#thank abbie for guest staring

[cameronspecial]

Drew Starkey getting jealous of the chemistry between Jacob Elordi and actress!reader who's his girlfriend, since she plays a role in a movie... Can u please 😭😭

Something Better

Pairing: Drew Starkey x Reader

Warnings: N/A

Pronouns: She/Her

Word Count: 0.5K

Masterlist

Ever since watching Drew in The Other Zoey, Y/N has wanted to be in a rom-com. He just made it look like so much fun and she loved the idea of bringing a romance to life. So when she got the opportunity to play the romantic lead in a movie, she jumped at the chance to play the love-scorned woman, who is about to find love again thanks to her male co-star. “I have no idea what you are talking about, Owen,” Y/N recites, shrugging as she continues to pretend to file the documents. Jacob leans against the filing cabinet, “Come on, Abby. You know what I’m talking about.” His hand twirls in her hair as his breath begins to hit her ear. Y/N’s own breath begins to rise and fall at the sensation. Anyone watching the scene unfold can’t deny the chemistry they see between the two actors. Y/N elbows the boy away from her, “Not a clue.” She storms off-screen toward her mark off-set. “Cut,” the director calls from her chair, causing Y/N to pause in her tracks. “That’s a wrap on this scene. Take a break until we set up the next scene.” At the news, Y/N goes looking for her guest of the day. She easily spots his tall stature, running into his arms immediately. “What did you think, Bub?” she seeks his approval with her arms around his neck. 

Drew’s arms slot into the dip of her lower back, “You were amazing, Beautiful. Such a great actress.” Jacob comes up behind the couple and places a friendly hand on her shoulder. “You did great during this scene, Y/N/N. As always,” Jacob praises with a smile. Drew pulls Y/N out of Jacob’s touch and closer to him. His eyes narrow to slivers at the other man and his back straightens to close the height difference a little more. Y/N’s gaze darts between the two men. She holds back a little giggle, “Thanks, Jacob. I think Drew is hungry so we are going to go get something to eat.” Jacob nods at the pair and allows them to excuse themselves from the conversation.

Her head tilts to look at her boyfriend as they head toward Craft. “You were jealous,” she teases, poking at his cheek. Drew scoffs and stares straight ahead, “No I wasn’t. Just because you have chemistry with him doesn’t mean that I’m jealous of him.” “You think I have chemistry with Jacob?” she questions with a frown. Drew’s shoulder rises, “Maybe.” She stops walking and plants herself in front of him. Her warm hand is placed on his cheek to soothe him. “The only reason why it seems like I have chemistry with Jacob is because I was doing my job. I was pretending to,” she explains. “I don’t need to have chemistry with you because I didn’t need to feel a spark when I first met you to fall for you. My heart already knew I belonged to you long before I met you.” He isn’t sure if her words made entirely sense, but it makes sense to them and that is all that matters. It helps placate the green-eyed monster threatening to show its ugly head. “If that’s true, then who needs chemistry. I have something much better.” 

Taglist: @winterrrnight @loves0phelia @thelomlisrafecameron @wickedlovely121 @thepatriarchykeychain @drewsmusee @starkowswife @maybankslover @forstarkey @loving-and-dreaming

[milllersfae]

‧₊ ⋅★ 彡 all yours I bodyguard!abby x fem!reader

word count: 2.3k I warnings: attempted sa* (*not by abby we don't play that!), intoxication, fem!reader, angst + fluff I summary: 'before you entered just a couple minutes before, her eyes grazed you well for a second before following behind you with a hand to your back, guiding you in. "you can call me abby. i'm yours for the entire night. if you need anything at all, lock eyes and I'm there."'

a/n: this takes me back to my wattpad days! this fic is a lot more intense than my other works, so i can understand if it doesn't sit well with some readers, my apologies. miiiight make a part two if my heart can handle it. thank you to @millersaurora for inspiring me to keep writing even if im struggling irl a bit. so many hugs ^^

im sending a limo for you. i sent a bodyguard to bring you here. you'll find us sitting in VIP, k? give me a call if ANYTHING happens, see u soon <3

the new blue bubble appeared, bright white screen against your face in the darkness of the car. your model-of-a-friend plus-oned you into a private party after your long hiatus from nightlife. there was an itch against the sequins of your slip dress, a sweat that built on the foot of your heel that fought between a knot in your throat. any distraction to keep your mind off her.

she sat straight, back stiff against the leather of the seat. her hair was neat in a blonde braid and fell over her shoulder, contrasted against her black button down. before you entered just a couple minutes before, her eyes grazed you well for a second before following behind you with a hand to your back, guiding you in. "you can call me abby. i'm yours for the entire night. If you need anything at all, lock eyes and i'm there."

your mind was a never-ending race that you didn't even notice the car came to a halt at the front of the venue. music loomed heavy outside the building, an echoing call that coaxed you in. you turned to abby for a sense of reassurance. she raised a curious brow, in an essence of a silent 'you ready'? and you nodded in reply. she headed out her side of the door, rushing over to open yours. she held an arm out to help you balance on your heels.

"after you."

your face flustered as you thanked the driver and stood up to hitch yourself around her, arm feeling the ridges against her bicep. you walk through the doors as the vibration of music hummed through your body. the room was full of people and personal chatter, only illuminated by the flicker of the overhead lights. the two of you searched for your vip seating, making way through cliques and crowds of people. abby caught sight of the group, pulling you in her direction. you followed with a wobble, walking up a slim set of stairs to meet at a large velvety booth.

"you made it!" your hostess exclaimed, wrapping you in a big hug as you sat next to her. "i hope abby was no issue to you. she's not a huge talker."

you sneak a look at her where she sat next to you, taking a slow sip of her drink. your stare held longer than you imagined, her eyes meeting yours as she swallowed. you turned back with a blink and nodded. "n-no, not an issue."

your friend smiled in response. "i'm so glad you could come out tonight. go order a drink, dance! get out there! i'll be here for most the night talking to my manager about my next runway show." she cocked her head towards the main floor. "abby will watch out for you if anything goes off."

you oblige, nervously getting up to make your way to the bartop. you scooted past guests with soft 'scuse me's and 'thank you''s as you finally found your way to the stools. you found an open seat and grabbed the bartender’s attention for a daiquiri.

you never against a night out, but such an atmosphere had grown unknown to you. you felt a little nervous at your presence, sitting amongst those in high-level industries—only to be a mere plus one. you try to settle your mind with the first sip of your drink, strawberry sweetness distracting you from the thought. it was long before one drink turned into three, the intoxicating feeling stirring itself into your bloodstream, slowing your anxiety into a gradual thought in the back of your head.

a broad-shouldered man found his way to the seat beside you, making notice of the glint of shimmer that coated your dress.

"you're surprisingly mellow—how'd you get into a high energy little thing like this?"

your head turned with a startle before taking the man in. he wasn't an eye sore, gaze filled with a similar drunkenness that made you open up more than you usually would.

"a friend wanted me to come. not big on the energy and unfamiliar faces here."

he nodded with an attentive assuredness that brought you an hours-long awaited peace you had been hoping for. even though the two of you didn't exchanges on names, you unfurled into conversation faster than you'd ever expected yourself to.

"how 'bout a drink or two, take it as my congratulations for getting the guts to come out tonight." the tuxed man joked, ushering over the barkeeper for a round of drinks. they soon arrived, liquor running brown over the crowd of ice in the glass. with a sequence of sips, the event felt bearable after all. you turn back to check on your friend, consequentially shooting you thumbs up of assentment on your new guest. you motion a nod of humorous disapproval before meeting his face again. it had changed now, where something more playfully arrived. he put his hand over yours, grazing the top of your knuckles slightly.

"is it too late to get out of here?"

your eyes darted nervously, unsure of your answer. before you could utter a response, abby had impatiently parted through the cluttered crowd of partygoers to meet you at your seat. her face was taunt and fixated on the new acquaintance.

"hey, let’s go talk real quick." abby muttered, grabbing the man by his collar, and rushing from the barstool to the back of the room. you worriedly followed, yelling her name haphazardly. the room had felt it grown temporarily quiet at your voice, your ears ringing and vision becoming blurrier than it had already became. you finally found the two with a turn of the corner, your hands hitting your mouth in shock.

abby laid another punch into his nose, already bloodied and stricken with fresh bruising. in your best attempt to not draw attention you struggle in separating the two with a pull, meeting absolute failure. the man had given up with a slump to the floor before abby finally turned to you, face reddened with anger.

"what the fuck is wrong with you!" you cry and try to shove her, only to find her solid as a wall. her breaths were heavy against your skin. you were dizzy and drunk, making weak punches into her stomach before she held you by the shoulders, pinning you place.

"honey, listen to me, you didn't fucking see what i saw—"

"see what? what are you, jealous?" you jokingly spat, inebriated thoughts coming to the surface. you wrestle at abby's grasp, her eyes growing pained and concerned.

"no!" she tried to hold you still, trying to hold your erratic attention. "he—he was trying to drug you."

you stopped, her words hitting you with a jarring halt. you focused on the sound of your own breathing, then the music, then eyes, cloudy and blue were pinned on you, brows wrinkled deep.

"when you turned around i saw him slip something in your drink. i had be watching him all night. i couldn't stand and watch it any longer."

her voice teetered back in forth in your head, trying to catch up with your own conscience while you tried your best to piece together the last half-hour. how easy he had gotten to you, how good it had felt.

how fake it had been.

you feel you eyes water, finally finding words to slur out.

"can we please leave. please."

abby assuredly nodded, holding her hand for you to grab as you head back towards your table.

"i'm gonna tell everyone we're leaving and explain the situation some more in the morning..."

it didn't register with you much, and abby had made notice. she looked over to you, eyes patient and empathetic.

"don't worry, i got you now."

you fluster a bit before making it to the table. you couldn't make out abby's words, only focusing on the reassuring shoulder she gave your host. the two nodded in agreement before she returned back to you. you walked back to the very entrance you came from, air hitting you in a waft after the smother that lingered in the stuffy club. abby let you into the awaiting limo.

"anywhere i can take you? home? we can go the police station if y—"

"...is ramen an option?"

abby laughs softly, relived at your reemerging composure.

"always an option."

-

the two of you made the safe choice of renting a room a classy hotel abby had picked herself. after the 20 minute back and forth on guilt that you had about the price, you let her pick the last room they had left, carefully escorting you to the elevator.

the silence was deafening, the incline up the floors feeling an inescapably slow pace. you looked at the floor, barely able to look her direction. your lips parted nervously to make the first statement.

"m'really sorry. i'm so naive."

she made a pensive nod, staring down at the bags of takeout she held in her hand.

it seemed like she couldn't look at you, too.

"never apologize for someone else's manipulation. that's all i ask of you."

with that, the doors parted allowing the both of you to step onto the floor you would home for the night. with a touch of the keycard, the door coaxed open. with a enter, you made a muffled gasp at the size.

it was spacious, king-sized bed sitting at the back of the wall, decorated between two sleek white nightstands. a white rug sat at-length on the ground, leading your eyes right towards the never-ending windowed sight of the cityscape-sky. you found yourself hypnotized by the sight, walking in beeline to the glass. never in your life was something like this possible, yet your mind still lingered on the cause of it all. you feel abbys' presence join you, giving you a light nudge on the arm.

"let's eat before it gets cold, right?"

you nod, making your way to the spacious bed that almost seem to await your arrival. abby hands your bowl, warmth still on your palms. she hands you your chopsticks already split and the two of you began to dig in, slurps and gulps filling the room. it was that same feeling you got before from him but unnerving. real.

abby raises her bowl to your chin, rope of noodles twirled around the wooden stick.

"you wanna try?" she prompts, raising it to your mouth.

you gave a hesitant nod before parting your lips. her eyes drift slightly to your lips before softly mumbling 'say ahhh' before you finish with a chew and swallow.

everything about her became an aphrodisiac in the moment. it was any part of her; the scent of her perfume was neutral and linen, the roll of her sleeves and the toned forearms beneath them, the slight unbutton of her shirt revealed a thin gold chain with her name written in script. you hid all the feelings in an elongated chew as she gave you a second bite. the taste of umami had a good way of derailing your sultry mind.

your buzz had begun to become endurable again as you tried to recount the moments of the night. how much had carelessly entered and left your mind, but her. she stayed. she looped and weaved and was consistent.

"i know you're not big on my apologies but i'm sorry i screamed at you. you were just doin' your job." you lazily swirled your chopsticks in your broth to avoid any stare at her upper body.

abby clicked her tongue against her teeth. "don't sweat it. wouldn't be the first time. you were scared," she started, slurping a mushroom into her mouth. she chuckled beneath her breath. "'was funny how you thought i was jealous though."

you unexpectedly yelped at her comment, eyes wide with embarrassment. you place your bowl on the bedside counter, hands gripping your dress with fervor. "i said that?"

she followed, placing hers next to yours. she shrugged her shoulders, comically shaking her head.

"yea, something like that. I wasn't offended."

"i hope not, that whole thing was far from cute." you reply, hands fiddling in your lap.

"god, never about that guy. guys like him make my job feel worth it. like i did my part." she fixes a hand in her hair, undoing the braids with a few movements of her finger. abby leaned in, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"i never said i wasn't jealous though."

your face fell hot at the tension, noses near touching. she scans your face for reaction, eyes unaware of your next move.

you battled between your intoxicated mind and inner conscience. something told you this was stupid. immature, even undiscerning.

but something stronger told you it felt just right.

you wrapped your arms around her, repositioning your body to lean in hers. you could feel the warm of her skin against yours, like a signal idling towards an impatient yes.

"thank you. so much. i wish i could find another way to say it." you hushed.

"you can."

she pressed against you, lips leaning deep into yours. the mix of whiskey and strawberry still left on your tongue only made your clamor deeper, head pressing against a tendril of hair that fell in front of her face. she pressed her hands against your hips, the indents of her rings felt cold against your skin. the felt of her touch ate you whole, made you feel blanketed in comfort, made a bliss long unfelt.

you parted, your lashes parting with a flutter, taking in the burdening desire that she had created and unfurled inside of you.

"see, that wasn't so hard." she teased, cupping a hand behind your ear as you fall into her chest to muffle your unexpected laugh.

⊹˚₊‧───────────────‧₊˚⊹

[thechaoticdruid]

[The Spawn Vs The Ascendant] (4)

Astarion(s) x Tav

Plot: The conclusion of the sad tale of the Vampire Ascendant and his Fair Consort and the beginning of the showdown between the Spawn and the Ascendant.

Content/Warnings: No F!Tav this chapter, Major Angst, gore, blood, slight suggestive themes, toxic master and slave relationship, depressed M!Tav, Ascended Astarion should be his own warning, death, like a lot of people die...

Previous

Next???

[Save Game 2:Crimson Palace, 5 years post game.]

Tav sat upon his master's lap, trying to remain as still as possible as the artist captured their likenesses with a skilled, but clearly nervous hand. The human man held his paintbrush shaking as he glanced back to see the vampire lord staring right at him. His eyes were practically glowing red as he smiled at him maliciously, almost daring him to make a mistake. The lord’s consort glanced over at the mortal man with pity in his red orbs. He knew his master was completely reveling in the artist’s fear. Astarion kept an arm wrapped possessively around Tav, his hand slipping under the back of his waist coat and gently caressing the cool skin of his back. 

Tav huffed a bit, trying to keep his gaze focused on the poor artist and ignore the hand that was oh so close to sliding down the back of his pants. His master's hedonistic ways were honestly getting tiresome for Tav to indulge. Using sex as a way to make peace with his master was getting more and more tedious. Pleasurable as it was, it just made Tav feel empty afterwards. Unloved. 

Tav grit his teeth as he suddenly felt a hand slide down the back of his pants to grope him. A hand he immediately yanked away. 

“Stop it, please.” Tav said, pulling his master's hand away from his ass. “I really don't want you doing this when Abby could walk in at any moment.” He huffed. 

“She’s studying right now, darling. No one will notice anything as long as you stay quiet about it, pet.” Astarion gripped Tav's chin and made him meet his eyes.  The poor artist was struggling to keep up with the two lords moving while he was trying to capture their likenesses. Thankfully he was close enough to finishing. 

“My lords, it is finished.” He said before stepping to the side of his canvas. Astarion looked over to the artist’s work before guesting for Tav to get off his lap. Tav did so almost immediately before looking over at the portrait with interest. It was memorizing, very life-like and so utterly exquisite! 

“It's beautiful, Oskar.” Tav complimented as he looked over at the mortal man with a kind smile, “truly, no one could have done it better.” The spawn praised. 

“T-Thank you my lord!” The artist replied, his nervous gaze was kept on Astarion who looked the painting up and down with an unimpressed grimace. 

“I will admit, you are far better than the last pathetic whelp I hired to paint us, but the piece is missing something…” Astarion grinned before taking a few steps towards his canvas. 

“Is it!? I was sure I captured an exact recreation of your likenesses. What's missing?” Oskar looked over the canvas in worry, eyes scanning the painting frantically. Astarion tapped a claw-like nail against the center of the painting.

“Just a bit of red…..Right here!” The vampire lord suddenly smashed Oskar’s head right through the painting and onto the ground, splattering blood everywhere. 

“Astarion! What the hells!?” Tav screamed, shaking in shock and anger, “he was just a scared innocent man!”

“He got on my nerves. And he kept painting my face incorrectly,” Astarion said, gesturing to the area around his cheek and mouth.

“You killed him because he painted your laugh lines!? I cannot fucking believe you! You’re a godsdamned psychopath!” Tav gritted his teeth with snarl, fist clenched as he prepared to strike at his master but then he stopped and stormed off.

Tav ran to their shared bedroom and sobbed into his pillow. He was doing this just to get rise out of Tav now. Ever since Tav stopped being his sweet obedient little love Astarion seemed almost spiteful at times. Killing for no other reason than the fact he could and always wanting Tav to watch. Sometimes Astarion had a reason and sometimes he did it just for sick pleasure. Albeit his reasons weren't exactly justified by any means.

Tav remembered a kind adventurer he met at The Blushing Mermaid one night, not too long after the Elder Brain had been defeated. He was a half-elf cleric, handsome and chivalrous. Tav and the half-elf man drank and had a long talk about all the ways Baldur's Gate could be made better for everyone.  He wanted to open his own hospital and heal those in need, those who could barely afford to care for themselves.The cleric made Tav laugh and blush, and even offered to meet him again for a drink sometime. Tav was tempted, but he turned him down saying he wasn't sure how his fiancé would feel about it and told him he probably wouldn't be happy.  And he was right…

Tav awoke later that night to screams in the palace and quickly ran to the source. Astarion was bending the poor half-elf cleric’s arm backwards, dislocating it from his socket with a sickening sounding crunch.

“Astarion!? What are you doing!?” Tav cried out, red eyes full of horror.

“I was just entertaining your lovely little friend here. I must say he is rather handsome, quite the fine specimen you found. You will come and join us, won't you, my treasure?” Astarion purred, acting completely indifferent to what he had just done to the poor helpless man. Tav frowned and stepped forward shakily.  “Good boy~. Now stand perfectly still and do not move from that spot, no matter what.” Astarion said with a glow of red eyes. 

“My love please!” Tav begged as a red aura surrounded his body, forbidding from moving from where he stood.

“Ah, ah, ah, no means no, my darling.” Astarion shook a finger at him before turning his attention to the terrified cleric.

“Tav! What's going on!? Why can't you move!?” He asked in a pleading voice, tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.

“I'm sorry….” Was all Tav could say before Astarion sank his fangs into the poor man's neck. 

The vampire spawn grit his teeth, watching as his master drained the sweet fool dry. The vampire lord held the mortal’s head tightly, gorging himself on the young man's precious ichor as all he could do was shake and twitch in pain as his heart slowed to a stop.

Within minutes the half elf’s body fell to the ground with a thud. Eyes wide and mouth agape as he laid there lifelessly.  Astarion wiped the blood from his lips and licked it off his fingers.

“You didn't tell me you were going out tonight.” Astarion said coldly. 

“I didn't think I had to!” Tav snapped.

“You are mine. You will not go anywhere without me knowing and you will certainly not bed anyone without my say so!” He snarled, jealous venom dripping from every word.

“Bed him!? Is that what this is about!? I never even touched him! I told him I was going back to you for fucks sake!” Tav shouted, tears beginning to fall. Astarion's gaze softened, and he dropped his compulsion over Tav before watching as the spawn fell to his knees sobbing. 

Tav sniffled into his pillow, the whites of his eyes beginning to turn pink as his eyes got puffy. Suddenly the door creaked open.

“Daddy?” Abigail’s small voice called out as the little half-elf girl peeked her head in. “Daddy!” She smiled before scampering over towards Tav as he rubbed his eyes and sat up. 

“I made this for you!” The seven-year-old took out a piece of paper from her pocket and unfolded it, revealing a picture of a red dragon.  Tav rubbed his eyes and smiled softly at the little girl.

“Thank you, sweetie.” He said taking the drawing from her as she sat on the side of the bed with him. 

“I'm glad you like it!” She smiled and leaned in to hug him, he returned the hug and ruffled her blonde curls. “I finished my studies, teacher said I'm getting really good at magic! Do you think Papa will be proud of me?” Abby asked, tilting her small head as her elven ears twitched. Tav hesitated. He still wasn't fully comfortable with the young girl calling him and Astarion Daddy and Papa, considering he never wanted to bring her into their home in the first place. But Astarion's word was law and somehow the vampire Ascendant had convinced himself that this would somehow salvage their relationship.

“I'm sure he will, darling.” Tav patted her head, wanting to kick himself for the sweet lie he just told her. Astarion, despite thinking this was the solution to his and Tav’s problems, wasn't a very attentive parent. He tended to ignore the poor girl most of the time, unless she actually showed an impressive display of power with her magical talents she'd slowly began to develop after being brought to live with them.  He often joked about training her to be an adorable little weapon before turning her when she became of age. Two ideas that Tav utterly despised and frequently voiced his disapproval of only to be brushed off by the Vampire Ascendant. 

But other than an occasional praise or pat on the head for whenever she did something that impressed him, Astarion didn't pay much attention to Abby. Tav was thankful that he also didn't ever harm her and kept his sadistic and murderous tendencies to a minimum in her presence, but it was also sad that she lacked the connection that she craves from him.

