#the five days of cookie-mas | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

neiptune · 3 months ago

Text

i don't want you like a best friend

cw: 4.2k wc, female reader, soulmate au, friends to lovers, tendo may be the only person in the world without a mark and it's quite hard to convince him that, most times, the universe doesn't know shit

“Holy shit, this is the best thing I ever tasted”.

“Don’t lie”.

“I’m not!”.

Tendo narrows his eyes, unimpressed.

“You said that about the last five bonbons”.

“Listen, the one with port and cinnamon was great n’all but this is a cookie dough brown butter bonbon. I’m blown away. I want to sleep with this one. I want to buy it dinner and then take it to bed”.

That’s when Satori laughs, loud and boisterous as he still allows himself to be around you. It makes you smile, seeing him happy.

“Tell me the secret to crafting these”.

“Again?”, he snorts, “I already explained the process a million times”.

“Wanna hear it again. I like how you talk about it”.

“Okay, weirdo”, there’s fondness and a silent invitation in the way he pushes the little box of his latest experiments towards you.

It’s soothing, comforting, listening to instructions you’re already familiar with. Tendo goes over how important it is to choose flavors that are fun and still be attentive enough to make sure the chocolate stands on its own: flavoring components should never completely ride over it. He skillfully exercises subtlety when coming up with new combinations, always keeps the interior so creamy and smooth the treat ends up melting in a delicious puddle on one’s tongue. The outer layer should never be too thick, chalky or cakey: that’s why he prefers to form most of the chocolates with his hands instead of using a mold.

There’s creativity involved in what he does but there’s also science. It requires a lot of patience, most of his work is made of tedious steps repeated over and over again within specific time limits and a perfectly calculated temperature. It fits him, you believe: Tendo’s always been diligent and persevering, no matter what the world threw at him.

He puts a lot of work in his boxes too, especially the ones he has to ship. They’re all triple-insulated, double-stuffed and always perfectly packed. A cute, colorful thank you card always goes hand in hand with each purchase, if he receives orders for a birthday or a special gift he’d even write a personal note as an addition. As a foreigner, it hasn't been easy to establish himself as a reliable chocolatier in a city like Paris, but he now has a pretty loyal clientele and the shop is basically never empty.

“That one’s my favorite”, Satori’s eyes zero on the bite-sized bonbon you’ve picked from the box.

You hum, appreciating the way the chocolate melts in your mouth. It’s not as good as the previous one but you recognize the artistry with which the flavors fuse with each other, chocolate ganache with clementine and hazelnuts, just a hint of lemon zest.

“They’re all incredible, ‘Tori. You’re very talented”. Tendo smiles.

“Thank you”, he mutters, grateful, “now, can we talk about it?”.

“There’s nothing to talk about”, you dangle your legs from the counter of the little production kitchen in the back of his boutique shop, closed for the day. It’s incredibly tidy, smells of soap and citrus.

“You impulsively booked a flight across the world because of a guy”.

Ouch.

“I flew across the world to visit my best friend”, you scowl, “thought he’d be happy to see me”.

“I’m fucking ecstatic, ma chérie”, it’s probably the happiest he’s been in years, “but we need to talk about it. Tell me what’s on your mind?”.

He can see the bags under your eyes, the usual brightness missing from your smile, playful vibration to your jokes absent. He knows you’re hurting and while he’d be thrilled to keep you in Paris for as long as you wish, Tendo has to know what’s broken before he even attempts to mend it. His gaze falls on a specific portion of skin of your wrist and a sigh slips past his lips.

“He broke up with me”, you articulate slowly, “said we weren’t compatible. Said it’s safer to abandon the delusional ideas that drew us close to each other and do things how they’re supposed to be done. According to the plan”, there’s a grimace on your face that pairs well with how you spit out the last words.

“Did you show him?”.

“No, you know I don’t do that anymore. He didn’t see mine and I never wanted to see his. He agreed to that”.

“Right”.

“And then, I don’t know, he did what everyone always does. Changed his mind”.

Satori sighs. Truthfully, he’s always been a little sad about your mark being permanently covered with thick foundation, concealer or whatever else. It’s been years. He misses seeing the little crooked triangle on your wrist.

“Well, maybe…”, he starts but is soon interrupted by a loud scoff.

“Don’t”.

“But they’re not wrong. The universe has it all layed out for you, maybe it’s time you stop being so stubborn”.

“I don’t care about the universe, Satori. The universe is not going to take away that choice from me, it should belong to me. I don’t want to be destined to someone, I want to be chosen by them”.

He deflates in the plastic chair he’s sitting on. Can’t really argue with that logic.

Ever since middle school, when your mark first appeared, you never wanted to succumb to the whole the cosmos has already decided who the perfect person for me is bullshit. You simply can’t accept giving up the freedom of falling in love with whoever you wish to pursue, regardless of the universe agreeing or not. That’s why you never really cared about matching marks and all that jazz, always dated those who seemed not to care either. But after a number of failed relationships, it became painfully obvious that deep down, everyone always believes marks are the real deal. It’s why you decided you never wanted to see the mark of the next guys you’d date, and certainly didn’t want to show yours anymore. Sometimes it’s even hard to remember it’s still there, underneath stubborn layers of concealer. You hated it your whole life.

“You’re right. It’s your life, you should live it however you see fit”, they’re idiots for giving up on someone like you in the name of a dumb sign or whatever anyway.

“I thought you’d understand this more than anyone, you’ve always hidden your mark too. I don’t even know what it looks like and it’s okay! It’s yours! Shouldn’t belong to anyone else’s prying eyes”, you pick another chocolate truffle from the special box he’s sorted for you. It’s red velvet flavored.

Tendo insisted on calling his shop like that, rouge velours, deaf to the literal translation not being entirely correct. The french need to associate the word gâteau to it, it has to be a red velvet cake. But he didn’t care, adamant in going with just red velvet.

It was a joke you had blurted out at the end of high school, sitting on the curb outside your favorite konbini on the way home, another summer evening made of snacks shared underneath the street lamps. Satori said he wanted to move to France and learn how to make handmade chocolates, open a shop and everything. You suggested it should’ve been called red velvet, would’ve paired well with his hair. It never crossed your mind that he would take your suggestion seriously.

Frankly, Tendo’s not changed much since high school. He’s a little taller, broader in the shoulders, prefers a buzz cut. He’s still cheerful, less loud if you’re not around, enjoys singing made up tunes to himself while he works, occasionally takes part in volleyball games when neighbors or friends from the gym invite him. More than anything, he’s still the kindest, most generous friend one could have.

You used to be a little jealous of Ushijima, never one to accept easily to be downgraded in the best friends ranking system. As a teenager, it was hard to acknowledge that Satori’s heart is simply big enough to fit everyone he cares about in there. Not many people realized how much of an honor that was anyway, so there was plenty of space.

He still calls Ushijima to check up on him and the fact that they declared to be best friends during a television show didn’t leave a sour taste in your mouth as it would’ve back then. Wakatoshi is a nice guy, it definitely grew on you and it now gives you comfort knowing that Satori gets to throw the blanket of his affection over more than one person’s shoulders.

Not a day goes by without missing him, different time zones making it even more complicated to keep up with each other. Yet, he’s always the one willing to stay up late to talk to you, insists that while you work in the morning, he enjoys crafting chocolates in the middle of the night. That hardly matters, since you know he has to wake up early to open the shop.

“Hard to hide something you don’t have”, he grins from where he’s sitting, in front of you. Your dangling legs come to a halt.

“What?”.

“I don’t have a mark”, Satori shrugs, “not a big deal”.

“That’s impossible”.

“You’ve seen me naked”.

“Because you didn’t lock the damn bathroom door!”, your face heats up at the memory belonging to so many years ago. He snickers.

“Well, if I had a mark you’d know!”.

You pause, incredulous.

“Did you check your nails? Maybe it was in your hair and you shaved it off. Everyone has a mark!”.

“I don’t have it”, he knows, he’s checked every inch of his body for too long before giving up, “don’t act so shocked, it makes perfect sense”.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”.

Satori shrugs, a timid smile on his lips.

“I’m damaged goods. I wouldn’t expect to be the right fit for anyone, the universe decided to spare me and a potential unfortunate match the embarrassment”.

To him, it’s perfectly normal that there’s no one right for him out there. Or rather, that he’s not the right person for anyone. Who would want that, anyway? The guy who’s always been too weird to be looked at normally. The guy who always stands out the wrong way. If the universe has decided to be merciful enough to spare him the disappointment flashing over someone’s face upon discovering that he’s their soulmate, the only thing Tendo should feel is gratitude.

“Don’t say shit like that ever again, Satori. Damaged goods? What the hell? You’re the best person I know!”, you almost throw the chocolate box at his head, “anyone would be lucky to have you as their soulmate. Anyone. I’m certain you’re the perfect match for a lot of people but I find it very hard to believe they’d deserve you anyway”.

You’re his best friend, you’re supposed to say all that. Yet, kept silent by that fiery glare of yours, Tendo can’t help but feel his chest warm up.

He didn’t necessarily have a crush on you in high school, that’s what he told himself anyway. When you started going out with Eita, part of him was relieved you went for someone normal. His teammate fell into the right category: Semi was attractive, had good grades, knew his way around girls. It was a good reminder of what Tendo wanted for you, of what you deserved. He cared deeply about your happiness and would’ve went to impossible lengths to shield you from all the bad there was in the world. That still hasn’t changed. Your best friend was what he was always destined to be and it was more than what he could’ve asked for, anyway.

And so it wouldn’t have been right to fantasize, to admit to himself that for the first time ever since he was a kid, Tendo wished to be the opposite of what he was. He dreamed of a different childhood, school days filled with friends, practice bursting with laughter instead of whispers, not a reason in the world to direct him curious or grossed out stares. He wished he was handsome, charismatic, funny in a way that made girls laugh in sincere amusement instead of discomfort. He wanted so badly to be everything he was not, for you.

When he admitted to himself that he loved you, deeply, ferociously, in a way that would’ve scared off any other human being, high school was over and so was his volleyball dream. Another fantasy coming to an end. Satori announced he wanted to move to Paris, expecting life, distance, a different time zone, your boyfriends, to make the friendship too heavy of a task to keep up with.

And yet, you stayed by his side. Most importantly, you wanted him to stay by yours. Tendo has never been much used to the feeling of being wanted, his presence wasn’t exactly desired by other people throughout his life. But you and Paris both taught him that maybe he does have something to give, something people can be willing to accept. So what if that something isn’t romantic love? He’s already luckier than he ever imagined he would get. He’s going to be okay, as long as you’re his friend. He’ll manage.

“Satori”, you snap him back to reality, “I mean it. Fuck the universe”.

Honestly, the only thing he’s mad at the universe for is making you so deeply unhappy. Tendo’s not sure he can forgive the cosmos for failing you so many times.

“Yeah”, he agrees lightly, “fuck the universe”.

Maybe Tendo had a point when he referred to your little vacation as ‘impulsive’, given that you never really travelled outside of Japan before. Yet, what initially was an easy escape from your disappointing reality and a wonderful excuse to finally visit your best friend, soon turned into a delightful adventure.

You reciprocated Satori’s hospitality by being as useful as possible: you’d keep his place tidy and clean, get groceries, cook dinner. He’d insist on ordering out, would try to snatch the vacuum cleaner from your hand, sometimes Tendo would come home later than usual with his hands filled with groceries just so that you didn’t feel like you needed to refill the fridge. But you liked being there and you loved taking care of him, especially since he vehemently refused to go back to sleeping in his bed and offering you the couch instead.

On his rare free days, Satori gladly gives you a tour of the city and his favorite places. When he’s working, you’d explore Paris on your own, the little map he drew by hand safely nestled in your pocket. Yes, you obviously have a phone, but the map makes each stroll all the more special.

Being with him and feeling genuinely appreciated, in a city so wonderful and far away from home, made you realize that perhaps the universe got it all wrong. Maybe there’s no one out there with a mark similar to yours. Maybe you’re not a match for romantic love in the first place. You’re already lucky enough as it is, with a friend so wonderful you can share lovely dinners with over episodes of silly tv shows, in a tiny apartment filled with affection and laughter. It’s the best you’ve felt in years and the idea of leaving has never felt as dreadful.

But everyone has to get back to their life eventually: there’s your job, bills, rent, you haven’t visited your parents in a while. All these things you’re having a real hard time caring about as Tendo offers another glass of wine, the bottle you’re sharing practically empty resting by his feet.

It’s your last night in Paris and he insisted on cooking for once, a full course dinner paired with an expensive Clos de la Roche. Notes of woods and cherries dance on your tongue when you take another sip and you shut your eyes for a moment, savoring the taste. How did you end up on his bedroom’s floor anyway? Was it him who suggested sitting on the carpet with your backs pressed against his bed? No, you’re almost certain it was you. Satori tries to be less weird as a grown up, by his own admission: he leaves odd suggestions and ideas to other people, too busy trying to fit in now.

You find yourself observing his profile as he torpidly blinks, his own gaze focused on the hands holding his glass. The line of his jaw, the perfect curve of his nose. You think he’s pretty, spiky hair no longer there to tear away one’s attention from his features.

“Did you date a lot, here?”, you ask, genuinely curious. He turns to look at you, amused.

“A lot? When did I ever date a lot?”, Tendo chuckles to himself but you recognize the hurt simmering underneath the humor. It hurts you, too.

“Well, did you date?”, your impatience feels surprising but there’s no time to dwell upon unfamiliar feelings, not as Satori hums with a lethargic nod.

“Yeah, a few times”.

“They didn’t ask about your mark?”.

Tendo’s lips twitch as he remembers how ecstatic the women he went out with were upon finding out that not only his mark didn’t match theirs, he didn’t even have one to begin with. He was the safest option they could ever date, no risk of forever.

“It’s easier to date someone you know you’re not gonna end up with”, he shrugs, “they felt more comfortable, it was fun and momentary, thus risk-free”.

You click your tongue in disapproval and Tendo cocks his head, confused by your scowl.

“They, they, they. I always hated this about you, you’re always focusing on what other people think. I want to know, how did you feel?”.

Maybe it’s the wine or maybe it’s the fact that you’re about to become a fugitive presence in his life once more, but for once Satori feels like huffing out his frustration.

“Like shit”, he admits with a sly smile, “I could fall for just about anyone and I’ll always know they’re not my person. I won’t ever have a person and it makes me feel like shit”.

You’re not sure why tears are suddenly pricking the corners of your eyes. Maybe it’s because it’s really hard to remember the last time Satori allowed himself to be vulnerable around you. It always felt like he talked more to Wakatoshi, man to man or whatever. You never felt like you could be fully there for him and now it’s almost too late again, only a few hours before you fly off to the other side of the world.

“I hate them”, you murmur, “it’s just cruel. You’re not supposed to be anyone’s temporary fixing”.

“I’m not ever going to be anything but that”.

“No, Satori-”, in the process of positioning yourself better in order to face him, you kick the not entirely empty glass previously resting by your leg. It’s gonna leave a stain but you’ll find a way to take care of it before you leave, this is more urgent. This requires you taking your friend’s face into your hands, to bring it closer to your determined gaze. “That’s not true. The universe doesn’t know shit, okay? I know you. You don’t need a fucking mark. In fact, you know what? I’m happy you don’t have one. Thank god. I-”, he gently puts his hands over yours and leans over to tenderly kiss your forehead. Your train of thought derails as he fixes you with an amused, fond stare.

“It’s okay. Really”, Tendo lowers your hands and then leaves them cold, head falling to the side, cheek pressed to the orange duvet cover of his bed. You’re pouting, looking more beautiful than ever underneath the dim lights of his room, and so he can’t hold his tongue.

“You know, I find it incredible that you haven’t been able to find your person yet, universe or not. How’s it possible that someone as wonderful as you is being dumped by complete idiots just because they believe in some stupid pre-decided romantic assignation?”.

You mirror his position and rest your head on the softness of his bed. Despite being still on the floor, it almost feels as if you’re lying next to each other.

“They don’t believe I’m wonderful. I guess I’m just momentary, too”.

He scoffs. Deep down, Tendo also believes everyone should be granted the freedom to pursue their desired relationship, especially you. Don’t they know how lucky they are? You ignore destiny to give those dumbasses a chance and they leave before they even get to realize what they’re missing out upon.

“I think marks are bullshit”, Satori gently takes your hand and traces your fingers with his own slowly, eyes still boring into yours, “in a world with no marks, they’d be on their knees thanking their lucky star you showed interest in them at all”.

You hum, a soft smile tugging at your lips.

Before Tendo interrupted your little motivational speech, you were about to tell him why it makes you happy that he doesn’t have a mark after all. Looking at him now, it’s all the more clear. It’s horrible and selfish and childish but, this way, you will never have to go through it: you’ll never have to find out that the one person who’s always been by your side, the one person who knows you better than you know yourself and still manages to love you, also isn’t the one.

Tendo is the greatest person you know, the only one you’d trust with your life. His heart is your favorite part of him: always stayed big enough to fit in all those who asked for access, kindness embedded so deep within him he never let the world’s cruelty affect it. Satori never stored an ounce of that nastiness people loved oh so much throwing at him, it let it become an armor instead. Steel made of insults, cruel jokes, mockery. It breaks your heart that he still wears it. It would break your heart to discover that someone like him isn’t destined to be yours after all, that the universe wouldn’t be benevolent enough to assign the best friend you ever had as your soulmate.

“You don’t mean that”.

You blink, slowly, actually fighting to keep your eyes open.

“What?”.

“What you just said. You’re drunk”, he chuckles quietly and, horrifyingly, you realize your mouth decided to voice those thoughts out loud.

