#when i put them on and just couldn't hear my computer humming or the washing machine anymore

[lazylittledragon]

i know they're literally called noise cancelling headphones but holy shit these really do cancel noise

[xoxoamyas]

`` I love you ,,

rating : fluff/comfort, pet names used on reader [ darling, love, and doll ]

wilbur x gn!reader [ use of you/yours, no use of y/n ]

☆ . you've been overworking yourself, and wilbur has taken notice. he finally gets you to take that well-deserved and needed break. <3

note : i'm in a tiny bit of a writers block, so i decided to give something out of my depths a try [ i'm more experienced in angst ]. anyhow, i hope you enjoy it! any pointers at all are also appreciated, i love to hear them :]

masterlist [ ☆ ]

⋆˙⟡

“Hello, darling.” You're greeted by that soft, mushy tone Wilbur uses whenever he's in a mood. His arms loosely wrapped around your shoulders from behind as you sat on a computer chair, having been working away at editing something for your own projects.

“You haven't left the office in some time.” Wilbur rested his chin along the top of your head, successful in getting you to finally relax back into the seat and effectively a fair amount back into him.

“Hardly call this an office.” You give a light huff, not needing to glance around the room to mentally know how barren it still was. You hadn't had time between keeping up with your own projects and paid-for products for others to decorate the barren room. At most, it had a beanbag in one of the corners and a singular photo of you and Wilbur from one of your dates. One photo, and you had so many ready to be printed. You just needed the time to actually do it.

“I know, love.” He's trying to be understanding, giving a soft sound between a hum and general acknowledgement.

The moment sits for a good moment, and it just feels nice. It makes your mind go blank, not worrying over whatever deadlines were approaching, almost completely forgetting about what projects could and couldn't wait.

Wilbur quietly says your name, drawing your attention and thoughts completely to him. A nice, fairly relaxing feeling washing over you. Realizing just how heavily stressing you had yourself for the past few days. He's quick to grasp your dominant hand into his when you go to reach for the mouse to your computer again.

“Take a break, please. A real break, love.” You can hear the concern lightly lacing into his tone. Wilbur moves a bit, instead to slightly kneel beside you, your hand still held in his yet in an easy grasp that you can pull away from. You wouldn't have pulled away no matter what.

“I just need to save the progress,” you try to explain, ignoring the wave of nervousness that hits. The realization you were about to put your much necessary work down to take a break. Something you convinced yourself you didn't need no matter how much you truly did.

You can practically feel Wilbur's eyes flicker over you, likely seeing through whatever calmness you were visibly projecting. He removes his hand from yours, replacing the touch by letting his hand cup around your shoulder. On his way to standing completely, he presses a kiss to your temple. Seeing the application close a moment later, showing the homescreen of a picture you took and held sentimental value to.

You take his hand in yours again when he offers it, standing and instantly moving in. Wrapping your arms around his torso, and yeah, you've missed this. Wilbur's arms move in an automatic manner, efficiently pulling you closer to him as you press your face into his shirt. Just breathing him in for a few seconds, basking in the warmth he had all the same.

It stays like that, the two of you in a much needed embrace that had you both melting against one another.

“Bed?” Wilbur is the first to break the peaceful silence. It's definitely a welcome break of the quiet. Realizing just how much you've missed hearing his voice, feeling the way his chest moved as he breathed, listening to the way his heart beat when you pressed your ear against his chest..

When you finally nod at his question, having gotten carried away with that last point, he surprises you by suddenly wrapping his hands along the back of your thighs. Taking that as your signal and slightly jumping up for him so he can pick you up easier. Legs slightly curled along the sides of his waist, your arms moving to wrap around his neck. He uses both of his hands to support your bottom, making sure you were both good before he made his way out of the office.

You just mostly rest your cheek on top of his shoulder, feeling almost like you could fall asleep. Though, from past experience, you knew your legs would hate you if you did that.

Wilbur has to remove one of his hands a couple of times for doors, but you're mostly supported the entire time. He taps the bedroom door shut with his foot before moving towards the bed. Pressing one knee into it before letting you go through your theatrics and dramatics. He chuckles fondly as you groan when your back hits the comfortable mattress. Proceeding to give a sound of complaint as you stretch your limbs out over and off the side of the bed. You think bones that weren't supposed to pop popped, but that would be an issue for future you.

“What are you doing?” You queried with pure curiosity, watching as Wilbur moved himself off of the bed. Continuing to lay there, content in taking up the entire space as if you were a cat.

“Can't exactly sleep in jeans, darling.” There's a hint of amusement as Wilbur speaks. Laughing the slightest bit when you give a soft and long “ooohh” in return. “Work on getting comfortable, doll.” He partially motions towards the sheets you were laying on top of.

Any other day, you'd make some witty comeback, maybe a suggestive comment on him changing in front of you. You just don't have the energy for it at the moment, though. Mentally committing the moment to memory so you can be a little extra next time to make up for lack-thereof this time.

By the time Wilbur's finally in some comfortable pyjama pants, which were Grinch themed, you were under the covers and practically almost lights out just laying there. You feel him crawl into the bed, giving a content hum and moving on your side to face him, instantly hinting at not wanting to spoon.

“Hi darling.” Wilbur had a small yet sweet smile on his face, pulling you close by wrapping his arms around your waist. Both of you let your legs intertwine and tangle together as much as possible. You wrap your arms around his torso once more, happy to be holding him as he holds you.

“Hi sweetheart.” You hum right back, watching as he can't hold back the smile tugging into a borderline grin. Always one to be happy over the reciprocation of pet names. You loved watching him get all happy and giggly over it.

“Okay, okay. Try and get some sleep, love.” Wilbur moves, pressing a kiss to your nose. Having fully expected a more proper kiss, you pout at him, promptly making kissy lips at him. It just gets him to let out a light yet amused laugh, finally moving and pressing a soft, loving, and fulfilling kiss to your lips.

When he pulls away, you tuck your head right under his chin. Relaxing and enjoying the warmth that was provided inside and out.

“Hey, Wil?” You make sure your voice is a soft whisper.

“Yeah?” Wilbur moved one of his hands to trace light patterns along your back using his fingers, the action soothing.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

[storywriter12]

A little chapter I did for Desmond from lost

John shows you the hatch, and you take a shower, and desmond sees you in the towel and gives you one of his shirts

The first time you headed about the hatch and the. Numbers John and Jack were putting in you thought that they were crazy but when John showed you the hatch and the warm water you went to take a shower John. Just smiled and shook his head sitting back down on the chair you took a towel and found some soap and something to wash your hair as you stood in thr shower loving the feeling of fresh water running all down your body you missed home. You washed your hair and body and then wrapped the towel around you leaving drops of water dropping on the floor,you opened the door to see John. Wasn't in the chair you stood in the spot that you were standing when you heard humming and a man came rushing out from one of the rooms you jumped and he kind of yelped "oh I'm sorry I didn't " he started to say you smiled at him,no it's ok it was awkward as the man just stood there staring at you,you looked for your clothes but your clothes wasn't there where you left them,

(You)have you seen my clothes? You asked the man

(Him)oh I um I put them in a bag to be wash sorry Where's my mangers

I say stepping forward my names Desmond please call me des I smiled at her looking back at the towel which covered her body I clear my throat

