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cod-sins · 1 year ago

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Heyyyy. I loved ur konig hcs! 💕. Can we get hcs for Ghost/ konig ab what they would do if they’re civilian s/o was getting stalked while they were away and they call them asking what to do ? xx

.ೃ࿐ Format: Hcs

.ೃ࿐ Reader: Undisclosed. Established relationship.

.ೃ࿐ Ratings: SFW

.ೃ࿐ Word Count: 1.2k

[A/N: Hey anon thank you so much for requesting this, it was so much fun to write I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. :) Also Ghost is more of a full fic than a headcanon sorrey got carried away. 😋]

𝑮𝑯𝑶𝑺𝑻

Ghost was stuck in a safehouse somewhere in the deserts of Mexico waiting for his rescue team to come pick him up. He was absolutely done with this mission, having to carry around 30 extra pounds of military gear in the scorching heat just to eliminate a "single fucking target" was no joke. He'd much rather be at home in his flat, throwing something on the telly [lol] and laying around with you. He smiles at that thought.

He checked his watch. 1435 read the time. '3 more hours.' He thought. Three more hours until he arrived back at the base. Three more hours until he makes it to the airport. He glanced up at the ceiling his mind filled with all the things you were gonna say to him, how you would fuss over his injuries and insist on him relaxing in the bath while you cooked for him. He plays out these thoughts in his head until his mind becomes hazy and he begins to fall asleep.

Ghost is a fairly light sleeper so the first time you called he answered immediately.

"Hello?" "Ghost! I'm so sorry I know you said not to call you unless it's an emergency but there's this guy who has been following me around all day and I- "Y/N slow down I can't understand you." He said calmly despite his heart starting to beat faster.

You took a deep breath and resumed. "I was at the grocery store earlier and I noticed this guy who kept following me around. Every single aisle I went down he was there, even after I left the store he kept following me. I don't know what to do he's still waiting for me to leave this building." Your voice trembled as you spoke.

Ghost could feel his blood beginning to boil as you talked. The mere thought of someone trying to harass you or even worse hurt you drove him crazy. He should be there protecting you not waiting around.

"Alright, I want you to listen to me carefully and do exactly as I tell you, do you understand? Do not hang up this phone Y/N. First I want you to tell me where he is and what he's doin'."

You told Ghost the man's location--he was outside across the street pretending to be occupied by a street vendor. He kept glancing at the shop you were hiding in.

"Right listen carefully, I want you to make your way to the closest bank the one we always use. Stay in populated areas where people can see you do not take any shortcuts. Don't go down any alleyways don't give him the opportunity to have you alone. Once you make it to the bank talk to the security guard and tell 'em what's happening. Make sure you point the guy out."

You agree and with a shaky hand you grab your bags and make your way outside. The stalker takes notice of this and begins his pursuit. You hastily make your way to the bank--updating Ghost with every step. As soon as you make it inside you talk to the security guard and tell him your situation. He immediately calls the police which scares the man off while they escort you back home in a police car.

As soon as this whole ordeal is over Ghost forces you to take self-defense classes. He would also like it if you knew how to work a gun but if you weren't comfortable with that he'd opt for getting a dog instead. (Plus he's quite fond of the animal.) He just wants you to be safe he couldn't stand the thought of losing you. ):

𝑲ö𝒏𝒊𝒈

All you wanted to do was go home and fall asleep in you and König's California-sized bed. You had a long grueling day; dealing with shitty customers who thought they were entitled to everything and awful coworkers who barely did their job forcing you to work overtime and pick up on their slack. Whilst working you accidentally burnt yourself cleaning the coffee machine because your boss had distracted you to ask if you could close shop tonight.

You were so busy walking home that you didn't notice the man behind you following your every step. It was only when you tripped and dropped your bag--all your items spiling out that you realized that he was there. He quickly stepped in helping you pick up your items despite your initial rejection.

He was very adamant about helping you even though it was clear you were uncomfortable with the situation. Quickly thanking him you began speeding up your walk while fumbling around for your phone. You glanced back and noticed he was still following you. The sun had begun to set and the remaining light was slowly fading away. Your car was in the shop so you were forced to walk home at night.

You glanced back once more and saw that he was still behind you even though you had taken multiple turns and crossed several different streets. Starting to feel anxious you dialed your boyfriend. It took him a few moments to answer which felt like years to you.

"Hallo?" A tired voice spoke from the phone. The sound of his voice instantly filled you with comfort almost making you forget about the situation you were in. "König I'm sorry to wake you I need your help, there's some dude who won't stop following me. I don't wanna go home yet because I don't want him to know where we live. It's starting to get dark out and my phone is gonna die." You said sounding exasperated. The sound of shuffling could be heard over the phone as you continued down the street.

"Where are you now?" His demeanor had completely changed sounding more gruff and serious. You stammered out your location telling him specific landmarks. A theater, a bar, and a park across the street. König instructs you to head to the bar first, 'get lost in the crowd' he told you. 'Then go out the back way and head to the park.' You do as you're told hovering down while you squeeze between heavily intoxicated people. You make it outside the bar then hurry across the street.

It's now completely dark out and without any light it's hard to see inside the park. "I want you to go hide in the park behind the bushes where he can't see. Stay low turn off your phone light and be quiet." König continues to instruct you as you find a hiding spot. You watch as the man leaves the bar, he walks a few feet down then he turns around still not able to find you.

Once he realizes you're completely gone he curses and stomps his foot then marches off into the distance. You cringe at the thought of what he would do to you if he found you. König brings you back to reality asking if you're alright, you tell him your status and he makes you stay on the phone until you've made it back home.

Similar to Ghost, König would also want you to learn self-defense maneuvers, he'd teach you himself (because he's so big he makes a good example) and he'd equip you with your own knife. König would also give you pepper spray and a whistle and a tactical flashlight. You'd have to stop him at the flashlight or else he'd have you lugging around military gear like Ghost.

Reblogs and feedback are greatly appreciated!

Inbox: OPEN

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silaslich · 6 days ago

Text

The heat of imposition

John “Soap” Mactavish x f!reader x Simon “Ghost” Riley

Summary - Rugby AU. While watching a rugby match with Kyle you happen to catch the attention of not one, but two of the players. Neither of them like the fact that the other wants you too. [part 1/3]

Wc - 4.8k

An - I know fuck all about rugby so ignore any inaccuracies, we’re here for sex not rugby

It isn’t by chance that you find yourself at the pitch.

Your arm had been twisted- hands tied. You’d lie and say you had no choice, but the truth is that you simply have nothing better to do on a random rainy Saturday in October.

Kyle hadn’t given you much of an alternative when it came to making plans; his idea of fun might be sitting in the cold as he nurses a cheap beer and ogles a cluster of beefed-up middle aged men while they run around tackling each other- but you? It wasn’t exactly what you had in mind when he’d texted you and asked if you were free to hang out.

You know him well enough to know that he’s called you in to be his wingman; someone to keep the beers coming to feed his already brimful confidence, someone that will push him if the chance for him to chat someone up arises. It’s what usually happens when the two of you meet for a drink or for dinner, his eyes wander and his intuition carries him toward the closest thing to a decent lay.

You’ll wave him off with a smile and mouth at him to call you when it’s convenient- usually to update you on how incredible or lacklustre the sex he’d abandoned you for was. You’re not bitter about it, not really, you have to give it to him. At least one of you is getting something. You suppose it’s for lack of trying, what with work and a sheltered nightlife- you can’t exactly say you’re putting yourself out there.

Kyle has tried time after time, sliding folded pieces of paper with your number scrawled on it to punters as they sit at the bar waiting for their drinks or pulling you with him as he ventures to the dance floor- accidentally bumping you into strangers, drawing their eyes and their attention. You appreciate his efforts, but you’re not exactly looking, it’s all the same to you. You’d slept around abit at uni and enjoyed it to a point, chasing that high and filling the endless void of assignments and work placements- you need something more now.

Settling is a scary thought. You’re not sure that’s what you’re after, but you don’t want a meaningless one-night stand either. You haven’t found that happy-healthy medium yet, you can’t be sure it exists. At least not to the men in this town, everyone knows everyone- it’s hard to get away from that.

You grit your teeth hard, feeling the way the cold ebbs its way into your bones. Even the beer isn’t keeping you warm, and that usually does the trick.

