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eternally-racing · 3 months

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superbowl sunday | logan sargeant

pairing: logan x reader

genre: fluff

wk: 1k (short n sweet xoxo)

summary: you want to do something special for your homesick boyfriend when he misses one of america's favorite unofficial holidays.

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With the new season just around the corner, the Williams team was in full force putting together their finishing touches on pre-season testing and meetings. Unfortunately for you, that meant that Logan was putting in long hours at the factory, with the most you’re seeing of him sometimes being just his imprint on the bedsheets in the morning since he leaves so early in the morning and comes back even long after you go to sleep.

Moving to Oxfordshire was a big step for the both of you. For Logan it was a no-brainer, even choosing to buy a place instead of renting helped show his commitment to the team, and how could you have possibly said no to him when he asked for you to join him? After all, in his words you are is home, no matter where he is in the world. While Logan may be used to living the European life, moving away from your all-American home was definitely a big culture shock. There were of course fun new experiences - first time getting lost in a new city, trying new cafes that you knew you would subsequently come to every week, and seeing the beautiful sights. At the same time there were the moments that absolutely tore you up to be away from home - Logan cried as he held you on Thanksgiving when all you really wanted was to be able to eat your mom’s Turkey stuffing, but then he subsequently called your mom and got her to send you a frozen portion in the mail. It only arrived 2 weeks later and there was a definite chance that the stomachache you got afterwards may have been due to it being slightly spoiled by the time it made it to your dinner table, but the action itself definitely warmed your heart. Even though you were definitely the baby when it came to missing home, you knew that there were a couple of days that got to him and today was definitely one of them.

Logan’s back ached as he finally got out of what felt like a 10 hour long meeting about company branding that he couldn’t care less about. The one thing he’s grateful for is the plethora of window panes at the factory - if he’s going to be stuck inside all day it’s at least nice to see the sun rise and set each day over the horizon. There are some days where Formula 1 doesn’t feel as worth it, where he wishes that he was in his backyard in Florida playing soccer with his brother, his dad on grill while his mom nags them about not wearing enough sunscreen, but on days like that he at least gets to see you, usually. If only he had time to see you right now. If he rushed back to your apartment right now he would probably at least catch you getting ready for bed, but it feels selfish to keep you up sometimes. He knows just how much you sacrificed to be here with him, including working a remote job in a timezone that meant that you were up at the worst of hours for team meetings.

He expects to walk into a dark apartment, just like he has for the last 3 weeks - but instead he’s met with a completely different sight.

It’s you, which is a sight enough to bring a smile to his face. But it’s not just you, but you’re surrounded by a a scene that he can only describe in two words. While he’s rendered speechless, you’re happy to steal the words from his mouth.

“Happy Superbowl Sunday, babe.”

Your apartment has all the staples from back home; chicken wings, seven layer dip, beer. If Logan’s nutritionist took a look at your dining table right now he would probably have a heart attack, but Logan could care less about that right now.

“I really lucked out that both teams have the color red so I only had to buy one color of balloons to cover my bases.” you giggle as Logan picks you up and spins you around. There’s tears starting to pool at the corner of his eyes and you understand the emotion you see in them all too well.

"I -, wow - , how did you - , I can't believe -" the words keep stumbling out of Logan's mouth as he's just in complete awe of what you pulled off for him.

You both take a second to cherish the moment, that the two of you get to do this together after so many weeks of not seeing each other. But soon after that you both settle onto the couch with more snacks than you could possibly ever consume surrounding the two of you on all sides.

You’re actually only watching a recording of the game with how the time differences worked out, and it’s actually Monday night, late enough to be almost Tuesday in England by the time you turn on the television - but Logan is far too sleep deprived and overworked to notice. There’s definitely a non-zero chance he falls asleep by the time the 3rd quarter even starts, but you’re happy to at least fall asleep together as you cuddle into his side.

“Also we are cheering for…” Your voice trails off as a question since you actually have no idea who Logan likes out of these two teams.

“The 49ers babe, you would love them too if you knew the backstory”

His comment makes you curious and while you’re scared of the can of worms you may be opening of being mansplained the history of the entire NFL, you ask him to explain and luckily he keeps it short and sweet.

“You always love cheering for an underdog, Y/N,” Logan says with a smile.

author's note: my new roman empire is the fact that logan was cheering for brock purdy in the super bowl 🥲 hope you all enjoyed this lil bit of logan fluff, until next time! - Em 🩷

#logan sargeant fluff #logan sargeant #f1 imagine #f1 x reader #formula 1 #f1 fic #logan sargeant x reader #logan sargeant imagine #logan sargeant one shot #ls2 #williams racing #f1 fluff #formula 1 x reader #formula one #formula 1 imagine #formula 1 fic #williams f1

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corroded-hellfire · 11 months

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Just a Spark - Eddie Munson x Reader

A Collaboration with my beloved kindred spirit @munson-blurbs🤍

Summary: Eddie takes his sons to watch fireworks at Lover's Lake for the Fourth of July. But when he notices you there with some friends, including some male friends, he can't help but be jealous.

Note: Thank you to my dearest @joejoequinnquinn for loving jealous!eddie as much as I do and for coming up with this lovely idea! I still find it funny that it's a Fourth of July fic and you do not live in the US, lol. I hope you all enjoy and happy 4th of July to my fellow Americans 💙

Warnings: older!eddie, dad!eddie, babysitter!reader, eddie being jealous hehe

Words: 3.9k

[As You Wish masterlist]

It wasn’t often that Hawkins held activities that appealed to the whole town. The haunted houses around Halloween only appealed to the teenagers, the winter wonderlands at Christmas only mattered to young children, and the Thanksgiving Parade was something that everyone swears they got dragged along to against their will. Fourth of July in Hawkins was the one day a year that could be counted on to bring people of all ages out to Lover’s Lake for sunshine in the afternoon and fireworks at night.

Kids would splash and swim together in the shallow area of the lake while their parents watched from picnic blankets spread out not too far away. Teens and college students would come with their friends, the college kids drinking beer out in the open while the teenagers had to hide sips behind a tree or behind a friend’s back.

It was a tradition in the Munson household to grill up some hamburgers and bring them down to eat at the lake while they watched the fireworks. This particular year things seem to be off-track, though. Brittany had left the house early in the afternoon to run a few errands and pick up some charcoal for the grill so that Eddie could cook the hamburgers. After being gone far too long for just saying she was heading to a few stores, the phone rings and Brittany gives Eddie some sob story about how she ran into her sister who’s having a crisis and she needs to stay with her for a while. Eddie just sighed as he hung up, thinking to himself that at least Brittany wasn’t dumb enough to say it had something to do with work when banks are closed because it’s a national holiday. The only problem—because going out with his boys without his wife was certainly not a problem—he ran into now was that he didn’t have time to run out and get charcoal and make the burgers before they were going to leave for the lake.

Improvising, Eddie swings through a Burger King drive-through on the way, making sure the three of them would still keep their tradition intact as much as possible. The boys don’t seem to mind the differences between this year and last, maybe just glad to have a chance to hang out with their dad while they did something as cool as watch fireworks.

Eddie pulls his truck into the already-crowded parking lot and grabs the bag of fast food. As he and the boys get out, people walk by carrying coolers, picnic baskets, and a few types of inner tubes to use in the water. There are tons of people there—which Eddie expected. He takes Luke’s hand into his own and instructs Ryan to grab onto Luke’s other so they don’t lose anyone.

“Eddie!” A familiar voice calls out and has Eddie whipping around to spot its owner. He quickly sees the Sinclairs; Lucas is waving with his left hand to get Eddie’s attention, with Tiffany on his right hip.

Eddie nudges the boys. “Look who’s here!” Their eyes widen when they notice Uncle Lucas—who Eddie swears is his younger son’s namesake and certainly isn’t Luke Skywalker—along with Aunt Max and their baby. They practically pull Eddie across the lot to them.

Clapping Lucas’s hand and pulling him in for a modified bro-hug so he doesn’t crash into Tiffany, Eddie offers his long-time friend a grin. “How have you guys been?” he asks as he gives Max a hug.

“Good. Tired.” Max says with a laugh. “Tiffany slept through the night for about three days before she started teething.”

“Aww, poor thing,” Eddie coos, chuckling when Tiffany proves her mother’s point by grabbing Eddie’s finger and gnawing on it. “Don’t worry, it doesn’t last as long as it seems,” he reassures the new parents.

“We’re just headed out,” Lucas explains, kissing his daughter’s cheek. “It’s this little lady’s bedtime, and we’ve gotta get home before the fireworks start.”

“We have no idea how she’ll react to them, and we’re not about to conduct that experiment in public,” Max chimes in, making Eddie laugh again. “But we’ll see you at Ryan’s birthday party next week!”

The Munsons and Sinclairs part with goodbyes and more hugs before Eddie and the boys head towards the lake.

“I wanna sit near the water!” Luke insists, and Eddie winces at his high-pitched whine.

“Think we might get a better view of the fireworks if we sit up a little higher.” It’s the truth; plus, he won’t have to worry about Luke flinging himself into the cesspool that Hawkins calls a lake.

They find a shady spot right under a tree, and Eddie lays out three beach towels so they won’t have to sit in the dirt. He passes out the parchment-wrapped burgers and little bags of fries and sits back with a sigh. This is what he’d always wanted—family traditions with his boys. If only…

“Has anyone seen my sunscreen?”

Eddie freezes mid-bite, only remembering that he has a burger in his hand when his arm starts to ache from being in one position too long. He chews and swallows as though nothing happened, but his mind is racing.

It can’t be, he thinks. He’s almost certain that this is all in his imagination—God knows he can’t get you out of his head—until he hears someone say your name.

Just one look, Eddie convinces himself. A quick peek so I can see that it’s not actually her; just someone who sounds like her and has the same name…

His stomach flip-flops when he glances over and sees you in a low-cut red tank top and cutoff denim shorts. Oh, shit, it’s her. And she looks really, really good. He takes a deep breath, trying to gather his scrambled thoughts. He wishes he had a six-pack; a cold beer can always calm his jangled nerves. Okay, I can’t let the boys see. Once that happens, she’ll come over here and—

Eddie’s anxious thought is disrupted by the sight of one of the three guys you’re with applying sunscreen to the back of your neck. He’s got long, light brown hair—though not as long or luscious as his own, Eddie notes wryly.

Long Hair spends far too much time massaging the lotion into your skin. Calm down, Buffalo Bill. She doesn’t need that much sun protection.

The only other girl there plucks the lotion bottle from Long Hair’s hands, much to Eddie’s relief, and Eddie turns his attention back to his boys. “You guys ready for the fireworks?” He tries to keep the enthusiasm in his voice. “Sun’s setting, so they’ll be starting soon.”

Ryan nods, chewing on a fry. “I wonder what colors they’ll have,” he muses.

“Well, I wonder what would happen if I sat on a firework!” Luke pipes up with a mouthful of burger. “Like, would I fly into the sky? Or would it blow up in my butt?”

Eddie laughs loudly. “My money’s on the second one, little man.”

Your laughter floats over to Eddie on the breeze blowing off of the lake. He mentally berates himself, thinking of how he should be enjoying this family tradition with his boys and not be wondering if any of those guys you’re with are your boyfriend or if you’re sleeping with any of them or if…

“Daddy, what’s wrong?”

“Hmm?” Eddie looks up at Ryan’s worried face and frowns. “What do you mean?”

“Your lip,” Ryan says, pointing at the bottom half of his father’s face. “You were chewing on it, and it started bleeding.”

“Silly me,” Eddie says with a forced chuckle. He grabs one of the napkins from the Burger King bag and dabs at his lower lip. Luke has shifted to watch a game of volleyball happening on a court that someone set up and it gives Eddie the opportunity to scoot closer between his boys, so his back is to you and your friends. Maybe now he’ll be able to focus.

It works for a while. The three of them finish their burgers and Luke is immediately complaining that he’s still hungry. Eddie tells the five-year-old he has to wait and tries to play a game with them to distract his youngest son from his rumbling tummy before the fireworks start.

“Simon says put your hands on your head. Simon says give your brother a high five,” Eddie instructs as the boys eagerly await the next command. “Simon says stand up. Sit back down. Ah! I didn’t say ‘Simon says!’”

“I win!” Ryan cheers as Luke sprawls out on his beach towel with a groan. The familiar twinkling tune of an ice cream truck approaching has him bolting up, though.

“Ice cream?” Luke stands up and balances on his tippy toes to get a better view at the parking lot. When his suspicions are confirmed, he hops up and down. “Ice cream! Daddy, can we get some? Pleeeeease?”

“Okay, okay,” Eddie says as if it’s a hardship for him to indulge his boys when in reality he’d already planned on getting ice cream for them at some point tonight. “Get me some too, okay?”

“Cookies and cream?” Ryan asks, citing his dad’s favorite flavor.

“Atta boy,” Eddie says, handing him a ten-dollar bill. Luke starts to walk away and towards the truck, but Eddie stops him with an, “ah-ah-ah. It’s crowded here. I don’t want you to lose each other so hold your brother’s hand.” When Luke opens his mouth to respond, a frown creasing his forehead and his nose wrinkling up, Eddie halts the whining before it even happens. “Hold your brother’s hand.”

“Fine,” Luke huffs and offers his hand to Ryan in the most limp, unenthusiastic manner possible.

The two walk off and Eddie adjusts his position so he can keep an eye on his sons as they snake their way through the crowd and over to the ice cream truck that already has a line of a few kids in front of it. But from this new angle, Eddie can also see you out of the corner of his eye. A breath rushes out of him as if he’d been holding it since his eyes were last on you. Seeing you makes Eddie calmer and more tense at the same time. As always, your presence brings him comfort and happiness. But you’re with a bunch of guys your own age and the jealousy monster is rearing its ugly head like nobody’s business. Eddie looks down at his lap and his eye catches on his wedding ring, glinting in the fading sun.

“You’re a fucking hypocrite, Munson,” Eddie mumbles to himself.

Unable to not look in your direction—I swear to God she’s got something magnetic about her, he thinks—Eddie sees you gazing out over the lake. You raise your hand above your eyes to shield them from the bright, falling sun and look around the whole area where people have settled in to have fun. Eddie’s just about to look away, not wanting to risk being caught staring at you if you spot him, when he sees one of your guy friends walking over to you. It’s not Long Hair from before. This guy is shorter and as muscly as the other guy was scrawny. Eddie can hear him calling your name, but you must be too caught up in your thoughts to hear him. Muscles reaches out and touches your arm to get your attention. As if seeing him just touching you isn’t bad enough, Eddie watches as you turn around to face Muscles, but the guy still doesn’t take his hand off of you. The tanned, muscular hand is slowly moving down your arm and a knot grows in Eddie’s stomach. If this asshole takes your hand, Eddie feels like he might throw up the burger he’s barely started digesting.

Luckily, you move to walk back towards your group of friends before Muscles’s hand could reach yours. Eddie feels twenty pounds lighter. He turns back to look towards the parking lot and sees his sons approaching, Ryan holding an ice cream in each hand, and Luke holding one and holding onto the back of Ryan’s red t-shirt with the other hand. By the way his youngest son is rolling his eyes as they approach, Eddie realizes it was Ryan’s idea that Luke holds on to him.

Ryan hands Eddie his scoop of cookies and cream, plopping back down to enjoy the mint chip cone he’d bought for himself.

“DAD! OH MY GOD, DAD!!” Luke shouts, and Eddie nearly drops his cone.

