

“If I don’t, who will?” You ask, sardonic.

“There’s not really a floor where I’m from,” Hitoshi says once he swallows his first bite. He places the patty back onto the burger wrap, and steps away from his mess. “At least, there’s no floor when it’s meal time. We just let shells and bones float around until they go down to where they’ll eventually break down and decay.”

Denki asks, “where did you say you were from?”

“He’s a fish, Denki.”

“I didn’t.” Hitoshi gets down on his knees with a wetted paper towel of his own. He swipes at the places you’ve missed, then looks at you. “Tell me, would a not-good person clean up a mess that isn't their own?”

“It’s kind of my job,” you retort and stand so Hitoshi can finish cleaning. Instead, he stands with you.

“And what is his job?” Hitoshi nods towards Denki who looks more and more fretful by the second. “I assume he’s here to provide services. If you’re paying him, shouldn’t he be the one to clean for you? Prepare meals for you? Bend to your whims?”

Denki says, “I’ve got a couple jobs, but I’m not a housekeeper, no.”

“No?” Hitoshi gives out a terse laugh and hands the towel off to Denki. “Clean.”

Denki looks to you for an explanation. You’re about to chew Hitoshi out, when he again says, “clean,” but this time, there’s something attached to his voice. Something that is nothing, but also more. It sends goosebumps up your arms and compels Denki to fall to the floor and obey the command.

“Yes, my lord.” When Denki finishes cleaning and throws the rest of the mess in the bin, he looks at Hitoshi, eyes glossy, waiting.

“Fetch me some water,” says Hitoshi, and after another yes, my lord, Denki begins searching for a glass.

“Quit it!” You shout and very nearly grab on to Hitoshi’s arm, stopping only when you remember the glow and the prickles that accompany his touch. Decidedly, you hurry after Denki and grab the glass from his hands and snap your fingers in front of his face.

Denki blinks, and this time it’s not because he doesn’t hear you, and it’s not because you’re spouting crazy nonsense. He blinks, and it’s a revelation.

“Hypnosis!” Denki says the word like eureka! and you want to shake him, because he should be angrier than he seems.

“I’m surprised you understand or even remember that much,” Hitoshi drawls. “You’re more in-tune than you’d like people to believe.”

And I’m Mother Teresa, you think bitterly. The fish is contemptuous as hell, but he doesn’t read people well. To him, you’re good and apparently Denki’s a genius.

“How did you do that?” Denki asks with growing excitement. “When I was a kid, I was really into magic, but could never get any of the tricks right. You didn’t use any triggering noises or images or anything.”

“There is a bit of magic about you,” Hitoshi says like he’s thinking out loud. “Not enough to pull something like what I just did off unless you have the proper tide jewel. But you do have enough power to utilize a tide jewel.”

“Don’t do that again,” you warn, and pour water from the sink into the glass. There’s purified water in the fridge, but Hitoshi hasn’t earned it. “To Kaminari or to me. The difference between a house guest and a home-invader is who does and does not use hypnosis on other guests.”

“I wasn’t aware that hypnosis is a common occurrence in your residence.” Hitoshi reaches for the glass, but you hold it away from him. Casting out a withering look, he says, “I wouldn’t be able to hypnotize him again, even if I wanted to. Not for a while, anyways. Not without my tide jewel.”

“What’s a tide jewel?” Denki asks. “Is that, like, sea glass?”

Eyes flicking from the glass of water, to Denki, then to you, Hitoshi says, “he knows how to ask a question.”

The questions that you ask get ignored! But instead of saying that, you continue to withhold the water, and say, “then answer him.”

Mildly peeved, Hitoshi turns his attention back to Denki. “You say you have a couple of jobs. What would they be?”

“That’s not answering his question,” you mutter.

“I’ll decide whether I should answer him in a moment. Denki, if you will.”

“Oh, well…” The sheepish Denki brings his hand to the back of his neck, blushing slightly. “I’ve got the PoolPros gig, and sometimes I pick shifts up at The Salty Barrel. I sort of got an affinity for making drinks…and cooking…and fixing things, so they like to keep me around.”

Unamused, Hitoshi pries. “Anything else?”

“Sometimes I pick up odd jobs. Fishing and delivery. I guess I’m pretty dependable because of the boat.”

This catches Hitoshi’s attention. “You have a boat?”

“Sure, yeah. It’s nothin’ too special yet. I’ve been working on it, and it’s coming along, but it’s not ready for what it’s truly intended for.”

“Which would be?”

Denki looks at you and winks, making your ears warm. You know exactly why he got the boat.

“Romantic rendezvous.”

“I see,” Hitoshi says pensively. Then, his eyes go sharp when he notices you fiddling with the ties on your shorts. “Are you two mates?”

Denki lifts a conspiratorial brow towards you, before throwing his arm around your shoulders, pulling you against his body. “Sure, yeah—we’re mates!”

You push away from him, and bite, “not those kinds of mates.”

Although nobody disagrees with you, you sense Denki sulking.

“Ah,” Shinsou muses. “You haven’t yet fought for her hand?”

Before you can groan at the idea, Denki laughs quietly, but his laughter quickly grows uproariously as he considers the idea. Soon, he’s gripping his stomach to stop himself from doubling over. You glare at his feet.

“As if there’s another guy to fight for her,” Denki bellows, wiping a tear away from his eye. “Maybe if she ever went out, but for now, the only person I gotta fight for her hand, is her!”

“Oh, I understand,” Shinsou says, eyes on you. “A battle to assert domination.”

Denki hoots loudly at the idea. “Looks like I’m screwed!”

To your growing agitation and embarrassment, Denki continues to laugh. It’s as if you’re not constantly shooting him down. You’re not pitiful. Not helpless. And you think you’d have some game if you put your heart into it. You just have a type, and the pool guy just doesn’t fit the bill, whether he’s handy or not.

There’s no humor to be found in Hitoshi’s eyes, though. He’s glaring at you, like before, only now he’s looking at you more like you’re a piece of meat—like he’s some kind of predator and you’re his newfound prey. You inadvertently step closer to Denki, as if he could be used as some sort of defense shield, then elbow him in the ribs, pretending that you’re not at all intimidated by this fish-turned-man.

“Nobody’s fighting anybody,” you say, keeping eye-contact with Hitoshi. You’ve been told before that the fact that you’re never the first to look away is a little off-putting. Hoping to have the same uncomfortable effect on your guest, you don’t even blink when you say, “I just have my eyes on someone special.”

At the same time Denki stops his laughing, Hitoshi narrows his eyes—not out of malice, but what seems to be curiosity. That’s as far as you’ll go with revealing any more personal information. You might not be physically spoken for, yet, but at least you’re emotionally unavailable. You vaguely wonder if those kinds of ideals are acknowledged by sea people.

“Yeah, Kiri,” Denki says with a roll of his eyes. So much for keeping things personal. “He’s not interested in dating anyone, though. In fact, he’s pretty much married to the ocean.”

“At least there aren’t other girls,” you say, and with a quick glance at Denki, you add, “or boys.”

Denki exaggerates a woeful, hand-over-forehead pose and cries, “at least we have each other!” Then, he places his hand back around your shoulders. Again, you scoot away from him, and this time, you catch Hitoshi’s lips quirk up, just a bit.

“Alright,” Hitoshi says. “I’ve decided.”

“Decided what?” You ask.

“That the two of you are going to help me.”

The fish-man moves to flatten the burger wrap down on the counter like a map, and proceeds to decimate the other half of Denki’s burger. Denki says, “oh that’s fine…I wasn’t that hungry anyways.”

“Help you with what!” You bark, practically starving for details. Despite Hitoshi and all that he’s done, your interest is piqued, and you feel as though you’re finally going to get to the meat of his situation.

Lining a few fries on the paper wrap, Hitoshi finally says, “a few of my worldly possessions have been stolen from me. They’ve been missing for quite a long time now, and I now plan to take them back. Four of the six items happen to be tide jewels. I figure those will be the easiest to locate and extract.”

Denki snaps his finger. “Tide jewels! That’s what we were talking about! What are those?

Dabbing his pinky into some mustard, Hitoshi says, “artistry…” He dips his ring finger into the ketchup and says, “reign…” he tears a piece of lettuce in half and says, “tide…” and finally, he rips some of the patty and says, “soul.”

“Artistry, reign, tide, soul,” Denki repeats, peeking over Hitoshi’s shoulder. “You don’t happen to be a musician, do you? A magician musician!”

“I’m a connoisseur, but not a practitioner.” Hitoshi breathes. “And you’re too close to me.”

“Well, you’re certainly not an artist,” Denki huffs, taking a few steps back. You move in to see what Denki saw.

On the wrap, the French fries have been warped to look like some sort of three-pronged fork. On the left prong, there’s a dab of ketchup, in the center, mustard, and the right has a piece of lettuce sitting on it. Connecting the three prongs is the bit of hamburger meat Hitoshi had ripped.

“Is this supposed to be a fork or a trident?” You ask, then kick yourself, because it’s obviously a trident. Duh. Mermaids. “Is that one of the things that have been stolen? A trident?”

Hitoshi says, “yes. All four of the tide jewels connect to the trident. With them, the trident could very well be one of the most powerful blessed objects on this planet. If it falls into the wrong hands, the results could be catastrophic.”

“Now, hang on,” Denki begins, brows curved into a frown. “What?”

“So good at questions,” you murmur.

“Each tide jewel has its own magical property. The names speak for themselves, but since the two of you are a little slow on the uptake, I’ll explain.” Hitoshi points at each different spot on his fries-trident, explaining what each point represents.

“The yellow jewel is for artistry and skill. Whoever wields it, whether in its natural form or attached to another object, will learn trades quickly, can craft almost anything at a master’s level, and they’ll have a more creative way of thinking.”

“The red jewel is for reign and rule. Whoever wields this can command any audience. Wars have been fought, kingdoms taken, and women stolen by the power of this gem. It’s almost the most violent of the four, but it can also be used to keep peace.”

“The blue jewel is for the tide. They used to be two jewels, one for tide-ebbing, the other for tide-flowing, but they’ve been molded together after another theft mishap. With the power of this jewel, one would be able to control not only the water of the sea, but water itself. This gem can create storms you couldn’t dream of. This is possibly the most dangerous stone if placed into the wrong hands.”

“Sir, that’s a piece of lettuce,” Denki says.

“Your burger didn’t have anything blue,” Hitoshi growls, “nor did it have anything purple, which brings me to the last jewel. This would be the soul jewel. It aids people with wishes, can offer good dreams, and can allow the wielder to see people’s auras, or souls. This jewel has stopped many malevolent unions in the past.”

Finally, Hitoshi turns back to you and Denki. There’s nothing content about his expression now. If anything, he looks grave.

“The fact that the trident is not in my possession has already had a cataclysmic influence on the world you know now. I need it, and the jewels, or else there may be dire consequences.”

Throat dry, palms sweaty, you swallow thickly, and allow yourself a moment to process all that he’s saying. It may be idiotic, but you believe him. Maybe if you hadn’t seen him in the water earlier, things would be different. You’d be more skeptical. But since you’ve already seen one impossible thing today—two if you're counting the fact that Hitoshi grew legs and magically poofed himself an outfit—you don’t think he’s lying.

However, Denki did not see him in the water. Which is why he’s the first to speak.

“Right,” he says, looking down on you. “Sorry, babe, but the marvel universe did it first with Thanos and his gauntlet. If this is supposed to be a scavenger hunt of some kind, can we skip the game, hints and all, and get to the dinner? I expect there’ll be candles and such for nighttime, so maybe you and I can hang out at the beach, sans the mean magician?” Denki looks at Hitoshi. “No offense, buddy. You could join us if you cheer up a bit. I’d never say no to a threesome with two equally attractive people.”

The water in the glass you’re holding begins to shake. It shakes, and then it moves, and then it lifts up into the air, snaking around like a gelatinous worm, and slowly makes its away to Hitoshi’s mouth. Never before have you seen anyone swallow menacingly, and this has changed it.

“I am not your buddy,” Hitoshi hisses between his teeth, “and this is not a game.”

“He just…” Denki begins stuttering. This isn’t something he can chock up to something as mundane as a magic trick. This is pure magic, and you feel less like a giant dork for how you reacted to Hitoshi showing himself to you, with how distraught Denki seems to be.

“I told you,” you say under your breath, “he’s a fish!”

“I am Hitoshi Shinsou. I am one of Ryūjin, and you will not desecrate my name or my people by belittling me or my power.” It hadn’t occurred to you until now that he’s not only speaking to Denki, but to both of you. The thought makes you shift with unease as Hitoshi’s eyes slide from your friend to you. “Not without consequences. I’ve been burdened with this purpose, and the two of you can choose to help me and reap the rewards that follow, or you can return to your miserable lives, loligagging and ogling the things you know you want, but are too lazy to obtain.”

At this moment, Hitoshi Shinsou seems ancient to you. Trepidation crawls up your spine, chilling you to the bone. You regret most of what you’ve said to him, even the things you’d thought he deserved. You have an inkling that if Hitoshi really wanted to harm you, or Denki, he would. Easily.

“Okay, well-“ Denki, again speaks first, thank god. “You didn’t say there would be rewards.”

Maybe don’t thank god yet. But before you can apologize on Denki’s behalf, the air that you hadn’t realized had got heavier, thicker even, lifts, and Hitoshi eases up, lackadaisical smirk back on track.

“You both wish for something,” he says. “If you help me retrieve what’s rightfully mine, I will graciously return the favor by granting your wishes.”

“We do?” Denki asks. It’s wild to you how easily he could jump back into conversation like this, although, when you look closely at him, you can see that he’s trembling faintly. “What do I want?”

“You wish for a boat,” Hitoshi says, “so I will give you a boat.”

“I have a boat.”

“I’ll give you a better boat.” Hitoshi seems to be enjoying himself now, even going so far as to lean on the table, picturing exactly what he’s describing. “A captivating boat that both women and men find irresistible. It will sail smoother and faster than the other vessels out on sea. You will never want or need for an upgrade for it will never wear or tear.”

“A super boat,” Denki muses, beguiled by the idea. It’s your turn to be skeptical now, because you haven’t wished for anything. At least, not aloud for Hitoshi to hear.

“Then, what do I get?” You ask, arms crossed. You can admit that you’re interested in what he might have to say.

“Oh darlin’, that’s easy,” Hitoshi purrs, and moves from the counter over to you. Slowly, like he’s savoring your anticipation. Lifting a finger to your arm, he slides it across your skin, watching as both the glow and the tingles return. You have to hold your breath to yourself from sighing.

“You want to be loved,” he says, “adored even. And not just by anybody. You want to be with your soulmate, isn’t that right. That may be why you came to this island to begin with.”

There’s no way he could’ve known that you’re new to the island. Nobody said anything about it. But he’s not wrong. Though you can’t say he’s right either. You came to the island in hopes to find…yourself. And though you haven’t yet found yourself, you sure as hell found Kirishima. And soulmate has a nice right to it.

“So if we help you find these gems—“

“—tide jewels,” he intervenes.

“Tide jewels-“ you roll your eyes- “then you will give Denki a super boat, and you will unite me with a soulmate?”

“Exactly,” Hitoshi confirms. “Easy peesy, isn’t it?”

“How do we know you’ll uphold your end of the bargain?” Denki asks, finally out of his super boat daydreams.

“I said you were good with questions.” Hitoshi smirks. “You don’t know. You can’t know. But you can either do this with me, and probably get a super boat and a soulmate out of it, or you can not, and get nothing.”

Denki side-eyes you, and you him. You hold each other’s gazes for a brief moment, and you already know how this would play out if you refuse. Denki would convince you to do it. You don’t do anything, he says with his eyes. Might as well hang around and see how this plays out.

“Fine.” Even though your good conscience screams at you to do otherwise, you let up. “We’ll help you.”

“Excellent.” Hitoshi beams, or at least, he beams in a way only someone who was just threatening two other people can beam. “Then we should start our search today. We’ll probably need to go into town and see if there are any supernatural occurrences or old folktales to check out.”

Going out to town is the last thing you’d planned on doing today. Or maybe the second to last thing you planned on doing. You have to ask, because if you don’t, you’ll go batsy.

“We won’t be getting wet, will we?”

Hitoshi scoffs, which isn’t an answer. Maybe you really don’t ask the right questions because when Denki asks, “you said there were six things you need to retrieve. What’s the sixth thing?” Hitoshi winks at you, and grins. And when he grins, your stomach aches.

#bnha x reader #bnha reader insert #reader insert #mha x reader #hitoshi shinsou x reader #shinsou x reader #bnha imagines #mermaid!shinsou x reader #bnha mermaids #trident tale #tt

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unholyeverything · 3 years ago

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About Obey Me! apparently not being F2P anymore.

I just wanted to say something about this. Because I’ve seen so much outrage in the fandom especially about their recent anniversary celebration.

Sorry if this might end up being long.

It’s just, so many people cry and complain about the game allegedly not being free to play anymore. But that is where the lie is.

And that’s also what will bring down the game a lot faster. Them constantly getting complaints and feeling like they’ll lose their player base will make them start to milk the game out of the last cent a lot sooner then knowing they have a few more years.

The game is free to play. You download it for free. You play for free. You have to pay nothing and to be honest, if you invest some time you get a lot.

This is a gacha game after all, you also need some luck, but in comparison to a game like Genshin Impact, that a lot of players seemed to have started to pick up as well you get a lot of materials to get the most out of your luck.

I’ve been playing for 432 days and those are all my cards. I haven’t given them a single cent. Did they get a lot of my time? Yes- but I was willing to pay that price.

I’m not trying to show off with that in any way, I just wanted to show that you indeed get a lot. As an F2P.

So it’s a lie saying the game is starting to become Pay to Play. Because it is not.

You don’t have to spend anything if you don’t want to.

Could they have handled the celebrations differently, like letting everyone chose their desired background at the end of the login? Sure- they could’ve done that. But they simply decided not to.

And that is their right as the company paying for the servers you use for free, paying for the artist that do a super good job providing about 14 brand new hand drawn cards per month, plus the voice actors, plus the animations, plus the story writers. That is a lot of work. That’s a new card every two days. They pay for promotions. They pay for all the IT working on the game, programming it, customer support, social media managers. Do you think this is free? Do you think that’s payable with just some advertisement here and there? Fun Fact: It’s not.

Small rant in the rant: A lot of people also make money off of their copyrighted materials and therefore take more income from them. As they would have to pay for usage right to be legally allowed to sell fanart. Just saying :D

How’d you like someone take your character and makes money off of them, not really, am I right? I don’t know why people think it’s okay since it’s a company. Their designers want to have a wage too.

So it is definitely not P2P.

I will however agree that the events are Pay to Win.

And apparently most of you don’t understand the difference of pay to win and pay to play. And listen, there is a big one.

I don’t know why the Obey Me! Fandom seems to think they are entitled to getting every single card that’s been put out there, to find it in their inventory. Like you can even see it and download the art from the Wiki. Heck spend 5 minutes on YouTube and someone uploaded the Devilgram too. The visibility of the Card is not behind a paywall. Is the additional story or animation that cost additional money sometimes behind a pay wall? Yes- and that is ok.

I don’t know if you noticed, but aside from the Lucifer Paws and Claws UR there is not a single Pop Quiz UR in my cards. Not one. And I got Lucifer’s grinding my ass off in Lonely Devil, spending weeks doing my daily battles. Because that card was worth it to me. In the normal events I can max get the Memory SSR, spending all of my savings on nightmare beforehand. I have like two of those. Two of which we got completely free. Leviathans UR was completely free. You realize they could’ve converted the points and taken the card from everyone, which tbh was the move I would’ve done but long term the realized it would make them lose more people and therefore money. Amos UR+ was completely free. Lucifer’s raindrop card I just got in this rerun, spending all of my savings from the past two months or more. Mammons was my guaranteed BDay card. 3 of those completely free so to say. The 14 were all I got with 432 days of playtime. That’s about a card each month. Doesn’t seem that much anymore don’t you think? Also most of the gacha cards I got from after they raised the odds to 3%. That also needs to be mentioned. They did that. 2 are character birthdays. Again with savings and time you got them. All the old cards I got doing that free pull you get every two days. That’s 4 of them as well. Only 8 of them being from limited gachas, in about 1 and a half years of playing.

But especially in gachas you should know that you can’t have everything. I don’t know why people got that impression? I don’t have every card that comes out because I don’t pull on every nightmare. I use the time there is a character I don’t like to save up. And with Obey Me! you can save up a lot.

Bringing up Genshin again: It’s fandom seems to be aware that as a Free to Play you just can’t get every character, and they seem to be fine with it. They save and manage their resources. I’ve been playing since 4 months and I have 2 5 star characters and one 5 star weapon. 2 of those I didn’t want and lost the 50/50. But that’s just how it is. I enjoyed what I got since I only spend my time how it is worth it to me.

I have to admit I had a lot of time to spend on games and if you don’t you won’t get as much, but that’s also normal. OM dailies take about 10 minutes and you get your 18 DP and can work on your cards. That is a lot to save up. And so far I pretty much got every card I wanted as long as it wasn’t an event card. And I could get those too if I invest even more time. I am just simply not willing to.

There is too much to do in this game already for me to keep up. So I really can’t understand what more you could ask for. I am home all day long and I can’t keep up with everything, so why are people complaining about not getting everything? There is so so much to get. Just focus on what you want and don’t turn into miniature Mammon’s that just want everything. And also like: Have you noticed? Most of my cards aren’t even close to being fully leveled. What do you want to do with even more of them? That won’t bring you anywhere?

But anyways I’m losing track of my own rambling where were we?

The fact that people here seem to confuse Pay to Play and Pay to Win, that was actually all I wanted to ramble about.

Manage your resources and you get a lot. If you want an F2P game that has no aspects to generate money? Well go make one. Teach yourself how to do everything, consider how much time you spend on all that before even starting. And then not getting a single cent back.

I also probably forgot half of what I wanted to say again, my body can’t keep up my big brains idk.

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sxveme-2 · 2 years ago

Text

The Archer // Eddie Munson

MASTERLIST

DESCRIPTION: "ℑ𝔱'𝔰 𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔠𝔢𝔡 𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔪𝔦𝔱𝔶. 𝔗𝔥𝔞𝔱'𝔰 𝔴𝔥𝔞𝔱'𝔰 𝔦𝔩𝔩𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔨𝔦𝔡𝔰. 𝔗𝔥𝔞𝔱'𝔰 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔩 𝔪𝔬𝔫𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔯."

That's what's killing the kids-the forcing of roles and stuffing into boxes. Everyone has a place to go; who is anyone to break out of those predetermined destinies? The popular girl isn't supposed to be friends with the freak-the freak isn't supposed to be in love with the popular girl.

They had been friends since they could talk–Eddie Munson and Heidi Delgado. Inseparable on the playground, never venturing far from one another. That was until social hierarchies became a thing, and people took sides.

When Heidi moved out of Hawkins, Indiana, during the summer between her tenth and eleventh year of high school, no one expected her to return. Once someone leaves Hawkins, they're not supposed to come back. It's a place where there's no need to visit unless you live there. No one wants to spend time in a town where murders run ramped, and everyone has to double-check their locks before bed. So, when former Miss. Popularity returns to Hawkins, missing three-quarters of the family she left with, so it only makes sense people start to talk.

Eddie Munson was just aiming to graduate; he wanted to get the hell out of Hawkins High. He'd already failed to do so twice, but this was his year. 1986, the year Eddie Munson proved them all wrong. Those plans don't exactly pan out when the girl he loved since diapers returns, and darker forces seem to be at play underneath the very soil he calls home.

The freak shouldn't be friends with the popular girl-and the popular girl shouldn't love the freak. Yet, isn't that what makes a love story great?

Follow Eddie and Heidi as they not only navigate through this broken shamble of a friendship but encounter something much darker in the town they call home.

DISCLAIMER: My works are only published here on Wattpad, Tumblr and AO3; thank you!I do not own any original characters! All canon plots and canon characters belong to The Duffer Brothers. This is an original work. You may not publish it anywhere else. This work handles mature things such as nudity, sexual content, emotional distress and trauma. Do not read if you are not comfortable with these. I am not responsible for your media consumption and what you choose to read.