The shock lasts a few seconds. Tendo is no longer fiddling with your fingers but your hand is still in his and the more you look into those crimson irises, the less uncomfortable you feel about what you just said. Is it the wine or is it just right?

“You think I wouldn’t be happy if the universe assigned you as my soulmate?”.

“I think you wouldn’t hate it”, Tendo softly ponders, “but that’d be far from ideal”.

“Hey, you don’t get to decide that. Me and the universe would be agreeing for once”.

Satori swears his heart skips a bit. All those years, all that badly harbored hope, the entirety of his restraint crumbling pathetically after a few drops of expensive wine. You don’t mean that, you can’t mean that.

“You could look at me like that?”, the question is supposed to underline how ridiculous the idea is, but he realizes he just sounds wishful.

“I know you think it’d be hard but it really isn’t”, you laugh softly. You’re looking at him like that right now. As you abstendmindedly play with his fingers, thumb gently rubbing circles on the skin of his wrist, you appreciate the pink dusting his cheeks, the slightly furrowed brows, the sweetness of his questioning gaze.

Tendo exhales slowly. Neither of you is resting their head on his bed anymore, too captivated by each other. “I’m not sure I’d survive the discovery of you of all people, not being the one I’d be destined to stand with for the rest of my life. Because what a waste would be, for that person to be someone else”, it’s nothing but a whisper, raw honesty doing something funny to his stomach as it slips past his lips for the first time. There’s no one but you, honestly. He knows there’ll never be anyone else. The universe has planned love for those around him and an eternal curse for his heart.

“A terrible waste”, you agree and the hand not busy interlacing your fingers with his, suddenly closes around the soft fabric of his hoodie to bring him closer. Satori doesn’t dare move, let alone breathe, effectively paralyzed by the idea of indulging something you’ll regret the second it happens.

Except you don’t. When you kiss him, tentative at first, all the pieces fall right into place. Your lips curl into a small, knowing smile as the world slows down. Then finally, finally, he kisses you back. It’s deeper, a hand pressing to your cheek, it’s corrodingly tender and you feel yourself melting into his touch, into the genuine reverence he holds for you.

Tendo feels something unravel from within, the tangles and knots of hurt, uncertainty, combust and disappear into thin ashes. He’s too lost in the moment, too drunk on how close you’re holding him as your tongue brushes against his own, to pay any attention to the itchy feeling over the skin of his wrist. Right where your thumb is pressing, a crooked triangle appears at last.

#tendo x reader #satori tendo x reader #tendo x you #satori tendo x you #hq x reader #haikyuu x reader

339 notes · View notes

tip-top-cloud-surfer · 1 year ago

Text

Merry Ex-Mas - Rooster

Pairing: Rooster / Fem!Navy Officer!Reader

Word Count: 2.3k

This work, all my works, and my entire blog are 18+ Only

Warnings: Cheating/Infidelity (Not Between Reader and Rooster); Friends to Lovers; Romantic/Sexual Tension; Implied Sexual Content/Suggestive Content; Light Angst; Use of “You,” No Y/N

Summary: After surprising your boyfriend doesn’t go as planned, you spend Christmas with Rooster.

Master List

It was Christmas Eve morning and the house that you shared with Fritz, Phoenix, and Rooster was growing emptier by the hour. Phoenix left the night before, after you all got off work, to head to her brother’s house to spend the holidays there. Fritz left at the ass crack of dawn to drive almost half the day to be home with his family for a few days.

And you were getting ready to surprise your boyfriend for Christmas.

He told you that he was spending Christmas with some friends and because you knew his AirBnB password, you could see where he was staying. And after not seeing each other for five months, you knew that you needed to put in an effort to see him for the holidays. The two of you had been having a lot of fights lately and you were hoping that a Christmas together would help patch things up a little.

“You’re leaving soon too?” you asked Rooster, pulling on your coat.

“Yeah, probably in like two hours,” Rooster stated quietly, sitting at the kitchen island as you packed some snacks for your drive. He struggled to hide his disapproval of your choice as he glanced out the window for a moment. “You’re all packed up?”

“Yeah, I’ll get gas on the way to the highway and then I’ll just drive straight there,” you replied, glancing up to see Rooster’s expression as he turned to face you again. Sighing, you turned away from him. “Don’t give me that look.”

“I just don’t want you to drive all that way and be disappointed, that’s all.”

“I’ll be fine,” you insisted, gathering your last few things.

Bradley and your boyfriend didn’t get along. Actually, none of your friends really got along with your boyfriend. Granted, you complained about him a lot, but unlike the rest of your friends, Bradley didn’t even make an effort to try and get along with your boyfriend. The two of them just avoided each other whenever your boyfriend visited.

Rooster walked you out to your car, carrying your bag for you. You took it from him and moved to put it in the trunk. When you came walking around the car, he opened your door for you. Giving him a quick hug and smile, you slipped into your car.

“I’ll see you in a few days,” you promised him.

“Safe travels,” he returned quietly.

“You too.”

Rooster stood on the front steps of the house as you backed up. Once you were gone from his view, he headed back inside. Even though he told everyone that he had plans with people ‘from back home,’ Rooster was planning on celebrating the holiday alone.

As he pretty much had since he was eighteen, if he had it off.

So, he was just going to bake some cookies like he used to with his mom, watch some movies, and catch up on sleep. He didn’t tell anyone because he assumed that they’d try to drag him along with them and Bradley didn’t want to interrupt their holidays with their families. He didn’t want the pity.

He was just going to have a quiet holiday by himself. And he was okay with that.

~~~~~

You finally spotted the house. But you were a bit confused to only see one car in the driveway since your boyfriend listed off a bunch of names of people that were coming.

Parking behind your boyfriend’s car, you carefully shut the door and walked towards the house. Testing the door, you found that it was unlocked and let yourself inside. The sound of music quickly hit your ears and made you pause. You glanced around the rather fancy AirBnB when you noticed a pair of heeled boots that clearly belonged to a woman.

Frowning, you walked deeper into the house, keeping your steps light. You turned the corner and noticed the bedroom door ajar. Slowly cracking it open, you stood, shocked, when you saw your boyfriend and some woman that you’d never seen before fucking on the bed.

You stepped back from the door, your heart racing as you processed the image. But once you got over the initial shock, you jumped into action.

You started in the kitchen and stole the wine that they brought. Heading back outside, you stowed the wine in your car before you walked over to your boyfriend’s car. You let air out of his tires, not enough to be too obvious, but enough to cause problems—you wanted to drag that punishment out a bit more.

You walked back into the house and returned to the kitchen. Filling a bowl with ice cold water, you carried it to the bedroom. Opening the door as the music hid your footsteps, you tossed the water onto them, causing them to scream out in shock. Scrambling around, your boyfriend’s face noticeably paled when he saw you standing there.

“Baby—” he started, causing you to chuck the plastic bowl at him.

“Surprise,” you called sarcastically. Turning to the woman he was with, you added, “Nice meeting you. Have a wonderful Christmas with him.”

You turned on your heel and stormed out as your ex-boyfriend got to his feet. He pulled on his sweatpants and ran out after you, leaving the other woman alone in the bedroom, but you were in no mood to listen to him.

“It’s not my fault,” he stated, earning a scoff from you in return.

“You just accidentally lied to me, brought another woman up here by mistake, and then your dick just magically fell into her vagina? Do you really think I’m that fucking stupid?” you growled, turning to face him.

“You’re always working. And I love you and I cared about our relationship, but I was lonely.”

“Why didn’t you just break up with me? Why didn’t you grow a pair of balls and tell me that you were feeling that way?”

“I didn’t want to be the dick who broke up with you right before Christmas.”

“Oh, so you decided to be the dick who cheated on me right before Christmas instead?” you countered, raising your voice more.

“How do I know that you didn’t do the same? You’re literally living with a guy who’d fuck you if you let him,” your ex-boyfriend snapped back before adding, “Actually, are you fucking him? That would explain a hell of a lot to me.”

“You know what, have a great fucking life,” you replied, turning and heading out of the house. “I’m fucking done.” Reaching for the door handle, you yanked it open and sent one last glare back at him. “Merry fucking Christmas, dickhead.”

Getting into your car, you quickly backed down the driveway. You didn’t let the tears fall until you were on the highway.

It was already pitch black when you returned home, but it wasn’t too late. You could probably just make yourself a quick dinner and then soak in a bath by yourself and decompress. Unlocking the door, you dragged your bag inside and kicked off your shoes, not bothering to be quiet because you assumed that you were alone.

Bradley, who was still home, heard the noise and assumed that someone broke in. Sliding off his bed, he reached for his baseball bat. He held it aloft as he slowly crept out of his bedroom and down the stairs to confront the intruders.

You were lost in your own world, looking through the fridge. The bottle of wine that you stole from your ex was already open on the counter and you contemplated drinking all of it tonight. Closing the door to the fridge, you turned and screamed bloody murder when you spotted Bradley standing there with a baseball bat.

“What the fuck!?” you both shouted at the same time.

You dropped the container that you grabbed and jumped back. Bradley, quickly realizing that it was you, dropped the bat and let out a breath of relief. You held a hand to your heart and leaned back against the cabinet behind you, slowly sliding down to sit on the floor.

“What are you doing here?” you both asked at the same time.

“You were supposed to leave after me,” you stated quietly, causing Bradley to wince.

“Yeah, uh . . . plans changed.”

“Did you have plans in the first place?” you asked him softly.

“. . . No.”

You nodded slowly without any judgment. You simply pulled your knees up to your chest and leaned back against the cabinets. Bradley noted the redness to your eyes and the subtle sniffle and tear stains on your cheeks before slowly walking over to you. Sitting down beside you, he reached up and grabbed the plate on the countertop.

“Cookie for your thoughts?” he offered, causing you to laugh softly.

“You bake?” you asked, picking up a sugar cookie.

“Only around Christmas,” he replied, putting the plate back. He stared at you for a moment before asking, “You want to talk about it?”

“You were right,” you stated, taking a bite of the cookie. Looking down, you chewed slowly. “I found him in bed with another woman.”

“That son of a bitch.” Bradley turned to you with a softer expression. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You didn’t cheat on me,” you replied bitterly, taking another bite of your cookie.

“What did you do?”

“I let the air out of his tires and dumped water on him and her when they were in bed. And I stole their wine,” you added with a laugh. “It’s about the little things.”

“Did he say anything to you?”

“He said that I worked too much and he felt lonely, both of which are perfectly fine, but I would have rather just preferred that he break up with me. And then when I told him that, he accused me of cheating on him.”

“With who?”

“You,” you answered honestly, turning back to him.

“Me?” he replied quietly.

“Yeah. He said you hated him.”

“That’s accurate, especially now,” Rooster agreed, nodding slowly. “Still, I’m sorry that you had to put up with that bullshit. You deserve better than that.”

“Yeah,” you responded softly, staring into Rooster’s big brown eyes. “I do.” The two of you stared at each other for a long moment before you added, “Do you think you can get the fire started?”

~~~~~

Tossing memories of your ex into the fire that Bradley started in the fireplace for you, you smiled over at Rooster as he started to play a song on the piano. He turned to you with a matching smile, pressing his fingers down on the keys.

“Old photos roasting on an open fire,” Bradley sang jokingly, causing you to crack up. “Black smoke nipping at your nose.”

“Just a little bit,” you defended yourself. “And we have the fire extinguisher.”

“I was the one who brought it in,” Bradley reminded you, causing you to turn away with a smile. “And I’m trying to concentrate.”

“Sorry,” you teased, tossing another photo onto the fire. “Please, continue.”

Bradley sang another verse as you finished up with your reminders. Simply standing in front of the fire, you reached for your wine and savored the moment.

“Although it’s been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas,” Rooster sang, locking eyes with you again, “to you.” He finished the chord before slowly removing his fingers from the keys. With a softer look in his eyes, he added, “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Bradley.”

The two of you continued to hold your shared stare as you slowly walked over to the piano. Bradley stared up at you as you stepped up beside him. He turned in his seat a bit, almost inviting you in. He didn’t make a move to reach for you, letting you dictate what happened, but he didn’t pull away when you slowly leaned down and pressed a kiss to his lips.

