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mirkwoodshewolf · 4 years

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My sweet buttercup; Eugene Sledge x reader

*Author’s note*

Hey guys well this only took me a couple days to write this little genius but now I’ve got it done and ready for you all to enjoy. Now I really wanted to try something different with this Eugene fic, I really wanted to DIVE right and get to the heart and root of the blossoming relationship b/t Eugene and the reader in this fic. So more n the lines of what they were like as kids together, early teen years, basically a Pre-WW2 fic mostly before the ending.

Warnings: Fluff, bit of angst, family disownment, mentions of PTSD, forbidden love.

But I hope you all enjoy this fic so much and until next time ;)

Taglist:

@plethora-of-things

@waddles03

@psychosupernatural

@ixchel-9275

@simonedk

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

@dancingcoolcat

@queensdivas

@geek-and-proud

@queendeakyy

@kairosfreddie

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*June 14th, 1928*

It was a warm summer day in Mobile, Alabama. In the center of town stood a farmer’s market shop run by Sheldon (L/n). Sheldon (L/n) was once part of the 1st Marine division back during the Great War. After the war he settled back home in Mobile to run himself a farm where he was known for growing the brightest, freshest, most delectable apples in the whole state of Alabama.

Why if you asked people where the stores got their apples from, nine times out of ten they would tell you they came from (L/n) farm. Sheldon while having his shell shock moments from the war, still managed to have the American dream.

He married his high school sweetheart Marianne Lewis and they lived a good life together and had a beautiful baby girl they named (y/n) (l/n).

Sadly though, when little (y/n) was just a year old, her mom died of breast cancer. Sheldon was devastated but he tried to keep trudging on by being both hard working man, and loving father to his little girl.

Walking through the town was Dr. Edward Sledge, his wife Mary Frank and their two sons, Edward Jr. Sledge and Eugene Sledge. Eugene was five years old, going on six come the fall.

His bright auburn hair bounced off the summer sun and as they came right towards Sheldon’s shop, Edward stopped his family in their tracks.

“Maybe we best find another way around.” Suggested Edward warily.

“Edward, it was five years ago, can’t you learn to let it go?” Mary Frank told her husband.

“I have, but Sheldon on the other hand…..that man’s as stubborn as an ox.” It was then Sheldon came out with some crates of food ready to be shipped off to the stores.

As soon as he saw Dr. Sledge, a gruesome scowl came across the farmer’s face.

“Just what do you think you are doing here Sledge?!”

“Now Sheldon calm down, we were only passing by.”

“If you think I’m gonna do any type of business with you, think again! After what you had done…..”

“Sheldon there was nothing my husband could do to help Marianne.”

“Mary Frank you keep out of this.” Her husband warned her cautiously.

“You best listen to him Mary Anne. This is no concern of yours. Now get yourselves as well as those little monsters of yours away from my shop!” he spat down at the ground in disgust before slamming the door of his shop closed.

“Why does Mr. (L/n) hate us so badly mama?” asked Edward Jr.

“Oh never you mind that Edward. It’s just grown up business.” Mary Frank assured her eldest son.

“Come along boys, we’re gonna head back towards the barbershop and go through the back alley there to get to the fair.” The two boys groaned.

“But that’ll take longer!” whined Edward Jr.

“Why do we have to go back!?” groaned Eugene.

“Now boys don’t argue with your father. Now come along, or else we can just head right back home and forget about the fair till next year.” Their mother scolded them. That immediately got them to stop whining and soon they turned back around and went the long way to the fair.

They barely got a block away from Sheldon’s market shop when Eugene heard someone calling out to them. It was a faint psst sound so he stopped right by a flower cart and soon peaking out from it was a young girl around his age.

She had curly (h/c) hair and bright (e/c) eyes that sparkled like the stars at night. Eugene knew this girl very well, it was his best friend (well secret best friend) (Y/n) (l/n).

Yep. Even though Sheldon has repeatedly drilled into his daughter’s mind to never, ever, ever under any circumstances go anywhere near the Sledge family. But due to the fact that the two kids were in the same class as one another, they just—clicked immediately.

Her, Eugene, and Sydney Phillips were like the three Musketeers. But Eugene and (y/n) well—they had a special bond with each other. They were just like peas and carrots. Different in every way but somehow they managed to click with each other.

“Eugene, over here!” he smiled before turning to see his parents and older brother who hadn’t noticed he wasn’t with them anymore. He smiled and ran up to (y/n) who had a basket filled with wildflowers in them.

“Hey (y/n). Mrs. Mulley said you were sick last week and that’s why you weren’t at Sunday school, what did you have?”

“Just a bad tummy ache. But I’m all better and I’ll be back in Sunday school tomorrow.”

“That’s good. What did you find?” he said gesturing to her basket. Sometimes, if they could manage it, Eugene and (y/n) could be seen going out to the fields picking wild flowers together. They would even have contests to see who could pick the most flowers in a certain amount of time.

“Mostly pink and blue flowers. But check this out,” she then held up a yellow buttercup flower.

“That’s a buttercup flower. My mama sometimes grows those in our garden.” Eugene said.

“Buttercup huh? I like it, it suits it.”

“You know my mama says that if you hold a buttercup under your chin, it’ll make it glow. I tried it once but it didn’t work.” (y/n) looked at it with curiosity before putting it under her chin.

“Does it work for me?” and well and behold, her chin was glowing right over the buttercup flower.

Even at the tender age of five, Eugen B. Sledge always knew he held more than a friendship feeling for (Y/n). Whenever she’d laugh, his heart would beat faster and it felt like he was being tickled by a billion butterflies in his tummy.

His face would go red every time they would pick wild flowers together, and his heart ached every time she had to mention that her daddy didn’t want her talking to him.

“It sure does buttercup.” He said softly.

“Did you just call me a—”

“(Y/N)! Oh now where is that girl at? (Y/n)!” her father’s voice soon called out from the market. He whistled for her like she were a dog and that’s when she turned to Eugene and whispered.

“I gotta go, see you at church Eugene, bye!” she quickly ran off with her flower basket towards her daddy. As Eugene watched her father kneel down in front of her giving her a soft but firm lecture about running off, Eugene couldn’t help but feel those butterflies again.

“Eugene! Eugene!?” at the sound of his brother’s voice, he snapped out of his daze and quickly ran off before Mr. (L/n) could take notice of a Sledge boy staring at the two of them.

*September 17th, 1938*

It was a hard time in America. For five years now, the whole country was under a Great Depression. Every American was affected and of course that didn’t exclude the Sledge’s or the (L/n)’s. Without enough payment for the extra help, it was all up to Sheldon and (Y/n) to work the farm.