This fanfic begins in March 1986 and will include plot points from season four.

STATUS: Unedited

Chapter XII - Barracuda

Warnings: Mentions of sexual content, use of alcohol

Word Count: 3546

“I’m sorry, but I’m with Gar on this one, Delgado. Jeff can outdrink you any day.”

The clock had struck well past midnight by now, and Heidi Delgado had managed to stay relatively sober while handling a group of rowdy teenage boys. She hadn’t planned on staying out so late, worrying her Abuela would have her hung by her toes when she got home. Apparently, Eddie freaking Munson had covered every base possible for Heidi so she wouldn’t have to worry about going home early. He had even gone as far as packing a bag for her “Just in case,” she wound up on Gareth’s pullout couch in the basement with the others.

Once again, Heidi had zero intention of helping three fifteen-year-old boys learn to take a shot while laughing with the rest of Corroded Coffin, but then again, she hasn’t had much control over her life the past few months anyway. It was better to leave her life in the hands of the Master of Puppets himself, Eddie Munson, than to whatever fates circled her now.

“Are you out of your mind, Gareth?” As she sat up from the pillow on the garage floor, Heidi scoffed, “Jeff can hardly handle a shot, let alone outdrink me!”

“I could do it!” Lucas exclaimed, and Heidi patted the top of his head lovingly.

“I’m sure you could, buddy, I’m sure you could.”

“Princess,” Eddie chuckled as he took another swig of his beer, “I doubt you could outdrink any of the kiddos here, either.”

Heidi feigned insult and slapped a hand over her heart. It was a light-hearted jab, but she would take it as though he had just stabbed with a stake. She felt relaxed, as though all the weight slowly pushing Heidi closer to whatever lay underneath Hawkins had finally been released. All of it sat to the side, waiting for when reality snuck in again and lifted her above the tranquillity that Eddie Munson brought her. It was heavenly, finally being able to walk down a path clear of monsters, nothing lurking around the next corner.

Now, all Heidi had to worry about was her reputation as a drinker at parties. If that was all she had to worry about, Heidi wasn’t too concerned. With the spring break creeping closer, Heidi knew these few days were vital for ensuring she wasn’t alone with her thoughts for too much longer. If she could weasel her way back into the comforting embrace of the Hellfire Club and Corroded Coffin, the next few months before Heidi up and left Hawkins for good wouldn’t be too terrible.

“I don’t want to hear any back talk from a twenty-year-old who failed Ms. O’Donnell’s English class two years in a row,” Heidi taunted, taking to her feet and strolling to where Eddie posed on Gareth’s drums, “The same twenty-year-old whose walking the line of failing it a third time.”

“Third times the charm, baby,” he grinned at her, his bangs fluffed to the side as Heidi ran a hand through the dark tresses, “Y’know, you could have always tutored me.”

“I was two grades below you, genius,” Heidi patted his cheeks before curving to face the others around her, “Do you all believe that I can’t outdrink you?”

“Maybe not, Mike,” Jeff piped up, “He’s busy whining over his totally real girlfriend.”

“She is real!” Mike shouted, looking up from his lap, “You’re all just jealous that I can get a girlfriend, and you’re all single.”

“Right, right,” Heidi teased as she leaned her hip on Eddie’s arm, “And Gareth’s touched a woman under her shirt! Totally.”

“Can you go back to Denver?”

“Trust me, Gar-Bear,” Heidi jested as she slid out of Eddie’s grip and towards where the drummer sat, ruffling his curls, “If I could, I would. Hawkins is Hell on Earth, and I stand by that. Full of murderers and psychopaths.”

A quiet grumble of agreement from the older group danced through Heidi’s ears like a harmony, while the scratchy tones of the younger generation fell silent. Her eyes trailed onto Mike, who stared over at Dustin and Lucas with something amiss in those dark pools he called eyes. Something about the group seemed…off to Heidi. Even with their varying personalities and polar opposite interests on various spectrums, something kept them together. A tie between the three was unbreakable, but a part was missing. Something wasn’t quite right.

Heidi took the moment of mumblings about how shitty Hawkins was to search her mind for anything she could remember about the group. She knew they were tormented relentlessly in middle school, which undoubtedly carried over into high school before Eddie took them under his wing. From what Heidi remembered, there was a fourth that usually followed the group, the boy who had gone missing all those years ago only to show up once again.

“You’re friends with the Byers family, right?” Heidi interrupted, cutting off the conversations of everyone around them, “Will, that was the little guy’s name, right?”

“Yeah—Why do you ask?” Dustin questioned, tossing a bean bag up in the air.

“I knew his brother,” Heidi shrugged, “Jonathan. When Eds and I were little, he stuck up for us once and got a right beating from Tommy Hagan. What ever happened to them?”

“Moved to California,” Lucas explained, reaching for another beer before Eddie threw a guitar pick at his hand, “Them and our friend El.”

“El?” Heidi questioned, head tilted to the side.

“Mike’s girlfriend,” Dustin clarified. Heidi eyed Mike, noting his silence in the conversation. Perhaps Heidi had struck a nerve, and it was time that she moved on.

“Why don’t we head to the basement and play a good ol’ fashioned game of truth or dare, hm?”

“Are we thirteen?” Jeff scoffed.

“Depends if you ask me to take off my shirt again.”

—

Heidi had already had to flash Gareth twice, took Eddie’s sock off with her teeth, and was now watching Eddie try and shove Dustin into the vented enclosure above them. Dustin declared he could do it, insisted on the matter. Watching Eddie throw his head back, laughing at the frustrated grunts and fits from the Henderson boy, caused that pesty uproar in Heidi’s stomach to wind up once more, leaving her shifting in her seat. She hadn’t yet touched a drink, rather enjoying the sober thoughts that intoxicated her mind. It was peace, a new doorway being unlocked as a warm sunrise of solace crested over the dark hill of Heidi’s life.

All those moments in her life of chaste and utter solitude seemed to be in the comfort of Eddie Munson, Hellfire himself, as he lived the life he’d been enjoying the past year. That faint twinge of sorrow scratched in the back of Heidi’s mind—he had lived through all of this while she wallowed in Denver, struggling to find herself and what made her happy. Perhaps that was just it, though; the things that made her happy weren’t in Denver. The things that made her happy were shotgunning cheap beer in a basement that stunk of boy, unruly curls twisted into a low bun as sweat streaked his brow like a halo. Eddie Munson may have just been the most wicked angel Heidi Delgado had ever met.

His dark eyes hungered for nothing but chaos, the brilliant red rose of his cheeks a beacon of unease. But Eddie’s ease with himself was something palliative and warm: he refused to take himself too seriously. Heidi wished she could go about life that way—no longer caring about what everyone had to say about her. But within those damp caverns of Heidi’s heart, she knew the bats lurked, waiting for a disturbance to sink their fangs into the flesh of an intruder. Heidi still sought Hawkins’ approval, even if that tale had come to an end.

“Give in, Henderson!” Eddie shouted, his voice slashing through the solemn parade of thoughts that dragged through Heidi’s mind, “You can’t fit!”

“I refuse to yield!” Dustin hollered back, his voice muffled and softened by the duct he was dangling from, “I will prove you wrong, Eddie.”

“I don’t really feel like having to call someone to drive you to the ER,” Eddie groused, dropping his grip on Dustin’s legs, “Give in, Dustin, you have failed.”

“Well, don’t give up now, Munson, because I’m gonna need help getting out of here.”

“Jesus Christ, Henderson!”

Heidi grinned while lifting the juice box to her lips, the sweet tang of apple spreading across her tongue. Her chest rose and fell with ease, no weight nor nightmare plaguing her as she watched. Her face contorted into a cringe as a nauseating pop rang from where Eddie and Dustin groaned and grunted, and the next thing Heidi knew, the Henderson boy was sitting on his backside with a stupid grin on his face. She shook her head and leaned back on the couch, leaning her head until it rested on Mike’s shoulder.

Heidi had known Mike since she was younger, having been semi-friends with Nancy Wheeler for some time. Usually, Heidi wouldn’t have even dared sit next to a stranger, not since the accident at least. But there was something in the air that opened up those sealed gates inside of Heidi’s mind, a dam of trepidation and worry breaking into something built of no more than a few freaks and a metalhead. They were all so…welcoming to her, even Gareth, now that they’ve all learned perhaps a few years in Denver and a handful of dead relatives can change the main goals of a person’s life. Heidi still had lingering cravings for her previous social standing, but they weren’t enough to outweigh the joy she had while sitting with the Hellfire Club.

“Tell me about this girlfriend of yours, Wheeler,” Heidi prompted, sitting up from her relaxed position, “You said her name’s El?”

“Yeah, she’s pretty cool,” Mike shrugged, clearly avoiding something to do with the mysterious girlfriend, “She moved away last summer.”

“Seems that’s the summer where everything changed, hm?” Heidi chuckled, her voice grim and low as she took to her feet, “Well, Mike Wheeler,” the brunette took hold of the beer Eddie had opened and abandoned, holding it out to him, “To better summers.”

Taking a swig, Heidi cringed at the bitter taste of whatever gas-station alcohol Eddie had managed to snag. Honestly, in their entire friendship, the boy had never had good taste in alcohol. Heidi had even offered to give him more money to get something that didn’t taste and stink of old bathrooms—but Eddie refused. He claimed to enjoy the uncomfortable sour taste that lingered in the back of his throat. Heidi on the other hand, not so much.

“I take it I’ll need to pull out the couch?” Gareth commented, nodding at the beer in Heidi’s hand, a knowing grin on his lips.

“It’s 1 in the morning,” Heidi snickered, “You think my Abuela would seriously come to get me? And Eddie’s a few beers away from needing a bucket beside his bed—I was staying over when you guys started drinking.”

“Can’t drive yourself?” Dustin asked, shoving at Eddie as he nudged his side.

“Many things you still have to learn, young Henderson,” Heidi sighed, taking another pitiful sip of the beer, “Another night, perhaps.”

Heidi dropped down onto the couch again, resting her head lazily against the Wheeler boys as a joking conversation struck up between the group around her. She watched on in silence as Eddie and the others struck up a conversation, a sense of ease and simplicity to their enjoyment. He looked so relaxed with everyone, and Heidi couldn’t help but let that twisting knot in her stomach consume her heart, picking up its pace and leaving her yearning. She wasn’t sure what she wanted—what she was looking for from him. All she knew was that the way Eddie was with his friends made those suppressed butterflies slip from their cage and soar free around her. It was hypnotic, the way his eyes twinkled and cheeks grew rosy. He was art in motion, and Heidi couldn’t help it but admire the artistry.

Heidi wanted to capture this moment, Eddie’s wispy curls framing his face as he tossed his head back once again, bending over Dustin and yanking at his underwear. As childish as it was, she couldn’t help but let that domesticity consume her. It was intoxicating, something more volatile and addicting than any substance she’s taken. The vice of popularity was nothing to Heidi as her heart fluttered when he turned to look at her, that halo around his head shining bright. He pulled back from the Henderson child, tugging off his plaid shirt and revealing the thinly-toned arms beneath. Heidi’s breath caught in her throat.

“What’s on your mind, Princess?” Eddie purred as he wandered towards the two lounged on the couch, “Out of my way, Wheeler—My best friend is looking forlorn.”

“Do you even know what that means?” Mike snipped, earning a raised eyebrow at the boy.

“Oh, you’re in for it now, sticks,” Eddie grinned as he seized the boy from his collar, yanking him from the couch and shoving him to the side, “Call me when you hit puberty, then you can let the Princess of Hawkins sleep on your shoulder.”

“Not the Princess of Hawkins anymore, Eds,” Heidi hummed as he twisted around and dropped beside her, “Gotta stop goin’ with that one.”

“You’ll always be a Princess to me, Heids.”

Heidi didn’t like the way her heart skipped a beat. She didn’t like how her stomach flipped, and her mind raced. The last time she felt this while gazing into the dark pools of Eddie Munson’s eyes, she fell too deep to swim to the surface. He was tugging her deeper and deeper into the hidden caverns of his heart, and Heidi struggled to fight off the monsters that crept around the corners. She wanted to succumb to their wiles, let them take her down and drown her with him. But she couldn’t—He was her best friend, she shouldn’t be looking at him like that. Heidi shouldn’t be wondering why he called her Princess when it was what he called her for nearly a decade. He was Eddie Munson—nothing more than that.

“I’m gonna change the song,” Heidi whispered, her voice a mere flicker of the emotions that burned behind her eyes, “Okay?”

“Yeah…You do that.”

His voice mirrored hers, and Heidi had to tear herself away. It pained her, watching his face fall as she put more distance between them, taking to her feet and leaving him beneath her. She wandered over to the stereo and tugged a cassette from the basket Gareth kept there. What was she doing? Why was she letting the usual antics of Eddie affect her like this now? The moment she got him back, let him back into her heart and her mind, he sent her into a spiral. Everything welled up in Heidi’s throat, and she felt like the girl that had shown up at his trailer nearly a year ago after she and Aaron called it quits.

She was hurting that night—but had never felt such sweet release.

So this ain't the end, I saw you again, today

I had to turn my heart away

Smiled like the sun, kisses for everyone

And tales, it never fails

“I know damn well you’re not playing Heart,” Eddie whined, and Heidi pushed the fluttering feelings of something deeper inside of her mind, “Heids, I thought you knew better!”

“It’s a good song, drama queen,” Heidi scoffed, pulling away from the radio and twisting to face the others that took their places in a circle once more, “You can’t deny it!”

“Not their best,” Dustin shrugged, earning a sideways glare from Eddie, “My mom listens to them, okay!”

“Denial is the first stage, little man,” Gareth chuckled and ruffled Dustin’s curls, “C’mon, Heidi, let us continue this game for twelve-year-olds.”

You lying so low in the weeds

I bet you gonna ambush me

You'd have me down, down, down, down on my knees

Now wouldn't you, barracuda? Oh

Heidi let a mischievous smirk spread along her lips as she sat next to Eddie, her heart lacking as it puttered away. She hated this new feeling; it felt wrong. The last person in the world Heidi should be considering in this new light was Eddie—not after what happened last July. She was letting herself get too far involved in the possibilities of things, a fantasy she had kept hidden away in her mind until that faithful night.

Perhaps she was thankful that she discovered Aaron’s infidelities—it opened the door for her to divulge her own secrets.

“Heidi,” Gareth initiated, “Truth or dare.”

“Truth.”

Back over time we were all trying for free

You met the porpoise and me, uh-huh

No right, no wrong you're selling a song, a name

Whisper game

“Who was your first kiss?”

The entire world froze around Heidi as she stared at the boy. He had a knowing smile on his face—as though he knew what she would say. It boiled deep within Heidi’s stomach, the truth of everything. It felt embarrassing, the way everyone looked at her. It thrusted her into centre stage, all spotlights pointed on her. No one said a word; no one dared to speak as they waited for Heidi to expose herself, to expose their leader and the head of their club.

And if the real thing don't do the trick

You better make up something quick

You gonna burn, burn, burn, burn, burn to the wick

Ooh, barracuda, oh yeah

“Wouldn’t it have been Aaron?” Mike piped up, sensing the tense conversation that took president in the group, “I mean…You guys were together for a while.”

“Right, Heidi, wouldn’t it be Aaron?” Eddie’s voice was mocking as he watched her squirm under his gaze. She felt like an animal in a cage, the group around her waiting for her to dance.

She wanted to disappear, to sink further into the hole being dug. Everyone around her held a shovel, falling further and further closer to the centre of the earth. It felt like she was suffocating like someone was standing above her and sucking the life from her lungs with each second that passed. Eddie’s gaze was piercing, waiting for her to admit what happened, who really took the Princess of Hawkins’s first kiss—and who held it dear.

"Sell me, sell you," the porpoise said

Dive down deep now to save my head, you

I think that you got the blues too

Heidi took a swig of the beer, cringing at the piss-like taste that clouded her senses, and she cursed Eddie Munson’s name as it burned her throat. If she was going to admit something, this of all things, she didn’t want to be fully coherent in her words. This was going to follow her now; the boys were going to hold it over her head like an anvil.

Eddie’s gaze burned her skin, peeling her layers back until there was nothing but the vulnerable nerves left. They quivered and shook under his gaze, but she couldn’t stop the warm feeling that spread in her belly. It was tearing her apart inside, knowing that he was waiting for her to admit it. Another test crept up behind her, knife in its hands as he waited for the facade to finally drop. Everything was leading up to this moment—the time where Heidi Delgado stopped faking her relationship with Eddie. He might have been the Freak of Hawkins—but she was the Princess he saved from the tower.

All that night and all the next

Swam without looking back

Made for the western pools, silly, silly fools

“The fact you’re all staring at me like I grew another head leads me to believe you lot already know,” Heidi sighed, cringing again at the lingering taste of the beer, “So, I don’t think I need to answer it.”

“No,” Lucas scoffed, “You can’t get out of this one, Heidi.”

“Yeah, Princess, c’mon. Say it.”

The real thing don't do the trick, no

You better make up something quick

You gonna burn, burn, burn, burn, burn it to the wick

Ohh, barra-barracuda, yeah

“Now this isn’t fair,” Heidi chuckled, her voice shaky and unsure as everyone continued to gape at her, “Guys—!”

“Who was it, Heidi?” Jeff teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

“I hate this so much.”

“Admit it, Heidi,” Dustin chuckled, wiggling his eyebrows, “Who was your first kiss?’

Heidi keeled. Her shoulders slumped, and her brain went quiet. This was it—the moment that she came clean. She shouldn’t be ashamed; she wasn’t embarrassed. It wasn’t shame; she wasn’t ashamed of the fact that she and Eddie had shared their first kiss. It was the fact that everyone was now waiting for her to admit it, like it was some sort of chore.

“My first kiss was with Hellfire himself,” Heidi sighed, taking another shot of the beer, “Mr. Edward Munson.”

“And just like that, gentlemen,” Eddie exclaimed, reaching his hand forward, “You all owe me five dollars.”

“You bet on this?”

“Gotta afford your expensive beer somehow, Princess.”

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mmvalentine · 3 years ago

Text

The Bargain Pt 5 | Feysand

Modern AU. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 6

Rhys hadn't seen Feyre in a year.

He knew that, because his social media sent him a reminder that he had posted a photo of her finished tattoo a year ago, and he had not heard from her since.

Not that she had any obligation to contact him, of course. In fact, this was why he made the six month rule with his clients- he knew how easy it was to become attached to someone who you have been vulnerable around. And he didn't want to influence anyone like that, particularly not Feyre, who seemed to be having a tough enough time as it was. So although he thought about her often, after she left the shop that last time, for the most part he tried to let her fade into a pleasant memory, and not to dwell too much on whether she was okay out in the world.

But Rhys knew he'd never forget Feyre, because after she was gone he had actually started to paint again. Had locked the door of the studio behind her, arrived back at his apartment and stayed up all night with his crusty old oil set. Paper had never been particularly interesting to him, so he had painted his coffee table. Swirls and eddies of colour like Feyre had drawn on his arm in the gaps between his black line tattoos.

Over the next few weeks, Rhys' plain and understated flat became a frenzy of line and pattern and colour. He started posting photos on his instagram and to his great surprise, they garnered more attention than some of his better performing tattoo posts. He was even commissioned to paint shop fronts and feature walls in restaurants.

By the end of the year, Rhys was still in the studio most of the time but spent a week out of every month painting murals around the country, like he had always wanted to do. So no, he would not be forgetting Feyre, ever.

In May, Rhys got a contract in Berlin. It was one that he was slightly apprehensive about, since apparently it was a team effort and he didn't have much experience collaborating. He didn't love the idea that several people who had never met would be trying to create something cohesive in a short amount of time. On the other hand, it was an all-expenses paid trip and he was about due for a holiday.

Rhys landed in Berlin early in the morning, and had a couple of hours to kill before his meeting. He spent some time wandering around the strangely grey, concrete world, and found these amazing rainbow bursts popping up unexpectedly on street corners and in alleyways. Rhys found he rather liked it.

When eventually he walked through the tall glass doors of the building he'd been directed to, Rhys wondered about the team he'd be working with. There were a number of very well respected German street artists, and if he had to collaborate, he hoped it would be someone who he might recognise.

He was utterly unprepared to walk into the room and see Feyre sitting at the table, deep in conversation with a man with dark skin and white hair.

"Ah, here he is. Feyre, this is Rhys," the man said, while Rhys stood with one hand still on the door handle and gaped.

Shock registered on Feyre's face, but then it settled into an easy, broad daylight grin.

"Thank you Tarquin, we've actually met." Feyre's fingers trailed over her tattoo as she spoke, not taking her eyes from Rhys'. "Remember me?" she asked, with a little tilt of her head.

"I, uh, yeah of course I do," Rhys said. "I wasn't expecting to see you here." "Nor I you," she said.

"Rhys, good to meet you in person," Tarquin said, extending a hand. "I know we've only spoken on the phone before now, and I'm so glad you could come over for this project."

Rhys shook the contractor's hand, and settled into the chair that was pulled out for him. He nodded and smiled at Tarquin, but then found his gaze snapping back to Feyre like a magnet. A rose petal blush stole over her cheeks.

"I am so excited to finally have the two of you here," Tarquin said. His voice was slightly accented, and very warm. "As you know from the brief, my company has just settled its headquarters here in Berlin and we want a summer themed mural."

"I'm sorry," Rhys interrupted. "It's just the two of us?" Tarquin nodded. "Originally I wanted a whole team of artists, but then we redid the budget and it was decided we'd just hire two." "I'm curious, you have so many wonderful artists here in Berlin, why did you fly us out from New York?"

"Actually," Feyre said. "I live in Berlin now." Rhys blinked. "Oh," was all he could think to say.

Tarquin prattled on for another forty minutes about his company, the 'feel' they were going for, their target audience and so on. When Tarquin had first approached Rhys, Rhys was genuinely interested in his work but now that Feyre was here sitting opposite him, he couldn't take in a damn word. Couldn't even remember what he already knew about the business, just sat there wondering what had happened in the year since he had last seen Feyre.

How was she? Was she still with that whatshisname boyfriend? Had she been tattooed by anyone else this year?

Finally Tarquin stopped talking and told them he'd take them on a tour of the building, show them the mural site, and then let them settled in. He stepped out to take a phone call, and left them with a mood board he had collated for the painting. Then Rhys was left alone with Feyre.

And for the life of him didn't know what to say to her.

He just sat there, swallowed, and tried to stop staring at her. She noticed, and blushed.

"What are you looking at?" Feyre said, looking down self-consciously. A curl fell over her face. "I'm sorry," Rhys said. "I just didn't expect to see you." "Me neither," Feyre told him. "I mean, I moved cities, I moved continents and yet here you are."

Rhys nodded. "Here I am." He cleared his throat. "So ah, when did you guys move over?" "Just a few months ago," Feyre said. "And it's just me. I broke up with Tamlin." She shifted in her seat. "You were right. It got worse, and then better." "Oh, good," Rhys said. "I mean- not good, I'm sorry to hear that."

Feyre laughed. "No," she said. "It is good. And I'm really enjoying living here. I can't believe you're here." "I thought I'd never see you again," Rhys said. Feyre's eyes flickered. "You thought about seeing me?" she asked.

Now it was Rhys' turn to colour. "I... I just wondered if you might get in contact later in the year. You know, let me know how your tattoo's healing and all. Is it alright?"

"It's great," Feyre said, holding out her arm for Rhys to inspect. "I know I said I might call, but I just couldn't," she confessed. "As the months went on I got so embarrassed."

Rhys cocked his head. "Why?" he asked. "Because I had such a crush on you!" Feyre said. "And I bet every girl you tattoo falls in love with you, I didn't want to be one of them." She laughed, and looked away. Rhys just stared at her.

"You... had a crush...?" he started to ask, but then Tarquin breezed back into the room.

"Sorry folks!" he said. "Important call, but terribly rude of me. Now. Let's get on with that tour huh?"

And then he ushered them out of the room, and didn't leave them until they were all saying goodbye and Feyre was heading toward home in one direction and Rhys was going to his hotel in the other.

