#when i told my friends n family i was going to nursing school they were shocked n WHY SHOULDNT THEY HAVE BEEN?

[liverpool-enjoyer]

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[folkwhoredoll]

by the shore - rafe cameron x fem!reader

pairing: rafe cameron x fem!reader (friends with benefits)

synopsis: being friends with rafe has its benefits

word count: 1.7k

warnings/tags: smut! (f oral, unprotected sex), few curse words

request: rafe x Reader, they are best friend that’s are on a family trip that they take every year in summer, reader is good friends with both Sarah and rafe, rafe and reader are a bit tipsy messing around and find their way to the beach and that’s were the smut happens :) hope you can do it thank you.

a/n: hi everyone! it's been a while since my last post because things got busy in nursing school but since it's summer break, i can now post again! thank you to the one who requested this <3 i hope you'll like this one. happy reading!

masterlist

➶-͙˚ ༘✶

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the beachfront estate where you and the Camerons vacationed every summer. The annual family trip was a cherished tradition, one you eagerly anticipated each year. It started long before you even entered school, a yearly event your parents initiated to celebrate their friendship with the Camerons. Naturally, you also formed a growing friendship with Sarah and Rafe.

Though, if you were honest, "friendship" didn't quite describe the bond between you and Rafe. Whether you and the Cameron heir were dating was unclear, but he acted like you were most of the time. Almost no boys dared to ask you out, not with Rafe always glaring at them from behind you. He accompanied you almost everywhere, even pretending you were his girlfriend to keep other girls away.

But your relationship with Rafe wasn't simply a friendship because of what you two did behind closed doors. It was no secret that Rafe had several experiences, his natural charisma drawing girls to him. Perhaps that's why you couldn't resist him when he told you he admired you months ago. He was your first.

Not one soul knows about it; you couldn't risk it.

The evening air was filled with laughter and clinking glasses as your families gathered on the deck, enjoying the night of their getaway. You felt a pleasant buzz from the beer you and Rafe had been sipping, the alcohol buzzing through your veins. Sarah had to excuse herself to answer a call from Topper, leaving you and Rafe alone under the twinkling fairy lights.

Rafe grinned at you, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Wanna take a walk down to the beach?" he suggested, his voice slightly blurred but full of excitement.

You smiled back and nodded eagerly, the idea of sneaking for a late-night adventure sounding perfect. "Absolutely. Let's go back before Sarah gets back and decides to drag us into some boring game."

Rafe laughed, a deep, infectious sound that made your heart flutter. The combination of alcohol and the intimate setting seemed to excite you.

The two of you stumbled down the wooden steps leading to the beach, giggling and shushing each other while your hands gripped tightly around your beer bottles. The fine sand was cool beneath your feet and the ocean waves lapping gently at the shore.

Rafe motioned for you to sit near a large rock, sitting down first to make sure that it was comfortable enough. You positioned yourself beside him, sighing contently as you took in the view before you.

"Remember when Sarah and I built a sandcastle when we were like, ten? Then you ruined it with your soccer ball." You said.

"In my defense, I didn't mean to kick it towards your castle." Rafe chuckled at the memory. "And I got the worst punishment from you because you refused to speak to me for a week."

You hummed, sipping more of your beer. "Still not over it."

He snorted, leaning his head back.

The next moments were spent in silence. You and Rafe took turns drinking what was left from the bottle, smiling whenever you would make eye contact, and leaning closer and closer to him until your shoulders touched.

You took a deep breath when you felt Rafe kiss your cheek suddenly. "What was that for?"

"What? Can't I kiss you?" He smiled innocently. "It's not like we haven't done anything more than a kiss."

You threw him a look, knowing that in a few moments, you would be doing something that friends don't normally do. How Rafe could always be turned on, you could never understand. But you don't complain, not when your hormones also betray you every time you see his muscles strain from his tight shirt.

"Come on, Y/n. No one can see us from here." He whispered, his breath tickling your skin as he lowered his face to your neck.

You didn't say anything, and Rafe took it as a sign to move further, abandoning his beer to the side. He placed one hand on your thigh and another hand on your waist. Your head was spinning from both the alcohol and Rafe's hands, suddenly not able to speak as you savor the moment of his lips on your neck.

"What would our parents say when they find out what we do?" He wondered teasingly, smirking when he saw you discreetly push your thighs together. He loved you like this: submissive as you let him do whatever he wanted.

"Probably celebrate. They've been teasing us for years." You finally replied, a laugh coming from your throat as you remembered the times when they would try to set the two of you up in every gathering.

Rafe suddenly lifted the skirt of your sundress, causing you to gasp. "Out here? Really?"

His other hand moved from your waist to your back, feeling for the zipper of your dress. "It's a perfect spot. No one can see us or hear us unless you scream, of course."

His cocky attitude made you roll your eyes, though your cunt already fluttered at the thought of being bare under his body as the sunset. "We have to be fast, got it?"

You didn't give him a chance to reply as you tilted your body, swiftly pushing him back so you could move on top and straddle him. Rafe, although shocked by your sudden movement, smiled cheekily as he witnessed you reach to your back to unzip your dress.

"Damn, baby." He breathed as he eyed the way the straps of the dress dropped, hastily helping you to get out of your clothing. He licked his lips as he stared at the sight of you. Your breasts perked up as the cool sea breeze touched your skin, leaving you in your underwear.

"Take it off, Rafe." You told him, helping him take off the shirt that accentuated his muscles.

Following your request, Rafe moved quickly and placed his shirt on the sand beside the two of you, lifting your hips and guiding you to lay on his shirt.

He finished removing the rest of his clothing, never cutting eye contact with you even as he pulled his cock out. You made a quick look back to the house, making sure that you were not within anyone's eyesight.

You gasped as Rafe pulled your panties down, your cunt fluttering at the excitement. He lowered his head down until it was leveled with your pussy, his manhood hardening at the sight of your wet folds.

Without warning, he gave your cunt a long lick, pushing his warm tongue as deep as he could reach. You moaned loudly and quickly gripped his hair, your back arching as he sucked on your clit.

Rafe reached a hand upwards to cover your mouth, not too tight to restrict you from breathing but just enough to muffle your moans. Your chest heaving as you gasped, the alcohol and his tongue working together to give you the best pleasure.

Rafe himself was groaning as he enjoyed the sight of your writhing body, his heart swelling with pride, knowing that it was only him who could make you feel that way.

Your moans were exchanged with whines when he suddenly moved away from your pussy, kneeling in front of you as he stroked his stiff dick.

"You said we have to be fast." He chuckled, teasing you. "Ready, baby?"

After seeing you nod, Rafe pushed himself inside you, a loud groan erupting from his lips as he felt your warm and wet folds around him.

"Best cunt in the world." He whispered to himself.

You let out a loud moan as he filled you completely, growing needy and desperate for a release. "Move, Rafe. Make me cum, please."

Your words sounded like music to Rafe's ears, further feeding his ego. "Since you asked nicely."

In one quick movement, Rafe thrust in and out of you, lifting one of your legs to wrap around his waist so he could reach deeper.

The sounds of both of your breaths were mixed with the sound of the ocean waves as sweat grew on the surface of your skin. You were shamelessly whining and moaning in every thrust while Rafe was closing his eyes as he groaned in pleasure.

He pushed your other leg upwards, having you nearly folded in half as he pushed harder. He looked down to where you two were connected, his cock twitching at the sight. "Taking me so well, baby. Come on, I know you're close."

You were panting, breathless, and unable to speak. Your hands were clawing on Rafe's shoulder, wanting to push him away from the overwhelming feeling.

"R-Rafe…" You breathed out, feeling your pussy pulsate around him.

"Yes, Y/n. Go on, cum for me." He urged you, his pace never stopping nor slowing down.

You looked at him, admiring how he looked with his disheveled hair and warm cheeks. His muscles were tensing as he thrusted faster.

Without warning, he pulled your legs apart slightly, just enough so he could reach your clit with his hand. You almost screamed at the contact, another surge of gratification taking over your body as he pinched your bud.

"Fuck, Rafe!"

He smiled, hips going faster until he felt you cum around his cock. Your hips were jerking upward as you released, thighs shaking as you squirted on him.

Rafe moaned loudly, and after a few more thrusts, he released his load inside of you, not letting a drop go to waste.

You were quiet as you panted underneath Rafe, your legs still shaking occasionally while you enjoyed the feeling of both of your cum inside you.

Rafe was whispering compliments in your ear softly, stroking your skin as he slowly pulled himself out. He then helped you back into your underwear and dress, gently guiding you as you regained your balance. Rafe was quicker as he dressed himself up, grabbing your hand immediately and leading you back to the house.

"Let's clean up inside before Sarah finds us here."

[tonyboneysblog]

MOTHER HEN: PART FOUR

parings: hawks x mother!reader

word count: 3.2k

warnings: none!

notes: “die Ryuji” we all say in unison while holding hands. (Thought it would be appropriate to post this on Mother’s Day…)

summary: You, the mother of Fumikage Tokoyami, are just a simple nurse! Who caught the eye of a certain pro.

It had only been a few days since the villains attacked U.A. high, your son Fumikage said he had something important to tell you.

“Don’t get mad, okay?” Tokoyami says while twirling his fingers together.

“Just tell me Fumikage” you reply with annoyance. you hated it when Fumikage dragged things out, felt like he was about to tell you a family member died but really all he did was accidentally break a plate.

you don’t know why he became like that, he used to just clean it up and go on with his day.

“U.A. is going to have their sports festival, and I was wondering-“

“Already? Didn’t they just get attacked by villains.” You say with a disapproving tone, seriously what was U.A. doing…

“They wanted to prove that this attacked hasn’t affected us.”

“I doubt that’s going to go well.”

showing the villains all of the students skills sets is such an amazing idea U.A.! You thought with sarcasm dripping from it, you didn’t want to say that infront of Fumikage- he likes that school too much.

Fumikage hesitates slightly, “Do you think you be able to see it?”

You sigh. “I’ll have to see my schedule.”

Fumikage looks down in disappointment but tries his best not to show it.

“But hey, I’ll try my absolute best to see my amazing boy win.” You tap his chin, making his eyes face you.

“Promise?” He says quietly.

“Pinkie.” You raise your pinkie finger, Fumikage chuckles and shakes his head.

“You can’t break a pinkie promise, mama.” He interlocks his pinkie with yours.

You smile at him, “Wouldn’t dream of it, Fumi.”

You were glad that Fumikage asked you to watch him at the sports festival, all your friends joke about how he’s just some emo teen who’ll scream at you about how “it’s not a phase!”

you didn’t really care if it wasn’t a phase anyway. You’ll love Fumikage in whatever form he’s in.

Speaking of your friends, they have recently asked you to go clubbing with them on the weekend saying, “you need a break, sweet cheeks.”

You accepted gratefully and as the clubbing day came close Fumikage always came home and told you all about his classmates.

He spoke a lot of one named shoji, you hope with all your heart they become good friends.

When Fumikage was younger his only friend was dark shadow.

you never want to hear him say, “what’s wrong with me, mom?” Just because kids

used to be scared of him and his quirk.

Now it was time to do one of your favorite things ever, but groceries.

You caught Fumikage trying to sneak out of the house and do it himself but you tackled him back into his bed until he gave up.

Grocery shopping was always so calming for you, Fumikage used to come all the time until some old women asked if he was even yours.

sure he had a bird head just like his father but- still super rude!

Putting your groceries into the cart then checking them off your list, you finally made it to your last one.

Chocolate chip Cookie mix.

Fumikage recently said that the cooking hero made one of the best cookies he’s ever eaten and you will never accept that.

Mamas cookies will be better! well when

you can actually grab the box.

The box mix was on one of the highest shelves in the store, you jump once to grab it- you miss.

you jump again, and miss.

Thirds times a charm right? You jump once more and instead of grabbing it you just push it back more.

well you suppose it’s time to start climbing shelves.

But then a calloused hand came to save you, you immediately think it’s hawks- he’s always somewhere near you.

A deeper voice say your name, “Y/n..?”

Not hawks.

You don’t turn around, your too scared to

suddenly your thankful to that old women who accidentally made Fumikage stop coming with you, you wouldn’t want him here-not now.

You turn around.

.

.

.

Hawks off days were usually spent inside relaxing or trying his very best to actually relax.

lazily getting one of bed, the one with your weighted blanket, he makes his way to the Kitchen.

Grabbing the cereal box, he tries his best to pour it into the bowl but nothing goes in.

Well looks like he needs to go the grocery store.

Getting dressed in a simple outfit he makes his way outside then flies off to the store!

hawks always liked his little adventures, he hoped he’d see you on this one but he highly doubts it.

But hey, speak of the devil because you’re right there in the aisle when he walks into the store!

Seems like you’re talking to a man, nice looking, about 6’ foot with dark brown hair.

Hawks has never heard you talk about your friends, mostly about your son- what was his name again?

You look…scared? Which is weird because at first hawks just thought this was an old friend you were talking to but..

why would you look scared?

Hawks sends over a small baby feather to let you know he’s there, you shouldn’t be scared.

he’ll keep you safe.

His feather tickles your back softly, you jump at first but keep your attention towards the man infront of you.

“So, how’s Fumikage?” His deep voice says.

“Fine.” You say quickly.

He sighs, “look y/n, I know we left off on a bad note but I’m better now.”

He says all of these words so soft and kind, but you remember when that same exact voice pinned your son against a wall and screamed at him.

why would Ryuji even care about how Fumikage is doing.

“Y/n?”

You snap out of that thought, “what.”

“It’s nice to see you again, you look good.”

Ryuji and that sliver tongue of his, always trying to butter you up.

“Thank you, Ryuji, but I have to leave.. Fumi-“

“Could I talk to you a little bit at least.” He raises his voice.

He’s blocking you in, what are you supposed to do?

“Please Ryuji-“

“Everything okay here, sweetheart?” A cheerful voice calls next to you.

It’s hawks, he has a lazy smile on his face you can’t really tell if he’s angry or not also- sweetheart?

“And who are you?” Ryuji asks hawks, who doesn’t know hawks though…

“Well I’m her-…” hawks paisss for a moment, “boyfriend!”

Ryuji chuckles softly, “sure you are..”

You sigh at hawks terrible attempt of pretend.

“Ryuji, that is hawks- he’s...” you look at hawks for a split second, “my boyfriend.”

You can see ss hawks wings flutter for a moment, not a good time for him to be acting all embarrassed.

Ryuji stammers, “Oh, I-..I just wanted to say to you y/n that I’m real-“

you cut him off, “why are you out so early?”

“Hell y/n, you know they don’t really double down on all the ‘domestic abuse’ bullshit.” Ryuji says curtly.

You can see hawks face twist in realization on who this man actually is, you’ve only told him about Ryuji once or twice before.

Ryuji continues, “where’s Fumikage anyway, don’t he always come out with you?”

“He stopped coming out a little while back.”

“Terrible thing really, he’s a good kid.” Ryuji says softly, almost like he’s talking to himself.

“Didn’t think he was a good kid when you were with me.” You say with distain dripping from your mouth.

You don’t really understand why your being like this with Ryuji, maybe hawks is giving you some boost of confidence.

“Don’t get mouthy with me.” Ryuji snaps back.

“Don’t you speak to her like that.” Hawks finally gets himself involved in the small spat.

Ryuji pauses, “Say that again, I dare you.”

You can see Ryujis fists tightening slowly, that’s never a good sigh with him.

“I will make your life miserable bird boy, even when you’re sleeping.”

Hawks steps closer to him, “You wanna go?”

You know Ryuji, he never makes an empty threat.

You grab hawks shoulder, “W-we’re sorry Ryuji.” You stare at the ground, not daring to face him.

“You need to keep his damn squawking to a minimum, y/n.” Ryuji says bitterly.

Hawks looks at you with confusion, you were just talking back to him weren’t you? Where did the confident side of you suddenly disappear to?

You step closer to Ryuji, whispering.

Hawks doesn’t pick up on it, ryuji seems like he’s staring straight through his soul.

You retreat next to hawks, Ryuji scoffs and starts to walk away towards the next aisle.

You let out the breath you were holding, finally relaxing.

“What’d you say to him?” Hawks cocks his head curiously.

“Nothing important.”

“Everything you say is Important to me.” Hawks says softly.

You pause, you won’t tell hawks about Ryujis quirk. You hope that he decides not to use it on him, even after you mouthed off to him.

Ryuji always used his quirk after you fought about something, you would go to bed and he would haunt you in your sleep.

You’d beg for his forgiveness every time, you never stood your ground.

Him hurting Fumikage made you change though.

“I just told him to stay away from Fumikage

That was a lie, hawks accepted it anyways.

Hawks shifts into his more happy go lucky mood, “Are you almost done with shopping?”

“Yea actually, I just needed that cookie mix up there.” You point towards the highest shelf.

Hawks chuckles softly and sends a feather up to get it, “make sure to give me some after you’re done baking.”

“Do you wanna make it with me?” You offer.

Hawks feels his heart skip a beat, you? Asking him to be in your kitchen? Baking sweet treats?

It wasn’t even a question.

“What kind of person would I be if I declined someone in need?” He smiles brightly.

You and hawks proceed to the check out, you’re quite lucky you encountered him at the store because there were almost far too many bags for you to carry.

you walked to the store as well so you couldn’t even put them all into your trunk, thanks for saving the day once again hawks!

He carries way more bags than you do, you’re a little worried he may blow out his back from all the weight but he seems fine.

You notice Ryuji as the two of you walk away, instead of staring at you he stares dead at Hawks.

You try your best to ignore it and continue walking towards your house.

After a couple minutes of walking, Hawks speaks up.

“Your house is just around the corner right?”

“Yep, it’s the white house.”

He snickers, “can’t believe I’ll be meeting the president.”

“Trust me when I say Fumikage is not the president.” You say sternly.

“Could I be your body guard, I heard you were hiring- Mrs President~” he says teasingly.

“You’re more like my stalker and less than some bodyguard.”

Hawks face twists into pure horror, sure he always bumps into you but that doesn’t mean he’s a stalker!

though he wouldn’t mind being your stalker in another universe…

You break through this thoughts with your small fit of giggles, laughing about his ‘silly face’ as you put it.

He was just glad you were looking at him.

Finally the both of you made it to your home, Fumikage left a note by the fridge that said he went to some training thing.

He always worried you, you much rather he called than leaving you some cryptic note- but then again you do the same thing.

Hawks picks up the note, reading it over.

“Hard worker ain’t he?” He chuckles quietly.

You smile, “Yea, just like his father.”

Hawks stiffens slightly, “His father?”

“Mhm, we met at the same hero school actually, he was the top of his class.”

Hawks raises his eyebrows in surprise, “You were training to become a hero?”

“Yea, then I found out I was pregnant with Fumikage so…kinda gave up on that pipe dream. That’s why I became a nurse instead, I still wanted to help people y’know?” You say with a soft smile.

Hawks nods with understanding hum.

He’s quiet for a moment, “And then you met Ryuji?”

“I met him when Fumikage was eleven, Ryuji promised me the world when reality he just gave me a rock.” You laugh at your own bad joke.

You hand hawks a bowl filled with the cookie mix and the milk, even though they’re not completely home made it’s a lot easier and less time consuming.

You speak up, “So, how about your love life?”

Hawks can feel himself choke on his own spit, you? Asking about his love life? His day just keeps getting better.

“Actually I’ve never really dated anyone, always too busy.” He sighs.

You gasp a small, “really?!”

He chuckles at your bewilderment.

“I mean I just thought some with your looks would have one by now!”

Hawks ears go red, even after all that training to control his poker face he still can’t resist blushing at a genuine compliment.

He can hear you chuckle, grabbing his ears and tugging slightly.

You giggle, he loves the sound, “Sorry for making you all bashful.”

One of his wings smacks your arm, you chuckle and shake your head then you bring a pan next to Hawks.

“Your done mixing right?”

He nods and you bump him out of the way, taking the bowl and starting to roll the mixture between your hands.

