#yes i know he nancy drews it after he notices things not lining up but
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cyber-skeletons · 11 months ago
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Orion: megatronus? why do people keep calling me optimus prime?
Megatron: don't worry about it kitten
Orion: okay <3
Orion: yayyyyy <3
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rottenaero · 2 years ago
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Ao3
Part 1
Part 3
Part two to the roommates idea
Whenever the mall ‘burns down’, Eddie is just chilling at home; not doing anything special.
Actually, thats a complete lie. He hadn't seen Steve since he left for his shift the day before, and currently has his band+Wayne scattered in the living room as he paces.
“He may as well be dead, he always calls before staying the night somewhere, and he totally despises that place, so why would he stay after hours?” He comes to a halt infront of Jeff who looks considering. “What?!"
“Maybe, consider, he just forgot to call you." Eddie scoffed, “ ‘Maybe he just forgot’, except you don't know him, Jeff. Steve doesn't forget, tell ‘em Wayne."
Wayne nods from his spot on the lazyboy, “ ‘S true, he'd rather call at 2am than have us worrying.”
Gareth rolls his eyes, “Look Edmund, I get your worried about you boyfriend and all but why did we have to get dragged into this?" He complained, and Eddie began pacing again.
“ Not,my boyfriend, yet, and you’re getting-”
A ringing interrupts him.
The pacing stopped almost as soon as it began, and he darts to the phone. “ Y’hello, it's Eddie talking.” A sharp breath drew from the other end of the line.
“Hey Eds."
Eddie smiled, “Holy shit, Stevie. I thought you died. Wayne and the guys are literally gathered in the living room.” Upon hearing the name, Wayne visibly relaxed, going from hunched over to leaning backwards in seconds.
“Yeah I'm- Well shit not okay but I'm not dead.”In the background there was a noise, barely noticeable but-
“Wait, what? Are those sirens? Are you hurt? What the hell-” Wayne leaned forward again.
“I'm at the mall, there's been, uh, an accident? I don't- they took my keys, I need a ride back home.”
“Who took your keys? Steve you can't just be all ominous and-” The phone line shut off. "Fuck!”
Grant, who hasn't been helpful at all, stood up. "What did he do?”
Eddie groans, running a hand through his greasy hair, “Needs us to pick him up, might be hurt. He's such a- Wayne we're taking my van, you guys coming?”
Turns out the answer is yes.
-
They arrive at the mall five minutes later, mostly because Eddie was driving like a bat outta hell, to every emergency vehicle you can think of, plus thirty more, surrounding the place.
Eddie roles his window down when a cop signals him. “What are you doing over here?"
The metalhead bites his lip, what the hell, “Uh, I'm here to pick up Steve Harrington? He got involved in whatever's happening.”
The cops nods, "Alright, park your vehicle over there, and go get him.”
He does as he's told, a surprising feat showing just how scared he was, because Steve being hurt could mean so many things.
They get out the car, Wayne being the leading man, and head to where the commotion is.
The mall was totally destroyed, a couple kids he didn't know were sitting around, surrounded by their parents, there's a couple teens too, Nancy Wheeler, Johnny Byers, a girl in a sailor costume, and-
Eddie’s heart stopped and he fucking sped forward. “ Holy shit, what the fuck man." Steve looked like hell, understatement of the century but-
His face was bruised and bloody, his hands wrapped in casts, his hair was flat and gross and he was still in his damn sailor costume.
“Hey Munsons, Gareth, Jeff, Grant. It's the whole Scooby gang, or Smurfs, whoever you prefer.” Eddie grabbed his shoulders, and stared him dead in the eye. “ What. The. Fuck. Are you high too?!”
“Just what the hell did you get yourself into. " Wayne said more than asked, shaking his head.
Steve buzzed his lips, his eyebrows furrowed and he brought a hand to them and-
God they were split, and bleeding now. He looked back up at the long haired man infront of him, ignoring Wayne's question-not-question.
“Nah, just recovering from being drugged. Hey this is rivveting conversation and shit, but like, I wanna go home and sleep in your bed, man. Or the couch, or the floor.”
He let out a loud laugh, “Fuck I am not picky right now, I'll even take the back of the van.”
“Christ."
-
They don't talk about it, not after Hellfire goes home, not the next morning, not after Steve heals. They just don't, because the news told them all they need to know, that there was a fire. Eddie just assumed when they said he was drugged, that he meant medically.
(He didn't)
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jadedlavendergemini · 2 years ago
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Summary: a sequel to part one. After waking up in Eddie Munsons bed, you two have a long conversation about what had occurred.
Part one here!!!
Warnings: none, just fluff.
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This is not my room….
When you awake the next morning, the first thing you notice is the atmosphere of the room you’re in. You are laying on your back in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room.
You run a hand over your eyes and groan quietly. Your heart is just beating a little more fast and your head is slightly pounding.
Looking around the room once more, you are trying to piece together all of what had happened the night before. Whoever’s room this was, they needed to clean ASAP. There were clothes thrown everywhere on the floor, strange hand drawn art work and posters of metal bands hung on the walls that you did not recognize, the windows were covered up and a guitar hung by the dresser mirror that sat opposite in the room.
You brought back to your thoughts. Who brought you here? Where was here? Where was Nancy and Steve? What happened last night? You tried to recall what had happened but your mind was drawing blanks.
Pulling back the covers, you were relieved to find that you were still wearing the dress from the night before. You quickly swing your legs off of the bed and pull yourself up.
You’re cautious as you pick up your abandoned sneakers that sat next to the old mattress and tip toe through the messy bedroom. Navigating the hallway wasn’t hard as it led you to the living area and kitchens.
Entering the living room, it was hard not to notice the amount of mugs and hats the lined the walls on shelves. And just when you thought you were alone in this strange home, the sound of crunching drew your attention to the kitchen. There stood Eddie Munson leaning into the kitchen counter and helping himself to a box of honeycomb cereal.
He wore the same ripped black jeans and that old Hellfire club shirt, his hair an absolute mess as always.
“Mornin’ princess.” He says. “You’re up earlier than I thought you’d be.”
“How long did you think I’d be out?” You asked, your morning voice pretty small and trying to ignore the constant pounding in the right side of your head.
“Well,” Eddie shrugs and places the cereal box on the counter before pushing off the counter. “It really depends on what those jackass jocks gave you. I’d assume you’d be out until like twelve.”
You just nodded and wrapped your arms around yourself self consciously. Jocks. Chance. You slowly remember excepting a drink from him. “Gave me what? Oh god, they drugged me? Fuck..”
“Unfortunately, yeah it kinda looks like it. Or maybe you know, it was just too much alcohol?” Eddie waved his ring clad hand in the air before moving it to the back of his neck. “Just, you know, pour your own drinks next time.”
It stays quiet as you awkwardly look around the trailer some more. The boy clears his throat as he fully abandons the cereal box. “If you’re ready to go, I can take you to your place.”
“Yeah, yeah.” You replied, carefully slipping your shoes on. “Thank you.”
Eddie grabs his keys and the two of you make your way out to the old van. Thankfully this time you managed to click in your own seat belt.
You watched as he slipped into the drivers seat and buckled in himself. You hadn’t really spoke to him before now and found yourself thankful at how kind he truly was. Of course Steve had referred to him before as a freak and yes, even the jock squad themselves. But he was the exact opposite.
You were shook out of thoughts by his voice. “Um, so where do you live?”
“Uh, just go towards the hiking trails near Pinewoods?” You replied as he nods.
“You live out there?”
“Yeah, my dad has a cabin out there. We moved back out there recently.”
The sound of heavy metal is low from his van speakers as you two make your way out of the trailer park. You casually pull down his mirror to look half yourself.
You were a mess. Your eyeliner was slightly smudged into your lower lashes. Your eyeshadow was completely gone and whatever blush you wore was only visible one side. How were you going to explain this to Hop?
Eddie sees this and gestures to the beaten up glove box. “There might be some napkins in there if you need them.”
You thank him quietly before looking. There were two napkins jammed in there, most likely from a fast food place. Grabbing them, you try and clean up your face.
“So you think your dad is gonna kill you or?” Eddie chuckles. “The guy is terrifying.”
You roll your eyes as you continue to clean yourself up. “Maybe some yelling. But honestly at the end of the day he’s like a giant grumpy teddy bear.”
“A giant grumpy teddy bear?” Eddie laughs. “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind if I ever run across him, although I can’t promise I won’t laugh if I do.”
You smiled, lifting the mirror away and looking down to the napkins still clutched in your hands. Without hesitation, your hand moves to the radio and gently turns the volume up.
“So what does Eddie Munson listen to?” You casually ask. The answer was immediate when you hear Metallica playing. Not surprising.
“Oh don’t act so surprised.” He snorts, looking over to you. “And you? What does y/n Hopper like to listen to?”
You shrug. “A little of everything. I like Stevie Nicks a lot. Let’s see… Tears for Fears, Abba, Queen, David Bowie.”
“Abba? Queen? Really?”
“Yes,” you let out a small laugh. “I love Abba! And Freddie Mercury has one of the best voices. And occasionally AC/DC, maybe even the Eagles.”
“Hold on, you listen to AC/DC?” He questions, his voice slightly rising in shock.
You just nod. “My dad used to listen to them a lot so it kinda grew on me.”
“Alright. Favorite AC/DC song?”
“Hells Bells.”
“Nice. So you’re kinda the opposite of what I’d thought you’d be.” He sounds as if he were debating whether or not he should have said that. “Not that I think that you’d be boring or anything. We just haven’t really spoke much before.”
“What did you think I’d be like?” Now you were interested in this.
“Well you’re normally super quiet and your like best friends with Nancy Wheeler. So I’m just gonna go with an exact copy of Wheeler, but like more quiet.” He snickered. “You’re also a cheerleader so I figured you know, you were more into like all that Madonna and that Cindy Lauper shit.”
You listen intently, at least it wasn’t anything bad. “Okay, well my grades are decent, except for Mrs. O’Donells where I have a D. And it’s not like I don’t want to have a social life, but when your dad is chief of police, well I don’t think that really attracts most people to invite me to parties. And as for the whole Madonna and Cindy thing, really?”
Eddie snorts. “You’re failing O’Donells too? Okay we’ve got some more things in common I see. And yeah, I’m sorry for just assuming those things.”
“You’re definitely different, Eddie.”
He nods. “I know, I know. Freak Munson, right? This scary, mean kind of guy? Or is there a new name that I didn’t know about?”
You stay quiet, glancing at him. “Eddie, no. You’re not a freak, or mean, or even remotely scary. When I said different, I meant a good kind of different. There’s nothing wrong with liking metal music or playing a game that you enjoy.”
Eddie looks at you for a moment. Your e/c eyes connecting with his brown ones. You watch as his lips pull into a small smile and you can feel your heart begin to slightly beat a little harder.
Looking away back to the window, you notice that you’ve already arrived at Pinewoods. “I guess this is me. Thank you again, Eddie, really.”
You unclick the seatbelt and begin to open the door. Just before you can hop out, you feel his hand reach for your arm. Looking back his way, you’re met with that smile of his.
“You know, I’m trying to actually graduate this year and I know you probably don’t want to have a D in Mrs. O’Donells class. So I was thinking maybe, if you wanted, we could get together sometime and like help each other out? Like I said, only if you want to.”
You gave a sweet smile back. “Yeah, I’d like that. Um, maybe this weekend? You know, if I’m not grounded?”
“Works for me, sweetheart.”
“Okay then,” you move slowly out of the van. “Bye Eddie.”
He gives a small wave as you close the door a trek down the trail and into the wooded area. Did he just set up a study date with y/n Hopper? Yes. Was he more excited for the study date than for any campaign he’s set up? Definitely. And for you to be sober and confirm that you didn’t believe him to be an actual freak like the others, well that had him smiling like an idiot for the rest of the drive back to the trailer park.
——————————————————————————
I hope you enjoyed part two! I think I’m going to just stick with the drabbles, they are too fun.
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aminiatureworld · 3 years ago
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Needled Words
Characters: Childe, fm!reader
Word Count: 1,691
Warnings: Swearing
Premise: When does a joke go too far, when is a jab more than just friendly? Where does the line blur and where does it stop?
In which Childe’s teasing becomes too much for the reader
Author’s Note: For some reason this prompt made me think of Nancy Mitford, mostly because she was known also for being a slightly mean-spirited teaser. Ah Childe, my beloved. Communication in a relationship is key y’all.
Childe
You knew that Childe was only joking. After all, didn’t he read his letters to you? Brimming with little asides and jokes.
“Dear Tonia, I would say I was happy to get your letter, if only it was sopping wet. Did you leave it out in the snow again? I swear, if you were in the illustrious Tsaritsa’s army, you’d probably end up attacking your own regiment, and then I’d be forced to execute you for treason!” No one could mistake such an opening for anything except a slightly barbed bit of teasing.
Nor were the younger one’s exempt. Teucer’s antics had resulted in quite a bit of teasing. “Teucer, I think the Mr. Cyclopses have better survival instincts” and “I didn’t take you for someone who spent other people’s money!” This latter statement was made after Teucer spied the hand-crafted, very expensive, fireworks that were sold in Liyue. Of course, Childe had bought him the fireworks, and of course he never begrudged doing things for you when he teased you either. Still, you somehow felt as if things were different when directed at you.
Not that they really were. It wasn’t so much that you were picking up a different tone, it was more that, unlike Childe’s siblings and other friends, such as Zhongli, who was subjected to endless old man jokes, you couldn’t seem to take them well. When he joked about how many times you ran into the countertop you began to wonder if you truly had something wrong with your hand-eye coordination; when he said you were the laziest person, he’d ever met you wondered if you weren’t sleeping in too late; when he teased that he had to be your personal babysitter you wondered if you were truly good enough to be an adventurer. It wasn’t Childe’s fault, it really wasn’t, but that didn’t mean it hurt any less.
Of course, you could tell him, could finally let it all out and stop pretending that it wasn’t painful to try and keep all your emotion sunder wraps. But you couldn’t help but feel as if that would in some ways disappoint him. He was a Harbinger, tough, aloof. No words could ever hurt Childe, of that, you were sure. So how would he take it, the knowledge that his part was all too liable to shatter at every poke and prod? You couldn’t blame him if he turned out to be ashamed.
So, you kept it to yourself, smiled through all the jabs and teases. It didn’t matter, it really didn’t. You were fine! Or if you, weren’t it wasn’t worth it trying to change anything. You didn’t want to lose Childe, didn’t want to see the change when he went to say something before stopping, looking at you’re with barely concealed disappointment. Childe lived with his emotions to the forefront after all. And you wouldn’t ask him to change something you ultimately loved about him.
Thus, the days continued on, as did the teasing and the feigned smiles. Some days it was worth it, some days you were left with nothing but happiness bubbling up inside, the love that humans reserved for a very few number of friends and lovers. Yet those days were often days with minimal teasing, and you couldn’t help but notice the layer of anxiety that pressed on your love the days that were filled with Childe’s jabs. Lying in bed, limbs tangled with his, you stared up at the ceiling, wondering what you should do. You felt trapped, by your emotions, by your pride, by Childe’s words. They were all encircling you, and you could do nothing to defend yourself. You tried to keep the tears to a minimum; after all your partner slept so little already.
You didn’t know when the subtle shift happened, when it all became too much to handle. Maybe it was after Childe’s recent trip to Snezhnaya, where, surrounded by Harbingers who saw their coworkers as enemies rather than allies, he had sharpened his wit even more so than before. If his earlier teasing was unfocused, general quips, then his current ones struck quite closer to home.
“Wow my dear I didn’t peg you for a Treasure Hoarder, I don’t think that arrow could hit anyone if it tried!”
“I think you truly have the makings of someone who gets scammed by a Mondstadtian duke, or perhaps a Fontaine prince who has lost all his mora in a flood. Remind me to never go shopping with you.”
“Honestly, I think if you ran into the Electro Archon, she’d think your vision was fake. It’d be an easy way out.”
The whiplash of Childe’s proclamations of “princess” mingled with sentences that, had they been geared at anyone else, would surely be insults was shocking, and you found yourself less and less able to keep these two aspects of your partner compatible in your mind. Even less did you find the ability to simply brush it off.
You didn’t know why it was a comment about your socks that finally caused you to break. Really, it was too juvenile.
Laundry in your shared apartment was often seen as a punishment, the chore that each of you pushed onto the other. As such there was often a pile of laundry in the laundry basket, and incredibly slim pickings in your drawers. That being the case you often found yourself wearing mismatched socks. Perhaps it was a little odd, or a little childish, but it was certainly preferrable to spending all day at the river scrubbing your hands red. Who cared anyways? No one would notice such a small thing, especially once you had put your boots on.
However, nothing could get past Childe’s wicked sense of humor, and apparently your clothing choices were prime fodder for him.
“Nice socks.”
“Oh, thanks,” you replied, already having a sense of where it was going. The smirk that played across your partner’s face was full of mischief, and usually that only led to one place.
“I think that you’ll be quite the icon among toddlers all throughout Liyue. People will be asking you if you’re lost all day, or maybe they’ll ask you how it feels like to be nine.”
It was really a silly comment to get so upset over, such a small, insignificant thing to cry over. Yet there you were, standing in the kitchen, frozen in horror as your vision became fuzzy with tears. Unsure about any other course of action you buried your face in your hands and prayed Childe wouldn’t think about what you were doing.
“What’s wrong? Are you alright?”
You could hear the panic and concern mingling in Childe’s voice. Almost immediately a warm hand was on your shoulder, and you were suddenly flooded with the presence of the person you loved so much, the person you were now crying about. You could tell Childe was saying something, was whispering soft words of comfort, but in the moment your thoughts felt all too loud. Overwhelmed by the situation you turned into your partner’s shoulder and let yourself cry.
Eventually sensing you had lost all your tears Childe drew back slightly.
“Would you like a glass of water?”
“Yes please,” you replied, voice still small. Nodding Childe moved towards the kitchen. Within a few moments he was back, glass in hand.
“Was it the teasing?” He asked as you drank. Whatever you had to say about your partner, he certainly wasn’t stupid.
“Yes,” you mumbled, nodding for affect.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I had gone too far. I promise I’ll be more careful from now on.”
“But Childe, it, it’s not just this time.”
“What do you mean?” Childe asked, voice flooding through with concern once more.
“It’s, I’m sorry, it’s just that, it’s all the time. Not all the time, every time you tease me. It’s not your fault! Of course, it’s not, it’s my fault. I don’t know, I just, it really hurts sometimes, all the time? I don’t know. I just, I’m sorry.”
Childe’s expression was one of abject horror. Taking your hand, he rubbed small circles on the top with his thumb. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize how much it was affecting you. I should have been more careful.”
“But I don’t want you to feel like you have to, I don’t know, I know you tease everyone, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“You aren’t making me uncomfortable.” Childe’s voice seemed just as hurried as yours. “It makes me more uncomfortable to think that you’ve been burying this the whole time. You’re damn good at hiding things you know. But this isn’t a war or something, you don’t have to hide what you’re feeling, for whatever reason. Better if you tell me, y’know?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. Doesn’t look good on you, or sound good. I’d rather hear you happy.” Childe leaned in to press a soft kiss against your forehead. “I love you, okay? You mean more to me than a little bit of teasing.”
“You don’t think I’m being weak?” You managed to make out as your anxiety lessened its grip on you.
“Weak? Girlie you’re one of the strongest people I know! Weak my ass. If you wanted to rule the world you could give me a run for my money. Of course, I’d win though. I mean, I would be there right with you.”
“I know you would,” you smiled, despite yourself.
You knew that Childe probably would still retain the odd sense of humor and levity he already had. Old habits die hard and all that. Still, you had managed to say what had been haunting you all this time and, more than that, you had been assured that you were good enough, strong enough. Those few words, no matter how short, meant the world to you.
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gernades · 4 years ago
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Ace is gone. He’s been gone for five weeks. 
Nancy has had a lot of time to think. 
She sees the places where he used to be- the kitchen, his house, the spot in his driveway where Florence is always parked- and can’t stop looking at them. 
“Nancy?” 
Nancy blinks and looks up. Ace’s mother is watching her, hands resting on the dough, eyes concerned. “Are you okay?” 
Today they’re making babka-chocolate bread, braided in sections and glazed with egg wash. Nancy looks down. She’s not very good at braiding, but it mostly looks like Rebecca’s dough. 
“I’m fine,” she says, a half-smile working its way across her face. “It’s just been a long week.” Another week without Ace.  She doesn’t know why she’s here, in his house- in his kitchen- but Rebecca doesn’t seem to mind. She never has.
Nancy’s here every other day, now. They’ve made bread and biscuits and a dozen Jewish desserts that Nancy is now addicted to. 
Sometimes, Thom joins them. 
( “He’s taken quite the shine to you,” Rebecca whispers on one such day, eyes sparkling. “He’s not like this with everyone.” 
Nancy doesn’t bring up the ASL textbooks sitting new and shiny on her desk at home. 
Talking about me again, Thom signs over his shoulder, and Rebecca laughs, flicks him on the shoulder. )
Now, Rebecca gently sets down her dough and wipes her fingers off on her apron. “Do you want to talk about it?” 
No, thank you, is Nancy’s knee jerk reaction. She pauses before letting the words come out. She’s been doing that more often, as of late. Sana-her therapist- would be proud. 