He rested a hand on your cheek, matching your passion, and happily accepting you onto his lap.

~~~~~

There was a layer of frost on the sliding door on Christmas morning. The fire burned itself out the night before, but there was still a warmth that lingered in the room, even though the embers had lost their glow. While there were stockings hung up on the mantle, there was a collection of four socks—two pairs—on the rug. Accompanied by two pairs of pants, a sweater, a tank top, a bra, two pairs of underwear, and a partridge in a pear tree. On a tee shirt anyways.

Slowly coming out of your deep sleep, you cuddled further into Bradley’s chest. He was still asleep with his arm draped over your waist and his head resting on a pillow. He had thrown a thick blanket over the two of you the night before and you pulled it up and over your shoulders. You started to drift off to sleep again, but when you felt Bradley’s hand start to travel up and down your back in a soothing pattern, you picked your head up.

“Morning,” he greeted you, causing you to smile.

“Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” he returned, wrapping his arm just a little tighter around you. “How’d you sleep?”

“Great. You’re really warm,” you mused, resting your head on his chest again. “What time is it?”

“Doesn’t matter, it’s Christmas.”

“Good point.” Sitting up, you offered Bradley a soft kiss in greeting. Pulling back, you held yourself up as Bradley’s smile grew. “So, what do you normally do, first thing on Christmas morning?”

“Unwrap presents of course.”

You pulled the blanket back over you as Bradley teased it down. Offering him a jokingly sharp look, you laid down against his chest.

“Make me breakfast first.”

“I can make us waffles,” Bradley offered, causing you to hum in agreement. “With strawberries.” You literally moaned as he added, “with whipped cream and maple syrup.”

“If you make me that, I’ll give you your present early,” you offered, pulling Bradley in for another kiss that he eagerly returned.

#top gun fanfiction #top gun maverick #top gun: maverick #top gun #tgm #tgm fanfiction #bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw #bradley rooster bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw x you #bradley bradshaw x female reader #bradley bradshaw fic #bradley bradshaw x reader #top gun rooster #rooster bradshaw #rooster x reader #rooster #rooster bradshaw fic #bradley bradshaw fanfiction

817 notes · View notes

bucknastysbabe · 1 year ago

Note

hi cal! i love your page sm. i wanted to request more chubby bucky (i’m so obsessed & haven’t seen him in a min) also make sure to take care of yourself and have a good day/night 🩷

HI!!!! Sorry I’ve been such a spazz and awful about my page and askbox I’m in my new era blah blah but YES! CHUBBY BUCKY! Thanks for the well wishes I’m trying to practice ~self care~ and ~time management~ mwah mwah much love. So let’s say this just in the same universe as Poolside Blues!

Rating: Explicit

Tags: TW: body dysmorphia, obsessive thoughts, negative body talk, Muscle chub Buck, Bucky’s shit self esteem is saved by sunshine gf, holiday weight gain, Bucky being a stubborn mf, switch!Bucky, reader has empathic projection, horny texts, body worship, WE LOVE SOFT PARTS AND STRETCH MARKS ROUND HERE, teasing, sub space, daddy kink, pnv!sex, cuddles and fluff, Bucky is just a big cuddly tiger kitty

“Bucky if you stare at the scale any longer I’m going to break it. Holidays are over, you can get back to being in the gym twenty-five eight.”

Bucky eyed his petite girlfriend, frowning from the doorway to the bathroom. He palmed his stupid fucking gut and sighed, he actually had to suck in to see the number! This is why Bucky hated the holidays. Besides being cold. James Buchanan Barnes very much disliked the cold, one could assume why.

He could handle the residual un-moveable pudge leftover from Hydra’s ever consistent tinkering with his bodily functions. But then it all started with Halloween. Wanda and his girlfriend loved to bake. So he’s getting force fed cookies. Then they need to decorate, go to functions, give out candy. No time for gym.

Bucky grumbled and stepped off the scale, padding to his closet. He grumbled more, “Stupid turkey holiday.” Great yes, the holiday known for feasting. Pumpkin spiced everything in his vision. Bucky had a weakness for pumpkin, his ma made good spiced bread. He took a short vacation with his lovely little angel to the mountains. He tried to rationalize that hiking and marathon sex would make up for the amount of food he had ingested.

Tony Stark of course had a grandiose Thanksgiving celebration. Bucky tried to keep it light, he did, he really did. But every refusal got sad eyes or downright offense. The former winter soldier was belly up by the end of the night, all gym plans out the window.

Christmas fared no better. His best gal absolutely adored Christmas. It was the first holiday she’d experience not as an asset to Hydra, just like Bucky. So instead of RUNNING or LIFTING, the Brunette was shopping and ice skating. He’d already gone up a size in clothes December 3rd to be exact. Bucky correctly guessed he would go up another post-Christmas.

He’d whinge and rant to Steve, the blondie listening and telling Bucky to chill— it’s not like anyone thought it was bad. Bucky exasperatedly shouted, “I’m like a goddamn balloon! I don’t need to be on missions like this! I’m going to Bruce, jerk.”

“Punk.”

Bruce didn’t help either. Just said once he got back into a routine it would come off and he’d be at his regular weight. Refused to give Bucky Ozempic either. Some kinda doctor he was, his patient was obviously distraught.

“Are you dressed yet?,” she hollered.

“Give me a second!,” Bucky pouted.

He was going to pout today. Go to gym, get anger out, and pout. So he shimmied on some catastrophically tight basketball shorts and the biggest shirt he could find. Luckily it covered him up. May or may not have been a panic buy. Bucky cursed some more sitting on his bench to lace up his shoes, stupid gut getting in the way.

Red faced and irritated he snarked, “Happy now princess? I’m going to the gym, nothing is stopping me, I will be going to work out.” She grinned and watched him grab his bag, slapping a round ass cheek on his way out. Bucky shuddered at the wobble. Her familiar rasp rang out, “Nice ass baby! Go get em!”

He was too old for this. Technically his girl was ten years his junior if you took off the cryogenic time. He loved her dearly, always bubbly, somehow remained optimistic after all she’d been through. But the little freak liked Bucky’s pudge, loved it. Always grabbing up on it.

Bucky took the stairs to the gym. He needed it. The brunette thought with a smirk that if he had a nickel for every time he had to remove her hands from his ‘handles of love’ he would’ve been a millionaire back during the Depression. He grimaced at the feeling of his chubby tummy and thick thighs.

Finally. He’d made it. Gym time.

Not a soul in sight, Bucky could just relax and get his frustrations out. With a fuck-ton of a cardio and some toning exercises— really didn’t need any muscle to bulk him out more. He felt a bit peaceful for once, a strange bravado coming over him. The soldier stretched his unused muscles and did a bit of breathing exercises.

God, he already felt lighter. Maybe. Maybe he would take a picture and see if the camera made him look different. Bucky’s therapist already hammered him about his ‘body dysmorphia and negative self-image’.

Taking a peak about and tying his hair half up, Bucky propped the camera at a flattering angle and yanked off his shirt. He refused to look in a mirror for the holidays unless he was clothed. Fiddling with the inane controls, the man finally had the thing on a timer. He pulled off his shirt and tried to pose, straighten up his back again.

The flash went off and he ran to the phone, hit send, then sat down on a nearby bench to look fully. The brunette had to keep his ‘body positive!’ thoughts at the forefront. His chest and legs looked good. Face didn’t look too puffy thanks beard.

Disgust picked the earlier bravado up and hulk smashed it. Buck’s eyes were glued to his rounded belly and fat hips, a muffin over those horrid shorts. There, oh my god, there were stretchmarks on him? Bucky never had stretchmarks! Not the red kind! But there they were— mocking him. Ragged lines on his hips and sections of stomach.

He deleted the picture, feeling horrid. He should run more. But not before the pings blowing up his phone. She was strange and texted in 5 different messages that could’ve been sent in one singular text.

“Babbbbyyyy omg you’re so hot”

“Fuck, I’m getting all flustered in this debrief.”

“Look at that pretty body. Wanna lick those pretty stripes, tiger.”

“I’m so horny lmfao get your ass back to the room in 30. I’m gonna fucking ride you so goddamn hard.”

Bucky blinked a bit, feeling himself perk up. He still was a overblown balloon, but at-least the weirdo he loved enjoyed it. “Tiger huh,” he murmured, scratching at the sensitive marks. Bucky had a time limit now, snatching his gear up and stuffing it into a bag, hustling down the stairs to his room.

“Hey Buck,” Sam’s voice was a blur as Bucky entered his room. He smirked a bit hearing a muffled, “Weird ass.” The super soldier kept his mind on the prize— getting the daylights fucked out of him by his girls. Nope he wasn’t going to pay attention to the chafe on the inside of his thighs one bit. Okay...maybe he’d powder the area after the shower.

All he had to do was wait now. Wait. Not get nerved about his very naked body. He felt like a pile of exposed lard but it’ll be okay. Yep. Bucky would be fine. Pussy would fix his problems. As long as she played nice and didn’t tease. That rendered Bucky into a teary, babbling mess. Either he was always a masochist or Hydra made him into one but God— sometimes when she got mean he saw stars.

The door busted open, Bucky feeling relief at her grinning face. She gently closed it behind her, stripping easily while throwing her panties at him. He caught the material, moaning softly as she growled, “See what you did to me in the middle of that debrief? Had to cut it short my pheromones were so bad.”

Bucky inspected the panties, eyes fluttering at the slick wetting the cloth. He gripped and inhaled, hand flying down to soothe his cock. A lithe body crawled to the end of the bed, the soldier flushing as she seated herself in between his thighs. Keeping him in fucking missionary, her manicured nails spreading him a bit. He gasped, body jolting at the exposure.

Her perky tits heaved as she groped at his thighs and slid down to get handfuls of his round ass. Bucky threw his head back and moaned, “W-What are you up to?” Earlier mentioned pheromones were making his body keyed up and sensitive, pupils likely swallowing up blue eyes. She leaned forward, taught body against his cock.

“Mmm- I don’t know really. You just looked so delicious,” she kissed his belly and cooed, “I know you’re upset with yourself right now, Buck, you’re fucking gorgeous. Holiday weight or not. But I’ll even go to the gym with you, know I’ve been a distraction.”

Bucky slurred a name, hands reaching for her waist, she was so sweet. He sighed, “I enjoyed you as my distraction, best disss-traction everrr. Fuck you’re makin’ me horny babydoll.” She crawled up his bigger body to plant a kiss on Bucky’s swollen lips before sliding back to her place. His cock leaked when she giggled, “I know, poor baby’s all achy for me. But I wanna do something first.”

She slid palms up and down Bucky’s muscled arms, soothing him a little. Then the she-devil gripped his chunky love-handles and shook, watching with poorly-disguised glee. Bucky whined, “Baaaby, stoppp, it’s awful!”

“Think of them as tiger stripes, they’ll fade out when you drop weight,” she dug under where his belly hung a bit and traced at his most sensitive stretch marks. Bucky let out an indecent noise, thrusting up into her sweet touch. The fellow avenger cooed, “S’that feel good tiger? Need some lotion. Pretty boy.”

Bucky outright whimpered when her hand wrapped around his weepy cock, already slick from copious pre. She slowly moved her hand, praising him. Pretty boy, smart, handsome, good, kind, helpful.

He was going to bust a nut before anything happened. Bucky barked, “B-babe, stop! Stop!” Her pretty brows knitted together, hand jerking away as she asked, “What’s wrong bub?” He panted, “Gimme a second, w-wanna fuck you so baaaad.” She gently stroked the outside of thick muscled thighs, padded with love in her opinion.

“Thought I was going to ride you?,” she asked, face beginning to flush.

Bucky shook his head, managing to push himself up to get face-to-face. His soft body filled the tight space between them, making her whimper now. Bucky used one hand to caress the side of her face, the other massaging her pretty tit. Long lashes fluttered, her lips falling open.

Score. He managed to somewhat fumble through the pheromone fog.

Bucky rumbled, “Nuh-uh, all this talk about my body and you don’t want me to pin you down and fill your pretty pussy up? Hm sweetheart?” He punctuated the sentence with a deep kiss, the sweet thing easily giving up to him. It was fun when she played mean but Bucky had more experience— he could play his girl like a fucking fiddle.

“C’mon,” smack, “use your,” smack, “words baby,” smack smack. She didn’t want to stop kissing, sucking on his bottom lip as he pulled away. She blushed, embarrassed on how fast the situation had flipped. His girl whined, “Yeah, c’mon fuck me, fuck me full daddy.” He grinned and laid back, strong arms pulling her atop him.

She squealed, eyes widening. Bucky purred, “You know what to do, Daddy’ll let you on top.” He bit his swollen lip again watching the tip of his clock get swallowed by molten heat, the pair of them shuddering in ecstasy. Her little hands planted on his chest, panting and whining at the fullness. He’d get to work, holding that pretty waist and fucking up into her tight cunt.

It wasn’t long before she was crying out and laying atop his body, gasping, “Y’feel so good! Ah! Soft and oh god s’fucking hard!” Bucky sucked at her neck and thrust into her with downright pornographic slaps. He grunted and gasped, legs wonderfully getting another workout.

He murmured into her ear, a hand stilling all that writhing the poor thing was doing, “Yeah doll? Daddy fucking you good? Feels good to lay on Daddy and get your pussy pounded huh?” She sobbed, clenching and spilling tears on his neck, “Yes daddy! Yes! Don’t stop, fuckfuckfuck, s’rubbing my clit! I love you Daddy!”

Bucky’s eyes crossed for a second. What?

The evil flab that curses his very existence is a free clit rubber? He moaned in delight. Bucky changed their position some to milk out that new fact. Might as well abuse it before it’s gone. His baby was clinging to him now, mewling his name, pussy spasming sporadically. Bucky tilted her head up, melting at her pretty eyes. He rasped, “Come for Daddy baby, know you’re close, let go babydoll.”

He was grinding the tip of his cock into her soft spot while cooing at her. She hiccuped on a sob, the entirety of lean frame tightening down on him. His baby was a lot stronger than she looked. He could feel her core clamp and soak his cock, sending Bucky reeling into his own orgasm with a hoarse shout. He whimpered at the feeling of his balls drawing painfully tight, emptying all he had pent up.

They laid in a pile of sweat and spend, probably love. She was still subbed out, nuzzling into Bucky, only making a soft noise when his soft cock slid out. The brunette guessed it was his turn to return her earlier favor. He felt like the man of the hour. Crazy little kitten thought her geriatric overweight cyborg assassin was hot. Even with the holiday pounds.

So he pressed little kisses, rubbed her back, waxed poetic nonsense of his love for her. Bucky was a lover boy back in the day, just a little rusty, not like his Babygirl was on planet Earth right now anyways. She murmured into his neck with a dopey smile, “Tiger.”

Once again, crazy fellow asset saving Bucky’s wavering self-esteem. How lucky was he?

#bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes x reader #chubby!bucky x reader #chubby!bucky #fluff and smut

222 notes · View notes

redfurrycat · 1 year ago

Text

🐓👨‍👨‍👦👨‍👦👨‍👨‍👧🤠Kid Fic - Single Dad & Parents Fic Recs🤠👨‍👨‍👧👨‍👦👨‍👨‍👦🐓

Check the Top Gun Masterlist post for the latest updated version. 💕

Ao3 Authors: AnadoraBlack, Aphroditedany, Barnes_Brain, Bradleybirdshaw, Broke_Traveler, Cryinginthebronco, Emilyandthecat, FabuMazX, Flyingfightingfishy, Hockeyandfootballismyish, HoneyWhatever, Jeston17, JuliaBloodyMeow, LadyLanera, Lemqnie, LoveMadeThemDoIt, Nickies_Nonsense, Nimuetheseawitch, Ofguttersandstars, Pado_hyuck, Perishablealex, PVB, Quantumoddity, Ravens_Words, Renai_chan, RoseFlavoredLatte, SerenaLight17, Sleeping_maple, Slowridesr, Smallestwriter, SunMonTue, Winterbucky.

> Big Brother Bradley Bradshaw

my dads are better than your dad by smallestwriter {G}

period trouble

their daughter gets her first period and Bradley and Jake lose their minds

spinning out (waiting for ya)

“What if we borrowed Mav’s plane? You said it’s ready to go, right? It shouldn’t take long for us to drive out to Mojave and start that sucker.” Bradley stared at him. Dear god, he married an insane person. “You’re not serious, right?” “Nevermind,” Jake huffed. “There’s no landing strip at the school.” “Right, ‘cause that’s the only problem with your idea.” or, the one where Kinsley gets stuck at school and Bradley struggles trying to calm Jake down.

Teen trouble by Aphroditedany {T}

It was an ordinary day. A day like all others. Go to Top Gun, finish today's lessons with your husband and then you both pick up the kids from school. A normal day. Right…???

Love Nest series by AnadoraBlack {T} {E}

Bradley Bradshaw and his son throw Jake Seresin's life upside down, but he's willing to follow them for the ride… Love Nest Series [Podfic] by ReformedTsunderePodfics

Forever by Renai_chan

Is Forever Enough {T}

Jake is shot down on a mission, and Bradley keeps vigil at his bedside until Jake's family fly in from Texas to visit him. There, Bradley meets Jake's parents, his sister... ...and his daughter. He was already half in love with his wingman. She sent him head over heels.

Forever and a Day {T}

A collection of drabbles exploring Bradley's relationship with Jake and his daughter.

To Save a Horse {E}

Jake and Bradley spend some time in Texas on the Seresin farm with Elise. They find a bit of time in the afternoon for themselves and enjoy... erm, the outdoors together.

All Around the World is Sleeping {E}

It's Christmas morning, and Bradley's feeling a bit frisky, despite Jake's firm insistence that it's five am, Bradley. Like, why?

He's My Sugar Cookie Kind of Sweetness {T}

Jake and Elise bake cookies and turn their kitchen into a huge mess. Luckily, Bradley is there to help them clean up after.

I Gave You My Heart {G}

Jake gives Bradley a present.

Hangster Parenting by sleeping_maple

Shaving the 'Stache {G}

Rooster is forced to shave his mustache after an injury. It's the first time that anyone's seen him without a mustache in years. And the first time ever that his daughter does, to some mildly hilarious results.

Broken Arm {G}

Jake swore that his back was only turned for five seconds, but now his daughter was screaming and crying about a broken arm. Jake blames himself but hugs from Rooster and little Caroline remedy his self-doubt.

Come Home {T}

Caroline has a nightmare that Hangman doesn't come back from his deployment. Rooster comforts his daughter.

First Word {G}

Rooster and Hangman try to get Caroline to say her first word. Hangman wants her to say 'Dada' and Rooster wants her to say 'Papa.' When she says 'Ma,' their hearts sink a little, up until Rooster realizes that 'Mama' isn't the only name that starts with 'Ma.'

Take My Breath Away {T}

Baby Caroline refuses to sleep. Rooster and Hangman try everything. They discover that one song seems to lull her to bed successfully every time. Too bad it's a S-E-X song.

New Addition {G}

Rooster and Hangman welcome a new baby, making their family a family of four. But Caroline isn't fully convinced. Luckily, Uncle Javy's there to sneak her a snack.

Great Balls of Fire {G}

Rooster teaches Caroline and Nickie how to play 'Great Balls of Fire.'

Scare {T}

Bradley has to go in for an additional cancer screening and doesn't tell Jake, who reacts accordingly.