Hawks admires your handy work with content, he likes hanging around with you.

You spot him staring from the corner of your eye, “Need something, birdie?”

His wings flutter softly, “nothing in particular.”

You finish your work and place the cookies into the oven, Turing around face a relaxed Hawks.

Hawks watched you as you lean against the oven, staring back at him.

Hawks speaks quietly,

“Question.”

“Answer.”

“Is Fumikages father in a mental institution?”

Now it was your turn to choke on your own spit, “what?”

“I mean he must be insane for leaving someone like you…”

You laugh, “well aren’t you the charmer?”

“Only for you.”

You pause, is hawks pinning for you or something?

He steps closer towards you, looking away slightly.

You lean more into the oven, “hawks?”

He steps closer, caging you in, “y/n.”

You can feel his breath come in contact with your face, smells minty.

“I-“

The door suddenly opens, “mother, I’m home!”

It’s Fumikage!

…it’s Fumikage, who will soon walk into you and some man on the brink of canoodling.

You push Hawks off quickly, speedily walking over to where Fumikage is supposed to be.

“Fumi! Did you have fun training?” You open your arms for a hug.

Fumikage accepts it and hums.

You kiss the top of his head then ruffle his feathers, “you smell terrible.”

“Mother…”

“Go take a shower, cookies are in the oven.” You say with a smile.

Fumikage nods and starts to walk over to the bathroom, the one that passes the kitchen.

Until a terrifying scream comes from the kitchen, quite high pitched…

“Fumi?!” You call worriedly.

“M-MOTHER THERE IS A MAN IN OUR HOME.” You peek out into the hallway only to see dark shadow out, mostly about to beat the tar out of poor hawks.

You walk over to Fumikage quickly, “hey, hey! He’s just a guest!”

Fumikage retreats towards you, getting a good look at hawks.

He’s quiet, “you…”

Hawks starches the back of his head, “yea it’s me, the number three-“

“You’re the crazy stalker who was on my mother’s balcony!”

Hawks face twists into confusion, “wait what-“

Fumikage whips his head towards you, “Mother you need to call the police immediately!”

You sigh, “Fumi…”

This was the second time hawks had been called a stalker today….

Suddenly a devious plan spawns into your head.

“Fumi, there’s no one there.”

“What?”

You suddenly wave a hand towards hawks in a ‘get out of here’ motion.

“Fumi, look at me.” You grab his face, forcing him to look at you instead of hawks.

“Mama, are you okay…? Clearly there’s a man in our kitchen-“

Hawks suddenly jumps through the window in your kitchen, you didn’t really expect him to do that but okay…

“See Fumi, no one’s there!” You point into the kitchen as Fumikage whips his head to face the kitchen.

“W-what, he- he was just there!” Fumikage whips his head around wildly.

“How about you go cool off in the shower?” You suggest softly.

Fumikage looks down at his hands baffled, “I-i…okay.”

He walks towards the bathroom, closing the door.

You’re surprised that actually worked…

You walk into the kitchen, taking out the cookies that were just saved from being burnt.

Until a small little paper caught your eye, you pick it up and read it, it says a series of numbers.

“text me?” With a cute smiley face next to it.

now you have obtained hawks personal number.

What an eventful day?

Soon Fumikage returns from the bathroom, dressed in one of your old metal shirts from your high school days.

“Cute shirt.” You say sarcastically.

“Looks better on me.” He says sassily.

You wrap your arm around his neck and frazzle all of his feathers.

Fumikage claims that he hates it when you do that but he never resists it.

Fumikage tossed himself down onto the couch with a loud sigh, “y’know I didn’t fall for your whole kitchen trick.”

“Yea I know, smartie pants.” You toss one of the cookies you made towards Fumikage.

He catches it, “why’re you being so friendly with a pro hero..?”

“We keep meeting, next time you see him apologize for that stalker comment also.”

Fumikage takes a bite from the cookie, “can’t take it back if it’s true.”

“Fumikage.”

He sighs, “alright, I will.”

You pick up Fumikages feet and place them into your lap, Turing on one of those cult classic movies that he loves so much.

“Noticed you got Groceries.” Fumikage says Groggily, tired from training most likely.

“Yea, y’know who I saw there?”

Fumikage perks up, “that crazy old lady?”

“Nope, Ryuji.”

Fumikage stiffens slightly, “did he talk to you?”

“Small bit, no harm done.”

Fumikage relaxes slightly, “I should’ve gone with you.”

“It’s no sweat Fumi, your mama can protect herself you know?”

Fumikage sighs and nods, you notice his eyes flutter softly trying his best not to fall asleep.

He does anyway, you’re glad that Fumikage is getting the rest he needs because you want him to always be his best self.

And if Fumikage can never become his best self then you wouldn’t mind, you’d still love him anyways.

You stand and carry Fumikage to his room, placing him into the bed and tucking him in like he was 6 again.

You kiss him temple, and hope he dreams the best of dreams.

Someone who wasn’t doing that at the moment was Hawks.

He barely dreamed so when he went off to slumber land he didn’t expect something so terrifying to meet him there.

Blood and grim, screams of the people he never saved, it always haunted him in some way but never to this extent.

He wakes up in a cold sweat, your weighted blanket only giving him some comfort.

He was never like this before, they were never this intense.

He didn’t sleep for the rest of the night.

What horrified him most is that you were in it, you were scared.

Why is he dreaming like this..?

PART FIVE: MOTHER HEN: PART FIVE

TAG LIST:

@lost-in-horrorland @boopjuice @validveenus @qardasngan @arminsarlerts @star-the-rabid-dog @bunni-teeth81 @lightsgore @portgasdbruh

[radioactiveparker]

The Breakfast Club - Eddie Munson X F!Cheerleader!Reader

Part Five - Don't You Forget About Me

Chapter Summary - Secrets are told and feelings are finally shared, but will they change things for better or for worse? (A retelling of The Breakfast Club, written and directed by John Hughes.)

Chapter Warnings - Characters are all 18+ / Strong Language / Mentions of Abuse/ Abusive Relationship / Dysfunctional Families / References to Religious Beliefs / Sexual References / Stereotyping / Angst / Drug References / Use of Y/N

Word Count - 7.3k

A/N - There is a ridiculous amount of dialogue in this one so I apologise in advance if that isn't your thing xxx

(Series Masterlist) (Masterlist)

(Part One) (Part Two) (Part Three) (Part Four) (Part Five)

~~~~~

Saturday.

October 25th, 1986.

Hawkins High Library.

3:15pm

~~~~~

"How am I supposed to answer?"

"The idea is to search your mind for your limit, like... would you drive to school naked?"

You all sat in a loose circle back at the comfy chairs. Eddie had finally calmed down from his little self-pitied tantrum and finally decided that he would put his feelings on hold for now. Well, as best as he could. He could scream into his pillow all he wanted when he got back home. Although, that didn't stop any of his nervous jitters from making his heart pound when he so much as took a glance at you. He couldn't decided what was worse, sitting directly in front of you where he could constantly feel your gaze on him, or sitting beside you where he could accidently brush against you, and you could feel the beat of his heart thumping through his veins at every touch. He opted to sit opposite you.

"Would I have to get out of the car?" Steve asked, all serious like he was actually going to go to the school on Monday naked.

"Duh." Robin rolled her eyes.

"Winter or spring?"

"Doesn't matter."

"Nah, would you?"

"Me? No, I take the bus."

"I'd do just about anything for a million dollars, are you kidding!" Eddie gasped, like going to school naked was something he would do for free. "Have explosive diarrhoea for a month, chop off my pinkie finger - I'm sure I'll figure a way to still play guitar - sleep with an octogenarian..."

Steve would rather Eddie had kept his creative thoughts to himself. He winced in disgust at Eddie's artistic suggestions. "You keep talking like that, and you'll get sent to the nut house." 

He crossed his stretched-out legs in front of him and rested his hands behind his head as if he was on a sun lounger. His voice was airy like a daydream. "That'll be a nice change; cosy jackets, getting waited on by hot nurses. Sounds like paradise to me."

"You know, they'll probably shave your head too." You pointed.

That shut him up.

If only for a minute.

He smirked, propped himself back up, and leaned in towards you. His eyes magnetised to yours. Before when he looked at you his eyes were round and Bambi-like, dreamy even, but he is stare was strong and his eyes had a slight squint as if he was challenging you. "What would you do then, sweetheart?"

"I could go to school naked for a million bucks." You chimed, disguising your sudden urge to shrink away from him when all of the attention was on you.

You were almost always the centre of attention at school. You were the cheerleading Captain, after all. But that didn't mean that you liked it. It was easier somehow when it was everybody else, people you didn't know or care much about; their opinions didn't matter to you. But with this group of people, who you had shared a unique experience with, something changed in all of you. Whether you liked it or not, you all had some strange connection, and you were closer somehow. In just under eight hours, you had felt closer to these people than over two years of knowing your "real" friends.

"Isn't that like against religion?"

"What? No, only if it's sexual."

"So, are you a virgin?" Eddie's eyes lit up, eager for some juicy gossip. Or juicy ammunition to undoubtedly use against you at some point, you couldn't decide which one.

"Didn't we already cover this?"

"I don't know, sweetheart, I can't seem to recall you giving me an answer."

You scoffed, feeling yourself heat up with embarrassment and annoyance at how Eddie's behaviour towards you had suddenly changed. "I'm not going to discuss my private life with strangers."

"It's kind of a double-edged sword, isn't it?" Robin said almost sympathetically.

"A what?"

"If you say you haven't, you're a prude. If you say you have, you're a slut. It's a trap. You want to, but you can't. But then when you do you wish you didn't. Right?"

"Or are you a tease?" Steve interrupted with a smirk.

You frowned. "I'm not a tease."

"She's only a tease if what she does gets guys hot." Eddie nudged Steve with a grin.

"I don't do anything."  You defended.

"That's why you're a tease." 

He took himself back to earlier on when you were dancing, how enticing your moves were, the way would would unknowingly flash him with every quick spin, the perspiration gleaming off of you. He wondered if he could get you all hot and sweaty like that. He had imagined that you would let him, especially when you had barely resisted yourself against him when his head was between your legs. Now, he was just adding fuel to whatever burning desire he had for you. You were just so fucking hot, and you had no idea. You had no idea just what you did to him. 

And for that, he hated you. Even more so that you had confided to Nancy that you liked someone else. But he hated himself more for allowing himself to feel that way in the first place.

"I'm not having this conversation anymore." You scoffed. "You're bizarre."

"I mean, we're all pretty bizarre." Steve shrugged. "Some are just better at hiding it than others."

"How are you bizarre?"

"I can't think for myself. I just do what other people to tell me to do." He had been doing it all day, whether he knew it or not; he had played along when Eddie took the screw out of the door, he let you take the record from the teachers lounge, heck, he even convinced himself to get high just because you had told him to 'loosen up'.  "You know what I did to get in here?"

"You flew a practice." You recalled your conversation from earlier that day.

He shook his head, avoiding everyone's eyes as he frowned. His bottom lip quivered with guilt. "I just said that. I lied. It's so fucked-up, I had to lie."

"Did you lie about your coach and your father?"

"No, that's true." Steve's eyes looked wet. He took a breath like what he was about to say would change his life forever. "What I did was I taped Larry Lester's buns together. You know him?"

Eddie perked up. "I know Larry, he was in Hellfire for a little while."

"Then you know how hairy he is -- when they pulled the tape off, all his hair came with it -- and some skin, too."

"Oh shit."

"The bizarre thing is, that I did it for my old man. I tortured this poor kid because I wanted my dad to think I was cool. He's always going off about when he was young. And I got the impression that he was disappointed that I never cut loose on anybody, right? So, I was sitting in the locker room taping up my knee and Larry was undressing a few lockers down from me, and suddenly the next thing I knew I grabbed him and threw him down and I just started wailing on him. And he screamed and kicked while my buddies laughed and cheered me on. Afterwards, when I was sitting in Vernon's office, all I could think about was Lester's father and Lester having to go home and explain what happened to him. The humiliation, the fucking humiliation... must have been unreal. How the hell do you apologize for something like that? There's no way."

The others just stared in shock at his admission.

Steve's voice deepened, imitating his father. "'Steve, you've got to be number one! I won't tolerate any losers in this family. Win! Win! Win!' He's like this mindless machine who I just can't relate to anymore. God, I fucking hate the way he is. Sometimes when I'm in the court I just wish my knee would give. If I couldn't play again, he'd probably forget all about me, and then I could get on with my life."

Your voice strained around the lump in your throat. "Why do you do everything he says?"

"I don't know. I've been told what to do for so long that I don't know how to say no."

"What did you guys do to get in here?" Nancy asked.

"You first." Eddie challenged.

"I got caught skipping class, trying to investigate Hawkins lab."

"Why were you trying to investigate Hawkins lab?"

"I think they had something to do with Barb's death."

You wondered who this 'Barb' was, then you remembered Barbra Holland who had mysteriously disappeared, presumed dead, almost exactly one year ago. Robin's head hung low at the name. When Barb began first grade, she became best friends with Robin, but when the girls began sixth grade, Barbara had met Nancy and eventually drifted apart from Robin. It wasn't Robin's fault that they had drifted apart, but she couldn't help but feel as though she could have done more to save their friendship. Perhaps if she had, she wouldn't have gone missing. 

You had seen Barbara Holland walking around the school with Nancy. You thought the pair was a strange duo, especially when Nancy started becoming more and more popular. That being said, however, she always seemed nice. Volunteering for different school committees, helping other students study in the library, even helping to set up for basketball games. If she was still alive, you supposed you could have tried to be friends with her after today. 

"What did you do, Rob?"

"Oh, I-I can't say." Her face flushed.

"C'mon, why not? We said ours."

Her heart was racing and pressure was weighing down on her chest. She looked to Steve. His eyes were filled with concern. Those big brown puppy dog eyes that made her feel bad for keeping anything from him.

"I-I got... caught... with someone."

"Caught doing what?"

She took a sharp breath. Nancy's question hadn't done anything to release the weight trying pulling her heart into her stomach. "Something... in the janitors closet."

Eddie laughed. "Buckley, you dirty little rascal. Who was it?"

"I can't say." She shied.

"Oh, c'mon."

"Tell us, Rob."

"C'mon, tell us who it was."

A chorus of 'tell us' chants bashed around in her skull. The weight was getting heavier and heavier until the band snapped.

"Vickie!"

The band had released her heart and sling-shot it up into her throat. She could hardly swallow as tears sprung in her eyes.

"Vickie. Vickie from band, Vickie?"

"Yes!" And although the band had snapped, the weight had gone. Her secret had been fermenting and sizzling inside her, bottled up and expanding until the lid popped and it finally spilled and overflowed. 

"But, Vickie's a girl."

"Oh, Robin." You gasped at the realisation, rubbing her arm to console her. 

"Holy shit."

Her voice trembled. "I get if you guys don't want to be near me anymore--"

"No, Rob. Why wouldn't we want to be near you?" Steve questioned, almost offended that Robin would thing he would stoop that low. 

"I'm a freak."

"Hey, look who you're talking to." Eddie's voice was soft, yet playful. "Nobody's more of a freak than me."

Everybody laughed, you included, although you felt kind of bad. You were all as much of a freak as each other, you had learned today. It was good that Eddie could laugh about it, but he shouldn't have to in the first place. 

You had hoped that the subject would change there, but the dreaded question was pointed at you. "So why are you here, Sweetheart?"

You cleared your throat. "I told my parents that I had cheer practice cause they'd flip if they found out I got a detention."

"Right, that's not exactly what I meant. What did you do to get in here?"

You sighed. Robin and Steve had been brave enough to share their story. You thought it only fair to tell yours, despite your reluctance.

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"I told my boyfriend that I had detention so I didn't have to see him."

"Wow, I didn't know Billy Hargrove was that bad in the sack." Eddie chuckled.

"No, it's not that. We haven't even..."

"Oh, so you are a virgin!"

"Do you believe in all of that no sex before marriage bullshit?" Steve asked, intrigued.

"So what if I do?" You snapped.

You didn't, but you were offended for your mother's sake. Not that you knew why you were, almost like she had drilled it into your head, or branded it onto your brain with a hot iron where it would scar forever.

But scars can fade.

"Nah, she doesn't. She wants to, but she doesn't." Eddie folded his arms as if to say "watch me rip this girl to shreds". "I can see it in those sweet little eyes of yours. You're just daddy's little girl and mommy's little princess - a kiss ass. Sucking up to your parents' beliefs just to get what you want"

"I do not."

He rolled his eyes, firmly standing by his statement. Nothing would persuade him to think otherwise. "Whatever you say, sweetheart. But you and I both know that I don't need no damn preacher to make you mine."

"Ugh, you're impossible."

Nancy eagerly changed the subject. "So why didn't you want to see your boyfriend?"

Your demeanour instantly shifted. Your glaring eyes turned wide with fear at the mention of Billy. You immediately pulled at your sleeve to hide the bruises on your wrist. The once angry beat of your heart thumped cowardly along the vein in your neck, as if threatening to escape in a scream. "He -umm- he has a bit of a temper. Lately, I feel like nothing I do is good enough for him, and he tends to... lash out."

Eddie rolled his eyes at you. You were as close to perfect as someone could get in his eyes. How could your life not be perfect too? "Nah, I don't buy it. Look at you, all that skin showing, and there's not a scratch on you."

You anger returned in a crash, tsunami waves flooding into your eyes and a whirlpool swirling in your gut. How dare he question you. Eddie hadn't even plucked up the courage to share a single thing about himself, and yet here he was, judging you for being brave enough to. 

"Fuck you!"

In a blaze of fury, you stormed off with stomping feet and secluded yourself in the listening room. Slamming the door behind you, you slumped yourself on the floor against the rack of records. You attempted to control your breathing, but your anger reduced you to nothing but a mess of tears, and you began sobbing uncontrollably into your own arms.

The others stared at Eddie with a mix of shock and disgust. Eddie was used to that kind of reaction. But why did he hate how it felt? He looked into himself as the others had and found that he was just as disgusted with himself. The guilt that coiled around his stomach almost made his throw up. He swallowed it down and avoided the others' gaze as he stood and made his way to you, despite the others telling him to leave you alone.

His heart lurched when he heard you choke out a sob from behind the door. He clenched his fist, angry at himself, but knocked gently on the door.

"Leave me alone." You tried to say angrily, but it sounded so heartbroken that it had no bite to it.

Eddie ignored your request and bravely opened the door. You didn't need to look up to know who it was who sat beside you. The lingering smell of weed, smoke and cheep cologne told you it was Eddie. You didn't make any effort to move, not wanting Eddie to see how his words had effected you.

After a few beats of silence, Eddie finally spoke. "I'm sorry."

"Whatever." You sniffed, keeping your head hidden in your arms.

"No really. I am."

The honesty in his voice made you pause. You stopped your tears with a final sniff and raised your head to look at him. The look on his face when he saw you was if he was going to cry himself. At first you thought how dare he cry after how he made you feel but you could see the regret seething in his chocolatey irises. 

"I am so sorry Y/N. I didn't mean any of it. I was just... just..."

"Just what?"

"Angry, I guess."

"At me?"

He rubbed the back of his neck. "No, well kinda. Not angry at you, angry because of you..."

"What do you mean?"

You questions were bashing around his skull. He raked his hands over his face. He was frustrated at himself for not being able to give you the answer you wanted to hear, and not being valiant enough to express his feeling to you. Instead, he did the cowardly thing and changed the subject.

"Can I ask you something?"

You nodded, although you were disappointed that he didn't give you an explanation. But you understood that sometimes feelings can be hard to communicate. You knew that Eddie wasn't one to share his feelings and you doubted that he ever would. Not to you anyway.

"Why don't you leave him?"

It was a question you asked yourself all the time. You knew exactly why, you just didn't have the courage to end it. It was easier to ask yourself the question. To you it was some sort of first step to leaving Billy. But that's all it was, a step. One step forward and three steps back. You would tell yourself to leave him, then he would look at you with a storm reeling in his eyes and you would back down. Too chicken shit to stand up for yourself, in fear of what he could do to you.

