theodore nott • may i have this dance?
info: smallish blurb for @thatdammchickennugget’s hogmarch challenge. prompt four. (i know im a day late lol sorry mari ily)
summary: theodore told everyone that dances weren’t his thing and decided he wasn’t going to attend the yule ball. when you agreed to go with cormac, he realized that he’d made a big mistake, and was there for you when you needed him most.
tags: soft and fluffy. shitty cormac per usual.
You should have seen it coming.
You should have damn well known that accepting Cormac's half-assed invitation to the Yule Ball was practically signing up for one thing and one thing only:
a one-way ticket to misery.
The sting of his abandonment wasn’t even the worst of it--though it did occur almost immediately, sneaky bloke somehow managing to slither off before Dumbledore even had the chance to make it to the podium to give the opening fucking speech.
Truthfully, you probably could have gotten over that. With enough drinks, that is.
The real kicker came after the bewildering manner in which he vanished into the ether. The moment he reappeared all the same, as if nothing had even happened, accompanied now by your ex-best friend, clinging to his arm like a fucking lifeline.
His smirk, so brazenly triumphant, seemed to stretch wider than the chasm between you, swallowing up his entire face in a painfully irritating display of mockery and betrayal as he shot you an infuriating wink from across the room, leading your friend through the crowd and into position for the first slow dance.
That was it. There was no goddamn way you were staying in that cursed room for even a millisecond longer.
If not for your ironclad resolve, you were fully convinced you would have set the entire room ablaze in a whirlwind of rage as you stormed out.
Yet, as you downed nearly half the flask of firewhiskey you had concealed beneath your flowing emerald green gown, a profound epiphany struck you: that wretched excuse for a human being didn't merit even a fraction of your emotional investment.
What he truly warranted, from the depths of your seething soul, was a resounding void of utter insignificance.
And with that realization burning in your chest, you pivoted on your heels and pushed your way through the throng, feigning ignorance to Pansy's concerned calls and Mattheo's mocking gaze as he reached out to grasp your arm, undoubtedly ready to ridicule you for being left high and dry before the first damn dance.
Your friends had warned you of this inevitable outcome, but your stubbornness had clouded your ears to their warnings.
You live and you learn, right?
"Wrong," Mattheo, Theodore, Enzo, Blaise, and Draco would have most definitely retorted in unison.
You could practically hear it in the recesses of your mind as you pushed through the large double doors and out into the warm spring breeze flowing through the corridor. They would have reminded you that sometimes it pays to heed the advice of someone who's walked the same path, that perhaps they were genuinely trying to watch out for you for once.
Of course, you would have simply scowled and rolled your eyes in response. You didn't need advice from anyone, definitely not them. Although…it certainly would have paid off to listen just this once…
Just then, in that fleeting moment of mental pondering, an intriguing thought popped into your mind;
Perhaps, just perhaps; you were the problem here.
…..No. Nope. Not even close.
You forcefully dismissed that nagging notion the very second it dared to intrude. No, you couldn’t, and simply wouldn’t entertain the idea that you were at fault here.
The reason you were making a hasty exit from the Yule Ball before the first dance had even commenced, the reason the echo of your black heels striking the cobblestones beneath them reverberated throughout the damp and desolate corridor, was solely because of Cormac.
If you were the problem, you’d be the one in there dancing with whomever you pleased, paying no mind to the feelings of others. Your Yule Ball evening was over. And not even the combined efforts of Godric Gryffindor, Professor Snape, Salazar Slytherin and Filch's bloody cat could have kept you from fleeing.
But in truth, if you were being completely real with yourself, you weren’t even all that bummed. A very large part of you didn’t even want to partake tonight.
Perhaps that was due to the fact that the man you longed to accompany the dance with had adamantly declared his aversion to such festivities, and simply decided not to attend.
But that’s neither here nor there at this point.
As you reached the threshold of the courtyard, your gaze fell upon the breathtaking scene unfolding before you: a moonlit evening enveloped in a torrential downpour, each raindrop hammering against the emerald expanse of grass with relentless force.
It was as tragically beautiful as it was suiting.
And as you were lost in the beauty of nature's fury, you were startled by a husky voice slicing through the stillness, calling out your name from down the hall. Nearly leaping out of your own damn skin, your head snapped to the side, your eyes meeting those of a tall, strikingly handsome Italian man striding purposefully towards you.
"Hey," Theodore called out, his voice gentle yet determined, "Wait up."
You rolled your eyes before you could even stop yourself. Force of habit.
“I saw you leaving,” he continued, his steps quickening as he closed the distance between you. “Are you okay?”
You met his concerned gaze with a raised eyebrow, a hint of sass colouring your reply, "don’t I look okay to you?"
Theodore's gaze caressed you, hunger evident in his half-lidded eyes as they roamed over your form with a blend of admiration and concern. Barely audible, a curse slipped from his lips in Italian before he locked eyes with you once more, a palpable shift in the intensity of his gaze.
"You look more than okay, Bella," he murmured, taking a single step closer. “Doesn’t mean you feel it.”
Your breath caught in your throat, your heart quickening its pace in response to his proximity. As Theodore’s words washed over you, a shiver ran down your spine, your skin tingling with the heat of his gaze.
This was the man you’d longed to attend the dance with tonight. The one who swore he’d never take part in such idiocy. Standing before you, clad in an all black suit.
You didn’t even have a thought to question it—to question him—on what the hell he was doing here, dressed like that—because as you stood there, your temperature rising, you met his eyes, a mixture of vulnerability and longing swirling within your own.
“Maybe not,” you whispered, your voice barely above a breath, “but somehow…you make it hard to feel anything else.”
Theodore's lips curved into a knowing smile, and his tongue darted out to wet them, his eyes locking with yours in silent understanding.
"Then maybe," he murmured, his voice low and intimate, "we should find a way to make you feel everything."
Your entire body froze in place as Theodore slowly extended his hand towards you, the world around you fading into insignificance as if time itself had paused, as if someone had cast a spell on the clock. Almost entirely speechless, you found yourself unable to tear your gaze away from his, the anticipation thick in the air as the distant strains of a slow dance song filtered through the corridor, emanating from the Yule Ball.
With a gentle smile, Theodore broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper, "may I have this dance?"
As your lips parted to respond, a whirlwind of emotions danced across your face, your eyes flickering between his outstretched hand and the captivating depths of his gaze. A mischievous grin tugged at the corners of your mouth, your usually sassy self left utterly speechless, and with deliberate slowness, you surrendered your hand to his, relishing in the warmth that flooded your senses as he drawed you closer and into his embrace.
Theodore’s hands found their place on your waist with a gentle yet firm grip, pulling you closer to him as if to reassure you of his presence. You reciprocated by resting your palms on his shoulders, feeling the heat emanating from his body, its intensity seeping through the fabric of his suit jacket, igniting a tingling sensation in your fingertips.
You let your eyes trace a path up his strong chest, taking in the subtle rise and fall of his breath beneath the fabric of his shirt. It was then that you noticed the emerald silk tie adorning his neck, its colour mirroring the rich hue of your dress almost perfectly.
Utterly mesmerized, you couldn’t comprehend the way this man had rendered you so bloody speechless. You’d never have expected any of this in a million years.
Finally, you managed to exhale, your voice barely above a whisper, “you…you matched my dress…”
Theodore’s eyes softened as he looked down at you, a tender smile playing on his lips.
“Only because I knew you’d be wearing it,” he replied, his voice warm, a soft caress against your skin. “Cormac is a fucking idiot.”