“What? What’s wrong?”

Luke points down towards the left. “Look at that doggy! He’s so cute!” Sure enough, a middle-aged couple is walking a golden retriever along the lake. Both boys sit up a bit straighter and watch as the owners toss a tennis ball into the water and the dog eagerly paddles after it.

As Eddie’s heart rate steadies to a normal pace—seriously, he’s going to have to talk with Luke about using his “emergency voice” when it is not an emergency—he finds his gaze drifting back to you. He’s just in time to see Long Hair take the baseball cap from his own head and put it on top of yours. Eddie silently wills you to take it off, chuck it into the lake, set it on fire…but he’s utterly disappointed when you adjust it to your head and wear it proudly.

Would she wear something of mine if I gave it to her? He silently wonders. He’s so engrossed in whatever flirtatious games you’re playing that he barely hears his older son trying to get his attention.

“Daddy, your ice cream is leaking over the cone. Daddy! It’s getting runny and gonna drip! Daddy?”

“And whaddya keep looking that way for? The lake is that way!” Luke chimes in, face covered in cotton candy ice cream.

“Y-Yeah, sorry, guys,” Eddie mumbles, but he keeps his gaze locked on you. A blonde guy wearing a puka shell necklace like he’s on Hawaii Five-0 points to a beach volleyball net that’s just been vacated, and you and your friends follow him.

It’s two versus two; Muscles is serving as a referee for this game. You and Puka Shell are on a team, and Long Hair and the only other girl in your group stand on the other side of the net. You serve, the girl returns it, Puka Shell lobbies it to you, and you spike it back, surprising yourself.

Eddie clenches his fist until he feels the ice cream cone begin to break when your teammate wraps his arms around you in a hug. Jesus H. Christ, whatever happened to high-fives? But he knows that he’d envy any little touch these guys got from you.

He tries to distract himself, asking Ryan if he’s excited for his birthday, but he’s only half-listening.

“What do you want for a gift?” he asks, raising his eyebrows when his sons look at him curiously. “What?”

“I just said I wanted a new Lego set,” Ryan says. He’s not annoyed, just confused. “Are you feeling okay, Daddy?”

“Maybe he has scurvy,” Luke suggests, “like the pirates in that movie we watched.”

“‘M fine,” Eddie reassures them. It takes a second for him to register what Luke’s suggested. “Did you just say I had scurvy?”

There’s no time for Luke to elaborate—not that Eddie necessarily wants him to—before your joyous squeal filters through the air. It seems as though you and Puka Shell won the game, because he’s twirling you around triumphantly.

Does she want him picking her up? Touching her? Eddie’s inner monologue runs wild. Okay, she’s laughing and smiling, so that’s good. She’s fine with it; yeah, so that’s fine. Everything’s fine. We’re all fine here. She’s with her friends, I’m a married man here with my kids, and that’s all there is to it.

The whistle and boom of the first firework lighting the sky is a welcome distraction. Ryan lets out a gasp as he stares in awe of the red shooting through the dark sky. Luke scoots backwards and plops himself in Eddie’s lap. He leans against Eddie’s chest and lays his head back on his shoulder as he becomes engrossed in the spectacle. It’s been a while since Luke’s sat in his lap like this, so it brings a smile to Eddie’s face.

Mixtures of red, white, and blue fireworks crackle through the air, occasionally making shapes other than the usual spherical pattern that shimmies down. Eddie looks over at Ryan, who has a bright grin on his face. The red firework currently popping off leaves a scarlet shadow behind on his older son’s face. Beyond Ryan, Eddie glimpses a view of you watching the fireworks. You’re still with your friends, but you’re sitting a little bit in front of them with your legs crossed and your elbows resting on your knees. There’s a peaceful joy on your face and it makes Eddie’s heart give a few thumps harder than usual. Your friends behind you are talking but you couldn’t seem to care less about what they’re saying. You’re solely focused on the show in the sky. Eddie looks back at his kids and sees them just as mesmerized by the bursting colors. Luke snuggles back against his chest and Eddie is filled with warmth. He wraps his arms loosely around Luke and rests his head against his son’s smaller one as he looks up and joins in watching the celebration.

By the time the fireworks are done, Eddie’s pretty sure his hearing is damaged. Didn’t I used to play in a metal band? Jesus, I’m getting old. Luke springs up from his dad’s lap and Ryan stands up and stretches his arms out over his head, releasing a long yawn.

“How was that?” Eddie asks as he collects the beach towels they had been sitting on.

“So cool!” Luke says, jumping as if to emphasize his point.

“I like the ones that make the fizzy noises as they go out,” Ryan says as he picks up the empty Burger King bag and balls it up in his hands.

“My favorite are the ones that go pheeeeew,” Luke attempts to mimic the whistle, “then BANG!”

“What about you, Daddy?” Ryan asks.

“Hmm,” Eddie hums as he considers the question. “The ones that were shaped like circles. They looked pretty cool. Okay, now come on and take my hands, guys. It’s gonna be like a stampede getting out of here.” Eddie tucks the towels under one arm and offers a hand to each son.

They only make it about five steps before Luke is groaning. “It’s going to take forever to—hey! Look!”

Both Eddie and Ryan turn their heads to look in the direction that Luke is pointing. Eddie’s heart stalls in his chest. Luke’s grinning from ear to ear as he notices you walking with your friends. Ryan gives a gasp of delight when his eyes land on you as well.

“I’m gonna go say hi!” Luke exclaims, and he’s already halfway to you before Eddie can even open his mouth.

“Luke, I—ugh, shit.” Eddie mumbles the last part under his breath as he leads Ryan by the hand over to you and your friends. Luke is already in your arms by the time they get there.

“And then the red one went higher than all the others! And I think it had the loudest boom, too,” Luke is saying. You look up and the brightest smile lights up your face as you see Eddie and Ryan standing there.

“Hey, strangers,” you greet and Ryan dives in for a hug. You chuckle and wrap your arms around him too.

Long Hair is standing to the side, slightly closer to Eddie than he is to you, and the rest of your friends are behind you. He gives a small chuckle at the intensity of the hugs the kids give you before turning to Eddie and saying, “You want a hug, too?”

You jab Long Hair in the ribs with your elbow, but that only makes him chuckle more and wrap an arm around you to pull you back against him. This time, Eddie notices, you don’t have the same enthusiastic grin that you had earlier in the evening. It takes everything in his power not to pry you from his arms.

“I’ll see you guys on Monday, yeah?” you ask the Munson men, desperate to fill the silence.

“Usual time and place,” Eddie says. The words would usually be accompanied by a wink or a smirk, but something about being around these college guys is grating on his nerves and it’s the closest he’s felt to being intimidated since he was a senior in high school—the first time.

“Bye!” both boys call and wave at you before walking away with their dad. You wave in return, but it looks pitiful compared to their enthusiastic ones.

As soon as they’re out of earshot, you pull out of your friend's arm and spin around to face him. “Peter, do you ever shut up?”

“Calm down,” Peter says, exhaling a sound that’s a mixture of a laugh and a scoff. “This guy’s old enough to be your dad.”

Tony smirks and rests a muscled arm on Paul’s shoulder. “Maybe she’s into the whole ‘daddy’ thing.”

The eye roll you give them is involuntary. “You guys are assholes!”

Turning on your flip flop heel, you spin in the other direction and jog a bit until you catch up with Eddie and the boys.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Paul asks.

A soft, gentle hand lands on Eddie’s shoulder and he looks back to see you offering him an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry if my friends were weird…and I’m sorry if I’m making this weirder.”

Eddie’s entire demeanor changes; despite having to watch you flirt with those douchebags—and then being mocked by them—he can’t help but soften towards you. “Nah, Sweetheart, you’re good. Be safe tonight, okay?” Be safe? Seriously, Munson? What are you, her grandpa?

You don’t seem to notice the way he bites his tongue, trying to quell the surge of embarrassment. “I always am,” you say reassuringly. “See you Monday?”

Eddie nods as you turn around to head back to your friends, utterly oblivious to the way your natural beauty outshines the brightest firework tonight. You’re everything he could ever want, but you’re young and gorgeous with a million better prospects than an old married man.

He takes one last look at you before he brings the boys to the car. The passenger seat is empty, and he wears a sad smile when he thinks about you sitting there, excitedly chatting with him and the kids about the evening. Eddie would rest his hand on your thigh while he drives back home, and once Ryan and Luke are sound asleep, you and Eddie could make some fireworks of your own.

Shaking his head, Eddie pulls out from the parking spot and braces himself for the holiday traffic. He grumbles some swear words under his breath, flicking on the radio to the first station that doesn’t have commercials.

“…say I’m not so tough, just because I’m in love with an uptown girl.”

He leans back in his seat and taps out the rhythm on the steering wheel. Funny, he’s never really been a Billy Joel fan, but something about this song reminds him of—

“Dad! Luke’s looking at me!”

“He looked at me first!”

“Both of you close your eyes,” Eddie orders. He can’t see whether or not they listened, but the squabbling stopped, so he’ll consider it a victory.

“Uptown girl, she’s my uptown girl…”

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x y/n #older!eddie #eddie munson fic #eddie munson fan fiction #eddie munson fanfic #AYW #AYWs

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nameless-ken · 1 month

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Silent Confessions, Loud Masks - Billy Hargrove x Reader Series

(Please reblog!!!)

Happy reading! Comment below to be added to taglist.

Word Count: 4.5K

Warnings: attempted SA (sexual assault, Please don't read if it makes you uncomfortable!!), cursing, angst (what's new lol) but also some fluff

Masterlist

(song for this chapter <3)

As you huddle in the warmth of your cozy home, the chill of Thanksgiving break seeping through the windows, you absentmindedly wrap yourself tighter in your favorite blanket. The silence around you is palpable, the absence of familial chatter of Robin and the broodiness of Billy, a stark reminder of your solitude. Amidst it, a gentle knock on the door stirs you from your warmth.

Surprised, you rise from your spot on the couch, padding softly to the door. Your curiosity piqued, you swing it open to reveal a delivery person, holding a box adorned with a ribbon and a note. Confusion clouds your features momentarily until you notice the handwriting on the note—Robin's unmistakable scrawl.

The realization that you forgot your own birthday feels like a heavy weight pressing down on your chest, a fact that had momentarily slipped your mind in the whirlwind of the events that happened recently. A grin spreads across your face as you thank the delivery person, shutting your door and settling back onto the couch. You carefully untie the ribbon and open the box to reveal a dozen delectable cupcakes, each one a miniature work of art.

As you read Robin's note, you can’t help but miss her more. She may be miles away visiting family, but her thoughtful gesture bridges the distance, promising a girl's night upon her return. With newfound anticipation, you grab one of the cupcakes, placing the rest on the coffee table, the sweetness lifting your spirits.

As you sit there, surrounded by the aroma of freshly baked cupcakes, memories of birthdays past flood your mind like a cherished photo album. You recall the joyful chaos of childhood parties, the house brimming with laughter and the sound of wrapping paper being torn apart in excitement. Each year, your mom made sure your birthday was a day to remember, despite the holiday overlap every seven years. Her creativity knew no bounds, and she had a knack for making you feel like the most special little girl in the world.

A pang of longing tugs at your heartstrings as you wish, not for the first time, that she were here with you now. Perhaps your sister would surprise you with a visit, or your dad would remember and transform the house into a haven of celebration once more. You yearn for the warmth that used to permeate every corner of your home, for the simple joy of being surrounded by loved ones.

You long to reach out to Billy, to hear his comforting voice and feel the warmth of his presence, even if it's just over the phone. You know he's at home, probably looking after Max, just as he always does. But a barrier, of your own making, stands between you.

You've locked him out, shutting him off from your world, from the whirlwind of conflicting emotions that churn within you. Despite his efforts to reach out, his notes and attempts at communication remain unanswered, like prayers whispered into the void. Each morning that last three weeks, you found his messages waiting for you, tucked away in your locker, pleading for a response that you couldn’t bring yourself to give.

Even his calls to your home go unanswered, the phone ringing in the empty silence of your home as you sit in paralyzed stillness, unable to break free from the walls you've built around yourself. The thought of being vulnerable with him again, of exposing the raw truth of your feelings, fills you with a potent mixture of fear and longing.

As you stand in the kitchen, the rhythmic clatter of pots and pans providing a semblance of normalcy, the sound of the front door opening interrupts your thoughts. Your dad's arrival is accompanied by the heavy footsteps of his friend, John, a familiar presence that fills you with a sense of unease.

John's visits are a regular occurrence, and while you've grown accustomed to his company over time, there's always been an underlying discomfort that lingers there. His leering gaze and inappropriate comments never fail to send shivers down your spine, and you've learned to keep your distance whenever he's around.

With a resigned sigh, you continue preparing dinner, keeping your focus trained on the task at hand as your dad and John settle into the living room. The muffled sounds of their conversation drift through the walls, punctuated by bursts of laughter and the clinking of beer bottles.

You retreat to the safety of your room, barricading yourself behind closed doors to drown out the noise of their revelry and trying to remember the times when your dad didn’t forget your birthday.

The next morning arrives with a deceptive calmness, the remnants of yesterday’s solemn fading into the background as you tentatively step into the kitchen to make breakfast. The stale scent of alcohol lingers in the air. You assume both your dad and John have left, their presence no longer weighing heavily on the atmosphere.

As you begin to prepare breakfast, your fingers moving through the motions of routine, your heart skips a beat when John's voice cuts through the silence. Startled, you turn to find him lingering in the corner of the kitchen, his presence like a dark shadow cast over the room.

“Your dad went to pick up coffee. It’s out.” He points to the empty coffee pot in your hand.

“Thanks.” You say politely, even though your instincts are screaming at you to keep your guard up.

Your muscles tense as John inches closer, his predatory gaze roving over you in a way that makes your skin crawl.

“I’ve never seen a woman wake up looking so beautiful.” A knot forms in the pit of your stomach as he begins to shower you with compliments, his words dripping with insincerity.

“I have a boyfriend.” The false mention of a boyfriend falls from your lips like a feeble shield, but it's futile against his relentless advance.

Ignoring your attempt to establish boundaries, John leans in closer, invading your personal space. His breath, stale with the scent of cigarettes and alcohol, sends a shiver down your spine.

“Does he make you feel as desired as I could?” His voice is low, dripping with a mixture of arrogance and lust. He pins you against the counter. Panic rises within you as his hands close in, his touch sending waves of revulsion coursing through your body.

“Stop, please.” You recoil from his foul breath, his vulgar words twisting like knives in your ears.

“Come on, don’t be like that,” he coaxes, his grip tightening slightly.

“I said no,” you say, your tone firm and resolute. There’s a flicker of something dark in John’s eyes, a flash of anger that sends a chill down your spine.

Your attempts to push him away are futile as he overpowers you, his grip like iron as he twists your arms and bends you over the counter. The weight of his body presses against you, suffocating you with its presence. Fear and desperation grip you in equal measure as you struggle against his advances, you shout but he covers your mouth with one hand.

“Screaming won’t help you, sweetie. I actually like that.”

Summoning every ounce of strength you possess, you lash out with a ferocity born of desperation, delivering a swift and decisive blow that catches him off guard. His grip falters, giving you the opening you need to break free.

With adrenaline coursing through your veins, you flee from the suffocating confines of the kitchen, your feet pounding against the floor as you race towards the door. Tears blur your vision as you stumble into the unforgiving embrace of the outside world, your breath coming in ragged gasps.

