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1whore1gang · 4 months

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it’s the little things🤍

Catch up HERE on their adventures

IM SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG! OMG

Please enjoy regardless

i’m so sorry if this is short or shitty lol

this is more of a filler chapter so i can get to the good stuff and set it all up

Warnings: swearing, some sexual innuendos/content, angst

(i can’t figure out taglists so i’m so sorry if your tag didn’t work or if i forgot you! please yell at me or if you know what i’m doing wrong, again yell at me lol)

I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Taglist: @gaymistakeboi @batw3nch @thedevillovesflowers @almightywdm @ghostslittlegf @sketchyfandomgirl @under-the-dirt @clear-your-mind-and-dream @darkangel4121 @vreselia @llemes @stargaliz @rockcollector3000 @nottrosaxx

It’d been a week and a half since John had arrived to your mission site. Since then, he’d done nothing but take care of you and be at your beckon call. You were feeling much better and began to feel like yourself today.

Currently, you were sat in John’s cabin he had on base, waiting for Tia to call so you could see the boys. You and John were anxious to see them and hear their little giggles.

The phone began to ring as John quickly answered the video call. A young girl, blonde and blue eyed appeared on the phone, Tia you came to know. “Hi guys! The boys are anxious to see you!” Her voice was chipper.

John spoke immediately while you gave a small wave. “Tia! It’s good to hear from you! How have you been? Everything to your liking?”

“Hey John! Everything’s been great! You have the comfiest bed ever. I wouldn’t mind sleeping in it forever!” She lets out a laugh. “The boys have been nothing but pleasant, and the accommodations have been so amazing. I love it here and I think the boys love me too.”

As she says that, I hear the familiar playful scream of Soap and I tear up. John speaks again, “I’m glad you’re comfortable and that the boys haven’t scared you away yet.” They continue light conversation, and I hear Soap’s excited little scream again.

It causes me to cut her off, “I’m sorry, can we see them? I’m dying to see my boys.” She apologizes and chuckles, then sets the phone up so we can see the three boys sitting on the ground.

Soap immediately starts flapping his arms and squealing. “Hi Soap! Hi honey!” I saw giddily and he responds to my voice with more squealing and a goofy smile. It makes me heart swell.

“Hi boys!” John says and Gaz crawls to the camera and begins to tear up. “Oh it’s ok! We’ll be back soon! Don’t cry!” John cooes over the phone.

Soap is a giggling mess, trying to grab the camera and put it in his mouth, but before Tia can react or John or me can talk him out of it, two little hands grab it and we are met with Simon’s little face. “Hi honey! How’s my Simon?” He giggled as he held the phone way too close to his face. “I miss you!!” I continue to coo as we hear excited grunts come from him.

“LIEUTENANT!!” I hear the familiar yell of Captain Snyder. I look over to John, and he can tell I’m dreading what comes next.

“Hey Tia, it was great to talk to you, but duty calls. I’ll call to check in later tonight.” With that, John ended the call. “It’s alright, he’s not going to do anything to you.”

Captain Snyder doesn’t even knock, just barges into the door, staring down John and I. “Captain?! What is she doing here? She needs to be-“

“She does what I say and I said she’s on rest until she’s cleared by medical.” John’s tone went dark as he spoke to Snyder, not even allowing him to finish his sentences.

“You do not interrupt me Captain! I am her mission leader and I say she needs to go run laps for each day she’s missed. She looks just fine to me.”

John stood, towering over Snyder easily. Snyder adjusted his posture to try to match John’s height, but alas, doesn’t measure up. “I wonder how you even made it through boot Snyder. You listen as well as a toddler. I am her Captain, and she will follow my orders only, even after I am gone. I said she’s on rest, so that’s what she’s doing. Do you understand?”

“You are not assigned to this mission as leader! You are simply-“

“I said do you understand?” John stayed calm, but was somehow so threatening.

“No! I have a problem with-“

Once again, John cut him off. “If you have a problem, then you can feel free to call General Shepard and I’m sure he will be happy to tell you about how Lieutenant L/N is under my command only. Are we clear?”

You felt frozen as you heard John speak this way. It was both attractive and yet somehow frightening. Snyder took a deep breath before he spoke. “I will speak with the General then.” He turned on his heel and exited the cabin.

When he did, John immediately switched back into the doting partner you’ve come to know. “I’m sorry you had to see that.” His voice was now sweet again.

“Can I be honest?” You chewed on your bottom lip as you began to conceal a laugh.

“Always my love.”

“That was kind of hot.” The laugh escaped you as the words left your mouth. John looked you up and down before he chuckled himself.

“Was it?” He growled.

“It so was.” He swooped you up and laid you down on his bed.

“Hmm, too bad it’s time for us to hit the hay. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.” John immediately flopped down on top of you, crushing you underneath him as he pretended to snore.

“John!!” You giggled, “I can’t breathe! Get off!!” You laughed loudly as you pushed him off of you. He fell next to you on the bed as he opened his eyes and stopped the snoring noise. “You’re such a dork.”

“I love you.” John’s change in demeanor took you a moment to adjust to. “I really do.”

“John, I love you too.” You say it back.

“No, I’m serious.” John sat up, and you followed his motion.

“I know you are, so am I.”

“No, Y/N, listen to me. When we get back, I want to get serious about us. Get a place outside of the compound, move in together, start our life. We don’t know how long the boys will be little, or if they’ll ever turn back. I want to put us at an advantage if we ever decide to have littles of our own. I want you to be my wife one day, when you’re ready.”

You couldn’t help but tear up. He’d rendered you speechless.

Your little life with John. A house, married, enjoying the little things. It’s everything you’ve ever wanted and more. “I can’t wait.” You say.

The moon falls and the sun rises quicker than you’d like it to and morning pours into the cabin. “Good morning dear.” John’s voice filled your ears. You hummed in response, burying yourself back into the blankets. “You’ve got a lot on your schedule today, you gotta get up baby.”

With a groan, you sat up and saw him in full uniform. “I don’t want to do this today.”

Today you had to get your health evaluation to see if you were fit to return to work, and you knew they’d pass you. You loved watching the embassy, but you didn’t like being under the gaze of Captain Snyder. You knew he’d work you like a dog the moment you got the green light, with or without John’s protection.

“Oh hold on love, it’s Tia. I wanna make sure nothings wrong.” John answered his phone, a sing-songy voice coming out of him as he spoke to Tia. He excused himself as he stepped out of earshot of you.

Dismissing it, you drug yourself out of bed and got into uniform, preparing yourself for the worst. You hoped that Snyder would take it easy on you after the critical condition you and many other soldiers had been in, but you knew you didn’t have that luck.

Looking down, your watch signaled you needed to go, so you went to go grab John, but he was still on the phone.

You pointed to your watch, telling him you both needed to head to medical. “Yeah, that’s what I’m saying.” He laughs as he noticed you. “Hold on Tia.” He covers the bottom of his phone as he tilts it away from his mouth. “I’ll meet you there honey. Tia needs me right now.” He shoots you a sympathetic smile, and you assume it’s a problem with the boys.

Right?

You walk to medical and can’t help but think about Tia. John has been talking to her a lot, is everything ok? Has somebody found out about the boys? Has Shephard noticed her on base? Were the boys okay?

A million thoughts ran through your mind as you felt the scorching heat of the desert sun against your skin. You just hoped whatever it was, John would handle it quickly. You needed him here with you for this.

Entering the tent, you saw Snyder sitting there waiting for you. “Ah, little miss is alone today huh? No big bad wolf to protect you when they clear you for work?”

“Enough. I’m not dealing with your attitude anymore. I’m going to lead my squad and get the fuck home sir.” Snyder was taken aback from your words, but smirked.

“She’s got her own bite now.” You rolled your eyes at him as the nurse came out.

“Wait, we’re waiting on one more person. A couple of minutes please?”

The nurse hesitated, but she said she could allow 10 minutes. Those 10 minutes turned into 15, then 20, then 25. No John.

“I’m sorry, but I really have to get started now. We’ll be more behind than we already are if I don’t.” The nurse rubbed your shoulder as she spoke sympathetically.

“Okay.” You looked to the entrance, hoping he’d make it at the last minute, but alas, nothing.

Snyder watched in anticipation as you completed each test with flying colors. “Alright Lieutenant, you can return to work tomorrow. I’m glad to see you back to yourself.” The nurse handed you a slip with her signature.

Snyder came up behind you and slapped your shoulder as the nurse walked away. “You’re mine as soon as your guard dog leaves.”

You jerked your shoulder away from him as you glared. “Good luck with that.”

Walking away, you heard Snyder yell one more remark. “You will obey your superior unless you want home base hearing about your disobedience for direct orders? That’s a direct dishonorable discharge, isn’t it Lieutenant?”

You knew he was right. “They’d never believe you sir. I’m getting my mission done.” Standing your ground, you said it over your shoulder.

“Try me little girl.” Snyder had nothing but pride and malice in his voice. Sighing, you turned around and walked out.

Completing a couple of other items on your agenda like weapon expection and ration hand outs, you finally headed back to Price’s larger tent.

His bellowing laugh filled your ears before you even entered. You peeked in to see him holding his phone in front of his face, maybe he was seeing the boys or watching a video.

“I’m so glad I got to talk to ya T. Good to hear from you as always. I hope my room makes a good home for you.” You froze.

What?

It wasn’t super weird for him to say, but it still made you uncomfortable. As wrong as you knew it was, you continued to listen. “Always John. The boys miss you and we can’t wait for you to get back.”

John laughed. “How sweet. It sounds like they might be sending me earlier than we thought. Originally it was going to be 3 weeks, but it sounds like I’m leaving in the next couple of days. I’ll be home sooner than we anticipated. It just gives us more time I suppose.”

He’s going home early and didn’t even tell you?

“Yeah! I’m so excited for you to be back! I can’t wait for everything we’ve got planned.” You hear her giggle.

“Me too, we’re going to have so much fun. I can’t wait to see you.” John and Tia muttered a few giddy goodbyes and that’s when you decided to just go back to your own tent.

What was that? You had to misunderstand it right? There had to be context to that conversation. There had to be a logical explanation. Maybe they’re planning for her to be a permanent babysitter?

You wracked your brain for any possible scenario where it didn’t sound like John was cheating on you, and while you came up with a few, something just didn’t sit right with you.

“Hey baby? I’ve been looking for you. What’re you doing here?” John poked his head into your tent.

“You were still on the phone when I came to yours, so I decided to just leave ya alone to finish the call.”

“Oh Y/N, I’m sorry. You should’ve came in anyways! I would’ve hung up, it was just Tia. She was telling me about the day the boys had. Apparently Soap took a few steps today. Simon threw a block at her.”

You couldn’t help the laugh that escaped you. “Simon is probably trying to talk to her.”

“Yeah, I didn’t tell her he does that though. Our little secret huh?” And just like that, all your worries melted away. There was no way he’d cheat on you, let alone with a much younger girl like Tia.

“Our little secret.” You repeated his words. “You’ll love me forever right? You’d never keep anything from me?”

“I will love you until my dying breath, and even more in death. You are my light, my life. I would never hurt you.” Melting into his words, you planted a kiss on his lips.

“I love you.”

“I love you too doll.”

And the world faded away as you cherished this moment with him. Your John was right in front of you, and he had a way to keep your anxieties at bay with just 5 simple words. You leaned into him, taking in his presence.

If only he didn’t have to leave you here in 3 days.

If only he’d told you about it before he left.

If only you hadn’t woken up in his tent alone, with nothing but a note.

#captain price x reader #modern warefare 2 x reader #soap mactavish smut #soap mactavish x reader #tf141 x reader #simon ghost riley #cod mw2 #johnny mactavish #john price #kyle gaz garrick

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r0ttenhearts · 11 months

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After the Storm

haunting ex!scaramouche x reader

angst, slight mentions of sh, self indulgent, no comfort

“how many days has it been..?”

glancing at the corner of your monitor, the time reading 8:16 felt almost torturous considering what had occurred over the past few hours. slamming your fist onto the cold surface of your desk, screaming into your pillow, the aching dullness on your thighs as tears blurred your vision. it had been a long night.

it had been exactly a week since you’d last seen scaramouche, and you had decided to torture yourself by checking his spotify followers, seeing it go up by one with his account following some girl named “pasia” back.

you blinked slowly, your heavy, swollen eyes feeling the lack of sleep catch up to you. you sighed, stretching yourself out as you felt your bandages shift. “i’ll have to change those later.” you mumble to yourself as you leave your room after being cooped up in it for most of the previous day.

feeling almost zombie-like, you make yourself a cup of coffee. sleeping would most definitely be sentencing yourself to a nightmare. hearing his voice, seeing him. it was too much for you.

stirring the cup of dark liquid, you figured you’d try and make it a little more tolerable by dunking ice cubes into your mug, pouring caramel into the drink as you turned it into a sweet coffee.

“you’re blurring out of sight.. keeping the myth alive..” you hum to yourself as you take a sip of your coffee. this moment was nothing but pure bliss. a moment of peace from the chaos that wrecked your mind every passing minute of the day.

“i don’t know how you like that stuff (y/n). it’s disgustingly sweet.”

and just like that, your moment of peace was taken from you. you gasped, dropping your cup onto the floor as it shattered into pieces. the coffee now on the floor with the porcelain.

the ringing in your ears drowned out the sounds of your own breath desperately gulping in air with the feeling of your chest constricting on itself. “please.. leave my mind already.” you gasped out, placing your hands on the countertop to steady yourself.

you sob, covering your face with your hands as you realize this would be your new normal for awhile. just until you got over the three years you spent with scaramouche. easier said than done. you can’t just forget 3 years you spent day and night with someone. losing your firsts to, making promises to. all to someone exceptionally cruel.

once you calmed yourself, you cleaned up the sticky coffee and broken cup, retreating to your room to indulge in whatever brightly pixelated game caught your eye. things would go on like this for the rest of your summer break. moping in your room, creating more art on your skin.

“i’m safe with my sulk, i no longer want any means.”

a/n: very self indulgent after another hard night. stay safe everyone! thanks for reading!

taglist: @samarill

#genshin angst #genshin x reader #genshin x reader angst #wanderer x reader #wanderer angst #scaramouche x you #scaramouche x reader angst #scaramouche angst

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obxone · 10 months

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Marmoris (Chapter Eighteen)

Edited-ish. ~1.4k words

Taglist: @gillybear17

WARNING: SMUT (do not engage if you are underage!)

Masterpage

It is a quiet night in. Ward demanded you all be home and safe from the tropical depression that is promised to hit tonight. The rain started an hour ago, the booms of thunder and bright flashes of lightning promising to keep you awake for hours. It gives you a chance to catch up on your reading, and that is what you have chosen to do as you lay in bed. The house is quiet, and it is nearing 10 pm. Rafe complained about family movie night after Rose picked a rom com, so you and your siblings turned in early, leaving your dad and Rose to watch the movie alone.

You can faintly hear Rafe’s music from down the hall, and Sarah’s from the other end. A tapping sound has you sitting up to see JJ crouched outside your window while being hammered by the rain.

“JJ?!” You slip out of your bed and hurry to the window. After you push it open, your hands are on his arms, pulling him in. “What the hell?”

He shivers, reaching back to close it as you stare at him, soaking wet and dripping on your floor.

“Stay here, let me get a towel,” you murmur, pressing your hands to his chest temporarily before you hurry to your bathroom. You come back with two towels, and he is watching you.

“You're wet now, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” you murmur as you get closer and see him. His lip is busted, and a bruise is blossoming across his temple and down his jaw. A jagged cut runs under his eye. His lips press into a hard line when he sees you have noticed his injuries. “What the fuck?”

“It’s nothing,” he mumbles, taking the towel from you. He pats it against his face before rubbing his hair. He looks at you again, hurt and sadness reflected there. You do not budge, and he frowns. “Do you have anything dry I can wear?”

“Yeah,” you whisper before turning and leaving your room. The door shuts quietly behind you, and JJ waits right where you left him. You come back moments later with a pair of sweats. “These are Rafe’s, but he won’t miss them.”

He takes them before pecking your cheek. “Thanks, Baby.”

“Hurry up before you get sick from being so drenched,” you rush out and reach for his shirt. You help him peel it off, and he works on his boots, socks, and cargo shorts, and you take every item into your bathroom. You reemerge to him wearing the sweatpants with the puddle he had left moped up, and he is towel drying his hair. “The clothes are on the towel warmer, should be okay in a bit.”

“Thank you.”

You study him from a distance for a moment before shaking your head. His torso has three giant bruises blooming. Two on either side of his ribs and one on top of his right upper abs. They look painful, there is no denying it, and your heart aches for the little boy you have watched since you were eight years old. “Do you need an ice pack? Bandages?”

“No, just you, come here.”

You cross the distance and pull him into your arms. He buries his face in the curve of your neck as he clings to you tightly.

“Talk to me, Jay, please.” You scratch his scalp and rub his back. “What happened, Baby?”

“The usual stuff with my dad,” he breathes, his nose brushing a fading hickey he had previously left on your skin. “We got in a fight about money.”

You frown and nuzzle your face against his before pressing your lips to his head. “Stay the night with me?”

He nods, clinging to you tighter. You both are on the verge of tears, but you both swallow them down, ignoring what should be happening right now as you hold him.

“You sure you don’t need an ice pack?” You ask, tipping his face up so that you can look at him. “I don’t mind going downstairs.”

“Your shirt is soaked, and I don’t want you to leave again.”

“Okay,” you shush him, cupping his face. “I’ll stay.”

He nods, pulling you back against him. His lips press to yours, and you sigh into his mouth. His hands press against the small of your back, urging your body to curve against his.

“Jay,” you mumble against his lips. He does not break the contact.

“Hmm?”

“I’m glad you came to me.”

He urges for more kisses, and you give into him, letting him have whatever he needs from you as his hands touch your back, stroking up and down your spine until you shudder against him.

The timing could be better, you know that, but right now you want to be as close to him as you can get. You want to let him in and show him how special he is. You swallow down the fear that threatens to consume you as you decide to blur the final line between you.

You step back from him, and he frowns but lets you go. His ocean eyes rake over you while you reach down and pull your nightshirt off. The silk material flutters to the floor, stained from the rain he brought in with him.

“Touch me,” you whisper.

JJ moves forward, his fingertips trembling ever so slightly before he touches your waist. You cup his face with both of your hands.

“I want you to pretend rule number four never existed.”

He stares at you, trying to gauge if you mean it. You nod once, biting your lip.

“Only if you want to.”

“Are you kidding?” He laughs a little. “It’s all I think about when you are near.”

Your lips part in shock, and he smirks. “I don’t want to stop this anymore.” You lean up and kiss him, your hand grasping the back of his neck, and his arms wrap around your waist as you lead him to your bed. The back of your legs hit the edge before he glances at the door. “It’s locked,” you whisper against his lips before you reach down and shimmy your sleep shorts and underwear off. “Your turn,” you giggle when he clears his throat.

He shimmies out of the sweatpants and drags his hand up your leg as he stands straight. You shiver, hands brushing the thick banks of muscles on his arms, shoulders, and down his chest.

His hands are on you as he helps you into your bed before he follows. You lie on your back and reach for him, but he lingers back. JJ watches you, worried you are doing this for the wrong reason.

“I want you, JJ.” You say then, your hand brushing his as he runs his knuckles down the outside of your thigh. “I want to know you, and I want you to know me. All of me.”

He exhales, meeting your gaze head-on. You smile weakly before glancing at the way his knuckles run up your thigh again until his fingers wrap around your hip. He lowers his head, brushing his lips across the skin above your knee before he moves higher. His lips brush across your lower tummy before moving between your breasts and to your neck. You sigh, arms loosely hanging around his shoulder when his lips connect with yours.

“I want this to last forever,” you whisper against his lips. “You and me, alone, finding one another.”

He smiles before pecking your forehead. “I’m not going anywhere tonight.”

A few moments pass of your bodies touching and your gazes locked. You nod once, exhaling as you run your fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck. His body nestles between your legs, and you bite your lip as he slowly sinks into you.

He pauses once he is buried inside of you. Both of your chests rising and falling in sync, lust mixing with unspoken feelings.

As his hips begin to move, rocking into yours, your head tips back, and a quiet moan falls from your lips. He buries his face into your neck, groaning at the feel of you wrapped around him. His lips brush your throat, breath fanning over your skin as he moans your name over and over. Hands find one another, and fingers interlace against your sheets. Quiet moans and sighs of pleasure are all that can be heard from either of you as you lose yourself in one another. Everything that happened before he showed up is forgotten for the moment.

(Chapter Nineteen)

Feedback is welcomed, just remember to be kind. Please feel free to like, reblog, comment, or send an ask if you want. Happy Reading.

#outer banks #obx #jj maybank #jj maybank x reader #obx jj maybank #outer banks jj maybank #jj maybank x y/n #jj maybank x you #jj maybank smut #jj maybank x kook!reader

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runningfrom2am · 8 months

Text

i am a god

summary: after a fatal bar fire leaves the whole city distraught, your best friend can’t help but notice that you couldn’t care less.

pairing: jj maybank x fem!reader

wc: 3.9k

tags/warnings: possession, violence, blood, gore, s/h elements, death, all that fun stuff. also reader is a psycho. semi-platonic jj x reader, SOME jjiara (i couldnt resist- sorry kie girl ily), implications of a non-straight reader, manipulation.

a/n: this is for day one of obx week!! day one: au with jj maybank! if you couldn’t tell by now, i went with a jennifer’s body au. don’t ask why, it honestly just came to me in a raven simone style vision and i honestly hate the final product. but i thought it was so perfect getting into the spooky season :)

i hope you enjoy and i’ll see you again tomorrow for my first ever john b fic!!

disclaimer!! : please be mindful of the warnings on this one! there are references to assault and violence and self-harm so if any of this is disturbing for you please do not read this! come back tomorrow for some fluff :)

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"JJ, it's literally not that deep. Don't be a baby. It'll be fun." You scoff, throwing your bag over your shoulder as you get up off his bed.

"For you, maybe. I don't get why I have to come." JJ sighs, following you down his hallway anyways as you sway your hips in the cocky way you always do.

"Because we're best friends. Duh."

"Okay, sure, but what am I meant to do when you ditch me to go hook up with the lead singer like you're insisting you will?"

"His name is Rafe Cameron, and he's an absolute rocket." You giggle. "You're not gonna join us?" You tease, turning to him and tilting your head.

"No, Y/N. I'd really rather not." JJ pushes your hands away as you reach out to fix his shirt.

"You're so boring, J." You pout, huffing and walking out the door. As usual, JJ follows like a lost puppy.

At school the next day, all anyone can talk about is how the bar you had been in got burnt down. All JJ can think about is that awful dream he had after he saw you off in the bands van, leaving him behind to go have sex with Rafe Cameron. The dream that you'd come back to his house, eaten all his food, and puked this awful black liquid all over his floor before trying to attack him, hesitating, and then running out- he even dreamt that he cleaned it all up. The uneasy feeling in his gut the only tangible evidence of the event.

