#him at home with sarah? his daughter he talked so fondly of? | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

theeoriginals · 1 year

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CHAPTER TWO:

ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD

“where you lead me,” i said. “i’ll follow.” he laughed. “baby. baby. baby. i love you. and i’m going to build us a table and a whole lot of folks going to be eating off it for a long, long time to come.” - james baldwin, if beale street could talk

summary: the millers ring in the new year, and then celebrate sarah's birthday. joel decides he wants to settle down with blue.

warnings: the last chapter of just fluff lmao, enjoy

baby blue series masterlist

DECEMBER 31, 2002 / JANUARY 1, 2003

“Five minutes!” Sarah’s gleeful call echoed through the house, and the three adults chuckled at her excitement.

Joel lifts his beer up, drinking the last bits of it before it gets too warm for him to enjoy. His arm tightens where it’s wrapped around Blue’s waist and she lets him pull her impossibly closer, a laugh in her voice as she and Tommy bicker back and forth.

“Oh, come on, Miss Blue, you have to start the new year off with a kiss for good luck!”

“And you think my good luck will come from you?” She questions incredulously, wrinkles crinkling in her face from the wide spread of her grin. “How many girls do you use that line on, huh?”

Tommy waved a hand, smirking at the eye roll he earns from his brother. “Only you, Miss Blue, you’re the apple of my eye, the fire in my–”

“Alright now, Shakespeare,” Joel cuts in, giving his brother a faux-stern look that makes Sarah giggle. “She’ll be gettin’ a good luck kiss from someone who hasn’t spread his luck around the whole city of Austin.”

Tommy’s jaw drops and Blue laughs loudly, the sound bouncing around the walls of the home that’s warm with the love they all have for each other.

“Two minutes, guys,” Sarah reminds them, wiggling her way in between her father and Blue. They move easily enough, giving her the space she needs to fit amongst them. “My teacher says that a New Years kiss means you’ll find love that year,”

“Your teacher is right, babydoll,” Blue lays a hand on Sarah’s head, tilting her head back so she’s looking up at them. “But even if you don’t get a kiss, you’ll still have plenty of lovin’ to go around.”

Sarah smiles, but her attention is quickly torn away by the countdown beginning on the TV screen. “Look, look!”

“We’re lookin’, baby,” Joel lays his free hand on her shoulder, sharing a smile with Blue as the timer ticked down, and the giant crowd gathered in New York on the TV began cheering as the ball dropped with each passing second.

“Ten, nine, eight,”

“I’m saying it now, y’all, 2003 is going to be the year of the Millers. We’re kickin’ ass and takin’ names,” Blue raises a fist, earning a supportive cheer from Tommy and Sarah.

“Five, four, three, two– Happy New Year!” The four people called out over the raucous cheer from the television, and Joel leaned over Sarah’s frame to kiss Blue, the two of them smiling into it.

Pulling apart, they shared a look before they leaned down and started kissing Sarah’s face all over, making the girl break into uncontrollable giggles.

“Stop it, stop it!”

Joel looks at his daughter’s flushed face, seeing her preen under the affection. “That should be enough love and luck to last you ten years, don’t you think, Blue?”

“At least ten, I think.” The woman wrapped an arm around Sarah’s shoulders and the teenager rested against her side. “She’ll be takin’ over the world before we know it.”

“I don’t wanna take over the world,” Sarah shakes her head, scrunching her face up slightly.

“Oh, really?” Tommy raises a brow at his niece. “Why not?”

The girl shrugs and looks from her uncle to her dad, to Blue. “I’d rather just stay here with you guys.”

Joel sighs, lifting a hand to cup his daughter’s cheek fondly. “You can do whatever you want, baby. You got all the time in the world.”

The night wound down shortly after the clock struck twelve, and Tommy ended up on the couch with his feet hanging over the end of it while Joel cleaned up as quietly as possible. Blue took it upon herself to help Sarah into bed, tucking the girl in as she faded into a sweet sleep.

Leaning over the girl, she pressed a kiss to her forehead, smiling when Sarah leaned into the touch. “Goodnight, babydoll. Sleep tight, and don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

“Blue?” Sarah mumbles, sleepy eyes looking up at her in question. “Are you gonna be my mom now that you’re moving in with us?”

The woman stills, looking at the open bedroom door and suddenly wishing Joel were there to handle this delicate question. Clearing her throat, Blue smiled softly. “You already have a mama, Sarah.”

Sarah shakes her head slightly, brows furrowing. “Yeah, but she left my dad. I don’t even remember her, and dad never talks about her, but Uncle Tommy says she wasn’t right for dad, not like you are. So, I want you to be my mom.”

“Oh, babydoll,” Letting out a somewhat shaky sigh, Blue smiles. “I’ll be whatever you want me to be, alright? As long as it’s okay with you and your daddy, I’ll be anything you want me to, even your mama.”

“Dad loves you,” She says, matter-of-factly. “And so do I. Do you love us?”

“‘Course I do, Sarah. Both of you– so much. I think I’m gonna love you for a long, long time. Long as y’all let me, that is.”

Sarah smiles then, sleepy and content as Blue smooths her blankets out again and switches on the small night light on her nightstand. “Night, Blue.”

“Night, Sarah. Sweet dreams.”

─────

JULY 20, 2003

“The birthday girl gets what the birthday girl wants, and your birthday girl wants pancakes,” Blue looked at a tired-looking Joel, quirking a brow when he rubbed his hands over his face, the early hour on a Sunday morning making him wish he was back in bed with Blue, still asleep. “So get up and go to the store before she wakes up.”

“The store?” He echoes incredulously. “I don’t even like pancakes, baby, I’m not goin’ to the store at 7am on a Sunday!”

Blue sets her hand on her hip, giving him a narrow-eyed once over. “You better hope we got all the shit to make pancakes, otherwise you’re explainin’ to my babydoll why she doesn’t have pancakes on her fourteenth birthday.”

Joel groaned softly, smashing his face back into his pillow as Blue turned on her heel and walked out of the room, heading for the kitchen. He gets up slowly, ignoring the persistent creak of his bones and aches in his muscles as he makes his way for the kitchen, bypassing Sarah’s bedroom door that was still shut, only reaffirming the fact that Blue was up far too early.

“Blue, what are you doin’?”

She looks at him over her shoulder, gesturing to the small mess she’s managed to make in the five minutes it took him to get out of bed. “I’m makin’ buttermilk pancakes, what’s it look like?”

“It looks like there was a tornado in my kitchen,”

“Your kitchen,” She scoffs as he comes up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and dropping his head into the slope of her neck, still holding onto the last remnants of sleep despite knowing there’s no way he’s making it back to bed. “The other night you said it was my kitchen, and it had to be clean in order for me to use it.”

“Yeah, but that was just so Sarah would do her chores.”

Blue makes a noise of amusement as she slowly mixes in the concoction of dry ingredients. “Get me the vanilla extract– and the cinnamon, please. Since it’s your kitchen, Master Chef. And keep your hands to yourself, you can’t scar your daughter on her birthday.”

“Oh, Lord,” Joel groans, stoutly not moving from his place draped around Blue. “She’s seen worse. Heard worse from Tommy,”

“I can’t believe you just used your brother as an excuse to grope me in the kitchen,”

“What are you guys doing?”

Blue and Joel both startle, Joel stepping back from Blue as they snap around to face Sarah standing in the entryway to the kitchen with a sleepy frown on her face.

Clearing her throat, Blue points a finger at him accusingly. “Your dad wouldn’t go to the store to get pancake mix, so I’m making ‘em homemade for you.”

“I can’t believe you just threw me under the bus like that–”

“Do we have chocolate chips?” Sarah grins excitedly, cutting her dad off as she bounds towards them, exhaustion suddenly nowhere to be found. “I want chocolate chips, and whipped cream!”

Joel grunts as Sarah throws herself against him, hugging his waist tightly, but he quickly recovers and squeezes her as tight as he can without hurting her. “It just might be your lucky day, because we have chocolate chips and whipped cream.”

Blue shares a secret look with Joel, smiling at the girl’s excitement. “And you know, I think there might be a present for you in the livin' room, but you’ll have to go check.”

“A present? Is it a car?!”

“A car?” Joel echoes incredulously as Sarah pulls back, meeting his look of shock expectantly. “You’re fourteen, not twenty!”

“I’m getting a car before I turn twenty, Dad,”

“Not with that attitude.”

“Blue!” Sarah whines, turning to look at the woman who’s hiding a smile behind her hand. “Tell him that I’m getting a car before I turn twenty.”

Blue shakes her head, holding her hands up in surrender. “I am not getting in the middle of this. All I can tell you is that a car definitely does not fit in our living room, so you might be disappointed.”

Sarah feigns an eye roll and Joel pushes her back, pointing a finger in the direction of the living room. “Go get your present while Blue finishes these pancakes for you,”

The teenager does as told, scurrying off to the living room before she comes back with the gift bag in tow. “Can I open it now?”

Joel nods, and Sarah pulls the tissue paper out of the bag, her smile growing as she pulls out a folded shirt, the shark-tooth necklace tucked into it, and a set of earrings.

“Earrings?” She frowns, looking at her dad. “My ears aren’t pierced.”

He crosses his arms over his chest, heaving a sigh as he looks between his daughter and Blue. “Blue and I have talked about it–”

“More like I had to bribe you,”

“We talked about it,” He huffs, earning a cheeky wink from the woman. “And if you still want to, she’s gonna take you to get your ears pierced today.”

Sarah’s eyes widen and she grins, looking at her dad. “For real? You’re gonna let me pierce my ears?”

“If you want to,”

“If I want to, he says,” Sarah mocks. “Like I haven’t asked you every day since I was twelve!”

“Well, I finally got him on board,” Blue leans against the counter, looking at Sarah. “So we’re goin’ out for lunch, and then we’re goin’ to get ‘em done, and when we get home we’ll have dinner and cake, and you can have the rest of your presents.”

Sarah launches herself at the two adults, wrapping her arms around them to the best of her ability, making them both chuckle. “This is the best birthday ever,”

“Just wait for your sixteenth when you actually get that car you’re talkin’ about,”

“Alright, that’s enough now,”

“Dad!”

─────

AUGUST 15, 2003

"Dad,"

Joel ignores the whispered call from his daughter, his nervous hand turning the lit candle ever so slightly in the middle of the table.

"Dad!"

Joel whips around, looking at Sarah with wide eyes. "What?!"

"She just pulled in the driveway."

"Shit," He curses, backing away from the carefully set table for three. It's the nicest the Miller kitchen table has ever looked, and he applauds Sarah for her help. The single red rose sitting in a cup-turned-vase beside the candle, against the black tablecloth she'd pulled from deep in their linen closet looked as romantic as Joel Miller ever could be. "Are we ready? I don't think we're ready,"

"Dad," Sarah lays a hand on his arm, giving him a reassuring look. "You guys are practically already married, it's gonna be fine,"

He groans, forcing himself to calm. "You're right. She has no reason to say no."

"Exactly," Sarah smiles smugly as the sound of the front door opening alerts them both.

"Fret no longer, Miller family, your favorite person is home!"

Joel smiles, warmth flooding his face as he looks down at his daughter, seeing her matching grin. In unison, they call out to her. "Kitchen!"

Her footsteps come around the corner into the kitchen, and Joel finds himself floored at the sight of her smile, meeting her in the middle for a kiss that Sarah, for once, does not make fun of him for. "Hey, Blue,"

"Hi, baby," She leans in, giving him one, two more kisses before she parts from him and moves to drop a kiss onto Sarah's forehead in greeting. "I got some wine like you asked, though I'm curious as to why we're havin’ wine and not beer."

Joel huffs, briefly panicking as he shrugs his shoulders. "We're having a nice dinner, figured wine would go better," He gestures to the done-up table and her eyes fall to it, widening in surprise before a look of pure adoration floods her face.

"Oh, wow," The words are breathed out in awe, and Joel's reminded as to why exactly he wanted to do this in the first place. Because she's always looked at him and Sarah and the things they do as the best. From nosebleed seats at a football game, to simple, homemade dinners with a rose and a candle on the table, she acts like it's no less than perfection. It makes him feel giddy like a kid again.

"What's this for, huh? Did Sarah get honor roll again?"

"No," Joel cuts in, making Sarah huff as she goes to sit down in front of her plate of spaghetti. "Just wanted to have dinner with the three of us."

"Well, I love it," She grins at him before joining Sarah at the table, setting the bottle of wine in between their empty glasses. "And I am starving, so let's eat,"

Joel takes his seat with a smile, heart racing as he and Sarah share a secretive smile across the table.

"So, how was work?"

"It was alright," She waved her hand vaguely, reaching for her glass of wine as she, Sarah, and Joel talked amongst their meal. "Mr. Carden came into the center again asking about you, telling me you've been ignoring his calls."

Joel looks sheepish, but he feigns innocence as he shoves another bite of spaghetti in his mouth, manners be damned. Around the mouthful of food, he says, "I haven't gotten any calls,"

It comes out muffled, but she and Sarah both hear it, and they share mutual looks of exasperation before laughing at Joel's poor attempt at innocence.

"Joel Miller, are you ignoring that sweet old man?"

He swallows the bite of pasta, holding his hands up defensively. "I'm busy! I've been working!"

Blue shakes her head, still smiling fondly. "You just want me to be the one that has to make excuses for you,"

"Yeah, because you're so good at it, Blue,"

"I'm good at lying to people?!"

"On my behalf," He corrects, grinning crookedly as Sarah giggles uncontrollably beside them. "And I love you for it."

She points an accusing finger at him, pursing her lips to hide her growing smile. "You're supposed to be a gentleman, Joel,"

"And I am," Joel shrugs, lifting his wine glass to his lips. "But I only have to be a gentleman to you two. That's all that matters."

"You only have to be nice to me and Blue? What about Uncle Tommy?"

Joel heaves a sigh, rolling his eyes exasperatedly at the mention of his brother. "Uncle Tommy does not need me to be a gentleman, because he's an idiot."

Blue leaned over, whispering conspiratorially in Sarah's ear. "But we love him anyways,"

Sarah nodded, watching her dad shift nervously across the table. Eyes widening, she clears her throat pointedly, looking at Blue. "Dad has something he wants to ask you,"

"Sarah!"

The woman looked between them suspiciously, narrowing her eyes. "Does he now?" Turning in her seat to look at Joel, she raises a brow. "What is it you need to ask me?"

Shooting a glare at his daughter, he let out a somewhat shaky breath. "Well, uh, you– you know that I love you, right, Blue?"

"I do know that," She hums, smiling softly despite her growing nerves. "You told me about two minutes ago."

"Yeah," He nods, wiping a hand over his mouth. "And you know– you know that Sarah loves you, too,"

Sarah nods furiously, smile playing at her lips.

"Joel, is everything alright?"

He mutters a curse, quickly pushing his chair away from the table and getting down on one knee.

"Oh, shit,"

Sarah nudges her in the arm even as tears well up in her eyes. "Language,"

"Sorry," Blue distantly mutters, her eyes bubbling with tears the longer she looks at Joel. “Joel,”

“Just– give me a minute, alright? I, uh, I’m not the best with words, but I got some things I wanna say to you,”

She nods silently, pressing a hand over her mouth to hold back the sob that wants to break free from her lips.

“Every day I wake up beside you, and I think about how lucky I am that Sarah wanted to go across the street and talk to our pretty new neighbor. Without her, I wouldn’t– none of this would have happened, and I wouldn’t have the two most important girls in my life. You love me and Sarah far better than I ever could ask for, and I’ll never be able to thank you enough for it, baby. I,”

He stops, swallowing around the lump in his throat. “I love you, Blue. I love you, and my– our daughter loves you, so will you do us both the honor of marrying me, and sticking around for a while?”

Blue laughs wetly, wiping her cheeks with a shaky hand. “Just a while?”

“Forever is preferred,” He smiles softly.

“Forever, then.” She nods, laying her hand over his trembling one holding the diamond ring up for her to see.

“Is that a yes?”

“Of course it’s a yes, baby,” She laughs, practically launching herself at him and tackling him to the floor in a hug. “I’ll marry you a thousand times, if you want me to.”

Sarah giggles, abandoning the table to join them on the floor. Blue and Joel move, easily letting her wiggle in between them, and they all share teary-eyed looks as Joel grabs Blue’s hand and slides the simple engagement ring onto her finger.

She wiggles it against the gleam of the light before dropping her hand to her chest, clutching it tightly like she’ll lose it if she doesn’t.

“Hey,” Sarah hums, garnering both adults’ attention. “If someone gets you a dog as a wedding present, can we keep it?”

Blue laughed, shaking her head at Sarah. “Who on earth is going to give us a dog as a wedding present, babydoll?”

“Uncle Tommy if I ask him to,” She says it fast, and it takes a moment for her words to settle in before Joel and Blue burst into laughter, Sarah quickly joining them in their hysteria.

Blue lays on the kitchen floor, happier than ever, wondering how moving into a little old house on a random street in Austin, Texas, had ended up being the best thing to ever happen to her.

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blueskrugs · 3 years

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The Best Day | Sammy Blais

(it’s a @powerblais gif! and a very smiley sammy!)

we’re back with another fluffy fic! this one’s a tiny bit different, but I had both this song and dad!sammy on my list for a while, so when I started planning this series, they seemed perfect together. anyway, someone might need to check on erin after this. no beta from Sarah on this one...because I just finished it like five minutes ago.

tagging: @marcostandella @stlbluesbrat @dembenchboys @poltoncarayko @robthomissed @letmeplaytheblues @troubatrain @ayohockeycheck @blackwidowrising @zinka8 @aria253264 @antoineroussel@starswin @glassdanse @ch-ristiane @majdoline @braydenschenn @nazdaddy

length: 2.3k words. this is a kid fic, but there’s no real talk of pregnancy or birth, just some scenes from growing up.

You’d always known Sammy would make a good dad one day. He’d grown up a lot in the years you’d known him, though you’d never forget the look of pure terror and awe in his eyes when he held your little girl for the first time.

“Mon petit ange,” he called her, my little angel, whispered for the first time just for her little ears to hear.

Sammy loved you, you knew, but he loved Lily more than anything in the world.

I hear your laughter and look up smiling at you, I run and run Past the pumpkin patch and the tractor rides, look now the sky is gold

It had been Sammy’s idea to go to Eckert’s for apple and pumpkin picking, just before Halloween. You weren’t sure Lily quite understood the concept of carving pumpkins just yet, since she was only three, but Sammy had insisted “for the experience.”

You were pretty sure Sammy just wanted to go for himself, but you were hardly going to fight him on it.

So the three of you bundled up against the blustery St. Louis fall day and into the car– with only minimal fussing from Lily, because that was a thing now– on a day off in late October. It wasn’t really too cold, and it was sunny, just a hint of late summer still lingering in the air.

Sammy was excited, singing loudly and off-key to every song that came on the radio. He’d turn to grin at you every time you groaned, big and happy, and you loved him so much. You turned up the radio.

Sammy beat you to the back of the car after he parked, sweeping Lily out of her car seat and up into his arms. She giggled excitedly, wrapping her arms around his neck as he dashed off with her. You just laughed fondly and followed after them.

It was a little late in the season for most of the apples, but you took the tractor ride into the orchard anyway. Sammy did most of the picking, quickly filling up the little basket you’d been given, though whenever Lily tugged on his jeans, he would scoop her up and hold her up to the trees so she could grab an apple, too.

She only dropped a few of them. Well, some of them. They still went into the basket, just a little bruised now.

Next came the pumpkin patch, which you think Sammy was more excited about. Actually, you knew Sammy was more excited about the pumpkin patch, you thought, as you watched him run ahead of you and Lily.

“Alright, we need three pumpkins,” Sammy said when you caught up to him.

“Three?”

Sammy made a face at you. “Me, you, and Lily,” he said, slowly, like you were missing something obvious.

“Our daughter is not carving a pumpkin by herself,” you laughed. You’d really been planning on doing one with her while Sammy did whatever he wanted to do.

“Why not?”

“You are not giving our toddler a sharp object.”

“The knives that come in those carving kits aren’t that sharp,” Sammy reasoned.

“Oh my God,” you said. You weren’t winning this argument.

The pumpkin patch was pretty picked over, as close to Halloween as it was, but there were still enough pumpkins that Sammy could be extremely particular about it. It was all “too small,” “too big,” “too bumpy,” “too smooth,” which. What.

“Sammy,” you warned when Sammy hefted a giant pumpkin that probably weighed more than Lily. He whined at you, but put the pumpkin down again, so you were going to count it as a win.

Eventually, you settled on three– because Sammy had, in fact, won the argument that all three of you needed your own pumpkins– pumpkins that had passed Sammy’s test, along with a full basket of fresh apples.

