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natlovesls2 · 4 months

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Right Where You Left Me

Lando Norris x Fem!Reader

Warning: no use of y/n, swearing, some angst, all images used are not mine and are from pinterest, possible grammatical errors, mentions of blood once or twice, randomly changes pov, brief mention of mental illness (and the slight misunderstanding it/ disregarding it), I'm American (I think that should be a warning 🤷‍♀️ ), a little rushed, there might be more that I missed, feel free to correct me

Word Count: 1.4k

Summary: Lando living in the past or literally Taylor Swifts RWYLM

Quick note: italics are flashbacks and normal font is present time

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

Lando sat on the bar stool at the restaurant you both had frequented during the relationship, a place of sentimental value. He stared at the table where it had all happened– where your relationship had started and where it had ended. The table next to the window that overlooked the bustling streets, where on that rainy day he had mustered all his courage and asked you to be his girlfriend. The small table that barely fit both of your food and was often uncomfortable to fit at. The table with the mix-match chairs because the original were old and Lando had broken one of the chairs on your first date. The same table that he continued to seek out despite its lack of hope.

He looked up from his menu and stared at you, admiring how your face filled with concentration and indecision despite frequently eating there. You would sit there staring at the menu for minutes, occasionally asking for his opinion on what to order, asking the waitress for more time when she approached to take your order. It was the same routine every time the two of you went out, he knew you would eventually sigh and order some type of pasta.

“Okay, okay– I’ll just get the soup of the day,” you said, catching him off guard. He quickly looked up from his own menu, brows furrowed in confusion at your choice of food.

“Soup?” he asked, tilting his head as he asked, watching as you nodded and looked at the window being hit by a steady stream of rain.

“It’s cold outside,” you said with a shrug and a soft smile that reminded Lando of all the reasons he had fallen for you. He watched as you smiled at the elderly couple beside you and the way you quickly stood up to help the man when he dropped his silverware.

“How long have you been married for?” you asked the couple as you placed the silverwave back on their table. The dinner went on with you occasionally making conversation with the elderly couple, smiling widely at them. You would turn to Lando a few times, whispering about wanting to be exactly like them when you both got older.

“Marry her, don’t let her get away,” the older man said to Lando, patting him on the back as he and his wife left, causing Lando to chuckle.

“He’s not wrong… I shouldn’t let you go,” he said, nervously playing with the food on his plate. There was silence– not an awkward unmanageable silence but the thoughtful, yet comforting type. He glanced up from the table, noticing your small smile and it gave him enough courage to finally ask; “Well, I guess what I’m trying to say… umm– will you be my girlfriend?” he whispered, quickly averting his gaze back to his plate.

“If you’re not joking right now, I would love to be your girlfriend.”

The couple that approached the table and sat there brought him back to his senses, forcing him to turn away, reminding him that the table and its memories no longer belonged to him. The table had been snatched from him, you had taken it and destroyed every last bit of it. Using its worn wood to make a boat which you had used to sail away from his life– metaphorically of course.

He supposes he doesn’t know the exact point in which the relationship started to deteriorate. One moment you both seemed to be hopelessly in love with one another, and the next you were distancing yourself from Lando and your shared friendships– playing it off as being busy focused on your work and studies. He could still somehow vividly remember the day you left– still feeling the weight of the night suffocating him.

“Let’s just go and have dinner, if you still feel bad we could leave early,” Lando whispered as he wrapped his arms around you from behind, resting his head against your back.

The drive to the restaurant was silent– the type of silence that made anyone feel uneasy. The type of silence that would push you to nervously pick at the skin around your nails until it bled.

“Do you want me to order for you?” Lando asked, looking up from his menu to see you staring down at your hands as you continued to quickly and nervously pick at your skin. “Hey are you okay?”

“Hmm? Oh yeah, I’m fine– you wouldn’t mind ordering for me would you?” you asked him, your voice sounding distant and void of emotion as you finally noticed the small pricks of blood– carelessly wiping it off on your jeans.

“I don’t mind at all… are you sure you’re okay?”

“I think we should break up,” you impulsively said, nervously running your hands along your thighs in order to stop the urge to continue to pick at your skin.

“If this is because of your… issues then we can work through it together. You don't have to struggle alone,” he whispered, desperately attempting to save the relationship, which he thought was stronger than ever.

“That's not what this is about, Lando–”

“Then what is it? Because I don't see why we have to break up. I love you and I thought you felt the same way.”

“Don’t do that.”

“Then what do you expect me to do? I’m not going to sit back and watch you destroy this because you’re going through a mood” he reaches over the table to grab your hands in his own, as an attempt to calm you.

“I don’t… I don’t find joy in this anymore– it has nothing to do with my mental health. We aren’t the people we were when we first got together, Lando. I want more than this– I know I want more than this” you responded, moving your hands out of his own.

“And I can’t give you more?”

“I’m sorry” you abruptly stood from your chair, walking out of the restaurant. Lando stayed there for what felt like an eternity, body frozen with shock and slight embarrassment.

He felt the eyes of their waiter, who you had become rather close with over the years, sympathetic eyes that made contact with his own as he attempted to keep himself together.

“Haven’t seen you here in a while, you want the usual or something new?” Alex, the waiter who had witnessed the whole relationship, asked.

“You still remember my order?”

“Of course I do,” Alex let out a small laugh, “You and… you practically lived here before you stopped coming.”

“Yeah, I guess I did. I’ll take the usual then” Lando turned to look at the table once more, envying the happy couple that now claimed the weathered table as their own.

“I don't mean to overstep but I’ve seen her come with some guy. I think it's time for you to move on– I mean, clearly she has”

Lando nodded, slowly turning away from the table watching as Alex sadly smiled at him before walking towards the kitchen. You had been here with another man– moved on, as Alex had put it. He struggled to look straight ahead, the table in some weird way had a sort of magnetic pull on him. It urged him to take one final look at it– it wanted to taunt him with what ifs and happy painful memories. The sound of cheers finally pushed him to turn towards the table once more. Watching as the couple that sat there promised to marry one another– the table had issued one final blow. A reminder to Lando that you would never want that with him, he would never be able to promise himself to you at that damned table– it now belonged to someone else.

He supposed it never really belonged to him to begin with. He had been stupid to think that a table would be the glue that would forever hold your relationship together. Of course, he would be lying if he said he didn't still love you or yearn for your affection. If you ever thought you were wrong about your decision that night, he would take you back in an instant. But as he sat there in the suffocatingly happy atmosphere, he couldn't help but think that perhaps the table wasn’t as important as he had thought it to be. Maybe, just maybe, it was time to move on– to start over.

“Hey,” said a voice from beside him.

He couldn’t help the smile that came to his face as he turned to look at the source of the soft voice, “Hey.”

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。

#lando norris x reader #lando norris x you #lando norris x y/n #lando norris fanfic #lando norris imagine #f1 x reader #f1 imagine #f1 fanfic #f1 x you #f1 x y/n #f1 x female reader #f1 au #right where you left me

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mistydeyes · 9 months

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cardigans - "please don't go, please don't leave me" with ghost?? :,)

Thank for for submitting @corvusmorte ! Literally buckle up bc this is one of many angsty ghost prompts to come (y’all love seeing this man suffer)

link to the prompt list and 1k celebration!

prompt: cardigans - "please don't go, please don't leave me"

pairing: Simon "Ghost" Riley x gn!reader

warnings: swearing, ANGST, VIOLENCE (emotional and physical), verbal insults, depiction of injury - you have been warned simon is a bad bad boyfriend in this

┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊┊ ⋆ ┊ . �� ┊┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊┊ ⋆ ┊ . ┊ ┊┊

As you sat on the couch enjoying a bottle of wine, the last thing you expected was the rhythmic thumping on your door. Your merlot splashed in the glass as you rushed to answer. “Jesus I’m coming,” you yelled as the pounds grew louder. On the other side of the door, you were met with the tired and darkened gaze of your boyfriend. The air smelled of bourbon and cigarette smoke as you looked up at him. “Simon,” you gasped slightly as he pushed past you into the shared flat, “where have you been?” Your question was met with empty air as he slumped his large body across the couch. “Didn’t I tell you to never fucking ask me about work,” he angrily replied as you saw him grip your wine bottle and drink it like water. There were only two rules in your relationship. 1. Never leave fights unresolved (especially before deployment) and 2. Never ask about what happens once Simon walks out the door. It was as if he changed from the quiet, civilian Simon to the cold hearted and emotionally-charged Ghost, once he left.

“I’m sorry, I just was so worried,” you said as you locked the door and sat on the loveseat adjacent to him, “you hadn’t said how long you’d be gone.” “I just want to rest,” he mumbled and harshly drank from the bottle in his hands. “Do you want anything? I can go out and get you some food?” you offered but he gave you a pathetic flick of the hand which shut you up. Your fingers anxiously tapped on the frosted glass in your hands. You hated when he came home like this, you never knew how to react and he somehow made you feel at fault for every action you did. “Fuck can you just sit still!” he said through gritted teeth and you couldn’t help but jump in response and cause the crimson wine to coat your clothes. “God you’re such a mess,” he dryly laughed and you hoped this night would end in a drunken stupor. You tried to put your mix of emotions aside as you walked to the kitchen and cleaned yourself up. You couldn’t help but feel a few salty tears fall as you dabbed your clothing. You turned away as you could feel Simon’s presence in the kitchen. You said nothing as he cleaned the bottle to put in the recycling. Despite being drunk and angry, he still held onto his routines. “Do you have another?” he asked in a sudden kind tone but you were too preoccupied to answer.

Wrong choice as your indecision sent him on another drunken argument. “I fucking asked you a question,” he barked and as you turned, he furiously threw the bottle into the sink. The moment it fell, Simon could only watch as the shattered glass coated your hands and forearms. You screamed as your already stained white shirt flickered with more crimson specs. He moved closer to you in a moment of sobriety. “I’m sorry,” he said flatly but you were terrified as you reached for a rag. “Don’t come near me!” you commanded and he stepped back at your shaky voice. You were sobbing as you did your best to release the glass from your arm on the way to the bathroom. He stood silently as he heard your painful tears and the sound of drawers being slammed in an attempt to bandage yourself. Eventually, you emerged with two arms wrapped in gauze and you made a sprint for your phone and shoes. Simon was quicker than you and in an act of desperation, harshly grabbed your wrist. You let out a hoarse scream at the shooting pain and he dropped it as you fought against him. “Please, I didn’t mean to,” he tried to apologize but your ears rang with adrenaline as you pushed past him to the locked door. You fiddled with the lock as you fought through the cuts. As you finally got it open, you could hear him whisper a statement that made you almost turn around. “Please don’t go, please don’t leave me,” he whispered and you ran out the door without hesitation. First was rule two and now rule number one officially broken.

#cod mwii #mw2 imagine #task force 141 #mw2 #simon ghost riley #call of duty #simon riley x reader #ghost x reader #simon riley angst #madebyizzie #task force 141 x reader #cod x reader #call of duty modern warfare #izzie is drawing #modern warfare 2 #izzie is writing #izzie celebrates 1k

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mrsnancywheeler · 3 months

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invisible string // finnick odair x reader

based of this request:

congrats on 700 followers!! you deserve it sm!!💜 ahh i’m so indecisive, i wanted to send a 🪻 but i can’t choose between these songs: invisible string, delicate, or slut! so whichever inspires you the most! ik it’ll be great whichever you choose!

masterlist

1.7k words

warnings: fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, breakups, arguments, past relationships which includes allusions to cheating and a wrist gets grabbed, soulmates, a slowburn for them but not for us, meant to be, very little dialogue, allusions to trafficking, mental health struggles, unedited, no use of y/n

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

When Finnick was younger he'd take every free moment he had to swim, usually with his friends, but now part of him craved to be alone with the waters. It let him drop the facade and be melancholy even if it was one of the few things that really brought him joy. So, he'd stopped inviting them to his favorite secluded beach area, that way he could finally be alone with his thoughts. He would be able to turn the thoughts in his brain of all of his regrets and all the secrets he'd have to die with.

The only company he ever had besides the waves and creatures below was the family that always set out their boat to fish and it had been that way for years. A persistent presence in the water that felt like part of the environment and it didn't bother him. No one had ever spoken to him except when he and his friends were younger, the adults would urge them to be careful when they passed by. Now though it was part of the peacefulness to hear a family muttering around in the back. A family that just so happened to contain you.

Before he'd grown up and became more withdrawn he'd always accompany his mom, adorning her signature royal blue skirt, to the markets, where he learned the only place she'd buy her lobsters from was your family. As a kid it gave him some sort of pride to know where the source came from, this little special area, and now he was just grateful that the routines stayed the same whenever he was able to just be at home. He'd arrive at the beach and your boat would be bobbing up and down in the distance, Finnick would fill his time swimming and lost in thought, then eventually your family would dock the boat, he'd get closer to the shore and you guys would leave with your catch, you'd always send him a smile that he'd send an acknowledging nod back to. The normalcy felt good to him which is why it put him off when everyone filed off the boat and you weren't there.

It shouldn't have unsettled him as much as it did, but this was the one part of his life that he felt like he had some expectations for, there was control. You could just not have felt well or had something come up, but it made his stomach knot regardless. So he tried to go about the rest of his evening, searching for something to make his brain feel like there was still control. His feet brought him to the bakery, maybe those familiar sea green stained, salty loaves of bread would make him nostalgic enough to take away the feeling. There was also the cup of hot, mint tea that it seemed like only they could make the way they did, just right.The bell rang and he went inside, overtaken by the comforting smell and warmth. When he'd gotten the loaves and turned back onto the dimly lit cobblestone streets his brain only felt normal again when he'd caught a glimpse of you.

There you were, stranding with your back to the wall of the shop as you argued with some guy in front of you. Wearing that same sea green the bread was. And it felt ridiculous to Finnick, but seeing you was part of his nightly routine and it made him feel calmer even if it hadn't been the same way. This time he smiled at you and you noticed him for a second, sending a nod back before you were drawn back into whatever the man was saying.

Besides that blip, for months life went on as normal. He'd go to swim, the boat would be on the water, the boat would dock, he'd swim to shore, you'd smile a goodbye, and life would go on. A few months in there was an addition to the family on the boat, a new guy, and a new face in his routine was just as difficult for him to adjust to. Not as much as the day your family passed by and you stayed at the dock with the man. He could hear you both arguing, the setting sun illuminating you in your royal blue, your hands moving around to illustrate whatever point you were making. Finnick didn't want to eavesdrop, he wanted to tear his eyes away, but he couldn't. Then he could no longer sit still when the man grabbed your wrist with a yell and you tried to pull it away.

“Hey!" Finnick heard himself shout as his feet pounded against the sand, both of you turned your heads towards him.

“Whoa, man, nothing to worry about here!" The man let go of your wrist and put his hands in the air as some kind of defense.

“Definitely didn't look like there was nothing to worry about." Finnick knew he was intimidating, you don't win the Hunger Games and come out without some form of fear attached to your name. The man scoffed as he took a step back, “You can go now.”

The man said what must have been your name,"You don't want me to go, do you?”

You rolled your eyes, "Of course I want you to go!” You were exasperated and with a huff of frustration the man walked off. There was a beat of silence, "Thank you.” You acknowledged, sitting down on the dock, taking off your sandals, so you could dip your feet into the waters. Finnick hummed a response and stood there behind you for a while in silence before you patted the area next to you, "If you want to sit down you can, I don't usually bite." You didn't look at him, eyes staring out at the horizon.