"JJ, would you believe it if I told you he genuinely believed I was a virgin?" You whisper in the boys ear, coming seemingly out of nowhere and draping your arm over his shoulder in the school hallway.

"Honestly? No, I wouldn't." JJ replies, slamming his locker shut. "He must have been dumber than I imagined."

You giggle, taking a step back from him to lean against the lockers. "Even so, the sex was subpar at best. It was really upsetting. Almost traumatic, even." You sigh dramatically.

"Can't you have the slightest bit of empathy? People died last night, Y/N." JJ whispers, hoping you're not drawing too much attention to them in the quieter than normal hallway.

You roll your eyes. "Loosen up, Jayj. It's literally not that deep."

"It is, actually!" JJ replies, shocked as you start to walk away.

"Love ya! Catch you later." You blow him a kiss and strut off, leaving him to shake his head in embarrassment. You've always been a force to reckon with, and truly no one understood why the two of you were friends, but even this was out of character for you.

Later that day, Topper Thornton had turned up dead in the forest behind your school. You had paid no mind. It had been a month since then, and JJ saw you in person less and less, despite how close you always had been. You called him frequently though, hushed voices crackling over the landline late at night to make up for missed time.

He took the opportunity of you not incessantly calling him to invite over his girlfriend. Kie had always put up with your friendship, but she wasn't your biggest fan- the way you walked all over him never rubbing her the right way. Why would it? Regardless, she was thankful to spend some time with him one on one without you there to ruin her mood.

It's when JJ freezes on top of her, muttering about how something is wrong and he needs to find you, that Kie snapped. Internally, that is. That was the final straw. She would go to the upcoming formal with him, and then they were done. She just couldn't take it anymore. JJ didn't really care that when both of them fled his house to their separate cars, Kie had left in a huff with a slam of her door. He was only really worried about you.

The panic rose in his chest as he got on his bike, revving up the engine and taking off. He didn't know where he was driving, just that he was driving to you. He took a right onto a dead street he hardly ever drove down, scanning the dark street based only on his gut feeling that you were close. What he didn't expect, was seeing you stumble out of the woods, if that even was the word, covered in blood as the red fluid dropped down your chin.

He screams, swerving out of the way as you stop right in his path, almost rolling his bike in an attempt to not hit you. He screeches to a stop at the side of the street, looking around frantically with his chest heaving. You were gone. JJ thinks he's going crazy- did he see what he thought he saw? There's no way, right?

As he shakes his head to knock some sense into himself, he looks forward and sees you standing right in front of him again. "Hi, J." You smile. Did you always have fangs?

JJ screams again, hammering the reverse and flying back on the bike, frantically turning around and speeding off. Whatever that was was not you. That was not his best friend.

In his panic and fear, he made it home and screamed for his father who JJ, for the first time ever, wished was home. Of course he wasn't. He sighs and wipes away his fearful tears, running upstairs to his room and crawled into bed in the dark. He lets out a sigh of relief- finally, he should be able to sleep, hellbent on admitting himself to a psych ward first thing in the morning. He must be losing his mind.

"Hi." He jolts up when he hears you speak, cheery as ever and feels you shift beside him to sit up.

"Oh my god!" He screams, leaping out of bed and smacking the light on.

"God, JJ- enough with the screaming! You're such a pussy." You say, kneeling on his bed in nothing but one of his t-shirts and your underwear.

"Get out!" JJ shouts in response, cutting you off and pointing to the door.

You pout, placing your hands on your lap. "But we always share your bed when we have slumber parties." JJ takes in your appearance. You were clean, head to toe; not a hair out of place or a drop of blood to be seen.

He doesn't say anything, breathing heavily as he stares at you in partial relief. He may be crazy, but at least you're not trying to kill him. You sit up on your knees and move to the edge of his bed, reaching out to him with a small smile on your face. "I'm not gonna bite you..." You smile, placing your hands on his shoulders, gently rubbing them.

"I'm afraid you might." JJ mutters, uncertain as he feels you play with the hair at the back of his neck.

Your smile grows slightly and you pull your lower lip between your teeth. "Only if you want me to." You shrug, suddenly leaning in. Closer, closer, until your lips are almost touching.

JJ is horrified, frozen as you brush your thumb over his bottom lip before ever so gently pushing your lips together. He can't even bring himself to close his eyes while you kiss him, but something draws him into the temptation to kiss you back. Eventually, as you lay back on the bed, he lays over you and kisses you again, in some sort of trance as you hook your leg up over his hip.

"Wait- what the fuck is happening?" He quickly pushes himself off of you and sits up.

"My god, J bug, what's gotten into you?" You chuckle, sitting up again and tilting your head at him in a way he's all too familiar with.

"I saw you! I saw- I saw you in the street covered in blood and now you're just here like nothing happened and we're kissing and I have a girlfriend and you know that and I-" JJ rambles on in a panic, trying desperately to figure out what is going on with him.

"Blah, blah, blah-" You cut him off. "Slow down, tardy slip. You sound like a sped."

"I'm gonna call the police." JJ nods, settling on what he has to do, even if he doesn't know how they'll help.

"Uh, okay, why don't you narc me out? I have the cops in my back pocket. I'm fucking a cadet, remember?" You say smugly, crossing your legs and leaning back.

"What do you want from me?" JJ sighs. He knows you're right, and he's crazy anyways- so what would calling the cops even do?

"I just want to explain some things to you." You admit. "Besides, best friends don't keep secrets. Right?"

JJ just nods, waiting for you to continue.

"'Kay, so remember the night of the fire? I got really messed up. And those guys from Low Shoulder, Rafe's band, are like totally evil. They're basically like agents of Satan with really awesome haircuts." You explain the whole ideal- how you insisted you were a virgin and they should find someone with more experience if their plan was assault. True fear like none other completely enveloped you, up until you passed out from blood loss and pain from their masochistic ritual- all in an attempt to get famous. From the second you left JJ's side at the burning dive bar you knew something wasn't right. Fear was the last emotion you felt, but you left that, and the fact that you were screaming for him in what should have been your final moments, out of the story.

"They killed you..." JJ mutters, a tear dropping quickly from his eye and staining his shirt.

"Well I'm still here, aren't I?" You scoff, seemingly unfazed now by the horrific events. "I mean, they did go all Benihana on my ass with that knife and it should have killed me, but for some reason it didn't."

JJ shifts uncomfortably. "Maybe it did."

"Anyway," You quickly brush off his comment, avoiding his eyes as you pick at your nails. "I don't really remember what happened after that. I just know that I woke up and I found my way back to you."

"I remember." JJ nods. He wasn't dreaming- it was real. It was all real, and he curses himself for not checking his trash to see if he really had cleaned up your mess that night.

"I couldn't bring myself to hurt you." You smile softly at him, leaning now on your elbow. "I mean, I'm a really good friend, but I was just so hungry. And ever since then, I just knew what I had to do to be strong."

JJ goes to speak, trying to understand but he has so many questions, when you just continue anyways. "And when I'm full, like I am right now, I'm like, unkillable." You say, a smug tone to your voice. "Like, I can do shit like this. Watch."

You grab a pen from beside the bed, and before JJ can even get a word out you're plunging the tip into your forearm and dragging it down towards your wrist. His eyes widen in horror, reaching out for you as you remove the metal from your arm. "It's really cool! Just watch, look." You stop him, the lighthearted tone of your voice settling him only slightly as he watches the blood drip down your skin. Within moments, all of the blood retreats the way it came, back into your body as the deep cut seals back up.

You smile and make a sucking noise, mimicking the one your skin made as the cut completely disappeared. "It's like some X-Men shit, right?"

JJ watches in awe and confusion, staring at the place on your arm where your skin should still be broken. "What do you mean, 'when you're full'?" He asks after a moment, eyes returning to yours again. "Why were you covered in blood?"

Your smile fades quickly as you look back at him, unsure how to explain. Or if you want to.

"You didn't even look human." JJ adds, genuine fear and worry behind his eyes.

"You know, J-Bug, maybe you should talk to somebody about these disturbing thoughts that you're having..." You shake your head at him as you speak. "We're all really concerned. Especially Kie."

JJ shakes his head and stands up. He didn't expect you to gaslight him, especially when you just showed him to his face that you're invincible now, and now that he knows what really happened to you the night of the fire. "I think she may be having second thoughts about you." You continue, and he's fed up. He points to the door dejectedly.

"Leave." He tells you firmly.

"Come on, JJ, let me stay the night." You plead. "We can play boyfriend-girlfriend like we used to." It sounds like you're offering it to him, like it should be something tempting, but it isn't to him. Or at least he thinks it shouldn't be- but in reality he would love nothing more than to let you stay.

He sighs, looking away from you. He knows he wouldn't be able to say no. You nod almost sadly to yourself and get up, pulling your pyjama pants on before climbing up to the window.

"What are you doing?" He asks as he turns, seeing you go to the window instead of the door as you climb up onto the ledge.

"Uhm, you said to leave. See you at school." You reply snarkily, and before he says anything else, you're gone.

After attending another funeral for a boy JJ hardly knew and then one for a girl he also hardly knew, with new information knowing that his best friend was the one doing this, he couldn't just sit on it. He had to do something, he had to figure out what was wrong with you. He started with something he never did; reading.

He concluded after weeks of reading, that you're possessed. More specifically, by a succubus; and he's going to have to kill you. A blade to the heart when you're at your weakest. Even though he hasn't spoken to you since you left his room that night, he doesn't know if he can do it. But he certainly can't sit and watch while you kill every boy or girl in your school and eat them for brunch.

His breakup with Kie was hard- but she didn't believe him. He could see it in her eyes when he tried to explain that she thought he was crazy- that he needed help. To Kie, of course he would ditch their plans to go to the dance together just to "watch" you. She should have known that he was always going to choose you.

As she walks to the spring formal all alone, her lavender dress swaying in the breeze, she's startled by the sound of a bird flapping its wings not far away. When she turns back around, she's faced with you. "Kie, didn't you hear me calling your name?" You ask, ignoring how startled she already seems.

"You weren't." Kie looks you over. Under your makeup your eyes are sunken, you look tired and thin- despite any attempts made to cover it up.

"Yes I was." You insist.

"I-I couldn't hear it." She stutters, uneasy with the interaction already.

"Listen, I need to talk to you about you-know-who." You say, wringing your hands in front of you as if you're nervous. "Our little J-Bug."

Kie nods a little. While she's never been your biggest fan, it seems that you do have his best interest at heart. You're worried about him too. You grab her hand and lead her off towards the old pool building so you can talk somewhere more private.

"He's been... acting a little off." Kie says as you head up towards a wooded area.

You sigh, stopping and turning to face her. "Look, I think I know what's wrong with him."

"What? What is it?"

"You know how JJ has been really upset since Sophie Mally died?" You say, dropping her hand. Kie nods, looking confused. "Well, it's not just because she was like, brutally murdered and stuff." You hesitate, bringing a hand up to your head. "I don't want to say this, I-"

"Just say it." Kie insists, already battling with what she knew you were about to say.

"JJ and Sophie were intimate." You say, suddenly showing no hesitation. "And by that, I mean they were porking on a semi-regular basis." Any empathy in your tone and face was long gone, Kie could see that, but it looked like you were trying.

She just shakes her head a little, avoiding looking at you. It's not entirely beyond the realm of possibility that he was cheating, and hearing someone you're close with get murdered could cause a mental break like the one he was clearly having. She just expected that if he was ever to cheat, that it would have been with you. She didn't want to believe it, though.

"Trust me, they were doing things you've never even heard of. Total varsity moves." You add when she doesn't reply.

"Okay, Y/N! I get it!" She snaps, surprisingly making you smile.

"I just, you know- I can't believe he would mess with you like that. I told him it was wrong, that he shouldn't do that to you but I was totally caught in the middle. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner... I was just scared, I guess." You explain, smile faltering towards the end. "I didn't want to hurt him, but I see now how it could hurt you more. I didn't want anyone to get hurt. Truly. I care about you both so deeply."

Kie chews on her lip as she listens. If you were in her shoes, it would be really hard. She understands why you wouldn't tell her, even if she needed to know.

"I care about you so much, Kie." You add, grasping her hand again. "More than I have ever had the guts to admit."

You step closer, running your hand up her arm now. "JJ didn't deserve a girl like you."

As JJ stands inside the gym, basking in the sickening irony of Low Shoulder agreeing to play at their formal, he faces the nerves that he hasn't seen you yet. Thankfully, he also hasn't seen Kie, who he begged not to come. She was stubborn, like you, so he expected his ex to show up anyways just to spite him.

As he lifts the plastic cup of punch up to his lips, he gets a shiver that reverberates through all his bones like he just jumped in a frozen lake. Kie. Your voice echoes in his mind, and suddenly it's no wonder he hadn't seen either of you there.

He rushes out of the building following only his gut instinct- like when he got on his bike all those weeks ago. His intuition will take him to you.

By the time he runs away from the school, through the forested area and up to the pool house, he can hear Kie screaming for help. He rushes in through a window, stumbling over the overgrown vines and his eyes land on you and Kie in the dirty pool. "Kie!" He shouts, making only brief eye contact with her before you turn from where you had your back to him. Your jaw looked almost unhinged- and there were those fangs again, this time covered in the blood of his ex girlfriend while the colour drains from her skin.

He dives in without another thought, attempting to pull you off of her, shoving you away as quickly as he can. Under the water you see the two of them- JJ between Kie and you. You can't hurt him. You just can't. They scramble to get out of the water and you find yourself levitating out instead- it's more graceful, that way. Kie should be embarrassed, you think- suppressing the urge to laugh at her as they struggle.

"She can fly?" Kie coughs out, blood pouring from the puncture wounds in her neck now.

"I guess!" JJ replies, just as your feet land on the ground. "Y/N- this is insane! You can't keep killing people!"

"God, you just don't get it." You scoff, crossing your arms.

"No, I do. I do, I know what's going on with you." He insists, still standing between you and Kie.

You shake your head, rolling your eyes at him. "God, J-Bug, don't you care about me at all? If you know everything about me like you say you do, you should know I have to do this."

"You don't! If you were the Y/N I knew you would have killed yourself to avoid this." JJ says, and the air gets thick. "You were never a good friend to me! When we were little you broke my toys, poured juice in my shoes, not to mention all the weed you never paid me a dime for, but you would never do this."

"And now I'm eating your girlfriend." You scowl. "See? At least I'm consistent."

"Why do you need her?" He asks, dirty water dripping from his hair and down his face and neck. "You could have anybody that you want, Y/N. So... why Kie?"

"Ugh, god. Boys are so dumb sometimes." You chuckle to yourself. "You know why."

JJ's chest is heaving as he takes in your appearance. You look nothing like you used to.

"You're actually gonna make me say it?" You laugh, Kie jumping a little where she's sitting on the ground behind him, startled by the loud noise. "Because you're my boyfriend. I have loved you for years in a way no one else ever has. A way no one else ever will."

"Do you mean that?" JJ mutters.

"JJ!" Kie gasps, shocked that he would even consider believing this crap.

"Every word, babe." You smile softly, nodding as you step closer to him.

"JJ, come on! You can't be buying this!" Kie cries out.

"I mean it, I swear." You say again, attempting to drown her out as you place a hand on his cheek. He flinches only slightly before leaning into your touch. "I pinky promise."

For the first time in months, you were being real- you had the energy to be yourself, despite the fact that you were starving. You couldn't live a life like this without him, and you wouldn't leave him behind.

"Come with me." You whisper, leaning closer. "We can be perfect together, J."

He glanced briefly down at Kie, who no longer has the energy to protest.

"Don't you love me?" You ask, jutting your lip out in a familiar pout and you tilt your head.

"I.. I do, yeah." He nods, his voice barely above a whisper.

"This will only be a pinch, J-Bug." You smirk, kissing him briefly, softly, before moving quickly down to his shoulder and biting down on his soft skin. He cries out until you pull away, a small smile forming on your blood stained lips.

You've never looked more beautiful to him.

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messedupfan · 10 months

Text

Chapter 4

Summary: Wanda is anticipating Vision picking up Tommy and Billy with her protective brother around.

A/N: Happy Friday!! I hope you all enjoy!

Masterlist | All Chapters | All Stories Taglist

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Wanda wakes to her brother ringing the doorbell again. She groans, regretting every decision she made that led to this moment. She doesn't understand why her brother insists on working when the sun isn't even up yet. She gets up when he gets more persistent and she doesn't want him to disturb the boys.

“Good morning little sister,” he greets as he hands off Luna to her. “Awe did someone not get enough sleep?” Pietro taunts.

Her hair is a mess and her eyes are hardly open but she's still able to shoot intimidating daggers at her brother. She in fact did not get a lot of sleep. She is dreading whatever interaction she may or may not be having with Vision today. She didn't sell, pawn off, or destroy any of his stuff as she had threatened. She sat in the basement for hours willing the rage that had taken down her wall to return. But it never did. All she could think about is how happy and proud he was to have this space. She surprised him with it on their fourth wedding anniversary. Wanda had drawn out the plans, budgeted the project, got some help from Pietro and found all of the decorations. She couldn't tear down this present but she knew if she didn't, he would only ever see her as weak.

It was only a couple of hours ago that she was able to fall asleep. Wanda was not ready for her brother's chipper energy right now. She takes Luna upstairs with her and falls fast asleep after tucking the girl into bed. Wanda wakes a few hours later to an empty bed and voices. There are many different voices, all scrambled and she is unable to make sense of their words. She lays there until she can decipher the sounds. The loud saw isn’t helpful and only makes it more unpleasant to wake up. Wanda sighs and gets out of bed and walks into her bathroom to clean up before going downstairs.

Wanda walks down in clean clothes and wet hair. You and Pietro are focused on working and she is shocked to see you here. She looks at her smartwatch and checks the time. She hadn't realized she slept in so much. Feeling bad for the kids, she gets to work in the kitchen to make lunch as it was close to two in the afternoon.

When you stop the loud saw, you hear noise from the kitchen and you look at Pietro to see if he noticed it too. “What?” He asks confused, then he hears some pans clash. You act fast and walk around the table to check and make sure none of the kids are hurting themselves. You relax when you see Wanda.

“Phew, it's just you,” you say with a dramatic hand on your chest.

Wanda looks at you funny, “Who else would it be?”

“Well, we made sure the kids were properly distracted in the boys room, but you never know who might sneak by and get hurt,” you explain.

“Oh,” she closes a drawer, “Thank you for watching the kids while I slept. I've got it now. And I'm starting lunch so you guys can have a break soon.”

“That sounds great, I’ll leave you to it,” you say as you return to Pietro. “Your sister is up, she’s getting started on lunch,” you inform him.

“Good, the last thing we need is a trip to the hospital.” He relaxes as he puts his goggles back on to start the table saw. “Now we can focus on work and not jump at every little noise.” You chuckle at his remark but feel a little more relaxed because you were so worried about the kids getting hurt while they worked. Especially Luna since she is the youngest of all of them and was a curious little girl. You already had to catch her from falling off of the kitchen counter because she wanted a cup out of the cabinet. Then Pietro had to stop her a couple of times from crossing over the tape. And although he could have woken up his sister, he felt that she deserved the time to rest.

When lunch is ready, Wanda calls everyone to the table and everyone hungrily makes their way to the dining area that had quite an alluring aroma. The kids and the adults were starving. You wanted to be here early with Pietro so that the two of you had more time to work but you slept past your alarm. You didn't have time to fix you and Rachel breakfast, you did pick up a dozen donuts for everyone but the one donut you ate wasn't filling enough and you couldn't wait to try some more of Wanda's food.

After lunch, while you're making Wanda laugh as she cleans up the table, a knock on the front door interrupts the moment. Wanda freezes as she looks between you and the door and you grow concerned for her. She shuts the water off and dries her hands. “Tommy, Billy, your dad is here!” She shouts from the bottom of the stairs. You stay put, not certain if you should look busy or get the door or what.

Pietro drops his tool in the box and walks over to answer the door as the knocking gets more persistent. “Would you cut it out? Couldn't you hear her from out there? We know you're here, geez.” He gestures to the almost completely missing wall.

“You wouldn't open the door,” Vision says as he tries to step past his former brother-in-law. “Where are my boys? I expect them to be down here and ready to leave by the time I arrive.” He checks his watch and clicks his teeth. “That woman knows this. I have a strict schedule I must abide by.”

“Wanda is getting them,” Pietro says, his glare never faltering. You weren't used to this hostile behavior from your friend. He was the most affable, laid back person that you know. He wasn't an angry person. It sets off alarms about the type of person the twins' father is. “Why don't you go wait in your car? I hear you like the convenience of an easy escape.” Pietro found out from Billy what Vision did to his sister during drop off last Sunday. His blood is boiling at the sight of the man that was once married to his sister. A person he once had to consider family. He cannot believe he hates Wanda so much to blatantly disrespect her in front of her own children, time and time again.

“I’d rather stand inside,” Vision says. “Unless there's some reason I shouldn't be in here.” He shoves past Pietro, only upsetting the man further, and stands in the middle of the living room. You are leaning against the stairs now, cleaning your hands with a rag. Vision notices you and with cold eyes he scoffs. “Are you what they're trying to hide from me?” He accuses.

Your eyebrows connect in confusion on how he jumped to that conclusion. “No, I'm not here to cause any problems. I’m just helping with the repairs.”

Vision raises his eyebrows, “Oh is that what they're calling it these days?” You shake your head seeing no reasoning with this man. “What’s your name?” You ignore him as you walk across the room to return to your work and he grabs you by your bicep. “I asked you a question.” His tone is meant to be threatening but you're bored by him. “You are in my house and around my boys. As a man, I have a right to know.”

“Leave them alone,” Wanda says as she walks down the stairs without her kids in sight. “They’ll be down in a few minutes. They want to finish up a round in the game they're playing. I said that it's fine and told them you would be patient.”

Vision shakes his head as he lets you go, “And why would you do that? You know that it's my time with them now. You have no say in what is okay and what isn't until four in the afternoon next sunday.” You walk over to stand by Pietro, preparing to hold him back from making a decision he might regret later.

“Vis, they are always my kids too. I would never tell you something like that. That's ridiculous, and it's not how a custody agreement works,” Wanda says, shaking her head. “Why are you even in here? A couple of honks and I would have sent them out to you—”

“Clearly, you wouldn't! Otherwise they'd be down here!” Vision cuts her off.

Wanda takes a beat, not wanting to start a screaming match that has the boys running down to prevent it. “Are you finally going to clean out your stuff from my basement?”

“Are you still on about that? I like the space the way it is, I'm not giving it up,” Vision replies.

“You seemed to have no problem giving my sister up.” Pietro steps forward. “Why are you so stubborn about a damn room that's in a house you don't own?” Wanda tries to nonverbally tell him that it's not his fight but he ignores her. “Either you want your shit or you don't,” he snaps as he tries to get closer to Vision but you're quick to grab him.