Nancy purses her lips and drags a finger through the loose flour on the counter. “It’s nothing, really. I’m just… going through a lot with my dad’s business, and... I can’t help but feel like I’m never going to be happy again.” 
The last part she doesn’t mean to say out loud. “I’m sorry,” Nancy says immediately, and lifts her head up. “That was…” 
“Oh, honey,” Rebecca whispers. Her eyes are shiny. “I don’t know exactly what’s been going on, but I can tell that it’s been hard on you. You’ve always been so strong. Just like your mother.” 
“Hm,” Nancy manages, throat tight and vision blurry. When Rebecca bustles around the table and wraps her arms around her, she doesn’t pull away. 
Rebecca smells like soap and rosemary: she is warm and accepting and she makes Nancy’s heart hurt less. This will have to end eventually, but she can’t help but lean into it anyway.
                                                              *** 
“You’ve been spending a lot of time out of the house,” Carson remarks later that night. 
They’re sitting at the dinner table, doing their best to eat what is supposed to be spaghetti, courtesy of Ryan. He’s still learning how to use basic appliances: his cooking is dangerous.
 Nancy wrinkles her nose and stabs at a coagulated lump of pasta. 
“Yeah. Nothing bad. I’ve just been… baking.” 
Ryan hums and shoves a forkful of food into his mouth. Nancy and Carson watch in amazement as he gets it down without gagging. “You’re really good at it, too. That, uh, chocolate croissant thingy you brought home yesterday was amazing.” 
Nancy raises an eyebrow, amused. “The rugelach?” 
Ryan jabs his fork into the air. “Yes. So good.” 
“Spending time with Rebecca, I gather?” Carson’s voice is light and free of judgement. Before the whole Wraith thing, Nancy would have pulled up her walls, deflected the conversation. 
It’s a little different now, though, so Nancy just nods. “It’s just... nice to have someone to talk to who’s normal.” 
Carson sighs and rubs her shoulder. “I understand that completely.” 
“Hey,” Ryan states, expression pinched, “is pasta supposed to make my stomach bubbly?” 
Nancy and Carson exchange a long, tired look. 
They take Ryan to the ER for food poisoning. 
                                                              *** 
George slams a palm down onto the table. Her engagement ring sparkles in the afternoon light. Nancy jumps. “It’s been quiet, Drew. Too quiet. I don’t trust it.” 
Nancy takes a long look around the Claw. It’s nearly packed to the brim with customers- their Yelp ratings have skyrocketed since the staff have actually started working again. “This is your idea of quiet?” 
George groans and slides into the opposite booth. “You know what I mean. We’ve had nothing supernatural happen for almost a month. It’s driving me crazy.” 
“Good,” Nancy replies mildly, and takes another bite of her crab roll. “I’m taking a sabbatical from sleuthing.” 
Sana was the one to suggest a break from anything stressful- like sports or large events! Avoiding murder and possession via the paranormal probably isn’t what her therapist means, but Nancy can read between the lines. 
George screeches. Half the restaurant turns to look at them. They turn back when they see who it is. 
“What?” She narrows her eyes and leans in. “Okay. I never thought I’d live to see the Hero of Horseshoe Bay gives herself a break.” She crosses her arms. “I’m proud of you, Nancy.” 
Nancy’s heart hums. She sends George a grateful smile. “Thanks.” 
George smiles back. “Your lunch break was over ten minutes ago, by the way. I need you to clean out the grease traps.” 
Nancy’s smile drops. 
The grease traps are gross, hard work. They’re also the last normal thing Nancy did with Ace, which is equal parts sad and amusing. 
She grits her teeth and scrubs her cloth against the dirty metal. At least it’s cool here, in the kitchen, and away from the always-prying eyes of customers. 
The bell above the restaurant door tinkles faintly. Nancy sighs and dips her rag into the bucket of degreaser. 
Bess screams, high-pitched and excited. “Ace!” 
Nancy stands up so quickly that she knocks the bucket onto its side. No way. 
He can’t be back- it’s too soon, too late. Nancy needs to think more. If he’s back, she can’t go to his house again, can she?
Heart pounding, she creeps over to the window and peers into the restaurant. He’s surrounded by Bess and George- and, after a moment, Nick jogs in from the parking lot, smile blinding. 
Nancy wants to go see him. She does. Her feet seem to have other ideas, though. She can’t seem to move at all. 
Ace looks good. His hair is longer, and sun-bleached; his skin is tanned. Even from this distance Nancy can see the new freckles on his face. 
There’s a leather jacket, black and tight around his shoulders- and two new silver studs in his ears. He’s smiling. He looks happy.
 Nancy’s chest aches. 
“Hey,” she hears him say to George, “Where’s Nancy?” 
Nancy takes a half step backwards. 
“Cleaning the grease traps in the kitchen,” George replies, spreading her arms in a grand gesture. “The best job in the world.” 
Ace laughs. 
Nancy runs. 
She doesn’t really run- she simply makes a strategic, tactical retreat into the staff room and out the back door. 
There’s no time to overthink it- not yet, her brain and heart agree. Not yet. 
Nancy thanks her former self for parking her car at the very edge of the lot. Nobody notices as she pulls out onto the road, a full two hours before her shift is supposed to end. 
Ooh, she’s a little runaway! Bon Jovi croons on the radio. Daddy’s girl learned fast- 
Nancy grits her teeth and pushes her foot against the accelerator. 
All those things he couldn’t say! Ooh, she’s a little runawa-
Nancy spins the radio dial with fumbling fingers, and spends the rest of her drive listening to germanic opera. 
“Shit.” 
                                                               *** 
“Jesus,” Ryan says when he opens the front door. “You look worse than I do, and I spent three hours getting my stomach pumped last night.” 
Nancy pushes past him without a word. 
Ryan’s voice lowers, softens. “Nancy. Hey.” He reaches out, gently wraps a hand around her wrist. She stops walking. “What’s wrong?” 
“Nothing,” Nancy says, but her words come out wobbly, uneven. 
Ryan scoots a little closer. “Okay, well… that’s a lie.” 
Nancy snorts. “Ace is back.” 
Ryan smiles, relieved. “That’s great!” He pauses. “Isn’t it?” When she says nothing, he squints his eyes, searches her face. “Oh,” he says finally. “I see.” 
Nancy stiffens, alarmed. “How did you-,” 
Ryan sighs and taps his cheek. “We make the same kind of face, you know. Genetics and all that.” 
“Shit,” Nancy says again, and tries very hard not to sink through the floor. 
“Don’t worry,” Ryan promises. “I wont say anything.”
“What’s going on?” 
Ryan and Nancy turn to face Carson, who is wrapped in a purple robe, fresh out of the shower. He takes one look at the expression on Nancy’s face and rushes over. “Is there another entity-,” 
“No,” Nancy says vehemently. She drops her head onto his shoulder, breathes in the smell of his aftershave. “I’m just not feeling well.” 
Neither of her dads press her for more- they simply stand like that, the three of them, for a very long time. 
                                                              *** 
        George: where the hell are u?? 
        George: hello? nancy?
        George: are u ok
        Bess: ACE IS BACK!!!! :D
        Bess: wait where r u��
        Nick: Did something happen? 
        Ace: hey. i just got back. where are you? 
“No,” Nancy says softly, and turns off her phone. “I am not good.” 
She needs a plan. Something to protect herself, and to spare everyone from the complications that one-sided feelings often bring. It’s been a good five weeks, if she doesn’t include the whole Ace thing. It’s been peaceful. Happy. 
She doesn’t want to ruin that. 
Nancy draws her knees up to her chest and stares out the window. I think I’ll just have to pretend. It’s either that, or avoiding Ace altogether- which would be impossible.
No more baking with Rebecca and Thom, either. That hurts more than Nancy wants to admit- but she’s already made up her mind. She’ll keep her feelings on the back burner, and do her best to keep things normal. 
With a sigh, she stands, and goes upstairs to take a much-needed nap. 
She dreams again. It’s the same one she’s been having every night for the past five weeks.
Nancy dreams of silk and cigarette smoke- because Ace always has to light one up after he has a joint- and of the ocean. The waves lap at the shore, rhythmic and quiet. It’s peaceful, here. Safe.
She dreams about a cliff, soft grass: warm, roving hands and a familiar mouth against her own. If she calls out his name in her sleep, that’s her problem.
 If she wakes up sweaty and teary-eyed, that’s her problem, too.
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lisbonsteresa · 4 years ago
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You’re Once (In Any Lifetime)
🥳 🥳 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAY( @eddiediaz)!!!!  🥳 🥳  (little late is better than never fingers crossed. a little something for my drew crew bestie who i have never yelled at, cajoled into watching a show, or threatened with a knife emoji. hope you like the...kind of au of the au of the - let’s just call it the 7th generation of an au 😘)
                                 ___
“She’s lingering again.”
“Call a spade a spade Bess.” George grumbled as she entered the kitchen with an armful of dirty dishes. “At this point she’s loitering.”
Nick glanced up from where he was reviewing that month’s order form at the prep table with a slight grin. “Don’t know if you can go that far. I mean she did pay for her dinner.”
“Oh please,” George shot back with a roll of her eyes. “It’s been 45 minutes since she paid her bill and she’s still nursing that iced tea like it’s a long island.” As if she knew they were talking about her, the redhead in the corner booth looked up from her glass and gave a small, unsure smile across the sparsely-seated dining room in their direction. She did not receive any in response.
“What I don’t understand is why she keeps coming here, of all places. I mean it’s not like our food is good.” An offended grunt came from Bess’s right, and she spun around to see the Claw’s cook pressing a burger to the grill with a wounded expression. 
“Oh no, Charlie,” she backtracked frantically, hands held out in a feeble attempt to placate the older man. “I just meant compared to what they must have at the yacht club.” 
Charlie gave a noncommittal shrug, apparently forgiving the unintended slight before moving down the line where he hopefully missed Bess’s whispered  “Or anywhere else…”
“Guys, come on.” Ace cut in, voice calm and measured even as he scrubbed determinedly at a rusting lobster pot. “It’s not like we don’t have other customers keeping us here. What’s so bad about Nancy lingering a bit?” 
“The fact that she’s not just ‘Nancy’, Ace.” George admonished as she tipped her dishes into the full sink in front of him, raising the water level until it sloshed dangerously close to the edge. “She’s Nancy Hudson. You know how the hill-toppers treat us townies -”
“When they’re not wheeling and dealing in back rooms to screw us over while they’re sitting pretty in their ivory towers.” Nick interrupted, his attention still on the sheet in front of him.  
“Exactly.” George gave her boyfriend an appreciative look as she leaned up against the prep table next to him. “And now what, I’m supposed to be happy that one of them deigned to grace us with her presence?” 
“Yes, and I had to take her hill-topper order.” Bess lamented, pouting near the line window until she noticed Nick looking at her with raised eyebrows. “What?”
“You know you’re a hill-topper, right Bess?”
She turned towards him, her expression scandalized and defensive. “That is completely different, Mr. Multimillionaire.” (Nick held his hands up in amused defeat). “I only just became a Marvin; I wasn’t born and raised a hill-topper, unlike some people.” 
“Besides,” she glanced back across the dining room with an insulted wrinkle of her nose, “the Hudsons and Marvins are long-standing enemies; it was humiliating to have to serve one of them.”
“The Hudsons and Marvins, maybe, but not you and Nancy.” Ace countered, leaning the lobster pot against the back of the drying rack before reaching into the increasingly murky water to start on George’s dishes. “You two barely know each other.”
Bess paused, playing with her necklace and staring into space as if considering this fact for the first time. “Well, I guess that’s true…"
“And she’s been spending her gap year here in town volunteering and helping Hannah Gruen set up a scholarship with the Historical Society.” Ace continued with a glance over his shoulder at Nick.
“I mean, that’s great, but -” Nick stopped, eyes narrowing “wait, how do you know that?”
Ace’s hands paused their motions, just for a fraction of a second, before he resumed rinsing a plate and gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Must’ve seen it in the paper somewhere.” He muttered offhandedly. “And -”
“And nothing.” George cut him off, crossing her arms across her chest with a scowl. “A few good deeds don’t change the fact that this time next year she’ll be 300 miles away with a full ride to some Ivy League school just because of her last name, and the rest of us will still be stuck here cleaning grease traps in an old clam shack.” Ace’s shoulders tensed more and more with every word that left her mouth. “And since when did you start defending Hudsons anyway?”
“I’m not defending the Hudsons, I’m defending Na-” Ace spun around to face the room and froze, realizing that his raised voice had turned three sets of interested eyes in his direction. (Well, four, if you counted Charlie.) “I’m not defending anybody.” he continued after a beat. “I’m just saying you can’t help who your family is, and at least she’s trying to be better than hers. It wouldn’t kill you guys to try and see that.” 
No one said anything - this was the most upset any of them had seen Ace get since the time that nor'easter put a tree branch through Florence’s windshield. “Anyway, dishes are done; I’m gonna take my break.”
He tossed the towel that had been slung over his shoulder down onto the counter and stomped down the steps towards the storeroom. The back door slammed shut a moment later, and the others turned back towards the dining room to see that Nancy had at last abandoned her iced tea and was heading towards the exit with the air of someone in a rush trying very hard to appear relaxed.
“So…” Bess began, her eyes flicking back and forth between Nancy’s booth and the door. “when do we tell him we saw them making out by the loading dock last Thursday?”  
“I say we make him sweat for a bit.” George said with a shrug as she straightened and headed out to clear the table. “Serves him right for thinking he could keep something like this from us.” Bess and Nick shared an amused smile behind her, then got back to their own work.
If any of them noticed that Ace arrived back from his break 20 minutes late with his hair in disarray, they kept it to themselves.
                                   _____
“Great. I’m going to be picking seaweed out of my hair for a week. Thanks a lot Bess.”
Bess paused her efforts to wring out her dress to shoot an incredulous look in George’s direction. “I’m sorry, how is this my fault!?”
“It’s my birthday George!” Came the response in a mocking imitation of the Brit’s accent. “Just close for inventory George! It’ll be fun George!” 
“Well excuse me for trying to enjoy a nice beach day!” Bess shot back. “How was I supposed to know we’d be attacked by that kelkey-whatever??”
“Kelpie.” Nick corrected, stopping the bickering for a moment while all three turned their attention towards the redhead kneeling in the sand and frantically running her hands over a soaking wet and slightly dazed Ace. “That’s what you called it, right?”
The second Nancy realized she was being addressed, her hands dropped from Ace’s body like they had been burned. “Huh? Oh, uh, yeah, a kelpie. They’re Scottish horse spirits that drag their victims underwater and devour them. That silver necklace Bess had was its bridle, and -” she paused, looking around to see the others staring blankly at her. 
“Sorry.” Her voice sounded almost sheepish. “I volunteer over at the historical society a lot, and there’s some…interesting stuff in their archives.” Another moment passed. No one’s expression changed.
“…Anyway the bridle can be used to control it, so I think it attacked you to try and get it back. And since you didn’t know what it was, it just seemed easier to grab it and toss it then try and explain why it was making the giant horse spirit angry.” She finished with a weak grin, as if she’d been explaining the weather and not the most terrifying thing most of them had ever seen. 
No one spoke for a while longer, and then Bess’s quiet  “Oh.” broke the silence. “Well…okay. For a second I thought you just really didn’t like my necklace.” 
The tension broken, the others looked at her with varying levels of amusement before she let out a gasp and turned to address Nancy directly. “Wait my cousin Cassidy gave me that last night! You don’t think…”
“I don’t think she knew what it was.” Nancy replied with an almost fond smile. “When the historical society got the request to put the necklace in one its deposit boxes, the record just said it was a Marvin family heirloom; brought over aboard the Governance.”
“And the kelpie followed it all the way here?” Nick asked, eying Nancy sideways as he tried to shake water out of his ear.
She shrugged. “There are some records that say kelpies are bound to follow their bridles, wherever they go. They can’t leave the water though, so it could have gotten into the bay and then…gotten lost, I guess.” Bess was already nodding along as if everything Nancy was saying made perfect sense. “We didn’t realize the necklace was anything out of the ordinary until Cassidy came to request it and Hannah thought she recognized it from her research.”
“Well good thing she did, or this might’ve been Bess’s last birthday.” George smirked. “Never thought I’d say this,” she continued, ignoring her friend’s offended huff and turning towards Nancy, “but I’m glad you were around, Hudson.”
“Thanks.” Nancy sounded like she wasn’t sure whether she should be flattered or insulted by the statement. “I was looking for you guys, actually. When we realized what the necklace was, we called Cassidy and she said she’d given it to you for your birthday, and since you were coming to the beach Hannah and I were worried that getting it too close to the water might -”
“Wait, how did you know we’d be at the beach?” Bess interrupted.
Nancy stilled, her eyes darting over to a still-groggy Ace then back to the others so quickly that they might have missed it had they not been watching her so closely. “I must have overheard it the last time I was at the Claw.” Her voice was measured; almost deliberately calm. “When it’s slow there your voices tend to carry.” 
Bess and Nick gave each other an uneasy sidelong glance at Nancy’s implication, while George’s expression grew into something approaching begrudging respect. “Anyway,” Nancy stood, brushing sand off her pants and looking anywhere but in Ace’s direction, “I should get back to Hannah and let her know everything’s okay. See you around.”
She turned and started heading towards the parking lot, and Ace watched with worried eyes as his friends had a rapid fire non-verbal conversation. Bess nodded towards Nick, who responded with a shrug. They both looked over at Ace with small smiles, then turned to George; Nick with one eyebrow raised in question and Bess with what could only be described as puppy dog eyes. George glanced at Ace before letting out a labored sigh and rolling her eyes as she called down the beach: “Hey Hudson!” 
Nancy turned, hands twisting in the strap of the messenger bag. “You wanna meet us at the Claw after we get cleaned up?” George asked. “We’re closed for inventory - it’d be a good place to talk about all…this.” (Bess cleared her throat pointedly.) “And we have cake for Bess’s birthday.”
The smile that bloomed on Nancy’s face was beaming, even at a distance. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
                                 ______
It had been three weeks since the kelpie incident, and for all intents and purposes, Nancy had settled in as the fifth member of their little group. She and Bess had gotten along almost immediately, despite some awkward encounters when they had run into family while together. 
Nick had warmed to her considerably once she started helping him with his plans for a youth center in town. (It certainly hadn’t hurt that she’d ‘misplaced’ her grandfather’s application for the building on Spring St. until Nick’s bid had already closed). 
And while George and Nancy bickered almost constantly, they (usually) did it with smiles on their faces. If asked, they might not call each other ‘friends’, but they were definitely heading in a good direction. 
The first Friday afternoon of July found them sprawled out across the dining table of Nick’s loft, brainstorming ideas for that year’s ‘Still Summer at the Bayside Claw’ event. (Or rather found most of them. Truth be told, Bess’s focus might have been more on her online shopping.) They’d been working for an hour or so when a noise like the rapid honking of a clown nose suddenly interrupted the conversation.
“Shit,” Ace muttered, grabbing his phone and snoozing the alarm, “I’m going to be late for Shabbat.” He gathered his things in a rush, exchanged a quick “Bye” and kiss with Nancy, then froze. 
His eyes moved rapidly between the others - Nancy’s wide-eyed panic; George’s look of shock and disgust; Nick’s eyebrows shooting up his forehead; Bess’s almost giddy expression - before seeming to make a decision.
“Uh…Nick,” he croaked out before anyone could react any further, making his way over to where his friend was sitting with an air of forced normalcy and kissing him like it was something he did every day. “thank you for having me.”
“See you tomorrow, Bess.” He continued, leaning over and giving her a peck on the cheek, causing a giggle to escape her barely-maintained composure.
He turned towards the other end of the table, eying George the way an antelope might eye a lion. “George -”  
“Don’t even think about it.” She cut him off with a glare.
“Right. ‘Course.” He glanced around the room one last time as he backed towards the door, eyes skipping over Nancy as if he was afraid of what his expression might reveal if he focused at all on her. “Um, have a good night everyone.” And then he was gone, the door slamming behind him as his rapid footsteps echoed down the hallway.
A minute passed in complete silence, then another. 
Nick looked absolutely mystified, his fingers stuck halfway to his lips like he couldn’t quite comprehend what had just happened. George’s grimace was slowly turning into an amused smirk, and Bess looked seconds away from breaking into complete hysterics.
Another minute passed before Nancy, staring at the table with a face almost as red as her hair, broke the silence. “So…how long have you guys known?”
“Since before the kelpie incident.” George answered bluntly, while Nick shook off his daze and turned his attention towards Nancy and Bess took a calming breath and tried to bite back her laughter.
“Oh.” 
Nancy’s eyes darted between the table and the door as if trying to decide if it would be worse to try and explain herself or just cut her losses and run. “Ok, well, we were going to tell you, we just -”
“You can relax Nancy.” Nick cut in, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She flinched at the touch, but finally turned to see an understanding smile on his face. “You wouldn’t be here right now if any of us still had a problem with you.”
Bess nodded rapidly, reaching across the table to cover one of Nancy’s hands with her own. “You make Ace happy, and that’s what really matters to us."
A wobbly smile began to grow on Nancy’s face, before she blinked and turned towards George with apprehension and a bit of challenge in her eyes. 