You took a shaky breath, tears threatening to spill again. "Because I'm scared to. What if all of this time he's been holding back, and leaving him just pisses him off to the max. He'd kill me. I've seen the look in his eyes. I bet if I pushed him hard enough he'd do it."

Eddie's heart was in his throat. He knew that feeling all too well. "Shit, Y/n. I'm sorry you have to go through that."

"I guess it's my own fault." You sniffed. "I dated him thinking it would get back at my parents, but they love him. He's like a completely different person around them, it's so frustrating. He could do no wrong in their eyes. I bet if I told them what he'd been doing they'd take his word over mine."

You paused for a brief moment. Sharing your thoughts with Eddie had forged some clarity and you wondered why you were pouring your heart out to the person who had just hurt your feelings. He had apologised, but could you forgive him? He frustrated you to no end, so why did you have such a soft spot for him?

"I don't get you Eddie."

"What do you mean?" He sat himself straight at your sudden change in demeanour.

"I just don't know how to take you."

"I can think of some ways for you to take me." He smirked sending you a wink.

Any other time, you would have blushed, but he only proved your point.

"See, this is what I'm talking about. One minute we're at each others throats, the next you're acting like your my friend and then you're flirting with me. I just don't know what I'm meant to do."

He turned to you and took your hands in his. "Look I'm sorry. It's just that I...."

"You...?"

I like you and I'm a jealous asshole because you like someone else. He couldn't tell you that, of course. He removed himself from you and wrapped his arms round his knees, mimicking your position. "Whatever, I'm just sorry, okay?"

"Then why don't I believe you?"

"I'm telling you the truth, I swear."

"Prove it."

"Prove it how?"

You paused. The two of you were cursed. Cursed by those who were meant to protect you, to love you; angels that were monsters in disguise. A curse of bruises and scars and broken bones, forever scared to stand up for yourself, scared to love. You wanted to ask him about it. How did he put up with it? You recalled when Steve said it was a part of Eddie's image. You wanted to know the truth.

"Do your parents really beat you?"

Annoyance flashed across his eyes. The question made his blood boil. "What kind of question is that?"

"Just answer it Eddie. Please" 

"Yes..." He snapped, but you looked at him with those big, watery puppy dog eyes again and he couldn't help but cave. "Well, they did. I don't actually live with them anymore. I live with my uncle. He looks after me."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"It's whatever." His anger had cooled to a simmer, but it still sizzled in his gut. 

"Can I ask you something?" You repeated Eddie's earlier question. "If your home life is a lot better now, why do you act the way you do?"

He sighed. "I guess Harrington was right before. To keep up my image. If I look all mean and scary, people are less likely to pick on me and my friends. They sort of look up to me, so I gotta put on a brave face, you know?"

You nodded, but felt like he was holding back. "Any other reason?"

"I guess... I mean, I've always been a nobody, so I guess doing all this, acting the way I do, makes me feel seen. The only time my parents ever really payed attention to be was when they were beating on me, so... I guess old habits die hard."

You nodded again, letting silence fall between you. You could tell that your questioning had upset Eddie. Irritation was practically steaming off him. Eddie hadn't shared so much of his life with anyone, not even the Hellfire boys. He was torn between feeling relieved to get it off his chest, and being annoyed at himself for opening up to you so easily.

"Good session today, Munson. Same time next week?" You joked, trying to lighten the mood.

You wiped the tear stains from your cheeks and stood up to go and join the others. Although you didn't say anything more to him, Eddie he knew he was forgiven. But somehow, that didn't make him feel much better. You stood in the doorway and turned to see if Eddie was following you. Eddie hadn't moved an inch and stayed looking like he was stuck in his own head

"Eddie, if its any consultation, I'd like to think that I can see you now. The real you."

You left him to join the others. They stared at you like you were a bomb going to burst any second, but you simply brushed them off and sat back in your seat. The silence was awkward until Robin spoke.

"Can I ask a question? What happens on Monday?" She asked but received no answer. "I'm assuming we're friends. Right? We're doing things together, we're talking about our private lives, we've broken the law together. It seems like we can call ourselves friends. I think of you guys as my friends anyway. Am I wrong?"

"No. I don't think you're wrong" Eddie piped up, returning to the circle, sitting opposite you and not daring to look you in the eye.

"So, on Monday. What happens?"

"You mean are we still friends?" Nancy asked. "If we're friends now, that is."

Everyone had an interest in the question but no one wanted to commit to an answer. You all eyed each other, waiting for the other to speak. In your ideal world, you would walk into school on Monday waving to Nancy and Steve, saying hello to Robin as Eddie walked you to Mr. Kaminski's chemistry class without a care in the world. 

But would that really happen? 

No.

Because you did care. You cared about what Carol thought, you cared about what Tommy thought, the cheerleading squad, Billy. God, you'd hate to think what Billy would do if he saw you walking the halls with these people. Not only what he would do to you, but what he would do to them.

"Truth?" You braved an answer, fidgeting with the watch on your wrist. "I don't think so."

Steve scoffed at you in disgust. "That's a real nice attitude."

"Be honest, Steve. On Monday, if Robin come up to you in the hall what would you do? When you're there with all the sports."

Steve looked at Robin, nervously. He was on the spot.

"I know exactly what you'd to. You'd  say 'hi' to her and when she left, you'd cut her up so that your friends wouldn't think you really liked her." You answered for him.

You and Steve were friends with the same types of people. You knew all too well how it would go down because you knew your friends.

"No way." He shook the hesitance from his brain, his face laced with determination as he finally thought for himself. "Not anymore."

Robin looked at Steve sadly. "Anymore?" 

"Truth is," Steve puffed his chest like he was about to perform an important speech, keeping his eyes on Robin. "I've been friends with Robin for a while-"

"Steve, you don't-"

"We work at Scoops Ahoy together in Starcourt. And she is the bestest friend I could ever ask for. I mean, she's just so real. None of this fake shit like Tommy and Carol. And she's always there for me, like always. I don't know what I'd do without you, Rob. I've had enough of being fake. From now on, Rob, it's gonna be you and me. I don't give a shit what anyone else says. And I'm sorry I didn't do this sooner."

"And what if I walked up to you?" Eddie asked you, optimistic after your previous conversation and hopeful that Steve's speech had given you some encouragement to change your mind.

You looked at him sadly. You hated to say it to him, but he was truthful to you earlier, it was only fair you did the same. Your voice fell quiet, a regretful whisper. "What I said before."

He looked at you like you had just stabbed him in the back. Ruefully, you had. "Don't be a bitch." He snapped.

You were taken aback. You knew Eddie was frustrated with you for questioning him before, but you thought he would have gotten over it. At least enough for him to join the circle again. Perhaps not. 

"What, I'm a bitch for telling the truth? I couldn't, not with Billy-"

"No! Because you know how shitty that it is to do to someone. You admit it and you aren't strong enough to tell your friends to fuck off and let you be friends with who you want!"

"And what about you? Why don't you take Steve to one of your heavy metal vomit parties?"

Eddie shot a look at Steve. You've got him.

"Take Nancy out to the parking lot at lunch and get high. Or me for that matter .. What would your friends say if they saw you and me walking down the hall together? They'd laugh their asses off and you'd cut me up. You'd probably say I'm doing it with you so they'd forgive you for being with me? Correct?"

Steve saved Eddie from an answer. "Okay. I assume Robin and I are better people than you guys." He turned to Nancy. "Would you do that?"

"I don't really have any friends anymore." She shied.

"If you did?"

"No, the kind of friends I'd have wouldn't mind."

There was a silence of a storm suddenly quelled. A pause long enough for everyone to calm down. 

Steve's voice was unusually quiet and timid. "Are we gonna be like our parents?" 

"Yes." Robin's answer was blunt.

"Why do you say that?"

"It's unavoidable."

"Not me." Eddie was determined.

"It just happens. When you grow up... your heart dies." 

You all sat, breathing in the heavy silence. It wasn't uncomfortable by any means, but it still felt heavy. The truth had been spilt whether everyone like it or not, but still, everyone had accepted it. They had accepted that things may just go back to the way they were before, but they also accepted that things could also never be exactly the same. It was a strange mixture of hope, solemn and acknowledgment. And for you - fear. You wanted to be friends with these guys. You wanted things to be different on Monday, but thoughts of Billy shrouded your desires. The things he would say or do if he found out what had happened in this room today; the friendships made, the truth told, the kisses shared. You'd rather wallow in your own self pity.

~~~~~

3:50pm

~~~~~

"Are you sure about this?"

"Absolutely, he won't be able to resist you."

Your eyes fluttered to the ceiling as Nancy prodded at your waterline with her black eyeliner pencil. 

Despite your differences earlier, everybody seemed okay with each other now. You'd all had time to cool off and apologise to one another. Unfortunately, you had meant what you'd said earlier, but you were still sorry for it.

You were currently in the seclusion room with Nancy and Robin giving you what they deigned a 'Munson Make-over'. Robin had given you her spare t-shirt from her bag. It was simply black and large enough to stop at the exact point on your thighs where your skirt had been. You hadn't wanted to take it from her, arguing that there may come a time where she'll need it more that you, but she refused, vowing that she 'just might have found something worth staying for'. 

You made a last minute decision to ditch the skirt underneath when the shirt started bunching up weirdly and making you look frumpy. You felt about ten times more exposed somehow, but the girls reassured you that you looked great. Nancy used a small make-up brush to finalise the finishing touches to your eyes, smudging the black in an edgy way that made the colour of your eyes pop. 

This hadn't been your idea, but a combined effort from both Nancy and Robin when she had accidentally blurted out your admission to having a crush on Eddie earlier. For once you finally felt like a teenager. Not having to worry about what people might think, just girls doing make-up and talking about boys like they do in the movies. 

And something stirred in your gut. Perhaps regret, or maybe defiance, but a pull in your chest decided that maybe you would take back what you had said about ignoring them on Monday. After a few swipes of mascara over your lashes, Nancy affirmed that you were done and 'ready to get your man'. Nancy leaned back to admire her handy work. With a big smile, she grabbed a compact mirror out of her bag and turned it to face you. Your eyes widened, stunned and not believing that it was you in the mirror. It was crazy how a bit of make-up could change the way you looked drastically. 

"Is this me?" You laughed in astonishment.

"It's you."

Your surprise quickly turned to insecurity. Never in your life had you worn make-up like this and you were starting to second guess whether or not you could pull it off. 

"But what if he laughs at me?"

Robin rolled her eyes. "He won't laugh, you look great. C'mon."

They urged you out of the door after assuring you that Principal Higgins was no where to be seen, and you made your way to the broom closet Eddie had told you he had been locked in. 

Eddie had managed (with the help of Steve) to clamber back up the hole in the ceiling that he had made. He was currently sitting on an upside down bucket, fiddling with his coat and scarf. The door swung open abruptly and Eddie stood tall, expecting to see Principal Higgins before him. Instead, you stepped into the room, keeping your eyes on Eddie with smirk as you leaned your back on the door to shut it. You crossed you legs over one another shyly as Eddie gawked at you. Your body felt like it was burning as he raked his eyes over you. 

"Hey." He said. It was the only thing he could think of in his state of disbelief.

"Hey."

His lack of response was worrying you. Nancy had tried so hard to convince you that Eddie liked you, but you were beginning to think that maybe she had been wrong. Eddie was nothing but a moment. Five measly years out of an entire lifetime. But do you simply let the moment pass you by, or do you seize the moment and make something out of it?

"What are you doing here?"

"I've come to see you."

"Me? Why?"

"I'm sorry, do you want me to go?"

"No, no, no, I don't want you to go. Sorry, it's just different being alone with you. Like properly alone with you, especially when you look like that."

"Good different?"

"Definitely good different." 

You smiled, feeling a bit more confident in yourself. You moved towards him and he took your hands in his.

"Listen, I've been wanting to tell you this, but I never really found a great time, especially with the other guys around all the time."

"What is it?"

He paused, having second thoughts about telling you. He knew you liked someone else. What if you just laughed in his face? No, you wouldn't do that. He'd opened up to you before, he could do it again. 

He released an exasperated sigh. "I like you, okay"

When you didn't reply in your state of shock, he continued. "I really like you, but I don't want to. I never thought that I could like someone like you. That's to say the popular chick, the cheerleading captain, you know what I mean. I spent my whole life hating people like that because they were all just bullies." He scoffed a laugh like he could hardly believe what he was saying. "And then you come along and you were just... different. I don't know how to explain it, there's just something about you. Something that I like."

"But I know you don't like me." He quickly added, drooping his head to face the ground.

You couldn't believe what you had just heard. Your heart was threatening to beat out of your chest. Eddie does like you. You wanted to scream in happiness. But he thinks you like someone else. "what makes you think that?"

"I overheard you say to Nancy that you liked someone."

You laughed in incredulity. "That was about you, airhead!"

"It was?" His head snapped back up, looking at you with wide eyes.

"Do you think I'd dress like this if it wasn't for you?"

"Oh baby," he held your hands gently, pulling you forwards for you to look directly at him, "you look smoking hot don't get me wrong, but you don't have to change yourself for me, okay?"

You nodded, giving him a shy smile.

"You do look smoking hot by the way." He smirked pulling you closer so you were chest to chest. 

He tilted your chin up softly, eyeing the way your kissable lips parted for him and eyelids drooped with desire. Just a simple touch from him could ignite something deep within you. Something that had been dormant for so long. 

Passion? Desire?

Love?

"Eddie." You whispered against his lips.

"Yes, baby?"

"Do you really mean it? Do you really like me?"

"I do, sweetheart, I really do."

"Good." You rested your forehead against his as he stroked a wisp of hair from your face.

"Hey, sweetheart?"

"Yes, baby?" You teased.

"Can I kiss you?"

Your nodded, seizing the moment. You had never been more sure of anything in your life. Your eyes closed, ready for Eddie to press his lips against yours for your first real kiss.

"Munson-- What the...?"

The two of you jumped apart when the door swung open and Principal Higgins stood there looking rather puzzled. He was confused about how you had ended up in the closet, and why you had completely changed your look, but he didn't say anything. He was tired and wanted to go home.

"Let's go." He snapped.

The two of you made your way out of the closet and walked back to the library, Principal Higgins following closely behind like the two of you were going to run away from him any second. The walk to the library was short. The two of you sat down together and Higgins stood sternly before everyone with his arms crossed. He eyed everyone up in a way that was supposed to be intimidating.

"Papers?"

Nancy slid a single piece of paper across the table. Higgins picked it up wearily, reading the signatures of the kids scribbled in a mixed array of handwriting across the top. He looked mystified by the paper, but before he could open his mouth, the bell rang and everyone immediately gathered their things and left, leaving Higgins to read the paper alone.

Dear Principal Higgins,

We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong, but we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us — in the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain and an athlete, a basket case, a princess, a cheerleader and a criminal.

Does that answer your question?

Sincerely yours,

The Breakfast Club

~~~~~

Saturday.

October 25th, 1984.

Hawkins High.

4:05pm.

~~~~~

The sky had reclined into a rich blue, shadows stretching across the school's front steps in the setting sun. The five of you made your way down the stairs to the few cars outside. 

Nancy held hands with Steve on the way down, giving him a peck on the cheek before getting into her mother's car. She immediately began questioning her as they drove off down the road. Steve did a not-so-secret fist pump, and waved everyone goodbye before getting into his fathers car.

"See you guys on Monday." Robin bid you both farewell as she got in the back of the final car. 

You and Eddie stood in a comfortable silence side by side on the final step, neither of you wanting to say goodbye yet. 

"You know, I was thinking." Eddie broke the silence, wrapping an arm around your shoulders and leaning his weight on you. "What if there was another way to get back at your parents?"

"Like what?" You playfully shrugged him off, turning to face him.

"Well, I'm sure dating a metalhead weed smoker wouldn't appease them too much." 

You smiled at the way he put it, but frowned almost instantly when a sudden thought flashed behind your eyes. "What about Billy?"

"Let me deal with him." You don't look too convinced. "I'm stronger than I look, you know."

There was a relief that took a weight off your chest. Could this finally be over? Happiness felt like it was bursting in sunrays in your heart, making you giddy. You couldn't stop the smile from stretching across your lips. 

"I'll believe it when I see it." You teased. "Wouldn't want our first date to be at the hospital."

"So is that a yes?"

A chilly breeze rustled through the trees, borrowing your body heat and giving you goose bumps in return. A weight fell on your shoulders when Eddie placed his coat over you.

"Eddie you don't have to."

"You think I'm gonna let you walk home in the cold wearing that?"

"Maybe not." You smiled. "Let me give you something in return then."

"Oh you don't--"

You reached for your watch, unclasping the thin metallic band before grabbing his wrist and wrapping it around.

"You're giving me your watch? Why?"

You fastened it as loosely as you could, but it was still a little tight on him. He didn't resist, however, instead he watched you intently and read the time on it when you were done.

"Because tomorrow night, when the big hand hits twelve and the little hand hits seven, I want you to come pick me up."

"Pick you up? Like a date? So it is a yes."

Butterflies fluttered in your stomach. You couldn't decide whether it was from excitement or nerves. You could only hope that Eddie will placate his chronic tardiness to show up at your door at exactly seven o'clock on the dot. But, you would have to find out tomorrow.

"But where do you want to go?"

"Leave that to me. Think of it as an early birthday present."

Eddie smirked, bending down to wrap his arms around your waist, bringing you close enough that a turn of your head would end up with your lips together. "Tell you what, you know what I want for my birthday?"

"What would that be?"

"I do believe I asked you for a kiss earlier."

"You did, but I guess you'll have to wait for your birthday for that." You smirked, pulling away and hopping off the step, making a start homeward.

You turned around teasingly to see Eddie frozen on the step completely stunned. You giggled to yourself, turning back with a skip in your step. You took about ten more steps before turning around again, only to see Eddie right behind you. He wrapped his arms around you waist, picking you up and spinning you around as your laughter echoed across the school field. 

"Oh no you don't, sweetheart." 

He span you around wildly as you attempted to beg him to stop through your laughter. His fingers prodded at your ribs, tickling you into submission. With a final dizzying spin, he set you down with a chuckle. You grabbed onto his shoulders to steady yourself as the world kept spinning around you. 

"Fine, just one kiss."

"That's more like it." He smiled.

He gently placed a calloused hand along your jaw, cupping your cheek to pull you closer. Your eyes closed softly as his lips finally pressed to yours in your first proper kiss together. The kiss was sweet with passion, pure and vulnerable with a promise of love. His warm tongue stroked against your lips tenderly and you threaded your hands through his hair, tilting your head as you massaged your tongue against his. He moaned softly into your mouth, using his other hand to draw your bodies together. 

Hesitantly, you pulled apart, the two of you with heavy eyelids and drunken smiles.

"How about I walk you home? Make a start on trying to "impress" your parents."

"I think I'd like that."

Somehow, eight hours in a school library had managed to change your life completely. Fate was the librarian, usually known for matching you with the book you want. Only this time you all got paired with a book you didn't want, or rather one that didn't suit your taste. Yet, you read it anyway and discovered that it is possible to branch out. It is possible to make changes, and that changes can be for the better. You can learn things that you otherwise wouldn't have about life, people, love. You can learn that everyone is different, yet we all share the same emotions. Insecurity and vulnerability can be embraced, and there is no right and wrong. At the end of the day, what matters most is acceptance, within yourself and within others.

~~~~~

<<<Previous // Next>>>

~~~~~

Taglist: @cruwushes @the-ch0sen-on3 @namelesshumanperson @ali-r3n @cadence73 @munsonssweets @ahoyyharrington @mewchiili @yourdailymemedelivery @httpsunflowers @b-irock @coolglittercornbae @sav12321 @cumslutforaemond @siriuslysmoking @learninglinesintherainn @peaches-roses-sins @lodeddiperrodrick @catherinnn @lilocapoca @minniedreamers @melaninjhs @chaosfrogsonfire @levylovegood @bowsforsienna @rcailleachcola @spookysace24 @metalhead-succubus

[dyns33]

Flufftober 2024 - Michael Myers

Last long story of the flufftober 2024 ! I know, it would be logical to post about Michael on Halloween, but I had an idea for a too long stories, and they are posted on sunday... Not my fault Halloween is not on sunday =(

Everyone had warned her when she decided to become a nurse at Haddonfield Memorial Hospital.

