#Beth Attire | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

delfiore · 4 months

Text

—DO YOU THINK I HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOU?

pairing: leah williamson x reader

synopsis: in the end, what is meant to be will always be. or; leah struggles after the break up.

word count: 4.5k

a/n: this is a continuation of LIKE REAL PEOPLE DO. i just have to make things angsty i’m sry, if i don’t i start gnawing at the bars of my enclosure but worry not, this will turn fluffy in the end :)

EIGHT. Paris.

It took about 45 mins for Leah to decide that she longer wanted to be in this damned opera house.

The red carpet was exhausting enough, but she powered through it, familiar faces like Amelia DiMoldenberg’s making it barely enough to get through.

The dinner had gone into an intermission, and she had a moment to relax from the cameras, being sat at a table not far from the stage. Ever since she first attended the GQ Men of the Year Dinner a few years ago, it had created a lot of buzz around her every year, fans speculating whether she would come again, donning outfits so foreign on her body. Back then, she still had a support system that she looked forward to coming home to. Now, maybe the only positive to this night was that, whatever happened, she would eventually get to go home and sleep by the end of it.

She had to tilt her head all the way up to get a full glimpse of the ceiling. The Royal Opera House wasn’t the oldest building erected in London by far, but it was one of most interesting to look at, if she wasn’t so in love with her club and the look of the Emirates that was. It was grandiose, regal and typical of Baroque architecture, the concave ceiling arching over her, stretching all the way back to the five balconies—generously lit and horse-shoe-shaped seating areas—stacked on top of each other. It looked a little bit like the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris that she got to see when she attended the Ballon d’Or for the first time a couple of years ago. A lot of things can change in two years, and Leah wasn’t sure whether it was for the better or not.

Her agent caught her in the middle of her admiring when he gave her shoulder a light tap, telling her that she was expected at the after-party too. Great, another two hours she’d have to endure as people praise her name for achievements unworthy of praise, just because she was Leah Williamson, captain of the Lionesses. But whatever else he said after that, Leah didn’t register, because her eyes had found a familiar frame standing a few tables away.

You looked dashing in your black nighttime attire, which sparkled every time the limelight happened to sweep past you. A gentle smile adorned your face as you conversed your heart away with a couple of actors whose names were lost on her. When you put your hand on one of them and laughed, your eyed darted over to her for a split second.

Only when those actors had left, did she even think of approaching you, but her feet were planted on the ground.

One, two, three, she counted in her head. One, two, three; come on, Leah . . .

“Hi, you!” There was a residual cheerfulness from your previous conversation in your voice. “It’s been a while.”

“Yeah,” she tried to chuckle away her nerves, wiping the sweat in her hands on her pant legs. “You been okay?”

“Yeah,” you said it so softly that she almost missed it, if she wasn’t watching your lips. “Are you? Beth says you don’t come around her place anymore.”

“You still talk to Beth?”

“Yeah, she’s my friend, Lee. I . . . hope you don’t mind.”

“No! No, that’s . . . it’s great.” Leah said quickly.

You had smiled at her gratefully, and grasped her hand. “It’s good seeing you again.”

“You too.” She had said, robotically, before deciding against it. “Hey, don’t be a stranger, alright?”

You smiled again. This time, you brought her into your chest and wrapped your arms around her neck. “You first,” you said with a glint in your eyes, then you disappeared into the crowd.

And for a few brief moments, Leah Williamson didn’t think about how exhausted she was, only about how much she has missed being held by you. After all, it had been almost two years since she and you broke up, and maybe Leah was never able to move on like she had promised you.

How could she?

NINE. Be My Mistake.

She hated the feeling afterwards. She hated herself for having initiated it, for chasing after the girl like a hungry wolf in that nightclub. Now, Leah couldn’t bear the feeling of her lanky arms and sweaty skin touching her, like the intimacy was warranted, like she had somehow earned it.

Leah knew it was begrudging of her to shove the girl’s arm away so heartlessly and move upright to the edge of the bed, but she didn’t care. She couldn’t bring herself to be intimate with someone else, not yet. Not when every time she felt her skin she imagined yours, soft and scented with your familiar smell; every time she closed her eyes she saw your face like a ghost, refusing to leave her psyche; every time she opened her mouth to let out a noise of pleasure, it took everything in her to hold herself back from uttering Y/N, Y/N, Y/N.

The girl was confused but she was still, no doubt trying to decipher the sudden shift in Leah’s demeanor. She hated her stillness, the way her eyes watched her frame like she was a wounded animal in its enclosure.

“Please leave,” Leah said quietly, begging.

Silence.

“I don’t know what you’re going through, but if . . . you need someone—”

“Thank you, Delaney.” She gritted her teeth. “Please get out.”

Tonight, it was Delaney with the fiery red hair and dimples peppered over her cheekbones. A few nights ago, it was Lisa-Mae with the sultry brown eyes and unforgettable plump lips. Then there might have been an Erin and Hailey and Polly and maybe even a Daniela from when she visited Keira in Barcelona. She hated that she somehow remembered all of their names and kept count. Body upon body, yet she could not forget the one body she was using them all to forget about.

She couldn’t turn to alcohol, couldn’t smoke or do hard drugs because they would affect her performance on the pitch, but God knows she was thinking about it constantly. Anything to take this pain away for a moment, lest she turns into the starving wolf and goes out to hunt at night again. If only the press caught on to what she was doing.

Righteous Lioness turned starving wolf the moment the loneliness becomes a little too much to bare.

But she knew you wouldn’t have judged her. No, you would wrap her in your arms and let her scream, cry, do whatever she wanted to rid herself of the torment. She remembered all the nights you spent on the bathroom floor with her as she battled through her endometriosis, and how you would hold her like the world was about to collapse outside the window.

Leah was on the bathroom floor again, but she was alone this time, and the floor tiles felt colder and harsher than she had remembered.

TEN. Tonight (I Wish I Was Your Boy).

The feeling she got when the three whistles finally blew came to Leah quite rarely. It was one of elation and immense joy that the result of the game was finalized, because she had known half an hour ago that Arsenal would bring home the crucial three points from the match.

She brought her fists in the air as she made her rounds, patting her teammates on the back and shaking hands with opponents. She found Kyra and hoisted her in the air with a tight hug, as her younger teammate managed to score and assist today.

“Thank you, Leah.” Kyra giggled, as she was put down. “Is Y/N here?”

Leah’s smile remained, but she scrunched her eyebrows. “How did you hear about that?”

“How could I not? Y/N Y/L/N, coming to watch us play. I won’t be surprised if social media was buzzing about that rather than the actual match.”

If Kyra knew, that meant the entire team knew. She would endure the endless teasing if it meant getting to see you again, though.

Leah had found where you were sitting right from the start, in the VIP box where her friends and family sat, the usual spot you occupied when you were still together. Back then, she would watch you jog down the stairs with a blinding grin on your face, hop over the barricade and pull her into a bone-crushing hug. It could be a sold-out Emirates Stadium, but the only thing she wanted to watch was you. She still wanted to.

“Hi! Great game today.” You didn’t hug her, but did something far worse. You swung your arm and gave her bicep a quick pat, like a friend would.

“Thanks,” she said. “Should have scored that header though.”

“Hey, don’t put yourself down like that. You were great.” Somehow, your words made her feel worse about herself, and she just wanted to crawl into a hole and never come out again. They felt patronizing.

Not far away, Beth’s joyful laughter cut through her sulking. Turning to look at the woman, she saw Beth wrapping her arms tightly around Viv’s neck and the Dutch spinning her around gleefully. Viv had managed to score a hat-trick today—her first since returning from her ACL injury—and even if she didn’t celebrate such an important feat, she would be dragged into one because her girlfriend definitely wouldn’t leave it alone.

It reminded her of when she would come home and celebrate her wins with you. She didn’t need any fancy parties or lavish gifts, just being in your company was more than enough. You would always end up buying her gifts though. “Just because”, you would say, the I love you going unspoken, but she knew it was there. She could always feel it hanging in the silence, in the spaces in your home, even when you were half a world away filming. She could always feel it, like a hearth, a palpable warmth flickering in her chest.

It made her envious watching Beth and Viv that they had what she once did.

“Y/N! You made it!” Beth’s voice tore Leah from her thoughts.

Despite her sentimental predicament, a chuckle made its way onto her lips as she watched you embrace Beth like two schoolgirls finally united again after the summer holidays.

“How long are you staying in London?” Beth asked.

“I don’t know, really,” you replied. “I’m doing a thing with Stella McCartney, so it might take a while.”

Leah couldn’t help but perk up at that. She could feel Viv glancing at her from the corner of her eyes.

“No way! Look at ya. Moving on to the fashion world already!” Beth exclaimed and gave your shoulder a light shove.

Only when you and Beth had walked away happily chatting did Vivianne elbow her gently.

“They seem happy,” the Dutch said.

“Yeah,” Leah pursed her lips. “That’s good.”

“And you? Are you happy?”

Leah knew that the both of them knew she wasn’t, but that wasn’t the right answer. She would not admit to something that she has been working for two years to get over, because it would mean that her woes were all for nothing.

“I am,” she nodded. “I’m glad they’re happy.”

If anything, Leah still loved you enough to admit that.

ELEVEN. Me.

Leah didn’t sleep much these days. She never really did—adrenaline being her biggest enemy—but she would find herself crying in frustration at four in the morning, unable to fall asleep.

It would be during those torturous hours that she would reminisce on the conversation in which she pulled the plug on your relationship.

It was a slippery slope of miscommunication, both of you were to blame, but she was the one who decided to run away instead of trying to work it out. She still kept the ring in a drawer somewhere, but the memory of your rejection made it to painful to look at.

In hindsight, she could have said it a bit differently, but she was close to exploding the previous days that all of it came flooding out of her.

She replayed the conversation often, like a broken record in her head, swapping out things that she could have said or you could have said that would have lead to a different outcome, maybe one in which she wasn’t so miserable two years on.

It was 1:43am, and she was wide awake yet again. You’d always had an irregular sleep pattern, and she wondered whether you were awake too.

She knew it was a mistake, and that she would regret it in the morning, but she texted you anyway.

hey are u awake?

Slamming her phone on the other side of the bed, Leah curled in on herself, burying her face in the pillows trying not to cry. If she hadn’t looked up in time, she would almost miss the incoming call on her screen. It was you.

“Hey,” she picked up after sniffling her tears away.

“Hey, you,” your voice was soft and lulling. “What an odd time for a footballer to be awake. Shouldn’t you be getting your beauty sleep?”

This made her chuckle. “If I did get all of my beauty sleep, you lot would have no chance.”

“Watch out, everyone. Leah Williamson’s ego is inflating, try not get crushed by it.”

As Leah’s laughter died down, she felt an awkwardness settled over the line. A silence once so comfortable now felt forced, straining under the pull between what once was and the ruins of it. The heavy weight of unspoken words curled on the tip of her tongue, the broken record of her mistake playing ever louder in her head.

“I didn’t expect to hear from you,” you finally broke the silence, your voice teetering between caution and curiosity.

“Yeah, well, insomnia makes one do questionable things.”

Leah wondered if she had accidentally revealed too much, and whether it was appropriate to do so. You two weren’t intimate anymore, you were barely friends nowadays, the finest thread of your acquaintance lied solely on your hangouts with Beth. How strange it was, you were half of her soul. Now you were almost like passersby on the street.

“Is everything okay?” You asked, a sense of concern in your tone.

“Um,” she hummed, trying to pull herself together. “Not really. I-I haven’t been doing too well.”

“Leah,” you said. “I-I know we’re not as close as we were before, but I wasn’t lying when I said I still want us to be friendly at least. I’m here for you. You know that, right?”

“I know.” She said, her voice wavering. She wouldn’t be able to hide her feelings from you, never you. “I know. I’m sorry I didn’t reach out sooner.”

“It’s okay, Lee. It hurt me a lot, not gonna lie, but I understand where you were coming from.”

Leah couldn’t hold it in anymore, and squeezed her eyes shut, her tears wetting the pillow she lay on. “I can’t be your friend, Y/N. I can’t just pretend like the last five years didn’t happen.”

There was a brief silence once more before you spoke. “I know. Might be selfish of me to wish things were different.”

“Then I’m selfish too,” she said, almost a whisper.

There was a pause, in which Leah bit the inside of her cheeks so hard they might start bleeding.

“Are you coming to Beth’s thing on Friday?” You asked.

“I think I’m expected to be there. Why?”

“Good, I’ll be there too. We’ll talk then.”

“Okay,” Leah said dumbly.

“Now, go to sleep.”

She giggled. “You first.”

TWELVE. Sincerity Is Scary.

Leah’s teammates have teased her many times throughout the evening, stating her unnecessary brooding was actually unnecessary this time and that she should liven up. She really couldn’t. Just thinking about seeing you again tonight made her want to have a heart attack and end her misery right there.

But the moment she heard your voice as you stepped into Beth and Viv’s house, a bottle of wine in hand and a bright smile on your lips, Leah felt her anxiety dissipate into oblivion, scolding herself for ever feeling nervous.

After all, it was you.

She waited patiently with a soft smile, her arms folded behind her back as she waited for all the girls to swoon over you. She had all night to keep you company, she was in no rush.

“Hey,” you found her after all the canoodling. Extending an arm, you awaited a hug which she gladly accepted.

“Hi,” she offered to take your jacket and hung it on the rack by the door. “You got here alright?”

“Man, the traffic at rush hour,” you sighed exasperatedly. “That’s the one thing I’ll never get used to. Almost makes me miss you being my personal chauffeur.”

She laughed. “That’s the only thing I was good for, was it?”

You narrowed your eyes at her teasingly. “Not just that.”

Leah wasn’t sure what you meant entirely with We’ll talk then, but seeing as she was the one who stupidly broke up with you, the balls were entirely in your court. She was just happy you were still willing to talk to her after she called you at 2am to blabber her insomniac nonsense.

She wasn’t courageous enough to sit directly next to you at the dinner table, but rather took the seat next to Katie who sat in front of you. Courage wasn’t something Leah felt much lately, and it took seeing you again for her to admit that. Perhaps she was never brave, but you always made her feel like it anyway.

Everyone loved you, the movie star that graced her team’s humble dinner. She couldn’t help but watch in awe as you managed to charm the pants off of everyone at the table with your witty remarks and crazy anecdotes. You had a presence that made everyone want to be your friend; it made her uncharacteristically shy at trying to get you to notice her, that she resorted to watching you from afar. And the few times you would make eye-contact with her, she could only look away, bashful that she had been caught staring, as her courage dwindling with each gaze.

Later in the night, when everyone was scattered around the house chatting, she found you sitting alone on the patio. Upon closer look, she could make out a smaller, fluffy unit in the form of Myle, Beth and Viv’s little pup, prancing around in front of you, waiting for you to throw the tennis ball in your hand.

The constant sound of the girls’ conversations died down the moment she stepped out in the backyard, now lit with rows of incandescent lights overhead. Myle barked once with excitement as she spotted Leah approaching.

“I think she wants you to throw it,” you handed her the ball.

She grinned and took it. “No one beats Auntie Leah.”

Little Myle was quick to launch herself across the yard on a mission to retrieve her precious artifact.

“I wanted a dog really bad, the first year we started dating.” You said, pulling your knees to your chest as a gust of wind pulled at your hair. “I wanted a little corgi or an Italian greyhound. I spent hours looking for one to adopt and researched food, bills, insurance and stuff.”

“Why didn’t you get one?” Leah asked.

“We haven’t even moved in together at that point. Plus, I was still bouncing around, you knew that.”

She did. You were shooting a movie in Canada the few first months you and her started talking. Then, you were hopping around Spain, Portugal and various parts of the UK for another project. It wasn’t ideal, but still much closer than Canada. You would fly out every other weekend to watch her play, and she would do the same and visit you on-set, moving most things aside for a couple days with you.

“I would have loved a dog, I don’t know about you.”

“I’m sure you would have. You’d probably love it more than me,” you laughed.

“No,” Leah shook her head softly. “Never.”

Summer was approaching. She could feel it in the mildness despite the breeze. For a while, the soft murmur of the wind caressing the trees was all she could hear, and Myle’s occasional huff as she impatiently waited for the ball to be tossed again.

You both sat there watching her, fantasizing of a different life, a dream that never materialized, another fragment of memories again tainted by what-ifs. Leah bit her lip, trying to calm her spiraling thoughts. She felt her courage slipping away again.

“I’m sorry I called you the other day,” she pursed her lips. “That wasn’t very appropriate. I should have asked to talk to you properly.”

“Don’t worry. Wasn’t the worst thing you could’ve done.” She heard you chuckle next to her. “I’ve had some time to think about us. Admittedly, I didn’t want to think about it at all the first few months, but my therapist told me I had to face it one way or another.”

Leah held her breath. This was the part where you tell her that you’d moved on and that she should stop pestering you. One of her knees started bouncing up and down as she waited for you to talk.

“I had to face the fact that you’re the love of my life, and that night I met you and we danced to Hozier together—on the first night we met no less—was the second best night of my life. The best was when you told me you loved me. And the worst night of my life was when you broke up with me.”

“I’m sorry,” Leah whispered, feeling her throat tighten at your confession.

“No,” you said, moving closer. “I don’t regret it. I wasn’t ready when you proposed, and that was my truth. But Leah, I’d be lying if I said that I’d be okay with letting you go again.”

“I should’ve talked to you about marriage before I asked you to marry me. It wasn’t fair on you.” Leah offered you a tearful smile.

“I want to try again. I would do it again for you.” You reached out and wiped away the tears that had silently rolled down her cheeks as she listened to you.

“I thought I’d lost my chance,” she said. “I thought you’d moved on.”

“Oh, baby,” your thumb brushed over her cheek softly. “How could you think I’d ever be able to forget about you?”

She let out a soft cry of relief. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and there was only one thing she thought of doing.

So she leaned in, never minding her wet cheeks. The last thing she saw was you closing your eyes too.

“Oh—sorry!”

The two of you jumped apart at the voice behind you. Leah turned around with a visible scowl on her face, seeing Beth grimace sheepishly as she called for Myle.

“It’s her dinner time. Come, little one, you hungry?” Beth attempted to explain herself, as Myle sprinted inside. “Alright then. As you were.”

The moment the door closed, you burst into laughter, making her break out of her frown and smile with you. “I can’t believe that just happened,” you said, laughing into her shoulder.

“I’m going to kill her,” she shook her head and placed a chaste kiss on your cheek.

She didn’t mind it too much, because she got to take you home later and make up for the last two years until the early hours of the morning. You and her would laugh about it years later.

THIRTEEN. About You.

Your lover never backed down from a challenge.

That was her way, and that was what made her one of the best in her sport, her unrelenting spirit.

Yet, her legs felt like they would turn to jelly the moment she laid her eyes on you at the end of the aisle, umber dirt covered in white rose petals. She felt like drowning in her emotions which had all risen to the surface, and the waves would only plunge her further into itself until she was completely immobilized by it. But she knew once she was able to pull herself together and walk to you on the other end of that path, heaven would be waiting for her.

The officiate went on and on about love, life, and promises of forever, but she had made that promise to you long before this day. She kissed you fervently the moment she was able to.

It only seemed fitting that the first chapter of your story began with a dance, and the most important one to also end with a dance. She offered you a hand, and you gladly took it, a childish giggle bubbling in your throat. The song you danced to the first night you met rang out in the venue, a soft and folksy tune the backdrop of your falling in love.

“It’s not so bad, is it?” She said with a teasing grin.

You gazed into her eyes like they held the world. You had no idea that her heart beat for you, how her soul yearned for yours, how her life will not forever be intertwined with yours.

You closed your eyes and hummed, swaying with her slowly, just like you’d practiced at home a couple of weeks ago, only that instead of the four walls of your shared home baring witness to this dance, it was all your friends and families.

Memories of the first night you met, and the one in which she promised you her heart bubbled as she saw the serene look in your face. You both have come so far.

You placed your head on her chest for all to see, the way you do when you are tired after long hours of work in front of the camera, when all you wanted was the magic and warmth of her company.

Leah smiled; she couldn’t stop smiling. She smiled and smiled until her cheeks ached, even beyond then, until forever.