“Is it nearly over yet?” Your teeth chatter around the words, Kyle tuts at you.

“You can’t be serious” he turns to look at you, noting that you are in fact very serious. He frowns slightly. “It’s not even halftime yet”.

The sound that’s choked out of your throat makes him quirk a brow. Yet, Kyle’s attention is drawn back to the pitch by the sound of a whistle, some kind of swap between players has stilted the gameplay.

You’re not that well versed in rugby. Have kept up with it here and there, mainly because of Kyle and your boss because it’s all they talk about at work. They put it on every telly in the pub when their favourite team is on and they start to become idle when it comes down to the last few minutes of gameplay- stood there like toddlers that are transfixed by dancing fruits on a screen.

It’s quite funny really, watching Kyle as he barely tries to make it look as though he’s still working- rubbing a dry cloth over an already cleaned down table.

“Oh shit” Kyle’s breath carries on the breeze, drifting across your face as he speaks. It’s just that cold.

“What’s happening?” You mimic Kyle in the way he leans forward in his seat, watching carefully at what’s unfolding on the pitch.

Kyle doesn’t answer, instead watching as the away team’s players crowd together, meanwhile the home team congregates closer to their benches- they’re swapping someone on.

You see a wide smile crack across his face from out the corner of your eye, it pulls you to look at him fully. Seeing his wide-expectant eyes and gaped mouth, you grimace, slightly put off by just how much he’s enjoying watching on- you think you’d rather watch paint dry.

“When do they start brawling, ay? This is boring” you smack your lips together and take a heavy swig of your beer. It warms your throat, barely. Kyle turns to look at you, smiling like an idiot.

“Funny you should say that” he raises his brows and jerks his head in the direction of the players they’re swapping- you follow his gaze, it doesn’t enlighten you in the slightest.

You open your mouth to question him but Kyle beats you to it, already preempting your confusion and overall lack of culture for his favourite sport and his favourite team.

“They’re putting their main prop on, Riley” Kyle’s eyes watch the player in question and so do you, observing his team mates as they pump their fists and clap him on the back- following on as he moves further onto the pitch.

“He fight often?” You ask, eyeing the dark ink that stretches across both of his arms and retreats under the sleeves of his jersey.

There’s skulls and bones and snakes and gnashing teeth that make up a portrait of something that might be a dog. It’s hard to tell from all the way up in the stands; you’re sat within hearing distance of their shouts as the players go over strategy- but your eyes can’t quite focus enough to read the letters that brand his knuckles and the blocks of black ink that cover the backs of his hands. Shame.

Kyle laughs, something deliberate and knowing. “Yeah, you could say that”. His smile is hiding something, you just know it. You raise a wry brow.

“That why he was benched?” The look on Kyle’s face alone tells you all that you need to know, he nods as you shake your head with an unamused sigh.

“He’s been benched the last few games, close to being banned altogether from what I hear” Kyle observes Riley as he speaks, they’re about to restart play with a scrum.

You continue watching the game, noting another player that’s almost as big as Riley is. The back of his jersey reads Mactavish. He has a sharp smile on him, even with his mouth guard, you can’t closely see the rest of his features all that well, apart from his grown out mohawk- you didn’t realise this was the 70s.

Mactavish is quick to be on Riley, jumping high and wrapping his arms around the bigger man’s neck, hanging off him like a scarf. Their mouth-guard-smiles are wide and Riley swats at Mactavish, manhandling him until he’s got him hoisted off the ground entirely- that’s when he pushes him away and kicks his legs out from underneath him. Sending him skidding across the grass.

It’s rough housing. Simple play fighting. Kyle tells you it’s common practice for these two in particular, spending half their time butting heads and charging at each other like rhinos. Much to the dismay of their coach by the sounds of it. A whistle blows and it’s shrill in your ears.

“Pack it in bellends! Head in the game!” There’s a gruff looking man shouting from the side lines, he’s tall and broad with a beanie that’s pulled tight over his head- there’s specks of salt and pepper hairs in his mutton chops.

The two men snap their necks toward the coach and do as their told, trying to kick each others legs out from one another as they run toward where the rest of their team is forming up to restart play.

It’s starting to get interesting, because they’re not half bad to look at, these two, not half bad at all. Mactavish especially, bar the haircut. Riley on the other hand, he’s got that unconventional attractiveness about him; with his wonky nose and ashen blonde hair, hooded eyes that contrast heavily- they’re as dark as his tattoos. Perhaps it’s the way he carries himself too- his wide shoulders and thick chest, strong and solid and unbothered by the way the other men move out of his way when he passes the opposite team.

You don’t realise you’re gawping until Kyle waves his hand in front of your face, making you blink. He laughs to himself.

“Like what you see?” He asks, amused, watching as your cheeks flare. You bristle.

“Fuck off” you hate being caught out, especially after giving Kyle gripe this whole time about how boring all of this is. You stand abruptly, “I’m off to get something to eat, you want something?” Kyle eyes you, a smirk creeping up his face.

“Something salty if you don’t mind” he wags his brows and you smother your palm into his face as you squeeze past his legs to retreat down the steps toward the food kiosks. You hear his laugh follow you as you reach the bottom of the steps.

You keep an eye on the game as you walk, flitting your eyes from the pitch to the ground so you don’t slip on the steps. As you steal another glance over toward the home team, you find a pair of bright blue eyes looking right back at you. So blue they practically glow, burning right through you. As blue as celestite, something shines in them when he looks at you- but you’re quick to look away and scurry down the steps. Cheeks heating once again, for reasons even you’re not sure of.

It’s without your knowledge that Mactavish’s eyes follow you the entire time as you retreat. His stare trained on you. Distracted completely. Riley is quick to bring him back to earth, watching Mactavish watch you, he grunts as he steps toward the Scotsman, yanking out his mouth guard with a wet shlack sound.

“You ‘aven’t got a chance, now move your arse” Riley smacks the back of Mactavish’s head when he doesn’t move, watching you right up until the point you disappear out of his view. The Scot smiles wildly around his mouth guard, then spits it into his hand.

“Wanna bet?” he turns to Riley and Riley has seen that look before, many times, and it’s never ended well. Yet, he raises a brow as he looks down at the Scot, matching that same look himself.

After paying extortionate prices for a portion of chips and a burger to split you forego another beer each and go for water instead. It’s blatant daylight robbery.

You make a point not to look out onto the pitch as you make your way back to Kyle, save yourself from embarrassment and ending up falling on your arse. Kyle moves his knees to allow you past and you slump down into the seat, offering up the food to him so you can take a swig of water.

“You okay? You look flush, was it a long walk?” He picks up a few chips at a time as he shoves them into his mouth, chewing quickly and blowing air through his mouth from how piping hot they still are. You throw him a look, an unimpressed look.

“I’m freezing my tits off Kyle and I’m hungry, allow it” it’s a whine that leaves your mouth and Kyle soothes you mockingly, offering you some chips- you take them gladly.

Halftime comes and goes. The food has sated you, if only a little bit, but it saves Kyle from any more of your complaining. You find it easier to follow now, a belly full of food and the rest of Kyle’s beer that he didn’t want to finish- it makes you more palpable, makes you sit a little less stiff in your horribly uncomfortable plastic seat. Kyle appreciates it.

Mactavish and Riley don’t escape your eyes, not for the remainder of the game. It’s easier to gawp at them from up here, if they glanced over they wouldn’t exactly know that your eyes are fixed on them specifically, all they’d see is a pair of eyes looking in their general direction- obviously just following the ball as it passes hands. Little do you know, that they are indeed glancing over, as fixed on you as you are them, they’re just better at being sly with it. Only moving their eyes and not their heads and necks, not making it obvious. Not until Mactavish ups the ante.

It’s as you’re distracted for a second, turning your attention to your phone- your boss, Nik, asking if you can come in tonight. You text back quickly, letting him know you’ll see him at six. Looks like Kyle isn’t getting away from me at all today. That’s when you feel Kyle’s elbow in your ribs.

“Ow” you make a point to overemphasise, nudging his arm away from you like his touch burns.

“Look” his hand pats down repeatedly on your thigh as his opposite hand points towards the pitch, your eyes follow the point of his finger and your face pales.