(You)nice to meet you I say shaking his hand ,well um have you got anything I can change into ?I asked the man. He opened his mouth his eyes scanning the room as he walked past me to a rack grabbing a shirt

(Desmond)here have my shirt it's going to look big on you but you'll be comfortable I said handing her it she took it and I turned around so she could get changed I hear the towel drop on the floor I waited a few more minutes until she said "you can turn around now"i did blinking at her,the shirt was to big for her but she looked cute with it on her "thank you "she said I nodded no need to thank me she then started to walk near the computer sitting in the chair and putting her legs up on the desk her legs were long and looked smooth I couldn't help but look my mouth went dry I walked to her and moved her off the chair and kissed her on her lips the kiss was rushed she gasped in suprised but she kissed me back a few minutes I realised what I was fling and pulled away ,I... I'm sorry I haven't seen a woman in years I said blinking she smiled at me sweetly and kissed my cheek I felt a blush she stepped away and she started to walk out of the hatch but turned around to look back at me

(You)it was really nice to meet you desmond

[neolovesneo]

I was wondering if you could do a gamer boyfriend!hyuk where he's been on the computer playing games with the members all day and you want to cuddle so you ask to sit in his lap while he plays and he left his mic on so the members hear and tease him (so a bit of crack/comedy too) for being soft for y/n 🥰💕 thank you so much and I love the works that you've put out so far and am so excited to see what you put out in the future <3

MY BEST VIEW.

gamer!boyfriend!haechan | fluff | boyfriend au

note ; ANON YOU'RE SO SWEET TYSM T^T also i LOVE the gamer!boyfriend!hyuck agenda sigh i think about it almost everyday... and i hope this fic is ok!! tysm for requesting and waiting :') + mentions of nct’s chenle, jisung, mark, & jeno! ^^ + requests are now closed!

taglist ; @soobin-chois (lmk in comments, asks, or dms if you'd like to be added to my taglist! ^^)

"Ugh, I'm so good at this!” Haechan cheers, grinning from ear to ear as he stretches in his chair.

The words "Victory!" are displayed brightly on his screen for the umpteenth time today, a close competitor with Haechan's dazzling smile.

"You won again?" you ask, walking over to look at his computer.

"Yup!" he giggles, clasping his hands together by his face like a swooning little girl. "I'm just so good at this, you know? I've won six matches straight!”

His infectious smile gets you smiling too, but it doesn't last long when you notice another match begin to load. "Are you still going to play?" you ask.

"Yeah, why?" Haechan replies as he turns back to his screen, repeatedly clicking on his mouse out of habit while he waits for the system to find a new opponent for him to game with.

"Nothing." you lie.

Haechan frowns at this, swivelling around in his chair to face you again. "You sure? It doesn't sound like it's nothing." he asks concernedly, taking your hands into his and squeezing them.

"Well… I don’t want to disturb you, but can we cuddle while you play?”

Your question comes out so soft, it’s barely audible, and neither of you miss the random voice crack that occurs in the middle of your sentence.

"You’d never disturb me, bubs!" Haechan splutters incredulously, already reaching out for you to sit in his lap with grabby hands. "Come here, we can cuddle for as long as you want.”

Instant comfort and joy washes over you the moment you get in Haechan's lap, the familiar warmth of his body much like the comfort of hot chocolate on a cold winter night.

"Comfy?" Haechan asks softly after you’ve swung your arms around him, head resting against his shoulder. You hum happily in response, but a sudden concern pops into your mind.

"I'm not blocking your view or anything, right?" you question.

At this, Haechan chuckles, obnoxiously poking his tongue into his cheek with a smirk.

“Oh, you're the only view that matters to me, baby girl." he teases, quoting one of the many frat boy memes he's seen online.

You burst out laughing at this, but someone's else much louder laugh cuts you off.

Sounds of Chenle struggling to breathe through his laughter ring in your ears from Haechan’s headset, followed with Jisung shrieking about how "That was so gross!" close by.

Mortified, Haechan's face flushes as red as the empty Red Bull cans on his desk when he realises what was going on - he forgot to mute his mic.

"No, that was like, so sweet!" Mark protests, protecting Haechan like always. “It’s like, a teasing form of like, affection, we should leave Haechan alone.”

“It was not sweet.” Jeno butts in. "I need ear transplants now, that was so cringy."

Haechan groans as the rest of his friends tease and bicker on, hiding his face in your shoulder even though they couldn't see him.

"Stop it guys, this is embarrassing." he mumbles into his mic.

You can't help but giggle at your usually-bold boyfriend’s reaction, making him sit back up so you can look at him properly in the eye.

“You’re the only view that matters to me too, baby boy.” you compliment cheekily, ignoring the now deafening shrieks of Haechan’s friends as you take his headset off and kiss him; soft lips against soft lips and heart racing against heart.

You could stay here like this forever.

© neolovesneo, 2022.

[sweetestlamb]

Come On Over Baby

Summary: continuation to "Keep Bugging Me". Dosan gets a new apartment and everyone has mixed reactions.

Author's note: I have so many ideas about this fake world I created and I'm just going to live here for a while 🤷🏽‍♀️ I want these things to happen but the show just keeps waking up and choosing violence when they could choose hugs and kisses, it's a damn shame. Anyway if you wanna live in ignorance with me here you gooooooo. 💞💃🏾 Am I back to naming my stories after cheesy songs? Hmmm nobody can prove it *Hums Christina Aguilera* 

It's not a easy decision, no chance at that when his mother stares at him like he admitted to killing puppies but he knows that he needs his own place. His phone calls with Dalmi are getting progressively more heated with them not able to get a moment alone since the event that must not be named.

The first time she asks him what he's wearing he looks down at his cable knit sweater and tells hers, "It's one hundred percent cotton. My mom bought it for me last week. It's very warm." Her silence and subsequent laughter makes him feel as if he's missed something important despite answering her question. With a giggle she replied, "You are really sweet Dosan. You're too good for this world." And he blushes immensely feeling hot under the collar at her excessive praise.

The next time, she simply sends him a message that causes his brain to go offline.

I miss your taste.

There's no way to misconstrue that statement and his brain supplies vivid images of what they did in this very room.

Gasping.

Slurping.

Moist.

He hurries to lock his door before letting his hands stray, her wet mouth filling his thoughts. Embarrassment isn't enough to deter him and her messages following make it clear she knows exactly the affect her seemingly innocuous message yielded.

So he starts looking for an apartment with Dalmi's help, she will be over a lot and it only makes sense that she should have some input. Her smile is honey sweet when he asks for her help, grinning at him with glee as she sips her iced Americano.

"I would love to help Dosan-ah."

The ordeal takes longer than expected but within weeks he finds a place, a mere twenty minute drive from his parents house and thirty minutes from Dalmi. They share identical sunny smiles as he signs the lease and buys their his new apartment. He has to repeatedly remind himself that he can afford this place regardless of the exorbitant amount of zero's. He's come a long way indeed.

Telling his parents about his move is uncomfortable to put it lightly, his mom is nonchalant and sulking in equal terms. Wailing that her only son is abandoning her for a pretty young thing, he's just thankful that Dalmi isn't around to hear her new nickname. His father on the other hand is over the moon, slapping him on the back and shouting about the strong will of Nam men. He fears he'll suffer from chronic back pain as a result of the thunderous pounds.

"Don't skip meals. Call if you need anything. You're always welcome to come back. " His mom promises, reaching out to smack his father as breezes by boasting on the phone that he has a free room in the house now and promises that they can use it for gatherings.