A breathy laugh escaped your lips, mingling with the soothing melody of the rain and the gentle hum of the slow dance tune. You blinked, looking up at him through your lashes, finding yourself lost in the depth within the ocean of his eyes.
“You knew he’d ditch me,” you whispered, the words barely audible over the soft cadence of the music. As you watched Theodore’s eyes trace the curve of your lips, a flicker of realization dawned upon you. “You were betting on it.”
“I knew you deserved better,” he murmured, a soft swallow rippling through his throat as he spoke, his eyes shimmering beneath the dim glow of the moonlight filtering through the rain-soaked courtyard. “And I was hoping you’d see it too.”
“Why didn’t you try to stop me?” you whispered, your voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability.
You thought back on the advice from the others. All those times Theo was quiet, just watching. Listening.
Theodore’s expression softened, a rueful smile gracing his lips as he reached out to brush a stray strand of hair from your face. “Would you have listened, Bella?”
You could feel the subtle tension dissipate as Theodore's touch lingered on your cheek, and with a gentle swallow, you met his gaze, a playful glint dancing in your eyes as you considered his question.
"Perhaps not," you replied, your voice as teasing as the grin gracing your lips. “I am quite stubborn, aren’t I?”
Theo chuckled, and you were going to leave it at that, remain silent and enjoy the moment for what it was, but as your eyes found his once more, a surge of honesty flooded your senses, rendering you momentarily breathless. The subtle rise and fall of his chest, the way his lips curved up while donning that devilish smirk of his, the sensation of his thumb brushing against your cheek—it was simply all too much to ignore.
"But, you should know,” you confessed softly, "I truly only wanted to go with you."
Theodore blinked, his gaze flickering with surprise at your admission, as if he hadn't expected you to voice your feelings so openly. But there was no denying the electricity crackling in the air between you, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken desires that had lingered beneath the surface for far too long. His fingers threaded gently through your hair, coaxing your face closer to his, and you couldn’t help but lean into his touch, feeling the warmth of his breath against your skin.
"Dances have never really been my thing, Bella..." his voice, a mere whisper, sent your limbs shuddering with nerves. Your fingers trembled slightly against his shoulders, the only anchor keeping you grounded in the intensity of the moment. "But I'd slow dance across the entire castle with you if you asked..."
Leaning closer, Theodore's breath mingled with yours, the warmth of his words sending a shiver down your spine. As he leaned closer, you could hear the subtle hitch in his breath, the tremor in his exhale.
"I was a fool...” as he hovered inches from your lips, you could feel the heat of his breath against your skin, the tension between you reaching its breaking point. “…for not mustering the courage to ask you myself.”
You wet your lips, your eyes bouncing all over his face, your entire body trembling with urgency, with need, with hunger. You’d hardly even heard his words at this point.
“Tell me, Bella…." he breathed, the words longing for an absolution only you could grant him. “Will you ever manage to forgive me?”
With a mischievous glint in your eyes, you leaned as close as you could possibly get, your lips just barely grazing against his, savouring the moment for every bloody second it had.
"Kiss me," you murmured through a grin, your voice barely above a whisper, "and perhaps…just perhaps, I'll find it in my heart to forgive you."
With that, he dipped low, two strong hands finding your face, capturing your lips with his, and you sighed, lids closing, reaching to forage into his hair. A soft exhale escaped him, the kiss deepening, and he cradled your head, holding you closer, his other hand falling to support your neck, thumb skimming your jaw.
You whined, joy glowing in your chest, and you eased against his body, the both of you melting into each other, melting into the moment, the sound of the rain and the rhythmic tune of the slowdance fading away in the foreground.
And as he slowly pulled away from the kiss, Theodore's eyes met yours again, blue orbs shimmering brighter than the moon.
"I’d spend a lifetime making it up to you," he vowed softly, urging your head to rest gently against his chest. "Starting with this dance."
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Tremulous.
adjective ‘shaking or quivering slightly’
in which, your a patient of doctor styles, and even though he’s supposed to be a professional, his attraction towards you blooms when he can’t seem to get you out of his head, but there’s a few problems that seem to be in his way.
word count - 2.6k
authors note- i know that this could have been longer considering the wait, but the other parts are going to be much better, contain more of a story, and definitely be longer, im sorry if this is not what you all expected <3
warnings: mentions of domestic abuse, hospitals, swearing, and a man named corey.
January 27th, 2024.
Once, you fervently clung to the notion of happily ever afters, your worldview painted with the romantic brushstrokes of fairy tales. However, that unwavering belief underwent a profound transformation. Life's intricate narrative unraveled before your eyes, revealing the nuanced shades of reality that escape the simplistic tales.
About a year ago, the realisation struck you like a revelation. The fairy-tale endings you once sought seemed elusive, replaced by the complex tapestry of life's unpredictable twists. You navigated through disappointments, heartaches, and the ever-shifting sands of relationships, learning that happiness wasn't a static destination but a dynamic journey.
When you met Corey, you beloved that just everything was going to be perfect, that you were going to get married, start a family and then finally would live a happily ever after.
But now, sitting in a hospital waiting room, a black eye and some bruised ribs, you soon realised that a happily ever after was not on your cards, and you didn’t think it ever would be.
Seated in the desolate hush of the hospital waiting room, Corey is by your side, his hand resting on your knee. However, the once-comforting touch has turned into an unintended source of discomfort. His nails, instead of offering solace, are slowly digging into your skin, creating a painful undertone beneath the already strained atmosphere.
The black eye you wear becomes a visible testament to the turbulent storm that has swept through your life, a storm now reflected in Corey's furrowed brow and tightening grip.
Each breath brings a searing pain to your ribs, a constant reminder of the physical toll exacted by whatever led you to this sterile purgatory. Corey's scowl intensifies, mirroring the tension in the room, as if the shared discomfort has found a physical expression.
The minutes drag on, marked by the rhythmic ticking of the waiting room clock, and you find yourself caught between the silent agony of your injuries and the unspoken worry etched on Corey's face.
You've always harbored a deep-seated desire to work in a hospital, a passion that initially fueled your excitement to embark on the journey of medical school. Back when you first met Corey, the prospect of donning a white coat and making a difference in people's lives seemed like a tangible dream. Fresh out of college, you were poised to step into the world of academia, eager to pursue your lifelong aspiration.
However, the trajectory of your dreams shifted when Corey entered the scene. In a whirlwind of emotions, he managed to sway your mind away from the academic pursuit you'd envisioned. With promises of missing you and a shared future that seemed brighter together, you decided to forego university and chose a different path.
Now, in the painful silence of the waiting room, regrets echo through your thoughts, as the realization settles that the sacrifice made for love might have cost you the chance to pursue your professional calling.
You can’t help but wish that you had gained enough courage back then to abandon him, because now…now your too scared to even breath around him, let alone run.
A nurse emerges from one of the doors, a clipboard in hand, and calls your name, "Y/N Y/L/N."
The mention of your name cuts through the sterile air, and both you and Corey rise from the uneasy embrace of the waiting room chairs. Your hands tremble as you follow the nurse, her brisk steps leading you into a room. The corridor seems to stretch indefinitely, anxiety intensifying with every step.
Once inside the room, the nurse gestures towards the bed,
"Please, have a seat." The paper on the bed crinkles beneath you as you comply, Corey standing nearby, his eyes mirroring the concern etched on your face.
As you settle onto the crisp hospital bed, the nurse efficiently checks your vitals, the rhythmic beep of the monitor punctuating the tension in the room. Her practised hands move with precision, measuring your pulse and blood pressure.