It’s Mactavish. Waving both arms to get your attention, and when he has it his face beams- it makes you sink down into your seat, beyond blushed and embarrassed. He continues to wave as he rejoins the play, you watch the teams come back his way and then he winks at you, moving to turn fully to flank a teammate.

“Lucky bitch” Kyle’s mouth hangs open in shock, looking from you to Mactavish as he darts across the pitch. You groan.

“You have him then” Kyle laughs but you don’t, as nice as the player is to look at, you’re not in the mood for games.

“He wasn’t waving at me, love” he wags his brows and grabs your arm, flailing it around as he giggles like an idiot, far more excited for this than you are. You sit stock still and ignore Kyle, hoping he’ll pack it in. He does- eventually.

Before long, the game finishes and it’s the home team who are victorious. They jump and shout and knock into one another, again pulling each other into embraces and slapping each other’s backs with closed fists. It’s all well and good, you stand and pull Kyle with you- you’ve had enough of Rugby for one day.

Kyle lets himself be pulled along, filtering out amongst the thinning crowd. You’ve both got a few hours before you’re due to go into work, a quick nap wouldn’t go amiss, you guess it depends how fast Kyle can drive.

You’re walking in step with Kyle, careful of the slippy stairs, you clutch the sleeve of his jacket for stability and then there’s a voice that rings out. Thick with a Scottish accent and with an abundance of audacity to go with it.

“Oi! She yer lass or wha’?” It’s Mactavish, and he’s looking directly at Kyle, jogging over toward the stands.

Kyle stiffens and you glance at his face, he looks startled. Or would it be star struck? These players are celebrities to Kyle, you imagine this isn’t how he would want his first interaction with them to go. You watch Mactavish as he vaults over the first set of barriers, coming closer to where Kyle is now frozen to the spot- you’re stuck alongside him.

The stands are completely separate to the pitch and are raised up off of the ground instead of starting right at the pitch side, so Mactavish can’t actually get that close to talk. He instead has to settle for standing about ten foot beneath where you and Kyle are stood, craning his neck to grin up at the two of you. From this improved distance you can see him a lot clearer. There’s a prominent scar that cuts through his right eyebrow and reaches down his cheek and there’s the slight growth of stubble coming through on his cheeks and chin. He’s more handsome close up, you’ll give him that, it goes with the brashness he exudes. He knows he’s pretty.

He’s out of breath as he stands there, hands on his hips and so sweat slicked that you can see the way it drips down from his chin to his chest. It’s his eyes, still, they’re hardly natural. So bright and pale and beautiful to look at, you could fall right into them.

“Well?” The Scot wants an answer, you’re sure he won’t move until he’s got one.

Kyle wets his lips to speak but you cut him off.

“I’m no one’s lass, mate” there’s certain ways to hit on women, and coming right up to them and asking whoever they happen to be with if they’re single or not isn’t the best way- not in your humble opinion at least.

“Good news f’me then” his smirk cracks across his face, impossibly wide, your face doesn’t change at all. Still not impressed.

“What makes you think that?” It’s a honest question for him, does he think that because he plays a sport (sometimes)professionally that you’ll let him get in your pants? Does he seriously think that?

The man dips his chin as he stands there, shaking his head, it messes up the sweat-soaked length of his mohawk, when he looks back up at you again it’s messier then it had been. His smile is just as wide as before, his eyes crinkle from the autumnal sun as it beams from behind you. He flattens a palm to his chest and taps against it.

“Names Johnny” you raise a brow at him but it doesn’t deter him, not even in the slightest.

You’re not giving him clear indicators that you’re completely uninterested, more so that you don’t appreciate how he’s gone about the whole thing. Again, you must admit, he’s very lovely to look at.

It’s quick when you walk away, a game of chase, he can suffer for his pig-headedness. Kyle stands there, a little more than dumbfounded, while he wants to follow you- he also wants to speak with Mactavish, he’s been a fan for a long time. When he turns to look at the Scot down below, he finds him still smiling up at him, there’s a look of mischief in his eyes.

Only a few feet behind him stands another, it’s Riley, and he’d heard every word of your conversation with Johnny. He guesses the game is set now they know for sure that you’re single, but let’s be honest, they would have both been game even if you weren’t.

______________________________________

“Hold on a second, say that again?” Your jaw is locked tight, molars grinding, he can’t be serious.

Kyle scratches at the back of his head, sheepishly, there’s worry lines that are creasing his forehead as he looks between you and Nik. Good, he should be worried where you’re concerned. He fucked up.

“Look I said I’m sorry, alright? What was I supposed to say to him?” Kyle sits on a stool at the bar, opposite to where you and Nik stand side by side on the other side of it.

Nik throws you a glance and you shake your head at him, he’s just as unimpressed as you are, you both know that Kyle is smarter then this- at least, he is most of the time.

“How about not telling him where I work? Thats a start. May as well tell him where I live, Kyle” your tone drifts, while Kyle is your friend, he clearly hadn’t thought before he’d spoken. Thinking more about impressing his rugby idols than the safety of his best mate, these guys could be any breed of weirdo for all you know.

“I agree with her Kyle, you need to think before you say things like that” Nik folds his arms over his chest, thick brows furrowed as he stares at Kyle, who is scratching a single finger against the polished wood of the bar top.

You aren’t trying to gang up on him, he knows he shouldn’t have told Mactavish anything, but he still did- that wouldn’t change just because he suddenly felt bad. He’s got some grovelling to do, to say the least.

“Do you want to head home? I’m sure we can find a way to manage, doll” Nik’s eyes find yours, he’s always been a softie, always looking out for you like you’re the kid he never had. Your brows furrow.

“Absolutely not, I’m not about to be bullied out of work by a bunch of thick skulled ball chasers. Let ‘em try something Nik, they’ll soon find out” you leave the conversation at that, following the repeated wails of the glasswasher in the back as it lets you know it’s ready to be emptied.

—————————————————————————

For the most part, the night is typical. It’s a busy Saturday night in a louder part of town and there’s everyone from regulars to students to tourists. It’s an easier night for you thanks to Kyle, his want to get back in your good books means he’s doing all of the shit jobs. Cleaning the bogs and serving tables. Clearing the glasses away and scrubbing the sticky tables. All while you’re tucked behind the bar pulling pints and making drinks, it’s something you could get used to, Kyle should piss you off more often if this is the treatment you get.

You watch the clock out of habit and notice it’s almost half nine, only an hour and half before you close, not long before you can go home and wash the day away and sleep all of this off. You just have to get through another hour and a half unscathed, that’s it.

Mactavish dashes those plans.

Before you see them, you hear them. It looks like the whole team might be here, they pile in through the door and already look as if they’re half Irish. You fight the urge to roll your eyes, knowing you’re in full view of not just them but other customers too.

Mactavish squeezes through the bodies as they linger around the booths and seats, not all able to fit comfortably, Mactavish sings your name.

“Fancy seein’ you here, bonnie” he grins wide, no longer obstructed by the mouth guard.

Compared to earlier when he was covered in grass stains and sweat, you hate to admit that he scrubs up well. Dressed casually with a shirt that’s close to matching his eyes, he doesn’t seem like the type if you’re honest.

“Oh yes, what a coincidence” the sarcasm reaches, you watch it in his eyes, the way his jaw flexes. He smiles and shakes his head.

“Tough nut to crack, ain’t ya?” He’s unapologetic with the way his eyes wander, the music thumps loudly in your ears but you can still hear the heaviness the alcohol adds to his tongue.

“What makes you think I wanna be cracked?” You make a point to busy your hands, to do anything to distract you from his eyes, there’s lemons in front of you that need slicing- they’ll suffice.

He raises a brow at that. Sliding his elbows onto the bar, bringing his height down to yours, eye to eye, if you’d just look at him.

“Saw the way you were lookin’ at me bonnie” he drops his tone, practically husks the words, he’s teasing. You laugh.

“Bein’ pretty bold to say I’ve got a knife in my hand” you hammer the point in, bringing the knife down heavier then before against the chopping board only to raise it up to slide your finger across it to catch the juice. He watches you carefully.

“You know how to use it?” He asks, again teasing, seeing how much he can get away with. He wants to soften you up. It’ll take more than that.

“D’you wanna find out?” It’s an open question, depending on how he behaves he could very well lose a finger, you’d deal with any charges he might want to press tomorrow. He just grins at you stupidly.