"Yes, yes! Bring the soju we should have a drink!"

But when it's time to bring all his belongings to the moving van, manned by Chul-san and Yong-san both parents are eying him with wet eyes from the doorway. He tries to keep his tears at bay but they all end up weeping in front of the gate, Chul-san screaming "They grow up too quickly!" Patting his mother compassionately on the back. He tries the same with his father but the dead glare stops him in his spot.

After a long day unpacking boxes, mostly his computer and tech supplies he collapses on the floor exhausted. With a dopey grin Chul-san is the first to leave, after Saha sends him a message complaining that she's bored and if he wants to hang him he better be there in ten minutes. Chul-san smiles like she sent him a love letter, he shakes his head but he's done trying to understand their relationship.

He waves goodbye to his friend, thanking him for his help and with then it's just him and Yong-san, who immediately starts to interrogate him about Dalmi and their relationship.

"How are things going?" Yong-san asks laying on the wooden floor with him as they both stare out the giant windows, the sunset is a majestic spill of colors.

His lips slide into an instantaneous grin, "I'm happy. Happier than I was in San Francisco."

Yong-san doesn't reply but he reaches across to squeeze his hand and wrap an arm around his shoulder.

They sit like that for a quiet moment.

Until his phone disrupts the gentle silence, the woman in question appearing on his phone. After a nod from his friend he answers the call.

"Hello?"

"Dosan-ah! Did you finish moving? I'm sorry I couldn't help you. Are you hungry? I can bring you food." Dalmi's voice is music to his ears, the rumbling of her engine vibrating in his ears.

He answers honestly, "Yes we finished, Chul-san and Yong-san helped me. It's okay I know you had to work today. I am a little hungry, fried chicken?" He knows now that he doesn't need to pretend to want fancy food, they both love fried chicken and its delicious simplicity.

She groaned knowingly, "I had a feeling you'd want chicken on a day like this. I already got some from that place you like. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

He smiles, nuzzling into Yong-san's shoulder contently before answering, "Okay. I'll see you soon."

He begins to lower the phone but then her voice rings out stopping him "Dosan-ah one more thing!" He immediately brings the phone back to his face humming to show his presence.

"I miss you. I love you."

His heart flutters never tiring of hearing those three words. If he could bottle it up and listen to it daily he would. He's addicted to her love.

"You too. I love you too."

Then they finally hang up cheesy smile etched in his handsome face.

"Wow. I see it now. You really are cockroaches in love. Gross but captivating." Yong-san teases pushing Dosan's head off his shoulder as he gathers his things. He temporarily feels a tinge of guilt, Yong-san is the only one in the group who doesn't have someone. He doesn't want his friend to feel like the fifth wheel.

His thoughts must play on his face because Yong-san mushes his face before sticking out his tongue, "Don't look at me like that. I'm fine we can't all be gross and in loveeee. I'll be stuffing my face with premium beef instead."

They both chuckle as he walks his friend it the door, saying their goodbyes with a quick embrace.

His nerves overtake him when he's alone. He checks his phone but there is nothing there to keep his attention so he starts at the spot where you would have a TV, then he realizes he has nothing here. What will he do with Dalmi? He contemplates texting her to let her know she should probably just go home. In the end his desire to see his girlfriend overwhelms his selflessness. They can be bored together.

Minutes pass and he buzzes her in, body twitching now from her nearing proximity. When she knocks at the door he all but races to answer the door, unshamed.

"Hi."

"Hey."

They stare at each other starry eyed before he moves out of the way and lets her in. Placing a pair of pink house slippers at her feet, at her curious look he explains with a shy shrug, "I bought them for you."

She smiles widely, thrusting the fried chicken at his broad chest.

"I come bearing gifts too."

The enticing aroma of the fried delicacy fills his senses and he takes the proffered bag, thankful that she thought to bring plastic plates and little plastic cups.

"I don't have anything to drink." He apologizes holding up the cups.

Pulling a bottle out of nowhere she then offers him a bottle of wine, deep red with a golden label. He is no connoisseur but it looks expensive.

"You didn't need to bring me wine."

She shrugs, "I wanted to. You're pretty cute when you're drunk."

He reddens remember that embarrassing night so many years ago, his first time sleeping at her house.

"Maybe we shouldn't drink that much."

She laughs loudly at his warning, pulling a bottle opener from her purse. He absently wonders what else is in there.

She pours the liquid into the plastic cups, handing it to him first and instinctively he leans in to smell the beverage. His nose dangerously close to the liquid before he realizes what he's doing and he hurriedly pulls away.

"Ummm... I-"

"Is that what you're supposed to do?" She asks before leaning in and sniffing her own wine loudly and without any grace. If he wasn't already in love, he would be falling right now.

They both sniff their wine gracelessly and munch on the crispy sweet meat, the dissonance of the meal doing nothing to stop their consumption.

Dalmi hums sweetly as she sits on the floor looking gorgeous with chicken grease on her lips.

"What?" She questions, licking her fingers clean.

He feels his throat tightening. Parched.

He looks at the ground, avoiding her eye as he downs his wine.

"Nothing. Just thinking. How was your day?"

And he listens as Dalmi tells him all about her long day complaining about her sister and how demanding she is, Dosan pointedly does not mention the fact that she's smiling or the fact that all of Injae's "annoying" habits sound like things that Dalmi herself does all the time. It didn't take him long to realize just how similar the sisters are but god forbid anyone mention that.

He smiles when she starts playing with her hair, thankful to be the one she shares her days with.

When he stands up to collect their garbage, walking into the spacious kitchen. She suddenly stops speaking droning off at the end of an incomplete sentence.

"Dalmi-ah?"

After throwing the garbage in the bin he washes his hands and wonders back over to his silent girlfriend, who is glaring at...the ground?

He calls her name again recapturing her attention.

Peering down he notices that she's staring at his phone. Which has a message notification.

Twisting his lips in thought he crouched down again rejoining Dalmi on the smooth glossy floor.

"I didn't mean to look. It was just right there." She's bites out taking a big gulp from her cup.

He has no idea what could possibly have her so worked up and he picks up his phone to see the answer.

I miss you stranger. Call me soon.

He gasps as soon as he sees those words on the screen: Han Ji Yoon.

He knew it wasn't mature but he'd never actually cut things off with her, he'd just slowly stopped calling her and answering her messages. Some might of considered it ghosting but he called it awkwardly disappearing, he'd never broken up with someone before so he just didn't know how. So he'd hoped she would get tired of him and stop trying to see him, it had been working until this message.

"Dalmi-ah I can explain."

He expects more of a fight but she looks at him, waiting. Expectant and glowering. Fire in her eyes.

"Okay. Go ahead."

He blinks at her stare and gulps when she scoots closer to him, invading his personal space. Not knowing how her proximity renders him useless at the best of times.

So he stutters out how he was too pathetic to tell the girl the truth and instead he'd ignored her and thought she got the memo.

Dalmi doesn't say anything at first and when she finally speaks her words make no sense and he wonders if he's drunker than he thought.

"Does she follow you on social media?"

He nods yes and before he knows what exactly is happening Dalmi is dragging him by his arm to the window and mashing their faces together to take a selfie on his phone.

"Stop looking nervous. Look natural. Smile. Dosan-ah."

