#crawley x reader

[theladyofmanyfandomsfanfiction]

Good Omens Masterlist

One Shots

Of All The Angels & Demons - Reader, Aziraphale, Crowley (all platonic)

Searching For Crepes - Reader, Aziraphale, Crowley (all platonic)

Bad Day - Reader, Aziraphale, Crowley (all platonic)

The Ineffable Job - Reader, Aziraphale, Crowley (all platonic)

Imagines + Mini Fic

Imagine being the only other angel (aside from Aziraphale) that Crowley likes

Imagine confessing your mishap to Aziraphale and Crowley

Imagine Aziraphale finding you and Crowley fuming at one another

(Return to the Easy Navigate Masterlist)

[rhepworth]

I swear there is barely any Downton abbey x reader fanfic

[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

after all these years. ( robert crawley x reader )

gif belongs to me

There were many guests at Downton over the years, and you and your family worked hard to show great hospitality. However, the arrival of Lord Fernstly proved more than anyone could bear.

You knew your role as Lord Chantham's wife and you liked to believe you had perfected it over the years. You were a gracious host and you displayed genuine interest in your guests. Your childhood was spent with many tutors. You studied literature and music, but your true passion lay with art. Robert took you to art galleries as often as he could just to see your eyes light up and listened as you educated him about the paintings and their artists.

You met Lord Fernstly when you were a young teenager and he was resentful of the estate and title he inherited but loved the power. Once upon a time you bonded over paintings and sculptures and your father had envisioned a great match between you both, but when you met Robert at a society ball you were enraptured by his stories and related to his admission that the socialite life was difficult at times due to the heavy expectations. His knowledge of paintings came from books, while you had seen most of the paintings he named in person. The first time he asked you to dance sparked feelings you had never felt for Lord Fernstly and that night was the beginning of the end of your courtship.

Robert threw his hat in the ring and within a year you were married. Most people often look back at their past choices and wonder if they were right, but you knew from that first night that you were meant to be at Downton.

Due to your social circles, you saw Lord Fernstly more often than Robert preferred. Staying at Downton under the ruse of seeking your advice on buying a painting, Lord Fernstly was filled with compliments for you and your daughters who took after you by appearance.

Since his arrival at Downton, Robert was civil, but you had been married for a long time and knew when he was being sickly polite while he plotted the many ways he'd like to kill someone. And, there is no one he'd like to hurt more than Lord Fernstly.

During meals, you sat next to your husband but tonight you decided to get answers to questions you had regarding the painting he was buying, so you sat next to Lord Fernstly but across the table from Robert. Lord Fernstly reaped the attention and you were flattered that he still praised your beauty after all these years, but were under no illusion about his intentions. Nor was Robert, or your daughters, or the staff. Thomas and Bates kept close tabs on the Lord who always seemed to be popping up wherever you were even when you purposely sought solitude from him.

Tonight you intended to be the perfect host just as you were taught. Unbeknown to you and Sybil, your husband had warned Fernstly on his first night at Downton when he made a sly comment to Robert about 'stealing' you away and Mary was certain that if Matthew hadn't kept the peace the two would have come to blows in the drawing room.

You smiled as Lord Fernstly praised your keen eye for artwork, sipping your wine. "Those trips to the gallery were highly educational." You looked at Sybil as you squeezed her arm gently, "I try to encourage them but they have bested me."

Mary smiled when you caught her gaze.

"I would be hard pressed trying to find someone as remarkable as you." Lord Fernstly said, flashing a charming smile.

"You've mentioned that already." Your husband spoke up and you looked at him to see his hard gaze focusing on Lord Fernstly. 

"Well, when one spends so much time surrounded by it, I can see how easy it would be to overlook it." 

Robert ground his jaw as his mother quietly warned him to drop the subject whilst at the dinner table. "What did you say? Are you suggesting that I overlook her? I can assure you that she is all I see."

In a less hostile atmosphere you could have swooned at his admission, but tonight the air was sticky with the jealous rage radiating from the two Lords.

"And yet I rarely find you together. You seem rather determined to keep her within these walls. I remarked earlier that I rarely see her attend exhibitions at the gallery." 

You straightened your back as you turned to Lord Fernstly in shock. Robert stood up from his chair and tossed his napkin on the table, knocking over a glass.

"I want you out of here within the hour. I will not have you snake around this house any longer." He stormed out of the room with Thomas on his heels and you glanced around the table.

"Are you happy now?" Mary asked, her gaze hard as she looked at Lord Fernstly.

Lord Fernstly excused himself and left the dining room. You exhaled as you met Matthew's gaze.

"Something you wish to share?"

The blond shook his head and you looked at Mary who explained that Lord Fernstly had planned this visit to rile up her father. He had never married which you had found odd as he was a handsome man, but you felt his personality severely lacking, and seemingly other women had as well. Not even his wealth had secured a match.

"If you will kindly excuse me I want to see my husband." You set your napkin delicately on the table, "Apparently we do not see each other enough,"

Tom's lips curved slightly as he met Sybil's gaze across the table when you walked out of the room. You headed to the main hallway, ascending the staircase, pausing halfway when you saw Lord Fernstly approaching with Thomas who was carrying his suitcase.

"Tell me that you see it. You are an intelligent woman, you must see it."

You raised an eyebrow, "What am I to see?" 

"We were always a far better match than you and Lord Grantham." He began, "I would forget these years if you agreed to leave with me tonight."

"Have you gone mad?"

"You need someone who sparks that aching hunger. I can be that person."

"The only burning hunger I feel now is to have you removed from my house. I'll admit I was once enamored by your appearance, but your mind is not as sharp as you think it is. Farewell, Lord Fernstly."

You walked away towards your chambers and found your husband sitting on a chair, his jacket unbuttoned and bowtie undone. You closed the door with a small smile and walked to stand behind his chair, placing your hands on his shoulders.

"You do realize how foolish you are."

"Yes, forgive me for not allowing that swine to flirt with my wife."

You smiled as you leaned down, kissing his cheek. "That is not what I was saying." He raised an eyebrow and you continued, "I was saying that you are a fool to think that after all these years I could ever see anyone but you."

He turned his head slightly, "I am not a lover of the arts such as you are. I have tried to learn, believe me, but every painting or sculpture looks the same."

A giggle left your lips as you moved around the chair to sit on his lap. You placed your hand on his cheek as his hands held your waist, holding his gaze.

"You are a wonderful man. You may not know the distinction between a Mähler and a Goya, but I fell hopelessly in love with you for your wit, your protectiveness, and your good heart." You smiled softly, "So don't think for a moment that I would ever do something as foolish as to give you up. You are the one who holds all the cards in their marriage, my dear."

A smile formed on his lips from your admission, an eyebrow raising as he said, "Are you sure? It doesn't feel like it."

You leaned in to kiss him tenderly and his right hand rose to the nape of your neck, bringing you closer as he deepened the kiss, his tongue quickly dominating your mouth, causing you to moan onto the kiss.

You put your hands on his chest as you pulled away, leaving his lap as you spoke. "He said I needed someone to fulfill a burning hunger. A never-ceasing desire...his argument was for knowledge and shared passion for art, however after all these years I have always felt it. From the moment you kissed my hand and told me your name."

Robert stood up and tore the bowtie from his neck, tossing it aside carelessly as he approached you while undoing the buttons on his waistcoat.

"And I you." 

You backed away, climbed onto the bed, and lifted your dress as he hovered over you. You closed your eyes as he kissed your swollen lips, and pushed his jacket and waistcoat off his shoulders. Robert ran a hand along your thigh, rising to your lower back and bringing you closer.

People often looked back on their lives and pictured things differently. But you knew from that first introduction when he kissed your hand and couldn't take his eyes off you, that your life was bound to be entangled with his. And when you recalled the night your father told you that Robert Crawley had thrown his hat in the ring to win your affections, you never regretted telling him that it was the future Lord of Downton you wanted to marry because all roads led to him. And you didn't regret a second of it. After all these years you couldn't imagine being with anyone else, loving or craving someone the way you did him. 

[panic-in-the-multiverse]

DOWNTON ABBEY

Warnings = **

x teen!reader / x child!reader / x daughter!reader / x gn!reader / x reader / x sibling!reader

I don’t own Downton Abbey or any of the characters in it , I only own the imagines that I have created in tumblr or wattpad.

Main Masterlist

DOWNTON ABBEY CHARACTERS

IMAGINE

The Rebel Crawley ** - Thomas Barrow x teen!crawley: being the youngest Crawley sibling and Thomas is your best friend + the one you come to when you face confusion about your sexuality

The Other Sister ** - Matthew Crawley x Crawley!sister: Matthew got turned down by Mary and in desperation propose to you, which you turn down knowing it was only because Matthew got turned down. Matthew however realises that he loves you and not Mary and is now desperate to prove it to you

The Matchmaker ** - Thomas Barrow x teen!Ellis!reader, Richard Ellis x teen!Ellis!reader: You are Richard Ellis little sibling and encourage Thomas and Richard to be together

SERIES

The New Worker ** - Thomas Barrow x teen!reader: Thomas Barrow has a soft spot for the new worker (platonic)

HEADCANNON

[hopefulinlove]

Please please please send in requests!! I am dying for some inspiration!!

Send in any characters/ people you have ideas for!!

[notyour-valentine]

Val, congratulations again on your milestone! You deserve every follower and so many more, darl! I'll join you for a drink and request a wildcard headcanon for Miss Charlotte Crawley.

🍷Join me for a Drink 🍷 - WTDMS: Wildcard Headcanon for Charlotte

[Celebration] [Celebration Masterlist] [Masterlist]

This was written as part of my crossover series Welcome to Downton, Mr. Shelby

Warning: none. (18/21+). I do not consent to my work being translated, copied or posted elsewhere on this platform or any other.

I'll give you two- 

Her favourite childhood stories were the tales of Robin Hood

A noble, unjustly outlawed knight, doing good, helping the poor and being loyal to the king- what could be better?

Also living in Sherwood Forest and having adventures is far more appealing to her than it should have been to a lady

She spent ages 7-13 dreaming about being Lady Marian just waiting to join her Sir Robin

When she was 11, she tried to get away with only wear green and the occasional red, but she couldn't get by her mother's insistence to put her mostly in whites 

But she does get away with green ribbons which she wears like a tourney knight carrying a favour 

Mary teased her endlessly about it, which makes her keep it to herself. However, she did manage to keep a few songbirds which she called Scarlet (after Will Scarlet), Dale (after Alan-a-Dale), Fair (after Friar Tuck) and Little (after Little John) without Mary finding out the meaning of their names

Her copy of the Tales of Robin Hood is one of her prized possessions, kept in a secret box which she hid well which holds most of her secrets and trinkets which only Sybil knows about

She is also incredibly giddy about the fact that she could one day have a son and name him Robert, to call him Robin, and claim it would be after her father (but secretly it would be after her favourite childhood hero) 

And a second one for the history buffs: 

Before the war, during the social season she'd spend the summers in Scotland at Duneagle with her extended family. It made her absolutely fall in love with Scotland and made her grow rather close with her cousin Rose

A lot of aristocratic children too young for the social season were left behind and spent the holidays together before the war

During these summers, she became great friends with someone, at that time, called Bessie Bowes-Lyon and developed a terrible crush on her brother Fergus, even if he was ten years older than them. 

During the war both girls grew apart as they didn't see each other for four years but they remained cordial and friendly with frequent letters and Charlotte was even invited to her wedding

In the 1920s, it is Bessie’s opinion on Charlotte’s character (someone who is good, kind, loyal, dutiful and obedient when it came down to it) which is the deciding factor in higher ups agreeing to a a scheme by some members of the imperial office and some of the Crawleys, even if it went in the opposite direction of what she wanted and had the potential to ruin her life. 

That is a price, however Bessie and a lot of other people would have been more than willing to pay. 

But as they say, even the best laid plans go awry 

Charlotte wouldn’t find out until years later and it causes a rift between her and Bessie that wouldn’t be solved for more than another decade, making Charlotte one of the very few people to ever receive an apology from her.

~

Thank you @zablife for requesting and participating in my celebration - I hope you liked what I came up with.

Thank you everyone for reading and as always, I hope you enjoyed and would love to hear your thoughts!

If you want to participate in my celebration, click here!

Taglist

Overall

@lilyrachelcassidy @jyessaminereads @chlorrox @watercolorskyy @books-livre @quarterpastmidnight  @lilyevanswhore  @polishcrazyone  @zablife  @just-a-harmless-patato  @stevie75 @flyingjosephine-blog @runnning-outof-time @babayaga67 @butterfly-skinnylegend

Tommy

@knowledgefulbutterfly @babayaga67 @signorellisantichrist @lespendy @geeksareunique @look-at-the-soul

Series Taglist

@rockerchick05 @pulisvertz @budugu @cillmequick @rainybabe25 @theshelbyclan @theshelbyslimited @missscarletta7

[ellecdc]

Poly!Jegulus x Slytherin reader idea

So reader is one of the Slytherin chasers and she gets hurt on one of the Slytherin vs Gryffindor matches (maybe just a sprained wrist, or a concussion, whatever you prefer is good!) and imagine just the two captains losing their cool, its either funny or very chaotic or both, really just craving hurt and comfort

it's so funny because keke and I were talking about this dynamic not too long ago. I fiddled around with the positions etc, hope you don't mind! so glad to have you back mimi 🫶

poly!jegulus x fem!reader who plays keeper for the Slytherin team

It was very clear that Regulus was stressed. You knew he didn’t like having to call you up to play.

“Quidditch players play dirty, amour. Have you seen Barty out there?” he had urged you, earning him a roll of your eyes.

“Good thing I’m not playing against Barty then, huh?”

“Yeah, but you’re playing against the players that are playing against Barty; they’re going to go for blood.”

But this was your job as a reserve player. The Slytherin keeper had a case of mumblemumps and was currently on bedrest, meaning it was your turn to step onto the field.

Regulus had ‘double checked’ your equipment for the sixth time before you swatted him away.

“I’m okay, Reg. I’ve played before, yeah?”

Regulus sighed and looked into your eyes imploringly. “Do not take any unnecessary risks, okay? Especially against those animals.” He muttered.

You snorted a laugh. “You do realise we’re playing our boyfriend, yeah? The captain of those ‘animals’?”

Regulus levelled you with a glare. “Exactly.”

You opted to ignore Regulus’ worried ramblings in French and hyped yourself up for the game. Regulus had been hoping that the keeper would pull through in time for the game and was only willing to call you up a mere twenty minutes ago, meaning you hadn’t been mentally prepared for this.

Perhaps more importantly, neither had James

“WHAT IN THE BUGGERING FUCK IS SHE DOING OUT HERE!?” You heard James shout as he marched over to the Slytherin’s on the pitch, earning him a warning from Madame Hooch.

“Crawley is still in the infirmary.” You explained simply as James made it to you and began fussing with your equipment and uniform in much the same way Regulus had already.

“So what? He’s got swollen glands and a case of the mumbles, he can play sodding quidditch.” He muttered, tightening your elbow pads to almost painful lengths.

“Okay, James, enough.” You began shoving at him, but Regulus came to your defence.

“I’ve already done all that, James.” He sighed, sounding equally as disturbed about this as James did.

“I don’t like it. Maybe we should forfeit?” James mused aloud, earning him a horrified outcry from Marlene and Sirius.

“Like hell we’re forfeiting just because your girlfriend is playing, Prongs!” Sirius shouted at the same time as Marlene cried “I know she’s got a pretty face, but this is quidditch, Potter!”

“You never get this worked up over playing against Black, Potter.” Barty goaded from behind you, earning him a dark glare from Regulus.

“That’s because he’s busy looking for the snitch and well out of the action, Junior.” James sneered back before returning his eyes back to you. “Oh, my poor girl.”

You groaned and stepped away from the boys at that. “This is ridiculous, let’s sodding play!”

With an unnecessary amount of reluctance on his part, James stalked back off towards his team as everyone got into formation for the whistle.

The game was as fast-paced and intense as any game was against Slytherin and Gryffindor; the intense and deep-rooted rivalry causing the air to crackle with electricity.

As was predicted by anyone and everyone who knew Barty Crouch Junior, he was one lunatic of a beater, lobbing the bludgers at the opposing players with an unnecessary amount of force. The chasers on the other team seemed to be taking that in stride for the most part, save McLaggen who appeared to take each hit personally.

Any anxiety you had prior to the game melted away with the ease and familiarity of your broom beneath you and the rhythm of swatting quaffles away from your goal posts. Though James talked a big game of you being in “the thick of it”, keepers were the only players allowed within the vicinity of the goal posts, contributing to a certain amount of protection for those in your position.

Unfortunately, the seventh time McLaggen was hit by one of Barty’s bludgers seemed to be the undoing of this so-far fair-played game.

In a manner that seemed to be fueled by pure rage, McLaggen managed to bypass Barty and the other Slytherin beater, and beelined it for you. You would have been impressed by his skills and quick manoeuvres on his broom but you realised too late that he had nearly made it all the way over to you.

“Oi! Stay out of my zone!” You called at him, alerting the chaser’s presence to Barty.

With little more than a twist of his broom, Barty was barrelling his way towards you and aiming a bludger for McLaggen. You were slowly backing up towards your posts in an attempt to stay in position to block McLaggen’s quaffle whilst also trying to stay out of the way of his broom when he suddenly dropped altitude as soon as Barty’s bludger left his hand.

You looked down as he smiled up at you, realising too late what that meant for you.

Suddenly, your vision went black as the bludger made impact with the crown of your head, and you tasted iron as the wind ripped violently through your hair.

You could hear shouting and swearing, suddenly aware that you no longer had your broom under you; you were freefalling.

Still without sight, you had only seconds to brace yourself before you made impact with the hard ground below you.

Your lungs were being squeezed by a large fist within your chest and your ears were ringing something fierce.

There was warmth; warmth on your head, by your ear, trailing down your neck. It felt good against the wind that had accosted you moments earlier.

There was pressure at your collar bone, and deep within your chest.

The pressure became too much.

You took a gaping breath and with that, the ringing in your ears made way for the chaos surrounding you to permeate your consciousness.

“Okay, okay. Okay, good; good job amour, keep breathing. You’re okay, okay? Okay, you’re okay.” You heard Regulus chant, his voice taut with emotions. “Breathe amour, breathe.”

You took a few more gasping breaths and tore your eyes open, realising then that the lack of sight wasn’t due to inability, but rather your body’s unwillingness.

“Hi, hi amour. You’re okay.” Regulus said breathlessly, his eyes scanning between the two of yours before flitting up to something above you.

Your hearing was still fuzzy but you could hear something happening out of your line of sight.

“Yelling.” You choked out, coughing through the pain of having had the wind knocked out of your mere moments ago.

“WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING, MCLAGGEN? THE KEEPER ZONES ARE OFF FUCKING LIMITS.”

“It’s okay, amour. Don’t worry about that, just keep breathing for me, okay?” Regulus urged, placing a gentle hand on the juncture of your neck and shoulder causing you to wince in pain.

“Mr. Potter, you need to calm down.” Madame Hooch could be heard from behind you.

“I’ll do no such thing! He fucking orchestrated that! YOU LET YOUR BEATERS TAKE CARE OF OTHER BOTHERSOME BEATERS! YOU’VE BEEN PLAYING QUIDDITCH FOR SODDING YEARS, YOU KNOW WHAT JUNIOR IS LIKE.”

“Oi! Get your fucking hands off of me!”

“You’re off the team. You’re DONE. Get the fuck out of my sight.”

You heard what sounded like McLaggen storm off towards the locker rooms as Madame Hooch let out a sigh.

“The game is a draw, Slytherin is forced to forfeit with no keeper. Everyone off the pitch.” She droned in monotone.

“Jamie.” You whimpered, your sinuses suddenly swelling painfully.

“Hey! Hey babylove, I’m here.” He said quickly, quietly, gently; his voice a dramatic change from the way he’d been speaking to his team moments ago.

“I’m okay.” You stated, though it sounded more like a question with the way your voice tilted upwards at the end.

“Of course you are, you’re such a strong girl.” He agreed readily, offering you a sad smile. You chuckled self-deprecatingly and lifted your hand to wipe your tears as they trailed into your hairline, grimacing when your hand came back bloody.

“Just a bump, yeah?” James said lightly, causing Regulus to sniffle.

“I think she hurt her collarbone too.” He whispered as if speaking any louder would cause his voice to break and the tears to fall.

“Okay, alright.” James said as Madame Pomfrey arrived with a gurney. “Head injury and possibly injured collarbone.” He relayed to the matron. 

“Thank you, Mr. Potter. Mr. Black, I’ll take over now; please step aside.”

But Regulus didn’t seem able to let go.

“Mr. Black.”

“Come on, Reggie. We’ll follow her up, yeah?” James tried gently, pulling at Regulus’ shoulder so that the matron could levitate you onto the gurney. 

“We’re right behind you, okay sweetheart?” James called after you as he held Regulus to his side, and you let unconsciousness pull at you with the knowledge that they were following you back to the castle. 

“I’m going to fucking kill him, Pads. I’m going to skin him alive and put his head on a spike on the Gryffindor stadium.” 

You heard Sirius chuckle at the sound of James’ dramatics, though he never bothered to argue with his mate. 

“How is it that you’re such a lover boy and my brother is such a gremlin; but anything happens to her and the two of you trade personalities?” Sirius taunted. You heard a shuffle, a grunt, and then an ‘oi!’ before the sound of Remus’ voice permeated the infirmary.

“Alright, alright. Pads, get off your brother.”

“And then, and then! I’m going to mail his ear to his mother with a note saying “you raised a fucking wanker”.” James continued as if no one had said a word.

“Y/N?” You heard Remus ask, causing the shuffling of your boyfriend and his brother, and the musings of your other boyfriend to come to a halt as they waited with bated breath for you to open your eyes.

“There she is.” James sighed in relief as his eyes met yours, his smile only at a fraction of its usual wattage, though it was still enough to brighten up the grim infirmary.

“Hi.” You croaked, wincing as your stretch was impeded by a sling on your arm.

“No, don’t.” Regulus whispered, brushing your elbow with a touch that was barely there. “Madame Pomfrey reset your collarbone, you’ll be in the sling for a few weeks.” He explained.

“Gives us all the more of an excuse to fuss over you, yeah?” James offered, clearly trying to keep spirits up.

Though you knew James was likely just as worked up about your injury as Regulus currently was (if not more, if his threats of murder and mutilation were anything to go off of), he was making an effort to be strong for both of your sake’s.

“Reggie, I’m okay.” You pressed, taking Regulus’ hand in yours that wasn’t currently pressed to your side. 

“I know.” He whispered back.

“So are you.” 

Regulus’ face crumpled at that and he slowly lowered his head to rest on your abdomen.

“Glad to see you up and at’em, Y/N.” Rem smiled at you as Sirius shot you a wink before patting Regulus on the shoulder and leaving the three of you some privacy. 

“Reggie, babe.” James murmured, moving to stand behind Regulus and rub at his shoulders soothingly. “You’re going to get tears and snot all over our poor girl’s jumper.”

“Sod off.” Regulus mumbled into your stomach, causing you and James to chuckle. 

Regulus’ head popped up at that, and he looked at you shyly from red rimmed eyes behind black curls falling over his forehead. 