After the thorough examination, the nurse glances at the readings and nods.
"Your vitals seem stable," she states, her professional demeanor carrying a hint of compassion. "A doctor will be in to see you shortly. In the meantime, if you need anything or if the pain intensifies, don't hesitate to press the call button."
The weight of the impending doctor's visit hangs in the air, and you exchange a glance with Corey, your unspoken worries echoing in the silence of the room.
As the nurse departs, Corey's demeanor shifts abruptly. He harshly grabs your face, turning it towards him, his grip uncomfortably tight. His words cut through the air, "Remember what we said you'd tell them, right?"
A cold shiver runs down your spine as you nod in agreement, the tremor in your voice betraying the underlying fear.
Corey's gaze remains intense as he adds, "If you say the wrong thing, you will regret it."
The ominous warning lingers in the room, leaving you with a sense of dread.
Before you can respond, the curtain is abruptly pulled back, revealing a doctor with brown curly hair and piercing green eyes. Tattoos peeking out from the top of his scrubs and doctor coat hint at a more casual side.
His entrance interrupts the charged moment between you and Corey, injecting a fresh wave of tension into the air. The doctor offers a professional smile, though his gaze holds a discerning curiosity.
"Good afternoon. M’Dr. Styles," he introduces himself, glancing between you and Corey. "Let's talk about what brought you in today."
The weight of Corey's warning still echoes in your mind as you navigate the delicate balance between truth and the narrative you've been instructed to follow.
With a hesitant gulp, you summon the courage to speak.
"Uh, I had a bit of an accident," you begin, your voice quivering. "I... I fell down the stairs."
The admission hangs in the air, and you avoid Dr. Styles' eyes, your gaze fixed on the sterile surroundings.
Dr. Styles, his expression unreadable, continues to observe you closely.
"Fell down the stairs?" he repeats, a note of scepticism in his tone.
You nod, trying to appear convincing while the weight of fear presses down on you. The room feels stifling as you navigate the delicate dance of half-truths, your primary concern not to incur Corey's wrath.
"It was just a clumsy misstep," you add, your words laced with anxiety.
Dr. Styles, a man of clinical composure, glanced at Corey's bruised knuckles without a word, documenting the silent evidence on his clipboard.
He then turned his attention back to you, a hint of professional detachment in his green eyes.
"Well, let's get started. Where is the pain located?" Dr. Styles asked, his voice measured.
Your response quivered with nerves, "It's in…my ribs, doctor…Been hurting quite… a bit."
The doctor nodded, scribbling down your words. His gaze flickered over Corey's hands, perhaps noting the story they told without needing verbal confirmation. The air hung heavy with unspoken tension.
"Now, I need to check y’heart rate. S’that okay?" Dr. Styles inquired, his eyes fixing on yours.
A nod escaped your body.
Looking directly at you, Dr. Styles sought more than a nod. "I need verbal confirmation, not just gestures. Can y’confirm verbally that I can proceed?"
A tense smile played on your lips as you stammered, "Yes, go…go ahead."
There was no denying that Dr.Styles wasn’t a good looking man, his green eyes looked captivating, and for some reason, you felt safe in his presence.
The same couldn’t be said for Corey.
As the stethoscope pressed against your chest, a rush of anxiety surged through you. Your eyes met Corey's, silently expressing the fear of unravelling under the doctor's scrutiny.
Guided through deep breaths, your heart raced under Dr. Styles' scrutiny. The doctor noticed the anxiety etched on your face but remained professionally silent. His expertise unfolded like a story, revealing only what needed to be seen.
"Alright, here we go. Deep breath in, and out," Dr. Styles directed, his actions dictating the pace of this clandestine tale.
"Heart rate seems stable. Anything else you'd like to share about how this happened?" Dr. Styles inquired, maintaining an air of curiosity without prying too deeply.
You shook your head, your story consistent, "No, just a…clumsy fall down… the stairs."
"M’need to run a few more tests," he explained. "Would y’mind if your friend steps outside and waits in the waiting room? It won't take long."
Corey, however, reacted strongly to the suggestion. "What? No way! I'm staying right here. I'm her boyfriend, and I have every right to be in the room!"
Dr. Styles, calmly, responded, "I understand y’concern, but there are aspects of the examination that are private. S’common for patients to have some privacy during certain parts of the examination unless they suggest otherwise."
Corey, not willing to back down, kicked off, insulting Dr. Styles. "I'm not leaving. This is ridiculous. I have a right to be here."
Dr. Styles, unyielding, reiterated, "It's standard procedure f’certain parts of the examination to be conducted in private, unless the patient suggests otherwise."
You shared a hesitant look with Corey, feeling the tension escalate. Finally, with a deep breath, you mustered the courage to speak up, "Corey, maybe it's….better if you wait…outside for this part. It won't take long…and I'll be fine."
Corey's expression hardened, but he reluctantly left the room, shooting a final glare at Dr. Styles.
With Corey outside the room, Dr. Styles spoke gently, "I need t’examine your abdomen to check f’any signs of internal bleeding. For a thorough examination, I'll need you to remove your shirt."
You hesitated, anxiety clouding your eyes.
"I... I don't want to take my shirt off," you admitted, your voice trembling.
Dr. Styles, his tone reassuring, explained, "I understand, but it's crucial to assess any potential internal injuries. I'll do my best to make you as comfortable as possible, and we can proceed at your pace."
Taking a deep breath, you nodded hesitantly, beginning to remove your shirt, leaving you in just a sports bra. Dr. Styles' eyes widened as he saw the bruises that marred your torso, a silent testimony to the pain you had endured.
Concern etched on his face, Dr. Styles gently inquired, "Are you okay with me touching you for the examination?"
“Yes Doctor.” With a hesitant nod, you allowed him to proceed.
“Please,” he caught your gaze and tilted his head to the side. “Call me Harry.”
Dr. Styles' cool hands glided across your body as he carefully examined your abdomen. The room felt silent, the only sound being the measured breaths you took to steady yourself.
Dr. Styles, noticing your discomfort, apologized, "M’sorry if this causes any pain. Please let me know if anything feels too much."
As his hands explored, you flinched when he pressed too hard on a sensitive spot.
You winced.
Dr. Styles immediately pulled back, concern evident in his eyes. "M’sorry for any pain. We'll take it slow, and I'll be as gentle as possible."
You nodded, appreciating his care, and he continued the examination with increased caution. The vulnerability of the moment hung in the air, yet there was a sense of trust developing between you and Dr. Styles,
Before proceeding with the examination, Dr. Styles decided to ask a few questions. "Let's start with something basic. How old are you?"
You replied, "I'm 25."
Nodding, Dr. Styles moved on to the next question. "How often do you exercise?"
You thought for a moment before responding, "I walk to work every day, so I'd say I get some exercise regularly."
Dr. Styles continued his inquiries, "Are you currently taking any medication?"
"No, I'm not on any medication right now," you assured him.
The next question touched on a different aspect, "Are you pregnant or currently trying to conceive?"
With a quick response, you answered, "No, not pregnant and not trying."
Dr. Styles, satisfied with the information gathered, prepared to proceed with the examination. "Thank you for providing those details.
Dr. Styles, with a cautious tone, expressed, "I have one more question, and I don't want you to take this the wrong way.”
You look up at him through thick eye lashes.
“Does Corey abuse you?"
The question hung in the air, and you felt a shock ripple through you. Corey had made it abundantly clear that uttering a word about what you went through was strictly forbidden.