It was very honorable of her to want to take care of people that the world preferred to forget because they were too dangerous to be placed elsewhere.

Maybe they were still human, despite all the horrors they had committed to get to this place, and as such, they should at least be treated with dignity. But there were many other unfortunate people waiting for this kind of attention, and who were not likely to try to kill her as soon as her back was turned.

"You're not weird." her best friend had sighed when Y/N had told her the news. "You don't want to see these sick people, only another sick person would want that."

Y/N hesitated to tell her that everyone had a little bit of madness, and that perhaps a part of her was a bit dark, even if she didn't want to admit it herself.

Instead, she put on her smiling mask without saying anything. It was easier.

The desire to see special cases was there, but it was really mostly by vocation.

From the first day, it was obvious that she was going to have a lot of work.

There were a lot of patients who required constant vigilance, but on top of that, there were also a lot of doctors and nursing assistants who clearly needed treatment, sometimes more than the patients. The worst of them was Doctor Samuel Loomis.

Y/N quickly wondered what the point of this doctor was who seemed to only take care of one patient for over ten years, without really giving the impression of trying to treat him, using him mainly to write best-selling books.

It hurt the nurse enough to see how he treated Michael.

Of course Michael Myers was no saint. He had killed a classmate, his stepfather, his sister and her boyfriend when he was ten, without showing the slightest sign of remorse.

At the same time, he didn't seem to remember his crimes.

Growing up in a dysfunctional family, bullied at school, lonely, there were several ways to explain his actions.

He hadn't touched his little sister Angel, whom he seemed to love more than anything, like his poor mother who had committed suicide in despair at seeing her child locked up forever in this hospital and after he had attacked a supervisor.

Since then, he had walled himself up in silence, without having the slightest incident.

According to Doctor Loomis, this was proof of his evil side.

"Michael is evil. He wants you to believe that he is not dangerous, that he is human, that he is capable of change. That what he did was just an isolated act. Don't be fooled. He will kill you if he gets the chance."

Y/N didn't claim that he was wrong, nor that he was right.

The few times she had seen Michael, when she had been able to observe his eyes through the holes in his masks, it had been obvious that he was smarter than he appeared.

Huge, strong, he could crush a man's neck with one hand if he wanted to. He didn't do it, and no one could say why he didn't do it exactly.

Without wanting to be naive, Y/N also wanted to believe that he only struck those who deserved it, according to his own moral scale, those who hurt him, or who got in his way.

Maybe he could take pleasure in this act of violence, or maybe he didn't even understand what he was doing, seeing these people only as nuisances and not as human beings.

It must not have helped that people didn't treat him like a human being himself.

Y/N had therefore made the decision to be polite and gentle with him, not out of fear or obligation, but because he needed it. With Ishmael, they were probably the only ones who acted like this with him.

"Good morning Michael. I hope you slept well, I'll bring you breakfast." she would say cheerfully every morning.

Like every morning and the rest of every day, Michael didn't answer, barely reacting by moving when necessary.

In order not to rush him, Y/N didn't ask him any questions. She didn't want him to think that she was like Loomis, that she wanted to force him to communicate. A kind of unspoken rule between them.

"You should be happy, it's your favorite cereal today, with milk and orange juice. I'll move your stuff to put the food on the desk. Oh, a new mask ! It's very beautiful, Michael."

No reaction, or at least not at first sight. Because his eyes didn't leave her for a second as she took the mask to gently place it on his bed. It wasn't the first time she had seen his masks. All the walls of the room were covered with them and Michael made a new one every day.

However, Y/N looked at this mask for a long time, longer than necessary. There was nothing special about it. The colors were dark, it seemed to be the work of a child, neither pretty nor exceptional. And, without thinking, she opened her mouth.

"Do you like my mask, Michael ?"

His face still impassive, he nevertheless tilted his head slightly as Y/N offered him her most beautiful smile, this smile that she had to display so that people would stop asking her if she was okay, why she seemed sad, angry, lost, weird.

A smile that ended up making her jaw hurt when she got home, sometimes tense and visibly fake when she was too tired to pretend.

Of course, Michael didn't answer. She didn't expect an answer. Still smiling, she left him with his breakfast and the rest of the day went normally.

But the next day, something happened.

To everyone's surprise, Michael had a direct interaction with someone, for the first time in years.

He still didn't say a word, but as Y/N set the tray on the desk, moving the new mask he had made, he growled like an animal.

At first the nurse thought he didn't want her to touch his things, but he growled even more when she moved to put the mask on the bed. Thinking he wanted to take it, Y/N calmly walked over to the giant to give it to him, but he raised a hand to push his creation back towards her.

He wanted her to keep it. It was a gift. Maybe he thought her "mask" wasn't good enough.

The dominant color was blue, with some touches of gray, red, and black. Impossible to tell what expression it represented.

With a genuine smile this time, Y/N thanked him. If it pleased him, he didn't show it.

She didn't thank him for the attention that Doctor Loomis was now giving her though. Impressed, curious, and probably a little jealous, he wanted her to participate in some sessions with Michael or to try everything to make him communicate.

"I don't think that would be a good idea, doctor." she said politely.

"You don't understand. What happened is sensational. Indescribable." "A patient thanked me because I treat him well and complimented his hobby. I don't see what makes you jump."

"This is Michael Myers we're talking about. He doesn't thank me. He has something on his mind, I don't understand what and we have to find out. Don't you see that it could put you in danger ?"

"I don't feel in danger."

"You're wrong."

Y/N wasn't going to deny that Michael could be dangerous. With his size, his strength, and after spending so much time locked up, it was normal to think that he could hurt someone.

But he wouldn't hurt her, she was certain of it. He had no reason to do that.

That was what she told herself when she found him in her kitchen a few weeks later.

The day before, Michael had escaped from the asylum by killing guards, then he had returned to his childhood neighborhood, where he had murdered several more people.

Wearing a white mask with a neutral expression and a mechanic's jumpsuit, he held a knife in his right hand, while touching the gift he had given her and that Y/N had carefully hung on the wall.

Frozen in the entrance, Y/N didn't know what to do. Even if his back was turned to her, he had to know that she was there. If she tried to run, he would have no trouble catching her.

She wasn't afraid, though. If Dr. Loomis's absurd theories were correct, Michael could sense that she wasn't afraid.

Slowly, he put the knife down anyway. If he wanted to, he could still snap her neck without any difficulty, but for the moment, his attention was fixed on the mask he had made for her.

"… Michael ?" she whispered, remaining still, watching his every move with curiosity.

For a moment, he placed the mask on her face. She couldn't see his expression, hidden behind that piece of plastic, but it was obvious that he was observing the result.

He finally put his work near the knife, placing his hands on her cheeks. The friction of his fingers almost felt like a caress.

Maybe her "mask" wasn't so bad after all. He hadn't really been able to see her completely when they were in the hospital.

His forehead pressed against hers and Y/N caught a glimpse of his eyes for a few seconds, and they seemed full of life, bright, seeing only her.

A sound outside broke this moment. A car door. Neither of them moved, until she sighed.

"Doctor Loomis is looking for you. Go to the room, Michael, please."

Y/N didn't care if the doctor got killed, she'd never liked him. But it might bring the police here, she'd get in trouble, they'd try to lock Michael up again. It hadn't helped that he'd been in a cage all these years.

"Please." she repeated, imitating him, one hand on his mask.

Like in the asylum, when he absolutely didn't have to, he obeyed. It wasn't as hard as she'd thought to convince Loomis that she was alone and safe. Even though he'd always been calm with her, even though he'd given her a gift, the doctor refused to believe that his dear patient could have given his attention to a little nurse when he'd been trying to talk to him all his life.

So no, there was no reason for the Shape to be in her house. Insignificant, normal little woman. Really, this guy wasn't very good at being a psychiatrist.

Like the good, wise boy he was, Michael had sat on the bed waiting for her. He let her lay him down, checking that he wasn't hurt, before taking a seat next to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Everything will be fine now, Michael. I'll help you. I know how to do it."

If she could, Y/N would make sure he didn't kill anyone else, that he would control his urges, like she knew how to control hers.

But if that didn't work, she would at least offer him a warm home where he could be himself. And for the first time, she could be herself too.

[jessicaslittlelovesickmess]

Good luck Babe

Pairing: Melissa Schemmenti x Reader

Warning: Angst, no happy ending, sad lesbians, internalised homophobia

You had gone to school with the Melissa Schemmenti, you had been best friends for years until she met Joe and he had been the reason for your distance.

It wasn’t a surprise when your phone rang so early in the morning until you saw the redheads name flash across your screen. “M-Melissa?” Having sobered up from the party the night prior “are you okay?” You sat up in bed pulling the sheets up to cover your bare chest from the morning chill.

Ignoring the glare from the woman beside you as the cool air hit her naked form, she knew how the redhead was. She wasn’t blind to Melissa’s attraction towards you but she knew not to be jealous, she was the one in your bed not the redhead.

Melissa sighed looking down at her kitchen table before speaking “I-… I just miss you is all, we barely speak anymore and I- just” she stumbled over her words. “I need you Y/n/n” her voice was soft as she whispered “come home please” she begged as her nails dragged along the treated wood.

It wouldn’t be any longer than two days before you saw one another for the first time in years, you let yourself into her home through the open front door. Your bags in the rental car, graduation had led you both down different paths, Melissa became a teacher and you a fashion designer a famous one at that.

Melissa was sat on her couch, feet pulled under her as she stared into nothing nursing a large glass of wine in hand. You leaned against the doorframe “Melissa” you sang sadly watching your once closest friend, her head whipped around until she saw you “Y-Y/n?” She stuttered.

She slowly stood from the couch before warily making her way to you “thank god you’re here” she sobbed falling into your arms it was odd to see her so vulnerable.

Our last year of high school

“I-I like you Mel” you confessed as you both sat in your car stoned in her Nonna’s driveway, the hint of liquor on your breaths. “I like you too Y/n/n” she chuckled her eyes drooping as she leaned forward “No Melissa, I like you” I emphasised.

“Oh Y/n, I’m not like you. I’m not you know” she flung her wrist “you’re not gay?” I spoke softly though the hurt was evident. “Yeah” Melissa sighed “but we kiss and hold hands in public, we go on dates I mean we’ve even had sex! And you’re telling me..that you’re not gay?” .

Melissa wasn’t gay but there were pictures of you both kissing at parties or snap shots of hands down the other’s pants in a partially open bathroom. She wasn’t gay but still marked your skin and wore your clothes, she had a spare everything at your place.

It didn’t get any better when we got to college either, she had met Joe and I played the doting friend always smiling by her side. I hated it, how could he be the one to win her heart and hold her hand to kiss her so sweetly. Melissa’s Nonna couldn’t stand him, I lost count how many tea dates I had with the older woman as she held my hand ranting.

How Melissa would be better off admitting the “truth” Nonna could never be lied to even if you thought it was the truth. She mentioned how she would love to see her little Melissa with someone like you but you always chuckled sadly shaking your head.

“You’re gonna regret it one day Melissa, when you wake up next to him in the middle of the night with your head in your hands..you’re nothing more than his wife”. I stood behind her as she tried on various dresses “and when you think about me all of those years ago” I shook my head not wanting to say, I told you so.

“Good luck babe”

Melissa still married Joe nobody could help it not any of Nonna’s complaints or her mother’s curses and definitely not my broken heart. I made sure to get away after college, I would still be her friend but I couldn’t watch as she possibly created a family.

But now? As Melissa sobbed in my arms, mumbled words as her fingers dug into my skin desperately and the words I had once hoped for. “I’m in love with you tesoro, it’s always been you” she hiccuped hiding her face in my neck I said nothing just patting her back.

“Nonna was right, you were right hell! Even my mother was right. I’m miserable Y/n/n and I hate myself but I hate him more, why did I think it was a good idea?”

“Because you were in love, it makes us do crazy things”

Twelve years it took for her to come to this “I love you Y/n” she cupped my face “I love you too Melissa” I said gently. “You were right, I’m nothing more than Joe’s wife who stays at home blindly as he cheats and does whatever or whoever”.

My heart clenched for her “I know I was right Mel” I sighed softly “but I’ve moved on, you know this” she nodded sadly. “I’m your friend, I can’t be anything more than that” I kissed her forehead and wiped her tears before unlatching her arms and stepping back.

“Good luck babe”

Unfortunately Melissa never came out, going from man to man her latest being Gary the vending machine guy or the “hot” firefighter. And at night when the body beside her lay sleeping she still thinks about me..her best friend and wonders what it would’ve been like all of those years ago.

I hate to say I told you so..

[arcane-vagabond]

Meet Me at the Sea: Chapter Four

Meet Me at the Sea: Chapter Four

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Reader

Summary: Your best friend, Bob Floyd, had insisted you join him for the summer at his family's home along the Carolina coasts. You had been hesitant at first, but ultimately agreed to his request. Now, here you were in a new town with strange locals who spoke in hushed whispers and cryptic retellings about glistening scales, glowing eyes, and haunting songs that echoed from the sea. You didn't believe them at first, but when you wake up on the beach one morning after having fallen overboard the night before, you can't help but think that maybe you hadn't imagine the strong arms and deep, green eyes of the man that had saved you.

Trigger warnings: Language, talk of courting and mating, FBI, mentions of murder. Think that’s it.

Word Count: 3.87k

A/N: Here is Chapter Four! A whole lot of setting up what's to come, I think, but hopefully y'all still like it! If you're feeling kind/generous, please consider buying me a ko-fi! As always, reblogs, comments and likes are greatly appreciated! Asks/requests are always open! 18+ ONLY!! You can find me on AO3 under arcane_vagabond where I also post my updates!

Series Masterlist

“Are you still feeling alright, honey?” Susan asked you, checking you over. You gave her a small smile as she gave you a once over. Her green scrubs contrasted against her blonde hair, and the wrinkles around her eyes were more pronounced as she frowned at you worriedly. “You’re still taking it easy, right? Remember what Dr. Carson said when he checked you out the other day.”

“I’m fine, Susan. I promise,” you reassured the older nurse. She studied you for a second longer before turning to fix her coffee.

“You know, it’s a real shame about that Morris girl,” she continued. “She was always such a sweet girl. Wasn’t she in your class, Bobby?”

“No, she was a year ahead with Reuben, Nat, and Jake,” he muttered through a mouthful of Cheerios.

“That’s right,” she nodded.

Bob swallowed his mouthful and peered up at his mother. “Are you going to tell us what’s been going on?”

“You know,” she sighed exasperatedly, “I could have sworn I had told you. Or at least I would have if you bothered to answer your phone every once in a while.”

“You could tell me now?” Bob said sarcastically. Susan glared over at him.

“Tone, mister,” she warned before letting out another sigh and leaning against the kitchen counter. “I suppose it’s been a little over two months now since they found the first body. Everyone thought it was just an accident since it looked like a drowning. But then a couple of weeks later another body washed up, and then another one a couple weeks after that. They were all young women about the same age, and they all appeared to have drowned. Maverick was worried that there was a serial killer on the loose, so he called in a favor to Tom. You remember Tom, don’t you, sweetie?”

“Yeah, I remember Mr. Kazansky, Mom,” Bob nodded. “He was only the my baseball coach for most of middle school and high school.”

“Such a sweet man,” Susan nodded with a small smile towards you. “We were all sad to see him leave, but when the FBI offers you a job, what person in their right mind says no?”

“So he and that other guy are here because of this serial killer no one told me about?” Bob asked her, eyebrow raised.

Susan scowled at him, but let out a sigh. “Tom and his partner, Agent Simpson, got here about two weeks ago when the last body was found. I was talking to Tom the other day, actually, and he told me that there were signs of a struggle, which is why they got called in.”

“Should he be telling you that?” Bob frowned. She shrugged, sipping from her coffee mug.

“I think they’re holding a press conference today to discuss everything. He wouldn’t have told me if they weren’t already planning on telling everyone, I’m sure.”

“A serial killer,” you hummed, frowning. “That’s really scary, actually.”

“It is,” she agreed, eyeing you. “Which is why I want you to promise me that you won’t go off on your own at night, alright? You should be fine during the day time, especially with the summer crowds, but I want you to make sure you have somebody with you after the sun goes down.”

“I will, Susan,” you smiled.

Bob peered over at you from over his own coffee mug. “I promised Dad that I’d take the boat out with him today. I don’t suppose you wanted to tag along?”

“No,” you told him, shaking your head. “Nat actually texted me last night and asked me if I wanted to go and hang out at the boardwalk today, and I told her that I did. You’ll be okay without me, yeah?”

“‘Course,” he snorted, moving to take his dishes to the sink. “Wouldn’t be the first time you’ve ditched me for other friends.”

“If you’re talking about that time in sophomore year when I went with Abby and Rachel to the football game after you insisted that you would be a fourth wheel even though we all told you that you wouldn’t be, then this is not the same situation at all.”

“I beg to differ,” he laughed, heading for the back door.

“You can beg all you want, but it’s the truth,” you giggled. “Oh, wait!”

You got up from your own chair, moving to follow him.

“I think I left my bag on the boat last night,” you told him. “I’m going to grab it before I head out.”

The two of you walked down the stone path until you reached the small strip of sand that led out onto the dock.

“You know I’m not ditching you, right?” You asked him, suddenly worried that your best friend really did think you were trying to leave him behind. Bob snorted and looked over at you with a quirk of his brow.

“Of course I don’t,” he said, making a beeline for the boat that bobbed up and down with the waves. “I don’t expect you to tag along with me everywhere. I’m actually really happy that you and the gang are getting along so well.”

“Okay,” you trailed off. “Good. Because I really like hanging out with them.”

Bob chuckled as he stepped onto the boat, turning to face you. “I know. Stay right there and I’ll grab your bag, yeah?”

You nodded, turning to watch the waves as he disappeared towards the back of the boat. You glanced down when a shine of light danced in the corner of your eye. Sitting on the wood of the dock was a collection of more shells and pearls, and you immediately crouched down to take a better look at them. A couple of sand dollars were added into the mix this time and even more pearls of various shapes, sizes, and colors were mixed in with the lot. You picked each one up gently, inspecting them. Your favorite was the beautiful black pearl that rested in the center of the grouping. The oily colors on its surface danced as you inspected it, and you felt your skin prickle in delight.

Your gaze shifted to the breathtaking conch shell that rested near the edge, and you gingerly lifted it up to get a better look at it. It truly was a marvelous sight. One of the best specimens you had ever had the privilege of seeing.

“How much crap do you carry in this thing?”

You whirled around to see Bob grimacing as he made his way towards you with your simple hobo bag.

“I carry just what I need in it,” you replied to him, reaching an arm out to take the bag.

“What are you doing crouched over here?” Bob asked you, brow furrowing as he handed it off to you. He stopped short when he saw the collection of ocean treasures at your feet. He inspected them before moving his eyes up to meet yours.

“Look at these!” You grinned, gesturing down at them. “These are more spectacular than the last bunch! Have you ever seen such amazing specimens? And these pearls!”

“Yeah,” Bob said uneasily, eyes shifting to look out at the water. “They’re pretty great.”

You stood up suddenly, turning to fix him with a small glare.

“What is up with you?” You demanded, hands on your hips. “You love things like this! You’re the one person I know who gets more excited about this shit than I do, and you’re over here looking like someone just told you they were planning on kidnapping me. You did the same thing yesterday!”

Bob’s eyes widened at your outburst before melting into a sheepish expression as he looked away. He rubbed his hand on the back of his neck before letting out a sigh, looking back at you with an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry, y/n,” he sighed. “The shells are great, really. I guess I just have a lot on my mind with the murders and all that.”