“I wanna take you out” he leans forward, reaching an arm over the bar to swipe a lemon slice, you watch as he sucks it into his mouth. Never breaking his eyes from yours, he’s got you.

“I want a lot of things, doesn’t mean I can have ‘em” you haven’t clocked him yet, not completely, he seems pretty harmless. But don’t they all?

He hums, sliding the lemon out of his mouth between his fingers, considering you. “Could give ‘em to you” his eyes meet yours but you’re quick to look away, returning to the lemons.

You scoff. “If I agree to a date will you go away? I’m working” just because you agree to something doesn’t mean you’re obliged, you’ll think on it more clearly when you’re not at work- being stared at by those burning blue eyes.

“Pretty rubbish conditions if ye ask me” he slurps at the lemon obnoxiously, you see the flash of a tongue piercing.

“Well forget it then-“ he interjects.

“Chill yerself bonnie, I’m goin’” he holds his hands up in surrender as he stands back to his full height, the lemon slice is replaced back between his teeth- for a brief moment.

He moves to step away but he’s quick to turn on his heel, chewing the lemon down till it slots inside his cheek. “Be back for yer number to arrange that date” he wags a finger in your general direction as he speaks, quickly turning back toward the booth where his teammates are all squashed in together.

—————————————————————————

Half an hour. Just half an hour and you can start to close up. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel.

Mactavish had behaved since leaving you at the bar, hardly looking in your direction, which you appreciated. You didn’t need him and his stupid blue eyes knocking you off of your concentration, not when you’re handling this much glass. You steal a glance over at his table from time to time, hearing his roaring laugh and watching the way he interacts with his mates. They all look close. Perhaps it’s the alcohol, making them soft, sitting on each other’s thighs with arms slung around each others necks. You imagine it’s normal that they’re all so close, they must spend hours and hours and hours together just training let alone at matches.

It’s quietening down now as a whole, some tables still linger to chatter, like the rugby lot. Most have gone now, moving onto the better clubs, this is just a pit stop usually- somewhere to line their stomachs before they get so paralytic that they’re soon laid in the streets laughing their heads off or spewing their guts up.

It’s an opportune time to start clearing glasses, now that the bar is quiet if not ready to close. Gaz is in the cellar doing whatever it is that he does down there, you hate it down there. So you’ll take the better job of clearing glasses and shoving them in the washer, fully prepared to forget about them until you’re back tomorrow.

This is usually the case, balancing a dozen glasses on one tray because you’re too lazy to make two trips. You’re so close to the bar, almost within reaching distance, and then someone from the rugby table throws his hands up and throws you off balance.

You close your eyes as you feel yourself tumbling, you’ve had too many shards of glass blasted out of your eyes by Nik and his saline bottle of doom, so you squeeze them shut tightly. There’s suddenly a warm pressure that coils around your waist but you’re too distracted by the sound of the glasses smashing to think about it. You dare to crack your eyes open, gaze immediately falling to the ground and seeing the mess that you’ve made. For fucks sake. Your eyes skate from the broken glass on the floor to the hand at your waist, gripping you tight, flush with something solid.

From up close you can see now that the tattoos on his left knuckles read soul.

Riley’s breathing is heavy against your spine and you don’t move, you daren’t move, and it seems Riley is much the same. Not until you hear a whistle from across the rugby table.

“Looks real cosy, Simon” that accent, it’s Johnny.

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gentlebeardsbarngrill · 5 months ago

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06/29/2024 - 06/30/2024 Daily OFMD Recap

TLDR; Rhys Darby; Taika Waititi; Guz Khan; Vico Ortiz; Rachel House; How To Fuck Off With Con O'Neill: CW; AdoptOurCrew Charity Raffle Update; Gold Derby Voting; Fan Spotlight: Cast Cards; Our Flag Means Fanfiction; Big Gay Energy Podcast; Teal Oranges & Garlic Soup Week; Love Notes; Daily Darby/Today's Taika

== Rhys Darby ==

Quick sighting of Rhys with Kirk Thatcher and another commercial for FFXIV!

Source: kirkrthatcher's Instagram

Source: FFXIV's Instagram

== Taika Waititi ==

Quick shot of Taika and Rita with Andy Hernden!

Source: Andyhernden's Instagram

= Guz Khan =

A shot of Guz with Mark Silcox-- apparently this is a hint at Season 5 of Guz' show Man Like Mobeen!

Source: Guz Khan Official Twitter

== Vico Ortiz ==

Lots more sightings of Vico out and about!

Source: Vico Ortiz Instagram

== Rachel House ==

Yet another chat show with Rachel house!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Last Video Store (@lastvideostorebetoota)

instagram

Source: The Last Video Store instagram

CW: Con O'Neill in Underwear under the cut.

== How to Fuck Off w/ Con O'Neill ==

Many of our crewmates attended the Momentus class with Con O'Neill on Saturday! When Samba did his cooking class, the video was released to youtube a week or so later so hopefully this one will be too. I did try to transcribe some of the information, if it is quoted it should be word for word minus uhms. Non quoted is paraphrased. This was 3 hours long if you did the meet and greet so I've only added what I was able to get through. If I have time I'll transcribe more.

Con showed up on camera with no pants on

Re Izzy: When David approached him, Izzy was just a thought, a husk yet to be formed

David saw Izzy as a Salieri from Amadeus, or Iago (from Othello)

Con "Agreed with David" but also "saw [Izzy] as a man desperately, painfully in love. So his passion, and his anger, and his fear and his love, all erupted in his expletives, i loved him from the off, I loved his directness, I loved his fearlessness, pain, and of course his fabulous use of profanities"

Con then taught the class how to do various types of "fucks" "shits", "twats" etc.

Some fun quotes:

"A happy shit is one with a smile"

"A sad shit is one you say with a frown"

"Everyone give me an orgasmic twat"

Some Transcribed BTS Info:

"In Season 1 I was terrified of ad-libbing, improv, which I've said many times. We had great writers and everything we needed was on the page-- Except for the day 'Daddy' came to visit."

"I have no idea where that line came from, no idea which part of my dark perverted psyche it erupted from but as soon as it was out, it was out."

"In Season 2, again, everything I needed was on the page, our writers are/were will always be spectacular, they gave Izzy such beautiful stuff, and I will be forever grateful to them, to David Jenkins, to the whole cast and crew, and to you all for your continued support."

"But towards the end of the shoot, we were filming the tavern scene with me and Erroll, aka Ricky and it was the 'belonging to something' which was so beautifully written it took my breath away."

"And we shot many many takes, and I was tired, and emotional, and I knew we had it nearly. There was something missing. There was a beat, a moment to end what was really Izzy's epitaph. And then-- our brilliant director Fernando came up to me and he whispered in my ear 'we'll do one more take, let him go' and we started the take and I could feel myself getting emotional."

"This was Izzy's big moment, it had to be right, it had to be right, and then as we reached this final line, instead of what was written, I heard Izzy say: 'and you are a rancid syphilitic cunt' and to my dying day, I will never ever understand how we got that on the telly, but we did because sometimes in life only a rancid syphillitic cunt will suffice."

== Adopt Our Crew Pride Month Charity Raffle Update ==

Well done everyone! $7041.72 was raised for 148 LGBTQ+ charities around the world! Thank you so much to @adoptourcrew for all the wonderful work they did and all our crewmates for all the donated art, writing, crafts, etc to make this happen!

Source: Adopt Our Crew's Twitter

== Gold Derby Voting ==

Rhys, Taika, and Our Flag Means Death are up for some more nominations-- this time the Gold Derby for best Comedy Series / Comedy Actors! It does require you to sign up, but if you'd like to add to the nominations you can follow this handy guide:

Thank you to @adoptourcrew for sharing the goldderby information!

Source: AdoptOurCrew's Twitter

== Fan Spotlight ==

= Cast Cards =

More cast cards from our dear @melvisik!

Simone Grace: "Tonight's is another Emmy submission "for Outstanding Period Costumes in a Series for Impossible Birds" - @adoptourcrew"

Francesco Toby: "Credited as Jean Luc, the beret-wearing French sailor in Pete's story."

