#she was brunette and she wore round framed glasses

[whim-prone-pirate]

hey guys what do you do when you dream about a girl who doesn't exist. you meet her, she lives in your building, you and your other friend start to get to know her. your friend is kind of a dick, but that's just how he is. as you get closer with this girl, you start to convince yourself that you like her—you don't. you think she's gorgeous and you think you're supposed to fall in love with her, but you haven't. and in your efforts to love her, you do something that hurts her, your friend egging you on, trying to get you to go further, double down, and the girl pulls away from you. she doesn't look at you like she used to. she won't stand close to you and her new boundaries are clear—she needs you to keep your distance and you're not going to be able to fix this completely, not ever. and you understand that, and you're a kind person, so you are as respectful towards her as you know how. again, your friend is a dick about the whole thing, which doesn't make you feel better at all. maybe you shouldn't feel better. because you started it. you told yourself you were going to love her and you didn't and you did it wrong. and now that you've fucked it up for good, you feel yourself starting to look at her differently than you did before, just like she's doing now. but you're looking at her with shyness and gentleness and from six feet away, shrinking into yourself with a tiny glint of light in your eyes, while she stands stoic and tall, her eyebrows tensed and her mouth flat as you fumble your way through an attempt at aftermath-themed small talk, her responses short and clipped and knowing. she knows what's happened to you. she knows why you're looking at her like that. and she knows that you know that you lost your chance and you're not getting the same chance back and definitely not in the same way. and when she asks you for a small favor or wishes you well, you skip away, your voice soft and light and far too gentle, so fucking gentle, and you know that she hates you a little bit. and you know that now, only after, you love her a little bit. and then you wake up. what do you do then?

[totowlff]

chapter forty— how to tie a knot

➝ no one said that celebrating love was easy

➝ word count: 2,3k

➝ warnings: none

➝ author’s note: this is the first update of two on this week. hope you enjoy it!

DECEMBER, 2017

— Elisabeth, this is the fifth time you’ve changed where that cushion is sitting — Toto murmured, without looking up from the iPad screen, where an article from the Financial Times was open.

— I know — she replied, snorting — It just looks out of place here…

— It's always been there, since long before you came to live here. I don't understand the problem with it now.

Placing her hands on her hips, Elisabeth continued to stare at the sofa. Something was bothering her, even though a few hours ago, she had no issue with the arrangement of any of the decorative cushions. Pursing her lips, she took a few steps to the side, as if she was analyzing it, trying to figure out what was bothering her. Suddenly, she thought of something.

— What are you doing now?

— Taking this blanket off — Elisabeth replied, pulling the colorful throw that was on the back of the sofa — It's the problem.

Toto chuckled in disbelief.

— Maybe the problem is your anxiety, my love.

She stood up with the blanket in her hand, pressing her lips into a thin line.

— You think?

— Well, considering that you've already changed the order of the picture frames on the fireplace, organized the tea plate twice, and are uncomfortable with the sofa cushions, I'm sure you're anxious, even though there’s no reason to be.

Elisabeth let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand over her face.

— We're going to welcome someone home, Toto, how can I not be anxious?

He put down his iPad and shot her a direct look.

— Elisabeth, she’s just a wedding planner…

— She's not just a wedding planner, she's our wedding planner — she countered, dropping the blanket back on the sofa, a little irritated — I don’t want her to think we don’t know what we’re doing.

— You think she is going to take the state of our decorative pillows into account while planning our wedding? — Toto asked.

— I want to make a good impression…

— My love, she’s the one who has to make a good impression, not us. We are the couple who need help organizing the perfect day because they don't have the time or patience for it.

Elisabeth huffed, sitting down on the couch. She wanted to be more calm about this process, but she couldn’t help but feel restless about all of it. It was as if the moment Toto had placed the engagement ring on her finger he had triggered all the anxiety it was possible for a person to feel.

The day after the proposal, she started doing research and designing an action plan for the big day, trying to fit the organization of the ceremony with the race calendar and their own personal commitments. It didn't take long for her to realize that the best time would be during the summer break, as the pleasant weather would allow them to hold the event the way they had imagined and the only time everyone they wanted to attend would be able to, especially Benedict and Rosa.

When she told them about the news during one of their weekly visits, both of them seemed incredibly happy, hugging her and Toto with big smiles. Their affection was what Elisabeth needed to be sure that she had made the right choice in joining that beautiful family that Toto had built, so she made sure they were by their side when they said “I do”. 

The doorbell snapped Elisabeth out of her thoughts, and she looked at Toto. He had already set the iPad on the armchair he had been sitting in, looking like the portrait of serenity as he walked toward the apartment’s front door. “Why can't I be like that?”, she asked herself quietly as she stood up, still holding on to the colorful throw.

— Yes, parking around here is terrible — Toto said. He was talking to the brunette woman next to him, who had a round face and wore square-rimmed glasses, before looking at her — Liesl, why are you still holding that throw?

She blinked, feeling her face heat up.

— I was organizing the sofa — Elisabeth replied, forcing a smile.

— Again?

— Again — she replied, dropping the blanket haphazardly on the sofa before going to the woman next to him — Nice to meet you, I'm Elisabeth.

— Raphaela, the pleasure is all mine. I talked to you on the phone, right?

— That's right.  By the way, thank you for agreeing to come here. I know it's not the usual...

— I imagine. I completely understand your desire to keep this event as private as possible and, let's face it, visiting a wedding planner's office is not the best way to keep it that way.

— Yes — Elisabeth laughed, before inviting Raphaela to sit. After refusing a cup of tea and commenting on Vienna's traffic, the woman removed a notebook and a pen from her black leather bag.

— Well, we're here to talk about a wedding, so let's focus on that. To begin with, I wanted to understand you better. If you could tell me how you met, and how your relationship progressed to the point of deciding to get married?

Elisabeth shot Toto a sidelong glance, realizing that a shy smile had come over his face.

— Do you want to tell her?

— I'll leave it to you — she replied.

— Well, we met in 2012 through her father, we became friends, but that ended up evolving. We started dating in 2014 and we've been together ever since — he summarized — I asked Liesl to marry me this summer, after we returned from Ibiza, where her parents have a house.

— And was it romantic?

— It was definitely very meaningful for us — Elisabeth said, smiling.

— That's very good — Raphaela said, writing something down in her notebook — And do you have any ideas in mind? Any specific place, any concept, anything?

Elisabeth and Toto exchanged a long look.

— I think we agree that it will be a ceremony in the summer, between August and September — she replied — Small, just for our families and a few friends.

— Here in Austria or elsewhere?

— I thought about Italy — Toto said — We really like the south, with the sun and the sea. I think it would be really beautiful to have a wedding there, right?

— Yes, it would be beautiful — Elisabeth replied.

Raphaela continued to write down notes in her notebook.

— A very good destination for weddings in recent times is Sicily. There are several beautiful locations with stunning views, perfect for outdoor weddings, as well as adorable chapels. Oh, by the way, is it going to be a religious ceremony? You will want to officiate in a church or…

— No, not a church — Toto said — Her father said he only enters a church if he is inside a coffin, so I think it's better to avoid them.

The wedding planner laughed.

— So, if we are not going for a church wedding, I am guessing that you would like a civil ceremony?? — she asked, and Elisabeth nodded — Right. And regarding guests, you said family and friends, right? Do you know how many people you had in mind?

— Well, we have both families, right? — Elisabeth replied — We have my parents, my brothers, Claire and the children, uncle Florian, uncle Tillman, aunt Renate, their children...

— Liesl, we had talked about something small — Toto said.

—But they are part of my family, they are my uncles…

— I wasn't thinking about calling my uncles — he said softly.

— No? Like, I understand not inviting the Bednarczyks, but not even Ivar?

— I wanted it to be something more private…

— But you were going to call Lawrence and Fred, weren't you?

— We see Lawrence and Fred all the time, and they're my friends...

— Ivar is your uncle, Toto, it's different — Elisabeth argued, before looking at Raphaela, who seemed a little embarrassed to be witnessing that discussion. That made her stop for a few seconds before giving a small smile — But that can be discussed at another time, right?

— True, we don't need to make the guest list today — she replied, continuing to write in her notebook— And about the event schedule, did you think of anything? Generally, weddings in other places have a program of several days, receptions, cocktails, the ceremony itself, but the format is up to the couple.

— I think a dinner the day before and the ceremony itself would be excellent, don't you think? — Toto said. Elisabeth nodded  — We don't want anything too grand, but rather a moment in which we can share our love with our families.

— And what would be the best time for the ceremony?

— Late afternoon, perhaps? I like the sunset, I think it could be beautiful — Elisabeth said.

— And after the ceremony, do you have plans to have a dinner, a party, or a cocktail?

— A cocktail — Elisabeth said, looking at Toto, who was shaking his head.

— Dinner is better, Liesl.

— Why would it be better? Something more relaxed would allow us to talk to everyone and it wouldn't be so formal...

— At dinner, things are more organized, there’s no confusion…

— Do you really think Ellison and Lennon are going to sit for hours at a dinner?

— The dinner wouldn’t last hours…

— You know it would, since it would have a starter, main course and dessert. Besides, we're already offering dinner before the wedding, why have one afterwards?

Toto snorted.

— Dinners are always better, Elisabeth.

— Is that your argument? — she asked — Cocktails are more relaxed, calm. What's more, we'll be able to have a dance floor...

— At Valtteri's wedding there was a dance floor and a dinner — he murmured.

Elisabeth rolled her eyes.

— Okay, if you want dinner so much, you make it for your guests and I make my cocktail for mine, what do you think?

Passing a hand over his face, Toto looked at Raphaela, who looked a little bit uncomfortable. 

—We’ll have a cocktail party — he said to the woman, who nodded positively before making a note — And with all the guests, okay?

Elisabeth nodded,  the shadow of a smile on her face.

— Right. And what about your dress, makeup, and hair, Elisabeth? Do you have any ideas about what you want? I have some recommendations for places that make beautiful wedding dresses here in Vienna, unless you are thinking of using something from your family or something designer.

— No, nothing designer, but I don’t have anything in mind, so I welcome suggestions.

— Great, and regarding suits…

— I already have my supplier, so to speak — Toto replied, smiling.

— I figured, Mr. Wolff — Raphaela replied — Will you have best men or bridesmaids?

Toto and Elisabeth looked at each other.

— Well, I would like to have a best man, Fred — he said — What about you, Liesl?

— One bridesmaid is enough for me, I thought about asking Claire — she replied, and Toto nodded.

— And what about pages and flower girls?

— We have Eloise, Lennon and Ellison, who are our nephews — Elisabeth said, smiling — I believe they can participate in the ceremony in this way.

— Are you sure you want your nephews to hold our rings? — Toto asked, delicately.

— Why do you ask?

— Elisabeth, they are not exactly… Calm children…

— That doesn't mean they won't behave.

— And do you think Eloise would?

— Probably — Toto said, earning a frustrated glance from Elisabeth — What, are you going to say they are well-behaved?

— They are normal children!

— They are your brother's children, and your brother, coincidentally, would rather see me dead than dating you.

— Torger! — Elisabeth snapped.

— That’s the truth!

— But they have nothing to do with Mathias. In fact, Claire has always supported us and the boys like you a lot.

— That doesn't change the fact that I wouldn't trust them with our rings.

Elisabeth was about to scold him when Raphaela cleared her throat, interrupting them.

— I believe that details like this can be discussed later, when we have a concrete list of guests. And, for that, we need to decide other things beforehand, such as the location, even to understand how many people we will be able to invite.

They looked at each other before nodding.

— Well, I believe I have everything I need to start planning the ceremony. In fact, would you like to leave everything to me or would you like to be informed of the details as well?

— We only want to make the big decisions, we leave the details in your hands — Toto said.

— Great.

After leading the wedding planner to the exit and making a comment about the debates between him and Elisabeth, Toto returned to the living room, where his companion was. Still sitting on the sofa, she had her eyes fixed on the untouched tea tray.

— Liesl? — he asked, as he sat next to her — Is everything okay?

Turning her face towards him, Elisabeth had an expression of discomfort.

— Do you think it's the best thing to do?

— What are you talking about?

— The ceremony, the party, all of that. It seems like so much for something so...

— So?

— Small.

Toto raised an eyebrow.

— Do you think our love is small?

— No, not our love, but — Elisabeth hesitated — I wish I could do it all today, you know? No cameras, no guests, none of the fuss. Just you and me.

— Are you asking me to run away with you?

— Well, more like going to the registry office and signing the papers right away.

He smiled, moving close enough to put his arm around her shoulders.

— Do you want to be Mrs. Wolff so much?

— Lauda-Wolff, we already talked about this — she said — But yes, I want to. I have never wanted anything more in life than to be yours.

— But you're already mine, Liesl.

— Not officially.

— Do you care about the papers so much?

— If they are the guarantee that I will be yours forever, yes, I care.

Toto smiled, before giving Elisabeth a quick peck on the lips. Moving his face away slightly, he spent a few seconds looking at her, as if contemplating her.

— And you will be, my love. My wife, for the rest of my life.

[the-lone-writer94]

So Into You (Part 1)

Rex Brown x Female Reader

Summary: Set in 2011, you (reader) have just moved back to your hometown, it's depressing and you can't wait to get out again... but a mystery man enters the scene and leaves you captivated.

Age rating: 13+

Word count: 2,902

The stench of beer infused with sweat hung in the air, as my nose twitched. Meanwhile, the speakers that seemed to only blast Lynyrd Skynyrd on repeat were drained out by the sounds of cheering and the clinking sounds of the pool table ball. 

The rustic wooden panels surrounded the bar, with framed photographs of aerial shots of the bar dating all the way back to the 1930s, with a cluster of round wooden tables and chairs scattered across the place, then a row of red vinyl booths lined against the walls. It was definite that the Lone Ranger Bar & Grill hadn’t had a makeover since the 1980s. 

The bar was sat in a snug spot all the way down on Little Road, just nearby County Park reserve, secluded completely by the wilderness.

It was a typical night at The Lone Ranger Bar & Grill, and I was dying to get the hell out. 

“I can’t believe I’m working at The Lone fucking Ranger bar.” I muttered beneath my breath, as I slumped down on the counter. It was then that I immediately regretted it, as I felt the stickiness of the counter. 

Just then, my friend, Violet, joined me. “Quit, your whining,” she said, as she set the tray down. “These assholes tip well though.” She added, as she drew out a pile of crumbled cash from her apron, then set it down, as she split the pile. “These are from that guy with the receding hairline and shirt tucked into his sweatpants.”

I lifted my head as my gaze waved over towards where Violet had gestured to. The guy in the sweatpants lifted his glass in the air and winked. I averted my stare and pulled a face. “God, that guy gives me the creeps.” 

Violet shrugged. “He’s harmless, but I call him Captain Sweatpants, and he’s a regular.” 

My fingers gripped down onto the cash as I unfolded it. “Wow, three dollars. This will hold me over until next week.” I said sarcastically, as I slipped the cash into my apron. 

Violet’s eyes narrowed. “What’s with you?” 

I shook my head. “Nothing… sorry, it’s just being back here- you know.” 

“I get it… you got out,” she sighed, and then added, “and now you’re back.” 

“New York wasn’t easy.” I said. 

“And here?” 

“Still not easy,” I commented, “doesn’t it bother you that we used to steal from this place when we were in high school.”

“Not really,” Violet shrugged, and added, “come on, at least you have a job here. Cause in this town, the only jobs we can get is either standing behind the counter serving idiots beer, or dancing on the counter. So, the choice is yours.” 

“It’s a little degrading, that’s all the jobs we can get.” 

Violet waved her hands in the air. “Oh, big talk from the graduate of NYU.” She teased. 

“Shut up,” I teased as I playfully chucked a cocktail napkin at her. 

“Girls, I don’t pay you to stand around and chat.” A low voice bellowed, as Violet and I snapped our heads over to our boss, Sam. A mid forties man who always wore a plaid shirt and jeans, paired with heavy duty black boots, as the ground beneath him thumped with each step he took. 

“Oh come on Sammy,” Violet teased, as she leaned against the counter, as she twirled on the ends of her wavy brunette hair, “we were only taking a short break.” 

My eyes narrowed as I watched Violet try to flirt her way out of every situation. 

Sam cleared his throat and stepped back. “Alright, stop it,” he said uncomfortably. “God, you’re like your mother. 

“My feet just hurt.” Violet said. 

“Maybe it’s cause you wear platform heels.” I commented.

Violet shot me a cold stare, as her attention returned to Sam. “Well, just for five minutes alright, and then table ten wants another pitcher of beer, and Mrs Newman just came in… and I’m not dealing with her again.” 

“Sure thing.” Violet said as she winked at Sam, before he stalked away. 

“You’ve gotta stop taunting him like that.” I said. 

“That’s just half the fun of working here.” 

“Well, I’m gonna get table ten a pitcher of beer, and you can deal with Mrs Newman.” 

Violet pulled a face. “What? No, I don’t want to deal with Mrs Newman, she has garlic and fish breath.” 

“Don’t stand so close to her then.” 

“Alright, then you deal with Mrs Newman.” 

“No, I dealt with her last time, it’s your turn,” I said, and added, “plus it’s not just garlic and fish breath, it’s also pickles.” 

Violet whined, just then in the distance, the sound of the door opened as it triggered the bell that hung above it. 

“Okay, look, you deal with Mrs Newman, and I’ll take care of table ten and show this new customer,” I explained, “and then we’ll sneak out for a cigarette break.” I finished off. 

Immediately, I watched as a smile flashed across Violet’s face. “Fine, deal.” 

I poured a pitcher of beer, as I headed straight towards table ten and set it down, before I crossed the floor and greeted the customer. “Sorry about the wait, sir.” I said. 

“It’s quite alright.” He said. 

My gaze drifted over him, and suddenly I was somehow taken aback. His stare met with mine and I stared deep into his dark chocolate brown eyes. Lines had begun to form beneath his eyes, and across his face. Gray and white hair had also seeped into his beard. He wore a faded Led Zeppelin T-shirt, with a leather jacket over it, paired with blue jeans and heavy duty boots. Across his forehead, was a dark blue bandana tied around. 

“Are you alright, miss?” He asked, suddenly I was pulled back into reality as I realized I had remained silent this whole time. 

“I’m sorry,” I said and shook my head, “please, follow me.” I instructed as I spun on my heels, as he followed me. I stepped aside and gestured to the table in the far back. 

He stood as his gaze drifted over the table and then to me. “I don’t mean to be a bother, but if it’s alright to take the booth in the corner. I just prefer some privacy.” 

“Oh, of course.” I said, as I gestured towards the booth which was only several steps away, as he slipped into the booth and shifted in his position. “I’ll get you a menu.” 

“Hmm, that’s quite alright. I’ll just take a Heineken.” 

“Actually, sorry we don’t have those- we’ve only got on tap.” 

“Alright, I’ll just take a pint of whatever you’ve got.” 

“Sure.” I said, as I stalked over towards the bar. My heartbeat pounded against my chest. He certainly was not the type of man I had usually gone for, not just because he appeared to be at least twice my age. But I couldn’t deny that there was a certain charisma and mystery to him, which left me wanting to return to him. 

After I had poured his beer, I placed it onto a tray and stalked back towards him, as I set it down. His hand reached for the glass, as our fingers caressed and I felt a jolt pulse through me. He stared up at me through his eyelashes and smiled.

“Thanks, doll.” He said, as I immediately felt my cheeks flush. 

“Enjoy.” I said awkwardly, as I turned away and prodded towards the counter. 

Moments later, Violet returned and slapped me across the arm. “What the hell?” I said. 

“You said we were gonna have a cigarette break,” she hissed, “I stood out back for like ten minutes, and then Ricky saw me and would not shut the fuck up.” 

“I’m sorry, I was dealing with that guy-” I said, and added, “say, do you know who he is? I’ve never seen him before.” 

“Who?” Violet asked, as I subtly pointed over towards the man’s direction. Violet’s eyes narrowed as she cocked her head to the side. “You don’t know who that is?” She asked me in disbelief. 

“Should I know?” 

“That’s Rex Brown, the bassist who was in Pantera and is now in Down.” 

“Who? What bands?” 

Dawn’s eyes widened. “You don’t know who Pantera and Down are?” 

“No.” I said. 

“Jeez, what do you listen to?” 

“I grew up with stuff like My Chemical Romance.” 

Violet pulled a face. “Oh my god, seriously, do not let my mom know- she’ll murder your ass.”

“Alright, so he’s a musician.” I said nonchalantly, “so what?”

“He’s big,” Violet commented, “he used to live here, my mom actually hung out with him and the band during the ‘80s, but I guess he relocated over the years, and now maybe he’s back.” 

