#not knowing she sent it to the others and everyone's racing to kick this kids ass after fighting damian and then asking him out | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

newsiesarchive · 2 years

Text

FF.Net Back Up: A Third Class Prison by Gaelicchick

Originally Published Apr. 9, 2000

The second chapter in the East Meets West series, a street fight lands the girls in a dangerous factory...

Rated: Fiction K+ - English - Drama - Words: 12,518 - Reviews: 10 - Favs: 2 - Published: Apr 9, 2000 - id: 18566

A Third Class Prison by: Amy

"Hey street trash, 'who's da skoits? Bet dey's a foin way ta spenda even'!"

The whole group of newsies stopped and turned to see whose voice was coming out of the ally. They were coming back to the Lodging House after a night at Tibby's, and among them was a group of fairly recent additions to the Lodging House; a pack of six immigrant newsgoils that had joined the Manhattan Lodging House after the destruction of their old distribution center had left the orphans homeless. They were the "skirts" that the mysterious voice had been commenting on, and several of them were getting very angry.

Jack moved toward the ally, "Did you'se say somfin" His fists were tightened as he peered into the darkness to make out the offender's face. Following close behind was one of the girls, Maggie O'Rourke, along with Gloria, the two girls with the hottest tempers in the house. "Emma", Maggie said very calmly, her voice straining to remain so, "I tink ya had better take Annie back de other way and around ta get back 'ome."

Emma, a tall pretty blond girl, took the arm of Annie, a small, skinny, nine year old with golden curls, and pulled her down the street in the opposite direction of the ally at a very fast walk.

At this point the Delancy brothers revealed themselves by stepping out of the ally. "Youse got some new coimpany Jack. 'Ow cums youse hazn't intradoozed us yet?"

Jack looked at Oscar with utter contempt, "Cuz maybe deys good enough not ta want ta keep wit da loikes a you." Morris strode up next to his brother, face to face with Jack. "Now, dems fightin woids if evuh I hoid 'em. Youse lookin for a foit heah cowboy?"

By now Jack was flanked by not only the two girls, but also Racetrack, Kid Blink, Mush, and Sammy, a tall brunette with a killer right cross. He looked around him then back at the Delancy's. "In case you 'hadn't noticed, youse is de ones who seem ta be outnumboid. Is you shoir youse is up ta it?"

Both men laughed. "You nevah loin do ya cowboy. We'se always gots a little "help." With this he gestured behind him and five others sauntered out of the ally. A little alarm bell went off in Jack's head, but he ignored it.

There was no warning before Oscar threw the first punch, but Jack was ready for it. He blocked it and knocked the big man squarely in the jaw. After that all hell broke lose. Everyone was involved. Even quiet Katrina "Katsy" was induced to participate after one of the flunkies grabbed her about the waist and started to pick her up. She pinched him with all her might, then wiggled free enough to knee him in the groin before he could stop her. She was busing herself kicking him the stomach and shouting curses in her native tongue when Maggie looked over. She had just finished a sort of boxing match with the smaller of the goons. He was bigger than her but she was faster, and although she was bleeding out of a cut on her face, she had dealt more than she had taken. She smiled in spite of herself as she saw Gloria and Lacey catch Morris after Mush's punch sent him flying, only to knee him in the groin and curse and spit on him.

The rucus was so loud that no one heard the bulls. Indeed, by the time they took enough notice to run, it was too late. The police were coming up both sides of the street and the alleyways led to dead ends. Kats looked relieved, not realizing that the cops would undoubtedly lay the blame on the kids. The highly visible batons and a wink from Race and Jack induced the frightened girls to cooperate. They were put into a wagon and hauled into jail for the night.

"Don't worry about it, dey got nofin ta charge us wit. Everybody knows who Osacah and Morris are and wot deys up to. Most we can get is a fine, 'an Denton'll cover dat till we pay 'em back." Racetrack had seen the worried looks on the girls faces.

"And if dey do put us in da refuge, we gots da newsies ta bust us out. Don't worry, this happens all da toim." That was Jack's helpful advice. But Maggie worried all the same. She was glad Annie wasn't there. - "Order, Order, Order in the court!" The bang of the judge's gavel woke Maggie back to full consciousness. She had spent an uncomfortable night in a holding cell with the rest of the newsies, and was not feeling well at all. She looked out at the faces in the room, she saw Denton waiting anxiously, Emma and Annie were by the door, David and Less stood next to them. Maggie tried to calm herself down. "You heard Race, this happens all the time, you'll be fine." She looked around, the guys were calm and a bit impatient to be out, but Maggie could see her friends Gloria, Kats, even Lacey, were all on edge.

The proceedings, however, went just as Race had said they would. They were required to pay a fine of 3 dollars each, which Denton having been promoted at his paper, paid. They were waiting for the judge to close the hearing and let them go, when the judge was handed a piece of paper. He read it with a solemn face and immediately stared at Lacey. "I am not finished!" The newsies and most of the onlookers jumped. The judge settled himself down. 'The following people shall remain for further questioning: Teresa Felicchi, MargretO'Rourke, Gloria Lacayo, and Katrina Stak-Schtank-"

"Stankovich." Maggie finished for him. The judge just banged his gavel to quiet the ripple of laughter that ensued, and glared at Maggie. The hairs on the back on Maggie's head were standing up, something was not right here.

"The four mentioned shall remain, the rest of you are free to go." The boys filed out of the box, but most of them stayed behind to see what was going on. Jack went over to David and Denton, but both looked confused.

The judge began. "It has become routine procedure within this department to scan the records of juvenile offenders for previous criminal history. Upon this, we discovered that many of you were involved in a riot last year during the infamous newsboy protest." At this some boys began to hoot and clap, but several bangs of the gavel silenced them.

He went on, "This was not what interested me. It is well know that newsboys are a disrespectful rowdy lot, and therefore such behavior is not unusual among members of the lower class."

This was met with a few shouts and protests, but the judge went on. "What interested me about these four children is that they had no criminal history. In fact, they had no official records whatsoever. No birth certificates, no naturalization cards, no Ellis Island papers, nothing. Now, as you know, our shores are being assaulted every year by the gutter trash of every nation in Eastern and western Europe. And since these children have no documentation to provide proof of either birth in this country or legal immigration and naturalization, I can come to no other conclusion but that they must have, willingly or not, immigrated here illegally."

At this the girls began shouting at the judge, except for Kats who had not been able to follow everything and was, near tears, pulling on Maggie's sleeve begging for an explanation. The judge turned to the girls. "Well well, perhaps I am mistaken. Can any of you produce any form of documentation proving that your are a legitimate citizen of the United States, or at least hold a green card?"

Maggie spoke up. "Yer honor. We were all orphaned on way or another at a young age. We were taken, along with all of our documentation to da Little Sisters of da Poor Orphanage. Unfortunately, sir, dat institution burned ta da ground four years ago. All of our papers were lost in da fire."

The judge looked at them, and for one moment Maggie actually thought that they had been believed. But he raised his eyebrows and with a condescending look, launched into his next speech. "Well, I have to say that is one of the most original and convenient stories I have heard yet. But, I'm afraid that it won't help you. If you had really been at the orphanage, you would have been given some documentation upon admission to the Refuge. As you have none, nor have we found any in our records, I remain firm in my decision that you are in this country illegally, and will have to be dealt with accordingly. Of course, I am aware that since many of you were probably snuck in at a young age, this crime was not totally your fault, but we must set an example mustn't we?"

"Now," He gestured to the piece of paper in his hand, "I have been made a fine offer by a generous citizen of New York. He has drawn to my attention that at this point in winter, the Refuge is near maximum occupancy. It is filled with legitimate American children, and we wouldn't want to displace any of them. Therefore, Mr. Steven Blackpool has generously offered his mill as a place where you four may work to pay back the city of New York for all you have taken from it. If, after, say, six months time, if you have proven yourselves diligent, capable workers; able to benefit American society through your work, you will be allowed to remain in this country with green cards. However, if you do not work, or cause disturbances, you will, and I can promise you it will happen most swiftly, you will be deported back to your respective countries of origin on the next available boat." With that the judge hammered his gavel and the guards began pulling the girls towards the door.

Maggie's eyes were wild. She knew exactly what happened in the mills, she cried after the judge. "Ye can't do this! It's murder! People go in der and dey don't come out! Please, sir, anythin, anytin yer signing our death certificates I swear ta God!"

The newsies were shouting as were the rest of the girls. Maggie was struggling so much with the guard that two had to take her up by the arms so her feet couldn't touch the floor; and they carried her, swinging and raving out of the court. Outside a wagon was waiting to take the girls away. Maggie was still screaming, the newsies were pressing in to stop the guards but police held them back.

Maggie was finally able to swing her feet around and clip one of the guards in the leg. When he dropped her arm she made to swing at the other, but he had foreseen the action. The large guard pulled his baton from his pocket just as Maggie whirled around. *CRACK!* The heavy stick came down hard on Maggie's temple. Maggie's body crumpled to the ground.

Lacey, who was being loaded into the wagon after Kats and Gloria, screamed. Her guard just gave her a hard shove that sent her to her knees on the floor of the wagon.

The newsies surged again against the police, but they could not break through. David looked next to him at Annie, who was hysterically crying. Emma was sobbing as well, and she held the little girl to her chest so she would not have to see what was going on. He had held back, knowing that trying to break through was futile, but when he saw Maggie go down, a scream ripped out of him and he broke through to the front of the mob. He saw her lying, dazed, on the ground. Her eyes fluttered open for a moment, and he thought she might have seen him, but by then the guards lifted her up and tossed her into the truck. Lacey, who had still not risen from her knees, held Maggie's head in her lap. Her tear streaked face was the last thing the boys saw before the door was slammed shut and the wagon disappeared along the busy street. - When Maggie woke up her head felt like it had been split in two, and she ached all over "If dis is a 'hangover," she groaned, "remind me never ta drink again."

"Oh, I don't think you got all this from drinkin sweetie."

When Maggie's eyes focused she realized she wasn't in her bunk in the Lodging House, and she wasn't passed out in a corner of O'Connor's; where was she? Then the memories came flooding back: the fight, the jail, the judge, being hit on the head, David, Gloria, Kats, Lacey, everyone screaming. She tried to sit up, but as the world spun and her stomach turned she realized that wasn't a good idea.

"Easy now. You'll be up in plenty of time, just give yourself a couple of minutes to recover."

Maggie looked toward the voice. As her vision cleared she saw that she was in a dormitory, about ten single beds lined each wall, no bunks. She was lying on the bed second from the end, and next to her was a tall girl of about seventeen, with long strawberry blond hair. Maggie shook her head to clear her thoughts, then cursed when she realized, that also, was not a good thing. The girl laughed.

"Now I see why they had to work you over a bit. Not that they should have mind you, but- well never mind. My name's Jennifer. Jennifer Anderson. Everyone calls me Jenny."

Maggie very very slowly eased into a sitting position, and with her left hand on her head, she extended her right hand. "Margaret O'Rourke. Maggie, delighted, really."

Jenny shook her hand. "You're a terrible liar, but its nice to know you have a sense of humor. Welcome to Addy's."

Maggie looked puzzled, Addys? "Where am I exactly."

"Exactly? You're on the second floor of Miss Addy's Boarding House for Ladies. Or at least, it used to be. Now the place is like jail. You have to be in here by seven every night or your fired. 'Course, girls who are in forced labor, and that's about half of the ones in this house, they have to come straight home after we get off work, which is at 6:30. So it's not like they give us a lot of free time."

Maggie nodded, then cursed, and gave Jenny a weak smile. "I really need ta start listenin' ta people. Where are we in New York?"

"We are pretty much smack in the middle of Brooklyn if you want to know the borough. I haven't been outside the neighborhood long enough to know exactly where we are, but I know that we are in Canarsie, if that helps any."

Maggie groaned, "I take it, den, dat we are no where near Manhattan?" Jenny laughed, "Not unless you are up for a long long walk." Maggie sighed, "Dat's what I figured. Did dey, by any chance, bring in any other girls with me?"

A wrinkle appeared in Jenny's forehead as she thought. "Come to think of it there were three other girls in the wagon, but they probably put them in different houses."

"Different houses?"

Jenny nodded then pointed out the window. "This whole street is Boarding House Row. See, these places are pretty old, this dormitory takes up the whole second floor of the house, and Miss Addy lives on the third floor, and she rents the fourth out. Its the same all down the street. There are boarding houses all the way down. The next three on our left all take girls for the Blackpool Mill. Way I figure, there's probably one of your friends in each, they like to split up the "trouble makers", you know keep you from 'conspiring' together."

Maggie thought of Kats all by herself in a house, she often got nervous and forgot a lot of the words when she was around strangers, what was she going to do?

"Hey, relax." Jenny could see the worry on Maggie's face. "We all know what its like, everyone is gonna help them out. We figure we're all prisoners together, by force or by need, we all have to go to that godforsaken place everyday, the least we can do is lend a hand." As she said this she pointed out the single window which face the street, down the left, where a tall building loomed in the distance. "That would be your local deathtrap, catering especially to immigrants, orphans, runaways and anyone else the bulls don't like." The bitterness in Jenny's voice was audible.

"Well," said Maggie, "Sounds right up my alley." -

"So where'de they take 'em Jack?" "Where are dey?" "Is dey still in Manhattan?" "Did anybody see which way da carriage went?"

"Quiet! Geez, lemme think will yas?" Jack sat on his bunk, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. They had looked all day for the girls, but no one had seen them. It was as if they had disappeared. He looked across the room at David. Both he and Les had refused to go home and had been looking all day as well. Jack had never seen his friend so angry.

David had never felt so helpless in his entire life. It didn't help that Denton kept saying there was nothing he could have done. There must have been something. And then that look... that look of utter defeat and resignation he had seen in Maggie's eyes before they threw her in the wagon. It was the last thing he had ever wanted to see on her face. Maggie was always proud, feisty, angry; she was a fighter. She never gave in. That look was in his mind whenever he closed his eyes.

He was jerked out of his thoughts by the sound of sobbing coming from upstairs. Annie, he thought with a pang. Those girls had been the only parents she had ever known. Emma was a strong girl, and she was careful not to break down in front of Annie, but both of them had lost their entire family and neither was doing well.

He heard the door open. As if it was possible for the room to get more quiet, now it was absolutely silent. Emma stood in the doorway. Her eyes were red rimmed and although they were dry, there were wet patches on her blouse were someone had been having a good cry. "Les?", Her voice was soft and a bit hoarse. "Could you try and coax her down here to play? She needs something to take her mind off of this, and everywhere she looks up there she sees-" She stopped. She sees Maggie, and Lacey, and Gloria and Kats was what she meant to say, but she couldn't finish. "Would you try please?" Les nodded, and walked slowly upstairs.

Emma, sagged against the doorframe, and slowly let her back slide down it until she was sitting on the floor. Sammy got up from where she had been sitting on a Blink's bunk, went over to her, and put her arm around her. Emma just leaned her head against her shoulder, too exhausted even to cry.

Soft footsteps signaled the return of Les, Annie followed him. They silently sat down in the middle of the floor. Race joined them and dealt the cards out. Mush, Blink and Crutchy came over to play. They played in silence till Annie fell asleep in Race's lap and Les started drooling on Mush's shoulder. -

Work in the mill started at seven o'clock sharp. Maggie's head still ached, and she rubbed it as she pulled on her clothes and made her way to the washroom. "I'd give me right arm fer a good pint o Guinness."

A red haired girl elbowed her in the ribs as she moved in next to her at the sink. "We all would. Blackpool girls aren't allowed ta drink alcohol. Even anyone seeing you do it is grounds fer dismissal. That's why not too many of us Irish make it here." Both girls laughed, Maggie stuck out her hand. "Maggie O'Rourke." The girl shook her hand, still sudsy, "Colleen Flanagen, please ta meet'cha. Sounds like you came right off the isle herself. Where were ya from?"

Maggie dried her face and she and the girl walk together toward the stairs. "All over really. After da famine my family moved around a lot. But I was barn in county Clare, Doolin ta be more specific. My mother's got family on the isles an we grew up around der."

"The Aran Islands? My aunt used to talk about them. Is it true they don't speak a word of English?" Maggie laughed. "Some of 'em don't. Me grandmother didn't, but me grandfather did. Oh how she used ta glare at him whenever he dared not ta speak in Gaelic! I still tink he did it just ta vex her. She was absolutely livid when she herd we were leavin'."

"We're things really that bad.?" Maggie shrugged, "I was little more den five when we left. But jobs were scarce an farmin' poor. Me father was a fisherman, and a fine one at dat. But the competition from de big company boats was makin it hard on de isles. We didn't go far. He 'had cousins in Galaway and we were doin' fine der. Until..." Maggie broke off as a hand reached out and grabbed her arm.

"Yeah, this is the one. OW! Cut that out. Brutus!" A very large man with massive arms came over. "What is it?" The man holding Maggie thrust her toward Brutus. "Little scrap is giving me trouble. From the look of her face I'd say she's the one the had to knock out just to get in the truck."

Brutus looked Maggie up and down in a cold an calculated manner that she did not at all like. "I'll take her Bill. You take the little idiot over there. Don't speak a word of English and timid as a mouse. I'm sure you can handle her." He gestured over to where he had left Katsy, who was too frightened to move. Maggie tried to make contact, but Brutus grabbed her by the arm and dragged her off.

"You and I," he said into her ear so closely she could feel his stinking breath on her face, "are going to become good friends. From now on you don't leave the factory or the boarding house until I come for you, understand. You wait. If you don't," he snapped his fingers, "it's back home for you. And I don't mean Manhattan, I mean a very long and crowded boat trip. So keep moving." With that he gave her a shove and took off at a pace Maggie's feet could barely keep up with. Far down at the end of the street was the mill, and her guard didn't leave her side until her thrust her into the sweaty arms of the mill foreman. "Here's the last one, Brice. She's the troublemaker so keep a good watch." With that he turned around and walked off down the street whistling.

The foreman said not a word to her, but shoved her through the cloakroom ,barely leaving time to drop her wrap off, and into the main room. It was a huge vast place, with dirty windows that stretch from floor to ceiling. It was divided in half. The in the front half there were about a two hundred looms, and all ready girls were tending to 'em. The building was divided in the middle, and in the next large room was filled with spinning machines, about a little higher than the top of the foreman's head. Little children of about eight to eleven tended these, carefully sticking their tiny fingers into the machines to tie knots. Maggie got a knot in her stomach just looking at the place. She knew exactly what happened here. She didn't have time to contemplate too long before the foreman shoved her in front of a loom near the back of that half of the room. He gestured to the four around her. "These for are yours, get to it!" Maggie was about to open her mouth and ask just what the hell he intended her to do, when she felt a hand on her arm. It was Jenny.

"He won't tell you, he enjoys watching girls struggle, here it's not that complicated." And Jenny quickly showed her how to run the shuttle an constantly move the dash back and forth with her arm, how to thread the shuttle by putting your mouth on it and sucking the end of the thread through. "Kiss a death is what we call it. Careful you wipe it as best you can, this is how girls get sick here." Maggie nodded, and after Jenny watched her to make sure everything was done right, she went back to her looms, which were right next to Maggie's. Maggie sighed and place one arm on the dashes of the looms on either side of her and kept pushing them back and forth tightening the strings. This was going to be a long day. - Lacey wiped the sweat off her forehead with her sleeve and slumped against her machine, with one arm still pumping the dash. Always moving that cursed dash, she swore under her breath. She could see Gloria working across the room. The foreman had placed them as far as possible from each other. She and Gloria were in the front of the looms, her on the right and Gloria on the left. Kats was placed right in the middle.

Lacey had to hand it to her, playing the dumb foreigner was a smart move, she heard about it from a girl in Kats's boarding house. She had played dumb with the guards and as a result, they didn't bother keeping her as far apart from her friends; she as within shouting range of Maggie and Gloria. Kats' English was broken, that was for sure, but she had been the pupil of years of teaching from both the nuns and the girls, and she did fine.

Lacey smiled as she spied Maggie. It was impossible to hear her over the drone of the machines, but it was obvious she was cursing up a storm when her loom stopped for some reason. She watched her bend over and tinker with something, then finally kick the machine. It must have started because Maggie gave a satisfied look and went to tend to the other three. Lacey missed Maggie, she hardly ever got a chance to speak with her. The lunch breaks were rotated so not everyone ate at once, that way there were always looms going. There were three shifts, so it was rare that any of them got together. I t was impossible to talk in the factory, and they never got to speak on the way home thanks to their watchful guards. Speaking of which, Lacey spied the foreman staring at her and went back to her work. - "Gretel! Gretel could ya come 'ere fer a moment?" Maggie was sitting in the stone "courtyard" outside the back of the factory. There were benches on the stone pavement where the girls were eating their lunch.

A tiny little girl with black curls tied back in a red bow bounced up to her. Gretel was a "tier", she worked on the machines in the back of the factory, climbing on them and using her tiny fingers to tie broken threads together and pull out clumps that were knotting up the machine. As a part of the rotation meant to keep the girls apart and prevent them from organizing, their duties changed by the week. One week might be at the looms, and then for the next two weeks they might be in the machines, lifting bobbins and loading new ones. Maggie hated it. Her arms were already sore from constantly running the dash, but the bobbins were huge, the size of hat boxes, and getting to them meant climbing around on the machines. This was Maggie's third week at the mill, and her sixth day in the spinning room. Gretel had been phenomenally helpful in getting her acquainted and warning her about keeping her hair tied back, tucked in, and out of the machines.

"Yeah?" Gretel had a roll in her hand and she was anxiously biting off hunks of it. Gretel, " Maggie began, "do any newsies ever come around here? I haven't seen any since I've come." Gretel shook her head. "There's nobody ta buy. All of the houses lodge factory workers, and most of them can't read. Plus the get hassled by the foreman and the guards, so they sorta stopped comin. Why?" Maggie smiled, "why" was always tagged onto the end of whatever Gretel said. She had an infinite curiosity.

"Well, ta tell the truth, I was hopin a find some way ta tell my friends were I am. Dey don't know, ya see." Gretel nodded soberly. "The only times I'se ever seen 'em around here is-" Gretel was cut off by the loud clanging of the bell. She quickly shoved the rest of it in her mouth and dashed inside. Maggie followed hard on her heels. Girls had been beaten for coming in late, and both Maggie and Gretel had the bruises to prove it. - There was a commotion when they got in the cloak room. The guards had one of the girls Gretel's age, about seven or eight, by the arm. he was shaking her so hard Maggie wondered that her hadn't pulled it out of it's socket completely. The girls were filing past in a hurry, everyone knew what happened when you got involved, and no one wanted another reminder about "keeping her place."

'What did ye think ye were doin ye little scamp? Tryin ta cheat me were you? We pay you ta work here, not sleep, just what were ye tryin to pull?"

"I'm sorry, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to fall asleep really I was just t-t-t-tired!" The little girl burst into tears and tried to pull away. "That's Cora, " Gretel whispered. "She's in the bed next ta mine."

"Oh no you don't brat!" The foreman raised his fist and prepared to strike the girl, "There's a penalty for what you done and by god your gonna-"

"Let her go!" Maggie silently cursed herself as she leaped towards the foreman and pulled Cora from his grasp. The little girl's eyes grew wide, and then Gretel grabbed her hand and they escaped into the mob heading into the workroom. Maggie made to escape when she felt a large hand grip her arm. "Yer gonna pay fer dat ye little piece a trash." Before Maggie knew it there was another set of arms that whipped her around and slammed her into the wall. Maggie spit out the dirt as she tried to clear her head, but she barely had time to get her bearing before the foreman started lashing her with his cane, which had a metal tip; his weapon of choice. Maggie bit her lip and refused to make a sound. Fortunately after about eight he grew tired and shoved her off toward the workroom with a grunt.

Maggie limped into the room, her head still dizzy and her back screaming, and without looking where she was going, walked straight into Gloria.

"Maggie!" The girl swept her into a hug, which caused Maggie to scream.

"Careful what are ye try'n ta do, kill me?" At Gloria's confused look she shook her head, then gently hugged her friend. 'I'll tell ya about it some other time, but it's good ta hear yer voice again." She stepped back to examine her friend. Gloria looked thin, but they all did. Although her face was dusty and dirty, the shiner on her left eye did not escape Maggie's notice. "What's dis?" Gloria shoved her hand away. "I'll tell you about it some other time, but its good ta hear your voice again." At Maggie's exasperated look she sighed, "Lets just say that my daily escort is a little less than charming. Watch it! The foreman's back, you'd better go." With that she gave Maggie a quick kiss on the cheek and shoved her gently towards the back.

Gretel and Jenny were already on the machines working when Maggie climbed up on the frame to replace a bobbin. Jenny, had apparently heard everything that happened. She leaned over to Maggie, "I don't know whether you are incredibly brave or just plain stupid. We've all had to take hits for the littles before, but no one has ever taken on a full caning."

Maggie managed a grin, her back still hurt like hell. "Its dis thick Irish skull I've got. Don't leave much room fer common sense." The girls chuckled and went back to work, but all day Maggie noticed approving smiles coming from kids in the factory she didn't even know. I just hope dis doesn't become a habit a mine, I don't think me back can take it. - Maggie's beating seemed to have the opposite effect of he one intended by the foreman and his guards. More of the older kids were starting to stand up to the goons, especially when they picked on the younger kids. Unfortunately, this meant less sympathy for their backs, and their arms and heads ribs. But there was a lessening of fear among the workers, a sense of camaraderie, and what Mr. Blackpool had worked so hard to avoid was starting to happen. Kids were talking about organizing.

