#the research holes i fell down were unbelievable - and yes all the courses and all the job titles are all real things

[laurenairay]

Take a Chance - D. Hamilton

Word Count: 12.7k

Summary: Ashley Miller is a Sunday-morning regular at her local coffee shop. Dougie Hamilton is the associate art curator who catches her eye.

Warnings: coffee shop au, some bad language, a lot of cute fluff, anxiety

A/N: This is my @hockeynetwork​ winter gift exchange fic for @huttons​! I had a lot of fun researching & creating this fic gift, and I tried to incorporate all of the preferences you stated and that we discussed. This is very self-indulgent too, definitely the longest thing I’ve written on here, and I’m not going to go into the very niche research rabbit holes I fell down! Bringing this OC to life made me so happy, and I had a blast incorporating the coffee shop au element. I hope you enjoy this! 💚

Also tagging @danglesnipecelly​, @texanstarslove​ and @itsbadgerbadgermushroom​ because they all listened to me stress while writing hah.

*

“Large latte for Ashley!”

Ashley Miller looked up from her laptop, smiling at her favourite barista at the counter. She got up from her table, leaving her laptop and scone briefly as she collected her drink, before heading back to her seat. Sunday mornings were the same every week – arrive at Storm Surge coffee shop when they opened at 7am, park herself at a table in the back corner, and consume a steady flow of coffee as she worked. Sure, her work might vary – teaching Medieval History at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill meant her lesson topics were all over the spectrum – but she just found that everything from writing notes for her classes that week to marking essays at the end of the semester became easier if she had the thrum of the coffee shop around her.

That, and she knew she’d just spend her entire weekend burrowed in her house if she didn’t get out.

Having moved to Raleigh 6 years ago to undertake her PhD, Ashley had accepted a teaching job at the very same university she’d studied at when she’d completed her studies a year ago, and she hadn’t looked back since. There was just something about Raleigh that she had fallen in love with, only a 30 minute drive away from her workplace, something that had spoken to her very soul, and actually being able to pass on knowledge about the subject that she was so passionate about made her so incredibly happy. Sure, her parents had never understood her love for 11th to 13th century European history (nor anyone else from her small town in South Dakota) but Ashley had never cared about that – New York had given her the opportunity to grow as a person during her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, but Raleigh had given her the opportunity to thrive.

And she would forever be grateful for that.

Sundays though…Sundays were something she cherished. This independent coffee shop had been a blessing when she’d found it early on in her PhD research, and they had never complained about her taking up a table for essentially the whole day (and she did pay for each of the many coffees she consumed). Baristas and bakers had come and gone over the past 6 years, but there were a couple that had stuck around recently - and a year ago when she officially became ‘Dr Ashley Miller’, her favourite barista Andrei had even given her a piece of chocolate cake on the house to celebrate. Storm Surge coffee shop was a home away from home.

Of course, there was another reason that Sunday coffee shop time was one of her favourite things in her week…

Tall Cute Guy.

He was a regular every Sunday morning, and had been for the past year - three Sundays a month he would order a mocha and an americano to go, but one Sunday a month he would come in an hour earlier and order just an americano, and drink it in the shop instead while reading an old paperback book. Every single time, like clockwork.

Okay, yes, that sounded a little stalkerish. But he was so cute. Ashley pretty much always had her earphones in playing music so she had never caught his name, but his blonde curls, pretty blue eyes and warm smile had caught her eye straight away. And he was so tall, she couldn’t have missed him if she’d tried. She’d never spoken to him, never even said hi in passing, but occasionally she would link eyes with him and he would smile at her. And that smile was enough to send her heart fluttering. Ridiculous really, but it brought her a little joy.

What was the harm in smiling back at a cute guy every now and again, right?

*

Dougie Hamilton walked into the North Carolina Museum of Art with a smile on his face. To be honest, it could’ve been for a multitude of reasons. His career was finally heading upwards, having moved museums to become Associate Curator of European Art a couple of years ago, and he loved his work. He had recently renovated his kitchen, which was now looking pretty sleek and awesome, if he did say so himself. His colleagues had genuinely become some of his closest friends, and he had a standing monthly poker night with several of them. But his smile today wasn’t because of any of that.

No, his smile today was because it was Sunday morning, and he’d just picked up his regular coffee order for him and his boss.

Speaking of…

“So, did you finally talk to your coffee shop crush, or did you just awkwardly stare at her like a weirdo again?”

“Oh fuck off,” Dougie grumbled, feeling his cheeks heat up in a fierce blush as his boss Jordie’s words.

It was far too early for this – he’d only just walked into their shared office for fuck’s sake! Jordie just hooted laughter at his embarrassment as he took his mocha from Dougie, making Dougie groan. “One day you’re going to have to talk to her, man. It’s just getting sad now,” Jordie teased.

“Yeah, yeah, don’t we have a museum to open?” Dougie scowled.

Jordie just beamed even more, wiggling his eyebrows as he left their office. Dougie groaned again, running his hands through is unruly hair before he sighed. Coffee shop crush. Hah. Jordie wasn’t wrong though. Not really. His crush…Mystery Laptop Woman…was one of the reasons he always volunteered to pick the two of them up coffee before the museum opened up on a Sunday morning. Jordie had come along with him only once to pick up their coffee, about 6 months ago, and ever since then he hadn’t let Dougie’s shy smile at her go. Of course, Dougie barely knew anything about her – only that she was always in early on a Sunday, always completely consumed by her work, and she had such a super cute concentration face, whatever it is that she worked on. He could never quite tell – sometimes she had a book or two with her, sometimes it was a stack of papers – but he knew for sure that she appeared to mainline coffee like a pro. Probably some kind of teacher?

He’d certainly never had a teacher that beautiful, that was for sure.

Her long dark hair was always down and always a little messy, like she ran her hands through it often (which she did, he’d noticed). Her warm hazel eyes were hidden behind tortoiseshell glasses, and her lips were always coloured in varying shades of dark pink and red. He’d only seen her standing a couple of times, but he’d caught enough of a glimpse of her long legs to have some very inappropriate thoughts. She just looked so kind, so friendly…and so beautiful. Dougie had never been able to catch her name though – she’d always had a full coffee or at least half a coffee left whenever he was in the shop, so he couldn’t even find out sneakily that way. But whoever she was, whatever she did, when he occasionally got lucky enough for her to look at him, her smile made his entire body light up like a fireworks show. It was a bit pathetic really, how much just a smile from her made his entire day, but he was a year into it now and he wasn’t going to stop that for anything. He had a great career, some great friends, and a pretty great life, even if he was tragically single.

What was the harm in smiling at a beautiful woman whenever he got the chance, right?

*

“Alright, we’ve nearly run out of time now, but just one final thing I want you to think about for Monday’s love in the middle ages class,”

On cue, her students groaned, making Ashley grin.

“Hey, I’m giving you a head’s up here – I could just let you walk into our general lecture blind?” she shrugged, teasing.

That got her a few laughs at least. She’d take that.

“Okay, so we know through our focus on the Medieval Expansion of Europe that one of the biggest tales about Eleanor of Aquitaine in the latter half of the 1100s was of her role in the courts of love. What I want you all to look into is whether these courts of love have the possibility of being a real thing, or whether they feed into the chivalric notions of her contemporaries and were fabricated from the courtly love dynamics of knights and maidens. Just to give us some talking points, okay?”

Her students murmured their agreement, with most of them writing down a reminder. That would have to be good enough for her. At least this way, hopefully someone would discuss the talking points with her in class – she’d found out the hard way last year that there was nothing worse for a university professor than completely uninterested students. She needed something to feed off.

“Alright then, class dismissed. Have a great weekend everyone!”

Ashley moved to her laptop, switching off the projected powerpoint presentation as her students filed out of the classroom, but jumped in shock slightly as she noticed the head of her department sitting in the back corner. How long had he been there?! What was he doing there in the first place? She just hoped her smile didn’t look as nervous as she felt, as he walked up to the front of the room.

Rod Brind’Amour was a legend in the History department for a good reason. His knowledge of military history pre-1800s was unmatched by anyone, but it was his research on the first and second crusades that had inspired Ashley through much of her PhD. Sure, he wasn’t her direct supervisor, but their work interlinked enough that she’d spent many office hours with him debating the second crusade with fervour. For such a big man, he was such a nerd, and he’d made her feel so welcome as soon as he offered her the teaching position at the end of her PhD, with the promise that she would be able to continue her research to inspire future minds. She had been so moved by his words that she hadn’t hesitated to accept the job. How could she not, when someone of his calibre believed in her?

One year in, she wasn’t regretting it at all

“Very smart, setting up some talking points for Monday’s class. I’m so glad I volunteered you to run this year’s Love in the Middle Ages lectures. You’re much better at them than I was,” Rod mused.

Ashley snorted, rolling her eyes playfully. Oh thank god. It’s true that this seminar was one part of the large mandatory Medieval and Early Modern Studies course…but it suited her perfectly.

“That’s because my research focuses on Medieval Queens and the exchange of power they brought to their marriage countries, whereas yours is the effect of each of the crusades through military history. Bleurgh,” she snickered, “Linking today’s Medieval Expansion of Europe class with the generic Love in the Middle Ages lectures on Mondays is just easy,”

“Speak for yourself,” Rod laughed, “give me military tactics any day,”

Ashley just grinned. Some things never changed. “Was there anything you wanted in particular?” she asked, packing up her laptop into its case.

“Just wanted to check in with you, in general,” Rod shrugged, sitting down on the edge of her desk.

Ashley couldn’t help but smile at the thoughtfulness. “I’m doing okay yeah, thanks. Last year’s first semester was more of a struggle for sure, but I don’t have that transition from PhD student and TA to full teaching this time round. I’ve definitely settled in quicker – and this batch of freshman feel a lot more engaged already,”

“That’s good! It definitely shows that you’re handling things well,” Rod nodded, smiling back at her, “But I meant in your life outside of the university too,”

Ashley frowned. What? “What do you mean?” she asked, confused.

Rod laughed softly at her expression. “I know last year you were trying to find your stride, but this year you’ve already got it, so I’m just checking that you’ve got things balanced outside of work too. It’s far too easy to make teaching your entire life – and I don’t want you to burn out,” Rod explained. “I value you here too much for that,”

Ashley’s heart melted a little at his concern, but she just shook his head. “I may not have much going on for me outside of work, but I do get out. I spend my Sundays in a local coffee shop,” she admitted.

Her mind briefly flashed to Tall Cute Guy, but she pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind before she started blushing. So not appropriate for work.

Rod frowned slightly, but nodded. “At least you’re getting out of the house. Just promise me you’ll work on finding time for yourself too?”

“I promise,” Ashley nodded, “I intend to be here for a long time, so I definitely don’t want to burn out,”

“Good, I’m glad to hear it,” Rod grinned, “I’d better get going – see you at the faculty meeting later?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Ashley grimaced.

Rod just laughed at her disgruntled face, lifting his hand in a wave as he left the room. As she packed the rest of her belongings, Ashley couldn’t help but to think over Rod’s words. Was she in danger of a burn-out? Surely not, so early on in her career? Maybe she did need more of a balance in her life…but how?

*

Another Sunday, another early morning. Sure, Ashley could give herself a lie in every now and again, but that would mean not being able to relax on her Sunday evening, to not have the chance to unwind and reset before the working week starts up again on Monday morning. Spending all weekend in her little 2 bed house wouldn’t do her any good, even as comforting as she’d made it.

Besides, Storm Surge coffee shop was such a part of her routine now, that it would feel wrong to not go in at her usual time. Seeing Andrei the morning barista, Marty the supervisor and Jaccob the baker (who occasionally popped his head out) always made her happy – and as Rod said only a couple of days ago, she needed to make sure she actually kept a balance in her life.

So, as always, just after 7am, Ashley walked through the coffee shop door. She’d skipped eating any breakfast this morning, intent on getting one of the shop’s amazing scones fresh out of the oven, and as soon as she spotted her favourite blueberry-lemon scones in the display, something in her chest settled. Yes, this was exactly why she came every week. This feeling of home.

“Good morning Ashley! Your usual latte?”

Ashley smiled at Andrei, nodding. “Yes please. And one of the blueberry-lemon scones!”

Andrei smiled even wider, if that was possible, and immediate set about inputting her order into the cash register. It was then that she noticed something new on Andrei’s nametag. A pink sparkly kitten sticky. Huh. That was new.

“Nice sticker,” she teased.

“Very sparkly, no? Marty gave it to me,” Andre nodded.

“Oh, Marty did huh?” Ashley grinned.

Interestingly, Andrei blushed. She knew she hadn’t been imagining things. The poor Russian guy just blushed harder, spluttering incoherently, until Ashley took pity on him. It wasn’t like she could be mean to Andrei – he was just too adorable.

“I think the sticker is really cute, Andrei. It was sweet of Marty to give it to you,” Ashley said with a fond smile.

“Thank you! I will tell Marty you like it,” Andrei beamed.

Bless him.

Andrei handed her a scone on a plate, allowing her to go to her usual table in the back corner, setting up her laptop while she waited for her coffee to be ready. She heard a door out the back open, and Andrei quickly slipped away, making her smile.

“AHHHHHHHHHH MR SVECHNIKOV!”

Marty. Ashley just giggled, shaking her head before putting her earphones in for her background music. Yeah, this coffee shop definitely felt like home.

She quickly got lost in writing her lecture notes, going off on tangents that she knew she’d have to rein in later when she edited. It was a full hour before she even looked away from her screen, only to see the shop busy and bustling, every single table full. What the hell? She looked over to see both Andrei and Marty working the counter, only confirming her suspicions that they really had gotten busy while she was lost in her thoughts. Wow. Full at 8am was a new one for sure. Maybe a convention of some kind?

And it was then that she saw Tall Cute Guy walk in. Today he was wearing a pretty blue sweater, bring out the beautiful blue in his eyes, making her smile on instinct. So cute. But then she noticed him being given just the one coffee…he was planning on drinking in, and there were no tables? No!

It made her heart clench to watch him looking around the coffee shop, becoming more and more disheartened…until he noticed her. Maybe, could she, yes. Ashley bit her bottom lip but tilted her head towards the empty chair at her table, earning the biggest smile. She actually did it. She actually offered him the chair at her table. Shit. Her heart started beating faster as he walked over, and she took her earphones out as he came to a stop next to her seat, looming over her.

“I, uh…do you mind if I sit with you?” he asked softly.

Huh. Such a gentle voice on such a big man. Yeah she could totally handle this.

“Please, go ahead,” Ashley nodding, smiling as she waved her hand to indicate, “it’s so busy in here today,”

Oh no. Was that too forward, acknowledging that they’re both regulars?

“Definitely busier than usual, eh?” he mused, “I’ll try not to disturb your work, I’ll only be here for about an hour,”

Ashley laughed, but shook her head. She was just glad he hadn’t been weirded-out by her acknowledgement. That would’ve been so awkward. Her stomach was filled with enough butterflies as it was. “You won’t disturb me, I promise. Sit as long as you like,”

He smiled widely at her, pulling out the chair opposite and sitting down, Ashley just quickly shuffling her papers out of the way for him. He nodded his thanks at her, pulling a paperback book out of his satchel. Then he cleared his throat, so she looked up at him curiously.