“You’re mistaken, Pietro. Everything on this property is mine. I know this might be hard to wrap around your poorly developed uneducated mind. But just because I lost my name on the deed, doesn't mean I don't own it. This house was purchased under my dollar! Money I'll never get back. I will forever own it. So, if I want to keep my entertainment room for myself and my friends here, in this house, I will do as I please. Are we clear?”

Pietro tries to breathe to calm himself down but all he sees is red. His impulses are begging to take over but he knows he can’t lose total control. He grabs the sledgehammer and fear flashes across Vision's face for a second as Pietro stomps in his direction. Wanda holds her breath, uncertain about what she is about to witness. You try to snap him out of his trance. Luckily, he storms past Vision and opens the basement door, carrying the sledgehammer with him. “Pietro, don't!” Wanda yells as she chases after her brother.

“Wanda this is the only way he'll listen,” Pietro says as he stacks the few boxes that Wanda did pack up. Vision rushes down the stairs as well, shouting about how ridiculous it was that Wanda and her family were so upset over one room. Revealing that her mother was harassing him with phone calls and text messages and emails.

As he arrives at the bottom of the stairs, he notices that the decorations are torn down and that the usually neat and organized place is a mess. “What the hell happened here?” Pietro wastes no time and slams the metal head of the hammer into the boxes. “Pietro! Have you gone completely mad!” Vision shouts. “What is with this family and hammers?”

Meanwhile, you are still upstairs on the main floor, waiting to escort the boys so they don't have to witness the scene happening in the basement. When Tommy and Billy are running down the stairs you overhear them arguing back and forth about how they knew they shouldn't have asked for a few extra minutes. They are blaming themselves for what's happening downstairs. “Hey boys,” you say as you step in their way. “Let's get you to your dad's car. Okay? Let the adults handle themselves.” There's a loud sound of something breaking and they rush to the open basement door. You stand in front of the door and repeat yourself.

“No, they always stop when we're there. We have to go down there,” Billy explains. You feel bad for the kids that they carry the weight of their family's problems on their shoulders. Not sure what to do, you go by your instincts and protect them from whatever is happening down there. It's not on them to end an argument.

“Come on,” you take their hands. “I promise, everything will be okay.” As you're walking towards the front door, their footsteps are loud as the adults rush up the stairs. You aren't sure what transpired to result in Pietro holding onto Vision by the collar of his shirt with a red mark on his face. Wanda is furiously yelling at the two men to stop with angry tears rolling down her face. And as the boys claimed, once they make their presence known, it all comes to a screeching halt.

“Mom!” the twins call out as they rush to hug her.

“Mommy is okay,” she says as she rubs their backs. “Pietro, let him go,” she quietly demands.

Pietro has a short battle within himself on whether or not to stop now. He has him in his hands. At his mercy. But if he doesn't stop now, then when will he? What was he or anyone going to benefit from him beating Vision to death? Vision has kids that would be without a father. And with the likelihood that Pietro would have to serve time in prison for murder, Luna would be without a father. Finally, thinking clearly, he lets go of Vision and steps away. Horrified by the anger that had taken over him.

“I’m going to go clean up,” he says as he looks around the room apologetically. He stops by Billy and Tommy, he taps both of them on their backs. “I’m sorry boys, it's… a long journey to become a man. I will see you next Sunday. I love you,” he says to them. He heads up stairs and you worry that he might have injured his hands. Which might make him unable to work until they’ve healed. You stand at the front door and try to make yourself disappear so that nothing else happens. This wasn't your problem. You don't know their stories or dynamics other than the few details that Pietro has drunkenly shared with you a time or two over the years that you've known him.

Vision straightens himself out and clears his throat. He looks at Wanda, “Mind if I…?” He tips his head towards the bathroom door.

“Help yourself,” she says softly as she plays with her boy's hair. She looks down at their worried eyes and it's taking all of her strength to not break down. They're still so little and all she has ever wanted to do is protect them. She opens her mouth to say something but she has nothing to say.

Vision comes out of the bathroom and acts like nothing happened at all. He lowers himself to his son's height and taps their shoulders so that they face him. “Come on boys, I have a very important appointment that we're late for.” He fixes Billy's glasses and dusts off something from Tommy's shirt. “It was going to be a surprise, but we're finding out if you're having another little brother or maybe you’ll finally have a little sister.” He looks up at Wanda and then looks back at the boys before the hurt in her eyes can fill him up with guilt. He rises and takes their hands. He bids Wanda a goodbye and thanks you as you hold the door open for him and the kids.

“Are we going to see you on Sunday?” Tommy asks as they pass.

You look at Vision, who lets you know he doesn't want you around with a simple glare. Next you look at Wanda, who's only focus right now is holding herself together in front of her kids. Finally, you look at Tommy and hold your fist up to bump. “Of course, pal. Someone has to fix that wall and between you and me, your uncle isn't as good as I am.” You smile at him. You shut the door once they're off the porch and as you're about to check on Wanda, she's running up the stairs.

Her bedroom door slams and you hear the words “What the hell is wrong with you?” and “I don't need you to protect me!” You go into the boys room where the girls are sitting unaffected as they play the video game with noise canceling headphones on.

“I was wondering why it was so quiet in here,” you say after you nudged the headphones off of Rachel's ear. “Where’d you get these?”

“Tommy and Billy,” she says. “We heard a loud noise and they told us to put these on.” She pauses the game and Luna is snapped out of her trance. “Hold on, Luna.” She says as the girl starts to get upset. “Where are Tommy and Billy?” She asks you.

“They went with their dad, so it'll only be you and Luna for the rest of the day. Is that okay?” You ask, although you think you might be sent home early.

“That stinks but I guess it's their dad's turn. Like what you and mom do with me.” Rachel frowns as she's bummed about not having her friends around. “I just wish he could have waited to get them until after I beat Tommy.”

You laugh as you shake your head. “I’m sure his dad would have been happy to help his son lose.”

Rachel nods, “I think so too. It helps build character.”

You smile at your daughter as you recognize so much of her mother. You mess up her hair as you tell her as much. “I’ll let the two of you get back to it. Keep the headphones on. Okay?”

She nods, “Okay.” She places the headphones back on and Luna perks up as the two can continue to play the game. You close the door behind you as you leave the room. Wanda's door was left open when you pass and you see her crying into her hands on her bed. You want to comfort her but you don't want to overstep boundaries that haven't been set. Thankfully, you don't get much of a choice as Pietro is calling you to come downstairs.

He isn't on the main floor so you go down to the basement. You can't imagine what the place once looked like, but it must've been something special enough for Vision to fight to keep it. “I’m not going to ask you to help me clean this up,” Pietro says as he carefully places broken pieces of things into a black trash bag. “I’m sorry that I reacted the way that I did. I shouldn't have let him get to me like that. Especially not with the kids here.” He huffs as he looks at the mess he made and thinks about how horrified he would have been if his little girl walked downstairs and saw him. “I understand if you no longer want to help. Wanda understands as well and even offered to pay you. And you don't have to stay today. You and Rachel can go home now if you'd like.” He seems genuinely upset and remorseful.

“Is that what it's always like between the two of you?” You ask as you cross your arms over your chest and lean against the wall.

“No,” Pietro answers. “He’s been digging under my skin for years and when he went on and on about how everything was still his it sounded like he thought my sister is included in that. I,” he shakes his head shamefully. “He has put her through a lot. She isn't the person she used to be before him. And I hate him for it.” You nod as you listen to him. “I thought when he left her, that would be the end of it. But it’s been years and he’s still harassing her. I just… I don’t know how to help her anymore.”

You grab a trash bag and put on your gloves to start helping. “Pietro, it isn’t up to you to help her with this,” you start, testing to see if he wants your advice or just your ear. He looks at you and he waits for you to continue. “I know you have good intentions but I think you might be doing more harm than good.”

“How so?” He says, intrigued by your take on the situation.

“Vision isn’t going to listen to anyone but Wanda.” Pietro opens his mouth to argue. “Hold on, let me finish my thought.” He nods and lets you proceed. “Wanda might not be able to gain Vision’s respect as a co-parent and an ex partner if everyone else is fighting her battles. It might help her for the moment. But in the long run, it’s only hurting her. If she can’t grow confidence in her own strength, she will still be vulnerable to his manipulations. I know that you want to protect her, but she might be better off without your help when it comes to Vision.”

Pietro slouches down onto one of the chairs he didn't break with a defeated sigh. “You’re probably right. I mean, this definitely didn't do her any good. Vision is probably speaking to a lawyer right now in order to keep me away from my nephews.” You nod along, the man did seem like the type to call his lawyers about every little thing.

“Your sister is clearly strong. She has the house and she has shared custody. I doubt Vision handed any of that to her.” You point out to help Pietro see that she doesn't need this kind of protection.

“Actually, Vision made a prenuptial agreement that ended up backfiring on him. The lawyer that drew it up for him was a secret feminist and made sure that Wanda wouldn't be screwed over in case Vision chose to divorce her. He isn't as smart as he seems, he didn't read over the entire contract.” He shakes his head.

“Oh, well,” you pause as you think of what to say next. You were trying to spin things positively but it was hard when you knew only pieces of the story. “She sure is lucky when it comes to people looking out for her, huh?” Pietro nods and gets up to continue cleaning. The two of you finish cleaning the basement in less than an hour and resume working on the wall for a couple more before it's time to go home.

You volunteer to get the girls while Pietro packs up the tools he'll need for the week. Wanda's door is still cracked open as you pass. She is laying on her bed with a remote in her hand, searching for something to watch. “Pietro? Have you finally come to apologize,” she says with her eyes locked in the television. You mentally curse yourself for standing here long enough for her to notice you.

“Uh, actually,” you say as you step a little past the door. “It’s me, I'm up here to collect the girls. Pietro and I are done for the day.”

Wanda places the remote on her nightstand and adjusts her pillows behind her back. “So you're still willing to help with the wall? After all of that?”

You shrug as you lean against the door frame. “I promised Tommy I'd be here on Sunday. I keep my promises, Maximoff.”

A small smile flashes and disappears quickly on Wanda's face as she's addressed by her maiden name. It's been a long time since she's heard it without it being for her brother or her mother. “Well, I'm sure he'll appreciate that. As stuck up and punctual as his father is, he's not the best at keeping promises.”

“Clearly,” you say in remarks to their divorce and mock Vision’s accent. “Actually, as a divorcee, I take that one back.”

Wanda lets out a small laugh. “Ah, yes, the promises of having and holding until death. You couldn't keep those?” There's a lightness to her tone that makes you smile.

You shake your head, “Nah, that's expert level. I was like what? Eighteen when I made those vows…” You shiver at the reminder and the intrusive thoughts of that someday being your daughter. “I don't think our kids can be friends anymore. My daughter isn't allowed to hangout with… people until she's at least twenty-five.”

Wanda laughs again, “Wow, I had no idea you were so young.”

You make a face, “I don't know if that's a compliment or not.”

Wanda covers her face with her hand. “I’m sorry, I know that sounds bad.” She removes her hand and plays with a loose thread in her blanket. “I just meant the way you carry yourself is someone much older than you are. Well… come to think of it, I don't think I had an age in mind for you. I just didn't think you were still in your twenties.”

You smile, “Had to grow up fast, I guess.”

“I can't imagine what that must've been like at first,” Wanda says as she tries to imagine the place you and Jean were in when the two of you found out about Rachel while the two of you were still in high school. Wanda had one scare with her high school boyfriend, Simon Williams. It turned her world upside down and made her put her life into focus on her education and her career. Once she got her period again, she refused to sleep with him the rest of the time they were together. He ended up leaving her because of it, which hurt at the time. But she doesn't regret her decision to wait until marriage after that.

“It wasn't terrible,” you say simply. “Maybe I’ll tell you about it someday. But for now, I have to get Rachel home. I have to make dinner and finish packing for our trip.”

“Oh right! You two are going camping. I hope you two have fun. I won't keep you longer.” She shoo's you away and you thank her.

“Do you think you'll still be up for drinks Friday night?” You ask before you step away.

“I think that's a question for Friday, because I don't know how I'll feel then.” She answers honestly.

“No worries, I'll ask you Friday then. Have a wonderful night, Wanda.” You walk away and enter the boys room to interrupt the girls game.

Wanda grabs the remote to put something on as she tries to quiet the many thoughts and questions she has for you. Maybe she'll push through on Friday, regardless of how she's feeling that day. She grabs her phone and texts her best friend. Make me go out on Friday night. No exceptions. No ifs, ands, or buts. She sends before she can change her mind.

Seconds later she receives a reply. You've made a dangerous request. But no worries, I've got you.

Wanda hopes she isn't making a mistake for future Wanda who will probably only want to lay in bed all night watching a reality show or a reboot of one of her favorite childhood shows. Then an image of your smile pops up in her head and she relaxes at the thought of getting drinks with you and her friend. Everything will be alright.

Chapter 5

Taglist: @princessprudy @sayah13 @agaymilflover @awkwardmandalorian @bentleywolf29 @evenbeingcrazy1998 @olsensnpm @artisannat @thisischaismagic @wqndanat @madamevirgo @likefirenrain @tearsofglitter @feltlikethat @the-writer-arcane @natashasilverfox @karsonromanoff @aloneodi @lovelyy-moonlight @red1culous @jovialsublimecomputer @natasha-maximoff @iliketozoneout @doudouneverte @druggedduck @notbornbutforged @when-wolves-howl @lifespectator @justyourwritter69 @wandaromamoff69 @awesomelygayasf @nekoannie-chan @diaryoflife @wuwu96 @wandanats-goodgirl @sincerely-indi @blueredg52 @sisiwritesfanfics @lizziesplant @fuzzyuniversityeclipsefriend @arcturusseer @scarlettwidow34 @chasethemoon @raven-ss

#wanda maximoff #wanda x you #wanda maximoff imagine #wanda marvel #wanda maximoff x you #wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff au #wonderstruck #wonderstruck series

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unreliablesnake · 1 year

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I shouldn't love you, yet here we are (Joel Miller x reader) – part 2

Summary: Joel warns Tommy who makes a decision about the two of you, and it's Joel who has to explain himself in the end.

Note: This is gonna be a series with shorter and longer chapters. This is a shorter one. / I take full responsibility for mistakes and typos and stuff. I didn't proofread it. / If you want to know when I post new stuff, follow @unreliablesnakefics and hit the get notifications button. I don't have a taglist.

part 1 / part 3

Warnings: afab!reader (will be relevant in later chapters), dbf!Joel, age gap (reader is around 30, Joel is in his early 40s), no outbreak, I fucked with time and this takes place a few years after the beginning of the game, not the series. (So it's the mid/late-2010s)

“So this will be a date tomorrow?” Joel asked when he joined his brother in the kitchen after the barbecue party.

Tommy’s lips curled into a smile as he nodded. “Yeah, it’s great, right? She’s nice, funny, absolutely gorgeous, and she’s also smart. What more could I ask for?”

Letting out a sigh, Joel leaned against the wall and folded his arms over his chest. He had known Tommy better than anyone, he knew what he was like with women. You were the daughter of his best friend from the neighborhood, he couldn’t just sit back and watch him break your heart.

“Do you think it could be something serious between you?”

His brother thought about the answer, the look on his face giving away that he wasn’t too sure about that. And just as Joel expected, he let out a groan and said, “I don’t know. I think we would have fun, though. Isn’t that enough for now?”

“She’s serious about this, Tommy. She really likes you,” he replied. “Don’t do this if you’re not sure about your future together, that’s all I’m saying.”

Joel watched as he nodded and clearly thought about his words. It’s not that he wanted to ruin his brother’s fun, he just wanted to protect you. As much as he hated the thought, he had grown fond of you over the years, and so he just didn’t want Tommy to play his stupid games with you.

******

“Listen, can we talk?” Tommy asked nervously when you arrived at Joel's house the next morning.

He was waiting for you outside, catching you before you could even go inside. There was something about his tone that you didn’t like, something that foreshadowed bad news. Your chest tightened from the stress, and you could barely hold yourself together as you listened to him.

Apparently he thought about this date all night, eventually coming to the conclusion that he didn’t want to ruin your friendship.

“I’m sorry, I really am,” he said. “I told Joel about this and Sarah overheard it. She was mad at me and said she would rather have you going with them, not me. So yeah, I’ll just stay here today. Try to have fun.”

With that he walked to his car and drove off, leaving you standing there with a blank expression. You had no idea how much time had passed, but you were pulled out of your thoughts by Joel who came out to you at one point.

“You okay?” he asked quietly. You nodded after hesitating for a second. “That’s what I warned you about last night. Come on in, I’ll get you a cup of coffee.”

“I’m not sure I want to go with you and Sarah. I’m not really in the mood,” you told Joel as you looked up at him.

He wrapped an arm around your shoulder and pulled you into a half-hug. “Sarah would be happy if you came with us. Maybe it could avert your thoughts.”

“Okay, fine.”

The two of you made your way into the house where you were greeted by Sarah who seemed extra cautious with you. She knew about what had just happened which explained her behavior. Then everything changed all of a sudden and she came over to hug you.

She told you she wished you and Tommy would finally end up together, and that she was mad at her uncle for pushing you away like this after getting your hopes up the night before. You assured her that things like this happen and it was okay, even though you couldn’t honestly think this way. It hurt you badly and all you wanted to do was lie on the couch and cry your eyes out.

“Do you even want to go out today? I’m sure it would cheer you up, but if you’d rather stay here, we could just as well go watch a movie or something,” she said with a supportive smile.

You tended to forget how mature she was despite being only seventeen, but she had been through her first heartbreak over a year ago, so she knew how bad you must have felt right now. “I already told your dad that I’m going, don’t worry about me,” you assured her.

“Or,” she began slowly, “we could have a girls’ day. You know, like getting our nails done maybe.”

“Just say you’d rather do that instead of hanging out with me. I swear I won’t be offended,” Joel told her with a laugh.

“It’s not like that.” Her father gave her a knowing look which made him let out a groan. “Okay, fine, I want to gossip,” she admitted.

Joel glanced over at you with a raised eyebrow, expecting you to make the final decision. After thinking some, you eventually agreed to spend the day with Sarah. The two of you planned out the entire day, leaving her father alone for most of the day while you were out having fun.

It turned out to be a good decision because you had a lot of fun with her, and eventually forgot about Tommy’s decision not to pursue a relationship with you. You made it back to the Miller household around five, but while your plan was to drop Sarah off then go home, Joel came out to the car to talk to you.

With a sigh, you got out of the car and leaned against its side while you waited for him to reach you. “New hairstyle?” he asked with a smile, and you nodded in response. “It suits you.”

Awkward silence fell between you. You knew there was something he wanted to tell you, but for some reason he didn’t want to speak up. As you took a better look at him, you noticed the same strange look in his eyes you had seen the day before every time he looked at you.

After what felt like an eternity, Joel took a deep breath to prepare himself, then said, “It’s on me, you know. I talked to Tommy last night and told him to cancel the date if he wasn’t serious about you.

You had no idea why he told you that. At first you were angry, so you put your hands on his chest and pushed him back, but at the same time tears began to fill your eyes, and somehow you ended up nestling your face into the nape of Joel’s neck as you cried.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I didn’t want him to break your heart after being with you for a few weeks,” he explained while his hand rubbed your back.

“Maybe he would have changed if–”

“He wouldn’t have canceled the date if that was the case,” he interrupted you as he leaned back and looked down at you. “I know it’s bad now, but it’ll get better. Go home and get some sleep.”

Nodding, you wiped your tears away with the sleeve of your shirt. He was right, you only needed to get some sleep. After saying good night, you walked back to your parents’ house to gather your things, then drove home to fall into your bed and cry some more.

#joel miller #joel miller x reader #joel miller x you #the last of us #tlou #tommy miller #sarah miller

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momobani · 8 months

Text

Fire Brigade

THE WAY I hate YOU - chapter 4 - 11.4k

&team Nicholas x fem!reader - arranged marriage AU

SERIES MASTERLIST

Sum: as you settle into married life, you learn a lot about what it’s like to share your life with someone else.

Warnings: swearing, sarcasm, mention of food and alcohol, they’re both cranky goofs in the morning idk, allusion to questionable parenting?, depiction of drunkenness

Soundtrack rec: You’re So True - Joseph Arthur (Shrek OST) [there’s just something about this song, i can’t pin point it, just listen. i can just see a montage of their moments together as this plays haha]

Taglist: @nichoswag @seokka0o @sseastar-main @hyuckslvr @ssshasssh

A/N: i know it’s been 84 years, i’m sorry but life was hectic - for some reason my note keeps getting eaten by tumblr (fu!) but basically - life = hard, nicho -> nico (as per his own request on weverse lol), enjoy <3

Being back in your new apartment was strange.

It felt like you’d never moved in in the first place before your honeymoon. You cleaned up a little after you returned, going grocery shopping together for the first time instead of singularly getting your own food and sticking it in the fridge.

At the cashier, you almost asked to pay separately but then you realised how weird that would sound because you were so obviously involved and like who does that really? Nicholas whipped out his card before you could unzip your purse so you let him pay this time.

At least you drove there and back, happily abandoning the firetruck (Ferrari) in the underground parking, much to Nicholas’ pouty dismay.

You still had several days off, mostly because there was a weekend when you returned and you’d strategically planned your time off to encompass that without burning your vacation days unnecessarily.

You had to admit, sleeping in in the morning was nice.

In the morning you took time to watch some TV, sipping your coffee in front of the screen. You decided that you really needed to catch up on some work related stuff because you were going back to the office on Tuesday and you’d better be prepared.

So you spread your papers out on the kitchen table, opened your laptop and got stuck in. It was fairly quiet in the apartment and you thought Nicholas was probably still sleeping.

It’s a surprise when he walks through the front door some time later, a little sweaty and wearing basketball shorts and a sleeveless tank top. There’s a water bottle in one hand and you immediately know exactly where he’s been and what he’s been up to.

“Hey,” he greets you, depositing the bottle on the counter. “what are you doing?”

“Working,” you say, only glancing up at him. “what’s it look like I’m doing? Writing a novel?”

“Well, it could be but I doubt a novel-” he wanders past you and peeks over your shoulder. He gets kind of close and you can feel the heat radiating off his body. “-requires a contract for the sale of pharmaceutical supplies.”

“Y’know, you’d be surprised.” you reply.

“You still have days off, why do work?” he asks, genuinely confused. You again imagined what kind of utopia Nicholas’ office must be if he really doesn’t get it.

“It’s not a big deal, it needs doing ASAP anyway. Mind your business, dude.”

“Fine,” he raises his hands in surrender. “but I invited company, I didn’t know you were working.”

“It’s fine, I’ll move.” you say, marking where you’d left off and starting to sort things.

“Okay, but we might be quite loud. The guys are coming over.” he explains. “Are you sure that’s not going to disturb you? We can hang out in my room instead.”

