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milesdickpic · 4 months

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His Little Girl | Bradley Bradshaw x Reader P.83

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Hi, my loves! We are back with another chapter!!! I really need to catch up with writing. I have been so busy 🤪 Brb gonna watch Top Gun for some Motivation! I love you all so much! 💕 Happy reading and enjoy! ❤️

A/n: You and Bradley have something important to ask of Phoenix, Hangman, and Austin, What will it be? Bradley returns to work for the first time in uniform since the accident. 🫣😳

Word Count: 3.2k

Warnings: cursing, crying, anxiousness, some sadness, but so much happiness and love 🥰

Please don't take my work, I will find you.

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Bradley’s POV

Austin and Phoenix came in through the front door with bags of groceries. Leia was in the backyard running around with Gunner. Hangman and I were sitting on the couch with the boys. Hangman was hunched over Little Bradley on the couch while he was laying in his lap. He was playing peek-a-boo with him. Even though baby boy had no idea what was going on. I’m pretty sure his eyes were closed 98% of the time Bagman was playing with him.

“Sup guys,” Austin called over and nodded his head at Hangman and me as he placed some grocery bags onto the counter.

I nodded and waved back over to him. “What’s up, Aus. Phoenix my girl, my favorite wing-woman. Thank you for doing y/n and I a solid this morning and cleaning up for us.” She came over and grabbed my hand and placed a kiss on my knuckles.

“Anything for y/n and the boys, Bradshaw.” She winked and leaned over the couch to look at Luke passed out on my lap. She cooed over him. “Oooooh look at the little man sleep. Is that Luke or Bradley?”

I chuckled. “Luke.”

Hangman interjected. “Bradley boy has a new and cool gift from his mama and daddy.” He picked up little Bradley and handed him off to Phoenix.

“Huh.” Phoenix raised her brows and nodded. “What is your new and cool gift Bradley boy?” She said in a baby voice as she grabbed him and covered his chubby cheeks in kisses.

“Hazel. Eyes.” Hangman smiled and looked back at Phoenix.

Phoenix raised her brow and readjusted Brad against her chest. She looked over at me and was looking for approval. “Hazel eyes??”

I nodded. “He’s got some dreamy hazel eyes. The perfect combination of mine and y/n’s eyes.”

Her eyes went wide as she carefully held baby Brad in her hands. Austin joined and looked at him in Phoenix’s hands. He opened his eyes and his eyes were glistening at them both. They were mesmerized by his piercing hazel eyes.

“Oh, man. Look at those.” Austin chuckled and rubbed his index knuckle against Brad’s cheek. “Those are beautiful.”

“There is a new secret weapon in town and it is this little man.” Phoenix was smiling at baby Brad in her hands. “Look out world. Luke and Bradley are going to steal your girls.”

I laughed and shook my head. “He is the only one with Hazel eyes. Luke has green eyes like Leia and me.”

Austin and Phoenix both looked at me shocked. “So then you’re gonna be able to tell them apart forever?” Austin chuckled.

“And you won’t have to like call the hospital and beg one day for their original fingerprints to try and tell them apart when they’re 13 because you are having second thoughts about possibly mixing them up when they were 6 months old?” She raised her brows.

I started to laugh. “God, that would have been a fun and great story one day if that were the case. But, we, unfortunately.” I rolled my eyes. “Won’t get the chance to mix them up because they have that difference.”

Hangman shrugged his shoulders. “I still think we are going to mix you, Leia, Little B, and Luke up because you are all carbon copies.”

I rolled my eyes and stood up as I brought Luke to my chest. “On that note.” I handed a sleeping Luke to Austin. “Would you all watch my kids for a second? Leia is out back with Gunner playing. I need to go check on my wife. Make sure she’s okay.”

Austin and Phoenix took a seat on the couch with the boys and Hangman headed out back with Leia and Gunner.

I ran up the stairs and opened the door quietly to see the bed fixed and empty.

“Sweetheart? You in the bathroom?” I entered the room and closed the door behind me.

You came out from the closet with your hair wrapped up in a towel and one of my shirts on. “God, I haven’t fit into one of your shirts like this since before I was pregnant with the boys.” You giggled and came over to me and placed a kiss on my lips.

I smiled and wrapped my arms around you. “Sleep good, baby?”

You nodded and smiled up at me. “I did. Thank you so much, Bradley. I really needed that.”

I kissed you again and rubbed your back. “Anything for you, sweetheart. I knew you needed some rest. You did so much last night and these last 9 almost 10 months. I owed it to you.”

You hummed and laid on my chest. “Where are the kiddos?”

I laid my head on top of yours and embraced you tightly. “They are all downstairs. Being taken good care of.” You nodded and looked up at me.

“I’m going to finish getting ready. I’ll meet you downstairs in 20. We have our big news to share with the three adults downstairs.” You raised your brows and turned around to continue to get ready.

“Oooo. You are right. The godparents.” I smiled and placed one more kiss on your cheek as I gripped your hips. “See you downstairs in a bit, mama.”

———-

I rejoined the future godparents and the kids downstairs. Leia had just come back in from the backyard with Gunner. Hangman was washing her hands in the kitchen. Gunner was wedged in between Austin and Phoenix trying to smell the boys.

I sat in one of the single sofas across from the couch and watched Phoenix, Hangman’s, and Austin’s interactions with the kids. I smiled seeing how much they cared for them. I knew you and I were making a great choice in choosing them to be there for our kids for the rest of their lives. I looked down and started to think about when we would go back to San Diego and everyone else would get to meet the boys and see Leia again. Man… I couldn’t wait. You and I were the luckiest people in the world to have everyone we had in our lives.

Hangman made his way over with Leia. He sat next to Austin on the couch with Leia in his lap. She leaned over carefully as she watched her little brothers sleep. She softly started to rub Luke’s head.

You finally made your way down and greeted everyone.

“Hey Good afternoon, Mrs. Bradshaw!” Hangman laughed and he grabbed your hand.

You made your way over and kissed all three kids on their heads.

“Hey, mama. How did you sleep?” Phoenix reached her hand out for yours and interlocked your fingers with hers.

You smiled and let out a relaxing sigh. “I slept great. Thank you all so much for taking care of the kiddos to let me sleep in a little bit.”

Austin grabbed your other hand and placed a little kiss on it. “Anything for the hardworking mama!”

You giggled and looked over at me. I gestured for you to come and sit on my lap. You made your way over and sat with me. I wrapped my arms around your waist and you cleared your throat.

“Sooooo.” You smiled at all of them before looking at me.

They all looked at each other confused.

I peeked my head around your body and smiled. “We have a surprise for you all.”

They all furrowed their brows at you and me. Leia popped up from Jake’s lap startling Gunner. “Are we having more babies!?”

Austin, Phoenix, and Hangman looked at Leia with wide eyes and then shared the same look with us. You started to laugh and so did I.

“God. Y’all move quickly. Didn’t waste any time.” Hangman pursed his lips together and shook his head at us. He looked disgusted. The whales.

You shook your head and leaned back against me. “Definitely no more babies.”

“For now.” I smiled. You rolled your eyes at me and looked back to the group.

“Bradley and I wanted to ask the three of you.” You looked at Jake and smiled. “And Sarah.” He smiled back at you. “If you would do Bradley and me the honor of being the boy’s godparents.” You bit your lip nervously as you waited for their answers.

They were all stunned and were lost for words.

Phoenix looked down at baby Brad sleeping in her arms. She bit her lip as it quivered. She looked back up at you and me as she wiped her tears. “I would love that more than anything.” She placed kisses on baby boy's cheeks as she held him close.

Austin smiled and was holding back his tears. “Are you serious?”

Hangman was just staring into space in the boy’s direction. You broke down, “I’m dead serious… What do you all think?” I held you close and waited for all of them to reply.

“YES!” Phoenix nodded in excitement as she embraced baby Brad to her chest. Austin smiled at you and me with tearful eyes.

“I would be honored to be a godfather of one of these little guys.” He wiped the inner corner of his eyes.

Hangman was still silent. I looked over at him and leaned forward against your back. “Bagman?” I raised my brow at him and smirked. He looked up at me with his lips pushed together. “What do you say, wingman?”

He opened his mouth slightly about to say something and then looked down. He licked his lips and pushed them back together. Leia patted the top of his head. “Uncle Jakey?”

Hangman looked back up at Leia and smiled. He looked back over at you and me. “I would love to. Thank you.” He bit his lower lip and looked down. “Thank you for this. Seriously.”

I chuckled. “I wouldn’t and they wouldn’t be here without you.” He looked up at me quickly and started to cry slightly. I gave him a reassuring smile. “Thank you, Seresin.”

He smiled at me and looked back over at the boys. You wiped your tears, “So it’s settled. Of course, after you ask Sarah, Jake.”

Hangman smiled back at you and nodded. “I know she would love to. So which lucky man do I get?” He chuckled.

You looked back at me and nodded. I cleared my throat. “Our little Luke.”

Phoenix gasped and placed her hand over her mouth. “Aus, that means we have little Braddie boy.” She poked his nose and hugged him. “But I will and always will be here for both of you boys.”

Austin and Hangman nodded. “I agree.” They both said in unison.

———-

Your POV

It has been a couple of weeks since the boys were born, you and Bradley were starting to adjust to their daily routine. On the days that Bradley was gone for physical therapy, you had Austin to lean on for some help.

~~~~

You came home from your check up appointment with the doctor. Bradley was off today and watched the kids while you were out. When you came home you were thrown off with a surprise. Bradley was carrying both of the boys in his arms with Leia clinging onto his back dancing around the kitchen to I Was Made For Lovin’ You by Kiss.

Him and Leia were singing to the boys as he was dancing around. “I was made for lovin’ you babies! You were made for lovin’ me! And I can’t get enough of you babies!”

You gasped as you put your purse on the counter. “Bradley and Leia Rey Bradshaw.” They both looked at you with wide eyes as they stopped singing mid-sentence and stopped dancing.

“Uh Oh, daddy.” Leia hopped off of Bradley’s back and smiled at you awkwardly. “hi momma.”

You started to laugh as you walked over and kissed her head. “Leia Rey.” You squinted your eyes and walked over to Bradley. He was cradling the boys in his arms and standing completely still. “Bradley Nicolas Bradshaw.” You clicked your tongue against the roof of your mouth, “What do we have here?” You laughed and shook your head as you grabbed Luke from Bradley’s arms.

“Hello, sweetheart.” Bradley already knew you were going to scold him.

“Bradley. You are still recovering and you have all three kids clinging to you.” You kissed Luke on his forehead making him smile.

“Sweetheart.” Bradley cleared his throat, “I am fine. I promise.”

You raised your brows and squinted your eyes at him. “I know you are, but I need you to be extra careful. Especially if you want to fly again, babe.”

Bradley smiled and chuckled. “Baby. That is why we are dancing.”

You raised one brow and look up at him as you placed another kiss on Luke’s head. Leia came over and wrapped her arms around you. “Momma. Daddy got cleared to fly.” She said in a little whisper.

You gasped and held Luke’s head to your chest as you covered his ear. “BRADLEY!” Your mouth was in a wide smile and you started to bounce up and down. “REALLY!?”

He started to laugh as he nodded his head. “OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD!”

You bit your lip and smiled at him. “YESSSS!”

He shook his head as he was laughing. He grabbed Luke from your grasp and cradled him next to baby Bradley. “I start ground training tomorrow. Gonna start going through the exercises to get me ready for flying again.”

You put your hands over your mouth, “YES FINALLY!” You jumped around with Leia, “well crank up the music! We are celebrating again!”

————-

Bradley’s POV

It was my first official day back at work. I woke up at 0400, so that I could feed the boys and then get ready. They were both fast asleep. I went to the mini fridge in the corner of the room that we had set up. I grabbed two bottles of your milk and placed them in the mini micro above the fridge to nuke it. As they warmed up I grabbed little Brad from his bassinet. I bounced him in my arms gave him kisses. I laid him on my empty side of the bed as I went and grabbed Luke from his bassinet. After I laid them down together, I went and grabbed the bottles. I checked the temperature for both before placing them into their mouths.

I got on my knees on the floor by the edge of the bed as I held both bottles to the boys’ mouths. “You boys are getting so big. It’s ridiculous. Please stop growing. Daddy wants you boys to stay babies forever.” I let out a little chuckle, “Before I know it, you boys are gonna wanna go flying with Papa Mav. Just like your big sister Leia.”

I watched them with tears in my eyes as they finished their bottles. I picked them both up and placed them on my chest as I sat against the headboard of the bed. I began to burp them, burping was an understatement. They both belch like grown men. After their burping, I changed their diapers and placed them back into their bassinets. I kissed each of them as they fell back to sleep.

“Daddy loves you so much, boys.”

I started to get ready for work.