“I’m Dougie, by the way,” he said, almost a little shy.

Dougie. That was a nice name. Oh, wow, she finally knew his name! Ashley couldn’t help but smile at him. “I’m Ashley,”

He smiled back at her. “It’s nice to meet you properly,” he said happily.

Ashley just laughed, nodding as she blushed lightly. To have him acknowledge their smiling-from-a-distance definitely sparked something inside of her. Nice to finally meet him indeed.

They sat in comfortable silence, Ashley typing up her tangent notes so far for the morning, and she couldn’t help the feeling of contentment that sat in her chest. The cute guy she’d been smiling at for a year was sitting at her table with her…and it wasn’t awkward at all. In fact, it was really quite nice. And he’d introduced himself!

No, cool it, keep calm Ashley. No-one got anywhere by acting like a giddy schoolgirl. Play it cool.

That promised hour flew by far too quickly. Every now and again she would glance up and find his eyes on her. Every now and again she would glance up only for him to look up and catching her looking. Every time she would blush. Every time he would send her a wonderful smile. But all too soon her table companion was standing up and putting his book in his bag.

“Um…”

Ashley looked up from her work at him, a smile naturally spreading across her face at his nervous expression. Why was he nervous?

“Yes, Dougie?” she said softly, smiling at a little more at finally getting to say his name.

Dougie. Dougie. Dougie.

“I’ll see you soon?” he said, almost hopefully.

“I’ll be here,” she nodded.

Oh god. Well that was stupid. Of course she’d be here. Why couldn’t she just act smoothly for once in her life?

But then Dougie smiled, such a happy little smile that it made her breath catch in her throat.

“Until next time then,” Dougie murmured, “Bye, Ashley,”

“Bye,” she breathed, watching him walk way.

Well, that could’ve been worse. What a Sunday.

*

Things felt different after that fateful Sunday. Dougie (she knew his name!) hadn’t sat down with her again, or even sat in the shop again yet, but now…now he always made a point of waving at her, waiting until she had waved back to smile. Those waves sent her into even more of a tizzy, a light blush always on her cheeks, and she couldn’t help but cherish them. Maybe it was a bit pathetic, but he was so handsome and he noticed her. It didn’t hurt to pretend it was more than friendly acknowledgement, right? A girl could dream at least.

It was only Wednesday today, but that meant only one thing. Her weekly phone call with her mom. Knowing Susan Miller, Ashley could picture exactly what her mom was doing. Her phone would be propped up on speakerphone while she pottered around the kitchen, finishing off making dinner while also planning what desserts to bake at the weekend. Her mom led a simple life, a retired teacher herself (although she’d taught at the local elementary school rather than ever leaving town), but it was a happy life. And it was these phone calls that were the only thing that made Ashley miss home.

Nothing was the same as a hug from her mom with a slice of homemade apple pie. But those were the sacrifices she made for her love of Medieval History. They never stayed on the for more than half an hour, but it was just enough to fill Ashley’s heart, at least for a little while.

“And I swear, if he doesn’t stop leaving those nasty cigar butts on the front porch, I’m going to whoop some sense into him!”

“You’ve been saying this for over 20 years mom – I don’t think dad is going to change at this point,” Ashley mused, rolling her eyes fondly.

Her dad had been set in his ways for as long as she could remember. Nothing was going to change that, not even a little nagging from the love of his life.

“Yes, well, he could at least clean up after himself,”

Her parents really were ridiculous human beings – but they loved each other, and that was all that mattered. Even if her dad didn’t clean up his cigar butts.

“You wouldn’t know what to do with yourself if you weren’t complaining about his cigar butts,” Ashley grinned. “Maybe threaten not to make that corned beef hash he likes. That might help,”

The laughter that flowed down the phone made her smile even more. Fuck she missed hearing her mom’s laugh in person.

“Oh I miss you sweetpea. Are you sure you’re okay down there by yourself?”

“Yes mom, you know I love my work and my life down here,” Ashley said, sighing softly.

Here we go again.

“I just worry about you rattling around in that old house by yourself!”

Rude. It wasn’t that old.

“I promise I’m fine!” Ashley insisted.

Her mom stayed silent, making Ashley bite her lip to stop herself getting frustrated. Her mom would come out with it eventually…

“I worry about you being lonely, that’s all. You’re such an introvert, you always have been,”

And there it was.

“How could I be lonely mom? I have great colleagues that I talk with. And I’m around students all day and I interact all the time with them! And the baristas at my coffee shop know me by name and we chat too,” Ashley listed.

“The baristas don’t count, Ash,”

Poor Andrei. He definitely counted. Ashley couldn’t help but giggle at the sigh in her mom’s voice though. “Okay maybe not, but there is a guy that I’ve talked to,”

“Ooh a guy?”

Oh no. Oh what had she done? She had to nip this in the bud now.

“No, mom, not like that, just a friendly face to wave at,” Ashley insisted.

Dougie’s shy smiles filled her mind, but she shook her head. Now was not the time.

“Oh boo, you should work on changing that,”

Hah. If only.

“You’re impossible, mom,” Ashley sighed fondly.

“I love you too darling,”

*

Today he was going to do it. Today Dougie was going to get to Storm Surge coffee shop a little early, get his americano to drink in…and hopefully sit with Ashley again. Ever since that amazing Sunday morning where she offered him a seat at her table (she offered him!), he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. He could kick himself for not being able to do more than wave at her the past three Sundays, but even just the few smiles he seen in passing since have blown him away. Especially with that cute little blush she always had when she waved back at him.

But today he was coming in an hour before he had to get to work, just to have that chance to sit with her and talk with her. Was it a little desperate? Sure. But Dougie never claimed to be anything other than desperate to get to know the beautiful woman he’d only ever seen in passing until now. His schedule didn’t usually allow him the chance – every Sunday the North Carolina Museum of Art opened from 10-5, and he usually got there just after 9 with coffee for him and Jordie, but every fourth Sunday Jordie came in a little later, so Dougie took the time to sit in and read a little before heading into work…and it was the fourth Sunday today. He could only hope that all the nerves and butterflies would be worth it.

Oh fuck, what if she wasn’t even there?

No, she would be. She always was. Enough stalling.

Still…

Dougie walked into Storm Surge with a little ball of nervous anxiety in his chest, praying that Ashley wouldn’t stray from her routine, until he looked over into the back corner…and there she was. He waited until Ashley looked up at him to wave at her, earning a sweet smile and a wave back. Wow, her blush really was so sweet.

“Dougie! You must be drinking in today, yes?”

He snapped out of his thoughts at the sound of Andrei’s voice, quickly nodding. “Yeah just the usual americano, thanks,”

“You got it,” Andrei nodded, beaming at him.

Dougie quickly paid and moved to the end of the counter to wait for his coffee. The shop was only half-full at this time in the morning, unlike last month, so he didn’t have the excuse of busy tables. Maybe…he could just walk up to her, right? He could take that chance, right? Yeah, he could do this.

“Here you go!” Andrei said cheerfully.

“Thanks,” Dougie murmured.

The barista gave him a strange look at his distracted tone, and Dougie knew that Andrei was watching as he walked over to Ashley’s table…but here goes nothing. He could totally do this. He was an adult. He paid his taxes on time and everything. He could definitely ask a pretty woman if he could sit with her again.

“Hey, Ashley,”

She looked up from her laptop with a bright smile, making his breath catch in his throat.

“Dougie! Hi!” she said happily.

She remembered his name! Wow. No, focus.

“Do you, um…do you mind if I sit with you again?” Dougie asked.

Oh god, why couldn’t he just sound cool for once in his life? Why did he always have to be the least smooth version of himself that he could possibly be?

Ashley took one look around at all the empty tables and blushed even more, before she bit her lip and nodded. “Sure, go for it,”

That was a good sign, right?

Dougie sat down with a nervous smile, putting his coffee gently on the table.

“So, um, how have you been?”

Ashley looked surprised (oh god, was she only being polite before?) before that melted into a pleased look. Okay, he could work with that.

“I’ve been pretty good thanks, yeah. I’m just revising the list of essay topics that I’m giving my students on Monday, so not too much work to do today thankfully,” she said, “How about you?”

“I’ve been alright yeah. Work has been a little nuts with the new exhibition at the museum but it’s all come together really well!” Dougie said, beaming. What? Could a man not be excited about artwork? “what do you teach?”

Ashley smiled shyly, looking a little hesitant again. Dougie couldn’t help but frown a little. Had people made her feel awkward about her work before? That wasn’t okay! “I’m a Medieval History professor at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My general focus is on the power of Medieval queens, but I teach everything from the expansion of medieval Europe to love in the middle ages, as well as on the general medieval and early modern history modules. I did my undergraduate and masters degrees at NYU, but I moved down here for the PhD opportunity. It’s now my second full year teaching and I just…I love it so much,”

A PhD?! Holy shit, that’s impressive. Wow. Just…wow. How could she be any more perfect?

“That’s incredible!” was all that Dougie could say.

“You don’t have to pretend, I know having a PhD isn’t exactly the coolest thing in the world, especially in medieval history,” Ashley mused.

Well it was definitely pretty fucking cool to him, no matter what other people had ever said to her. “I’m definitely not pretending, I promise. Medieval history is fascinating,” he insisted.

Ashley pursed her lips like she didn’t believe him, making Dougie laugh.

“I’m serious! I may not have a PhD but my masters thesis was a specialism in Rembrandt’s work. I’m a total art history nerd – 14th-17th century in particular,” Dougie explained.

Come on, let the nerdiness pay off for once…

Her face immediately lightened, her mouth forming into a surprised ‘o’, making him laugh again. At least, he hoped it was a good surprise?

“One of the classes I’ll be teaching next semester is Italian Renaissance and European History to 1650,” she murmured.

Holy shit. What a match up.

“Told you I wasn’t pretending to be interested,” Dougie grinned, “I’d definitely love to learn more about that class when you start it,”

Ashley blushed again, but her nervous smile had shifted into a full beaming smile, and his heart could only just about take it. Then she froze slightly, blinking, as if she’d forgotten something. What?

“Sorry, did you say museum earlier?” Ashley said suddenly, “like, you work at a museum?”

“Oh, yeah, I’m an associate curator at the North Carolina Museum of Art,” Dougie nodded.

He did his best not to puff out his chest in pride. He’d worked damned hard on his career and he was proud of it.

“I just…wow, I wouldn’t have expected it,”

Dougie laughed, raising an eyebrow at her sheepish smile.

“A guy who looks like you, like such an athlete’s build…oh god, sorry, that’s so rude of me,” she groaned, burying her face in her hands.

But Dougie just laughed, shaking his head. “Believe me, it’s far from the first time I’ve heard that,”

And never with such appreciation of his body either…

Look, he knew how the world perceived him on first glance. Tall, muscled guy, blonde hair and blue eyes, probably an all-american jock right? How he loved proving them wrong.

“Still doesn’t make it okay,” Ashley winced, “so I’m sorry,”

“Apology accepted,” Dougie mused, “I love my work, so it’s fun surprising people. Especially people with similar interests,”

Ashley bit her lip again but nodded and smiled, tilting her head to show she was listening. Wow, he could definitely get used to her looking at him with this much interest.

“Like I said, I’m an associate curator at the North Carolina Museum of Art. I’m actually Canadian, but I finished my masters degree in Boston and went straight into working at the MFA, but after working on a brief project in Calgary, I realised I wanted to work more in my specialist interests, y’know? So I applied for a role at the Museum of Art here, and became the associate curator of European Art. It’s…it’s everything I could’ve wished for, when I was studying,”

Dougie took a sip of his coffee while Ashley processed that flood of information, hoping he hadn’t come across too strong. People really did tend to zone out when he talked about his work…but hopefully because she also had an interest in European history and art, she wouldn’t be put off?

“I can definitely relate to following and achieving my passions for a niche subject,” Ashley grinned, “and I love that you love it so much. It’s rare, to find someone who gets such genuine joy out of their work. Even though work can sometimes be super stressful,”

“Stressful, but worth it. Especially when a new exhibition comes together so well,” Dougie agreed.

“Oh?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Dougie licked his bottom lip, trying not to look too nervous. This exhibition is such a big deal, and it had been such a lot of work. He could get a little excited about it now, right?

“Yeah, I’ve been working solidly for the past few months on the new exhibition – it’s opening next weekend. It’s a collection of Italian Renaissance Art,” Dougie said, a little hesitant.

Hesitant…because maybe that was a bit flashy? Did it sound like he was bragging? He really hoped not – not just because he was so proud of his work but he genuinely did want to excite Ashley…

“Oh no way! Really?” Ashley gasped.

Dougie bit his lips to control his grin. Oh thank fuck. Finally, someone he could actually impress with his love of art history. “Yeah, last quarter the museum acquired over 30 paintings from the 14th century from various collectors and this will be the first time they’ve all been together in the same room,”

“I bet they’ll be so beautiful all together after so long,” Ashley said, her voice a little wistful.

Wistful? He could fix that. Maybe. Yes, this was the perfect opportunity…

“Maybe we could…I know this might feel a little soon, but I’m…

Dougie trailed off with a frustrated groan, making Ashley giggle. For once, just once, let him be smooth! He took a deep breath, before trying again.

“Would you like to come to the exhibition opening with me?” he asked softly.

Ashley’s jaw dropped slightly, but she quickly nodded, making Dougie’s heartbeat kick up a notch. “Really?” she asked.

“Yeah, I’ve got a plus one as the associate curator, and there’s no-one else I could imagine going with. I think you’d love it,” Dougie explained, “and I’d love to show you the artwork,”

Was that too desperate?

“I’d…wow, I’d love to go with you,” Ashley said, her expression shy but pleased.

Shy but pleased. He could work with that.

“Great, it’s a date!”

Oh God. Dougie could only freeze…but then Ashley smiled. Huh, maybe not so cringey?

“A date huh? I’d love that too,” Ashley said shyly.

Oh thank fuck. Ashley just giggled at Dougie’s blush.

“Give me your number and I’ll text you the details?” Dougie suggested, trying to salvage at least a little bit of his dignity.

As Ashley took his phone from him and entered her phone number, Dougie could only sit in shocked silence. He’d done it. He’d actually asked her on a date. On a date where he could impress her with a topic they both loved so much. All he had to do now was not fuck it up.

That wouldn’t be so hard, right?

*

Ashley had been in a little bit of a daze when Dougie had left for work. He’d asked her on a date. On a date! And they’d exchanged numbers, Dougie having sent her a little smiley face so she had his number in return. She was just thankful that there wasn’t much work for her to do that day – there was no way she wouldn’t been able to focus otherwise.

And then throughout the week, they’d started exchanging cute little messages. Just sweet little things, like how was your day? and look how cute this dog is and I had the loudest school tour group come through the museum today and which of these texts is going to give me the worst teacher rating? – it was all silly and sweet and fun, and Ashley couldn’t remember the last time that the potential of a relationship had excited her so much.

There was just something about Dougie that made her heart beat a little faster every time she thought of him. It was bad enough when he would smile at her in passing in Storm Surge…but now, with every little text, she felt herself smiling even more than she could’ve imagined, like a giddy little schoolgirl with a first crush.