“The servants won't let me in the ballroom to show him what I learned today though. They're mean.” Abigail huffed. Tav chuckled nervously, internally grimacing at the memory of the poor painter’s head splattered all over the floor.

“They probably are just cleaning it up, my dear. The floors were beginning to get messy.” Tav said, feeling a nervous lump in his throat.

“Daddy, you look scared…Are you okay? Should we go find Papa?” Abigail asked.

“No! I-I…..” Tav began before suddenly being interrupted.

“I'm here, my darlings.” Astarion suddenly opened the door and stepped inside. 

“Papa!” Abby jumped up from where she sat, running over to the vampire lord like an excited little pup. “I learned something new today! Watch! Watch!” She cheered. Astarion stared down at her with an unamused expression but allowed the girl to continue. Abby waved her arms, concentrating before suddenly pushing a chair slightly across the room with her magic.

“Hmm…Perhaps there's hope for you yet.” Astarion gave the girl a slight rub on the head, causing her eyes to light up before he turned his attention to Tav. “Did I hear that my precious treasure was frightened?” 

“Daddy was scared, Papa! I think he needs a hug!” Abigail chimed in. 

“Indeed, I think you're right, darling.” Astarion said before approaching Tav. Tav bit his lip, a sickening feeling bubbling within his belly, the urge to move away from Astarion’s touch was increasing by the moment.

Astarion sat beside him, allowing Abby to climb in his lap. “Is something the matter, my sweet little husband?” Astarion asked. His voice sounded sickeningly sweet and so fake, but Tav needed to keep his calm, especially since Abby was right here. 

“I…um…. No, my love…I just…. I was napping and had a bad dream…” Tav said before feeling Astarion slink an arm around him and pull him close. Abby leaned over and hugged Tav once more. The male spawn but his lip as he glared slightly at Astarion. What was his game today?  He acts like a complete monster and then pretends nothing happened, like he didn't just slaughter an innocent man in their own home! He literally murders someone right in front of him and then wants to play house like they're one big happy family! It was utterly infuriating!

“Abby, my love. I need to speak with Daddy alone.” Astarion said as he moved one of Abby's stray curls over. 

“Okay Papa…” Abby said sadly before getting up and scampering out of the bedroom. 

“Perhaps my little outburst earlier was a bit unnecessary…” Astarion said with a sigh, though his tone didn't sound sorry in the slightest. Tav remained silent, refusing to speak because he knew if he did, nothing would stop him from screaming his head off at the man next to him. 

“I…I didn't like how you were praising him. How you smiled so warmly at him. You never do the same for me. Not anymore.” 

“And why in the nine hells do you think that is, hm?” Tav finally spoke, trying his damndest to suppress a growl. “I gave you everything, Astarion. I fought for you, I killed for you, I even fucking died for you, but nothing is ever enough, is it? You just take and take and expect me to believe that you still fucking love me! That you actually give a damn about me after everything you've done!” 

“I do love you!” Astarion suddenly grabbed Tav's wrists. “Can't you understand everything I've done is for us!?” Astarion hissed out. 

“And murdering innocent people in front of me is for my own good is that what you're saying?” Tav almost laughed at the absurdity.

“You knew exactly what I was the moment we met! Don't act like this is a shock! This is what I am! This is what we are….” 

“I would never harm an innocent…” Tav spat.

“What about all the souls we sacrificed in the ritual? They weren't all corrupt villains you know…Your hands are just as bloody as mine, my dear…” Astarion growled through gritted teeth.

Tav bit his lip, tears welling up in his eyes once again.  “I didn't want to do it…. I just…. I thought you'd leave me….” Astarion frowned, gaze softening as he watched Tav break down and sob into his hands. Astarion let out a sigh before he scooted closer to Tav and pulled the smaller male against his body.  

“You have me forever now, is this not what you wanted?” Astarion asked, holding Tav against his chest in a gentle, but possessive grip.

“I-I…. I don't know…. I just want things to be like they were between us…Before everything…” Tav stuttered.

“They can, my love. They can.” Astarion whispered before kissing Tav’s tears away, “I will give you whatever you want, all you need to do is stay by my side….” He pressed his forehead against Tav's, crimson eyes both locked together.

Tav buried his face into Astarion's chest and the two of them stayed like that for a while, until Astarion noticed his lover’s hands shaking a little.

“You haven't fed for days, have you?” He hummed. 

“I don't like it.” Tav muttered.

“My stubborn little love, you're going to end up driving yourself mad with hunger.” Astarion huffed.

“I don't care.” Tav grumbled, face pressed into his master's chest. 

“You will if Abigail is harmed because of it.” That statement alone caused Tav to go quiet. Astarion simply proceeds to undo the strings of his shirt, pulling it down and exposing his neck and shoulder to the spawn. “Feed, my pet.” 

Tav doesn't even hesitate, the insatiable hunger roaring within forces him to bite down onto his master’s neck in seconds. The blood of his sire was absolutely divine, each drop delighting his senses. Astarion smiled as he felt Tav begin to drink from him. 

“Ahh…Yes, good boy…” The Vampire Ascendant moaned, cupping the back of his consort’s head gently as Tav continued to suckle upon his skin. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Save Game 2: Crimson Palace 15 years post-game.]

“I told you this would happen Astarion!” Tav snapped, fangs bared. “You just couldn't just stop with Baldur's Gate, couldn't you!? Now you've gone and endangered us all!” 

“We're not in any danger, my sweet. These monster hunters are no threat, we'll just crush them like we always do.”

“Papa is right, Dad!  And I can help too now that I'm strong enough!” Abigail said with a smirk, an ominous black and purple magic, swirled around her hands. “We’ll crush them together!” 

“That's my girl, come on then!” Astarion smiled maliciously. Tav frowned, watching his husband and daughter rush head on into the conflict like complete fools. Astarion was strong, but the monster hunters had more numbers this time. They surrounded the manor, ramming their way in through the front door and cutting down the charmed servants first. Tav took the form of a black panther and prepared himself for a fight. 

Astarion’s plans for world conquest were beginning to spread across the Sword Coast. He had a decent number of spawns now to do his bidding, but despite this many of them had been cut down by these hunters who traced his children back to him. Now they were invading his home, hoping to snuff out this vampiric infestation at its source. 

In the grand scheme of things, it was supposed to be simple, build an army, take over the world. At least that's how Astarion himself always put it. Tav had always told him it would be foolish to think that the world would just let him do so, but he was THE VAMPIRE ASCENDANT as he oh so very often said. He was invincible! In his own mind anyway.

The hunters stormed the crimson palace, killing everyone in sight. Abigail stayed with Astarion, watching his back as they tore right through the hunters together, scattering bloody severed limbs all over the castle. Astarion had a bliss filled sadistic smile upon his face which never faltered even a little as he sliced through his mortal foes with Cazador's old blade. The same one he used to carve the infernal runes into his old master’s back. 

Abigail was less messy than her vampiric father. She summoned elementals to join the fray, shot lightning bolts and fireballs, she even had a wicked where she could make someone's body inflate until they exploded. 

Tav used his claws and teeth to defend himself, tearing apart any hunter's who got too close. The battle was quick and bloody, turning a good portion of their home into a warzone. As the fight came to a close Tav was suddenly pierced through the head by a crossbow bolt, doing considerable damage and forcing him out of his wildshape.  The bolt dropped to the ground as he transformed, his wound now gone as if it had never happened. He looked around frantically for the source of the attack before seeing a familiar figure stepping towards him. An elven woman approached him, holding a crossbow in one hand and a wooden stake in the other.  Tav wasn't sure why he froze, perhaps it was just fear? No, that wasn't right. There was a click sound from the stake being loaded into the crossbow though it barely even registered as memories began to flood into Tav's mind. 

That day at the beach when Astarion had a dagger to his throat. 

The night at camp when Astarion had fed from him for the first time. 

After the tiefling party when the two of them first made love. 

And Astarion’s confession at Moonrise. 

It all came back before suddenly there was a piercing pain in his chest as he suddenly coughed up blood. His legs gave way and he fell to the ground with a stake through his heart. The last thing to ever grace his ears were screams of his lover.

“TAV!” Astarion rushed over to his spawn in an instant and grabbed his shoulders. “Wake up, damn you!” Astarion cupped Tav's face in his hand as tears began to stream down his face as Tav’s lifeless eyes stared back at him.

“T-Tav, my sweet, my heart, I forbid you to die!” He sobbed, grabbing hold of the stake and tearing it out. “You are mine and I am yours…And if we die, we die together…Do you not understand!? Answer me!!” Astarion’s eyes flashed red, but nothing happened to the body. It was far too late.

The elven huntress prepared her crossbow to take another aim, this time at The Vampire Ascendant now that he was grief stricken with the loss of his beloved consort. She loaded a second stake, but before she could fire it a vine lasso snatched the weapon from her hand before yanking it away. Abigail glared back at the elf; her face full of rage as stomped across the sea of corpses that littered the floor. In no more than a moment she casts hold person on the hunter. 

The Vampire Ascendant held Tav in his arms, his face buried into his neck as he murmured to him in elvish.  From what Abigail could hear he was repeating a declaration of love to Tav over and over. 

~•~•~•~•~~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Astarion had Tav’s body sealed away in a coffin, deep under the Palace. Abigail was ordered to place a magical spell on the body to keep it preserved. The elven hunter was now chained up within the kennels, glaring back at the vampire lord as he paced the room.  “My husband was better than I ever was. He was too kind for his own good. He even protected those filthy peasants you begged your lover to spare and you killed him for it.” 

“You killed my husband so I killed yours. Is that not a fair trade-” Astarion quickly wrapped his hand around her throat, squeezing hard and making her gasp.

“Tav’s life was 1000 times more valuable than any pathetic excuse of a spouse you ever had!” Astarion snapped, nearly crushing the woman's windpipe and making her face turn purple. But he soon stopped before any permanent damage was done. Osha gasped, breathing in and out slowly as Astarion began to think. He glanced over at Abigail who looked through her books. Her eyes scan through them in hopes of finding some way to fix this mess or at least ensure Osha suffered immensely. She came across a ritual that would give someone the ability to manipulate time itself, though it would likely require an entire city’s worth of mortal souls.   

“Papa I-......”

“Do not call me that anymore!” Astarion snapped at her. “Tav is gone…I'm done playing house…” Astarion said coldly, but Abigail could see a flicker of sadness in his eyes. 

“Yes…. Forgive me Master ....” The half-elf said, head hanging low. 

“Now, what to do with you….?” Astarion sighed and glared over into Osha’s eyes, his nose crinkling in disgust.

“Do what you must! I am ready to join Magnus in the next life!” Osha huffed out.

“Oh, you precious little thing…. You're not going to die today……You're not going die for a very long time yet….” A sadistic smirk spread over Astarion's face before he approached her slowly, gripping her chin and turning her head. “From this day on you are mine to torment….” He whispered into her ear before sinking his fangs down into her neck. 

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

[Save Game 1: Act 3, Crimson Palace.]

The Vampire Ascendant huffed in pain as he composed himself. He needed to find her. He needed to make sure she couldn't escape. 

His red eyes glanced over to the gith and the half elf as they stood side by side. 

“Find Tav quickly and bring her to me.” He ordered. The two female spawn nodded before turning on their heels and beginning their search. Astarion bit his lip with worry, he came so far, went through all this trouble just to get Tav back.

After the scribe of the dead denied his demand to return his beloved to him, stating that “his fate was sealed the moment thou sired him,” he had only one choice left. To tear time itself apart. The price to get here was far too great to turn back now.  The Ascendant paced through his ballroom, his eyes glancing up at a painting of his old master. 

You failed him. He's dead because of your weakness. You were never meant for love, foolish boy.

He could almost hear his old master's voice taunting him as he glared at the portrait. Astarion pulled out his blade before slicing it in half with a grunt of frustration. 

“Heh, I never cared for that painting either. It was always taunting me with that stupid grin of his.” A voice piped up from behind the Ascendant. 

“What are you doing here?” The Lord questioned, not bothering to look back. The stranger's voice which mirrored his own was all he needed to hear to know who it was. The Spawn.

“You know exactly why I'm here.” The Spawn hummed. “Now where is she?”

“Honestly I don't know. She slipped right through my fingers…I'll get her back of course. I won't give up what is mine.” 

“She's not yours, don't you understand? Tav doesn't belong to anyone! Have you forgotten what it was like to be owned and kept like a pet!?” The spawn hissed out. 

“I would never treat her the way Cazador treated me! I would…I will give her everything.” The Ascendant finally turned around to face his counterpart, blade drawn and pointed towards him.

“Darling, you can lie to everyone else in this wretched world except me.” The spawn said with a frown. “Let it go. Chasing Cazador's shadow has clearly cost you your Tav. I won't stand by and let the same happen to mine.” 

“And what would you have me do? Just give up? Say sorry and leave with my tail between my legs? Pft!” The Ascendant scoffed.

“Return home and find a new path. One that's yours to choose.” The spawn said, “We don't have to be the monsters that Cazador made us…We can be more…” He smiled slightly, lifting up his hand to the Ascendant as if to call a truce.  The Ascendant hesitated, looking at the hand cautiously as if it was some kind of trap before slowly reaching out, his own lips forming a grin.

“I am more than any of you will ever be….” Suddenly the Ascendant rammed his blade right through the Spawn's stomach.

“ASTARION!!!” A voice screamed out.

To be continued.....

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~Druid

[dnvrsmedia]

Tell Me I’m Dreamin’

Part 3

Farmer!Reader xWrangler!Ellie xCowboy!Abby

Part Two| Series Masterlist

18+ Series

Summary: You're the new farmer in town with a big heart and an even bigger love for two women. What happens when these two women apparently hate each other? Part 3 of the series follows the three of you after the big Spring Fling.

AN: hello im back writting! took a bit of time off for myself to relax. this chapter is a bit short but i promise you will be fed with some goodies in the future! thanks for reading <3

NOT PROOFREAD

The warm spring air blows softly on your face, slowly awakening you from previous slumber. To say last night was something out of your dreams would be a heavy understatement. Your memory gets mucky as the events try to unfold like a movie in your mind. Your eyes closed, you feel the limbs wrap around your body tighten. Confusion causes you to look down at your body. Two very strong and familiar bodies shift as the mid-morning glow brightens as the sun rises. A grunt is heard from above your head. Your eyes shift up to lock with two very beautiful blue ones. Abby’s hair tied up in a lazy bun at the apex of her head perfectly frames her strong jaw, enhancing her beautiful features even more. Your eyes trail down to her neck, noticing that she was only in her sports bra. You flush, realizing your eyes were staring more noticeable than you may have liked.

“Good mornin’, darlin.” Abby rasps with her morning voice. A bright smile adorns your face as you move to snuggled deeper into her bicep. You let out a groan as your apparent hangover makes way to your frontal lobe. Abby chuckles at your state and brings a kiss to your forehead.

“Hmm, mornin’ Abs…why did you let me drink so much!” You playfully whine knowing that you fully did this to yourself. Abby rolled her eyes and squeezed your hip.

“Ya know, Ellie n I tried telling you to stop.” With the mention of her name, Ellie came through your bedroom door with a bag and a carrying cup with three drinks securely placed onto the cardboard.

“Yeah, babe, you kinda did this to yourself, ya lucky that we were there for ya’.” Ellie flashes her signature smirk as she flicks off her boots at the entrance of your bedroom door. You prefer when guests leave their shoes at the entrance to your apartment, but Ellie of course never remembers…or just doesn’t listen. You’d scold her if your brain didn't feel like it was forcing its way through your skull. You just groan again and shove your head deeper (if possible) into Abby’s arm. Her free hand rubs you on your back soothingly as you practically purr in her presence.

“At least I didn’t black out, that is all that matters!” You playfully throw a fist into the air. The chuckles heard from the other girls made you smile into Abby.

“C’mon you two, got breakfast. Even got some meds for that nasty hangover.” Ellie sits at the side of the bed closest to you. Her hand grazes Abby’s firm one on your back as the two of them caress you. Unknown to you, Abby and Ellie are sharing what could be seen as loving eye contact. They snap out of their haze when the gurgling sound of your stomach is heard, practically reverberating off your bedroom walls.

Embarrassment radiates through your body. Chuckles from the two women fill the room as you push your face into the bed with a groan.

“Oh I know, babe.” Ellie laughs. Her calloused hands squeeze your hips in encouragement. You begrudgingly slid your body off of the warmth of the blonde. Her palms slide up and down the length of your body while your hips rest on top of hers.

“Let’s go darlin’.” Abby taps your bum lovingly to signal you to get up.

The pair of you follow Ellie back to your living room to eat the breakfast she picked up for you three. Seeing Ellie all domestic in your kitchen as she collects the proper utensils for your meal made your stomach flutter. Being able to see the slivers of Ellie she held close to her, locked up close to her heart, felt like a privilege. Sharing these moments with Abby felt like a fever dream. You never thought that they were capable of being in the same room together. This made you wonder deeply. Your thoughts went back to the previous night at the event. The longing stares and intensity between the two. Your thighs squeeze together at the memory of the two of the two of them grinding into you. Whispers in your ear filled with dirty words and strong palms wandering, squeezing, & prodding your damp skin. The overlapping hands of Abby and Ellie made your skin hot. Fuck, what happened to them before you lived here?

You made your way to the couch in between the two women, skin feeling warm at your thoughts. The women spread their thighs wide, your head spins at the smell of the two of them. Abby hands you your plate, filled with your favorite breakfast foods from your favorite diner in town. A bright smile lights up your face.

“My favorite, thank you Els!” You place a kiss to her cheek. Her face visibly reddens as she tries her hardest to not show.

“No problem, hon.” She winks and rests her hand on the apex of your thigh.

You subtly buck your hips up to her palm in shock. Abby and Ellie share a devious smile at your reaction. You clear your throat and dig into your food, refusing to look at either of them. You try to eat your food quickly so you can get out from between them. Abby, absolutely not liking that at all, leans into your ear with a disagreeing hum.

“Slow down, baby. S’ not goin’ nowhere, right Ellie?” The blonde’s eyebrow raised toward the auburn haired girl, her breath tickling the sensitive part of your neck. You squirm in your seat as the two silently exchange looks.

“Anderson’s right, what’s the rush, hmm? We’re not goin’ nowhere.” Ellie’s thumb starts inching closer to where you need them the most. You place your plate on the coffee table in front of you with a huff. A pouted look on your face makes Ellie chuckle. God, you feel so dizzy when you’re with them. You stare wide-eyed at them, unsure what they’re planning. Abby just smirks in response to your visible confusion.

“We know you remember last night, so why don’t we talk about it, hm?” Your mouth goes dry.

“Oh- um,” You have no clue what to say! How can you explain to these women that you want every last piece of them; the both of them. “I-uh-i’m sorry if that was uncomfortable.” You stare at your hands, feeling your heartbeat through your chest. A small tisk leaves Ellie’s mouth as she brings her free hand to your jaw, pulling your line of vision directly into her own.

“You got nothin’ ta be sorry about. Didn’t even let us talk.” She coos. You can feel the blonde beside you shift her body to lean closer to your vicinity. You gulp hard in hopes to calm your anxiety. Your hands clam up. Whatever happens next will change everything forever, no matter good or bad. Are you ready for that? Were they ready for that?

“Couldn’t stop thinking about you...both of you” Abby murmurs. Your eyes dart to the blonde next to you. That couldn’t be…right? Everyone knows Abigail Anderson and Ellie Williams were like water and oil. They don’t mix. Not since they were kids.

“Williams has a way of stickin’ around that drives me mad. N’ you, sweetheart, I don’t ever stop thinkin’ bout you.” Abby pulls her bottom lip into her mouth, teeth scraping the plush skin.

“But you don’t ever get the hint, do ya?” Ellie chuckles.

“Thinkin’ you can’t have the both of us…oh babe.” Ellie tsks.

Your head feels dizzy. The warmth of the pair surrounding you, trapping you between their bodies makes your skin dampen with perspiration. The air was thick and heavy. One move and the tension could explode. You didn’t know what to make of it. Were they saying…no, that couldn’t be right. You were just a simple farmer. Not a popular townsperson like the two of them. With a heavy breath you shoot up from between them.

“You’re playing with me. You’re both playing with me and it’s not nice. It’s not nice ta be makin fun of me!” You pout feeling hopeless. They’ve figured you out from a drunken slur of words and now you have to deal with the consequences.

Ellie and Abby look at each other, trying to figure out what to do. Abby had the more rational thought of talking it out with you. Before she could say a word, Ellie shot up in front of you and pulled you in for a kiss.

Your limbs practically went slack as you revealed in the feeling of the kiss. The auburn girl simultaneously sucking the life out of you, yet breathing air into your lungs. Your hands make way to the nape of her neck as you massage the short locks. After a short while, Ellie pulled back from your lips with a ‘pop’, a devilish smirk and a dusting of a blush adorned her face. Her lips ruby red. You, on the other hand, felt like jello. Your face filled with delight as your eyes laid dreamily on the auburn haired girl. Abby let out a chuckle at your face before reaching your lips with the same fate. She must’ve stood up during your make out with Ellie.

The contrast between the two women was awfully delightful. Ellie was more forceful with her love, she was an all or nothing kind of woman. Yet, Abby, was the definition of gentle giant. Her plush lips synchronized with yours in a playful game of push and pull. She effortlessly controlled the pace, her dominance glazing over without any hesitation. A delightful hun left your mouth before the blonde escaped your mouth.

“Do you believe us now?” Abby’s palm held your cheek as she glanced at your wet mouth. She bit her lip at the thought of tasting both Ellie and you on her tongue. You dumbly nod your head as a laugh from the auburn woman is heard beside you. Abby removed her palm from your cheek as she watched Ellie. Her heart lurches at the sound of her laugh. Ellie walks to the blonde with that little smirk you have grown to love since you’ve met her.

“So…you’ve been thinkin’ bout me, huh?” Ellie quirks as Abby rolls her eyes.

“Shut up and kiss me, Williams.”