You slow your pace as you put distance between yourself and the nightmare that still haunts you, the weight of what just transpired settling heavily upon your shoulders. Collapsing to the ground, your body racked with sobs, you allow yourself a moment of vulnerability, the tears flowing freely as you confront the harrowing reality of what just occurred.

But even in the depths of despair, a glimmer of determination flickers within you. With trembling hands and a heart heavy with sorrow, you rise to your feet, drawing upon a reservoir of strength you didn't know you possessed. There's only one person you can turn to now, one beacon of hope in the darkness that threatens to consume you whole. And so, with tear-stained cheeks and a resolve born of desperation, you set off towards the one place where you know you'll find solace, the one person you miss more than anything in this world.

You notice Billy's dad's car parked in the driveway, signaling his presence in the house. With a mixture of relief and desperation, you carefully approach his bedroom window, your heart pounding in your chest. Peering inside, you catch sight of Billy, reclining on his bed with a magazine in hand, seemingly lost in thought.

A soft tap on the glass draws his attention, his gaze snapping to the window before settling on you. Without hesitation, he rises from his bed, a look of concern etched across his features as he lifts the glass pane, inviting you inside.

"Y/N, what's happened?" His voice is laced with worry as he takes in your disheveled appearance, his eyes searching yours for answers.

"Can I come in?" you ask, your voice barely above a whisper, your throat tight with emotion. Billy extends his hand, offering you support as you clamber over the window sill, his touch grounding you in the moment.

You stand before him, trembling with a mixture of fear and relief, unwilling to let go of him as if he's your lifeline in a sea of uncertainty. His gentle hands cup your face, his touch warm against your skin as he guides you closer.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he murmurs, his breath stirring the strands of hair that cling to your tear-stained cheeks. "Come here, you're freezing." With a tender gesture, he leads you to his bed, his comforting presence a source of solace in the midst of turmoil.

As he helps you into one of his sweaters, the fabric enveloping you in a cocoon of warmth, you instinctively lean into him, seeking refuge in his embrace. His steady heartbeat echoes in your ears as you bury your head against his chest, finding comfort in the rhythmic cadence of his breathing.

"Want to talk about it?" he asks, his voice barely a whisper against your ear. With a shaky breath, you gather the courage to voice the horrors that still haunt you, the words tumbling from your lips in a torrent of pain and fear.

"One of my dad's friends stayed over last night," you begin, your voice trembling with emotion. "H-He was still there this morning. My dad was g-gone and he tried...he tried to..." Your voice falters as tears stream down your face once more, the memory too painful to bear.

"I'll kill him," Billy's voice is a low growl, his body stiffening beneath you as anger courses through his veins. You meet his gaze, seeing the fierce determination in his eyes, the silent promise of protection that he offers without hesitation.

You hold onto Billy tighter, his warmth and protective embrace providing you comfort.

"Billy, please," your voice trembles with fear and vulnerability. "I don't want you to do anything. I just needed to be here, with you."

He takes a deep breath, his grip on you softening slightly as he tries to reign in his emotions. "I'm sorry," he murmurs, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "I just... I hate seeing you hurt like this."

“Is it okay if I stay? Will your dad get mad?” You slip your small, cold hand into his large, warm one, warmth spread through your fingers at his touch.

Billy's eyes soften as he looks at you, his heart breaking at the thought of you enduring such pain. He squeezes your hand gently, offering you a reassuring smile despite the turmoil raging inside him.

"Of course, you can stay," he says tenderly. “I’ll deal with my dad if he finds out.”

Relief washes over you like a gentle wave as you settle against him, enveloped in the warmth of his embrace. His words offer solace, a reassurance that you're not alone in this tumultuous moment.

"Thank you, B," you whisper, glancing up at him. "I don't know what I'd do without you." Billy tucks a strand of loose hair behind your ear, his thumb caressing your cheek.

"Thank you for coming to me," he murmurs, his eyes reflecting the depth of his emotions.

"I've missed you," you confess, the weight of unspoken words finally finding a voice. "I'm sorry for ignoring you. It was-"

"Don't apologize," Billy interrupts, his expression softening with understanding. "I understand why you did. I'm sorry for being such an asshole and ruining what we have between us. I understand if you don't want anything to do with me anymore. I just want to make this right, with you."

"Billy, I've only ever felt such hurt once in my life, and that was when my mom died," you admit, vulnerability coloring your words. "I've never loved anyone else more besides my mom until you came along."

Billy's eyes widen at your confession, his own emotions swirling beneath the surface.

“I’m sorry if that’s weird for you but I’ve been feeling this for a while now and I just can’t hold it in anymore. You make me feel safe and-”

Before you can finish your sentence, Billy's lips capture yours in a passionate kiss, igniting a firestorm of emotions within you. You find yourself instinctively moving closer on his lap, your hands tangling in his hair and his hands taking place on your hips. When you finally pull away, breathless and flushed, Billy's gaze holds a mixture of adoration and desire.

"Don't hide your face, little mouse," he whispers, his thumb tracing your cheek gently.

"You make me flustered." You laugh softly, the tension melting away as Billy kisses you through those words and mumble against your lips.

"You fluster me more, sweetheart." He trails kisses against your neck. “You take up a part of my heart that no one else will ever fill.”

You shiver at the sensation of his lips on your skin, feeling every word he speaks reverberate through your body. It's as if each touch is etching his declaration into your very soul.

"I never knew love could feel like this," you murmur, your fingers tracing patterns along the back of his neck as you nestle closer to him, wanting to memorize every contour of his body.

Billy's arms tighten around you, pulling you impossibly closer until there's no space left between you. "Me neither," he admits, his voice husky with emotion. "But I'm glad we found it together."

In that moment, you realize that despite the pain and hardships you've faced, love has a way of healing even the deepest wounds. And as you melt into each other's embrace, you know that this love will carry you through.

When morning comes, you wake to the soft light filtering through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. Stretching lazily, you turn to find Billy still asleep beside you, his features relaxed in the gentle embrace of sleep.

With a tender smile, you brush a strand of hair away from his face, savoring the quiet intimacy of the moment. The events of the previous night still linger in your mind, you shake the nauseous feeling rising in your throat as you cuddle closer to Billy.

"Morning," Billy's hoarse voice breaks the silence of the morning, and you lift your head from his chest, a smile lighting up your face as you meet his gaze.

"Morning," you mumble softly, the warmth of his sleepy eyes soothing your soul.

“That was probably one of the best sleeps I’ve had in a long time.” A yawn escapes Billy as he stretches, his muscles flexing beneath the sheets.

“For me too. I’d love to stay here with you all day but I don’t think your dad would approve.” You joke, sitting up slightly, staring down at him.

“You’re so pretty.” He speaks before he even realizes what he said. You can’t help the smile that takes over your lips.

“I could say the same about you.” You whisper, pressing a kiss against his lips, melting into his warmth again.

Billy deepens the kiss, pulling you closer underneath his blanket. Your heartbeat fills the silence of his bedroom as you continue making out until you hear a door close down the hall.

“I should get going.” You pull away, breathless.

"Let me make an appearance for my dad to see, and I'll meet you out front," Billy offers, rising from the bed and holding his hand out to you. You take it, standing tall as he pulls you into a warm embrace, showering you with more kisses.

He helps you out his window and you quietly make your way around to the front of the house, the morning air crisp and refreshing. Billy's sleek sports car sits waiting, and you slide into the passenger seat, shutting the door with a soft click.

As Billy rushes out of the front door, keys jingling in his hand. He smiles as he notices you in the car, sliding into the driver's seat and starting the engine. With a smooth maneuver, he backs out of the driveway, the familiar rumble of the engine a comforting sound.

"Can we stop at my place? I really need to change my clothes," you can't help but feel a surge of nerves at the thought of going back to your own place. But with Billy by your side, the fear eases, replaced by a sense of reassurance.

“Sure but if that asshole is there, I can’t promise what I’ll do.” Billy lights a cigarette, rolling down his window so the smoke doesn’t get trapped in since he knows you hate when he smokes.

Billy pulls into your drive and you swallow the lump in your throat but it settles since the driveway is clear of any other cars. Billy grabs your hand as you make your way to the front door, keeping you close to him.

As you unlock and open the door, silence is all you hear from inside.

“Noone’s here.” You inform Billy, hurriedly going to your bedroom to change.

“What’s up with the full box of cupcakes?” Billy questions as you walk back out to the living room.

“Oh, those were from Robin,” you pause, remembering your birthday. “She sent them to me for my birthday since she’s out of town.”

“It’s your birthday?” Billy looks at you concerned.

“Two days ago.”

“Shit, I’m sorry I didn’t know.” He walks over, capturing you in a hug, kissing the top of your head.

“Not your fault. I don’t think I ever told you, so no need to apologize.” You step back and grab his hand, pulling him out the front door again.

“Now, please, let’s get some food. I’m starving!” Billy revs his Camaro and speeds off fast.

As you arrive at the restaurant where you work and are greeted warmly by Mary.

"Hello there, darling! Belated birthday wishes to you!" Mary exclaims, enveloping you in a hug as she leads you and Billy towards a cozy booth.

"Thank you, Mary," you reply with a genuine smile, taking a seat while Billy settles in beside you.

"And who might this handsome fellow be?" Mary raises an eyebrow with an amused expression.

"This is Billy, my..." you start to say.

"Boyfriend, ma'am," Billy interjects, extending his hand to shake Mary's.

"Well, isn't that lovely," Mary chuckles softly. "Just know, Billy, if you ever hurt her, I'll have to come after you." She adds the threat in a playful tone.

"No worries, ma'am. I'll make sure she's safe," Billy assures with a glance at you, eliciting a smile and a flutter in your stomach as his hand gently squeezes your thigh.

"Excellent! Now, what can I get you two? It's on the house," Mary offers.

You place your orders and settle against the booth. You rest your head against Billy’s shoulder as he grabs the ashtray on the table, lighting another cigarette. You can tell by the way he’s fidgeting and biting at his lip, that something is bothering him.

"Is everything alright?" you whisper.

He looks down at you, his eyes searching. "Can you tell me the guy's name?" he asks quietly.

You sigh, relenting. "John Bellmore. He works at the steel factory where my dad used to work."

Billy nods, taking a drag from his cigarette. "I understand what you're feeling, but promise me you won't do anything reckless," you plead.

Billy takes a moment to exhale a puff of smoke before meeting your gaze with a determined look. "I can’t promise that but I will promise to keep you safe," he says solemnly, reaching for your hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

You nod but are still worried about what might happen if Billy confronts John. The tension in the air feels palpable as you both sit in silence, lost in your own thoughts.

Mary returns with your orders, breaking the heavy atmosphere with her cheerful demeanor. "Here you go, dears. Enjoy your meal," she says, placing the plates on the table with a smile.

"Thank you, Mary," you say, mustering a smile despite the unease lingering in your mind.

As Mary walks away, you turn back to Billy, noticing the intensity in his eyes as he stares off into the distance. "Promise me you won't do anything rash," you repeat, hoping to ease the tension between you.

"I won't let anyone hurt you." Billy reassures you again, his voice softening as he reaches over, hand resting on your cheek, leaning in for a kiss. “I will do everything in my power to not let anyone hurt you in any way ever again. Please just take that as my promise.”

You nod, grateful for his protectiveness but also worried about the consequences it might bring. Deep down, you know that confronting John could escalate the situation, but you also can't shake the fear of it happening again.

You finish dinner, thanking Mary again, before heading out of the restaurant.

“How about I make it up to you for not knowing it was your birthday and take you to get some ice cream?” Billy opens the passenger door for you, helping you in.

"Now that's the way to win me over. You're catching on, Hargrove," you playfully tease as he settles into the driver's seat.

Billy chuckles as he starts the car, glancing over at you with a playful smirk. "There’s more to come," he winks, before pulling out of the parking lot and heading towards the nearest ice cream shop.

Hawkins High bustles with the excited chatter of students sharing tales of their holiday break. You enter, feeling a knot of nerves in your stomach, uncertain how Billy will act around you after referring to himself as your boyfriend.

“Y/N!” Suddenly, Robin crashes into you with a hug, nearly sending you tumbling.

“Robin! I've missed you,” you exclaim, returning the embrace, a smile instantly lighting up your face.

“I can’t believe my parents made me miss your birthday this year. I feel terrible,” Robin says as you both walk together towards her locker.

“It's okay, really. And thanks again for the cupcakes. They were amazing!” you reply gratefully.

“We're still on for our girls' night tonight, right? I hope you didn’t forget,” Robin reminds you.

“Actually, I have something to tell you,” you begin, but before you can finish, Billy appears, casually draping his arm around your waist and leaning his chin on your shoulder. “Hey there, little mouse,” he says in a teasing tone.

"OMG! There’s no way!" Robin gasps, her eyes widening in disbelief.

You exchange a sheepish glance with Robin, feeling a flush of embarrassment creeping up your cheeks. Billy's sudden display of affection catches you off guard, and you struggle to find the right words to explain the situation.

"Uh, yeah, um..." You stammer, unsure how to address Robin's obvious surprise.

Billy chuckles softly, giving you a reassuring squeeze before addressing Robin with a smirk. "Surprise, surprise," he says, his tone laced with amusement.

"I thought we despised him?" Robin crosses her arms, recalling the fallout from the incident involving him and Heather.

"Listen," Billy straightens up, his hand still gently resting on your waist as he addresses Robin directly. "I know I messed up big time with our friend, but I swear I'll never hurt her again."

Robin's gaze shifts between the two of you, seeking reassurance in your eyes. You offer a small smile and a nod, silently confirming Billy's words. Robin sighs, a sense of resignation washing over her.

"Fine, but just know that if you ever break that promise, I won't hesitate to kick your ass," she warns, her tone firm but laced with a hint of underlying concern.

The bell for first period rings and you say goodbye to Robin as she walks in the opposite direction. You can’t help but glance around at all the eyes on you as Billy hasn’t removed his hands from you, sliding his hand in the back pocket of your jeans.

“Don’t mind them, little mouse.” He moves plants a kiss to your head, smirking as the various students whisper and gasp.

“What’s up Hargrove?” Tommy and Carol intercept your path before you make it to class. “Slumming it now?”

You shoot a withering glare at Tommy and Carol, but Billy steps forward, his posture exuding confidence.

"Watch your mouth, Tommy," Billy warns, his voice low and threatening. "Or you'll regret it."

Tommy scoffs, but Carol pulls at his arm, urging him to back down. "Come on, Tommy, let's not start anything."

“I’m so tired of that shithead.” Billy lets out a frustrated sigh as he guides you towards your first class.

“Why do you put up with them anyway?”

“They were just there. Never really thought about who I hang with until you came along.” Billy reflects, pausing by the classroom door.

“Now you’re stuck with me.” You smile jokingly.

With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Billy leans in closer, his lips hovering just inches from yours. The hallway fades into the background as his touch ignites a warmth within you. Without hesitation, you close the distance, meeting his lips in a tender kiss.

For a moment, everything else melts away—the whispers, the stares, the drama of Hawkins High. It's just you and Billy, lost in the sweet embrace of each other's lips.

“I don’t want anything else.” Billy says as you pull away, a soft smile dances on his lips, his gaze fixed on you with a newfound fondness. “I’ll see you later, little mouse.”

You detach, unwillingly heading into the classroom with every pair of eyes practically burning holes into you but all you can do is smile the whole way to your seat.