Because at the moment, it really was just a crush. They hadn’t gone out on their first date yet – in reality, they’d only sat together twice, with one of those times essentially being the exchange of their names. They’d only had one conversation in person. And the texts were so sweet and lovely…but they were just texts. She didn’t want to get ahead of herself and get her hopes up, you know? God knows that had happened enough times.

She couldn’t help but hope that finally, she had met someone with real potential. Dougie made it easy to hope.

Ashley supposed that their first date would be the real test of whether she’d just built up all the excitement of Tall Cute Guy in that coffee shop fantasy in her head, or whether he was the real deal. Their conversation in person on Sunday had been such a good start, but fuck please make him the real deal.

Was it really that much to ask?

Finally Friday rolled around and she was finished with work for the week. Well, mostly. Ashley had just come out of a bi-monthly faculty meeting and just had to check some emails before she could go home for the weekend (and to shave her legs because she found the cutest dress for her date on Saturday) – but as she got to her office, she noticed that Rod had stopped in the doorway, waving to some of their colleagues as they strolled past. Hmm.

“So…you’re looking incredibly chipper for someone who just got out of a tedious faculty meeting,” Rod teased, leaning against her doorframe.

Ashley just laughed, rolling her eyes fondly as she sat at her desk. “I don’t know why you complain so much – you’re the one who runs them,”

“Not through choice, I promise that,” Rod mused, shaking his head, “But you are looking extra cheerful today. Just feeling a little nosy, I guess,”

Ashley bit her bottom lip, hesitating. Should she tell him about her date? It’s not like Rod was a gossip…and it’s not like she had a whole host of friends to tell…

“I may or may not have a date tomorrow night,” Ashley eventually admitted.

His eyes immediately lit up. Oh God.

“Ooh a date, exciting!” Rod gasped dramatically, fanning himself like a southern belle.

“Oh my god, shut up,” Ashley giggled. That could’ve gone worse – but his excitement definitely lit up the butterflies in her stomach all over again.

Rod just laughed, holding his hands up in surrender. “I’m just glad you’re giving someone a chance to sweep you off your feet,” he teased, “Who is he and where is he taking you?”

“He’s a guy I met in that coffee shop I go to on a Sunday, and he’s taking me to the new Italian Renaissance exhibition at the North Carolina Museum of Art,” she explained.

And she couldn’t wait.

“A cultured guy or a try hard?” he smirked.

“A cultured guy,” Ashley giggled, rolling her eyes, “he’s actually the associate curator who worked on setting up the exhibition,”

“Don’t we all love a man who knows his history, even if it is art,” Rod grinned, winking dramatically, earning another giggle, “Let me know how the exhibition is - I know my wife would love to go if it’s any good,”

“I’ll give you a full review on Monday,” Ashley agreed, nodding.

“And a full review of your date,” Rod grinned.

“Okay, out, out. I need to finish these emails before I leave,” Ashley laughed.

“I’m going, I’m going,” Rod mused, “If you need anything, even an escape clause tomorrow night, send me a text, okay?”

Her heart softened a little at his kind gesture, and she found herself nodding. “I don’t think it’ll come to that, but thank you, I appreciate it,”

“Any time,” Rod nodded.

Ashley bit her bottom lip to hide her grin as he shut the door behind him on the way out, and the butterflies in her stomach were still there. Saturday night couldn’t come soon enough.

*

Tonight was the night. Ashley only had a few minutes left before her uber arrived to pick her up to take her to the museum, and she couldn’t resist having a final glance in the mirror by her front door. She’d had a little panic over what the hell the dress code would be for a gallery opening, but after Dougie confirmed it wasn’t black tie, just formal dress, Ashley had consulted with some of her college friends (who were buzzing about the fact that she was actually going on a date), and decided that a midi cocktail dress was the way to go.

And she’d found the perfect one.

The dress she’d picked out in a local boutique was a beautiful forest green colour, complimenting her dark hair and hazel eyes perfectly. It fell to the middle of her shins, as her friends had recommended, and had thick shoulders straps, no sleeves but a neckline with a deep enough v that it should a little cleavage (classy cleavage of course, very sophisticated in her opinion). Her favourite part though was the Marilyn Monroe-esque twirl to the skirt – something she’d tested out several times already – and she just felt glamorous in it. She’d straightened her usually-messy hair and put on a little make-up too, to match the effort she was making with the dress. To be honest, Ashley felt beautiful, and she honestly couldn’t wait to see Dougie’s reaction. It was a hell of a lot different to her usual Sunday Storm Surge outfits, that’s for sure.

Soon enough, her uber was pulling up outside of the Museum of Art, and she thanked the driver as she got out. Thankfully, Dougie was already waiting at the top of the steps for her, and the smile that he sent her way made her breath catch in her throat. Ashley took the time to check him out as she walked up towards him, and she felt those butterflies start up again. He was wearing a gorgeous navy blue suit with a white shirt and grey tie, bringing out the colour of his eyes beautifully, and the stunned expression on his face as he looked at her made her blush a little. That was a good reaction, right?

“Wow. You look…amazing,” Dougie murmured, looking her up and down with awe.

Definitely a good reaction.

“You look really good too,” she grinned.

Dougie grinned back at her, before offering her his arm. “Shall we?”

Ashley fought not to squeal as she tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. What a smooth move. “Lead the way,”

Dougie walked her inside, picking up a glass of champagne each after they dropped their jackets off. Then they were off. The two of them wandered around through the exhibition, Dougie guiding her and giving her the most indepth information she could’ve possibly hoped for. She’d never had such a personal tour like this, and he was so shy yet so knowledgeable that she couldn’t help but to drink up every word. This was what she had hoped for out of tonight, that passion coming through Dougie, and she was receiving it tenfold.

“This one is one of my favourites. Batoni’s The Triumph of Venice. There’s just so much going on, and I swear I notice something different every time I look at it,”

Ashley looked at the painting, taking in the many figures, the details, the colours, and couldn’t help but smile. It truly was a masterpiece.

“Oil on canvas? Maybe…early 1700s?” she guessed.

“Fuck that’s hot,” Dougie breathed.

He immediately flushed bright red, making Ashley giggle. Good to know that her vague art history knowledge was paying off. And that she could make him react like that…

“I love all the finessed detail in this one. Especially on the carriage – it’s exquisite,” Ashley murmured, looking back at it.

“Isn’t it?” Dougie grinned.

Ashley squeezed his arm gently, smiling up at him, earning a happy smile back. He was so clearly in his element, and she was loving every second. The way his entire face lit up when he talked about art…there was something just so beautiful in that. Those beautiful blue eyes were even more alive than ever, that spark of passion adding such a gorgeous element, and she really wanted to see more of it. That was a good sign, right? That she was already imagining more.

They moved on to the next painting, and Ashley’s breath caught in her throat. Wow.

“And this…this is the star of the collection. Giotto’s Peruzzi Altarpiece, the only complete altarpiece by the artist outside of Italy,”

Her jaw dropped a little. That was a big deal. “The only one?”

“The only one,” Dougie nodded.

“Holy shit,” Ashley mumbled, eyes wide.

Dougie grinned at her. “My sentiments exactly,”

“All of that gold. So much gold. And the details in their faces. Holy shit,” Ashley murmured.

“One of my favourite frescos, and I get to see it every day,” Dougie sighed happily.

“Well count me as jealous,” Ashley teased, nudging him with her shoulder.

Dougie just smiled shyly, rubbing the back of his neck. He was just so cute.

“Would you, um…would you like a new drink?”

“Sure, another couldn’t hurt,” she nodded.

It’s not like she drank champagne that often after all. And it was a special occasion…

They stayed in the museum for another hour, looking over some of the art again as well as mingling with Dougie’s colleagues (including a mostly silent guy Dougie introduced as ‘Foegs’, who gave Dougie a double thumbs up when he thought she wasn’t looking, and a very enthusiastic big blonde man named Jordie, who she learned was Dougie’s boss – which, wow). Their conversation just flowed, and the doubts that she’d had earlier were easily shoved to the back of her mind.

She’d never thought it would feel so natural spending the evening arm-in-arm with a guy, but Dougie had just blown her away.

All too soon, it was time to leave the museum though, and while Dougie got their jackets, Ashley opened her phone to request an uber. 5 minutes away. Perfect.

“I had a really great time tonight,” Dougie murmured, when they were waiting outside.

His own uber was only a couple of minutes behind hers.

“Me too,” Ashley admitted, smiling up at him, “Thank you for inviting me,”

“There’s no-one else I would’ve wanted to take. I just glad you enjoyed it,” Dougie smiled back.

“I enjoyed spending time with you. The exhibition was just a bonus,” she said softly, looking up at him through her lashes.

Holy shit she just flirted. Blatantly flirted. Too much?

But then Dougie blushed a little, before a small smirk spread across his lips. “Yeah?”

Ashley just bit her lip, nodding. Dougie’s blue eyes flashed a little darker, sending a hot jolt running through her body. Oh wow. Just like that huh. But then her phone buzzed, the uber car pulling up to the curb, breaking her out of her thoughts just before they started to spiral.

Calm down Ashley, it’s only the first date!

She waved at the uber driver to signal that she’d seen him before turning back to Dougie. “See you tomorrow?” Ashley asked hopefully.

“Yeah, I’ll be starting work a little later on the one off, as it was the exhibition opening tonight,” Dougie nodded, “I’ll be there,”

Ashley grinned at him, before leaning up and pressing a kiss to his cheek, laughing softly as his jaw dropped.

“Bye, Dougie,” she said softly, walking over to the car.

“Bye,” she heard him murmur, just as she closed the door.

“Hot date?” the uber driver teased.

“The hottest,” she grinned back.

That earned her a laugh, and she couldn’t help but smile as the driver pulled away from the curb. Ashley glanced out of the window, only to see that Dougie hadn’t moved at all – other than his fingers brushing over where she’d kissed his cheek, a hopeless smile on his face.

What a first date indeed.

*

To: Ashley

From: Rod

So how did the date go?

~

To: Rod

From: Ashley

The exhibition was incredible. You need to take your wife, for real.

~

To: Ashley

From: Rod

I actually meant the guy but sure…

~

To: Rod

From: Ashley

He was a perfect gentleman and…amazing.

You’ll get your full gossip on Monday.

~

To: Ashley

From: Rod

Boo fine.

I’m glad you had a good time though!

See you on Monday

*

 “I had a really great time tonight,”

“Me too,”

“I had a really great time tonight,”

“Me too,”

“I had a really great time tonight,”

“Me too,”

Wasn’t the saying that if things seemed too good to be true, then they probably were not?

Ashley had gone to bed feeling over the moon, elated, bubbling with excitement. But when she’d woken up, it was like a dark cloud had settled over her, a heavy rock of anxiety sitting on her chest. Everything had gone so well last night. So well. Too well? This wasn’t the first time that she’d gotten her hopes up only to have things fall apart around her – and her hopes had skyrocketed last night. All she felt was like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. And it made her feel sick.

That niggling negativity had swum around her brain over and over again, and she hadn’t been able to shut it off – not when she showered, not when she got dressed, and not when she sat on the sofa debating whether or not to actually turn up at the coffee shop.

Was this really what things had come down to? Tempted to break her solid routine, the exact routine she’d had every week, just because a guy made her nervous? Was he really that important? Was she really that much of a coward?

She sat on the sofa so long that she passed the time she would normally leave. Hell, she passed the time she would normally be sitting down at her usual table. Oh god she couldn’t take this. It was too much. Her legs bounced nervously as she pulled up the message thread she had with him, typing out a message to cancel…

…and then she deleted it.

Fuck that shit. No matter how anxious this whole dating thing made her feel, nothing was worth this. She couldn’t just not show up, that wasn’t right. That wasn’t her. Fuck this. As quickly as she could, Ashley grabbed her laptop and her handbag, driving as fast as she could to Storm Surge.

When she parked her car, she noticed that she had a few texts from Dougie. Oh god.

~

To: Ashley

From: Dougie

Hey, I’m coming a little earlier than usual today!

~

To: Ashley

From: Dougie

Are you running late?

~

To: Ashley

From: Dougie

Are you coming?

~

Oh god. Ashley winced, practically running to the shop, immediately spotting Dougie at her usual table in the back. The sheer relief on his face made her wince again. Fuck. His expression dimmed at little, but she quickly ordered her usual latte from Andrei, who looked an interesting mix of confused and concerned, but she headed over to Dougie without hesitating.

“Hey, um, sorry I’m late,” she murmured, setting her coffee and her laptop down on the table.

Dougie frowned at her briefly, clearly taking in whatever the hell her face was showing.

“Is everything okay?” he asked softly.

Ashley bit her bottom lip, hesitating. Might as well tell him the truth, right?

“I, uh, I was second-guessing everything?”

“Second-guessing?” Dougie asked, frowning harder.

Ashley just sighed. “Yeah, um, it’s dumb. I just…it all seems too good to be true? I woke up feeling like I’d gotten my hopes up and…fuck, I’m sorry. I just feel stupid now,”

Looking up at Dougie’s sad face immediately made her regret telling the truth, but it was too late now. Fuck. Why did she have to ruin everything? The fact that he was staying silent just made everything worse. Should she just go?

“What do you want to do now then?” Dougie eventually asked “or do you not know?”

Ashley swallowed heavily, looking down at her hands briefly. Hah. The million dollar question. “I know that I like you?” she offered.

Dougie huffed a laugh. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m not going to get mad if you don’t want to go on another date,” Dougie said with a sad smile.

Oh god that was worse. He should never sound that disheartened – it wasn’t right. And it was all her fault.

“Would you even want to go on a date with me again when I’m this much of an anxious mess?” Ashley sighed.

After last night, this really wasn’t where she’d seen her day going. Self-sabotage was a bitch. But it was her own damn fault. It always was. But then Dougie reached his hand forward, fingers brushing over hers lightly to get her attention, making her blush as he smiled a bit more genuinely.

“Yeah, I would like to,” he nodded, “I had a really great time yesterday night, and I still want more,”

Oh, so maybe she hadn’t ruined everything then. What? Well shit, she was grabbing this second chance with both hands.

“I had a great time too,” Ashley admitted, blushing a little bit more, “even with this stupid anxiety,”

“Good. That’s…that’s really good,” Dougie laughed, “well, not the anxiety part, but I’m going to prove to you that this isn’t just getting your hopes up,”

“I’d like that,” she murmured.

Dougie smiled at her, a truly genuine happiness, making her breath catch in her throat. Fuck she didn’t deserve this. But there was no way she was going to let herself ruin this, not now.

“Maybe we could just talk for a couple of hours before I have to go into work? Have some coffee, a couple of those delicious blueberry-lemon scones, and just see where things go?” Dougie suggested.

Ashley nodded, the tight ball in her chest immediately loosening. God, he was such a nice guy. “I’d definitely like to get to know you more,” she agreed.

“Scones are on me then,” Dougie grinned.

Hope. A second chance. Bring it on.

*

When Dougie eventually walked into work, his shared office had more people in it that he cared for. Well, okay, that was a little mean. But right now was not the best time for the combination of Jordie and Foegs as well as Sebastian and Teuvo, especially not when all four of them had met Ashley last night. Not when they were all so intense. Not while things were still so tentative.