The Parent Trap by Broke_Traveler {T}

Annie and Hallie had no clue they had a twin or who their other dad was, but a chance encounter has these two mischievous twins hatching a plan to get their dads back together.

“come on, roo, you’re gonna make us all cry.” by inspgadgetz {_}

rooster and hangman finally meet their baby.

it's lily's world and sereshaw are just living in it by pado_hyuck {T}

Little Chick

It was supposed to be a normal exercise. Well, to be fair, it was a normal exercise. They got their asses kicked by their instructor, who Hangman (oh so conveniently) dragged out of the Hard Deck the day before being introduced, as they prepared for their new mission that brought “the best of the best” back to Top Gun. Only the aftermath changed everything he ever thought about Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw. -a single parent au

cuz i'll be in love maze

“Love is like a maze,” his mom said while scooping ice cream into two big bowls for the two of them. “You run in and hope that the person you choose will stay with you to the end. Today, you entered that maze, but she wasn’t your match to take you to the end. You will meet many people in this maze, but there will be one fit for you.” - a prequel to "little chick" through bradley's point of view

Life Still Goes On by Renai_chan

Got to Make It on My Own {E}

Jake and Bradley spend one night together under the heavy, heavy influence of alcohol. It does not go well. But it goes worse for Jake than it does for Bradley because he wakes up with a bonding bite and his new alpha nowhere to be found. When they're recalled for a special training detachment eight years later, Jake finds out that Bradley doesn't remember giving him the bite at all and Bradley finds out about it for the first time. It still does not go well.

This Time I Know It's for Real {E}

This takes place two years later when Jake and Bradley's bond has settled down and Jake's heats have turned regular again. Or so they think. On Bradley's first deployment away from Jake, Jake suddenly finds himself in the throes of an unexpected heat, and with Bradley halfway across the world, he has to again deal with it without his alpha. Except this time, he's already gotten used to having Bradley to help him through them, and not even Javy can suffice as a substitute anymore.

I Can't Get Over the Way You Love Me Like You Do {T}

Bradley reflects on being a dad and a husband.

O, I Love You by FabuMazX {E}

No One Can Find The Rewind Button

It was only one night. But that's all it takes, isn't it? Bradley and Jake are on good terms since the mission. Friends even. But they're not together, not like that. So why the universe decided to force them together with an unexpected surprise is anybody's guess.

Even When I'm Hard To Love

Nicholas "Tommy" Bradshaw-Seresin. He wasn't planned. But damn if he isn't loved.

Hangster + IceMav Alphabet Challenge

A-Z Alphabet challenge with Bradley/Jake and Tom/Pete.

When the Feeling Sinks In. by RoseFlavoredLatte {E}

Pete feels like he's hit again with a flashback to the past, looking at the mini Bradley bouncing on Hangman's hip.

A Life With Blondes by Aphroditedany {T}

Two years after the events of Top Gun : Maverick and an ugly accident involving Jake, Bradley and Maverick, the Dagger Squad members discover an interesting fact about Jake's personal life.

of a feather by dracculaura {G}

jake and his three-year-old daughter, sophie, run into bradley while trick-or-treating

Brought To Light by perishablealex {G}

Bradley is officially introduced to Jake's son, Sam, in a night of trick or treating.

Practice makes Perfect by Barnes_Brain {T}

In 2027, Bradley Bradshaw’s season is going to be painted in Gold, Silver and Platinum too, but first, he’s gotta practice, a little guy comes to help.

You're a Bad Habit I Can't Shake Off (but I still want more) by HoneyWhatever {E}

They don't date, they are not even friends, what they have is similar to a bad habit you want to quit. And now they have to figure out how to be parents together.

Jack Bradshaw-Seresin and the Downfall of the Tooth Fairy by cryinginthebronco {G}

It’s just a few weeks after his 8th birthday when Jack Bradshaw-Seresin starts to suspect that his dads are lying to him.

The Perfect Lemon Cookies by quantumoddity {G}

Ice and Mav would say they're pretty good at keeping their little granddaughter, Poppy Carole Bradshaw, occupied. So when they're asked to watch her, just like any other day, they say yes. But this isn't just any other day. And as he and his granddaughter make lemon cookies, the same way he made cookies with his babushka, he thinks about how they got here.

Adventures in Babysitting by sleeping_maple {T}

Bob and Phoenix leave their daughter Amy in Rooster and Hangman's care for the day. Amy learns a new word.

I’m so in love with loving you, that's all I do by hockeyandfootballismyish {M}

Jake Seresin has never had an easy life. From being his father’s punching bag after his mother died to bouncing around in the foster care system until eventually his foster father took it upon himself to mate him because after all, who would want a troublesome omega? Much less one who was pregnant. Or that’s what Jake thought until he met Bradley Bradshaw.

Valentine's Surprise by LadyLanera {T}

Hangman and Rooster are preparing for the birth of their first child while navigating life post-Navy and all the ups and downs that have occurred in their family since October 2019. They have lots of time, though. . . or not.

Caroline Bradshaw by Ravens_Words {T}

been you all along

Somehow, in a truly horrifying twist of fate, Bradley's mortal enemy became his daughter's favorite person. Or Five times Jake was his daughter's favorite person, and the one time he was Bradley's too.

if my heart was a house, you'd be home

Jake gets hurt. For the first time, when he wakes up in the hospital, he's not alone.

many happy returns

Jake's birthday is a little (a lot) different this year.

little love

Jake is deployed. He, Bradley and Caroline try to deal with it.

Valentine's Day at the Bradshaw-Seresin's by JuliaBloodyMeow {T}

Before he even opens his eyes, Bradley’s brain is rushing with the list of all the things he has to do today...

I will come back to you by slowridesr {G}

"Would you... wouldn't you mind if... if something happened between me and Bradley?" "No! Then he would be with us more often and we would eat pizza, and…" "Okay-okay, I understood, am I really that bad?" Ginnie raised her head and frowned while Jake was still smiling widely at her. "You're the best dad in the world," Ginnie whispered half asleep after Jake put the book aside. "And you are the best child. I love you," Jake leaned over and kissed her hair. "I love you too," Jake turned off the lamp and headed to his room, thinking about tomorrow. Maybe he has a chance? * Jake have a beautiful daughter, and still in love with Bradley.

Cowboys and Motorcycles by bradleybirdshaw {G}

How Long Does It Take? by HoneyWhatever {T}

A passionate goodbye leads to long lasting consequences for Jake.

Two-Way(s) Forward by Barnes_Brain {M}

Jake Seresin was the LA King’s best two-way forward, leading not only his line, but his team with the coveted C on his chest. But when an injury sends him to Bob Floyd, PT extraordinaire, in hopes of getting back on the ice, he finds a little more than a path back to his career.

New Beginnings by Nickies_Nonsense {G}

Bradley swallowed hard, “do you think I can do this?” he whispered. Slider’s hand landed on his shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. “Never doubted you for a second kiddo,” he said. Or, being a new Dad is HARD. Good thing Bradley’s husband Jake is there along with the dozen other aviators they call grandparents. Fluff, cuddling, and dubious child-raising follow.

the fox you feed by lemqnie {M}

It is 1885. Bradley Bradshaw undergoes the worst thing in the Wild West: a three-month long journey with his enemy (Jake Seresin) and a 13 year old (Maddie Whitman). or they're cowboys travelling west to deliver a 13 year old girl to her parents.

Years of Salt and Sunshine by PVB {E}

His whole life, all Bradley Bradshaw has ever wanted is to join the Navy. But his mother kept him shielded from the darker side of the Navy - especially its conservative views of omegas. Bradley finds this out first hand at twenty-two years old, when he goes to a party at his new CO's office and meets his omega - Jake Seresin, Bradley's summer camp crush. Only it's Jake Prentiss now, with three small kids and another on the way, held captive not by laws but by the oppressive weight of his family, his duties, and the Navy's idea of a good omega.

Treat by Jeston17 {G}

Jake has babysitting duty for his nieces on Halloween, getting roped into trick-or-treating. While taking the girls around the neighborhood, they find a lost boy named Nick, and help return him to his father. Jake just might end up getting a date out of the whole ordeal. Or: in this au, Jake meets SingleDad!Bradley on Halloween and they hit it off.

Baby Talk by flyingfightingfishy {T}

“Are you reading him the big NATOPS? As a bedtime story?” Mav asked incredulously. Ice shrugged. “I have a NATOPS check coming up, he wanted a bedtime story, so I asked him if he’d like to help me study and he said yes.” OR Ice doesn't know how to baby talk. He didn't when Bradley was little, and he still doesn't when Bradley has a child of his own.

Girl Scout Cookies by nimuetheseawitch {G}

Second Hand News

It seemed like every conversation he walked past on base was about Hangman. Bradley kept hearing the callsign paired with words like “cute” and unenlightening statements like “I had no idea, did you?” People who he heard just yesterday bitching about Hangman’s ego were gushing about the man, and Bradley was starting to feel like he’d entered the twilight zone. Bradley overhears people talking about Hangman, and he can't make sense of it, or how it makes him feel.

Take Your Daughter to Work Day

As he was about to leave and head back to his own office, Bradshaw called out, “Wait! When did you want to bring her by? Ice wants to pick up his cookies in person and give her a tour.” Jake was barely able to hide his surprise that not only was Admiral Kazansky buying an absurd number of cookies, he also wanted to give his daughter a personal tour of the base. How did Bradshaw just say this stuff casually, like he wasn’t talking about a Navy legend? But he pulled himself together and answered him. “Belle’s staying with me for her spring break, and I got some leave approved. I was planning on helping her deliver cookies on one of my days off. I’ll shoot you a text with possible dates.” “I’ll share that with Ice.” Bradshaw smiled warmly at him. “We’re all looking forward to meeting her, Jake.”

Baby Bird Learns to Fly by SerenaLight17 {M}

"Baby Bird Learns to Fly" takes off in the aftermath of Jake's turbulent break-up, where an unexpected twist of fate grounds him, leaving him to grapple with life's uncertainties. In an unforeseen turn, two Navy legends become Jake's steadfast anchors, offering him stability and a surrogate family. Fast forward a couple of years, and Jake is summoned back to Top Gun for a covert mission that thrusts him into a world of high-stakes aerial maneuvers, fierce aviator rivalries, and unresolved emotions. Hangman, driven by an unwavering resolve to become the best aviator, finds himself rattled when face-to-face with the man who shattered his heart. Amidst the adrenaline-fueled skies and prideful aviators vying for supremacy, Jake is torn between protecting a long-held secret and the prospect of reopening old wounds.

into bright and happy future by winterbucky {G}

Alexandra Seresin is a delight to have in class, and Bradley has never been so happy to be a substitute teacher. She's bright, funny, mischievous, and just so happens to have a Dad exactly like that - with the added benefits of being a firefighter. It takes Bradley a while to warm up to the idea of the mysterious Mr Seresin, but their first meeting goes better than expected. It's hard to dislike a man who's such a good, loving dad for his daughter or parent/teacher with smitten (if a bit suspicious) bradley, hot and sweet jake, and the sweetest little girl in the world. girl dad hangman ftw

If you need me call me, you don‘t have to worry by LoveMadeThemDoIt {_}

Jake sighs, squeezing the phone between his ear and shoulder to get the laundry out of the dryer. “Your daughter is fine,” he reports. “I, however, officially got my Cool Dad card revoked.“

Can't buy me love by SunMonTue {E}

Jake doesn't need help around the ranch, but he's not going to turn down cheap able-bodied labor either. He's not stupid. The fact that Bradley knows nothing about ranching doesn't exactly help his case, but he's a fast learner.

it runs in the family by ofguttersandstars {M}

swamp boy

Ness Seresin is born on Caddo Lake, split between Texas and Louisiana. He comes a month too early. (Or, a brief look into the childhood of Jake Seresin, who wasn't always Jake, and the five kids he raised).

hell’s comin’ with me

“You don’t want kids?” Jake repeats, a broken record at this point, as he sags down further in his seat. It’s a slight motion really, but he does it; he can't help it. In the same way he can't help the burn of rejection in the back of his throat. They're done. They have nowhere else to go from here, and the thing is — Bradshaw doesn't even know it. (Or, five times Jake put his kids before himself and one time he didn't have to).

The Sunrise Found Me With You by Emilyandthecat {T}

“You looking for any of that?” he says, trying for causal and only just saving it from being smarmy. “Any what?” “Any, uh…trouble?” As if he’s in a jet, Bradley can feel himself losing altitude in the conversation, there’s a robotic voice in the back of his head telling him to pull up. “I mean, uh. Well, would you maybe ever want to – “ Jake looks good here too, something secret and keen about the way his eyes can’t seem to rest on one spot for too long. First looking up into Bradley’s tamed down curls, then admiring his arms, then down to his waist and back up again. “Get into trouble with you?” Jake says, quiet between them. If Bradley didn’t know any better, he would say that Jake was batting his lashes at him. He really, really hopes he doesn’t know any better. Or: Jake and Bradley are asked to demo the Uranium Mission to the newest batch of Topgun pilots.

#Kid Fic Single Dad & Parents Recs List #hangster #sereshaw #hangaroo #bradley rooster bradshaw x jake hangman seresin #bradley rooster bradshaw #jake hangman seresin #🐈red🐈furry🐈cat🐈tag🐈

68 notes · View notes

godsofthecatz · 5 months ago

Text

last bits for artfight attacks. Even if it is going on for a few more extra days im eepy- and sorry if any of you are getting this for a 2ed or 3ed time

31.Maricela for @spadaaces

32.Wynter for Daffodil Dewdrop

33.Ma for @cryptidcoreenjoyer

34.Red for @ghoul--doodle

35.Yichen for @angeljjoestars

36.Five eyed Tai for @m1lque-t0ast

37.Cheese for @ironwarriorsdawn

38.Mantaye for @fortnitebeast52

39.Lola for Maxy_3

40.Felix for @snickerzanddoodlez

41.Aster for @fluffingtonfern

42.Kake for @pokeninjager-ghost-art

43.Liang Dui Er for The invador

44.Gallow for Kiaraleu

45.Veo for @ascelhire

46.Happy goth girl "Penelope" for @chopsh0pt

47.The no evils for @pacifity

48.butter cream cooki for @shads-art

cookies included, butter cookie for XbunsyX, Fossil cookie for @milkshakeinthemoonlight , and Crumpt cookie for @talesofnelda

49.Larus for @shandzii and Khora for @oriiduckko

50.Fen for @starrzies

#artfight #artfight 2024 #cookie run #katt's art

13 notes · View notes

sejjiplinth · 4 months ago

Note

#it’s so funny because i literally have a doc from 2020 with this exact premise but i never finished it 👁️ — from this post

hello! if you don’t mind sharing, what other thoughts did you have about marcus being alive during the games & sejanus needing to mentor him?

i’m so sorry it took so long to get to this but Here we go: (clarification that this is an au where sejanus doesn’t break into the arena to try and get him mid-games. 😭 as opposed to what i was originally building off of in the original post)

i’m certain sejanus’s mental health would’ve been at an all-time low, regardless of how marcus was doing. meaning he doesn’t sleep, doesn’t eat. all he does is stay in heavensbee hall and forces himself to look after marcus the best he can, but marcus does not want his help. and sejanus knows it, even through the screen.

the first and last time marcus looks sejanus in the eye is directly before the peacekeepers drag them all out into the arena for the first day of the games. there’s some thickness in it and sejanus finds himself wondering why marcus suddenly wanted to look at him, he won’t get an answer.

i still don’t think marcus would show any effort in surviving canonically, but if he did, he’d be stealing from the other tributes. the majority of them are either scared of him or know they’ll lose against him so there’s no fight for their gifts. he apologizes if they’re awake.

bouncing off of the first point, sejanus quite literally never goes home. he stays in heavensbee hall overnight with hardly any sleep and can’t even imagine getting up and walking back home because marcus could be dead by the time he gets back. i like to think ma comes up there everyday just to see him, she leaves him tins of cookies too, but of course those always go to his classmates.

marcus doesn’t ally. he doesn’t trust a soul, but he keeps a close eye on a few of the other tributes. some of them look over to him too. maybe it’s out of strategy, or protection, but he knows he’d never be able to kill any of them, even if they tried to hurt him first. it’s not in his blood. someone else who’s watching him just as closely knows that as well.

this one is self-indulgent (as if this whole thing isn’t lol) but they totally dream about each other. sejanus dreams of the past in his small, five minute cat naps and jolts in his chair when even a sliver of the present flashes in front of him, he’s earned nothing but judgmental stares, except maybe a few shoulder pats from lysistrata. marcus dreams of the present, of brown teary eyes and a creaky voice, pleading for him to eat. he shakes himself awake against the rough slab he sleeps on when a young sejanus visits him.

despite marcus refusing all of sejanus’s sponsors, he keeps sending them anyway. just to sort of say: i know you won’t forgive me, but i’m here. the other mentors look at him sideways for this, because he’s just wasting his sponsors. but the longer marcus is alive, the more sponsors he gets. he already had a ton before the games even began, there was no need to not use them, even if the whole ideal made sejanus’s stomach churn. (they weren’t completely wasted, after all. some of the other tributes would scurry and grab the food that had fallen.)

watching more and more tributes die only makes sejanus feel worse. while his fellow mentors are buzzing with excitement over the fact that their tributes are reaching the endgame, all sejanus can do is hold back tears and keep down the sickness, begging for any kind of protection for his tribute. he wishes he could protect marcus himself, but he knows he can’t, and it all falls into place eventually.

no matter how marcus dies in this universe, whether it be by surrendering to another tribute or by the snakes, sejanus (unsurprisingly) loses his damn mind 😭 he’s had so much more time to let his thoughts about marcus and their situation marinate, i think this breakdown would be worse. it’s hard not to feel anything but guilt and self-hatred when all he can do is remind himself that he had a chance to save marcus, but failed.

marcus would have regrets. thoughts consisting of dead family and of missed opportunities. he thinks that, maybe, there would’ve been an easier way to die. instead of dragging it out like this. he’s been dead from the moment his name was called at the reaping. of course, district 2’s tradition would cross his mind, and along with that thought comes sejanus. his old classmate, someone he never wanted to see again. but here he was, envisioning him before he passes. it’s stupid, he knows it. but he lets it happen.

#tbosas #sejanus plinth #marcus tbosas #sejarcus #i loved thinking ab this in a little more depth thank you for the ask!#i have no idea how it got so lengthy though . Lord #sejarcus brainrot might be back #you can assume sejanus went into the arena to die again btw <3 #this is such a hopeful and happy dynamic i love thinking about their imminent deaths in every universe wow