“You promise me you’re okay?” He whispered, rubbing his thumb back-and-forth over your knuckles.

You nodded and offered him a small smile. 

Regulus sighed and sat up, rubbing at his face. “Good.” He said simply as he stood.

“I’ve got a Gryffindor to kill.”

He placed a gentle kiss to your temple and stalked out of the infirmary before your horrified glance moved to James who stood passively at the end of your bed.

“James!?” You asked, gesturing with your good arm towards the entrance.

James shook his head and waved you off. “Don’t worry; Pad’s and Moony are on watch out there. We knew once you woke up he’d be on a warpath.” 

You let out a surprised laugh as James casually took Regulus’ vacated seat beside you and picked up your good hand.

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Just sore.” You offered with a nod. 

“Well, I don’t like that you got hurt, but I do like getting to take care of you.” He said salaciously, pressing a kiss to the back of your hand. 

You shared a soft smile with James before you heard screeching. 

“I need a healer!”

James brows furrowed as he turned to see 1) McLaggen holding a jumper to his face leaving a trail of blood droplets behind him and 2) Regulus, Sirius, and Remus walking back towards your bed far too nonchalantly for your liking. 

“You were supposed to stop him!” James shouted at Sirius as he gestured to Regulus.

Sirius smirked. “Oh, we did.”

James let out a surprised scoff. “Then how’d he manage to maim McLaggen?”

“I didn’t have to.” Regulus replied simply, sitting on the end of your bed and pulling your feet into his lap as he massaged them through the blankets. “Barty got to him first.”

[jaegeraether]

Sunsets and footballers (Part 32)

Lucy Bronze x Reader (30)

Masterlist (other parts here)

YFN’s back hit the wall as she expelled several gasping breaths, the wave of relief flooding over her indicative of just how scared she was. Still, it was a surprise.

Lucy’s big green eyes behind her clear framed lenses were filled with worry. She crossed the room in a matter of steps, pulling the shower door open to see her little Australian backed into the corner of the shower with wide eyes, holding her toothbrush up like it would protect her somehow. It would have been comical if it weren’t for the fear.

“Little one..”

“L…Luce? What are you-”

She was cut off by Lucy enveloping her, her arms wrapping around her and pulling her head to rest on her favourite place, the little area where Lucy’s collarbone met her neck. Vanilla and bitter orange. Lucy was there and everything was okay. Lucy felt her grabbing at her clothes tightly, not wanting to let the footballer go and her heart broke feeling her body shaking.

“I didn’t mean to scare you… I didn’t think you’d be awake still,” she said softly into her hair.

“I thought it was…someone else.”

Now Lucy was even more worried. She pulled back just enough to look at her. “Who?”

“S..some photographer from the game in Crawley. He was taking photos and then he followed me here..”

Lucy saw red. She pulled away and began turning when YFN caught her. She looked back at her pleading eyes.

“Please don’t leave me.”

Just when Lucy thought her heart couldn’t break any more. She touched her cheek with her fingertips softly. “I need to make sure you’re safe. I’ll be a few minutes… stay here please, little one.”

Lucy was quick to check around the apartment, and outside. She’d noticed an idling car outside when she’d arrived in her uber, though it was now gone. She came back inside and locked the door as she found YFN exactly where she’d left her.

She leant up against the frame of the shower and looked at the woman who’d been the only thing on her mind for the past week. “It’s just us.”

She breathed another sigh of relief, still comfortable with her back in the corner and Lucy could sense the thoughts of her dad running through her mind. She tried to distract her.

“Is that my toothbrush?” She asked.

YFN looked down at the little blue toothbrush in her hand, not realising she was still gripping it tightly.

“Yes.. but I wasn’t using it..” She explained. “I just missed you.”

Lucy shook her head as if it would rid her of the amount of feelings she had for the women in front of her. God, the amount of love she had for her. It was a tingly, vulnerable, excitable feeling. One that always left her feeling simultaneously scared of its power and so happy she knew she’d do anything for her. This was that poetry love.

Lucy took a step forward and gently extracted the toothbrush from her hand and placed it back where it belonged. She returned and stood so close to her girlfriend that their bodies were touching in multiple places, and YFN had to look up to hold eye contact with her.

“We need to talk.” YFN whispered a little nervously, though Lucy didn’t know whether it was from the impending talk or their proximity.

“Yes, we do. But first.. let me make you a hot chocolate and get you calmed down, okay?”

She phrased it like a question when it wasn’t. Without waiting for a reply, she bent down and picked up her little Australian who almost gladly wrapped her legs around Lucy’s waist like a koala. She held her tightly as she walked them out to the living area and headed for the couch. YFN’s grip around Lucy tightened.

“I want to go where you go.”

She paused and stroked her back, diverting them to the kitchen where she placed her on the kitchen island. YFN couldn’t keep her eyes off of her, still unable to believe she was there with her. Wasn’t she just in Spain at a game five hours ago? Lucy looked tired from her day, her game, her flight. Her hair was in its typical messy bun after the game though she was now in track pants, slides with socks and a simple salmon colour shirt that she hadn’t seen before. As she turned around and opened the fridge, she couldn’t help but look at just how good her ass look in those pants.

Lucy groaned as she realised that – of course – there was no milk. She closed it and turned around to YFN who was staring at her as if waiting for her to realise, her lips pressed together holding a smile at bay but her dimples giving her away. She held up her phone.

“We can order some?”

Lucy sauntered back over, keeping that heavy eye contact until she was back in between her legs dangling from the edge. She put an arm back down on the counter, her hand finding a place on YFN’s outer thigh as she took her phone. YFN watched as Lucy was distracted ordering their drinks, looking at Lucy’s finer details. They were the things she missed. Her freckles, her Spanish tan, her dark brown hair she loved to dye, her goddamn jawline. She hesitated a second before she reached out and smoothed a few outlying strands of hair with her fingertips. Lucy leant into her touch, still typing on the phone and it were almost as if no time had passed. The natural chemistry between them was undeniable.

“We need to talk.” She said when Lucy was finished, removing her hand unwillingly.

Lucy placed her phone on the bench and turned back to her, finding those eyes again. “Yes, we do. Where’s your overnight bag? I didn’t see it in our bedroom.”

The fact that she said our bedroom didn’t go unnoticed by YFN, nor was it supposed to. She bit her lip.

“It's… in the other room.” She said quietly. Lucy didn’t even try to hide the look of hurt she felt, though she knew better than to question it given what they’d been through the last several days.

Lucy grabbed her knees, pulling her to the edge of the counter and encouraging her legs back around her waist as she picked her up and carried her to the couch where she almost unceremoniously dropped her.

“Stay.” She said, pointing at her. YFN did as she was told, folding her legs and leaning back into the corner of the couch. She watched as Lucy left to the spare room and then returned shortly later carrying her bag and toiletries with purpose to Lucy’s room. YFN smiled at that and bit by bit, her heart felt like it was mending, though she was fully aware that they still hadn’t spoken about the series of unfortunate events.

Lucy came back and kicked off her slides, taking up the opposite corner of the couch just far enough away that they couldn’t touch, even with her outstretched legs.

There was a long pause as they stared at each other with longing and nervousness. YFN decided to break the ice first.

“Hi, Luce.” YFN said softly, pulling a pillow to her chest so she’d feel the need to touch Lucy less.

Lucy smiled at that. “Hi, little one.” Her voice was tired and husky and still managing to make YFN’s heart jump.

“I miss you.”

Lucy let out a long sigh and it sounded almost like relief. “I miss you too.”

“I know I have no right-”

“You have every right.” Lucy cut off. “Every right. We are still together.”

They were still together. That was a good start. “We need to talk..”

Lucy sighed. “Yeah, we do. Can I start please?”

“Okay Luce.”

“Okay… let’s get the main thing out of the way. Ona and I are not together, and we never have been. Never been together, never slept together. She tried to kiss me once before I knew you, but I stopped her. She was drunk and I… wouldn’t have let her do it anyways. She eight years younger than me, little one. She’s going to be my successor as right back at Barca. I helped her move from United, I gave her a place to stay for a few weeks, and she’s been a really good friend to have in the city because I don’t speak much Spanish. I have Keira but… that’s not the same anymore, and it’s good to have other friends. Now, I know Ona likes me, and what I’m about to say is really selfish, okay?” She took a breath and shook her head like she was ashamed of herself. “It was a mutual split between Keira and I, you know that. I told you about us, but still, suddenly being single and alone in a foreign country was hard. We were together for years. And so I let myself enjoy Ona’s attention. It’s horrible, I know, but I did. I teased and flirted but I would never let it go further than that. And all of that stopped when I met you. Most of the photos you were sent are old and the new ones are just us being friends. I promise it’s nothing more than that and will never be.”

There was silence for a few seconds as YFN took this in. It was the best outcome for her, and she felt her heart healing itself a little more. As it did, she felt disappointed in herself. “Thanks for being so honest with me, Luce. I… I’m really sorry with how I handled all of this. I’m… really ashamed of myself.” She got a little teary and had to stop.

“No. Don’t. Please… I saw the photos, and I know what it looks like. I should have had this conversation with you before but everything between us happened so quick and we didn’t have time.. I was going to tell you when you got to Spain.” She paused. “And I don’t fully understand why you needed space, but I do at the same time. I need you to know that you can trust me, okay? Please.. I know it’s a risk for you, but I will never hurt you. I’d never do that. You’re too important to me… and besides, that’s not me. You know me. You’ve met my family, my friends. You know who I am.”

“Yeah..” She admitted, lips trembling. “I do.”

Lucy was right. She had introduced her to her family and friends. She’d let her in so close, how could she have ever believed otherwise?

Lucy continued. “I’m more than happy to limit my interactions with Ona-”

“No.” YFN replied tenaciously, wiping an ashamed tear away. “No, I don’t want you to do that, Luce. I’ll never make you do something like that to a friend.”

“Okay… regardless I’ll have a talk to her. But please.. don’t believe anything you’re sent.” She made sure their eyes had met. “There’s only you, now. You’re what I want.”

She wanted her. God, it felt like a Jane Austen or Shakespeare romance. YFN stretched a leg out and their feet touched like that night under the blankets hiding it from Jordan. Lucy wanted her. She wanted Lucy. Lucy was here.

“Do you still want me?”

YFN looked up from where they were touching, her eyes finding Lucy’s insecure ones. She responded without even needing to think about it. “I’ll always want you, Luce. I thought when you didn’t call that maybe things had changed for you.. but things haven’t changed for me. Not one bit.”

Relief flooded those green eyes. “About that.. I have an explanation for all of this. You see, my phone-”

A knock came at the door and YFN jumped more than she usually did, given the events of the night.

“It’s just the delivery..” Lucy assured and went to collect it. She came back inside and handed YFN her hot chocolate and a brown paper bag before retaking her position on the couch. She nodded to the bag as YFN was opening it.

“Banana bread and coconut bread. I’m assuming you haven’t had a chance to eat tonight like me. Choose one, and I’ll have the other.”

How did she get so lucky? She looked up at her girlfriend with an excited and thankful smile that made Lucy’s pupils dilate a little. “We share?”

“Okay, little one. But no more talking until we’ve finished.”

She broke half of each off and gave them to Lucy on the napkin that was in the bag. They were warm and hit the spot perfectly with the hot chocolate. She knew she’d be ready for bed soon after that.

Lucy finished first, of course. That woman was always hungry. She waited patiently for YFN, sipping on her hot chocolate and her eyes wandering over her like she was making up for lost time.

“Your phone?”

“Was stolen. By Kristie.”

YFN froze. She didn’t expect that. Kristie was in Spain?

“She’s been watching me train and went to my game. She stole my phone and then told security she’d give it back if she could meet me after the game, so I met her because I had no idea it was her until she was right in front of me. She said some nasty things-”

“What things?” YFN cut off. She couldn't help herself.

“That she sent you the photos. That you were using me for a job and a car and a home. That you don’t know me. Then… she gave me an ultimatum. If I wanted my phone back, I’d need to go on a date with her.”

A feeling of disgust, anger and jealousy built within her. She cleared the emotions from her throat.

“And what did you do?”

Lucy looked unapologetic. “I told her to keep my fucking phone. I booked a flight. Cancelled my phone. Told security to ban her and her friends. My new phone will arrive in Spain tomorrow or the next day.”

Her heart melted. Lucy just jumped on an international flight… to see her. “That’s the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me..” She admitted, knowing that Lucy now held those top two spots, the second being the keychain.

Lucy softened. “You’re more than worth it, my love.”

The lightbulb clicked. “That’s why you didn’t call..”

Lucy nodded. “That’s why I didn’t call. But this needed to be resolved, and I needed to see you, so I asked Alexia if I could leave early so I could pack and feed Narla before my flight.”

“What about training tomorrow?”

“Alexia is letting me start late. I’ll be on the first flight out..”

She looked at the time on the wall. 11:42pm. Lucy was leaving soon.

“Six more days..” Lucy reminded her, noticing where she was looking.

She nodded. Six more days and she’d be in Barcelona with her. Hopefully the next six days would be a lot less dramatic than the previous week.

“Your hand..” She said, looking at the bandage as Lucy took another sip.

“Ah.” She scratched the back of her head a little embarrassed. “I…snapped my iPad in half… when I saw photos of you and Leah.”

That’s right. “Leah is sorting it out, the company posted that because they didn’t know my name.”

“Could have written ‘friend’ instead.” She muttered jealously.

“Is that a little jealousy I hear?” YFN challenged.

Lucy sat up a little straighter. “Yes.” She admitted, forcing herself to accept that insecurity of hers.

YFN put her hot chocolate down and threw her pillow aside, moving along the couch until she was straddling Lucy’s hips. She took Lucy’s cup also and moved it away. She loved that she had the ability to take away Lucy’s capacity to speak. She just stared at her with slightly parted lips, pupils dilating further. She took Lucy’s bandaged hand and held it up to her cheek to appreciate the feel before she turned and kissed the palm. Lucy similarly reached a hand up, her thumb stroking ever so gently over the fading scar cutting YFN’s eyebrow. The complete opposite of the Lucy who had just unapologetically smashed her way through a football game, earning herself a yellow. Their little spell was broken by Lucy’s need to protect her.

“This will be the final piece of evidence needed for the restraining orders. I’ll have them finalised in the next day or so. Promise.”

Lucy’s hands found her hips as YFN’s hands cupped each side of the footballer’s neck.

“Thank you, Luce.”

“Now tell me about the photographer please.”

YFN explained about Mark at the charity event, his comments about Joe, and his photographer at the game. Lucy was angry.

“Who the fuck-”

“I don’t know, Luce.”

“Why the fuck-”

“It’s okay,” she whispered, trying to encourage her to calm a little. “Probably just a little competition. Also, he’s a bit of a misogynist so… there’s that.”

“Don’t be alone around him. I don’t want you alone at stadiums and definitely not in car parks. Make sure someone is always with you. I’ll find out who he is.”

“Okay, my love. Can you do me a favour please?”

“Anything.”

“Don’t push Ona away.” This caught Lucy off guard. “She’s your friend. I refuse to let any of your friendships be affected by me.”

Lucy slowly nodded. “I stopped giving her lifts to training...”

“Start again, please.”

Lucy knew she was right. “Okay,” she agreed. “And if she goes too far, I’ll talk to her.”

“Communication IS key.” She said cheekily.

“Speaking of... is there anything else we need to talk about?”

She thought a little before her cheeks turned a little red. “I..uh..may have asked Joe tonight for a company car.”

“You don’t like Miles?”

She remembered. “Well, I thought…”

Lucy understood, but it didn’t mean she was okay with it. “Cancel it, please. And I need you to accept that what’s mine is yours, okay? I will never regret giving you that keychain. The apartments and the car are yours to use anytime... you know that.”

She did know that. “Okay...” She said. She didn’t like backtracking but knew Joe wouldn’t mind.

“Anything else?”

“Dory’s going to go on a date with Leah.”

“Oh?!”

“I had a good chat to Leah at the event... she actually gave me some great advice about you, Luce... also she really loves Jordan. I spoke to her and she’s willing to let her talk so perhaps it’s less of a date and more of a ceasefire...”

“Leah’s my Captain but if she hurts her…”

“Oh – I sort of already threatened her, so that part is covered.”

Lucy was taken aback and grinned. There was nothing threatening about YFN besides her intelligence and sense of humour. “You’re incredible, you know that?”

She bit her lip. “It’s always a nice reminder.”

Lucy’s hand found the back of her head and pulled it towards her so she could gently kiss her way down that scar with kisses so tender, YFN could barely feel them. As she reached the bottom, her lips stayed on her skin and brushed down over her eyelid, her cheek, to find her lips. They kissed then, unable to help themselves any longer. Their hands held each other tightly as their lips moved together, tongues meeting each other with soft caresses. It wasn’t a sexual need, it was more of a slow and longing kiss, remembering what each other felt and tasted like. Lucy tasted like hot chocolate and coconut, her mouth moving exactly in the way YFN remembered.

YFN broke away first to regain her breath while Lucy’s lips trailed down her chin, her jaw, the side of her neck, down to the little oval between her collarbones and back up the other side.

“I missed you so much.” She admitted against her skin.

“I missed you more, Luce.” She almost moaned. “But right now, I need you to get some sleep.”

Lucy agreed, albeit a little grudgingly. They made their way to Lucy’s bathroom where they each took their respective toothbrushes and brushed their teeth. Lucy finally let herself chuckle when she grabbed her blue toothbrush, looking at YFN who scrunched up her nose and blushed. Did she really think she could defend herself with that?

“I need to shower, little one. I didn’t get a chance between the game and now..”

“Ah, I thought I could smell you.”

Lucy groaned and YFN chuckled, kissing her shoulder. “I’m kidding. Your perfume is all I can smell… I have a request before we sleep, though?”

Lucy looked down at her, eyes darkening and assuming. “Anything.”

“I saw you bully your way through that game, Luce. Your knee looks sore. Can I massage it before bed, please?”

Ah, she was wrong. Probably for the best, they were both incredibly tired but it didn’t stop their ability of both knowing what Lucy thought she was going to ask. “I’d like that..”

“Okay.” She kissed her shoulder again, with more lingering lips. “I’ll bring your clothes in.”

YFN left and found Lucy’s overnight bag dumped in the corner of the bedroom. She must have done that as she was scrambling to find YFN when she’d arrived. She got out her clothes for the night, her shirt, underwear, and shorts. Walking back into the bathroom, she was greeted with the sight of a gloriously naked Lucy Bronze under running water in the shower. She couldn’t help but freeze, and stare. Her body was just a collection of well-earned, bronze muscles from her calves to those thighs that stretched her shorts, her tight abs and V-line, those biceps she loved to hang onto, triceps, traps and lats that you could always see even with a shirt on. Lucy looked up from the soap she was lathering across her and grinned. YFN knew she couldn’t see clearly without her glasses, but she could still see her staring.

She bit her lip and blushed before finding some moisturiser in the bathroom cupboard, knowing that she needed to distract herself to stop her staring. She tried to not look at her after that and it was just a whole bunch of awkward.

“I…uh.. your clothes are right here. I’ll be in there.” She pointed out the door and heard Lucy’s chuckles as she left the room.

Not too long later the shower shut off and Lucy joined her in the bedroom, bringing a cloud of steam with her. To be honest, YFN didn’t know how Lucy wasn’t always followed with a cloud of steam, being as goddamned attractive as she was.

Lucy settled onto her regular side of the bed and leant up against the headboard. With the amount of tension, it would just take one of them to break and start ripping the other’s clothes off, however they both managed to restrain themselves. Tonight wasn’t about sex. Tonight was about love. Their relationship.

YFN worked Lucy’s sore leg just the way she liked and needed it. It was aggravated from the game and needed some release. Lucy groaned and her head leant back against the headboard, eyes closing. Even she didn’t realise how much she needed it. Only when YFN could feel Lucy’s leg start to ease up and become a little happier, did she finally stop.

The two were beyond tired and both climbed under the covers together, naturally taking up their positions wrapped around one another. Lucy gave her a long, lingering kiss on her forehead where her scar was as their body’s relaxed into each other.

“Luce?” YFN asked with a tired yawn.

“Little one?”

“I’m sorry about the airport…”

“It’s okay, love. I said it too soon. I won’t say it again until you’re ready, if you’d like?”

“No,” she said a little too quickly. “No, I really like it when you say it. I… it makes me feel loved.”

Lucy gave a happy hum into her ear. “Good. Because I love you, YFN. So much, you have no idea.” Then half-asleep she said, “Besides, I only said it because-”

She cut herself off, realising that her mouth had spoken before her asleep brain could stop her.

“Because what?”

Lucy sighed. Would she even remember the conversation? They were already basically asleep. She could hear it in her voice. “Because you said it first. In your sleep. You told me you loved me and I…I wanted to say it first.”

YFN was awake enough for that. She’d said it first? Really? Then why wasn’t she able to say it out loud?

She put her lips to Lucy’s throat, kissing that tender spot. “Thank you for telling me, Luce. I’ll get there soon… I’m not sure how long it’ll take but-”

“It’ll take as long as it takes, my love. I know how you feel about me. You tell me a lot when you sleep, anyways.”

YFN blushed and Lucy must have felt it because she chuckled.

“I already miss you.”

“Six days, little one. Come to me in six days.”

[novthewolf]

Two’s company, three’s a family - Part two

Summary : As a cupid, an angel of love, your mission was to make sure everyone was paired up with the right person. Yet you couldn’t get your two most ancient clients to finally end up together. And despite the 6,000 years spent on the case, you couldn’t bring yourself to give them up, oblivious to the actual reason...

Pairing : Aziraphale x Crowley / GN!Reader x Crowley / GN!Reader x Aziraphale (polyamorous relationship).

Parts : Previous - Next

Masterlist : Here

Warnings : Language, mid-violence, near death, slight angst, slow burn, english isn’t my first language.

Words : +3k

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(5 years later)

"Alright, Eden, this is how it's going to be : I'm going to help our dear friend with his little inconvenience while you stay here and eat every bit of grass you want. Okay ?" You said, deadpan.

And the only response from your white Dexter mini cow was a simple nudge against your palm. Aw, how could you resist her when she just looked at you with such cute eyes ? You just couldn't ! That's why you brought her with you in the first place.

"Perfect." You nodded firmly before bending down to kiss your forehead. You started to retreat. The sensation of tall grass touching your shinbone You loved it. Every sensation this world had to offer amazed you and urged you to experience everything. But right now is not the time !

"I'll be right back, sweetie ! Don't wonder off too far !" And you took off towards the meeting location.

Love angels are quite particular creatures with special abilities. As they say, love makes you blind, and even though you couldn't prove that statement, you knew that love allowed you to be blind in other people's eyes. You were capable of becoming invisible. Not all the time, but you could manage to stay this way for a few days if really necessary. You had a lot of free time.

This power was mostly there to permit you to supervise dates, gather information on your clients, and occasionally spy on a demon's secret meeting. If anyone asks, you never do that.

But lately, demons have been more and more pushy with Crowley's results, summoning him to Hell for his report. However, some lower-class demon got brave enough to come up on earth and confront him. They were jealous of the redhead; you smelled the salty taste, similar to burnt meat. And despite how stupid they sounded, they were really starting to cause trouble by sensing Aziraphale's presence and also influencing Warlock.