~~~~

After cleaning up, I put on my whites and opted for the short sleeve shirt. I grabbed my hat and held it between my arm and waist. I went and placed a kiss on your head. “I’m leaving now, baby. I’ll see you tonight. I love you.”

You opened your eyes and smiled. “I’ll miss you, Brad. Have a good day and be safe please. I love you so much.” You reached your arms up and gave me a hug.

“The boys are fed and changed. So get some sleep, babe.” I moved your hair from your face and gave you another kiss. “Bye, baby. I love you.”

You waved bye to me as I left the room. I went and gave our sleeping Leia a kiss. Then met with Phoenix and Hangman downstairs.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Hangman had a smirk on his face while he sipped his coffee. “Looking good, Rooster.” He held his mug up to me and winked.

“Seresin. Good morning.” I chuckled as Phoenix handed me a mug.

“Are you ready for today, Bradshaw?” She smiled as she sipped her coffee.

I sighed and sipped my coffee, “More than ready. I’ve been waiting for this moment for nearly 6 months. I hope I can get back in the pit before we are sent back to San Diego.”

Hangman nodded his head. “Well, you have plenty of time to get into the pit. I have confidence you’ll get in there, but if you can’t, you always have more time in San Diego. Take your time and don’t rush it. Take it day by day, Rooster. We are all here for you.”

“Thanks you guys. I definitely will get a feel for it today. See how it goes from here. But today is day one.”

They both patted me on the back and we all put our mugs away. “Well then, let’s go and start day one.”

————-

Your POV

It was your first full day of watching the boys and Leia solo without Bradley. Thankfully you had Austin who was helping occasionally, but you ultimately wanted to try on your own. It went smoothly, a couple of blowouts from Luke, but nothing out of the normal. You looked over at the clock and it was 4:30.

Austin was making dinner with Leia, as you laid the boys down for their nap. “They should all be home soon, huh darlin?” Austin asked as he munched on a carrot.

You nodded and wrapped your arms around Leia. “Yup! Give them another 30 and they’ll be here.” You laid on Leia’s shoulder. “Thank you for helping with your brothers today, babe. You helped mommy so much.” You kissed her cheek over and over again as she stirred dinner and giggled.

“You’re welcome momma. I love helping with my brothers!”