It started small, Maggie asked Gretel to introduce her to the 16 "tiers"; all children from ages seven to eleven. Most of them, like Gretel, came from poor families that needed the extra money putting the kids to work brought in. There were five boys among this group, the only male workers in the factory, and they were all orphans, sent over from the Refuge. Maggie wrote down all the kids' names, and each of the girls working in the spinning room on a certain day was assigned a child to watch, and to protect from the guards. Since everyone went into the spinning room at some point, they had, after about a week and half, a census of the name of every girl in the factory and her boarding house. It was a start. But soon something happened that catapulted the girls plans into full gear. - It was a long day. Mr. Blackpool had started work at six in the morning and was running the machines till eight in an attempt to demoralize what he considered to be an unhealthy situation among the girls. It was four in the afternoon, and the girls were getting tired.

Maggie was working in the spinning room again. On the other end of her machine she could barely make out the figure of Kats through the fuzz and dust in the air. She saw Cora next to her, her eyes straining to make out the strings she needed to tie. She could hear girls coughing all over the mill, especially Jenny's cough. The lively girl was coming down with something, and although Maggie couldn't see her, she could hear her on another machine down the line. She couldn't see Gretel anywhere.

"Maggie? I'm tired." Cora's eyes looked up at Maggie pleading with her to tell her that it was almost eight.

"It's just after four Cora. A few more hours an we can go home."

The little girl's sigh almost broke Maggie's heart. Suddenly, she hit upon an idea and smiled. "You jest sit down against the wall over der, an I'll wake you when I see the foreman comin all right? Get a little rest." Cora's eyes lit up. She dropped off the machine and sagged against the wall, she was asleep before her head hit her chest.

Maggie was thinking that she could use a little rest like that and looked around to see if someone could keep a watch when the shrill scream of a child pierced through the hum of the machines. The room erupted in shouts. - Maggie leaped from her machine and ran down the line till she came to the room where a crowd had gathered. The shouts were deafening. "Shut it off!" The crowd turned. Maggie couldn't see what had happened, but the machine was making to much noise. she turned to the first girl she saw, "Shut off the bloody machine now!" The girl was too frightened to argue and ran to obey. That was when Maggie pushed through, and saw a sight that made her want to throw up right there.

Jenny knelt on the floor in a puddle of blood, sobbing. In her lap was a little head of curly black hair. Gretel.

"Jenny?", Maggie's voice was shaking as she fought hysteria. "Jenny, what..." The tall girl raised her face. "It was her hair. She was reaching too far too try and grab a knot and when she tilted her head the machine... I think she broke her neck when..." Jenny collapsed. At that moment the hum of the machine died and the girls where left with nothing but the sound of muffled sobbing.

Maggie knelt down and took Gretel's head in her lap. Jenny was right, the fall off the machine with her head being pulled at such a way must have broken the small girl's neck. "Gretel...Gretel, please lass, please don't..."She couldn't control herself any longer and broke down into sobs.

The girls' mourning was interrupted by the arrival of the foreman. "What in the hell is goin on here? Why have the machines stopped? I gave no such order!" He parted the crowd to see what was goin on. Maggie looked up at him, her grief replaced by pure anger.

"You killed her. You killed her you heartless bastard." She spoke in a voice unnaturally soft, especially in a room where normally it was a necessity to shout to be heard.

The foreman just stare at her. "Clean this up. The truck'll be here in an hour." With that he turned on his heel and left without a second glance.

Maggie looked around, "What his he talking about?" A small, strong girl from Queens, Nelly, spoke up. "Its da only way deys can keep da bulls from gettin suspicious. Ya know, funeral carts pullin up every couple a months kinda tips 'em off. Blackpool bought dis truck dat says 'Stuart's Laundry,' cept dere ain't no Stuart's Laundry. Dey put da coffins in dere and take em over to a potter's field somewhere's. Dats how dey keep all dis a secret."

Maggie's face darkened in anger. She looked down at the bundle in her lap. "Get some water and cloth, we're goin ta give dis girl da best burial we can."

Within the next hour, the girls Moved Gretel onto a blanket in the back, away from the puddle which was mopped up, but marked off so the girls knew where it was. In fact, everyone avoided that whole row of machines. they brought water to clean up the little girls face and hair, but her clothes still had blood on them, and no one knew what to do. Then Cora appeared.

The child had disappeared shortly after the accident, and everyone assumed she was mourning privately for her close friend. But Cora had more practical purpose. She tapped Maggie on the shoulder, and when she turned, held out in her arms a clean dress and pinafore, nicer than any of the girls wore.

"Cora dear, what's dis?"

"The guards were all busy, so I had a little time to signal over Mary Larson, the vegetable woman. I asked her to run back to our boarding house and bring back some things. This was mine and I want Gretel to have it." With that she held out a pretty white dress with whit eyelet lace about the collar and red ribbon. "See, its got red ribbon, like Gretel used ta wear." Tears trickled down the cheeks of all the girls, and several turned away. Maggie pulled Cora to her in a fierce hug, hearing the little girl start to cry against her shoulder. When she had clamed herself, she held the girl out from her with a hand on each shoulder.

"I am sure this would make Gretel very happy. You are a good friend Cora." the little girl nodded soberly. Kats lead her away as Maggie, Nelly, Lacey, Colleen, Gloria, and Jenny put the new dress on Gretel. Someone produced a red ribbon, and the girls put it in Gretel's curls. They had just finished when several men burst in, carrying with them a pine box.

As the girls carefully lifted Gretel and put her in the box, Jenny abruptly grabbed a pair of scissors and left. She returned in a few moments with the coffin lid. Inscribed on it, above the stamped number, was the name "Gretel". "She ought to at least be buried under her own name." The girls nodded soberly.

At this point the men started to push them away to carry out the box. Maggie shoved them back. "Get off me." She said in a slow and calculated manner. She nodded to the girls in the crowd, and picked up the head of the box. The girls surrounded the small coffin and lifted, it was pitifully light. Without saying a word, they bore their friend out into the fading sunlight and the truck. - Spot Conlon had five papers left. He was in a hurry to sell them so he had time to get over to a poker game going on in Crown Heights. He was, therefore, highly agitated when a hand clamped down on his arm. "What do ya-" He broke of the curse as he saw the face of one of his newsies. He looked upset. "What's goin on Squints?"

Squints sighed. "I probably shouldn't be boderin you, its just dat...dat.."

"Come on spit it out!"

"All right. A Stuart Laundry wagon just drove by."

Spot's face went unreadable. "Which way was it headed, da docks?"

Squints shook his head. This would be no aging Blackpool steel worker. "Looked like it was headed towards Boardin 'House Row." Spot cursed under his breath, the mill was on Boarding House Row and that meant that whomever had died was probably a kid.

"Dat ain't far from here, come on, da least we can do is pay our respects."

Although the police didn't catch on, most of the working class of Brooklyn knew what the Stuart Laundry truck meant. It was customary to at least stop business till the truck left the neighborhood. Sure enough, as the boys made there way towards the mill, they saw store owners standing outside locked shops, hats off in respect for the dead. Looking for answers, Spot stopped next to a group of his own newsies, rather young ones, clusterd on the street outside the gates where the wagon had pulled in.

"So who was it?" One of the little boys picked up his head in awe at being addressed by the mighty Spot Conlon. "I-I-We don't know. But it was a real small box dey took in."

Further conversation stopped as the street went silent. The doors opened and the strangest sight Spot had ever seen came out. Normally, two of Blackpool's big, burly goons carried the boxes, but today the coffin was borne out by a large group of girls. The goons followed, speechless, in their wake. They silently and gently slid the box onto the wagon, the last girl, a short dark haired thing, kissing the top of it before shutting the doors. It was puzzling. The girls were held back as the wagon drove out, but crowded the gates after they closed again, their hands wrapped around the bars, following the cart down the street till it was out of sight.

"Come on, " Spot said to his newsies, "der ain't gonna be no more sellin here today."

He thought he had said it quietly, but the dark haired girl had apparently heard him. She got very excited, "What did you say? Did you say you sell newspapers?"

Alarmed, Spot quickly explained, "Listen Miss, my condolences really. We don't mean no disrespect, we'se leavin see. I'se very sorry-"

"Wait! Wait please ya hafta do something. Come here. COME HERE!"

The last command was so demanding that Spot could do little but obey. The girl reached through the bars and grabbed his arm, Spot tried to wrench it away. "Hey let me-"

"Listen to me!" The girl looked over her shoulder. She was the only one left in the yard and some men by the factory door were staring at her. "Listen you, dis little interview is gonna cost me more den ye can imagine, so do as I say." She presses a folded piece of paper into his hand "Ye have ta get did ta Jack Kelly, in Manhattan. Jest leave it at da Lodgin House, but ye have ta make sure it gets der." Spot stared at her in disbelief.

"Just do it!" She whispered harshly, then turned and walked back towards the door. Spot then understood what she had meant by 'paying for the interview' as the men moved forward and began to smack her around and kick her as she made her way inside. Then she vanished into the darkness of the factory, the doors were shut, and she vanished. - Maggie was dragged back into the factory by two of the guards, she fully expected to be beaten right there, but suddenly her captors stopped and let out a gasp. Maggie picked her head up. They had loaded the wagon out the back entrance, and standing on the other side of the room in a crisp three piece suit complete with gold watch chain was a tall gentleman Maggie had never seen. He had jet black hair with just a hint of silver around the ears, and the coldest gaze of anyone Maggie knew.

"Mr. Ba-ba-Blackpool!" The foreman startled in surprise. He rushed up to newcomer, babbling apologies and welcomes and generally making a pest of himself. "To what do we owe this honor?"

Mr. Blackpool gazed at the crowd of girls that had stopped near the door. He then turned to the foreman in disgust. "You owe it, you sniveling incompetent fool, to your failure. Your failure to keep today's little "incident" more discreet. Every shopkeeper in a five block radius is talking about it. If I didn't have my ways of keeping police attention directed elsewhere, I might have an investigation in here! I can't stand for incompetence, Brice, do you understand?"

The foreman began to stammer, but Blackpool cut him off. "Why were these girls outside? That's what everyone was talking about. Their little funeral procession is the talk of the neighborhood. Why were they not strictly confined to the main floor?"

The foreman's eyes went hard and he pointed a finger at Maggie, who was still held between the two guards. "It was 'er fault sir. I couldn't stop her. She 'ad 'em al organized and broke through sir. We didn't want to shout and make a commotion once it happened-" He was cut off again. Blackpool had been staring at Maggie.

"Bring her here. Now!" The guards stumbled out of their shock and dragged Maggie over to him. Blackpool reached his hand under Maggie's chin and jerked it up so she stared at him. "What is your name. Speak up! What is it?"

Maggie stared back at him coldly and replied with deadly calm. "O'Rourke."

"You've caused me quite a bit of trouble today, do you know that Miss O'Rourke?"

"You've caused me quite a bit of trouble as well, ye killed my friend."

Blackpool slapped her quickly across the face. Maggie just turned back and gave him the same cold stare. Obviously discomforted, Blackpool turned to the foreman. "Where there any other trouble makers?"

Relieved that the attention was no longer focused upon himself, the foreman glanced around, his eyes stopping on Jenny. He pointed an accusing finger. "That one. She's always been causin' trouble."

"Bring her here."

Jenny was pulled forward by one of Maggie's guards. "You're name?"

The same defiant gaze. "Anderson."

"Well, Miss O'Rourke, Miss Anderson, you've both cost me no little embarrassment and money today. People are talking, I will have to compensate the police for that, and the machines have been stopped for several hours. This is not at all as it should be. Therefore, everyone will remain in the factory tonight, no one will return the boarding houses. I expect he machines to be kept running. This way you will be able to repay me for the damage done today."

Maggie and Jenny burst out at once. "Ye can't do that!"

"If you keep the machines running that long they'll overheat!"

"You'll blow us all ta bloody kingdom come!"

"Silence! Both of you!" Blackpool turned to the foreman. "Brice, if you expect to keep your job after today's events, every word of my instructions must be carried out." He put on his gloves and started to leave, he paused at the door and turned. "I leave those two for you to discipline as you choose, but make sure this never happens again." He called back over his shoulder as he left, "May I suggest, The Kat."

Maggie turned to Jenny, "What's da Kat?" -

'The Kat', was a gruesome object kept on a shelf in the foreman's office, where Maggie and Jenny were taken. It consisted of a six inch wooden baton, which had about twenty thin leather thongs attached to it, at the end of these was a small lead pellet. It made a harsh whistling noise as it cut through the air. Maggie and Jenny were positioned six feet apart, their backs to each other. The foreman stood between them, The Kat in his hands. The girls' shirts had been stripped off and they knelt, Jenny in a camisole, and Maggie in one of the boys' sleeveless undershirts. As the Kat hit them, it ripped right through the fabric. Maggie inhaled sharply, but vowed not to cry, and she heard Jenny do the same. At the fourth lash she bit her lip, hard. She tried to focus on something else, but all she could think about was the fire on her back.

It took the foreman twenty five lashes a piece to satisfy the rage he felt at being humiliated. He threw the girls their shirts and shoved them out of the office and back into the mill.

"Bastard," Maggie gasped weakly. Jenny, her face blanched with pain, managed a weak smile. Neither had uttered a sound, the other girls had no reason to suspect anything other than a mild beating. They took a minute to compose themselves, and walked back into the room. - "All right pace yer bets places yer bets. How many in on dis hand?" Racetrack, a cigar sticking out of his mouth, gazed around the circle at Snoddy, Skittery, Jack, Blink, Sammy and Mush. The newsies nodded and placed their money in the pot, and Race dealt He was just picking up his cards when Spot entered the room.

"Jackey-boy you got some explainin ta do! I don't care who youse is didlin around wid in Brooklyn, that ain't none a myse concoin. But since when do I 'av ta be yer messenger? De only reason I listened ta dis skoit was dat I got dis very unpleasant feelin she could back up what she was sayin, an den I'de have ta hit a goil. So what's dis all about?"

Jack, who had risen at the tone of Spot's voice when he spoke, looked understandably confused.

"Spot, what are you talkin about?"

"Dis!," Spot handed him a folded piece of paper. "Some little slip of a skoit in Canarsie shoved it in my face and told me on penalty of death dat I had to deliver it to a Mr. Jack Kelly in Manhattan. Tough little thing wid a Irish accent and one hell of a tempah."

Spot stopped rambling at the sight of the queer looks on the newsies faces, they looked like they'de been hit in the face with a board. Then at once the spell broke and they dove for the letter. Jack grabbed it first and turned away.

He began to read it aloud. "Deah Jack. Foist of all, be aware dat I am writin dis four days aftah da fight, so tings may have changed from what I have to tell you. We are woikin in da Blackpool Mill in Canarsie Brooklyn. I won't lie ta you and tell you evertin's all right, beacause its not. I hate it, as you can well imagine. But dats not important and not why I'm writin' you. I wanted you to know where we are in case, I dont know, in case sometin' happens. I can't speak for Kats, Gloria, or Lacey since dey keep us apart, but dey look ta be doin all right. Yeah, we get worked over now and again, but in de end its no woise den what we get aftah facin' off wid da scabs and da bulls, so da bruises are da same. I gotta go now, give Annie and Emma a kiss for me. Love, Maggie. And dats de end of da letter."

At this point someone had alerted Emma, and she shuffled into the room, rubbing her eyes. "What is it?"

There was silence till Sammy spoke. "It's a letter from Maggie sweetie." Emma went from mostly asleep to fully awake in a heartbeat and quickly snatched the letter from Jack, moving t the window to read it.

Jack turned back to Spot, "So how exactly did you get dis?"

Spot shrugged, and took a seat on a bunk. "Its like I told you Jackey-boy. She saw dat I was a newsies and went beesoik. Called me ovah, shoved dis at me, and demanded dat I take it ta you. She seemed desperate, and judgin from de situation, I figured it was da least I could do."

Racetrack gave him a puzzled look, "What situation?"

Spot explained about the laundry truck and the death at the factory. The boys stared at each other, "So how did she look when you saw 'er?" Was Blink's question.

Spot sighed, a little unsure of how much to tell them. "Ta tell da truth, a lot woise den she makes out ta be in de lettah. Now, all dose goils are too thin, dat wasn't unusual. But she had a lot a bruises, on her face an arms. An she 'ad new bruises formin ovah de old ones. Dat an aftah she talked ta me, a couple a goons started ta kinda woik her ovah in da yard, den dragged her back inside. I'm tellin ya cowboy, it ain't uncommon for goils ta go in der and not come out." - Maggie was disoriented when she awoke. She wasn't in her bunk at the Lodging House, and she wasn't in her bed at the Boarding House, where was she? As she heard the rumble of the machines in the background, she realized, and the events of the past day flooded back into her memory. Gretel, she thought with a pang. She looked around to get her bearings. She was is the middle of the looms, her head resting against the frame, half a dozen girls sleeping around her. It was the middle of the night, and they had worked until they dropped. Apparently their guards had gotten tired as well, as Maggie didn't see any of them trying to keep the girls working. In fact, she strained her eyes through the darkness, she didn't see any of them at all.

"Dirty rotten bastard just wait till I..." Colleen was talking in her sleep next to her, Maggie gently shook her awake.

"Colleen, what happened to the brute squad?" The girl stared at her, dazed, then remembered what Maggie was talking about.

"Bout an hour ago they got sick a watchin us. They locked and chained the door and left. Probably went out ta the bars, shouldn't be back too soon."

Maggie nodded and let the girl drop back off to sleep. She unbuttoned her shirt and rolled up the cuffs, the machines were making it awfully hot in here... She jerked her head up at the thought. Too hot. If those have been on since this morning... it was a nightmare waiting to happen. She looked toward the spinning room. The door was shut and she couldn't tell what was going on in there, but something wasn't right.

As if reading her mind, Gloria and Lacey crept up to her. "Maggie, I hate ta be da bearer a bad news, but sometin' ain't right in der." At Lacey's words, all three girls got up and crept to the door. The handle was hot, and Maggie wrapped her hand in her skirt to touch it, they peered in.

Hot smoke blasted into their eyes and sent them into a fit of coughing. Maggie shut the door with a bang.

"Dose machines are overheatin', we gotta get outta here before sometin' serious 'appens."

The girls nodded and went to find Jenny. - They had two major problems. The first was how to wake up about two hundred people and get them out quickly without causing a panic, the second was how to get out. They solved the first by having Gloria, Lacey, Colleen, Nelly and Kats gently shake people awake and start moving them towards the door, just telling them that it was time to leave now, not mentioning the potential disaster in the spinning room. Maggie and Jenny set to work on the second problem.

The main door was locked, chained and bolted from the other side, so any hope of using it was to no avail. But Jenny remembered something she had seen during the girls memorable fifteen minutes in the foreman's office. The door itself was easy to break through, and once inside they caught their break. The windows were blissfully bar free. Not particularly caring what Brice would think, they tossed his chair through the glass, carefully breaking off the shards on the bottom and laying cloth over them so not to cut themselves when they climbed out. Then they started moving people out, the little ones first.

They had moved about half of the girls out when an explosion sounded through the wall in the spinning room. All of the girls woke out of their half-asleep dazes and charged out through the window. Jenny was just helping the last girl out when she saw Maggie elbow her way through the throng and back inside.

"Maggie! What do you think you are doing? There's a fire in there!"

She didn't here anything, but Maggie's arm reached through the window and pulled her back in.

She entered a dark, smoke filled world, coughing and gagging. "Maggie! Are you out of your mind!"

"Over here, and hurry will ya!"

She found Maggie over near the bookshelf, down by the floor. "What is so important that your gonna get yourself killed.?"

Maggie was busy pulling something off the shelf Something very heavy. Jenny helped her, and the two girls sagged under the weight of a heavy iron box. A safe. Maggie grinned, "Trust me darlin, dis is worth it." The sound of crackling coming from the mill room was all they needed to induce then to throw the safe through the window and follow suit. - "Read 'em and weep Race, royal flush. Now pay up." Spot sat, a cigar he had won in a previous game in his teeth, grinning from ear to ear at a very sour Racetrack. The boys had decided to let Spot spend he night and return with him to Brooklyn in the morning.

"Well, dat cleans me. Whadda ya say we calls it a night eh?" The boys agreed and were about to turn in when a tapping came at the window. Someone was throwing rocks.

"Spot! Hey Spot! You still in der? Spot!"

They leaned out the window to see one of Spot's newsies, Squints to be more specific, standing in the street.

"Squints? Whadda you doin here? What's da mattah?"

"Der's a big rucus in Canarsie! People is goin nuts! Didn't tink you'd wanna miss it!"

"So what's goin on?"

"Its da Blackpool Mill! Its on fire! Dey tink it may spread down da street! Its chaos down der, peoples is goin nuts!"

Spot rolled is eyes at the overexcited newsies. "Yeah you said dat. We'll be right down."

He turned to the boys, "So is you'se comin or what?"

They were out the door before Spot could get his boots tied. - It was utter chaos on Boarding House Row. Shopkeeper had comedown from there apartments over the stores to try and protect their homes with bucket brigades. Women in nightgowns and shawls clutched their children to them and stared at the blaze. Men shouted at each other but nothing was being done.

And nothing could be done for the mill. By the time a neighbor had seen the flames coming out of the windows it was to late. Parts of the building had already collapsed and even if the ire was put out, the factory could not be salvaged.

The boys arrived on the scene expecting to seen a couple hundred girls in the street. True, the other boarding houses had been evacuated, but the young women standing in bare feet clustered together were not the Blackpool girls. None of them.

Spot stopped one of his newsies who was running by. "What's going on?"

The boy shrugged. "I don't know. Da machines were on all night is all anyone can repoit. Da bulls are goin nuts, dey can't find any of da goils!"

Jack grabbed him by the collar, "Whatta you mean dey can't foind any of da goils. Deys in der boidin houses right?"

The boys eyes opened wide in alarm, but he shook his head. "Dats just it. Woid on da street is dat dose goils nevah went home tanite. Deys was locked in da factory an told ta woik till mornin."

Mush stared up at the inferno, "You don't mean deys still in der, do ya?" - The girls, were actually clustered near the river, under a bridge. Their biggest problem now was where to go where they wouldn't be found. Although it was highly unlikely that Blackpool knew any of their faces, he knew some of them. Nelly and Colleen both had homes, Nelly in Queens and Colleen in the Bronx. They each agreed to lead whichever girls came from there back to their neighborhoods safely. Colleen was also goin to take four of the little boys who had worked in the spinning room home with her. Her family had lost her twin brothers on the way over, and she knew her mother wouldn't mind. "Even if she did, der's plenty a families who have lost children who would take 'em in." The fifth boy had already formed a serious attachment to Cora, who was his surrogate sister, and she declared that she was taking him home with her to Brooklyn Heights. No one was going to argue with her.

Of the rest of the little tiers, three quarters had families and lived in Brooklyn. Jenny agreed to lead the Brooklyn kids back home. They planned to spend a night or two in a mission on the Manhattan side of the river, then walk back in small groups after the bulls stopped looking for them so hard.

The little ones without homes had all been adopted quickly, and most older girls were going home with friends who had families. Of the remaining forty or so with nowhere to go, they were given the names and locations of churches and missions throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx that could give them a hand. Kats was even good enough to remember Medda'a as a possible work option, and a few girls showed some interest.

They wanted to get moving before it got light out, but before they broke up Maggie stood on a box and made an announcement.

"When you all get ta were yer goin, when ye get a chance, write us a little note, an give it to a newsie. Dose are da boys dats always sellin der papers and tellin gigantic lies. Der good people do, and if ye buy a paper I'm sure dey wouldn't mind takin da note back ta der Lodgin House. we're gonna go around den and collect em all, so we knows we ye are. We jest want ta make sure dat everyone came out all right." This was greeted with nods and smiles, then Maggie went on. "Also, 'ow many people 'ere were farced ta wark cause a missin papers?" About thirty or forty hands went up. Maggie nodded. "Ye come wit me."

She hopped down off the box and led the way over to where Kats was sitting on the safe on the riverbank. Next to her stood a little boy, which Cora had a protective arm around. Maggie smiled at him. "Danny, if ye would do us de honor."

Danny looked up at Cora, who nodded, and he knelt down and put his ear next to the safe. He turned the dial this way and that, and soon it opened with a little ping. The boy sat back on his heels, very pleased with himself, which earned him a hug from Cora.

Maggie reached into the safe and pulled out a large stack of files. She read the name off of the top. "Virginia Dorset?" A small girl with lots of freckles piped up in a British accent. " Thots me!"

"Well come 'ere girl! I believe dis belongs ta you. Ye put dat in a safe place all right? A bank or sometin where it won't get lost." The girl nodded, and Maggie proceeded to read off more names, returning to the immigrant girls the lives that Blackpool had bought from them.

After the papers were returned and the safe thrown in the river, it came time for the girls to get moving. They promised to see each other soon, and all went their separate ways. Nelly led her little pack east into queens, and the rest of them all trooped across the river into Manhattan. From there Colleen headed east into the Bronx with her crew. Jenny and the Brooklyn girls that were going to hide out for a while, including Cora, split from them at East 40th and second avenue. They went all the way up 40th to 10th avenue to get near the mission in Hells' Kitchen where Maggie knew people. Maggie only had a few workers to see home, most of which lived around Tompkins square park, so they weren't too far from Duane Street.

After they delivered the last girl into the arms of her family and watched the door close, Maggie, Gloria, Kats, and Lacey were alone on the street. They looked at each other, smiles slowly creeping around the corner of their faces. Then, as the first rays of dawn peaked over the horizon, they turned and ran for home as fast as their feet could carry them. - Not wanting to wake any one up, and sort of relishing the surprise, they boosted each other onto the fire escape, and slipped in through the window that Maggie always left open near her bed, and which hadn't been closed in her absence. All the girls were asleep, and soon Kloppman would come in, yelling at them to go out and sell the papes.