His routine was already so skewed that there was no possibility of fixing it now, so he did sit and the dock creaked as he moved. “Are you okay?"

“Yeah, I'll be fine." You said quickly.

Finnick didn't believe you, but was in no position to call you out on that. So you sat there in comforting silence as the moon began to shine and occasionally he'd look over at you through the corner of his eyes to see how radiant you looked. At some point you were suddenly sliding off the dock into the water, fully clothed as you did so. “What're you doing?"

Your head dipped under the water before you brought it back up, “Washing it off!" It made him feel understood for a second, that's what he always was trying so desperately to do.

Maybe if he was a smarter man, after that night he would've spoken to you more, made an effort. Instead he thought about things he could say, but stuck to what was normal. The only chance was the added smile to his nod when you passed by. So for months he continued on, fantasizing about things he could say to talk to you, but wouldn't and eventually there was another boyfriend on the boat. It shouldn't have hurt him, but it unexplainably did. Hurt with himself for not saying something to you, trying to be your friend. He'd gotten used to it though until the night where you were once again nowhere to be found when your family walked off the dock. Another knot in the depths of his stomach, like something as being twisted and tugged at. So he did what he had nearly a year before, the bakery, searching for something to rid the sensation. When he'd entered it though he instantly found you. Sitting in the corner, eyes red, sipping a cup of tea. He couldn't stop his feet from moving towards the booth. In silence he sat across from you

“What'd he do?" Finnick asked as softly as he could. You sniffed, wiping away a stray tear.

“Sometimes I just wonder why nothing clicks and the puzzle pieces never fit even if I do everything I can. It's like there's no one out there for me." Your voice was so quiet as you took another sip of your tea, without a clue on any it felt so natural to open up to this man who you'd known without knowing your whole life.

It was how he felt too, everyone looked at him like he was some sort of monetary gain that could be achieved, instead of wanting to really see him. “What'd he do?" Finnick reaffirmed and you looked at him for a second before getting a look in your eye that told him everything he needed to know before you were shaking your head, trying not to cry again. He didn't know what came over him, but he rose to sit on the side of the booth you were in and had his arms wrapped around you, letting you sob into him.

That's when he felt it, the surge of energy, the bliss when you touched and maybe you did too because you stopped to stare at him for a moment. Maybe he was delusional or maybe something felt like it had clicked deep inside of his soul. He smelled the mint from your tea, looked at your royal blue top, and something felt right, more right than anything had felt since the day he was reaped. Eventually you just laid your head on his chest and felt the energy surge back and forth between the two of you. “I'll walk you home, I know the area, I grew up two streets away." He eventually muttered, not wanting to move at all. Suddenly you shifted again, this time to stare in confusion.

“I grew up, I mean I still live, two streets away.”

Maybe it was really then that Finnick knew, and you knew, that something had tied you two together since the beginning. That even when he was just the boy on the beach and you on the boat, without a word spoken, the universe meant for this. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that the string had pulled you from every man who would hurt you, and kept him living. It must have been worth it all to realize after all this time it had been you.

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

thank you for reading, fluff isn't my strongest spot so I hope this makes up for all the pain I caused in the latest chapter of the river! as always if you enjoyed it likes, comments, reblogs, discussion is all very appreciated and my ask box plus requests are open. thank you again 💋

taglist: @wowzabowza69

#wanda 💋#finnick odair x reader #finnick odair #finnick odair x y/n #finnick odair fluff #finnick odair angst #finnick odair x reader fluff #finnick odair x you #finnick odair x reader angst #finnick odair fanfic #finnick odair smut #finnick odair imagine #finnick imagine #finnick x you #finnick x y/n #finnick x reader #finnick fanfic #finnick odair x reader smut

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gwojo · 4 months

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Yuji Itadori as ur bf

FEATURING: Yuji Itadori (虎杖悠仁)

yuji itadori x gn!reader, fluff, thing's he'd do if u were together! wordcount: 806

We all know yuji itadori is a very upbeat guy, very energetic, outgoing and friendly at most. So that's how you both ended up knowing each other. (basically him befriending everyone possible without shame)

You liked him first but you didn't admit it and didn't realize it, his kindness and frequent comedic moments with his friends and you were things that you always thought of at night so that counts as a plus one in your heart.

His heart eventually grew whenever you smile at him whenever he sees you as he waves his hand out so casually but after seeing a smile like that, your smile was different than others.

Yuji is very passionate with things he does, he's a fair guy really but whenever he sees something he knows is wrong, he'll immediately get angered quickly and stand up for anyone no matter what even if he gets in trouble.

The thing is with yuji, he's a composed person (but he can get angered quickly depending on a situation) but whenever it comes to the feeling of "love" he's really clueless not unlike his gojo sensei.

He asked gojo for love advice once so he took his advice and did it to you the next day, let's just say you were staring at him literally with no expression whatsoever and also slightly cringing. (it was literally bad flirting and old man puns)

Yuji never took advice from gojo ever again, but instead went over to megumi which megumi helped him with (megumi just said that he should be honest with you and plan a date so he could confess)

He eventually ended up confessing aaanddd you guys are together now. (he was super awkward but he ended up getting used to with all your reassuring messages)

He was SUPER excited when he could finally hold your hand on purpose, so the first day that you guys were officially together after that night, lets just say he never ended up letting go of your hand

He has multiple jackets, not because he was lazy but because he was indecisive with what to wear and when he heard you asking for a jacket (HE LITERALLY GAVE YOU MOST OF HIS JACKET COLLECTION.)

He's so golden retriever energy, he would always ask you to go out with him whenever he had the chance to so you guys could go to the arcade, picnics, just anything fun that he thought you'd be interested with too.

Whenever you feel down, you never hesitated on informing yuji because he's the most understanding person that you've ever met so communication between you both weren't a big of a problem.

He'd stay home with you and not bother you with his teasing and just give you love and sweet kisses and just play video games/watch movies with you all day

He's a naïve guy (when it comes to love) with every experience he goes through with you but he adapts quickly and learns more about you, with the things you love to do and say.

He's willing to sacrifice himself just for you, for everyone because that's the kind of guy he is.

He's just such a baby boy and he smells like baby powder (LMAO) and his touch is just very soft, softer than your bed in the morning whenever its time for school. HES SO LOYAL TOO AND CARING TOWARDS YOU:((

He's just another part of your heart, a place in your heart and if he went missing, a big hole would also be gone.

He'd call you "baby or love" or just silly nicknames that you guys would call each other with.

He also gets confused with what you're feeling sometimes and he's super shy whenever he wants to ask you but at the end of the day he pushes himself towards you and tells you what he feels and asks you if you're feeling anything regarding about that situation

HE PANICS/OVERTHINKS SO MUCH WITH EVERYTHING (not like in a bad way.) At most times he'd be overthinking about the things you'd like whenever its your birthday or monthly/yearly anniversaries with each other and he'd always feel so bad whenever you watch him eat almost everything and he immediately buys you another one even if you say countless of times that it's okay

He doesn't get jealous easily but when he does (probably just like 2 times in his relationship with u) he gets very worried that he's not enough and he needs a lot of care, but he trusts you so it won't take long for him to go back all smiley!

Overall, he's pretty much just a golden retriever dog who's sooooo in love with you, loves spending time with you and would do anything to protect you. He'll entertain you everyday with new experiences and kisses.

reblogs are appreciated! thank you for reading.

— © gwojo 2023. pls i advise u not to share on tiktok, plagiarize, repost on other platforms, copy, or translate.

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spoopup · 3 months

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realised ive never posted my timeskip pearl design ideas here ..!! i wanted to wait until i did some more but ill just post them now since i made them a bit ago now. None of these r final because my minds constantly changing ! maybe posting these will motivate me to make some more

errmm my rambles under the cut!!!

disclaimer i have a bad memory so i dont remember much of what pearl was like after the timeskip (i played SOJ in august and i didnt get to play the DD dlc where she shows up i think) (i also dont think about SOJ that much) so im going off what little i remember and also making my own stuff up👍! sorry if my pearl lore is off in general

i wanted to make a casual outfit for her eventually because i feel like as she grows and gets more freedom to do things and makes more friends she’d develop more interests outside of spirit channelling. i think she’d still be a spirit medium and stuff but she’d find interests in other things. i also think pearl would spend some time with iris and would visit her sometimes to get to know her , i like the thought of iris teaching her how to braid her hair too! i also think that pearl would like cute accessories a lot , so i gave her some small stuff like hair clips, cute socks and a pearl bracelet(which was a gift from trucy, in my head)

i made these because i dont really like pearl’s timeskip design, it doesnt feel like much effort was put into it. in my frog opinion. and also her having the hair bead (unsure if it has an actual name) on a small strand of hair at the front has always annoyed me i feel like that’d be very annoying for pearl lol .. again none of these r final because im indecisive !! thank u for reading my rambling \(^_^)/

#ive made an athena redesign too i think i forgot to post here #i made it a bit ago so i might redraw it before i post it here :D #pearl fey #ace attorney #my art

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perseusannabeth · 3 months

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Chapter 9 - Nesta

A/N: Hello everyone! Long time no see. I'm gonna keep this short and sweet. Shout out to my beta for encouraging me to work on this!

Trigger warnings for the following in this chapter: mentions of suicidal thoughts, death during childbirth, miscarriage, starvation and physical abuse. As per usual, if there's anything you think I've missed that could be a trigger, please let me know!

Word count: 6119

LMBYH Masterlist | My Masterlist | My Ask Box | Read on AO3

Nesta was at the point where she had reached a steady routine, which rarely deviated. The routine gave her structure, predictability and peace she had never had the comfort of knowing in her previous marriage unless Tomas locked her in their rooms. At first, when he would lock her in their rooms for days, he would beg him to let her out, which only made him angrier. Then, he would deny her food during her punishment. Once she got used to living in that house, she saw him locking her away for what it truly was: a blessing in disguise. She was safely locked away in the rooms, with nobody watching her or worse.

Of course, eventually, Tomas realised she actually enjoyed the time alone, so it stopped. He couldn't have his wife enjoy her punishment after all. Instead, he decided that the physical punishments were better suited since Nesta enjoyed her own company.

Her current husband had clearly decided that her punishment for misbehaving was to just continue like nothing happened. Her wrongdoings from the ball had not been mentioned, and he seemed to avoid the subject while simultaneously wanting to speak on it. Nesta was fine with the indecision and continued to spend her days in the library. She would do so happily if she could stay there all night, too, but she didn't want to push her luck. Her husband seemed reasonable, but you could never predict what would make a man snap. Still, she knew that in the library, she was safe.

Her husband seemed nervous when he entered the library and rarely seemed to do so. Nesta assumed the years of neglect his family's legacy had seen made him feel uncomfortable, or perhaps it was something else entirely. Still, either way, Nesta did not mind that he rarely entered.

She had thought she understood men very well up until her second marriage. There were men like Tomas, who wanted to show everyone how powerful they were, puffing their chests out like peacocks, just because he wanted to show the world something other than what he was. He seemed unable to move out of his brother's shadow and turned to anger.

Then, there were men like Philip, who would crush anything they could not control. They were as slippery as an eel and sly as a fox and rarely had anyone tell them no. Those types of men were worse because they were much more confident in themselves compared to the kind of man Tomas was. At least with Tomas, Nesta knew she could play to his ego, which would appease him.

Then there was the kind of man Robert Mandray was. He was so gentle he was almost like a woman. His brothers had no respect for him because of it, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make himself more like his brothers. His wife had once disrespected his brother at the dinner table, so he slapped her across the face. Philip had looked proud, but Robert had looked horrified. He had left the house the following day, taking his wife with him. Nesta understood why; it was unsafe for either of them in a house like that. Robert was too gentle, and Philip was known for wandering eyes, hands and penis, too, if he could help it. It didn't matter if the recipient of his advances were open to them.

Perhaps the Duke was more like Robert, but then she wasn't sure if she believed that. He could command a room, and nobody could say he wasn't powerful. Nesta didn't understand much about the running of estates, but she knew the Duke of Illyria was good at it and had many profitable estates up and down the country. That kind of money came to someone other than someone who would run like Robert. Her husband had also gifted her with so much; she knew other men would dislike her being given such freedom and power. She was sure Tomas was turning in his grave, yet the Duke did not care.

Perhaps this was the freedom someone with his status and power could expect. The Duke did not care that Nesta could run wild with all the freedoms he gave her. He was too rich and powerful to care. Even the talk of society didn't bother the Duke; it seemed not to reach his ears. Important people clearly didn't have the time for such things. The issue was that Nesta had never been around someone with such importance, so she had yet to learn how she should act.

As Nesta steadied herself at the top of a ladder to clean the top of yet another shelf, she thought about how easy it would be for her to fall from this height. She could injure herself pretty badly if she landed on her head in the right way. She could die, and nobody would realise until lunchtime. But as soon as the horrific thought popped into her head, she shook it away. She couldn't do that. The burden that would put on her sisters and, worse, the Duke was too much. Feyre was so heavily pregnant, and she didn't want to do anything to put the baby at risk. Elain couldn't stop mentioning her children and wanting them to meet their aunt Nesta. And then, of course, the Duke would be the subject of a lot of scandalous talk if she died. No, she couldn't do that to them. She had a responsibility to them all. Her mother had always said it was her burden to shoulder these responsibilities. Even after her mother's death, she had been unable to move past that feeling.

There was a knock at the door, one that startled Nesta out of her thoughts. Only Claude and the Duke came here, but neither knocked so timidly as this person did. There was another knock, this time a little louder at the lack of response. Nesta called for them to enter and started climbing down the ladder.

To her surprise, it was a little boy who entered. The awe was evident on his face as he walked in, scanning the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. The boy was so entranced by all the books he tripped over his own two feet but managed to catch himself before he hit the ground. He quickly straightened himself out, but his face started to colour when he looked over and saw that Nesta had been watching him.

He cleared his throat awkwardly before finally speaking. "My Lady," he said and then paused. Then, he did the stiffest, most awkward bow known to man.

Nesta stifled a laugh at that but decided to put the clearly nervous boy out of his misery. "How can I help you this fine morning, good sir?" She said, matching the boy's formality and curtsying back to him.

The boy's eyes widened in horror. "Please, My Lady, you don't need to bow to me. My name's Arthur and I'm Eleanor's son; my mother said she's your maid?" The boy was clearly unsure if Nesta would even know who his mother was.

Now that the boy mentioned it, she could see their similarities. "Of course, it's nice to meet you, Arthur," Nesta said, putting on her best smile. It had been so long since she had smiled that she felt out of practice. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Oh, well, I was wondering if you needed any help, My Lady?" he said awkwardly while shifting around, avoiding eye contact.

Nesta tried to control her facial expression at that. Why would this boy want to help her? Well, her first thought instantly went to her husband. He must've wanted the boy to spy on her. But then, another part of her questioned this logic. Why would the Duke wish to spy on her when nothing else entered the library? It would only make sense if he was worried about Claude, which also didn't make any sense. Claude loved the Duke far too much to risk doing anything that would anger him.

