#I’ve only willing taken the bus once because it was quicker and I saw the stop

[gatheryepens]

Things I’ve learnt whilst being in nyc

[kisses-holland]

Don’t Give Up On Me (Part One)

Summary: Y/N tries her hardest to make sure she has enough money to help her six year old brother with his treatments because of his leukaemia. She lands a job as an assistant for a well known company. Only problem is? Her CEOs don’t like her very much. 

Pairing: Enemies to lovers! CEO! Tom x Reader, Enemies to lovers! CEO! Harrison x Reader

Prompt (Location): Office

Warnings: Mentions of cancer, swearing, Rude Tom and Rude Harrison, angst

A/N: For @uglypastels 2.5k writing challenge!! Sorry for the wait. I hope you guys enjoy the first part!

The subway ride across town for the coffee was hectic. It was around 8:30 in the morning, the same time everyone wanted their coffee. So for you to go across town taking the train, getting two hot black coffees, and taking them back to the office was tough. Especially when you had to be careful for not spilling.

It was only a half hour into your job and you already wanted to quit. But you couldn’t.

“I'm doing this for Ben. Once he’s better, this will all be over.” You mumbled to yourself as you made your way to his office.

Of course, the coffee didn’t stay piping hot when you got to the office, so, you used the microwave in the staff’s break room, hoping they wouldn’t notice.

While you were warming up their coffees, you caught up with the lady who interviewed you. Her name was Kianna and she was a supervisor within the company. She knew how horrible Tom was, but was surprised to hear that Harrison was just about the same. Deciding not to stress about the situation, you headed back to Tom’s office and put a fake smile on your face. For your brother. That’s what all that mattered.

Without knocking, you entered the office. At this point, if they hassled you for not knocking, that piping hot coffee would end up somewhere not so sunny in their situation.

“I see you’ve brought our coffee. But you still haven’t changed your choice of clothing. I guess it’ll do.`` Tom said, taking a sip of his coffee. “I have a pile of paperwork for you to sort through. You better get started if you don’t want to be here all night.” He said, taking another sip and pointing towards boxes full of unorganized sheets of paper.

“I'm sorry, but do you have a problem with me? Because if you do, I will happily leave.” you said, crossing your arms. You didn’t want to deal with his harassment, not with your situation.

“I don't have a problem with you, sweetheart. but if you want to leave, go ahead. I'm not the one needing money right now.” He said. smirking back at you. You scoffed.

“You don’t know me, or my situation.”

“Exactly. and I don’t want to know, nor do I care. That paperwork is waiting.” He said, gesturing towards the boxes that were stacked in the corner of the room.

Sighing, you trudged over to the boxes that were filled with tons and tons of paperwork.

“So, do i get a desk to work with? An office?” You asked. There was no way you were going to do this on the floor.

“Yeah. You’re looking at it. The floor, Sweetheart. Get to work.” He said, not even looking away from whatever Harrison was showing him on his tablet.

Deciding not to ask anything else, you started on the paperwork. You vividly remember Kianna telling you that if you get your work done earlier than the time you were supposed to be there for, you could go home early. Deciding on skipping lunch, you thought about how much more time you’ll have with Ben after work.

You knew in your heart that Ben will get better. You’re not going to lose hope. He was strong, and he had his whole life in front of him. If anything, you wish it were you instead of him lying on that bed. You were willing to give everything up for your little brother, he was the only person you had left in this world. And you wanted him to stay.

A half hour later, you were halfway done with the first box. organizing paperwork wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be. but the phone call you got, made you halt for a second.

As your phone was ringing loudly through yours, Harrison and Tom’s ears, you rushed to answer it, almost dropping it in the process.

“Uh. I need to -I need to take this.” You stuttered, as you quickly walked outside of the room.

Your heart dropped as you saw who was calling, the hospital.

“Hello?” You asked, hoping it wasn’t anything bad.