Source: @melvisik's Twitter

= OFMD Colouring Pages! =

Once again our kind and wonderful friend @PatchworkPirateBear has more colouring pages for Pride month! Hosted by @adoptourcrew! Wanna following PatchworkPirateBear for more colouring pages? Visit their socials!: Instagram / Twitter / Tumblr

Source: AdoptOurCrew's Tumblr

= Our Flag Means Fanfiction =

There's a new episode by our lovely friends over at Our Flag Means Fanfiction! This time a ranking of the top 10 Rhys Darby moments by members of the Rhys Darby Faction! Visit https://linktr.ee/ofmff to pick out your favourite listening platform!

Source: Our Flag Means Fanfiction Instagram

== Big Gay Energy Pod ==

Another episode of Big Gay Energy Pod! This time covering Season 2 Episodes 5/6! Check them out on Youtube, or their https://linktr.ee/biggayenergypod!

youtube

Source: Big Gay Energy Pod Instagram

== Teal Oranges & Garlic Soup Week ==

As you may remember, our crewmates over at @garlicsoupweek have been hosting a wonderful prompt week for our favorite Polycule! I would love to do a much bigger fan spotlight, but I was only able to get permission from some of the artists to share-- so I'll do more if I can get more permissions from folks! You can also scroll through all the awesome art/writing/edits on @garlicsoupweek!

= OhTangerine=

First up is the absolute stunning work done by @ohtangerines on Instagram and here on tumblr! The faces, and background detail is just so amazing-- please visit them on instagram or here on tumblr to check out more of their awesome work! Check them out on the various socials on their carrd! https://ohtangerines.carrd.co/

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 🍊Maria I. (@ohtangerines)

instagram

Source: @ohtangerines's Instagram

= Sonorawent =

Next up for Teal Oranges is our dear crewmate @sonorawent! Check out their incredibly gorgeous water colour of our Jim and Oluwande! I adore the colour blending! You can follow them on Twitter / Tumblr!

Source: sonorawent's Twitter

= Blackbeardskneebrace =

Our next artist spotlight is none other than the magnificent @blackbeardskneebrace! You may recognise them from their wide variety of artwork styles (medieval, peanuts, tradition, etc) whatever style they decide to create in -- they've gifted this fandom with such beautiful work! Please visit their tumblr, or their Ko-fi, or their twitter for more brilliant work!

Source: BlackbeardsKneeBrace's Tumblr

= _SilverSheep =

Next up on our fan spotlight for the evening is @_silversheep on twitter! This adorable rendition of Cambell's Soup has such cute details hidden in the label, I'm so glad she was kind enough to allow me to share it with you! You can check them out here on their twitter, or her https://linktr.ee/asisherright !

Source: _Silversheep's Twitter

= LibroseITM =

Back again is our absolutely lovely @libroseitm! They were kind enough to let me share this steamy scene with our Polycule for @garlicsoupweek based off of Sense8! Want to check out more of their work? Visit @libroseitm on Tumblr, or Twitter for more beautiful work from LIb!

Source: LibRoseITM's Twitter

= ipomoea-batatas =

Next in our fan spotlight is the briliiant @ipomoea-batatas! I cannot tell you how much I adore the detail on their work! Look at those faces, it's like looking at our dear Archie, Jim, and Olu in person! Capturing Olu's smile and excitement is no small feat too! Wanna check out more of their awesome OFMD art? Please visit their tumblr here on tumblr!

Source: ipomoea-batatas's Tumblr

= TheseAreTheKids =

Another incredibly talented crewmate - thesearethekids on twitter put together this very sweet cross-stitch pattern for our polycule! She was kind enough to make a downloadable PDF chart and put it up on her Ko-Fi as well so you can work on it yourself. Want to follow them for more cross stitch/embroidery fun? Visit their Twitter!

Source: TheseAreTheKids Twitter

= ErosTheArtist =

Back again with more artwork from the lovely @erostheartist! This time with our Polycule in the Teal Orange outfits! I love it! Love their work? Follow them here on tumblr, or on instagram/check out their https://linktr.ee/eros_the_artist!

Source: Eros The Artist Tumblr

== Love Notes ==

Hey there lovelies! I hope you had a wonderful weekend-- and an even better pride month! There has been so much queer joy this month-- and everyone's been celebrating being themselves and celebrating all the wonderful people around them-- and I'm so very happy so many of you have gotten to experience that. If you aren't out yet, or pride isn't your thing, or maybe this month is always tough on you, that's okay too. Your safety, and comfort is more important than anything, so please don't feel bad if you aren't experiencing that joy like others are. Just know that no matter what stage of your journey you are in-- your crew loves and cares for you. I wanted to send a gentle reminder, I know that after so much excitement, sometimes our brains can rebound a bit and go the same distance in the other direction. This is perfectly normal lovelies, so if you feel a bit sad tomorrow or the upcoming month, just remember to take it in stride. If you are feeling heavy feelings, remember to embrace them and acknowledge them, and let them go in your own time. No matter what gender, sexuality, or various degree of queer you are, or not queer at all, please know that you are so very loved crew. Truly truly loved. You are beautiful, and unique, and brilliant, and wonderful, and no one gets to say otherwise, okay?

Rest well lovelies, tomorrow is another day.

== Daily Darby / Today's Taika ==

Tonight's gif just exudes Last Day of Pride Month for me -- as well as running straight into July's Queer Wrath! Tonight's gif courtesy of the wonderful @edsrosetattoo!

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meltedbluecaterpillar · 9 days ago

Text

Can I Stay the Night?

you are here! - ch. ii - ch. iii - ch. iv

A/N: Once again… We will begin from nothing. Well… That’s a lie. This is metamorphosis at work. I wrote this originally when I was about… 18 or 19? It was officially posted... When I was... 20? I think. Now, I can make it better. I have what I need, so updates won’t be as long as they used to be.

Also, I made a playlist. Feel free to listen if you'd like.

tags: Ruggie Bucchi x fem!reader, tw mention of bugs wc: 3.4k+

You jolted awake covered in a thin sheet of sweat. Your hands clutched your blankets in an iron fisted grip. Your eyes dart around the dark room.. You weren’t sure why you suddenly woke up. The shock from your sudden awakening seemed to have erased your memory of your dream. All you could recall is that it was impossibly long. It felt like you experienced years all in the matter of a few hours. It wasn’t a nightmare. You knew that. Just some weird, long dream.

You sat up slowly, catching a glimpse of Grim curled up beside you as you reached for your phone to check the time.

2:45am.

The first day ceremony started at 7pm tonight.

School was finally starting back up. This time, you would be greeting smaller and fresher faces among your fellow third years. Well, among your fellow second years. Age wise, you should be sitting in class with Riddle or Jamil, not Ace and Deuce. That was something you testified against last year. The Headmage shrugged you off. Regardless of your age, you would be required to join the freshman. But with your endless complaints and begging the Fae finally caved one Spring morning. He would honor your little request. Kinda.

Morning classes with your fellow second years, including Grim. Afternoon classes you would be flying solo. This was also to test Grim as many of the staff believed he was not using his own knowledge on tests, but yours since the two of you counted as one student. Meaning the two of you only needed one test to count for a grade. Grim denied all possibilities that you were the brains between them. You didn’t want to bruise his ever-growing ego.

You returned your phone to the little wooden nightstand and laid back down. Your eyes trained on the ceiling as you tried to piece together what the dream was about. Maybe it wasn’t that important. It could be just something silly where Ace and Deuce swapped hair colors again. Or maybe you robbed a bank with Professor Trein as the getaway driver. Or maybe you dreamt about Leona taking you on a joyride to an unknown place.

Right, Leona graduated last year. You wouldn’t see him again.

Your mouth suddenly felt cotton dry as you looked over at your nightstand. You had him on MagiCam, and you had his number from when you needed tutoring help. Your crush had gone so far that you made your phone password his birthday. It wasn’t creepy if he didn’t know about it. Not that he ever would.

Your eyes drifted back to the ceiling as you pictured Leona in your mind. He should be on his fourth year internship right now. You remembered standing there with tears welled in your eyes. After the graduation ceremony he placed his hand on the top of your head, asking that you look after Ruggie and Jack for him. Of course you said yes. You had adored the older man, but you knew nothing would come of it. After all Leona is a prince; And you’re just some girl from another universe. But that didn’t stop you from fantasizing of him taking you on dates or cozying up together.