Taglist:@msbillyhargrove @uselessbutinteresting @milestellergfs @ghostcastaway @missingbillyhargrove @lotionlamp @billys-pretty-babe @isimpfortoomanypeople @rosey96 @girlwifteef @miheartsedthings @empathyroad @notzoey @iletmytittiestitty-russ @the-ch0sen-on3 @coral021 @fossface @vicurious28

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astrronomemes · 1 month

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LADY BIRD: STARTERS

a collection of quotes, phrases, and sayings from the 2017 film Lady Bird. change & alter as needed.

"I wish I could live through something."

"Okay, fine, yours is the worst life of all. You win."

"You should just go to city college, with your work ethic. City college, and then to jail, and then back to city college. Maybe you'd learn how to pull yourself up and not expect everyone to do everything for you."

"You have a performative streak, I think."

"Everyone who auditioned got in. The part I got was basically me not getting in."

"That's something rich people do. We are not rich people."

"Oh, yeah, I remember you! You were wearing that dress."

"I just don't get why I'm not good at math. My dad is really good at math."

"Have you ever been out of the country?"

"Why do you care what I do to my clothes?"

"My mom is always mad. It doesn't matter if I get home late. She'd be mad at me anyway."

"I think we're done with the learning portion of high school."

"I think [name] wants to make an entrance. She's mad we don't have a spiral staircase."

"What the hell is in that duffel bag?!"

"How do you know when it's working?"

"Your mom was really sad you weren't here tonight for Thanksgiving."

"Do you need money for the applications? Because I can help with that, too."

"I'm not paying you to flirt!"

"Yeah, sex is not a big deal. It's just that my mom called during it."

"Don't worry. I'm not gonna snitch on you."

"The government didn't have to put tracking devices on us. We bought them and put them on ourselves."

"You are actually fucking evil. What is wrong with you?"

"When do you think is a normal time to have sex?"

"Being successful doesn't mean anything in and of itself. It just means that you're successful."

"You can't do anything unless you're the center of attention, can you?"

"Yeah, well, you know your mom's tits? They're fake. Totally fake."

"Just because something looks ugly doesn't mean that it's morally wrong."

"You give me a number for how much it cost to raise me, and I'm going to get older and make a lot of money, and write you a check for what I owe you, so that I never have to speak to you again."

"I don't even sort of understand why somebody would lie about that."

"You're going to have so much un-special sex in your life."

"Don't you think maybe they're the same thing? Love and attention?"

"I just wish... I wish that you liked me."

"I want you to be the very best version of yourself you can be."

"You aren't going to get in the car with a guy who honks, are you?"

"I'm just crying. Some people aren't built happy, you know?"

"I'm going to miss the fuck out of you."

"Please, [name], please, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I appreciate everything you've done for me."

"I wanted to tell you, but we weren't really talking when it happened."

#rp meme #roleplay meme #rp memes #roleplay memes #dialogue memes #dialogue prompts #dialogue starters #ask memes #ask meme #inbox memes #inbox meme #sentence prompts #sentence memes #sentence starters

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otdiaftg · 7 months

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The Raven King - Chapter Ten

Day: Saturday, November 4th Time: 12:05 PM EST

"I'm two seconds away from being dead," Nicky said. "Mom just called to wish Andrew and Aaron a happy birthday." "And that's a bad thing?" Matt asked. Nicky gaped at Matt, but surprise quickly washed away his disbelief. He rubbed the back of his neck in obvious discomfort. Neil expected him to laugh it off. The cousins' first response to personal problems was to close ranks against the upperclassmen. Nicky might not like it, but he'd done it time and time again throughout the season. It caught both Neil and Matt off-guard when Nicky actually answered. "Uh, yeah," Nicky hedged. "We don't really talk to my family, you know? Dad hasn't said a word to me since he found out Erik's more than just my best friend. Mom calls on Christmas to see if I've returned to God and disconnects when I tell her no. I don't think Aaron's spoken to them since Aunt Tilda's funeral, and Andrew avoids them like they're a contagious disease. He and Dad didn't hit it off too well when they met at juvie." "It couldn't have gone that badly," Matt said. "I mean, your dad supported his early release, right?" "Yeah, but." Nicky fidgeted. "Why did she call, really?" Neil asked. "To invite us home for Thanksgiving dinner." "And?" "And I hung up on her!" Nicky flailed at him. "What else was I supposed to do? I couldn't tell her no, could I?" "You were supposed to say yes," Matt said. "What the hell, Nicky?" "It's not that easy." Nicky sounded miserable. "Offer's contingent on Aaron and Andrew going, too. Mom made that clear. There's no way Andrew will agree." "You never know until you try," Matt said. "I don't think you understand how much Andrew hates my parents," Nicky said.

Art used with permission by Lunapiq. Thank you @lunapiq!

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gaelic-symphony · 6 months

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A Year in the Life: November

Twelve vignettes from the married life of Tara Lewis and Emily Prentiss, written for the Year of the OTP writing challenge.

A week late because...*gestures vaguely at the state of everything*

Prompt: Be careful what you wish for. Also part of @imagining-in-the-margins' office party writing challenge.

Words: 794

Warnings: none

Read on AO3 or below the cut

Emily looked at the calendar on the wall in the kitchen and noticed that Thanksgiving was only a few weeks away.

“Hey, babe,” she called out to her wife in the other room, “Are we doing Thanksgiving with your family again this year?”

“No, I don’t think so,” Tara replied without looking up from her newspaper, “My dad’s flying out to California to see Gabriel, and since Aunt Thelma moved into assisted living, she can’t really host us all anymore.”

“Oh, okay,” Emily said, “Um, well, I guess now that my mom’s back in the country we could do Thanksgiving with her, but…” Emily didn’t even need to finish that sentence; Tara knew that holidays with Elizabeth ranked pretty low on the list of Emily’s favorite things.

“I thought we might just have a low-key dinner just the two of us,” Tara said, “You know, we’ve been working so hard lately, it might be nice to have some quiet time to ourselves.”

“Yeah, that could be nice,” Emily nodded, but Tara could hear the disappointment in her voice. She thought of how many holidays Emily had spent alone and felt a pang of guilt.

Tara came from a large extended family, and even when her father’s military service took them abroad, they lived on military bases where the other Americans stationed overseas treated them like family. She took for granted having a place to go for Thanksgiving or Christmas, because it was always a given. Emily didn’t grow up like that. She was an only child who spent too much time living abroad to become close with what little extended family she did have, and her mother’s work meant she moved around so often that she never got to build any strong community ties. She didn’t have childhood memories of big Thanksgiving dinners, all the aunts and uncles and cousins gathered around a turkey, fighting over who got to break the wishbone.

But they had a family now, the BAU family, and Emily didn’t need to spend her holidays alone anymore. Matt and Kristy were more than happy to set two extra places at their Thanksgiving table, and Emily would get to spend the holiday in a house full of love and laughter and rambunctious kids. On Thanksgiving Day, they arrived at the Simmons house bearing a pecan pie (Tara’s contribution to the meal) and a bottle of wine (Emily’s contribution). No sooner had they stepped inside and shed their coats than the five Simmons children came running to the door to greet them.

“Emily!” David cried, hurling himself against her with a forceful hug that nearly knocked her backwards.

Tara felt a sticky little hand slip into hers, and she looked down to see Rose’s little face looking up at her expectantly.

�� “Come see my turkey picture, Auntie Tara!” Rose said, pulling on Tara’s hand and leading her into the playroom.

Matt’s mom had flown in from Michigan, and Kristy’s parents had come over early that morning to help with getting dinner ready and wrangling the children. Her brother and sister-in-law came over that afternoon, bringing two more kids of their own. When dinner was ready, they all sat down to a long table set for sixteen which was absolutely jam packed with serving dishes of turkey and a whole host of Thanksgiving sides. It looked like it could feed an entire army. There’s no way this all gets eaten, Emily thought, naïvely.

This was unlike any Thanksgiving dinner Emily had ever been to before. Tara had a big family, but Thanksgiving at Aunt Thelma’s was never this loud, this boisterous, this joyfully chaotic. Dishes were passed around the table in never-ending cycles, and chatter seemed to come from every direction. Occasionally someone would knock something over or drop something or spill something, and everyone would leap up from their chairs to clean up the mess. Jake spilled gravy on Emily’s sleeve, but in all the commotion of the Thanksgiving table, she barely even noticed. The whole evening was such a whirlwind of food and family and noise that she barely even noticed that they finished off the entire turkey. No being sent home with a tote bag full of leftovers this time.

When Tara and Emily finally got back to their quiet, empty house, Emily flopped down on the couch with a happy sigh. Tara climbed onto the couch and curled up next to her.

“Mmmm, quiet at last,” Emily said with a slight chuckle.

“Those kids wore you out, huh?” Tara teased.

“There’s so many of them!” Emily laughed.

“You’re the one who wanted a big family Thanksgiving dinner…”

“I know,” Emily said, “And I loved it.”

“Good.”

“But…maybe next year a low-key night to ourselves wouldn’t be so bad, either.”

#criminal minds #fanfiction #emily prentiss #tara lewis #temily #otp #yotp 2023

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fatedtruths · 5 months

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seasons greetings and festive card for @firstscn , with lavender in the envelope and caught up in the red and gold wax seal ----everything is careful and hand done, because henry fox feels the importance in cards sent to people he cares for .

[ INSIDE COVER ]

By the time you see this I imagine you are set and ready for Christmas. Last we spoke, your parents and Leo hadn't decided yet if you were going to be celebrating in California or in the White House, however you mentioned that your dad was flying into Washington so I feel like this is a good bet.

I still don't understand Thanksgiving and quite frankly I refuse to try, regardless, I hope that that went well also.

I fear it would entertain you far too much to tell you what I have discovered Bea has gotten me for Christmas so, instead, I will tell you that we have worked together to get what is possibly the most ghastly Christmas jumper for Philip. Now we just have to work with Martha to ensure he has no other shirts with him for the holidays. Afterall, we require some entertainment when we are dragged to the church service at Balmoral on Christmas morning.

Mostly, I wish to thank you for your friendship over the last few months. I understand how I am not always the easiest person to converse with, in no small part that the time difference between us can make it frustrating at best. Truthfully, there are not many people who are willing to put up with me past the closeness that it brings them to the crown. Only Percy indulges my interests and fascinations, at least until you indulged me as well. And so far, you are the only person who has ever called me to talk about a turkey at three in the morning. Is it entirely inappropriate of me to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed it? No one ever experiences something in their life and thinks of a Prince of England to share that with ---at least, nobody until you.

If it matters, I am writing this now a few hours after we ended that phone call in particular, does Cornbread still know all your sins? I hope I have read the situation correct this time, and that we are not indeed still archenemies? Please correct me if I am wrong.

I've included a photo of David in his brand new Christmas jumper. He is very proud of it, as he should be, and I thought you would appreciate it.

[ MAIN PAGE ]

Dear Alex

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR .(Pez has taken to choosing my tie for your awful New Year's party, you better appreciate it or I shall only ever wear grey ones going forward. He also asks me to thank you for an invite, even though I reminded him that his invitation was a prerequisite for my attendance. Are you sure the CIA could not orchestrate my death instead?)

Warmest Regards, Henry (& David 🐾)

#firstscn #[ seasons greetings 2023 ]#[ HENRY — answered questions ]#henry surprising alex with a christmas card before that first new years !!!#[ queue. ]

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the-squishy-scrimblo · 6 months

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Happy thanksgiving !TW!

Is what I would say if it was actually happy. I have some bad news, and I regards one of my closest friends. Don’t read further if you’re uncomfortable with irl death and overdoses and drugs and all of that stuff.

So here’s what happened today. My Friend, S, is a very close friend of mine. I see him like a brother sometimes, due to teh bullshit we’ve been through with each other. And well, sometimes he wants to be alone and I let him be alone.

But now, I want to help him more than ever, because his mom overdosed this morning. I felt so bad, because I know what it’s like to loose a parent, and see them like it. Because, when I was little, my brother called 911 and I stood there, watching my mother get taken away on a stretcher coughing. That day, was 3 days before my 4 birthday.

It’s been years since she’s died, but I still have memories of her, and every time I look at her grave, I cry. Because she was amazing in every memory. She died from a heart disease that runs in our family, notorious for killing the woman, so I have to be on look out as well.

But enough of my sob story, S. He deserves everything, and I just can’t sit here for a minute, wishing I could help. I need to be useful, for something. But he wants to be alone. And since I love him, like a soul brother, I have to let him be.

His mother was a bad person, I will not say ‘oh she was amazing, etc’ no, she was a shitty mom. But even then. Kids love their parents where I’m from. So hearing, AND SEEING, your parent dead. Like we did. It fucking hurts. I never grew up with a mother, so I became one.

My step mom and dad were shit and still are. S’s grandparents and mother were/are shit, his father is somewhere, his step dad’s dead. I just don’t know what to do. I’m gonna let him be, but now, ‘happy thanksgiving’ isn’t so happy. And I’m not sure it will be again, ever.

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jimblejamblewritings · 2 years

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the muggle | part 7.

Summary: Y/N L/N just moved to London from America. Everything was new and weird. London had weird food, weird slang, weird ways of driving. But the weirdest were the people. Especially, the ones in strange robes who always had sticks with them.

Warnings: some smut and a bit of violence

Pairing: Bill Weasley x black!reader, Bill Weasley x muggle!reader

Word Count: 3.5k

Previous Part | (Series Masterlist)

“I’m not pressuring you,” Bill said as he lifted the arm rest so he could get closer to you. “Do you see us having kids? Not now but just ever?”

You two were on a plane, coming back from America. You went back home for Thanksgiving. You thought Bill needed a break from Order stuff, especially since you were going home no matter what. He indulged his favorite muggle and took an airplane. Bill thought he would never do it again. It took entirely too long to get from London to your hometown. The only reprieve was that he could snuggle you during the long flight.

“Maybe not as many as your family,” you said, making him chuckle. “But one or two in the future.”

“I’d like the same, I think.”

You leaned into him. “My mother will be questioning every day if the children are like you or us. I think she secretly hopes they’re like you.”

“She’s more fascinated with magic than you are. I didn’t think that was possible.”

Bill didn’t want to wait till the wedding. You were his life and that wasn’t changing. When all the family had left and it was just your parents and grandparents left, Bill told them he was a wizard. The only thing your dad heard was that you’d be taken care of magically even after you and Bill tried to explain that there were rules to magic.

Your mother had been worse than you. She wanted to know every spell that Bill could do. He was happy to oblige, loving that they didn’t seem to care. Your grandmother— like Mrs. Weasley— was more concerned about the fang earring he wore.

While he indulged you with the airplane, Bill refused to take any longer getting home and you went straight to a Floo Network port after the plane landed. The flat silently welcomed you both home. You grabbed some ice cream and the two of you ate out of the same container. Jet-lag wasn’t a concern when there were charms for it. The two of you just wanted to stay up.

You were talking about moving out of Grimmauld. You had planned on doing it before the wedding but hadn’t found a place. All the flats you looked at weren’t your favorite. You and Bill still weren’t sure where you were moving to. Should it be a wizard village or a muggle one? You figured that maybe you could start off in a more muggle populated place and then when you finally had kids and they started nearing school age you could move.

Bill knocked on the door of the Burrow. He felt so grateful that you even considered going back. You didn’t want him to be away from his family. The two of you only showed up a day before Christmas Eve and were going to leave two days after. Bill wasn’t keeping you there very long.

“Who is it?” Charlie’s voice sounded from the other side.

“Bill and (Y/N) Weasley.”