Thus, you decided to go help the duo by playing bait. Certainly those demons' boss would be thrilled to know they successfully scared off a love angel. Right now, you slowly flew towards the meeting point, watching closely for any aggressive behaviour. Crowley had called them to "calmly" persuade them to leave, as they were starting to draw too much attention.

It wasn't really the case ; Warlock's parents were incredibly lax. But you could always trick most of the supernatural beings since they don't spend as much time on Earth as you three. You gently leaned on a nearby tree, your expression fixed as you followed their movements.

"Go back to Hell ? So you can receive all the credit to yourself ! Don't count on it, Crawley !" The smaller one snarled vehemently.

"It's Crowley, and I really never meant to take your place in a mission you are so obviously deserving of." And he seemed to actually appreciate that; they weren't great at sarcasm either.

"What the.. urgh.. angels ? Have you had any trouble with one of 'them 'em sneaking around ?" The taller one almost gagged when he mentioned them. You knew that one, actually. You leaned in a bit more on your branch, Crowley glancing quizzically in your direction (he probably heard you), and you recognised the guy's features.

Yeah, greasy yellow-ish hair ; his right cheek was necrotic; his hideous teeth were poking out. You were just so glad Crowley had clean teeth; you honestly thank God every day for it. You've met him before during a lot of your missions; he's always there to fricking ruin every one of them. God, sorry, he was so annoying... But you loved tormenting him back. But he was getting really obtrusive in your monthly life, so today you would do your best to put them in a lot of trouble. And set his friend along; you wouldn't want him to feel lonely; you were not that mean.

"Angels ? Naaah, they are way too uptight and skittish to properly go against our forces... Why ? Have you been struggling ?" He was holding back his mockery. Which was a real struggle for him.

"Just that little wuss of an angel. They keep missing me, never brave enough to truly face me. Just waiting for the right moment to get at 'em." he growled. Oh, how strong-willed he sounded, considering he always gave up mid-chase. You looked over Crowley for a second and got almost startled at how dour his face was. You bit your lip and focused back on Bobby (not that it wasn't his name; you just didn't care enough to call him something else).

"Oooh, I'm sure you'll find the right moment to strike once you muster enough courage to step out of your mud puddle." He briefly laughed, sardonic as always.

Heh, the way some demons made their entrance was so flattering. Now, thanks to his taunting, the two have started to get aggressive. I guess that's my cue to go.

"What the fuck did you just say?" The greasy boy said it directly to Crowley.

"Oh, I think you exactly understood what I meant." Obviously, he wouldn't back down ; you didn't expect anything else from him.

Calling off the spell, you stood up. Your legs were wobbly, and you tried to stabilise yourself. And leaned casually against the trunk.

"Well, what do we have here ? Hiding away from the city, I see. Why ? Was I too intimidating for you ?" you bugged. You saw his sludge vest boil, his face scrunching, and his awful teeth showing. His little friend growled behind him, ready to launch right at you. How sweet. Crowley's eyes widened. He leaned back, arms crossed in front of his chest, observing what was going to happen next.

"You... I should wring your neck !" He was an impulsive little thing, so he wasted no time and jumped on you.

You dodged him, if you can call it that : you took off your branch and let him knock his head against it. The second came running in your direction; you decided to let gravity do its thing by letting yourself fall and firmly stepping on his bald head. Wow, I almost slipped there.

You jumped off and landed on the ground. You looked up at Crowley and mouthed to him "Eden". You didn't have the heart to leave her here by herself now that you were going to have a little fun. He rolled his eyes, sighed, but nodded anyway. You knew he had a soft spot for her. You smiled brightly and ran off.

"Don't let her near the Anti-Christ !" the shortest one bawled at Crowley, getting back up.

You halted for a second, quickly building up a plan B.

"Anti-Christ ? Is that so ?" You said, teasingly. You had to turn around, bending yourself into a position that conveyed every bit of smugness you could manage. Crowley's lips twitched upright.

"You idiots !" He snarled.

"Get 'em !" Bobby roared as best as his croaking voice could.

You burst into brief laughter before finally dashing off the scene. If your plan failed, you had a backup. You really liked running, but you couldn't let yourself drown in the feeling.

The smaller one sent an electric shock your way. You leaped up, flew for a brief moment, did a half-loop, and landed back down.

"Hey ! Don't get too flashy now ! You wouldn't want to be seen making an ass of yourself !" You mocked.

"Shut the fuck up !"

Rude...

The town wasn't that far away, and you wanted to get to a more populated area as soon as possible. Because, you know, your weapons weren't lethal, so we depended on your miracles. You were used to the human environment and what they would perceive as coincidences, odd occurrences, and full-on magic. They weren't, and you believed they weren't that dumb to expose themselves too much or hurt anybody.

Bobby had summoned a huge pit right in front of your feet. Luckily for you—not much for them—you had explored everything your human body could do, including physical effort. You grounded your feet, flexed your slightly trained legs, and leaped over the trap.

You took a sharp turn, arriving in some kind of small square, and climbed up the metal fence, winning some time. Now that people could see you, you started running, but no one was in sight. Ugh. Ooh, expect those two wild geese, plainly walking around. You smiled, determined. You materialised your bow and visualised their bound. Mmh ! Better than you expected. You could give it multiple forms; get utterly creative. This time it looked like a mini-crossbow for stealth. You put your weapon on your forearm, aimed for their chest, and let go. The geese quacked, chocked by the sudden rush of emotions. Bound complete.

You skipped past them like an antelope, nearing the entrance of the park, leading into town. More people wondered in the street, and some intended to enter the square. Worry squeezed your chest ; your breathing was itching. Please don't hurt them.

They didn't bother slowing down, recklessly running in your direction. Your brows frowned, irrated by their stupor. Mud Pie ignored the cuddling geese and violently pushed a man's shoulder with his.

"Hey ! What in the bloody hell is wrong with you, man ?" The man yelled after him, holding his arm in pain.

You took a step back. No holding back. Two were too much of a handful right now; you had to get rid of one of them.

You took two steps back. So, unwillingly, you miraculously shoved one of the geese onto the second guy. Panicked and certainly repulsed by his slimy appearance, the poor thing started to attack the pariste with all its might. Without a second thought, the mate started chasing as well. The demon desperately tried to shove the two off, but so satisfyingly failed.

You didn't have time to further appreciate the show, as your dear friend didn't even glance in his companion's direction. He was like a bulldozer, ready to wipe you off the map. You took a step back and collided with an old woman.

"Oh, I am so sorry, madam ! I really apologise !"

"No worries, dear, but why are you in such a hurry ?"

The road was right here, and you saw a car coming your way. Go across and let the car hit him. Let's go.

"Mh... Life's too short ! You must enjoy it," you said, sending a happy memory orb her way. No time to waste !

You ran as fast as was naturally possible to the other side. You looked over to the other side. Everything was blurry. Great. He was coming. The car ? Not fast enough.

The black car seemed to accelerate at the last crossroad and was steering incredibly fast. Come on, come on ! Knock him out.

He was crossing the road ! ... But you gasped in terror when you saw him pulling the grandma with him. He had pushed her as well, in front of him.

His eyes snapped at the car and morphed into those of a deer caught in headlights.

He walked forward, taking the woman with him in the process. They both fell to the ground abruptly.

The car brutally stopped.

"Miss !" you cried, fright gnawing at your insides. You dropped to your knees and shoved the mud boy away from her, checking for bruises. Broken wrist. You winced and very discretely healed it. You scanned your surroundings and almost felt your ears peek up in interest.

The Bentley.

Crowley.

"Sorry, Madam, for the incident. I hadn't expected to so suddenly cross the road," he said, his glasses hiding the not-so-guilty expression. "You were lucky this man was here to save you". The smirk he wore was devilish; he barely hid his nature, and you were honestly surprised no one had found out his true nature yet. It was so obvious.

A crowd had formed around you, people helping the poor granny and the cunt up. Crowley approached, trying his best to correct his walk.

Oh, that's right ! Where did he go ?" A bystander wondered, searching for the mysterious, dirty man.

"Maybe he's shy and couldn't appreciate all the praise he would receive for saving a person's life." You smiled in your own charming way to dispel all suspicions. Still, the secret meaning behind it made Crowley scoff.

"Will you be alright, ma'am ?" you asked.

"Oh, don't worry, dear. It's always good to know that my heart can still go through so many emotions and still be up and running." Her lighthearted laugh brought a small, tender smile to your face. You parted ways and went to Crowley.

"C'mon, sweetheart, I'll give you a lift home," he said, looking away. He seemed upset, so you tried to humour him.

"Really ?! Can I drive ?" You beamed at him, your eyes eager to receive a refusal.

"Never. Again." His teeth were grinding so much that you wondered if they would break. You pouted but didn't insist. Suddenly, you remembered your little companion.

"Eden ! Oh, my poor girl ! Where is she ?" "You grabbed the demon's arm. You were actually much more tactile than Aziraphale and him, but they got accustomed to it.

He stopped, looked back, and rolled his eyes.

"Don't worry, I put her in the trunk of the car." He nonchalantly explained as he sat down.

Wait... W-Where...

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

You absolutely didn't want to live with your poor baby in a small, cramped place, so Crowley accepted to go back near the dear little Anti-Christ place to check on your mini cow and pick up Aziraphale. You quickly got rid of your seatbelt and raced out.

When you opened the trunk, you sighed when you heard Crowley complaining about your "brutality.".

Mh, at least I'm not a barbarian who stuffed a baby cow into the back of a car.

You stopped mid-thought when you saw what the interior really looked like. Crowley had manipulated the space inside and made it wide enough for Eden to fit in nicely. It looked like a small meadow, too.

"Aww, Crowley !" you squealed in his direction as he was pretending not to see you.

"Ooh, my dear baby Eden ! Are you okay ? Are you good ?" You reached out and pulled her out. She rubbed her head against your belly and mooed lovingly. You kissed her forehead.

"Ooh, you really took good care of you, huh ? " You quickly glanced at him and saw him tensing up. He knew what you were going to say, and you smirked, delighted. "Yeah, you're right, he really likes you ! I totally agree. What a nice guy he is indeed."

"Don't you call me that !" he exclaimed, literally fuming.

"Shh, don't scream this way at her!" you lightly scolded.

"Oh, like hell, I'm going to let you insinuate things like that," he groaned. So easy.

You started to jump around, going down slowly like a feather. Eden happily did the same.

"I'm solely stating facts! You are a good demon—ah!" you screamed, surprised when he started to try to catch you.

"Come down here, you little minx !" He snarled, frustrated at your agility.

You stooped your tongue out, Eden still running around cheerful as always.

"What are you two doing ?" A familiar voice asked, deeply confused and surprisingly joyful at the same time.

"Aziraphale ! Hi !" you waved as your feet connected to the ground again.

Crowley was right behind you, hands twitching and mumbling complaints mixed with threats. Even if you knew that the angel had already seen the upset and irrated side of Crowley, you still needed to point out his good deeds!

Every opportunity mattered!

"Is everything alright ?" No time to worry ; you've got to praise!

"Yes, yes, of course ! It's just that Crowley doesn't want to admit how nice he's been today." You got behind the raging demon and gently shoved him towards Aziraphale.

"Oh, really, Crowley ? How come ?" He teased and smiled almost slyly.

You slowly backed off, letting the two interact in peace.

"Argh, it was nothin'. Just some demon who tried to jeopardise the mission, and Y/N over there immediately jumped in and lurked them away." He looked at you while saying it. You smiled with tight lips before I tilted my head for him to continue.

"And, urgh, well, I followed them and helped get rid of the nuisance." It almost burned his tongue.

"Aaand, you made Eden a comfy little space in the back of the Bentley!" you said, in the most jovial tone, making him growl.

"Aww, Crowley ! So do you have a soft spot for her, uh ?" He looked so touched. He was so adorable, you couldn't help but smile. Crowley looked bashful for a second before turning away.

"Oh, shut up. I only did it because I know what an awful thing you two feed her, so I just thought she deserved a little treat." He calmly taunted.

Awful things ?! Wait up a minute, mister !

Aziraphale regularly accepted keeping Eden with him when you had to work for a long time. He even arranged a room for her; he was very fond of her. And the food you gave her was the most healthy grass and hay you could find. Aziraphale was the one who helped you pick up a kind.

"She's perfectly healthy and happy; thank you very much !" You sprinted his way. He held up his hands in innocence, though his smirk revealed his thoughts.

"Of course, but also utterly bored." He leaned in, his smugness emanating from his whole body.

"Sure." You crossed your arms. "Because you know everything about having fun, Mister, I will never let you drive !" Yes. You were pouting. No. You will not apologise.

"Ooh, believe me, sweetheart, you're lucky I even let you near it."

Alright, so Crowley might not have appreciated how you drove the Bentley, but you both ended up having a great time ! Well, you and the car. But since you had driven with so much energy, it actually encouraged the demon to steer a little bit slower. You just shrugged the comment away.

"She's not a kart nor a race car, for that matter !" He exclaimed, throwing his arms everywhere.

"Don't underestimate her ; she's capable of a lot of things." You closed your eyes and nodded slowly. "Ah, such a shame you don't realise it..."

Speaking of realizing...

Shit. Aziraphale.

Great work, love angel. You felt bad for neglecting him and a weight settled on your shoulders.

"Anyway ! How was your day, Azi' ?" You gazed back, ignoring Crowley's ramble. The angel was facing the horizon, his absence crystal clear in his eyes. He snapped out of it, though, and a tight smile crept in.

"It went perfectly well, thank you ! Now, can we please head back to the bookshop so we can discuss our respective summonings ?" His hands were joined behind his back as he went to climb in.

"Of course ! W-Wait ! I'll go behind; this way I'll be close to Eden." You laughed nervously. Damn, you were way smoother with your other clients than with these two.

"No problem, Y/N." He simply said and smiled at you sweetly. Ah, what an angel, right ? Unworthy was what you were.

You heard Eden mooing in protest as Crowley picked her up to stuff her in again.

"C'mon, big girl, in you go- no ! No ! Not the jacket !" You tried to suppress your laughter at the sight.

"Hop on in, dear."

Aziraphale was holding the door open for you. You overdid your bow and got comfortable on the back seats, with the guardian doing the same after you. You felt guilt watching you from afar, ready to slay your throat.

"Let go, Eden ! Let go ! AAARGH-"

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"No need to overreact..."

"Overreact ?! She ate my jacket! Ugh... so ungrateful..."

Aziraphale shot him a disapproving look but didn't add anything; instead, he grabbed the torn fabric and fixed it.

"There. All gone."

The angel sat back on his seat but couldn't keep his eyes from rolling as Crowley kept on wailing about your mini cow's "betrayal". As for you, you enjoyed being the only one back there and having all this space to yourself.

You safely lay there, your mind drifting as you watched the pair talk to each other. A mushy smile painted on your face. The gentle melody of the song "Too Much Love Will Kill You", by Queen, gave the impression of a waltz in your small, confined space. Your hand was massaging your scalp to sooth you and your drumming heart. Your smile fainted with a sigh. Control your emotions, you repeated to yourself. But when you felt, you lived it thoroughly. And deep down, you suffered from it. You weren't supposed to be here. You weren't supposed to bring an angel and a demon together. And you weren't supposed to stand in between them.

Your hand slide down your body and firmly grabbed your right arm. Aziraphale was upset; you sensed it through your own emotions. He was hoping to spend time with Crowley alone without you teasing him for your own amusement. You couldn't stand in the way. You didn't want to ruin it for them. You were running out of time.

Stay away from them. Let them be...

Your chest ached as tears welled up in your eyes. The seats squeaked as you turned around, your back facing the road. Eyes shot tight, lips shivered, and a lonesome whimper crossed the barrier of your mind. The sound alerted the angel, his nature urging him to react.

"What's wrong, dear ? Do you feel ill ?"

His concern will be your death.

"Just worried, that's all," you lazily replied, seeking to close the conversation as soon as possible and give your spotlight away.

Don't worry about me...

"No need; I'll be there to help you ! Once we get to the bookshop, we'll plan out our side of the story and stick to it." You felt his eyes on you.

Forget about me...

"Don't fuss about it." Crowley said as well. "Y'know, they're... well, they're not very bright." He laughed in a breath. Aziphale couldn't restrain himself from laughing either.

A smile brushed your cheeks, not strong enough to remain there, but warmth at least tried to make its way to your heart. You looked up hesitantly, and your eyes met Aziraphale's... affectionate? You blushed involuntarily. Not affection, but compassion. Sympathy even !

Bashful, you quickly turned your eyes and looked at the interior mirror. Crowley must have sensed your eyes on him, because he almost instantly looked up at you through the mirror and winked. You rolled over again and hugged yourself tightly.

Mmph...

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

I didn't expect it to be so long, but if I continue it would really be way too long 😭

Hope you enjoyed it ! I'll try my best to post once a week !

Parts : Previous - Next

Tag list : @legendary-maddie @kpop-athena @drugs-for-memes @emo-queer-boi @cunning-girl @mochikofi

[onceuponaoneshotfanfic]

Playing Pretend (Part 3)

Dinner, dessert, and realizing someone might get hurt.

Roy Kent x Reader

2.8k words

Warnings: Language, plenty of pining, "only one bed" trope I guess

A/N: Came out a bit longer than I intended, but I'm not complaining!

Series Masterlist

Roy’s arm was still wrapped around your shoulder, fingers tracing circles on your bare skin as he laughed at something your brother-in-law said. Another reason you’d picked Roy to be your fake boyfriend: he got along perfectly with your family and didn’t need to create some fake personality to make them like him. They adored Roy. It was probably your dad’s deepest dream to have the two of you get together.

You had caught the look on your dad’s face as he watched you across the room. His smile was that soft, gentle smile, the one he’d worn when you were a kid receiving an award, or when you learned to ride a bicycle, or when he helped you move into your first place all on your own. It was his proud, I love you so much smile. And it broke your heart a little, knowing that he’d be so sad when you and Roy “broke up” after the wedding. Almost as sad as you would be when the weekend ended, and Roy went back to just being your friend’s big brother who you pined after in silence.

But for now, you laid your head on his shoulder as your older sister shared some silly story about your nephew, enjoying the rumbling you felt when he chuckled, that gruff sound that made your heart skip a beat.

He leaned close and whispered in your ear, “How’m I doing?”

Ignoring the shiver his breath sent down your spine, you nodded. “Perfect,” you answered quietly. Just as your gaze flickered down to his mouth, wondering how many kisses you could get away with by excusing them as part of the “act”, a housekeeper came in and announced dinner, asking everyone to follow her to the dining room.

Roy was on his feet immediately, holding his hand out to help you up. “Feel like I’m on an episode of fucking Downton Abbey,” he hissed, smirking.

“What do you know about Downton Abbey?” you teased with a laugh.

“I know you’ve got a fucking thing for Matthew Crawley,” he shot back, raising his eyebrows at you.

Feeling like you were being watched, you gripped Roy’s arm affectionately. “Is someone jealous?” you cooed.

“Maybe,” was the small growl before Roy’s lips connected with yours again for a brief, heated moment that made your heart skip a beat. “Is this alright?” he whispered, nose brushing affectionately against yours as everyone else walked past the two of you. “The kissing?” His eyes were full of concern, a look he often gave you when he got protective. As any guy would of his baby sister’s best friend- right?

You shrugged coyly. “Getting to spend my weekend snogging a handsome footballer kind of helps take the sting out of the whole ‘my sister is marrying my ex’ bullshit.”

The smile he wore was a surprised one. “You think I’m handsome?”

“Oh, shut up, you know you are,” you tutted, giving him a playful shove as you moved past him into the dining room. With your back to him you missed the fierce blush that covered his face as he shook his head and watched you, that big smile remaining despite no one being around to see it.

Once everyone had settled in their seats, Jim’s dad raised a glass. “Thank you all for joining us to celebrate our only son and his lovely bride-to-be,” he started, nodding to Jim and Lauren, who sat directly across from Roy and yourself. “It’s going to be a very busy weekend, so it’s nice to have the opportunity to have our first official meal as a family before the festivities.” His eyes lingered on you for a moment, wistfulness flickering across his face for a brief moment.

When you and Roy had arrived at the house and were searching for your room, you’d bumped into Jim’s parents in the hall; there was a lot of clearing of throats and avoiding eye contact from all three of you as you re-introduced them to Roy, informing them that the two of you were now dating. Jim’s mother looked almost disappointed at the news, the corners of her mouth tugging downward, before recovering and offering her congratulations.

Jim’s dad continued his little toast. “I hope this weekend is full of wonderful memories for our new family and that this is the first of many celebrations we share.”

As everyone raised their glasses in agreement, Roy reached under the table for your hand, despite the fact that no one could see it. While you marveled at how determined he was to convince the whole table of your farce, Roy knew the truth: he wanted to hold your hand, plain and simple. And after all this time, this weekend finally gave him excuse to hold it as much as he wanted. There was no way he was going to waste that.

He did reluctantly have to let go once dinner was served, but not without bringing it to his lips and pressing a kiss to your hand first. Across the table, Jim’s eyes narrowed slightly, before he turned to Lauren, acting like the picture of the attentive fiancé. You couldn’t help but notice the more Roy leaned over to whisper jokes in your ear, or found an excuse to touch your hand, or acted generally boyfriend-y, the more Jim mirrored that affection with Lauren. You did your best not to dwell on the observation, instead focusing on how nice it was to have Roy Kent by your side.

When dessert was served, Jim’s mum suggested taking it outside to enjoy the lovely night. Roy grabbed your bowl before you could and planted a kiss on the top of your head.

“Just grab the spoons, yeah, love?”

Love. Roy Kent just called you love. You’d seen him with other women he’d dated- really dated- and you’d never heard him call any of them love. The word stopped the breath in your chest as you reminded yourself that he was playing a role, acting as the perfect doting boyfriend.

But goodness, you liked the way it sounded.

You led Roy to the garden, where Roy nodded to a bench nestled under a low tree, a bit away from where everyone else was sitting.

“Mind if we sit over here?”

Your chest purred with pleasure at the idea of being alone with him in the secluded little corner, even if just for show. “Sounds good,” you managed.

Roy watched you carefully as you sat down before joining you on the bench, sitting closer than he had to, pressing his thigh against yours. He knew, deep down, that he was kind of taking advantage of the situation, that he was just a friend doing you a favor, but fuck, when was he going to get another chance like this? To dote on you, to touch you, to kiss you, to show you how mad about you he was. He would worry about getting his heart broken later.

“How you feelin’?” he asked, trading your dessert for one of the spoons you held out.

You shrugged as you took the bowl that he handed you. “Alright.” Your gaze flickered to Jim and Lauren, who were chatting with Jim’s parents. Jim’s eyes locked with yours for a brief moment before you turned back to Roy, who watched you with a frown. “How are you? You’re doing a great job with this whole boyfriend thing. You’re a natural.”

Roy turned his focus to his dessert, ignoring how tight his chest felt. “I’m fuckin’ fine. More concerned with you, actually. I’m sure all this… is hard.” He lifted his head to look at you. “It fucking sucks. Watching the love of your life be in love with someone else. Really fucking sucks.”