In that moment, you hesitated, your mind racing, but you couldn't bring yourself to voice the truth.
With a heavy heart, you shook your head and replied, "No, Corey would never do anything like that."
Dr. Styles, perceptive to the delicate nature of the situation, continued with a compassionate demeanor, "I understand that this might be a sensitive topic. It's crucial for me to ask because your well-being is my priority. If, at any point, you feel the need to talk or share, my role is to support you."
Feeling the weight of the unspoken truth, you nodded, your eyes reflecting the internal struggle. Dr. Styles respected the boundaries, recognizing the complexity of the situation.
He added, "I want you to know that your safety and comfort are paramount. If you ever need assistance or someone to talk to, there are resources available, and my team is here to help. It's essential that you feel supported in your journey to recovery."
The conversation concluded with an understanding silence, leaving an open door for you to seek help when you were ready
Dr. Styles cleared his throat, breaking the lingering eye contact between the two of you. He stood up, a professional shift in his demeanor.
"M’going to get you scheduled for an x-ray based on the nature of your injuries," he explained, offering a reassuring smile.
As he left the room, you couldn't help but notice a soft smile on his face when he looked back at you. The curtain was pulled gently behind him, leaving you alone with your thoughts and the echoes of the examination.
A realization began to dawn on him – the inherent injustice of your circumstances and the courage you displayed in the face of adversity. Amidst these reflections, another thought surfaced: just how remarkably pretty you were.
As he considered the emotional and physical toll you endured, Dr. Styles found himself admiring not only your strength but also your undeniable beauty. The compassion he felt transcended the professional realm, stirring a personal acknowledgment of the unfairness life had dealt you.
In a quiet moment at the doctor's station, he couldn't help but entertain a fleeting fantasy – what if circumstances were different? Dr. Styles wondered, with a twinge of regret, how different things might be if you weren't with someone like Corey.
In his opinion, you were gorgeous.
Your eyes would forever be stuck in his mind, even if he was to never see you again, the way your hair framed your face, and your dimples appeared when you were talking to him.
If he was to ever see you again, he would get to know you more, and he couldn’t help but wonder what you would look like with your body not covered in bruises, and wondered what your body would look like bent over his—
‘Stop it, Harry.’
His inner conscience told himself, you were his patient, and he was your doctor.
He had to be professional.
The unspoken connection between you lingered in his mind, and he found himself contemplating a different narrative, one where he might have asked you out, free from the shadows that seemed to engulf your current relationship.
As you sat on the hospital bed and picked at your fingernails, trying to remove the dried blood from under neath, when the curtain getting pulled open made you stop your actions and for your breath to hitch on your throat.
Corey stormed back into the room, anger radiating from him like a palpable force, his eyes fixed on you with a cold, threatening glare. The tension in the room intensified as he made a menacing declaration,
"You're in for it when we get home."
Your heart sank at the ominous words, and fear flickered in your eyes as you braced for what awaited you.
Oh, how you wished you had told Dr. Styles the truth, but just like always, you were starting to regret it.
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the rock in our throats
Pre-outbreak!Joel Miller x fem reader
Summary: Joel and Y/N face the society reacting to their age-gap.
Word count: 7.2k
Warnings: MISUNDERSTANDING-TROPE, ANGSSSTTTTT, SMUT SMUT (these are definitely not in order or you’ll be spoiled) MDNI
a/n: im back with another Joel fic!!!! This is a whole rollercoaster so buckle up!!! Also know that Snow, Lace girls) and Lock (boy) are three of my OCs, I named them after inanimate objects just so they don’t offend anyone with the same name. <3 comments and reblogs are appreciated.
Feet with their mind of their own carried you downstairs with a speed of light. You had heard Joel’s truck pulled in the driveaway, causing you to abandon the book you were reading to keep your mind from racing about his arrival.
Just as your feet planted on the floor, your eyes fixed on the door as it slightly pushed open revealing the man you had hopelessly fell for two years ago. He hadn’t acknowledged you as he quietly shut the door. Turning around, the pair of warm brown eyes set on you, when he sees you standing there in your pajamas, adoringly staring at him, his face softens.
He dropped his bag, a sigh of relief escaping his lips and within a heartbeat you launched yourself at him. Arms flying around his neck as his hands gripped your waist, steadying you.
“Missed you so much” you mumbled in his neck. He tightened his grip on you at the admission.
Joel had been to San Antonio for a week to negotiate a contract with a customer.
“Me too, baby,” he whispered, bringing his right hand to stroke your hair
You pulled away as you realized he must be tired, but before you could ask anything, he pulled you into him,
“Shouldn’t have stayed up, ‘s late” he placed a kiss on your lips that you were quick to deepen. You sighed as he lightly bit your bottom lip.
“Mmm, couldn’t sleep without knowing you made home safe,” you smiled up at him, “you hungry?”
He shook his head no, loving the way you treated him like a child and cared for him.
“Not hungry, back pain ‘s all, wanna sleep”
You smiled drop as he gently tugged you towards the stairs. Your small hands in his much larger ones. He led you to the bedroom you shared for the past month,
Moving in with Joel after almost two years of hidden relationship was a way to make it official to everyone that you both were together. Though whatever you had anticipated could happen, did happen; continual discussion of your age difference, about him being divorced, about you being naive, about him being a father.
Given that you both placed a high priority on your relationship, you hadn’t truly heard the gossip by your own ears. However, you had observed the glances that were directed towards you on two separate occasions when you and Joel were present at the mart.
His steps halted in front of Sarah's door, “she was good?” he asked over his shoulders.
You nodded your head, “Joel she’s not a kid, of course she was alright,”
He pulled you in the bedroom, as you continued, “Plus i think since i moved in, we’ve bonded even more”
Joel was quick to introduce you and Sarah once you both had confessed the love to each other. And Sarah was quick to welcome you in her life. It was perfect among you three. It was your perfect world. Except that you had to face the world outside your bubble, which was a little too far from perfect.
Joel turned around to peck your cheek, “so proud ‘f my girls”
My girls. You smiled
You were his. You belonged with him. With them. The fact still released butterflies in your stomach.
Joel took off his shirt and winced. Your facial expression displayed a distortion of worry which Joel was quick to observe, “back’s hurtin’ is all, don't worry,'' he smiled as he tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, pulling your forehead close to his lips to place a chaste kiss.
“We need to get some gel, Joel” you reminded him
-
This is how you found yourself standing in the mart, in front of the shelf with gels. You had dropped Sarah school before heading here. Joel was asleep when you both left. Sarah wanted to meet her dad but you suggested that she lets him get enough sleep and meet him when she returns from school, to which she happily agreed.
Skimming your eyes through the rack, you found the one you were looking for, Voltarol. You grabbed one and walked toward the counter. You picked a few snacks on the way there.
“y/n?” you heard a lady call your name
Turning around, you met none other than the most gossipy woman of the town, Nancy.
“Hi!” you put on your best fake smile to greet her
“Whatcha got there?” she asked, eyes already prying your arms. You could have taken a basket but snacks weren’t planned.
“Oh, just snacks” you shrugged, you kept your answer short, avoiding the long conversation
“And, what’s that? A gel?” she asked earning a groan from you,
“Yeah, Joel’s got a back pain so i figured-”
“Of course!” she exclaimed startling you
Looking at your furrowed brows, your confused stance she continued, “I mean,” she sang, “Joel’s old. Don’t you think you’re too young to settle for that old man and tend to his back pain?”
Your heart sank at her words, and more at the amount of venom that dripped from that single sentence alone.