“Good day?” you asked.

Sammy slung an arm around your shoulders and pressed a kiss to your temple. Lily was running ahead of you, but she looked back every few steps to smile at you and Sammy.

“The best,” Sammy replied.

But I know I had the best day with you today

Game days had always been your favorite, and they’d only gotten more fun since you’d had Lily. She got caught up in all the energy of home games at Enterprise, yelling and cheering with everyone else in the arena, even under those giant baby headphones she used to wear and she didn’t really know what was going on down on the ice.

Today was no different, Lily clad in her tiny Blais jersey, bouncing excitedly in her carseat, the special pregame playlist Sammy had made for her playing over the car’s speakers. She was still bouncing as she stood carefully next to you on the boards during warmups. She banged happily on the glass as players skated past. Vince shot you a grin as he went by before Sammy came crashing into him.

“Daddy!” Lily yelled.

Sammy smiled and waved before carefully balancing a puck on his stick and flipping it over the glass to you. Lily clutched that puck all night long.

And I didn’t know if you knew, so I’m taking this chance to say

There was no greater place in St. Louis than Forest Park on a warm spring day. It was late in the season, and the Blues had a rare day completely off. You were all itching to get out of the house, so the Zoo it was.

Well, after Sammy spent a few minutes complaining about the parking lot, that is.

“Okay, where to first?” Sammy asked, clapping his hands together as you walked into the atrium. Lily was busy pointing up at the giant squid and sharks hanging from the ceiling.

“Train!” she called.

You raised your eyebrows at Sammy. “Train it is, then.”

“Then the carousel?” Sammy asked, turning those big eyes Lily had gotten on you. They both knew you were powerless against them.

“Yes, oh my God, you’re as much of a child as our daughter sometimes,” you said.

“Yeah, but you love me,” he said. “We can go see the seals and the penguins after, I promise,” he added, because he knew they were your favorites.

You held Lily while Sammy bought tickets for the train, but she sat on Sammy’s lap in the cramped train car. She giggled and chattered the entire way around the Zoo, often waving at other zoo-goers you passed at the crossings. After a while, she poked Sammy enough times that he was waving, too.

“Where to next?” Sammy asked as the three of you clambered off the train at the end of the line, but it was token, because he was already scooping up Lily again and heading towards the carousel.

You got double puppy-dog eyed into joining the two of them on the carousel, which is how you ended up on the back of a polar bear next to your daughter, who was astride a giraffe, with Sammy hovering behind her. His hand was on the back of the giraffe, as if he was worried Lily would fall. You took a picture of them like that, twin grins on their faces.

After the carousel came the polar bears and the penguins– Lily laughed in delight when she got splashed by one of the penguins, though she wrinkled her nose at the smell– then towards the sea lions and seals. You tagged Sammy back towards you by his hood as you emerged back into the humid air.

“This was a good idea,” you said.

“Yeah?” Sammy said, but he was beaming at you. He pulled you close for a quick kiss, and you both laughed when Lily made a face at the two of you.

I come home crying, and you hold me tight and grab the keys And we drive and drive until we found a town far enough away

Growing up was hard. Middle school was even harder. You’d been there before, but it didn’t mean your heart broke any less when Lily came home from school one day and burst into tears when you asked her how her day had been.

You and Sammy shared a look over the kitchen island as she made her way to her bedroom.

“I’ll handle this,” Sammy said, snagging a bag of cookies out of the pantry and following Lily upstairs.

You couldn’t make out much of their conversation from where you were, not that you didn’t try. Sammy had left Lily’s bedroom door open behind him, but you had never quite mastered French, much less French that’s coming to you through tears and down a flight of stairs.

Sammy came downstairs ten minutes later and winked at you as he put what was left of the cookies away, Lily trailing after him, calmer now. He mouthed, “I’ll tell you later,” at you over her head as you hugged her, except it was forgotten in the rush to get ready for that night’s game. (Not living with Vince anymore did not make Sammy any more punctual.)

It wasn’t until Saturday, when both Lily and Sammy were up bright and early on their day off, that you even remembered he’d never told you.

“Where are you two off to?” you asked as you watched Sammy hunt for his keys.

“An adventure!” Lily said.

“Oh boy,” you replied, but Sammy just shot you a grin and shoved a hat on his head.

An “adventure” turned out to be a breakfast date, then a hike out at Castlewood State Park, ending with a drive out to Kimmswick for an apple pie from Blue Owl, which you fully intended to eat at least half of yourself.

“Good job,” you murmured to Sammy as you listened to Lily talk about their day after dinner.

“She failed a test and got in a fight with her best friend,” Sammy whispered back.

“Remember when those were the biggest things we had to worry about?”

Sammy just laughed softly, pressed a kiss to your temple, and went to get the pie for dessert.

I have an excellent father, his strength is making me stronger

You were never more thankful that Lily had chosen not to play hockey than when you had to watch Sammy get injured. It was hard enough to watch the man you loved go down; you weren’t sure you could ever handle your baby girl getting injured.

The Blues were on the road when it happened. You didn’t even see it happen, just a late hit from a Minnesota player behind the play, but then Panger was pointing out that Sammy was still down on the ice, and the play was being blown dead.

“Shit,” you said.

“Language,” Lily said absently, her eyes glued to the TV screen.

“He’ll be fine,” you assured her, assured yourself.

Sammy was already sitting up on the ice, talking to the trainer, but you didn’t let out the breath you were holding until he was up and skating off the ice on his own. He didn’t return to the game, but he did text you that he was okay sometime before the end of the third. So there was that.

They were flying home right after the game, and you and Lily were both asleep on the couch when Sammy came through the door around 2 AM. Lilly stirred when Sammy hit his bag against the doorway and cursed at it. His left arm was in a sling.

“Dad!”

“Why aren’t you in bed? You have school tomorrow,” Sammy said as Lily stretched and bounded over to carefully hug him.

“Oh my God, Dad, I’m 16,” Lily said from under Sammy’s uninjured arm.

“He has a point, though,” you said. You hadn’t been able to say no when Lily had asked if she could stay up with you until Sammy came home, but he was home now. So: “Good night, love you,” you told her.

Lily sighed and rolled her eyes, but went upstairs without complaint. You grabbed Sammy’s bag from where he’d dropped it and followed him upstairs yourself.

“How bad is it?” you asked once the bedroom door was closed behind you.

Sammy smiled tiredly at you. “Just dislocated. They’ll do some tests tomorrow to make sure there’s no damage, but they think it’ll be fine.”

“She worries about you, you know,” you said. You did, too, obviously, but Lily watched Sammy’s every move on the ice extra closely as she got older. Sammy wasn’t as young as he used to be, and you worried that his next injury would be his last every day.

Sammy sighed. “I know.”

“She gets her stubbornness from you,” you said pointedly when Sammy winced trying to take off his shirt.

Sammy laughed quietly. “I know.”

And I love you for giving me your eyes, for staying back and watching me shine

Sammy was crying, and you were laughing at him.

It was Lily’s graduation day, and he’d been emotional about it all day. He’d barely made it through pictures that morning, but he’d been fine at the start of the ceremony, though you had a feeling that was going to change once they started calling names.

“Keep it together, babe,” you teased, but you passed him a tissue from your purse.

“Shut up,” he hissed. “That’s our little girl!”

Your little girl wasn’t so little anymore, and she was walking across the stage to collect her diploma, confident and beautiful in her cap, gown and high heels. She’d grown up so much, but she would always be Sammy’s mini-me. Same brown hair, same eyes that could never quite decide if they were blue or green. Soft spoken but stubborn as hell.

“I’m so proud of you,” Sammy would whisper to her later, and you’d both hug her a little tighter.

#cait writes things #the swift series #sammy blais #sammy blais fic #sammy blais imagine #nhl fic #nhl imagine

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agentsnickers · 3 years

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small wonders

(this is not quite a whole fic, but a little glimpse into the royal au. surprise! Friday was ITIK/Royal’s first birthday!)

Davey feels cold fingers close around his own, followed immediately by the familiar weight of a body pressing close to his side. He doesn’t need to turn to know exactly who it is.

“I’m sure you’ve met Prince John,” Davey says.

The nobleman Davey had been talking to – some moderately high-ranking member of King Joseph’s court, though his name is slipping Davey’s mind – looks from Davey to Jack and back again.

“We’ve met, yes. I’m impressed that you didn’t jump at all, David,” the nobleman says, “if I hadn’t seen him coming I’m quite sure the prince would’ve startled me quite badly.”

Jack laughs. “I haven’t been able to startle David in almost twenty years.”

“I grew up at Manhattan Castle,” Davey explains. “I’m well used to the prince’s quirks.” He turns his head toward Jack, tipped curiously to one side. “Did you need something, your highness?”

“It’s your turn,” Jack says. “She’s looking for you.”

“Already?” says Davey, surprised. He turns back toward the nobleman. “If you’ll excuse me, sir, I have to attend to the princess.”

The man nods, waving Davey on.

Davey follows closely behind Jack as the two of them walk back over to where Jack’s wife is deep in conversation with her parents.

“Davey!” Katherine says brightly, breaking off from whatever she’d been saying to her father. “She’s been looking for you!”

“I wasn’t even gone that long,” Davey says, laughing. He opens his arms and lets Katherine pass him Felicity, who coos and reaches for his face. “Hello, Lissie.”

King Joseph raises an eyebrow. “I don’t understand why you’re all so insistent that she was looking for Jacobs.”

“She’s been asking for him when she looked around,” Katherine says. “Haven’t you, Lissie-belle? Can you show Grandfather how you say Davey?”

“Dayee,” coos Felicity. She reaches for Davey’s face again, patting his cheek.

She is ten months old, and so far “Davey” is all she’s mastered saying. This is her first visit to Katherine’s home kingdom, and naturally it’s been a bit of a to-do. Despite the fact that this party is in her honor, her grandparents had wanted to leave Felicity upstairs in Katherine’s old nursery, attended by a servant or two, but Katherine and Jack were having none of it. They’re insistently hands-on parents, with Queen Medda’s firm approval and support.

Davey kisses the top of Felicity’s head. “Good job, sweetpea.”

He and Jack and Katherine have been passing Felicity around all night, just like they do at home. Usually there are a few more hands in the game – Sarah, for one, and both Les and Charlie – but Davey was the only person spared to make this trip with Jack, Katherine, and Felicity. Queen Medda herself had been the one to suggest that Davey accompany them, a knowing smile on her lips.

“Ah,” says King Joseph. “I didn’t realize that was meant to be a word.”

“Sure is,” Jack says proudly. “Our little girl’s awful bright. We’re still working on mama and dada, but she’s sure got Davey down.”

“Dayee!” Felicity repeats, giggling.

“Lissie,” Davey replies, bouncing Felicity with each syllable.

“It seems like she sees a lot of you, Jacobs,” Queen Kate says in a tone that sounds intentionally diplomatic.

Privately, Davey thinks anybody who sounds like they’re trying to be diplomatic when they’re speaking should not be in this line of work. But birth rank doesn’t much account for one’s people skills, he supposes.

“I’m Prince John’s right hand man,” Davey says. He has had to use Jack’s real name more this week than in the last few months together, but it still fits wrong in his mouth. “Comes with the territory, I suppose. I’m quite fond of her, so it’s hardly a hardship.”

“Do you have any children yourself?” the queen asks, still in that odd tone.

“No,” Davey says with a bit of a laugh. Felicity giggles along with him. “I’m unmarried and intend to stay that way, Your Majesty.”

“No prospects of your own, Jacobs?” King Joseph asks. His tone is far less diplomatic. King Joseph has, for some reason, never much liked Davey.

“I have far too much on my plate to entertain the idea of marriage,” says Davey, rocking Felicity slowly as she calms down somewhat, resting her little head against his shoulder. “Duties to my kingdom and my prince come well ahead of any of that. I have two siblings both happy to carry on the family name.”

King Joseph hums, unimpressed. “I see.”

“I’m going to walk with her for a bit,” Davey says, still rocking Felicity. He directs it to Jack and Katherine. “I think she may be ready to fall asleep soon.”

“Of course,” says Jack, “because for me she wants to be awake and looking around at everything, and the minute Kit hands her to you, she goes right to sleep.”

“That sounds more like you tired her out than me having some magical talent,” Davey points out.

Katherine laughs. “Ever the realist, our David.”

Jack splutters a halfhearted protest, but they all know it to be true.

Davey nods politely to the king and queen and leaves Jack and Katherine to their conversation, taking slow, measured steps so as not to jostle Felicity too much. He does have a bit of a knack for getting Felicity to go down, but it’s much more to do with his steadier pace and quieter voice than anything more mysterious. Jack is boisterous and bright, which always draws heart melting smiles and hiccupping giggles from his daughter, but rarely encourages sleep.

(Katherine has the advantage over both of them of being the only one who can ever sing Felicity to sleep, where Davey always has to walk her around and Jack just has to hand her off to one of the others.)

“Dayee,” Felicity mumbles, patting his chest.

“I love you, Lissie-belle,” Davey softly replies. He keeps rocking side-to-side as he walks, watching Felicity’s eyes drift shut. Sometimes he truly can’t believe how lucky he is to have a place like this in her life.

He glances up, meeting Jack’s gaze across the room without realizing he means to. Jack grins, his face completely lighting up. Davey smiles back reflexively, and he doesn’t miss the way Katherine - who is mostly facing Jack, still - smiles fondly at the two of them, shaking her head.

Not just her life, Davey supposes. He presses a gentle kiss to Felicity’s soft, fluffy curls. He can’t believe it, sometimes, but he’s not about to complain.

#finn's royal au #javid #newsies #davey jacobs #this was going to be part of something longer but i'm less than motivated right now and I really like this part #so you guys get this

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lovelucybradford · 3 years

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I Pretend You’re Mine (5)

A/N: Back with the promised continuation chapter!

Not sure if you’re interested, but when I was writing, in my head I pictured:

Betty White as Grandma Rose

Richard Madden as Levi

Peter Gallagher as Jason Martin

Scott Eastwood as Drew

Masterlist

Tags: @empath-bunny

@ityagirljay

@wolfarrowepz

@supernatural-crazed-girl

Five: You Were Romeo (I Was a Scarlet Letter)

Day 1: Thursday, June 13th

7:00 pm- Welcome Cocktails in the Stardust Lounge, Deck 6

“Champagne, miss?” The formally dressed waiter offered a flute of sparkling wine, a raspberry garnish floating in the glass. Rosalie took it from his hands with no hesitation, sending the attendant a silent smile of thanks. She put the glass to her lips, then paused and looked up at Derek.

“Will people judge me if I chug this whole thing right now?” she voiced, loving the amused smile that lit up her partner’s face at the innocent question.

“I thought we didn’t care anymore what people thought of us,” Derek reminded her, though she knew that when he was referring to ‘we’, he really meant her. Derek never was one to care what people thought of him.

Rosalie weighed her options, then decided that her family judged her anyways so why not have a good time?

In order to get through this hellish night, she’d have to be tipsy. Best start now.

Without a word of affirmation, she forewent her instilled manners and chugged the glass down in one long sip. Rosalie wasn’t normally a fan of champagne, unless it was Dom Perignon, which she realized made her sound like a total snob. It was the one thing that she’d inherited from her father, her expensive taste in food and drink. It seemed by the familiar, rich, and delicious taste of the bubbly that the cruise ship staff had only provided the very best for their VIP guests.

Rosalie searched for a place to set her glass, finding a nearby unoccupied table and gently depositing it there. She, quite literally, couldn’t afford to even chip one of the crystal goblets. She stumbled back to Derek, who was waiting for her with an open arm.

“You ready for this?” he whispered in her ear, his breath hot on her neck. It caused unvoluntary goosebumps to crawl up her arms, which she prayed he didn’t notice.

Was she ready?

A part of her never would be. She’d purposely left this part of her life behind, knowing all too well how toxic it was for her mental health. But Rosalie knew if she backed out now, then the family would know that they finally got to her. They would think that she was still strung up and heartbroken about Drew, or jealous of her stepsister for getting the diamond that was meant for Rosalie.

And sure, she had been… once upon a time.

Moving back to Beacon Hills, reconnecting with normal people, people she loved more than her own blood relatives… it had put everything into perspective for her again.

Rosalie could once again be herself, be that strong woman that Talia Hale had raised to be when Rosalie’s own mother had fallen short. The strong, kind, generous, goofy, compassionate, empathetic woman with a mind of her own and a head on her shoulders. Not the ice queen, the submissive and serious woman that her father had tried to warp her into.

And for that, Rose was forever thankful.

She was different now, but exactly the same. And this version of her, with her closest confidantes by her side, wouldn’t cower in a corner.

Rosalie held her head high, meeting Derek’s gaze with a confident look in her blue eyes.

“Yes,” she declared, feeling her confidence rise.

“Good.”

“Lead the way, Prince Charming.”

Derek snorted and shook his head at the nickname, but complied and escorted Rosalie further into the room. She searched for a friendly face among the crowd. Normally, she’d be able to find Lydia by her head of bright red hair, but nearly half of the people in the room had some shade of red hair.

Thankfully, Rosalie didn’t have to look all that hard, as Charlotte came bounding up to her aunt, screaming, “Auntie Rosie! Uncle Derek!”

And suddenly, as the child wrapped her arms around one of Derek’s legs and one of Rosalie’s, all of the attention in the room shifted to the couple.

“Is that Rosalie?” her cousin Noah commented to the man next to him.

“Who the hell is that with her? Because dayum, I’d like to tap that ass,” Noah’s twin, Nick, said back.

“That has to be her friend,” Uncle Alex said to his wife, his lips around a glass of Scotch.

“Not with the way he’s holding her. Besides, did you hear her niece call him Uncle? How she managed that is beyond me,” Aunt Sarah replied, looking Rose’s companion up and down with hungry eyes.

Rosalie ignored all the talk, even though it seemed as if the crowd wasn’t even attempting to be discreet in their conversations.

She reached down to pat Charlotte’s blonde head. “Hey, honey! I missed you!”

Derek ruffled Charlotte’s curls playfully, to which the little girl pretended to be angry with him. But Rosalie could see the smile that she was hiding as Charlotte clutched the adults’ legs even harder.

“All right, all right, Charlie. Let’s let Auntie Rosalie and Uncle Derek breathe, yeah?” Rosalie’s brother, Levi, broke through the crowd, detaching his daughter from the couple and telling her to go on and play with her cousins.

As soon as the little girl was out of sight, Levi enveloping his sister in a hug. Derek held out his hand for a friendly shake, but Levi pulled him into an embrace as well, the two men patting each other fondly on the back.

“I’m digging the beard,” Derek approved, gesturing to Levi’s newly grown beard while rubbing his own.

“What can I say? I was inspired by yours. Although I have to say, mine looks a little better. Y’know, because it’s still all one color,” Levi joked, comparing his solid red scruff to Derek’s salt-and-pepper look.

Rosalie elbowed Derek in the side teasingly. “Yeah, you old man!”

Derek raised one brow and stepped away from Rosalie, crossing his arms. “Oh sure, call me old man one more time.”

Rosalie beamed up at him, wagging her own brows. “What would you rather me call you? Sugar daddy?”

With one fell swoop, Derek was pressed against her, fingers tickling the small expanse of visible skin on her waist. Rose squealed with laughter, trying in vain to pull away from him and begging for mercy.

Levi cleared his throat loudly, causing the couple to separate. Rosalie’s cheeks burned red at the embarrassing scene that she had been a part of. Surely her brother would tease her about it.

Instead, Levi looked a bit pissed.

“So, I guess my daughter didn’t dream up your engagement, then. This,” Levi gestured to Rosalie and Derek, “is really happening?”

Derek shifted his weight on both feet. Rosalie bit her lip and looked to the floor guiltily. She loved her brother. She really did. But she knew that Levi had loose lips, and he’d surely have one too many and (unintentionally) let slip the whole ruse. That, and Rose couldn’t take the disappointment from him.

“It’s about fucking time,” Levi added, sounding a lot more jovial. Rosalie’s and Derek’s heads shot up instantly, shocked at his comment.

Levi slapped Derek on the shoulder. “Bro, I am so glad you didn’t listen to me.”

“What’s he talking about?” Rosalie interrogated Derek.

Derek scratched the back of his neck and turned his head towards the large window next to them. Before he could explain, Jess, Levi’s wife, snaked her arms around her husband’s waist, resting her chin on his shoulder. “Lee was telling me all about how he’d threatened Derek with his guns if he even put his hands on you.”

Rosalie’s jaw dropped. Derek stayed unusually silent. “You gave Der the boyfriend talk?! When was this, big brother?”