[bobfloydsbabe]

illicit affairs | bob floyd x oc | mob boss au

walk the line

SUMMARY: After staying late at the office, Bob insists on walking Abby to her car.

WARNINGS: mob boss au, sexual tension, sexual thoughts. strictly 18+/minors dni.

WORD COUNT: 1.7k

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SPECIAL THANKS: Thanks to @joaquinwhorres for the prompt, and for the endless support and encouragement for MBB and my other writing. I adore you. Thank you to @wkndwlff and @sylviebell for listening to me rant about this for hours on end.

A/N: This was supposed to just be a quick and easy 500 word drabble. That obviously didn't happen. Enjoy!

Bob leans back in his chair and rubs his palms against his eyes, trying to make them hurt less from staring at his laptop all night.

The Bates family has been creating problems for him for weeks. They’ve somehow blocked every permit he’s been trying to get with the city so he can finally start construction on the Belmont Street project.

Letting his hands fall away, he opens his eyes and notices the light at Abby’s desk is on.

With a furrowed brow, he pushes himself up and walks across the expanse of his office until he’s standing in the doorway.

Abby’s sitting at her desk, typing away on her keyboard, doing who knows what. He checks his watch and sees that it’s far past midnight.

“I thought you’d gone home hours ago,” he says, letting his arm fall back at his side.

She startles, making the whole table shake and her hand flies to her chest where her heartbeat is likely running wild.

“You scared me,” she tells him after collecting herself enough to look at him.

“Sorry. I thought you’d gone home,” he repeats.

She shakes her head, making a stray dark hair fall from her ponytail and rest against her cheek. “Unless you dismiss me, I don’t leave until you do, sir.”

Even after being here all day, she still looks as flawless as she did when she walked through the door that morning.

He thinks back to last week inside her apartment after the fundraiser when he’d nearly given into temptation. She’d looked perfect then, too. Cheeks flushed from the alcohol and dancing with him. Only him.

He thinks of the aide who’d dared to lay hands on his girl in full view of all the guests. Bob had only applied enough force to the kid’s hand that it would hurt for a while. Certainly not enough to break it. Abby was none the wiser, but he’d seen the kid with an ice pack on his fingers later on.

“Well, I’m heading home for the night,” he begins, looking back at Abby, who’s watching him. “So should you. I’ll walk you to your car.”

“Okay,” she agrees.

Bob goes back to his office to close up for the day and grab his suit jacket off the back of his chair. When he returns, Abby’s slipping a coat over her shoulders.

“Ready?”

She faces him with a bright smile. “Yes,” she says, and leans forward, clicking off the lamp on her desk. “All set.” She rounds the desk and heads for the elevator down the hall.

On the surface it looks like a normal corporate office with a receptionist, open floor plan with conference rooms closed off by large glass panels, a kitchenette with the essentials like a microwave and a fancy espresso machine Javy insisted they get even though he only comes by the office once a week.

Bob smiles to himself, trailing behind Abby, whose ponytail swings like a pendulum against her back, and he can’t help that his eyes wander down to her hips. Those heels drive him wild and they make her ass look fantastic.

He’s walking a fine line, and he knows it.

The elevator doors slide open right as he catches up to Abby, who moves remarkably fast in heels that high and thin.

“You coming?”

He meets her eyes, realizing he’s stopped outside the elevator. He shakes his head and joins Abby inside.

As the doors close, every one of Bob’s senses become engulfed by Abby. He feels the heat radiate off her on his skin, can practically taste the mint of her lip gloss on his tongue, hears her steady breath, and watches the rise and fall of her chest in the corner of his eye.

What gets him is the scent of her. It’s different. Darker, muskier. Sexier. Rose and a hint of vanilla, but still her.

“New perfume?” He asks, turning to face her. In the harsh overhead lighting of the elevator, he can see her cheeks warm up, and he fights the way his hand twitches, desperate to reach out and touch her skin.

He knows it’s velvety soft.

“Yeah,” she admits, not meeting his eyes. “It was time for a change.”

A hum is his only reply, making her finally meet his gaze. She looks like she wants to say more, divulge a secret she’s not supposed to, and he longs to pry it from her pretty mouth.

He takes a small step forward, testing the water to see how she reacts. She doesn’t flinch, but her eyes flicker down to the floor for a second before coming back to his.

Her cheeks burn hotter than before when she asks. “Do you like it?”

Leaning down, his lips graze her exposed neck when he inhales the scent of her. Her breath hitches, body shuddering at the touch.

He cranes his neck upward and finds Abby’s eyes trained on him, darker than usual.

Maintaining eye contact, he presses his lips to the skin of her neck. “I do,” he says and straightens his back.

Abby’s jaw is slack, and her eyes follow him as he takes another step closer. Their breathing fills the small space, but all Bob sees and feels is her.

The woman who has haunted his dreams since the moment she first stepped into his office.

His fingers twitch again, but right as he’s about to reach for her, the elevator stops moving and the doors whoosh open.

Abby jumps away from him as if burned by an invisible flame.

“Ladies first,” he says, gesturing to the open doors.

She smiles politely, wrapping her thin coat tightly around her body, and folds her arms across her torso to keep it in place. She offers him a nod as she passes and mumbles a quiet thank you.

Bob follows her out, cursing whatever powers are against him for putting Abby in his path. He’s holding onto professionalism by a thread that’s rapidly unraveling.

He’d regret it if he could, but the magnetic pull Abby has on him is something he can’t describe. There’s an inevitability in his attraction to her.

The sound of her heels echoes through the concrete parking garage. He’s watching her ponytail swing against her shoulder blades, follows it with his eyes, trying his best not to let them travel down to the swell of her ass. Again.

He realizes a beat too late that he hasn’t actually walked her to her car as much as he’s followed behind her. Now they’re at her car, a sensible black Range Rover in pristine condition, and she rifling through her purse for the keys.

He stands behind her left shoulder, catching another whiff of her intoxicating perfume. “Need help?”

“No, I got it,” she declares, proudly pulling the key out of her purse. Her smile is contagious enough that Bob feels the corners of his mouth turn upward.

She unlocks the door with a click and steps forward, but Bob reaches around her, grasping the handle before she can.

He steps forward, forcing Abby to turn around so her back is against the side of her car, facing him. Her breathing is shallow, uneven, and her eyes flitter around before landing on him.

“Sir?”

He hums as the hand that was on the door slides up behind her until his palm finds the back of her head. 

“What are you doing?” She asks, voice breathless and trembling. Anticipation hangs in the air between them, and the chilly night air does nothing to ease the tension.

A soft breeze carries her scent to his nostrils as he grasps the tie that holds her dark hair in place and pulls it. As it comes loose, Abby’s hair falls in a cascade down her back.

Her gaze holds his now, transfixed. “Why did you do that?”

Bob tosses the hair tie to the side. He slides his fingertips up her arms, reaching behind her and gently bringing her hair over her shoulders so it falls around her face instead, framing those round cheeks.

“Because I like it down,” he tells her, voice so quiet he can barely hear it himself. Abby’s chest rises and falls, and he feels it against his chest. The sensation makes his cock stir, heat spreading in his abdomen.

He sees a silent war in her eyes, and whatever she’s fighting against wins as she places a hand on his chest. She grasps his tie, but doesn’t pull at it, just holds it in her hand.

They don’t say a word. Just look at each other, daring the other to make the first move, to change whatever’s going on between them.

Bob knows what he wants. Her. He wants to kiss her neck, leave marks there and claim her as his. He wants to run his tongue along her folds as she moans and begs for him to keep going. He wants to plant himself deep inside her, make her chant his name, paint her insides with his cum, and watch her struggle to speak afterward.

The allure of having her is almost enough to make him cross that line he’s long hesitated to approach. His desire for Abby makes him vulnerable, and that’s what eventually makes him step away from her in that dimly lit parking garage.

Her hand falls from his chest. He holds the door open for her, but she remains in front of him on the ground. She draws her brows together, creating a cute indent between them, which he aches to smooth out.

“Goodnight, sir,” she finally says, hoisting herself into the driver’s seat.

He offers her a tight-lipped smile. “Goodnight, Abigail.” He closes the door and takes another step back, breathing a sigh of relief as tension leaves his body. 

The engine comes to life, and Abby offers him a small wave as she pulls out of her parking space. He doesn’t return it, but finds himself alone in the garage with the ghost of Abby’s hand still on his chest.

He pulls his phone out of his pocket and dials his driver.

likes are nice, but reblogs and comments are motivating

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[me-myself-and-my-fos]

Thanksgiving Surprise

Pairing: Bernard x Nic Blake

A/N: First Bernard fic! Big changes to the ship!

Nic having stomach issues wasn’t uncommon. In fact, both Edith and Frankie had the flu back to back, causing at least Bernard or Nic to be sleeping in the room with the youngest girls. And just a week prior Autumn caught a stomach bug from school that caused her to miss a few days. So spending a few minutes a day (and occasionally late in the evening) hunched over a toilet spilling her guts into it was expected. Having four children ensures someone else in the house will get sick, and more likely than not that person ends up being Nic or her husband as they’re the caretakers. But this felt different and had gone on for a suspicious amount of time. At first she assumed it perhaps had something to do with her cycle; it happened once before, years prior to any of the girls being born and it was confirmed to be a hormonal issue. But looking back at her calendar, Nic grew worried when she realized she had missed an entire cycle despite being on her pills. Still, a sinking feeling settled into her, a feeling that was confirmed as she sat on the floor of the first floor bathroom.

The Thanksgiving get-together they were hosting was boisterous and exciting outside the bathroom door. The girls were excited to have their Aunt Abby visiting, and they were more excited to find out their father invited Santa and Mrs. Claus. Frankie and Edith were practically bouncing off the walls all morning. It got worse when they actually arrived.

Through the door, she could hear her oldest daughter eagerly telling Abby about the book she was reading in class. She could hear the ramblings of her youngest, their baby girl, as she told Mrs. Claus all about her teammates on the swim team and their coach. She knew that Edith and Elsa were in the kitchen helping Bernard with getting the sides for Thanksgiving dinner ready, and most likely sneaking pieces of stuffing. But it was all muted as she stared down at the positive pregnancy test that was about to change the dynamic of their family.

Taking a deep breath, Nic washed the test before setting it on the edge of the sink and washed her hands. When her hands were dry, she stepped out of the bathroom and closed the door behind her. Bernard came into the living room with Edith and Elsa who joined their sisters at the coffee table. They were making their own turkeys by outlining their hands. It was a tradition. Abby sat on the couch behind them, Carol to her left and Santa in the recliner.

“This is one of the things I miss,” Scott said to Abby as they watched the football game on the TV. “There’s not really any sports channels at the North Pole.”

“Or time to watch the game,” Carol added humorously.

“Mommy, look at my turkey!” Frankie held up the partially finished turkey. Her hand was still so small, and it was starting to make Nic tear up.

“That’s so good, firefly. It’s going to look amazing on the fridge.” She bent down and pressed a kiss to Frankie’s head. The seven year old looked pleased at her mother’s approval.

“Speaking of time,” Scott spoke up. “Bernard, Nic, thank you two for inviting us for Thanksgiving. The Pole’s been so busy.”

“Of course. I remember how busy it gets so close to Christmas,” Bernard said.

“It also gives the kids a chance to get their feet wet for when they take over,” Scott added.

Nic quietly stepped over to her husband and rested a hand on his arm. “Hon, can we talk? In private?” She asked quietly.

This caught him off guard, and he looked at her in surprise. “Now? Can it wait? The turkey’s almost done.”

“It’s important,” she told him sternly.

“I’ll take the turkey out,” Abby spoke up, noticing how tense her best friend was. Nic didn’t often speak in hushed tones, especially not when the girls were awake or in the room.

He sighed and nodded, allowing his wife to pull him towards the bathroom. The girls were too caught up in their hand turkeys and talking to their guests to notice. And once the door shut behind them, Nic visibly relaxed, but only slightly.

“What did you want to talk about?” Bernard asked, growing a bit worried about the nervous energy coming from her.

“Do you remember that weekend in September when we went down to the Oceanfront and… reconnected?”

“I don’t think I could ever forget that,” he replied, a bit blissful from the memories of the weekend. “We should do it again, maybe make it a yearly thing.”

Nic sucked in a deep breath. “You might want to table that idea. We might have done a little too much reconnecting…” She nervously glanced away from him as she reached for the pregnancy test on the sink behind him. “Because I’m pregnant.”

Bernard went pale as she spoke. “What?!” He half-shouted, half shrieked in surprise and shock.

Everyone in the living room paused, having heard his voice through the door. But the oven beeped, drawing Abby’s attention and getting her off the couch. Autumn and Elsa quickly followed to help with setting the table.

“Is that a metaphor?” He asked quickly. “As in you’re expecting news, preferably good news.”

She shook her head. “No, Bernard. It’s literal; as in our family of six is about to be seven.”

“How did this even happen? Aren’t you still on your birth control?”

“Yes, but it’s not a guarantee,” she reminded him. “Besides, the hotel gave us plenty of complimentary things. Contraception was not one of them.” She sighed, setting the test down.

A silence fell over them and he reached to take her hands. Despite the very obvious anxiety on both of their faces, Nic felt comfortable knowing he would be there.

“What are we going to do?” He asked quietly. “What do you want to do?”

“I… I want to have this baby. I don’t mind growing our family. Do you?”

He shook his head. “If it’s with you, I don’t mind one bit.”

Her shoulders fell, the weight of the anxiety and fear beginning to leave. Bernard pulled her against him, and she held onto him tightly. Her face was buried in the fabric of his sweater as she spoke.

“We’ll probably have to move.”

“Probably.”

“Maybe they’ll have a Black Friday deal on houses or something,” she joked.

Bernard laughed. “Maybe.”

Silence fell over them again, and he heard Nic sniffle. It was a telltale sign she was crying, or about to.

“How are we going to tell the girls?” She mumbled quietly. “Frankie’s the baby, she might have a hard time dealing with a baby sibling. And what if they all start feeling neglected because our focus is on the new baby? What if none of them want a new baby sibling? Is this really what’s best for the family?” She was tearing up the longer she spoke, and Bernard chuckled as he gently pulled away.

“I remember this. I don’t miss it,” he said lightheartedly.

“Don’t miss what?” She asked, sniffling again.

“The anxiety that causes you to overthink which triggers a mood swing and makes you upset.” He reached up to hold her face in his hands, wiping away stray tears with his thumbs. “Frankie is only a year older than Autumn was when she was born.”

“But they’re not little kids anymore.”

“Sugar Cookie, the girls will be fine. We’ll talk to them. We’ll check in with them. We’re going to get through this and we’re going to do it together, okay?”

Sniffling again, Nic nodded. “Okay.”

A grin broke out on Bernard’s face. “We’re having a baby.” The smile was contagious and Nic found herself with one as he kissed her happily and softly.

“We are,” she laughed breathlessly.

There was a knock on the bathroom door and Abby’s voice came through. “Is everything okay? Dinner’s ready and everyone is just waiting for y’all.”

“We’ll be out in a minute,” Bernard called. They heard Abby’s footsteps lead away from the door and he looked at his wife. “Want to go tell everyone the big news?”

“I don’t think Thanksgiving dinner is the right time,” she admitted. “I want to at least tell the girls after everyone is gone, though.”

He nodded. “Okay. Then let’s just enjoy Thanksgiving dinner together, as a family.”

“As a family.” She smiled and opened the bathroom door before they stepped out to head to the dining room.

Tag list: @canongf @hyperionshipping @the-dark-fae-and-her-fos

[holfelderwrites124]

Severed Threads

Chapter 5: Respite or Run?

(Chapter 4: Hospitals)

Ian spends the remainder of his time in the emergency room alternating between sipping apple juice and dozing. Aisha and Paul stand out in the hallway for a while, tossing around ideas about helping Ian to understand how unhealthy his relationship with the McCartney’s is. John is left to keep an eye on Ian, a job that he takes to with no prodding. He pulls a chair up beside Ian’s bed and settles down.

Ian seems to not want to talk, and John is fine with that. There’s something comfortable about silence with Ian that doesn’t bother John the way it bothers him with others. It’s like silence with Aisha — something comfortable and calming and familiar. John scrolls through his phone with an occasional glance up at Ian. John tries not to let himself stare too long at those long eyelashes and waves of hair. Now is nowhere near the time to give into that tiny budding crush. Ian is struggling and is in no way shape or form available. Besides, John won’t risk damaging Aisha’s relationship with her best friend. He’s content to be a friend to Ian — if that’s the closest he can get, he’ll be okay.

Eventually, Ian’s labs and blood glucose tests come back in normal range, and Ian is released. All three of them have to argue with Ian for another five minutes until Ian is fully convinced to go home with Aisha and John. Ian fights valiantly, but ultimately his exhaustion sinks in and he just nods wearily.

“Fine. I don’t really care, I just need to lay down,” Ian says with a sigh.

“Then you’re coming to ours,” Aisha says firmly, taking Ian by the arm. “C’mon, let’s get you home where you can rest.”

Ian mutters something about not having a home, but John pretends not to hear it. Aisha side-eyes Ian, but says nothing. Paul just sighs softly and bids the three of them goodnight. He promises to call Ian the following afternoon to get him sorted, and John knows he means to make sure that Ian doesn’t spend another night in his car.

Aisha guides Ian to the car and slides into the back seat with him, passing the keys to John this time. The ride back to their apartment is quiet. Ian drifts off to sleep with his head rolled back on the seat within minutes of leaving the hospital. When they get back to their apartment, Aisha nudges Ian gently to wake him. He startles awake abruptly, eyes wide and panicked. John is certain Ian is about to lose it, but then his gaze lands on John. He relaxes instantly.

“Sorry,” Ian murmurs. “I thought … I just … sorry.”

Aisha pats Ian’s shoulder. “You’re okay, Ian. You’re safe with us.”

Ian offers her a small smile, and slips quietly out of the car.

Aisha sets Ian up in their guest bedroom, handing him a pair of her own flannel pants, as she is a bit shorter than John, and one of John’s t-shirts.

“Feel free to get up and raid the fridge later, Ian,” Aisha tells him. “You didn’t eat much, not really, and I know you have a deficit to make up.”

“Thanks. I’m … I really just need to sleep,” Ian replies quietly, already snuggling under the blankets. “I’m just really tired.”

Aisha smiles at him. “I bet. Sleep, then, and we’ll see you in the morning. Neither of us have shifts tomorrow, so you can sleep in and we’ll still be here.”

Ian nods. “Thanks, Aisha. I … I mean it.”

“I know you do, Ian.” Aisha studies her friend for a moment. She wants to broach the Abby-and-Dennis problem, but noting the way Ian is curling under the blankets, she decides against it. He’s tired, and frankly, so is she. “Sleep well.”

With that, she turns the overhead light off and retreats to find John.

Aisha shuts the door, leaving Ian in the warm glow of the bedside lamp. He stares at it for a moment, wanting it off but too tired and too cozy to reach out of his cocoon to do anything about it. He sighs and tucks his head into his chest. God, it feels good to be fucking alone.

Ian pauses mid-sigh. That can’t be right. He’s been alone the last several nights, and he hated it. He hated the feeling of desolation that enveloped him as he curled up in the back seat of his car. He hated the darkness of the parking garage. He hated how cold and alone he was. He hated … well, everything about it. And yet … for all that, if he looks real close at himself, Ian realizes that he never really wanted Abby or Dennis. Even as he cried himself to sleep those nights, he didn’t long for Abby’s arms or Dennis’s warmth.

Ian huffs and rolls over, pulling the covers up over his head. What the hell is wrong with me? Gone for several days and I didn’t even miss my partners?

The more he thinks about it, the more he realizes it’s true. He didn’t miss Abby’s strong grip around his waist, trapping him. He didn’t miss Dennis’s too-warm body — or the hands that always seemed ready to grope and grab at Ian’s own body. He didn’t miss the overcrowded bed, or sleeping on the edge with not enough blankets. At least in his car he had the emergency blanket all to himself.

Ian peeks out from his blanket nest, peering at the soft new-apple green of Aisha’s guest room. It’s calm in here. Ian can hear himself think for the first time in … ages, really. He takes a deep breath, noticing how his lungs fill with air in a clean, calm way. His lungs have felt clogged by Abby’s perfume and Dennis’s cologne for so long, he doesn’t remember when he last felt free to breathe. Aisha’s perfume is gentle, like a summer lilac, and John … John just smells fresh.

Ian sinks into the mattress, letting the softness of it soak into his tired, aching bones. His pain has flared so badly the last few days, from the stress of everything and the stiffness of the car seat. The soft sheets and mattress and blankets are so soothing and all of it is just his. God, he missed having a space that was just his.

He never liked living alone before, his demons were too loud and the apartment was too quiet. But with Abby and Dennis, it’s as if he has no private space. The house is Abby’s and Dennis’s, the kitchen is Abby’s, the living room is Abby’s, the bedroom is Abby and Dennis’s — come to think of it, Ian realizes that most of his personal items are in storage. He has no space in the house. The guest room is for guests. Ian is required to sleep in the main bed, unless he gets too anxious or restless — which has been most nights, lately. Ian doesn’t remember the last time he slept comfortably through the night.

But here, he feels safe. He feels like he has space to breathe. And he knows that he’s not truly alone. Aisha and John are just down the hall — probably talking about him, but that’s okay. They mean well, and he knows they aren’t bitching about him, like Dennis does.

Ian closes his eyes with a sigh. He’s safe. He’s safe, and he can rest. He can sleep. He can settle in, let his bones recover, let his mind wander, let his breathing even out …

Except he can’t.

Five minutes later, ten, fifteen … an hour passes, and Ian’s eyes finally pop open again. He huffs and sits up, rubbing his eyes.

“Fuck,” he mutters to himself.

His mind is running, spinning, dancing around what Paul said to him this evening, what Abby screamed at him several days ago, what he knows Aisha and John are whispering about him in the dark. He feels that familiar tug of anxiety in his blood, that swirling, nauseating, growing, churning monster that threatens to overtake him completely.

He needs to move.