“It’s alright, I’ve lived with pack animals back when I decided to have an authentic college experience.” you shudder, remembering the shit you’d been through. You wanted an experience, and oh boy, did you get one. Between the constant revolving door of strangers invading your apartment to the loud roommates you had, you’d really gotten used to noise.

“Sometimes I really wonder what kind of life you’ve lived.” Nicholas muses, looking at you curiously, as if you were an animal at a zoo exhibit.

You shrug just as your buzzer goes off. Nicholas presses the button that unlocks the downstairs door. You take the first pile of papers and crap to your room, realising you’re going to need two trips to get everything.

You put the first pile in your room but accidentally knock the first stack of maybe twenty pages down.

“Shit,” you mutter, crouching to pick it all up. You shouldn’t have taken the big clip off it.

By the time you come back for the second pile of stuff and your laptop, your doorbell goes off and Nicholas opens the door.

You watch as a group of dudes roll into your apartment, all in their uniform of shorts and t-shirts or tank tops. You recognise their faces from meeting them at your wedding, but you couldn’t match all the names you knew to the faces, except maybe for Jo, who had got the first-come-first-remembered privilege.

“Oh, hey!” one of them notices you and greets you too as they come in. He has a big smile and several ear piercings. You try to place him to a name, he was either Yuma or Fuma but you can’t be sure. The rest of them notice you too and all offer you various greetings.

“Maybe this a good time for proper introductions.” Nicholas suggests. “Guys, this is my wife, YN. YN, these are the guys.” he says unhelpfully. You raise your hand in a wave.

“Hi,” you say. “you must be fire brigade.” you smile. The room full of confused faces almost makes you laugh. Nicholas does ask them to introduce themselves individually though, probably his attempt to dispel your sarcastic take.

So the guy who greeted you was Yuma, not Fuma, who’s ironically standing next to him in a cute Pokemon t-shirt. There’s also Euijoo, who you recognise as Nicholas’ best man, Jo, who shyly gives you a tiny wave, and Kei beside Jo, which makes the two look like twin towers. Make that triplet towers, since Euijoo was next to them too. You wondered if their clique had a height requirement or something because most of them were giants.

“It’s nice to meet you all,” you say, finally gathering your things and taking your exit.

“We’ll save you some meat!” Nicholas calls after you.

“Thanks.” you say over your shoulder.

You’re halfway through the corridor when you hear the exclamations fill the room. It reminded you slightly of teenage girl behaviour and you thought it was funny.

“Wow, you guys are getting on better than we thought!” you hear possibly Euijoo say.

“Dude, you didn’t say your wife was so hot!” you think that’s Kei’s voice.

“Kei, you were at the wedding?” Yuma chimes in.

“Yeah, but he was too busy flirting with everyone else to notice.” a deeper voice comes in, probably Fuma.

“Well, I had to entertain myself somehow, the whole thing went on for hours.” Kei replies.

“Yeah! It’s not Kei’s fault he was born a pathological flirt.” Euijoo says in solidarity.

“Bro, never talk about another man’s wife if you want to live.” Nicholas warns, only half joking. You can’t help but crack a smile as you close your door to their ridiculousness.

You kept working, the noise level mostly okay since you were a fair distance and closed door away, but occasionally you could hear their excitement, loud laughter and yells travelling through the apartment.

You wondered when it got incredibly loud, what they were doing, howling at the moon or something? Who knows, it was a group of grown men; who really understands the mysteries of dude-bros hanging out together?

Some weeks passed without incident, your lives finding routine sleeping, eating and working, as you manoeuvred around each other every day. Despite you being worried about living with a roommate again, for the most part you led your lives separately but not completely severed from each other.

You went to work at your respective companies then came home and occasionally had dinner together, sometimes you even watched TV together or did your recycling. There were days when one of you went grocery shopping and asked the other if you needed anything, days where you cleaned the whole apartment, splitting off chores so you could be done quicker.

You were lured into a false sense of security, you had to admit.

And being relaxed didn’t hurt, but accidents did happen.

Like the day of the most important meeting of the calendar quarter.

You were meticulous, setting your alarm, preparing your materials and picking out your attire. Going to bed the previous night was smooth sailing and you conked out with no anxiety in your chest for once.

The morning you had your monster shot coffee and a crispy yet perfectly soft inside bagel while you reviewed the notes you left in the margin of the document drafts. You cleaned up, purposefully leaving the small of stack of papers on the counter where you would see it before leaving the house and take it with you, while you got dressed.

While you did your hair, you did happen to think of something more to add, so you wandered to the kitchen, your hair half-pinned up with clips while you styled it.

Except the pile was gone.

Your jaw dropped open. How could it be gone? It was right there not even fifteen minutes ago. It can’t have just disappeared, could it?

Panic started to rise in your chest as you looked around the kitchen; maybe Nicholas moved it so it wouldn’t get dirty on the counter. You deduce he’s been in the kitchen since you’d left because there’s a washed bowl on the rack beside the sink that you didn’t put there.

You don’t find the pile after a minute of looking, opening drawers, cabinets, scanning the tables and whatever else there was in your kitchen.

There was simply one conclusion - your papers were gone.

You could hear Nicholas was in the bathroom and you decide to just ask him instead.

“Wang Yixiang!” you yell, trying to get his attention. Not a moment later, the door of the bathroom is thrown open and hasty footsteps echo down the hallway, the perpetrator probably horrified of your tone.

Nicholas bursts into the kitchen, still in his pyjama bottoms and a hoodie with nothing underneath; he did that a lot as a random habit of his that you’d noticed. There’s a spattering of shaving cream on one side of his face and the razor is still in his hand. You had no idea what he was shaving off though; he never seemed to have anything on that stupidly handsome face of his.

“I’m sorry! Whatever I did, I’m sorry!” he says hurriedly before he’s even entered the room. He was clearly on the verge of freaking out at you calling his government name.

“Did you happen to see a pile of papers that was on the counter?” you ask, cutting straight to it.

“Papers?” he seems confused at the idea.

“Yeah, I left a contract here, it was a small stack and had notes in the margin and tabs, but now it’s gone.” you say, starting to feel yourself grow desperate.

Nicholas thinks for a moment, clearly unsure of what exact you’re talking about. How could that be though? He’s the only other person who could know what happened to it.

“Hmm, let me see, I came to get cereal, got the milk out the fridge, then I hit my elbow, ate the cereal and after that I took out the trash since it’s trash day- oh no.” you look at each other in horror, then to the empty trash can beside the counter, brains putting in the missing pieces.

“Oh my god.” you breathe out. Then it hits you for real. “It’s trash day!” you exclaim, feet already moving of their own accord. You had to find that contract before it got taken away.

“Don’t you have a copy?” Nicholas calls out, razor discarded while he stayed on your heels.

“No! I told you, there was notes in the margin, and they’re super important and I have to have it with me today.” you were practically running down the corridor after you’d exited your apartment.

The two of you reached the elevator and you pressed the button, anxiety starting to make you sweat.

“No time, stairs!” You announce, head spinning already, and turn when the elevator doesn’t come. You take two steps but Nicholas grabs your wrist to stop you.

“Are you crazy? We live on the tenth floor!” he snaps, holding you hostage. Before you can rebut, the elevator dings and the door opens. “See? C’mon!” you let him drag you in there, almost jumping out of your skin when you see your reflections in the mirror pane opposite the door.

Your hair was flying in all different directions, half of it styled, the other forgotten, while Nicholas paled as he swiped at the remaining cream on his face with a hoodie sleeve.

“Just so we know what we’re dealing with here, hypothetically, if you didn’t have this contract…?” he says, trailing off.

“The world won’t end but I may as well walk in there wearing a rainbow wig and a big, red clown nose and kiss this deal goodbye.” you describe. “Then I’ll have to answer to my parents, board of directors, and the entire department will be on my ass by the end of lunch because ‘nepo baby’ managed to fuck up the one job she had.”

“They call you that?” Nicholas asks. You look away, counting down with the numbers of the floors that go by.

“Yeah, they do. Even though I have to work hard like them, it is my parents’ company. They’re right though, I’m not even sure what I’m capable of if it wasn’t for my parents making me work there.” you hated that you’d gotten to this subject, especially right now.

“You still worked hard though, getting to where you are tod-”

“C’mon!” you ignore what he’s saying when the elevator finally dings as it got to the first floor and you drag Nicholas out as soon as the door opens.

You race toward the garbage storage space, heart thumping loudly; if Nicholas could just remember where he left the bag, in which container -

You open the door and find the garbage collectors already on the scene, rolling the large metal containers toward the street, where their truck was waiting.

“Where did you throw it?” you ask desperately, looking around and seeing that some of the containers hadn’t left the premises yet. Nicholas looks like he’s about to faint.

He doesn’t say anything but points in the general direction of the containers that are already sitting near the truck. You gulp thickly, realising what that meant. Somehow, it doesn’t disgust you and you act without thinking.

“Excuse me!” you call out, trying to get one of the men’s attention. “Hi, sorry to bother you, but is it okay if we have a look at the trash? We threw away something important and it might still be around.”

The man hears you, turning around, giving you a once over, most definitely confused at your request. He considers it for a moment, then shrugs.

“Knock yourself out.” he says.

“I’m sorry, what?” Nicholas asks you as you drag him toward the containers. “Tell me we are not dumpster diving.”

“Oh, but we are, roomie, we are.” you hum. He stands still in shock. You throw open the first container and flinch at the explosion of smell coming from the numerous black trash bags.

“Are you deranged or something?” Nicholas shrieks when the smell hits his nose.

“Listen, here:” you whip around to glare at him. “I am getting to that meeting with my contract, if it’s the last thing I’ll ever do. Now, dig, gremlin, dig!” you say through gritted teeth, turning back to the container.

“You know what, don’t answer that. You must be.” he corrects when he sees you grab hold of the side, step up with your leg, and pull yourself up so you can reach inside the container.

Now, normally you’d be so grossed out that you might have thrown up by now, but seeing as you could envision the embarrassment, tirade of disappointed faces of your parents, and sneering jeers of your colleagues, you started feeling up the trash bags without a second thought. You were going to worry about everything else later.

Desperation makes even the most cowardly of dogs brave.

“What are you waiting for?” you bark back at Nicholas, who was just standing behind you, blinking dumbly. “Get in there and start looking!” you instruct. That seems to do it and Nicholas rushes over to the side of the adjacent container and flings it open, gagging at the smell but obediently rummaging around the bags.

There’s a tense minute while you try and feel your way through the container, looking for anything that might indicate paper on the inside, but you’re struggling to find anything.

“Y’know,” you vaguely hear Nicholas grunt as he feels up a garbage bag. “I was just starting to like you but nevermind, I think I hate you.” he says as he squeamishly pushes away yet another bag.

His comment doesn’t make you stop but it strikes a nerve. You knew he was probably talking shit because the two of you were practically knee and elbow deep in trash - in a reversed situation, you would too - but you were a little mad at him for not being more careful in the kitchen, and worse at yourself for ever leaving anything in there in the first place.

“Trust me, the feeling is mutual.” you reply, just as huffy as him.

You keep digging but find nothing, your world suddenly becoming bleaker and bleaker. You had already decided to call in late for work and try to remedy the situation before the big meeting later in the day. You could think of some of the stuff that was written, but you’d lost some of the most important details. Not to mention your concentration and preparation had all been flushed down the drain.

“Hey, we’re going to have to get going now.” you hear the garbage man say behind you. You glance over your shoulder and he seems like he couldn’t care less about your situation.

“Yes, right, sorry. Just a second.” you plead, desperately reaching into the container in vain.

“We’re already behind schedule, ma’am, I’m going to need you to step away from the trash.” he replies. You realise you’re being a nuisance but you can’t help it.

“YN, c’mon, just give up, we can’t find it.” Nicholas materialises next to your container. He sounds tired and hopeless, just as you feel.

“But…I,” you attempt, heart sinking. You know they’re right, you need to go.

“C’mon,” Nicholas steps up to the container and holds out a hand to help you get down. Your shoulders slump but you let him pull you to the edge and practically lift you out of the dumpster, his strong arms wrapped around your waist as he guides your feet to the ground again. “Sorry for the trouble.” he mumbles to the garbage man.

You’re too numb to say anything so you just sort of nod politely at him as Nicholas steers you away and back into the building.

“Ugh, I stink so bad.” he groans, voice cracking. You wait for the elevator and when it comes, your neighbours file out, doing a disturbed double take at the sight and smell of the two of you. You don’t care about keeping up appearances right now, your dejection running too deep.

What were you supposed to do now?

After a moment of silence when you get into the elevator, you feel Nicholas look at you, hesitating at probably how hostile you must look right now. You were fuming, mostly at yourself.

“I’m sorry.” he says gently. “I really am.”

You soften ever so slightly but can’t help the tenseness in your voice.

“‘Sorry’ doesn’t bring back the notes, but thanks for trying to find them.” you say curtly, coldly even. You know it was an accident but it still made a mess. “I’ll make do with what I have.”

You get back to your apartment, Nicholas heading straight to the bathroom but you stop him.

“The smell won’t come out with water.” you warn.

“Then what do you propose?” he asks, genuinely curious.

“Vinegar.” you state. “We’ll dilute some with water since it might be too strong and clean the smell off before showering.” It was an old home trick for getting rid of smells; vinegar was practically a miracle worker.

And you do.

Armed with a cloth each, you stand in your bathroom trying to scrub yourselves clean from the essence of trash that crawled on your skin. It had permeated your clothes so those had gone straight into the washer, leaving you in your underwear.

“Can you get my back?” you ask Nicholas, when your arms fall short of reaching behind you with the cloth.

“Sure.” then his hands are in your hair, moving it to sit over your shoulder, while one rests there to stop it from moving back into the line of vinegar. He swipes the cloth over your skin, quickly reaching from the waistband of your underwear to your shoulder where he lingers. “You’re so tense, jeez.”

“Whatever, just keep go-” he doesn’t give you warning before starting to massage your shoulders.

You groan out loud as he teases out a knot in the muscle immediately. There’s a flush of embarrassment in your cheeks at the noise that just escaped your lips but Nicholas doesn’t seem to care as he keeps kneading your shoulders with his large hands. You contain most of your noises but a few quiet sighs leave your mouth as he works your shoulders.

“Can I move these?” he asks, tapping on your bra straps. Your brain has already shut down so you just nod.

It was unexpected and even though your first instinct was to stop him and tell him to quit it, your body had its own opinion on the matter, shutting your mouth and relaxing under his touch as he slipped the straps off your shoulders.

Your eyes flutter closed at one point, your body swaying in the direction that your husband applied some pressure to your back. You could feel the heat of his body next to yours, the warmth of his hands on your skin as he massaged your shoulders.

“Feel better?” he muttered, mouth but a few inches from your ear, as he finished up.

“Much, thanks.” you sigh, coming back to reality. You do feel a little more warm in your cheeks than you should but you show no reaction. You reach for your straps but Nicholas beats you to it, sliding them back up your arms softly, his fingers grazing your skin and leaving a trail of goosebumps.

“Okay, now shower before you kill someone with that hair.” he chuckles, lightening up the mood.

“What about you?” you turn to look at him. He shrugs, the bulk of his bare shoulders rising and falling.

“I have nowhere to be, don’t worry about me. Just get that smell out of your hair.” he instructs before vacating the bathroom. You’re left staring after him.

You’d been mad at him just a smidge about the contract but he’d managed to ease his way back into your good graces with an apology and a massage. You guess it made sense; Nicholas was your friend now, and if any of your other friends did the same thing, sure you’d be a little mad but you’d forgive just as easily.

But there was something about the way none of your other friends would have done what he did, touch you like he did, stand close like he did.

You banish the thought and scramble into the shower, aware of the ticking of the clock before your meeting.

You wondered why you’d agreed to come to family dinner at your house alone on Friday night. You should have really dragged Nicholas there so he could suffer with you, although of course, the hope was that with his presence, your parents would lay off you and focus on him, their precious, angelic son-in-law.

He had let you know he’d made plans with the guys and offered you an alternate to family dinning, which you’d regretfully declined because you knew that your mother would never just let it go and would instead invite you to several consecutive family dinners and/or events to make up for the loss.

You really were better sacrificing yourself for one evening than signing yourself up for a plethora of others.

Regardless, you should have known better than to hope this would be a marginally pleasant evening. Without Nicholas there, your parents, mainly your mother, had taken to grilling you over entrées. And the main course. And you predicted dessert.

“Are you being good to Nicholas?” your mother asks. “Have you been cooking and cleaning enough around the apartment?” she continues without pause.

“Yes, mother.” you say. You weren’t lying, it’s just that you had an agreement to share everything fair and square with Nicholas, including all the chores, bills (mortgage too, naturally) and other expenses.

“Are you sure?” she continues. “He’s got no reason to be mad at you, has he?” she inquires, her eyes unnaturally wide.

“No, mom, he doesn’t.” you say, regretting your decision to drive because now you couldn’t at least drown out some of the nagging with alcohol.

“Then why didn’t he come along for dinner? You invited him, didn’t you?”

You almost roll your eyes but hold back because she’s watching you. If she looked away more often, you’d probably get a headache from rolling your eyes. (Growing up under her roof, it had been the most common cause of your headaches. That and tension headaches.)

“Yes, of course I did, but he made plans way before so he couldn’t cancel.” you explain for the tenth time.

“Well alright then, I suppose.” your mother concludes.

Finally, you think.

The whole scene was eerily starting to resemble an episode of Gilmore Girls and you were in the role of Lorelai, fending off your mother.

She was practically treating you like devil spawn and Nicholas as if he was their own son and you had stolen him away and trapped him into a heinous marriage. You half wondered if you had dinner alone with the Wangs, was that how they’d treat you too? You could only guess they weren’t incredibly fond of you either from the way you’d initially refused to marry their perfect son. Clearly, parents, your own or other people’s, didn’t seem to like you very much.

Your father and Maki were also at the dinner table, minding their food, and possibly fearing for their lives. You knew what they were like; if they were chewing, their ears seemed to close off.

By the time you got to the main dishes, you’d fielded questions about Nicholas from your mother, and the apartment, but also work questions from your father, which you skilfully managed to not go into any detail on, lest he pick up on something being wrong at work.

Maki helpfully tried to steer the conversation away too, asking random questions about the company, which your father was more than happy to answer because his youngest was taking an interest in the family business. You were grateful to Maki but you worried this might give your parents the green light into throwing him in there with you.

Your father was plenty capable.

He’d probably also hear about how your meeting had gone in the office - there’d been a lot of back and forth (which you’d instigated) to avoid getting to anything too serious while you still hadn’t recovered details of the contract you’d lost.

It had resulted in scheduling another meeting some time later, giving both parties time to reconvene and finalise their sides of the deal.

By the time you finished the main course, your mouth was dry from all the bullshitting you had to do. As soon as you finish your portion of dessert, you figure it’s time to jet.

“So, I should get going and go home, y’know, to the husband you picked out for me.” you start only half-sarcastically. “Thanks for the dinner,” and the shakedown, you think. “could I take some dessert for your beloved son-in-law? He likes this kind of thing.”

“Well, YN, I’m glad you’ve learned what he likes.” your mother says. You wait for her to finish her sentence before having any hope of even a tiny compliment. “You may take some home, but next time just bring him here for dinner, instead of taking home scraps and left overs, it’s embarrassing. As if you can’t afford a full meal.”

“Mom, I told you, he really had plans and I did beg him to come.” you fib, hoping it sells.

“Alright, alright, I believe you.” she concedes. “But you shouldn’t beg your husband for things either, it sets for an awkward relationship and it’s embarrassing.” she continues.

You should have known something mildly positive would be followed up in this manner. You sigh and wait for the house keeper to bring you a box for the dessert.

You get up and get your things by the door, then hug Maki goodbye and ruffle his hair, whispering a quick “Hang in there, kiddo.” to which he just looks at you blankly, dimples popping. You felt bad leaving him there with the hyenas (your mother). “You poor thing.” you lament, patting his arm, as you put on your shoes.

“Drive carefully,” your mother says after you say your goodbyes. “and don’t forget you have that charity event in a couple of weeks. You have to go with Nicholas.”

“Yes, I know. You told me several times already. It’s in my calendar.” you take the box of dessert and open the door. “Goodnight.” you call and leave before anyone can say anything more.

As soon as you get inside your car, you let out a frustrated grunt, hitting your steering wheel with the palms of your hands, releasing a sound that would compete with wild animals. You just needed to get that out of your system because there was only so much pent up frustration you could take.

Once you calm down, you start the engine and go on your way. The dessert sits in the passenger seat as you precious cargo as you drive through the night, windows down, playing some songs you’d curated specifically for after family dinners.

You sing along because the roads are empty and no one’s around to hear you sing like a strangled cat. It’s the exact catharsis you needed, expelling all that energy while the moon hangs full in the sky, so you’re in an improved mood by the time you walk through your front door.

After you kick off your shoes, you go to the kitchen, slippers smacking loudly against the floor as you walk. The sound of your arrival must have alerted Nicholas because he appears while you’re getting a glass of water after depositing the dessert in the fridge.

“You’re back earlier than I thought.” you observe, putting the glass down with a ‘click’ on the counter.

“Yeah, the thing with he guys didn’t last as long as we thought so I came back early.” he explains, plopping down to sit at the counter. “How was dinner? You seem disgruntled.”

“Excellent observation.” you frown, thinking of the best word to describe the ordeal. “It was rather disagreeable.” you attempt.

“Oh? That is most unfortunate, Mrs Wang. Something happen in particular?” he listens attentively.

“Your mother-in-law says hello and sends her regards. Need I say more?” you raise your eyebrows at him. He’s wearing a loose grey t-shirt and looks sleepy already, which you note is odd because if you had learned anything about your husband, is that he was, by personal preference, nocturnal.

“Ah, lovely.” he nods in understanding. “Sorry, I let you fly solo.”

“I wasn’t totally alone, Maki was there, but he can only say so much.” you say. “Anyways, I got you something.” you remember to bring out the dessert from the fridge again.

“Ooh, what’s that?” Nicholas perks up at the sight of the box. You almost laugh at his sudden rejuvenation.

“Dessert. The one with the strawberry sorbet.” you hum smugly when his eyes light up.

“Wah, that’s great. Is it my birthday?” he smiles as you open the box and offer him a spoon. He seems to change his mind in a split second and his face falls, suddenly becoming serious. “Are you trying to poison me?” he interrogates, face full of suspicion.

You tilt your head sarcastically. “Totally. Tis part of my elaborate scheme to become a young widow.” you deadpan and start to take away the spoon but Nicholas stops you and accepts it. “Trust me - if I was going to poison you, you wouldn’t know about it.” you add, gulping down the rest of your water.

“Well, that’s reassuring.” he hums while looking at the contents of the box.

“Bon appetit!” you give him a toothy smile and breeze past him.

To say that mornings with Nicholas were a pain, would be a gross understatement.