"Why do you want to help me?" Nesta said, trying to keep her suspicions out of it. She didn't want the boy to feel like he was being backed into a corner. "This isn't where a young boy like yourself would want to spend his day. Surely, you'd rather go outside and play instead?" Nesta said, smiling so the boy didn't feel attacked by her words.

"Well, ma'am, I know I'm young, but I want to work to help my mother. We- well, we don't live with our father anymore, so my mother works really hard. I'm the eldest, so I want to help her. Maybe, if I help you, the Duke will see and give me other tasks to do, too," the boy was nervous about telling her his motivations, but Nesta couldn't help but smile at how sweet he was.

She had no idea Eleanor didn't have her husband with her, but her son was clearly nervous about mentioning him, so Nesta didn't delve into that anymore. "Well, as you can see, there's a lot to do around here, so I certainly wouldn't mind the help," Nesta said, gesturing around them.

That put a smile on the boy's face. He rolled his sleeves up, readying himself for some action. "What do you want me to do first, ma'am? Just so you know, I know I look small, but I'm very strong, so if you need me to carry things, I can do that too!"

Nesta wanted to avoid lumbering the poor boy by carrying books around for her, not when they were so heavy. The boy was skinny-looking, and although very eager to prove himself, she didn't know if his little body could take so much manual labour. Instead, Nesta looked for a kinder task that would allow him to help her without injuring him. She didn't know Eleanor very well, and while the woman was taciturn, she knew that there was a possibility that Eleanor could get angry if her son came back exhausted from a day in the library.

"Well, actually, there's a task I've been putting off because I've been finding it too daunting," Nesta said conspiratorially. The boy nodded eagerly, waiting for her to carry on. "You see those piles of books over there?" Nesta said, pointing at the piles of books practically covering the lone table in the room. "Well, I need to figure out an order for them; the shelves I took them off were a mess. If someone could put them alphabetically, we could put them back onto the shelves much tidier. What do you think?" Nesta asked.

The boy bit his lip anxiously before eventually replying to Nesta. "Well, ma'am, I think you could do that, and I could carry on cleaning. Wouldn't that be better?" Nesta was confused; clearly, the boy could see she wouldn't accept that without questioning him. "Ma'am, I can't read, so I can't organise your books. But I can clean for you," the boy said with a smile.

Nesta blushed at that, cursing herself for being so thoughtless. Of course, someone like Arthur couldn't read. Although schools were around, they weren't open to accepting people from a lower class. Some factory owners in the north were known to build schools for the children who worked with them, but this was rare. Nesta wondered how many children on the Duke's estate couldn't read while she spent her day in a library.

"Would you like to learn?" Nesta asked impulsively. It was too late to take the offer back, though, and now it lingered between the woman and child.

"Would you really teach me?" Arthur asked cautiously.

"If you want to learn, then yes. I've never taught anyone how to read before, but if that's alright with you, then-"

Before Nesta could continue, Arthur cut her off. "Yes! Please, I would love to learn how to read. I could get so many other jobs if I learned how to work. Please, ma'am, I'll work day and night if you teach me."

Nesta smiled at him. "I'm glad to hear you're so excited to learn. All I ask for is an eager student, so you don't need to work day and night."

As they both walked towards the table, Nesta finally felt that, for once in her life, she was doing something good.

***

Her day with Arthur had been one of her best days in a long time. Nesta had spent two hours writing out upper- and lower-case versions of the alphabet and saying the phonetic sounds for them. Then she let Arthur try to copy her letters to the best of his ability while he said the sounds. While Arthur repeated the process, Nesta cleaned, staying close in case he needed her help.

Claude had been delighted to see the boy with Nesta when he had come to serve lunch. Nesta had been glad that Arthur was a growing boy because he had eaten with such gusto that it had hidden how little she had eaten. The smell of the delicious food had made Nesta feel nauseous, so she had taken two bites and then left the rest while she listened to the energetic back and forth between Arthur and Claude.

Claude had such a brilliant way with children, and his personality was infectious. She couldn't help but smile as she watched Arthur and Claude laugh. Nesta usually felt like an outsider left in the cold; being an outsider while Arthur and Claude talked was like being doused in sunlight. The warmth seeped into her bones, and she felt something inside her thaw as their joy hit her.

When Claude had left, much later than he usually would, Nesta felt like she had been given a new burst of energy. She cleaned with renewed vigour, and Arthur decided to help her, which made the time go faster. Nesta also felt like she had gotten more done today, probably because there were two of them rather than her tackling things independently. Plus, when she was on her own, she tended to get distracted by the books she found, and before she knew it, the sun would be setting, and she had read a chunk of the most bizarre book ever. She wasn't sure which of the Duke's ancestors had been so obsessed with crocodiles, but she had found five copies of the same book.

Nesta assumed that her lack of distraction today was why her body ached so much. Arthur had thrown himself into cleaning the lower shelves, so Nesta had felt like she needed to match that energy, but now she was paying the price since the boy was over ten years younger than her. Sitting at the dinner table across from her husband, struggling to lift her spoon to her mouth, certainly put her in her place. She wasn't feeling hungry. That queasy feeling from earlier hadn't dissipated as she had hoped.

Claude had cooked a feast fit for kings, but she couldn't taste anything. Everything tasted like ash, so she kept her face passive. She didn't want anyone noticing, especially not her husband, who sat opposite her, talking about one of his tenants. Nesta never understood why her husband needed to tell her the ins and outs of his tenants; she couldn't imagine he wanted her opinion. Perhaps, like all great men, he wanted to talk about all the important things he did.

Still, it was better than when he decided to be polite and ask her about her day, which was inevitable.

"Claude told me that Arthur was helping you today," the Duke said. His tone was even; there were no accusations of anything, but she couldn't tell how her husband felt about Arthur spending time with her. Right now, he was just a boy, so there was no danger of him thinking Nesta could stray, but she wondered if that would come eventually as Arthur got older.

"I had never met him before today, my Lord. He walked in and asked me for work," Nesta explained, not wanting her husband to think she spent her days talking to strangers.

The Duke just laughed, startling Nesta. "Arthur is ambitious and most likely getting underfoot wherever he had been spending his day before. I think it will do him some good. The boy is responsible; he just needs some guidance. He's a smart boy, and I'm sure he'll do well for himself in the future."

Nesta paused. The talk of Arthur's future made Nesta hesitate. Clearly, the Duke wanted the boy to succeed, but Nesta wasn't sure how he would feel about her teaching the boy how to read. While she had been helping the boy, it had occurred to her that she should've asked her husband for permission before taking something like this on, and of course, she should've asked permission from Eleanor, too. Some people could be peculiar about who their children spend their time with.

"My Lord," Nesta said nervously. She could feel herself getting warm, the sweat gathering on her brow as she took a deep breath to calm her nerves before Nesta told her husband what she had offered without his permission. "Today, while in the library, Arthur mentioned that he could not read."

"Ah, well, I suppose that is to be expected," the Duke said with a sad smile.

"Well, I offered to teach him," Nesta said quickly, looking down at her hands. She interlocked her hands to try and stop them from trembling so much. She knew she had done something wrong, and now she would have to pay whatever price her husband felt necessary. She just hoped that Arthur wouldn't suffer because of her.

"Is that something you want to do with your free time?" the Duke asked Nesta as though her opinion mattered to him.

"If you're happy to allow it, my lord," Nesta admitted. It was risky to say she wanted to do something, especially since she had already gone behind his back. He could see that she wanted to do this and take it away as a punishment.

"Of course, I'm happy for you to teach the boy. He's ambitious, and I didn't know what to do with him. It seems like you've found the perfect solution for him. I'm sorry that I didn't think of something like that sooner," the Duke contemplated.

Nesta didn't reply; it felt like a trap to say she thought of something he didn't. Even suggesting such a thing would've gotten her the beating of a lifetime from Tomas. Despite knowing this act of the Duke was too good to be true, she wouldn't look the gift horse in the mouth.

"There is no school for the lower class in this area. Rhys's mother once campaigned for it, but as far as I'm aware, she was told that unless there was evidence of some interest within the community, the government wouldn't be willing to throw that kind of money at the lower classes. They believed they could build a school, and the lower classes wouldn't send their children because it was easier for them to send them to work. I'm not sure how much truth there is in that, but it's a shame these children can't learn to read and write."

The Duke sounded thoughtful as he spoke, which Nesta had not expected to hear. Nor had she expected to listen to thoughts about supporting the lower classes. The Duke's family was an ancient one which could be traced back to the founding of Prythian. Meanwhile, the Mandray family had only recently been given their current rank. Yet, despite being so new to the money and social standing they currently had, neither Philip nor Tomas had ever looked at the lower classes with anything other than contempt or disgust.

It was strange. Nesta had not expected her current husband to be so progressive. Then again, how he spoke of the issue made her feel like he had not thought about it in much detail before she had mentioned Arthur. But now that he knew it, he took the issue very seriously.

Nesta had heard whispers that her husband treated the issues of the tenants and people under his general management in such a way, too. He was unaware of all their problems, but if he was made aware of it, he would always try to help. He had apparently once helped a tenant whose ewe was birthing. The Duke had only been passing by, but the man had called out, needing some help, and the Duke had not faltered in rolling his sleeves up. The man had recounted the tale laughing one night, saying he had done little more than take instruction from the actual farmer, but Nesta couldn't help but think that he downplayed things a little.

Nesta took a sip of her water as the silence started to linger. Where she'd usually water down her wine, she had bypassed it all together today. Nesta knew it wouldn't sit well in her already queasy stomach. She had hoped the water would help settle her stomach or, at the very least, end the pounding in her head, but it had not helped.

"Are you alright, Nesta?" the Duke asked her, frowning.

Nesta straightened her back, hoping her posture would help her look better. She didn't want to admit she wasn't feeling well. Any sign of weakness could be used against her; she had learnt that the hard way. Men didn't want to hear that their wives were not well. They didn't care, and it was disgusting to have to hear about anything like sickness. Women were meant to suffer in silence.

"You look pale, and you've eaten less- I mean, you've not eaten very much," the Duke fumbled over his words. Nesta didn't have the energy to figure out what he really wanted to say; she was too tired, and her head felt full of cotton wool. She wondered how the Duke noticed she wasn't feeling well and why he would pay so much attention to her when he had better things to do.

"No, no, I'm fine, my Lord," Nesta said, shaking her head and plastering on a fake smile. The Duke didn't seem convinced, but he didn't comment. He still eyed her plate, so Nesta knew he wouldn't stay quiet for long. "The food isn't quite sitting well with me; it's quite strong flavours and stodgy. I'll go to the kitchen to speak to Claude and get something to settle my stomach; it's nothing to worry about."

Nesta was loathed to explain herself further, but she knew the Duke enough to realise she needed to give him some sort of explanation. She didn't wait for him to reply, as she quickly got up and rushed to the kitchen before he could stop her. Perhaps there was something Claude could give her that would help- or at least something she could eat without being sick.

There was chatter in the kitchen, but Nesta was past the point of processing it. The heat hit her as she rounded the corner and was met with various smells and sounds. She couldn't take it in; so much was going on, and her brain couldn't process it all in its overwhelming glory.

Nesta had been to the kitchen only a handful of times since she had married the Duke. She knew she was not well-liked in the household, which was fine. They were very protective of their master, and everyone else kept their distance apart from Claude, who seemed like he could be friendly with a bear. That was fine; the distance meant fewer chances of anyone spying on her to report back to her husband.

"My Lady, are you alright?" a younger man asked her. She didn't even notice when he came over to her. Claude had yet to notice her, but Nesta hadn't announced herself as she walked in. Her head felt so fuzzy that she had just ended up staring off into the distance at nothing.

"I apologise; I know you all must be busy," Nesta said, trying to wade through the treacle in her brain to remember what she had wanted to say.

"It's no problem, ma'am. We're not busy; it's just Claude's chaos," the man smiled. Nesta had been introduced to him but couldn't remember his name for the life of her.

At the sound of his name, Claude whipped around and beamed brightly as he saw Nesta. "Matthew, get back over there. You're not paid to chat with Lady Nesta," he said jovially.

"Of course, Claude," Matthew replied, a grin adorning his face, and mischief sparkling in his eyes. That's you who's paid to talk to the Duchess."

Matthew ran off before Claude could say anything, but Nesta could see the humour dancing on his face. "Now that Matthew is doing his real job, how can I help you, my lady. Is there something wrong with the food?" Claude said, looking anxious.

"No, Claude, definitely not. I just am not feeling too well. Is there anything you have that I can eat that will help?" Nesta said, blushing at her admission.

"Oh, of course. I make some wonderful soups, but some tea might be quicker. What seems to be the issue, my lady? Perhaps Cassian needs to call the doctor instead," Claude said kindly, leading Nesta to a nearby stool.

Nesta shook her head. "It's fine; I just feel a bit queasy," she lied.

Claude didn't look like he believed her but, thankfully, didn't say anything. To keep him from pressing the topic, she quickly spoke up, changing the subject. "Why do you call the Duke Cassian, but you're so formal with me?"

Claude smiled at that. "That idiot doesn't know how to treat a lady. He's the stupidest Duke I've ever seen," he laughed. "I jest. I've known him for a long time, and we've always been friends first, so it was natural to call him by his name. With you, well, I don't know you as well, so I wasn't sure if you would like me to be so forward and familiar with you. I wouldn't want to insult you."

"Well, I'm asking you to call me by my name. I would like to think we're friends," Nesta said softly. It was true. Claude was the closest thing she'd had to a friend for a long time. The last friend she'd had was long gone now.

"I'm honoured, Nesta," Claude said, testing out saying her name. Here, let me make you some tea. What about having some pastry with it? Really, you should eat something if you don't feel well; it might help to settle your stomach."

"Thank you, Claude, but the tea will be more than fine. If I can manage something else, I will let you know," Nesta said kindly but firmly. She knew her stomach wouldn't be able to handle all that liquid and then food on top of that.

Claude hesitated for a moment, weighing something up, before speaking. "Nesta, if we are friends, then I just want to say something as a friend. I hope you don't take offence, and I'm sorry if you do; it's just that I need you to know something. If you don't like something about my cooking or something specific you would like to eat, it would bring me great joy if you told me. I know you've said that you like my cooking in the past, but I can't help noticing you don't eat very much." Claude looked guilty like he had said something he shouldn't have.

Nesta was frozen. She didn't know what to do or say. She knew her eating habits hadn't gone unnoticed, but she hoped people would just leave her to it. She should've known that Claude would never leave a food-related matter alone. Food was too important to him, and she knew he had perceived it as an insult because she didn't eat much of it.

She could see no way around it. She had to tell him the truth. If she didn't, he would think she was rude, and in a house where he was one of the only people Nesta enjoyed the company of, she couldn't do that. She knew it was dangerous, becoming so attached to the man, but he was so soft and full of love and joy. Nesta couldn't help but be drawn into the man's orbit. She didn't think she had seen anyone so kind and willing to help others. She didn't even know people like Claude could exist.

She took a deep breath, Claude studying her as she opened her mouth to finally voice the truth. "In the Mandray household, the wives were not to eat first. Tomas and his brothers would eat first at the table. Their mother and sister did not sit with them often; they ate in his mother's rooms. The men ate without any abandon and were not the tidiest of eaters. Once they had done and left the room, the wives could eat what was left," Nesta said quietly. She had never admitted it before. She had never had the bravery to say anything, unlike others.

