Hold On: There's Bones in My Closet
CW: none, just a lot of fluff. Or light angst if you think about the future
“I don’t wanna be here,” he whines, tipping his head back. The ceiling above him glows bright white with elaborate designs surrounding the trim.
There’s a name for this kind of trim. Ker probably knows.
“I know,” Kerry says. He stares at the map in his hands, eyes wide as he takes in the map of the museum. “But you also knew this field trip was coming for weeks.”
“I know, but I’m tired.” He flops onto his boyfriend, resting his chin on Kerry’s head. “I’m gonna melt into the floor!”
“Did you stay up late?” Kerry asks.
He’s not even looking away from the map. Boring.
Around them, the rest of the class spreads out across the lobby. The teachers and chaperones try to hand out maps and programs, but make little progress. Kerry’s older sister disappears into the dinosaur exhibit with a handful of her friends and the rest of the football team points at a few of the exhibits about early archeology.
“Maybe,” he answers. “I might have been out with the boys.”
“Hmm.”
He kisses his head and moves to rest against his shoulder instead, looking over the map. Some of the exhibits look interesting. But this is Kerry’s day. He’s been talking about this field trip for months.
“Where do you want to go first?” he asks.
“You aren’t going with the team?” Now Kerry turns to fully face him. Their faces inches apart and he can so clearly see the light bands of gold in his brown eyes. “I thought for sure you would-”
“Why would I go with them when I have such a wonderfully smart and attractive boyfriend right here?”
Kerry ducks his head and shrugs. After a moment, he points to the Roman and Greek exhibit. “Could we start there? I’m writing a paper about political marriages in Greece and they might have some good information.”
“Sure, but are you sure you aren’t learning about the Greeks for other reasons?”
“Shut up,” Kerry laughs, shoving lightly at his shoulder. “I’ll have you know most of that was not safe or consensual and is mostly glorified by the media because it’s scandalous, but then again, what part of Greek and Roman life wasn’t that way? Plus, we should be looking at their politics instead–”
“Oh clearly,” he says, grabbing his boyfriend and pulling him along. Kerry squawks in protest, but hurries to catch him. Two steps in and he realizes that he doesn’t know where he is going. “Um, Ker?”
“To the left,” his boyfriend sighs.
He makes his way to the archway lit with sconces designed to look like oil lamps. The paint is rough and reminiscent of plaster. Kerry hurries ahead of him beelining for the closest exhibit. He follows along at a slower pace, holding the straps of his backpack and taking his time looking around. It’s history, as to be expected. There are some cool old coins he looks at but nothing gathers his attention.
Maybe you should have gone with the guys?
But then he looks over at Kerry and how excitedly he explains some marriage arrangements between people he’s never heard of. His face lights up in a way he will never tire of seeing. It’s so cute and he pulls out his phone to snap a quick picture.
“What was that for?” Kerry protests, ducking his head so his braids fall over his face.
“What? I’m not allowed to take pictures of my smart and handsome boyfriend whenever I want to?” He pushes the braids out of Kerry’s face and kisses his forehead. Kerry flinches. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to–”
“No, I know, I’m sorry, that’s on me.” Kerry sighs, shrugging one shoulder. “I forget there are places where it’s safe.”
“Yeah, like Greece,” he laughs, trying to lighten the mood. “Man, could you imagine just getting some guy off in an alley and no one caring?”
Kerry won’t meet his gaze. “That-um, like I said, a lot of that aspect has been glorified when really it wasn’t-”
“Just jealous I didn’t specify it would have been you?”
Now Kerry really won’t look at him, twisting a corner of the map. “You can’t say things like that!”
“Why not?” He wraps his arms around Kerry and squeezes him close. “I love you, Ker. And teasing you is just too much fun.”
“You’re insufferable.”
“You love it.”
He smiles and throws his arms around Kerry, turning him towards the exhibits. “Tell me about each and every one of these people.”