George’s expression stayed firm until Nick cleared his throat and gave her a pointed look. She sighed and rolled her eyes, but the grin she gave Nancy was genuine.“Plus I guess you’re not horrible.”
That pulled a laugh from Nancy, even as she blinked back touched tears she knew George would make fun of. “Thanks guys. I really appreciate that.”
(To say Ace was confused when she walked into the Claw the next morning and kissed him in the middle of the dining room would be an understatement, but he definitely wasn’t complaining.)
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macbetha · 3 years ago
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below the cut, you'll find an interest check chapter for quatervois, a nancy drew pc fic. it's francy and also my idea of my absolute dream game. please let me know what you think and enjoy!
+++
After Ned breaks up with her and she loses her father, Nancy struggles to find her old vigor for detective work. While on vacation in London with Bess and George, Nancy accepts the urgent invitation to return Blackmoor Manor. Her English getaway quickly turns into an investigation once Nancy realizes the true reason Nigel Mookergee asked her back to the moors. Finding Deirdre Shannon at the manor under the same pretense only sets Nancy’s nerves further on edge. It isn’t until the Hardy Boys show up in Blackmoor that Nancy gets a glimpse of who she once was. With a manor full of suspects and a glass heart cracked open, Nancy is determined to find the truth.
Dear Ned,
How are you? It’s been a while. I’ve always started off my letters telling you about my latest case, but I’m not on one right now. I’m sure that’s hard to believe. Bess and George have whisked me away to London. I’m sure you would love it here. This is the first time I’ve seen Bess and George since I sold the house in River Heights. I stayed with Kyler and Matt in Ireland for a while. I needed a change of scenery. Their daughter just turned two. I’m somewhat jealous I’m happy for them. Anyways, I miss you I hope you’re doing well. I’m sure New York is lovely at Christmas time. I hope Stephanie is I wish Stephanie well How is Stephanie? I hope Stephanie is doing all right. I appreciated the card Stephanie sent when dad passed away. Warm regards, Merry Christmas, Love Nancy
She stares down at the letter as if the red ink were her own blood. It feels just as wounding, seeing her emotions made physical in the words on the paper. Only when a tear splatters on the page does she break free from her trance to the past. Nancy is the only person in her hotel suite, yet she works to rid the evidence like one of her own suspects. She pulls her feet up in the desk chair and crosses her ankles, holding the arch of her right foot – it recently became the victim of her latest culprit. Nancy’s foot got caught under the getaway car’s tire, and she is lucky to even be able to walk after the event. Months later, it’s stiff as hell with the most intense cramps she’s ever endured. Heart racing to forget the night it happened, she focuses on the snowfall out the window – counting little sparkles of snowflakes, though the world blurs when she squints. The doctor thought her failing sight as well as the daily headaches were on account of being hit in the head so many times.
She busies herself with choosing a postcard to send Hannah and Nancy selects one with a cat dressed up as a royal guard. The cuteness puts a smile on her face, however small – she hopes it’ll do the same for Hannah, but there is no telling. Nancy had the gut-feeling Hannah was lying about recognizing her the last time Nancy visited the nursing home. Torment swirls like wind to fallen leaves. She doesn’t have Hannah or Togo to come home to. Togo passed just before Nancy’s thirty-second birthday, and Carson fell ill soon after that. Nancy looks to her hotel bed where Mr. Woogle Woggle sits tucked between two pillows. It seems he is the only one that hasn’t left her. A knock on her hotel door reminds her that is simply not true. Nancy rights herself, fixing her posture to the stance of someone passionate, and she opens the door. Bess and George greet her with blazing smiles; Nancy gives silent thanks for their presence in her life. She would still be in Scotland with Kyler and Matt, had Bess and George not insisted to take her on a vacation. Nancy imagines that their insistence was due to them wanting to keep Nancy from spending Christmas alone on the road again like last year. “Nancy,” Bess stresses. “You’re never going to guess who we ran into in the lobby!” Horror strikes dull and loud in her ears. Surely, it’s not Ned. Please, don’t let it be Ned. George says, “Give you a hint: they were involved in one of your cases.” Nancy’s despair leaves her throat tight. She glances down the hallway, preparing to yank Bess and George into her room and dial her Cathedral contact to get them set up in witness protection.
“That didn’t narrow it down at all, George,” Bess says with a roll of her eyes. “Nancy’s been on hundreds of cases.” Nancy’s strain creeps into her one word: “Who?” Bess and George beam. “Maya Nguyn!” ++
Nancy follows Bess and George to the elevator in a hurried stupor. No thoughts can she conjure as she steps free from the elevator walls which seem to close in on her; Nancy marches into the lobby and notices a woman in the crowd of tourists. She stands with her back to Nancy, her hair drawn up in a bun, and her chin is lifted high with no time for games. Maya turns around and her bright red mouth stretches into a smile. “Nancy!” “Maya,” Nancy huffs in disbelief. She tenses in Maya’s sudden embrace before all but falling into it. This is something good I did; Nancy cherishes with shut eyes. This is someone I helped. When Maya pulls back, Nancy says, “What are you doing all the way out here? You said in your last letter, you were still in Washington.” “My house is technically there,” Maya nods. “But I get to work on the road more these days.” Her brows crease over a sympathetic smile. “Bess and George tell me you’re kind of in the same boat.” Nancy shrugs, struggling to hold Maya’s concerned gaze. “It’s just easier,” Nancy lies. Maya seems to see right through it, but she doesn’t speak on it. Nancy will have to thank her later. George says, “Maya offered us free tickets to a play she’s reviewing tonight and get this – it’s at the Globe Theater!” “Remind me what’s so special about a globe theater,” Bess sighs, checking her nails. “Not ‘a’, Bess, the.” George shakes her head. “The Globe Theater – well, technically it’s a reconstruction of the first one, but it’s where Shakespeare wrote his plays.” “It’s the opening night of a new play,” Maya explains. “And Nancy, you’ll never guess who the star is.” Nancy cannot take anymore guessing games. “Brady Armstrong.” Maya blinks. “Well – yes, actually.” Nancy frowns. “Wait, really?” “Yes,” Maya laughs. “I’ll be conducting an interview with him after the show if you want to go backstage and chew him out for all the stunts he pulled back in the day.” A spark of vigor heightens Nancy’s senses. That doesn’t sound bad at all. Still – “Are you sure we won’t be a distraction or –” “Nancy.” Maya’s hand falls on her shoulder. “You saved my life. You’re the furthest thing from a distraction.” Gratitude floods her before Nancy nods. “All right, then.” +++ The walk to the Globe would be depressive what with the sky being the color of a soaked napkin, but the Christmas decorations lift everyone’s spirits. Nancy limps by a shop playing Christmas oldies through the open door and she is borne back to her father listening to records over cocoa on Christmas morning. She tries to push the memory from her mind, then she thinks of building snowmen with Ned and having snowball fights that turned into the sweetest kisses she’s ever received. The music won’t stop. There are three Christmas trees in the display window and their flashing lights strike pain behind Nancy’s eyes. She pants through a sensory overload before someone squeezes her hand. Maya smiles in understanding as Bess and George walk obliviously in front of them. “It’s hard,” Maya says. “This life on the road. You pick up a few habits.” Nancy squeezes her hand in thanks before tucking her own in her peacoat’s pocket. “I want to enjoy this,” she admits quietly. “But I think the holidays are always hard.” Maya nods. “It won’t be this way forever, Nancy,” she promises. “I’ve got my fingers crossed for you.” Cross your fingers, there’s a story behind this door! Nancy swallows around the lump of panic in her throat. She plasters on a smile. +++ The theater is packed with noise and touching and all-around boisterous patrons. They find their seats in the crowd and Nancy doesn’t watch where she’s going – she must keep her eyes on the open ceiling to remember how to breathe. She sits down at the end of the group and Maya passes out programs. Quatervois, the title reads. Bess says, “What does that mean?” “It means you’re at a crossroads,” Maya says. “A turning point.” “Sounds a little dramatic,” George grumbles. Nancy traces the swooping lines of the title with
her thumb, repeating the process until the lights go down. The masked chorus emerges from the shadows and gives a synopsis: Down from Olympus a great hero emerges, Mighty in his strength and courage! A choice he must make Shall he ignore fate? Will he choose love, Or follow his destiny there-of? When Brady saunters on stage in an impossibly short silk chiton, it’s an out-of-body experience for Nancy. He still hasn’t grown his ponytail back, so Simone could very well be in the audience right now. Nancy rubs her aching temple at the thought. Brady begins his journey as the character Diogenes, a demigod that was supposedly – according to the play’s plot – written out of ancient Greek mythos. Diogenes must defeat those who want to leave him forgotten in history, lest he admit that he can’t win this fight and live his life like everyone else. Nancy assumes the play’s ending too soon. She imagines this will be a droll experience written only to paint Brady as a glorious hero that can conquer anything – but she is quickly surprised. Brady is stabbed in the final act and addresses the audience in a wail: And so my story ends a breath too early, No time to even be weary! The moon shall pass over my corpse, And the sun will beat down on my ashes with no remorse. Today, I have failed my quartervois Alone, forgotten, and lost. When the curtain falls, Nancy’s mouth is parted in disbelief as a tear burns down her cheek. They don’t receive a proper goodbye with Maya since the rest of the crowd is bustling toward the exit. She does have time to say that Brady is producing a new television series and will be scouting some locations further into Essex; Maya will be following the film crew there for test shoots. She embraces each girl individually and holds Nancy for a beat longer, whispering, “You’ll call if you need to talk?” “Of course,” Nancy says by impulse. “Same to you.” +++ Nancy is proud of herself for going out, but when she closes the door to her hotel suite, her back thunks against the wall and she must take deep breaths for several minutes. She decides to treat herself to a bubble bath even though it’s nearly midnight. She rolls her hair up into a bun and looks at it in the mirror, how haphazard and messy hers is in comparison to Maya. Nancy isn’t jealous – but she can’t help but notice when people are thriving. She wants to figure out how to do it herself and hasn’t found the cure yet. The bath is claw-footed and deep. Nancy sinks into the steaming water before goosebumps rise on her arms, and her freckled skin blushes in the heat. The water does wonders for her foot. She eases her head back on the lip of the tub and nears a light doze when her cell phone rings. It rests atop a stack of towels by the tub. Nancy wipes her damp hand off before looking to the screen. Frank Hardy. Nancy answers and taps the speaker button to relax back in the tub. “Hey.” “Hi, Nance,” Frank says, his voice a familiar balm after such a stressful time. “What’s going on?” “Things aren’t too different from last week’s call,” Nancy smiles. “But I’m on vacation with Bess and George.” “Oh wow! That’s awesome. I hope it’s been fun.” Nancy’s glazed eyes blink. “Yeah,” she rasps. “It’s nice.” She clears her throat, searching for her old enthusiasm. “But what about you? How’s Joe?” “Same as usual, a pain in my ass.” Nancy chuckles before a distinctive lift raises Frank’s voice. “We’re actually getting ready to get on a plane for a case – but I wanted to make sure everything’s good with you.” Nancy’s hand closes in a fist on her raised knee. “Gosh, it’s been so long since I’ve been on a case.” “Not really. You just took a few months off to stay with Kyler, right?” “Yeah, but that’s the longest I’ve ever gone without a case since I started.” “I’d give you ours if I could,” Frank says. “Really not looking forward to such a long plane ride. Oh, they’re calling for our gate – but do you want me call you when I land?” Gratefulness is a warm glow in her heart. “No, that’s okay – but
thank you. Be safe on your trip and tell Joe I said hi.” “Can do.” Frank pauses. “I – tell Bess and George I said hi.” “Can do,��� Nancy repeats. She chews her lip. “See you soon?” She feels foolish for saying something when Frank is headed to a case. While the weekly phone calls have kept Nancy sane, it would be even better to see the Hardy Boys. “I’ll make it happen,” Frank promises. “See you, Nance.” After they hang up, Nancy struggles to get out of the tub with her swollen foot. She gets into a pair of sweats and wraps up some ice in a washcloth, then holds it against her foot. Nancy mulls over her conversation with Frank, wondering how much of her poor mood could be due to not solving a mystery. With a deep yawn, she tosses the soaked washcloth in the wastebasket, not able to walk to the bathroom to put it in the sink. She cuddles up to her teddy bear and flicks the lamp off when her phone rocks to life on the nightstand. Bewildered, Nancy turns the lamp back on to look at the screen. The number is unknown; she sees her hand tremble around the phone. She lets the call go to voicemail before the phone vibrates to life once again. Bracing herself, Nancy answers. “Hello?” “Yes, hello – I’m trying to reach a one Nancy Drew?” The voice is British and eerily familiar, like Nancy heard it in a dream. “This is she.” “Splendid! Oh, you wouldn’t believe the trouble I’ve gone to in order to find your number.” “Sorry? Who is this?” “Why, Nigel Mookergee. We met at –” “Blackmoor,” Nancy whispers. “Nigel, hi. What’s going on?” “I’m afraid the manner of my call is not a jovial one,” he says. “How should I explain this? Well, I suppose from the start. You see –” He sighs. “Don’t tell anyone I’m speaking of this, but the Penvellyns have fallen into a bit of… financial trouble.” Nancy says, “’Financial trouble’?” “It’s certainly not my business to spread, but yes. It’s not that they are a poor family by any means, but one diplomat’s salary is not enough to keep up a castle.” Nancy sits up, grabbing a pen and notepad from her bedside table. She jots as Nigel continues. “The Penvellyns began to host historical tours at the manor – much to Mrs. Drake’s dismay, I might add. Jane wishes to expand the business to the paranormal side of things, and I don’t quite agree with the idea myself, but she insists it’s just what the manor needs.” Nancy finishes scrawling and says, “So, you’re working for the Penvellyns now?” “Yes. I’m afraid there’s been some situations – inconsequential events, if you will – that need a glance over.” Nancy arches a brow. “You mean an investigation.” “Ah, such a serious word. I simply want to make sure we are fully prepared to expand the business.” Nancy’s eyes narrow. “Right. When would you need me there?” “As soon as possible -” Nigel catches himself. “I mean, at your earliest convenience.” Nancy glances over her notes, running her hand over the page filled by red ink. She closes her eyes against the sight and says, “I’ll be there tomorrow.”
thank you so much for reading! please let me know what you think and stay safe. and please consider following me here and on twitter! xoxo
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grimmywrites · 4 years ago
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So, about Infinite Darkness...
I’m gonna try to be as succinct as I can (I failed) about all the problems I had with it, but my list is pretty long... Yes, this has spoilers. Let me state upfront: if you’re not a hardcore RE fan, you can skip the show. Below I’ll tell you why.
Story: What a mess. Honestly, they turned me off right at the beginning with all the military stuff. It’s the same reason people didn’t like Chris’ campaign in 6; didn’t they learn anything from that? So, the story wasn’t the best thing I’ve ever seen. Honestly, it had more plot holes than anything and so many points where I went: “I don’t care about this.” Again, it was a jumbled mess. Capcom, hire me and I’ll do better, I swear. Let’s just sum it up by saying it’s a rehash of things we’ve seen SEVERAL times in the series before. If you’re gonna do it AGAIN let’s make the story unique and interesting. Oh, there are shady people in the military that want to use bioweapons in war? Okay, we’ve known that since the first game. We’ve seen it time and time again. Look to re8′s ending for example: the BSAA are now starting to use engineered soldiers - THAT was a reveal that was far more interesting. The way it was addressed and overcome in this show was just... so lackluster. Ultimately, it just felt like this entire thing didn’t need to happen. It changed nothing, it impacted nothing, and I’m aware that it really couldn’t since it was after re4 and before re5. There was just no lasting point and all the ‘themes’ (if you can call them that) made absolutely no sense, but I guess I’ll get into that with the characters? Pacing: Absolutely god awful. One minute we’re in the White House fighting zombies then I blink and it’s over and I’m like: Oh, we’re done? Another we’re in a sub and then I blink. Oh, that’s over, too. Also, the creators must’ve taken a page from the last couple of seasons of Game of Thrones (which is an abysmal idea, don’t fucking do that) because with a few cuts here and there we went from Guam to China back to DC. Guess everybody learned how to teleport so they got exactly where we needed them to for the “climax”. Let’s talk about that climax: There was none. Let’s look at Degeneration and Damnation (no I won’t talk about Vendetta). Both had their weaknesses but Leon and the climaxes were BADASS. Leon doing parkour in Degeneration? Leon going against Lickers and the huge Tyrants in Damnation? Those were amazing scenes. He did a few cool things here and there but nothing that got more of a laugh out of me. My man is coming off re4 where he rampaged through a village, a castle, and an island of mutated creatures to save one girl. C’mon now. Characters: By now (if anybody is even reading this rant), you’ve noticed that I’ve talked a lot about Leon. But what about Claire? Yeah, they lied to us about them working together. She got sidelined again. A lot of people are upset about this -- and yeah, it sucks because I do love Claire. Leon has just happened to be my favorite since 1998 so I wasn’t as heartbroken. That doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed, I’m just not very surprised. Leon - My main problem with Leon is Nick, his voice actor. I’m so sorry for all those who like him, but he just isn’t good enough for me. Paul Mercier (re4, Degeneration, Darkside Chronicles) and Matt Mercer (Damnation, Re6, Vendetta) would have been more appropriate. Nick tries his best, but he’s just too soft sounding to be post-re4 Leon. This is a man who is quipping one-liners left and right a couple of years ago. Now he’s barely smiling and doesn’t feel confident at all, and I think a lot of that is because of his portrayal. There are times where the lines hit, but more often than not they fall flat. I never felt that way with Paul who is my favorite Leon or Matt who gave emotional performances every time. Also, his decision at the end? I can understand it, but explain to Claire! Claire - I like Stephanie as Claire, I have no problems with her. She makes her sound tough and ready to do what she thinks is right. Unfortunately, the story completely sidelines her and makes her role obsolete. Everything she uncovers (because that’s her role apparently, just there to Nancy Drew) is already told to us through flashbacks and other characters. Why even have her? Was it just to show us WHY her and Leon don’t talk often? A waste. Shen Mei - I don’t care. I felt nothing for her. They tried really hard, but they just failed to flesh these new characters out and when her time was up I once again went: Oh? That’s it, then. ‘Kay. I think I laughed a bit, sorry girl. Her whole plotline was to get that chip in Leon’s hand, nothing more. Jason -  I don’t care. A character I thought I felt sorry for with his ptsd but nope. Once his story unfolded - messily, I might add (I hate the REPEATED flashback shit. Tell me once and stop teasing me.) I just went... okay, what the hell is your plan? To spread fear? ‘Kay. It was dumb and made no sense. What, he wants everyone to feel terror so they know? It needed to be clarified. It’s like they couldn’t figure out more synonyms for fear and terror. So, what? It helps keep Leon from going public with the chip and that information? Because he knows it’ll just cause mass hysteria? And then you’ve got Claire’s side - she’s not an agent and she believes the people have a right to know. They’re both right, but there’s no goddamn communication between ANYONE in this show. I just felt exhausted by it, nothing else. Not to mention it’s useless angst because of the plot of Degeneration. Wilson - Our bad guy. Let’s just sum up really quickly in case people were confused by the plot: He was putting infected soldiers into war zones so that even after they died they’d kill anybody involved, then he’d bomb the area and clean up the evidence. These soldiers didn’t show any symptoms because they had inhibitors that kept the virus at bay until they died, so they had to take regular shots to stay human. He’s the one who gets the zombies into the white house so that he could blame it on China and get the US into a war with them. That way he could send in his soldiers and infect the populace. From there, he’s the only one with the cure so he could rake in LOTS of money selling it to the world. AKA: he wants to use the US military to infect everyone so he can make a profit. He gets infected by Jason and gets away... then meets up with someone who gives him an inhibitor. This someone is working for Tricell, the big bads of re5 who work under Wesker. So it leads right into the fifth game. That’s all he is, a tie in and yet another example of someone in power trying to profit off the viruses of the RE world. Honestly, nobody else is worth mentioning. Animation: They’re getting better at it. Leon and Claire looked especially pretty, but there’s still a stiffness here and an issue with everyone’s mouths while they talk. I want to praise how different SOME of the characters look - the president and his aides all look appropriately aged and grizzled and distinct. Same with Jason. Other characters (side characters mainly) kinda look generic. Shen Mei for example isn’t very distinct. I mean, her grandpa and brother (both one scene wonders) were more realistic looking than she was. Even Claire - they gave her a bigger nose and made her look more in line with her Revelations 2 model (thank god I love that model). Movement was pretty fluid, I wish we’d seen more fighting and cool action -- though not to the extent of Vendetta. Maybe that’s what they were trying to avoid, but it didn’t make it any fun to watch. Enemies: This is the last thing I’ll comment on. The zombies were fine - they always are. I heard a ton of reused sounds from remake2, as well, but I thought of it as an Easter Egg more than anything. They looked good, their gore was good, all set there. Problem was, they were basically the only bad guys. That’s a huge fucking disappointment. I know people recognize this series as ‘the one with the zombies’ but that’s not true. Every game (save 7) had MULTIPLE enemy types all created through bio engineering. In this show we see three types. THREE. Zombies. Zombie rats - a one-scene wonder that Leon dispatches fast and easy. I’ll admit, they looked cool but there was nothing else to them. “They’re a bioweapon” and then Leon fries them all with some electricity and we’re done. Jason’s mutated form. Okay, I have to admit, I really loved his design. He was cool, I liked that he could talk and emote. But, other than that? He didn’t DO anything cool. He mutated once and hopped around a lot. That’s it. I mean, a bioweapon that keeps his mental capacities? C’MON! We could’ve done so much more with him. Again, this goes back to why the climax was so bad -- he and Leon didn’t fight. One jumped, the other ran around to catch up and fired a few bullets and a rocket at him. Then he used an acid bath to finish the job. (Also, explain to me WHY he mutated into a tyrant-like creature while everyone else with that specific virus was another form of zombie? We see Jun (Shen’s brother) mutating almost crystal-like at one point but... what? You leave them off for a while and they turn into crystal zombies? Make it make sense.) I’m sure there’s more to say, but honestly, unless you’re a hardcore RE fan like me, I’d say you can skip it. It wasn’t a fun ride, there weren’t any stakes, it wasn’t emotional... it just... was. I will end on one good note that made me smile, though: I loved seeing the Ashley Easter Egg.