“Your mom used to hang out with the band?” I asked, as my eyes narrowed. 

“Well, she wasn’t a groupie or anything!” Violet shot back, and added, “actually I think she may have slept with the guitar player.” 

I shook my head. “Okay, I don’t wanna hear this.” 

“Why do you wanna know?” 

I shrugged. “No reason. Just curious, that’s all.” 

“Uh huh.” Violet said, as her brows furrowed. 

I cleared my throat, as I grabbed a tray and stepped around Violet. “Anyway, I’m going to clear table eight.” I announced as I stomped away from her. 

As I carefully stacked the dirty plates and cups onto my tray, I felt a presence hover by my shoulder. From my peripheral vision, I managed to make out a figure towering over me. 

“Can I help you?” I asked, as I turned my attention to a middle aged man, with a plump figure and a bushy beard. He held a glass in his hand which was half filled with beer. 

“Hey there,” he said, his words slurred. 

“Hi.” I said skeptically. 

“Can I buy you a drink?” 

“I’m working, so no thank you.” 

“What time do you get off your shift?” 

I edged away from him, feelings of fear had begun to possess me. “Hmm, I’m really busy now.” 

“Come on,” he said as he stepped forward and was about to reach for me, and I flinched. 

All of a sudden, I watched as another figure emerged as he shoved the drunken guy away, causing him to stumble backwards. A slosh of his beer spilled over his hand and droplets fell to the ground. 

“She’s not interested, asshole.” The voice bellowed. 

I peered up and watched as Rex stood in front of me, shielding me against the man. 

“I was just trying to talk to the lady.” The man commented. 

Rex closed the gap between them. “And now you have, so get lost.” He threatened in a stern voice. 

My gaze jumped between the man and Rex, as I noticed Rex’s hands and curled into fists. His jaw clenched, as he continued to stare down at the man, before he stalked away. 

Suddenly, I released the breath I hadn’t realized I had held, as Rex spun around. “Are you okay?” He asked, his voice softened. 

I nodded. “Thank you,” I sighed, “just another drunken asshole.” 

He cocked his head to the side. “What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?” 

I scoffed. “What makes you think that I’m nice?” 

He smirked. 

My heartbeat pounded against my chest, as I felt the hold of his stare. I cleared my throat, “so, can I get you anything else?” I immediately interjected, trying to change the subject. 

“No, actually I’m just gonna pay for the drink and head out.” 

“Oh, it’s on me… as a thank you.” 

“That’s quite alright- I was just doing what I’m supposed to.” He said, as he reached into his back pocket and drew out his wallet. 

“No, I insist.” I ordered as I placed my hand over his. 

Our gazes locked and he nodded. “Well, thank you.” 

Suddenly, I flinched as I realized my hand was still upon Rex’s. A wave of sadness brushed over me, as I watched him walk away, knowing that I’d never see him again. 

—-------------------------

The following day, I found myself hunched on the couch with my laptop resting on my lap. My brief encounter with Rex yesterday had left me with a hollow pit that had formed inside of me. The image of his face constantly flashed across my mind, the stare of his eyes and the feel of his skin beneath mine. 

It had caused me to swallow my temptation as I searched his name on the Internet, after watching a couple of his interviews and finding a photograph of him during the ‘80s, where he posed shirtless, his long beautiful locks draped across his chest, as he wore leather gloves, a cigarette dangling between his fingers and a bottle of Wild Turkey in his other. 

I had lost track of the amount of time I had spent staring at the image, which the picture itself had definitely caused a tingling sensation between my legs. I shut the laptop and cast it aside, feeling as if I had violated and broken some trust by creeping up on him. 

I pushed myself onto standing as I straightened and stretched out my body. My gaze drifted over towards the clock which sat on the mantelpiece and I frowned, realizing that I had already wasted most of the morning. This certainly wasn’t how I wanted to spend my day off. 

Immediately, I found myself stalking out of the living room as I crossed the hallway and descended downstairs towards the basement where I had taken up residence there since my move back in town. 

The sliver of sunlight seeped in through the window, which illuminated a faint patch of the basement. Cardboard boxes were scattered across it, and I still had trouble unpacking everything. Meanwhile, my temporary airbed sat in the middle of the room. It was a depressing sight, although it was better for me to stay in the basement then back in my childhood bedroom upstairs with my parents, although that wasn’t even possible as my mom had it converted into a tanning salon, the moment I had moved out for college several years ago. Something, I could never understand, after all, we lived in fucking Texas. 

I reached towards my messenger bag as I drew out my phone, and groaned as Violet still hadn’t responded to my text. 

I pressed her number and dialed it as I placed the phone beside my ear. After several rings, it automatically went to voicemail, which I then tried calling her home phone. 

Several seconds later, a voice responded. “Hello.” 

“Hi, is Violet there?” I asked, as I uttered my name. 

“I’m sorry honey, this is her mom. Violet’s still out,” Violet’s mom said. 

“Oh, hey Mrs-”

“God, honey,” Violet’s mom interrupted, “there’s no need for that. Just call me Scarlet, dear.” She said, and chuckled. 

“I’m sorry, old habits.” I said and released a nervous laugh. “Could you let her know I called.”

“Of course, sweetie.”

“Thank you.” I responded, as I ended the call, and sighed. 

I stood in the center of the basement and pouted. Boredom was sinking in, as I decided to change into my black bikini and lay in the sun. Once I had gotten dressed, I dug around trying to find my sunglasses, and only managed to find a pair of red heart shaped glasses when I had gotten them at a cheap bodega during college. I shrugged as I slipped them onto my head, and stalked back upstairs to the house, as I made my way to the front lawn. 

The moment I stepped outside, I felt the sun graze my skin and the grass beneath me tickled my feet. I propped myself down onto the lounge chair that had not moved at all since I first moved into this house, and straightened my legs. 

My body relaxed as I raised my arms above my head and closed my eyes. Time had slipped past me and I wasn’t sure how long I had laid out there. In the distance, I heard the sound of a loud thump, which was enough to pull me back into reality. 

I cocked my head to the side, and noticed several moving vans had parked in the driveway to the house next to mine. It was then that I realized the huge red sign that read ‘Sold’.

I watched as a couple of burly guys began unloading the van, which seemed to mainly consist of musical instruments, preferably bass guitars and amplifiers. 

Just then, a black Mercedes pulled up. Once my vision had fixated on the man that emerged from the vehicle, the man’s gaze turned and locked with mine, which I immediately gasped. 

He cocked his head to the side as he began to walk towards my direction. Suddenly, I felt very exposed, realizing that my bikini hardly covered anything on my body. I shifted in my position, as he stood before me. 

“Hey.” He said, as a smile flashed across his face. “You're the girl from the bar?” 

“Yep.” Was all I managed to say, as I was still in complete disbelief at the reality that was about to unfold before me. 

“I don’t think I ever introduced myself. I’m Rex Brown, and I guess I’m gonna be your new neighbor.” He said. 

[biggest-stupidhead]

Turning Point (Levi x reader)

Summary: After graduating college, you are presented with the opportunity of becoming a “counselor” at a small rehab facility located in the vast Montana wilderness. You didn’t know much about it, just that it was for troubled teens, ran by a privately funded staff. You are eager to meet the “campers” and your fellow counselors, but you know that it won’t be easy. You’ll have to build a strong relationship with both your coworkers and the campers, who aren’t exactly happy to be there.

Warnings: vomiting, lice, rehabilitation mentions, allusions to ED, mentally ill teens.

Word Count: 6.2K

You hadn’t slept much at all that night. Connie had been hunched over the toilet into the early hours before he finally exhausted himself. Levi had scooped him up and laid him on the cot, covering him up with the blanket. You had barely contained your laughter as you watched him haphazardly throw the blanket over the boy.

“Get some sleep. Breakfast is in three hours.” He said as the two of you crept up the stairs.

“Okay...Hange never told me the position that I was going to be working in here….do you have any-”

“See Erwin sometime tomorrow, he’ll pick out a job for you.” Levi cut you off before you could finish your sentence and you couldn’t help the slight tinge of annoyance.

“Got it.” You mumbled and turned on your heel to head back towards your room. But the sound of a choked sob coming from upstairs made you pause. Levi noticed and rolled his eyes, pushing past you he took the stairs two at a time.

“I’ve got it.” He said and you wished that you knew more. Had more experience, but that was what you were doing here after all, learning. You heard the crying cease and the sound of the bed creaking as he settled into it. You were surprised he was so diligent with the teens. It was admirable, especially given how crass he came across. You felt torn between going upstairs to be of use and the idea of the bed waiting for you just across the hall. It had already been such a long night and you knew that it was only going to be more taxing as the days wore on. Besides what could you do? You had little to no training in this field, and you had barely been of use with Connie, supposedly the easiest kid.

After a moment of hesitation, you turned and fled to your room. With the door shut behind you, the sobs were almost muted. Almost. You leaned heavily against the door, the weight of the day really crashing down onto your chest. You had known that it would be difficult, but it was so much more intense than you had imagined. Admittedly, you had very little experience with troubled kids, having grown up in a small town where mental health was hardly ever mentioned. You began to doubt your choice, how could you make a difference here? You sighed and stalked across your room, not even bothering to change out of your clothes before you fell onto the bed and buried your face into the pillow. All you could do was take it by the day, and soak up as much knowledge that the staff could give you. Your eyelids drooped and you stared at the window, which had a thin layer of mesh between the glass and the screen, much like the other windows in the house. The countryside was already bathed in a pale light, the sun just rising from the east, it coated the trees and fell effortlessly onto the dewy grass. You couldn’t help but feel at peace, even if it was just the calm before the storm. With that thought you closed your eyes and let sleep take over your body. ___

You woke up to the strong aroma of bacon and what you assumed was eggs. The sounds of dishes clattering and the wooden floors creaking as people shuffled through the kitchen. You rolled out of bed and wiped some drool from the corner of your lips. One glance at your watch told you that it was already six in the morning. So you quickly got dressed in a pair of worn jeans and an old shirt that you’d thrifted, like most of your clothes. You didn’t check which you had put on, too drowsy from the few short hours of sleep you’d managed to steal. As you fastened your belt around your waist, you wandered out into the dining room, where the same thin brunette was setting silverware down. She turned and surprisingly beamed at you. You blinked at her in shock but managed to smile authentically back at her, seeing as she was the only kid that had smiled at you besides Connie.

“Good morning sleepy head!” Her voice was bright and bubbly despite the shake of her hands with the small effort of holding the bundle of sporks.

“Good morning.” You pulled your messy hair off of your face as you turned your sights to the kitchen, where Hange was leaning on the counter with a steaming mug in her grasp. The blonde chef was lining an array of plates out on the counter, each with a perfectly prepared piece of french toast and an array of fruits as well as bacon.

“Ah beautiful morning isn’t it?” Hange said with a bright smile, Niccolo scoffed and slid another plate onto the counter.

“Coffee?” A woman with short blonde hair and a thin frame asked as she reached up into one of the cupboards for another mug. You nodded and came to stand next to Hange.

“This is Nanaba, Nanaba this is the newbie, (Y/n)” Hange introduced you and you waved with a friendly smile at the woman who beamed back. She passed you the warm mug and you leaned up against the counter next to her.

“Nanaba is the teacher around here, can’t let these kids run around uneducated!” Hange babbled as Nanaba rolled her blue eyes.

“That’s so cool!” You said as you lifted the cup to your lips. Hange hummed and turned to look back at the stairs, the sound of them creaking alerted you of someone descending them. A girl with short, choppy hair rounded the corner, a red scarf wrapped around her neck. She wore a black Slash band tee and a pair of distressed Levi jeans. Her eyes were lined with black makeup and her face was pale, with round grey eyes. But what really caught your attention was the thin scar that was peeking out from behind her bangs.

“Good morning Mikasa, how’d you sleep?” Hange greeted as she pulled a plate out and passed it to the gloomy girl who shrugged.

“Would’ve been better if Annie hadn’t been screaming.” Mikasa huffed as she turned to take her place at the table. The brunette girl set her sporks aside to greet Mikasa, throwing her arms over her shoulders and pressing her face nuzzling into Mikasa’s cheek.

“Want something to drink Mika?” The brunette asked and Mikasa turned to glare pointedly at Hange.

“Coffee would be fantastic.” She deadpanned and Hange wagged a finger in her direction.

“Your coffee privileges have been revoked, you can thank Zeke for that one!” She tutted and Mikasa turned to cross her arms over her chest. You smiled tensely as you watched the brunette flaunt into the kitchen, leaving Mikasa to finish setting out the sporks.

“Sasha dear, could you pour the orange juice?” Hange asked and the brunette nodded, reaching into the large stainless steel fridge and pulling out a glass jar of orange juice. Sasha began pouring out equal servings of juice and lining them up with the plates on the counter, although it was slow work, seeing how shaky her hands were. The stairs creaked under the weight of another person and you turned, eager to meet the next kid. Nifa rounded the corner first, holding her hand out for the tall girl, but she breezed past her with her chin held high. Nifa was unphased, however, tailing the girl from a safe distance. The girl dropped into one of the seats closest to the door, her eyes shifting uneasily across the room.

“Good morning Addy, how was your sleep?” Hange asked conversationally, Mikasa placed a fork by the girl and she flinched at the motion. Mikasa paused and looked to Hange, as if waiting to be scolded, but it never came. The girl looked away from Hange, her long bangs falling over steel grey eyes.

“That’s alright, the first nights are usually the roughest.” Hange shrugged off the rejection with ease as she picked up a plate and handed it to Nifa, who then placed the plate in front of Addy.

“Do I need to do anything to help?” You asked, placing your cup aside, eager to be of service.

“Nah, we like to let the kids do the work in the kitchen,” Hange explained as she grabbed two glasses of juice and handed them to Mikasa who was waiting for them.

“Oh, I see.” You said as you watched Mikasa place the juice next to her plate as well as another plate next to her before coming back for more. You had been so busy watching Mikasa, you hadn’t noticed the stairs creaking as two boys rounded the corner, one with sandy blonde hair and the other with a chocolatey mop of hair. The two walked right up to the counter and snatched their plates, the brunette dropped into the seat on Mikasa’s left, the girl turned and her face opened up at the sight of him. You raised a brow as you watched her pat him down as if she was making sure he was really there.

“Hands off Mikasa.” The boy grumbled, shrugging her off, her face fell but she rallied, pulling her skirt over her mouth and facing forwards.

“You can hang on me Mikasa.” The other boy said, sitting opposite of the pair, pushing his food around with his spork. Mikasa’s face screwed up into one of disgust before she reached for her juice and took a small sip.

“Shut up Jean.” The brunette sneered, jade green eyes narrowing at the other boy.

“Well its obvious that you don’t want her fawning over you!” The boy threw his hands up in frustration and Hange clicked her tongue as they continued to bicker.

“These two never quit.” She said with a wry smile as she jabbed a thumb in their direction.

“-well she obviously doesn’t want to fawn over you either!” the brunette snapped, standing abruptly and slamming his palms flat against the table. Mikasa reached out and gripped the sleeve of his flannel and he almost immediately desisted, sinking back into his seat and crossing his arms.

“Do your cookie breathing Eren.” A meek voice called from around the corner, a small-framed blonde wandered into the dining room, his hands fiddling with the buttons on his own flannel. Eren sucked in a deep breath through his nose before, his shoulders tense. After three seconds he exhaled slowly out his mouth, the tension visibly leaving his body. Mikasa nodded her approval as the blonde grabbed his plate and sat down calmly next to Jean. After sitting down he tapped his finger three times against the tabletop.

“Morning.” Jean greeted, hazel eyes on the small blonde who nodded, although he seemed a bit absent-minded.

“Armin, how was your night?” Hange greeted as she brought him and Jean a glass of orange juice. The boy shrugged and tapped his finger three more times on the tabletop.

“Fine….but Annie seemed….agitated.” He turned and looked up at Hange with a worried expression. Hange frowned and patted his back before stepping away, absently ruffling Jean’s shaggy hair. Jean grunted and shook his hair back into place.

“So I’ve heard,” Hange mumbled as she brought her mug up to her lips. As if on cue, another girl rounded the corner, two others close on her heels. The girl in front was short and blonde, with distant blue eyes, directly behind her was a lanky brunette with freckles splashed across the apples of her cheeks and a wolfish grin on her lips. Rounding out the group was another blonde, her hair was pulled back into a loose bun, unlike the first girl, her eyes seemed to catch every movement. As Nanaba shut a cabinet she whipped her head to take in the cause of the sudden noise, once she deemed it nonthreatening she relaxed slightly.

“Historia, Ymir, and Annie.” Nanaba said as she set another empty mug out on the counter. You hummed and watched the trio take their seats.

“Won’t be long until-” Before she could finish her sentence, two more boys padded into the dining room, a broad blonde and a lanky boy with dark hair. The two sat next to Annie, who blew her bangs out of her face and tried to ignore them as they both took their seats. The large blonde boy accidentally elbowed Annie, who turned and slapped his bicep, hard. You winced and looked to Hange, unsure of how she would respond to the girl lashing out.

“Annie, what have we talked about?” Hange asked with a stern look. The girl rolled her eyes and crossed her arms like a toddler. The table fell silent as they waited for her to respond, but the girl seemed set on keeping her silence.

“Annie….” Nanaba placed her hands on her slim waist and arched a brow. Even Niccolo paused his work in the kitchen, making the room fall unusually quiet.

“...Keep your hands to yourself.” She grumbled and shot an icy glare to the blonde who shrugged and turned to talk to the lanky boy on his left.

“Very good, thank you, Annie.” Hange praised before picking up some plates for the boys. You let out a slow breath, feeling the atmosphere return to the significantly lighter tone it had been previously. You tapped your foot anxiously on the black and white tile floors, the table was nearly full, save for two seats that were set but had no occupants. The sound of someone stumbling down the stairs made you perk up. The other kids seemed uninterested, except for Addy, who lifted her head and pushed her bangs out of her eyes.

Her sister was breathing laboriously as Moblit guided her to the seat next to Addy, who much like Mikasa had, began patting her sister and pushing her matted choppy hair off of her face. The girl groaned but leaned into her sister’s touch, the table once again fell mostly silent as the other teens checked out the fresh meat. You watched as Moblit and Nifa began pouring meds into tiny plastic cups, murmuring softly about what meds they were lacking.

“-Zeke should be here any minute, Erwin is waiting for him outside at the gate,” Moblit muttered as he shook the last two pills out of a large bottle. Nifa nodded and looked up at the teens, Armin was scratching his chin, which was blossoming red, Eren was still glaring daggers at Jean, who was scratching at a dent in the table. You looked to Hange once more, to see her jotting something down on a small notepad before shoving it deep into her pocket.

“What’s on the docket for today?” You asked and Hange hummed as she bit into a crisp apple.

“You’ll be with me today, but at some point we’ll need to stop by Erwin’s office to discuss a long term position for you.” She said, reaching into the fruit basket on the counter and tossing you an orange. You jabbed your nail into the top of it and began absently peeling the fruit, keeping a wary eye on the antsy teens.

“Do we need to wait for Connie? We all know he’s probably puking his guts out still.” The brawny blonde scoffed as he pushed his bacon aside. His comment earned an amused huff from Eren and a low growl from Jean.

“Shut up Reiner.” Jean snarled, and for a brief moment you admired his loyalty to Connie, but that was short-lived when the sound of someone stumbling against the doorframe made all the heads turn towards the entrance.

“Speak of the devil.” Ymir chuckled darkly, Connie was propped up against the doorframe with a weak smile on his lips and Levi’s jean jacket slung over his shoulders loosely.

“Nice fade.” Sasha chirped and Connie winked at her. You slowly stood up straighter, waiting to see what Hange would do, but she seemed content to let the scene play out.

“Thanks-” Connie lurched, cheeks puffing out and all the teens winced, waiting for him to hurl all over the dining room floor. Niccolo grabbed a towel and wiped his hands off, stepping out of the kitchen to see what the commotion was.

“Levi gave it to me. But I think that some of the lice-” He paused again, eyes widening and then he sprinted, straight into the kitchen, hands catching the counter and head disappearing into the sink followed by the sound of dry heaving. A bark of laughter made you look back at the table, where Ymir was holding onto Historia’s shoulder as she laughed at Connie’s expense.

“That’s rich! Just what I needed to start my day!” She literally slapped her knee and reclined back into her seat as Connie staggered back into the dining room.

“Want some crackers Connie?” Sasha offered, tuning out Ymir who was still cackling.

“Uh no. I want my hair back.” He glared at Ymir who howled with laughter, slapping Annie on the back, the blonde bristled but seemed to remember what had come of her hitting Reiner. So she crossed her arms, fists balled tightly before closing her eyes and breathing deeply.