No matter. They had all week to get reacquainted.

****

Thank you so much to everyone who has been commenting, I've been astounded by the love you guys have been giving this story and I appreciate you all very dearly!! I thought it would be a little niche one, I wrote it because I like art and tattoos, and I really didn't think it would do this well. Would love to know what's working for you, so I can keep bringing it to you :)

MASTERLIST

TAGLIST: @ghostlyrose2 @highladysith @stardelia @feysand-loml @tillyrubes10 @ratabrasileira @live-the-fangirl-life @maybekindasortaace @annejulianneh111 @thebonecarver @rowaelinismyotp @loosingdreams @whythefuckdoiexist @inejsarrow @swankii-art-teacher @sjmships @courtofjurdan @teddytdr @positivewitch @thalia-2-rose @darling-archeron @rapunzel1523 @fairchildjace

#feysand #feysand fic #acotar #fluff #mine

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beauvibaby · 4 years ago

Text

I still love you – j.benn

a/n: Uh I totally didn’t proof read this sorry

• what happens when you find out your pregnant with Jamie’s baby after you’ve already broken up •

word count: 7.4K

You stared down at the test, feeling the nausea rise up your throat once again, your mind jumping back to a little over a month ago.

“We can’t do this, Jamie.” You sighed, staring at him from your spot on the opposite end of his living room, it was a mutual decision, it wasn’t going to be made with hard feelings, maybe had you both been less worried about what could happen, you would’ve been able to put in the effort–it’s not to say that you didn’t like him. You really truly did, a lot too. But it just wasn’t possible, both of you agreed. “I know.” He shrugged, both of you hiding the pain of this decision. “Doesn’t mean we can’t have one last good night.” He smirked at you, deflecting his emotions. And he was right, you did have one last good night.

Maybe too good.

In the heat of the moment, you’re guessing you both forgot about the condom, or you didn’t and there was a hole in it. No matter what happened, this was the result and you were having a hard time trying to figure out what to do. The positive results staring back at you, a feeling of happiness came over you–but at the same time, it made you terrified, this isn’t how you imagined you’d find out you were pregnant. Alone, in your apartment, at two am after you realized why you’d been sick for over a week. You sucked in a sharp breath, letting it out slowly, easing your churning stomach, a hand resting on it, subconsciously rubbing it. The thought of a false positive popped into your head, and you were shocked by how saddened you were at the thought, pushing those thoughts aside you forced yourself to go back to bed, mind racing a million miles a minute. Knowing first thing in the morning you’d be calling to schedule a doctors appointment.

The months flew, you didn’t know how to reach Jamie, you’d long ago deleted his number, in a drunken pity party two nights after you broke up, and social media was the only way you thought to try and reach him, but he never even read the message. It was a simple one, you didn’t disclose any information. “Can we talk?” Never seen, never responded too. Nothing. You’d watched the games, it gave you a feeling of closeness, why you longed for it, that you weren’t sure of. You blamed the hormones, wanting to not admit that you were missing Jamie, and maybe that on some level you wanted to be with him all this time, and to share this experience with him.

***

12 weeks.

You shakily held your phone out in front of you, waiting for your parents to answer the FaceTime call, you’d made the decision to keep the baby, even if it meant you were all alone, and it was finally time to tell your parents, a nervous smile on your face when they popped up on your screen. “Hi honey!” Your mom grinned, your dad smiling right beside her, “hi.” You spoke softly, “I have to tell you guys something.” Clearing your throat you sat up a little straighter, your dad eyed you suspiciously, “everything ok?” He questioned, his fatherly intuition tingling as his one and only daughter looked at him nervously. “Well, it depends on how you look at it, but I think it’s pretty good.” You laughed nervously, closing your eyes for a second before blurting out. “I’m pregnant.” Everyone fell silent, you peeked an eye open, seeing your parents staring at you, so still that you began to wonder if they froze on your screen. “Mom, dad?” You cringed, they came to their senses, “a grand baby!” Your mom shrieked, your dad slowly beginning to smile, before the question you were waiting for happened. “Who’s the dad?” Your father asked.

Your face fell for a moment, “Jamie.” You whispered, they knew who he was, they knew you dated, but they also knew you had broken up a while back. They put two and two together and assumed that you’d kept this information private for a while. “Oh, honey, does he know?” Your mom asked, shuffling in her seat, your dad looking blankly at you, unsure of how to be reacting, he was happy of course, a grandchild is something he’s always dreamed of, but he was angry at Jamie already, without even knowing why he wasn’t there. “I haven’t told him.” You admitted sheepishly, listening to them both go into a rant.

***

20 weeks.

You laid on the table, a gasp falling from your lips as you felt the baby kick against your stomach, the ultrasound tech looking at you with a smile, “you felt that?” She was in the middle of an ultrasound, she could see the baby moving, but you’d never felt them before. “Yes, oh my god.” You whispered, a grin coming over your face, she laughed softly, continuing the scan, “do you want to know the gender?” She asked, having her own grin on her face, you looked over at her, you had your friends around here with you, but you didn’t want to do a whole gender reveal party. So you nodded, “yes please.” You held your breath as she clicked a few times before turning the screen towards you, “it’s a girl.” She whispered, watching as you let out a gasp, this whole time you’d thought it was a boy. A feeling you had, but you were wrong apparently. “A girl.” You smiled, the rest of your appointment going smoothly, your baby girl having no health issues so far.

***

You were now 32 weeks pregnant, exactly two months away from having your baby girl. To say you were nervous was an understatement, you’d been working extra to save up, the nursery almost being finished, something you were immensely proud of yourself for tackling the project on your own.

The local shopping center has been a recent stop of yours, always thinking of something else you needed to pick up for the baby, who’s name you still hadn’t been able to decide. You tried to contact Jamie again, and again, but you became discouraged after four failed attempts, and the next thing you knew, you were nearly through your whole pregnancy, and the hockey season was over, Jamie would be going back to Canada to be with his family, at least, that’s what you thought. You huffed as you tried to get the baby sized tub into your already full trunk, not noticing the cart was rolling away until you turned to grab the next item– the last item, only a package of crib sheets, and the cart was already easily ten feet away from you. A small shriek fell from your lips as you started speed walking for it, seeing the way it was heading straight for an over price convertible, something you couldn’t pay to fix. “Oh, no, no!” You spoke to yourself, unable to run with your ever growing bump. “I’ll get it!” A guy went jogging passed you, grabbing it just before it could hit the car, you stopped in your spot, even from the back you could recognize him. Your jaw fell, you looked to the ground as he turned, pushing the cart back towards you. “Thank you.” You whispered, awkwardly looking up, Jamie was already staring at you. He went stiff, eyes stuck on yours, like always you could read them so well, he was shocked, maybe even a bit happy before he did a double take over your body.

“Y/N.” His eyes jumped between yours and the bump you were fully showing off in the snug fit maternity dress. “Jamie.” You whispered, taking a step towards the cart, seeing his knuckles turn white from his grip on the handle. “You’re–is it mine?” He asked bluntly, taking a step away from you, watching as you pushed the cart into the grass, taking the crib sheets and hugging them to your body. “First of all, you should know, I tried to contact you through social media, I didn’t have your number anymore.” You rushed, the guilt eating you alive. “Online?” He scoffed, “you tried to tell me you’re pregnant through Instagram?” His words were harsh, but his eyes blank. “Jamie, I’m sorry, I swear I wanted to tell you. I deleted your number after we broke up, I was upset, and I didn’t know what else to do.” You pleaded, staring him down, he looked to the sheets in your arms, studying them, it was easy to tell it was a girl, the pack being full of pink and floral fabric. He bit his lip, looking passed you, you glanced back, turning your body slightly, face falling when you saw Tyler, who you could tell instantly recognized you.

His eyes darted to your stomach, his eyes going as wide as they could as he turned back around and walked away to give you two space. “A girl?” Jamie finally spoke, stepping closer to you, a sniffled yes fell from your lips as you looked away. “I’m so sorry, I promise I wanted you to know. I didn’t want to take this or her away from you.” You explained to him, surprised when he reached out to wipe a tear from your cheek before retracting his hand. “I know, you wouldn’t do that.” He still sounded angry, which you couldn’t blame him for, but you were grateful he wasn’t completely losing it. This is an odd situation, there isn’t a guide book to how to handle this kind of information. “I have so many questions.” He mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, a smile graced your face. “Well, if you want to give me your number again, we can catch up sometime.” You joked, hoping it wasn’t too soon, your feelings for Jamie rushing right back, like you hadn’t just been apart for seven months. “Are you free now?” He blurted, turning pink afterwards. “I was just going to go home and put my swollen ankles up on the couch, you’re more than welcome to come.” You spoke sheepishly, biting the corner of your lip. “I-Uh-are you sure? I don’t want to impose.” He stuttered over his words, you couldn’t help but let out a giggle, which turned into a string of laughter as Jamie stared at you curiously, “Jamie, you could never impose on me. You deserve all the time you want, it’s my fault you missed so much of this already.” You spoke through laughter that you were fighting to not turn into tears. “Let’s not blame anyone, ok?” He spoke softly, shoving his hands into his pockets, “um, I just have to drop Tyler off at his place, and then I can come by?” He raised an eyebrow, rocking on his feet as you let a tear slip. “Yeah,” you cleared your throat, “yeah that works.” You turned walking straight for your car, you were climbing into the drivers seat when Jamie jogged over to you, “gate code still the same?” He asked looking down at you.

Your breathing hitched the memory coming back instantly.

“A one month anniversary gift?” Jamie teased, shaking the small box you gave him, the only thing being inside was a note with the code to your apartment complex gate on it. You were tired of having to buzz him in all the time, and you trusted him more than you normally would trust a guy. He was different, he was kind, he cared. “Shut up and open it.” You rolled your eyes, going back into the kitchen suddenly embarrassed as he opened the box, he looked back up with a grin only to find you gone, he jumped to his feet and wandered into the kitchen, arms wrapping around your waist from behind. “That was cute, babe, and I’ll definitely use it.” He kissed your cheek, feeling you smile under his lips, “good.”

“Yeah, still the same.” With that you parted ways, you nervously driving home to clean whatever mess you left in the apartment, and little did you know Jamie was sitting in Tyler’s driveway, trying to process this information, while Tyler was insisting this was fate.

“It’s not fate!” Jamie snapped, glaring at his friend who sat in the passenger seat with a smug smile on his face, “ok, so what do you call seeing your ex who’s been trying to get a hold of you for months because she’s pregnant with your child? In a target parking lot no less!” Tyler rambled, giving Jamie a stern look, “exactly, it’s fate. Case closed. I know it’s a lot to handle, but there was always something special between you two.” He added, waiting for Jamie to speak. “We dated for barely two months, Ty.” Jamie grumbled, leaning back in his seat, rubbing a hand over his face. “So? That’s plenty of time to know if you’re in love!” Tyler defended, laughing when Jamie went pink. “You are a terrible liar.” He snickered, calming himself down as Jamie looked over at him with wide, emotion filled eyes. “It’s a girl.” Jamie whispered, scratching at his beard, Tyler went silent, a happy smile pulling across his face. “Shit, man, you better hope she looks like Y/N.” Tyler teased, using it to hide his own emotions as well, “get out.” Jamie laughed, wiping at his eyes. “I gotta go over there before she thinks I’m bailing, I have so much to learn.” He mumbled, Tyler giving him a quick pat on the shoulder, “you got this, it’ll be fine.”

You paced in your living room, swollen feet and all, suddenly terrified that Jamie wasn’t going to show, how could you even think he would have? For all you know he could be thinking it isn’t even his, that you said it was for money. You rubbed your hands over your bump, your daughter extra active as your anxiety picked up, you took a deep breath, jumping when the door was knocked on. You gave the room one last look over before going to let him in, “hey.” You smiled softly, the familiarity of opening your door to see him staring back at you came rushing back and you had to ignore the ache in your chest from it. “Hey.” He repeated, looking beyond you and into the cozy apartment of yours that always loved to be in. “Oh, come in, sorry.” You awkwardly shuffled, shutting the door once he walked in, he didn’t know where to go so he kind of just stood in limbo, you rushed over to the fridge, pulling the last sonogram photo off of it, which was already aged so well, considering you don’t have anymore ultrasounds scheduled and you couldn’t spare the cash to go to a 3D place. “Here.” You handed it to him, watching as he grabbed it delicately, looking at the black and white photo in awe. He glanced up at you, his eyes scanning around the room, he could see little touches here and there for the baby, the most noticeable one being the car seat and stroller you had in boxes by the kitchen table. It hurt him to see all the things you had to do by yourself, all the things he should be here for, his mind wandered, suddenly wondering if you had a nursery set up for her, deep down he knew you did, because you were you and you were a planner.

“I’m sorry, Jamie. I really am, I feel terrible, please don’t hate me for not telling you.” You rushed your words, his immediate reaction was to step closer to you, “I don’t think I could ever hate you, Y/N. I’ll get over it, I just don’t want to miss anymore.” He assured you, resisting the urge to hug you, not wanting to push your boundaries. You nodded tearfully, “give me your hand.” You whispered, feeling her moving around, he didn’t hesitate to listen, watching as you placed it to the upper left side of your stomach, he furrowed his brows before he felt the kick. You watched the smile pull across his face, “oh my god.” He whispered, scrambling to set the sonogram photo down, placing his other hand there as well. He felt overcome by emotion, he couldn’t explain it, but he had zero doubts of this being his baby, he felt as if he had a bond with her already despite her not even being born yet. You watched him with tears in your eyes, finally getting to see a genuine reaction from him about this, he was happy, it was plain as day across his face. No doubts, nothing but pure happiness and excitement. “Tell me everything. I don’t care how long it takes, please, just make me feel like I’ve been here for all of this.” He sniffled, keeping his eyes on your stomach, where his hands still laid gently, worried if he put anymore pressure he’d hurt you. “We better sit down then.” You joked, finally getting his attention, he mirrored your expression, relief and happiness, with watery eyes. “We better.” He agreed, following you to the couch, where you spent the next two hours exchanging stories, although he didn’t speak much, a combination of processing the information and simply wanting to hear you speak for as long as possible.

After some time, the sun had started to set, Jamie caught you glancing out the window repeatedly, “I can leave now.” He assured you, but made no effort to move, if he was being honest he really didn’t want to leave, he wanted to be here even if there was nothing he could do to help you. “No, it’s fine.” You brushed him off, an idea popping into your head, “did you want to see her room?” You raised an eyebrow at him, he nodded eagerly rushing to his feet, extending his hands to help you off the couch. You gave him a grateful smile once you were up on your feet, “come on.” You led him down the short hallway to what was once your guest bedroom, you stepped aside and let him push the door open, “it’s not completely finished yet, I want to put her name up above the crib, but I haven’t decided on one yet.” You explained, leaning against the wall as he stood in the middle of the room, looking around at all the furniture, and the bags of baby clothes you've yet to wash. “You haven’t picked a name?” He looked kind of hopeful, “no, but I figured now you could help me? If you’re going to be involved.” You trailed off, needing the confirmation from him. “Of course I’m going to be involved, Y/N. That’s my daughter.” He pointed to your stomach, earning a soft chuckle from you. Jamie saw the tears pooling in your eyes, so he lightened the subject slightly, “you put all of this together by yourself?” He questioned, running his hands over the white crib railing, looking down at the small mattress, imaging what it will look like once the baby is here. “Well, my brother came down a couple weeks ago to help me put it all together, my bump got in the way too much.” You giggled, thinking back to the way you and your brother were so frustrated with each other while trying to put the furniture together.

“Oh–your family, they probably hate me.” He whispered, more for himself than you, you couldn’t help yourself, you took large steps over to him, standing toe to toe with him, chuckling as your bump grazed his own stomach. “They don’t hate you, actually, they’re more mad at me for not finding a way to tell you.” You whispered, Jamie nodded, still feeling guilty for causing any disturbance in your family–wait, family. He still has to tell his family. “I have to tell my family, my parents, oh my god.” He suddenly sat down in the glider in the corner, head in his hands, you frowned at the sight, your reserves breaking, when you broke up with Jamie you loved him, you’d never told him, not wanting to make it harder for him. But now, looking at him like this, and thinking of how in two short months your daughter would be here, and seeing him with her, it all came rushing back. “Jamie.” You whispered, making his head snap up, “it’s going to be ok.” You assured him, he could see you wanted to say more, “and?” He prompted, remembering how you’d fiddle with your fingers when you were nervous, just like you were doing right now. You shook your head, letting the tears fall, Jamie was up in an instant, standing right in front of you again, but this time he did hug you. He pulled you as snug against his chest as he could, ducking his head down to inhale the scent of your shampoo, “you can tell me anything, you know.” He reminded you, shocked with how easy it felt to be back with you. He loved you then and he was certain he did now, things would have to go slowly though, it was difficult to jump right back into how things were after all this time.

“I loved you, Jamie, I still love you. If you feel the same, that’s great, and if you don’t, just tell me now so I can deal with it before the baby comes.” You rambled into his chest, but he caught all he needed to hear, “I still love you too.” He whispered, laughing when you shot back, looking at him skeptically. “I mean, things would have to go slow, right? But I want to be here, whether that’s as your boyfriend too, or just as a co-parent, I’m going to be here.” He assured you, a confident smile on his face, you put your arms up around his neck, taking in the expression on his face–the emotions in his eyes. “Kinda slow.” You shrugged, eyes flickering down to his lips, “kinda slow.” He smirked, mimicking your actions. “You know, I’m a really hormonal pregnant woman, so you should just kiss me already.” You whispered, admiring the way his eyes crinkled shut in laughter, his lips met yours, and it felt like you never stopped kissing him, like the last seven months apart didn’t happen. You felt safe and loved, and you could only pray that things continued this easily.

When you finally separated you both stared at each other, “hi.” He mumbled, tracing your cheekbones with his thumbs, a blissful smile on his face. You started to laugh, uncontrollably, and he couldn’t help but join in. Not even sure why he was laughing but, you were contagious. “This is insane, Jamie.” You finally spoke, breathing hard from laughing, “are we really doing this? Us?” You questioned, suddenly very serious. “I’m all in, Y/N.” He assured you, “when’s your next appointment?” He questioned, tucking the hair behind your ears. “Tomorrow actually.” You grinned, “Wanna come?” You teased, already knowing his answer. “Can I?” He murmured, he hated that he felt like he was overstepping, even though you just offered it to him. “Of course, I want you to come, to all of them.” You spoke calmly, the easiness of being with him helped you ease your nerves, it just felt right.

***

“Bed rest?!” You and Jamie exclaimed at the same time, you had zero complications during your pregnancy so far, and now suddenly your blood pressure is up, and your doctor is worried about you going into early labor. She nodded, “yes, I think that’s the best option, for now you can monitor it at home, but if anything changes I recommend you come back in so we can reevaluate.” Your mind was going a thousand miles a minute, how could you do bed rest on your own, you lived in an apartment with an elevator that didn’t always work. Jamie could tell he was thinking the same thing as you, worry etched into his features. “Is this serious?” He asked the doctor, “it could be, but if it’s managed well, she can go full term.” She assured him, “I’ll give you two a moment, whenever you’re ready you can head to the front and check out.” She smiled, disappearing just like that. You covered your face with your hands, shaking with soft cries. “Jamie, what am I supposed to do?” You groaned into your hands, he stood in front of you and gently pulled them away from your face. “What are we supposed to do.” He corrected you softly, wiping under your eyes, “I have an idea. A crazy one, but an idea nonetheless.” He spoke, staring right into your eyes, “go on.” You encouraged, mind still reeling, unable to think properly.

“Come stay with me.” He deadpanned, you went blank, “like, move in?” You trailed off, looking away before you could see the smile on his face. “Yeah.” He nodded, “you can stay in a different room, whatever makes you comfortable, but I wouldn’t feel good leaving you in your apartment all day by yourself. Besides, when the baby comes it would just be easier, everything would be in one place. We wouldn’t have to worry about going back and forth between houses, it just makes sense.” He rambled, watching you hesitantly, unsure of how you were reacting as your face stayed blank. “I’m scared, Jamie, I’m really fucking scared, about something happening to her, or to us.” You whimpered, hiding your face in his chest, he shushed you and ran his hands up and down your back. He had all those same fears, but he wouldn’t tell you that, you needed encouragement, and he was here to give it. “It’s going to be ok, she's going to be a healthy happy baby, and we’re going to be ok. I promise, I want nothing more than to make this work.” He cupped your cheeks as he spoke, making sure you absorbed every word, he placed a kiss to your forehead before pecking your lips shortly. “Now, we’re still standing in the doctors office and I don’t think that’s very productive of me when I need to be bringing you to your new home.” He joked, finally getting a smile out of you. There was a lot to figure out, a lot to do, but you pushed the worries aside for now and just allowed Jamie to take you to his house–your now shared home.

***

You were now only a month away from having your baby, things with Jamie had been good, not great, but you attributed that to your own self worries. He had been nothing but loving and attentive, but you couldn’t help but worry that once the baby came, he wouldn’t really care about you anymore. It sounded terrible, but you couldn’t help how you felt. Your blood pressure had gone back to normal, and your doctor told you that you didn’t have to stay on full bed rest, but she definitely wanted you to take it easy. Which is why you were sitting in the glider in what was becoming the baby’s nursery, watching Tyler and Jamie snap at each other while trying to figure out how to put the crib back together. You decided not to renew your apartment, it was something you and Jamie spoke long and hard about, but it felt like the right decision, why spend all that money on rent when you wouldn’t even be going there. So now, you’d sold whatever furniture you didn’t need, and brought all of the baby stuff here, just in time for her arrival coming up. You looked around the room, Jamie had asked you what you pictured for the walls, knowing in the apartment you couldn’t paint, so you told him, not thinking much of it, you didn’t think was going to spend the whole weekend painting the room and putting up the floral wallpaper. But he did, because he loves you and wanted you to have the nursery you dreamed of for your daughter. He couldn’t lie and say that he didn’t love it, because he did. The light colors, and the furniture together, it felt cozy but beautiful at the same time. It was more than he could have dreamed of for his baby. Tyler was thrilled to have you back in the group, he tended to you just as much as Jamie did, insisting he could do things, or help out. It was sweet really, and you were thankful that everyone important in Jamie’s life was so accepting of you. His family included, his mom was thrilled and couldn’t wait to come visit once the baby was born, who’s name still hadn’t been decided on, but that was your next mission.

“We need to pick a name, Jam.” You reminded him, as he huffed, finally getting the crib out together properly, he looked over at you with a smile, “this should be interesting.” Tyler laughed, sitting back against the wall, watching the two of you go back and forth over names, both of you spitting them out left and right only to be shot down by the other.

“Grace?” Jamie spoke, eyebrow raised, “as a middle name.” You countered, he nodded, “I can agree to that.” He leaned back on his arms, waiting for you to give out a first name option. You ran your hands over your even larger bump, “Presley?” You grinned, he cocked his head to the side, chewing on his lip. “Presley Grace Benn.” He spoke, glancing over at Tyler who had a wide grin on his face. You started crying which made the two guys laugh, Jamie slid over to be sitting in front of you, pressing a kiss to your stomach, something he's started doing a lot now. Especially when you started sneaking into his bed in the middle of the night, until you finally agreed to stay in the same room as him, you didn’t like being alone when you knew he was right down the hall. “Presley.” He mumbled, pushing himself up to give you a quick kiss. “Well, come on now, let’s finish Presley’s room, Tyler.” He demanded, laughing at the way his friend shot up, “don’t have to tell me twice.”

***

You tossed and turned, between your mind racing, Presley’s kicking and Jamie’s absence, you couldn’t will yourself to get some rest. You groaned, sitting up in the edge of the bed, trying to find the willpower to go apologize to Jamie, he was sleeping in the guest room, you two having a huge argument just a few hours before. He didn’t want to leave, but you didn’t seem to want to be next to him, and he surely wasn’t going to make you sleep in a different room.