You felt a wave of guilt wash over you, replacing the annoyance. Your hands moved to pull him into a hug, one he returned.

“Nothing is going to happen to me, okay?” You told him, squeezing him tight. “I’ll be extra careful to not be by myself at night, so you don’t have to worry about me, yeah?”

Bob didn’t say anything for a moment. He pulled back to look at you, a fond smile on his face as he regarded you.

“I’m always going to worry about you, you know,” he smirked, something serious behind his eyes despite the teasing tone he used. “You’re like the little sister I never had.”

“Bob,” you scoffed, crossing your arms over your chest. “I’m literally three months older than you.”

He grinned at that.

“Semantics.”

The street was busy as people walked back and forth along the boardwalk, taking in the different rides and stalls as the excitement for summer festival began to grow. Several decorations littered the pathways, all of various sea creatures and more than a few mermaids. You watched the different families, friends, and couples run around to the different events, and you let out a sigh as you checked your phone once again.

Sorry, Skip! Mom needed help with some things at the shop so I’m running late. Give me half an hour!

That had been thirty-five minutes ago, and you hadn’t heard anything. Sighing, you wiped the sweat from your brow, deciding to take a break from the overwhelming heat. You spotted a familiar, little shop and began walking towards it.

The bell above the door rang out as you stepped inside, letting out a breath of relief as the cool air washed over you. The shop hadn’t changed much in the days since you had last been in. There were new novelty items scattered about, but for the most part, Mrs. Cambroni’s shop was still quaint and cheesy.

The old woman appeared from the backroom, giving you a warm smile as she gave you a once over. Her eyes landed on your neck, an eyebrow quirking as she took in the raised skin that still shone in the light.

“My, my, dear,” she hummed, leaning against the counter. “What happened there?”

“Oh this?” You asked, resting your hand over the mark. You suppressed a shiver as a oddly pleasant feeling washed over you. “I had a bit of an accident the other day. I fell of a boat and washed up on shore.”

“Oh, how terrible!”

“Yeah, but I’m okay!” You chirped. “The doctor checked me out and said I was fine, just a little bruised. Said I was really lucky that nothing worse happened.”

“I’m sure you were,” she murmured, eyes still locked on your neck.

“But I guess I must have hit my neck pretty good on some rocks because the bump hasn’t gone away and the algae practically looks like it’s a part of my skin now,” you joked. Mrs. Cambroni blinked at you.

“The…algae?” She asked. You nodded, and she threw her head back in a fit of laughter. You stared at her in confusion until she calmed down, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye.

“I’m sorry, dear. I don’t mean to laugh,” she said through bouts of giggles. “What brings you by my little shop?”

“Oh!” You cried, moving closer to the counter. “Nothing really, I was just waiting for a friend, but she’s running late. So, I thought I’d pop back in and say hi after I got dragged out of here the other day.”

Mrs. Cambroni gave another hum, a knowing look on her face. She took a sip from the cup of tea she held in her hands.

“Have you found any interesting seashells along the beach since I last saw you?”

“Actually, yes!” You smiled, digging through your bag to pull out the collection you were beginning to compile. “I found these over the last couple of days. It’s strange though, none of these were on the beach. I found a pile of them on our boat and then another pile on the dock this morning. My friend said it must have been the current-”

Mrs. Cambroni’s eyes widened as she coughed up her tea, nearly choking on it as she fought to regain control over her breathing. You reached out a hand to soothe her, and she gave you a grateful smile.

“The current, you say?” She said, barely hiding her amusement. You nodded self consciously, and the old woman shook her head with a chuckle.

“Seems to me like you’ve caught the eye of a sea person, my dear.”

Now it was your turn for your eyes to widen. “What?”

“I’m surprised no one’s told you yet,” she mused, setting her cup down and examining the shells and pearls. “It’s part of the courting rituals for their kind, after all. Just like that intention bite on your neck.”

Your blood ran cold, recalling how your first reaction to the raised skin was that it looked like a bite mark.

“But it’s not-”

“Oh, but it is, dear child,” she smiled, no hint of malice to it, just understanding. “I’m not sure why no one is telling you the truth. Perhaps it’s because you aren’t a local, and they don’t know if you can be fully trusted yet. Or perhaps it’s because you were chosen in a moment of frenzy. Choice is such an important piece of the courting ritual, after all.”

“Is that why you’re telling me all of this?” You asked her, brow quirked. “Because you think I should have a choice?”

“Precisely. How can you make an informed decision without all of the pieces?”

“Alright, then,” You started, deciding to amuse the woman before you, “what is it you can tell me?”

“What is it you want to know?”

“Tell me more about the courting rituals. What are they? What does it entail?”

“Well,” she smiled, “that certainly is an interesting first question. It’s simple really. It starts with the bite mark on your neck. What you have right now is called an intention bite. This bite is to let other sea people know that you have been marked as the intended mate for someone. As long as that bite remains on your neck, every sea person who lays eyes on it will know that you are spoken for. If that wasn’t enough of a hint, it changes your scent as well.”

“Are you saying that I smell different?”

“Oh, yes,” she nodded. “But not in an unpleasant way, dear. And as long as that’s the only bite mark that remains on your neck, it’ll fade after a few months along with it. The intention mark is only meant to be a placeholder for the permanent mark.”

“And what is that?” You asked her. Mrs. Cambroni turned her serious gaze to your face.

“That would be the mating mark.”

“And what does that one do?” You murmured, voice barely above a whisper. You weren’t sure why you were entertaining this conversation, to be honest. Maybe it was your longstanding fascination with mermaids that kept you rooted there, listening intently. Or maybe it was because a part of you, one that you were trying your best not to acknowledge in that moment, believed her.

Before Mrs. Cambroni could respond, the bell above the door chimed again, and you both turned to see Nat red faced and out of breath as she looked at you.

“There you are!” She smiled, relaxing as she let out a sigh of relief. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

“Sorry!” You exclaimed, gathering your seashells and giving Mrs. Cambroni an apologetic smile. “I was getting really hot and I thought I’d stop in here for a few minutes.”

“No, I’m sorry,” Nat said, watching the older woman with a suspicious frown. “I lost track of the time after I texted you.”

You waved to the shop owner as you followed Nat out the door, the sun bathing you in its warm rays. You peered over at your friend, a mischievous smirk on your face as your eyes lowered to her neck.

“Wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with that huge hickey on your neck, right?”

Nat’s hand flew up to her neck, cheeks flushing as she tried to splutter out an excuse.

“So,” you chirped as your friend continued to recover her speech. “Which of the boys is it?”

“What makes you so sure it was one of them?” She muttered, the red on her cheeks growing more pronounced.

You ignored her. “My money is on Javy.”

“How did you know?” She shrieked, earning a couple of stares from passersby. You laughed at her expression.

“I didn’t until just now.”

Nat let out a long groan, hiding her face in her hands. You rested a hand on her shoulder to try and comfort her.

“Hey, it’s okay,” you said. “I think the two of you are really cute, and I don’t think the others have figured it out yet. I just see the way you two look at each other when you think no one else is. I wish someone would look at me like that.”

Natasha peeked out from behind her fingers, an oddly thoughtful look on her face as she studied you. Before you could ask, she was straightening up, a smile replacing her embarrassment.

“Do you think you could hold off on saying anything?” She asked you. You nodded, holding out your pinky to her. She wrapped her own around it, and the two of you shook on it.

“Scout’s honor, Nat!”

“Good!” She giggled, peering around the boardwalk. “What do you want to hit first?”

After Nat convinced you to take a ride on the tilt-o-whirl, you were sure you’d never walk straight again. You groaned as you fought to stay upright, nearly crashing into a man as you passed him. Your shoulder bumped his, and you turned around to look at him.

“I am so sorry!” You cried, hands reaching out to steady him, but stopping when you noticed that he was just fine. And staring at you. You gave him a sheepish smile, but the look on his face remained impassive. If the world wasn’t still spinning around you, you might have said that the green in his eyes glowed in the summer light. Natasha laughed beside you, throwing out another apology to the man as she dragged you off.

“Never again, Nat,” you said, suddenly feeling nauseous.

“I’m surprised you managed to make it without hurling!” She cackled, leaning you against the wood railing so you could catch your breath.

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” you muttered, leaning over the side.

“Natasha!”

The both of you turned to see the weathered face of the FBI agent and his partner strolling up to you.

“Oh! Hey, Mr. Kazansky!” She called out with a wave. You turned to face them just as they stopped in front of you.

“C’mon now, Nat. It’s Tom, you know that,” the older man chuckled, eyes moving to you. “And who is this?”

“Y/n,” you introduced yourself, reaching out a hand to shake his. “But everyone just calls me Skipper these days.”

“Ah! You must be the young lady Susan was telling me about the other day,” Tom smiled. “It’s good to finally put a face to a name. This is my partner, Agent Beau Simpson.”

“A pleasure,” the other man said as he shook both of your hands.

“So are you two enjoying the festival so far?” Tom asked, smile still on his face. “This small town isn’t too boring for you, is it, Skipper?”

“Not at all!” You assured him, shaking your head. “I think it’s quite a charming little place! And everyone has been so nice since I got here.”

“That’s good to hear,” he chuckled, eyes falling to your neck. “Where’s the lucky boy?”

You gave him a confused look, and Nat cleared her throat, stepping up.

“It’s so embarrassing,” she started, giving Tom a pointed look. “Javy and I have been seeing each other on the sly for a while now, and I didn’t even think he left a mark. I’ll have to tell him to be more careful next time.”

Tom glanced between the two of you, understanding dawning on his face. He gave another smile.

“Young love is such a wonderful thing, don’t you agree Beau?” He asked his partner, who just smiled in agreement. “Don’t keep it a secret for too long, Nat.”

“Of course,” she smiled.

“You two are being careful, aren’t you?” Asked Agent Simpson. Nat’s face could have been mistaken for a tomato from how hard she was blushing. Agent Simpson seemed to have realized what he said and a blush of his own crept onto his face.

“With the murders, I mean,” he explained quickly. Tom let out a chuckle as Nat cleared her throat. “We just got done giving a press conference. No curfew yet, but we’re advising young ladies to not be out at night on their own until we can find whoever is doing this.”

“Oh, of course!” You said, nodding your head in understanding. “We’re being careful! It’s such a shame what happened.”

“You two were there, weren’t you?” Tom asked.

“Yeah, we were,” you trailed off, feeling the nausea return at the memory of the girl’s body as it lay in the sand. You suppressed a shudder. “It was awful.”

“It was,” Beau agreed, giving you a sympathetic smile. “Which is why we don’t want to see anything happen to anyone else.”

“You don’t have to worry about us,” Nat said, a determined smile on her face as she looked at the two older men. Tom chuckled, eyes moving from her to you, still studying the mark on your neck.

“No,” he said finally. “I don’t suppose we will.”

You couldn’t help but think back to your conversation with Mrs. Cambroni.

As long as that bite remains on your neck, every sea person who lays eyes on it will know that you are spoken for.

“Well,” Tom started, eyes looking over your shoulder now, “you two ladies have fun! We won’t keep you any longer.”

He made to move, and Agent Simpson made to follow after him. The dark haired man stopped just after he passed you.

“Oh,” he said, “And don’t hesitate to let us know if you see anything suspicious, yeah?”

“We will!” Nat called after him as she started dragging you in the opposite direction. The whole exchange felt weird to you. Why had Tom asked Nat about who the lucky man was when he was looking at your neck? Why did he keep starting at it at all? What had he meant by not having to worry?

You took a deep breath, deciding that you were overthinking the matter and that Mrs. Cambroni’s stories had just gotten in your head. But even as you had made your mind up to ignore your questions, you couldn’t help but feel a pulse come from the base of your neck as if it were begging you to keep questioning.

[writersmess]

LET’S BE A MESS TOGETHER | EVAN BUCKLEY

Pairing: Evan Buckley x fem!reader

Summary: after Buck gets injured during a call, you realize you can’t live without him.

Warning: angst but fluff at some point

Word count: 2k

a/n: hey there! This is my first time writing for Buck so im pretty nervous hehe english is not my first language so im sorry if there’s any mistakes. Also it’s based on 6x11, cause nobody knows how much I cried on that episode. Hope you enjoy!!

Masterlist

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You’ve been friends with Maddie for a while now. You’ve met in nurse school and even though you were younger than her, it didn't stop you from creating this bond. After she moved to another town with Doug, you still managed to keep in touch, and when you found out about everything she’s been through, you’re really important in her recovery. You two were really inseparable now.

Being so present in Maddie’s life made you participate in the major events of her life. Her meeting and falling in love with Chim, becoming a dispatcher, and the best thing that could have happened in her life, Jee-Yun.

As time passed by you really became part of her family and with that being said, you became a very important figure in the big family that was 118.

They all loved you.

You were so caring, loving, willing to help anyone any time. Oh and your hugs, they were the best. And because you work in the hospital, it was quite common to bump into one of them between calls.

Although you were close to everyone, it was this pair of big blue eyes that always catch your attention.

Evan Buckley.

No matter where you were, your traitors eyes were always searching for his, and that side grin. Whether in a crowded bar, or at the hospital, or even at Maddie’s house, there you were, involuntarily looking for him. And surprisingly those blue eyes were already looking at you from the other side of the room all the time.

And the touches.

Somehow you were always touching each other. There was always an excuse for your hands to search each other’s bodies. When he told a very bad joke and apparently only you laughed, your hand was patting his arm. When after your usual breakfast together he would fix the collar of your jacket. When on cold days your arms would reach for his for warmth.

Eventually your hands moved like it had a mind of their own, reaching out to grab each others hands even if your eyes didn’t leave whatever you were focused on.

Everyone noticed the way you acted around each other. And even when one was not around, the other would always brought their name into the conversation. It was very clear to everyone the way you two felt about each other.

But nobody understood why you didn’t get together soon, why it had to be so complicated.

And what nobody really understood, was why he chose Taylor.

This broke you in so many ways and everyone could see how hurt you were. The way you stopped going to the weekly meetings, or how you stopped going to the bar after shift, or how you started avoiding them in the hospital hallways.

Hell, even Buck didn’t understand what he did.

The thing was that he got too carried away with that one night stand, and the next thing he knew he was too involved in this turbulent and full of lies relationship, that he just couldn’t get out of it.

So it was pretty normal to be surprised when you opened the door on a weekday and saw him standing at your doorstep.

“i broke up with Taylor” he said looking at you.

“oh okay?” you let him in and while closing the door, you close your eyes and took a deep breath.

“im so stupid you know”

You did know

“im not trying to be rude or something, but i don’t get why you came to me” he looked at you confused “i mean, we haven’t been talking much since you started dating her”

“i know and that’s why I’m such a fool. I should’ve never done that with you, with us.”

“look Buck I’m really not getting your point here” your heart was beating so fast.

“my point is, that I’m a mess, okay? And I have this thing where i self sabotage in literally every aspect of my life, specially my love life”

You keep quiet as he blurted out.

“every single time i was with her, every touch, every breakfast, every lunch or dinner, I was thinking of you”

You were still seating on the couch while Buck was about to make a hole in the ground from walking back and forth.

You were so hurt. He chose her, and the minute it’s all over, he simply comes after you to pour out a bunch of words full of feelings. It wasn’t that simple. What about you? What about what you had felt for so long? It wasn’t fair.

“look y/n i want to be with you”

He knelt in front of you and put his hands on your face. You finally let the tears roll down your face.

“you have no idea how long I’ve waited for this Buck” you started and could see that beautiful smile in his lips, only to be replaced with a confused expression when you took his hands out of your face. “until I had my heart broken when you decided to be with Taylor”

“y/n pleas-“

“you don’t get to show up at my door after months with her and say you'd rather be with me. Not when I was getting used to having our Sunday breakfast alone, not when I was starting to go back to the bar with the guys, because looking at you didn't hurt so much anymore. Not when-“

He hugged you.

Buck hugged you.

The words could no longer come out of your mouth and you simply let the tears roll off your face.

“i’m sorry. I really am.” He looked at you again while wiping your tears away. Buck gave you a sad smile. “i’ll give you some space, but i swear I won’t give up on you. On us.”

And then he left.

***

A few days has passed by and you were still trying to get yourself together after that night, but honestly you were hardly having time to think about anything since the days at the hospital have been intense due to these recent winds. You just couldn’t wait to get home and have some sleep.

Today was one of those days. The hospital was crazy, the atmosphere was tense. Each patient admission was a surprise and you just wanted it to end.

You were heading to the nursing bay so you could update some medical records, when your colleague called you aside.

“some bizarre case is coming up. The truck called the dispatch, i think it’s pretty serious.” She looked at you carefully.

You worked with a very special team, everyone got along very well and liked each other so much. So basically all your colleagues knew about your situation with Buck, but not because you went around talking about it, no. Everyone saw the way you treated each other when you met in the hallways, the care and concern for each other. And outside of it, too.

You had a bad feeling in your chest since you woke up, something was not right. The rain was heavy outside and from afar you could hear the sirens approaching.

And suddenly it was as if the ground opened up beneath you. Bobby was yelling to the doctors about the patient’s condition, how he was having a cardiac arrest. Everyone from 118 was there, looking at the person on the stretcher. You were not prepared for this, you were not prepared to see Buck lying unconscious on that stretcher. When you threatened to run towards the team that would take care of him, your boss yelled at you to stay there.

“we’ll do our best” a doctor said before the doors closed behind him.

“do more” you heard Eddie scream behind you.

You were petrified. This couldn’t be real. You couldn’t speak, the voices around you were like hums, and your eyes were beginning to fill with water. You were in shock.

Bobby noticed how you were paralyzed in the middle of the way and went to meet you. He didn’t have to say a word. As he sat you down on a chair, you could feel your hands trembling and sweating. Eddie crouched down in front of you and you looked into his eyes. He knew that you were about to collapse, he was also on the verge of a panic attack.

“w-what- is he-“ You couldn't form a complete sentence and you could notice the fear in your friend's eyes.

“i don’t know”

And after that he hugged you.

***

You were in the corner of the room watching Christopher talking to Buck and the tears kept falling down your face. You just couldn’t stop the tears to roll down your face every time you looked at him like that, your Buck. He was so vulnerable.

You were a completely mess.

You hugged them goodbye and cried even more when Chris told you to be calm, he was going to wake any time soon. He was so pure.

“i can’t handle much more like this. I need you here with me Buck” you held his hands tightly while speaking “i can’t lose you, not for good. you said you’re a mess, but so am i. I need you alive so we can be a mess together”

And this has been your routine for a few days. You spent the day with him until Bobby arrived and practically forces you to go home and rest. And that’s when he didn't bring Athena as a backup and she forced you to go home with her, because they knew you hadn’t been eating or sleeping properly.

But in the meantime, you tried to distract yourself by reading books, watching movies, or trying to tell some jokes to an unconscious Buck. God, you were being pathetic.

You were on your way back to the hospital after a few hours of rest when your phone started ringing non-stop. It was Bobby.

Your heart froze.

Something must have happened.

You didn’t answer the call, you preferred to go straight to the hospital room preparing yourself for the worst. You were confused as you noticed the movement in the room and how the laugher was heard from afar.

“buck?” you ignored everyone and went straight to him. Your hands ran down his face lightly, afraid that if you touched him too hard he would disappear.

“hey y/n” he said softly with that side grin.

“you scared the hell of me. Of us” you whispered getting your face close to him, your hands still touching him. He put his hands over yours.

“I said that i wasn’t giving up on you. You really thought i was going to brake my promise?”

You let out a muffled laugh as tears rolled down your face.

“you idiot. I love you so much” you could see that beautiful smile at his face “please don’t ever do that to me again, I need you here, alive” you murmured and leaned in to planted a quick and shy kiss on his lips. It was your first kiss.

“i love you, princess. I’m not leaving any time soon”

Everyone gathered around you two. Bobby gave you a side hug when you step back so that Christopher could hug Buck. He was like a father to you and Buck, so he was the biggest supporter of you being together, he could see how happy you were when you were together. You both deserved it, you deserved to live this love.