Nesta looked up at Claude, only to notice how horrified he looked. Nesta had never seen horror etched so clearly onto someone else's face, but with Claude, it was hard to mistake it for anything else. "Nesta," Claude rasped out, his eyes filled with tears. "Did they starve you?"

Nesta hesitated. She had never really thought about it like that. At first, she thought it was so strange and questioned her husband about it a lot. Tomas had told her it was a long-standing tradition in their family when it came to married women, but it had always been about controlling them.

"I never thought about it, but yes, they did, I suppose. There were times when we got nothing if we angered them. And then there were rules for if one of us was pregnant," Nesta explained, although she had no idea why she was explaining it. As the words came out of her mouth, she knew it all sounded horrific.

"Were you- did you ever become?" Claude asked, clearly unsure how to proceed in that conversation.

"No, not me, but my friend. She was married to Philip, Tomas' older brother. Her name was Clare, and she was the only person who understood what it was like in that house," Nesta said, her voice breaking as she spoke about her friend. She felt terrible for using Clare's pregnancy to avoid talking about her own, but then again, it was safer that way. She had no idea how the Duke would react if he knew she had been pregnant before, even if she didn't last very long.

"What happened to her?" Claude whispered

"She died in childbirth. The baby didn't survive either," Nesta said, wiping a tear which had escaped. Claude put a cup of tea down in front of her; she hadn't even noticed that he had done anything; she had been so consumed with her thoughts.

"I can't believe how much you've been through, Nesta; how did you bear it?" Claude asked, clutching his own cup of tea.

Nesta shrugged. "I did what I had to do. It was better when Clare was around; she understood how it was. I got used to things; I got into a routine. I knew how to avoid things." She knew getting used to things wasn't okay, but that was the truth. She didn't want to say that she had wanted to die. Claude seemed concerned enough as it was.

"That must've been hard, especially after your friend was gone," Claude said quietly.

"She was the only one who understood it, but I knew I had to carry on for her," Nesta said, taking a sip of her tea to give her some time to gather her thoughts. "Claude, I didn't tell you these things because I wanted you to pity me. I just needed you to understand that I'm trying my best. It probably doesn't seem like much, but it's all I can give now."

"No, of course!" Claude exclaimed. "And I'm honoured you felt like you could tell me."

Nesta didn't want to rain on his parade and tell him it was because she felt guilty for not eating his food, but then again, she would be lying to herself if she didn't admit that she felt some comfort around him. There was something about Claude which made her feel safe. She knew he wouldn't use the information against her like the staff in the Mandray household did. It was a strange sensation for her to actually trust someone. It had been so long she had forgotten how it felt.

"Will you tell Cassian?" Claude asked.

Nesta's eyes widened in horror. "No, absolutely not!"

Claude felt guilty for alarming her, so he held his hands out in surrender. "Sorry, I was just wondering if it would help understand the things you've been through," he said, trying to soothe her.

"He can't know Claude. He didn't want to marry me; he just agreed for my sister's sake. I'm grateful to him, but I know he's burdened by my strange behaviour. I'll get better, though; I'll become the wife he wants if he just gives me some time. I just need to learn more about his likes and dislikes. Once I figure him out, I'll be the wife he wants, and then he won't have any problems," Nesta said without even thinking. Her brain felt full of cotton wool; she had no idea what she was saying. She felt like she was speaking too fast and too slow simultaneously.

"Nesta, you know that's not what Cassian wants, right? I agree; I think you do need to get to know him, though, because when you do, I know you'll realise what he wants." Claude said.

Nesta didn't know how to react. Her brain was slowing down, so she raised her mug to take another sip of the tea. She didn't realise how much her hands shook until she spilt her tea down her front. Thankfully, the tea wasn't warm enough to scald her, but the shock of feeling the liquid on her startled her enough to make her drop her mug.

She shot to her feet as Claude got up and grabbed a cloth. The room was spinning, and Nesta eventually concluded that she had not managed to fight the horrific feeling she'd been having all day. Her stomach churned worse than ever.

Of course, her husband walked in on this chaos. "I heard some noise. What's going on?" the Duke asked, looking concerned.

Claude said something, but Nesta didn't register it at all. The Duke clearly understood whatever it was that Claude had said, and took Nesta's hand to guide her away from the broken mug.

She wouldn't usually be so glad he was so close to her, but she felt so unsteady that she gripped his hand like it was her lifeline. His hands felt so cool compared to her burning skin, and she fought the temptation to put his hand on her brow. Thankfully, her senses hadn't entirely left her, and she refrained.

"Nesta, you look pale and unsteady. Please, tell me what's wrong?" the Duke said in a frightfully close tone to begging her.

"I'm not sure, I just feel-" Before she could downplay how ill she felt, she felt the bile rise in her throat as her stomach churned. To her horror, Nesta turned to throw up the contents of her stomach on her husband's shoes.

It was over as quickly and suddenly as it had started, and Nesta felt the tiny bit of energy she'd managed to conserve throughout the day had left her body and lay at her husband's feet.

"Nesta? Fuck, are you okay?" the Duke sounded discomposed now, but his voice was starting to sound far away. She felt a hand touch her forehead, and some unsavoury curse words left the Duke's mouth. "Nesta, you're on fire; why didn't you say?"

Nesta tried to say something, but her head was swimming, and even thinking of words took energy she didn't have. She just wanted to sleep, and she could feel it calling her like a siren calls a sailor. Everything was too much for her, so Nesta simply embraced the darkness. She had just enough time to register strong arms grabbing her as she fell into the darkness lingering in her mind.

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#acotar #nessian #nesta archeron #cassian #nesta x cassian #text #lmbyh

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ihugzminseo · 3 months

Text

stray kids scenarios; 1/8. bangchan.

pairing : service dom!chan x afab!reader

synopsis : lucas, chan's brother, just graduated, and you'd had no idea chan wasn't joking when he said his family stayed out as late as possible when events like these came up. you'd held out for as long as you could, but now you're home and you need chan. bad.

warning : exhibitionism, public play, teasing

word count : 0.5k

a/n : i was originally going to post all 8 needy!reader scenarios together, but chapter 1 of that changbin and jisung x reader series is still in the works so here's something to distract from my writers block and procrastination..!

it was late. entirely too late.

chan's brother had just graduated, and the two of you had promised him you wouldn't miss the ceremony even if the world was on fire. but maybe you could try firefighting for once, because if you knew you'd be out from 9am to 12am the next day, you probably would've stayed home.

chan had told you his family was serious about events like graduations and weddings and birthdays and what not being literal all-day things, sun up to sun down. and you hadn't believed it.

chan's birthday passed during touring, so the 9 of you just went out to eat. but when you and chan went to australia for hannah's graduation just a few years prior, you had been out for nearly 9 hours, until it started raining of course.

but this ceremony was at the beginning of december, which was summer in south korea, so you knew the rain couldn't save you. and as beautiful as you looked, you'd really wished it would've rained, so everyone could go home and you could get to chan; because holy fuck, he looked amazing.

he wore a deep blue button up shirt, rolling up his sleeves and leaving his top two buttons undone. he'd been indecisive between several pairs of slacks, but decided on a gray pair, which perfectly emphasized the print of his cock through his pants - the cock you were desperate to get. he'd added black timberland's to his look, with his laces finally tied for once, but only because this was a "formal" event. his blonde hair was shaggy and curly, and it turned you on so badly to watch him run his hands through it.

you had no idea why you were as needy for him as you were; you'd been able to blame it on pms at first, but you and chan both knew your period had ended a week ago so there was no way you could use that as an excuse. or maybe it wasn't pms, maybe it was just because you were dating the christopher bahng.

it started off with you wrapping your arms around his waist and intertwining your fingers with his whenever you got the chance. this led to chan peppering your forehead, cheeks, lips, neck and hands with open mouthed kisses, running his hands up and down your thighs and whispers of "we'll be home soon, i promise".

the car ride home was only 30 minutes, but it felt like it could've been an eternity. chan offered to drive, and lucas sat in the front seat next to him. you were in the back with hannah and chan's parents, and all you could do was squeeze your thighs together and throw your head back against your seat.

hannah noticed how off you looked, and tried to hold conversation with you because she thought you were just stressed or tired, to no avail. you'd let out half-assed responses and eventually hannah gave in and just scrolled through some app you couldn't see until she got out.

after chan dropped off his parents and siblings, the two of you drove home in silence that was only inflicted because you knew you opening your mouth would result in needy whines and whispers falling out.

but as soon as the two of you were through that front door, your lips were plush against his and you rushed to undo his belt. chan was first to break the kiss, breathing heavily before speaking. "come on pretty baby, i know how badly you needed me".

#i need this chan so bad pls #bringbackblondechan #ihugzminseo #stray kids headcanons #stray kids scenarios #bangchan headcanons #bangchan scenarios #skz hard hours #dom!idol #stray kids x reader #stray kids drabbles #bangchan imagines

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swabsandcream · 10 months

Text

No Ordinary Fan [Part 2]

Jeffrey Dean Morgan x Fem!Reader

Summary: Y/N and Jeffrey become more involved with one another since their initial encounter.

Warnings: Sexual content (18+), minors dni

A/N: Jeffrey is portrayed as a single man in this fic.

It had been a week since Y/N met her favorite actor for the first time and somehow managed to catch his eye all in one day. It was impossible to describe the barrage of emotions she felt afterwards. She even found herself bursting into a fit of hysterics once she got home that night, jumping around and screaming as if she had won the lottery. It went on for quite some time, and like Jeffrey had promised, he gave her a call that same day. All the way up to this point, their conversations had consisted of them trying to get to know one another. They shared their interests like their taste in music, favorite foods, and even the tv shows they were currently watching. Jeffrey enjoyed talking to Y/N just as much as she liked talking to him, despite their age differences.

Both of them had agreed to keep their relations private, refusing to tell anyone that they’re talking to one another. Jeffrey wanted to keep anything from leaking to the press prematurely, and Y/N didn’t want to be bombarded by his other fans on social media. They were enjoying the talking stage so far, but since Jeffrey had finished up his meet and greets, he decided to take things a step further. After texting Y/N back and forth a couple of times since the day started, he eventually asked her if she would like to come over to his house for dinner that night. Turns out he lived in the country area located right outside of her city which was about an hour away. This would be considered as their first date, so Y/N was feeling indecisive about the matter. Jeffrey assured her that she could decline the offer if she didn’t feel comfortable with it, but after taking a moment to think and consider the possibilities, she decided to join him after all.

Shortly after accepting the invitation to her dream man’s house, she found herself in front of the bathroom mirror once again for a quick pep-talk. “Ok. You got this. You’re gonna go over his house and treat him like you would treat any other guy. God, it’s been so long since I’ve been on a date. Just breathe, and please don’t be weird.”

She only had a couple hours to get ready, so she used her time wisely. She showered and shaved in every single place she so much as suspected there might be hair. Then she went to assess her wardrobe, carefully selecting her outfit in accordance with what she feels could possibly happen that night. She wanted to look sexy, but not too provocative to where he may think that she only came over for one thing. She shuffled through her clothes and found a white, long-sleeved dress that draped down to her knees. She hadn’t worn the dress in a while, but it still fit perfectly, and went well with the light makeup she had put on before she headed out to reunite with Jeffrey.

Roughly an hour and thirty minutes later, Y/N arrived at Jeffrey’s multi-million dollar estate in the country. She felt like she was in a movie, having to stop in front of a huge gate and wait until she was granted entry, then pulling in front of the most beautiful mansion she had ever seen. In fact, it was the only mansion she had ever seen up close and in person, being from the city and a part of the working class. She was taking in the view as she got out of her car, and before she could even make it up the stairway, she was greeted by an ecstatic Jeffrey while he stood in the doorway to his home.

“Welcome! I’m so glad you- oh my.” He paused, watching Y/N as she walked up the stairway and stood right in front of him. “God you’re beautiful.” He said with a soft smile. “I feel like I might be underdressed.”

His outfit was very homey, a plain white t-shirt with black jogging pants. He also had on what’s presumed to be his reading glasses. Y/N had only seen him wearing them occasionally on the internet but seeing him like this in person felt like a dream to her.

“No, you look good to me.” Y/N’s comment only made Jeffrey’s smile grow wider, his dimples becoming more visible in the process. He then took Y/N by the hand and brought her inside of his expansive house.

As they walked through the foyer, Y/N was captivated by the interior design of his home. Jeffrey on the other hand couldn’t take his eyes off of her, finding amusement in her wide-eyed expression as she continued to look around. As they proceeded through the hallway, they were greeted by two barking dogs, each of them choosing one of the humans’ legs to paw at.

“I’m so sorry, I completely forgot to tell you about my babies.”

“Awe they’re so adorable! What are their names?” Y/N asked as she squatted down to pet the overly excited dog in front of her.

“This is Bandit.” He lifted up and held the dog that stood at his feet. “And that’s Irwin you’ve got right there.”

Y/N proceeded to introduce herself to his pet and allowed it to give her a couple of kisses before standing back up. Jeffrey took note of how well she handled being around his excitable pets and how much they enjoyed being around her as well. The two then continued down his lengthy hallway, the smell of food growing stronger as they made their way into the kitchen.

"God, that smells amazing! You didn't tell me you were actually going to cook. I thought you might've ordered takeout or something." Y/N went straight for the sink to thoroughly wash her hands, Jeffrey following behind her as he lowered his dog back onto the wooden floor.

"Suprise, suprise!" His voice was cheerful as he took his turn at the sink. "It's already done, I put it on the table and everything." He finished washing his hands and guided Y/N over to the dining room next to them. He had a long, rectangular dining room table made of marble. On it were two plates of a meal that the two of them mutually enjoyed, along with two stemmed glasses of white wine. The effort and the time he spent putting this together did not go unrecognized by Y/N, referring to him as a true gentleman that knows how to treat a lady.

The two sat across from each other and began to enjoy their delicious meal. They had a detailed conversation about his memories of playing Negan and the on set shenanigans, especially with his good friend Norman Reedus. Y/N didn’t have nearly as many interesting personal stories to share, but Jeffrey listened intently regardless. She particularly loved the way he looked at her whenever she was speaking, like she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. Although they had finished having dinner, they continued to talk while sitting at the table.

“Perfect.” He muttered, keeping his gaze on her as she told a story about a funny moment she had at work. She cut her story short, not quite hearing what he had said.

“What did you say?” She asked.

“I said you’re perfect. Everything about you. You have no idea what you’re doing to me right now.” Jeffrey’s voice was deep and sultry, sending chills down Y/N’s spine as she finished her glass of wine. She didn’t have time to respond before Jeffrey got up out of his chair and made his way over to her on the other side of the table. He stood behind her and gently placed his large hands onto her shoulders, leaning down to whisper into her ear.

“Come with me. I want to show you something.” His seductive tone combined with the grip he had on her shoulders was a lot for Y/N to bear at the moment. She could feel a buzz coming on from the wine she drank, along with the growing arousal in between her thighs. He took his hands off of her and allowed his lips to brush against her ear as he stood straight up, stepping back from his date’s chair. With no hesitation, she stood up and took his hand as they made their way out of the dining room and into the movie theater he had built inside his home.