Kerry’s face brightens. He points at each exhibit and does a better job making history come to life than any teacher or book has accomplished. He listens closely, leaning over exhibit cases and nods along to what he’s saying. The first question he asks rewards him with Kerry’s smile and another ten minutes of explanation.
They move on to the plants and animals, then to modern history, and end in the science section. They mess around with the fake space walk and he does his best to knock Kerry over. Despite being a full four inches shorter, Kerry stands his ground. As they make their way to the lunch area, he lightly coughs.
“Ker?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I hold your hand?”
Kerry glances at him. Silence for a moment and his heart plummets. Though they’ve been dating for a year, he still asks. The scars Kerry’s parents left have yet to fully heal and new ones are being created every day. Public affection remains a struggle. One they work through together.
This time, Kerry reaches out and locks his pinkie around his. He smiles and swings their hands back and forth.
“I have the best boyfriend in the whole world,” he says, bumping his shoulder against Kerry’s. He smiles and returns the gesture.
“Even when I ramble about history?”
“Especially when you ramble about history. It’s hot.”
“History isn’t attractive.”
He smiles. “It is when it’s you. You could make arithmetic sexy.”
Kerry ducks his head, trying to hide his face behind his braids. “That’s stupid.”
“It’s not. Come on, you want pizza?”
They split a few pieces of greasy pizza and walk to the rest of the museum. After a while, they meet up with his friends and Kerry’s sister, and finish looking through the museum together. He does his best to balance where his attention falls, joking with his friends but pulling Kerry into the jokes, talking about college with all of them, and telling his sister he’ll text her later. He needs to know what ring size Kerry wears.
They leave the museum before dinner and pile into the school bus. He sits near the back, Kerry at his side. He rests his head on his shoulder and plays a matching game on his phone. He helps him occasionally, but mainly focuses on the passing scenery. And the ring he has to buy. He checks his bank account once again, offering the excuse that he wants to buy new shoes when Kerry asks what he’s doing.
“Oh nice,” Kerry mutters, not fully paying attention.
“Yeah,” he agrees. “They’ll be as green as your sweatshirt.”
Kerry huffs and doesn’t say anything more. He kisses his head. He’s successfully done it. There is enough money in his account to both buy the ring and put down a payment on an apartment. So close. They are so so close to having the life he’s always wanted for the two of them.
“I love you,” he whispers, kissing Kerry’s temple again. “I love you so, so much.”
Kerry wraps his arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. One bead on his braid knocks against his face with each pothole they hit. After a moment, his boyfriend whispers, “I love you. Will you be my boyfriend?”
He snorts. “Will you watch Batman with me?”
Their first conversation. When he had thought Kerry was asking what movie he wanted to see. Hard to hear him talk over Dolly Parton blasting in his ears. It’s now dissolved into one of their many, many inside jokes. Something that never fails to make his heart warm.
“Only if I can talk about the plot holes.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal, my historian.”
He rests his head on Kerry’s shoulder. His boyfriend leans against him and the two of them drift off to sleep, hands intertwined.
Tagging: @blood-is-compulsory @darkthingshappen @whump-for-all-and-all-for-whump @whumpinggrounds
@pigeonwhumps @cepheusgalaxy (let me know if you want to be added/removed!)
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Daddy Issues Part 2
Max Verstappen X Reader
Genre: Hurt/Comfort
Requested: No, but I'm in a writing mood, so I'm taking requests for Max and Charles. *Silently begs for people to not be shy*
Summary: Jos may have been dealt with for now, but parental issues for the two lovers are far from it.
Warnings: DADDY ISSUES... again, mentions of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse, not proofread (I don't even proofread my college papers), Jos is a warning himself
Notes: This part is written in the second person perspective because it's more geared toward the readers' struggles. Jos does make a reappearance. At this point, it's completely self-indlugent. I'm writing from similar experiences, so please be gracious.
Also, I posted things about a novel I'm currently working on. If you have a chance, please give it a look! You can find it on my masterlist.