“No,” you mumbled. “Not bad at all.”

a/n: happy holidays to everyone :)

#leah williamson x reader #leah williamson imagine #leah williamson imagines #leah williamson x you #leah williamson angst #woso fanfics #woso imagines #woso x reader #engwnt x reader #beth mead #vivianne miedema #viv miedema #kyra cooney cross

647 notes · View notes

lordofthecherubs · 2 months

Text

Hello Euphoria [Part 1]

“Knew it was too strong for your liking.”

“For my liking? I looove this stuff, Arthur.” You slurred, pointing to the drink in your hand for emphasis.

“Love is a strong word, cowpoke.” He offhandedly said.

“Strong feeling, too.”

Pairing: Arthur Morgan x F!Reader

Warnings/Tags: 18+, MDNI. Eventual Smut. Slight slow burn. Reader is part of the gang already. Drunkness. Horseshoe Overlook Chapter. Reader is a lightweight.

The summer this season was particularly grueling. As the sound of birds twittering overhead remained the same as they always were, everyone in the camp seemed to be barely making it day by day without turning into a melted puddle in the ground. Even Charles, stoic and resilient as he was, seemed to be letting the heat get the best of him; nearly planting Micah into the dirt ground after he had made one of his insensitive comments. Tensions were high.

In the late 1800s, there were scarce few ways to find relief from the heat and cool down. Modern luxuries of air conditioning or plug-in fans were not of access. You could swim in a lake, or buy yourself a small handheld fan; which seemed to be an idea Mary-Beth was keen on, holding the piece of plastic close to her face while attempting to still appear presentable. She was a nice young girl. She still had that going for her.

However, there were others who didn’t care to remain modest. Sean had taken to waltzing around camp in nothing but his drawers, which was more unpleasant to see than surprising— if you were anyone but Karen. John seemed to think this was a good idea, because he soon was seen in the same attire, or rather lack thereof. Abigail was not as thrilled with the sight as Karen was.

“John Marston!” She shouted. “Get yourself decent before folks start thinkin’ you’re a drunkard!”

You laughed at the sight, pulling pieces of hair away from where they’d stuck to your neck with sweat. The two of them weren’t exactly the perfect couple, but you could tell there was love there. If your judgement of love was educated enough.

Your gaze turned to another area of the camp.

Arthur sat at the base of a tree, head leaned down, and arm resting above his bent knee. You rolled your eyes at his ability to look how he did even given the harsh circumstances of the weather. The cowboy would never agree with you, but he was very easy on the eyes. So easy, in fact, sometimes you stared at him with such intensity it was like you were preparing to hunt him for sport. Not a bad idea.

Your daydream doesn’t last long. Not when Dutch, the gangs leader, voices his opinions about the current situation loud enough for everyone to hear.

“We are better off laying down and dying in the middle of Valentine than staying here and looking miserable all day!”

For once, you agreed with him. Dutch was a man of many thoughts and opinions, ones it seemed he couldn’t bear with keeping locked inside his head for long. Which is why, he continued his remarks.

“Arthur, Lenny, Micah, John—“

For the first time today, Dutch caught a look of what John’s best idea of cooling down was. The two shared a look for a moment until Dutch shook his head, waving his hand in the direction of the long-haired cowboy. Then, the gang’s leader looked in your direction, a smile filling his face as he walked over to where you were.

“Well now, I believe it would be in our interest to have a lady on this trip.”

“A trip? In this? You really are losin’ it, Dutch.” A voice commented, the sound of gravel crunching signaling to you that someone was heading your direction.

Arthur looked at Dutch with a hint of fatigue in his eyes, having been woken up from his nap by another one of Dutch’s antics. Lenny and Micah soon followed behind him, and the once empty table you occupied was now surrounded.

“Listen, I think it would be best if a few of us went down to some of the cities.” Dutch explained, looking between different members of the small group he created. “You two—“ He gestured to Micah and Lenny, “See if you can find some information about O’Driscoll’s in Strawberry, maybe steal us some supplies. And you two,” He pointed at you and Arthur, but paused for a moment after reviewing the exhausted look on both of your faces.

While Dutch wasn’t a soft man, he wasn’t evil. He cared about every person in the gang like they were his family. And, in a way, they really were his family, or the closest he’d ever get to one.

The dark-haired man opened his mouth to speak again. “You two, go to the saloon in Valentine. See what you can find out there.”

“What? That’s it?” Micah scoffed, stepping closer to Dutch. “We gotta go robbin’ and chattin’ while these two get to have a bar date?”

You tried to tell yourself the heat that crept up the back of your neck was not because of the inclination that Arthur and you were going on a date, but because you might’ve been getting a sunburn. Yeah, that was it. Looking upwards from where you sat, Arthur’s jaw visibly clenched. It could be unrelated. Maybe he had a bad dream during his nap?

Dutch began walking away to his tent, ignoring Micah’s complaints. “Just find something useful to do, would you?” A hint of annoyance in his tone.

In an attempt to hide his embarrassment, Micah shrugged his shoulders back, feigning nonchalance. “So, it’s you and me kid, huh? Hope you’re ready for the ride of your life!”

Stepping off into another direction, you gave Lenny a sympathetic look before he followed behind Micah, no hints at all in his step that he was happy to be sent on this mission. Who would be?

“Can’t help but feel bad for him.” Arthur said, watching the duo ride off on their horses in the direction of Strawberry.

You laughed, shaking your head. “It was him or us. And, Dutch is smart enough to know sending you off alone with Micah is a recipe for disaster.”

“Disaster?” The cowboy parroted, smiling down at you. “What kind of disaster, cowpoke?” His eyes seemed to pierce right through your own, possibly even right into your brain, where your thoughts were aimlessly spinning around, trying to stay focused on the fact that you were in the middle of a conversation.

You cleared your throat and broke eye contact, opting instead to ease yourself up from where you sat instead of sitting and sharing eye contact any longer. “The kind of disaster where one of you gets killed,” You quickly said, pushing away from the wooden table. “Preferably, Micah.”

This made Arthur laugh heartily while he followed you to where both of your horses were hitched. The sound of his voice was enough to make you smile softly to yourself, patting the animal on its side while readying your saddle. Almost in sync, the two of you mounted them, slowly exiting the camp while riding next to each other. You wanted to look at him, but instead you focused your attention on the road ahead of you, hands clasping tightly onto the reigns.

***

The trip to Valentine was as quiet as it was short. You and Arthur hadn’t shared many words to each other, but you assumed that was because he was still tired, being woken up from a nap was never fun. You almost felt bad that Dutch had sent the both of you on this mission. You’re sure you’re not the only one to have noticed, but Dutch really liked to send Arthur off on missions that could be done by anyone else. The cowboy worked hard, if not the hardest out of everyone in the camp. But, all things considered, you weren’t one to complain about having such pleasant company.

Tying your horses up at the front of the saloon, Arthur walked up the steps, leaning against the front of the building as he waited for you to follow suit. He watched as you removed a gun you had stowed on your horse and placed it in your holster, surprise bubbling in his stomach. Most of the women in the gang didn’t have guns. And while he wasn’t opposed to it, he wondered if there was more to you than you let on.

You were a fighter, he knew that well enough from how you never shied away from telling Micah off when he disgustingly flirted with you, even having drawn a knife one time when you were slightly intoxicated. You had no real intentions of using said knife, but the blond man needed to be shut up one way or another. That same occurrence was when Arthur had learned you weren’t the best at handling your alcohol. A lightweight, the term he commonly heard being used.

The cowboy, still leaning against a wall by the entrance of the saloon, had a keen eye for things when it came to you. He wasn’t sure of how obvious it was, but he didn’t miss the way he’d sometimes catch you staring his direction when you were sure he couldn’t see you. The thought made him smile to himself, hands resting on his belt as he waited for you to catch up with him.

“All ready?” You asked, admiring the way stray pieces of hair stuck to Arthur’s forehead due to perspiration. He nodded, moving himself off the wall to push the saloon doors open, holding them for you to walk inside.

With a smile towards the cowboy in thanks, you followed him to the bar. The table in front of you wasn’t the tallest, but it was hard not to notice the way Arthur basically towered over it. Looking away before you were either caught staring, or consumed in your thoughts, you began to wonder why Dutch sent the two of you on this “mission”. Before you could get whisked away in your head with that topic, Arthur spoke up again.

“Got a preferred drink?” He asked, elbows leant against the wooden platform in front of you.

“Even if I did, I doubt they’d have it in a place like this,” You said, looking upwards at the bartender in front of you. Your eyes widened, not realizing the owner would be standing right in front of you. “Oh— I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…” You trailed off, a feeble attempt at an apology, and heard Arthur bite back a laugh beside you. You kicked him beneath the bar.

“Don’t you worry, miss. I’ve been to enough saloons to know this one ain’t all that pretty.” The bartender said, smiling genuinely. “And,” He paused, wiping down the wooden expanse in front of him with an old rag, “I don’t actually own the place, I just work here.” The man in front of you winked with a laugh, standing up straight to formally address the you and Arthur.

Arthur, smiling and obviously very entertained by the whole interaction, sighed out contently before speaking up. “I’ll have a whiskey, and for the lady…” He looked down at you, examining your face for a quick moment. “Brandy.”

The bartender nodded, turning around to fill up some glasses with your drinks.

“What’s brandy?”

Arthur laughed again. He seemed to be in a better mood now, thankfully. “Think it comes from a fruit, if I remember right. Not much of a drinker, are you?”

You shook your head silently, looking down at your hands. As much as you wanted to be able to drink like the rest of the gang, you knew all too well that you and alcohol did not mix well. Loose lips, unsteady feet, tiredness, and giggles were your common reactions. All of which are far too embarrassing to display in front of Arthur, someone you wanted to think highly of you. Yet, here you were, thanking the bartender for the drink as it was handed to you. For a moment, you examined the glass in your hand with an eyebrow raised.

“Scared?” Arthur teased, turning towards you with his own glass gripped between his fingers.

You scoffed, rolling your eyes playfully. “Of a drink? I think I’ll be fine, cowboy.”

Were you a bad liar? Or did Arthur always have a look of suspicion in his eyes whenever you spoke to him? Despite whether or not he truly believed your words, he raised his drink towards you, cheersing it with yours, the sound of the glass clinking filling the space as you both took your sips.

Being the man that he was, Arthur didn’t flinch at the bitter taste whiskey left on his tongue, or the way it burned down his throat. Especially not when he wanted to see the way you reacted when your drink did the same to you.

Pulling the glass to your lips, you were met with the initial taste of something slightly fruity. The flavor wasn’t too bad, compared to any other alcoholic beverages you’d had before. Then, as the liquid traveled down your throat, a sweltering feeling overcame you. With great effort, you managed you swallow it, despite your brain's efforts to try and get you to spit it back out. The overall feeling was intense enough to make your eyes water, looking up at Arthur in front of you.

The cowboys face read a mix between surprise and concern. Clearly, whatever reaction you just had was not the usual. You grew embarrassed, cheeks turning a shade of crimson.

“Should we get you somethin’ different—“

“No!” You almost immediately said, clearing your throat. “No, this is good. I like it.” You half-lied, reaching for the drink again.

Arthur seemed to be shocked by this response, because he tilted his head to the side slightly. “Really? You like it?”

You nodded, taking another sip and willing yourself not to have the same reaction as before.

The cowboy carefully watched your face as you drank, taking note of the way your eyes watered again after you pulled to drink away from your lips. He wondered why you were lying to him about something like this. It wasn’t a bad thing to not be able to stand strong drinks, especially if you were someone who didn’t usually drink in the first place. Momentarily, he remembered the first time he’d been offered a drink by Dutch. He was about fourteen, and as soon as the liquid met his tongue, he spat it back out onto the ground, gagging dramatically. Compared to the way he was casually drinking the whiskey in his hand, that memory was laughable.

“Can I try yours?”

Arthur was shook from his memories by your voice, glancing down at his drink to your face with a nod. Handing the drink over, he spoke up to try and warn you. “Just be careful. This is a lot stronger than—“

Before he could finish speaking, you quickly pulled the glass to your lips, eyes closed tightly as you gulped the entire drink down. Arthurs jaw fell slack at the scene before him, looking around to see if this had been some kind of joke. Upon surveying his surroundings, he noticed the cup that had once been full of the brandy he ordered you was now empty. You placed his now matching glass beside it, wiping a hand over your mouth.

“S-sorry, I drank all yours…” You sheepishly said, looking up at Arthur. “I’ll get you another, ‘kay?”

Was it possible for someone to fall under the influence that fast? Or had he been daydreaming about his childhood for too long? Whatever the answer was, his feeling of shock lingered as you pulled two large mugs of whiskey towards the both of you. “Maybe we’ve had enough for today.” Arthur said, voice laced with concern for where this would go if you got any more liquor in your system.

“Let’s find somewhere else to sit, it’s too loud here.” And with that, you were off, both drinks clutched in your fists as you wobbled to find a quieter place to sit.

The cowboy had no choice but to follow you, worried for your wellbeing. Maybe it was his fault, getting you started on brandy of all things. But in his defense, he thought it would put you off from drinking altogether, not send you into a spiteful frenzy to prove you could drink the same way that he did. Arthur stayed close behind you as you made your way outside, using your weight to push the back door open. Luckily for you, there was a small table with two chairs on the back patio, looking almost as if they had been waiting for you and Arthur to come and use them.

“Perfect!” You exclaimed, carelessly plopping yourself down into one of the wooden chairs, placing Arthur’s drink on the table and bringing yours to your lips.

The outlaw carefully sat down across from you, reaching for his drink at a more relaxed speed than your own. Carefully, he eyed you. You were definitely drunk, there was no denying that, but he had underestimated just how quickly that could happen to you. This was a fault of his memory, because only now was it reminding him of the time when you got woozy from one beer.

“You know, after a while, it doesn’t even burn anymore.” You laughed, turning your head in the mans direction.

“So it did burn you,” Arthur couldn’t help but smile. “Knew it was too strong for your liking.”

“For my liking? I looove this stuff, Arthur.” You slurred, pointing to the drink in your hand for emphasis. Now, you turned your entire body towards him, almost leaning completely over the table in his direction. This action caused a sleeve of your shirt to slip off, revealing a soft shoulder to Arthur’s eyes, making him gulp down his drink with a new intensity.

“Love is a strong word, cowpoke.” He offhandedly said. Unlike many of the other women in the gang, besides Sadie, you tended to dress less traditionally. Your wardrobe consisted of different pairs of worn in pants, and some button up shirts that happened to fit you sometimes, while others did not. Only so often did Arthur ever witness you in something like a dress. And presently, the shirt you wore was probably a size or two too big. Not a fault of your own, though. It was rare to find clothes made for working in diverse sizes, more so ones that fit women.

Within his thoughts, he reached forward to ease your shirt back onto where it belonged, willing his hand to not linger on the spot longer than it needed to.

“Strong feeling, too.”

Arthur had almost forgotten what he’d said to make you respond with that, but the look in your eyes brought the same spoken of feeling to burn in his chest. Still leaning over the table, eyes trained on the cowboy in front of you, your pupils were blown wide and your cheeks were flushed.

It was nearing dusk, crickets began chirping ambiently, and the air was starting to cool down from its prior harshness.

“We best start heading back.” Arthur quietly said, all too aware of the way you were silently staring at him. It’s not as if he was opposed to you being this close to him, in fact, it was killing him inside to not reach over and pull you across the table into his lap, where he could finally get his hands on you. But you were drunk. He wasn’t going to take advantage of you like that.

You hummed in response, eyes lowering from his to now look at his lips, coated with the whiskey he had been nursing all this time. They were entrancing, really. Everything about Arthur was. The way he carried himself. His voice. His arms. His calloused hands. The way he always seemed to look out for you. How could you not feel some kind of way about him?

The sound of your name coming from his mouth made you focus up, albeit you found it hard to keep your attention on one thing.

“You alright?”

“Y-yeah… just thinking…’s all.”

If you weren’t so drunk you’d be embarrassed of the way you were speaking.

“Thinkin’, huh? What about?” Arthur challenged.

You pulled yourself back into your seat, the final drops of your drink finding its way down your throat before you spoke again.

“‘m not sure I can tell you.” You mumbled, leaning your head back against the wooden chair.

At this, Arthur felt a bit defeated. He wasn’t going to make you talk if you weren’t comfortable with it. If there was something you were withholding from telling him, he was sure there was a good reason.

“Well, looks like our time here is up.”

As the cowboy began standing up from his seat, he felt a force grip his wrist, making him instinctively turn on his heels. What he was met with shook him to his core.

Eyes glazed over, lip pouted outwards, hair a beautiful mess, you reached for Arthur.

“What’s goin’ on—“

“Please, Arthur.”

He was going to pass out. Your voice, defeated and pitiful, spoke his name in a way he’d never forget. Regaining his composure, Arthur spoke up again.

“Please what?”

Cheeks flushing an even darker red, you looked down at his wrist, turning it in your hand from where you had grasped onto it. For a second, there was no apparent reason for what you were doing.

But then, calloused palms met soft cheeks.

You had pulled Arthurs hand to caress your face, leaning into it with a soft smile.

“‘thur... I don’t wanna go back to the camp…”

Confused, but compliant, his brows furrowed on his face. “How come?”

You nuzzled your face against his hand for a moment before responding. “Not enough room on my bedroll for both of us…”

Arthur hoped the way his whole body stiffened wasn’t noticeable. How could you say something like that to him? He was going to lose his mind. Right here, on the back patio of Valentine’s saloon. He started thinking of ways to solve this problem. At this rate, getting back to camp on the horses without a fuss from you wouldn’t be possible… There was a hotel not too far of a walk from here, maybe that would work? Only, he’d have to get one with two beds. You weren’t in any condition to be consenting to share a bed with another person, even if your previous statement said otherwise.

“Can you walk?”

Removing your face from his hand, you used the table as leverage to stand up again. However, walking proved to be a difficulty, akin to a baby deer taking its first steps. Yeah, this wouldn’t work.

“Okay, I’m gonna pick you up. Is that alright?” Arthur said, hovering his arms around your shoulders momentarily.

Immediately, you nodded, leaning into his touch as he carried you bridal style to your next location. Wherever it was, you didn’t care as long as you were in his arms.

The cowboy made quick work of the situation, careful of the mud that laid the town of Valentine as he made his way to the hotel. He was lucky it was still open at this hour, pushing the door open to be greeted by the owner.

“Well howdy, you two! Looking for a room?”

“Yes, a two bed, please.” Arthur said, trying not to sound too strained. It wasn’t that he was having trouble holding you, no, that was far from the problem. It was the way you buried your face into his chest that caused his heart to race. He hoped you didn’t notice.

“Two bed?” The man behind the counter said, raising a brow at the two of you. “You sure? I got plenty of other—“

“Yes! Just a two bed, please.”

Arthur was never more thankful to be a threatening man in his life than right now, it seemed, because the tone of his voice was enough to send the man on his way to find keys to a room.

“Up the stairs to the left, mister.”

And with that, Arthur made his way in the direction he had been told, carefully unlocking the door with you still in his arms. None of this felt real, if he was honest with himself. One second, he was talking to you inside the saloon; and the next he was carrying you to a room to put you to bed. He paused to look down at you, your eyes closed as you quietly breathed. There weren’t many things that could make the heart of a man like him soft, but you were definitely one of them.

As Arthur entered the room, he took note of the two beds that were inside of it. While they were on the smaller side, there was no doubt they were probably much better than the makeshift beds the gang had back at the camp. Slowly, he pulled back the covers of the bed and placed you in the one furthest away from the door, his mind considering the situation where an emergency might happen, even amongst its slight buzzing from the whiskey.

When he began to walk away to get into his own bed, he felt the same grip on his wrist from before. Only this time, he knew there was no threat. Slowly, he turned around, looking down at where you laid.

“Please… sleep with me. I don’t wanna be alone.”

If his heart hadn’t softened entirely from the sight of you dozing in his arms, it was melted right out of his chest now.

Opening his mouth to give you an excuse as to why he shouldn’t, you cut him off.

“If you don’t, ‘m just gonna get into yours later.” A slight sleepy giggle in your voice.

Who was he to deny you right now?

Finally, he gave in, sighing quietly before sitting himself down on the bed. Maybe if he slept as stiffly as he did at camp, you wouldn’t want to lay so close to him. It wasn’t that he didn’t want you near him, at this point, he craved you near him. But he couldn’t be entirely sure that this is what sober you would’ve wanted. So, as he laid down on the small bed, likely intended for one person, he was surprised to see you keep your distance initially.