“Don’t you think you’re a little too nosy in others’ decisions?” you spat as you moved to the side,
“Jeez, relax! You’re turning into an old grumpy woman. Maybe something about the company-”
You left before she could say more. The longer you stood, she would’ve fed you with her sick mindset.
Of course Joel was old. But that never lessened the love you had for him. You had been with guys around your age and all you ended up with was a broken heart and then came Joel, treating you like a real gentleman would.
You both took sufficient time to make a decision about living together. Your relationship being a secret never attracted comments but once the news spread through the town about you and Joel living together, every other mouth was murmuring about you both.
Staying in most of the time had its perks; you never found out about all the gossip. But it could only last so long.
You paid the cashier before hurrying to your car. Settling in, you took a few deep breaths.
She’s just being mean. I won't let her ruin my day. Her words don’t mean anything. Joel and I love each other, that's what matters the most.
As soon as you closed the door, entering the house, you were met with silence. Joel‘s still asleep.
Placing the snacks on the counter you climbed the stairs, a gel in your hand, and a planned massage for him in your head. You opened the door to see Joel lying on his stomach. With his moments you could tell he had woken up and then his voice sounded,
“Where’d ya go?” eyes closed, he muttered, his voice hoarse. You crossed bed to stand on his side,
“Dropped Sarah, and picked this” you grinned, showing him the gel
He squinted his eyes to read the label, “darlin’ you didn’t have to” he turned around to lay on his back.
“Of course, I had to!” you tapped his legs, urging him to sit up. He obliged without any protest and god did you love it when he was submissive to you, knowing the outside world would never see this soft Joel.
“Still hurtin’? You asked as you noticed a slightest distress in his face as he sat up
“A little” he grunted
You tugged at his shirt, “off” you demanded
“You don’t have to-” he looked up at you as he rubbed his eyes
“I know, Joel. I want to” you softly cut his sentence
He layed back on his stomach again as you straddled his legs. Just having him naked except for sleeping boxers, totally submitting to you, sent a tingle down your core. But you ignored it. Your only focus was to make Joel feel better.
You squirted some gel on your palm, setting the tube on the side,
“I’ve never done this before,” you warned him,
“Neither have I, honey,” his muffled voice giving rise to a small giggle leaving your lips
You carefully splayed your hands on his lower back as you spread the gel. the delicious combination of the hotness of his skin mixed with the coolness of the gel stirred something in your stomach,
Focus. Focus. Focus
You pressed your fingers in his muscles, feeling the knots. He moaned at the relief.
“Felt so good,” he muttered,
You continued massaging his back, digging your fingers wherever you felt the stress. Taking notes of and following what brought him pleasure, you moved your small hands through his back and shoulders. Occasionally scratching his back with your nails and pulling the sounds of pleasure from his throat.
All the sounds he made did not help, but only worsened the condition between your legs. You felt giddy, knowing you made him feel this good.
You only prayed that the wetness between your legs didn’t seep through your thin pajamas and on his skin. Because this was about him and him only. Completely oblivious of Joel's situation underneath you, that after a few digs and dips of your fingers he started getting hard and by this time he was rock hard.
“Baby” he breathed, “st-stop” he started to move, his cock taking control of his brain,
You were startled, immediately getting off of his legs, “did- did i do something wrong?” you asked innocently,
He laid on his back as he stared at the ceiling, his breaths heavy “no darlin’, you did a good job, ‘s jus’-” he huffed as he took your hand and placed it on his member
Your mouth hung open as you felt his cock through his boxers, your mouth salivating just at the imagination,
He looked at you, waiting for you to say something,
“Good thing I know how to take care of that too,” you smirked as you moved to hook your fingers on the waistband of his boxers as you slowly, teasingly, slid them down, closely watching his reaction change.
“That’s my gir- mmph”
As soon as his cock sprang free from its confines your gaze immediately left Joel’s.
His angry reddened tip, decorated with beads of his precum stood hard. You wasted no second in stradling his laps. Your petite fingers wrapped around his member, thumbing on his tip; spreading his leak through the length. You pushed your hair to one shoulder as you bent forward, maintaining eye contact with Joel’s hooded eyes, you kissed the tip, earning a strangled moan.
You smirked, loving the effect you had on him. His eyes begged for more. You hollowed your mouth, taking his length in your mouth. Your fingers toying with his base. The taste of him was the first taste of your day. His hand made its way to your hair, guiding your mouth; in and out.
“Jus’ like that, baby” he praised
He grunted when you twirl your tongue around him, his cock twitching letting you know he’s close.
“Such a good girl, f’ me,” you watched his eyes closed as he bucked his hips in your mouth, losing himself in the pleasure.
You quickly removed your mouth, saliva spilling from the sides of your lips,
“Eyes on me,” you demanded and god did that turn him on
“Y-yes mami, please continue” he struggled to keep his eyes open, with your plush lips wrapped around his thick cock.
He guided his cock to your throat causing you to gag. He smirked, repeating the action until tears spilled from your eyes. He used his free hand, gently wiping the tears.
Perfect combination of rough and soft
You were soaking wet at this point, his dick in your mouth, hand fisted in your hair, and his sinful moans and grunts in your ears.
He guided your head away, as he manhandled you and in a split second your positions were switched. You gasped as your head hit the soft pillow while Joel towered over you, on his knees.
“That…was impressive” you breathed as Joel connected your lips in a feverish kiss.
“I’ve still got some strength y’know,” he mumbled as he pulled away slightly before he captured your lips again. It was nothing soft and slow but all teeth and tongue fighting for dominance.
You would've just giggled at his response but instead you felt a pang of hurt in your chest,
Joel’s old. Her voice rang in your ears as you blinked your eyes to focus in the moment
Joel grumbled tasting himself on you. Too lost in the kiss you missed when his hands slipped to your sides, pulling down your pajamas and panties in one swift motion.
You broke the kiss, “Joel” you took a deep breath, his eyes finding yours, waiting for your command, “fuck me wreckless”
His smirk grew at the command, “yes, m’lady”
His fingers found your cunt in an instant. You moaned at the contact of his calloused fingers with your aching center.
He circled your clit a few times before plunging his middle finger knuckles deep without a warning,
You screamed, “of fuck, Joel-”
“M gonna wreck you, darlin” he grunted as he drove his finger in and out while his thumb pressed on your pussy, making you squirm,
“Nngh feels so good” you moaned,
“So needy, huh?” his eyes glued to throbbing pussy and the juices it squirted,
He added another finger, building the pressure and maintaining the pace. You felt the knot in your stomach tightened.
“Close, mmh Joel, i'm close” you struggled to speak, your knuckles turning white as your gripped the sheets beneath you
You arched into his touch, your legs started to tremble as you felt the climax reach. He used his strong free arm across your stomach to keep you in place as he assaulted your cunt.
“Cum for me, darlin”
And you did, right then and there. You closed your eyes as you screamed his name like a prayer,
“Look at me” he ordered and you blinked away the tears that had formed in your eyes to obey him,
He held your gaze as he lowered his mouth and lapped the juices you had released. He devoured it as the first meal of the day,
“Taste so good,” he mumbled more to himself
He drank every drop until you finished. Your chest heaved as he climbed on top of you and connected your lips,
You both moaned in unison as you tasted yourself on his lips,
“Ready?” he asked as he guided his cock to your entrance
You nodded your head,
“Words” he spat
“Yes, yes Joel, I'm ready!” you whined,
And he slipped in, inch by inch until he was balls deep.
He had fucked you countless times but his size always surprised you and your pussy always hugged him like the first time.