Austin patted her head and smiled at you. “Best sister ever.” You and him laughed as they continued dinner.

~~~~

Bradley, Phoenix, and Jake finally made it home. They all came in laughing. Austin went over to greet them as you and Leia finished setting the table. You could hear Austin shushing everyone as they came into the dinning area. The boys were still asleep for their nap.

“Where are my boys?” Bradley whispered as he came over and gave you and Leia a kiss on the head.

“They’re asleep in their bassinets.” You looked over in their direction. Their bassinets were set up by the couches.

Bradley went and washed his hands before he made his way over to the boys. Phoenix and Jake followed behind. They all went to give the boys kisses as they slept. Phoenix and Jake came over to the table to start eating with Leia and Austin.

You walked over to Bradley and laid your head against his shoulder. “Look at ‘‘em sleep, Brad.”

You smiled as you caressed baby Brad's cheek.

“They’re perfect. Just like you and Leia Rey.” He gave both of them kisses before he turned to you and smiled. “Thank you for this life baby. I wouldn’t be here without you.”

You smiled and he held your face in his hands. “Thank you for coming back and loving me like we never parted. I love you, always.”

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Besties, I suck at proofreading, please let me know if I left any *Hazes* in there. It was gonna be a nickname for Baby Brad but I changed my mind LOL. Buuuut AAAHHH! Godparents! The boys are so lucky to have them all in their lives 🥰 I'll see you all in the next chapter! 💕

The boys' godparents are in the comments 🥰

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wolfjackle-creates · 1 year

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WIP Wednesday

So, here's a short excerpt for WIP Wednesday (963 words)! Thank you for everyone who followed my new writing blog, the response has been so unbelievable.

Trigger Warning: Discussion of parental death

Original Prompt Fill

1st Shared Segment

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IKnowYourSecrets: hey

IKnowYourSecrets: I know this isnt something weve done before

IKnowYourSecrets: you said you got a cell for your last bday

IKnowYourSecrets: can I call you?

IKnowYourSecrets: heres my number XXX-XXX-XXXX

-xXPolarisXx-: is everything ok?

-xXPolarisXx-: dont answer that

-xXPolarisXx-: obv not

-xXPolarisXx-: my phones in my room brb

Danny ran up stairs to grab his phone and return to the computer before anyone could close out of his chat. He checked the number and dialed it, closing out of everything and logging out as the call connected.

“Tim?” he asked as soon as the ringing stopped. “What’s happened?”

“Danny? I… this is weird talking like this.” Tim’s voice was rough and Danny couldn’t tell if that was from emotion or just how he normally sounded.

Danny laughed a little. “Yeah. It is. Give me a sec, let me get to my room and I’ll shut the door. Give us some privacy.”

“I… yeah. I might need a few minutes.”

“Are you okay?”

Tim made a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a sob and Danny all but ran up the stairs. “No, not really. Um. My mom’s dead.”

“What?!" What was the appropriate response to something like this? Sometimes he wished he had Jazz's way with words. "What happened?”

“She and dad were in the Caribbean." Tim let out a huff. "I didn’t even know they were in the Caribbean.”

Danny made a noise to indicate he was listening, but waited for Tim to continue.

“There was a local villain named Obeah man. He captured them and held them ransom. Gave them some water to drink at some point, but… it was poisoned. By the time Batman got there, it was too late. Mom died.” Tim gave another half-hysterical laugh. “And my dad is in a coma. He may never wake up.” His voice trailed off.

Danny swallowed. How does anyone respond to news like that? “I’m so sorry, Tim. How are you holding up? What’s going to happen now?”

“The funeral is in two days. Bruce is organizing it. And I’m going to stay with him, I guess. He said he’d be happy to foster me until my dad gets better.”

“Shit, Tim. Text me during the funeral if you need to.”

“I might take you up on that. You won’t mind?”

“Of course not. Every 5 seconds if you need to.”

“Distract me. What’s going on in your life? I don’t want to think about any of this anymore.”

“Oh, uh, all right. Are you sure?”

“Please, Danny.”

“If you change your mind, interrupt me anytime.” Danny chewed his lip. What on earth could he talk about in response to news like that? The test he had in English last week? That sounded so trite. “I did start karate training with…” he trailed off before he could say his mom. “Anyway, it’s going all right. I’ve basically only been taught basic moves. I only get lessons two or three times a month so it’s slow going.”

Tim’s voice was still shaky, but he seemed to latch onto the topic to Danny’s relief. “You really have to give it your all if you want to succeed. Have you learned the basic stances and things?”

“Some, I think.”

“Hold those positions. Stand in your room and just hold them for ten minutes at a time. And practice the same punch over and over. Even if your m—” Tim’s voice caught and he changed course “—instructor can’t make it. Would you be allowed to sign up for classes? Get something more consistent?”

“We don’t have the money.” Danny bit back the embarrassment he felt at admitting that. Tim was rich-rich and never had to worry about things like bills. “Ghost hunting doesn’t really pay. My parents are at least good engineers so they can fix our own appliances and vehicles. Sometimes dad or mom will fix stuff for the neighbors for some extra money.”

Tim hummed in understanding and didn’t push the issue. “How did they even get into ghosts to begin with?”

“If we ever end up in the same place, you are not allowed to ask that directly to my parents. Don’t mention ghosts at all. They won’t stop talking for hours. As for how they got into it… Dad’s always believed in the supernatural. He could’ve just as easily started tracking big foot or the Loch Ness Monster. But he met mom in university and she was stuck on ghosts. Dragged him in, too. And he’s obsessive. Once he decides on something, that’s it.

“They were both studying the supernatural and had to decide what to focus on for their doctoral research. Mom’s hated ghosts since she was a teenager. Apparently she and a friend were dared to go into a haunted house one Halloween. She doesn’t talk about it much, but her friend died that night. She blames the ghosts and has dedicated her life to hunting them ever since.”

Tim clicked his tongue. “Wow. It almost makes sense with that back story.”

Danny snorted. “Ghosts aren’t real. I dunno what killed her friend, but it wasn’t a ghost. Wish they’d decided to hunt Bigfoot instead.”

“Really? Why do you say that?”

Danny looked out his window and stared at the setting sun. “If they were hunting bigfoot, we’d probably go camping more often. And I like camping. You get the best views of the stars that way.”

“What’s your favorite constellation?”

“That’s like asking who my favorite Star Trek character is! There’s too many to choose. But do you know the folk history of Polaris? It’s why I chose my username.” Danny talked to Tim about the stars and space until Alfred called him away for dinner. They made plans to talk online again later.

-----

Now, I have a question for y'all. I was planning on finishing the entire work then publishing on a once a week basis until finished (or twice a week if I had more chapters than I expect). I've got the first chapter mostly done, just need to rewrite one section and change a few lines elsewhere. I also have the next 1.5 chapters mostly done on a first draft. I could start posting now, but I can't guarantee a posting schedule and I'll probably have to take a hiatus or two as I plan to get a new job and move sometime in the next few months.

So my question, do you want me to post now or wait? It'll probably be several months if not a year before I finish depending on how long I take and how many other projects catch my eye.

-----

In other news, the creator of the original prompt started their own fill, too! If you read mine, I am requiring you to check theirs as well because it is amazing 💕. Tumblr Link and AO3 Link

Tag List

@gremlin-bot, @bonebrokebuddy, @britcision, @lady-time-lord-, @welcometosasakiworld, @akikkobara, @phoenixdemonqueen, @dolfay, @skulld3mort-1fan, @we-ezer, @markus209, @sjrose1216, @onyxlightdragon, @dragonsrequiem, @jesus-camp-the-sequel, @spidey29phangirl, @kyrianclawraith, @evilminji, @introvert-even-on-the-internet, @emergentpanda-blog, @lexdamo, @v-inari, @idontgetpaidenoughforthisshit, @longlivethefallen

I removed the names of some people who requested a tag back in November but didn’t interact with the last snippet I shared. Since it’s been so long, I wasn’t sure if you were still interested. I’ll be more than happy to add anyone else, re-add anyone I took off, or take off anyone who doesn’t want future tags! Or start a separate list just for after there’s an AO3 link. Just let me know!

#dp x dc #my writing #bring me home fic #danny fenton #tim drake #first phone call #not a happy day #but theyll get through it

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awxcoffeexno · 10 months

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selfish

bf!joel x reader

fic masterlist summary: joel has work. and you miss him.

warnings: angst, so much angst!!!, plenty of pining, both characters are stubborn, there is 0 communication, if only they would just talk to each other!!, but obviously not, why would they do that?, also reader is pregnant (no use of y/n, no outbreak, mild age gap (reader is 23, joel is 28))

word count: just under 1.2k

a/n: this is my first fic on here and idek why i've written this but i'm pining so,, T.T

it's fifteen minutes past 8 and joel is still tapping away on his keyboard, brows furrowed, lower lip between his teeth.

you've only peeked into the room to see if he's finally done, but he isn't. so you walk back out to the living room and pick up the new copy of notes from underground that you bought at the old book shop yesterday.

you'd wanted him to come with you, even told him it would be lovely to have him. but whilst the whole country took the day off for a holiday you don't particularly celebrate, joel was still in your room, still tapping away at his keyboard. with a soft sigh, you had pressed a kiss to his forehead and he'd given you a sheepish smile. I'm sure you'll love it, baby. send me loads of pictures.

so alone you'd gone, sifting through the piles and piles of unsorted books, hoping to find something nice. you'd picked up a small, tattered book about duties of couples in marriage. a wedding present signed off by a distant uncle. giggled at the silly pictures and then put it aside. more unsorted books, several copies of jane eyre, pride and prejudice, a tale of two cities (🤢 you couldn't imagine ever picking that up again, what a terrible piece of prose).

until finally, a copy of notes from underground. fyodor dostoyevsky. you'd always wanted to read dostoyevsky but you'd never considered yourself having enough time or patience for him. deep breath. no better time than the present.

so here you are, curled up in the little nook next to the fire place where only you would think to sit. it's a tight spot but you like it. it's warm and comforting and since you don't have joel's arms, the brick wall will have to do. besides you’ve got olives and vanilla ice cream to keep your cravings at bay so at least there’s that.

you'd spent your day finally getting back to the painting you'd forgotten in the back of the attic last month, followed by work on your dissertation, glancing at your phone every now and then. no messages from joel. so you'd given him a missed call like you always did to catch his attention.

joel.

hi, baby, need a sec. brb.

and you'd given him a second. ten minutes. twenty. you knew you were being needy but before this god forsaken job you'd spent every day together, curled up in each other. you'd help each other with your assignments, him pressing absent-minded kisses to your shoulders as he flipped through his architecture textbook.

nearly an hour later he'd texted you back.

hi. sorry. got carried away.

no, it's okay. how are you?

and he'd gone on a rant about work. and you'd listened. and then he was gone again.

even when he came back home, all you'd gotten was a squeeze on the arm, a kiss on the forehead and a meeting, baby.

you'd wanted to scream. but how selfish would that be? he was working. besides your dissertation was waiting for you, the cursor blinking, jeering at you for leaving it mid word.

and now it is nearly two hours later. you've both eaten dinner in separate rooms and you're reading dostoyevsky.

dostoyevsky.

the clock is mocking you. tick, tock.

tick, tock.

tick, tock, you pathetic little bitch. he is working.

tick, tock, look at you! my god. he is working!

tick, tock.

"joel?"

nothing.

"joel!"

"hmm?"

"I'm bored."

he lets out a soft tired chuckle that makes your heart warm. "want me to come dance for you?"

idiot. you tell him as much.

you get up and tip toe to your room again. "hi."

"hi, sweetheart." his hair is soft and fluffy. you push your fingers through it, watching his eyes flutter shut.

you press a soft kiss to his lips. he smiles.

"do you have any time today?" you ask him, leaning back on your hands.

you really are pathetic. but you miss it. you miss having him all to yourself every night. you miss pressing soft kisses into his jaw without having to worry about his brows furrowing and him apologising because work was demanding his attention. you miss how he'd rub the anxiety away from your chest. didn't matter what the anxiety was about, he'd always take it away from you. and now he can't, because he's always anxious himself. about work. about you. about the baby you had on the way - the baby he was working so hard for.

and you want to be selfish. you want to tell him where it hurts. sometimes you do and you see his guilty little eyes as he looks over at you and tries to take it away. but it doesn't go away anymore. and he feels so fucking guilty about it. and you only add to his stress, and then you're feeling guilty too and it's not good for either of you.

"I'll be free in a bit, sugar. I'll be off at 10. I hope."

but that's not what you want. because once he's off at 10, he'll be tired. and he should rest.

but you're selfish.

so. "no, like. do you have any time today for me?" you rephrase and watch as his shoulders slack and his eyes darken.

look how sad you've made him.

"yeah. after 10." he's blunt. cold.

and that's because you know he wants to rest. and he knows he wants to rest. and you've just been selfish again and fuck, he's getting so tired. tired of constantly being pushed to show up. to be there. for work. for you.