14 notes · View notes

baronessblixen · 1 year ago

Text

Christmas Cookies For The Soul

Day five: homemade goodies

I'm doing the 24 Days of X-Mas Files Challenge that msrafterdark posted!

Summary: When Mulder doesn't answer his phone, all Scully can do is show up at his apartment to find out what's going on. (season 2, developing relationship/friendship, hurt/comfort; wc: 910)

Tagging @today-in-fic

If Mulder had picked up his phone, she wouldn’t have felt the need to show up at his place. She hasn’t heard from him in over 24 hours and as much as she tries to remind herself that he’s a grown man, she can’t help but be curious. She’s not worried. Or maybe she is a little bit.

He said he doesn’t have plans for Christmas and she almost invited him to her mother’s. Then she changed her mind. It’s not that she doesn’t like the idea of spending Christmas with Mulder. But this is their first year without Ahab. Both her brothers will be there, and Missy.

None of them are saying it, but Scully knows they’re all going to be there because she almost wasn’t. Her abduction is a sore topic for everyone and they avoid it at all costs. Having Mulder there would make things more complicated.

It takes Mulder so long to open the door that for a moment she wonders if he’s even home. When his head peeks through, his eyes look small and his nose is slightly swollen and red. She immediately changes into doctor’s mode, all her alarm clocks going off.

“Mulder, are you okay?”

“What are you doing here?” His voice sounds sleepy and nasal. “I thought you were spending Christmas at your mother’s.”

“I am,” she says. “You didn’t answer your phone and I- I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas before I left. I haven’t heard from you in over a day.” Now that the words are out, she realizes how ridiculous they sound. Ever since her abduction, they’ve talked almost daily. Whether during the week or on the rare weekends that they don't have a case. Not hearing from Mulder is never a good sign. Seeing him like this only proves it.

“I’m fine,” he says, but doesn’t sound like it at all. “Thank you for checking on me.”

“Do you have everything you need?” She glances past him but the apartment is dark. He was probably sleeping – or trying to – when she knocked on his door. “I still have some time. I could get you-” He laughs softly and then smiles, disarming her.

“I have everything I need, Doc.”

“Are you sure? You still have the Tylenol I gave you the other day, right? Tea, Mulder? You need to drink lots of fluids. You know, maybe I should call my mother and call this whole thing off.”

“Scully, I appreciate your concern, and I consider you a brilliant doctor, but even you can’t cure the common cold. Now go, before you catch it, too.” She knows he’s right but that doesn’t make leaving him any easier.

“I’ll call you,” she warns him. “Every day. Okay?” He laughs again and it turns into a coughing fit. Scully pats his back gently and once he’s calmed down, presses the back of her hand against his forehead. Way too warm for her liking. “You get some rest, all right? And answer your phone or I’ll show up here again.”

“Got it, Doc.”

There’s nothing more to say or do, and yet, she’s standing there, staring at him. Can she really leave him like this? What would her mother do? That’s when she remembers the sugar cookies she made that are waiting in the car. All four kids were told to bring a dessert and Scully had decided to make her grandmother’s famous sugar cookies. She’ll have to show up empty-handed but her decision is made.

“I have something for you,” she says, smiling at him. “I’ll be right back.”

“I’m not leaving.” She feels Mulder watch her as she hurries down the stairs to her car, unwilling to wait for the elevator. The cookies are in the trunk, in a box her mother lent her ages ago that she meant to return tonight. Knowing how much her mother likes Mulder, she thinks she’ll understand. When she returns, Mulder is still in the exact same place she left him.

“Here,” she says, handing him the box. “These are for you.” Mulder opens it and lifts her eyes to hers. She can’t tell if he’s touched by her gesture or if his eyes are glassy from his fever.

“Thank you, Scully. They look delicious.”

“I made them last night,” she explains. “It’s my grandmother’s recipe. We always fought over who got to lick the dough when she made them. Then we fought over who got to try the first, warm cookie.” She shakes her head, trying not to lose herself in the memory.

“Let me guess: you won.”

“Sometimes,” she says with a smile. “I hope you like them. Merry Christmas, Mulder.”

“I know I’ll love them.” He picks out a heart-shaped sugar cookie and stuffs it into his mouth. “I was right,” he says with his mouth full. “Tell your mom hi from me, okay?”

“I will. And you answer your phone.” It’s an order and he nods. “You’ll be fine?” She just has to ask him one more time.

“I’ll be fine. I have these cookies to keep me company. Now go. I don’t want you to catch this cold and miss out on Christmas.”

She considers hugging him but decides against it. Instead, she gives him a small nod and he smiles at her in return. As she leaves, feeling his eyes on her back, she realizes she’ll miss him. That’s something she’ll have to think about another day.

#ficmas2023 #mulder got to be sick today cause i am too #not as fluffy as previous stories #msr #xf fanfic #my writing #my fic

43 notes · View notes

bluejaysandblackbats · 3 months ago

Text

11.3k km

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam

Summary: Willis gets a new job on one condition: he works the night shift for his first three months. With Catherine in rehab, Willis is forced to contact his ex-wife to take their five-year-old son into her custody for the summer. But there's a catch. Willis promised her every summer after in return for her help.

Chapters: 1/?

Characters: Willis Todd, Jason Todd, Catherine Todd, Sheila Haywood

Additional Tags: Split Custody AU, Canon Divergent AU, Fluff, Angst, Kid Jason Todd, Jason Todd Has Three Parents

Chapter One: Across The Globe

Willis sat with Jason on his lap. “You see, kiddo. Catherine’s your mommy, but you’re a special little boy because you’ve got another mommy. Her name is Sheila,” Willis explained. Jason swung his feet as he looked up at Willis.

“But which mommy do I come from?” Jason asked. Willis placed a steadying hand on Jason’s stomach as Jason reached for a toy car on the table.

“You come from Sheila. Sheila lives in a country in Africa… And she wants you to visit her for the summer,” Willis answered, “How cool is that, Jay! The summer in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is in Africa. You’re going to fly over the ocean—. Jason, stay with me for a second. You’re here—. You’re here with me right now.” Willis showed Jason on a globe Catherine picked up at a thrift shop.

Jason touched the globe in the same spot. “Good. Now follow my finger. Your plane is gonna take you ‘round this way. Over the Atlantic. Yeah, see… And then, you fly over all these other countries until you get to your ma. Sheila,” Willis described, “Now show me where I am.”

Jason obeyed. “Daddy… Daddy, am I gonna come back?” Jason asked. Willis frowned as he pressed his lips to the back of Jason’s head.

“Yeah… Of course, you’re coming back. Don’t be cuckoo. Daddy loves you so much. I’m gonna miss you from May, June, July, and then I’ll get you back right before your birthday. Can you remember all that?” Willis asked.

“Ethiopia is a country in Africa. I’m gonna fly from here to here,” Jason answered as he traced the globe with his finger. Willis grinned.

“You’re one smart cookie, Jason. Before we pack your bag, let’s talk to Mommy Catherine at the doctor,” Willis whispered. Jason hopped down, and Willis grabbed his hand. He locked up and took Jason downstairs to the hallway payphone. Jason stood on his tiptoes, holding onto Willis’ leg for balance.

“Cab’s coming, bubs,” Willis whispered.

Jason tugged on Willis’ shirt. “Daddy? Are you gonna get mad with Mommy again?” Jason asked.

Willis frowned as he picked Jason up. “Daddy’s gonna be calm. I promise. Does it scare you when Mommy and I are upset?” Willis asked. The counselors at the rehab center told Willis to ask Jason those sorts of questions.

“Sometimes… How come you get mad when she’s sick, but you don’t get mad when I’m sick?” Jason asked. “Is it ‘cause she’s a grown up?”

“Well… Hm. No, that’s not it. When she’s sick, it’s just—. I get frustrated because I can’t fix her, and I don’t—. It’s frustrating when you love somebody so much, and you can’t help them. The doctors say the best thing we can do is talk about how we feel to each other,” Willis explained, “And sometimes when I talk I get loud. It’s not a good thing to be loud. It scares people. I can be scary sometimes.”

“It’s okay… Everybody gets upset sometimes, Daddy,” Jason replied as he wrapped his arms around Willis’ neck.

Willis blew out a heavy breath to keep from crying, but his tears fell anyway. “I’m sorry, Jason. I don’t want to be like—. I want to be a good dad. I don’t wanna scare you… I don’t—.”

Jason kissed Willis’ cheek like Catherine kissed Jason’s cheek when he cried. Over and over.

“It’s okay, Daddy. I don’t think you’re so scary right now,” Jason reassured him as he held Willis’ face in his hands. “Are you having a bad day?”

“It’s a little tough today. I think I’m just tired. Daddy needs to take a nap later,” Willis replied as he kissed Jason. “See how gentle you are with my feelings? I have to learn how to be like you. I have to have soft hands and soft words. Do you think I can do it?”

“Uh-huh. You can do anything, Daddy,” Jason whispered. The cab pulled up and Willis buckled Jason in and climbed in beside him.

At the rehab center, Catherine sat fidgeting with a cootie catcher. Jason made it for her the last time he visited to keep her from getting bored. Willis entered the common room, and he let go of Jason’s hand. Jason ran to her, and she wearily smiled as she opened her arms. “Mommy, I missed you so much,” Jason whispered.

“I missed you too, baby. Do you wanna sit up here with me?” Catherine asked. Her voice was far away. Willis walked over and sat across from her. “Hi, Willis.”

“Hi, Catherine. How’s it going?” Willis asked.

Catherine kissed Jason’s temple. “Working the program. Taking it a day at a time,” Catherine answered automatically. She wouldn’t complain. She couldn’t allow the discomfort to get to her. “Jason, you smell so good. Did Daddy wash your hair? I could just eat you up.” She playfully nipped at his cheek.

Willis smiled at the sound of Jason’s laugh. “I wanted him to look his best today,” Willis replied.

“Mommy, I’m gonna get on a plane all by myself soon. I’m gonna go all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to Ethiopia. That’s in Africa,” Jason stated. Catherine nodded.

“I know. Daddy told me all about it. Are you excited to meet Mommy Sheila?” Catherine asked.

Jason nodded. “Is my other mommy your sister?” Jason asked. Catherine chuckled as she shook her head.

“No, baby. Your daddy used to be married to Sheila before he married me. Sheila’s very excited to see you. She wrote me a letter about you. She’s going to pick you up from the airport,” Catherine answered. She fixed his bangs. “Pinky promise me you’ll be good.”

Jason gave her his pinky. “I promise, Mommy,” Jason whispered.

Catherine sighed as she rocked back and forth, holding Jason as close as she possibly could. “Take lots of pictures and draw lots of pretty things for me to hang up in my room,” Catherine whispered, “And have fun. You’re going to another country. That’s so exciting. A whole new continent. Wow! Wow, baby.” Catherine tried to sound happy, but she was afraid.

Jason kissed her cheek and held her face. “Mommy, I’m a little scared,” Jason whispered. Catherine smiled.

“Don’t be scared, baby. Sheila’s gonna take good care of you. She loves you just as much as we do. It’s an adventure. You’re gonna go on a big adventure all by yourself like a big boy. Everyone is so proud of you. This is a big responsibility,” Catherine reassured him. Jason hid his face in her shoulder. Catherine looked at Willis as she rubbed Jason’s back.

“Do you not want me anymore?” Jason asked. Catherine covered her mouth, and Willis stood up.

“Of course, we want you. You’ll only be gone until school starts up again,” Catherine answered, “And maybe I’ll be home again, too.” Jason softened.

“And we’ll have a big party when you come back… Because you’re gonna have your own room and everything. We’re gonna move into the new place and everything, and I’m—.” Willis stopped talking.

“Jason, are you hungry?” Catherine asked. Jason shook his head. “Well, that’s good. Willis is gonna pack you a nice big lunch for the plane trip. You’re gonna go to sleep and wake up and eat your lunch. Then, you’ll be in Ethiopia with Sheila… Plane rides are so much fun. You’re gonna love it.”

“I am?” Jason asked.

“Mhm. I’ve been on a plane before. I love it. If you look out your window, you’ll be able to see the clouds and the ocean will be right underneath you. It’s beautiful,” Catherine smiled. She nudged Jason’s cheek with her nose. “Do you love me?”

“Of course, I love you, Mommy. Don’t be cuckoo,” Jason replied. Catherine laughed.

“I love you too, Jason. And thank you for visiting me,” Catherine whispered, “Let’s play on the cootie catcher. Give me a letter.”

“E,” Jason replied.

Willis leaned in, grinning as he watched Catherine play with Jason. “A-B-C-D-E. Give me a color,” Catherine smiled.

“Green,” Jason answered.

“G-R-E-E-N. And let’s do your name. J-A-S-O-N,” Catherine spelled it out as she opened the cootie catcher. “You’ve got the yellow star. Make a wish.” Jason closed his eyes and wrinkled his nose eliciting a laugh from Catherine and Willis. And then Catherine and Willis locked eyes… And smiled at each other.

#fic #batfam #Willis Todd #Jason Todd #Catherine Todd #Sheila Haywood #Split Custody AU #Canon Divergent AU #Fluff #Angst #Kid Jason Todd #Jason Todd Has Three Parents

7 notes · View notes

andydrysdalerogers · 1 year ago

Text

Presley ~ A Curtis Everett Au ~ Part Three

Curtis Everett x OFC Presley Adams

Synopsis:

Curtis Everett is a hard working man. As the head of the mob of Concord, he does everything he can to provide for his wife and children. His life is perfect. Until it's not.

After a devastating accident, Curtis is alone with his children and needs some serious help.

Presley Adams needs to find work and fast. Running from her past she just wants to lay low and earn enough to get her out of town. Until she starts working for Curtis as his live in nanny.

As she falls in love with this family, can she stop her past from finding her? Or will her past be the end of the Everett reign in Concord?

Book two of the Five Kings of Boston series

Warning: themes of a mafia lifestyle; SMUT; possessive tendencies; murder; death; age gap;

A/N: taglist is open!

Banners by me! Dividers by @firefly-graphics

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS. Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated

Previous: Part Two

Series Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Part Three – What's His

Curtis

I went to the gala with only one thing on my mind.

Presley

As people danced and mingled, I stayed in my seat, thinking of her. The little kitten in my house, taking care of my children. As the days passed, she avoided me. I knew it was because of my aloof demeanor. I wanted to stay away from her. Presley was everything I didn’t look for but absolutely wanted. How could I do this to my Anna? Lust after a woman, the nanny caring for Anna’s children, in the house that Anna and I had built?

I thought back to a few nights before. I had been sitting in the dark, nursing a scotch in the family room when I heard steps on the stairs. I looked at my watch and it was nearing midnight. I got ready to scold one of my children when I saw her. Her hair was down, cascading over her shoulders. She was in a camisole and sleep pants, slippers on her feet. She moved quietly to the kitchen. I could see her grab a glass of milk and a couple of cookies that Adam had made. She was sure to take a napkin and she turned to face me. But she couldn’t see me, not in the dark. No makeup, with the moonlight highlighting her features and she was even more beautiful.

I wanted her.

I wanted her innocence, her beauty, her body underneath mine.

Her heart.

Ma had said it was ok to move on. That Anna wouldn’t want me to be sad, alone. So I made a move. I always felt that tension between us. The line of attraction that went straight to my cock had always been there but now, it was thousands of strings that wanted to hold on to every inch of her.

I wanted to care for her, cover her, protect her.

Love her.

So, I did it. Watching Adam wink at her that first day set me on edge. The idea of Clint getting her alone pissed me the fuck off. I wanted her alone. It was irrational, obviously. Adam stated he had a girlfriend and a child. Clint was happily married; they don’t want Presley, but the idea that they were friendly enough to be on first name basis made me green with jealousy and seeing red. My suggestion shocked her but her next statement, “why” threw me for a loop and I answered honestly.

“Because I couldn’t protect her. I can still protect you.”

Why I said it, I have no idea. But just the thought of something happening to my Kitten, to my Presley, put my mood in a rage.

When I came back from the gala, I checked on my children. They slept peacefully, happy in their dreams. I moved to walk away but then decided to check on Presley. I opened her door gently and peered in. Presley still had her lamp on, book on her chest, fast asleep. The innocence, the beauty that sat on her face was devastating. She had no idea that she had the power to shatter me. I moved quietly into the room, took her book and marked her page before setting it on the table. I kneeled beside the bed to be closer to her.

“You have no idea what you do to me, kitten.” I brushed my lips over her forehead, flicked off the lamp and closed the door. I would make it my mission to make my intentions known. She wasn’t Anna, I understood that. But, for the first time in four years, I slept better knowing that the kitten down the hall was here, safe and sound.

Dawn broke over the manor. Even though I only slept a few hours, I felt rejuvenated. The kids were heading to Clint’s house to play with his kids, leaving me alone with Presley. I felt like a fucking teenager, giddy with excitement over the idea of being closer to her. I needed to remember to go slow. I had no idea what her experience in life was like. But I would be patient and let her open up to me.

I sat by the fire, drinking a coffee when Presley came down the stairs. She was beautiful in a fitted cream-colored knit sweater, jeans and knee-high boots. She had pulled her hair half up, showcasing those beautiful curls. I took a sip just to wet my mouth; it had gone dry from seeing her look so natural yet so beautiful. “Good morning, Presley.”

She was startled for a second. “Good morning, Mr. Everett.” She kept her eyes down.

No, I needed to see her eyes.

“It's Curtis, Presley. You can call me Curtis.” I stood up. “Did you want some coffee before we leave?”

“No, thank you. I’m meeting my friend at the coffee shop.” She played with her necklace. A nervous tick she had that I had picked up on. I stood in front of her and placed a finger under her chin to lift her head gently.

“You should hold your head up, Kitten.” I felt a tremble float through her body. She liked it; she liked that I called her Kitten. I filed that in my brain and kept talking. “I’m not angry, I just wanted to make sure you’re comfortable.”

“Thank you,” she whispered. “I just need to grab my coat.” I followed her to the entry but grabbed her coat before her. I held it up to let her slide it on. My fingers grazed her neck and she shivered. Her hair moved and the soft scent of strawberries floated into my face. Fuck, I want to run my nose over her neck, taste the delicate flesh behind her ear, leave my mark for all to see. “You smell nice, Kitten.” I go for it.

Fuck it, I’m Curtis Everett, I can have whatever I want.

And I want her.

I place a feather light kiss on her neck, and she jumps. “Mr. Everett...” she starts.