But, it was short-lived. Once Arthur had completely settled into the bed, you grabbed onto his arm, hugging it close to yourself.

The cowboy squeezed his eyes shut, not in an attempt to sleep, but rather to keep himself contained.

“Night, Arthur…”

He could die right now.

He’d be happy.

#arthur morgan x reader #arthur morgan x you #arthur morgan #red dead redemption 2 #rdr2 fic #rdr2 #red dead redemption 2 fic #rdr2 arthur #rdr2 community #rdr2 smut

175 notes · View notes

pangur-and-grim · 1 year

Text

I’ve been trying to write an alternate first chapter to the book, and think I finally have it! it’s silly and cliched, but fun I think, and accurately sets it up to be a world of overpowered idiots.

Forty years prior

The next man to see the king had a pinched, weaselly face, and a fashion sense that bordered on sacrilege. He wore a black robe that blended with his dark, limp hair, giving the impression of a cowl. Perhaps in a purposeful perversion of an Elder’s white gown - the king glanced at the visiting church representative seated to his right, curious to see her reaction. The Elder, however, had herself fully occupied with a drinks order. A stooge hovered, bent nearly in two to better hear the woman, peppering every pause she left with compliments as to her taste.

“I am the Sorcerer Mer–“ began the man, his voice raised imperiously over the muttered conversations of other merchants, farmers, and freshly washed peasantry that waited to be seen behind him.

“Hang on,” said the king, raising a hand heavy with rings. “Elder Beth, do you have any thoughts on his robe?”

She looked annoyed to be interrupted, even by a king. This emotion quickly redirected on the unfortunate man. “The shade is unpleasant. What does black symbolize, death and wickedness? And in that cut - does he pretend to be a monk?”

The man treated the woman to a look of undisguised hatred. Though tall and lanky, he stood some feet beneath them, the king and his guest being seated on a raised platform to keep them clear of the masses. “I don’t pretend to be anything. I am the sorcerer Merulo, and I have come to announce my intentions!”

At the sharpness of his proclamation, almost a shout, a hush fell over those nearest to them. Everyone listening mutually understood that this would likely end in jailing or execution, leaving them with (if not their wishes granted) at least a front seat to the freshest gossip material.

The king thumped his goblet meaningfully, and the knights guarding the platform ceased their yawning and scratching of armoured asses to advance on the man.

“What are your intentions, young man?” Elder Beth spoke with a laziness that betrayed her presumption of control. Her voice rang clear as a bell across the crowded throne room.

“I will, eugh,” the man’s voice broke, and he cleared his throat urgently, blinking. His eyes matched his attire, chips of flint in a ghoulishly pale face. “I will kill your God,” he continued, clearly trying to match the Elder’s volume and charisma, “and destroy this world’s magic!”

Laughter came from the crowd, some of it nervous and some genuine. The king himself hid a smirk behind a broad hand.

“Now, most people come to speak to me about property lines, or to complain about conning merchants. He’s obviously insane,” this last comment made to the Elder, who had leant so far forward in her seat that it threatened to topple. She looked like a dog pulling at an invisible chain, eager to render. “Shall we take pity on his lack of faculties?” The king already knew the answer.

“Doing so would be an insult to Order itself,” she growled, then louder: “God is everlasting. We shall give you ample leisure to reconnect with Him through prayer and reshape yourself into piety. Escort this man to a holding chamber.”

The king bristled at having his men ordered, but this was the way of the church. To contest the will of its representative would be akin to blasphemy. He swung his attention back to the supplicant with a sigh, only to choke in surprise. Glowering up at them without fear, the man had his thin lips pulled back in a flash of teeth. Of course, the poor idiot lacked all sense. Still….

“He did claim to be a sorcerer,” said the king, glancing sideways at the Elder and fingering an emerald in his ring.

Before a response could be given, several figures stepped out of the crowd, their motions stuttery and faces blank. The knights paused, clearly having readied themselves for a day of sweating monotony, but the figures showed no such hesitance. Accelerating into a run, they met the knights with fingers that looked less like fingers by the second, and mouths that split into splinter-lined cavities. All illusion vanished, then, with the creatures thrashing at the deeply surprised knights revealing themselves to be twisted and sickly trees, given a freakish semblance of life.

The Elder rose so fast she stumbled, whipping out an elegantly gilded wand of carved ivory. She spat an incantation, aiming at the sorcerer, and gleaming ice swords condensed from clouds of sucked moisture, leaving the air dry and staticky. They encircled the black-robed man, stabbing inward - only to shatter into a cloud of refracting droplets, at a single barked word.

“Damn,” said the king, sitting back, “he’s good, huh?”

The sorcerer’s next word sent the Elder sailing backward in a billow of white cloth, like a giant swatted dove, to crash against a tapestry-draped wall. The king winced in sympathy, but made no move to assist.

“You understand then?” shouted the sorcerer, panting not from exertion, but from what seemed to be anxiety, “I’ll kill God, destroy the magic, yes? I anticipate a timeline of –“ He ducked a thrown dagger, one of his wooden servants dashing to maim the source, “Five years, give or take, so if any changes in infrastructure are required – Oh, for fuck’s sake.”

A particularly burly knight had broken through the wooden monsters, with great rending sweeps of his broad axe. He roared, lunging at the sorcerer, who gestured hastily, flicking pale fingers. Immediately, the knight collapsed in a clinking heap, where he remained motionless.

Throughout this, the crowd screamed, trampling each other in their rush to escape through the great double-doors, and forcing the sorcerer to shout at an ever-higher pitch to be heard.

“Look, you’ve been warned, yes? This is a warning? I have 23 more stops to make, and can only hope that other rulers treat me with more grace. Goodbye, King … er.”

They realized it simultaneously: the sorcerer had forgotten the king’s name. A moment of awkward eye contact followed, which the sorcerer broke first with a grimace. Looking rather slumped and defeated, the man hummed a portal into existence, an unfurling hole in reality that he stormed into with an imperious flap of his robe. What wooden servants remained followed him through, crawling and leaping, the portal folding shut behind them like the closing petals of a flower.

“Well,” said the king, taking a sip of his wine. Then again: “Well.”

Bodies jammed the double doorway. Despite this, the crowd maintained their pushing and shouting, worsening the clog. Throughout the room, a scattering of trampled citizens lay dead or unconscious, along with a number of prone knights. Blood speckled the tiled floor and smeared the tapestry where the Elder had slid down it. The king took another deep drought of his goblet.

“He’s definitely mad,” he murmured, pulling thoughtfully at his beard, “but good show, nonetheless.”

#will probably privatize this in a minute bc im too embarrassed #book

1K notes · View notes

moonlit-imagines · 1 month

Text

warnings:

a/n:

requested by anonymous

“Hold it, hold it.” Your father said as he saw you walk past him in slightly revealing attire, only so that a glimpse of your stomach was shown when you lifted your arms, really. “What was that?” He pointed at your midriff.

“Huh?” You said in confusion before it clicked in your head and you’re eyes noticibly widened. “What do…you mean? Is there something on my shirt?” You looked down and brushed your hands down your stomach.

“Just show me.” Steve sighed and your shoulders dropped in defeat, pulling your shirt just over your belly button. “When did you get a piercing? How did you even pay for that?” He questioned, looking back up at you in disbelief.

“I got it done on a day you were out on a mission, my friend payed for it.” You admitted and poked it a bit. “It healed good, though. And it’s kind of cute, I like it. Don’t you?” You asked your father.

“I am glad your happy with it.” Steve plainly responded. “Just run it by me before you put any more holes in your skin. That includes tattoos, too.”

taglist: @alwaysananglophile // @locke-writes // @sweetheartlizzie07 // @queen-destenie // @johnmurphyisqueer // @captainshazamerica // @ravenmoore14 // @canarypoint // @procrastinatingsapphictrash // @swanimagines // @randomfandomimagine // @petersgroupie // @summersimmerus // @scarthefangirl // @bad4amficideas // @sheridans-dynamos // @simsrecs // @prettysbliss // @skdkdkckfk // @simp-legend // @wild-rose-35 // @nekoannie-chan // @evilcr0ne // @v0idl1nq // @ruvaakke // @thedarkqueenofavalon // @amirahiddleston // @beth-gallagher22 // @brutal-out-here // @rqmanoff // @elenavampire21 // @mymelodymia // @pheonixfire777 // @deanzboyfriend //

#steve rogers imagine #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers #captain america imagine #captain america x reader #captain america #marvel #marvel x reader #marvel imagine #avengers x reader #avengers imagine #avengers #dad!steve rogers #steve rogers x child!reader #steve rogers x daughter!reader #steve rogers x son!reader

125 notes · View notes

sapphic-pikachu · 1 year

Text

Playing Dress Up

Pairing: Arthur Morgan x Reader

Fandom: Red Dead Redemption 2

Words: 1.6K

Summary: Arthur waits as you get ready for a plan that require you both to dress up for a party.

Warnings: I haven’t written fanfiction for like 5 years, Arthur is an insecure man who needs a hug, mainly Arthur’s pov, sfw

A/N: I might do a part two of this involving them actually being at the gala? fake dating trope is my weakness sorry x lemme know if anyone wants it

Arthur’s heart feels warm in his chest as he glimpses the shadows of your silhouette through the canvas of his tent.

Inside, he can hear your bashful laughter amongst the rest of the girls. When they heard about the preparation needed for this latest plan of Dutch’s, they immediately staked claim to both you, and Arthur’s tent, pulling the tent flaps closed behind you all.

“The lady and her helping hands need privacy, of course!” Karen had yelled in some horrible imitation of the upper class, before cackling with laughter.

Arthur leaned against a wooden bench surrounded by the rest of the gang, who similarly to the women, were giddy about the prospect of money if their latest plan went accordingly. Arthur roughly tugged against the stiff white collar of his button down. He jolted his hand firmly downwards when Mrs Grimshaw, who had been guiding him sternly all evening on how to keep his suit clean, shot a warning glare his way.

“You won’t be saying that when he drags us both into it and has us waking snakes,” he had grumbled back. It was you who had rolled your eyes then, responding to him with a playful shove with your hand. Arthur thought his heart had stopped beating then, and the feeling of your fingertips on his upper bicep burnt into his skin for the rest of the day.

Arthur had been right to roll his eyes - here he was, dressed to the high nines with Hosea, Dutch, Bill and Trelawney in similar looking high class suits. His hair was slicked back, his beard freshly trimmed and the black blazer clung to his arms tightly - a mistake often made when Trelawney was given free reign over the gang’s fashionable attire, and had to outsource it from any means necessary.

On the outskirts of the town that they were currently holed up just outside of, a large, very rich, group of people were to meet up in the form of a party. Trelawney had heard of it, and thought it would be a brilliant idea for the gang to rob all the assumably drunk partygoers blind. Arthur didn’t deny that it was a good plan; he just desperately wished it didn’t involve wearing such a form fitting, expensive piece of clothing. And even more so, he desperately wished it didn’t involve having to be sociable with the entire high society on a medium sized town.

He had thought it would just be them at first. Of course, they would have Javier, Lenny and Sadie right outside in a carriage, fully armed and rearing to go, just in case things were to go south. But then Trelawney came back bursting into camp that morning with a small leather chest, filled with a dress, jewellery and hair clips just for you.

Arthur had laughed joyfully, ignoring the glare you gave him across camp. You had assumed you would help out with Sadie and the rest, assisting with your guns blazing only if necessary. But Dutch had developed bigger plans for you: you were to pose with the rest of the men, as a high society lady looking to develop new roots and relationships in a new area. Much like Arthur, the thought of wearing such clothing and having to make conversation with such people appalled you - while you appreciated the beauty of femininity, it was much more easier for you to stick on men’s trousers and boots when you were gunning down people or riding your trusted horse away from the law.

And so everyone waited for you to be done. Every once in a while, Mary-Beth or Karen would skirt out of the tent, grabbing something from their own or stealing something from one of the men, before scurrying back in. When Dutch had tried to peek his head into the tent to ask the girls how long they were going to be, Karen practically hissed at him.

He could barely make out the girls chatter from within the tent. He had noticed your distinct lack of talking for the past few hours while you were trapped in the tent - sometimes, he would hear the murmur of your voice before a sharp response from Karen.

“Don’t you dare speak! You’ll smudge all my work!”

At some points, he would hear you yelp or telling the girls off for bringing a cosmetic too close to your eye or pulling corset strings too tight. Himself and the rest of the gang would chuckle quietly at the roughness of the women, namely Karen.

A rustle came from the opening of the tent. He stood straight as Tilly peeked her head out.

“Are you all ready to see our work?” Tilly asked, a toothy smile showing as she talked.

“Finally!” Dutch exclaimed getting to his feet from his place around the campfire. The other men involved followed suit. Uncle drunkly cheered in the background, sparking a laugh from some of the other members.

“Allow us to introduce you all to the lovely Miss Lady Callahan!” Tilly presented, coming out from the tent and holding the tent flap to the side to allow you to come out.

Arthur really, really thought his heart stopped beating then.

There you were: A long, golden dress hugged your figure to your waist, where it bunched up to flare out the material. The bodice of the dress cut down into a rounded neckline above your chest, where a pearl necklace with gold adornments draped your neck. The girls had your hair pinned up, with sections curling down to surround your face, which they had peppered subtly with cosmetics. Your eyes seemed darkened around eyelids, your lips and cheeks stained to a permanent blush.

As always, you looked beautiful. But in the light of the sun lowering on the camp and the adjustments the girl had made, Arthur was forced to think of a different life you could have had. A life he could never give you. A life you could never have when he was in yours.

Whistles surrounded throughout camp. You laughed, rolling your eyes at the gang’s overwhelming response to your appearance. Guided by the jeers of one of the camp members, you twirled on the spot, your dress flaring out around you.

“Ain’t ye gonna complement yer wife, Mr Callahan?” Sean jested from beside him, “Because if ye don’t I will!”

The strangeness of Tilly’s previous words suddenly hit him. His identity for the night, was rich business man Arthur Callahan, who had just moved to the area and was looking to make some like-minded business relations. Why was your name also Callahan?

He turned suspiciously towards the space occupied by Dutch and Hosea.

“Wife?” He asked. Dutch and Hosea raised them eyebrows, as if they had never done anything wrong in their life ever.

“We can’t be having an unwed lady attend the gala by herself! No, how preposterous, my boy. You and this lovely lady will be posing as a newly wed couple,” Trelawney butted in passing him a wedding band that Arthur noticed was already around your finger, “And with looks like that, you’ll have every man at the party jealous!”

Trelawney sent a wink in your direction as he finished, and despite your laugh at his compliments, you looked down at your feet and swallowed heavily.

Arthur felt terrible. How could he not? Here you were, the picture of perfection and you were being forced to pretend to be a man like his’s bride. You probably felt disgusted with the knowledge that you’d have to hold on to a man like him all night. His chest ached at the thought.

“Ain’t she looking real pretty, Arthur?” Tilly giggled, Mary-Beth beside her elbowing her side and covering her mouth to hide her fellow snickering.

You hadn’t been in the gang all that long. But for the time that you had, it because painfully obvious to everyone else that Arthur was very badly in love with you and was too much of a fool to ever do anything about.

You looked up at Tilly’s comment, staring into Arthur’s eyes. Arthur froze, then after a moment it was like his heart started beating again.

“You look beautiful sweetheart.”

You smiled back at him, but anything else was interrupted by the loud clap emitting from Dutch’s hands.

“Folks! It’s time to get moving. Everyone who’s coming, come on. Micah, Mrs Grimshaw, you’re in charge till our return. It’s time we make some money” With that, Dutch grinned manically, and left in the direction of their transport. Everyone else moved to get where they needed to be. Everyone except you and Arthur.

You closed the distance between you and Arthur, looking up at him from where you stood.

You held your arm out for his.

“Well, my darling husband, shall we get going?” You said, your voice slighting higher pitched and a daring smirk across your face.

Arthur interlocked his arm with yours, looking down into your eyes and smiling.

“Yes, my beautiful wife, I believe we shall.” Arthur ignored the fluttering in his chest as he felt the side of your body brush against his, and you began to walk towards the others together.

#arthur morgan imagine #arthur morgan x reader #arthur morgan #red dead redemption imagine #red dead redemption 2 #red dead redemption #red dead redemption x reader #red dead redemption 2 imagine #red dead redemption 2 x reader #rdr2 #rdr #rdr2 imagine #rdr2 x reader #rdr imagine #rdr x reader #arthur morgan rdr2 #rdr2 fandom #rdr2 arthur

786 notes · View notes

theesirenteller · 7 days

Text

Beacon Of Light

A Rio Good Girls Fanfictional Mini Series.

“Coño!” Lupita cursed as the wind had been knocked out of her.

“I’m so sorry! I’m such a clutz at times.” Beth quickly apologized as she began helping the woman up.

The ditzy floral dress that had once been spotless had now been stained with muddy-brown coffee stains and dirt residue. Lupita’s plump lips were now shaped into a permanent pout as she narrowed her eyebrows while looking down. Beth watched the woman closely. Deep down, in the back of her mind Beth could superficially see why a man like Rio had chosen Lupita to be his wife.

The beauty of the curvy woman before her was undeniable. Her ample, full breasts, pudgy stomach, chubby cheeks with her baby-ish face, widened hips, and outward curved rear oozes sensuality. Her curves accentuate the natural form of femininity and exude a sense of softness and allure that could catch the attention of anyone and make them stare. She has a unique and captivating beauty that reminds Beth of the freshness and vibrancy of the season of spring.

Beth had been staring so long that she hadn’t noticed the switch between Lupita’s angered expression to bright and bubbly. “It’s fine. Happens to me all the time.” her chrippy tone had taken Beth by surprise. It was juvenile. It made the Boland woman want to laugh.

But instead of laughing, she smiled and offered” Well let me treat you to a coffee then. Make up for the one I ruined.”

Beth watched like a hawk as Lupita curled her bottom lip inward. Staying quiet for a moment, Lupita thought of what she would do. After a few seconds of silence, she replied ”What cafe? I can meet you there after I change?”

Lupita’s eyebrow slightly arched as she watched Beth’s blue eyes begin to widen. She found that action odd.

“It’s my treat to you so you should pick the place.” Beth insisted. Despite her smiling face, she was freaking out frantically on the inside. She hadn’t been to this area before. She knew nothing.

“Moe’s is fine. Right around that corner there.” Lupita replied with a raise of her hand and a point of her finger in that direction. Beth’s eyes followed the finger before she nodded her head.

“Okay, I’m Brenda by the way.” Beth lied as she extended her hand out.

“Lupita, Nice to meet you Brenda. I’ll see you soon.” Despite Lupita’s upbeat tone, her words were sharp and short. She hadn’t even awaited a response when she turned on her heel and strutted off in the opposite direction.

“That was weird. What a weirdo.” Beth quietly whispered to herself.

Lupita on the other hand had begun rushing home. Her face grew hot, her cheeks began to redden, and her hands balled into fists. ‘Messy, messy, messy, stupid, stupid, stupid’ she mumbled under her breath as she walked down the streets and soon entered her neighborhood, Rodger’s ridge. Located on the nicer part of Chicago,

The upscale neighborhood was a picture of elegance. The houses were big, with elegant mansions lined up along the streets and the lawns were manicured. Amidst the blooming flower gardens that perfumed the air, the sound of dogs barking harmoniously added a touch of homeliness to the otherwise stately atmosphere. The residents, dressed in designer attire, strolled with their leashed companions, adding a touch of elegance to the scene. The neighborhood was a tapestry woven with sophistication and the finer things in life.

Lupita worked quickly to enter the home that she shared with her husband, Christopher. Their home was an old Victorian style one but they’d had it modernized with a slick, black minimalistic aesthetic. As soon as the front doors closed, She let out a scream. Her purse fell to the floor with a ‘thud’ and her shoes flew across the floor as she kicked them off.

Lupita then went rushing into the downstairs bathroom as her long-nailed fingers clawed at her dirty attire. She tore holes into it as she ripped it off her body in disgust. Her narrowed eyes stared down at the filth covered clothing is disdain but soon the look dwindled when she inhaled the relaxing aroma of lavender and spearmint.