“Ymir...settle down it’s not that funny.” The lanky boy said a bit quietly, the brunette turned and glared coldly at him.

“Or what beanstalk?” She smirked when the boy visibly clammed up, a bead of sweat rolling off of his temple, he opened his mouth before promptly closing it.

“That’s what I thought.” She huffed and turned to drape an arm confidently across the back of Historia’s chair. Connie leaned against the counter near Hange, looking up at her with puppy eyes and Hange reached out to place a hand affectionately on his shaved head.

“Can I get that hug now?” He asked, making grabby hands at her and she scoffed, withdrawing her hand.

“Not here Connie, go take a seat.” She shoved him towards the table, but then her face screwed into one of concern.

“Wait, what are you doing out of detox, you were supposed to be down there this morning too. Did someone let you out?” You saw her eyes shift in your direction momentarily and it felt like a boulder had settled in your gut.

“Oh yeah, Levi left the door cracked after he gave me his jacket,” Connie said as he dropped into the seat next to Sasha.

“Really.” Hange crossed her arms and Connie nodded, pulling Levi’s jean jacket closer. Hange sighed and waved her hand dismissively.

“Moblit, you and Nifa supervise while I take (Y/n) out to meet the truck,” Hange ordered as she marched towards the door. You scrambled to follow her, Connie perked up when he noticed you and you gave him a small smile.

“See you babe!” Connie called after you before the screen door slammed shut. You jogged after Hange as she stalked across the meadow. Sure enough, the sound of a truck rolling up the drive caught your attention, a few moments passed before an ancient truck breached the trees. In the driver’s seat was a shaggy blonde man with round glasses. He parked in front of you and leaned across the car to push the passenger seat open.

“Hop in.” He said simply and Hange motioned for you to go first. You smiled awkwardly as you settled on the bench, thigh pressing against the strangers.

“Hello, I’m Dr.Jaeger, Zeke Jaeger.” He offered you his hand and you shook it firmly. Once Hange slammed the door shut, he pulled the gear into drive and the truck rattled up the drive, pulling into the small paved space behind the pole barn.

“Let’s get these meds in the storage room shall we?” Zeke said as he pulled the keys from the ignition and shoved them deep into his worn jean pockets. The three of you gathered at the bed of the truck, Zeke popped it open and leaned into the bed, pulling out a box and passing it to your waiting arms. It was heavier than expected and you let out an involuntary huff of air as you adjusted to the weight.

“Got it?” Zeke chuckled and you smiled tensely before nodding.

“In through that back door and to the right.” Hange directed and you took off towards the barn. Shortly after you had found the door, Hange arrived with two boxes, she jutted her hip out, and you fumbled to find the right key on her ring. Once the door was open you were greeted with the sight of shelves filled with old flat balls, dusty file cabinets, and some collapsed boxes. You added the new boxes to the shelves, Hange reached into her pocket and tossed you a pocket knife, you cut into the box and found it to be full of pill bottles.

“Ha, I feel like I’m dealing drugs.” You almost immediately regretted the comment, but to your relief Hange chuckled and nodded, clapping her hands, signaling for you to throw the knife.

“It can be surprising, but it takes a lot to keep this place running.” Hange agreed as Zeke stumbled in with the last three boxes, you took the top one off of the stack and placed it next to the others.

“Sure does.” Zeke agreed as he set the other boxes aside as well.

“How long can you hang around?” Hange asked, brushing her hands off on her jeans.

“Couple of hours,” Zeke said with a sigh as he reached up to stroke his beard.

“Great, we got two girls who need to get checked out. They are pretty rough on the edges.” Hange warned and you frowned, thinking back on how torn up the girls looked.

“Sure thing, let’s get right on that shall we?” Zeke turned and walked out of the room, clearly, he knew where he was going. Hange matched his pace, you followed closely behind as she told the man about the girls. He listened to her intently, taking in every word.

“Is Erwin here?” He asked looking around the large field as they got to the steps of the large home. You could hear the kids making conversation with one another as they were guided into another area.

“He said he was going to the gate to meet you,” Hange said, her eyes also drifting to the large gate which was still opened.

“He’s probably still in his office. Have you briefed him?” The man asked, light reflecting off of his lenses as he looked down at Hange.

“Yes.” She said, her voice calm as she spoke as if remembering something. You felt lost as they talked like you should have been somewhere else.

“Okay then, we should separate them, I want to talk with Alice first.” The man said, Hange nodded before looking back at the gate which still hung open revealing the large dirt road that you had ridden in on the day prior.

“Okay, I’ll get Mike to close it, then (Y/N) can help us with the girls.” She said, pulling out a small walkie-talkie and speaking into it, you could hear Mike's voice on the other side. Soon you saw him walk Leisurely out of the large pole barn and shut the gate. Zeke examined you, almost as if he was trying to figure something out, all you could think to do was give him a small smile, which made him shift his gaze back to the brunette.

“We should go now, they just finished breakfast so they’ll be going to the barn for rec time and group.” Hange said looking between you both. Zeke nodded and led you into the home which was now quieter than before, the only voices heard were two hushed boys in the kitchen, though you couldn’t see them you had a suspicion it was the small blonde and Mikasa. The two girls were still sitting at the table, the taller one was watching as Alice took small bites of her breakfast, it looked to be a taxing task for her.

“Hello, girls,” Zeke said, his tone soft as he pulled up one of the small stools that stood at the mismatched table and brought it close to the teens. The taller one practically jumped in her skin when he got close, placing a protective arm over her sister. While she looked at the man, her body looked so small as she met his eyes with a still expression. You had now noticed the two nurses from before, both standing at the ends of the stairs. Zeke was met with cold stares from Addy, he seemed used to it.

“How are you two managing? I know adjustments like this can be hard.” He said his expression kind as he spoke to them.

“The moon,” Alice said softly, her voice partially gone from the screaming she had done the night before.

“What about it?” Zeke asked, seeming to take note of what she had said, it was the first words she had spoken since she had got here. You could tell Hange got excited, her glasses glinting in the morning light. Alice looked as if she was about to speak more but Addy opened her mouth before her sister could.

“She’s always liked to see it, it calms her. She can’t look at it through the barred window in the attic.” She said, looking directly at Zeke, almost as if it was a demand he had to meet.

“What do you like about the moon?” He asked the girl, who seemed to open up at this question, turning her body towards Zeke so she could talk.

“No matter the date it always has a precise agenda, you know where it’s going to be every night, you know how it’s going to look. And even if you can’t see it through the dark clouds, you can always see the light. You always know it’s there.” She said, her voice light as she spoke about it, Zeke nodded intently as she opened up to him. You noticed that the sleeves of the long sweater she wore were frayed as if she had bitten at it. Addy watched the two, anger building up inside her as her sister began to converse with this strange man.

“Would you like to come to my office with me and tell me more about it?” Zeke asked, that same soft smile from the car appearing on his lips as he asked her the question. The girl nodded, looking more innocent than any kid here did. Holding a look in her eye that you couldn’t shake, pure joy.

“We don’t go anywhere without each other.” Addy hissed, her eyes widening as she held her sister back.

“We have something else planned for you, you’re going to go hang out with the others for a while and get your chore list,” Hange said, chiming in before the girl could get too aggravated.

“I’ll be fine,” Alice said, looking up to her sister who started to stand from the large table.

“I promise I won’t keep her long,” Zeke said, giving Addy the same smile he had given her sister. Hesitantly she removed her hand from her sister and watched as the two nurses led the small girl out of the room, each letting her stabilize herself on their arms. Zeke followed behind them as he told her what they would be doing.

“Ready kiddo?” Hange asked the girl, whose eyes lingered on the doorway where her sister once stood.

“That’s a stupid fucking shirt.” Addy spat, her eyes now fixated on the colorful t-shirt that you had been too busy to look at this morning. You looked down to see the black letters on your shirt that read “ smile while you still have teeth.” A wave of embarrassment flew over you, you crossed your arms over your chest as Hange tried not to chuckle at the phrase which she had also just seemed to notice now.

“What?” You asked, actually finding the wording clever when you purchased it at the old thrift store by your parents' house, it brought back memories you didn’t even know you had.

“It's pretty bad.” Hange laughed, before walking over to Addy who had a smile hanging loosely from her lips.

“I thought it was funny.” You said, clearly hurt by the words that had just been exchanged. Addy scoffed and pushed past you and marched towards the main hall, Hange turned and beckoned Armin and Mikasa to follow. The odd group stood on the porch for a moment as Hange addressed her staticky radio. Armin was looking at you with wide, curious eyes and you gave him a friendly smile in return.

“Hey.” You greeted and he smiled at you widely.

“Hello.” Mikasa watched the exchange with careful eyes, clearly ensuring that Armin was handling the situation well.

“My name is (Y/n).” You introduced yourself and Armin nodded and extended a hand to shake.

“Armin, and this is Mikasa.” He gestured to the girl and her chin lifted at the mention of her name. You nodded and shook his hand firmly.

“I’m excited to be here with you.” You said and he shrugged.

“First time?” He asked, making you recall the way Connie had introduced himself to you.

“Yeah, that easy to spot?” You chuckled and he shrugged indifferently.

“Well, when you’ve been coming here as long as we have….new staff members aren’t that common.” He explained and you felt dread drop into your chest. This facility was practically year-round, it amazed you with how many kids were spending their teenage years here.

“Ah, that makes sense.” You weren’t sure how to appropriately reply to that, but Armin seemed to think it was funny, he giggled and folded his arms over his chest.

“Alrighty kids, they’re just waiting on us!” Hange exclaimed and the lot of you all crossed the lawn and entered the pole barn. Now the main floor was filled with metal folding chairs. All of the kids were gathered in a circle, Levi was bouncing a dodge ball absently in the center of the circle, the ball was the only sound in the room. The three kids that you and Hange had escorted took the open seats and Hange and you stood back as Levi continued to bounce the ball. Once the three were settled he caught the ball and raised a brow.

“So...who’s going first today?” He barely got the words out before Connie’s hand shot up at full force, his chair screeching against the concrete as he planted his feet into the ground, propelling him backward. Levi tossed the ball and Connie caught it with his raised hand, bringing it to hug against his chest as he grinned at the teens.

“My name is Connie, and I’m 16 years old. I’m bald now because I had lice, I also have crippling anxiety and a history of drug abuse.” He nodded, pleased with his share and looked to Levi for his reaction. When Levi motioned for him to keep going, he inhaled and looked up thoughtfully.

“This is my third year here at Turning Point. Uh I keep coming back because the ladies here are fine as-”

“Connie” Levi scolded, eyes narrowing and lips pressed into a firm line. Connie’s shoulders dropped and his eyebrows cinched together, the happy facade falling for a brief moment.

“In case you haven’t noticed yet...I cope using humor, as Zeke tells me anyway.” Connie’s eyes drifted to Levi, looking for his approval, Levi nodded and Connie lit up once more.

“That’s enough.” Levi grunted and Connie surveyed the group before winding his arm up and tossing the ball to Eren who caught it with ease and tapped his hand against it once before opening his mouth to speak.

“I’m Eren, I guess I have anger issues and anxiety. The only reason I’m here is because it was either this or juvy, so it was a lose-lose situation.” Eren looked over to the side, losing his focus for a moment, his expression detached. He looked to Levi who motioned him to speak more, he obliged with a slight shrug of his shoulders.

“I guess I’ve always been angry, gotten into a lot of fights, got kicked out of my home, got kicked out of school. I haven’t gotten lice though which is a step up from Connie.” The boy gave Connie a fake smile, which made Connie itch his head while glaring at the dark-haired boy. Ymir scoffed and Levi shot her a glare.

“Okay Eren, pick someone to go next.” Levi cut into the boys, visibly annoyed with how immature they were acting. You had to hold in a laugh as Connie stuck his tongue out at the angered man who didn’t respond to the action. Eren handed the ball to Mikasa who in turn chucked the ball across the room, the ball smacking loudly against Jean’s head.

“Why me!?” Jean yelled, rubbing his cheek dejectedly, the ball rolling to a stop at Levi’s ankles. He sighed and picked the small dodge ball up and tossed it gently back to Mikasa. The girl scoffed and squeezed the ball, knuckles turning white. She shot a pointed glare at Levi before she spoke.

“My name is Mikasa, I’m 16 years old and this time the court ordered me to be here, but in the past, I’ve been admitted here for my depression….” Her eyes shifted to Levi and he gave her a curt nod and she tossed the ball in Ymir’s direction. The brunette smirked and hit her palm against the rubber ball with a loud smack. Several kids jumped at the sound, but the most noticeable was Historia, who was seated to her left.

“The name’s Ymir, and the only reason I’m here is cause some jackass messed with me and I lit his car on fire-” You had been so invested in the sharing time, that you didn’t notice the man approaching you from behind. A strong hand landed on your shoulder and broke your concentration.

“Sorry for the wait. Welcome to Turning Point (Y/n), my name is Erwin Smith, I’m the director here.” You turned and craned your neck upwards to meet his shockingly blue eyes.

“Nice to meet you, sir.” He chuckled and shook your hand firmly.

“There’s no need for such formalities.” He said quietly as he broke the intense eye contact to look at the group. You were surprised to see Levi looking at the two of you, but once your eyes met his, he returned his gaze back to Reiner, who currently held the ball.

“Let’s take this conversation into my office.” He suggested, eyes still on Levi as he spoke. You nodded and Erwin’s hand returned to your shoulder, guiding you around the perimeter of the barn towards one of the few back rooms. Hange tailed behind you, her arms linked behind her back as she walked. Erwin opened the door for you, motioning you in before him. The space was surprisingly minimalistic and modern. There was an array of photos decorating the wall, one in particular that caught your eye was a photo of Erwin and Hange on a beach, Erwin’s arm looped around her waist. Erwin sat behind his desk and Hange leaned up against the door casually. You slowly sank into the seat across from Erwin and straightened up your posture as Erwin opened his laptop and began to scroll through it.

“As I understand you graduated with a major in psychology and a minor in sociology, very impressive.” He mused as he took his eyes off of the screen to meet yours once more.

“Yes that’s correct.” You clarified, crossing your legs.

“Excellent, well seeing that you have no prior experience in facilities like ours, I believe that the best option for you here is to shadow one of our more experienced members.” Erwin seemed to almost be speaking to himself, not really seeking your opinion on the matter.

“Hange, do you have any recommendations?” Erwin asked, eyes on his screen once more as his fingers flew across the keyboard.

“I would volunteer but I took the last one and we all remember how that worked out…” Hange scratched the back of her neck awkwardly and Erwin let out a low chuckle as he nodded in agreement.

“Levi it is then.” He made some final notes before closing his laptop and linking his fingers together and resting his chin on them.

“Any objections?” He asked, you shook your head and he flashed you a bright smile.

“Excellent. It’s settled, from now on you’ll work with him on all his usual assignments.” Erwin said, standing up from his desk and you did the same.

“This’ll be rich.” Hange snickered and Erwin shot her a stern look.

“You’ll get along just fine,” Erwin assured you and you felt an uneasy feeling settle over you. Hange laughed once more and strode over to you, draping an arm over your shoulders and pressing her cheek against yours.

“Who knows, maybe you two will hit it off!” She teased and even Erwin cracked an amused smirk at that.

[yamithediaperdork]

Video made Kimmie a baby star

When Kim had begged, pleaded and outright whined for Wade to reverse engineer Draken's TV surfing tech, he had assumed that she had wanted to have some one on one time with one of those teen wolf/vampire/zombie whatever supernatural creature girls were gushing over these days, since she'd also had him mod it so that she could replace a star in the show instead of just being a extra.

As it would turn out he was only semi right, she did want that close up interaction but her show of choice wasn't a romance filled one but her favorite show growing up that she still loved today: the get along Kindergarten pals.She'd be taking on the role of her favorite character, a new girl with glasses and braces and a VERY special problem who was likewise named Kim/Kimmie.

"OK, I've got the tech all set to go, a auto pull out for when the tape this is on is over.. the door to my room is locked.." Kim said out loud, ticking off her check list on her fingers. "I'll instantly get the wardrobe change once I'm inside and I should have the house to myself for 45 minutes, the episodes only play together for 35.. Yeah I'm good."

Smiling brightly to herself and fast forwarding to just as the opening credits would be ending Kim hit the switch and was in, missing how 3.5 seconds after she was gone Tim and Jim opened her door.

"Only took 20 seconds. new personal best!" Jim said, smirking to his twin.

"the more advance she makes it, the easier it is." Tim laughed and then both spotted the screen.

"Ha! Knew it!" they both said in unison, having known how much of a nerd their sister was for the show and having heard wade mention the add-ons he'd made.

Setting up a take on a VCR add on to the old Kim was using (the show hadn't been popular enough to get put out on DVD) the twins smirked as they recorded their sisters frame and glory, remotely downloading it to their own computer so they could post the very special episode with Kimme as the star.

"we should of brought snacks." Jim complained as they sat on her bed.

"eh, No one's perfect." Tim replied, neither of them wanted to miss a a second of this.

Kim squirmed softly as she stood at the front of the classroom, soaking in the familiar light brown plush carpet, the blackboard and all the posters on the walls encouraging reading and how there was no I in team. She was in a pair of pink Velcro sneakers and purple leggings that came up to her mid upper thigh's, disappearing under her puffy dark pink skirt. It only looked like she was wearing a purple t-shirt though as in truth it was a purple diaper shirt she was sporting, helping to hold up the bulky white plastic diaper that was hidden for the moment.

Her hair was in twig pig tails, one with a pink scrunchie and the other with purple and her coke bottle glasses had a purple frame (though thankfully Kim could see just fine though them.

"Class, this is Kimmie. she's just moved here from Canada. what do we say?" Asked the 20 something teacher Mrs. Jewels, a kind blond haired lady who wore said blond hair in a long ponytail down her back.

"Welcome Kimmie!" the class said all together, most of them just back round extras but Kim could spot her heroes up front.

-Short spiky brown hair and wearing a ninja turtles t-shirt and blue jeans was Alex, the main male character, a helpful little guy who tried to solve everyone's problems.

-Brunette hair in a perm and green eyes and a green dress was Megan, the main female lead who was a girlie girl but one with a heart of gold.

-A little bit chunky and with a dirty blond mullet and sporting a stained red t-shirt and black jogging pants was Ralph, the former bully of the class who had been talked into trying to be a good boy.

-last but not least, with red hair also in pig tail and wearing blue jeans with holes in the knees and a sports jersey was Shelly, the best athlete in the class.

"H-Hi everyone! I'm looking forward to being friends with ALL of you!" Kim gushed, meaning it as she had wished she could of been part of their group back in the day, but would settle for the time she'd have now.

"Class I'll point this out now, Kimmie here has a special little problem, and it's one I don't want any of you to make fun of her for." Mrs. Jewels said, surprising Kim a bit as she could of sworn the diaper thing wasn't brought up until the first accident.

"Uh..Mrs. Jewels.." Kim started to speak up, blushing a little.

"Kimmie here hasn't QUITE mastered the potty yet, and still needs diapers, and doesn't always know when she needs a change. so should she smell a little bit..er.." And Mrs. Jewels paused as giggled filled the room. "Less then fresh shall we say, then you just need to tell me or point it out to her so she can come and see me for a change. can you all do that for me and little Kimmie?"

the giggles got louder but cries of "of course!" and "For sure!" filled the class room as Kim blushed and squirmed, apparently her popping in was changing things slightly.

"What do you say Kimmie?" Mrs. jewel's asked the red faced teenager who was posing as a 5 year old.

"Uh..Thank you all! and uh..I'll.." and she gave a nervous chuckle and rubbed the back of her head. "Try not to stink up the classroom too much!!"

the kids loved that she could poke fun at herself and the pal's scooted to make room for her to come and have a seat next to them but Mrs. Jewel's cleared her throat.

"Now then, who's ready for finger painting?" She asked, and hands shot in the air, cries of "me!" filling the room and Kim got in on it, not realizing with her jumping and eagerness she was giving at least half the kids a view at her puffy butt..at least until Ralph spoke up.

"Oh! Mrs. Jewels! I don't think Kimmie's wearing her diaper! all I saw was purple when she was jumping up and down!" He cried out, trying to be helpful.

"eek!" Kim yelped and tugged at the skirt, sinking to her knees quickly. "Don't look at my butt!"

"heh..Kim Ralph was only trying to be helpful..and Ralph Kim's wearing what's known as a diaper shirt to keep her diapers nice and snug when she wets them." Mrs jewels said, and Kim whimpered. "oh Sorry Kimmie, that was more then you wanted everyone to know huh?"

Kim sniffled and nodded her head, but then she was being hugged by Alex and Megan.