Masterlist // Part one // Part three
You were naïve to think that your troubles would be over after the interaction with Jos.
The air around you and Max had become significantly lighter. Max even opened up about things to his friends and was able to smile more during races.
You loved watching him. The light in his eyes even when coming in second or third.
You thought maybe the two of you would be able to heal and move forward. Max had been thriving the last six months. Both physically and mentally because of the steps he'd been taking to get there.
However, you had a different story. While Max had been able to cut off contact with Jos, you had your dad to deal with still.
Thankfully, your dad was good at putting on his best performance around people. It was the reason very few people had the privilege of understanding your relationship with your family.
You'd wanted to cut him off originally, but you couldn't because you still felt the underlying need to please him. Your mom is in a similar situation, and your sibling(s) who still had yet to be able to make that choice.
You hadn't told Max yet. Things had gotten worse for you recently. You didn't want to ruin his current state of joy.
A people pleaser by heart.
So you hid that part away and put on your best face as you basked in Max's smiles. The warmth of them helping you mask yourself.
Until it started to fall apart.
The first encounter was once again with Jos. You found him in hospitality during a race. Immediately getting defensive and ready to call security.
That was until you noticed him having a conversation with your father. The two seeming to have a lively discussion.
Then they noticed you. Hand beckoning you to come closer.
Cautiously, you approached the table. Choosing not to take a seat and standing at the end instead.
"Good to see you again! I hope you haven't missed me too much since we last spoke." Jos' voice sounded like sandpaper in your ears. The bruise on your cheek had long since healed, but being near him brought back the stinging feeling of his hand.
"I hadn't realized you both were coming." Your voice came out shakily. Fingers crossed that they didn't catch on to your ever-growing anxiety.
"Jos managed to get passes and invited me to come along. Since you and Max are close he figured we should be too." Your father explained. "Though I'm shocked they didn't come from Max himself."
You tried hard not to grimace. The realization that you might have to explain why doing nothing to help your panic creeping in slowly.
"I bet if you were as successful as Max, you wouldn't need him to give us the passes." Your father laughs in your direction.
"What is it you do again?" Jos suddenly turning towards you. A hint of a smirk on his lips.
"I'm in psychology."
"No wonder you need Max's money."
"Bet she has Max hypnotized with her knowledge of the brain or something."
The two were cracking up now. Laughing at your expense.
Your dad calmed down a moment. Breathing deeply to get his breath back. His face became neutral again, noticing the obvious frown you now dawned. "It was a joke, Y/N. There's no need to get upset. Max isn't going to be able to handle you eventually if you don't get thicker skin.
You'd had enough. Not wanting to cry in front of everyone, you turn to head back to the garage. Maybe even to hide in Max's driver room for a moment.
Though you didn't get far before a hand caught your wrist. "Stop ignoring me. It's disrespectful, and I am still your father." You didn't turn around. Didn't want him to see you cry. "I have you a life that was better than mine. My father would have never even tried. Yet, you still don't listen to me. Get your act together soon, please."
To outsiders, he sounded sincere. You, on the other hand, knew exactly what he was doing.
Yanking your hand back, you continue walking without giving the two older men a second glance.
If you were home, you would lock yourself in your room til he threatened to take your door. Then, you would shower and hide in the bathroom. If that didn't work, you would try to look productive and cry silently so he couldn't be mad at you for doing such an action as letting the tears roll. He thinks it's over dramatic.
Somtimes he would take to slamming things around. Doors, chairs, his phone, things in his room, not at you but purposely loud.
It didn't matter how hard you worked, it would never be enough. This is how you and Max are able to understand each other. You knew exactly what the other needed because both of you have lived this.
As soon as the race was over, you went to celebrate Max and his victory. The moment was joyful for him. Making a mental note to tell him what happened earlier, you decided now definitely wasn't the time.