From what you’re seen on your honeymoon, your husband was most certainly not a morning person, but you had yet to see in detail just how grizzly the situation could get.

It was kind of ironic because Nicholas was a well put together guy; he knew what he was doing, worked hard at it and did it without a fuss. He seemed like the ultimate catch - young, rich, tall, handsome (others would say sexy too and you would agree, objectively only of course), funny, smart, polite, respectful, well mannered - but of course, nobody’s perfect and it didn’t take a genius to work out that mornings were Nicholas’ weakness.

For the most part so far, the two of you had differing schedules and you barely ran into each other in the mornings, mostly taking turns in the bathroom if anything and giving each other a heads up if you were particularly in a hurry that day or the next day or whenever.

Today however, you had a meeting of the boards of directors for your two companies. It was mostly oversight for the progression of the merger and a chance to hear from the heads of the companies to brief you on the vision for how the merger should go. Your and Nicholas’ presence was without a doubt mandatory and possibly even the highlight since everyone would be talking about you two.

You woke up like clock work, a couple minutes before your alarm and stretched out like a cat before getting up to hunt for coffee (your cavemen ancestors would be shocked). You walked past Nicholas’ room and heard his alarm going off, relieved that supposedly he’s awake.

Supposedly.

The coffee machine whirs quietly as you prepare two cups since you figured Nicholas would want coffee too, but you don’t hear his door opening or in fact, any noise from his room. You pad over to the corridor to listen out and pick up the sound of a second alarm. It sounds promising so you don’t think too much of it and go back to drink your coffee.

It’s been ten minutes when you decide that something is wrong with Nicholas.

You leave your half drunk coffee and his untouched one on the counter and go knock on his door.

“Yo, Nico, you awake?” you call out. You strain your ears to hear a response, leaning onto the door itself. You hear an unmistakeable groan. “I know you’re alive and in there, now get up!” you shout, hoping the louder the message, the more likely it is to get through to him.

You leave to finish your coffee but when he still doesn’t get up, you roll your eyes and stack your cup on the pile of dirty dishes waiting to be put into the dish washer.

“That’s it.” you mutter, determined to make him shift. You fill a glass with cold water, stopping by the freezer for ice and then make your way back to Nicholas’ room.

You were starting to worry that you were going to be late for that stupid meeting since it was already a quarter to eight.

You bang on his door almost violently. “Wang Yixiang, get your dumb ass up or else!” you call to another groan of what sounds like ‘go away’. Your blood pressure spikes and you snap. “I warned you, I’m coming in.”

And you yank the door handle and enter the room.

You find Nicholas in just pyjama pants, sprawled face first in his bed, blankets and sheets tangled up like a war zone while he hugs an extra pillow and a wolf plushie sits on the opposite side of the bed against the headboard. His hair is a mess and splays all over his face and pillow as he still dozes despite your loud attempts at intervening.

You hesitate for a second because he looks so peaceful, then you remember that you have somewhere to be.

“This is a warning shot.” you say and dip your fingers into the water to grab hold of an ice cube.

You launch the ice cube unceremoniously and it plops onto Nicholas’ bare back. He jolts at the contact and a low moan sounds from the back of his throat. Your eyes widen as you feel a wave of queasiness wash over your lower abdomen.

What the fuck did you just do? Did you press the wrong button? Is he malfunctioning? Does he need to go for an MOT check like a car?

The noise sent you reeling and you wanted to run away but the ice cube did nothing. It just sort of slid off of his back and he shuffled a little, getting comfortable again. You sigh and nod to yourself. You hoped it wouldn’t need to come to this.

“Right.” you say. Without another moment to lose, you hold out the glass over Nicholas’ bare torso and tip your wrist so the water comes spilling out.

The water splashes all over his back and it sends Nicholas flying up with a piercing screech.

“What was that for!” he yelps, shaking off the water off his back and reaching for a blanket to wipe it off. You would stay to have a full conversation about this, but you’re already on your way out.

“You’re late.” you chastise. “And if you’re late, then I’m late. Now get up or I’ll come back with a bucket.” you warn as you sweep out of the premises.

“You know you’re meaner in the mornings!” he calls out after you.

“Thanks!” you reply over your shoulder.

Needless to say, you usher Nicholas into your car ten minutes later, him almost dressed as he finishes buttoning up his shirt and does his tie in the car, then styles his hair in the passenger seat using your overhead mirror. You try your best to avoid a pothole but manage to run straight over it by accident. Your car jolts and Nicholas groans in frustration when his hair swishes in a different direction.

“You couldn’t let us be fashionably late.” he mutters.

“I’m never late. Fashionably or otherwise.” you inform him. “Get used to it, hubby; you roll with me now.” you say as you manoeuvre the steering wheel.

“Alright, got it, Sergeant.” Nicholas holds up a hand as if swearing an oath.

“Next meeting, we might even make it on time.” you sass back as you pull up to work and exhale.

This was going to be a long day.

Before you could blink, it was the last day of the calendar quarter and you were dreading it because it’s the day that you and your uncle gather to have coffee and talk about work, less in a boss and employee way and more of an uncle-niece thing. It was the first time you’d ever felt apprehensive to talk to your uncle since he’d had a part to play in your arranged marriage and you were still disappointed in him.

You’d always been closer to your uncle than your parents as far as you could remember. Probably because he didn’t keep you on a leash and command you around but respected your independence. He’d even tried to stop you from going to law school unless it was definitely what you wanted. You had no idea why he’d done that at the time (you were still in high school), but after a few years, you now appreciated the gesture.

Now, you weren’t so sure what he was going to be like after letting your parents push you to Nicholas. You still remembered his face that day; impassive as if he didn’t care about you at all. There was a still a lingering feeling of betrayal when you thought about what your uncle had done.

You took your normal route to company rooftop, your coffee mug hot in your hand as you made your way outside.

Your uncle was waiting at your usual table, the tiny one at the end of the row closest to the edge of the rooftop balcony. From there, you could see out to the city and watch the sun set. It was just after work hours officially ended so the cafe at your company had closed already but you each bought a mug from your offices and sat down.

You walk up to the table as briskly as your coffee would allow you and sit down in the empty chair.

“Hi, uncle.” you attempt. He half-smiles, his fond demeanour unchanged as always.

“Hello, YN.” he replies. “Are you ready for a chat?”

The question hangs in the air, for some reason, you feel it entails more than your usual this and that about work.

“Sure.” you say, cautious.

You end up telling him about some of the finalised negotiations you made this quarter and catching him up on some of the cases you’d been assigned. After a while, it feels natural and you confess that you’d messed up a little with that contract but you don’t tell him it involved Nicholas.

In fact, you don’t mention Nicholas at all and try to move on as if there was no massive elephant in the room. It’s definitely starting to annoy you, skirting around the subject but you try to stay steadfast despite how it irks you.

Your uncle figures it out anyway.

“Something bothering you, dear?” he asks, voice totally unintrusive.

“Not really,” you lie, but your eyes shift to your half-drunk coffee. Your uncle sighs and puts his mug down.

“Listen, YN, I’m not a fool, we should talk about it.” he says. “I know you’re probably displeased with me for pairing you up with Nicholas, but you’ll just have to find it in your heart to accept it.” he continues. “I am not expecting your forgiveness, although I would be relieved to hear it. What was done was for your own good. I hope one day you’ll be able to see that.”

It hurts to hear the same rhetoric from your uncle as it came from your parents; the whole ‘for-your-own-good’ thing made you want to pull your hair out, yet you realise that coming from him, it feels all the more painful.

“I understand that you’ll keep giving me a cold shoulder and I’m okay with it, I suppose, but I need you to remember that everything is temporary.” he meets your eyes. You sense something odd for a moment when he says that, but you don’t react. “Besides, you might even end up liking Nicholas, he’s a good boy.”

That seems to spur you into action.

“Uncle, it’s not about that.” you reply adamantly. “Nicholas is great, he’s really not the problem. The problem is that you still let my parents dictate such a huge decision in my life - I trusted you to not do such a thing. You’re better than that.”

Your uncle pauses for a moment. “You agreed eventually, didn’t you?” he asks simply.

“Well yes, but it was because I was scared they’d do something to Maki. You know they would pick on him if it wasn’t for me.” you argue.

“YN, your parents are complicated people, but they’re not quite as evil as you believe them to be.” your uncle says gently, the way you try to talk to little kids and rationalise a situation which they find stupid (and usually have a right to find as such).

“Well, you’re related to one of them, you kind of have to say that.” you remind him, rejecting his philosophy.

“I’m saying it because it’s true. Try to understand them a little more. Alright?” he pleads.

You look at your uncle and see that he’s trying - he’s trying to be the bridge in this family and you have to give him something to work with.

You nod reluctantly, not because you agree with him or want to understand your parents, but because you wanted to go easy on him for the sake of not creating issues in your family as a whole. Sometimes you couldn’t have compromises and you needed to be more patient and the bigger person.

You knew where he was coming from; of course people are complicated and do things for complicated reasons, including hurting their loved ones. You believed that it was possible that it could be true they weren’t so bad but also true that some people just weren’t nice, weren’t kind, weren’t understanding by nature.

In that line of thought, it wasn’t even about the specificity of your situation. It was that you knew there’s truly nothing completely black and white in the world - your relationship with your parents had always been full of greys, differing shades of blurriness contorting your feelings towards them for your whole life.

You put the topic down quietly and resumed chatting about this and that, the whole thing weighing you down just a bit before you concluded and bid your uncle goodbye, going home immediately after that, although you’d planned to stay longer.

“Fuck overtime.” you hum as you get into your car.

The rest of your evening is fairly quiet, you cook dinner for yourself after Nicholas sends you a text about a haphazard night out with his friends and to not wait up for him. It’s completely fine by you since you really needed some time alone to stew about everything; your conversation with your uncle had sent you spiralling.

Were you being unreasonable? Should you be less angry at your parents for setting you up with Nicholas? You’d meant it when you said he was great, not that you’d say that to his face ever and watch it become smug and delighted.

The thought passes as quickly and fleetingly as it had come. You were dead set in your bones to resent your parents because what they did was wrong - it was about your autonomy as a person and they’d violated that on some level. You acknowledged your agreement only to the point of technicality - yes, you’d gone through with it willingly despite hating the situation.

That was then. Now it was a couple of months later and the extremity of the feelings had died down and you were occasionally forgetting their misdeeds, so your meeting with your uncle had served as a reminder that you shouldn’t forget or really forgive it just because nothing awful had happened. Or at least yet (you knew nobody was insured about anything).

It gets late around midnight before you hear your front door unlocking.

You were just sitting on the couch, watching TV, a rarity in your busy life, when you hear several sets of footsteps stumbling into the house. There’s hushed voices shushing after a particularly loud noise.

“Nicholas?” you call out, switching off the screen and getting up to check out the situation.

“Honey, I’m home!” Nicholas yells loudly before even seeing you. The tone is shrill and very alarming and makes you freak out immediately.

In the hallway you find a quartet of men, your husband amongst his friends, the fire brigade. Nicholas is standing- no- leaning on Kei, clearly out of his mind, as well as a complementary identical Euijoo and Fuma, the latter supporting the former in his arms. Their clothes all seem to have the marks of some drizzle and you deduce that it must be raining outside.

You make a face, taking in the scene. “What the fuck is wrong with him?” you ask generally to the presumably slightly sober parties, already knowing the answer. There are a couple of guilty looks exchanged between Kei and Fuma.

“He’s drunk.” Kei admits sheepishly.

“I figured, how bad is it?” you ask.

“Baby, what are you talking about?” Nicholas interjects, eyes glazed over as he leans his head on Kei’s shoulder. “I feel great!” he grins. There’s a wildness in his eyes that makes you worry. You don’t even spare a thought on the name calling.

“He had a bit.” Fuma offers but he seems uneasy to elaborate.

“How much is ‘a bit’?” you push for details, sceptical.

“A glass.” Kei says.

“Of what?”

“Tea.”

“What kind of tea?” you interrogate, already knowing the answer.

“Long island ice tea.” Kei mumbles, lowering his eyes to the floor.

“You let him drink what!” you exclaim, outraged. “Of all the things you could have had, how on Earth did Nicholas end up having a cocktail with four types of alcohol in it?” you shriek.

You look at Nicholas, who has been clinging to Kei, hanging off him like a little koala. Euijoo cringes at the volume of your voice as he seems to doze off on Fuma’s shoulder.

“We’re sorry. It was kind of an accident.” Fuma says, clearly ashamed.

You had never drunk with Nicholas before, save for the tiny bit of wine at his parents’ and the sip of champagne at your wedding, so this was a serious shock. Was your husband a serious lightweight? Did you even know him? Clearly you had only scratched the surface of Nicholas trivia if this had never come up till now.

“Yeah, he’s not really built for alcohol.” Kei says apologetically.

“But it’s okay, we’ll take care of him, and Euijoo.” Fuma adds quickly.

You look at the way Euijoo is basically sleeping in Fuma’s arms, surprised that Fuma can hold him up so well when Euijoo is a few inches taller. Kei on the other hand seems to be struggling with Nicholas’ affection - while you were talking, there was an attempted piggy back that Kei had to gently fend off. On closer surveillance, Nicholas seemed to be a clingy drunk with a bad case of grabby hands.

“No, it’s fine.” you find yourself saying. “I’ll take care of him, I did marry this mess. He’s my responsibility now.” you tell the elder two. You couldn’t imagine the ruckus they would collectively make so you decided it was better that you just take over.

Kei’s eyes light up in gratitude while Fuma seems even more guilty while cradling Euijoo’s head to his shoulder.

“Are you sure?” Fuma asks, his voice full of concern. You nod reassuringly.

“You guys can go, I’ll make sure he’s okay.” you insist. Despite meeting them for the third time today, you most certainly were strangers and you didn’t really want them hanging around your house, even if they were Nicholas’ friends.

“You’re a badass, YN, thanks.” Kei gushes while guiding, more like carrying, Nicholas to the couch. You give him a nod of acknowledgement while standing between the hallway and living room.

Euijoo seems to stir, clearly having some kind of sonar or telepathy or something because as soon as Nicholas is a few feet away, his eyes open and he looks around as if he lost something.

“Noooo,” Euijoo whines, trying to follow. “don’t take my bestie away…” his attempt is curtailed by Fuma, who pats his back gently.

“Nico’s home, Joojoo, don’t worry about it. You’ll see him tomorrow.” Fuma explains. “Sorry about this, YN.” he says to you when Kei comes back. Euijoo seems dissatisfied with the current chain of events but pouts about it quietly.

“Right, he’s all yours.” Kei says before going to stand on Euijoo’s other side and take some of his weight off Fuma. “Let’s get you home, buddy.” he puts one of his arms around his shoulder and the three of them start to make for the door.

You open it helpfully and stand aside, letting the two older men half-carry, half-drag Euijoo away.

“Thanks for bringing Nico home in one piece.” you say as you bid them goodbye.

“Good luck.” Fuma gives you a ‘fighting’ gesture with his closed fist in solidarity.

“Thanks, I think I’m going to need it.” you bid them goodbye and close the door, bracing yourself for what lay ahead.

In the living room, Nicholas has managed to stay where Kei left him, splayed all over the couch like a pancake, staring upwards. You round the couch and assess the situation; he’s very much out of it, eyes unfocused and mouth ever so slightly opened as if he was fascinated with the colour of your ceiling.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” you begin. You decide to get some water and painkillers for the inevitable hangover he’s going to get in a few hours.

There’s a moment of silence while Nicholas shuffles, sitting up but still leaning into the shape of the back of the couch. He seems to register you talking to him, which by the time you stand in front of him with the glass of water, makes him animate suddenly, his body switching gear.

“YN!” he says, as if shocked.

“Yes?” you offer him the glass but he doesn’t seem to notice.

“Let’s go dance outside!” he exclaims, his face bright with excitement. He starts to get up but seemingly feels dizzy since he flops back down on the couch, clutching his head. You blink at him, unable to understand the thought process. The request was neither here nor there, really.

“We can’t.” you say simply. “It’s raining. See?” you point toward the window where the drizzle seems to have escalated and the drops are sliding down the glass.

“Yeah, well it rains inside too.” he mumbles when you put his suggestion down.

“Y’know, I’m not sure it does.” you hum, amused at the comment while you place the glass on the coffee table.

“But the shower,” he insists. “it’s inside rain.” he says. You purse your lips, biting back a laugh at how convinced Nicholas seems that the shower is really rain.

“Okay, alright.” you say, nodding to yourself. “Let’s get you to bed, you need to sleep this off.” you start to lean down to take hold of his arm.

“I don’t want to sleep.” he whines immediately. Instead, he takes hold of your arm and looks up at you with big eyes. “I’m hungry.” he pouts.

“Okay, what do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you.”

“You will?” his eyes light up with delight. “I’ll eat anything you make.”

The way that alcohol seems to keep its chokehold on Nicholas suggests to you that you should probably opt for something that will ease the problems that would follow.

“Hangover soup it is.” you state, trying to shake Nicholas off so you can get to the kitchen.

When he doesn’t let go, you sigh and tug him up by the hands so he stands up. You help him stumble across the room to the kitchen part and sit him down at the counter where he slumps immediately and rests on his crossed arms, looking up at you, the dopey look resting on his face.

You start to gather the ingredients, which thankfully your fridge contained because you’d been shopping yesterday, but that’s when the babbling starts.

Nicholas seems to have found some new energy because once his mouth opens, it doesn’t seem to close.

“Is that beef? Oh my god, it is, I love beef. Are you going to cook the beef? ‘Cause I know this killer recipe for a beef stew and you just have to try it. I used to have it as a kid but my parents never made it for me, it was always this nanny I had and she was awesome. I really miss auntie, YN, I really miss her. She was the best. Are you going to make the beef like she did? Maybe you can get the recipe from her, oh! You should meet her, she’d love you!” and as much as you wanted to listen to everything, your brain sort of switched off when he got on another tirade as you started slicing the cabbage and other veggies for the soup.

He starts to run out of steam by the time you get to putting the sauce you prepared on the beef and the cabbage and he just sort of leans on the counter, face in the palm of his hands and watches you.

Then comes more absurdity.

Nicholas giggles distinctly and smiles to himself.

You only react out of concern, putting the lid on the pot. “What is it?” you ask.

He shakes his head bashfully and doesn’t say anything but continues smiling.

“Fine, don’t tell me.” you mutter, putting the broth to the beef and adding the cabbage. You’re starting to feel a little paranoid; was he laughing about your cooking? You knew you weren’t a Michelin chef, or even as good as he was in the kitchen, but you weren’t that bad, right?

“Hmm, I’m happy.” he says, fingers squishing his own cheeks.

The statement takes you by surprise.

“You’re drunk.” you correct, unsure what to make of it.

“Don’t you wanna know why I’m happy?” he leans forward, as if trying to get your attention.

You shrug on reflex. “Happiness is fleeting and overrated.” (as is alcohol within your system).

“Boooo! Why are you like this, huh? You’re so cute, you should be happy too!” he insists. You side eye him but let him continue. “My cute wifey should be happy, like me. Let’s be happy together!” he laughs, as if he just solved the world’s problems.

You stare at him, slightly horrified because a) who the hell was he calling his ‘cute wifey’ ‘cause that sure as hell wasn’t you, and b) how would you be happy together when you were living in a loveless marriage?

“Nicholas, I don’t-”

“No! Stop it! I won’t hear it, I want everyone to be happy. End of discussion.” he babbles, clapping his hands together once, as if he’s hitting a slate.

You’re baffled - you’d forgotten what it was like to talk to drunk people.

You hate the way his words pierce through your thick skin and land somewhere soft where it hurts. You knew he was drunk, but he must be drunker than you thought.

If anything, his declarations made you sad because who knew what the future holds? You didn’t dare fantasise these days, for fear that if you did daydream, everything in your life would fall apart and you really would spend a life time with Nicholas instead of finding the love of your life. Would that bring you the happiness you’ve been brainwashed to expect in life?

Despite yourself, you held on to the belief that whoever it was, this figurative love of your life person, they were out there and you might still have a chance to find them even if you were or had been married to Nicholas. The thought was a sick and twisted hope as you prepared the soup, quietly hating yourself for thinking it while you were just hanging out with the man that was for the present circumstances, your husband.

You couldn’t reason with the guilt; its grip was too strong but you were a romantic at heart and nothing that had happened between the two of you had been romantic, at least in your view. Being forced to marry each other wasn’t exactly romantic, was it?

Your soup is finally ready and you turn off the heat, bringing out a bowl. Nicholas has been lying on the counter, his cheek against the cold surface while he sits in one of the tall chairs surrounding your island. The clang of the lid seems to shake him and he straightens up then stares at you suddenly with a newfound focus. You start to think there’s some dirt on your face.

“You’re so pretty with your hair like that.” he notes, as if it just occurred to him. You almost spill the soup in your hands as you process the random compliment. You don’t think much of it though, because this is how you wore your hair almost every day so it was definitely some unconscious thought fuelled by that wretched cocktail.

“Eat up.” you instruct, putting the steaming bowl in front of him. He grins at it, as if it was his first born child. You make a mental note to never bring alcohol in the house.

“Thanks!” he says happily but instead of digging in, he starts to pat his pockets.

“What are you looking for?” you ask, sure you were going to have to solve this one.

“My phone,” he says, searching his pockets to no avail. “but I can’t find it.”

You sigh heavily and reach to your right, picking up the device and holding it out to Nicholas. It had been sitting on the counter the whole time, but how could you expect his drunk ass to see it?

“Ah! Great.” he says and takes it, holding it up to the bowl. “I have to take a picture, my cute wifey made me a meal.” he giggles. You want to scowl at the new nickname but the goofy way he says it makes it hard for you to fight a smile trying to break through.

“Watch it or it might be the last meal I make for you.” you warn, no force behind your words.

You let him eat, just relieved that he’s not saying any more weird things. His battery had run out a while ago so he hadn’t been so bad when he was just resting on the counter. You were already thinking ahead about how you were going to get him to sleep. Drunk people tended to get sleepy after a while so why hadn’t he yet?

The conundrum bothers you while Nicholas finishes eating.

“Are you ready to go to bed?” you test the waters tentatively.

“Nah, I’m not sleepy,” he says while a yawn follows.

“Oh thank god.” you sigh in relief at the yawn. His brain might be saying he’s not sleepy but his body sure was; you just had to wait for his brain to catch up.

“What?” he asks.

“Nothing.” you say quickly. “Well, let’s get you to your room, I won’t make you sleep.” you lie.

It’s barely a trek to his room but you definitely struggle through the hallway because Nicholas for some reason thinks that he’s the size of a tiny lap dog and you practically carry him to bed. You almost manhandle him to lie down, his body falling limp onto the mattress and you pull the blanket over him before he gets any ideas of getting up.

“Hang on a sec,” you tell him, going to get the water, painkillers and a bowl in case any of the iced tea or stew makes a reappearance. “Alright, do you need anything before I go?” you ask.