“Hi, Y/N. It’s Stef. Ben just wanted to talk to you and say ``hi.” Stef was one of the nurses who are taking care of Ben. You got along great and she was a very nice woman. She always updated you on how Ben was doing. Sometimes, she would even let you stay overnight. Stef knew your story, and she understood your situation. She was kind of like a second mom.

“Hey, Ben! What are you doing up so early, buddy?” You asked, tone changing to a much higher one.

“Just missed you, Y/N/N.  Will you come see me today? Nurse Stef got me a new blanket!” He said happily over the phone. Hearing how happy he is brought tears to your eyes, only wanting happiness for your little brother.

“Oh really? What kind of blanket is it?” Sniffling, and blinking away the tears that are about to pool out of your eyes any second.

“Spider-Man!” He exclaimed.

“That’s amazing, bud! I can't wait to see it. I'll be there as soon as I can, okay? I have a new job and if I get my work done, I'll be able to spend the entire night with you! Just hang on tight, buddy.”

“Okay. I can't wait to see you. I love you, Y/N.”

“I love you too, Ben.” And with that, he hung up the phone.

Sighing, you quickly wiped the tears that were in your eyes and took deep breaths. If Tom or Harrison saw you crying, you would never hear the end of it.

Walking back into the office, you noticed both Tom and Harrison staring at you. Tom rolled his eyes and got back to whatever he was doing, however, Harrison wouldn’t stop staring at you. As if he was reading your eyes for answers.

The only thing on your mind was to get the paperwork done so you could see Ben. Hearing the excitement in his voice after he got that new blanket brought joy throughout your body. You wished and hoped that he would be able to grow up and be happy all the time.

Suddenly, Tom left the room, leaving you and Harrison alone. You would occasionally sigh, but Harrison kept looking at you.

“I know you’re staring at me. Is there something I can do for you?” You asked him, not looking up from the piles of papers.

“Who was that? On the phone?” He asked, breaking the ice straight away.

“No one. That’s none of your business.”

“I heard your conversation.”

“I don’t care. I have a lot of work to do.” Why does he care who you’re talking to? If he was nicer, you would’ve told him. Maybe you would’ve told Tom too. But Ben’s situation is only between you, Kianna, and the nurses. Nothing was going to change that.

With that, he fell silent. And as soon as you guys stopped talking, Tom walked into the room.

“Is that paperwork almost done?” Tom asked, raising his eyebrows.

“No. I only started it about 45 minutes ago.” You rolled your eyes. What was he expecting? For you to go through all three boxes within the first hour?

“Well, I need that done by 12. If you don’t get them done, you’re fired.” Hearing those words brought tears of frustration to your eyes. If he wanted them done quicker, why doesn’t he just help you?

“Yes, sir.” You whispered. If we wanted them done by 12, he was gonna get them done by 12. That only meant you would get to see Ben earlier, and have lunch earlier.

At around eleven o’clock, you had about one more box left. But now, your eyes were hurting and so were your legs from crouching down. You looked up from your position and noticed Tom and Harrison chatting while drinking whiskey. They knew you were struggling. They knew you were tired. and they probably thought you looked pathetic with the way you were sitting on the ground.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” You asked, softly. Maybe if you were nice to them, they’d be nice to you.

“Hand over your cell phone.” Tom said, holding his hand out. You were taken aback. You’ve been doing your job since you got here, there’s no reason for him to take your phone. If there was an emergency at the hospital, they’d have no way of contacting you.

“Why? I've been doing my job just fine. I don't-“

“We need your phone, in case of further distractions.” Harrison interrupted, walking towards you. You handed him your phone, knowing there was no point in arguing.

“Fine. but if I get a phone call, that phone comes straight back to me.” You crossed your arms. No way were they going to take away your communication from your brother.

“That’s not up to you, now is it? Get back to work.” And with that, Harrison gave Tom your phone, who locked it in one of his drawers to his desk.

