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#i didn’t pack my lunch today and if they don’t have chicken sandwiches i’m going to explode
hooded-hawks · 6 months
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i’m so hungry
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ragingbookdragon · 1 year
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She walked through the base with the lunchbox to her chest, barely managing to not trip over her own feet as she wandered through the halls with expert knowledge. One of the soldiers opened the door for her and she nodded to them, stepping through and she looked up, seeing her husband chatting around with Rudy, and two other men she didn’t recognize.
“Ale,” she called, and her husband looked over, joy splitting across his face as he straightened from where he was leaning on the table.
“Mi alma!” he greeted, walking over, smile dropping to a frown when he noticed the sadness on her face. “Mi alma, qué pasa? Por qué te ves molesto?”
Her lips pulled down in a dramatic pout as she explained, “I tried to make you some chicken and rice, but I accidentally burned the chicken. So, then I was gonna make chicken noodle soup and just scrape the burnt parts off but I didn’t have any broth and so I made my own and it was all going great but then I was gonna put in the noodles and…” her lips wobbled. “We didn’t have any noodles.”
She lifted the lunchbox and sniffled. “So, I made you a sandwich and packed some chips. And a few cookies. And a bottle of juice. And—” Alejandro’s lips curled over his teeth, evident that he was trying to hide his grin and she whimpered, “Te estás riendo de mí.”
Alejandro couldn’t help but snort as he wrapped his arms around her. “No, mi alma, I’m not laughing at you.”
“Yes, you are,” she whined. “You’re laughing at me.”
“I’m not laughing at you, I’m laughing with you.”
She cocked her head up and scowled at him. “I am not laughing, Ale. I’m devastated.”
“Why?” he humored, looking at her. “Because you didn’t cook my lunch?”
“Yes,” she sniffed, lips tugged down. “I miserably failed to cook chicken today.”
Alejandro hummed, pressing his nose to hers. “But you made me a lunch anyways and I’m going to eat it so happily, porque mi esposa hermosa lo hizo para mí y puso su corazón en cada pieza.”
“Es un sándwich.”
“Mhm,” he nodded, smushing their noses. “And I love anything you make me.” Alejandro pecked her lips, pulled away and cupped her cheeks, wiping his thumbs under her eyes as he comforted, “Ahora seca tus ojos, alma mía, no hay necesidad de estar tan molesto.”
She gazed at him, letting her face get smushed in his hands, staring at him between slits as she mumbled, “What’d I do to get you?”
He smiled, that warm, so loving smile that made her heart flutter, the first time she saw it, she fell in love with him—still to this day, five years later, he looked at her the same. “Soy yo quien debería hacer esa pregunta. Para tener una mujer tan maravillosa que cuide de mí, debes ser un ángel enviado por Dios.”
Her cheeks warmed, smile threatening to split her face in half as she blushed, “Alejandro Vargas, quit, we’re in public.” She pulled away, righted herself and turned. “I’m going home.”
Alejandro held the lunchbox in his hand, a smirk on his face as he called out loudly, “Pero, mi alma, don’t leave me! I’m a wounded man! Your husband needs you to take care of him!” her shoulders set in embarrassment as his soldiers started laughing. “Te amo, alma mía! Mi corazón late por ti!”
He snickered as she practically ran out of the base like her ass was on fire, knowing he was in for it when he got home; Alejandro walked back over and sat the lunchbox down on the table, slapping at Rudy’s hand and glaring when his second tried to get in for the cookies. “Lo siento, eres su esposo? No? Sal de mi lonchera.”
Rudy frowned. “She packs enough for me, you know that.”
“And I don’t wanna share what my wife brought me,” he griped in return. “Find your own wife.”
A groan left Rudy’s lips as he complained, “No es justo que ella sea tu esposa. Ella es la mejor que hay.”
Alejandro puffed out his chest, pride in his voice as he agreed, “That she is. And she’s mine,” he lifted up his left hand and pointed to his gold band. “Forever.”
Soap leaned over as the two started bickering, whispering to Ghost, “Did you know Alejandro was married?”
“Uh huh,” Ghost nodded. “Showed me the photos in his wallet.”
“He has photos in his wallet?”
“Yep. Like a ton of them. All of her.”
Soap frowned. “Damn, that woman must be something fierce to have such a hold on him.”
“She is!” Alejandro interrupted, pulling out his wallet from his back pocket. “Here, let me show you.”
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Pairing: Darry X female reader The Outsiders
Warnings: Fluff & my first smut
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It was morning and Darry was in the kitchen making breakfast. I smile running to him, he picks me up and twirls me around kissing me softly. Soda and pony were still asleep. “Wanna help?” I nod cracking open some eggs.
No too long afterwards the gang piles in. Steve and Two-Bit finally Dally and Johnny.
I have been with Darrel Curtis for a little over 6 years. He has been tough with Pony in the past and I always tried to stop it. He just didn’t want pony to turn out bad.
I smile kissing his cheek before pulling out a water. “Pass me a beer would ya?” Two-But smiles. “Oh a water? Okay!” I throw him a water ignoring the beer part. “Hey!” He groans. “Sober up Matthews or I’m gonna Beat you.” He smirks and drinks the water.
“I’m gonna go wake pony and Soda up.” I smile before waking to their room. “Ponyboy..” I whisper softly shaking him. “Mmmmm.” He groans. “Food is almost done kiddo.”
“You two Soda. Come on.” I smirk. “Okay have it your way. Oh Steve!” Steve runs in before toppling on soda and rough housing him.
Ponyboy jumps up quickly. I walk back to Darry. “So, Mr. Curtis.” He holds me in his arms. “What are we doing today?” I ask as he takes a swig of milk. “Well. I was hoping we could get some quick shopping in and spend the day together doing whatever you want.” He smirks.
“Whatever I want?” I watch his smirk fade. “Now-Now hold on.” I laugh softly. “It’s fine. I just wanna spend time, whether it be cuddling, a movie, or even a date. I don’t care.” I kiss his lips. They’re not soft but not rough. He’s always gentle no matter what.
“Alright mrs. Curtis. Have it your way.” I smile but pause and turn back to him. “What did you just say?” He looks at me. “Have it your way?”
“No.. No before that.” He takes a bite of bacon: “Mrs. Curtis?” I kiss him so hard he almost tips back in his chair. “What was that for?” He smirks. “Thank you.” I go to sit down but Darry grabs me back on his lap.
“I was gonna get a chair.” I laugh. “Too bad. I’m your chair now.” I scoff biting the bacon from his hand. “Hey.” He playfully grins.
“Darry, is it okay if me and Pony go get some icecream and hangout downtown for a bit?” Soda softly asks. “Steve is going too.” Darry nods. “Be back for lunch you hear?” They all nod and quickly leave. “I love you.”
He whispers in my ear putting his chin on my shoulder. “I love you too.” I kiss his nose and Finnish my food. “Okay, I’m grabbing the list, get the truck going.” He sighs getting up after I do.
The whole ride there was filled with horrible Karaoke. I can’t Believe I have such an amazing boyfriend.
Shopping was easy with Darry. I pushed the cart and got smaller things, he would grab stuff off of high shelves. To be honest if Darry’s hair wasn’t a little greased we wouldn’t have been counted as greasers.
I never grease my hair or nothing, it’s always fluffy and put up or put back with a pin. I dress nice when we go out for the most part. Darry wears a black shirt and jeans most the time anyway.
After shopping we went ahead and went home to prepare lunch for the hungry boys.
Johnny could eat 2 sandwiches, Two-Bit a whole chocolate cake and a beer, Steve a half of pack a’ meat, Soda always loved sweet treats and could eat a whole brownie cake by himself, Dallas never really ate here but when he did he chowed down and pony boy never eats much.
Pony always never did eat much. It’s just a plain form of habit I guess. He sure is smart though.
I feel a pair of hands break my thoughts and sway through the small kitchen with me. “Can you get the plates from the top cabinet?” I ask softly as I put chicken in the oven. As I bend over Darry reaches up and man on man the friction.
He softly groans. I smirk. “Later not right now.” I read his mind. He shot me a wicked grin and placed out the plates. I continue cooking food for another 10 minutes or so before I hear Ponyboy and Johnny.
“I’m telling you the comic book was all like ‘death death! Dead!!” Ponyboy exclaims walking in the kitchen. “Hungry boys?” I ask softly. “Yes, ma’am. “ Ponyboy groans. “I’m starving.”
I give him a plate of food. “Johnny?” He nods. Johnny didn’t talk much to me. I hand him a plate too, a bigger serving because I know Johnny isn’t fed at home.
Before I can say anything Darry is grabbing my hand and dragging me off to the bathroom. “The rest of the gang will be here soon now and I can’t walk around like this.” He smirks.
He places me up on the counter top before taking his pants down just enough.
He pushes up my dress and slides down my panties. “Darrel Curtis, your suppose to be the responsible one..” I click my tongue.
He rolls his eyes before grabbing a condom and sliding it on. “We ain’t never used one of those before?” I look at him. “Yeah but, I’m also not planning on being dumb and not pulling out.” He smirks making me bite my lip.
Darry is always gentle. Today he isn’t. The first thrust is hard and quick. My head falls back hitting the wall. “Oh, Darry please faster.” I whisper grabbing his neck. His pace picks up fast enough for the counter to hit the wall.
“Darry.. Ponyboy and Johnny, and the gang!” He shrugs. “They’re down the hall talking they won’t.. hear.” He thrusts harder. He kisses me quickly hiding my loud moan. “Do you trust me?” He looks at me.
I nod softly. “Don’t judge me, I read about this alright.” He picks me up. “Hold on to me.” I wrap my arms and legs around him. He thrusts up even harder and faster. “Darry!!” I whimper. “Come on, cum for me darling.”
Just like that, I clench hard around him holding onto him tight. Him hitting his climax when so as well. He smirks before sitting me on the counter and throwing away the condom. He Hands me a clean pair of jeans and shirt to wear. “Let me..” he pulls his pants up.
He spreads my legs again and licks me clean. I groan softly. He continues to eat me out. “I’m gonna cum again.” I whisper grabbing his hair.
Just like that, I’m at another climax. He licks me completely clean and grins. “Get dressed darlin.” He fixes his hair and walks out to the kitchen.
As I walk back out to the kitchen I hear Two-Bits laugh. Darry shoots me his million dollar grin. I smile sitting on his lap. I take a bite of my food before Soda looks at Darry then at me. He starts smirking before whispering something to Steve making Steve grin at us.
I lay back my head on Darry’s shoulder. “I love you, Darrel Curtis.” I kiss him softly. “I love you too y/n Curtis.” I had the perfect life no matter what
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Gossip Girl (2021) - Max Wolfe x Reader - Comfort part 2 - episode 4 spoilers
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part 1
this was originally just supposed to be a one-shot thing but goddamit i need to write this boy some comfort fic okay? he’s an actual child (he’s like 17, canonically and to me that is baby) that needs healthy love and affection and a proper friend that doesn't turn around and make drama every five seconds so here's more
again, can be read platonically or romantically.
reader is not read with any pronouns or described in anyway so its gender neutral.
=
It surprised you, when only a night later you got a call from your new ‘friend’ Max Wolfe, you quickly picked up the phone, even though you were at work at the moment, and said in a calm tone; “Max? What's up?”
It was silent for a moment before his quiet voice came through the speaker “I need a place to stay, I can't be here right now” his voice ever so slightly cracked, if your volume wasn’t so high you wouldn't have heard it. You nodded, before realizing he couldn’t see that.
“of course, of course, um, I’m at work but I can get off early if you need me to?” Max hummed a quiet confirmation and you heard the rustle of bags being packed. “okay, I’ll be there in like, twenty minutes? Maybe less depending on the traffic” Max once again quietly confirmed that he heard what you had said and you hung up after saying goodbye. You looked up, waving to get the attention of your boss “Eva! Real quick, I need to leave early, I’ll be back in like-an hour or two but I have an emergency I need to tend to” Eva nodded, like the amazing boss she was she usually had no problems with people leaving early if the situation called for it. “thank you, tell Justin and Lila that I’ll be back soon” you quickly clocked out and grabbed your stuff, rushing out of the building and to your car.
You had somehow gotten there in fifteen minutes, Max sitting on the front steps of his house as he looked down at his phone “Max” you called, getting out of your car and walking over to him, kneeling in front of him as he looked up at you through his lashes “are you okay?” he just shook his head. You bit the inside of your cheek, looking around and then up at his house “are your dad's home?” he shook his head again “did you tell at least one of them where you were going?” he didn’t answer. You sighed, grabbing his backpack and duffle bag and hefting them over to your car, lugging them into the trunk “well, after you calm down, you’re going to text one of them and tell them where you are, just so they don’t worry. They might be fighting but it doesn’t mean they don’t care about you” you said loudly, hearing Max stand up and shuffle over to your car. You turned to him,  “have you eaten today?”
He paused at that, locking eyes with you. “no” he muttered, finally speaking for the first time since he called you. You sighed, opening the passenger door and motioning for him to get in.
“Okay, im buying you lunch, where do you want to go that’s not going to break my bank?”
-
You had ended up going to some sort of fried chicken place, Max was munching on his chicken sandwich as you walked to and from the guest room setting it up for him. Finally, you sighed, setting your hands on your hips “Okay, rooms all ready, I’m going to give you an extra key so you can get in and out. But I am going to set some boundaries while you’re here, okay?” Max nodded, you were kind enough to let him stay with minimum questions asked, he could be courteous enough to not step across the line “okay; no bringing anyone over unless you have my permission, yes I mean fuck buddies n all that” Max flushed a bit, unlike his usually confident self but last night had kinda fucked him up a bit “no drinking or smoking or drugs, my aunt has asthma and I don’t want to risk anything. Got it? So while you are here, you will be sober.” Max nodded again, perfectly reasonable “good, that is pretty much all I have to say, other than, do your own laundry, wash your dishes when your done…yeah no that’s all I got.” You laughed gently, smiling at Max as he nodded “you can stay as long as you like, just please test me when you leave and when you plan on coming back, so I don’t have to worry about you”
Max smiled at that, happy someone was worrying about him “thank you” he muttered, setting down his now empty box that once contained his lunch and stood, throwing it away “um, I’m going to go take a nap” you nodded, watching as Max walked into the guest room and close the door behind him.
“rich kids got issues” you muttered to yourself, feeling like Haruhi from Ouran high school host club.
-
Max ended up going out almost every night, most likely trying to bury the pain beneath sex, alcohol, and drugs. And you were not his parent so you could exactly tell him to knock it off, after all, your rules were that he couldn't do any of that inside your apartment.
And then a couple of days after you had let Max start saying in the guest room, you were walking around the streets of Manhattan, when you stopped in front of a club, seeing Max fighting with the bouncer. You quickly ran over and pulled him away “hey hey hey, dude, calm down” you twisted him around away from the club and stood in front of him “okaaay you are very drugged up I can tell” you looked at his eyes, completely dilated “what were you trying to get into anyway?” you peeked over his shoulders, looking up at the glowing sign.
‘Happy birthday Zoya’
Zoya? You think you could remember a name like that Max had mentioned a couple days ago but it was unimportant right now “come on, let’s get you back home” you muttered, meaning your home but-Max seemed to think you meant his home. “no, that is why im tripping!” Max complained, not ready to go home yet.
“Max you never told either of your dads where you were! They’re probably worried sick about you!” you yelled back in a quiet tone, due to being in public and on the streets “but-I wasn’t taking you there anyway, I was taking you back to my place, you need to get some food and water in you and then go to bed. I can't even imagine the headache you’re gonna have in the morning” you muttered, crossing your arms as you glared at him.
You groaned as he took out a box of mints and opened them “no. uh-uh” you took the box and looked inside, yep, drugs “not happening, not on my watch.” You walked up to the bouncer and handed him the drugs “confiscate these for me will you please?” the bouncer nodded, taking the tin box and you walked back to Max, who was glaring at you “oh stop pouting, it’s for your own good” you grabbed his hand and started to drag him in the direction of your apartment
“that tin box was worth more than your entire life of two years” Max seethed. You stopped, glaring at him.
“yes, I’m poor, so sorry about that, I was just trying to do something nice. But instead, you're just being a dick.” You let go of his hand and walked away “you know what? fuck you, you wanna stay out and get blackout drunk and drugged to high heaven? Fine with me, don’t come back tonight” Max seemed to snap back to his senses as the last word reached his brain and he stumbled towards you.
“(y/n) wait I’m-“ you just held up your hands, letting out a shaky breath. He watched you walk away with burning eyes “…fuck.”
-
A few hours later, there was a knock at the door, weak and shy. You sighed, slamming your laptop closed and stomping over to the front door, getting ready to yell at Max one last time but you opened it to a max that wasn’t drugged up, but two seconds away from a breakdown. You stared at each other for a moment, and finally max whispered out; “I'm sorry”
You closed your eyes and sighed, nodding for him to step inside. He did so quickly and you locked the door behind him. “i-I went back home” Max started, standing awkwardly in the middle of the entryway. You tilted your head, encouraging him to go on “talked to my dad…the-the one that cheated on my pops” his voice got weaker, and tears started to brim in his eyes. “I tried to talk to him but…he blamed me for everything” his voice broke and he bit the inside of his cheek.
You stepped closer, reaching out and taking his arm, squeezing his bicep. “like it's my fault that their marriage fell apart, it's my fault he fell out of love” you kept yourself from squeezing his arm till it broke, rage coursing through you.
How dare that rat's ass of a father says that to him? It's never the child's fault a parent falls out of love, that’s on them. “fuck him” you grumbled, pulling Max into a hug, his arms flung around you and holding you tight, his face buried in your neck “fuck him fuck him fuck him. He doesn’t deserve you; you are not at fault. It's never the child's fault and for him to say that to you is bullshit. He could’ve stepped up and told your other dad about the truth but he was a coward. And he was a coward to say that to you, pushing the blame from him to you.” You pulled away, cupping Max’s cheeks and drying away his tears.
“what the fuck is wrong with me?!” Max cried, more tears spilling down his cheeks. You frowned, rubbing your thumbs across his red dusted cheeks. “honestly? A lot of things, you’re a druggie, an underage acholic, sex addict. But none of those are problem child, or a reason for falling out of love, or divorce. That is all on them, not you.” Max looked a little affronted with the blatant description of him but…it did make him feel better.
He sniffed, pulling you into another hug which you strongly reciprocated. “you were just trying to look out for them and it backfired, things like that happen, and you are not to blame for it. Okay?” Max hummed into your sleep shirt but you shook his arms as you pulled away “okay~?”
“Okay,” Max laughed gently, using his palms to rub his eyes. You nodded, satisfaction. “again…im really sorry for what I said earlier.” You nodded again, the sting still there but, it was a heat of the moment thing, what you both did.
“Apology accepted, im sorry I left you there in my anger” Max smiled and nodded.
“Apology accepted” he muttered, crossing his arms. You both stood there for a minute in silence before you broke it.
“Hungry?” you asked, and Max nodded at the same time his stomach grumbled.
“Very” he muttered, patting his torso. You grinned, nodding over to the kitchen. “come on, I’ll make you an omelet.”
-end-
 again, not a Harry Hook x reader so just one person shall be tagged
@sephiralorange​
actually also @harriyanna​ i think you also liked gossip girl so idk you might like this fic 
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reidyoulikeabook · 3 years
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A is for Ankle Socks
Summary: The first installment in my A-Z of Spencer Reid series. Spencer Reid is very particular about his socks.
Ship: fem ! BAU reader x Spencer Reid
Word count: 2.8k
Warnings: Discussions of case-typical violence, blood, brief description of a fight, minor injury to reader that requires some stitches.
A/N: hello! this is my first ever series and i’m very nervous about it! it’s going to be a chronological a-z series with Spencer, detailing the progression of your relationship!
Spencer Reid permanently wears odd socks. The only time you can recall him wearing matching ones, in the year you’ve known him, was on days he had to go to court. Then, it was required that he wear the technically mandated uniform of proper leather shoes, and monochrome socks. On those days, Hotch would turn up with a pair of black socks tucked into his briefcase, just in case. Spencer had needed them, twice.
However, today is not a court day. Today is day 8 of a case in back of beyond Oregon that, quite frustratingly, seems to be going absolutely nowhere.
It says quite a lot, really, that in a day spent combing over convicts with domestic violence charges, the sight you look up to see is more viscerally disturbing. Spencer’s perched on the end of a desk, as he so often seems to be, his ankles crossed over each other. Signature black converse on his feet. And he appears...not to be wearing socks?
He notices you looking at him, and flicks his eyes downward self-consciously, “Is something wrong?”
“Are you wearing socks?”
He lets out a quiet laugh, “Uh. No. I meant to go to the laundrette last night but then Hotch called us into that meeting. I wasn’t expecting to be out here this long.”
“Is it comfortable?” You ask, “Wearing those without socks?”
He kicks his feet around just slightly, “Not really. I guess I’d forgotten about it until you mentioned.”
“Sorry,” You say, with an apologetic smile.
“Not your fault,” He says, looking back at the paperwork in his lap, “Hey would you mind coming to take a look at this actually? I think I might have something.”
***
By day 2, you’d learnt that the only sandwich shop in town had a reputation for bad food hygiene that none of you felt like risking. Normally, everyone would roll their eyes at Spencer for his investigation into such things. However, in this case, everyone else seemed to be as thankful as you always were.
It’s your turn to do the lunch run today, so you head to the grocery store that isn’t too far out of town. Putting your car in park, you mentally run through the list that the team had given you: cheap pasta for everyone but Rossi, who was willing to risk running foul of their microwave meal selection, as many coffee supplies as you could manage, some sour gummy worms for Spencer, mineral water for Hotch, and tights for you. It was frankly quite impractical to wear the things. You ran through so many brambles, fell down so many times, that you almost felt you should get pantyhose hazard pay. In fall in Oregon though? You’d splash out the $6 for the sake of preventing frostbite. If only because Hotch would be furious.
You smile at the thought. Wandering through the aisles, you collect everything you need. Spencer only asked for a pack of sour gummy worms, but, with a smile on your face, you decide to get him the strawberry laces he likes too.
It’s only when you scan the cart, last minute, that you realise what you’ve forgotten.
Tights. Shit.
Wheeling the cart around, you weave through the aisles looking for them. The underwear aisle is aisle 20, and it looks like it’s been ransacked. Flicking through the disorganised display, you see them.
A five pack of socks, adorned with farm animals and backgrounds of a completely clashing colour. It’s almost too bright for you, but you know a certain sockless Spencer who will be sure to appreciate them. Out of curiousity, you navigate your way over to the men’s section and have a look through. Mostly, it’s all black and navy. Right at the back though, you spy a similarly garish looking pack, this time with vegetables on.
You put them in the basket, eyes flickering over a pair of matching aubergine patterned boxers, as you make your way over to the tights. You select your usual kind, turning your attention back to the boxers.
Is it weird to get him boxers?
He’d know it was a joke, right?
Is it weird to get him socks?
Well he didn’t have any
Yeah but you don’t need to get him two packs
Yes I do we might be here a while
10 more days?
He could fall. He could spill coffee on his shoes. He could get shot.
How would socks help with him getting shot?
Your internal monologue gives you a moments reprieve, and then.
Kinda weird you got him socks
Nobody else would have got him socks
Yeah well I’m just thoughtful.
The last thought crosses your mind without permission, and you almost bristle at the brazenness of your lie to yourself. However, you decide, examining the real reasons you’re so eager to provide comfort to your favourite co-worker would require mental stamina you didn’t have right now. Mental stamina that would be better put to use on the case at hand. Mental stamina that definitely wasn’t being used to employ the BAU’s favourite defense mechanism: denial.
***
“I got you a surprise.”
“A surprise?” Spencer spins around in his chair to face you.
“Yep,” You say, plopping the sweets down onto the desk in front of him and grinning.
“Strawberry laces!” He says, smile lighting up his face, “Thanks ____!”