“So, how did it go?” Jordie asked excitedly, “it looked like the two of you were having fun!”

And here we go.

“Well last night, at the exhibition, went really well, but…”

Jordie and Foegs frowned as he trailed off, Sebastian and Teuvo just looked confused. Dougie sighed and sat down heavily at his desk.

“She was really hesitant this morning. Like, so full of anxiety that she almost didn’t show up for coffee,” he admitted, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck awkwardly.

“What do you mean?” Jordie asked, tilting his head to the side in confusion.

“She thinks it’s too good to be true?” Dougie winced.

Foegs looked a little stunned, Jordie’s jaw dropping. But then Sebastian jumped to his feet from where he was sitting on Jordie’s desk.

“Well then you’ll just have to sweep her off her feet!” Sebastian said firmly.

Really? Dougie sent him an unimpressed look, but Sebastian’s pout stayed serious as Teuvo giggled.

“As much as I hate to say it, Sepe has a point,” Foegs shrugged, making Sebastian stick out his tongue at him, “the two of you looked like you’d really hit it off when we were all talking, and the fact that Ashley did meet you this morning means a little anxiety shouldn’t stand in the way,”

“Take her on another date. Wine and dine, man. It’s a classic for a reason,” Jordie added, nodding seriously.

Well shit, if Jordie was being serious then maybe it would work.

“Thanks guys,” Dougie murmured, smiling softly.

“Anything to land you the woman of your many dreams,” Jordie beamed.

Dougie just blushed. Sebastian wriggled his eyebrows, Teuvo just punching him on the arm. It was almost a nice moment.

He waited until Foegs, Sebastian and Teuvo had left to start working before he pulled his phone out, biting his bottom lip as he thought of what to say.

~

To: Ashley

From: Dougie

Hey, I’m glad I saw you today.

I hope you’re still doing okay.

How do you feel about getting dinner with me?

~

Dougie jiggled his leg nervously as he logged into his computer, waiting with baited breath for any reply.

And then eventually, his phone buzzed. Ashley. Thank god.

~

To: Dougie

From: Ashley

I’m alright thanks. That scone definitely helped ;)

I would love to get dinner with you.

~

Dougie couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face. Good. This was good. They exchanged a few more messages, eventually figuring out that because of his next few late nights with the exhibition and her essays she had to mark, neither of them were really free until next Saturday. A whole week away again. Fuck. No, this was going to work. Dougie knew it was worth it – and if she needed him to text a lot over the next few days to remind her that he was all in, that he wasn’t just going to disappoint her like those other guys, then he absolutely would.

Wine and dine next Saturday. He could absolutely do this.

“Hey, what was the name of that place you took your wife out for date night a couple of weeks back?” Dougie asked, looking up at his boss.

Jordie’s face lit up. “Oh man, it was so good…”

*

As Dougie promised himself, they kept texting throughout the week. He told her fun stories from visitors to the exhibition. She told him silly comments her students made that she couldn’t respond to without laughing in class. He told her all about his time in Boston. She told him all about her time in New York. He sent her a picture of the cutest trio of dogs his neighbours adopted. She sent him a picture of a sunset that took her breath away. Things were…good. He was just glad that Ashley seemed as enthusiastic as she was before their first date.

All he could hope was that he was proving to her that he was different. That he was serious about giving their budding relationship a shot. He hadn’t bonded with someone as quickly as this, as deeply as this, ever – so he wanted to see where it went. The unknown with Ashley genuinely excited him, and he wanted her to feel the same excitement.

He could only try to be good enough to deserve her.

By the time Saturday rolled around, Dougie was a nervous wreck. He’d left work exactly on time for once, Jordie giving him a thump on the shoulder and Foegs a thumbs up (he mostly ignored Sebastian and Teuvo’s shimmies), racing home to change into a nice sweater and his favourite pair of smart jeans. Casual but like he cared about making an impression. That was what he was aiming for.

And then Ashley arrived 10 minutes early, just after he’d arrived himself, looking nervous but happy in the prettiest baby blue tea-dress he’d ever seen, with her hair curled and wearing a pretty pink lipstick. Wow.

“You look beautiful,” he blurted.

Oh god. Mr Smooth, again.

Ashley just blushed, smiling up at him. “Thank you. I love your sweater,”

Dougie blushed in return. What a pair they made.

“After you,” he said, opening the restaurant door for her.

As much as her anxiety had worried him, he was so glad he didn’t give up – she was absolutely worth it. They were lead to their table, Dougie being a bit extra and pulling out Ashley’s chair for her, but the giggle he got in return was what he was aiming for. Wine and dine. Sweep her off her feet. That’s all that he wanted to do, and if it was working then he wasn’t going to stop now.

“I was thinking we could split a bottle of wine tonight, if you want?” Dougie offered.

“Yeah that sounds good to me,” Ashley nodded, “Maybe a white wine?”

That was more than okay with him. Red wine made him a little…over the top? He definitely talked too much when he had red wine, he knew that much, and he wanted to save at least a little dignity tonight. Hopefully, at least.

The wine was ordered, and by the time they each had a cold glass of sauvignon blanc, Ashley looked as relaxed as Dougie felt. He could only hope the rest of this night turned out the same way.

“So did I tell you what one of Rod’s students said to him yesterday?”

Dougie grinned, shaking his head. “No you didn’t!”

Ashley grinned back. “Well…”

They talked for hours, sharing stories about their jobs, their interests, their families, not stopping when any of their three courses came, not hesitating even once. Nothing was awkward in the slightest – their conversation just flowed like they’d known each other for years, and Dougie’s heart was just so happy. This was everything he’d wanted for so long, someone he could truly been 100% himself with, and he couldn’t believe that she seemed as into him as he was into her.

How was this possible, after only two dates?

Time flew by so fast, too fast, and they did eventually have to leave their table, even as much as Dougie didn’t want the night to end. He just felt utterly consumed by her, completely and utterly lost in her very being, and he didn’t want this feeling to stop for anything.

It probably didn’t help that they’d split three bottles of wine though.

It wasn’t enough to make either of them sloppy drunk, not with the delicious food they’d eaten, but Ashley was definitely a bit more giggly than usual, and he was definitely smiling like an idiot.

“I wish your uber wasn’t on its way,” Dougie sighed, when they were outside.

“I’m actually not a far walk from here, so I was just going to walk home?”

At this time of night? Absolutely not! Ashley saw the look of indignation of his face and burst into laughter, making him blush (again). What? He wasn’t wrong for being worried about her getting home safely.

“You could always walk me home?” she suggested.

Oh. Oh. Oh yeah okay, he could do that.

“Yeah, definitely,” Dougie nodded quickly.

Dougie’s heart started beating a little faster as she looped her arm through his, and it was all he could do not to smile at her too helplessly. How did she manage to affect him like this? He’d never fallen so head over heels so quickly. And she seemed completely oblivious to how gone he was for her – in the most innocent of ways.

They walked slowly, leaning on each perhaps a little more than they would without the wine, but it just meant that they had more time for talking. Dougie was blissfully happy to let Ashley rant about the indignity of the black myth surrounding Eleanor of Aquitaine, taking in everything that she was trying to teach him. He loved how much she loved her medieval history, just like he loved his art. It was quirky and different and so unique to her. And honestly, he could picture them doing this together for years, discussing their passions and their love for their careers and…

“Okay this is me,” Ashley announced, breaking him out of his thoughts.

Dougie looked up at the old two-storey home with a smile. So this was her home. Pretty.

“That wasn’t so bad a walk,” Dougie grinned.

“I feel bad now though, making you get further away for your own journey,” Ashley frowned.

But Dougie shook his head. “It’s fine really. I’m sure there are plenty of ubers still running around here,”

“Well…”

Ashley trailed off, biting her lip, making Dougie smile. What was on her mind?

“You can stay, if you want?” Ashley said, a shy smile on her face.

Oh fuck. Stay? Ashley saw the shock on his face, before she blushed furiously, quickly shaking her head.

“I have a spare bedroom! I swear I didn’t mean it like that,” she groaned, covering her face with her hands.

Dougie couldn’t help but laugh, tugging her hands away gently. Not that he was opposed to…sharing a bed with her, but that wasn’t the vibe of tonight. Tonight was for building them up, getting them to a more comfortable level. And fuck did it feel good tonight.

Waking up to see her first thing in the morning would only be icing on the cake.

“I would love to stay, as long as you don’t mind,” he said softly, brushing his hand against hers.

Ashley inhaled sharply but nodded, wordlessly reaching in her handbag for her keys. They stayed silent as they walked into the house, Dougie barely moving a foot away from her as she showed him the kitchen, the bathroom and then the spare bedroom. He could do a proper tour in the morning, he knew that. He was just a little stunned that he was even still with her, to be honest.

“So here’s some basketball shorts that my cousin left last time he visited. I don’t have a shirt big enough for you though,” she apologised, handing him a soft bundle.

Dougie just shook his head, smiling. “This is more than enough. I usually sleep shirtless anyway,”

Ashley’s lips parted a little in surprise, her eyes glazing over slightly, making Dougie grin as she shook her head as if to clear it. Good to know he had that effect on her.

“There are spare toothbrushes under the sink from when I last when to the dentist’s office, so help yourself to whatever one?” she offered.

Dougie just nodded, squeezing her hand as he walked into the bathroom. He willed himself to retain at least a little bit of chill as he got changed, quickly washing his face and cleaning his teeth with one of the toothbrushes she’d offered. This was all still a little bit surreal, being honest. But he was going to seize this with both hands – this was a chance he was never going to get again if he fucked up.

Ashley couldn’t seem to keep her eyes off him as they swapped places in the bathroom, and Dougie tried not to grin as he flexed his abs a little, making her blush. He could have a little fun, right? Especially since he knew the boundaries he needed to stay behind, he wasn’t dumb.

By the time he’d put his phone on charge and folded his clothes onto a chair for tomorrow, and then headed back out into the corridor, Ashley was back, dressed in a cute little pair of shorts and a giant t-shirt. Oh wow, he could definitely imagine her wearing his t-shirt to bed one day. No, not the time!

“Hey,”

Ashley’s voice brought him out of his thoughts, and he couldn’t help but smile down at her.

“Hey,” he murmured.

“See you in the morning?” she said hopefully.

Like fuck he was going to leave. “Bright and early,” he nodded.

But when she didn’t go anywhere, her hand moving to rest on his bare arm, Dougie couldn’t stop himself from stepping towards her. Fuck. She inhaled sharply, but didn’t push him away, and that was all he needed.

“Can I kiss you?” he asked lowly.

Ashley’s lips parted in a soft gasp, but she nodded. “Yeah, please,”

Dougie raised a hand to cup her face, giving her one last out, but as she raised up on her tiptoes he didn’t hesitate any further. He leant his head down, and pressed his lips to hers softly, barely able to stop the moan that wanted to tear from his throat. Holy shit. Ashley clutched at his biceps, leaning up into the kiss even more, making Dougie’s head spin as he kissed her softly, slowly, over and over again. This was so not what he expected from tonight, or even hoped for, but fuck did it fill his body with butterflies. Holy shit, kissing her was everything. Eventually, he brushed his tongue against hers gently, before pulling away, knowing there was a stupid smile on his face.

“Wow,” he breathed.

“Wow,” she nodded, laughing softly, “That’s one hell of a goodnight,”

Dougie laughed softly too, pecking her lips in a soft kiss one last time before stepping away. She leaned against the wall, looking a little stunned, making him grin as he walked into her spare bedroom. If he didn’t walk away, he knew he would do something stupid to break them out of this perfect little sweet bubble, and that wasn’t what he wanted. Not tonight.

Tonight had been perfect. 

*

Ashley woke up slowly, a little groggy, feeling like she was forgetting something. Then she heard the bathroom door opening, and everything came flooding back to her. Dougie was here. He’d stayed over after their date last night. They’d kissed. Holy shit. Holy shit. She took a deep breath to calm herself, fingers rising to her lips without a second thought, and it was all she could do to smile.

Dougie had kissed her. And it was everything.

She squealed softly into her pillow, feeling stupidly giddy, before quickly picking out a cute jumper and her comfiest skinny jeans to wear. She could hear him moving in the spare bedroom, so she quickly darted into the bathroom, washing and then brushing her teeth, unable to stop the smile that spread across her face at the sight of the toothbrush that Dougie used resting in the holder. There was just something about it that felt right.

She took a deep breath, running her hands down her sweater to smooth it, before she headed out of the bathroom and into the kitchen. It didn’t take long for Dougie to join her, and he accepted the glass of juice that she passed him with a smile.

“Good morning,” he murmured.

“Good morning,” she said softly back.

Dougie seemed to hesitate slightly, before his face became determined. She didn’t have time to ask him what was wrong before he leant down and pressed his lips to hers in a firm kiss. Ashley whimpered softly into his mouth, earning a soft noise back, and it was all she could do to clutch at his sweater. Holy shit. This was just as incredible and sweet as she remembered from last night. Wow. Dougie cupped her face with his free hand, thumb brushing over her cheekbone as he slowed the kiss down to a few gentle pecks, before he pulled away with a smile. Ashley just smiled back up at him, a little overwhelmed in the best way. Wow.

“Coffee shop?” he said.

“Yeah, if that’s alright,” she nodded.

He understood her routines. And he didn’t care that she wanted to stick to them. How could she not appreciate that?

Dougie just nodded in response, smiling as he sat down at her kitchen table, taking a sip of the juice she’d given him. “I wouldn’t mind changing out of last night’s clothes though. Not really my vibe,” he teased.

Ashley giggled, understanding perfectly. It wasn’t her vibe either.

“I could drive you over to yours, to get a change of clothes, and then we could head to Storm Surge together?” she suggested.

“Yeah? You want to walk in together like that?” Dougie asked, a little hopeful.

Holy shit, that would be one hell of a declaration. But…

“Yeah, I want that,” she nodded.

The grin that spread across Dougie’s face made the butterflies in her stomach worth it.

“Let me just put on some mascara and lipstick, and we can go?”

“Sure, whatever you want,” Dougie smiled.

Now that was a dangerous thought.

All too soon, Ashley was parked down the street from the coffee shop. She took a deep breath, Dougie sending her an encouraging smile, before she steeled herself and got out of the car. This was nervewracking. Storm Surge was her home away from home, her safe space, her comfort, and now she was completely changing the status quo. But as Dougie walked to her side, smiling down at her with such hope in his eyes, she knew it was worth it. He was worth it.

“Ready?” Dougie asked, holding out his hand.

Holy shit. Bring it on.

Ashley smiled up at him, taking his hand in hers, embracing the butterflies that came with the warmth of his grasp. They walked to the coffee shop together, Dougie squeezing her hand gently as she opened the door and walked through.

“Ashley! And…Dougie?”

Andrei’s gasp made her blush, Dougie just laughing. Then Andrei’s face broke into a huge grin, and he spun around.

“Marty! It’s happened! It’s finally happened!” Andrei yelled into the back of the shop.

What the hell?

A door slammed open in the back, and then Marty came barrelling out. He took one look at them holding hands before punching his fist in the air.

“LET’S GOOOO!”

Ashley flinched at Marty’s loud voice, but couldn’t help but giggle when he bounded over to Andrei, swinging an arm over his shoulders.