And in order to help bring extra money and food on the table, the Sledge siblings both got jobs helping their dad out with his physician at home job.

Right now Sydney and Eugene were walking along the outskirts of Mobile. Along for the ride was Eugene’s new little pup, Deacon. He had gotten Deacon as a ‘job well done’ gift from his dad. A client of his had a dog that recently had a litter of pups but times were tough and if they didn’t get the pups adopted soon they’d be taken to the shelter.

So Edward being the kind hearted gentleman that he was known for, got the dog and decided the pup would be a good gift for his son Eugene, as a token for being such a big help through these uncertain times.

As the two boys walked over the tall hill, they soon came upon the (L/n) farm. Sydney and Eugene were both shocked to see just how much the Depression had affected the farm.

The soil that they remember being a rich stretch of fresh soil was now dried up and cracking. Weeds were growing up in almost every spot imaginable. Without the extra help, it was almost impossible to keep the weeds in check.

And of course there was hardly anymore livestock anymore. Save for the horse, 2 cows, and the chickens. All the other animals the (L/n)’s once had, had to be sold off in order to get the money they needed to survive.

“Man, I heard (y/n) was struggling but—never did I think it was this badly.” Sydney said with a solemn shake of his head.

“No wonder why she said she had to quit school and be with her dad.”

“Are you sure it ain’t for another reason why you miss her?” teased Sydney. At that moment (y/n) had came out of the chicken coop with a bunch of eggs in a crate and the two of them watched her enter back into her family home.

“You wish you were right Sid.”

“Oh I know I’m right. I’m always right when it comes to you two. Don’t think I didn’t know about the time in 3rd grade when you offered to do her side of the book report when she broke her leg and had to stay at the hospital.”

“I was being polite and didn’t want her getting held back.” As the two of them bickered back and forth, the 10 month old pup had raced down the hill catching scent of the chickens and crept towards the chicken coop.

Deacon slowly stalked towards the door before entering inside of it. The young pup stared at the chickens before one of them caught sight of the unfamiliar creature that stood in their coop.

The pup then let out a series of barks which sent the chickens running mad with fear. From up on the hill, Eugene looked down to see Deacon was gone and from the barks that came down below, he immediately put two and two together.

“DEACON NO STOP!”

“Eugene wait you can’t go down there!” Sydney raced after him.

At that moment, Deacon came out of the coop chasing after the flock of chickens who were racing around frantically trying to escape this wolf-like creature.

(Y/n) immediately peeked out from her bedroom window and was shocked to see what was going on. The chickens being chased by the dog, the dog being chased by Eugene, and Gene being chased by Sid.

“Oh hey (y/n).” Sid stopped by her bedroom window.

“Sid what in the samhell is going on out here!?”

“Funny you should ask, but uhh—mind helping us out?” she quickly got on her shoes and crawled out of her window before running beside Sydney to try and round up the chickens.

Running around like—well chickens with no heads, Eugene, (Y/n) and Sydney all tried to calm the situation down before he father would return home.

“WHAT’S GOING ON OUT THERE!?!?” at hearing that thunderous voice. (Y/n) stopped running as she held a chicken in her arms and froze in fear.

“You guys need to get out of here, now!” she urged Eugene and Sydney on. Eugene who had finally gotten hold of Deacon turned towards (Y/n) but before he could say a word, a gunshot was heard and the shot landed just a few inches away from his foot.

“C’mon Eugene lets go!” Sydney pleaded and soon the two men took off running for the hills. The backdoor slammed open and there stood Sheldon with his shotgun in hand and his jaw dropped at the sight before him.

All the chickens out of their coop, now finally calm, the chicken coop now lay there in rubble (when (y/n) and Gene tried to wrangle Deacon and a few chickens that had gotten back into the coop, the sudden jostling and heavy weight of both humans trying to calm the situation down, forced the coop to collapse under their weight).

“What-gup—what happened here!? (Y/n) (m/n) (l/n). You were supposed to be gathering the chicken eggs!!”

“I know daddy.”

“Then why the hell are they out and about!? How did the coop get destroyed!? JUST WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU DOING GIRL!?!?”

From up on the hill, Eugene’s heart broke at hearing (y/n) getting yelled at by her own father. She had nothing to do with this. So getting the courage, he held Deacon once more and walked down the hill back towards the farm.

“Eugene, Gene don’t you dare! He’ll kill you if you go over there. Eugene!” Sydney hissed out quietly but Gene refused to listen to his best friend.

“I—” (Y/n) began to respond till Eugene’s voice called out.

“She didn’t do it sir.” The two of them turned around. Gripping his gun tighter, Sheldon stood in front of his daughter and said lowly.

“What was that boy?”

“The chicken coop. And the reason why the chickens got out. It was my fault. (Y/n) had nothing to do with it. You see my dog—”

“Great, the Sledge’s have a dog. One more thing to worry about.” Sheldon muttered angrily to himself.

“Please Mr. (L/n), don’t blame (y/n) for this. She was doing her job just like you told her to do. If anyone’s the blame, it’s me. And I’ll do anything to make it up to you.” Hearing Eugene confess, it made (y/n)’s heart flutter and place her hand over her heart.

“Oh you can be damned well sure you will boy. As much as I hate to say this. You’ll be helping me out for the rest of the Harvest season, as well as repairing the chicken coop! And you young lady, come with me.”

He dragged his daughter back to the house as he whispered harshly to her.

“Throughout the time he’s here repairing and helping out, I don’t want you anywhere near him. No daughter of mine is gonna be seen with a Sledge.” As her father continue to rant out his hatred towards the Sledges, (Y/n) turned back towards Eugene and softly smiled at him and mouthed out a thank you.

Eugene smiled softly and seeing her smile it was like cupid’s arrow had struck him as he made goo-goo eyes at her. Even as Sydney snapped his fingers in Gene’s face to get him to snap out of it, Gene was stuck under the love spell he was on.

As agreed; Eugene worked with his father helping him run the at home physician and on his breaks, he’d ride his bike over to (Y/n)’s place to repair the chicken coop, as well as pull out the weeds.

Of course that didn’t stop Eugene and (Y/n) from sneaking puppy love eyes at each other as the two teens were put to work. Throughout the harvest season, it only allowed Eugene and (Y/n) to grow closer than they ever were before.

*June 14th, 1941*

Eugene and (Y/n). Never has there been a couple more meant for each other. Sid always referred to them as childhood sweethearts, and now for these past several years, they’ve really seemed to just hit it off. And with him being the only real person who knew of their ‘more than friendship’ relationship, he kept that to himself.