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cdyssey · 4 years ago
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Regret
Summary: When Fran doesn't come down to breakfast after spraining her ankle, the whole house is concerned for her—especially Niles and Mr. Sheffield. Set after "An Affair to Dismember."
A/N: Okay, so I've binge re-watched nearly four seasons of The Nanny in four days, and had to get at least one fic out of my system, lmao.
Fran Drescher's acting in "An Affair to Dismember" when she suddenly broke while talking to Maxwell made me sensitive. ;-;
AO3 Link
Breakfast is a remarkably boring affair without Miss Fine bursting through the door, raising her arms in a floral robe, and proclaiming, with signature adenoidal stylings, “Good moooorning, everyone!” 
The clink of silverware, the scraping of ceramic plates, the ruffling sound of Mr. Sheffield anxiously attacking the New York Times like a new Andrew Lloyd Webber play has just dropped—all of it is so terribly drab that Niles spends the first fifteen minutes of her pronounced absence coughing loudly in the hopes that his employer will pick up the hint to do something about it.
“Oh, do go get a bloody cough drop, old man,” he finally snaps, smacking his newspaper down on the table. “You’re driving me mad.”
“Sorry, sir,” Niles arches a brow as he refills Mr. Sheffield’s coffee mug. “I have asthma.”
He turns away to replace the coffee pot on the side table.
“And half a mind to kick your tetchy derrière,” he mutters under his breath.
“What was that, Niles?”
“Nothing, sir! Just saying thank you for your attentive care.”
“Dad,” Master Brighton thankfully interrupts, “where’s Fran, and what have you done to make her mad this time?”
Niles immediately turns around again in time to see his boss’s shoulders straighten in that way they often do when he’s indignant.
Or guilty.
Or some mixture of them both.
“I beg your pardon, Brighton,” he replies stiffly. “Why do you immediately assume I’m the problem here?”
“Process of elimination,” Brighton shrugs. “Fran’s not mad at me, Maggie, or Grace, and Niles is one of her closest friends.”
“You’re so astute, Master Brighton,” Niles smiles wryly as he moves to the left to get a better view of Mr. Sheffield’s face. The vein in his temple is beginning to throb, which is always a good time.
“She hasn’t dated anyone recently,” Miss Margaret pipes up.
“And she’s always fighting with her ma,” Miss Grace adds, “but that's never kept her from Belgian waffles before.”
“So, Dad,” Brighton grins, patting his father once on the back, “unless our math is wrong, that leaves you.”
“Goodness me,” Mr. Sheffield mutters, angrily stabbing a piece of link sausage with his fork. “I didn’t know I was in the presence of the lost Hardy Boy.”
“So you did do something!” Margaret exclaims. 
“No! I bloody well did not, Nancy Drew. For your information, Miss Fine accidentally hurt her ankle clubbing last night with Val. I don’t think it’s broken, but I’ve called a doctor to come by just to check.”
“Tsk, tsk. And you didn’t offer to pick her up Cinderella-style and swoop her downstairs so she wouldn’t miss breakfast?” Niles asks chidingly, only to be greeted with a nasty glare.
“Yes, I did offer to bring her down to breakfast as a matter of fact... but Miss Fine seemed strangely subdued when I spoke to her through the door... I didn’t know what to make of it to tell you the truth...”
Mr. Sheffield’s brow contracts as he searches Niles’s face for an answer, and Niles stares back just as studiously, observing the profound concern in his employer’s dark eyes.
The gentleness.
The romance.
The stunningly oblivious care.
Niles sighs fondly.
Unlike Miss Babcock, he’s never had the heart to kick poor puppies when they’re down.
“I’ll bring her Advil and a fresh ice pack,” he promises. “Perhaps some pain relief will help her to regain her spirit.”
“I hope so,” Mr. Sheffield replies, self-consciously turning to his plate again, the tips of his ears rather pink. “I hate when Miss Fine isn’t feeling well.”
“Here, here,” the whole table concurs.
Twenty minutes later, Niles is at Miss Fine’s door with a silver tray laden with all the essentials: painkillers, an ice pack, a mug of coffee (milk instead of cream and extra sugar), and a copy of the new edition of Gloss. He lightly taps on her door with the side of his loafer.
“Miss Fine, can I come in?”
“No,” comes an immediate and sharp reply. “I’m not dressed!”
“How discouraging,” Niles sighs smilingly. “What ever shall I do?”
“Suff’a, and at least give me a minute to find a brassiere.” 
“Oh, we’ll be here all day then.”
He hears a strange thud, a collection of evaluations (“dirty, dirty, slutty, Maggie’s, dirty”), and an assortment of Yiddish curse words he now vaguely recognizes from being friends with Miss Fine for nearly four years now. And then finally— 
“Come in, Jeeves, but shut the door behind ya ‘cuz I haven’t applied a morning layer of lipstick yet.”
Niles elbows the knob and pushes with his shoulder until the door lights open to a peculiar sight. Far from being neat, Miss Fine’s room looks like Macy’s after its annual Black Friday sale with clothes strewn everywhere—from the dressers to the wardrobes to the floor. An empty suitcase is lying on the bed next to Miss Fine, who is sitting in bed wearing an oversized t-shirt, her injured ankle propped up on a pillow. Niles can tell, even from the doorway, that it’s red and swollen, but to his satisfaction and relief, it doesn’t appear to be broken.
“Welcome to the jungle,” Miss Fine mutters when she notices his incredulous gaze. “We got all the animals out t’day.”
“I can see that,” Niles replies, placing his tray on her bedside table and shutting the door. With his usual efficiency, he then walks back over, retrieves the ice pack, and gently places it on the affected area, frowning when she flinches.
“Mr. Sheffield said that the doctor was coming at ten,” he says as he gently lowers himself onto the bed, clasping his hands primly on top of his lap.
“Mm,” Fran grunts noncommittally, grabbing the two Advil pills and knocking them back with a swig of coffee.
“What? You’re not curious as to whether or not said doctor in question is single, Jewish, and living in a Manhattan penthouse? Miss Fine”—Niles reaches over and places the back of his hand on Fran’s head—“do you have a fever?”
“Oh, Niles,” she swats his hand away, “I’m not in the mood.”
“It’s been awhile since I’ve heard that one.”
“Niles!”
“Sorry, Miss Fine,” he withdraws his hand with a laugh. “You know I have to warm up before Miss Babcock arrives.”
“Glad to assist,” Fran quips, taking another sip of coffee, and it’s only as she closes her eyes to savor the taste, that he notices there are lines beneath her eyes from what seems to have been a sleepless night. 
The smile sinks from his face.
“You know,” he says quietly, “in all of our acquaintance, I’ve never known of you to injure yourself while dancing.”
Fran opens her eyes only to immediately glance away, tapping her long nails against her mug.
“Val tripped me up when she thought she saw Elton John,” she shrugs dully. “Turns out it was just a really lifelike poster of him behind the bar...”
“I see,” Niles returns, raising a brow. “It was nice of Miss Toriello to forgo her weekend trip with her parents to come back and… boogie woogie oogie with you.”
“Dammit,” she pouts, scrunching her nose. “I didn’t think I’d told you that.”
“You didn’t. I overheard you and Miss Toriello gabbing on the phone about it yesterday morning.”
Fran can’t seem to help herself; she smiles crookedly, even as she shakes her head.
“I dunno who’s more absorbent sometimes—you or the dish sponge.”
He smiles back at her, patting her uninjured leg gently.
“Me, naturally."
"I can believe it, Chatty Cathy," she sighs.
"Now tell me, Miss Fine"—he regains his solemnity quickly, unwilling to let her deflect with jokes—"why does your room look like a tornado went through Loehmann’s?”
Her dark eyes immediately glance around the messy room, as though looking for an excuse and failing to find one.
It’s only now that Niles is sitting down, taking everything in, that he notices that most of the articles strewn about are her favorite clothing items, from her holographic Versace dress to the black tube top that Mr. Sheffield can’t pry his eyes away from every time she wears it.
“I almost did a very stupid thing, Niles,” she half-whispers, looking down into her coffee cup, her fingers tensed and shivering around the handle. “And the thing is, maybe it wasn’t really all that stupid? Maybe it was the smartest thing I could of done in a lifetime of doin’ so many stupid things.”
She pauses briefly before sardonically adding, “People included.”
Though Niles doesn’t have enough dots to connect the full picture, he has what he needs in the way of evidence to get the basic gist: Nigel being in town, the two of them going out, Nigel leaving town, the suitcase, the swollen ankle, and Miss Fine's uncharacteristic melancholy, smeared across her face so sharply that it may as well be lipstick.
He swallows thickly, suddenly grasping how close that they had all been to losing Fran forever.
“Well,” he says, making an effort to hitch an oblivious smile on his face, “isn’t it your mother who says that everything happens for a reason? It seems as though you’re right where you belong.”
“Yeah,” she snorts indelicately. “Twenty-nine multiple times over, single, and livin’ in a mansion with a man who won���t even commit to his meal orders at restaurants, much less his very available and desperate nanny.”
“Beautiful, young, and living in a mansion with three children who love you, a butler who’d be lost without you, and a man who won’t commit to his tie choices either but still cares for you deeply all the same,” Niles corrects her softly. “He was very worried for you when you didn’t come down to breakfast this morning. He didn’t even do the crossword on the Times.”
“Gee,” she rolls her eyes playfully, “how romantic.”
“Very,” Niles grins, “a modern day Romeo—emotional hangups and all.” 
With that, he pats Fran again and stands up; he has no doubt that Mr. Sheffield will be calling for him soon to interrogate him as to Miss Fine’s wellbeing. 
Maybe he can even get C.C. on speaker phone to rub it in her face.
“Y’know, Niles,” Fran smiles at him fondly, “if this whole Mr. Sheffield thing doesn’t work out, we should elope in Vegas in ten yea's.”
“Only if you wear this little number,” he says, bending down and picking up a black cocktail dress from the floor, folding it neatly over his arm.
“You wish you could be so lucky.”
“If we’re going to be in Vegas, anything can happen, I suppose.”
After he retrieves the silver tray from the bedside table, he bends down and kisses Miss Fine lightly on the head, his heart hurting when he notices the way that she closes her eyes beneath the gentle touch—young and vulnerable and terribly hurt by something he can’t quite fix with a well-timed witticism.
“Get some rest, Miss Fine," her murmurs against her head. "I'll check on you a bit."
“Thanks, hubby."
Scarcely ten minutes later, he’s down in Mr. Sheffield’s office as per usual, offering the producer a fresh cup of tea even though he had already drunk his traditional two cups at breakfast. 
He insisted, though, on a third, for some excuse he couldn’t quite come up with.
And instead of coming up with an excuse, he immediately asked for all the particulars of Miss Fine’s health.
Predictable chump.
“Thanks, old boy,” Mr. Sheffield frowns, returning to his crossword, tapping the end of his pen arrhythmically against the paper. “Let me know when the doctor for Miss Fine arrives. I want to be there when he checks her over.”
“Ooh la-la-la,” Niles hums, dropping a sugar cube into the tea with a zesty plop.
Mr. Sheffield places his pen down on the desk angrily. 
“Not like that… I just want to ensure she’s going to be well… you know, for the children’s sake.”
“Yes,” he sighs theatrically. “How will the children ever be able to bear their nanny having a twisted ankle?”
“Oh, shut up,” Mr. Sheffield snaps. “I don’t pay you to be sarcastic.”
“No, sir, you pay me to help you with the crossword when you’re missing three-across,” Niles smirks knowingly when he glances down at the incomplete puzzle. “What’s the hint?”
Mr. Sheffield adjusts his wire-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose before looking down again.
“A word that means feeling bad for not doing something that you should have done all along. Disappointment. A sense of shame.”
Niles straightens up with a long-suffering shake of his head.
“Oh, sir, do I really have to spell it out for you?”
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star-labs-intern · 4 years ago
Text
Serendipity: A New Year’s Kiss harrisco fic
A/N: This is super late but it is for @heckyeahharrisco ‘s beautiful Harrisco New Year’s Kiss Anthology! Happy almost- New year! 
Summary : Harry and Cisco have a one night stand the night before NYE and then find themselves at the same New Year’s party.
Serendipity
The date was December 30th and Cisco was out at the bar, drinking. The holidays had been stressful to say the least and he deserved some proper rest and relaxation. He was hoping for someone to flirt with, so Cisco wasn't at his usual haunt tonight. He was at a place a little further across town that was usually very busy but tonight, looked like a ghost town. He looked up when a tall, lanky man of ambiguous age came to stand near Cisco.
“So...Do you come here often?" Harry Wells found himself asking, aloud. 
Cisco barked a laugh. “That line ever worked on anyone before?”
Harry chuckled and reddened a little. “Honestly haven’t used it on anyone in a while. But I’m truly curious. You don’t exactly strike me as a regular.”
Cisco nodded at the drunks asleep at the counter. “No, I am certainly not a regular.” 
“So that means, young attractive man, not at his usual neighborhood bar… looking to get into trouble tonight?”
Cisco found himself laughing for the second time. “You’re the one calling me attractive without even buying me a drink, let alone introducing yourself.” Cisco smirked at this handsome stranger. “And I’m the one looking for trouble?”
“Harry Wells. And I’d love to buy you a drink, even if you don’t tell me your name.” Harry leaned closer to the man with the beautiful curly hair, anticipating his response.
“My name’s Cisco. Cisco Ramon. And, yes, I think I’ll let you buy me a drink.” Cisco sized Harry up for a second.
“Oh, you’ll allow me to buy you a drink? How kind of you.” Harry quipped.
They decided to move to a table to talk. One thing led to another and suddenly Harry was asking Cisco to come home with him. Then, before they knew it, Harry and Cisco were two single people heading home together on a cold New Years Eve, Eve, intent on having some fun with no expectations.
Cisco always buzzed with nervous energy before moments like this and Harry could feel it radiating off of him. 
“Relax,” Harry cooed as they got out of the taxi. They stood at the bottom of the stairs that led up to Harry’s apartment. It was bitter cold but Cisco stared up at the door and then looked sheepishly back toward Harry. 
Cisco couldn’t help feeling a little bit of hesitation. Harry was an older man, a stranger, bringing Cisco into his home, after all. 
“Hey,” Harry stopped Cisco by gently grabbing him by the shoulders. “You good?” Harry asked seriously, instead of complaining about the cold or rushing Cisco inside. 
“I’m so good,” Cisco nodded, suddenly back in the moment with refreshed enthusiasm. 
Harry grinned and pulled Cisco to him, kissing him slowly. Cisco felt lightheaded.
"Let's go inside. I'm cold." Cisco complained when they parted. 
"Hmm, I think I may be able to help with that," Harry replied cheekily as they ascended the steps and disappeared into the apartment  
***
The next morning Cisco was up cooking breakfast, even though it was Harry’s home. 
Harry grinned waking up to the smell of food. “I don’t remember telling you to get out of bed,” Harry teased as he came into the kitchen. 
Cisco blushed, “Good morning! I think we both deserve some food after last night,” he deflected the flirtation but looked at Harry under low lids. 
Harry came to kiss Cisco squarely on the mouth. “You are amazing. Thank you for such a wonderful evening.” 
“I certainly enjoyed myself,” Cisco grinned and kissed Harry back before breaking away. “Now! Unless you want burned eggs to ring in the last day of the old year, I suggest you stop distracting me,” 
"Whatever you say, Cisco," Harry grinned
***
Later that day, Cisco was at home preparing for his New Years Eve party. He was going to Mercury labs with his best friend Caitlin Snow. He was going as “back up”, as moral support for Cait, who worked there, and he had to start getting ready. 
His phone vibrated and, expecting a message from Cait, Cisco opened his phone. What he found was Harry’s apparent phone number, saved under “That Hot Guy” and a new message saying “Had a blast with you. Hope to see more of you in the new year.” 
Cisco rolled his eyes and quickly texted back “You saw plenty of me last night. You’re so corny”
After hesitating for a moment, Cisco texted again, “But I also had a blast and we should def do it again soon” 
“Sounds like a plan” Harry texted back and Cisco bit his lip, thinking of another night promised with Harry. He was a little bit irritating, for lack of better word, and there were moments where Cisco kind of wanted to strangle him, but boy did they have chemistry…
With another twist and turn, Cait was picking Cisco up for the party.
“What did you end up doing last night?” Cait asked, in the car. 
“Honestly, I went out to the bar and had a one night stand,” Cisco winced as he told Cait. 
“Did you really??” Cait grinned. “Give me all the details, why didn’t you text me where you were?? What if he had been a murderer?”
Cisco laughed. “I have my pepper spray, don’t worry. I can handle myself. He was… very smart. A little older than me. Kinda sarcastic in this really annoying way.” 
Cait was looking at Cisco. “And how was it?”
Cisco rolled his eyes. “It was really nice and I had a really good time.” He said, looking out the window again and avoiding Cait’s reaction. 
“Did you get his number??” 
“Oh my god, Cait, enough of the third degree!” 
When Cisco peeked at Cait, she was still grinning from ear to ear. Cisco groaned and filled Caitlin in on the rest of the details. 
“Wow, Cisco. Good for you!” Cait complimented as they got to the party and started getting out of the car. 
“Thank you, it was fun, yes, and hopefully I will see him again, but now it’s time to enjoy this party! So please, no more Nancy Drew-ing my love life, okay?” 
Caitlin pretended to zip her lips. “Time to party,” 
Cisco smiled. “Thank you!”
***
Cisco had tried his honest to god best, to continue and forget all about Harry. 
They had been at the party a little over an hour, when Cisco spotted him. “Oh shit. I’ve gotta be fucking dreaming,” Cisco muttered to himself. 
“What are you doing?” Cait asked as Cisco was suddenly hiding behind a waiter holding a tray of appetizers. 
“Nothing,” Cisco replied, stealing a glance from behind the waiter, to see if Harry had noticed him. He was a little ways away, standing profile, speaking with some woman in a fabulous pant suit, and it didn’t seem like he had spotted Cisco yet. 
“Are you hiding from Dr. McGee? She adores you, she wants you to come work with us.” Cait asked, narrowing her eyes. 
“That’s who that is. Nope. Actually, yes, I am hiding from Tina McGee, I don’t want her to see me in this hideous tie I picked out with champagne glasses on it.” Cisco lied, poorly. 
Cait rolled her eyes but then narrowed her eyes at Harry. She was starting to put the pieces together. 
“Cisco…” 
“Listen, Cait, I think I’m gonna have to go home early, I’m getting a terrible stomach ache…” 
“Cisco, is that the man you slept with last night??” Cait whisper yelled at Cisco, pulling him out from behind the waiter with the appetizers and dragging him to the entrance. 
“What? Where would you get a crazy idea like that?” Cisco laughed, nervously this time. 
Cait looked at Cisco and blinked, waiting for him to come clean. 
Cisco pursed his lips. “Not gonna buy the stomach ache story, huh?” Cisco asked.
Cait laughed. “You’re the worst. Just go over and talk to him. Just say hi and make it not awkward, and then come find me. I’ll be mingling.”
“Fine.” Cisco grimaced. “I can’t believe I told you any of that. This is the worst New years party ever,” Cisco whispered to Cait before going off to find Harry. 
Cisco spotted his tall demeanor at the drink table. He was grabbing another glass of champagne. Cisco took a deep breath and approached Harry. 
“So… Do you come here often?” Cisco asked, mirroring Harry’s words from the night before.
Harry glanced up at Cisco. His eyes were wide. He took a swig of his champagne before he answered. 
“That line ever worked on anyone before?” Harry asked with a tight lipped smirk. They smiled at each other, in shared loaded silence for a moment.
“Did you know I was going to be here?” Cisco asked, eyes narrowing slightly. 
“Did you know I was going to be here?” Harry turned it around.
“Touché.” Cisco commented, grabbing a champagne glass and offering Harry a toast. Harry tipped his glass to clink with Cisco’s and they shared a drink.
“Well, I just wanted to say hello. Enjoy your evening.” Cisco said.
“Alright, Cisco. But I have to warn you, these things are dreadfully boring,” Harry commented. 
Cisco laughed and headed back off to find Caitlin. 
“All sorted out?” Cait asked.
“Easy, peasy,” Cisco said in reply.