“Finally! Do you know how long we’ve been rooting for you two?” Marty beamed.

Oh god. Ashley blushed furiously, as did Dougie, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “Was I that obvious?” Ashley asked shyly.

“Both of you were. It was so frustrating but so sweet,” Marty shrugged, Andrei nodding enthusiastically in agreement. “We just hoped you guys would take a chance,”

Take a chance. Hah. That’s definitely a good way to describe it. And he was so worth taking a chance on. Dougie smiled fondly down at her, before pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

“Well I’d say our second date went pretty well,” Dougie said softly, squeezing her hand.

Ashley smiled back, nudging him with her shoulder, earning coos from Marty and Andrei.

“Okay, you two are giving me cavities,” Marty said cheerfully, not even slightly annoyed, “Coffee and anything you want to eat, on the house. I need to tell Slavs – he’s going to be thrilled!”

Ashley just giggled, leaning into Dougie’s body as she looked over the cakes and pastries on display. Being with Dougie, this fledgling relationship, was scary – but it was also so exciting. She couldn’t wait to see what happened next. This was the start of something amazing, she just knew it.

[argumentl]

The Freedom of Expression Ep 6 - 'Antrum', the most cursed movie in history.

K: Hi this is Dir en grey's Kaoru, and The Freedom of Expression..Joe san, Tasai san..

J: Yep

K: I think the viewers already realise this, but we're shooting four epidodes at once. (note:* the covid episodes were aired at short notice after ep 3*).

J: Yes, four.

T: Our clothes havn't changed.

K: Is our positioning ok like this? Wouldn't it be better with you in the middle, Kaoru?

K: Well, next time we could change seats if we want? But, I havn't seen you two in a long time, I thought it would be better to look at you from over here.

J: Ah, yes. If you are in the middle you have to keep looking from side to side..

K: Yeah, so..we could change seats next time...We might even change our filming location?

J: For sure

K: I don't know though...we can carry on without making too many set plans.

J: I see.

K: He's not coming out today, is he?

J: He's not. Let's leave him alone.

K: Well, shall we get started?... Oh, actually, when we finished recording the last epidode, my boss came here, and said 'that was a lie, thats wrong'.

J: Oh, what was it again? He took offense to something written in a magazine.

T:...and stormed over there.

K: He didn't actually angrily storm over there, he apparently went there, not to tell them to write nice stuff, but to get them to write what his band was really like, and he was fine with it then *1

J: Ahh, to stand out?

K: He was quite agitated. *T laughs*

J: No, but its a bit worrying isn't it? From the listeners point of view, you hear that type of story and interpret it as something amusing, the story gets communicated on in that way.

K: Well, theres no fire without smoke..

J: You mean, theres no smoke without fire.

K: Yeh.. Its because he's just a bit scary *the others laugh*, thats why that type of gossip appears.

J: Of course

K: Right?

T: I see

J: Well, we don't know what he was really like back then...

K: I don't either.

J: But he surely wasn't one of those cuddly, happy people?

K: People in bands were just kinda scary back then, right?

J: They were scary, yeah. But they were also really cool, weren't they?

K: *nods*

J: ..in reality....I think they were.

K: We're (Dir en grey) not scary though, are we?

J, T: Uhh... *K laughs*

J: You are not scary, but...

K: We're not THAT scary right? *laughing*

J: You have an incredible aura..

K: Well, lets leave it..

J: Fow now, lets just say your boss wasn't trying to make excuses..

K: Excuses? *laughs*

J: ..he was just trying to tell us that the stuff we said was not true. Right, well lets introduce today's topic.

' "You watch it, you die", Antrum - The most cursed movie in history.'

'Unbelievablely, its to be released in Japan, this incredible movie is to be screened. Filmed in California, America in 1970, the movie 'Antrum'. Rumored to be excessively scary, and to bring about misfortune to those who watch it, it was said that this movie should not be released, but buried and restricted. However, in 1988, it was screened for the first time in Budapest, Hungary, and during its screening, a fire broke out in the theatre and it burnt to the ground. 56 people died in this incident. Since then, whenever this movie is screened, the people involved have suffered mysterious deaths, one after the other. It became a work of art that no-one wanted to touch. Then, we arrive at the present day. After a long search, documentary movie makers Michael Licini and David Amito discovered the 35mm film reel of 'Antrum'. They have decided to screen it with the warning that viewers must take personal responsibility for anything that happens. The movie will be screened this year in venues across the country from Friday.'

K: Ahh, is it okay?...if this kind of incident occurs?

J: It says, if you watch it you die!

T: Its spooky.

K: Whether it lives up to expectations or not, theres trouble either way.

J,T: Thats right.

J: If people die, they're in trouble, and if people don't die, and they get sued for misrepresentation, they'll be like 'What? Arn't you glad you didn't die?!'

T: I wonder what will happen.

J: They say everyone has to take personal responsibility.

K: Well, I'm slightly interested.

J: Would you go and watch it?

K: Hmm, I want to see it, yeh.

J: You're attracted to it?

K: Um, Horror is...

Kami: Nononono! You must not go to see this, you must not go to see this!

J: Ahh, Kami says you musn't, he's worried suddenly....Its not okay, Kami?

Kami: No no, its not. I was quiet so far because I didn't want to have anything to do with this topic.

J: Oh, with this topic?

Kami: Yeh, its really scary.

J: Is this type of thing not good?

Kami: Its not good. I have to work nights..

J: Ah, night shifts? *the others laugh*

Kami: and I work alone.

J: Yeh.

K: Well, yeh, thats scary.

Kami: They say you'll die, I don't wanna die on my night shift.

J: Yeh, but gods can't die can they?

T: Right.

Kami: Well, outwardly.

J: What does that mean? Outwardly?? *laughing*

Kami: We don't die completely..

J: Oh, but from the human perspective you appear to die?

Kami: Yeah, I appear to die, but then am reborn.  *J, T laugh*

K: He doesn't need to be scared.

T: Pretty interesting.

Kami: No no, the bit where I appear to be dead..its kinda troublsome.

J: Its trouble? You're a bit nervous about that?

Kami: Yeh, im nervous. Its not good.

J: Its not good?

Kami: Yeah, going to see this movie is not good.

J: But, there is a certain attraction by people to these kind of supernatural, occult things isn't there?

K, T: Yeah, yeah.

J: You know, things that science can't prove.

Kami: Yeah, I know about all of it though.

J: You do?

Kami: Yes, I do. Because, god created everything on earth.

T: Well, yeah.

J: I see.

T: So, he shouldn't really be scared of this, should he?

K: Really, that makes this situation here part of the occult too, doesn't it?

J: This is the occult. *T laughs* Us talking to a god..*K laughing*  Talking to a god about movies even!

Kami: Well, there are many types of god aren't there?

J: Ahh, there are many types, yeh.

Kami: Yeh yeh, there are all knowing-all powerful gods...and gods like this one here. *the others laugh*

J: This god isn't very 'all knowing-all powerful'?

Kami: No, im probably in the lower orders.

J: *laughing* Yeh, we know that!

T: He sounds like a salaryman.

J: A hierarchy of gods..

Kami: Well, the middle-lower orders.

J: The middle-lower oders? *laughing*

T: Thats quite low, right? *J laughing*

J: It might just not be limited to recent times, but isn't there quite an occult boom going on now? How do you see it Kaoru?

Kami: An occult boom?

J: An occult boom.

Kami: Well, maybe its because a lot of things have already been solved. As science progresses, we know more...like the Higgs particle, you know it?

J: I've heard the name, but I don't know the details.

Kami: Its kinda like how the source of gravity was discovered. They spin it round really fast and crash it, right?

J: What a simple explanation!

Kami: Its in Switzerland!

T: In Switzerland...

J: They have the equipment to spin it and crash it powerfully, right?

Kami: Yes, yes. Atoms, they crash atoms into one another..and when they crash, the atoms break apart, and various particles have been discovered....and they saw a black hole forming and such. These kinds of mysterious things are really happening. *2.

T: Ehh, Kami, thats impressive.

Kami: So it could be just because of these solved mysteries, peoples' imaginations are swelling and giving them wild ideas?

J: I see.

K: Well, there must be people who like this stuff.

Kami: Wasn't my explanation easy to understand?

J: Yes, it was very well explained.

Kami: Spinning it around and bashing really hard, and then a kind of mysterious feeling...

*everyone laughs*

J: Thst is super easy to understand. Explained in simple terms.

T: Exactly

J: Only by a god..*3

T: Hey Joe, is that okay? *laughs*

J: Kami's awful aspects have transfered to me. *T laughs* The hopless parts. Those parts are showing in me.

Kami: Don't say hopeless!

K *laughs*

J: Oh did you hear that bit?

Kami: I heard it.

J: Of course, Kami hears everything (direct translation: hell ears)

K: This is awful!

Kami: Not hell, heaven.

T: Isn't this fourth time getting tiring?

*laughing*

J: Of course not

T: Actually, ive been to an event before where a spirit appeared.

J: Ehh?

T: When I say spirit, I mean Lincoln. There was a movie about the American president, Lincoln. So I went as a reporter to a weird movie event about it. And there was a medium there who could channel Lincoln so we could ask anything.

J: Wow...so, Lincoln spoke to you in person?

T: The medium started going 'Mmmghh mmmghh' and then 'Ready', so we all thought Lincoln had come to us, and we were told to ask anything, so someone asked 'Mr Lincoln, Mr Lincoln, what did you think of the movie? ..and after about three seconds the medium suddenly dropped down and said, 'Lincoln has left us'.

J: Ehh?! He didn't say anything?!

T: No, Lincoln didn't say anything.

J: Just 'Mmgh, mmgh'?

T: Yeah, and then he fell straight down..and was finished in three seconds. The whole venue had been waiting so eagarly...

J: What kind of article did Tokyo Sports write?

T: About how the venue was....*4

*laughing*

K: That fits well with this show!

J: This kind of chaos. So you were there, Tasai san?

T: Yes, I was reporting on it.

J: Oh really?

T: Yeh, that type of thing happened.

J: I wonder how the medium was after that, after Lincoln left.

T: She's getting paid for nothing.

K: Well, maybe some more accidents happened...

J: Oh yeah, she felt the danger. She didn't research enough before calling him.

T: She should have studied.

J: Maybe she didn't expect that many reporters?

K: Oh, maybe, she thought 'oh no..'

J: Maybe she was shocked to see so many people when she turned up. But the movie company paid her to promote the movie like this right?

T: Yes

J: Ahh, but people will probably go to see this movie right, Kami?

Kami: As for Lincoln coming down, he probably didn't say anything because he planned to speak in English.

J, T: Oh yeah.

K: Maybe

Kami: They forgot how to speak English?

J: I see..he hasn't been called in a long time, so even he forgot how to speak English?

Kami: No no, the medium.

J: Ah, the medium? Ah, I see.

Kami: Even I forget what to say sometimes, as soon as I think about it, and when im listening, you're like 'oh he's gone'

J: Isn't that dementia? Kami, can you speak to dead people like a medium can, can gods do it?

Kami: Gods? There are gods who can do that.

K: But you can't.

J: But you can't? 

Kami: No, I can't do anything *J laughs*

J: We can only pray to you?

Kami: Yes, only pray.

J: I reckon I could be a god then too.

K: Yeh, yeh.

J: Its pretty interesting, no matter what your capacity, you could be a god, right? *laughing*

Kami: No, being a god is not about your capacity...

J: Oh, its not, im wrong?

Kami: Are you making fun of me?

J: No, im not! Im just too naive.

Kami: Being a god is something you're born with.

T: Ahh, its deep.

Kami: Being a god is something you are born with.

K: He just said that.

J: Im kinda imagining him with a smug face right now. *K laughs*

J: I havn't met him so I don't know though.

Kami: Even though I can't do anything, Im different from you guys.

J: Ah, you are born different?

Kami: Yes, yes, yes.

J: You exist differently from regular humans?

Kami: Yes, yes, yes.

J: I see.

K: We're right back to the occult now, aren't we?

J: Yeh, this is almost like a Tokyo Sports kind of issue.

Kami: No, you mustn't doubt the existence of god!

J: Oh, you musn't?

Kami: You mustn't! If you do, and you watch this movie, you will die.

J: We'll die?

T: Scary!

K: I wonder if we'll really die?

Kami: So believe in god!

K: Oh, if you believe in god, you won't die if you watch this movie?

Kami: Yeh, you can increase your shrine donation or something..

J: It ends up with money again *K laughs* He always ends up talking about money.

T: Whats up with him? *K laughing*

J: He doesn't have anything nice to say. Its always down to money in the end. With Ghosn he was the same.

T: He was, yeh *laughing*

Kami: Thats right

J: This has nothing to do with the movie 'Antrum'...

K: So there is a subscribe option on youtube right?

J: Yes, if you subscribe for us...

K: I think I should say 'please subscribe', I havn't said it yet * T laughs*

J: Please subscribe, everyone.

T: Please.

K: If we get more subscribers, we can do more things.

J: Right

Kami: Yes, please subscribe.

J: Subscribers will probably...

*sound cuts out*

On screen message :The sound cut out for some reason. We'll let you know what they said. For now, this episode has ended .

*1 - Not 100% sure I understood this story right.

*2 Translating quantum physics isn't my strong point.

*3 Im fairly sure i've missed some nuance here.

*4 Couldn't catch this.

[akaspiderman]

stupid ideas

pairing: bucky barnes x avenger! female reader

word count: 2k

warnings: jumping off heights, reader injuries, angst(?) // tell me if there’s more

plot: (y/n) never thinks things through, but one day does something so unbelievable, Bucky has to deal with the effects.

A/N: criticism on how to improve it would be appreciated bc idk how to wrap things up :)) really loved that i pulled a 360 from the last one i wrote

Hurt, that’s all he knew. He destroyed everything and in return it left him as a shell of a man. Everyday, he feels haunted from the memories that followed him. He couldn’t escape them, they echoed through his head and they wouldn’t leave. He was struggling, he did get better, but it was slow and painful. And then, she was there.

They’ve been living in the same building now for months, but he never paid much attention to her. (y/n) was intrigued with him, but he never seemed in the mood to talk to her, so she always lets it go. It changed during a mission, when she was reckless and stupid in Tony’s words. (y/n) did it, though. This was just one of her many, awful ideas. She was after some agent when she slams the brakes on the car that she was driving. The reason? It was just so she wouldn’t hit a family of ducks crossing the road. It was so idiotic, they were in a chase and the car behind hers crashed into the back. But she just shrugs it off, saying she didn’t want to be responsible for innocent bystanders death. Bucky was in the car with her riding shotgun, and hell, he was mad. She let the car ahead of them get ahead, and now the back of the car was broken. She ruined the mission for ducks. He scolded her and she just laughed, and went around the ducks, acting like it was just a minor inconvenience that the back of the car has a gaping hole.