Of course Eugene’s parents never turned (y/n) away. From the early days when they were kids, they welcomed her with open arms. What they didn’t know was their blossoming relationship. Neither of their parents knew of their courting with each other, and they wanted to keep it that way for just a little while longer.

The two of them were at their favorite hillside where they once picked wildflowers when they were kids. Splayed out along a blanket cuddled close together watching the summer sunset. Eugene lying on his back with (y/n) lying her head against his chest, their hands intertwined with each other’s and their thumbs stroking the back of each other’s hands.

“Happy Anniversary my love.”

“What do you mean Gene?” she looked up at him.

“You heard me, happy 131, 456 hour anniversary.” Eugene said with a small grin as he picked up a buttercup flower and tucked it behind her ear.

“What? That’s way longer than when we first met.”

“I know. But it’s the anniversary of the day I first called you my buttercup.” He said as he cupped her face. Inside (y/n) felt warm and fuzzy remembering that day by the flower cart when Eugene had called her buttercup after finding out one glow underneath her chin. “But it’s fine if you forgot and didn’t get me anything.” Teased Eugene as he sat up trying to hide a grin. She rolled her eyes at Eugene’s teasing.

“Actually I did.” She crawled towards a log and pulled out a guitar case. Eugene’s eyes widened and as she opened the case up he said.

“Oh darlin you shouldn’t have but uhh—I don’t really know how to play.”

“Quiet you.” she teased back as she took the guitar (which was actually hers) and she began playing a soft tune. After letting the soft tune play for a bit she opened her mouth and began to sing.

As she sang; she began to remember all the times she and Eugene had together. From sharing secret letters/drawings with each other (with Deacon being the messenger dog), nature walks together, or secretly waving at each other from her father’s shop.

Their times doing out to the soda shops every Saturday night to go dancing. Always dancing together

We're far apart in every way

But you're the best part of my day

And sure as I breathe the air

I know we are the perfect pair

On a prickly path that goes on for miles

But it's worth it just to see you smile

And I cannot be pulled apart

From the hold you have on my heart

And even if the world tells us it's wrong

You're in my head like a catchy song

“I’ve always loved hearing you sing.” Sighed Eugene lovingly.

“The song’s not too gushy is it? Be honest now.”

“It’s everything but gushy, please sing more for me.” He said as he laid his head close to her thigh. (Y/n) continued to sing while Eugene just stared at her with loving eyes.

More memories came to both of them from their nature walks through any type of weather whenever they had free time. The stargazing’s they’ve done, and even one time when (Y/n) was struggling with the farm one spring that she ended up working till nightfall.

When morning came that morning, she found herself being covered with Eugene’s jacket and just a couple feet away from her, laid an exhausted Gene. He had actually came by and done the rest of the work for her so that she could get some sleep. As he slept, she had sat down beside Eugene and stroked through his auburn hair.

The seasons change and leaves may fall

But I'll be with you through them all

And rain or shine, you'll always be mine

On a prickly path that goes on for miles

You're the only one who makes it all worthwhile

And you should not blame me, too

If I can't help fallin' in love with you...

At the last verse, the two of them went red. While they have called each other their love or life, and while they were technically courting, neither of them has actually those three binding words. (Y/n) covered her mouth with her hand and looked down shyly as her face went red.

“Well that’s unfair. I was gonna tell you that first.”

“Yeah right.”

“I’m serious, I was gonna pull you up,” he stood up and helped her stand up. “Cover your eyes,” he covered her eyes. “Lead you over here.” He then guided her as he kept his hands over her eyes towards the wooded area of the fields. “And say surprise!” he uncovered her eyes and (Y/n) saw the sweetest thing she would ever see.

There along the willow tree they used to climb when they were kids, was a heart engraved at the center of the trunk and written in that heart were their initials. E.B.S + (F/I). (M/I). (L/I). She walked up towards their willow tree and placed her hand over the engravement.

“And then you’d say ‘Oh Genie. It’s—it’s so beautiful. I love it’.” He said imitating her Southern bell voice. “And then I’d say, ‘well, not as much as I love you’.”

“Guess I’m glad I beat you to it then.” She teased as she playfully bumped into him.

“I can accept that.” He said with a proud grin as he wrapped his arms around her waist while she wrapped her around his neck before the two of them finally kissed each other.

It was the kind of kiss that wasn’t deeply passionate that you couldn’t breathe. It was the kind of kiss that just felt like you found your missing half. Gene and (Y/n) were meant to be together and right as they kissed, it felt like it was right.

They were right for each other. And they began to dream of their bright future together. But of course no happiness lasts forever.

After returning from the fields later that evening, she came home to see her home filled to the rim with boxes. She asked her father what was going on and that’s when her father told her the grim truth.

They were moving to North Dakota.

Her father explained to her that the property here was just too dry to farm at anymore. Ever since the Depression decade the land hasn’t been the same. So he hired a contractor to tear the family home and the farm down, he had sold off the rest of the animals, and in two days they were gonna get a fresh start in a new land, with new people, and most important for him it would get them away from the Sledges.

(Y/n) was devastated. Two days and she’d never get to see Sydney Phillips, or Eugene ever again.

When she broke the news to Eugene the next day at the Willow tree, Eugene couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He held onto his weeping girl waiting for her to calm down before he finally spoke to her.

“But you’re practically an adult now (y/n). He can’t control you anymore.”

“What do you want me to say Eugene? I love you, I really do but—he’s the only family I got. And I—I have to stay with my family. I’m sorry!” with that she took off crying, heartbroken and alone.

Eugene looked towards the carving that he had done with his father’s old doctoring knife he used in the Great war. He placed his finger’s over (y/n)’s initials and knew what he had to do, but he knew he didn’t have much time so immediately he got on his bike and pedaled off as fast as he could into town.

By nightfall as (y/n) was solemnly packing up her stuff, Eugene came knocking at her window and he told her to come with him. He made up a story that Deacon wasn’t feeling to good and he needed his ‘mama’. Knowing how much she loved that dog, Eugene and her rode off on his bike.

They soon arrived at the church garden, which was an odd place that Eugene would bring Deacon at, but when she saw the candles all lit up and a beautiful flower archway standing near the back entrance of the church.

Wide eyed in awe, (Y/n) couldn’t believe what she was seeing. When she felt Eugene take her hand he got down on one knee and said to her.

“I don’t ever want to be apart from you. I don’t know what’ll happen in the future but—all I know is now. And I know that I love you so much that I’d marry you today. If you’ll have me that is?” tears of happiness filled her eyes as she said to Eugene.