They had originally planned to wake the girls up and greet them, but they each cast longing looks at their beds as they entered the room.

Beds won out in the end, but neither Maggie or Lacey had the will to climb up to the top bunk. So Maggie hopped into Gloria's bed and Lacey squeezed into Kats'. They fell asleep in a heartbeat.

Only to be awoken ten minutes later by Kloppman's wake up call. Reacting purely on instinct, Maggie uttered a curse and launched her pillow across the room, hitting Kloppman in the head, and collapsed back onto the bed.

Kloppman hadn't been assaulted with a pillow since the girls went away, but before them this had been Maggie's ritual to starting the day. He merely chuckled and closed the door, then realized just what a pillow thrown at him meant, and jerked it open again.

"Maggie? Is that you girl?" His shout rose the other girls who had ignored the wake up call, and soon the newly discovered interlopers were surrounded.

Annie, who had always been a heavy sleeper, sat up and rubbed her eyes. "What is it- Maggie?" her voice went from a startled confused sleepy question to a high pitch, hysterical shriek.

"MAGGIE! LACEY! GLORIA! KAAAAAATSY!"

On the last word she launched herself off of Emma's top bunk where she had been sleeping, and landed in the middle of the bed where the girls had gathered. For the next ten minutes it was pure bedlam as the girls laughed and cried and Annie tried to kiss and hug everyone of them a the same time. Kloppman just stood in the door smiling. he was tapped on the shoulder by a drowsy Racetrack.

"Hey Kloppman, can't you tell dose goils ta keep it down a bit? Some of us was tryin ta get a few extra winks down der."

Maggie threw a sock at him. "Agh, shut yer 'ole Race."

"Yeah good mornin ta you too Irish." he turned to go downstairs, then did a double take, "Irish?" But Maggie had turned back to Emma and Sammy who wanted every detail of their experience.

Racetrack just stood there dumbfounded as Kloppman chuckled and walked back downstairs.

"Race?" Jack, seeing him staring into the girls' room, called to him from the landing. "You just gonna stand der? Youse gonna be late and if ye don't close da door one of da goils is gonna slap ya. Race? Come on ye pervert lets go."

Mush paused behind Jack, "What's wrong wid Race?" Jack shrugged , "Dont know, its like 'ese hip-na tized."

Finally, Jack went up stairs to pull Racetrack away from the door, "Come on Race, lets-"

"I'm tellin' ya, Jenny just started breakin windows an we were free."

"I beg yer pardon? I believe I had a little ta do wit us gettin out! An jest who was it dat found da safe huh? Me dats who.."

Jack heard Gloria and Maggie's voices floating out of the room, and he saw why Race was staring. He was frozen a minute himself before Mush came up behind him, jaw on eh floor.

They were broken out of their daze by Lacey, "Well, are ya just gonna standa der like perverts or are ya gonna come say hello?"

That broke the spell and it wasn't long till most of the newsies were in the room, picking up the girls and swinging them around. But it was when Jack picked up Maggie and she screamed in pain, that they realized not all had gone well at the mill. Sammy, whose father had been a doctor, took of Maggie's shirt and sucked in her breath at the sight if her back. Jack swore and his face grew dark and angry. Everyone was ordered out of the room as Sammy cleaned Maggie's back, although she told her they would have to call a doctor. All the boys could hear was Maggie's cursing, but she came out in a clean shirt, her back cleaned and her torso wrapped in fresh linen strips.

Jack looked at her, his fists clenched. "I'm gonna-"

Maggie cut him off. "Yer gonna do a whole lot a nothin, dats what yer gonna do."

Jack looked confused, "Whoevah did dis desoives ta be-"

"I already gave 'em what he deserved."

"An how did ye do dat?"

Maggie looked at Lacey who looked at Gloria, who looked at Katsy, who grinned devilishly. Maggie looked back up at Jack. "Well, who do ya think made sure dat der was plenty a flammable clothe near ta da blaze? Who fergot ta alert da fire department? Who got ta stand er an watch dat hell hole barn ta da ground, knowing no one would ever suffer der again?" She patted Jack on the shoulder. 'Don't worry yer little head Jack. We Irish always make sure we pay our debts. In one way or another."

THE END

0 notes

twistedoverbloat · 2 years

Text

I love Mama/Papa/Parent Bear Yuu.

Or Parent Yuu

Bc like oh I got thrown into a different dimensions possibly? Welp as long as my kids are ok- OH GOD WHERE MY 4 YEAR OLD-

Que Yuu tearing down NRC then Terin coming to them with the 4 year old in his hands.

"Hello child I belive this little one is your." And Yuu calms down like immediately. Oh were going to college again cool so about a paycheck-

Crowley disperses but Yuu has a death grip on him "I have a 4 year old and a baby you WILL GIVE ME MONEY." Crowley gives them enough for the wholes cool year.

Grim dosent really like Teddy (the 4 year old) because he pulls his tail but Yuu teaches him to be gentle and the baby Polly is very calm and dosent make so much of a fuss.

When they meet Ace he was careful of the kids but got kicked in the shin when he called Yuu and Grim dumb for not knowing the great 7. "MAMA/DADA/PARENT ISN'T DUMB AND GRIM ISNT DUMB TOO YOU MEANIE!" Ace was shocked he got yelled at by a kid. Polly even made some noises at him.

When they meet Deuce Yuu made sure to get Teddy and polly away from the chandelier. And then scolded both of them for begn reckless because HELLO THERE IS A BABY AND A 4 YEAR OLD YOU IDOTS! Deuce apologies and Ace gets almost beat by Yuu bc he didn't. And we did scold Grim too for egging on Ace.

When they got sent to the Mines Yuu gave the children too Terin bc they trusted no one BUT him. And when they got back yuu cried bc they could of died and they were so young and might never remember them. Terin helps Yuu take care of the kids. Teddy calls him pop pop. Terin makes Yuu swear to secrecy bc no he didn't cry when he got called that.

Yuu makes sure not to bring Teddy to Potions bc he tried to touch everything so he stays with pop pop most of the time. Polly on the other hand is mostly in Crewels arms when he teaches the classes. When Yuu got asked where the Dad/Mom Yuu looked away. And explain how they left them, Crewel swears if he ever meet them he's going to discipline them.

When their off to flying practice Aston uses Polly as extra weight while doing push ups she giggles like crazy when he does. Teddy tries to do the exercises with the rest of the class but he's allowed to sit down when he's tired. One time a student asks where their parent is and Yuu held up their hand "Oh those little angles are mine!" Then everyone spread it across campus how one student has 2 kids.

Some try to berate them but Savanaclaw tells them kids how hard it is for only one parent to raise 2 kids because most of them were raised by one parent. They shut then down fast.

When Yuu went with the ADeuce duo get Riddle to take the collar off Trey and Carter help take care of the kids. Trey taught Teddy how to bake little treats. Carter took pictures with Polly and everyone gushed about how cute a baby she is. Riddle was thrown off by seeing 2 kids but politely kicked Yuu while being mindful of the kids.

When the over bloating happened Yuu gave Teddy and Polly to Crowley and said "If my kids get hurt even a tiny bit YOUR DEAD." And then pushed him away Teddy didn't like this "MOM/DAD/PARENT NO!" Yuu ignored them and ran off to defeat Riddle. When it was over Riddle asked if the children are ok Yuu told him yes and the kids were brought back. When Riddle started crying Teddy hugged him. "It's ok! We forgive you!" Polly made a few gurgle in agreement.

When the party started Teddy went racing around and every student gave him little treats. Polly got held a lot by everyone. Riddle was so nervous when he held her but when she held his finger in her little hand he was hooked. Trey gushed about her too. Carter was taking pictures left and right.

When Leona overbloated Yuu had to keep Ruggie, Teddy and polly safe from him. When Leona got too close Teddy yelled "DONT COME NEAR MY SISTER YOU MONSTER!" This mad Leona froze he made a little boy scared. He looked so much like Cheka... When he was distracted Ruggie took the final blow and he came back.

When Leona came back he apologized to yuu for almost harming the kids. Yuu said its fine but if it happened again they would skin him. Jack was holding Teddy and then they went to go play.

Before the game Polly was given to Crowley and Yuu warned him again if anything happens to her. Teddy was sitting with Cheka in the stands near Crowly and they warned him too to watch him. Then they got hit with the disk.

When Yuu woke up they screamed for their kids. Grim told them their fine and Polly was taking a nap with Leona. Cheka was careful of jumping on Leona because he didn't want to hurt the baby. Yuu got up and grabbed her so Cheka can torment them more.

When they got back to the dorm and saw Hortan they had Teddy and Polly with them Teddy couldn't sleep and Polly was fussy so they took them in a little walk and saw him. Polly wanted to be held by him so Yuu asked and Malleus said yes. Polly really liked how warm he was and fell asleep quick Teddy cuddled up to him too. Yuu smiled and took a picture. Malleus blushed "Children usually sort of don't like me since I'm scary." YUU ROLLED THEIR EYES "Don't worry my kids won't hate you unless you hurt them or me." After that they said their good byes and Yuu but them to bed.

During book 4 Teddy didn't like it when Mommy/Daddy/Parent agreed to Jamil so quick and polly glared at him when he used Snake Whisper. Kalim was ahppy to see Kids since they reminded him of his siblings, but Teddy didn't like it when he went into his moods. Polly even slapped him when he was in a mood for threatening her Parent. When they went into the dessert Jamil felt bad for the kids but continued on, Yuu snapped at Kalim because the kids were thirsty and Polly got fussy.

UGH BC LIKE IMAGINE HOW SAD IT IS FOR PARENT YUU IN TWISTED WONDERLAND.

Like your a single parent then get telephoned and now your tryign to survive overbloats and taking care of children and grades. And you don't even have a lover to help you take care of them. But don't worry you have a fuck ton of friends to help you. Jack loves running around with them. Epel likes to show off his carvings too Teddy. Rook like the little tricksters. Vil loves doing Polly's hair and dressing both kids up. ADuece are the kids God Dad's so incase anything ever happened...the kids have someone to take care of them. Trey is a God father too. He gets called TT by Teddy. Carter tries to help take care of the kid with his split card magic Teddy loves them but Polly cries because she doesn't know who's the real one. Riddle helps keep Teddy in line and holds Polly when we can't.

Ruggie like showing Teddy tricks and giving Polly little snacks. Polly is Leonas new cuddle partner because she can knock out while being held by him Teddy takes naps too so when they dotn wanna sleep you go to Leona. Kalim isn't allowed to be with them unless someone responsible is with both the kids and him *cough* Jamil *cough* But Jamil gives you tips of how to calm down a rowdy kid.

Floyd likes little squishy (Polly) and little guppy (Teddy) he plays with Guppy most of the time but when he's in his moods he asks to hold lil squishy so he can hug them. Jade helps calm Guppy down when he gets rowdy too like Jamil and he likes holding Polly too but mostly let's Floyd do it. Azul likes holding Polly with her squishy body as Floyd puts it. Teddy is taught how to make deals by Azul.

Othro likes playing playing Teddy and help take care of Polly. Idia had a heart attack when Teddy ran at him and asked to touch his hair. Polly is usually in his lap when he has her and let's her watch him play games.

Malleus like how Polly and Teddy don't find him scary. Lilia gets flash backs of Silver, Sebek, and Malleus when they were younger he helps change Polly's diapers and also calm down Teddy when he gets to rowdy. He also tells stories of when he was younger to him.

Sebek lowers his voice when Poly's around bc the first time he didn't she screamed at the loud noise. Teddy kicked his shin hard bc it was Polly's nap time "SISSY IS TIRED YOU MEANIE!" Sebek now lowers his tone. Silver likes to sleep with Polly she actually can make him wake up sicne she always slaps him really hard Teddy takes naps with him too. Nap partner #2.

Sam gets safe baby products for Yuu and gives them fir free since he knows it's hard to feed for 4 so they only really pay for stuff for them and Grim.

Ambrose was surprised to see 2 kids with Crowley at the game and said their from a student that goes here. RSA saw how hard working the single parent was and decided to give them gifts Yuu took them with a smile and thanked them. Neige was smitten by Pollys cute face and Teddy's ambition, he is one of the babysitters now.

When both NRC and RSA have a tournament Neige when he's not playing is sitting with you and talking he's usually holding Polly.

Oh don't get me started on how many times Polly gets held all the boys fight over who gets Polly. But one time when they were arguing Polly walked to Malleus and said "Horns!" Malleus started crying "I'm going to protect this small child of man-" Leona was VERY salty at that then Lilia busted into tears "THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME POLLY WALKED!" Yuu snapped out of it "OMG BABY YOU WALKED!" Polly was bathing in all of the attention.

Vil sometimes asks to bring you and the children to a family photo shoot for changes with matching family cloths you agree and the Media loves the kids. Everyone calls you a Milf/Dilf/Pilf you even got other gigs for the kids and yourself you started to make bank. You were happy bc That lazy deadbeat of a 'grandpa' Crowley claims he is a ain't shit man.

You start saving up for Teddy to put him into school and for Polly when she's old enough. Terin got Teddy in the best school he put his own children in. All the boy's cried or hiden that they were crying when it was Teddy's first day of school. Azul was worried he would get bullied so he was on the fence to bringing him there but Jade calmed him and said that Teddy is a kind boy no one would be mean to him then Leona butted in "Plus Cheka goes here so he won't let Teddy get bullied." Azul was calmed at that.

Jamil and Trey made his lunch Lilia wasn't informed but made him little cookies for the way there. All the kids were surprised when they saw this one kid with so many dads when cheka saw him he screamed and ran to him "OMG OMG TEDDY YOUR HERE TOO?" Leona's brother came running "Cheka you can't just-Oh Leona what are you doing here?" Then he saw Teddy "AWE who's kid is this?" Yuu stepped up and said he's theirs Leonas brother then saw Polly "AWE SHES SO CUTEE!" And tried to touch her cheek but Polly slapped him hands and turn her head up.

Leona busted out laughing his brother pouted and said "Well I guest she dosent like me! but I need to go Cheka behave ok?" Cheka said ok and then ran with Teddy into the school "REMEMBER TEDDY BEHAVE TOO! Lil troublemaker." The Teddy ran back and gave you a kiss on the cheek and then hugged and kissed all the boy's "SEE YOU AFTER SCHOOL!" And with that ran back.

Yuu looked at the school "Hes gonna be fine and if anything happens we'll get a call." The boys help you go back to school since classes were about to start.

Yuu still had a bad feeling so you kept your phone right by you. When it was Mr. Terin's class you got a phone call. It was Teddy's school...

Yuu hurried and answered not caring "Yes?....Yes I am his M/Dad/Parent.....WHAT?.....LIKE HELL YOU KEEP THAT SON OF A BITCH FATHER THERE!" Then hangs up and rushed to get your stuff and the first years with you asked what happened "Teddy got into a fight and the kid fucking kicked him in the stomach! IM GOING TO KILL THAT BOYS PARENT!" Jack was able to calm your own and Mr. Terin told you to go as you rushed out all the first years went with you. As you ran inside the school all you could do was now worry, how hard did the kid kick Teddy? is he ok? Oh you shouldn't have made him go...

As you got into the office you saw Teddy through the nurses office window "MY BABY!" Yuu rushed in "Is he ok?" The nurse confirmed us he's OK. Then you put on a cold face "Where the principals office?" She scared pointed where it was. You stalled off with the first years 'their gonna make heads roll.' THE first years thought.

Yuu kicked open the door and slams the Principals desk "Why is my child hurt?" They demanded the Principal stuttered and answered "Well there was just one simple misunderstanding and-" Yuu snapped at him "SO YOU DIDN'T PUNISH THE KID FOR HURTING MY CHILD?" The principal nodded.

Yuu breathed in "My name is Yuu (lastname) AND I WILL SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN! I KNOW RIDDLE ROASEHEARTS, LEONA KINGSCHOLAR, AZUL ASHENGROTTO, VIL SHROENHEIT, KALIM AL-ASIM, IDIA SHROUD, AND LASTY MALLEUS DRACOINA! So you better fix this or I'll shut all of this shit down!" The Principal nodded. The first years were scared because the boys love Polly and Teddy as if their were their own and would shut down this school.

When Yuu discharged Teddy from school they rushed back to NRC where the rest of the boys were wondering where they were. Yuu took him to Ramshackle and called Carter to go get Polly from Terin and to call the boys.

When they got there they saw Teddy's face with dried tears. Azul looked so frighten he started crying "Oh dear Teddy!" He rushed to his side and he turned to yuu "What happ-" Yuu's face turned into a deep scowl "A little boy kicked him in the stomach and I didn't get the full story on why." The boys looked furious with the beastmen were growling and The merepeople wanted blood. Leona began to call his brother and told him to put Cheka on the phone. Leona asked Cheka what happened and the boy was being mean to him and Teddy stood up and the boy embarrassed in front of his friends kicked Teddy hard and pushed him on the ground then Cheka hit the boy in the face and thars when a teacher noticed.

Leona was proud of his nephew for protecting family. Azul was ready to go tear the building apart a boy he considered and saw as a son will NOT be bullied. Floyd and Jade were going to do whatever Azul ordered. But Vil stopped them "Malleus and Kalim handle this." The two boys looked at him wondering why only rjem Yuu piped up with a smirk "Their royalty and Kalims family is filthy rich so they can have that place leveled if payed to do so." Vil smiled "Exactly." Malleus nodded "My small Chold of Man shall have justice." Kalim nodded. And off they went.

Azul was sobbing "I shouldn't have let him go I-" Yuu came to him "Don't worry we didn't know this was going ro happen but I know for a fact if that Princeaple wasn't his head he won't brush it off." Azul nodded, Polly grumbled "Meanie!" Everyoen looked at her "Yes dear." Yuu smiled.

The boys got onto helping Teddy feel better when he woke up Trey, Jamil and Lilia made him food Lilia tried but got kicked out. Silver and Leona got him soft pillows and Azul and the twins got him in comfortable clothing. Vil, Rook, and Epel got him cleaned up. Sebek and Jack praised him for being good and sticking up for his friend. ADuece was cuddling and having a play argument thar made Teddy laugh. Idia gave Teddy new games and Ortho did a check on him. Polly was next to him clapping making sure her older brother was okay. Riddle was talking to him about what he learned in school. Carter showed him cute photo he took earlier. Ruggie got him a sandwich he realy likes for the cafeteria.

*I no longer want to write for this bc this has been sitting in my drafts for too long-

#parent Yuu au #Yuu: i have 2 kids #the boys: a Milf/Dilf/Pilf?#twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland x reader #twisted wonderland yuu

397 notes · View notes

junowritings · 3 years

Note

Hello! I just saw your Kalim x reader and my heart went boom!

Is there any chance that I can request a Neige Leblanche x Fem NRC student Reader?

*Where Neige falls for her quite literally and romanticly when she is setting up for VDC. But turns out his love is somewhat forbidden in a sense.*

please and thank you! Also, question! Have you seen Yuuekn for the twst manga? He's really cute in my opinion! Have a good day!

I’m so happy to hear that you liked that hun I had a lot of hun with it~! Also I feel like writing Neige on Vil’s birthday’s gonna get me cursed but it’s fiiiine~

Also HELL YEAH I’VE SEEN YUUKEN. That man threatened Crowley with a kendo stick what a legend I can’t wait for the next volume! --------

You were only supposed to oversee the others working as VDC was being set up, to go around checking on others progress and non-too-subtly marvel at all of the booths as they were being built and arranged in the appropriate locations.

Admittedly, you were probably only allowed free reign so you didn’t get in the way of the performers as they got in some practice for the final show. If the sharp look Vil had given you when as he’d practically herded you out was anything to go by, making yourself scarce till things cooled down was your best course of action, so you’d taken to keeping track of the backstage team, if only to see all the work that went into making this long awaited event happen.

It was just pure chance that one of the second years had caught you wandering between equipment and mistook you as part of the team. Before you knew it, he was handing you an imposingly large set of speakers and asking you to get them moved back to the stage, and perhaps if you’d been more firmer about refusing, then you wouldn’t have been scrambling towards the main area, weighty equipment in tow as you hauled them alongside you.

Fortunately, the work you’d been dragged into suited you just fine; you’d worked a few backstage gigs during previous school events, thanks to the headmaster’s brilliant idea to leave professional work to a bunch of minimally trained students (seriously, what does Crowley even spend the event budget on?). Thankfully, you were well prepared, and it looked like the other ‘volunteers’ were grateful for the extra set of hands too, as before long you were being approached by some of the first year workers, asking for your advice or help because they weren’t sure what to do.

You’re overseeing one such first year as he sets up the wires for the overhead lights, peering over his shoulder from where he’s crouched and guiding him when needed. When he plugs in the last of the cords he turns to glance up at you, wordlessly seeking your approval.

You grin and flash him a thumbs up. “Hey, great job. Told ya you could do it.”

At your response the student visibly relaxes, standing up and rolling off the stiffness from being stuck in such an awkward position for so long. He gives the lights a quick once over before shuffling back, releasing a sigh as he muses aloud. “Looks like that was the last of the tech setup; do you think we’ll be needed anywhere else?”

You give a noncommittal shrug. “Probably not; unless we’re needed down by the clubs I think they’re all set.”

Honestly, the work’s pretty much done by this point, and you’re sure that sooner or later you’ll be getting a call from Rook letting you know it’s time to rejoin the group. You’ve got to admit, you’re looking forward to seeing all of the boys’ hard work pay off - you know they’ve been busting their butts to polish their routine and you’re sure their nerves are kicking in right about now.

Maybe you could bring them something back from the stalls? A good luck charm or something to snack on to ease their nerves a bit - you’re sure Ace and Kalim would appreciate some of those ‘pick-me-up’ treats from those food stands they’d been eyeing near the entrance...

Something catches your attention from the corner of your eye mid-musing, and you find yourself pausing as you cast your gaze towards the stage. There’s several people on stage, and you know at a glance that they’re not part of the crew - the pristine white and blue uniforms were a dead giveaway as is, but as you watch the small group move along the structure you freeze, eyes narrowing.

Are those...kids?

You can’t be certain, given that you’re pretty sure this is a students only event, however you’re transfixed on watching them chatter happily to one another as they point at the different decorations strung up all over the venue. There’s one boy among them that you notice, namely because he’s the tallest of the small, merry group; his smile is bright and gentle as he laughs along with his friends, guiding two of them by the hands so that the group doesn’t get separated.

The sight is cute, no one can deny, and it's enough to tug a smile at the corner of your lips. The student beside you notices your silence and follows your gaze, gasping when he spots who you’re looking at.

“Wha-Neige is here already?!”

“Neige?” You look between the student and the boy, confused.

Now where have you heard that name before…

Your eyes widen when you remember. Of course, Neige Leblanche! That guy you’d seen from those interviews! You remember how miffed Vil had gotten when at the sight of the soft spoken boy when they’d worked a shoot together, just about dragging you and Rook out with him before Neige had even finished his segment. Apparently they were rivals or something, but you’d never gotten the chance to ask before Vil had shut that conversation down the moment it started.

Remembering the tempered scowl on Vil’s otherwise pristine face brought a frown to your own. What was it about this guy that he’d hated so much? The more you watched Neige the more he seemed about as nice as you’d expect, regarding his friends with a soft smile that radiated nothing but warmth and kindness as they swarmed around him, all smiles and laughter.

One of the boys tottered away from the group, wandering over to the edge of the stage to look down at the people still milling about. His fingers were wound into the scarf around his neck, pulling it up close to his face as he rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet, looking around with curious eyes. Eventually, he spotted you off to the side and you found yourself smiling as you offered a small wave.

The boy’s face brightened and he didn’t hesitate to return the gesture, waving back and letting go of his scarf long enough for you to see him smiling back at you. You chuckled a little at the sight, but the little moment doesn’t last long before his face suddenly scrunches up, discomfort crossing his face.

“A-Achoo!”

He sneezes violently enough that it completely knocks him off balance, and your face pales when you watch him start to topple off of the stage. People have wrecked their ankles just trying to jump from that height, so the moment you see him start to fall you’re running to catch him, arms stretching out before you’ve even reached him.

“Ah! Snick!”

Neige notices his friend beginning to tumble and crosses the stage before you get there, calling out the boy's name as a hand reaches out to grab the back of that peach scarf and uses the garment to pull him upright. You’d have been relieved if the momentum of yanking him back hadn’t sent Neige falling right off in his place, and now you’re running to catch a different boy as you watch him go over the edge.

Fortunately, the split second difference between him and Snick gives you enough time to reach him, and Neige lands in your open arms not a moment after you get there with a gasp at the force. Mentally congratulating yourself for the good catch, you look down at the boy nestled in your arms, who looks back up at you with a surprised expression.

His hair’s skewed, hat having landed somewhere in the fall as soft black strands fall over his face and brush against his lashes. He’s close enough that you’re pretty sure that you can hear his heart hammering in his chest, and his eyes are wide - you guess he’s still shaken from the tumble - but up close you can see just how striking they are, a deep brown easing into a honey color.

‘No wonder this guy’s an actor,’ you find yourself thinking. ‘He looks like he’s straight from a painting.’

You shake the thought away and focus on the moment, lips parting to ask. “Are you okay?”

For a beat, Neige blinks up at you, speechless before breaking from his apparent reverie with a start.