"Hey it's ok! everyone has problems sometimes!" Alex said, giving her a BIG smile

"Yeah, plus you look adorable! I'm jealous!" Megan added. "Maybe I'll ask my parents for a diaper too!"

Kim could tell the little girl was lying but the sentiment was there and she couldn't help but break out into a big silly giggle.

"hehehe aww..thanks!"

"Ugh, barfaroni.. I was hoping she was gonna break down bawling there." Jim said, faking a gagging noise.

"Give it time..our machine isn't JUST recording her after all, it's making a few changes to the show.." Tim said, a evil twinkle in his eye.

"Ohhh? what DO you have planned brother dear." Jim asked, his attention back up to full.

"well, know how in the normal episode Kimmie just wets her diapers?" Tim asked, grinning ear to ear.

"No, I never really paid at- wait..you didn't!" Jim said and then shared the grin.

"yeah I did.. things are gonna get stinky~"

Finger painting had been a blast and after washing up Kimmie had been allowed to pick what they read for story time (She picked beauty and the Beast) then they were sent off to their desks (Really just long tables) and handed pencils and little journal books to write about what they had thought about the story.

Kimmie could of gone on forever but knew they were only expected to write a paragraph or so and was tapping the eraser of her pencil on her chin when suddenly her butt just got super warm.

Not quite figuring out what was happening she squirmed around in her seat, leaning forward to try and escape the heat on her bun when it got even hotter and a bad smell started to fill the room, making her wrinkle her nose.

'ew, who farted?!' Kim thought, looking around as the other kids all started to take notice of the smell now.

it was only as more and more eyes turned to her and she realized her butt felt all muddy it clicked in her head what she'd done, and it was too late for her to try and save face and fess up as Shelly raised her hand even as she spoke up.

"Mrs. Jewels, I think Kimmie made a uh-oh!" She cried out.

"oh dear.." Mrs. Jewels said, walking over and helping the blushing teen hero stand up, tugging the back of Kim' s Skirt up and patting her hand on the seat of Kim's mush filled diaper. as the super spy whined and popped her thumb in her mouth, blushing crimson and eyes welling up with tears. "Yup, I think your right.. Awww don't cry Kimmie, you're just a little girl and can't help it!"

Somehow this didn't help make Kim feel better and the flood gates opened up as not only was she lead off for a diaper change, but the get alone kindergarten pal's came with to help out.

Jim and Tim turned away in disgust, just in case the change was fully shown but thankfully it would just cut to the different kids trying to be nice, even as they made faces and one of them had the 'honor' of running Kim's smelly diaper out to the trash so it wouldn't be stinking up the class room all day.

with princess stinky changed and in a clean diaper, a semi broken Kim was brought back to the classroom, with the show only having a little bit of it's run time left.

"Huh.. you think she's gonna stay broken when she gets out of there?" Jim asked, as Kim was basically being treated like a baby doll now, mumbling and drooling on herself.

"I dunno,..Maybe. why, you think we're gonna have to look after her?" Tim asked.

"Actually I just a horrible horrible thought.. If she comes out of there and see's what we've done.. including making her diaper famous.. and she's a kick butt super spy.." Jim said, noting that the ending music was starting.

"..Oh balls. Uh.. Yeah, let's get the feck out of he-" Tim started to say, but it was too late and Princess stinky was back out of the show, and looking at them.

"Ah ba da boo?" She asked, eyes glazed and then blinking them rapidly, blushing and trying to cover up as she looked at the tweebs. "What are you two doing in my ro-" She started to ask, then noticed the whole set up they had going. "..What did you two do?"

"We love you!" the tweebs said in unison and then tried to run, but even in her thick diapies Kim was so much faster then them and had them both by the scruffs of their collars.

Looking at the comments on the now ended live stream of Kim's little adventure, and knowing that she was ruined, Kim whimpered and whined, but then got a very..very evil smirk on her face.

"You know.. one diaper princess seems to be very popular on YouTube.. I wonder how twin sissy baby princesses would do?" She asked.

"You wouldn't!" Jim squeaked out, kicking his legs and in full panic mode.

"This was all HIS idea!" Tim yelped, doing the same.

"Save it baby gurl's you both have a date with diapers.. we can do this the easy way where you take your punishment like -snort- men.. or.. I still have mind control chips and I'll have you two singing Mary had a little lamb in the park." Kim chuckled, sounding so much more evil then her current attire would of suggested.

as the tweebs started to bawl and whine, Kim couldn't help but wonder if Maybe she'd make a good super villain with a diaper gimmick.

When Mr and Mrs. Possible came home, the last thing they expected to see was all three of their children having a tea party in the living room. Kim had never been that big on them and well, the twins weren't know to be that girly.

Of course just the fact there was a tea party at all was surprising, but the fact that all three where in short princess style dresses and thick pink diapers also was a double take. (Red and green for the boys, and light black for Kim, with a gold toy crown on Kim's hear and silver crowns on the boys.

"..Do I wanna ask or just walk away?" Mr. Possible asked, smirking.

"Oh Hi Daddy, Me and the boys found out we all had a shared interest and decided to indulge in it. we're even making a few videos'." Kim said, and looked at the twins, giving them a look. "Right my little princesses?"

"..Y-Yes Queen Kimmy!" Tim yelped out.

"I still think you should be just a princess too!" Jim huffed, getting a look of amusement from Kim and one of 'really?' Tim. "What!? all things being fair.." Jim huffed.

"Heh.. Ok you can be the queen next time." Kim said.

"Well as long as your all having fun.." Mrs. Possible said though then she added. "But for the record, Your father and I did our time changing diapers. so your changing yourself."

And so from the flood of videos, all three possible kids became known as the pampered trio, with Ron having to handle more then a few smelly diapers and Bonnie trying and failing to embarrass Kim over the videos, Kim having just accepted she was a dorky big baby girl who, as she pointed out, could STILL cream Bonnie in a fight and plant her muck butt on the brat's face.

Naturally Bonnie backed down after that.

Ironically super villainy died down for the most part after Kim became diaper famous since no one wanted to be the villain that got his or her butt kicked by a diaper filling big baby who's trademark outfit had gone from a top and cargo pants to a baby dress and massive huggies.

The tweebs after awhile embraced the sissy baby life (well, Jim faster then Tim) since there was no going back and actually found themselves a pair of boyfriend's in the twin hero's Wego from team go as they were free to mostly retire again because of a lack of villains.

"Who knew that all it would take to stop the worlds villains was a kick butt pamper princess?" Kim giggled.

The end

[daisybeewrites]

Academy Blues — Prologue

word count: 1.8k

warnings: not any for this chapter

ship: Dousy, background Fitzsimmons and Philinda

okay y’all.. here it is. the first installment of my first LONG TERM SERIES!!!!!! ahhhh i’m so excited. literally i cant wait to continue this and see where it takes me. i have an idea and a few different planning sheets, but honestly i have no idea where exactly this will end up. i love each and single one of you <3 thank you for reading!! this is also posted on Ao3, and linked in the masterlist.

Daisy hated the sound of the bells at The Academy. Screeching, awful, way too loud, the bells were the bane of her existence. They all wore standard-issue watches from the lab that monitored vitals and gave them reminders, and also told the time, for god’s sake! Fitz had even modified hers so that she could play snake on the tiny watch face! There was no need for the bells to be so excruciatingly disruptive. Though, Daisy guessed, there were many things more tortuous than bells ringing every hour and fifteen minutes.

Daisy slowed to a jog, cutting her morning run short. The bright side to being a third-year was that you chose your schedule, for the most part, and that meant Daisy had a free first period for four out of five days of classes. She usually spent this free period getting an extra hour in at the gym, boxing or sparring with Mack or Bobbi, two fourth years that had reluctantly taken her under their wings, or sleeping in. She reserved sleeping in for especially rough nights where visions of ashes and earthquakes and lightning returned time and time again, no matter how many deep breaths she took or sheep she counted.

But this morning was not one of those mornings. She had been up before sunrise, a little before her usual alarm and silently headed out of her dorm for a run. It was humid this time of year on most Virginia mornings, but never so hot that it made Daisy feel as if she was being smothered. The cooler air chilled her sweaty skin, her chest rising and falling as she jogged up the three flights of steps to the second years’ dorms. Down one long hallway, and she arrived at her room.

Daisy had been given her own room at the start of last year, complete with poly-adaptic-proto-whatever panels, which she had painted a pastel shade of purple, to compliment the greens of her cacti and the dark purples and blacks of everything else in her room. Even May had agreed that the stark white was too ”psych wing” for a bedroom. Daisy was grateful for the space, but considering the panels and the private room were only necessary since...

She shuddered. Grabbing her shower caddy, Daisy set off to the bathroom at the opposite end of the hall, hoping no one else was spending a free first period at the dorms.

Her shoulder-length waves were wet from bouncing against her neck, and starting to become annoying now that the sweat had dried and was starting to itch. Picking the white tiled shower furthest away from the door, Daisy quickly turned the water on, checked the temperature, pulled her sports bra and shorts off and hopped into the shower. Shampoo, condition, soap body, rinse. Checking her watch, Daisy found that she had showered in record time, less than three minutes. After spending another five just enjoying the hot water, she hopped out and changed into her class clothes.

Dark purple leggings, Coulson’s grey vintage SHIELD tee and a pair of white running sneakers she had “borrowed” from Jemma completed her look. Passing the mirrors, Daisy tried not to glance at herself. If her hair was messy or her undereye bags a bit too dark, she didn’t want to know. Instead, she headed back to her room to pack her bag for the day.

SHIELD-issued laptop, extra hard drives and a charger, Advanced CS 3: Ethical Hacking: Theory and Application, Advanced CS 4: Secrets of The Coding Languages, Physics notebook, an essay that was three days late on some boring book about international laws, and her sparring gear were all thrown into the black bag. She gave a second glance at the Russian notebooks Bobbi had loaned to her, promising that she’d learn without taking the class. Oh well, she still had all of this term to start. Plus, would she ever really need more than the dirty words?

One look at the alarm clock that sat on her dark hardwood night table showed that she still had almost forty-five minutes before she had to be in the computer lab. Sitting down on her bed, Daisy ran a hand over the grey blanket May had given her.

Daisy’s relationship with May and Coulson had been something of a problem with other students when she first got here. Some had been okay with the obvious paternal love Coulson showed for Daisy, showing her around and checking up on her, scheduling lunch dates and reminding her of tests. May was more subtle, texting her links to tai chi videos when she noticed Daisy getting too stressed or letting Daisy do her own thing if she saw that she was overwhelmed. Of course, none of the other students knew her family history, what she had gone through just to realize that May and Coulson were more her parents than her biological father and mother could ever be. She would see them later today—May during field training and Coulson in between lectures in the canteen.

Daisy walked over to her window to open her blinds, staring out at the campus she had grown to love. The large brick buildings scattered around acres of the Virginia countryside; green fields meant for physical activities like sparring or obstacle courses, or simply basking in the weather to study or chat; the dorms—red brick and concrete melded together to upgrade and expand the charming style of previously-built homes.

Grabbing a protein bar, Daisy headed to the canteen to make a green smoothie (and maybe snatch a cup of joe before she had to listen to an hour-long lecture on the reason SHIELD must cooperate with the UN’s stupid rules at 7:30 in the morning). Smelling the pines and morning dew surrounding her, she smiled slightly. Maybe this term wouldn’t be so bad.

———————————————————————

Daniel Sousa was a man of honor. He was a man of great strength. Agent Daniel Sousa, previously Officer Daniel Sousa in the US Army, was a man who could fix his damn alarm clock on his own.

Just, not today. Or the day before.

So, Agent Daniel Sousa was now hurrying his way to class at The SHIELD Academy, books in hand and gym bag slung over his shoulders. Catching a glance at himself in the shiny glass doors of the bio-chem building, he groaned. He hadn’t even brushed his hair. And, looking down, he discovered he was wearing two different shoes.

This is the college experience everyone raves about, he thought bitterly. You see, Daniel Sousa had enlisted to the army straight out of high school, forgoing university. He climbed the ranks impressively quickly, earning his place as second-in-command and reconnaissance scout in the 28th Infantry Regiment. Unfortunately, after only four years in the army, Sousa was injured in the field, losing his leg and almost his life.

He came back to the US a war hero, and yet, he felt he wasn't finished. So, when a recruiter named Peggy Carter knocked on his door claiming to be from SHIELD (“Wow, you guys are still a thing?”), he leapt at the chance to continue fighti-...doing good. The Academy wasn’t exactly what he had bargained for, though. Trying to earn his B.A. and training to be an agent at the same time was grueling, but nothing he couldn’t deal with.

No, six different one hour and fifteen minute long classes plus mandatory physical therapy every day wasn’t going to break him. Learning how to be a communications agent and re-starting field training and catching up on general college education was no problem. Pressuring himself to be the best, to break the limits, to get past all his weaknesses was just another miniscule feather to add to the pile.

Unless his stupid alarm clock broke. Then yes, Agent Daniel Sousa would fail, buckle under the weight and be left on the floor to die.

Maybe he was being a bit dramatic.

One bunny-slippered right foot and a sneakered left leg carried him forward, propelled by a quickly chugged orange Celsius and his sheer will not to be late.

Daniel heard the late bell ring out, understanding that, on his first day of class, he would be counted late. It wasn’t like him, not at all. Especially when his first class was a refresher course on field tactics and covert strategy, something in which he was already aces.

He let out a sigh, slowing as he rounded the corner into the comms building. At the Academy, most buildings were grouped into categories: the cafeteria, gym and pool, and student resource building all to the south; the gun range, obstacle course, and specialized gym to the east; bio-chem labs, tech labs, and smaller rooms for lectures to the west; the computer labs and comms buildings right smack in the middle; and dorms to the north.

He swiped a key card with his driver’s license picture and student ID, unlocking the sliding doors that led to the computer labs. It was quicker to short cut through them than to walk around the building to the entrance closest to communications classrooms.

It wasn’t because he knew a certain broody brunette spent her mornings in the lab.

No, it wasn’t, because she wasn’t in her usual seat in the corner, typing away.

He slowly walked through the rows of computers, searching for a familiar black backpack. Nothing was there.

“Hey, Sousa,” an accented female voice called behind him. He whipped around to see who it was, feeling just a twinge of disappointment when Elena, or, as most people knew her, Yo-Yo, was leaning against the door frame. Yo-Yo, a fourth year operations trainee, who was very close with Daisy.

“Hey, Yo-Yo. Good morning,” he called, “I’m running a bit late.”

Elena checked her nails casually, “Way to state the obvious. You were running faster than I could trying to get here before the bell.”

Daniel rubbed the back of his neck and blushed. “Yeah…”

“Daisy’s running late today, too.”

Daniel looked around, pretending that hearing Daisy’s name didn’t make him want to smile. “Oh, of course. She’s usually here early.”

Elena nodded, chuckling a little at his response. She couldn’t tell if he was oblivious or just a bad liar. It was charming, really. “Right. See ya ‘round, Sousa!”

“See ya,” He replied. He thought he heard a quiet ‘Lovable nerds’ coming from the direction she left, but he couldn’t be sure.

And so, with a last look around the computer lab, Daniel set off to arrive late to May’s lecture.

———————————————————————

okay okay,,, what do y’all think?? like/reblog and let me know! it’s the best way to support writers and it only takes a second! stay tuned for more chapters!!

[a-distantdreamer]

Snow Day - A Chris Evans Drabble

Thank you for the super fluffy request Anon. I hope you enjoy. Requests are open!

Dedicated to @leclerc-stan​ - happy birthday lovely! 

Snow Day

In a flurry of shouts and boots hitting the wooden floor, three little figures bundled into the kitchen, making a beeline toward the snowy wonderland of their backyard. 

Just as Brady, the eldest of the three, went to fling the back door wide open, a voice stopped them in their tracks.

“Uh-uh! Hold up!” Nora stepped round from the side of the kitchen island, setting her hand on her hip, “mitten check!” 

Brady and Finn held up their hands, palms open, to show off their gloves. 3 year old Joey looked over at his big brothers and quickly followed, giving his mother a big beaming smile that made her giggle. It was the first time he would be able to go out and play in the snow properly with his big brothers. 

For a moment, Nora pretended to inspect their attire closely, although she knew Chris had been in charge of getting them ready. There was no way he would risk them getting too cold. 

Brady laughed, not even able to take his sweet Mama seriously as she peered at each of their hands in turn.

Finally, Nora’s serious demeanour melted, and a smile spread across her face.

“Alright, my little polar bears. You’re all set,” Nora confirmed, crouching in front of Joey to zip up his thick winter coat. 

She pressed a kiss to his little button nose and tugged his hat down to cover the tops of his ears.

Finn began bouncing at his brother’s side, his nose pressed to the frosty glass of the patio doors, “Can we go now, Mama?!” 

Brady shook his head, “We can’t go out without Dad, Finn.”

“Or Gracie!” Chris exclaimed, walking into the room. 

He had their youngest child, 18-month-old Grace, perched on his hip. It looked a little awkward due to the number of layers they both wore. 

Amongst the padding and furry lining of her pale pink snowsuit, only her little rounded face was visible, cheeks rosy and framed by her brunette curls. Chris set Grace down on the tiled floor, taking the opportunity to pull his own gloves over his hands. Sweetly, she stayed at his side, peering up at him inquisitively. 

“Doggy?” she queried, pointing over at Dodger. 

The elderly dog lifted his head to look from where he lay in front of the fireplace. His fluffy tail began wagging at the sight of the children all bundled up, but he soon lay his head back down.

“I think Dodger is gonna stay in and keep warm with Mama this time baby,” Chris explained, scooping Grace up to settle on his hip.Dodger had experienced so many Winters of frolicking in the snow with their little boys that Chris knew he deserved the rest. Plus his hips and knees just wouldn’t be able to handle the cold anymore. 

Nora stepped forward to tug Grace’s mittens over her tiny hands, giving the baby an excited smile, “you’re going to have so much fun in the snow with Daddy and your brothers!”

Grace clapped her mittened hands excitedly before reaching up to place her hands on Chris’ beard, “out Dada! Out!” 

Chris laughed and leant down to give Nora a kiss, “okay, okay, princess. You’re impatient just like your Mama!” 

Nora gasped and landed a playful smack to his jean-covered ass, an impish smirk spreading across her face as he jumped and looked round at her.

“I’ll get you back for that,” he promised, narrowing his eyes playfully.

With a giggle, Nora bit her lower lip coquettishly. Their flirty exchange was interrupted by a blast of icy air coming into the kitchen. 

The boys hurried outside with a yell, and Grace began wiggling in her Daddy’s arms to follow them. Chris gave Nora a wink, before he walked out of the door with Grace in his arms, squealing with excitement.

The crisp air hit his face immediately, wiping away any residual warmth in his body from the house. Their breaths bloomed in front of their faces, wispy and quick to drift away.The crunch of Chris’ boots in the snow caught Grace’s attention, and she wiggled a little more. 

In the distance, her brothers had already raced further out onto the lawn, packing snowballs into little piles and rolling around in the snow.

“Wanna walk in the snow, princess?” Chris asked.Grace wiggled in reply, and Chris leant over to set her down. The snow reached her mid-shins, and her little snow boots crunched as she sank down into it. She giggled and covered her open mouth with her tiny hands.

“Big steps, okay baby?” Chris asked, reaching down to take hold of Grace’s hand. 

The toddler was resistant at first, being as stubborn as her Mama, but she soon realised she wouldn’t get any closer to her brothers without her Daddy’s help. 

Brady stopped rolling snowballs and looked back for his Dad, realising that he wasn’t there with them yet. He let out a soft chuckle when he spotted Chris and Grace slowly making their way through the snow towards them. 

His baby sister was taking slow and deliberate steps, focusing on getting to them. 

“Brudders!” Grace called as loud as she could, her sweet voice carrying on the wind. 

Brady waved back at her, until he was smacked in the side of the head by something solid and freezing cold. 

“Hey!” he exclaimed, turning his head. 

A few feet away Finn and Joey were sniggering, their gloves covered in a dusting of snow. Brady laughed and crouched down, grabbing a ball from the pile. Finn and Joey laughed and shouted in anticipation, trying to run away from Brady. 

“Brudders!” Grace called again, seeing them begin to run further down the yard, “Back!” 

“It’s okay, baby,” Chris cooed, seeing her begin to get frustrated as they got even further away, “We’ll get there.”

Grace stopped in her tracks, dropped Chris’ hand and began to wail, tipping her head back as big tears ran down her rosy cheeks and nose. Tiny snowflakes clung to her impossibly long, dark eyelashes. 

Chris crouched beside her, wrapping a strong arm around her waist, “hey, princess. Hey. It’s okay, baby.”