After his anger about that situation disinagratesd, he became intrigued. Why would someone do such a thing? Why would anyone endanger a mission for ducks? He was full aware that she does impulsive actions during missions. The rest of the avengers share stories about the mindless actions she does. He never thought much about, he never experienced them himself, until the duck fiasco. For months , she captivates his attention. He couldn’t quite figure her out, why she throws herself in danger so easily. He studies her and becomes closer to her, talking to her beyond missions and small talk, trying to figure her out. At first, it was just a side idea, trying to know what makes her do impulsive things. But throughout his ‘research’, he couldn’t help but notice how light her laugh was and how graceful she was. He was falling for her, oh so slowly. So slowly, he didn’t even realize it until he felt empty when she went to a mission for a week. He misses all her quirks and the constant laughter from her. He misses how gentle she was with him. He misses how she saw beyond his past and lives in the moment with him. When he gains the confidence to ask her out, after Steve telling him to just do it. He was terrified of what she would say, but she smiled and said yes.

Then the rest was history, they’ve been head over heels in love with each other. They spent all their time together when they could, outside their busy schedules. They go to cafes and strolled through parks. (y/n) forces him to watch movies he missed out on and he teaches her things about the past. She sticks through his hard patches and he was there to protect her from herself. They worked well, everyone could see it. It was like they found a missing piece to one eachother, though it sounds cheesy. Tony thought it was repulsive how they could be so affectionate and loving all the time. But they prospered and it was beautiful, to see how they just fit.

Then she does the most dangerous and dumbest stunt she’s ever executed. The fact that she had the audacity to do it enraged him a bit, how could she blind and not see the lasting impact.

“Right, I see him,” (y/n) announces. She was on a mission, her, Steve, and Natasha, and of course, the subject decides to run to the top of the building.

“Don’t let him escape, I’m coming,” Natasha says.

“I was gonna let him walk away,” (y/n) jokes, as she runs up the stairs, panting for air. Cardio was never her strong suit.

“We can’t kill him, we have to use him for a source,” Steve adds, he was currently trying to find a way to the top, as he faced complications.

“Yup, got it. Roger that,” (y/n) laughs at her own pun.

“God, how can you be so upbeat all the time. That pun is abused too much, thats like the twentieth time you used it today,” Natasha grumbles.

(y/n) rolls her eyes, though no one can see it. She shoots her gun because she finally reaches an opening where she can see the criminal, trying to injure him and slow him down. Of course, she misses, it was just super convenient for him to knock down a shelf in front of her. She sighs, before rushing back up the stairs and through the roof.

As she emerges through the door, it’s only her and the HYDRA agent. Natasha and Steve were trying to rush back up, but they had some difficulties with other agents before they blew themselves up. He stands up top, cocking his head staring at her. Trying to tempt her to shoot, like he’ll do something.

“Okay, got him. Do I engage? He’s near the ledge,” (y/n) asks, no one has reached the top yet, except for her.

“Don’t shoot him, he may fall of the building,” Steve replies, “I’m almost there.”

The agent has a smirk on his face, trying to lure her in. (y/n) starts walking towards him at an agonizing slow pace and he stands there, perfectly still. He then begins to edge his way towards the end of the building, still locking eyes with (y/n). He walks closer and closer, trying to see what she’ll do. It takes her about ten seconds for her to process that he was going to jump off. This was not the ideal situation at all, if life went the way she wanted it to go, they would’ve got him ten minutes ago and she wouldn’t be out of breath from running. She dosen’t know how to react, he was edging closer. (y/n) feels the panic run through her body, she could not let him go over. If she shoots, the impact will clearly knock him off the edge but if she dosen’t do anything he’ll fall. She would be damned if she was the one responsible for losing their only lead. So she concludes the only solution is to sprint towards him, and lunge at him, trying to grab him. If she can pull him off the edge, it’ll solve all her problems. To her shock, he moves just as she lunges. She was already running towards him, feet off the ground. It was too late to stop the momentum. Her scream was echoing through the air as she fell.

Bucky heard the news while he was watching some reality show at the base. He did this to calm his anxiousness about (y/n), but she always arrives alright. No major injuries that she couldn’t bounce back from. The mission was taking longer then everyone thought. At least an update at this point was expected. Bucky didn’t think much about it, he trusted that they would be safe. It was a strong trio, they should be fine. So Bucky continues to aimlessly watch the television, not giving much though to it when Tony walks in the room. His face was full of distress, his hands fumbling with his jacket before they ran through his hair.

“Bucky, we have to go,” Tony announces, his voice shaky. Bucky does what he’s told, but he’s getting this awful vibe from the situation. Cool and collective Tony was lost. He didn’t want to question it, it was like he would jinx it if he asked what was happening.

In the elevator, Tony pushes the infirmary level, further confirming Bucky’s idea that something went wrong. Bucky feels his chest tighten, “Who got injured?”

Tony bites his lip, and takes a deep breath, “It’s bad, real bad.”

The elevator dings and the two walk out, Tony keeps running his hands through his hair as he leads them to the back hall. The hall where doctors and nurses were swarming with, where the avengers stand, all with the same anxious look. Bucky looks around, trying to see the missing one, but to his dismay he couldn’t locate (y/n). (y/n).

Bucky pushes through the crowd, and goes into the room where people run in and out from. Doctors grab at him, warning that it’s restricted. Bucky easily shakes them off, he just wanted to see if what he thought was true, and he hopes to god it’s not. Then he sees her. (y/n) was unconscious, and god she looked horrible. Dried blood coated her, her limbs dislocated in areas, scratches and scars covering her, IV’s and wraps were along her body. She looked like she was dying. It was his worst nightmare. He couldn’t breathe, his lungs have collapsed and he was moving fast to her side. Grabbing her hand, he glances up to see her heart still beating, but she looked the opposite. The tears came quick, because this was not how it was supposed to go. She was supposed to arrive okay and they were going to go to that one art museum she’s been raging about the next day. His heart physically aches, it hurts. It was like he was the one who got injured, like he was the one lying in that bed. He was a wreck.

Footsteps approach and a hand lays on Bucky’s shoulder, Steve’s voice whispers, “I should have been there.”

Bucky jerks, letting Steve’s hand fall. He knew his anger was not in the right place. It wasn’t Steve’s fault, but he sure could’ve done a better job. After all, she had a reputation of doing these ridiculous stunts. Bucky looks up at Steve, his hand lightly on (y/n)’s, “What did she do?”

“She fell of a building, she was trying to prevent the agent from falling off, and he dodged her.”

Bucky sucks in his breath, this was the classic, stupid (y/n) move, he almost wants to laugh. This was such a her thing to do. She had a bad habit of not thinking ideas through, he learned that. From slamming onto brakes to save ducks to when she bakes cupcakes and grabs the tin straight from the oven without mitts. It never occurred to her that maybe the agent was trying to do something, to do a good classic dodge move? It was a flaw of hers, but he loved it, it was a part of her. He loves her.

His guard falls down quickly, his subtle tears turned into sobs. He didn’t care who saw, if his big, bad, mysterious reputation got ruined. She was hurting, and it hurt him. She managed to make him smile and laugh, like they were normal. Now she was here, all broken bones and blood. She can’t be there to comfort him, she can’t be there to tell him that everything will be alright. She looked lifeless despite the beating from the monitor. It told him everything, that she had one foot in the grave, she was going to be knocked out for days. God, she could be unconscious for weeks. That was terrifying. No one to hold, no one to lighten his mood. He can’t help her either, he can’t take away her pain. His heart is breaking, his world was falling apart. He should’ve been there, taken the mission instead. But he didn’t. Now the love of his life, was suffering, and how long would it last? No one knew, but he would hurt as long as she would.

[ceruleanchillin]

We Shouldn’t

John Marston x F!Reader

Note -  *spoilers* : not too heavy, but still worth the warning if you haven’t finished the game or played at all

I hope this is ok anon, I tweaked it a bit.

Not meant to bash Abigail, but……

I like her, but I don’t like her with John. To me, the character flaws I dislike about both of them shine brightest when they’re together. (which is a testament to outstanding writing on Rockstar’s part imho, because that’s how some couples are🤷🏾‍♀️)

That being said. Smut-ish

“Don’t act sour to me John Marston, you’re the one who wanted to come town today. I don’t believe I asked!” Abigail yanked her coat from the back of the chair she’d dined in.

Abigail was the only person John knew who could fuss and function at the same time with no trouble. No pausing what she was doing, she didn’t even take a breath, just fussed and functioned. He’d known that for a while he supposed, but it didn’t make it any easier to listen to.

“Keep your voice down.” John hissed, glancing around in hopes no one heard them.

The heat of embarrassment crept from his neck to the tips of his ears, when he noticed several patrons had heard them.

“Don’t tell me what to do.” she snapped. “I was fine til’ you tried to tell me what I could eat.”

“I wasn’t telling you what you could eat, I was just sayin-”

“I swear, if you bring up that goddamn loan again…” she was all screwed lips and narrowed eyes, and he knew to end the discussion there. That, or risk a historical event the likes of which rivaled the Blackwater Massacre.

He slipped his pocket watch from his suit jacket, and glanced down at it. “If we’re going to make that show, we should leave now.”

“Oh It’s across the street, don’t act like it’s a river away.” she stalked past him, only to turn back and look at him. “Well? The show ain’t going to wait for you.”

“Fine.” he bit out, hands shoving the watch back into his pocket.

“Fine.” she fired back, shoving through the door.

He followed her rushed footsteps as he tried to piece together what had gone wrong. It started out nice enough. They’d been in a weird cycle that was 90 percent fighting, and 10 percent awkward silences. He thought their last date had gone well, and that they were long due for another. He’d set things up for dinner, a show, and an evening in one of the nicer hotels in town. He’d even steeled himself for the high possibility she might want to dance. It was all too clear to him, at that point, how the rest of the evening would play out.

He told her of the surprise a week in advance, and she nearly crowned him king in her excitement. Then over the week leading up to it, the arguments had started. Snapping at each other over little things, slamming doors, petty jabs, etc.

A crowd had to started to gather in the cobblestone streets, and it was concentrated around the theater. He tried to stay close to Abigail, but also leave a bit of distance, because he could feel how tense she was. His mind was racing for ways to calm her down, and salvage the rest of the evening. He glanced around main street in pursuit of in an idea.

“You have enough to pay for the show? You know, since you tightened the purse strings at dinner.”

He fought the urge to roll his eyes, and instead exhaled his frustration. “Sorry your highness, I just didn’t want everyone to know about my newfound status as an oil baron.”

Abigail bristled, and let loose on him. He just nodded solemnly letting her fuss. He returned to scanning the area around them, no longer looking for another activity, but a distraction to focus on.

As if he willed you into existence, your laughter caught his attention. Ahead of him, you stood in line with two other women. In the fading daylight, the street lights became the dominant light source, and it was like they all choose to focus on you. Or maybe it felt that way, because he couldn’t look away.

He’d met you during the period when Abigail left him, and things for them had been up in the air. You were the personal assistant of an eccentric author, and his travels brought you to Blackwater. Your boss tasked you with helping him research the life of a cowboy, and you’d found yourself sitting in the Blackwater Saloon interviewing prospects. John had only taken a seat out of pure shock that someone would pay just to hear someone talk. Turns out that it was a little more than that, you wanted to also observe him in action, but it wasn’t anything he couldn’t manage.

You documented the course of building his ranch, and jotted down the parts of his life he felt were pertinent. You made the dreary work ahead of him much more tolerable, and even Uncle and Charles enjoyed your company. He realized he started looking forward to your visits. He learned you felt the same when you brought him dinner, and kissed him over it.

That started the thing between you two, that neither of you named, but both thoroughly enjoyed. He had thought of Abigail and Jack, but he pushed them out of his head when he remembered it was a possibility they would even come back. You were real, you were there, and so were his feelings for you.

Charles has been kind enough not to say anything. Uncle wasn’t quite so polite, but a few threats of violence shut him up. He should’ve done it sooner though, because Uncle had ripped into you about being a homewrecker, and that time he had hit him. Knocked him clean under the table.

To his surprise, you didn’t have much of a reaction beyond laughing at Uncle. You’d told him you figured that, because of the specifications of the home, and the way he jumped around in interviews. You two sat down for a long conversation about it, in which he came clean about everything, and he thought it’d be over after that. It wasn’t.

It wasn’t over until he woken up to find you’d come to the farm early on, and dropped his last payment off with Charles. Your letter was short, powerful, and scented with vanilla. He’d carried it around protectively, until Abigail returned, and it started burning a hole in his pocket. He thought that’d been the end if it, but you were back.

“You’re unbelievable,” Abigail was staring at him with force of death behind her gaze. “Can you even pretend they ain’t got your attention?”

John realized he must’ve been staring at you, and Abigail caught him. The line had thinned, and they were not able to enter the theater at least.

“They’re young, you think they’ll put up with you? They’re probably not stupid enough to get stuck like I did.”

“Would you just go inside?”

“No problem.” She pushed past the few people in front of her, and marched past the ticket counter. “That jackass with the scars is paying!”

For the second time that night, a bevy of disapproving looks fell upon him. He scowled and faced them back, eyes scanning faces until they fell on yours.

You were looking at him with a strange combination of shock and pity. He hated you looking at him with any sort of sympathy, but who could blame you? You looked like you wanted to say something to him, but before you could, your friends dragged you inside and he released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

—-

The show itself was rather uneventful. For him at least, because the room around him couldn’t stop erupting in emotion if it became law. He knew it was because he was upset, and Abigail shooting him dirty looks in the dark didn’t help. His plans were shot, and now he was filled with emotions tied to you. Luck never had been fond of him, he supposed.

His eyes glanced up at the balcony you were sitting in, only to find you rising from your seat and disappearing behind the curtain. On instinct, he rose too, muttering something he wasn’t aware of to Abigail. He didn’t wait for her response, if she even gave him one. All he knew was he had to speak to you.

He stumbled out into the lobby, eyes trained on the door he knew led up to the balcony you were in. He took the few seconds he had to run a hand through his hair, and straighten his tie. Yes, John Marston was primping. No, he’d never tell another living soul.

You breezed through the door, and his mouth went dry. You were heading for the concession counter, which was opposite of where he was standing. He walked after you, longer legs allowing him to catch up quickly.

You gasped when you realized he was next to you, your body giving a jerk in response to being frightened.

“Sorry,” he raised his hands and chuckled. “Stay in your skin, it’s too pretty to leave behind.”

“Go to hell Marston, the play already gave me a start.” You pressed a hand to your chest, and he fought not stare at the ample cleavage on display.

Instead, he focused on your words, and realized he hadn’t known what the play was about. Not beyond the vague description he’d read in the paper when he was planning to go anyways. It occurred to him how out of it he must’ve been for that, and he felt a sense of dread at the thought of going back.

“What are you doing here? You know there’s a singing portion coming up right?” You started moving again, and he followed along.

“A fella can’t take in a nice...musical…experience every now and again?”

You laughed with your whole body, he loved that. “Yes, a fella can. But not a John Marston.”

He chuckled. “Ok, that’s an astute observation Miss (L/N).”

“My my John, when you clean up, you clean up.” You gave him an impressed once over, and turned to face the counter. “Can I have the assorted hard candy please.”

“I’ll pay.” He was reaching for his money clip before he’d even said it.

“Oh no,” you shook your head. “I really shouldn’t even be having any. I appreciate it-“

He handed over the dollar, ignoring your pleas. “I want to. Can’t forget it was you that sat that golden opportunity in my lap.”