“O-Oh! Y-yes, thank you.” you watch a pink hue rise to his face, dusting across his cheeks as he brings a hand to fix his collar, gaze never straying from your own.

Your expression softens at the response. How cute.

“Niege! Neige, are you okay?!”

A voice calls out, and you look up just in time to spot Neige’s gaggle of friends as they race down the stage stairs, moving to converge around you and the boy in your arms. The one who yelled - with silver hair and glasses - seems relieved when he sees Niege is unharmed, and Snick looks on the verge of tears as he shuffles to his friend’s side, bumbling apologies between sniffles.

Neige smiles and reaches out a hand to affectionately ruffle Snick’s hair. “It’s alright; I’m fine, everyone.”

The spectacled boy turns to you and bows. “Thank you so much for your help!”

You shuffle anxiously at the praise. “Ah, well, it’s no sweat, really - I’m glad I caught him in time! Heh…”

Both you and Neige sneak a look at one another, and as your eyes meet you become acutely aware of the fact that you’re still holding him to your chest. Masking your embarrassment with a cough, you loosen your grip enough for him to ease back onto his feet. He smooths out his sweater and you lean down to grab his hat, shaking it back into shape before moving to place it back onto his head.

You don’t think twice about tucking some stray strands of hair behind his ear until he lets out a soft “Oh!” and you fluster, bringing your hands to your chest as he mirrors the motion.

“Thank you for catching me!” he hums, words sincere as he gives a little bow of his own.

“It’s no problem!” you give an idle wave, rubbing the back of your neck as you add. “Besides, the headmaster would have my head if another school’s student got hurt on our school grounds!”

Neige raises a brow at your words, but laughs along with you when you chuckle.

“So, you guys are entering VDC, right?” you venture a guess, changing the subject, and you watch the group nod in various degrees of agreement.

“Yes! I’m looking forward to seeing everyone perform!” Neige beams at the mention of the event. “Are you a member of the NRC team…?”

He trails off, realizing he doesn’t know your name; when you tell him, he repeats the name back to himself softly, as though making sure to remember it.

“As for me? I’m not on their team, well, technically.” you find yourself hesitating for a moment. “I’m more of a manager, cheering on the team and helping out with set-up. Though, Vil’s been handling most of the work, heh.”

“Vil?” he parrots back to you, looking visibly delighted at the name Happy to ramble about your friend, you’re quick to continue.

“Yeah! He’s been working really hard with everyone to polish their performance - I swear, you’re gonna love it! He’s actually-”

“(Y/N)-!”

You freeze, head whipping in the direction of the voice, spotting Vil striding in your direction as the crowd parts seamlessly to move out of his way. You grin as you watch him approach, but your smile falters a bit when you see his expression. Though his face remains carefully neutral, you’ve known him long enough to recognize that he’s positively seething, and you have no idea what’s got him so angry.

Still surprised to see him, you shift to face him. “Oh, hey Vil! What are you doing-?”

“We need to go.” Vil’s voice is stern, a hand coming to rest on your shoulder guiding you away from Niege and back towards the way he’d come from.

“Wha-why?” you sputter, confused.

“The event’s nearly starting, and we’re up first - you’re going to be late.”

He punctuates each word carefully, though gives you a surprisingly soft smile and brings his free hand to rest against your back when he notices the confusion visible on your face. “The others are waiting for you.” he adds, as though working to ease your concern as he continues to walk with you.

“O-oh, okay.” you fumble for a moment before craning your neck to look back at Neige, giving him the brightest smile you can muster as you wave.

“See you later, Neige! Good luck with the performance~!”

Neige returns the wave, soft smile betrayed by furrowed brows as he watches your retreating form disappear back into the bustle of people. For a few moments he tries to spot you in the crowd before reluctantly giving up, bringing a hand up to his chest and lightly grasping his sweater between his fingers.

“(Y/N)...” he mumbles aloud, hoping to himself that this isn’t the last time he sees you today.

#Anonymous #twst #twisted wonderland #imagines #twisted wonderland imagines #twst x reader #twisted wonderland x reader #twst neige #neige leblanche #neige x reader #neige leblanche x reader #request #ask

774 notes · View notes

lefthandersruletheworld · 3 years

Text

This isn’t Queer Dude! (Stonathan Fic)

Jonathan practically jumped out of his skin when Steve kicked open his bedroom door. The thin camera film fell out of his hands as he snapped his head over to the raging man. Steve slammed the door shut with his foot and turned to glare at the other boy. His face was contorted with anger, cheeks and ears flaming red. Before Jonathan could get a word in, Steve pounced on him like a panther, knocking him flat on his back with his legs dangling off the edge of the bed. Jonathan let out a surprised grunt as he was slammed onto the mattress. His eyes locked onto Steve’s face, scared that Steve might decide to break his nose. Steve is on him, fingers capturing the soft fabric of his cream colored sweater. He has the fabric balled tightly in his fists, with no intent of freeing Jonathan from his grasp. Both boys were just shy of panting like a dog on a hot summer’s day. Steve wanted to break Jonathan’s jaw for the shit he pulled with Nancy. He was so pissed at him, but as he glared into Jonathan’s deep puppy eyes, he found his rage slowly slipping away from him. The anger remained, but the rawness of it snuck off somewhere.

What replaced it was a confusing, warm feeling. Something tempting and a little concerning. He watched Jonathan pant from beneath him. The white of his top two front teeth barely visible past his parted cherry lips. They're probably so pink because he bites them so much, not that Steve noticed or anything. It looked like Jonathan wanted to say something, probably wanting to ask why the hell Steve just jumped on him, but he didn’t speak. Instead he remained silent. Steve figured he probably would’ve asked if he had the balls to. However, he was thankful he didn’t, because if he did, Steve wasn’t sure he’d be able to give him an answer. Why did he tackle him? Did he want to hit him? To beat him up or yell at him? The answer should’ve been easy, but it wasn’t. He was just so… so mad. Mad at everything. He was mad at his stupid parents for everything. Mad at them for yelling at him, for scolding him for that stupid party. Mad at himself about Nancy… and Barbra. He was mad at Jonathan for taking those pictures and stealing his girl and even more mad at Nancy for choosing him, but what pissed him off the most was himself. He was so damn angry at himself for being a jerk to Nancy, his parents, to his friends… to Jonathan. He thought picking a fight would make him feel better, but with Jonathan under him, his blood lust was gone. He didn’t want to be a jerk anymore. He was tired of being a bully.

Jonathan opened his mouth for a second before snapping it shut. Steve watched the way his red lips turned pale under their tight lipped pressure that Jonathan put them under. He didn’t fail to notice how the other boy's bottom lip caved in slightly, indicating that he was biting them from the inside. Steve hardly realized he was staring at Jonathan's mouth until he finally flicked his eyes up to meet with the Byers kids’ eyes. What he didn’t expect was Jonathan's eyes doing the same, flashing up from his own lips to lock with Steve’s. He nearly flinched when he realized Jonathan was looking at his own lips. It made him hyper aware of their presence. It left them feeling tingly and his stomach fluttery. He wondered what Jonathan saw when he looked at Steve’s lips.

Steve’s fists were still clamped tight around his sweater. He kept him pinned under him. Though if Jonathan really wanted to flee, he could’ve done it already. He hasn’t tried to squirm or push Steve off. In fact, he hasn’t really shown any indication of him wanting to run away from him. He hasn’t tried to resist him at all. The only resistance he showed was grabbing Steve’s jacket in an attempt to catch himself when Steve slammed him down. Other than that, he let Steve manhandle him. Something about that sent warmth down Steve’s spine. He lowered himself slightly, his leg sliding between Jonathan's. He nearly missed the way Jonathan parted his thighs, allowing Steve to situate between them. Their legs dangled off the side of the bed. It felt childish, but neither moved. Steve wanted to loosen his white knuckled death grip on Jonathan's sweater, but he was scared that if he loosened his grip, something may slip free from him. So, he kept his hands tight, restraining any weird impulses.

Jonathan finally let go of Steve’s coat. He let his hands fall onto the mattress like the rest of his body. They plopped down next to his head on either side, palms facing the ceiling. His chin was tipped up, eyes focused somewhere between Steve’s lips and eyes. God damn. Jonathan looked so… so nice like this. His messy hair was just as chaotic as normal, but rebellious strands rested softy on the blankets below. The hazy look in his eyes sent something hot into Steve. His dark eyes, parted lips, chin tilted up towards him and neck peeking out from his turtleneck sweater, all of it was sending mischievous signals to Steve’s brain. He couldn’t even remember why he was so angry. The signals he was getting were wrong. They were totally wrong, but he couldn’t resist as he subconsciously inched closer to the submissive boy. His nose brushed against the tip of Jonathan’s and the other boy sucked in a shaky breath like he was preparing himself. His hands turned, sweaty palms brushing against the soft blankets. His fingers hooked into the fabric and Steve could feel his heavy breaths against his knuckles.

At the moment, there was something about Jonathan that reminded Steve of his first time with Nancy. The first time they had sex. She was so nervous and vulnerable looking, but her eyes twinkled with excitement and desire. He remembered how her hands trembled along his back, not knowing exactly where to fall, but how her lips peppered his own in feverish kisses that only grew more warm with each passing breath. In this strangely tense moment, Jonathan looked like Nancy. Nervous, but anxiously awaiting. Wanting. Wanting Steve. He could see it in his eyes, the glazed over look. The need twisted into his eyebrows. He wanted Steve to do something. Jonathan would never admit it, but his face and racing heart says it all. He wants Steve. That realization repeated itself in Steve’s mind over and over; ’He wants me. He wants me.’

Steve’s heart stuttered when Jonathan's hand rose up. The action was slow and timid. He was acting as if Steve was a wild deer and that if he moved too fast, he’d scare him away. His fingertips brushed along the shoulder of his jacket. It was an aloof touch, barely felt through the fabric. Steve was almost out of breath. He wanted Jonathan to touch him harder, he wanted to feel his fingers against him. When they practically danced their way up to the collar of his shirt, Steve sucked in a breath. He felt Jonathan's fingernail scrape against his neck for a moment, before shying away and that action sent fire straight into his gut. Jonathan touched his neck with the pad of his thumb before moving back to the collar of his shirt. He thumbed over it and the sound was amplified in Steve’s ears. It was so quiet, but to Steve, it was the only thing he could hear other than his thundering heart. His neck broke out with goosebumps, neck hair standing like a cold breeze washed over it.

His fists finally loosened to a gentle grip. He thumbed over the soft sweater, mimicking Jonathan's motions. He could feel Jonathan’s body heat through his clothes. His chest was burning hot like a furnace. Steve watched Jonathan’s Adam’s apple bob. When his tongue darted out to wet his lips, it sent a craving into Steve’s deepest desires. Heat rushed down Steve’s spine like a glass of water was spilled down his back. Their noses were touching, brushing against each other. Their breathing had softened to the point they were just shy of holding their breath. Their lips were so close to making contact and Jonathan didn't move an inch. He was probably too nervous to even blink and honestly, Steve felt the same. His brain was full of want, he was intoxicated by it, but every male figure in his life was screaming at him in his head. For the first time in his life, he wanted to kiss a guy.

He tipped his head to the side and finally gave in. His lips brushed against Jonathan's and he practically melted. His grip tightened once again on Jonathan’s sweater, now more than ever. It was as if he subconsciously thought that if he let go, the kiss would end. So he held him tightly, even though the kiss was feather light it nearly tickled. Steve let his body rest against the other boys. He laid on him, chest to chest as their lips brushed. Their legs intertwined, Steve’s ankle locking with Jonathan’s. His body was tingling from his head to his toes, a sensation he wasn’t quite used to. Sure, he got all fluttery when he kissed Nancy, but it was never… never like this. Jonathan' let out the softest, most breathy sound and the effect it had on Steve was effective and immediate. He kissed him harder, their lips squishing together. He could feel Jonathan's racing heartbeat under his fists and shamefully, he matched the other boys. He liked this. He wanted this.

Jonathan’s hands awkwardly latched onto Steve’s jacket as their kiss deepened. He struggled to match Steve’s expertise, given his lack of experience. However, it wasn’t like either of them cared. In fact, it only seemed to add to the want they felt. One is an experienced play boy wannabe, the other a shy guy with little social experience. Their lips danced in a silent and breathy melody. It was hypnotic like a musical note. It had Jonathan curling his toes in his fluffy black socks. Their thighs grinded against one another softly, the action timid and noncommittal. Steve’s lips were so firm, but soft at the same time. They weren’t chapped at all, or swollen from biting. They were perfect and the taste they left had Jonathan’s head spinning. He wanted more. He forgot about everyone. He forgot about his mom and brother for a moment, he forgot about Nancy. The only thing that was on his mind was the same thing that was on his body; Steve.

When Jonathan's lips parted, Steve didn’t waste any time. His tongue slipped out from his own mouth and licked Jonathan's bottom lip. The response he got was a little gasp and a slight nod and Steve needed nothing more to know he was given permission. He slipped his tongue inside the other boy's mouth, gently grazing his teeth. When Jonathan’s tongue brushed against the other boy's, it sent fire through his veins. This couldn’t be real, Steve is a drug. He’s giving him an addiction he never knew he could have. Is this what so many of the singers in his favorite songs were talking about? A feeling so molten that it leaves lava in his core? A feeling he doubts he’d ever recover from? If that’s the case, he’ll listen to every note and melody in each and every song if it brings him more of these moments. His fingers interlaced together behind Steve’s neck. He couldn’t stop himself from pulling Steve closer.

“Jonathan?” A woman called from the front door. Both boys separated immediately. Steve practically flew off Byers and landed on his feet across the room. Jonathan stumbled up the bed, his eyes locked on the bedroom door. He shot a glare to Steve and motioned with his hand towards the closet. In silent panic, Steve understood and jumped inside with no hesitation. He ducked into the darkness, hiding behind layers of coats and old t-shirts.

“Yeah mom?!” Jonathan called back in a voice Steve’s never heard from him. It was more confident and loud than he’s ever considered possible from the other boy. The sound of hurried footsteps came down the hall and in a matter of seconds, Steve could hear Joyce opening the door. He sucked in a quiet breath, too scared to let out a single sound. His ears strained to listen.

“Jonathan,” she breathed. Her son sat awkwardly on the edge of his bed, lower back resting on the pillows. He looked at her with an anxious eye, but it wasn’t unusual.

“Yeah?”

“Hopper might have a lead,” she said, eyes glimmering with fragile hope. Jonathan’s heart stopped for a moment and he got off the bed. He approached her and gently placed his hands on either side of her arms.

“W-what did he say?”

“He didn’t tell me very much, but he said he may have a lead.”

“That’s great mom,” he smiled. There was a second of silence as Steve listened with his ear pressed against the door. Neither of them spoke and it left him on the edge of his seat. However, he felt a stab of sympathy go through him when he heard Joyce sniffle before letting out a whiny cry.

“Mom, mom it’s okay,” Jonathan whispered, pulling her into his arms. She instantly wrapped her arms around him. She sobbed into his sweater as he spoke. “He’s gonna find him.”

“I know I know… but I can’t stop thinking about him. He’s my baby. I just… I keep imagining him being cold and scared and-and I just can’t do it anymore.”

Steve felt a harsh wave of guilt was over him. To think he wanted to beat Jonathan up because he was mad at himself. ’Get over yourself Steve Harrington’.

“I know mom,” he could hear Jonathan croak. “Me too, but we have to be strong. We have to. For Will.”

Steve whipped his eyes as he tried to stay silent. He could hear Joyce sniffle a few times as she seemingly got herself together.

“You’re right… you’re right,” she breathed as she looked up at him. She placed a hand on Jonathan’s cheek. “God what would I do without you?”

“You’d manage,” he whispered, trying to offer her a sincere smile. She nodded before taking in a deep breath.

“Well… dinner stuff is on the table. I’m gonna go put up more flyers.”

“But you just got here.”

“I know, but I have to.”

“Okay… I love you mom.”

“I love you too,” she smiled. There was pain still clear in her voice, it was hard to miss, but soon she left the room. Only moments after the sound of keys jingling and the front door opening and closing could be heard. Steve gave it a few more seconds before he finally exited the closet. He stepped out from the small space and looked over to Jonathan. He was standing awkwardly, but his eyes were weak. He was in a vulnerable state and Steve would be lying if he said he knew how to help. Steve cleared his throat, getting the other boy's attention. Jonathan looked over at him, crossing his arms. His expression was tired and sad and it left Steve feeling mournful.

“M’sorry,” he looked at his shoes. “For everything.”

Jonathan didn’t reply verbally. He just nodded. Steve wasn’t satisfied though. He wanted to help, to be a better person, but he didn’t know how. He came here looking to start a fight with a guy who’s brother is probably dead. Then instead of fighting him, he made out with him. God, he was a piece of work. A hot mess. Although, he’s not even sure if he is good enough to be considered hot anymore. Now he’s just a mess.

“I really am sorry...” he looked at the floor. “Listen man… I know I’ve been a dickhead for like… ever… but if you ever need anyone to talk to… I’m here.”

“Thanks,” Jonathan dismissively muttered.

“I’m serious. Just… think about it.”

Jonathan nodded and remained silent. He sat down on the bed and sighed. Now it was Steve who was awkwardly standing around. He fiddled with a stray pencil on Jonathan's desk. He could feel himself being watched, but he paid it no mind. After a few seconds Jonathan cleared his throat and spoke up.

“Why’d you come here?”

“Hmm? Oh. Right,” Steve nodded and rubbed the back of his neck. He faced the other boy and was conflicted. Tell him the truth or lie? If he lied, what the hell will he tell him? “I… fuck. I was pissed off and I wanted to take it out on you.”

Jonathan waited a few seconds before responding. “Funny way of doing it.”

“Hey,” Steve glared. Heat rose up in his cheeks as he furrowed his brows. Like hell he was gonna get flustered by some loser. “I didn’t do that on purpose.”

“Then why?”

“I-,” Steve stumbled. “It wasn’t queer dude.”

“Kinda.”

“It wasn’t,” Steve barked, growing more irritated. He got red when he saw Jonathan smile weakly. Although he couldn’t deny the flutter his heart gave at the sight. Steve scoffed and pinched the bridge of his nose as he spoke. “It wasn’t queer. I just… nevermind.”

Both boys didn’t speak. There was tension in the room, though neither acknowledged it. Steve gestured to the door. “Think it’s safe to leave yet?”

Jonathan motioned to the window. “I think it would be better if you left through the window.”

“Stealthy, I can do that,” Steve sauntered over to the window. He cleared off some random junk in the windowsill before lifting the glass open. Once it was fully open, he straddled the frame, one leg out the window, dangling just above the grass. The other was still in Jonathan’s bedroom. He froze and looked at the other boy, who was now approaching him. He watched as Jonathan set the objects that Steve moved aside. Once they were where he wanted, he rested his hand on the window, looking down at Steve.

“Yeah?” Steve said, a little unsure of how to read this situation.

“Um… nothing.” Jonathan muttered, avoiding eye contact like the plague. Steve darted his eyes around, mulling things over in his head before shrugging. He threw his other leg outside the window and let himself drop to the grass below. He huffed, adjusting his clothes and fingers brushing his fluffed hair. He looked back up at Jonathan, who was staring down at him. Heat pooled inside Steve's gut when he recognized that wanting look in his eyes. They stared at each other briefly, before Jonathan lowered to his knees. He crossed his arms on the windowsill, letting his head rest on them. Steve’s heart thumped in his chest.

“Thank you,” Jonathan just about whispered.

“For what?”

“Getting my mind off… everything.”

“Yeah? Well… don’t mention it,” Steve tried to be aloof and cool. He found it hard to look at the calm expression Jonathan’s face carried. Jonathan looked so under control, while Steve was having trouble keeping his heart in his chest. He shook his head and started to walk away. As he strode through the grass, he could feel Jonathan's eyes lingering on him. He tried to ignore it, but it tickled down his spine. Eventually he stopped walking, fingertips trembling by his sides. His brain was screaming at him to ignore it, to fight it, but his desire was strong, too strong. He suddenly turned on his heel and paced back to Jonathan, still resting his head on the windowsill. When he saw Steve turn around, he jumped slightly, but didn’t flinch away from the window. Steve hustled to the edge of the house. His hand clamped onto the windows edge and he kicked himself up so he could give Jonathan a quick but hard kiss on the lips.

“See ya man,” Steve husked as he let himself fall back into the grass. He smiled at the way Jonathan's eyes lit up. He almost couldn’t hear Jonathan’s goodbye, but the little interaction had Steve sauntering away. Soon he was out of sight from the Byers house. His walk home was gonna be long and tiring, but it’s probably for the best. He couldn’t believe how this day turned out and he sure as hell has a lot of thinking to do. One thing was for sure though; Jonathan was on his mind for the rest of the day.

***

Authors Note: Hey everyone! This is a fic I posted on my AO3 a while back ago, but felt like sharing here too. If you liked it, let me know. I love feedback. I post more shitty fan fics on my AO3 if you’re interested. Here’s the link to this story; https://archiveofourown.org/works/30046068. Thanks for reading!

154 notes · View notes

ptergwen · 3 years

Note

Hi val! Got a request, it's okay if you don't wanna write it, but can you write about peter telling the reader he's going on a huge mission and he's excited about it but the reader is so worried they end up arguing? But when peter gets back from mission all bruised, the reader is still upset but dresses his wound anyway and it ends up with fluff??

abort mission

w/c: 2.4k

warnings: mentions of blood, swearing, and angst

a/n: woah woah woah i ended up writing way more than i expected but i loved this request so much :,) i hope you do too

“we’re staying in this, like, super fancy castle while we’re there. it’s gonna be awesome,” peter rambles to you. he takes all the clean shirts in his drawer and throws them into a suitcase.

he’s packing for a mission in europe with the avengers, and you’re here to say goodbye. you’ve been pretty quiet while peter gives you as many details as he’s allowed to. it’s always an honor when the team invites him on. he gets so stoked about it. you’re happy he’s happy and gets to pursue his passion, but you’ve noticed a pattern.

every time peter leaves the country with earth’s mightiest heroes, he comes back in worse condition than the last. it seems like they protect everyone except peter. he’s oblivious to the fact that the end result is always his suffering. he’s just glad to be there. really, he gets nothing in return except scars that never heal, not even a permanent spot on the team.

so, you’re not thrilled he agreed to go.

“plus, i get to miss two weeks of school.” peter beams, getting onto his knees to zip the suitcase. “feels like a vacation almost.” “you like school, though,” you remind him. you’re sat at the edge of his bed while you watch, rather than help. he hops up again with a shrug. “i like vacations more.” “it’s not a vacation,” you mutter to yourself, then speak up.

“how are you gonna catch up? that’s a lot of missing assignments.” with that same innocent smile, peter walks over to you. he grabs both your hands and laces your fingers together. “i’m a fast learner. besides, ned said he’d help me.” you sigh, looking down at the floor so you don’t have to look at peter. “or, you could. make it into a little study date when i get back,” he suggests while playing with your fingers.

“i don’t even want you to go,” you finally admit and meet his sparkling eyes. nothing could ever dull them. “why not? you’re gonna miss me?” peter teases, pressing a couple of kisses to your palm. “you don’t have to. i’m pretty sure france has wifi.” he wiggles his eyebrows. “oui oui, mademoiselle, eh?” despite yourself, you giggle at his french accent and tug on his hands. he sits down next to you with a chuckle.

“nat has been giving me lessons,” peter explains, you quirking an eyebrow. “she speaks french?” “she speaks a lot of languages, actually. she’s so cool.” peter scoots closer to you and sets his hands on your waist, his voice dropping. “you’d love her.” your face twists up in confusion at the idea.

you don’t have anything against the avengers, obviously. they’re good people. you’re just not the biggest fan of them at the moment, considering the circumstances they’ve put peter under.

“peter, i don’t want you to go,” you repeat more seriously than before. your teeth sink into your lower lip. “and, it’s not because i’ll miss you.” “none taken,” peter jokes, implying there should’ve been a no offense. he then realizes how distressed you look, so he cuts it out. “sorry, sorry. i’m done now. how come?”

you take his hand again and hold it tight. “what if you get hurt?” you ask in the nicest way possible, out of care. “i don’t wanna see you hurting, pete. this mission sounds really... dangerous.” he runs his thumb over the back of your hand, his grin faltering a bit. “it is, but i’m ready for it. i’ll be fine.”

you’re not convinced yet. that line he likes to overuse isn’t enough to do the trick.

his eyes searching for yours, peter brushes a piece of your hair back. “have a little faith in me, babe.” “no, i... i do. i have the most faith in you, peter.” you find yourself frowning as he twirls your locks around his finger. “that’s not the problem.” peter’s voice becomes a whisper. “what is it, then? talk to me.”

you do the opposite because you’re afraid you’ll upset him further, which is the last thing he needs right now. your silence prompts peter to fill it. “would it make you feel better if i say mr. stark is keeping an eye on me?” he’s smiling sheepishly, you scoffing. “oh, like he kept an eye on you in amsterdam?”

the only eye related activity that happened there was peter almost losing one of his. he’d come back with an eyepatch and couldn’t see out of it for over a month. to this day, there’s still a bit of blood in it when you look close enough.

“i already told you, that was my fault,” peter grumbles, turning so he faces forward. “i didn’t listen to him-“ “who gives a shit? he’s the one who put you in that situation!” you blurt out. you’ve been way too patient this whole time, and now you’re reaching your breaking point. “you say that like i didn’t wanna be there.” peter clenches his jaw, still mostly calm.