He scooped her up, standing to his full height, “it’s okay. Shhhh.” 

Grace continued to cry, absolutely heartbroken. She buried her face into the crook of her Daddy’s neck, wetting his skin with her warm tears, “wan’ play brudders.”

Chris’ heart ached, “you want your brothers, huh? Shall Daddy call them over to play here for a while?” 

Grace sniffled and lifted her head. The sight of her big blue eyes swimming with tears was enough to break Chris’ heart. That little girl had him completely wrapped around her little finger.

“Yes peas, Dada,” she whimpered, still snuffling through her tears. 

Chris kissed her little nose, “no more crying, okay. Daddy’s got you.” 

Grace nodded and snuggled back into him as Chris called out across the yard for the boys. They quickly hurried back over, coats covered in snow from their furious snowball battle. 

“Your little sister really wants to play with you guys. Do you think you could build a snowman here with her?” Chris asked, crouching down in front of Brady, Finn and Joey. 

Brady smiled at his little sister sadly, “Sorry for running away Gracie. You want to make a snowman?” 

“I help!” Joey exclaimed, immediately reaching out for Grace’s hand. 

Chris smiled and set her down, letting Joey clasp onto her tiny hand with his own. He took a few slow steps, leading Grace over to a deeper pile of snow a short distance away. Brady and Finn followed, encouraging Grace to put her hands into the snow. She giggled in delight, and Chris took a step back, soaking in the moment of watching his four babies playing together. 

He jumped as a pair of slender arms wrapped around his middle, and a warm nose nuzzled into his back.

“Hey, you,” he rumbled, turning to bring Nora into his arms, “I thought you were staying inside.”

“I couldn’t miss this,” Nora replied, resting her head on Chris’ chest as she watched Brady hold onto Grace’s hands, helping her wade through the deep snow. Joey and Finn had started work on rolling the largest ball for the snowman’s body.

“Aren’t we lucky?” Nora whispered, watching Grace tip a tiny handful of snow on top of Brady’s head. The eldest scrunched his nose and laughed, reaching out to tickle his baby sister. She exploded into another flurry of giggles that echoed into the pale sky, making her siblings and parents smile. 

Chris nodded his agreement, and Nora tilted her head back to stare up at him. He gave her a small smile, and leant down, pressing his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. 

Nora gasped, pulling her face away from his, “Jesus, your nose is freezing!” 

Chris laughed, and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her close to nuzzle his nose all over her face and neck. Nora screeched, trying to wiggle away from her husband desperately. As her hands grasped his face to push him away, Chris slanted his lips over hers again, causing her to practically melt against him.

“Mama! Dada!” Grace’s little voice broke them apart, and they glanced over at their baby girl. 

She stood with her hands on her hips, and a hilariously cross expression on her pretty face. Once Grace had gained their attention, she lifted her little hand and wiggled it at them as they often did to her whenever she did something she shouldn’t.

“No, no, no!” she said firmly, pouting at her parents disapprovingly.

Chris and Nora looked at each other, then back at their kids, promptly bursting into raucous laughter.

[shining-red-diamond]

Trick or Treat, Revenge is Sweet

Words: 1k

Pairing: Felix x Reader

Rating: PG-13

Genre: slight angst, but mostly fluff (in a sense), mostly humor

Warnings: mentions of alcohol, vandalism, mentions of illness and bullying, and some language

A/N: This was inspired by a story time from @/HeyParis on YouTube. I also gave a name to the antagonist.

Fumed.

That’s all Y/N was feeling at that moment. Tanya had humiliated her for the last time, and in front of Felix, too. Typically, Y/N would let it go, but after crossing the line by bringing up her sick father, she nearly snapped. Felix already knew about Y/N’s situation, but he did his best to help her out. However, he thought Y/N was going to beat up, and he held her back.

“Such a good little boyfriend you are, Phillip,” Tanya scoffed.

“It’s Felix,” he huffed.

“Yeah, sure. Anyway, I’m having a Halloween party at my house tonight. Everyone on campus is invited if they wanna come, and that includes you two. But I understand if you have other priorities.”

Y/N had always gone to Tanya’s parties in attempt to make some friends, and she had mangaed to make a few, mainly because they hated going to Tanya’s parties to feel that they’ve done something wild. Tanya’s parties always started out calm, but they always ended up with someone or some people getting overly drunk and other shenanigans that happen. Y/N and her friends typically left early after the first round of shots were passed out.

However, Y/N was beginning to hatch a plan.

“There’s also gonna be a costume contest,” Tanya continued as she played with her brunette locks. “Best costume wins a hundred bucks.”

“It actually sounds like fun,” Y/N nodded. “Since I’m not in the mood to beat your ass anymore, I think I’ll come.”

Tanya looked at Y/N as if waiting for another sarcastic remark, but then smiled in a fake manner.

“Party starts at eight,” she said just before turning to walk away.

“We’re going,” Y/N confirmed as she watch the Wicked Witch strut away.

“Are you sure?” Felix asked.

She turned towards him and exhaled. “I’m not afraid of her. She can put on a ‘nice girl’ an act all she wants, but we know the truth.”

“What are you going to do? Attempt to embarrass her in front of everyone? I think she’s wear a dress to the party, so the only thing you’d do is somehow rip it with out her noticing.”

Y/N shook her head.

“What plan are you hatching?” Felix asked as he stepped forward.

“I’ll tell you when you come over to get ready for tonight.”

-

Taking one final look at herself in the mirror, Y/N felt like she could rule the world. She was dressed in a black, long-sleeve crop top, a black, plaid skirt with some silver chains on it, and she also wore a pair of black wings. Her makeup was dark, but nothing too intimidating. The thigh high boots she wore made her feel powerful.

Felix was dressed as dressed similarly but without the wings. He was dressed as a rock star with a Led Zeppelin shirt on.

His arms slid around Y/N’s waist, and he kissed her cheek. “You are stunning, my love,” he whistled.

“Is this Lee Yongbok or Kurt Cobaine?” I chuckle.

“I was going for a more Billie Joe Armstrong look,” he whined.

“Here.” Y/N grabbed some eyeliner and turned in her boyfriend’s embrace. She got to work, and in about two minutes Felix’s eyes were much more dramatic with the smudged black eyeliner.

“Perfect,” she giggled.

Felix kissed her once, careful not to smear her lipstick. When he pulled away, he asked, “Are you sure your plan will work?”

Y/N nodded. “By the time we’re done, Tanya will be too wasted to know she was set up.”

Once she grabbed two tubes of lipstick, she and Felix headed out the door and began their hike to Tanya’s house.

“You’re really going through with this, aren’t you?” Felix asked after walking two blocks.

“You’re acting like I’m gonna go full-on WWE on her,” Y/N scoffed. “I’m just going to embarrass her, and then I’m not messing with her anymore.”

“You promise?”

“Pinky swear.”

She knew it was only petty revenge, but she couldn’t shake the feeling. She wanted Tanya to have a taste of some of her own medicine. For a little while, at least, Y/N wanted some ease.

Hand in hand, the couple finally reaches Tanya’s front porch, music blaring from the inside as if they could shatter her windows at any moment. Once the approached the front door, Felix rang the doorbell, and Tanya, dressed as a sexy angel, answered almost immediately.

“So you decided to come,” she giggled before losing her balance a bit. Y/N could immediately smell the alcohol on her foe’s body. “You two have fun, but be mindful of the…um…fruity drinks. I think someone poured a little bit of Captain Morgan in it.”

Tanya hobbled away to who knows where, and Felix and Y/N entered the house. It was large and beautiful, no doubt, and Y/N sometimes wished she lived in such luxury; however, she liked her home the way it was. Lights were bouncing off the walls, the entire interior were decorated to the nines in cute Halloween decorations, and everyone there was dressed as various characters or objects.

“So do you want to start?” Felix raised his voice over the loud speakers.

“Not yet,” Y/N replied. “I’m gonna wait until ten. People will either be drunk or making out in different hiding spots.”

“Oi, Felix!” a voice from behind them called. It was his friend Chan, who was dressed up like Ghostface for the night.

“Meet me in the upstairs bathroom in an hour,” she instructed.

The two went their separate ways, and for that hour Felix had fun with his friends from his soccer team. Y/N hung out around the snack and drink area speaking to people she knew. She wasn’t one for alcohol, so she stuck with sipping on soda for the night. The party itself was wild already, the music loud enough to cause a plane crash. More guests were starting to get drunk or disappear to various parts of the house. Tanya was acting more and more giggly and childish as the hour went by.

“I’m an absolute angel,” Tanya praised herself drunkenly to her friends at one point. “I am as pure as freshly fallen snow.”

“Snow that’s been pissed on,” Y/N mumbled as she sipped on her drink, causing a few guys next to burst into laughter.

When she checked her watch, it was five minutes until she and Felix would meet upstairs. After disposing her cup, she made the ascent, putting a little swagger in her step. Her brain couldn’t register why, but she felt powerful. She turned her head to signal for Felix, but he was already trailing behind her.

The two entered the designated bathroom and turned on the lights. The wallpaper was an ugly green pinstripe, and the marble counter wasn’t helping it either. The only decent pieces were the porcelain tub and framed artwork on the walls.

“So, what’s your plan for here?” Felix asked as he closed the door.

Y/N reached into her purse and pulled out the two lipsticks she had.

“Bathroom’s a bit ugly,” she sneered as she handed Felix one of the lipstick tubes. “How about we decorate it a little?”

“Is this part of your plan?”

“No, I just thought of this last minute.”

With a smirk on her face, she and Felix both began their artwork on the bathroom walls. Felix drew and wrote whatever his heart desired, and Y/N just doodled hearts everywhere. This went on for about twenty minutes, Felix managing to stand on the toilet seat to write “Trick ‘r Treat” near the ceiling.

When they finished, they decided to do make murals in the other bathrooms in the house. This continued until both lipstick tubes were empty, and neither of them got any marks on their costumes.

“Is this where your real plan begins?” Felix asked after they disposed the lipstick tubes.

Y/N said nothing but pulled out her phone and called the nearest police department. They stayed in the current bathroom they were in and locked the door while she dialed the number, making sure she used the star-six-seven method.

After someone picked up, Y/N ignited her scheme.

“Hi, this is Jennifer Barbara,” she used a fake voice. “And my neighbors next door, and absolutely loud. I have four children under the age of six, two of them have school in morning; and my husband has work in the morning. You need to come shut this down, please. It’s ridiculous. Listen.”

She held her phone to the door, which she had opened to increase the volume of the thumping music. The woman on the other end agreed to send the police over immediately.

Knowing where they lived, it was going to take the police at least twenty-five minutes to arrive; so Y/N lead Felix back out towards the snack and drink bar. A few more people where already drunk out of their minds at that point, and the party started getting a little crazier.

“A glass of Captain Morgan,” Y/N told the bar tender, and he was happy to pour her a glass. “Thanks.”

“That’s it?” Felix asked as she took her glass.

“Follow me.”

Felix obeyed, and she led him to where the deejay was jamming out to the music he was playing. He notices the two and gives them a nod of acknowledgment before turning his attention to two other women who showed up next to him.

Felix did dance a bit as Y/N just bounced to the beat while pretending to drink her beverage. After a while, there was a banging on the door.

“Right on queue,” Y/N smirked.

Tanya’s boyfriend answered the door, and as Y/N planned, three officers were at the door. The music was still going while the boyfriend and now Tanya were arguing with the police while Billie Eilish’s “bad guy” was playing in the background.

“Party’s not over!” he announced to the rest of people there.

We’ll see about that, Y/N thought as the line “I’m the bad guy sounded.”

As soon as she was sure the deejay wasn’t looking, Y/N took a sip of her Captain Morgan and dumped it in a manner that looked accidental on the equipment. The deejay’s workspace sparked a little, but it mainly blew the speakers out. Fire wasn’t lit, but there was smoke. The party guests immediately started shouting in complaint and running around in panic.

After getting rid of the glass, Y/N and Felix quickly exited the main living room and out to the front patio. The two of them were both roaring with laughter as a few people were starting to exit the house, some of them a little too buzzed to sense what direction they were going.

After catching their breaths, they decided to head to a diner for a late night snack.

“You scare me sometimes, Y/N,” Felix commented as they walked to her house for her car. “But since it is still Halloween for another hour and a half, I’ll let it slide.”

“I’m not doing that again,” Y/N sighed. “If Tanya does figure out it was me that did all of that, then I’ll help her pay for damages.”

Y/N had grabbed the wizard’s wand in her little gamble, and she felt really good. However, she still felt a little bad for ruining someone’s party, even if it was someone she deemed as Lucifer. Her dad would want her to help out with anything.

She looked back at the scene they left. More people were leaving the property, and officers were still getting everyone to clear out. Tanya and her boyfriend were still dealing with an officer, but she had cuffs on her wrists.

Y/N couldn’t help the smirk that was coming back to her face.

“Trick or Treat, you she-devil,” she muttered victoriously.

-

Tags: @burberrylucas​ @daybreakx​ @cloudychannieee​ @barsformars​ @starsandsoul​ @hyyunjins​ @mafia-nct​

[megalony]

Teacher’s pet

This is a new dad! Ben Hardy series I am going to be working on which I hope everyone is going to enjoy.

Taglist: @lunaticspoem @butlegendsneverdie @langdonzvoid @jennyggggrrr @rogermeddow @radiob-l-a-hblah @rogertaylorsbitontheside @chlobo6 @rogertaylors-lipgloss @sj-thefan @omgitsearly @luckytrashgooprebel @scarsout @deaky-with-a-c @killer-queen-ofrhye @bluutac @vousmemanqueez @jonesyaddiction @rogahs-drowse @milanosaurus @httpfandxms @saint-hardy @7-seas-of-fat-bottomed-girls @mrsalwayswritex @rogerina-owns-me @peterquillzsblog​

Ben Hardy masterlist

Summary: Gwilym sets Ben up on a date with (Y/n) who teaches at the school Ben’s kids go to. But Ben is hesitant in the relationship, desperate not to make the same mistakes and needing to put his kids first.

Series masterlist

Enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh come on Ben, she's perfect for you, trust me on this."

"Read my lips, ready? No." Ben's very stern expression and the sarcasm in his actions when he slowly waved his palm at his friend showed he was not interested in where this conversation was going.

Ben leaned his weight back in the rather uncomfortable plastic chair, resting his elbows on the metal arms of said chair as his posture made him look so relaxed, so carefree and indifferent to the world. His legs were slouched and spread to the sides until his thighs were pressing into the sides of the chair, his head was tipped back and one hand was resting on the table, his fingers drumming out a continuous beat that was starting to annoy Gwilym. His other hand held an almost finished cigarette that was now clasped between his ruby red lips that weren't pulled into a smile but they were very close to a frown.

"Why not?" Gwilym leaned forward so he could fold his arms and rest them on the metal table that put space between him and Ben. The table that had such a reflective surface that Gwilym could see himself in the bright metal that allowed the sun to dazzle passers-by.

His brunette curls fell forward near the lens of his opal glasses with rounded frames. He subconsciously pushed the glasses a little further up his nose when he noticed how Ben was studying him. Gwilym's posture, the glasses and his interested yet concerned expression told anyone passing by that he was a teacher by profession. Anyone would think to look at him that he was a teacher or a professor of some kind.

"Mate, I don't want to be set up on a date with anyone, I don't want to date anyone, period. You don't have to keep trying to match me with someone."

Ben's tone or words weren't cruel, he wasn't trying to be rude because he knew Gwilym had his best interests at heart but this wasn't what Ben wanted. He wasn't looking for a relationship, he had too much on his mind and in his life to be thinking about getting into all that bother. He was more than happy as he was but Gwilym didn't seem to think so. Gwilym seemed to think that Ben should be back in the dating world and was forever trying to get Ben to agree to a date with someone he worked with who he deemed was 'a perfect match' for Ben.

Leaning over the table, Ben keep his eyes locked with Gwilym's as he stubbed out his cigarette before he leaned on his right side so he could fish around in his pocket for his lighter and pack of smokes. He didn't miss the way Gwilym rolled his eyes when he saw the almost empty pack of smokes but Ben simply held up his middle finger.

He had no end of friends or family telling him to stop smoking, Hell even his boys were beginning to chide him for the bad habit. But it was a habit that Ben wasn't ready to break, despite the health risks he didn't care about.

"Ben, please just think about it. One date, just get to know her even if you just be friends. We both know you don't want to be single forever and you always seem happier when you're with someone." Gwilym knew Ben didn't need to be in a relationship to be happy but Ben couldn't deny that he did seem more at ease or a bit brighter when he was in a relationship. Gwilym himself was in a steady relationship at the moment and that was what he wanted for his closest friend.

"You and I both know my track record in this department is shit, I don't want to go on a date I don't have the time to go on a date." Resting his cigarette between his fingers, Ben reached out and grabbed the ale brown bottle of beer. Bringing the rim to his lips which had a lot of sugar-coating it making his lips stick to the warm glass.

"But this girl's different Ben. She's a teacher, she works at the school, she's funny, kind and she's got a wicked sense of humour, come on just go on one date with her, please? For me?" Gwilym knew he was beginning to pester now and he never wanted to do that but he knew this was a good idea. This girl worked at the same school Gwilym did which was where Ben just transferred his boys to go to. She was the perfect match for Ben, Gwilym just knew they would get along great if Ben would give it a chance, she had already agreed because Gwilym went on about Ben so much.

"I thought Jamie was different, look what happened there. I thought Lucy was the one and I was so fucking wrong about her and don't get me started on Ellie. All my relationships turned to shit and I got the short straws with them all, I can't do another relationship with all the stuff that's gone on with the boys right now."

All of Ben's long-term relationships had gone wrong in so many ways and they had gone down south for Ben in every one. He had a lot to deal with right now with his boys, he wasn't so sure that a relationship was the best idea.

"If you think like that you'll never go out with anyone again. Just meet her..."

A sigh passed through Ben's lips before he brought his cigarette to his lips to try and calm himself down. Gwilym wasn't going to stop and his logic was right even if it was slightly blackmailing him right now. If Ben went on believing that every relationship he had would turn out bad then he would never get into another one and he trusted Gwilym's judgement more than his own.

"I'm blaming you if this goes to shit. One date and that's it."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Is this your dad?" (Y/n) tipped her head to the side to look down at the ten-year-old sitting beside her feet on the step. The young boy had his head in his hands like he was feeling sorry for himself but the expression on his face was one of thunder and unshed tears that he was trying so hard to hold back.

When the young boy nodded, (Y/n) allowed her eyes to dance over the man who was jogging their way with an expression that she couldn't quite work out. He wore a thin black jacket that looked a little too small when it was zipped up to the collar which caused his muscles in his arms to flex whenever he moved them. His hair was ruffled and dishevelled around his head and his boots were hard against the tarmac which made the floor quake when he walked.

"Get up."

(Y/n)'s eyes narrowed and her expression changed to one of confusion and slight bewilderment when the man spoke to his son. He didn't even know why his son was waiting here with her instead of waiting at the gates with all the other kids but he was choosing to be angry with him.

"I take it your his dad?" The question seemed to rattle something inside of the stranger because he looked at (Y/n) like she had asked him if something stupid like if he was alive or real. His eyes narrowed and creased at the corners as his upper up curled like he was going to snarl or say something snappy at her but he chose to stay silent.

Why would he be talking to him if he wasn't his dad?

"Carter get up I don't have time for this." Leaning down, the rather tall man grabbed the young boy by his upper arm and pulled him like a puppet until he was standing to his feet but even then the boy looked floppy like a rag doll that was about to fall down to the ground again.

"I- I don't mean to interrupt, but your son is waiting with me because he's been fighting and the school likes this sort of thing to be sorted out." (Y/n) folded her arms over her chest, biting her lower lip at the change in this man's expression. He looked perplexed, torn between sighing and talking about this or putting up a defence and walking away from her.

When kids started to fight or shout or do something wrong, the teachers needed to talk to the parents and get it sorted out so the behaviour didn't continue. (Y/n) was present when it happened so she needed to talk to this man about Carter's behaviour.

"I'm sure you mean well but I don't have time for this, I've got my other kids to pick up and if I'm not there in two minutes they will throw a bigger tantrum than Carter does. I'll talk to his teacher tomorrow." He waved his hand in some sort of gesture like he was trying to be kind or gesturing to explain his words but his face told (Y/n) he wasn't hanging around any longer.

He tugged on Carter's arm until the boy finally relented and stopped trying to flop down like a ragdoll. He took hold of his father's hand which put his smaller hand in a vipers grip to stop him from messing around. He turned and started to walk with Carter being dragged behind him which caused a wave of panic to surge through (Y/n). Why didn't he care? Why wasn't he willing to talk to her about this? Why was he being so angry and annoyed with his boy right from the start?