She gasped at the sight of the massive screen surrounded by an extra-long sofa that extended from one side of the room to the other. After listening to how much she loves watching films and tv shows, he knew that this room would be her favorite room of them all. He brought her over to the sofa, and they sat down next to each other, leaving a small space in between them. Y/N started lightly bouncing on the sofa with the intent to further entice the man beside her.

"Hmm comfy. Good for...a lot of things." Y/N's flirtatious behavior was definitely working at this point as Jeffrey's lips slowly curled up into a sinful smile.

"A lot of things like what exactly? Could you be more specific?" He placed a hand on her thigh, being covered by her dress, slowly rubbing it with his thumb.

Without a second thought, Y/N grabbed his hand and slid it underneath her dress, allowing his fingers to travel up the bare skin of her thigh. He exhaled deeply, taking in the feeling of her warm and delicate skin all the way up to the dampened cloth covering her warmth. Jeffrey used his free hand to adjust the protruding bulge in his pants, leaning in so close to her face that their noses were touching. She didn't say a word, allowing her unstable breathing to speak for itself.

"Tell me you want this." He whispered.

"I want this." She cooed, granting him permission to press his lips onto hers. From there, the two lovers were entangled with one another on the massive sofa with nothing but the sounds of their acts of pleasure.

#jeffrey dean morgan x reader #jeffrey dean morgan fanfiction #jeffreydeanmorgan #jeffrey dean morgan #jdm

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carboysandbikemen · 2 years

Text

Constant Craving

Pairing: Fem!Reader x Fernando Alonso

Summary: You invite Fernando to your fortnightly film night with your friends in the hope of spending time with him, but he clearly has other ideas.

Warnings: 18+

Word Count: 1990

Tags: essentially Fernando getting you off under a blanket during film night, fingering, exhibitionism, Nando being a fucker.

Masterlist

“What do you want to watch?” Charles asks, thumbing through Netflix as he sprawls over the armchair.

It’s your fortnightly film night, which has slowly been gathering popularity with a few others on the grid, and as usual Charles was being indecisive.

“Horror.” George suggests, resting his feet on top of Charles who shoves them off and glares at him. “Also, who invited Fernando?”

Charles laughs and raises an eyebrow at you questioningly.

“Don’t look at me! Probably Esteban.” You lie.

You’ve been sleeping with Fernando for a couple of months now but you’ve been hesitant to tell any of your friends. It’s not like he’s all that popular on the grid, and you’re not sure how some of them would take it. When you’d invited him along you really hadn’t expected him to say yes, and you’re not sure why he did, but as he comes in from the kitchen, flinging a blanket over you both as he settles in next to you, you can't help but be pleased.

Where you’d normally sit next to George, you’ve chosen to go for the two seater in hopes that Fernando would be able to sit next to you, which thankfully he’d picked up on, and you hope it doesn't seem too suspicious. You’re just looking forward to being able to spend some time with him and your friends.

Eventually, Charles settles on some terrible horror film to please George, insisting on using the new surround sound system he’d bought to make it more immersive.

Under the blanket, Fernando moves his hand slowly over to you and you bite your lip to stop yourself smiling, getting ready for him to slip his hand into yours. Instead, he places his hand on your thigh, a little too high to be an innocent gesture. You try not to react, feeling your heart rate spike as he runs it a little higher, slipping under your skirt.

When you pluck up the courage to look over at him, he’s looking at the TV, face impassive as his hand continues to climb, reaching the edge of your panties.

You squeeze your thighs together and he looks over at you, raising an eyebrow as your eyes widen at him. Without trying to make it obvious you quickly look over at the guys, but thankfully they're all focused on the film.

Meanwhile, Fernando runs his fingers along the fabric, before lightly pinching you, making you jump before you can help it.

“It’s not that scary y/n.” Charles teases you, and you feel yourself go red.

You roll your eyes at him, muttering a ‘shut up’, but it's hard to focus when Fernando boldly runs his fingers lightly along your clothed pussy as you do. He’s touching you with confidence, circling your covered clit with slightly more pressure this time.

You know that if you pushed his hand away or gave him any sort of sign he’d stop, but he’s also touching you like he owns you. Like he decided he wants to play with you, and you’re right here for him to do it. Like a toy for him to amuse himself with.

The thought turns you on so much you have to bite your lip to stop a moan escaping your lips.

All the while he continues, pressing down on your clit hard, like it's his. You can feel yourself getting wet, and he must feel it too because when you steal a glance over to him he’s smirking slightly, still not looking at you.

Slowly, he starts to press down, forcing some of your underwear inside you. Even though you’re wearing silk, its still rough against your sensitive pussy and you squirm in your seat. At the movement, he stops his motions and grabs you, his large hand pressing into you and pushing you back down where he wants you, heel of his hand against your clit.

When you still your movements he rewards you by pressing into you again, harder this time but your panties are quickly becoming wet from the mess youre making and it makes it a bit easier this time for him to fuck them deeper inside of you, clearly having fun with you.

You glance over at the boys again, sure that someone is going to clock onto what's happening, but George is trying to sneak his feet over Charles again and the rest of them seem engrossed in the film.

Fernando notices it too, leaning over and whispering into your ear.

“I bet I can make you come without them noticing. Just like this.” He says, low enough for just you to hear, fucking his fingers and your panties deeper into you and grinding the ball of his hand into you. “With everyone sitting there, so close, not knowing what a whore you are.”

He leans back, not letting you answer, not wanting to bring any attention to you both.

To let him know how right he is, you open your legs slightly for him to get better access and he huffs out a quiet laugh. The kind of laugh that says that's right you little slut, prove me right.

He’s right though, if he keeps this up you’re going to come from this. The fact he’s doing it so brazenly in front of everyone turning you on so much you could scream. Moving his fingers out of you, he pulls the soaking wet fabric up, as he drags them to your clit, the sensation making you let out an involuntary little noise.

Fernando leans in again. “Careful now.”

He’s going to make you come. He decided he wanted to play with your pussy and now he’s going to make you come in front of your friends. You can feel yourself going red.

Because you made a noise, and because it's Fernando, he stops. His hands leave you as he goes back to running his thumb along the inside of your panties. You can’t even protest. You can't do anything but let him do whatever he wants.

He doesn't let you rest for long though, slipping his thumb underneath the fabric and pushing them to one side. Without warning he pushes two fingers straight into you, making you choke out a noise.

George turns to look at you. You’re sure you're bright red. Fernando stops his movements, but leaves his fingers inside of you. Charles turns too.

“You okay?” George asks.

“Just need some water, ignore me.” You say, reaching down to grab your glass, feeling his fingers shift inside of you.

“Nah I think she's scared.” Charles laughs, and Fernando decides to start moving his fingers again, just as you try and take a drink.

“If you’re scared, you can alway hold my hand.” Fernando adds, and you whip your head around to look at him, eyes wide at the boldness of his words as he works his fingers deeper inside of you.

Charles and George both laugh, but thankfully let it drop and go back to watching the movie while you take another drink and carefully put the glass down, trying not to spill any as Fernando fucks into you a little harder.

It’s all just a game to him and god if that doesn't turn you on.

He adds another finger and it's almost too much too fast but then he presses the heel of his hand into your clit and you nearly come right there and then, his fingers working you expertly.

Suddenly, he removes his fingers, leaving you aching and desperate.

You’re not even sure what this film is about, you can't focus on anything but Fernando’s hand between your legs, all thoughts emptying your brain except the need to get off.

He’s not giving you a break though, no instead he focuses his skills on your clit, rolling it between his fingers and running his thumb over it, mixing up his speeds and technique until you’re about to cry before he fucks his fingers back into your dripping wet cunt.

You’re going to come, you can feel it. He’s going to make you come not five meters from your friends. From your teammate. Just because he can.

Risking it, you look over at him, and you think he gets it from how he smirks and speeds up, grinding his hand into you and finally tipping you over the edge. You clench around him, bringing your hand to your mouth so you can bite your thumb to not make any noise as he fucks you through it, your breathing heavier then it should be but you cant help it.

As he slowly pulls out of you, you take a moment to comprehend what just happened, and before you can even catch your breath he’s on it again, gently playing with your wet cunt with small teasing touches. Not enough to get you going again, but enough to make your oversensitive pussy squirm under him.

He carries on like this for a while, letting you recover but also teasing you to the point that you want to cry. You need him to do more, to fuck you again, but you can’t ask for it. You can't do anything at all except let him play with you exactly how he wants and he knows it.

His touch alternates between the sensitive part of your inner thigh, pinching it softly and then sometimes with a bit more force, before running the tips of his fingers up and down your wet pussy, all the while avoiding your clit. He dips his fingers close to your entrance, and you think that he’s finally going to fuck you again before he pulls back.

You let out a little huff, loud enough for just him to hear but when you look over he doesn't react, his face firmly fixed on the tv, his expression impassive.

When a particularly loud part of the film comes on, he leans in again.

“When this is over I’m going to fuck this pussy so hard you’ll be screaming my name.” He says and finally, finally, fucks two fingers back into you.

You’re not sure how much more you can take. You know the film is drawing to a close but if he doesn't make you come again soon before it does you’re going to scream at him, and you don't care who is in the room.

Thankfully he speeds up, fucking into you deeply and curling his fingers up to hit that spot inside of you he knows makes you moan, grinding the heel of his hand into you. He’s doing it with such precise force. He wants you to come for him now and there's nothing you can do about it. He knows exactly how to work your cunt to get what he wants and there's nothing to stop him from taking it, and oh do you need it.

You feel yourself tighten against him, letting out a gasp that you’re glad can be interpreted as your reaction to the film. Reaching down, you grab his hand, holding onto him as he fucks you through your second orgasm, pushing your hips up to meet him. Coming for the second time in the same room as your friends.

Part of you is worried that you’re going to have made such a mess that it will show, that you’re going to have a wet patch on your skirt, but Fernando just keeps his fingers inside of you.

For the rest of the film he keeps them there. Not teasing, not moving, but just inside of you filling you up, reminding you of what's to come later. Reminding you that he can act like he owns your pussy, and you let him.

It’s only when the film ends that he takes them out, wiping your own come off his hand onto your inner thigh before he moves, winking at you, reminding you that the night isn't over yet.

#fernando alonso smut #fernando alonso imagine #alonso smut #alonso imagine #f1 imagine #f1 smut #fernando alonso x reader #fernando alonso

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rehfan · 1 year

Text

New Ralph Penbury fic…. This is only chapter one. More to follow!

The Hat Shop Girl

Inexperienced!Ralph Penbury x Fem!Reader/AFAB!Reader

Summary: You were working as a clerk in a hat shop when Ralph Penbury walked into your life. Nothing was ever the same.

Tags: Under 18 - DO NOT READ PLEASE, Eventual smut, slow burn, class differences, fantasies, implied/references to drug use, sexual inexperience, first kiss, first French kiss, vaginal fingering, nipple play, PIV sex, blow jobs, cream pie.

Read the story on AO3 — LINK HERE

DO NOT REPOST MY STUFF TO ANY OTHER SITE PLEASE.

***********************

CHAPTER ONE: THE BOY WITH THE SUNSHINE SMILE

“Good grief! You don’t mean that she’s actually tricked me into purchasing my own hat?” the man’s brown eyes got bigger in his incredulity.

“I’m afraid so, sir,” you whispered quietly. “This hat is yours? Your name is on the band inside,” you showed him the inside of the boater that you were holding out to him, “‘R. Penbury’? That is you, isn’t it?”

“It is,” he blushed beautifully in his humiliation, his brilliant smile gone. You couldn’t help but feel for him. He wasn’t the brightest bulb, but he had shone just the same. When he had first entered the shop, he was all smiles, eagerness, and jolly good times. He had tried several different styles of hats, showing increasing enthusiasm for each one that was brought to him. He had been especially impressed with the styles and materials that you had designed, describing them as ‘wizard’, although you hadn’t mentioned that personal point to him. You had been flattered by his candid positive reactions.

Your boss, on the other hand, just wanted him to buy all the damn hats and be done with it. You were bringing out his twenty-third selection to him when she pulled you aside and said: “God, he’s insufferably stupid. More money than brains, that one.” She paused, an evil glint in her eye. “Do you know? I bet I can sell him his own hat back to him and he would never notice.” So she did; she wrapped his straw hat which he had discarded when trying on the new styles in a hat box and brought it out, flourishing it as though it were the perfect answer to sir’s troubled soul, the very thing that sir was looking for, and would sir care to try?

And sir did. And he said it was perfect. When he said to put it with everything else he was purchasing, your boss gave you an avaricious grin and wink as she smoothly carried it off to the growing stack of other selections he had made, expecting a little extra in the till at the end of the day from that trick.

But you couldn’t live with that. While she cooed over him again about one of the more expensive hats and would sir care for a handkerchief to match? You stole the hat back and timed it so that when Elvira went to the back to fetch another, you pulled him aside to share the bad news.

He was sweet, a true innocent, and there was a motherly side of you that leapt up to protect him from harm - including that of your own opportunistic boss, the owner of the haberdashery shop you were employed in. At least, the one you were still employed in. By preventing your boss from taking advantage of this poor man, you may not have a situation to report back to in the morning.

But Elvira, or Evil-virus, the nickname given to her in secret by you and the other clerks who worked under her iron fist, was living up to her nasty reputation and you weren’t going to take it any longer. “I should have applied for a job at Selfridges,” you muttered, more to yourself rather than the humiliated man beside you.

You heard him sniff and saw his terrified indecision. “Don’t worry. We’ll pretend that she’s gotten away with it. I’m the one who will tally everything up, sir. I won’t charge you for it. Promise. I won’t let her do this to you. Alright?”

He smiled through eyes that welled up. “I’ve been a ruddy fool, haven’t I?” he said, his voice shaky. “I expect you will all have a jolly laugh about it after I go.”

“I won’t be laughing, sir,” you said. You were angry. Angry that this terrible excuse of a human being would take advantage of a man made of starbursts and sunshine. “I’ll be looking for other employment, but I won’t be laughing.”

“D’you know what?” he said, donning his hat and setting it at a jaunty angle in the mirror, “I’m going to reward you for your kindness.” At that moment, Elvira came out of the back with the next hat in hand. Mr. Penbury straightened his spine and said to her: “Never mind, my good woman. I’ve changed my mind about your shop. Sell me my own hat, will you? Well, I’ll be certain to inform all in my considerable social circle not to bother with this place.”

Elvira’s face dropped and she stared daggers at you. You swallowed hard, expecting a vicious private word once the gentleman had gone, purchasing nothing. Elvira’s smile recovered seconds later but Mr. Penbury brooked no arguments, further machinations from the woman, and he certainly wasn’t about to allow her to abuse you - even with so much as a look - right in front of him.

“Now don’t bother blaming your clerk here,” he said, “She’s got moxie. Honesty is the best policy after all and I’ll be damned,” the word spoken with emphasis and care, as if the man never swore in his life unless he truly meant it, “if you think for one minute I’m going to leave her here to be reprimanded for doing the right thing.”

Turning to you, he said, “Retrieve your belongings, my dear. You’re coming with me. Let us leave this horrid woman to her horrid ways in her horrid little shop.”

You blinked at him in amazement, jaw dropped, wondering if this was a dream, or a trick, or a hallucination. His smile and encouraging nod to you reinforced his statement; he had meant what he had said. You went to the back, gathering your coat, hat, and handbag and, with a last look around the place, you left. You were going to be sacked either way, so you may as well go off with a man who could at least prevent you from having a strip taken off of you by your boss.