“I don’t even want to know.” Cait said. 
Forty-five minutes later and Cisco was starting to get what Harry meant. This was a giant party but people kept going in and out, finding different groups to linger in, it was impossible to keep track of who you had and hadn’t met yet. All these academic types started to blend together after a while. It was honestly starting to give Cisco a headache. 
Cisco gave a sharp gasp when someone grabbed his arm, suddenly. 
“Sorry, did I scare you?” Harry’s rasp was soft in Cisco’s ear and his fingers were tight but gentle holding Cisco’s arm. Where had he even come from? 
“A little,” Cisco admitted, looking up at Harry.
“Aren’t you bored yet?” Harry asked again, soft this time leaning all the way in, to whisper in Cisco’s ear. “If you’re as bored as I am, you should meet me up on the rooftop in fifteen minutes.”
Cisco felt shivers up and down his spine, and said, “Make it ten,” 
Harry grinned and walked off. Cisco was thankful that Cait was otherwise occupied talking to a gaggle of her coworkers. 
Cisco waited four agonizing minutes before nodding at Cait and then walking off down the hallway to find Harry.
He took the elevator up to the top floor. He followed the signs for the staircase. Cisco went up a half flight of stairs and found a door which was propped ajar with a rock. On the door it said, “Roof access, CAUTION”
Cisco slipped through the door careful to keep the rock propping it open. 
He looked around, “Harry?” He whispered. 
“Over here,” 
Harry was draped in shadow, leaned against a chimney. He held open arms to Cisco.
“You’re not worried we’re gonna get stuck up here?” Cisco asked as he got slowly closer
“You saying you wouldn’t want to be stuck up here with me?” Harry teased 
Cisco laughed and then, finally, he was close enough that Harry pulled Cisco to him and they kissed, gravitating together like magnets.
***
Cisco returned to the party a little while later looking very red and with very messed up hair. 
Cait quirked her head at him when he returned. “Where have you been? You look like you’ve been in a fight.” 
Cisco gave her a small grin. “You should see the other guy,” 
Cait narrowed her eyes at Cisco. 
“You’re lucky you made it back in time for the count down.” 
Harry and Cisco made eye contact from across the room. They were each pretty happy that they had gotten to steal away for a little while. 
Cait and Cisco tried to maneuver themselves closer to where the action was happening. 
Cisco lost sight of Harry in their move. 
Suddenly they were counting down from thirty and Harry had come up right behind Cisco.
When the clock struck zero, Harry took Cisco by the arm and swung him around to face him. “Happy New Year, Cisco,” Harry whispered, and suddenly dipped Cisco low, kissing him deeply.
Cisco gasped but was thrilled by the most exciting New Years kiss he could imagine.
Harry stood them both back up and when they broke apart, he chuckled sheepishly as anyone who saw them, wolf-whistled and shouted. “I thought you were my secretary from behind! Your long hair!” Harry winked at Cisco who bit his lower lip, shaking his head at Harry’s sneakiness and terrible excuse.
Cisco touched his lips where they had kissed, only seconds before. “Honest mistake,” He said, eyes glaring daggers at Harry and Harry grinning like a lunatic. Halfway across the room Christina McGee looked a fraction more stressed out than she had already.
“Happy New Year, everyone!” Harry shouted and made off into the crowd.
Cait leaned over to whisper to Cisco. “He is something else.”
Cisco smiled and touched his lips, where Harry’s had just been. “You’re telling me.”
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northcarolinanative · 5 years ago
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𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗  /  𝙲𝚑 𝟷𝟷
Chapter 11: Surprise 
A/N: I know it’s been a hot minute since I posted a chapter. My bad. I also am trying to figure out my take on the season’s loose ends, which is hard because I have a lot of ideas, but have no idea how to execute them haha. Thank you all for the large amount of support, it means the world <3. As always Requests/ asks/ and DMs are open:) 
Description: John B’s Sister comes home from staying with their mom, only to find out that her brother is missing and her dad was murdered. JJ may have just lost his best friend. Her and JJ have to figure out what to do and how to pick up the pieces.
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Pope quickly hurried JJ outside and down to the dock to cool off. I heard a small part of their conversation as they left. Pope told JJ that Rafe couldn't “Rot in a jail cell if he was dead.” That’s what I wanted. Rafe looked bad, and it served him right. He was a terrible person. He ran off my brother, and even his own sister to get away with his crimes. 
“So you were going to the Country Club to look for a job?” Kie questioned. She began to pack up the first aid kit. Still standing beside me, but she didn’t look up in my direction. 
“Yea” I swallowed, “Umm, I mean I’m gonna need money to keep things running over at the Chateau. I’d rather be here than back on the mainland. Mom has trips planned all summer, so it’s either on my own there or on my own here.” I finished with a sarcastic laugh. 
I saw Kie’s expression soften. She walked around the desk that I was still sitting on. When she opened the drawer it screeched so loud that I felt my eyebrows scrunch together. “Sorry,” Kie said. She walked over and leaned against the wall in front of me facing the desk. “One of the Waitresses, Vannessa, quit this morning, so there’s an opening.” She paused and looked at me for a reaction. “And If you can handle those jerks at the Country Club summer after summer I’m pretty sure you can handle a few tourons.” She joked, causing both of us to laugh. “I know it doesn’t begin to make up for what I said the other day at the Chateau, but I am really sorry.” 
I smiled in her direction, opening my arms. She made the short stride to the desk and we wrapped each other in our arms. We pulled away shortly after. “So what do you say? Wanna work at the infamous Wreck?” She smiled and winked in my direction. 
“Yes, I’d love to.” I smiled. I knew her father wasn’t too fond of her friends, so I was hoping that he would be just as on board with this as Kie was. 
“Okay, so I hate to do this to you but you’ll have to start pretty soon, the business has picked up since the ferry started running again. Follow me.” She said, leading us into a back room. “Here are two shirts, if you need more just let me know, and an apron and a book, you can leave those in the back room if you need to though.” We walked out into the dining room where Pope and JJ were standing by the door. “Got it?” Kie said with a smile.
“I think so,” I said looking at JJ who was poking at Pope, annoying him. I was glad Pope was able to calm JJ down from his short temper. I saw Kie look between JJ, who was now smiling like an idiot at me, and me, but she didn’t say anything. “So you’ll call when I get my first shift?” I questioned. 
“Yes ma’am.” She faked a professional tone, causing both of us to laugh. “Should be in the next few days.” 
“Alright. I’m gonna head home, today has been long enough, and its barley even the afternoon” I said rolling my eyes. “I just wanna relax now.” I gave Kie a sheepish smile and waved, walking over to the boys.
Pope seemed to get the memo as he waved to me. “Hope that cheek gets better, fighter.” He laughed before going to join Kie. 
“JJ make sure she ices that” Kie yelled to the two if you. JJ just held up two fingers and jokingly saluted her as we walked out the door. 
The short walk through the parking lot to my car was silent. Heavy, like everything, seemed to be these days. I tried to put my key in the door, but it was proving difficult. I had not realized how bad I was shaking until now. JJ noticed my hesitation before walking over to my side. I held my hand out in front of me, extending my fingers to see just how bad my hands were shaking. JJ reached up and grabbed my shaking hand in his. I looked up at him, scrunching my eyebrows together. 
“Why don’t you let me drive? You’re still quite shaken up Y/N.” I just nodded and placed the keys in his open hand. A smile formed on his face as he handed me the white paper bag in his hand. 
“What is this?” I asked. I didn’t see him holding it earlier. 
“I may have snuck some food when Mr.C wasn’t looking.” He smiled, sending me a wink before nodding at the car. I walked around to the side and got in. I sat the warm food on my lap. The engine sputtered as it finally turned over and started up. JJ and I both laughed a little, relieved that it started. 
Soft Reggae music filled the car, playing off the local radio station. The windows were rolled down, letting the salty air blow through the air. I looked over at JJ and the sun was hitting his face in a way that, not to be dramatic, looked angelic. At this moment things felt almost normal. It felt as if Rafe and Ward Cameron didn’t exist like John B would be waiting for us at the Chateau like Dad would be there with him. JJ pulled me from my quickly spiraling daydream, “I got you chicken tenders because I know you have the taste of a five year old.” He laughed. 
“I prefer the term ‘sophisticated palette,’” I spoke in a fake posh accent, instantly regretting it. “I’m never doing that again,” I said as we both laughed. JJ and I crossed the bridge taking us back over to the cut. “Kie gave me a job at The Wreck,” I said. 
JJ looked my way quickly before turning his eyes back toward the road. “So y’all made up or?” JJ trailed off. His limited knowledge of girls and their arguments showing. 
I laughed softly before continuing. “Yes,” I paused. “Don’t get me wrong I am still upset that she wasn’t supportive from the beginning, but she did apologize.”
“I’m glad she did. Honestly, you bring out a soft side in her. I think I can count on one hand the number of times that I’ve heard of Kie apologize to anyone” JJ laughed. 
“Did you tell Pope about last night?” I asked. 
“Oh, I didn’t think that they would take it well.” He said a hand reaching up to scratch the back of his neck. 
“Okay good. I was talking with Pope about how he was feeling, and I just don't want to give them a false sense of hope, ya know?” I looked out the window at the trees that lined the road. 
“Give them a false sense of hope?” JJ questioned, but quickly laughed. “Right, you were talking about the map and John B.” His face turned bright red. 
“Yes JJ,” I said smiling, realizing that he thought I was talking about the new dynamic forming between the two of us. . “I hope that you aren't running around kissing and telling JJ,” I said playfully pushing his shoulder. 
“Oh don’t you worry princess. Your secret’s safe with me.” He said, causing us both to laugh again. His hand reached over to grab mine, which had managed to stop shaking significantly and giving it a reassuring squeeze. JJ had managed to help relax my mind by being his usual joking self. The rest of the short ride back to the Chateau returned to the soft music playing from the radio. JJ’s hand at some point had left mine and was now resting on my leg just above my knee, not that I was complaining. 
When we arrived at the house JJ helped me carry in the food as we sat on the couch on the back porch, overlooking the water, while we ate. On the table in front of us sat our meals and the map from the night before. JJ and I were looking over it just to see if we could find any other potentials as promising as the cargo ship. We didn’t. 
JJ finished his meal by pushing the last fry into his already full mouth. He chewed while tapping the line repeatedly. “This ship” He paused to swallow, “is it.” 
I followed the line down the ship onto the edge of the page where it stopped, just as it moved across to the South Carolina Border. I grabbed the ship log. “It says here that the ship was making one stop in Nassau.” I looked over at JJ, who had leaned back, kicking his feet up onto the table.  “So what’s next?” I questioned, leaning back into the worn couch. 
“Me?” JJ pointed to his face, a shocked look on his face. “This is all on you Nancy Drew, I’m like scooby doo, here for comedic relief and treats.” His voice coated with sarcasm as he sent a wink in my direction. 
“Well Scooby, you need to do something to earn your treats, don’t you? You don’t get rewarded for sitting there and being pretty.” I rolled my eyes. 
JJ shifted closer to me on the couch. “So you think I’m pretty?” He laughed. 
My face turned bright red. “Maybe? Don’t push it.” 
“You look tired,” JJ said softly. He laid into me, resting against my chest, looking up at my face. 
“Wow, I call you pretty and you call me tired. I don’t know if this is going to work buddy.” I let out a sarcastic laugh. 
“You know what I mean Y/N.” He reached up with his hand, running the back of his fingers across the bruise and cut on my face, his eyes intense on the mark. He then moved to trace the now darkened bruise on my neck. I felt my breath hitch in my throat as he did. His eyes moved quickly to meet mine. We seemed locked in that position, looking into each other’s eyes. I felt like I was searching for something. I was always seeming to be searching for something. I saw his eye flick down to my mouth, where I subconsciously, licked my lips. 
JJ took that as a cue to move forward. He pressed his lips against mine. The kiss was gentle at first, but quickly became more heated. He moved from his position. He used his legs to crawl on top of me, situating himself between my legs. One of his arms holding himself up, the other found its way to my waist. The intimacy of the moment only making things hotter. The kiss was becoming sloppier, as my hands found my way into JJ’s hair, messing it up. JJ’s mouth started to move. He started my chin and up my jaw towards my ear, opposite of the bruises. His other hand came up to cradle my face. His fingers hit right at the cut on my cheek. I pulled away with a faint ‘ouch’. 
That was enough of JJ to stop completely and pull away. He moved to sit up, pulling me with him. “That was”
“Hot.” I finished for him, with a smile. I could feel that my face was hot and probably the color of a tomato. 
He smiled at me, biting his now red and swollen lips. “You know, I’m really liking getting used to this.” He chuckled pointing between the two of us. “I’ll be right back.” He stated, before standing up and walking back into the chateau. I looked out over the water. The wind was a bit heavier today, causing the sound to be rougher than usual. The small waves were lapping against the shore, mixed with the soft rustle of the leaves, making a rather calming noise. I laid back down, feeling a wave of exhaustion run over me. I closed my eyes and let the feeling of relaxation take over. 
I heard the porch door swing open, signaling that JJ had returned, but I kept my eyes closed. My eyes shot open, causing me to sit up when something cold landed on my face. I reach to grab it, finding JJ smiling and holding a bag of frozen peas. I gave him a questioning look. 
“What Kie said that you need to ice your face?” He said, shrugging. JJ crawled back to my side. His head resting on my chest once again. He put the peas over my injured eye. “I also didn’t want to bother you too much. You should sleep” He said with a faint smile. 
I nodded, letting my eyes close, one hand holding the peas to my eyes, the other mindlessly in JJ’s hair. I focused back on the sound of the waves, and the rustling leaves, or the way that JJ had pulled his arm around me bringing me closer, or the way that his hand was drawing small patterns on my back through my shirt. I felt myself beginning to drift off into sleep. 
I was woken up to a loud banging noise. I jumped but felt JJ’s weight still on top of me. “JJ, Wha–.” My words quickly interrupted as JJ quickly put his hand over my mouth. I saw his eyes wide as he sunk further into the couch. 
“We need to get out of here,” He said, in a voice so soft it was barely a whisper. “Follow me.” He slid off the couch, grabbing the keys off the table, staying low. He grabbed my hand, pulling me with him. I followed his actions. 
A loud booming voice made me jump once again. “Surprise Maybank.” I heard a crash of something breaking inside. ”Payback time you little Bitch.” 
I looked at JJ, with wide eyes and he cursed, trying to pull us off the porch. I heard doors opening and closing doors loudly in the house while banging on the wall. JJ was slowly pushing open the screen door so that it wouldn’t screech. He held it so it wouldn’t slam as we continued down the steps. 
The loud male voice boomed again. “Went to see your old man Maybank.” I looked at JJ as his head snapped up to look at the house. JJ pushed me up against the house as the male figure exited through the back porch door. I looked at JJ, I could feel how wide my eyes were, but what scared me the most was the fear in JJ’s eyes. “Said you hadn’t been around in a few days. Thought you’d be here, I’d hate to go rough up your girl Kiara, or your boy Pope who tried to choke out Country Club.” I saw the man standing on the steps of the porch. I shot JJ a questioning glance at what the man had just said. He was short, but fairly muscular. He wore a bandana covering his lower half of his face, black curly hair falling around it. In his hand was a short barrel shotgun, one he obviously wasn’t afraid to use. JJ quickly pulled us around the corner of the house before the man could see us. 
“JJ what the hell is going on?” I whisper. JJ just holds up a hand to silence me. He’s still standing in front of me, my back to the outside wall of the house. He moved to look over around the corner. I heard the door to the house shut again and I was being pulled toward the trees surrounding the house. I looked to the driveway catching a glimpse of the blue charger parked there before I was pulled by my hand to the woods by JJ. 
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Text
Summer Days
12 years old
Marinette sat at a table with 4 others.
The female blonde grins at her and says, “Hi. My name is Chloe!”
Marinette smiles back just as brightly. “I’m Marinette!”
“Nino!”
“Alya!”
“Adrien.”
Alya looks around. “Guess we’re stuck together.”
Chloe looks around and wrinkles her nose when she sees a kid shove mud down another’s shirt. “Definitely could be worse is all I’m saying.”
Alya snorts. “You're telling me.”
Nino looks around. “Our table is pretty nice.”
Mariette looks around the large camp. “It’s kind of a big camp. Pretty sure I’ll end up in the archery range instead of the bathroom at least once.”
Adrien suddenly lights up. “Why don’t we share numbers in case we get lost?”
They all quickly type in their numbers into one another’s phones.
“So what are you guys like?” Nino asks.
“My parents run a prestigious bakery. But I’m a fashion designer,” Marinette says.
“My mom works as the head chef at a very important resteraunt. I’m an up and coming reporter,”  Alya proudly declares.
“My dad’s a fashion designer and I’m a model,” Adrien says.
Marinette gasps. “I knew you looked familiar! You’re related to Gabriel Agreste. And you!” Marinette says, pouting at Chloe. “You’re the mayor’s daughter, aren’t you?”
Chloe chuckles awkwardly. “Yeah. But I want to become a lawyer.”
“That’s pretty cool!” Nino exclaims. “My dad’s a DJ and I’m taking after him.”
Everyone chatters for a bit till their table gets their cabin number.
“This seems like it’ll be a fun year.” Alya chirps.
Everyone nods in agreement.
13 years old
“Look who it is, the great Chloe Bourgeois,” Alya said dramatically, bowing down.
Chloe turns and squeals in delight, running to tackle Alya in a hug.
Alya laughs and hugs her back. “We’ve been texting all year, dude.”
“That’s not the same as being in person,” A voice says from their left.
The two girls turn and see Marinette grinning with Nino and Adrien by her side.
“Guess who all are still in the same cabin?” Nino sing songs.
Chloe’s jaw drops “Really?”
Adrien smiles. “Oh, yeah.”
Marinette seems to rembarrer something, her mood dampening.
Alya notices right away. “Marinette? What happened?”
Marinette sighs. “I forgot to tell you but….my PARENTS GOT A JOB WORKING AT THE MAYOR’S OFFICIAL PARTY BAKERS!” Marinette screams.
Chloe screams with her the two girls hugging.
Alya smirks, pushing up her glasses. “Well,my mother got a job at his restaurant.”
Nino looks a bit lost but says,”My fam got a house near the mayors.”
Adrien snaps his fingers and points at Nino’s. “3 Florence street.”
Nino gaped at him. “How did you-”
Adrien grins. “That’s my neighbors house that just got sold!”
“Wait, so we’ll all be close to each other?” Chloe asks.
“Yup!” Marinette says, popping the p.
“You know it, girl!” Alya says, making everybody laugh.
They make their way to the cabin they recognized from last year.
14 years old
Nino opens the cabin door and laughs.
“Really guys? Again?” Nino says, flopping on his bed from the past two years after he sees the rest of the group.
“That best not be disappointment or we’re gonna have words,” Alya teases.
Adrien laughs at him from the bunk above him.
“Where’s Mari?” Nino asks.
Chloe waves off the question. “She went to go to the bathroom.”
Adrien snickers at a memory. “Remember when she got stuck in the archery range instead of the restroom?”
“She called it, man. She called it,” Nino affirms.
Alya nods thoughtfully. “She did, didn’t she?”
That exact moment, Marinette threw open the door but immediately hurried to shut it.
“We. Have a problem,” Marinette hisses.
Everyone stares at her.
“The fact that you may have broken the door?” Chloe says, pointing out the rattling hinge.
Marinette rapidly shakes her head. “No! They started the paintball tournament without us!”
Alya gasps in outrage as Adrien falls off top bunk. Nino tries to stand but hits his head on the top bunk and Chloe throws her magazine to the floor with an outraged, “What!”
“What are you waiting for, people, let's go!” Marinette yells, ushering everyone out.
They forgot to wear the gear and were covered in bruises for the rest of camp.
15 years old
“Spill,” Alya demands.
Marinette flushes. “I think I might have a tiny, itty, bitty crush on Adrien.”
Chloe immediately opens her hand and looks expectantly at Alya. “You owe me twenty bucks, Nancy Drew.”
Alya scowls and mutters a ‘bitch’ but gives her the money.
Marinette looks appalled between the two. “You bet on me liking Adrien!”
Chloe rolls her eyes. “Of course not. We bet on when you would fess up. Now Alya has to, too”
Alya folds her arms over her chest. “Fess up what?”
“Please, darling, you may have got everyone else fooled, but I’m not a dumbass. You like Nino, plain as day,” Chloe scoffed.
“Well you like Nathaniel!” Alya says indignantly.
Chloe gives her a flat look. “Yes, that’s why we’re dating.”
Marinette tried not to gape at the two. “How the heck are you figuring this out so quick?”
The two other girls give her a flat look. “We aren’t oblivious idiots.”
Marinette huffs. “Go suck a dictionary.”
Alya sighs. “We need to teach you how to swear.”
Marinette glares at her. “No. I will swear in ice cream.”
Chloe scoffs. “How the fuck do you swear in ice cream?”
Marinette clears her throat. “What the Mint Chocolate Chip did you say to me, punk? I’ll kick your Rocky Road and then beat the ever loving Strawberry Cheesecake out of you!”
There was a beat of silence.
And then the three girls burst out laughing.
“Marinette not swearing,” Alya wheezed.
“Fucking imagine,” Marinette said, howling with laughter.
“The ice creams though,” Chloe choked, unable to breathe.