Levi raised both hands in surrender. “In my defense, Derek was a horny college kid back then, and I was only trying to protect my little sister. You know the, um, milestones that come with prom night.”

The tapping of a mic interrupted their conversation, which Rosalie was thankful for since she was at a loss for words.

She’d remembered that night in question, fondly. It was the night that she’d realized that she’d had feelings for Derek. Rosalie’s then-boyfriend, Ryan, had dumped her a week before prom for another, more sexy, more experienced, girl. Rosalie was heartbroken, and had sworn off prom, until Derek had shown up on her doorstep in a suit with a pink corsage and a sparkling silver tiara.

She’d laughed, of course, at the reference to the childhood nickname. Then, she’d excitedly rushed upstairs to ready herself, leaving Derek at the mercy of one Levi Martin. Levi Martin, who had, apparently, threatened to cut off Derek’s balls and feed them to the family dog if he had even touched his baby sister in an inappropriate way.

(Levi was always… poetic when it came to his threats.)

Rosalie had hoped, prayed, that as Derek had driven her home in his black Camaro, that he would kiss her, to put a fairytale ending on a perfect night. Sure, he’d kissed her when he dropped her off at her front door… on the cheek, like a brother, or a best friend, might.

Rosalie had dreamt about that night for years afterwards, of what it would be like if he had actually kissed her.

_______________

“I’m sorry, Grandma Rose. I have to go rescue my fiancé from your dear grandson.”

Rosalie stood from the table, feeling a rush in her head for a few seconds. She was definitely tipsier than she thought.

Once Rose got her bearings, she strutted, barefoot, to Derek, who looked highly uncomfortable. With every inch that Nick advanced on Derek, the man backed a considerable distance away.

“Has anyone ever told you that you have an amazing ass?” Rosalie heard Nick flirt from paces away. The way that Nick was looking at Derek, the way that he was blatantly hitting on the man when Nick knew that Derek was taken, it unsettled something in Rosalie. Her vision turned red as she approached the two from behind, wrapping an arm around Derek’s waist.

“Hi Nick. Sorry, this amazing ass is mine.” Rosalie didn’t know what she was saying, didn’t really think through what she was doing. All she knew was that she was grabbing Derek’s right butt cheek with her hand, smiling smugly as Nick’s eyes widened.

Derek waited until Rose’s cousin scurried away before stiffly asking, “Rosalie, why are you grabbing my ass?”

Rosalie let go of Derek immediately, feeling as if she’d spontaneously combust in mortification. “I am, so, so sorry. I just kind of… he was ogling you and it made me mad. Like you’re gorgeous but you’re more than just a pretty face and an incredible ass.” Rosalie’s eyes widened at her word vomit, and now she definitely wanted to throw herself from the nearest balcony and test her drunken theory that she was secretly a mermaid.

“I… I need a drink.”

Derek turned to face her, a hint of a forming chuckle on his lips. “I think you’ve had enough of those, babe.”

Rosalie wished that she could slink away. She wished that someone would hit her in the head, and she’d wake up with amnesia. Maybe she could change her name and move to Antarctica? Yeah, that would be good.

Derek rolled his eyes, grabbing his best friend by the elbow and latching her hand back onto his arm. “I’m not mad at you, Rosalie. Feel free to grab my ass anytime if it makes you feel better.”

Rosalie tried to scowl, but the frown was turning upward with every second. “I hate you so much.”

Derek escorted the two back to Rosalie’s table, where Grandma Rose looked completely unimpressed with the whole shindig. Before they sat, he pulled Rose close and whispered, “I’ll let you grab my ass as long as I can grab yours.”

At that, he pulled out Rosalie’s chair and plopped her down, taking the one next to her. Rose was speechless. Did that actually come out of his mouth? Wait, did he actually want to grab her behind? Yep. Those were his words. Exactly.

Rose’s cheeks flushed a healthy shade of pink. Derek laughed at her slowly coloring face, to which she smacked him on the thigh under the table. Before she could remove her hand, Derek grabbed it and held it between the two of them.

“I always knew the two of you would end up together.” Grandma Rose said wistfully, looking at the couple with soft eyes.

You and everyone else, apparently. Everyone but Derek, Rosalie thought sadly, and tried to shove the painful pang in her heart.

“You know how I knew, Rosalie?” Grandma Rose shakily reached for her flute of champagne, taking a long sip. “I knew it when this one, this big, strong, handsome man,” the old woman reached for Derek’s free hand and patted it kindly, “punched my idiot son in the face at that party, after you got your master’s degree.”

Rosalie snickered at the memory. Jason and Derek had never gotten along. Jason thought Derek was ‘some jock who was too concerned with an unlikely career in basketball instead of his studies’. Derek thought Jason was a ‘pompous, cheating, scumbag, son of a bitch’. (Both quotes were their words exactly)

All of the building tension exploded when Jason had chosen to make a below-the-belt comparison between Rose and Ashleigh’s accomplishments. As if they weren’t celebrating Rosalie graduating from Columbia University, an ivy league, with a master’s degree, with the highest honors.

Derek had broken Jason’s nose. Jason had gotten a restraining order (his favorite defense tactic; it expired last year).

“I’m so sorry,” Derek told Rosalie’s grandmother, though he didn’t sound the least bit remorseful.

“Oh, sweetheart. It wasn’t like every sane person at that party wasn’t thinking the same thing. You were the only one brave enough to do it. Rose’s knight in shining armor.”

Derek’s face flushed red, a rare sight for a man with so much confidence.

“Rosalie, dear. I do have to warn you, Drew and Ashleigh are here.”

Rosalie sighed. She knew that they would be here. The pair had done a very good job at avoiding them; Rose wondered when they’d finally make it around her and Derek’s way. If Rose were lucky, maybe they’d just avoid her the whole trip. Only in her dreams…

“I know, Grandma. I—have you seen them yet?”

“Yes, I had the misfortune of running into both of them while yelling at your father for dragging his ninety-two-year-old mother on an extravagant trip. Do you know how long the plane flight was? Anyways, Drew called me ‘grandma’. You know what I told him, loves?”

Derek and Rosalie looked to each other, both knowing that it was probably something rude. Grandma Rose was Rosalie’s favorite relative, outside of her brother and Lydia. She was the most real of all of them. She spoke her mind and wasn’t afraid to let anyone know how she felt.

“I told him to go fuck himself.”

Derek choked on his glass of white wine. Rosalie smacked him on the back a few times, unable to hold in her shaking laughter.

“Yes, I told dear old Drew to go fuck himself. The only man that’s allowed to call me that is Derek. He doesn’t have his head up his ass. He sees how beautiful, wonderful, and deserving of love my real granddaughter is.”

All jokes aside, Grandma Rose’s words warmed Rosalie’s heart. At least one of the extended family members didn’t think she was a disgrace.

“Well, kids. Would you look at that? The pompous son of a bitch wants to go blab about himself. Someone should go tell him to shut up.”

Rosalie looked to the small stage at the front of the lounge. Sure enough, there was her father, Jason, dressed to the nines in a likely customized Hugo Boss suit, a pink Hibiscus sticking out of his breast pocket. Jason looked around at the crowd, clearing his throat to get the attention of his guests.

“Welcome, everyone! I’m so glad that you’re here and could join me on this fantastic excursion…”

Jason continued his schpeal and Rosalie tuned him out. He was likely talking about how great he was for paying for everyone’s accommodations, or how lucky they were to be spending time with him on this 1K-a-night cruise. Rosalie had heard it all before, multiple times, and she was sick of it, frankly.

What was it about rich people’s money that made them think that they were gods and should be treated as such?

Derek squeezed Rosalie’s hand hard, his nails digging into the back of her hand.

She looked to him in explanation, but he only nodded his head towards the stage.

Where Drew was shepherding Ashleigh up the steps, his hand resting on her backside.

“Yes, as I said, we have two exciting announcements that Evelyn and I could not wait to share with you tonight.”

Jason looked fondly towards Ashleigh and Drew, who were now hobbling towards him. There were resounding gasps and excited squeals, but Rosalie could only focus on Drew.

Drew was still as handsome as the day that she had first met him. His blue eyes sparkled with confidence and charm. He’d grown a beard since Rosalie had seen him last, wafts of brown hair covering his strong jaw. He stood behind Ashleigh, his hands moving to rest on her stomach, and that’s when time stood still.

Because, under Drew’s lithe fingers, was a protruding bump. Rosalie, despite herself, couldn’t help the gasp that formed around her lips, nor the shaking of her hands.

Drew, when he was with her, had told Rosalie that he didn’t want kids. He’d had daddy issues too and didn’t want his offspring to grow up with a messed-up dad. Even though Rosalie desperately wanted a family, she was so in love with Drew that she’d put those dreams aside, for him.

Now, Drew stood proudly cradling his pregnant fiancée’s stomach as he spoke sweet nothings into her ear, looking thrilled to become a dad.

Derek squeezed Rosalie’s hand tightly, then removed it to wrap around her shoulders instead, nestling her into him. Derek’s lips brushed the top of Rose’s head, then her forehead.

“Fuck, Rosie. I’m so sorry. I… he didn’t deserve you. You’re better off without him. Do you want to go?” Derek whispered huskily in Rosalie’s ear, breaths coming out shallowly.

Rosalie didn’t need to feel the tenseness of his arm around her to know that he was pissed. She could tell just by the tone of his voice that he wanted to kill Drew.

Rosalie turned her head so that now her lips would be close to his ear. “I… I should have known. I—No, we need to stay. If I leave now, then Ashleigh and Evelyn will know that they’ve won, and I can’t let that happen.”

Rosalie rested her head on Derek’s shoulder, finding comfort in his embrace.

Someone kicked her leg under the table. Rosalie raised her head to look at Derek questioningly. His expression matched her own.

“Rosalie? Dear, are you here?” Jason called from the stage, his snake-like grey eyes checking the crowd for his daughter.

“She’s here, you pompous prick!” Grandma Rose yelled to her son, shoving Rosalie gently with a hand to her back. From a distance, Rosalie heard Stiles guffaw. She imagined that Lydia smacked him in the head while trying to control her own laughter.

Jason scowled, but ignored his mother, watching with a forced smile as his daughter and her ‘fiancé’ ascended the stairs. Derek had a tight hold around Rosalie, who had forgone her shoes in the shock of the moment. She leaned on him, both physically and metaphorically, for strength.

“Some more good news for my daughters. Somehow, someone managed to put a ring on my dear little Rosalie. Yes, it shocked us, too. Good on you, Derek!” Jason looked to Rosalie’s bare feet. “And it seems he doesn’t mind her habit for walking around barefoot. Welcome to the family, Derek Hale!”

Most of the crowd laughed, Evelyn and Ashleigh’s shrill merriment sticking out the most. Derek held Rosalie tighter. She bit the inside of her lip in an attempt to stay strong.

From Jason’s other side, Drew asked, “Wait. Isn’t that the guy who broke your nose?”

Derek rested his forehead on the side of Rose’s head, huffing into her ear “Yes. That was me. And if you don’t shut up, I’ll break your nose, too, you douche”.

That made her chuckle, and with his arms securely around her, Rose knew that she’d be alright as long as Derek was by her side.

#teen wolf #derek hale #derek hale fic #derek hale fanfiction #derek hale x oc #tyler hoechlin #derek hale au #derek hale fluff

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ladysarahsakura · 3 years

Text

Bucky Barnes X OC Ember

Note: Ember is my OC character for Marvel and is the daughter of Hades and Persephone. I also do not own anything here but my own OC I hope you enjoy!

They met in 1940, Sarah worked in a small flower shop in Brooklyn that James “Bucky” Barnes and Steve Rogers chose to pop into that one afternoon. When James saw her, he couldn’t fight the urge to talk to her. He asked her for her help with picking out flowers for his mom and all Steve could do was smirk at his friend for fumbling his words at first. After making their purchases and paying, she told James to let her know how his mom liked them when he could. A week late, he caught her on her way home and James offered to walk her. He grinned when her cheeks bloomed a soft pink against her fair skin as she accepted. As they walked, the pair got better acquainted and learned they had similar interests. Bucky started slowly falling deeper and deeper for her as he watched her enthusiastically talk about her childhood. Once at her doorstep, he chose to ask her out to dinner next weekend and was ecstatic when she said yes. Over the next year, dinner dates turned into dancing, beach trips, picnics in the park, even to a few movies,. They were very much in love, more than once Steve would hear his best friend tell him, his mother and his siblings about how she was the one for him and that he wanted to marry her. By December though, the young lovers’ plans made a drastic change. The U.S had entered the fight over and Germany and Bucky had been drafted. Soon he was being shipped off to Camp McCoy in Wisconsin along with the other young men in his regiment. The week before his departure was heartbreaking for them. H promised to come back to her after the war was won and to write to her every single chance he got. She promised to wait on him and to keep an eye on his family and Steve until he returned. She gave him a small, leather-bound journal to use and said it was an early Christmas gift. He smiled softly at her with tears in his eyes as he grabbed hers, a small necklace with her birthstone as the pendant. On the day of his departure, he huggled Steve, his mom and his siblings goodbye and when Sarah handed him his bags, he pulled his girl into a deep kiss and repeated his promise to her and told her he loved her. He watched out his train car window until they were all out of sight. Sarah waited a full year and a half but was sadly called back home by her father before her soldier’s return home. When James came home and she was gone, Steve gave him the letter she told him to give him which said how much she loved him and how she would be back in Brooklyn before he got back from the war, gave a new mailing address and a promise to be there when he got home.

Sarah had a secret, a secret she was terrified to tell James, and that was who and what she truly was. Her birth name was Ember, her parents were greek gods- Persephone and Hades. She did wish to tell James the truth as they were slowly talking about spending their lives together, even if it would’ve cost her his love. She returned to the Underworld realm due to her father being swamped with new souls and paperwork due to the war overseas in the mortal realm. She returned to Brooklyn in 1945, only to learn Steve had taken part in a military experiment and became Captain America only to crash a plane into icy waters and couldn’t be found and that Bucky- her Bucky- was gone. She mourned with his family and helped them however they needed her to until once again she was called to the underworld, to mourn on her own time.

Fast forward to 2011, now a member of S.H.E.I.L.D, being told by Director Fury that Steve was alive. He put her in charge of helping him when he woke up which didn’t go as planned. After calming her old friend down, she explained everything including what she was and why she never told Bucky. He assured her that he would’ve loved her no matter what. She longed to see him again to know if that was true, little did she know she would get that chance.

2014, she was just as shocked as Steve and Natasha to find Bucky not dead but brainwashed by H.Y.D.R.A. An ability she possessed was mind-reading and memory recovery which can only be used through direct contact with the person wishing to have their memories recovered. As Bucky- now the winter solider- went to grab her, she twisted his human arm behind his back and slammed him to the ground, before her hand could reach the back of his headache had flipped them around, grabbed her by the throat with his metal hand and was about to hit her when he was knocked over by Sam Wilson. She didn’t join Sam and Steve going against Bucky when they encountered the winter soldier on the Triskelion but did assist Steve in Romania when they finally tracked down his location.

Present time after the blip so much has changed. Sam is now the new Captain America and Ember and Bucky finally had a moment of peace to catch up. His memories were still hazy about her but he knew she was important to him. Each passing day he remembered her more and more, mainly as the girl at the flower shop and the girl he took to dinner a week or so after. He trusted her wholeheartedly and once learning what she was and of the powers she possessed, he trusted her even more. She didn’t shy away from him, she wasn’t scared of him even after their violent meeting again after almost 60 plus years, she sided with him against her other friends, and now that Steve had retired, he spent almost every day he could with her. He loved the city but for once he took his therapist’s advice and moved out of Brooklyn. Instead of living with Sam, he moved to Pennsylvania which was where Ember was. In a two-bedroom cottage in the rural part of the state with an attached Morticia Addams style conservatory that housed all matters of plant life, was where she settled. Buck lived in a studio apartment in the neighbouring town which was only a few minutes away from her however he felt as if he belonged beside her. The two shared a usual breakfast and sat at her kitchen island when more memories of her flooded his mind. By this time she had already told him the truth of who she was as well as her parents and they had even met Bucky. As she reentered the kitchen from watering a few of her plants, she saw the look on Bucky’s face and grew concerned, “ You alright, Buck?” His gaze rested on the pendant that was around her neck, “ I-I gave that to you. In 1941 before I had to leave for training, didn’t I?” He sounded scared almost. His memories of him and Steve had come back in droves after being woken from the cryostasis and with Shuri and the other Wakandan scientists help. His only memory of her was being the girl from the flower shop as well as her truth she told him after he was woken up and Bucky internally panicked thinking he messed something up somehow. “Yes. You gave it to me as an early Christmas gift because you wouldn’t be there. Bucky, an ability I have is memory recovery did Steve or Sam tell you that?” She spoke softly to him trying to ease his panic. When he said no she went on explaining what her ability could do. When she activated this ability, she could take someone into their own mind and show them the memories they oppressed or couldn’t remember. He stood slowly and walked to her side of the island and grabbed her hands, placing them on his cheeks, “I want to remember you. Please.” Ember studied his eyes for a moment before her hands glowed a soft blue. Suddenly, she and bucky were back in 1940’s Brooklyn and Bucky smiled, pointing out what places were still standing in the modern-day. The two took the path he and small Steve took every day until they spotted himself and Steve making their way home from work. A perk was nothing in your memory could be tainted so the pair followed through the crowd, not worried about getting caught. His hand instinctively grabbed hers as they followed young Bucky into the flower shop she worked at. Another perk was you could hear the person’s inner thoughts from that time so suddenly Bucky heard his voice talk about how pretty she was and he saw Ember’s cheeks turn that same soft pink again. Suddenly the memory shifted to him walking her home, asking her out to dinner, and a feeling of anxiety washed over them, ‘Bucky had been nervous about their first date’ she thought fondly. Memories played of them being in her apartment, of her meeting his family and the bear hug his mom gave her, Suddenly they were in his childhood bedroom with small Steve drawing away as Bucky got ready for another date with her, “ I’m telling you, Steve, she’s the one. I’ve never felt this way about someone before.” Small steve chuckled and told his friend that was the fifth time he’d told him that. Again the memory changed to Bucky at Sarah’s apartment, laying on the full bed she had, talking about the future as

she worked on a new yarn project. Present Bucky suddenly asked to stop and immediately the world changed back to their modern selves in her cottage. She went to let go of Bucky’s face, scared she’d done something wrong but he didn't let her go yet just had her back facing him. “ I fell in love with you quicker than I ever thought I could fall for someone. I remember going to the jewlery store to get your necklace that day and looking and engagement rings because I wanted to surprise you with a ring I had been eying fr months” there was a small pause,. “Why didn’t you tell me what you were back then?” His voice was soft as he turned her around to face him, slowing whipping the tears from her face, “ I-I didn’t know how. I-I thought you- you’d hate me or think I was lying or just some freak. When I finally wrote everything down the way I wanted to say it, you got drafted. I didn’t want you to hate me when you left. I wanted to make sure you were happy before you left.” She began sobbing, trying to shrink in on herself when he pulled her into him. “You really think that would’ve made me hate you? I mean it would’ve been a surprise, yeah but I fell in love with you for you not for what you are, that doesn't and didn't matter to me. I loved you then and I love you still.” Bucky suddenly felt very nervous, saying he loved her after decades apart wasn’t easy and letting people in wasn't easy for Bucky anymore, but he knew she was worth it still. He just hoped she felt the same way he did. He saw her fighting with her own brain, trying to think of how this would affect him now. He took her face in his hands and proposed something to her. Making new memories, a second first date and if after a few dates, they still wanted each other then they’d pick up where they left off. He saw her smile softly and it made his heart skip. Slowly leaning in, he kissed her softly, almost scared until she chose to deepen it. The memory of the first time they kissed popped into their heads along with all their other kisses. Pulling away he chuckled, genuinely happy again.

For once, he felt safe and at home.

#james buchanan bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #fluff #mcu #marvel oc

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wiypt-writes · 3 years

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Leave No One Behind

Ch 7- Hungry Like The Wolf Co written with @icanfeelastormbrewing

Episode Summary: Ari heads back to TA and after meeting with his estranged wife he’s left in even more of a spin dealing with his feelings towards Hannah, until something finally snaps. And this time, there’s no going back.

Episode Warnings: Bad Language words. Smut (NSFW no under18s)

Episode Pairings: Ari Levinson x OFC Hannah Horowitz

A/N: Ok, so, we promised that this was going to be an explosive chapter and it is…in more ways than one.