Jamie stared at you across the dining room table, trying to figure out why you were so moody tonight, yes, yes, of course he knows about pregnancy hormones. But this was different, you were quiet, and he could see the worry dancing in your eyes, and that bothered him, he tried to get it out of subtly, but you didn’t budge, you stood your ground, not wanting to admit how you felt aloud. “Baby, what’s wrong?” He finally broke and asked you bluntly, resting his elbows on the table, chin in his hand as he looked at you. He sighed when you shrugged, “nothing.” You lied. “Is everything ok?” He asked, referring to the baby, “does anything hurt?” He questioned, and that broke you. “Oh my god, Jamie! Is it always about the pregnancy? I feel like that's all I am to you now! When she’s born, am I just going to become this woman that lives in your house to take care of your daughter?” You snapped, sliding your chair back aggressively, huffing with your arms crossed over your chest, he stared at you, jaw falling slack as he tried to process what you accused him of out of nowhere. “Y/N–“ “What? Are you going to say that’s not true? It doesn’t feel like it.” You cut him off, standing up from the table, “I love you.” He called as you walked off, which his motive wasn’t to make you feel guilty, but it did. “I love you too!” You shouted, but still slamming the door shut to your master bedroom. Jamie flinching as he cleaned the table off from dinner. He gave you space, coming to check on you an hour or so later, you were in the shower, back towards him so you didn’t see him stand there for a moment, deciding what his next move should be. But when he heard you angrily close the cap to your shampoo, he decided he would give you some more time.

You pushed yourself up off the bed, sniffling as you hobbled down the hall. You were walking passed Presley’s now finished room, glancing at the go bags you had packed and ready for her arrival any day now. 38 weeks, she could come at any time now and you were as ready as ready could be. You were about to continue down the hall when you heard a soft snore come from inside the room, you furrowed your brows and tiptoed into the room, feeling immensely guilty when you saw Jamie asleep in the glider with a parenting book spread open on his chest. You carefully slipped the book from his grasp, setting it on the changing table beside him, he finally looked at ease, you were going to just leave him there to rest, but as you went to walk out of the room, Presley gave a hard kick, as if she was scolding you. “Fine, I’ll get daddy.” You spoke softly down to your bump, something you and Jamie had both begun doing constantly. It dawned on you then, as you turned to look at him, that he hadn’t done anything wrong, he was being nothing but loving towards you and the baby. Yes, he was putting an emphasis on the pregnancy, who wouldn’t? You loved when he would lay his head on your lap watching tv, and talk to your stomach, or how his hands were always rubbing on it, and the way he would always press a kiss to where she was kicking before he would go to sleep.

He was madly in love with you, and you were too in your head to notice.

You pushed his messy hair off his forehead, “Jamie?” You whispered, he nudged further into your hand, still fast asleep, “Jamie.” You spoke again, resting your other hand on his chest, lightly shaking him. He sucked in a breath through his nose as he fluttered his eyes open, “Y/N?” He whispered, blinking to adjust to the light in the room, his voice raspy. “Honey, why don’t you come to bed.” You murmured, placing your hand over his bearded jaw, he met your gaze. “Are you still mad at me?” He quipped, eyes softening as he saw the way yours were bloodshot. “No, I was being an idiot, I shouldn’t have said any of that, it’s not true.” You whispered, he nodded, not moving his head from your hand, “I’m sorry, Jamie.” You leaned down to give him a kiss that he gladly accepted, “I know, baby, don’t cry.” He smiled up at you, “I’m not crying.” You rolled your eyes sheepishly, feeling the few tears fall down your cheeks. “Come on, you’re exhausted.” He stood up with a yawn, hands on your hips as he guided you back to bed. He flicked the lights off in the nursery as he walked, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. “You know, if something’s ever bothering you, you can always tell me, and we can figure it out together.” He reminded you softly, smiling when you turned to hug him tightly. “I know, my emotions have been all over the place, I never know what’s actually bothering me or what I think it’s bothering me.” You mumbled into his chest, feeling the laughter run through him at your muffled statement. “It’s ok, sweetheart, let’s just go to bed.” He nudged you gently towards the bed, smiling when you laid facing him, you sighed in content, your belly resting comfortably on your body pillow, your eyes shutting instantly as you felt Jamie playing with your hair. “Goodnight, baby.” He mumbled, kissing your forehead before settling into his side of the bed, staying up until you were fast asleep, just admiring you, and in awe of how soon it wouldn’t just be the two of you. He was terrified and excited all at the same time.

You woke up what felt like minutes later but was actually hours, to a shooting pain in your back. You groaned, hand shooting to rub the spot, the pain easing a few moments later. You brushed it off as sleeping in an odd position, you flipped to your other side, letting your eyes shut again, but after a few minutes the pain started easing back before it had you nearly in tears. You scrambled to grab your phone, checking the time and sighing when it read two am. “Now, Presley?” You rubbed your stomach, nervously biting your lip. You decided to time the next one and see if it truly was contractions or just an odd coincidence. Jamie was still out beside you, laying flat on his stomach with half his face hidden in the pillow. You sat up against the headboard, rubbing your hands over your face as you watched the time tick away, five minutes passed and just as you thought maybe you were losing your mind, the pain came back, moving more towards your stomach. “Jamie!” You whacked his back with a pillow, sending him flying up, “what? What’s wrong?” He turned the lamp on, eyes wide as he looked at you. You didn’t speak as you had your eyes squeezed shut, a death grip on the sheets below you as the pain pushed through you. “Fuck.” You whimpered, slowly releasing the sheets as it passed. “Are you having contractions? Is it baby time?” He panicked, jumping off the bed, already throwing his pajama pants off and replacing them with real clothes. “Yeah.” You whispered, slowly sliding off the bed, you stood on your two feet shakily, Jamie coming over to grab your hands. “My water hasn’t broken, why hasn’t it broken?” You rushed, suddenly panicking over everything. Jamie shushed you, allowing you to have a death grip on his hands as he slowly walked towards the door with you. “Well, I think it just did.” He informed you as you froze, feeling the wetness go through your pants. You sighed in relief but then it set in that this was really happening, “I need to change my pants, and we need to go.” You were counting down the minutes, wanting to get changed into new pants before another contraction started. Jamie quickly helped you step out of the ones you’d been wearing before grabbing a pair of his sweatpants and shimmying them up your legs. He ran and grabbed the bags and you two were on your way.

The drive to the hospital was made in record speed, Jamie carefully but quickly getting you there, worrying every time you had a contraction and they were quickly getting closer together.

“Seven?!” You shrieked when the doctor popped up from checking how dilated you were, “you’re just speeding right along sweetie! She’ll be here before you know it!” She smiled up at your panicked face, you’d already gotten an epidural, which was thankfully helping tremendously with the pain. “Be back in an hour to check you.” She clapped her hands and was on her way, you and Jamie sitting in the hospital room, the light pouring in from outside, you’d been four centimeters when you got here, and that was only a few hours ago, the sun starting to shine as the early morning came. “She’s already impatient like me.” You sighed, leaning back against your pillows, Jamie chuckled from the seat beside you, “you say that as if you’re not ready to meet her.” He teased you, lacing your fingers together, anxiously bouncing his leg. “You’re making me nervous.” You spoke bluntly, he stopped moving his leg, “sorry.” He mumbled, knowing you weren’t meaning to be so quick with him. “I love you.” You reminded him, he chuckled, “I know, babe, I love you too.” He pressed a quick kiss to your pouted lips before urging you to get some type of rest now that the pain wasn’t so bad.

“You did this to me!” You snapped at Jamie after you gave your fifth excruciating push, suddenly now your daughter decided to be stubborn. “I know.” Is all he could say, pushing your sweaty hair back, one hand under your knee to help hold your leg back. “You’re doing so good, baby.” He encouraged you, smiling when you looked at him with worried eyes between pushes. “I can see her head, Y/N! Just a few more big pushes!” Your doctor encouraged, you let out a strangled cry before nodding, knowing you had no choice but to do it. Jamie cringed every time you pushed and your face started turning bright red, “come on! One more big push!” She encouraged you again, Jamie allowing you to grip his arm tightly as you crunched forward, giving all your strength for this last push. “Shoulders, arms and here we go, a baby girl.” Your doctor spoke, holding her up to put her on your chest as the nurse threw a towel down, using it to wipe her off as she began to cry. “Oh my god.” You cried, unable to pull your eyes off of her, Jamie was staring in awe at her, and you too. “Dad, want to cut the cord?” The doctor shook you both from your thoughts, he nodded hesitantly, she directed to him where to cut it, and he cringed as he did so, but happy that he did it. In a heartbeat he was back up by your head, watching as they took Presley off to be weighed and given a quick check up. “You did it, you did amazing.” He whispered against your forehead, not caring that you were covered in a layer of sweat. “She’s so beautiful, Jamie.” You looked up at him, feeling your heart swell with pride, “that’s all you mama.” He grinned, ducking down to kiss your lips. “All you.” He sighed, “so proud of you.”

***

Waking up to Jamie speaking to Presley was a normal occurrence, and you never got tired of it, you smiled from your place on your pillow as he held the two week old to his chest, she was looking up at him with wide eyes, Jamie had his eyes focused on her as he mumbled sweet words. Telling her how much he loved her and how beautiful she was. “Good morning.” You whispered, watching his eyes look over to you. “Morning.” He smiled, watching you sit up and scoot closer to him. “How long have you been up with her?” You ran your thumb over her chubby little cheek, smiling as she tried to look back at you. He handed her over to you, “not long, ten minutes maybe.” He shrugged, smiling as she instantly gripped your finger. “Hi baby girl.” You cooed, nuzzling your nose against hers, loving the way she would scrunch her face up when you did that. “Hey.” Jamie nudged you lightly, reaching up to grab your chin, turning you to face him, “get out of your head, yeah?” He hummed, kissing you softly, “I still love you.” He reminded you with a smile, just like you two had said only three short months ago, but it felt like forever. “I still love you too.” You responded, melting into his side as he put an arm around your shoulders, you both relishing in the quiet room before Presley would start to get fussy. That’s how most mornings went over the summer, when the season started it was hard, but you both figured it out, and you could only wish you had done that the year before, you wouldn’t have missed out on so much time with him.

But he was here now, all three of you were happy and healthy, living your lives as a family, and that’s all that really matters.

taglist: @vinceduhn @kempe @jackiesquinn @josty @kiedhara @literarycharleton

#jamie benn #Jamie benn fic #Jamie benn imagine #Jamie benn imagines #dallas stars #imagine #imagines

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stay-tinystars · 4 years ago

Text

Hurting, and Healing

Kevin Moon (non idol) x reader (fem. Implied, reader wears dress)

Old friends reacquainted. Not a love story.

Warnings:discussions of past abusive relationship (non graphic), discussions of therapy, guilt, and surviors guilt. [Please let me know if I missed any]

Angst!

Word count: 1536

A/N: this was originally a song fic, that changed drastically. This is a very angsty story, with little fluff. No romance, just old friends reacquainted. I'm not sure why I wrote this, but I needed to get this out apparently. Please let me know what you think.

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The live band playing covers of songs amongst the busy shopping district was always something you enjoyed. It was one of the things you had missed when you were away at college. Walking your old stomping grounds had been a pleasant afternoon.

You had stopped near the back of the crowd, dancing in your short flowy sundress. The skirt twirled and twisted along with you. Your small backpack shifted, as you danced in your well worn Chuck Taylor's.

That's when he saw you, enjoying the music just like you used to. He stopped in his tracks, doing a double take. He had almost convinced himself it wasn't you, until you laughed and cheered as the song ended. He started towards you as another song started, he watched as you jumped with excitement. You hadn't changed much since he last saw you.

You spun around with a giggle as the chorus to Jesse's Girl started. That's when you saw Kevin off to the side watching. A smirk came across your lips as you pulled him in to dance with you. His hands in yours as you bounced to the music.

"I wasn't sure if it was really you-" he started, you shushed him.

"Not now, Just shut up and dance" you said as you started to spin the both of you. He smiled, shaking his head as he started enjoying the music with you. You both got lost in the others company, until the song ended. You separated and started to cheer, pumping your fist in the air. "Wooo"

The next song started, This time the slow tune made you sway. Kevin pulled you back in, placing his hands on your waist. You followed his lead placing your hands on his shoulders.

"When did you come back?" He asked, his eyes soft as they stared into yours.

"Only yesterday." You half smiled glancing down, then back up into his eyes.

"Are you staying?" His head tilted to the side.

"I'm not sure yet. Now that I've finished with school I'm waiting for the jobs I've applied for to respond. I guess that's when we will see where I go." You shrugged.

"I've missed you." He looked out at the crowd, most who had taken the cue to dance themselves. "I'm sorry I wasn't the person you needed before you left."

You shook your head, "You did exactly what you needed to. You weren't at fault"

"But I didn't help you. I was too much of a coward to fight for you." You could see the anger behind his eyes, for no one but himself.

"Kevin, it wasn't your fight." You sighed. "I had to learn how to take care of myself. What happened wasn't right, but now I know how to protect me."

"But he abused you!" Kevin broke away. "I should've seen it. I should've done something."

You took in a deep breath, as you followed Kevin, grabbing his hand once again. He just held on, pulling you towards an empty bench, away from everything, and everyone else.

"You are the one who saved me. I know you're the one who called, and turned him in."

"But why didn't I see it sooner" He turned towards you.

"Because I wanted to hide it. I didn't know how to handle it, the things he did-" a lump in your throat caught your words. The memories from that time frame came rushing back, the heartache, the pain. You sat on the bench, and tried to calm your breathing.

"You always had my back, you stood up for me in highschool. Then when you needed me I couldn't protect you." He plopped down on the bench beside you.

"Kevin, don't beat yourself up over the past. It was years ago, and you are the reason I'm still around." You took a deep breath. "That night I called you, and told you." You paused putting a hand on his knee, causing him to make eye contact with you. "Kevin you came, you got me. The reason I got away from him that night was because I couldn't take it anymore, and I remembered that move you showed me to get away from an attacker. I did it and ran. You saved me, you've done so much for me." You gave his knee a squeeze.

"You remember that? I taught you that before prom because I didn't trust your date."

"It's what saved me from His drunk ass that night." You closed your eyes as the scene played in your mind.

"I just still don't understand why I didn't see it." His eyes made contact with yours. You could see the hurt now "Why didn't you tell me?"

"The first time I was sure it was an accident, that I had done something. After that I became ashamed, he convinced me I deserved it, and that if I said anything no one would believe me." Hot tears ran down your cheeks, as you looked at your hands, that now rested in your lap.

"I would've." His voice soft as he placed a hand atop of yours.

" I know that now." You shook your head, "but when it happened it was overwhelming. When he came in that night, drunk and shoved me into the wall, it was like something snapped, and I knew if I didn't do something I wasn't going to make it. That's when I did that defence move, it brought him down to the ground and I ran."

You both sat in silence, his hand gradually moved yours, his fingers intertwining with yours.

"How have you handled it. All of it." His words barely audible above the sounds around you.

"Moving away, getting a fresh start, but mostly therapy. Therapy helped me a lot. I found a group of others who had been through. I went to that group every week until I graduated. The individual sessions helped to. I'm better now. I also took some real self defense classes." You gave a weak smile. "Kevin, I'm ok now. I'm sorry you've felt like you've let me down all this time."

He nodded, "I missed you. Your mom updated me on your well-being when I saw her around." He said off handedly.

You hung your head. When you left for college you deleted every social media, and got a new number. You needed to leave your old life behind, because it all hurt so much. You never realized how much that also hurt Kevin until now.

"I missed you too." Your voice quiet, as you glanced towards him. Your heart felt heavy. You had healed from most of your trauma, yet Kevin who had been one of your closest friends hadn't been able to have closure. "I'm so sorry. When I left I was only thinking of myself."

"You needed to take care of you." he gave your hand a squeeze.

"That's not a good enough excuse, how could I do that to you. Over two years and all you get is updates when you see my mom around town. We used to spend hours at each other's places in high-school. Then when Jin came into the picture I practically ditched everyone. I left you not only once, but twice. What the hell is wrong with me?" You yelled at yourself, dropping his hand and bringing your hands to your face.

"Nothing is wrong with you. You're human, we make mistakes." Kevin put an arm around you, in an effort to console you.

"But I left you without saying anything." You muttered into your hands.

"You needed a fresh start, it's okay." His hand rubbing small circles on your back.

"It's not okay. It will never be okay. I left you. I left you and you thought you could've done something better. I left you, and you beat yourself up for over two years because of my ignorance." You lost your words in self anger. He searched for words he couldn't find. He had been hurt, but so had you. The actions you both had failed to do haunted the two of you. Silence fell between the two of you, it wasn't comfortable, nor was it awkward, it was just silence.

The sounds of shoppers and the soft canned music of the shops seemed to fill the silence. After a few minutes you leaned against Kevin slightly, just as you used to in high-school. His arm wrapped around your shoulders and he gave a squeeze. Neither of you spoke for over a half hour, as you both took in the words that had been spoken, as well as the unspoken ones that seemed to float in the air. The sun started to go down, the sky darkening slightly, as you rested your head against his shoulder. His cheek on your hair.

His stomach growled making you both laugh.

"When did you last eat?" You giggled, as you sat up.

"I was actually going to go get dinner when I saw you." He smiled.

"Do you still like that old burger joint we used to go to?" You raised a brow, and he nodded.

"That's actually where I was headed." He smirked, and stood up, offering his hand to you.

#the boyz kevin #the boyz angst #the boyz fanfic #the boyz imagines #the boyz scenarios #kevin moon scenarios #kevin moon angst

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simpsiren · 4 years ago

Text

description. you and your coworkers were intensely shocked and sent into an uproar when a large group of idols suddenly came in.

genre. is there even one?? MAMA 2020 AU I GUESS

warnings. nonee

a/n. i dont even know where to start cudndn i just thought it would be funny to vision how it was like when nct went to mcdonalds it’s not the best idea ever but i just wanted to write about it HAHAHA enjoy!! :D

Me working part time on a Sunday night went as per usual. Being a cashier at McDonalds couldn’t be any more easier. Well, except for unsatisfied customers and what not, but those were rarely seen at the McDonalds I worked at.

However, I got to know that today was a special day.

“We’re so lucky!” I heard my coworker and also the only friend I have while working, Julie, cried out with her face lit with excitement. I questioned her sudden thrilling attitude with a, “Exactly why are we lucky?”

Julie took in a deep breath. “MAMA 2020 is tonight and the venue is nearby!” She announced, hopping a little in her spot.

I still have yet to understand what she meant. I kept silent and stared at her to urge her to explain further. Julie groaned and shook her head while placing a hand on her forehead.

“It means that we get to see the MAMA participants passing through.” Julie leaned her hip against the edge of the counter where she would hand out the ready made meals.

It took my awhile to process what she said. With the use of my background knowledge, which is mainly Julie blabbering into my ear as well as what she posts often on her social media, I realised that what she meant was that we would be able to see K-pop idols going past to reach the venue of the awards show. I gaped my mouth open and let out an, “Ah...” while I nodded my head in affirmation.

“Wait but you won’t even be able to see them they’ll be in cars.” I added on, tilting my head with furrowed eyebrows as I gave it more thought.

What I said made Julie let out a disappointing sigh and frown. I patted her back when I looked behind to see my other coworker in the back wanting to hand the ready made food to Julie, signalling her with a jerk of my head.

“You think you’ll meet them? In your dreams, Julie.” I let out before attending to the next customer and getting their order.

After awhile, the place slowly got less crowded except for some groups of teenagers who apparently dont go home and could stay till very late.

I thought it was a pretty good time to take out the trash and asked Julie to fill in for me while I did so.

I brought out the bags of trash out of the store and to the parking lot where the large dustbins are at. I then narrowed my eyes and raised an eyebrow in suspicion as I got a clear look of the parking lot.

“Why the fuck are there a bunch of cars here? And people...” I muttered to myself under my breath as I looked at the people standing beside the cars. They look like regular people who were freezing to death due to the cold season of December till a few people step out of the cars wearing suits. I couldn’t exactly identify their faces but they seemed to be people of high class. Very high class.

I could only imagine what the people outside those cars feel like. It already looked extremely cramped due to the numbers of cars parked in the somewhat small parking lot. And they seemed like they needed to stay outside due to the people in the car. I wondered for a moment who could be so important in those cars that they couldn’t take turns being in and out of the car.

I shook my head in disbelief, wondering why I’m digging so much into a situation I wasn’t in. I quickly went back, not wanting Julie to ask me why I was out for such a long time.

“We’re open for 24 hours but the only people who seem to be coming in at 3AM are random teenagers who look like they got nowhere else to go.” Julie commented as I took my place back behind the register.

I exhaled sharply, puffing my chest out for a moment while I looked out to the wide windows of the restaurant that only showed me a dark blank sky. “At least we’ll still get paid without doing much work.” I mumbled as I leaned against the counter with my elbow and placing my chin on my palm.

I was casually scrolling through Instagram and Twitter while Julie was playing some kind of mobile game when I heard the bell above the door rang, signalling that someone came into the shop. I didn’t bother looking up to see who it was yet, since I was in the middle of reading an article.

What caught my attention suddenly though was the fact that I didn’t hear only one set of footsteps. I heard a bunch. Like a large group of people coming in one at a time with the bell constantly ringing as more people came in.

Getting irritated by the noise of the bell, I looked up from my phone with an annoyed huff. “What can I get for you-“

I couldn’t complete my sentence as I saw what was in front of me. I blinked my eyes rapidly in awe and tilted my head. They could probably tell I was either in shock or fear (or maybe both) when I heard the guy nearest to the counter said, “We’re sorry to shock you but-“

I placed a hand in front of me to signal him to stop talking as I suddenly heard a ruckus suddenly happening behind me. I turned around and raised both my eyebrows. What happened really added more to the shock and terror I was feeling. I could tell that my other coworkers are radiating the same energy.

“Why did Julie faint?!” My coworker shouted. As my coworkers were trying to see if Julie was alive, one of them turned to me with eyes of worrisome and said, “You go handle those customers.” I heard him say faintly as his voice was overpowered by the bunch of men chattering in the background.

I nodded my head furiously. I was concerned for Julie yet I knew we had to attend to whoever these people were. I took a deep breath before turning around to meet the eyes of the many... attractive men ahead of me. As I got a closer look of each one of them, my jaw practically dropped to the floor. They’re stunning, was I could think about.

“We’re stunning, we know.” Did he just read my mind or- My thoughts got cut off as I looked up to meet the eyes of a very tall man who had shoulder length blonde hair. I shivered at the amount of height difference between me and him. “Johnny can you please be humble I swear.”

“I mean it’s true.” The Johnny guy shrugged nonchalantly and folded his arms, turning to me and cocking up an eyebrow. One of them hits his chest, making him wince and glaring at the man. “I’m really sorry there’s 23 of us here and it might sound crazy but we need you to prepare 23 meals.”

I scoffed in amusement at his words as I looked away from the 23 men in front of me for a moment. “There’s no way...” I muttered as I scanned my eyes across the room, looking at each one of their faces.

“We’re NCT. You don’t know us?” Another guy came up to me. At this point, the amount of shock I felt couldn’t possibly be described with words. First it was because of the large number of attractive men in suits suddenly came in and now I just got to know that they’re the idols from MAMA 2020 that Julie was talking about. I guess that explained why she fainted. I could barely respond to any of their questions or comments.

I started to grow annoyed at the amount of chattering that was happening all at once. It felt overwhelming and it seriously stressed me out. As much as I like how suddenly a group of popular idols came in, the place couldn’t get any more chaotic.

“Okay whoever you are, please tell them to be quiet I can’t take your orders like this.” I said to the same guy who was nearest to me. He brought his head down slightly as an apology. “I’m really sorry o behave of them. I’m Taeyong by the way.” I nodded with a reluctant smile as I watched him turn around to get his members to quieten down.

I waited as Taeyong gets the orders of his members one by one. I assumed he was the leader of this NCT idol group since he seemed to be one that looks like he’s in charge and the most responsible. After literally 30 minutes of constant discussions and arguments that I honestly had fun watching since I felt that they were just being crackheads have passed that he finally came up to me with a piece of paper.