And even though everyone was around him celebrating his return, Buck’s eyes, as usual, were searching for yours, only to be met with your passionate and comforting gaze. Calming every fear and anxiety that could exist inside the firefighter’s heart, as you always did and always would.

After everyone had gone and left you two alone, Buck made room on the bed for you to climb up and snuggle into his side. You couldn’t look away from each other and Buck was giving small pecks on your lips every now and then.

“by the way, you’re a terrible joker”

You stared at him with confusion as he kept smiling.

How on earth did he know you were telling him jokes while he was unconscious?

What you didn’t know, and he probably would never tell you, is that while unconscious, Buck got a glimpse of a life he would never have. A life that made no sense, in a job he hadn’t dreamed of, without the friends he loved so much, and especially without you. You were the reason he fought his way back into this life. He couldn’t continue in a life, in a universe that you didn’t exist.

You were his beacon, who with your light so bright, guided him back to your side. The place he would never leave, never again.

[melanieph321]

Ruben Dias x Reader - Fake Love Part 4/8

⚠️ Warning ⚠️

18+

Reader is a kindergarten teacher. Nothing more nothing less. But following an accident whistle vacation in Dubai she somehow makes her boyfriend believe that she does somthing else for a living, something that earns her way more money than she has. Her boyfriend, Ruben, is just happy to have found someone who understands him so well, someone who doesn't want him for his money since money isn't an issue for neither reader or himself. Or so thinks. Would finding out the truth ruin their newfound relationship? Readers thinks so, and does everything to keep up the lie, although it has some bad people from the middle east looking for her.

Enjoy!

"Taxi!"

You called for one outside of the airport in London. You were tired from the journey and longed for a hot shower back at your apartment.

"Taxi!" You shouted, quite desperate for one to pull up.

"Y/N, chill." Alicia said. "Our ride will be here in a minute."

"Our ride?" You frowned.

Alicia nodded, phone still pressed to her ear. "I'm consulting the Siddiq family right now, see if they can send us a...."

Alicia's eyes widened with terror as you lunged for her phone, forcing her to hang up.

"Whatta fuck Y/N!"

"Are you crazy?" You hissed

"Am I crazy, are you crazy Y/N? Give me back my phone for fuck sakes."

You held her phone behind your back, refusing to return it. "Alicia we are not doing this. We can not continue spending somone elses money. It has to end. Right now."

"Why? They owe us don't they?"

"No Alicia, they owe us nothing, especially not you." It was not her leg that grilled in the fire. "The Siddiq family has shown us enough kindness then we deserve, this will not go on any longer, agreed?"

She didn't agree. However, she could tell how serious you were about this. "Fine." She said, stretching out a hand, demanding her phone back.

"Who are you gonna call?"

"Well, it's not Ghostbusters, is it? I'm calling a taxi."

You handed her back the phone, a sly smile on your face.

The days passed quickly there on, like your time in Portugal never happened. The burn on your leg healed but roughly, the skin not as smooth on that part of your leg. The only times it bothered you was when you got out of the shower, standing naked in front of the bathroom mirror. However, no one was gonna see you naked, at least not for some time. Yes, you felt guilty for giving Ruben a fake number, but you held your ground when it came to not live off of some rich business man in Dubai. It was the only reason Ruben was interested in you in the first place, because he thought you were rich like him. But no more lies. Meeting Ruben was a lie and even though falling for him felt real it was built on a lie and no relationship could ever flourish from somthing like that, right?"

"Miss?"

"Miss?"

"Yes, Simon?"

You snapped out of your daydreams, peering over your desk to see one of your kindergarten students with a pen up their nose."

"It's stuck." He said.

You sighed, rising from behind your desk. "Let's go to the nurses office shall we?"

"Okay."

You had one of your colleagues come in and cover for you whilst you escorted Simon to the school nurse. Yes, your life was really back to it's glamorous self.

"Hey, Y/N? Need a lift?"

It was Byron, seen crossing the school parking lot to get to you. You were really not in the mood, still adjusting being back to work. All you wanted to do was go home and lay in your bath.

"Sure Byron, why not."

He was considered a friend, although you know he never really got over your brief hook up in university.

"The kids are glad to have you back."

"Oh, thanks Byron. That's nice of you to say."

He drove you home the long way, avoiding the highway that would only take you ten minutes to arrive.

"Not only the kids." He added. "I missed you too."

Your smile was stiff, but at least it was something.

"When Nina told me what happened to you in Dubai I got so worried that I had to take a day off just to calm myself down, not to worry the kids that their teacher wasn't coming back to work."

"That sweet of you Byron. But it wasn't a serious thrid degree burn, my skin heald pretty quickly." Your boss Nina made it seemed like you lost a limb or something. Mainly because Alicia's dramatic Tik Tok's had people assuming the worst. Even your parents called you in concern after your brothers came across one of Alicia's vlogs from the hospital in Dubai.

"Well, I'm just glad you're back."

"Thanks Byron."

He was a sweet guy, not relationship sweet, but a descent human being sweet. You appreciate how much he cared for you as a friend.

"I have no problems giving you a ride to and from work, I mean we're basically on the same schedule."

"Thanks Byron, but I don't think that will be necessary."

Alot of people had offered to help you out,  even your boss suggested you'd cut back on your hours a work, however, it wasn't necessary. You needed something to take your mind off things. With things you meat, your agonizing thoughts of what could have been between you and Ruben.

Arriving home, you grabbed yourself a light snack from the fridge whilst waiting for your hot tub to fill with water. Once it did you, stripped yourself of your clothes, slipping I to the scolding water, allowing the heat to relax your muscles. You did not stay relaxed for long though, seeing as there was an incoming facetime call from your phone. "What?" You grunted, since now was not the time to hear about the latest gossip at Alicia's workplace.

"Hey, gorgeous,"

You stiffened at the sound of his voice.

"Ruben?"

You were looking into the screen of your phone, in disbelief of who was staring back at you. It was Ruben, with his hair sprouting in every direction as he looked to lay back in a bed, one arm draped behind his neck. "Um...hi." You stuttered, not really sure how any of this was possible.

Ruben smiled "I just wanted to see how you're doing and see if you're missing me as much as I'm missing you."

"Um, how...?"

"Did I get your real number?" He chuckled.

Heat rose to your face.

"Well, after calling "your number" over a hundred times, Fabio let me get in touch with your friend who told me what was going on."

"Alicia gave you this number?"

"Mhm." He nodded, tossing what looked to be a grape, into his mouth. "She told me that you thought that I wasn't that into you, that perhaps I was only out to screw you over or something."

"She did what?"

"It's ridiculous, I agree. How do you even come up with something like that? I mean you're the one who screwed me over by letting me call a fake number like an idiot."

There was a jab in your stomach as his tone was serious, laced with sincere hurt. "Ruben I'm so sorry. I didn't..."

"Let's not play the blame game." He waved. "Your friend made it clear that you haven't been dating for a while and that your game might be a bit stiff."

"Pardon?"

Ruben laughed.

"I am not stiff."

"I believe you." He said, although he had trouble talking between laughs. "I mean you look pretty relaxed in that bathtub back there."

You gasped when you realized. "Oh my god. Ruben I'm...." Embarrassed. You were terrible embaresssed, sinking deeper into the water to cover yourself. You and Ruben hadn't talked for days and the first thing he sees is you slipping him a nipple.

"It's okay, Y/N, really. The view is great from here."

"Oh shut up."

You put the phone away, letting Ruben have a good view of your bathroom ceiling. The tub needed more water, and bubbles, lots of of bubbles.

"There you are." He exclaimed, once you returned to the screen, now neck deep in in the water. "Thought I lost you for a sec."

"Ruben, maybe now is not the time." You said, tormentented by how stupid you must come across to him.

"Y/N." He said, his voice now restrained.

"What?" You muttered, trying to stare at anything but the screen.

"Look at me."

Your eyes looked up, meeting Ruben's kind gaze.

"You're good, okay. Sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable by calling unexpectedly. I just...." He sighed, a hand running through his already messy hair. "I can't seem to get you out of my mind."

You sunk deeper into the water,  biting down on your lip. "Me too. I can't stop thinking about you either."

"Well, when can we meet?" He seemed excited that your feelings were mutual.

"Ruben, I'm not sure I'll be going back to Portugal anytime soon. I mean I have a job to do and..."

"Y/N." He said. No. Chuckled.

"What's so funny?" You frowned

"You really don't watch football do you?"

"What do you mean?"

Ruben sat up in bed, showing off the tracksuit he was wearing. "You said you've heard of Manchester United, no?"

"Yes, the English team that you told me played in the Premier League."

"Right. Well I play for their arche rivals Manchester City, meaning I live in Manchester, England."

"Wait what?"

"Yeah."

"So, you're not from Portugal?"

He chuckled. "I'm from Portugal Y/N, I was born and raise there. But just like you I was just on vacation. I got back to Manchester yesterday."

"So what you're saying is that we're both in England as we speak?"

"Yes. And my team has fixtures in London all the time, meaning I'll be able to come see you between games."

"Right."

The problem was that you had once again lied to Ruben when he asked you were in England you lived. You figured London sounded more suitable abode for a business woman, not Chells Way, Stevenage.

"Y/N, you alright?"

The downside about facetime was that your emotions were all on display. Ruben clearly caught your reaction to his offer and it was not what he had expected.

"Of course, there is no pressure for us to meet." He said, clearing his throat. "I just thought, that it was something that we both wanted."

"I want to meet." You nodded, although your voice betrayed you. "I just...my job, you know?" It was another lie. You were piling lie upon lie on this fake love of yours. Nevertheless, Ruben ate it all up, nodding understandingly. "I get it."

He was so kind. He didn't deserve this from you, from anyone.

"Ruben?" You whispered, following a moment spent in silence.

"Yes."

"I really missed you."

A muscle jerked in the corner of his lips. "I missed you too."

"Tell me." You sighed, leaning back against the tub, splashing water around yourself. "Tell me how much you've missed me."

Ruben froze for a brief moment, seeing you redirect the camera angle in a way that revealed more of your body.

"Alot." He gulped, watching you dip a hand between your legs.

"Yeah? Tell me more."

He couldn't see all of you through the murky water. But as the layers of bubbles disappeared with your slow shifts, the swell of your breast resurfacing.

"Oh, baby don't do this to me." Ruben's head fell back against his pillows as he too adjusted his camera angles. You watched him slip a hand down his sweatpants and stroke whatever he was hiding in there. "I missed you so much, wishing you were here, with me." He moaned, chest heaving up and down with his heavy breathing.

"Ruben, please. Tell me what you want to do to me." You up the pace of the movement between you legs. You we drawing small circles against your clit, the sensation sending chocks of lightning to your body's nerve endings.

"I want to fuck you, hard." He groaned.

"Yeah, and?"

"Fuck you hard and watch your tittes bounce when you ride me."

"Yes, and?" You were squinting your eyes, primitive moans leaving your mouth, echoing throughout your bathroom.

"And..." He grunted on the edge of something. His movements down his pants were faster than yours, unable to contain himself.

"And, Ruben? Please tell me."

"Baby, I can't. I'm close." Ruben's camera shook with the bouncing of his bed. You watch him please himself, please himself to the image of you.

"Me too baby, me too." You arched your back in the tub, one of your legs going over the edge, opening yourself up wider. "Look at me baby, watch me come for you."

He seemed unable to multitask, having to slow down as not to make himself come before you. He watched you please yourself to the point of screaming his name, you're fingers buried deep inside of you.

"Fuck." He groaned, staining his bedsheets with the erruption of his cock.

"That felt good." You smiled, regaining your breath, coming down from the high. "I can't believe I just did that."

"Me neither." Ruben said, no longer in his bed. He looked to be in a small bathroom, washing his hands. "Sametime tomorrow?"

You shook your head, unable to hide your smile. "Goodbye Ruben."

He smiled, a cheeky smile. "Goodbye Y/N."

[nattinatalia]

Jack Harlow x Reader : Hospital Visits

A/N : I guess I have to remind you that I’m not a writer and I mainly do Instagram AUS. So to the anons that left me some pretty wild things with my last “fic”, don’t read if you don’t like. 🫶🏻😘

“Dude he’s going to flip.”

Clay nods “I know but he was already on stage.”

“Why didn’t she call any of us?” Urban asks.

Neelam shrugs “She was blowing up his phone and you know I usually have it so I can record for him while he’s performing, so I called her back and that’s when she told me.”

“You do know he’s going to want to go home for this right?”

Neelam nods “I do but he’s not going to be able to. He’s booked, he can’t leave.”

At that moment Jack is walking backstage after his performance. “What’s going on?”

“Y/N called, everything is ok though so don’t worry.” Neelam tells him.

That has him worried in an instant “What happened and where’s my phone?”

“Mia got pushed at school and she broke her arm.” Clay answers.

“WHAT?” He snatches his phone from Neelam’s hand and starts calling you. “She’s not answering.”

“She told mom they were still in the waiting room, so she’s probably not getting any signal in there.” Clay reassures his brother.

“Okay, let’s go, I want to be there before Mia gets in.”

“Jack, wait, you can’t leave just like that, you have an appearance tonight.” Neelam tells him, getting a bit annoyed at him.

Jack stares at her, “You’re crazy if you think I’m making a club appearance when my daughter is laying in a hospital bed with a broken arm.”

He then turns to look at his friends and brother. “You two can stay here, I’m going to see my daughter.” And he walks away, his security team and Urban behind him.

“You and KY go to the club if you want, but you should’ve known my brother wasn’t going to sit still, not when it concerns his family.” Clay says and follows after his brother.

Just then Urban walks back in, “Thank fuck you’re staying, you host the club for him.”

Urban chuckles “Nee, that’s my goddaughter, no way in hell am I staying here.”

*********

“Mama, where’s daddy?”

“He’s working baby, I left him a message so he’ll probably call us when he’s done performing.”

She sighs “But I’m scared and I want him here.”

You smile sadly at her, “I know mama, but everything will be okay I promise you.”

She nods “Okay.”

You and your daughter were currently in the emergency room. She would be getting surgery because she broke her arm in the playground.

Well that’s putting it lightly, she actually got pushed down the slide and it resulted in a visit to the emergency room in which they told you she indeed has a broken arm and will need surgery.

“How will I eat or play with brother mama? I need my arm.”

“It’s not a forever thing Mia, you’ll heal and your arm will be back like normal.”

She groans “But that’s forever.”

You nod. “But that means lots of cuddles and movies in bed.”

She smiles, “I guess that sounds fun.”

“You’re being brave bug, I’m proud of you.”

“It hurts though.”

“I know baby, hopefully they call us soon.”

Twenty minutes later and a run to the vending machine you were getting annoyed that they haven’t called for your daughter. As much as you want to go ask when they’ll get to your daughter, you have to also be understanding and wait until there’s room, or until everyone who has an appointment gets attended first.

“Mommy, me duele.”

“I-“

“Harlow? Mia Harlow?”

You stand once you hear them call your daughters name. “Oh let’s go honey, it’s time.”

******

Two long hours later, your daughter was out of surgery and in her hospital room. She was currently sleeping, but the doctor told you she would wake up soon.

“Hi Mrs. Harlow? Little one has some visitors.” A nurse comes popping her head in and opens the door.

You’re confused because you weren’t waiting on anyone since your mother in law had your son for the evening.

“Who is-“ you don’t finish your words because the door gets pushed open and in comes your husband, your brother in law, and your compadre. “What are you guys doing here?”

“We rushed here for the princess.” Clay says

You nod “I see you also made a pit stop.” You look at the balloons and teddy bears. “She’ll love that.”

“Jack wanted to buy the entire gift shop but somehow there’s a limit on balloons per person here.” Urban jokes.

You smile and go up to your husband. “Didn’t you have to host a club tonight?”

“Like I told Neelam, I wasn’t going to go to a club when my daughter was in here.”

“I’m guessing that didn’t go well?”

Clay scoffs “She’s acting a bit crazy as of lately, she needs to relax.”

“Wait, but how did Mia get hurt?” Urban asks, he’s currently putting on some gloves and going towards the bed and checking on Mia.

“Stop messing around.” Jack tells him.

“The school called me, told me Mia was hurt but that it wasn’t severe. When I got there Mia was crying and clutching at her arm.” You look at Jack. “They didn’t even tell me she was pushed, I asked Mia what had happened and she said a boy kept bugging her since the morning, she told him to leave her alone, she told her teacher but I guess the situation wasn’t handled correctly. The boy decided pushing her down the slide was something he had to do for tattling.”

Your husband shakes his head and goes to lay next to Mia, careful not to hurt her. “I guess moving schools or getting homeschooled should be something we talk about later.”

“Babe no, she’s a child, she should have a childhood. We can go talk to the school, but if it makes you feel better changing her schools, then we’ll do that. But that’s also something we need to talk to her about.”

He nods “Was she scared?”

“She just wanted you, but she understood that you were working.”

Your daughter starts stirring in bed waking up. “Hi baby, cómo estás? Cómo te sientes mi vida.?”

She looks around the room, then to her left and gasps “Daddy?” Then she looks to her right and smiles. “Nino Urby and Tio Clay.”

“Hi baby.”

“Hey princess.”

“Hi Mia bug.”

“How are you feeling baby?” Jack asks his daughter, brushing her hair out of her face.

“It hurts a little.” She then lifts up her arm to look at her cast. “Ohh, pretty color.”

“That is a nice purple huh?”

She nods “My favorite color daddy.”

“I know and look, we got you balloons and teddy’s.”

She smiles “Thank yous.” She then looks up at Jack who’s still laying next to her. “You gonna work daddy?”

He shakes his head. “Nope, I'm going to stay until my baby feels better. Then we’re going home and watch all your favorite movies.”

She gasps “And cuddles?”

“Oh, most definitely. We can never forget about cuddles, and we’ll even use those fluffy blankets your mama has in the closet.”

“With the lions and zebras?”

Jack nods. “Anything my princess wants.”

She smiles at that. “Nino and tio go with us too?”

“You got it.” Clay answers her.

“Only if I get the fluffiest blanket and get to cuddle with you.” Urban answers.

“But I want to cuddle with daddy and mama.”

“Fine but then I’m next in line for some Mia cuddles.”

“Deal.”

**********

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[jungle-angel]

Sick Boys (Rhett Abbott x Reader)

Summary: There’s nothing a father wouldn’t do for his sons

Tagging: @sebsxphia @nobody7102 @rhettabbotts @lt-bradshaw​ @fridamoss​

Rhett felt the phone in his back pocket vibrating, thinking it was you, his mother or Royal, his hand fidgeting and feeling hopelessly for the phone that was practically glued to his buttcheek. When he looked at the screen, he was a little unnerved to find that it was the school calling. 

“Hello?” 

“Hi, yes is this Rhett Abbott?” a woman’s voice enquired. 

“Yes ma’am,” Rhett answered. 

“Hi Mr. Abbott, this is Leslie Powers calling from the Amelia County Steiner School, I have Tatum and Tanner both down here in the nurse’s office,” the woman explained. “Is there any chance that you or their mother could come and get them?” 

“I’ll be down in fifteen,” Rhett answered before he hung up. 

As soon as he hung up, Rhett rode straight back to the barn and stabled the horse before heading for the truck and dialing your number on the way out. 

“Rhett?” you asked once you picked up. “Rhett? Everything ok?” 

“Yeah I gotta go get the boys,” Rhett told you. “They’re in the nurse’s office.”

“Oh my God! Is everything ok?” 

“My guess is they knocked heads playing with Desmond and Colt or something,” Rhett explained as he drove. “I dunno why, all I’m seein is them puking their guts up. You still at work?” 

“Yeah and I can’t leave my students,” you explained. “We’re out on the trail.” 

“No worries Darlin I’m grabbing them to see what the damage is,” Rhett told you. “Ya’ll mind messagin Ma and Dad?” 

“Not at all baby, stay safe.” 