Ian tosses the covers back with a sudden violence and rockets to his feet. He needs to move. Pacing won’t be enough. He needs … he needs to run. Ian yanks on the zipper to his go bag and rifles through it until he finds his running shorts and shoes. He grabs a random t-shirt and frantically starts to change.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Ian knows that this is a bad idea. He knows that, but every time the urge to run strikes him, he gives in. It’s happened before. Sometimes the anxiety crawls up his veins — he can feel it’s little legs digging into him, inching along. He hates the feeling. The only way to get it to go away is to run — as fast and as far as he can.

Ian knows night running in Philadelphia is not the best idea he’s ever had. But John and Aisha live in a fairly safe neighborhood. At least, that’s what he tells himself as he tugs on his  shoes. He heads to the door, pausing with his hand on the knob. If for some reason John or Aisha were to check on him, they might get worried not finding him. Ian sighs. He’s not used to having people care about him. Neither Abby nor Dennis seem to care — if they even know that he’s been gone. Ian can be silent as the night when he wants to be — it’s a learned response from his childhood. He’s used to sneaking around so that he doesn’t get caught.

Ian spots a note pad on the small desk in the room. That will do. He grabs a pen and scribbles down a note: went for a run, be back soon. Text if you need me. He tucks the note under the lamp next to the bed, and then quietly opens the door.

The hallway is dark and quiet, as is the living room and kitchen. Ian makes it to the door, wondering briefly how he’ll get back in. He knows Aisha has a spare key, but where she hides it is beyond him. For a moment, he considers turning back. But the anxiety is still crawling inside of him. Ian shakes his arms violently, trying to get the feeling to recede. He needs to move. With a soft huff, Ian opens the door, slips through, and locks it behind him. He’ll figure out the getting back in thing later. Right now, he needs to move.

John wakes up sometime around three in the morning. He doesn’t usually wake up in the middle of the night, but after lying there for a moment, he realizes that he’s worried about Ian. The night hadn’t gone the way it was supposed to, at all, and John hopes that Ian is sleeping. He tries to convince himself not to worry, but something continues to nag at him. Finally, John rolls his eyes and slides out of bed. If he’s going to just lay here worried about whether or not Ian’s blood sugar dipped again, he might as well check on their guest.

The first thing John notices upon slipping into the hallway is that Ian’s light is still on. Curious, John opens Ian’s door slowly, peering around it and expecting to see Ian curled up in the bed. Instead, he finds an empty bed. The covers are rumpled, as if Ian had attempted to sleep, but he’s nowhere to be found.

John jerks out of the room, peering down the hall at the guest bathroom. The door is open and the room is dark. Ian isn’t there. John steps into the guest room, looking around, half expecting to find Ian curled up on the floor or something bizarre like that. Instead, he spots a note on the side table. John feels his heart sink. Did Ian run away in the middle of the night? He snatches the note up and skims it.

“Jesus,” John breathes. “He fucking went on a run? It’s three am.”

John fumbles for his phone, pulling up Ian’s number. He hits the call button and waits impatiently, hoping Ian will pick up.

“Hello?” Ian sounds out of breath, and John wonders how long he’s been gone.

“Ian? What the fuck are you doing?” John hisses.

“Running?” Ian replies, sounding nervous.

“I got that from your note. Why are you running at three am?” John growls.

There’s only the soft panting of Ian’s breath for a moment. “I … I needed to think. About … everything.”

“Ian … Christ. Alright, fine. Where are you? Did you go to the gym?” John prays that Ian isn’t out running in the streets.

Silence. “No.” Ian sighs. He rattles off the intersection that he’s at.

“Fuck, Ian, that’s ten miles out. What the … what … shit.” John huffs. “Listen, I’m coming to get you. Stay there. I mean it. Stay there.”

“John, I’m fine. I’ll … I’ll head back.”

“Ian. You are not covering twenty miles by foot in one night. The fuck — no, I’m coming to get you and you need to stay put. Stay.”

Ian laughs softly. “I’ve done it before, John.”

Something in the way he says it -- sadly, without pride — gives John pause. “You — you have done this before?”

John can practically hear Ian’s shrug. “Yeah. What, you think Abby’s going to pick me up in the middle of the night?” Ian scoffs. “Hardly.”

John isn’t quite sure what to do with that bit of information. “We are talking about this when I get to you. Stay there and stay safe. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes, got it?”

Ian sighs. “Okay.”

John hangs up, mumbling under his breath about Ian’s stupidity.

“What the hell is going on?” Aisha’s voice startles John. He whirls around to find her standing in the doorway.

“Ian has decided to go on a run,” John says, voice flat. “I’m going to get him.”

“He what?” Aisha’s eyes widen. “He … went on a run?”

John nods. “Said he needed to think.” John shakes his head. “The idiot. He could have crashed his blood sugar. Jesus. I need to change. Can you grab me some juice and a bagel or something?”

“Yeah, I’ve got it. Fuck, idiot.” Aisha turns and heads to the kitchen while John jogs to their bedroom the change into jeans and a sweatshirt.

When John returns, Aisha has a bottle of orange juice and a bagel with cream cheese in a bag. “Here. Do you need me to go with you?”

John shakes his head. “No, I’m wide awake now. Besides … I don’t want to crowd him.” John pauses. “Unless you think you should go? Since you’re closer to him?”

Aisha shakes her head. “I think he needs you.”

John blinks. “What does that mean?”

Aisha raises an eyebrow. “I’m not an idiot, John. I know how you look at him.”

“Shit, Aisha—”

Aisha grins teasingly. “It’s fine. Actually, I’ve thought for a long time you two would work well together.”

“Aisha, I cannot come on to him right now. The guy is traumatized.”

“I know you can’t, and I wouldn’t suggest it.” Aisha steps into John’s space. “But he needs someone who cares right now. Someone who cares beyond just checking in on a friend. You won’t say it, or show it, but somehow, he’ll know that you care.” Aisha sighs and rolls her eyes at Johns confused look. “Listen, Ian assumes that Paul and I help out because we have to. ‘That’s what friends are for,’ he’s literally said that to me. But you? You’re an adjacent friend.”

John shakes his head. “I’m going to pretend I know what that means.”

“It’ll make a difference, trust me.” Aisha leans in to give John a kiss. “Be careful and bring that idiot home safe.”

John nods. “I will.” He huffs as he turns around. “Stubborn bastard.”

Taglist: @lofiyaketyblr

(drop a comment if you're interested in being added to my (tiny) taglist)

Chapter 6: Finding Ian

[ex0rin]

i couldn't let your birthday end without dumping some unsolicited torres whump in your inbox XD. happy birthday. love ya! 😘

ahh! Abby!!! 😭this was such a nice thing to wake up to! I'm always so happy to get unsolicited (but AMAZING) Torres whump from you! I'll always love that this is why we became friends originally aha nothing like bonding over scuffing up those perfect white shoes - you're such a wonderful person to have in my life I'm SO thankful for you ❤️

After the stifling heat of the packed ballroom, the November night air is refreshingly cool against Joaquin’s flushed face. He can’t stop grinning – high on the adoration of strangers, and more than a little buzzed from the champagne.

This is actually happening!

He still can’t believe it sometimes – that Sam gave him the wings, that he’s the fucking Falcon now. “Enjoy it,” he’d been told, at the start of this seemingly endless parade of galas and interviews and TV appearances. He hadn’t ever thought of himself as the kind of person to love the limelight, but yeah, he’s enjoying it.

He laughs to himself, loosening his burgundy silk bow-tie as he heads down the marble steps towards the formal gardens. It’s quiet out here, peaceful. He just needs a couple of minutes alone – to walk, breathe, ground himself, enjoy it. Then he’ll have to head back to the party; he’s the guest of honour, after all, and his adoring fans will be waiting.

Oh fuck, he really does have fans now. He laughs again, almost dizzy with the realisation, and his breath comes out in big, billowing clouds that drift up like smoke towards the stars. He tips his head back, watching them dissipate.

It’s a beautiful night, crisp and clear with a frosty full moon peeking out from behind a silhouetted row of bare poplars, and he wanders a little aimlessly, gravel crunching beneath his spotless dress shoes.

He’s not watching where he’s going, still staring at the moon, bright as a new dime on a dark navy bed sheet, when the path leads him around an immaculately manicured hedge and straight into the bulk of John Walker.

“Shit,” he hisses, shocked back to reality by the force of the collision. “Sorry, didn’t see you there. I...”

He recognises the guy almost immediately. He’s unmistakable, even dressed up in a regular black tux rather than the star-spangled supersuit he wore during his brief tenure as Captain America.

“Oh,” Joaquin says, “Hey, man.”

“Hey,” Walker replies, showing his palms as he takes a step back. “My fault. No worries.”

He’s slurring slightly, and Joaquin can smell the hard liquor on his breath despite the two feet between them. He looks like shit, golden hair dishevelled – eyes ringed with dark circles that somehow make his distinctive nose seem even more crooked. He’s aged about ten years in the two months since Joaquin last saw him, and there’s a vivid green and violet bruise blooming across his left cheekbone, yellowing at the edges.

“Shit,” Joaquin says again, taken aback. “What happened? You get into another fight with Barnes and Wilson.”

It’s the wrong thing to say; he knows it as soon as the words leave his lips. Walker’s gaze goes hard and furious, his stubbled jaw twitching as he clenches his teeth.

“The fuck did you just say to me?” he snarls.

“I...” Joaquin flounders. He lifts his shoulders in an awkward shrug, embarrassment filling the gaps left behind by his evaporating euphoria. “I was just joking, man. I didn’t mean...”

The punch catches him completely off guard. He hears himself make a weak yelping sound as Walker’s knuckles connect with the side of his face. Then he’s crumpling, left eye throbbing with a hot, immediate pain that puts another set of stars in the sky.

“Fuck,” he gasps, catching himself against the prickly hedgerow. “What the fuck?”

“You think that it’s funny?!”

Unnaturally strong fists grab at the front of his jacket, and he’s dragged back upright, his head spinning. Walker pulls him in close, close enough that Joaquin can feel the heat radiating off of his body. There’s something dangerous in his eyes, a barely restrained violence just begging to be let out. It sends an almost primal shock of fear down Joaquin’s spine.

“Am I a fucking joke to you?”

“No,” he mumbles. “No. I...”

Walker shakes him so hard that his teeth rattle. It feels like his brain is bouncing off the sides of his skull, like it’s going to liquefy and pour right out of his nose. He pushes hard against Walker’s chest, but he might as well be trying to move a mountain.

“I didn’t mean...”

“I know what you meant,” Walker hisses.

A quick kick sweeps Joaquin’s legs out from under him, and he’s on the ground before he can react, the heavy impact reverberating through his body. He tries to sit up, but Walker’s suddenly on top of him, big hands curling around his biceps and driving him back down into the gravel.

“You think that you’re better than me, huh?” Walker demands. He leans in, grabs Joaquin by the jaw like he’s trying to break it. “You think you’re a real hero, don’t you, pretty boy?”

ALSO: this Torres and this Walker pls:

[floraltypes]

Owe Me a Coffee

who - gibbs x reader 

tw - mentions of sex, fires, blood, beatings, death

an - I took french for two years, but I’m not fluent and had to use a translating app so I hope it isn’t too bad ! Request something as well, I finally got them working :)

uneditied :/

“Damn you DiNozzo,” You cursed, staring at the man and moving your hand to smack him up besides the head.

You couldn’t help but think back to this morning, getting stuck with the annoying, cocky, flirty, obnoxious, co-worker. Doing a undercover mission with him definitely wasn’t your first choice, you’d rather do paperwork at this point.

“Huh?” You looked at Gibbs like he had just said a alien had landed down at the NCIS building asking for you. “You want me with Tony?”

“Yeah, did I say it in some other language? You and DiNozzo are going undercover, found a marine’s wife dead, along with her killers. Abby was able to access their computers and found out they were doing hit man work, and the director wants us to locate their boss. But since the two are dead now, we need some people to go undercover, you two,” He reminded you, reading the case the five of you were all taking on now.

“Oh, ho, ho!” Tony laughed, grabbing your hand and pulling you towards him. “Looks like little Y/n finally gets a chance with the Tony master.”

“Tony master? Is that another cocky Tony name to make him feel better about himself?” Ziva wondered.

“It’s what my last babe called me, the master, so why not add Tony in front of it?” He smiled, getting smacked in the back of the head by Gibbs.

“You’ll be undercover, not as yourselves. So, refrain from the names DiNozzo.”

“Got it boss!” He exclaimed, shooting you a wink before you turned back to your computer.

“L/n, Elevator, now.” Gibbs commanded, and you quickly stood up to follow after him.

“Do you ever wonder who Gibbs is getting it with?” David asked, standing beside DiNozzo and McGee as they watched you and Gibbs enter the elevator.

“It’s ‘getting it on with’ and yes, I think we all do.” Tony corrected her. “But I doubt he is, because if he was, he might be happier.”

“Well, just because you go to school, it doesn’t make you smart. A perfect example is you, Tony,” David turned towards the man with a smile and pinched his cheek, Tony slapping the hand away.

“I actually get some, doubt Probie has ever had any.”

“Well, I actually-“

“If you have to say ‘actually’ while talking about sex it’s probably a lie. So, probie, just dream out your fantasies without getting them mixed up with real life,” DiNozzo smirked, smacking his back while moving to his own computer.

You were on the elevator, looking at your boss who clicked the ‘Emergency Stop’ button, causing the transportation to pause its route.

“Yeah, Gibbs?” You leaned onto the back of the elevator, a small smile playing out on your lips as you smiled at the man.

“I’m putting you on because I need someone convincing. So, put on your acting skills and make it work,” He mentioned, taking a sip of his coffee.

“Yeah, yeah. I took drama for two years in high school just for this moment,” You joked. “You’re going to owe me a nice, creamed, coffee because of this.”

“And if I don’t? Right now, I’m your boss, I can’t be your boyfriend.”

“Good to know, boss.” You moved in front of him and unlocked the button. “I’ll keep that in mind for my acting, I just hope you don’t mind, boss,” The doors soon opened and you exited, walking into Abby’s area.

“Ah Gibbs! L/n! What do I owe this pleasure?” Abby greeted, taking a large sip of her drink.

“Are you running the prints on the gun found by the female hit man?” Gibbs asked as you took a seat on one of Abby’s chairs.

“Of course!” Abby hopped up and moved over to her machine, pointing to it, showcasing that it was running. “Working on it right now. But, I don’t think you’ll find much luck with it considering it was the same gun used to kill the commanders wife.”

“Well, we don’t know that for sure, so work on that. L/n,”

“But I want to chat with my dear friend before moving on,” You whined, while he shot you a stern look in return. “I’m going,” You quickly stood up, following the man out.

“I want you to go upstairs and get ready with DiNozzo,” He demanded and you just nodded.

“Right. On my way!” You yelled, running to the elevator. “I’m thrilled for this, but even more thrilled to finish this mission and go on a date,”

“Have fun with that.”

“I will! Hopefully Palmer will as well,” The elevator doors shut and Gibbs continued to make his way down to the Autopsy room to speak with Ducky. Now, not to thrilled at the mans assistant.

You arrived back upstairs, looking at the agent who had his feet on his desk and talking on the phone.

“Who is he chatting with? Gibbs wants us ready,” You commented, moving by Ziva and McGee who were watching him.

“Some girl, someone named Louis,” McGee answered.

“That sounds like a older woman’s name,” Ziva added.

“Yeah. Hey, McGee,” The man looked up from where he was watching DiNozzo and turned to face you. “Remember when you gave me food poisoning, and felt so bad you promised you give me a favor. Well, I want to turn that in now,” You smiled at him, writing down a note on a piece of paper and handing it to him.

“What are you up to?” Ziva asked as McGee left the two of you, heading to his own computer.

“Having some fun with a certain co worker who is going to ruin my night,” You got up from Ziva and moved over to DiNozzo. “Who are you chatting with?”

“A babe,” He mouthed, smiling as you could hear the little rambles on the phone.

“Gibbs wants you ready to go in twenty. And I know it takes you thirty to just do your hair, so, maybe you should cut the phone call.”

He put his hand to cover the speaker on the phone, taking his legs off the desk, and leaving in closer to you. “And you need forty to suck in that gut,”

You laughed, reaching over to grab the phone and putting it to you ear. “Tony! I got you your superhero costume, sweetie! We can now go and dress up together, but not in those tighty whities,” You voiced into the phone, slamming it down and looking at his stunned face. “Never comment on a woman’s weight, now, get ready for tonight because I’m not easy to please.”

The man mocked you for a moment and then left his desk, you turning to look back at Ziva.

“Impressive,” She complimented, walking by you and patting your shoulder.

“Thanks, I’m just starting,” You smiled at the girl, grabbing your gun and sticking your knife into the pocket inside your custom made boots.

You soon got yourself ready in a nice short, red dress that fit your body well enough that you were comfortable, and able to hide a knife around your thigh area.

“Ready yet Y/n?” DiNozzo knocked on the door, fixing his tie and suit.

“Wow Tony, you do know how to clean up,” Ziva commented, coming up behind him, in front of the restroom door, with McGee.

“Thank you, Ziva,”

“Well, besides the tag sticking out in the back. Are you really that cheap? I thought you took, uh, pride in your choice of clothing,”

“I don’t see the point on wearing something very expensive to a undercover date,” He told her back.

“You also missed a spot when shaving,” McGee pointed out, pointing to the far right side of Tony’s face.

“Shut it Probie. At least I didn’t need mommy to help me shave in highschool,”

“Abby told you about that?”

“Well, now she did,”

You opened the door and flattened your dress, then fixing a ring on your pointer finger and smiled at the three other special agents.

“Tony, didn’t you need your mom to help you do your laundry in highschool? Not one to speak,”

“You look well. Didn’t know you were even able to-” You whipped out your knife from underneath your dress and pointed it at the man. “You look stunning, great, nice.”

“Looks like you’re on a thin glacier, Tony,” Ziva laughed.

“I think it’s thin ice,” McGee corrected.

“Same thing!” Ziva threw her hands in the air. “Y/n, I didn’t know you had those moves,”

“Yeah, not a lot of people do. I like to hold some secrets with the team, and my past career is one of them,” You smiled.

“Let’s go,” Tony gripped your hand and intertwined it with his. “My love,” He gritted through his teeth.

“Not too convincing DiNozzo,” Gibbs walked over, smacking the back of his head. “You don’t treat a lady like that. Grip the hand like this,” He smoothly let his hand move its way to yours and he gently connected it with yours. “Even McGee knows this,” He smiled at you and let your hand go.

“I-I know how to do it, boss. Just- nevermind,” He grumbled, loosening his grip.

“I’m starving, care to escort me to the car, Armon?” You got yourself ready to take on your character, smiling at the man besides you with one as if you were really happy with the situation you were in.

“Anything for you, Belle,” The two of you made your way out of the building. Your fellow co-workers watched as the two of you walked away, yet, you were both still messing with each other and hitting while walking out.

“My last wife tend to do that,” Gibbs commented, soon making his way after you two to get into his own undercover van.

“Is that a normal thing for American couples?” Ziva asked McGee.

“Well, I’m not sure. But I have seen plenty of married couples do that, so they’ll fit right in,” He answered, the two then leaving as well.

Once arriving to the hotel, you waited for DiNozzo to open your door and grab your hand to lead you out of the car and into the new building. While clutching your purse and waiting behind a few other guests who were trying to get in, you turned to fix Tony’s glasses and clicked the ‘on’ button.

“Looking swell, honey,” You smiled at him as he placed a arm over your shoulder.

“Thank you. I’m thrilled we were able to get these reservations, dinner should be delicious tonight. You’ll be getting the salad, like normal, correct?” He looked down at you and you stepped on his foot as the line moved forward.

“Oh my! I’m so sorry! I always have the most trouble in heels like these, oh the line, hurry up now!” You voiced, walking into the hotel and following everyone else into the dining area.

“We should look for our names now,” He told you, sneaking up from behind as the two of you searched the tables for little cards with your last names on it. “Bingo! Right next to the Lezarres,”

“Oh and the Garndels are here as well. I’ve heard some things about them,” You added, letting Tony pull out a chair as you took a seat.

The both of you introduced yourself to the other couples and went through the night engaging in some small talk about politics and the food. You and DiNozzo had done a swell job at it and you retreated to the rest room at the end of dinner to hear any new news.

“So, what’s the update?” You asked into the little microphone hidden in your bracelet.

“There’s a hotel room in your name, bought out by your boss and, uh, boss wants you two to stay in there,” McGee told you into the ear piece which was located in your right ear.

“Great, more time with that stupid bastard. He couldn’t shut up about himself at dinner, like always, I’m really contemplating divorce,” You muttered, fixing your lipstick as another woman walked out, moving to wash her hands.

“I know just how you feel, best of luck,” She mentioned before walking out.

“Thanks,” You spoke back to her before turning your attention back to the mirror. “Do we think this boss of mine is going to go after the commander of that wife?”

“Yeah, Gibbs want you to stop him before he does. We have no clue who the boss is but he will be visiting the both of you tonight,”

“Got it,”

“Y/n!” Gibbs spoke now into the earpiece on the other end.

“Yeah?”

“If he got the hotel room, expect it to be bugged. So, you better act,”

“No worries. I’ve had to act in the bedroom before, and past boyfriends sure believed it,” You walked out of the bathroom and stood next to Tony. “Hun, my feet are killing me. I think it’s time we head to the hotel room and rest,” Tony nodded and stood up from his seat. The both of you said a goodbye to the couple and got your key from the front desk, soon getting into the elevator.

“So, a hotel room? Really want to sleep with me tonight, huh?” Tony laughed to himself as you positioned yourself in front of him and kissed his cheek, soon moving your lips closer to his ear.

“Room could be bugged, even the elevator, time to act,” You whispered, pulling back and placing a small kiss on his lips.

“Oh dear, if you really want me no need to ask,” He moved a arm around your waist, pulling you into his side a bit.

“The bags should already be in the room,” You smirked at him, and were soon at your level, the both of you getting off the elevator.

Once getting into your room you took off your heels and placed your bracelet on the table.

“I’m going to take a shower, care to join?” You commented, moving to the bathroom and starting the shower.

“It would be my pleasure,” He walked into the bathroom and started to unzip his pants.