“either way, mr. stark,” you mock what peter always calls him, “was supposed to keep you safe, and he didn’t. i’m scared it’s gonna happen again.” letting out a noise close to a growl, peter stands up from the bed. “you’re not listening to me, y/n. everything was fine. i just-“ you’re not in the mood to hear him make excuses, so you interrupt.

“do you know any other sixteen year olds who fight literal terrorists on their free time?” you rhetorically ask and get to your own feet. peter tries to walk away from you, only you follow him. “you’re a kid, peter, in case you forgot.” he spins around to give you a nasty look. “do you know any other sixteen year olds who stick to fucking walls?”

your heart starts to race from his sudden outburst. he’s scary when he’s mad, and he almost never gets mad at you. all you can do is blink dumbly. “didn’t think so,” peter spits. “this is what i’m supposed to do, help people. is that so wrong?” his breathing becomes ragged as his anger grows.

“what about you? are you helping yourself?” you speak softly, expecting an answer this time. “you’re not my fucking therapist, y/n,” he deflects the question. “i am your girlfriend, though. i care about you so much, you know that.” eyebrows furrowed in concern, you reach out for peter. he takes a step back. it doesn’t take long for tears to cloud your vision.

“i was excited to share this with you, and i thought you’d be happy for me.” peter balls his hands into fists at his sides. his voice stays low. “instead, you made it all about yourself. you can never let me enjoy team stuff.” you’re speechless, peter nodding as he lets his words sit. “thanks for the support.”

“you’re an asshole,” you laugh out bitterly and wipe under your eyes.

he didn’t mean to make you cry. he was so caught up in himself, he didn’t realize you were.

peter’s whole demeanor changes. “y/n, baby...” he attempts to put a hand on your cheek, but you hit it away. “get off of me. what did i just say?” you sniffle, your tone harsh in contrast. “you’re an asshole, peter.” he changes his mind about feeling bad. you’ve berated him way more than he did you, anyway.

“you should go. i have to be up early,” peter decides, even though he’d said you could stay the night. whatever, you don’t want to anymore. “fine,” you agree shortly. “i’m leaving.” he stands there while you collect your things, shoving them into your bag. you’re going slow enough so he has a chance to stop you. he doesn’t.

you pass by him on your way to his door, sucking in a breath. here’s your official goodbye. “see you later, peter. don’t die.” “mhm, i won’t,” he replies, his tongue poking at his cheek. with one more shared look between you two, you make your grand exit, no doubt informing may of her nephew’s behavior before you’re gone.

peter immediately regrets the way he talked to you, and that you’re leaving things like this. you were only trying to protect him. you’ll never be able to save the city like he does, so this is how you do it. he truly is an asshole for not seeing that.

frustration consuming him, peter kicks over his fully stuffed suitcase, its contents spilling out. he grits his teeth.

“fan-fucking-tastic.”

you don’t talk to peter the whole two weeks he’s gone except for some are you alive and yes texts. he’d called you quite a few times, and was sent to voicemail for all of them. he gave you the benefit of the doubt because of timezones.

it was actually because you declined, which peter knew deep down was the real reason.

he’s coming home from his mission today. you’re not sure when or if he plans on dropping by. you’re not sure you’d like him to, either. you don’t really get a choice in the end.

there’s a series of knocks at your window, at some ungodly time in the night. you’re all too familiar with this routine. it’s peter.

you slip out from under your covers, a scowl already painting your face as you go to the window. surely enough, peter is perched in front of it, clad in red and black. the suit must be new because you’ve never seen it. you push up the window and step aside so he can get through.

“thanks,” peter mumbles, climbing into your room less gracefully than usual. he’s sort of wobbly when he lands. “yeah,” you dully acknowledge. “how was france?” “uh, good. you know, lots of cheese and all that.” his voice is muffled from his mask, since he hasn’t taken it off yet. that’s odd. “i was talking about the mission, but cool,” you almost laugh back.

“the mission was... fine,” peter clarifies and scratches the back of his neck. he never describes something as simply being ‘fine.’ when the boy talks, he lectures. you’re starting to get worried. “that’s good. at least you didn’t die, right?” you say to lighten the mood. peter awkwardly chuckles. “haha, yeah. thank god for that.”

you hum and walk over to sit on your bed, peter staying where he is. “what time did you get back?” you wonder, a completely harmless question. “um, this morning,” he says in response, raising your suspicions. “why’re you still in the suit, then?” you squint at him. “i like it, by the way.” “thanks, y/n/n. i, uh,” peter trails off, no good explanations coming to mind.

you’re quickly developing a hunch for what what down. you wordlessly get up again, meeting peter by your window. he’s nervous to see what happens next. peter’s shoulders slump when your fingers land on his mask. you carefully lift it, revealing his face to you. his banged up, bloody face.

“surprise.” peter musters up a grin, you tossing the mask at his chest. you’re beyond angry now. it’s not at him, athough it is at his injuries. “please don’t be mad,” he nearly begs, you shaking your head. you go to leave your room for some space. peter’s fingers wrap around your wrist, pulling you back. “i should’ve listened to you, okay? i’m sorry,” he genuinely apologizes.

you still don’t say anything while you look over his beaten body. there’s a gash with stitches in it on his chin, a deep slice across the bridge of his nose, cuts littering his cheeks. he’s even got a busted lip for good measure. this might be the worst condition he’s let you see him in.

“you were right, y/n. i think... i think i’m gonna sit the next one out. it’s too much for me, clearly,” peter continues, fingers sliding down to lock with yours. “you should say you told me so.” “how... how did this happen?” you manage to get out instead. “the bad guy fought me,” he says with the hint of a smirk. “i won, though.”

it’s a relief that he’s handling this so well, even earning a laugh from you. that puts you more at ease.

“this is probably a dumb question, but are you okay?” you brush your thumb over peter’s cheekbone gently, avoiding his scratches. “not really. my face hurts a lot, and flash is gonna tease the hell out of me on monday.” his lips form a line, arms looping around your waist. it’s very much welcomed by you.

“you just spent two weeks trying not to die, and you’re worried about flash?” you snicker and draw a heart on his skin. peter shrugs a shoulder. “he’s so mean to me.” he brings you in closer to him. “besides, this is the normal kid stuff i should be focusing on.” you’re glad he finally came to terms with that. you’ve been saying it for the longest time.

you smile wickedly at him. “exactly. so is all that homework you have to make up.” peter lets out a breathy laugh, you laying your head on his chest. “i missed you,” he tells you quietly. “really wish i could kiss you right now.” “i missed you too, pete. so much,” you murmur into him. your hands settle on his biceps. “and, i forgive you.” “thanks, baby,” peter exhales.

“of course. once your lips are healed,” you pull back from his chest, making a kissing noise. “pucker up, lover- oh my god.” you’re looking up at him with wild eyes. peter gets reasonably startled from it. “what? what’s wrong?” “you... you’re bleeding!” you point at his stitches. he winces, touching the spot. there’s blood, alright.

“crap. do you have a bandaid or something?” peter gives you an apologetic smile. “mr. stark said i should cover them when this happens.” maybe, tony isn’t so bad after all. you nod and take him by his hand. “yeah, in the bathroom. come with me.”

peter sits on the edge of your bathtub while you patch up his chin. he tells you more about the fun parts of his mission, you placing the cinderella bandaid over his gash. you have those from a while ago and also regular ones. however, he preferred the princess design.

“you saw the real mona lisa? like, in person? that’s insane.” you grin, smoothing down peter’s bandaid one last time. “yeah, she’s even prettier up close.” peter returns the smile. “thanks for taking care of me, y/n. i swear i don’t deserve you sometimes.” now pouting at him, you crouch down so you’re at his level. “it’s the other way around, peter.”

“let’s just agree to disagree,” he concludes and tucks a stray hair behind your ear. “i love you, okay?” “i love you, too.” you press a light kiss to his bandaid, getting a giggle from peter.

yeah, it’s going to be hell finding replacements for his lips.

#peter parker #peter parker fluff #peter parker imagine #peter parker x y/n #peter parker x you #peter parker x reader #peter parker angst #peter parker smut #peter parker fic #peter parker fanfiction #tom holland #tom holland fluff #tom holland x reader #tom holland x y/n #tom holland x you #tom holland imagine #tom holland smut

859 notes · View notes

may-fanfic · 3 years

Text

A Debt

summary: nat is the leader of one of the most deadly mobs in town but when she takes you to be her next victim, she has second thoughts.

warnings: kidnapping, mob, mentions of murder and death, mob!nat

pairing: mob!natasha x reader

rating: 18+

word count: 1,838

a/n : sorry im a whore for cliffhangers, hope you enjoy and please do tell me if you want a part 2

((feel free to send in any request you may have))

masterlist

-------------

all you could see was black when the cloth had been tugged over your face and it muffled your screams. you could hear as the deep voices talked but you couldn’t decipher where they had been coming from. you knew that the person behind you was strong enough to keep you in place but that didn’t stop you from trying your hardest to escape but of course to no avail and quickly you had been shoved into the car, heading god knows where.

all the questions you had glowing floating around in your head had been quickly answered when you were ushered into somewhere before someone had guided you to a chair and quickly shoved you down and in a second the cloth that was covering your eyes was ripped off.

“tie her hands.” and in seconds your hands had been zip-tied to the chair. before you could even adjust your eyes to the bright lights, a girl stood in your view. it had all happened so fast, you had just wanted to go home and sleep off the day but instead you had been in some random house and had no idea what you had done wrong.

your lip quivered lightly but you tried your hardest to straighten out your expressions. “she’s a pretty one, isn’t she?” a man’s voice spoke up from behind the woman and she was quick to roll her eyes.

your eyes wandered around the neat house, there had been nothing insight for you to break free, and honestly, you hadn’t even known how you could escape this so instead you met the woman’s gaze. “hello dear.” her voice was raspy and her accent deep, despite the circumstances, it sent spines down your spine. you couldn’t find your words as tears clouded your eyes, you tried your hardest to stop them but they rolled down your cheeks freely and the woman had pouted down at you.

“darling this is nothing personal, strictly business.” you sniffled lightly, your gaze snapping down to the ground. “does she not speak?” a man’s voice snapped causing you to jump lightly. the woman sucked her teeth before yelling at him in a different language.

“why me?” your voice had come out shaky and hoarse but they were just been glad that you were talking. the woman pulled out a chair so she could sit directly in front of you, her gaze never looking hers. “your father is one of that most wealthy men out there...” she paused for a moment, trying to word her reasoning properly. “and we figured, if we had his precious daughter, he would quickly cut us a nice check.” your eyebrows knitted together, feeling yourself begin to shake. “what happens if he doesn’t?” your question had sat in the air for a while before a man from behind the woman spoke up. “you die.”

the call to your father had been short as expected and it seemed to leave everyone in shock. you hadn’t expected much from the man, he had always been selfish and when they mentioned their price. he was quick to tell them that he didn’t have that kind of money to spare and hung up the call. so now Natasha had sat in silence, her gaze fixed on the phone that was in her hand.

“so how are you gonna kill me?” your voice had come off much colder this time and it left Natasha speechless for a moment. “he has 48 hours.” the woman uttered and you let out a gentle breath, already accepting your fate.

——- ——- Natasha was the one in charge of keeping an eye on you after all she was the leader and if she was honest, she never trusted her gang much especially when it came to looking after you. she watched as you shifted uncomfortably in the wooden chair, trying to lean your head back to get any form of rest but to no avail. Natasha had never really had to wait out an entire 48 hours with one of her victims, their families had always come through and the transaction would be over 5 hours tops but now she was forced to stare at you, feeling a sense of pain for you.

she had never been as heartless as she seemed, of course, she was trained well enough not to get her feelings involved but even her chest burned at the coldness of your father. how could anyone treat their child like that? “I don’t know how you expect me to sleep here all day.” your voice had come off much more confident than before and it made the woman perked up quickly.

she pushed herself up moving to stand directly in front of you, fishing a pocket knife, you could flinch away causing Natasha to suck her teeth. “relax.” she muttered, quickly cutting the zip tie and letting your hands go free. “don’t you dare try anything,” she uttered before gripping your forearms and tugging you through the large house with her before you were pushed into a room.

the bed looked neatly made and the pillows were fresh, the room was painted white and the room reeked of fresh paint. you wondered how many other times the woman did this exact thing with other people. Natasha gave you a gentle shove towards the bed and you didn’t hesitate to take a seat, feeling the soft mattress under you.

“Thanks,” you whispered, toying with your fingers as the girl took a seat on a chair in front of the bed. she nodded quickly, the woman had not taken a proper look at you since she had met you and she secretly wished she had met you under different conditions. “are you gonna kill me?” you asked the woman lightly causing her frown to deepen. “you’ll know when we cross that bridge.”

“I’m not afraid to die,” you uttered out to the woman causing her eyes to meet yours for a moment. “I just thought it’d end differently.” you rambled watching as she cocked her head to the side. “why are you so sure you’ll die?”

“you don’t know my father.” she hadn’t known how to reply to that. there had been some sort of awkwardness in the air and Natasha wished she could just run away from it cause it made her cringe so deeply.

“no one coming to help me.” her heart burned from your statement, she needed you to stop talking before she found herself comforting you. she felt choked up, she knew if anyone knew how was feeling, she’d lose all her respect but dear god did she pity you right now and it was all her fault that you had even been put in this situation. why couldn’t she had just targeted someone else?

you took her silence as a sign that she had enough of your talking so you kicked off your shoes and settled into the soft bed, wrapping yourself in the fresh blanket.

Natasha watched as you drifted off to sleep, her thoughts had been running miles per minute. if Natasha had to kill you because of your selfish father then she would never be able to live with herself. that had been the bottom line and Natasha knew she could never do that.

Natasha felt foolish, she had never thought twice about having to kill someone so why had it been so hard for her to even imagine having to hurt you? Natasha rose from the chair, leaving you to sleep. she had been quick to make a call, feeling her heart pounding with anticipation. she knew tony would know what to do, he had always been wise. “Natasha, hey,” he spoke softly causing the girl to let out a gentle sigh.

“I need your help, tony.”

fear settled at the bottom of your heart when men rushed into the room. you had jumped awake, trying your hardest to fight off the men that had been trying to grab you but everything had seemed to die down when the man stuck a needle into your arm and in seconds your eyes fluttered closed and your body had grown leap. “just take her home.” tony let out a soft sigh before nodding slowly. “I got you, kid.”

the next time your eyes had fluttered open, you had been in the safely of your own home and your bed. it had always felt like a fever dream, you had been confused but overall you were just be relieved that it was over.

—— as much as Natasha wanted to forget that you even existed, her mind had often raced back to you. she had wondered what you had been up to if you were okay. she found herself outside your apartment almost every night making sure you got in alright. she wanted to run up to you each time she saw you but instead, she would grip her steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles would turn white.

it had taken her a couple of weeks to musks up the courage to let herself into your apartment, it had been unlocked much to her surprise and she took a seat on one of the love seats. she knew your schedule and she knew that you should be home any minute but she still felt her heart pounding when she heard the doorknob turn and when you entered, her breath had became caught in her throat.

you hadn’t seemed shocked that she was there, it was almost as if you had been expecting her. she watched carefully as you set down your purse and keys. “your door was unlocked.” Natasha finally spoke up, gripping at the seat arms. “I know.” you muttered with a gentle laugh. “why have you been watching me?” you asked softly, crossing your arms and staring down the woman.

she couldn’t help the warm blush that appeared on her cheeks before she grinned lightly. she hadn’t even known what she could say in this situation but she had quickly gotten up from the couch, inching her way over to you. “why was your door unlocked?” she questioned, tilting her head to the side. you hummed lightly, shaking your head “I asked you first.”

“I wanted to see you.” her boldness made your cheeks turn a bright pink and Natasha quickly took notice. “and I wanted to make sure you were okay,” a sweet smile formed on her plump lips before she continued.

“why was your door unlocked?” she asked again, feeling a sense of accomplishment when you stumbled over your words, leaning against the wall as she stepped even closer to you. “I wanted to see you too.” she hummed lightly, bringing her hand up to your cheek, caressing your cheekbone softly. Natasha leaned down to meet your lips but you quickly turned your face.

“I need you to do something for me.”

#natasha romonova #natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanoff #black widow #black widow x reader #black widow x you #black widow x y/n #black widow x female reader #the avengers #avengers #natasha x you #natasha romanoff x you

492 notes · View notes

spacedikut · 3 years

Text

the blessing of a blizzard ; spencer reid

pairing: spencer reid x gn!reader

summary: a blizzard leaves the team holed up in the bau office. spencer can’t stop thinking about your elusive boyfriend, mike, who might not be your boyfriend after all. 4.3k

a/n: festive fic! kind of! im too scared to do a final check so if there’s errors or i misuse pronouns just lemme know ily happy holidays ! thank you to the incredible @homoose for helping with dialogue :D

Mike. His name is Mike, and Spencer hates him.

Full name Michael, Spencer presumes, which comes from Hebrew meaning “who is like God?” A rhetorical question, implying there is no person like God, Michael was one of the archangels in Hebrew tradition and the only one identified as an archangel in the Bible.

What Michael should mean, however, is the guy that stole your heart and left Spencer thinking things very unlike him – that Mike, a man Spencer has never met and that clearly makes you very happy, has a really stupid name, for example.

There are three things Spencer knows about him:

1. Ever since you started deciding on his wardrobe, ladies love him. It makes you a little jealous, apparently.

2. You love baking him homemade treats whenever you can. Like a movie playing in his head, Spencer can perfectly remember you excitedly chatting with Garcia and Emily, animatedly explaining how excited Mike gets when he sees you’ve made something just for him.

3. Mike can be a bit of a dick, actually. There have been several mornings you’ve come in with a long face, leaning back in your desk chair far enough to view the world upside down and whining about how grumpy Mike was that morning, how you had to tip-toe around your apartment lest he get mad.

You’d called him your soulmate, added that he’s a light in your life you didn’t know you needed until you had him. You’re a person who chooses their words carefully, so when you’re walking around putting Mike and soulmate in the same sentence, you mean business.

That business is ripping Spencer’s heart out of his chest, apparently. Because you’re busy showing JJ pictures of him on your phone right now, blissfully unaware of the subconscious glare Spencer is lasering into your phone as he leans against the jet counter.

Spencer’s never had the honour of seeing Mike (a genuine word you used – honour) and you know what? Spencer doesn’t want to know what Mike looks like. Spencer doesn’t care. Mike’s probably ugly, anyway, and Spencer’s confidence within himself grows day by day and if there’s one thing he’s learnt recently it’s that comparison is the thief of joy and-

“Oh!” JJ exclaims, “He’s gorgeous!”

Fuck Mike. Really, fuck him.

+++

The floor is slippery beneath everyone’s feet, the surrounding area slowly losing its mixture of colours to blend into one coat of white.

It’s snowing.

Garcia greets the team, a steaming cup of tea in her bejewelled hands, and everyone gets to work right away. There’s whispers of the snow getting heavier and sticking and covering more and more ground with more and more depth; people are rushing against the proverbial clock to get done and get home before they’re all stuck.

But that won’t happen, right? If people were genuinely concerned about getting snowed in, surely everyone would’ve been sent home early as a precaution. Right? Right?

Wrong.

Rossi’s the one to notice it, calling out, “Check it out. Snow’s pretty bad.”

He says it like it’s nothing, like they’ll race to the windows then deflate with disappointment because you couldn’t even create a single snowball with that light coat, but holy hell people are walking around with snow up to their ankles and it’s still coming down thick. And then the lights are flickering and JJ is making frantic calls home to Will and Hotch is exiting his office, phone pressed to his ear, calling everyone to attention:

“There’s a blizzard incoming. It’s too dangerous for anyone to be on the roads, so we’re being told to sit tight. You should all try to call home, just in case; we don’t know how long we’ll be here.”

Some people still brave it, still try to head on home, and whether they make it or not is up to the Gods. The team glance around, varying expressions – Emily and Derek look pissed, JJ is worried, and you and Rossi are straight-faced. Penelope is bouncing in excitement.

“It’s like a sleepover!”

All Spencer can think about is how Mike will have to suffer another day without you. He bites back a smile.

+++

Spencer’s straining his neck, butt barely on his desk chair, in attempt to see around all the bustling people that stand between you and him. Through the glass BAU doors, on the phone, your shoulders are slumped and you kick your boot against the floor a few times to channel your multitude of emotions into something. He hopes Mike isn’t giving you a hard time for something that isn’t within your control.

Emily looks up from her monitor, where she’s doing Christmas shopping even though it’s Christmas Eve, and looks thoroughly amused by Spencer’s internal battle of wanting to watch you but not wanting it to be obvious.

“You good, Reid?”

Spencer flinches like Emily pinched him. “Yeah, good. Fine. Are you good?”

Emily makes a show of slowly turning to look at you, still on the phone, then slowly turning back to Spencer’s wide-eyed gaze. She smirks. “You think they’re talking to Mike?”

Yes, Spencer does think that, but he’d made a point to not fully acknowledge it. And there’s something about Emily’s smugness that tells Spencer she’s teasing him – she knows something he doesn’t and it makes his eyes narrow. “Probably. Why?”

Whatever the response is, Emily’s barely opened her mouth before she’s interrupted by Penelope Garcia gracefully clapping her hands, getting the attention of every BAU member. The team quiets and all eyes are on Penelope. Except Spencer, who watches with concern as you sneak back to your desk, a furrow to your brow and downward dips either side of your mouth.

“I know these are less-than-great circumstances, and we’re stuck in work of all places, but that shouldn’t mean we can’t have a little fun! So…”

She wildly gestures for Hotch to step forward, a cheesy grin on her face and a gleam in Hotch’s eye that tells everyone he’s also smiling but internally, and she takes the three large boxes he was carrying like the good sidekick he is.

“We’re building gingerbread houses!”

There’s exclamations of surprise and joy; Emily lights up at the idea of doing anything other than work or sitting at her desk, and JJ takes a box to look it over before asking, “Where did you get these?”

Hotch answers. “They were supposed to be for the kids,” He shrugs, holding back a smile, “However, I guess we can use them now.”

“Yes,” Penelope nods, “Yes, we can use them now. Get your game faces on, because this is a competition. Hotch and Rossi are the judges, because they’re grumpy old men, and the rest of us will be in teams of two fighting to build the best gingerbread house the BAU has ever seen.”

Derek speaks up for the first time, just to insult Spencer. “I refuse to be on a team with Reid. He has no creative skills.”

Members of the team laugh and Spencer reacts indignantly. He wants to reply, but you’re already speaking.

“Hey! I’ll take him! Spencer’s great.”

Many heads snap to you when you speak, Spencer’s surely got whiplash, but you’re looking at him and smiling at him and him alone. He’s breathless at the sight, how you chose him and have literal stars in your eyes, yet all he can think is how undeserving he is of such a beauty. How undeserving anyone is, mostly Mike, to exist in the same reality as someone who puts the definition of beautiful to shame.

Spencer’s about to make the best damn gingerbread house the world has ever seen.

+++

So, building a gingerbread house? A little more difficult than originally thought.

Maybe it’s the sticky icing, or the temptation to simply eat all the sweet decorative candy rather than use it for its intended purpose, or…

Maybe it’s the pretty teammate Spencer has that keeps brushing against him, keeps brushing against his hands, and like a virus to a computer you completely wipe Spencer of all thoughts other than: Y/N.

Spencer caught you watching him while he was rolling up his shirt sleeves, caught you staring at his hands and trailing your eyes up his forearms, following the sleeves as they moved inch by inch up to his elbows.

Then, when Spencer was holding two pieces of gingerbread together, you were too lost in thought to put the icing between the cracks and cement them together. Your eyes were trained on the fingers pressing the pieces together. Spencer had to call your name three times to wake you up.

Then, something weird happened (if the previous instances weren’t weird enough). You two had been in your own bubble of hushed tones and accidental touching, surrounded by bickering and collapsing houses and at one point Emily offered Rossi twenty bucks if he just votes for her and JJ without them making a house, and suddenly it’s silent. All he can hear is his heartbeat, his blood pumping in his ears, and all he can feel is the warmth of your breath on his ear because you’re right there, over his shoulder, joining him in hunching over your creation to decorate it with all kinds of shapes and colours.

The close proximity is too much. It’s too much.

You lean even closer, shoulder and arm pressed directly against Spencer’s, and lift another hand to place a miniature candy cane next to the gingerbread door. The action causes your hand to brush Spencer’s, and for the first time ever he’s not jolting away like he’s been electrocuted, no, his hand stays there, hovering, waiting and hoping for more.

Hoping for more of you.

And you seem to realise, too, that Spencer’s reaction is abnormal. He can’t decide if you’re testing the waters, or if it was a mere accident. But what are you testing the waters for? Why are you trying to touch him? Why do you want to touch him?

He takes a sharp intake of breath. From the corner of his eye, he sees you turn to look at him, and he almost doesn’t reciprocate. Almost.

You’re so close, face so close to his own. You take the softest breaths, in and out, sending the gentlest puffs of air onto Spencer’s lips.

He has no idea what the fuck is happening. He doesn’t want it to stop.

Your eyes, always shining and full of an emotion Spencer can’t decipher, dance around his face – his eyes, to his nose, stopping on each cheek, back and forth and up and down. Spencer’s captured by them, unable to tear himself away, which has become quite the habit since he’s known you.

Then you’re looking at his lips.

Spencer blinks, hoping to clear away the obvious hallucination he’s having, but no. Nothing changes. Your gaze remains, unwavered, making Spencer subconsciously open his mouth. The softest gasp leaves it when your pupils dilate.

This is the perfect moment to kiss, right? Right here, in front of the gingerbread house you made together, decorated together, and now begin the start of something else together. It makes sense, it’s almost poetic, and Spencer’s thought about you and him in a relationship enough times to consider this opportunity good and sweet enough to regale everyone with in the future.