Their bathroom was a symphony of natural elegance. The rose quartz shower had a warm, inviting glow, promising an invigorating and ethereal experience. The botanical shower is a sanctuary of freshness, where lush greenery and refreshing scents create a spa-like oasis. Underfoot, the marble floors gleam, reflecting the soft glow of the overhead lighting. Every element in this bathroom is designed to create a serene and indulgent atmosphere, where Lupita, Christopher, or a guest could relax, rejuvenate, and escape the stresses of everyday life.

And that was what Lupita did. Despite being militant with getting her body cleaned properly, she mentally and physically relaxed. ‘Cleanliness is next to godliness.’ she thought to herself as she washed off. It didn’t take much longer for her to finish up her shower and get ready to get coffee.

This time around, she chose to wear a velour baby-blue tracksuit. Her bouncy coils glistened with gel as she made her way into the coffee shop. “My apologies, getting ready does take time.” Lupita said to Beth as she sat across from her.

“It’s fine. I know all too well.” Beth assured her, despite her annoyance.

Lupita’s eyes skimmed the Boland woman from top to Bossom. A meek smile chiseled her lips, “Do you really?” she questioned. Her eyes looked downward towards the menu that laid up on the table.

Beth felt uneasy and sat speechless. She didn’t know what to make of Lupita. So, instead of saying something that could compromise her position; Beth sat quietly.

“So, did you just move to the neighborhood, Brenda? I can’t say I’ve seen you around the neighborhood before.” Lupita asked as she turned the menu over.

“No. I actually wanted to venture outside the inner city more often and needed up here. I am beginning to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the neighborhood.” Beth replied. Her lies come out smoother than the truth. “I take it you live around here?”

“I do.” A genuine smile spread across Lupita, “My beloved and I have lived here for a while now. Are you married?”

A look of disdain had flashed across Beth’s face as she thought of her ex-husband, Dean. No longer being a wife was both rejuvenating and sorrowful at the same time. And the notion boggled her mind. “No, not anymore.”

Beth had expected Lupita to pry but she didn’t. Not even once. Instead, she brushed over the topic all together and segwayed into fashion. The latest styles she’d seen in Elle magazine. Beth easily became indulged in the conversation. Almost hanging onto every word that Luputa uttered. That was until they were interrupted by the sound of Lupita’s phone going off.

“Excuse me for a moment.” Lupita said with a smile. She then proceeded to turn to the side as she held the phone to her ear,”Hello my love, how are you?” Her voice rose a few octaves with a squeal chasing behind her words.

Beth watched closely, never veering her eyes away. Not even for a moment.

“Where are you?” His voice was smooth as aged whiskey. It tickled Lupita’s ears and made her heart flutter. But his words were sharp and straight to the point. As he always was.

Lupita briefly glanced at Beth before looking down into her lap, “I’m shopping for new cookware but stopped to grab a latte.”

“Alone?”

Lupita paused. Unsure if she should tell the truth or not. But, as both she and Christopher knew, telling the truth didn’t always lead to good things. And oftentimes led to fights or unwanted deaths.

“Yes. It’s just a little busy here. Lunchtime or whatever.” She replied dismissively.

Beth raised her left eyebrow. She felt the need to almost speak up to see what would happen next. She couldn’t hear the voice on the other end of the line but given how Lupita brightened up, She assumed it was Rio.

“I’ll call you at 3:30. You’ll be home, yea?” Despite it coming off as a question, Lupita had known it wasn’t one.

“Yes. Te Amo Para Sempre .“

“Te Amo Para Sempre Mi Princesa.” Even behind his cold exterior and militant personality, Christopher could never deny telling Lupita he loved her. It made his heart warm and the edges of his lips curved into a smile.

When they both ended the call, Lupita’s lips were still placed in a smiling position. Beth clearing her throat caused Lupita to snap out of her daydreaming state. “Sorry, did you say something?”

Beth’s lips quivered. Fighting back the urge to ask the question that burned the tip of her tongue. But, she knew she had to be patient and proceeded with caution. So instead of saying something ill-willed, she said “I asked if you have to go now.”

“Unfortunately I do.” Luputa smiled meekly. She then rolled her phone across the table,”Put your number in and we can do this again sometime.”

“Sure “ Beth smiled as she took the phone. As she began punching her digits into the device, she asked”How about we get tacos next time? A woman named Rhea told me about one called El Pico right on the harbor. I think it's a mom and pop shop.” Beth watched Luputa closely.

The name Rhea made Lupuita halt from packing away the items she carried in her purse. Her left eye began to twitch and her eyelashes fluttered. It was as if she were beginning to malfunction. She took a deep, dry gulp and licked over her pink-lipstick painted lips.

“Never heard of it.” She extended her arm outward and opened her hand.

“Oh. Well maybe we can experience it together.” Beth replied as she laid the cellular device into Luputa 's hand.

“Sorry. I'm not a fan of Mexican food. But, maybe something else. I'll text you.” Lupuita swiftly placed her phone into her purse. She then gave a tight-lipped smile as she stood up. Shortly leaving after.

Once the woman had been out of sight, Beth pulled out her phone and sent a text message to Agent Turner.

📲 The 'wife' knows about Rhea. I mentioned it and she looked disturbed. No doubt now that Rio killed her and perhaps Lupuita is covering it up

#theesirenteller fanfic #rio good girls x reader #theesirentellerstories #fuck beth boland #rio good girls #theesirenteller characters #manny montana #good girls nbc #beaconoflight; rio

46 notes · View notes

sissylittlefeather · 8 months

Text

It is time...

A Very Quiet Life: Chapter 9

A/N: please enjoy this last chapter of the series! I have had so much fun writing this and sharing it with you all! I loved it so much that there might even be an Epilogue coming...

Warnings: none really, just some cussing and references to an erection.

Links to:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

I hope it's everything you dreamed it would be! ❤️

One last time:

He better tell her soon. Or stop giving you reasons to keep him around.

******

Saturday is the neighborhood Halloween block party. Jane has decided that the two of you should be black cats, so you have on leggings and a black turtleneck with cat ears and whiskers drawn on your cheeks with eyeliner. The whole outfit is a little tighter than your normal attire, but it's all you have in black and you decide that it's worth it to make Jane happy. She has on a sparkly black dress with a tail and ears and matching whiskers on her cheeks. The whole neighborhood is outside for the event. There are tables filled with food and someone is playing music loud enough to be heard outside. Michael is dressed as a superhero, running around with his cape flying behind him. He's finally cast-free and loving it.

Elvis and Beth join a little after the party starts. She's dressed as a witch and he has on a black cape with a suit and fake vampire teeth. You wish he didn't look so damn cute, but he wouldn't be him if he didn't. Jane and Michael run to him to show him their costumes and he makes a big production of admiring Jane's ears and Michael's cape. The love between them all is palpable and you pray that Beth doesn't ask questions about it.

Susan Walter, dressed like Raggedy Ann, watches you like a hawk. She's voiced her speculations to Beth, but Beth doesn't seem interested in finding out more. Still, Susan is on high alert for more evidence of a scandal.

When you go inside to get some chairs for the adults to sit in as the kids run around, Elvis volunteers to help you. Beth and Susan make eye contact across the party.

You agree to let him come with you without thinking about how it might look. You've gotten so used to him that it feels natural that he would help you.

When you get inside, you head to the dining room for the chairs. Elvis comes up behind you and wraps his arms around your waist, setting his chin on your shoulder.

"Baby, this outfit is killing me. You look so damn sexy." You notice he's taken his fake fangs out. You turn to face him and he stays wrapped around your waist, burying his face in your neck and pressing his lips into the skin below your ear. You can feel how much he likes your outfit when he pushes his hips up against yours.

"Elvis!" You giggle and pull him into a passionate kiss.

"Well, isn't this a cozy domestic scene?"

FUCK.

You jump apart from each other and see Beth standing in the living room. How long has she been there?

She looks down and notices Elvis's very obvious erection. He clears his throat and pulls his cape around himself.

"You know, when Susan first told me about this, I thought there was no way. My husband? And the widow bitch from next door? No way he would sink that low." You look at your shoes.

"Shut your fucking mouth, Beth." He grits his teeth as he speaks, seething with rage and an instinct to protect you, even from her.

You look back and forth between them, not sure how this will play out. Should you leave? You make like you're going to walk out and Elvis grabs your hand.

"Stay. Please." He says it quietly. You nod and brace yourself for what's to come.

"You could've told me." Beth's words are solid ice.

"I was waiting for the right time." She throws her head back and laughs. You and Elvis look at each other. That was not what you were expecting.

"The right time? Is there ever a right time to tell your wife you're a cheating bastard?"

"No, but I didn't want to just drop it on you like this."

"Too late for that. The bomb is dropped."

"I know that now and I'm sorry, Beth, I really am."

"You're sorry?" You look at him too. How sorry? Sorry enough to change his mind? A shiver of fear runs through you.

"Yes. I'm sorry that you had to find out this way. I'm sorry that I didn't have the balls to just tell you earlier." You exhale. The fear goes away.

"Why didn't you?"

"I didn't want to hurt you..."

"Hurt me?" She laughs again and it's a cold, derisive laugh.

"Elvis, I've been fucking my boss for almost a year now." His mouth drops open and your eyes are wide with surprise.

"You really thought I needed to travel that much?" More of her cold laughter fills the room. "I've been leaving our house with a suitcase full of lingerie to stay in a hotel downtown with him for MONTHS. I wondered why you never seemed to notice or care. Now I know." You're both still standing there in shock.

"So does this mean...?"

"Our marriage is over? Yes, you ignorant fool. I can't believe it lasted as long as it did." He tightens his grip on your hand and you can't tell if it's excitement or anger. Please let it be excitement.

"I'll call my lawyer on Monday. I'm taking the house and selling it. Hope you can stay with your whore." She gestures to you.

"BETH--"

"I'm done." She holds up her hands. "Next time I see you, I'll have papers for you to sign. Get your shit out of my house this week. I'll be downtown." She turns and walks outside, slamming the door behind her.

Elvis turns to you with a look of stunned disbelief.

"Out of all the scenarios I imagined for how that would happen, I never dreamed it would go like that." He laughs and throws his arms around your waist, pulling you into another deep kiss.

"I'm all yours, baby."

You relax for the first time since you heard her voice and let yourself get lost in him for a bit. Then, you gather the chairs and go back outside to the party. Only Susan notices that something is different, which is impressive, since the two of you are practically glowing. But you don't care anymore. Let the scandal unfold. The worst part is over.

You take the kids trick or treating together and then go back to your house at the end. He helps you get the kids in bed and then wraps himself around you on the couch.

"I love you, baby." You lean against his chest and whisper back.

"I love you too."

How did you get so lucky?

******

The next morning at breakfast, you sit Jane and Michael down and try to explain to them that things will be changing. All Michael catches is that Elvis will be moving in soon and they'll have more time for comics and model cars. Jane is a little more mature about the whole thing.

"So you don't have a wife anymore, Mr. Presley?"

"Well, I won't very soon. And you can call me Elvis." She looks at him suspiciously.

"And then we can be a real family... Elvis?"

"Would you like us to be a real family?" A warm smile spreads across her face.

"More than anything." She climbs out of her chair, walks over to him, and hugs his neck, giving him a small peck on the cheek.

"Thank you for making Mama happy again. We love you." Michael jumps up into his lap too and nods in agreement. Elvis hugs them both tight and kisses the top of Jane's head.

"I love you guys, too."

You almost cry at the tenderness between them. He's a natural father.

As you sit at the table eating breakfast, you hold Elvis's hand and watch as you all become a family. The kids are happy. You're happy. All your dreams for this little house could never live up to the dream you're living now. Thank heavens for the unruly lawn...

******

The End

(For now...)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Taglist:

@itlover8000 @deniseinmn @elvisalltheway101 @ccab @suxny @hernameisnoellex3 @ashtag6887 @arabellapresley @littlehoneyposts @dkayfixates @elvisxsposts @joshuntildawn13 @msamarican @returntopresley @mrsbutler99 @blog777e @cattcb @delulubutidontcare

#elvis fans #elvis presley #elvis #elvis presley fanfiction #elvis presley x reader #elvis x reader #elvisaaronpresley #elvis fanfic #elvis presley x y/n #elvis fic #elvis presley fic #elvis x y/n #elvis x you #elvis presley fandom #elvis presley x you #elvis presley fluff #elvis fandom #Spotify

81 notes · View notes

the-cult-of-riley · 1 month

Text

Sleeping With Ghosts (Act Two: Chapter Three)

Simon 'Ghost' Riley x Female OC

[[Masterlist]]

A/N:

Man, I’ve been feeling like shit lmao

My b12 anaemia has been kicking my ass and I’m not even joking. I went to see Greg Puciato on the 10th and I legit spent the whole first two starting bands throwing up and almost passing out, with zero alcohol consumed. I thought I was gonna die but refused to go home ‘cause no way was I missing Greg loooool I pushed through and it was the best show I’ve ever been to, even if I felt on the verge of death. I also picked up some germs ‘cause now I feel like I’ve got the flu and I haven't even got over whatever I was dealing with before.

I don’t know why my brain has been really struggling with this chapter. I have so much of Act Two mapped out but it's mostly the action and the fun and the angsty bits and the making up and all that. The little in-between parts to get there haven't been written and my brain really wasn't playing ball. Sorry for any typos, It's currently 2 am here and I've literally just finished writing and quickly editing it lol

In the name of our Lord and Saviour, Simon Riley, I beseech you to strike the writer curse from my weary body and allow me to continue feeding my hungry children with Ghostly content.

The last wisps of sleep were still clinging onto Charlotte’s consciousness when she felt her bed dip and the covers rustle and move. Her eyes blinked open slowly, her brain trying to comprehend the shit show that had become her life. For a brief moment, she thought she was back home, dying under the weight of grief and raising a child alone. But then she realised this wasn't her bed, these weren’t her bedroom walls and her husband wasn't dead. She still felt that grief though, it wouldn't shake even if he was breathing and now she had a heaping scoop of betrayal to go along with it. She rolled over to the source of what woke her up to see Beth beside her, giving her a cheeky smile.

“Good morning, mummy,” she murmured tiredly, scooting closer and wrapping herself around Charlotte like a snake. It made all of her tension seep from her body, even if only for a moment. She loved these moments in the morning with her daughter. They made her feel like she was glued back together briefly.

“Good morning, pickle,” she smiled softly and Beth made a disgruntled noise like she always did at the nickname. They didn't need words as they cuddled together as they both woke up and Charlotte tried to will some backbone to leave the room at some point.

They’d need breakfast and she hoped Simon wouldn't be in the mess hall. She wasn't sure how Beth was supposed to bond with him when she wanted him nowhere near her. She knew she needed to suck it up for Beth’s sake and Simon was lucky she’d do anything for their daughter.

“Did you have a good sleep?” Charlotte asked, her fingers stroking through Beth’s unruly curls. The girl shot her a bright smile with a nod.

“I did. I’m excited to go and see daddy at breakfast! Can we go yet?” she asked eagerly and Charlotte tried to stop her stomach from tying itself in knots.

“Let's get dressed then,” she flashed her best fake smile and Beth giggled, rushing to get out of bed as Lottie sat up and rubbed her eyes.

“Can we match, mummy?” Beth asked hopefully and Charlotte nodded.

“You pick what you want us to wear,” she instructed, watching with a fond smile as Beth rummaged around in the bag, pulling some things out and leaving them strewn about the place.

She picked out two matching hoodies that had Placebo across the chest. Hers was real merch but they didn't make kids stuff so she’d wound up using fabric paint to replicate it on a kids hoodie. She picked out black leggings to match too. They both got dressed in their matching attire, boots to finish off the look and Charlotte really didn't feel like making much of an effort with her hair with how she was feeling so she threw it up into a high pony. Naturally, Beth gave her a look and was only placated once she also had a high ponytail that looked nothing like Charlotte with her blonde curls.

If she thought she felt nauseous on the way to the mess hall, it was nothing compared to how she felt when they strolled in, hand in hand. It felt like everyone’s eyes turned to the two civilians on base and she knew she wasn't imagining how they all murmured to each other. Maybe word travelled fast.

One pair of eyes in particular felt like they burned her right down to her bones and she glanced over to the table housing the 141, seeing those deep brown hues staring right at her. She felt like the wind had been knocked out of her and she looked away quickly, ushering Beth to the food. She grabbed two trays, feeling guilty that Beth was babbling about something but she was struggling to pay attention. She scooped some scrambled eggs onto the plates and some bacon. She was just scooping some beans too when someone approached.

“Well then, who’s this wee pretty lass?”

Charlotte turned to see Johnny standing there, a smile that she could only compare to sunshine on a rainy day as he peered down at Beth. she clung to Mr Snuffles tightly, blinking up at the man.

“I’m Beth,” she answered sweetly and Charlotte watched as Johnny crouched to be closer to her height.

“What a beautiful name,” he grinned and Beth beamed at him.

“What's your name?” she asked curiously.

“I’m Johnny but people call me Soap,” he answered and Beth giggled.

“That's a silly name!”

Johnny snorted with a nod.

“Aye, it is, but it's mine and I love it. We need to get you a call sign, aye?” he asked and Beth toddled closer to him, eyes wide as she nodded.

“Yes please, Mr Soap,” she clapped her hands excitedly and Charlotte didn't miss how she was drawing attention.

“Alright., let’s think…” Johnny rubbed his chin, making a show of thinking and it made Beth giggle again.

“Do ye have a nickname already? We could use that,” he suggested and Beth pulled a face.

“Mummy calls me pickle sometimes,” she muttered gloomily and Johnny chuckled.

“Nah, we don't want a name like pickle, do we?” he asked her, pulling the same face she had and it made her laugh.

“What kinda things do ye like?” he asked her thoughtfully and Beth’s face lit up.

“I like Halloween and spooky things. Ghosts, skellingtons and pumpkins. I like monsters,” she made fake claws with her hands and growled at him.

Being the good sport he was, Johnny yelped dramatically, falling on his ass and Charlotte couldn't help the grin on her face as she watched the pair, Beth laughing brightly at him. She was quickly warming up to the man.

“I have the perfect name for ye, and it kinda goes with yer daddy’s” he announced, looking pleased with himself and Beth was practically bouncing on the spot.

“What is it?” she asked eagerly.

“Spook,” he declared with a flourish and Beth’s eyes were almost sparkling.

“I love it!” she beamed, dancing about a little, the bunny in her hands getting thrown about in the process.

“Awesome!” Johnny grinned, holding his hand up to her and she slapped him a high-five harder than he expected if his wince was anything to go by.

He stood back up, a slight groan leaving his lips as he back popped.

“Now that's settled, let's eat, aye?” he smiled, turning to look at Charlotte as he gave her a warm grin that had her smiling back at him.

“Alright?” he asked her and she nodded, feeling somewhat better by his soothing presence. He seemed happy with her answer, clapping her gently on the back before he swiped Beth’s tray so Charlotte didn't have to carry two.

Beth was happily chatting to him as the three of them made their way over to the table. Price was at the head of the table to the right, the bench along the back housing a man she didn't know with a cap on his head and a calming smile aimed at her. She smiled back nervously and looked away, her hands tightening over the tray. There was an empty spot beside the man and Johnny plonked into it, not before putting Beth's tray on the other side of the bench which was empty. On the head of the table to the left was Simon, whose eyes were glued to her. Beth’s tray was placed beside him and that left the spot between Beth and Price open for her.

She noticed two of the men who were there at her outburst the day before weren't here but she was glad. It was bad enough being around just this small group, especially because she’d spilled her heart out in front of them. Worst of all was Simon though and the only respite she got from his burning gaze was when Beth climbed up on the bench, having to sit on her knees to reach her tray as she beamed a blinding grin at him and his eyes now went to his daughter.

“Good morning, daddy,” she smiled up at him. Charlotte wished to tear her eyes away and yet she couldn't, seeing his dark eyes peering out of his mask at Beth, all soft and gooey. It was the same look she had herself when her daughter was being sweet.

“Mornin’, lovie,” he murmured quietly and Charlotte swallowed thickly.

“So! Introductions since this spooky bastard won’t be makin’ ‘em,” Johnny started with a smirk and Beth gasped, slapping one hand over her mouth, the other pointing accusingly at the Scot, making him go silent.