"Don't you even want to know what he's done?" (Y/n) couldn't stop the words from passing through her lips, nor could she stop herself from rushing forward to follow until he turned to face her.

"You just said he's been fighting." He again looked bewildered like she was asking him something stupid. "Look, the headteacher isn't waiting with you so I'm guessing this isn't that serious. I'm not being rude but you're not his teacher, I'll talk to his teacher tomorrow when I drop him off, thank you for waiting with him." Ben's words weren't intentionally being rude but they were rather crude and snappy.

(Y/n) couldn't even get another word out before the man was turning on his heels again and dragging the poor boy with him. Her eyes watched as the boy whined, trying to pull away and either sit back down on the tarmac or just run off in a different direction, but either way, the dad was not having any of it.

"I'm not playing this game Carter, use your legs or I'll carry you." His words weren't shouted or sneered or whispered cruelly but they weren't said in the kindest tone either. There was something about the way that the dad held control in the way he walked and how he talked that made (Y/n) shiver. He didn't seem like the most caring dad on arrival but something told her that there was more to him than the eye could see.

Who on Earth was he?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Are you Ben?"

Those three words caused Ben's head to pick up from the bottle of beer he was staring at like it held all the answers to all the questions he had rattling around in his head. But the moment his eyes latched onto who was asking, he felt something inside of him shuddering.

It was the teacher he talked to three days ago.

It took all Ben had not to drop his head into his hands and sigh when he realised the way she was looking at him. This wasn't going to go off to a good start, he could feel it in his bones. He hadn't been in the best mood that day and he hadn't had the patience with Carter either and she had seen that. She was a teacher, she was going to chide him for how he interacted with his boy even though that was not how Ben always was with him.

"Yep... I'll take a guess that you're (Y/n)?" Ben almost winced when she nodded, proceeding to take a seat opposite him in the small booth next to the window right across from the bar. "Can I get you a drink?" Ben tapped the rim of his glass with his nail as he tried to break the ice between them, feeling relieved when she nodded and recited her drink of choice to him. He was half expecting her to decide that she didn't want to do this after all, he wouldn't have minded if she did.

Ben had spent the last two days debating whether he really wanted to go on this date and he almost stayed home but the thought of Gwilym made him drag himself down here, not knowing what or who to expect.

When Ben arrived back with a drink in hand, he placed it in front of (Y/n) before scratching the back of his head, wincing when his leg started to jitter and his knee bashed against the underneath of the table. He was too anxious for this, he didn't know what he was doing or what he was meant to say. It had been six months since Ben last went on a date and that had gone horribly. He didn't normally date, he wasn't good at it. Ben was more used to friends-to-lovers situations happening, not being set up from the first moment.

"So, uh, Gwil says you teach with him? What year do you teach?" He thought it safer to go with the only piece of information he knew about her rather than try and start up a random topic.

"Yeah, I teach year four and Gwil teaches year five and six... I think your son's in his class isn't he?" The smile on (Y/n)'s face made Ben feel relieved and more relaxed because she wasn't staring at him like he was a bad parent or like she was regretting going on this date but he still didn't feel amazing. Her tone of voice was kind and the way she looked at him made him shiver, she did seem like a kind soul like Gwil said she was.

"Thankfully yeah, Gwil's his teacher... look I, I'm sorry about the other day I really didn't mean to be rude-"

"It's okay like you said, I'm not his teacher and I know Gwil looks out for all the kids. You obviously talked to Gwil about it anyway, let's just forget it and start over." (Y/n) wouldn't deny that Ben's attitude had been... less than inviting or kind but he had clearly been having an off day. Gwilym was Carter's teacher and (Y/n) knew he looked after all the kids and if he and Ben were friends then they would have talked about it and sorted it out. They could forget that day and start over because they were here to be on a date and Gwilym clearly thought they were a match made in heaven.

Ben nodded before he took a rather large gulp of his beer hoping it would settle his raging nerves. He couldn't help but drum his fingers against the table out of anxiety as he wondered what to say next but thankfully he didn't have to start the conversation.

"So what do you do?" (Y/n) took a sip of her drink, smiling around the rim of her glass but Ben could see her eyes narrowing on him, trying to think of what job suited him and what he looked like he did for a living.

"What do you think I do?" His words weren't annoying, cruel or snarky, they were intrigued and curious of her opinion.

"Hmm... bouncer, or a boxer?" (Y/n) smiled when Ben let out a laugh at the suggestions. Darting her eyes to his hand, she noticed his finger had stilled, no longer tapping against the oak table resting between them meaning she was starting to calm him down or make him feel comfortable.

It was hard guessing what he did because he didn't give off specific vibes. He clearly wasn't a teacher, that much (Y/n) knew, but he looked like he could be in almost any job. He could be a removal man, he looked like he would be a good bouncer, turfing people away from the clubs or breaking up fights at midnight on a Saturday evening. A boxer was a bit out of range but it wasn't impossible, he had the build to be a fighter and he seemed like he wouldn't back down from a fight.

"Never had someone guess that before... nah, not the jobs I'd really pick to be honest. I'm in the police, I transport people in custody to the cells or stations or hospital or prisons and whatever." Ben waved his free hand as he spoke, moving so he was leaning back against the red leather of the booth.

Ben wouldn't have the patience to be a bouncer, standing around being bored all day, his mind needed to be occupied and looking for a fight wasn't the best idea for him. He wouldn't want to box either, broken bones weren't ideal. Transporting prisoners was what Ben liked because he was trusted to be cuffed to someone and in charge of making sure they got to places on time and without fuss or scrapes. Sometimes fights started and he had to stop them but it made the job more interesting.

The more Ben started to talk to (Y/n), the more he felt himself relaxing around her and whenever she laughed or cracked a smile, he could feel his heart jumping because her laugh was intoxicating and her smile was brightening.

"So, how many kids do you have?" (Y/n) smiled but she felt a spark of worry flooding her chest when she noticed Ben's own smile turned down at the corners. The change was almost invisible but it was enough to see that this topic wasn't one Ben best liked to talk about.

"I have three boys." Ben kept his smile on his lips as he thought about his three carbon copies running around at his mum's house, probably doing her head in right now. They were the light of his life but they took the energy out of anyone and everyone who looked after them and they tried to run circles around Ben's mother in particular since they knew they couldn't do that with Ben himself.

"How old are they?"

Ben couldn't help but take a sharper breath when thoughts started to run around in his head. Dates didn't go so well when he started to talk about his boys. Ben's attitude was enough to put some people off because he was a no-nonsense kind of guy and he was firm and easily irritated but when he talked about kids, a lot of girls didn't want to be involved. They especially hated when Ben wouldn't talk about his past relationships.

"Carter's ten, James is seven and Finn is three." The smile on (Y/n)'s face made Ben feel relieved but he could feel his skin prickling at the thought of even trying to explain the situation with the boys to her.

"Do you have kids?" He hoped his deflection off of him and onto her wasn't that obvious.

"No, but I'd love to someday." (Y/n) nodded to herself as she looked down at her drink before bringing it to her lips. Kids were a big part of her life, she taught them for a living and it was the best job she could ever have. (Y/n) wanted kids of her own, it was something she knew she was going to do with her life, but the right person hadn't rolled around yet. "Do your boys live with you?" (Y/n) bit her lip, fearing she had gone too far or asked a bit of a personal question when Ben's eyes snapped up to meet her own.

"Yes, all the boys live with me." Ben's response was curt but his small smile showed that it was okay to ask, he would have to tell her at some point if they went on another date together anyway.

(Y/n) nodded with a smile that showed Ben it was okay as she thought over what he said. She didn't know that many parents where the father had custody of the kids, it was almost always the mother who had the children living with her full time instead of the father. But (Y/n) knew every situation was different and she wasn't judging at all.

"I... I don't know what Gwil told you about me, but I don't normally go on dates because I've got the boys to think about and I've got full custody of them all. God knows they're little shits sometimes... the dates normally end as soon as I tell them I've got three boys living with me who all have different mothers."

Ben looked down at the table he started to tap his fingers against quicker than before as he downed the last of his drink. He wasn't trying to warn (Y/n) away or end the date and try to tell her that he didn't want to do this again, but he wasn't having this go like it had in the past. Ben told a girl he had kids and it was fine, then they found out that the boys all lived with him which put some people off and when they knew that all three boys didn't have the same mother, they got a different image of Ben in their heads.

They looked at him like it was a bad thing and he knew then that the relationship wasn't going to go anywhere. Ben's boys were his life, they were everything to him and he had to put them first before anything or anyone else.

Ben's eyes snapped up to look at (Y/n) the moment she rested her hand on his, effectively stopping his fingers from tapping violently against the wood. Her kind, affectionate smile made his heart skip a beat as she realised he seemed to assume she would just get up and leave.

"I'm a teacher, kids are a big part of my life too. I understand that your boys will always come first for you and I would walk away now if I knew they didn't. It doesn't make a difference to me if they have different mothers, I don't want to date them, I want to date you... I'd like to do this again if you're up for it?" (Y/n) bit down on her lip to suppress her grin when Ben held her hand tightly and cracked a smile and a small laugh of relief.

(Y/n) didn't care if the boys had the same mother or not, that didn't involve her and it wasn't a bad thing if Ben had kids with different people, he clearly loved his boys and that was all that mattered. He seemed genuine, he was funny, charismatic, different and had something about him and his no-nonsense attitude that was drawing (Y/n) in. Despite their first encounter, she wanted to do this again.

Maybe Gwilym was right after all.

[mamaspresley]

relentless | boxer!ch (3)

Part two here

Chapter 3

     Natalie and Camille were on their fourth night in a row of bar hopping. Natalie knew that going to L.A. would be fun and, no doubt, a trip to remember, even if she wasn’t doing much remembering. That morning, Natalie had woken up next to some guy—he was actually fairly attractive, so she was a bit disappointed when making her walk of shame back to Camille’s apartment without the boy’s name or phone number—and was nursing an awful headache. A couple aspirins and one shower later, Natalie was good for the rest of the day. And thank God for that, because Camille wasn’t done showing her the city. She dragged her along to another night filled with drinking and partying in some club on the main stretch, and Natalie couldn’t lie—she was having the time of her life. 

     Now the two sat at a round table in the middle of a busy pub, both sporting drinks and light buzzes. Camille claimed she wouldn’t drink much tonight, and Natalie only furthered that statement. She didn’t feel like waking up with a jackhammer to her skull, so she stuck to one drink. 

     It was strange—even though Natalie was sticking to one drink, she suddenly felt a rush of intoxication flood over her when her eyes locked with a pair of blue ones over by the bar. He was cute, undeniably good-looking with long blond curls and a bone structure that had Natalie growing jealous. But when Camille noticed her friend’s gaze across the room and followed it with her own, the lighter haired girl quickly came to her senses and shook Natalie from her trance. 

     “No. No way are you about to make crazy eyes with that blond haired asshole over by the bar,” Camille said. Her tone was firm, and not at all playful like it had been before. A frown replaced the previous smirk on Natalie’s lips as her eyes lifted to meet Camille’s. 

     “What?”

     Knowing that he was off limits was probably what made him even more attractive. Whichever one of Camille’s friends—Natalie had forgotten her name already—was clearly insane if she had let this man go. It was unbearable how hot he was. His blond hair was long and curly, framing his face, and he had a leather jacket on his shoulders. He wore simple black jeans that hugged his legs tight and gold boots that had just a bit of a heel. He was extremely good looking, and Natalie recognized the feeling that overwhelmed her body when she laid eyes on him for the first time. She needed to go home with him. 

     Fuck girl code. She didn't even know the bitch who this man supposedly fucked over anyway, so what did it matter? If she stuck by girl code now then that was basically saying every guy ever was off limits. Whatever-her-name was a friend of Camille's, but Natalie hadn't even heard of her before tonight, so she could really care less. This girl's ex boyfriend was hot as hell and Natalie was already set on getting in his bed tonight, whether Camille—or the other chick—liked it. 

     "Did you not just hear what I said? He's Haley’s ex, Nat. That means you can't sleep with him." Camille was repeating the words over and over, like that would somehow make him uglier and make Natalie want to sleep with him less. It didn't. It just made Natalie more annoyed at the tone of her best friend's voice. 

     The raven haired girl took another sip of her margarita before lifting her eyes to the lighter haired girl she sat next to at the small table. "I don't even know Haley. It doesn't count," Natalie said, her eyes lingering back at the man who stood at the bar, holding a beer in his ring clad hands as he laughed at something the bartender said. His laugh was cute, his eyes squinted and his nose scrunched up when his lips curled. Natalie swore she could see the twinkle in his bright blue eyes from a few feet away, reflecting off the bright disco lights of the pub. She turned back to Camille, her mind set. "Tell your friend I'm sorry for her loss."

     The brunette grabbed her clutch, flipping her hair over her shoulders and sending Camille a wink before she made her way across the dance floor to the bar. There, Natalie slid into the empty seat on the man's left, tucking some hair behind her ear. She could feel the man's gaze resting on her immediately, and Natalie glanced over her shoulder. God, his eyes were even bluer up close. Natalie, a little caught off guard at how intense his stare was, smiled and batted her eyelashes up at him.

     "Hi, I'm Natalie," she introduced, reaching her left arm across her body to hold her hand out to him. The man's eyes never strayed from her as he chuckled amusingly before shaking her hand. His grip was firm but gentle enough to inform Natalie he wasn't an intimidating man, and she mentally thanked God for not letting him be one of those weirdly arrogant men that thought scaring a girl was a way to get her in bed. 

     "I’m Luke. Nice to meet you, Natalie," he said with a smile. He sounded Australian, a bit Americanized but she could hear the tilt in his voice due to his accent. She was pulled out of her thoughts by the feeling of both of Luke's hands clasping her's as he smiled down at her sweetly. "Can I buy you a drink?"

     It started with one drink, and then Luke bought her another and they danced with each other before he asked if she wanted to go back with him to his apartment. Natalie, of course, complied and followed Luke outside, where they took an Uber back to his. She texted Camille in the car, informing her that she was indeed living up to her promise of going home with Luke that night, and Camille only texted back two eye-rolling emojis.

     They got back to Luke’s place, a nice penthouse on the top floor of a large building downtown with windows lining the foyer and living room, bottom of the wall to the top covered in glass that looked out over the city. Natalie didn’t have much time to admire his choice of residence before Luke offered to pour her a glass of wine, and Natalie being Natalie did not hesitate to say yes. The buzz of the Merlot in her system added onto the pleasure she felt when Luke had kissed her. It’s not that she didn’t expect it, but he was obviously experienced. So was she, but in a different way. Luke kissed her well, like he knew exactly what she wanted. At that, he’d given Natalie two of her best orgasms within ten minutes of each other. Everything had happened so quickly—at first they were laughing about something he said while pouring her a glass of expensive wine—one that Natalie wouldn’t even bat her eye in the direction of at a store—and then they were sitting on the couch in his living room, he was leaning closer and ghosting his lips over hers and calling her beautiful, and then his lips weren’t on hers but instead working her towards her first orgasm of the night, her fingers tugging at his curls as she leaned back against the sofa, Luke’s head between her thighs. Somehow they ended up in his bedroom only moments later, Natalie on her knees in only her lace underwear while Luke sat on the edge of the bed, holding her hair at the back of her head while her lips worked him over for a change. 

     "Holy—holy shit." 

     He was close, Natalie could tell by the harsh grip on her hair and the recurrence of his moans. Just as he was about to release into her mouth, Luke pulled out hastily and tilted Natalie’s head up, locking their eyes as he shook his head. “I wanna cum in you.” Seconds later, Natalie was on her knees on his bed, Luke’s cock throbbing inside of her as one hand gripped her hair and the other rested on the wall in front of them. Her cheek pressed into the mattress, eyes rolled back as Luke pushed her further and further to the edge. Natalie was sure the bed frame was about to break, telling by the way it slammed against the wall with each thrust Luke took, but she found herself focusing more on the pleasure of Luke’s cock as he took her from behind than the bed frame that he could easily replace. 

     When they finished, Luke escaping to the bathroom to clean up, Natalie took it upon herself to find her clothes and pull her panties over her thighs, which were still shaking after the amazing fuck she’d just had. As Natalie slipped her bra back on, Luke came back into the room in a pair of grey sweatpants, his curls thrown back into a bun. He clicked his tongue, shaking his head when Natalie grabbed her dress off the floor. 

     “Wear something of mine. Don’t want you to be uncomfortable.” The sweet words made Natalie’s heart race in her chest as Luke dug around in his closet before throwing her a tee that would inevitably hang down to her knees. She thanked him, slipping it over her head. It smelled like him, a warm scent of vanilla and some cologne she didn’t really recognize but loved nonetheless. Luke was pulling back the sheets on his bed when Natalie lifted her hair up into a bun identical to his, and he nodded over. “Lay down with me.”

     Natalie smiled as she climbed into the bed, slipping her bare legs under the silk sheets that felt like heaven against her skin. The boy pulled her closer, his muscular arm wrapping around her waist as he made her face him, their noses gently brushing against each other. Then they were kissing, but this time it was different. It felt nice, not like it was leading to anything, but more like he was kissing her just to kiss her. His lips were soft and plump, sucking sweetly at her bottom one before pulling away, blue eyes staring into her brown ones.

     "So beautiful," he mumbled, making Natalie smile small. He dropped his gaze to her lips, where he brought his hand up and ran his thumb across her lower lip. Then his eyes lifted again, meeting hers. 

     His arm came to wrap around her waist again, pulling her close and Natalie let her head fall to his chest, his chin atop her head. She could feel his heartbeat, calming her and prompting her to close his eyes. This was strange for Natalie. The last time she cuddled with someone, that wasn't her brother's all-too-loving French bulldog she shared a couch with back home, was in high school, with her boyfriend that Natalie was convinced she was in love with. Now that she thought back to it, he was probably the reason Natalie slept around so often. He was an absolute ass. Sure, he had his moments, but Natalie was blindsided by teenage obsession and immature infatuation that she didn't realize he was really just using her for sex. They got together freshman year and broke up the summer before junior. She was young, only 14, when she let him take her virginity, and looking back on it Natalie couldn't believe how naive she was. He had made her believe that sex was the only thing she was good for—she carried that all the way into her twenties, and now, because of that, she was in bed with a random guy she saw at a bar. Sometimes Natalie hated herself so much that she had no choice but to let men use her so she'd feel wanted. God, she was pathetic.

     Luke's lips pressing a soft kiss to Natalie's forehead was what pulled her from her deprecating thoughts and brought her back to reality. He squeezed her into his chest, sighing in content as the girl felt a smile creep across her lips. She hadn't felt wanted like this—without the sex or lust—in so long. It was refreshing, and it felt like a dream. One that Natalie never wanted to wake up from.

     “Stay the night,” Luke said, his voice nearly lost in the quiet of the bedroom. Natalie tilted her head up, moving her eyes to meet his. There was no hesitation in them, only reassurance as he spoke again. “I’ll make you breakfast in the morning. And I can drive you home on my way to work.”

     The butterflies in Natalie’s stomach did not go unnoticed as her eyes darted between Luke’s. He was being serious—he wanted her to sleep over, to stay with him and cuddle through the night before they woke up the next morning and had breakfast together. She’d never done this before. With all the guys Natalie had slept with, none of them offered her breakfast. None of them had been this kind, and had such a genuine look in their eyes after they had hooked up. She expected him to be like the rest, to brush her off and roll onto his side and fall asleep like that. The daring look in his blue irises told Natalie tonight was different. This boy was different. So she complied, tilting her chin and brushing her lips over Luke’s.

     “Is that a yes?” he asked when Natalie pulled away, her lips kissed and cheeks flushed as she nodded. “Good, because I have some pancake mix in the cupboard that expires next month and is waiting to be used.”

     “Is that the only reason you asked?” Natalie teased, and Luke rolled his kind eyes before pulling her on top of him, earning a squeal from the girl.

                                                             ***

     "What part of don't sleep with him did you not understand?" Camille exclaimed, tilting her head to meet her best friend's eyes. Camille and Natalie were currently at some consignment store, just down the street from Camille's apartment, and the girl was giving Natalie a piece of her mind, careful to keep her voice low in fear of causing a disturbance. Natalie only rolled her eyes, leafing through the low-priced designer blouses. "Do you know how hurt Haley is going to be when she finds out I let my best friend sleep with her ex? They only broke up two days ago, Nat!"