Something in the fiery way he looked at you sent a shiver down your spine. “Yeah. This is pretty damn difficult.” After a moment, you shook your head. “But… I don’t think Jim was the love of my life.” Roy’s raised eyebrows urged you on. “I mean, I loved him. Really, I did. And I would’ve married him. And it hurts like hell watching him marry someone else, never mind who it is.” You shrugged. “But he wasn’t the love of my life,” you repeated firmly.

“How d’you know?” Roy leaned towards you intently, both of you completely forgetting about the sweets in your hands.

“I don’t,” you admitted with a soft chuckle. “But I have to keep telling myself that, don’t I? Have to keep hope that the real love of my life is still out there, looking for me as much as I’m looking for him.”

Roy’s heart was on fire listening to you. He wanted so badly to tell you that he was right fucking there, that he’d been there for years. He wanted to give you a real kiss and whisk you away to the swanky bedroom you were sharing. Fuck, he wanted to offer to take Jim and Lauren’s place in front of the officiant on Saturday if you were keen.

Instead, he gave you a small, understanding nod. “Should write that down, it’s fucking beautiful.” And you knew he meant it. “Right. Well. I am… going to find a fucking bathroom.” He stood, putting down his bowl and forcing a playful smirk. “Don’t eat my fucking dessert, and if I’m not back in an hour, send a search party, see if I fell into a moat or got caught in a dungeon or some shit.” He bent down and kissed the top of your head before walking briskly into the house, hands stuffed in his pockets.

“You two were having a pretty serious conversation from the looks of it,” your father’s voice mused.

You looked up at your father, who was observing you carefully. “Just about how weird this weekend is,” you half-lied. “He just wanted to make sure I was okay.”

He nodded. “Well, I’m sure it’s strange for him too. Watching you watch your ex get married.” He bobbled his head. “Be easy on him.”

You shook your head. “Roy knows there’s no feelings there. Just awkwardness, really. He completely understands.”

“He’s a good guy. You know I’ve always thought so.” He laughed. “We’re all just glad you two finally figured it out.”

“Right. Right.” You thought for a moment about the way your family wasn’t completely surprised by your new “relationship”. “You know, I’m still not sure what I was missing all those years. What did everyone see that I didn’t?”

A smile crossed his face. “Really, love? You never noticed the way that fella looked at you? All wide-eyed and flushed? Or the way he’d run himself ragged during matches when he knew you were there, just to impress you? There was one Christmas he came home, and I swear he took one look at you and looked ready to quit football just so he could stay with ya.” He chuckled. “Just glad he finally made his move.”

“Oh. Yeah.” You giggled weakly, pretending you’d noticed those things. “And was I just as obvious?”

“God, maybe worse,” your dad chortled, slapping his hands together with glee. “Where to start? Always finding a reason to talk to him, screaming like a banshee whenever you watch him play, and your mother and I overheard more than one late-night call to Sunderland when he was away. I’m just surprised it took him so long to realize how in love you’ve always been.”

Roy chose that moment, with your face starting to warm, to return. He nodded to your dad as he resumed his seat beside you. “Alright there?” He scrunched his eyebrows together. “Your face is all red.” He leaned close and planted a kiss on your cheek, relishing the heat against his lips. “Fucking cute when you blush,” he hummed. His own cheeks reddened when your dad cleared his throat, reminding Roy that he had an audience. “Fuck. Sorry,” he hissed.

Your dad held his hands up in defeat. “Can’t blame you two for wanting to make up for lost time.” He clapped your shoulder lovingly and returned to your mother, who was watching you with a soft smile.

Deciding to let yourself lean into things as much as Roy, you leaned your chin on his shoulder, gazing up at him adoringly. “Feeling kind of tired,” you murmured. “Thinking I’ll head to bed.”

Sure enough, he pecked your forehead. “I’ll join you.”

Rather quickly, you noticed, Roy grabbed your forgotten desserts and carried them to the table Jim and Lauren sat at. You followed him, offering a small wave to everyone.

“Goodnight,” you called.

Lauren raised an eyebrow. “More alone time?”

You wrapped your arms around Roy’s middle and squeezed tight. “Just a bit knackered. And I know tomorrow’s a busy day, want to be well-rested.”

Jim offered a tight smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Goodnight then.”

Conversely, Roy’s smile was wide. “Have a great night, Jim.” He nodded to everyone else before taking your hand and leading you inside.

As the two of you walked down the hall to your room, you couldn’t help but realize that Roy was still holding your hand; you told yourself it must be in case someone happened to see you. That had to be it; Roy committing to this whole fake-relationship thing.

Once you were in the room, you each silently went about getting ready for bed, with Roy letting you use the restroom to change. You quickly removed your makeup, brushed your teeth (longer than usual), and changed into your pyjamas, feeling suddenly a bit shy in your sleeping shorts and oversized shirt. But Roy’d seen you in pyjamas plenty of times; how was this really any different?

For Roy, it was completely different. His breath caught in his throat when you walked out of the bathroom and his grip on the t-shirt he was about to put on tightened. It wasn’t necessarily the view- which admittedly drove him mad- but the knowledge that, in just a few minutes, you’d be in bed. With him.

Likewise, your heart hammered as you once again saw his bare chest- or “bear chest”, as Paul once joked at a pool party. You couldn’t tell if you were relieved or disappointed when he tugged on his black shirt, covering the hair and the light blush that covered his skin.

“D’you care which side?” he grumbled, pulling back the covers. He knew he should offer to sleep on the floor or something, but he knew you didn’t mind; how many times had you fallen asleep leaning against him on the couch? Or that time your families had gone camping and you had begged him to cuddle with you because it was so fucking cold?

Sure enough, you shrugged and helped him pull back the blankets. “Up to you.”

With a grunt, Roy threw himself on the bed, grinning when you did the same. “Only took, what, thirty years. But look at us, our first slumber party.”

You rolled your eyes and brought the blankets over yourselves; Roy couldn’t help but notice the tender way you made sure he was covered. “Roy, I spent the night at your house so many times growing up. We absolutely had slumber parties.”

He shook his head with a small breathy laugh. “Come on. You weren’t there for me.”

Not knowing what came over you, you turned onto your side and propped yourself up on your elbow, your eyes tracing Roy’s profile. “Who said I wasn’t?” you teased.

It was Roy’s turn to roll his eyes. “Oh, fuck off,” he grumbled, smile playing on his lips. “Go the fuck to sleep.”

With that, he turned and clicked off the lamp that sat on the nightstand, leaving you in darkness, wondering how you were going to sleep with the knowledge that Roy Kent was right next to you. Miraculously, you did finally fall asleep, listening to Roy’s soft snores that you knew you’d have to tease him about.

The next morning, you woke up with your head on Roy’s chest, his arm wrapped around you tenderly as he continued to snooze.

Fuck.

Your breath became shallow as you tried to figure out what to do. Gently pull out of his grasp? Stay this way and hope he woke up and removed his arm? Part of you- fine, all of you- wished you could wake up this way every morning.

Carefully, you removed Roy’s arm, the spot where his hand had been quickly becoming cold, and rolled over as slowly as you could, not stopping until you were flat on your back, a safe distance from Roy. Holding in a sigh, you stared at the ceiling, wondering if you’d be able to get through this weekend with your heart in one piece.

[specialagentlokitty]

Who I write for/Rules;

This is a list of fandoms and characters I write for (some may be missing) and some rules, if you’re curious about a fandom or character please message and I’ll let you know if it’s someone I’ll write for or not! If you’re looking for prompts please search the tag Lokittys prompt list

THIS BLOG IS STRICTLY NO SMUT DO NOT REQUEST IT AS THE REQUEST WILL BE DELTED IMMEDIATELY!!

Please if you’re requesting use some manners, say please and thank don’t demand I write something from you

This blog is for all ages, do not be hostile towards any member of this blog as you will be told to remove yourself immediately and if you don’t I will remove you, hate will not be tolerated this is a safe space regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender/pronouns, disability and such

If you’re wondering about a request you have but you’re worried or confused if I’ll write it or not or you’re just curious please reach out through inbox or asks and I’ll let you know! I write both romantic and plutonic requests for a wide range of characters!

Some things I will NOT write include; teenage pregnancy, smut(or related themes), underage!reader x older characters (these will ALWAYS be plutonic either a parental or sibling relationship). If you’re wondering about anything else just message! 💜

Fate the winx saga

- Saul silva

- Farah Dowling

Avatar

- Jake

- Quaritch/ recom Quaritch

Criminal minds

- Hotch

- Rossi

- Derek

- Spencer

- Jj

- Emily

- Garcia

Castle

- Castle

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Lucifer (Fox)

- Lucifer

- Maze

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- Dan

Greys anatomy

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Twilight

- Carlisle

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Harry Potter

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Marvel

- Tony

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BBC Merlin

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BBC Sherlock

- Sherlock

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Black butler

- Sebastian

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- Undertaker

- Claude

Supernatural

- Sam

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- Crawley

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- Jack

The witcher

- Geralt

- Jaskier

Brooklyn nine nine

- Rosa

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The good doctor

- Melendez

- Shaun

Friends

- Joey

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- Ross

- chandler

- Monica

- Phoebe

Teen wolf

- Derek

- Peter

- Melissa (plutonic only)

- Chris

- Parrish

- Noah (plutonic only)

Doctor who

- 9

- 10

- 11

- 12

- 13

- River

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- Rose

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- Rory

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Lord of the rings/the hobbit

- Bilbo

- Legolas

- Thranduil

- Elrond

- Lindir

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- Fili

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- Aragorn

My hero academia

- Aizawa

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- All Might (Toshinori)

- Fat Gum

Demon slayer

- Rengoku

Tokyo ghoul

- Yomo

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Durarara!!

- shizuo

Skyrim

- Vilkas

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Ackley bridge

- Mr Evershed

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- Mr Bell

The vampire diaries

- Damon

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- Elijah

- Finn

the watcher

- Ryan

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911

- bobby

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- chim

- hen

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- Eddie

Downton Abbey

- Thomas Barrow

- Anna

- Tom Branson

- Mary

- Sybil

- Edith

- Mrs Hughes (plutonic only)

Kingsmen

- Merlin

- Eggsy

- Harry

Bones

- Booth

- Brennan (bones)

- Hodgins

- Angela

- Sweets

Buffy the vampire slayer

- Angel

- Giles

The walking dead

- Rick

- Daryl

- Negan

- Glenn

- Rosita

- Carol (plutonic only)

- Gabriel

- Aaron

[lauriegraham01]

the purest expression of grief

pairing: crowley x reader, gn!reader

summary: "darlin' don't you stand there watching, won't you come and save me from it?" or having tempted you into a life a sin, crowley realizes he's gone too far and tries to save you before it's too late

wc: 4.9k

cw: drug abuse, depression, near death experience, power imbalance, complicated relationship dynamics.

a/n: uni has kept me away, terribly sorry. this has been in my drafts for a while, i hope u all enjoy and pls leave feedback. (inspo from hozier + paris paloma)

Your mind is foggy as you lose all control of your body. Ears ringing from the music that's playing too loudly, eyes hazy from the smoke that crowds the dancefloor, and head shaky as the world around you moves in a blur. Has it been merely hours or days since you first started dancing, you couldn't tell. Your mind wouldn't let you think that far back. You stand amidst the crowd occupying the dance floor, losing yourself to the music of the night, and letting yourself only feel the pure bliss that the life of sweet sin seemingly always offered you. Just across the dance floor, with an arm perched on the bar stood Crowley. Dressed sleek in his signature all black look, they nursed a drink in their hand as they watched you from afar. Crowley had always been enamored by your shameless wonder, and even now after millenniums of having been at each others side, they still find you just as wonderous as he did back in the beginning.

Amongst the angels that served as guardians of the gates of Eden, lied you. An angel with strength and beauty that showed the power of the Almighty Herself. When the Garden was no more and the humans you swore to protect were outcast, Crawley, as you knew him before, was there to witness how you had fallen for God's newest creation.

"Here. Take these." With hushed whispers, you shield Eve from the prying eyes of the Garden, unaware of the serpent that remained coiled in the corner, as you reach into your robes to retrieve the several stems of hyssop that you had picked from the garden.

"But I-"

"You mustn't worry about what the Almighty says. Despite her anger, she still will watch over you as will I." Looking up at her, your heart contracts seeing the fear etched on Eve's face as she now prepares to face the world outside the sacred garden.

"I never meant for any of this to happen," Eve's voice comes out small, like a child scolded.

"I know," you say softly, "but there is still a way to make things right."

Grabbing her hand, you softly place the stems of the hyssop into her open palm. Inspecting the purple buds that adorn the plant, her eyebrows furrow in curiosity as to what the plant’s purpose is.

"You will soon find out that each passing month, you will undergo painful cycles where you will shed blood. This will only last a couple of days, but the pain that comes with it can be unbearable. This..." you cup the bottom of her hand that held the plant, "will help ease the pain that you will feel. Plant it, multiply it, and when the time comes, make a tea and it shall work."

Eve softly closes her fist, careful not to crush the delicate buds within her grasp.

"Thank you," she murmurs.

"Of course." You smile reassuringly and for the last time you see the glimmer of hope that lives in Eve, even if hidden behind her anxieties of what was to come.

You fly over the gates, in your own way saying goodbye to the fortress you have grown to love, wings slowly flapping steadily in place as you watch Adam and Eve venture out into the unknown.

"Well that was awfully kind of you-"

"My Lord!" Gasping loudly, your hand clutches your chest and your wings flare as you're caught off guard by the sudden presence at your side.

After a beat of catching your breath, you look over at the intruder and when you do, you have to do a double take. They look so familiar but...no...it can't be?

"Crawley?"

"I'm sorry do I know you?"

"Ye- oh, well I suppose not." Words dying off as you remember the rumours of Crowley's torment that followed after their fall from grace.

"I'm Y/N!" Your voice comes out more cheerfully this time, as you flash him a smile.

"Pleasure. Right, well like I mentioned, that was awfully kind what you did back there," turning his head to the side to look at you, he's met with your brows furrowed in confusion as to what he's going on about. "With the hyssop? I mean that was bloody brilliant and that's gonna save her a lot more heartache in the long run."

"Oh! Yes! Well I had to help, I can only imagine what she's bound to go through." You look back over to the lone two figures far in the distance within the desert, it'll be nightfall soon and you can only hope that they find shelter sometimes soon.

Crowley studies your profile as your gaze remains forward. You truly are a creature rarely seen and in those wholesome eyes that seem to have the light of the stars within them, he sees the darkness of the lonesomeness that lingered beneath.

"How did you come to grow so fond of them?"

"They had a choice and in the eyes of the Almighty they chose wrong," your face falls, a defeated sigh escaped your lips as you turn to fix your gaze unto Crowley. "Despite the punishments they face, they face them together. They have a companion and they're capable of so much love and so much more than what I believe any of us can imagine."

"You wish to live like them?"

"I'm afraid I can't. My duty is to the Almighty."

"I'm sure they would do good having someone on watch, hm? If you could protect them, then you can do good here at least enough to y'know make sure they don't ruin things all over again."

"Crowley?"

They hum in acknowledgement.

"How'd you know about my gift to Eve?"

Shit.

"I erm..I-I'm sorry, what?"

"Were you watching me?" You grin ear to ear as you tease the demon, face warming at the thought of Crowley having watched your every move from afar.

"I-Well-Ah-What, no. Oh s-please, that's rubbish."

"Crowley, you really are the devil." You laugh as you nudge their side playfully with your elbow.

When they try to do the same, a flap of your wings allows you to just barely miss their aim, and your laugh only grows at the sight of their widened expression.

"Ohhh Angel, you're in for it now." His seemingly threatening words fall short of any true malice, only mischief as they invite you in- making you fall deeper within his trap the longer you looked at the wicked grin on his face. Heart soaring as the two of you flew over the desert sky together, the beginning of something new.

You couldn't have envisioned the life that you would lead forward from that fateful day. Perhaps it had been also been your destiny to fall for temptation back in the Garden, your innocence having died screaming since Crowley slithered from Eden. Lifetimes have passed since then and you've seen everything that humanity had to offer. Yet despite having seen it all, you still fell victim to your own loneliness. Hiding your relationship with Crowley from Heaven's back came with a heavy tax. There would be periods when the shame and guilt you carried would become too much and the light in your eyes would fade. Whenever you felt this way, you would often turn to your vices in order to numb the pain. Crowley knew of this, in fact it wasn't uncommon for the two of you to indulge in illicit substances together, your hunger for more only growing the more you indulged. While they always tempted you to indulge in the sweetness of sin, they wondered if this time they've gone too far.

He's had quite a few already but that doesn't make him slow down. Raising the glass to his lips, his eyes remain fixed on you as even in the darkness, you still illuminated a heavenly glow.

"Some things never change", he thought to himself.

Yet even in your glow, they don’t miss the vacancy behind your eyes. The light that they had spent all of an eternity getting lost in had vanished and instead a storm of emotions were buried just beneath. It was only a matter of time before the storm would grow stronger and Crowley knew it as well as you did. You always were clever, and tried your damnedest to keep them hidden from everyone, especially Crowley, but it was no use. The demon had a tendency to see right through you and it was one of the things you loved most about them, but right now it was the very thing that annoyed you the most.

"Crowley," even telepathically they don't miss the tired and slurred hush of your voice as it echoes within his head, the various substances you've indulged in wiring your system. "Don't you stand there watching, won't you come and save me from it?"

You know that they've heard you, it wasn't uncommon for you and Crowley to communicate like this. So when they finally break their gaze and turn their shoulder to face the bartender again, your heart sinks thinking that they won't come to save you. You feel your face grow hot in embarrassment as you mentally scold yourself for being so vulnerable.

When Crowley turns around from closing his tab, you've vanished from the crowd and have already sought shelter in the bathroom. Clutching onto the sink for dear life, ragged breaths come out of your lips as you feel warm tears fall down your face. As you look at your reflection in the mirror, your torment only grows as your stomach twists in disgust by what you see.

"Oh Angel, how the mighty have fallen." You say self-deprecatingly as you harshly wipe at the tears in your eyes. Despite appearances, you weren't the angel you once were. Yet you knew that if Heaven saw you for what you were, you too would fall from grace.

With shaky hands you reach into your pocket and pull out a small golden vial- a gift from Crowley from the 20s. You unscrew the top as you gently tap the white powder onto the back of your hand. With a sniff, a rush courses through you as you feel the effects of the drug only enhance your already intoxicated state. As you tuck the vial away again and fix your appearance, you brace yourself for the world outside.

As you emerge your way back to the dance floor, your vision becomes hazy as the bright lights bounce around the crowd. In its wake, they illuminate one familiar face. They've never been the best dancer per se, but they always knew how to lose themselves in the moment.

As they come up from behind you, hands planting themselves on your hips as he presses your bodies together. Even as much as you feel yourself wanting to relinquish control to them a part of you holds back-desperately wanting nothing more than to be saved.

"Darlin', don't you join in you're supposed to drag me away from it."

"I'm here, love. I'm here." The breath of his whisper tickles the nape of your ear.

You knew you would be safe with Crowley, but the deep ache for salvation clouded your judgement. The infinite number of substances coursing through your veins only brought about infinite shame.

"Crowley," you sigh, "please."

You turn your head to look at him over the shoulder, and Crowley stills. The buzz and electricity of the nightclub die once he sees the loneliness shining through your pleading eyes, breaking his heart with every second.

"Right, come on then."

He takes your hand as he leads you away from the crowd and back into the streets of London. Despite having been on Earth for millenniums, one thing you never grew to get used to was how unbearably cold it can get. Crowley knows this, so he gives you his jacket and tucks you into his side as he rubs your arms comfortingly, hoping to warm you up.

"I'll get the car," they say facing you as you both stop on the edge of the sidewalk. They see your gaze fixated on the floor and know that your mind is elsewhere, probably worlds away from where they are.

"You gonna be alright?" Hooking a finger underneath your chin, they raise your head to finally look at them again.

"Yeah," your voice comes out shaky as you take a deep breath. "I'll be fine, Crowley." You try to give them a reassuring smile but it never quite reaches your eyes.

Crowley feels guilty for the way you feel, blaming themself for pushing you too far and not having listened to your signs earlier.

"Go." Your voice breaks them out of their thoughts. "Please, Crowley."

"Right. I'll be back yea?"

"Okay."

You watch him walk away further into the crowded streets, disappearing as he turns into the parking garage. Fumbling in your pockets you take out the pack of cigarettes that Crowley keeps in his jacket and you light one up. Thankfully the bentley doesn't come into view until you squash your cigarette bud underneath your boot.

When you get in there's no music playing, and it's like that the entire ride home. The only thing heard is the ambience of the passing city, the unbearable street traffic, and the heavy silence that lingers between the two of you. Every couple of minutes, Crowley's eyes shift over to you as you lean your head against the passenger window, eyes taking in the passing scenery.

"Eyes on the road, please." You mumbled, speaking for the first time in the past twenty minutes.

"They speak." Crowley narrated half amusingly.

"Not now, love. Not tonight please."

Crowley feels a sting at your words, not because they were necessarily hurtful but because they knew that you were hurting inside and at the cause of their hands. They turn their head back to the road in front and grip the steering wheel tighter, dreading the long night that's bound to unravel.

You hadn't realized that you've arrived at your apartment until Crowley placed a hand over your thigh and gently shook your leg.

"Sweetheart, we're here."

As you come back to your senses you see your apartment building right outside the window, the kitchen light glowing faintly from inside.

"Thank you," you don't spare a look at Crowley as you prepare to bid goodbye. As you go to pull onto the car handle, you feel it stiffen as the door locks itself.

"Crowley-"

"Not until you tell me what's wrong."

Finally looking up at them you take in how disheveled their is. No longer in a neat quiff but instead had strands falling all over the place. Right hand still gripped tightly around the steering wheel while their left hand remained free.

You know where this was going, you've played this game many times before with the demon but you had very little patience tonight.

"Crowley, please not tonight. I just want to be alone."

"You know better than I do that I can't let that happen."

"Why not?" You spat out, tilting your head at them albeit daringly. Only to be met by their squinting eyes as you both relieve the same memory of the past.

A momentary shock flashed across both Aziraphale's and Crowley's face as they made each others figure out as the dust of their sudden apparition settled.

"Angel? What are you-"

"The same reason why you are here. I could feel it."

Crowley swallowed thickly, nodding in acknowledgement of the celestial force that had brought both the angel and demon here in the living room of your flat.

Aziraphale had been shelving books when he first felt it. Crowley had been downing a whiskey at the pub when he felt it. At first it had hit them dully, making them stop in their tracks. Moments later, the pain radiated every fiber of the celestials beings, bringing them to their knees. It felt like a burning. Like the heat of a thousand suns had consumed them and they instantly recognized that pain. Having felt it plentiful during the rebellion, with the images of war and bloodshed still vivid in their minds even after all this time. The horror that consumed them as angels they both knew and loved met either their untimely end or their damning descent.

You were slipping from this form, from this world, and both Crowley and Aziraphale could feel every ounce of that pain.

"Right, where are they?!" Crowley seethed as he begin to pace around the living room.