“That’s not the surprise.”
He quirks his brow, confusion tugging at his features, “Then what’s the surprise?”
You untuck your arms from behind your back, handing him the pairs of socks.
He looks down at them. He’s silent for a moment, and your heart thuds.
Fuck.
Told you it was weird.
It’s definitely weird.
He definitely thinks you’re-
You don’t have time to finish that thought, however, because Spencer scoots his chair back. Standing up, he pulls you into a hug. He gently squeezes you, and when he speaks his voice is low, cracking a little.
“Thank you,” He says quietly, “That was really thoughtful of you. Thank you.”
You lean into him, allowing yourself to be enveloped, “No problem. I know you have some issues with sensory things sometimes and I just thought, you know,” you trail off, “Anyway, I didn’t know which ones you’d prefer and I know you like to mix and match anyway so I just got both.”
He doesn’t say anything. But he squeezes you again, tighter this time, before releasing you. Strangely, he won’t meet your eye as he does.
“I’m gonna go put them on, okay?”
“Okay,” You say, watching a little quizically as he hurriedly heads out of the room.
Derek happens to be heading back to the room, bumping into Spencer on his way out.
“You alright kid?” He asks.
“I'm fine," Spencer says, waving him off. He tries to avoid meeting Derek’s eyes, knowing as well as he does that if the profiler catches the look on his face he’ll be found out.
Derek allows him to shrug past him with a confused glance over his shoulder. He walks into the room, scooping the nearest file off the desk and asking in your general direction, “You know what’s up with him?”
“Nope,” You say, popping the p.
You don’t. And it’d bother you, except you genuinely don’t have time right now to dwell on it. Although, try as you might to focus on narrowing down this list of factories in the area, it niggles at you.
***
You don’t see Spencer again until you’re heading out to the unsubs location. You get called out by Hotch in the minute before he returns, and then it’s all guns blaring. Emily and Dave managed to work some magic with Penelope, and the place he’s holding the hostage has been narrowed down to a factory quite far out of town.
You’re perched in the back, discussing entry tactics with Hotch when your eyes travel down to Spencer’s shoes.
One chicken, and one broccoli sock sit on his left and right feet respectively. It’s hard to see them though, with how far they are down his feet.
Hotch answers his phone then, immediately barking down commands at the local PD who are apparently failing to summon adequate manpower, in Hotch’s opinion at least.
You take the moment to cautiously lean over to Spencer, whispering, “Were they not the right size?”
He smiles at you, “They fit just fine as ankle socks.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t even think to check the sizes, womens ones are pretty much all one size. I completely forget that men have massively different sized feet.”
He laughs, “Are you suggesting I have huge feet?”
You feel yourself flush a little, “I don’t think that’d necessarily be an inaccurate suggestion.”
Amused, he smiles. Hotch turns around to you both, momentarily taking his eyes off the road, “I need you to call Penelope, and tell her to get us all the CCTV she can get in the area. If we’re going to have to go in without enough men to cover the perimeter we’ll need all the tactical advantages we can get.”
“Of course, sir.”
***
Lunging forward, you tackle the unsub to the ground, effectively freeing Spencer from the grasp he’d previously been held in.
“It’s over Peter,” Hotch’s voice comes, even and steady.
“No it’s not.”
Before you can even register what’s happening, you’re being tossed backwards, landing against some barbed wire. Immediately, you’re on your feet again, running after him. Not noticing how the wire has ripped a hole in your tights, and cut into your leg a little.
Grabbing his arms behind him, you use all your strength to subdue him to the floor, handcuffing him. Wiping the sweat off your brow, you breathe out a deep sigh of relief.
Derek has it from there, patting you on the shoulder and giving you a “Good job kiddo.” He leads Peter out.
You rub your chest, feeling the adrenaline start to flood out of your body with all the excitement now over. A stinging senstation in your calf gets your attention, and looking down you see the nasty wound oozing blood. It isn’t much, nothing that two stitches won’t fix.
“Are you alright?” Spencer asks, having gotten up from his position on the floor, “You didn’t have to...Derek would have gotten him.”
“Why should he be the only one that gets to tackle people?” You ask, letting out a breathless tinkle of a laugh.
“Statistically, he is the one who does the most tackling out of all of us. Then Hotch, then Emily, then Rossi, then me, then you.”
“I am not the one that tackles the least,” You say indignantly.
He tips his head to the side, “Are you gonna argue with the guy who has an eidetic memory or are we going to get you stitched up?”
“Both, please.”
He laughs at that, linking his arm around your waist. You limp against him a little, out to the paramedics. Mostly it’s for Spencer’s benefit. That’s what you tell yourself, you’re letting him help you so he doesn’t feel emasculated.
When has Spencer Reid ever fallen pray to toxic masculinity?
He might have
When?
Well he could
You just like how he smells
It’s true. The faint waft of his cologne is incredibly comforting. He doesn’t loosen his grip on you for even a second, helping to hoist you so you can sit on the ambulance bed while the medics attend to your leg. You’re feeling a little woozy, so Spencer sits next to you, allowing you to lean on him for support.
“Can you tell me something?” You ask, gritting your teeth, “Distract me?”
It doesn’t really hurt, getting stitched up, you’ve just never found it the most comfortable of processes. All your favourite cases have ended with you not having to get sewn up. You know that much.
“I’ve actually only tackled one more person than you in my entire BAU career,” He says, deciding to return to your former discussion, “I didn’t really go out in the field all that much until a couple years in, it was only because of Hotch that I really went out in the field to take down an unsub for the first time. That was March 12th, 2005. You’ve only been here 9 months and have done almost as much physical stuff as me. One more and we’re even.”
“Well, if you could try not to be the person getting tackled by the unsub next time. Then I might not have to make a tackle.”
His mouth turns up at the corner, “You tackled him for me?”
You feel yourself growing embarassed, “Not for you. For the socks.”
“Oh the socks?”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s a little unfair to go putting yourself in harms way while wearing a gift someone got for you. 5 dollar socks Spencer, practically designer at that price, I’d hate to see them ruined day one.”
He laughs, his tone playful, “Well you’ll need to bare that in mind.”
“Huh?”
He tilts his head towards Emily, strutting her way across to the ambulance with Spencer’s go-bag in her arms. She hands it to him, smiling at you.
“Should I let Morgan know the team will no longer be in need of his services?”
You snort, “I’d hate to steal his brand.”
She shakes her head, “Drinks when we get back? Hotch said the jet’s ready for whenever you’re done, and Rossi says he’s buying.”
“You got it,” You nod.
She pats you on the shoulder, exaggeratedly eyeing your leg again and rolling her eyes as she walks away, “Idiot.”
You smile, turning back towards Spencer, “Are you coming for drinks? I can drive you home.”
He visibly considers it for a moment, “Yeah. That’d be nice.”
“You’re all done here,” The paramedic interrupts, wiping down your leg with an anti-bacterial wipe, “Was a really smooth tear for barbed wire, shouldn’t leave that much of a scar.”
They press a bandage over it and you thank them, getting to your feet with the help of Spencer.
“Wait, why’d you get Emily to bring your go-bag if we’re going home?”
He looks almost bashful. Out of his bag, he pulls a three pack of tights. Just the kind you always wear. Down to your preferred brand, and everything.
“When did you-?”
“I noticed you rip them a lot while we’re on cases. I didn’t know if it was weird but then...the socks?” He gestures at his feet, floundering, “I’m sorry if that’s...I just didn’t-”
“No,” You cut off his ramble, “No, Spencer, that’s really sweet. Thank you, thank you so much. Can I hug you?”
He nods, happily. You wrap him into your arms, pressing your face against his chest. Inhaling the scent of him. Reveling in how safe you feel, how protected, thinking how you’d take three hundred stitches if it meant you got Spencer out of harms way. He was so thoughtful, so kind, so attentive to detail.
Oh fuck.
You can barely look at him. It hits you like a train, the realisation. Co-workers save each other from unsubs. Friends buy each other gifts that have meaning and value. But only somebody who is in love feels like this when they get handed tights. Oh.
It’s a warm feeling. Overwhelming. So much so that you miss Spencer saying he’ll be right back, scooting off to Rossi who’s shouting him over with a question the local PD need answering for their report.
You stumble a little, thankful that you have the blood loss and adrenaline rush to blame if anybody were to notice.
You wait for the wave of denial to hit, to come and lock your feelings back in the treasure chest you’ve managed to shove them down into now. It doesn’t come. Instead, you look at Spencer with a sense of awe that feels newfound, but has actually been here all along. Watching him speak to Rossi, you really notice him: just how much he gestures with his hands, how quickly he relays information, how the huge smile on his face, when he turns around to notice you staring, truly meets his eyes.
***
You can’t tell if it makes you a good profiler, or somewhat of a stalker, that you notice Spencer wears the ankle socks you got him to work everyday for the next 9 days.
Spencer worries he’s being a little too obvious, but he can’t help that whenever he sees the socks he beams at them. They remind him of you. Unbeknownst to everybody but Dave (who somehow notices everything), he spends a good minute or so a day sneaking a peek at the novelty socks under his converse. And then trailing his eyes over to you. Thinking how much he loves the person who got them for him.
----
B is for Blindfolds
Tagslist (this is just people who replied to the post about this series and said they’d like to be tagged! let me know if you’d like to be added/removed to this series masterlist): @reidingmelodies @rem-ariiana
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redfoxwritesstuff · 2 years
Text
Of Dust and Ashes: Chapter 37 Burning Bridges
AN: Moving posting days to Saturday- just a general FYI.
Find my other work on the Masterlist- some angst, some fluff, some sexy smut for all flavors.
pairing: Clint x OFC Series rating: M Series warnings: adult themes, occasional smut, violence, mental health struggles- if it can be warned for, it’s probably in here at some point tbh
Kofi
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Chapter 37: Burning Bridges
“Eventually, one of us needs to get up and let the dog in.” Clint mumbled, his voice rumbling in his chest under her head.
“Don’t wanna.”
“If you don’t, I’ll have to.”
“You can’t.” She answered simply, “I’m laying on you. If you got up, I would have to too and I said I don’t wanna.”
“I should put on pants and get up.”
“Why?” She laughed, “Expecting another guest?”
“No- I think news has spread to leave me, leave us alone. Nat would have updated everyone else that was left.”
Propping herself up on her arms, she said, “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” He asked but continued before she had a chance to answer. “You told her the truth.”
“But she is your friend.”
“Was.” Clint said. “She is a part of before and I can’t- I’m not that man anymore. His friendships were his. I can’t try to continue to be him.”
“But aren’t you?” She hesitantly questioned. He sat up slightly, still holding her close to him as he arranged them into a sitting position. There was a chill in the air, and naked flesh was quick to break out on goosebumps. If sitting in the living room naked had been on their ‘to do’ list, she would have not let the fire in the stove go out. “You’re sleeping in that man’s house. We cook in his kitchen. We keep our chickens in his yard. We use his barn as a greenhouse. We grow our food in his garden. Are you truly so separate from that man?”
“You’ve been thinking about that for a while.” He mused and kissed her when she parted her lips to backpedal. “You’re right. I think I’ve known it for a while. I’ve been scared though, to leave. Not scared to leave the house behind, that was part of it but scared to get involved in a battle that couldn’t be won.”
“Would that be bad?”
“I can’t take watching more people I love be destroyed. I can’t take watching more people I love die.”
“Is avoiding that pain worth not fighting?”
“I think it is. I’ve fought all my life. From the moment I was old enough to defend myself, I fought. Most of that time, I’ve been fighting for other people. Now, I think its time that I fight for myself, if I fight.”
“I’m glad you didn’t go.” She admitted. “Even if you would have brought me with.”
“Hey,” Clint leaned down and kissed her, long and hard before continuing “I think you should come with today. Pack a lunch, take Trust and some chickens, some supplies and let’s really scope out the towns and cities, see how things are now.”
“Is that a good idea?”
“Nat has been making progress bring stability and things closer to normal on the east coast. Let’s explore, maybe make an overnight trip of it and see how much progress has made it our way.”
“What about the chickens?”
“We’ll load them up on more feed than they can eat. It’ll be fine.” The childish smile he wore lit up his face.
She couldn’t help but to smile too, “Okay.”
~~~~~<3
Humming while she worked, Dee made sandwiches with the last of their sliced bread. Other than Clint’s shirt, she hadn’t bothered getting dressed yet. Outside, Clint was making quick work of cleaning the chicken coop and giving them far more food than they could gorge themselves on in one day though they knew the feathered beasts would make a solid effort to eat it all.
She fried up the last of their bacon and sliced garden fresh tomatoes. Lettuce was chopped and a jar of croutons were set out. She put the lettuce greens and spinach into a large plastic container.
They had no cheese for the salad but that was fine. Tomatoes were packed into a jar and set aside. She grabbed a jar of raspberry vinaigrette made from raspberry jam Clint had traded vegetables for. She was packing up thin slices of chicken breasts when Clint came back inside.
“Let’s take your RV.”
“What?”
“Yeah.” Clint pushed himself up on the counter, using it as a chair while he watched her. “It’s got everything we need, we can have a hot dinner and a bed to sleep in if we overnight it, a toilet to shit in- everything we need.”
“Is it okay to take it?”
Snagging a cucumber from the salad, he said “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“I don’t know- We haven’t driven it since we parked it.”
“But the systems all work still. It’s not like it broke down or anything. It’s just been parked. Most rich guys park theirs for longer anyway. It’ll be fine.” Clint landed on the ground with a thump and gathered up bags. “I’m topping up the water tank right now anyway.”
“Don’t overfill it!” Dee yelled after Clint as he carried the cooler she had been packing out. While she was nervous to be out in something as noticeable as the motorhome, it would be nice to have all the amenities.
~~~~~<3
It didn’t take long to get stocked and packed for the trip but they took their time. Knowing they had a home on wheels gave them the freedom to take more and so they did. The refrigerator was packed with a few chickens butchered earlier that day. The last of the moose stew was on a shelf above it and above that, leafy greens and their salad.
They stocked the empty shelves with caned foods they had left over and a few mason jars they had canned themselves. There was a few loaves of bread and a sack of rolls that if they couldn’t trade for goods, they would likely give away. Containers of sugar, flour and dog food were topped off.
“Isn’t this excessive?” Dee had asked.
“Better to over pack than be gone longer than we expected and be left wanting.” It did make sense.
“It’s getting late.” Dee observed from the passenger seat as Clint pulled the home on wheels out of the Barn.
“Yeah.” Clint hummed. “Probably leave in the morning.”
Dee laughed, slapping his arm. “It’s your fault we’re so late leaving.
“Is not.” It totally was, he knew it.
“Lets sleep here and go in the morning.”
~~~~~<3
Morning came early and that was okay. There was an excitement in the air that had been building all the prior day. She wasted no time, taking a warm shower rather than waiting for the hot water to really push through the pipes while Clint topped off the chickens' food.
When she got out, the water had only really been hot for a minute. At least he would have a hot shower. She toweled off and dressed, dawning simple blue jeans and a tank top.
“The chickens had so much food left.” Clint announced, earning a chuckle from the woman dripping a trail of water from her head. “I topped them off anyway. Hey, did you know you’re leaving a trail?”
“Hadn’t noticed.” She stuck her tongue out at him. It was good to be back to this. It was good to be back to them. It was good to be leaving the house of ghosts. It was good. “The water should be hot for you.”
“You didn’t use it all up?” He teased.
“Nonsense- I didn’t even give it enough time to really get hot.” Her words were muffled as she dug through the closet that had become theirs.
“Grab me a few changes of clothes?” Clint asked, pulling his dusty shirt up over his head. He tossed it to the floor but quickly snatched it out of the air and made a correction. Old dogs could indeed learn new tricks, he showed as he tossed the shirt into the hamper in the corner. “And something for today?”
Dee hummed in acknowledgment as he slipped out of the rest of his clothes before walking naked to the shower. Like her, he was excited to get going, fueled by a full night of sleep.
She grabbed four pairs of clothes for herself and him each, including a few pairs of pajamas to sleep in. It was more than they needed but she would rather have more than they need than be scavenging or trading for clothes on the road.
While Clint sang off key in the shower, she finished loading up. Clothes where hung in the closet and folded and packed into the drawers. The blanket and stuffed fox that had once belonged to her children were relocated, tucked into a shelf and held in place by the fence.
She double checked that they had their cooking supplies, cutlery and knives. Trust’s bowls were tucked safely away. She made sure some movies and books were packed onto the bookshelf in case time needed filling.
It felt weird to be preparing to take off in the motorhome again. The last time she had done so from nothing it was rushed and clumsy, marred with pain, trauma and death. The last time she began a trip, it was stained with blood. Things were stored where there was room and she had spent a significant number of days after the fact organizing things and cleaning up things that had fallen or spilled.
“Things all set?” The RV rocked slightly as Clint stepped inside.
“I think so, all we’re missing is Trust.”
“Cool- Coffee?” He held out a thermos. “We can stop and make breakfast in a bit.”
“But first, coffee.” She agreed before calling for Trust.
~~~~~<3
They drove for almost an hour before stopping. The road had been deserted the whole way but there were signs of recent activity. The world was beginning to show signs of life once again. All around them, in fields and forests, new growth was bright green and lush. With half the herbivores, there was less mouths to nibble and consume the new growth.
They had thought about stopping at the clinic before deciding against it. With spring in the air, the grass greening and the ground soft, it was time for Sasha and Rachel to begin to stand on their feet.
Dee set about making breakfast. Bread toasted on the grill while she chopped vegetables. Music played through the speakers, soft and relaxed.
The door opened and Trust’s big feet clattered against the artificial wood floor as he jumped into the living space and bounded into the sofa.
“Everything’s so green.” The words echoed the thoughts she had been musing all morning.
“It’s nice.” She plucked toasted bread off the grill and oiled the pan. Potatoes, peppers and tomatoes sizzled in the pan, erupting in a heavy scent that reminded them both of home. “Do you think it will stay that way?”
“No.” a growl sounded from his stomach, adding to the normalcy of the day. “This summer we’ll see the bugs come back.”
“Ew.”
“Next we’ll see the small animal populations explode. Bigger game, like deer will make gains too, but that will really show in another year or so.”
“You think?” Dividing the vegetables between two plates and tossing a spoon full into the dog bowl sitting in the sink. After oiling the heavy cast grill pan, she cracked two eggs and turned the burner off, counting on the residual heat of the heavy pan to cook the eggs to safety.
“It’ll be a few years or so, maybe five and it’ll probably be like it never happened… at least to them.”
“I can’t imagine the world moving on so quickly.” Dee confessed.
“I know.” Clint’s arms wrapped around her waist as he held her back to his chest. “We’ll always remember, though. They won’t be forgotten.”
~~~~~<3
There were heavy military vehicles on the road, though not many. For the most part, the small town looked just as Clint had last seen it, only more alive. Dee was tense in the passenger seat as they grew closer. Men and women wore mismatched uniforms, though they were outnumbered. An American flag flapped in the breeze, feeling to Dee much like a mockery.
“It’s okay.” His hand tightened around hers but the smile he gave her didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Stay inside. I’m going to talk to them.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Dee asked as he reached for his jacket.
With it on, the gun at his side was covered.
“It’ll be fine,” directing his attention to the uniformed men and women, the driver’s door closed behind him.
“I don’t like this.” Dee confessed to the windshield.
~~~~~<3
“Hi, there!” With their attention he continued, “What’s going on? We ah- we live a bit rural, been on our own all winter. We haven’t been able to pick up signals in a while.”
“Are you armed, Sir?” The man who looked to be in charge asked.
“No” he lied.
“We’re with the National Guard-”
“Those don’t look like National Guard uniforms”
“Yes, well-” The man cleared his throat, clearly feeling threatened by the questioning nature of the conversation. “We’re making do with the supplies we have. I’m sure you’re well aware but do to the Decimation, there have been significant supply chain issues.”
“Uhuh.”
“Those issues have been on a global level but are beginning to see improvement. As we’ve been able to secure supplies, we’ve been dispersing them to the people.”
“It’s been three quarters of a year.”
“It’s taken time- we’ve been working from the denser population centers inward.” The man looked indigent at the continued questioning.
“You’re-” A uniformed woman tripped over her words as the look of puzzlement that had been on her face shifted into recognition. Just what he needed. “You’re Hawkeye.”
“Retired.” Clint pointed out, not turning his attention from the man that appeared to be in charge “How has filling the vacant roles been?”
“Well enough. We’re finding people for the positions.”
“Quality people? Be honest.”
The man shrugged, the action telling Clint more than his words. He didn’t like at least some of the people put into power. “We’re working with what we’ve got, who’s left and who will show up.”
“Unlike me, right?” He wasn’t naïve to the fact that his absence would have been noticed.
“You haven’t exactly been here helping,” He added, “Sir” after a moment’s pause.
“You want to know what I’ve been up to?” Clint challenged. “I saved a woman being ambushed by a group of thugs- where were the authorities then? I rescued a baby abandoned in the snow. Where where the emergency supplies when the mother was located and she struggled to nurse, no formula anywhere to find? I killed a man who decided to make a city his own country, putting an end to his gang’s human rights violations. Where was the military trucks then? Where were you? Because I was right fucking here, hunting game and making shitty supply trades that brought people food when you guys couldn’t even manage to update the emergency response message on the radios.”
“Do you need any supplies?” The woman interjected. “We’ve got bottled water to distribute along with filters, beans, rice, dried and canned foods.”
“Save it for the people who’ve been waiting almost a year for aid. We’re fine.”
He didn’t look over his shoulder as he returned to the RV. He didn’t say anything as he settled into the driver’s seat and threw it into gear. They sat in silence as they drove through the small town.
“Is everything alright?” Dee broke the silence when the town and its military vehicles were behind them.
“Fine.”
“Don’t sound fine.”
He sighed. “I should be happy to see some sort of order returning.”
“But you’re not. Neither am I, if I’m honest. They took too long.”
“Right.” His knuckles were white as he gripped the wheel. “They blame me.”
“What happened, it wasn’t your fault.” Soothingly, she ran her hand up and down his arm.
“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right.” Heaving a heavy sigh, he stretched his fingers out before returning to a more relaxed grip. “What now? I don’t think supplies will be in such demand now. The military boys are probably going to crack down on bartering and try to get people back on money.”
“I think we get a bit further away from civilization, first. Then we can worry about planning.”
When the town was long in the distance, Clint pulled over and ran his fingers through his hair. She watched as he took slow, deep breaths. Trust, ever the loyal dog, nuzzled his snout under his arm.
After being injured in the city during the winter, Trust had become as close to Clint as he had been to Dee. Now, he settled into his self appointed role of calming the anxiety. He knew the people cared for him, protected and provided for him. The least he could do was calm them.
~~~~~<3
They drove through the day and well into the night. They stopped in each town and was met with a returned sense of life. People who had previously huddled, hidden in sheds and basements. People that had once relied on what they had, what they had been able to steal and savage had largely begun to band together.
What had been static and silence on the radio had begun to be replaced with returned emergency broadcasts. In some areas, music could even be picked up though there was no signs of a living, breathing DJ.
“It’s starting to go back to normal” Dee’s voice was almost lost to the sound of music.
“It’ll never be normal again.” Clint stretched his fingers out, again making an effort to once again relax his grip on the wheel.
“We should stop and sleep.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
“Why?” She asked as he pulled the RV off onto an isolated road. It rocked over the bumpy road as the highway faded behind them.
“I just-” He sighed, throwing the RV into park and cutting the engine. “I feel like this is going to make things worse.”
“How could it? Shouldn’t it help.”
“Not if they put trash in charge.”
“Would they really put people that bad in power?”
“If it serves them.” Clint admitted, climbing out of the driver’s seat and into the living space. “I’ve seen them do it before.”