You finally closed your eyes and sank against the pillows and sheets with a melancholic sigh. Something about your forgotten dream startled you awake. But you felt grateful. Now you had the chance to slip away into a dream with Leona taking you on a date among the stars.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

“Damn it!” You snapped angrily as you ran through the empty halls of Night Raven College. Feet pounding against the freshly waxed, checkered tile. Almost causing you to slip multiple times. The paintings cheered for you, telling you that the ceremony was going to start soon. But you could do it. You would make it. Their kind words pushed you forward. Panting and out of breath with the hood of your ceremonial robes thrown over your head and Grim tucked under your arm like a rotund football. “S-Slow down- I’m gonna throw up-”

“Please don’t throw up Grim!” You begged through a growl as you hit corner after corner to the ceremony room with the dark mirror. You weren’t sure how you managed to be late. Time had simply passed through your fingers when you started taking the ‘first day of school’ pictures of Grim. The two of you had gone into the town at the base of the mountain to get a big lunch per the monster's request. You greeted some familiar faces with Grim as you made your way back to Ramshackle. You welcomed back the ghosts. You did some cleaning and laundry as you got your uniform out of the closet and ready for tomorrow's first official day of classes. After all of that, you and Grim had a quick nap time; only to wake up with only ten minutes before the ceremony started.

Your stomach sank and you raced around to dress not only yourself, but Grim as well. You would be missing the coffin opening segment, but you would at least be on time for Crowley’s presentation. You outstretched your hand with Grim starting to slip from under your arm. The heavy door was forced open to the mirror chamber, just as Crowley appeared to present his speech and welcome both new and old faces to Night Raven College. You made it.

You swallowed, still panting with exhaustion as you eased the door shut as quietly as you could in the darkening room. Making your way through the sea of students as Crowley dazzled the youth with silly magical spells during his presentation. You greeted Ace and Deuce with a quick wave and a smile as Grim wriggled in your arms with glee. “Lemme stand in the front! I wanna see!” He whispered loudly, seemingly recovered from all of the shaking as you prepared to adjust your hold on him. You looked down realizing that because of your combined height, you would have to hold him up in the air or place him on your shoulders to watch the ceremony properly. He was hoping to become a well-respected mage after all. It must be the excitement of the first day back, he usually didn’t take these things seriously. “Watch everyone’s feet.” You whispered back and allowed him to leap to the floor and scurry off to stand in the front of the crowd.

You smiled and continued to surf through the male population. Greeting other familiar faces as you tried to find somewhere to stand with Grim in sight, or at least next to someone you knew. Finally stopped, your gaze landed on a friendly face. Greyish blue, with a drooping eye shape and dark colored eye bags. His face, once neutral, now had a curling smirk as you drew closer and closer. Almost like you were hypnotized by the sight of him. “I saw you come in late, not very Housewardeny of you.” A snicker followed the teasing whisper as you straightened up with a grin. Your cheeks felt hot. “It’s nice to see you too, Ruggie.” You looked around and realized this was a perfect spot to see Grim and the ceremony in progress. “How was summer? Isn’t it hot where you live?” You asked curiously as he leaned in to listen. Your arm was now pressed flush against his and you noticed he seemed taller. His arm felt more… Solid than you remembered. In the dark you could tell his skin was tanner as well. His freckles lining his cheeks and nose stood out more. His hair even looked a little longer.

It was different; A good kind of different; An intimidating kind of different.

“The Afterglow Savana ain’t as bad as you think. It’s worse when I come back. The snow? How is that even possible? We’re surrounded by salt water.” He clicked his tongue in irritation knowing he would have to prep for the cold one final year. His summer fun was finally over. “Living here on campus and going back can be brutal sometimes.” He trailed off as Crowley introduced the Dark Mirror to the freshman students and explained the process of dorm sorting.

“Bet it was awful lonely with just Grim to keep ya’ company. I know we texted pretty often on MagiCam but it’s not the same.” Ruggie whispered as you perked up and nodded. You began talking about the last few months you spent on the island with an empty campus all to yourself. Every month, the Headmage would ‘generously’ wire you some Madol so he wouldn’t come back to find you as a corpse. It was shoestring thin but you made it work. You got a summer job at a café in the town despite your lack of legal paperwork. You made plenty of tips and a nice check that you used to keep up with feeding yourself and Grim for the summer. You and Grim went to visit the sea and even went camping on the beach. You explored the school and even some of the empty dorms when you got bored enough. It wasn’t so bad. “Okay, so Grim was bug collecting.”

“Bug collecting?”

“It was some scavenger hunt thing I found online- It was a lazy day.” You explained and Ruggie nodded in understanding with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes watched the freshman of this year start to awkwardly fidget and line up to be sorted into their respective dorms. “The first thing he found was a cicada. I thought it was the shell. And then it started buzzing… Ruggie, he ate it.” You pinched the bridge of your nose at the horrible memory of you chasing Grim around, begging him to spit out the bug.

Sometimes you forget he’s still a beast. Something like a cicada is far more edible to him than it is to you. “I’ve eaten weird stuff but I don’t think I could… Well..?” He trailed off in thought with his biscuit colored eyebrows furrowed in thought. “You would eat a cicada?” You asked through a grimace as grayish blue eyes met yours. They seemed to shimmer, almost like he was inspired by the thought “If I was hungry enough. Bugs are a good protein.” He commented with a fanged smile as you started to cringe. “What? You never had a cheese bug?” You shook your head as Ruggie snickered in amusement. “You’re used to eatin’ boujee cafeteria food. I’ll make you a plate of cheese bugs and not tell you until after you finish ‘em.” His tone was warning and playful. You elbowed him gingerly with a scowl and he snickered again. Your mind was becoming plagued with the images of something round, hard and shiny with antenna and black bulging eyes. Lined with skinny and pointy legs that would curl inwards after death. Filled not with organs, but with gooey insides that mimicked melted cheese. You couldn’t begin to comprehend its flavor.

“What are you doing after this? Bed time?” The hyena asked as the students started to line up close to the housewardens of the seven respective dorms. You noticed someone was standing in Leona’s place. And it wasn’t Ruggie. “Uhh… Probably… Nothing? I actually took a nap before the ceremony so I won’t be tired for a few hours.” You explained sheepishly, becoming more and more confused. Ruggie was supposed to take Leona’s place as housewarden. Right? “Hey-”

Ruggie slung an arm around your shoulders before you could finish. “So that's why everyone's favorite Prefect was late?” He joked as your ears began to scorch with blood out of embarrassment. “It’s just the stupid ceremony. I can’t do anything mage related anyway. The old bird would’ve never noticed if I was here or not.” You huffed as Ruggie hummed in response. He was pulling you closer now. “Let’s hang tomorrow then. After school.” The request was soft as he gave you a gentle squeeze before releasing you.

It had been a while since you had spent time with someone other than Grim. “Sure, we can go somewhere.” You answered softly as the lights in the room began to brighten. The ceremony had finished. “Coffee sound good? I need to find some jobs on the island anyway.” Of course he turned the hang out into a job hunt. “Then I’ll take you to the café I worked at over the summer. The boss is super nice. I think he’ll like you.” You offered and you could see his ears perking up from beneath his hood. “Well aren’t you sweet? I guess I’ll end up owing you a favor if I get in.” He snickered, turning to leave as his body brushed against yours. “I’ll see you tomorrow at school.” He gave you a short wave before vanishing among the crowd of students all dressed in their robes.

Grim came running over to you with a big smile as he jumped in excitement, waving his little paws. “Did you see all the little freshman?! They’re like babies compared to us!” He laughed proudly as you scooped him up with a smile. “Well I mean… They just finished middle school.” The awkward transitional period for all humans. Suddenly being seen as an actual teenager from those who are already teenagers and older. You carried Grim out of the room and into the flooding hall of robed students. You were happy the school was lively again.

“After school tomorrow, me and Ruggie are heading down to the town. Remember that café I worked at sometimes? Did you want to go?” You asked and watched the monster's ears perked up as he removed his hood with his little furry paws. Grim looked surprised by your statement. “Well… I mean… I guess he can be invited.” He crossed his arms with a small pout. The monster didn’t seem to approve of the adventure tomorrow afternoon. “Ruggie has eaten dinner at Ramshackle with us before. This is just us going out for coffee as a welcome back thing.” You weren’t sure why Grim was upset. It could be that he preferred having you to himself. Ever since you got here, you and Grim had been stuck together like glue. And with the two of you spending the whole summer together with no other students around, it made sense that he was feeling clingy.