Charlie opened the door. Bill raised an eyebrow and even you were confused. You had seen the Daily Prophet that was now delivered to your flat. It was recommended by the ministry that all households meet and discuss secret codes so they would know if it was a real person or an imposter.

“You didn’t ask the question,” Bill said.

“Calling (Y/N) by your last name when she’s still not your actual wife yet? Something only the real Bill would do.”

He chuckled and the two of you walked in. You gave Charlie a hug and the moment you let go, the twins bombarded you. Sometimes, although you would never say it, you wished they were the only family Bill had. Maybe Ron as well. There wasn’t a problem with the boy. He just seemed shy and never really spoke one way or another. Bill left you to talk with Charlie, Fred, and George, while he put the bags upstairs in his room.

“It has a nice ring to it,” Fred said. “(Y/N) Weasley.”

“Do you think your kids will have red hair?” George questioned. “Will they sound American? What if they’re squibs? What if—”

“George, George! Bill and I just started talking about children,” you answered. “I think it’s too early to start asking questions about them.”

“But you never know.”

Bill came back down, hand finding your waist. “Georgie, let us work on making ‘em first before we start asking questions about them.”

The twins and Charlie pretended to gag as Bill kissed your cheek. Tonks and Remus, who you hadn’t seen since Sirius’ passing, laughed at the scene in front of them. Tonks strolled over.

“Have you already started then?”

You shook your head. “We’re working on a house and wedding first. The baby is very much an afterthought.”

“I mean…”

“Yes, William?” you turned with a raised brow.

Tonks retreated back to Lupin. He gave her a look, amused at the confrontation she might have just started. She gave a sheepish smile. Both Tonks and Remus grabbed the three boys by the back of their shirts to start to drag them upstairs. The twins and Charlie protested but the other two told them that everyone else was in bed anyway.

That excuse didn’t last long because as they made it to the top of the stairs, they were greeted by the rest of the house. Bill dropping off bags upstairs woke up Ginny who woke Hermione who woke Ron and then Harry which meant that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were up shortly after. Charlie very quickly blabbed about what was going to happen downstairs and they all snuck over to the staircase. Staying on the top two steps, they all listened in.

Bill scratched his head. “I just meant we could stop using protection, let it happen when it happens.”

“Bill, we don’t even know where we’re living yet. Adding a baby is just going to complicate everything.”

“Well, it wouldn’t happen right away. Even if we had sex tonight and it worked, there’s still nine months.”

“To get married and find a house? We don’t even have a wedding date.”

“Summer, done.”

You put your hands on your hips. “Bill, that’s a season not a date.”

“Alright then, August 2nd.”

“House?”

“You can’t put that one on me,” Bill said. “You keep flip flopping between here and America.”

Everyone on the stairs had to clap their hands to their mouths to avoid gasping too loudly. Were you two really going to leave the UK? Why? They knew it was a bit biased but they couldn’t see why you would want to live anywhere else. Mrs. Weasley didn’t like this amount of control that you seemed to have over her son. First the thought of multiple weddings just to avoid obliviating guests and now the possibility of living in America.

“I’m trying,” you said.

“I know, Muggie, I’m not saying it’s a problem. It’s just… we’ve talked about moving from muggle villages to wizard ones when the kids are older, moving houses isn’t the problem. Is it?”

You sighed. You didn’t want to lie to Bill. Not over something serious. Plus, one lie could cause another fight later down the road and you didn’t want to be a couple that fought often. You gnawed at your bottom lip.

“I don’t want to keep your child away from your family.”

“What?” Bill blinked, expecting a host of answers that weren’t that one— including that you just simply changed your mind about kids.

“What am I supposed to do when your son or daughter wants to visit for the weekend? Oh sorry honey but we can’t go, mommy can’t be around grandma and grandpa because they’re a bunch of blood purists—”

“My parents are not b—”

“That is exactly what they are. Blood p—”

“They are not! You might not get along but don’t you say that about them!”

“We promised not to yell at each other!” You matched your voice to his instead of trying to diffuse the situation.

“How can I not when you’re accusing my parents of something so serious!”

“How are they not? Your father thinks I’m an idiot, your mother and sister won’t even look at me. I know what microaggressions look like even if you don’t! They don’t like me because I’m a muggle.”

“That’s not true.”

“Wake up, William! Everyone here thinks I’m incapable of doing anything because I don’t have magic.”

“No one thinks that, they don’t think that about the Grangers.”

“Have you ever met Hermione’s parents?” You pursed your lips. “Exactly. She shuts them out just like your family shuts me out. They hated me from our first dinner and nothing I do will ever be good enough. Not once have they ever tried to understand me. They couldn’t even see why I wouldn’t want to obliviate our wedding guests!”

“It just takes time.”

“It took you two dates. It’s been over a year with them. We celebrated our anniversary on the first and only Charlie sent a card and the twins said something. I’m marrying you and I feel more like a one-night stand. Sometimes, I wonder if we’re making the right choice.”

“I said I’m not losing you!”

“And I said I would never tear you away from your family!”

It was silent for a moment. Both you and Bill were breathing as if you had run marathons. You stepped away from Bill as you rubbed your temples. Everyone on the stairs held their breath as you came into view but you never noticed them. You leaned against the wall, looking at the floor.

“I think we need a break.”

“What? No,” Bill began to protest.

“Not forever just…” You looked up at him with tears in your eyes. “I fucking hate it here and I love you, Bill, but I can’t keep doing this. Maybe time apart is best. We can always try again later.”

Your fiance walked over. Bill shook his head as you started to wiggle the engagement ring off of your finger. He trapped you between him and the wall, resting his hands on your waist.

“Please don’t do this, Muggie. We can leave right now, we don’t have to stay. We never have to c—”

“That’s the problem, Bill. I shouldn’t have to tear you away from your family. They seem like wonderful people, it’s clear you care about them. You’ve known them your whole life, you haven’t known me nearly as long. That’s not fair to make you choose.”

“(Y/N)—”

“My friend just changed flats but her roommate can’t get out of their old lease for a few more months so I’m going to stay with her, help cover the other part of rent for a bit. You can keep staying at Grimmauld, just give me a few hours to pack a couple of bags.”

“(Y/N)…”

“Please send me home, Bill.”

“(Y/N).” Bill’s voice cracked.

You placed the ring in the little pocket on his shirt. “Send me home.”

Bill pulled out his wand. He went from looking at you to staring at an empty spot on the wall. In anger, Bill punched at the wall. He had to check himself— he thought as he let out a short scream. You didn’t know the wizarding world but you knew the muggle one. Racism and blood purity ran similarly. Bill had to remind himself that you knew better than him about things like that. Whether he liked it or not, there was a chance that some of his family minded blood purity more than they cared to think about.

Upstairs, everyone retreated to their rooms with their tails tucked between their legs. Never in their life had they been called blood purists. They prided themselves on not being such a thing. How could they be when Arthur worked in the Muggle Department and Ron’s best friend was a muggleborn and the other one was raised by muggles— even if the Durselys were foul? It was impossible. But you were so clear downstairs and they had to think. It weighed on their minds the entire night and in the morning when they came downstairs to see Bill eating alone at the table.

He had tried to go home right after you but you had already gone to your friend’s place. Bill didn’t talk to anyone. He stayed quiet for most of the day and well into the evening. He was there but not very present. Bill only sprung to having some semblance of life when it was time to open presents. Charlie and the twins weren’t sure if they should bring out the presents they got for you and Bill but ultimately decided to. Bill managed a weak thank you and brought out his own bag.

“She, uh, she spent a long time looking for each one. It’s not much but we’re— we were saving for… here.”

He handed out each little wrapped up rectangle. Everyone opened their presents to find a book with a note on the inside cover and a quill taped next to it. You had scoured through bookstores for books that reminded you of each person and wrote why you picked it and why you hoped they would like it. Quills were added because you loved to annotate and while you still thought it was weird that wizards didn’t use pens, you added the quills anyway.

You even remembered to include Ron and Hermione and Percy if he ever chose to come home. Bill didn’t stay very long after everyone said thanks. He didn’t feel better when he returned to an empty Grimmauld. You didn’t leave a note with your friend’s address and— because he never needed it— Bill didn’t even know your phone number to call you from the house phone. And as long as you were with muggles, he couldn’t send a patronus. For all intents and purposes, you had disappeared from his life.

Bill didn’t feel any better as the new year came around. He tried to bury himself in his work but it didn’t help fill the emptiness that you left behind. The effect rippled to everyone who hadn’t seen Bill since he had left the Burrow. There were no patronuses or owls. Nothing. There was nothing until he showed up with the rest of the Order after getting word from McGonagall that Death Eaters were in the castle and she was pretty sure something happened to Dumbledore.

“This chapter is fucking perfect! There’s no way they can even critique it when workshop comes around,” you said as you grabbed a piece of cheese.

You were still staying at your friend’s flat. The move-out date was next month when her roommate finally got out of their old lease and could move in. Everyone was having wine and eating from charcuterie boards while looking at each other’s work. It was soon time to turn in your books whether fiction, nonfiction, or poetry and hopefully get a degree. Only a few more workshops were left as summer neared. Then came the degree and potentially some offers to sign with publishing or at least a literary agent. You excused yourself to go use the bathroom. Washing your hands, you jumped when a grumpy little house-elf and an oddly cheerful one appeared in the sink. You would never forget magic but it wasn’t as if you had ever been used to Dobby or Kreacher appearing whenever they wanted.

“Mister Weasley’s been hurt,” Dobby said.

Kreacher nodded along with him. “They don’t know if he’ll live.”

“What?” Your eyes went wide.

You dried your hands on the towel. Not even offering a good excuse, saying some bullshit about your neighbor calling about whatever, and stormed out the house. The moment you were far enough away from any windows, Dobby and Kreacher grabbed both of your hands. You felt like you could throw up when you landed outside the grounds of Hogwarts. Bill had only ever taken you places via the Floo Network. Apparating was something you thought that you would never do again. You pushed down the bile and ran to where the little elves were leading you, momentarily stopping to look at the huge castle. Coming to your senses, you kept going.

Everyone looked over when the hospital doors opened and you stopped following Kreacher and Dobby in order to run to the familiar redhead laying down in a hospital bed. You didn’t even register that they were there. They watched you pull at your shirt sleeves to use them to try and wipe the blood from his face that was still leaking from the freshly cared for wounds.

“Bill, Bill. What happened to him?” You asked the woman who looked like the nurse around here.

“We aren’t fully sure, he was scratched but Greyback wasn’t in werewolf form. We just don’t know.”

You hit at his chest, tears finally falling. “Wake up! Don’t you die on me, William Weasley, don’t you dare die on me.”

Groggily, the man came to his senses a bit. Bill groaned as he opened his eyes. His hand immediately went to cup the side of your face.

“Muggie?”

“I’m right here.”

He wouldn’t rest when you tried to push his hand down. Bill insisted on fishing through his shirt pocket until he grabbed your ring. You grabbed it without second thought and put it back on your finger before he could struggle to get out the words.

“Marry me,” Bill whispered.

Whatever argument was happening in the background was ignored by the two of you. You wouldn’t leave Bill’s side even as the others started slowly filing out. Despite the small size, you and Bill managed to make yourselves fit on the hospital bed. It should have been an uncomfortable night but it was the best sleep that the two of you had gotten in a while— you were in each other’s arms again.

Morning brought the slowest start ever as you helped Bill get up out of bed. The only thing that made it easier for him was the fact that he could use magic to clean up. He wasn’t too thrilled about the advice to not apparate or even use the Floo Network. Instead, the two of you were taking the Hogwarts Express all the way back to London along with the students and faculty. You weren’t sure what happened, only getting snippets of something about a dead Headmaster. You had no clue about what had been happening in the wizarding world during your time apart from Bill but it was clear that it had been serious.

The platform was bustling with parents trying to collect their children while you were simply trying to find how to get off the platform so you could get a rental car and go home. Bill pointed you in the direction of the column that you were supposed to run through. You blinked in disbelief that you actually made it through after letting go of his hand. Diagon Alley versus Platform Nine and Three Quarters? You would pick getting into Diagon Alley any day of the week.

“I’ll go find the car place, you just sit here.”

You turned to start your search, stopping as a family of redheads stood in your path. You didn’t say anything for Bill’s sake and just took in a breath through your nose. Mr. Weasley held up a car key.

“They practically give them out,” he said with delight. “I don’t think he looked very closely at my id.”

You took the key as Bill stood up. The Weasleys said that they would meet you guys at the Burrow and then headed towards the public Floo Network without another word. They didn’t even wait for a response from either one of you. With a loud sigh, you got in the car and started towards the Burrow. Bill began to insist that you guys could stop at Grimmauld. You shook your head.

“You’re injured and they’re your family, let’s just get it over with.”

“Not if you’re going to give me that ring back,” Bill started. “I don’t want to be apart from you again. These past months have been miserable.”

“I won��t leave you again, I promise.”

That only eased Bill’s nerves for the first hour of the drive. The closer you got to the Burrow, the more worried he became. Finally, the car stopped at a place that didn’t really feel like home to either one of you. Charlie answered when you knocked on the door. Bill brushed him aside which the other boy didn’t take to heart.

Immediately, your fiance ushered you upstairs into his old room while he went back down to see what his family wanted. Bill already decided that he wasn’t going to stay for a long time, just until the wounds closed into scars and everyone could see that he was going to be okay. Then he was leaving with you before something could happen again. Bill, rather reluctantly, let his mother rub the salve that Madame Pomfrey gave him over his cuts before going to bed.

(Part 8)...

#bill weasley x reader #bill weasley x black!reader

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aftgsucks · 1 year

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NMFTG 19

Mr and Mrs Hemmick Cause a Scene

ao3: chapter below the cut

Neil was being subjected to some movie called “Austin Powers,” when Nicky flung open the door in theatrical despair. He immediately made for Neil with a wild look in his eyes.

“Help, please, help.” Nicky begged. “I’m gonna die.”

Neil was standing halfway across the room before he could think. “What happened?” he asked.

“Mom just called to wish Andrew and Aaron a happy birthday,” Nicky answered.

Neil tried to gauge how actually serious this was.

“And that’s a bad thing?” Matt asked.

“Oh, Boyd look at him, I’ve only ever seen Hemmick quake like this when his cousin’s got his knives out.” Seth said, lazily gesturing with the tv remote.

“They uh, well,” Nicky shifted around, looking down at the sleeves of his sweater. “Dad hasn’t said a word to me since Erik and my mom calls on Christmas to ask if I’ve returned to God and disconnects when I say no.” He never looks this shamed. Not even back when Seth and Aaron were constantly on him about being gay, Nicky never looked like this. “I don’t think Aaron’s spoken to them since Aunt Tilda’s funeral, and Andrew avoids them like they’re a contagious disease. He and dad didn’t hit it off too well when they met at juvie.”

“It couldn’t have gone that badly,” Matt said. “I mean, your dad supported his early release, right?”

“Yeah, but-” Nicky started.

“He ever hit you?” Seth asked, cutting him off, much to Neil and Matt’s surprise.

“What? No, he just thinks I’m an affront to God and his reputation.” Nicky answered.

“Hemmick,” Seth groaned. “Fuck your parents, my dad used to regularly beat the shit out of me and he still came to my games until I threatened to call the cops. I’ve never even heard you talk about yours before.”

“Why did she call, really?” Neil asked, not wanting to go near Seth’s issues with a ten foot exy stick.