“You swore!” she exclaimed and the whole table went quiet as they watched her. Charlotte bit her lip to stifle a laugh as Johnny blinked at her for a moment before he let out a laugh.

“Aye, I did, I’m sorry, lass,” he murmured with a grin and Beth raised a sassy brow at him.

“You owe me a pound now,” she held her hand out expectantly and Charlotte watched the Scot look to the girl's hand before back at her face.

“I owe ye?” he asked slowly and Beth nodded.

“We have a swear jar and every time mummy swears she puts a pound in and then I get to spend it,” she flashed her teeth in a toothy grin and Johnny’s lips quirked upwards as he glanced to Charlotte and then back to Beth.

“Well, I don’t have a quid on me right now, but I’ll owe ye one, aye?” he asked and Beth sighed with a nod.

“So, ye already know the Captain and this creepy fu- fool…” he trailed off after curtly cutting his words so he didn't owe even more money to the mini Riley. He slapped Simon on the shoulder and Lottie watched carefully as his dark eyes slid to Johnny, mild amusement and annoyance shining behind them. But when those eyes slid back to her, she felt like a lightning bolt struck her right in the chest and she looked away quickly, picking at her eggs.

“This one is Kyle Garrick, also known as Gaz,” Johnny finished as he gestured to the only man on the table she hadn’t met yet.

“Nice to meet you Mr Gaz,” Beth smiled sweetly at him. The man smiled, a soft look on his face.

“Nice to meet you too,” he replied politely, his eyes turning to Charlotte then.

“You too, Mrs Riley,” he smiled and her hand tightened around her fork.

“Charlotte’s fine,” she muttered tensely and she could practically feel Simon’s eyes burning into her.

“And all you fuc- idiots know Charlotte and Beth, now also known as Spook,” Johnny gestured to the little girl with a flourish and she grinned, making a spooky noise while she wiggled her fingers.

“You gave her a callsign?” Simon asked and Charlotte couldn't decipher his tone. It was so detached, different to what she was used to with him.

“Course I did. She loves spooky shi- stuff, so it felt right. You like it, aye, Spook?” he asked her and she giggled, nodding her head.

“I love it,” she answered happily before she turned her deep brown eyes to her father.

“Do you like it, daddy?” she asked, her eyes hopeful and wide as she stared at him. He just watched her for a moment and Lottie was starting to think he wouldn't answer her.

“I do. Suits you,” he answered, reaching out slowly and stroking her head softly. Her smile widened as she leaned into his touch and Charlotte felt a burning in her chest.

“We need a call sign for Charlotte then,” Gaz commented, a thoughtful look on his face.

“Grim,” Simon answered before anyone could suggest a thing. Had he shot her in the chest? It felt like it. So many memories flooded her system, memories of a happier time, of a time where he hadn’t betrayed her trust, hadn’t lied to her, hadn’t hurt her.

“Aye, that's good. Ghost, Spook and Grim, a proper family,” Johnny snorted gleefully

“What can I say? I like a good theme,” Simon answered dryly but she heard the amusement and it sparked an annoyance in her.

Five years he’d been gone, five years he’d fucked off, only to live in their old base. Was he here every day eating with his friends and cracking jokes like she wasn't at home raising a child alone and drowning in grief? Did he really care that little that he hadn't even checked in with her once? Didn't have anyone look into where she might be, what she was doing? Would he have even bothered to come back if he knew Beth existed? Would he have come back for her? Did he like it here without her?

She pushed her tray away from her, a vile feeling creeping into her chest like an infection that was spewing puss. She didn't want to be here.

“Mummy, your breakfast,” Beth murmured, looking up at her carefully.

“I’m not hungry anymore, sweetie,” she replied but her voice felt far away, floating out of reach.

It felt like her eyes weren't seeing, she couldn't get out of her own head. She suddenly felt warm leather on her cheek and with a start, she realised Simon had reached over Beth to cup her cheek, turning her to look at him with pure worry in his gaze. She jerked her head from his grasp like he’d burned her and his arm dropped back down. She didn't miss the pure anguish in his eyes. She needed to get out of here, she couldn't break down in front of everyone, not in front of Beth.

“How about I give ye that tour we were talkin’ about?” Johnny asked her with a grin but there was something on his face that touched her, soothed her spiralling. He’d never offered her a tour, he was giving her an out and in that moment, she knew Johnny meant his promise from the night before.

“Sounds good,” she forced a smile and Beth grasped her arm.

“Mummy… could I stay here with daddy?” she asked with a smile and Lottie hated the pain that lanced through her chest.

It shouldn't hurt her that she wanted to spend time with her dad, she’d only just met him and they had a lot of lost time to make up for. Yet she couldn't help the burning jealousy that hit her out of nowhere. He hadn't been here, it wasn't fair that he got to covet her and she got left in the dust.

“That's fine,” she answered, trying her best to keep herself in check until she left. She stood up quickly, not looking at anyone and not really bothering to think about manners to the other men at the table as she rushed out of the mess hall and outside.

Johnny was right behind her, hand on her back as he led her to a bench. She crumbled onto it, resting her face in her hands. She didn't want to cry, not again. She was sick of it. She wished she could just pretend it didn't bother her what he did. That she could just be happy he was here, happy he was alive. She couldn't shake the feeling of abandonment though. That the one person who swore he’d never do that to her had done it without care. It hurt so much that she felt she might die.

“It's alright, love,” Johnny murmured sympathetically as he rubbed her back.

“I just… he’s been here this whole time while I’ve been suffering ,” she lamented, feeling like her sanity was slipping through her fingers.

“I know… I know, lass. I wish I had the words to make this all better. Ye didn’t deserve to go through all this,” he sighed sadly, his hand still rubbing her back. Silence settled over them for a moment as she fought the deep urge to cry, sitting there staring out at nothing as she wondered how it all came to this.

“Ye wanna blow some shit up?” Johnny asked out of the blue. Her eyes darted to him, wondering if he actually meant what he said and he gave her a roguish grin that told her he did indeed mean it.

“Okay,” she nodded with a sniffle. Johnny’s grin widened, a gleeful laugh leaving his lips as he jumped from the bench, grabbing her hand and yanking her with him. He all but dragged her through the base to get to the demolitions section where training was held.

Ghost sat stiffly, watching as Charlotte rushed from the mess hall, his best mate in tow like a little puppy at her feet. He couldn’t get that haunted look she had out of his fucking head. She looked so lost, adrift at sea with no anchor to tether her to the world. He’d been that anchor once and now he was the cause of her spiralling. He’d wanted to be her anchor again and his touch had brought her back, but it wasn't the reaction he was hoping for.

Having her pull away from him like that was more painful than the gunshot wound to his collarbone last year. The fleeting contact he’d had with her filled his dead heart up with so much warmth before it was snuffed out like it was never there to begin with and he cursed himself for wearing his fucking gloves. He just wanted to be okay with her again, wanted her to accept his touch, wanted to fall into her arms and have her make everything okay again.

It wasn't okay though, it hadn't been for a while and this was his doing. He wasn't sure he’d ever be able to fix it and having Johnny be the one glued to her side was like salt in his wounds. He knew it was a good thing, Johnny would try and get her back on his side like the good best mate he was, yet it still stung. Hurt like a bitch when he saw her embracing Johnny while she refused his touch so viciously. How easy she’d fallen into Johnny’s arms, how desperate for comfort she was. It hurt. It really fucking hurt .

He was brought out of his depressing musings by a tug on his hoodie and he glanced down, remembering the little girl sat next to him. Her brown eyes were blinking up at him carefully, tilting her head like she was sizing him up. She was so beautiful.

“Daddy?” she asked him, her voice soft and sweet, wrapping him up like a warm blanket.

“Yeah, lovie?” he asked quietly. It was like no one else existed in that moment but her. She nibbled her lower lip as she shifted where she sat for a moment, looking deep in thought.

“Can we do something?” She gave him a hopeful smile and despite looking so much like him, he saw Lottie in that smile and he wasn't sure if that eased the ache in his heart or made it worse.

“What do you wanna do?” he asked, unsure what four year olds liked to do and even if that was possible on a military base. Her eyes seemed to light up as she flashed him a bright grin.

“I know!” she shuffled off her seat, moving to stand as she grabbed his hand and tugged on it impatiently. He stood, seeming to tower over her and she refused to let go of his hand as she started pulling him along. He couldn't hear Gaz’s witty remark but he heard Price chuckle at them both as he left.

He allowed her to lead him until they got outside and she kept pulling him until they moved over to the patch of grass that ran along the gates near the car park. She let go of his hand and he watched curiously as she plonked herself down without a care. She looked up at him expectantly and his lips tugged up slightly as he moved to sit on the grass with her.

“Daisies are really pretty,” she murmured happily as she started picking them. He’d never really noticed them before but now she’d drawn attention to them, he noticed they were scattered all over the grass.

He had no idea what to say, couldn't remember how to act around kids, it had been far too long. Part of his brain tried to remember how he’d interacted with Joseph but that was far too painful and he shoved it away quickly. He wanted to bond with her but he really had no clue how, so he just watched her.

She picked a bunch of daisies, her tongue poking out of her mouth a little in pure concentration as she started fiddling with them. He couldn't really tell what she was doing with them but after a few moments, she grinned triumphantly and put a flower crown on her head.

“What do you think, daddy?” she asked him sweetly and he melted into a puddle looking at her. The sun shone down on her and he wondered for a moment if he was dead and she was in fact an angel.

“Perfect, love,” he murmured, his throat feeling tight and uncomfortable and he had to clear his throat to ease the sensation.

Her smile widened even more and his chest felt like it was expanding. She picked a bunch more and he was helpless, could do little else but watch this little part of himself as she busied herself with the flowers. He still hadn’t fully wrapped his head around the fact he was a father now.

He’d been so ready for it back then, when he’d left for the last time. He’d been so excited to get back to Lottie and start a family. He’d been excited to watch the bump grow, to watch Charlotte glow as she carried their baby, looked forward to the scans and all the milestones. Looked forward to holding a tiny bundle of his own, much like he had when Joseph was born.

He didn't have any of that though and it was all his own fault. He’d missed out on the most precious moments of Beth’s life because he was a coward. He’d never be able to get those moments back, he couldn't undo what he’d done. Knowing all the things he’d missed made him wish he had died back in Mexico. It would be a relief from feeling what he was currently feeling.

He flinched with a blink when something touched him, rousing him from his thoughts. Beth was standing in front of him now, a cheeky grin on her face as she put a crown of his own on his head over his balaclava. He felt a rush of warmth flowing through him and he really didn't give a toss who saw him wearing it. She’d made him something and he wished he could keep it forever, wished it wouldn’t wilt away.

“Thank you, sweetheart,” he smiled softly even though she couldn't see it. It was like she could sense it or maybe she was perceptive for her age and picked up on the scrunching of his eyes because she beamed at him, such a radiant smile he wanted to burn to a crisp from it.

“You're welcome,” she smiled, kissing his cheek over his mask before she moved away.

He was overwhelmed, too many thoughts and feelings running rampant in him and he wasn’t sure how to deal with it. An explosion across base felt like it shook the floor and Beth jumped up, a worried look on her face that had a protective streak surge through him. He steadied her with his hands and she settled closer to him, plopping into his lap as if she’d done it a million times before.

“What was that?” she asked with big eyes, looking towards where the noise came from.

“It's just the demo practice. Its where they learn about bombs and things,” he explained, hoping to ease her worries. It seemed to work as she relaxed into him more.

“So, it's not bad?” she asked him, blinking her pretty eyes at him.

“It's not bad. You don't have to worry, lovie, I won’t let anythin’ bad happen to you,” he meant those words wholeheartedly. He’d burn the entire world down with everyone on it to keep her safe.

Another explosion happened and this time Beth seemed fine, pressed into his chest as she sat on his knee. While he wasn't worried as the noises were coming from the demo area, he was sure there weren't any classes or training today. It wasn't uncommon for Johnny to go and play around a bit, the only one to get away with it as the demolitions expert and being one of the 141. Was Lottie with him? Was it them making all this racket?

His eyes drifted back to Beth then, happily sitting on him with their matching flower crowns. He wanted to know more about her, all the things he’d already know if he’d have been around.

“You wanna play a game?” he asked her and she grinned up at him.

“What kinda game?” she asked him excitedly.

“We ask each other questions to find out more about each other,” he suggested and there was a mischievous twinkle in her brown eyes.

“I already know everything about you. Mummy told me,” she beamed, sounding more than proud of herself. He felt like someone just gutted him, sliced him right open and let his insides splat onto the floor. He pushed it away though and tried to ignore it. Of course Lottie told her everything.

“How about you tell me stuff about you, then?” he asked her hopefully and she clapped her hands excitedly.

“My full name is Elizabeth Anne Riley,” she started. No, he hadn't been gutted before, he was now though. The pain that ricocheted through him tore through skin, muscle and bone. He bit down on his lower lip hard behind his mask, drawing blood. The sensation grounded him though as he nodded, trying not to look too upset.

“That's a lovely name,” he muttered, voice strained and choked. Her smile turned softer then, blinking up at him and she leaned into him more.

“It's a special name. Mummy told me I was named after special people,” she murmured. His chest felt so tight that he felt like he couldn't breathe. Without thinking about it, a hand came to stroke her hair and he found the feeling soothing to him, easing that ravaging ache in his chest.

“I’m four but I’m five in two weeks,” she held her hand out, wiggling her fingers at him to demonstrate her point and he felt his lips tug up a little at her excitement.

“My favourite colour is…” she trailed off, tilting her head with that thoughtful look on her face again. “Black. I like black ‘cause it's all spooky,” she flashed him a toothy grin and he melted once again.

“Mummy’s sketty is my favourite meal but I also love when she does eggy bread on my birthday,” she beamed up at him and he swallowed thickly, still stroking her hair as he nodded.

“They’re my favourites too,” he replied hoarsely and she gave him a cheeky look.

“I know,” she giggled and he made him smile.

Without warning, she hopped off his lap, his hand suddenly cold now it was no longer stroking her hair but she flopped down next to him, laying down and making her crown fall a little onto the grass.

“Lay down,” little one was bossy and he knew he had no choice so he obeyed. He held onto his flower crown as he shuffled around before laying on his back beside her. He moved his hand back to his side even though he was sure the crown had slipped off into the grass anyway,

“Do you like clouds, daddy?” she asked him softly. He turned his head to look at her and she was laying there, staring at the sky.

“Never really thought about it,” he replied honestly. She turned to look at him then, scrunching her face up with the most judgmental look he’d ever been given.

“Look at the clouds. Sometimes they look like things,” she murmured.

“I’ve seen that sometimes. Once I saw a cloud that looked like a co-... clock,” he muttered, shaking his head as he changed his words. Wouldn’t bode well for him as his first day being a dad coming out with that.

He still remembered that day though, in the sweltering heat of Al Mazra in the middle of a mission. Wasn’t every day you see a cloud shaped like a fucking dick in the sky and he’d have thought he was hallucinating due to the heat if it wasn’t for Johnny seeing it too. The Scot had said it was the best thing he’d ever witnessed in his entire life. When Soap had got Price to look, the shape had changed and the old man was sure they were off their rockers.

“Look at that one, it kinda looks like a bird doing this,” she pointed at a big cloud before she started flapping her arms around weirdly and he shook his head fondly before he looked back up at the clouds. He just watched them go by for a moment, enjoying the peace he felt. Something he wasn't sure he’d felt in a long while.

“That one kinda looks like a bum,” he murmured, pointing to a cloud.

“Daddy!” Beth burst out laughing, smacking his arm and he found himself laughing. Actually genuinely laughing and not the half arsed chuckled Johnny would draw out of him with a bad joke. It was an odd feeling to laugh like that, he was sure he hadn't done it since before he’d left for that mission, the one that ruined his life. It made him feel lighter.

“You can’t tell me it doesn't,” he huffed playfully and she laughed again.

“... It does, but you're still silly,” she snorted, making his whole body light up.

She was so precious and he wasn't sure just how to handle it. He was sad things with Charlotte were so bad and he didn't want to think about how the hell he was supposed to fix that mess, but being able to spend time with Beth and bond with her meant the world to him. He could focus on Beth for now, one thing at a time. He’d build his family back up from the ground, brick by brick. He’d done it before, back with his brother and his mum and he could do it again. It’d be painful and probably take a while but he wouldn't waver, wouldn't give up. Not when he had the whole world in the palm of his hand. He couldn't give that up for anything.

#simon ghost riley x reader #simon riley x reader #ghost x oc #simon ghost riley x oc #simon riley x oc #ghost x reader #simon ghost riley

30 notes · View notes

kimmipetty · 5 months

Text

12/9/23- MB 144/ EF 142 - Little girls adore putting boys in bridal. While Chris may not especially care for female attire now, the lightbulb will soon come on. Yet, as much as he will come to enjoy panties, petticoats and other pretties, Chris may not want to admit he loves dressing as a dainty Miss.

This Christeen classic debuted on the Marybethsfantasy site in 2003. Mary Beth was one of the first to host Christeen's amazing work.

#christeen #marybethsfantasy #kimmicaption

35 notes · View notes

atombonniebaby · 5 months

Text

I'm loving the old timey clothes I've found recently, but this Colonial Attire is 🙌🏻

There are only two, and the male version looks the same for both, but with a rolled sleeve on one version for the pip-boy! I won't use the dress, but you bet your butts Beth is wearing nothing but this for the rest of my play through 😍 (100% Evie Frye vibes!)

#fallout 4 #fo4 #fallout #fallout oc #fallout mods #fallout maccready #maccready #fo4 maccready #robert joseph maccready #fallout companions #rj maccready #robert maccready

22 notes · View notes

eclairfromleclerc · 2 years

Text

Hello people of tumblr! I am alive and no one kidnapped me. This chapter took forever to write because of uni duties and exams and summer in general. It’s super long (a good 14.2K words to be exact) and it has many different styles because it was written in many many different days. I felt like I needed to get this chapter to some point of the storyline so I can eventually develop it a bit more. I hope that you will enjoy it. I am sorry for the extra long wait and the extra long chapter (you can read it as 2-3 seperate ones). You guys keep me fueled to keep writing this story and I thank you all for waiting for this-if you were. Again I will remind you that english is not my native language so pardon any mistakes. Hope you will enjoy it and that I will be able to update the story sooner than I did with this chapter. All my love <3

All’s Fair

(Toto Wolff x Reader) Chapter 7

chapter 1 chapter 2 chapter 3 chapter 4 chapter 5 chapter 6

It is the first morning after many days that you can eventually wake up without an alarm and even though you traveled all the way back from Australia, you managed to reduce the jet lag by taking your sleeping pills.

You open your eyes and check the time. 1 pm. You always loved long naps. You ask Siri to open the windows for you, to get some light in the room. Thank you, Apple Home. You try to wake up, stretching while you are still laying in your bed. After you manage to open your eyes properly and adjust to the daylight entering the room, you check your phone notifications. As always, instagram and tons of story reactions and messages from fans and not, messages from your friends and other F1 related posts. You open your What’sApp and you see you have a new message. It’s Beth letting you know about your schedule.

Since the last time you saw Toto you kept reminding yourself not to get your hopes up about what is happening between you two. He promised that he would text but he still hasn’t. It’s not like you are going to beg him more than this. If he wanted to, he would have texted, you say to yourself and you stand up from your bed and walk down to the kitchen to have breakfast. You eat and go back to your room without seeing anyone from your family. You get ready and leave for the factory where you create your schedule for the next race week, alongside Beth. The next week goes away just like this. Going to the factory on a daily basis and trying to exercise, playing tennis and golf with your friends. Before you even realize it is time to leave for the next round of the championship, Bahrain. Still on your phone there’s radio silence. Toto hasn’t texted since you last talked in Melbourne. You had seen some of his statements, but you just read his words, not trying to analyze anything behind them or to justify why he hasn’t even bothered to look for you even though he said he would do it. Now your main concern is packing whatever you need for the race weekend. You look at your schedule to figure out if you have any events to attend that need any special attire.

Red Bull Racing Bahrain Grand Prix 2022 Schedule (Ms. Horner)

Friday: FP1, FP2, Press Conference (Subject to Christian Horner’s schedule)

Saturday: FP3, Qualifying, Post Qualifying Interviews, Qualifying Debrief (Until 6 pm).