~~~~~<3
Tag list: @usedtobegoodfriend96​, @alcoholic-muffin​, @theoneanna​, @alexakeyloveloki​, @toozmanykids​, @j-u-s-t-4​, @missaphrodite23​, @winterisakiller​, @bambamwolf87​, @nonsensicalobsessions​, @tinchentitri​, @xoxabs88xox​, @queenoftheunderdark​, @carissime72​, @myoxisbroken​, @coyotesongwriting​, @wegingerangelica​, @faemapfae​​, @tnystrk-exe
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girl-with-cat-eyes · 3 years
Text
Wednesdays
Summary: Wednesdays are Janus Picani's busiest day. Between meetings, snack day, soccer practice, and art club, he's running around like a chicken with his head cut off. This Wednesday, however, is sure to change the lives of the Picani family forever. Jan's sure they can handle it though.
Ships: Platonic Moceit, thvi
A/N: I've been rewatching the old Reba sitcom from the 2000s and I'd forgotten just how good it was. Good enough that I wanted to write an au for it. Thank you so much to @amazon-me-bitches and my lovely qpp @forever-forgotten-angel for beta reading this and helping me to work out the kinks with the plot. As always, leave a comment if you like this. Enjoy!
For most people, Mondays were their busiest day. It made sense; returning to the workweek, school, etc. For Janus Picani, however, the title of busiest day went to Wednesday. His firm always had partner meetings, they were Emile’s day to bring class snacks, Remy had soccer, and Virgil had art club. On top of that, Jan’s therapy sessions were Wednesdays, which meant he had to make sure all of his work was done 15 minutes early so he could get to his appointment on time. Safe to say, to say Wednesdays weren’t exactly his favorite day.
“Emile! Get down here! You don’t want to be late for school!”, He called upstairs as he finished making breakfast sandwiches. Virgil stood across from him, packing lunches for his brothers.
“He probably can’t find his backpack. He left it down here after he finished his homework.”
Janus sighed, “This wouldn’t be a problem if he just left his backpack down here every night. Remy go get your brother and tell him his backpack is down here.”, the young boy got up, rolling his eyes and Jan had to bite back a sigh. Remy had always been his sassiest child.
“Why can’t Virgil do it?”
Virgil raised an eyebrow at him, “Because I’m making lunch, I can go get him if you want to make your own sandwich ?”, Remys shook his head and ran upstairs, Virgil chuckling at the sight.
Janus finished plating breakfast and turned to thank Virgil, frowning when he saw that Virgil had only made two lunches. He looked pointedly at his son, “You’re not eating?”, he asked.
Virgil shrugged, “I’m gonna get lunch at school today. They’re having burritos.”, Janus nodded. As long as he was eating. Patton came downstairs before he could reply, Remy and Emile in tow.
“I found these two trying to play on the Switch.”, Emile and Remy sat down, guilty little grins on their faces that told Jan that they didn’t regret it, “Good thing I went to check on them.” “Good thing indeed.” He handed Pat a plate, pouting a cup of coffee for his husband? Ex? Janus wasn’t sure what to call the man he’d been married to for 20 years, separated from, hadn’t divorced, and who still lived in the house with. Regardless he poured him a cup of coffee, “Ok so you’re taking Emile and Remy to school and I’ll take Virgil. I’ll pick up Remy and you pick up Emile and-” “-and I’m catching a ride home with Thomas after theater. I’m working on the sets for Little shop today.”, Virgil piped up and Jan had to hold back a grimace at the mention of his boyfriend. He like Thomas, he really did. In terms of high school boyfriends, Thomas had been nothing but a gentleman. But the thought of his son dating still upset Janus deep down; according to his therapist, he was grappling with the thought of his baby growing up.
“Ok.”, he replied, keeping his thoughts to himself. It wouldn’t do any good to speak them when they were his problem to deal with, “I’ll pick up takeout on the way home.”
“Jan? I was wondering if you’d want to come to the restaurant today for lunch?”, He turned to look at Patton. Based on the tone in his voice Janus knew that this wasn’t just a friendly invitation to taste a new menu item. He sighed: he’d been planning to work through his lunch today so he could get out on time.
Regardless, this seemed serious, “Ok. I’ll be there at noon.”, he promised. He quickly finished his breakfast and looked over to Virgil, “Ready to go?”, he asked. He nodded and finished pouring his iced coffee and they were off.
The ride to Virgil’s school was as quick as always. Music played lowly on the radio, lowly on the radio and Janus hummed along. It would be peaceful if not for the fact that Virgil kept fidgeting and staring out the window. Something was up, “Ok. Something’s wrong. Spill.” Virgil turned to look at him, “What? Nothing’s wrong.”, He straightened his face, trying to appear calm. Janus didn’t buy it for a second, “I’m fine.” “Virgil James Picani. I have known you since you were born. I have held you for night after night. I know you inside out. And I know when you’re lying to me. What’s wrong? Is someone bothering you?” Virgil shook his head. “No. It’s just that Mr.Prince, the drama teacher, wants me to be Seymore’s understudy. And I know the chances of me going on stage are rare but I don’t want to take that chance. And I don’t know how to tell him without letting him down.” “Baby bat, just tell him the truth. I’m sure he’ll understand.”, Virgil nodded. The issue seemed to be solved, yet Janus had a feeling that there was something else wrong. But before he could ask any more, they’d arrived and Virgil was getting out. “Love you, Dad! I’ll see you after school!”, Janus shook his head, trying to keep his concerns down. He’d ask Virgil after school. It was fine.
Being a lawyer certainly had its perks; financial security being a prime example. Meetings running long weren’t that though. Janus sighed as he rushed into Pat’s. The warm lighting and delicious smells greeting him. Even if he’d preferred to work through his lunch, Janus couldn’t deny that the thought of Patton’s cooking made his mouth water. There was a reason people came from near and far to this place.
Speaking of Patton, Janus spotted the bespectacled man sitting in their usual booth, a bottle of wine waiting there. He smiled at the thought and sat down, “I thought you weren’t a fan of day drinking?”, he quipped. Pat rarely drank at all, but especially not during the day. “I’m not but I know you don’t mind a glass of wine at lunch.”, Pat poured him a glass, “Salmon or duck?” “Salmon.”, Janus answered. Patton made a delicious pan-seared salmon with risotto and kale salad. It was delicious and sounded lovely right now. Patton nodded and ordered that for him and glazed crispy duck for himself. “So.”, he began as he buttered a roll, “What did you want to discuss?” “Who says I have something to discuss? Maybe I just wanted to have lunch with you?”, He was stalling obviously. Trying to get time to steel his nerves.
Janus raised an eyebrow at him, “You and I know very well that Wednesday is our busy day. If you wanted to just have lunch you would have asked on another day. Therefore this is something important that you don’t want to talk about in front of the kids. So what do you want to discuss?” Patton sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Whatever he wanted to talk about was weighing heavily on his mind. After some time he finally spoke, “I want to finalize our divorce.”, he spoke quickly, like he wanted to get the words out of his mouth as fast as he could.
Janus nodded; he supposed it made sense. They had been separated for over a year now, they slept in separate bedrooms, and they hadn’t had sex since long before they separated. While they still cared for each other, the love they once shared was long gone. The only reason they were still married was the cost of getting a divorce. Considering they’d spent 20 dollars on a courthouse wedding neither had been too happy to shill out thousands of dollars to end their marriage.
The question was why now, and why couldn’t he say it in front of the kids. They’d sat them down months ago and explained that while they loved each other and would always be a family, they weren’t in love anymore. Virgil had taken in the best; being the oldest, he’d seen the signs for a while now. He’d taken it upon himself to comfort his younger brothers. Remy tried to pretend that he was fine, but both Janus and Patton knew better. He’d taken the thought of his family splitting up harder than he was showing. They’d both spoken to him about it, reassuring him that they’d always be a family. And they’d started having family activities every Saturday. Emile had taken it the hardest. The six-year-old didn’t truly understand what was going on. They were still having conversations explaining what it meant. Janus had even begun researching child psychologists at the recommendation of his therapist.
“Ok.”, He spoke, “Why now though? I thought we’d agreed that divorces are too expensive…. You met someone.”, the realization hit Janus like a ton of bricks. Everything made sense. Pat would feel guilty about pursuing someone else while married, even if they were separated. And he wouldn’t want to talk about this in front of the kids until he knew for sure that it was serious.
Patton nodded, “I did.”
“Well, tell me about him. I care about you regardless of our marital status. And I want to know about the person you’ll be bringing around our kids.”
“Ok. His name is Logan and I met him a few weeks ago. He came in here for dinner and he’s just the cutest. He got so excited when he found out we use crofters in our thumbprint cookies and our victoria sponge.” Patton smiled fondly at the thought, “We’ve been on a few dates and… It’s not just a fling. I can see a future with him, Jan.”
Jan took a sip of wine, “Ok. I’ll ask around for good lawyers when I get back.”,
Patton squealed and hugged him, “Thank you so much Jan. Maybe I could invite him over for dinner sometime. That way you could meet him and I could introduce him to the kids.”, Their food came at that moment, which meant Patton had to stop hugging him. Janus was thankful; he’d never been the type for hugging. Except with his kids.
“Ok. But you have to tell them about the divorce first. Deal?” “Deal.”
Virgil was generally considered a good kid by his peers and teachers. Quiet perhaps, but overall a good kid. He didn’t break rules, got good grades, and overall kept to himself. The one anomaly about him was that he was dating Thomas sanders, or rather that Thomas Sanders was dating him. Thomas was a bright and outgoing person; if this was a 2000s sitcom, he might have been considered popular. Not only that, but he had a fairly popular youtube channel where he did skits, challenges, and more. Virgil barely even had social media. They were a couple regardless, and Virgil was known as a good kid.
He didn’t feel like a good kid as he watched the Chipotle employee make his bowl. He’d signed himself out of school early along with Thomas, and now they were getting lunch. The thought of skipping school kept buzzing around his head, even though he’d gotten all of his assignments from the classes he’d be missing. Besides he had bigger problems to worry about.
He sat down beside his boyfriend and took a bite of his food, “What am I going to do?” He asked in a small voice, fear lacing his tone. Thomas reached across the booth and squeezed his hand.
Hey,”, Thomas whispered, his voice soft and reassuring, “It’ll be ok. I’ll be right here no matter what.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”, Thomas squeezed his hand, “Now really eat, you skipped lunch yesterday.”, Virgil nodded and the rest of lunch passed silence. The pair simply enjoying their food together. Virgil grinned and poured queso onto his bowl and smiled at his boyfriend.
“You’re so cute.”, he whispered. Thomas blushed at the compliment and Virgil considered it a win. Sooner enough they were done with their meal. Virgil stood up and gathered their trash, “I’m gonna go the bathroom.” “Ok”, Thomas nodded, “I love you no matter what.”. Virgil smiled and went to the bathroom, anxiety twisting his stomach in knots.
Janus sighed as he drove home. Patton had messaged him earlier that he was making dinner and Jan didn’t have to pick up any takeout. Of course, that made Jan’s life easier, but it also meant that they were going to talk over the divorce with the kids. Great. He peered at Remy in the backseat, sipping his chocolate milk without a care in the world. God sometimes Jan wished he were a child still. Childhood was so much easier, “I think your Dad is making dinner tonight.” Remy looked at him, “I thought we were going to pick up takeout?” “He messaged me saying that I don’t need to pick up any food.”, Remy nodded and smiled before looking back out the window. Janus understood: Patton was an amazing cook. Hopefully, they’d all be able to eat after this. God, how would Remy react? He’d already taken the separation hard. And Emile, he barely understood what divorce was. And Virgil, the oldest, the one who buried his feelings the most. He probably wouldn’t want to talk about it and would bury his feelings to help his brothers.
They pulled into the garage, Remy grabbing his stuff and running inside, “Take off your shoes and change before you get mud all over the house.’, he called after him. Janus took his time collecting his things. ‘Just go in. Better to get it over with.’, his thoughts raced around his head like an angry swarm of bees. He took a deep breath and walked inside.
The smell of garlic and tomatoes washed over his sense, Patton was making Italian food. He took a deep breath, enjoying the smells. Patton stood next to the counter, buttering a long baguette for garlic bread. He looked up and gave a reassuring smile, but Janus could see the nervousness in his eye, at least he wasn’t alone in the feeling, “Hey.” He greeted, “The lasagna is almost done and I’m making garlic bread right now. There’s stuff for caesar salad in the fridge if you want to help out.”
Janus nodded and took off his jacket before washing his hands and making said salad, “Where’s Emile and Virgil?”, he asked, praying that he sounded casual. The salad offered a great distraction from his thoughts, greeting parmesan meant he didn’t have to focus on this upcoming family discussion.
“Virgil is helping Emile with his homework. He’s learning addition.”, Patton supplied as he put the bread on a tray, placing it in the oven. “There are brownies in the fridge. I figured we could make sundaes. Hopefully, it’ll make the conversation easier.”, Janus nodded. Remy and Emile might not realize it but Virgil would know something was up. Pat rarely made dessert on weekdays.
Soon enough dinner was done and all five of them were sitting around the table. Virgil still looked anxious and Janus wanted to bang his head off the table. There was no way he’d be able to ask what was wrong after this conversation. Why did this have to happen tonight?
Patton smiled, “So how was school guys?”, ‘Subtle Pat, subtle. Why don’t you just hang a banner above our heads that says We’re getting divorced’. Janus took a large sip of wine so his thoughts would stay in his head.
“Ok,” Remy spoke up. “But I keep getting headaches during the day. The lights in the class are too bright.”, This had been going on for a while now. The fluorescent lighting of the classroom seemed to give Remy migraines, and his teacher wasn’t budging on letting him wear sunglasses to prevent it.
“I’ll talk to your teacher in the morning.”
“My day was good Daddy.”, Emile grinned, “We learned about ecosystems.”, Janus smiled. Emile was so young and innocent.
“Virgil?”, The teenager in question looked up from where he’d been staring off into space. He took a quick bit of lasagna before speaking.
“It was fine.”
He was lying. Something was wrong and Virgil was trying to act like he was ok. Janus wanted to ask more questions, to figure out what was bothering his son. It wouldn’t work though. Virgil guarded his privacy with his life. Prying would only make him more tight-lipped. Janus just had to wait for Virgil to come to him with what was wrong, and in the meantime, hope that it wasn’t serious.
Besides, even if Janus thought it was a good idea to ask, there were other things at hand. Patton nodded to him and he knew it was time. “Your father and I have some news.”. Patton began. Janus held back a groan.
“Are we going to Disney World?”, Emile was practically bouncing in his seat at the thought of such a trip.
“No.”, Janus made a mental note to talk to Patton about a family vacation. Maybe it would help reassure Remy and Emile that they were all still a family. “It’s not that. You all know that we’re always going to be a family right? No matter what happens we’ll always be together.”, Virgil was ghostly pale and Remy had his fists clenched. He didn’t even have to say it. They knew.
His middle son jumped up, “No.” He was tearing up, “You promised.”
“Remy..”
“No! You said we’d always be together.”, Tears began running down his face. A knot formed in Janus’ throat. Why did they have to do this?
“And we will. No matter what.”, Patton tried to soothe. It was met on deaf ears.
“No, we won’t! That’s what they all say! They say nothing will change but it does. Next thing you know, you’re in different houses and splitting custody and no one will want me. And then I’ll be back in foster care.”
“Remy that won’t happen. We love you.”, Janus wanted to take his son in his arms. Wanted to hold all of his children and promise them that they still loved them all, and the divorce wouldn’t change that. But Remy ran upstairs, the sound of his bedroom door slamming shut echoing through the house.
“What’s going on?”, Emile’s face was contorted, confusion visible. Of course, he wouldn’t fully understand what was going on. The six-year-old had barely understood the separation.
Patton sighed and knelt down next to him, “Your father and I are finalizing our divorce. We won’t be married anymore.” Emile blinked.
“Why? I thought you weren’t getting one?” Patton sighed, “Things have changed.”, Emile blinked at him. This was going wrong. It was too soon. They should have eased them into this idea. Shouldn’t have sprung it on them like this.
Understanding bloomed in Emile’s face. His next words were a whisper, so quiet that Janus almost didn’t hear them. But he did, and it felt like getting hit by a truck. “Are you divorcing cause Virgil’s pregnant?” “EMILE!”, Virgil shrieked. Janus felt like he was watching this from above like it was a tv show playing out in front of him, and not his life. He looked next to him. Patton appeared to be in a similar situation.
“It’s the truth.”
Finally, Janus found himself able to speak. There were a million questions inside of him longing to get out, but all he could say was, “What?”
Luckily Patton was able to voice one of his questions, “Virgil, is this true?”. Virgil refused to make eye contact with either of them and Janus knew it was. His eldest child looked almost ashamed, shoulders tense and body hunched over.
“Virgil…”, He started, but he was upstairs before Janus could continue. Janus shut his eyes. Amazing. One of his kids was pregnant at 17 and another thought he was going to be sent back to foster care. His head met the table with a groan. Patton rubbed his shoulder.
Emile still stood in front of them, “Am I in trouble?”, he asked, voice shaking. Janus leaned forward and picked him up. He bounced Emile on his hip, stroking his back.
“No baby.”, He ruffled his hair and booped his nose. “You aren’t in trouble ok. Everything is just kinda stressful right now. But none of that is your fault, ok?” Emile nodded and buried his face into Jan’s chest. Patton joined the hug, stroking Emile’s back and humming softly. They sat there in this position for about 10 minutes before Janus pulled away, gave Emile a kiss on the forehead, “We love all of you so much and the divorce won’t change that ok?”
He nodded and Janus stood up, “I’m going to go talk to Remy, he might be easier to get to open up than Virgil right now.”, He handed Emile to Pat, who bounced him on his hip.
“Ok. I’ll make a pot of hot cocoa to take up. Hopefully, it’ll get him to open up.”, Janus nodded in thanks and made his way upstairs.
Remy’s room was as dark as ever, the twelve-year-old liked to leave the lights in his room dimmed. Janus peaked his head in, seeing him laying on his bed, face buried into his pillows. “Remy?”, He called out. The child in question didn’t respond but Janus knew he was awake, “Can I come in?”
There was silence for a moment and Janus thought about what he would do if Remy said no. He wanted to respect his privacy, but at the time this was a conversation that needed to happen. Remy thought he was going to be sent back to foster care and Janus couldn’t let him just think that. Luckily Remy soon answered, “Yes…”
He walked in slowly, eyes trained on his son. His son who was terrified that he was going to be sent away. He swallowed, “Remy you aren’t going to be sent back to foster care. I promise that.”
Remy sniffled and his heart broke for his middle child, “That’s what they said last time. They said they loved me and I’d never be sent away again. And then they said they were getting a divorce and it wasn’t a good time for them to adopt a kid.”
Janus sighed and began stroking his hair, “And I’m promising that no matter what we’re not sending you back there. We love you. You’re our son, our wonderful son who we love so much. The divorce is between your father and me. And I won’t lie and say that it won’t affect you or that nothing will change, because things will change. A lot of things will change. But the love that your father and I have for the three of you? That will never change. It’ll never fade or go away. And we’re never sending you back.” He smiled slightly and joked, “Besides we threw away the receipt. No returns.”
Remy giggled and Janus knew he’d been successful in cheering him up. Remy sat up and hugged him tightly, tears still flowing freely, “I love you both. This is my home, my family. I don’t want to lose you.” “I know baby, I know. What does Stitch say?”, He hoped that a reference to Remy’s favorite movie would lighten the mood even more.
Remy sighed, “Ohana means family.” “And?”
“Family is never left behind or forgotten.”
Janus nodded and kissed his head, “And you’re our ohana. And we hope to yours. We’re here for as long as you want us.”, Remy smiled and Janus knew that even if it took some time, everything would be ok with him. He sat up. “Patton should be up here in a few minutes with cocoa and I’m sure he’ll want to talk to you. So I’ll sit here with you until he gets up here and then I’ll give you your privacy. Ok? Besides I need to talk to your older brother.”
Remy nodded, “Is Virgil ok?”
Janus sighed, “I don’t know. But I intend to find out.”. As if on cue, there was a knock on the door and Patton peaked his head in. He held a tray with four mugs of cocoa topped with whipped cream. Next to them sat a plate with brownies.
“Can I come in? I brought cocoa.” He smiled encouragingly. Remy nodded and sat up off of Janus’s chest. Patton came in, taking two of the mugs and some of the brownies. “The rest are for you and Virgil.”
“Where’s Emile?”
“In his room with a covered mug and a brownie watching Aladdin. He’ll be ok.”, Janus nodded and took the tray before leaving.
Janus stood outside of Virgil’s room, trying to figure out what to say. What did you say when your teenage son was pregnant? Most parents were worried about their sons getting someone pregnant, not their sons being pregnant. Then again, not everyone had a trans son. He sighed and knocked, “Virgil? Can I come in?”
Unlike Remy, who took his time answering, Virgil’s reply was almost immediate, “I don’t want to talk, Dad.”, Janus sighed. Goddammit. This is exactly what he was fearing. He couldn’t just leave his son alone right now. His pregnant son at that. Virgil was pregnant. He groaned.
“Baby bat, please. We need to talk about this.”
“I don’t want to talk.” “I have Pat’s hot chocolate and brownies.”
There was a pause. Then he spoke, “The door’s open.”, Janus opened the door slowly. Virgil sat in the middle of the bed, knees tucked against his chest. Tears ran down his face in inky black trails. Janus’ heart ached for him. He looked at Janus and sniffled, “Go on. Yell at me about what a horrible mistake I made.” His heart lept into his throat. Janus remembered having a similar conversation with his sister 18 years ago. How she was pregnant and her boyfriend ran off on her. Janus hadn’t known then how his life was going to change forever. And now his son was pregnant.
“I’m not here to yell at you V.”, He sat next to him, handing Virgil the mug of cocoa. He took a sip of his own, “How long have you known?” Virgil shrugged, “I only found out today. But I suspected it when Dad mentioned that one of the waitresses at the restaurant was pregnant. I’m about a month along.” Janus nodded, “Does Thomas know?”, he was met with a nod. “And what does he think?”, more memories of his sister rushed to the surface. His sister saying that her boyfriend had ran out of town when she found out that was pregnant. That he took the rent money and she’d been evicted. He was brought out of his memories by Virgil’s next words.
“He says he loves me still. And he supports me no matter what I choose.”, Well that was good. Janus didn’t know what he would have done if Thomas had abandoned Virgil. It would have been unpleasant that’s for sure. Now for the hardest question.
“You have options; you don’t have to keep the baby if you don’t want to. Do you have an idea of what you want to do?”, Virgil looked up at him and Janus once again was overcome with memories of his sister. Adelaide saying that she didn’t know what she was going to do but she was keeping her baby. He and Pat letting her move in. Recording home movies for the baby. Rushing her to the hospital while she screamed in pain in his backseat. The doctor saying that she lost too much blood. Holding Virgil in his arms.
“I want to keep the baby.”, there it was. The thing that Janus had known deep down that Virgil would say from the moment he found out about the pregnancy, “I know I have options and I know I’m young and this probably seems stupid but I want this baby. I just... You took a chance on me when mom died. You and Dad weren’t looking for a kid when I was born but you took me in anyway. You took a chance on me. And I’m taking a chance on this baby.”
Janus sighed, “You’re just like your mother you know that. Just as stubborn and just as loving. And you know what? She was just as determined to have you, even if it wasn’t the best time. And I’m going to tell you the same thing I told her.”, He hugged Virgil close, “I love you so much. And if you want this baby then your dad and I will support you no matter what ok? We’ll help you out. I promise.”
Virgil smiled at him, “Really?”
Janus nodded, “Really really. Now I think you should invite Thomas over tomorrow. I want to talk to him.”. Seeing the look on Virgil’s face he added, “I’ll go easy on him. I just want to know he’ll be a good dad for my grandchild. And you two need to tell his parents.”
Virgil nodded and there was a knock at the door, “Come in.”
It was Patton, “Hey. Emile and Remy are both asleep. How is everything?”
“Well Pat, we’re going to be grandfathers.”