She snaps away until she's satisfied and he watches in amazement as she posts the picture to his story with the caption, "New apartment with my love." She puts a little red heart and then decides against it.

"There you go. Now everyone will know that you're taken."

His chest is brimming with emotions and he finds his hands curled around her little chin, she leans into his touch easily swaying as if hypnotized.

"You're jealous."

Her lips pull into a sneer but something in his eyes kills her denial, her face breaking as she wraps her thin arms around his waist.

"Don't look so proud. I have people texting me too you know?"

And immediately he squints at her words, staring hard at the indent of her phone in her pocket as if to read said messages.

"Let's post that picture on your social media too." He demands feeling the fiery blaze of jealous lick at his heart.

Her eyes widen before she erupts into laughter, dragging him the rest of the distance between them pressing her joy into his mouth.

He sinks his fingers into her thick hair, swallowing the rest of her laughter allowing Dalmi to back her into the cool glass of the window. All his shyness melts away as he kisses her, emboldened by her moans and buckling of her knees. He catches her before she can fall, hoisting her up his long torso until he feels her legs latch around his waist. They kiss until his lips are sore, his tongue deep in her mouth as she nibbles at his mouth. The flavor of chicken and wine explode on his tongue as he licks deeper, intoxicated on Dalmi and her addicting lips. 

She teases the rim of his ears, breaking their kiss with a wet smack as they gaze into each other's eyes.

She looks as dazed as he feels. Eyes blown wide as she pants in his arms, almost boneless in his hold as she lets him take the full weight of her body. he barely notices, he has carried her too many times to count. It has become something of a habit. He’ll never recover from the spark in her eyes everything he lifts her, the faint blush on her cheeks. One of the only times that he can make her shy. 

"Dosan-ah."

He hums fighting to pay attention with Dalmi looking so breathtaking in his arms stroking his hot ears.

"We need to get you a bed. Very soon hmmm?"

This time he knows exactly what she means and he groans hiding in her shoulder as she rubs his head.

Bed. Yes. Getting that immediately. Maybe stores are open. He should go get it. 

Right now. 

[let-the-dream-begin]

In My Daughter’s Eyes Chapter 6: End of the Rope

Chapter 5

Read on AO3

Claire was supposed to be looking at charts on the computer in front of her, and she would, of course, right after she finished checking her phone for any messages from Mrs. Lickett.

“Beauchamp!”

Fuck.

“That’s the third time I’ve caught you on your phone. You trying to get fired on your first day?” 

Her supervisor, Doctor Moore, was the most Nurse Ratched type Claire had ever seen in real life: tyrannical and unforgiving. The only difference was the grating nasality of her thick Long Island accent. Claire opened her mouth to defend herself, for the third time, but Ratched cut her off.

“Plenty of other doctors have kids at home, Doctor Beauchamp. Do you see any of the rest of them with their heads buried in their phones like teenagers?”

Claire could feel the tips of her ears growing hot with rage, but she swallowed it down and answered as levelly as possible: “No, Doctor Moore.”

“Get going. Your team is waiting for you.”

Claire exhaled heavily as soon as the tight-faced woman bustled out of the room, clenching her teeth to avoid outwardly groaning.

“The Ratched already on your nerves?”

Claire practically jumped out of her skin. She turned in the swiveling chair to see a kind-faced black man about her age, perhaps a bit older, smiling at her. He was sitting at a computer as well, craning his neck around to look at her. His eyes were dark, but soft.

“Did you read my bloody mind?” Claire stammered, still slightly alarmed.

He gave a short, barking laugh. “Seems I did. Everyone calls her that. Not to her face, mind you.”

“Wasn’t planning on it.” Claire’s eyes widened at the thought of doing so.

“I’m Joe, Joe Abernathy.” He stood and crossed the room to shake her hand.

“Claire Beauchamp,” Claire returned, taking his hand.

He chuckled as he returned his hand to his side.

“What?” Claire said, face scrunching in suspicion.

“Just thinking about you asking if I read your bloody mind,” he said, flashing his teeth in a wide grin. “I heard you were English, but to hear it is another thing.”

Claire rolled her eyes, though she couldn't suppress her own smile as she turned back to the computer to complete her given task.

“Kids at home, huh?” His tone was sympathetic, having heard Doctor Moore’s reaming out of Claire.

“Just one,” Claire said. “I’m quite aware there are other parents here,” she continued hotly, though her anger was not directed at the man standing before her. “But I’d like to know how many of them are single parents of a daughter with special needs.”

Joe nodded in quiet understanding. “That must be tough, leaving her all day.”

Claire nodded, fighting the urge to check her phone again. “I’ve never left her alone with a babysitter this long. When I was in school I was still married, so she wasn’t ever alone for too long even though her father was a professor. After the move and the new schedules…I’m just worried.” All the while, Claire kept her eyes on the screen, scanning over charts and making mental notes. “The woman’s a marvel; I wouldn’t have hired her if she wasn’t. I just can’t help it. She’s nonverbal, my daughter. Autism.”

“Ah.” Joe nodded. “Gotcha.”

“So I just keep waiting for a call that she’s having a meltdown and that even the all-knowing, licensed professional can’t calm her down because she can’t tell her what’s wrong.” Claire shook her head, sighing. “It’s silly, I know.”

“Nah, not at all.” Joe shrugged, keeping his tone casual, but his eyes still shone with sympathy.

“Christ, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to unload my whole life story on you.”

“Don’t worry about it. I get it. I’ve never personally known anyone with autism, but you see it come in and out of the hospital often enough. It’s scary as hell when there’s something wrong and they can’t tell you, even the verbal ones sometimes.”

“Right.”

“I didn’t mean to make you worry more,” he said quickly. “I’m sure everything is just fine. All I’m saying is I get why you’re worried. And Ratched sure as hell doesn’t. I’d like to tell her to kiss my ass.”

Claire chuckled through her nose, taking note of one more thing on the computer before turning to smile up at him.

“Thanks, Doctor Abernathy.”

“Please, none of that in private.” He waved her off. “Just Joe when there are no patients.”

“Alright, then.” Claire logged off the computer and gathered her things. “Thanks, Joe.”

“No problem. Good luck out there, Lady Jane.”

She paused in the doorway. “What was that?”

He grinned. “One of the other residents called you that. Said your accent sounds like you just had tea with the queen.” He held up his hands, pantomiming holding a teacup and saucer, sticking his pinky out.

“Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ.” Claire laughed, rolling her eyes as she wrenched the door open.

“Toodle-pip, my lady!” She heard him call behind her.

Christ, was she doomed to have nicknames thrown at her reminding her of her Englishness for all eternity?

Her heart warmed at the thought of that soft Scottish burr saying Sassenach, and more laughter bubbled in her chest at the thought of her newest title.

She supposed she didn’t mind.

——

Claire was dead on her feet by the time eight o’clock rolled around. She briefly glanced back at the hospital in her rear-view mirror as she pulled away, and despite how her head and feet throbbed, she was thrilled at the prospect of every day being like this one.

When she’d done her research on specialities back in the days before med school, she’d read of the unpredictability of Emergency Medicine, of never knowing what kinds of emergencies would burst through the doors at any given moment. The prospect had thrilled her then, and experiencing it first-hand now was even more thrilling. Today alone, she’d saved a man’s finger after a cooking knife incident, put a shoulder back in place, stopped a head wound from bleeding long enough to see the patient into a successful surgery, and saved a pregnant woman and the baby after trauma-induced labor from a car accident.