Can you imagine it? “We had our first kiss in front of the gingerbread house we slaved over together. We won the competition, too.”

There’s a loud clang – Penelope found an actual gong from somewhere – and Rossi announces that the timer has gone off and it’s time for the judges to vote for the winner.

When you gently pick up yours and Spencer’s creation and take it to a cloth-covered table, where Rossi and Hotch ominously stand with their arms crossed, Spencer is frozen in place.

Oh my god. Oh my god.

There’s no way you wanted to kiss him. It isn’t possible. You’ve never looked at him like that before. It must’ve been a mistake.

But you were so close…

No. If Spencer made that move, it would’ve ruined everything – your friendship, the festive fun, the atmosphere of the entire evening. Everyone’s expected to be stuck here for at least another six hours, and making it tense and awkward was not something Spencer is willing to do.

But your eyes…

Spencer can’t think about that fact too much. That could mean anything – dilated pupils don’t necessarily mean you’re in love. You could’ve gotten a good whiff of the gingerbread and felt hungry, or a song you really liked started playing from the playlist Penelope created. Or, most likely, Spencer thinks, you were thinking about someone else.

Your boyfriend, for example.

You have a boyfriend. Mike.

Of course, you were probably thinking of Mike. Your boyfriend.

Spencer almost kissed someone in a relationship, and he’s pretty sure you almost kissed him too.

+++

Much to Derek’s chagrin, you and Spencer win the gingerbread house contest.

Penelope was baffled, frantically gesturing to the Jacuzzi she made with icing and- Derek made miniature weights? Somehow? It looked chaotic.

“Practicality, my dear,” Rossi told her. “Who, living in a gingerbread house, is worried about working out?”

Even though you and Spencer were the winners, Derek and Penelope and their pouting (and calls for a rematch) took the attention away from the obvious awkward tension between the winners. Spencer stayed at the desk you worked at while you took your house to the judges, stayed at the desk when you were crowned and stayed at the desk when you cheered.

You looked at him, wide grin and happy eyes, and all he could do was tightly smile back. Give a thumbs up.

He gave you a thumbs up. You nearly kissed less than ten minutes prior. And all he could do was give you a thumbs up.

The light in your eyes dimmed, but you seemed to understand.

Understand what, exactly? Spencer’s not so sure either. But something clicked in your head – you nodded to yourself as if confirming whatever you’ve concluded, and turned your back to him.

That was an hour ago. Now, the team has spread across everyone’s desks. Turns out, Hotch is a big fan of gingerbread - he’s consumed most of Derek and Penelope’s creation, icing and all, while Rossi has decided now is a good time to open one of the many bottles of whiskey he has in his office.

Spencer believes having that much alcohol in your work environment is breaking some kind of rule, but the snow isn’t letting up and it looks like a sleepover in the BAU office is likely. He deserves a little whiskey.

And where are you in all of this?

Spencer won’t lie and pretend he hasn’t had you in his line of sight the entire time, so he’ll recap what you’ve been doing: laughing at Derek’s jokes, plaiting Penelope’s hair, eating the candy Emily and JJ didn’t use on their house.

You’d left the room to call home and check up on things (check up on Mike, Spencer thinks bitterly) and now you stand in front of the large window by the BAU elevators, watching the snow fall.

Spencer has the perfect view of you through the glass doors. When the call ends and you stay there, he grabs a paper plate, grabs one of the walls from yours and his masterpiece and makes his way towards you.

He doesn’t know what he’ll say, or how he’ll even act, but he wants to talk to you. Things feel weird after the almost-kiss, and Spencer never wants things to be weird with you. He can’t have things weird with you. You hadn’t talked to him once since the competition, and he has a feeling you’re waiting for him to make the first move.

So he does. If that’s what you need, he’ll do it.

(He’s making this more dramatic than it needs to be, really, but he feels everything so deeply when it comes to you)

“Hey.”

Spencer’s voice perfectly matches the snowy atmosphere. It makes you feel warm inside, like you’ve just taken a sip of hot cocoa, and so often he’s left goosebumps on your skin just from speaking.

Seeing the outstretched paper plate in his hand, you take it gratefully. “Hi there. Thanks.” You nod to the gingerbread that you begin breaking up.

You hand him the first piece even though he brought it for you, and it’s silent while you both chew thoughtfully and watch the pure white outside. It doesn’t feel weird, necessarily, standing here, shoulder-to-shoulder with you, but you’re certainly more in your head than usual. You’re thinking a lot and, as much as it hurts him, Spencer knows you’re likely preoccupied by your boyfriend and not what transpired between you earlier.

It’s that thought, that disappointment settling into his chest, that opens his mouth unconsciously: “How’s Mike? Does he know you’re not making it home tonight?”

He regrets it immediately, worsened by the way you stop mid-chew, eyes dimming like Spencer’s taken a baseball bat and shattered the lights inside.

This is unchartered territory – talking about Mike with you – and you know it. Who, in their right mind, willingly asks the person they have feelings for how their relationship with someone that isn’t you is going? Does Spencer enjoy pain?

Although this is the first time Spencer’s mentioned Mike to your face (he’s mentioned Mike plenty to a laughing Derek), he’s been so close to presenting the topic many times. He wants to know so badly – wants to know how well Mike treats you, really treats you (he will profile you), if you see a long-term future with him and if not, on average how long does it take you to get over your exes? Just an estimate?

You swallow the gingerbread you’re eating. “He’s okay. My roommate has to take care of him, but at least he’s got someone.”

Huh?

Since when do you have a roommate?

And why is your roommate taking care of your boyfriend?

Oh. Guilt blooms in Spencer when it registers that he’s been thinking ill of a person that might be sick. No wonder you dote on him so much and seemed devastated to make that phone call home earlier - Mike needs you, you can’t be there for him, and you feel horrible for it.

Spencer feels horrible for having the subject of his anger be someone you so clearly cherish, so deeply love. He’s embarrassed that if he was asked to explain why he hates Mike so much, he’d have to tell them it’s because Mike has you, and you’re what Spencer wants. What about what you want?

“Take care of him?” Spencer asks. The concern is genuine, which is an emotion he never thought he’d have in regards to Mike. “Is something wrong?”

“Oh,” You shrug. “He needs someone watching over him at all times, that’s all.”

That’s all?

You continue. “Make sure he eats – and only eats what he’s supposed to. Give him his meds. Make sure he poops. Those kinda things.”

What?

“Your… roommate makes sure your boyfriend poops?”

Now, Spencer knows what you look like when you’re confused. Honestly, he has every facial expression you’ve graced him with tucked away in a proverbial box he spends too much time thinking about. He knows that when you’re trying not to laugh, you bite the inside of your left cheek. When you’re frustrated but need to present a professional front, you bite the inside of your right cheek. Happiness fills your entire face, like every inch is consumed by it, and you’ve trained yourself to transport anger to your hands, where they twist into tight fists and leave fingernail marks in your palms.

Confusion is one of his favourites (second only to joy – for obvious reasons. Have you seen your smile?) because it takes many forms. You’ve pursed your lips, narrowed your eyes, tapped your foot on the floor. When you do them all, Spencer considers it a jackpot. There’s something about the way you look when you’re presented with something you can’t quite figure out yet, when you’re perplexed, that just-

You make it hard for him to concentrate. He can’t be a genius when you’re around because you’re so pretty. You’re a vision and he can never rattle off information to you specifically because he will trip up and divert to talking about the beauty that is you and that would be embarrassing for many reasons.

But this type of confusion? The way you’re looking at him right now? He’s never seen this before. Your jaw has dropped, your brows are furrowed so deeply they might fall off, and you look… horrified.

“My… my boyfriend?”

Spencer mirrors your expression. “Yeah, your boyfriend. Mike?” He looks around, waiting for cameramen to jump out and tell him he’s being pranked, because why don’t you know who your own boyfriend is?

You move slowly, placing the half-eaten plate on the windowsill before turning to face Spencer fully. You take a second to compose yourself.

“Mike is my cat.”

Mike is…

“And he’s having digestive issues, so he needs to be watched pretty much full-time.”

Silence. Tense, weird silence.

“…You thought Mike was my boyfriend?”

Spencer sputters, then, because of course he did! “Yes! The way you talk about him was… it was… it seemed…”

He flustered, oh so flustered, hands flailing and face enflamed and burning from the inside out. How had he not known?! How had… how had your wires gotten so convoluted, so mixed?

Does everyone know that Mike is a cat? Is Spencer the only one out of the loop? The look Emily gave him earlier, that knowing too-smug look, was that…

She was making fun of him. She knew he thought Mike was a person, not a pet, and was teasing him because of it.

All at once, the world seems lighter and dimmer – a contradiction that leaves Spencer’s chest heaving – because the past year feels like a lie. He’s spent so long seeing the way you come to life when talking about Mike, sitting opposite you on the jet as you awaken like a dying flower watered when home got closer and closer, and it was all for… a cat?

There’s a mist over Spencer’s eyes as he recalls every overheard declaration of love and coos of how handsome Mike is, and you’re laughing. Spencer’s having a crisis in front of your very eyes and you’re laughing. Hunched over, a single tear falling from your eye, clutching your stomach because it hurts from the ferocity of your giggles.

By the time you quieten, your hand is over your mouth to cover the big grin that grounds him, gives him something other than this revelation to focus on. Spencer’s still baffled, frazzled, but there’s the tiniest of smiles on his face because of how overjoyed you look. And he did that. Albeit his stupidity did it, but Spencer’s stupidity nonetheless.

You’re out of breath. “God I… I don’t even know what to say. You really thought my cat was my boyfriend?”

Spencer’s fighting a smile, lips wiggling. The way you’re looking at him now, all blinding smile and crinkled eyes, alleviates him of any anxiety he earlier had. Like you’ve wiped away his plate-full of worries, all the times it felt like he took an arrow to the heart, all the times he caught you smiling at your phone because you were looking at pictures of Mike, it’s all worth it. Because you’ve never looked like this while talking about Mike, and Mike is a cat. He isn’t a person, isn’t your boyfriend. Mike is a cat and Spencer has a chance.

Spencer has a chance.

“Does this… this means you’re single, right?”

A somewhat terrified look overtakes his face.

“Oh, shoot, you are single, right?”

You bite your lower lip and nod. “Yes, Spencer. I’m single.”

He lets out a breath. “Good. That’s good. I’m glad.” He repeats your nod, realises what he said could imply, and starts shaking his head. “Not-not good good. You’re incredible and need to be appreciated, but… good, because that means we could, you know…” He gestures vaguely. God, why can’t he get coherent words out? “If you wanted to, we could-“

“Are you trying to ask me out, Spencer?”

“Yes.”

Just to cause immense emotional distress, you raise an eyebrow, mischief clear on your face, and wait for him to continue.

“You want me to actually ask?” He winces.

“I’ve spent the last year convinced you didn’t like me, so, yes, I want you to actually ask.”

The new information sends ice down Spencer’s back because what? Since when? “You- what?“

“I’ve liked you for a while, Spencer,” You cross your arms over your body, slightly embarrassed. “But you always kept your distance so I did too, I guess.”

“I thought you were taken!” Spencer exclaims. “If I’d known I would’ve-we could’ve- I would-“

“You’d what, Reid?” There’s a teasing lilt to your tone, but there’s no denying you’re incandescently happy.

He takes a deep breath and asks what he’s wanted to for far too long. “When this is all over, would you like to go on a date with me, Y/N?”

Relief flashes in your eyes, like you didn’t fully believe what was happening until he finally asked, and words have never sounded as pretty as when you say: “Yes. Yes I would.”

Like lovesick idiots, you stand in front of the window with the snowfall as a backdrop, grinning at each other. You can’t help it – you lean up, press a kiss to his cheek that immediately sets his skin ablaze, and fall back onto your feet with a smile sweeter than all the sugar you’d consumed today.

“Merry Christmas, Spencer.”

Somehow, despite the nerves and the way his heart is trying to leap into your hands, he manages to tell you, “Merry Christmas, Y/N.”

+++

(Three weeks later, Spencer meets the Mike. Turns out he’s a nice guy. Spencer takes the first opportunity he can to apologise for all the bad things he said about him behind his back. The purring tells Spencer he’s forgiven)

+++

tags: @pinkdiamond1016 @bluerose512 @andreasworlsboring101 @bitchyreids @roses-and-grasses @ta-ka-shi-ma @rexorangecouny @unmistakablyunknown @goofygubler14 @gublertoon @averyhotchner @prettyboy-reid @shadyladyperfection

#spencer reid x reader #spencer reid x you #spencer reid x y/n #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid fanfic #criminal minds x reader #criminal minds fanfiction #criminal minds fanfic #spencer reid imagine #genuinely if anyone reads this and has suggestions on how i can improve as a writer #and maybe as a person in general #pls message me #something about this feels OFF and i cant tell what

810 notes · View notes

squishneedsahero · 3 years

Text

A Swing and A Miss

Awesomest of Them All 2.0

Part 9 of 13

Word Count: 2001

Batman x Batmom!Reader

You know what the bat family needs? Someone to pull them together and give them all the love they deserve. Who better to do that than you? An author rising to stardom in Gotham who catches the eye of a billionaire with your standoffish attitude at a huge social gathering. You are yourself and never pretend to be more or less than that. Plus you're the most stubborn person in the world, refusing to let good things go without reason.

This is a rewrite of my story Awesomest of Them All, I wanted to see how much I've improved over 3 years.

You and Bruce had been sitting on the couch together when his phone went off, it was a phone call. Who it was from you didn't know, all you knew was that he got up and went to the other room to take it. He doesn't usually do that, but on the rare occasion he does leave the room to take a call you don't mind as it's usually for a good reason.

Bruce walks back into the room, pinching the bridge of his nose, looking done. "I need to go take care of something. I'll be back later."

"What is it?" You try to ask, and aren't surprised when Bruce doesn't answer. "Okay, I'll see you when you get back," you say going up and kissing him gently on the lips. He kisses you back then heads down to the cave.

You don't sit back down, instead going to find something to do, to occupy your mind while Bruce is gone. Something had him upset but until he was ready to talk about it you weren't going to get it out of him, so that meant you got to either worry or keep busy.

Keeping busy was obviously the better option, so, you went and found the kids to sit in the same room as them. There's your two sons, Dick and Tim, your one adopted daughter Cass, plus Stephanie and Barbara who were like daughters to you.

"Hey mom," Dick says, looking up from where he was on his phone next to Babs, "where's dad?"

You shrug slightly, "not sure, he said he needed to take care of something and took off towards the cave."

"Oh, you want me to go check on him?"

"Not yet," you smile at your oldest who was always trying to take care of you, "he just left. I'm pretty sure he just needs to figure it out on his own first then he'll let me know what's going on."

"Alright," Dick concludes the conversation, but you can feel the eyes of the other kids on you.

Cass catches your attention and signs, "you can come sit with us," from her spot on the couch. She then pats the empty seat next to her.

You thank her in ASL with a hand to your chin as you go take a seat next to her. Cassandra was quiet, having an easier time communicating through asl than out loud. It always made you smile on the rare occasion you got her hear her soft little voice, and to know she was comfortable enough to talk to you, but you had learned sign language specifically for her, wanting to make sure she was comfortable all the time.

You gently put an arm around her and kiss the side of her head, then you go to remove your arm, knowing she doesn't always like to be touched. But she stops you from letting go of the hug and leans against you, maybe she just knew that you needed it at the moment to help get your mind off Bruce but either way, she didn't let go so you didn't either.

Stephanie scoots closer to you, taking the other seat next to you and offers you a controller. "We're playing Mario Kart, you want to play a few rounds Mrs.Wayne?"

You laugh gently, "I'm afraid I'm a bit out of practice, all of you would easily kick my ass."

"Come on, pleeeaaaasssee mom," Tim joins in in begging you with his ex, turned best friend.

You laugh and take the controller, "fine I guess I'll try a few rounds."

"Yes!" Dick joins in, cheering you on as Babs gets things set up.

Tim had hotwired the two Wii's so all of you could play together without having to figure out how to do it online. So, the six of you were easily able to start a game and begin racing the many different tracks just having fun together as the kids knowingly distracted you from your worries.

It's a more than a few hours later when Bruce returns home. The kids had all gone down to the cave to get ready for patrol, and you had gone with them. They were about to head out when the roar of an engine cause everyone's attention and Bruce parked the bat mobile and got out, looking stressed and tired.

Dick goes over to him and tells him they're going to head out, and can cover things tonight.

Brice nods and doesn't argue, simply turning to look at you as the kids leave. He doesn't approach you until they've all left and you don't give him a choice but to hug you as you hug him.

"Do you want to change?" You ask, knowing he's obviously upset about something, but willing to be patient while he figures out what it is he needs to tell you.

"Sure, I'll change and we can go sit in our room," he says and kisses the top of your head before turning to get out of the batsuit.

It doesn't take him long to change, and the two of you head upstairs, hand in hand and take a seat on the couch in your bedroom. He just holds you for a while, obviously thinking through what he needs to tell you, and this only causes you more worry.

"Bruce, my love, you know you can tell me anything," you try and reassure him with a kiss on the cheek.

This reassurance works, as he finally speaks up, gently saying, "I have a son, he's 9."

This surprises you, and you don't exactly have a good response, you lean back away from him to look at his face as you quietly ask, "you have a biological son?"

"Yes, I didn't know until today, but he's 9... we've been together 11 years, my love-" this is when he begins to break his normally stoic demeanor.

This is also when you catch on to what he is saying. You had been with him at the time this child was conceived. That hurt. You turned to look away from him, not moving away but taking a moment to think.

There's a few minutes of silence before you speak, "how did it happen?"

You give him a chance to explain and he jumps on it, beginning to tell you what he knows. Starting with the fact that Thalia Al'Ghul was the mother, how she had apparently drugged him in order to have a child with him. His son had been raised by the League of Assassins, taught that he was the one to inherit the mantle of Batman.

It was... a lot. And it hurt to hear, especially due to the fact that you and Bruce had been unable to have a child of your own for many reasons. But, you turn to your husband, the man you were still head over heels for and say as gently as you can, "I'm not sure what I'm feeling right now but it isn't anger."

He looks at you and brushes your hair out of your face, "are you sure you're alright?" He's clearly still worried about his standing with you.

You gently lean to kiss him on the lips, "I'm not sure I'd call it alright, but we will be fine. My husband isn't a cheater, and that would be my biggest worry."

You can see more of the stress and worry leave his face as you speak and he pulls you into a tight hug. "I am so sorry my love. Thank you for giving me a chance to explain-"

You lean back from him once again, taking your hands to cup his cheeks. "Bruce, you didn't know. She drugged you and I trust you enough to know that's the truth. I'm going to need some time to get used to the idea, and figure out exactly how it is I am feeling. But promise me that we will be open and communicate about all of this as we get more information, deal?"

Bruce sighs in relief, "Deal," with that he wraps his arms around your waist and kisses you deeply.

It's at this point he informs you that Thalia had sent Damian, their son, to live with Bruce for a time. Damian would be coming the next morning and Bruce hadn't been able to have any say in it, barely able to convince them to wait long enough for him to talk to you first. It was yet another thing you could only describe as a lot but this was life, you had to roll with the punches or you'd never be able to move forward.

Two days later you still had yet to meet Damian. You were ninety-five percent sure it was because the boy was avoiding you. You sat eating breakfast and contemplating this when you hear someone behind you say, "Tt, you must be my father's harlot."

You raise your eyebrow and turn around to face the boy, "Harlot?"

"That is what my mother calls you," Damian says looking at you disgustedly.

You are so exhausted by this entire situation that the sass just slips out of you and you laugh. "I mean, that's one way to go about saying she's jealous of me because I have a ring and she doesn't."

Damian is clearly surprised by the fact that you just laughed off him calling you a harlot. He, "tt,"s again and just walks right back out of the kitchen, unwilling to admit you had surprised him.

You watch him leave, and he passes Bruce as he does. Once Damian is gone you shake your head and go back to your breakfast.

"I see you've met Damian," Bruce comments.

You offer him a slight smirk and a shake of your head, "yep, finally showed himself just to call me a harlot."

"A har-" Bruce starts, clearly outraged by the fact that anyone would dare call his beloved wife a harlot.

"Yeah," you laugh again, "he left just as fast because I laughed at the thought."

Bruce sighs, relaxing with how you had taken it, he takes a seat next to you and wraps you in a hug. "I'm glad that you didn't let him get to you."

"Yeah, though as far as introductions go, I think he's going to take some getting used too."

"Yeah, he's quite the character after being raised by the LoA."

You smile and lean against Bruce as you finish your food, "yeah, but eventually he'll have to figure out I'm just as stubborn as him for having put up with your shit for this long," you tease and he laughs.

It's a few hours later the next time you see Damian and he tries to insult you in yet another way, "you're weak, and would never be able to take anyone down. You aren't worthy of father."

This one is creative, you'll admit that but you shake your head. "I never claimed to be a fighter, if you'd stuck around earlier I could have told you that. Though, the first time I met your 'father," you say mocking his tone, "I kicked a green haired clown in the head so that has to count for something."

Damian once again just leaves, you weren't supposed to take these things so well, you were supposed to run off crying, not agree with him.

This goes on for a while, him trying to insult you and you just not having it. It goes on until he stops, knowing he'd have to find some other way to get under your skin. Meanwhile you try to get to the bottom of his behavior. Why does he feel like he needs to put you down in comparison to his mother and how can you show him he can trust you enough to not have to do that to keep a place in this family? It might take a while but you'd sure as hell figure it out.

#batfam #batfam x you #batfam x y/n #batfam x batmom #batfam x reader #batman x you #Batman #batmom #batmom reader #batman x batmom #batman x batmom!reader #bruce wayne #bruce wayne x batmom #bruce wayne x you #bruce wayne x reader #bruce wayne x y/n

180 notes · View notes

spideyspeaches · 3 years

Text

Vibrations per minute ↬ P.P

AN: Based on this post ehehe. (Also 223 followers?! I’m not crying you are ಥ‿ಥ Beta read by my baby sis @parkerpeter24 <3<3

➳ Pairing: Peter Parker x Stark!Reader

➳ Warnings: smut (semi public), vibrator, minors dni

➳ WC: 1.8k +

➳ Masterlist || Taglist

Peter Parker was not who he looked to be. He was the kind of guy who impressed parents with his bambi eyes and A+ academic performances, but at the same time, he could be a little shit and tease the fuck out of you. For example-

Bets were a naturally occurring event in the Avengers compound, whether it was between Sam and Bucky about who could eat the most number of marshmallows in one go or between Tony and Peter on who could digest more amount of coffee in the least amount of time (both of which landed them in the medbay).

So maybe placing a bet with your boyfriend may not have been your most intelligent choice. You were a smart woman, you should have known better than to place a bet with Spider-Man, especially if the bet included cardio.

And now you were facing the consequences.

You were sitting in the post mission debriefing room, thighs clenched as you saw your boyfriend trying (and failing) to hide his shit eating smirk. You felt the vibrations inside you once again, a little faster than before. Suppressing a moan, you tried to glare murder at him without letting the others know.

Puffing your cheeks, you slid down the chair, hands folded on your chest. You were pretty sure your cheeks were blood red with the amount of heat you felt.

"Y/N are you sure you're alright? You look a little flushed." Steve asked, shifting to look at you from where he was besides You. He looked concerned.

"Uh- yeah- yeah I'm good. Just exhausted." You stuttered a response. Huffing, you tried to discreetly rub your stomach from clenching. A little whimper escaped your throat, which you quickly suppressed by picking up the glass of water and chugging down some.

Sam looked at you weirdly, the others not paying attention as Nick Fury asked them questions.

"Miss Stark if you think you're going to get out of debriefing because your little boyfriend and father are sitting here, you're wrong. Please pay attention" Fury said, looking at you with his pirate eye, before turning around and muttering, "I swear sometimes they behave like school children."

You gave Bucky and Sam a glare as they snickered.

"I'm sorry, I'll- uhh- I'll pay more attention. I'm just, my tummy hurts." You whimpered, flushing when you realised you had said "tummy" in front of the Avengers.

"Well you better take care of the tummy ache. Don't want you to poo all over here." Peter smirked, your jaw dropping at how rude the little shit was. How unfortunate would it be when he finds out someone had burnt his Kylo Ren special edition figurine?

"Fuck you asshat." You seethe, your glare intensifying when he increased the rate of vibrations using the phone app he was holding under the desk.

"Y/N, Peter, enough of this, now listen to what Pirate here has to say before he asks you to skedaddle back to your nursery." Your dad says, rolling his eyes at your childish banter.

You wanted to get out of there. Right away, because you couldn't take the shudders in between your legs anymore, or you would orgasm right there, in front of everyone.

So to get back at them, you raised your hand like you were in elementary school, asking the teacher for permission, "May I go to the washroom? I wanna poo." You ask innocently, smirking when Fury widened his eyes.

Averting your eyes to your boyfriend, you silently conveyed your message, hoping that he got what you were up to.

Ignoring the laughter of the babies in the Avengers' bodies, you stood up abruptly before he could change the settings anymore, walking stiffly to the bathroom.

"That was kind of mean of me." Peter finally said when you were out of his vision.

"Yeah kid, I would've kicked your ass if I didn't know that she would do it before me." Tony snarked, curling his lips and shaking his head before going back to the dossier in front of him.

"You should go and apologise to her Pete. She looked upset." Steve piped in, his disappointed eyebrowsTM showing their way.

"She's in the toilet and he's a horny teenager, you really want him to go right now?" Sam said.