I took a look at it as exhaled sharply at the long list of very specific orders that me and my coworkers had to make. I glanced to the back, seeing Julie still unconscious while sitting on a chair with my coworkers surrounding her.

“Uh this might take awhile.” I turned my head back to the front and looked down at the piece of paper. “Just be quick. We need to get back to our cars soon.” My eyebrows furrowed at his words. “Wait so it was your cars at the parking lot?” Taeyong nodded his head furiously before giving me a bright smile. I blow out the air in my cheeks before telling him to be seated with his other members and going over to my coworkers.

“Alright. We have the orders. There’s plenty, and they’re specific. It’s going to get hectic. But we need to finish this quick so we can rest for the night. Okay?”

My coworkers exchanged doubtful looks to each other but soon gave nods of confidence before looking at me with subtle smiles. I gave a bright smile before I clapped my hands once. “Let’s get to work then.”

With that, everyone set out to do their separate jobs to get the meals done. One by one, the completed meals began to stack up quickly. Though I was only a cashier, I tried my best to help them out with small favours and also arranging the meals on top of the counter.

As I placed one of the meals on the counters, I took a look at what they were doing. I was definitely stunned by how many tables they filled. Some tables looked small due to the large physique of some of them.

“Here’s the drinks!” I turned around to see my coworkers carrying a bunch of drinks of various sizes. I quickly took it from him and placed it on the counter. I then grabbed the sheet of paper with the orders and checked the readied meals one by one. Luckily, there were only five meals left and there aren’t any mistakes in the completed ones.

I shouted to my coworkers in the back that they only had five meals left to do. I smiled to myself as I heard the cheers of my coworkers that encouraged each other to finish their work once and for all.

“Also just a warning.” I turned my body around quickly as I heard a voice. “What?” I asked, a hint of nervousness showed in my tone as I thought of the fact that they might be asking for more meals. “Um Taeyong told me to tell you that there might be another group coming in since they had to wait in the parking lot in cars like us and are probably hungry.”

“You got to be fucking kidding me-”

“Hey hey no swearing in front of Jisung. He’s still a baby.” Another man appeared behind him as he swung his arm over his shoulders.

“I’m not a kid anymore, Jaehyun.” The smaller figured man said, ending with a ‘tsk’ and a glare.

I could only raise an eyebrow at the interaction in front of me but felt a burden starting to rise in me as I thought of what he said. Another idol group? As large as them? My coworkers could literally faint. I turned around to see if Julie had awaken. She was standing up with both her hands covering her mouth.

“It’s NCT!” Julie shouted, pointing her index finger to the group of men sitting on the tables. “At least she knows us.” One of them said.

“Oh my god Haechan just talked to me! Holy shit!” Julie jumped in her spot while I raised my eyebrows in amusement. “Can I get Jaehyun’s signature, please?”

“Julie. Go help the others in the back first.” I told her with a stern tone. Julie suddenly grew quiet with a pout appearing on her lips as she turned to the back and started helping out.

Soon, all the orders have finally been completed. I looked through to check for errors one last time before calling them out. Taeyong came up and handed me his credit card. It was expensive but I wasn’t surprised since they’re idols and of course they’re rich.

“Thank you. I’m sorry for putting you and your coworkers through this.” He said as he carried some of the bags while he called out a few others to carry the rest. “Yeah, yeah..” I whispered softly under my breath, just wanting all this chaos to end.

“Wait I need Jaehyun’s signature!” Julie shouted. Jaehyun turned around and gave her a bright smile to her direction. I swore I’ve never seen her this happy But clearly you be this excited when an unreal situation by having your idols show up at your workplace becomes true,

Jaehyun walked up to Julie who had a pen and paper in her hand. “What’s your name?” He asked. “Kim Julie. Shit you’re so good looking up close.” Julie said with her hand covering her mouth again while Jaehyun signed on the paper she gave. Jaehyun chuckled as he completed signing and gave the paper back to her. She placed it against her chest and bowed her head down and thanking him profusely. Jaehyun gave a smile one last time before joining back to his groups.

I looked to see why they have yet to leave. I swear I was desperate for some air to breathe due to how crowded it was. I realised that Taeyong as counting the number of members before heading off. It made sense since I could only imagine how hard it is to keep track of twenty three members. It’s like a teacher taking his class on a trip.

“Nineteen, twenty... Wait where’s Lucas and Doyoung?!” I heard Taeyong shout to his members. The other started looking around with looks of anxiousness in their eyes. “Uh Doyoung’s here.” I couldn’t spot who said that but as soon as the members gave space. I see a guy who looked extremely weirded out at where he was. “Wait aren’t you from Treasure-”

“Where’s your leader?”

“Guys Lucas is here.” I turned my head to where the toilet was to see a guy pulling the other by the collar while he shouts in defense to let him go. When the two finally got back to the group, the others looked at him with a suspicious look. “What were you doing in the toilet the whole time?”

“Uh a VLive..?” Lucas raised his both shoulders. “In the toilet? My god.”

“Okay okay! I got a call from our manager he said we won an award! We need to get going!”

“What about Doyoung?”

“Which one?”

“The one from Treasure. I don’t even know how he ended up here.”

Taeyong walked up the guy and placed both hands on his shoulders. “I’ll tell your leader that you’re here to come pick you up, okay?” He nodded and took a seat one.

While one of them opened the door to finally get out, all of the let out gasps of shock and instantly took a bow to whoever was outside.I could hear them exchanging ‘Hello’s while the people outside made way to allow them to come in. I seriously felt like fainting when I see another large group of people walking in.

“Doyoung you’re here!” Doyoung stood up to greet his members while one of them went up to me. “We need you to prepare 12 meals, please.”

I’m really going to snap someone’s neck.

#nct #nct 2020 #nct x reader #nct imagines #nct 127 #nct ff #nct fluff #nct imagine #nct scenarios #nct angst #nct blurbs

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gaawachan · 4 years ago

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Critical Role 127 Discord Discussion

*Content warning, discussions of trauma, toxicity, toxic masculinity, implied projection, violence, strong language, etc*

*this is a conversation between two AFAB people with PTSD about Critical Role. It is a bit uncharitable at times, but try to understand that it's coming from a place of hurt and frustration. There are brief references to our own trauma, and discussions about social pressure and unsafe handling of traumatized individuals. Please note that NONE of this is directed at the Critical Role cast*

Also, sorry to any Veth fans we’ve offended, but it’s not so entertaining when you’ve had people like that in your life messing with your ability to heal in a healthy way. Sometimes the media we consume is unintentionally hurtful... as is the meta surrounding it. Please try to remember who might be reading your posts.

Sibling: (regarding a post about how Veth drew first blood in sanatorium) That's TRUE! VETH SHOT FIRST "oh wow what a cold-blooded murderer" fuck off with that lol

Me: ngl I dislike Veth at this point. She's outright toxic to Caleb in a way that makes me really uncomfortable.

Sibling: How dare she call him that when her first impulse in ANY SITUATION is to kill... and she dragged him to the hall he was abused in and condemned him for killing people as swiftly as he could.

Me: She's by far the most bloodthirsty, the whole group (but especially her) keep pushing him into situations he doesn't want to be in and then they clutch their pearls as he mops up the mess THEY pressured him into.

Sibling: I honestly wish Caddy had gone instead of Jester, but I understand why he couldn't.

Me: At EVERY TURN, even before Molly died, they pushed him and put him in dangerous situations he didn't want to be in and then they're like GASP he kills people really fast oh no!

Sibling: I mean, what I don't get is that... yeah, visually the deaths seem horrible. HE MADE SURE THEY DIED AS QUICKLY AS-AS THAT LADY FROM HITMAN WHO GETS SQUASHED IN THE GIANT PRESSER.

Me: No one else in the party gets pressured to do things they don't want to do quite like Caleb does. Maybe Caduceus, early on. But they are CONSTANTLY doing this to Caleb at every turn. Fjord is probably the only one who consistently tries to avoid doing that. Everyone else gets the whole "we'll support whatever you choose to do" treatment. Not Caleb.

Sibling: but yeah, Beau seems... okayish about it? But I wish she'd kept her mouth shut about Astrid. Why should he have to hear what someone complicit in his abuse and others' is "feewwing"? She's using him and she's using the 9.

Me: It makes me so angry, because Caleb, more than any other member of the party, really ought to be given respect for his own autonomy and wishes, ESPECIALLY with regards to his past! They don't just pressure him to do things he doesn't want to do with respect to his past (and other situations, too) but they demand that he do what they think he should while holding the motives they think he should have while doing so. It's not enough that he go after Trent, he has to police his own feelings and do it for the right reasons. Which is really disgusting because all of them are clearly chomping at the bit to kill Trent out of revenge, but Caleb's supposed to want to kill Trent for the greater good. Like seriously FUCK OFF.

Sibling: EXACTLY. HE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO MAKE HIS OWN DECISIONS. It's the expectation of: "You should feel and do these things in regards to your trauma, because doing anything else makes us uncomfortable." Don't we know that fucking feeling. You don't even have to like how you're feeling and other people still get to dictate what is and isn't acceptable. It's genuinely appalling.

Me: I think it's really gross how supportive the group is of each other when it comes to all their various problems, but with Caleb, they are constantly pressuring and challenging him and NOT IN A GOOD WAY.

Sibling: I felt Veth and Caleb's personal exchange was sweet, but I'm right back to feeling that she needs to go when they go to Nicodranas, just... just stay with your family. Bring back Taryon or something.

Me: If this last episode was proof of anything, it's that forcing Caleb to confront his past because others in the party want him to is nothing short of abusive behavior on their parts.

Sibling: Not to mention the condemnation of how he handles the thing they pressured him to do.

Me: And I have thought this even before he told Beau and Molly about Trent, because Caleb didn't want to participate in that tournament thing in Zadash that put him back on Trent's radar. And after he told them, did he ever get an apology from those who pressured him to participate in that? No.

Sibling: ... I just don't understand the 9. Caleb... It'd be like how they treated Fjord in regards to Avantika, honestly.

Me: But frankly she (Veth) has been repeatedly very cruel to him in a very casual way.

Sibling: Totally, wtf, she says she loves him but she acts like she thinks he’s an awful person- a useful awful person.

Me: And I should be clear, I've tried really, really hard to give her the benefit of the doubt, and she just keeps doing it over and over.

Sibling: Dude, same. I thought we got Nott back, and was feeling good until recently.

Me: And the thing that pisses me off most of all is that Caleb HAS made clear what HE wants at this point, and the party just... glossed over it. Caduceus said he approved of Caleb's stance, but... That doesn't mean anything if you don't actively push back against the pressure the other party members apply.

Sibling: As I've said before, I want Caduceus and Caleb to have this talk and yet I realize that he's not that kind of counselor. I don't see Ducey as an advocate... he has no idea what Caleb went through and doesn't have the skills to help him cope; he's a grief counselor, not a therapist.

Me: What Caleb needs is input from people who aren't so pushy about this. Fjord is a good choice but, like Caddy, he's shown that he won't step in and be like "how about we do what CALEB wants?"

Sibling: And... they're able to semi-acknowledge Beau's trauma but not Caleb's? Fjord honestly is the closest thing to an advocate Caleb has but he... he's also too passive. He doesn't care if Caleb does something he'll regret and also doesn't care that other people are pushing him into doing things he'll regret.

Me: Honestly this is why I was HOPING that Essek would get to know the party better, because for all his faults, Essek generally has a cool head and I think he WOULD push back against the others and say that, especially with his experience with the Assembly. I think that Essek would definitely support Caleb's perspective more than the others and he's not afraid to push back with his opinions.

Sibling: Shadowgast forever. Even if it dismays the Widojest fans, who apparently don't like shipping Caleb with people who are morally questionable. Despite the fact that Jester was willing to dupe a ton of people into putting their lives in danger for an imaginary friend.

Me: (not touching ship wars with a ten foot pole, tyvm) I think if Essek saw the way the party members were pressuring Caleb with respect to Trent in particular, he'd be a bit taken aback because he's seen how amenable to the wants of his friends Caleb is.

Sibling: Essek did what Essek wanted to and it got him into trouble. Caleb is helping other people and doing exactly what others tell him to, feeling what others want him to, trying to please them, and it's getting him into trouble. They could do with a bit of reigning in for each other.

Me: Ngl, if this mess gets Caleb killed, I'm going to lose it.

Sibling: Well, I mean... If Caleb dies at all, I'm going to lose it... especially because his blood will be on the 9's hands and I'm not sure if, like Molly, he would want to come back. Which is awful to say but I wonder if someone so... hurt wouldn't just... let it happen.

Sibling: I sort of got it from a player's perspective in regards to Ducey? The cast was bored and weren't really interested in Cad's story so they messed around and ignored him... But like, this? This is... "We need to see Caleb's story arc because we haven't yet, even though it doesn't make sense right now and we're already on a time limit"

Me: That's true... IT MAKES ME SO MAD. When they finished the spell for Veth and tricked Isharnai, Cale let her take time to think before they removed the curse. He didn't even fully understand why she needed that time but he gave it to her. And again, on Rumblecusp for Jester, he was like "here is what I can offer. What do you want me to do for you? I am here for you." AND THEY NEVER DO THE SAME THING IN TURN. WHEN IT'S HIS TURN, THE PARTY IS LIKE "HERE IS WHAT WE WANT YOU TO DO AND HOW WE WANT YOU TO FEEL ABOUT IT."

Sibling: It's true. I'd go so far as to say Caleb's self-destructive in that respect.

Me: Maybe I'm being uncharitable, but this has been going on for 127 episodes and it hasn't gotten any better! They're STILL doing this and they're not even being half as supportive about it the way they were with Jester's angst about Artagan! And Caleb is almost as young as Jester mentally!

Sibling: No, I don't think you're being uncharitable. They treat Caleb like they know what's best for him and not one has bothered to ask him- SERIOUSLY ASK HIM- "Do you want to deal with this now, later, or not at all? because it's okay if you don't want to deal with it. That's your choice."

Sibling: Can you imagine if they were as supportive to Caleb as they were to Jester about her "pedoy-creeper" imaginary friend? Meanwhile Caleb's backstory has ACTUAL TONES of sexual abuse and they're just like hahaaha, don't you want to go back to the torture prison?? You can get some anti-spy necklaces, it'll be good but don't kill anyone there even if they were complicit in your abuse...

Me: AND THEN RESPECT THAT CHOICE. They do not, DO NOT, get to clutch their pearls over Caleb killing people in the sanatorium after all this time. THEY pressured him to do this, THEY ALREADY KNEW this would be awful for him, THEY'VE ALREADY SEEN WHAT HE'S LIKE in these situations, and THEY ARE JUST AS MURDEROUS AS HE IS. When other party members kill people, it's no big deal, but when Caleb is faced with people who imprison and experiment on and torture people like him (ONLY FIVE-SIX YEARS AGO HE WAS IN THERE) and he kills them and they have the audacity to be upset as if they haven't killed dozens of other people for far weaker reasons!

Sibling: ... Actually, do you think it's a sexism thing? They're not addressing Caleb's massive elephant in the room because there's a cute gal who has mild creeper overtones in her backstory?

Me: Yes, I absolutely do. If Caleb was a cute girl, they would be far more emotionally supportive and would not be pressuring him in this way. It absolutely wouldn't happen.

Sibling: Like, they punched the crap out of Artagan, which like, cool, but what did he do to Jester? He screwed over other people and there's some mild undertones of gross manipulation when she was little. Trent canonically abused the Blumentrio when they were children and then stripped Caleb's ability to say "no" from him for 11 years...

Me: It's not just because he's a boy, but he also looks older than he is- early thirties instead of early twenties, and I'd argue that his five years on the streets barely count for mental maturity, too- so they don't give him the same kind of unabashed emotional support, because they still code him as someone "unstable/misled" who needs to be "guided/controlled," hence the constant pressuring and questioning.

Me: No, and that's the thing. The thing that hangs over this in particular. The party barely knows anything about the abuse he suffered and they, including Caleb, know almost nothing about what he endured in the asylum. I can't even imagine how horrifying it is to be there. Just think about it.

Sibling: I have, and I can empathize

Me: Every time he saw one of those guards, you know he had to think... "Did this one hurt me? Did this one? Do they know? They have to know. There's no way they don't know even if they didn't participate... I was here just a few years ago... Did one of them hurt me? Did one of them touch me? Did one of them see me?! I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER IF THEY HURT ME BUT THEM JUST BEING HERE MEANS THEY ARE HURTING PEOPLE LIKE ME." How is anyone, even someone who wasn't tortured and brainwashed as a teenager, supposed to handle that?

Sibling: I know how much it can fuck you up IRL to be abused. Can you imagine 11 years of that??? Fuck no, it was awful just the few times it happened but that was his TRAINING before it was his PRISON. And then his "friends" call him a murderer. Cold, cruel. And that's the thing... I don't know if Caleb will ever open up to anyone about it. Maybe Essek, but certainly not Veth. Veth doesn't care unless she can get something out of it.

Me: It's shocking to me that no one in the party seemed to even consider what a horrible thing it was to do to bring Caleb back there. It speaks to how little consideration they actually have for his feelings on any meaningful level.

Sibling: The only person I can think of who might have an excuse is Caddy because I don't think he's had that specific talk with Caddy. And he never will, because those characters never fucking talk.

Me: No, when they were in Rexxentrum, he clarified some things. He told them that Trent would hurt him and then apologize after the fact, and about his parents, and in Felderwin he did tell them about the experiments, and they knew that he was kept in the asylum for eleven years.

Sibling: Ugh, you're right. I mean I feel like I just don't understand the 9 right now. Caleb... It's a lot like how how they treated Fjord in regards to Avantika, honestly. In fact, I keep drawing parallels to Fjord.

Me: Yeah, that was terrible.

Sibling: It's another "ughh he's a boy he needs to deal with it" rather than "that was awful and I'm sorry" "what can we do to help" And honestly fuck that mindset.

Me: And remember; Caleb was the only one to consider that what happened with Avantika would be hard on Fjord, and even said to Beau and Nott that they needed to be supportive... and then they just ignored him.

Sibling: How dare they treat Jester, who... I'm sorry, what's her trauma again? She was stuck inside for a while... nvm, why is she being treated with more care than Caleb and Fjord, who've both had actual abusive experiences... and the answer is that they've got dicks, and that means they don’t need concern and care. They can deal with it themselves, they have to be MANLY and cope with violence, but also violence is bad and you shouldn't engage in it... "how dare you strike back at the abusers we told you to strike back at?"

Me: Yes. That is exactly it, and don't forget this: When the party first met Nott and Caleb, they assumed that Caleb was a FUCKING PREDATOR preying on Nott. Why? Because he's a homeless man in his apparent thirties, and she was small.

Sibling: Critical Role and the Assumed Nature of People w/ Penises

Me: The best thing Nott ever did for Caleb was correct the record on that bullshit.

Sibling: But again, that's Nott, not Veth. God I miss Nott.

Me: That was back when he was a surrogate for her family and her hope for becoming herself again.

Sibling: I just.... I don't understand what changed; she cared for Caleb even if it was for her own gain... why is she still manipulating him if she has nothing more to gain?

Me: It was Felderwin (when it started to change). But she's doing it now because it will make it easier for her to leave guilt free.

Sibling: Then leave... Don't hang around with a "murderer" if you're going to pretend you haven't done your fair share of slaughtering yourself- fuck, she even drew first blood in that fight, WHY?!

Me: You don't get to put someone into a position where they have to kill people and then get upset and call them a murderer when they kill people. If Veth had just shot and killed the guy in one turn, do you think she'd get that kind of reaction? No. But because it's the traumatized young man who was trained to be a murderer as a teenager, it's somehow particularly bad when he kills... when he has no choice but to do so?! Ridiculous.

Sibling: I just find it so weird that the ACTUAL murder hobo of the group is pointing at another member and calling him the murder hobo. He has killed people, he was a hobo, but the people who have truly done disgusting things over the course of the campaign is not the hobo who is a murderer. It's the Chaos Crew. Beau killed a person with acid when she had a knife readily available... and you know... could have snapped his neck to begin with... not that the party knows that but.

Me: That's what I EXPECTED Beau to do!

Sibling: The GROUP was all horrified and shocked when Caleb quickly and swiftly took out the guards of the torture dungeon but Beau let a man suffer for fucking MINUTES while acid burned out his throat and he suffocated and STILL DIDN'T DIE until she had to finish him off... and Beau killed that man near Caduceus' family, threw his head in the water.

Me: Remember when Nott killed that guard in Uthodurn?

Sibling: Veth has killed so many people when they didn't need to, but no. Using quick, lethal methods to dispatch guards (much, MUCH BETTER than burning) is too far.

Me: NONE of them are pushed back on in the same way, and none of them are pressured to act/feel a certain way, and ALSO... The party has ONLY benefited from this side of Caleb. It is the ONLY reason that Fjord, Yasha, and Jester are alive, because he went into that space to save them in the Sour Nest. It is the ONLY reason they took down Avantika as easily as they did, because he went all out in that fight. It is the ONLY reason they got Yeza out and made friends with the Dynasty, because he was willing to do something that got him scolded- SCOLDED- by the group even though it saved them and HE was the one losing out more than any other by giving up the beacon! And it is therefore the reason they were able to use their clout in the Dynasty to END THE WAR. They benefit from this headspace Caleb falls into and then condemn it at the same time. Don't want him to be that way? Stop putting him in situations where he HAS TO BE THAT WAY.

Sibling: Caleb is the glue for the M9, has saved them more times than they can count. Time, traveling and in combat, and they're still demanding he address his trauma in ways that make them comfortable. Despicable, and honestly? Toxic.

Me: And now he may fall back into the hands of his abuser because of it. I've been thinking of this ever since the peace talks that it was such a shame that Essek was the traitor because Caleb really, really could have benefited from having a true safe space in Rosohna. What a shame it is that Essek was working for THEM, and broke Caleb's trust, and now Rosohna doesn't feel like a place he can really go to anymore.

Sibling: He still can. If Essek survives, go live in your wizard tower, resummon it every single day, and live life away from both sides of the war.

Me: No, I agree. Probably the worst thing that people keep pressuring Caleb on is not revenge. It's what they keep implying he ought to do after Trent is dead. He DOESN'T WANT to be part of the government. He just wants the scourger program to stop.

Sibling: He owes the government NOTHING. It has only hurt him. He doesn't need to be forced to pick up the mess that OTHER PEOPLE CAUSED because he was affected by it.

Me: He just wanted to teach magic ffs. That breaks my heart. Like, what a terrible thing... to tell someone who already thinks he doesn't deserve to be happy, that he should spend his life in a job he DOESN'T WANT in order to fix things that PEOPLE WHO WRONGED HIM DID. Because he could cave in and do it; he hates himself, and that's the true grossness of all the pressure the party puts on Caleb. His self-loathing makes him inclined to just give in and do what they say, because his own desires will end up stifled by theirs.

Sibling: I think the thing that's weird to me though? Is that... other cast members don't... seem to see that. Even in the Talks Machina segments. Liam has expressed how profoundly damaged Caleb is and the cast, not just the party just... doesn't seem to mind? And I honestly, HONESTLY think it's sexism.

Me: Yeah, remember how sweet they were to Calianna? >_> Less trauma with actions just as bad, and yet... "CALEB WHY ARE YOU DOUBTING AND DISTRUSTING HER" - said the people who non-stop doubt and distrust Caleb.

Sibling: I do completely agree that the way the 9 have been handling Caleb's trauma is encapsulated by last week's episode... I think it: 1) Has a lot to do with sexism and 2) Has a lot to do with the cast rushing his arc before the Eiselcross arc is completed. This doesn't feel like his choice to enter his arc. This feels like his hand was forced to address trauma before he was ready and I don't think that's a great look for the 9.

Me: It makes me sad, too, because I feel like with the careless way the Nein handle Caleb's past... I just don't see any way for things to end well for Astrid and Wulf, to be honest. There's no way these buffoons won't fuck up any chance at those two being redeemed. And I'm not even crazy about the prospect of them being redeemed, but if there's any chance for it... it won't be Caleb that fucks it up. It will be the other members of the Nein, I just know it.