It was quite a heady feeling.

Despite the thrill, however, there was nothing Claire craved more than the sight of her little girl’s face, the sound of her happy humming to see that Mummy was home.

The whole day had gone by without a hitch, unless Mrs. Lickett was hiding something from her. The only updates she’d gotten were positive ones, prompted by Claire’s frantic “is everything ok??” texts.

Claire had washed up and changed out of her scrubs at the hospital so that she could spend whatever little time was left before Faith’s bedtime with her on the couch, and then she could fully shower and decompress once Faith was asleep.

Claire turned the key in the lock and pushed open the door, but before she could take a single step into the living room, a little body was plastered against her legs, wrapping itself tightly around her.

“Hello, baby!” Claire cried out joyously as a buzz of humming filled her ears. “Oh, Mummy missed you so much!” She pried her daughter off her legs and scooped her into her arms, dropping her bag on the porch. Claire held her close, kissing her cheek.

Faith nuzzled her face into Claire’s, rubbing her mother’s cheeks as their foreheads rested together.

“Hello love,” Claire whispered, rocking her gently in the doorway. “I missed you, too, baby. Yes, hello.”

Claire gradually moved them into the apartment, kicking her bag inside and nudging the door shut with her knee.

“Hello, Mrs. Lickett,” Claire said, struggling to meet her eye around Faith’s pawing of her face.

The older woman was smiling warmly. “Hello, Miss Beauchamp.”

“Everything was alright today, then?”

“Sure was,” Mrs. Lickett said. “Faith was a very good girl, right Faith?”

“Is that right, lovie? Were you a good girl for Mrs. Lickett?” Claire shifted her onto one hip and bounced her, eliciting a few giggles. A glance at the telly told her that Finding Nemo was nearing its end; Mrs. Lickett had paused it upon Claire’s arrival.

“How was the first day at the hospital?” Mrs. Lickett said, gathering her things.

“It was…a lot. But good, very good.” Claire crashed on the couch with Faith, trying to settle her and failing. Faith very firmly insisted on remaining in Claire’s lap. “I did miss her very much, though. It’s been a while since I’ve been away from her for so long.” She wrapped her arms around her and pressed a tender kiss to the crown of her head.

“I understand. I could tell she missed you, too, but I kept her pretty busy.”

“I appreciate that.”

“We started some basic signs today,” Mrs. Lickett beamed. “Might be a while before it registers, but at least she knows now. The more you start using them around her, the better.”

“Right.” Claire nodded. “I’ve been watching those videos you sent me every night.”

“That’s good.”

Faith made a rather indignant noise, pointing toward the telly.

“Somebody wants to get back to her movie,” Mrs. Lickett said.

“Right.” Claire forced a smile. She wanted to stop her from leaving, to sit down at the table and spend the entire night talking about every minute of the entire day, every little accomplishment, everything Faith was learning. But she supposed if she wanted that much involvement, she’d be home with them herself instead of pursuing a career as a full-time physician.

Jesus, Beauchamp. You sound like Frank.

Shuddering at the thought, Claire adjusted Faith so she could watch Mrs. Lickett go. “I’d see you out, but I’m a bit pinned down at the moment.” She gestured with her head to Faith, sitting in her lap and locking her grip on Claire’s arms around her.

“No problem. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Say goodnight, Faith,” Claire said, releasing an arm so she could wave to the woman. Faith mimicked her, waving emphatically as Mrs. Lickett shut the door behind her. The second she was gone, Faith groaned again at the telly, and Claire smiled.

“Alright, be patient.” Claire reached for the remote on the coffee table. “I’m quite eager to see if Nemo escapes to the ocean, as well.”

Claire, of course, had the movie memorized, along with the rest of the DVDs in their vast collection. Perhaps it was Faith rubbing off on her, but she didn’t think she’d ever tire of watching them over and over again, especially not if it meant she would always get to spend this time cradling her little girl.

When the movie ended about fifteen minutes later, Faith slipped out of Claire’s lap and waited expectantly by the DVD player. Normally, Faith liked to listen to the music during the ending credits, so Claire didn’t make any moves to take the disc out yet. Only when Faith grunted and started tugging on Claire’s hand did she get the message.

“No music tonight, darling?” she said, puzzled, as she removed the disc and handed the box to Faith to file away. She was buzzing with excitement. Something was up, and Claire was none the wiser. The very second the DVD was away, Faith bolted into her bedroom, leaving Claire bewildered. She’d only just started to get up when Faith returned, holding a pile of colorful paper in her hands.

“What’s this, now?” Claire’s face lit up at the sight of Faith’s toothy grin, holding up the construction paper. Claire could see they were cut into the shape of little fish, and they were plastered with glitter, pompoms, google-eyes, and marker.

“Did you make these, Faith? Did you make these little fishies?” Faith hummed loudly and jumped up and down. “Oh, they’re marvelous, darling! You’re quite the little artist!”

Claire perused every single colorful fish, and she made a note to thank Mrs. Lickett. Arts and crafts were something Claire had never been into as a child herself, and something she didn’t have the time or the creative mind to think of. It was obvious now that Faith adored creating, and Claire wanted to smack herself upside the head for not thinking of it sooner. God bless that Mrs. Lickett.

“No wonder we watched Nemo tonight, hm? Are these Nemo’s little friends, then?” Claire held up a bright pink paper fish and swam it around in the air, much to Faith’s delight. Faith joined in the little game, and though Claire knew that bedtime was rapidly approaching — for both of them — she couldn’t bring herself to stop.

After a few minutes, Claire led Faith into the kitchen so they could use magnets to put the fish on the fridge. Claire let her arrange them to her heart’s content, only leading her into the bathroom when she was satisfied.

Teeth brushed, pajamas donned, Faith tucked in, and nightlight on, Claire finally allowed herself to fully feel the exhaustion of her day. The adrenaline of seeing Faith had kept her wide awake on the drive home, and then actually being with her had chased away any thoughts of sleepiness. Now, she barely had the energy to prepare a shower, and she very well almost crashed into bed, fully dressed. It was sheer willpower that finally got her back into the bathroom. This reminded her that tomorrow was bath night for Faith, and she sent up a brief prayer that she would cooperate for Mrs. Lickett. She’d considered waiting until she got home and just taking her into the shower with her, but that would have interrupted the movie, and God forbid that should happen. But if she’d waited until the movie was over, it would have been too late, and the routine would be disrupted. No, it had to be Mrs. Lickett.

Washed and dressed for bed, Claire was wide awake, despite how weariness was etched into every muscle and bone in her body. She could not stop thinking about all of the silly little things that could go wrong while she was occupied at the hospital, of all the possible triggers for a meltdown that she would not be able to stop. No matter how well today had gone, no matter how wonderful Mrs. Lickett was, she’d never stop worrying. Maybe not never, but it would certainly be a long time. At some point in her fevered, internal ramblings, Claire teetered into oblivion, grateful for whatever sleep she was lucky enough to get before her alarm screamed again.

——

Claire drove home the following Friday, her knuckles white on the steering wheel and her vision blurred with tears. She’d been so damn grateful to clock out at four o’clock, and she’d barely made it out of the locker room without falling apart in front of Joe.

She lost a patient for the first time today. Paul Castano, forty-seven, much too young for the heart attack that killed him.