“I’d like that too.” Eugene smiled and stood up as he embraced his fiancée and spun her around, the two of them cheering and laughing with glee.

After settling down, the two of them walked arm-in-arm with each other towards the pastor (who was actually their own Sunday school teacher who had since went up the ranks and was now one of the head pastor of their church). With Sydney Phillips as their witness and Eugene’s best man, the ceremony began.

The two young teens shared their vows together before the house of God and proclaimed their loyalty and love to each other.

“Then by the name of our Holy Father and in the eyes of the law; I now pronounce you—”

“Pastor Jacob! Pastor Jacob! Please can you help us our son is—Eugene? (Y/n)?” coming behind Sydney were Eugene’s parents.

“What is going on here?” asked Eugene’s father.

“(Y/n)!? Where are you girl you’re supposed to be packing!” soon coming up behind (y/n) from the bushes was her father. As soon as he saw his daughter with the Sledge’s he sneered out, “What are you two doing?” As both families came closer to see just what was going on, that’s when Eugene spoke up as he wrapped his arm around his future wife.

“Mother, father, Mr. (L/n). (Y/n) and I are getting married.”

“What!?” all three parents shouted in shock.

“That’s right. And we’ll officially be married as soon as Pastor Jacob says…..” (y/n) said firmly as she looked back at the pastor.

“Oh right, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.” He stepped aside as he closed his Bible.

“Mrs. (Y/n) Sledge, has a nice ring to it don’t you think?” Eugene said as he cupped his wife’s face.

“Indeed.” The two of them kissed each other finally sealing the deal.

“What are you talking about married!? You both are too young to be married!” Mary Frank scolded as she came between them and pushed Eugene aside.

“Finally something we can agree on.” Sheldon spoke as he now stood beside his daughter. “(Y/n) (m/n) (l/n) you listen to me and you listen good, girl. We’re moving and that’s final. And you have got to stick with your family! So enough of this foolish teenage fantasy and come home!” he grabbed her wrist and began to drag her away.

Finally having enough of her father’s grudge against the Sledges, she broke free of his grip and proclaimed.

“No daddy!”

“No?” her father asked as if he had been punched in the face.

“The Sledges are my family now too. In the eyes of God and the law as Pastor Jacob has said.” Eugene brushed past his mother and stood beside his wife to give her backup.

“You can’t be serious. Are you really choosing to be family with the ones responsible for your mother’s death over your own flesh and blood?!”

“Are you making me choose?” she spoke with a trembled lip as tears filled her eyes.

Her father stood there in shock and everyone around them grew tense. Could a father really force his daughter to choose who she sides with?

“Yes. I am.” Her father demanded. Finally hearing that answer broke (y/n)’s heart but she stood her ground as she spoke in a broken voice.

“Then yeah. I guess I am.” Her father’s face showed absolutely betrayal before his eyes grew red and he snapped at her.

“Then I guess I have no daughter anymore.” Without another word he stormed away from the church.

Heartbroken by her father’s words, (y/n) wept out a river of tears. Eugene held his new wife close to him trying to comfort her, meanwhile Dr. Sledge walked up to the young newlyweds and placed a comforting hand to his new daughter in law’s shoulder. She looked up at the old physician and he told her.

“You’ve always been like family to us (Y/n). You’ve always had love here with us. Right Mary Frank?” after witnessing what she had seen, she couldn’t deny the fact that ever since they were kids, her son and this young girl were just destined to be together.

“Even though I don’t condone you both being married so young while you’re still in school Eugene, there’s—I cannot stop the bond that it is you both share with each other.” Hearing those words coming from her new mother and father, it repaired some of the damage that (y/n)’s heart had taken.

“Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Sledge.” She thanked them.

“Oh sweet pea, call me mama.” Mary Frank said as she came up and cupped (y/n)’s face.

“And whenever you feel like it, you can call me dad.” Dr. Sledge said with a warm smile. (Y/n) never felt so grateful to the Sledges, she continued to weep as she now hugged her new parents and they warmly embraced her back. Welcoming her to the family officially.

*August 29th, 1945 1st Person POV*

I lot has happened in the past few years. Six months after Eugene and I got married, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and America was officially in the war with the Axis Powers.

Eugene wanted to enlist so badly but dad said that his heart murmur prevented him from enlisting, they knew with that he would never get it. So he always begged his father for frequent checkups every day until one day it was gone. That was the day my life changed forever.

I begged and pleaded with Genie to not go but he kept saying he had to do this. He’d feel like a failure if he were stuck doing bond trades or collecting scrap metal, while so many men including our dear friend Sid are fighting out in the front lines.

At that point I knew I couldn’t argue with him anymore and so he enlisted. Of course the night before he left, we made sure to make that night extra special because we both didn’t know if this would be the last time we’d see each other. We memorized each other’s kiss, scent, and touch (and I knew Eugene was trying much harder than I was since I knew he’d suffer the worse).

I went back to school, got my high school diploma and I’m currently now working as a teacher’s work assistant as well as a part-time librarian at the local library. I had remained with mom and dad taking care of house as well as Deacon (God rest his little soul) just trying to distract myself from missing Eugene.

It was (for once this past few weeks) a cool Summer’s day. I was tending to the garden outside planting a few roses, daffodils and of course buttercup flowers but I didn’t expect to suddenly get jumped by two little body masses.

Soon enough I was in the dirt and two 3 year old kids were piled on top of me. One was a little boy who looked so much like his daddy when I first met him, except he had my hair and eye color, and the other was a girl with the same curly hair I once had as a kid and her daddy’s auburn hair and brown eyes but the rest were my looks.

“We gotcha mommy now say you surrender!” my son proclaimed as he held up his toy gun at me, while my daughter had a couple of sticks, pretending they were a bow and arrow.

“I surrender, you both got me.” I held my arms up in surrender. They cheered as they got off of me but that’s when I tackled them both to the ground and began tickling them both.

The two of them laughed as they tried to escape my clutches but soon our moment was interrupted by one of the servants, Octavia.

“Excuse me, Mrs. Sledge?” I stopped playing with the kids and the look on her face was—unreadable.

“What is it Octavia?”

“Just come inside (y/n) dear, there’s—someone who you need to see.” Oh god please don’t tell me. Not when the war was finally over do I get the news.

“Mommy, what is it?” asked my son.

“Gene, you and your sister stay with Octavia okay?” I told him as I stood up and brushed the dirt off my dress as best as I could.