You worried about the day you would be sent home by Crowley, and at this point you were sure Grim either forgot or couldn’t comprehend that kind of possibility. Honestly, you didn’t want to think about it either.

“He’s only invited this time! Then it’s back to just us!” He announced with a firm tone as you carried him out of the school and down the dark, dirt path to Ramshackle. “Well, Grim, technically you were the one invited.” You sighed with an eyebrow raised in confusion. “What happens at lunch time during classes?” You asked as Grim looked away. The pouting returned as he pressed his head against your chest.

The weather was starting to cool, and the gentle wind rustled your robes. The moon hadn’t reached its highest point yet. It felt perfect for a night walk on the campus. It was quiet between you and Grim. The only ambience was from the dancing tree branches and the crunch of coarse soil beneath your shoes. As you reached the iron gate Grim was back to his bubbly self. “I want French Toast tomorrow! And syrup! With whipped cream! And butter! And I want to try that coffee stuff!” Grim was excited for the treats that awaited him tomorrow.

“Grim, I don't think coffee is a good idea…” You already feared the possibility of syrup clinging to his fur. But caffeine might be too much for him especially late into the afternoon. You weren’t sure if his body could handle it even if he was capable of eating blot stones. “But you drink it.” He grumbled with his ears folded. His cheeks puffed and pouty as you passed the iron gate and walked up the path to Ramshackle. “That’s different, you won’t like the taste anyway.” You gently rubbed at the top of his head as you now stood on the wooden porch. “I promise it isn’t that great.” You wanted to cheer him up since he returned to pouting. He grumbled under his breath as you pushed open the heavy wooden door. “Think about your delicious French toast… Plain milk would make it taste better. What about chocolate milk? And you can drink it out of a coffee cup when we get there?” You cooed as Grim started to perk up again, his big blue eyes blinked up at you as you carried him up the stairs, waving to the ghosts who had settled in the foyer to watch something on the TV in black and white. “Chocolate milk looks like coffee, oh! Hot chocolate is better. Usually coffee is served hot.” You smiled hopefully, feeling Grim’s tail swish happily behind him.

Grim was satisfied with the offer, purring happily as he pressed his head into your chest. “Way better than coffee, I might get it too.” You sang as you opened the door to the shared bedroom.

Two letters were placed on your pillow with the NRC wax seal. Crowley did mention that everyone should see their schedules somewhere in their dorms before classes began tomorrow. You helped Grim out of his robes, neatly folding them to later wash free of the fur strands that clung to the expensive fabric. “Can I help make dinner? I think I’m getting better at using a spatula!” He offered excitedly as you elected to shower before dinner for the night. “I don’t see why not. You can show me your skills after I finish in the shower.”

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

Grim was already looking at his schedule addressed to him with a smile. You sat beside him on the bed to look at your own. The both of you had settled on Omurice, and you made a special batch of rice with tuna for Grim while you ate chicken. It was finally getting late. But you didn’t feel tired. Not yet.

“So in the afternoon I’m supposed to be in class 3B. And you’ll still be in 2A with Ace and Deuce.” You explained as you looked over the schedule with a hum. 3B… Last year Ruggie was in 2B. It was possible he would be there. The two of you would officially be sharing a classroom. You didn’t mind it. He was the same age as you and it offered a sense of familiarity. You weren’t a fan of getting the ‘granny’ jokes from Ace so it would be a nice change of pace to end the day. “I should get you a little backpack to wear since we’ll be separated…” You muttered as you laid on your back in thought as you stared up at the paper.

“A backpack?! I want one with flames on it! Oh! And those patches you can sew on! And I want my name on it so everyone knows it’s mine!” Grim started to bounce on the mattress as you smiled at the thought of sending him off on his own with a tiny backpack. “I can see what they have online but I can’t promise you anything.” You hummed as you neatly folded the schedule, tossing it on your nightstand.

Maybe if you had tried harder last year, you would get the chance to sit in a class with Leona. Your heart skipped at the thought. Sitting beside him as he napped or even being invited to skip with him… Your face started to burn in embarrassment at the thought of him luring you into the gardens… What kind of intentions would Leona have? … The prince would have good ones.

He was a gentleman even if he didn’t look like it. But you were capable of seduction… Probably.

“Are you going to sleep already?” Grim asked, his little paws pressing on your stomach as he curled up close with a small yawn. You shook your head, your eyes had now locked themselves onto your phone. “I think I’ll stay up a little longer.” You mumbled as you saw everyone posting for the first day back. Even some of the people you had met who were now off campus. You couldn’t help yourself; you checked Leona’s account.

He posted a picture of what looked to be the inside of a library. But there was no caption. You wanted to text him. Or at least leave a comment. Your nerves had gotten the best of you. Instead, you liked the photo and scrolled away.

#absolute series.#book i #ch i #fem reader #aged up au #ruggie bucci x reader #ruggie bucchi #ruggie x reader

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buckychristwrites · 1 year ago

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Could This Be | Chap. Nine | j.t.

Pairing: Jamie Tartt x F!Reader

Summary: One minute, you're single and working for AFC Richmond as the team's medic. The next minute, you're in a fake relationship with the team's handsome striker who you know next to nothing about.

Word Count: 2.4k

Warnings: Discussions of Previous Emotional & Physical Domestic Violence. Cussing. Fake Dating

A/N: :)

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What’s the famous saying? That in a room full of people, you could still feel your loneliest?

That’s how you felt in the hospital waiting room, surrounded by the entire AFC Richmond team and coaching staff.

The telly was playing Friends reruns, which was fine for the first little bit. But after three hours, you were ready to throw something through the screen. Besides that, the tiny waiting room with white walls and filled to the brim with people was mostly quiet. The melancholy in the air choked out any sort of conversation as everyone sat around, on their phones or staring at the floor, just waiting.

Jamie’s mum had shown up at some point amongst the chaos. She didn’t look how you expected her to, but then again, you hadn’t really put a lot of thought into how his mum would look. It was clear where Jamie got his personality. She was friendly, giving a hug to everyone in the room, except you, but only because you had strategically stepped behind Roy at just the right moment so that she wouldn’t see you. She had spent most of the time in the room with Jamie, while his stepfather, Simon, hung out with the rest of the lot.

Whenever Georgie came out to give updates, or to just take a break, you’d find yourself trying to hide from her. Pressing your back in the corner and hoping you wouldn’t be noticed. Fleeing to the toilets. Keeping a magazine in front of your face. It wasn’t immediately clear to you why meeting her would be such a bad thing. Maybe it was because you found yourself to somehow be at fault for Jamie’s accident.

Maybe he would’ve seen the other player had he not been distracted by the conversation prior to the match.

Maybe he wouldn’t have been hurt so bad if you had given him more time to heal before clearing him to play.

Maybe he shouldn’t have been on the pitch at all.

“Hey,” Keeley’s gentle voice brought you out of your thoughts. When you looked up, she was taking a seat next to you. “We’re all gonna head to the canteen and grab a bite to eat. Do you want to come? Or do you want me to grab something for you?” Stretching from the long hours of sitting, you shook your head.

“I’m not really hungry,” You admitted. She cocked her head to the side.

“When was the last time you ate?”

Squinting your eyes, you tried to remember. The clock on the wall informed you it was just after midnight, and from what you could recall, you hadn’t even eaten breakfast that morning before the match.

“Around lunch yesterday, I think.”

Keeley frowned. “Maybe you should go home for a bit. Have a shower, get some sleep.” You were shaking your head long before she finished her words.

“I’ll stay.”

She stared at you for a long time, as you let your eyes drop down to the floor. The wheels were turning in her head to say something of comfort to you, but nothing must’ve come, for she gave your shoulder a loving squeeze before turning and walking out of the now empty waiting room. Even though you hadn’t really said much since your arrival, you wished that someone would have stayed behind to keep you company.

You laid your head against the wall.

Inhale.

Exhale.

From what you knew, he was doing surprisingly well, all things considering. He had a pretty severe concussion, as far as they could tell, but they couldn’t figure out why he had stopped breathing, which was why he was being kept for observation. They suspected that it was just from the swelling, but it was hard to say. The doctor minced no words when he told Georgie that he more than likely wouldn’t be able to play for the next month. He really hadn’t been awake much, mostly resting due to the extensive injury as well as the intense pain medication regimen they had him on.