“Babe, be patient,” You slapped his shoulder. “Turn around now, you know how self conscious I am,”

“That’s why I warned you not to eat that cake at dinner, my piece too,” He grumbled, turning around and lifting up his shirt as you took off your clothes and stepped into the shower.

“It was just so good! Being the loving, husband you are, I knew you wouldn’t mind,”

“Yeah, anything for you,” He stepped into the shower while your arms were trying to cover your breasts and vaginal area.

“Don’t look, just act,” You quietly scolded. “And try to cover your, uh,” You subtly moved a finger to point in the downwards direction and he quickly moved his hands there.

“Need another hand to help cover yours?” He joked, moving a little closer.

“I’ll kill you,” You mumbled. “Oh! Armon!” You moaned, Tony sending a sly smile and grunting. “You look like you’re enjoying this,”

“Might want to cover up that breast a little better,” He removed one hand to point at your left one.

“Damn it,” You did just that and reached for a towel which was on the toilet lid. “Ah, soap in the eye,” You voiced louder, just in case the man was listening and skeptical about it. You turned around from Tony and wrapped it around your chest area, then moving both hands to block your other.

“You really think they’re listening to us in here?”

“A good boss would. Especially if he is in this type of business.”

“I hate to know about some of your previous bosses,”

“Oh! Right there! Right there!” You yelled. “Yeah, you would. Most of them are dead though, so you won’t have to worry about that,”

“Old age, huh? What’s with old men being bosses anyways?”

“One was, but that’s not how he died. Man was a perve, had it coming,” You shrugged.

“You killed him?!”

“No, no. Not for that reason,” Tony’s mouth dropped. “Ah!” You yelled loudly, then making your breaths sound loud. “Gosh you are one messy man, good thing we did this in the water,” You smirked at DiNozzo who just mocked you.

“And you still are the easiest to ge-”

“I’m getting out now, you should too,” You removed the towel and let it drop to the floor of the shower, covering your breasts and looking for a robe, soon wrapping it around you.

While leaving the bathroom to grab your shirt and pants you heard the phone in the room start to ring and quickly rushed to it.

“Hello, Belle,” The man on the other line spoke into the phone. You could just imagine what he looked like, some rich guy with a cigar in his hand wanting some job done.

“Bonjour Monsieur,” You spoke, grateful that your mother had taught you french when you were young. “C’est qui je pense?”

(Hello, sir. Is this who I think it is?)

“Oui. Retrouvez-moi dans le salon. À neuf heures,”

(Yes. Meet me down in the lounge area. At nine o’clock.)

“D’accord. Au revoir,”

(Okay. Goodbye)

You placed the phone down, and grabbed your clothes, quickly changing into them as Tony emerged from the bathroom with his wet hair clinging to his forehead and a new, comfortable outfit on.

“Who was that, dear?” He asked, sneaking over by you.

“Un ami,” You smiled at him, tapping his nose.

“Uh, yeah,” He nodded, clearly not understanding and you just tried to stifle a laugh. “You know, grandpa, uh, Gibbs, he wants us to figure out when we should have dinner with him,”

“Ah. How about we go over for a breakfast at nine. He just got his living room refinished not too long ago, correct?”

“Sounds good. And never call me a grandpa again, DiNozzo,” Gibbs spoke into both of your earpieces.

“It’s almost nine already. I should go and ask for a extra pillow, sweetie. Get the bed ready for us, can you?” You grabbed your hotel key and put on your special boots. “No need to dress so fancy for getting something so simple,”

“DiNozzo, go with her,” Gibbs commanded. “David and McGee are heading to the lounge area now,”

“You sure you don’t want me to come with?” DiNozzo asked you.

“I’ll be fine. It’s a silly little pillow, nothing too much,” You kissed his cheek and quickly left the room. While walking down the hallway to the elevator, you took a quick look around to make sure you weren’t being followed.

Once waiting for the elevator, you fixed your boots a bit and entered when the doors opened. There was no one inside, so you pressed the ‘1st level’ button. When getting near the ‘2nd level’ the elevator stopped, indicating someone was going to get on.

It was a staff member in their normal uniform. He smiled at you with blankets in his hand and entered.

“Puis-je vous aider avec quoi que ce soit, mademoiselle?” He questioned, pulling out a gun from his side and opened the elevator door once again for two new men to appear.

(Can I help you with anything, miss?)

“Oui. En me alissa the vivre,” You told him, one of the man entering the elevator and pulling you out, the man in the staff uniform having his gun pointed at you.

(Yes. By letting me live.)

“Tsk. Ne peut faire. Vous souvenez-vous de moi?”

(No can do. Do you remember me?)

“Vous n’avez pas l’air familier,” You spoke, getting dragged down the hallway as someone reached into your ear and broke the earpiece.

(You don’t look familiar.)

“Enough of this french,” The man who was dragging you sneered. “I want to hear this bitch speak,”

“Fine,” The one in the staff uniform sighed. “I don’t think you’re the person we’re looking for. It’s a shame you think we were that stupid to not know what our employees look like,”

“You’re just so intelligent,” You commented, getting kicked in the back of the leg.

“I was speaking. You really played it off, the whole sex thing. But it’s a shame you won’t have anymore time with him, he won’t get his little pillow. At least I won’t have to worry about the real couple anymore, they knew too much and I couldn’t let that get out. All I have to do is deal with you,”

“That will be harder than you think,” You told him, the grip on your arm tightening.

“I’m always a fan of having some fun,”

“They’re going to find the bullet your men used to kill the couple. You knew we were here since the beginning,”

“Correct,” One of the men opened the door and you were led in. “With you posing as the couple, you were able to gain a connection with the couples you were seated with. That way, we could then swoop in and learn more about them, giving us the opportunity to hack into their phone and get the passwords needed,”

“You’re stupid to tell me this. I could’ve figured it out on my own, my team probably already has,” One man then put you in a chair and started to tie you up, the one in the staff uniform kicking you in the gut so you fell backwards.

“Lift her up again. I want to have my fun before she must go, I hope you don’t mind the heat,” The second man lifted your chair up and a few more punches were landed on your body.

“Tu es une racaille,” You mumbled, trying to move your arm in the tight ropes.

(You’re scum.)

“Let’s go,” The head man told the other two. One of them grabbed a gas can nearby and started to pour it on the bedsheets. The head man grabbed a match from his pocket and lit it, throwing it on the bed for the flames to begin. “Au revoir,”

They left the room and you struggled to try and move one arm.

Meanwhile DiNozzo was in the elevator with his gun in pocket, going down to the lounge area.

“Y/n can’t hear us anymore,” DiNozzo voiced into his microphone. “Did she make it to the lounge?”

“No. Damn it DiNozzo, I told you to stay with her,” Gibbs spoke, looking at DiNozzo once the elevator door opened. “David, Mcgee, take the back entrance me and DiNozzo will take the front and head up,” He demanded.

Everyone split up. Ziva and McGee ran to the back to catch two men rushing out. They quickly aimed their guns at them and announced their presence, only to receive some shots at them.

Ziva was able to shoot down on of the men and the other surrendered, McGee cuffing the one and letting a police who arrived take care of them.

“We didn’t call for backup,” McGee muttered to Ziva.

“Yeah, uh, someone called into 911 about a fire,” The police pointed to a window on the hotel building. “People should be evacuating the building now, firefighters are on their way,”

McGee’s mouth dropped as he stared at Ziva.

“How odd it happened tonight,” Ziva mumbled.

“It’s obviously intentional!” McGee exclaimed.

“I know that. I hope those guys don’t die,”

DiNozzo and Gibbs started to rush up the stairs, they could feel a bit of the heat from the room and were able to catch the man in the staff uniform in the stairway.

“Sir, are you alright?” DiNozzo stopped, grabbing onto his shoulders softly. “NCIS,”

“I’m fine, just startled, I need to get out of here,” He waved his hands and tried to slip away from DiNozzo’s grip.

“DiNozzo, that’s him,” Gibbs quickly told the agent who soon put the mans hands behind his back. “Where’s our agent?”

“She won’t make it, a fire like that, no one would,” He smiled and DiNozzo led him down the stairs.

Gibbs continued to rush up them, into the hallway that was catching more and more on fire.

“L/n! L/n!” He yelled, looking around to try and find your figure.

He saw you emerge into the hallway, bloodied and bruised, some of your shirt on fire, and a knife in your hand. He rushed to your side, letting you lean on him.

“Y/n, can you hear me?” He asked and you shook your head a little, letting him fully help you down the stairs and out of the building.

He guided you to the ambulance who tended to most of your wounds, but you refused to be transferred to a hospital.

“You need to go,” McGee tried to convince you, standing by your side.

“It would probably be for the best,” David chimed in.

“Hopefully, they can fix your hair too,” Tony laughed, looking you up and down.

“Damn you, DiNozzo,” You stood and smacked the back of his head, while he just laughed.

“Go home you three, I’ll make sure Y/n gets home alright,” Gibbs came over, waving the three agents off who spared a small goodbye or hand wave. “You ready to go, idiot.”

“I almost died, and you’re calling me a idiot,” You chuckled a little. “Help me to your car?” You asked and he let you lean on him once again.

Once the both of you were in the car it was a very quiet ride. You didn’t talk to each other, just letting silence from the long day overtake each other. He truly was nervous for your safety, thought the two of you hadn’t been dating long he felt a lot of compassion regarding you and wanted to continue your relationship smoothly. 

“I really was worried. I told you not to go alone, you should’ve let DiNozzo go with you,” He finally spoke, once you were both in his driveway, sitting in the car, in the dark.

“I’m alive. Just got kicked around a bit, I’m super grateful I always carry that knife in my boot,” You softly told him. “Don’t worry about me too much, I may be younger than you, but I have experience.”

“I know that, just don’t be so stupid last time and take the help.”

“Fine,” Gibbs got out of his seat and moved around to your door, grabbing your hand and helping you out of the car. He smiled at the factor of how easily you trusted him to care for you. “I didn’t doubt you would get me for a minute.”

“Good, you should know that.”

“Only because you still owe me a date, and I did say I would let you pick this one out,” You looked up at him with a goofy grin. It amazed him that even with being beaten up a bit, and almost dying in a fire, you could make jokes with him. 

“I say we have the little date here,” He leaned down a bit to place a gentle kiss upon your lips, smirking into it a little bit, and then moving the way you were leaning on him so he would be able to pick you up. 

“Someone’s excited.”

“Let’s watch a nice movie on the couch. I bought some creamer, so, I can make that creamed coffee you wanted because now I’m your boyfriend but still pissed you made a stupid and life threatening decision in there,”

“Good enough. Palmer will have to wait. Poor kid,” You commented as Gibbs lead you to the couch and helped you rest on it, soon moving to his kitchen to start brewing a pot of coffee. 

“That idiot will be fine.”

“Yeah, luckily for him, though I won’t be able to atend, I do have a friend that will,” You smiled to yourself, imagining how that would be going right now. 

While you lied on the couch with your boyfriend who was, secretly, doting on you, giving you his undivided attention. DiNozzo was at a bar, chatting with someone while looking around for them. 

“She said she would be at this booth,” DiNozzo whispered to himself, wallking to the booth in the corner for where they shall meet. “God, she looked so good in her profile picture, I’m so- Palmer?!”

“Tony?” He looked up from his seat. “You’re Y/n’s friend? I guess I didn’t specify the gender, and she didn’t say a specific name.”

“Y/n? She’s not that good at compute- Damn, probie.” 

[punkrockmads]

Found Family

Abby Anderson x F! Reader Mini Series

FINAL CHAPTER

Song Used: Dear One, Mary Lambert

Chapter Fourteen; Dear One

*TWO YEARS OLD*

"I look ridiculous." I groan, adjusting the pale blue dress Kayla had helped me fix up a few weeks ago.

"You look beautiful." Kayla assures, running her hands down the lacy sides to smooth them out. I look at myself in the mirror. I have to admit, the dress is very beautiful. A beautiful ruffled skirt and rose patterned lace sides and metal buttons along the back, all a soft periwinkle color. I even let Kayla put a small braid in my hair on the right side, tucking it as well as the rest of my hair behind my ear. Kayla stands beside me, pulling me into a hug. "This dress really suits you." She says.

"I never thought I'd be getting married." I say with a nervous laugh. "I didn't think weddings were still a thing after the outbreak."

"Yet here you are." Kayla smiles. "You're about to marry the love of your life." I smile, feeling my hands shake.

"I'm nervous. Why am I nervous?!" I laugh. "I shouldn't be nervous!"

"Awww!" Kayla chuckles. "You're just excited! It's adorable!" She fixes her hair, loose strands of red falling out of her ponytail. The pink sundress she wears is the same style as the small white one she found for Evangeline.

"I can't wait to see Abby." I sigh, hugging Kayla. "Thank you for everything. You've planned an amazing wedding, Kayla."

"I'm your best friend!" Kayla smiles. "It's my job!" A knock at the office door pulls our attention toward it. Lev stands there wearing the same suit he wore when Evangeline was born. Kayla fixed it up so it would fit him better, seeing as it was too long in the first place.

"Y/N!" Lev smiles, running up and hugging me. "I'm here to walk you down the aisle!"

"Oh God it's already time?!" I feel my heart race in my chest, reaching into my pocket for the yellow paper I had written my vows on months ago. "Okay okay. Let me just go over these one more time."

"Nope!" Lev links his left arm with my right. "We're going now!" I turn around to look at Kayla. She gives me a warm smile, grabbing a bouquet Evangeline had helped her make.

"I'll see you out there!" Kayla whispers, hugging me tightly before walking out the door and around the corner.

"Lev." I mumble, staring straight ahead as I slowly walk with him out the door. "I'm terrified."

"Don't be." Lev says, squeezing my hand. "Remember, it's about you and Abby. Everyone who's here is here because they love you guys. They support you. You and Abby are the only people that matter right now, so just pretend it's only the two of you in this church."

"You're right." I nod, taking a deep breath. The music gets louder as we walk closer to the doors of the main room. She Keeps Me Warm by Mary Lambert. A song Abby and I have slow danced to a million times. "Thank you, Lev."

"You're welcome." Lev says as we stop right before the doors. "Ready?" I nod again, pushing the doors open and walking in with Lev. The flower petals Evangeline had thrown earlier litter the dark wooden floor. All of our friends and neighbors turn to watch. I can feel their stares, but the only stare that matters to me in this moment is Abby's. Her eyes are locked on mine, a huge smile on her face. I feel myself tear up, seeing how beautiful she looks. She decided to wear a suit that matches Lev's. It fits her perfectly, making her look like as incredible as a marble statue. A tear falls down my cheek as Lev lets go of my arm, standing me right in front of Abby. I take her hands in mine.

"You look beautiful." Abby whispers, tears sparkling in her eyes.

"You should see yourself." I whisper back, laughing quietly.

"Mommy!" A familiar squeaky voice calls from the front row. Evangeline wriggles her way out of the arms of Kayla's little sister, running towards me as the crowd laughs. I bend down and open my arms for her as she runs into them. I lift her up, holding her close as Abby and I pepper her face with kisses. "Can I stay?" Evangeline asks, wanting to stay close by her moms.

"Yes you can." I nod, smiling as I set her down by my feet. She sits cross legged beside me, watching as Abby and I listen to Kayla's mother, Eileen, speak a bit about the two of us. I can't tear my eyes away from Abby's, feeling so safe and at home here with her. The whole world seems to disappear when I look at her. I don't even notice Eileen say it's time for vows until Abby lets go of my hands, pulling a piece of notebook paper out of her pocket.

"Okay." Abby sighs, her hands shaking. "Y/N..." She looks at me with so much love and joy. "When we first met, you were floating down a river trying to figure out how the hell you were going to survive. And when I saved you, you threatened me. Even though you had no weapons and you looked like a half-dead drowned rat." Abby and I laugh at the memory. "That's when I realized 'Oh fuck, I'm falling in love!' Then you trusted me, you came home with me and let me give you safety and food and comfort. It kinda felt like bring a wild animal into my home for the first time."

Abby's chuckle is cut off by a sniffle. "When you woke up screaming one night after a nightmare and asked me to stay with you, I knew I wanted to protect you and do anything I possibly could to make you happy and give you the life you deserve just like you've done for me. You've been through so much and you're still the strongest woman I've ever known. You gave me your heart. You've shown me a love I never thought I deserved until I met you. Fuck, you even gave me my own family! I wanna spend the rest of my life loving you and treasuring every single moment I have with you and our family. I love you so much." Abby wipes her tears away as I reach into my pocket for my vows.

I wipe my own tears away as I look at my writing. "Well." I pause, chuckling a bit. "I mean how the hell am I gonna top that?" The guests and Abby laugh at me as I take a deep breath. "I'm not great with words or romance... or people, really. But, when I met you, I felt this comfort and love I had never felt before and it made me want to try to love people again. When I told you about my past, you didn't judge me. You supported me every step of the way and stepped in to raise Evangeline as our baby. You are my angel. You are my savior. I..." I sniffle, wiping away more tears. "I should probably get to the vows before I start sobbing." I laugh. "Abby and I fell in love with Mary Lambert's music after I forced her to listen to it with me and... one of her songs has always stuck with me and made me think of her. So... Abby, I'm gonna use it as my vows to you, if that's okay." Abby laughs quietly, nodding and urging me to continue.

I take a deep breath. "Where did you come from, bright star? What heaven did you leap from, dear love? How can I say your name without the sound of Autumn underneath my tongue? Without acknowledging the lovers who bent me in half? Bless them for bringing me to you. How can I say your name without also breathing the words 'My God, I found you!'" I pause, taking a deep breath as I feel tears pour down my cheeks. "How can I ever speak again with this mouth when it has found where it belongs? When you touch me, I am a bed of calla lillies. I will make a house for you and fill it with evergreens. I will paint sunsets on every wall so you can only see beautiful things." Abby watches me, sobbing quietly as her smile grows even bigger.

"How can I say 'love' without wanting to fold myself into you like a thousand paper cranes. Dear one, I was halved the moment I was born. The other piece of me is inside of your mouth. And I was found whole the moment you spoke." Every single eye in the room is teary, Abby full on sobbing as I pull her in for a tight hug. She hugs back, whispering 'I love you' over and over into my hair as she holds me in her arms.

"That was absolutely beautiful." Eileen says to us, wiping a few of her own tears away. "Now. If there are no objections, let's continue. Abigail, do you take Y/N to be your wife, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

Abby pulls away, locking eyes with me as she squeezes my hands. "I do." She nods, smiling at me. Her eyes shimmer, full of pure love.

"And Y/N..." Eileen pauses. "Do you take Abigail to be your wife, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"Damn right, I do!" I grin, squeezing Abby's hands as I nod at her.

"By the power vested in me. I now pronounce you, Mrs. And Mrs. Anderson. You may kiss." I waste no time grabbing Abby by her shirt collar and pulling her in for a long, passionate kiss. She immediately kisses back, her arms wrapping around me as the guests cheer. We pull away once our lungs are screaming for air, pressing our foreheads together.

"Holy shit." I whisper, chuckling with Abby as I look into her beautiful hazel eyes.

"Holy shit." Abby repeats, laughing harder. "I love you so fucking much."

"I love you too." I reply, kissing her once more. We pull away in surprise when Lev yells.

"Party time!!" Lev cheers, waving his hands in the air. He runs towards us, wrapping his arms around both of us as I pick up a giggling Evangeline. Kayla follows close behind.

"Group hug!!" Kayla yells, squeezing us. I wrap an arm around Abby, resting my forehead against hers once more.

"I love you guys so much." I smile, finding comfort in the arms of my loved ones. Abby gently puts a hand on the back of my neck, gently guiding me up for one more kiss. I let my eyes fall shut.

"We finally made that last name official." Abby smiles against my lips once we pull away.

"Yeah." I hum. "We finally did."

END

[redinkrain]

Come home.

3.

For a second, Abigael stayed still like a marble statue while Mel’s arms took place around her neck and sobs started to make themselves heard. Unsure of how to be a good friend, the hybrid delicately placed her own arms around the Charmed One’s waist. Posing her chin on top of the Latina’s head, she tightened her embrace and spoke with a gentle voice.

“Let it all go, Love.” Closing her eyes and inhaling a scent that she deeply missed during those few months. “It’s okay. You’re safe.”

The British Lady then stroked the witch’s back slowly, up and down, with the tip of her fingers. And Mel cried, cried for minutes, hours maybe. None of the two women were putting their attention on the time passing by. The Vera sister calmed down eventually with the soothing movement of Abby’s hand anchoring her. She took a deep breath and without letting go of Abigael’s neck, she looked into those hazel eyes that haunted her some nights. Most nights, when sleep did came. That damn expression tracing the woman’s gaze. That fucking same expression that always left Mel with the wish to be wholly swallowed. So much words unspoken. But the witch exhausted couldn’t brought herself to have this conversation with the half-demon half-witch, not right now.

Abigael used one of her hand and brought it up to the Latina’s cheek, wiping some tears that kept escaping the witch’s eyes. Mel leaned into her touch but her eyes stayed glued to her guest’s ones.

“I didn’t even say “hi”.” The witch whispered with a smile.

“Good evening, Love.” The woman answered with a small smile of her own and with that accent Mel liked so much.

Mel couldn’t stopped herself and so she put her friend in a new embrace, but this time, she hugged her tighter. Abigael responded to this act of affection with as much will and tenderness. Listening to the beating heart of the hybrid, Mel felt a tiny bit better. In her head and in her heart at list, because her legs? Well, it seemed that her two legs had her own agenda. The witch almost fell but Abby firmly kept a grip on her. She helped the Vera sister to sit back.

“You should rest, Mel. You’re exhausted. Have you eat anything today?” the hybrid asked, worries clear in her tone.

“No.” The Latina simply answered.

“Then rest here. I will go out and buy something for you to eat.”

The half-demon half-witch turned around and was about to leave when fingers gripped at her wrist.

“Wait!” Mel stated. “Can you stay a bit longer? We can grab something to eat on our way home, right?”

Home, what a strange choice of word Abby thought. She never had a home. Not really. What was a home anyway? Was it the same thing for everyone? Or did its definition changed depending on who you were asking? But then Waverly’s voice resonated in her mind “You do love her”. And Abby wondered: what if a home wasn’t a place, what if home and love were just parts of the same coin?