Out on the pavement, he turned to you with another burst of smiling energy. “I heard you mention Selfridges and I happen to know the chap who’s one of the floor managers. What luck, eh? He’s set to join us at a party at our country estate tomorrow. Would you care to go? I could make the introductions and you could have some champagne and we’ll all celebrate your new position!”

You were utterly gobsmacked. “Sir? Are you joking?” You had to ask because not only was he too good to be true with his tailored suit, bright face and gorgeous brown eyes, this was too similar to dreams that you had had about being swept away by a handsome, wealthy man who could make all your dreams come true. Not that you were a gold digger. No, not you. But you had been an adult in the world long enough to know that money may not buy happiness, but it could purchase a close cousin or two.

“Why, no.” He looked a little offended.

You quickly added: “I only ask, sir, because I’ve never met anyone quite like you. You don’t seem real, really.”

“I don’t?”

His eyes were killing you. He didn’t see himself as others did, that much was obvious. “No,” you laughed, “you’re like a dream. Like you’re some knight come to rescue me and I’m secretly some queen or sommat.”

His grin spread ear to ear. He held his arm out to you. “Then let me guide you to my motor and on to my castle, your majesty. I plan on treating you like a queen for the favor you’ve done for me today.” His arm was warm and strong and it seemed more and more as if he was that knight from your fantasies.

He strolled with you on his arm openly down the street, the two of you creating such an odd pair: a dapper man-about-town with a woman who was obviously a shopgirl on her day off. But he didn’t seem to notice. He kept giving you proud glances as you walked along until suddenly, stopping next to a rather impressive Rolls Royce, he announced: “And here we are! Your chariot, my queen.” A liveried driver came out from the front of the vehicle and opened the rear door for both of you.

Your head swam. This had to be a dream. You tried to relax into the soft buttery leather seat, Mr. Penbury next to you, his straw hat on his knee as he regaled you with the plans for the party on the weekend as the vehicle smoothly pulled away from the kerb. It was no use. All you could think was that you really shouldn’t be there. You weren’t of his class and it showed. Lord only knew what the chauffeur thought of you. Probably thinks I’m some chippy, you thought. Mr. Penbury, on the other hand, didn’t seem to mind one bit.

As Mr. Penbury spoke, you realized that he really just floated along in life without any concern or stress at all. He didn’t have to worry where his next meal was coming from. He didn’t have to worry about the worn appearance of his clothing and whether anyone else would spot it. He never had to make do with the bread and butter in the larder because his pay packet wouldn’t arrive for another two days. You, on the other hand, well… your bills were always paid, but you were living close to skint; Mr. Penbury had never had the experience. The gulf between the two of you widened that much farther.

Yet for all his wealth and privilege, he didn’t seem selfish at all, which is a realization that gave you pause. All the wealthy folks you had met in your life - including the Hollingsworths that your parents had worked for - they had always been too busy with themselves to worry about any other human being. They sat in high judgment of people like you and people who were poorer than you. To them, you were nothing more than ‘the help’, there to make their lives easier without a thought to how much more difficult they were making your life. There was no self-awareness on their part. There was nothing but the next thing that would keep them amused, comfortable, and insulated against the cruelties they were happy to inflict on others.

Mr. Penbury wasn’t anything like that - or so he seemed. Sure, he was ignorant of the day-to-day details of your life including the insecurity of shelter and food that you fought off on a daily basis, but he seemed aware that poorer people existed and - miracle of miracles - actually seemed to acknowledge that you yourself were actually a person.

He was interested in music - specifically jazz - which you also loved and his eyes lit up even more when you told him about an American cousin you had that would send you phonograph records from artists you couldn’t find in England.

“Oh you must bring your collection to the party!” He instantly gave his driver a command to take them to your place. You supplied your address and off you both went, Mr. Penbury simply beaming at you. “You really are the mutt’s nuts, aren’t you?”

He clapped a hand over his mouth. “Oh! Was that rude?” He laughed freely. “I’m sorry. I just get so excited.”

“I can see that,” you said, smiling. “I’ll be glad to bring my meager collection.”

“And a change of clothes! Bring your party dresses. And your dancing shoes!” he said. You shook your head at him, unable to tell him that you didn’t really own party dresses (plural) nor did you own dancing shoes. You did, however, own one dress you were quite proud of and you set your mind to bring that one. You only hoped it would be nice enough to get a new job, but not too prudish not to have fun in. Mr. Penbury would probably fancy it if you showed up in sackcloth and sandals on your feet. Lord knows what the manager at Selfridges would fancy.

It didn’t take you long to arrive at your home, a seven storey structure in a more modest part of Spitalfields. It struck you what Mr. Penbury had just said. “Wait,” you said when the car stopped. “What did you mean by ‘bring a change of clothes’, sir?”

“Oh,” he stammered, blushing suddenly, “I only meant- I mean- If you weren’t going to be working at that horrid shop anymore…. Why don’t you just spend the weekend? Or the week? You don’t have to start at Selfridges straight away, do you? You could just… have a bit of fun first?”

Fun. You haven’t had any of that in years. You’d almost forgotten what it was like. And you didn’t have a position to return to anymore, did you? You had paid all your bills for the week so, why not? Why not go and have some fun with this ball of absolute joy? He was looking at you expectantly, seemingly ashamed of his forwardness. It was your turn to smile at him.

“That sounds wizard,” you said. His excitement warmed your heart and you went in to gather your things for a weekend you weren’t sure you were going to remember, but one you knew you would never forget.

CHAPTER TWO: The Whirlwind Twins LINK HERE

***********

Tagged People: @h-ness1944 / @crazyjenny8675309 / emma77645 / @hahahafucku

#Ralph timewaster #Ralph Penbury #writing #fanfic #Joe Quinn #Joseph Quinn #ralph x reader #ao3 #ao3 writer #The Hat Shop Girl #THSG

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obsessedwrhys · 10 days

Text

UNFORGETTABLE

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ Frank Woods takes you on a date at Burger Town (fluff, cursing, just reader and woods being a lovey dovey couple, reader is fem and also bell in this story, backstory will be explained using the plots of the campaign and seasons, reader experiences side effects from brainwashing, adler never shot bell in this fic!!)

ᯓ★

From being one of Perseus's trusted spies to working for the CIA, throughout your entire life you weren't sure who you really were.

However, it didn't take long for the truth of your past to slowly uncover itself when you and several others were tasked with taking down Stitch. From there that's when you learned your true identity.

Even then, you never felt like that person was you anymore, so you went on the rest of your life with a new name. Your own identity.

Despite the horrors in those events, some good managed to come out of it. You were able to score yourself a loving boyfriend.

Sure, he hates the soviets but you were a different story. Everybody deserves second chances right?

That's why during your mission at the USSR where you two were paired to infiltrate a russian base, he was absolutely baffled when you weren't familiar with the mascot of a famous restaurant he loved.

"Shit, it's Bubby! I fucking love Bubby!"

"Who's Bubby?"

"What?! You don't know who this is??"

"Uhh..."

And that was way before you guys started dating. After everything has settled down and that you two were blessed with free time, he decided it was only right to let you live your new life with a fresh start. That fresh start happen to be through the doors of the Burger Town entrance.

"I can't believe you managed to convince me to do this" You laughed as your boyfriend practically drags you into the place.

"You talk like I'm forcing you to join a cult" He said before letting you stand in front of him to queue up.

"Judging by how much you praise this restaurant, it might as well be" You joked which had him laugh.

"Oh yeah? And would you join if I asked you to?"

"Nope but I might turn you in for some cash" You responded which made him playfully grab you around the waist in an attempt to tickle you.

The second the customer at the front left, the two of you quickly stopped playing around and tried to act normal as it was your turn to order. You looked through the menu. So many interesting selection...

"Double Chili Time Bomb...?" You smirked at Woods who's standing over you. The two of you exchanging knowing glances at a shared memory.

"How about we leave that story in the past" He said almost like he's pleading you to forget it and you found it amusing.

"Because you mistaken a kid's backpack for a bomb and had everyone including me panic for no reason?"

"I didn't rest that well the night before okay. Now what are you gonna order?" He said and you looked back at the menu, going through each meal and being indecisive on which to choose.

There's so many...

But which one is ACTUALLY good?

Hm....

"Did you fall asleep?"

"Shhh" You waved at him dismissively to try to shut him up, but he ended up grabbing your wrist to place soft kisses on your knuckles.

"How about you go find us a seat and I'll order what you want" He said and you looked at him.

"You know I don't like—"

"I know"

"And I hate eating—"

"I also know that honey" He leaned in to place another kiss on your forehead.

"I did promise you a good meal so don't worry 'bout it" He spoke and you gave him a smile of gratitude. Feeling reassured, you eventually left to find an empty table to sit.

You're no expert but you're pretty sure you found a good spot. It's by the window and you guys get a good view of the streets. After a few minutes of waiting, you looked up to find Woods carrying a tray of the food he picked out. You could only watch in awe as he settle it down on the table before taking the seat in front of you.

"You ordered so much" You said.

"They're not all for me if that's your concern" He handed you your burger and you chuckle at his answer.

You remove half of the wrapper around your burger and just from the looks of it, it looked delicious, not to mention juicy. You then looked over at Woods who seem to be waiting for you to take your first bite. You couldn't help but struggle to contain a smile when you wondered how long he was staring at you.

"You look like Mary when she's waiting for us to feed her" You said, referring to your dog. An Australian Shepherd you two rescued from a shelter.

"Is that your way of calling me cute?" He asked with a cheeky smile. His confidence having you laugh.

"Shut up" You simply said but the smile on your face betrayed your words.

Not being able to wait any longer, you took a cautious bite of the burger. You kept chewing on the food but ended up pausing when you realised it was actually good. So he wasn't kidding. You thought and continued chewing but this time faster. Your act easily made Woods eyes light up in satisfaction.

"It's good isn't it?" He asks as he finally eats from his own burger.

"Its sow yummey" You said with a mouthful and he couldn't help but laugh at how adorable he found you in this state.

"Careful, I don't want you to choke" He grabbed a napkin and gently wipe the sauce off your cheek.

Taking his advice and also not wanting a heartburn. You took your time enjoying your burger and swallowing when you wanted to say something. At the same time, he was also enjoying his meal, he was leaned back and relaxed in his own seat.

"What did you get for yourself?" You asked before drinking from your straw. Your question made him look at you.

"Burger Town Classic Burger. You can't go wrong with the original"

"Can I try??"

"Only if I get a bite of yours"

"Deal"

Exchanging your burgers, you quickly took a bite of his and you couldn't help but melt at the taste. The sauce makes it so much better! Seeing you taking another bite, Woods couldn't help but chuckle.

"I'm getting the hint I'm not having my burger back" He said but you simply kept on eating, grabbing some fries while you're at it.

"Why didn't you take me here sooner?" You asked as he drinks from his shake.

"I would have if we weren't getting sent around on missions so much"

"Oh yeah...."

Right as you were about to take another bite, you felt a sharp pain from the front of your head. You wince as you grabbed at your forehead. This catching Wood's attention immediately.

"Shit... you okay?" Woods quickly stood up and was ready to rush to your side but you gestured him to stop.

"I'm good. Just an ache..." You rubbed your temples in an attempt to sooth the pain and it was slowly working.

Once he was sure you won't faint or fall over, he sat back down on his seat with his eyes still watching you cautiously.

"Is the medicine not working?"

"It is, Park just says it takes time since they dosed me with a lot of drugs, but the wait will be worth it..." You hold his hand from across the table to try to comfort him. His hands not hesitating to squeeze back.

It remained quiet for a while until he let's out a sigh. His tone indicating he was upset.

"... I'm sorry—"

"No... don't even start. You didn't know I was being experimented with. You don't owe me an apology"

"Okay..." He muttered but he couldn't bring himself to look at you. It was clear he still felt some sort of guilt from what happened.

Just then, you grinned when you remembered something.

"I never got to say, I still can't believe you beat up Adler when you found out. Mason told me you also punched Hudson when he tried to hold you back" You said, trying to change the mood of the conversation which worked because you could see the corner of his lips twitched slightly upwards.

"Yeah well if they hadn't stopped me I would have killed that son of a bitch" Woods said as he hesitated for a while before finally locking eye contact with you.

"Do you have any idea what you do to me? Fuck... the things I'd do for you..." He chuckles a bit, almost like he's in complete disbelief to the fact he finds it humorous.

You could only beam warmly at his words, feeling loved by the reminder of the memories you two shared.

"... thank you for always taking care of me" You said and it was enough to have him all flustered. He shakes his head slightly with an embarrassed smile.

"Don't thank me for something I'd do for you" He said. Then he reached out to tuck your hair behind your ear before resting his hand on your face to caress your cheek.

"Now come on, let's eat before the food gets cold" He said, reminding you of your burger that has been left unattended on your plate for so long.

"Ugh, I hate cold food"

"I know"

#I WROTE THIS WHILE BEING HALF AWAKE #its the fact that i thought someone would do this plot but i never found one ☹#cod cold war #cod #cod x reader #cod x you #cod x y/n #cod x female reader #cod x f!reader #frank woods #x reader #fluff #frank woods x reader #frank woods fluff #cod frank woods #cod frank woods x reader

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rhythm-of-space · 9 months

Text

Beach Baby

You and Josh take a little time away.

notes - hi! this is just a lil mundane thought i had inspired by the cover photo & beach baby by bon iver. thank you @sunfl0wer-power and @pr41sethemoon for putting up with my indecisiveness <3

warnings - not much. some nakey josh, alcohol/marijuana use.

"Joshua, shhh. jesus." You grin as you dig in your tote for the keys to your airbnb.

Josh had just tripped up the shallow steps, dropping two arms worth of things in the process. He just giggles at his clumsiness, and follows you closely behind with a joint hanging from his mouth and sand between his toes.

Slightly tipsy, he insisted you two walk down to the water from your bungalow you were renting over the weekend. Despite it being far too late into the evening and your disapproving 'no's', he still meandered over to the door to put on his tevas - a little graceless as he used one hand to velcro the straps and the other to down the remaining sips of his modelo.

He grabbed his notebook, lighter and six pack of beer and made his way out the door, knowing you'd find your way behind him.

You found yourself sat on the cool sand with your legs stretched out in front of you. You prop yourself up with one of your hands buried in the grain while the other one ran through Josh's curls that peaked out the sides of his bandana. He was laying on the blanket you grabbed off the armchair with his head sat on your legs, looking up into the dark abyss of the night sky.

He was so... calm. His mind often wandered but you could tell from how he fixated on the world of stars and planets that were usually shielded by the light pollution of the city that his thoughts settled.

The sounds of the tide breaking were rhythmic and serene. Each wave that crashed kept you present in the moment you were in. You had the entire beach to yourselves - the only things keeping you company were the crabs scuttling along, the sea foam settling on the shore and each other's comfort.

Eventually, Josh moved to his feet and his hands reached for yours, pulling you up from where you were sat. With one last hit from his joint he set off towards the waves. When he made it to the sea line he shedded his white crew neck and swim trunks, leaving his bandana on, and with a wink he ran into the water before you could scold.