They girls spend the rest of the night under covers, laughing.
16 years old
“We’re counselors, guys!” Marinette cheers.
Adrien and Nino high five while Chloe and Alya smile at each other.
“Actually, I have more good news,” Alya says, excitement growing on her face.
“Me and Ayla are dating,” Nino blurts out.
Alya slaps his chest. “Nino! That was my line!”
Chloe sighs dramatically. “Finally. Took you long enough.”
Adrien grins. “Nino finally worked up the courage to ask her out.”
“Cough, bullshit, cough,” Marinette says, fake coughing.
Alya chuckled. “I asked out Nino and he was speechless.”
Adrien groans. “Come on, dude.”
Alya shook her head laughter in her eyes. “No, no, that’s not even the best part.”
Nino buries his head in his arms out of mortification.
Alya shook with laughter. “He asked the guy behind us, ‘Line?’ And the guy said, ‘I like you too and I’d love to go out with you.’ AND NINO SAID THE SAME DAMN THING AND AFTER HE TOLD THE GUY, ‘Thanks, bro.’”
Marinette couldn’t breath and Adrien’s stomach was hurting.
Chloe was full on cackling as Nino sighs.
This is what he gets for being friends with people like this.
17 years old
Adrien walks into the cabin, arm slung around Marinette’s shoulder.
The second they walk in, the other three start clapping.
“Finally, Mari!” Alya exclaimed.”
“Adrien, my man. Finally getting some!” Nino said, grinning.
Chloe looked between them. “Nope, they’re still virgins.”
Marinette squawks in outrage as Adrien flushes.
“How do you know?” Alya asks, looking over the edge of the top bunk to look down at Chloe.
Regardless of changing relationship statuses, no one would move from their spot. It was just the way it was.
“His hands are on her shoulder, not waist. And neither have that ‘sex glow’ on them,” Chloe points out.
“Sex glow?” Marinette sputters.
“Yeah, now I see it,” Alya said, squinting at the two.
“Adrien. Adrien, Adrien, Adrien. Come on dude. I thought you had better game then that,” Nino chides.
Adrien sighs. “I also thought I had better game than that.”
Marinette snorts. “I can assure you that you don’t.”
“Damn. Shots fired,” Chloe says.
“Roasted, toasted, and burnt, Adrien,” Alya says from the top bunk.
“Gotta get used to it, man. The whole sweatshirt giving. It doesn’t matter if you’re uncomfortable or freezing, just give it to her,” Nino says solemnly.
Adrien frowns. “Why can’t I be comfortable?”
Nino deadpan looks at him. “Adrien, you can either be in a relationship or be comfortable. You can’t have both.”
The cabin erupts with laughter from that one, simple line.
18 years old
“Off to college, huh?” Alya says as the group of 5 stars off into the lake on their last day of camp.
“Yeah. Me and Chloe’s universities are actually pretty close,” Nino says.
Chloe smiles. “I don’t mind having a coffee together every now and again.”
“Me and Alya are going to the same uni,” Adrien says.
“Hell yeah, up top!” Alya said while grinning, high giving the blonde.
Marinette was silent.
“Mari?” Chloe asks.
Marinette sighs. “I’m going to America. New York City, to be precise.”
Silence engulfs the group.
Nino breaks the silence. “Congrats. You deserve it. You worked really hard to get where you are now.”
Marinette smiles gratefully.
“We should meet up on vacations.” Alya suggests.
The rest agree.
“So I guess this is goodbye.” Adrien whispers.
Chloe lets out a bittersweet smile.
“Not goodbye. Just, see you in a bit.”
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let-me-write-shit · 4 years ago
Text
Somebody To You: 4
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I post a new chapter every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!
Warning: implied smut
Word Count: 4,806
Click Here For Previous Chapter & Other Completed Stories
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CHAPTER FOUR
“If you two don’t stop eye fucking I’m gonna have to call HR,” Andy whispered with a smile in Zoey’s ear, hip checking her as he passed.
Zoey forced her eyes off of Brett from the other side of the bar and felt around her chin to make sure she hadn’t drooled. Two weeks had passed since they had slept together and the sexual tension between them only seemed to grow. Flirting only barely seemed to get her by and Andy consistently pointed out that she was staring again.
“Why don’t you just fuck in the storage room and be done with it? Y'all are making me horny just looking at you two,” Andy dumped ice into a shaker and started mixing a drink for a patron.
Zoey finished weighing out the last of the liquor for inventory and looked at him incredulously, “Why would you put that in my head? Do you think anyone would notice?”
Andy stopped what he was doing and stared at her in disbelief before rolling his eyes dramatically and finished the cocktail. She had gotten her set schedule after the first week, having the same schedule as Andy and work overlapping typically by the second half of Brett’s shift, except Mondays. Mondays were her only early shift day with Brett, ending at 9 PM, and were usually slow, so the night seemed to drag. Luckily, with her new schedule she’d be off Tuesdays and Wednesdays and she works late shift the rest of the week which means more patrons and more tips. And since she worked at a high end bar, most people tended to tip really well. A little cleavage helped, too.
The only downside to working nights was that no one was really home during the day. The only time the girls had was around dinner to catch up and chat, and they had weekends during the day time if no one made plans. But, Aurora’s been really busy with photo and video shoots, interviews, and meetings, and even though Nancy didn’t work a typical nine to five office job, she was still really busy piecing her work together in her room or out of the apartment for a meeting or to prepare fo some kind of deadline with her manager. 
Luckily, her hours matched up with Harry’s schedule pretty well, even though he was on the other side of the country. At night, he obviously had a show to perform, usually while Zoey was at work, but the rest of his day typically consisted of either traveling, small meetings with his tour team, rehearsing, or all three. Still, he always found time to respond to her texts.
Their friendship was strange because they’ve only known each other for two weeks (three if you count the one day they spoke when she first moved in), but it feels like it’s been much longer. She often had to remind herself that he doesn’t know her family and never met Michael, Katie, or Jess whenever they talk about her home life, which was often.
At least once a day, without fail, Harry would ask her to tell him more about Jess, or a memory that she was fond of growing up. The questions always came at the perfect time and he seemed genuinely interested to hear what she had to say, engaging in the conversation. It helped Zoey to talk about Jess - it made her feel as though her best friend’s memory wasn’t fading. That someone cared enough to learn and talk about her in a positive way.
A brief phone call with her family made her realize this when her mom started crying that she missed Zoey and compared her daughter moving across the country to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis losing their daughter in a car accident; that she doesn’t get to see her anymore. Zoey knew she didn’t mean for it to be so insensitive, but her mom got an earful after that. 
During a text conversation with her little sister, Katie, Zoey was filling her in on her outings with her new friends and a simple ‘you deserve to have nice friends again. Jess would have wanted it. I’m happy for you.’ made her bawl, though she’d never tell Katie that. Instead, she ran to Harry to talk about it.
She noticed during one of their chats the week prior that Harry was the only person she’d talk to about Jess without crying. And to prove her point, she had a quick catch up with Michael, and just the memory of the three of them together made her get emotional. It could have been because Harry didn’t know her personally, or because he’s been through similar situations, but she was grateful for the opportunity to involve Jess in a conversation without sobbing by the end of it. 
Herself and Harry had started doing this thing where every time they were being hard on themselves or feeling particularly down, they’d send each other a GIF, video link, or text of a random quote from ‘The Princess Bride’, which always seemed to keep them in check.
Brett started making his way over to her and she hastily got back to work, having some banter with a few of her regulars and grabbing them another glass of beer when she felt a firm hand on her lower back. She drew her attention upwards to Brett who grinned at the men and charmingly joked, “Hello, men. Zoey treating you alright?”
“As always,” they nodded, holding up their newly filled glasses, “She’s our favorite server here.”
“They’re only saying that because I give them beer and let them talk shit,” Zoey smiled at them, shooting them a friendly wink.
“See what I mean? Can’t ask for much else,” one of the men laughed.
Andy overheard the conversation and in passing added a, “she’s just an angel, isn’t she?”
But the men must not have picked up on the sarcasm because they responded, “Yes, she is! Makes no sense why you’re single.”
“Relationships?” Zoey fed into them, “No way. I just got out of a four year relationship. I don’t need to be trapped again so soon.”
It’s not that she didn’t enjoy her relationship with Michael. She did, and he was a lovely guy. It was just her way of communicating with her patrons; by mirroring and matching. It’s how she was able to bond and build relationships so quickly, especially with her regulars. These two in particular loved to talk shit on their wives, so Zoey found ways to add to the conversation without antagonizing the subject. And her favorite trick when having these conversations was to turn their mindset around before they left. Little things to make them ease up on their spouse. Something along the lines of ‘That’s a nice shirt. Did your wife get it for you? She’s got great taste, you look amazing in that!’ or ‘Your wife made you spaghetti for dinner? Lucky guy, I don’t know many women who know how to cook anymore’. Usually little white lies like that made them feel better about their wives without her actually having to say ‘shut the hell up and be nice to your wife, you old dingbat’ and she usually got better tips by the time they left.
The men raised their glasses in agreement to her statement and Brett turned his head to the side, wordlessly asking if he could borrow her for a moment. They stepped towards the back of the bar, doing a quick once over to make sure Andy didn’t need more assistance before he leant against the edge of the counter cooly and asked, “Are we still on for tonight?”
“Yeah. Your shift ends at 9 PM, too, right?” she asked, earning a nod. She continued, “Okay, everyone else will probably take a little longer to get there. Jake and Melissa are gonna be picking up some food, and Andy left a few things at his apartment he needed to grab. So you can always head over with me after work, or meet me there later.”
Nancy had flown back home over the weekend to celebrate her friend’s wedding and spend time with family, and Aurora had gone to Virginia for a shoot where Harry was coincidentally doing a show in the town over which allowed her an opportunity to see him in concert and spend some time with him before he left for the next city in the morning, so Zoey used the empty condo as an opportunity to invite some new friends over for a game night, with her roommates knowledge, of course. All of her friends worked with her on rotating days, so they were used to the hours.
“I’ll just go with you. It’ll be easier that way,” he said casually before his lips twitched upwards, “You know, if you wanted alone time with me, all you had to do was ask.”
“Shut up,” Zoey giggled, playfully hitting his chest.
The rest of their shift steadily got more quiet, slowing out to only six patrons in the bar by the time their shift was over. Andy, Brett, and Zoey clocked out and headed towards the employee parking lot around back. 
“I’ll call you when I’m five minutes away. You better not miss my call to let me in ‘cuz y’all are busy humpin’ on the kitchen counter,” Andy shook a key at them with an eyebrow raised, causing the two to laugh.
“I don’t screw where the food goes,” Brett responded, “but the couch is a different story.”
“Nasty,” Andy scrunched his nose at them before getting in his car and starting it up.
Zoey led Brett to her car, slipping into the driver's seat as he rounded to the passenger side. A few stray hairs had fallen from her messy ponytail and she smoothed them back, turning the AC on low fan. Evenings in May seemed to be fairly cool in LA so far. The stereo bluetooth automatically connected to Zoey’s phone and began playing ‘Are You Bored Yet’ by Wallows, which startled her, quickly turning down the volume. Being in such a confined space with Brett made her nervous. He had a distinct smell of beer and coconuts, which seemed like an odd mix, but somehow it worked. She could really stand a few shots right now to ease the tension. Too bad she was driving.
“So what’s the deal with your roommates? They out?” Brett asked as they pulled onto the freeway.
“Yeah, Nancy’s with her family and Rory is in Virginia for work. She might actually be with Harry right now, though,” she noticed the time, doing quick math and realizing it was Midnight on the east coast and Harry was probably done with his show by now, remembering he said he had some kind of after party planned with a few of his band mates and tour members, which she thought was weird for a Monday night.
“Wild that you’re all friends with him. But it seems like everyone knows everyone in LA, so I shouldn’t be surprised. So what’s his deal? Are they dating?”
When he put it that way, she did find it a little crazy. She never put too much thought into the fact that she knew Harry Styles, let alone was on a friendly communicating basis with him. She supposed it was just because of the timing when they met, she wasn’t in the right headspace, so by the time they started getting close, the shock and exposure to him had already sunk in and didn’t seem new.
“Uh...kinda? I don’t know, it’s complicated,” Zoey responded. 
And it was true. She honestly had no clue what was going on between Harry and Rory. Honestly, she didn’t even think they knew what was going on with each other. She couldn’t blame them, though. They were both super busy at the moment and their hangout today would only make it a total of five times they’ve seen each other in person. She wasn’t even sure if they had an actual date yet or not.
Brett nodded and a moment of silence filled the car. She felt him staring at her and he shifted his body towards her letting his elbow rest on the center console, his muscular arms so big that they lightly brushed against hers. She did a triple take, the pull of his gaze too strong to ignore, “What?” she asked, putting a hand on her cheek to conceal her blushing.
“You should go on a date with me.”
“What?” she sputtered. He was so straightforward and his confidence in his statement took her off guard. Brett was about to repeat himself when it clicked and she said, “I can’t go on a date with you.”
“Why not? Was I that bad in bed?”
“Well, now that you mention it…” she joked. Brett gasped in mock disappointment and she continued, shaking her head, “We work together. I don’t want things to get sticky at work. Besides, I was serious with what I said tonight. I just got out of a four year relationship. I’m not ready to jump into another one right now. Especially not the first guy I sleep with.”
“It’s a date, Zoey. Not a marriage proposal. We can keep it casual if you want. I just like spending time with you, that’s all. Please? Just one date.”
Zoey paused in contemplation. The idea of keeping things casual with Brett did sound appealing. It reminded her of Nancy and Cade’s situation, almost like a friend’s with benefits. No strings attached. She wasn’t opposed to it. If only Jess were here right now to see a sexy Australian man begging to go on a date with her. Twenty five years in Pennsylvania and she barely turned heads, but a week in LA and she’s getting hit on daily by successful, attractive men and her sexy foreign coworker? The move and personality upgrade was really working out for her and she was kicking herself for not listening to Jess sooner.
“I don’t know...”
“If it’ll make you feel more comfortable we can do a double date with someone. Andy and whoever. Or even Rory and Harry. Whoever you want.”
Zoey pursed her lips in contemplation, “Okay, I’ll think about it.” He smiled widely and Zoey quickly added, “Don’t get your hopes up. I haven’t said yes yet.”
“Good enough for me,” Brett said, a smirk spreading across his face, “So what are the odds of me getting you back in that bed tonight?”
“Slim to none,” she snorted.
“...So you’re saying there’s a chance?”
Once at her condo, Brett took a seat at one end of the sectional while Zoey quickly straightened up and drug out a few games from Nancy’s stash, with her blessing. It didn’t take long for Jake and Melissa to show up with a few two liters of soda, three boxes of pizza, and some wings for everyone to enjoy, and as soon as Andy arrived, twenty minutes later, they all dug in while catching up and joking about different work related instances.
They were in the middle of trying to decide if they wanted to play ‘5 Second Rule’ or ‘Incoherent’ when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She struggled to pull it out of her tight black pants and saw a text from Harry. Opening it, she saw a GIF of Princess Bride with the quote that read ‘Life is pain, highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something’.
Zoey snorted, typing back, ‘Okay, melodramatic. What happened? Didn’t get a big enough crowd at the concert tonight?’
She placed her phone face down on her thigh and laughed at Andy who was mocking Brett’s accent because he didn’t want to play ‘5 Second Rule’, which Brett was fighting hard for, listing all the pros and cons to the game. Her phone buzzed again, once, twice, and on the third buzz she got confused, thinking he was sending her rapid texts at first, only to turn the phone over and see that Harry was calling her. She hadn’t expected a call from him, and they never spoke over the phone with each other before like he did with Nancy and Rory. Her friends realized she had gotten a phone call and turned to look at her as she stood up.
“One sec,” she called, heading down the hall.
“Hurry! I need you to back me up so we don’t have to start out with this stressful, dumbass game!” Andy called after her.
She heard Brett quickly retort, “You just don’t like it cuz you can’t think quickly!” and a cracking noise that sounded almost like a slap before slipping into her bedroom and closing the door behind her.
Warily, she answered the phone and whispered, “Hello?”
Harry’s deep, exhausted voice sounded through her phone, dramatically quoting another line from Princess Bride, saying, “Fezzik! Listen! Do you hear? That is the sound of ultimate suffering. My heart made that sound when Rugen slaughtered my father.”
She laughed, pacing the length of her room, her brief feeling of shock being replaced with curiosity. “What could possibly have gone wrong at…” she checked the clock and quickly converted the time difference on the east coast, “Almost 2 AM? Where’s Rory?”
Harry groaned, “We got into a fight.”
“Well...did you do something stupid?”
“I didn’t think it was a big deal at first, but it turned into one apparently.”
The more he spoke and the more she heard his voice, the more it started to hit her who she was talking to. She wasn’t a huge follower of his, but she was a fan enough to have heard him speak in videos and interviews that to be able to have these kinds of conversations with him and it be normal knowing that they were friends was hard to wrap her head around. Even so, hearing his voice over her phone wasn’t as startling as she thought it should be. In fact, it felt more calming than anything else.
“What happened?” she asked.
“Well, after the show, Rory came backstage and I was introducing her to some people and said, ‘This is my friend, Rory’....”
“....Okay?” Zoey urged, waiting for him to continue. But he didn’t.
“See?! It wasn’t a big deal! But she got upset that I called her my friend and was being sort of quiet and when I asked if she was okay she just kind of went off asking me how I could introduce her as a friend after we just had sex and after I flew out to see her twice, and accused me of leading her on and all this stuff.”
Zoey listened, continuing to pace the room as Harry ranted. When he finished, she cleared her throat and spoke carefully, “Well...Harry, she’s not entirely wrong.”
“You think I was leading her on?!” Harry sounded more hurt than offended. “I just introduced her as my friend and she got mad. I wasn’t lying. She’s not my girlfriend. What else was I supposed to say?”
“Exactly. She’s not your girlfriend. And who’s fault is that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Look, you know she likes you. And you obviously like her, too. I mean why else would you fly across the country to spend one day with a person…”
“I do it all the time,” he defended himself.
“Okay, Mr. Perfect. The point is, you two already act like a couple. You talk almost every day. You’re not seeing anyone else but each other - at least, as far as I’m aware. Don’t you think it’s possible that she’s been waiting for you to ask her out and make it official, and by you introducing her as a ‘friend’, you could have just invalidated her entire impression of your relationship and where it was headed?”
Harry sighed, and after a moment to process he breathed, “I didn’t mean to invalidate her feelings. And it’s not like I don’t want to date Rory. We talk all the time, yeah, but I still don’t know her that well and I didn’t ask her to not see anyone else. We haven’t even been on a date yet. Plus, I just don’t want to start a relationship in the middle of tour when I have two months left. I’ve been doing this enough to know that travel can really hurt a relationship. Most people can’t deal with the distance and time restraints. Maybe if she’s still interested by the time the tour is over, then we can maybe talk about making things official. I’m just not ready yet.”
“Trust me, I get it. But did you tell her that?”
“No.”
“Well you need to tell her something so she doesn’t feel like she’s wasting her time. Don’t just leave her hanging like that.”
“I can’t ask her to wait for me. That’s not right. I want her to do it because she wants to, not because I’m dangling the promise of a possibility over her head.”
Zoey pursed her lips, understanding what he was saying while rummaging through her dresser for pajamas to change into, “Just tell her that you’re sorry and you understand where she’s coming from, but that you don’t want to rush things, especially while you’re in the middle of touring, and if she’s okay with it, the two of you can just take things one day at a time and you just want to get to know her more for now. Just be honest with her, Harry. Give her the benefit of the doubt. She’s a very understanding person.”
“Yeah, you’re right. That sounds good,” Harry responded, the words clicking in his head.
A knock on the door startled her and Andy’s muffled voice echoed through the crack, “I got them to agree on ‘Incoherent’ first, so hurry the hell up!”
“Be right there!” Zoey called back.
A gasp was heard from her phone as Harry muttered, “Shit! I forgot you were doing game night tonight. I’m so sorry for interrupting.”
“It’s fine. It only just started. There’s not many of us.”
“Is Theo there?” Harry quipped, the nickname Harry gave Brett made her laugh. Ever since he mentioned that Brett looked like Theo James from Divergent, she wasn’t able to unsee it.
“Yeah, he’s here,” she giggled, quickly changing out of her work clothes and into some sweats, fixing her ponytail.
“What’s going on with you two anyway?” Harry asked, “Are you dating, or just flirting still?”
“Funny you should mention that. He asked me on a date earlier.”
“Really? You gonna go?”
“I don’t know. I really don’t want anything serious right now, but he says we can keep it casual.”
“So...friends with benefits?” Harry pressed.
“That’s why I’m not sure. I don’t know how I feel about it, especially with someone I work with. But it’s only one date. I guess I could see how it goes. He did say that we could go on a double date if I’d feel more comfortable and suggested you and Rory. But I know your schedule’s gotta be insane with the tour and you’ve already flown back enough times.”
“I wouldn’t mind. I’m actually off for three days next week. I had plans Tuesday morning, but I could probably fly out right afterwards and head back Thursday. So maybe Wednesday night we could all go out?”
“Really? You don’t have to if it’ll be too much for you.”