I correct her. “Curtis, Kitten.”

“Curtis,” fuck, does my name sound good from her lips. She been with us for two weeks and I’ve imagined how my name would sound on her lips. “What are you doing?”

I took a step back. I didn’t say anything. Fuck, did I blow this?

“Curtis, I don’t think this is a good idea.” I looked into her beautiful blue-green eyes, and it had a hint of sadness to them.

“Tell me why Kitten. You’re a beautiful woman. I’ve seen the way you are with my children. I’ve seen the way you look at me.” I tucked her hair behind her ear. “Tell me.”

She searched my face. What was she looking for? She must have found it because she said, “Because I’m not a safe option. I’m your children’s nanny. You don’t know anything about me.”

“So let me get to know you.”

She smiled a little. “You are a man who never hears no, do you?”

“Not if that person wants to remain alive, Kitten.” She took an involuntary step back and I panicked. “No, Kitten, I would never hurt you.”

A phone beeped and Presley looked down at her phone. “Cat is at the shop.”

I sighed. “Let’s get you to your friend.”

On the drive, Presley played with a necklace she had on. A locket of some kind. It was her tell; she is nervous. Why wasn’t she a safe option? The last couple of weeks had seen a change in the manor. My kids were happy, thriving. When I sat at dinner with them before, it was quiet, sullen. Like Anna had taken all of the sunlight in their lives. But since Presley arrived, they have been little balls of sunshine. If anything, I needed to keep Presley so my children could continue to smile.

I pulled up to the café and turned to Presley. “How long will you be?”

“Umm, a couple of hours. Just coffee and maybe a trip to a couple of shops.” She smiled weakly, as if ashamed. “I can walk back...”

“No, it's perfectly fine, Kitten. I’ll be back in three hours?” She nodded and got out. But before she could close the door, I stopped her. “Call me, if you need me, Kitten.” A bigger smile caressed her face, and it made my cold, dead heart beat a little faster now. I watched her walk into the café before I took off. Three hours was plenty of time to make it to Newton and back. I needed the services of a man that only one other man had access to: Jake Jensen.

Presley

I walked into the café, determined not to look back at the fine as fuck man that drove me. I was dizzy from breathing him in while he drove. He smelled like cedarwood, sex and man. There was just no other way to describe him. When he helped me into my coat, his fingertips grazed my skin and it felt like lighting through my blood. But I’m pretty sure I died for a second when he kissed my neck. His lips were soft, warm... perfect. God, I wanted to keep him there, kissing my skin, setting me ablaze with desire.

But it would be impossible.

I’m his nanny.

I’m a runaway.

I’m a wanted woman on the run.

A lost princess in his world.

I’m only here for a year. That’s the timeline I'm giving myself. Then I have to keep moving. I tried to keep my face neutral as I approached Cat. “Hey!”

“Oh my god, you’re alive!” Cat pulls me into a long hug. I missed her.

“Me alive? You’re the one that’s cancelled twice. I was starting to think that you were happy to get rid of me.” I smiled as I sat at the table. “How are you?”

“I’m good.” She gives a Chesher cat like grin. “Met a guy.”

“Really?” I smiled for her. Her last boyfriend was such a douche that I don’t miss at all. “Who is he?”

“His name is Eric. Works in business. Handsome AF and he spoils me. Its why I bailed the last couple of weeks. He had to work on Saturdays and took me out to make it up to me on Sunday.” She had a goofy smile on her face. “I really like him.”

“Aww, that’s so awesome.” I really was so happy for her. She deserved it after that douchewaffle had put her through the ringer. Talking about her love life would distract me from my own. Until she says...

“So, who was that guy who dropped you off?” She took a sip of her coffee and waited for my answer.

Well fuck.

“Oh, umm...” what do I say? My hot as fuck, sex walking employer dropped me off after he set my skin ablaze with the softest sweetest kiss on my neck that wanted me to just jump into his arms and have him carry me to his bed. I took a sip to stall and think what to say. I needed my best friend because I’m not sure what the fuck I’m doing. “Mr. Everett dropped me off,” I finally tell her.

Now Cat looks like a fish. Her mouth popped open at my statement. I popped a piece of my muffin in her mouth to get her to shut it. She took the bite and swallowed. “Curtis Everett. The Curtis Everett, King of Concord. Mafia boss. He dropped you off?”

“Clint and his wife had the kids at their house and his other man was busy with something, so he offered.” I shrugged. God, please don’t let her read me like she usually does.

“How is he?” I choked for a second, misunderstanding her question.

“He’s, uhh, he’s nice. Great dad. Very respectful.”

Cat studied me. Dammit. I closed my eyes for just a second. “What happened?”

“Nothing.” I said that too quickly. She just gave me a pointed look. “Ok, let’s talk about it at the store, ok? Too many ears here.” She nodded and we finished up before walking to the store down the street. I needed some more clothes for the house since I didn’t have much. As we browsed, Cat decided to corner me.

“So, what is going on, girl?”

I look at the dress in my hand. It’s a black lace skater dress, longer sleeves with crystals. Then I look at the price tag and put it back. “I honestly have no idea, Cat. At first, Mr. Everett was nice, welcoming. Then as the time went on, he became surly and distant. I don’t even know what I did. I started to avoid dinner with the family.” I took a breath. “Do you know how hard it is to say no to a little girl with big blue eyes?”

“I would imagine it would be very difficult.” Cat giggled. “Ok, but why are you flustered? If Mr. Everett is upset with you, why did he drive you?”

“That’s the question of the day,” I mumbled. “When he offered to drive me, I told him it wasn’t necessary, and he said it would make him feel better if he could drive.” I sighed. “That he couldn’t protect her but he could protect me.”

“Oh shit!” Cat screeched.

I smacked a hand over her mouth. “Shut. Up.” I huffed as I let go. “Then, before we left, he helped me into my coat and his finger brushed my neck and it felt like lighting.” I smiled a little at the memory. “He kissed my neck.”

“Oh, Pres.” She frowned. “You can’t fall for a mafia boss.”

“I’m not,” I protested. I wasn’t falling for Curtis Everett, was I? “He’s my boss and I love his kids. And I’m leaving in a year. I can’t stay.” A tear you didn’t feel was forming fell. “I can’t love anyone, and I can’t be loved. I have to go, you know that.”

“But of all the people that you could love, its someone who can also protect you.” Cat wrapped her arm around my waist and put her head on my shoulder. “Not all love is like your parents or like that asshole. It could be great.”

“I can’t,” I whisper. It was breaking my heart. I just wanted to be safe and happy.

Curtis

Driving through Newton, I knew I would need to speak to Jensen’s boss before I could get any answers. I headed for the Barber house.

Andy Barber was the king of Newton. A few years prior, he had trouble with his twin brother when his now wife was kidnapped due to a debt owed. I knew that Andy would understand my hesitancy. I didn’t want to alarm Presley because I wanted to gain her trust. But when Clint ran her name, her history only went back five years. What was she hiding? The only person who could find out was Jensen.

At the gate, security stopped me before directing me to the driveway in front of the door. Andy came out. “Curtis! Hey!”

“Hey Andy.” I shook the man’s hand. Dark hair, thick beard, eyes twinkling, the man was happy and in love and it showed.

“Come on in. Aurora just made some cinnamon bread and fresh coffee.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and directed me into the house.

We went into his office, and I took off my coat before taking a seat. “How are you, Barber? You look disgustingly happy.”

“I am,” he said. A soft knock came and Aurora walking in carrying a tray with coffee and the delicious smelling bread. Aurora owned a bakery in town and was opening a second location in Concord. Andy had been by a few months ago to make sure it was ok with me, respect between all the kings. As Aurora placed the tray down, I noticed a slight swell around her middle. I looked up at Andy, who had the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on his face. “I so fucking happy.” He kissed her cheek. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

“Congratulations Rory,” I said to her. She just smiled and walked out. She’s always been shy but still sweet. I reached for a piece of bread and moaned. “I’m gonna need some to go Andy. Christ, that’s good.”

Andy chuckled. “I don’t think she’s ever made anything bad.”

I laughed because he’s probably right. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you. Just passed the 15 week.” Andy took a sip of coffee. “What can I do for you?”

“I need some help from Jensen.” Andy quirked a brow but didn’t interrupt. “I have a young woman working for me as a nanny, Presley. She’s been great with the kids but when Clint ran our normal background check, her history only goes back for the last five years.”

Andy frowned. “How old is she?”

My ears began to burn slightly. “She’s twenty-three.” I rubbed the back of my head. “For some reason, she reminds me of Anna.”

Andy signed. “Curtis...”

“No, I know. Don’t fuck the help but Andy, she’s everything that I didn’t know I wanted. She’s perfect, except for her history. I have a feeling she’s hiding something big in her past.”

“It sounds like it.” Andy picked up his phone and placed a call. “Jensen, I need you to run a deep background on someone for Curtis Everett... No, I’ll have him send you the file... we’ll discuss that later.” He hung up and wrote something down. He handed me a slip of paper. “This is Jensen’s contact info. You have him for the next week.”

“I appreciate it, Andy.” I looked at my watch. “I need to get back to Concord.”

Andy walked me out where Aurora had a small plate for me. I thanked her and kissed her cheek. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing, Everett?” Andy asked.

“No, but the first step is to know who Presley is and why she is running.” I shook his hand and I got into my car and started driving back to town. I thought of her, my Kitten. What was she hiding? Her statement had disturbed me. ‘Because I’m not a safe option.’ What did she mean by that? As I pulled into town near the shop Presley had pointed out, I parked and sent the file Clint sent me to Jensen.

To Jake Jenson From Curtis Everett RE: Presley Adams Hey Jake, can you run a deep background please? Her name may have been changed about five years ago. Run missing persons to see if she has been reported as well. Curtis Everett

I watched my Kitten come out with a couple of bags, so I went to help. “Hello, Miss Adams.” I turned to her friend. “Miss.” It was cute that her friend gawked. I was used to it. But Presley blushed at the attention. I took the bags from her hands.

“Thank you, Mr. Everett.” She turned to her friend. “Thanks Cat, I’ll call you later.”

“Bye Pres. Mr. Everett.” Cat stood watching as I walked my Kitten back to the car, my hand on her lower back. I opened the door for her to get her in, away from the harsh November wind that had kicked up. After getting her bags into the trunk, I made my way back into the car and on our way home.

“Did you have a nice time, Kitten?” I didn’t take my eyes off the road, but I could still see her in my peripherals. She was playing with her necklace again. Why was she so nervous? She has to know I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

“It was nice to have some girl time,” she said, rather timidly. “Cat’s the first person I met in Concord. She gave me a place to stay.” A small smile graced her beautiful face and I had to force myself to concentrate on the road.

“She sounds like a good person.”

“She is.” Presley sighed. She looked out the window, still playing with her necklace.

“What’s wrong Kitten?”

She took a moment; I think she was deciding what to say. “Mr. Everest...”

“Curtis.”

“I can’t call you that,” she retorted. “You’re my boss and I have to respect you.”

“Kitten...”

“I’m not your Kitten!” I recoiled slightly at the outburst. “I can’t be, you don’t know me, and I work for you. You’re always mad at me. You’re always cautious or pull away. Now all of a sudden, I’m your Kitten? No, I can’t do this.”

I stayed quiet until we reached the house. I barely put the car in park, and Presley was out of the car and into the house. Fuck me, this was going all wrong. I grabbed her bags before heading in. I went straight to her room, but I couldn’t find her. Until I noticed the closet ajar. “Presley?”

“Please just leave me alone,” the muffled reply came.

“I can’t do that, sweetheart. Talk to me.” I opened the door to see her clutching herself. “Oh Kitten.”

“Stop! Curtis, stop saying that,” she cried. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because you brought joy back to my children. Because you brought happiness back to me.”

“You’ve ignored me.”

“I know. I was fighting it, Kitten. I was fighting this pull I have to you. Fuck, I’m sorry.”

Presley

He was sorry. Sorry for acting like an ass and ignoring me? He was an enigma. “What are you trying to say Mr. Everett?” I couldn’t even look at him.

“No, don’t call me that, Kitten.” I went to protest again but he crowded me. I lost my voice as I looked up to his beautiful ocean blue. “All I want to do is touch you, feel you, taste you. You have been in my dreams for the last two weeks. Presley, look at me. Sweetheart, please?” I moved my head to look at him. “Tell me you don’t feel it and I’ll walk away right now.”

I searched his eyes for... what? Sincerity, lust, honesty? But really, all I saw was adoration and love. And it scares me, but it scares me more that I know my eyes show the same thing. This man, this wonderful, powerful, gorgeous man was drawn to me just like I was drawn to him. “I can’t Curtis.” His face crumbled slightly. “I can’t tell you that I don’t feel this. I’ve felt it since the day I met you but...”

“No, don’t find an excuse.” He took my hands. “Let me show you, Kitten, how much I want you.” He cupped my face with a hand, the other took my hand and pressed it to his chest. “My heart is racing at the thought of me missing my chance to show you how much I want you. Please kitten, just one chance.”

I closed my eyes and leaned into the warmth of his hand. His hands were rough, I could feel the callouses, but they were gentle as he thumbed my cheek. “You don’t know me,” I whispered.

“I’ll get to know you,” he insisted. “When you’re ready.” He let go of my hand to cup my other cheek. “You can trust me, Kitten. I’ll protect you.” He moved slowly, like time was stopping. But he gently cradled my face as he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine.

Ever heard the phrase, seeing fireworks?

Yeah, I know what they mean now.

Curtis’s lips were soft, his kiss was sweet. Oh fuck, its perfect. Don’t moan, don’t moan, don’t moan, I chant in my head. A soft moan escapes my throat.

Fuck me.

Curtis smiles against my lips before moving to deepen it. He runs his tongue against the seam of my lips, asking for permission. I don’t want to give in, but I do. And I am lost.

Curtis

Holy fuck, she tastes amazing. Like sugar or honey. I’ve never tasted something so sweet. I kiss the life out of her, taking what I can get. When I needed to breathe, I slowed down and pulled away. Kissing her gently again, I pulled back and saw her eyes were still closed. “Open them for me Kitten.” Her eyes flutter open, and her blue green eyes are wide with lust. “Perfect,” I whisper, and she blushes. “Will you let me take you on a date, Kitten?” She nodded and a single tear fall. “Presley?”

“I want to explain but I can’t. Not right now. Is that ok?” Her lip trembled in fear.

“Of course, Kitten. I’ll be here when you’re ready.”

Unknown POV

A cigarette lights in the dark. A man looks at Everett Manor with a sneer. She’s been so close this whole time. Her father said that she had been lost for five years. She had been promised to me and then she ran after her mother had died. It was a shame he had to orchestrate her murder, but he couldn’t let it get out what he had done.

He had barely escaped with his life while he had been waiting. Fucking Lloyd Hansen almost got him killed. But he left before the maylay of Barber infiltrating the house. Now he wanted to take his place at the head of a family.

And she is the key.

Curtis

After I left Presley’s room, I went to my office to catch up on emails before the kids got home. Wanted to spend some time with them before we started the week again. I flagged any important emails and sent some to Clint for Monday when I saw one from Jensen.

From: Jake Jensen To: Curtis Everett RE: Presley Adams Hey Mr. Everett, I did the deep dive as requested and your man was right, her history only goes back five years. With the photo you sent, I was able to do facial recognition and got a hit. See the file attached. Let me know if I can help with anything else. Jenson

I hovered over the attachment and stopped. If I really wanted to pursue a relationship with Presley, going behind her back and reading her past would ruin that. She knows she needs to be honest with me and she’s going to. She was scared but I promised her I would be a safe place to fall. I move the email into a secure file on my computer for safe keeping. If I wanted her to trust me, I had to trust her, for now. A timid knock came from the door. “Yes?” My beautiful kitten’s face appeared. “Hi Kitten.”

“Hi,” she smiled softly. “Clint said the kids are eating at their house before he brings them back. I’m making breakfast for dinner. Would you like to join me?”

I smile. “I would love to.” I closed down my computer and followed her to the kitchen. Adam was also off on Sundays and usually we either went out to eat or we ate with Clint’s family. But Presley hadn’t joined either time, probably because of me. She knew her way around the kitchen. When she bent to get a pan, her delectable ass was now up in the air. I suppressed a groan but walked over to her. When she stood, I placed my hands on her hips and kissed her neck softly. “Beautiful,” I whispered. She turned her head, and I captured her lips once more.

“Curtis,” she moaned as I deepened it. I lifted her to the counter and wrapped her legs around me. She pulled back. “Can we take it slow?”

“Of course, Kitten.”

I moved to step back but she held on to me. “I don’t mind this I just don’t want you to expect more when I’m not there yet.”

I smiled and tucked some hair behind her ear. “I can do that.”

I’d wait forever for her.

My Kitten.

Taglist:

@patzammit

@texmexdarling

@slutforchrisjamalevans

@firephotogrl74

@tinkerbelle67

@before-we-get-started

@bunnyforhim

@alexakeyloveloki

@sunnyhummingbee

@whiskeytangofoxtrot555

@peaceinourtime82

#andy's shenanigans #andy's hea #chris evans fanfiction #curtis everett #curtis Everett au #chris evans au #chris evans smut #Curtis Everett smut #mob story #five kings of boston series #Presley #Curtis Everett x ofc #ofc Presley Adams #Presley - FKOB #chris evans

20 notes · View notes

sophisticatedgia · 3 months ago

Text