‘Grand Opening of the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Center’ organized by The Royal Family of Bahrain {Additional Charity Auction to help the “SHAMSAHA” foundation} (Event To be hosted at the newly built BIECC, Black tie attire is obligatory.)

Sunday: Pre-Race interviews, Race, Post Race interviews, Race Debrief.

Reading your schedule you realize you had not approved the Grand Opening Event so you text Beth.

You

Hello Bethy. I was just packing for tomorrow and I was checking the schedule to plan my outfits.

Beth the Lifesaver

Hello you. Is everything okay with the schedule? Are there any issues?

You

That thing about the Grand Opening of the BIECC. Is it obligatory, do we have to go or is it just an invitation that we can turn down?

Beth the Lifesaver

No, you cannot skip the event. Team executives and drivers are expected to be present in the events planned by the Grand Prix’s Organizer according to contracts.

You

Isn’t this event planned by the royal family of Bahrain?

Beth the Lifesaver

Isn’t the race planned by the royal family?

You

Fair enough, now I have to find something to wear. No black tie dress for me

Beth the Lifesaver

Come on, you have been to each and every FIA prize giving gala, you surely have something to wear to a Grand Opening

You

I am not wearing what I wore last year to the prize giving gala

Beth the lifesaver

You are such a diva, I hate you

You

I’ll figure out something myself, hate you too, see you tomorrow

As soon as you lock your phone you feel the panic coming at you. You realize that you have nothing to wear to this event, plus everyone from the paddock will be there-including Toto and other really important people. Without being able to find out what to do, you text Max.

You

You are coming to this Grand Opening as my date, no isn’t an option.

Max Emilian Verstappen

No. :)

Joking, of course I will.

After that you lay in your bed staring at the ceiling trying to find a solution to your problem. And then it hits you. Lewis. The guy knows so many people in the fashion industry that he could probably get you a dress in the next 5 hours. Even though he is in a different team you loved discussing with him about your interests, music and fashion. He is a rival but he is nice. He had given you his phone number after Spa last year, where you had your first long encounter and discussion. And rumor has it that he doesn’t give his phone number to anyone, unless he likes them a lot. So you decide to text him, against your best judgment.

You

Hello Lewis, it’s Christian Horner’s daughter here. I am really sorry to be bothering you but it is kind of a fashion emergency that I am currently having and I hoped that you could help me.

Five minutes later you open your phone

Read by Lewis Hamilton at 12:36 am

Well, he left you on read. Expected. He’s Lewis Hamilton, he isn’t going to help you.

You throw your phone on the couch opposite to your bed and it lands between the pillows as you turn your face on your bed’s headrest and start crying, letting the anger and the pressure from the past days take over. After 2 or 3 minutes your phone starts ringing. You stand up, get it from the couch and you look at the screen to see an incoming FaceTime call from Lewis. You accept the call.

“Oh My God Lewis thank you so much for answering.”you say and you hear him laugh

“First of all stop crying and freaking out about the Grand Opening, it’s really not that big a deal. Toto is in the same situation, totally freaked out. I remembered that you loved Chanel but I figured out it might be a bit too much for just an opening so I called Tommy.

“Tommy?” you ask

“Hilfiger. He said he’ll take care of it. I called and gave him your number. He said he already had something in mind since he has seen the way you dress and that he just needs your measurements. He assured me that he will have something sent to Bahrain by Friday morning.”

“You are top Lewis, thank you so much for helping me.”

“Always happy to help a friend. Hope you are glad.”

“Very. Thank you very much again.”

“Send me the designs as soon as you get them, I want to see them.”

“I will. Have a goodnight, see you soon in Bahrain.”

You hang up your call with Lewis and several minutes later you get a call from Tommy, where you discuss his visions so he designs the dress within an hour and you send the first draft of it to Lewis, who agrees with the concept. You thank him for working so late for you. Later on, you make sure that you have prepared everything you need for tomorrow and fall asleep.

The following day you wake up and go to the airport where you take the first flight to Bahrain. It is already Wednesday, which means that you are 2 days earlier to the start of the race weekend. Your first days in Bahrain include a lot of relaxation, since you didn’t need to go to the track until Thursday afternoon for the team meetings. You enjoy as much silence as you can get before starting the race weekend.

They say that time flies when you are actually enjoying yourself and the first two days of your stay in Bahrain are proof of it. Friday comes as fast as a blink of an eye and you wake up in this hot and sunny morning to hit the track for the first practice session of the weekend. Everyone in the team is anxious about the car performance since the day when the rear wing of your car was deemed illegal by the FIA and everyone back in Milton Keynes worked their asses off to fix it. Now what remains is to see if it performs as good on the track as Adrian has calculated. Max and Sergio complete several laps that help you compare data to the ones that you saw in testing earlier this year. They don’t top the session but they are giving the team significant data that make you optimistic. The second session of the day is completed in the exact same way. Mercedes is still the fastest, even though the simulator correlation shows that both the Red Bull and the Mercedes car have similar paces. After the practice sessions you do Press as scheduled by Beth and you conclude your day. Thank god Toto wasn’t there today. Something about his business in Vienna got held up and he had to be there so Mercedes let people know that he would only be there in time for the qualifying sessions tomorrow.

The next day Toto is indeed nowhere to be seen during the third practice session, which Max tops, giving Mercedes a taste of what’s to come in qualifying. After FP3 you chill out in your office as usual until qualifying time. Christian comes and knocks on your door.

“You in?” he says from outside

“Yes, come in dad”

“It is quali time. Aren’t you ready?”

“I am ready, let me take my iPad and I’m coming.” you say and you take your phone in your hands and scroll down on twitter seeing that he has eventually arrived and you feel slightly angry seeing him walking in the paddock so chilled.

“Ah I forgot to tell you, the obnoxious guy from the garage on the left has arrived.” he laughs

If only he knew about what has happened between you and him, he wouldn’t be laughing right now but rather crying. That’s what he always does anyways. Lost in your thoughts you are stuck frozen with your phone in hand.

“Are you coming?”

“Yes, sorry. My brain just froze” you laugh

“We want you on the top of your game today.” he says and you walk to his side as you leave the Red Bull Motorhome and get to the garage. You try to peek through the Mercedes fantasy island but you can see nothing but Bono’s ass. Damn Bono. By the time quali starts Beth messages you.

Beth the Lifesaver

The dress is in the hotel. Tommy also sent someone to do your fitting before the event

You

Thank you.

You lock your phone and look at the qualifying in front of you. Q1 is pretty much indifferent to you, no way that your drivers won’t pass through. Q2 is usually indifferent as well but out of the blue Yuki crashes his Alpha Tauri 2 minutes before the end of the session, triggering a red flag and leaving Max temporarily out of Q3.

“Is this the end of the session?”

“It could be. Probably not, 2 minutes are enough for one more timed lap.”

“Can’t we ask the FIA to continue the session? Yuki shouldn’t have done this.”

“That was last year, honey. Helmut will have a chat with him later.”

Half a minute later the FIA updates you that the session will be resumed so Max gets his timed lap and goes through to Q3. In Q3 he manages to get pole. The whole team is celebrating for your first pole of the season. Later on Max comes to the garage and you have a chat with him.

“Everything was perfect Max” Christian says

“The car is better than before thankfully.” you reply

“We did a good job back in Milton Keynes to be honest. I should go to my driver's room to relax a bit.”

“I’ll be in the media pen for post quali interviews so I’ll see you at the debrief.”

“My proposal is to do the debrief now and the interviews later so you can leave and get ready for the event.”

“Thanks dad.” you say and the three of you leave for the debrief.

After a productive session you head towards the media pen. On your way there you check on your phone, focusing there and not noticing anything around you when you suddenly bump into someone.

“Oh my god, I’m sorry” you say and the person turns on your way revealing a stressed Toto talking on the phone.

“Sorry, I gotta go. Paddock business, I’ll call you back later once I am done” he says and he ends the call then turns to you “Hello”

“Hello Toto.”

“How’s everything going?”

“It’s quite funny, you pretending to care. Have a nice day.” you say and leave him standing in the same place. “Wait” you hear him say

“What is it?”

“Will I see you at the Grand Opening today?”

“Sadly” you turn and leave for good. You do your interviews and then pick up all of your stuff and drive back to the hotel.

When you arrive, you take a long and relaxing bath. You go back to your suite’s living room and Beth is already in there with the dress on a hanger. She opens the zipper and shows you the design.

“Try it on” she tells you and you walk back to your room to try the dress on. After 2 minutes you emerge from your bedroom back to the main area of the suite.

“How is it?” you ask feeling nervous about how the dress looked

“It looks amazing, probably the best dress you’ve ever worn to date” Beth replies and you feel a weight lifted off your shoulders. Half an hour later a team of hairstylists and makeup artists come to your suite to get you ready so you just sit on the chair and enjoy being taken care of. Once you are done you call Max and ask him to come by to your room to get you, which he does. You get in the hotel parking and enter Max’s Porsche and drive to the event.

When you arrive there you see some fans before entering a high security zone. Max parks the car and someone opens your door and holds out a hand for you. You get out and you feel the flashes all over you. Max comes to your side and guides you to the red carpet that the organizers had set.

“Why are there so many people just for a grand opening?” you ask

“I don’t know, just smile and pose so we can get inside please.”

Following Max’s instructions you smile and pose together and then individually and as soon as you’re done, someone from the organizing team leads you inside, where you can spot several well known people from the paddock.

“Who are all those people?” Max asks

“We aren’t the only ones invited Max, we will have to socialize today.”

“Isn’t like talking to Stefano Domenicalli enough socialization?”

“Not with F1 people you idiot. Company owners, that’s what I mean, think about the sponsorships”

“Oh that kind of socialization. Aren’t you supposed to do that?”

“I am but Christian is not here yet so you will be the one assisting till he comes.” you say and hear Max shrugging. Meanwhile you see Lewis approaching you.

“Hello Lewis”

“Hello, how are you doing?”

“Good, how about you?”

“All great, how’s the opening?”

“Oh I wouldn’t know, I just arrived. How long have you been here?”

“Literally just arrived.”

“The dress looks amazing, better than it was on the design.”

“Tommy did a great job. I can’t thank you enough about it. Skydiving will be my treat”

“I was just helping you out, but I am up for some skydiving if you want to.” he says and he looks at his phone which is vibrating. Toto’s name and his face pops up on the screen. “Gotta take this, it’s Toto. I’ll see you later.” he says and you say goodbye to him

“What does he have to do with the dress?” Max asks as soon as Lewis is far enough to not hear the conversation

“I asked for his help because I had nothing to wear”

“Couldn’t you just wear what you wore last year in the FIA gala?”

“Oh Max, you are so annoying.” you say and you leave him. You go around and grab a glass of champagne while you discuss with people that have already arrived. After an hour or so you feel your phone ringing on your Hilfiger clutch and you open it to see that Beth is calling you

“Hey, could you please come by the main entrance? They are asking about some statements and Christian is busy chatting with some Bahraini millionaires, trying to talk them into a sponsorship.”

“Yes, I will be there in a second.” you reply and end the call excusing yourself from the discussion you were involved in.

You get at the entrance and Beth is waiting for you, guiding you to the place where every journalist is. You answer the same questions about how amazing it is to be here and how great the place is.

“Will you please tell us what you are wearing?” an interviewer asks

“It is a custom dress by Tommy Hilfiger. Mega thanks to Tommy for designing it and to Lewis for introducing me to him”

“Lewis who?”

“Lewis Hamilton.”

“He helped you get the dress?” the journalist asks impressed

“Yeah”

“You look stunning, an amazing option indeed. Thank you for your time”

“You’re welcome” you say and you leave. As you turn you realize the majority of the invited people have moved inside at a certain place. You look a bit lost until your lifesaver comes into your rescue

“It’s the auction. It is about to start, shall we go?” Beth asks. You nod and follow her through the enormous place that is the exhibition center. You arrive at the auction site and someone from the organizing team asks for your name, then he guides you to your seat which is next to Christian and Max. You check your number, no. 45. The auction begins and people are bidding for some jewelry, paintings from locals, signed memorabilia and all of those things that are typically up for auction at a fundraising event.

“Next up we have an amazing 5 day trip for 2 to Bali. Starting price is 4000 euros.”

You raise your placard “4100” you say

You don’t even get enough time to lower it when you hear the familiar voice from the Mercedes table “4200” Toto says and the room goes a tiny bit silent. You get what he’s doing. He’s trying to get your attention and he’s managing very well. You don’t even know who you are going to take with you on this expensive trip but you have decided that you are getting it. Money is not the problem you think

“4500 euros” you state and then you glare at his side.

“5000 euros” he says and does the same

“Okay, we have a nice little battle between the lady with the beautiful dress holding number 45 and the charming man with number 18. 5000 euros was the last offer, do we have another one?” she asks and you take some time thinking if it’s worth it. It is about a charity, it is about abused women, it is worth all the money you can provide.

“Going once, going twice…”

Before she manages to get to number three you raise your number for your final offer.

“6500 euros.”

“6550” Toto replies once again

“6600” you say back

“6600 euros, do we have any more offers?” she asks and you turn to look at Toto once again who smiles and shakes his head realizing he has no chance in getting the trip. That’s how stubborn you are.

“Going once, going twice…Sold to the lady no.45” she says and then everyone applauds. The charity auction continues for another half an hour, and you do 2 or 3 more bids without actually getting something. Your dad does instead.

As soon as it finishes you move to the main area where everyone is mingling. At some point while you are speaking with Stefano Domenicalli you spot Lewis and Toto alone, discussing. Lewis looks totally chill like he’s enjoying himself while Toto is much more tense and grumpy. You can’t understand what they are saying because of people talking and the music.

“Isn’t the dress crazy good?” Lewis asks as soon as he spots Toto staring

“Huh? What are you talking about?” Toto replies

“Little Horner’s dress. She called me the other day and asked me for fashion help. I called Tommy and he designed it.”

“Tommy as in our Tommy?”

“Yeah, Tommy Hilfiger Tommy”

“And she dared to call you to ask for fashion help?”

“Yes Toto, we are kind of talking to each other outside the racing track”

“So you are friends with her?”

“I wouldn’t call it that but I guess.”

“With the rival? And you have her phone number?”

“Yeah I do” Lewis replies slightly confused

“I need you to give it to me” Toto says

“Why Mr Wolff? Do you fancy her?” Lewis laughs teasing Toto

“No Hamilton, I am just going to ask her to kindly stop calling my drivers for fashion advice”

“Don’t you dare do it.”

“Give. Me. The. Number”

“No”

“Remember that bonus Million that I was supposed to give you by the end of the season? If you don’t give me the number, you can forget it.” Toto jokes

“Fine,” Lewis laughs. It’s not that he cared about the extra money, he just wanted to roast Toto a bit more. He takes out his phone and texts the number to Toto. As soon as he gets the text he greets him and leaves to socialize with the other guests. Toto stands there opening his phone tapping the phone number Lewis is giving him.

Later on during the evening you discuss with your father and several potential investors and sponsors for the team, trying to convince them that you should reach a deal since the team is performing at the optimum level, going for not only the world driver’s championship but also the constructors championship. Max is by your side trying to show a good face to the investors as well. You have your champagne in hand when you feel your phone buzzing.

Beth the lifesaver

Seems like Mr. Boss Man didn’t like your little auction game.

You read the message as you tap on the attached link

Toto Wolff when asked about a small auction battle between him and Christian Horner’s daughter replied jokingly “The trip was a nice proposal, I would spend some time in Bali so that’s why I decided to bid. Clearly Ms. Horner wanted the time in Bali much more than I did so she did her best to get it. It’s okay, she can take Max, her date with her to spend some bonding time.”

You laugh out loud as you read his lines and everyone turns to look at you. Max especially peaks in your phone and you hand it to him. He laughs much more quietly and then turns to you

“Is this guy for real?” he asks

“Haha, I can’t even”

“Are you alright girlfriend?”

“Shut up” you whisper to his ear and you keep paying attention to the conversation you were in while your father is staring at you. After a while you decide to freshen your makeup so you excuse yourself and go to the bathroom.

There are 3 more women in the bathroom so you get to the free mirror and start reapplying your makeup. The 2 of them stare at you and you can’t really understand why, but you let them do whatever they are doing and return back to retouching your makeup. Once you are done you check that everything is okay with your dress and go outside to the corridor that leads to the toilets. Before you can manage to take some steps you can hear the women in the toilet discussing. You stop dead in your tracks to listen to what they were saying. “She’s Horner’s daughter. She came here with Verstappen and they are most probably dating. That’s why she wanted to bid on the Bali vacation, she wanted to take him there for their holidays.”

“Omg, I figured out they were dating, everyone’s been saying that since she started working for Red Bull. Although I believe that she’s been dating him for quite some time now.”

Before you can even attempt to go back to the room, you feel someone grabbing you by your arm leading you to a dark room that you haven’t even noticed existed.

“What the fuck?” you yell

“Shhhh. It’s me” says the familiar voice

“Why did you grab me in this room?”

“Because I wanted to tell you to stop messing with my drivers.”

“Is this about me asking Lewis to help me get this dress?” you ask

“Yes, it is” Toto replies in a somewhat strict tone

“What, you thought that since I won the auction about the trip that I might actually defeat you by taking your drivers?”

“Ha, you think you are funny? I don’t give two fucks about the trip to Bali, I can go by myself if I want to. I just don’t want you hitting on my drivers, collecting them like pokemon cards”

“It didn’t seem to me that you didn’t give two fucks when you were bidding your ass to get the trip” you tell him trying to make him angrier than he already is. “And oh it also didn’t seem like you don’t give a fuck when you actually said that I did all of that to enjoy a trip with Max”

“I was bidding because I was trying to get your fucking attention.” Toto says

“Well you did get it, congratulations Mr 5 year old.” you say and you turn to leave the room, they will be looking for you after all.

“You should have fun with your boyfriend Max in Bali.” he says as you have your hand in the door handle. When you hear it you drop your hand and turn to him.

“Why are you so obsessed with Max, Toto?”

“I am not obsessed with him. You just paid for a trip to Bali, it’s not like you won’t take your boyfriend with you. I am just stating the facts.”

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“You are going everywhere together, he came here as your escort. Of course he’s your boyfriend.” he says

But then it hits you and it sounds so funny in your head. You turn to him and ask him

“Jealous much, Wolff?”

“I am not jealo-”

“Save it Toto, you are not convincing me.” you stop and take a moment to laugh “Just so you know I would have taken you in Bali, but you didn’t even text me for a full week after you said you would.”

He looks at you speechless to what you said to him. When he tries to tell you something you turn to him once again

“Right now I am going to walk out of this room as carefully as possible so no one will see me and I am going to get a multi million deal from this rich Bahraini guy. I suggest you do the same. If you want to give this any chance, please stop acting like a jealous high school chick and find a way. I am done with trying. Goodnight.” and you leave before he can even register what you told him. You leave and go back to Christian and Max. You spend the rest of the night feeling slightly irritated with the whole situation until you are finally able to leave the event.

You and Max are driving back to the hotel

“Can you believe that Toto said we are dating?”

“He’s a joke. The guy is a joke.”

“To be fair we do look like a couple sometimes.”

“Max, that's fundamental when your best friend is of the opposite sex. People always do that.”

“Yeah you’re right.”

A few minutes later you feel your phone buzzing in your clutch, you open it to see that there’s a Message from an unknown number

Unknown Number

Up for a coffee pre race?

You try to understand who is this from

You

Sorry, who is this?

Unknown Number

This is me trying.

Sorry if this is weird, I got your number from Lewis. He still thinks that I wanted it to scold you about asking for help from him.

You

Oh hey.

Maybe I should snitch on you to Lewis.

You laugh at your phone screen loud enough to take Max’s attention from the road. You still can’t realize that he actually got the guts to text you. You navigate through your iPhone and save Toto’s mobile number, forgetting to wipe the smile off your face.

“Who got you smiling like this?” Max asks

“No one, keep driving” you reply and you peak at your phone as soon as it vibrates with another notification

“Doesn’t seem like no one to me”

Wolff

I’d appreciate it if you didn’t.

Anyways, are you in for a coffee tomorrow morning?

You

Jk, I won’t do it. Lewis wouldn’t leave you at peace if he knew

What’s your idea about tomorrow?Paddock?

Wolff

I don’t know, paddock would seem like a random meeting, somewhere else would be a bit suspicious if fans find out?

