#the giddy laughter and squeals with your coworkers as soon as you run to the back

[astrxsee]

so this is actually happening to me irl but it’s so john price coded i had to write it down.

older!bowler!john x younger!bartender!reader

you sigh as you open your car door, the cold air immediately hitting your face. the lights of the bowling alley up the dark january night. for some extra money and because you have time, you bartend wednesday nights at the local alley.

you spend your time restocking coolers, gossiping with your coworkers, and selling beer to the rowdy crowd of league bowlers. they were all at least twenty five years older than you, but god, they tipped well when you flirted with them.

they’d ask you about your life, nodding along while you grabbed them their order. you’ve basically memorized their orders by now, the 5 hours you’re there going by quickly and smoothly. that is, until he walks up to the bar.

a large smile on his face as he boldly makes a teasing comment about your favorite sports team. you quickly roll your eyes at him as he quietly mutters his order to you like he needs to tell you with a wink, your eyes meeting his.

you quickly rush to make his bucket of miller lites, you and him the only ones at the counter. just by the heat, you can just tell your face is flushed.

“you turning into a alcoholic now, john?” you ask teasingly, nodding your head in the direction of the clock. it was getting late, he usually didn’t order at this time.

he lets out a loud bark of laughter, rolling his eyes. a smile on his face as his eyes follow you’re much smaller frame. you lean forward into the cooler, and you don’t miss how his eyes snap down to your chest.

“says you.” he mutters out, leaning his beefy arms against the bar. he raises his eyebrows in curiosity, waiting to see how you’ll respond.

your face takes on a look of faux surprise, glossed lips letting out a scoff. the hand that doesn’t close the cooler goes up to your chest in hurt.

“sir, I have never had a sip of alcohol in my life.” voice sounding sassier that you meant to. his eyebrows drop and a sly smile comes onto his handsome face.

“are you even old enough to drink?” john’s voice comes out a bit lower now, his head tilting teasingly. you see his large hands come to hold himself up against the bar, your eyes flicking down to see his forearms flexing underneath his flannel.

“yeah!” you chirp, a giggle escaping your lips as you place the bucket of beer on the counter. the bucket clinks as your eyes meet with his, “i’m 21.”

“oh, so you’re old enough for me to flirt with you?” john asks, leaning even closer to you over the counter. you giggle, the flush on your face becoming hot. no one had ever flirt with you before like that, you just couldn’t help but to get flustered.

“oh, stop..” you say biting your lip, immediately avoiding his gaze. grabbing the towel to your left, you make a shooing motion with your hand. “but, yes, im old enough.”

“good, because you’re beautiful, so it’s a win for me.” he mutters out, your eyes meeting his. the look you give the older man told him all he needed to know. your eyes dipped low as he grabbed the bucket and stepped away from the counter. you definitely miss the way he has to rearrange himself in his pants as he walks away.

[aiiwa]

10. TATTOOED HEART.

chapter 10: “well, are you my mommy?”

warnings: written part, cursing, fluff, a little cursing in front of a child shsjsksksk, wc is 2.8k.

note from author. ahhh it’s been a while, i hope you all enjoy this!

for the remainder of the working week, you could barely contain your excitement and nervousness for the weekend. getting to spend some time with iwaizumi, but also meeting his daughter, had you giddy and yapping the ears off anyone nearby.

unfortunately, the victims were often your coworkers.

atsumu had made it clear that you were annoying that absolute fuck out of him; calling you a squealing pig and even attempting to wrestle you to shut up. bokuto was kinder, running away and hiding from you around corners until the coast was clear. hinata though, was tolerant enough, nodding along and grinning at every little thing you said. but sakusa…

actually, you hadn’t seen much of sakusa. and you had a feeling he was avoiding you — no, you knew he was. constantly busy with clients, seemingly working overtime when your knocks on his office door were left ignored.

but once saturday rolled in, all of that was temporarily pushed to the back of your mind.

it was finally the day you’d been waiting for, and you were currently parked outside what you assumed was the iwaizumi residence. because he was adamant on driving together to hitomi’s game, the address iwaizumi sent last night had led you to a cute townhouse. it was situated in a nice residential area, a short way from the city; so you sat tapping your fingers anxiously on the steering wheel, ‘you have reached your destination’ flashing across your gps.

this was nothing like your part of the city. a completely different life almost.

judgemental eyes were common here, and the unwelcomed feeling of dread began to settle into the pit of your stomach.

damn, they really were everywhere, you thought to yourself. walking their pooches, walking their children, hell you were certain they were walking each other at this point.