Leave No One Behind Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Chapter 6

“Burning the ground, I break from the crowd, I'm on the hunt down, I'm after you. I smell like I sound, I'm lost and I'm found, and I'm hungry like the wolf.

Strut on a line, it's discord and rhyme, I'm on the hunt down, I'm after you. Mouth is alive with juices like wine, and I'm hungry like the wolf.”

Hungry Like The Wolf- Duran Duran

It had never crossed Ari's mind that he would be sitting in the living room in his old apartment as a visitor. But life moves in mysterious ways and there he was, sitting on the couch in the living room of the apartment he once shared with Sarah, hanging out with Maya who was cross legged on the rug by his feet, playing with her dolls.

Sarah had been kind enough to retreat to the kitchen to give them some time alone. Her greeting hadn't been awkward but it hadn't been warm either and Ari was a bit surprised to find it wasn't bothering him in the very least. His only concern was Maya's behaviour around him since last time they had been together he had left with a bittersweet feeling. That said, so far things were going smoothly. She hadn't hugged him back but, to his relief, she hadn't stiffened when he had hugged her and pressed a kiss on her head. Moreover, she had squealed in excitement when she had torn the wrapping paper off the present he had gotten her from Sudan and had seen the colourful beaded bag which she was now filling with her dolls' accessories.

They had engaged in a slow moving conversation about how she was doing at school and how well she was behaving at home. Nothing he couldn't have asked to any of the neighbour's kids. But at some point Maya had lifted her big brown eyes from the bag in her lap and had looked at him, taking him in for a few seconds before pointing out

"You're tanned."

Ari chuckled.

"Well, I get to spend a lot of time in the sun." he said with a smile that reached his eyes.

At least Maya was looking at him in the eyes this time. That was something.

"Have you swum in the sea like we used to do on holiday?" she asked, taking one of her dolls to start combing her hair.

"Yeah. I've also been diving."

He saw his daughter's eyes wide open with curiosity as she stopped what she was doing.

"Really? That's amazing."

"Sure is." Ari nodded, leaning forward and resting his arms on his thighs to catch her attention before explaining "There are lots of things to see down there. Sharks, fish, sunken pirate ships..."

"Really?" she asked, her eyes brimming with excitement "I wish I could go."

"I'd like that too, munchkin. But unfortunately I'm there working and that's not a place for a kid, as fun as it may sound."

Ari felt a pang in his chest as he noticed Maya's previously sparkling eyes and wide smile suddenly slip and she reverted into a sombre mood. He could read what was on her mind. How could he not? He had listened to those same words from Sarah over the last years of their marriage. Dad is always at work. Dad is far from home, living exciting adventures, helping other people rather than being at home with me.

She wasn't wrong, in a sense. So he decided to try and lighten her mood up a bit. It was worth the shot.

"Hey, did I tell you we have a dog now?"

"A dog?" she asked, visibly intrigued.

"Yup."

"What's he like?" She was smiling again.

"He's not very big. He's an Abyssinian sand terrier. They have no fur." Ari explained, smiling fondly at the memory of Simon.

"He's bald?”

"Yes, yes he is." Ari nodded, chuckling.

"Well, that's ok." Maya said tilting her head and grinning "You have enough hair for two, Daddy."

Ari laughed loudly which caught Sarah's attention from the kitchen.

"Hannah said the same thing."

"Who's Hannah?" Maya frowned.

"You remember Sammy?" Ari asked and Maya nodded "Well, she's his sister. They're both part of my team. Hannah is the one who found Simon... well actually he kinda found her."

"Simon?"

"Yeah, she named the dog after her favourite singer." Ari, who had been smiling since he had started talking about Hannah, explained.

"Like Simon Le Bon?" Maya asked, with a huge grin when she realised the connection.

"Yeah, exactly like him. In fact she named him Simon Le Bone."

Maya laughed and got up, picking her bag off the floor and bringing it back with her. She headed for the sofa and sat next to Ari. He had clearly piqued her curiosity.

"I want a picture of Simon."

"Yeah? Well I can send you one when I get back." Ari offered, nodding.

"Would you do that?" Maya asked, beaming at him.

"Of course I will. But only if you promise to write back." Ari said, as he reached to brush her hair off her face.

"Ok."

Ari could see Maya was clearly happy with the trade-off and the fact that she was opening up to him and had even agreed to write to him filled his heart with joy. He let out a contented sigh and noticed Maya was fiddling absent-mindedly with the beads on her new bag.

"I take it you like the bag, Munch?"

"It's beautiful, Dad." Maya nodded heavily.

"I’m glad…Hannah helped me pick it up."

Ari flinched at the slip of the tongue. What was wrong with him? It was like he couldn't help but talk about her. Though it was true, Hannah had got the bag for Maya and he was feeling a tad guilty about that. But as much as he had been looking forward to another trip with Hannah to Port Sudan to grab Maya something, Max had called dibs going just for the free food at the Souk and Ari was left with no other option to ask her if she would mind picking something up for Maya that she thought she might like.

"Did she? I like her." Maya said, snapping Ari from his thoughts.

Ari laughed at his daughter's quip "How’s that?"

"She adopted Simon and got me this, well you got it but she picked it." Maya offered with a shrug.

Ari fell silent. All his worries about Maya being upset he hadn't picked the gift himself vanished. Kids were amazing sometimes. Yet he didn't know what to say. It had been the longest conversation he had had with Maya for ages and he couldn't believe she was being so engaged and had warmed up to him so easily and, least of all, they were talking about Hannah. But it hadn't felt awkward, it just felt natural.

"Is she pretty?" Maya asked out of the blue.

Ari swallowed hard. Now that had taken him by surprise. He scratched his neck, fumbling for a suitable answer.

"Erm…I suppose so." he shrugged. It was the only thing he could come up with. Suitable enough for a seven year old though.

Who are you kidding, Levinson? I suppose so?

Maya, apparently, wasn't buying it either as she squinted her eyes.

"Ok, yes. Yes, she is pretty." Ari admitted after rolling his eyes, with a resigned smile.

"Cool." Maya quipped, smiling as well.

At that Sarah entered the living room as if she had spotted the perfect timing to step in their father-daughter moment.

“Maya, your lunch is ready. It’s in the kitchen, Honey, on the table." she said, looking at Maya

Maya stood up to do as she had been told but turned to look at Ari before asking "Are you coming dad?"

Ari felt like his heart would explode any minute but he looked at Sarah before answering and he could tell she wanted to talk to him so he had to hold back for the time being.

"Go ahead, I’ll be with you in a minute. Your mom and I have to talk about something." he said.

And as he watched her go he was truly jumping for joy, a big grin on his face. Maya had really asked him to go with her. But when he glanced at his estranged wife, he could see the nerve in her jaw and her shoulders tensing.

"I take it you were listening in?" he asked her.

"Of course I was. Gotta hand it to you Ari…” Sarah said and nodded towards the kitchen, “you won her back round with your stories."

Ari sighed as he brushed his hair off his head, readying himself for what was coming. The tell-tale endless list of flaws and reproaches.

"They’re not stories Sarah, just telling her about what I’m doing, well as much as I can that is." he took a deep breath.

"So I get you’re having a great time from what I heard." Sarah’s brown eyes locked onto his and Ari groaned. She wasn't beating about the bush.

"Can we not do this now? It’s not a vacation Sarah."

"And yet you’d still rather be there than here." she deadpanned.

Ari could not perceive any emotion in her eyes or her voice as she uttered those familiar words. She had thrown them back at him so many times over the last years, they felt mechanical now.

"I don’t have a choice." His response was just as automatic.

"There’s always a choice, Ari." Sarah said.

She wasn't letting go. Ari pinched the bridge of his nose and looked up at her.

"How many times do we have to go through this? I’m trying to do something good, because if my team doesn’t help those people no one will. And I’m trying to be a better father too, even if I’m not around…"

Sarah gave a scoff, interrupting his train of thought.

"Don’t shut me out Sarah, let me make it up to you, make it up to Maya." he said, with pleading eyes.

"Make it up to me? Ari, if you’re looking for a reconciliation it's too late."

Now that was a change. Ari could perceive some emotion in her voice. One of surprise.

"No, that’s not what I mean. I just, well I realised recently that I wasn’t a particular good husband to you, or a good father for that matter."

"The problem wasn’t you being a bad husband or dad Ari, it was with you never being there."

"I know and I’m sorry. I was wrong to just assume that you were ok with everything and to ignore how you felt. But, I wanna do better for Maya." he admitted.

"And you just came to this conclusion one evening when you were alone, soul searching did you?" Sarah snorted.

Ari stayed quiet. What else could he say? She knew perfectly well how his mind worked and was smart enough to spot there was something else to it. The question was whether she was gonna take that road and push him for more answers.

"You’ll always be the same." Sarah shrugged "You’ll never give up what you do and at one time that excited me, made me proud. But then I got tired of never being enough, never being the person you would quit for, and the fact I knew you’ll never leave that life behind. You could never understand that there were people at home who needed you just as much."

"I’m sorry." he whispered. And he meant it.

"Words mean nothing Ari. Make your future actions count. You wanna be a good father to Maya then you can’t keep running these missions. You may not have loved me but I know you love her." she said, her words dripping bitterness.

"Woah, Sarah, I loved you.” Ari shook his head, looking at her “In some ways I always will because we have Maya..."

"But we both know deep down if it wasn’t for her things wouldn’t have moved so fast." she cut him off.

Ari looked down. She was right. Maybe if it wasn't for Maya, they wouldn't have made it to the altar, certainly not as fast as they had. But, the fact was they did. And for the most part they’d been happy.

"But that…that isn’t important.” Sarah shook her head “What is, is that one day Maya’s gonna realise you were never there. She’s already asking questions about why you’re not there for school plays, open days, summer holidays and parties…"

Ari sighed "I know, I know…but at least now, if I can see her and write to her, I can be honest and she can understand."

Sarah looked at him for a minute, before she turned away. He could see she was debating whether to speak her mind or not, and he tensed up sensing the impending dig.

“Pulling Hannah into the mission is a pretty dramatic way to try and win her back Ari…"

And there it was. Ari shook his head and made an exasperated noise. He knew all too well she had brought Hannah up because of him talking to Maya about her.

"That’s not why I took her. It’s not what it seems, Sarah."

"It’s not what it seems, but it is what it is, huh?" she snorted.

Ari looked down at the carpet, avoiding her eyes. There was no point in lying to her, and to himself for that matter.

"I think we were always destined to fail...even on our wedding day you couldn’t take your eyes off her. You were with me because you couldn’t be with her." Sarah said, with a loaded sigh.

Ari shook his head “That’s not…” he looks at her before continuing "...don’t cheapen yourself into being a rebound Sarah, that’s not what we were.”

“Remember when you first told me you loved me? We had just come back from a date and we were in the car outside my apartment. You said those 3 words and told me you had never said them to another woman before.”

Ari could see where this was going.

“Of course I remember. I wasn’t lying Sarah, if that’s what you think…” Sarah smiled fondly now “I know Ari, you might be a lot of things but a liar isn’t one of them. What I was going to say is just because you never said it to another woman before, doesn’t mean you didn’t feel it.”

“Sarah…” Ari protested. “Maybe you just never got to tell her and I was in the right place at the right time…” she continued, ignoring him.

He stayed silent. Better get it over with. Let her speak her mind.

"You know I hope this mission, whenever it ends, teaches you something Ari. Preferably about how not to lie to yourself." she said, before nodding towards the kitchen.

He knew she meant the conversation was over. She had poured her heart out and she didn't need to hear anything more, she just wanted some head space. So he headed into the kitchen and joined Maya for what was left of her lunch.

Almost an hour later Maya had finished her lunch and Ari had helped her with her grammar homework for a while until it was time for him to leave. He didn't want to overstay his welcome but he arranged to pick Maya up the next day to take her out.

As it happened, he spent time with his daughter every day he was home, in between meetings at base and a visit to the cinema one evening which he thought would help him to unwind. He had snorted when he had seen one of the posters was announcing a film called Simon and after considering it for a while he finally decided on Mad Max, it was more his thing. But as he sat there alone in the darkness of the cinema waiting for the film to start, his mind inevitably flew to Simon and his pretty owner once again.

One of the afternoons he spent with Maya they headed into town where they had lunch, giving him the chance to buy Hannah's 30th gift. Well, the gift from the team that they had all agreed to contribute towards. He also grabbed the gift Sammy had asked him to pick up for his sister. As for what he wanted to get her as a personal gift that would have to wait until he got back and could get into Port Sudan. He was hoping it would still be there when he had the chance to return to the Souk. All in all, was a fairly expensive afternoon as Maya also stung him for a few new dolls and some art supplies. But he was more than happy to spoil her.

When it was his last day and time for him to say goodbye for another few months, Maya had given him a teary hug and kissed him goodbye when he had crouched to meet her height with arms wide open. Such a display of affection on his daughter’s part had choked him up as she was normally ambivalent about him leaving her. But this time it had felt different, an awful lot different. She had promised to write, and moreover Sarah had also promised to make her. He was satisfied as he had left things on a good note with Maya and a fairly even and amicable keel with Sarah after their conversation where they had come clean with one another. He had been dreading the meeting with his estranged wife, and had been petrified as to Maya’s reaction towards him too when he had left Sudan but he had to admit it had been as good as he could have hoped for.

So, a week after he had landed in Tel Aviv as a messy wreck, Ari found himself sat on a flight back into Port Sudan much more at peace. He couldn't help but think about everything that happened over the last week and as he stirred the tomato juice he had asked the flight attendant for, his mind drifted to the parallels between his marriage to Sarah and Hannah’s to Andy. The conversation with Sarah had got him thinking that like Sarah was to him, Andy would have been the first person Hannah said “I love you” to. It was crystal clear. But from her confession on the beach that night after their first mission, Andy wasn’t the first man she ever loved, that honour was Ari’s. Moreover, had the interference from Andy and Sammy never happened, it would have been each other they had said it to first, because he knew that Sarah was right. Although he had never said it to Hannah, he had felt it.

And moreover he was beginning to think he felt it still.

**** As Ari was in line waiting to go through passport control after having landed in Port Sudan airport twenty minutes before, he thought about the last time, the only one in fact, he had been waiting in that same line and how the mixed feelings of uncertainty and expectation for what lay ahead that had haunted his mind then had now turned into a heart-warming feeling of going back, not to where he belonged, it wasn't like that, but certainly to somewhere he wanted to be and that thought put a soft smile on his face.

After collecting his luggage he found Max waiting for him in the arrivals lounge. He greeted him with a heartfelt hug and a pat on the back. No words were needed.

"Good flight man?" Max asked, as he reached for one of Ari's bags and headed to the parking lot.

"Was ok. Had some brat behind me kicking my chair but other than that…" Ari replied, following him through the crowds of people.

Max just smiled and after sharing some more trivial information about the weather and the latest news in both Sudan and Tel Aviv as they reached the car and jumped in after placing Ari's luggage on the trunk, both men fell in a comfortable silence.+

That was until Ari spoke again, letting the words that were burning inside him come out searing his throat in the process.

"How’s everyone been?" he asked, clearing his throat.

Max didn't peel his eyes off the road and pondered Ari's question for a moment before smiling.

"If by everyone you mean Cracker, then fine."

"I meant everyone." Ari said, his voice as steady as he could as he looked out of the window.

"Sure you did." Max smiled again.

"Fuck you Max." Ari snapped, turning to look at him.

"You sure you wanna fuck me?" Max chuckled.

Ari merely rolled his eyes in response and sighed. Better just to let Max get away with it, he already had the information he wanted. Well, sort of. Ari realised he didn't know exactly what was that he was expecting Max to tell him. He certainly wasn't gonna tell him she had missed him so much that it hurt until someone or something reminded her of him and soothed a bit of that pain…

They were getting a few miles from the resort and he was getting more anxious by the minute. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Had that herd of camels always been on that valley by the road? As they approached the resort and Ari could distinguish the set of low white buildings in the distance he was getting the jitters. His stomach effectively flipping like he was a fucking teenager by the time Max parked the jeep under the shaded spot to the left of the resort.

They climbed out of the car and the salty sea breeze hit his nostrils but before he could register any more sensations of the hundreds he had missed from that God forsaken piece of paradise, he heard Simon barking and the dog emerged from the hotel, wagging his tail so fast it was a blur. Ari crouched down to say hi to him just as he jumped up at him, licking his face.

“Yeah missed you too bud.” he laughed, scratching his ears furiously.

Once Simon had calmed down a bit he turned to the car to get his bag and glanced up as he heard voices, his heart pounding violently in his chest. Sammy and Jake appeared to help him with his bags

"Come here…" Jake said with a wide grin, patting him on the back, just like in Belize although Ari was pleased he was dressed this time.

"Good to see you man." Sammy greeted him with a sincere smile.

"Hi Sammy." Ari smiled back.

He then glanced to the front of the hotel and saw Rachel and Hannah, smiling. His heart skipped a beat as he took Hannah in as she was stood in a pair of khaki shorts and a black crochet bikini top. He swallowed and grabbed a bag before heading towards them. He frowned faintly behind his aviators when he saw Hannah stiffen a little as he approached them.

Rachel moved to hug him, welcoming him back. And whilst he hugged her his eyes flicked to Hannah and she smiled at him shyly. Rachel released him and he turned towards her, his mind racing. Should he hug her? he wondered as he saw her tuck a piece of her dark hair behind her ears, a sign Ari could place as her being nervous.

"Hi Firefly." he said softly but with a blinding smile on his face.

Rachel turned to head inside as he opened his arms, leaving them alone.

"Hi Ari" she said as she stepped into his embrace.

"You ok?" he whispered into her ear.

She nodded as she relished the feeling of being in his arms. Ari knew the others would only be able to see his back as they were lifting the bags out but nevertheless he was aware he was holding her for slightly too long so he stepped back unwillingly.

"Good." he smiled at her.

Hannah swallowed a little and was then distracted by Simon who had jumped up and grabbed the bottom of the leg of Sammy’s shorts, looking for his attention.

"Hannah, get your dog off me." Sammy groaned.

Hannah laughed and gave a sharp whistle and Simon let go and trotted over her.

"He still hate you, Sammy?" Ari said, turning to look at his friend.

"The feeling is mutual." Sammy deadpanned before muttering " Ugly little gargoyle." to which Simon growled.

"I see how that's mutual." Ari quipped. "Stop calling him ugly Sammy, you’ll hurt his feelings." Hannah glared at his brother. And then she putting on a voice as if speaking to a baby she crouched down. "You're not ugly are you boy, no…"

Ari chuckled and moved to grab one of his bags as Sammy was chunnering under his breath about the ‘fucking mutt’ and they all went inside. Ari headed to his hut to unpack and to get changed. He felt grubby, surely needing a shower. But he was also tired.

As he sat on his bed his mind wandered to how he had felt seeing Hannah again. He had felt relief, this horrible gnawing feeling in his stomach that had been growing stronger by the hour as he travelled back had gone and he reflected on how calming the touch of her skin was, still fresh from the sea against his clothes…her black bikini top, her wet hair slicked back, the drops of water kissing her shoulders and collar bone… He shook his head to bring himself out of what was threatening to become a dirty day dream.

He needed to get a grip. Rachel had said that lunch would be ready in 15 and he had spent a great amount of that time dwelling in his feelings and needs. Well spent, if you asked him. Not wasted. So he changed into a pair of shorts and a clean t-shirt and shoved his flip flops on before heading back out for lunch.

When he got to the dining room, everyone was dressed respectably now having covered up to sit at the table. Hannah wearing a bright yellow paisley sundress that hung halfway between her thighs and her knees, the colour drawing out the tone of her sun-kissed skin even more.

They sat having lunch, everyone in character as they always did in the dining room around tourists. As they started eating, Ari began to talk to them in code, telling them how their ‘sponsors’ were happy with the way things were going, even if Isaacs was still having a fit about the “unexpected guests" and confirmed their next “scouting” mission to be the middle of next month. Sammy then asked Ari casually about Sarah and Maya and there were a couple of seconds of silence during which Rachel, Jake and Max exchanged a glance. If Sammy had been paying attention to something other than the salad in his plate, he would have noticed Rachel glaring at him.

Hannah looked down to her food, playing with the fork, a movement that didn’t pass Ari by as he took a sip directly from his beer bottle trying to win himself sometime before answering.

"They’re good." he finally said, glancing at Hannah. But he then quickly looked around at everyone else so as not to raise suspicions. "Maya’s doing well at school…spent time every day with her, it was nice.

He smiled at the memory of the time spent with his daughter and saw Hannah smile too though she was still looking at her food. Ari swallowed his piece of bread and then looked around before speaking again.