He was hip deep in the ocean when he yelled for you to follow. It was the complete joy on his face that had your feet moving towards the tide. Sometimes it was hard to allow yourself to let go. To be free and utterly yourself. Yet, seeing Josh express every bit of himself and embrace the beauty of life, you gave yourself permission. He was radiance. Spontaneity. Love. And you wanted to feel all of it.

After taking off everything but your undergarments, you stepped in and felt a chill run through you. Before you could convince yourself otherwise, you submerged your entire body and head under the darkness before springing back up. The bite was bitter and you tasted the sea on your lips, and when the water washed away you noticed Josh beaming at you where he was treading a few feet away.

As you swam to Josh you felt goosebumps rise on your skin. He reached out for you and wrapped your legs around his waist, holding you close with his arms holding you by your hips.

His features were so dark and shadowed in the moonlight. You settled your arms around his shoulders and found his lips, sharing the sea salt that still hung on yours. He deepened it as he softly parted your lips with his tongue. The hint of earth and salt washed away as the taste of him and the alcohol he drank took their place. Despite his lack of clothing and you close to it, the space you shared stayed mostly innocent.

He parted from you but his face stayed so close you could feel his breath hit your cheeks. He rubbed the tip of his nose with yours and smiled as your eyes met his deep brown ones. His cheeks were flushed, from the alcohol or your kiss you weren't sure, but he looked so gentle, so delicate. Soft.

“Happy anniversary,” he whispered. A sentiment he wanted to keep close, despite being the only two on the beach.

You returned it with another peck and sank into the kiss for a moment longer. You felt enveloped by him. His energy, presence and warmth felt almost too big for this world. Yet, he managed to ball it all up and direct it towards his love for you.

The calm of the hour started to fade as the moon crested above you. The waves felt stronger and Josh's hold unconsciously became tighter around your waist.

“We're going to get swept away by the tide if we don't hurry.” You joked.

“I could stay here forever..” he trails off. “...It's peaceful. Quiet in my brain.”

“I wouldn't mind that. I like seeing you like this, at ease. But, Jake would miss you too much,” You arch your brow at him.

He laughs, “Well we can't have that can we.” And lets your legs gently back into the sand.

Nothing but the brightness of the night sky led you back to where you started - an abandoned throw blanket and some half-empty cans of modelo. Truth be told, you didn't prefer Modelo but when he looked at you with all of his brightness, you swear you could taste a hint of sweetness on your tongue.

"Let's get going before we get arrested," you joked, shaking out the blanket.

He grabbed all he could carry in his arms and slipped the rest of his joint between his lips, "but it'd be so romantic."

Which brought you here, back on the front steps of the picturesque beach bungalow fit for two.

“We've gotta be out of here early in the morning, I think we should get ready for bed hun.” You call as you set the keys in the bowl provided on the entryway shelf.

You feel Josh's arms wrap around your waist from behind and place sweet yet pointed kisses right below your ear. You know what he's playing at.

He says, “Mmm, whatever you say, Love.” against your skin and his hands start moving south.

You work your way out of his grasp, “Not tonight,” he pouts his lips, always one for theatrics.

“You're crossfaded and you need someone to make sure you don't get up to anymore trouble,” you say as you use your finger to push at his chest, “Shower. Now.”

“Sir, yes Sir,” he gives you a look laced with attitude and starts toward the bathroom.

“And roll your eyes at me one more time and see what happens,” you slap his butt before he can get too far and are met with a yelp from your drama queen.

Instead of taking a left into the bathroom he continues on into the master bedroom and plops down onto the unmade bed. He crosses his arms behind his head and lets out a hum of satisfaction.

You look at him from the end of the bed, unimpressed, knowing it's going to be an ordeal to get him up.

Crawling up to his laid out body, you move to untie his swim shorts to help him out of them.

“If you wanted me naked you could have just asked,” he quips, proud of himself.

You simply shake your head as you pull them down off of his body then move up to straddle his hips to work his shirt off of him.

Once you tug it off with zero help from Josh you start to move off of him but he wraps his arms around your back and pulls you down into his space.

His body heat radiates from his chest to your cheek and you think if you let yourself, you'd drift off right there like you have many times before.

He fills the silence, “You want to know what I think?”

“Hm?” You start to draw lines on his skin

“I think we should get a house.” He mirrors your actions, rubbing circles on your back.

“We have a house.”

“But a bigger one. One with grand windows, maybe in the country-side. With a yard for our kids to play in.”

“Oh, now we have kids?” You ask playfully, encouraging his little vision.

“Yes, two girls and one boy. They have your nose and my eyes.” He states matter-a-factly, as if he thinks about this often. That thought alone brings a smile onto your face.

You gaze up in interest, “What else?”

“A space to explore and host and relax after a long day... Oh, and a treehouse for the littles.”

“Are you going to build the treehouse?”

He ponders for a moment and shakes his head, “We’ll have someone else build the treehouse.” Probably for the best.

“And we should come back here every year. Make it a tradition for our little family. They need to know what it's like to swim under the starlight.”

It is a sweet thought. Sometime in the future you hope, but he knows not to push. “You're a sappy drunk, you know that?” Josh breathes out a chuckle, “What do you say we table this sentiment of Joshua Jr and his treehouse for when you're sober?”

“I'd like that,” he yawns, tiredness glazing over his eyes. You two stay there for a moment longer imagining the same picture he painted.

You tap at his shoulder, “Alright sweet boy, up we get,” and start to wiggle out of his grasp.

“Not yet.” Squeezing around you tighter.

“Let's do it now and get it over with. I promise you'll feel better in the morning if you do.” You manage to breathe out despite his tight hold on you.

“Baby.” You wait a beat.

“Sweetheart.” More silence.

“Joshua Michael.” He really wasn't listening.

You tilt your chin up to see him staring down at you with a slight playful expression on his stupid, cute face, “Why are you being so difficult?”

You can feel his giggle vibrate in his chest, “because I love seeing your eyebrows furrow together like that, ‘s cute.”

“You're so annoying.”

With pseudo-shock on his face he gasps, “You're so mean! Your words are like a dagger,” he moves his one arm and puts his hand over chest, “right through my heart.”

You take the opportunity to slide out of his grasp, finally able to breathe regularly again. From your stance you look down at all his glory. He really is beautiful.

He reaches up and does grabby hands towards you and it takes everything in you not to cuddle back into his soft form.

But always the responsible one, you say, “I'm running the water, I expect you up when I get back.” Josh gives you two thumbs up in acknowledgment. But as you walk to the bathroom, in the corner of your eye you swear you see him close his eyes and sink deeper into the pillows.

You linger in the bathroom as the steam fills the room and smile at yourself in the mirror. At the memory of the night and your time in the little bungalow by the beach. The impromptu short visit that you both needed to get some reprieve. It didn't matter where you went, you realize, a little vacation rental or big house amongst the trees, with him it felt like home.

You meander your way back into the master and feel the slight coastal breeze filtering in through the cracked window. Painted under a bronze hue from the lamp, Josh was fast asleep and curled around a pillow. His body in a fetal position, he was so petite and tender; gentle and soothed.

Content.

In his state, you leave him be. Tomorrow, your swift life can start again. But now, for the last couple hours in your little oasis, time can move a little slowly.

tag list - @sunfl0wer-power @pr41sethemoon @fan-girl-97 @wideminded-dreamer

#idk what this is but i needed to get it out of my brain and out of my docs #its self indulgent thats what it is #greta van fleet #josh kiszka #ci's fics #Spotify

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dizzyjelly · 1 year

Text

Treat You Right

Word Count: 5k

Summary: You're abbys roommate and best friend, always there for her. She starts dating a guy who isn't even close to good enough for her, and you end up having an argument about how you've been acting towards him. That same night, you unknowingly confess your love to Abby, and she asks you about it a few days later at a party where you two will end up kissing.

Cw: drinking, mentions of throwing up/getting sick

You parked your car with a sigh, as close to the gym as you could get. It was pretty jam-packed, which you weren't really expecting. An unpleasant surprise as you struggled to find a parking spot, but you eventually did it. Quickly, you unbuckled yourself and leaned over to the passenger seat to grab the large metal water bottle and Abby’s favorite flavor of Gatorade before you made your way inside.

The man at the front desk greeted you with a smile, your face had become a familiar one over the last few weeks. Although you'd only actually worked out once or twice, you usually came to take your roommate Abby home. And bring her refreshments as she always managed to leave her water bottle at home, despite the countless times you'd remind her not to.

"Hello, nice to see you again!" He greeted, typing something into his computer.

"Hi, can I just go wait on one of those benches?" You asked, pointing over to the ones right by the lockers.

He nodded and motioned for you to go ahead, you made your way over there and took a seat. Abby would no doubt be making her way over here in the next few minutes, so you sat patiently and waited. It wasn't long until you saw her beaded your way, her forehead glistened with a light sweat and her chest rose and fell at a rather fast pace.

"Abby!" You exclaimed, waving at her excitedly.

She grinned and gave you a small wave back, coming to sit beside you.

"What would I do without you, Y/n?" She joked before grabbing her water bottle from your hand, taking a nice, long sip.

"I guess we'll never know" You responded with a sweet smile, then handed her the Gatorade, "here, brought your favorite."

She gasped, bringing a hand to her chest.

"For me? Why, thank you!" She took an even longer sip of the Gatorade then stood to walk over to her locker.

Mindlessly, you stood with her and followed her that way. You'd watch as she collected her personal belonging, talking her ear off about what you wanted to do when you got home. Once she'd finished, you walked out to your car together and you were the one carrying her drinks of course. You got into the car and let then sit in the cup holder, listening intently as Abby ran through her work out today. She'd stopped just a few minutes before you'd pull into your driveway.

"So, I was thinking you could shower and do whatever you needa do then we could watch a movie?" You suggested, and Abby agreed.

She wandered to her room for some pajamas, then to your shared bathroom to get in the shower. You decided to order some takeout, since neither of you had eaten yet and you didn't feel up to cooking anything tonight. It was nothing special, just a simple Chinese place the both of you would enjoy. And of course, you knew Abbys order by heart, so there was no need to ask her what she wanted.

You reached forward to grab the TV remote from the coffee table, opening up Netflix to browse through the movies. Eventually you gave up, being too indecisive for your own good, and figured you'd just let Abby choose something. Your phone went off, notifying you that your order was ready for pick up. Since you wanted to get the food while it was still warm, you quickly scribbled a note for Abby and left it on the coffee table before heading out the door.

She'd leave the shower and make her way to the living room, confused at first as you were nowhere to be found. But it didn't take long for her to find your note, setting it back down with a smile as she grabbed the TV remote.

'Left to get takeout, chinese!! Pick a movie bc I literally can't, no horror! I mean it.'

It read, in sloppy handwriting. You also drew a little heart at the bottom as well, something you'd always done when you'd leave her notes. It would take the place of a signature. She went through the different movies before deciding to check out a different streaming service because nothing piqued her interest. After a while, she settled on the movie White Chick's, a comedy. As much as she wanted to pick a horror movie just to push your buttons, she decided she could respect your wishes for one night.

It wasn't long before you'd return home, pushing the door open with your hip as your hands were full with the bags of food. You set them down on the coffee table, unboxing everything before grabbing drinks from the fridge and sitting beside Abby on the couch. You sat close enough to her so your sides touched, like always. You found expressing your love for her difficult, so most of the time you resorted to physical touch. Your elbows would bump into one another as you ate and drank, but neither of you were bothered by this.

It was a nice night, relaxing and fun. Once you were done with your food you sat crisscross applesauce, letting your hands fall into your lap. The movie was just getting to its middle mark when Abby slyly leaned back, bringing an arm up to sit behind you on the couch. If you'd lean back just enough, her arm would be around you., but you decided not to. Why, you didn't know.

"I'm kinda cold." She would say after about ten more minutes.

Immediately, you sprung to your feet and ran into your room. You grabbed your blanket from your bed, it was medium sized so you'd be able to share if you sat close enough. Smiling as you walked back into the living room, you tossed it to her and she thanked you. She pulled it over her lap, sitting back with her arms now crossed.

You sat next to her, then lifted the blanket before you'd lay down so that your head rested on her beautifully toned thighs. She chuckled, bringing a hand down to comb through your hair with her fingers. You smiled as a light blush spread across your cheeks, your bare face resting skin to skin with her thighs had a funny feeling settling in your stomach. It wasn't long until you found yourself falling into a peaceful sleep as you lied on her, Abby joined you shortly after.

You wouldn't wake until hours later, groaning as you sat up to check the time on your phone. Immediately regretting it as the bright white screen blinded you, quickly you turned down the brightness then saw it was nearing three in the morning. You stretched your arms above your head with a yawn, then leaned over to where Abby sat with her head tilted back against the couch as small snores spilled from her lips.

A smile found its way across your face at the sight, God she was so adorable. Then, you leaned down to her ear, shaking her lightly with a hand on her opposite shoulder.

"Abby.." You whispered in her ear.

It didn't take much to wake her, as she had always been a light sleeper. The only mistake you made was forgetting she was also quite defensive when being woken up, her eyes shot open and before you knew it she'd shoved you so hard you were now on the ground.

"Fuckk." You groaned as your side slammed into the couch, landing on your knees on the floor.

Abby sat, rubbing her eyes for a second before quickly rushing to help you up.

"Oh, shit! I'm so sorry, Y/n, you know I scare easy when I'm sleeping..." She apologized, and you could tell by her expression she really did feel bad.

Not that you doubted if she did or not, you muttered a simple 'it's ok' before rubbing at your side. It'd definitely be bruised in the morning, which was unfortunate as you had to work. Oh well, you'd manage.

"I've gotta be up in a few hours, so let's just go back to sleep." You said after Abby had given you a hug, still feeling bad for hurting you.

"M'kay. You just wanna lay back down on the couch or..?" She asked with a shrug, you merely nodded in response.

You waited as she'd lie down first, lifting up the blanket so you could lie down as well. You smiled at her as you climbed on top of her, your legs intertwined with hers and your head rested in her chest. Your arms would find their way around her waist, and hers held you in a warm embrace. She used one hand to rub your back until you fel asleep, which didn't take long as you'd felt safe and comfortable with her like this. It wasn't unusual for you two to... cuddle per say, but it was definitely a little too intimate for 'friends.' You'd never acknowledge that though, not as long as it meant you could still get in some good quality snuggle time with your favorite person in the world.

It wasn't until hours later when you woke up again, and sure enough you had to get ready for work. You winced quietly as you stood, your side being sore. That'd be a pain in the ass today, or rather the side. Sighing, you quietly made your way to your bedroom to get dressed and do your other morning routine things. Due to the fact that your coffee maker was loud as shit, and you didn't want ti wake Abby, you decided to leave earlier and get coffee on the way. Of course, you'd kept Abby a note on the coffee table letting her know you'd left for work. Even though she'd probably come to that conclusion on her own.

You'd actually enjoyed your job quite a lot, you worked at a daycare and it always made you happy seeing the children. They'd bonded with you really well, and it always put a smile on your face. After getting your coffee, you drove straight to work and walked inside. They weren't many kids on yet since it was still early, but that wouldn't stay true for long. Today was a pretty easy day, which was a pleasant surprise since things would usually get pretty chaotic. It was nearing ten in the morning when your phone buzzed from your back pocket. Of course, you walked into the staff only room to check it.

'Hi :('

Abby had texted you, immediately you were concerned as she'd put a frowny face at the end of her message.

'What's wrong???'

You'd replied.