Patton smiled and sat down next to them both, “I see. And everything is ok?” Virgil nodded, “Yeah. Everything will work itself out.”, And at that moment Janus knew it to be true.
A/N: Unlike some of my other works, this one is going to be a series of one-shots. I think I'll be able to handle that better than chapter fic. It'll also feel more like episodes of a sitcom. I really like the feel to this and I'm open to prompts.
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gutsygay · 3 years
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Stuffing Story: “Daniel Gets His Fill”
Hieee 👋presenting my first kink fiction story, just a couple college guys getting stuffed.
Features stuffing, overeating, tummy rumbles, burps, and tummy rubs.
SOOOO um hope y’all like it 👉👈🥺
“And that about wraps it up for today! Don’t forget chapter four homework due Monday.” the professor said, dismissing the class.
Daniel grinned, hopped from his seat and headed toward the lecture hall door. He was an active type, and hated to sit still for long periods. As he waited for the crowd of his classmates to shuffle through the door ahead of him, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the nearby glass bookcase. He was average height, with tan skin, broad shoulders and large thighs. He was muscular and lean, save for a bit of a belly protruding from the very bottom of his abdomen, which he could never quite seem to work off, or even to tuck away completely when he wanted to hide his pudge.
Daniel didn’t care though. His main passions were eating, and working it off with strenuous exercise. His energy seemed boundless, but none more than his appetite was bottomless. At the time he wanted nothing more than a full rack of ribs and some buffalo wings. But at the same time he already had energy to expend as well. He wavered about how he’d spend the afternoon when his friend Nick called to him from across the hall, settling his silent debate.
“Yo Danny! We hitting the gym or what?” Nick said with a toothy grin.
“Sure, bro.” Daniel replied. “Leg day today, right?”
“Think so.”
“Sweet. I’ll meet you downstairs in five.” Daniel said, and headed to his car.
He grabbed his athletic clothes. He smiled to himself in anticipation of the coming activity. Soon they’d squat, lunge, press and strain their legs until they were nearly too sore to walk. He turned his thigh to the mirror he’d mounted on the inside of his locker door. His quads were already looking huge - they were getting that chiseled teardrop shape as well. As he lifted his shirt for a better view, he felt a sudden rumbling from down below. It had been nearly four hours since lunch - which was never enough for Daniel in the first place - and he was filled with nearly child-like excitement for what was to come. He thought of his favorite part of lifting - gorging himself afterward. Such a strenuous, calorie-intensive session as leg day meant he could pack it in with no shame.
He arrived at the basement gym, which was open to all resident students, but was surprisingly empty at the time. Nick was already at the squat rack - he had already set them up with a soul-crushing 315 pound squat rack.
“Alright then.” Daniel said, pumped. “Let’s hit it.”
And so they did. They grunted their way through 5 sets of squats, followed by lunges and leg presses. Then Daniel did some calf raises in the squat rack, his belly jiggling every time he descended. Some of it slipped out from under his shirt occasionally, and glistened with sweat. Daniel just rolled his eyes and tucked it back in.
When they finished, Nick lifted his shirt to wipe his sweat, exposing his ab muscles. Nick looked at Daniel’s partially exposed abdominal region and smirked. “You can never seem to lose that chubby little gut, can you?” he said, poking Daniel’s flab, which was still beaded with sweat. “Nah, don’t have the willpower I guess. But I don’t care. Let’s go eat.” Daniel said.
“Sure, maybe just a salad, Danny? If you - “
Nick was cut off by a deep audible growl from Daniel’s belly. Daniel squeezed it with both hands and looked up at Nick.
“Uh, okay bro, how does Wendy’s sound?” Nick said, silenced by Daniel’s rumblings.
“I’m not feeling it. Let’s hit that new buffet instead.” Daniel said, already headed for the door. Nick followed, knowing his friend was now less of a freshman undergrad and more of a beast in search of prey.
They showered down, got back into school clothes and jumped into Daniel’s car. Daniel usually offered Nick a ride back to his apartment whenever he needed it after their afternoon lifting sessions. They headed a few blocks away from the main campus building, towards a new all-you-can-eat buffet. Daniel’s hungry stomach continued to growl louder, but he simply turned up the car stereo to drown it out.
After what seemed like an eternity, Daniel and Nick pulled into the buffet. They walked in and the greeter happily showed them a booth, but the restaurant owner behind her pursed his lips upon seeing Daniel and Nick, visibly ravenous. They had already twice visited the fairly-new establishment. This kid’s gonna drive me out of business, he thought to himself. That orifice must eat his weight in food once a week.
They claimed their booth seats, and beelined to the buffet area. Daniel grabbed a plate and loaded it with buffalo wings (honey barbecue AND blue cheese), meat loaf, a bacon cheeseburger, quesadillas and a pepperoni calzone. The plate must’ve weighed nearly a pound, and Daniel was practically drooling on the way back to the table.
“Jeez, got enough there, bro?” Nick asked as they sat down, but Daniel was already stuffing his face.
“Nnnf, mm!” Daniel forced a reply.
“Never, huh?” Nick asked. 
He watched as Daniel tore into the bacon cheeseburger, engulfing nearly a third of it in one bite. In well under a minute he’d downed the whole thing. Daniel grinned wordlessly at Nick while chewing the last bite, and quickly swallowed before promptly moving on to the meat loaf, followed by the chicken wings.
Jeez, does he ever slow down to breathe? Nick thought to himself. And I feel like he’s just getting started. Nick ate a few bites of his ham slices, and mac and cheese on the side. When he looked back up, Daniel’s buffalo wings had been reduced to six picked-clean bones piled up on the plate, being drenched with grease dripping from Daniel’s calzone. Nick watched as Daniel’s eyes rolled back slightly and closed with pleasure every time he swallowed. He’s enjoying it. It’s like sex on a plate to him! he thought.
Daniel finished the 3 quesadilla slices, and pressed a napkin to his mouth. And then he burped. He tried to quiet it, but his hand and the napkin did little to muffle the rumbling gas that burbled up and out of him. It lasted nearly 5 seconds in all, and Nick could even feel the vibration through the table.
“You good, dude?” Nick asked.
“Uh, ‘scuse me, heh heh.” Daniel wiped his mouth and rolled his eyes, trying and failing to play off his prior eruption.
“Damn dude, you really put that shit away.” Nick gestured to the now empty plate before him.
“What can I say? I’m hungry as fuck.”
“You mean you were hungry as fuck.”
“I dunno man, that belch freed up some room.” Daniel said, patting his stomach. His belly had always been a little large, or at least proportionally big compared to the rest of his body, but now it was visibly distended. More? How could he possibly still be hungry? Nick wondered, and watched as he purposefully strolled back to the buffet line. He had just packed away more than 3000 calories as if it were nothing. Nick couldn’t help but feel intimidated, yet drawn to Daniel’s ability to consume like some kind of alpha male. 
By the end of it, Daniel had downed a second plate. And a third. And a shish-kabob. And not one, but two bowls of ice cream for dessert.
Daniel polished off the second bowl, and released another burp, not even trying to muzzle it this time. Nick sat in awe. He himself had managed two plates and a scoop of ice cream, but his dishes were nowhere near as heavily packed as Daniel’s.
“Oof, I think I’m about ready to put a cork in it, bro.” Daniel said, fiddling with his pants belt.
He stood up, revealing his overstuffed abdomen. In the past hour it had taken them to eat, it had grown from a miniscule, doughy bump to a basketball-sized food baby. They headed out to the parking lot, and Daniel lifted his shirt to give his belly a little massage. Nick couldn’t tear his eyes away.
“So that’s where you put it all.” Nick said, blank-faced, and finding himself weirdly intrigued by this bodily transformation.
Daniel turned to face Nick. He burped again, managing to muffle it into a low hiss this time, and replied, “I’m not a bottomless pit after all, haha. It’s gotta go somewhere, y’know.” He looked down at Nick, grinning, and gently patted the underside of his bloat to make it jiggle.
“Uh, yeah, heh heh.” Nick replied, watching his friend’s flab bounce.
“Hey, you want to come over and hang for a while? That anime you like came out on Netflix.” Daniel offered.
“Yeah, sure! I’d love to let it hang out with you. Er, hang out with you.” Nick said. An unexplainable chill ran through him.
They hopped back in Daniel’s car and headed off to his apartment. Nick kept glancing over toward Daniel, still in disbelief at the size of his stomach. In the intermittent illumination from passing streetlamps, he saw it bulging and spilling out in between the seat belt straps. He also saw the physique of the rest of Daniel’s body - his arms and chest were defined, and his quads were still bulging from the prior workout. His left arm was fully extended, lazily gripping the top of the steering wheel, his other resting sandwiched between his thigh and his belly flab.
When they arrived at Daniel’s apartment, they went to his couch, turned on the TV, and waited for the streaming service to connect.
“Whoof!” Daniel exhaled, as he collapsed onto the couch. He reclined in the corner with the armrest and the back cushion, and extended one hand behind his head, the other poking his abdomen again. “Heh heh, maybe I overdid it.”
“Nahhh,” Nick said absentmindedly, staring at Daniel’s gut.
“Uh, don’t you think so?” Daniel grinned, raising an eyebrow.
Nick realized what he’d responded with, and simply blushed. 
“Yo, I’m about to burst, jeez.” Daniel lifted his shirt further and fumbled with his belt. “I gotta undo this, I’m dying. You’re cool with that, right?” Daniel said, popping his belt buckle open.
Nick paused, still staring, and said, “D-Do what you gotta do, man.”
Daniel’s exposed belly shone in the soft light of the television. He gripped the button of his jeans, pulled with a grunt, “Unnnh!” and popped open the waist of his pants, sinking backward into the cushions as he did so, as if overcome with relief. He pulled down his zipper, and the lower part of his abdomen spilled out, and rested upon his thighs ever so slightly. Then he lifted his belly to grab the waistband of his underwear, and tuck it downward, so that his gut now hung out completely, unrestricted. His stomach gurgled audibly. Daniel put a hand on his chest and belched loudly. Good lord, he has no shame about this at all, he’s just sprawled out, digesting and not giving a fuck. Nick thought. He’d never experienced anything quite like this before.
“Damn, ‘scuse me, heh heh. Sorry about that.” Daniel said, his abdomen continuing to rumble periodically.
“Don’t be.” Nick said quickly, unsure of why he had received such a feeling of satisfaction from someone else’s burp.
Just then, the streaming service loaded, and Daniel leaned forward to pick up the TV remote, and let out a slight groan, the sides of his belly folding into rolls as he did so. Daniel gripped the remote with both hands and said, “This dumb thing doesn’t work right, I need to get it fixed. The show won’t play unless you hold the On-Demand and Play buttons at the same time, for the first few minutes.”
Daniel reclined again and held the two buttons, extending both hands toward the TV, further exposing his belly in his lap. The theme song of the aging anime started on the screen. The catchy, angelic tune emanated from the TV, but wasn’t enough to muffle further rumbling from Daniel’s stomach.
Daniel looked down at it between his arms. “Ugh, it’s sitting in me like a rock. I really gotta burp again.”
Nick was fixated on Daniel, not paying a moment of attention to the anime on the TV. “H-heh, bet you could use a belly rub right now.”
“Ugh, you know it, bro.” Daniel replied.
Nick paused for a long while, staring at Daniel’s plump gut, resting in his lap. “You know… I guess, maybe, if you wanted to, I could rub your belly for you.”
Daniel looked over at Nick, and let out a soft chuckle.
Nick stuttered, nervous he’d made things weird. “I-I mean, uh, since your hands are full, and like-”
“Sure, bro. Come on over.” Daniel said smiling.
“Uh, seriously? I mean, okay.” Nick said warily.
“Yeah man, what else are bros for? Also I’m dying over here, I’ve never been this bloated.” Daniel reassured him, as Nick slid toward his end of the couch. “If I could get a quick massage down there that would be great.” Daniel reclined, and turned his body toward Nick slightly.
Nick rubbed his hands together to warm them, and gazed upon Daniel’s rumbling, distended tummy. In the low light from the television, he could see that it had bulged from under his ribcage, giving the top an almost triangular shape, but became sublimely rounded closer to his navel, and at the underbelly, which spilled between the zipper of his jeans and onto his thighs. There was almost no hair on his tummy, save for a light sprinkling of peach fuzz surrounding his navel, and trailing downward towards his manhood. His belly button, which Nick had earlier seen to protrude slightly outward, had all but disappeared into the newly chubbier, squishy mass of belly.
Nick hesitated to take in the sight up close. “Y-you ready?” he looked up at Daniel.
“Go ahead, bro.” Daniel replied with a smile.
Gingerly, Nick placed a hand - starting with the fingertips - atop Daniel’s belly, and he could feel the warmth and softness of his exposed skin. He placed his other hand on it as well - the fingers wrapped around the side of his belly, while the thumb lightly gripped in Daniel’s sunken navel. He slowly pressed into the soft skin until it reached a point and became firmer, the bloat caused by all the food. Nick blushed and remembered that he was giving a massage, not just feeling his friend for pleasure.
Nick began to press more firmly and move his hands in a slow, rhythmic motion surrounding Daniel’s navel. 
“Like this?”
“Almost.” Daniel replied, his eyes closing in bliss.
Nick continued, pressing firmer still, and re-orienting himself on the couch to press and knead from different angles. Nick could still feel Daniel’s stomach rumbling about, working away at the mass of food. Periodically Daniel would let out a small burp, and Nick could feel the vibrations starting deep within his friend’s body, and burbling up and out. Nick wondered what kind of relief he was bringing his friend, if Daniel’s tummy was faring any better due to the massages and release of gas.
“Move your right hand down a little.” Daniel instructed. Nick slid his hand down below the navel, closer to Daniel’s left leg.
“Unh, down more. And press.” Daniel said, sounding almost desperate.
Nick obeyed, his hand now brushing against the front of Daniel’s jeans, and the waist of his underwear. He pressed harder in this lower area, under the stomach, and felt something shift, as if he’d freed up some mass deep within Daniel’s swollen gut.
“Right there, that’s it -” Daniel started, before he was cut off by a sudden, intense rumble, followed by the loudest burp Nick had ever heard. Nick’s head was positioned right near the top of Daniel’s abdominal area, and he could hear the massive expulsion of gas, and feel the tummy deflating. The burp lasted nearly a full ten seconds, and Nick looked up at Daniel, chuckling.
“Man, you feel any better after that?” he asked.
Daniel hesitated to catch his breath, “Yes, oh my God, I needed that.” he said, groaning. Daniel set down the remote, as the show was playing properly now.
At this point Nick was in acceptance that he was aroused by all this, and continued softly massaging Daniel’s gut, which was finally settled, more or less. Nick prodded experimentally around Daniel’s belly button, curious if he could help his friend release additional pressure. Daniel rewarded his friend’s work with several more burps, each bringing him blissful relief as the pressure in his gut gradually decreased. Finally, Daniel’s stomach was settled, and Nick felt the mass beginning to move downward into the lower intestines.
“Thank you, bro. That felt amazing.” Daniel said, grinning as he looked down at Nick, whose hands were still feeling his belly.
“My pleasure!” Nick replied with a toothy grin. He realized that seeing his friend stuffed, and helping him through tummy trouble, made him feel a delight he’d never experienced before. He stayed still, save for his hands, waiting for Daniel to say he’d done enough. But it seemed to Nick that his friend was just letting him stay there, his hands on his tummy, for as long as he wanted.
Eventually Nick fell asleep, his head on Daniel’s lap, and he listened to the last remaining soft gurgles from deep within his friend’s tummy as he drifted off. Daniel soon found himself nodding off as well, in an irresistible food coma, his hand resting on Nick’s back. He fell asleep, happily dreaming of tomorrow’s breakfast.
And that’s that, hope y’all enjoyed 😅
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Follow My Lead | Tom Hiddleston x OFC | Chapter 6 | You are not afraid to take up space in a room, so why be afraid to take up space in my life?”
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A/N: This will update every Thursday.  There are 13 chapters.  There are all sorts of kinds of D/s relationships.  This is the one I choose to write this time.  
MASTERLIST HERE
Pairing: Tom Hiddleston x OFC (Vivian Swann)
Summary: Tom and Vivian have both been unlucky in love, searching for something outside of the bounds of a typical relationship.  When the two of them connect via a dating app, Tom is introduced to the idea of being submissive to Vivian.  Which is the one thing he never knew he needed.  Under the firm hand of Vivian, Tom learns what it means to submit and Vivian learns what it means to be in a loving dominant relationship.  But not everyone seems to understand what they have and the best intentions can destroy the strongest relationship.
This Chapter: Tom and Vivian define their relationship and a sassy Tom gets “punished.”
Warnings for story: Dominant/submissive relationship (sub!Tom), lots of smut including but not limited to: vaginal sex, oral sex (male and female receiving), edging, denial, teasing, use of restraints, spanking, multiple orgasm, anal play, use of toys.
Tag Lists Are Open!  Let me know if you want to be added.  Thank you for reading!
-
Tom lovingly washed Vivian’s body, taking extra “care” with her breasts and thighs per her request, crouching down to get her legs. She rewarded him with his own sensual cleaning, taking care to stroke his cock, earning several groans. A sweet kiss and they rinsed off. Vivian had Tom towel her off and then himself. She grabbed the robes, the blue one for Tom and a slightly longer one in dark green for herself. He tugged at the hem which barely skimmed his thighs.
“Let’s order takeaway.”
Tom nodded as he followed her out into the kitchen. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m ordering Indian. Pick out what you want.” Vivian slid a menu across the counter. Tom looked at the options.
“Butter chicken.” Vivian raised an eyebrow. Tom stuttered. “… and vegetable jalfrezi.”
“Wonderful choice. What did you eat today?” Vivian tapped on her phone, placing the order while glancing over at Tom.
“Um… I had coffee… and some cookies…. and maybe half a sandwich… and then some chocolate… and for lunch… um…” Tom rambled.
Vivian dropped her phone on the counter. “Unacceptable, Thomas.”
Tom’s eyes became very interested in the granite’s pattern of Vivian’s counter. “Yes, ma’am.”
“New rule. Until I tell you otherwise, you will text me after you eat your meals and tell me what you ate. You can’t continue to eat like you are twenty, sunshine.”
“Sorry. I was excited.”
Her face softened. “I know.” She moved over and rubbed his back. “But I can’t have you passing out because you forget to eat. Okay, sunshine?”
Tom nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Grab a snack and kneel by the couch and I will join you.”
Tom grabbed a granola bar and ambled to the living room. Sad that he had disappointed Vivian. He kneeled down and waited for her.
Vivian noticed Tom’s chin tucked to his chest, his lips pulled into a thin line. He had already eaten his granola bar. Tom sighed as she sat and placed his head on her lap. He let loose a small sniffle.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t need to make you upset.” his voice cracked.
She petted his head. “I’m not mad, sunshine. Disappointed a bit, but this is an easy fix. You are going to make mistakes and mess up. It’s important that we fix them. Okay?”
Tom nodded, leaning into her head, the repetitive motion of her hand smoothing his hair, slowing his mind. He sighed.
“I will do my best, ma’am.”
“That’s all I ask.” She smiled and continued to pet him until his shoulders relaxed and he leaned against her legs. Tom’s eyes closed as he focused on how nice it felt. “Better, sunshine?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m going to change to answer the door. Set the table please, and pour a glass of wine for me and one for yourself if you want.”
Tom rose and Vivian hugged him tight and kissed his cheek before they went to different parts of the flat. He found the plates and utensils and set out two settings. Tom grabbed two cloth napkins. He poured two glasses of water. The delivery person knocked on the door as Tom opened the fridge to find a bottle of white wine. His head darted around the door.
“I’ve got it, sunshine. Keep going.” Vivian breezed by in a shirt and shorts. Tom grabbed the bottle of wine and poured two glasses. The smell of spices filled the air and Tom’s stomach growled.
Vivian placed the bag on the table and they both sat. Tom grabbed his food and ladled a large helping onto his plate. He hesitated to eat while Vivian continued to fuss over her meal.
“Eat, sunshine. Don’t wait for me.”
Tom tucked into the food and groaned. “Thank you, ma’am. I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”
“You worked up an appetite.”
They ate in contented silence. Tom devoured all his chicken and most of his vegetables, plus three pieces of naan. Vivian leaned back in her chair to watch Tom eat in delight, a smile on his face. He glanced over to see her staring.
“Sorry, ma’am.” he commented after swallowing his bite, placing his fork on the plate.
“For what? For enjoying yourself? For feeding that delicious body of yours? I have seen how you sit, sunshine. You are not afraid to take up space in a room, so why be afraid to take up space in my life?”
She stared at him. Tom chewed on his lip. “I don’t want to be a burden or get in the way, ma’am.”
Vivian stroked his hand. “You will never be a burden. It is my privilege to take care of you. For you to be mine.”
Tom’s eyes widened. “I am yours, ma’am.”
She smiled back. “and I am yours. Now let’s clean up and go to bed.”
Tom grabbed all the plates and utensils and washed them while Vivian packed up the leftover food and then hovered over Tom as he washed the dishes, her hands scratching up and down his back, even down his to his ass, delighting in how he jumped.
They headed off to bed. Vivian made Tom sleep in the nude while she pulled on a tank with matching shorts.
“I think I like you naked best.” she smirked.
“Yes, ma’am.” With a full belly, Tom grew tired.
“Goodnight, sunshine. We’ll talk more in the morning.”
“Yes, m…” Tom was already drifting off, pulling Vivian tight against his body. He felt warm as she snuggled into the curve of his body. He felt like home.
-
Vivian woke to a cold bed the next morning. She frowned, wondering where Tom had gone. She headed out to the living room and smelled bacon cooking.
Tom stood over her stove, wearing his robe, cooking breakfast.
“Who said you could get out of bed?” Vivian called out in a stern voice.
Tom jumped and turned, the spatula clattering to the floor.
“But… I…” he sputtered, scurrying to pick up the spatula.
“And who said you could wear clothes?” She stomped over to him.
“I…” He searched for the words. “I… wanted to feed you, ma’am.”
Her eyes twinkled with mischief, Tom recognized the look. It was one he often saw in his eyes reflecting from a screen. While dressed in green and gold. He was in trouble. But no real trouble.
Vivian clicked her tongue. “Twice in 24 hours.” Her fingers dragging along his shoulders. “I thought you knew better.” She leaned over and winked at him, Tom’s cheeks blushed and he smiled that lopsided smile making her stern face slip for a moment.
“Sorry, ma’am. What will you do with me?” He turned off the stove, leaving the bacon and eggs in the pan.
She pushed his shoulder, spinning him in place. “Are you sassing me, sunshine?
“No, ma’am.” The smile grew.
Vivian returned the smile. “I think you are. I think…” She yanked him down by the chin “… you need to be punished.” She pushed the robe off of his shoulders and it fell to the floor. “Turn around.”
Tom smirked as he slowly turned in place. Vivian tapped her foot.
“Bend over. Hands on the counter.”
Tom glanced over his shoulder. “I beg your par—”
CRACK! Vivian’s hand came down hard on Tom’s ass cheek.
“You don’t get to question. You obey me!” she called out as Tom lurched forward, propping himself on his elbows. The pain radiated from his ass through his body and to his surprise his cock grew hard.
CRACK! “I thought you wanted to please me.”
“I do, ma’am.” Tom responded. “I thought…”
CRACK! The three swat hit his ass, now turning a delightful shade dark pink. “… that you would defy me?”
Tom bit his lip. The pain was delicious. “I’m sorry, ma’am.”
Vivian moved to his side to see his face. She glanced down to find a raging hard-on. Vivian mock gasped.
“Are you enjoying this, sunshine?”
Tom squirmed in place. “No ma’am.”
She reached out to grab his cock. He hissed. “Your cock says otherwise.” She released him and he whimpered. “Oh, did you want to come?” Another swat.
“Yes please, ma’am.”