After an hour, the pages were finally done. You stood up to tell Tom the news.

“Pages are done. Anything else I can do for you?” You asked, hoping the answer was no.

“That’s everything for today. but I would like for you to get a new outfit for next time. got it? And maybe lose the attitude.”

“But I-“

“No buts, or you will get fired. Am I clear?” He asked in his menacing tone.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Get out.” Tom said, pointing to the door ahead. You scrambled to get out of the building, hoping to take the next train to the children’s hospital. You were going to spend the rest of the day with Ben, because you knew that he could cheer you up from this horrible day you had. Your first stop was McDonald's, so you could give him his favourite lunch; a happy meal with four chicken nuggets and an action figure he would collect in his hospital room. You got him one every week, and he kept every toy he got.

As you were ordering his food, you remembered the last time you got him a happy meal, and what he said to you.

“Next time, I want a Spider- Man toy!” He grinned as he saw the miniature Iron Man figure in the package.

“You really do love Spider-Man, huh?” You laughed as you watched him play with his toys

“Spider-Man saves the city, and he saves people. I know he’s going to save me too, Y/N/N. I dream about it.” He said, not looking away from his toys.

“Oh yeah? And where’s Spider-Man now?”

“He’s trying to find you a good job right now! I promise, he told me!”

“Miss?” The employee interrupted your thoughts as she handed you the bag.

“Thank you so much.” You grabbed the food and quickly scrambled outside, towards the nearest bus station, which luckily for you, was a couple metres down; right beside the building you work at, actually.

The hospital was about 20 minutes from your workplace, so it didn’t take long for you to get there. You couldn’t wait to see your brother. Your life was rough, and you only have him left. You want to keep him here for as long as possible.

Since you had the place memorized to the back of your head, you recognized the familiar room, and how they had Ben’s name outside his room. A sign he printed and coloured for himself. You walked in and smiled as you saw him colouring in his colouring book.

“Hey, bud.” You smiled, pulling up a chair and gently giving him a hug.

“Hi Y/N/N! I can't believe you’re here so early! I missed you.” He said as he nuzzled his face into your neck.

“I missed you too. I brought you something.” You grinned as you showed him the familiar happy meal package. He gasped out of shock.

“Do you think I got Spider-Man this time?” He asked, ripping open the package.

“I don't know, bud. Have a look for yourself.”

Turns out, he did get a Spider-Man toy, and boy, was Ben happy to see the little action figure, which definitely brought a smile to his face.

“I made a friend today, sis!” he said, while eating his chicken nuggets.

“Oh yeah? What’s his name?”

“Paddy. He said his family is coming to visit him tomorrow! Maybe you can meet them with me? He likes Spider-Man too!’ He exclaimed.

“Of course, bud. I would love to meet your new friend and his family. How about you finish up and I’ll read you a story okay?” Ben quickly finished his meal and you made sure to clean up the mess that he had made while doing so. Lately, he has been more tired, and you’re hoping that it’s because of the medication and not because of his illness. Especially since he started making friends. You definitely didn't want him to be lonely, and you were happy he found someone his age that could keep him occupied. 

“Can we watch a movie, Y/N?” He asked, as he made room for you on his bed.

“Of course we can watch a movie. I just can’t lay on your bed with you. You know that, kiddo.” You frowned as his smile faded. 

“I know, but I was hoping this time you would.” He sighed, but quickly turned the television on with the remote he had. Of course, he decided to put on Spider-Man. 

However, all you could think about was how you were going to go to work tomorrow, without a new outfit.