“So fuckin- tight, this pussy,” he grunted as you adjusted to the size
“Move” you croaked and he obliged, setting a slow and steady pace,
“My pussy,” thrust “mine to ruin” thrust, harder, “mine to love,” thrust, harder and faster,
Your walls clenched around him at the words, at the possession,
He had picked up the pace, fucking into you relentlessly. It wasn’t usual he fucked you this hard but you asked for it, and you were glad.
“So thick” you breathed
He sat on his knees as he wrapped your legs around his waist, holding you there, pounding into you through a different angle, brushing your g-spot everytime.
“Right there, yes” you bit your bottom lip,
“Don’t hold back, darlin’ let me hear you” his pace was unbelievable, you felt nothing but him. The coil tightened in your stomach, it was embarrassing how quickly he was pulling another orgasm out of you, splitting you in half,
“Joel, can i cum–”
“Not yet darlin” he stuttered
The feeling was a lot, you tried your best to hold back. The feeling of his cockstretching your walls, his balls tingling your inner thigh in every thrust. Your thighs twitched, as he held them tightly around him,
“Joel, please-” you begged,
His thrusts started to become sloppier, his cock twitched inside you and he nodded,
“C’mon baby, milk my cock,” he urged
That made you trip from the edge and you came, harder. Your mouth forming incoherent words between his name
He never stopped his movement throughout your high, only when you were done did he spill his seeds, covering your insides with his release.
He let go of your legs as he collapsed over you, making sure to shift his weight to his elbows
He looked ethereal, post sex suited him so well. His skin glowing with sweat and morning light. His brown curls were a mess. He placed a lazy kiss on your forehead, then lips, “you ‘kay?” he whispered
You nodded, too blissed out to reply verbally. Too much in awe of his soft, sweet side.
He pulled his cock out and you both winced. He pecked your overstimulated cunt once causing you to shiver before he left for a cloth.
He cleaned both of you, murmuring praises on your skin as he wiped your legs.
“Wrecked ya, huh?” he said as he observed your fucked out state,
You hummed in response, “forgot you even had a back pain”
“What back pain?” he feigned confusion as he tossed away the cloth, causing you to giggle
You knew you couldn’t share your encounter with Nancy at the mart, you knew he was already silently insecure about the age gap.
-
Joel was quick to return to work after his trip to San Antonio. He headed to a bar with Tommy before returning home. The brothers conversed about a deal that Joel had made.
“Hey, there’s Frank, wanna come?” Tommy said, looking over Joel’s shoulder.
Joel turned his face to see Frank talking to a woman before bringing his attention back to his neat whiskey,
“No, ‘m a’right here” He grumbled, watching Tommy leave from his peripheral vision
He downed his half empty cup before he ordered another. He zoned out looking at his whiskey, his fingers tracing the rim of the glass.
A low grunt beside him caught his attention, turning his face and he was met with Arthur ordering his liquor.
Joel returned his gaze to his whiskey and taking a sip,
“Howdy, Joel? How was San Antonio?” Arthur asked
“Was fine, made a deal” Joel replied, already wanting an out from his company. His head is already cloudy from drinking.
“And how’s ya little thing doing?” Arthur leaned, instantly causing Joel to lean away. He wasn’t sure he heard it right
“What?” Joel barked,
“Ya know,” Arthur swung his wrist gripping the glass of whatever he ordered, he shrugged, “that sweet little y/n-”
“Watch your mouth” Joel growled
“All i’m saying is she’s too young, deserves someone who can actually take care ‘f her” if Arthur was any sober he would’ve shut up after Joel’s first warning, but he just mindlessly continued,
Joel’s bore a hole on the side of his head with his intense gaze, his grip tightening on the glass as he watched Arthur speak, “jus’ feel bad for her, stuck with you–”
Joel gathered Arthur’s collar in his hand,
POW!
Joel’s fist collided with Arthur’s jaw in a swift motion.
-
“- and when i told Chris about it, he was equally appalled and said, no offense” Lace lightly held your arm before quoting her boyfriend, “it’s a phase for you and that you’d get over Joel, either way its- ” you gaze shifted to Snow who stood beside Lace, offering you an apologetic smile,
Snow and Lace were your best friends since school. Snow never judged you for your relationship with Joel. Lace, on the other hand, did not always agree with your choices even if she did love you.
“Lace,” you began, cutting her rambles, “i’m happy, isn’t that enough?” you sighed, tears brimming at the corner of your eyes.
The three of you were at Millie’s, one of your mutual friends, birthday party. It was your first public appearance after moving in with Joel. you were too scared to join but Lace and Snow were adamant about you joining them.
Few of the girls asked you weird questions but thanks to your two friends who cornered you to avoid more conversations.
Lace was quick to notice your eyes, as she took your hand, “of course! but-”
“No ‘but’s, we’re done. I think I should head home, it’s pretty late,” Snow announced, your gaze darted to the clock, 11:45 stared back at you.
“Yeah, i’m leaving too-”
“y/n?” it was, Auburn, one of Millie’s friend who you met twice at parties, you knew she cheated on multiple boys just because she thought she was too good for them, “wh- are you guys leaving already?” Auburn looked around the three of you,
“Yeah, can’t stay out late, y’know” Snow carelessly answered as she fished something from her bag, leaving the kitchen
“And let me guess, y/n, you have to go home to your old man?” Auburn directed at you
“Well, at least I have someone to go home to,” you knew it was a cruel jab, but you didn’t care at the moment.
She gasped, clearly taken aback, “Wow, the old man-”
“It’s Joel” you interrupted, to which she only rolled her eyes before continuing,
“Yeah, poor Joel, i mean, having to deal with you every single day, God, i’d be damned”
Before you could reply, Lock showed up at the kitchen door, “hey, I was leaving, ya need a ride? Snow’s in the car” He was one of your close friends.
Lock got a nod from you before you pointed at Auburn, “Maybe you need to grow up,” you muttered, already heading out of the kitchen before you heard her voice, “don’t go falling in love, it’s all about good fuck-” you shut the door behind you,
You quickly got into Lock's car, not bothering to bid anyone goodbye. Your vision was glossy, you held back your tears through the small distance to your house,
It was around 12 when you stepped in the house, the television was on in the living room. You peeked to see sarah on the couch,
“Sarah, what are you doing up?” your voice was harsher than intended,
She jumped and you almost felt guilty for the way you scared her,
“You’ve got school tomorrow, go to bed. Now.” you scolded watching her turn off the tv as she muttered a small ‘sorry’ heading upstairs.
Joel still wasn’t home. And as an unspoken rule, you didn’t want to go to bed without him, like he doesn’t without you.
You removed your earrings, placing them on the table before you slumped on the couch,
The voices in your head growing,
Is this wrong?
Why can’t they keep their noses out of my relationship decisions?
Does Joel feel that I'm way too young for him?
Is he embarrassed too?
The longer Joel took to come home, the louder the voices became,
Does Sarah get questioned about me and Joel?
Does Sarah still like me?
Does Joel still-
You heard the door unlock and you brought yourself up. Joel stumbled in, you knew he had a few drinks. Quickly you got up to hug him and to have him silence the noises in your head,
Too disappointed about your night, you didn’t notice the bandage on his knuckles, or the sour expressions he wore, as you moved your body to hug him,
His figure stiffened against you. His hands coming up to your arm as you shuddered under his touch,
“What’s wrong?” he muttered as he stroked your hair, putting aside his pain to try and heal yours.