“Only good boys get to come, sunshine.” CRACK! The final swat landed hard, his ass bounced deliciously. “Are you a good boy?”
Vivian stepped back and hopped onto the counter. Her fingers found her clit and rubbed. Tom’s ass, pink by her hand, turned her on.
“No, ma’am.” Tom didn’t dare to turn around.
“What are you?” His body heaved as he panted.
“A bad boy, ma’am.” His head dropped.
“Turn around.”
Tom slowly turned and his mouth fell open, watching Vivian pleasuring herself. “Ma’am, may I?” He stepped forward.
“No!” He stopped his tracks. “You are going to watch me and you are going hold your cock in your hand until I come.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He grabbed his cock and stroked it. He moaned.
“I will tell you when you can stroke yourself.” Vivian hissed. He stopped. “Watch me.”
Vivian spread her legs wider to give Tom a better view. Her fingers rubbed against her. Tom licked his lips. “Yes, ma’am.” His cock throbbed in his hand.
Vivian moaned as she closed her eyes. She was already close. “I can feel your mouth on me. Licking deep inside of me. You have such a talented mouth, sunshine.”
Tom groaned and fidgeted. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“I love coming on your lips, your tongue.” She hissed. “For you to lick up every drop of me.”
Tom huffed, his cock aching. His groans and moans tipped her over the edge.
“Yes!” she yelled as she came. “Here!” She beckoned Tom over. He lunged at her and she crushed her lips against his, wrapping her legs around him, holding him in place. Her hand snaked between their bodies and grabbed Tom’s cock, jerking at it.
“Please let me come.” Tom begged between gasps. His face contorted. “Please… please.”
Vivian sucked hard on the crook of his neck, leaving a mark. “Come for me.” she growled into his ear.
Tom’s breath became shallower, and he groaned as he came. Vivian aimed his cock so his cum spurted onto his stomach.
Tom shuddered as it hit his skin and he slumped back against the counter. Vivian slid down and readjusted her robe. She sidled up to Tom and kissed him tender. Her hand rubbed along the red skin of his ass, soothing some of the pain.
“Clean yourself up, sunshine, and let’s eat.” She slid the towel in his direction.
-
Once they finished the breakfast Tom cooked, which was delicious, Vivian fetched some papers.
“Here.”
“What’s this?” He flipped through the pages.
“A contract.” Vivian sipped her coffee.
Tom smirked. “Do I need a lawyer?”
“I am a lawyer. It defines the nature of our relationship and it includes an exit clause.”
Tom raised an eyebrow. “I can assure it is not legally enforceable but if it makes you feel better… here.” Vivian produced a second set of documents.
Tom recognized that second set. “A non-disclosure agreement.”
“Security. For you. In case you are worried, this is an elaborate ruse to destroy you in the press.”
Tom read through everything. “What’s in it for you?”
“You. Your smile. Your delicious ass. Your service. I hope eventually your love and devotion.”
“And all it costs is my submission.”
“And your consent. If you are not wholeheartedly into it, that is fine. We part ways here and no hard feelings. But if you are committed, because I am, we sign this and establish the rules.”
“And I walk away?”
“Yes, and so can I, like any relationship.”
Tom chewed his lip before clicking the pen and signing the contract. He shoved the NDA back at Vivian. “A relationship, any relationship, needs to be based on mutual trust. I’ve never needed a NDA before, I certainly don’t want to start now.”
Vivian smiled and signed as well. “I will get you a copy before you leave. Now the rules and protocols.”
“Haven’t we established those?” Tom rose and cleared the plates, placing them in the sink to wash later.
“This is a bit more formal. To avoid some of those awkward moments. I imagine at some point we will appear together in public where there are photographers. I doubt you want anyone overhearing people calling you ‘sunshine’ or you calling me ‘ma’am’.”
“So what are you thinking?”
“When we are in private, just the two of us in our homes or a hotel room or rental home, you address me as ma’am and I will address you as sunshine. When we are out and about, we both use the word ‘darling’. You defer to me and I take the lead, except at your work. I will never interfere with any part of your acting.”
“Thank you… ma’am. What else?”
“When you are here, you are either wearing your robe or are naked, unless I have said otherwise. You send me a picture first thing in the morning when you wake, yes you can be clothed. And you text me at night before you go to sleep. I expect you to tell me your schedule for the week or better yet, we give each access to our calendars. For events, you send me options for your outfits and I make the final decisions. And finally, your orgasms are mine.”
Tom’s eyes snapped to stare at her. “My…”
“You can masturbate if you want, unless you are told otherwise. But no cumming without permission. If you do, I expect you to tell the truth. What do you want from me?”
Tom blinked. “What do I want?”
“This isn’t a one-sided relationship. What do you want from me?”
“I guess I want security. I want to know you will do what you say you will. I want consistency and dependability. And I want flexibility. My job doesn’t always allow for me to do things as I would want or when I want to, but I will do my best to comply. And I really, really want to continue having sex.”
They both laughed. “I really want to continue having sex with you too. And the rest of it I think I can handle. But if something isn’t working, you need to tell me.”
“Okay…” he nodded as though committing to this. “… I can do that. I’m going to do the dishes. Do you have any plans for today, ma’am?”
“You are going to my hair appointment with me and then we are going shopping for a bit and then some lunch. Did you have plans?”
“Wide open, ma’am. I didn’t know what you expected of me.” Tom turned on the water and made quick work of the dishes. Vivian took a quick shower while Tom finished cleaning up, and then Tom took his turn.
Vivian fished out a small jewelry box out of her top dresser drawer and spun it in her hands. Everything was moving fast. Very fast. But her heart ached for Tom. For his gorgeous smile and generous spirit.
“What’s that, ma’am?” Tom appeared at the door, towel hung low around his hips, the mark on his neck darkening.
“Nothing, sunshine. I don’t want to pressure you.” She scrambled to put away the box. Tom slowed her hands.
“It’s for me, isn’t ma’am?” His eyes wide.
Vivian sighed. “Yes, but it’s too soon…”
Tom squeezed her hand. “May I please see it?”
She didn’t know what to do. Tom held her hand, not moving one way or another. “Please don’t be scared off.” She shoved the box in his direction.
Tom opened the box to find a gold signet ring, a swan imprinted on it. “A ring?”
“It will be a day collar. A sign of ownership.”
Tom pulled the ring out and tried it on his pinky. “It feels nice.” He replaced it into the box and closed the lid, sliding it back to Vivian. “Hold on it until you are ready to give it to me, ma’am.”
He kissed her and moved to grab his bag and dress for the day, tugged on his boxer briefs and jeans. Vivian replaced the box into her drawer and then walked over and hugged Tom tight, cupping his face and kissing him hard.
“Thank you, sunshine. You are a wonderful boy.”
Tom smiled. “Yes, ma’am. Now I believe we have a hair appointment to make.”
-
Tom was the talk of Vivian’s salon. At least one of the patrons asked for a photo, which Tom obliged but declined to sign an autograph.
“I’m afraid this is my private time, I’m so sorry.” He apologized with a dazzling smile.
Vivian beamed with pride, at the grace and ease in which Tom moved through the world.
“I wonder who he came with?” Andy, your stylist asked. He hadn’t seen the two of you come in.
“I wonder indeed.” Vivian answered with closed lips.
Once she was done, Tom met up with her as she paid at the counter.
“And I thought you couldn’t get any more beautiful, darling.” He kissed her cheek. Andy’s mouth dropped open.
“Tom, meet my stylist, Andy. Andy, meet Tom, my…” she hesitated.
“… boyfriend.” Tom saved the moment, shook Andy’s hand. “And it is my pleasure. Thank you for making my darling Vivian,” He squeezed her tight and Vivian rubbed his neck. “as beautiful as I see her.”
Andy sputtered. “You’re welcome.”
Vivian paid and then they walked out of the salon. She grabbed and kissed him in the street. “Thank you, darling.”
“You are welcome.”
“I believe you have earned a reward, darling. Remind me when we return home.”
Tom gulped. “Of course.” She squeezed his hand.
“And now I believe some shopping is in order.”
-
Tom soon found himself laden with bags. Some with clothes for Vivian, some for him. Right now, Vivian was trying on some dresses while Tom sat outside the dressing room to give his opinion.
“What do you think of this one?” Vivian spun out in a gorgeous patterned white dress. It nipped in at her waist and showed off her sculpted shoulders.
Tom rubbed his chin. “I think I like this one the best.” He got up and twirled her about.
“But where would I wear it? It’s not exactly courtroom attire.” She pondered.
“Who cares, darling? We can find an occasion.”
“Thanks.” She headed back into the dressing room.
When Vivian emerged, she handed all the dresses to the attendant and headed into the store. Tom’s stomach growled.
Vivian wrapped her arms around his waist. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving. Where are we going?”
Tom’s phone beeped; he ignored it.
“I think I saw a pub down the street advertising burgers. How does a burger and a pint sound?”
“Delicious. Lead the way.”
When they arrived at the pub, Vivian ordered them each a pint and cheeseburger before excusing herself to the bathroom.
Tom checked his phone. A missed call from Benedict. He punched in the number.
“Hello?”
“Where are you, Tom?” Ben asked.
“Out with Vivian. We’re at lunch and before that, shopping.”
Benedict let loose a low whistle. “What has been a month? And she already has you holding her purse. She must be some kind of girl.”
“Woman. And she is the best kind. It’s not like that, Ben. I enjoy spending time with her. She is extraordinary. Now was there a purpose for your call?”
“Just checking in, that’s all. I don’t know what kind of power she has over you, but be careful with your heart, mate. I would hate to see you get hurt again?”
Tom glanced up to see Vivian coming his way with a big smile on her face.
“I’m fine, Ben. I promise. She has the power she needs. Got to go, bye.” Tom hung up the phone before Benedict could protest.
Vivian rubbed his neck before sitting. “Benedict?”
“Checking in on me. He seems to fancy you some sort of temptress hell bent on leading me astray.”
“Only if you beg, darling.”
-
Vivian and Tom returned to her house and spent the rest of the weekend reading, laughing, and making love, sometimes with Tom tied up and even once in Vivian’s oversized tub.
Vivian didn’t want the weekend to end. She didn’t want to go back to office and leave Tom behind. There was a sadness in the air when he left on Monday morning when she woke.
“Don’t forget to text me what you eat for lunch and dinner.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“And we are meeting for lunch on Tuesday.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Vivian grabbed his chin and jerked him into a soft kiss.
“I’m going to miss you, sunshine.”
Tom sighed into the kiss. “I’m going to miss you too.”
He squeezed her tight, and she scratched the back of his neck, earning a satisfied hum before Tom stepped out to go home.
-
It was a hellish Monday for Vivian. There was an emergency pleading that needed to be drafted. She spilled coffee on her shirt, having to wear a spare one in her office, and she broke a nail. As lunch came around, Vivian leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. There was a knock on her door.
“Miss Swann,” Mary, her secretary popped her head in. “There’s a delivery for you.”
“Put it on the desk.” she grumbled.
“Here you go. Someone has an admirer.”
She popped open an eye to spy a beautiful bouquet of sunflowers with a card and a large box.
“What the—?” She opened the card.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.
Hope your day is a bit brighter, your sunshine T.H.
Vivian smiled. “What a romantic.”
Her eyes turned to the box and lifted the lid. It was the dress she put back yesterday. The one Tom said was the best. He had gone back and bought it for you.
Mary stood off to the side and cleared her throat. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
“Um… no one.”
“He has to be someone. I’ve never seen you smile quite like that before.”
“Shush. And don’t you have some letters to write for me?”
“Right away, Miss Swann.” Mary scurried out of the office.
Vivian called Tom.
“You hopeless romantic.” she called him out.
Tom laughed into the phone. “I see my surprise arrived. I told you I had the penchant for Shakespeare. I apologize for the cheesiness of it all, darling.”
“And the dress, you shouldn’t have, sunshine.”
“But did it make you happy?”
“Yes.”
“Then it was worth it, ma’am. I only wish I were there to see your smiling face.”
“I’ll send you a picture. But where am I going to wear this dress?”
Tom took a deep breath. “How do you feel about tennis?”
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Foto: Panorama Helsinki / Finland - Dom und Parlamentsplatz (by   tap5a)
“We only do this for Fergus!” is a short Outlander Fan Fiction story and my contribution to the Outlander Prompt Exchange (Prompt 3: Fake Relationship AU: Jamie Fraser wants to formally adopt his foster son Fergus, but his application will probably not be approved… unless he is married and/or in a committed relationship. Enter one Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp (Randall?) to this story) @outlanderpromptexchange​
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Chapter 7: Coming home
           "Papa, did you know that the Siberian tiger is the biggest cat in the world?"
           "Papa, did you know that a monk invented soda water?"
           "Papa, did you know why moka faux was invented?"
           "Papa, did you know that the first Christmas market was held in Bautzen back in 1384?"
           "Papa, do you know where the term 'glasses' comes from?"
           "Papa, do you know if titmouse dumplings are good or bad for the birds?"
           "Papa, did you know that Vikings didn't wear helmets with horns at all?"
           "Papa, did you know when writing was invented and when apothecaries began to exist?" 
           Fergus spoke about squirrels, trees, dogs, lighthouses, penguins, pyramids, birdsong, whales and dolphins, and of course, The Mouse. And this, of course, every new evening. Afterwards, he let himself be told where his Papa was, what he had experienced and seen.
           From Iceland, Fraser had flown first to the Swedish island of Gotland, then to Helsinki, and then back to Frankfurt am Main. One night later, he flew first to Bangkok, then to Hong Kong and finally to Taipei. The return trip took 22 hours and took him from Taipei via Bangkok and Amsterdam finally back to Berlin. He arrived there around noon and was picked up by a one of the company's chauffeurs. He had himself driven to the headquarters, where Ned Gowan was waiting for him and briefed him on current business developments over a light lunch. Fraser looked through his mail, packed a box of files, gave final instructions, and about 5 pm another chauffeur drove him to Potsdam. As the car left the underground garage, he dialed Claire's number and announced his arrival.
           Claire was in the dining room when Jamie's call reached her. When she hung up, Fergus was standing in the doorway.
           "Was that Papa?" he asked excitedly.
           "Yes," Claire replied, unable to suppress a joyful smile.  
           A few minutes before 6 pm, Fraser's car turned into the street leading to the house. He asked the driver to stop for a moment. Then he opened the window a crack and took a deep breath of the cool evening air. Closing his eyes, he paused for a moment. Fraser knew exactly how Fergus would welcome him. But Claire he would meet today for the first time after ten days of absence. He had to prepare himself inwardly for that. He took another deep breath, then asked the driver to move on. Shortly after, the car stopped again. Contrary to his habit, Fraser got out in front of the front door and let the driver bring the car into the garage. He himself took only his briefcase. Once again, he took a deep breath, then opened the small gate in the fence that separated the property from the street. Through the skylight above the front door, he saw that lights were on in the entryway and the hallway. He took the steps of the small staircase with a few sweeping strides and was about to take his keys from his pocket when the front door opened and Claire smiled at him. He couldn't help but smile joyfully as well. Claire stepped aside and let him into the house. Fraser walked through the porch and as he stepped into the hallway, he saw Fergus standing in the doorway to the living room.
           "Fergus!" he exclaimed joyfully.
           "Hello, Papa," the boy replied, coming slowly toward him.
           Fraser looked at him in wonder:
           "Aren't you glad to see me again?"
           The boy approached him and Jamie took him in his arms.
           "Oh yes Papa, but I ... wanted to ... be considerate. Claire explained to me that you need to rest because you have Jack's leg."
           The adults looked at each other and began to laugh uproariously. Now it was Fergus who looked at them in amazement. Claire approached Jamie, who still had Fergus in his arms.
           "It's called 'jet lag', not 'Jack's leg'. But you'll learn that soon enough."
           She stroked Fergus's brown curls and gave him a fleeting kiss on the forehead. Then she looked at Jamie and asked:
           "Do you want to go to sleep right away, or are you going to stay a little longer? Are you hungry? Thirsty?"
           "We'll sit in the living room for a bit, won't we Fergus?"
           The boy nodded.
           "Then I'll bring sandwiches and tea in a minute?"
           Jamie nodded, and while Claire disappeared into the kitchen, Jamie carried Fergus into the living room, where he set him down on the sofa. Then he took off his coat and laid it over one of the armchairs. At that moment the door opened and Claire pushed a serving cart into the room. At the sight of the platters of sandwiches, Fergus straightened up in his seat expectantly. Jamie went to help Claire, but she directed him toward Fergus with a motion of her head. Jamie nodded, sat down, and pulled the boy close.
           "Well, don't we have it good? Look, so many sandwiches!"
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“Snack” by  congerdesign 
           Jamie took one of the plates and held it out to Fergus. As expected, the youngster had a hard time deciding. But then he reached for a sandwich with chicken, tomato, and mozzarella. Meanwhile, Claire poured herbal tea into three cups and pushed two of the cups toward Jamie and Fergus. Then she, too, sat down. They stayed together for about 40 minutes, eating, drinking, and talking a bit. Then Jamie and Claire managed to convince Fergus that it was now time to go to bed. They agreed that Claire would put Fergus to bed alone one more time that night. Together they went upstairs to Fraser's apartment, where outside the door was his suitcase, laptop bag, and box of business documents. Jamie unlocked the door and let Fergus and Claire go inside. Then he put the things away in his study. Half an hour later he was lying in his bed, freshly showered and fast asleep. Fergus, too, had already fallen asleep. Claire, on the other hand, had retired to the guest room, where she would sleep that night as well.
           Fraser had put his smartphone on his nightstand, not thinking that it had rejoined the domestic network when he entered the house. He shouldn't realize it until several hours later.
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  Iphone by  Pexels
           Claire woke up immediately when she heard the cry that sounded from her smartphone paired with the baby monitor. Since she had been watching Fraser's son day and night, she no longer slept deeply, but was always on guard inside. She jumped out of bed, threw on her robe and ran out of the room. In the dark hallway, she bumped into a mountain of meat. Then the automatic light came on and she recognized Jamie.
           "What are you doing sneaking around outside my door?" she snapped at him.
           "I'm not sneaking around your door! I heard Fergus crying ..."
           At that moment, another scream rang out from Fergus' room. Together they ran down the hallway. Claire reached the door first, threw it open, and rushed toward Fergus' bed.
           "It's all right, Fergus. I'm right here, you just had a bad dream."
           The boy woke up and looked at her with wide eyes. Then he clung to her. Claire began to sway slightly. Jamie sat down next to her and gently stroked Fergus's back.
           "It's all right, Fergus. You don't have to be afraid. Claire and I are here."
           Claire gave Fergus some water to drink, then accompanied him to the bathroom. Back in bed, Jamie wrapped him in his comforter. When they heard Fergus' steady breathing, they left the room. Slowly, they walked down the hall. Before Claire turned into her room, she said:
           "I'm sorry I snapped at you like that ..."
           "No problem, I ... had forgotten that my smartphone ..."
           "It's okay ... Just turn it off. I am here if he should have another bad dream. But usually it doesn't happen twice in one night. Now go to sleep and get some rest. Good night."
           "Good night, Claire."
           Jamie slept until noon the next day. When Claire picked Fergus up from school, he came down from his apartment, talked to Mr. and Mrs. Curtius, and then strolled around the garden a bit. As soon as he heard the car turn into the driveway, he climbed the steps of the spiral staircase and headed for the dining room, where he planned to wait for Claire and Fergus. This time, his foster son's greeting turned out to be stormier:
           "Papa! You're awake!" exclaimed Fergus, who looked into the dining room from the hallway and immediately wanted to rush toward Fraser. But Claire held him by his jacket:
           "Fergus Fraser! First, we take off our dirty shoes and our jackets! We don't want to make Mrs. Curtius any more work than necessary, do we?"
           "Sorry, Claire," the boy said a little meekly. He took off his shoes, put them on the shoe rack, and slipped into his slippers. But then he was unstoppable. He ran toward Fraser, who had leaned down and caught him with outstretched arms. Jamie carried the boy up to the dining room table, sat down in his seat, and settled Fergus on his lap. Claire put down her coat, took a deep breath, and then listened to the conversation that was developing between father and son. Fraser inquired how the school day had gone. Fergus reported, but then in turn kept asking about Fraser's trip and his well-being. When Fraser asked his son if he was hungry and he answered in the affirmative, he rang the bell and shortly thereafter Mrs. Curtius brought lunch. Now Claire also joined "the men."
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“Modelleisenbahn” by  naturfreund_pics 
          Jamie and Fergus spent the afternoon and early evening in the garden and then in the conservatory playing with their train set. Claire joined them only for tea and dinner. She had cleaned out the guest room and moved her things back to her apartment. After dinner, she said goodbye to Fergus with a quick kiss on his forehead. For the next few days, Fraser would be caring for his son alone, and Claire was looking forward to a few days with more free time to herself. However, as she sat at her desk and the time came when she would normally sit by Fergus' bedside and read to him, she missed that moment together. In fact, she had to force herself a bit to get back to the tasks she had set out to do that evening. Claire managed to distract herself for a few minutes, but then she suddenly thought of the evening Skype conversations she had had with Jamie every night for the past ten days. She realized that those evening conversations would now come to an end as well. They would all return to 'normality', whatever 'normality' meant in the Fraser-Fraser-Beauchamp constellation. And if she was honest, she had to admit to herself that she would miss the evening conversations with Fraser. But suddenly she was jolted from her thoughts by that familiar sound that announced the arrival of a video call. It was Jamie.
           "Sorry Claire, I'm interrupting again today after all."
           "Is something wrong with Fergus?"  
           "No, no, though of course he complained that … but I explained to him that he needs to give you a rest once in a while, too. The reason I'm getting back to you is ..." - Jamie sighed - " ... our meeting with your friend Geillis and her partner Dave .... I ... would then call him tomorrow and invite them over for next weekend ... if you're okay with that?"
           "Yeah, let's get over with this," Claire replied with a slightly snippy tone in her voice.
           "Claire, if you're not ..."
           "No, no, I'm allright, I ... we are doing this for Fergus, after all."
           "Speaking of Fergus. I've been thinking that I'm going to ask Mrs. Curtius if he can sleep at their livingroom that night."
           "Why?"
           "Well, uhm, so we don't run the risk that he might somehow slip ... regarding the status of our ... relationship."
           "Well, that's a thought, of course ... But do you think he'll do it willingly?"
           "I'll find some bait ..."
           Fraser smiled.
           "Well, Claire," he then said, "I'll get on the phone with Dave and tomorrow we'll talk again about it. Is that all right with you?"
           "Sure, but I'll be out all day tomorrow and won't be back until dinner."
           Jamie paused for a moment, then nodded.
           "Of course, take as much time for yourself as you like. Good night, Claire!"
           "Good night, Jamie."
           The screen went dark, but a kind of home movie started playing in Claire's head that would keep her awake for some time.
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 “Kaffee” by  congerdesign
           Claire used her first day off in a long time to sleep in thoroughly. After taking a long shower and dressing a little warmer than usual, she went down to the kitchen, where Mrs. Kurtius was already preparing lunch for Jamie and Fergus. The caretaker offered her a cup of coffee, and while the two women talked about the experiences of the past few days, Claire made herself two sandwiches, which she ate at her leisure. Just as she was about to leave, Jamie returned, having brought Fergus, who had to be a little late for school that day, there.
           "Good morn... uhm, good day, Claire."
            "Good day, Jamie. I forgot to ask, but is the car free?"
           Fraser looked at her in surprise for a moment.
           "Basically, it is ... I uhm, wanted to pick up Fergus later though ..."
           "I just want to get into the city," Claire replied, "it would only take 30 minutes and then I'd send the driver back. And tonight, I'd call to have him pick me up again around 5:30. Is that all right?"
           "Sure. I don't have anything planned for today except a little paperwork, picking up Fergus, lunch, schoolwork, and then playing with him ... maybe we'll take a little walk to the lake, but, no, take the car. If something really important happens and I need a driver, I'll have one come from the company. Enjoy your day off!"