Taglist:

@fanficparker @your-daily-dose-of-fangirl @magiclolipopqueen@organicpurplepants @delicately-important-trash@butterfliesinthenightsky @redstrawbbaby @shayke-and-bake@olivia1112 @lazymarvelfan @karlitabi-rrito @green-lxght@babylsn @sincerelyfan @awesomeaugustina @joycesld @xxr-88xx @czygrlm @ixchel-9275 @peterbxrnes @claredolphinbear24 @fakindob @superheroesaremytea @sltwins @a-dorky-book-keeper @vicisbookishblog @flemishbitch @van-horn-dashner @vintageroses1014516 @linnyalou @zabdisamor @its-the-unknownspidey @anxiousstark @quacksonsgivemelife @runway-to-my-aid @michellemxndes @quacksonsgivemelife @xximaweirdoxx @paradisiacalsparks @sithrhee @starsholland @spellbinding10 @uwupxterparker 

[princeyandanxiety]

Contact (Moxiety)

I honestly wish I knew how to describe this monster of a fic. My head hurts.

Happy birthday @pattonscardigan. Love you Mekimoo.

Summary: Fae AU. The five times a fae tried to steal Virgil away, and the one time he didn’t. 2140 words.

1.

“Come on! I have a secret hide out this way!” A saccharine grin, inviting Virgil to step over, step off the path. To venture into the forest full of stories and secrets and missing children and adults alike.

“Mummy says I have to always stay on the path.” A frown marred soft features, wearing in lines that had already become commonplace on a youthful brow. “Can we go back to the street? I don’t like leaving without telling her.”

Back over they moved, amber eyes wide with excitement. The longer Virgil looked, the more entranced he felt in the uncanny stare. “Come on, it’s not far! And I promise that it’s really fun!” Fair hands made a grab for his own, but Virgil stepped away, shaking his head, clearing out the cotton balls that seemed to have gathered in his mind.

“I’m going back home. Mummy will worry about me. If you want me to keep playing with you, you’ll just have to come back to the street.” Virgil stated, gathering upon every ounce of courage in his pre-school body.

The other boy looked slightly disheartened, or rather disappointed, shrugging before smiling once more. “Maybe next time you can ask her!” He chirped. Virgil nodded, and followed the trusty path back to his street.

He tried to tell his mom about the strange new friend he made, but the harder he thought, the more details that disappeared, until all he could remember were bright, amber eyes.

2.

“Where are you going?” A rattlingly familiar voice, lilting and sweet. Virgil turned to look, and saw wild brown hair, a mischievous grin. Amber eyes. Bright and glinting with determination.

“School?” He asked, in the most ‘duh’ voice he could muster. He hadn’t seen this guy in years, despite the way his dreams had been haunted with those eyes.

“Sounds boring. Come and hang out with me!” That enticing smile, a hand held out to Virgil. “I have a stash of candy, and I’m willing to share it! I have far too much to eat myself!”

Virgil blinked, stepping back. Because that wasn’t creepy at all. “Look, if I’m late to class one more time I’ll get another detention. Maybe another time.”

“You can’t honestly tell me you enjoy going there. That’s just anxiety talking. Worry for the consequences.” The boy pouted, eyes shining with an innocence that Virgil didn’t believe for a second. After all, it was the same innocence he tried to affect when he was in trouble. “Come on. It’s just one time.”

“I’ll pass.” Virgil turned and continued along the path.

Later in class, his mind still stuck on the boy in the forest instead of whatever the teacher was talking about, it would occur to Virgil that he didn’t once step past the iron markings of the path.

Vaguely, he remembered the iron ring on a piece of twine that his old neighbor, Ms Mayfair gave him when he was five. A strange, studying look had been on her weary face before she finally tucked it into his small hand. “Be careful, Virgil. Our forest is unkind.”

He didn’t believe in the rumors about the fae. He didn’t.

3.

His need to be away from them won out. Away from school he ran, ran, ran to the path home, the forest, the iron guards, as if the other boys would be deterred by them. Still their laughter rang in his ears, cruel and mocking as he stumbled the familiar steps.

“Children can be so savage” A sigh. Leaves barely crunched under light footsteps, and amber eyes watched as Virgil slowed, turning to look at the boy.