Sibling: No, they'll force a romance that won't be any less toxic than it was before. Because a woman needs to heal Caleb's wounds. *pukes*

Me: GOD AND THEN... Like, they all want revenge on Trent even as they pretend that Caleb shouldn't and needs to do things for the greater good, but... the thing is that if they really, really wanted justice for Caleb... Why, why, WHY are they not coordinating with the COBALT SOUL to take Trent down?! That is their ACTUAL BEST AVENUE for doing so! And Caleb would be far more safe and comfortable doing that!

Sibling: "Because the Cobalt Soul is Beau's arc and we want to do Caleb's arc"

Me: Beau gets a trial for her trauma... Caleb gets called a stone-cold murderer for being forced to confront his directly. Then stop pressuring him into direct confrontations with his trauma!

Sibling: Sexism, I'm telling you. She's a laddyyyy

Me: And more and more I'm thinking that the 8th floor of the tower is actually a really healthy thing for him to do, because it's obvious that he's never going to be able to healthily process his trauma in a way that's under his control with the Nein constantly pressuring him to confront it in dangerous, unsafe ways that he doesn't want to. It's amazing to me that they balked at the 8th floor of the tower but have no problem MAKING HIM INTERACT DIRECTLY WITH THE ASSEMBLY AND THE SANATORIUM.

Sibling: And here's my thought regarding that... He can change the tower. When he doesn't need those rooms anymore, he will change them. As he has for his friends. That's a sign of healing. It's a scar that will heal, and that he has power over.

Me: Yes, yes, exactly! And the thing about it is... It's like photos, you know? And no one can actually hurt him in that space.

Sibling: He doesn't have the power over his place of abuse. Old photos can be used to safely address old trauma... walking into the torture-prison and whining about the people you hurt in there is just...

Me: ... It reminds me of the sequence in Tales of Berseria, where they torture Velvet simply by revealing hidden knowledge about the past to her, or Tales of the Abyss, where Luke finds out he was made to do something horrible and it breaks his ego. They are literally putting Caleb into situations where something like that could happen to him every time he meets Astrid or Trent or goes to a place where he will be triggered. I mean full-on total mental breakdown.

Sibling: Honestly? that's what I am expecting and it still could happen.

Me: All it would take is some sort of reveal about those eleven years. Or that night. Or something... and he could just shatter to pieces, and they haven't seemed to have even considered that. It's unbelievable. I'm terrified of a "You destroyed the pillar that supported Akzeriuth. You committed more atrocities you can’t even fathom" moment for Caleb. ;_;

Sibling: stop, god, I can't I would literally have a meltdown like this if Caleb was forced to regress because he wouldn't regress like Beauregard... he would regress, like any abused child to being hurt again.

Me: But we don't know WHAT THEY DID TO HIM... Not fully. I mean the asylum, too, because it's not just that they could have done anything to him in that place. It's that they could have MADE HIM DO THINGS.

Sibling: They abused him, experimented on his body with residuum, and broke his mind. Why would any of that have stopped, when he was literally at Trent's summer house?

Me: And worse still, Trent has ALREADY TRIED TO CAUSE SUCH A BREAKDOWN. He tried to blue-screen Caleb repeatedly at the dinner with comments about his parents. We ALREADY KNOW that he wants to provoke some sort of breakage in Caleb, so why, WHY would you pressure Caleb to go back to that place?!

Sibling: Not to mention, (fucking IDIOTS) THAT ASTRID SENT HIM THERE. SHE WORKS WITH TRENT. SHE WANTS CALEB OUT OF THE WAY. What better way to do it than another 11 years to plan?

Me: She told him Trent wasn't there, too. :-/ Now, that still might have been true in that... he might have been called to the place, but I doubt it.

Sibling: What I want to be said... nvm, I'll actually save that for therapy lol. That's too deep and I don't wanna type that out. That's the problem with characters with trauma: what you want for them might hit too close to home LMAOAOOO. Hurts your heart, especially when it's glossed over.

Me: Caleb getting justice shouldn't necessitate his trauma being rubbed in his face 24/7.

Sibling: TRUE. Truest goddamn thing I ever heard. Especially if his choice is to be done with it.

...........

We didn’t really touch on Yasha, who has actually been a good influence on Caleb, imo, and there were other things we could have talked about that are related to this subject, but *shrug*

Anyway, this conversation mostly came from a place of hurt. It’s frustrating to see characters who claim to love a traumatized character consistently, thoughtlessly behave in ways that are hurtful to that character, and in often brazenly selfish ways. We’re not saying you can’t like characters who do that... this conversation was actually prompted by frankly hurtful posts with respect to Caleb’s mental state.

Also sorry for those who are unfamiliar with Tales of the Abyss/Tales of Berseria. Both of these video games have traumatized protagonists and both games explore their growth (or decline) as a result of that trauma, and were useful in our discussion for making my point.

Edit: Okay, so the first comment I got was someone saying that I’m allowed to think what I want but they don’t want to see it. If you’ve read this far, I hope you noticed that this post criticized that sort of attitude... IN THE CHARACTERS OF CR... It’s bad to pressure a person into exhibiting their trauma in a way that makes normies “comfortable,” so of course the first responder to the post decided to prove just that. I deleted that comment... but not before doing what they wanted, like people like me and characters like Caleb almost always end up doing anyway. Thanks for that. I can see why my post upset that poster. *rolls eyes*

#critrole spoilers #critical role #critrole #spoilers #critical role 127 #caleb widogast #fjord stone #jester lavorre #caduceus clay #beauregard lionett #trent ikithon #essek thelyss #abuse #trauma #meta #autonomy #calianna #relevant tag removed upon request

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janicho88 · 4 years ago

Text

Fire, Fur & Mistletoe Chapter 2

Pairing- Dean x Lisa, Eventual Dean x Female Reader.

Word Count-6,102

Warning- Mentions of: loss of parents, death, car accidents, and fires, alcoholism. Fired from a job. Putting animals up for adoption, eviction. Possible swearing. Slight angst. Fluff,

Summary- A rewrite of the Nine Lives of Christmas, Hallmark movie. AU, Dean is a firefighter who doesn’t do commitment, the Holiday’s don’t mean much to him. Coming home after a shift he finds a dog in trouble. The reader is a veterinary student who works in a coffee shop trying to make it to graduation, until someone causes problems there for her. She isn’t interested in finding anyone other than her own dog until after she finishes school. Do their four legged friends have other plans?

A/N- This series is written for @spnchristmasbingo. The square filled for this chapter is Decorating. The first two chapters will stay closer to the movie than the rest will.

This has its own tag list and it is open. That way I am not tagging anyone who doesn’t want to be tagged in Christmas stories. This story is unbeta’d.

Header by the amazing @winchest09

Divider from freepngimg.com

Series Masterlist

The day after you were fired you dragged yourself to class determined to keep pushing toward your goal. No matter how upset you might have been. Charlie tried to distract you but it didn’t work. You spent the night trying to study for your upcoming finals.

Thursday, you went through the want ads and looked for any openings you would be qualified for. The hardest part was needing flexible hours for school. Then you prepared your resume and looked up other places in town who might have online applications you could fill out.

Friday, Charlie reminded you of the Sweet on You party you had agreed to go to. With everything happening you had completely forgotten, but told her you would meet her there when she didn’t back down. Walking up the driveway to the house where tonight’s party was, you could see all the happy people inside. You could see Charlie was laughing with a brown haired girl in the living room window. You didn’t fit in with this group tonight, you couldn’t pretend to be happy.

Taking out your cell phone you call Charlie’s phone to leave her a message. “Hey, I’m so sorry. I’m not going to be able to make it to the mixer. I hope you have fun. I’ll see you in class.”

Turning around you head back to your car to go home and spend the night on your couch with Dakota.

Dean took Miracle back home, Lisa complaining about the dog the whole time. He just tuned her out.

Wednesday he was back at the station for a 48hr shift. Things were a little slow, which was good in the sense that people weren’t in trouble and needing them, but it could also make for a long day. He was in the workout room with the guys when Bobby walked in with wrapping paper. It was for the toys that had been donated.

“No adoption huh?” He asked, seeing Miracle sitting next to Benny.

“Not yet, Lisa is still trying. He probably deserves a better owner than me.”

“Do you know having a dog can be good for your health?” Cas asked.

“No, but I think I do sleep better since he’s been around.”

“You know you are going to have to choose between her and the dog, right?” Cas wanted to know.

“I’ve got an idea, brother. How about you keep Miracle and give Lisa my number.” Benny suggested.

“I think Miracle would make a better girlfriend than Lisa. I’m not sure that will work when you and Andrea, finally get back together.” Sam threw out.

“Yeah, but who knows when that will be? I could have some fun in the meantime.”

“You’re awful.”

“Thanks, Shaggy.” Benny throwing out his nickname for Sam.

“Are we going to keep him around here when we’re working? Make him our firehouse Mascot?” Cas wanted to know.

“The other stations have Dalmatians, they might make fun of us for him.” Benny stated.

“Who cares, makes us unique. We don’t need to be like the others anyway.” Bobby told them before walking over to Dean. “So Winchester, what are you going to do? Keep the good old boy, or let a girl push him away. I told you, I don’t trust a girl who doesn’t like dogs.”

Dean spent the first night of the shift thinking about his options and what the guys had said. The next day at the firehouse he left Miracle at the station when he had a minute to run a quick errand, there was a stop he needed to make.

Walking into Braeden’s he looked around, but didn’t see Y/N anywhere. So he headed up to talk to the blonde running the register.

“Hi, I was in here a few days ago. I’m looking for the girl who was working with you, Y/N.”

“Y/N, she was such a great person. I miss seeing her. She no longer works here. She got fired.”

“What, why? What happened?”

“Your girlfriend, Lisa. Complained about Y/N to her dad. I don’t think Mr Bradean really wanted to fire her, she’s the best barista we had. She remembers people's orders and their favorites. She handles the difficult ones without a problem. The only one of us who can get the cranberry bars just right, and this time of year they are the most popular. His daughter is a beautiful, but horrible superficial nightmare of a person.”

“I get it.”

“She is trying to put herself through school. She really needed this job.”

“Wow, I’m so sorry to hear that. Do you have her number or home address, maybe?”

“Why, she doesn’t have enough problems, now you want to go burn down her house too?”

“What? No. I want to apologize.”

“Oh really?” Claire leans against the other counter folding her arms and glaring at Dean.

“I didn't know Lisa did that, I would have stopped her if I did. I’m so sorry. Please. I feel really awful this happened to her. Is there any information you can give me that would help me find her?”

“Her last name is Y/L/N, that’s all I am going to tell you about her.”

“Thank you.”

He leaves to head back to the station. There still isn’t much going on so he grabs his computer and uses some of the down time to sit in the common room and look up Y/N Y/L/N on social media accounts. Bobby is in the kitchen area behind working on some food. Cas, Benny and Sam are playing cards at the long dinner table.

“Any luck yet? Bobby asked.

“Nope, I can’t find her anywhere. None of these profiles on facebook,or linked in are her. I even searched twitter.”

“I can’t believe Lisa got her fired.” Cas just shook his head.

“That’s pretty cold, man. Maybe I don’t want her to have my number.”

“Not a problem Benny.”

“You know, you haven’t told us anything about this girl you are trying so hard to find.”

“She is wicked smart. I would bet she’s getting straight A’s.”

“Okay more important question here,” Benny interrupts. “What does she look like?”

Cas and Sam both throw chips at him for that comment.

“Hey, I’m curious, here?”

“She’s really pretty, but she’s the kinda girl that doesn’t know it.”

“That’s the best kind.” Bobby tells him.

“Is she nice?”

“Unbelievably so, she is super sweet. She loves animals, especially dogs.”

“Okay so let’s see if I got this, she’s wicked smart. Pretty but not full of herself, sweet with a heart of gold?”

“Yeah.” Dean looks around and everyone is looking at him. “What am I missing here?”

“Apparently a lot,” his brother tells him.

“She sounds like a special person.”

Dean shrugs, “Yeah, she is I guess.”

“I have an idea.” Sam turned to Dean. “Why don’t you ask your girlfriend to get it from her dad. Actually that is a conversation I would pay to watch you have with Lisa. ‘Lisa can you get me the address of the girl you had fired so I can go apologize to her, for you being the bitch you are. See I’m in love with her, but I haven’t figured that out for myself yet.’ “

“Are you done?” Dean asks his brother anything but amused.

“For now,” the younger Winchester joins in laughing with the others.

“Boy, you are a special kind of idjit. You lot, go finish that equipment inventory.”

“Sure thing Chief, just let me beat these guys real quick.” Looking up Benny sees Bobby’s face. “Or now is good.”

Bobby walks over to the table from the kitchen counter he was working at, “So, Y/N.”

“She doesn’t want to date until after she graduates and starts working. She is nothing like the kind of girl I go out with normally, anyways. She actually believes in true love and Marriage.”

“It’s really not that bad you know. Don’t tell Ellen I said that.”

Dean chuckles at that, knowing how much the grumpy man really does love his wife.

“Just because things didn’t work out for your parents doesn’t mean it won’t for you. Look at Sam and Jess.”

“It’s not what I’m looking for Bobby.”

“Then why are you here spending your time searching for this very pretty and smart girl?”

“I just want to apologize.”

“Yeah, sure. Don’t you want a family one day? Someone you can share the Holidays and special moments with?”

“You and the guys are my family. You know this.”

“As close as you and your brother are, you still can’t snuggle up with me the other idjits on a cold night, after a rough shift.”

“Is that a firm no?”

Bobby just shakes his head at Dean's attempt at humor, and goes back to the kitchen.

When the shift ends Friday afternoon he takes Miracle home and tries to relax before getting some work around the house done. He goes back Saturday for a 24 hour shift.

“It looks like the two of us are going to be stuck together for a little while. You can stay until I finish here and sell the house. Then you are on your own. For now on we can come and go as we please. You aren’t responsible for me, I’m not responsible for you, That work for you? Just a couple of bachelor's living together. Good talk, let’s go watch the game.” Miracle follows Dean into the living room, curling up in his lap.

After the game Dean heads out to get some supplies he needs to work on the house. Lisa is in the kitchen with dinner when he arrives back home.

“What are you doing here Lisa? Weren’t you supposed to have a shoot today?”

“It was postponed so I came over to make you dinner, it took all day.”

“You made the food here?”

“Yeah so it would be nice and hot when you got out.”

“Uhuh. hey have you seen Miracle?

“No, figured it was with you.”

“He was here earlier”

“I’m sure it’s around somewhere. Go shower I’m sure you smell like smoke. I’ll put the food on the table.”

“My shift ended hours ago, Lisa. I already showered. I need to look for Miracle.”

“Miracle hey, come here dog.” she pretends to look for him. “Guess he’s not here, let’s eat.”

“He usually greets me when I come home, he must have gotten out. I need to go find him.”

“Why? It’s just a stupid dog, who cares? Now come eat this delicious dinner I made.” That puts Dean over the edge with her.

He turns back around in the doorway, “You just don’t get it do you? Did you really have that barista from your father’s coffee shop fired?”

“Yeah, she was completely awful to me. I can’t have that.”

“She was giving you facts about Miracles, She wasn’t doing anything to you. You can’t just have people fired when you don’t like what they say Lisa.”

“Sure I can. She doesn’t matter, the dog is finally gone. Everything is just how it’s supposed to be.” She tells him with a shrug.

“You know, I don’t think this is going to work.”

“What?”

“You and me.”

“Wait, are you seriously breaking up with me?”

“Yeah, yeah I guess I am.”

“I’m a model and you think you are going to break up with me?”

“You might need to get your hearing checked, yes I am.”

“You can’t do that, I'm the best thing to ever happen to you. You are going to regret this Dean Winchester. I won’t take you back when you come begging me to. I spent all day making this dinner for you. I got my hair done for you, these highlights were expensive.”

“No, you actually didn’t. That stove isn’t connected, I just bought it. I know it doesn’t work yet, and the take out bags are sticking out of the trash outside. Nice try though. I’m sure the hair was for you and no one else. I think you need to go, Lisa.”

She stomps out of the room in a huff, slamming the front door when she exits.

Dean went to look for Miracle but didn’t have any luck finding him. The backdoor wasn’t shut tight, Lisa must have done that when she took the trash out.

Saturday was spent with your list going to all the places you found that might be looking for help, and making stops with those who had ‘Now Hiring’ signs up. Passing some Christmas carolers in the town square you stop and listens for a moment. You do love this time of year. A couple of places took your resume, but others weren’t very keen to work around a school schedule.

The best you could do is just keep trying until something works in your favor.

Sunday, morning Donna was over bright and early to start your day together. She brought donuts and coffee with her. Chatting with you and petting Dakota as you got yourself ready to go. The first stop she had planned for the two of you were mani/pedi’s. It had been a long time since you felt that relaxed. For a little while in the chair you were able to forget about your troubles. When you were done there the two of you visited a few shops you were passing by.

From there you grabbed a light lunch and listened to the carolers and watched the other shoppers.

“I should head back home to study.”

“No, we had a deal. It’s time for your hair and makeup appointment. Then i’m taking you to get a new dress.”

“I don’t know.”

“Hey, I know you. I bet you already know everything you need for your exam. You are just overthinking it. Relax. Take some time to enjoy the Holiday season.”

“Fine.”

When your hair and nails were done she took you to a little boutique to look for a dress for the Mayor’s party. You tried on multiple options before she handed you a black long sleeve one stopped mid thigh.

“Come on out already, I want to see it.”

You pulled the curtain back and stepped out.

“Wow, look at you girl. Green eyes is going to flip when he sees you in this.”

“Oh no, I can’t afford this one.”

“I’m going to get it for you, I got a bonus. You deserve to be taken care of once in a while too.”

“It’s too much.”

“Y/N, when mom and dad died, you came home to take care of me. You put your whole life on hold, just for me. This dress is nothing compared to that. Please let me do this.”

You walked over to look in the mirror, Donna coming up beside you. “You look like mom.”

“I do?”

“Yeah, you do.”

Turning, you give your sister a big hug.

Leaving there you thought she was finally taking you home to study but you find her pulling into the fire station and you start to panic. “What, what are we doing here?

“Do you really think I’m just going to take you home looking like that? You are going to walk in there and make Green eyes faint. Plus I want to meet him, you said he was working today.”

Dang it. “No, no.”

“Come on, you can’t hide him forever.”

“I have to study for my final, I have to go home. Now. Let’s go.”

“If you don’t get out and walk your but in I am going to drag you in there. Do you really want that?” She was already unbuckling her seatbelt and going to open her door.

“Wait! I’ll go in. Okay I’ll go in.”

“He is going to be so surprised.”

“You have absolutely no idea how surprised. You know what?I should really go in alone.” Donna sits back in her seat raising her eyebrow at you.

“Why is that?”

“He’s going to see this outfit and want to grab me, and start kissing me. One thing can lead to another. It’ll be a little awkward with you there. That’s not the best circumstances to meet him, when he’s making out with your older sister. You can meet him at the Christmas party, promise.”

“Alright, fine. I want details, I’ll wait here.”

“Oh no, that’s okay.” Pretending to check the time. “He’s about to get off shift, he can take me home.”

“Okay, fine. Take care. Have fun.”

“Thank you, and thank you for today.”

You get out of her truck and slowly make your way up to the fire station, turning back to wave at your sister. When she finally pulls away and you can’t see her anymore you turn and start walking back to your condo. Great, you're in heels, this will be fun. You don’t get too far down the road when you hear a dog bark at you. Looking around you see a dog that looks like one you met earlier in the week. He comes over rubbing against your bare legs and you check his collar. Sure enough it says Miracle. Just great.

“Hey there buddy, what are you doing out here? Are you lost?”

Turning around and walking back to the station Miracle following along behind you. When you step inside there are three guys working on cleaning the truck.

“Hi, sorry to bother you, I’m looking for the owner of this dog,” You point to Miracle who is now sitting beside you.

“He’s mine!” two men call out at the same time, then turn and glare at each other. The third with longer hair just shakes his head at them.

“I think he belongs to someone named, Dean?”

“Yo, Jerk get out here.” The shaggy haired man yells out.

Dean comes walking out from inside a minute later, “Bitch, what do you…” He suddenly notices you, “Hey I’ve been looking for you two, how did you end up together?” Bobby comes out to join Sam, Cas and Benny. The four of them watching you and Dean.

“You’ve been looking for me?” That really surprises you.

“Yeah, I heard about your job. I’m really sorry It’s my fault.”

“That wasn’t your fault it was all your girlfriend.”

“She’s not my girlfriend anymore.”

“That’s good.” You seriously had no filter. Dean looked up at you a little shocked by your comment. “I’m mean, that’s too bad.”

“It’s alright, I knew she wasn’t the nicest, but I didn’t realize she could be that awful. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, at least you have Miracle back now. Have a good night.” With that you turned to walk out of the station.

Dean turns back around and the guys are all pointing and gesturing to you. “Hey, Y/N, I’m getting off work soon. Could I give you a ride home, or maybe buy you dinner?”

“Thank you for offering but you don’t have to. I'm fine walking.”

“Come on, let me buy you dinner. With everything that’s happened it’s the least I can do.”

“You really don’t..”

Three shouts of “it’s the least he can do.” Come from behind Dean.

“Okay, but only if I can take you to my favorite place.”

“Alright, do I need to run and change first?” He looks down at his uniform blue pants and shirt. If your favorite place is anything like Lisa's he is going to need dress pants a tie, the whole shebang.

You pretend to look him over, “No I think I can get you in just fine dressed like that, I know the owner pretty well. But what about Miracle?”

“He can hang out here, he’ll be fine with the guys around here.”

“Okay.”

Bobby comes up to get Miracle, “We like having him here.”

Dean takes you to the common area and you wait in there until he is finished with his shift. When you leave you give him directions to your favorite taco truck. Dean wasn’t expecting this at all.

“This is really your favorite place?”

“Yes, taking a bite out of one of his tacos is like a surprise party in your mouth. He’s open all night. So when I’m studying really late I come and grab something from here.”

Grabbing your food you go and sit at one of the nearby tables. Dean groans when he takes his first bite. “Oh you weren’t lying that is so good.”

“I know right?” You smile at him. A sudden chill hitting you. You tried to hide that you were cold because a big part of you really didn’t want the night to end. Dean saw it anyway.

“Are you cold?”

“I’m alright.” He shook his head at you.

“I’ll be right back. He returns with his yellow coat from his uniform draping it over your shoulders to keep you warm.

“Thank you.” The two of you get up from the table and walk around the nearby park looking at the light displays around you.

“When I was 19 my parents died in a car accident. I was away at college then. I came back home to raise my little sister. When she entered college I went back and started my undergrad back up. Now I’m trying to finish veterinary school.”

“What made you want to become a vet?”

“My parents were huge animal lovers. My sister and I grew up around animals and that love for them passed down to us. My mom was always taking in strays. When I was seven, walking home from school I found a baby bird in the middle of the road. The little guy was hurt when he fell out of his nest. I took him home and nursed him back to health with the help of my parents. I was there when he was finally able to take his first flight. That’s when I realized I wanted to be a vet and help animals when I grew up. What about you? Why did you want to become a firefighter?”

“When I was four our house caught on fire, I was carrying my little brother Sammy out of the house. The front door was engulfed in flames, I wasn’t sure how to get out. This firefighter crashed through the living room window and got us to safety.”

“Wow.”

“My mom was trapped, but they managed to get both of my parents out. They blamed each other for the fire and started fighting a lot. Until they eventually divorced. We lost my dad to the bottle a couple years ago. Mom to a car accident. The firefighters made me feel safe, and took care of me and my brother that night. I wanted to be able to do that for others one day.”

“That’s powerful.”

He just nodded.

“What were your parents like?”

“They were so in love, they met in high school and that was it."

"So you could say he jumped in front of her and stopped her in his tracks. She followed him to the highest peak?” He asks as he smiles at you.

It took you about thirty seconds to realize what he was saying, “You remembered the mountain lions.”

“Yeah, I did.”

The both of you sat there a few more minutes lost in your own thoughts before you reluctantly spoke up. “I’ve really enjoyed tonight. It’s been really nice, but I have a big final tomorrow morning. I should try and get a little more studying in.”