Rhett gave a hasty reply before hanging up and taking the shortcut along the backroads before he pulled up to the school where your kids and Amy all attended. Rhett made his way in, checking in at the front desk before he found his way to the nurse’s office where Tatum and Tanner were both sitting on a little bench, both of them coughing like Royal after he had finished smoking a foot long Cuban cigar. 

“I’m so sorry about this Rhett,” Leslie apologized. “They started coughing and it’s just a nasty, wet mess.” 

“Hey no worries,” Rhett assured her. “Kids are gonna get sick one way or another.” 

Leslie handed off the boys backpacks before Rhett scooped them both up and brought them both to the truck, buckling them into their carseats before that awful wet hacking started again. 

“Alright my little troublemakers,” he told them. “Ya’ll are going straight to a doctor.” 

Rhett drove straight to the walk-in clinic where Pete, a close family friend of yours, had his practice. The minute he saw Rhett walking in with the boys, he didn’t even bat an eye. He told Rhett to go straight to the room at the back. 

“Alright Rhett, what happened this time?” Pete asked him. 

“Boys are sick,” Rhett answered. “Nasty wet coughs that just won’t stop.” 

Pete took a closer look at the both of them, listening to two sets of lungs and in total disbelief at how plugged up both of the boys were. “Yep,” Pete concluded. “Probably the worst case of bronchitis I’ve ever heard.” 

“Oh fuck me,” Rhett groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. 

“You know the drill,” Pete told him. “Antibiotics for ten days, both of them and plenty of hot steam.” 

Rhett sighed, gathered up the boys and headed for home, definitely not looking forward to the next ten days.

As soon as he got home, Rhett unloaded the boys, who by this point were crying and coughing from how sick they were. Cecelia had met him on the porch, taking Tanner right into her arms and patting his back to get the mucous out. 

“Oh my God,” she remarked when he started coughing. “Even you and Perry wouldn’t get it this bad when you were their age.” 

“I feel awful Ma,” Rhett said, gently rocking Tatum on his hip and rubbing his back. “They’re still small little guys and I can’t take the sickness outta them.” 

“Here,” Cecelia said. “Ya’ll c’mon in. (Y/n)’s due home soon but I think we can pull it together.” 

And pull it together they did. Cecelia hauled out her old medicine book, full of old school remedies passed down from her mother. Rhett stuck both boys in a hot bath, letting them breathe in the steam until Cecelia had him take them out and stick them in their plaid button-down pjs, Tatum in navy blue and Tanner in red. 

“Here,” Cecelia told Rhett. “Keep their shirts unbuttoned hand have’em lay down on the bed. I’ve got Vick’s in the medicine cabinet.” 

Rhett brought Tatum and Tanner both into your shared bedroom, laying them both down before slathering it all over their backs and all over their little chests. The hacking subsided, but their poor little faces were both red with tendrils of blonde hair stuck to them. 

As soon as both boys were buttoned back up, Rhett began piling on the blankets, including the quilt Cecelia had made for your wedding. “Daddy, I don’t feel good,” Tatum croaked as he stood up and hugged his father. 

“I know buddy, I know,” Rhett murmured, patting his son’s back. “You’re gonna get better soon.” 

He laid Tatum back down on his back, pushing his son’s blonde hair out of his face and kissing his forehead before crawling in between them. Tatum and Tanner scooted a bit closer, resting their heads on Rhett’s chest, just like they used to when they were babies. Soon, they were snoring away, the wetness in their lungs still audible, even as Rhett turned his gaze to the door to find you standing there with a blush in your cheeks. 

“How’d it go Daddy?” you teased. 

“They’re asleep,” Rhett answered. “Probably will be for a few hours.” 

You kissed his forehead and his cheeks, still taking in the sight of your boys all snuggled into their father. “What?” Rhett chuckled when he saw the look on your face. 

You giggled a little bit. 

“Darlin c’mon, I know that look,” Rhett teased, his smile growing broader. 

“You wanna have another one?” you asked him. 

“Let’s make sure these two are better first,” Rhett answered. “Then we’ll talk.” 

You kissed his lips before fixing the quilt and scooting in to snuggle with your boys, all of you drifting off to sleep and safe from the world outside. 

[rory-butnot-gilmore]

Little Moments in Time

You and Sarah make dinner for Joel and Tommy before you leave for a business trip. The world then falls apart, and you find yourself separated from your family. 20 years later, a weird twist of events leads you back to the man you loved.

Pairing: joel x fem!reader

themes/warning: oh yeah, there is angst this time, death and violence, pain and sadness, with a little bit of fluff if you squint <3 also, there are some parts that i tried really hard to do extra research on so it wasn't like completely off trail from the canon storyline, but I couldn't find much.

part one

september 24th, 2003

You and Sarah both danced around the kitchen, while you made barbecue chicken and rice. It was supposed to be spaghetti night, but after your recent trip to the doctors and finding out you had celiac disease, gluten free options started to be incorporated. Joel and Sarah definitely didn't mind though, because both of them thought the things you cooked instead were great. Joel didn't even notice some of the differences in the things you made sometimes.

"So, what is it you're doing again? On your trip?" Sarah asked as she grabbed down a can of corn from the cabinet. You looked at it and made a mental note to make sure Joel went shopping for groceries.

"So now that I am an actual nurse, I am going to Chicago to help out with some younger college students somethings I know about nursing," You explained to Sarah, who smiled and nodded. She loved your job, and was always so curious about the things with it. Joel teased that Sarah would follow in your footsteps.

"When you get back, we are going shopping for my maid of honor dress right?" Sarah poured the corn into a small pot.

"Yes we are, are you excited?" You nudged her with your elbow, and she giggled before nodding.

Things had been official between both you and Joel since the week after your second date. You went everywhere with him and Sarah by then, all of her soccer games, every school recital, and every moment. By the fourth year of dating, you gave up the apartment life and moved in with them. Then last year, Joel finally proposed after dragging his feet for so long. You didn't mind the delay though, because life for the two of you already seemed so perfect.

"Oh damn it smells great in here!" Tommy exclaimed as he came through the door, he grinned at the two of you when he came into the kitchen.

"Hey, how was work?" You turned off the stove, and grabbed the plates that Sarah had already gotten down. Joel came in behind Tommy, and gave Sarah a quick kiss on the head. He wrapped his arms around your waist from behind, as you made Sarah a plate.

“It was shit, don’t let Tommy tell you any different, the bastard didn’t tell me how anyone the guys we have to work with are this time,” Joel laughed, “The plans are coming along though, and we should be able to start on it within the next day or two,”

“Well hopefully your string of good luck continues babe,” You kissed his cheek, and handed him Sarah’s plate, “Tommy you can come make a plate,”

“Thanks Y/n, you know I still don’t understand why Joel got to end up with you?” Tommy made his eight year old joke. Joel flipped him off and made his plate and made a plate for you.

“Hm, I mean if I remember correctly, you were too busy making out with one of my best friends?” Sarah laughed, covering her mouth to stop the water she had just drank from spraying out. She started coughing a little, but she was still laughing at your comeback.

“How is my dear old friend doing?” Tommy came behind Joel and grabbed his plate to start making it. You grabbed three beers out of the refrigerator for the Miller brothers, and yourself. Everyone sat down at the table together, and started talking about your days. Sarah talked about a test she passed. Tommy told an embarrassing story about Joel from the day. Joel squeezed your hand while you talked about your flight leaving in the morning. Tommy headed out a little bit after you cleaned up from dinner. You helped Sarah get her curls into a style that would help keep them from getting ruined during the night. Once she was all set, you and Joel started your night time routine.

Once you thought Joel was done with the shower, you climbed in. You sighed happily as the water rinsed over your skin. Before your hair was even completely wet, Joel climbed back into the shower. You rolled your eyes but turned to look at him. Joel was unapologetically looking you up and down, and pulled you against him.

“I figured I could rinse the grime off of me before I ambushed you,” Joel shrugged, and explained his reasoning for not just suggesting a shower together in the first place.

“Joel Miller, are you trying to seduce me before marriage?” You teased, and he shook his head.

“Mm, no, no I don’t think I would ever do such a thing?” Joel started to kiss your jaw and neck, his hands resting on your lower back, fingers just barely tracing the top of the curve of your ass.

“Sarah isn’t asleep yet, so this is holding off for right now,” You played with the hair at the nape of his neck, not really wanting the touches to stop. Joel groaned but still pulled back, smoothing your now wet hair down and out of your face.

“I don’t know how her or I are going to do without you for a whole five days?” Joel whispered, and kissed your forehead, “Sar’s cooking lessons better have been paying off, if she’s going to be cooking for me on my birthday,”

“She will do phenomenal, she wants to make you pancakes, I know you’re super stressed with work, but I left you a grocery list so you can make sure you make her dreams come true,”

“Isn’t it supposed to be my dreams coming true? It’s my birthday?” You glared at him, and started washing your hair. Joel swatted your hands away and helped you scrub the shampoo into your scalp.

“I’ll get the pancake mix, we will call you while eating our pancakes, you can sing me happy birthday while I do,” Joel teased, and helped get your hair rinsed out. You leaned your head back and he kissed your neck gently.

“Then when I get home, her and I go to pick out her dress, pick up my dress, and then we will be two weeks out from me marrying you, old man,” You wrapped your arms around him, and pecked his lips, “Cold feet?”

“I’m about to be thirty-six years old, and I’m marrying the most beautiful, smart, and loving woman I have ever met,” Joel’s voice was softer now, “The same woman who loves that awesome daughter of mine, plus she’s a bit younger than me so that totally boosts my ego,”

You raised an eyebrow and he laughed a little.

“My feet are as hot as they could be Y/n.”

september 25th, 2003

Joel drove you and Sarah to the airport in your car. Sarah teared up more the closer you got to the security. You were quick to pull her into a tight hug.

“Hey, it’s going to be okay, it’s only five days and I will be home,” You whispered, trying your hardest to fight back your own tears, “You can call me each day too, I won’t mind, I have my cell,”

“I love you mom.” Sarah blurted it out so fast, that both you and Joel were taken aback by it. You didn’t hesitate for too long though before you were holding her even tighter. Joel pulled both of you into a group hug, and everyone said their I love you’s. No one said goodbye, just reminders that you would be home soon. That this was only a temporary thing.

You didn’t let yourself fully cry until you were on the plane, and you cried until you landed. Sarah called you mom, for the first time in eight years, she called you mom. It made your heart swell ten times the size it already was. Sarah held such a special place in your heart, that was never a doubt. There was a certain kind of satisfaction knowing that you held the same spot in hers.

You got off the plane and took the cab to the hotel, that was where you first met the next person who would change the course of your life for the next twenty-years. She was twenty-four years old, and with her best friend. The two of them were laughing in the lobby of the hotel, but hers was the loudest. She was going to be your mentee during the trip, but in the end she was so much more.

“Oh!” She finally saw your name tag, and waved you down, “You’re Y/n! I’m Anna, I guess you’re in charge of me for this whole thing huh?”

“Anna, it’s great to meet you,” You shook her hand and then her friend’s.

“I’m Marlene, not here for the nursing stuff, just this annoying person right here.” Marlene nudged Anna, who had no problem nudging back.

Marlene went on her own adventure, while you and Anna went to the first activity. It was in the local hospital, and the senior nurses explained how the next five days would be. Anna was a jokester, and you knew that she was going to cause a bit of trouble. Still though, she was fun to be around. The first day went by really quick just with her jokes alone.

That night after a bar outing with Marlene, you and Anna were in your hotel room together. She was sitting in the chair that was to your desk, with her feet propped up on the bed you were sitting on. The two of you were talking about anything and everything. Just bonding over whatever you could find.

“Okay, so you’re only thirty, you’re about to be married and a step-mom?” Anna laughed, and you nodded with a grin on your face.

“You know, I don’t like the step part of it, but I do like the sound of mom,” You smiled, thinking about Sarah, “Joel, my fiancé, does nothing but tell me about how I saved them, but in reality they saved me more than they know,”

“I can’t even imagine where I will be in six years, at thirty, but it definitely doesn’t feel like I would be a mother.”

september 26th, 2003

You, Anna, and Marlene were all in your hotel room. The emergency broadcast was going off, and you were all watching everything unfold. When your cellphone started to ring, you answered it before the second ring went off. It was Sarah, and she was asking if you knew what was happening.

“I woke up and Dad isn’t here, and-” Sarah screamed a little, and the line went dead. Your entire body started to shake.

“Sarah?! Sarah, baby! Sarah!” You were yelling into the phone, hoping that her voice would come through the dial tone. You never got to hear her voice again though.

The next three days, were more torture than you could even imagine. The three of you were all escorted out of the hotel by military eventually, and made your way to a safe zone. It didn’t feel safe though, none of it did. You put Sarah, Joel, and Tommy on a name list. So that it could be broadcasted soon enough. Eventually you were all within a QZ. You waited everyday for any sign of the Millers, hoping they would eventually show up. It didn’t take long before you all started to catch onto the bullshit that was FEDRA, and that was when the Fireflies became a part of your life.

2009

You found the safe house, Marlene should have been there already. Then you heard the screams, and you ran around to the backside of the house. You went through the back door, and busted into a bedroom. Anna was on the floor, a baby with an umbilical cord still attached laying in front of her, and an infected dead off to the side. Anna was breathing heavy, and the baby was crying.

“You k-know how I said I couldn’t see my self being a mother at thirty?” Anna was breathing heavily as you rushed closer, she cut the umbilical cord with her own knife and started to tie it off, “Looks like I was wrong, but also right,”

She bent her leg out, and you saw the bite on her inner thigh. Your entire heart stopped and you dropped down to your knees. Anna was shaking a bit, but she picked up her baby anyways. The tiny infant calmed down looking at her mother.

“Anna, what are we going to do? I mean Marlene should be here soon, but was the baby? I mean?” You were stumbling over all your words. The girl who had become your family was dying, and there was nothing you could do.

“You are going to take Ellie, wait for Marlene downstairs, and I am going to ask you one last favor Y/n,” Anna whispered, “Make sure she’s loved, make sure she’s safe, and please kill me before I hurt you,”

“No, no, I’ll take her soon, I’ll go downstairs, but I can’t.. Marlene will be here soon, she needs to get to say goodbye Anna, and you h-have a little time, spend these last minutes with your daughter,” You sat against the wall next to Anna, watching her with the baby. She glared at you for a moment, before giving up and looking at Ellie.

“She’s so damn beautiful Y/n, and I will.. I will never get to see what she becomes,” Anna whispered, “If anyone asks, y-you know I cut the umbilical cord before I was bit? They would never let her live other wise,”

“If they ask, I was here the entire time.” You whispered, and laid your head on her shoulder.

2023

Every part of you wanted to kill Marlene, for dragging you back to Boston. After you knew Ellie was safe, you decided to set out and try and find whatever you could about the Millers. Any kind of sign of what happened to them. Now, fourteen years later you were back at your original QZ. After they ran their tests, and you lied and explained you were coming from the fallen QZ in Chicago, they let you inside. You showed up at the building Marlene had explained to you over the radio, and made your way inside. You quietly snuck your way in, your gun ready to shoot at any sign of trouble.

You slowly went up the stairs, and then heard a loud thud. When you made it to the top, you saw Marlene holding her side, with another woman standing next to her. There was a man and a woman with their backs turned to you, and a younger girl on the floor.. A girl who looked almost identical to her mother.

“Get your gun out of her face.” You snapped, and the man turned around. Then your entire heart fell down into your stomach even more than it was seeing Ellie.

He was standing there, and he was alive. Marlene was watching the both of you, waiting for the blow up. His eyes though, they stayed on you, and then trailed to the chain around your neck. Hanging off of it was a simple diamond ring, that he remembered clear as day picking out with his daughter. He looked older, seemed different, but yet you felt like home was standing only a few feet in front of you. You lowered your gun and glanced at Ellie, who was staring at you like she knew exactly who you were. In reality, she might have, she did have a picture of you that you slipped in with her stuff when you left her at the military school. It was your picture name tag from the convention you met her mom at.

“Y/n?” Ellie and Joel said your name at the same exact time, and for a moment it sounded like the world stood still.

next part

[simpforchuchu]

Hello! How are you? Can I please get some HCs for Nakagoshi meeting the reader when she's a volunteer nurse at the hospital he's at after the Three School Alliance attack, they start getting close and one day a man takes her hostage at the hospital and he lets her call one person, she tells Nakagoshi that she loves him and if things go bad, then please live a good life. She's fine but he's thinking the worst thing possible. Thanks, and as always if you're not comfortable, just tell me so!

One Last Chance | Nakagoshi x Nurse!reader

a/n: Hello, I’m struggling about writing too much these days but here it is🫡 It was really sad to write but i loved the idea 😭 I hope you like it 🌸💕

Sorry for the grammer or spelling mistakes.English is not my main language so...

Thank you and love you 🥰

Warnings: blood, gunshots, mostly angst

* The young girl did not know that that day, a young patient who came to the emergency service would change her life. She had seen many cases in this hospital where she worked as a volunteer nurse. But one of them had changed her completely.

* The patient, whom a young boy with blond dreadlocks was running after crying, was a young high school student like him.

* He had bleeding and brain trauma as a result of the damage to his head. And it looked serious.

* While the doctors were taking him in to check him, the young girl looked at his friend crying outside. The boy crying on the ground hurt her heart too.

* She filled a glass of water from the water dispenser on the side and handed it to the crying child. Although he was a little surprised, after a while she learned that the name of the boy who accepted the water and thanked her was Nakaoka and his friend's name was Nakagoshi.

* After some time, she witnessed the happiness in the young boy's eyes when the doctors said that there was no problem but that he would have to stay in the hospital for a while.

* According to his junior, he was injured to save his life. What a beautiful soul at this young age, the young girl thought.

* She continued her checks and care throughout the night. She was upset when she heard the other nurses talking about this kid as a delinquent. Yes, he looked like one, but she still thought he was a gentle soul.

* y/n took care of him while he was in the hospital. He was quiet, calm, gentle, but she could see the determination and maturity of an adult in his eyes.

* His bandaged hair looked pretty cute and even he smiled when he looked in the mirror.

* When his family saw that he was okay - after a long scolding - they left. Since she didn't want him to be alone, she would often visit his room and play card games with him.

* And she was sure that he was not the delinquent he seemed, but a very sweet person.

* Y/n was a young girl around the same age as him. Being friends wasn't that hard. But Nakagoshi was already starting to like her.

* He began to visit her frequently even after he was discharged. He brought her lunch, wanted to go out with her on her days off

* Ooki Nakagoshi felt like he had found his first true love.

* But he never had the courage to tell her.

* One day, when he came to the hospital to bring her lunch as usual, he saw police and a crowd in front of the building. When he asked with fear what was going on, he thought his heart stopped when he heard that some criminals had taken a nurse hostage.

* How long had she been inside? Or was she inside?

* He called. Nobody answered it. He called again. But there was no answer.

* When y/n called him back a few minutes later, he thought she was safe, smiled and picked up the phone.

* But he froze at the sound of her trembling voice.

* “Ooki, listen to me carefully. Please don't interrupt me, okay? They gave me a chance to say goodbye to someone..."

* Nakagoshi swallowed, no words came out of his mouth

* “I always wanted to tell you this, but it wasn't easy.. I love you. I really love you. You are my first love…. I told you, didn't I?” The young girl giggled. But Nakagoshi knew she was crying. “If things go bad, please. Please don't blame yourself. Live a good life. Love someone, marry and have kids. I will be watching you smiling.”

* A sob escaped Nakagoshi's lips. He had had many opportunities to tell her that he loved her. But he was a coward.

* Then a gunshot was heard. Nakagoshi dropped the phone in his hand to the ground. At that moment, without thinking, he passed through the crowd and ran inside.

* Even though the police inside wanted to stop him, they couldn't. He ran upstairs and saw someone covered in blood on the floor. And that a police officer was holding a young girl.

* He stared at her for a few seconds in shock. When Y/n turned her head and saw the young boy staring at her, she could no longer hold back the sobs she had been holding back for a while.