“You say that as though you aren’t one.” His words were slow, testing the waters. The boy certainly looked his age, but his eyes looked older than Ms Mayfair’s. That was the strangeness that hung around him, Virgil realised. The air of being older than he appeared. The air of a fae. He continued walking.

The boy smiled wryly, eyes twinkling with amusement. “I think we both know what I am, if that ring is anything to go by.” Virgil glanced down at the band around his middle finger, then back at the boy. “No tricks today. Merely an invitation. You’ll have a place of your own if you come with me. Cared for. Loved. No having to worry about school or nasty other children. A paradise of your own.”

“No.”

The look on the fae’s face was comical. Amber eyes wide, jaw slack for a few moments. “I-what?”

“No. I don’t want to go. Mom and dad will be worried sick.” He didn’t want his parents to become old Ms Mayfair. And Logan. His internet friend. Oh god, Logan. He wasn’t from the area. He’d think the worst had happened, the worst that could logically happen, in the real world where ‘faeries don’t exist, Virgil.’

The fae looked genuinely perplexed, a frown distorting his too-perfect features. “But don’t you want to get away from those nasty boys?”

Virgil shook his head. “I’m not going with you.”

“What’s your name?”

A cynical smile as the path moved out of the forest, onto the street. “Maybe another time.”

“Until we next meet, then.” A promise.

Virgil didn’t reply.

4.

He was seventeen when he received another iron ring, a thin iron chain, and a cuff. All from Ms Mayfair, who gave him that knowing, weary look as she gave him the wrapped gifts. “You be careful in exploring, boy.”

Her warning echoed in his head as he stepped off the path for the first time in his life, wearing all the gifts on his fingers, under his hoodie.

Amber eyes were wide as the fae realised Virgil was off the path. Shoulders slumped when they noticed the iron on both hands. “So close, and yet you are still so far, Virge.” He sighed.

“I’ve come to see that secret hideout you mentioned.” Virgil replied dryly.

A surprised bark of laughter escaped soft lips. “Hideout rules say no iron, Virge.” A knowing smile. “I can, however, share some treats from home.” The fae turned and nodded for Virgil to follow.

“I’d rather not.” He knew the rules. No real names, no accepting food, no saying thanks. “I wouldn’t mind if you shared your name.”

Narrowed eyes, studying Virgil. “I suppose that’s fair, considering where I learned yours. Pat.” He said eventually.

Virgil snorted, amused by “Pat”’s reasoning. “Since when are the fae concerned with fairness?” He tilted his head, eyes raking over Pat as if knowing his name, looking him over again, would give some detail about his true name.

“Since their favorite human was concerned.” Simple, yet loaded with a meaning that left Virgil nearly breathless. He could only stare at Pat’s back as they continued, deeper into the forest.

The clearing where Pat finally stopped wasn’t ringed with mushrooms. A carpet of yellows and reds littered the floor, the trees letting in the midday sun. This was the forest of the fae, this was the domain of amber eyes. Virgil could feel the magic try to curl into his chest as he breathed, protected only by iron jewelry.

They sat. They talked. Eventually, Virgil let himself rest against the old tree, legs sprawled in front of him, while Pat wove stories of humans and fae and times long gone. Virgil told him about Lo, about the internet, about how school still sucked and how he couldn’t wait to get out of this damn town and finally go to college with his best (and seemingly only) friend.

At that admission, Pat slumped, just a little. “We’re not friends?” He sounded heartbroken, and Virgil nearly felt sorry for him.

“Every time I see you, you’re trying to whisk me off to fairyland. Not exactly a friendship, is it?” He pointed out, rings loosely held in his hand. He had taken them off before the air cooled, making it too hard to take them off. Virgil was confident that his chain and cuff would protect him. “And that's the only time I really see you.”

“I can't exactly go out into the world. Everything you humans use is made of iron.” Pat huffed, lying down next to Virgil. “And you were too scared to step off the path.”