"Ew Sam, get your gutter brain out of here!" Peter defended, not meaning what he said.

In fact he was going to do just that. The entire time during the mission, you had been teasing him one way or another, whether it was landing in certain poses or just touching him every chance you get.

The bet was just an opportunity for him to get back at you for leaving him hot and bothered, dreaming about you all night in that tiny lingerie with spider prints on them.

“Yeah Sam, get out of here.” Natasha joked. Before he could witness the counter arguments though, he left the room, leaving a very noisy meeting room and a very frustrated Nick Fury.

He found you in the bathroom stalls near the cafeteria. It was the women's bathroom but no one was around this time of the night, so he entered it.

He could hear your moans and pants, your arousal hitting his nostrils as he tried to hyperfixate on you. His jeans suddenly felt strained at his… web shooter area.

Opening the bathroom door, he clenched his fists. You were standing there, vibrator out of you and your finger inside, eyes scrunched as you threw your head back, not even noticing him enter.

"Why are you touching yourself?" He growled, smirking innocently when you jerked up, eyes taking a lustful look that sent his blood rushing south.

"It's your fault. You were the one who made me horny in the middle of those boomers." You gritted.

Your hand was poised on your waist now, legs still spread apart, your pussy on display.

Grabbing you by your ass, he picked you up and slammed you against the wall, kissing your jaw, "Just seeking revenge." He mumbled

"Oh oh Petey- revenge for what?" You moaned, arching your back as he undressed you, grabbing your now unclothed boob and sucking on one nipple, twisting the other with his fingers.

Moaning at the sensation of the cool tiles, you dug your fingers at his back, your wet pussy throbbing for a feel of his dick.

"You did it on purpose didn't you? Showing off during missions?" He sucked at your skin, leaving it tender and brushed, "you know how hot you look while you kick ass?"

He unbuttoned his pants, letting his dick slip out with his boxers. His length never ceased to amaze you, the thick organ making your mouth water. You imagined it slipping into you, your thighs slipping wider on instinct.

He saw the look you were giving him, his lustful eyes full of mirth and desperation. Without waiting any further, he slipped out a condom from his discarded jeans' pocket, sliding his dick into your wet entrance, your ass hitting the wall as he pushed into your walls.

Throwing your head back, you hissed as your walls clenched around him.

"You get, you get turned on when I kick ass?" You panted, grabbing his hair in desperation to the coiling in your gut, "Fuck I'm gonna cum. I'm gonna come Pete."

"Well what are you waiting for princess?" He nibs your ear, squeezing your breasts to his now naked chest. You shuddered at the coolness of his body, he's always been cold to touch.

"Fuck princess, feel so good." His mouth was slack, his thrusts getting harder as he shoved into you, "so tight for me. Enjoying my cock in your pussy eh?"

"Yes! Oh- I love it Pete I love it!" Hitting your head on his chest, you pinched his nipple, making him groan and hit your stomach, the slapping sound echoing in the bathroom.

"Say it louder pretty girl"

"Why?" You whined, "I should get back to you for using the vibrator but I'm having too much fun."

You groaned, Your eyes scrunched when his thrusts started to slow down, his senses too overloaded to work together with his stamina.

"Yeah you're needy aren't you?" He said, out of breath from your little meet. He set you down, wiping off your cum using the tissue paper, flushing it off in the toilet.

He took a minute to just admire you. Your body was shining from sweat, your breath coming out in short pants. You were completely naked, breasts out to the display. He flushed when you smirked at him, you had caught him staring. Not that you minded.

"My beautiful girl." He said, voice husky from strain as he closed the distance between you both, holding you in his arms.

You laid your head on his chest, rubbing your cheeks against his pectorals. You could hear his racing heart, chuckling when you saw heat rising up his chest to his neck and then face.

"Why are you blushing? We literally just fucked." You laughed, tracing circles on his collarbones. He looked ethereal from where you were standing, perfectly sculpted by a skillful sculptor.

"Because you're amazing and I can't believe you're my girl." He said.

"Mmhm,” You nodded against him, “Also, do you always keep a condom in your pocket?"

__________••☆••__________

There were many reasons as to why you keep around Peter, and one of them is that he's an amazing chef. Living with his aunt and uncle, he and Ben had been the main source of home cooked meals, because Aunt May was never good at cooking.

You saw him standing in the kitchen, flipping pancakes while he hummed to some melody. You didn't mind, you could stare at him all day. Thankfully, none of the Avengers were awake yet (but they would be. They're huge fans of his food)

"Morning." You smile, wrapping your hands around his waist, placing your head on his back.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked, moving around as you clung to him like a koala. Giggling, you wrapped your legs around his waist, jumping on his back like a potato sack.

"Mmhm, the best sleep I've had in a long while." You mumble, words muffled by his back.

"Is that so?" He asked.

"Yup."

Hearing shuffling noises, you quickly jumped off of him, fixing your t-shirt and sitting on the dining table.

You saw as Steve and Sam entered the kitchen, Natasha soon following suit. Clint had left for his home early that morning, wanting to meet Laura and his kids as soon as he could.

You smiled at each of them, nodding a good morning and helping them sort a plate.

You were arranging the plates when you heard a choked gasp. Alarmed at the sound, you looked up at Steve's horrified expression, looking at where he was pointing a finger.

"What?" You asked, biting your lips.

"That- is that a hickey?!?"

Slapping your neck, you let the plate clatter on the table, ignoring Peter's scrambled replies. You saw Bucky entering from the corner of your eye, unable to formulate a coherent answer.

"Oh my god, Bucky they totally fucked yesterday!"

Page dividers by @cicicantblog

#peter parker x stark!reader #peter parker x reader #peter parker x avenger!reader #peter parker smut #peter parker x reader smut #spiderman x stark!reader #spiderman x you #peter parker x stark!daughter #stark!reader #avenger!reader #spideygirl writes

956 notes · View notes

heyiwrotesomethings · 3 years

Text

Fresh Starts

Leah (Stardew) x Selectively Mute She/Her Reader

A/N: Thought I’d try something different with this one. Sorry if I didn’t detail the instances of sign language very well, or if they are a little off, I did try. Also Kel is an asshol in this when they show up so get ready for that. Robin is cool mom and Abigail is the friend who is always ready to fight at the drop of a hat. Also, time is so weird in Stardew? There are four season in a year but each season is like a month so a year is like four months. Time is scary. I hope you like it! Word Count: 8,943

“So, someone has finally taken up that old farmland,” Leah heard Gus say to Harvey as he fixed the good doctor a drink at the bar, “‘Heard Lewis and Robin talking about it outside of Pierre’s yesterday.”

“Is that so?” Harvey was tired from a long day at the clinic, but being ever polite, he humored Gus and rested fully against the bar stool.

“Mhmm, looks like the old man’s kin is finally gonna make something of it. A few years late though I must say, that place is well overgrown. It’s gonna take a lot more than a little elbow grease to spruce up that dump,” Gus chuckled good naturedly and handed Harvey his beer, “I wish them luck, whoever they are.”

“Bah!” Leah jumped in her seat tucked away in the corner. Pam must have been listening in too. “If they’re smart they’ll just sell the heap of trash to Joja. M’sure they’d get a pretty penny for it.” Pam spoke bitterly. Shane, who was also quite drunk at this point in the night, took the opportunity to add his two cents in and yell across the bar.

“Why would they get your daughter for selling out to Joja?”

“That’s not what I meant, dumbass!” Pam roared back, slamming her beer on the table with a loud thump.

Leah decided she’d call it a night then. Without Elliott to crack jokes with, the saloon could get real depressing real fast with Shane and Pam racing each other to see who would get alcohol poisoning first. Even Clint was just sad to watch. The poor man sitting hopefully, waiting for Emily to even just turn in his direction. Leah finished the rest of her beer and paid Gus, giving the man a sympathetic smile as he left to cut Shane off.

Leah shivered in the cool spring breeze as she walked along the river bank to her cottage and her thoughts wandered back to what Gus had been gossiping about.

“A new face around Stardew Valley, hm?” Leah mused, kicking a stray pebble in her path, watching it skip across the cobbled stone. “I guess I won’t be the town newbie anymore.” She smiled and turned to look in the direction of Marnie’s home, knowing that the farm was somewhere just beyond. As Leah turned the key to unlock the door of her small cottage, she wondered what changes this new resident might bring.

***

“Have you met our new resident farmer yet?” Leah heard Caroline ask Jodi as she walked across the town square.

“I suppose you could call it that,” Jodi laughed, “It was a very brief meeting to say the least.”

“I’m glad I wasn’t the only one then,” Caroline sighed, putting a hand to her chest in relief, “I thought I had offended the girl somehow, she never said a word. She just walked into the shop and pointed to a few seeds she wanted to buy, then she handed Abigail, Pierre and I daffodils and went on her way. Not so much as a sound.” Caroline explained, still bewildered by the interaction.

“Sounds about right,” Jodi nodded, “She knocked on the front door and handed me a single clam. Which was nice I suppose, but so very odd. She gave Vincent a daffodil too,” Jodi smiled, “He was very pleased. I’m sure she would have given Sam something as well if he could wake up at a more reasonable time.”

“Oh, Leah! Good morning!” Caroline had caught her. Leah put on her most sociable smile and walked forward, greeting the two women.

“Good morning Caroline, Jodi.”

“Have you been visited by the farm fairy yet?” Jodi asked, chuckling along with Caroline.

“I’m afraid not.” Leah admitted. “Although Elliott says I am a bit difficult to track down at the best of times.” She laughed good naturedly.

“Well, I’m sure she’ll get you sooner or later. She seems to be on a mission to greet the whole town. If you can call it a greeting I suppose. I don’t even know her name.” Caroline realized.

“It’s (Y/n).”

The three women jumped and turned to a grinning Robin, walking up to them with her yoga mat swaddled under her arm.

“Her name is (Y/n). She’s quite the character, huh?”

“Robin, you helped Mayor Lewis move her in didn’t you? What can you tell us?” Jodi asked, looking for any crumb of information she could get on the mysterious girl.

“Not much to tell,” Robin shrugged, “Just a sweet kid wanting to get away from the pressures of the big city,” she sent a knowing look at Leah, “Sounds like someone else I know.”

Leah laughed politely, twisting a finger around the tail end of her braid as blush settled in her cheeks faintly.

“But why is she so... you know, quiet?” Caroline asked.

“Hm, well, she did give me her blessing to explain should it come up.” Robin took a moment to think of how to proceed, absently tapping her fingers against her mat. “(Y/n) is selectively mute. She has the ability to speak, but she’s just not comfortable enough to do so at this time. This move was a big decision for her, and she’s excited, but it’s just gonna take some time before she feels secure enough to communicate orally.”

“And how did you get all this information out of her?” Caroline wondered.

Robin secured her yoga mat between her thighs and presented both hands, pointing her index fingers outward and drew a couple large circles in the air with the tips of her extended fingers. “Sign language!” Robin grinned, before taking a hold of her mat once more.

“Oh how clever!” Jodi praised. “I wish I understood sign language.”

“I’d be happy to show you a few of the basics sometime. If you really need to ask (Y/n) something though she will have no problem writing out answers for you.” Robin informed. “Now, are we working out today or...”

“I completely forgot!” Caroline smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand, “Yes, let’s go. Poor Marnie is probably wondering where we are. Are you going to join us Leah?”

“I’ll pass, thanks. I’m heading to the beach to do some painting,” Leah explained, motioning to her bag.

“Alright, see you around!” Caroline, Jodi and Robin bid Leah goodbye and hurried to the general store.

Leah sighed, as much as she liked the people in this town they were so chatty. She could have been at the beach forever ago! Once she arrived, she saw Haley sunbathing. Not unusual, but as she kept walking closer to shore she saw Elliott splayed out over the sand laying on his stomach.

Leah rolled her eyes and walked over, playfully kicking the man’s arm, causing him to squint up at her.

“Is there some kind of new writing exercise I should know about?” She asked, playfully.

“I wish, this is simply writer’s block at its finest.” Elliott groaned. “That, and I don’t know what I’m going to do with this,” he sat up and produced a wild horseradish from his jacket pocket.

“Why do you have a horseradish in your pocket?”

“A girl I’ve never seen before in my life gave it to me. Then she took off before I could refuse. Didn’t even say a word.”

“She’s totally weird, but she did give me a daffodil so I guess she’s not that bad.” Haley called from her own spot in the sand.

“Has everyone met the new girl except me?” Leah wondered aloud.

“She’s been making rounds. I’m sure she’ll find you eventually.” Elliott said, resting his chin over his arms.

“You make her sound so ominous.” Leah laughed, lowering herself to the sand and taking out a sketch pad.

“A silent specter. A harbinger of-“

“Oh can it, drama queen,” Leah smirked, “so she gave you a horseradish, it’s not the end of the world. She was just trying to be nice.”

Elliott pursed his lips, propping his head up with one hand he turned the horseradish in the other offering it to Leah. “Do you want it? You’re all about foraging.”

“I mean, if you’re not going to use it sure. Put it in my bag.” Leah relented easily. Her eyes only leaving her paper to study the horizon for a moment, then continue to sketch.

Leah stayed on the beach with Elliott for a couple of hours, talking sketching, and painting. Finally she stood and stretched, patting the sand off the back of her jeans. “I should get going. See you around.”

“See you.” Elliott nodded, splitting off from Leah to head over to his shack.

Leah hummed to herself as she walked through town, making her way past Jodi’s house and entered the Cindersnap Forest. As she rounded the corner of her cottage, she paused in her tracks. Observing a young woman staring at her door with dandelions in one hand and her other poised to knock on the weathered wood.

Leah flinched slightly, she had stepped on a twig, snapping it and alerting her visitor of her presence.

Startled eyes met Leah’s own and the farmer straightened from her previous position, stepping back from Leah’s door.

She smiled shyly, giving Leah a short, jaunty wave before gesturing between Leah and the cottage a moment. Then she stood still. An expectant look on her face.

Leah simply stared back, blinking before she registered the silent question. “Oh! Yes, I live here. That’s my house. You’re (Y/n), right? Robin told me about you, I’m Leah.” She smiled kindly, coming forward to offer (Y/n) her hand to shake.

Instead of grasping Leah’s hand, (Y/n) cupped it with her gloved hands, turning Leah’s hand palm up and placing the dandelions inside.

“Ah, thank you.” Leah chuckled, “These will make a great salad.”

(Y/n) nodded vigorously, then moved to make her exit. Leah wasn’t sure what possessed her, but she called out to (Y/n) before she could get too far.

“Wait, I um, it’s not much but I did take an intro to ASL course my freshman year of college so, I’m a bit limited but if you ever want to talk, you know...” Leah wished she could stop talking right now. Why had no one told her that the farmer was cute!? “So, yeah, you know,” Leah fumbled with her free hand, her fingers sat just underneath her chin before she sent them forward, “Thanks again.” She smiled nervously.

(Y/n) stared at her, dumbfounded. Then she released a short, sharp exhalation of air that was reminiscent of stuttered laughter and turned back to stand before Leah. (Y/n) made a timid approach and gingerly took Leah’s wrist, still hovering midair, and guided the hand back to rest on Leah’s chin, just below her lip. Leah stood still as stone as (Y/n) held it there for a second then extended the hand forward. She repeated the motion twice more before backing away and releasing Leah from her gloved grasp. The smell of earth and grass still clung to Leah’s nose even after (Y/n) had stepped back.

“Oh, I did it wrong, didn’t I?” Leah blushed, “Is there a big difference between the two?”

(Y/n) blew out a large breath of air and nodded. One of her gloved hands came up to cover the amused smile fighting against her lips.

“What did I say? Was is embarrassing? Yoba, I need to know,” Leah carefully set the dandelions at her feet and rummaged through her bag. Taking out her sketch pad and a pencil, she flipped to a clean page and presented the materials into the rough fabric of (Y/n)’s gloved hands, “Please, tell me.”

(Y/n) shot Leah a sympathetic smile, then she looked down at the paper and wrote quickly and concisely. She looked over her work, nodded to herself, then she handed the sketch book and pencil back to Leah before jogging of in the direction of her farm.

“Eh- Hey! Wait a minute!” Leah took a few strides after the farmer but quickly gave up, electing to look at the paper in her hand instead. “Maybe I’ll tell you some other time. Nice meeting you Leah, smiley face.” Leah read aloud to herself. She scoffed, but couldn’t stop the smile that had conquered her lips. She couldn’t wait to see (Y/n) again.

***

“Hey, Maru-“

“I think I have a feeling about what this is about, but just in case, please proceed.”

The next morning, Leah had made her way to the clinic to visit Maru and perhaps get the answers she was looking for. She had made the trek to (Y/n)’s farm first, but she wasn’t there. A little note hastily taped to the farmer’s door revealed that she was spending the day fishing in the mountains and wouldn’t be back until late at night.

“Maru, you know sign language like your mom, right?” Leah asked.

“Sure do. Seb and dad do too.” Maru nodded, leaning over the clinic counter. “But I’ve got to tell you that if you’re looking for the meaning of what you accidentally signed to (Y/n) last night, we were sworn to silence earlier this morning before (Y/n) went fishing. Sorry.” Maru smiled.

“Ugh,” Leah sighed, leaning her forehead against the counter. “Can I at least have a hint?”

“Well, it’s really funny. Especially considering how chill you normally are and your kind disposition.”

“Yoba, I really need to know!” Leah groaned against the counter.

“Well my family can’t tell you. You’ll just have to wait to hear it from (Y/n),” Maru grinned and pushed away from the counter, “I have to prepare for Evelyn’s check up now so I’ll see you around Leah.”

“Yeah, bye.” Leah grumbled, watching Maru disappear into the back offices. “Well, there goes that plan.” She mumbled under her breath as she left the clinic.

Leah spent the rest of the day sculpting in her cottage. She spent hours getting lost in the chipping of the wood before finally going to bed.

***

It had been days since Leah last saw (Y/n) and if the farming life wasn’t so demanding, Leah would have been worried that she had deeply offended the farmer to the point that she was purposely avoiding her. Leah decided not to waste the time she had been presented with.

She approached Robin about sign language lessons, enough to get some basic phrases and words. She practiced the motions herself, perfecting them to allow for no mistakes. Although she knew (Y/n) could hear her just fine, she found it easier to retain the lessons this way. Not to mention that it was just a useful language to know.

“I’ve hardly seen you around. I was worried you stabbed yourself with your woodworking tools.” Elliott said as Leah came up to sit next to him in the saloon.

“And you didn’t think to come to check on me?” Leah looked at the writer incredulously.

“Nope.”

Leah punched Elliott’s arm and he laughed. Before long, Emily came by with their food and they ate comfortably.

“Would you look at that.” Elliot spoke, pointing in direction of the door as he swallowed another bite.

Leah turned to look, purple irises sparkling at the sight of (Y/n) lugging a large bag up to the bar. She watched Emily talk (Y/n)’s ear off, the poor farmer smiled uncomfortably while trying to divide her attention between her and Gus who had apparently requested a variety of fish.

“Wow, Robin said you were in trouble but you really are,” Elliott chuckled behind his beer, “You really lit up just now.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Leah scoffed, still watching (Y/n) hand Gus fish after fish. It was almost comical how such an objectively small bag could hold so much.

“You can’t keep your eyes off her. I realize the dating pool in Stardew is small, but the girl just got here.”

“Elliott, stop!” Leah blushed, looking back down at her plate to stab at her salad.

“I’m just saying, you’re already taking sign language lessons for her you might want to dial it back a little bit. You wouldn’t want to come off as the obsessive type.”

“Oh! She’s leaving, should I offer to walk her home? I’m going to offer to walk her home.” Leah dug in her pocket and pulled out some gold, pushing it over to Elliott.

“What did I just say?” Elliott called after Leah, as she eagerly jogged to the exit to catch (Y/n) walking in the direction of the Cindersaps, perfect!

“(Y/n), good evening!” Leah called jogging up to the farmer only to have the farmer gasp and take several steps away from Leah, holding her hands out as a warning to not come any closer. “I’m sorry, I’m didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable!” Leah gasped, maybe Elliott was right.

(Y/n) shook her head, slowly taking a step back towards Leah, presenting her slightly soggy bag and waving her hand in front of her nose, scrunching her face as she did so.

Leah was sure the movement wasn’t an official ASL sign, but it did help get the point across and she giggled.

“What? Do you think you smell?”

Another nod and a look that seemed to say that she didn’t just think so, she knew so. She had been in the mines all morning and fishing at the beach all afternoon. She couldn’t wait to take a shower.

“It’s alright, I won’t judge you,” Leah smiled, “Are you heading home for the night? I’d be happy to walk with you since it’s so dark.”

(Y/n) took a moment to think about it before nodding shyly and motioning Leah closer. Leah happily obliged walking alongside the farmer into the Cindersap Forest. The walk was mostly silent, but that was to be expected nonetheless, Leah was having a great time. They had even found a couple of leeks along the way which (Y/n) had insisted Leah keep. All too soon, they reached the porch of the old farmhouse.

“You’re crops look great,” Leah complimented, looking for an excuse to stay even just a few minutes more, “really healthy. What all have you been growing? Are those potatoes and turnips?”

(Y/n) looked over her shoulder as she unlocked her door. Her eyes focused on where Leah was pointing and nodded affirmingly.

“Yeah, I’m no farmer but I love foraging. I’ve got a few really good books about wild foods and where to find them and when. It’s kind of like a scavenger hunt.” Leah grinned.

“Mhmm.”

It was quiet, a little strained, but the small hum of agreement almost sent Leah into cardiac arrest. She sounded so sweet! Leah’s cheeks were starting to hurt from how widely she was smiling.

“Well, I’ll leave you to it then. So, I’ll see you around?”

(Y/n) looked like she wanted to say something, but settled for a simple nod, fiddling with the gardening gloves she had taken off. Leah smiled softly, watching how the farmer intently eyed the fabric twisting in her hands.

“Feel free to drop by the cottage whenever it suits you. I’ll leave the door open!” Leah added, waving over her shoulder as she turned to walk away. (Y/n) beamed, looking a bit more lively as she waved back.

Leah turned her back on the house and walked back to her cottage in the Cindersaps with a skip in her step and a painfully large smile on her face. Although it was already late, she prepared a new block of wood for sculpting. Her new muse had granted her a vision for a grand project and had the potential to be one of her greatest works yet.

***

“Kel, I told you to stop calling me. I’m not coming back to the city, we are through.” Leah frowned, her hand gripped the phone receiver so tightly that she could hear the plastic giving slightly under the pressure.

She was so focused on combating Kel’s useless bargains that she hadn’t noticed the timid farmer show herself in, looking at Leah’s tense shoulders and back with concern. (Y/n) flinched as Leah cut off Kel to speak again, her voice low and stern.

“There is nothing you could say, nothing you could offer me, that would make me come back. Move on, and please, for the last time, do not call me again.” Leah slammed the phone down on its perch. Pressing her palms into her eyes she let out a frustrated groan, slowly positioning her hands to rub at her temples to combat the headache she felt coming on.

Then she heard the door creak.

Leah quickly turned around just in time to see (Y/n) looking back at her with wide eyes and lips pursed thin as if she had been caught witnessing an event she had no business seeing. Which was partially true, but Leah had told her a week beforehand that she could drop by anytime.

“(Y/n), what a pleasant surprise!” Leah grimaced, watching (Y/n) flinch and look down sheepishly at her feet. One had managed to retreat back out the door before being caught and it was slowly joined by the intruding foot, so (Y/n) was fully outside again. Leah shook her head and calmly approached the farmer.

“Please don’t leave, I’m the one who told you to come let yourself in whenever. I’m sorry you had to hear all of that.” Leah was worried, watching (Y/n) linger in the doorway. Her shoulders relaxed when (Y/n) cautiously came back inside and closed the door behind her.

(Y/n) stood in the entryway and looked over Leah, her eyes filled heavily with concern. She raised a hand, pointing to Leah before signing the letters ‘o’ and ‘k’.

“I’m okay. I’m just,” Leah fumbled for the right words, “mad, sad? Exhausted.”

(Y/n) made another gesture, shaping her fingers into a ‘hang loose’-esque sign. Her curled fingers meeting her chin. She lowered the hand momentarily to give it a controlled shake before bringing it back up into the starting position.

“What’s wrong?” Leah mumbled, making sure she understood. (Y/n) nodded. “I just got a phone call from someone I didn’t want to talk to is all,” Leah sighed, “They’re an ex of mine. The person who called.” Leah disclosed, rubbing the back of her neck, agitated.

(Y/n) signed again, but Leah didn’t quite catch it that time so she motioned (Y/n) over to her dining nook and sat her down with some paper and a pencil. The farmer seemed a bit unwilling to write it out, feeling like it was more insensitive somehow but with a little prodding from Leah, she gave in.

“Was it a bad break up...” Leah read aloud. She sat back in her chair and carefully chose her words. “Sometimes it feels like we’re still breaking up,” Leah chuckled wryly, “Kel, my ex, didn’t like me perusing art. They didn’t think I could make a living out of it and wanted me to waste away at some office job and well, I didn’t want that. They weren’t respectful or supportive of my dreams, so I left. They call me a lot though, to try to convince me to come back to the city... that I won’t make it as an artist. That I can’t be happy without them. It really is exhausting and the worst part is, I worry that they’re right.” Leah released a shuddering breath, “I haven’t sold a single piece. I don’t really even know how to start. I can sustain myself on what I have in my savings account for only so long.”