“Okay, no problem. I’ll take you home.”

Reluctantly you got up and followed Dean to his truck. You gave him the address to you

place, and he found it no problem. As a fireman he most likely knows his way around town very well. He walked you to the door when you arrived home.

“Thank you for dinner, it was nice of you.”

“No problem, Sweetheart. Thank you for accepting my apology.”

The two of you stood there looking at one another for a minute or so before you snapped out of it.

“Goodnight, Dean.”

“Goodnight, Y/N. Good luck on your final tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

The two of you so lost in thought you didn’t realize you were still wearing his coat until after he had already driven away.

Your dreams that night revolved around a pair of green eyes, with a boyish smile and a great laugh.

You were studying as you were getting ready Monday morning, trying to get any last bit of new information in that you could. All too quickly it was time to head out.

Sitting down next to Charlie you apologized to her for missing Friday again. She told you all about the girl she met there, Dorthey. She seemed to really click with this one. You were very happy for her. At least one of you could get what you wanted.

The two of you walked out of the Veterinary school building an hour and a half later. “Okay, that final was so much tougher that I thought it was going to be.”

“Charlie, I’m sure you did great.”

“At least that was our last one. Now Christmas break is finally here!” She broke into a little dance as she was saying this.

“I’m glad you are so excited about this,” you laughed watching her. Turning back around someone caught your eye.

“Hi.”

“Hey, how did the test go?”

You were a little flustered, did he come all this way just to ask about your test? “I think I did all right on it.”

“That’s great, glad to hear it. How about I take you out for coffee and we can celebrate?”

Charlie was looking back and forth between the two of you, when she finally got a good look at Dean’s face. “That’s Green eyes?” She exclaimed much loudly for your liking. Judging by Dean’s laugh and slight blush, he heard it too.

Reaching out you quickly smack her arm before turning back to Dean. “That’s so nice of you to offer, but dinner last night was enough.”

“Wait he took you to dinner last night?” Charlie wanted to know looking at Dean then you.

“Yes, please shut up.” You whispered to her

“Let him take you for coffee. She would love to go with you.” Charlie turned to Dean shaking her head yes.

Dean was amused by Charlie's antics. You on the other hand could hurt your friend. “Besides the coffee, I kinda need my coat back for work tonight.

“Oh, yeah. I’m so sorry about that, I didn’t realize I still had it on till after you left.”

“It’s alright, let me take you for coffee and we can grab it after.”

“Alright.”

Charlie pushed you toward Dean, “Have fun you two!”

Dean took you to a coffee shop you had never been to before. The two of you enjoying a nice conversation before being on your way. When you were walking back to your place you commented on the shop.

“I really liked that place. I’ve never been there before. Or even heard of them before.”

“You know what they say, firemen and police always know where to get the best coffee. There was one I really liked, only had it a few times. I’m pretty sure it was the barista there who made it so good.” Dean winking at you as he said it.

The front of your condo coming into view. The door was wide open. “Oh this is bad, so very bad.” You run up the steps toward the door.

“What’s going on?”

“She found Dakota.” Dean watches you run inside slowly following behind, but staying out of sight.

Your landlady is standing at the counter when you come rushing in. Hearing you she turns around.

“I just knew you were hiding something. I had a plumber come in and check out your sink. Do you know what he found?” She asked you while holding up an Effective Immediately Eviction notice.

“Where is she?”

“I shut her in the back bedroom.” You went right over to check on your girl.

When you come back she starts right back in on you. “This is a clear violation of the Angel Arms by laws. You have to be out by the end of the day.”

Good things get any worse for you right now? Where were you supposed to go?

Just then Dean comes walking in holding up his fireman identification and badge, “I assume you gave this tenant 48 hours notice before you had a service person enter the residence?”

“I, um I’m not sure.”

“How about the fire code? Are you all up to date on all of the apartment codes pertaining to apartment and condo buildings?”

She couldn’t even get a word out.

“What about all the bylaws with the state's statutes?”

“Well, I would think I…”

“I’ll be back next week and make sure you are in compliance with each and every state and city fire code. If you aren’t I’m afraid I’ll have to slap you with a 777, and close this place down.”

Her eyes widened at that and she quickly left the building. No doubt to start looking into all the codes and begin the tedious work of making sure each one was met.

You were watching Dean in awe, you couldn’t believe he would go to all this trouble for you.

“I’m sorry I won’t be able to stop the eviction, but I can make her miserable for awhile.”

“Dean, I don't know what to say. Thank you for doing that.”

“Talk later, let’s get packing.”

“What?”

“You have to be out today, let’s go.”

“You’re going to help me? Dean I don’t even know where I can go. My sister doesn’t have room for us. I couldn’t find a place to rent before this happened.”

“I have an idea. The house I’m renovating right now, it has an upstairs apartment. There is even an outside entrance so you could come and go as you needed.”

“Dean, I couldn’t do that and impose on you.”

“You aren’t. I’m inviting you to stay. You won’t even have to pay rent. So you can save for a new apartment. Plus I’m the reason you got fired.”

He really was giving you a tempting offer. “You said yourself you had nowhere else you knew of to go.”

“Are you okay with dogs?”

“Yes, actually they are a must. Plus you could help me out with Miracle.”

“I will pay you.”

“That’s okay, maybe you could just help me with the house some?”

“I can do that. Thank you so much. I really appreciate this.”

“No problem Sweetheart. I’m going to go get us some boxes, while you start getting your stuff around.” When Dean got outside he called Sam.

“Hey, you doing anything right now?”

“No, just hanging out till the shift starts.”

“I have a friend who needs some help packing up her apartment real fast. Can you help?”

“Yeah, wait, her? Who’s the her? I thought Benny and Cas were your only friends?”

“Will you just stop talking and get over here? I texted you the address.”

You were shocked when Dean returned with not only boxes but one of the other firemen.

“Y/N, this is my little brother Sammy.”

“It’s Sam.”

“This is Y/N, Sammy said he could help us out for a bit.”

“Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem. Dean told me what happened.”

In just a few hours the three of you had everything loaded up in the three vehicles. The apartment came furnished so everything but the bed stayed.

Getting to Dean’s place you get out and look at the house, it’s amazing.

Heading inside Dean shows you around. You are distracted by the wonderful details that surround it, and the great work Dean has done. You can’t believe he rebuilt the entire staircase. He is extremely talented.

The two dogs are introduced and seem to get along really well. You are kind of surprised, Dakota is usually more reserved around dogs she has never met before.

“I think they are going to get along just fine.” Dean tells you.

“Yeah, I guess us living together could work, I mean sleeping together. NO, I just, you know what I mean, staying under the same roof, not in the same room.” You aren’t sure your face could be any redder.

“Well, not sure I have a problem with the first two options either.”

You were wrong, your face could get redder.

“I promise you won’t know I’m even here. I’m looking for a new job, and I’ll look for a new place. Hopefully I can find something by next week.”

“No rush, it’s fine Sweetheart.”

The two guys help you unload the things in their vehicles before heading off to work.

Wandering around the house you notice the living room and all the white paint stripes. This must be the room Dean was saying he was having trouble finding the right color. You didn’t have anything else to do so you go to work.

When Dean came home from work the next night, some amazing smell greeted him. Y/N, must have grabbed takeout. He’s hoping she got enough to share. Looking around he finally found her on a ladder in the living room. He walked in looking around. He couldn’t believe it, the whole room was painted, and the color was perfect.

On top of the fireplace mantle he saw a few Christmas decorations out. Some reindeer, a big snowman in the middle. They weren't his so they must have come from your house. It helped to make the room feel a bit homier than it had before.

Turning around you finally notice Dean. “Oh hi,”

“Hey, I can’t believe you finished this room. The color is perfect.”

“I’m used to being busy, but I’m currently unemployed, and school is on break for a month. This is Pearl, it’s a layer of Egg shell over Egg crue. It’s the only way to get this color. It’s the least I could do for you rescuing Dakota and I.”

“Don’t worry about that. I do appreciate you doing all this.”

“No problem, I like to keep busy.” You get Dakota up to head to your apartment, you did tell him you would stay out of his way. “Oh, there is chicken and mashed potatoes in the fridge if you want any.”

“It smells amazing, where did you pick it up from?”

“I cooked.”

Here we go again, Dean thought.

“I saw the stove wasn’t hooked up, I hope you don’t mind I connected it.”

“Oh, no. Thanks.” That surprised Dean. Y/N really was different than all the other girls he dated.

As she walked out of the room he realized he didn’t want her to go, “My shift was kinda slow, do you want to stay and eat with us?”

“We already ate, but thanks. I’ll let you enjoy your downtime.”

“Oh okay.”

Walking back to the room you are talking with Dakota about why you left. “He really doesn't want us to join him. He was only being polite.” Dakota gives a little growl. “Don’t give me your attitude, missy.”

The next morning Dean is up looking around for Y/N, before he has to head out. He knows she’s up; he saw the coffee put all made for him. Not seeing her anywhere he assumes she is in her room and doesn't want to bother her.

He’s caught by surprises when he walks out the front door and sees her hanging up Christmas lights on the porch.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“Morning, oh. I heard Christmas lights and decorations can add curb side value to a house. If you are going to sell when you’re finished. Having some lights out now, might get people to notice the house. Do you mind?”

“Not at all, great idea. Thank you.”

“No problem. You know, I have all that stuff from my apartment if you want to decorate the inside too.”

“I’m not much for decorations, but you can have at it.”

He walks down to his truck and asks without thinking. “I have to give a presentation to a group of fascinating people, would you like to come with me?”

“Sure, do I need to go change?”

“No, I think I can get you in with jeans and a sweater.”

“Alright, let me grab my phone.”

Hurrying back outside Dean locks the door behind you, “Let’s go Sweetheart.”

Thank you for reading!

Chapter 3

Tags- @winchest09 @waywardbeanie @whatareyousearchingfordean @flamencodiva @atc74 @deanwanddamons @jensengirl83 @abuavnee @lunarmoon8 @amyzombie1013 @akshi8278 @that-one-gay-girl @mandalou29 @igotmadskills

#Fire Fur & Mistletoe #dean winchester #dean x female!reader #dean x reader #christmas #spnchristmasbingo #supernatural #firefighter dean

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kindness-bliss · 3 years ago

Text

New Beginnings Ch. 11

Timothy Thatcher x OC

Rating: PG-13

Warnings: none

Tim looked outside as he watched them drive off and rubbed his face and leaned against the wall and watched them all walk towards him. “I know, I know”

“Do you though ? Do you ?” Candice spat out “What in the absolute fuck were you thinking ? What happened ?”

“I just...I couldn’t handle the alcohol, it hit me all at once and then next thing I knew whats her face shoved her tongue down my throat and then...I was the one who initiated it” he admitted quietly “I was the one who took her to the bathroom to…to do that” Tim said not even being able to say the words

“What the fuck is wrong with you ?!” Oney demanded

Tim shook his head as he debated throwing himself in front of a moving car to end his never ending misery “Guys, Candice please” “No, answer us” Johnny said sternly “Before we all take turns beating the absolute shit out of you, granted Maya clearly did a great job as we can tell by your slight limp and broken bruised nose you shit head !”

“Guys !” Tim exclaimed frustrated as he threw his hands down

“So you see her having a good time with us and Marcel so you decide to fuck someone in a bathroom at her own party when you claimed you were heartbroken and wanted her for yourself ? Instead of being a man and pulling her aside you do that ? To Maya, the legit most nicest and genuine person ?” Oney asks

“Oney….” “No I wanna know, I wanna know what it the absolute fuck went through your head when you decided to pull that shit ?” he repeated “This is a girl who liked you, spent 6 months sad over you while you couldn’t even answer a simple text message or call, you acted like a little bitch for 6 months moaning and complaining when you had absolutely no right to. She reached out, she called, left voicemails and sent text messages to you every fucking day for a month straight and you chose not to respond yet you get pissy because you see her enjoy herself with Marcel and all of us, you get jealous seeing her have fun. You’re bitter” he finally says “You’re nothing but a bitter child stuck inside a 38 year old man's body and you don’t deserve Maya. You don’t deserve her kindness nor her love and care because despite her being all lovey with Marcel tonight everyone here can see she wanted you, she craves you and that’s really fucking sad. But I think it’s time we don’t let that happen, it’s time we as her friends don’t let a 25 year old fall for a 38 year old bitter, disrespectful asswipe.” Tim stood there in silence, swallowing the small amount he had left of pride. For Oney whom he had known for years to reprimand him he knew just how deep and bad shit really was. “Yeah stay quiet buck teeth” Johnny muttered as he pushed past him with Candice and Fabian “Chipped teeth...not buck teeth” Fabian corrected quietly as he waited with them for an uber turning back when Johnny, Candice and Oney weren’t looking and giving him the finger ***** “Your place, not mine” Maya whispered meekly “I wanna be with you in your space, not mine” “Anything you want” Marcel said softly as he noticed her holding his hand tightly in hers. This wasn’t in any way what he wanted for them, especially not for her. He felt disgusted as he drove thinking of how broken she must’ve been seeing that. “I just wanna be with you, anywhere with you” she said quietly as she stared out her window “As long as I’m with you, I’ll be okay” He nodded as he blinked away tears, emotional at hearing her words as he pulled into his apartment building and helped her out She let out a small shaky breath as she held his hand and walked with him towards the elevator taking off Fabian’s suit jacket as she handed it over “You can give this to him when you see him again, it was extremely kind of him” “I will” he said softly as he pressed the button and stood with her with looming silence as the elevator took them up to his apartment “I hate him” she said suddenly “and I’m sorry for everything that I did and said to you while being enamored with him, you didn’t deserve any of that from me”

“Maya, no. Don’t say that, listen things happened tonight and I really think tomorrow you two should talk I can call him over and-”

“No” she answered sternly as she shot him a look full of hurt and anger “It ends here, it dies here. He doesn’t exist to me and that’s that” Marcel simply nodded as he didn’t push the topic any further and walked with her as he opened the door with his key and went to his bedroom to pull out a shirt and sweatpants for her and changed into his usual basketball shorts

“Thanks” she whispered as she stripped down in the bathroom and threw them on immediately taking in his scent and feeling an immense feel of comfort

“You didn’t eat” he said softly “let me get you some cereal at least, you still like lucky charms and almond milk ?” Maya gave a soft grin as she nodded “Yeah...yeah I do, you still remember”

“Of course I do,” Marcel chuckled. “I remember all your likes and dislikes, what shows you love and hate, the fact that you need to sleep on the side by the wall, how you only like your eggs scrambled but never over easy. I remember it all”

She walked over and looked up at him as he caressed his cheek with her hand “You truly never forgot, you remember and you’re always there for me”

“I always will be, no matter what” he whispered as he touched her hand “As much as I’d like to kiss you, I think you should eat and get in bed, you look exhausted as can be. You need proper rest” Maya nodded as she sat at his table and ate the bowl he served in front of her. It softened her seeing Marcel care so much about her and something about this made her see him in a different light. He wasn’t the vain wrestler who was into himself, he was the man she fell in love with 3 years ago who taught everything there was to know about love. “What’s going through your head ?” He asked finally “You can be honest with me, I know you still like him a lot judging by how you reacted tonight” “Marcel...it’s not like that” she explained “It was a shock, that was it. It was just purely shock but just...I don’t wanna talk about it anymore okay ? Can we just stop it please ?” “Absolutely” he nodded as he picked up her plate “Let’s get to bed” She nodded and followed as she laid down and scooted close towards him, going beneath his arm as she snuggled up and looked up at him caressing his cheek with her hand “Hi” he whispered as he gave a soft grin Maya looked in his eyes and sat up as she cradled his face and kissed him deeply “That’s what I wanted to do all night” “I-I…wow” Marcel whispered as he licked his lips “That was just, did-did you just kiss me, is this a dream ?” Maya chuckled as she rolled her eyes “Wow, way to ruin a moment. I’m trying to be romantic over here and do something” “I’m just shocked is all….you like me ? As in like me more than a friend ?” “I do” she admits “I really do, these last 6 months you’ve been there for me in so many ways and you’ve made my life so much better. It’s been hard you know ?” “I do,” Marcel whispered, “But this isn’t exactly how I pictured things working out at all, it’s not how I wanted things to be. I wanted something nice and calm and a bit more romantic” She laughed as she shook her head “Listen life isn’t a fairytale and as much as we’d like to be it’s best just to not expect much and go with the flow. I for one can admit tomorrow I’m probably gonna be hungover and emotional just letting you know ahead “I’ll be here with you” He pet her cheek as he watched her finally drift to sleep “I’ll always be here with you..” **** “Well well if it isn’t my favorite student” Eli grinned as he opened the door into the room at the performance center “You’re bright and early Thatch, love when my worst promo student shows up early to class” he laughed Tim rolled his eyes and sat down “Not today alright ? Just get on with the private class so I can go home already” “Not even a death stare or shove today ? Something really must have you down” He raised a brow as he grabbed a chair and sat in front of him “Tell me” “You haven’t heard ?,” Tim asked surprised. “It’s literally everywhere by now, seriously go check your phone or ask your girlfriend Alli. She has to know” Eli furrowed his brow, taking out his phone and putting it on speaker as he dialed “Baby, hey ! Um have you heard anything about something going down at EVE nightclub in downtown Orlando last night ?” “Oh my god, yes ! So remember Maya ? Maya Dawson ? The girl we met during one of your commercial shoots in LA and had dinner with a few weeks ago ?” Alli asked not even giving him a chance to answer “Well she apparently had a thing with that one loner dude Tim you work with for a hot minute but nothing serious from what I’ve heard, like not instagram official or anything. All she told me was that they made out a few times but nothing too much” Eli nodded as he listened “Oh wow, I didn’t know that. Okay go on….” “So they broke up because she didn’t tell him she was engaged prior to that really cute German dude with the blue eyes who happens to be friends with Tim. Drama ensues, she tells me over brunch he never bothered to respond to anything she sent for 6 whole months and she’s back with Marcel on “friendly terms” well she got that Maxim cover and had a big party last night which we got invited but obviously couldn’t go and well...Tim shows up, gets drunk and fucks none other than Kara Smith in the bathroom of the club ! THE Kara Smith !” Alli exclaimed loudly shaking her head disgusted “NO ! No fucking way ! Um baby, I gotta call you back !” Eli’s eyes widened as he hung up and looked at Tim “You didn’t…. tell me she’s just somehow dramatizing shit” “How the hell does Alli know everything ?” Tim asked “This is weird, this is why I stay away from social media, this isn’t normal” Eli scowled “Jesus christ, you fucked Kara Smith and got away with it. That woman has had it out for Maya for the last year, all because miss bleach blonde can’t stand Maya’s more popular, she’s like 33 having it out against a 25 year old. You literally slept with her worst enemy, how drunk were you ?” “Don’t even remind me” he rubbed his face “I literally am the most hated man in this building, I walked in and immediately it looked like I was gonna get jumped” “And here I thought I was the whore yet I’ve been in a loving relationship for over a year” Eli chuckled “I can’t believe you man, who does that ?” Tim shook his head “I don’t even know how to fix this, or even talk to her” “Don’t” Eli answered “Let her be, this isn’t something women get over fast or ever actually, you’re gonna have to suffer man. And quite frankly you deserve it” He sighed and got up “I’m going home, I don’t feel like being here and quite frankly I don’t wanna hear anymore about how I fucked up” “Since everyone hates you but me just come to my place” he offered “Alli won’t care, plus I’m done here I was just waiting for you to show up” Sure it may have been a pity offer but Tim took it with no hesitation “Alright, I’ll drive behind you” he nodded as they both left **** Maya stirred as she fluttered her eyes open checking her phone for the time, groaning when she saw it was only 8 am , leaning her head back against Marcel's arm as she turned her head and caressed his cheek lightly with her finger tips. She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his lips taking in all his features, his cheek bones, his soft skin, his chiseled jawline, his defined lips. Everything she loved about him standing out to her as she gulped and moved her hand onto his chest as she kissed him once again slightly deeper, looking into his deep blue eyes once they opened “Maya ?” he whispered as he pet her cheek, slightly confused as she had kissed him. Confused she had initiated their physical contact rather than him like it had always been “Hey” she whispered back “I want you….” Maya finally said “I want you now” As soon as she said those words he leaned in and kissed her ,gently flipping them around so she was on her back as he laid above her and kissed down her neck listening to her loud moans. It had been years since they were together, years since they had last had any kind of physical contact like this. Maya groaned as she felt his hand down her sweats at her core “t-take them off” Marcel did as told, watching her as he moved his fingers in circular motions, breathing deeply as she kissed along his jaw and removed his shirt. He took his time as he continued to kiss focusing on her breasts feeling her arch her back slightly “I can’t, please...now” she whimpered “please” “Are you sure ?” “Yes” she nodded “I’ve been been so sure of something before, yes” He kissed her deeply as he guided himself into her and thrusted in slowly, feeling her nails dig into his shoulder blades “Is it okay ?” “Perfect” she nodded as she hands caressed his face “So perfect, I...I had forgotten how good you feel, how this feels” Marcel gave a soft grin as he kissed her once again and picked up the pace, holding one hip with his hand as he found a perfect rhythm not keeping his eyes off of hers She cradled his face and planted a sloppy kiss on his lips arching her back off the mattress and into his body as far as she could feeling the need getting closer and closer “I’m so close, so fucking close” “Fuck you feel so good” he moaned as he swallowed a deep gulp “Every part of you feels amazing, god I missed you so fucking much Maya, so much” “Marcel...I can’t hold, I can’t” she whimpered as she felt his hot breath in the crook of her neck He pulled out slightly and pushed back in giving a few more hard thrusts as he picked up the pace and felt her walls clench against him “Fuck….” she cried out as she came with him wrapping her arms around neck, riding out what was left of their orgasm with him Marcel collapsed on top of her as he felt her chest rise up and down, her fingers gently playing with his hair

“You okay ?” she asked softly as she lazily kissed his forehead

“I’ve never ever been better” he lifted his chin and looked into her eyes “I haven’t felt like this in a long long time” “Neither have I” she admitted with a smile “Just like old times….”

Marcel blushed at the memories “You mean when we almost got caught by my brother at my mothers house ?”

“And just like that the romance is once again gone” Maya chuckled as she sat up and pulled the sheet up to cover herself

Marcel laughed as he held her hand in his and kissed it “Now, don’t call me cheesy but….will you be my girlfriend...again ?” “After an orgasm like that ? Of course” she joked as she kissed “But honestly, yes. I would love to”

He let out a sigh of relief as he kissed her back “Things are gonna be good, I promise you that”

“No promises” she whispered against his lips “Let’s take it day by day, no pressures no nothing. Just us being together”. She cuddled up against his chest, listening to his heart beat as she dozed back to sleep in his hold ***** “Tim, this is my girlfriend Alli” Eli grinned as he introduced them “Baby, this is Tim”

“I’m loner dude Tim” he said as he offered his hand with a small grin, retracting it when he received a stare back

“You’ll have to excuse her…women sticking together and that whole thing” he whispered lowly as he sat with him “May I offer you something to drink as dinner gets closer to being ready ?” Alli asked “Water, Coffee, tea, soda...a condom” she muttered under her breath “Alli...” Eli looked up at her “Come on, the guy knows he messed up let’s let him not feel like crap for a bit” “I wanna hear it all, all of it. Not one detail left behind” she scowled as she set the table “Come eat” Tim sighed as he got up and sat and told them everything, everything from how to they had met to their first fight, to finding out the truth and to the previous night

“So here I am now, hated by 95% of people at the performance center and with a brand new reputation now so yeah life’s great” Eli turned to Alli who had the same expression he had as they both looked at Tim, Alli being the first to speak as she sipped her wine and let out a deep breath “Tim, do you realize you’re in love ?” “Yeah” he answered quietly, putting his fork down “I do, I realized it last night when I felt myself get angry when I saw her with Marcel enjoying herself. I wasn’t angry because I was jealous or felt possessive, I was angry because she wasn’t with me” Tim admits “because she wasn’t by my side enjoying herself with me and because in that moment it hit me that I majorly messed up. That I was an idiot who let 6 months go by all because I had to be right, I had the need to be in the right when I was in the wrong” “Deep shit” Eli nodded sighing “I just, I just really think you gotta let things cool down for a bit but also send her a text, do what she did to you all those months ago but in your case don’t stop. Do it till you get some kind of response back” “Or maybe not” Alli said softly as she looked at her phone and showed Eli “Oh…” Tim looked up “what ? what happened ?”, he looked as Alii gave Eli a nod and moved his eyes towards her phone. A soft breath escaping his lips as he stared at the image in front of him, a picture of Marcel and Maya’s hands intertwined via his IG account marcel.barthel.wwe “Matching and hand holding with my favorite girl❤️👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨”

“Back together I see” Tim nodded “Well that’s perfectly fine, it’s their right” “I’m gonna um load the dish washer” Alli grinned as she got up quickly and left to the kitchen, Eli following shortly behind her “Be right back man” he coughed leaving his phone behind on the table Tim looked around as he picked up the phone and unlocked it easily with Eli’s birthday, sure it was wrong as hell but curiosity had gotten the best of him. He quickly went to the instagram app and looked up Marcel’s profile, shaking his head when he saw everyone comment @candicelerae omg love birds ! I can’t handle the cuteness, double date soon please 😍 @thejohnnygargano what she said👆🏻, also u 2 make me wanna puke (in a good way) @indihartwell my other mom and dad, so cute 💕 @fabian.aichnerwwe so I take it you’re gonna take his gym pics now ? @wwestardestroyer I swear if you guys don’t get a damn room already 🤮🤮🤮 “Jerks” Tim muttered as he put the phone down and crossed his arms. Perhaps this was the end of good things for him, or maybe just this once he’d get out of his own shell and go for it.