     "Well he was obviously over her," the dark haired girl said simply, shrugging before pulling out a white button up, raising her eyebrows. Natalie held it up to her chest, turning to Camille. "This is cute, right? Crop it, maybe. It’d be cute with a pair of jeans, tuck in the front—"

     "God, you're not even listening to me!" cried Camille, throwing her hands in the air while Natalie put the shirt back on the clothing rack.

     Natalie shifted her weight to look over at Camille, folding her arms over her red cropped tank. She rolled her lower lip into her mouth, wetting it before raising an eyebrow at her friend. "Haley needs to let him move on. She can't expect him to cry over her for as long as she is him. And I didn't directly cross any lines because I'm not friends with her. It’d be different if it was you or something. Besides, you know how I feel about all that stupid girl code shit. It's Luke's decision how he copes with the breakup. Maybe sleeping around is his way of grieving—and I am of honour that he chose to do his service with me.”

     Camille looked taken aback at what Natalie had said. The words processed in her mind before she reluctantly nodded, furrowing her eyebrows. "I hate it when you're right," the girl mumbled, and Natalie let out a loud, nearly obnoxious laugh—one that earned her a nasty glare from the lady a few feet away, and the cocky brunette only shot one back—before turning back to the clothing rack. Camille let out a sigh, picking through the shirts next to Natalie absentmindedly. "I'm not gonna say anything to Haley because that would just be awful. But can you promise not to sleep with him again? I know it was, like, a one time thing, but just to make me feel better. You know how I am, it’ll be on my conscience forever.”

     Natalie froze. Shit. Camille was asking her not to sleep with Luke again—she was practically giving her a get out of jail free card. She couldn't tell Camille that she was actually talking to him because, one, she had just asked her to stay away from him, and two, Natalie didn't talk to guys. This was an exception—one that Natalie had stayed up all night debating whether or not it was good for her. She never dated, so it was weird for Natalie knowing that there was a real life guy somewhere out there, waiting for her to text him, probably at work or with his friends or something. Natalie actually really liked Luke, which is why she gave him her number before climbing out of his red Lamborghini that morning. Seriously—a fucking Lamborghini. Now Camille was asking her to not sleep with him again. This was just ironic, really. A game that God was playing on Natalie. She didn’t do boyfriends, didn’t do relationships, so this only made sense that she couldn’t actually be with Luke now that she wanted to. But Camille didn't know any of this—she didn’t know that Natalie had developed legitimate feelings for him overnight, and she didn't need to know, not until Natalie was serious that this wasn't just her subconscious playing tricks on her.

     "I will not sleep with Luke again." God. Even coming from Natalie, a girl who spent her whole life pulling tricks on people and playing cruel mind games, a lie like that didn't sound good. And it didn't feel very good, either. Maybe. . . she wouldn’t sleep with him. Who knows? To be fair, Camille only advised her not to have sex with Luke. That didn’t mean she had to stop seeing him altogether.

     "Good," Camille hummed, a small, triumphant smile playing on her lips as she turned back to the discounted clothes. Natalie nearly missed the words that fell from Camille's lips in a murmur, "because you have a date tonight anyway."

     Frowning, Natalie raised her eyebrows. Had she heard her right? "Did you say a date?"

     A playful grin crept across Camille's thin lips as she nodded. "Mhm. Ashton got us into a really nice club that’s, like, super hard to get into. His friend is coming. Ugh, what’s his name? Caleb? Calvin? I don’t know, it starts with a C.”

     The brown haired girl let out a surprised scoff, watching her friend incredulously. Natalie opened her mouth to say something before she became acutely aware of the buzzing in her purse. The vibration that she'd set specifically for Luke, she could feel against her hip but she pushed it out of her mind, reaching into her Kate Spade bag to silence the call. "I'm sorry, am I hearing you right? You set me up on a double date with you and your boy toy?"

     Camille rolled her eyes, though Natalie didn't miss the happy smile playing obviously on the girl's lips. "I actually really like Ashton, for your information. But yes. Tonight at 7. Ashton said his friend would DD so they’ll pick us up.”

     Holding back an aggravated sigh, Natalie agreed reluctantly. If she was being honest, tonight was the first time that Natalie didn't want to go out. She wanted to stay home and maybe watch a movie and eat some popcorn, all the while texting the boy that she really liked. God, she felt like she was in high school again.

     "Do you wanna get food beforehand? I was thinking Panda Express." As Camille rambled on about the rest of their day, Natalie reached into her purse, nodding as if she was listening to the girl, and checked her phone. Luke had called her and then left a text, one that had Natalie’s heart racing rapidly. 'Wanna grab dinner tonight? My treat :-)'

     Natalie felt the corners of her mouth curling upwards in a smile so big it ached. Camille didn't even notice, too busy talking about Ashton, as Natalie texted away on her phone, her acrylics tapping against the glass screen. She had typed, 'Yeah sure!' before remembering what Camille had told her only moments before. Of course. Luke had asked her on a date tonight, one that Natalie was actually looking forward to, that probably wasn't just leading to sex. But of course she had to decline, so Natalie deleted her text before writing a completely new one. 'I can't tonight :/ Tmrw?'

     Sighing, Natalie turned her phone over in her hand after sending the text, tapping her acrylic nails against the clear case. This felt. . . strange. Awaiting a text from the guy she liked, butterflies erupting in her stomach as she clicked her nails nervously, and when she felt the buzzes of his texts, she felt her heart beat faster and her throat dry. Natalie flipped her phone over, reading the notifications.

     'Sure, love :-)’

     ‘Miss you’

     Natalie thought she was gonna throw up—in a good way, of course. Love. Miss you. Texts like that used to sicken her. Now she felt sick, but with love. What had happened to her? This wasn't the Natalie she was used to. What happened to the Natalie who slept around and was a bitch just for the fun of it? Now she was all giddy about a boy she’d met once.

     But boy, did she like it.

                                                                 ***

     Seven pm rolled around and Natalie wasn’t even close to ready. She was just fresh out of the shower, her hair up in a towel as she had a pair of black latex pants on with a white button up, her black bra showing purposefully through the thin material. She was done her foundation and bronzer, setting it with translucent powder when there was a knock on the apartment. Natalie groaned, glancing around the corner from the bathroom while dabbing at her face with her beauty blender. 

     “Cami, can you get it? I’m still doing my makeup!”

     The light haired girl got up to answer the door while Natalie finished up her base makeup. She could hear a few greetings and polite welcomes from the foyer, and, taking her time, Natalie filled in her brows and blended out her eyeshadow. They could wait.

     “Nat’s still doing her makeup,” she heard Camille explain, mumbling an apology before recognizing Ashton’s laugh as he assured her they weren’t in a rush. Camille welcomed them inside, offering something to eat or drink while Natalie expertly swiped on her winged eyeliner, working as carefully and efficiently as she could. 

     “Where’s your bathroom?” she heard a man speak. His voice was one of rasp and fluidity, similar to Luke’s as she recognized an Australian accent. Natalie had heard that voice—it was familiar, but she couldn't put her finger on where she’d heard it before there was a man standing in the doorway of the bathroom, where Natalie was applying her fake eyelashes. Her eyes flickered up, meeting a familiar pair of brown irises. Natalie’s eyebrows raised in surprise as she recognized the boy’s face—it was the same boy she met the first night she got to L.A., when Camille and her went to some sort of boxing match and out for drinks after. It was the fighter. Fuck, what was his name?

     “Oh, sorry. I didn’t know you were in here,” the boy said, awkwardly lifting a hand to rub the back of his neck as Natalie stared at him incredulously. She couldn’t remember his name for the life of her, but she knew it’d be rude to ask since they already met. Natalie blinked a few times, holding her tweezers in one hand as the other gripped the edge of the sink counter. His sheepish smile pulled her from her thoughts and Natalie cleared her throat.

     “Shit, sorry.” She laughed nervously, the sound coming out more as forced while she rushed to pack up her things. “I can finish this somewhere else—”

     “No, no, it’s fine—”

     While awkwardly side stepping him to get out of the bathroom, Natalie twisted her body in a way that caused the boy’s hand to brush across her chest, and he cursed as he retracted his hand, muttering a million apologies as they both tried to fit past the small doorway. Finally, both of them had switched spots, Natalie standing in the hallway holding her makeup bag while Calum stood in front of the sink, his cheeks red as were Natalie’s, though hers were expertly hidden by blush.

     “Sorry,” he spoke, darting his gaze around the bathroom in an attempt to avoid Natalie’s eyes, while she did the same. They both stammered like idiots, Natalie’s heart hammering before they both came to the conclusion to go their separate ways. He closed the bathroom door while Natalie made her way into Camille’s bedroom, heart in her throat. Only a few minutes later Natalie finished her makeup and her hair, and she walked out to the main part of the apartment. Ashton and Camille were in the kitchen, Camille’s arms wrapped around his torso and hands linked behind his back as she looked up at him while Ashton was telling some sort of story and playing with a few loose strands of Camille’s hair absentmindedly. The other boy was leaning against the island counter, scrolling through his phone. Natalie bit her lip as she moved around the boy to get to the closet, mumbling a quick sorry before bending down to grab her black stilettos.

     “Okay, everyone ready?” Camille asked while Natalie put on her heels, leaning against the wall. She nodded, grabbing her black purse off the dining table and following everyone out. As they stepped out into the hallway, lingering for a moment while Camille locked up the apartment, Calum caught Natalie’s hand and pulled her towards him, away from the other two.

     “I don’t want to be a dick,” Calum said, his voice low. Natalie blinked up at him expectantly. “But I completely forget your name.”

     The corners of her lips curled up in a smile as Natalie let out a light, relieved laugh. She shook her head, placing a hand on his bicep as she smiled up at him. “I forgot your’s too, I just didn’t want to be rude—I’m Natalie.”

     “Fuck, right.” He nodded, running a hand through his curls before bringing it down and offering it to Natalie. She shook it politely as he said, “I’m Calum. Promise I won’t forget your name this time.”

     She grinned, not acknowledging the fact that Calum’s hand was still holding her’s, their fingers intertwined at their sides at this point. Natalie lifted her eyes to meet Calum’s, brown meeting brown, as she smiled and said, “I would promise you the same, but I haven’t decided how much I want to drink tonight.”

     Calum grinned.

[victoria-daydreams]

Skylark - Chapter Two

Chapter One

Word Count: 1.6k

A/N: Sorry if there's any mistakes.

Pairings: Collins X OC

The air around Alice smelled of books, that wonderful scent of ink and paper that she reveled in. To Alice, the smell was calming it set her a little, if not at all, at ease. Working at Arthur's Bookshop was a lot quieter than working at a nightclub as one could imagine, but this suited Alice just fine, it was the perfect balance. The scratchy record player behind the front counter played softly which could be heard from the backroom of the bookshop where Alice resided. She was sorting the new deliveries of books that came in earlier in the day.

Alice took a deep breath and exhaled loudly, thankful for the lack of customers today. It was a Friday, which meant a slow day at the bookshop, but at least she could get caught up on some reading. The soft sound of silvery chime from the small bell that hung above the door echoed in the shop followed by the soft bang of the door closing.

"Good afternoon sir," two female voices greeted simultaneously.

Alice arched an eyebrow at the flirtatious tones of her co-workers, Mary Parkes and Edith Drake.

When Alice was first saw Mary, she reminded her of a Hollywood starlet from the states. With her high aristocratic cheekbones and slightly angular heart shaped face, a straight nose, arching eyebrows, and blue almond shaped eyes. Which were all framed by the golden waves of her curly blonde hair. Then there was Edith, who was just as pretty as Mary. A bright smile always graced her pale, oval shaped face, and the darkest lashes and brows which drew attention to her hazel colored doe-eyes.

At first, Alice wasn't sure how her two co-workers would respond to working with her, but her worries were erased when Mary embraced her excitedly after Alice told her she was the new employee, telling her they'll have loads of fun together compared to the last girl that was here. Edith offered Alice a simple handshake, but she still welcomed her in a warm manner.

Hearing the giggles and hushed whispers of Mary and Edith, Alice grabbed a stack of books from the table and made her way to the front counter to find out what was going on.

"What's got you two giggling like two schoolgirls?" Alice inquired quietly, placing the books down on the counter.

Mary's blonde curls danced across her shoulders as looked at Alice with a grin.

"The most handsomest man I have ever seen just walked into the store," Mary sighed dreamily, placing both of her hands over heart.

The brunette on Alice's right rolled her eyes, "You say that about every guy you see Mary," Edith retorted, her voice low. Mary narrowed her blue eyes at Edith and Edith childishly stuck her tongue out in return.

"She does have a point Mary," Alice agreed smirking, with a shrug of her shoulders.

Mary silently scoffed in faux shock as Edith placed her hand on top of Alice's, getting her attention again.

"But I can't disagree with Mary on this one, he's quite the catch," Edith stated, nodding her head. "Go take a look for yourself," she suggested, flicking her chin out.

Now it was Alice rolling her eyes, "I will, but once we're done ogling at this customer, please help me with the books in the back," she requested, picking up her stack of books again.

"Will do!" Mary called, from behind her.

Alice walked away from her coworkers and from behind the counter to the many bookshelves that filled the shop. Hundreds of new and used books lined the shelves that slightly dipped under the combined weight of them. Alice moved down an aisle, her eyes sweeping over the sections: 'fiction', 'history', 'cooking'. Each bookcase boasted a different subject.

As Alice placed the books that were in her hands in their respective sections, she got a glimpse of the man that Mary and Edith were gushing about. Well, she at least got a glimpse of the back of him, all she could see was that he was tall and blond and was wearing forest green cardigan and brown slacks. Alice watched the man browse the shelves in a fashion that appeared almost mindless, quietly she followed behind him as he continued aimlessly walking through the aisles.

"May I help you?" Alice questioned, from behind the man.

The man turned around and Alice's eyes widened in shock at the familiar bright, blue eyes gazing at her. It was Jack Collins.

"I'm just lookin' around," he answered, as Alice took a step forward.

Alice lifted an eyebrow, asking herself why didn't he recognize her. Maybe Jack wasn't as sober as Alice thought he was when they met that night at the club.

"I wasn't expecting to see you soon Mr. Collins," Alice joked, and he slightly cocked his head to the side in confusion.

"I'm sorry?" Jack asked, moving closer to her. "But how do ye know my name? Have we met?" he questioned.

"Jack it's me, Alice. Alice Lloyd from two nights ago," she replied, still not understanding why he was finding it so difficult to recognize her.

Alice lifted her hand and pushed her black, round frame glasses up from her nose and that's when she realized why Jack was having a hard time recognizing her. Alice removed her glasses from her face and Jack’s eyes widened in surprise, Alice had no doubt he was struck by how different she looked with glasses on.

"Alice?" Jack breathed, his eyes scanning over her figure.

In contrast to two nights ago, Alice had her hair pulled up into a neat chignon with two dark curls hanging on either side of her face. Her red halter dress that she wore that night was now replaced with a blue A-line skirt and a cream keyhole short-sleeve sweater.

"Why I didn't even recognize ye," he laughed softly. "Ye like-"

"Superman," the two of them said simultaneously.

Alice bowed her head in laughter, "I get that all the time," she chuckled, shaking her head. "How on earth did you find this bookshop," Alice asked, sliding her glasses back on her face.

Jack held his arms behind his back, "I just stumbled upon it," he shrugged, now walking beside her. "I was walking te get some fresh air and then I saw this charming bookshop," he explained, glancing over at Alice. "I've been meaning te get a book to entertain me while I'm away, but now I think found something better," he finished, a smile on his lips.

A soft grin made its way on Alice's face and she cleared her throat, "Can I help you find a particular book?" she asked, looking over at him.

"No, but can ye do somethin' for me..." he trailed off, and Alice arched an eyebrow as she noticed the cheeks of his fair skin turned slightly rosy. "Will ye join for me a cup of tea?" he asked softly, as they stopped in front of the counter where Mary and Edith both stood. "And maybe you can tell me what books I should read while we're there," he added playfully.

The two women had halted in sorting the books they had picked up from the backroom, staring at Alice and Jack with their mouths open. Mary was the first one to recover from her stupor.

"Of course she will!" Mary said excitedly, answering for Alice.

Alice turned her head towards Mary, and silently gave her look that expressed 'What the hell Mary', before facing Jack again so she could give an answer herself.

"I would like that very much Jack, but my shift doesn't end until another thirty minutes," Alice explained.

"No, go ahead Alice," Edith grinned, looking at Alice. "Fridays are always slow, your presence won't be missed," she reassured, her grin widening as she glanced at Jack.

"Well then, let me grab my coat," Alice said, lifting her eyes to meet Jack's and he nodded, a smile on his face.

Alice's heels clicked along the floor as she went to the backroom, Mary and Edith followed behind her shortly after, but not before they shot a smile in Jack's direction which he kindly returned. Mary closed the door behind her and turned around to face Alice, letting out a quiet squeal as she rushed over to her. Edith grabbed Alice's left arm and Mary took a hold of her right arm, both of them grinning excitedly.

"How on earth do you know him already?" Edith asked.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Mary questioned.

"We met at the Garden Rouge," Alice answered, tugging her arms from the grips of Mary and Edith. "I didn't know that was him walking into the bookshop," she answered, now free from her friends. "I was back here, actually doing work," she reminded, grabbing her coat from the coat rack and sliding it on.

"You're a lucky gal Alice," Mary commented, with a grin. "I was about to make him mine if another a minute had passed," she added, folding her arms against her chest.

Alice rolled her eyes, "I'm sure you were Mary," she joked, as she placed her black, wool beret on top of her head.

Edith handed Alice her purse, "Have fun!" she wished, as Alice opened the backroom door.

Alice smiled and nodded her head in thanks and walked to where Jack was waiting for her.

"Shall we?" Jack asked, offering his arm to her.

"With pleasure," she answered, gratefully taking his arm.

Chapter Three

[rnufharose]

Chapter 20

Words: 2.2k

Warnings: None

︻デ═一 ♥

"I'm so glad you asked me to tag along with you," Irene smiled from ear to ear as she walked a few steps ahead of Sehun, who exhaled sharply.

After he left the Kim Estate, he was headed to the Lotte World Mall to find a dress for Haneul, but then Irene gave him a call and when he told her he was going to find the girl a dress, the older women decided to take it upon herself to join him.

"You didn't ask though," Sehun replied, looking around the shopping outlets. "I can find a dress on my own, you know. I have good taste in clothes, you can't deny that."

"You're just going to pick out something slutty," she teased and the younger male stammered, coming to a halt.

"Noona! I would never!" He protested, taking offense to her words. He could never look at Haneul like that. He loved how cute and innocent she looked. He didn't dare think about the amount of skin he wanted to see from her, but as he followed after Irene, something within him changed. He recalled the night she sang at The Magic Shop, how long and slender her legs looked, the way her thin, petite frame curved in all the right places. Her skin looked so soft to the touch, and it stirred a feeling of wonder as to what she might look like under those dresses she wore--under the shirts and jeans she sported casually, under the t-shirt and jogging sweats she wore at home... Dammit, Sehun shook his head to rid himself of such naughty thoughts. Now's not the time to think about that!

"Excuses, excuses," Irene sang, still playing around with him until she came across PINKO, an Italian fashion brand targetted toward women, known for its wide selection of dresses, blouses, and coats. She walked into the store and Sehun followed behind, watching her sift through several dresses on the rack. "No... not that one... ew," she scrunched her nose, and Sehun agreed, but not about that one dress she disliked suddenly.

The whole rack she was looking through was disgusting. "Noona, I can find her something, trust me."

"You know I can't leave anything to you," she said, and she grabbed a black dress with a conservative high laced collar and cuffs, long sleeves, and buttons running along the front. "This is good! That way you won't look at her like you're about to eat a meal."

"She's going to a party, not Church!" the raven-haired male exclaimed.

"What's wrong with dressing up as a Church girl?" the older women cocked an eyebrow. "I thought you were the more religious one out of the other members of EXO."

"Oh please, I may read the Bible but I'm a sinner with blood on my hands," Sehun grunted. He reached for the dress, gently taking it from her and setting it on the rack. "Trust me, Noona. I can find her an appropriate dress. Just let me do it."

Irene stared at him for several moments before huffing, nodding with defeat and allowing to find a dress for Haneul, "Alright... I'll put my trust in you. Go ahead and look around," she gestured toward the rest of the store, and he gave her a small smile, bowing his head graciously and walking deeper into the store.

Sehun looked around carefully, scanning the dresses on the other racks, but nothing seemed to catch his eye. There were evening dresses with low-cut fronts which he didn't find decent, nor did he like ones that were too short and would make Haneul uncomfortable. She wore skater dresses to work, so those were out of the question, and others were just as conservative as what Irene showed him before.

"There has to be something," he mumbled, moving toward the side, and passing by several blouses and overcoats until he came across a rack that had one dress left. He came to a halt and inspected it, lips parted and eyes widening slightly as he took it in.