           Claire nodded.
           "Thanks!"
           She put on her coat, picked up her bag, and moments later was gone in the elevator that took her to the garage.
           Fraser watched her go, then stood in the hallway for a moment, undecided.
          "Well, Mr. Fraser? How about some fresh coffee?"  
           Surprised, he looked over at Mrs. Curtius, who was still standing at the kitchen counter, watching the whole scene with interest.
           "If it's strong, I'd love it," Jamie replied.
           "There's only coffee here the way you like it: black, hot, and strong!"
           Jamie climbed onto one of the counter chairs and Mrs. Curtius pushed a large mug of hot coffee toward him.
           "Thank you, Mrs. Curtius," Fraser said with a smile, sipping his fresh coffee. Then he decided to seize the opportunity:
           "Tell me, how have the past ten days been with Mrs. Beauchamp?"
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“Museum Barberini” -  by nofu
           At the same time, Claire drove toward downtown and then dropped off in front of a bookstore. The bookseller greeted her warmly, and when he heard her name, his face lit up all the more. Claire had ordered some books, three of which had already arrived, others still awaited. She took the three books, paid, and then retreated to the back of the store, which was home to a small café. She placed her book bag in one of the large dark plush chairs and took off her coat. Before she had even sat down, a waitress appeared and took her order. Claire sat down, pulled up the small side table, and looked in the book bag. She took out one of the smaller copies and began to read. A few minutes later, the waitress brought her tea and a bagel - "smashed avocado, tomato, mint, arugula, and olive oil" - as the card announced it.
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“Bagel” by  sanfirabogdan
        Claire enjoyed the food, but even more the peace and quiet that being in the store guaranteed her. Although the bookstore was bustling with comings and goings, and customers regularly showed up at the café to order pastries or other food as takeaways, patrons rarely strayed into the café's seating area on weekdays. Claire knew this from her previous visits and had chosen the day very deliberately. She stayed for a total of two hours, during which she ordered and ate a second bagel - "tapenade, goat cheese, arugula, tomato". She then strolled slowly through the city, enjoying looking at shop windows at her leisure. In the early afternoon, she visited a new exhibition at the Museum Barberini and then directed her steps toward the Dutch Quarter. There she wanted to try out a café that Ms. Curtius had recommended to her. And the caretaker had not promised too much. She was immediately impressed by the interior, the friendly manner of the staff, and the large, non-mainstream selection of baked goods. Again, Claire sat down as far as she could in the back of the café. She ordered a hot sea buckthorn juice with orange and cinnamon and a cake with blueberry lavender mousse. The time Claire spent enjoying the food and her reading flew by and after two hours it was time to call the driver to come pick her up.
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“Haus Gutenberg / Hollänisches Viertel / Potsdam” via Von Clemensfranz - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19986832 
           Once home, Claire had dinner with Fergus and Jamie. Fergus, who had eaten two large sandwiches and some salad in no time, began to question Claire. Where had she been? What had she been doing? Jamie interrupted him:
           "Fergus Fraser! That's not the way to do it. It's very rude to question someone like that. If Claire wants to tell us something, she will. And if she doesn't want to tell us anything, that's her right too. And besides, we're eating. You're not giving Claire any time at all."
           The boy looked at the plate in front of him for a moment, embarrassed. He blushed to the tips of his ears. Then he looked at Claire:
           "Please excuse me, Claire."
           Claire gulped down her tea. Then she fleetingly stroked Fergus's hair:
           "Apology accepted. You know, Fergus, we'll eat in peace now and then I'll tell you about my afternoon over another cup of tea. Is that okay?"
           Fergus didn't have to answer at all. The smile that beamed all over his face was answer enough.
           And so, it happened. While Fraser cleared the table, Claire sat down with Fergus in the living room on the sofa and told him about her visit to the Museum Barberini. When she finished her little report, she noticed that Fraser was standing in the doorway, listening as well. He motioned Fergus to say goodbye to Claire and sent him up to the second floor where he was to get "ready for bed" ahead of time. Fergus slid awkwardly from the sofa to the floor, said goodbye to Claire, and sent himself off to his heavy fate with a deep sigh. Jamie glanced at Claire and fixed his eyes against the sky.
          "Don't dawdle, Fergus. I'll be right with you," he called after the boy.
           Claire had also risen and was about to make her way to her apartment.
           "Just a moment, Claire," Fraser asked. Then he grabbed a Din-A-5 envelope lying on the dining room table and handed it to her.
           "I have a little ‘thank you’ here for all your overtime."
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“Brief” by  Catkin
         Claire opened the envelope and, to her amazement, held in her hands a confirmation of a vacation for two at a luxury hotel in Madeira for the period December 22, 2025, to January 3, 2026. Astonished, she looked at Jamie:
           "What's this?"
           "Well, I thought you might like to take a vacation with a friend over Christmas and New Year? You certainly deserve it."
           "So, you don't want me here over Christmas?"
           Now it was Jamie who was taken aback.
           "Maybe if you ... don't want to go ... to Madeira ... we can rebook that ... wherever you want to go."
           He was silent for a moment, then started again:
           "Claire, we can't ask you to spend your holidays with us, too ..."
           Suddenly, the CEO of "Fraser & Son International" looked a little helpless.
           "Jamie," Claire began, taking a step closer. Lowering her voice, she continued:
           "We're clear that our concern is for Fergus' well-being, right?"
           Fraser nodded.
           "For a child of Fergus' age, stable circumstances, regularities, rituals, and good experiences are very important. You've just been away for ten days. Now you're home again for a few days and then I take over again and just before Christmas it alternates again? Do you really think that's good for Fergus?"
           Claire didn't let Jamie get a word in edgewise.
           "He's really looking forward to the run-up to Christmas, and I promised him we'd do lots of crafts and baking together."
           Jamie looked at her thoughtfully.
           "Or do you want to spend Christmas alone with your son? Are you worried I'll have too much influence on him?"
           "For heaven's sake! No, Claire!"
           "Good," she said, pressing the booking forms for Madeira into his hands. "Then there's no need for this."
           Indecisively, Jamie looked at the envelope.
           "But if you need anything, free time or ..."
           "Then I'll say it, loud and clear. I have a mouth and I know how to use it."
           Jamie nodded. Then he asked:
           "Why are we whispering, anyway?"
           "Because this house has ears, little ears that grow on the head of a little boy who hides behind the dining room door and thinks we won't see him."
           Jamie wanted to turn away instantly, but Claire held him back and gave him a look that kept him from rushing to the dining room door and giving Fergus a lecture.
           "Well, Claire," Jamie then said in an exaggeratedly loud tone, "thanks for the info. I have to go see Fergus now though, I'm sure he's already showered and is waiting for me to read to him now."
           Only seconds later, they heard the floor door slam into the lock. Then tripping footsteps could be heard on the stairs.
           Jamie was about to run after him. But Claire's gaze held him back.
           "Give him a moment. He's already gotten a reprimand tonight for his investigative questions. That's enough."
           Jamie sighed.
           "If that's what you mean."
           Together they walked to the stairwell. Outside Fraser's apartment door, they said their goodbyes. Shortly after Claire got to her apartment, the app that paired the baby monitor with her smartphone popped on. She saw Fraser and Fergus sitting on the boy's bed, joking with each other. Then Fraser began reading aloud from the big book they had brought back from the museum trip to Chaff. For twenty minutes she watched and listened to the "two men." Then Fraser got up, tucked the boy in, and walked slowly to the door. Suddenly he stopped. To Claire's surprise, Jamie looked up at the wall clock that hung over the door and concealed the security camera. He smiled and winked one eye. Then Claire just heard the door close. Startled, she put the smartphone aside.
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fiddlepickdouglas · 3 years
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Viva Las Vegas, Pt. 3 - Bodega
Summary: Sunset Curve Alive AU, Willex, is it a date?, 2.7k
WARNINGS: cancer mention, lines in Spanish will have translations in the tags
@trevor-wilson-covington is the bestie who makes me these lovely edits, we stan supportive friends
Part 1, Part 2
Alex followed the gentle clack-clack-clack of the wheels eagerly, watching as Willie glided this way and that through the street. He shoved down the thought that his walk was only going to be a short one. After a few blocks, Willie slowed to a stop outside a bodega and waited for Alex to catch up before going inside.
“Hola, ese!” The guy behind the counter called as they entered.
Willie nodded and raised his eyebrows at him in greeting, lifting off his helmet and leaning his board against the wall of the counter. Immediately, an orange striped cat hopped up onto the surface with an excited little ‘prrrrp?’ and approached so Willie could pet him.
“Hey, Sheldon,” he said, massaging behind the cat’s ears as it rubbed its head aggressively against his shirt. Then, Sheldon sniffed Alex’s sleeve in curiosity as he stood timidly amid the unfamiliar.
“He’s friendly,” Willie assured. “Unless you’re allergic,” he added cautiously.
Alex smiled as he took the cat’s face in his hands, rubbing the sweet spots on his neck.
“No, good thing I’m not.” Sheldon was already purring, the sound soothing Alex’s slight shakiness. Willie smoothed the fur along his back.
“Have you been good today?” he asked in a baby voice.”You been treating Escobar right?” The cat meowed and rubbed against Willie’s chest.
“He caught two mice this morning,” The man, whom Alex assumed was Escobar, said. He was trying to wipe what looked like grease on his hands. “He’s happy because I gave him sardines.”
“Thanks, man,” Willie told him. “By the way, this is Alex.”
“Nice to meet you,” Alex said, realizing his hands had been gripping his fanny pack anxiously and loosening them.
“Good to meet you, Alex,” Escobar offered his wrist to shake, his hand being dirty. Alex shook it awkwardly and then Sheldon pushed his way in between and rubbed his head against his hand. Willie laughed.
“He seems to really like you,” he said.
“All I did was pet him,” Alex replied.
“Well, if Willie likes someone, the cat usually does, too,” Escobar informed him.
Alex smiled, unsure what to say to that.
“Que pasó con tu mano?” Escobar directed to Willie in concern, looking pointedly at his hand.
Willie only laughed and lifted the hand in question.
“Scrapes everyday,” was all he had to say.
The man only shook his head as he moved to put away the rag he’d been wiping his hands on.
“Te tienes que cuidarte mejor,” he said as he came back to the counter. “So what are we eating today?”
“We’ll see,” Willie said. He turned to Alex. “Do you want anything?”
He blinked, flustered.
“Are you - are you sure?” The words it’s not a date, it’s not a date, began repeating in his head incessantly. Right? A guy can buy another guy he just met food...after inviting him to follow him...on his way to get food….
“Yeah, I’ve got you covered,” Willie told him, moving over to a part of the counter where a sandwich menu was posted on top of it. Alex felt a bass drum going in his chest and tapped his toe to mimic it, hoping he could play it off as just taking time to decide.
“Take your time, amigos, I gotta wash my hands real quick,” Escobar said before disappearing.
“I don’t understand most of what he says,” Willie murmured so only Alex could hear. “But I get the general idea.”
He could only smirk in response. Perusing the menu, Alex quickly made a selection, still hesitant about accepting Willie’s offer. He stuck his hands in his pockets and looked around the bodega. He’d been to a few around L.A. but they all had their differences. This one was rather spacious, with some tables set up outside, and of course the sandwiches were an uncommon feature.
“So,” Willie started, grabbing his attention. “Do you often follow strangers through the city?”
Alex exhaled nervously, only then realizing what he’d just done.
“No,” he shook his head. Willie leaned on the counter, smirking. “No, this is kind of a first. Why, do you get followed a lot?”
Willie only bit his lip and shook his head. They chuckled together for a moment.
“I just come here every day during my lunch break,” Willie explained. “To check on Sheldon. Figured if you were game, you’d come.”
Alex looked at him in confusion.
“You explained none of that back there; you just nodded.”
“And yet….” Willie said, gesturing toward him. The unspoken truth hovered between them so potently Alex expected to receive a static shock.
“So...is Sheldon your cat?” he asked to diffuse the tension. Sheldon perked up at the sound of his name and pattered over to them.
“Yeah,” Willie responded as if he’d been distracted by his thoughts for a second. “I found him a few months ago and he was just really sick and weak and I couldn’t leave him like that, so Escobar was nice to let me keep him here since I can’t have him with me.”
“Why can’t you - ” Alex began before Escobar came back through, rubbing his newly cleaned hands.
“Okay, primos, we ready?” he asked.
“Yep!” Willie said, flashing a look to Alex that he’d answer him later. “Just the usual for me. You know what you want, Alex?”
“The, uh, chicken panini,” he said quickly. He glanced over at Willie again and got a tiny nod that yes, he was fine to get a sandwich. As Escobar got to work making them, they went over to the tables outside and sat down.
“I figured I could thank you a little bit, considering the generous tip I got this morning,” Willie said.
Alex swallowed, remembering how hard he had to convince the boys to leave a good deal of money so Willie could get into the show in the evening. It wasn’t until Bobby had made up something about getting more fans that got Luke and Reggie to agree. In retrospect, the count of bold decisions he was making that day was record-breaking.
“I wouldn’t have asked you to return a favor,” he said. “But I do appreciate the sandwich.” He felt Sheldon rub against his leg.and smiled as he looked down. “You weren’t kidding when you said he was friendly. This is the happiest cat I’ve ever met.”
Willie nodded. “He’s changed so much since we found him.”
He paused and just looked at Alex for a moment. 
“You don’t relax much, huh?” he wondered aloud in a soft manner.
Alex looked down at his hands once again keeping a death grip on the strap of his fanny pack, released them, and put them down in his lap.
“No better time to start than now, right?” he said, taking in a couple deep breaths. He couldn’t help it. One look at Willie made him feel like time fell from orbit - whatever that meant. His hands still needed something to do though, so he pulled out his drumsticks again and lightly tapped on the edge of the table. Willie bobbed his head to the rhythm, scrunching his nose.
After a few minutes, they heard Escobar call out and they went to collect their sandwiches. Willie glanced at the clock above them and grabbed his board.
“I don’t know how, but it’s already almost time to head back,” he said.
Alex hadn’t figured him to care about punctuality, but took his sandwich from Escobar, ready to follow Willie back toward the hotel. There was no chance he would find his way back alone. Escobar wagged a finger for him to come closer. Nervously, Alex leaned toward the counter.
“Tú tienes cara de fresa,” he said, to which Alex only blinked cluelessly. “Pero me caes bien.” The man simply nodded, smiling slightly. Alex looked between him and Willie, neither of them offering a translation.
“Th...thanks,” he stuttered. He leaned down and scratched Sheldon’s head to bid adieu.
“I’ll be back later for Sheldon,” Willie told Escobar as they exited.
Before Willie mounted his board, he got a few good bites into his sandwich. They had gotten about half a block away before Alex dared to ask.
“Do you have any clue what he said to me?”
“I think it was a compliment,” Willie said, mouth slightly full of food.
They continued back toward the hotel, eating their sandwiches as Alex simply ruminated over everything that had just transpired. Willie glanced over occasionally, always with a smile, and clearly travelling slower than he had before so he didn’t leave Alex too far behind. As they finally approached their destination, Willie dismounted his board for a moment.
“Hey,” he said, the soft tone Alex had heard earlier coming back. “Thanks for going with me. It was nice.”
Alex smiled, momentarily losing his entire working vocabulary to giddiness.
“No problem,” he said finally. “See you around?”
Willie nodded.
“See you around.”
Back at the Pearl, the band was set up for their sound check. Luke was an uncontained mass of energy at this point - kissing his rabbit’s foot countless times, swinging his arm tie around to see how far a distance he could hit people from, and his hands rarely leaving his guitar. Alex had a feeling it was only going to get worse the second he saw Julie. They all assembled on the stage and took up their instruments, waiting for the sound tech to instruct them.
“Okay, Reggie, give us a line,” was heard from the booth. Reggie improvised a bass lick on the spot for about thirty seconds, which was far more than the sound guys needed. It was a wicked line, though, and Alex couldn’t blame him for riding it out. He could see Luke and Bobby raising their eyebrows, hoping they could play with it later.
The techs guided them through the instruments one by one, then microphones, and then prepared for them to play together. This was the first time they were all playing with earpieces to hear everything properly and it was certainly an exciting change. Alex could hear them almost as if he were listening to their own demo and he couldn’t describe the feeling.
On cue, Luke played the opening riff to Now or Never and the energy immediately flowed as they all joined him.
“Take off, last stop, count down till we blast open the top…”
Nothing like getting to play to take the edge off of everything. He’d started the day early and thought there would be nothing more nerve-wracking than getting on this stage. Sure, he knew he could do it, but the pressure to somehow gain the support of hundreds more people in one go had been mounting on him the last few days. Fans who came to him after shows and told him that he made a difference to them? That he was something more than just an awkward teen who was bullied for being gay and having nut allergies? It was surreal. Alex wanted to keep reality close most of the time. Making music was the exception where he was happy to escape.
They finished the song, and as Alex swept his hair out of his eyes he saw a figure stand up from sitting in the middle of the empty venue, clapping their hands.
“You guys, that was phenomenal!” Julie Molina was saying, making her way onto the stage.
“Julie!” all of the guys cried out, nearly in unison. Luke was already bounding over as she made her way up to the stage. Reggie and Bobby lifted the straps off their guitars and followed suit as Alex casually brought up the rear.
“Hey guys,” Julie said, returning all of their high-fives and fist bumps. “I’m so excited for tonight, we’re going to have a good show.”
“I’m ready for us to blow everybody away,” Luke said enthusiastically. Alex, Reggie and Bobby exchanged knowing looks but refrained from commenting. Julie probably thought he was talking about the band. Luke probably thought the same, funnily enough.
“I have my own sound check to do, but it’ll be good to hang with you guys until the show opens,” she told them.
“Can we stick around and watch?” Luke asked.
Julie shrugged nonchalantly. “Yeah, go ahead!”
“Sweet!” Reggie said, already taking a seat. Bobby settled down next to him while Alex took the seat behind them.
He remembered when they met her it was at some battle of the bands out in Bakersfield. She’d been part of the duo Double Trouble, and her friend Flynn had gotten sick shortly before they were supposed to go on. She took the stage anyway and had the audience at her feet, and Alex had never seen Luke so entranced. At the end, they invited her to jam until they were forced to shut down at about one in the morning. Everything that had transpired in those few hours was unforgettable, and the guys agreed they would all gladly do it again.
That was a year ago. Now, with her first album out, the guys had all been stoked to get the call to open for her. Alex was pretty sure Luke had been keeping tabs on her the whole time, and he likely didn’t realize how obvious it was. There was something about the way he got very defensive when the guys occasionally suggested going back to the songs they’d gotten started with her, and how he refused to do it without her.
The four of them sat mesmerized as Julie’s fingers elicited the most heartfelt and energizing melodies from the piano. A soft, swelling joy came over Alex, and he wanted to give Julie the strongest hug when she finished. Her music was touching and he couldn’t help but need to express that to her. Peeking at the two below him, he saw Reggie clearly shedding some tears and Bobby clenching his fist because it wasn’t the right moment to wipe them away.
Suddenly one of the crew members walked onto the stage, making Julie stop playing. He muttered something to her that the boys couldn't hear. She sat straight with fear in her eyes and hurried backstage without a word. Luke turned around to look at the rest of his band and they all mirrored his concern. Slowly, they rose and headed toward the green room where they found Julie on the phone.
“Dad, what happened?” she was saying, audibly shaking.
Alex held out a hand and they all stopped in their tracks. He looked at Luke and shook his head. Whatever they were hearing, he figured she didn’t want them listening in on. Luke knit his eyebrows, and Alex could see the internal fight going on in his mind as he considered staying to comfort her or giving her space. After a moment he nodded to Alex and they pulled back into one of the dressing rooms.
None of them said a word as they waited. Alex pulled out his drumsticks and tapped them on his knees to fight off the rising anxiety in his chest. Nobody bothered looking at the clock and nobody made eye contact. Those three words they’d heard repeated on a loop in Alex’s brain, and he was sure they were in the minds of the others. That hug he had thought about giving felt both highly necessary and very inadequate, and he didn’t even know what the phone call was about.
After some time, Julie appeared in the doorway. She looked around at all of them and breathed deeply.
“My mom is in the hospital right now,” she said soberly. “She’s been in cancer treatment for a few months now and it was in remission, but it’s coming back."
Her eyes remained cast toward the floor, and each of the guys hesitated to move.
"I can't cancel tonight, but…" she began saying. Luke raised a hand to cover his face, clearly afraid of the rest of that sentence.
"I'm sorry guys, but I need some time to myself." She left, but Alex saw her face twist with pain before she was completely out of sight and he thought he felt his heart snap in two. Everyone looked at Luke as he sat at a loss for words.
Finally, Luke straightened up and a calm fierceness took over his countenance.
"We gotta make tonight the best, you guys, you hear me?"
Each of them nodded solemnly.
"Alright. We aren't legends for ourselves, tonight. We're legends for Julie."
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thevelvetseries · 3 years
Text
Voice In My Head (Part 1)
Summary : This is the story about Ashley Ackles and how her life turned upside down.
Pairing : Jensen Ackles x Daughter Reader / Danneel Ackles x Daughter Reader
Warnings : Fluff, Angst, Eating Disorder, Self Inflicting Cuts, Self Hate, Attempted Suicide, Minor Drug Use.
Series Masterlist / Main Masterlist
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It’s hard to know where to begin telling you about this. I wonder if there’s any such thing as beginnings.
3 MONTHS AGO...
At this point in Ashley’s life everything had been normal. She was an A+ Grade student with a bright future ahead of her. She had her loving family surrounded around her and had good health. She had her 5 best friends Veronica, Selena, Bram (Abraham), Taylor and Matt (my boyfriend). She had been friends with Veronica and Selena since they were in kindergarten, she then met Bram in middle school then Taylor and Matt in High School and they six of them because the best of friends. They do everything together. They travel to school together every morning, go to the mall every Friday after school and talk about what friends usually talk about.
This is where our story starts. Ashley, Veronica and Selena were walking down the school hallway from just having gym class and was going to meet the boys for lunch. Once they get to the cafeteria they wait in line to get their food before going to find Matt, Taylor and Bram sitting at there normal table. I sit next to Matt and give him a quick kiss before starting my lunch. We were all eating and taking about the party that was happening on Saturday at Justin’s house. Justin is one of the school popular football players and always had parties whenever his parents went out of town for a weekend. Who knew this was going to be the downfall in Ashley’s life, the moment that changed her life forever.
“So who’s driving who Saturday?” Matt says while drinking some of his water.
“I don’t mind driving, it’s not like I’m gonna drink anyway.” I say while biting into my chicken salad sandwich.
“That makes sense too, you have 7 seats in your car.” Veronica said with a little laugh.
We spent the rest of lunch just talking and eating before finishing the rest of the day and heading home. Since tomorrow was the party we decided to skip the mall this week. Me and Matt went to my house today to do homework and watch TV. I pull my car into the driveway. Mums car wasn’t there meaning she was picking my younger siblings up from school and dad was away at work filming, he was coming home for the weekend though. We get out of the car and head inside get some snacks and head up to my bedroom. We were sitting on my bed with our work spread around us.
“Ok. What did you get for number 16?” Matt asked while fiddling with his pencil.
“Wait. There’s no number 16” I say while going through my papers.
“Hmmmm hmmmm” Matt started humming, in the cute annoying way he always does.
“STOP!” I say while pushing him a little.
“I’m just making sure your awake.” He said with a little smile forming on his lips.
“I’m awake, there’s just something about studying in a bed.” I reply. Since when we normally study together were on the floor with pillows.
“Well I guess I shouldn’t be complaining right. I’m in bed with a smoking hot, intelligent girl.” Matt started off saying before I interrupted him saying “women” which he corrects himself “women”. Then I continue saying “and your on the bed, not in it.” I say with a little smile.
“And I’m worried about math” Matt said.