"So Max filled me in a little on the drive over but how’ve you all been guys?" he asked as he tossed a random piece of meat down to Simon. The dog caught it and swallowed without so much as chewing. Ari could swear the animal would never be full no matter what he ate. He could be the canine version of Max.

"Oh you know, busy. Doing all the fucking activities in your fucking brochure." Jake complained, and everyone sniggered.

"All been doing our thing as usual. No strange visitors." Max said, giving Ari a meaningful look.

"We’ve just been lucky." Sammy quipped.

"Ever the optimist Samuel." Hannah said, rolling her eyes at her brother in front of her.

"Or just a realist, Han." he shrugged, looking at her arching an eyebrow.

Ari just sat there, eating his food and watching the scene with a wide smile. He had missed the siblings bickering. It was one of the many little things that made their days at the resort special and you missed when you weren't there.

"We cleared the top floor of the hotel so the 5 rooms up there are usable now. Takes capacity up to 25 guests at any one time." Rachel informed, once the bickering had died down.

"I can’t cope with 25 tourists at once." Max protested.

"Shut up, you just do all that weird shit in the mornings, you know, breathing and kicking the air! I do the tough stuff." Jake snorted.

"Yeah sure, all day down there watching the fish." Max bit back.

"Err.. it's me and Angela that do the tough stuff…any of you want to massage those hairy men?" Hanna cut them both off.

Everyone sniggered again and Ari shifted a little, squirming on his seat and praying no one had noticed.

"You had to go there." Sammy glared at his sister and Hannah winked.

"Well I would offer to do the aerobics classes, Red but not sure I’d rock a leotard as well as you." Jake intervened, not letting the opportunity to flirt pass by.

Ari groaned internally. One of his worst nightmares while being back home in Tel Aviv had been Hannah finally giving in to Jake's advances. Sure she had promised to wait for him the same way he had promised to come back to her. And deep down he knew he was the one who could be called untrustworthy not her, but still. He would have shouted back off, bastard from the top of his lungs if that hadn't meant putting Hannah, and himself, in a compromised position.

"Which reminds me Ari, some guests say they’ve missed you in the aerobics classes. What does that even mean? You never attended one of mine." Rachel asked, squinting her eyes at Ari.

Max sniggered as Ari shrugged innocently.

"They did not miss me?" Jake asked, surprised.

"No coz you still go, hanging around like a giant pervert at the back. You need to get laid." Hannah quipped.

"I told you, I’m trying…not my fault everyone around here is impervious to the old Wolf charms." Jake whined.

"I’m glad to see nothing has changed." Ari drawled.

"You’ve only been gone a week bud." Sammy said, stating the obvious.

"Well it feels like longer." Ari told Sammy. He smiled as he uttered those words, catching Hannah’s eye for a second instead of looking at Sammy, trying to convey she was the reason why, and then glancing away quickly trying to keep it cool. Had his eyes lingered on hers a second more, he wouldn't have missed the smile that flickered across her face.

"Well, as much as I’d like to stay here listening to you roasting each other I got a diving tour in 15 minutes." Jake announced as he got up. "Red, you want in?”

Hannah pondered for a moment, avoiding Ari's gaze, before shrugging "Yeah sure, why not?"

Ari's eyes darted between Jake and Hannah as she got up and the two of them headed out, Simon trotting behind.

"You taking the dog diving?" Ari asked, hoping that little detail would prevent her from going.

Hannah stopped and turned around. For a few seconds Ari thought he had gotten what he wanted. That was until he registered the broad smile on Hannah's face.

"No, he likes to sit in the boat.” She chuckled “Hey, wonder if we could find a little doggy wetsuit for him…"

Everyone laughed loudly, attracting the attention of some of the tourists that were still finishing their lunch, and then Hannah turned and headed after Jake. Ari sat there frowning and wondering since when had the dog sat in a boat? She must have gone diving a lot whilst he was away, and that got him in a very bad mood all of a sudden. A very bad mood he tried to conceal behind the cigarette he had lit up to keep his hands from turning into fists and he held back a sigh as he exhaled the smoke while watching her go.

Rachel cleared her throat, clearly to bring Ari's attention back before Sammy could get offended at the way he was looking at his sister.

"I should be getting the activities for the afternoon ready."

"Oh, that reminds me…I got Hannah’s presents from TA." Ari said looking at Sammy. "The camera and film was just over 150. That ok?"

Sammy nodded "Cheers, man"

"And the one from the rest of us…like we agreed, I went to max of 100 each." Ari continued, now looking at Rachel and Max as well.

Rachel nodded in agreement before standing up "Bring it to the safe and I’ll stash it." and Ari nodded as she walked off.

Sammy then turned to Max "You and me need to finish off painting the top of the outside wall." he said as he put out his cigarette butt.

"With beer, right?" Max asked with his signature grin.

"Always." Sammy said, nodding back. When the two men left him, Ari decided to take a walk on the beach. He had missed it. He had missed walking on the white sand and the way the sun rays reflected on the water surface, but most of all he had missed the sound of the ocean that lulled him to sleep at night. He lit up another cigarette and saw Hannah and Jake, now clad in wet suits pushing the equipment laden boats down the ramp into the sea. As if on cue, Simon jumped into one, barking. Ari couldn't help but give a huff of laughter at the image, but the sight of Hannah and Jake had ruined his blissful moment on the beach so he decided then to head to his hut to get her present and a few minutes later he walked into the reception area.

Rachel took the box Ari was handing her and opened it, giving a low whistle.

"That’s nice…and you say 100 bucks each?"

"Give or take." Ari waved his hand, trying to play it down.

"You’re so full of shit Guy…I know for a fact these are over 800 a pop…so even if me, Max and Jake all chip in that means you’ve shelled out almost 500 of your own cash." Rachel huffed, hands on her hips.

"I don’t mind." he shrugged.

"I hope you say that when it's my turn." Rachel said, raising an eyebrow at him.

"You’re already 30." Ari quipped.

He had tried to make it sound casual, but had obviously failed at it as Rachel was now giving him a knowing look, which got him wondering exactly how much she did know, and then she turned to open the safe. As she did Ari looked around and spotted something on the wall that hadn’t been there before he left. It was a piece of driftwood that had been sanded down and bore the words “Satisfied Guests” painted in red and white letters over the top with a number of hooks screwed into it. The whole thing had been varnished and hanging from it were 3 painted white shells, each displaying a number, together showing a total of 174. Ari instantly realised that was the number of refugees they rescued on their first mission. "That’s new." Ari smiled.

Rachel looked round puzzled and saw he was looking at the board "Yeah, Hannah made it."

“Did she?" Ari asked, a rhetorical question of sorts that allowed him some time to take the whole board thing in. Of course, she did. It was shouting Hannah all over.

"Yeah, she found the wood washed up, painted the letters and shells then varnished it. Max screwed the hooks in but it was basically her idea." Hannah explained as he looked at a beaming Ari. "It took her a while but I think he was glad of the distraction."

"Distraction from what." he asked, rather too quickly.

Rachel looked at him, giving him a half smile but not saying a word.

Ari sighed after bringing his hands to his hips

"You know." it was a statement more than a question.

Rachel gave him a look, playing with him a bit, before asking "Know what?" and with that she flashed him a wink and turned around to fetch some papers from a side table.

"Can I ask you something?" he spoke again.

"Sure." she said turning around, noticing Ari was looking down the corridor out to the sea. "She’s only gone with him a couple of times, Ari."

Ari frowned, taken aback. How the fuck did she know he was gonna ask that? but then the merciless truth appeared before his eyes.

"Am I really that obvious?" he asked shyly.

"When it comes to her, yes." Rachel replied, giving him a sympathetic smile.

"Do you think Sammy…?"

"Look, you want my advice?" Rachel asked, shaking her head. "Forget about him Ari.."

"I wish I could…damned, this is so complicated."

"Like I said to Hannah, it’s only as complicated as you make it." Rachel tried to comfort him as she had done with Hannah the day he had left.

Ari was taking in Rachel's words but his thoughts were disturbed by Max who appeared all sweaty with an empty tin of paint.

"Where’s the rest of this?" he asked, lifting the empty can.

"In the office." Rachel said.

Max then nodded and headed towards the kitchen area.

"You’re going the wrong way" Ari called him.

"I need a snack."

"You just ate lunch!" Rachel exclaimed as if talking to a toddler.

Max turned to her and shrugged "And?"

Ari shook his head, chuckling and looked at Rachel before saying, more to himself than to the woman, "Think I’m going to go for a run, need to blow off some steam."

Rachel smiled at him and gave him a nod just before he headed out of the reception area.

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

Reflecting on Rachel's words Ari headed to his hut. She had a point. They should be coming to terms about what they were feeling and not worrying about what other people, not even Sammy, might say or how they'd react. They were grown-ups running a mission, for fucks sake, not teenagers moping around at the school's canteen.

He shoved his trainers on and headed out as he turned his walkman on. As the music started blaring in his ears he began pounding along the dusty road at the front of the resort, pushing everything from his mind as best he could. He followed his familiar 7 mile route, rounding the cliff and getting back onto the shore until he ran back down along the sand as Message in a Bottle by The Police started playing.

Ari slowed to a stop, catching his breath and saw Hannah and Jake returning. He watched them for a second as they unload the boat and then decided to head back to get a shower but paused as he took off his headphones and turned his walkman off. The sea looked so inviting, he thought. Thus, on a sudden whim of spontaneity, he stripped off his shirt, shed his trainers and ran towards it, flinging himself and diving into the cool water. When he emerged he shook his hair out a little and did a couple of strokes out before letting himself float a little. After 10 minutes or so of just floating aimlessly letting his mind focus on the sensations of the water beneath and the sun rays above him, he felt every muscle in his body relax. The strains of his trip completely washed away, he swam back to shore and waded out of the water.

Hannah chose that exact moment to walk past, back in her sundress after changing out of her wetsuit, and spotted Ari just as he was wading towards the sand. She stared as he ran his hand through his wet hair and was really struggling to keep her eyes from the veins and muscles in his arms and forearms as he did so. Of course, following the lines of water as they trickled down his chest to his defined abs didn’t help much either. Fortunately, if you could say that, she was snapped back from her drooling state by a group of young, female tourists who started catcalling him from where they were sat on the beach.

Hannah saw him grin as he passed the group acknowledging them “Ladies.” as he nodded and walked toward where she was stood by his clothes. The way he had spoken, in such a low, sultry voice had made her core clench slightly, and she was still trying to recover from it when Ari looked at her and smiled, and that made it even worse. She was getting more and more flustered by the minute but then she took a deep breath and suddenly thought to herself, Two can play that game, Levinson.

Ari saw her pulling her sundress over her head, leaving her in nothing but that black crochet bikini as she tossed her clothing down on top of his and sauntered past him.

“Shame you didn’t wait, Lobo…” she teased

He turned to watch her dive straight into the waves. He stood still for a moment like he had been nailed to the ground. Fuck! Cursing under his breath he headed to his hut, grabbed his shades and cigarettes and came back, flopping onto the sand by the pile of clothing. He watched as Hannah took a swim out a little further than he had gone whilst, Simon who had swum out a little way after her, clearly decided enough was enough and turned back around. He made his way out of the water, shook himself off and ran to Ari who scratched him, all the time watching Hannah behind his aviators.

A few minutes and half a cigarette later she made her way back to shore. As she got out, she pulled her hair out of it’s pony tail before shaking it out loosely. She was soaking, water dripping down her tanned body which was glistening in the now setting sun. And Ari wanted to die, more like he could have died then and there and he would have gone happily. That it was the second time he had seen her wet that day, and neither of them at his hands.

Get a grip, Levinson, with a silent groan he pulled his knees to his chest to hide his growing boner before Hannah reached the spot where he was sat. What was that about not being a fucking teenager again?

Hannah dropped next to him on the sand she reached for his cigarette. "I see you have some fans." she said, nodding to the young women who had been cat calling him as she took a drag and blew it out.

Ari forced himself to peel his eyes from the perfect line of her jaw to look over her shoulder at them realising they were looking at him and whispering. He waved and nodded at them playfully whilst he said "Not a chance, Firefly."

Hannah looked at him, trying to read the meaning of those words in his eyes, but he was hiding behind his glasses. She sighed and handed his cigarette back, his fingers brushing hers lightly and he looked at her.

"I really wanna kiss the life out of you right now, Han."

Oh, God. Not that voice again. She thought as she flushed. Taking a breath she recovered and then turned to him, flashing him a smile, that fucking smile that killed him every damned time and she looked around.

"Yeah, probably not a good idea." she bit her lower lip.

Ari looked around too.

"No one from the team here…I think it’s a very good idea." he countered, and Hannah could see his left eyebrow rise from behind his shades as he smiled. She looked around again to see he was right.

She hesitated for a few seconds, the beating of her heart pounding in her ears as she reached for his hand and laced her fingers through his, painfully slowly, not taking her eyes from their intertwined hand as she brushed his palm with her thumb.

Fuck! That simple but intimate gesture was sending electricity through his entire body and he swallowed hard. "You don’t wanna keep doing that, Firefly." he finally managed to speak, his voice low and hoarse.

She smiled "What if I do?"

Ari studied her eyes for a moment, taking her in before answering her question. "They’ll end up shutting the hotel down because of a scandal."

She laughed, the image of a shocked Ethan's face coming to her mind. But she didn't stop caressing his hand with her thumb.

"Can’t have that now, can we?" she shrugged, as she squeezed his hand faintly.

Ari turned around once more to check there was still no unwelcome audience before leaning his head on the crook of her neck. Nuzzling her skin, still fresh from the sea, with his nose before pressing a soft kiss on her neck under her ear.

He felt her stiffen, her breath caught as she closed her eyes and swallowed. Now that was sending shivers down his spine and he was having bad thoughts about her swallowing something else. His breath caught in his throat and Hannah must have sensed it too because she whispered. "Ari" as her body turned towards him, her free hand dropping on to his bare thigh, curling her gentle fingers around the curve of his muscle.

Ari immediately tensed up at her touch, hissing internally, and he turned around again, this time a little quicker than previously because he couldn’t take it anymore.

Coast is still clear.

"Firefly, look at me." he instructed, pulling his shades from his face.

She did as told, noticing the urgency in his voice and he immediately pressed his lips to hers in a soft peck. It was quick but he felt the longing that had been plaguing him over the last week finally wash away. He thought of all the nights he had laid down on his bed in Tel Aviv replaying that last night at the resort with her before he had left, as he rubbed his nose softly along hers before catching her mouth again, keeping it short and sweet, but loaded with feeling.

As he pressed his head to hers be became suddenly aware of a movement in his peripheral and jerked his head away, fearing someone from the team might have showed up in the few minutes he and Hannah had been lost in one another. But as he looked around he saw it was the group of female tourists who were gathering their things and shooting glances their way, none of them particularly nice it truth be told, and could see they were talking in low whispers as they stood.

Hannah followed his gaze and moved her hand off his leg.

"Probably not the smartest idea we’ve had, huh?" she said softly.

"I don’t care. You’ll always be my smartest move, Firefly." Ari stated, looking into her eyes with determination.

She was about to say something back Simon let out a little whine from where he had been led next to Hannah and stood up, shooting off behind them. They were both startled and turned to see Max approaching, already within earshot.

"We’re gonna fire the BBQ up now…just to…er..warn you." he informed them, the expression on his face unreadable.

Both looked at him innocently as he smirked. Well, that smirk could be read, couldn’t it?

"Thanks Max, I’ll just grab a clean shirt." Ari was the first to speak as he stood up and offered Hannah his hand to pull her to her feet and handed her dress to her. She pulled it on and they both walked off, not exchanging any words in the process. Ari shot her one last glance and almost as if she could sense it, she turned and looked over her shoulder at him, catching his eyes before she looked back the way she was walking, heading after Max.

A little while later Ari headed to the patio area of the resort and spotted Hannah already seated at one of the tables, a glass of what looked like lemonade in her hand which he suspected was laced with Vodka. Max was at one side of her and the seat on the other was free. Trying not to smile too much, he headed over to take it, hoping for the chance to at least sit next to her, maybe give him the opportunity to hold her hand under the table but to is utter horror Sammy appeared out of nowhere and flopped into the seat he had been eyeing up.

Bastard. So instead he took a seat opposite her, that is when he got chance to sit down as he was roped into doing the BBQ, Rachel appealing to his ego by telling the guests loudly that no one grilled a steak like Guy Thomas. After an hour or so, the meal was done and then everyone piled onto the beach after Max lit a camp fire. The beach was dark now, illuminated by the fairly lights and the camp fire, the latter of which was sending warm shadows across the sand. Ari sat down on one of the blankets, watching as Hannah got roped into some stupid dancing as Max strummed his guitar (which Ari wanted to smash over his head for effectively cock-blocking him earlier). He was fighting the urge now to get up and dance with her too, but he knew he had to keep a respectable distance, if nothing but to placate the girls from the beach who were shooting daggers at Hannah and mumbling no doubt about what they had seen the pair of them do on the beach. Eventually, however, their attention was diverted as Jake flopped into the middle of their little circle with a bottle of tequila, flirting his way around the 3 women. Hannah nudged Max and pointed to him, the pair of them snorting and shaking their heads. Hannah caught Ari’s eye and he flashed her a smile which she returned until she was dragged back into the hotel by Max, presumably for more beer.

All in all it should have been a nice first evening back with his team. This set of guests left tomorrow morning and the new ones weren’t around until the morning after so everyone was cutting loose, but he was simply dying. Seeing her so close and so carefree and not being able to simply reach out to her was killing him. When he couldn’t take it anymore he stood up and excused himself.

“I’m turning in.” he said, stretching his arms above his head. “It’s been a long day for me and I’m exhausted.”

Rachel looked at him, nodding sympathetically “Yeah, you do look whacked.” “Gee thanks.” he rolled his eyes as Max sniggered. He looked at Hannah again who simply looked him up and down before he turned away, bidding everyone goodnight and headed away to his hut further up the beach. Once inside he flopped down, his fingers linking together behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling for a moment before he closed his eyes, reliving that 5 minutes or so he’d had with Hannah alone on the beach. He was going to have to come up with something, some way to get her alone so they could talk or…well, whatever. As he lay there, for how long he had no idea, he felt his eyelids growing heavy and he was just dozing off when he heard Simon barking.

“Simon shhh.” Hannah chastised, her voice drifting through the window as she passed his hut “Quiet!”

Now he was wide awake again, and that aching feeling was back in his stomach. Fuck, he couldn’t take this anymore. He waited for a minute or so, arguing internally about how going after her was a bad idea, but that devil on his shoulder was telling him that laying where he was, stewing on everything was equally as bad an idea.

Fuck it.

Standing up he brushed his hair back out of his eyes and opened his door a fraction. He poked his head out and took a quick look around, there was no one in sight and he could hear the party faintly as it was still going on outside the main hotel area. He stepped outside, and keeping himself as close to the staff quarters as he could to try and stay in the shadows he made his way 3 down to Hannah’s.

Unsure if she would be there or at her rocks, he knocked gently and heard Simon give another bark. His breath caught in his chest as his stomach began to churn again as he stood, waiting, feeling like he was about to burst with anticipation. After what felt like an hour, but was less than 5 seconds in reality, the door finally clicked open and without so much as a word Hannah stepped back to let him in and he quickly shut the door behind him. There was a moment where he stood simply looking at her, and then that final thread of self-control snapped. To hell with everything and everyone, he was done waiting.

He wanted her, and fuck, he was going to have her.

He reached out, wrapping his hand around her upper arm and with a sharp tug which almost made her stumble he pulled her to him. He swallowed the small squeak of surprise she had made as his lips crashed onto hers and before Hannah could even think to kiss him back, he pulled away, pressing their foreheads together.

There was a slight pause between them, both trying to catch their breath from the searing kiss Ari had just delivered and he let out a soft sight. “Firefly…I missed you…

“Mi Lobo…” she whispered and her hands reached for his face, fingers threading into his beard and she pulled him back to her. Their lips found one another again, his hands moving to her waist to pull her closer and he began to tug at her clothes. He grabbed the bottom of her sun dress and he broke away from her for a second to pull it over her head before his lips crashed back to hers as they both stumbled around the room.

Ari took hold of her hips so to manoeuvre her wherever he wanted, his fingers flexing on her bare skin just above the waistband of her bikini bottoms. They continued to blindly fall around the small hut, lips furiously locked together, teeth clashing, tongues tangling in the utter ferocity of the moment until, after colliding with the small set of drawers set against one of the walls, Ari took control. Shoving her bikini bottoms down he allowed her to step out of them before he roughly picked her up. Her bare legs immediately wrapped around his waist and her arms went around his neck as he pushed her up against the wall at the far side of the hut and, using it as support he shifted his grip from under her ass and his hands moved around to the back of her neck. With surprisingly soft fingers which caused her to shiver as they grazed her skin, he pulled the strings on her bikini which allowed it to fall forwards, exposing her breasts, his hands sliding down between her shoulder blades to the, dancing along her spine before he reached the fastenings behind her back and undid the bow there too, pulling the garment away completely, tossing it somewhere to his right.