“There is one thing,” he says after a moment. “come closer.” he says quietly. You worry he might try to snuggle you to death but you indulge him, perching on the edge of his bed. You lean closer, listening. Nicholas looks up at you. “I have to play Mario Kart right now, YN. It’s life or death.” he pleads.

You straighten up immediately, your blood pressure wavering.

“Oh, it’s life or death, alright.” you mutter. “Might kill your dumb ass if I ever catch you drinking again.”

That seems to change his mind pretty quickly and you can almost see his non-existent tail curl between his legs.

“Alright, if you need anything, just shout, I’ll leave the doors open.” you tell him. “Goodnight.” you start to get up but he catches your hand before you can step away.

You’re surprised and think he must have thought of something so you turn, watching him expectantly.

“Don’t go.” he says in a small voice. It was possibly one of the lowest decibels you had ever heard him talk at.

“Why? Don’t you want to sleep?”

“I don’t want to be alone.” he admits quietly. His voice makes something lurch in your chest. You gulp, considering his request.

“Okay, I’ll stay until you fall asleep.” you promise, sitting back down.

Nicholas nods and cozies up in his blanket, still not letting go of your hand.

You watch him for a moment; his eyes are closed and his chest is falling and rising steadily as if he’s already asleep but you know better from the python grip of his hand around yours. There’s something peaceful though in his expression despite that, the same tranquillity that had made you hesitate before waking him up some time ago.

His words echo in your mind and for a second you let your heart break a little because you knew that you were luckier - you had Maki, but Nicholas was the only heir in his family. You were older but you didn’t exactly remember a time that you didn’t have Maki in your life. You wondered what it was like to grow up alone, missing the presence of a sibling.

After a few minutes, Nicholas seems to drift off, his hand loosening but still wrapped around yours. You want to untangle yourself and go but you worry about waking him, so you slide to the floor and sit against the side of the bed instead, predicting that he’d move around in his sleep and you best avoid that or he could wake up from that too.

What you don’t expect is that you drift off too.

You wake up in the middle of the night for a second but it’s only to shift around, your brain not registering that you’re sleeping on the floor in someone else’s room.

The next time you wake up is in the morning, you can tell by the light in the room, but you’re no longer on the floor. You’re lying in a bed, a blanket thrown over you that you’d been snuggling into. You inhale the smell of the pillow and blanket you’re cocooned in and your eyes snap open.

You forgot this wasn’t your bed.

You flail about with desperation as you sit up and notice that beside you and the cute wolf plushie positioned next to your pillow like a guard dog, Nicholas’ bed is missing its Nicholas. You glance at the clock on the bedside table and do a double take; it’s around eight, on a weekend, and Nicholas was already out of bed?

“Did the sun rise in the west?” you wonder out loud, flicking off the blanket and getting up.

When you open the door of his room and pad into the hallway, you can already hear the distant clattering around in the kitchen. You smooth a hand through your hair and make your way there.

If it wasn’t for the time of day, the image you were seeing wouldn’t be out of the ordinary; Nicholas did spend time in the kitchen cooking too, knowing his way around confidently. Yet, what you were seeing makes you suspicious.

Nicholas notices you coming and gives you a sheepish greeting.

“Morning, you hungry?” he asks.

“Uh,” you let your brain buffer. It felt like a trick question. “I guess.”

“Good, I made breakfast.” he turns back to put the finishing touches on the meal while you sit down at the counter, hesitatingly.

On closer inspection, he does seem hungover - his movements are a little slow and his slouch is visible unlike his usually good posture, but otherwise, there’s no sign of last night’s drunken Nico.

You’re presented with a cup of coffee from your machine, just the way you like it, then a plate of fruit cut up and arranged neatly and finally a pretty large stack of pancakes with a little chocolate sauce that spells out ‘sorry :(’.

“I really am sorry.” Nicholas adds for good measure, twiddling his thumbs opposite you at the counter.

You can’t help but smile at the pancakes a little because they really were cute.

“You’re forgiven.” you say. “Just please never consume alcohol ever again, thanks.”

“You got it.” he promises.

more memes!!! chapter 4 edition <3

A/N: thanks for reading, feedback is always appreciated <3 yn finally met the fire brigade! yes i know i didn’t write in taki and harua, that was deliberate, it’s not that i don’t love the babies, it just doesn’t make sense for them to be in this chapter haha, they will appear, i promise. also the vinegar thing is true - it’s good for getting rid of smells, just fyi.

#&team #andteam #&team nicholas #wang yixiang #nicholas x reader #&team x reader #&team fics #&team imagines #&team scenarios #momobani.writes

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bellaramseysgf · 2 years

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Feelin’ Sick (B.B)

Warning(s); fluff!,soft Bucky,coughing/sneezing,talk of a cold,kissing.

Pairing(s); Sick! Bucky Barnes x girlfriend! Reader.

Summary; The request <3

A/n; this is so fuckin cute I stg I need to write less smut😅

Follow @sugaryestseb for reminders while my taglist is down :(

••••••••••••

It all started when you were sat in the compound, you stood behind the couch as Steve,Tony,bucky,Sam,and nat were all sat on the couch. You stood behind your boyfriend fingers combing through his hair as you didn’t pay much attention to whatever movie was playing. Bucky laid back into your touch eyes closing at the warm feeling of your hands on his scalp.

His eyes squeezed shut as he let out a loud ‘achoo’ into his jacket he was wearing. Bucky never sneezed really, it was probably the first time you’d hear it. “Bless you” Sam said and Bucky looked back up at you confused. “Ah, it’s something people say when you sneeze you’re supposed to say thank you” Bucky shrugged “thanks..?” He said as sam chuckled at his reaction.

“You alright?” You asked as he nodded “mhm, just a tickle” you nodded going back to playing with his hair.

Later that day,you walked downstairs to grab a pack of fruit snacks when you hear the sound of coughing, not once or twice but 5 times in a row. Grabbing the pack of smiling circles you walked down the hall, nosey.

You found Bucky sat in a meeting room reading over files. “Bub?” You called watching him drink what looked to be water. “You okay? I heard you coughing” bucky waved his hand “just got my throat tickled” you narrowed your eyes not believing him. You stood there eating your snack and waiting,sure enough and few minutes later bucky sneezed into his arm again.

“Buck, are you sick?” He shook his head “no.” You nodded walking over you sat your half eaten pack of snacks down. You reached out hand grabbing his chin, scruff tickling your fingers. You splayed your hand out on his forehead, he was burning up. “Bucky, your sick.” You scoffed pushing your hands off his face “I am not sick!” He argued “I feel fine!” He said before another sneeze sounded into his arm. “Bucky..” you sighed.

“Buttercup, I’m fine. I’m not sick okay?” You crossed your arms “but you’re running a fever!” Bucky shook his head “it’s just the serum” he defended and you sighed. “Fine.” You left him to work warning most of the team that he had a fever so they wouldn’t Catch anything.

***

The next day you were sat on the couch flipping through pages in a random book when you heard a groggy sound. “Baby?” You looked up as saw Bucky. His eyes were puffy and his nose was red from the constant rubbing,his lips were puffy and pink and he looked utterly exhausted. “What’s wrong?” You asked biting back your smirk “I think I’m sick” he admitted and you gasped “Awh, baby I’m sorry. You don’t feel good?” You asked and he shook his head pouting almost.

You sat your book down signaling for him to come here. You separated your legs enough so he could lay between them. His chest resting on your stomach while his head laid on your chest. “What doesn’t feel good, honey?” You asked voice soft and comforting as you rubbed your hands up and down his back.

“My throats sore, as well as my nose. My head feels like it’ll implode and I can’t stop coughing or sneezing. I feel cold then get immediately hot and I wanna just sleep.” You nodded leaning down to kiss his head. “Sounds like a cold baby,maybe the flu. Have you thrown up?” You asked and he shook his head. “So maybe a cold, think you’d let Bruce check you out? Please, for me.” He sighed. “You’ll be there?” You nodded “of course baby! I can’t have my sick man all alone” he smiled up at you.

He was sat on a desk in the lab as Bruce ran tests. You stood playing with his fingers as he chuckled at you playing ‘this little piggy’ with his fingers. Bruce nodded “alright, yep you got a cold. I’ll look into what medicines can work with you and I’ll pick them up. I’m going out with Tony to get stuff anyway.” You smiled “thank you Bruce” he smiled “of course, maybe try some hot water or tea for his throat, and he needs sleep. For now the best thing he can do is sweat it out.” You nodded.

You gave Bruce thanks again before walking Bucky to your shared room. “Okay, I’m gonna go make you some tea and then I’ll be back, stay right here” he nodded sliding under the blankets. You made it into the kitchen before you felt hands grabbing at yours, you looked back to see Bucky “I don’t wanna be alone” he whined and you felt your heart weaken. “Okay, you can stay with me.” He smiled sticking to your hip as you boiled the water for the tea.

***

That’s where he stayed too, if you got up he got up regardless of where you were going if bucky woke up without you he’d start whining for you until you showed back up, most of the time you were just using the bathroom. He was clingy when he was sick and a part of you didn’t want it to end, your sweet lover boy being so clingy.

Bruce found some medicine that could work and while it was a struggle you got him to take it with the promises of kisses after. You made sure to take a dose of it too just because you were around Bucky and to keep yourself from getting sick.

Bucky had been asleep straight for at least 4 hours and you woke him up with a cold cloth to wipe away the sweat. “Thank you” he said as you wiped off the sheen of sweat that covered his cheeks “for what?” You asked “for takin’ care of me” you smiled and kissed his cleaned forehead. “Always my love.” He smiled and hummed as your cleaned him up.

***

Within 2 weeks Bucky was back to normal, fever gone and sneezing had stopped. He still drank hot tea for his healing throat.

You were stood in the kitchen making some tea for him when a kiss was sat on your head. “Pretty girl?” he said and you smiled “yes?” He kissed your jaw. “I love you,wanna get sick again” you giggled and turned to face him mug in your hands. “Wanna know a secret?” You asked kissing him softly “Mhm?” You smiled “I want you to get sick again too my clingy boy” Bucky chuckled taking his mug from your hands.

#fem reader #bucky barnes #bucky barnes fluff #bucky barns x reader #bucky barnes x you #james bucky buchanan barnes #bucky fic #bucky x y/n #bucky imagine #bucky fanfic #sebastian stan bucky barnes #sebastian stan characters

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minervadashwood · 1 year

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Daryl Dixon x NB!Reader (afab, plus-size) 🏹 Daryl x Reader x Rick 🛡️

The Cop and the Criminal - Chapter 13

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Series Masterlist |Masterlist | Taglist

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Summary: You tour the rest of the house. Rick comes over. This chapter contains: Hunting gear, smut, emotional embroidery, alphas x 2. Word count: 4.2K Note: I So excited to share this chapter with you. There are some sections in here about being nonbinary that are really dear to my heart. I hope others like me can relate to them. @bringinsexybackk69 helped me with translations (from hillbilly to low country), and @livingdeadblondequeen helped with ideas, especially in the last section. @littlegodzilla and @green-eyedladywrites also gave me some great ideas and were excellent cheerleaders. Any mistakes, inconsistencies, or nonsense left on the page is entirely my fault. Enjoy!

“Oh, shit. I forgot about yer car. …If Randy catches it shut down like ‘at he’ll...”

“He’ll what?” “Welp, he ain’t gonna do nothin’,” Daryl shrugged. “Still looks bad, though.”

Daryl started getting dressed, so you followed suit, bending down to get your pants. Daryl stilled you with a hand on your bare back.

“Y’all’s get washed up? I’ll grab the car and bring yer shit up.”

“You sure?”

He nodded. “Jus’ use the bathroom in the hallway. Don’ want ya seein’ the bedrooms yet. I’ll lock the place up, so ya jus’ come back out here once yer done.” “You… don’t want to join me in the shower?”

Daryl’s cheeks reddened. “Plenty’a time for tha’ later, gotta get ya unpacked and settled.”

By the time you were finished with a quick shower and had wrapped yourself in a towel, you found Daryl waiting for you in the living room.

“Here,” he said, holding out a silken garment. “Got this for ya. Lemme help ya put it on.”

“What is this, Daryl Dixon?” You asked, approaching him. He helped you put on the silk dressing gown that went halfway down your thighs. The color was a deep maroon, and you noticed that it had embroidery on one lapel. It spelled out, “Theirs.”

You turned in Daryl’s arms. “I suppose you have a matching one somewhere?”

He nodded, and took your hand. “Time to finish showin’ ya ‘round the place. Before Rick gets ‘ere.”

Oh, right. Rick. You’d forgotten about that. However, you didn’t have much time to think about it because Daryl tightly gripped your hand and pulled you behind him down the hallway. He opened a door on the right, revealing a small room with empty bookshelves and a huge desk.

“I thought you worked downstairs most of the time,” you commented, surveying the empty space.

“Ain’t my office; it’s yers.”

“Mine?”

““So you can pore over them studies of yours. Got the Internet hooked up Monday.” He pointed to a black router with green blinking lights. “Do ya need more stuff in ‘ere? I can get ya some different shelves or build ya somethin’--”

You stopped him with a quick peck on the lips. “Show me more,” you said, knowing there were two other closed doors you’d yet to see. Daryl seemed to have thought of everything. He was the perfect alpha to your omega.

As he walked down the hall, he skipped the bedroom on the right. So, you turned the knob and looked in there yourself.

The room looked like a sporting goods store had thrown up in it. There was camouflage almost everywhere. You spotted at least three rifles lined up in one corner, four or five knives sitting on a small table. Then there was a massive bow of some kind hanging from a hook. Also, on the floor was a small pillow and a sleeping bag. The room was filled with Daryl’s scent. Had he been sleeping in here? What was all this stuff?

Daryl tried to pull you away from the room, but you didn’t budge.

“Alpha, what is all this?” You stepped into the room, trying to understand exactly why Daryl had a room filled with weapons and camo. Surely Daryl wasn’t one of those preppers or paramilitary types. Right? You would’ve picked up on that before. Daryl never talked about conspiracy theories or the end of the world. He talked about work and you. That was about it.

“‘S jus’ my huntin’ gear,” he mumbled. “I know it’s a mess, but I’m gettin’ a gun rack that locks and deadbolt for the door, too.

“You need all this? For hunting?”

“‘Course.”

“Don’t you, like, just need one gun? And what’s all this other stuff?” you pointed to a collection of rolled up nylon bags.

“Tents an’ tarps an’ shit. You know. For campin’.”

“Isn’t camping where you take an RV out to a state park for the weekend to get away from the city?”

Daryl let out a sudden laugh and smirked down at you. “Ya really don’ know squat ‘bout campin’?

Your initial shock was wearing off as Daryl smiled at you. He had mentioned hunting before, back at the truck stop. However, you didn’t know hunting required so much stuff.

“Not a clue,” you said. “City slicker, remember?”

He shrugged, and you got the impression he was embarrassed about this hobby of his.

You sat cross-legged on his sleeping bag and took the pillow and held it to your chest. “Tell me more.”

He squinted at you. “Ya sure ya don’ wanna see the other room first?”

You shook your head. “Daryl, you listen to me for an hour every night when I can’t shut up about Canadian pack dynamics. I think I can spare a few minutes to learn about your hobby.”

He seemed uncertain, but you caught the hint of a smile on his lips as he turned around and picked up the bow.

“This is a crossbow - quiet as a mouse. Used fer like… rabbits, squirrels, stuff like ’at. Ya can’t be too too far away, though. Shots get shittier the further out ya get.”

You nodded. “Basic physics. The arrow loses velocity over time and arcs below the target.”

“Uh…right,” Daryl murmured, but his smile was a tiny bit bigger now.

He went on explaining how he used everything in the room. You were utterly fascinated. Daryl was not at all a talkative person, but he knew each weapon intimately, from the different guns (each for a different type of game, you learned), to the different shapes of the blades on each of his knives.

“So that’s ‘bout it,” He said, sitting next to you. “Rest of the stuff is for shelter and keepin’ warm. So I don’ freeze my damn tail off.”

“You’re like a Southern Les Stroud,” you told him.

He arched his brow.

“You know? Survivorman? He has this show about surviving in the wilderness? He’s like a genius when it comes to survival skills.”

Daryl narrowed his eyes. “Ya got a crush on ‘im or somethin’?”

“I don’t!” you protested. “He uses ancient techniques to learn how to survive in different biomes. He’ll study with people who’ve lived off the land for generations. Then he’ll let himself be stranded in the wild for seven days, and he films it all. I bet you could do that, in Georgia, at least.”

“Don’ need a camera on me while I’m huntin’.”

“No, not the filming, the survival stuff. Have you tried it before?”

“First time I got lost in them woods? I’s 10 days out. ‘S guess I’d do alrigh’”

You listened as Daryl shared the story about him getting lost in the woods when he was just a boy, and though you tried not to show it, you couldn't help but be sad for him.

“You know I’d notice if you went missing, don’t you, Alpha?”

He stood and helped you up from the floor. “I know, Bubbie. C’mon let’s go see yer nest.”

Daryl opened the door to the master bedroom, watching you closely. You were already smiling, but as you got farther into the room, your smile blossomed into a toothy grin.

“It’s perfect, Daryl,” you said.

He released the breath he’d been holding. You were happy, that’s all he wanted out of this. To make a home worthy of you, a place where he could protect you and take care of you. He wanted to meet all your needs and wants, so that he can be an alpha worthy of you, so that any time you need something, he’s ready to provide it.

You walked around the room, touching everything from the matching set of dressers and the cedar wood chests that he’d made. He wanted to be right next to you, hovering at your side, but this was your nest. He’d been careful not to scent the room, and Rick had never set foot in there. Daryl would not go in uninvited. This room was yours now.

You sniffed and inspected the pillows, and Daryl said, “If yer itchin fer somethin’ else, there’s stuff in them chests at the foot a’yer bed.”

You opened the lid to both, touching all the pillows and blankets inside, and sniffing those, too. Then you let the lids fall shut.

“Everything in here smells so…new,” you said. “Have you really been sleeping on the floor instead of on the bed?”

Daryl resisted the urge to chew on his thumbnail. “”S yer nest.”

“But I could have brought stuff from my place. You didn’t have to keep it so…sterile. I mean—“ your voice cracked. Daryl almost went to you, but held himself still. “Just thinking of you sleeping on the floor all this time, Daryl. That’s not right. Why would you think I would want that?”

He shrugged, staring at the carpet. Sleeping on the floor was by and large better than many other places he’d slept. Besides, it didn’t feel right thinking about being in that nest without you, not when he’d wanted you to make it your own, to feel safe and comfortable so you’d stay.

He cleared his throat against the lump forming there. “Somethin’ ya don’ like? Jus’ tell me an’ I’ll fix it.”

Your brow was furrowed, and your jaw clenched. “Wait here,” you told him, then slipped past him and back down the hallway. You disappeared into his room only to emerge with his pillow and sleeping bag. The latter dragged on the floor behind you, leaving a trail of your underwear in its wake.

Daryl flushed and quickly scooped up the garments then returned to his perch outside the door to your nest. He looked on as you spread out his sleeping bag over the comforter. Then you rearranged the pillows to include his on one side of the bed. Finally, you looked at him once more.

“Do you want to come in, Alpha?”

“Ya sure?”

You nodded, rounding the bed to approach him. “What’s all that?” you asked, pointing at the bundle in his arms.

“It’s…uh…ya know…”

“My missing underwear?”

He nodded, not meeting your gaze.

You took the bundle from him and tossed it to the side. “You don’t need to steal those anymore. Now you have the real thing.” “I jus’…missed ya somethin’ awful,” Daryl whispered as you took his hand and pulled him to the bed.

You didn’t say anything as you used your free hand to turn down the covers. Then, you got into the bed, pulling him along with you.

You laid down in the middle, facing him. The front of your robe fell open with your movement, revealing one of your breasts. Daryl let go of your hand to take off his suit jacket and unbutton his shirt. Then, he got into bed with you and hauled you against him so half your bare chest was against his own.

“Your days of missing me are over, Dixon,” you murmured, kissing his jaw.

He slipped a leg between yours, then he held the back of your head, angling your mouth to his. “Ya movin’ in wit’ me?” He asked, his lips almost touching yours.

“If you’ll let me,” you whispered, your voice straining as he angled his knee to press against your vulva. At the same time, he bridged the small distance between your mouths, kissing you and exploring your mouth with his tongue. His knee and his kiss coaxed a moan from you, and Daryl kissed his way to the soft, sensitive skin of your neck.

His teeth grazed your scent gland. “I wanna claim, ya, ‘Mega. So bad it hurts.” He licked and sucked your skin, and you wrapped your arms around him, digging your fingernails into his back. He told you, “This nest is yers, this house is yers.” His lips traveled along your jaw and back to your mouth. “I’m yers.”

Your hot breath arced across his skin, your breathing labored. “Next injection is Monday. I’ll cancel it.”

“Good.” He kept rubbing his knee between your legs. You ground yourself on his leg, and Daryl almost lost his breath watching you give in to the throes of desire. Because of him. Always so responsive and eager, his Omega, his mate. He nibbled your ear. “How long ‘til yer heat?” He wanted it now, wanted to carve his mark into your skin, have his scent all over you, and your scent all over him. He wanted everyone to know that you were his. And, he wanted to be yours.

“Week or two?” you said, voice breathy. “Daryl, please.” You desperately pushed yourself on his knee.

He grabbed your hip by sliding his hand under your robe, anchoring you as you sought more friction. “Tell me what ya want, Bubbie.”

“I need you…”

“Is this not good ‘nough for ya?” He moved you on his leg, but you shook your head.

“Please, Alpha,” you whimpered. You bit your bottom lip, eyes wide and staring at him.

I love you.

The thought slammed into him like an 18-wheeler. The words threatened to burst from his chest, but he swallowed them. Burying his head in the crook of your shoulder, Daryl urged you on your back, and he hovered over you, undoing the belt at your waist, and letting your robe fall open.

Every part of you was sexy, delectable, beautiful. He wanted to kiss every inch of you, but you were desperate beneath him, writhing on the bed--your nest.

It seemed that he couldn’t move quickly enough. You threaded your hands in his hair, urging him to help you. Far be it for him to deny you anything, especially this. With his own hand, he cupped your sex, pressing his palm into your mons before slipping his finger inside you.

“Yes, Alpha,” you whimpered. Daryl gazed at you, transfixed as he added another finger then set his thumb to work on your clit. He loved your neediness, the way your body would answer his every movement, no matter how small. He loved how you looked, when you woke up grumpy in the morning, when you were pouring over your books, and when you were like this, begging him for release.

Daryl rested his forehead on yours, and you met his eyes, gazing back at him as you trembled and moaned.

He loved the way he felt with you. Like he was worth something, like he mattered. He’d trusted you with some of the darkest parts of himself, yet your affection for him never wavered. No, instead, it grew, as if sharing his secrets made you care about him even more. This was the opposite of what he’d experienced before meeting you. When he expected rejection, you gave him the opposite: acceptance. And he would spend his whole life thanking you for it.