you’d celebrated this job with him, hadn’t you?! made him a little cake and blown up balloons. it was a good job. hard work but it paid so fucking well. the two of you had planned this baby for so long. he’d taken up a diploma so that he wouldn’t have to support you on the wages of a contractor whilst you worked on your masters. but hindsight is 20/20 and you’d much rather have a small house and a tight budget and still have joel than sit in the living room alone, day after day as he worked his ass off trying to do what’s right what any man with self-respect would do.

tears sting your eyes. you miss him. and you're so fucking pathetic, making all of this about you. he notices but doesn't comment because he's done. he's done consoling you about something he is going through too.

but you're selfish. so you stand up and walk out and he's left staring at the ghost of your perfume wondering when something will finally let up. when something will give. when you'll just understand and let him be.

until then he knows that this cycle will repeat every day. because you're selfish.

not that he'd ever think that. because he's joel and fuck he loves you.

but you know it. and your clock knows it.

you're selfish.

if you're reading this, thank youu xx maybe I'll write some more. idk, but I hoped you liked it. <3

just migrated from reddit back to tumblr and I didn't realise how much I missed tumblr aaaaaaa

love, d 🖤

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chaotic-on-main · 8 months

Text

Chapter 8 June - Part 5 [Final]

☾ Pairings ➼ Levi Ackerman x fem!mute!Reader (she/her pronouns), set in a modern semi-fictional world

☾ Summary ➼ Due to childhood trauma, you find yourself an adult without the ability to speak. After years of working on it, you have found ways to live without a voice. Now here in your late 20s, you are 5 months in getting used to a new town. On a fateful day in late November, you and your adopted sister visit a local bookstore-café, unaware of the friendships about to blossom. Throughout the months, one friendship in particular develops into something more.

☾ Content/Warnings ➼ fluff, slowburn, oblivious feelings, romance, angst, mention of minor character deaths, trauma, illness, adoption, mentions of fire, disabilities, alcohol use, very light nsfw mentions, references to child abuse, smoking and alcohol abuse mentions, domestic violence, light assault, eventual smut

☾ Author's note ➼ brb I'm sobbing. Mainly because look at my little characters and my story... I DID THAT. But also, because I actually finished something. Can y'all believe that?? Anyways. I hope you all like this chapter and I hope y'all enjoyed my story as a whole. I had a lot of fun thinking up this little world. I'm sure I have places where I can improve but considering this was my first fanfic in like, 10 years?? I'm taking it as win. Thank you to anyone who has spent their actual time to read my delusions, I appreciate y'all so much. I couldn't have finished without the support of my friends, moots, and you, my readers. Okay that's enough being mushy. I'm gonna go watch One Piece now. See y'all around hehe :3

☾ Word Count ➼ ~8.5k

The first thing you’re greeted with the moment you stir awake is the smell of clean laundry laced with traces of pine. The sound of seagulls squawking away in the distance comes muffled through Levi’s bedroom windows and you can feel the gentle morning sun that filters through caressing your skin. You keep your eyes closed, reveling in the moment of peace you find yourself in.

As each of your senses wake up with you, you can’t help but smile softly into the raven hair tickling your face from underneath. Levi is fully tangled with you and the sheets, legs sprawled all over the bed. His strong arms wrap around your waist and hold you close as he breathes deeply into your chest, the warmth of his body begging you to fall back asleep. You lift your hand and delicately rake your fingers through his soft hair, but he doesn’t rouse. He’s dead to the world in your arms.

The memories of the night before pop into your mind slowly like bubbles rising in the ocean – none of them unpleasant. Levi made sure to clean you up before dressing you in one of his shirts and pulling you into the bed with him for the night. Not much was said during this but as always, there never was any need for words between the two of you. His intentions all night were clear.

The phantom pressure of Levi’s lips on yours sends warmth up into your cheeks. You were not expecting an outcome like this, yet you were not disappointed in the slightest. Flashbacks to the things he did to you fly through your mind and you can’t help as your legs shift under the sheets at the thoughts.

“Mm?” You hear from your sleepy companion.

You allow your eyes to flutter open, having to squint initially at the pale light pouring in through the glass – the sun just broke through the horizon. You can tell it will be another beautiful day out just from the sight of the fluffy white clouds that drift lazily in the orange sky.

You attempt to pull away to sign something but it’s of no use as Levi only tightens his arms around you and pushes his face more into your plush chest. Your face was already warm enough, but this ensured it would not go away any time soon. A small, amused huff escapes your lips, nevertheless.

“No.” Levi mumbles against you. His voice is thick with sleep.

You nuzzle into his hair with a smile as you’re not sure what else to do at the moment. You needed to get up before Hange or Erwin did, but you weren’t ready to say goodbye to this haven you both created – and neither was Levi.

“Don’t leave… want you to stay.”

You like this sleepy and clingy Levi, another version of him that you feel must be reserved just for you. You place small kisses on the top of his head in response, holding him closer into your chest as you do. There’s a heavy sigh from him, a telling one that sounds content. His warm hands slide under your shirt and up your back as he continues to hold on to you for dear life. Your blinks start to slow and suddenly you’re drifting off again.

You’re not certain how long you were out, but the next time your eyes open, the light trickling through the windows is brighter. Your arms still wrap around Levi, this time around his chest as you rested on your side and he on his back. An arm circles your waist, holding you close, with his hand sitting gently on your hip. You don’t know how you both moved so drastically, but you still appreciate it because now you can see Levi’s sleepy face.

His porcelain skin contrasts greatly with his tousled hair, miles away from his usual style and yet one of your favorites on him by far. Dark, long lashes sit on his soft cheeks and his pale-pink lips form into a small pout. He’s so at peace when he sleeps, leaving you wondering what he might be dreaming about. You hope it’s full of nothing but good things.

Slowly, you pull your hand up and trail your fingers down the side of Levi’s face, feeling the slight roughness of his stubble poking into your skin as they pass. His eyes don’t open but you can tell with the shift in his breathing, he’s waking up again.

You hook a finger around his chin and tug it down gently so that you can see his sleepy face better. Dark gray eyes open in slow blinks, staring into yours. Pulling his chin down more, you press your lips onto his, your movements slow and lazy and with little urgency. It sends tingles down your spine and into your toes – something you believe you won’t ever get used to.

When you pull away, Levi’s quick to place his hand on the side of your face to hold you still so that he can steal one more kiss. His fingers then tuck away rogue strands of your hair behind your ear before running his thumb across your bottom lip which is now pulled into a smile.

“How do you get more beautiful every time I see you?” He whispers down to you, voice husky from sleep.

You respond back with an eye roll and a shrug, but his words echo in your mind. You stare as his soft skin glows in the warm, morning sun. He’s one to talk, you think. Levi trills his lips as he exhales heavily, pulling you more into him with his arm.

You take this opportunity to place your free arm around his stomach and rest your head against his warm chest, the steady rhythm of his heart reverberating through your skull. Leaning down, he places a gentle kiss on the top of your head. His lips linger against your scalp as he talks, coming muffled through your hair. It tickles.

“I suspect the idiots will be up soon if they aren’t already.”

As if on cue, you hear the faint clinking of metal out in the kitchen. Someone was up and working on getting breakfast ready. A sinking feeling comes with the realization that you would have to face your sister and Erwin about last night. You pull away slowly, sitting up so that both hands are free to sign then turning towards Levi. He shoots you a subtle pout at the absence of your body, and you don’t stop the soft laugh that escapes you.

‘What do we tell them?’

“We don’t have to tell them anything.” He sits up on his elbows and furrows his brows, a steely resolve deep seated in his gaze.

‘They’re going to ask questions.’

“You don’t have to answer anything.” He reiterates. “We can just go out there and ignore them.”

‘You know Hange, that won’t-‘ Levi reaches over with one hand and closes it over your moving fingers, making you stop. His hand then trails up your forearm before wrapping his fingers around it and pulling you down – making you collapse onto his bare chest. He then wraps his arms around you and holds you in a vice grip, despite your silent giggles and squirming.

“I’ll handle it. But let’s get you some pants, first.”

The moment you step out of the bedroom, the smell of cooked bacon hits you full force. Hange and Erwin are in the middle of talking as they stand by the stove, turning to look at your already flustered face at the sound of the door opening. You take a few steps out of Levi’s room and sheepishly wave at them. Erwin raises an eyebrow but Hange, on the other hand, drops the spatula they were loosely gripping. It falls into the pan of cooking meat, splattering oil everywhere.

“Whaaaaaat??!” Hange runs over to you with bugged eyes, leaving Erwin to clean up the oil splatter before it starts a fire. Their hands reach up and cup your cheeks, squishing your face in the process as they squeal more.

“I was wondering where you’ve been! Canoodling with Levi was not my first thought, I admit.” Your face begins to heat up more in embarrassment. You knew this was inevitable, but you were still not prepared in the slightest. Levi brushes past you and Hange towards the kitchen but Hange shoots a hand out and grabs him by the arm, their other hand still against your face.

“Oh no you don’t, we’re talking about this!”

“Let go of me, four-eyes.” Levi demands.

“Hange, they just got up. Give them a moment.” You hear Erwin muse from behind your sister. You flash him a look of gratitude as Hange drops both hands and sets you and Levi free with a huff.

Erwin had outdone himself with the feast he prepared for everyone. Crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, and bouncy pancakes. But despite the delicious food, the palpable awkward silence and dense tension that followed was stronger. You ignore the burning stare aimed directly at the top of your head as you dug into your plate, knowing full well it was from Hange. The only noises that filled the space were the clattering of utensils and soft chewing of food.

It doesn’t go unnoticed how Levi chose to sit next to you this time, something he hadn’t done prior to this morning. You dare to look up for a second in his direction, catching his eye as he sips his morning tea. There’s a small smirk pulling up the corners of his mouth as he looks away and back to his breakfast.

“I can’t believe the festival is tonight. This trip has gone by so quickly, don’t you think?” Erwin pipes up after wiping his mouth carefully with a napkin.

“Did you both make up?” Hange blurts out.

“Hange, come on.” Erwin gives them an exasperated glare.

“I deserve to know. She was so upset yesterday and now she’s not and I need to make sure they’re okay!”

When you look back up to your sister, you can tell right away they are bursting at the seams. Eyes wide, face almost purple, and their fingers clenching their fork so tightly the knuckles turn white. Not much has been eaten off their plate, which shakes gently from their knee bouncing under the table. With a heavy sigh, you lean back in your chair and glance over to Levi. There’s a brief pause as he considers it, but then he nods ever so slightly.

“What do you want to know?” He grumbles, arms folded over his chest as he also leans back.

“Are you both on good terms now? Did you sleep together? How was it? Were you safe? You know, I have a whole bag of condoms in my bag if you need more!” Hange’s eyes bulge out of their face with every question, and you feel your face heat up more than it already was. You sink down in your seat further and hide your face behind both hands. Of course, Hange would go straight to those questions.

“Yes. Pass. None of your business. I do not need to know that and why do you even have that many?”

“Just in case! You never know.” Hange picks up their fork and shoves a bite of pancakes in their mouth before talking again, voice muffled. “You can’t answer the questions like that, Levi! Be serious.”

“I have nothing else to give you. It’s none of your business.” Levi shrugs as he goes for another sip of his tea.

“Fine, I’ll ask my sister. She can’t say no to me.” You feel something hit your shin under the table and you jump up with a squeak. Peeking through your fingers, you see them staring hard at you.

“Spill.”

Hange was right. You were bad at hiding things from your sister. Eventually you always relent. Like the time at the spa, or the day after the ball so many months ago. But this time, you find yourself not wanting to share. It was your memory to keep, and you didn’t want anyone else to know. Your fingers clenched into fists as you think about what you want to say, Hange’s stare burning holes in your face the whole time.

“Oi, would you leave my girlfriend alone and let her finish her breakfast first?” Levi sighs as he pokes his fork into the last of his eggs. Hange chokes on their water.

Your head whips in his direction at his words, but he’s staring out towards the ocean with his mouth moving slowly as he chews. Girlfriend. You and Levi didn’t discuss what last night meant for the relationship. After everything, you were sure there was more to you and him than just friends. But to say that term so brazenly… it gives you goosebumps.

“Gir-?!” Hange starts out but is then cut off by Erwin, thankfully.