Walking in the morning to gym. My boyfriend didn't seem to want me to go. Apparently I was talking to him in my sleep last night all "sexy". Lmfao. I got some confidence in me but really I'm a very clumsy dork. The street lamp glows orange in the dawn morning light. I'm happy. I found a way to tag more than five people on one of my friendship posts! I'm kinda slow if you know what I mean. So are my ma and pa but they both graduated university. Not me. Not mousey ol gia. Jus a lil community college here and there and it was a struggle. I took a math class for slow people. "Hands on arithmetic" took it three or four semesters never passed the class. It's ok! Be positive! Me laughing at the joyous optimism prompted at such a small statement: be positive! 🤍I didn't eat my vegan chicken nuggets last night. Lost another pound. I am by no means an unhealthy weight. And I get atleast 1500 calories a day. Well I don't count cals but I know me protein cookies are 440 cals, bananas 200 cals, and protein bars 200 cals. And I eat tons of them. Need more vegetables and beans in my diet. This mornin I am going to take it easy on the stairstepper. Yesterday I did really good had a great workout felt invigorated. I'm going to shower after gym today. Like I said, sometimes I don't shower after gym I use Burts bees cleansing wipes and noxzema alcohol wipes. Don't know when I should wash my hair. Two days from now? Okie dokie. The wind moves my hair, caresses my skin. How wonderful to be alive and my goal weight! Ok the two new cardigans, yes one is heathery seafoam green. The other is brownish mauve. On the model it looked deep dark chestnut brown which would have been Perfecto. But I am happy with what I have. God is good to me. I hope everyone feels happy and at peace, and if you don't I'm truly sorry. Never give up on yourself. Today I promise to eat my big bag of spicy vegan chicken nuggets. Love y'all. They say fasting and lower calorie consumption leads to longer life and also may cure many ailments. I am never fasting again though, because my history of eating disorders. Just can't do it. Cannot will not fast. Brings back bad memories and also makes me weak. I think it's possible in my younger years I hurt my heart thru diet pills and fasting. Last time I tried to fast was over five years ago and I was at a hotel trying to escape my dysfunctional family. I had my momma bring me a peanut butter sandwich. For breakfast I'ma buy some yogurt, eat a banana, and protein bar. I promise. And vegan nuggets for dinner! I will I can I shall. It's a big bag lol. Over 12 nuggets. Good.

Sincerely, gia

#love #fluff #communication #ed recovery #Eating disorder recovery #weight loss journey

5 notes · View notes

omegaremix · 11 months ago

Text

Hauppauge, Winter 2015.

The new year was two weeks in when Yenny called. She’s leaving for Lima in February to see her family. Once again, she’s enlisted me to house sit. Unlike the other times I traveled back and forth to Huntington to stay for the night after work, she’s asked for me to stay for two weeks. I heartily obliged. Two weeks away from the daily drama, intrusion, and toxicity at home? “Yes” all across the board, five-in-a-row. The day before arrival, she called again to put me to it. I packed up my clothes and Gateway laptop for a rare getaway at Yenny’s new apartment residency of peace and zen. I don’t take vacations or time off of any kind, but when someone asks you to take time away from your normal residency for you to do you, you better fucking do it.

And fucking do it, I did. For two weeks in February I had total serenity. Living in Lindenhurst for the year meant having a second-floor bedroom above the neighborhood and the golden summer sun shining through an adjacent window - at the cost of living with a agitated father who’d yell personal complaints at you every time something went wrong. Yenny’s apartment was also on the second floor, overlooking the school district across the street. No summer, but heavy slurring snowstorms with single-digit temperatures and stinging cold air battered the island.

It’s 3PM Sunday and I arrive at her place. Yenny and her ma’ have their luggage ready and are scrambling to see what else they’ve needed to pack. Their Spanish was running just as fast. She’s a little frazzled to beat the last-minute notions of packing up but had a few to show me wherever everything was and go over the daily itinerary. All I had to do was keep everything clean.

“Wipe up after yourself each and every time. Take care of Bella. Let her out to roam free in the living room, clean her cage, replace her litter, fill her water bottle, add her food pellets, handle her and take her back in her cage. Lock her up and feed her the tangy vitamin paste. And do it twice a day. There’s food, cookies, and candy in the cabinets, juice and soda in the fridge, and meat in the freezer. I also have a calling card. Call me at Lima if anything.” Yenny was stern and on point; sharp as an arrow tearing into its’ destination at the center. Her finger-waving game never left my direction and she had the right. She was a neatness freak with O.C.D. who made sure everything was perfect and to a double-tee. Now that the final toothbrush was packed up, they were ready to catch the 5PM flight to the capital. Yenny and her ma’ quickly said their goodbyes to me and walk out the front door. Hauppauge starts now.

The next two weeks of life was bliss. I was out of my dad’s crosshairs. There was no labyrinth of verbal abuse, blames games, complaining, or dealing with his laziness. The aggravating interactions of yelling, screaming, or wasting my time and energy trying to reason with an old-world Brookynite Italian whose mind is far beyond any attempt at learning? Nil. It was a rarity to have any sanity away from home and outside of work. I felt I had all the time in the world to catch up on posting and piece together the next Omega WUSB broadcast. Every day I hammered a few out of the park. Then I had this idea as the gears were going full steam; an idea that would add more work and keep me busy. I decided to open up an Omega WUSB Mixcloud. I rifled through all of my playlists, re-organized my seasonal finds, edited them through Audacity, made the artwork, and viola! The first few uploads went up. It was a fun project to start on and was curious to see if it would take off. I had nothing to lose.

My Mitsubishi back home was in disrepair at the moment, but Yenny thought I was responsible enough to let me borrow her white Honda to-and-from work. To drive out to Stony Brook to do my radio show? During a heavy blizzard? Nada. Work was a necessity but leisure wasn’t. I had no outs in leaving her apartment for any other reason except for my shifts and food shopping. Valentine’s Day fell on a Saturday but I wasn’t planning on having some sappy, gooey theme for my show. Just a God-honest broadcast of distorted Los Angeles dissonance, indie city sounds, obscure British prog-, noise rock, Japanese tape-recorder acts, blast-off garage and hard-to-find noise that I’ll never forget for as long as I breathe. I pieced it altogether, edited down, converted it, and loaded it into the cloud. Aphrodite, then WUSB program-director, was snowed in at the station and had her show before mine. I dialed the studio and she picked up so I could hear her stuffy mellowed-out voice. I told her I wasn’t going to make it in as my ex- tied my hands up with her car and a blustery snowstorm with 30 miles-an-hour winds. “Sure! Send it in” said Aphrodite. By 10PM, Omega WUSB’s non-Valentine’s Day broadcast went live.

Nights felt forever if I didn’t have work the next day. If I wasn’t posting or editing, I was spending it watching concert footage and the Rangers with Cam Talbot goaltending because Henrik Lundqvist was out with a life-threatening neck injury. If I wasn’t doing either, I’d walk to the supermarket and Chinese restaurant which was only down the street. At times I didn’t want to risk denting Yenny’s Honda, so I walked a half-mile trek from her residence to Shop-Rite where one of my better food-service customers recognized me shopping for produce. We spoke for a good ten minutes when, during that time, his jolly self offered me a position in his department. It was nice of him to do so though he was unaware that I was let go from his competitor, and I had more than enough trouble living a day-to-day life of being a former shell of myself in a post-university world.

It’s the Saturday before Yenny and her ma’ comes home. Look who’s knocking on the door? It’s Dad showing up uninvited. Somehow he remembered the directions from our house in Lindenhurst to Yenny’s apartment. Was he here to fight or argue with me again about trivial matters? No. He hasn’t seen or spoken to me in almost two weeks. He missed me, so he wanted to sweeten the deal and take me to the closest buffet we could find. The one thing with Italians, and especially him, is that they’re very passionate with food. Dad woud pump me with everything he could think of with late-night half-eaten steak, burgers, soggy fries, greasy egg rolls, and sushi platters. “O.K., sure” I said. We sat silently from opposite sides of the table as we both slowly gorged on tuna rolls, greasy beef with vegetables, chow mein, pork tips, three types of chicken, green beans, and stir-fry until we passed out in exhaustion. And I say ‘silently’ because I want absolutely no one speaking to me as I’m eating. Our discounted afternoon meal-time was over and he drove me back to Yenny’s where I would spend my final whole day there.

I’d have one more Sunday afternoon to do the good gesture and fill up the tank on Yenny’s Honda. It wouldn’t be right to use her ride and have her come home to an empty tank like some careless despicable animal. The weather was a chilly greyscale and rainy, head barely above freezing. I gather all of my clothes and haul it to the complex’s basement laundry room to spend two hours staring at the wall’s grey-peeled paint ripped open to reveal sandy cinder blocks. The second and final load was hot to a warm crisp to be thrown into a tattered laundry bag with the rest of them. I hauled it over my shoulder, up the stairs, and another 100 feet back to her residence to get one more cleaning of the cage and one final feeding of her pet weasel.

I hear the engine humming outside. Yenny and her ma’ have arrived each in one piece and happy to be finally home. I run out to greet them and offer to unload their luggage from Yenny’s fiancee’s car. All that’s done. Yenny, her ma’ and I all sit around about their Lima visit until my dad finally arrived to pick me up. We all say good-bye for now with Yenny promising to reward me for keeping everything up as they left it. I take my backpack, my laundry haul, and my laptop and loaded it in my dad’s Chrysler. I knew he would ask me twenty questions about everything that could easily be figured out with little imagination but I was in no mood to explain anything to anyone. I just wanted to enjoy the ride back to Lindenhurst where domestic tension and aggression would resume once again.

Dum Dum Girls “Bhang Bhang, I’m A Burnout”

Pop. 1280 “Do The Angelfish”

Eric Copeland “Grapes”

Courtney Barnett ”Pedestrian At Best”

Diet Cig “Harvard”

Former Ghosts “The Days Will Get Long Again”

James Clarke “Waiting Game”

Sex Worker “Tough Love”

Anthroprophh & Big Naturals “Establishment In Decline”

Nisennenmondai “Souzousuru”

Sleaford Mods “Donkey”

Beech Creeps “Sun Of Sud”

Blossom Dearie “Sunday Afternoon”

Cribs, The “We Were Aborted”

OG Maco & Key! “U Guessed It”

Sleaford Mods “Tied Up In Knotts”

Black Madonna, The “Stay”

Alessandro Cortini “Dell’ Influenza”

Flying Lotus & MF Doom “Masquatch”

XXYYXX “Witching Hour”

Soft Moon, The “Black”

Chromatics “Candy” (eight-track)

Burial “Wounder”

Black EL “’95 White Maxima”

Excepter “Forget Me”

Chromatics “Blue Moon”

Burial “Come Down To Us”

Shonen Knife “Twist Barbie”

Alan Vega “No More Christmas Blues”

Suicide “Hey Lord”

Arca “Sisters”

Consumer Electronics “Murder Your Masters”

Your Old Droog “Porno For Pyros”

Women In Prison “Suicidal Exit”

Ho99or “Da Blue Nigga From Hell Boy”

Soft Moon, The “Want”

Flucts, The “2 Gtr. Practice”

Flying Lotus & MF Doom “My Favorite Ladies / Litemeter”

Shiny Two Shiny “Through The Glass”

Antonio Adolfo “Venice”

Dual Action “NC-17 Drive In”

XXYYXX “Fields”

AIDS Wolf “Nothing But A Tape Recorder”

3 notes · View notes

meatriarch · 5 months ago

Text

@johnnysslaughter

it has been five months. it marks the occasion, circled on calendar in blue ink -- information that he had obtained some time ago, prior, in conversation. in other conversations that he overhears, particularly at the hewitts, where he overhears between the ladies. luda had made them chocolate chip cookies that day, he remembers -- maria was thankful & they ended up having a tangent about sweets. while he didn't butt in, it became useful information for now. it was her birthday. he had went out, as soon as he saw his mother take off to who-knows-where, & got her a couple things. it was silly. he could imagine the nagging his ma would give to him. it wasn't anything fancy. he couldn't afford it. but, it was something. he had tried to make the little table in his shack presented better -- freshly cleaned, the curtains pulled over to let the sunshine in. a chocolate cake, on the smaller side, but enough for the two of them for a couple of days, sat center. next to it, a small bouquet of flowers from the farm that were ready to be plucked. & last, a small rabbit plush that sat in her seat for her to pick up -- something about it calling her name when he saw it, he'd say. there were two plates on each side & a set of silverware. one plate reserved for the cake, the other chalked full with lunch. opted for some vegetables for sides, found some nice beef he could make something out of. he sat a 6 pack of beer onto the table, along with some water. choices. everything was ready. when it was ready, he started the descend into the basement, moving rug covering the drop-down aside. took him no time to get down & find the cell she was in. the cold, silent cell -- unknown to what little of his ma's hallucinogens have made its way. he removes the key from his pocket, his head tilting.

❛ y' comin' upstairs with me for a minute, ❜ he made his expression hard to read, on purpose. never knowing of what it was that he wanted to take her to go do. he walks closer to her, bending down to unlock the locks with the key, standing back up, offering his hand to help her up. he stays behind her, a hand that lingers on her shoulder, sticking close. tempting to mention how she should know the way by now, with her escape attempts -- opts not to. hand removes from her shoulder when they get to the ladder, he watches her ascend the latter, slower, & he follows when there's enough room for both of them. when she gets to the top, she stands, waiting, him speeding his ascend up the ladder. a soft nod is given to her, letting himself go ahead of her, to lead her into the general living area of the shack -- his eyes falling to the table all set up. the steam was still going on the freshly cooked lunch. a smile comes to his lips, his head turns to look at maria, to gauge her expression. he opts to wrap an arm around her, to take her in closer, let her see what was all before her. he gives her a moment to figure it out. waits until her head turns to look at him, confused. ❛ happy birthday, babygirl, ❜ he simply says, moving to pull out her chair, bending to lift the plush to give to her, welcoming her to have a seat, him to push her chair in when she sits before he rounds the table to his spot, taking himself a seat. ❛ i know it ain't much. ❜

it was always a guessing game, when she'd hear that jingle of keys from the other side of the cell door — of what he came down there for. what he wanted her to do, where he wanted to take her. in the weeks she's been there, with him, maria — in spite of growing used to this new routine, this new normal of him coming and going. bringing her food and drink, taking her out to the house on the property, inside when his mother was out to get cleaned up — there still nestled knots and frays that coiled in her gut every time she spotted that shadowed figure of him through the small gaps in the door.

he never hurt her — for that, she was thankful. ( she's seen what he can do to a person . . . )

today was like all the others that ticked on before it. the jolt and bristle, instinctively, upon realizing he was just outside of the cell he kept her in, silent he can so easily be, left her in shock every time he seemingly appeared from thin air. she's grown to realize — in spite of the lingering drives in her from time to time to escape — that complying without fuss brought her to a better standing with johnny, and today felt best to simply listen and do.

and so when his voice calls out that she's going up, out of the basement, into the small shack overhead? she listens. offers out restraints with a small nod of understanding, let's him unlock and drop them, and leaves the cell, climbs up the ladder up into shack without complaint. eyes follow him as he comes up after her, standing beside the opening in the floor, and trails behind him as he makes his way into the shack itself, pausing when he suddenly does, and eyes fall on the little scene ahead of them—

uncertainty in her features fade into surprise, as gaze takes in and registers what shes looking at — the flowers, the cake, the plated food — the little rabbit sitting on the chair—

flinch doesn't come over her, this time, when the weight of his arm goes around her, draws her closer to him. thoughts fizzing in and out, confusion settling in, eyes flick over to calendar on the wall, but she's no idea what day its meant to be, she's been here so long—

it's august already?

head whips up to look at him, and no doubt she looks entirely lost when she meets his eyes, and starts to open mouth to question what he brought her up there for, when his voice fills the air, and her stomach drops down into the pit of her gut — eyes widening, stunned on different fronts—

five months she's been here, with him? its august— i'm twenty-two now? he knows my birthday? when did he—

she moves without thinking, really — sitting herself down when he goes to pull chair out, holding plushed rabbit out to her. her confusion melts little by little, and moreso as she slowly accepts the soft little thing, cradling it in her hands. its little beady eyes looking up at her, soft to the touch. words seem lost to her as a baseline of television buzzing rings in her ears lowly. eyes flickering from the rabbit in her hands, to the plate set in front of her, to the cake, to the flowers blooming colors. confusion continues to melt away, tick by tick of the clock, his voice sounding out, it ain't much, he says—

— and yet, to someone who has virtually nothing anymore . . . ?

this was everything—

rabbit is held closer to herself. comforting, the little thing is. theres a sting in her eyes, along the bridge of nose, as the edges of vision haze as saltwater draws itself in. theres a tremble, beneath lower lip, that she does her best to stifle. he had no reason at all to do any of this. to even think of such a day, remember it. mark it down, even. yet he did—

her head finally gives a small shake, and she swallows down the urge in her to want to cry. maria didn't think she would have lived to see her twenty-second — let alone, have it celebrated in any way. a tear streaks itself down cheek, and quickly she goes to swipe it away, flustering as she stammers out, finding her voice finally, " i - i'm sorry— th - thank you, i didn't . . . i didn't even realize it was, i mean, you didn't need to— "

what can one even say? the words feel foreign, strange, tumbling out of her as she scrambles for some kind of response to him — rabbit still clutched close to herself — a comfort she didn't realize she needed. it was like her childhood stuffed rabbit, long forgotten, by now, back at her apartment . . .

" i - i don't— i don't really know what to say, i - i'm sorry, " another tear, two, three, make their way down her cheeks, and again, each is quickly swept away by fingertips, looks across the table at him again, " t - thank you, johnny— " and she means it, truly. its small, yes — a simple little gesture. the flowers, the rabbit, the cake — but . . . its the fact, underlying each of those, that he even took the time and effort to remember at all, when he had no real reason to—

maria's eyes drop from him down to the rabbits little face, and a smile start to play at the corners of her mouth at it. its something — even if small. " she's so cute, i love her — thank you. " hazels lift again to meet his, and briefly, smile grows, shows little dimples at either side of her lips.

#johnnysslaughter #[ ♡ ] ── * maria f. / 𝘪𝘤.#[ 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦. ] ── * cold case.#me the lil hewwo guy at this like maaaaannnnnnnnn.... all the different thoughts whizzing around and honestly?#just the simple fact that he even felt compelled to get her something - so something small for her - speaks so much to her and #shes simply just... oh!.... hes so sweet for this-#like !! he knew!! he knew & he made note of it & he did something for her!! that counts for so much for someone with literally nothing!!!#she treasures that little rabbit so much... i just know shes got it tucked up on their headboard later. still hugs it to sleep now and then #i love them your honor thankyou for this lamb <33