“Well thank you then. It was my pleasure though...in every sense.” You gave a coy grin that went straight to his groin, and thanked the man at the counter.

“Wait, don’t go.” He grasped your upper arm, careful not hurt you.

You glanced back at him, and tilted your head in question. “I should get back, my friends will worry.”

“Can I,” he paused, cursing himself for not picking up the ability for pretty words like he did shooting from Dutch. “Let me just talk to you.”

The both of you glanced at the man at the counter, who only barely pretended not to be listening.

“Over there.” He nodded to a hallway off the lobby, and gently pulled you after him.

“John,” you paused in your words when he backed you into a wall. “We should make this easy and just cut it loose.”

He pressed his forehead against yours. “Baby, our situation is anything but easy.”

You sighed, and brought a hand up to stroke his scarred cheek. “Your wife is in there, probably waiting on you.”

“She’s probably hoping I got trampled in the street.”

“I would’ve said no to that before I saw her tonight. She’s kind of awful.” You lowered your voice like you didn’t want to admit it, but you had to say it anyways.

He saw that sympathetic look return in your eyes, and he felt ashamed under you gaze.

“I’m kind of awful too.” He admitted reluctantly, but he wasn’t comfortable being painted in an innocent light.

“I suppose,” you sighed, and when you pressed your lips to his scarred cheek again, he held on to you tightly.

He gave into the back of his mind, and started moving on instinct. The shudder you gave when his lips found your neck only served to fuel him on. You were trying to come up with weak excuses, but your actions contradict them. Your hands found his back, and gripped it in a way that called to mind how many scratches you’d left there.

It wasn’t hard to recall how carefree you two had been on his ranch. All you had to do was dodge a non-intrusive friend, and an old drunk. You may as well have been alone.

“John.” Your voice came out a messy combination of a gasp and a moan, as you cupped his neck. “What are you doing?”

“Something nice if you’ll let me.”

“Wha-“

Your next words died on your lips when he slipped under your dress.

“John have you lost your-” A few seconds later he felt your hands gripping the back of his head through the material, and a low moan fell from your lips.

He focused completely on your pleasure. A way to say thank you, for not letting him get swept away in a sea of dread. A way to say sorry, that he couldn’t whisk you away like you wanted him to, and like he so badly wanted. He could give you this though, and as your nails pressed through material and into his scalp, he hoped that’d be enough for the moment.

[osmw1]

I Said Make My Abilities Average!   Chapter 4—Make My Abilities Average

What was the cause of that absurd amount of water? Adele pondered while lying on the bed. Using both God’s explanation on magic and common knowledge of this world, what are possible predictions?

First: my own magical power. The strength and endurance of my brain waves… are strong. … but my power should be “average”.

Second: my imagination is abnormally strong, enabling me to efficiently manifest magic. … which is possible. Perhaps an effect of modern knowledge. But that power from just efficiency? It’s a little difficult to imagine.

Third, some other primary factor. Was there something different at that time? Other than the chant…

Ah. Help me out, Mr. Nanomachine! That’s right, I muttered that in my mind. It couldn’t be that the nanomachines responded to that? That’s ridiculous… no, but you can’t really compare the abilities of nanomachines created by a self-proclaimed God to the ones researched on Earth for medical-use. For example, it wouldn’t even be weird if each individual nanomachine had some sort of artificial intelligence. It wouldn’t be possible for single-function machines to interpret a person’s brain waves and then to materialize them. (Normally, when casting a spell, the brain waves don’t have a specific target that they are commanding, but instead, we nanomachines judge what the intentions are and then execute the orders. So, what if we are clearly requested by name?)

… which is possible. But there isn’t time to confirm it. This isn’t a good place for reckless, dangerous magic. And to use the training arena before actually enrolling in the school would be weird. Besides, it would attract attention.

“Ah, if only I could directly ask the nanomachines…”

‘Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have. We will answer them to the best of our abilities.’

“Gyaaah!”

Adele, surprised by the sudden whispering in her ear, sprung backwards and smacked her head hard against the wall. Gah!, went Adele as she crouched down, clutching her head.

‘Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have. We will answer them to the best of our abilities.’ The mysterious voice pursued Adele!

On this situation, no one else would respond but that. Adele noticed it and timidly called out,

“Mister… Nanomachine?” ‘Yes, that is what the creator had called us.’

On Earth, it took mere decades for computers the size of a building to turn into something that could fit in one hand. Then, the development of nanomachines had already begun. However, the performance of these nanomachines—made by beings who could proclaim themselves to be gods and existing long before humans did—would be unimaginable. Adele could at least understand how simple it is for the machines to be able reply to humans. However, Adele could not tell whether they’re able to reply because of their programming or whether it’s because of they had sentience.

Though while surprised, it was an ideal chance to learn more. So, Adele braced herself and asked.

“About my what happened last time, I want to know why my magic was so unbelievably powerful…” ‘Please wait.’

In just a few seconds, the nanomachines replied. ‘About your inquiry on your previous use of magic, the efficacy was higher than normal because we received your specific command.’

As expected, Adele thought, as she confirmed the cause while letting out a sigh of relief. “And because of that, about how much was it amplified by?” ‘Approximately 3.27 times.’ That amount of amplification was obviously way too little for what had happened.

“A-And what was the reason for it being abnormally powerful compared to a normal, average 10 year–old child?” ‘That is simply because your brain wave output is powerful and that your visualization is clear and concrete. In particular, your brain wave output is approximately half of elder dragons—this world’s strongest in output power.’ Huh?, thought Adele, as she questioned her hearing. “What, umm, did you—did you say it was half of?”

‘Your. Brain wave. Output. Is. About. Half of. Elder dragons.’ The nanomachines explicitly and purposefully paused between words.

“A-And compared with humans?” ‘Compared to all human beings with magical abilities, about 6,800 times stronger.’

Thud.

Adele fell prostrate on her bed.

After a little while, Adele finally came back to life and then asked the nanomachines many questions. Though she didn’t ask God about the fine details on magic, right now, it’s a different story. She has to seize the opportunity and ask questions.

‘… thus, what is referred to as a person’s magic strength—the power of brain waves that person is able to emit—is a combination of endurance and clarity. If you liken it to someone’s voice, it would be the loudness of their voice, the endurance until their voice becomes coarse, and the clarity of their voice. The sharpness of one’s visualizations is not the strength, but rather considered as a skill of using magic. It is not something one is born with, but rather a technique fostered by practice.’

“So it’s because that I’m outstanding in all of those categories… I understand that my mental images may be shaper due to my knowledge of the modern world, but besides from that… Ah!”

She understood completely. The words that the nanomachines had said. ‘Your brain wave output is approximately half of elder dragons—this world’s strongest in output power.’ … in other words, with regards to this world, exactly halfway between beings with zero magical abilities and the strongest beings. Exactly half—the average the minimum value and the maximum value.

Bam, bam, bam! She repeatedly slammed her head against the wall. “That’s not right! That’s completely wrong! That totally isn’t the definition of average!! I—I wanted to live my life as a normal girl…!!” Once again, it wasn’t the median value.

Whether it was because it was a pain to look up the values of all living things, or perhaps to the gods dealing with numbers unimaginably large for humans that this was “average”. Or even maybe that the gods worried about Misato’s safety, doing her a favor on purpose…

After a while, Adele calmed down and continued gathering information. “Before now, has anyone ever asked you questions?” ‘Firstly, there is nearly no one who knows of our existence and speaks to us. Furthermore, even if we are spoken to, we are not permitted to reply to those under a security clearance level of three.’ “Security clearance?” ‘The authority to use us. Normal living creatures, including humans, have a default clearance level of one, elder dragons at two, and occasionally some creatures are at level three. In the past, there was a human who reached level three, but they were extremely rare cases. Just before that human being died of old age, he reached level three. He had believed that we were spirits that controlled magic. However, it seemed as though no one paid attention to what he had to say. Because we were ordered to show our form to the man, we directly stimulated his retina and connected directly to his mind; same for our voices—directly vibrating his eardrums, thus…’

“Oh, that means…” ‘Yes, to the others, it seemed like they were nothing but illusions and hallucinations. Even right now, you are talking to yourself. You probably seem like an odd person.’ “Eek!”

‘Do not worry; the adjacent rooms are unoccupied.’ The nanomachines told the flustered Adele frantically looking at the walls to her left and right. ‘If you wish, it is possible for us to vibrate the air so that others can hear us and to refract the light to temporarily show our physical form…’ “No, uhh, not right now…”

As she was a normal girl, she did not need the spirits. She decided that asking all these questions would be a one-time thing. Save for extreme circumstances, she planned on not summoning them again. So Adele had thought.

“Oh, come to think of it, since you answered all of my questions, does that mean I’m at level three?” ‘The creators have maximum security clearance of level ten; you are at level five.’ Yeah, yeah. Right in the middle of zero and ten. The average, eh? Not like I expected anything else.

“And what am I forbidden from accessing?” ‘Uncontrolled propagation of bacterium; nuclear fission and fusion; radiation; and as well matters regarding our existence and limits on spellcasting.’ “Ah, stuff like that, huh? Well, that’s to be expected.”

After a while, Adele continued asking questions. But after that was the motherlode. Item box. When she asked about alternate dimension storage where neither time passes nor conditions deteriorate, she learned that there are numerous dimensions that crushes the space-time continuum. In essence, places where the concept of time does not exist. If a hole that is connected to that dimension were to be opened and then objects placed inside there, it would function as a sort of makeshift item box. As that alternate dimension already exists, energy wouldn’t even be needed to maintain it. The nanomachines will handle deposit and withdrawal for her. Because only a certain number of mages can use “storage” magic, and as it is limited by internal space and volume, it is quite the valuable skill. It would be much appreciated if that could be feigned and to be used it in public. Of course, not only would this be a pseudo-item box, it could also be used as a storage system.

After learning the basics, including a few tricks on how to produce magic at an ordinary person’s level, Adele thanked the nanomachines.

“Thanks for everything. With this, I feel like I can kinda act like a normal girl now.” ‘A… normal girl?’ Adele pouted at the words that the nanomachines seemingly wanted to say. “I’m going to be a normal girl, live a normal life, and to find my own normal happiness!” ‘… we will pray for your hard effort.’

Having taken a short breather after finishing her conversation with the nanomachines, Adele suddenly noticed she was bothered by something. Up until now, she had not felt anything particularly out of the ordinary. But for some reason, she abruptly experienced an swell of anxiety. It would be nice to have a coin or something, but unfortunately, Adele is penniless. Looking for a hard object, the metallic handle of the closet caught her eye. With no other choice, she firmly pinched it with her fingers…

Ooh, soft and flexible.

Mmm, perhaps her strength, too, is half of an elder dragon?

Fuck off!

Previously: /ch001/ /ch002/ /ch003/ /ch004/ /next/ (full list of translated chapters)

[poweredbycoffeeandwine]

Kissing Day: Andromeda

This prompt for Kissing Day 2017 is from @thesecondsealwrites from the way I said “I love you” prompt list: A taunt, with one eyebrow raised and a grin bubbling at your lips. And I know I said ME, but really whatever characters/otp you think it fits best. :D

I have only begun writing for these two, and though they aren’t quite at this stage in my planned one-shots, they are certainly making their way here. Hope you enjoy! Pairing: Camille Ryder x Liam Kosta

Things around the Tempest felt sluggish. Crew members went about their assigned tasks, but once the ship was en route, lost among a sea of stars, very little work went into flying. Sure, daily maintenance was a part of it: weapon and gear check for individuals, some of the crew liked to trick out the Nomad with new upgrades, Liam and Jaal found weird projects. Almost none were sanctioned, but it kept them busy so Camille wasn’t going to complain.

Worn out, ready for a break of her own, Camille did a quick circuit of the ship. She spoke to a few members briefly, and headed to her quarters. Stripping down to her boyshorts and favorite hoodie, courtesy of Liam, she pondered the morale of her crew. Leads for the mission had gone cold, the few settlements they had were secure at the moment, so tension was up. Everyone was antsy at being cooped up in a small ship. Or worried about what could happen next. Whether viability would continue to increase. With the slow down, many had started dwelling on the memory of families left behind.

If she didn’t stop thinking about Pathfinding for a moment, she was going to go crazy. Ryder picked up Swords and Shields, the novel she had been reading. It was one of her favorites, though she wouldn’t brag about it. Pure, unadulterated romance written long ago by Varric Tethras. What details of his life remained sounded unbelievable and outrageous. Those few that had heard of him were certain that most of his life was fiction created by the author himself. He certainly knew how to keep the reader happy.

Nothing captured her attention more than a fantasy world full of adventure and dragons, mages and knights. The best part, in her humble opinion, involved a love struck Templar Knight-Captain looking for an appropriate gift for his lady love. They celebrated Kissing Day, a holiday not only celebrating love, but friendship as well. He worried the guard-captain, a tough as nails, woman shaped battering ram he was enamored with would reject his gift.  Hilarity ensued over his choice of marigold flower crowns and bouquets. She had looked into it once to determine if something like that had ever existed, nearly giddy to have uncovered bits of truth.  Her eyebrows raised to her hairline as she slammed her beloved book shut. “Of course!” She yelled excitedly. “We will have a party, It’s September!”

“Pathfinder,” SAM’s voice filled the room, “if you are in need of assistance, Dr. Anwar and I were discussing the merits of traditions left over from the Milky Way. She seemed to particularly feel the loss of such events.”

“SAM, you are a genius! She would be amazing, just remind me not to let her help with the food…”

“Of course, I suppose that should be on our private channel?”

Ryder rolled her eyes, “No, I want you to embarrass her by bringing up her failed treats from Liam’s movie night.” After a few ticks of silence, she replied, “That was sarcasm, yes, private channel.”

She needed to get a lot done, and fast. Never before had she been so happy to be enroute to Kadara Port. That place was an absolute hole, but at least an enterprising someone could find anything they were looking for. She grabbed a pair of pants, ignored her need for shoes, and called Suvi to her room. Once together, she hatched her brilliant idea, and bunkered down to plan. They worked through the night cycle, only breaking to eat, and eventually to sleep.

                                                        —

Early morning never found Camille at her best, but she was amped. Ready to start the day, she addressed the crew. “Good morning everyone! Tonight you are all invited to my quarters for a special event! Time to dust off those civies, find something nice to wear!” Suvi made her way over grinning from ear to ear and the pair bolted for the airlock giggling conspiratorially.

Both women were surprised by Liam awaiting them at the entrance. “Where are you lovely birds of to, alone, in Kadara? So keen to find trouble. Pathfinder, you know it’s a rough place.”

“Ah, and I thought chivalry had died.” Camille replied in a honey sweet tone. She faked the pose of a swooning girl, and peered at him through her lashes. “Come to escort little ol’ me through the throngs of mercs and other things that go bump in the night?”

“Alright, cheeky. I got it. You can take care of yourself. You don’t need me playing hero”

“Seriously, Liam. Ryder and I have some items to pick up ‘s all.” Suvi announced giving Liam the sweetest smile in her arsenal.

“Even the biggest bugger won’t stand a chance you two making eyes at ‘im. Alright, get going. Sooner you’ll be back that way.” With a quick peck to Ryder’s cheek he whispered low, “I can’t wait to see what you’ve cooked up.”