We continued working for a little more, during that time mum had come home from picking up my younger siblings from school, and we had started working on the the subject we needed to get through, when I remembered something. I got off the bed Matt watching the walk across the room and going into my closet coming out with a black piece of fabric. I chucked them at him.
“You left your boxers here Monday”. I say with a smile.
“Oh no. I left them on purpose. You know to remind you of the wonderful night we had.” He said before grabbing my waist and kissing up my neck, which is when I begin to start giggling. Suddenly there was a knock on my bedroom door.
“Come in” I spoke loudly trying to stop giggling.
“Hello.” Mum said when she entered. “How’s the studying going” she asked.
“It’s going well. Nearly done” I reply,
“Good. Matt you joining us for dinner tonight?” She asked.
“No. Not tonight mum is making her famous spaghetti tonight.” He replied.
“Ok, also remember you father will be home tonight. So we are having his favourite” he should be home around 7.” Mum said before leaving the room.
Matt ends up leaving around 6pm to head home. I packed up all my work and put it away before heading downstairs for the night to spend time with my family. We were all in the living room when we heard the front door open and close. Dad was home. He had just finished filming season 14 of his show and was finally on hiatus. While dad was putting his luggage on the floor we all got up and welcomed him home before having dinner.
“So how was everyone’s day” dad asked. That’s when Zepp, Arrow and JJ start telling three different stories at once.
“Wow wow wow. Slooow down. One at a time. One at a time.” He interrupted. The one by one the all went through what happened to them. While this was happening I continued to eat my food, mums food is always delicious. Especially her spaghetti.
“Ashley, what about you?” Dad asked before taking another mouthful of his dinner.
“Not much really. Went to my lessons. Had gym. Had lunch, we didn’t go to the mall this week since there’s a party tomorrow night and then Matt came over after school so we could study together.” I said.
“What party?” He replied.
“Some guy called Justin. Don’t worry I won’t be drinking, I’m driving us all there and then home. So all I’m drinking is soda.”
“Well that’s ok. Just make sure you get home at a reasonable hour please. I don’t want to be up all night worrying because you’re not home.” Dad said while taking a forkful of his food.
“I promise I’ll be home before midnight.” I replied.
“That’s all I ask.” He replied.
For the rest of the night we spend together as a family. We all relaxed in the living room watching movies and snacking on popcorn and different snacks. It was nice. We don’t get to do this often since dad is away at work for too many months during the year. We all started to go to bed around 11pm, before I went to sleep I got my outfit ready for the party tomorrow night and went off to sleep.
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP
I could hear the beeping of my alarm like it was in a tunnel getting louder and louder. Slowly I started to wake up, I reached out my arm and turned off my alarm and started to get out of bed. I put on my slippers and my dressing gown on and headed into the bathroom and started getting ready for the day ahead. Around 8am I was finished and made my way downstairs. While walking down the hallway of her house she could smell the sizzling delicious smell of bacon cooking coming from the kitchen. When the kitchen comes into view she see her dad and mum standing in the kitchen cooking breakfast together. I make my way over to the kitchen table and start to pour myself a glass of orange juice that was already on the table.
“Morning sweetie.” Mum said when she saw me walking across the room.
“Morning.” I say before drinking half of my glass.
“How did you sleep last night?” Mum asked
“I had a good night sleep.” I replied.
We went along with our morning. Around 8pm I was all ready for the party and texted everyone I was ready and was about to leave to pick everybody up. I made my way downstairs and picked up my car keys from the bowl and walked into the living room.
“I’m about to leave. I’ll try and get home before midnight ok. I’ll text you when we leave the party so you don’t have to worry ok.” I say from the doorway to my dad.
“That’s ok sweetie. We’re not going anywhere tonight so we’ll be home.” He replied.
I got in my car, I collected everyone from their houses and made it to Justin’s house. I parked my car on his street and we all made our way inside.
“Um.. 11:45 at the car.” I say so we all agree on a time to head home.
“Now let’s have some fun.” Matt said while he came closer to me to give me a kiss under my ear, which caused me to giggle.
We all spent our night dancing around the backyard drinking. I only have 1 drink and stayed drinking cola and water for the rest of the night. The party was in full swing and everyone was drinking and dancing and were having a good time. It currently 11:45pm when we got in the car and left the party.
We all got in the car still laughing and having fun from the night that had just happened. I drove for about 10 minutes to Veronica house where I was dropping her off and Selena since she was staying over at her house next was Bram, then it was just Tyler, Matt and me. I was currently sitting at a red light singing along to the radio and just being our normal selves. After about 2 minutes light changed to green and I slowly started to move. When I reached the middle of the intersection of the road, out of the corner of my eye I could suddenly see bright white lights coming straight to us and hitting the car from the passenger side. The place were Matt was sitting. At first I didn’t know what to do. Blood was coming down my head from where I hit it on my door window. Matt wasn’t moving or talking and sight was getting shorter and shorter. The last thing I remember before I passed out was that I could see flashing lights and hear sirens.
Voices In My Head Taglist
@scatchia @spngirl05 @myopiamystical @dracosassismine @maia-skye @vicmc624 @blqcklust @cassiwalkinatural @ray-l-00@superspackles @mamanoota5 @bea789 @pooks06 @m1s10@youngnickeleggseagle @overthinkingsoulcat @kettnerjanea@vildemc @izzy0731 @blogaboutmylife2 @101stshippersquad@spnfamily-j2 @hgs2018 @desiredposion @weightlessdevil@alliedimlerr @lifeofanerd164 @hettolini @spneditsdestiel@smoothdogsgirl @weirdoforeves @lovingbrock @dannyo000@supergirl000983 @jensenandjaredsgirl0516 @sarsmilesah@thisshallbegrand @thehalediaries @generallyclumsy​ @hoboal87​ @snowangle1994
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moonfox281 · 3 years
Note
Ok but when Dick found out that Jeff and Trevor are alone and have no one je basically adopted them, made them dinner, told them to go to sleep, listened to their problems, comforted them (with a slight cuddles shhh) when needed and most importantly - there was someone that truly cared about them
Writer note: Moonie got very sick and wrote this in a hospital, so when I was typing out with only one eye open, I missread the prompt and it turned quite different. Sorrrryyy....
Dick grimaced when watching Jefferson munch on his half-eaten sandwich. They were on watch duty, Dick’s night ended early so he decided to come over and help the boys an eye. Half the night through and Jeff pulled out a thin foil package under his kevlar and started chunking on that saucy thing.
“Is that your dinner?”
Jeff turned to look at him, nodded, squinted his eyes and went back to his sandwich.
“If you know him like I do, that’s not even worth an entree.” Commented Hank as he poured out hot coffee from a thermal bottle and handed it to Dick. “But we’re on duty, what can we do, right?”
“You boys all eat like this?”
“Pretty much.”
“What about off duty days?”
“I don’t know, I can cook. Heck Blue, I work at your favorite coffee spot. But this guy though, I guess he just sleeps. God knows he can burn the house down if you give him a frying pan.” He pointed at Jeff and laughed out loud. Joke aside, Dick really believed him. He had seen it with his own eyes how Jeff held a kitchen knife like he was about to stab someone when Dick asked him to help with the onions.
“But how does keep his 6 packs with eating like that?”
“Ooh, you’ve seen his packs? Nice huh!”
And that was how the very next day, right before Jeff was about to take John to school, Dick ran to the doorway thrusting a cotton wrapped box to him.
“What…”
“It’s your lunch.”
“My what?”
“Your lunch. Here.” Considering the dumbfounded look Jeff was wearing, Dick found no delicate way to explain it but opening up the box out to show him. “It’s a lunch box. You seem like a strong eater, so I put quite a lot in.”
“There’re fried chickens in there.”
“Oh, that’s right. It’s sweet garlic sauce, John really likes it. There're also green beans and carrots.”
“What are these yellowy things?”
“Egg rolls.”
“Egg what?”
“Egg rolls. They have corn and cheese inside.”
And then there was silence. Just silence, for roughly 5 or 6 minutes, probably longer because they only snapped out of it by the sound of John jamming Jeff’s Jeep down the street for the wait. 
“Blue… I don’t know...” Jeff, the 6 feet something brick of scars and muscles, was shuttering through words and words holding out the little lunch box in his hands like carrying an egg carton.
“It’s okay, just take it.” Dick smiled, ruffled his head (oops, bad habit). “Just don’t eat junks down the streets, I’ll cook for you. I need my soldiers to be topnotch, do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.” He looked like he was about to cry.
So, that was how things started. From that day went on, there was a story about the head of Red Hood gang’s task forces going to work every day with a little lunch container wrapped in wrap cloth. The menu was extravagantly diverse, from sea food like lemon baked codfish, tempura squish, and teriyaki salmon, to little treats like fried cutlets, homemade chicken nuggets, spicy dumplings and Vietnamese spring rolls. There seemed to even be an aesthetic balance in nutrient settlement, carbs, protein, and greens all in one box, not to mention the delicate arrangement. In short, it was Chrismast every lunchtime, watching Jefferson opening his lunchbox. 
Of course, the secrets lasted for a week, top, and soon everybody found out it was the gang’s dearest Blue that had been playing Jefferson’s fairy godmother this whole time.
Shocker, everybody seemed to have lost their ability to crack an egg since then. 
“I got shot last night, oh...it’s my dominant arm too, now I can’t even turn my stove on.”
“My power was cut at midnight, now all my food is ruined. I don’t know what to eat in a week!”
“I don’t know about you guys but I’ve been living on canned foods and frozen meals for months, if only someone would cook a proper meal for me one day...”
Did Dick figure it out right away? Heck, he didn’t even need a detective license to see right through them, but he tolerated it anyway. 
The thing was, the task force consisted around 12 members, and Trevor too (this man didn’t even have to word it, he just stared at Jefferson’s lunch box with those dreamy looking eyes) and Dick, unfortunately, only had two arms. He couldn’t feet 13 chunkers at a time. So he made a schedule and cooked for two persons at a time, and moved on to the new ones the next day. It kept everyone happy, and kept Dick busy. Since marrying Jason, he had lots of time, lots of it.
Of course, words came around, and one day when Dick was doing meal prep, Jason came from behind hugging, slugging down his shoulder, half mumbling down his hair, half sniffing his nape like a dog.
“Why is it that everybody seems to have your lunchbox and I don’t?”
“Is that so?” Dick half-ass asked back. He was busy writing things down and Jason’s clinging arms around his waist, plus the dead weight on his back were all in the way. “Don’t you regularly eat out with clients and business partners? Like today, what did you have?”
“Teppanyaki.” 
“Hmm, how lavish.”
“But I want your lunch box!”
“You’re saying you want brown rice and chicken lollipops over wagyu beef and scallops?”
“If we’re talking about your homemade chicken lollipops and brown rice, yes sir.”
“Don’t you have an image to keep? What would they say if you went to work in suit and kevlar and a bow tie wrapped lunchbox?”
“And what would they say if everyone else is getting a dip in your cooking while the husband himself doesn’t get a taste?”
Okay, point taken. Sensing a loss in this conversation, Dick pecked Jason’s forehead to win back the playing field. 
“You know what Tobu said? You remember Tobu right?”
“Yes, I remember him.” It was harder to forget that man, to be honest. “Don’t tell me you talked to him about this.” Dick was an idiot, when Jason said he had teppanyaki for lunch, he should have realized it was with Tobu.
“We talk occasionally. He said a homemade bento box tells more about affection than any given word. So pleeease...” followed up with some questionable muffled sounds.
Needless to say, Dick was very much annoyed.
So, short story, that was how Dick found himself standing in front of hundreds of wooden lunch box designs the next day, trying to figure out which type suited his protein chunker the most. 
“Are you getting one as a gift?” The shop helper asked.
“I’m getting one for my husband.”
And she made a series of questionable high pitch squeals. 
Needless to say, Dick was very much tired. 
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Pack it Up
This is something based upon a headcanon that I have about Beth bringing lunch to Rick on a daily basis because she obviously likes stuff like that (she’s usually using food as a way of connecting with her parents when they’re distancing from her, and I see it as one of her love languages and also something that Rick needs, as pointed out in this post.) 
She had seen him do this before. Sometimes, he HAD lunch, but it was… lacking, to say the least, and some days, like today, he had nothing. He used to just vandalize the table or something whenever he didn’t have lunch, or skip and get into trouble at some point before the day was over. Rick had been turning over a new leaf, though and the things that he used to do to cope were no longer “how he is.” 
But, some things he COULDN’T change. That was definitely just two slices of bread and mayo. Like… she’d seen him have lettuce on a bun before. He’d barely eaten it, even though he was probably hungry. He wasn’t a small dude and teenagers had pretty significant appetites. But, he WAS somewhat of a proud dude, and still at times a tad bit… standoffish. She didn’t want to offend him. She didn’t want to presume that he didn’t have money or food or worse, to ASK him and make him mad.
So… she… decided to try to play it smart.
The first time was pretty simple, at least from her POV. She came into the lunchroom, where Yolanda and Rick were already sitting and talking. Court wasn't there yet. And Beth, making sure that she was noticed and heard, laughed as she came to the table. Yolanda jumped, a little startled by the sound and Rick narrowed his eyes, suspiciously, but followed it with a smile and a, "Something funny happen, Beth?" 
She gestured a finger towards her brain and commented, "Just realized that I left the house with TWO full lunches today!" She laughed more than was necessary and now Rick and Yolanda both looked at each other, u sure of where Beth was going with this. "I mean, what am I gonna do with an ENTIRE extra lunch? I can't eat them both."
"You can bring one home," Yolanda suggested, at the same time that Rick said,
"Just eat it later."
"OR!" she cut them off and pulled out the plastic container, "Rick… you look like you packed a light lunch today."
"I didn't pack lunch today."
"Well, what do you know. Maybe the universe DOES help things sometimes, because I very accidentally packed an extra one, as we've established!" She cheered and excitedly slid him a plastic container. Yolanda was still confused. Rick just shrugged and accepted. 
Beth felt good. In her mind, that went well. She didn't even notice the looks that Yolanda and Rick exchanged to indicate that she was being totally odd. 
Rick ate pretty eagerly and Beth felt proud of herself. He had needed that. She was sure of it. He hardly breathed as he shoved pasta salad and broiled chicken into his mouth. When he did stop to breathe, he put a hand over his belly, seemingly satisfied and offered her a smile as he picked up the dish to go clean it out and bring it back.
The next time… she thought it would be too much if she tried for the next day, which she ultimately hated, because he didn't have lunch again and he laid his head in his arms on the table while she couldn't make herself enjoy her own lunch and Yolanda and Courtney didn't seem to even… notice. But Yolanda DID ask, "You okay, Beth?" To which, Rick looked up, head still on his arms and Beth turned from him, sadly.
"Yeah. Just… not much of an appetite, I guess." She pushed her food to the center of the table, "if anybody wants this, I can get the container later. Gonna hit the library." 
Rick sat up and looked at the other girls before pulling it in his direction, with a shrug of his shoulders.
Yolanda and Courtney gave each other knowing smiles, but then glanced at Beth's back as she left the cafeteria. "Okay, so like… she's definitely feeding him on purpose, right?" Courtney asked.
"Absolutely," Yolanda said. 
"Why doesn't she just say that?"
"Probably worried that Grumpy's gonna be a meanie about it." 
"What?" Rick asked when he saw the two of them looking. "You want some?" 
"No," Yolanda said, laughing. 
Courtney texted Beth, "Hope you feel better soon. He ate it ALL." 
Beth smiled when she saw the message. At least one of them did. The next day, she'd be more prepared! She had a big breakfast and she packed a big lunch. Just ONE day of being hungry was far too much for her, and there was no way that she was gonna leave her friend in that condition again, even if it was just for a day. 
He had one of those struggle sandwiches. A bun with a slice of cheese. He didn't even have a drink! "Boy, oh boy!" She started. Yolanda snorted and buried her face in her hoodie. Rick looked exhausted already. "I guess not having lunch yesterday made me big eyed this morning. I had SUCH a big breakfast, I'm barely hungry today. If anybody wants some of this casserole, I definitely can't eat all of this myself." She was only looking at Rick and he stared back at her, incredulously.
"Is… that an entire casserole?" Yolanda asked, on the verge of tears from stifling her laughter.
"What? No! I mean… it's very close. Neither of my parents were home last night, so it's… like… I had like two helpings and this is the rest, so like… a whole casserole...ish…" Yolanda got up, "I have to pee…" she was snickering and practically cackled as she stopped to chat with Courtney on her way out.
"She's in a joyous mood today!" Beth said, turning back towards Rick. "Soooo… want… some?" 
He eyed her and she felt her core warming up. Was he suspicious? Was he about to call her bluff? Call her out? Go off on her? "If you had a large breakfast, why did you bring so much? This container is twice as big as the ones you usually pack."
"Oh! I… didn't plan on eating so much this morning and I just took the whole leftover container with me, since they let me use the appliances in the lounge… so… I didn't prep my lunch. I just grabbed the container and left…" he saw that she was nervous. He also knew, for sure, at this point that she was definitely lying.
But, he just said, "Okay." She split the container down the middle and passed him an extra fork. An extra fork from her bag. He didn't bother with why she had it. It was clear to him, by now. She'd been doing this all week long. 
Courtney and Yolanda came to the table together and Court exchanged glances with Rick, who rolled his eyes and looked back at his food. Beth was watching him. That's what she did when he ate. She watched him and felt better, knowing that he had at least one decent meal for the day. Whenever he'd glance at her, she'd smile and look down. 
"Yolanda, can I have some of your milk?" He asked. 
She handed it over, "Finish it," she said with a shrug. 
Beth made a mental note to remember to bring him a drink tomorrow. The last few swallows of a pint of milk was… not ideal.
They were all three at the table whenever she showed up the next day. Courtney and Yolanda perked up when she arrived while Rick slumped a little. She noticed, but she decided to presume that had nothing to do with her.
"Ohhhh, that looks appetizing," she said towards the trays that Yolanda and Courtney had. Yolanda's face said it all, but still, Beth persisted. "I may just skip my sandwich and go buy a tray today. Rick do you want a sand.."
"You've GOTTA stop this," he said, shaking his head and sitting up. "Beth, I'm not stupid. I know what you're doing. EVERYBODY here knows what you're doing!" Yolanda and Courtney looked nervous and a little sad as Beth sank into the seat, obviously feeling defeated. Rick smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Thank you. I appreciate it. Just PLEASE stop with the lies, you're terrible at it." Beth laughed and covered her face with a hand. "You're honestly like… the worst liar here." Yolanda nodded, laughing too. 
"I thought you'd be insulted if I mom-friended you at lunch, everyday. I didn't want to insult you."
"I'm not insulted. It's actually pretty sweet, but I mean… that's who you are. We're friends. There's no need to lie to me. And why would I turn down free meals? Especially good ones. Like, you never miss. What are we having today? Or… I mean, I'll take the tray if you were gonna buy a…"
"I was gonna buy one to keep my cover, but I absolutely have an additional lunch in my bag." They laughed and she pulled them out, "We've got pot roast sandwiches with side salads and a bought juice so you don't have to hydrate with Yolanda's milk backwash." She pulled out a carafe of juice and a cup. "I only have one cup, so you can have it and I'll… drink out of this…" she stared at the carafe and frowned.
"Would you feel better if you had the cup?"
"I really would. Drinking out of this thing seems very improper." He laughed and accepted the container, filling her cup as much as possible and pouring juice into his own mouth whenever he did drink, in case she wanted more in a little bit.
It was SO MUCH EASIER to just pack two lunches with no excuses and slide him one when she arrived in the cafeteria. And, everything went back to flowing smoothly without her trying to figure out an excuse. Yolanda and Courtney still gave the two of them looks that Beth didn't quite comprehend, though. Sometimes, Rick would notice and throw them an expression of his own that she couldn't quite place, either. They'd always look away, but with knowing smiles. Great. What the heck was it that they all seemed to know that she didn't THIS time? 
The looks she didn't notice - all those soft ones from Rick, when she wasn't paying attention. But the other girls noticed. They sure did.
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softlass27 · 3 years
Text
whoops, this is long after midnight. oh well!
Robron Week Day 6: Family
Fed up with Chas and Paddy fighting in front of Eve yet again, Aaron decides to take her away for the day.
AO3 link here
“Ah, shit,” Robert muttered, frowning at the bread bag in his hands.
Aaron looked up from where he was shoving an extra bottle on suncream into a bag. “What’s up?”
“Bread’s gone mouldy.”
“What, already?”
“Yep.”
“Okay, I’ll nip to David’s and get some fresh – ”
“He’s closed the shop today, remember? Him and Eric have that family do on.”
“Okay, we’ll just have to stop at Tesco or something and buy some sandwiches.”
“Or you could nip to the pub and see if Marlon’ll make us some? Maybe those chicken and avocado ones he’s started doing?”
Aaron sighed and set the bag down. “Seriously?”
“What?” Robert shrugged innocently. “They’ll be nicer than some shop-bought ones.”
“Why do I have to go?”
“Look, if you go now, I’ll get the rest of the food sorted and handle getting Seb ready. Deal?”
“Fine.”
Aaron power-walked up to the pub, checking the time on his phone as he went. It was a bright, sunny Saturday morning – the first warm weekend of the year – so they’d decided to take Seb to the beach for the day.
The pub wasn’t due to open for another couple of hours, so Aaron bypassed the main entrance and went straight for the back door, only to stop short at the sight in front of him. There on the doorstep sat Eve, still in her pyjamas with her knees pulled up to her chin and tears streaming down her face.
“Hey, squirt.” He approached her slowly, keeping his voice soft. “What’s with the tears?”
Eve just shrugged, wiping her nose with her sleeve.
Aaron crouched down to her level, lightly chucking her under the chin.
“Come on, what’s the matter? Has something happened? Someone upset you?”
She hesitated for a moment, before getting to her feet and pushing the door open to step inside. Aaron followed her and was immediately assaulted with the sounds of his mum’s furious shouts coming from upstairs, loud enough to echo through the house. They were soon followed by Paddy shouting back just as angrily, his voice high-pitched and defensive.
Aaron sighed and picked Eve up for a cuddle. “What’s going on?”
“Dunno,” she said into the fabric of his t-shirt, breath hitching. “Mummy’s been cross with Daddy since last night.”
“For god’s sake.” Aaron muttered through gritted his teeth, scowling as her carried her into the back room.
His mum and Paddy had sworn to him that this sort of thing would stop, that if they had to fight, they’d at least make sure Eve wasn’t around to see or hear it. He set her down in front of the TV, where Saturday morning cartoons were playing.
“Okay, I have to speak to Uncle Marlon really quick, then I’ll be right back. Wait here, alright?”
He darted through to the pub’s kitchen, where Marlon was preparing food with the radio blaring. When he caught sight of Aaron in the doorway he jumped a mile and scrambled to switch it off.
“God, make a noise, would you?”
“Yeah, sorry. Can I ask a favour?”
Marlon sighed heavily, putting his peeler down on the counter. “I suppose?”
“Me n’ Robert need some sarnies but our bread’s mouldy and David’s is shut. I was wonderin’ if you wouldn’t mind whipping us up a few?”
“Sorry, you think I have the free time to just make you and your husband a packed lunch?”
“It’s not like the pub’s open yet.”
“I’m still busy!” Marlon threw his hands in the air. “Just because there’s no customers doesn’t mean I don’t have meals to prep, do you know how long it takes to do ratatouille?”
“… I don’t even know what that is. Please, you’ll be doin’ us a massive favour, I’ll owe you one.”
Marlon held out for about five seconds, before rolling his eyes and grabbing the bread. “Fine. How many am I making for?”
“Three.” There was a sudden loud thump from upstairs, the sound of something being shoved or thrown to the floor, shortly followed by the loudest shout yet.
“They’ve been at it all morning,” Marlon grumbled irritably. “That's why I had the radio on so loud.”
Aaron glanced up at the ceiling, thinking quickly.