You

Okay then, coffee on the paddock, pre race.

Max keeps his eyes locked on the road but he talks to you

“Fine, go ahead, don’t tell me.” he whines

“I will tell you when I feel ready.”

“Whatever”

Wolff

You know what, screw the paddock,I have a better plan.

You

So no paddock then?

Wolff

No, I’ll have someone to pick you up from your hotel at noon

Don’t be late

You

See you then

You arrive back at the hotel and go back to your suite and fall asleep after a tiring day

The next morning you wake up at 10 am to get ready for your date with Toto. Well it’s not a date but if you think about it that’s the only thing you can call it. You take a shower and fix your hair, which thank god you had already gotten done from a professional yesterday. You open your closet seeing all of your clothes hanging in there including Toto’s shirt from Melbourne. You didn’t give it back but for some reason you still brought it with you in Bahrain. You stare at your clothes not being able to decide what to wear but you finally decide on wearing a louis blue midi floral sundress with a pair of matching high heels. Then you think to yourself that you don’t know where you’re going so the shoes might be a tad uncomfortable and you decide to text Toto.

You

Hello, I am just doing some outfit planning for our meeting and I thought I should wear a pair of high heels, is this alright?

Wolff

Yes, it will be really comfortable, just wear whatever you want.

You read his almost immediate answer and smile but before you can think of a reply he sends you another message

Wolff

Besides, you love to wear high heels so do whatever you please.

You

So high heels it is then

Wolff

Good.

You smile again to yourself thinking how he remembered that wearing heels is your favorite. You dress up, do light makeup and check the time. 11:45am. You wait a bit more in your suite checking yourself in the mirror and thinking of how this meeting with Toto has affected you. Yesterday night you were telling him that you are done trying and right now you are acting like a schoolgirl on her first date with her crush. It’s not like you have a crush on him. You just feel different when he’s around, like he has something that instantly pulls you towards him. A magnet. That’s what he is. You cut your train of thoughts off and spray some of your signature Chanel perfume on your neck and hands. You take your purse and leave the suite. You go downstairs to the hotel lobby and outside to the hotel entrance where you spot the same man that drove you back to your hotel in Australia waiting outside an AMG SUV. Not so subtle you think to yourself

“Hello” you say

“Hello Miss” he replies and opens the door for you. You get in the car and he does the same.

“Mr Wolff will be waiting for us with his own car.” he says

“Okay, thank you” you say

He drives 5 minutes and you arrive at a place with no people or cars, desert, very Bahrain like. The only thing in the area is a black car that you are approaching. Once you get close enough you see Toto waiting outside the car, black Mercedes, GT63, of course. The car comes to a stop and the driver -you found out his name is Jonathan- opens your door. You thank him and step outside.

"Who's chasing us?" You joke about the whole secrecy thing

"James bond, I'm the villain" he answers and laughs, you do the same. Toto waves at Jonathan and thanks him.

"Bye Jo!" You say and go to the passenger side of the cat where Toto is already waiting for you with an open door.

"Such a gentleman" you say

"Always"

Toto gets in the car joining you, reaching for the two cups on the board.

"The invitation was a pre race coffee, so I got some"

"I actual-" you try to talk

"Don't drink coffee unless I know it is really good or I made it, I know. That's why I got you tea"

"I d-" he interrupts you again

"Black tea, iced, honey instead of sugar, a bit of milk. You're welcome" he says and hands you the plastic cup

"How'd you know?"

"Got my information."

"Nice." You say trying to figure out what is happening. "Are we going to stay here or?"you ask slightly confused

"We are going to drive in Bahrain"

“That’s your plan?”

“Exactly. You don’t like it?”

“No, actually it is a pretty good idea.”

“Thought so myself.”he says and starts the car driving away to the streets of Bahrain.

For a while you sit in silence, drinking your iced tea, thinking about how he got to know everything about the way you like to drink tea. You had mentioned it in a really small feature in an interview several years ago, maybe he had read about this.

“What do you think will happen today?” you ask him

“It’s going to be a nice day, pretty relaxed.”

“Easy win you believe?”

“Oh, you are talking about race predictions.” he says, keeping his eyes locked on the road while he takes a sip from his coffee. “Yeah, I'm not discussing it right now.”

“Why not?”

“Because I think about it all day long while I’m working. This is work, and I don’t want to work when it’s not the right time” he replies and you stay quiet.

Without asking you grab your phone and connect it to the car bluetooth to put some music on, hitting play on a spotify road trip playlist and Dua Lipa starts playing on the gtr’s speakers.

“For christ’s sake” he says

“What is it?”

“What are we even listening to?”

“I believe it’s Dua Lipa.” he turns to look at you with a confused face “English singer, reeeally famous nowadays, she has several hits, super viral on tiktok.”

“I will never understand the taste that people of your age have.”

“Com’on, it’s a nice bop”

“Every single song sounds exactly the same.”

“And what do you want to listen to, old man?”

“Did you just?”

“I actually did.” you say “Just admit you’re old”

“I am old?”

“Yes,Grandpa old to be exact” you tease him and he seems to understand but before you can say anything he accelerates the Mercedes, eyes on the road

“Let me show you some grandpa driving then.” he says while you sit petrified next to him

“Toto stop.” you yell laughing at the same time, thinking how dangerous it is driving like this on public streets.

“Sorry? I am too old, can’t hear you.” he says and smiles at your reaction. He keeps driving fast for quite some time and you keep yelling at him for the whole duration but you can see he enjoys it. You actually do too. At some point he hits the brake, lowering the car’s speed and you mentally thank him for doing so.

“What was that Toto?” you ask once again feeling the rush of adrenaline running through your veins

“Showing you how old people drive, you should have seen yourself, you were scared to death.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Yes, you were, you were yelling at me for 10 minutes straight.” he laughs “For a person so passionate with racing, I didn’t think you would be so afraid of the speed.”

“I am not afraid of the speed, I don’t quite like it when I don’t have control over it though.”

“Sure” he says ironically.

“I won’t even comment on the fact that all this was done on public roads which makes it 100% more dangerous than it already is.” you say “Actually, I am going to prove it to you.”

“Huh?” he says and turns to look at you.

“That I like speed.When you find a space that you can pull over to, please do it” you command him “I imagine you are okay if i drive the car right?”

“You really do want to drive?” “Yes, pull over.” you say again and he stops the car at the first chance he gets. “Get out.” you tell him and he does as you say, you hop on the driver’s seat and start the car. You feel the AMG engine roaring in your feet and you feel a little nervous. You have driven countless sports cars even though according to everyone you are too young. As soon as you get to the main road and have gained enough speed to drive safely you start to accelerate as Toto did earlier. He looks at you terrified.

“Maybe you should not drive that fast.” he says

“Oh I am very capable of driving like this, thank you for pointing it out though.”

“I am not sure you are completely in control of what you are doing right now and that’s not very safe you know?”

“So what I am doing is not safe but when you’re doing it it is?”

“I was a racer back at the time”

“You were, now you’re not. Plus, I have driven like this multiple times, especially sports cars. I used to kart as well.”

“You were karting?”

“Yes,I did but it turns out I love managment way more than I loved racing.”

“You are not bad.”

“I know, I am doing my job really well, you seem so terrified that you wouldn’t even understand.”

“I am not terrified.”

“Whatever”you say and you reduce your speed.

“How much time do we have?”

“I’d say nearly 2 hours before we should be on track.Why?”

“Nothing, I am just bored” you say dead seriously even though you don’t even mean it

Toto turns to you looking offended “You are?” he asks

You start laughing “No, I am joking, I just wanted to do something while I am driving but we will need time, time that we don’t have.”

“What is it?” he asks

“Do you have your Saudi visa on you?” you tell him

“This is not happening.”

“Why?”

“Because you are not driving us to another country while we have to be at the paddock in a while.”

“What if we didn’t have to go to the paddock? Would you come?”

“I don’t know, I would think about it.”

“Com’on be a little spontaneous Toto.” you tell him

“I’ve already said no”

“If we win, I’ll drive us to Saudi Arabia and if you win, you will” you pause to think

“I will take you to dinner.” he says and you look at him “Bet.” he says and gives you a handshake to seal your deal.

For the next two hours you and Toto drive carelessly in the highways of Bahrain seeing a lot of places that you didn’t have the chance to see during your past visits. Toto is trying to show you around a bit, using his little knowledge that he got in the past years while F1 was racing there. You discuss a lot of things about yourselves but you don’t say a word about what is happening between you two. This ride was more like getting to know each other. Like a good coffee with a friend. But you can always sense the underlying tensity between you two, just never acknowledging it out loud. After you finish your ride, he drives you back to the place that Jonathan left you several hours earlier. He’s still waiting there, in the Mercedes SUV that waits to get you back to the hotel. Both the car and Jo become more apparent as Toto approaches the site and the car stops.

“So” you say

“I’ll see you at the track” Toto replies

“Thank you for the tea and the ride. And for letting me drive.”

“You’re welcome.”

You open your door and turn to look at him before getting in the other car. You see him looking at you, noticing every move of yours.

“I had a nice time. Hope you did too” he says and you smile as you stand up.

“It was nice, the bet payback will be better though” you say and you shut your door leaving him in the car getting in the SUV.

Jonathan drives the same road that you did earlier. He doesn’t speak, that’s why maybe Toto chose him to pick you up from the hotel. You are too curious not to ask

“Jo, are you able to talk to anyone about this?”

“No miss.” he replies “NDAs are involved here, my job is at stake as well so I wouldn’t want to discuss this with anyone. It’s like I've never seen it, a secret.”

“Are you okay with that though?”

“Even if I am not, it is part of the job. Toto hired me to drive him or people he knows privately. We have been working together for quite some time so I trust him and he does the same.” he replies

“I understand.” you tell him and you can see the hotel at the end of the road.

“I really enjoy having you here Miss Horner. The people I am driving are really cold in general, no one’s ever called me Jo before but you did and you didn’t even know me.”

“Sorry if it bothered you.” you say

“No no, my point is, I understand Toto” he says and he smiles friendly to you and he pulls over at the hotel parking lot.

“Thank you Jonathan, you are really kind.”

“You’re welcome.” he says and someone from the hotel staff opens your door and you get out. “I guess I’ll see you around”

You close the door and go back to your suite to pick your stuff for the race. After you chill for a while you drive to the track which is flooded by fans. At the entrance you see your father who comes to your side

“Where were you earlier?”

“Hello to you too father” you say feeling a bit angry that that was the first thing he said to you

“Were you sleeping?” he continues

“Yes” you reply to avoid the conversation.

Just beside you you hear the well known sound of an electric scooter. The only two people moving around the paddock on electric scooters are Toto and Lewis. You keep walking alongside your father when the sound stops and the tall Austrian is next to Christian.

“Christian” he says

“Hello Toto, how’s it going?”

“Really great Christian, had an amazing day so far” he says keeping his eyes locked on you “I am hoping it will get better later though”

You don’t waste any time and before Christian can answer you decide to talk

“We’ll see about that, tough fight today.” you say and you smile, your father looking at you surprised that you decided to interrupt the discussion between him and his counterpart.

“I really hope so, I enjoy a good race” Toto replies “Plus it makes the winning feeling a bit better.”

“It sure does Toto, may the best team win”

“Don’t look at me, she said it all for me” Christian jokes but really none of you find him funny, you are too invested in this little interaction.

“See you around” Toto says and drives off with his mercedes scooter.

“I enjoy a good race” Christian repeats mocking the Austrian “And when we have a good race he bitches on every single pre and post race interview”

“Oh please Christian you are the king of bitching, just leave him be '' you tell him and walk to the red bull hospitality center. You spend some time there discussing with the mechanics about possible outcomes of the race and then you go to the grid to see the cars getting ready and to give some pre race interviews. Max is on pole so it is the first time as an official member of the team that you will get to be there.

“Let’s go dude” you say to Max

“I’ll do my best.”

“You should absolutely win this, I have so much faith on you I even made a bet”

“What do we win?”

“You, a race, I, a superiority feeling. Go get em” you say and then Max gets in the car.

You leave the grid and go back to the pitwall, sitting on your chair. The race starts and Max easily leads from Lewis. You squeal a little seeing that your team is winning but you stay relatively calm. Lewis stays right behind Max, pressuring him as well as the strategy team to an ultimate level. At some point Mercedes calls Lewis to pit, but knowing mercedes’ pit crew and Lewis’ recent luck the pit stop kinda sucked, leaving you a tiny but significant space to breathe. Max pits in the next lap, the red bull pit crew always fast and precise gives him enough time to come out of the pits just in front of Lewis, 2 tenths keeping them apart. Lewis’ tyres are already at temperature so he overtakes Max in the next DRS zone. However, 5 laps later Max fights back and retakes the lead from your rivals. A while after the overtake you take your phone on your hands

You

Is the GT ready for the trip?

Wolff

Nothing’s done yet

You

See you, at the podium in 15 laps

Also, tell Jonathan to pick me up from the hotel at 8 pm, post race celebrations, I will be late.

Wolff

I am not saying anything until the checkered flag

You

Whatever

Max cruises at the front for the next 10 laps with 5 laps to go, Lewis increasing pace reaching him but at this point he’s not even a threat. Max keeps going until lap 53 when he comes on the team radio and yells

“No fucking pace,bro”

Lewis is coming like a rocket behind him while GP tries to talk to Max to press some buttons on the steering wheel to get the PU working but nothing seems to fix this goddamn engine.

“Max I am afraid we should retire the car, I am so sorry. We will discuss it in the debrief”

“Fuck” is what Max says as he strugles to steer his red bull at a place where the marshalls will be able to collect the car

Wolff

Sorry about that

You

Oh fuck off

Wolff

I guess the trip to Saudi won’t be happening after all

Just before replying you hear Crofty through the track speakers “And Lewis Hamilton wins the Bahrain GP”

You

Just send me the details

Wolff

Will do

Gotta go to the podium celebrations

You

Congrats on the win though :)

Wolff

You’re classy

I like it

Thanks :D

You leave the pitwall heading inside to see Max

“I am so sorry” he says

“No, it’s not your fault, you were great”

Christian comes by your side “Let’s discuss the race at the debrief please.” and then he turns to you “You can go to the hotel after the debrief, I will do the post race interviews. We will be having lunch with the Bahraini investors tomorrow so I want you there and at the top of your game, the deal is almost done.”

“Yes dad.” When did he become so bossy? You’re his daughter, not his random employee. You act like everything is alright and just keep your day going. Before heading inside for the race debrief you step in the pitlane and watch the whole Mercedes team outside the garage celebrating the team’s 1-2. Toto is in the side using his phone

Toto Wolff

Hello Tommy, I found out that you designed a dress for Ms. Horner yesterday and I wanted to know whether you have her measurements at hand

Tommy Hilfiger

Hello Toto. First of all congratulations on today’s win. I do have her measurements, I don’t know why you need them though.

Toto Wolff

Nothing significant, a colleague of mine has the same body type and she wanted a dress for a formal dinner that we will be having today so I thought that maybe I can find something to her size so that she can wear it.

Tommy Hilfiger

That’s great. Lucky for you, I actually had a second dress made for Ms. Horner’s measurements that she didn’t wear yesterday. It is less formal though, not black tie like the first one was so i think it will match the concept. My fitting team has it at the Hilfiger house in Manama. I can have someone drop it off at the Ritz.

Toto Wolff

Thank you very much. No worries, I will have someone to pick it up from the store.

Tommy Hilfiger

Glad I helped a friend out.

The debrief is pretty quick, mostly analyzing the reasons why Max DNFd. PU failure, more details after the engine is sent back to Milton Keynes for further investigation. The team is relatively happy with Checo’s P4. After you are done you pack your stuff and check your phone

Wolff

I will have someone to pick you up from the hotel at 7.30pm.

Take everything you need to be comfortable with you

You

Where are we going?

Wolff

Dinner, that’s all you need to know

Also request your package when you arrive at the hotel

You

Package?

Wolff

You’re asking way too many questions

Just do as you are told.

You read the last message and take everything you left in your office. You drive back to the hotel and as Toto told you you ask for the package.

“It is already in your room Ms.Horner” the receptionist says

As soon as you get in your suite you find a dress hanging from your closet door just like the one yesterday, inside the same Hilfiger case. You open it feeling kinda curious as to why yesterday’s dress is hanging from that door but when you see the dress inside it you smile to yourself. Another design is in the case, a totally different one than yesterday’s but a similar concept to a dress that Tommy was talking about. Toto got it for you just to wear it for tonight. You put on the black dress with a pair of matching pumps feeling like a princess. You fix your hair doing a chignon and you put some makeup on, wearing red lips. Your phone pings with a new notification

Max Emilian Verstappen

You up for dinner ?

You

Nah, I will be sleeping from early on, I got an important business meeting tomorrow.

You lie to Max but you feel like he’s going to ask so many questions and he’s going to make you feel bad for yourself. He always brings people down but it’s Max. You ignore him and check the time. 7:20 pm. You head to the hotel lobby and outside where Jonathan is waiting for you for the second time today. You get in the car and he drives off but he doesn’t stop

“Where are we going? Isn’t Toto waiting somewhere?”

“No, we are going to the final destination together.”

Somewhat of 10 minutes later you arrive at the Bahrain International Airport, the private terminal to be exact. The car doesn’t stop at the entrance, instead it goes in the airport area heading to a private jet that you had seen before.

“Don’t tell me that we are flying”

“No I just brought you here for fun” Jonathan jokes and he pulls over.

You get out of the car, thank Jo and walk up the jet’s stairs. You get inside where you see Toto chatting with Mike.

“Knew it” Toto whispers

“Hello gentlemen.”

“Miss Horner.” Mike says and offers you a hand, you reach for a hug instead, seeing Toto eying you for the move you just did. “Glad to see you again” he says

“My night just got better Mike.” you say winking at him

“You have a flight to focus on” Toto turns and tells him and both of you stare at the floor.

“I’ll see you afterwards.” Mike replies and gets back to the cockpit.

“After you” Toto says and lets you go first in the main cabin.

You eye the seat that Toto was sitting the last time so you sit there determined to be a brat today. He takes a sharp breath seeing what you just did and takes another seat.

“Thank you for the dress.” you say

“Tommy had it made alongside the one you wore yesterday, so why waste it?”

“How do you know?”

“It’s not your job to ask.” he replies

“Where are we going?”

“Stop asking so many questions.”

In the next minutes the airhostess locks the door and the jet starts moving.

“Mr. Wolff, Ms.Horner welcome to our flight from Bahrain to Abu Dhabii. Our flight is predicted to be smooth and our arrival to Abu Dhabi is estimated in 1 hour and 10 minutes from now. Enjoy.”

“We’re going to Abu Dhabi?” you ask

“December seems so far away and I couldn’t resist my urge to go to Hakkasan. So yeah.”

“What is this?”

“Fine dining restaurant, run by michelin starred chefs”

“Are you serious?”

“I told you I would take you out for dinner.”

“In like a normal restaurant”

“This is a normal restaurant, an exceptional one to be exact.”

“I don’t like fine dining.” you lie

“Did I ask you though?”

“I just said I don’t like it”

“Then I’ll have someone to buy you a happy meal at McDonalds.”

You don’t react

“Also I thought you were too impressed from Marko Pierre last December”

“Okay.” is your answer

“Thought so” he replies

For the rest of the flight you completely ignore Toto who has his iPad on the table checking data from the race earlier. He always lectures you for discussing work when it’s not work time but he does exactly the same so you decide to make him slightly angry by going to the cockpit. You stand up, adjust your dress when you feel Toto’s eyes on you. Instead of turning around and going to the toilet as he thought you head to the cockpit and you knock on the door

“Yes?” you hear Mike saying

“Hey Mike, can I come in?” you say

“Of course” By the time he replies you hear Toto standing and coming by your side

“He’s working” he says

“So do you.”

“Sit down.” he whispers to your ear. You have never seen him this way before. Well you have but you were mostly drunk.

“If you stop working in non-work time I will.” you tell him “Otherwise I am going in. I haven't been in a cockpit while flying in ages, it will be nice to remember how it is.”

“Sit down.” he says once again and you go back to your seat while he follows you. You grab his iPad before he can and you put it in the bag that you brought with you

“This is mine for tonight”

“What are you going to do, spy on us and then go tell papa?”

“Do you really think that about me?”