Slowly I walked through the back entrance towards the dining room where I knew mom was at stacking the dishes. I almost didn’t even want to turn the corner to see an officer in uniform telling us now that Eugene was dead. Finally I worked up the courage to turn the corner and there my heart stopped.

Standing right there by his mother and father in full Marine uniform, was my Genie.

He slowly walked towards me and I him until we finally met in the middle. For years I’ve dreamed of this day to come that—now it feels like it is a dream. He raised his hand to my face and the moment I felt his touch, I knew this couldn’t be a dream.

“You—you’re as beautiful as the day I left buttercup.” At that moment, the tears poured down my face as I felt myself collapsing against him. Eugene kept me steady as his head rested against mine and he rocked me back and forth.

“You’re back! You came back…..” I wept into his uniform.

“I told you I would.” He whispered to me.

“Mama?” Eugene and I separated from each other to see Octavia bringing in the kids. “Why are you crying?” asked my baby girl. When I looked up at Eugene, his eyes were wide and his body fell tense.

“Genie, I—I didn’t want to share this with you through letter. But—I’d like you to meet two very special people of mine. Kids come here.” Shyly they walked from Octavia up to me and Eugene as we now knelt down to their height.

Our kids soon came up and our daughter hid behind my back while our son fiddled with the ends of my dress as he curled himself around my arm.

“Eugene, these are our kids. The oldest of the twins is our son, Eugene B. Sledge Jr. and our baby girl, Daphne Eliza Sledge. Kids—this……is your daddy. He’s come home to us.” My son looked up at me hesitantly and I nodded to him telling him it was okay to go see him.

Little Gene walked up to his daddy and just stared up at him in both awe but a hint of fear.

“Little Gene, suits him. Guess you managed to convince Sid to not let us name our first boy after him.” Eugene teased at me as he gently ruffled his son’s hair. Knowing that this strange man in uniform wasn’t going to hurt him, little Gene smiled and immediately embraced his daddy.

Eugene embraced his son and kissed the top of his head and it just made my heart soar at seeing both my boys finally meeting each other and already loving each other. After giving his son some of his love, he looked behind me to our baby girl who was still shyly trying to hide from him.

“It’s okay sweetie bell. He won’t hurt you.” I assured her. Slowly but surely, she came out till she stood by my arm and clung onto it just like her brother.

“My, my, my. You—you look exactly like your mother when I first met her. Guess now I’ve got two buttercups.”

“How did you know my name?” Eugene looked at me confused so I explained to him.

“She likes to be called buttercup. Says it sounds more prettier than her real name.”

“Well whatever name you prefer darling, it sounds beautiful. Just like your mother, and just like you.” he gently booped his daughter’s button nose which made her giggle and finally loosen up around her daddy. Before long she too cuddled into her daddy’s chest and he gave her the same love and affection he gave his son.

Seeing him hold our two kids just—finally felt right. I always knew Gene would be a natural dad, and even now after being through such hell for the past 3 years, he can finally have some peace knowing his family has now grown.

The rest of the day it was just the four of us bonding and getting to know each other.

Of course I knew life wouldn’t be the same as it was before. For example the nightmares. Every night Eugene would suffer terrible and horrifying nightmares. Some nights I ended up staying awake all night just to make sure he didn’t suffer alone.

There wasn’t much I could do except to just assure him that he wasn’t there anymore and that he was home. Sometimes the kids would ask him why they would hear their daddy scream and cry but I told them to not ask him such questions yet.

After Eugene had returned with his dad from the dove hunting, I could see from the tearstains on his face and the slight red in his eyes that it didn’t go so well and that he had suffered flashbacks (I still remember when—well my old father still suffered from them night after night).

So Eugene and I, along with the kids decided to head out to Genie and is old favorite spot out in the fields. He and I were lying on our backs cuddled close to each other while the kids went off to pick wildflowers.

“How long till you found out about them?” he asked me. I looked up at him before turning towards our kids.

“A couple weeks after you left for bootcamp. I just felt so sick till dad checked me out and that’s when it was confirmed that I was pregnant. I would’ve mentioned it but—something like that can’t be said through letters.”

“They’re beautiful though. Just like you.” he said as I felt his nose bury itself into my neck.

“And you.”

“Mama! Daddy!” soon our kids came running up to us and Buttercup held up a buttercup flower. “Look what I found!”

“Yes sweetheart, you found the flower you’re named after. Did you know of a legend that goes with this flower?” she shook her head no. I took hold of the buttercup and told her, “If you hold a buttercup under your chin, it’ll make it glow. See how it works on me?” both my children looked at me in pure awe.

“Let me try! Let me try!” Little Gene called out as he reached out to take the flower. He took it and held it under his chin asking repeatedly if it was working. When Buttercup shook her head, Little Gene pouted, god he really was just like his daddy.

“No worries little Gene. It never worked on me either when I was your age, see?” his daddy said as he held the flower under his chin.

“Can I try it next daddy?” asked Buttercup. Gene nodded and held the flower under his daughter’s chin and low and behold, it worked on her. He smiled as he shook his head softly scoffing.

“Does it work?” she asked him.

“It sure does Buttercup. Apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, huh (n/n)?” I smiled as he picked up his daughter and began kissing her all over her cheek making her giggle.

“Mommy can you sing for us?” asked little Gene as he crawled his way into my lap.

“What would you like me to sing?”

“The catchy song!” The kids both proclaimed. I smiled and said.

“Okay. But you both know I don’t have the guitar with me to play it.”

“Please mommy!” they both gave me the puppy dog eyes they inherited from their father.

“I swear Eugene this trick came from you.”

“Uhh excuse me? You’ve done the puppy dog eye trick on me way longer than I have. Don’t you put this on just me.” Eugene said trying to point the blame on me. I scoffed that’s when Little Gene said.

“Mommy sing for us now!”

“Now, now Little Gene, that’s not the way to get something from your mother or from anyone. If you want something you ask politely.” Eugene gently scolded his son. Little Gene nodded and apologized to me. I told him it was fine and that’s when I began singing the song that I had made for Eugene what felt like an eternity ago, which now became the kids’ favorite song.

Eugene set our baby girl down and laid his head across my lap while I stroked through his auburn hair as well as down his face. And every time my fingers came close to his lips, he would pucker them out and give each of my fingers or the back of my hand a kiss. The kids all lay down close to us with my boy laying his head near my knee while our baby girl cuddled herself tight against her daddy’s side, like a little kitten.

After I finished the song, Eugene and I thought it best to head back home and put these kids down for their nap. I grabbed our son while Eugene held our baby girl, both our kids clung onto us once they knew we had hold of them. Eugene and I looked at each other before leaning in and giving each other a soft kiss before heading back to the house.