part of you was grateful for the dim weather, the darkening clouds overhead and chilly winds had allowed you to dress warmly. covering yourself up and shielding you from the scrutiny accustomed to having your art inked permanently on your skin. it was something you were accustomed to in family-oriented places, but not iwa, and definitely not hitomi. you could handle it for them, just for today.

the loud ping notifying you of an incoming text message pulled you from your inner dwellings. and once you saw who it was from, you were eagerly swiping your thumb across the screen.

dilfy: you gonna come inside anytime soon, pretty girl?

glancing up from your phone, you catch three figures waving crazily at you from the first-floor window of the townhouse. laughter bubbles in your chest as you receive another message.

dilfy: we don’t bite.

shaking your head, you send your reply; hastily grabbing your bag and dragging yourself out of your car.

you: aw, what a shame. i was hoping you would, handsome.

locking your car up and jogging across the street, the front door opens before you even reach it.

hajime’s bulky figure takes up almost the entire space of the door frame. he’s dressed warm too, in a hoodie that would most likely reach your knees and a pair sweatpants that had no business being so tight around the top of his thighs. in his watchful gaze swims the remnants of your teasing, a light flush to his cheeks.

it’s only as you near him, do you notice the smaller figure hiding behind his legs. peeping from behind him, withthe same pretty eyes filled with curiosity.

“ah, so you finally decided to come out of hiding?”

rolling your eyes, smirking, you come to a stop in front of him. “yeah, yeah, just say you wanted to see me and let me in.”

iwa surprises you by leaning forward, pulling you in for a hug, holding you much too long to be considered just friendly. encased in his strong embrace, the scent of his aftershave is dizzying, lingering even as he moves back at hitomi’s impatient tug on his pant leg.

“hi, pretty girl.”

“hey, yourself.” you mouth back, smiling as he crosses his arms and allows himself to be pushed aside by his daughter.

the little lady mimics iwa, making a show of crossing her arms in her attempt to size you up. she’s absolutely gorgeous with the same brunette locks, golden skin and bright, hazel eyes as her father — she even shares the same dimple that poked right at the curl of her smirk.

“hello.” you greet her softly, tilting your head to the side. “i’m-“

“-a girl.”

“oh yes, i am a girl. i’m also a friend of your father’s.”

she hums, nodding to herself as if it all made sense.

“daddy only has guy friends, and all of them are my uncles.” at that, iwa scratches the back of his neck sheepishly. it was cute, endearing truthfully. “does that mean you’re my aunty?”

“no…” you denied, unsure how to answer. honesty it was.

“well, are you my mommy?” she asks just as quick.

iwa chokes up, and you can only blink back at the five year old — completely speechless. while iwa short circuits, never having to deal with anything like this before, you’re starting to think maybe avoidance was the best path.

“uh, nope, i’m not.” you reply truthfully, glad the little girl isn’t disheartened.

“what does that make you to me?”

hajime finds his voice, enough to attempt to scold her. “iwaizumi hitomi!” though it falls on deaf ears, her full attention placed on you.

“a new friend?” you offer with a grin, extending your hand out to her.

she eyes your palm thoughtfully, before shooting quick fire questions at you.

“favourite colour?”

“black, of course.” at her blank look you quickly add on, “pink is a close second too.”

“chocolate or vanilla ice cream?”

“i like to mix them together.”

“do you like vegetables?”

“not really.” while she grins toothly at you, iwa looks less than impressed. “but they’re good for you, and that’s why you should eat them to get big, strong and stay healthy.”

the two iwaizumi’s laugh at your attempt to be serious, and you’re quick to join them.

“you sound just like my daddy.”

“is that a good or bad thing?” you tease.

when she hesitates, iwa is quick to poke her chubby cheek. “a good thing!”

you and hitomi share a giggle, and you can’t help but think to yourself about how much she reminds you of you. just like her, you only had your father growing up and hey, you turned out pretty damn well — and if iwa kept up being the best dad for hitomi, she was on a fast track to being even more amazing. it made you feel soft inside. gross, but you still felt giddy.

“one more thing, miss y/n.”

“hmm?”

“do you know how to braid hair?” pointing at the bird’s nest atop her head, you can’t help but feel sorry for the girl. men really had no understanding of hair.

“any style you want, bub.”

and with that she reaches out to grab on to your hand, giggling and tugging you forward. stumbling with your own laugh, you allow her to lead you inside; feeling iwa’s large palm press against your lower back as he steadies you.