“The weather looks like it will be nice all day, so we need to make sure we dress appropriately. Look at all of these activities. According to this article, the fireworks display is the best show on this side of the coast.”

Your eyes shift over to his blue gaze, which peeks above his phone that he was scrolling on. You mouth a thank you and he winks back before going back to the webpage he was reading off. You feel Levi’s hand reach over from under the table and squeeze your thigh gently, his attention still on the ocean.

Girlfriend.

You liked that.

After that morning, you had all gotten dressed and ready to celebrate what the town had been preparing for all week – the summer festival. It was like if you had taken the energy from the past few days and then combined them all into one night and multiplied that by ten. The streets were crowded all day and straight into the evening, only getting more intense as the night went on. Sometimes Hange and Erwin would break off from you two and you don’t know if it was intentional or not, but you were grateful for it regardless.

With everything so new, you weren’t sure how Levi felt about PDA outside of leading each other where to go, but as always, he answered that for you. He wasn’t shy about taking your hand and lacing his fingers in with yours. Nor did he hesitate to grab your waist and pull you into him while walking or waiting in line for something. It felt as if he wasn’t letting anything get in the way of what he wanted anymore.

As sunset approaches, you and Levi meet up with the rest of the group at the beach where people were preparing paper lanterns. According to Erwin, Liberio’s lantern release is one of the main attractions for their summer festival, right next to the fireworks show which took place about an hour after. You’ve never taken part in anything like this before, so you were very excited.

When you and Levi step up to the table that your sister and Erwin were standing around, you notice that they’re writing something on the sides of their lantern in black marker. You can’t make out what it says, so you tap your hyper focused sister on the shoulder to get their attention. They turn to you with bright eyes and an even brighter smile.

“There you are, my little strawberry! You better hurry up and get your lantern, it’s almost time.” They jerk their head backward towards the shoreline and you look over to see people standing with their lanterns lit as they chat away in wait.

‘What are you writing?’

“The locals say to write your wishes and dreams for the future. They say that once you release them, they fly into the sky and the gods above pluck them up and grant them when the time is right. Isn’t that fascinating?? And get this! I had to ask around but they’re biodegradable! A lot of people were a little offended that I asked, and I think it has to do with them really believing they got plucked out of the skies! How silly of them, but who am I to tell them otherwise.” Hange looks like they’re having one of the best days of their life and you just smile back. They reach over to ruffle your hair before going back to the paragraph they were writing on their lantern.

Looking over to Erwin, you notice he had written a singular line, but of course you can’t make it out. He stands tall, lantern in hands, as he stares out to the setting sun. His blue eyes trail over to you before smiling at you softly, the sea breeze blowing through his fine hair.

“This place is quite lovely, don’t you agree?” He asks.

Nodding back, you hum in agreement. Despite the intense moments, you can’t help but feel grateful for this trip and everything that accumulated to get you to where you are now. If it meant going through the anxieties of the unknowns to get here, you would do it all over again.

Levi says your name and when you turn in his direction, you notice he’s holding out a blank lantern. Golden hour is in full swing as it casts soft shadows on him, highlighting the sharp angles on face. There's a glint of something in his eyes as he watches you, though the rest of his expression gives nonchalance.

‘Thank you.’ You sign before taking the lantern and marker from his hands, your fingers lightly brushing against his as you do.

“Hm.” He picks up his own lantern from the table and scrawls something on it as he uses his hand to block you from seeing it. You force yourself not to pry though it killed you to not know what was on his mind. You figure he might tell you what he asked for later down the road. As for yours though, you write what you hoped wouldn’t be a one-time thing.

More days like this one, forever and ever. With the ones I love so dearly.

When you look up in satisfaction at your wish, you notice your friends staring back at you with what you can only assume is love in their own way. A sense of warmth lights through your veins like the sunshine on your face and you find yourself smiling so brightly that it scrunches your eyes and hurts your cheeks.

As Levi steps away from the table, he holds his hand out to you – his own version of a smile tugging on his lips as he waits for you. Fingers clasping over his as you secure your wishes in the other hand, you’re led down to the shoreline with everyone else.

You never saw it even as he released it above him, but if you did you would have seen that Levi’s lantern had one simple sentence. Something so full of conviction and confidence, written in neat letters so that if there were gods, they would be able to see it so easily and hopefully grant it without hesitation.

To spend the rest of my life with her.

That night, you didn’t fully intend to return to Levi’s room but as you passed by it on the way to your own, his arm had shot out and latched around your wrist to hold you there. He didn’t offer much in terms of words, but it was there in his metallic eyes. Unspoken.

Stay.

So, you did. And that night after, when you were all spent from your last day at the beach and Liberio as a whole, Levi didn’t even have to ask, nor did you have to look at him to know. You followed him like you always would as long as he wanted you to, right to his bed and straight into his arms.

Before you know it, you’re on the long flight back home with soft music flowing through your earbuds. You watch as the early morning clouds float by from down below, casting various shadows on the dark blue water of the ocean underneath. Your head sinks into the stuffed strawberry that sits sandwiched between you and the wall of the plane. Your hands, however, find themselves preoccupied in Levi’s fingers. Levi is half-asleep with his head resting against your shoulder, his warm breath tickling the skin that is exposed from your tank top.

You always assumed he didn’t sleep much, so to see him pass out so easily as he held onto you was a welcome surprise. In the past few days, Levi’s energy had shifted. It was different and you couldn’t explain how, but it was there albeit subtle. Those prominent dark circles under his eyes were still there, but they didn’t cut into his skin like they used to. And his ever-present scowl rarely made an appearance, at least from what you saw.

Erwin and Hange saw it too. They didn’t say anything, but you could tell Hange was just begging to say something to Levi.

“When are you two getting married?” Your sister had joked to you while you were both waiting in the security line at the airport.

At that time, you rolled your eyes at it. It’s not like it wasn’t on your mind, since they were the ones that brought it up in the first place. But now, it felt so real. There was an actual chance for it.

To be honest, you never gave much thought to settling down with someone. The language barrier proved difficult for the very few suitors you’ve had in your life, and they were always gone before you knew what happened. So, the prospect of marriage wasn’t something you thought to worry about.

Then Levi came back into your life.

Levi cared for you in ways that no one else did. Levi was patient and put in the work for you instead of adapting to what was. You never had to ask with him – he just knew. And as always, he made everything easy.

Without looking over, you gently squeeze his hand a few times. A few seconds pass and you think he might be in a deeper sleep than you thought, but eventually his fingers reciprocate with the same pressure and your smile reflects back at you from the window.

Even though Levi had promised he wouldn’t leave, you still hope that whatever life had in store for you that he would indeed be a part of it for as long as you lived.

About a week had gone by since the small plane touched back down into Jinae’s local airport. Hange hit the ground running, staying at the lab late at night to catch up on what they missed. Erwin and Levi were quick to get the café back up and it was surprisingly busy – a lot of regulars equally worried and interested to hear about where they’d been for the last week. And whenever Levi wasn’t at work, he was with you.

While making dinner together at your apartment one night, Levi threw out the suggestion of going to see his mom with him sometime over the weekend. You hadn’t seen her since before you both had left for Liberio, so you were eager to accept the offer. Whether it was your quick response to going or the genuine smile that graced your soft lips as you were signing away about how excited you were to see her again, Levi found himself pulling you away from the lettuce you were chopping and into his arms before kissing you so deeply that you saw stars.

You never knew, but Levi’s brain clicked, and a decision was made right then and there.

When Saturday comes around, Levi swings by the apartment to pick you up that afternoon. You had offered to drive but he was quick to decline and that was that. You won’t complain though, you liked watching him from the passenger seat. The way his bottom lip would jut out in focus, how his eyes would flicker between each mirror every once in a while. His hand resting against your thigh and squeezing it gently.

After pulling into a space at the front of Riverside, Levi puts the car in park and glances over to you. In both hands, you hold a large bouquet of flowers that you had picked out specifically for Kuchel. Giving them a big sniff, you gaze over to Levi with a smile.

“She’s going to love them.” He says as he reaches over to touch your face softly. You don’t hesitate to lean into his warmth. “Ready?”

You nod before unbuckling yourself and sliding out of the passenger seat. Levi does the same and makes his way to your side, his fingers finding your hand as he locks the car with a few clicks of the key fob. His thumb rubs against the side of your palm while he leads you through the wide doors and into the facility.

According to the staff, it was a really good day for Kuchel. A fleeting thought of what a bad day might look like flashes through your mind, but you’re quick to shake it aside. Levi guides you down a couple of different cozy hallways that lead to the side of the building that held the patient’s living suites.

Like the hallways that led to the outside courtyard, the ones you walk down are just the same. Various acrylic paintings pass by in colorful blurs as your hands fidget with the plastic that holds the bouquet together. Even before Levi had warned you that his mom might have trouble remembering you, anxiety gnawed at you. The need to be liked by someone so important to Levi was ever present. He glances over to you at the crinkling of plastic and squeezes your hand a few times in reassurance.

Eventually, Levi stops in front of a white door with a hanging sign decorated with various colorful flowers and a cursive letter A in the middle. He knocks gently and through the heavy wood, you hear a muffled ‘Come in!’

When he opens the door, your mouth opens slightly in surprise.

Kuchel’s room looked as if it was taken out of a Victorian cottage catalog. For a moment, you forget that you’re in a medical facility as you take a few steps into the room – Levi closing the door behind the two of you once past the door frame.

First, you notice the soft bed on the right side of the room, fitted with tan sheets adorned with floral patterns. There are a few decorative pillows propped up against the backboard. Along the walls are sketches of people that are too small to make out, but from what you can see they are drawn beautifully well. The window in the far back is wide open, letting in the afternoon summer breeze that makes the sage green curtains dance on each side. A dresser sits under the sill that houses a couple bottles of what you think might be perfume and a few glass trinkets.

Then your eyes drift over a pale woman in the corner of the room.

Kuchel is sitting in a plush lounge chair with her feet up on an ottoman, a charcoal pencil between fingers and she’s sketching away on a pad. Her dark eyes snap up from her paper as you walk in, greeting you both with a big smile. Carefully, she places her things on the table next to her and pushes herself up from the chair, the leather squeaking at the shift in weight.

“My little Levi.” She sighs happily.

“You don’t need to get up.” Levi scolds as he walks over to help her. She’s frailer than you remember her being, but her eyes and smile remain the same – bright and full of life. She wraps her arms around Levi and holds him close as she mumbles how it’s been a while since he last came to visit. He pulls away and gives her a smile, but there’s sadness in his eyes. You know that she was the first stop for him when he got home about a week ago.

“I’ve heard you’ve been drawing again.” He says, craning his neck to the sketch she was working on. An eyebrow raises at it and then his gaze flickers over to you.

“Mom, I don’t know if you remember…” He holds his hand out for you to take as he calls your name.

Kuchel turns her attention to you now, and at first, you’re wondering if you would need to reintroduce yourself but there’s a small flash of recognition in the same eyes she shared with Levi. She studies your face as well as your hand that holds onto her son’s. After a moment of thinking, your name finally comes tumbling out of her mouth in a question as she makes her way over to you. She wraps her arms around you in a tight hug, squishing the bouquet you had brought in the process.

“Oh wow, look how much you’ve grown. I haven’t seen you since you were just a little thing.” She says softly. You hug her back carefully, aware of how much smaller her frame is to yours. Her hugs are so good you want to cry again, but you hold them back and instead relish in her warm embrace before pulling away with your own beaming smile. Levi reaches over to take the flowers from you, a handful of petals falling to the vinyl flooring as he does and sets it on Kuchel’s nightstand.

‘It’s nice to see you again.’ You sign, Levi interpreting for you as you go.

“Oh, are you deaf honey?” She watches you with intrigue. You shake your head no.