"They must be around here somewhere, shall we split up?" Aziraphale anxiously met Crowley's gaze as he flexed his hand at his side rhythmically. Nervous habit.

"I'll take upstairs." With that the demon bolted upstairs and began his search as Aziraphale remained in the lower level of your flat. Echoes of your name rung out as they both called out to you.

It was the howling of Aziraphale's name that sent the angel running upstairs to Crowley. Dread weighing on his tongue with every step he took. The swung door and bright light emanating from the bathroom drew him in the right direction as he called out to Crowley.

As Aziraphale appeared in the doorway, he froze at the scene that laid in front of him. Crowley sunken on the floor with your limp frame cradled in his arms.

"What in Heaven's name happened?" Aziraphale breathed out, wide eyed in shock.

"I didn't- I don't know-th-they just-", words seem to fail Crowley, even more so than usual. Forming words took to much strength when the only thing he could feel, see, and taste was fear.

Aziraphale's face hardened as a defiance washed over him. Not tonight. Swallowing his fear down, Aziraphale sprung into action and was at your side.

Your skin was scalding and burned Aziraphale when he tried to touch you. Streaks of blood adorned your nose and cupids bow. Your heart was beating too fast and your breathing was too shallow.

Crowley smoothed your hair back as he took note of the sheen of sweat that adorned your forehead.

"Don't you dare give up on me. Do you hear me y/n?" Crowley croaked through how impossibly tight his throat felt. "You're not going anywhere."

"Crowley, look at me." Aziraphale urged, voice steady as he tried hard to be level headed.

Crowley was rocking back and forth, looking down on you as he muttered incoherently beneath his breath. Aziraphale saw the way Crowley had been unraveling and while he understood why, he knew that they needed to join heads in order to save you.

"Crowley," Aziraphale whispered as he placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. This seemed to snap Crowley back to reality as his gaze finally tore away from your face and fixated upon Aziraphale's. He couldn't breathe right, not that he needed the air anyways, but he took note of how hard his chest had been heaving. His wide eyes darted frantically between Aziraphale's as he searched for some kind of answer.

"What do we do?"

Aziraphale knew that they couldn't call for help. Who on earth could possibly help revive an angel back to life. This was something that would need divine intervention, and then he realized the only option they had left.

"A miracle?" It came out whispered, as if he himself wasn't sure of it.

"Aziraphale..."

"It's the only way."

The two only stared at each other. Communicating through panicked breaths and wide eyes searching for another answer yet reaching defeat and accepting that there was none.

"On my count. 1...2...3!" Crowley boomed as he and the angel intertwined hands and placed them over your chest.

A warm yellow light engulfed the entire room, blinding both Aziraphale and Crowley from each other as they both drew from their respective forces to perform this act. They lose all sense of time in the light of their miracle and it isn't until Crowley feels you stir within their arms that he opens his eyes.

"Y/N?"

Serpentine eyes meet yours as you fluttered your eyes open, slowly regaining consciousness. Your eyes darting everywhere as the world around you is still out of focus, you gain an inkling of clarity once Aziraphale's cool blue eyes meet yours.

You were dying, you knew that much. You had been toeing the line between life and death and death had nearly had its claim on you. Yet somehow in the space between, it had been Aziraphale and Crowley who saved you. Bringing you back home to them.

"That won't happen again and I've been fine since, Crowley." Venom lacing your every word as you stared at him coldly.

That night had been your rock bottom. The sixties were a time of radical change for everyone and it was in the drug liberation movement that your substance abuse had found its spark.

"Now, if you don't mind I'll just-" and with a wave of your hand you miracled the car to unlock itself.

As you climb out of the car, you have to cling to the door as your legs nearly give out on you. As the cold air nips at your skin, sending a shiver through your spine, you try to stop the world from spinning just long enough to get into your apartment.

As you wade through the grass you hear Crowley call after you. Ignoring them, you slot your key into your front door and relief fills your senses as you finally pry the front door open. Turning around to shut the door, your met with Crowley's chest as they stand in the entryway.

"I don't need a babysitter, Crowley." Your gaze cold as you tilt your head upwards to face them.

"Clearly, you do." Walking around you, Crowley makes his way further into your flat before seeking seeking refuge in the living room.

With a huff, you close the door and make your way further into your flat. Feeling Crowley close by as you entered and exited every room as you got changed. Their gaze never left yours, meanwhile you were doing everything in your power to ignore him. The task had proven itself difficult after 42 minutes. As Crowley watched you place a kettle for tea, his patience finally had worn thin.

"Is this what we're going to do? Keep silent all bloody night," their voice flat in annoyance as their stare bore into the back of your head.

A clatter rang out as you slammed the kettle back down on the burner. The anger from your manic state had been simmering for a while and Crowley's comment was enough to make it erupt.

"What do you want from me, Crowley?!" You bellowed as your eyes grow wide and crazed, meeting his daringly.

"I want us to quit using!!"

The boom in Crowley's voice was strong enough to rattle the flat, causing your wine glass from earlier to slide off the kitchen table and shatter on the floor.

You stare at the shattered glass on the carpeted floor. There it is. The big truth, the one that seemed to be seeping in your brain as fast as the crimson stain setting in your carpet.

"What?" Your voice came out a low murmur as your focus remained on the floor.

Crowley's chest deflates as they let out a heavy sigh. One that they've been holding for decades. You knew you didn't want to, you knew you loved it that much. Crowley also knew that, as much as it pained him. Having seen the destruction he's caused from his own hand, he never thought you were to get burned in his fire. Having swept you away from a paradise and into a world of sin, Crowley can't help but blame themself for the way things have ended up. They should have protected you better from it.

"I think maybe we should quit. All the drugs, all the drinking, at least for a little while." Voice teetering on remaining cool as they bargain with you.

"Go to hell," you sneer as you bump into his shoulder purposefully.

"Oh, I've been and it's actually quite lovely this time of year! The pipes have just gone through cleaning." Crowley barks as you march off.

The shattering of glass echoed throughout the flat as the fuel of you and Crowley's fire burned hotter at each passing second. Insults and accusations hurled at each other as you two miscommunicated.

"Y/N, don't you see what this is doing to us? What this is doing to you? This isn't us!" Hands waving frantically between your bodies, hoping to prove their point.

Coming to a halt from your previous march, you slowly turn to face the demon once more.

"And who exactly are we, Crowley?"

"Not this." A sigh elates from their lips as their shoulders slouch.

A moment of silence falls over the two of you. With the air still thick from all the tension, you can't see reason or rationality from the smoke of you and Crowley's fire.

"Devil," you call him slow and unsteady, hands shaking as they did long ago.

"When you stole my virtue, did you foresee that the fruits of my innocence would come to die far too young? Did you know the path I would take and what I would lose on it?" You close the distance between you as you slowly walk towards him.

"Angel, you know I didn't-"

"Then why did you do this to me?"

Crowley is stunned to silence. Throughout the entirety of your relationship, Crowley has carried a guilt for exposing you to a life of sin. Yet it wasn't until know that their fears would be confirmed as they stood their reeling in the weight out your accusation.

"Angel please-"

"You opened my eyes and you did this to me!"

Your screams rung out, piercing Crowley's ears with each slam of your fists across their chest. Walking backwards, Crowley tried to calm you down from your fury. Grabbing a hold of your wrists before flipping you where your back now was pressed against the wall.

"Let me go, let me go," you seethed through gritted teeth. Body thrashing against them as you fought to escape their hold.

"This is what I'm talkin' about," Crowley hissed. "This isn't you, love. You've lost control of your body, you feel no safety in my arms, we're constantly at each others throats. You don't trust me, y/n."

Your body slacks underneath Crowley's hold as the weight of his words cut through you like a knife.

"I've no language left to say it y/n, but I cannot go on like this any longer."

"Why didn't you stop me?", you mumble beneath your breath.

"I didn't know it would get this out of hand. If I knew, I would take it back in a second. I would have never sought you out in the Garden."

You can't help the soft smile that graces your lips as the warm memories from Eden flash in your mind. The days spent in paradise and time spent in playful innocence with Crowley. You've come a long way since then, and as quickly as it came your smile fell as you take in how far you've fallen from grace.

"I didn't mean for this to happen," your voice cracks as the weight of your shame come hurling towards you again, threatening to throw you overboard.

Your visions begins to blur and without a moments notice, a sob wracks itself out of your body. Crowley cups the sides of your face as he places kisses all over your face, whispering apologies between each kiss.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry love, I promise we'll make it out of this. I promise I will make it up to you."

Your cries become muffled as they pull you into their chest, hands smoothing your back comfortingly.

"What if I can't stop?" Your voice comes out hoarse. You don't know how long you've been in Crowley's arms, but your cries have now died down to sniffles as a drowsiness seeps into your bones. "What if we can't make it out of this one?"

Pulling away slightly to get a clear view of you, Crowley see's the tiredness in your eyes.

"I promise I will do whatever it takes to make sure we survive, that you survive."

"It's hungry work." You didn't feel worthy of Crowley's love or care, feeling guilty of the burden you've placed on them.

"Not for me." Crowley shakes his head defiantly. "Not if it's you."

"I don't deserve this. I've been unkind to you, I can't give you what you want-"

"Y/N, when I met you I swore I had dreamed you. A creature so beautiful, so loving, never having asked me once about the wrong I did. I can only pray I can show you a shred of the light you have given me."

Crowley's devotion remained unwavering. Seeing the light in his eyes as he pledged his loyalty made your heart ache a little less, and the pain less unbearable. Crowley noticed your eyes ever seeking, head reeling a million thoughts but not asking, for in some sad way he already knows.

"I know what it's like to carry the shame and hate of some other man's beliefs, let me carry that with you," he pleaded.

Flickering between his yellow eyes, the love that poured from them made you feel lighter. You knew that the road to recovery would be long and present its own trials, but you didn't have to face them alone. In fact, you never would have to feel alone anymore.

"I'm all in- I need to know you still want this, that you still want me."

Nodding slowly, a smile cracks itself on your face.

"In every lifetime, Crowley."

[sebstanaddict]

A Winter Miracle Part 1 : Flight of Frenzy

Sebastian Stan x Reader One Shot

Summary :

When Sebastian Stan finally finished shooting Thunderbolts in Atlanta, all he wanted was to go back to New York to his home and family where his daughter and pregnant wife was waiting. But one event led to another and he found himself being in a flight of frenzy. Will he successfully get home?

A/N : This story is a little continuation of my Sebastian Stan story titled Love Song. It can be read on its own but if you want to understand more about Sebastian and reader's relationship, you can read their story first starting with the one titled Always You and then continue with Love Song.

Hope you enjoy this and please vote and comment. I will really appreciate it. Thank you!

Warning : references and mentions of death, plane accidents, plane emergencies, some violence and injury descriptions

Word count : 11.2k

Additional notes:

- The events in this story are based on true stories, believe it or not. Can you guess which one(s) are true? 🤭

- I have never been to Atlanta so apologies if the depiction of the airport is not accurate.

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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta, USA - Friday, Jan 19th 2024 - 5.30 am

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The sound of tires screeching to a halt broke through the quiet morning at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. A taxi pulled up at the curb right in front of the Departure Terminal. Sounds of a car door opening and closing could be heard and a pair of feet wearing white sneakers took off towards the Terminal's entrance.

Late! Sebastian couldn't believe that he was late! His flight was leaving in an hour and he was supposed to have already checked in at least half an hour ago. He was never late for a flight ever in his life. But yesterday's shoot was so grueling that once he got into his rented apartment at 1 am last night he immediately fell asleep. He woke up at 4 in the morning and tried his best to be like The Flash as he packed his suitcase, took a quick shower and immediately went straight to the airport.

Yesterday was the last day of his shoot for Thunderbolts. It wasn't supposed to be. Today was supposed to be the last day. But he had bargained with Jake Schreier, the director, to make yesterday as the last day because he needed to come to his best friend's wedding this weekend. Which was why the shoot ended up taking so long.

Chad Crawley, one of his best friends since he was in college, was finally getting married. He was getting married to, surprisingly, his wedding planner, Madeline Rowles. Apparently they hit it off during Sebastian's wedding and after only six months of dating, Chad popped the question. Their wedding was going to be held the next day, on Saturday, January 20th, at a mountain resort in The Catskills, about three hours away from New York City. The wedding festivities were going to start that Friday afternoon, and being one of Chad's best men, Sebastian was of course supposed to attend it from the beginning. Which was why he needed to get back to New York City as soon as possible.

He had booked the earliest flight out of Atlanta to New York in the hopes that he still had time to pick up his family from his Soho apartment and then go with them to Chad's wedding. If everything went smoothly, by 10 am that morning he would have arrived at his apartment, and they could go to Plattekill Wedding Venue in the Catskills Mountain and make it in time to attend Chad's welcome party and rehearsal dinner that night.

He quickly went into the Departure area and stopped in front of one of the self check-in kiosks. He entered his booking number into the screen and waited as the system checked him in. He was expecting the kiosk to print out his boarding pass but instead the screen showed words he did not expect.

"We are sorry but you have been denied boarding. Please contact our staff at the check-in counter for further information."

"What the h**l?!" He cursed as he digested the text on the screen.

Great! Just as he was in a hurry, the last thing he expected to happen, happened. He was bumped from his flight!

It was common practice for airlines to overbook or oversell seats on a flight because up to 15% of seats could end up empty due to passengers not showing up. So to maximize profit, they sell more seats on a flight than they have. More often than not, all passengers who have bought tickets showed up, which meant there were more passengers than seats available. To overcome this situation, airlines usually ask passengers to volunteer to give up their seat in exchange for compensation whether it be in the form of cash, travel vouchers, etc. And the airline will also book another flight for the passenger to take, whether from the same airline or not, to make sure the passenger still gets to their destination. If no one volunteers, the airline will usually force someone to give up their seat. And that was exactly what happened to him that morning.

He left the self check-in kiosk and immediately went to the nearest available check-in counter. 

"Good morning, how can I help you, sir?" The male airline staff greeted him from behind the counter.

"Yeah, I tried to check-in for my flight but I was denied boarding." He explained.

"Oh, I apologize for that, sir. May I see your ticket or your booking number, please?" He asked.

Sebastian showed his booking number and the staff entered it into the system. After several moments he looked up from the screen and gave him an apologetic smile.

"I'm really sorry, sir, it seems that you have been denied boarding because we have overbooked our flight. We can book you on the next available flight." 

"Oh great. Can't you bump someone else? I really need to get to New York as soon as possible. My best friend is getting married. And I can't be late for that." He pleaded.

"Oh I'm sorry, sir. When is your best friend's wedding going to be held? If you don't mind me asking?" The staff asked.

"Well.. the wedding will be held tomorrow. But the rehearsal dinner is tonight and it takes place three hours out of NYC, by car. So I need time to get there." He explained.

"Well, let me see what I can do. Please hold on for a moment." The staff said and Sebastian nodded as the staff left him to talk to another, older staff, several feet away.

He sighed as he glanced at his watch. His plane leaves in less than an hour! He needed to do something. 

He pulled out his cellphone as an idea suddenly struck him. He put his cellphone on his ear and pretended to be on a phone call.

"Honey? What?! You're having contractions?!" He said out loud, causing some people to glance his way, including, as he had hoped, the staff that was talking to him.

"Please hold on, honey. I'm trying my best to get on the plane but they wouldn't let me! I got bumped!" He deliberately yelled out loud.

The staff along with the other staff he was talking to stopped talking and walked towards him.

"I know honey, I know it hurts, I'm sorry I can't be there yet. I'm trying my best, okay? Hang in there, sweetheart." He continued his charade as the two airline staff stopped in front of him.

"Excuse me, sir." The other staff said and he put his hand up to make him wait.

"I have to go, honey. Why don't you call Edward. He can take you to the hospital. I'll be there as soon as I can. Okay? I love you." He said and he pretended to hang up.

"Is there something wrong, sir?" The staff asked, concern clearly shown on his face.

"Yeah.. my.. my wife. She's in labor! I mean.. the baby isn't due until a couple of weeks from now but she said she's having contractions already! I really need to be there!" He pleaded, panic in his voice.

"I'm really sorry, sir. But since you were the last one to check-in, we had to give your seat to someone else. But, don't worry, we can book the next flight to New York for you. Free of charge." The older staff said.

He sighed. He thought his little act would work. He wasn't as good an actor as he thought, apparently. 

"Well, when will the next available flight leave?" He asked.

"Let me see." The older staff said as he turned to look at the computer screen and started typing into the system.

"There's usually one flight to New York every two hours but unfortunately today half of the fleet serving Atlanta to New York are all under maintenance so there are only three flights today. The next one will leave at 2.30 pm." The staff said, shooting him an apologetic look.

"Oh that's way too late! Isn't there anything earlier than that?" He asked as he felt his heart sink into his stomach.

If he took the 2.30 pm flight, he would arrive in NYC at around 5 pm and the fastest he could leave to The Catskills would be 6 pm. He would be late for the rehearsal dinner. He couldn't take that flight.

"Please hold on, sir and let me check other airlines." The staff said.

"Okay." He nodded as hope started to appear in his heart.

"There's a 10 am flight with Southwest and 12 pm flight with Jet Blue." The staff finally said after a while.

"Nothing earlier than that?" He asked.

"Unfortunately, the 10 am flight with Southwest is the earliest available flight, sir. All the others are fully booked." The staff responded.

He sighed as he made some mental calculations. If he left at 10 am, he would arrive in NYC at around 1 pm and he could leave for The Catskills as early as 2 pm. He would be at the wedding venue around 5 in the afternoon. The welcome party starts at 5 then followed with the rehearsal dinner. He would make it on time but he just wouldn't have time to rest after arriving at his apartment. He felt exhausted and was wishing he could rest a little before driving to The Catskills. He needed to get on his original flight.

"My wife is in labor. I need to be on this flight! What if I miss the birth of my baby because I took a later flight. Please, let me get on this flight. I'm sure you can find another volunteer to give up their seat." He begged and lied again.

"Well.." the older staff hesitated.

"Please.. I'll even pitch in for compensation. How much were you going to give me? I mean. We are entitled for compensation if we're bumped. Right?" He asked.

"Well. You don't need to do that, sir. It's our responsibility to give compensation. Especially monetary compensation." The older staff said.

"Well I can give non monetary compensation. I mean. You do know who I am? Right?" He asked, winking at the staff who just stared at him in confusion. 

He usually didn't like to play the celebrity card, but at times it could be useful. And he really hoped it would be useful too at this time.

The younger staff whispered something in the older staff's ear and he nodded.

"Ah, of course. We know who you are, Mr.Stan. What exactly do you have in mind as non monetary compensation?" The staff asked curiously.

"Well, I can give an autograph and a selfie, I'll also add in a ticket to Thunderbolts premiere. I'm sure someone would want that." He said, winking again.

The staff looked at each other then the older staff nodded.

"Very well, sir. We'll contact the staff at the gate and let them know. Hopefully someone would want to give up their seat. Please wait." The older staff said and he nodded.

The older staff went away from him and started talking to his communicator. He glanced at his watch and it was already 5.45 am! The plane would start boarding soon and he really needed to get to the gate if he wanted to be on the flight. He tapped his foot impatiently and glanced at his watch every so often. 

Finally, after about five minutes, the older man walked back towards him and smiled.

"We have good news and bad news, sir. One of the passengers is willing to give up his seat to you." The older staff said.

"Oh! That's great! And what is the bad news?" He asked.

"Unfortunately, because of bad weather, your flight will be delayed for about two hours. So it will leave at 8.30 am." The staff continued.

He sighed. Well, he could still make it on time to Chad's wedding if he left Atlanta at 8.30 even if the rest time he would get would be shorter.

"Okay, that's fine. So, what next?" He asked.

"We'll check you in and you can make your way to the gate. The passenger that has given his seat up to you will meet you there and you can give him your autograph and take a selfie with him there. About the tickets to the premiere, I believe you can arrange it with him directly." The staff said and he nodded.

"Alright, let me check you in, sir. Do you have checked baggage?" The staff asked.

"No, just a backpack and a small suitcase that I'll take to the cabin." He said, pointing to the small suitcase near his foot.

"Alright, sir. Please kindly wait while I check you in." The staff said.

"Okay." He nodded then pulled out his cellphone again and started to text his wife, Y/n. He really wasn't lying about Y/n being pregnant. She was pregnant with their second child and her pregnancy was at 36 weeks. The baby wasn't due for another four weeks but there were possibilities that it could arrive earlier than that. So he really wasn't lying about that. However, he wouldn't want her to start going into labor while he was still away either. He hoped his little act earlier didn't come true.

"Hi sweetheart, I'm sorry. I'm at the airport and I got bumped from the flight because I was the last to check-in. I negotiated with them and managed to get on the flight but it got delayed for two hours because of bad weather. So I'll be arriving late. I'm sorry."

He texted his wife.

He didn't expect a reply so soon but his wife replied moments later.

"Hi Iubirea mea. Oh, okay. That's fine. We can still make it to Chad's rehearsal dinner. Maybe we can hire a car and a chauffeur instead of you driving? Because you wouldn't have time to rest before we go."

"It's okay honey, I can rest on the plane and I have a couple of hours to kill here at the airport. I'll drive us there. Don't worry. By the way, how are you, Starlene and little bean?"

"Okay. If you're certain about it. Make sure you really get some rest. I'm sure you're still exhausted after last night.

Anyway, we're all fine. We miss you."

"Thanks honey. I am exhausted, but it's gonna be fine. And I miss all of you too!

By the way, have you felt any Braxton-hicks contractions so far?"

"No, not a single contraction. Little bean is still very comfortable in my tummy 😆"

"Okay, that's good. Well, give Starlene and little bean my love and kisses. I'll be there soon. Love you, sweetheart."

"Okay. We love you too, Iubirea mea. Let me know once you're about to board the plane."

"Okay. Will do. Bye sweetheart."

"Bye, Iubirea mea."

He switched his phone screen off and put it back in his pants' pocket. He looked up just as the older staff had finished printing his boarding pass.

"Alright, sir. We have checked you in. Here is your boarding pass. Boarding will be at gate A10. You can take the Plane Train to get there right after the security checkpoint. Please make sure you go straight to the gate after this because the person that gave his seat up for you is waiting." The staff explained.

"Alright. Got it. Thank you so much." He said as he extended his hand and shook the staff's hand.

"You're welcome, sir. Have a safe and enjoyable flight. And we hope you can still make it to your baby's birth." The staff said, smiling at him.

"Thank you." He smiled back and turned around.

Well, what an interesting way to start the day. He thought as he made quick strides towards the security checkpoint. He wondered who was the person that was willing to give up his seat for him. His fan or more of a Marvel fan. In any case he hoped the rest of his journey back to New York would go smoothly. He was tired and he just wanted to get home and meet his family. 

However, luck was not on his side that day. He made it through the security checkpoint with no problem. But when he arrived underground and wanted to board the Plane Train, he found out the Plane Train was not working. There were supposed to be eleven trains working everyday connecting all of the Terminals and Concourses at the airport, but all of them were not working for whatever reason. 

He looked up at the digital signage showing flight statuses and saw multiple flights were being delayed right before his eyes. 

"Tell me you have some good news about the system malfunction. We can't possibly delay every flight today because the Plane Train isn't working!" A man wearing Atlanta Airport vest who was talking to his communicator walked past him.