Neither was when you got back to your hotel room after celebrating. Or when you took a phone call from your dad with more lovely words that made you feel disgusting in your own skin. Or the plane ride back to Monaco. Or when you got home and immediately went to shower because your entire body felt like it was dirty from nothing but your dad and Jos harassing you.
You didn't tell your mom either, she had enough things to deal with. You didn't tell anyone for that matter.
Max had caught on when he noticed you weren't sleeping. When you weren't eating. When you started apologizing excessively. Habits he thought he broke when he was able to get you to move in with him through constant reassurance.
Now, you were moving backward while he was moving forward.
Then he put the pieces together. He only wished he saw it sooner. Could've stopped what happened before it was pulled like a ruug out from under him.
You had flown home to see your sibling(s) for a week. You missed them dearly and wanted to spend time with them while Max was away.
It had started smoothly, your dad being civil with you, a few sarcastic remarks thrown around here and there, but nothing too bad.
He was trying to convince you to come back home, where you belonged. You kept brushing him off, telling him you're happy where you are now.
It only got worse from there. Your father and Jos had gotten closer over time. He had coincidentally come knocking at the door while you were there. He said he was in the area and wanted to say hello.
Your sibling(s) had tried to get you out of the house, but you only said it would make things worse. It earned you some feelings of sadness, but they left you to converse regardless.
The four of you sat in the living room. Your mom and you mostly listen to the two men catching up.
Then your mom left to make dinner. You stood up with the intention of following before being stopped by the pair.
"Jos tells me Max has been ignoring him."
Your tempted to roll your eyes but refrain in case he's paying close attention.
"Yes, I was wondering if you could tell me the reason behind it. Have you been filling his head with lies about our exchange awhile back?" Jos' smirk makes you want to hit him. Again you refrain, knowing that he can and will hurt you if you're out of line.
"He saw why happened." You state. Making a move to hold your ground.
"He hears what you said as he came inside. He fell for the obvious manipulation. I can't believe you even blamed the bruise on me." He fakes a look of offense.
Your father shakes his head on disgust. Your body goes rigid. Voices begin sounding like they're underwater. You hang your head in defeat as they continue to accuse you of things you would never do.
"Stop it!" You snapped. Something in you breaking loose.
In seconds, a cup was shattered against the wall, and your face was burning with the sting of someone's palm.
You know you had to leave. The adrenaline from your flight response is kicking in.
So you ran, grabbing what you could and quickly exiting the house. Your mom is doing her best to keep her distance from your dad while he throws his temper tantrum and Jos convincing him that I am an entitled brat.
You definitely didn't have all your stuff, but it didn't matter. You called an Uber and found your way back to the airport. Finding and flight back to Monaco you could.
You received a few texts from your dad before blocking him and called the rest of your family to apologize for your behavior and say you'd wished you'd had more time.
Then you called Max. You hand messaged him back since mid-morning and he was starting to get concerned.
"Hello Lovely, is everything alright? I haven't heard much from you today?" His cheery voice made your smile just a little.
"Yes, but I'm coming home early. I'm on an early flight back home." Your voice is on the verge of breaking. You send a silent prayer that he doesn't catch one.
You hear his phone buzzing with notifications. "How were things at the factory?" You ask, making an attempt to change the subject.
"Is was alright, did some marketing and PR things today. Daniel says Hello." He chuckles. "My dad has been texting me though, which is odd."
You hear him sigh deeply. "Are you sure you're okay? Because he's trying to convince me of things I know aren't true."
"Your dad was there visiting mine coincidentally." The damage holding back your tears was coming loose. "I messed everything up again."
"Mijn liefje, you did nothing of the sort." His voice once again had that gentle tone. One that made you feel safe. "I'm not sure how fast I can he back in Monaco, but I'll meet you there as soon as I can."
By the time you had landed, it was early in the morning. You considered just waiting in the airport until it was brighter and then walking home since Max was still in Austria. So, the text that came from Lando that he was coming to get you was a bit of a shock.