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thephantomofthe-internet · 6 years

Text

Don’t break me again

Billy Hargrove x Reader

Word Count: 4,143

Warnings?: Swearing?

Author’s Note: THIS WASN’T SUPPOSED TO BE ANGST I SWEAR!!!

This is a piece for @moonstruckhargrove‘s Valentine’s Day Challenge

Tags under the cut

Valentine’s Day sucked ass.

And chocolate wasn’t on sale till tomorrow.

But you would be damned if you didn’t get any.

The one good part of adult life was that the holiday wasn’t shoved down your throat anymore. You might have liked the holiday in elementary school, when teachers made a big deal about making everyone a valentine and someone’s mom made cupcakes with pink icing, but once middle school hit and kids started being weird about crushes and the holiday, all bets were off. Middle school candy grams were a popularity nightmare-if you didn’t get one, you were a loser who nobody liked. You cried in the bathroom at lunch when nobody bought you one. When the creepy kid from your debate team bought you one the next year, you didn’t hear the end of it till junior year of high school. You watched every ‘couple’ from seventh grade on make a massive deal of the holiday-flowers and chocolates and paper hearts taped to locker doors and teddy bears dragged through classrooms and abandoned in the cafeteria or parking lot or the bleachers in the gym. You watched them lay waste to the holiday every year.

It wasn’t until senior year that you even had a reason to celebrate the holiday.

Billy Hargrove arrived in a cloud of smoke, dressed like a low rent Billy Idol and sneering like he could still smell the cow shit from the farms on the out skirts of town; hell, he probably could, you were very accustomed the stench of Hawkins. He was angry and bitter and desperate to rule the school. And you were just intriguing enough to him, with your matching sneer and Madonna style-you looked like the groupie he wanted to take home with him, and you were more than willing.

You got together quick and, to the shock of all, stayed together. That Valentine’s day, you had someone to celebrate with. But Billy didn’t do mushy holidays. You were fine with this, you didn’t need flowers that would die or stuffed animals to give to GoodWill when you broke up. You were completely content with being pushed up against a locker and kissed until you couldn’t see straight. That was good enough. And, for awhile, it made you stronger-while other couples frittered away and hated each other, you and Billy made it through till graduation.

You moved to California with him, finding not the endless beaches of Los Angeles but the northern, suburban, dull Sacramento. You found his bad boy attitude to be a façade, his grandparents’ house filled with photos of their golden, smiley grandson, their only grandchild, passing milestones like kindergarten graduation and swim lessons and losing his first tooth. He was a dork who was obsessed with Orson Scott Card and Stephen King and watching Dynasty with his grandmother. He was…lost back in his old world. He didn’t exactly fit into it anymore; his friends had moved on, the girls were more interested in the older college boys than Billy, the fun things he used to do just weren’t fun anymore. Instead of finding new things and new friends, he fell into a funk. He didn’t have a job and so he spent his days watching TV and eating junk food.

Meanwhile, you tried your best to enjoy yourself. While this wasn’t the life Billy had lovingly described to you, it was different. It wasn’t lonely, but it was awkward. You worked at the Macy’s makeup counter, selling Clinique to busy moms and teaching preteen girls to recreate looks from magazines, selling them cheap lip gloss to appease your disgruntled boss. They were sweet girls, just looking for a shot at being noticed at their schools by anyone and you knew the feeling well enough to find the time to teach them how to blend their eye shadow and blush out. It certainly killed dull weekdays when the mall was mostly empty save for kids wandering around and shoplifting magazines and candy bars.

You continued the job when you started at the community college, studying history and selling semi-expensive makeup to moms on the weekends and after school. Billy, meanwhile, promised to get his acted together and, for the most part, he stayed true to his word. He got a job at a hardware store and got you and he out of his grandparents’ house and into a crappy one bedroom apartment, its only selling point was that it was fifteen minutes away from Billy’s job. He worked full time and often took side jobs fixing lawn mowers and bicycles around the neighbourhood out of your storage space. It wasn’t exactly smooth sailing and you often missed each other-when Billy was coming in from work, you were heading out for your evening shift and when you were home, Billy was either at work or in the back of the building, getting coated in gritty grease and oil that stain his clothes and made his hair stink. You only ever seemed to see each other at the end of the night, when you were both too tired to do anything at all.

You were very lonely.

Sure, you had some friends at school and a couple of your coworkers were chummy, but you weren’t close with them. You didn’t hang out outside of school or work with them and Billy’s friends weren’t exactly inviting you along on their poker nights. You spent a lot of nights alone, pouring over your textbooks with the TV on in the background so you didn’t feel completely alone. Billy was your best friend, but he wasn’t exactly around. As you fell into the hum of school and work schedules, Billy fell into his own personal bout of loneliness.

That’s when he met Amber. That’s when he forgot you.

You knew he was cheating in the corner of your mind, but you held out hope that it would pass once you got on winter break. You had a wonderful Christmas with his grandparents, only to be spoiled by a rough call from his father. You got him a watch, monogrammed with his initials, knowing he’d lost his last one to a slippery fingered co-worker. He got you a wrench. In his defence, it was useful, but it certainly wasn’t what you wanted.

After Christmas, Billy fell away again. He was distant, out of the house just as fast as he came in, out with friends all the time and never quite with you when he was around. You craved his attention, to bring him back somehow.

And then, it all came to a head.

You worked that Valentine’s Day, because you and Billy didn’t celebrate anyway and the money would be good for an easy night. You’d painted your face in pretty pink hues and watched the young couples who wandered the mall after school that day with a bittersweet smile. You remembered being like that with Billy just a year prior. It felt silly-you were only nineteen, barely older than them, and yet you were sounding like a disgruntled housewife. You leaned on the counter, watching the clock tick down till you could finally close down the counter for the night and head home. You wanted to head home to your tired boyfriend, sit around on the couch with him, order takeout and relax for the night. It felt like forever since you done that.

But that was at noon. By five, your whole opinion had changed.

You went for your dinner break at four thirty, a small luxury of boring technical holidays where people acted like it was an actual holiday while scrubs like you worked. The only perk of it all was that while couples circulated the mall, they stayed mostly to the Valentine’s themed aisles and the jewellery stores. This gave you ample time to peruse the sale racks of expensive shops, digging around for good deals and having sales clerks mostly ignore you, a welcome thing for you.

You usually wouldn’t find yourself in the expensive lingerie shop on your break-it was full of overpriced bits of strategic lace and mesh in pastels and silks and satins. But, to your surprise and joy, they were having a sale for Valentine’s Day only and, even better-it was actually a decent deal. You went in hoping to get one new decent bra and then maybe look at the silly themed lingerie; if any of the panties were on sale you’d buy them, no amount of hearts would or could ruin a good deal on nice undies.