He broke the kiss to glance down at her, giving a small moan at the sight as her chest heaved with exertion and anticipation. She was every bit as fucking gorgeous as he remembered. Hannah’s hands fisted in his t-shirt and grabbed at the hem, tugging it upwards. Holding his arms above his head he allowed her to pull it off and she tossed it to the floor, her hands moving to his chest as his mouth trailed from hers along her jaw to her neck. Her head fell back against the wall as his hands pressed flat on the stone surface, either side of her face as he nipped at her skin. She gave a low moan, rolling her hips against his and he felt his cock twitch slightly drawing a hiss from his mouth.

“I missed you…” he repeated his earlier words, his mouth right by her ear, voice was low and carried a tone of desperation she couldn’t ever remember hearing from Ari before. It was enough to send a shiver down her spine.

“You were only gone a week…” She mumbled as his lip moved downwards, hot kisses branding her skin across her collar bone.

“I didn’t mean this week…” he said, his teeth grazing the hollow just beneath her throat. “I should have fought harder, stayed with you…I’m so sorry Firefly.”

Hannah’s hands fisted in his hair and she gave a sharp tug, the quick bite of pain made him growl in his throat as he looked at her, their eyes locking for a second.

“I know.” she said, her voice soft as she breathed out, swallowing slightly “And I believe you…I forgive you.”

He looked at her a second, her words echoing around lust hazed brain for a second as they hit home, the final atonement for his wrong doing all those years ago. He gave her a quick smile and then surged forward again, kissing her desperately and she openly moaned into his mouth as his hand slid between them and he trailed two of his fingers across her slit. She was wet and at the feel of her he gave a soft growl as she pulled away, her head falling back and a whimper escaping her mouth as he began to play with her, touch her, just how he remembered she liked. His head dropped to her chest as he moved his mouth to take her right nipple between his lips, softly at first before his teeth grazed her sensitive skin drawing a breathy cry from her mouth as he alternated between stinging bites and soothing licks, all the time his hand working at her clit. He moved to the other side, repeating his motion and she began to rock against his hand, seeking his touch even more. With a quick movement he pushed 2 fingers inside her and she gave a dirty purr of delight as he continued, his motions fast and aggressive. Sensing she was close by the shortening of her breath he moved his mouth from her chest so he could watch her as she came, her eyes fluttering shut, mouth slackening and her head fell forward before it tipped back and she let out a quiet squeal as he felt her tightening around her, her channel squeezing his fingers as her hands dug into his shoulders. He loved how graceful she was, even in the throes of an orgasm her noises were so dainty and soft and it drove him fucking wild.

He couldn’t help but smirk at the pout she gave as he moved his fingers out of her, readjusting her slightly before he shoved his swim shorts down, freeing his now painfully hard erection before he paused and suddenly realised...

Sensing his hesitation, Hannah finally managed to get enough about her to shake her head. Her hands cupped his cheeks and she looked at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’ve no…” he swallowed and she shook her head, smiling.

“It’s ok. I’m covered…and there’s been no one since Andy,” she bit her lip “And there was no one before him bar you so...” Ari gulped a little at her revelation, “No one?” She shook her head, her eyes locking onto his as Ari let her words sink in and for some reason, the thought of him being the only other man bar her husband that had taken her this way was turning him on even more. He also understood that it meant it was 4 years since she’d been with a man. Hannah watched as his eyes flashed and his entire face darkened slightly as he gave her a look, one that she had seen before a few times, that glare of a predator, eyeing up its prey.

“Oh Firefly…” he voice was low and deep, almost a growl and it went straight to that spot in her belly as she looked at him, eyes wide “I hope you’re fuckin’ ready.”

“Show me what you got, Lobo.” She challenged back, and her sass made him groan before he shifted, his hands moving to the back of her thighs and he opened her up to him even more as he pushed into her, slowly, revelling in the feel of her as her tight heat gripped him. Hannah’s gasp caught in her throat as she felt him fill her, a feeling she’d been missing for so fucking long, being close to someone, feeling treasured, feeling needed, feeling wanted.

One of her hands gripped his bicep, the other flew to the wall to steady herself and Ari’s hips ground against hers as he bottomed out. “Fuck…” he breathed, his face pressing into her neck as he gave them both a second to savour the moment before he snapped his hips back and this time slammed back into her, a motion he repeated over and over with such force that Hannah was sure she was about to go straight through the stone wall he was fucking her against, onto the beach outside.

Desperate to be closer to him, Hannah leaned her body forwards and the motion made him go deeper inside of her, which caused them both to groan and her head fell back, smacking against the hard wall. At that point Ari decided he wanted her in the bed, if nothing more to prevent a fucking concussion, so he moved his hands from the wall and grabbed her hips. Turning the pair of them, he carried her across the room, stepping out of his shorts which had fallen to his ankles, kicking them away as he stumbled slightly, all the time still grinding up against her, pulling her down onto him as he speared upwards and dropped them both onto the native pattered covers. One hand gripping her knee, he hooked her leg over his shoulder and Hannah grabbed his forearms as he propped himself up, looking at her as he pounded into her, his pace relentless, both of them caught up in the utter carnal desire that filled the room, the filthy sounds of skin hitting skin surrounded them as he continued his avaricious pace.

Hannah’s head was a whirl. The roughness of his pubic hair was grinding against her clit along with the fact he was bottoming out inside her, hitting her spot again and again and she was powerless to do anything but surrender as she felt her orgasm beginning to build, the familiar numbness spreading across her pelvis.

“Shit, Lobo…” her voice cracked slightly and the sound of that pet name on her lips elicited a low growl from Ari as he slammed into her even harder, fuck he loved it when she said that. “Ari, I’m…gonna…” her voice caught and her entire body went rigid for a second before she gave a low wail as the lights exploded in front her eyes and she came again, her body trembling beneath him.

“Good girl….” Ari panted, the feel of her walls clamping down around him was utter fucking bliss and his own thrusts now became desperate as he chased his own end. He dropped her leg from his shoulder, his hips continuing to snap back and forth and with a “fuck…” he felt the white, fire in his belly and his toes curled slightly as he came with a surge that rose from the very depth of his being. As the world went quiet around him, his hips faltered, slowed and then he collapsed on top of her, panting deeply, his face buried into her neck.

Hannah’s hands moved to gently run through his hair, her nails dragging along his scalp, down his neck and back again and Ari let out a soft hum of delight, relishing her touch and her smell as he nuzzled into her further, not daring to move in case this all turned out to be some ridiculously, vivid dream. He felt her gently press a kiss to his forehead and as he gained control of his senses he turned his head to catch her lips in a soft kiss.

“You ok?” he asked her softly and she gave him a smile as he pressed his forehead to hers as their breathing began to even out. He gently pulled out of her and rolled onto his back, swallowing as he looked up at the ceiling taking in a deep breath before he moved his arm and slid it round her, as she rolled onto her side, her head resting on his chest.

“Glad to see you haven’t lost your touch.” she teased and he gave a chuckle, his hand gently carding through her hair.

“Glad to see you still appreciate it.” he quipped back and she snorted, before they both fell into silence. It was comfortable, the pair of them satiated, the tension that had been simmering for months had finally boiled over and come to ahead meaning the pair of them were stripped bare, both metaphorically and physically. The slate was wiped clean, well as clean as it was going to get. And Ari was pleased to find it didn’t feel awkward. In fact, it felt good. Normal. As if it had been merely 9 hour since he’d held her in his arms like this, not 9 years.

The fait sounds of Sammy’s guitar hit their ears again, drifting in from the party still going on the beach and Ari pressed a kiss to Hannah’s head, giving a little sigh.

“I wanted to shove that guitar up your brother’s ass earlier.” he mumbled, his eyes falling shut.

“His playing isn’t that bad.”

Ari laughed “No, I mean he sat next to you at dinner, the seat I wanted.” “We don’t always get what we want Lobo.” “Yeah, well, I was going crazy.” he said, his eyes still closed. “It wasn’t like we could have done anything at the table Ari.”

“I know but I just wanted to be near you, that too hard to believe?”

“Ok who are you and what have you done with Ari Levinson?” she snorted and Ari shook his head.

“What can I say, it’s the Hannah Navon effect.”

She didn’t reply, instead he felt her shift slightly and he was just about to ask her what was wrong when he realised with horror he’d dropped her maiden name.

“Shit, sorry Firefly,that just slipped out. I mean…”

When she still didn’t reply he looked down at her. Whilst he couldn’t see all of her face he could tell she was thinking, and suddenly he was shitting himself about the fact he’d upset her.

“Han?” he asked softly “I’m sorry, I really am.”

“It’s ok. Don’t worry…” she said gently, her hand trailing through the hair on his chest, nails lightly scratching his skin. “It’s just been a while since anyone called me that.”

“Well, it’s been a while since it’s been your name.” he replied gently, his fingers softly caressing the skin at the back of her neck.

“I was actually thinking of changing it back.” she said quietly and Ari paused for a moment, looking down at her.

“How come?”

She shifted slight so that both her arms crossed under her chin and she rest them on his chest, looking up. “Horowitz was Andy’s name. He’s dead Ari” she spoke bluntly “He has been for 4 years. I just…”

“You’re still angry at him.” Ari stated and she looked away slightly.

“That’s part of it, yeah, I won’t lie.” she turned those blue eyes back onto Ari’s and sighed “I don’t know. Not like I can do it when we are out here anyway is it?” “Maybe it’s a good time to think about it some more.” he said, picking his words carefully “You don’t want to rush anything.”

“You don’t think I should?” she held his gaze and Ari shook his head.

“I don’t think anything Firefly. Whatever you decide it makes no difference to me. Name or not, you’ll always be the Hannah Navon I loved.”

At that her eyes widened and he stilled. Shit. That had slipped out and now as he lay there looking down at her he realised he’d just brought the sum total of women he had admitted that to up to a grand total of 2…even if it had been done in the wrong order.

“What did you just say?” Hannah whispered, not sure if she had heard him correctly.

Ari swallowed, his eyes never moving from hers “I said I loved you. I should have told you back then but…”

At that Hannah cut him off by leaning up and pressing her lips to his. The hand that wasn’t round her shoulders reached up and cupped her face, his thumb gently stroking over her cheek. Thankfully, she didn’t press him to explain anymore nor did she ask him to confirm how he still felt. He wasn’t sure he was quite ready to admit that out loud, even if he was becoming more and more sure he still did.

She lay her head back down and in an attempt to divert the attention from what he had just said he moved the conversation round to his trip to TA.

“Maya loved her bag.” he said, his hand returning to her back, his fingers brushing her spine.

“’I never doubted she would.” Hannah smiled “I have good taste.”

“Well it earned you a badge of honour in her mind.” Ari smiled “She said you were cool and she liked you.”

Hannah turned her head towards his “You talked about me with her?”

“You came up in conversation when I was talking to her about Simon. She wants a photo of him by the way.”

“Kids love animals.”

“Well Munchkin is no exception.” he smiled “She asked me all about him and so I told her how you’d found him. That coupled with the fact you picked her new favourite bag, well now she likes you and doesn’t even know you. Even asked me if you were pretty.”

“What did you say, Mi Lobo?” Hannah grinned, her tone teasing.

“That I guess you were.”

“You guess?” she scoffed, slapping his chest. Ari chuckled, catching her hand and bring it to his mouth, kissing her wrist “Yeah, she didn’t buy it either.”

“Bet Sarah loved that.” Hannah snorted, as he laced his fingers with hers, bringing her arm down so it rest over his stomach.

“Yeah, she heard and wasn’t exactly pleased. We had a frank and tense conversation but I think we finally got the cards on the table.” “What cards?”

“We talked about me and her not working and being destined to fail from the very beginning- her words not mine. I told her not to dismiss what we had but it was a little liberating, us both being honest.”

Hannah stayed still, pondering what Ari had just said. Sarah, being so sure that her marriage to Ari had been destined to fail from the off. She got the feeling that Ari wasn’t telling her exactly everything that Sarah had said but from the snippets of what he had told her, she could pretty much piece together that she had been the reason Sarah had said what she had. And truth be told she felt a little guilty pang in her stomach as she couldn’t help but sympathise with the woman.

“Hey, you with me Firefly?”

Ari’s words cut across her thoughts and she took a deep breath. “Yeah, Sorry, was just thinking about what she said…” “Please don’t.” Ari said softly “We let people get in our heads last time Han.”

She shifted slightly and nodded “Yeah, I know.”

And that was it, she’d clammed up on him. Ari suddenly felt his mouth go dry. She needed space. He’d piled too much on her after an emotionally charged physical reunion and now he was cursing himself. He took a deep breath and sat up gently, jostling her from his chest as he scanned the room, searching for his shorts.

“Are you leaving?” Hannah asked him, her voice quiet and he paused looking at her.

“I thought that’s what you…” and he trailed off as to his horror her eyes were misting over. “Ari, I…” she shook her head and he let out another sigh, groaning inwardly at himself. How was he still managing to fuck this up.

“You want me to stay?” he asked.

“Yeah.” her voice was a whisper and he laid down on his side, wrapping his arms around her as she snuggled into him, her face pressed to his chest.

“I want you to stay in my life Ari, not just my bed.” she said, her voice muffled, her breath tickling his skin but there was no mistaking the tone of worry. He felt himself choke up, she was still petrified he was going to bail on her. And he supposed, given everything, if he put himself in her shoes he couldn’t blame her. “Hey…look at me.” he said gently, tipping her head up to face him. He tucked her hair behind her ear and cupped her face softly in his hand. “I’ve no intention of letting you go this time my firefly, I promise you.”

She flashed him a watery smile as his lips met hers again softly before me moved and pushed down the already rumpled covers, the pair of them shifting under them as Ari got comfortable, Hannah moving once more to him, snaking her leg between his as her hand rest over his stomach, his once more carding through her soft hair. There was no noise now other than the faint sounds of voices, one of which was Max bidding someone a goodnight as his footsteps padded past Hannah’s window. And then nothing, bar the sound of the ocean, the waves softly lapping against the shore. They stayed still, basking in one another’s warmth and softness and then just as his eyes had started to close, Ari felt a thud at the bottom of the bed. He cracked open and eye and saw Simon had hopped up and was padding around in a small circle, before he flopped down.

“Are you supposed to be there?” he asked the dog, his voice a whisper. Simon looked at him, yawning, before he lay his head down, on his paws, yawning.

Ari chuckled and glanced down at Hannah. Her eyes were shut, her eyelashes laying flush to her still pink cheeks, her breathing soft. Pressing a kiss to the top of her head he lay back down, surrendering to tendrils of sleep pulling at him. The last thing he thought before he drifted off was the only time he had felt so happy was the day Maya was born.

**** Chapter 8

#leave no one behind #Ari Levinson #ari levinson x ofc #ari levinson x original female character #red sea diving resort #chris evans #chris evans characters

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thefactsofthematter · 4 years

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may we have a Softe javid fic to heal us

so i have no idea when this ask was actually sent (probably months ago) but i did START this fic when i got it! then i forgot about the wip and only found it again the other day. so here it finally is!!!

javid; 3.2k; an au in which davey is a rich socialite in the 1850s and it’s heavily inspired by laurie and jo’s meet-cute in little women; not proofread in the slightest

Brooklyn, NY, 1856.

David Jacobs has never been one for these pretentious, formal parties.

Hours of polite smiling, shaking hands with stuffy old people, and gently declining young ladies' requests to dance with him, all while dressed up in a stiff tuxedo— it's hardly a way to spend an evening.

And yet here he is, standing in the corner and nursing a glass of champagne, because Sarah keeps getting them invited to these things and he's not about to let her go off to a party alone. The least he can do is make a good name for his parents, as their polite young socialite son who makes connections with family friends and doesn't get himself into trouble.

"David, darling!"

Here comes Katherine, one of David's best friends and the daughter of the family hosting. She's twirling over to him, clearly feeling just as bubbly as the champagne she's been drinking.

"Hello Miss Pulitzer," he replies, stifling a laugh as he lunges forward to catch her from tripping over her own skirts. "It seems you're having quite the night."

She hardly makes an effort to right herself, seeming content to rest on his arm for a moment.

"Oh, am I ever," she sighs. "I do love when we get to host a big party— it's a bit fun being the centre of attention. And hey, don't you dare Miss Pulitzer me. I can't stand it."

David chuckles as he helps her regain her balance. She lets go of his arm and smoothes out her skirts before tossing her hair and looking every bit ready to continue dancing.

"I know, I know. I'm only being polite," he laughs, though she slaps him playfully on the arm for it. "You look lovely tonight, by the way. Though I surely hope you're not about to ask me to dance, since you know what the answer will be."

She rolls her eyes and sighs dramatically.

"Someday, Jacobs. I'll get you on that dance floor eventually— but no, that's not why I've come to find you. I was hoping I could call in a favour."

David quirks an eyebrow as he sips his drink. Why Katherine might need a favour from him in a house full of servants that literally work to do whatever she needs, he's not sure.

"I suppose," he replies. "But Sarah had me do her a favour by curling her hair tonight, and now I've got dreadful little burns on my fingers, so I'm not in the most generous mood."

"Sarah looks wonderful tonight, so perhaps your burns were worth it," sighs Katherine, hardly making an effort to hide how lovesick she is. She takes his hand to inspect it, and then rolls her eyes. "That's barely anything, you big baby! Surely no one's ever taught you that beauty and pain go hand in hand."

"My shoes are teaching me that right now," he whines. "They're my favourite ones, but they pinch my toes something awful. Anyways... what favour do you need?"

Katherine lights up like she's just remembering she'd asked for a favour in the first place.

"Oh, right! Let's walk and talk for a moment, if I can't convince you to dance." She takes David's elbow and they start to wander through the crowd. They're both well aware of the stares they get: everyone is expecting them to court and eventually marry, and they both know they'll probably go along with it someday. "So... I invited a friend of mine tonight— someone I met at the newspaper— but he doesn't really know anyone else here. I thought since you normally keep to yourself, you could show him around! I really think you two could be great friends."

David almost doesn't catch the way she winks, following those last few words, making her implication clear. He hopes no one catches the way he instantly flushes bright red.

"That's not right, Kath," he hisses, under his breath. "You brought me a date? Is he..." He trails off and giggles a little before whispering in her ear. "Is he quite handsome?"

Katherine laughs out loud and bounces giddily on her toes. For someone who's likely to be his future wife, she's awfully excited at the idea of setting him up for romance.

"Oh, isn't he! You're going to love him." She drops her voice to a whisper. "And before you ask... I'm rather sure where his affections lie— I think you two will get along quite well."

David, rather flustered now, starts to fuss with his hair and tie without even realizing it— until Katherine reaches up and fixes them for him.

"You look dashing," she giggles. "He was nervous to come in here and not know what to do with himself, so he's waiting in the library for now. Somewhere nice and quiet for you two to... get acquainted."

David can feel the heat of his blush on his cheeks and wills desperately for it to go away as Katherine drags him out of the ballroom and down the hall. He skids to a halt as they approach the library, tugging on her arm.

"I'm not ready," he whispers. "I can't do this. You can't just surprise me with a date! Oh, what if he thinks I'm annoying, or I talk too much, or—"

Katherine cuts him off with a giggle and a friendly kiss on the cheek.

"You've got nothing to be worried about, my dear." She straightens his jacket and smiles fondly. "Jack is a sweetheart, and you'll be as charming as ever. Now come on, it's impolite to keep company waiting."

With that, she walks gracefully through the library doors, leaving David scrambling to catch up.

"I'm back!" she sing-songs as she enters. She grins and grabs David's arm, dragging him into view. "I found you a friend!"

His stomach does a backflip as soon as he lays eyes on Jack. He's gorgeous. He's the kind of effortlessly beautiful that Davey has always wished he could be, where it looks like he hardly pays any mind to his appearance but it all just magically works out in his favour. His hair is tousled just the right way and his cheeks are a little rosy under these dim library lights— it's all coming together in order to make David swoon.

"Jack, David," continues Kath, gesturing between them. "David, Jack. Get yourselves acquainted and then come back and join the party! Cheers, boys!"

And then she's off, subtly winking at David as she hurries out of the room.

"Well, hi there," says Jack, laughing a little at Kath's abrupt exit. He extends a hand to shake. "Jack Kelly, pleased to meet you."