Thrilled at the idea of meeting him with her gift to the crew, she and Suvi stole off the Tempest hoping to get their hands on everything they needed without involving Vetra.  They bought ridiculous items, not knowing all the specifics about the holiday. They had spent most of their time researching, but it was an obscure holiday, and resources were extremely limited. Suvi proved to be a wonderful ally, just as caught up in the spirit of the celebration as she was. Their many purchases secured, and packaged in a nondescript box, they returned to the ship, banishing all members of the crew from the Pathfinder’s room.  

The next few hours involved lots of noise, glitter, and laughter. Her place became an unrecognizable flurry of petal strewn floors, flower filled jars, lace and fluffy feathers. White cloth fell from ceiling to floor to hide her bed from the rest of the room. Every twinkling light and candle they could find had ended up placed at random around the room. Somehow they had constructed a tree made of flowers as the centerpiece for the party. Love themed food was the tricky part. Instead of attempting an elaborate meal, they threw together sandwiches and cut them into cutesy hearts. They raided Vetra’s cereal stash to make something like a krispy treat, and if Cupid’s punch was spiked, well they were certain nobody minded. They were sure to label dextro friendly drinks to avoid potential illness.

Suvi snuck out of Ryder’s room to get ready, but Camille had a feeling that something was missing. “We have food and decorations, what else is there?”

“Pathfinder, might I suggest you queue up music?” SAM interrupted.  “You have a playlist of a variety of songs Liam created that would suit such an occasion.”

“Again, genius! Glad I keep you around.” “Yes, your demise has nothing to do with it.”

“Was that snark I heard from you?” Camille shot back. “Color me impressed.” She made her way to the console, and searched through her media files from Liam. She was reminded just how often he sent her little things to lift her spirits or make her laugh. She was truly lucky to have found someone so giving. Just thinking about him brought a blush to her face, and she hoped he enjoyed the little gift he would be receiving tonight.

                                                        —

When the time to gather had arrived, Camille dimmed the lights overhead, and got the candles lit. Taking in their handy work gave her butterflies. The room was transformed, and the soft glow of twinkle lights bouncing off her large window overlooking space was magical. Catching a glimpse of herself in the reflection stopped her in her tracks. It had been a long time since she had the opportunity to dress up. She put on her favorite lace cropped tank paired with a wine colored hi-low skirt. Suvi styled her short caramel locks, and helped her with her makeup. She felt beautiful and realized it had been too damn long. The glamour of the evening left her with a surreal feeling after months of trekking through uncharted territory, often times fighting for her life.

She and Suvi welcomed their comrades, and could not be more pleased with how well the entire affair was received. Music played gently, her friends mingled, and she could not be happier. Liam snuck up behind her, pulling her back against his chest. “You look like heaven.” His voice thick in her ear. “Why are you wasting your time with me?”

His thumb gently caressed circles into her side causing her to shiver. “You’re anything but a waste of time, love. Besides, have you seen yourself tonight?” She spun to face him and placed a soft kiss at the base of his neck.

His hum of approval vibrated through her body. “So, I got to tell you, I feel kinda exposed. Songs meant for us broadcast to everyone.”

Alarmed, she looked up at him. Catching his grin and realizing he was playing she leaned in close hand on his chest and whispered huskily, “How can I make it up to you?”

His voice roughened, hands gripping her waist he looked her up and down slowly and asked, “Mind telling me what I might find under that getup?”

Camille raised her brow, and bit her lip coyly. Just when she felt he couldn’t wait any longer she raised up on her toes lips almost touching his and said, “What indeed.” She tilted her head and captured him in passionate kiss. Her tongue traced the seam of his lips, and he parted them to grant her access. Her hands found their way into his hair, fingers digging into his curls. He captured her bottom lip in his sucking and occasionally giving a small nip.  Awareness came to them when she moaned loudly against his mouth, the sound causing them to remember they were not alone.

Breaths mingling together, chests slightly heaving he chuckled, “I can’t wait for these sods to bugger off. We will party just us.”

Ryder beamed at him, and cupped his face in her palm, “Happy Kissing Day, Liam.”  

[winchesterseeker]

Memories

Characters – Reader (Y/N), Sam Winchester, Dean Winchester.

Pairing – Sam x Reader

Word count – 4345

Warnings – Fluff? My English? Death mentions.

Author’s Note – This is my first time writting and I do it just as a hobby; English is not my first lenguaje so I write to practise, feel free to make constructive criticts, but please don’t be harsh on me, I still have a long way to perfect my english. Enjoy!

Image not mine.

And again, you were going in a hunt with the Winchester brothers. You were sitting in the back of the Impala, looking out the window appreciating how your life had turn in the past years.

You’ve been dating Sam for quite a long time now and you were so in love with him. Dean was like a big brother to you and both held a hate-love relationship, always arguing but you loved him either way. He was a great hunter and a careful brother, and you loved that from those boys, how they always looked out for each other, fiercely; and since they had met you they had become so protective about you too, and you lowkey loved it although you would complaine all the time over they protectionism.

You had met the boys long ago, when they saved you from a shapeshifter that killed your parents and was going after you, and of course later when they told you the truth you wanted to revenge your beloved parents. Although it took a long, stressful time for you to process the news, that everything or even more you’ve always been afraid of as a little girl was real, you were decided to become a hunter.

You dropped school, after all, you had no family left and you never felt that you belonged there, studying; your marks were awful and you hated being stuck in there. Of course Sam was totally against all of that, he wished that beautiful unknown girl, full of possibilities, to make the right choice and have an amazing, apple pie life, like he was sure she deserved after all she’d been through. But there was nothing he could do, because you were so damn sure of what you wanted.

“It’s my fuckin’ life, Sam!”

The silence was deafening. His gaze met the floor, full of sadness.

“I-I’m I’m sorry… I didn’t mean yelling at you. I just…” You mumbled. “I know you’re doing this because you care and because this is what you’ve wanted, and I really appreciate it, but… I know you can understand what wanting to kill what took everything from you feels like.” You finished with a soft voice.

He looked down at you with eyes shinning in tears. “Okay.” He finally said. “But you won’t ever, ever, be on your own. You’re stuck with us.”

You smiled. There was nothing you would want the most.

“Sounds fine by me.” You agreed, at the same time he wrapped you with his long arms, making you feel warmth and comfortable. He pressed a small kiss on the top of your head.

So little you’ve known each other but it already felt like you’ve had for an eternity.

You’ve been hunting with them ever since, it turned out that you were pretty good at it and badass as hell. They were your little family and you were part of theirs. You couldn’t bear anything happening to them, mostly, since you were dating Sam.

It was the anniversary of your parents death.  You were feeling down, you’ve locked yourself in your room all day, crying at some points when the flashbacks of that night came to you. Both Dean and Sam came by a couple of times without getting any answer. At some point they stopped coming, or so you believed; the truth was that Sam sat down with his back against your bedroom door, waiting patiently for the moment when you felt fine enough to come out and so he could wrap you in his arms. Dean came by time by time to check on both of you, getting disappointing answers from Sam. After some hours he came by for the last time, advising his baby brother.

“Man, go in there, I understand we respect her privacy but this is no longer healthy. Go check on her.” He demanded, looking down at his brother. Before Sam could say anything, he spoke again. “I know you love her. I know you better than anyone. So go ahead and tell her how you feel, she needs it right now.” He finished with a concerned look, he walked out leaving Sam on a big shock. Not long after that he heard the front door shut close and the enginee of the Impala running.

Without thinking it twice, otherwise he wouldn’t do it, he stood up and knocked your door, not waiting for an answer he opened the door to find you laying on your bed all curled up. The sight of your tiny figure contoured with the sheets broke his heart. Your hole body shaking with a couple of escaping sobs.

You were almost asleep when he laid beside you, hugging you from behind, crossing his arm on your waist and resting his head on your back. The sudden contact made you jump a little, but deep down you loved it. Neither of you spoke a word, you held his hand that was resting in your belly, caressing you.

You stayed like that for a long time, who knows how long, untill you rolled over facing Sam. He was looking at you with love eyes, a little bit hurt at seeing you like this, feeling an inch of guilt thinking that he didn’t make it in time to save your parents too.

“How are you feeling?” He asked, not really expecting a positive answer, but positively not expecting the words that came out of your mouth.

“If you’re here then I’m okay. I needed you.”

“I’ll always be here for you, sweetheart. Even when you don’t notice.”

“Thank you, for everything.” You exclaimed, his gaze softening. “You’re an amazing…” You stopped yourself before saying something you might regret later. You couldn’t say ‘friend’, he wasn’t just your friend, you didn’t want him to be your friend. “…person.”

“There’s nothing to thank for, hon.” He assured you.

You stared at each other for what it seem an eternity, Sam struggling to get those words that were burning his throat, wanting to come out, but fear holding them back. Fear of you not loving him in return. You were staring at his beautiful eyes, his damn kissable lips. This ridiculous good-looking man, way to out of you league, being there for you as the great friend he was, because that’s how he looked at you as.. his friend.

You opened you lips to thank him once again for being an incredible friend, but your words never came out, or at least were never heard because of the sound of his beautiful voice talking to you. Confessing to you.

“I love you, (Y/N).” He expressed, the honesty in his voice making everything so unreal.

You were completly shocked, you would have never expected his words. You froze and your mouth wouldn’t make a single sound, although you wanted to scream so bad ‘I love you too, damn it, I love you so much’. His face felt in disappointment, as he tensed his muscles even more, starting to pull his arms away from your body wanting to run away. But you held him from his face and arm, pulling him to you, so you could kiss him fast, so he couldn’t go anywhere. You moved your hands to his hair and his own traveled to your back, both of you deepening the kiss.

“I love you too, Sammy.”

You smiled as you remembered your first kiss. What a beautiful memory. Kind of.

Suddenly came to your mind your first hunt, not so long before you started dating Sam. The one you’d been begging the boys to let you go with them for so long.

“PLEASE. LET. ME. GO.” You cried for the hundredth time.

“No, (Y/N)!” Yelled Dean in return. “It’s dangerous!”

“You think I don’t know that?” You asked, indignated. Both of the brothers looked at you in frustration. “What do you think I meant when I said I wanted to became a hunter? You thought I meant being you research bitch? Well, I’m not!”

You were furious, who did they think they were? Not letting you go on a hunt. Grabbing your weapons you looked at them.

“I’m going and I’m taking that ghoul down.” You spoke determinedly and left the motel room. The boys stood there, not believing what had just happened.

“She’s got some nerve.” Said Dean. Sam looked at him.

“Let’s go. Make sure nothing happens to her.” The taller ordered as he walked out the door right behind you.

…

“What where you thinking?” Demaded Sam, out of his mind. “You could have died back there!”

You had never seen him this mad, the concern and anger were all over his face.

“Damn it, (Y/N).” Added Dean. “You gave me a hell of a scare.” He said, still in shock.

You had thrown yourself in front of the monster when it was about to attack a disarmed Dean, earning punches and deep scratches all over your body. You tried to shoot but it was already over you. If Sam wouldn’t had made it in time to kill the ghoul and save you, you would be dead by now. You lost lots of blood so they took you to a hospital were you stayed a couple of ours before busting out with the brothers, going back to the motel to pack your bags. What you didn’t expect was them being this mad at you for what you had done. After all, you saved Dean, what almost costs your own life, but those were details…

“Are you kidding me? Unbelievable.

“Unbelievable what you did!” The taller of them argued.

“If it wasn’t for me, Dean might wouldn’t even be here! So you may wanna thank me.” You yelled, angrily.

“And if it wasn’t for me, you might wouldn’t be here either!” He had completely lost it. When he realised what he had said he immediately regeted.

“Did you pretend me to stood there and watch him die?!” You exclaimed in complete disbelief.

Sam was about to answer but a thrilled Dean spoke first. “Yes. You should. I’m not worthy your life.” He affirmed in a soft voice, before walking out with his bag already made.

“Dean!” You called, trying to stop him. Your hurt gaze fell furious on Sam. “This is because of you.” You sentenced, trying to go, but his hand held on your wrist before you could go.

“I’m sorry.” He admitted.

“It’s not good enough.” You tried pulling away but he as way stronger than you.

“I know, but I really am. I shouldn’t have shouted to you, I was worried about you and you have lost a lot of blood and…” His grip loosed and you relaxed. He came closer to you and as he talked, he drove his hands to the sides of your head. “The truth is that when I saw you unconscious on the floor I just got so scared. I thought I had lost you. I can’t let that happen, nor now nor ever.

You grinned. “But I’m fine. Just need a couple of days to be as good as new. You don’t have to worry, you’ll never get rid of me.”

You both chuckled and stood there, staring at ach other’s eyes.

“(Y/N) I’ve been wanted to tell you something for quite a long time now…” He breath-laughed as his gaze met the floor.

You look expectantly. Suddenly, Dean interrupted in the room. You both jumped away from each other and looked at him, trying to act casual. He stared at you suspiciously.

“Erm… Are you coming or what?”

“Yeah!” Sam said fast, grabbing his stuff and walking towars the door.

The green eyed brother looked at you, confused. “What was that?”

You shrugged your shoulders and left the motel room with him, not before giving him a thigh hug.

“I do believe my life is worthy yours… and I don’t think it is enough.” You admitted, with your head pressed against his chest.

“Oh sweetheart, believe me, it is.”

Sam turned around on his seat so he was looking at you.

“What are you smiling for?” He asked, growing a smile of his own.

“Just remembering.”

“What?”

“Us.” You said as you reached his hair with your hands and started braiding it.

“So cute.” He teased.

“Shut up.” You both laughed, Dean looking at you with his I’m-disgusted-with-this face.

“Stop it already, you make me wanna throw up.”

“You’re just jealous.” You claimed, showing your tongue at him.

“Ha. Yeah, sure.”

You took your gaze back at Sam. Everything was perfect, you had your brother in the front seat smirking for your little ‘disscution’, the love of your life facing you, smiling in-love at you. Your little, perfect, crazy family.

“I couldn’t ask for more.” You whispered.

“What?” The pair of them asked.

“Just… I love you, guys.”

“I love you too, loser.” Dean smiled at you through the rear view.

“I love you too, baby.” Sam said softly.

You were completly happy now. And there you had a new memorie to add to the list of endless happy, sad, funny, ridiculous, tragic, bizarre moments of your lives.

[laurenairay]

Shameless reblog because I’m really proud of this one!! 😊

Take a Chance - D. Hamilton

Word Count: 12.7k

Summary: Ashley Miller is a Sunday-morning regular at her local coffee shop. Dougie Hamilton is the associate art curator who catches her eye.

Warnings: coffee shop au, some bad language, a lot of cute fluff, anxiety

A/N: This is my @hockeynetwork​ winter gift exchange fic for @huttons​! I had a lot of fun researching & creating this fic gift, and I tried to incorporate all of the preferences you stated and that we discussed. This is very self-indulgent too, definitely the longest thing I’ve written on here, and I’m not going to go into the very niche research rabbit holes I fell down! Bringing this OC to life made me so happy, and I had a blast incorporating the coffee shop au element. I hope you enjoy this! 💚

Also tagging @danglesnipecelly​, @texanstarslove​ and @itsbadgerbadgermushroom​ because they all listened to me stress while writing hah.

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