'I have a terrible migraine'

'Did you take your meds?'

'No...'

'I will take them right now!'

'Ok good, try having some caffeine as well. The doctor said that would help, remember?'

'Yes I will have soda :)'

'Alright, feel better <3'

'Tyy <3'

You smiled to yourself, then stuffed your phone back into your pocket before going back out to the play area. Your eyes widened as you saw what happened while you were gone, one of the toddlers had gotten sick all over the carpet. There was a grimace on your face at the smell, you'd walked over to where it was and ushered the other children away while you got cleaning supplies.

After you finished cleaning, you went to check on Miley, the little girl who'd gotten sick. One of your coworkers had taken her to get a change of clothes and given her some water.

"Hi sweetie," you cooed, "you got a tummy ache?" She nodded with a babble.

"That's ok, you can lay down if you want." You motioned for your coworker to take her to the nap area while you went to call her mom. The mother quickly gree concerned when hearing that her little baby had gotten sick, but you reassured her everything was fine. After the phone call was over you went back out to the play area to care for the kids.

The rest of your day went by surprisingly quick, and nobody else got sick which was relieving. You said goodbye to your coworkers before grabbing your bag and heading out to your car. On the way home, you called Abby.

"Hiiii." She answered.

"Heyyy, your migraine any better?" You asked as you pulled onto the street.

"Yeah, you on the way home?" She asked in return.

"Yup, I was gonna cook tonight, what're you up for?" You asked as you turned your radio on, at a low volume.

"Ooh, can you make that pasta you do really good? I love that stuff." She replied.

"Of course, see you soon Abby, byeee." You hung up without another word, turning your radio up for the rest of your drive home.

You got home to see Abby sat on the couch, just scrolling on her phone. She set it down and came to the door to greet you by pulling you in for a hug. You wrapped your own arms around the back of her neck with a smile.

"Hi there." You greeted.

"Hello. Does your side still hurt?" She asked as she pulled away, taking a hand to rub over your side lightly.

"Little bit, but it's nothing I can't hanlde." You said with a smirk, making your way to the kitchen to start dinner.

You set out all the different ingredients and took out a pot, turning on the stove to boil water. Abby came to take a seat at the island so she could watch you cook. You were in the process of stirring the pasta and making the sauce when you decided to make conversation.

"So, how was your day?" You asked, your back turned to Abby.

"Good, good. Nice to have the day off." She answered.

"Yeah, you're lucky. Miley got sick today, it was bad." You recounted the worst part of your day.

"Oof, that sucks. I'm so happy I don't work with children. Dogs are so much easier to take care of." She smiled.

Abby worked at a dog groomers, which you'd never fail to believe was easier than a daycare.

"I bet." You chuckled.

Once dinner was finished, you set out two bowls and put Abbys in front of her. Then you placed yours at the chair beside her. You grabbed drinks from the fridge then went to take your seat. Abby all but moaned when she took her first bite, swearing by your delicious pasta.

"You're so dramatic." You teased with a playful punch to her shoulder.

"Shut up." She retorted with a chuckle.

You'd let out a small laugh as well, shaking your head at how silly she was. Once the two of you finished dinner you decided to sit on the couch and have a drink. Halfway through your conversation, Abby couldn't seem to stop staring at her phone. And with a great big smile too.

"Who are you texting?" You finally asked, getting a bit fed up with how uninvolved she was with you right now.

"Oh, just this guy, Derek. We've been talking lately. I met him at work." She flushed red as she explained, and you felt your heart drop.

Abby likes a guy?

"Cool." You tried so hard not to sound bitter, but your efforts didn't work.

Abby hasn't seemed to notice though, so encaptivated with her texting. You rolled your eyes and stood, setting your glass in the sink then going to your room. She'd found it odd you'd go to bed without a word, but couldn't bring herself to care that much. She was too busy talking with Derek.

Fast forward a week later and Abby was now dating Derek, which you absolutely hated. If nor only for the fact that he wasn’t all that, and didn’t treat her nearly as good as he should’ve been. Every time he came around he just pissed you off, always saying or doing something. Nevermind all the times Abby had cried over some stupid fight he started.

But you did your best to be kind to him, except for the occasional slip up. If Abby already had to go through dating this asshole, you weren’t gonna make it any harder by being a bitch about it.

It was a Friday night and you had Dina and Jesse over to play cards and drink. Derek was invited as well, but seemed to be running a little late. You let out a frustrated sigh as you watched Abby check her phone for like the tenth time in the past five minute.

“Abby, just leave it alone. I’m sure he’ll be here soon.” You said, only to reassure her.

“Yeah, yeah. You’re right.” She finally set her phone face down and took a swig of her drink, bringing her attention back to the game.

You smiled as you leaned into her a bit, your shoulders touching. She smiled back, nudging you playfully. About ten more minutes passed and there was a harsh knocking at the door, you rolled your eyes as Abby practically jumped to answer it.

She’d try to greet him with a hug, and he’d basically just feel her up at the door. Making you feel queasy as you pretended to vomit, getting a playful shove from Dina. Abby brought Derek over to sit, dealing him into the game. You sighed as you muttered under your breath,

“Boyfriend of the year over here, forty five fucking minutes late.” You took another sip of your drink.

“What was that?” He asked, his tone harsh.

“Nothing. Just find it interesting how you’re always late whenever Abby wants to hang out.” You said with a shrug.

“Ok well I’m a busy man.” He responded.

“Too busy to be on time for your own girlfriend, really?” You spoke with sass now, crossing your arms.

Abby sighed, standing as she pulled you up as well. She took you into her room, slamming the door shut behind her. You stood small now, knowing she was angry at you.

“What the fuck Y/n?” She asked aggressively.

“What.” You responded plainly.

“God, why do you have to be such a bitch?” She scoffed harshly, now raising her voice at you, “I mean seriously, I’ve never acted like this towards anyone you dated! Is it really so hard to just shut the fuck up and be happy for me!”

You looked down, unable to stop the tears that streamed down your face. Something that’d always happen whenever anyone yelled at you, and Abby knew this. But she seemed to have forgotten.

“’m sorry.” You muttered, your voice breaking.

She stopped yelling now.

“A-are you crying?” She asked, feeling bad.

“No.” You lied, turning away to wipe your tears.

“Hey, hey I’m sorry.” She apologized as she walked over to you, wrapping her arms around you and pulling you in.

You cried into her chest as you wrapped your arms around the back of her neck. She sighed, rubbing a hand up and down your back.

“I shouldn’t of yelled.” She admitted, biting at her lip nervously.

“No, youre right. I have been a bitch. But I just- Abby you’re like so amazing. I mean your beautiful, smart, funny, and just overall perfect. You deserve the world, and he barely gives you the time of day.” You explained your intentions.

Abby couldn’t help but smile, letting out a small laugh as well.

“Thanks, you’re a really good friend.” Friend, God it was like a stab to the heart.

“Of course.” You’d respond.

“You know Derek isn't as bad as you think, he's actually pretty nice to me.” Abby said, sounding very unconvincing.

“Oh yeah? Name one nice thing he's done for you this week.” You challenged.

Abby sighed, now pulling away from the hug with a light frown.

“Well, he gave me a ride to the gym.” She even sounded unsure.

“Ok that's like a favor, you can get am uber for God sakes.” You argued.

“Ok, whatever!” She threw her hands up in frustration.

“I'm just saying, if you ever opened your eyes and just gave me a chance I’d treat you like the queen you are.” You announced, the drinks taking over as you'd never be so bold if you were in your right mind.

“What?” Abby asked, slightly taken aback.

“Uh, nothing, just- forget I said anything.” You blurted out, rushing out of the room and back to the table where your friends sat, and Derek.

Abby returned too, her face a bit flushed as she took a seat beside Derek. She cracked an awkward smile as he placed a kiss to her cheek, then pulled her into his lap. It was only a few minutes before she’d move away from him. He’d smirk, wrapping a hand around her waist to try and pull her back in.

“Derek, I’m not in the mood right now” She snapped, her voice harsh.

“Damn, ok. Don’t gotta be a bitch about it.” He brought his hands uo defensively.

You could let a lot of things slide, but as soon as that name came out of his mouth you lost it.

“Ok, seriously man what the hell.” You spoke with distaste, your arms crossing.

“What?” He asked, widening his eyes as if he’d done nothing wrong.

“You seriously just gonna call her that? Like it’s nothing? You’re a fucking asshole, Derek.” You spat out.

“You really gonna let her talk to me like that?” Derek asked Abby, crossing his own arms.

Abby’s leg bounced nervously, she seemed to think for a minute. Then she stood and went to sit beside you.

“Yeah, actually I am. Because she’s right. I’m fucking perfect, and y-you barely give me the time of day Derek.” She’d recited what you’d told her earlier.

You couldn’t help it when a proud smile spread across your face, and you brought a hand to rest on Abby’s shoulder to reassure her. Finally she stood up to the son of a bitch. He scoffed, rolling his eyes as he stood and grabbed his coat.

“Whatever, I’m out of here.” He spoke gruffly, clearly pissed.

“Good, don’t bother ever coming back. Asshole!” Abby called after him as he’d slam your front door shut.

Dina and Jesse sat in an awkward silence, ultimately deciding they should take off as well. You bid then goodbye and after they left was when Abby started to freak.

“Oh my god, holy fuck I can’t believe I actually said all that to him.” She spoke breathlessly, her hands running through her hair frantically.

“Hey, it’s ok. Not like you told any lies, he needed to hear it.” You tried to reassure her, following her as she paced and placing your hands on her shoulders as you stood behind her.

She let out a bitter laugh,

“Yeah, maybe, but I don’t know I feel like- like bad? I’m never mean like that. To anyone.” She explained.

“Unless they deserve it.” You reminded her, slowly rubbing at her shoulders to try and relax her.

She let out a heavy sigh, dropping her head into her hands. She groaned.

“You’re right.” Her voice was quiet.

“Exactly.” You responded, moving your hands to her waist as you pulled her into a hug from behind.

“Don’t even worry about it, ‘s all gonna be ok Abs.” You whispered in her ear, she let out a sigh of relief.

Her hands came to rest on top of yours, her head falling back onto your shoulder. She swallowed the lump in her throat, feeling a sense of security from your touch.

“You wanna watch a movie or something?” She asked, you nodded and started to clean up from your little game night as she brought a blanket to the couch.

You finished cleaning up and took a seat beside Abby, wrapping an arm around her shoulders with a smile as she laid her head on your chest. You’d grabbed the remote and just picked an older movie, one of the classics. Mostly because you knew it was one of Abby’s favorite genres. About halfway through the movie, you took immediate notice of how Abby was picking at her fingernails. Something she’d only do when she was feeling anxious. You let out a small sigh, taking her hands in your own.

“Abby, come on. It’s fine, I promise you.” She looked up at you with doe eyes, her brows furrowing with uncertainty.

“I don’t know Y/n, I still feel like shit. Like I’m a shit person.” She got extremely quiet, you almost couldn’t hear her.

“Ok, well that’s just not true. Abby, you’re a wonderful person, Derek was- he was an asshole, just like you said. I hate to see you worry like this. Especially over him, I mean ask anyone, he was a douche.” You tried your best to be reassuring, make her feel better about herself.

“I know, I know. You’re right.” She’d admit with a sigh, letting her head fall into your lap as she got more comfortable.

She brought a hand to rest under her head, her palm resting on your upper thigh. Butterflies erupted in your stomach, and you began to play with her hair. Since itd always be something to soothe you, you figured itd have a similar effect on Abby. And it must’ve because she was out like a light in no time. Or so you thought. Taking note that she was sound asleep, you let out a small sigh.

“God I am so in love with you. I just wish I had the courage to tell you.” You felt your bottom lip quiver the slightest bit, but you managed to choke back your tears.

You’d fall asleep yourself shortly after, but what you didn’t know was Abby had heard your confession loud and clear. And of course, she panicked, but only for a second. She was surprised, someone like you into her? Not that she hadn’t suspected it after your not-so sober words earlier that night about how you’d treat her if she gave you the chance. But now what the hell was she supposed to do, you’d confessed to what you assumed was a sleeping Abby. She’d act as if everything was normal for a day or two, until she couldn’t take it anymore.

You and Abby had found yourselves at a friend’s birthday party, although you barely even got to wish her a happy one. She’d thrown an absolute rage, so you saw her once then never again. You were a few drinks in and sat beside Abby on the couch, who oddly decided to stay sober. Probably to watch over you.

“Dance with me.” You tried to whisper, to her, but ended up shouting in her ear because you were so drunk.

“Alright.” She agreed hesitantly, standing and taking your hands in hers.

You smiled up at her as you brought her hands to your hips, your own coming to rest on the back of her neck. She felt a hot, red blush spread across her face as you leaned into her, pulling her unbelievably closer. She let out a sigh against your neck, her hands going to the small of your back.

“Hey, Y/n?” she prompted.

“Hm?” You responded with a hum.

“Um, you know the other night when everything kinda went down with Derek. Well, I-“ her breath hitched slightly, “I heard what you said. About how you’re i-in love with me.” She finally admitted.

And whether it was the booze or the realization of how deeply you thought youd fucked up, your stomach suddenly clenched hard. You pulled away from her immediately, brining a hand to your mouth.

“I-I’m gonna be sick.” You blurted out, running for the door.

Abby followed you, holding your hair back with a groan as you vomited over the porch fence. You sighed once it was through, leaning against the fence with a frown as you squeezed your eyes shut. You could help but panic, worried you’d ruined everything. Abby rubbed a soothing hand up and down your back, pulling you up.

“I’m gonna go get you some water, okay?” she told you, a hand on your shoulder.

You just nodded and watched as she walked away. Your hands flew to your face as you mentally slapped yourself, God you were such an idiot. Abby was probably all weirded out and uncomfortable now, what if she wanted to move out? Oh, geez, what if she didn’t wanna be your friend anymore? Every worst-case scenario was running through your mind. Abby returned shortly with a glass of water, a worried expression on her face as she encouraged you to drink it.

“Maybe we should head home, yeah?” she suggested once you’d finished your glass of water.

“Yeah, we should.” You’d agree, setting the glass on an outdoor table then following Abby down the porch steps before calling out, “Hey, Abby?”

“Yeah?” she answered, turning around to face you.

“Uh, wha- how-“ you let out a frustrated sigh, “How do you feel about what I said before?” you finally managed to get it out.

“Well, I think that you treat me right. And, you’re like really pretty.” Sounded promising so far, but she had yet to say the three words you longed to hear.

She stepped forward, taking your face in her hands. You felt like your heart stopped right then and there, and then it was beating a mile a minute as she brought her lips to your own. Sighing into the kiss, you brought your hands to her hair. She pressed at your bottom lip with her tongue, and you immediately opened wide so she could slip it into your mouth. The way she moved it around your own felt like magic. When she finally pulled away, your were both panting for air.

“So, I’m guessing you like me back?” you asked with a smile as you rested your forehead against hers.

“Of course, idiot. In fact, I love you back.” She whispered, pressing a kiss to your nose, cheek, and then your lips once again.

“Now come on, let's get you home, pretty girl.” You smiled at the compliment, following her to the car and thanking her as she opened the door for you.

#abby x y/n #abby x you #abby x reader #abby anderson x reader #abby anderson #abby anderson x you #abby anderson x y/n

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