You shook your head, not wanting to feed his insecurity, “party was a bit exhausting” you lied
“C’mon baby,” as he moved you both toward the couch, “ya wanna talk about it?”
You straddled his lap burying your head in the crook of his neck, inhaling his scent of whiskey and cigarettes
His hands traced your back softly and you whimpered, you loved Joel so much.
You picked your head up to face Joel. He looked tired. Nevertheless, one of his hands cupped your face and instinctively, you placed a kiss on the inside of his wrist before intertwining your fingers with his, and that's when you felt the skin of bandage under your fingertips,
“What happened?” it was your turn to be concerned
He stayed quiet for a beat, both of you looking in between you, your intertwined hands but feeling miles away emotionally,
“Just a random cut, nothing serious” and it was his turn to lie,
That was the turning point of your relationship.
“C’mon let's go to bed,” Joel suggested,
-
The next few weeks went by the same. Everywhere you went, they talked shit. Sometimes you defended but other times you were tired of talking back knowing they won’t stop either way.
You noticed how Lace kept pushing Lock to you. Always calling him over when you had plans with her and then leaving quickly so you and Lock can spend some time alone. He was a nice guy, but you only saw him as a friend, nothing more, nothing less. And Joel knew it too.
But oh when he kept getting “with Lock” as your response to his “where ya at”, did he start to feel otherwise. Almost everyday at work he was defending his relationship with you, and after knowing you’re with Lock most of the time, he started believing the criticisms.
“Things alright between you two?” Tommy carefully asked Joel one day,
“Yeah, why?” Joel didn’t remove his gaze from the contract paper in his hand,
Tommy shrugged, “i don’t know, been seeing her with that Lock guy a lot these days so–”
“Look good together, don’t they?” another man chirped in, but as soon as he received a deathly glare from Joel he backed off immediately. But the words stuck with joel, look good together
That night when you clung to him, like you always do, he didn't reciprocate. The voices in his head were getting loud and you weren’t there to silence them.
-
“Where?” he snarled
It was just another rough night for the two of you. Joel had canceled plans with you because work buddies are insisting on game night , delaying it to the next week. Both of the times Lace and Snow had swung by. With Lace reciting her “you deserve better” mantra.
Earlier this week, Snow had asked you to go shopping for her vacation. And you couldn’t say no, given she had dropped her things just because you were depressed when Joel canceled the plans for the second time.
If he could, why couldn’t you?
“Shopping” you put another popcorn in your mouth as your eyes fixed on the movie.
You were upset. You were mad at him. And the whole week had passed without Joel noticing it. Maybe it was about time.
You felt his eyes on the back of your head. You wanted nothing more than to turn around and make up for the lost time. Clear all the distance that had somehow forged its way between two of you.
But you didn’t. You resisted. You wanted to check your and his limits
“Of course, and Lock is gonna be there” Joel scoffed, placing his hands on his hips where he stood at the back of the sofa you sat on.
That hit the button instead. You exhaled a shallow breath, not believing your ears,
“What is that supposed to mean?” you turned to face him, his typical annoyed stance in display for you; fingers pinching the bridge of his nose.
“You know very well,” his eyes met yours for a brief second, before he moved to exit
To say you were furious was an understatement. You abandoned your popcorns and movie as you scurried away to chase him,
He faced the cabinets before he heard your angry stomping in the kitchen.
“What the fuck, Joel?” you barked
He just stood there, leaning against the counter. His arms folded against his chest as he glared back at you,
Frustration bubbled inside of you. Taking a step closer, you let the anger get the best of you,
“You fucking canceled on me for sake of your buddies,” you were fuming, “you didn’t even notice me being upset” you voice rose with every sentence, “and now you’re accusing me?!”
“Lower your fucking voice!” he roared causing you to shudder,
“You’re unbelievable, Miller” you back stepped to the door of the kitchen before you left
As soon as you stepped out of kitchen you spotted Sarah sitting on the sofa hugging her legs,
“You guys are fighting again?” she mumbled
Your heart shattered at her state. You were quick to sit by her side, engulfing her in your arms,
“Oh no, honey,” you kissed her hair, “it’s just- you know- we don’t always agree on the things” you caressed her hair
She sniffled, facing you, “so- so you’re not leaving, right?” her wet eyes shining with hope and that was not helping to your breaking heart,
Your throat tightened so you stuck with shaking your head ‘no’ and a tight smile
Few minutes had passed and Sarah was already asleep on your shoulder. You calmly woke her so she doesn’t hurt her neck in that position. Tucking her in the bed, you closed her door and were met with Joel.
He stood there, shifting his weight from one foot to another. He jerked his head in the direction of your shared bedroom, asking you to join him, and so you did.
Once the door closed, he turned to you, grasping your small hands in his,
“I’m sorry” he croaked, “for everything,”
You looked up at him and gave him a sincere smile as you nodded, “let’s go to sleep,”
None of you talked about your feelings. None of you shared about the insecurities that you both had regarding each other. None of you reached out for the other to cuddle.
-
“I’ll wait outside, you can grab whatever you need, yeah?” Joel said as he digged his wallet for his card
You only nodded as taking the card and hopping out of his truck, rushing into the mart.
Joel lit a cigarette as he watched you from the driving seat. He knew this was all wrong. It was a lose-lose situation. He couldn’t be with you openly, scared of more rude comments towards you (he could manage the ones thrown at him) but still everyone was aware of your relationship and hence, bringing up the topic out of nowhere.
You, on the other hand, were embarrassed, feeling Joel didn’t want to be seen with you. You both had moved past the point of discussing your feelings and knee-deep in the mess
Once you returned, Joel tried to reach for your hand but you were quick to pull away. It was like a reflex and you almost regretted it. Almost.
He cleared his throat in an awkward way, “uh- you’re still up for Bill and Frank’s party tomorrow?”
“Yeah, but I’ll go there with,” you swallowed, too hard to push the words out of your mouth, “with Lace,”
Joel took a double look at you, “uh, any specific reason?” he asked trying his best to stay calm,
“Yeah, she wanted me there to help her with outfits and make up so i might as well leave with her,” you shrugged, nervously tugging on your nails.
“Okay,” he said lowly, almost as a whisper,
-
“Don’t make dinner tonight” Joel said a few hours after you both had got home,
“Why? Are you with your boys tonight?” No matter how much you tried to keep the anger at bay, somehow it slipped,
Joel sighed, as he walked to you, his eyes trained on you. But your gaze couldn't meet his. As if you were hiding something, like you were not honest, except that you were. You were just fed up with your fights with Joel. Fed up with not sharing thoughts like you used to.
“No, I'll get take-out on my way back,” he said. Your brows furrowed, “We’ll just relax and maybe watch a movie, your choice. How does that sound?” he explained his plans for the night,
You nodded, “okay, sounds good, but can we maybe dine out? There’s this pretty place-”
“Baby, I really want just the two of us, we can go next time, ‘kay?” he pressed his lips on your forehead,
You gave him a tight smile, “sure”
All you wanted was for him to love you openly. All he wanted was to keep you from any and every hurt even if it meant he had to avoid being seen together. If only you both spoke your feelings.
-
“Honestly, I think he’s not opening up to you because you won’t get it since you’re young, y’know?” Lace said as she fixed her dress, “Do you really think you’re the best match for him? Woman his age are dying to marry him,”
You tried to stop another flood of tears threatening to fall from your eyes. Your eyes were already swollen from the crying you had today at Lace’s because you were watching your relationship with Joel fall apart. It was all perfect when the world didn’t know. The bubble had bursted.