She gazed at Mel, and got down on one knee so the witch didn’t have to look up.

“Allow me to at least bring you something to drink. Tea maybe?” The British Lady asked.

Melanie’s eyes softened even more at that sentence.

“A tea would be great. Thank you.” She smiled at her guest.

“I’ll be back shortly.” Abby said while standing up.

She disappeared in a dark smoke before coming back five minutes later with a cup of tea. The hybrid gave it to the witch. Then, she went to take a stool and placed it in front of Mel. She sat on it and observed the Latina who was sipping her tea.

“So… Why are you here?” The Vera sister questioned quietly.

“Well, because your sister called me and silently asked for assistance regarding your current hunt on demons!” The ex-Demon Overlord said with a little scowl to make a point then it disappeared. “But honestly Melanie, I was worried about you and it was just the perfect excuse to come and do my best to help you in anyway I can… If you want of course.” She continued a little worried about Mel’s reaction.

“I’m sorry Abby…” The witch whispered.

“Why would you be sorry?” Now the hybrid was confused.

“Sorry for not texting you back, for not telling you about what happened. You deserve better than that.” The Latina looked away.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she kept her tone light with maybe a little bit of… hurt?

“I-, I don’t know Abby. I guess I-…” Mel was looking for the right words, but she wasn’t even sure to know what she wanted to say.

“You do not have to answer if you don’t want to.” The British Lady tried to be supportive of her friend.

“It’s just, I guess that seeing to pictures of you with your niece, reading your texts. I felt your happiness and I didn’t want to bother you with my pain.” She blurted out looking at the concrete floor.

Abigael took one of her hand and placed it between hers, tugging a little, sign for the Charmed One to look at her.

“Look at me, Mel.” That damn tenderness enveloping her voice again. “You will never trouble me with your sorrow. What you gave me... I will never be able to repay you. That happiness you mentioned? I am learning what it means, what if feels like and… Truthfully you are a part of its meaning. So, I want to be here for you, but only if you’ll have me…?”

The witch was speechless hearing this confession from the half-demon half-witch, but then again, it wasn’t the first time Abigael was being honest about what she was feeling for her.

“I’ve missed you…” she simply whispered.

The British Lady kept her mouth shut, knowing her friend had more to say, but the corner of her mouth curled in a smile. Her hands continued to envelop Mel’s one.

“Abby, I feel like I’ve lost a part of myself since she’s gone. And I know it’s stupid because present me is her past. But I can’t stop thinking of the future. What if changing the present will affect her in the future like you know... she won’t even exist…?” Tears started to flow again, and a river of it made its way on the Charmed One’s cheeks.

“Nothing of what you feel is stupid, Mel. You gave birth to your child, present or future, Eva was, is and always will be your daughter. She’s gone, Love, not lost. You said “goodbye”, not “farewell”. You will see her when the time is right. And of course, changing the present will affect her, but not the way you are thinking.” Abby posed. “Mel, you gave her everything she needed, providing her with security and healthiness. Her future will be bright, and if there is any shadow to come on her path? I have no doubt nor worry that you will be there to protect her once again. You have been an incredible mother to her in a past that she won’t remember and you will be, as I said, a fantastic mother in the future.” The hybrid finished her sentence with so much conviction that the Latina couldn’t disagree with her.

They stared at each other once more, and again Abby wiped away the tears that were still on the Vera sister’s cheek. Something in Mel’s heart burnt at the way Abby was acting right now. She thought about the half witch’s lips, about the taste of her tongue, and all she wanted to do was to lean in and kiss her. When she was about to do exactly just that, Abigael cleared her throat.

“Shall I take you home?” the hybrid questioned gently.

Melanie observed Abby’s eyes, then lowered her gazed to her lips, then her eyes again. A little smirk marked the half demon’s lips. Even though all she wanted to do was to erase this smirk from Abigael with her own lips, the Charmed One stood up straight. Her hand preciously locked up between the British Lady’s ones.

“Yes, please.” looking down at Abby, who was searching something in the witch’s eyes.

Abigael raised in one smooth movement and helped out Mel to do the same. They were so close that their nose almost touched the other's face. Their eyes locked and their lips were about to connect when Mel’s stomach growled.

Abby laughed at the sound, and placed a kiss on her friend’s forehead.

“Come on now Miss Walking Stomach, I think you need to be fed.” the hybrid said giddily.

Mel rolled her eyes at that nickname, and had to hide her smile while Abby turned around. They walked to the stairs and took the direction of the Vera-Vaughn-Greenwood’s Manor, hand in hand without even realizing it...

[dragon-kazansky]

Made with love | Helmut Zemo

Chef Zemo AU! 👨‍🍳

Gender neutral reader

Collage by @realremyd

Huge thank you to @rumblelibrary for helping me with the menu 😌💕 I've put a little surprise in this chapter for your hard work!

This chapter is shorter than the others. The next one is the finale. We are coming to the end :(

[Previous chapter] - [Next chapter]

Part 13

The sign had been repainted. You looked up at the way the sun was bouncing off the gold lettering. It made you smile.

Escorpión Morado.

Officially your favourite place on Earth. The place where you had tried the best Spanish food ever. The place that felt like home with it's welcoming atmosphere. The place you fell in love with a handsome chef.

Helmut stepped outside and smiled at you. You smiled back at him.

"What do you think?"

"I love it," he says.

"You didn't even look at it."

"I don't need to look to know it's perfect and I love it."

He snakes his arm around you and pulls you into his side. You chuckle softly as you both stand outside the restaurant.

The outside furniture had been updated, the menu was arriving this afternoon, and all the invitations had been sent out.

All that was left to do was open on Friday.

Helmut kisses your temple.

"The new menu is here."

You smile at him.

"Show me!"

He takes your hand in his and takes you inside. Over on the bar, the new menus were left sitting. You walked over, leaning into Zemo's embrace as his arm wraps around you again, and pick one up.

You smile.

The design was simple. The menus were white with purple and gold detailed around the edges. The food lists in neat text, each section clear and easy to read.

Menu Escorpiòn Morado

Starters

- Prawn marinated with rice and vinegar

- Croquetas with cuttlefish with alioli sauce

- Andalusian style squids

- Marinated white tuna with strawberries

- Fish salad (cod fish with prawns and vegetables)

- Tortilla of the day

- Patatas bravos (potatoes with spicy sauce)

- Pimientos de Padron (green peppers with spicy or mild sauce)

- Gazpacho

Main course

- Soup of the day

- Fideuà with fish of the day

- Paella (Zemo family style)

- Fish of the day with Patxaran and purple corn

- Monkfish with rhubarb and lilies

- Pigeon with nuts and armagnac served with aromas a vegetables

Desserts

- Catalan Cream

- Arroz con leche

- Milk Caramel

- Tarta De Santiago (Spanish almond cake)

- Sorbets

You gaze up at Helmut with a soft smile. He's waiting expectantly for your opinion.

"Helmut, this is amazing."

"Yes?"

"Yes! Goodness, I'd sit here and try everything if I could."

"Well, come right this way."

Helmut guides you into the kitchen. Sam, James, Wanda, and Natasha are all in there with some of the new kitchen staff. You had hired some talented chefs, though not quite as talented as your own, to help Zemo out in the kitchen when the plays reopens.

On the counter were plates. One of everything.

"I have made a sample of everything on the new menu. I want you all to try them, and be honest with me."

Everyone digs in.

You try everything. There isn't a single thing presented to you that you don't instantly love. You look up at Helmut to see his eyes on you.

You smile.

"I love everything."

He chuckles and comes to stand beside you again, wrapping you up in his arms.

"Do you mean that?"

"Of course I do. You're an incredible chef. It's one of the things I fell in love with about you."

He kisses you, ignoring the soft sounds of complaints from those around you. He turns to the group and tells them to hush.

Another figure walks into the kitchen.

"Ah, Y/N, this is Veronica. I thought, perhaps, you two would like to co-host out front."

You smile at Helmut.

Veronica holds out her hand and you shake it, greeting each other.

"What's left to do?" You ask, looking around the room.

"Just the bar and then we have to prepare for Friday."

"Speaking of the bar," Sam slides up beside you and hands you a menu, much like the first one, only this was a list of drinks.

Drinks (non alcoholic)

- Horchata (nut milk with cinnamon)

- Coffee with a splash of cream milk

- Granizado (fresh drink for summer, mixed fruits with ice crushed together, most commonly made with lemon)

- Lemon Beer

- Hibiscus Lemonade

Drinks (with alcohol)

- Vermouth

- Rebujito (sherry with a soft drink such as Sprite)

- Cava (Spanish champagne)

- Agua de Valencia (drink with vodka, gin, cava and orange juice)

- Morado de Verano (Escorpión Morado signature drink)

"Brilliant!" You grin at him. Sam smiles and takes the menu back, happy you liked what he put together.

You look around the kitchen and smile.

"I can't thank everyone enough for what you have all done. It means the world to me that you're all here helping me salvage something so important to someone so important," you say, glancing at Zemo. He smiles. "We don't have long. Chefs, you'll be expected to be here first thing Friday morning. Helmut will give you all the details then. Sam, James, you two will be on the bar, but give a shout of you need extra hands, Natasha knows a thing or two. Veronica and I will greet everyone as they come in and make sure they are seated. Wanda, will be head waitress that day, I'll introduce you to the others when they arrive."

Wanda nods.

"Friday is a big day. We have to show Sokovia that its5the little businesses that need the moat support. Not everyone is made of money like Tony Stark."

Everyone nods and mutters in agreement.

"You're all dismissed. Help yourself to the rest of the samples."

Helmut presses a kiss to your temple when you finish and guides you back out front. Your four other friends follow out.

"This is it."

Helmut comes to stand in front of you. He places his hands on your shoulders and looks you in the eyes.

"Thank you for everything."

You smile.

"I'm happy to help. This place became so important to me. You became so important to me."

He smiles back at you.

"The restaurant is important, but not more so than you," he tells you.

You tuck a strand of hair that fell out of place back to where it belongs. He tilts his head into your light touch and smiles softly once more.

"Are you ready?" He asks.

"Yes. Are you?"

"Yes."

Back at The Iron Grill Tony Stark was staring at his invitation. Heike and Pepper were present, just watching him. Strange was there too, but he was busy on his phone reading the updated online menu for the Escorpión Morado.

"Are we going?" Pepper asks.

He looks up at her, letting out a breath. He looks impassive as he turns the card back and forth between his fingers.

"Yes, we're going. We've been invited. We should follow up on it."

Pepper nods.

"All of us?" Heike asks.

"All of us."

You two brought guests, so he should too.

"What are you going to do?" He asks Heike.

She sighs.

"Talk to him. Change his mind."

Stark stands up from where he had been comfortably seated and looks at her.

"Make him sign."

She nods.

He looks over at Strange.

"Well?"

"It's a very good menu. Much more exciting than your own, actually."

Tony Stark grits his teeth in silence.

Friday. On Friday he will stomp all over Zemo's restaurant. People will see that only Tony Stark can bring life to this miserable city.

"I won't lose."

@namethathasnotbeentaken @belle82devart @cathrin2405 @lieutenantn @wilder-fangirl @latenightartist-author @lucky-luck-lucky @hb8301 @charistory @thatoneartgalsstuff @thesuitkovian @malkaviangirl @zemosimp420 @realremyd @the-chaotic-cow @lostghostgirl94 @zafiro-draco @lazygurl05 @pinkcutiepiee @goddessofmischief03 @whovianayesha @myybebe @awesomesauce-abbie @that-stupid-head-tilt-thing @swooning-for-mc-avoy @nonamec0s @apparrio @scuttle-buttle @alex-the-nb @my-blood-is-maple-syrup @greeneyedblondie44 @somethingthatsaysbubbles

[harrylovex]

MAN IN A SUIT

summary: you meet Chris at a wedding and he takes you back to his house...

warnings: fluff, smut, oral (female receiving), fingering, spitting, filthy dirty talk, alcohol usage

a/n: ummm this is my favourite thing i have written so far...i love wedding!chris ;) feedback is much appreciated and let me know if you have any requests! also please don’t hesitate to send me a private message if you guys ever need a friend to talk too. love you all lots!!!!!!

you were sat in a church, fourth row from the front, wedding leaflet perched in your lap. a smiling couple’s photo on the cover, welcoming you to their special day. you waited patiently for the ceremony to begin.

abby, one of your close work colleagues, was getting married today, and you were so happy for her. the church was beautiful, big paintings all around, softly decorated with flowers everywhere.

her husband to be was quite weathly, so they had gone all out with the wedding, guests had been arriving for the last half an hour and the benches were beginning to fill.

you sat quietly in your dress, looking around every once in a while. you didn’t have a plus one, you didn’t have anyone to bring. you were kind of shy when it came to talking to men, and so you had only ever had a few short term boyfriends in the 23 years that you had been on this earth.

as you sat daydreaming, the last few guests began to arrive.

suddenly, there was an ass in your face, someone squeezing past you, knocking your knees.

“oh! sorry!” you exclaimed, picking your feet up and letting the unknown person pass.

“no worries, it’s my fault for being late”, a deep voice said. you looked up at the man, the light shining around his face. he was gorgeous, you’d never seen anyone like him.

you smiled as he sat down next to you, his thigh rubbing against yours. oh my god, you thought to yourself, he was hot.

he was wearing a dark blue tux and looked incredibly handsome, his beard and smiling mouth making you swoon a little. you tried to hide the fact that you were blushing.

the man turned to you as he sat down, holding out his hand. “sorry i startled you a minute ago, i’m chris”.

his eyes sparkled, looking you up and down. you chuckled to yourself and shook his hand. his palm feeling big and warm against yours, goosebumps crawled over your skin, and you prayed to god that chris hadn’t noticed.

“i’m y/n”, you replied, smiling widely at him.

you both faced forward again as the music started up. abby’s husband was standing now at the altar, sweating a little. the huge doors opened at the entrance and abby slowly began to walk through, arm hooked into her dad’s as he walked her up the aisle.

you gasped a little, taking in how beautiful abby looked, her hair in curls down her back, a small tiara perched on her head. her dress was strapless and trailed down her back, reaching a few metres behind on the floor.

abby reached the altar and the priest began his usual routine. you sat back on the bench, distracted by the gorgeous man sat next to you, he was so close, and smelt so damn good.

he leaned towards you discreetly, keeping his eyes on the bride and groom.

“so...bride or groom’s side?” he whispered.

“bride’s, you answered. i work with abby, have done for the past few years.” his breath tickled your right cheek, smelling of spearmint toothpaste. “you?”

“also bride’s side, i’ve know abby since we were kids, i used to live next door to her.” chris returned to his earlier position, and you both sat in silence for the next twenty minutes. listening intently to the bride and groom seal the deal and say their vows. every now and then you would sneak a few side glances at him, seeing how the light shone on his face from the window. he sat with a small smirk on his face, his large hands perched on his thighs that were spread out, still touching yours.

just before the ceremony was about to finish, chris dropped his wedding leaflet on the floor in front of you. he bent forward to pick it up, grabbing your right thigh with his hand to keep himself balanced. you tensed at the gesture, feeling the adrenaline rush through your body. chris took his time sitting back up again, accidently banging his head on the bench in front of him in the process.

“shit”, he mumbled loudly, making you laugh.

“shh!” you both turned around, looking from where the noise came from. and old lady behind you scowled, holding her finger up to her lips. chris looked at you and raised his eyebrows, making you giggle again. you both turned back around, chris rubbing the back of his head with the hand that had just touched you.

you both sat in silence for the rest of the ceremony, finally getting up to gather with the bride and groom outside. just before you went to walk through the doors, you grabbed chris’ hand from in front of you, taking him by suprise. “can i stay with you outside?” you asked him. “i don’t really know anyone here apart from abby...and now you i guess...” chris stared at you, immediately making you look down at your shoes, regretting what you had said.

chris hooked his pointer finger under your chin, making you look up at him. “of course you can, love, follow me.” the way he called you love made butterflies explode in your stomach. he grabbed your hand again, pulling you through the crowd to the green garden out the front.

all of the guests were gathered around in small groups, champagne flutes in hand, chatting about the lovely ceremony that had just taken place and getting to know new people.

“can i get you a drink?” chris asked you, never letting go of your hand. “sure, champagne is fine.” you watched as he wandered off towards the drinks tent, taking in the sight of his body. wow, you never thought that you were going to meet someone so handsome and friendly today, funny how things can change.

chris walked back with two flutes in his hand, some black sunglasses perched on his nose, making him look even hotter than before.

“thank you” you said as he handed you your drink. he smiled at you, pulling you over to a group of people he knew, introducing you before striking up a conversation.

it was a few hours later, the evening creeping up on you. you had consumed quite a few glasses of champagne by now, the alcohol making you feel confident, but a little dizzy.

you had lost sight of chris about an hour ago, getting caught up in conversation with abby. chris had been wonderful, introducing you to everyone and now you had pretty much spoken to over half of the guests.

“y/n! come back to the house with me, i need help getting ready for the party tonight”, abby said, smiling. she still looked incredible in her dress, totally relaxed and happy. “i’d love to! let me just grab my bag.” you walked over to the cloak room area, searching for your small shoulder bag.

once you had found it, you sauntered back outside, eyes landing on chris a few metres away. he was caught up in conversation with abby’s dad.

his eyes met yours, his pupils a little dilated from the alcohol. he muttered something to abby’s dad, walking slowly over to you.

“hey. he said, grinning slightly. “hi”, you replied, laughing at him. “listen chris, i’m going back to abby’s to freshen up for the party later”. his expression dropped. “will I see you again later?” he asked, making your heart flutter.

“maybe...” you replied, smirking up at him. just before you turned away to leave, a wave of confidence came over you, and you leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, in a spur of the moment. “see you later” you whispered in his ear, your hand on the back of his neck.

you scurried off, leaving chris stood on the grass, cheeks tinted red, his mouth a little open.

you had been to abby’s, and now you were back at the venue, having a delicious dinner. sadly, chris was not on your table. but you made small talk with everyone, glancing at chris a few times as you sipped your way through a few gin and tonics. you were definetley taking advantage of the free bar.

you hadn’t spoken to chris since before you left for abby’s, and you were dying for him to approach you. he sat a few tables away, he had taken his blazer off, and sat in his trousers and white shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a silver ring perched on his middle finger.

your eyes met a couple of times throughout dinner and dessert, chris’ eyes staring into yours as you smiled at him innocently.

finally, people started to abandon the tables, moving over to the bar or onto the dancefloor. chris didn’t miss the opportunity, coming over quickly and sitting to your right. he hooked his fingers onto the underside of you chair and pulled you towards him, until your thighs and elbows were touching. he smelt of aftershave and beer.

“so...did you have fun at abby’s?” he questioned.

“yes I did actually, what did you do while I was gone?”

he smiled. “i hung out here with the groom and a few of the other guys.”

you looked over to chris, his eyes glistening. his tongue flicked out onto his bottom lip for a second, and you wondered what it would feel like to kiss him, what his hands would feel like roaming your body. the alcohol was definitely starting to take over your thoughts.

chris stretched out, snaking his left arm around your shoulders and resting it there lighty. you stared at his hand, his fingertips softly grazing your collarbone.

the two of you sat like that for a while, talking as if you’d known eachother since forever.

after a while, you started to feel a bit flustered. “can we go outside for a bit, it’s getting hot in here.”

“of course.” chris stood up, holding his hand out. you gladly took it, stumbling a little as the alcohol rushed to your head.

“woah!” chris caught you by the waist, his arm extending back around your shoulders.

“maybe i shouldn’t have had that last gin and tonic.” you laughed together, reaching the doors. chris opened them, letting you go through first. you gave him a small smile.

it was much quieter out in the open, and you started to feel much better after a few breaths of fresh air.

you turned around, looking for Chris and saw that he had gone round a corner and was leaning back against a brick wall, staring at you whilst he took a sip from his bottle of beer.

your eyes met his and you blushed, looking down. he gestured with his fingers to go over to him, so you did.

you slouched against the wall next to him in silence. you stayed like that for a few minutes, before chris spoke up.

“you know, i never thought i was gonna meet someone like you here today, i’m so glad I didn’t bring some random chick as a plus one.”

you laughed a little, running your hands through your hair. “if i knew i was going to meet you here i would have told abby to get hitched years ago.”

it was chris’ turn to laugh now. he took a long swig of his beer, as if for confidence, and moved to stand in front of you, placing his free hand on the wall next to your head.

his eyes bore into yours, leaving you speechless.

“can i kiss you?” he asked, his tongue slipping out to lick at his bottom lip.

you didn’t know what to say, so you just nodded, your heart beating out of your chest.

chris smirked, leaning in until your lips met.

his lips were so soft and warm, fitting like puzzle pieces against yours. you kissed him back firmly, your hands on his chest.

his hands wandered to your waist, squeezing slightly. you gasped at the contact, chris taking this opportunity to sneak his tongue into your mouth.

he tasted of beer, his tongue exploring your mouth. you’d never felt anything like it, you couldn’t believe that the hottest guy you’d ever seen was actually kissing you up against a wall. chris moaned into your mouth and you thought you might faint just by the sound.

you laughed a little under your breath, and chris pulled back, breathing heavily.

“what are you laughing at?”

“um...your beard is tickling me.”

he laughed out loud, smirking before moving to kiss along your jaw.

it felt so good. he moved down to your neck, his fingers trailing down your thighs, hitching your dress up a little.

pressing kisses along your throat, you lifted up his shirt a little, running the tips of your fingers up and down his abs.

he bit at your neck, soothing the sting with his tongue, making you whimper against his ear. chris had never heard a more beautiful sound.

his hands found their way to your painties, cupping between your legs.

you breathed out harshly at the contact and pulled away.

“chris, as much as I want to, we can’t do this here.”

chris was also breathing heavily, his lips red and hair messy, he looked gorgeous.

“we’re leaving.” he said bluntly, grabbing your hand and pulling you back into the venue.

his eyes searched the room, looking for abby. his eyes landed on her standing by the bar, chatting to one of her old friends.

chris pulled you over to her.