You were relieved when he pulled in. Satey once again within your reach.
"Thanks for coming to get me."
"No worries, Max called and asked if I could. Said it was a bit on an emergency but didn't say what happened." He smiled at you, trying to get you to become less defensive.
You hadn't realized how tense you still were. Your body is still trying to shrink in on itself.
You attempted small talk until he pulled into up to the apartment. "Thanks again for the ride." Then you rushed inside as fast as possible.
The floor became your best friend. Everything after opening the door became blurry.
When you woke up later on the bathroom floor with Max's sweatshirt as your pillow, you had no idea how it happened.
Texts from Max and Lando lined your notification wall. Your body too heavy to move however, you resigned to back to the comfort of the floor and the comforting smell of Max.
The next time you woke up, you heard keys jingling in the door.
You curled into yourself. Hiding from the inevitably of confronting what happened only a day earlier.
"Love, are you here? I'm home!"
You wanted to crawl to him. Seek comfort in his arms. But your own mind was stopping you. Replaying everything that they said about you.
You heard him drop his bags and begin his search. Bedroom, kitchen, office, terrace, then finally bathroom. He knew he should have checked their first. The bathroom had always been your safe space. He often found you just sitting in the empty bathtub if life felt overwhelming.
He peeked around the corner, his face instantly softening at the sight of you.
Neither of you said anything as he crouched down next to you. Unsure the extent of what happened, he refrained from touching you.
"Can I hug you?" His voice almost a whisper. As if speaking any louder would shatter you like that glass your dad had thrown as you made your escape.
You slowly nod yes but make no effort to move. You end up not having to as Max pulls you into his arms. Your body draped over his lap.
You felt so small in this moment, with his hand caressing the back of your head.
The dam broke. A hard sob wracked your body. Wailing into Max's chest.
"You're safe now, I got you." He whispered. His hold unrelenting until the tears were able to slow.
"I'm so sorry." Your voice muffled from his chest. "You were so happy I didn't want to ruin it, so I didn't tell you."
"I'm happiest when I know you are also doing well. You can't ruin that for me. I love you too much to see you like this." He pulled your face back, his soft eyes meeting yours.
He was finally able to take in the bruise on your cheek. Once again, not able to stop the unrelenting force of your fathers misdemeanors against you both.
He was angry, you could tell. You saw the rage flash through his eyes.
Knowing that's not what you needed right now, though, he softened again. "Who did this to you love?"
You began rapidly shaking your head no. Not wanting to relive it and not wanting to make things more difficult for him. "I can't-" you started.
"It's my job to make sure you're safe because I love you. It's not going to be an inconvenience." He always knew what to say.
"Jos." Was all you could muster before you were crying into his shoulder again.
You told him everything. All the events in the past few months. Every awful word spoken towards you. How he understood you, you have no idea.
The two of you stayed like that until you fell asleep in Max's arms. Knowing you couldn't stay here forever, he brought you to the bed and tucked you in. His lips on your forehead the last sensation before you were completely lost to your subconscious.
MAX'S POV
Everything about the situation made him want to break down. He thought he would finally be able to move on. He did, kind of, but left you behind in the process.
He knew something was wrong but didn't want to force you to open up. You needed to process things longer and came to him when you were ready.
This situation affected you differently though. Your response to your father had always been inward. Taught from a young age just to take it and nit talk about it. Convinced that you shouldn't paint your home life as bad because you had a roof over your head and food on your table.
He understands, though his reactions are different. Often not understanding that something was wrong and just talking about it like it was normal.
Daniel was the first to question, and you were the first to get him like nobody else.
You broke eachothers bad habits you'd learned from years of toxicity. Started learning better communication. Working through things and understanding eachothers responses.
He could never thank you enough for your help with his dad. Standing up for him despite the physical altercation was brave. He knew it was hard for you but you loved him enough to do it anyways.
Now, it was his turn to help you through this. He didn't care how long it took.