(Y/n) covered Leah’s hand with her own, squeezing it. Leah marveled at how soft it was in comparison to her own, especially since it was the hand of a farmer. Perhaps the gloves (Y/n) always wore had more practical uses rather than simply being worn for aesthetic’s sake. Leah chanced a look at (Y/n)’s face and was caught off guard by the determined fire blazing in her eyes. Then Leah’s attention was brought back to the table as (Y/n) furiously scratched the pencil against the paper and forcefully pushed her newly composed message in front of the sculptor, her other hand still rooted over Leah’s.

Leah read over the note and felt her heart ache with appreciative warmth. ‘You were brave enough to know what you wanted and even though it wasn’t easy, you went for it. That in itself is an amazing accomplishment that you should not take lightly. Your dream is not unfounded either, I’ve seen some of your sketches and paintings and I think you are very talented. Once you figure out how to put yourself out there you’ll have people begging you to take their money.’

Leah sniffed and smiled at (Y/n) appreciatively, turning her hand to reciprocate (Y/n)’s strong, yet gentle hold on her. “Thank you, (Y/n). I just wish I knew how to start.”

(Y/n) tapped her chin with the pencil as she thought. When she had an idea, she pulled the paper back to herself and wrote a suggestion.

“An art show? Oh, I don’t know (Y/n). It hardly seems possible.”

(Y/n) shook her head in disagreement and wrote more.

“You really think the town would want to help? Are you sure you want to help? You’ve got enough on your plate already with how busy the farm keeps you. I don’t want to impose.”

(Y/n) looked as if she had something to say, her throat bobbed and her lips twitched, but in the end she settled for the paper again, still too anxious to speak. After Leah had read the reply, she felt (Y/n)’s thumb rub against her knuckles and looked up. (Y/n) nodded, her expression serious. She wanted to help Leah with this.

“Thank you, (Y/n)!” Leah sniffled, holding back tears. She launched herself into (Y/n)’s arms and hugged the surprised farmer close. “Thank you so much!”

(Y/n) slowly returned the hug, smoothing one of her hands over Leah’s back in comforting motions. It was a bit of an awkward position with (Y/n) still sitting at the table and Leah hovering over her, but it felt nice.

“Sorry,” Leah chuckled after a moment, leaning back and wiping a stray tear from her eye, “I kind of caught you off guard with that didn’t I?”

(Y/n) shrugged and smiled good naturedly. A look came over her face as if she just remembered something and she stood up to grab her bag from the cottage entryway. She grinned when she found what she was looking for and made her way back to Leah, holding out a brown paper package to her.

“For me?” Leah asked. (Y/n) nodded and gestured for her to take it. Leah carefully unwrapped it and gasped. “(Y/n), is this goat cheese? I love this, how did you know?”

(Y/n) raised her hand, signing the letters ‘E’ ‘L’ ‘L’ ‘I’ ‘O’ ‘T’ ‘T’.

“Elliott hm?” Leah laughed, “I’m glad you two are getting along after the horseradish debacle.”

(Y/n) crossed her arms and stuck her nose up. She wasn’t looking back on the memory fondly.

“Hey, I’m with you on this one. He was being an ass. How could you have known he hated horseradish.”

(Y/n) nodded in agreement, one of her hands reaching out as if to say, ‘exactly’. She then noticed the time on Leah’s clock and signed that she had to go.

“I see.” Leah smiled sadly, trying not to let her disappointment shine through. “Good bye then, and (Y/n),” Leah signed ‘thank you’, very mindful of the position of her hands this time around, “seriously thank you for everything.”

(Y/n) beamed, giving Leah a thumbs up before heading out the door.

***

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” Leah kept mumbling to herself while watching her fellow Pelican Townies set up her creations in the town square. There were already some tourists looking around and Leah felt her nerves fraying.

“Hang in there, kid. Everything looks great. Don’t worry so much.” Robin snuck up on Leah, making her jump. “It’s a beautiful summer day, don’t forget to enjoy it.”

“I’m trying, Robin. It’s just so much.” Leah said, nervously playing with her sleeve. Robin noticed Elliott walking up and motioned him to help deal with the artist while she went to help Demetrius move a heavy wooden sculpture.

“Come on now, Leah. Too late to back out now.” Elliott grinned, thumping her back. “(Y/n) seems especially excited by how things are progressing.”

Leah chanced a glance at (Y/n) and Maru putting up paintings between signing each other excitedly. The scene warmed her heart and her shoulders relaxed a bit.

“Yeah, okay. I’ll try.”

“Great, now let’s go woo some tourists.” Elliott said, wiggling his eyebrows.

“What? Elliott, no!” Leah shook her head.

“Not like that,” Elliott laughed, “I know your heart belongs to someone else. I just meant,” he looks around before whispering in Leah’s ear, “woo them out of their money.”

Leah laughed and pushed Elliott away. “Alright, you focus on the wooing and I’ll focus on explaining my thought processes.”

“That doesn’t sound as fun, but okay, this is your day.”

As Elliot and Leah made their way across the square, an unwelcome guest watched them from afar. Their blood boiled as they saw Leah pause at the makeshift painting gallery to give the farmer’s hand an affectionate squeeze.

***

“I can’t believe we sold so many!” Leah spoke in ecstatic disbelief as she waved at the last car she and (Y/n) had just loaded a heavy wooden sculpture into before it drove away. “This is crazy!”

(Y/n) wore a smile that matched Leah’s, happy to watch the sculptor bouncing in place. When Leah finally stilled, still giddy, she took both of (Y/n)’s hands in hers. Once again free of the gloves, the hands were pleasantly soft against her own and she relished in the feeling.

“(Y/n) I know it’s kind of late, but I have something I want to give to you. I left it at my house so I’m going to go get it. I’ll meet you at the farm, is that alright?”

(Y/n) stared at Leah, her curiosity piqued. She nodded, easily giving Leah the answer she was hoping for.

“Great! I’ll be there soon!” With one last squeeze of the farmer’s hands, she was off. (Y/n) heard the crack of a twig, but when she turned to investigate, nothing stood out so she made her way back to her farm to wait for Leah.

When Leah came up to the porch, (Y/n) had to do a double take at the big wooden statue she was lugging along. With one last huff of air, Leah placed the statue at the base of the steps and grinned up at (Y/n), wiping a bit of sweat from her brow.

“Thanks for waiting. It was a little more ah, heavy, than I expected.” Leah laughed sheepishly. “Come take a look.”

(Y/n) stepped off the porch and circled the piece, taking in every detail. Leah felt nervous butterflies fluttering in her stomach while she watched the farmer scrutinize the work and cleared her throat.

“I started working on it in the spring. I also incorporated some of that driftwood you gave me a few weeks ago. Anyway, I made it with you in mind. It’s called, ‘How I Feel about (Y/n)’ and I’d be honored if you would accept it as a gift for everything you’ve done for me.” Leah stared at her feet as she spoke, too embarrassed to keep her eyes on (Y/n) while she spoke. Then a pair of boots joined, hands came up to clasp her own, pulling the conjoined grasp into her line of vision and coaxing her to look up into (Y/n)’s eyes.

“It’s wonderful.”

At that moment, Leah thought her heart must have been beating so hard that it was affecting her hearing.

“Hh... huh?” Leah asked, rather dumbly.

(Y/n) swallowed thickly, took a deep breath, and whispered, “It’s wonderful, Leah. Thank you.”

Leah looked absolutely awestruck, purple irises shone with excitement and she laughed, pulling (Y/n) into a tight embrace.

“I’m glad you like it.” Leah sniffled, resting her face in (Y/n)’s shoulder.

“Leah?” (Y/n) wrapped her arms around the artist, it was only one word, her name, but Leah heard the concern in the farmer’s tone.

“I’m okay. I’m just happy,” Leah sniffled again, “I’m happy you felt comfortable enough with me to speak to me.”

“Me too.” (Y/n) whispered, holding Leah tighter.

The pair found it difficult when they had to part ways for the night, but they were equally excited over how their relationship was developing, looking forward to spending more time together over the summer.

***

“Come on, just a little further...” Leah coached herself. She was reaching for a piece of fruit hanging from a branch just out of her reach.

She had planned a picnic with (Y/n) for this afternoon. She had already set up under the big old tree near the pond and as she waited for (Y/n) to finish up with her crops and animals for the morning, when she spotted the unusual fruit. Now she was jumping and stretching for the fruit just out of reach.

“Almost— Ah!” Leah struggled to balance herself in the air, swiveling her head to peak over her shoulder, she saw (Y/n) looking up at her with a mischievous grin. Leah rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at the side of her lips. She turned back to the task at hand and grabbed the fruit, motioning (Y/n) to put her back down.

“Show off.” Leah scoffed, lightly punching (Y/n)’s shoulder. “You wanna try a bite?”

“Yes, please.” (Y/n)’s cheeks heated when Leah pressed the fruit to her lips. She took a bite of the offering, savoring the taste. “It’s so sweet.” She said, amazed.

“Right?” Leah smiled, “It’s rare to get fruit from this tree. Usually all the animals snap it all up as soon as they’re ripe, but it seems they miss some from time to time. How is everything with the farm this morning?”

“All is well,” (Y/n) nodded as the pair made themselves comfortable on the blanket Leah had set up, “I would have been here sooner but the goats kept standing in front of my cheese and mayo machines, the chicken coup too. Made it a little difficult.” (Y/n) disclosed. “Which reminds me,” she rummaged through her bag, “goat cheese salads.”

“Mmm, this looks heavenly. Thank you for making these.” Leah said, eagerly stirring in some vinaigrette into the generous fresh salad.

“No problem. Selling my harvest is nice, but it feels so much more rewarding enjoying it like this.” (Y/n) informed, mixing her own salad.

“I can imagine,” Leah hummed and leaned her back fully against the trunk of the tree, “Ah, it’s such a lovely day for this.”

“Mhmm.”

They ate the rest of their meal in peaceful silence, listening to the birds sing and the fish leap, the breeze rustling the trees and grass around them. It was tranquil, it was perfect.

“Hey, Leah,” (Y/n) spoke, breaking the silence.

“Yes?” Leah asked, turning her gaze away from the sketch pad she had brought out.

“It’s almost Fall you know, we’ve known each other for nearly two whole seasons. Half a year, it’s crazy, right?”

“Yeah, it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long, doesn’t it?” Leah giggled, “What made you think of that?”

“Well, I wanted to ask you something. Don’t feel like you have to answer one way or the other, but...” (Y/n) paused, trying to gather her thoughts.

“Hey, it’s okay (Y/n). You can tell me anything. Sign it out if you want to.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m just nervous,” (Y/n) turned to her bag and pulled out a lovely bouquet of flowers, “Leah, would you maybe consider being my girlfriend?“

“Yes!” Leah enveloped (Y/n) in a tackle like hug that sent them both to fully meet the ground, accidentally crushing the flowers between their bodies, “Oops, sorry,” Leah wiggled the flowers out from under her to look at them more closely, “these are lovely, (Y/n). I didn’t know Pierre had these in yet.”

“He didn’t, I planted them.” (Y/n) clarified, smiling up at Leah who still hovered over her, giggling.

“Of course you did, you’re so sweet.”

“I try.”

“Are you kidding me!”

Leah and (Y/n) quickly turned to face the disturbance, scrambling to sit up from their compromising position. Leah felt her stomach twist with discomfort seeing Kel of all people marching up to them, absolutely fuming.

“Seriously, what the hell, Leah?” Kel yelled, their hands clenched into tight fists as they closed in, making yard after yard disappear between them.

“No, more like what the hell, Kel? I broke up with you seasons ago. What are you even doing in Pelican Town?” Leah retorted angrily, as (Y/n) helped her to her feet. Kel watched the motion and ground their teeth.

They were already dangerously close to crossing the threshold of the blanket and that small display was enough to send them stomping over the edge.

“I came for you, obviously! I’ve been slumming it in that dusty old saloon since your art show, waiting to talk to you! Now I find you sucking face with some country bumpkin nobody!” They seethed, stepping even closer into Leah’s personal space until (Y/n) pulled Leah back behind her, making Kel even more incensed. “You stay out of this. I’m talking to Leah!”

(Y/n) held strong, stuck between the harsh obscenities attacking her from the front and the loving affirmations defending her from behind. She held her arm out, willing Kel to stay back as she slowly started to guide Leah back in the direction of town for help. Kel ignored the warning and followed after them.

“Don’t you have anything to say for yourself? You think you’re being some kind of hero right now?” Kel seethed.

(Y/n) stayed silent, she had gone mute again and who would blame her in the face of such a tense situation? She was so very uncomfortable, scared even, but she continued on passed Marnie’s since she knew the woman wasn’t home at this time and she sure wasn’t going to expose Jas to this. Jodi’s house was their next best bet.

“Hey, you obviously want to start something here. You’ve got something to say to me?” Kel continued forward.

“Kel, leave us alone!” Leah commanded, “It’s over, it’s been over, go home!”

“You think you’re too good to talk to me?” Kel yelled, ignoring Leah. “She’s just a whore. She just latched onto the first warm body she could find after her little meltdown. You’re not special.”

(Y/n) froze stiffly in place, Leah felt the muscles on her shoulders tense so she tried to pull on her arm to keep her moving.

“Ignore them, (Y/n). Let’s focus on getting to town, okay?” Leah pleaded. But (Y/n) gently pushed off Leah’s hands and took a step towards Kel with a cold glare. Leah stepped to stand beside (Y/n)’s side, nervous that a more serious confrontation was about to unfold.

“Well?” Kel spat.

(Y/n) crossed her arms, turning her head to look at Leah. The look on her face was all the communication Leah needed to understand. It was definitely a, ‘they better back off or I’m going to knock them off their block’ face. Leah had never known (Y/n) to be particularly violent, but with all the time she spent in the mines, she had no doubt that she could take care of herself.

Leah gasped when Kel suddenly roared, lunging forward. Apparently they had not liked how (Y/n) and Leah had been paying attention to each other rather than themself. Kel had rocketed forward and aimed to punch (Y/n) hard over her cheek, however, at the last moment, Leah pushed her aside and took the blow for her.

(Y/n) inhaled sharply and caught Leah as she stumbled back, noticing how blood immediately began gushing from Leah’s now broken nose.

“Ow- AH!” Leah cried, her hands muffled her voice since she had covered her nose and mouth.

It only took a second for (Y/n) to return the favor to Kel’s stunned face. She punched them fast and hard over their cheek, but Kel was quick to fight back and now it was a full out brawl.

“What’s going on, we heard yelling— holy shit!”

Leah turned away from the fight to see Sam, Seb, and Abigail running up on the scene.

“(Y/n)’s throwing hands!” Abigail yelled, sounding way more excited than worried.

“Leah are you okay? What’s going on?” Sebastian asked, noting the concerning amount of blood running down Leah’s arms and the front of her shirt.

“Don’t worry about me, stop them!” Leah winced, taking one hand away from her face to motion to her ex and her new girlfriend still going at each other.

“Damn, Abi! Go get your dad and Harvey too by the looks of it!” Sam yelled, he seemed to be looking for an opening to push the fighters apart.

“Are you kidding? You get my dad, I’m getting in on this!” Abigail cheered and ran up to jump on Kel’s back like she was at a rodeo while (Y/n) landed a good hit on Kel’s stomach. “Nice punch, (Y/n)!”

“Oh Yoba, Sam, start running.” Seb suggested, trying to help Leah with her nose. He was no Maru, but even he knew how to set a broken nose. Especially within the first couple weeks of Sam taking up skateboarding.

“Right!” Sam ran off back into town screaming. A few tense minutes later and Pierre, Caroline, Robin, Elliott, Maru and Harvey came running behind Sam to break up the fight.

“Abigail, stop!” Pierre huffed, pulling off his daughter and passing her off to his wife, “I taught you what I did to defend yourself, not to lash out like a wild animal!” He grunted, pulling Kel into his grasp and trapping their arms behind their back with Elliott coming up to assist.

“Come on dad, I was helping a friend! What’s the big deal?” Abi groaned, while her mom fretted over her, looking for injuries.

“Easy there kid, it’s over.” Robin coaxed (Y/n), pulling her back. The farmer slumped over in the carpenter’s hold, breathing heavily.

“Is (Y/n) okay? Ah!” Leah hissed as Harvey touched up her nose, giving her a nasal spray before wedging a couple wads of tissue up her nostrils.

“Sorry, Leah.” Harvey sympathized, “Maru is going to check up on her now.”

“What about me?” Kel hissed. Pierre had them resting on their knees. They looked really roughed up. A black eye was already forming and scratches and bruises littered their skin, they were also holding their stomach rather tightly.

“You’ll just have to wait a minute.” Elliott frowned, staring down at the stranger with contempt.

“Don’t you have any police officers in this backwater town? I’ll sue every one of you for withholding care to someone who is obviously hurt!” Kel threatened, grinding their teeth.

“Oh, the police are coming alright!” Caroline spoke indignantly. “You are in no position to be asking for anything right now, bringing violence to our community, you should be ashamed!”

“(Y/n) can you look up for me, please.” Maru asked, carefully tilting (Y/n)’s chin up. (Y/n) sucked in a breath when Maru touched her bruised jaw a tad to hard. “Sorry, Your jaw is bruised pretty badly. Your bottom lip split too. How is your vision?”

(Y/n) shook her head and winced, cradling her head in her hands.

“Okay, possible concussion. We’ll need to observe her at the clinic.” Maru said.

“Alright, come on bruiser,” Robin grunted, heaving (Y/n) to her feet, “Sebbie, help me walk her into town please.”

“Sure mom.” Seb took (Y/n)’s other side.

(Y/n) patted Robin’s arm, motioning her to wait. She slowly turned to Kel and leaned more heavily against Seb as she freed her other arm from Robin to snap her fingers aggressively, looking for Kel’s attention. Once Kel looked up at her, sneering from their spot in the dirt, (Y/n) turned briefly to make sure Leah was watching. When she saw that she was, she smiled as if to say, ‘watch this,’ and turned back to Kel. (Y/n) brought her flat, angled hand below her chin and sent it forward in the direction of Kel’s confused, but no less, pissed face.

“Oh ho! (Y/n) is such a badass!” Abigail laughed.

“Abi, since when do you know sign language?” Sam asked, clearly confused.

“I don’t, but I’ve spent enough time searching curses in different languages to know that was totally a ‘fuck you’. Personally I think a middle finger approach would have been an appropriate classic myself but whatever.” Abigail shrugged.

“Abigail, language!” Caroline scolded.

“Sorry mom.”

“Alright, you’ve had your fun. Clinic, now.” Robin tried to hold in a laugh as she repositioned (Y/n)’s arm over her shoulder. Then she and Seb began walking (Y/n) back into town.

Leah made to follow, but as they were leaving, the police from the the next town over had arrived and they needed her statements as a witness. Never mind that she was covered in her own blood and her girlfriend was being dragged away to the clinic with a concussion. Once the officers were satisfied, they took Kel away with promises to be back for (Y/n)’s statement and to see if any charges would be made. For now they were just going to take Kel back to a hospital in Zuzu City since they may have broken a rib or two in the fight. After that, they were going to be free to go.

Leah wasn’t too worried. She didn’t think Kel would come back after the beating (Y/n) and Abigail gave them. She watched the police car drive out of Cindersaps, taking her disgruntled ex away.

“Leah, I’m sure you want to get to the clinic but you should really clean up first.” Caroline had said patting the younger woman’s back. “(Y/n) will be fine.”

“Yeah, Harvey and Maru got her. Take some time to process.” Elliott smiled.

Leah could only nod tiredly. She trudged over to her cottage to shower and change. She still couldn’t believe how quickly things got out of hand. She looked at her bandaged nose in the mirror, hissing when she gingerly touched the bridge of it. She was wary of Seb setting it himself, but Harvey said he had gone a great job. Once she was physically put back together, Leah quickly made her way to the clinic.

“Where is she?” She asked immediately upon arriving. She sounded a little congested thanks to her clogged nose, but she was easily understood. Robin was still in the waiting room and filled her in.

“Harvey and Maru are talking her through concussion care. She’s okay, but I don’t think she’ll be allowed to work for awhile.”

“Oh no,” Leah sat down, resting her elbows on her knees and covered her eyes with her hands, “This is all my fault.”

“Aw, don’t say that sweetheart. You know that’s not true.” Robin frowned, taking a seat beside her, “(Y/n) would hate to hear you think like that.”

“(Y/n) loves her farm! If she can’t maintain the upkeep...” Leah continued, teary eyed, only to be silenced by Robin.

“I’m going to stop you right there. Nothing is going to happen to the farm. Abi, Sam, and even Seb already told (Y/n) in no uncertain terms that they were going to pitch in while she recovers. Everything is going to be taken care of.” Robin assured.

“Still none of this would have happened if-“

“If you hadn’t broken up with your ex? Moved to Pelican Town? Got a crush? Leah, you can’t punish yourself for moving on with your life. You’re allowed to be happy.” Robin chided gently. “It was hard for me and Sebastian’s father to see eye to eye at the best of times. Now I have Demetrius and although he can be a bit annoying sometimes with his tomato bullshit, not a day goes by that I’m not grateful I took that first step because I love him.” Robin smiled.

Leah’s nose hurt like hell as she tried to carefully wipe the tears from her eyes and Robin rubbed her back affectionately. Once Leah had calmed down, Robin stood and stretched.

“She’s been wondering where you are. The doc is keeping her for overnight observation, but your welcome to stay with her. I on the other hand, am apparently too old for this much excitement and need to go home.”

“Thank you Robin, for talking to me.”

“Anytime,” Robin grinned, “now go get her.”

Leah made her way into the back area of the clinic and nearly ran up to Harvey, Maru, and (Y/n). (Y/n) was signing to Maru while she relayed the information to Harvey as he examined (Y/n)’s well being.

(Y/n) was relieved to see Leah and eagerly motioned her to come sit on the edge of the bed she was sitting in which Leah did happily.

“Leah, how’s the nose?” Harvey asked while he finished up (Y/n)’s chart.

“It’s fine. Just, really sore and tingly.”

“So not fine.” Maru chuckled. “I’ll get you some pain meds.”

“Ah, thanks Maru.” Leah smiled sheepishly.

“Well, Ms. (Y/n),” Harvey sighed, turning his attention back to the farmer, “you and I are in for a long night. I’ll be waking you up every hour to check your pupils to see if your condition changes at all.” Harvey stood and stretched, “Ms. Leah, feel welcome to stay as long as you like. It can’t hurt to keep an extra pair of eyes on her.”

“I could stay overtime, Harvey.” Maru said as she came back with two pills and a glass of water for Leah.

“I seem to recall you talking about a time sensitive experiment this morning.” Harvey recalled, making Maru smack the side of her head. “You’re right! I got to go now! Good night everyone!” Maru called behind her as she rushed out to the waiting room then out of the building.

“I’m going to take the first of my many naps lined up for tonight. I’ll see you ladies in about an hour. Try to get some rest.” Harvey said before leaving to walk up the stairs to his apartment.

Finally Leah and (Y/n) were alone again. (Y/n) sunk down into the covers and sighed deeply. She turned to face Leah, concerning the sculptor by how small she looked.

“You’re not too upset with me, are you?” (Y/n) asked, surprising Leah.

“I’m not upset with you. Why would I be upset with you?”

“I just beat the crap out a person. Sure they are your ex, but you cared about them at some point so it must have been hard to watch. I can’t imagine what you must think of me now.” (Y/n) whispered, she was so quiet Leah had to lean closer and even then she was straining to hear.

“(Y/n), I like you. Nothing that happened today changed how much I like you. It certainly didn’t make me like you any less,” Leah rested her hand over (Y/n)’s cheek, “Kel made their choice when they decided to come to Pelican Town and confront us. I wish it hadn’t gone down the way it did, but that’s not our fault. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“I’m glad you’re okay too. I was worried.”

“I wish we could start this day all over,” Leah moaned, “First day as official girlfriends and we get into a fist fight.”

(Y/n) laughed lightly, closing her eyes to combat the pain that came from her jostling. “Abigail thought it was a pretty great date activity.”

“She would think that.” Leah rolled her eyes, “she also eats rocks.”

“Well, think about it this way. Until I’m allowed to take up all my farming duties again, you can do whatever you want with me.”

“Whatever I want, hmm?” Leah tapped her lips with her index finger, “would it be to forward if me to ask for a kiss?”

“You may, just be careful with my split lip. I won’t be able to explain what happened to Harvey if you make it worse.” (Y/n) said.

“One gentle kiss, coming right up.” Leah wiggled on the bed’s stiff hospital sheets until she laid face to face with (Y/n). Their lips met in a soft brushing that was almost ghost like, but rather than leaving them with a chill, warmth bloomed between them.

“Wow.” (Y/n) grinned.

“If you thought that was good, wait until I can get more involved with it.”

“So confident. I like it.” (Y/n) squinted, “could you turn the light off? It’s really starting to hurt my eyes.”

“Of course.” Leah got up and switched off the half the lights to keep their side of the room in darkness but allow Harvey to still be able to see when he came back.

“Now come cuddle, please.” (Y/n) asked sleepily reaching her arms out.

“Nothing would make me happier.”

Leah kicked off her boots and shimmied under the sheets to join (Y/n) and wrapped her arms around her. Leah let the exhaustion of the day roll over her and she had nearly let sleep claim her before her eyes shot open and she propped herself up on her elbow to lean over (Y/n).

“Did I really sign a ‘fuck you’ when we first met?!” She asked, appalled.

(Y/n)’s response was to laugh sleepily into Leah’s chest.

#stardew valley x reader #stardew valley oneshots #sv leah #stardew valley leah #leah x reader #sv leah x reader #stardew valley leah x reader #stardew valley

309 notes · View notes