“abby, me and y/n are leaving.”

abby looked chris up and down and saw you standing behind him, your hands entwined. she smirked, she knew you both too well and realised immediately what was going on.

abby laughed, her eyes sparkling. “have fun.” she said, “and Chris...look after y/n.”

you giggled, feeling chris’ hand tighten around yours.

“oh don’t worry, I will.” chris said. butterflies erupted in your stomach. you were in for the best night of your life.

abby waved you guys off and chris took you outside again, hailing a cab.

you climbed in after chris, excitement rushing through your veins.

chris mumbled his address before returning his attention to you, hands roaming under your dress.

you straddled him, forgetting about your seatbelt. his hands grabbed at your ass under your dress, earning a moan from you.

your hands were hanging loosely from his neck while you kissed him roughly.

chris bucked his hips up and you whimpered, not expecting it.

“fuck darling, i can’t wait to get you home.”

you smiled at the way chris called it home, running your hands through his beard.

the cab stopped as soon as it had started, the journey seeming short when your mind was focused on the literal greek god in front of you.

he pulled you off of him and you straightened your dress down over your thighs.

chucking a few notes to the driver, he grabbed your hand and pulled you out of the cab and up his driveway.

you could definitely get used to holding his hand like this.

woah, his house was huge. you gasped to yourself and tugged at chris’ hand.

he turn around and stopped, raising an eyebrow.

“your house is beautiful.” you said. chris laughed and grabbed you by the neck, pulling you towards his lips. you didn’t think you could ever get bored of kissing chris. everytime was like the first.

he kissed you harshly for a few minutes, making the butterflies in you stomach start to move down to your core.

you shivered, partly because you were cold and chris noticed, dragging you into his house. he didn’t stop until you were both in his bedroom, closing the door.

you stood awkwardly while chris took off his shoes, watching him from across the room.

he smirked and motioned for you to sit on the bed...you obeyed.

he lifted you up as if you weighed no more than a feather, putting you down so you were propped up against the headboard.

he pressed his lips against yours roughly, making you feel numb. he moaned into the kiss, stopping for a moment to pull your dress over your head and unclip your bra.

he leaned back to get a good look at you, taking his own shirt off. your eyes nearly bulged out of your head when you saw how chiselled he was. jesus.

he laughed at your reaction. “stop staring.” he said, moving to kiss by your collarbones.

the soft kisses he was leaving was making you open your legs unconsciously, your body sliding down the bed.

“eager are we?” chris asked with a smirk, running his fingers across the tops your thighs. “anything i do that makes you uncomfortable, you tell me immediately.”

you smiled at his kind words, your fingers tangling themselves in the hairs at the nape of his neck, his mouth moving down to suck at your hard nipples.

“fuck!” you cried out, your chest arching up.

he teased, sucking and licking at your nipples as if his life depended on it, moving from the left one to the right.

at the same time, he reached down and unbuckled his trousers, pulling them off quickly before discarding them in a corner of the room.

his attention back on you, he pulled you roughly by the ankles, making you lay flat on your back.

“are you gonna be a good girl for me?”

you nodded. lost for words.

“no, love, you’re gonna have to use your words if you want me to do something.”

“yes chris, please, i’ll be so good for you.”

he smiled at that, hooking his fingers in your panties and pulling them down and off of your ankles.

you breathed in and out, trying to catch your breath, but it was impossible with the way chris was looking at you right now.

you squeezed your thighs together, desperate for some friction.

chris tutted, pulling your legs open by your knees, his eyes never leaving yours.

goosebumps formed on your skin as chris picked your left leg up and slung it over his shoulder, kissing down your calf.

you stayed silent, watching him intently.

after what seemed like ages, he reached your core, blowing onto it lightly.

you whimpered, wiggling your hips.

“what did i say about being a good girl?” chris questioned, sending a light slap to your cunt.

you squealed, wiggling even more.

“fuck, my little puppy’s so wet for me.”

you moaned out at his choice of nickname, thanking god in your head that you had met chris.

chris began to taste you, his tongue sliding up your slit, creating a rhythm.

you squeezed your eyes shut, not having felt this much pleasure in your entire life.

“shit chris, it feels so good.” you could hardly speak, your words coming out in chokes.

“you taste delicious baby.” chris moved to your clit, applying more pressure with his tongue, grunting with every movement.

you reached your arms out, grabbing fistfuls of chris’ hair, pulling hard. you thought that you might be hurting him, but from the noises he was making, and how he was speeding up his movements on your clit, you realised that he loved it.

“so good for me...” he mumbled, never removing himself from you.

your pussy clenched around nothing, and you craved for chris’ fingers to be inside you.

not being able to form a sentence from the pleasure, you reached down and grabbed at his hand, pulling it towards your cunt. his fingers grazed your folds, before he pulled away.

“tell me what you want pretty girl...is it my fingers?”

“y-yes chris, please, please i need your fingers inside me.” you stuttered.

“aw, my little puppy wants my fingers stuffed into her cunt, is that it?”

you nodded, whining loudly. you looked down and saw Chris fumbling with his fingers.

he took his silver ring off of his middle finger, grabbing your hand and sliding it onto your own, looking up at you and smirking, his beard covered in your juices.

before you could process what had just happened, he spat sloppily onto your cunt.

you gripped the sheets, your pussy clenching hard. that was the hottest thing you had ever witnessed, you thought you might just come from that alone.

chris spread his spit through your folds, before sliding his middle and ring finger into your dripping hole.

you shut your eyes, clenching around his fingers, adjusting to the size.

“fuck baby, so tight for me, pulsing around my fingers.”

he started to thrust his fingers in and out fast, simultaneously licking at your clit. you moaned loudly, knowing that you weren’t going to last much longer.

chris wrapped his arms around your thighs, holding you still as you squirmed underneath him.

your legs started to violently shake. “chris, chris fuck, i’m gonna come!”

chris loved the way you said his name, speeding up the pace on his fingers and his tongue.

“come for me, come on my tongue like a good girl.”

your orgasm took over you, you felt as if your soul was leaving your body. you cried out, gripping chris’ hair, your legs shaking violently.

you squeezed your eyes shut all through your high, chris’ pace beginning to slow down once you became oversensitive.

your heart felt as if it was gonna burst out of your chest. you could feel your juices dripping down your thighs.

chris pressed soft kisses up your torso until he reached your face.

“my girl did so well for me. came so hard.”

you started to come back to your senses, turning your head to face chris.

he smiled at you cheekliy, his fingers sliding into his own mouth, licking at your juices.

your breathing sped up again. you moved your head over to kiss him, tasting yourself.

“that was amazing.” you smiled into the kiss, moving your hand up to chris’ hair. “i never thought i’d end up in your bed when i woke up this morning.”

chris chuckled, his eyes darkening again.

“oh darling, we haven’t even started yet.”

[luv-eddiediaz]

Hi. Me again, with my obsession of cowboy Eddie and city Buck. 

I was driving around the country last night looking for some cool rocks to put in my yard (I live in town, but like 20 minutes from all the ranches and wide open spaces), and I had like a Buddie version of a Hallmark movie playing in my head the whole time. 

Imagine with me:

Buck has been living in NYC. He’s been working at some art gallery and dating Abby and living with her in her fancy loft while she sculpts, but something happens and she still needs to go find herself, so off she goes to abandon our boy, who, after a couple of months, and some conversations with his friends, realizes she isn’t going to come back, and he sets off to start over. 

He basically throws a dart at a map, and it lands on El Paso, and so that’s where he packs his bags to go. He gets a job at a local bar, and rents a room in the back. He doesn’t think El Paso is going to be for him, so he’s just going to work a few weeks until he can figure out where he wants to go and has some more money saved up to get there.

He notices that every other night, a dark haired man comes in and orders a whiskey, neat and two beers. He sits alone and doesn’t talk to anyone except the girl who works at the bar with Buck at night (I’ve named her Desiree). To Buck, he seems kind of sad. 

One night, Desiree is off, and it’s Just Buck. The guy comes in and Buck brings him his whiskey without him having to order. The man tips his hat, and Buck smiles, but they don’t say anything. When he’s finished his whiskey, Buck goes back to him with his draft of Budweiser, and again he tips his hat, and Buck smiles. They don’t talk until Buck brings him last beer. 

“It’s Buck, right?”

“Uh, yea, how did you know?”

“Desiree is my cousin. She’s mentioned you a few times. Doesn’t like you very much.”

Buck laughs, “I didn’t think she did.”

“It’s your shoes. They’re too shiny, and she says you smell too nice.”

“How does someone smell too nice?”

“Girls here are just different than where you come from.”

“Everyone here is different than where I come from.”

And the man laughs so quiet Buck isn’t even sure he’s laughing, and then he holds out his hand, “I’m Eddie.”

“Nice to meet you.” Buck meets his hand, and it’s softer than Buck would have thought given his dirt stained jeans, and his small drawl, and the cowboy hat he never seems to take off his head. 

So, now whenever Eddie comes in, Buck waits on him, and as the customers dwindle down, Buck ends up sitting in the corner booth with him, and they talk. About New York mostly, about Abby and art, Eddie’s son, and how Buck thinks he might do better in Austin if he was going to stay in Texas. 

“If you change your mind, and want to stay,” Eddie says one night, “I have a shed I converted to a guest house. I’d be more than happy to rent it out to you.”

Buck isn’t sure why, but the thought of Eddie wanting him to stay makes him feel good, and so he decides to take him up on the offer. He meets Eddie at his place one Sunday afternoon, which is this sprawling ranch, and a large, gray stucco house. Eddie shows him around the grounds.

“So, these are Greg and Elizabeth,” he says of two goats nosing at Buck’s shoes, “those are the three Rosies,” he points to three brown cows, “the chicken coop is in the back, but you’ll have to ask Christopher their names, because honestly, I don’t know. I think he keeps changing them.”

“All these animals are yours?”

“Uh, the goats and chickens, yes. One Rosie is a boarder, and the other two are ours until I find them somewhere else to go.” 

“Do you like rescue animals?”

“Sort of. I’m a large animal vet.”

“How did you not tell me this?”

Eddie shrugs and smiles this little half smile Buck has come to adore, “I don’t like talking about myself. And you love talking about yourself.”

“Do not.”

“You really do.”

Then Eddie shows him the shed/house, and Buck decides he’s going to stay there. Eddie also asks if during the day Buck wants to help out answering phones and stuff in the clinic.

Hilarity would ensue with Buck in his fancy sweaters and nice shoes trying to help wrangle the goats and the cows. Sweetness comes when he’s out feeding the chickens with Christopher, and eating sandwiches with him at the reception desk of the vet clinic. 

At some point, he starts wearing flannel shirts, and faded denim. Eddie even buys him his own cowboy hat the day he takes him out horseback riding. 

That same day, they sit by a creek, underneath a tree while their horses graze, and have a more serious conversation. Eddie opens up about his wife’s recent death, but how they had been on the rocks for a while, and Eddie thought maybe they were going to work things out, but she said she didn’t want to and then she had an accident in town. 

Buck doesn’t think he’s crazy when Eddie puts Buck’s hat back on his head and he feels this electricity as they stare at each other, close enough to smell what the other had for breakfast on their breath. He thinks maybe Eddie is going to kiss him, but he doesn’t. And it leaves him disappointed. 

So, of course. with the two of them on this precipice of something, Abby comes back! 

She finds out where Buck is, and goes down to Texas. It’s a Saturday night, and Buck is working at the bar, and it’s a little bit busy, but Christopher is staying the weekend with his aunt and cousins, and Eddie is down there, and between serving Buck lets Eddie try and teach him to line dance, and they shoot a round of pool that lasts forever because Buck keeps having to go work, but it doesn’t matter, because he is having the best time, and he’s seeing Eddie laugh with his whole face, and he knows, he just knows he is falling in love with this man, and only hopes he’s falling in love back. 

They are literally just about to kiss in a dark corner when Buck sees Abby in the middle of the bar, and says her name. He doesn’t forget Eddie is there, but he kinds forgets Eddie is there and walks over to her, gives her a hug.

“What are you doing here?”

“I missed you too.”

“Can we talk?” she asks, “are you busy?”

“I’m working, but I can take a minute; here.” He leads her to a small booth and slides in across from her.

“Look,” she starts, “I’m not sorry I left, because I had to. I was feeling suffocated.”

“By me?”

“No, well, yes, but not you. Just my life, and you happened to be a part of that. I needed to get lost to find myself again.”

“And did you?”

“Yes.”

“It’s been five months, Abby. I left us. I left New York; I started over.”

“I see that. Kind of a weird choice.”

“I like it.”

Because he likes Eddie. 

Shit. Eddie. Buck looks around the bar and sees that he’s gone, and he doesn’t blame him for bailing. He looks back at Abby; at the beautiful curve of her face, her bright green eyes that still pop through the lenses of her glasses. He remembers what it felt like to kiss her lips, and feel her hands through his hair. He never loved anyone the way he loved Abby - she was the first real thing in his life, but he knows now, that Abby never loved him the way he deserved.

“Buck?”

“Thank you for coming here to explain yourself.”

“I was kind of hoping I could talk you into coming to New York with me.”

“Nah, I’m good here. I’ve got all these flannel shirts now, and the concrete would just kill these boots.”

Abby laughs, “not to mention the cowboy.”

“What cowboy?”

“The one that’s been staring at us like he’s ready to pull my hair.”

Buck looks to where Abby is nodding and he wonders how the hell he missed Eddie sitting there.

“Yea, and the cowboy.”

She smiles and kisses Buck on the cheek as she gets up to leave. Buck waits a few seconds until she’s walked out the door and saunters over to Eddie with a woeful look on his face. He sits on the barstool next to him 

“I’m sorry about that,” he says.

“Oh, you’re sorry for dropping me like a dirty rag as soon as you saw your ex-girlfriend? Or is she still your girlfriend?”

“No. She’s my ex. There’s uh, there’s someone else I’m kind of interested in.”

“Anyone I know? It’s a small town after all.”

“I think you may be familiar with him.”

“Him? That could be a dangerous thing here.”

“I like a little bit of danger.”

Eddie smiles, “what time do you get off?”

“About another hour.”

“Hmmm, I’ll come back and pick you up.”

Eddie tips his hat and leaves the bar, and Buck thinks the last hour of his shift drags on forever, but finally he’s cashed out and collected his tips and he goes outside to find Eddie sitting in his truck. Buck gets in, and they drive out past the town lights, past his ranch, almost right up to the border to Mexico, and park. 

Buck feels like he’s in a country song as the radio hums in the background and Eddie leans over the console to touch his fingertips to Buck’s chin and pull him towards himself to give him a soft, slow kiss. 

It’s the best kiss Buck has ever had, and he can’t help but smile the entire time. It’s the beginning of what Buck knows is going to be the rest of his life. 

[purpleorchid85]

Buddie Fic Rec List (Part 1)

5 Times Eddie & Buck Knew They Were Dating & 1 Time Everyone Else Figured It Out 

by Onlymystory

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24012025

A Diaz By Any Other Name (Should Be A Buckley) 

by CaseyStar

Summary: Evan's lack of confidence in where he fit with the firefam and over how easily Bosko was brought in to take his place, rears it's ugly head when he hears about how Eddie escaped the warehouse when the police arrived.

AO3:https://archiveofourown.org/works/21783802

And They Were Roomates

By cherishingstydia 

Summary: Buck needs a place to live and Eddie has a guest room.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22828072

 And...They Were Zoommates

By emquin

Summary: Buck and Eddie work for the same company but have never met until working from home during the covid-19 pandemic has them using zoom video conferences.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23420866

 Asked, Offered, Given, (He's) Taken by letmetellyouaboutmyfeels

Summary: People like to flirt with Buck on calls. It kind of makes Buck uncomfortable. And that makes Eddie frustrated.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24762892

 Be My (Secret Santa) baby

By smartbuckley

Summary:  It's this year's secret santa, and as Buck is about to open his sixth gift, he remembers the previous gifts and his feelings about them.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21809878

 Bi Me A Drink 

by Wolves_of_Innistrad

Summary:  Hen takes the firefam out to a gay bar as a means of getting Eddie and Buck together. Fic contains lots of flirty Bi!Buck, Jealous and handsy Eddie and some extra twists.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21414100

 Breathe You In

By Pline

Summary: Eddie can’t stop staring. This selfie is going to be the death of him. Buck is shirtless, and giving the camera an intense look that leaves Eddie panting. Or Buck sends a picture that tips their relationship into something new.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/25070953

 Bruises and Bitemarks 

By Tarialdrion

Summary: When Chimney invited Buck to see his first live MMA fight, Buck had no idea that the night would end with him on his knees and the most gorgeous man he's ever seen happily devouring his mouth. Life is full of surprises.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24800731

 Buck's Not-At-All-Secret Admirer 

by R_E_R6

Summary: Buck has a 'secret admirer'. Everyone knows it's Eddie, even Buck.

Eddie has a plan though.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22650847

 Calendar Shoot 2.0 

by Araloth

Summary: It’s that time of year again, time for submissions to the annual LAFD sexy firefighter calendar. Buck is eager to try again, only this year he plans on actually taking Eddie up on all his free photography advice…

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21229880

 Check Yes or No 

by rebeccaofsbfarm

Summary: Eddie finds a note in Christopher's backpack and realizes that his son has a girlfriend. When he tells Buck, he has a reaction Eddie didn't anticipate.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24783445

Cruiser Bruiser 

by FandomLife54

Summary: A close call on the side of the freeway has Eddie reevaluating his relationship with Buck, particularly how strained it's become due to Eddie's anger since the lawsuit. Some domestic love and more than a few heart to hearts have Eddie confessing things he should have a long time ago.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24126379

Darling It's Better (Down Where It's Wetter) 

By onlymystory  

Summary: "Who the hell is that?" asks Buck. Like he doesn't know exactly who that is. Like a week ago he wasn't enjoying one of the best fucks of his life with Eddie Diaz. Or the reason for Buck's surprise at the new recruit isn't quite for the reasons everyone thinks.

AO3:  https://archiveofourown.org/works/23197093?view_full_work=true#main

 Dirty Little Secret

By smartbuckley

Summary: Buck and Eddie have been sneaking around together hooking up but it has never been just about sex for Buck and he keeps asking Eddie for it to be more. But Eddie doesn’t want anyone to know, even though he does love Buck (he’s scared) and can’t bring himself to talk about it. Buck gets upset about being Eddie’s dirty secret and cuts off their hookups, it hurts too much to be that close. He won’t let Eddie touch him even platonically. Eddie realizes he needs to do something about it.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21498331#main

 Don’t Hate The Player, Hate The Game

By FancyfulOfLife

Summary: One day one too many firehouse 118 betting pools are going to bite them in the booty. Today just might be that day.

AO3:https://archiveofourown.org/works/22129198

 Don’t Need To Question The Reasons. I’m Yours.

By technicallyi’mawriter

Summary: The one where Buck is his flirty self and Eddie reminds him that he is his and his alone.

AO3:  https://archiveofourown.org/works/24207109#main

Dosed, Again

By ApplepieandCinnamon

Summary: In retrospect, eating cookies that clearly inebriated strangers gave you as a thanks had not been a good idea. Well, you’re always smarter in hindsight. Sleep deprived Eddie Diaz is a danger to society and ends up drugging both himself and his best friend.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24742834

Eddie 'I Get What I Want' Diaz

By EdithBlake

Summary: Buck encounters an ex of his on a call. It puts things into perspective for Eddie.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22488685

 Eddie Hates The New Guy

By EdithBlake

Summary: Rick is Hen's replacement while she is undergoing investigation. Eddie hates him. He especially hates how Rick looks at Buck like he is a piece of meat.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21438241

 Eddie's Not-So-Secret Feelings 

R_E_R6

Summary: 5 times Eddie says sweet things about Buck in Spanish so Buck doesn't find out he's in love with him +1 time Eddie realises Buck speaks Spanish and knew all along. With special guest stars: Eddie's entire family.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21729094

 Eddie Swiped Right On Buck

StaceyBlake

Summary: It's been over a year since Eddie has had sex. He is a bit desperate and downloads Tinder. When Buck's picture shows up on his screen and he swipes right, things take a sexy turn for these best friends.

AO3:https://archiveofourown.org/works/21818059

 Even The Bartender Knows

StaceyBlake

Summary: The Bartender at The Manhole gets a lot of guys coming into his bar who are questioning their sexuality. Helping them through it is kinda part of his job. But when a pretty Blond comes in and starts going on and on about how in love he is with his best friend, only for a man fitting said description of that best friend, walks in a few nights later going on and on about how in love he is with his best friend, well he's never seen that before.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21497890#main

 Feels Like Home

Mansikka

Summary: After a fire devastates Eddie's home, the logical thing for him and Christopher to do is stay with Buck. Though Buck's apartment isn't ideal; would it be such a crazy idea for the three of them to find a place to live in permanently together?

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24840859

 Friends To Make and Walls To Climb

By mansikka 

Summary: Eddie and Christopher just moved to Los Angeles, and they have lots of things to be happy about. Eddie loves his work on the 118, Christopher can get to know his mom again, and maybe Eddie and Shannon will relearn how to be friends. Christopher is also thriving in school, coming home every day with new tales about his new favorite teacher. Eddie needs to meet the incredible Mr. Buckley for himself, to see what all the fuss is about.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27957527

 Grand Guestures

By red_to_black

Summary: Buck didn't think too much of taking the Diaz boys out after a rough shift - until Hen and Chimney point out to him that he used to do the same with Abby. And really, if he was going to have a sexual crisis at the age of twenty seven, did it really have to be about Eddie?

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22208095

 Helping Hands

By Shaniamr

Summary: Everyone wants Buck to heal from the past year, and they think getting laid will help him. Buck doesn't want to revert back to Buck 1.0, but he also doesn't want his friends to worry about him. So Buck enlists the help of his best friend Eddie in fooling his friends. 