* When she started sobbing, Nakagoshi ran over and hugged her. He hugged her so tightly that y/n thought her bones would break.

* "I love you. I love you more than everything. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you this before. I love you so much."

* The young girl knew that the owner of the arms hugging her tightly was also crying. But they both didn't care. This was a new chance for them...

HnL taglist : @straysugzhpe @tiddly-winx @ninamarie1994 @thatpoindexterpixy @koala-yuna @star2fishmeg

[loveroffictionalmen]

The First Avenger || An MCU Series

Chapter 1: The Future

STEVE ROGERS x OC

Summary: Steve and Eden Rogers and Kaz and Bucky Barnes have all been practically inseparable since they were born. When it comes time for Bucky and his sister Kaz to be deployed, Steve and Eden try to find their own way to help the warfare. A few months after they arrive at their base camp, HYDRA launches a surprise attack on the 107th infantry. The infantry Kaz and Bucky are in. Steve must rescue his two closest friends with his sister at his side. But what are the lasting effects of the HYDRA attack, and will their life ever go back to normal after it?

Warnings: mentions of traumatic events, bad writing, strong language, lmk if there's others I should put.

Characters: Kaz Barnes (OC), Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, Eden Rogers (OC), Peggy Carter, Johann Schmidt, Howard Stark

A/N: This is based off my desired reality so it mostly revolves around me but lolll enjoy anyways.

It was June 13, 1942. A soft breeze ruffled the leaves on every tree and bush. Around every corner was the quiet murmur of voices, talking about family and friends, summer activities, and more non-important matters. And the smell of funnel cake wafted through the air, making everyone's mouth water with lust for the sweet treat.

"Do you know when they said they'd get here?" Eden asked.

"Not really. Bucky just told me to meet him here," Steve said. The two siblings peered through the crowd, trying to find the pair that had invited them. Without warning, Eden let out a squeal, making a beeline for the boy and girl that had appeared in her eyeline. She embraced them, one by one, while Steve ran to catch up.

"Hey Bucky," Eden said. She tousled his already messy hair, making him scowl playfully. Bucky was tall and muscular with the kind of face that made you feel safe. When he smiled, his eyes lit up the room, bringing joy everywhere he went. Bucky was neither selfish nor conceited; he cared so much for so many people. That's what drew Eden to Bucky so much. He never had any hesitation to do what he thought was right.

Kaz, on the other hand, was short and slightly chubby. She didn't look too much like her brother; their eyes were different colors and they had very different builds. But her smile was the same. She was the kind of person that could make someone feel like the most important person in the world. Eden and Kaz had been friends for as long as they could remember; they went to school together, played on the playground together, laughed together, and cried together.

"Hi!" Kaz squealed when Eden hugged her tightly.

"I can't believe you're leaving tomorrow! I mean, it feels like you just got the letter yesterday," Eden said.

Kaz shrugged, "We practically did. It was only, what?" Kaz looked to Bucky for help. "Last week?"

Bucky chuckled, "Not even. I think it was Thursday." Kaz and Bucky did everything together, they were practically inseparable. So it only made sense that they were going to war together. Bucky had been drafted; he had no choice. Kaz had a different story. When she had graduated high school, she applied for the nursing program at Brooklyn College, and the students had the opportunity to volunteer to help the warfare. So she did. It was only a coincidence that they were both in the 107th infantry.

"Steve, don't look so down," Bucky said, drawing everyone's attention to the sulking boy. "You're about to be the last eligible man in New York. You know there are three and a half million women here?"

"Well, Steve will settle for just one," Eden said.

"Good thing I've already taken care of that," Bucky said, nodding his head in the opposite direction. Steve and Eden turned to find two giggling girls, skipping over to Bucky.

"He did not-" Eden rolled her eyes and turned to Kaz. Kaz simply shrugged. She wasn't the most talkative person. In fact, next to Steve, she was the quietest in the group. The girls whom Bucky invited, though, were quite the opposite.

"Hi, Bucky!" One of them squealed, stomping her silly little feet and waving her silly little hands around. The other just ran up to him and wrapped her arms around his torso like a child who missed their mother.

Eden turned to Kaz and fake gagged, eliciting a sharp "shh" from her friend.

"C'mon ladies, let's go watch the show!" Bucky said, his eyes shining. Kaz nodded and took Eden's hand, beckoning for Steve to follow at the same time.

"Oh my God! There he is!" One girl shrieked, taking off towards the stage. It caught a few people's attention, causing them to look in the direction of the stage.

"Ladies, you know how hard it can be putting on makeup in a car that's bouncing like a kangaroo on a trampoline." Howard Stark said, waving to the crowd with a cocky smile plastered on his face.

"He's cute," Eden whispered to Kaz. Kaz smiled to herself and nodded, reassuring her friend. Eden stared back at the man on the stage. For a moment, it seemed like he was looking directly at her, but she couldn't tell for sure.

"What if I told you that in just a few short years, your automobile won't have to touch the ground at all?" Howard smiled even wider, turning back to the car that was on stage. It was a cherry red, Volkswagen beetle, with white wheels. The ladies on stage looked as if they were struggling with taking off the wheels, but they still pushed through. Eden held her breath as the car started levitating a few feet off the ground.

"With Stark Gravitic Reversion Technology (patent pending), you'll be able to do just that-" With a pop and a spark, the car came crashing back down to the ground, making the audience, and Stark, gasp. "I did say a few years, didn't I?" Eden chuckled along with the crowd.

"Hey, you tell Steve and Bucky I'm going to meet up with someone. I'll be back in a bit." Eden whispered to Kaz, her eyes never breaking with Howards.

"What are you-" Kaz said, but Eden was already gone. She made a direct line for the stage, not stopping when countless men and women bumped into her.

"I was wondering if you would come up here. A beautiful woman like you should be on stage, not in the crowd" Howard said, extending his hand for Eden. She used it to help her up onto the stage. She looked back into the crowd one more time. Kaz was looking from Bucky to Steve, who was walking away from the stage. It seems as though she got through the internal battle, as she whispered something to Bucky, then took after Steve. But Bucky didn't seem to hear her. He stood, jaw gaped at the stage. Or more specifically, at Eden. And this is exactly what she wanted.

Eden always had a crush on Bucky. Since they were kids, she would give him flowers and rocks she found on the ground. He never thought anything of it, not until high school anyways. She asked him out on Sadie Hawkins's day, not realizing that he was dating Tina Bradly, the most popular senior at the school. Terrifyingly embarrassed, Eden realized that would be the last time she actively pursued him. But the feelings didn't go away. Anything she could do to get a reaction out of him was good enough for her.

"What do you say we get out of here? Go somewhere a little more...private?" Eden asked Howard, making him smirk.

"I was thinking the exact same thing," Howard said. Before he could walk off though, Eden pulled him in by the hand. She took his face in her palms and brought it down to her level. She kissed him softly, making everyone who was still in the crowd erupted into cheers. Everyone except one boy, whose jaw was still dropped in shock.

"Kaz!" Eden said, tapping her best friend on the shoulder.

"What? No-" Kaz cut herself off as she took in the state of Eden. Her black hair was messy and she had tear lines streaming down her face. It was not a question as to what Eden had just been doing. "With Howard?" She chuckled. Eden nodded. Kaz rolled her eyes.

[multiversemusings]

Be Yourself

Rating: PG-13 Warnings: Mentions of childhood trauma. Surpressed emotions. Mentions of mental manipulation. Language. Pairing: Stephen Strange x MReader Summary: You always have a mask on when you are out at gatherings, and you have always hated it. But the person you are was never accepted by anyone in your family and you were taught that you had to be a specific way in public. You've perfected the art of keeping your true self under wraps: Or so you thought. When a handsome stranger shows up to your friend's wedding, you start to think that someone may finally see who you are, not what you've presented. Song Inspiration: Waves That Roll You Under by Young Summer Part 1/5

A/N: Christine and Stephen were never together at any given point; she was his most trusted friend since childhood and colleague. He got the job for her after becoming a surgeon. He had a lover and so did reader, but who they were won't come to light in this part.

All writings belong to @multiversemusings. Do not steal, repost as your own or take credit for my work. If you have a request, please put it in my inbox!

Well, this is just fantastic, he thought to himself. I'm supposed to be here to support my friend on their big day and I've somehow gotten dragged into a conversation about stocks again.

He'd been invited to Christine's wedding after working with her for the last five years in the ER and introducing her to Charlie from accounting since they'd been friends since high school. They had been honored by the invitation, thrilled to be the best man for their childhood friend and remain a part of his life as he started the next chapter in his own. He knew Christine would be good for Charlie after they had discussed fundamentals of relationships a little the year prior to meeting the lovely ER nurse. So, when they had asked him to be a part of their big day, of course there was no way he was going to say no. Even still, life had a way of reminding him exactly what he was. As the reception party started, a couple of their partners had approached him and began to start talking about the funds going in and out of the hospital and what the board was going to be doing with it. When he was growing up, his father had told him that if he couldn't handle business, he would never amount to anything in the material world and would be a disgrace to their lineage. So, when numbers came into the conversation, he was quick to fall into calculations and suggestions about what the best way to distribute the funds. He also made suggestions of how to make sure things remained fair enough that people and staff could get equal care and benefits. His mother told him that the award-winning smile he had was one of the things that would benefit the business world, just like his father, so he had always made sure to smile when he knew the situation dictated it even if he didn't want to. For all pretense and purposes, he was the perfect business gentleman who knew how to work the crowd and reassure everyone around him that he knew exactly what was going on and he was always in the know. What he actually was, would be tired. He had been at this conversation for a little over an hour but wouldn't excuse himself for any reason unless it was urgent. Which given the situation of the day, it wasn't likely that he would be getting out of it any time soon. His fingers itched to tap the neck of his champagne flute anxiously, his foot begged to be tapped in agitation because he knew that there were things that he could be doing for the couple to make sure their day was the best it could be. Yet he stood there, patiently and calmly, ignoring his body's wants in favor of keeping the conversation flowing easily.

"Hopefully Braxton sees things the way you do, Stormy," the woman said in a worried manner. This woman was one of the few people you trusted with your personal nickname that had been given to you years ago by someone you loved and lost. "I just want to know that we're giving the employees and the best we can offer while still being able to pacify the insurance companies."

"I assure you; we're doing all we can," he told her, his smile still present. Just as he was about to speak again, he became very aware that there was a strange sensation on the back of his neck that prickled like electricity. It reminded him of the way that he would feel when he encountered a spirit in the hallways of the hospital. His sixth sense suddenly became very alert of the fact that he was being watched from somewhere. Still, he didn't acknowledge it in favor of continuing his thoughts. "The prices on the bonds will be going up within the next couple of months as the flu season starts coming into play and we'll see a huge pay off. The employees will be able to get a raise from the influx we get from our partners, and we can still offer care to patients even if they don't have insurance. In an ideal world, the government would drop rates as well, but we both know that's not likely to happen."

"Indeed not," the woman replied. She took a sip of her wine before a man off to the side of the room called her name, so she lowered her glass and smiled at him. "Thank you for your insight, dear. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

"Thank you, Mrs. Grey." He kept his smile as he watched her walk away before turning to head for the bar as he finally allowed his face to relax, and he exhaled. He set his glass down and the bartender walked over to him. When he went to refill it with champagne, a deep voice as smooth as black silk spoke to his left.

"Make it a Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon, bar keep," the man said with a smile as he stepped up next to him, setting his own glass down. "And a refill for myself, please. Thank you."

He stared impressed at the man's taste in wine before looking at him and was immediately struck by the icy blue of his eyes and the warmth in his smile. There was something familiar about that smile, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was, exactly. His sixth sense, however, did inform him that this was the person who had been watching him from across the room earlier. When his glass was set down and the flute moved as well as the man's martini being refilled, he smiled at him.

"You have great taste, sir," he replied with a smile.

"My treat, for you keeping up with Harriet for so long," he replied, implying by the first name that he knew the woman. "She lost my interest back when she started talking about Bill Lauren taking over the third seat on the board. The fact that not only did you keep your smile, but you kept the conversation flowing without conflict or difference of opinion was worthy of a Nobel Peace prize."

"You seem to know a lot of people associated with my work," he replied as he eyed the man with genuine curiosity and interest. This was the first time tonight that he was actually enjoying himself and engaging in conversation because he wanted to, not because he felt like it was what he was supposed to do. "And you seem oddly familiar. Have we met before at Mercy General?"

"I don't believe we have met officially, no, but I used to work there," he offered with a smile warm like a summer sun. He offered his hand to him as his blue eyes kept a lock on the other's. "Doctor Stephen Strange."

His eyes widened and he smiled brightly as he breathed out a laugh and he took his hand, giving it a slightly firm shake. "You're Stephen Strange?" he asked as they lowered their hands and reached for their glasses in sync. "I knew your eyes looked familiar, but you're a lot different from the picture of you they have hanging on the wall."

"Ew, they still have that old thing hanging up there? God, I hated that picture," he mumbled as he picked up his glass finally. "They got my bad side. It's not fair that you know my name and I don't know yours. How about we fix that?"

He couldn't help but laugh at the man's words and the sour look on his face, but his laughter seemed to make it go away and he smiled once more, which he thought that he liked to see a lot more. He raised his glass to the man.

"You can call me Y/N and it's a pleasure to meet Christine's childhood friend finally, after hearing so many stories. As for the picture, I'll try to get them to take it down for you," he said with a smile. "Or at least put a better one up. To good taste and better pictures."

Stephen huffed an amused noise and tapped his glass gently to the other man's, both of them taking a sip after they had but their eyes stayed on the other's. It wasn't hard for him to see that the charismatic, ex-surgeon had something on his mind as they stood there together. When they lowered their glasses, Stephen wrinkled up his nose and grunted as if the martini had smelt like something foul and he couldn't help but smile in amusement as he did.

"I do have one question for you," he said thoughtfully and when he hummed in question, acknowledging his words, the blue-eyed man looked at him with a serious expression. "Why do you hide who you truly are?"

[incendio22]

FOR THE HOPE OF IT ALL

Chapter 25: A Gaunt Family Dinner

It's a foggy morning in April when Ominis is heading to meet his family. His fake visit to St Mungos had worked out perfectly and Nurse Blainey was extremely worried about him. Everyone at school seemed to know about his medical condition and it really was the trendiest topic at Hogwarts at the moment. I overheard a younger Slytherin talking about how tragic it was that he finally found love, and now was going to die. I hate rumors like that and even though that could have been the case if he was actually sick, it was highly unlikely to die from Ominis' fake disease.

At first Imelda had been worried sick, which made Ominis eventually give in and tell her that he wasn't actually ill. He didn't tell her the full story, but he did say that he needed to leave school for some personal matters. She didn't like it, but she accepted it.

Ominis had three days to make the prophecy never come true, leave his family with his life intact and return to Hogwarts. It was a very limited schedule and a lot at stake. Lately, Ominis and Sebastian had snuck out of the castle to practise apparition, so that Ominis could transport himself quickly between the locations. He could now do it successfully, but Sebastian and I were both still struggling to master it.

Sebastian and I follow Ominis to the Forbidden Forest, where we walk in silence. We are all nervous and tense, Ominis more than the two of us. Sebastian reaches for my hand and squeezes it quickly before he lets go of it. We reach our decided location and stand still.

''We'll meet here again in three days,'' Sebastian says firmly.

Ominis nods and looks bitten.

''Please, be careful,'' I tell him with a worried look on my face.

''You know me,'' Ominis says in a confident voice. I think it's his way of processing all of this, because I highly doubt that he is actually feeling confident right now. ''I'll come back, so that I can keep giving the two of you relationship advice.''

He has been extremely good at giving the two of us advice, I have to admit that. When I struggled to understand myself, he was there. When I was in doubt, he was there. I feel sad when I think about how good of a friend he has been to me, because I feel as if I'm letting him down now that he's doing this all alone.

''Y/n,'' Ominis says. ''Please make sure Imelda doesn't forget about me.''

''It's just three days,'' I tell him. ''She'll be fine.''

''I know. But still,'' Ominis voice is low.

''I promise, Ominis,'' I tell him and give him a hug.

Sebastian and Ominis hug each other for a long time before Ominis finally says goodbye and disappears within the blink of an eye. I stand in silence with Sebastian, both in shock.

''We must tell the Keepers,'' I say to Sebastian and start walking back towards the castle.

We promised to update them when Ominis left, so they could work their magic. They still haven't told what their part in this plan is, but we figured that it might be our only chance to protect Ominis from afar.

It feels as if the day never ends and it's painful to know that Ominis is out somewhere, sitting at a table being nice to the people who hurt him most. The amount of courage that takes is immaculate. Before he left he explained that despite the pain they put him through, it's going to be painful for him to do what needs to be done. He said that just because people have wronged you, you don't get the right to destroy their lives. And while I know that he's right, I could never put myself through that. Maybe that makes Ominis a better and bigger person than me and that is something I can live with.

Sebastian and I are sitting against the wall in the Undercroft. We have barely spoken throughout the entire day. This is a day of sadness for both of us and it pains us even more that there is absolutely nothing we can do. We are well aware that the fate of the wizarding world lies in Ominis' hands, but his fate is still unknown.

''Come here,'' I tell Sebastian and pull him closer to me. ''What's on your mind?''

''I'm just so worried,'' he says in a low voice. ''And I feel as if all of this is somehow my fault. Of course I know that it's not, but still.''

''I feel the same,'' I admit. Even though it hurts me to know that Sebastian is blaming himself, I find some peace in knowing that I'm not the only one feeling like that. ''He'll be okay.''

''We don't know that,'' Sebastian argues. ''I'm just so upset because our friendship finally recovered from all the awful things last year. And if something were to happen to him, I would just blame myself.''

It kills me to know that he's in so much pain and blames himself over a prophecy that he is in no way responsible for.

''Sebastian,'' I whisper, taking his hand in mine. ''You are in no way responsible for this. You have to stop holding yourself accountable for other people's choices and actions. People have free will.''

He squeezes my hand back.

''I know,'' he says in a low voice. ''I know you're right, but that doesn't make it easier to stop blaming yourself.''

I nod understandingly. He has been through more pain than anyone should experience in a lifetime. Losing his parents, Anne getting cursed, his uncle not wanting to keep trying, Anne leaving him. He lived through so much and I just wish I could take his pain away from him. I'd take it and carry it myself if I could.

''I just miss Anne so much,'' he says. ''I've been trying to forgive myself, but it's just so hard when I know I did the wrong thing.''

''It takes time, love,'' I tell him softly.

Neither of us manages to fall asleep that night. Instead we just sit there in the darkness, holding each other and hoping that everything will work out okay.

The three days have passed and we head back to the Forbidden Forest to meet Ominis. We go there early in the morning, since we have no idea when during the day he will return. The morning turns into afternoon, that turns into night. And there's no signs of Ominis' return, making me and Sebastian extremely worried.

The night is getting colder and darker. After waiting in the forest for almost 14 hours we decide to head back to the castle.

''Maybe he didn't find his way back to our spot and headed back to the castle,'' I say, lying for myself.

''Let's hope you're right,'' Sebastian says in a low voice as we're walking through the forest.

We are standing outside of the entrance to the Slytherin common room when we hear rapid footsteps approaching us. It's almost midnight and we are definitely not supposed to be up at this hour, nor do we want to draw any suspicions to Ominis' trip.

''Mr Sallow! Miss Y/n!'' Sebastian and I turn around to see professor Weasley, who has a concerned look on his face. ''Nurse Blainey has requested the two of you to the Hospital Wing. Try to get there as quick as you can, it's rather urgent.''

Sebastian and I exchange extremely worried looks. His eyes are filled with worry.

''Professor Weasley,'' I say. ''What's the matter?''

She gives us a compassionate look and walks closer to us. I can tell she really does not want to tell what this is all about.

''I think it's best if you see for yourselves,'' she says. Now that she is standing closer to us I can see the worry in her eyes, too. ''Off you go.''