That’s when you saw him-Billy, mulling the racks of baby doll sets and lace one pieces’ with the eye of a skilled critic, rubbing the material between his fingers and examining the lace and mesh spots carefully. He looked absolutely adorable and you had half a mind to rush him. But two things stopped you, firstly: you didn’t want to ruin his obvious little surprise for you. It was a sweet gesture, if a little misplaced; there was nothing you’d rather wear less than the French cut magenta one piece he’d pulled with the nipples cut out and the rest of the chest covered in lace. It all looked impractical and itchy.

But the main reason you didn’t burst in on his little shopping trip was simply: someone else did it for you. A Playboy playmate jumped on his back, grinning like a fool and pressing long, fast kisses on his neck and cheek. You found yourself dumbfounded-suddenly knockoff Sandy Greenberg was pressing herself into your boyfriend and he was pulling her to his chest and kissing her with all the passion your relationship lacked. You wanted to storm them, to hit him and make a scene and cry and make him feel the way you felt as your heart slowly shattered watching them. The playsuit was for her, of course it was for her; the colour suited her bleach blonde hair and sun tanned skin perfectly. You were a forgotten piece of window dressing.

You should’ve slinked away quietly, it would’ve been so much easier and you could’ve saved the screaming match for inside your apartment. Instead, you bought the damn bra and two pairs of silk panties for the fuck of it; you wouldn’t be paying Billy’s rent anymore, you could buy yourself something new.

Before you could stop yourself, you marched over to the pair, now examining stockings and garter belts. You pulled the last bit of cash from your wallet. “Here,” you snapped, pushing the cash into Billy’s chest. His eyes flicked from your hand to yours, realization dawning on him as to what was happening. “Since I’m already paying for you to screw around with her, let me help with the toys.”

“Y/N…” Billy tried softly, watching you carefully. His little girlfriend was already putting distance between him and herself.

“Save it.” you snapped, rushing out and back to Macy’s to hide away behind a counter. You hoped that Billy would stay out of the apartment when you returned home, but a small part of you hoped that he’d be there with a thousand apologizes that you could refuse or accept at your leisure. But you knew that wouldn’t happen-you’d come home to an empty apartment and maybe a note if you were lucky. You guessed your eyes were red when you returned to your counter, because Mallory, your manager, sent you home with a sneer to ‘not use your break to get stoned’. You didn’t particularly care; you went back to the apartment to handle the mess he’d made.

Billy wasn’t home but his stuff was still there. You packed up your clothes and made your break.

That was the last time you saw him.

San Francisco was much better than Sacramento. Costume design was a more fun degree than Russian history. And working for the San Francisco Ballet was way more fun than you expected it to be.

The ballet had run a production of Romeo and Juliet for the month of February, meaning you’d spent all of January switching between quick fixes on costumes for the end of the Nutcracker run for Christmas and making dozens of muted pastel dresses for the choral girls. You weren’t the head designer, you weren’t even the head of a design group, you were simply a seamstress for the company, building tutus and skinny little dresses. In fact, your only job of real importance was the slightly awful job of helping the trope’s Prima Ballerina, Henrietta McCoy, break in and then fix her Pointe shoes. How you had gotten this role, only God knew, but you guessed you fixed a hole once and she’d had such a good performance that she insisted on you doing it from then on.

Valentine’s Day was a big performance night-it wasn’t the first performance of the run but it was the most packed. You had finished your alterations and fixes that afternoon and it was not your shift to help with changes. It was your first free night in weeks and you intended to spend it in your pyjamas on your couch with a movie and some overpriced chocolate. But to achieve this you would have to go out to get it.

Usually, you’d till the day after Valentine’s Day to buy chocolate; it always tasted better on sale and you could pick your poison guilt free. Sure, you could’ve spent your night out on the town with Cooper from the company, but you’d rather be on your own on your couch than out at some restaurant with Cooper listening to him drone on about how he was this close to making the lead male dancer for Swan Lake next Christmas.

You made your way into the cooler February night; you only lived a block away from a BlockBuster and a grocery but you still drove, not wanting to risk anything in the dark. There wasn’t going to be anything good left at BlockBuster anyway, so you went in search of chocolate first.

The store was mostly empty, save for the usually struggling husbands and boyfriends who’d forgotten the holiday. You smiled politely at their buffoonery as you passed them, heading for the more expensive chocolate.

And now…the biggest decision of the night: assorted dark or milk chocolate? Were you pretending to be healthy or admitting to your fat assery?

“Since when are you into this mushy shit?”

The voice made you stop dead in your tracks.

You didn’t turn around; if you didn’t turn around he wasn’t there. You tried to hide the shock from your voice as you answered it. “Since…Since when are you in San Francisco?”

“Just passin’ through…You look good, Y/N.”

“I know.” You chose the dark and you almost went for the smaller box.

“You’re not even gonna look at me, are you?” you could hear the confidence waver in his voice. You heaved a sigh and turned around.

The mullet was gone, a definite improvement. He looked different though-bulkier maybe. He looked less like a chiselled god and more…human; still strong, but less toned and tan. His blue eyes still shone with mischief, but there was something else there too. They were less glassy and clearer; less filled with trauma and more focused. His eyes didn’t train your body the way they used to with every girl; they stayed right on your face, in search of something.

“Hi Billy…” you said tightly, crossing your arms over your chest, plastic basket handles digging into the crook of your elbow.

“Ouch, guess I look like shit now, eh?” he joked, though it fell flat.

“You look…different.”

“Bad?”

“No…more mature maybe, but not bad. Just…different.”

Billy hummed, shuffling on the linoleum. “I…I really don’t know what to do with that. Let’s try again: so, what’re you doing tonight? Hot date?”

“Nah, I’m enjoying a much needed night off.” You smirked softly, your mind drifting to pyjamas and movies and the end of this conversation.

“Oh yeah? Work a lot of nights now?”

“Work around the clock now. No rest for the wicked I suppose.” You turned down the aisle, contemplating wine to go with your chocolate. You had a feeling Billy would follow, but you weren’t exactly pleased about it.

“I didn’t think history teachers worked around the clock.” Billy mused.

“I wouldn’t know, I’m not a history teacher.” Billy hummed curiously and you stole a glance behind you, not able to stop the grin that formed on your face as you watch him try to think of other jobs that could be related to history.