David hopes the flush on his cheeks isn't obvious as he shakes Jack's hand and smiles.

"David Jacobs." They release the handshake and it almost seems like they might fall into awkward silence, but David practically goes to parties for a living— he can command some small-talk when he has to. "So... you're a friend of Katherine's from work? I think it's just wonderful that she's gotten so far with her writing."

This manages to get the ball rolling.

"Isn't it?" replies Jack with a grin. "I draw the pictures for lots of her pieces and boy can she write. She's a real... oh what was that word she said... a wordsmith! That's it!"

David can't help but laugh. There's something about Jack that intrigues him, but he can't quite put his finger on what. He seems different from most of the snooty socialite people he's used to hanging around with— even just the way he talks, he seems more real.

"So Katherine told me you might need a little introduction to this whole..." he trails off and waves a hand absentmindedly as he tries to find the right word, "party scene. You might be best to turn around and head back home, if I'm being honest— I find the whole thing a little tedious."

Jack cocks an eyebrow. Upon a closer look, he seems a little uncomfortable in his suit, like he's not sure how to carry himself. It's like he's scared he'll slip up and make a wrong move, or something.

"Isn't it just wine, fancy food, and dancing? Sounds like it can't be all that bad," he chuckles, and then he gently takes David's hands in his own. Jack's hands are calloused and a little stained— likely ink, since he'd mentioned he draws for a living— and they make an almost poetic contrast to David's pale ones. "How 'bout you give me a dancing lesson right now?"

David's heart nearly beats right out of his chest. Oh god. This is a lot to handle. That was incredibly forward, and he sure hopes it means what he thinks it means. Are they flirting right now?

"I— I'm not much of a dancer," he laughs, sheepishly. "I mostly just stand around and watch. I tend to be a bit of a wallflower when it comes to crowds."

Jack starts to sway absentmindedly while still holding David's hands. They can still hear the music from the ballroom, and he seems to have the musicality to at least move along with the notes.

"Surely the girls are all over you," he chuckles. "You just break their hearts and won't even give 'em a dance?"

David blushes even harder, if that's possible. He remembers what Kath had said earlier— that she was quite sure Jack felt similarly about his attraction— so he laughs softly and decides to test the waters.

"I'm not all that interested in ladies," he says, and it takes a fair bit of courage to force those words out. Sarah and Katherine are the only ones who know about his... disinterest, simply because they're in the same boat. It's not something that feels like it should be talked about. This statement was at least general enough that he could brush it off, say it's because he's too focused on his studies.

There's a moment of knowing eye contact between them, during which David lets out a sigh of relief. They both know why Katherine introduced them. They're still holding hands, standing awfully close together, and David's scared Jack might be able to hear his heart pounding.

"Me neither," whispers Jack, after a long second of silence. He's not subtle with the way his gaze flicks to David's lips and then back up. He suddenly seems to notice how forward he's being, and he practically jumps backwards, before brushing his hands on his pants and looking up with a sheepish smile. "So, what if we don't even go into the ball? If neither one of us wants to dance with the girls, we can just dance in here, by ourselves!"

David's not sure he's ever wanted anything more. That sounds incredible. He freezes up in crowds, but if it's just the two of them, he might actually be able to remember some of the dances that he's watched so many times before.

"I'd like that," says David, his voice remarkably soft and his heart fluttering. "May I have this dance, Mr. Kelly?"

"I'd be honoured, Mr. Jacobs. You're gonna have to help me out though, I've got two left feet."

Slowly, hesitantly, they waltz their way around the library, constantly giggling as they trip over their own feet. Neither one of them was lying about not knowing how to dance— they're a mess— but it's delightful just moving along together with no one around to see.

Eventually, they start to make up their own moves, flailing and twirling their bodies however they want to, and David has never had so much fun. They jump and bounce around to the upbeat songs, laughing all the while like a couple of rowdy children. It's wonderful.

After several songs of dancing, they find themselves flopping onto the little couch to give their feet a rest. They're both still laughing as they try to catch their breath— Jack loosens his tie and unbuttons his jacket, which is certainly improper but also incredibly attractive.

"Thanks for that, Davey," sighs Jack, and David's heart practically leaps into his throat at the nickname. "Much better than dancing with any girls, in my opinion."

Davey laughs and drops his gaze to the floor.

"I can't help but agree," he says, still a little on-edge. "You make wonderful company."

There's a moment of quiet, filled only by the crackle of the fireplace. Davey has an overwhelming urge to take Jack's hand in his own, but he's far too nervous.

"Tell me something about yourself," Jack finally says, turning to Davey with a smile. "I'd like to get to know you better. What do you do for fun?"

Davey almost laughs. He's not sure of the last time he did anything that was purely for his own enjoyment. His life is about pleasing other people— his family, his tutors, and all the other wealthy folk that they try so hard to impress.

"Well, I like to read," he eventually settles on. He folds his hands nervously in his lap. "When I was living in France with my uncle last year, he had this grand library. I would sometimes sneak in there and read the fantasy novels— as silly as that is. It's awfully embarrassing, but I rather enjoyed it."

"Now that's not embarrassing," says Jack, still smiling, charming Davey even further with every moment that passes. "Who doesn't love a good story? And, wow— living in France? Do you speak the language, then?"

Davey hates how hard he's blushing right now. He's never had someone be so genuinely interested in what he has to say— it's a new and almost alarming experience.

His time in France was a very lonely experience: stuck in his elderly uncle's massive home, far away from his dear brother and sister, all because his parents had decided he needed to learn to be more cultured. All he really learned was how to keep himself entertained during long days with nothing to do— but at least it's something interesting to talk about now, he supposes.

"Bien oui," he responds, revelling in the way Jack's eyes light up in excitement. "C'est ma langue préférée. Tu sais... y'en a des gens qui disent que c'est la langue d'amour. J'avais mes doutes, mais peut-être je les crois, maintenant."

Jack clearly doesn't understand a word of it, but he seems thoroughly impressed.

"Wow..." he says, almost as if he's star-struck. "That's incredible."

Davey laughs softly, a little embarrassed at being the center of attention.

"Enough about me," he chuckles, desperate to get out of the spotlight. "You said you're an artist— is it something you've always been interested in?"

Jack looks a little caught off-guard to suddenly become the topic of conversation, but he recovers quickly.

"Oh, for sure. I started drawing as soon as I could hold a pencil." He gestures with his hands as he talks, which is entirely endearing. "I just do little cartoons in the paper, as far as right now, and I paint sets for a theatre in the Bowery when I have time, but I'd love to sell a painting of my own someday."

"I'd love to buy one," says Davey, finally mustering up the courage to place a hand on top of Jack's. "I'm sure they're beautiful."

It's Jack's turn to blush, which is oddly satisfying for Davey. They're holding hands on the little couch in this dimly lit library— Davey feels like one of the characters from the novels he's read, as this whole situation seems too good to be true.

"Can I tell you a secret?" Jack asks, after a moment. He's got a mischievous grin on his face, but he looks a little nervous as well. "You can't tell anyone else."

Davey smiles right back.

"Of course you can," he says, brushing his thumb gently on the back of Jack's hand. "I've been told I'm a wonderful listener— at least my sister thinks so."

Jack laughs softly and looks down at his lap. It almost seems as if he's trying to build up the courage to tell his secret.

"Okay..." he sighs, and then he continues in a whisper. "I'm not supposed to be here."

Davey can't help but frown in confusion.

"What on earth do you mean? Katherine invited you, and she's the hostess! Surely that means she wanted you to come."

Jack laughs nervously again. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

"No, I mean... I've never been to a fancy party like this, no less in a house this nice. This ain't even my suit— I'm borrowing from Kath's brother. I've never owned no suit this dapper. I'm, uh... not like the rest of you, if that makes sense."

Oh. That's where it clicks for Davey. It suddenly makes sense why Jack talks a little differently, and why he'd been so impressed by Davey's mention of a trip to France— not everyone is born into the kind of wealth that makes that possible. That's why he'd waited in the library rather than come into the party; he probably wouldn't know what to do with himself.

It's not like Davey only hangs out with people of his own social status, but he has to admit that he doesn't know many people like Jack. Most of his friends— the very few that he has— are from boarding school, or these ridiculously uptight social events, although he's always felt like he doesn't quite fit in with them. He's always wished to be more... normal.

"Ah, well that's quite alright," Davey replies, since he's truly not sure what kind of response Jack was expecting. "It's not all it's cracked up to be, if I'm being honest. Forgive my language, but I do tire of hanging around with all these blue-bloods."

If only his father could hear him use a silly word like that. It's a funny term he'd learned to refer to wealthy people, and he'd probably get a smack around the back of the head for saying it in front of his family. Jack, however, just laughs.

"You're awful funny, Jacobs," he says. "And nicer than most rich folks, too. I can see why Kath wanted to introduce us."

Once again, Davey blushes. He curses his own pale complexion, because even in the low lighting, Jack has clearly noticed.

"She's quite the matchmaker," he replies with a chuckle. "Two of our friends are married now, thanks to her."

Jack leans in a little closer, and Davey can feel his heartbeat in his throat.

"Is that so?" he asks. "She must know what she's doing, then."

He's looking at Davey's lips again, and they go quiet for a moment. This doesn't even feel real— Davey almost has the urge to pinch himself and check if he's dreaming.

He takes a deep breath, as subtly as possible.

"I'd like it if you kissed me," he whispers, finally breaking the tension.

"I'd like that too," Jack replies, and then he oh-so carefully presses their lips together.

It's everything Davey could've hoped for.

They don't even notice Katherine and Sarah peeking in to check on them— nothing could possibly break this magical moment. It feels like they're exactly where the universe intended for them to be.

@landlessbud @i-got-personality @alovelymoonbeam @penzyroamin @graceful-popcorn @auspicioustarantula @backgroundensemble @magimerlyn @myheartissetinmotion @papesdontsellthemselves @jack-kellys @big-potato-asshole @stop-the-presses @starrysence @wilde-guess @never-fear-brooklyns-here @fandom-fangirl07 @theresagoodchanceicouldfly @dying-poet @asphodelnerd @agressive-cinnamon-roll @daveysexual @soft-colors-and-such @move-your-elbow

#my writing #javid #jack kelly #david jacobs #davey jacobs #katherine pulitzer #newsies fic

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captainjimothycarter · 4 years

Note

Steggy prompt: Peggy recently moved to Brooklyn after her divorce, and now Steve is her daughter's first grade teacher

I don’t even know if this is what you had in mind buuuut it’s what I came up with and kinda love it. 2.7k too --

Jack was a good father, but not a good husband. That was a lie Peggy told herself ever since her daughter was born. Sure, he didn’t change the diaper, he had something against the infant sleeping in their bed, and wasn’t there when she had to have an emergency c-section but he was an okay father.

This was her lying to herself, not for the sake of saving the embarrassment of a divorce or because of money or a job, or any of the bullshit people were speculating, but because she knew what it was like to grow up without a father and she didn’t want that for her daughter. Until she saw Jack was not the father that Sarah needed.

Jack was no father at all, he didn’t even qualify to be a husband. He was a presence in the house, a burden. She made more money than him and paid all the bills. She was the one who read stories to Sarah every night, who did her hair, made her breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and took her to swimming practice. In fact, she did everything for Sarah, doctor appointments, homework, parent-teacher meetings, last-minute bake-sales.

What in the hell did she marry Jack for then other than an accidental one night stand and at the insistence of her mother?

Perhaps that was it. Marrying this sexist idiot who thought of himself above others because of the tool between his legs. Because her mother had once again gotten into her head and forced her hand. Michael would be ashamed of their mother – never of Peggy. He would’ve loved Sarah.

“I’m leaving him, mother.” Peggy had called her late one evening after Sarah was put to bed when the clock struck ten and Jack still hasn’t home. Most likely out drinking once again. She could hear her mother’s breath hitch on the other end.

“Of course you’re not, dear.” She always had a way of speaking to Peggy that spoke down to her like she was still Sarah’s age. “This is just a momentarily hitch, you two will get over it. You just have to please him more. Make sure the baby is sated so he doesn’t have to listen to her cries.”

“Sarah is not an infant, mother! She’s seven and is starting first grade come this fall. And I’ll have you know that Jack is not the husband that you say he is. He doesn’t take care of Sarah. He doesn’t do a damn thing but go to work, come home drunk, and make a mess of a home that I spent all day cleaning after I worked all day. Sarah doesn’t deserve to be raised in a household with a man who won’t even recognize her existence.”

“Well, clearly you’re not doing something right, Margaret. Have you-”

Peggy didn’t even hear the end of the sentence, hanging up on her mother with a roll of her eyes. It was a mistake to call her but she had to tell someone and since it was just her and Sarah and she wasn’t putting this on her, it was her mother. Clearly, that was a mistake.

Brooklyn was the right choice. It was friendly, open, and a hell of a lot better in some ways than Washington. First off, it didn’t have Jack’s stench all over it. Anywhere she’d turn, there was someplace tainted with his memory and she wanted to escape that. Moving Sarah to Brooklyn Elementary had been made easy by the Principal and Vice-Principal’s assistance and she was grateful, dreading that.

She’d told Jack that night that she was leaving him, divorcing him. He’d turned a strange shade of red and dared to try to take a swing at her before she threw a right hook into his jawline that sent him spiraling backward into the alcohol cabinet that he was so fond of.

“Don’t you ever think about touching me or Sarah like that again, do you understand me?” Her voice was hard and low, dangerous. Her brown eyes intense as they glared down at him as if to burn holes into his skull. “I’ve let you walk all over me long enough until I got some sense about me because I wanted you to be there for Sarah and clearly you’d rather spent time with Belinda at the bar.”

“You won’t find better than me,” Jack insisted, voice slurred as he forced himself off and out of the glass. “You won’t find anyone like me! Do you think I wanted you? I only hitched you because you were pregnant and felt sorry for you! No one is going to put up with you, Carter. Do you hear me? No one!”

Peggy wasn’t listening to Jack, not right off. She was focused on Sarah who’d heard the crash and ran straight into her arms. Her pigtails shimmering as Peggy picked her up and wrapped her in a blanket, glaring at Jack over her daughter’s shoulders. “That’s the point, Jack. I’d rather be alone and caring for my daughter than to deal with the likes of you or my mother. I know what I’m worth and my time isn’t worth staying here with the likes of you. You’ll find the paperwork on the counter. Good day.”

Fall was coming into Brooklyn and Peggy was grateful, tired of the heat. She was British at heart, no matter how long she lived in America, she did not handle the heat well.

“Alright,” she sighed at her daughter, taking her hand as they crossed the last street. “The Principal promised us that we can have a private tour of the school so you’re familiar. We’ll be meeting your teacher today too. Then you start classes next week.”

Sarah was a quiet thing until she was rightfully upset. She spoke her mind and got into loads of trouble. She didn’t like bullies and certainly knew how to defend herself especially from teachers. She was her mother’s child through and through and damn Peggy was grateful Jack never had a hand raising her. To think of the damage he’d do…

The school was large for an elementary school, if you asked Peggy. Large classrooms, gym class, gymnastics, computer classes, and not to mention the hundreds of different sports and after school programs. It would be good to sign Sarah up for some, given Peggy’s work schedule would run over some.

“Library!” Sarah gasped at the heavy oak doors propped open by a stack of books, practically bouncing up and down. Peggy had no hope of calming her down when she saw the rows and rows of books. Sarah had grown up in the library, knew the Dewy Decimal System by heart – or at least more so than other kids her age. Read well beyond her grade level and could comprehend most subjects adults rolled their eyes at.

Still, Sarah’s love was sci-fi and mystery novels.

“Darling …” And, she was gone, Sarah bounded off into the library, making Peggy laugh and lightly jog after her. “I am so sorry,” she told the young librarian as Sarah bounded between the aisles. My, it was large. Two stories actually with stairs and elevators. She was on some hand jealous here.

The young librarian, a man with blonde hair and purple hearing aids just laughed. “She’s no problem. I’m just glad to see someone loving books for once instead of groaning when their teachers drag them in here. She’s gonna be a feisty one, I can tell, but don’t you worry I’ll keep an eye on her.”

They chatted lightly about books while Sarah weaved in between them, pressing book after book onto the counter. The librarian, a man named Clint laughed at her selection varying between a murder mystery, a historic novelization on King Author, deep-sea extraditions, and facts about dogs.

“I should go get her before she checks out the whole library.” Rolling her eyes fondly, Peggy went to search through the isles. “Sarah!”

There was no callback, so she found herself upstairs. She could hear Sarah chatting away to someone. Odd, she was normally so reserved and quiet unless she knew someone. Who did she find so soon to talk to?

Founding the corner, Peggy found herself staring at the side profile of a man with broad shoulders, wearing a tweet jacket, olive green sweater, and thick-rimmed glasses on the tip of his freckled nose. He had a thick beard coming in and his blonde hair swept out of his face. He didn’t look like he belonged in some elementary school, if anything he should be teaching psychology or history at the local university, not elementary subjects. He was quite handsome and that smile, the way his lips caught in his teeth, made Peggy’s heart lurch.

Sarah was in the midst of conversation, doing all the talking as she rambled on and on about a book in her hand about superheroes. The guy was sitting criss-cross on the floor, adjacent his daughter, nodding along. He laughed at something she said, head thrown back, holding onto his chest. A full belly laugh. He wasn’t downplaying her, he was talking to her, listening to her. Not many grown adults did that.

“Hello,” Peggy mused when her daughter decided to pause for a breath. She knelt down beside Sarah, adjusting the flow of her flowered day dress. She smoothed the wrinkles from Sarah’s shoulders and brushed her hair back. “Did you find someone to talk to?”

Sarah’s head bobbed up and down excitedly, missing the way the two adults looked over one another. “Uh-huh! This is Mr. Rogers! He teaches first grade! His favorite subject is history and art – he draws lots too. I was telling him about how we moved here from Washington because Jack was an asshole.”

Peggy’s face flushed a bright shade of pink while Steve laughed, the woman burying her face into her hands. “Sarah, I’ve told you not to say that word. Yes, I will admit he was that, but we do not say that around other people. Only at home.” She was only human and Peggy cursed. Lots. She tried not to around Sarah but became fully aware that Sarah would grow up around that language at any rate. Sarah knew better than most to curse like that.

“Well, he is,” Sarah pouted. “He called you yesterday and said that I was a mistake.”

Oh, that look on Sarah’s face and the anger residing in Peggy. She picked Sarah up and cradled her in her lap. A glance over to Mr. Rogers’ face showed the same anger but better hidden.

“You must be Peggy – she’s told me all about you,” Steve said in a soft tone, setting his book aside and scooting closer so he could gently touch Sarah’s arm. “It’s Sarah, right?”

The little girl nodded and Steve smiled brightly, all white teeth that stood out amongst the beard.

“Only the best and bravest of people are named Sarah. My ma’s name is Sarah and she’s the bravest, smartest person, I know!” His voice was soft as he met Sarah’s chocolate eyes, that mirrored her mother’s and gently rubbed his thumb along her arm. “You are not a mistake, never. Ever. Don’t believe what that a-idiot says, okay?”

The little girl smiled brightly despite the flushed cheeks and Peggy’s arms tighter around her. “Like mama! Mama’s smart and brave! She punched Jack in the face when he tried to hurt her! And this morning she took down a guy who stole an old lady’s purse!”

Steve’s brow disappeared into his hairline, his hair flopping against his forehead as he looked up at Peggy. Peggy’s cheeks flushed a brighter warm again, resisting the urge to fix his hair. “What I would give to be a fly on that wall,” he muttered.

“Sarah has a way of painting tales to make them seem more…exciting than they are,” she sighed, rolling her eyes with a fond smile. “But Mr. Rogers is right. You are not a mistake, little one. You are my sunshine and I will not have you believe a single word that man says. We’re getting my number changed and he will no longer be able to contact either of us, okay?”

“So,” Steve breathed once Sarah had calmed down enough to believe their words and were now taking her last two books to the counter and talking to Barton. He stood beside Peggy, towering over her, even in heels, his hands shoved into his pocket. He still didn’t look like a teacher but he had the natural attitude and calming demeanor of one. “How hard did you punch him – your ex-husband?”

Peggy giggled at that. A giggle of all things! Her. She never giggled. Or she never found the right person to giggle with. “Hard enough to knock some sense into him, though I’m afraid it leaked out.”

Steve gave a soft whistle that was just loud enough for her to hear, Peggy, rolling her eyes again. “And this morning with your thief?”

“Oh, that? That was nothing more than the right place at the right time. He snatched her purse and tried to bolt soon as the train doors opened, I merely grabbed him by his hair and put him into a chokehold to bring him down until he was sobbing.” Steve at least looked impressed and she liked that.