“Y’know what, make that enough sandwiches for four, actually.”
He left the kitchen without waiting for an answer and returned to the back room.
“Hey, how d’you fancy a day at the beach with me, Rob and Seb?”
Eve’s head whipped away from the TV to look at him, her eyes lighting up hopefully. “Today?”
“Yep, we can go right now. What d’you think?”
“Yes!”
They went to Eve’s room upstairs so Aaron could help her get ready, digging some beachwear and a swimming costume out of her wardrobe and doing his best to distract her every time the sounds of shouting from behind her parents’ closed bedroom door increased in volume.
“Oh no,” Eve froze as Aaron tied her shoelaces for her, looking at him with alarm. “I don’t have a bucket and spade.”
“That’s alright, we can get you a bucket and spade when we get there.”
“Will they have pink ones?”
“I’m sure they will.”
Picking her back up with one hand and grabbing her backpack with the other, he tiptoed down the stairs and made his way back to the kitchen.
“Those sandwiches ready, Marlon?”
“Here you go.” Marlon handed over a tupperware box. “There’s some leftover crisps in there, too.”
“Cheers, you’re a lifesaver.”
“Marlon!” Eve waved her current favourite stuffed bear at him with excitement. “I’m goin’ to the beach!”
“Wow, lucky you!” Marlon grinned at her. “Alright for some.”
Aaron let her slide down to the floor and passed her the tupperware. “Why don’t you go wait by the door for me, yeah?”
Eve nodded and exited the kitchen, holding onto the sandwiches tightly.
“Do, er, do Chas and Paddy know you’re taking her?”
“Nope.”
“Is that wise? Not letting them know?”
“Marlon, they were so busy tearing strips off each other they didn’t even notice me comin’ upstairs and getting her ready to leave with me.” He sighed heavily. “They can’t keep doing this in front of her, it’s not fair. I couldn’t just leave her sitting around by herself, not with all that goin’ on.”
Marlon chewed his lip. “I suppose you’re right. I always tried to keep my relationship problems hidden from April when she was that age – not that I always managed it,” he added with a slightly sad smile. “I wish those two would try a bit harder sometimes. Eve’s lucky to have you for a brother, honestly.”
“Cheers, Marlon. And good luck with your rata-whatever.”
“Ratatouille.”
“Yeah, that.”
He led Eve outside, pulling his phone out of his pocket and tapping on his mum’s contact. It took a few rings before she answered.
“Hi love, now’s not really a good time – ”
“This won’t take long,” Aaron cut her off sharply. “Just thought I’d let you know that Eve’s with me, I’m takin’ her out for the day.”
There was a short silence, followed by a noise of confusion. “Wait, what? What do you mean she’s with you? She’s downstairs watching cartoons.”
“She was, but now I’ve got her. I’ll bring her back sometime tonight.” He glanced at Eve, who was playing with her bear a couple of feet away, and lowered his voice. “Or I can always just let her stay over at mine, if you and Paddy need some more time to hurl abuse at each other?”
“What? No, we’re not – I’m just, I’ve been so tired this week, Aaron, and Paddy was getting on my last nerve, you won’t believe what he said to – ”
“Save it, Mum, I really don’t care. I’m just letting you know where your kid is, in case you were interested. Talk to you later.”
He hung up and slid the phone in his pocket, before taking Eve’s hand and leading her towards the Mill. She talked excitedly the entire way, all traces of her earlier upset gone as she babbled about everything she wanted to see and do at the beach.
They entered the Mill to find Robert and Seb sitting on the sofa, shoes on and ready to go.
“Hey,” Aaron kicked the door closed behind him. “Room for one more?”
Robert’s eyes briefly flickered down to Eve before he looked back at Aaron. They held each other’s gaze for a split-second, before Robert nodded in understanding.
“Course there is.” He got to his feet and grinned at Eve. “Come on then, sooner we get there, sooner we can get started on the world biggest sandcastle.”
Seb whooped loudly and took off outside, grabbing Eve’s hand as he went, the two of them chatting animatedly to each other as they dashed for the car.
“Your mum and Paddy at it again?” Robert asked quietly.
“Yelling loud enough to make the windows shatter. She might need to stay over tonight if that’s okay?”
Robert sighed and pressed a kiss to his forehead.
“Like you have to ask. Come on, we'd better get a move on before Seb tries to drive off without us.”
*
The four of them had a great day. They managed to snag themselves a decent spot on the sand, with enough space for them to build what did turn out to be a pretty epic sandcastle. They took the kids paddling and rock pool exploring, Aaron kicked a football about with Seb while Robert helped Eve look for seashells. And when the kids were happy enough playing with each other, Aaron got to stretch out in the sun next to Robert, sighing contentedly as his husband played with his hair with one hand and held a book with the other.
Saturdays didn't get much better than that. Aaron must’ve snapped about a hundred photos on his phone, saving a great one of Robert with his freckles coming out in full force as his new wallpaper.
As the afternoon drew to a close, they packed up their things and wandered along the seafront until they found a nice-looking pub on the seafront, deciding to stop there for their tea before heading back home. Since the air was still warm, they parked themselves on one of the outdoor tables, a young waitress bringing out a couple of children’s menus and crayons for them.
While they waited for their order to arrive, Eve started using the crayons on the colouring-in section of the menu, tongue poking out in concentration, while Seb pulled a few handfuls of rocks and pebbles out of his pocket, pouring them onto the table.
“Dad, are any of these fossils?”
“Let’s have a look.”
Aaron spread them out and the two of them bent their heads over each one, Aaron showing Seb what to look for. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Eve repeatedly pushing her hair out of her eyes with increasing frustration, only for the coastal breeze to blow it back in her face again, blocking her view of the picture she was trying to colour.
“Rob, can you get – ?”
Robert nodded and pulled Eve along the bench towards him. “C’mere, let’s get this sorted otherwise you’re gonna end up with a proper bird’s nest.”
He grabbed a hairbrush and a bobble out of one of the bags and started brushing Eve’s hair, doing his best to tame the messy tangle of curls. He’d just finished putting it in a neat-ish plait, when the waitress reappeared with their food. Aaron quickly moved Seb’s rock collection aside so she could put the plates down and Robert picked up Eve’s colourin, carefully folding it and putting it away so she could finish it later.
“Thank you,” Seb said to the waitress when she set his plate down in front of him, keen as ever to talk to adults like he was one of them.
“Fank you!” Eve immediately copied him, even as her mouth was full with a handful of chips she’d already started scoffing.
The waitress smiled fondly at them both. “You’re very welcome.” She glanced towards Aaron and Robert. “Well-mannered, aren’t they?”
“Hm, when they want to be,” Robert said lightly, tucking a napkin into Eve’s collar before she inevitably got ketchup all over her t-shirt.
“You should see them in the mornings,” Aaron added. “Then you might change your tune.”
She just laughed and shook her head. “You have a lovely family.”
Huh.
Aaron froze, eyes flicking to Eve before he looked at Robert, who also had a slightly surprised expression on his face. It was a fair assumption, he supposed – no one would guess he and Eve were siblings, not with their age gap, not when he and Robert were closer in age to most parents than his mum and Paddy were.
“Oh, uh, actually she’s my – ”
“Thank you,” Robert talked over him loudly, mouth upturned in a polite smile. “That’s nice of you to say.”
“Is there anything else I can get for you?”
They both shook their heads and she went back into the bar, while the kids both tucked into their food hungrily, oblivious to what had just happened. Aaron slowly picked up his knife and fork, catching Robert’s eye.
“She thought… ”
She thought Eve was ours.
“Yeah.” Robert popped a chip in his mouth, raising an eyebrow at him. “Is that so bad?”
Aaron stared at him for a moment. He thought of his mum and Paddy, probably still back at the pub screaming bloody murder or giving each other the silent treatment, filling the house with a frosty atmosphere. Or perhaps Paddy had stormed out, hiding in the surgery and leaving his mum to stew, oblivious to anyone or anything other than her own anger.
He thought of how Eve would have spent her day if he hadn’t popped into the pub for sandwiches, and felt his stomach turn. She would have spent it stuck in among the tension, miserable and lonely and probably spending her Saturday bored out of her mind. He shot a glance at her now, sitting across from him with a happy smile on her face, cheeks pink from the sun as she nattered away to Seb in-between bites of her food.
“Nah. It’s not.”
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sylvie-writes · 4 years
Text
Bad (3): Memories We Used to Share
First inspired by this song ➳ Bad by Lennon Stella
(Ransom Drysdale x wife reader)
Summary: It’s time to move out! 6 months of getting your life sorted, along with a few surprises, some pleasant, others not so much.
A/n: My search history is looking weird, due to this series haha. I’ve been reading multiple articles about uncontested divorce just to get an understanding for this series lmao. 
Disclaimer: Just so you know, I’m not a law school graduate, so I can’t say I really know what in the hell I am talking about. With that being said, if I screw up the divorce process in this chapter and/or the next, please don’t come at me. Our law system is confusing and I’m just here to write, no one said it would be accurate lol. 
Warnings: mild profanity & your typical cheesy, predictable fanfic by yours truly. 
Shoutout: MANY THANKS TO THE ANON WHO GAVE ME SOME IDEAS TO MAKE THIS A SERIES!
As always, plz pardon any mistakes, the stories are always proofread but I tend to make many mistakes regardless.
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For six months, you worked to get your life back together. 
By the end of April, a week after you yelled at your (ex) husband, you had successfully packed up your stuff, without being bothered by the man. Ever since the night you had confronted him, the two of you never stood in the same room or even looked the other in the eye. So it worked in your favor today that he was busy with his new flame, probably entertaining her with a trip to Prada. Never once did you take a break, for eight straight hours, you spent one whole Saturday organizing and strategically packing your things away. Around eight o’clock, all of the boxes were stacked by the front door, ready to be moved into the U-haul trailer attached to your car. Lucky for you, Ransom could care less about what was his and what was yours. The dog, also going home with you. In truth, ever since that day you rightfully ripped the man for his mistakes, a black cloud has loomed over his head, no matter what he may be on the outside, he’s broken on the inside. 
One more box was left in the bedroom, and you quickly jogged up the stairs to get it. Unbeknownst to you, as you were upstairs, Ransom and Blair had come home, apparently mindless to your car in the driveway, because when you walked down the stair box in hand the two pulled away from each other’s lips, staring at you.
You had made an agreement with Ransom that he’d not show up while you packed your things. He had done a good job so far, up until now that is. “Oh, (y/n), I didn’t think you’d be here this late. You should get some rest.”
His “concern” disgusted you. Now he decides to care about you? I think not.
Filled with rage, you drop the cardboard box, letting the contents inside shatter. In most divorces, there wouldn’t be this much emotion, but it hurt you beyond words can describe, to see this man that you loved with every inch of your body, kissing another woman, in YOUR house. You could even see yourself in her shoes, because damn, once upon a time, you WERE her. 
“Are you okay!” Blair came rushing to your side, to try and move you out of the shattered glass. She seemed like a genuinely nice person, and had she not been a home-wrecker, you’d want to be her friend. But at this moment, all you could think about was that she wasn’t even bothered by the fact that she’d been seeing a married man. So, just as Blair tried to help you, you pushed away her hands and collapsed on the steps, lightly sitting in the glass, yet numb to the pain. The weight of the world had finally, physically pushed you to the ground. You were at wits end, and things were looking pretty dark. At this point, you couldn’t even see the light at the end of the tunnel. What had you done to deserve this and would there be a second chance for you? 
Just then, Ransom came to remove Blair, telling her to go get ready for bed, the two clearly coming from a night of clubbing. As she ran up the stairs, mindful of the glass, Ransom came to pick you up. Grabbing your arms, you laid limp against his chest, willingly letting him carry you down the stairs. Oh how you missed his caring touch, why couldn’t things be different? It should've been you out dancing with him, you lip locked with him. Instead, here you were, letting the man who single-handedly destroy your life, carrying you to the couch, laying a blanket and a long kiss on your cheek. Consumed with emotions, sleep soon took over your body before you could protest and leave the house. Had you only heard Ransom’s apology.
“I’m so sorry my precious (y/n), it shouldn’t have been this way, my love.” A few stray tears rolled down Ransom’s cheek as he sadly sauntered up the stairs. 
Ironic, how in a house that was once yours, a new woman took your spot in the bed, besides your once husband, while you slept on the couch like a toy banned to the isle of misfits. 
The next morning, you woke up to the smell of coffee and giggles. You were angry at yourself, no doubt, how could you be so vulnerable by staying at the house? Before you could think anymore, you walked to get your keys, finding that Blair was in the kitchen, cooking pancakes for Ransom, who sat at the kitchen table with coffee and the newspaper. You kinda screwed yourself, by leaving your car keys on the kitchen table. It was your only escape and unfortunately it meant interacting with dumb and dumber. 
The two once again forgot you were there, shocked to see your form walking through the doorway. With a fake smile, you grumbled out a few choice words.
“Don’t worry, I’m getting out of your house ya lovebirds!”
Victory at last. Your words stung Ransom, well, rather word. In another time, you’d say our house, but now, it was no longer the Drysdales’ Household, no, it was Drysdale’s Household, hence why you reminded Ransom that he was alone. Sure, Blair was there but you both knew it wouldn’t last. 
That day, when Ransom and Blair had once again left, going god knows where, Ransom texted you that you could pack your boxes into the u-haul trailer. Since you just wanted to haul ass out of the place this morning, you left the trailer and boxes behind, making a beeline to the nearest bar. So far you had handled yourself without alcohol, but now you needed some relief, specifically in a few whiskey sours. Around 3pm, Ransom then sent that text, and you sobered up, gracefully throwing up in the bathroom stall, then driving to the house to officially get out of his life. Even with a major headache, you managed to pack the trailer. It was then that you realized you were destined to function alone, you didn’t need Ransom. Screw him. 
In May, you went around town, scanning different apartments finally finding one. Unfortunately, there was a waitlist with three people in front of you, the estimated move in time being late July or August. With that being said, you moved all your things into a storage unit and continued to live in a hotel room. Thank the heavens you kept your job, despite Ransom’s pleas for you to stay home when you were married. Somehow, you were able to juggle working and functioning around others, coming home to be your true self, the night normally ending with takeout and tv. This divorce had truly ruined your life, and Ransom’s. The two of you constantly lived with the rain cloud, never once catching a break and seeing a rainbow overhead. For now, you were just separated and soon you’d file for divorce.
Around the last week of May, your life was turned upside down once again. This time, for a good reason. 
Currently, you were on lunch break, eating at a nearby diner with your closest work friend, Lorraine Bailey. She really has been your best friend, taking the title that used to belong to Ransom. At least she was loyal, understanding, and wasn’t a backstabbing bitch *ahem* your ex.
“How are you holding up, honey?”
You were too busy staring into the nothingness of your chicken sandwich, that when Lorainne gently shook your resting hand, you let out an incoherent “huh?”
“I was asking how you are doing? With everything that’s been going on in the past few months--”
Before she could answer, you just snapped, quickly yelling at the woman, who wasn’t trying to be nosy, she was genuinely concerned. 
“Could you just stop nosing around? It’s none of your business really!” 
At that, Lorraine leaned back in her seat, lowering her head like a scolded child. Honestly, you didn’t mean what you had just said and you had no clue where it came from. Lately, your mouth has been an unreliable thing, for you could barely control your answers without acting like a moody child.
Quickly, you excused yourself, lightly jogging to the bathroom to expel the few glasses of water you drank. As you washed your hands, upon looking in the mirror, you were met with a face you barely knew. Sure, you looked the same  on the outside, but on the inside you were a different person. No longer peppy or truly happy. Ransom had taken it all from you, but it was time to take that back. Walking out the bathroom door, you vowed to yourself from this point on you’d try to become your old self. 
Surprisingly, Lorraine still sat at the booth, allowing you to give her a real and sincere apology.
“Lorraine, I’m so sorry, I can’t even fathom the words to justify my actions. Lately, I haven’t been able to truly control my emotions and I took it out on you. That was wrong and I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve it, after all you’ve always been here for me.”
The woman smiled at you, despite the tears rolling down your face. Why were you crying and since when did you become such an emotional person? You weren’t cold hearted, but nor were you one to cry at a movie. 
“That’s fine, I know you are under a lot of pressure. What do you say we get out of here and spend the rest of break at the bakery across the street?”
“I’d say you know me very well!” 
Soon, you flagged down the waitress and paid the tab, ignoring Lorraine’s pleas to pay for lunch. It was the least you could do after yelling at the poor woman. As you left the restaurant, the guilt was still surfacing in your body and you felt the need to hug your best friend, who was happily surprised, hugging you back. 
Once in the bakery, you were met with the sight of homemade chocolates, like your dog at home, you were practically drooling. Let’s just say the baker was stunned when you bought two dozens of chocolate, and then proceeded to eat half on the way out. What was even more surprising, was that about a seventy-five percent of your order was chili dark chocolate. 
As you were walking down the street, and to work, Lorraine reached over, tasting one of your chocolates, a chili one to be exact. Her face twisted with disgust and her suspicions were confirmed. 
“Uh, (y/n), I think I might have an explanation for your constant mood swings, the amount of times you leave to the bathroom, and why you’d buy this absolute garbage!”
The minute she listed all the symptoms together, you immediately denied her. 
“Don’t even say it. I’m just moody because I’m mad, I pee a lot because, uh-”
“Exactly! Even you can’t explain all of it. Just do me a favor and buy a test. It won’t hurt anything to try.”
“Yeah, but I know you are wrong, Lorraine.”
“I mean c'mon, don’t you want to know too?”
At that moment, the two of you were halted in front of a CVS, Lorraine pointing at the store like she was Vanna White. 
Your conscience: Maybe you should listen to the woman, after all she has three kids!
And so you did.
Thank god your friend was there, because you were an absolute novice in this field. Sure, you wanted kids, but right now you were praying that you were just having an irregular cycle due to stress. Lorraine, the best, best friend anyone could ask for, bought the test to spare you the embarrassment. 
The minute you walked into work, Lorraine pulled you into the bathroom, giving you instructions, you following them, then waiting for the timer to beep.
Any minute now you’d find your results, and for some reason part of you wanted this test to be positive. It would be nice to have a little company.
Once the timer beeped, you looked at the plastic stick that held your future, immediately smiling when your answer was pregnant.
You were pregnant!
But the father...
Unlike Ransom, you weren’t unfaithful and unfortunately, the father was no doubt him. Of course, the one time that asshole sleeps with you, he got you pregnant. And to think at the time, he didn’t even really love you just enraged you even more. It was gonna be a while till you got over this. 
So the rest of the day you were thrilled, and it was a lot easier to stick to your vows from earlier. Your mood was noticeably different to many of your coworkers, smiles all around. The old (y/n) was slowly reappearing. 
June through July, you spent your days, working and when not working, taking advice on a baby from Lorraine, even visiting her doctor who she so highly recommended. Fortunately, the doctor didn’t prod around in your life and was absolutely judge-free about your situation. You couldn't have been more grateful. 
In early July, you reached the second trimester, where the slightest bump formed on your stomach. Now it wasn’t noticeable to everyone, but to you, just the slightest site made your lips turn upward into a smile. Motherhood was the best thing to happen to you. And to make matters even better, your baby was going to be a Christmas baby, making his or her appearance at the end of December! 
Telling Ransom was gonna be a whole other story.
Finally, August 3rd came around, and the apartment complex office called, an opening for you. Lease signed, you shelled out your first payment and soon moved in, once again alone. It had been months since you’d heard from Ransom and honestly it was nice. 
The month of August flew by, and soon September came. Time passed by with flying colors and your mood had improved a bit, the baby in your stomach making life worth living. On the last Friday of September, your work friends decided that they all needed to go out, inviting you the first weekend of October to go ice-skating and out for dinner! It was time you treated yourself to something nice, so you giddily agreed. What could go wrong? 
That Friday, after work, Lorraine came to pick you up, the two of you going to meet the rest at the ice skating rink. Being 26 weeks pregnant, your stomach had finally started showing, allowing your coworkers to start nagging you. Last they had all heard, you were divorced. So when they asked, you kept your lips shut, it really wasn’t any of their business. The only one who knew was Lorraine, but she wasn’t a gossiper.
Arriving at the ice rink, the cold Massachusetts air was blowing, making you zip up your trench coat ever the slightest. Unfortunately, the wind wasn’t the only thing making your blood run cold. 
Most of your coworkers were out on the ice, Lorraine going out too, you told her you’d be out soon. It was nice to watch the skaters enjoy their time on the ice till you saw him. 
The familiar tan suede coat made your face lose all warmth, your own jacket no longer keeping you warm. Beside the laughing man, was the one and only, Blair, except this time a new accessory on her finger. A diamond ring you could see all the way from your table along the side of the rink. His laughter made you sick, and at this point you wanted to throw up the hot cocoa you had been sipping on. 
At the moment, you and Ransom were in the middle of divorce, thank the heavens an uncontested one, having been able to work many things out with your ex. This meant, zero court hearings (hopefully), a thin expense, and overall a clean divorce. Then, you had hired a paralegal to work on the legal papers and currently the two of you were waiting to see the judge to finalize the divorce, the approximate date set around the second week of November. 
Feeling suddenly insecure, and definitely not ready to tell Ransom, you pulled the large trench coat across your chest and secured it with the belt around the waist. The minute you looked at them, all the memories came flooding back. One specifically hitting you at this moment.
“Ransom, I’m gonna fall! You know I’m a klutz.”
Your husband just persisted and instead slipped on your ice skates, tying them up and resting his warm hands on your knees.
“Honey, I will be right beside you the whole time, and by the end of this, you’ll be a pro!”
His reassuring smile was all you needed, nodding, you placed your gloved hands in Ransom’s bare ones, trying to waddle your way to the rink entrance. First, Ransom skated onto the ice, turning and holding his hand out for you. The minute your feet made contact with the icy ground beneath, you fell straight to the ground, Ransom reached out to grab you, although he ended up going down with you. You looked at Ransom who wore an entertained smile on his face, laughing. Playfully, you slapped the man on the shoulder. 
“My failure isn’t funny!”
Ransom tried his best to cease his laughter, getting off the ice to help you up, although he was still chuckling the slightest bit. 
“I’m sorry, I can’t help it!” 
Once on your feet, Ransom locked arms with you, trying his best to balance you both, while also coaching you. 
At some point through the night, the fake snow was fluttering in the air, along with tunes of piano and jazz. You had finally gotten the hang of things somewhat, yet still latched close to Ransom. The man on your side, leaned down and whispered in your ear.
“I give you my word that every year I’ll bring you to this exact rink, just to teach you how to skate, darling.”
If only that same Ransom was the one you were staring at right now. 
But overall, looking back, memories like those, with him, are the ones you miss.
Why did he have to change?
“(y/n)?”
A tap on your shoulder, made you pop up from your seat to be met with the stare of that same man. He slowly gave you a once-over, making you slightly worry that he’d notice the baby bump.
He didn’t. 
“Ransom.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing, Drysdale.” 
Clearly, Ransom was trying to give you an olive branch, but at the moment, you just weren’t accepting it.
“I asked you first, (y/l/n).”
“Work.”
Your voice was monotone and Ransom gave a slight hum of acknowledgment. 
“Nice. Well uh- it was nice seeing you.”
Nervously, Ransom waved you goodbye, heading back to Blair who was removing her ice skates. You took notice how she was struggling and Ransom wasn’t down on his knees helping her as he did you. It did your ego good to see that your husband hadn’t completely replaced you. There was a difference between you and Blair. Ransom actually loved you, like the “die for you” kind of love. While Blair, on the other hand, was honestly there to fill the whole in his heart. 
It did intrigue you though as to why Ransom wasn’t being an arrogant jerk to you, yet he was being humble? None of it added up, but before you could do any more mental acrobatics, Lorraine came over, asking you to come ice skate, to which you smiled and put on your skates. 
Tonight was about you, not him. 
Something you hadn’t said in a long time.
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