Well, well, well.. his flight wasn't the only one being delayed. What were the odds of that happening the same day he got bumped from his flight and the same day his flight got delayed because of bad weather? He pondered internally. He hoped those were the only bad luck he had to endure that day. He remembered his honeymoon and all the crazy stuff that happened during the time and wishing hard something like that wouldn't happen to him again. Even though he had started to feel a strange feeling about it.

He sighed as he started to trudge towards the gate through the pedestrian walkway which was running right alongside the Plane Train track.

It took him fifteen minutes to reach his gate whereas with the Plane Train it could've taken him only two minutes. Oh well. Consider it a morning walk. He shrugged as he walked towards the counter near the gate.

The female airline staff who was standing behind the counter immediately recognized him and blushed upon seeing him. 

"Good morning Mr.Stan." the female staff said and smiled shyly at him.

"Good morning. I'm here to meet the person who was willing to give up his seat for me." He said and smiled back at the staff, making the staff blushed even harder.

"Oh yes. Please wait a moment." The staff said and he nodded.

"Mr.Winklevoss, Mr.Winklevoss, passenger of Delta 228 to New York, please report to the counter near gate A10. Thank you." The staff announced through the speaker.

Moments later a big man with grey hair and beard approached him, looking like he could murder him with just a look. He definitely wasn't the type of fans he usually met.

"Hello there." Sebastian smiled and extended his hand to Mr.Winklevoss.

"Hi there." Mr.Winklevoss shook his hand firmly and gave him a small smile.

"Thank you for giving up your seat for me. I really appreciate it." He said.

"Oh it's no problem. The money they offered was quite a lot. I couldn't say no." He shrugged.

It wasn't exactly the answer Sebastian expected.

"Oh.. yeah. I'm sure they offered you a lot of money. Did they also tell you about my offer?" He asked as he started to feel rather suspicious that the man wasn't a fan of his.

"Yeah they did. No offense, I had no idea who you were at first until this lady here told me." He said, beckoning towards the female airline staff who was staring at him with love in her eyes. She blushed as Sebastian glanced at her and immediately looked down, pretending to type something into the computer in front of her.

"But the ticket to Thunderbolts premiere sounded like something I could sell. And of course, your autograph too." Mr.Winklevoss said and he felt rather disappointed at that. He wasn't as famous as he thought he was. 

"Oh, right. Well, what would you like me to sign?" He asked with a heavy heart. He really would rather give his autograph to his real fans but he owed this man, he needed to keep his word.

"Umm.. well.. I don't have any memorabilia or anything. So, maybe my boarding pass would do. My old boarding pass I mean." Mr.Winklevoss said.

"Okay, sure." Sebastian nodded.

Mr.Winklevoss handed him his boarding pass.

"Umm.. do you have a pen?" Sebastian turned to the airline staff again and she nodded while still blushing hard, making him smile. She seemed like a fan. Maybe he could also give her something to make her happy, he thought.

"There you go Mr.Stan." the staff said and gave him a pen.

"Thanks." He winked at her and the staff looked like she was about to faint. 

He laughed internally as he signed the man's boarding pass.

"There you go." He said, giving the boarding pass back to the man.

"Thanks." The man said brightly.

"Okay. So. Do you still want to take a selfie, or..?" He hesitated as he gave the pen back to the staff.

"Yeah, sure! It will be proof that I actually met you." Mr.Winklevoss said as he put his boarding pass into his bag and pulled out his cellphone.

"Okay." He nodded.

"I can help you take the picture if you want." The airline staff, who, thankfully, did not really faint, said.

"Oh yeah.. that's a great idea!" Mr.Winklevoss said in delight. He handed his cellphone to the staff and stepped back then stood close to him.

"Ready? One.. two.. three.." the staff said.

He smiled as the staff took several pictures of them.

"Do you want a picture too?" Sebastian offered to the staff after they were done and she returned Mr.Winklevoss' cellphone. The staff's eyes widened and she blushed yet again.

"I.. umm.. if you don't mind." She stammered.

"Of course I don't mind." He winked again at the staff and her face got even redder.

"Here, let me take the picture for you." Mr.Winklevoss offered after putting his cellphone back in his pocket.

The staff gave her cellphone to Mr.Winklevoss with trembling hands that he started to feel sorry for her.

"Hey, don't be nervous. It's just me." He smiled at the staff and the staff smiled shyly back at him.

"Come, get out of the counter and stand next to me." Sebastian said, extending his hand to her.

He guided her to get out of the counter and she stood next to him. He placed his hand on her shoulder as Mr.Winklevoss took several pictures of them.

"Thank you so much." She gushed after they were finished.

"No problem." He smiled at her and she looked like she was about to faint again as she walked back behind the counter.

"So, about the premiere tickets?" Mr.Winklevoss asked.

"Oh yeah. Could I have your phone number? Someone will be in touch with you for that. And considering the movie hasn't even finished filming yet, I'm sorry to say that it will be a while before you hear anything from us." He explained.

"Yeah sure. That's not a problem." Mr.Winklevoss responded then gave him his phone number.

"Thank you again for willing to give up your seat for me Mr.Winklevoss." He said after saving Mr.Winklevoss' number in his cellphone.

"Oh, no problem! Thank you for the autograph, picture and premiere ticket." Mr.Winklevoss replied.

"You're welcome Mr.Winklevoss." He smiled and Mr.Winklevoss finally left, leaving him with the staff that was a fan of his.

"So, my colleague said your wife is in labor?" The staff asked.

"Oh.. well, she's pregnant but she's not in labor yet although she's at 36 weeks and the baby really could come at.. any.. time.." He said slowly as he realized what he just said. He completely forgot about his lie! 

The staff's eyes widened as she listened to him and he realized he was in trouble. 

"So, your wife is not in labor?" The staff asked, her eyebrows raised.

"Oh shoot.. I forgot about that." He said sheepishly.

He leaned over to her and whispered "Please keep this as a secret. But.. no, my wife is not in labor. I had to lie about it because I really need to get on this flight." 

"Oh.. yeah, of course. I won't tell a soul." The staff said as she made some movement in front of her mouth, gesturing as if she zipped her mouth close.

"Thank you. I knew you'd understand.. Daisy." He leaned back and glanced at the name tag on her chest then reached out and patted her hand, making her blush yet again.

"Anyway, as a thank you for keeping my secret, I could give you my autograph if you want. And umm.. tickets to Thunderbolts premiere too. What do you think?" He asked, smiling at her again.

"Are you serious?" She asked, her eyes widened.

"Yeah, of course!" He smiled. He realized that he had to give up two Thunderbolts premiere tickets that were allotted to him, which meant he had to make the decision to not invite two of his family members or friends to the premiere. But maybe he could persuade Marvel to give him more tickets. Surely he could negotiate with them. He tried to convince himself.

"That would be fantastic! Thank you so much, Mr.Stan!" The staff said enthusiastically.

"No problem. And please.. just call me Sebastian. So.. where would you like me to sign?" He asked.

"Okay! Umm.. do you mind signing my.. umm.. the back of my neck?" She asked, her face flustered yet again.

"Oh! That's an unusual place for a signature. Are you sure you want it there?" He asked, dumbfounded.

"Y..yeah.. I'm going to have it tattooed. Kind of like the fake tattoo you have for Monday. Do you remember?" She explained.

"Oh yeah.. of course I remember. Well then, I better make it small but artistic." He said, remembering the fake tattoo that said '(Re)Made in Greece' that he had for the movie Monday.

"You can make it big or small, it's up to you." She smiled.

"Okay. Once again, are you sure about this?" He asked.

"Yes!" She said with no hesitation.

"Alright. It's a rather hard place for me to sign though without causing some raised eyebrows. Maybe we should go somewhere more private." He suggested.

"Yeah, you're right.. but there really is nowhere private around here." She said as she looked around.

He looked around as well and noticed no one was looking at them. Most people were either looking at their cellphones or sleeping. 

"Maybe we can just duck under the counter quickly. No one is really looking." He suggested.

"That's a good idea." She said.

So he quickly went behind the counter and once they were both sure no one was looking at them, they both ducked and squatted in front of each other.

"This is kind of weird." He laughed and she laughed too.

"So, do you have a pen?" He asked and she gave one to him.

"Okay. Let's do this." He said and she laughed as she turned around and exposed her neck to him. 

Thankfully her hair was already styled up into a bun so he didn't have any trouble accessing the back of her neck.

He slowly signed her neck with a small version of his signature and paused, his hand hovered above her neck.

"Do you want me to add like.. more designs on it or something? Or would my signature be enough?" He asked.

"It's up to you Sebastian." She responded.

"Okay, I'll just add my name in small letters. You can add additional designs later on if you want." He said.

"Sure." She replied.

"Alright, that should do it." He said moments later after he finished writing his name on the staff's neck.

"Thank you so much Sebastian." She said as she started to stand up and he followed suit.

"Jesus! You scared me!" A startled male voice was suddenly heard. His heart seemed to jump out of his chest when he finally stood up. A man in Delta uniform stood in front of them, his mouth agape.

"Mr.Michaels! We're.. we're really sorry. We.. we didn't mean to scare you." Daisy said, her face turned into the reddest shade so far.

"Daisy.. what were you doing?!" Mr.Michaels asked, his eyebrows raised as he looked at them both with a judging stare.

"I.. we.. we were.. " Daisy stammered.

"I'm sorry, I was helping to check out an error on the computer. The keyboard wasn't working. She asked me to help her check it out." Sebastian quickly improvised.

Mr.Michaels didn't say anything but his eyes slowly showed recognition.

"Have I seen you somewhere before?" He asked.

"Well.. maybe.. if you've seen a Marvel movie, you might have seen me." Sebastian chuckled.

"Oh! Wait! You're that guy! The brainwashed assassin guy. Right? The one who killed Tony Starks' parents!" Mr.Michaels said enthusiastically.

"Yeah." Sebastian nodded but his face fell. The third Captain America movie was not his last Marvel movie and yet this man only knew him from that movie as Tony Starks' parents' killer. He didn't know if he should laugh or cry about it.

"Awesome! Do you mind if we take a picture?" Mr.Michaels asked.

"Oh no, of course not." He smiled and he ended up taking pictures and chatting with Mr.Michaels and two other Delta airline staff. 

After half an hour he was finally left alone but not after he got Daisy's number so he could contact her regarding the Thunderbolts premiere ticket. Additionally it was through them that he knew the flight wasn't delayed because of bad weather but because there was some problem with the plane's engine. But they didn't want to alarm the passengers so they told everyone the delay was because of bad weather. He had voiced his concern about it to them but they reassured him that the problem was minor and would not cause anything dangerous to happen. He really hoped that was the case. He couldn't imagine if he ended up dying in an airplane crash. What would happen to Y/n and his kids? He wouldn't want to miss seeing his kids grow up. 

After he finished chatting with the Delta staff, he looked around to find somewhere to sit. It was 7 am and he still had about an hour to kill before he could board the plane, and that's if the engine problem was already resolved. Otherwise his flight might get delayed again. 

All the seats near the gate were occupied so he ended up finding an empty seat further away from the gate but near the restroom. He found an empty seat next to a little girl of about 9 years old who sat next to a man. The girl had long brunette hair pulled up into a ponytail and the man was bald and had a mustache. They both looked up at him as he approached. 

"Hi. Sorry, is this seat taken?" He asked, smiling at them.

"No, go ahead." The man said.

"Thank you." He sat down, turned to them and smiled again. The little girl smiled shyly back at him while the man just gave him a small smile.

"So, where are you guys going? If you don't mind me asking?" He asked.

"New York." The man answered.

"Oh, same here." He smiled.

"Oh, good." The man responded and nodded.

For a moment they didn't say anything as an uncomfortable silence hung between them.

"So, this morning has been crazy hasn't it?" He said, breaking the silence.

"Umm.. What do you mean?" The man asked.

"I mean.. our flight got delayed and then minutes later the Plane Train didn't work causing more delays." He explained.

"Oh.. yeah.. we were lucky. We managed to still take the Plane Train." The man said and Sebastian nodded.

"Lucky you. I had to walk here." He chuckled. "Not that I'm complaining. I'm used to walking a lot. But, I'm just exhausted this morning." He said, unsure why he had become talkative all of a sudden.

"I see." The man said as he started to get up. "I'm going to go and find something to eat. Do you want something?" The man looked at the little girl and the girl just nodded.

"Okay, come." The man said and pulled the girl's arm up, forcing her to stand up.

"See you guys later, nice talking to you." Sebastian said as the man started to walk away while dragging the girl with him.

"Yeah. You too." The man said and nodded at him then turned his back to him.

He sighed as he watched the pair of them walk away from him. He had a weird feeling as he stared at them. The way the man held the girl's arm was weird. And, strangely enough, they didn't have bags with them at all. As if they weren't traveling far. He decided to shrug it off as they went into a cafe not far from there and disappeared from his sight. 

Moments later his stomach rumbled and he realized he hadn't had breakfast yet. He stood up and decided to follow them to the cafe. Maybe he could have some coffee and pastry.

When he entered the cafe he found them standing in front of the counter. The man was looking down at the girl in anger while the girl looked up at him in fear.

"I don't understand. What are you saying?!" The man asked, his voice rather high.

The girl made some movements with her hands and Sebastian realized she was doing sign language. He approached them and watched the girl closely. He knew sign language as he learned it back when he was in middle school so he could talk to his best friend who had trouble hearing.

"She said she is allergic to nuts." Sebastian said and the man jumped in surprise.

"Oh.. right. Yeah.. I.. I knew that." The man stammered and the girl rolled her eyes at the man.

"So, you can't talk?" Sebastian asked the girl while making sign language. The girl shook her head.

"But you can hear?" He asked again and the girl nodded.

"And you don't know sign language?" Sebastian turned to the man.

"No.. I.. I'm her uncle. I rarely talk to her. Her mom lives in New York while her dad lives in Atlanta. They asked me to accompany her to go back to her mom's." The man explained quickly, his eyes darted around and he shifted his feet from side to side. Clearly the man was nervous and he wondered why that was.

"Okay. Well, what do you guys want? My treat." He smiled at them while also making sign language to the girl. The girl's eyes widened and she smiled. She then made signs with her hands again.

"Okay, hot chocolate and rainbow sprinkle donuts for you, my lady." He said while again making sign language and the girl laughed and blushed.

"And for you?" He turned to the man.

"Uh…I'll just have black coffee thanks." The man replied.

"Alright. Save me a seat. I'll be right with you guys." He said and they left him in front of the counter alone.

Minutes later he got all of their orders. He ordered a cappuccino for himself and a spinach quiche. He looked around and found them sitting near the exit of the cafe. He found their sight kind of strange. He realized that they were the only ones in the cafe not having their faces in front of a cell phone screen while everyone at the cafe did. He shook his head at the realization. The world had become rather strange indeed when sitting without a cellphone in hand could be perceived as not normal.

He was usually one of those people busy with his cellphone. Well today maybe he could change that and actually socialize with strangers like people of old used to do.

"Here you go. One hot chocolate and rainbow sprinkled donut for the beautiful lady." He said as he placed the cup of chocolate and plate of donut in front of the girl. The girl blushed and smiled at that.

"And black coffee for you." He said as he put the cup of coffee in front of the man.

"Thank you." The man said, giving him a small smile.

"No problem." He smiled as he arranged his own orders on the table.

"I'm Sebastian by the way." He said as he started to put some sugar into his cappuccino.

"Oh, and I'm Mike and this is Adriana." The man said.

"Nice meeting you both, Mike and Adriana." He smiled and Adriana smiled back at him.

For several minutes they stayed quiet as they enjoyed their drinks and food. 

"So, where does your mom live, Adriana?" Sebastian asked, breaking the silence. The girl froze and glanced at Mike.

"Brooklyn." Mike answered.

"Ah, okay. I have an apartment in Brooklyn. Well.. actually.. My wife used to live there. She had moved in with me ever since my daughter was born but the place holds so much memory for us that we decided to keep renting it." He said.

"Oh. Must be nice to have the money to do that while other people struggle just to rent one apartment." Mike said cynically.

He felt like his heart had been stabbed as he heard what Mike had to say. He kicked himself internally and realized he should be more considerate and not tell stories like that. He didn't mean to brag, but other people could perceive it otherwise.

"Uh.. yeah.. sorry. I didn't mean to brag or anything. Just.. just making small talk." He said nervously.

"Yeah.. Sorry.. I didn't mean to insult you." Mike said as he seemed to realize what he just said.

"It's okay." Sebastian said and turned to Adriana. "What grade are you?" 

Adriana showed three fingers and Sebastian nodded. "Third grade, huh?"

Adriana nodded and continued to eat her donut.

Eventually they were able to have a better conversation. He found out that Adriana loved Barbie, like his niece Sofia, and also Taylor Swift. He also found out Mike lived in Atlanta and was Adriana's father's brother. He worked at an insurance company and decided to take some days off to visit New York while accompanying Adriana.

Time seemed to fly and before they knew it, it was time to board their flight. He was relieved that their flight was on time. The engine problem must have been fixed. He thought as they walked together towards the gate.

It turned out that his seat was next to Adriana and Mike.

"It's nice to sit next to familiar faces isn't it?" He said to Adriana who was sitting on his right. His seat was by the window while Mike's was by the aisle and Adriana sat between them.

Adriana nodded and smiled wide at him while Mike looked at him in dislike. He wondered if Mike still thought bad of him for bragging earlier as he pulled out his cellphone from his pocket and texted his wife, letting her know that he had just boarded the plane.

He made a mental note to be more careful in what he said next time as he turned on the airplane mode on his cellphone and put it back in his pocket. He fastened his seat belt and leaned back on his seat. He felt exhaustion again so he closed his eyes, hoping to be able to get some sleep and rest.

When he opened his eyes again he felt strange. He fully expected to look out the window and find the view of the white fluffy clouds, instead he found the view of the airport terminal. Apparently they hadn’t moved at all. He glanced at his watch and raised his eyebrows as he realized that it had been an hour since they boarded the plane and they hadn’t moved yet.

“Is something going on? Why are we still here?” He turned to Adriana and Mike. 

“I don’t know. They haven’t said anything.” Mike replied. 

He looked at Mike and realized he had pulled the hood of his jacket up and put on sunglasses. Adriana had also put the hood of her jacket up and looked down. He noticed Mike’s leg was moving slightly up and down, it seemed he was nervous about something.

“Hey man, you okay?” He asked.

“Y.. yeah.. it’s just, I’m always nervous on planes. You know.” Mike replied and understanding dawned in him and he nodded.

“Yeah, I know what you mean. I still feel nervous too sometimes.” He said as his mind went back to the fact there was a problem with the plane’s engine previously. He wondered if there was a problem with it again. He decided to ask the stewardess so he pressed the call button next to his seat to call a stewardess.

"Hello sir, how can I help you?" A beautiful stewardess came and greeted him.

"Uh.. yeah.. why aren't we moving? Is there something wrong?" He asked.

"Oh no, sir. Nothing is wrong. After the delays earlier impacting several flights due to the Plane Train not working the Air Traffic Controller needs some time to adjust things. We're just waiting for our turn." The stewardess smiled at him and glanced at Mike and Adriana.

"Oh okay. Well, I hope we'll get our turn soon. I really need to get to New York as soon as possible." He said.

"Yes, sir. I hope so too. I'm sure you can't wait to be by your wife's side. Right? I mean.. we heard she's in labor." She said with a knowing smile.

"Oh yeah.. she is." He said, kicking himself internally for forgetting about that lie again.

"Well, I'm sure we'll get our turn soon. In the meantime, please sit back and relax. There's nothing to worry about." She smiled.

"Yeah, thanks." He nodded.

"Is there anything else I can help you with, sir?" She asked.

"No, thanks. That would be all." He replied.

"Very well, sir. If you'll excuse me." She said and he nodded.

Once the stewardess left he pulled out his cellphone and turned off airplane mode. He needed to tell his wife that he was going to arrive even later than scheduled.

When he opened his messages, there was a message from his wife and a video from her.

"Hi Iubirea mea, I know you won't get this until you arrive in New York but I just have to show you this."

He opened the video and laughed out loud. There on the screen he could see the living room in his apartment looking in such a mess with rolls and rolls of toilet paper covering the sofa, carpet and coffee table. Their dog, Lucky was sitting on the carpet biting toilet paper while their daughter Starlene was sitting on the sofa and was continuously pulling toilet paper from its roll.

"Oh my God." He closed his mouth with his hand to stifle some more laughter and continued to watch the video from his wife.

"I just left them for a second. I swear. But when I came back, this is what happened!" The screen turned and showed his wife looking annoyed as h**l. 

"I can't imagine what kind of mess we'll be in once this little bean arrives." She said, patting her stomach.

"Anyway, we love you, we miss you. And I hope you have a safe and pleasant flight. Let me know once you've landed. Love you, Iubirea mea." She smiled and he couldn't help but smile back and whispered I love you as well.

She then put her hand on the camera, signifying a hug and he sighed as the video ended. There was nowhere else he wished to be but by his family's side at that moment. But alas, fate willed it a different way. He just had to be more patient.

He immediately called his wife but she didn't answer, so he decided to send a message. 

"Honey, I'm really sorry but the plane got stuck at the terminal. We're still waiting for the plane to get permission from the ATC to leave. And I'm really sorry to see what happened to our living room. Just leave it and I'll help clean up when I get there. I'm sure you're tired. I love you and please send my love and also angry stares to Lucky and Starlene. Love you so much, sweetheart."

He waited and waited but Y/n didn't reply. He tried calling her again but she didn't answer.

"Excuse me, sir. I'm sorry, could you please turn your cellphone off. We're leaving soon." Another stewardess came and scolded him.

"But.. My wife is in labor. I need to know her condition." He said, remembering the lie again.

"We know, sir. But we're really sorry. Rules are rules. And we're leaving soon. You will see her soon." The stewardess replied and he sighed.

"Fine. Let me just send a last message." He said.

"Thank you, sir." The stewardess smiled and left.

"Rules are rules." He muttered under his breath while he typed a message for his wife again, his face full of dislike, making Adriana beside him laugh.

"Why are they sometimes so rigid? We're not even moving." He complained again and Adriana made a sign that said she knew.

"Don't worry. Everything is going to be alright." Adriana signed again and he smiled.

"Thank you, Adriana." He smiled and she smiled back.

He returned his attention back to his cellphone and sent the message. He then turned the airplane mode on his cellphone on and put it back into his pocket.

He sighed and looked out the window. He furrowed his eyebrows as he looked out and saw some uniformed men inside the terminal wearing vests with FBI written on the back, walking swiftly along the side of the terminal. He leaned closer towards the window curiously, wondering why the FBI was there.

"Hey, the FBI is here. I wonder what's going on." He said.

"What?!" Mike exclaimed out loud.

"Yeah.. look.." he pointed towards the uniformed men and Mike leaned over Adriana to take a closer look at the window. He leaned back to allow him a better view.

Just then the plane started moving away from the terminal and Mike leaned back on his seat. He looked at Mike and felt like Mike had just let go of a breath he was holding.

"Finally, we're moving." Mike chuckled nervously.