“i got you, pretty girl.” he whispers as hitomi chatters away.

“miss y/n~”

you do your best to ignore warmth in your cheeks. “just y/n is good.”

“y/n~” hitomi repeats. “i’m so happy you know how to braid! now uncle shi doesn’t have to do it! he can’t do anything pretty!”

before you can question who uncle shi is, a third figure comes into view, making his presence known. you recognise him instantly as the drunk pretty boy who was cuddled up on your lap that night, and once he notices you, he’s quick to move towards you for a kiss on both your cheeks.

“y/n-chan!” he cheers excitedly, immune to the iwaizumi’s staring at him. “i’m tooru~ i’m sure you remember me.”

“how could i forget.” you reply, slight sarcasm twisted in your tone, though a genuine smile graces your lips.

“how sweet! you look amazing.” he gestures to your outfit, a collection of dark tones. “has iwa-chan told you how beautiful you are today?” his flirting is amusing, but it’s the reactions of the other two that has you cackling.

“oi, shittykawa.”

“oi! uncle shi!”

the taller man only sighs, rolling his eyes at them.

“uncle shi, y/n is gonna do my hair for me!”

“what?!” at this, tooru seems legitimately offended. “have you been talking shit about my braiding again?”

“you can’t even do your own hair.”

“excuse me?!” the taller man points at his softly tousled hair. “this takes hours to perfect, young lady!”

“it looks like a mop, uncle shi.”

hitomi has a three second stare off with her uncle before she’s running off, giggles echoing in the house as tooru chases after her. this, leaving you and iwa all alone in the hallway.

“i’m sorry about him.” hajime apologises with a sigh. “i was lucky enough that makki and mattsun had something on today, but oikawa’s hard to shake off. especially when it comes to hitomi.”

“hey, it’s okay. it’s really nice that hitomi gets to be around her uncles all the time.”

iwa turns to face you with a soft look in his eyes. “i would’ve preferred if it was just us three.”

“is this you admitting you just want to see me?”

“wasn’t that obvious from the start, pretty girl?”

“maybe.” you hum, trailing after him as he moves towards the sounds of oikawa’s shrieks. speaking of him…“oikawa tooru, right?”

glancing at you over his shoulder, you don’t miss the slight furrow between his brow. “yeah that’s him.”

“why does hitomi call him shi?”

his frown quickly disappears, a smirk instantly painting across his features. “it’s short for shittykawa. my bad she calls him that, but it suits him doesn’t it?”

and when you walk into the lounge, seeing hitomi dangling from her uncle’s neck as he screams, you can’t help but agree. it was completely endearing.

while initially you were nervous for today, it seemed to be for nothing.

iwaizumi had invited you over to carpool with them to hitomi’s game — and surprisingly there was a slight struggle with the seating arrangement in his truck. it involved crocodile tears, courtesy of oikawa, from an elbow to his side from hitomi as they argued over who would sit next to you. that was quickly shut down once iwa had spoken up in his dad voice, leaving the two of them pouting in the back seat as you sat next to hajime on the passengers side.

hitomi’s soccer game itself was something else.

the sun had come out, warming your face but it was nothing compared to the burning of iwa’s thigh pressed against yours as you sat by each other on the bleachers. he had his arm resting behind your back, making you hyper aware of his presence.

“she’s amazing.” you remarked in awe, watching the children running around chasing after the ball.

“she’s a bully on the field.” iwa chuckles lowly, fondness seeping into his tone as he cringes slightly at her barrelling through other children. “and that one over there just eggs her on.”

off to the side, right next to the coach of hitomi’s team, was oikawa. he was cheering loudly for his niece, prancing around the field as if at any moment he would run in to join the game. but it really had the little girl hyped, and when she scored the winning goal, it was a call for a little celebration.

and that’s how the four of you ended up in mcdonald’s.

the fast food joint was packed, and you took the time to silently curse your choice of outfit. where earlier it was chilly, now it was extremely humid, the bustling restaurant only making you sweat even more.

your hair stuck to your forehead slightly, and the padded jacket you chose to wear was itchy against your skin.

as much as you wanted to tear off the warm clothing, you were still extremely conscious of hitomi.

“y/n?” her small voice called out, tugging on your sleeve.

looking down at her next to you, you were pulled out of your dilemma. iwaizumi had gone to wash his hands, while oikawa went to order an ice cream for the champ.

you offered her a smile, a little forced, masking your discomfort. “yeah, tomi?”

“aren’t you hot in your jacket?”