Claire had been beside herself, and Joe had soothed her, told her there was nothing she could have done.

“Go home and hug your daughter, Lady Jane,” he’d said. “Enjoy the horses. You need it as much as she does right now.”

And, Christ, did she.

Claire hugged Faith just a little too hard for the slightest bit too long when she got home after nearly bursting into tears at Faith’s joy to see her. Faith did not tolerate being held as such for very long, and she squirmed out of Claire’s grasp. Today, not only was Faith happy to see her mother, she was excited: she knew it was horse therapy day.

Seeing Faith so happy to see her and so excited to get to the stables was a welcome distraction from the anguish Claire was feeling. The drive over to the stables was calming as well, though Claire was now paranoid about the change in appointment times. Toni hadn’t called her at all, so she had no reason to believe that the switch hadn’t gone over well. She supposed after the day she’d had, she’d be prone to overthinking just about anything.

Upon arrival, she calmed considerably at seeing Faith’s exuberance, and even laughed when she began tugging on her hand, willing them to get inside faster.

Leave it to you to get me laughing on the worst of days, Faith.

The door to the visitor’s center opened, and Faith began humming loudly.

“There they are, the Beauchamp girls!” Toni greeted warmly.

“Hello, Toni. Say hello to Miss Toni, Faith.”

“Hello, Faith!” Toni called as Faith waved timidly.

Erica was standing by the counter, and she crouched down to greet Faith. “Hello, Princess. I’m so happy to see you again!”

Faith smiled shyly and hid half of her little body behind her mother’s legs.

“I’m gonna take you guys out to the stable today, get her started with the hellos and leading her to the riding hall.” Erica stood up to address Claire. “Jamie will join us when we get there.”

“Alright,” Claire said, exhaling deeply. “Shall we?”

——

Joe had been right. Claire needed that hour at the stables just as much as Faith had. As they were driving home, Claire felt something resembling peace settle in her heart. Faith was humming happily, kicking her legs, waving the newest Minion Happy Meal toy in the air.

She did very well again today. She was gentle with Pippi, she didn’t protest about the helmet, she was attentive to both Erica and Jamie. Claire kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, for something to go terribly wrong, but it just never did. Not at the stables, at least.

They arrived home, Faith zipping up the stairs to the front door as usual. Claire was grateful to get to watch an entire movie with Faith tonight, to decompress, to hold her little girl and be soothed by her oblivious, youthful happiness. When they passed through the front door, Claire dumped the contents of her arms onto the couch as usual and started toward the kitchen, but Faith did not follow. 

“Faithie, come on! Don’t you want your chicken?”

Faith didn’t seem to hear her. She lifted Claire’s purse and looked underneath, and then let out a groan.

“What’s the matter darling?”

Faith made a beeline for the front door, and Claire sprinted to lock it, having forgotten to do so upon arriving home.

“No, no, no,” she quickly blocked Faith’s exit. “What are you doing, Faith? What’s wrong?”

Faith began whining and pawing at Claire, hitting her thighs.

“Do not hit, Faith.” Claire crouched down and grabbed her wrists. “What is wrong? Hm? Hungry? Tired? Pain?” She did the signs that she’d learned from the videos Mrs. Lickett had sent. “Can you sign for Mummy? What’s wrong?”

Of course, she couldn’t. It was much too soon for Faith to be carrying out conversation; she’d only just learned any signs at all.

Faith suddenly began wailing.

“Faith, baby, it’s alright, I’m here…” She wrapped her in her arms, but it only lasted for a moment. Faith clawed her way out and began pounding on the door. 

What could possibly be wrong? What was she looking for on the couch…?

Then it dawned on her.

Horsie.

She hadn’t checked to see if Faith was holding the stuffed horse before they left the stables.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck.

“Oh, darling, it’s alright!” She stroked her head and tried cupping her cheeks. “Can you look at my eyes, Faith? Faith…it’s alright. We’ll get Horsie back next week. He’ll be alright.”

She was inconsolable.

Claire exhaled heavily and stood up to retrieve the Happy Meal from the coffee table.

“Aren’t you hungry, darling? McDonald’s! Your favorite!” She held the box in front of Faith’s eyes. “Come on, lovie, let’s go eat.”

She reached to grab her hand, but Faith shrieked and pulled back, apparently having no intention of eating a thing until Horsie was returned. She’d be quite hungry by next Friday.

“Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ…” Claire threw the Happy Meal back on the coffee table and ran a hand through her hair.

She needs to eat dinner. I have to make this stop. There has to be something…

“Do you want to watch a movie, lovie? How about Frozen?”

Claire scrambled to get the DVD in, holding her breath until the movie started, praying that she’d be drawn to the screen and sit down to watch quietly, and then she could gradually coax her to eat on the couch.

But she just continued wailing.

Claire knew full well once a meltdown was in motion it had to run its course. And this particular meltdown would not run its course until the missing object in question was found.

But she can’t not eat, she can’t not sleep…

Claire didn’t realize she started crying until it was too late.

It was just too much. She’d held a man’s hand today while he died before her eyes, and then hugged his inconsolable wife while she came to terms with having to tell her children their father wasn’t coming home. And then Claire had come home and sought comfort in her own child, and she’d gotten a bit, but of course it didn’t last long.

She knew by the time she drove back, the stable would be closed, so she could not go and pick it up. She tried calling the stable, but no one answered. Apparently, everyone had already gone home.

Faith gave a particularly loud shriek, and Claire felt all her nerves go shot one by one. Hands trembling she scrolled through her phone for something, anything.

Jamie.

Toni had provided her the stable number, her own number, and Jamie’s number in case the main phone was busy. He’d mentioned that he and the other therapists took turns staying after closing to see to the horses. She threw up a quick prayer before clicking on his contact to start a phone call. Even if he wasn’t the one that had stayed today, perhaps he could tell her who had and give her their number?

As the line rang, she felt surges of panic go through her. Was this even appropriate? To be contacting his personal cell number for something that wasn’t really an emergency?

Faith started pounding on the front door again, screaming her head off all the while.

Claire suddenly didn’t given a fuck about what was appropriate.

——

Jamie was sitting at his kitchen table, enjoying the stir fry he’d made for himself and his usual glass of whisky. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he made a note to check his texts later, but then it kept buzzing. Somebody was calling him.

Curious, he pulled out his phone and saw a number he didn’t recognize.

“Bloody telemarketers,” was his first thought, but the area code was local. Eyes narrowing in curiosity, he swiped up to accept the call, setting his fork down.

"Hallo? Who's this?"

"Uh...hi, Jamie. It's Claire. Claire Beauchamp. From the stables.”

Jamie felt like he’d had the wind knocked out of him.

"Oh...Oh! Uh, hello, Claire. What's uh...what's going on?"

Someone on the other end shrieked, and his stomach lurched.

"Is that Faith? Is she alright?"

"Yes, she's perfectly fine. Physically, at least. She left her horse at the stable, the stuffed one. She's absolutely beside herself and she won't stop crying. Nothing is calming her down, none of her other toys, not putting on a movie or music, not even food.”

Jamie felt his chest tighten. Her voice sounded strained, and she seemed completely frazzled. The second he’d laid eyes on her at the stable today he could tell that something was wrong. It wasn’t the usual sadness he saw in her eyes, it was something different, something visceral. Whatever was happening now was certainly not helping.