“Maybe I'll come visit more, now.” He didn’t miss the way Pat perked up at that, a glimmer of excitement brightening his eyes. Virgil let out a soft chuckle, letting the rings rest on his chest and staring up at the leafy ceiling.

He did miss the glint in amber eyes when his hands moved away from the rings, seemingly unprotected. He missed the way Pat shifted ever so slightly closer, the was fingers inched toward his hand, just needing a brush of skin.

Then Pat jumped as if burned, catching Virgil’s attention once more. “Woah, you okay?”

“Just rolled on a branch.” Pat sat up and rubbed at his shoulder. He looked at Virgil, expression shifting. “So what’s college like, other than a more adult version of school?”

Virgil said nothing about the looks that Pat gave him for the rest of their time together.

5.

The last year of school seemed to pass quicker than ever before, between classes and exams and studying in the forest, Pat by his side but largely uncomprehending of what was contained in books and marked paper.

And then high school was over. And the summer had melted away in a haze of fruits and afternoons with Pat in clearing and evenings talking to Logan about college together.

“Last chance to tell me before I’m gone.” Virgil stood on the edge of the path, toes pressed against iron. “Why did you always try to steal me away?” It was a topic they had danced around for the year, between secrets and admissions and stories.

He wasn’t wearing his protections today. He wouldn’t need them, after today. His college was a state away, far from the forest, from fae, from Pat.

“You saw me, when you were just a child. You were kind.” Pat gave him that bright smile, the one that always hid something. Virgil’s heart fluttered, but there was a weight that seemed to tug at Pat’s shoulders, caught in those golden depths, despite how he tried to hide it. “And then you were a challenge. But now? You’re a friend.”

“And friends don’t take each other to random places for eternity.” Virgil smiled. “You’ll be okay. Just find some other human to annoy.”

“But I don’t want another human.” Golden eyes softened, the distance between them shrunk a little more. Virgil knew what was coming. Expected it. One last chance to take him away. “I want you.” Reaching, reaching, just like he did all those years ago.

“For someone ancient and terrifying, you really don’t learn, do you Pat?” Virgil stepped back, out of his reach. “I have to go.”

“Patton.” Virgil turned, eyes wide at the admission. He knew what had just been given to him. “Use it wisely.”

“Goodbye, Patton.” He murmured, and watched as a shiver ran down Patton’s spine. Then he turned, and walked back to the street.

+1

The forest looked completely different, somehow. And yet it felt exactly the same, even a decade since Virgil last stepped foot into it. A decade hopping states, burying himself in city life, staying far away from reminders of his hometown. Of his forest. Of his fae.

The air still felt heavy as he breathed it in. The magic still tried to curl into his lungs as he passed over the iron marking of the path. The clearing seemed to be the way he had last seen it, in his memory at eighteen. But one thing was missing. Had been missing since he stepped off the path.

“Patton?” Virgil called softly. No response, no flicker of amber between the trees. “Pat, come on, you can’t seriously have up and disappeared! This is your place!”

“Technically, it belongs to the court.” Virgil jumped, spinning around to meet glittering amber eyes. “But I’m flattered that you associate the forest so much with me, Virge.”

Virgil scrambled to get his ring off, closing the distance between them with a few steps and hugging Patton tight. “Don’t fucking scare me like that, you asshole.” He huffed out. “I thought you were gone, it’s been so long.”

“I can’t exactly ignore my name.” Patton murmured, fingers curling into Virgil’s hair, an arm wrapping around his waist. “Especially when it’s you who’s calling it.”

“Gay.” Virgil huffed a wry laugh, pressing his nose into the crook of Patton’s neck. And they stayed there, pressed together, clinging to each other, far longer than Virgil would admit. Finally, he spoke softly, unsure if Patton would even hear it. “Virgil.”

“A lovely name.”