“She’s mute, but she can hear you just fine.” Levi pipes up softly. He looks to you as if to apologize but you smile back in reassurance. There was nothing to apologize for.

“Oh dear me. What happened?” She places a soft hand over yours before leading you to one of the chairs next to the one she got out of just moments before. Her eyebrows furrow at you in concern, the same way Levi’s does – it makes you laugh.

“I don’t think we should take up this whole visit with such a long story.” Levi suggests, shooting you a nervous glance again. You wouldn’t mind explaining the situation at some point but truthfully, you didn’t have the energy to dive into it right now. Especially when there’s only so much time to be with Kuchel and you would rather shift the attention something more pleasant. Levi picks up on this.

“What have you been working on lately?” He points to the piece of paper that Kuchel was currently sketching on, and she starts talking animatedly about her newest project.

The visit with Kuchel goes well into the early evening. The time was spent talking about Levi when he was younger, which surprised you a lot, but you remembered him mentioning how people with dementia can have a harder time recalling recent memories compared to older ones. Levi, of course, was not thrilled to be the topic of conversation but he didn’t fight it.

From her anecdotes, you learned that the moment they moved to Jinae, Levi had done everything he could to help supplement their income so that his mom didn’t have to work as much as she used to. That meant doing odd jobs here and there – working late into the night sometimes and at such a young age. It makes you sad to think of such a young Levi losing parts of his childhood to survive. But you get the sense that Levi would do it all over again if it meant being where they are today. Despite the struggles, they did what they could - together.

You were having such a wonderful time getting to know more of Levi’s past as well as Kuchel’s life that you barely register him squeezing your hand to get your attention.

“We need to get going soon. It’s almost time for mom’s dinner and we have one more stop to make.” Levi says gently, pursing his lips. He wasn’t ready to leave either. Squeezing back, you nod to Levi and stand up slowly from your chair. You offer Kuchel a small smile and lean down to hug her again so that she doesn’t have to get up.

“Go ahead, I’ll be right behind you. There’s something I need to talk to my mom about.” Levi says, nudging his head to the door behind him. Nodding in understanding, you then reach up to touch his face gently before turning on your heel and starting for the door.

“Wait, dear. Take this with you.” Kuchel calls out to you. She goes over to the wall closest to her and pulls down a sketch. She considers it for a moment then stretches it out for you to take.

When you grab it from her fingers, your eyes widen at the different sketches that filled out the paper. There are a few drawings of flowers growing out of empty space, some with little bees or butterflies hovering from above. There’s one of what you assume is a teenage Levi as he straddles a motorcycle, a scowl shooting straight through you. Finally, there’s a smaller sketch of three kids sitting on a porch step as they eat ice pops together. Levi, you, and your brother.

How wonderful of an artist Kuchel is, you think. The lines are crisp and so full of detail, you can easily feel yourself transported back to when these memories were made. You don’t remember much about your brother, but you feel like that day was a good one. A feeling of warmth travels through your body as a blast of blind nostalgia hits you. You told yourself you weren’t going to cry but you already feel the heat in your eyes as they threatened to make an appearance.

Instead of saying anything, you throw your arms around Kuchel, almost knocking her over in the process. She laughs softly as she holds onto you as tight as she can, her hand rubbing circles on your back affectionately.

“I’m so glad you found us again.” She whispers as she pulls away from you. Her eyes sparkle as she looks up at you, smiling so much so that her eyes crinkle in the corners. “Don’t be a stranger.”

With that, you squeeze her in one more hug. Pulling away, you mouth an ‘okay’ with a toothy grin before turning on your heels and out the door, closing it with a click behind you.

“Something on your mind, Levi?” Kuchel turns her focus on her son who hasn’t moved an inch from his seat. Levi props his elbows on his knees and folds his fingers together to rest his chin on it.

“Mom, what do you think about her?”

“Well, I’m not the best person to ask about that.” She chuckles as she leans back into her soft recliner.

“I know, but-“ Levi’s leg starts to shake with anxiety.

“I think she’s lovely. She’s grown into quite the woman, reminds me a lot of her mom. From what I can remember, you know.” Kuchel teases. “Why do you ask?”

Levi’s fingers unlink from each other, and he starts to fidget with the fabric of his jeans as he looks away shyly.

“Mom. I’m going to marry her.” Levi whispers quietly.

“Oh honey, I know.”

“You know?” Levi glances back up to his mom incredulously.

“Yes. I’ve known since you were both kids. I’m pretty sure she even exclaimed at one point that she was going to marry you when she was old enough, to which you scoffed. It was very adorable.”

“Mom, I don’t know whether to be embarrassed or surprised that you remember something like that. It’s just something kids say.”

“The way you look at each other now is the same way you did before. Stars in your eyes, like nothing else mattered.” Sitting up, she reaches over and places her palm over Levi’s busy fingers. “Do me a favor. Go to my nightstand and grab that blue box inside the drawer.”

As always, Levi does what he’s told and makes his way to the wooden nightstand by her bed. He expects something decently sized but instead, he is met with a small pale blue box. A ring box. He picks it up carefully and turns it around to his mom with it pinched between two fingers, leaning back so that the drawer closes behind him.

“What’s this, Ma?” Levi asks as he brings it over to his mom’s awaiting hand.

Kuchel pops it open and turns it to Levi. It’s something he’s seen once, many years ago; A bridal set, one that was passed down from her mom. In the middle of a gold band sits a dainty oval ruby surrounded in “vines” that are beset by smaller diamonds in the shape of leaves. An engagement ring and wedding band – fitting together perfectly. Kuchel had shown Levi the set when he was really young, but she never wore them – which he suspects was to keep it safe from his father’s clutches. The gemstones sparkle brightly off the sunset that floods through her window.

“Mom…”

“Now listen here. I won’t be around forever – don’t look at me like that. I want you to have this now. I’m not saying to get married right away or even propose, but it would make me feel better if I knew you had this for when the time comes. And I trust you way more than I do Kenny.” With a snap, she closes the lid and shoves it in Levi’s direction.

He takes it reluctantly, not really sure what else to say. The thought dawns on him that his mom might not be around for his wedding day whether it be mentally or physically, and an ache shoots through his chest. But just like him, his mom’s decision was made. And there was no going back.

“Okay, mom.” He says back finally, closing his fingers around it tightly before standing up to slide it in his jean pockets.

“Don’t disappear on her again.” Kuchel stands up as well and places both of her cold, delicate hands on each side of Levi’s face as she stares hard at her son. “Promise me.”

Cupping his own hands over hers, he nods back as he says, “I promise.”

“Ms. Ackerman? It’s time for dinner.” A voice rings out from a staff member that stands in the open doorway of her room. It seems they have come to collect Kuchel to take her to the dining hall.

“Yes, one moment.” Kuchel wraps her arms around Levi once more and holds him close for a moment before letting go. “I’ll see you soon?”

“Of course Ma, I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He says quietly then leans over to kiss her warm cheek.

“Can you get her a vase for those flowers, please?” Levi asks as he steps towards the staff member currently blocking his path.

“I’ll see to it, Mr. Ackerman.” They bow slightly and move aside.

As he brushes past, he sees you leaning against the wall as you scroll through your phone with his mother’s drawing pinched between tight fingers in the other hand. The golden rays from the sunset reflect off the white building and through the windows, sheathing you in a shower of sunlight like a spotlight. You are blissfully unaware of how breathtaking you are to him.

“Are you ready to go?” Levi asks, startling you from the video you were silently laughing at. You lock your phone and slide it into your back pocket before stretching a hand out to him to take. Your smile never fades as he laces his fingers through yours without hesitation and leads you out of Riverside Assisted Living, mumbling about where he would like to go for the evening.

That night, Levi surprises you with a picnic date.

By the time Levi pulls into his apartment, the sun is all but gone – leaving indigo and navy blues behind it. He told you that he wouldn’t be long and to stay in the running car. A few minutes go by until you see him again, bounding down the steps with a large blanket roll in one arm and a picnic basket in the other. As the overhead lights pop on while he opens the back door to unload what was in his arms, he shoots you a small smile. Then he holds something small out to you.

“Will you hold this for me?”

You hold your palm out for him, and he places a small box in the middle of it. It’s black with mesh wire on each side and a few little buttons on the top. It’s a bluetooth speaker, you surmise. When Levi hops back into the driver’s side, you raise an eyebrow at him.

“I figured you wouldn’t want to eat dinner in silence.” He says as he reverses out of the parking spot then heads for the main road.

It doesn’t take very long to get to Jinae’s downtown – just minutes away from their café. But instead of turning down the street that would lead to it, he keeps driving until he gets to the park that once held the Sakura Festival so many months ago. The trees are all but green now, not even a small trace of pink hanging from the branches.

After parking in a small lot provided for park goers, Levi takes your hand and leads you down the subtle hill towards the bank of the river. It’s a lovely evening where the air is just warm enough with a light breeze. Fireflies start to flicker in and out of the whole park, illuminating whatever happened to be near it in a warm, yellow glow. And the only noises you hear are distant crickets and frogs coming from the river – which flows so gently that it doesn’t even look like it’s moving. The city lights reflect off the water like its glass.

There aren’t that many people out tonight as well, which is surprising given the time of year. But what surprises you even more is the one single tree lit up with a string of lights that encircle the trunk and up into the branches above. There’s nothing else next to it but you know it was meant for you.

This was the same tree you and Levi sat under while you waited for your friends at the festival back in April. Where the urge to kiss him was burning through your whole body. Where you felt your feelings for him concrete themselves into your mind.

Levi hands you the basket before letting go of your hand to roll the blanket out under the tree. In mere moments, his shoes are removed and placed neatly in the grass. He beckons you to join him as he stands in the middle of the blanket, the soft glow of the tree lighting up his face.

Kicking off your own shoes, you then step over to Levi with the basket dangling in your fingers. As he reaches over to take it back from you, he takes a step forward to plant a gentle kiss on your lips – one that lingers even when he pulls away.

“Is this okay?” he asks. At first, you think he’s referring to the kiss, but you realize his eyes are bouncing around you. There’s a subtle hint of anxiety in his gaze that wouldn’t be detectable by most people.

‘This is perfect.’ You reassure.

Despite how small the basket looked from the outside, you find out quickly that it held more than you thought. Once you and Levi settle down, he starts to unpack a myriad of items, mostly all food related. A plate with what looks like chicken salad sandwiches comes out first, all cut into small triangles. Then comes a small bowl of chopped up melon, a bag of chips, and a tall bottle of amber liquid – apple juice, Levi assured you. Finally comes out a small pillow that you recognize from Erwin’s couch. You can’t help but laugh as you sit up straight to get a better look at everything.

“What?” Levi asks with a frown.

‘It’s nothing. When did you prepare all of this?’ You inquire before picking up the chips to inspect what kind they were.

“Earlier this morning.”

You look up to see Levi eyeing you warily. Behind that façade of nonchalance, you see a very anxious man waiting for what you thought about all of this. You never took Levi to be the type to care about what other people thought, which means he really cared about what you had to say.

‘This is fantastic. Thank you for putting in all the effort.’ You lean over to give him a chaste kiss on the cheek. With a light blush, he hums back in response as he looks away to fiddle with something on his phone – at a glance, it looks like a music app. That reminds you about the speaker you had shoved into your bag before leaving the car, so you reach in and pluck it out. Levi takes it from your hand and a moment later, soft rock plays through each side of the box. Despite the small build, it sure is mighty in sound.

“There. Hungry?”

‘Starving.’

As Levi watches you nibble on your last piece of melon, he can’t help but think how perfect you are to him. Vulnerability wasn’t something that came easy to him but when you walked into his café and back into his life, it was like a scab that had been reopened. As uncomfortable as it was, he found the rawness that came with it very refreshing. What would it mean to stay by your side forever, he wonders. To wake up next to you for the rest of his life.

These thoughts raced through his mind earlier as he packed the basket and you waited in the car. The ring box burnt a hole in his pocket as he stood by his desk contemplating his choices. Tonight would be a perfect time to propose to you but still, something held him back. This was new to not only him, but you as well. Were you ready for something so life-altering? Was this even something you wanted? These were not topics that are generally brought up in casual conversation after only a week of officially dating.