“She won't eat, and I know she won't sleep either. I called you because no one was picking up at the stable and I was hoping you'd still be there but just not near the phone?"

"Yeah, I'm still here. Just in the stable. Canna hear the phone," he answered without thinking. What the damned hell are ye doing, lad?

"Oh, thank Christ. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

"No," he said quickly. "I'll, uh, I'll bring it to ye."

"What...?"

"Wouldna do fer ye to be drivin' wi' Faith as she is now." Though Jamie was making things up to cover the fact that he was already home, he wasn't entirely wrong. Even if he was at the stable, he wouldn't feel comfortable with Claire driving twenty minutes with a screaming bairn. "Wouldna be safe.”

"But...it's...are you sure...? You wouldn't get in trouble?"

"Nah. I'm sure other therapists have done the same fer some o' their kids." 

Keep digging, James.

"But you haven't done it before?"

"No."

"But others have?"

"Aye." Liar.

"Alright...as long as you're sure it's not inappropriate."

"Only inappropriate if we make it so, Sassenach."

Why the bloody fuck did I say that?

Claire cleared her throat. “Right. So…you’ve got my address from Faith’s file?”

“Aye.”

“So...twenty minutes? Half hour?"

"Aye. Just about."

Idiot. Bloody feckin’ idiot.

"Alright. See you soon."

"Bye, then."

Jamie hung up, threw his phone on the table and slapped an exasperated hand over his face.

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph! What is wrong wi’ ye?”

[cottoncandy-jester]

✨Lie down it's time for a-

Wait

Something's wrong

Dream a better dream

I know what you're thinking

"ew proxy did you just make a story about yourself?!"

No, I did it based on my character who is..based on myself

Look it's halloween and I'm feeling emotional and depressed, I'll give y'all some halloween content after this so let me have this..please.

Your eyes opened and the first thing you hear is the soft tapping of someone messing with some kind of electronic device. As you sit up you try to remember what led you to pass out in the first place, you check the time only to see that it's quite early compared to your normal sleeping schedule

"oh you're awake? That's strange. You should be sleeping though that must be the weird feeling I had"

You turn your eyes to a male with a small tablet in his hand, he looked young but something in your guy told you something about him wasn't right. As he walked towards you that feeling got worse before the realization hit you.

You weren't in your room, you were in some different place that made your head feel like it was splitting open. The room if you could even call it that was dark yet tranquil, the walls were splashed with soft dark purple and they seemed to have this off twinkle about them as if the owner took the stars from the sky themselves and somehow placed them on the wall. The room had a computer desk set up near a cracked open window, apparently it was pouring and even lightly thundering yet not a drip of water made its way inside. It looked like a casual room and had a bookshelf though it was too dark foe you to see it fully the only source of light being the thunder ever so often and a lamp on top of the desk that gave the entire room a purple glow as it as the light glowed hologram stars all around the room.

You noticed you were sitting on a bed though you were sure it wasn't your bed. The smell of incense wafted through the room and it was making the entire area smell of sweet vanilla and a hint of mint. The smell was making your head feel fuzzy yet it was a scent you remember, have you been in this room before

"where am I..?"

Your voice surprisingly didn't have any stutter or quiver in it at all but a shudder did go down your spine when the mysterious stranger reached out to touch your right cheek

"in the in between of course, though you Usually don't wake up like this so I don't know if that's troubling or not"

His voice was smooth and had a playfulness to it as he started to play with your hair and for some reason you let him.

"why am I here? Just what is going on?"

Your barrage of questions earned a light hearted and from the male before he pressed his knee onto the bed now leaning in close.

"this is my world, my room and the waiting lobby for the dream world"

His words only confused you more but before you could speak he cut you off by explaining it even more.

"you see, this is where I would put you to sleep and give you a sweet dream..a beautiful dream of your and even my choosing. You're supposed to be on your way to dream but something isn't right"

You tried to process all this information while keeping your head down. You bit your bottom lip in thought before glancing up at the stranger only for him to already be sitting at the computer chair facing you curiously. His dark eyes seeming to have a light glow to them as he seemed to await for a response from you.

"what are you..who are you?"

Your next questions made him smile a cheshire like grin as he leaned back in his seat. The male playfully hummed as he started to spin the chair around slowly

"I'm proxy, like I said this is my world. I control the dream in this world"

You had no idea what exactly that meant but before you can ask he seemed to know exactly what you were thinking. He stopped spinning now once again facing you as he crossing his legs

"people come to me, request a dream and I give it to them..that's how it's supposed to go but things are running a little slower than normal so I've been simply coming up with my own dreams to offer them"

Dreams..? This guy controls dreams? You weren't sure if this was all true or not but if it was that meant you came here willingly for him to put you to sleep.

"why would I come here? And before you said I should be asleep..have I been here more than once?"

This response made proxy walk towards you with his hands behind his back. His smile made you unnerved so you backed up til your back hit the wall. When proxy got to the bed he leaned towards you with a curious stare, his eyes burned into you as you felt the urge to stare back

"I dunno, every person is different. Some visit me once in a blue moon and some have memberships, some even visit for the first time and never come back it all depends"

His next movements made you flinch, proxy crawled into the bed before sitting infront of you on his knees while his hands held your cheeks. His smile faded and his eyes were shining less brightly, you could tell he was troubled.

"do tell me..why aren't you dreaming? Why are you so stubborn. My abilities usually work all the time but for some reason at this moment I can't get you to dream..it's quite infuriating so why don't you just lay down and just rest now darling~"

Proxy flirty tone caused a slight blush to form on your face but you shook it off only to move his hands off your cheeks with a lightly stern expression.

"why are you so persistent to make me dream? Why is that so important to you?"

Your question shocked the male before he pulled back and let's out a frustrated huff. His chest rose and fell faster and faster as he was clearly trying to form words to match your question.

"why? That's easy! It's my job! I make sure everyone who comes here has a dream that makes them happy, I mean if I screw up a dream and they find discomfort in it then..I fail. If I fail that means I didn't do my job of making people happy and then-"

His ranting was making him clearly upset as he thought of the idea of failing and it was bringing him to tears. He ran his fingers through his hair before a choked laugh escapes him

"giving people dreams, making others happy that's all I have... that's all I'm good at or at least I think I'm good at it, I mean what if no one even likes the dreams I create? What if I'm just doing this for nothing?"

His voice was shaking as he kept his head down now mumbling under his breath. You didn't know a simple question could break him so easily and a feeling of guilt bubbled in your chest before you reached out to touch his arm only for him to flinch lightly and look at you with a shocked gaze.

You tried to find the right words to say but only heard laughing coming from him as he wiped his eyes of tears. His voice was quivering and still unstable but he was somehow still keeping a small smile

"you must be so uncomfortable...here I am crying and venting to you about nonsense when I'm supposed to be giving you a dream."

You could hear the embarrassment in his voice and couldn't help but shake your head softly before a small smile formed on your face. He looked.. lonely, you simply reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder

"is it okay if I stay here with you a little bit longer?"

That question made the male tense up as he had a look of confusion on his face. What did you just say to him? He couldn't believe you said such a thing it made worry creep down his back so out of impulse he grabbed your hands and held them close while looking you in the eyes

"you don't want a dream? You just want to stay? But- why? No no no something must be wrong here tell me your dreams and fantasy..come now, you must want something yeah? So tell me who exactly and what exactly you want?"