“Remind me to call you when I’m in trouble. And to never get on your bad side.” His hand lingered just a moment on her arm, giving a squeeze before he was stepping up to the counter to talk to a troubled looking Clint.

Peggy could hear the ends of the conversation – something about Sarah not having her student ID but it was fine because Mr. Rogers was going to check out all these books for her on the promise he gets to hear about each one. Ten minutes later they were standing outside of a bland-looking classroom with no decorations or furniture even and Mr. Rogers was rocking on his heels with a nervous look.

“I think it’s a good thing that you’re my student, Miss Sarah, because then I get to hear all about the books.” The way he spoke to her daughter, Peggy knew Steve was sincere about it too. He wanted to hear about the books and all that Sarah had learned. “And I uh, should apologize about this…” He waved his hand at the empty classroom, cheeks flushing a soft pink under his beard. “I promise it’s going to look amazing when you two are here for opening day. I just got everything out and deep cleaned it all, you won’t believe how much stuff the other teachers hoard in those closets. I found a textbook from 1912! It’s actually in the library right now.”

Peggy gave an impressed whistle that just made Steve flush all the darker, their eyes boring straight into one another. Her hand on Sarah’s shoulder, thumb rubbing against the sweater. “Well, I think I’ll hold you to that, Mr. Rogers. I know Sarah is going to be incapable of hands this year. What do we say to Mr. Rogers about the books, Sarah?”

“Thank you!” The little girl hugged the stack stuffed into a tote against her chest with an ear-to-ear grin. “Thank you so much! But Mr. Rogers, you should ask my mama out so you two can talk more about art! Mr. Clint said I am always welcome at the library and I can stay with him!”

Both adults flushed and Peggy suddenly found her watch very interesting while Steve cleared his throat. “Darling,” she finally sighed, shaking her head. “I love you but do not try to set me up on dates and I am sure Mr. Clint doesn’t live at the library and needs to go home sometime too. I think we should get going, Mr. Rogers. We’ll see you at eight o’clock on the dot Monday morning.”

Steve was still blushing as he waved goodbye to an overexcited Sarah before his eyes fell to the well put-together mother who’d been through too much. “Don’t you dare be late.”

It was Peggy’s turn to grin as she hoisted her daughter up and with the other arm, carried what had to be over fifteen pounds of books. “I wouldn’t dream of it, I think Sarah will kill me if I made us late for her first day of school.”

#Steggy #StevePeggy #Steggy Prompt #@womenarethesequel #Not Jack Thompson Friendly #Seriously don't read if you like him #i don't #He's an ass #Single Parent Peggy Carter #Teacher Steve Rogers #Should i post this on ao3?

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skeeter-110 · 3 years

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I Dreamt About You Every Night

Tony Stark has been dead for seventeen years due to a mission gone wrong. He's survived getting blown up, palladium poisoning, terrorist attacks, and even Thanos himself, and he gets killed by - what was supposed to be - a simple day-to-day mission. Or, so everyone thought.

|| Chapter one ||

Chapter Two:

“You survived; I survived. We’re together again. I once begged the gods to let me see you - if only for a moment. To see you and know you’d made it. Just once; that was all I ever hoped for.” -Sarah J. Maas, Queen of Shadows

Peter's body reacted before he could even fully registers in his mind who he was staring at, slamming the door right in the person's face.

Right after the door shut, the reality of what Peter just saw came crashing down onto him, making him groan and tug on his hair stressfully.

"No. No, no, no, no, this can't be happening. This can't be happening again." Peter moans, bending over and placing his elbows on his knees in an attempt to catch his breath back.

“Hey, Pete. I know this is a really bad time and way to be doing this, but do you think you could freak out with me in the house? I kind of don’t want everyone to know I’m alive yet.” The voice was heard through the other side of the door, making Peter straighten back up.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath in, Peter opened the door back up, the air once again being knocked out of his lungs when he saw the man standing on the other side. Not wanting others to see him talking to the man - or the air -, Peter quickly grabbed his wrist and pulled him in. As soon as the door slammed, Peter instantly went back to freaking out, his hands finding his hair once again.

Peter didn’t even know what to do currently other than pace. I mean, what are you supposed to do when you start seeing your dead mentor/father figure again?

“Look, Pete, I know I’m kind of just springing this upon you; I’m probably not doing this in the best way possible. But Pepper told me you didn’t really go over there anymore and that if I didn’t come over here to see you that-” Tony began to ramble, Peter quickly shushing him.

“No. No talking. Just- Just- Just- shh... for a second.” Peter says, looking up at the ceiling and taking a deep breath in. “I thought I was doing good. This shouldn’t be happening, again.” Peter murmurs to himself.

“Wait, again? What do you mean again?” Tony voices his confusion, stopping there when he realized that him talking was making Peter freak out even more.

“You know what, this isn't even real. You’re not real; you can’t be real. This is all one big figment of my imagination.” Peter laughs, rubbing his face and keeping his hands over his eyes afterwards. “It’s all a part of my imagination - you’re a part of my imagination - and when I open my eyes back up, you’ll be gone.” Peter says before counting down from three.

Once he got to one, Peter dragged his hands down his face, whimpering when he saw Tony still standing there.

“Yeah, sorry, Kid, but I’m as real as can be; I can’t just disappear.” Tony says sympathetically.

Both Tony and Peter’s attentions were quickly taking off of each other and placed onto the fact that the front door was opening once again.

“Hey, Tiger, we’re home. You would not believe what Benji and Claire were-” A very pregnant M.J greets as she walks into the house, a small girl sleeping in her arms. She quickly stopped short and looked like she had seen a ghost when she looked up to where the two men were.

“Please tell me you can see him too.” Peter pleads once he took in the panic that was on his wife’s face. “J? Can you see him too? Em? Can-” M.J slightly nodded, Peter gasping at the response and turning around to face Tony.

“Surprise.” Tony half-heartedly says, sounding like he was also drained from this situation.

“Oh my God.”

* * *

“So, you married ‘Scary Girl’ then, huh?” Tony asks after a bit of silence.

Once the overwhelming feeling of shock wore off, M.J was able to wrangle Peter and Tony into the living room before wrangling their three kids up into their rooms and making her way into the kitchen to finish up dinner.

Now, Peter and Tony were just sitting in silence - or at least they were - with Peter staring out of the window as he attempted to calm his racing mind.

“Yep.” Peter shortly answers, not looking away from the window and not really being able to respond with more.

“And I’m assuming that the little girl in ‘Scary Girl’s arms and the other girl and boy that went upstairs are your kids?” Tony continues to ask, scoffing in disbelief when Peter nodded. “Shit, Pete. You’re really all grown now, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, well that’s what happens when you’ve been dead for seventeen years. Seventeen years. That’s how long you’ve been dead; supposedly. I-I mean, how are you even here right now? We had a funeral for you - we buried your dead body. You are - in every sense of the word - dead.” Peter says, finally turning to face Tony.

He looked exactly the same. You wouldn’t even be able to tell that seventeen years had passed by looking at Tony. He looks exactly the same as he did when Peter last saw him at the mission.

Just looking at him made Peter realize exactly how Tony must have felt when he got dusted. He now understood what it was like for someone to be gone for so many years, only to pop back into their lives and look like nothing had even happened.

The only difference was Tony was ready and prepared for when Peter got snapped back.

“See, Pete, I wish I could tell you what happened, but I don’t even know myself. One minute, I’m being swarmed by those HYDRA goons, and then the next, I’m waking up in the middle of a field and seventeen years have passed.” Tony tells him, confusing Peter.

“Wait, you don’t remember anything? Not even who took you?” Peter asks.

“No. I don’t even remember them sticking me with anything when we were at the base. I couldn’t tell you where they took me, what they wanted, or what they even looked like.” Tony responds, making Peter sigh.

“Do you think they were trying to make you into another soldier? Like Bucky?” Peter asks, letting out the breath he was holding when Tony shook his head. He doesn’t know what he would do if he found out they were experimenting on Tony this entire time.

“No, I would have noticed the changes. I don’t have a single scar, bruise, or scratch on me. My best guess is that they took me for the same reasons the Ten Rings took me; to build tech and weapons for them.” Tony says.

“Yeah, but if you were building all of this stuff for seventeen years, something would have popped up by now, right? I mean we haven’t heard anything from HYDRA in ten years; we honestly thought we managed to destroy them.” Peter says, the conversation being paused there when M.J came in afterwards.

“Hey, Fellas, hate to break up the family reunion, but you might want to keep the HYDRA talk on the down-low now. Dinner’s almost done and the kids are going to be down here soon.” M.J informs them.

“Thanks, Love.” Peter murmurs, watching as M.J made her way back into the kitchen.

“Damn, Pete, you’re like a fully-grown man now. I mean, hell, you have a wife now, three children and one on the way, your own company. I really missed a shit ton, huh?” Tony marvels, Peter sighing out a ‘yeah’ before they both fell into another bit of silence.

During that silence, Tony couldn’t help but think about something Peter said earlier. About how Peter was crying that this was happening again. He was still confused on what Peter meant by that and why he was adamant that no one else would be able to see him.

“Who are you?” A tiny voice asks before Tony was able to speak up, startling both men sitting on the couch. Tony looked around the living room, confused on where he was hearing the voice from until he looked up.

Sure enough, there was a little girl sitting upside down on the ceiling and very much so waiting for a response.

“Uhh…” Tony elegantly responded, unsure of both how to respond and how to react to the child being on the ceiling.

“Annie-May, get down from the ceiling. What have we told you about doing that?” Peter scolds, standing up and catching the girl as she let go and dropped from the ceiling. All Tony could do was watch, marveling at the fact that Peter really truly was a Father now.

“Not to.” The girl answers, sounding fully reprimanded. Peter just sighed, shaking his head fondly before looking over at Tony.

“I guess I should introduce you to my youngest daughter. Tony, this is Annie-May. Annie, this is Tony.” Peter introduces as he sits back down on the couch with Annie in his lap. “What are your siblings up to?” Peter asks once they settled.

“They’re working on their science project.” Annie answers.

“Why don’t you go get them and tell them that dinner is about ready.” Peter says, placing Annie down on the floor and shooing her off. “If you want to stay for dinner so we can talk more about this afterwards, you can. I understand if you would rather go back to Pepper and Morgan and make up for lost time with your family.” Peter hesitantly offers, already mentally preparing himself for Tony to up and leave.

“Pete, you’re my family too; you know you’ve always been my kid. I would love to stay for dinner. Plus I’ve got to see how much karma is biting you in the butt with your kids.” Tony sincerely replies, making Peter laugh.

And for the first time, in seventeen years, Peter was relieved from the heavy weight of guilt that would sit on his chest.

Tag List: @spideyspeaches @lost-lunar-wolf @joyful-soul-collector @hatakehikari

#tony stark #peter parker #irondad #spiderson #fanfiction #adult peter parker #michelle jones #presumed dead

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what-is-your-plan-today · 4 years

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Leave No One Behind Ch7: Hungry Like The Wolf Pt.1

Co written with @icanfeelastormbrewing

Episode Warnings: Bad Language words. Smut (NSFW no under18s)

Episode Pairings: Ari Levinson x OFC Hannah Horowitz

Song for Episode: Hungry Like The Wolf- Duran Duran (this is our LNOB /Ari ThemeTune!!!!!)

A/N: Ok, so, we promised that this was going to be an explosive chapter and it is…in more ways than one. We’ve had to split it over 2 parts as it was ridiculously long but…man…we think it’s worth it.

And we know you’re all gonna be skimming to get to the inevitable explosive reunion in Part 2 but come back and read the rest- you’re gonna need to in order to understand the story as we move through!

Series Master List // Main Masterlist

Burning the ground, I break from the crowd, I'm on the hunt down, I'm after you. I smell like I sound, I'm lost and I'm found, and I'm hungry like the wolf.

"You're tanned."

Ari chuckled.

"Well, I get to spend a lot of time in the sun." he said with a smile that reached his eyes.

At least Maya was looking at him in the eyes this time. That was something.

"Have you swum in the sea like we used to do on holiday?" she asked, taking one of her dolls to start combing her hair.

"Yeah. I've also been diving."

He saw his daughter's eyes wide open with curiosity as she stopped what she was doing.

"Really? That's amazing."

"Sure is." Ari nodded, leaning forward and resting his arms on his thighs to catch her attention before explaining "There are lots of things to see down there. Sharks, fish, sunken pirate ships..."

"Really?" she asked, her eyes brimming with excitement "I wish I could go."

"I'd like that too, munchkin. But unfortunately I'm there working and that's not a place for a kid, as fun as it may sound."

She wasn't wrong, in a sense. So he decided to try and lighten her mood up a bit. It was worth the shot.

"Hey, did I tell you we have a dog now?"

"A dog?" she asked, visibly intrigued.

"Yup."

"What's he like?"

She was smiling again.

"He's not very big. He's an Abyssinian sand terrier. They have no fur." Ari explained, smiling fondly at the memory of Simon.

"He's bald?”

"Yes, yes he is." Ari nodded, chuckling.

"Well, that's ok." Maya said tilting her head and grinning "You have enough hair for two, daddy."

Ari laughed loudly which caught Sarah's attention from the kitchen.

"Hannah said the same thing."

"Who's Hannah?" Maya frowned.

"Remember Sammy?" Ari asked and Maya nodded "Well, she's his sister. They're both part of my team. Hannah is the one who found Simon... well actually he kinda found her."

"Simon?"

"Yeah, she named the dog after her favourite singer." Ari, who had been smiling since he had started talking about Hannah, explained.

"Like Simon Le Bon?" Maya asked, with a huge grin when she realised the connection.

"Yeah, exactly like him. In fact she named him Simon Le Bone."

Maya laughed and got up, picking her bag off the floor and bringing it back with her. She headed for the sofa and sat next to Ari. He had clearly piqued her curiosity.

"I want a picture of Simon."

"Yeah? Well I can send you one when I get back." Ari offered, nodding.

"Would you do that?" Maya asked, beaming at him.

"Of course I will. But only if you promise to write back." Ari said, as he reached to brush her hair off her face.

"Ok."

"I take it you like the bag, Munch?"

"It's beautiful, Dad." Maya nodded heavily.

"I’m glad…Hannah helped me pick it up."

"Did she? I like her." Maya said, snapping Ari from his thoughts.

Ari laughed at his daughter's quip "How’s that?"

"She adopted Simon and got me this, well you got it but she picked it." Maya offered with a shrug.

"Is she pretty?" Maya asked out of the blue.

Ari swallowed hard. Now that had taken him by surprise. He scratched his neck, fumbling for a suitable answer.

"Erm…I suppose so." he shrugged. It was the only thing he could come up with. Suitable enough for a seven year old though.

Who are you kidding, Levinson? I suppose so?

Maya, apparently, wasn't buying it either as she squinted her eyes.

"Ok, yes. Yes, she is pretty." Ari admitted after rolling his eyes, with a resigned smile.

"Cool." Maya quipped, smiling as well.

At that Sarah entered the living room as if she had spotted the perfect timing to step in their father-daughter moment.

“Maya, your lunch is ready. It’s in the kitchen honey, on the table." she said, looking at Maya

Maya stood up to do as she had been told but turned to look at Ari before asking "Are you coming dad?"

Ari felt like his heart would explode any minute but he looked at Sarah before answering and he could tell she wanted to talk to him so he had to hold back for the time being.

"Go ahead, I’ll be with you in a minute. Your mom and I have to talk about something." he said.

"I take it you were listening in?" he asked her.

"Of course I was. Gotta hand it to you Ari…” Sarah said and nodded towards the kitchen "… you won her back round with your stories."

Ari sighed as he brushed his hair off his head, readying himself for what was coming. The tell-tale endless list of flaws and reproaches.

"They’re not stories Sarah, just telling her about what I’m doing, well as much as I can that is." he said, taking a deep breath.

"So I get you’re having a great time from what I heard." Sarah’s brown eyes locked onto his and Ari groaned. She wasn't beating about the bush.

"Can we not do this now? It’s not a vacation Sarah."

"And yet you’d still rather be there than here." she deadpanned.

Ari could not perceive any emotion in her eyes or her voice as she uttered those familiar words. She had thrown them back at him so many times over the last years, they felt mechanical now.

"I don’t have a choice." his response was just as automatic.

"There’s always a choice, Ari." Sarah said.

She wasn't letting go. Ari pinched the bridge of his nose and looked up at her.

"How many times do we have to go through this? I’m trying to do something good…because if my team doesn’t help those people no one will. And I’m trying to be a better father too, even if I’m not around…"

Sarah gave a scoff, interrupting his train of thought.

"Don’t shut me out Sarah, let me make it up to you, make it up to Maya." he said, with pleading eyes.

"Make it up to me? Ari, if you’re looking for a reconciliation it's too late."

Now that was a change. Ari could perceive some emotion in her voice. One of surprise.

"No, that’s not what I mean. I just, well I realised recently that I wasn’t a particular good husband to you, or a good father for that matter."

"The problem wasn’t you being a bad husband or dad Ari, it was with you never being there."

"I know and I’m sorry. I was wrong to just assume that you were ok with everything and to ignore how you felt. But, I wanna do better for Maya." he admitted.

"And you just came to this conclusion one evening when you were alone, soul searching did you?" Sarah snorted.

"I’m sorry." he whispered. And he meant it.

"Woah, Sarah, I loved you.” Ari shook his head, looking at her “In some ways I always will because we have Maya..."

"But we both know deep down if it wasn’t for her things wouldn’t have moved so fast." she cut him off.

Ari sighed "I know, I know…but at least now, if I can see her and write to her, I can be honest and she can understand."

Sarah looked at him for a minute, before she turned away. He could see she was debating whether to speak her mind or not, and he tensed up sensing the impending dig.

“Pulling Hannah into the mission is a pretty dramatic way to try and win her back Ari…"

And there it was. Ari shook his head and made an exasperated noise. He knew all too well she had brought Hannah up because of him talking to Maya about her.

"That’s not why I took her. It’s not what it seems, Sarah."

"It’s not what it seems, but it is what it is, huh?" she snorted.

Ari looked down at the carpet, avoiding her eyes. There was no point in lying to her, and to himself for that matter.

"I think we were always destined to fail...even on our wedding day you couldn’t take your eyes off her. You were with me because you couldn’t be with her." Sarah said, with a loaded sigh.

Ari shook his head “That’s not…” he looks at her before continuing "...don’t cheapen yourself into being a rebound Sarah, that’s not what we were.”

Ari could see where this was going.

“Sarah…” Ari protested. “Maybe you just never got to tell her and I was in the right place at the right time…” she continued, ignoring him.

He stayed silent. Better get it over with. Let her speak her mind.

"You know I hope this mission, whenever it ends, teaches you something Ari. Preferably about how not to lie to yourself." she said, before nodding towards the kitchen.

And moreover he was beginning to think he felt it still.

After collecting his luggage he found Max waiting for him in the arrivals lounge. He greeted him with a heartfelt hug and a pat on the back. No words were needed.

"Good flight man?" Max asked, as he reached for one of Ari's bags and headed to the parking lot.

"Was ok. Had some brat behind me kicking my chair but other than that…" Ari replied, following him through the crowds of people.

That was until Ari spoke again, letting the words that were burning inside him come out searing his throat in the process.

"How’s everyone been?" he asked, clearing his throat.

Max didn't peel his eyes off the road and pondered Ari's question for a moment before smiling.

"If by everyone you mean Cracker, then fine."

"I meant everyone." Ari said, his voice as steady as he could as he looked out of the window.

"Sure you did." Max smiled again.

"Fuck you Max." Ari snapped, turning to look at him.

"You sure you wanna fuck me?" Max chuckled.

“Yeah missed you too bud.” he laughed, scratching his ears furiously.

Once Simon had calmed down a bit he turned to the car to get his bag and glanced up as he heard voices, his heart pounding violently in his chest. Sammy and Jake appeared to help him with his bags

"Come here…" Jake said with a wide grin, patting him on the back, just like in Belize although Ari was pleased he was dressed this time.

"Good to see you man." Sammy greeted him with a sincere smile.

"Hi Sammy." Ari smiled back.

"Hi Firefly." he said softly but with a blinding smile on his face.

Rachel turned to head inside as he opened his arms, leaving them alone.

"Hi Ari" she said as she stepped into his embrace.

"You ok?" he whispered into her ear.

"Good." he smiled at her.

Hannah swallowed a little and was then distracted by Simon who had jumped up and grabbed the bottom of the leg of Sammy’s shorts, looking for his attention.

"Hannah get your dog off me." Sammy groaned.