#timothy thatcher #timothy thatcher fic #timothy thatcher x oc #timothy thatcher imagine #marcel barthel #marcel barthel fic #marcel barthel imagine #nxt #nxt imagine

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prlncessandthepauper · 4 years ago

Note

What’s going on at your school? I hope you’re okay and I’m sending my best vibes/prayers/etc (I hope that that’s okay, I know not everyone is comfortable with those, so um, sorry, just wanna send best wishes)

//tw for possible m*rder/s*icide and death//

Okay so like, I’ll try to sum it up as best I can?

(Pls note that I’m only going off of news articles, school emails/alerts, and other students’ social medias, cuz I transferred to a college that was closer to home after my first semester there. I don’t attend this school currently, but the ppl who were found dead were in my classes when I did go there.)

This college is a satellite campus, located on this small island that is mostly just a nature preserve, and the majors that this campus offers are all marine science majors. A lot of field research goes on here, and the only things on this island are the school and a bunch of beachside wilderness. Most of the island is overgrowth and sand. The school consists of three main types of students, the marine science majors, the engineers (who transfer to the main campus after their first year), and the cadets (military students who join the coast guard after graduating). Cadets have their own dorm building that is at the very edge of campus, surrounded by overgrowth and located across the road and separate from the rest of the school dorms/buildings.

The cadets have a very strict military-esq routine, and they have to wake up before the break of dawn most days to meet with the rest of the cadets and do their whole military drill things. One student never showed up on Thursday morning. He was last scene the day before. It soon became apparent that no one knew where he went, and soon enough the police were contacted and he was reported as a missing person by the end of the day.

The police begin to search campus. At one point among all of this, a wellness check was called for another cadet, who at some point in the day “went missing”. (Wellness checks are often called by parents if their child isn’t replying, so I guess no one thought anything of it). Throughout most of this, the university’s power has been shut off for some reason, I only know abt this due to campus alerts I receive through texts (I have no idea how to turns these alerts off, so every now and then I just get random messages telling me abt things like flood warnings). The power is off most of the day, until 9:15 pm. So no security footage or anything is captured in this time frame.

Less than an hour after the power is turned on, campus police finally check up on this student, only to find him dead in his dorm room. They claim that it is unrelated to the missing person, and likely due to some medical problem with no suicide/foul play involved, although this student’s cause of death is still unknown.

There’s no trace of the missing student at this point.

The next day, news articles about said missing student and the dead student are being released. Despite the missing student being missing for over a day and police having no luck finding him, no description is released, nothing sent out in an attempt to see if anyone knows where the kid is. Around midday, police find the missing student’s car abandoned at the side of the road. Several hours later, they find the remains of the missing student in the overgrowth surrounding the school.

Police claim that the deaths are unrelated, despite being within 24 hours of each other and the student population being that of a high school.

Both students were cadets, with cadets making up a small portion of an already small student population. For reference, several small apartment complexes surround the school for older students who want a cheaper place to stay, as well as five or six on-campus dorm buildings, there’s only one dorm building for the cadets.

The students are rightfully calling bs on the police claims of the two deaths being natural and unrelated.

The island is mostly covered in a large amount of overgrowth— to the point where even student-frequented beaches are near impossible to reach unless you know where to find the small paths leading to them. For a student to just suddenly appear dead in the middle of the overgrowth? Unless people were specifically searching with trained dogs to find him, no one would’ve been able to locate his body, which wasn’t anywhere near his car.

Some students are claiming the situation has serial killer vibes, others are claiming it has murder-suicide vibes. Then there’s the topic of how the school is actually handling the situation (just linking a bunch of counseling numbers and refusing to actually address the situation).

But yeah lol, I’m probably missing a few things but the locations and timings of the deaths by themselves are just shady all together. Coupled with a super long power-outage, campus police failing to check up on the student in their dorm, the police taking more than a day to find the missing student’s car when the island is already super small and it takes less than half an hour to drive along all of the roads, it’s just super suspicious and the way the school + police are handling it is awful.

#sry for typos n stuff i’m tired fjfjfjf

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tessasclockworkangel · 4 years ago

Note

The tumblr user who’s been giving you a tough time, is a disease in the fandom. She has numerous blogs and Twitter handles. I know it’s a bit of a reach to say they’re all her (because she’s not the only anti Herongraystairs/anti Jessa in the fandom). But with the same spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, posts and interests she presents on her social media, it’s not hard to put two and two together. I advise you to stay vigilant and watch out for these malicious, cyber bullying accounts.

What’s even more infuriating and dangerous, is the fact that she conveniently changes her URL from time to time, to avoid being caught. She must be seriously unhinged if she results to harassing people online for having HARMLESS opinions on FICTIONAL characters. Yes, CC hasn’t exclusively stated that Will and Jem were bi, and that Herongraystairs had the potential for a polyamorous relationship. Even though she didn’t claim responsibility for such rep, she’s did say she didn’t mind if people interpreted their relationship like that. In fact, she encouraged it. Where else did CJ get the inspiration of that r-rated Heronstairs artwork? But I guess this is something beyond the Tumblr user’s minimal comprehension, to understand.

She’s completely tone deaf for making claims like, “the only reason why Jessa happened was because CC had a Chinese fetish,” but then insisting she’s not racist because apparently as a POC, she couldn’t be - which isn’t in fact true. We don’t even know if she’s a POC (or just claiming to be). But ANY POC would know that some of us can be racist (especially towards people not belonging to our own race). For example, I’m Pakistani, and there’s a huge stigma/prejudice towards people with dark skin in my community, so much so, that if I chose to marry a black man, I’d be shunned from society as well.

And then comes the argument against the LGBTQ+ community that, “your parents haven’t accepted you so you project your sexuality on fictional characters,” while feeling entitled by insisting she’s not homophobic because the term doesn’t exist in the country/culture she grew up in. But if she’s able to understand/reblog posts with English retorts, that means she should be able to comprehend what homophobia is as well. Because newsflash mate, homophobia exists regardless of where you live in the world and what values you’ve been bought up with. Period. And this is coming from someone whose community is also very homophobic, despite the fact that the term doesn’t exist in our vocabulary as well.

——————————————————————————

Sorry - I just needed to rant and clarify a few things about the terrible situation you’ve got yourself in.

Thank you so much for this

Anonymous people like these are absolutely terrible because I never understand what they try to accomplish by sending asks like these. Im never going to listen to them and they don’t even affect me but the fact that they take all this time to harass people online under an anonymous name shows that they have no life whatsoever.

And their asks are always the same thing “You’re mentally ill, your parents don’t accept you, you’re closeted” what if I am? Why do you care?

I loathe people like these because instead of actually doing something that makes you happy they want to spoil it for everyone. I don’t get how their brain works, (if they have one) and honestly the fact that they do this so obsessively shows that something’s wrong with them, not me

Thanks again and everyone please take care and never let things like these affect you (and nonnie please show your true assholeish face)

with love

Tessa

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mrs-geuse · 4 years ago

Text

Jealousy - Hank Anderson x Reader

Re-posting because Tumblr didn’t let it show up in the tags...

Anonymous requested: “Can you please write some jealous!hank x reader? Or some Hank x pregnant!reader fluff?”

(I tried to keep this as gender neutral as I could, sorry if there are mistakes!)

Warnings: Language, alcohol use.

Hank Anderson should not be one to judge about public intoxication – and he was not judging. He was worried. This was so not like you.

Connor had been the one you called and that stung. He tried his best to swallow down that jealousy, he really did, but he was so hopeful to come in and play the hero for you. There was something about you that just made him want to play protector, but he knew you’d hate that.

Yet you still called Connor when you got drunk tonight and it was obviously not a call to Hank. Whatever the Hell that meant. What you and Connor had was a friendship and he needed to let that go.

“Hank, they’re at Crazy Matt’s,” Connor’s voice interrupted him as he grabbed his keys from his desk, shouldered on his coat.

“Glad they answered for you,” was Hank’s only response.

“That didn’t happen. Location services are still on their phone. I…noticed from the social media post that was made.”

“Great detective work. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve gotta go get my ass handed to me by your bff.”

Connor had a date tonight and Hank couldn’t help but wonder if your outburst was due to that little fact. Naturally, Hank’s only date was with a bottle when he got home so Connor called in a favor. Of course, he was glad to do it – the three of you were pretty inseparable after you’d met.

So here he was speeding toward Crazy Matt’s to pick you up. Too fuckin’ bad, you didn’t want company. Pain in the ass…

In the small parking lot, he noticed your car wasn’t there and he was instantly cussing because – damn it – if you dipped to another bar, he was going to have to chase you around this city all fuckin’ night.

He slammed the car door harder than necessary and stormed his way toward the entrance. Crazy Matt’s was a pretty seedy place and he hated that you went there. Apparently, you knew the owner or some shit.

Eyes scanning around the bar, he grumbled to himself.

“Can I get ya somethin’?” the dark-haired man behind the counter greeted him.

Hank ignored his interest in what was on tap. “Do you know Y/N?”

The idiot let his expression change, yet responded, “Who wants to know?”

“Look, it’s been a long night, and I’m a friend,” the term stung something in him and the thought he’d like to drown in alcohol. “I just need to know they’re okay.”

He nodded. “Saw them go out back a few minutes ago. Left their drink so I’m sure they’ll be back.”

Hank tapped the bar, nodding in thanks as he glanced at what you’d been drinking.

There was a lot to be said about Hank, but he was not a patient man. A few seconds and he was back outside, glancing down the side alley.

What, had you gone to hook up with somebody? Fuckin’ a…

The sight shocked him.

“Y/N!?” he jogged over because it was all he could muster.

You stopped momentarily, looking breathless and disheveled and…damn it, alluring. But his eyes were instantly on your bleeding knees.

“What the fuck happened?” he almost pulled out his gun just in case something was amiss.

You waved him off, patting him on the shoulder and he stilled at the touch. “Guess I’m not great at running while inebriated,” you answered simply.

“And you were running because…?” during his question, you held his shoulder, balancing so you can pull off your shoe and get the gravel out.

He wanted to wrap his arms around you but instead he shoved his hands in his pockets.

“Some jackass stole my wallet,” you waved it in front of you, clearly having gotten it back. You weren’t too flustered but the blood was dripping down your knees and it kinda stung.

You stumbled a little when getting the shoe back on and he was forced to hold you upright, your shirt having slid up just the slightest and his thumb pressed against your bare skin. Hank inhaled sharply, moving his finger as soon as he noticed.

“I’m taking you home,” he responded gruffly.

“Fuck off,” you pushed your hand against his chest but it did nothing to move the big man. “I’m not going home.”

“Jesus Christ, Y/N, you’re bleedin’ all over the place. I’m leaving and you’re coming with me.”

“No,” you pulled from his grasp, stumbled a little, still feeling your drinks. He caught you and his grip was surprisingly soft considering his voice was gruff. “Hank,” you muttered, grabbing onto his jacket and sliding your hands up to the collar. You watched his Adam’s apple move as he swallowed hard. “I’m going in to finish my drink.”

“The drink on the bar?” he managed to question. At that, you nodded. “Yeah, no you’re not.”

“Hank!” you were about to debate with him when he interrupted you.

“-Be pretty stupid ‘a you to leave a drink unoccupied for so long then down it. You know better than that.”

You smiled at that; glad he wasn’t arguing with you for once.

“Then buy me another one, Lieutenant. Let’s enjoy the night.”

Your tone of voice stirred something in Hank and he struggled to speak something coherent for a moment, his mind traveling to some impure thoughts.

“Yeah, sure.”

•••

Hank needed a drink, but didn’t expect to have one at a seedy bar tonight. He’d bought a bottle and was ready to tell everyone else to fuck off on this Friday night, but the change of plan wasn’t terrible.

The anxiety he felt at the moment was overwhelming. It wasn’t often that the two of you were alone, Connor playing a big part in the times you spent together and you both were very aware of that. But you’d become fast acquaintances and he’d grown to enjoy your company.

“Thought you were goin’ to clean up,” he nodded at you as you stayed right beside him at the bar.

“Eh, sure, I will. They got a deal goin’ on tonight,” you wriggled your eyebrows.

“Oh yeah?”

“Two shots for the price ‘a one.”

“Shots?” he repeated.

“Yeah. So…you’re my whiskey guy, aren’t ya?” you nodded at the bartender and ordered some.

“Christ…” he muttered, wiping a hand down his beard.

“Aw, come on, Hank, I know you’re always drinking alone. Live a little,” you gripped onto his jacket again, looking up at him with those eyes and, fuck, was he done for.

“Fine,” he grunted when the glasses come. You clinked the glass with him, smirked, then both slammed back two shots.

The burn was so welcomed right now, he needed something to rid his clouded mind.

“How about you get us another drink?” you sauntered off to the bathroom to wipe off your bloody legs.

And, fuck, what was he doing? He knew you and Connor would go out sometimes, knew the boy wonder didn’t drink with you and you’d sometimes make a comment that Hank should join. He avoided it. Because it was you. Because he knew what he would be like with alcohol around you and, damn it, he couldn’t let his guard down because he’d end up saying something stupid and chasing you off and the three of you would stop spending time together. Not to mention you’d end up doing just what you did tonight – calling Connor over him.

By the time he watched you wander back out of the bathroom, he was halfway done with his drink and had ordered another.

That Matt guy had stopped you and you were chatting with him, laughing at something he said. He knew you two knew each other, but how well and…well, how? Guy seemed kinda seedy, just like the bar.

Not to mention, he started touching you – hand on your shoulder, the two of you started walking toward the bar – and he slung his arm around your neck, kissed your temple, smiling the whole time.

You didn’t seem to mind, but that made Hank mind even more. What the Hell was he doing here? He’d told Connor he would come pick you up, not sit here and watch you find someone to hook up with.

Only you found the table he’d grabbed for you, came back with another round of shots.

“On the house, apparently,” you shrugged. He took one. “Oh, no, you get both. Any more, I’ll be on the floor.”

Hank could handle his booze pretty well, sure. Only he hadn’t really eaten today and the speed that the two of you were drinking…he was buzzed already.

“I need food,” you voiced, reading his mind. “Split a burger and fries with me?”

Hank swallowed back the last shot. “Sure, yeah.” You grabbed a waitress, ordered something. He felt a little loose, a little less anxious. “So, Connor’s date tonight…”

You smiled. “Oh, yeah, how do you think that’s gonna go?”

He’d meant to cast that line, hook you in, pick your brain, but you gave him no indication of discomfort.

“You first.”

You sipped your drink. “I think it’s good he’s getting out there. Proud of him for acting on his feelings, yanno?”

Hank nodded at that, contemplative. “You have anything to do with him finding the courage to ask them out?” That would tell him…

You smiled shyly. “Perhaps. Why, Lieutenant, did you miss your opportunity?”

Hank chuckled at that. “Fuck no. Plastic prick…” he trailed off. “So, what’s got you all fucked up tonight?” he blurted and then, “shit, I’m sorry. That, uh, that voicemail to Connor…”

You were surprised by that, though you knew he was blunt. “No, it’s fine. I…just long week. Stupid shit at work, tired of biting my tongue when people wrong me. Just…felt like I needed a night to be in my feelings.”

“Oh.”

“Oh?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I’m just really fucking dull, aren’t I?”

“Hank…why…” you looked concerned for a second. “why do you say that?”

Maybe it was the shots talking or the kindness you showed him, but he admitted, “Thought you…maybe had feelings for the kid.”

“What!?” you almost spit out your drink. “Hank, he…he’s like a brother to me, that’s pretty fucked.” You laughed and he was glad he hadn’t pissed you off, seen your fire. He knew it was there.

“Ah, I’m fucked so don’t act too surprised.” He downed the rest of his drink.

“Cheers to that,” you clinked your glass with his and drank.

“You come here often?”

“What is that, some shitty pickup line?” you laughed and he noticed your eyes flash to his mouth.

“Well, no, just…curious. What’s up with the owner?” he couldn’t help but ask.

You leveled your gaze with his. “Hank,” you started to which he hummed, acted casual. “I’m sensing a pattern here. You worried? Competition?”

“Wh-what?”

You winked at him. “You got nothin’ to worry about, old man. We just gotta leave before…” you glanced at the bar, expression changing.

“Before…?” his slightly-more-than-buzzed mind was slow to the take, that and the flirtatious air about the conversation was giving him some ideas, stirrings in his gut…

“It’s Friday, isn’t it?” you mumbled with a sigh. “They…uh…do this thing…” you started looking under the table and Hank was slow to the take, pressing his arm over his lap as your eyes scanned down there.

“What the fuck?” he felt his cheeks heating up. “Y/N?” Seconds later, you pulled a pink sticker out from under the table. “What the fuck?” he repeated.

“Oh, God…”

A voice came over the loud speaker by the karaoke setup, announcing, “You know what time it is, folks. If I could please have everyone look under their tables for a sticker…” the announcer gave the crowd a second and people around them followed instructions. “Here at Crazy Matt’s every Friday at 8 we do a nice little ice breaker. Hold your stickers high if you’re one of the five lucky tables.”

Y/N sat perfectly still and Hank felt a sense of dread but also…some excitement. You kept looking a little lusty toward him. A waitress was coming by each sticker table and dropping off some salt and limes and vodka…

Oh, shit…

“Don’t be shy, Y/N,” a voice called. Matt, the owner, walked over. “Soon as I saw your friend here sit down, I knew it was gonna be a show…come on, partake. Live a little. On the house.”

“Y/N?” Hank asked tentatively. “What the fuck’s going on?”

“Body shots,” Matt answered instantly. “Every Friday at 8, we treat our guests – if they sit at the right table. Little ice breaker, some free shots, good company…” he eyed Y/N. “I’ll gladly take your place if you’re…”

“No,” Hank found himself answering instantly, to your surprise. The thought of him licking salt off your body, drinking a shot off your skin…Hank had enough of this jealousy bullshit but he was not going to sit idly by.

Matt raised his hands up, nodded, walked away as the waitress dropped the supplies off.

“Hank, you don’t have to…”

“Nah,” he waved it off. “I…why the fuck not? Live a little, right?” he quoted that asshole, was for sure pretty far gone to be agreeing to this, his heart pounding harshly in his chest.

The announcer talked them through the steps as the waitresses cleared off the tables. When was the last fuckin’ time he’d done somethin’ like this?

You looked tentative as the waitress took your hand, helping you up on the table. Hank looked at you, gazed at your body as you laid back, tried to keep his mind focused on something else and not how you looked sprawled out in front of him. The alcohol let his mind wander. And then your hand halted the waitress and Hank’s mind cleared.

“Y/N?” he asked.

“Hank, you are not drinking a shot out of my bellybutton,” you laughed, glancing around at the other customers doing just that. He didn’t know how to respond so he just stood there looking stupid, feeling stupid for agreeing to this if you were just gonna back out. Fuck, he put himself out there just for you to turn his ass down… You grabbed the salt shaker and looked up at him. “Well? How do you think that salt’s gonna stick, Lieutenant?”

It took him a second to register, but he nodded, grabbing the shot glass the waitress brought over. Slowly, he watched you lift your shirt, saw the exposed skin, almost groaned. You handed him the salt shaker and watched with eager eyes as he dipped his head down toward you. The sensation of his facial hair registered first and then his soft lips pressing an open-mouthed kiss to your abdomen. You inhaled sharply at the sensation, biting your lower lip.

Your fingers almost forgot to fumble for the plate of limes, but you managed to as soon as he started sprinkling the salt on you and then his mouth was back to lick it off your skin. You moaned against the lime in your mouth, unable to hold back.

Hank smirked a little, stood up, took the shot. As he swallowed, he leaned down to get the lime, his mouth lingering over yours before biting into the thing, his lips ghosting over yours.

“Annnd switch!” came the announcer’s voice before Hank was even done.

He pulled back quickly, stood straight, pulled the lime from his mouth, then helped you back off the table.

“I, uh…” he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

“My turn,” you chuckled, stepping close to him, pressed your hands to his belly.

“I am not showin’ my shit in here,” he stopped the trail of your hands toward the hem of his shirt.

You shrugged. “Suit yourself,” and instead moved your hands to his collar, pulling it down slightly.

Before Hank knew it, he felt your lips on his neck, tracing your tongue over the sensitive skin, nipping a bit.

“Fuck…” he mumbled, completely aroused at that point.

You sprinkled the salt on the spot then inched up to put your mouth back, flat tongue lapping it up. It ended before he wanted it to and his half-lidded gaze watched as you slammed back the shot.

Fuck.

He grabbed the lime, put it in his mouth, felt like a complete idiot. When he turned back to you, he felt your hands grip on the back of his head, dipped to meet your lips, stopped himself from grinding his body against yours at this close proximity.

Your lips were on his, no shame, no ghosting like he’d done, full-on around the lime, kiss…

You bit the fruit, pulled it from his mouth, tossed it on the plate at the table, then pulled him back in for another kiss.

Hank felt like the floodgates had opened. Fuck, had he thought about what it would be like to kiss you…

His fingers gripped at your hips, pulled you into him, mistakenly let you feel his erection.

“Hank…” you pulled back from the kiss, traced your hands down his torso.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

“Your order,” came a voice and, go figure, it was that Matt guy holding their burger and fries. “Oh, sorry, am I interrupting something?”

And there it was, perfect timing for you to pull away from him, slap him, call him a pervert for getting so worked up over this…

“Can we get that to go?” you asked Matt and Hank couldn’t help but stare dumbfounded.

“Uh…yeah…I…yeah,” Matt scurried off.

“Too much?” you asked, gnawing at your lower lip.

Hank felt like his jaw was on the floor still. “I mean, this…you…”

“I’m done being in my feelings, Hank, so I’ll be very forward: I want you. This ends one of two ways tonight and both of them I need to leave.”

Hank felt bold for once tonight. “What are the options?” his voice was deeper, laced with flirtation, arousal. He stepped closer to you to hide his erection in case someone was looking.

“Either I go home alone, cold shower, play with myself to get you off my mind…or you take me home, we eat this together, and see where the night takes us.”

Hank never thought he’d leave half-empty drinks at a bar but on this occasion, he gladly raced out with you in tow: dinner in a to-go box, whiskey half-drunk next to the tip on the table.

So maybe you weren’t lying – you weren’t into Connor after all…

#hank anderson #hank anderson x reader #detroit become human reader insert #detroit become human #hank anderson reader #hank anderson reader insert #clancy brown #detroit become human x reader

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