No, he would know when it was time. For now, he was content with what he had, and he would wait for as long as you needed him to.

“Are you happy?” Levi leans back on a hand as he looks over to you.

You glance over to him in surprise at the question. Just as quickly, it dissolves into a big smile that lights up your eyes. Popping the rest of the fruit in your mouth, you sit up so you can sign easily.

‘I am. Are you?’

“I guess. It’s nice here.” He smirks at you, remembering that this is what he said to that same question months ago. “With you.” But he never got to say that to you then.

“You told me a while ago that words were not always needed to convey intent.”

‘I did, yes.’ Your face scrunches in confusion at the sudden statement.

Levi sits up before reaching into the basket with his left hand. For a moment you think he’s about to bring out dessert of some kind but instead he takes out a small paper bag, no bigger than three inches in width. He turns it upside down above his palm and out comes a gold chain necklace. A small cherry blossom pendant dangles off the side of his hand, glinting in the lights next to you. You scramble up on all fours as you inch closer to get a good look at it, knowing full well what it was.

“At first, this was bought as an apology. But now, I think this was also my way of saying that I love you, without me realizing it.” Levi mutters softly. Your wide eyes flicker from the pendant over to Levi’s face, lips parted in amazement. The necklace looks as if it was never broken, much less worn with the fresh polish it had received.

Before leaving Liberio, Levi had snuck away to a jeweler in town to see what they could do to fix it. In terms of damage, fortunately it was minimal. ‘For something so delicate, it sure is hardy.’ the jeweler had told Levi as they inspected it. He knew the jeweler was talking about the chain, but his mind drifted to you instead.

‘You fixed it for me.’

“It was important to you. I couldn’t leave it behind.” Levi gets up on his knees and scoots so that he’s behind you. Gingerly, he loops the chain around your neck and a few seconds later, it’s locked tight. You pinch the small metal pendant in between two fingers as you sigh in relief at the familiar weight hanging on your neck once again.

‘Thank you, Levi.’

You turn to face Levi and throw your arms around his neck as you lean in to kiss him. He startles at the abrupt movement but is quick to reciprocate as he places both hands on your waist and pulls you closer into him. He can feel you smiling into the kiss as it deepens.

As you both break apart, breathing heavily from the lack of air, you don’t lose your smile. Your hands raise to cup Levi’s face, your thumbs stroking his cheeks as you stare into those slate gray eyes of his that you loved so much.

“I don’t really have much else planned for tonight, so I can take you home-” You’re quick to cut him off with a shake of your head, much to Levi’s relief. He wasn’t ready to let you go either.

“Okay.” Levi muses. “We can stay here until you’re ready.”

The night carries on as you both lie on your backs, Levi holding you close in one arm. At some point, he started humming along to some of the songs that flowed through the speakers. The fireflies had gone to bed soon after. With your head resting on Levi’s chest, the gentle beating of his heart threatens to lull you into sleep.

As sure as the twinkling stars drift above, Levi Ackerman loves you.

And oh, how you love Levi Ackerman back.

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bratshaws · 10 months

Text

through the hourglass 186. brb x oc

a/n: <3. is all i can say. thank you. (comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!! they make my nights they really do<3)

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: none

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

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“Did you just get here?’ she’s still holding him, he smells like his cologne and of woods, like cedar and pine, he smelled like home.

“I did,I wanted to surprise you.” he smiles, holding Nicole up before placing her on his shoulders, holding her little hands to keep her balanced as they walk towards the kitchen, “But I was the one surprised. Since someone was already walking!” he shakes his shoulders so Nicole laughs, happily moving along with him.

Beatrice, now calmed down from her shock, just smiles from the sink where her glass was, “I honestly–she did it on her own??’

“Yeah, she was walking alone when I saw her.”

Beatrice’s mouth parts open in surprise, “Nikki!” she squeals, clapping her hands together, “Honey you are walking! You are walking sweetie! That’s amazing!” Nicole just gurgles happily, bouncing a bit on Rooster’s shoulders before her father pulled her away, “I had no idea, she was moving a bit but, walking? Maybe she knew you were coming and wanted to be prepared for you.”

“Yeah.” he smiles, holding Nicole against his chest, “You aren’t upset at me because I didn’t tell you, are you?”

“No!Of course not!” she waves her hand dismissively, laughing softly before finishing what was left in her glass, “I love whenever you surprise me,I’m just happy you are home,” both of them see Eleanor carrying his duffle bag away from the door, trotting happily as if that weighed nothing…which for her, probably didn’t, “...Why are you home so soon? Not that I’m complaining, but I thought you still had five months left.”

“Well,” he drawls the L with a little smirk, “I think we cut the mission in half because of what happened.”

He does explain to Beatrice about the base, about the area they were in but doesn’t go in too much detail because she didn’t need to know that…however he does tell her about Raptor and Jaws, about what they did and how he and McAllister helped them even if they didn’t want to, “...I was really pissed Bea.” he mutters, rubbing Nicole’s tiny hand between his thumb and forefinger, “They were so irresponsible, what they did was so…fucked.”

Beatrice licks her lips, the joy in her eyes dissipating for a second as she looks at her husband, eyebrows low and mouth going downwards, “...I’m just happy you are okay.” she whispers, rubbing her neck, “I…I know you didn’t want to worry me, but I’m so happy you told me about it, I’m happy you didn’t keep that inside you.”

“I just worry.”

“I know,” she reassures him, “I know you do…but I could see how tense that mission made you,even when you spoke to me,I knew something was wrong…I just knew you’d share with me whenever you felt ready.” he smiled sweetly back at her, still rubbing Nicole’s hand and leaning against the wall, one leg crossed over the other, “I’m glad you aren’t holding it in anymore.”

“I’m trying,it’s kinda hard.” he shrugs, ‘But I’m doing my best.” he does look at her then, really look and he sees all the details he adored. The freckles, the pink of her cheeks that matched the pink on her lips, the way her green eyes twinkled whenever she spoke…and the bits of paint sticking to her overalls and hair, “Were you busy painting?”

“Well,kind of.” she shrugged herself, sitting on the kitchen chair - he was faster and pulled it for her, earning a soft laugh from his wife followed by a ‘you are so sweet’ - to support her head on her hand, “I’ve been trying a bit but, I can’t stay there for too long, they are getting bigger,” she points to her stomach, “And since it’s two of them, it…can be hard to work around.I was actually gonna ask Leo or Mike to help me out.”

Rooster hummed, pursing his lips briefly and then licking them, “I could finish for you since I got home.” she makes a face, one that only earns an eyebrow raise from him, “What?”

“I really want you to enjoy your leave.” she muttered, “And, you know, painting a room could be a lot of work…” he drops his eyes, pointedly to her stomach and she stutters, “Well!I-I mean,I,um…”

Rooster chuckles softly, his eyes filled with adoration as he reaches out to take Beatrice's hand in his own since he was still holding Nicole. "Gorgeous, I want to spend my leave with you and the kids. And if that means helping out with the room, then I couldn't think of a better way to spend my time."

Beatrice's cheeks turn a shade of pink as she looks down at their entwined hands. "You really don't have to, Roos. I don't want you to feel obligated."

"Obligation? Baby," he says, his voice gentle "Gorgeous, love of my life,” and he slowly pulls her closer towards him, “Most beautiful woman in this whole universe…I want to be a part of this journey, every step of the way. And if that means getting some paint on my hands, then so be it. I was with Nikki’s."

“Aa!”

“I don’t see why I wouldn’t be for the twins.”

Beatrice's eyes shimmer with tears as she gazes at her husband. "You're incredible, you know that?"

Rooster smiles, his thumb gently caressing her hand. "I'm just doing what I can to make you happy. To make us happy." he whispers, “And you are the incredible one.”

“Don’t start.”

“Cause I always finish it.”

They sit there, in the quiet of their kitchen, their hands joined and their hearts connected, laughing softly. The sounds of laughter and giggles fill the air as Nicole bounces on Rooster's arm, Beatrice missed this so much. She holds her head up with a closed fist against her cheek, rubbing his knuckles with her thumb softly as she sighs, “...okay. I think it’ll be fine, but not today. You just got here.”

“True,I’m exhausted and I–” he makes a face, groaning quietly, “I need to talk to Cyclone,I completely forgot about it.”

“Oh?”

“He has my report but he wants to know more, Evelyn’s dad is…like that.” he makes a face, his brain trying to think what would be a good time to go…well he just got home, he could spend a few minutes with his family before going back to talk to Cyclone.

Right?

Rooster contemplates for a moment, his gaze shifting between Beatrice and Nicole. He knows that talking to Cyclone and providing a detailed report about the mission is important, but at the same time, he wants to savor this precious time with his family. It was still early after all.

Beatrice notices the conflict in his expression and gently squeezes his hand. "You need to talk to Cyclone, I understand," she says softly. "But you just got home, surely he can wait for a bit…I can always call Ev and she can work something up.”

Rooster's eyes soften as he looks at Beatrice, laughing softly. "You're right, but you don’t have to call Evelyn." he replies, a smile forming on his lips. " I'll talk to Cyclone later. Right now, I want to be with you and my girls."

Beatrice's smile widens, and she leans in to press a tender kiss against Rooster's forehead. "That's all I want," she whispers. “But um!Anyway, are you hungry?”

Rooster chuckles and nods. "Starving, actually. The airplane food didn't quite cut it."

Beatrice stands up from the chair and gestures towards the fridge. "Well, then let's whip up something delicious for you. I'm sure you have some cravings after being away for so long." she walks up to it and purses her lips, “Any requests?”

Rooster grins and follows her into the kitchen, still holding Nicole in his arms. "I'll eat anything you make, Bea. Your cooking is always amazing. But I’d appreciate something that can be heated by the microwave since you can’t stay in front of the oven for too long."

He points that out and Beatrice smiles, “Leftovers it is then, we have,” she opens a container,”Some chicken aaaanddd…some stir fried rice.”she smiles up at him as he thinks about it.

“Rice and chicken, please.”

“Oke doke!I’ll heat it up for you.”

Rooster watches Beatrice as she puts everything in a microwave safe bowl, but he did notice her adding a few extra herbs just because he liked so much.He can't help but feel a surge of pride and admiration for the incredible woman standing beside him.

"I've missed this," Rooster says, his voice filled with warmth, one of his hands holding his head up. "The sounds of the kitchen, the aroma of your cooking, and just being together like this."

Beatrice smiles, her eyes sparkling with affection as she looks over her shoulder towards him. "I've missed it too, Roos. It feels good to have you back home." and she looks back at the task at hand, timing the microwave and sighing before walking back to the table, “It’ll be done in a few minutes.”

“Sounds good.” he grins, dropping his gaze down her body longingly “You look good.”

She laughs while staring at her paint stained overalls and her hands, shaking her head, “Well,I do look colorful.”

Rooster chuckles, his eyes shining with amusement. "Colorful suits you, Bea. Besides, it's the smile on your face that truly lights up the room."

Beatrice blushes, feeling the warmth spread across her cheeks, scoffing softly. "You always know just what to say," she murmurs, unable to hide her affection, covering her cheeks with her hands, “You make me blush too much.”

“Favorite hobby of mine.” he winks, “Missed doing it in real life.”

As they wait for the microwave to be done, Rooster asks, "So, what else have I missed while I was away? Any exciting developments?"

“Not really? The babies are okay.” she says with a shrug, “And Nikki is well…walking now, oh!But in a few weeks me and the girls are going out. Shells suggested it, since we are ‘too pregnant’ to do anything else.” she smiles sweetly, looking at her hand, “I think she just…don’t want to admit she feels too left out. You know?”

“What are you guys doing? Nothing dangerous,right?’ his wife only shrugs apologetically and giving him a small guilty smile, ‘...you don’t know what it is.”

“No,but she assured me it’s nothing dangerous like paragliding or anything.” she did giggle at her own joke but her husband looked horrified, “Roos, I’m not serious.”

“I know, but still.” he pursed his lips as he adjusted Nicole on his lap, nuzzling her hair, “What do you think it is? And…well, will that take you away from me for too long?” Bea’s cheeks redden as she tilts her head at him, “Because,and I’m just sayin’...we do have a date to go to…and…” he draws a circle with the tip of his index finger against the table’s surface, “And we have…some catching up to do.”

Beatrice’s eyes flick nervously towards Nicole, her cheeks getting even redder, “...y-yeah.” she clears her throat gently, “But um, we will do that.I have…thought about it a lot.” he quirks his brow in question, still smirking, “A-Anyway!” the microwave finished heating everything up, ‘It’s ready!’

After having eaten he finally went up to meet with Cyclone. He walked past Jaws and a blur that ran past him was indeed Raptor, he was sure she was crying…without a doubt,Cyclone had a talk with them too.

Honestly he was just glad they had a reality check before he arrived, he only gave Jaws a nasty look and then walked to Cyclone’s office, knocking on the door with his knuckles.

“Come in.”

Rooster opens the door and steps into Cyclone's office. The room is brightly lit because of the large windows, with a desk cluttered with papers and a large world map hanging on the wall. Cyclone sits behind his desk, a stern expression on his face.