“You’re right,” you sighed,
-
Joel didn’t really prepare for his appearance as much as he did for the looks thrown his way when he moved with you. You and him didn’t know how to handle the criticisms and that had your relationship at stake.
He arrived at bill and frank’s and eagerly started to look for you. But you were nowhere to be found. He had texted you but there was no response from you. Were you even coming?
He met with his friends and like a habit, everyone asked about you.
He stepped on the front porch, desperately escaping from endless questions and trying to muster up excuses of your absence. Two shots in, he felt his brother hand on his shoulder, “heartbreak?” Tommy asked as he sipped his whiskey,
Joel only grunted in response, not really paying attention to his question, “so when did it happen?”
That had his attention, “what?”
“The breakup and that” Joel followed Tommy’s gaze.
You had just gotten out of the car and stumbled your way inside. Lock’ hand pressed to your lower back as he guided you inside the house. Lace quickly trailing behind you both, struggling with her own dress.
Joel’s lips parted in shock. How could you do this? What was happening? The liquor had started to dizzy his mind.
The look on Joel’s face was enough to let Tommy know that he was oblivious to the situation just like him.
“There’s someone I'd like you to meet,” Tommy said carefully, and convincingly.
Joel eyes took a few seconds before moving from the door from where you had just entered the house,
He just nodded in response, before he chugged the entire bottle in one go.
He was mad. He was disappointed. He was angry. But most importantly, he was hurt. But one thing about him, he was a hard person to go and confront. Why would he do that when he can do things he won’t remember the next morning?
The last sober thought was you. Then the rest was alcohol in his veins controlling his mind.
—-----
You left Lace’s apartment as you hurried to Lock' car.
“Hi, Lace is coming, told me to go,” you said as you greeted him,
Lace took solid 10 minutes before she appeared on the entrance door of the building. Those 10 minutes you listened to Lock talking about some girl he’s madly in love with and will ask her out tomorrow. She was a friend of your friend, she was nice. You were genuinely happy for him.
You were on your way when you checked your phone. You didn’t realize you had missed a text from Joel. You swiped to reply to him, telling him you were on your way. But Lace snatched the phone from you,
“Enough using phone for tonight,” she grinned
You instinctively chased her hand and turned to the backseat. Unknown to you, your dress had stuck in the door.
Rip.
You heard and felt your fabric tearing from your back. With your shocked expression, Lace was concerned,
“I think I ripped my dress from the back,” you said slowly, reaching your hand on your back and you felt your skin. “Oh my god, I just ripped my dress!” you cried,
“Is it something a needle and thread can fix?” Lock asked as he tried to calm the chaos you both had created,
Lace inspected the ripped part, “i think so, i can do it but where do we get the needle and thread?”
“Frank has it,” Lock informed,
Your face was contorted in worry, your phone long forgotten,
“Okay, Lock you cover her way up to the restroom, I’ll go get the things I need from Frank,” Lace ordered as you all got off the vehicle.
And so you all rushed in. Your mind was directed to; will Lace be able to fix my dress?
You didn’t greet anyone as you bolted toward the restroom. Lock stayed outside as you rushed inside. Lace quickly returned and fixed your dress.
“And all done!” she said excitedly
You turned your neck to the mirror to see that indeed she had done a good job.
Leaving the bathroom, you parted ways with Lace and Lock as you went out looking for Joel.
“Hey! Have you seen Joel?” you asked Bill,
“Why yes, he’s finally got some sense back,” he tilted his glass in Joel’s direction,
There stood Joel, no, there swayed Joel in the arms of a stranger. Joel’s arms linked loosely around her as her’s around his neck, pulling him closer,
“perfect match,” Bill added,
Your lips parted to say something but no words came out, “wh-” you began but were immediately cut by Bill as he clicked his tongue and shook his head,
“Don’t go ruining a good thing now, kid,”
You couldn't avert your gaze from the scene in front of you until it was blurred by your tears.
“Excuse me” your voice shook, as you turned away, tears spilling as you ran to the restroom again.
How bad you wished you didn’t leave the restroom, or that you left a little later until he detached himself from her.
Did he really fall out of love? Did he really let them dictate him? You wanted to go and confront but-
You broke down. Bad.
You didn’t mind your makeup, that you put on with precision, smudging. Your knees hit the bathroom floor as you cried your eyes out.
The ringing of the phone caused you to take a break. Taking out the phone more tears fell from your eyes as Joel’s name displayed on your screen.
The ringing ceased and a text followed a few minutes later,
Joel: Where are you?
You scoffed at his text. You wanted to go to him and scream at him. But you didn't want to give in to all the people who told you this was never gonna work. Sure your relationship had gone down the hill since last month. But was ending the relationship really better than running in a circle every other day? Loving Joel only in the boundaries of your house?
You wanted to go home, Joel’s house, and move out. This wasn’t going to work. You had decided. The thought of officially ending the relationship pulled new strings of tears from your eyes as you texted Lace about going home before you stuffed the phone in your purse.
Just like you had entered, keeping your gaze lowered, you left the exact same way. You heard the unmistaken sound of a voice calling your name but you couldn’t stop and turn. No, you kept moving.
You exited the main gate and walked on the side of the street. You were walking quickly, wanting to go away from him as fast as possible. You heard the familiar voice called you again,
“What is it, Joel?” you seethed as you turned around.
You looked horrible, you knew it but you couldn’t care less right now.
Joel eyes widened at your appearance,
“Jus’ wanted to ask, how long have you been with Lock?” he whispered as if even he was ashamed of asking the question. He looked down, prepared for any answer that you had to offer
Your heart dropped at his question, “what?” oh how bad you hoped you heard it wrong,
“Ya heard it,” he muttered, “i saw you both, ‘s okay, i understa-”
Before he could complete his sentence, you had walked up to him, staring deep in his eyes, “are you fucking kidding me right now?” your voice was low but hid a menace beneath it,
Joel stayed quiet, he looked at you but his eyes were empty.
“Are you serious, Joel?” your voice shook, all of your power was used up at keeping your tears from falling,
“How about you tell me about you dancing in someone else’s arms?” your voice rose and you pushed him back, “was that what you've been doing in my absence?!” you hit his chest, “tell me!” your voice wavered and once again the dam broke, “tell me Joel!”
The sides of your fist kept colliding with Joel’s hard chest as you let everything out, “tell me why were you so embarrassed of me? Of us?” joel stayed silent as he received your weak punches and watched the tears stain your face
“Tell me where did we go wrong?” you energy had drained before you slowly uttered the last question
“When did you stop loving me?” that was his last straw, as he held your wrist just as you were pulling away,
“Don’t” he said firmly, “anything but that”
“We’ve fallen apart,” you croaked, “Gonna take a miracle to save us this time-”
“I still love you,” he promised
You shook your head as your released your hands from his grip,
“Then tell me why didn’t I feel loved?” you whispered
Joel once again fell silent, “I-” he shook his head, wanting to wake up from the worst nightmare,
His throat tightened, he wanted to tell you that he wanted to protect you. But your outburst told him the only way you would’ve felt protected was if he held your hand in front of everyone.
He began, not knowing what to say but his mind screamed one thing,
Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye
You wiped the tears from your face as you took a deep breath,
“Goodbye, Joel”
You turned and walked away as Joel stood still. The wind blew cold against his skin.
Did he throw away the best part of his life?
It’s alright, Just two hearts breakin’ even tonight
You’d go and get on with your life, he’ll get on with his’, broken hearts can’t call the cops, it’s a perfect crime.
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