Proxy covered up his fear and worry by flirting but you simply brushed it off and shook your head lightly.

"I just don't want to dream right now that's all, I rather stay and talk to you some more..what's wrong with that?"

You noticed the surprised smile on proxy's face before he gave you a quick hug, as his arms wrapped around you a feeling of pure warmth and comfort embraced you which helped relax you.

"you can stay if that's what you wish, but no funny business! You have to be behaved, kay?"

His chirpy voice made you smile and nod as the two of you then started to talk. Topics flew quick with you both and there were even times where you two would erupt into bursts of laughter from silly topics or funny jokes.

You weren't sure if time passed in his area but your eyelids were starting to get heavy, proxy saw him and simply smiled before slowly helping you lay down. A pink aura surrounded him and you as he laid next you

You turned to face him only to see him doing the same thing, as your foreheads touched you could see the joy in his eyes before he spoke in a quiet voice

"you're falling asleep, that's normal so just relax. i will be sending you back to your world now but I want to thank you for joining me tonight...it was quite fun."

"will I see you again?"

Your question made him smile as he leaned in and planted a soft kiss on your forehead. The kiss was quick but it made you both beam with glee

"you can come back anytime, whether you want to dream or simply talk.. I'll be here"

Relief washed over you as your eyelids got even heavier and the room around you started to fade.

"hey proxy..?"

"Hmmm?"

"I think your dreams are worth it...don't quit making them for people"

These were your last words before you fell asleep but proxy couldn't help but smile as he simply held your hand while closing his eyes and focusing on your steady heartbeat

"thank you..I don't think I'll quit quite yet."

[thirsty-pixie]

Richie x Reader. Part 6

Part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5

23 years later

I walked out of my office and to my secretary's desk, "hey Laura I'm gonna need to to switch all my meeting to conference calls I'm going out of town for a while." I said smiling she nodded and got to work as I headed out of the building. I drove home to pack my bags, I had forgotten why I needed to go home but something was telling me I had to go back. I bought a plane ticket and walked through the busy airport looking for my terminal, I smiled handing the attendant my Id. "42? How you dont look a day over 35. Tell me your secret" I smiled laughing a little "well one I dont date and two I take regular vacations" the attendant smiled and handed me back my id. I sat in the first class seating area waiting for the plane to take off, I fell asleep after a few minutes.

I awoke to the plane violently shaking as it landed, we cruised to the terminal and the seatbelt light turned off meaning we could get up and exit the plane. I grabbed my bag and walked to the baggage claim to gather the rest of my things. "Miss Y/l/n we brought the rental you requested around front." A man in a blue airport uniform walked up to me handing me the keys to the dodge charger I requested.

I loaded my bags and drove the rest of the way to Derry, the closer I got the stronger the fire inside that pushed me to come home burned. I passed the familiar welcome to Derry sign and something inside me snapped. I pulled over trying calm my mind, I looked in the rearview mirror and my eyes were glowing yellow. "Dad" my voice cam out as a whisper when I spoke, I got out of my car and locked it. I kicked off my heels and began running towards the bridge the was near the barrens.

I made my was down the hill to the creek, I made my way to the drain pipe and walked through the maze of pipes and tunnels. Mentally I had no idea where I was going but my body knew exactly where it was going. I came to a large opening and gasped seeing a pile of toys and other items, I walked around the pile to the corner where there was a hole leading deeper below Derry. I place my hands on the low sloped concrete wall that surrounded the hole and looked inside.

I jumped hearing a voice behind me "I was wondering when you would come home" I turned around and everything memory came back to me. The good time, the bad times. It was like a tidal wave of pain and happiness hit me and I felt a tear slide down my face. Standing in front of me was my father smiling at me with his arms out waiting for a hug. I ran to him and cried quietly as I hugged him, I felt like a little girl again standing there with him.

"You've gotten so big....you're all grown up" he hugged me tightly running his hand over my hair "I've miss you daddy" he hummed and pulled back with his hands on my shoulders looking at me "you're dressed so fancy?" I smiled and looked at my white button up blouse tucked into my black knee length pencil skirt. "Yeah I'm the CEO of a big magazine company that I inherited from moms parents" I looked back at him and he smiled. "Dad my eyes...." I looked at him and he furrowed his brows "what about them?" I bit my lip and shrugged "they were yellow when I got into Derry and i felt a burning in my chest like a fire until I seen you" I put my hand on my chest realizing the burning was gone. "It was your promise of returning to me. Your mind didnt remember but your heart did." I nodded and said I had to go.

I made my way back to my car and picked up my heels throwing them on the seat next to me. I drove to the hotel and walked up to the front desk, "reservation for Y/n Y/l/n" the lady behind the desk nodded and grabbed my id and credit card then turn away typing something one the computer. She ran my card and handed me my stuff back then the key to my room. I walked up the stairs throwing my bags on the bed, suddenly my phone rang.

I grabbed phone pitting it to my ear "Hello?"

"Hi is this Y/n?"

"Uh yeah may I ask whose calling"

"Its Mike from Derry"

"Hey Mike! What's up?!" I held the phone with my shoulder as I kicked off my heels and opened my bag up.

"I called the rest of the gang and I wasn't sure if you would come but its back." He sounded nervous as he spoke.

"I know he's back I just seen him"

"You're in Derry"

"Yeah just got in why?" I pulled out my pajamas and layed them on the bed.

"Well everyone is gonna meet at the Jade of the Orient tonight for dinner you're welcome to come"

"Ok yeah I'll be there!"

I went through my bag and pulled out a black floral lace dress and place it on the bed. I took a shower then did my hair and makeup, I put on the dress and looked in the mirror. (Dress will be posted at the end)

Once I was satisfied with how I looked I slipped on some black heels and walked out of the hotel, I go into my car and drove to the restaurant. When I got there I seen that they were all already at the table talking, "you guys start the party without me" I looked at the faces of all me friends and smiled.

Ben stood up and hugged me first, then Beverly, then Bill and Mike. "Wow you guys look so different." I laughed smiling. "Says the woman who doesn't freaking age" I smiled at Beverly and shrugged. I looked at Richie the sat next to Bill, I ordered 2 shots and a beer from the waitress and sighed. It was gonna be a tough night, I took the shots and took a drink of beer to wash down the taste. "So how is life in cali?" Ben asked smiling. "It's ok all I do is work" I said looking at Richie then back down at my beer.

I walked to the bathroom after finishing my beer, and when I came back they were smashing chairs on the table. The waitress walked in and gasped "can we get the check please" I laughed at Richie and shook my head. He looked at me and smiled a little before setting the chair down. We all walked out to our cars and headed back to the hotel, when I was unlocking my door I felt someone tap on my shoulder. I turned around and seen Richie standing there with his hands in his pockets, "hey..." I looked at him with a 'seriously' look. "Hey? Is that all you're gonna say?" He bit his cheek and looked down "look I don't remember what I did exactly but I know I fucked up.... bad. And when I seen you at the restaurant my heart ached...." he looked back at me and couldn't help myself I placed my hand on his cheek pulling him to me and kissing him. He kissed back almost immediately, he pull his hands out of his pockets and grabbed my hips pulling me to him so our bodies were pressed against eachother. When we pulled away we were both breathing heavily, I smiled at him as his cheeks became pink. "You wanna come in?" He nodded and we both went into my room.

Part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5