“haha no…i’m fine?” your answer was filled with uncertainty, and in turn had the young girl frowning at you.

“it’s not good to lie, y/n. and it’s not good to wear warm clothes when it’s hot.”

being lectured by a five year old was not on the agenda today, yet here you were. she wasn’t wrong though. and when she started pointing at you with a french fry, you found yourself slowly unzipping your jacket.

“did your daddy tell you that?”

“nope. uncle mak told me, he also said that…”

her sentence trailed off as you shrugged your arms out of the sleeves, exposing the prominent ink painted over your skin. her jaw had dropped, fry following suit, and her hazel eyes were wide with wonder.

“y/n, what are these?”

curiosity had the little girl reaching her hand out to trace the lines. chubby fingers soft and unsteady.

“these are my tattoos.”

“tattoos?”

“mhm.”

“did you draw them?”

“most of them i designed, yeah.” you felt warmth, a different type, bloom in your chest. “then my friends drew them into my skin, they’re there forever.”

“forever?!” hitomi shrieks excitedly. “they’re so pretty and cool, can i have a tattoo?”

when she looks up at you with her pretty eyes, the warmth spreads over your entire body. the feeling is different. comforting and welcomed.

“maybe when you’re older, bub.” you half-promise.

“do they have colourful ones?”

“all types.” you inform her, going on a spiel of the different designs you have.

“wow.” she sighs dreamily.

her eyes never leave your exposed arms and neck. even when oikawa returns with her ice cream, and iwa sits down in front of you telling her to be careful. it’s only when oikawa races her to the kiddy playground, that she finally looks away. though her stare is quickly replaced by that of her father’s.

“something interesting to stare at, mister iwaizumi?”

sipping on your drink, when you peek at him through your lashes you almost choke at the way he looks at you. his smirk is sinful, eyes drinking you in greedily — you suppose since the two of you are tucked away in a booth with no one near, he no longer has any qualms around openly eyeing you up.

“you.”

his answer sends an electrifying jolt through your body. you feel shy almost, but he doesn’t allow you to turn away when his large hand reaches out to grasp your own.

“i never said it earlier, but you’re so damn beautiful, every part of you. pretty girl, you should never hide yourself from me, or anyone.”

you gasp softly, brows furrowed as you question him silently on how he knew.

“maybe call it a dad sense?” at his joke you roll your eyes, half your mind and heart thinking of your own father. they had such similar characters, it was easy to find comfort in them. “plus you were almost sweating buckets while eating.”

“i was not!” you huff, pulling your hand away but his hold tightens as he laughs heartily at your expression.

“sorry, pretty girl but it’s true.”

“whatever, meanie.”

his thumb brushes over the top of your hand softly. “aw, i can’t be that mean. will a kiss make it all better?”

parting your lips in shock, feeling warmth flushing your cheeks, you’re left speechless. panicking almost when he leans forward, breath hitching, only for him to press a kiss over your knuckles. it takes a second to process him laughing again at you, before you reach down to throw hitomi’s left over fries at him.

“you call that a kiss?”

“oh? i know how to kiss, pretty girl.”

“prove it then.” you bite back, embarrassed at his teasing.

“trust me, i want to.” his reply is softer, lacking the edge of jesting. “i’d love to kiss you.”

“then why don’t you?”

before he can answer, two voices call out to the two of you.

“y/n! y/n, come on let’s play!”

“iwa-chan! stop keeping y/n-chan all to yourself!”

“and that’s why…haha.” iwa chuckles a little exasperated, packing all of the trash onto the tray. “when i kiss you, pretty girl, it’s just gonna be me and you, okay?”

standing up with him, carrying your own tray of rubbish to place in the bin, you stop before him. staring up at hajime, rolling your bottom lip between your teeth, before smiling.

“i’ll be waiting for it.”

prev | TEN | next

FUN FACTS:

— oikawa is uncle shi, makki is uncle mak, and though he wasn’t mentioned, mattsun is uncle matsu.

— oikawa has been kicked off the soccer field three times before.

— yn has faced discrimination previously over her art :(((.

— iwa really wanted to kiss yn (when does he not) but he wants to do things right.

— this was meant to have more talk about hitomi’s mother, but that will be coming in future chapters!!

TAG LIST RB’D AND CLOSED.

[mercifulheavens]

Keep Them Safe- TWW fic

Prompted by @catmca100 for a drabble with Mildred going to help Hecate and Ada when Ada was being pulled from the painting... this is the result XD (warning for slight violence and general Agatha bullying)

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“Stop!” Mildred shouted, unseen in her invisible potion shrouded body. “I won’t let you hurt them!” She mustered. Pulling her small frame as tall as she could despite the fact that none of the women in the room could see her.