“To invite us home for Thanksgiving dinner.”

“Absolutely not,” Seth pointed the remote at Nicky. “That reeks of bullshit.”

“What if she had a change of heart? C’mon Seth, it’s his mom.” Matt argued.

“What did you tell her?” Neil asked.

“Nothing! I hung up, she said it was contingent on Aaron and Andrew going too. Mom made that crystal clear and there’s no way Andrew will agree.”

“You never know until you try,” Matt said, still trying to be supportive.

“Don’t, dude, take it as a sign or some shit.” Seth said.

“Wait, why are you here telling us?” Neil asked. Nicky had come in asking for help, what exactly Neil, Matt, and Seth were supposed to do about this was beyond him.

“You and Seth got Andrew to do Halloween and night practices, just, help? Please?” Nicky begged.

Neil would like to go one day without getting roped into someone else’s shit. “This is not our business--” he starts to say.

“Tell them to come here,” is what Seth says over him. Okay, whatever, it can be Seth’s business then. They all look at him. Seth continues, “tell your parents if they want to see the twins they can come to a game. Andrew can duck out on them after but they’ll have come all the way here so you can at least talk to them.”

It wasn’t a bad plan, per say, although it did rely on the conceit of Andrew not killing Nicky’s parents for whatever it was they did that he hates them for. Arguably it was better for Nicky’s parents to come here where the whole team could keep an eye on them then just Nicky and the cousins going to Columbia, with likely only Kevin for back up.

If Nicky surprised Andrew with this, though, Andrew would kill his parents and then Neil. Was it time to die? To be done with the tedious march of dying and get it over with? “Don’t surprise Andrew with them. Warn him they're coming, if they say yes.” Neil said, deciding he didn’t want to just be another body in Andrew’s theoretical killing spree.

“What if they don’t come?” Nicky asked. His voice was still small and uncomfortable.

“Then they don’t come Hemmick, but you said it yourself Andrew’s never going to agree. Just take it as a dodged bullet, they need to make the effort.”

Apparently, they agreed to come, at least Nicky was expecting them. The day of the game Nicky didn’t say a word unless prompted to. When Neil was in Millport, Coach Hernadez and the team were constantly bugging Neil about his parents coming to a game. As if it were some big thing. And then Seth too had shared that opinion. Looking at Nicky--

Look Neil got it, there was some desperate thing he tried to smother everyday that was still mourning his Mother. Neil knew that if Mary walked in through the stadium doors she’d be doing it to beat Neil’s skull in. But if she were alive to do it--

Neil got it. He did. He understood that combination of fear and hope splintered across Nicky’s face. He kept an eye on Nicky the whole game, as every time there was a time out or a reset, Nicky searched the stands and became smaller and smaller. Nicky was a tall guy, he was lanky sure, but built enough to be a backliner on a collegiate exy team. Small was an absurd thing for Nicky to be. But that’s the only word to describe the way all personality just vanished how timid he became as more and more time went by and he didn’t see his parents in the seats he’d set aside for them.

Neil understood it a little too well, which is why the second the game ended he changed out and rushed for the doors. He wanted to get back to the dorms, he wanted to avoid the walking mirror of his own grief that was sulking in the locker room.

He’d avoid everyone, if he left right then. He knew that. The other Foxes were gonna take their sweet time and Andrew, who was still recovering from his withdrawals, wouldn’t bother to make them hurry up when his lot had already agreed to stay in Palmetto for the weekend.

Neil pushed open the door to the parking lot thinking of the field behind the dorms and his half-full pack of cigarettes. And then watched his night go up in flames as he looked at the three people waiting in the parking lot.

“Hello, young man, you’re with the Foxes right?” A dire looking older man asked.

Neil studied the trio. The older man and woman were standing close, the woman was a borderline clone of Nicky-- both dressed nice. Very preacher and his wife, Luther and Maria Hemmick were exactly how he pictured, if a bit taller.

It was the second man that Neil couldn’t place. He bore no resemblance to Nicky or the twins. Not to mention Neil had never heard of any other family member existing.

“Who’s asking?” Neil asked, shutting the door behind him and listening for the automatic lock.

“We’re Nichloas’s parents,” Maria said with a soft smile.

“I’m AJ’s old foster brother,” the second man said, stretching out a hand, “Drake.”

Neil only recognized one of those words and the last time it was said it had come out of a cop’s mouth, so he just glanced at the offered hand before ignoring it and looking directly into Luther Hemmick’s eyes.

“You’re too late, they all left for some bar downtown,” he lied.

Luther narrowed his eyes, “really? Because I can see the boy’s ridiculous car parked right over there and the game only just ended. So, why don’t you go and get Nicky and the boys before we have a problem.”

He was so authoritative, Luther had all the assurance of someone used to getting their way.

“I’m surprised you’re so confident about what time the game was, considering how late you got here. They left, maybe go try your luck down by the bars or actually show up on time for your son's game.”

“You sure can back talk, can’t you?” Drake whistled.

Neil wanted these people out of his parking lot. He wanted them out of his parking lot more then he wanted to keep out of prison.

“We know they haven’t left,” Luther said.

“You should leave.” Neil was done attempting to be slick about this. “Shoo,” he took a page from Andrew’s book and tried to usher them out of the parking lot without giving up his post at the door.

“We’re not leaving until we see them.” Luther said.

Neil just crossed his arms and stared at them. Short of beating the shit out of one of them, he didn’t know how to make them leave. He could definitely take Luther and Maria in a fight. But Drake had some muscles on him, was stood in a forced relaxed sort of way that suggested he was both here expecting conflict and knew how to handle it.

Engaging in a hand to hand with more than one person was always a no-no in Neil’s book. Both by order of his mom and common sense. He didn’t think it was likely that Luther would interfere if he went for Drake first, but Neil also didn’t think he’d win that fight. Which made the whole thing a non starter.

“So, how was the game?” Drake asked after a long minute of silence.

Neil did not answer. Another minute lapsed before Drake tried again.

“I’m the reason they were late,” he apologized. “I wanted to surprise AJ, so I called them up. They had to pick me up at the airport. They wanted to be on time but it’s cute that you’re so angry for Nicky.”

Neil continued to stare.

“Would it kill you to make conversation?” Luther asked.

Neil opened his mouth to answer but the door opening cut him off. Neil glanced over his shoulder to see the upperclassmen, Nicky and Aaron, all flood out of the doors around him. Andrew must still be washing down his pills with whiskey. Neil didn’t know if that were a good thing or not.

“Mom? Dad?” Nicky asked in that quiet way he’d said everything all day.

“AJ!” Drake cheered, moving forward with his hands outstretched as if to touch Aaron.

Neil side-stepped between them and pushed Aaron back with his shoulder. There were too many things about this that Neil didn’t know.

Nicky started to introduce the other’s to his parents, one flitting glance showed his mood hadn’t improved.

Aaron stepped out from behind Neil and raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know you.” Aaron said to Drake.

“Ah, the twin, Aaron, right?” Drake asked, putting his hand out for a shake.

Neil shifted in front of Aaron again and took Drake’s hand, grasping as hard as he could. “Neil Josten,” Neil introduced himself.

“That’s one hell of a grip you got there.” Drake said.

“I’m sure it is,” here’s what Neil knew: Drake was the name Higgins had said when he came asking Andrew about a case. A case that had to do with children. Drake was the name that had Andrew storming out of the dorms. This case had Andrew pissed enough to break a phone and almost his own hand.

Neil didn’t know nearly enough, but he did know enough to not let Drake near Aaron. Nel didn’t look back at Aaron, he just let go of Drake’s hand and kept his eyes on him.

“You know,” Drake said after another too long moment of silence. “If you just open that door for me, I’ll go and get AJ myself so we can head to dinner.” He took another step to the side, already going for the door.

“No,” Neil got in his way again. “Aaron will go get everyone. Let’s chat, I’m curious, you know Andrew’s never mentioned you?”

Aaron left without another word and Neil let himself take a glance at the others-- all preoccupied with the Hemmicks still, although Neil caught Renee in a curious glance at Neil and Drake.

“Really? I’m surprised, we almost adopted him. Mom was even gonna give him part of my college fund.”

“Not a word,” Neil answered. “You must not have been that important.”

The door slammed open before Drake could answer. Everyone jumped at the noise as a grinning Andrew stepped out of the Foxhole Court. Andrew took one look at Drake and then started laughing. Neil grit his teeth at the noise, he had no idea what Andrew was going to do.

There were other people in the parking lot. A few too many stragglers were left still going to their cars for Andrew to commit murder. Neil didn’t know what Drake did, but he figured the Foxes would back Andrew if push came to shrug. Strangers couldn’t be trusted.

Andrew straightened up and strode forward.

“AJ,” Drake said, a tense smile on his face. Neil realized he’d probably never seen Andrew on his meds. “Long time no see,” Drake stuck out his hand again, once more trying to get past Neil.

It wasn’t happening. Neil stepped inbetween the two of them, grabbing Drake’s hand again to use it as a stress ball.

“Neil,” Andrew tried to warn before laughter overtook him again. Neil felt Andrew grab onto the back of his shirt.

“What’s so funny?” Drake asked.

Neil dug his nails into the back of his hand a little before he dropped it. Neil could tell Drake was unsettled, he’d been tense before standing beside Mr and Mrs Upright and Holy. Maria had told Nicky to bring the twins for Thanksgiving to their house in Columbia. A private residence an hour away from everyone. Now, they were in public with the entire team plus bystanders. Whatever the plan had been had gone to shit the second Nicky had listened to Seth.

Neil didn’t smile much, but this felt like a special occasion, besides the grin that creeped up onto Neil’s face wasn’t his own. “I think you getting all the way to South Carolina when you’re wanted by the police in California is a little funny. Don’t you?”

“Excuse me?” Drake floundered.

Andrew’s laughing got louder. The door opened again and out came Aaron, Kevin, Wymack and Abby. Everyone was finally in the parking lot, they were a full circus. Nicky drowning as his parents made small talk with the upperclassmen. Andrew in hysterics as Neil tried to figure out how to get Drake to leave before Andrew caught his breath and stabbed someone.

“Hey Coach,” Neil called, “you gotta come meet this clown.”

“Josten, what in the fuck is going on?” Coach asked as he made a beeline directly for them, Aaron and Kevin at either side.

“I don’t know what AJ told you, but it’s all a misunderstanding.” Drake tried.

Andrew’s laughter cut off and he tugged on the back of Neil’s shirt.

“Too many witnesses,” Neil murmured.

Andrew stepped around Neil without a word, Neil let him.

“What is this? Some ploy to get Higgins to drop the case? Did some little birdy make a call?” Andrew asked, he hadn’t drawn a knife yet but he might as well have. All conversation stopped the second Andrew started talking, all eyes on him.

“Now, Andrew--” Luther started.

“No, you don’t get to talk. Not after you brought him here. Around Nicky? Aaron? After all I did to make sure they never met.” Andrew didn’t look away from Drake. “You said you would talk to Cass, Luther, you said there would be no more kids in that house.” Andrew started laughing again.

Drake opened his mouth as if to speak and Andrew hit him before he could get a word out. Drake only barely managed to stay standing, but when Andrew hit him again he hit the floor.

Coach pulled Andrew back before he could in a third swing, But Neil figures the third probably would have knocked Drake out cold.

“What the hell is going on?!” Coach yelled.

“He’s wanted by the state of California for hurting children,” Neil pointed out. .

“Those charges--” Luther starts.

“I’ll hit you next,” Andrew promised and Luther shut his mouth.

Drake managed to pull himself up off the ground, a smart man would have left then, after getting knocked on his ass in a parking lot full of athletes and witnesses. But Drake lunged for Andrew, who was still being held back by Wymack, instead.

Neil shoved Drake back before he could reach Andrew. Drake cursed and swung at Neil, a little too fast for Neil to dodge. Neil took the hit, he could, Neil was built for taking hits. Neil drove his fist into Drake’s stomach and then made a tactical retreat.

“Back the fuck up,” Neil said, still smiling, tasting blood in his teeth.

Drake lurched but then visibly noticed how everyone had gotten closer. This wasn’t a one on one fight, it was ten on one, twelve if Wymack let go of that vice grip on Andrew’s arm.

“You--” Nicky was the first to speak. His eyes glassy and his breath quick. “This man hurt Andrew and you knew?” He asked Luther without looking at him.

“I’m going to have to ask the three of you to leave before I have to call security, I don’t appreciate you coming here and harassing my players.”

“We were invited?” Maria tried to argue.

“Aw, Drake,” Andrew giggled. “Was this worth breaking your bail? You know crossing state lines is a felony, not that that is anything new.”

“Dan has Higgin’s number,” Neil added, and then looking at Luther and Maria, “aiding and abetting? I wonder what your church will think?”

Dan pulled out her phone.

The three of them scrambled off to their car. Only after the Hemmick’s car had pulled out of the parking lot did Wymack let go of a laughing Andrew.

“Neil, your face,” Abby worried when Neil turned around.

“It’s just a split lip, I’m fine.”

“Who was that?” Aaron asked. “What the fuck just happened?”

Andrew was still laughing too hard to answer, he flapped a hand at Neil. As if Neil would be able to answer anything.

“Oh, I’ve got no fucking idea who that was,” Neil argued. “We should go back to the dorms.” It was less likely Drake or Luther knew where Abby lived, but there were more locks between the outside world and any of their dorms. Also it was closer.

“What did that guy even do?” Allison asked.

“Drake likes little kids,” Andrew answered between laughs. “He was my foster brother before I went to juvie.”

“You knew about this Josten?” Aaron asked.

“No,” Neil spit blood out of his mouth. “I made an educated guess. Dorms, let’s go, we need to hunker down and call Higgins.”

“Talk about a fucking guess!” Seth exclaimed.

“This whole thing was just--” Nicky’s voice hitched. “They knew?”

“Shhhh, of course they knew,” Andrew said, “let’s go before Nicky starts crying. Neil can drive.” Andrew pulled a set of keys out of his pocket and threw them at Neil.

“Dan give me the number,” Wymack said, holding out his hand. “Abby’ll grab the first aid kit and we’ll meet you all over there.”

“I’m fine,” Neil said again, spitting out more blood and unlocking the cousin’s car.

They all managed to get to the dorms without a major incident, although Nicky did in fact cry the entire five minute drive. Dan, Wymack, and Abby would get there soon enough, but everyone else pulled into the parking lot at the same time.

“You drive exactly the speed limit,” Andrew noted as they all got out of the car.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” Neil asked.

“One.” Andrew said, heading inside.

“Andrew--” Aaron started as they went after him.

“I do not want to talk to any of you.”

“Andrew plea-” Neil started.

“I do not like that word.” Andrew jammed his thumb into the elevator call.

Neil blanched as it occurred to him why that might be.

Andrew seemed to think better of waiting for the elevator and went directly to the emergency staircase. “Don’t follow me,” he said.

“Just wait a second,” Neil tried again, coming to stand just in front of where Andrew already had the stairwell door open.

The elevator arrived and the upperclassmen got on, but Aaron, Nicky and Kevin didn’t.

“What Neil?” Andrew asked.

Neil lowered his voice. “Can I borrow a knife?” he asked.

“Can you?” Andrew mocked.

“May I borrow a knife?”

“I don’t want or need your protection.”

“I didn’t ask.”

“Neil.”

“Andrew.”

Andrew stared at Neil, reached a hand up to where Neil’s lip was still bleeding and pressed into the broken skin. “You are a dumbass.” Andrew said.