“No, I want to. I told you, I do it all the time. My team will hate me, but oh well. It’ll be fun. I should probably go fix things with Rory first, though.”
Zoey laughed, “Good idea. Good luck.”
They each said goodbye and Zoey threw her phone on the charger before making her way back out to the living room. She took her spot back next to Andy and she smiled, excited to start the game with her friends. She felt proud of herself as she took in the scene, seeing her small group of friends laughing and joking together. She felt like she was finally starting to build the life she always wanted for herself. She never had this many people who she genuinely cared for and that cared for her in return. Sure, she had Jess and Michael, but that was really it. Zoey was finally creating a little family away from her family and it felt good.
After a few more games, everyone was beginning to get tired so the group decided to settle down with a movie. Zoey had dozed off, her head resting on Andy’s lap with her body curled into a ball. When she stirred awake it was nearly 3 AM and she noticed everyone else had passed out. Brett was in the corner and Jake and Melissa were cuddling on the other end. Her mouth was dry and tasted of cotton. Carefully, trying not to wake Andy, she slipped off of the couch and tiptoed towards the kitchen to grab a glass of water.
The blue light on the fridge dispenser illuminated as a steady stream of water poured into her glass. It looked so clear and refreshing that her mouth started salivating at the thought of it when she heard a shuffle behind her. She jumped, turning to see Brett padding his way in, rubbing sleep from his eyes.
“Jesus!” she clutched her chest again. How was she so easily scared?
He ignored her shock. “Can I have one?”
Zoey passed him the glass she had just poured and grabbed another glass for herself, filling it up with water. Brett gulped it down and let out a breath of air when he finished it before she had even raised her cup to her lips. She raised an eyebrow, sipping at the water.
“Tonight was fun, huh?” he asked in a low voice, leaning against the counter.
Zoey nodded, putting her half drunk glass of water down, “Yeah, thanks for coming.”
“We should do game nights more often. Nancy and Rory can join next time, too.”
“They’d love that,” Zoey agreed, taking another sip of water.
After a moment of silence, Brett spoke up again, “So...have time to think about that date yet?”
The water went down the wrong pipe and she struggled trying not to make a scene of choking, holding it in. But her eyes water as she spoke, “Yeah, uhm,” she caved and cleared her throat, continuing, “Yeah, I actually talked to Harry. He’s the one that called earlier, and he said he was down to do a double date next Wednesday, if that’s okay.”
It was hard to look at Brett when he smirked like that. He must have pulled so many girls by that look. Actually, she KNEW he pulled so many girls by that look from the amount of numbers he got at the bar. And honestly, she didn’t mind. It’s not like she saw a future with him. But he was hot and she trusted Brett enough to have a little fun with him.
Jess’ words kept replaying in her mind, again. ‘It’s fun not having strings attached’ and ‘Have fun, but be safe.’ Zoey thought about those exact words every day since she last had sex with Brett and how right her friend was. It’s not that she needed to have sex, but the liberation she felt by just being able to have sex with who she wanted and when she wanted was something so incredibly exhilarating and indescribable. She knew that a commitment was never a requirement to have sex, and she was reminded of this often by Jess, but it took her best friend dying and her moving across the country to really understand that. And to see Nancy, her kind, fun, carefree roommate, doing what she wanted to do and not worrying about what others might think really broadened her outlook on sex and intimacy.
Brett’s mouth was moving, and she knew he was talking, but Zoey couldn’t hear a damn thing. All she could pay attention to was his dark, mysterious eyes and his juicy, plump lips and how badly she wanted to taste them. Fuck it, she thought, grabbing him by the shirt and standing on her tiptoes to smash her lips onto his. He flinched, shocked by her abruptness, but quickly pulled her closer to his solid chest. When she finally pushed away from him, her heart pounded and her lips were already damp from his. Zoey could feel her body tingling from her knees up to her eyes as she craved someone, anyone’s touch. Brett could be enough for now.  
“Let’s go,” she urged, looking up at him through her eyelashes. 
Still stunned and unable to find the words to say, Brett nodded, mouth still agap, as she led him towards her bedroom.
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stardancerluv · 5 years ago
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One Night, Ten Years
Part 1a
Summary: You go to a Curt Wild concert amd everything changes.
Warning: Drinking of Alcohol, Virgin!Reader, petting, protected sex, jerking, cum
Showing, your backstage passes a guard soon called someone over with a golf cart. You all climbed in then flew over the bumpy terrain that led to the hotel. Soon they dropped you off and you were greeted by a very serious looking lady.
“Hi ladies, I’m Chloe.” Her warm smiled was very welcome. “I heard Louie gave you tickets!”
All of you nodded, being vocal was proving difficult.
“Now, I’m sure you ladies want to freshen up before I take you up to see Curt and the rest of the band. Am I right?”
Once again we nodded. “That would be wonderful, thank you.” You finally managed to say.
She smiled, “You’re welcome.” After ushering you into the hotel, she led you to an ornate door. This was the poshest hotel you had ever been in. “In here, you will possibly, find everything you could need. I will wait right out here.”
*****
You went in and immediately giggled. You were covered in quite the array of glitter.
Nancy, leaned behind you. “He certainly got you!” She chuckled.
You smirked. “He did.” Taking a wash cloth, you wiped away what was at your chest and arms. Fluffing your hair, glitter rained to the floor.
Getting done before the other two you went out and waited with Chloe.
“So you’re a huge fan?” She made marks on a clipboard you finally noticed she was carrying. You nodded. “Yup! I have his brand new record.””Wonderful.”“Are you a personal assistant?” You were curious.
“I am and I am also Curt’s cousin.” She chuckled as she saw your eyes grow wider. “Basically, I make sure he isn’t too much of a scoundrel.”“I’ve heard.” He was notorious, that was partly why you liked him. Nancy and her cousin came out before you could talk further.
She smiled at all of you. “Are we ready ladies?”
“Yes!” You happily exclaimed, while Nancy and her cousin nodded.
****
The three of you followed Chloe into an elevator. Watching the numbers light up, you were wringing you your fingers but it didn’t help, you were still very nervous.
“Remember, ladies this is a privilege.” She stressed. “No asking for pictures or autographs. You can though, drink and eat as much as you want.” She informed the three of you.
You looked over at Chloe, pointing upward. “All the way to the top?”
She smiled, and nodded. “All the way to the top. Also,” she added. “if Curt or any of the other band members want to talk to you that is great. Enjoy it!”. “Have fun, ladies.” “Thank you.”
You walked down a short hall which opened into the penthouse. Several people were already there. Excitement beat heavily in your chest. Music poured out with a low murmur of voices.
Reaching the room, a large table greeted the three of you covered in food. You glanced around and didn’t see Curt. Nancy, grabbed your arm. “What should we do first?”
“I am going to get a drink, after all that I am dying of thirst.””Ok, I will get some food.”
As you waited behind a few people. You rocked a little on your heels. This place was so posh.
“Cupjsms isff herll with that girl.” You turned to Nancy. “And my cousin, is talking with the drummer, she loves him.” She swallowed the food that was in her food. “What did you say? I can’t understand you.”
“What would you like to drink young lady?” Just then you were next in line. The bartender, smiled down at you. You smiled back. “I’ll have an iced tea.”“Wonderful,” He began making it and you turned your attention, back to Nancy. “What did you say?”
She swallowed and rolled her eyes. “I said, Curt is here but that lanky girl is hanging all over him.” Your heart sank.“Where is he?””Over there.” You glanced over and shrugged. He was slouching, on an ornate sofa. Damn, if he didn’t look good.
“Here you go lady. See you again.” He handed you the glass.
“Thank you.” You smiled sweetly and took a healthy sip. It had a very interesting taste you took another sip. Maybe that was how posh iced tea tasted.
You slid your eyes in Curt’s direction, a jolt went through you as he appeared to look your way. The lanky, girl was whispering to him. She slowly began unzipping her top. You looked away. You didn’t care to see anymore.
You drank the rest of your tea, might as well enjoy the perks. Turning, you smiled sheepishly, “may I please have another iced tea?” This time you reached into your purse, so you could properly tip him.
The man smiled sweetly. “You don’t you have to.” He held up his hand, he gave your tea a final shake, before pouring it into a glass and handing it to you. It amused you to have iced tea in such a posh hotel. “Maybe enjoy this one a little longer, the night is young.”
“Ok, I will.” You smiled.
You hearing, a peel of Nancy’s laughter, you watched as she happily walk away with the guitarist. You were feeling good.
Your heart beat excitedly. Never would you have ever guessed, this is where you would be tonight. You were in a very posh hotel with your favorite band partying.
You began dancing to the music that was playing throughout the suite. You twirled your hand skyward, your hips swished. This is fun, you mused. Feeling warm, you danced your way over to balcony.
Taking a sip from your tea, you smiled this one tasted much better. Pulling, on the door, it didn’t budge, some of your tea spilled. Nervously, you looked around. As you glanced around you watched as Curt managed to extract himself from the lanky girl.
You looked away again. After seeing him on stage and now seeing him this close, you could barely breath with excitement. You could barely think straight. You took a gulp of your tea.
Looking at the handle, you realized it was locked, silly you. Unlocking it, you went out. The fresh air felt amazing. Placing your glass on the balustrade, you were able to dance more. You remembered looking up at Curt as he sang, how he shifting the glitter out at you and the crowd. Curiosity, got the best of you. placing both hands on the railing you looked down.
You instantly felt like your stomach rushed all the way to the bottom and snapped back up. “Uuuumm, no.” You murmured to yourself and backed up, right into something solid and warm.
“Is the pretty little dancer afraid of heights?” You felt lips brushed against your ear, his voice was deeper. You would know that voice anywhere. Your heart was in your throat and the butterflies between your legs told you who it was
You nodded. “I never knew I was till, just now.” You brushed up against him as you faced him.
“May I?” He didn’t wait, his body leaned against yours as he grabbed your glass. He took a sip and his face contorted. “You like these strong. How are you not crawling across the room, drinking your second one?”
“You noticed? Wait, what do you mean?” Taking the glass back you took a sip. Tasting it, your face twisted. “Oh! That is quite strong.”
He took the glass back, finishing it he winked at you. “I notice things.” He tilted his head to one side. “That’s straight liquor baby, no mixer.” A devil may care smile spread across his face, one you had only seen in newspapers. You felt so shaky that you could fall to your knees in front of him. He leaned, towards you, “Then again, baby maybe that’s what you like.”
“I thought it was just a fancy iced tea.”
He laughed, it was a rich dark sound. As he stepped towards you, you stepped back. You felt the balustrade. “Baby, you are partying with me,” He gestured to himself. “So with the exception of seltzer or coca a cola, there is nothing here that isn’t alcoholic.”
“Oh!” Your lips forming an O. “I’ve never been to a party like this, I had no idea.”
“Well then, baby” He spread his arms out wide. “welcome!” He leaned in close. “Tell me, am I scaring you?”
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“What makes you think that?” Your heart beat hard in your throat. You were amazed that you could form coherent words.
“You move away from me.”
The thudding between your legs that made you want to whimper, you ached so hard. His voice, those smiles were stealing your ability to think. Being brave, you took a step closer to him. “You do alot of things to me,” You lightly placed a hand on his bare chest. “But scaring me is not one of them.”
His lips tightened into a smirk.
“Oh! I am sorry!” You pulled your hand away.
You gasped, he grabbed your hand and put it over his heart. You could feel it beat.
“You can touch me.” As the moonlight shined in blue eyes, you saw deep they were.
You began to tremble. “Baby, relax I won’t bite. Unless, you want me to.” He chuckled again and held up the glass. “Want to share another one?”
“Sure.” Since he let go of your hand, you took it back.
You watched as he walked away. Your whole body relaxed for a moment. Had you touched him, had he brought your hand over his heart. You shook a little. It was, looking around you saw Nancy was making out with her guitarist, and you spotted her cousin having a conversation with the drummer on another corning.
You ate several crackers while waiting for Curt to come back. He met your eyes from across the food table, he gave a small, subtle nod and walked on. You watched as he went through a paid of doors.
Looking around, no one paid him any attention. Following, you went through the doors. It was one of the bedrooms attached to the suite. It was larger then the upstairs of your home.
You looked him up and down as you came in, he was standing by a small table. He turned as you drew close. Your heart squeezed. “My barman, had wondered how you had drank that first one so fast.” You watched as he brought the glass to his lips and took a sip. You licked your lips.
“Did you tell him, I thought it was just iced tea?”
Curt nodded, then handed you the glass. “He loves making a good drink but he would’ve hated to hear that a pretty girl got sick on them.” You took a sip. He took the glass from you and placed it on the small table near him.
As he looked down at you and as you returned the gaze you saw an expression you had never seen in any paper or during any interview.
You saw a man, with chiseled features and eyes that were hooded, almost haunted with the performance eye liner. He was quiet the man behind the performer.
“Looks like I really got you with the glitter.” He smiled.
“There was more!” You giggled. “But I washed some of it off. But I don’t mind.” You assured him above a whisper.
Cupping, your chin he drew your face up. His thumb gently caressed you cheek. “Pretty girl, I realized something.”
“Oh?” You began to tremble.
“I don’t know your name.”
“My name is Y/N.” You could barely speak.
He drew close to you. “I can’t hear my pretty dancer.”
“My name is Y/N.” You managed to say louder.
He smiled again. “Y/N...Y/N...” His eyes seemed to light up, as his thumb grazed your bottom lip. “Y/N, I like that.”
You could not stop yourself from blush and even trembling as he said your name.
“Y/N, what it?” His words, your name on his lips.
“I am nervous,” You finally admitted. “There’s so many people...” Your voice trailed off, as he moved faster then you could breath.
He closed and locked the double doors that opened to this room. Half his mouth curled upward when he came back to you. “Better?”
“Yes.” You nodded.
“Good now where were we?” A broad smile spread across his face. “Oh, that’s right there was something I’ve been wanting to do ever since I saw you.”
Your heart swelled “You saw me while up there?”
“Yes, I did.” He nodded. “That is why I winked baby.”
“So you probably heard me too.” You blushed and looked away.
“Don’t be shy now baby.”
He drew your face over. “I still haven’t told you what I wanted to do?”
“Yes, what was that?” You felt as if you could fall in the bottomless of those blue eyes.
“This.” He closed the distance, he pressed his lips against yours.
You gasped and pulled back, shock raced to the tip of your toes and back again.
“You...you wanted to kiss me?”
He nodded.
“I’ve wanted to kiss you too.” Shaky you kissed him.
He made a soft sound and this time, as he was the one who pulled back, a smirk playing on his lips. “So I can kiss you?” He pulled you close, one of his arms wrapping around you. One of his hands cupped your cheek you couldn’t help but lean into it.
“Yes, please.”
He kissed you then, first it was just lips. His were unbelievably soft and warm, you could feel as he inhaled to deepen it and you melted into it. You shivered as his tongue entered your mouth. It was that same tongue that made you shiver when you watched him preform. Somewhere, from deep within you, a sound, a moan came from the pit of your stomach.
Hesitant at first, you moved your tongue with his before instinct just over came you. You had only one boyfriend before this night and already this kiss was far superior.
He pulled back, his blue eyes searched yours.
“Don’t stop.” You whispered.
“I won’t.” He whispered back.
Everything around you disappeared as the two of you began to kiss again. You sighed as you felt him draw closer. His lips grazed your cheek then moved to your jaw, but he pulled back and chuckled. He brushed the glitter off his lips.
“Let’s get the rest of that off of you.”
You watched as he went to a door at the far end of the room. Nervously, you went and sat at the end of the very large bed. You finally slipped from your heels with a sigh.
“I was wondering when you would take those off.” He remarked as he came back holding a wash cloth. The bed gave as he sat beside you. Tilting, your face up, you closed your eyes, he gently dragged the cool cloth on across your face.
His warm lips were against yours again. You opened your eyes, smiling you continued to kiss him. Together you leaned into each other as the kissing grew more passionate. Feeling his bare skin against yours pulled another sound from deep within you.
“I want to see more of you.” He whispered later, his eyes met yours.
You removed your slouchy black shirt underneath was just your silky neon pink bra. As his hand moved a hand across your torso you inhaled. A mixture of nervous and fear twisted around inside of you.
In the few magazines you had that featured him; he was always with much better looking girls and guys than her. When he gave your waist a squeeze you exhaled.
“What’s the matter?” There was a seriousness in those blue eyes, you saw for the first time that night. His hand was had drooped to your thigh under your fluffy pink skirt. You had to bite back a moan. No one had ever touched you there.
“I have no idea what I’m doing and...and...I’m sure you could have your pick of far better looking people then me.” You said in a rush, relaxing after you finally said it.
He put a finger to your lips. “You distracted me so hard when I was on stage. The way you stood below me like you did.”
You went to say something, but he pressed his finger against your lips.
“Are you telling me no one has scooped you up, and showed you...what you do to them?”
He dragged his finger from your lips.
You shook your head taking a breath. “I distracted you?”
“Want me to show you?” He smirked for a moment. “Actually, you need to know.” He grabbed you hand, and laid it on his growing hard on between his legs.
You looked at him with huge eyes. Never had you felt anyone there, you were stunned that you had this effect on Curt.
“I do this to you?”You swallowed and gently squeezed.
He made a soft sound. This was much better then any of your fantasies.
“Yes.”
You gently moved your hand like you had seen him do on stage. He closed his eyes and made another sound.
You brought, your hand back to your lap. “I had one boyfriend. We kissed some but he broke up with me to date a new girl in our church.”
His blue eyes were like flames. “He was stupid.”
Not really caring about the repercussions, you took his hand. “Ever since I became a fan, I ache and my heart thuds heavily here when I listen to your records or catch a photo of you in a newspaper.” You took his hand and let him cup you.
His breath came out ragged and rough. “So you feel like I do.” He dragged his fingers against the cotton panties you were wearing. A soft moan came from you. “We won’t do anything you don’t want to.”
You nod, “Yes. I’d like that.”
“Let’s get a little more comfortable on this bed for starters.”
“Let me get these off.” You slipped off your leg warmers and then taking a breath you stood up, turning to face him. You watched as he reclined into the pillows. “Comfortable?”
He smiled. “Very.”
“Good.” You said, your voice trembled as you then reached under your skirt and pulled down and stepped out of your stockings.
“Come here, baby.”
You nod, and then taking a breath, you crawled over to him.
******
You were moaning into his kiss as his fingers continued to rub against panties. You felt like something was just out of reach.
“Curt...please...” you arched against his slender form.
“Yes, baby?” His blue eyes were burning.
“Let me shed the rest of my clothes.”
Sitting up, you removed your bra. Dropping it on the floor beside the bed, looking back, at him you were taken by his throat, his torso. Leaning in close, you kissed his throat, you dragged your tongue up it. You could taste the salty taste of his sweat, he made a sharp deep sound. Stopping, you looked at him. “Is this alright?”
His eyes, opened. “Yes, don’t stop.” Licking his lips, he nodded. “I want that pink tongue of yours on me.”
So leaning forward once again, you enjoyed licking your way up his throat. You moved to the other side of his throat, your tongue exploring and tasting. Your fingertips tingled, remembering how he felt under your hand. You craved to touch him once again. Kissing where his throat met his shoulder, you rested your hand on him.
He was much harder and even bigger, it pulled a moan from you. You moved your hand just as you had seen his hand do. It did not take long till you felt his breathing chaning into more of a pant, and it was hot on your shoulder. It made you ache even more for him.
“Y/N, if you keep that up...” His voice was tight.
“Will you become undone in your leather pants?” You asked, as you met his blue eyes from under your lashes.
“Yes, baby your hand will make me cum.”
His harsher words, made you bite your bottom lip. “I thought so.” Your words were breathy. “I read a little about this.”
You gave him a squeeze before dragging your hand away.
“I can’t possibly let you,” you bit your lip again. “Cum in your pants.”
“Baby, then you had better stop what you are doing.”
“I will but only because I want you to fuck me.”
“Baby, those words.” He reached out to you but you managed to dodge his hand. Standing, you pushed down your panties. They were there own small pool of fabric, next to your fluffy skirt.
This time when he reached for you, you let him pull your naked body close to his. “Listen,” He met your eyes. “I probably should have stopped this when I found out but..I don’t know. Hell, no one has ever made me as hard as you do.”
You blushed, you were at a loss for words.
“Most girls want their first time with someone pledging their love, I am not that guy. I never will be.”
“Curt, I am not that kind of girl. All I know is I am aching to have you inside of me.”
“Are you sure?”
“I can practically taste how much I want you.”
He crushed his lips against yours. “Damn, you taste good”
You, watched as he rolled and then stood up from the bed. Feeling, brave you went over to him. “Will you, let me do something I’ve wanted to do since watching you on stage tonight?”
He out his hands on his hips. “What could you possibly want to do?”
“Kiss, me Curt.”
He grabbed you to him and kissed you. Your tongue finally submitted to his, but bucked and moaned breaking that kiss as he felt your hand slip down then front of his leather pants.
“So I make you hard huh?” You let your fingers wrap around his length, you hand moving like his had. You licked up his throat. “Then fuck me.” You whispered in his ear. Slowly you, moving back, you went and laid down in front of him.
He quickly shed his pants. Bitting your bottom lip when you finally saw his hard length. He opened the drawer to the night stand. You saw his eyes light up as he spotted what was needed.