Yawning, you looked out the window. The hospital towered over London, the city looking beautiful with the evening lights on. You stared down at the cars and the people, all of them looking as small as ants, as you wondered if they felt as small and insignificant as you did.

“Just us, then?”

You jumped, turning to find Georgie at the doorway, smiling at you. Squeezing your arms around your torso, you gave her a half baked smile.

“Everyone went to grab something to eat,” You told her. Tapping the frame with her hand, she entered. As she got closer to you, your heart picked up in pace.

“You must be the infamous girlfriend I’ve been hearin’ all about,” She said in a gentle voice as she sat down next to you. Her accent was just like Jamie’s, which was weird to you for no particular reason other than you weren’t used to hearing it off anyone else. “It’s lovely to finally meet ya.”

“I’m sorry you heard about me through the papers,” You said, finally meeting her eye. The furrow in your brow suggested you said something wrong.

“The papers?” She asked, leaning back as she laughed. “Love, Jamie talks about ya all the time!” Heat rose in your cheeks at the idea of Jamie talking to his mom about you. She shook her head, still smiling. “He calls a couple times a week. Not once have we spoken where ya weren’t mentioned. I feel like I know ya already, and we only just met!”

Your arms loosened as you sat up straighter. “I’m sorry we didn’t meet under better circumstances then.” Her smile faltered ever so slightly.

“Ahh, he’ll be okay.” She sniffed, looking down at her hands, which were folded in her lap. “He’s strong.” She looked back at you, nudging you with her elbow. “I also saw you takin’ care of him on that field. He’s lucky you were there.”

You said nothing, instead just giving her a smile before looking down at the floor. You didn’t feel like anyone should be lucky that you were there.

“D’ya know what? Why don’t you go see him?” She asked. Your eyes snapped back up.

“Oh, that’s okay,” You said while trying not to sound so tense. “You can-“

“Nonsense!” She urged, waving you towards the door. “He’s just been sleepin’. Just keep him company. Give me a bit of a break.” Her smile was so loving, so encouraging. It was enough to get you off the chair and walking blankly out of the room.

The hallways made you miss the peace and quiet of the waiting room. Staff were rushing and running up and down the hallways. The sound of beeping coming out of every doorway. In the distance, a phone was ringing repeatedly without being answered. Why wasn’t anyone answering it?

His room appeared to your right. Staring into the cracked open door, you could see the end of his occupied bed, the blankets having a lump shaped as feet underneath it. It was a single room, which was damn near impossible to get in any hospital these days, but you were sure Jamie Tartt was being given the VIP treatment. The door didn’t creek when you let yourself in. Cold air was rushing out of the air conditioning unit, forcing you to hug your arms around your torso again. When you were far enough into the room to see the entirety of the room, you froze.

Jamie looked better than you had imagined him to. Being a medical provider yourself, it was easy to let your mind spiral to the worst case scenario. In your head, you pictured severe bandaging and tubes down his throat (despite no one ever having mentioned him being ventilated). But here he was, looking like he was just peacefully resting. No bandages at all. No tubes to be seen. Just an IV in his arm with fluids running down, attached to a pump that was providing him with medication for pain.

A chair was staged next to his bed. It was clear Georgie had put it there, considering the armrest of it was touching the bed rail.

You slowly sunk down into the chair, letting your back fall into the seat as your eyes never left Jamie. His hand was close to the edge of the bed, suggesting his mum had been holding it. Should you? You wanted to. Would he want you to, though?

The heart monitor beeped at a low volume along with the beat of his heart. You watched the vitals machine, letting the information mull inside your head. They were pretty perfect for a guy who had just, hours before, needed someone to breathe for him. You could still see it when you closed your eyes. The image of Jamie with the mask on, his skin a grey colour, his chest rising and falling in a way that didn’t look real. It was burned into your brain like it had been branded there by fire.

You had never believed for a second that he would die. But as someone who had seen tamer injuries take an awful turn, the thought was always there. What if? What if the last feeling he had felt was anger towards you? It made you sick to consider.

The ruffling of the pillow was what let you know he was waking up. Your eyes found him just in time to watch his flutter open. He stared at the ceiling for a long moment, as if he was trying to figure out where he was. He looked to his left first, gazing out the dark windows, before turning his head again and finding you.

His face relaxed.

“There she is,” He said through slurred words. “My favourite fake girlfriend.” He smiled goofily up at the ceiling. Then, he eyed you again. “Are you still my fake girlfriend?” You bit your lip.

“Yes, Jamie,” You said. “Although, you shouldn’t call me that right now. Your mum is here.” He blew a raspberry.

“Fine. My very real girlfriend, then.”

“How are you feeling?” You asked him. He shrugged lackadaisically.

“Weird,” He said. “Me head feels foggy.” You nodded.

“That tends to happen when you get kicked at full force in the head.”

He snickered. “Goofy girl.” He looked around again before looking back at you. “D’ya know, I dreamt about ya when I was knocked out.”

You felt like you had just gotten kicked in the chest by a donkey. “What?”

“You were tellin’ me I was gonna be fine,” He explained. “I was in a room by meself, but I could hear ya. Looked everywhere for ya.” He shook his head. “But you’re really good at hidin’.” The smile slowly fell from his face. “I was so scared when I couldn’t find ya.”

Tears fell from your eyes as you slipped your hand into his. He fit his fingers between yours, as if it was second nature for him to do so.

“I’m just so glad you’re okay,” You sighed. When he noticed you were crying, he shook his head lightly.

“Nooooo, don’t do that,” He said, pulling at your hand to bring you out of your seat. “Com’ere.” You stole a glance at the door before plopping into the bed, curling carefully into Jamie’s side. You were on your side, head on the shoulder of his arm that was wrapped around you.

“I’m sorry,” You said as he pressed his nose into your forehead. “For the chat we had in the car.” He shook his head.

“I was the one bein’ a prick,” He said. “I shouldnt’ve yelled at ya. I just…” He paused, turning his head upwards again to stare at the ceiling. You placed a hesitant hand on his chest, which he immediately took with his free hand, thumb stroking the top of yours. “I think… maybe I just got used to this. It’ll hurt when it’s done. Like an actual breakup, d’ya know what I mean?”

“I do.”

He looked down at you again. You could see the hesitation behind what he wanted to say next. After a moment, he sighed. “Think I fell in love with ya a little bit, if I’m honest.”

Your jaw tensed as the butterflies in your stomach began to flutter.

“Breaking your own rule,” You remarked playfully, but he shook his head.

“No, the rule was that you-“ He pointed at you, his hand still holding yours. “-couldn’t fall in love with me.” He pointed at himself before letting his hand drop again. “Never said nothin’ ‘bout what I do.”

“Clearly you should’ve.”

He huffed. “Obviously.”

You sat quietly for a long time, debating. Contemplating. It was all so tempting. To just lay it all out there. To tell him the truth. But the fear was so vivid. So loud. Telling you that it wouldn’t last forever. That eventually he’d get tired of you, just like they always did.

“I just don’t think I’m ready,” You finally admitted before burying your face a little further into his shoulder.

“For what?” He asked, shifting slightly. Looking back at him, you stared into his wide ocean blues as they waited so patiently for your answer.

“For you to love me.”

He sat with that for a moment, his thumb stroking your shoulder. You were surprised with how calm you felt in the moment. Now that the words were out there, you felt relieved. Like a weight had just fallen off your shoulders.

“Who said I’m ready to love you, hmm?” He asked, taking away the serious tone of the conversation. The corners of your mouth flicked upwards.

“You did,” You said. “You just said-“

“I said a little bit, thank ya,” He corrected you.

“Oh gosh,” You said, feigning remorse. “I’m so sorry for my error.”

“Ya should be. Twistin’ my words.”

The two of you laid in silence for a little while. Every inhale welcomed his scent into your lungs. It was calming to be in his arms like this. The only thing stopping this from being perfect was the sound of the heart monitor, which had increased in speed ever since you had joined him in the bed.

“So I’ll let you know when I’m ready,” He said softly. “Unless you’re ready before me, then you let me know first, deal?”

You heard the meaning behind his words.

When you’re ready for this to be real, let me know.

Blinking away the tears that threatened to fall, you moved your hand to his opposite shoulder, giving him a squeeze.

“Deal.”