“Okay,” Neil said. He could barely feel it, still running on adrenaline. Besides, a split lip might as well have been a paper cut compared to the rest of Neil.

Andrew pulled a knife out of his wrist band and handed it blade first to Neil. Neil took it without cutting himself and Andrew went up the stairs.

Neil took one look at the knife, four inch blade, decent balance, he slipped it into his hoodie pocket and went to rejoin the others. Kevin was quiet, Nicky was still sobbing, and Aaron was pissed.

“What the fuck was that?” Aaron asked.

“We don’t know where they went,” Neil told him. “Nicky, give me your phone.”

The second elevator opened and Neil shoved the three of them on and then just reached into Nicky’s pocket and pulled out his phone.

“You seem to know a lot of shit Josten,” Aaron said.

“Yes, despite my best efforts.” Neil agreed, because really. He’d been doing everything to avoid knowing. To avoid this. Neil slammed the button for their floor and then turned on Nicky’s phone.

By the time they reached their floor, Neil had found the contact on Nicky’s phone. ‘Baby’ with an absurd amount of hearts before and after. Neil hit dial and handed the phone to Nicky when the line connected. Renee was waiting in the hall in front of her dorm room.

“Aaron, if the upperclassmen say something stupid will you hit them?” Neil asked, as soon as he did he knew the answer. “Can you take Nicky and Kevin to your room?”

Aaron stopped Neil from continuing on down the hall. He just stared at Neil for a long moment and then shook his head and pulled Nicky and Kevin into their dorm. Neil went to Renee but listened for the door as it opened and shut behind him.

“Where’s Andrew?” Renee asked.

“He took the stairs,” Neil said.

“Ah, I'll go check on him then.” She made for the stairs.

Neil went directly into the girl’s dorm and took a second to observe.

“How the hell was he laughing?” Allison asked, not looking at the door.

Neil immediately understood what he had walked into. “Because he’s drugged out of his mind,” Neil answered. “Are you actually that dense or just willfully stupid when it comes to Andrew? He laughs at everything because he’s on court ordered medication and cannot help himself.”

“Where is everyone?” Matt asked when Allison just stood there blank.

“Nicky’s talking to Eric, Aaron’s watching him and Kevin. Renee went to check on Andrew,” Neil reported.

“Are you okay?” Matt asked.

“It’s gonna take a lot more than one punch to kill me,” Neil told him.

The door opened and Renee slipped inside, “Andrew’s taking some time,” she told them.

As long as someone knew where he was, Neil thought.

“It had to be the Ravens,” Seth said. “There was only one way for that guy to get to the otherside of the country when he wasn’t supposed to leave the state. It was Riko.”

“Is he gonna send everyone’s demons back at them?” Matt asked.

At the very least, Tilda was already dead, so Aaron would be fine.

“Riko only has so many moves he can make,” Renee said quietly. “Even with his amount of resources, he’s the second son and everything he’s done so far has made a lot of noise.”

Neil considered telling them that if anyone came looking for him they should throw Neil under the bus and run in the opposite direction. But Neil knew they wouldn’t give him the answer he wanted.

“I’m gonna--” Neil made a vague gesture and left the room. He went into his dorm and grabbed his desk chair and dragged it out into the hall. He positioned it so he could watch the elevators and the stairwell and still keep an eye on the hall itself.

He sat down and put his hand in his sweatshirt pocket. Held the knife.

Even for eating purposes Neil typically tried to not hold the knife too much. It instantly brought on a wave of things he did not want to think about. But Neil was still in that shifty space of adrenaline were bad ideas seemed good if they worked. They were in an emergency situation and the math turned out to be incredibly simple.

Neil could use a knife. It was unlikely that Drake or Luther would come to the dorms, but if Riko was really the puppet behind this he didn't want to take the risk. Not with his foxes, not with Andrew.

#nmftg #no more fucks to give #aftg #fanfic #fanfiction

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yungmoxiegal · 1 year

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Wanna share for the young gays that sometimes they aren’t lying when they say it gets better

My parents kicked me out and I was homeless at 16. We didn’t talk for years, they missed my wedding, they missed grad school graduation, I was not welcome at family events for years so spent holidays alone. The time we tried to make amends a few years ago, they refused to acknowledge my partner as anything other than friend. Yelled at us to leave because we held hands.

Now I talk to my parents almost daily. My mom is my literal best friend and I adore my dad.

They came down to our new house for thanksgiving and invited us to theirs for Christmas.

My car broke down and my dad drove down and worked on it and mom left her car with me in the meantime.

We all looked at my wedding photos together as my mom cried and apologized and wished she would have been there with me.

They ask about my wife literally EVERY time they talk to me. They love her. Genuinely.

My mom got drunk and called us JUST to remind us she loves us and to tell us we’re going to be great parents when we decide we’re ready.

My dad sends me home with stuff for my wife every time I visit without her (food, drinks, etc).

Sometimes I think they like her more than they like me haha

I don’t mean to inspire false hope in anyone, but all I’m saying is don’t close your heart off. You never know what people will do. Sometimes they do change.

And honestly, I built an amazing found family during that time. Even if things with my parents never worked out, my life was starting to feel full and happy anyway. Letting them back in to my life was not what made it complete but it certainly felt good.

I guess what I’m trying to say is IT DOES GET BETTER ❤️‍🩹

#it gets better #gay #lesbian #lgbt #mental health #family

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pbandjesse · 1 year

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Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates. I don't particularly love the connotations of Thanksgiving, but this year I really do want to focus on what I am thankful for. I still want to remember Native American people and their plight. But I particularly feel like I need to acknowledge the things and people I'm thankful for. Like James being home and not dead. Like my dad healing. Like my mom and Jess showing up for me when I need them. Like my brother coming to my wedding. I have a lot I am thankful for.

Last night was rough. Thank you to anyone who reached out with kind words. James was up and down every couple of minutes. I would think we had them in a comfortable position. They would even start lightly snoring. But then they would jolt awake and stand up and start to pace. I felt horrible. We tried having them sit up in a chair. We tried lots of pillows. Nothing kept them comfortable for very long.

I would eventually fall asleep. And James did apparently get a solid hour. But it was not enough. They were and are exhausted. I really hope tonight they can sleep.

I woke up and James was next to me. I was glad they were here. I missed them so much.

We would slowly get up. I made the bed. James took a shower. I called my dad. He encouraged James to think of the pain as healing pain and not injury pain. I hope the mindset helps them. I am pretty sad I couldn't be with my parents today. But it was the correct call. James was not going to do well in the car. Just the little drives we have made have been rough.

But we didn't worry about that right now.

Once James was dressed they decided to go for a walk. I would get washed and dressed while they were gone. I picked up the apartment a little. Put the chair James tried to sleep in back in the living room. I was thrilled to see Waffles and Omelette were swimming around and seemingly doing really well.

James had finished the Lego lunar rover so I found a safe place to store that.

And soon James was back. I was eating cheese and crackers. And they said we should get to work on what we were bringing to Thanksgiving.

I wanted to make spoon cornbread and a sort of pudding dish. We did not have the jiffy corn bread mix I thought we did. Only blueberry muffin mix. So I looked up how we can make it at home and James got to work on that. They would keep trying to do stuff and get overwhelmed and almost be crying and then I would be distressed. I wish they would stop apologizing. I want to help. I want them to let me help.

I also wanted them to eat. But we didn't have buns so they couldn't have hotdogs and so they had a muffin instead. Which was not the protiens they wanted but at least was something. They lost 8lbs in the hospital. Which is real scary to me. They are already thin. I don't need them weak when they are already unstable.

But James put together the cornmeal mixture for me. And I would make my cornbread in our le cruset Dutch oven. Which took a half hour longer then it should have because it was so deep. But smelled great.

My pudding did not go so well. It wouldn't set up. This is why I prefer the quick serve one and not the cook kind. But at least it tasted good. Even if I was slightly disappointed when it wouldn't set up and all the wafers I used as a bse floated to the surface. At least the mango gave it a nice flavor.

The plan was to go to the Changs' (pronounced Chongs) house at 3. James had their next pain medicine dose at 230. So we would leave after that. And so while I waited for the cornbread to finish baking, I chilled on the couch and started the second glove I hadn't gotten to yet. So at least that's progress.

I packed up the cornbread in our new yeti tote bag. Which is excellent. And grabbed my bag. And we headed out. James shouldn't be carrying anything so it's on me. Which is fine. The drive was a little nerve wracking. But James got to show me where the accident happened and it makes a lot more sense now. Like that driver shouldn't have turned so fast and without warning. But at least I can understand where and how it happened.

We got to the Changs' and they really have such a beautiful home. I had been there once before. But it's just like. Maximalism and funky and full of small objects and art. And just rich colors and it's so cool. And we got a huge warm welcome. Everyone just being so happy James was there and only a little worse for wear. After a few minutes of gushing over James everyone went. Oh also hello Jesse. Which made me laugh.

The Fulwilers would soon be there. And I got to meet some other Chang friends and family. Jamess aunt Katie (she is actually their godmother)'s cousin was someone I ended up talking to a lot. Showed her a bunch of our wedding stuff. Actually made her cry!! Which I did not mean to do!! But she really said some nice stuff about the wedding pictures and that felt nice.

I really did have a nice time. We sat in the backyard for a while. Enjoyed a firepit that Julien lit. There was smoked fish and roasted garlic. The roasted garlic was so good.

And as the sun went down we went inside to get the real food.

Katie made amazing bread. And I enjoyed basically everything I had. Except the cranberry sauce but that's just because I only like the jellied kind that comes in a can. But everything else was amazing. James was a little unsteady and their medication was starting to wear off. So I would make a plate for them. And we would eat inside with the young people and Anne. And I got to tell them about when I was part of a lawsuit and how it let me and James get in this apartment. How we have always been so lucky.

I could tell James was starting to not feel well. So once everyone was back inside I said thank you to Katie and goodbye to everyone else. I wish I gave more hugs. But I needed to get James out of there and the long goodbyes we normally have werent going to work this time. This was a we have to leave now situation. So maybe I was rude. Whatever. James is more important to me.

And so we went home. James brought a plate of dessert. And they carried that. I carried our bag. We saw a couple dancing on the sidewalk by our car and I jokingly said I should set off the car alarm. We had a big laugh over that.

We got home right at 630 when James's next medication was due. Perfect timing.

Jess had been having a hard day. She's in Florida with her mom visit family. And apparently no one was helping with anything and she was feeling really uspset. But at least her food was delicious in the end. And my parents had diner for two. I am not sure what my brother did. I hope he had a good day too.

I was glad to be home. James was walking really slow. But we got inside. And we opened the Christmas diorama egg we have. Which we have decided is what we will do at the end of Thanksgiving every year. Gotta start traditions somewhere. And the ceremonial opening of the egg will be one of them.

We wound wind down. James took their medication. I put the dishes away and took a shower. Fed all the animals. I took an excellent bath. And then played Pokemon. I am very excited that I have caught almost all the Pokemon I have encountered. I only have two left!! Of 239! So close. I haven't played much in the last few months but it was fun to sit on the couch and play with James watching.

James would make me a thanksgiving snack. And we would just spend time quietly together.

And now we are in bed. I am really tired. James keep falling asleep for a few minutes. I hope they can get more comfortable tonight. We will have to see.

My allergies are going a little wild and my ear really hurts. But I feel stupid complaining when James is hurting so bad. Like I know it's not a competition. But still.

I am going to try to sleep now. We have the next few days together. Which I am really grateful for. I just hope James can start to heal.

Thank you again for everyone who reached out. I love you all. Stay safe !! Happy Thanksgiving.

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backtothestart02 · 2 years

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Thanksgiving Break - 2/? | westallen fanfiction

A/N: DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA

...

Chapter 2 -

Joe should’ve known when he saw three young adults walking towards him instead of two, and the two closer to each other did not involve Iris, that it was going to be a rough four days. A rough ride home for starters, but at the time his brain simply did not compute. He turned on his hazard lights, got out of the car and approached the trio.

“Iri-”

“Barry will tell you,” Iris said, keeping her head down and climbing into the front passenger seat.

His daughter’s peppiness and even nerves completely evaporated should’ve set off major red flags for him, and it did, definitely, but the stranger standing next to Barry caused more.

“Barry?”

In the dark, Barry’s red cheeks weren’t that visible, but his mannerisms indicating he was blushing, and that made Joe watch him like a hawk.

“Right. This is Caitlin Snow, Joe. Her mom cancelled on her after she’d sent her money for a ticket, so I…”

“You what?”

“I invited her to Thanksgiving with us.” He winced.

Joe sighed, and Caitlin looked between them nervously.

“Maybe this was a bad idea,” she whispered to Barry.

“I would’ve appreciated more of a head’s up, Barry. I imagine so would Iris.”

“Iris seemed very nice,” Caitlin said.

Neither man commented on that.

“I just…I thought we still had the guest room available?”

Joe nodded. “We do. Next time though, Barry?”

“Next time I will let you know.”

“No forcing my hand. It’s not a good look.”

“Understood.”

“Alright then.” He switched his gaze to the girl. “Caitlin Snow, it’s nice to meet you.” He glanced down to her hand. “You only have one suitcase?”

“It’s only four days,” she said, sounding confused.

Joe laughed.

“I wish Iris had gotten that memo.” He leaned toward Barry. “You may have some stuff to carry in when we get home,” he told him, and Barry nodded. “Let’s head on out. The snow will probably get heavier within the hour, and we don’t want to be in traffic when that happens.”

“Right.”

“Got it.”

Helping Caitlin and Barry over the slick pavement, Joe made his way to the driver’s seat after all the luggage was stuffed in the trunk. Iris was silent as can be, staring ahead at nothing. The two in the back whispered a few things to each other before going quiet as well, and that was how the ride home from the airport went for the next 45 minutes.

…

Upon arrival, Iris was the first to unclick her seatbelt.

“I’m going to take the rest of my stuff upstairs, so Barry doesn’t have to,” she told her dad, then bolted from the car.

Having heard the words clear as day, Barry found himself frowning, but walked with Caitlin and Joe to get everything inside.

“I’ll have Iris tidy up the guest room,” Joe addressed Caitlin. “And then you’re free to go in and do whatever you like. We’ve got leftovers in the kitchen from supper if you’re hungry. Otherwise, I’m probably going to head to bed. I’ll fill you in on our Thanksgiving festivities when you get up in the morning if that’s alright.”

“Yes, of course,” Caitlin said. “Thank you so much for your hospitality again. I really appreciate it. My mom, she just-”

Joe waved it off.

“No need to explain Caitlin. We’re happy to have you with us for the holidays.”

Caitlin looked at Barry, who forced a smile and gestured towards the stairs.

“Iris!” Joe called up. “Could you get the guest room ready?”

No response.

“Iri-” he tried again, but Barry cut him off.

“I’ll go talk to her.”

Joe nodded and slipped out of his shoes.

“Did you want something to eat while they get the room situated, Caitlin?”

“Oh. I, um…”

“Our fridge is your fridge.”

Her smile was tremulous.

“I suppose I might, yeah. I haven’t really eaten anything all day. Family drama, you understand.”

“Of course.” He gestured to the fridge and went to sit in the living room. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks.”

Upstairs, Barry had reached the long hallway when he called for Iris again. Not getting a response, he started opening doors.

“Where in the worl-”

“Oh!” Iris gasped when he pushed in the door to his old room. “Sorry! I…I didn’t- Um…sorry.” She made a beeline to get past him into the hall.