"Yeah. Finally." He said as he felt Mike was being strange about the whole situation but he shrugged it off. 

He glanced at his watch and sighed as he saw that it was almost 10 am already. So much for getting some rest before he drove to Chad's wedding. He complained internally.

The plane finally took off several minutes later, much to his relief. However, when they took off they experienced a somewhat hard turbulence which made him really nervous. He kept remembering that there was some problem with the plane's engine earlier. What if the problem came back and caused the plane to fall down from the sky? He couldn't help but think of all the negative and horrifying possibilities that could happen to the plane. Thankfully the turbulence didn't last long and eventually the plane stabilized and flew smoothly.

Several minutes later however the plane started to descend quite quickly, startling everyone.

The lights inside the cabin were all turned on and a blaring sound came out from the speakers as oxygen masks dropped down from the ceiling.

"This is an emergency. Please put on your masks. This is an emergency. Please put on your masks." The warning sound was repeated through the speakers.

His heart dropped to his stomach and his heart pounded hard as he pulled down the oxygen mask in front of him and put it over his mouth and nose. He looked to the right and saw both Adriana and Mike had already worn them as well.

Stewardesses were walking around the cabin checking that everyone had worn their masks. For a few minutes the situation was quiet but intense as the plane continued to descend but at a slower pace.

He couldn't help but think of Y/n, Starlene and his unborn child. He wasn't ready to die yet. He just got his happiness with them and with Y/n after twenty something years being in love with her. No, he couldn't and wouldn't accept to die that day. He closed his eyes and kept praying to God in his heart to save the plane and everyone on the flight. 

Suddenly the pilot's voice could be heard on the speakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We apologize for the situation. That was a false emergency. We were descending down 7.000 feet from 34.000 feet to 27.000 feet to avoid turbulence and somehow the system automatically turned on the signal to drop the oxygen masks. The pressure in the cabin is at a normal level so there is no need to wear oxygen masks. You can take off the oxygen masks and our crew will help put them back in place manually. We are really sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you."

He felt immense relief as he took off his oxygen mask and he felt the atmosphere in the plane immediately changed as a collective breath of relief was exhaled.

"That was so scary." He commented and turned to Adriana and Mike.

"Yeah. I know. I never experienced anything like it." Mike responded.

"I was ready to die." Adriana signed to him and he raised his eyebrows.

"We're all going to die anyway." She signed again.

"Well.. you're right. You're so wise for a girl your age." He chuckled but deep down he wondered how a girl her age could have thoughts like that. He himself wasn't ready to die even though he was 41 already. He felt like he probably would never be ready for it.

He leaned back and sighed. Trying to relax after the tense situation. He also wanted to go back to sleep but found it hard to do so. Somehow the one hour sleep he got when the plane was still parked by the terminal was enough to recharge and refresh him. Well, the false emergency also contributed as well. He couldn't relax yet after that. So he ended up chatting with Adriana again. Mike closed his eyes and seemed to be sleeping so he didn't want to bother him.

Several times when they were chatting Adriana glanced at Mike, as if expecting him to do something. He asked her if there was anything wrong but she shook her head, making him curious about it. 

About half an hour into the flight, breakfast was served and Mike woke up. There was something strange that he noticed with the stewardess serving them though. Every time she served Mike, she took her time to really look at him as well as Adriana. At one point after pouring a glass of apple juice for Adriana and water for Mike, the stewardess left, leaving him hanging. He was just about to request orange juice but the stewardess already left.

Being quite tall he was able to see where the stewardess had gone. Apparently she went to the front of the business class area and was not back for a while. When she was finally back she brought milk and pineapple juice in her hands, making him think she was probably just grabbing the milk and juice.

"I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting, Mr.Stan. We ran out of milk and pineapple juice so I had to go and get it." The stewardess smiled at him.

"Oh, that's okay." He responded.

"What would you like to drink?" She asked.

"Orange juice, please. Thank you." He said.

"Certainly, sir." She said. Her hands trembled as she poured the orange juice, making him feel strange yet again. 

"Here you go, sir." She gave the orange juice to him and he accepted.

"Thank you." He nodded and the stewardess smiled and continued to serve the other passengers.

He was about to finish his breakfast which consisted of egg frittata and mushroom as well as croissant with butter when Adriana knocked her glass of apple juice and spilled it onto Mike's lap.

"I'm sorry." She signed to Mike.

"It's.. it's okay." Mike said and he sighed.

"Let me just go and clean this up." Mike said as he picked up his tray of food, closed the table in front of him and stood up. He got out of his seat and put his tray of food onto his seat then he went to the restroom located in front of the plane. As soon as Mike left Adriana immediately signed to him.

"Please help. I'm being kidnapped. Mike kidnapped me." She signed frantically. His heart seemed to stop as he registered what Adriana just conveyed to him.

Of all the things that had happened to him throughout his life, this was by far the weirdest and most unexpected thing that ever happened to him. He stared at Adriana with his jaw dropped as his mind tried to grapple with the situation.

"He kidnapped me from my school as I was walking home from school. He said he's going to sell me overseas. He knows where my parents live and threatened me that he will get someone to kill them if I try to get away. I've been playing along but when I saw the FBI, I knew they were looking for me. Please help me." She signed, her eyes full of hope and fear.

He looked towards the restroom and saw that Mike was still in there. He knew in order to help Adriana they needed to go back to Atlanta, but he also didn't want to miss Chad's rehearsal dinner and honestly he missed his family so much that he just wanted to go back to them as soon as possible. Torn between wanting to help Adriana and go to New York as soon as possible he finally decided. He knew he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he didn't help Adriana. And he knew Y/n and Chad would understand why he needed to do this. So he made the decision.

"Okay. Come. We need to get you away from him. Let's go to the plane crew and tell them about this. Maybe we can have the plane turn around and bring you back to Atlanta." He said and she nodded.

They quickly left their seats and went towards the back of the plane, away from Mike. While walking he continued to check his back to make sure Mike was not out of the restroom yet. He guided Adriana towards the back of the plane where a stewardess was busy tidying up the food carts. He pushed Adriana gently into the aisle between the rows of food carts, making sure they were both unseen from the front of the plane.

“Oh! Is there anything I can help you with, sir?” The stewardess who previously served them was startled.

“Uh.. yeah. This girl here, her name is Adriana, she told me she’s kidnapped by that man who sat beside her.” Sebastian explained.

The stewardess' eyes widened but then she quickly nodded.

“I know.. we.. I mean, the pilot and the crew know, sir. The FBI back in Atlanta Airport were looking for them.” The stewardess replied.

“Well then why didn’t you guys do anything when we were still in Atlanta?” He asked, dumbfounded.

“I’m sorry, sir. We were given photos of them when we were still on the ground but we didn’t recognize them. It wasn’t until less than an hour ago I noticed who they were. I already informed the pilot and in several minutes, after all passengers have finished eating, we’re planning on turning the plane around back to Atlanta.” She explained.

“Well okay, good.” He nodded.

“In the meantime, I think it’s best that you return to your seats so as not to make the man suspicious. We were told to make sure he doesn’t know about this. We don’t want to alarm him and make him do dangerous things.” The stewardess said.

“That makes..” Sebastian was about to answer when he found himself suddenly choking.

“Something dangerous like this?” Mike asked as he tightened one of his arms around Sebastian’s neck, while the other held his head, choking him.

The stewardess screamed in surprise and immediately pulled Adriana closer to her and shielded her behind her back.

“Sir, please! Don’t do anything stupid!” The stewardess reminded him, her voice shook as she saw Sebastian continued to choke and tried to get free from Mike’s hold. But Mike was stronger than he seemed. 

He held both his hands on Mike’s arms, trying to loosen it. His neck hurt, his head hurt as his hands continued to pull Mike's arm away from his neck.

“I won’t kill him if you return my niece back to me.” Mike warned.

“We know she’s not your niece, sir. Surrender now because you have nowhere else to go.” The stewardess bravely said.

“Wrong answer.” Mike said as he strengthened his hold even more on Sebastian’s neck but Sebastian suddenly got an idea.

He released his hands on Mike's arm and elbowed Mike hard on his stomach, making Mike lose his hold on his neck a little. Then he did a backward kick and successfully kicked Mike away from him, making Mike lose his hold completely on him and fell on the ground.

He staggered forward as Mike released him and croaked. “Go.. Get her to safety.”

The stewardess nodded and quickly dragged Adriana towards the front of the plane through the other aisle. 

Sebastian rubbed his aching neck and tried to catch his breath. Then he slowly turned around, ready to fight Mike again but he was gone!

He quickly walked out of the aisle and saw Mike running parallel to the stewardess and Adriana, chasing them into the front of the plane. He tried to catch up with them but Mike crossed to the other aisle through another aisle filled with food carts and his heart dropped to his stomach.

“Sir.. please.. let her go! You don’t want to do this!” He heard the panicked voice of the stewardess as he came closer to them. By then some people had stood up from their seats and started asking him questions, but he just put his index finger on his lips, asking them to stay quiet as he tiptoed to where Mike, Adriana and the stewardess were.

When he reached them he saw that Mike’s back was to him. He was holding Adriana’s body against his chest, a fork in his hand pointed onto Adriana’s neck. Several stewardesses had come to them and they stood in front of Mike and Adriana, their faces full of shock and fear. Adriana struggled to get free but couldn’t. 

“Tell your pilot to keep directing this plane to New York. Otherwise I won’t hesitate to stab her.” He threatened. 

“Y.. yes sir. Just please don’t hurt her!” The stewardess pleaded.

He looked around trying to see if he could find something to wound Mike when someone suddenly offered him a fork.

He turned around and saw an old lady handing him a fork.

“Thank you.” he mouthed. The old lady just nodded and smiled. She then walked back to her seat and he turned back around.

The stewardesses were still trying to persuade Mike to let go of Adriana when he stabbed Mike on the side of his neck.

Mike screamed in pain and let Adriana go. She immediately ran towards the stewardesses and they immediately took her and shielded her behind their backs.

Mike turned around and pulled out the fork from his neck. Blood seeped through it as he continued to make wild screams and started to attack Sebastian. He raised his hand, which was still holding a fork, intending to stab Sebastian with it. But Sebastian kicked his hand and the fork fell down to the ground in a clatter.

They ended up fighting with bare hands. He threw some punches and kicks onto Mike’s face and body. Mike grunted as he got the hits but then he kicked his chest hard, sending him towards the emergency door of the plane.

He grunted as his back hit the door and he fell down onto the ground. He tried to get up and one of the passengers sitting next to the emergency door extended their hand and helped him get up. 

He winced as he walked slowly back towards Mike who was still standing, holding the wound on his neck.

“Give up now, Mike. You have nowhere to go.” He said.

“Never!” Mike yelled as he charged towards him and they continued to fight.

He didn’t know where he got the strength. It seemed his training for Bucky had made him stronger. But he continued to throw punches and kicks to Mike while also receiving some of Mike’s blows on his face. The other passengers watched them with bated breath.

He glanced towards one of the food carts and quickly picked up a stainless steel pot. He raised it and hit Mike’s head with it, making him fall down to the ground.

He waited to see if Mike would get up again but he stayed down. His eyes were closed. He was unconscious.

The passengers and stewardesses who were watching them erupted in cheers and he felt someone hugged him tight. It was Adriana.

“Thank you.” She mouthed and he just nodded while panting as he tried to catch his breath.

Mike was immediately apprehended by the plane crew and tied to one of the seats at the front of the plane. Sebastian went back to his seat with Adriana after one of the stewardesses tended to his wounds. Thankfully his wounds were nothing major, just a cut on his lip and eyebrows as well as some bruises. Nothing he had never dealt with before.

The pilot eventually turned the plane back to Atlanta after explaining to all the passengers what just happened. He even mentioned Sebastian by name, thanking him for his heroic act in fighting Mike. 

He wished the pilot didn’t mention him by name because he got interrupted constantly by passengers who wanted to talk with him and take pictures with him. Adriana seemed to understand because she told him to pretend to sleep so people wouldn’t bother him, and it thankfully worked. People finally left him in peace.

However, even though he wasn’t bothered anymore, he couldn’t really sleep. The journey back towards Atlanta felt so long in his mind even though it took only an hour. His mind constantly replayed what happened and he couldn't wait to tell Y/n about it.

He opened his eyes when the pilot announced that they were about to land soon. He glanced at his watch and sighed as he saw that it was already 12.30 pm. He assumed that the fastest they could head back to New York would be at 1.30 pm. Which meant he would arrive in New York at around 4 pm. 

It was clear he would be late to arrive at Chad’s welcome party and rehearsal dinner. He regretted not taking the 10 am flight with Southwest. But then again if he had taken that one, who knew what would have happened to Adriana. Despite everything, he was glad he could help her.

After they finally landed in Atlanta, two FBI agents entered the plane and took Mike with them. Then another agent came into the plane to take Adriana to her parents. He offered to walk Adriana to the gate. Apparently her parents were there. He wanted to make sure she was reunited with them again. He walked following the agent with Adriana walking between them.

When they got off the plane he was welcomed with flashes of lights from cameras and cheers from people around them. It seemed he had made the news. 

He walked alongside Adriana when a woman and a man ran towards them. 

“Adriana! Oh my baby! I’m so glad you’re okay.” The woman who apparently was Adriana’s mom said.

He couldn’t help but teared up as he watched Adriana being hugged by both her parents. He couldn’t imagine the anguish they must have felt when Adriana was gone from them.

“Thank you for saving her.” Adriana’s dad said.

“Oh, you’re welcome, sir. Your daughter was very brave. You should be proud of her.” He smiled.

Adriana’s parents nodded. 

“We are. We’re really proud of her. And we’re so happy she’s back. We thought we had lost her for good.” Adriana’s mom said.

“Well she’s a strong and smart girl.” He smiled as he patted Adriana’s shoulder gently and the family looked back at him beaming wide with happiness.

“Well, I have to go. I’ll see you around again someday. Take care of yourself.” He said as he hugged Adriana tight.

“Thank you so much, Sebastian.” Adriana signed after he let her go.

“You’re welcome.” He signed and she smiled.

“Sebastian! Sebastian! Could you tell us what happened? Did you really fight the kidnapper?!" A reporter suddenly shouted at him.

“No comment. Sorry. I have to go. My wife is in labor. I have to go.” He said, raising his hands up.

“Just a short answer would do, Sebastian. Please!" The reporter called out but he walked back towards the plane while someone from airport security held back the reporter and prevented the reporter from following him.

When he got back into the plane all the passengers stood up, clapped and cheered for him. His face reddened as he continued to walk to his seat and they continued to chant his name.

“Thank you.. thank you. You guys are too nice.” He said as he raised his hand up and nodded, his face as red as a tomato.

The passengers finally stopped cheering when he took his seat. He leaned back on his seat and pulled out his cellphone as his mind still tried to process all the events that just happened. 

He turned off the airplane mode on his cellphone, wanting to send a message to his wife when messages from her came through.

—

“Iubirea mea, it sucks to hear you're still stuck at the airport. But I hope your plane will soon get its turn to move. I've given your love and angry stares to Lucky and Starlene and they just stared back at me 😆

Anyway, I already cleaned up all the toilet paper. No need to worry about that. I'm rather tired but it's okay. 

Love you and I hope to see you soon. Keep me posted.”

—

“Iubirea mea.. where are you? I hope you’re near New York already.” 

—

“Iubirea mea.. I'm having contractions..” 

—

His heart seemed to stop as he read the last message.

The story continues on Part 2

A Winter's Miracle : Snowbound Delivery

Get ready for another crazy adventure with Sebastian and Reader 😁

[ilariyalavorowrites]

To be started list

I have more than a few stories waiting to be started in the pipeline. I'm sharing the list with you guys. Some have titles and summaries, others don't, so suggestions are welcome. I will likely start with my Bridgerton story.

Once (9-1-1)

Pairing: Eddie Diaz x reader x Evan Buckley

It was only meant to be a one time mistake but then why did it keep happening over and over again. Maybe it was time to discover what this truly was.

What would neighbours think (Downton Abbey)

Pairing: Cora Crawley x Reader x Robert Crawley

Imagine: O’Brien misinterprets you, a housemaid training to be Lady Edith’s Lady's maid returning in the wee small hours as an attempt after her job. A few well-placed threatening words when she catches you alone, one evening whilst staying at Crawley House in London results in your disappearance which is soon noted.

Poly CM Beyond Borders

Pairing: Jack Garrett x Reader x Karen Garrett

Over the Horizon Epilogue

Pairings: Shawn Michaels x reader x Chris Jericho

Scorching - Poly Chicago Med

Pairings: Connor Rhodes x Reader x Ethan Choi

Imagine: Imagine after a series of heated nights together, what you thought was becoming something more seems to fade as Ethan and Connor distract themselves from you. Only for you to walk head first into a dangerous situation when a patient turns hostile.

Delirious Happy Endings Epilogue

Pairing: Connor Rhodes x Reader

Time enough for Love (Bridgerton Poly)

Pairings: Kate Sharma x Reader x Anthony Bridgerton

Imagine: A mission to ensure Kate and Anthony find each other during the social season of 1814. Time travels into the past to ensure that crucial moments occur. However, you find yourself falling in love with the pair. It breaks your heart when it comes to leaving and returning to the future.

Sweet Enough (Fated to you sequel)

Pairings: Elliot Stabler x Reader

Imagine a soulmate AU where newly divorced Elliot Stabler has a soul mark wrapped around his wrist and finds out that it’s the newest member of the SVU team, before awkwardly asking you to go get a coffee with him

In the cold harsh light of day (CAOS poly)

Pairing: Nick Scratch x Sabrina Spellman X Fae!Reader

Imagine: Imagine being a member of the face court, living in the mortal realm where you find yourself in a poly triad with Nick and Sabrina. With the threat of void on the horizon, your family wishes to return to the forest but you wish to remain. Unhappy with this choice, you are tricked into returning at the bequest of your Fae King and Queen. Only to be shackled whilst the events of Season 4 play out until Death presents itself to you with a new choice. A way out or salvation?

Lone Rider (9-1-1 Lone Star)

Pairings: Owen Strand x Reader

Imagine: Imagine crushing on your boss Owen Strand since starting at the firehouse. Never having the courage to admit your feelings. Until you wake up one morning to find yourself in bed with him. In a panic, you make yourself scarce. No awkward conversation follows in the days after but every decision has consequences.

Crossing that line - (Power Rangers Dino Thunder)

Pairing: Tommy Oliver x Reader

Summary: After a strange encounter with one of the victims of Mesogog’s most recent monsters. You find yourself alone with Dr Oliver as you both begin to experience strange symptoms. Not knowing that this monster whose DNA was combined with an aphrodisiac plant. Buried and denied feelings rise to the surface.

If anyone wants to be tagged for any of the above. Please let me know either comment or message me

[notyour-valentine]

Valentine's Writings ~ Tommy Shelby Masterlist

[Navigation] [Peaky Blinders Masterlist] [Taglist]

All my writing is produced by an adult and created with an adult audience in mind (18/21+). You are responsible for your own media consumption. I do not consent to my work being translated, copied or posted elsewhere on this platform or any other.

I hope you enjoy and would be grateful for any form of feedback.

Multipart/ Series

Go tell the English (Tommy Shelby x Reader Angst) - completed

Tommy leaves the field hospital in France with nothing but a trinket and memories of the woman who had given it to him

The Boy in the Window (Tommy Shelby x Reader Series) - completed

(Y/N) thinks the boy her daughter sees in the window of the neighbouring house is nothing but a childish fantasy, after all, no one has lived there for years, but when she brings that boy to lunch, she realises that he is in fact very real, rather hungry and quite cold and above all- the son of none other than the infamous Tommy Shelby

Welcome to Downton, Mr Shelby (Tommy Shelby x Crawley!OC Series; Peaky Blinders/Downton Abbey crossover) - in progress

Their births, their families, their lives - their whole worlds could not have been more different, and perhaps that was why, when Thomas Shelby looked at Lady Charlotte Crawley, he saw more than her title, more than her looks- he saw an opportunity.

One Shots

Aboard (Tommy Shelby & Reader Angst)

During one of his house parties, Tommy stumbles upon someone who might know more of the world than he thinks, at least about the world he does not understand

An Understanding (Dad!Tommy Shelby fluff)

As an experienced businessman, Tommy knows that before long an understanding will be reached, even with the toughest of negotiators

Aristos Achaion (Tommy Shelby x Reader Angst/Fluff)

Tommy becomes intrigued with a scholar at the library Ada works at, even if he doesn’t know why, even if he sees no point in her work- that is, until he does

A better man (Tommy Shelby x Reader Angst/Fluff)

In anger, a young Tommy repeats the rhetoric he has heard at home too many times and immediately regrets it - or: the day Tommy decided to break the cycle.

A Christmas Journey (Tommy Shelby & Reader Fluff)

A Journey back from London in the Christmas Season with his secretary doesn't go as planned

A good man (Tommy Shelby & daughter!Reader Angst)

Tommy's daughter comes home drunk and upset from a night out. Tommy is more than happy to comfort her, not knowing what ruined her night.

A moment's peace (Tommy Shelby x Reader Fluff)

Tommy is desperate for a moment's peace

A New Year's Dance (Tommy Shelby x Reader Fluff)

It is considered lucky to dance in the New Year as the clock strikes twelve, but how about a dance a few hours later?

A secret, a fear and a hatbox (Dad! Tommy Shelby fluff)

With his wife away, Tommy feels more helpless than ever at the change of behaviour in his children

A thousand reasons and one (Tommy Shelby x Reader fluff)

After more than a decade since her parents had decided to leave Birmingham for a better life across the sea, she wasn’t sure just what she would return to

Because it's there (Tommy Shelby One Shot)

At one of Ada's parties, Tommy has an interesting conversation about the limitations of mankind

Blackberry Stains (Tommy Shelby x Reader Angst)

Some things lingered, like blackberry stains

Blighty One (Tommy Shelby x Reader Angst)

When Tommy gets hurt, time is running out and when his girl steps up, there's nothing he can do about it

Dance with me (Tommy Shelby x Reader Angst)

Three little words, a request with a great many implications

Delilah (Tommy Shelby x Reader Smutish/Angst)

During a party at his house, Tommy becomes enraptured by a beautiful little fool

Don't forget to smile :-) (modern!Tommy & Reader platonic fluff)

Tommy can't think of anything more ridiculous than the cheery messages the Barista keeps scribbling down on his to go coffee cups

False Idol (Tommy Shelby x Reader Angst)

Tommy and his wife have different priorities when it comes to their family, perhaps they've had different priorities for far too long

First Snow (Tommy Shelby x Reader Fluff)

Tommy is having regrets about Arrow House - who thought some snow might change his mind.

Haunted (Tommy Shelby x Reader Angst)

In the middle of the night, Tommy's wife seeks him out searching for his warmth and the comfort of his arms

His World (Tommy Shelby x Reader Fluff)

When Tommy wants her to join him in his world, she agrees, even if the thought made her skin crawl

Honesty (Tommy Shelby x Reader Angst)

He is the last person she wants to see at her engagement party, and his confessions are the last thing she wants to hear

I can't trust myself (Tommy Shelby x Reader Angst/Smut)

What Tommy wants and what he allows himself are two very different things, especially when it comes to her.