“Mildred?” Miss Hardbroom gasped, blinking unbelievably, her hands shaking with the effort to keep Miss Cackle partly out of the portrait.

Mildred had interrupted Agatha and Miss Gullet’s attempt to send the two witches back into the picture and now the four women were all momentarily frozen, shocked by the student’s audacity. “You need to go, Mildred.” Miss Hardbroom called out, renewing her efforts to pull her friend and superior out. Ada moved a few more centimetres and then stopped as she pushed out at Hecate. Miss Gullet had raised her hand again and Ada tried to pull out of Hecate’s grip in a poor effort to save the other woman.

Mildred ran forward, glad to be invisible as she tripped up the few stairs and grabbed Miss Cackle’s wrists to help. She wasn’t as strong as Miss Hardbroom but maybe together... they could pull her free.

Despite the shock of invisible hands grabbing so close to hers, Miss Hardbroom didn’t react. She was too focused on pulling and trying to muster up the extra energy to make a protective spell. “I have her, Mildred.” She hissed under her breath. “But I need you to shield us.”

Mildred faltered. “What?”

“A protection ward.” Miss Hardbroom explained.

Agatha batted at the air beside her, calling out for Mildred to appear.

Miss Gullet, arm poised, seemed unwilling to attack unless directed. This gave them needed time.

“Repeat after me.” Miss Hardbroom was starting to pale, the effort of sustaining the spell to pull Miss Cackle was draining her. She went to speak but was interrupted by Agatha firing a spell at them. It hit the stone floor and splashed with flaming red brilliance into Miss Hardbroom’s side. She hissed in pain but kept her grip on Miss Cackle.

“Hecate! Let me go! You have to save yourself and Mildred!” Ada begged, wiggling her fingers to free herself. Mildred fought to hold onto her headmistress, her worry for both women rising by the second.

Agatha and Miss Gullet were laughing; howling as they took in the struggle before them.

“Get a bit singed did we?” Gullet shrieked, almost giddy.

It made Mildred’s blood boil. How could they be so cruel? So mean... against their own flesh and blood; their former coworker. She didn’t understand why anyone would want to hurt Miss Cackle or Miss Hardbroom.

“You just don’t know how to quit do you, Hecate.” Agatha simpered, wiping away a tear from her laughter. “You can’t save her or this school. It’s mine now and I always fight for what’s mine.” Both black-hearted witches raised their hands and Mildred felt her heart freeze within her chest. Another hit; direct maybe this time and it could be too much for Miss Hardbroom. She was already trembling and pale; only her tremendous will keeping Miss Cackle out of the painting. If she was hit, Miss Cackle would fall back in and they’d never be able to free her. Then the school would continue to suffer and- no!

Mildred let go of the two older witches and stood up. The invisibility potion was wearing off. She squared her narrow shoulders, held out her hands and chanted as loud as she could-

“Keep them safe!”

She repeated it over and over again. It wasn’t a proper chant but when the two witches fired their spells at her, she felt nothing.

Eyes squeezes tightly, Mildred heard a bang followed by two squeals. It was a very Gullet-like squeal.

She opened her eyes to a flash of light as Miss Cackle slid from the painting and Agatha and Miss Gullet disappeared.

“They’re gone?!” Mildred cried, stepping over the embracing witches at her feet.

Miss Cackle had gathered the nearly unconscious deputy into her arms as soon as she’d been able; keeping the exhausted woman from collapsing.

“No, it’s okay, Mildred.” Miss Cackle assured her, gently assessing the spell damage to the deputy’s side. She pointed back to the painting. Mildred squinted. There in the canvas were two tiny mice, legs in the air as if thrown.

“How’d that happen?” Mildred wondered aloud. Ada chuckled. “I’d say you happened, my dear. You protected us all from their spell and it ricocheted back to them.” She beamed happily at the young girl. “Well done!” Mildred grinned, flushing under the praise. She ducked her head, noting how still Miss Hardbroom was.

“Will she be okay?” She asked, concerned.

“I should think so.” Ada assured her, rising to her knees, Hecate’s limp form tucked against her chest. “I’ll transfer her back to her rooms to get some rest. You should go tell Miss Drill and the rest what happened and save those friends of yours from getting eaten!” Mildred nodded, running toward the door. “Oh and Mildred!” The girl paused, looking back. “Thank you.”