“Iris, didn’t you hear us calling you? And what were you doing in my…” He stopped, seeing the wet tracks glimmering on her face from the ceiling light. “Iris, were you crying?”

“No.” She wiped away the tears and inhaled a sniffle. “I’m fine. And the guest room is great. I already fluffed up the pillows and added a blanket, so your friend should sleep just perfectly.”

He wasn’t blind, and he wasn’t stupid, but he didn’t want to send his best friend over the deep end by pointing things out she didn’t want pointed out.

“Okay,” he said slowly, then licked his lips. “Look, I know it’s unexpected having someone else here when you haven’t seen me in like three months.”

“Two months,” she corrected, her glimmering eyes fastening to his. “I haven’t seen you in two months.”

His lips thinned.

“Anyway, it’s not a problem.” She put on the fakest smile he’d ever seen. “Like I said, the bed’s ready. I’m just tired. So, I’ll see you both tomorrow, okay?”

Barry blinked.

“Okay…”

“Tell my dad I said goodnight. Oh, and Caitlin too. Tell your girlfr- friend, your friend…tell her I said goodnight, and I hope she sleeps well. Goodnight, Barry.”

“Iri-”

But she had whirled around and scooted down the hall to her room, closing the door behind her so quietly yet so firmly, Barry didn’t dare go in after her.

Instead he sighed, ran his hand through his hair and headed back downstairs to find Caitlin finishing up a plate of food at the table.

“Everything all right?” she asked, and Barry glanced over at Joe who was snoring on the couch already.

He took a seat across from her and folded his arms.

“Yeah, she’s just…tired.”

“Or jealous.”

Barry’s eyes flicked over to hers, stunned that she’d figured it out. He hadn’t told a word to anybody about what happened two months ago, just like he’d promised Iris he wouldn’t. But he wondered now if his behavior and particularly body language had given him away – had given them away.

“N-No, that’s not-”

“Barry, I’m a girl. I know what we look like when we get jealous.” She paused, then immediately lit up. “Maybe I should talk to her.”

“No. No, that is a bad…bad idea.”

Caitlin scooped up the rest of the food on her fork and twirled it.

“If you say so. Your house, your call. You sure you two never dated though?”

He shook his head.

“Positive. I’d definitely remember that.”

“Hmm.”

“Caitlin, please, I beg of you, don’t talk to her about us or about you and me or anything.”

“You and me?” She raised her eyebrows, amused. “There’s nothing to talk about. We’re just friends. I’m dating Ronnie.”

“I know.”

She gasped.

“Ooo! She’d probably love if she knew I had a boyfriend. Then she wouldn’t think I was trying to steal you from her or something.”

“Caitlin, just-” He sighed.

“What?”

“Don’t talk about me to her. Period.”

She shrugged and finished the remaining food on her plate.

“If that’s what you want. I just didn’t want to be alone on the holidays. I would’ve gone with Cisco if his mom hadn’t been such a-”

“I know.”

“Or Ronnie if his plans hadn’t been so-”

“Yep.”

They sighed simultaneously and smiled.

“You ready for bed?”

“My plate is empty.”

He chuckled and took it.

“I’ll take care of that. You go on upstairs. Your room is the first door on the left.”

“Got it.”

Barry put the plate in the dishwasher and turned off the lights. He nudged Joe lightly and told him everyone was heading to bed before quickly going up the stairs just in case Iris decided to peek her head out again and possibly talk to whoever might be in the hall first.

Much to his luck, the hallway was empty when he reached the top of the stairs, but when he knocked lightly on the door to the guest bedroom, and it swung open, he found that Caitlin was not tucking herself into bed, but she was making the bed.

His mouth fell open.

“What’s going on? Iris told me she made up the bed.”

“She lied,” Caitlin said knowingly.

Barry groaned, dragging his hand over his face.

“Please tell me the sheets, pillowcases and blankets were at least on the bed when you walked in.”

“They were,” she allowed. “Which tells me she had every intention of putting it together, and you got in the way.”

“Me?” he scoffed. “What did I do?”

“You got her all worked up.”

“By doing what?”

“Existing, probably.”

He rolled his eyes and assisted her with the rest of the bedding.

“That girl is in love with you, Barry Allen, and you better talk to her about it or things might come out!”

“Things? What things? And how do you know all this? You’re just guessing.”

“I’m studying to be a doctor, Barry. My guesses have to be pretty accurate.”

He shook his head.

“I’ll talk to her about this in the morning. This is ridiculous.”

“Please don’t. You’ll only make things worse for the two of you.”

His lips thinned.

“Why don’t you go to bed? Everything will look better in the morning.”

He sighed and nodded.

“Alright. I hope so. Goodnight, Caitlin.”

“Night, Barry.”

When Caitlin closed the door behind him, Barry turned just in time to see Iris peeking out of her bedroom door. In quick, long strides he made his way to her room, but not before she’d quickly closed and locked the door.

“Iris.”

She held her tongue, scared to death of a conversation right now and what she might reveal.

“Iris, I-I’m not mad.”

She turned her head against the door.

“I’m just…confused.”

She licked her lips.

“Can we talk?”

Iris hesitated. She thought about unlocking the door and letting him inside, so they could ‘talk’. But she knew what that would end up with. Either her lunging at him and kissing him until he reciprocated or her starting to cry because he might call her out on her jealousy, and she wouldn’t know what to say.

She didn’t want to cry again, and she couldn’t bear it if she tried to kiss him, and he pushed her away. That would be too awful for words. Then she would cry.

So she summoned the only words she could.

“I’m sorry about the blankets, Barry. I honestly forgot.”

“It’s okay, Iris,” he said softly, and his voice was so warm and gentle it reminded her that they hadn’t even hugged yet, because Caitlin had been there, and Iris had been in shock.

She sniffled, and he heard it.

“Iris, please tell me why you’re crying.”

He laid his palm on the door, and somehow Iris felt it and placed her palm on the other side. But she shook her head, and she wouldn’t open the door.

“I just missed you, Barry.”

“I missed you, too, Iris.”

“Not in the same way,” she insisted, and he didn’t know how to take that.

“Let me in, Iris,” he said, his forehead pressed to the door. “I’ll make it all better.”

“Bear?”

And the two broke apart, because it wasn’t Iris saying his name, it was Joe.

“Joe, hey.”

“Is everything okay?” He walked over to Iris’ door, and Iris heard it, and she was mortified.

Her dad could not get involved in this. That would be the absolute worst thing ever.

So, she stumbled back, and she got in her bed, and she squeezed her eyes shut, hoping the door wouldn’t be opened. Or that her dad wouldn’t pound on it if he discovered it was locked.

“Yeah, uh, I just…” Barry cleared his throat. “I thought I heard Iris saying something, but there’s no sound, so she must be asleep.”

Joe knocked lightly on the door.

“Baby girl?”

Silence.

“It’s alright, Joe. I’m sure I can talk to her in the morning.”

Joe forced a tiny smile and nodded.

“I’ll see you in the morning then, all three of you.”

Barry forced his own smile and headed for his own room but not before running his hand down Iris’ door and whispering, “Goodnight, Iris.”

Once inside his room, he changed clothes and tucked himself into bed, but he couldn’t seem to close his eyes for long. He couldn’t stop thinking about Iris.

He’d tried to put their sexcapades from two months ago out of his head as much as he could, for Iris’ sake if not for his own. And he thought Iris would’ve done the same, and maybe even done a better job of it than he had. But her pointing out that it had been only two months since they’d last seen each other told him loud and clear that she’d failed as miserably as he had.

Those two days were permanently ingrained into his memory. Every touch, every moment, every word on repeat in his mind from the second he woke up till that last bit of consciousness before he fell asleep.

His whole world was and always would be Iris. It was hard to tell her not to be jealous now though when she’d made it clear to him that she didn’t want to start a relationship that allowed her to be so.

He didn’t know how to move forward or ease her worries. He just wanted her to be okay, and to…change her mind about him. It had been two months. Had she possibly changed her mind?

He didn’t know. How could he if she wouldn’t even have a full conversation with him?

It was driving him insane. Already.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

He would try to fall asleep at the very least. He would focus on that. If he succeeded, maybe there was hope for tomorrow with Iris, with everything.

#westallen #westallen fanfiction #backtothestart02 fanfiction #thanksgiving break #chapter 2

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para-mi-familia · 3 months

Text

Today, you told us.

It's the first time we have seen you in months. We have been struggling, a little afraid now because... the car is yours and we have no way of paying you back for it right now. We have been struggling to save up money, but everytime we save to put a down-payment there is something else to fix on her...

I text you. Love you.

And we have been so, SO, mad at you.

For all the times we tried to hang out.

The missed calls, ignored texts. Declined celebrations.

You missed your birthday. We had cake and Mexican to celebrate. We wrapped presents for you. We call and post on fb. Text we love you.

You missed Halloween, I put out those pretty little deco pumpkins you got me that one year, send your a picture of them and our pumpkins.

Thanksgiving came and went, the besties celebrated with us, we complained that it seemed you had chosen your new bf over us. We wanted you to have Tamales with us. The sister and her gf broke up. We got a little angrier.

My birthday came and you called... it wasn't the same as having you coral us to breakfast and even tho I was happy and the brother attempted to make me my favorite cake... I was angry. I got sick cause of my meds and the brother and sister tried so hard to not cry as I couldn't keep anything down and couldn't go to work. They didn't call you cause we didn't want to bother you. Of course, you were busy with your bf and his daughter. You posted pictures of the three of you. So happy... I didn't text you.

Christmas.

We.. your presents sat beside ours. We said we didn't need you to go shopping with us. We ordered online. We didn't need to meet you for breakfast before we could go shopping. We talked to dad and assured him you sent your love even though it had been a couple weeks that you didn't answer.

You promised to set aside a day soon so that we can open presents together.

New years. It's quiet.

We celebrated the god-daughters birthday.

February. The brothers birthday. He gave away one of your Christmas presents. He was so upset you didn't call. You haven't made time for us or our Christmas presents. You are probably busy with your bf. He is so GREAT, I guess. I was angry. You made a fb post but... it's not the same. I made him confetti cake. He made a wish. I hope it comes true.

The sisters ex gf texted me, she's concerned. We have a family meeting. It's hard, it would be easier if you were there cause you would say how dumb she is, so I have to say it. I have to remind her we struggle together. I have to remind her we love her. The brother reminds her I am dumb and will not think twice about giving my life for hers. He reminds her he will literally kill for her.

You texted, we need to talk. Can we meet? Super important! I continue the conversation within the family group chat, the siblings need to know too. Don't talk to just me, we don't do things alone.

Today you told us.

The car is in the shop next door for an alignment, you chose pancakes at the cracker barrel. We don't want to do adult things anymore. The sister joked when you finally said it was time to have a serious talk. "Are you dying?" We laughed, you've never been sick.

"I have breast cancer. "

We have been SO ANGRY at you.

"Say psych right now"

You tell us you found a lump around your birthday. I put your wrapped birthday presents into a new box and wrapped it in Christmas paper. The doctors are not kidding. They have been very aggressive with their treatment of it. We learned how to make conchas and wondered if we should take some to you. I made macarons for the brother, I'm sure you don't have time for us to swing by quickly to drop some off for you. They put in a port, and your bf has been very attentive, going with you to the doctors offices. You've gotten into arguments cause he wants you to tell us. We have been so angry at you. We wanted to take you out for pancakes. We joked about shopping for candles. Your favorite thing, we find a coffee scented one, we laugh about the time you face planted into one cause you loved it so much. I wanted you to hold my hand cause I was running a fever. You're going to start chemo, it will take a year, and they've told you about all the medical advances they've made. I can't even see your port through your shirt. Once that is done they will monitor you for another three years, but you are young and strong, never been sick before. You will beat this.

I think about throwing up. It sucks. I hate the doctors office cause they don't want anyone else with you and it's scary cause I can't think straight all the time. The brother and sister ask questions, they take information, they say things I don't want to say. You'll have to throw up. Will he hold your hair back? Does he know your leg bounces when you're scared? You do that thing too, twist fucking napkins (cause mom always had to have napkins) you fucking rip them to shreds when you are nervous. He should know you will need napkins.

"I've been SO ANGRY at you," the brother finally says it. We stop talking. He looks at me cause I can see he's scared, we are scared and angry, but I always say it. "LOOK. AT. ME." He hasn't said anything really, it's me and the little sister asking questions, the little sister telling you it's not fair cause she is younger and can throw a tantrum, she's throwing words at you. And he looks at me cause he is scared and needs to not be scared. I lean into the little sister, she huffs angrily.

"I was so scared to tell you guys, I've always been the one to hold it together... I especially didn't want to tell you" you put your head on his shoulder and cry.

We are scared and angry.

It's not fair. You've always been the healthy one. Got all the good genes being the first born. Pretty and funny, hard working, people flock to you.

Your coworkers knew before us. "It was only a week.."

"Thats seven days more than me." I'm angry. I've defended you. I've not wanted to bother you in your happiness. I texted you even when you didn't text back. I told the siblings you texted back and said you loved them and missed them. I lied and said you were still busy with work and would plan a day soon for us. You still had Christmas presents for us after all. He's angry and staring at me.

"I didn't want to be weak"

"I picked you up" I remind you. "You needed help and I had to see you when you weren't you, when he nearly destroyed you. I came for you. We came for you, we held you up. We are family. We don't hide these things from each other. We are not scared by ourselves."

"I know"

You obviously don't. We look at the little sister. Remind her that we love her and she doesn't get to hide things. She agrees. We don't tell you about having a suicide talk. We don't tell you about how I yelled at both of them last night cause they can't choose to leave me. That even if something happens they can't just give up. You are my world. You are my family. I need ya'll to breathe.

You told us.

And we are scared.

We have so many questions. Have you told them you were allergic to medical adhesive? You said no, cause you hadn't thought of it but that the tape was bothering you, you text your doctors and remind us that your health insurance is top tier, they cover so much. I go to the bathroom with you and of course... you are reacting to the tape. Its ugly bruises under the tape, surrounding the port. I take pictures, you ask why so many? The doctors need references. Not just one. Send them ten if they ask for one, you got it? You agree.

You nod and look scared. It's okay, we are scared. You apologize.

I love you. We love you. You cry a little. It's okay.

I tug on your hair. Dark, so dark you think it's black but really it's golden brown in the fucking sunlight you love so much. If the time comes and you need a wig, I will teach you what tiktok has taught me. The sister laughs as the brother holds your hand. I promise to get a super colorful one for me and a regular one for you, you look relieved.

We are angry. Not at you. Just angry. Maybe a little at you.

You promise to tell us more. The brother holds your hand. You laugh and tell us that were scared to tell us. Cause we would abandon you? Or cause it would make it real? You realize it's the latter. We remind you that you are an idiot and stubborn.

I told you about the dream dad had. You took your bike out cause you were stubborn and an idiot. You wanted to go for a bike ride. Dad dreamt you got lost and he was desperate to find you. Somebody laughed and told him you had gotten home hours ago while he was looking for you. When he rushed home he found you asleep and safe in bed. I told you that you couldn't ride bikes without us cause he was afraid you would get lost. I promised him you wouldn't go on bike rides without us watching you.

That is why you told us.

I love you. Don't be scared alone. We are small but angry. We will burn the fucking world to the ground for you. We have nothing to lose but each other. And we are too stubborn and angry to let that happen.

#for my family #para mi familia #the elder sister #you told us #breast cancer

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