“Knowing Christian,yes”

“Well Christian is a bitch, I am not.”

“I didn’t say you are”

“I’d like to think that I am a serious person, not someone that can be told what to do.” you say “Especially in my workplace.”

“I don’t believe that you follow orders, you were born to be the leader.”

“Tell that to Christian. He believes that I am his little employee, that he can boss me around, make me do things. I can decide for myself, you know?”

“Why don’t you talk to him?”

“Because he's Christian, do you think he will understand?”

“No frankly, I don’t” he says

“Christian is a bitch. I am pretty sure that I would dislike him if he wasn’t my father”

“You can’t choose your family right?”

“Right”

Just on time you hear Mike through the radio

“We will be landing at Abu Dhabi in 5 minutes, take your seats if you haven’t already”

“Oh we’re here” you say

Mike lands the plane smoothly but you are off the plane before he opens the cockpit door to greet you. Toto was in a rush, and you assume the young pilot who’s flirting with you is the reason why. After you get off the plane you immediately get on a black shiny Mercedes that has been waiting for you and Toto drives off the airport and to the main streets of Abu Dhabi that you have seen before, coming so many times for the season finale there. Half an hour later you arrive at the Emirates Palace where the restaurant is located and Toto leaves the black Mercedes to the parking valet. You go inside the enormous and glamorous hotel and head towards the restaurant where someone is waiting.

“We have a reservation for 2, Wolff”

“Of course Mr. Wolff follow me”

The young man guides you to the outside area of the restaurant, a huge balcony with amazing views, everything is perfectly set, the people around you minding their own business, no one recognizing you, thankfully. Toto asks for the menu while people offer you some water.

“What would you like to eat?”

“I told you I don’t really know a lot about fine dining and especially Chinese, I’ll take what you are having”

“But i don’t know your tastes”

“You should be able to guess them Toto.”

“Okay then.” he says “Should I decide on the drinks as well?”

“Yes please” you say and he reads the menu carefully while you look around you taking the view in. You grab your phone, open the camera app and snap a quick picture of Toto while he’s reading the menu, he notices you but he doesn’t say anything, instead he keeps reading but this time there’s a faint smile on his face. Once he is done choosing he leaves the menu on the table looking at you and then taking in the view around you just like you did before.

“Can I see my picture?” he asks

“No” you smile

“It’s me in the picture, I can sue you for that”

“And then take me to court to solve the case? Everyone will find out that we were together at this dinner”

“You are right, I haven’t thought about this” Toto says and you have the ‘I am smarter than you’ face on slightly pissing him off. By the time you get ready to talk to Toto about you being right once again someone from the staff stops by your table

“Should I take your order sir?” he asks

“Of course.” Toto smiles, handing him the menu “We would like one Crispy duck salad, one serving of dumplings and for the main course two Black Truffle ducks.” he shifts his gaze to you and asks “Is the food okay, do you like it?”

“You’ve only ordered it Toto but it sounds good, I’ll let you know when I actually try it”

“Okay sir, have you decided on the deserts?”

“No, not yet.”

“Anything to drink?”

“A bottle of 2016 Meerlust Pinot Noir.”

“Excellent choices sir, exquisite taste.” the man says “Thank you, enjoy”

Toto thanks the man who leaves the two of you alone in silence. You don’t even know what to say, what to discuss, but it doesn’t feel weird to you, it’s like it was meant to, a relaxing but expensive dinner after an exhausting day, neither of you need to say anything, however you feel like you have to discuss something with Toto at this moment, discuss anything.

“That’s a really nice place Toto”

“It has become one of my favorite places during the past year. It’s not that we come here on a monthly basis but when I am nearby I feel like I have to come here”

“How did you find out about it?”

“I mean Hakkasan is really famous back in London, Michelin stars as well, but I hadn’t given it a chance until last year after the final race”

“What about it” you ask

“It’s Lewis’ favorite restaurant in Abu Dhabi and he took us here the day after the race. No one saw us arrive nor leave, we were in the private section of the restaurant since Lewis didn’t want to see any fans”

“You know what, I am really sorry about what happened here last year.” you tell him

“Us going to the private section?”

“Ugh no Toto. I meant Lewis being robbed of his 8th. I really regret doing that, celebrating the championship.”

“Are you sure that you are Christian’s daughter?” he jokes

“I am positive.” you say feeling a little bitter, Toto notices immediately and before you can react your appetizers arrive on the table as well as the bottle of wine that Toto ordered. The young man pours some wine in your glasses.

“Thank you” says Toto and returns to the conversation you were having. “You are so different to Christian, he is always so entitled, he’s afraid to lose, he does anything he can to make other people angry.”

“How am I different?” you ask and you take a bite from the food that you just got on your plate

“Let me see” he says and holds his palm up counting with his fingers. “You are not entitled, you are able to recognize other people’s achievements, you are not afraid to lose, and you are not afraid to show your softer side to your opponent”

“I shouldn’t show weakness to any opponent, that’s what our professors used to say.” you reply and take a sip from your wine

“Oh go off, those professors were shit.”

“They were teaching in Oxford Toto, I am sure they know something.”

“I taught at Harvard once, and I say we are all human and we should show our weakness to each other.”

“Thank you professor, I'll keep that in mind”

“You better do” he says and he turns his attention to the food in front of you two.

You make small talk as you eat the salad and the dumplings, both of you downing easily your glasses of wine pouring another one and another one. Time passes and you finish your appetizers. As soon as the staff notices the empty plates are gone and replaced with your black truffle duck, which looks and smells amazing. Toto is a man of taste and this, this is just another confirmation.

“Excuse me, can we have another bottle of the same wine?” Toto asks and the person serving you nods in acceptance.

“Crazy how we already drank the first one.” you laugh

“As you’ve realized we love alcohol a bit too much, both you and me”

“That’s right” you laugh with slight dizziness coming to your head. Only 2 and a half glasses but you already feel slightly confident. “The wine is good” you comment

“I thought so. Lawrence recommended it.”

“Lawrence Stroll?” you ask and Toto nods, unable to talk due to his mouth being stuffed with a huge bite of his black truffle duck “Oh, right i forget you rich people have expensive tastes.”

“Your father has a net worth of 50 million, why do you consider me rich and not you?”

“We do have money but it’s not like we’re Stroll or Wolff rich.”

“So you have to be a billionaire to be rich?” he laughs

“You are a billionaire?”

“Yeah. Lawrence has twice as much as I have though”

“And you still did insider trading to get more” you tease him and you take a small bite off your plate

“That’s bullshit, who says we did?”

“It was all over twitter Toto.” you laugh

“Oh, big news for you, I don’t use social media.” he tells you and sips some wine

“I still know that you have a twitter burner.”

He lets out a laugh “That’s a really nice place, and really nice food don’t you think?”

“You are changing the subject”

“I am because the subject is a joke”

“I am only teasing you Toto” you say and you smile at him

“Well, if you continue to do that I’ll get angry and you’ll have to swim from Abu Dhabi back to Bahrain”

He’s not going to do that but in any case you stop, you keep drinking and eating until you finish your main course, Toto orders dessert and another bottle of wine. You are now on the third bottle and you feel tipsy.

“Are you a bit tipsy or am I a lighthead?”

“No, you’re not, I am tipsy as well”

“Why did we order another bottle of wine though?”

“Because the night is beautiful, we like drinking quite a lot and we are enjoying ourselves.” he says and you nod

Next you eat your dessert and drink the rest of the wine making jokes with Toto, seeing a side of him that you’ve never seen. Both of you get a little bit more dizzy than you should and decide to go back to Bahrain. Toto asks for the bill and several minutes later a man brings it to the table

“How much is it?” you ask

“It’s none of your business.”

“You are not paying for all of this.” you insist and reach for your wallet

“I brought you here, it was my choice. My decisions, my rules. Be a good girl and follow them.” Toto reaches for his credit card and pays for your dinner.

“Thank you Wolff.” you say as you stand up grabbing his arm to steady yourself due to the alcohol dizziness.

“Pleasure is all mine Horner.” he replies and you leave the restaurant.

You walk to the main lobby of the Emirates Palace and you remember that both you and Toto are drunk

“How are we getting to the airport?” you ask

“I’ll drive” he says casually as if he didn’t drink 3 bottles of wine with you.

When you hear his words you leave his toned arm and walk to the reception of the hotel.

“Excuse me, how can I help you?” asks the receptionist.

“I would like a room for 2, just for tonight” you tell her

“Sea view, garden view or plain?”

“Sea view please.” you turn to look at Toto who’s just standing by the door looking lost and confused as to why you are taking so long to go back.

“Can I have a name?” she asks

“Horner.” you reply “Can I pay now because tomorrow we’ll probably be in a hurry ?”

“Of course.” she replies

You take your credit card from your wallet making sure that it’s the one in which Christian has no access so that he won’t be able to track you and ask you where you had been.

“It's room 344.” she tells you and hands you the key card “Enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you” you reply as you turn and walk to Toto

“What took you so long?”

“Follow me” you say and you hear him asking you where you are going.

You walk in the corridors of the luxury hotel until you are able to locate the place where room 344 is, Toto is still asking you where you two are going and you stop in front of the room’s door, you slide the card and get in. Toto stands still just outside the door.

“We are both drunk and you can’t drive in this state. We are staying for the night and we will be leaving early in the morning.” you tell him

“Yes but”

“There are no buts, we are drunk, Mike is probably hooking up with that airhostess of yours and the room is already paid.” you tell him and he gets in the room closing the door behind him.

The room is really nice with a huge window to the sea and a queen size bed with white and gold sheets, there’s also a desk where you put your bag.

“How much was the room?” Toto asks while he approaches you

“I can’t tell you, my decision, my rules.”

“You are a pain in the ass.”

“I am only learning from the best Mr.Wolff” you tell him

“Thought you only trusted Oxford professors.” he replies and you take a step back towards the wall

“I think Harvard professors are closer to my taste.” you tell him and smirk at him

“Oh”

“Like the way they are teaching, more engaging, makes you wanna follow their advice.”

“I think they really like teaching to their students, answering questions, and giving them examples.” he replies and takes some steps towards you until you are trapped between his tall frame and the wall.

“Wanna know a question I would ask if I had someone who taught at Harvard in front of me? Management related always”

“I’m all ears.” he says and looks right in your eyes as you feel his breath on your face

“How should you react if you really crave your most hated rival who’s just across from you?”

“I feel like I know the answer,” he says and he inches closer and closer. You close your eyes as Toto leans in and kisses you desperately. You kiss him back in the same way feeling the heat between you two as you reach for his neck to pull him closer.

“If that’s the professor's advice, I’d better follow it.”

“Agreed.” he says

You lean and kiss him again grabbing the collar of his shirt as he pins you against the wall leaving you no space to breathe his tongue threatening to enter your mouth and he bites your lip. You don’t fight him, you just let him do what he wants, feeling his hand tracing your body. He grabs your thigh moving his hand to your ass while you wrap your leg on his waist allowing him to get closer to you. Your head touches the wall as he leans down and presses kisses to your neck and behind your ear leaving a wet trace and giving you goosebumps. His touch and kisses are soft, desperate and a bit sloppy as a remainder of the alcohol you consumed earlier but he makes you feel like no one ever has. He reaches your collarbone and he leaves a kiss there sucking and biting the area, a soft moan leaving your mouth. Surely this is going to become a hickey that you’ll have to cover up for tomorrow’s meeting but it’s the last thing that concerns you. Toto grabs you like it’s the easiest thing for him and leads you to the bed. You reach for Toto’s shirt, untagging it from his pants and opening the buttons one by one exposing his bare chest and you take a second to catch your breath. He reaches to the back of the dress trying to find the zipper and he realizes it’s on the side of the dress instead.

“You should have asked Tommy where the zipper was” you say slightly out of breath

Toto gives you a devilish grin “I could have easily ripped it off of you” he replies

You pull him into another kiss as he removes your dress, dropping it on the side of the bed leaving you exposed with your matching underwear set. You hear him cuss under his breath and you try to undo his belt to remove his pants. Once you are both in your underwear Toto looms over you as you lay breathless on the huge bed, his hardness visible in his boxers. He pecks your lips and looks at you in the eye

“Are you okay with this?” he asks and for a while you stop to think. You can imagine the way your face changes because at the same time you look at Toto and you see him frowning at you while breathing. You don’t want to ruin this in any circumstance but you think about it and you reposition yourself on the bed, now sitting instead of laying, still on your underwear.

“No” you tell him softly and he sits down on the bed.

“Did I do something?” he asks looking concerned

“Look, we kissed twice and on both times either one of us was drunk. Now we are both drunk and we are making out but we don’t have the guts to do it while we are sober. I am not having sex with you while we are both drunk, and that’s not because I don’t want to because trust me I really fucking do Toto but we’re not having drunk sex. Not when you haven’t even kissed me while sober.”

“Well I guess you are not wrong”

“And you were supposed to be more mature on such issues” you joke

“I am not in the position to be more mature right now and I am not to blame here” he says looking at you cheekily

“Indeed.” you smile “Can we just sleep instead and wake up and fly to Bahrain tomorrow?”

“Of course” he says as he stretches to reach one of the two pillows that are on the bed. “You can get the bed”

“We nearly had sex Toto, I think we can share a bed.” you tell him as you look at him

“Are you sure?” he asks

“Yes, I will be able to contain myself when I wake up and I am sober, it won’t be the shock you think it will be”

“Okay then.” he says and he lays on the left side as you lay on the right. “Goodnight Horner.” he says

“Goodnight Wolff, thank you for today.” you turn your back at him and the tiredness of the race day takes over as you drift off to sleep

You hear the faint noise of your alarm going off in the morning and you open your eyes to see your room flooded by sunlight. You think to yourself that it can’t be too early to have so much light and you shift in the sheets while looking on your left. You see Toto and your brain registers what happened yesterday night. You climb off the bed and reach for your bag to turn your alarm off. As you do so you hear Toto moving and you feel a pair of eyes looking at your back.

“Good Morning” he says, voice raspy from his sleep.

“Good Morning Mr. Wolff” you say phone in your hands, turning the alarm off. You look at the time. Noon.

The next thing that pops up is your calendar notification

12:00pm Dinner @CUT by Wolfgang Puck w/ Bahraini Investors

“Fuck” you say as you realize what is happening. You look around the room panicked trying to find your bag with your clothes and shoes. You need to get out of here as soon as possible

“What is it?” Toto asks

“I am supposed to meet with some Bahraini Investors for lunch at noon” you tell him completely out of your mind “Christian is going to fucking kill me Toto.”

He jumps off the bed in a rush trying to find his own clothes so that you can leave as fast as you possibly can. “What time is it?” he asks

“Noon.”

“Calm down, UAE is not in the same time zone as Bahrain. You still have an hour.”

“Toto, the ride to the airport from here is 30 minutes, the flight is another 1 hour and 10 minutes and the ride from the airport to four seasons is another 15 minutes. I am going to be 2 hours late. I am fucking done. Christian is going to kill me.”

“Get dressed as fast as you can and I’ll figure something out”

“I am trying Toto, I really am”

You see him searching on his phone “Mike, we need to leave from Abu Dhabi in 15 and I need the flight to be as fast as you possibly can, is this possible?” you hear him say “It’s already ready? Good. What’s the fastest we can get to Bahrain?” and after some seconds of silence he speaks again “55 minutes works just fine, thank you”

“How do you plan to get from here to the airport in 15 minutes from now?” you ask

“Like this.” he replies as he has the phone on his ear “Hello, from room 344, is there maybe a helicopter available to Abu Dhabi International Airport?” after a while he says “We’ll be on the pad in 5 minutes. Charge it on the name Wolff. Made a reservation in Hakkasan yesterday, they should be able to give you my information about billing.”

You look at him impressed

“Are you done? The helicopter is waiting for us” he says and you look around to make sure that you took everything with you.

“Yes let’s go” you say and you start walking fast in the corridors of the hotel, five minutes later you arrive at the helicopter pad and you get in and 10 minutes later you are already at the airport and heading to Toto’s jet. You get in and take a seat as Mike comes outside from the cockpit

“Everything alright? Did you enjoy yourselves?” he asks

“Yes ,but Mike it is imperative that we have left in the next 4 minutes” Toto tells him

“Of course sir.” he gets back to the cockpit, locks the door and the air hostess closes the cabin door. Soon after that you take off from Abu Dhabi, your stomach still tied from anxiety. Your leg bouncing as you look outside the window.

“Stop bouncing the leg, you still have half an hour left.”

“We just took off, we need at least 45 minutes to be in Bahrain plus 15 minutes to go to the hotel and another good 5 minutes to look decent for this meeting. Which makes me 35 minutes late. At a business meeting. A business meeting Toto.”

“I am well aware.” he says “Let me tell you that and then I’ll have to make some arrangements. You look beautiful, the dress is amazing as much as I regret not ripping it off of you yesterday night, go to the toilet and get ready, stop panicking.” he says and you leave your seat with your bag on hand as you follow his advice. You try to get yourself as decent looking as possible and five minutes after you come back.

“Another helicopter will take you from the airport to the Four Seasons Hotel, the ride will be like 5 minutes max. You’ll get there as soon as humanly possible.”

“Thank you Toto, you are truly saving me right now, I will need a lot to pay you back.”

“No worries.”

For the rest of the flight you close your eyes checking your phone occasionally until you feel the jet descending. You check the time. 12:16 already. 16 minutes late. You still feel your stomach tied and also the headache building from all the yelling that Christian will do to you. When the plane lands it’s 12:22. Once the door opens you unfasten your seatbelt and stand up.

“The helicopter is waiting next to the jet.” Toto tells you

“Are you coming?” you ask him.

“I am not the one in a rush, I’ll drive to the Ritz. You go ahead, I hope you’ll get the sponsorship.” he replies

“Thank you Toto, I am sorry that we didn’t get to enjoy the Emirates Palace more.”

“We have plenty of time.” he says and you wave at him.

You get off the plane and on the helicopter and you fly to your hotel where your father and the investors are waiting for you. Once you arrive there you meet Beth at the lobby, hand her your bag and run to the restaurant. You check the time 12:36. You knew you would be late but now the only thing you can do is just play along and act as if you are not 36 whole minutes late to an important meeting. You go in and spot the full table.

“Hello” you say and everyone stands up to greet you. You take the empty seat next to your father ignoring your subconscious that was screaming at you not to because the first thing he does is turn to you

“This won’t go unpunished. I am pretty sure you will regret whatever you were doing that made you late.”

“What do I have to do ?” you ask

“You won’t have to do anything, you’ll see at the next race weekend.” he smiles. But you know this smile doesn't mean anything good.

“The gentlemen here were kind enough to wait for you before ordering. Shall we order now?” Christian asks and you nod.

You take your phone and open it under the table, not wanting to be noticed

You

Arrived at the dinner a good 36 minutes late, Christian is pissed, the Bahraini guys not so much.

He even told me the punishment will make me regret whatever I did that made me late

Wolff

Typical Christian, Glad the investors weren’t mad

As a wise man named Daniel Ricciardo said

No regrets, only memories

On a serious note, I really hope you won’t regret it

You

Danny Ric, being the philosopher we all need

I don’t intend to

Anyways I’ll have to see what the Saudi GP will bring

Wolff

When are you going to Jeddah?

You

I plan on staying here till Wednesday

Hopefully I’ll have to sign some deals tomorrow

If today goes well

Wolff

I am sure you will

So you are not going back to England or Monaco ?

You

No, I will be flying from Bahrain to Jeddah

Could have done a road trip to Jeddah if you stayed here

I don’t think you would be able to stand me for 14 hours though

Wolff

Flying is more comfortable

And I am sure I would stand you 14 hours

I know how to handle you ;)

You

When are you getting to Jeddah?

Wolff

I am thinking Thursday morning or Wednesday night

You

I guess I’ll see you there

Gotta go the investors are waiting

Thank you for everything :)

Wolff

Always a pleasure

You leave your phone and turn back to the conversation in front of you to try and get the sponsorship. As much as your brain wants to focus on the discussions at hand you keep thinking about everything that’s happening. It is Monday already and it’s a new race week, and when the last one treated you as good as it did, you wonder what this race week has planned for you.

#toto wolff #toto wolff x reader #toto wolff fanfic #enemies to lovers ig #f1 #all's fair fic #rbr managment

160 notes · View notes