The bruise on your cheek only sparked a fire in him. He was tired of the hurt your fathers were causing. He knew now that both of you deserved better.
So, he would help it get better.
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at a crowded party
CW: Angst, noncon kiss, pet whump, noncon touch, implied noncon
Daniel watches her approach. The fashionable dark green dress clings to every curve of her body and the light reflects off the diamond necklace decorating her plunging neckline. Her dark hair falls over one shoulder, several curls wrapping up to her jawline. A shudder slips down his spine at the determination in her eyes.
Her cheekbones look like Star’s.
“Hello, darling,” she cooes, running one hand over his shoulder. “You look so bored standing here all alone. Did Theodore get bored of such a handsome toy?”
“I am here to serve, ma’am,” he whispers. Her touch burns across his skin. Everything in him screams to run away. Flirting with women is so much harder, even with his training. It feels like forcing each word out past a brick lodged in his throat.
“Of course you are. Theodore really does have an eye for beauty. Both you and your bonded are absolute dolls.”
“This is quite a nice event,” Daniel says, trying to pull the conversation away from Star.
She laughs. “Oh, aren't you a flatterer. I know your kind isn’t supposed to care. Rather like talking to my old husband in that regard. But thank you. This is my favorite event to plan and I do love having everyone here, especially when they bring such attractive boys with them.”
Daniel smiles. He doesn’t know what else to say. Something in her words bothers him, but his brain refuses to focus. Playing along makes his master happy. It’s what he is made for. It’s all he’s good for. He knows this. Fighting back achieves nothing.
“Come on, darling, let me show you around,” the woman says, looping her arm through Daniel’s.
He forces a smile as they walk through the room, the woman introducing him to dozens of people whose names and faces he forgets as soon as they move on. Her hand moves from his arm to his back to resting low on his back, fingers dipping under his waistband. Daniel swallows hard and forces the smile to remain on his face.
Where is Star?
Star sits at their master’s feet, head tipped up as his master runs fingers through his curls. Daniel shudders at the sight and glances at the men talking with his master. All their attention is on Star. Hungry and predatory.
“Pay attention, darling.”
“Sorry, ma’am,” Daniel whispers. He steps closer to her, fighting to pay attention to whatever conversation is happening around him. Star has the same training as he does. He can handle himself.
The conversation continues. The woman’s hand cups his ass, her body pressed against his. Daniel plasters a smile on his face. Her fingers are cold, not warm like his master’s soothing touch, as they slip past his waistband. Daniel stiffens but doesn’t pull away. He never pulls away. He’s too well trained, no matter how much nausea churns in his stomach.
“Come on,” she whispers, lips brushing against the side of his neck. “Let’s go somewhere a little more private.”
A shudder runs down Daniel’s spine. He nods, following her from the main room. The hair on the back of his neck stands up when he glances at his master. He nods, gripping Star’s curls a little tighter, a silent threat. Daniel smiles, the smooth practiced one he is praised for, and moves to follow the woman.
She pulls him into a dark room. Daniel blinks hard, willing his eyes to adjust to the dim light. He can faintly see the outline of a small bed and a dresser. It’s all he manages before she pins him to the wall. Her lips press against his and he melts into the kiss.
“Damn, you’re good,” she whispers, pulling away just a fraction.
The praise blossoms warm in his chest. Of course he’s good. It’s what his master paid for, after all. Good, perfect, cute, silent, behaved. He is supposed to be all those things and more.
So when she kisses him again, he leans into it. Letting her set the pace, ignoring his lungs screaming for air, laughing with her as she pushes him down onto the bed. It feels so good and so awful. His stomach churns with hatred and pleasure as she removes their clothes and another kiss, then hands across his body and her weight pressing down on him.
She praises him for following orders, for listening, for the pleasure he brings her. The better he does, then the better they both feel and the better report she’ll give to his master.
Good. Perfect. Behaved.
Why would he ever be anything else?
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