The words were in his throat again, but it was far too soon. He swallowed them, and instead he told you, “Let go, Bubbie, come on my hand, lemme see ya. Be a good ‘mega for yer alpha.”

You nodded, and he swirled his fingers, hitting that spot that made you moan, over and over. You gripped his shoulders, again, your fingernails digging into his skin, then you shuddered just as your walls clamped around his fingers. He slowed his movements and kissed you hard, staying with you as you rode out your high.

When you finished, he removed his hand and laid down beside you, ignoring his straining cock, still trapped in his pants. He just wanted to hold you and treasure you. There was time for him later, for now he simply wanted to take care of you, his omega, his love.

“So pretty,” he murmured, tracing a finger on your cheek. “Ya did good, Bubbie.”

You gave him a small smile, and he saw a satisfied sleepiness in your eyes. “Daryl, I--”

DING-DONG

The words died on your lips as you both jumped up, startled by the doorbell.

“Shit. Is it eight already?” Daryl cursed. “Best get dressed, Bubbie. Come see us when yer ready.”

You nodded, and Daryl gave you a quick peck on the cheek as he left the room and closed the door behind him.

You loved Daryl.

It shouldn’t be a surprise; he was your mate, after all. But still, the realization was overwhelming. You’d almost told him, right there, swimming in post-coital bliss. That was the absolute worst time to confess your love for someone.

What if the feeling went away? What if this feeling wasn’t actually you? What if it was just your omega hormones trying to take over? Knowing and feeling were two different ideas, you told yourself. Feeling was easy, but knowing? Knowing meant certainty. It meant reflection. It meant time.

You’d met Daryl less than two months ago. Not nearly enough time to know anything. Your inner omega may think you loved him, but did you really?

You shook your head and opened your suitcase. You’d mostly packed PJs and loungewear, nothing really nice except what you’d been wearing. For a moment you panicked about Rick seeing your pants and underwear on the living room floor. However, you soon realized that Daryl had probably stashed away and hidden them somewhere. Those were nice pants, too. Tailored for your hips and belly, but shaped so you wouldn’t look too feminine. You’d make him give those back. For sure.

Sighing, you pulled the nicest pair of joggers you’d packed and a CareBears t-shirt and got dressed. Even though you weren’t cold, you also put on your zipper hoodie so your silly t-shirt wouldn’t be visible. You also liked that the hoodie hid your shape, somewhat, as it was baggy and long on you. Just an extra layer of protection between your body and Rick’s alpha-ness.

You could hear Daryl and Rick coming up the stairs, then their voices as they came inside. You tensed up, bracing yourself for Rick’s scent again, determined not to be swayed by it, not this time.

A moment passed, and then another.

You didn’t smell anything.

That was good. You’d just been thoroughly finger-fucked by your Alpha, your inner-omega was sated and calm. There would be none of this lusting after another alpha tonight. Thank god.

You went to the en suite bathroom to splash some cold water on your face. When you went to grab a hand towel, you saw two sets hanging from the towel rack. His and Theirs. You clutched a Theirs towel in your hand, tracing a finger over the embroidery.

Although you’d known most of your life you weren’t a woman, nor were you a man, it was only in college you found the words to articulate how you felt. Even now, years later, it was so affirming when someone respected your gender identity. Whether it was simply using the right pronouns to not making assumptions about you based on what happened to be between your legs.

But to have your mate get it, with one conversation you’d had--just that one time--meant so much to you. There was no fighting for your identity, no long explanations required.

The robe, the towels. They were much more than cute decor. They meant, “I see you, and I accept you, as you are.” Deep down, you knew that Daryl somehow understood you, and this was proof.

As Rick entered the living room, he nearly choked on your scent. In a matter of hours, this house had been taken over. His alpha-honed senses told him you’d been recently fucked, and right here in this very room.

He must have taken some expired blockers because, while he didn’t feel a rut coming on like before, he certainly was feeling something. Not a pull that relentlessly yanked on him, but more like a nagging tug in his gut--a sense that he should get close to you, wrap you up in his arms and never let you go.

He made a mental note to see his doctor on Monday. Prescription strength blockers. That would take care of this problem. Looking for a mate would help, too. He should really start working on that.

He chatted with Daryl, who’d grabbed three tumblers and set them on the coffee table, next to the Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey. A few minutes later, Rick heard a bedroom door open. He had the perfect view from the easy chair, looking down the hallway. However, his view was quickly obscured by Daryl, who had leaped up from his seat and gone to get you.

Rick watched as Daryl held your hand and walked you into the living room. He’d never seen such a genuine smile on Daryl’s face. Daryl would smirk, scoff, maybe even chuckle, but smile like this? Never.

“Uh… Rick, this here is my mate, Y/N.”

Only just remembering his manners, Rick got up from his seat, and jutted out his hand. “Pleasure, Y/N, nice to put a face to the name. Daryl’s told me a lot about you.”

You shied from his hand, leaning close to Daryl, but not cowering, and not afraid, either. Strange. Maybe the blockers were working well enough to keep you from smelling him. He hoped so. Last thing he wanted was to scare you.

Rick shoved his waiting hand into his pocket and took a step back, watching as you and Daryl sat on the couch. The deputy could not get over how damn beautiful you were. You had the prettiest eyes, the most kissable mouth, pudgy fingers, and were wonderfully filled out with soft curves everywhere. He’d be lucky to find an omega as adorable--or as sexy--as you. Even all covered in sweats, you were fucking gorgeous.

“Daryl talks a lot about you, too,” you said, your confident, playful tone surprising him. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

The blockers had to be working. There was no sign of that fear or dread he’d seen before, back in that parking lot.

“You have a pup, Carl? First grade?”

Rick nodded, trying to dampen his urge to just gape at you in wonderment. “Can’t believe my boy’s this old already.” In truth, it felt like Carl’s life was whizzing past and all Rick saw were blips along the way. Only four days a month did he get to see his son. It wasn’t nearly enough. Never would be.

Rick ignored those thoughts but kept talking. Talking came easy to him, and it seemed it came easy to you, too. He changed the subject and asked you about school. Just like Daryl had described to Rick, your whole face lit up, and your hands came to life as you told him all about omegas during some famine in Spain. And then that somehow turned into an explanation of modern-day pack dynamics and why alphas really love providing food for omegas, even though most Michelin Star restaurants are run by beta chefs.

“They don’t love to cook, they love their omegas. If the food is not for their pack, alphas tend not to be as careful. Oh! And there’s this other thing I read--”

Daryl kissed your cheek. “Bubbie, how ‘bout a drink? Ya gotta be thirsty after all that talkin’.”

“Oh, sorry,” you chuckled, unabashed, then looked at Rick. “I get carried away, sometimes.”

“‘S alrigh’,” Daryl said calmly. He picked up the whiskey bottle and showed it to you.

“Damn, that’s some good stuff, Rick!” you exclaimed. “This one sells out as soon as they post it on their site.”

Rick smiled at you, warmth filling his chest. “Just my way of saying welcome to the neighborhood.”

“That’s sweet,” you said, opening the bottle and pouring three drinks.

Rick raised his glass. “To Daryl, who took a shithole and made it a home.”

The three of you clinked glasses, and you said to Daryl, “Was it really that bad? A shithole?”

Rick said, “You didn’t tell them?”

Daryl shrugged, “Wasn’t tha’ bad.”

“Y/N,” Rick said, setting his empty glass on the table, “You wouldn’t have been able to step into the bathroom without falling through the floor. This room? Nothing but busted sheetrock and cracked linoleum. And the kitchen? half the walls were rotting, not to mention all the cabinets falling apart. Daryl’s a damn miracle worker.”

Daryl stared at the bottle on the coffee table, not looking at you or Rick. “Didn’ do it alone. Rick helped me some.”

Rick reached over and squeezed Daryl’s shoulder. “Some is right. A couple hours, a few nights a week. I swear Daryl must never sleep.”

“‘S nothin’, Daryl murmured, and he reached for the bottle, pouring himself and Rick another drink while you sipped on yours.

Rick stared at you as your eyes were riveted on Daryl. You were smiling warmly at him, your lip quivering. But you didn’t say anything as Daryl continued to keep his gaze lowered, even as he downed his second drink. You slipped your hand into his, and linked your fingers together and kissed the back of his hand.

Rick watched, happy for his friend but feeling his heart break at the same time. What he wouldn't give to have you gaze at him that way, to feel your love just by looking into your eyes and holding your hand.

He poured another drink, then a fourth. What was that app Lam told him about? MatchOmega? OmegaMatch? He’d download the damn thing as soon as he got home.

For now, though, his eyes were glued to you, and try as he might, he couldn’t look away.

Next Chapter.

===

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la-undercover-latina · 6 months

Text

Proposal- Armin Arlert

Summary: Same reader as Impatient Nester. But now we’re getting to see how our little blonde hottie did his proposal

Taglist: @arlerts-angel @arlertwitch @callm3senpaii @humanitys-strongest-bamf @postwarlevi @leviismybby

A/N this fic is for my boo @arlerts-angel whose birthday is today 🎊🎉

Flowers… Picnic basket… Blanket… Champagne… Sangria… Dinner… The young man ran through the list in his head for seemingly the millionth time.

“Relax Armin. You’ve got everything planned down to the minute. She’s gonna say yes. You guys have been dating for over 8 years,” Jean put a hand on his shoulder. The poor man was sweating bullets.

“But what if I forget an important thing, and I don’t realize it until I’m on my knee,”

“You’ve got the ring in your pocket, right?” Jean asked, a knowing look in his light brown eyes.

“Of course!”

“Well that’s all that matters. You’ve got the picnic setup already loaded in your car. And the ring is in your pocket. We all have our cards. They all sent me a picture of them holding it,” What Jean didn’t say was that he forced them to send a picture of them holding it, since he knew Armin would be so high strung and worried about this proposal not going the way he wanted.

“Thanks Jean. So I’ll text Y/N and tell her to go hang with the girls while we get the picnic spot set up,”

Jean texted the group chat that Armin used to set this up.

‘It’s a go,’

At the same time, Armin texted Y/N.

‘Hey princess, I sent you some money. Go out with the girls and spoil yourself,’

‘Minnie, you didn’t have to do that!’

‘Yes I did. Now go have fun. I’ve got to get some stuff done, but I’ll see you later!’

“I’ll go get the flower petals. Just head to the spot and I’ll meet you there,” Jean told him before grabbing his jacket and keys.

Armin sped to the spot that he picked out to propose, his excitement making him almost vibrate in his seat.

About an hour later, Armin had the canopy set up and was getting the pillows and blankets all spread out.

“Flower petals, as promised,” Jean smiled and was amazed that Armin got this all done in an hour.

‘Who am I kidding? Dude is a boy genius,’ he thought and placed the wicker basket in the corner.

“Thanks man,”

‘ETA to start: 45 minutes,’ Mikasa sent.

“It’s really happening,” Armin swallowed and felt his palms sweat, earning a large hand going to the top of his head and ruffling his hair.

“You’ll be fine,” Jean reassured.

“Okay so we’ve got nails, hair, makeup, clothes, shoes, and new bags. I think that’s everything,” Historia laughed, dropping her bags as they found an empty spot in the mall’s food court.

“We needed this,” Mikasa stretched out, an audible pop coming from her.

“Dear god! Was that your hip?” Y/N asked and Mikasa laughed.

“Nope. My knee. I may have pushed it too hard at the gym last night,” She turned to look at Sasha, who came to the table, a huge sub in her hands.

“When did Subway subs get so big?” Historia asked with a giggle.

“Recently apparently. The damn app didn’t tell me that they had a new sub size out,”

“How big even is that?”

“16 inches,” a bead of drool came down the corner of Sasha’s lips.

“Wait, you have the Subway app on your phone?” Historia asked, her fork of fried rice paused in midair.

“Of course I do! You really think I’m going to miss the chance for free food?”

“Good point. Hey when you’re done eating, we’ve got one last surprise for you,” Mikasa smiled at Y/N. There was nobody in the world she could think of better suited to Armin than her.

After about twenty minutes of small conversation and finishing their food until they all felt like they needed to be rolled back to their cars, Mikasa pulled out the envelope from Armin.

“What’s this?” Y/N asked before delicately opening the letter.

“That last surprise,” Mikasa answered simply, catching Historia out of the corner of her eye sending a text to Armin to let him know that the plan was now in motion.

‘My Princess. I know you’re probably thinking this is weird. But I promise it will all be worth it. The first step is to go to the place where you decided to give me my first chance. Love your Prince Charming,’

“What the hell are you waiting for, go!” Historia laughed and shooed their friend away.

The concept of the card was easy. This led her to a Cheesecake Factory.

Inside, waiting by the bar, Y/N saw a familiar buzz cut.

“Connie?” Y/N asked as she approached.

“Hey! What’s up? What are you doing here?” He asked and Y/N chuckled, holding up the card that Mikasa gave her.

“Ah, so we’re only at the second stop I see,” Connie reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out another card, identical to the first one. The only difference was that this one had a delicate 2 written on the front, making her turn over the first card. An equally delicate 1 was written on the front.

As Y/N’s dark eyes moved to meet Connie’s she saw a single long stemmed Peony in his hand.

“Read the card,” he told her with a smile.

‘See, I knew you could get to the second card Princess. Speaking of the nickname Princess. For your next card, go to the place where you first became my princess,’

“Go on Y/N, don’t keep the poor guy waiting,” Connie then turned to the bartender.

“Hey, can I close out my tab?” Connie asked and Y/N raised a brow. Connie came to the Cheesecake Factory just to give this card.

“Reiner… Bertoldt.. What are you guys doing here?” You asked, pulling up to the dog park.

On that day, you’d been dog sitting for your parents while they went on vacation. It was after three dates with Armin. And surrounded by dogs, he asked you to be his girlfriend and you’d said yes.

“Here to let my baby girl get some energy out,” Reiner looked off into the distance to see his six month old Rottweiler puppy now running full speed back to them, her bright pink ball firmly in her mouth.

Once the puppy caught Y/N’s smell, she’d changed course and was now barreling towards Y/N, stopping right at her feet for attention.

“Hey Stella girl,” Y/N knelt down and scratched Stella behind her ears, at the spot that got her back leg moving and a dopey smile to come across her face.

It was then that Y/N looked up to see Reiner holding a card.

“Who else is in on this?” Y/N demanded and Reiner chuckled.

“You know Armin better than any of us, what do you think?”

“So everyone,” Y/N chuckled, still keeping her scratches behind Stella’s ear as Bertoldt gave her the next envelope.

In the time it took Y/N to open the envelope, Stella had realized that her attention had stopped and she nudged Y/N’s arm, which she obliged.

‘I knew seeing Stella would bring that smile to your lips that I love seeing. For your next clue, you have to go to the spot where I got to hear your beautiful name from your lips for the first time. Don’t worry Princess, you’re almost to me. Come get me,’

“Off I go. See you guys later. Bye Stella Bella,” Y/N pressed a kiss to Stella’s head and the puppy smothered her in kisses, making the guys laugh.

The next clue brought her to the high school, where she saw Hange in their convertible, a letter between their fingers and a smirk on their lips as they saw Y/N’s car pull up.

“Sorry I don’t have much distractions. I didn’t get the choice to be with Reiner and that adorable puppy of his,”

“That’s alright Hange. Where is it?” Y/N asked, a smile on her lips and a giddy feeling in her chest at the thought of almost getting to Armin and to see what made him do this scavenger hunt.

‘Princess, I’m so proud of you. I know you’re probably just wanting to be next to me. I pinky promise you’re almost there. The next place you need to get to is the place where I finally got to see what your lips tasted like for the first time,’

“Good luck Y/N. Wrap it before you tap it!” Hange called while Y/N turned on her car again, making Y/N shake her head and her eyes read over the words again.

“Don’t worry Minnie. I’m getting there as fast as I can,” Y/N whispered and made her way to the semi secluded beach.

That day, Armin was so nervous. But the presence of the ocean and sand seemed to give him a boost (look at our Scorpio boy getting a boost from the ocean) of confidence that he needed to pull Y/N into one of the best kisses she’d ever had.

She parked her car, making sure to lock it as she walked the rest of the way to the beach, slipping off her flats and carrying them in a hand while the other shielded her eyes from the sun.

Once she got through the clearing, she could see two tall brunettes. One of them stood taller though.

“Jean? Marco?” Y/N asked as the guys turned to look at her.

“Hey. Wanna dip your toes in with us?” Marco asked with a beaming smile on his freckled face.

“Yeah that actually sounds amazing,” the trio walked down to where the ocean met the sand, where the smell of seawater mixed with earth in one of the most calming smells that Y/N and Armin both loved.

“Got this for ya,” Jean pulled out another card. Wordlessly, Y/N grabbed the envelope and opened it, to see her boyfriend’s handwriting.

‘Princess. You’re almost there. One more envelope after this and then I get to hold you in my arms. For this one, it’s gonna be really easy. On a hot day like this one, what is our go to, aside from where you’re already standing?’

“Thanks guys. What is he even planning?” Y/N asked, and Jean rose an eyebrow at her but it was Marco who beat Jean to speaking first.

“Now why do you think we’d do that to Armin. You’re almost there,” Marco reassured her with a hand on her shoulder and Y/N turned to get back to her car.

“I’m almost there Minnie. Just a little longer, according to these,”

Next was an ice cream shop that Armin had found on a random sweltering July afternoon.

On the hood of his car, Eren sat with a dish of frozen yogurt. Y/N pulled to the spot next to his car.

“You’ve got the last card?”

“What makes you think that? What if I just wanted fro-yo on a hot day,” he asked teasingly while jumping down from the hood to reach into his front seat and grab the card.

“Last one,” he smiled before handing you the card.

‘Alright Princess. This is your last card. All you have to do now is go to the place where our minds were at peace. I’ll see you soon.’

Eren held out a bouquet of peonies.

“One last Armin surprise. Now what are you waiting for? Move your ass!” Eren practically shoved her back to her car.

She looked at the card once more and set it down next to the bouquet, before putting her car into drive and once those tires touched the open road, she put the pedal to the floor. There was nothing more that she wanted besides being able to pull her boyfriend into her arms and kiss him until one of you passes out from no air.

Her tires hit loose gravel and it made her smile deepen as she knew she was getting close to the spot.

Throwing her car into park as soon as a familiar Acura TLX parked, and a brilliant smile came over her face. Knowing that her boyfriend was within steps of her.

Hearing his hopefully soon to be fiancée’s car come closer made his large palms start to sweat profusely. Anxiously, he tried to quickly wipe them on his dark jeans. He did NOT need sweaty palms right now.

“Armin? Minnie?” Y/N called, coming through the clearing of trees to see the beautiful set up. It looked like Armin had ripped it straight out of a storybook.

“Armin, did you do all this?” You asked incredulously. The canopy looked like it had been there for nothing shy of a century. The way the ivy crawled up the side and a honeysuckle bush surrounded it on all sides. The only interruption in the bush being the steps to the canopy.

“The canopy was already here. Guess we should’ve gone through the trees like you wanted when we came during finals,” Armin gave a delicate smile for the love of his life as she ascended the few steps to be next to him. He pulled you in for a deep embrace before pulling you in for a kiss just as deep, dipping you, causing your leg to kick out. When he brought you up, your face was dusted with a blush.

“So what’s the special occasion?” You asked, never having gone on a scavenger hunt with your friends before.

“I wanted to make this date special. And make you work for it,” he winked and chuckled while a giggle slipped through your lips.

“Well you succeeded. And none of our friends let the beans spill, so spill it,” You playfully demanded with a huge grin on your lips.

“Now why would I do that?” Armin chuckled with a smirk on his pink lips.

‘Little shit’ you thought as he grasped your hand and led you to an area that had fabric blocking off one area from the rest of the gazebo. This was where Armin had a mouthwatering array of foods.

“Marleyan ice cream? Mr. Arlert, are you trying to seduce me?” You asked teasingly. At least until Armin looked at you with dead earnestness in his oceanic eyes.

“Yes,” he didn’t realize he spoke the words until your faint blush from earlier turned into crimson flames on your cheeks.

“I had Reiner bring it back with him when he went to go visit his family,” Armin rubbed the back of his neck, making you smile and reach for his hand that was grasping at his neck.

“I’m glad you did. Should we eat? I’d hate for the food to go bad,” you gave him a gentle smile and that’s all he needed to go through with his plan.

“Sangria my love?” He asked, taking the chilled bottle out of the cooler he brought with him.

“Of course!” Armin grabbed two glasses from the picnic basket, and dropping a few ice cubes from the cold insulated bag.

Two insulated bags, wine, a picnic basket, plus all the decorations for the gazebo.

“That was the reason. For the scavenger hunt. It was to give you time to get this set up. Did you do this by yourself Minnie?”

“Yeah. It wasn’t hard. Probably the hardest but was getting the fabric set up to where it still looked romantic but would still stay up,” he started to ramble, so you grasped either side of his face and pulled him in for a kiss. One that made him shut up, not think for a second, and then all of his senses kicked into overdrive. His hand moved down to the curve of your hip and his skilled fingers massaged the areas they crossed, earning a moan to leave your lips.

“Wait, I need to do something, before I have no blood to my brain,” Armin broke away regretfully, from where you sat, breathing heavy.

Armin grabbed his jacket from one of the chairs, and then walked back to you, kneeling before you and popping open the ring box.

“Y/N, we’ve been together since freshman year of high school. And I’ve loved every minute of it, and I want to know what it’ll be like taking that next step with you. Will you do the honor of making me the happiest man on the planet and saying yes to being Mrs. Arlert?” He spoke, his heart pounding so hard against his chest that he was afraid he would miss the answer he’s been waiting for.

You couldn’t speak, tears brimming your eyes and so you had one other way of communicating your answer, you nodded furiously.

Once words finally came back to you, you cried out “yes, yes, a million times yes,” Now that Armin heard the words, he lifted you, spinning you in a circle before bringing his lips back to yours again in another kiss.

It was then that you heard whooping from the other side of the gazebo. Peeking through the fabric, you saw all of your friends before Sasha came barreling through the fabric and pulling you into a hug. Jean, Eren, and Mikasa pulled Armin in for a hug. After Sasha finally let you go out of her hug, you finally got a look at the ring. It was a rose gold band with the stones intertwined together. Opal and Citrine were interwoven with the band.

“Let’s see it!” Hange yelled, running in to see what the ring looked like. Nobody would confide in them anymore.

“You ruin one surprise office Christmas Party,”

“Hange, it was a surprise party for Levi,” Armin reminded them and Hange put up a hand in dismissal.

“Anyway Levi hates surprises. So I just spared all of you guys from having to deal with Levi being a cranky old grandpa,”

“What was that Hange?” Levi asked before giving a nod to Armin.