“I’m a costumer for the San Francisco Ballet. I spend all my free time starching tulle and making tutus.” You explained, pulling a bottle of red off the shelf, a half decent bottle you’d tried before and didn’t hate.

“I thought you were going to be a history teacher? Like Ms. Barney or whatever…”

He remembered. Curiouser and curiouser…

“Do you remember how shitty we treated our teachers in high school? Why the hell would I submit myself to that? Besides, I was trying to be Russian history major, that’s not exactly hireable. So, I changed to a fashion design major and got a damn degree.”

“I didn’t think you were much of a seamstress; you couldn’t even fix the hole you made in our old couch.” Billy chuckled cruelly and scowled up at him. He was such a douche.

“Okay, one; you made that hole wrestling with Justin high off your asses. And two; I DID sew it back up, and I took the weird jizz stain out of it, but you ripped it again. You stuck your foot right threw it and got stuck.” You snapped bitterly. Billy’s smirk faltered and he crossed him arms over his chest awkwardly.

“I was just kidding…” he muttered. You rolled your eyes, turning back to the shelves and pretending to examine a bottle of rosè.

“I was just…I didn’t know you were into sewing.”

You frowned, raising an eyebrow curiously, turning slowly to face him again. “I pretty much made or refashioned my whole wardrobe in high school…did you not know that?” you asked.

Billy shook his head and, for once, you believed him.

“Well, I did. And I forgot that I liked it so much so, when we…broke up, I reconsidered my life and changed my program. Stuck around in Sacramento for a little while, but once I was done I got the hell out.” You explained, turning and heading towards the cash registers, choosing the smiley girl, twenty at the oldest. You slightly hoped that he’d be more than a bit distracted by her flirty smile bubble gum bubbles.

“You know…we didn’t actually break up…” Billy whispered in your ear as you piled your purchases on the conveyor belt. You pulled away from Billy, his hot breath on your ear wet and all too familiar. He was too close for comfort and too easy to slip back into. Billy hadn’t changed, not really- he was still the giant flirty asshole he was before. Sure, he might have had a change of heart, but his attitude was the same.

“I’m pretty sure me catching you with your side chick buying lingerie was enough of a hint that you didn’t want to be with me anymore. I don’t stay where I’m not wanted.” You explained, smiling politely at the cashier, whose eyes were taking a stroll down Billy’s muscle bound body. You pulled out your wallet and your debit card, flashing it to the girl, who plugged in the payment type into the computer.

“I never said I didn’t want to be with you, Y/N.” Billy said bluntly. You scoffed, rolling your eyes as you swiped your card and plugged in your code.

“Oh of course, you liked that I was paying bills and cleaning up after you.” You muttered, bitterly, grabbing the plastic bag from the girl, who waved Billy goodbye, eyes fluttering softly.

You were more than ready to leave. You’d honestly just wanted to go home, it didn’t matter that you didn’t get a movie, you just wanted to hide behind a locked door until Billy left town again. You rushed into the parking lot, leaving Billy in the dust. Because, at the end of the day, Billy was your first love and you still carried him a piece of your heart. And Billy wanted that piece back, that was clear, and you were nowhere near interested in giving it back.

But Billy didn’t exactly want to see you go just yet. And he wasn’t there for the piece, he was there for the whole heart.

Billy knew he’d fucked up the second he saw you in the mall. He realized how much he’d fucked up instantly. Erika, that was the other woman’s name, was the type of girl he went after before you. It was in a moment of desperation, of boredom and loneliness and dissatisfaction with his life. And she was exciting and new and shrill and phony and self-centred. She was a decent lay and should’ve stayed a one night stand. But, because she was interested and he was bored, he kept going back. He got caught up in the excitement of a new relationship. He didn’t realize how shit he was until he got caught.

And he regretted it so much. Because you deserved better, you deserved the best man he could be and that wasn’t him. All he wanted to do was apologize, to beg for forgiveness, but when he returned that night, practically chasing what he thought was your car, abandoning Erika without a second thought. He swore you were done at four; he would catch you before you left. But you left early and he came home to an empty apartment, your things gone, and no note to give him any clues to where you went. He’d taken all this time to find you again. He wouldn’t have guessed San Francisco.

And now you were leaving again and his chance was slipping away. If you rejected him now, he wouldn’t come looking again. He’d gotten lucky that Tina of all people knew where you had moved, that luck wasn’t coming back. And besides, he knew that his search was more than a little creepy; he really didn’t want to be creepy.

He reached out for you, grabbing your arm and pulling you back. You ripped your arm out of his grasp, but you didn’t turn your back to him, you stared him down.

“Come to dinner with me.” He grinned cockily, shoving his hands in her pockets casually.

You barked out a laugh in utter disbelief “No way in hell!”

“Why not?” Billy chuckled.

“You broke my heart, remember? I caught you with your other girlfriend on Valentine’s day.” You snapped.

“You’re never gonna let that go are you?” Billy said. You scoffed, turning to walk away. This time, Billy let you. He’d fucked up, again. This was not was he was here for

“I’m sorry.” He called after you.

You turned back slowly “What?”

Billy took a deep breath “I’m sorry, Y/N, I fucked up back then and I was unhappy and I made a mistake. I’m sorry I hurt you so much.” He said.

You were stunned; this was not what you were expecting. You nodded dumbly “It’s…its okay, Bill. I wasn’t as happy as I thought I was then.”

Billy stepped closer to you “I want to make it up to you, I wanna fix us.”

“I don’t think we can be fixed, Bill. I think we’re done.” You sighed bitterly, crossing your arms once more.

“I just…I lost you and it made me realize how much I care about you. And not just as like a girlfriend, I think you might have been my best friend.” This earned a small, genuine laugh from you that filled Billy’s whole body with the warmth of a summer day. He pressed on “And when you were gone, I realized how much I needed you. How much I need you. So please, let me try to fix this. I just want you in my life again, I don’t care in what way.”

You stayed silent for a moment, letting his words settle in your mind. You missed him too, you couldn’t deny that any longer. Your eyes fluttered shut as you breathed out a sigh.”Just…just don’t break me again, okay? I can’t bear it.” you whispered.

Billy nodded frantically “I won’t, I can’t I-I would never let that happen again.”

You nodded, more to yourself than him “If you want to hang out, I was gonna rent a movie.” You peaked at him, watching the genuine grin break out on his face. “But nothing scary! You know I don’t like horror movies!”

Billy chuckled “You liked Carrie!” he tried. You smiled much to his relief, smacking his shoulder slightly as you headed for the Blockbuster, just a few shops down.

“Don’t push it, Hargrove.” you said, grinning up at him.

“I won’t.”

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