"Rooster," Cyclone says, his voice gruff and quiet, he nods to the chair in front of his desk. "Take a seat."

Rooster nods and settles on the chair, he folds his hands in his lap, waiting for Cyclone to speak.

"I've read your initial report," Cyclone begins, his gaze fixed on Rooster. "But I want to hear more details. What happened out there? What led to the decision to cut the mission short?"

Rooster takes a deep breath, mentally preparing himself to recount the events. He goes into detail about the dangerous situation they encountered, the reckless actions of Raptor and Jaws, and how he and McAllister stepped in to help rectify the situation.

"It was a mess, sir," Rooster admits, his voice tinged with frustration. "Their actions not only jeopardized the mission, but put everyone's lives at risk. We had to act quickly to prevent a disaster."

Cyclone listens intently, his expression unreadable. When Rooster finishes speaking, there is a moment of silence as Cyclone processes the information."You did the right thing," Cyclone finally says, his voice firm. "You and McAllister took charge in a difficult situation and made the necessary decisions. Your actions saved lives, Rooster."

Rooster's shoulders relax slightly at Cyclone's words. He had been wrestling with doubts and guilt over the mission, and hearing Cyclone's validation eases some of that burden.

"But," Cyclone continues, his tone stern once again, "I need your help with something."

“Sir?”

“Their punishment.”

Rooster's eyebrows furrow in confusion. He hadn't expected Cyclone to bring up the topic of punishment for Raptor and Jaws. He knew their actions were reckless and had serious consequences, but he shouldn’t be surprised that was brought up.

Especially considering everything.

“How can I help sir?”

Cyclone leans back in his chair, his gaze fixed on Rooster. "You led this mission, Rooster," he splays his hands as he raises his brows, moving his chair from left to right slowly,”And, your report was very detailed…we both know the type of thing they did needs to be thought of thoroughly.”

Rooster nods, understanding the gravity of the situation. He takes a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. "I understand, sir. “ he licks his lips,”I’ll try my best.”

Cyclone leans forward, his expression serious. "I've been considering various options for their punishment, but I value your input as their team leader. You have firsthand knowledge of the incident and a deeper understanding of the dynamics within the team."

Rooster takes a deep breath, realizing the weight of the responsibility that has been placed on his shoulders. He knows that the decisions made regarding Raptor and Jaws' punishment will have a lasting impact on the team's trust and cohesion.

"I believe in accountability, sir," Rooster says firmly, meeting Cyclone's gaze. "Their actions endangered lives, and it's crucial that they face the consequences of their behavior. However,and I… I had some time to think about that. We should give them an opportunity to learn from their mistakes and demonstrate genuine remorse."

Cyclone listens attentively, his expression thoughtful. "A chance is what I hear you saying.” he says, his voice measured. "Am I correct?”

“Yes,sir.”

“And why,Bradshaw, would that work?” he interlocks his fingers in front of his mouth, “Tell me.”

Rooster takes a moment to gather his thoughts, carefully considering Cyclone's question.He tries to come up with a concise and clear answer before opening his mouth "Well, sir," Rooster begins, his voice steady, "I believe that punishment alone may not necessarily lead to lasting change. By giving them a chance for rehabilitation, we create an opportunity for them to learn from their mistakes and develop a deeper understanding of the consequences of their actions."

“And?”

He continues, his words thoughtful and measured, "Through rehabilitation, we can foster a sense of personal growth and responsibility. It allows them to reflect on their actions, acknowledge the impact it had on the mission and their teammates, and take steps towards making amends. By offering this chance, we demonstrate that we believe in their capacity for change and growth."

The vice admiral’s blue eyes shoot through him for a second, “And if they don’t learn?”

Rooster takes a deep breath, meeting Cyclone's gaze. "If they don't learn, sir, then we address it accordingly. If they fail to demonstrate genuine remorse, if they continue to exhibit reckless behavior or disregard for the mission and their teammates, then more severe measures may need to be taken."

“Such as?”

“Reassignment, additional training, or even temporary suspension from active duty” he answers without missing a beat, “They knew what they were getting into.”

He expected the vice admiral to continue his line of questioning, but he didn’t. In fact, he did something Rooster has only seen a few times: he smiled. He smiled almost proudly, almost as if he knew what Rooster was going to say.

Cyclone leans back in his chair, his smile lingering on his face. "You've shown exceptional judgment, Rooster," he says, his voice filled with a mixture of admiration and satisfaction. "Your commitment to accountability and growth within the team is commendable."

Rooster's confusion slowly transforms into a sense of relief. He hadn't expected such a positive response, especially given the seriousness of the situation. His shoulders relax slightly as he takes in Cyclone's words.

"Thank you,sir."

“However,” Cyclone begins, his smile fading slightly. "I want you to keep a close eye on Raptor and Jaws moving forward. Monitor their progress closely and ensure they are actively working towards their rehabilitation and growth. Don’t be their baby sitter, but don’t look away either…if they stay."

Rooster nods, understanding the importance of closely observing their behavior and progress. "Yes, sir. I will do that."

Cyclone leans forward, his gaze intense. "Their actions had serious consequences, and it is vital that they understand the gravity of their mistakes. We cannot afford any relapses or further disregard for the safety of the team. We both know how this works."

“Yes,sir,absolutely.”

Cyclone's gaze lingers on Rooster for a moment before he leans back in his chair, a subtle nod indicating his satisfaction with Rooster's response. "Good.Keep me updated on their progress.."

Rooster straightens his posture, nodding at him. "Thank you, sir. I will stay vigilant and maintain open communication."

Cyclone's smile returns, this time accompanied by a sense of reassurance. "Dismissed, Rooster. Enjoy your leave."

Rooster offers a respectful nod before turning to leave Cyclone's office. But he stops by the door, “Sir,” Cyclone looks up from his work to meet Rooster’s slowly turning head, “...may I suggest something? It’s about recruit McAllister.”

Cyclone raises an eyebrow, intrigued by Rooster's request, setting his pen down. "Of course, Rooster. What do you have in mind?"

Rooster takes a deep breath, carefully choosing his words. "Recruit McAllister has proven himself to be a valuable asset during this mission," he begins, his voice confident. "His skills, dedication, and ability to adapt were evident."

Cyclone leans back in his chair, considering Rooster's suggestion. "I've reviewed his file, and he does show promise," he acknowledges. "But I'm curious, what specifically are you proposing?"

"I suggest considering an acceleration of McAllister's training," Rooster suggests, his tone earnest. "Given his performance and potential, I believe he could benefit from additional specialized training and opportunities for growth. It would not only further develop his skills but also allow him to contribute more effectively to the team."

Cyclone strokes his chin thoughtfully, weighing the proposal. "Accelerating his training is a bold move," he remarks, giving Rooster an ‘are you sure’ glance without saying it outloud. “He is fairly new.”

“He is really good sir…in fact, the whole Stalker Squad was good. The recruits did amazing,I’m sure you received detailed reports from the other pilots.”

Cyclone nods, brows furrowing as he looks to the side where a pile of papers sat. "Yes, I have received positive reports about the Stalker Squad's performance. However, it is important to maintain a balance between recognizing potential and ensuring thorough training."

Rooster's determination is unwavering as he responds, "I understand the need for balance, sir. But McAllister has demonstrated exceptional skills.With the right guidance and additional training, I believe he can make significant contributions to the team.”

Cyclone leans forward, his gaze intent. "You believe he is ready for the challenges that come with that?"

"Yes, sir."

Cyclone considers Rooster's words, his expression thoughtful. After a brief pause, he finally speaks, "Very well, Rooster. I will take your recommendation into serious consideration. I will review McAllister's performance and consult with the training department. If I am convinced of his readiness, we will proceed with an accelerated training plan."

Rooster's face brightens with gratitude and anticipation. "Thank you, sir. I believe this decision will not only benefit McAllister but also strengthen the other recruits as well."

Cyclone offers a nod in response. " I will inform you of my decision once I have reviewed all the necessary information."

Rooster stands straight, his gratitude evident,saluting the vice-admiral "Thank you, sir.”

Cyclone offers a small smile. "Dismissed, Rooster. Enjoy your leave and keep up the excellent work."

Rooster offers a final nod of respect before leaving Cyclone's office. He is filled with a sense of satisfaction and purpose, his body feels lighter and he felt…good. He felt good. It wasn’t as bad as he thought it’d be, he was happy they could offer them one chance and one chance only.

He saw the two pilots hanging close by, distraught and clearly upset by everything, but he didn’t stop to acknowledge them. While he believed in a balance of punishment and understanding, it didn’t mean he wasn’t furious by their antics.

Which he still was.

As he walks out of the base, he meets Beatrice’s eyes as she waits for him outside the Bronco,holding Nicole in her arms. He blinks confusedly at her and chuckles, “I thought you’d stay inside since it’s so windy.”

“Oh,Nikki was getting restless.” and the little girl wriggles a bit as she says that, “Now that she walks I don’t think she wants to stay still anymore.” Beatrice meets his whiskey colored eyes with her own green ones, giving him a smile, “How was it?”

“Fine, better than I hoped.” he says, pulling the keys out of his pocket, twirling it on his finger before grabbing it mid air, “It was what I thought though, he wanted to know more about the mess.”

“Are they going to be in trouble?”

Rooster inhaled while arching his brows, “Yes, but…it won’t be so bad,I hope. It’s now out of my control,gorgeous. I said my piece,Cyclone will think about it and then we’ll see how it goes. I won’t see them for a while I think.” he opens the back door so Bea could place Nikki back on her seat, the baby still wriggling and trying to move around, “We’ll see once I get back.”

“Well.I mean…they are young.”

“That doesn’t really exclude anything,gorgeous.” he says as he leans against the roof, shielding Beatrice from the sun with his body, his nape was warming up uncomfortably but he wasn’t moving until she was done, “They had a job. They know the job,” he shrugs once she lifts her head, “Gut feeling is one thing. Acting stupid is another.”

“I guess.” she tucks a few strands behind her ear, chewing her lower lip, “Well! Enough of that, ready for your leave?”

“Gorgeous,” he smirks, kissing her lips, “You said the magic words, of course I am.”

#bradley rooster bradshaw #rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x oc #top gun maverick #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw x female reader #bradley bradshaw x named reader #tgm oc #tgm fic #tgm fanfiction

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kamiversee · 1 month

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Promise by Laufey reminds me of the reader and Gojo🥹 especially since thats exactly how she feels everytime she’s with him. His actions hurt her and she knows hes a bad person but she can’t help but love him and want to be with him.

“I made a promise

To distance myself

Took a flight, through aurora skies

Honestly, I didn't think about

How we didn't say goodbye

Just see you very soon”

This itself deserves no explanation. She wants to distance herself especially from how toxic their love is for eachother.

“It hurts to be something

It's worse to be nothing with you”

Whenever she’s with him, all she ever feels is hurt and her heart’s always heavy with him. But the thought of just never being with him, hurts her even more. Why? She has no idea.

“I've done the math

There's no solution

We'll never last

Why can't I let go of this?”

They will never work out. He knows she deserves so much better and so does she. No matter what, his love will always be too toxic for it to actually do anything but hurt her. That’s why they can’t be together. But they can’t help but want eachother soso badly. And she can’t let go of that.

“So I broke my promise

I called you last night

I shouldn't have, I wouldn't have

If it weren't for the sight of a boy

Who looked just like you

Standing out on Melrose Avenue”

And this stands for all the times she’s met up with him or given into his touch. She knows she shouldn’t, but she just can’t help it.

Brb gonna go sob🥹 in some way this song can also be Gojo dedicating it towards her. He knows she deserves better and he know she shouldnt be with him, telling her the things he tells her, touching her the way she likes, kissing her the way she likes but again, HE CAN’T HELP IT😞

-🥹

OKAY SO.

I went to the playlists I made & fun fact; Promise is actually on the Choso one :)

Now, the song would moreso represent Choso toward the reader —> especially since he tried to distance himself at one point

And the part of the song where she says “it hurts to be something, it’s worse to be nothing with you,” kinda signifies how Cho couldn’t stand the uncertainty with her and tried to leave, telling her when shes ready she needs to call him

But, he ends up going back to her & calls her two months later!

UR BREAKDOWN IS JUST AS GOOD & FITTING THO !! & this literally proves how Gojo is to the reader as the reader is to Choso😭 both couples parallel one another so much its crazy

Anywho, THE SONG FITS BOTH !! Ty <3

#kamiversee!answers #k!ans: 🥹

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spicerackofblorbos · 3 months

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Chapter 8: June - Part Five [Final]