He turned his back to you then. “Sometimes, I lay just like this cupping myself as I listen to your records.” You tentatively reached down and moved your fingers like his had earlier.
You moaned softly. “But now, I know what to do.”
“Damn baby, I am going have to remember you just like this. Sometimes those nights, alone in my hotel room, with my hand is my only companion.” He went over and knelt between your legs. “Y/N, this Is going to hurt but I promise to take that pain away. Ready?”
You nodded, “I’m ready.” You softly reply.
He moaned softly, as he felt just how wet you were. Balancing himself, he found himself at your soft entrance. He met your eyes, he could drown in if given the chance.
Inhaling, he entered you. He met your lips as you whimpered and your face twisted. “It will be alright.” He whispered, against your mouth. Slowly, he began moving. He saw the pain finally melt away. He moved against you as he felt your legs wrap around his waist.
“You feel so damn good.”
He loved how you arched against him. “Oooo” you shook under him. “You feel so good.” He kissed you hungrily, you met those kisses.
You clung onto him. “That’s right, hold onto me.”
He loved how you writhed under him, the sounds you. He moaned as he felt you begin to tighten around him.
“Give yourself up to it. Cum, for me baby.”
You became incoherent it felt so good.
You moaned louder as suddenly you felt as his tongue twirled around one nipple and then the other one. “I...I...ooo” you moaned then a moan that was his name you came hard.
He loved how you came hard around his cock. It was almost too much for him. He pulled out then, took off the condom.
“Y/N, Baby watch me. I am making you mine.” He managed to breath. “I will always be your first.”
You grew excited as he jerked on himself like he had that canister of glitter. He moaned, squeezing out your name as he came hard. As he shook in the after glow. His cum splashing your breasts and stomach. He slumped, still holding himself onto his knees before you.
“You, mine.” He whispered, panting. The fingers of his free hand with went through his sweat soaked strands.
You moved a little, with a tentative finger you began to rub yourself. “Curt,” you moaned, making an entirely pleasurable sound. “Mmm Curt, it feels so good. I’m all yours.” You moaned his name. You panted. “Yes..yes.” And another wave of hot pleasure. Hit you hard and you melted into the bed.
He smiled. “That’s how you do it.” He kissed you knee. “Just wait right here. I will clean you up.” Grabbing his discarded condom and the washcloth he brought earlier, he headed to the bathroom.
When he came back, he saw how your eyes had grown heavy and you could barely keep them open. “Surrender to it, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”
He quickly, wiped all that had been him on you. You were soon back fo smelling like yourself. He tossed the wash cloth, back to the bathroom. Scooping you to him, he wrapped an arm around you.
He managed to throw a blanket around the two of you as sleep fell over you like the blanket just had.
@rosionis @theblackmaskclub @johallzy @brookisbi
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hugsandharrifield · 5 years ago
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Yes yet another Harrifield Ficlet.
Meet the Leader- Steve X Dwight
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It had only been a few days since Nancy and Steve had been transported to the Entity's Realm.  And Steve was sure of one thing, this place was nuts. Besides housing a patched together replica of the Hawkins National Laboratory and dragging A Demogorgon along with them.  He and Nancy were constantly being thrown into other crazy and dangerous situations, an old coal tower, an old overgrown junkyard, a perpetually in the state of autumn farm, an abandoned ski resort, an old Japanese manor, what appeared to be a random street from a random suburb and plenty more creepy places.  And all these places came with a terrible monstrous being, a terrifying woman with a pig head who liked to play games, a ghostly nurse who's screams echoed across the fog, two different backwoods rednecks with chainsaws, a terrifying Japanese ghost with a sword, silent killers in masks, a crispy fried asshole who haunted your dreams, and a cavalcade of others. It was enough to drive Steve to significant distraction, which is why he failed to notice the trap as it snapped around his leg.  "Aaaaaaagh* He screamed as he looked down.  A bear trap? He remembers briefly that one of other survivors had mentioned that one of the killers used bear traps. Supposedly the killer who had been here the longest, they called him the Trapper.  Steve realized that the Killer would probably soon be here, so he attempted to pull himself out. The trap was resistant and making it difficult to push off of him and it tearing deep into his flesh wasn't helping as the pain was excruciating. A bit of panic crept into Steve as he continued to attempt to get out of the trap, and he saw in the distance corn shaking and parting with a telltale red light that Steve had come to dread.  Frantically pulling at the trap Steve began sweating. "You want some help?" a quiet nervous voice called out.  It was Dwight, the supposed "Leader" of the survivors.  Steve wasn't 100% sure why he was the leader he didn't seem like he cut some sort of dashing figure or anything. Apparently he'd been here the longest though. Dwight didn't really wait for Steve to answer, he just bent down and immediately popped the trap open and pulled Steve out of it. Steve attempted to move and searing pain shot through his leg. "It's okay I've got you." Dwight said as he shouldered Steve and started dragging him away from the trap.   Steve's head darted back and forth looking for the Trapper trying to move faster to get away from the beast.  Strangely the red light had faded and he heard a voice yelling and taunting."Come on double ugly! Think ye can keep up with me? Fook you and your bloody traps!"  Steve heard the voice it was David, that tough guy from the U.K. "See no need to worry, David has got the Trappers attention just like we planned." Dwight calmly explained. Wait Dwight had planned this? Steve didn't have too much time to think as  he was quickly dragged  to the other side of the trial area."Claud! I need your help, the new guy stuck himself in a trap." Dwight called out. "Just a sec."  Steve knew Claudette she was one of the nicer survivors  Very sweet lady, super into plants and medicine.  She had popped out from behind a bush and Steve noticed a pile of broken bones in disarray behind her. "Wanted to take care of that totem just in case." She smiled and looked clinically at Steve's leg. "Woof rough, I've got a medkit, help me with this Dwight." She pulled bandages out of the med kit and Dwight grabbed a bottle of what appeared to be peroxide and dabbed some cotton balls with it. "This is gonna hurt, so bite onto something." Dwight said Steve rolled up the end of his shirt sleeve and bit into it and Dwight dabbed the cotton balls on him. Searing pain... but Steve managed to not yell.It took a small bit time but with Dwight and Claudette working together they managed to get Steve bandaged and capable of moving around at a good pace again. "We only have a couple gens left to do. " Claudette said thoughtful "David's keeping the Trapper busy. Stick with Dwight, he's good at helping newbies, and he'll make sure you get out." She pointed at a nearby gen and indicated that they should get on it. Claudette then walked into the corn field slowly, presumably looking for another gen. "Thanks man." Steve looked embarrassed and scratched the back of his head. "It's fine we all were new at some point." Dwight just smiled and looked embarrassed. "Lets get this gen done."  Steve looked at the thing and put his hands in and started connecting cords and loosening and pushing pieces around like he had been taught on his very first day here by the very cranky Nea. After a few seconds Dwight stopped what he was doing and looked around, the gen seemed to be making a lot of noise so it had to be at least partly done.  Dwight came in directly behind Steve and put his hand on Steve's shoulder. "See that piece right there, if you cross connect it here..." Dwight had such a calming voice, and his hand was warm on Steve's shoulder. It took a second to focus but Steve was really impressed as Dwight walked him through a lot of tricks about how to speed this whole process up. He's not sure he'd be able to do it without Dwight's help he says out loud.  Dwight assures him "It will just take time, then one day you'll be a pro just like me." Dwight makes a hand on his hips pose like he's a superhero or something.  Steve can't help but laugh, what a dork. As they finish the gen almost a few seconds afterwards another gen makes the sound that it's done. And for a brief second the lights above the doors flash. They start to head to the door when a loud yell happens and Steve is pretty sure that David has just been caught. "Quick! Go to the door and open it and then when it's open get out." Dwight said brusquely. "Now hold on a second." Steve started to complain. "No arguments. Just the door." Dwight pointed and made it clear he wasn't going to put up with Steve's nonsense.   "Besides your leg is still not 100%" Steve decided not to argue but he was very tempted too, he moved quickly to the door and pulled on the lever. He could see in the distance that David had been hooked and that the Trapper was sitting in front of his prey looking very annoyed and not moving.  The door mechanism became louder and louder. He watched Claudette and Dwight came at the hook from separate directions, Claudette made a lot of noise and drew the Trappers attention and the mountain of a man followed her a short bit. Dwight took the opportunity and bolted out and pulled David from the hook. Steve heard the loud groaning of metal as the doors finally opened.  A strange bell from seemingly nowhere rang, and cracks formed in the ground with a glowing red light. The Trapper roared and like a flash turned from Claudette, she shot quickly with a purpose to the door.  The Trapper was not about to let his prey escape Dwight and David  were in trouble as he stalked towards them. They weaved as they came to a group of the strange walls that permeated this realm.  Dwight keeping himself between the Killer and David shoving the swearing English man out of the way as the Trapper took a swing at them both. Dwight yelped in pain but the Trapper was distracted enough for David to slip by him and  the Manchester menace began barreling towards the open door. Dwight however looked to be in trouble as he circled slowly around the set of dilapidated walls.  David yelled "We need to get out." He pointed at the door. Claudette grabbed him and held him up and dragged him towards the threshold inside the doorway indicating for Steve to follow. Steve shrugged and smiled an evil grin  "Sorry I know this is stupid." And he ran towards the set of walls that the Trapper was chasing Dwight around. "Wait Steve."  Claudette yelled she moved to go after him but stopped as she realized it was a bad idea to leave David alone with the gaping wound in his shoulder. Steve ran over to the walls and could see that Dwight was slowing down. He desperately needed a distraction but the Trapper was on his heels. The Trapper raised his weapon and brought it down but Dwight quickly jumped into a locker and the Trapper only hit the door as it slammed shut. Still it didn't look good the Trapper was just going to open the door and drag the poor guy out. "Hey! You! BIG and Stupid I bet your mother dropped you as a child!"  Steve yelled.  The trapper looked into his direction confused for a second. And that was all the time Dwight needed. Bam the doors popped open and smacked the Trapper in the face and he staggered in confusion.  Dwight moved like lightning as he flew in a line straight towards the door he grabbed Steve's hand as he passed by and yanked him super hard. "OUT OUT OUT!" He yelled in a panic. They nearly crashed into David and Claudette who were still in the threshold of the door "Oh thank god!" Claudette breathed in relief " I really didn't want to have to go back and get both of you." The entire group passed the threshold into the grass that surrounded the trial area just as the Trapper burst into the doorway attempting to capture them one last time.   They ran as they heard the anger as the giant man swung his weapon at the fence of the Entity's thin claws that prevented him from following them.   "Steve, that was pretty dumb!" Dwight laughed. "But thanks. " He threw an arm over Steve’s shoulder and whooped in victory. "That was crazy how did you know to do that with the locker?" Steve asked. "Oh Jane taught that to me." Dwight smiled.  "I'll get her to teach you that too." Steve smiled broadly and they came out to the clearing of the campfire with Dwight's arm still over his shoulder. He kind of understood now why Dwight was the leader, perhaps he was a pretty cool guy in some ways. Something in his head said that Dwight was going to be a good friend.
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thecoolkidsbasement · 5 years ago
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Nancy Drew - Midnight in Salem ‘Fix it Fic’
So because I wanted to take a little writing break from my Inventor’s Absolution fic (so I wouldn’t suffer from the burnout of writing exclusively in one universe for so long), I got somewhat invested in writing a ‘fix-it fic’ for Nancy Drew’s Midnight in Salem game because it was Terribad(TM), and then got un-invested by the time I finished the scene LMAO I don’t think I’ll ever seriously put more time into it (maybe I’ll post it on AO3 + FF.net since it’s a completed scene and to get more eyes on it), so I thought I’d just leave it here for the Clue Crew to enjoy if they so wished. Basically I wanted a rewrite of the game in ‘novel form’ to fix dialogue, plot holes, puzzles, and other various things that I felt needed improvement in the story and plot. This starts at the beginning of the game, shortly after the Book of Apologies thief escapes, and before the opening talk between Nancy Drew and Deirdre Shannon.
Enjoy! Fic under the cut, thanks for reading (and apologies if Nancy seems a bit OOC, I tried doing a mix of ‘new Nan’ with ‘old Nan’. Happy reading, happy writing!
Amongst the verdant firs of the Salzburg forest, our young detective, Nancy Drew, navigates her way back to Moosham Castle after a book thief apprehension gone awry. Through the crowning tops of the wavering trees where they split amongst the drear sky are the towering eaves of the historical estate—the only guide she has in returning to the castle’s footbridge. She surmised the hike back would be a strenuous one, and furthermore considered herself lucky to not have rolled her ankle, or worse, broken a leg, from the way she launched herself over the bridge’s edge as carelessly as she did.
Not a story for Ned, that’s for sure, she decided while rummaging through her shoulder bag to examine the few pieces of evidence her book thief had dropped in their escape; an expelled home-made smoke bomb; a key with an usual blade, the teeth spelling ‘AW’, left abandoned in the cage lock that the Book of Apologies was bound with; and a torn plane ticket to Boston, Massachusetts.
Which was boarding at 3:40 PM.
Tomorrow.
I’ve got to find them before they get back to the states, or else I could lose their trail! Nancy lamented as she pulled her phone from her pocket to check the time, while also seeing several missed calls from a River Heights number — proven earlier to be that of Deirdre Shannon’s. Tucking her phone away, she decided she’d respond later with a lingering thought of how odd it was that Deirdre was calling her. Repeatedly. But right now she had other things to worry about, like how she would apprehend her book thief!
The Vienna International Airport is about a 4-hour drive away. With this ticket I at least know what flight my thief will be on and what seat they’re in! I’ll have to get past airport security first... I wonder if there're any open seats left on this flight?… Nancy puzzled as she climbed up a steep hill, using the rocks protruding from the earthen ridge as makeshift foot holds for a quick return back up to the main road. Brushing dirt off her hands and clothes, she took notice of a tear clean through her pants leg—most likely snagged on a sharp rock or thorny bush while she was running.
Definitely not a story for Ned, the detective sighed to herself as her phone buzzed once more in her jacket pocket. It was Deirdre, again.
The two hadn’t seen each other since the old town hall fire in River Heights last year, and they certainly weren’t on friendly terms once the truth and Nancy’s innocence had come to light… not that they were friendly beforehand, but reveling in Nancy’s short stint in prison certainly didn’t do their tense acquaintanceship any favors.
"Okay, Deirdre, you now have my undivided attention.” Nancy remarked once she answered the call. “What is it?”
“You know, when someone calls you in a panic and tells you not to hang up, it’s probably pretty important that you not hang up!” She snapped from the other side of the line with a huff.
“I’m sorry, but I told you I was in the middle of something. I said I’d call you back later, didn’t I?” She reasoned as she began walking the road back to the castle, lined on either side by dense trees, and examined the tear in her pants again as she walked.
“This isn’t something that can wait! I—…” All the ire in her tone died to a tense silence, in a pause so long Nancy removed her phone from her ear to check if the call dropped. The phone service out amongst the forest wasn’t the best, but her phone confirmed they hadn’t disconnected.
She put her cell back to her ear. “Deirdre? Are you still there?”
“I need your help, Drew.” Deirdre admitted quietly, her voice reluctant and almost ego-bruised, as if she were thinking better of having called the detective in the first place. “My cousin’s gotten into some trouble, and I thought I could help her, but—… but it’s a lot more complicated than what she told me over the phone. It’s worse than I thought it’d be.”
“What kind of trouble?”
"Like I said, it’s complicated.”
Gauging the distance of the road ahead, the peaking towers and the outer curtain walls of Moosham Castle cut through the trees. Nancy hadn’t realized how far she strayed until now. “Well, it looks like I just came into a bit of free time… if you’d like to talk about it?”
“I thought you said you were in the middle of something?”
“I was. I was literally chasing down a suspect when you called and got a little lost on my way back to the castle.”
“…A castle? Where in the world are you, Nancy Drew?”
“Austria, at this place called Moosham Castle. I was trying to locate an artifact for my dad on behalf of a judge friend of his, and—it was the craziest thing!— When I had my back turned, someone dressed all in black appeared out of nowhere and stole the artifact, disappeared in a puff of weird blue smoke, and jumped out the window!”
"Are you saying this guy got away? And here I thought Miss Nancy Drew always got her perp,” Deirdre said with blatant smugness in her voice.
You didn’t see them—they must’ve scaled up the outer wall somehow to come through the window… and they were quick. If they hadn’t stopped when they did to open up the book, I never would’ve caught up to them, Nancy realized glumly. Whoever this person is is crazy athletic, and they knew what they were doing. They knew that the book was here, and they had the key to get it open. This was no random robbery.
“I didn’t think anyone used the word 'perp’ anymore, Deirdre,” Nancy replied with a soft teasing, which granted her a scoff from the other end of the line. Possibly an eye roll, too. “Anyway, back to your cousin. What kind of trouble is she in?”
"Right. Well—… to make a long story short, my cousin, Mei, lives in the infamous Salem, Massachusetts. About a week ago one of Salem’s most historical mansions was nearly burnt to the ground, and now the entire town believes she was the one who caused the fire! They don’t have any evidence she did it, which is unbelievable, but any idiot can see she wouldn’t do something like that—!”
“Deir—Deirdre—Deirdre!” Nancy finally had to yell just to make herself heard over her incensed rambling. “Why would the town believe your cousin Mei would do such a thing if there’s no evidence? What evidence did they find? Did she provide a strong alibi? One that someone, or multiple people, can confirm? Are there any other suspects?”
"God, I forgot about that annoying thing you do where you ask a million questions a second,” Deirdre huffed exasperatedly. "I don’t know what evidence the police have. When I tried reaching out to them, they just laughed at me when they found out I was Mei’s cousin—like they thought it was funny I was trying to prove her innocence! Like it was so obvious Mei would do this and I just couldn’t see it! I had to leave before I gave them the smart-ass piece of my mind… it would’ve only made the situation worse for her.”
“I’m so, so sorry to hear that happened to you, Deirdre… really, I am.” Nancy offered genuinely, just as the footbridge was coming into sight, and she quickened her pace to meet it. “It sounds like your cousin is being falsely accused, or at least he police don’t seem interested in looking into other suspects.”
"Mei hasn’t been accused.” She clarified before sighing defeatedly, grumbling with a tight jaw. "…Not yet, at least, on official record… but everyone in Salem thinks she did it and we both can see where this train is heading. The only people here who see the truth are me and Mei’s older sister, my other cousin, Teegan. Nancy, Mei didn’t do this, and like I said, the situation’s really complicated… more complicated than I can explain over the phone. It’d be easier in person.”
“Are—Are you asking me to come to Salem?” Nancy inquired dubiously. She expected their exchange to be more of a mentoring; for Deirdre to ask for her advice on how to pursue the matter and that would be the end of it, so for her to imply—no, outright admit she needed Nancy to come to Salem—it became clear just how ‘complicated’ this problem really was.
And how desperate Deirdre was to save her cousin.
"You’re really going to twist my arm, aren’t you?” Deirdre groaned. "Yes, that’s exactly what I’m asking, Drew. I’m not going to beg.” There was an abrupt pause. "…I might say please, though, if that’ll convince you, but you can never breathe a word of that to anyone!”
As Nancy stopped on the footbridge to lean over the railing, the open window of the north-tower marked where the thief had jumped from the ledge to a sheer drop below; it was almost too high up to jump from without breaking your neck, and the exterior walls were built with smooth stone weather-worn from the years. How could the thief otherwise get up there, let alone get back down as quick as they did without injuring themselves? Perhaps a hook and rope? Climbing tools? Pure agility, athletics, and clever leverage? Perhaps through some other tools or means unknown to her? It seemed clean, professional, planned, and most importantly, puzzling.
“Do you know how far the Boston International airport is from Salem?” Nancy inquired while digging into her shoulder bag to produce the thief’s torn plane ticket, upon remembering it’s destination out. The detective wondered, was it merely coincidence that the Book of Apologies was stolen in the same week a fire vandalized a Salem landmark? Since Moosham Castle and the book itself both had a connection to the witch trials, it couldn’t be completely improbable that there was some deeper relation between the pieces, and her thief’s flight out to Boston only solidified her gut instinct.
“Boston Logan? Uh—it’s like an hour drive from Salem, I guess?” Deirdre said quizzically. “Does that mean you’re coming?”
“I’m definitely coming. In my book thief’s escape, they left behind a torn plane ticket. They were going to the Boston International Airport. The destruction of a Salem monument, the theft of an important artifact involving the witch trials, and the thief’s flight coming into Boston can’t be coincidence. I don’t know if my thief will be in Salem, but I’d bet they’re still linked to the town somehow.”
“That sounds pretty far-fetched, if you ask me.”
“I guess I’ll find out when I get to Salem. I’m going to see about taking an afternoon flight out of Austria tomorrow—think you can hang tight until I get there?”
“As if I have a choice,” Deirdre bit sardonically, before a softened sigh allowed her to continue in a kinder tone. “I’ll pick you up from the airport. Just text me your flight details, and try not to get in at, like, 2 in the morning or something. I’m not afraid to leave you at the mercy of a taxi driver.”
“I hear you. We’ll figure this out, Deirdre… I promise.” Nancy declared, and despite the silence from the other end, she knew Deirdre was still there—listening and careful.
“…Thanks,” She replied, before quickly hanging up as if it would hopefully diminish the tender gratitude in her reply.
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