I'd do anything to make you stay (Dark!Tommy Shelby x Reader Angst)

At first little Charlie's caretaker has to leave, then she feels obligated to leave, then she needs to leave only to realise he'll force her to stay

Irene's Delights (Tommy Shelby x Reader Fluff)

After Tommy disappears from a party, she goes out to find him

Life is a Cabaret (Tommy Shelby x Reader angst)

Tommy feels trapped by an iron-clad arrangement with a performer that was of his own making

Lockdown Masterpiece (modern!Tommy Shelby x Reader family fluff)

When Tommy takes charge of homeschooling, it goes better than anyone could have ever imagined

No! (Tommy Shelby Angst)

The many times Tommy Shelby should have said no and the one time he wished Charlie wouldn't have.

On the Brink of Winter (Tommy Shelby Angst)

Tommy can't bring himself to join the fair and instead thinks of the summer he missed

Philopator (Tommy Shelby & Daughter!Reader Angst)

When Michael presents his offer to Tommy for a restructuring of the company, he mentions his daughter - after all, she is already involved, even if Tommy doesn’t know it yet

Pretty (Tommy Shelby x Reader Fluff)

They had written endless books, poems and songs to instruct men in the art of giving compliments, but somehow, in all of history, they had forgotten to teach them how to accept them.

Red Lies (Tommy Shelby / Reader Angst/Fluff)

When her brother's friend Tommy hides out in her home, him bleeding on the floorboards becomes the least of her worries as the police comes knocking.

Riot (modern!Tommy Shelby x Ex!Reader Angst)

Tommy's definitions of no strings apparently includes telling his ex which clubs she can and can't go to - so she goes to his to start a riot

The Head of the Snake (Tommy Shelby x wife!reader Angst)

Tommy returns exhausted from a BUF event in the middle of the night, and all he wants is peace. But he finds anything but.

The Prettiest Girls (modern!Tommy Shelby x Reader Fluff)

Who could know that a discussion about sexism and gender roles could bring such truths to the surface?

The Spirits that I summoned (young!Tommy)

Where Arthur sees danger, Tommy sees a quick way to make some money and use people's prejudices against them.

The Thing about Smiles (Tommy Shelby x Reader Fluff)

Smiles never came easy to her, and that was harder for some to accept than for others. 

They are all looking (Tommy Shelby x Reader Fluff)

During one of Tommy's event, his crowd shy wife gets overwhelmed.

Together (Tommy Shelby x Reader Fluff/Smut)

Tommy's wife gets bored during a weekend retreat with one of his many business partners.

To Measure Pain (Tommy Shelby Angst)

Tommy visits a home for injured veterans with a lot of money and a great deal expectations.

Solicitation (modern!Tommy Shelby x Reader)

Mr Thomas Shelby was the most aggrevating client she had ever seen, testing the limits of her professionalism.

Steady (Tommy Shelby x male!Reader Fluff)

 When (Y/N) can't figure out a mistake in the accounts, his stress and fatigue get the better of him. He didn't expect any help, least of all from Tommy Shelby.

Strawberry Red (Tommy Shelby x Reader Angst)

After two years, Tommy reunites with Grace, but the same things that once intrigued him, do the opposite now (possible continuation to Blackberry Stains)

Well Spoken (Tommy Shelby x Reader Fluff)

Tommy needs a little help with finetuing his speech for the House of Commons

Headcanons

PDA

Sleeping

x Milf

First Period - Shelby!Sister

modern! Tommy Shelby

Skiing

Moonboards

As M'lady Commands

La Serenissima

Livin' for the Fame

The Last Dandelion

[okay-j-hannah]

Episode 4: The New Heir

Doctor Who : Multishot

Eleventh Doctor x Reader

Word Count: 3790

Warnings: the spanish flu pandemic of 1918 and lots of references to characters in Downton Abbey - I apologize if you’ve never seen the series but I would highly recommend it 🤩

Request: This just came from my own head 😊

A/N: Follow the lives of the Crawley family and their servants in their Edwardian country estate as they search for the next heir, who will be asked to learn from the Lord and will be encouraged to be friendly with the eldest daughter.

Episode 3: As You Wish

Episode 4: The New Heir {You Are Here}

Episode 5: The Unknown Subject

The sound of tinkling forks and knives sang throughout the dining room. The rich mahogany table was bedecked with a number of alluring dishes and delicious scents. The guests were all alight by candelabras and the newly installed electric light.

(Y/N) cut a piece of the roasted chicken, tasting the rosemary instantly. The kitchens never disappointed in Downton.

Nor did the company. Seeing as life on the estate was frightfully dull without the people, (Y/N) took pleasure in the conversation. She enjoyed recognizing each of them as people from her own life.

Most of all the Doctor.

He sat beside her, taking on the persona of John Smith once more. “Please send my compliments to the kitchen,” he said politely, “You’re quite right – jammie dodgers are my favorite. I appreciate the homemade touch.”

The table rounded with laughs. (Y/N) looked over and eyed his plate full of desserts. He was lucid like her. Truly the Doctor playing the part just like her.

She turned back to the guests. “How have you enjoyed our gardens, Lady Cassandra?”

The heavily laden woman pursed her lips. She was covered in furs and feathers, practically getting in the way of the food she was pecking at. It was a surprise she could move her eyelids at all with the amount of makeup packed there.

Clearly she was a woman desperately holding onto her beauty as she fell out of her prime.

“I prefer roses over your tulips. But they’re beautiful, nonetheless. I didn’t expect the grounds to be so sunny in the country. It’d dry me out if I didn’t have my butler with me.”

(Y/N) held back a snicker thinking about her sniveling little comrade, Chip. The Doctor cleared his throat, apparently thinking back on the troubles the Lady Cassandra had caused in their own reality.

“You must visit our Downton Village Flower Show,” Lady Crawley said. She was the one supposed to be (Y/N)’s mother – she was one of the few (Y/N) didn’t recognize from her own world.

“I made a report on that,” Sir Octavian recalled from down the table, “And I will say the Lady Cassandra has a point about roses. They were the flower that won the show.” He played the local head of the newspaper in this reality.

(Y/N) took a sip of her wine, “If I’m not mistaken, you have a likeness for gardens, Sir Octavian.”

The man nodded, “I rather enjoy taking strolls. Particularly through statues and fountains as well. I’ve recently acquired a set of stone angels for my own garden.”

The Doctor spoke suddenly through a full mouth, “Weeping angels?”

“Yes, fascinating, aren’t they?” Sir Octavian remarked.

(Y/N) swallowed her chicken. If only the Sir remembered what the weeping angels did to him in the real world.

Mrs. Smith spoke, “I would be interested in seeing a piece about the local hospitals in the newspaper – if you don’t mind me saying so, Sir Octavian.”

“Mother, please,” the Doctor spoke quietly, “You can engage in your advertisements aside from the dinner table.”

His mother was being played by Harriet Jones.

“I apologize – Mother can be rather headstrong about the good causes.”

“I do believe you inherited that trait,” (Y/N) mumbled his way.

Lady Crawley spoke loudly to change the subject, “How have your tours of the village gone, (Y/N)?”

The Doctor responded, “Splendid, really. You’ve got countryside that will last for hundreds of years. Just imagine how they’ll grow and be preserved as national parks one day. An honorable way to preserve the ancient grasslands of England.”

The table had gone silent, forks and knives still.

(Y/N) kicked the Doctor beneath the table.

“Forgive me – just voicing silly antics Lady (Y/N) and I came up with on our adventures.”

“Adventures?” Lord Grantham, (Y/N)’s father, spoke, “Is that what you’re calling your daily outings?”

(Y/N) smiled, “That’s what they are more or less. The latest included a picnic overlooking the village. We tried to attract the rabbits with leftover salad clippings,” she snickered.

The table now shared their fondness for each other. It was no secret they were all in support of the pair to end their friendship in marriage. John Smith was the new heir to Downton and would inherit the title and estate from the family.

Should (Y/N) marry him, the family would have proper cause to remain at the house.

It was peculiar to play a part in a story where they should end up married. (Y/N) certainly didn’t mind, but she wondered what the Doctor thought.

He lifted his glass of wine, took a rather large sip, and spit the entirety of it back into the cup.

~~~

Amy was undoing (Y/N)’s hair, braiding it into a style to sleep in. “I’ve heard some wonderful things about your time with Mr. Smith.”

(Y/N) smiled, “I’ve heard similar things about you and Mr. Williams.”

“The valet?” Amy said with forced surprise, “Heard what things?”

“That you’re to be married,” (Y/N) eyed the woman through her vanity mirror, “That Father has starting searching for a cottage you two could stay in near the house.”

Amy sighed heavily, “Who told you?”

“I was the one who asked for cottage advertisements from Sir Octavian today on Father’s behalf.”

“Fine,” Amy grinned, “Now you share. I’ve noticed how Mr. Smith watches you when he thinks nobody is looking – if you don’t mind me saying.”

(Y/N) turned in her seat, “I rather like your forward nature, Amelia. Just don’t let Mother hear you speak like that.”

There was a knock at the door and a whispered voice, “(Y/N)?”

Amy was frozen and hesitant as she neared the door that was already opening. There stood the Doctor.

“Oh, hello,” he said in an animated voice. “I mean, I’m sorry – could I have a word with Lady (Y/N).”

“Let him in, Amelia,” (Y/N) spoke softly, “And I’d rather you keep this event to yourself, please.”

Amy nodded, letting the Doctor in and shutting the door behind her. Not before she shared a smirk with (Y/N).

The Doctor strode in, rubbing his hands together. (Y/N) took a relieved breath every time she saw him act like himself now. It was comforting after spending a couple realities of him not knowing the truth.

But it was still peculiar with how different he looked. He was still wearing his dress clothes – a suit with an ironed collar and shiny brass buttons – and shoes polished to see your reflection in them. His hair was combed and styled in a professional manner; it made her miss seeing it bounce about as he got into his usual eccentrics.

“Right,” he said quickly, “Splendid work playing the part. I thought a few times there we’d been spotted for being frauds but thankfully we were spared an immediate time jump.”

“You mean the times you ate nothing but jammie dodgers, spit back up the wine, and prattled on about the future national parks of the England grasslands?”

The Doctor threw a hand in the air, “Not important. I only meant to congratulate you on keeping up appearances.” He made to exit the room, but (Y/N) grasped his arm.

“What, that’s it?” she said with sudden anger, “You haven’t been cleverly thinking of some escape plan?”

“We’re surviving with the plan we have.” He held onto her head and planted a kiss in her hair. “Enjoy the fun while we’re stuck here!”

And he bounced for the door before she could lash at him with something more harsh. She still had yet to say something about her mysterious conversation with River Song. She very much wanted to hear from her again.

Not that she didn’t mind the luxury of Downton in the meantime. It was rather enjoyable going on rides or picnics with the Doctor while being treated like royalty on the estate. But that didn’t stop her from wanting to be just (Y/N).

(Y/N) and the Doctor. Companions traveling through time and space.

~~~

It was shaping to be a rather dull weekend as (Y/N) walked the grounds. Looking towards the skies she noticed incoming storm clouds. Clouds that were abnormal for the current season.

The Doctor had gone to meddle in the cottage affair with Mr. Williams and Amelia.

It left (Y/N) with a sense of boredom as she wandered. That was until she heard strange sounds coming from the estate.

She flew around, pebbles scattering around her feet. It sounded like… well, it sounded like the tardis.

She ran for the house, finding herself the staircase immediately and following the sound as it grew louder. She reached rooms that only the servants dealt with. Running through corridors and bumping into footmen and maids.

“Pardon me, Miss.”

“Sorry, Miss.”

“Lady (Y/N), is everything all right?”

(Y/N) ignored them all, hearing the wheeze of the tardis louder and louder until she reached a tearoom. She stood against it, catching her breath and hearing the sound warp.

She braced herself and opened the door. There in full glory was the tardis. It stood glowing and ominous as the day she saw it concealed in the trees.

Closing the door behind her, she whispered, breathless, “River?”

There was no answer.

“River, please,” she pleaded, reaching the box handle and pulling. It remained locked tight. “Hello?” (Y/N) knocked.

“Hello?”

“River!”

“(Y/N), finally!” River laughed, “I’m sorry our last conversation was cut short.”

(Y/N) sighed, leaning against the police box, “We don’t have much time. The dream doesn’t like us asking questions… or making escape plans, for that matter.”

“Have you gotten the Doctor to see the truth?” she spoke within (Y/N)’s mind.

“Yes, though I don’t think he sees the entirety of it.”

River grumbled, “What’s he going on about now?”

“Well, he refuses to think of another way out other than playing our characters assigned to us.”

“No, no – that’s just a mode of survival,” River said, “We can’t talk here. I can already feel the connection getting severed. You need to be somewhere away from the place you woke up.”

(Y/N) nodded, “Somewhere away from the estate.”

“Get somewhere far as soon as you can. Then I’ll try and reach you again – good luck, sweetie.”

(Y/N) felt a tug in her heart. River became silent and when (Y/N) blinked, the tardis was gone. She was left alone in a tearoom.

It was imperative that she got to a faraway location. Feeling out of breath, she ran for the staircase once more, the house slippers dainty on her running feet. She had to lift the hem of her dress as she ran outside, noticing how the grumbling clouds ahead seemed closer, and angrier.

Not trusting herself to remember how to ride a horse like in the last reality, she took off for the tree line on foot.

Trying to convince a chauffer to drive her would be impossible, besides she had to be alone when she sought after River Song. The delicate hairstyle that Amelia braided was coming undone as she fought against the hills and grass and incoming wind.

If the Doctor wasn’t going to do anything about an escape plan, then she was going to have to step up. She didn’t want to be stuck having to pretend in each new existence. She wanted the Doctor back. The Doctor and their old life.

Finding cover under a grove of trees, the light became considerably darker as the storm clouds sat heavy above her. She was far enough from the house now that perhaps the dream would be preoccupied with trying to locate her.

Then there was the wheeze of the tardis again.

“River!” she shouted, unafraid in the sanctuary of the woods. Quite like in the last reality, the tardis appeared nestled between the trees.

“(Y/N)? Brilliant, you were able to get away.”

“But I don’t know for how long,” she replied, running to the blue wood and placing a hand there. “Tell me how to get out of here.”

The tardis warped as River’s voice came through like a static walkie-talkie. “I told you there’ll have to be a big shock. (Y/N), I think you have to scare yourself awake. Like waking from a nightmare.”

(Y/N) leaned against the spaceship, ignoring the light spackle of rain that began to fall. “How am I supposed to scare myself awake?”

“I have my theories,” River continued, the metallic sound of buttons being pressed could be heard through the trees. “But none of them are pretty.”

“What can I do?”

“You’re going to have to die.”

(Y/N) felt the breath stick in her lungs, the smell of damp soil and rain filling her quickly emptying brain.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s the natural survival instinct. Like if you were trapped underwater, your body has a natural self-preservation instinct to get air back in your lungs. In this case, your body will wake itself up if your dream state is compromised.”

She soaked up the information, “And the Doctor?”

“I can imagine finding you dead would be enough of a shock to wake himself up.”

(Y/N) now leaned her head against the tardis, the rain beginning to fall more forcefully, “How do you suggest it happens?”

“For the last couple hours I’ve been working on how I can manipulate the conditions of your dream. I could make something plausible happen to you – something realistic to the reality you’re in so the dream isn’t suspicious.”

“Seems a little farfetched.”

“I’ve been manipulating the atmosphere from inside the tardis. Has the weather changed at all since we’ve been talking?”

(Y/N) gave a choked laugh, “It started to rain.”

River sighed, “Excellent. You should expect to get sick in the next day or so.”

“By your doing?”

“Precisely,” River said, “I hear the Spanish flu is all the rage in this time period.”

(Y/N) grimaced, “That doesn’t seem like a pleasant way to go.”

“But it’ll wake you up,” River urged, “We’re running out of time. I’ll see you soon, please keep the Doctor in check.”

The tardis was beginning to fade beneath her fingers, “Sure, thank you River,” she said, backing away and under the full deluge of rain. “You better make it quick.”

The spaceship was fully disappearing now, and the massive droplets of rain were feeling colder by the second. Being drenched in the cold would surely weaken her immune system. And then all River had to do was put someone with the flu virus in her vicinity.

With so many members of staff and incoming guests at Downton, that part was simple.

The trek back to the estate was much more grueling than running from it. With the combination of the rain and the slip of her soaking slippers, she was a mess upon entering the house.

Having fallen in the overflowing hills, the white of her tights were torn and muddy. The delicate soles of her shoes were compromised and left her toes wet and cold. Her hair fell from their braids, left damp and curled against her face.

She resisted the shivers as a lady’s maid gasped at the sight of her.

“Lady (Y/N)!” It was Amelia, “What happened to you?”

“Good evening, Amelia,” she replied, “How was your house hunting?”

The lady’s maid ran over to grasp her arm, “Abysmal – the rain ruined the fun. We just returned. My lord, you’re chilled to the bone.” She pulled on her arm, towards the stairs, “Let’s get you warm. There’s a cold going around and I’d hate for you to catch it.”

(Y/N) smiled ironically at her maid. The year was 1918 and the Spanish flu pandemic was fully on its way. River knew what she was doing.

“I hope Mr. Smith hasn’t returned,” Amelia continued, guiding (Y/N) into her bedroom. “I’d hate for him to see you like this.”

“Would you now?” (Y/N) sighed, the forward nature of her maid – gossiper that she was – could be just what she needed now. “Why is that?”

“Well, on our ride today…” Amelia began, gathering dry clothes and stoking the fireplace, “I told you of my suspicions of his affections toward you. Now there isn’t a doubt in my mind.”

(Y/N) waited for the maid to help her into her nightgown. “Quite the spy you are, Amelia.”

“I beg your pardon, miss. But it’s true – that man has got his heart set on you something fierce.” She fixed the buttons on the nightgown and got a towel to dry (Y/N)’s hair. “I know he’d fret over you if you fell ill.”

“Kind of him,” she said quietly, seeking the softness of the bedsheets. “I’m terribly tired, Amelia. Please send apologies to my family. I don’t believe I’ll attend dinner tonight.”

“Of course, M’lady,” Amy bowed, “I’ll ask that they don’t disturb you.” She made sure the fireplace was full and hot before exiting the room.

(Y/N) laid there trying to get warm. A headache was already growing, and a tickle residing in her throat.

~~~

River worked fast.

Within the next three days a fever grew to exponential degrees. She was wracked with insomnia and coughing fits. She was prone to nosebleeds and sweating through the sheets.

A medical doctor listened to her lungs and met with the group of people waiting for the prognosis outside the room.

With the door ajar, (Y/N) could just barely make out the conversation.

“She’s entering respiratory failure,” the doctor whispered, “Pneumonia has ravaged her lungs. I’d expect things to get a lot worse within the next day.”

Other worried mutterings filled the space. “How long?” came the determined voice of John – the Doctor.

“It’d be a miracle if she made it through the night.”

And that’s why the pandemic was so historic. People would catch the flu and a few days later would die. It killed them quick.

The family thanked the doctor, but John was quick to request time alone with her. The door was shut and (Y/N) could feel the pressure of someone leaning in beside her.

Nimble fingers found her clammy hand, “(Y/N)…”

Her feverish head rolled on the pillow, rasping when she said, “Doctor?”

“I don’t understand,” he said quietly, holding her hand more fiercely. “I didn’t think this would be a part of our script.”

“It’s just a dream, Doctor,” she coughed, “I’ll be okay.”

“You don’t know that,” he said darkly, “We don’t know what’s keeping us here.”

She fell victim to the pneumonia, coughing savagely. The Doctor grabbed her arm as if he could pull her to him and make it all better. He felt hopeless. He felt angry.

“We need to change the reality,” he ground out. “We need to leave this script.”

“That won’t change anything,” she rasped. “We have to let this play out.”

“I can’t,” he said quietly.

The fever was making her delusional, but it sounded like the Doctor was teary.

“Stop,” she said breathlessly, her eyes closed against the heat in her head. “Leave it be.”

“I can’t,” he repeated, “I won’t.”

She was fading, about to succumb to another bout of terrible, sickened sleep. She weakly wriggled her fingers within his grasp. “This is how we escape.”

The Doctor froze beside her, the wetness developing behind his eyes stalled. “What do you mean?”

“River…” she whispered, falling deeper in her sickness.

“River?” he said, “You’ve contacted River Song?” He stood from where his was kneeling, “What has she been telling you?”

(Y/N) had fallen under, the wheeze of her breath the symphony of her bloody lungs. The Doctor leaned over her, furious at being left out of a conspiracy. He was shaking, unable to look at the speckle of sweat against her temples, unable to look at the bluish tinge of her lips or the dark circles under her eyes.

Was it River’s doing? Was she the reason (Y/N) became fatally ill? She was smart enough to trick the rules of the dream state.

“Oi!” he suddenly yelled, “Hey!” He left (Y/N)’s bedside, screaming up at the ceiling, “You’re being manipulated. This was a revision of the dream. Someone is trying to invade. Please…” he breathed heavy, looking towards the sky. “Please don’t let her die.”

~~~

(Y/N) woke up sitting in a rolling desk chair. She was dressed in a professional women’s cut suit and a brown file folder was on the round table in front of her. She was in a meeting room with glass walls and a flatscreen tv.

She rubbed at her temples, the last remnants of the Spanish flu fading away. “What the hell…” she grumbled.

The door suddenly flew open, a group of people all similarly dressed in professional attire coming in with their own file folders.

Jack Harkness, Donna Noble, Amy Pond, and Rory Williams.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Jack winked, sitting beside her, “Did you sleep here?”

“Must’ve,” she said, massaging a crick in her neck, “We’ve been swamped with the press.”

Donna scoffed, sitting down and kicking her feet up, “You’re telling me! Those scavengers will pick our bones clean to get the tiniest detail on this case.”

“Hey, you’re the best liaison we have,” Amy nudged her friend, “I just can’t believe they asked the DAU to help with the case.”

(Y/N) scrunched her brow, finally reading the ink stamp on the front of her file folder.

DAU: Disaster Analysis Unit.

“This is a high profile case,” Rory said, opening his side bag to find his glasses, “They need as much help as they can get.”

“I don’t fancy the world ending because of some lunatic in a cocktail dress,” Donna said, flipping through the folder, “I mean who decides to be on the run from international governments in four-inch heels.”

“Classy,” Jack said with a grin, “If I was a criminal, I’d want to do it in style too.”

The door opened again, and (Y/N) had to consciously keep her mouth shut. The Doctor came walking in, file folder in hand. He was in a clean, pressed suit, his hair combed to the side and the lightest bit of scruff growing on his face.

He looked so un-Doctorish, but terribly attractive.

“Good morning, team,” he said with a commanding tone. He must have been the head of the DAU team. “We’ve gotten our next case and have pressure from all sides to apprehend her before a doomsday occurs.”

He went to turn the tv on, “Previously our unknown subject, she’s been identified after her last attempt to devastate England. She was caught trying to plague major cities with vials of disease she developed at her university. She tried to cause a worldwide pandemic.”

(Y/N) gulped, already guessing who their unknown subject was.

The tv flickered on and plastered to the screen was a picture of the suspect:

Professor River Song.

~~~

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