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22132669

 It Started With A Bang And A Hostage Situation

By JayJay_884 

Summary: Buck goes to the store one late night to buy food because of Maddie's pregnancy cravings. Whilst at the store, Buck accidentally gets caught in the middle of a robbery and gets knocked out. After waking up in the backroom, Buck finds himself as a hostage with a handsome and caring stranger.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/30733649

 I Hit the Accelerator (But the Car was in Reverse) by exasiswings & letmetellyouaboutmyfeels

Summary:  When Buck is forced to confront the truth about his breakup with Abby, having casual sex with his hot new coworker seems like the best rebound idea. Unfortunately, that hot new coworker turns into his best friend. But best friends can keep having sex with each other, right? There's no way this could possibly go wrong.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21614971

 I Might Have To Tell You

By Ingu

Summary: Christopher gives Buck a list of how to cheer Eddie up while he's gone, and Buck accepts without reading the terms and conditions first.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/24803128

 Is This How You Get A Cat?

By Whis

Summary: Buck didn't know he just needed to climb a tree, rescue the kitten, fall down, get a concussion and a huge nail through his hand to get a kitten, no that he was looking for one, although, if he had known Eddie was included in the package he would have done it earlier.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21614971

 Keep It On

By R_E_R6

Summary: When Eddie walks in on Buck, bent over in nothing but a hoodie, their plans for the night immediately change. Buck's outfit though? Well, Eddie requests that it stays the same...for reasons.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/26679433

 Kissing Booth Fiasco

By Lilacsheen

Summary: Buck plans on tending a kissing booth on a Halloween bash... but the kicker? He's blindfolded the entire time.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/26987998

 Kiss With A Fist 

By florenceandthemachine

Summary: A meet-cute au where Eddie takes Chris to the gym once a week and they box a little together before Eddie spars; usually Chris sits by the ring and reads but one day Eddie finds him laying on a bench, lifting an empty bar while this really cute blond guy spots him and gives him encouragement...

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/25415776

 Lift Me Up

By CaptainSif

Summary: Buck gets stuck in his apartment building's broken elevator with his good-looking neighbor from the sixth floor.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/28452156

 I, Hildy

By red_to_black 

Summary: The many ways in which Hildy interfered with Eddie and Buck's life, until they got the picture.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29511051

 Lightly Stabbed 

By  Every_Version_Of_Me

Summary: Buck gets stabbed and takes the time to call Eddie to tell him he can't make it to dinner.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/21743812

 Love Language 

By red_to_black

Summary: Eddie's love language is acts of service, and Buck doesn't totally get it.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23403196?view_adult=true

[broadstbroskis]

thanksgiving | jeff skinner

a/n: it’s here!!! this is like 4k that i threw together in like a week after i took it as a personal challenge from @blueskrugs after i asked why we don’t write more thanksgiving fics. a huge shoutout to her and @danglesnipecelly, for inspiration and cheering me on for this, as well as literally anyone else who’s cheered me on to finish thing, you’re all the real mvps and i love you all 💚

-----

Jeff shrugs, and from across the table filled with pizza, beer, and a bunch of other things that are most definitely not on his approved list of foods, you stare at him.

“I dunno. I don’t really have plans, I guess? Probably just sit at home, relax a little?” He says. Your jaw drops. He has...he has what now? “You're going to your parent’s right?” You nod slowly, still stuck on the fact that he’s going to sit at home and do nothing on Thanksgiving, the best of all holidays. Not spend the day with some teammates, not make a quick trip to his family, nothing. “That’ll be fun!” Jeff grins, dimples popping. “What are you-”

“You’re doing nothing?” You get out finally, the words coming back to you.

Jeff’s smile falters, but only slightly, and he nods. “Yeah? I mean, there’s no practice, no games. I’ll just…” He trails off for a second and then shrugs. “Rest.”

“You’re not going to go, like, visit your parents? They’re right across the border!”

“It’s a Thursday.” Jeff says patiently and you abruptly remember that his Canadian-ness is the whole point of this conversation.

“Thanksgiving is the best holiday! You can’t sit at home alone on it; I forbid it!” Jeff’s smile grows again as he laughs and you try and fight your own grin as you shove at his shoulders, to no avail. “Come home with me!”

“What?” He laughs again, but this time, it’s more like disbelief.

But the idea is already growing in your mind. “Come home with me! You know my parents love you, they won’t mind at all!”

“I can’t just invite myself to your Thanksgiving!” Jeff protests.

You wave him off. “You’re not, I’m inviting you! Come on, we’d love to have you!” He still looks hesitant, so you add, “Our Thanksgiving is huge anyway; one extra mouth to feed isn’t going to put anyone out, Jeff.”

“Alright.” He caves, and you grin, pulling your phone close to you to text your mom and let her know. “But ask your mom, okay? Like, really ask her, don’t just, like, tell her I’m coming.”

“Too late!” You say cheerfully, showing him the text you’d sent in your family group chat, telling them you were bringing Jeff with you next week. Your mom’s already responded with a string of happy face emojis and your younger sister with a How I Met Your Mother gif about Canadian Thanksgiving. “Be prepared for a lot of Canada jokes!”

“Is that supposed to be different than any other time I see your family?’ Jeff deadpans, but you’re pretty sure he looks like, at least 50% more relaxed, so you count this as a win and ignore him completely, already mentally planning for the best holiday of the year.

-----

The drive back home to your parents takes about an hour longer than you’d like, stuck in the same godawful traffic as everyone else trying to leave Buffalo on Wednesday so that they can get back home in time to go out that night. 

When Jeff finally pulls his car up in front of your childhood home, you can already see that it’s bustling with activity, getting ready for tomorrow. Most of your siblings have already arrived- only your older brother, with his wife and daughters will come in tomorrow, with the rest of your family- but your younger brother and sister have already come home, a fact that’s even more evident when you and Jeff walk in the front door and immediately trip over three pairs of sneakers.

“Liam!” You cry, grabbing onto Jeff so you don’t fall. “Motherfucker, move your shoes!”

Your brother pops his head out of the living room, AirPods in his ears. “I’m on a call!” And just as you're marveling at the fact that your brother is a real person with a real job taking real work calls, said real person with a real job spots Jeff and lights up. “Jeff! Bro! What’s up, man?”

“I thought you were on a call.” You snap at him.

“I’m on mute.” Liam slaps his palm against Jeff’s pulling him in for a ridiculous handshake-bro hug combo, before he finally comes over and lifts you off the floor. “Yo!”

“Yo!” You repeat, honestly unable to believe you’re related to this kid. If the two of you didn’t look exactly alike, you’d probably think he was adopted. “You still coming out tonight?”

“Hell yeah, this is my last call. I’m ready to go.”

You snicker, looking down at his sweatpants and dress shirt combo- he must have taken a video call at some point today. “Yeah, okay, bud.”

He ruffles your hair, in that annoying way he’s been able to do ever since he grew taller than you. “Don’t you worry, I will be.”

You laugh, ducking under his arm, to let him get back to it. You’ve got no doubts about that. Liam’s always ready to party. “Finish your call so we can start pregaming.”

He grins, like you knew he would. “Now we’re talking.” And then he ducks back into your dad’s office.

Jeff is laughing when you look back at him and you give him a look. “What?”

“Nothing, just forgot how the two of you were when you got going.”

“Yup, and you’re stuck with us for next two days!” You grin.

Jeff rolls his eyes at you, but he’s still smiling when he follows you to the kitchen, in search of your mom. She’s at the counter, rolling dough for biscuits, her only other contribution to the annual Thanksgiving dinner that she hosts, besides the turkey; a holiday that she’d taken over hosting once it had become too much for your grandmother to handle, but only on the caveat that everyone began contributing food toward the meal. It’s been a potluck style holiday ever since.

She’s ultra-focused, the volume on her favorite playlist high (this wild mix of 80’s pop and today’s hits that’s actually kind of a banger), so you sneak up behind her and wrap your arms around her. “Hi!”

“Jesus!” Your mom jumps, elbowing you in the process, but you’re laughing too hard to care. “Don’t do that!”

“Just excited to see you!” You beam at her, squeezing her once more, before pulling away. “Where do you want the pie?” Jeff lifts the pie you’d made yesterday, showing your mom.

Your mom purses her lips, studying the kitchen around her. “Leave it on the counter for now; I’ll have your dad clear some space in the garage.” She gestures with her elbow. “Hi Jeff!” 

“Hi!” Jeff pulls out his best smile, a real one, dimples super popped. “Thank you for having me-”

Your mom cuts him off before he can finish, like you knew she would. “Oh, we’re so happy you could make it! You’re welcome anytime, Jeff!” She assures him.

“Is the guest room ready?” You ask. “We’ll throw our stuff upstairs before Dad sees it at the bottom of the steps and has a fit.”

Your mom fights back a laugh at that- a statement that everyone in your family knows all too well-but then looks almost apologetic as she finishes, “It is, but we gave it to Katie.”

“Oh, Katie’s here too?” Your sister’s roommate at college was, at this point, basically another sister to you. She hardly went home for breaks within the semesters, usually came up for at least a month during the summer, and more often than not came home with Abby when she was back for anything. The “guest room” really was more like Katie’s room at this point. 

“Where else would she be?” Abby appears, right on cue, with Katie right behind her, practically matching in leggings and oversized sorority shirts. “It’s Thanksgiving; she’s ready to rage tonight.”

You actually can’t wait for the babies to be hungover tomorrow-both were 21 for their first Thanksgiving Eve and you know they’re going to be in a super rough spot tomorrow-but you keep that thought to yourself. 

“It didn’t even occur to me!” Your mom says apologetically. “I just gave Katie her usual room.”

“No, it’s cool. Jeff and I can share. He doesn’t mind, right?” But you barely even wait for his shrug and nod in agreement. It’s not like you haven’t before, when you’re either too lazy or too drunk to go home. You’re both adults, it’s no big. “I’ve shared a bed with you before; I’ll spare Katie the bruised shins.” You tease your sister.

Katie cracks up as Abby sputters out how rude you are. “It’s a hazard!” Katie agrees, dodging the swat your sister sends towards her. It sets the two of them off, which you take as your cue to grab Jeff’s hand and drag him (and your stuff) up to your room.

Of course, usually when you’re sharing a bed with Jeff, it’s a king sized bed, or at least a queen- definitely not the double that your parents just shoved in your old room to replace the queen bed that had been in there until you moved out and took your furniture with you. You hadn’t realized how small it was though, not until today, until the idea of actually having to share it with someone, with Jeff, who might not be a giant, but isn’t tiny.  “Sorry.” You apologize, almost unsure of what you’re saying.

Jeff shrugs. “Well, at least you don’t kick.” He smiles, as then it’s like everything’s back to normal, that awkward feeling that was growing over you gone as quickly as it came. 

“She’s a bruiser, don’t let her tell you otherwise.” You throw your bag down, rifling through it for the sweater you were planning to wear tomorrow, to hang it up so it isn’t too wrinkled.

Jeff laughs. “I’ll take your word for it.” He’s holding up his shirt, a button down and a tie. “Where can I hang this?”

“You can’t wear that!”

He frowns, likely at the vehemence you’d just spoken that with. “Uhh, why not?”

“You’ll get roasted.” Seriously, you’d told him it wasn’t a dressy affair. God, what part of not dressy does he think requires a tie? “Don’t you have, like, a sweater?”

“I mean, yeah, but-”

“Sweater and jeans, that’s fine.”

Jeff gives you a look. “That doesn’t seem-”

“Sweater. And jeans.” You repeat. He’ll thank you tomorrow, when your uncle doesn’t ask him when tea is. When your cousin doesn’t talk to him only in a fake British accent for the entire night. 

Jeff hands over a sweater, a soft thing you’ve seen him wear on many occasions, and you smile your thanks at him, hanging it up next to yours. “Meet your standards?” He asks; you think he’s aiming for teasing but he kind of misses the mark, sounding a little more nervous than joking.

“Perfect.” He smiles back at you and you laugh. “Come on, you dork. Let’s go see what’s for dinner tonight.”

-----

“Don’t wake me up when you come in tonight!” Your dad calls, as he drops the five of you off at Mel’s, the bar for Thanksgiving Eve. Your friends are already at the bar, you’re anticipating a high school reunion for sure, and you’ve warned Jeff of this, even though he assured you that he could handle it, and he was just excited for a nice, chill night.

You’d actually laughed out loud at that. Oh Jeffrey. 

“Pshh.” Liam waves your dad off. “I haven’t done that since I was like 16 and still having to sneak out.”

Your dad gives him a look. “I was talking to your sister.” He looks over at Abby, who ignores him completely, in favor of taking a SnapChat with Katie, and he sighs resolutely. You all absolutely know she isn’t listening to a word he says. “Have fun, be safe. Uber home.”

Liam salutes him. “Will do.”

Inside the bar, the night starts exactly as you and Liam have started your last few Thanksgiving Eve’s-with a round of shots at the bar as you’re ordering drinks, before splitting off to find your respective friends to start the evening.

Jeff fits in with your friends fantastically, laughing and joking around with them like he’s known them forever, even though you’re sure the only one he’s met is your oldest friend, Ashley. But he greets Ashley and her husband, Brian, like old friends, and quickly joins conversations with all your other friends, and soon hours have passed before your brother is sliding up behind you. “Heads up.” Liam mutters as he passes. “Douche at 3 o’clock.”

You tense as it takes everything in you not to turn and look over. “Hey.” Jeff nudges you, concern clear in his eyes as he looks at you, and you’re not sure what he pulled himself away from, but you must look pretty bad. “You okay?”

You nod, kinda spacily, but leaning in closer to him, and he takes the cue to curl in toward you- you’re not really interested in shouting to the entire bar and you’re really not interested in drawing attention to yourself. “Yeah, just- my ex is over there.”

Jeff purses his lips for a minute and then schools his face back to neutral. “I take it things didn’t end well.”

“No.” You say, thinking of the demise of your relationship with Dylan. “It did not.”

You hadn’t even realized that Jeff grabbed your hand until he’s squeezing it gently. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” You shake your head. “It was...definitely for the best.” It might have taken you a while to see that, but you can now, even if the rare instances you still see Dylan sometimes rattles you. “I thought I was going to marry him, at one point, but I’m so much happier here now.”

Jeff smiles. “Good.”

You squeeze his hand once more, a thanks for his comfort and care, before both of you rejoin the conversation, and you forget about Dylan entirely for the next hour, until you physically run into him coming back from the bar with another round of drinks for you and Jeff.

“Hey!” Dylan beams at you, goes right in for a cheek kiss, like you’re still that familiar, and once again you stiffen up.

“Hi.” You return politely, ready to sidestep around him and return to Jeff and your friends.

“No, wait.” Dylan steps with you, blocking your path. “I haven’t seen you in forever. Let’s catch up a minute, what’s new?”

“No offense, Dylan, but I’m not really looking to catch up with you.” You say flatly.

He opens his mouth to respond, but before he can another voice cuts in. “Everything okay here?” Jeff asks politely, stepping very purposefully next to you, and Dylan’s eyes immediately fly over to him.

“Mhmm,” You nod. “Was just on my way back to you.”

“Good.” Jeff says, in a tone far more harsh than you usually hear him take. “Let’s get back.” He positions himself again, clearing a space for you to easily slip past Dylan, and then steps closely behind you, catching up quickly.

“Thanks.” You lean against him, gently, not looking to spill either of your drinks, but Jeff solves that problem by taking his.

“Any time.” Jeff says softly and you don’t have much else to say on the matter so you just nudge him once more in thanks and walk back toward your friends with him at your side.

-----

When you wake up the next morning, you’re warm and comfortable and only a little hungover, which you count as a huge success. There’s not too much noise going on downstairs yet, which means you definitely have some more time to sleep, so you curl back into your pillow, humming contently when it pulls you in closer.

And then your eyes pop open abruptly, because pillows don’t do that.

Except they do when they look like Jeff Skinner, who looks just as soft and warm and comfortable as you feel right now, still sleeping judging by the evenness of his breath. 

It’s just...it’s a really nice way to wake up, with Jeff’s kind-of smiling face, looking super soft and cozy as he breathes just on the wrong side of too loud, but not so loudly that it drives you nuts. 

It’s a little too early to unpack that, and your hangover might not be that bad but it’s definitely bad enough that you’re not ready to think on that, so you close your eyes and let yourself curl into Jeff and fall back asleep.

-----

When you do finally get out of bed, Thanksgiving morning is its usual chaos, running around with last minute errands, cleaning, and helping your mom in the kitchen. The last to shower for the day, by the time you arrive downstairs, the Lions vs. Bears game is well underway, your notoriously early grandparents have already arrived, and your grandmother is already asking your mom where that one turkey decoration she bought her one year is.

You bypass the kitchen entirely and move toward the living room, where you find your dad, grandfather, Jeff, and siblings all gathered, just as you’d expected. You slide down on the floor next to Jeff, knowing that it’s only a matter of time before more of your family arrives and you’re offering your set up anyway, and wait for the next round of chaos to begin.

It doesn’t take long. Your aunts, uncles, and cousins start pouring in and then it’s just introduction after introduction, as you wrap up showing off Jeff to one group just as the next arrives. You are absolutely confident he has no idea who anyone is, but it’s fine, because he’s still laughing and joking around with all your uncles and cousins that have joined you in watching football. 

The kitchen is its own brand of chaos, when you make a quick stop in on your back from a beer run, but chaos has never stopped your aunt before and it certainly isn’t today. “Oh my god!” She exclaims, after you’ve pressed a smacking kiss to the top of your grandmom’s head. “That boy!”

“What boy?” You ask, like an idiot, which is immediately clear from the looks you get from everyone in the kitchen, even your usually oblivious uncle, who’s doing...something...with the ham they’d brought. “Who, Jeff?”

“Yes.” Another aunt stresses. “He’s cute!”

You shrug. “Yeah, I mean-”

But your grandmom cuts you off this time. “And so friendly! Just the nicest boy! Oh, you couldn’t have found anyone better!” She exclaims.

“Well, I haven’t.” You announce, watching all of their faces fall. “So sorry to burst that bubble.”

“Why?” One of your older cousins frowns. “Girl. Get on that. You are not going to do better than that boy in there.”

“I truly don’t know if that was meant to be a dig at me or you all think that highly of Jeff already, but regardless. We are just friends.” Now everyone in the kitchen is giving you a look. You gather the beers and retreat, distributing them as you return to your spot on the floor near Jeff.

He’s giving you a look as you pass him his, but whatever’s on your face must not be too bad, because he just thanks you as you pass him the bottle, and you nod in return as you try to find the same comfortable spot as before, leaning against his thigh.

-----

Your dad catches you a bit later, as he’s coming back with beers this time and you’re coming out of the bathroom, and he nudges you carefully as you take a few bottles from his hand. “So Jeff?”

You groan. The tone of that statement was far too loaded. “Jesus, you too?”

Your dad laughs. “Who else?”

“Everyone.”

“Well maybe that should be your hint.” Your dad says teasingly, but also not? There’s definitely some seriousness to this. “That Jeff’s pretty perfect for you.”

You stare at him. “You’ve met Jeff, like, a hundred times. Why’s this coming out now?”

“I always thought you were my smart kid and that you’d figure it out yourself.” He muses. “Now I realize you’re only book-smart and you’d never figure this out on your own.” And then he leaves you there in the hallway, with your jaw dropped and too many thoughts, as he continues on, laughing at you.

-----

When the call to come serve yourselves echoes into the room, the usual mad scramble follows immediately. It’s only as you’re getting into line behind your brother that you realize that Jeff’s not with you anymore, and you abandon the long line waiting for food, in favor of seeking out Jeff.

You find Jeff upstairs, in your room, just kind of lounging on your bed, and you lean against the doorway. “Hey! Food’s ready.”

“Yeah.” Jeff nods, the smile he sends you back in return far too tight and forced to be genuine. “Be right down.”

But he doesn’t move, so you step in and climb into your bed next to him. “What’s wrong?”

Jeff laughs; it’s kind of hollow and doesn’t sound anything like his usual loud laugh or his giggles that you love. “What- nothing. Nothing’s wrong.”

“Jeff.” You say softly. “Come on.”

He sighs. “Why did you bring me here?”

That...was not at all what you expected. “What?”

“Why did you bring me here?” He repeats. “Why did you bring me home, to your family? I thought, maybe, finally…” He trails off for a minute. “Except, there’s like ten other randos here too!” He laughs again, that hollow thing that you’re already hating. “Everybody in this family just brings people home, and that’s awesome, okay? Please don’t ever change that about yourself. I just-I thought we had something special, is all.” He says, sounding almost sad? Melancholy? 

“You are special.” You hate this. Jeff should never be sad; he should always be happy and smiling and joking. This is worse than seeing him after losses, worse than seeing him at low points in the season, that one game when he realizes that shit’s done and they’re just playing to keep playing now, that playoffs won’t be coming this year, again. “Jeff, you’re-”

“I’m in love with you.” Jeff says and it’s so straight-up, matter-of-fact, like it’s never not been a fact for him. “And I’m sorry I’ve fucked things up here for tonight and made this so awkward. I just- being here with you and your family just made me want you that much more.”

There’s so so so much you want to say to Jeff, but it’s like time is frozen. You can’t speak, can’t move, can’t do anything except look at him in awe, until he starts to move off your bed, when you reach for him, finally, resting your hand on his thigh, relieved when he looks back at you. “My dad thinks I’m an idiot.” You blurt out and Jeff just gives you a look. “I’m sorry; that wasn’t what I wanted to say.” You take a deep breath, trying to gather the jumble of thoughts in your head. “Or at least, not the only thing. He thinks I’m an idiot because he thinks you’re perfect for me and I didn’t see it. My whole family thinks you’re perfect- cute and friendly and nice- and god, Jeff, you are! You’re all those things!” He’s still watching you, with like, barely the smallest hint of a smile on his face. “I just-didn’t realize you were perfect for me until we came here.”

Now he’s full on beaming, dimples showing, and you don’t even realize that you’re returning the grin until his hand comes up to your face, thumbing at the corner of your lip. “I’m sorry I’m a dumbass.” You finish lamely, too busy smiling at Jeff. “Please kiss me so we can make sure we get biscuits.”

Jeff hums. “I don’t know if I can kiss you now and just...stop.”

“Well I’m not going down to eat until you do.” You say stubbornly. “And you’ve been hyping up those biscuits since breakfast.”

“Fair enough.” Jeff laughs and then you’re smiling into the best first kiss you’ve ever had, tangling your hands into his hair and wondering if you may actually end up missing the meal this year.