“Congratulations Arlert,” he gave the ever smallest upturn to his lips before he focused back on Hange.

“I am not a cranky grandpa,” he snapped back and then you looked over at Armin who had just reached out to grasp your left hand that was now and forever never be bare.

#aot #attack on titan #snk #armin arlert #levi ackerman #snk armin #armin aot #proposal

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andydrysdalerogers · 5 months

Text

Presley ~ A Curtis Everett Au ~ Part Two

Curtis Everett x OFC Presley Adams

Synopsis:

Curtis Everett is a hard working man. As the head of the mob of Concord, he does everything he can to provide for his wife and children. His life is perfect. Until it's not.

After a devastating accident, Curtis is alone with his children and needs some serious help.

Presley Adams needs to find work and fast. Running from her past she just wants to lay low and earn enough to get her out of town. Until she starts working for Curtis as his live in nanny.

As she falls in love with this family, can she stop her past from finding her? Or will her past be the end of the Everett reign in Concord?

Book two of the Five Kings of Boston series

A/N: taglist is open!

Banners by me! Dividers by @firefly-graphics

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS. Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated

Previous: Part One

Series Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Part Two: The Nanny

Presley

My mother always told me that I should have the strength of a man and not be afraid to use it, to survive the world as a woman. A woman in a very dangerous world. Her words have stayed with me since... well since we were torn apart. I have been on my own since I was 18 and had survived with a toughness that would have made my father proud.

If I actually spoke to him, that is.

But in the five years after I left home, I am finding myself desperate to make it out of the East Coast and head west. To get farther away from my past, from him, the better.

I sat with my coffee cup on my desk at the law office of Weiss & Associates and started my day. I checked for any interesting news before setting the appointments for my boss, Michale Weiss, into his calendar with the notes. He was a good boss, for the most part. But I didn’t trust the man. He was flighty and scattered, albeit a fantastic lawyer. When he walked in, loud suit as ever, I smiled at him. “Good morning, Mr. Weiss.”

He gave me a tight smile. “Miss Adams. I need to see you in about 10.”

My smile faltered just a bit. “Yes sir.” I got up to get his usual coffee and Danish, grabbed my notepad and head in. “You wanted to see me, sir.”

“Yes,” he waved me in. He cleared his throat, like he was uncomfortable, which is something I haven’t seen a lot from him. “HR has just notified me that there was an error in your personnel file.”

My heart stopped. “My file? Sir I don’t...”

He popped his hand to stop me. “Your social security number had been flagged. Now I don’t know what is going on and I won’t pretend to care but I need this firm to keep its nose clean.”

“I understand.” I looked down at my hands and bit my lip to stop myself from crying

“I’m sorry Miss Adams, but you’re fired.” I snapped her head up. “Effective immediately.”

“I need this job, please, I’ll do anything,” I pleaded

“I’m sorry Presley,” he said softly. “But we have a big case coming and I don’t need the other side to catch a whiff of an investigation, or we will lose.”

I nodded and stood up. “Thank you, Mr. Weiss.” I scooted out the door, grabbed my stuff and walked out.

Three days later and I wasn’t having any luck finding another job. I sat with her friend, Cat, at the coffee shop.

“I don’t know what to do Cat, I mean, nobody is hiring. I need to have a job if I want to go to California.” Cat knew about my past and my plan.

“Pres, have you tried with the childcare agency? They are always hiring.”

“If my social isn’t working, how can I apply?”

Just then, a couple of men walked in, speaking loudly. “The boss is desperate to find a chef and a nanny like as soon as possible. I guess Mrs. Everett is heading back to Paris and won’t be able to help anymore.”

“He’s got an interview tomorrow for a chef. Now its just down to a nanny.”

“Sad those kids lost their mom. Hopefully he finds someone who will love them as much as he does.”

The men left with their coffees, and I looked to Cat. “Everett?”

Cat shook her head. “No way Presley. Mr. Everett is the King of Concord. A mob boss. How do you not know that?”

“I’ve only been here a year.” I shrug. “Besides, I know how to handle a king, Cat. This could be my best chance.” I looked around to make sure no one was listening to us. “Do you know where he lives?”

“The big manor at the end of Concord St. Presley, are you sure? I mean if you are trying...”

“I know Cat. I’ll be careful.”

The next morning, I took forever to decide on my outfit. I finally got dressed in a demur skirt and boots, button down shirt, hair in a ponytail to contain my dark curls. I decided to walk over to the manor, pumping myself up along the way. “You can do this Presley, you need to be sweet, smart, confident.” I got to the gate and heard a door open. Two men walked out, one with floppy hair, pulling on a coat, the other with a shaved head in a three-piece suit. I swallowed as I looked over the man in the suit. It was custom tailored, that much I knew, it fit him like a glove. It was dark blue with a pin stripe, crisp white shirt, no tie, a couple of buttons undone. I could see a few tattoos on his wrist and by his neck.

“Can I help you?”

I stepped through the gate. “Hello, my name is Presley. I am here for the nanny position.” I fidgeted slightly as he studied me. I sucked in a breath when I saw his eyes. The beautiful ocean blue eyes that bore into my soul. This man was not just handsome, he was beautiful. Deadly but captivating.

He observed me. My long wavy hair was tied back, showing off my face, I could feel my eyes widen under his inspection. I was a little scared of him.

Not that he would hurt me.

That he could wreck me.

I swallowed, wondering what was taking him so long to say anything more. “I’m Curtis Everett.”

Shit, this was the boss. The king of Concord, according to Cat. He’d only said a few words, but the way he looked at me made me want to climb him like a tree. I’ve never met a man who just exude sex and power with one look. Curtis gave me a small smile, like it was painful to look at me. Like I was bringing him painful memories. Shit, did he know me? Know who I was in my past life? “Why don’t you come in? You said your name is Presley?”

“Yes, sir, Presley Adams. It’s nice to meet you.” I took a breath, stiffened my back and offered my hand and he took it. His hands were warm but rough, yet gentle. It made me shiver a bit, thinking of how they would feel on the rest of my body. I shook the thought and followed him into the house.

“How did you hear about the job, Miss Adams?” Curtis directed me to a chair in his office. His office was painted a cream color with dark wood furniture. I noted several pictures, a cute blonde girl and a boy that looked like Curtis. Next to it was a picture of a woman, blonde, who look just like the little girl. It must be his wife, I thought to myself. She was the perfect complement to the dark of Curtis’s aura.

“Actually, I overheard a couple of men speaking about it at the coffee shop.” I flushed at the admission. “I was there with a friend, and I had recently lost my job.”

“I see.” Curtis sat in his chair and leaned back. “I hadn’t even called the agency, yet you took it upon yourself to reach out to me. That’s ambitious if not stupid.”

“I don’t work for the agency,” I admitted. Might as well be honest because lying at the last job screwed me.

“Then how will I know you are qualified to watch my children? I don’t want someone who could be a criminal or mentally unstable to be in close proximity to my children. Maybe...”

“No, wait, please.” Fuck, I could feel the opportunity slipping away but I was determined and made another plead. “Mr. Everett, I may not have a degree in childcare or references, but I am a hard worker. I’m organized, I can drive, I can play, do make believe. Children don’t need to be so structured when they are out of school. They need to have fun; they need to be loved and they need someone who they can rely on to be their friend. Yes, I know, there should still be some order but why not make it fun. I don’t know how old your children are or any special circumstances that may be happening, but I do know that I would do anything to protect any child and give them the love that they deserve.”

Curtis

Presley took a breath as I steepled my hands under my chin. I looked at this young woman who said all the things I was looking for. I don’t know how she understood how precious my children are to me. It was like she had lived this life before. But I wanted to make sure this is a good fit for my family. I grabbed my phone and sent a text to Clint. “I want to see something Miss Adams.” The door open a few moments later and my children came running in. “Joshua, Everly, this is Presley.” Both children greeted her and she smiled.

“Its nice to meet you. How old are you, Joshua?”

“Eight and my sister is five.”

“Wow, good ages. Let me guess, you like to play sports, right, Josh?” He nodded. “And you Miss Everly, do like your dolls and playing dress up?” Everly nodded her head but still remained hidden a little behind Joshua.

Joshua took her hand behind him and observed the woman, his green eyes showed curiosity but protectiveness. “My sister is always nervous when she meets new people,” Joshua explained. “I always tell her that I’ll protect her.” My chest swelled with pride at Joshua’s words. I was raising my son as a gentleman, something I knew Anna would be proud of.

“That is such a great thing a big brother can do for their sister.” Presley studied the children. “Well, I hope that I can come back and play with you guys. I used to play softball and soccer.” Josh’s eyes lit up. “And I have a doll that I still sleep with at home. Maybe I can bring her over and we can have a tea party?” Everly scooted away from Josh and looked straight on at Presley.

“Do you know how to braid hair?” Everly asked softly, her blue eyes big and round.

“I do. I can help you with that as well.”

“Daddy can only do ponytails.” I chuckled at my daughter’s bluntness.

“But I bet he makes the best ones.” Everly smiled and nodded.

“Ok kids, go back outside for a little bit. Nana is making some soup and sandwiches for lunch,” I said. A man Presley hadn’t noticed before opened the door to allow the kids to exit. “Thanks Clint.”

“No problem, boss.” He closed the door and I turned back to Presley.

“My children like you.”

“They are beautiful and so well behaved.”

I chuckled. “For the moment. Joshua was trying to put a worm in Evie’s hair earlier.” Presley let out a giggle. The sound was beautiful and for some reason, made my cock twitch. Get a grip Everett! I cleared his throat in order to ignore the sudden bodily response. “I think we can do a trial run, Miss Adams. The kids go to school during the week until three and I usually work until about six or seven. I try to eat dinner with them every night but sometimes I'm late.”

“Understood.”

“Now, I know you may have an apartment or other housing, but it will make me feel better if you stay in the manor with us, just in case. There are times when I am called away in the middle of the night.” I was wondering if this was still a good idea, considering how I keep taking in her full lips, beautiful skin, long hair that would look good wrapped around my fist. What the fuck am I thinking? I refocus on her eyes, even though they are distracting as well.

“That’s find Mr. Everett. I am staying with a friend now so moving here would not be a problem.”

“Good. Good. As far as salary goes, I pay $1500 a week plus access to a car, food here and so forth. You would have Sundays off to do what you please. My only rules are not to be too loud and absolutely no visitors whatsoever. I don’t need strangers in my home when my line of work is... delicate. If it is ok, I would rather pay in cash each week and of course if I need you in an emergency, I will compensate you. Does this seem fair?”

Presley

I was stunned. $1500 a week could go a long way to helping achieve my goal. Plus, the added bonus of being in a secure location helped ease my nerves. “Yes, Mr. Everett, that is fine.”

“Good.” He stood up and I followed his lead. “I think that this could be an excellent arrangement. Can you start this Friday?”

“I can, my friend can drop me off.” I reined in my giddiness.

“No, I’ll have a driver and one of my men come get you. Just leave your address. They will be there at nine am sharp.” His voice was resolute, no negotiation would be allowed. Since I had no other way to get my stuff here, I let it go.

“Ok. Thank you, Mr. Everett, for this opportunity.”

Curtis

Presley walked out of the house and back down the road. I watched her leave and felt a presence next to me.

“She is beautiful, son.” Sylvia watched the young woman as well.

“Ma don’t start.” How do mothers know what their children are thinking? Yes, I could admit that Presley is gorgeous and that my body had a natural reaction to a beautiful woman. But how could I be disloyal to Anna? The conflict between my head and my heart raged and it seemed that my mother picked up on it.

“Curtis, it has been four years. You can let yourself be happy as well.” My mother rubbed my arm. “Anna wouldn’t want you to be sad and alone.”

I shook my head. “That may well be, but it will not be with her. She’s going to be working for me as the nanny and I can’t complicate that.”

I was doing this for my children. Their happiness and comfort came before mine.

No matter how tempting Miss Presley Adams is.

Presley

“Presley, are you serious?” Cat paced as I finished packing before Mr. Everett’s car arrived. “You can’t live with him. He’s the head of a mob. He’s dangerous.”

“He’s nice, Cat. He treated me with respect and is paying me cash. If I do this for a year, I’ll be set to move to California, where no one will find me, and I’ll be free. It works.”

“I just don’t think this is a good idea.” I loved her so much for her protectiveness.

“I’ve got it handled, Cat. I’ll see you on Sunday, ok?” I hugged my friend when I heard a knock on the door. “That must be the guy that Mr. Everett sent.” I grabbed my bags, which Cat helped with another and went downstairs. I opened the door. “Hi!”

“Hello Miss Adams. Mr. Everett sent me. My name is Clint Barton.” His smile was warm, sandy colored hair smoothed back; black suit sharp. He was handsome, for sure, but the ring on his left hand left nothing to chance.

“I remember you, Mr. Barton. Please call me Presley.”

“Mr. Everett requested that I call you Miss Adams.” My felt my face of excitement falls a bit, but I catch it. I think Clint saw the flash of uneasiness at his words and smiled. “But, if its just you and me, you can call me Clint, Presley.”

I smiled. “Ok.” I turned back to Cat. “Maybe I can walk into town, and we can meet for coffee on Sunday?”

“I’ll drive you Presley,” Clint offered. “The weather will cool down and it will be difficult to walk so I can drive you if you need it.”

“Thanks Clint. See,” I said to Cat as Clint and the driver took my bags to the car, “everything is going to be fine.” My lower lip began to tremble. “Thank you for taking care of me.”

Cat pulled me in, “anytime Pres. Love you.”

“Love you. I’ll call you later.” I walked to where Clint was holding a door for me. “Thanks Clint.” He nodded as I slid into the car.

The ride was quiet but not uncomfortable. I took in more of the city since I wasn’t on a crowded bus to get to Everett Manor. Yeah, Clint clarified that the house had a name. My thoughts turned to the blue–eyed king. His gaze could smother someone or light them up to heaven. I did a little research and understood he was eight years older than me; he took over about seven years ago and four years ago, he lost his wife in an accident.

My heart broke for his kids. My own mother passed away when I was eighteen. Dad said she had gone to the store and had an accident. I never saw her again. We had a funeral, but the casket was closed. Dad said it was because she was broken. But I know why. And I shudder at the thoughts. Thinking of her, I unconsciously played with the locket around my neck. The last piece of hers I had. I shook the sad thoughts away as we pulled into the Manor. Clint opened my door. “Go ahead and head on in. Mr. Everett is waiting with Mrs. Everett in the study. Do you remember how to get there?” I nodded. “Relax. Smile. This is a good thing. I’ll put your bags in your room.”

“Thanks Clint.” I walked to the door and opened it. I hadn’t really gotten a look at the manor the last time I was here. The formal living room at the front of the house was beautiful. Dark paint splashed on the wall would have made any home super dark, but the windows went up to the vaulted ceiling. A light brown leather couch and two cream chairs centered the room, while gold accents finished it perfectly.

I had always wanted to be an interior designer. And I thought that whom ever selected this pallet had excellent taste. I kept walking and saw the dining room that matched the living room and then the family room. Two very different spaces. The cream-colored walls with a dark blue couches and brown and gold accents decorated the room. This room was meant to be light and airy, where hot chocolate and popcorn are eaten near the fireplace for movie night. Presley stopped for a moment to admire.

“My wife decorated everything.” A voice behind me startled me and I jumped. I also stepped back into a side table, but a strong hand caught me around the waist. The warmth of his hands burned my skin in the most delicious way. I looked up to see ocean blues studying me. “Are you alright?”

“Yes,” I breathed as I continued to stare. Curtis Everett is holding me in his arms. I shivered and moved to stand on my own. “I’m sorry Mr. Everett, I didn’t mean to snoop.”

“Nonsense. This is your home now.” He offered a smile, and it took everything in me not to swoon. “Miss Adams, welcome.”

“Thank you, sir. Mr. Barton directed me to your office, but I couldn’t help but admire the decorating and colors.” I took another look. “Your wife has excellent taste.”

“Thank you.” He looked uncomfortable now and I lowered my gaze. Dammit, I probably shouldn’t have said the wife thing. It's ok for him to bring it up but a stranger doing it has to hurt. “Follow me please.” He walked out and I followed behind. Further down is the kitchen, he told me. “Our new chef, Mr. Jones starts next week. I’ll introduce you when he arrives.” He pulled the door to his study. “My kids are at school now. Everly is out at 2, Joshua at 3. Clint will drive you to collect them.”

“Ok. Any type of schedule after?”

“An older woman appeared, “Yes. Josh is required to finish his homework before he can turn on his video games. Evie usually has a couple of worksheets to finish before she can go to the playroom.” I nodded before the woman smiled. “I’m Sylvia Everett, Curtis’s mother.” She offered it and I took it. She had a soft but firm grip to her handshake. She’s just the type of woman my mom would have liked.

“Presley Adams, ma’am. Its very nice to meet you.”

“I’ll be around for the next couple of weeks,” Sylvia said. “I’ll get you oriented with the children’s schedules and needs.”

“I’m grateful to you, ma’am.”

Curtis looked at his watch. “Let me show you to your room and let you get settled in.” Curtis offered his arm to her, and she took it with trepidation. This man was reserved and yet, Presley was drawn to it. She wasn’t very experienced with men, but she knew enough to know when a man was quiet and reserved, he was most likely strong and powerful.

“I put you near the children’s rooms. We have the nursey, well Evie’s room now and Joshua is on the other side. He just got his own room, and he tries to hide in here as much as possible.” He opened the door to a room in white and black. Black wood furniture decorated with a four-poster bed sat center. A TV was on one wall and two doors. “This is the closet and this is your own en-suite bathroom. The kids share a jack and jill in between.”

“Its beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it. Here,” he handed me a card and a phone. “This is a secure phone. I’ve programmed Clint, my mother, my other man Anthony and myself in the phone. The card is for any expenses you may have while caring for the kids. I pay on Fridays, so I’ll leave an envelope for you in the kitchen.”

I nodded, not sure what to say. “Thank you, Mr. Everett. I really appreciate the opportunity.”

“I’ll leave you to it.” He walked out and before he closed the door, he turned back. The look in his eyes showed appreciation. At what I had no idea. “I hope this arrangement works out.” He closed the door, and I blew out a breath.

What does he mean that he hopes the arrangement works out? Was he just hoping that I don’t run out screaming because his kids are monsters or what it something else? I won’t deny that the man is handsome. But he is also a mob boss, a king, as everyone likes to say. And I know how they are when they are no longer happy. I shoved the thought away as I unpacked. I put the picture of my mother and me by the night side table. I still miss her every day. Had she been alive, would I have been able to escape the horror that my father planned? Would she have taken me away? I’ll never know.

It was a few days later, and I was picking up the playroom while the kids were at school. It had been a good transition. Josh liked that I could pitch to him and Everly loved the different dress up games I made up. I had also convinced each child to help their sibling out for a couple of games. Everly enjoyed the attention she got when Joshua would let her play with him, running after the balls he hit and helping her hit off the t-ball stand. Josh rolled his eyes at tea parties but didn’t say anything, watching how happy his sister was.

Today was the day that the new chef was supposed to start, and Mr. Everett asked me to meet him at noon for lunch. It was five minutes to noon, and I made my way to the kitchen. Mr. Everett was there talking to someone. “Good afternoon, Mr. Everett.”

Curtis turned to look at me, giving me a glimpse of the man he was talking to. And I blanched. It couldn’t be. My heart began to race as I stared at Adam Jones in front of me. I hadn’t noticed him before, probably because I was so nervous, but here he was, standing in front of me. A phone rang and Curtis brought it up to his ear. “Hello? Yes, one second.” He turned to me. “I need to take this. I will be right back.” He left the room and I stared again at Adam.

“Its been a long time...” he started before I cut him off.

“Please, don’t say anything.”

Adam softly smiled. “I remembered. And I won’t. I think you will be safe here. Its nice to know you are doing well.”

“Thank you.” I went still when I felt Curtis come back into the room.

“Sorry about that. Miss Adams, this is our new chef, Adam Jones. Mr. Jones, Miss Presley Adams.”

“A pleasure to meet you, miss.” Adam offered his hand to me with a wink. “Please let me know of any allergies or preferences you have.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Curtis’s jaw tick. Was he angry that Adam was being polite to me? Or was it the wink he threw? I sensed danger and was quick with the handshake. “Thank you, Mr. Jones.” I took a step away from him.

“Mr. Jones, I would like to have lunch in the sunroom, please.” His tone was devoid of emotion, but it was enough to issue a warning to Adam. What the warning was, I had no idea, but I could feel it radiating from Curtis. He turned to me. “Miss Adams,” he offered his arm.

As I slid my arm through his, a million thoughts went through my head. Why was Curtis so formal with me all the time? How the fuck did Adam Jones end up in Boston? Am I really safe here? Why is Curtis mad? Lunch was all business. I’m glad Curtis gave me a little notebook by the side of my plate so I could take notes. It really was a schedule of things, and I would add them to my phone later so I would remember. But he was formal the entire time. Not because I was his employee; it felt like he was holding himself back from...me. I went to bed that night, wishing that my mom was with me on this journey. She would know how to read this confusing, beautiful man.

The next couple of weeks were awkward. Adam was friendly but cautious. He never talked to me as if he knew me, which I was grateful for. But Curtis seemed angry whenever he saw me. I started to avoid him as much as possible. I ate after the family did, claiming that I was cleaning up and letting Curtis spend time with his children. In reality, I did it to stop myself from staring at him. If I kept staring, he would see the lust, the longing, the desire in my eyes. That would be a very bad idea.

On Saturday, I had put the kids to bed and was getting a snack for my room in the kitchen. When I turned to leave. I jumped. Curtis was standing in the doorway in a tux. I knew he had an event tonight, but I had assumed he had left already. “Good evening Mr. Everett.”

“Miss Adams.” He was looking at me, not with friendship but something I couldn’t identify. “Having a snack? I didn’t see you at dinner.”

“Oh. Well, I had dinner earlier since I wanted to be ready for bedtime. I’m just having a snack with a bath and a book.” I smiled nervously. “You look nice.”

He looked down at his own body before looking back at the mess that was me. My hair was up in a top knot, yoga pants and a hoodie. I was ready to turn in for the night but I couldn’t help but feel naked under his gaze. “Thank you,” he finally said. “Do you have plans for tomorrow?”

I swallowed. “Yes, I'm meeting my friend Cat in town. Clint... Mr. Barton said he would drive me.” I flushed. Shit, I wasn’t supposed to call anyone by their names except the kids.

“I’ll drive you,” he said.

“Oh no, Mr. Everett...” he walked up to me, and I went still, the sentence dying in my throat.

“It would make me feel better to know you are ok, Presley.” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I could feel it, the sexual tension between us. I thought it was just me, but I could feel it radiate from him. It was making my skin buzz. Suddenly I wanted him to touch me. I fought the urge to press up against him.

“Why?”

He looked me over with something I’ve never seen in a man: longing.

“Because I couldn’t protect her. I can still protect you.”

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