1 note · View note

tvvinpeaked · 10 months ago

Text

all roads lead back to you

chapter five - too much labor

Del stands in front of the nonfiction shelf of the school library, concentrating on reshelving books about the civil war. Music blared in her earbuds as she looked from down to up, pushing the books in by their spines. Her arms were hurting from carrying loads of laundry up and down the stairs the days before, and having a heavy enough driving force to cut snakes in half in the backyard. Her hands were calloused, but the thick skin was already coming off and had already bled when she was in geoscience earlier this week.

Being the library’s student aide was one of the few times she had time to herself - the other times she had were when she was sleeping, taking a piss or if her dad and brothers went to work. But soon, the year would be over and that peace would be gone. School was a break from home, kind of. When she wasn’t at school, her dad would be up her ass to call every hour or every other hour while they were at work, and she was home alone - or even when she was at work. As she leaned up to place another book about how the North kicked the South’s ass - through an empty space, Orlando was looking at her and whisper-yelled.

“Cookies!”

Del jumped, yanking the earbuds out of her ear.

“Jesus fuck!”

“Damn! Keep your vocie down.” He whispered back, coming around the shelf to talk to her face-to-face. A few people stared at them, including the librarian that shushed them.

“What the fuck? Can’t just fuckin’ tap on my shoulder like a normal person?”

“No, hey-” Orlando leans on the cart casually. “How you doin’?”

Del’s eyebrow quirked, and looked at him skeptically.

“How am I doin’?”

“Yeah, like how you holdin’ up? School year’s almost over. You been a damn good student body president. Don’t get to see you much though.”

“Fine, thanks.” Her response was short, and going back to doing what she did before. She doesn’t ask him how he was doing in return.

“Yeah? Well, I’m good. Thanks for asking. Do you uh, wanna hang out?”

Del stops what she’s doing, and rests a hand on her hip and looks at him.

“I told you, my fuckin’ dad says no. He’ll skin me and you.”

“Well, it’s the end of the year. You don’t think he’ll let up?”

She rolls her eyes. “You don’t check on me all fuckin’ year, and you just go ‘hey, wanna hang out?’”

“You haven’t said shit to me either, Del.” Orlando shakes his head, and crosses his arms. “Cole told me he talked to you too.”

She groaned, pushing her cart toward the science fiction section. “Yeah, and I told him to fuck off.”

“Yeah! So you can’t really be mad at me, because you told me to fuck off too.” He walks alongside her, and she stops and resumes her duties.

“I’m not mad. I told you, I can’t fuckin’ go anywhere.”

“You haven’t even tried to ask!”

“How would you know?”

“You don’t hang out with nobody. I hear that announcement for your ass to go to the office like three times a week, and you won’t ask someone to hang out with you. Ain’t nobody hanging out with you and your old man. No offense.”

“None taken.” She mumbles. “I don’t bother. I’m gonna be fuckin’ stuck here until college or die, probably.”

“You should try.”

“To say I’m hanging with you?”

“He don’t know me, I think. I don’t think he knew I knew - know - Wayne.” Del glances over her shoulder and feels her heart tug.

“I don’t know. He’ll probably make you come over, or babysit us the entire time at your house. I’d rather be babysat. I fuckin’ hate my house.”

“Del.” Orlando stands beside her at the shelf, looking at her face. “You gotta start chipping away at him. He gotta think you loyal enough not to leave by now. You bust your ass here in school and always be answering him when he calls.”

“In school? In school?” She hisses, resting a hand on the shelf. “Orlando, I fuckin’ replaced my ma. Cookin’, cleanin’, laundry- I’m a fuckin’ live-in maid. I do more than bust my ass.” She scoffed. “I need to get the fuck away from here.”

Orlando felt bad. Wayne, right now was at his house reading Conan the Barbarian comics and helping his grandma put up shelves and clean out the attic. He couldn’t tell her that, it would send her over the edge. He fought to calm Wayne down to not storm the school. He explained that they needed to be methodical so he wouldn’t get beaten black and blue by Bobby Luccetti. But it felt wrong, knowing the distance between Del and Wayne was 6 or 7 miles max- instead of the distance from Ocala to Brockton.

“Your old man can come check out my house and vet me and my grandma. It’s white boy free.” He holds his hands up.

“Great.” She sighed, rolling on to the romance section. “I dunno. I can ask him today after school.”

“Great!” The last bell of the day rang, and he snapped his fingers and pointed at her, walking away. “See you later, Cookies!”

“Bye.”

She watched him depart, and rolled the cart back from which it came, and walked outside to wait at her usual spot to wait for her dad. Orlando scrambled to get on his bike and put on his helmet, and sped away from the school. The loud pop and rumble of the pick-up truck that belonged to Bobby became closer, and closer, and closer. He pulled up to the curb, and Del swung open the door and climbed into the truck, plopping down into the seat. She was grateful Teddy and Carl weren’t with him.

“How was school?” He asked, turning away from the lot and driving off.

“It was school.”

“What did you do? You got stuff to do school events and shit? I saw it on the calendar.”

“Posters for prom. End of school ideas.” She rests her arm on the truck door, looking out the window at all the students walking in groups to go home - chatting and smiling.

“You makin’ posters?”

“Yeah.” Silence. She thinks about Orlando. “Daddy?”

“Yeah Delilah?”

“Can I visit a school friend’s house this weekend? After work? He said you can come over and meet his grandma, and stay while we hang out-” The words flow as fast as she can talk, nervous. Bobby cuts her off and points a finger at her.

“I said no fuckin’ boyfriends until you got your own home.”

“He’s not a boyfriend!” She snapped, and crossed her arms. “He wants to hang out and study for the SATs.”

“Don’t you take those next year?”

“Yeah, but he wants to start studyin’, and so do I.”

Bobby scoffed. “Fine. But I’ll be meetin’ his fuckin’ parents and him. If I don’t like what I see and hear, we’re fuckin’ leaving. You understand me?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

They made small talk about his day, but after that, Del was counting down the hours, minutes and seconds to school tomorrow and to tell Orlando she could come over with Bobby’s permission.

⛓𓌹*♰*𓌺⛓

Del woke up with a newfound excitement and joy she hadn’t known in a while. She got ready for school, and the minute Bobby dropped her off, she dashed to Orlando’s locker. It was open, with him digging for some textbooks inside. Del hit the locker next to him with her hand.

“My dad said yes. But he said if he don’t like you, I’m goin’ home.”

Orlando jumped, and closed his locker - trying to catch his breath. “Jesus - Sweet. I’m pullin’ the grandma Alzheimer's and dementia card. You think he’ll feel bad?”

“Maybe. Depends. Don’t lay it on too thick.” She scrunched her nose. “But uh…thanks. For pushin’ me. I’m actually excited to hang out, and not be stuck hangin’ out with fuckin’ morons.” She smiled - and it was genuine. She was excited. Even if they weren’t really studying, they could watch Encino Man and it was nice to know that he missed Wayne too.

“I am too.” Orlando gives her a kind smile, and closes his locker - throwing an arm around her. She doesn’t even try to pull away. “I know it’s hard without our boy, Cookies.” He was sympathetic to her, and pulled her into a half hug. “We’ll be alright, okay? I just know it.” He pulls his address out of his pocket, and hands the slip to her and waves her off, walking to class. She watched him go - and shoved his address into her pocket of her jeans.

The rest of Thursday, and Friday, she couldn’t wait until Saturday to go to Orlando’s. When Saturday came she packed her backpack with books to simulate them studying. She got ready for work, and Bobby drove her there and dropped her off. Her shift was from 10-4 today - she told Orlando she would be over around 5. It was busy as hell, and it made her day go by fast. She was so excited, she didn’t even feel when her feet started to hurt because her shoes were so worn out in the sole.

When her shift was over, Bobby picked her up and Del sat on pins and needles the whole way there. She talked about work, even the shitty parts of it. Her dad was surprised, for her to be so open and bubbly. She hated talking to him, she hated sharing stuff about her day. But she was so anxious, the words were falling out of her mouth like word vomit. He drove to Orlando’s provided address, and parked out front. She didn’t bother changing out of her uniform - in a white shirt covered in pizza sauce, a green apron - and she smelled a little like garlic. She nervously followed Bobby to the front door, holding her backpack over her shoulder. He firmly knocked at the door.

Shortly after the knock, Orlando opened the door. He was wearing a collared shirt, jeans and greeted them with a smile.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Luccetti, Del.”

“You Orlando?” Bobby asked.

“Yes sir. Come in,” He stepped to the side, gesturing for the two of them to come into the house. His grandma was sitting on the couch, knitting a magenta blanket, and watching what looked like to be the Hallmark Channel. Bobby looked around the room, inspecting every inch - from the walls, the floor, anything on the shelves. Del sheepishly moved behind him. Orlando stood next to where his grandma sat, and gestured to her.

“This is my grandmother.” She looked up, and did a wave and flashed a smile, then went back to knitting.

“So, you both studyin’?” Bobby clarified. His voice was projected. He sounded like an asshole.

“Yes, sir. Prepping for the SATs next year. May I offer you some water?” Del wanted to crack up to the performance Orlando was putting on.

“Yeah…That’d be nice. Thanks, kid.” Orlando promptly went to the fridge, and pulled out two bottles of water - one for Bobby, and then one for Del. “It just you and your grandma? Where are your folks at?” He looked around for any evidence of anyone else other than an old woman and her grandson, looking at the pictures on the walls. Orlando tracked his eyes.

“No, just my grandma and I. My parents passed away. She got dementia.” He looks at his grandma, nodding to her. Bobby’s stony face softened.

“Sorry to hear that kid.”

“No worries. We’re doing really well. She thinks I’m grown though, and go to work.” Bobby chuckles in response and smiles.

“You’re alright. Okay, go on, go study. We’re only stayin’ an hour. Delilah’s gotta make dinner.” He pats Del’s back and her face falters, avoiding Bobby’s gaze. Orlando looks at her. She wasn’t kidding about being miserable and parentified to take care of the Luccetti household.

“Thank you sir.” Orlando nods - almost bowing to him. He does a little jog up his stairs, and Del follows behind in a walk.

“And keep that fuckin’ door open!”

Once her dad was out of earshot, Del elbowed Orlando.

“Yes sir? Thank you sir? Ain’t that layin’ it on thick?”

“He bought it, didn’t he?”

They walk into Orlando’s room. Del had never visited before. Snack wrappers, dirty clothes in a pile on the floor. “Jesus, Orlando. It’s like you fuckin’ hibernate in here.”

Orlando’s eyes darted to the trash and scooped it up promptly, stuffing it into a trash can and picked up the clothes, tossing them into the laundry basket. He was grateful that he had amazing improve skills. Wayne was hanging out in here before she got here - and shoved him into the attic in case Bobby asked for a house tour. He didn’t really explain to his best friend what ‘a girl was coming over’ meant, he just made up an excuse about the girl in the neck brace he had a crush on. Wayne asked no further questions because he didn’t care. Guilt was rising in Orlando’s throat like stomach acid. 6 or 7 miles was now 60 or 70 feet tops, depending on where in the attic he was - if he was above them, it was like 10.

⛓𓌹*♰*𓌺⛓

For the next hour, Del and Orlando actually did study - but it was more so her tutoring him than it was studying. They worked on statistics homework - which he was taking as now a senior, and she was taking as a junior. It was actually really productive to have someone hold you accountable for your work. While they were wrapping up, noises came from the ceiling, almost sounding like footsteps. It couldn’t be heard really from downstairs, moreso above Orlando’s room. Del looks up, face scrunched in concern.

“What the fuck was that?”

Orlando tilts his head up at the ceiling, and in his head, he wants to kick Wayne’s ass. He looks down at her, matching her look of concern - before softening it into understanding, as if he had an epiphany.

“That? Oh - it’s raccoons. The exterminator couldn’t come today, but they gonna be here sometime this week when I’m home from school.”

“Must be some fatass raccoons. What’s goin’ in your garbage?” She snorts, raising her eyebrows while shoving textbooks back into her backpack. “Thanks for lettin’ me hang out.” She throws her backpack over her shoulder. A genuine but nervous smile crosses her face. “It was nice to talk to someone I don’t fuckin’ live with.”

“No problem, Cookies. Mi casa is tu casa, or whatever the fuck the saying is.”

“Delilah! Let’s fuckin’ go!” Bobby shouted from the base of the stairs.

“Well, gotta go.” She half frowned.

They both came downstairs, and Orlando opened the front door for them and stepped out of the way so they could walk over the threshold to his porch.

“Thanks for helpin’ my girl out. Appreciate you.” Bobby remarked, gently bumping his fist against Orlando’s shoulder. Del walked out of the house first and down the steps to the truck door, looking back at the house. Bobby lingered in the doorway, exchanging words with the boy. After another minute, Bobby walks down the driveway as well and to the driver’s side door - opening it with a look of contentment on his face. Del yanked open her door, and waved goodbye to Orlando standing in the doorway. He glances behind him, and goes to close the door. Her gaze lingers. A strange feeling washed over her, like she was being watched or stared at.

“Del! Get in the fuckin’ truck. I don’t got all afternoon.”

She climbs inside the truck, and pulls her seatbelt over her lap and clicks it in. She watches the house disappear as they begin their drive home. She felt betterish, now. Like she could have some kind of hope that she’d be okay. It was an hour where her mind wasn’t occupied by Wayne’s absence.

⛓𓌹*♰*𓌺⛓

Thursday afternoon to that Saturday morning Del visited, Orlando had gone grocery shopping for the three of them - himself, Wayne and his grandma. He and Wayne went shopping for stuff for him - clothes, soap, shoes. Teenage boy essentials. They dropped off stuff to donation centers that they cleaned out of the attic (mostly because it was driving Orlando insane). His grandma’s old clothes, and her weirdly large collection of black Santas. Wayne was getting adjusted to the guest room, despite its smell of mothballs and the floral patterns. The closet was cleaned out for his new clothes, and they found a couple of posters to hang up on the walls to make him feel more at home.

Saturday afternoon, Orlando told Wayne he had a girl coming over from school - the girl who broke her neck, or something like that. He vaguely remembers her presence before he beat the shit out of someone with a trumpet. He didn’t want her to recognize him and ring any alarms for school police to come and raid his house. Wayne reluctantly agreed, and Orlando pushed him up the steps of the ladder. And he waited.

All he could think about was seeing Del. He was so close now, and it irritated him that Orlando told him he had to wait. All this time away, and now he is back, and he can’t even see her?

He boredly sifted through what boxes were left in the attic while he waited for this girl to leave. He crept around as quietly as he could, but the floor creaked and whined under his weight. He could hear talking, and then someone yelling. There was a small window that faced the street. Wayne crouched to crawl to it at the end of the ceiling and roofing. He used the sleeve of his sweatshirt to wipe the thick caked on dust off, and peered out the glass. His stomach dropped - feeling like a ton of bricks crushed his ribs.

Bobby Luccetti’s truck.

He keeps looking down, his eyes fixed on the truck and felt the heat of the fire igniting, rising to his head - so hot, he could swear steam was coming out of his ears. His hand balled into a fist, and dug his fingernails into his palm. A girl with brown hair tied back in a ponytail and pair of jeans with a white shirt and green apron looked up at the house.

Del.

He felt his breath was taken straight from his lungs. He restrained to keep his legs from moving - from dashing down the rungs of the ladder, and down the stairs and out that front door. An older man walked into view, and Wayne recognized him as Bobby. The adrenaline flooded his veins. He watches them get in the car and drive off. The minute the truck starts moving, Wayne throws himself down the ladder, stumbling as fast as he can to get down and looks for Orlando. Orlando was talking up the stairs, and barely made it to the top landing before Wayne grabbed the collar of his shirt in a seething rage.

“You fuckin’ lied to me.” Orlando’s eyes glanced down at Wayne’s hand, which was white knuckled as he gripped his shirt.

“Well, technically a girl did come over-”

“You fuckin’ lied. Del was here.” Orlando was sweating.

“Man, I couldn’t just have you come down like you a fuckin’ guest star on Family Feud!”

“I need to see her.”

Orlando pulled on his shirt to try to get out of Wayne’s grasp, pulling the fabric from between his fist.

“You can’t. Wayne, we ain’t doing shit until we plan, and that means you ain’t doing shit until you plan.”

“I don’t want to plan. I want to be with Del.”

Orlando grabbed Wayne’s shoulders, and stared at him square in the eye.

“Man, you don’t think I want you to be with her too? I do, but we can’t just have you pull up on her and her dad.” Wayne burned holes into Orlando’s eyes and skull. “You don’t know how her old man be raking her over the coals.”

The fire grew hotter. It felt like he was coming down with a fever.

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“She’s been hella workin’, and bustin’ her ass. Cookin’, cleanin’, actually workin’. You show up at her house, and her fuckin’ dad will kill you for real this time. And you’d never ever see her again. Is that what you want?”

The brief description of how she was being treated made that fire white hot.

“No. I want Del, though.”

“So, we gotta plan man.” Orlando shakes Wayne.

“How?”

“We start learnin’ their routine. When they work, how long they work. I’m gon’ get into her house and see how that shit functions.”

“What the fuck am I supposed to do? I’m not gonna fuckin’ sit here.”

Orlando furrowed his brows in frustration. “Yeah, you kinda are.”

“Fuck no.”

“Wayne, you are a fuckin’ walking red flag. You need to lay low, or you’ll get us both in trouble, and your girlfriend’s dad is gonna lock her in a fuckin’ shed if you do somethin’ stupid.”

“I don’t wanna.” His fixed gaze on his friend made Orlando uncomfortable. He looks away, then back at Wayne.

“Look man. She misses you too. She don’t talk to nobody, and hasn’t talked to nobody since you been gone. This is the first time she been able to get out the house and her dad was here the whole time. We gotta work up to being able to have him leave her here and pick her up later. Yeah?”

Wayne looked down at the plush, deep pink carpet. Orlando was right. He knew that to be true. The weight of thinking about the time until he could see her was soul crushing.

“Yeah.”

“So, this is what we’re gonna do. I’ll keep impressin’ her old man and get him to trust me enough to leave, and come back when we get that far - you come out that room and y’all can reunite. You gotta trust me on this. It’ll fuckin’ suck, but it needs time.”

Wayne kept his eyes to the floor.

“Okay.”

“Okay. Now, let’s go make dinner. You ain’t livin on no beef jerky and shit anymore. We’re gonna make fettuccine alfredo.”

#wayne mccullough #del luccetti #wayne #wayne show #wayne amazon prime

4 notes · View notes