It had a sleeveless black lace bodice with a round collar that ended mid-waist with abstract patterns. The skirt was pleated and asymmetrical, a soft cherry blossom pink, and he could only imagine how beautiful Haneul would look in it. He had never seen her wear a soft color like pink. It would probably go well with her pale skin and brown hair. He reached for the dress, smiling with satisfaction and making his way back toward Irene, who was busy looking at some dresses for herself.

"You found something?" She asked when she heard his footsteps.

"Yup," he answered, holding up the dress. "Take a look."

The older woman faced him, inhaling when she saw the dress. It was a stark contrast from what she had initially picked, but at the same time, she expected no less from Sehun. The dress was beautiful but appropriate enough so that other men wouldn't think twice about laying eyes on Haneul, and the color would go well with her. "This is Irene-approved," she raised her head, meeting his dark gaze. "we can buy this dress for her."

Sehun breathed a sigh of relief, giving her a nod. Now that it was approved by her, he didn't have to think about traversing the whole mall to find the perfect dress for Haneul. "Thank God. Now, let's pay for this quickly and head to Louis Vuitton. I need another suit."

︻デ═一 ♥

Life had returned to The Magic Shop as more customers walked through the door. Haneul and the boys were dressed in white, getting ready for a brand new performance—something little more seductive and sensual, but it would be a decent performance nonetheless. Once they took the stage, they got into position with Jimin in the center, and he began to sing, the choreography synchronized, as usual, their gazes piercing into the men and women—mostly women—who watched their performance in awe. It was time for the rap line to take the stage, singing the first bridge after the hook.

[Suga, RM, J-Hope]

My blood, sweat, and tears

My body, mind, and soul

I know well they're all yours

This is a spell that will punish me

Peaches and cream

Sweeter than sweet

Chocolate cheeks

And chocolate wings

But your wings are the devil's

There is a 'bitter' next to your 'sweet'

Kiss me, it's okay if it hurts

Just make it as tight

As that I can't feel the pain anymore

Baby, it's okay if I get drunk

I'll drink you in deep now

Deep into my throat

The whiskey that is you

[V, Haneul, J-Hope]

My blood, sweat, and tears

My last dance too

Take it all away

My blood, sweat, and tears

My cold breath too

Take it all away

I want you more

When the chorus came, the eight of them put as much energy into the dance routine, singing about a temptation that prompted them to sin. One could hear the dreamy sighs of the women in the corner as they eyed the seven males dancing and harmonizing with Haneul. Their visuals and voices had put them in a trance.

[Haneul]

My blood, sweat, and tears

My blood, sweat, and tears...

They finished their performance and the patrons exploded into applause, cheers, and whistles, still fixated on the eight angels on stage, and Haneul was the first to exit the stage. She walked toward the bar where Bella had poured her a whiskey on the rocks, sliding the intricate glass along the counter. "Here you go."

"Thanks," the brunette said before sipping her drink. "It's been so long since I've had one of your drinks."

"Well, you'll be having them again from now on," Bella chuckled.

"I have to go to the back and start cooking for the next customers," Jin gestured as he took off his suit jacket, hanging it to Dawon, who accepted it without question. "We should handle the rest of their orders while Soobin and the others perform their number."

"And in the meantime," Jimin walked up to brunette and wrapping his arm around her shoulder, pinching her cheek playfully. "You are going to tell us more about that Sehun. I want to hear everything." His eye smile was still so bright.

Hoseok took a seat on one of the bar stools, ready to listen as well, "Yes, please tell us! Does he have good marksmanship? Is he rich? Ooh, does he shower you with expensive gifts?"

"One and a time, Hobi," Namjoon held his shoulder and a laugh. "I'm sure he's all of those things and even more."

"I'll say!" Dawon agreed and began to fix up the white lace on the dress Haneul had been wearing. "Did you see the car he pulled up in? How can he not be?!"

"I think you can stop worrying about Neullie now," Yoongi confirmed. "It's obvious she's being taken care of. Sehun may not have the best job on the planet but he's an upright guy if he's protected her for this long."

"You're right, hyung," Jungkook raised his head and looked between then others. "I don't have to worry anymore. And you do look happier, Neullie... you look better than the last time we saw you."

"Do I?" She giggled, bowing thankfully. "Thanks everyone..."

Taehyung has remained silent the whole time, nursing his drink in his hand as he mulled over their words. He still wasn't sure if he should trust a guy like Sehun. After all, it was the mafia that was responsible for the debt his family was in. Granted, it wasn't EXO who was targeting his parents and siblings, but he had a history with the underworld which he wanted to forget and which he didn't want his friends involved in.

"I still don't trust him," Taehyung spoke seriously, facing the others. "He's going to have to convince me that he's protecting her. All those guys in the mafia—they're the same... greedy, murderous, lustful." He put down his empty glass and walked toward the back of the cabaret, and everyone watching with intent, concern on their expression as he left them.

Bella released a sigh, leaving her place behind the bar and following after him until she reached the storage room where the older male was seated on the couch. Taehyung has his shoulders dropped, his head hanging, hands in his lap while pain and anger lined his features. "Taehyung," she began, walking toward him slowly before taking a seat beside him. She placed a hand on his shoulder, and he looked at her, his eyes glazed over, tears ready to spill forth. "I know you're in pain... but maybe we can trust him."

"I want to, I really do," he hissed, a tear dropping down his cheek. "But how can I...? What if he asks the same thing from her?! Soon it'll be money, then sex, and then she'll be swallowed up until she can't get out of the darkness!"

"I don't think he's like that," Bella disagreed with him, running her fingers through his long curly blue hair. "You saw him before. He looked very sincere... even when he was asking Neullie to stay with him back then, there were no ill intentions in his voice. He may be in the mafia but he's got a good heart."

"It just scares me to think my friends could possibly be involved," he sighed deeply, turning away to look at the floor. "Just the fact that we know him puts us in danger! And if anything happened to them, and you, I—"

"Kim Taehyung," the silver-haired female squeezed his hand and gave him a reassuring smile. "Nothing is going to happen. Things are going to get better, you'll see. Maybe they already are since Neullie came back to The Magic Shop today. He may be a hitman but you should give Sehun a chance. Who knows? You might find the two of you are a lot similar than you think." She pulled him close, his head resting on her shoulder while she combed through his hair in comfort.

She knew Taehyung would listen to her. He always did. Right now, he just needed to be assured things were going to be alright. She knew he had been having a hard time since a small syndicate had been harassing his family, but he was close to paying off that debt thanks to working at The Magic Shop. He was opening his heart to the pain in order to exchange it for something better.

It wasn't just the customers outside who deserved something better. Even Taehyung needed that. It is with mindfulness and compassion that they opened these doors to the people of Seoul and once day, Taehyung would do the same for Sehun.

Somewhere outside, seated on one of the tables in the back, a pair of red eyes had watched as Taehyung and the silver-haired female walked toward the back of the cabaret. He nursed his drink in his hand, a smirk on his face before he brought the rim to his lips, downing the whiskey in seconds.

He was here to collect.

[xxrainbow-princessxx]

What if? (Leo x Isabella)

We all have one of those moments in life of ‘What if?’ How does one life choice affect the next? 

Tag list: @desiree-0816​ @cora-nova​ @choicesbyjade​ @lorircreates​ @drakewalkerfantasy​@debramcg1106​

❤️

“Settle mi amor...” Isabella cooed as she braided Natalia’s light brown hair with its honey blonde hues into the final french plait, tying the ends up with a matching navy bow just like her sister. “Now let me see...” both girls stood proudly together in their matching black double breasted faux fur lined coats Isabella smiled, “Tan bonita... you both look so pretty!” As Alessandra and Natalia grinned Isabella both pulled them in for a cuddle, kissing the crown of their heads. “Today is important; you both are going to be good, yes?” Both girls nodded, “Sí mama!” The three year olds were so excited - it was a few days before Christmas and now with them being in New York, the snow and sounds brought a new adventure for them.

A knock came from the heavy oak door that echoed through the townhouse that Isabella had purchased. The twins darted down the hallway with Isabella following behind. The petite brunette opened the door, her smile warm and kind, “Bienvenido Bastien...” Bastien stood in a black woollen jacket with leather gloves and a scarf wrapped around his neck. He began to bow as he stepped over the threshold and Isabella stopped him laughing, “Please... none of that here, you are family...” as she closed the door behind their guest, she swallowed hard to hide her disappointment, “Is he?” Bastien began to shake his head, “I’m afraid Leo and Liam has a few things to catch up on this morning but I am happy to bring you across town now...” Isabella began to nod before fixing hats, scarves and mittens on her two little munchkins.

Hand in hand they went, Alessandra with Bastien and Natalia with Isabella as they slowly navigated the snow capped steps towards the waiting Range Rover. Bastien opened the doors and lifted the twins into the backseats before he reached out to Isabella offering her his hand. Graciously she smiled, making sure her two girls were strapped in. “Mama...” Alessandra spoke quietly, “Is the mean lady going to be here?” Isabella bit down on her lip unsure of how to answer. Bastien checked them rear view mirror as he chuckled, “No little one... the mean lady isn’t here today!” Isabella could only smile as she watched their hazel eyes glitter with anticipation and innocence before quietly whispering to Bastien, “Muchas gracias...”

They weaved through the Manhattan traffic, across from their townhouse on the Upper West Side to the Plaza hotel where guards were stationed at each post, like a guard of honour as the blacked out Range Rover drove into the underground entrance. The vehicle came to a slow halt and armed guards opened the doors, bowing to the family as they exited. Bastien nodded as he escorted Isabella and the girls towards the private elevator waiting on their arrival.  Isabella could feel her heart beating through her chest as the little ones excitement was starting to bubble over.

As soon as the doors opened, Alessandra and Natalia broke from their mothers hands running directly towards Leo. They smiled and screamed “Papa!!” as he lowered himself onto one knee, arms opened wide embracing them both. He grinned as he kissed their cheeks, “There’s my beautiful girls!!l He began to laugh as the girls both wrapped their arms around his neck wanting attention. He scooped both of them up easily into his strong arms as he stood up proudly holding his girls until his sea green eyes wandered to the sight in front of him.

Isabella stood with her dark chocolate brown hair curled into a retro wave that cascaded over her shoulders. She wore a black woollen coat and her smile was decorated with a bright red lipstick. Her 5” Christian Louboutins elongated her dancers frame but Leo was more mesmerised by her long dark eyelashes and the little speckles of honey that reflected the light. “How was your flight?” Isabella spoke. Her accent more pronounced and eloquent as she put her hands into her pockets. Leo nodded as he smiled, “It was good... shall we?” jutting his head towards the double doors, “Uncle Liam wants to say hi!”

Isabella rolled her eyes as she followed Leo through the double doors and into the suite watching carefully as he set the girls down and watching them run off towards Liam out on the balcony. “So...” Isabella cleared her throat, “What changed your plans?” Leo began to look a little sheepish, running his fingers through his sandy blonde hair, “Sorry... it’s been a little mad the last few days...” Isabella stood beside Leo with her arms crossed, eyes rolling in his direction as she hissed, “They’re not a commodity Leo! not to pick and choose when suits you!” Leo turned glaring at Isabella before ushering her out the double doors, “Don’t fucking throw that back at me! I’m doing the best I can here! I pay my dues... my daughters are taken care of!”

Isabella’s dark almond shaped eyes narrowed in disgust, “What dues? Cordonia hasn’t paid anything for them in the last year... they’re your daughters by blood but not title! You see them twice a year when it suits... they’ve been looking forward to this all day and you decide to fucking work! Sasha and Lia deserve better than this...” Isabella spat, “They even fucking asked is the mean lady going to be here today... does that not tell you something?” “Bella...” Leo grunted, “...you’ve taken them across the fucking world away from me, what the hell do you expect?! Leo took a deep breath, holding himself back from saying something he’d regret “Look... I’m sorry... I didn’t know about the child support and I’m sorry I had to work today...” he held his hands up, “...but it was important. I couldn’t...” Isabella’s brow arched, her blood boiled, “Enough excuses! You need to step up more... you need to tell them yourself that you married Madeleine...”

Leo began to shake his head completely defeated, “Ok... ok! I’ll tell them tomorrow before I go... can we...” he opened the double doors for Isabella to go back in, “...play happy families for at least today? Their presents are here...” Isabella rolled her eyes, “Yeah... whatever...” as she moved further into the suite. “Isabella...” she heard a familiar voice call out, turning she smiled and embraced him warmly, “It’s good to see you Drake!”, “Likewise Sánchez! How’s the non-royal life working out??” Isabella laughed, “It’s good... it’s been pretty liberating! It’s nice to walk around with nobody following me everywhere I go...”

As the day progressed, Leo took the twins into one of the rooms he had set up for them with a Christmas tree adorned with presents a plenty under the tree. The twins tore and ripped at the paper squealing in delight at the new toys. Leo kneeled down beside them grinning, “Santa asked for your Cordonian toys to come here early so you could open with with Papa and Mama...” Leo looked back towards Isabella chuckling, “At last they’re not as interested in the wrapping paper this year...” Isabella held her breath, blinking away a tear as she saw Leo and her girls with their backs towards her in sheer bliss.

As the evening moved on, the girls were put to bed and Isabella grabbed her purse. “I think it’s time I should...” Leo’s sea green eyes pleaded with her as he reached out, holding her arm gently, “Please kit... Bella... please don’t go...” he insisted, smiling warmly towards her, “Can we just talk?” Isabella nodded sighing heavily, what did she have to lose? They reminisced about the good times, the bad times and how the hell they ended up in this mess. “Bella... please...” Leo took a drink of his cognac, “Come back to Europe at least... we can make this work...”

Isabella looked over his glass at him before setting it down on the table, “Leo...” she could barely speak, “no... I’m sorry, I can’t. We’ve made a life out here. No one knows us, it’s a fresh start...” Leo reached out across the chair, taking her hand into his. His eyes locked onto hers and each and every time he looked into those hazelnut and honey eyes he fell in love again. “We could make it work...” Leo smiled, trying his hardest to talk her round, “Come back to Europe... I can see the girls more... I miss them... I...” Leo’s shoulders began to drop, “I miss you...”

Isabella pulled her hand away as she stood to her feet, her face was expressionless but deep down her heart was breaking and shattering into a million different pieces, “You made your choice...” she swallowed hard, “Have them home by 5:30pm tomorrow...” picking up her purse, Isabella left the suite and was escorted. Leo pulled out his phone, “Do not under any circumstances let the Princess leave until I get down there!” Isabella stood waiting, taping her shoe on the concrete floor impatiently as the car came sound the corner. She had barely touched the handle as Leo cried out, “Bella! Wait!!!” running towards Isabella. He reached out, cupping her heart shaped face before leaning down to kiss her. Leo could feel the tears running down her face before she stepped back and got into the car...

Leo gasped as he sat up in bed, groaning as he rubbed his face until he heard the distinct voice of his wife who was currently waving her hand back towards him, “Go back to sleep!!” Leo sighed as a massive wave of relief calmed him down. That dream was far too real and far too much of a nightmare.

[missnmikaelson-main]

The Forgotten - Chapter 9

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5 , Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8

2011

++++

He knocked back the tasteless liquor and poured out a second glass. The bottle held a stronger appeal, but he could already feel Finn’s inquisitive glances and he felt no desire to explain the truth to his oldest brother. He wanted to get drunk, so drunk that he couldn’t remember his own name. After that he would learn what he needed to know of the new century and move on, leaving all of them behind.

He tried to tune into what Elijah was saying, but the bottom of his kept his attention; he particularly enjoyed finding it at the end of each drink.

The voices of his siblings floated in the air, devoid of meaning until a single word pierced his mind.

His neck twisted around as he leveled a dark glare on his sister.

“We’re leaving you, Nik,” Rebekah crushed shards of glass beneath her heels. “Right after I find that doppelganger wench, then you will be alone; always and forever.”

Klaus leapt to his feet, enraged by Rebekah’s words, but he didn’t listen to the reply. The threats were always the same anyway: ‘do the thing I don’t agree with and I’ll make you regret it’.

He suspected Elijah’s reply but Klaus because for a moment he was silent.

Another doppelganger lived. Could she be the same one? Did it matter if she was? She wouldn’t know him yet, and he had already failed her once. The only possible thing he could do was attempt to stop her from going back, but if he did that then she would have never come into his life in the first place and he would lack the motivation he had to save her.

Provided this doppelganger was his doppelganger.

Why didn’t he ask her when she had come from?

He needed answers. He needed to know what had happened to her. What had happened to his Elena?

He was opening his mouth to ask that very question when the door opened. He turned with his family and felt the blood rush from his face.

“Mother?” He breathed.

She ignored the majority of her children, looking beyond them to Klaus who steadfastly avoided her gaze. She strode through them with the same no nonsense attitude as if she had seen them only yesterday and not a thousand years ago.

“Look at me,” she commanded with the authority of a mother, lifting her chin as he listened. “Do you know why I am here?”

He saw tears shimmer in Klaus’ eyes; his voice shook with vulnerability.

“You’re here to kill me.”

“Niklaus,” she sighed, “you are my son and I am here to forgive you.” She turned around to face the rest of her children. “I want us to be a family again.”

++++

“I guess I don’t need to ask if you’re sure he’s gonna wake up,” Matt braced his shoulders against the wall. “You’re a vampire.”

“I’m an idiot,” she swiped at her wet cheek. “Three supernatural species rolled into one and I froze…” she shook her head, disgusted with herself, “… I froze.”

She dropped the knife and slumped, sliding to the floor. Ninety-seven years she had waited to see her family again and what had she done? She nearly lost one of them because of her own stupidity.

“How could I forget his ring?” She drew her knees to her chest and buried her face in her hands, muttering incoherent curses under her breath.

Matt hesitated a moment. She was a vampire, and by her own admission two other things as well – one of them had to be doppelganger – but she was still his friend. That hadn’t changed.

“He’s your family, Elena,” he crossed the hall, sliding down the wall beside her. “It’s normal to panic when it’s someone you love.”

“I can’t lose any more family, Matt,” she spoke through the rising pressure in her throat.

“Hey,” he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, urging her head to his shoulder, “Jeremy and Mr. Saltzman both have rings to bring them back from most of the threats in this town.”

“It’s not just them,” she sniffled, tugging on her hair, “it’s Caroline and Bonnie, and Stefan and Damon, and you. And there’s Thierry and Marcel, and Kol if I can ever find him again.”

“We’ll do our best to keep you from losing us,” he rubbed her upper arm. His eyes trained on the wall paper; in the dark the floral design resembled looming silhouettes. “Elena?”

“Yeah?” She twisted her pyrite ring.

“How did you become a vampire?” He let go so he could turn and face her. “And who are Kol, Marcel and Thierry?”

Elena straightened her legs and met his eyes in the gloom. “I’ll tell you,” she bit her lip, “but you can’t breathe a word of it to Stefan or Damon.”

“You think of them as family, but you don’t trust them?” Matt frowned, tilting his head.

She shrugged.

“It’s not that I don’t trust them. I just don’t trust Stefan not to tell Damon, and I don’t trust Damon not to let it slip to Klaus, or you know…” a gleam entered her eyes, “… gloat about Klaus being unable to make any more hybrids.”

“Okay…” he drew out the word, uncertainty in his tone, but willing to keep her secret. “So who’s Marcel?”

“My friend…” she pursed her lips. “Also Rebekah’s ex and kind of Klaus’ son… adopted.”

“Thierry?” He frowned.

“My son,” she smirked. She could see the questions blazing in his eyes, but he held them in.

“Kol?” He leaned back, wary of her answer.

“My… friend,” she chewed her bottom lip. If Rebekah hadn’t walked in on Christmas Eve would she have had a different label for him? “He’s also Klaus’ little brother.”

She held out her hand before he could interrupt and hurried to explain how she knew them all.

“When we went to New Orleans I was gone a lot longer than three days.”

++++

1914

++++

‘What’ and ‘if’: two of the most unthreatening words to ever exist. They were both so innocent, but when put together they possessed the power to haunt.

She was certain the rest of her short life would be haunted by those two little words.

What if she had never told Kol the truth?

What if the brothers had come to an understanding?

What if she hadn’t opened the door?

What if nobody found Thierry?

She shook her thoughts away before they could consume her and moved back to the front door. She pounded on the wood, rapped on the glass and screamed.

She screamed until her voice was hoarse.

“That won’t do you any good.”

Elena drew in a shaking breath and lowered her fist so could slide to the floor, taking the pressure off her trembling legs. Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away. She wouldn’t let her see the devastation; she still had a shred of dignity left.

“What do you want?” Her voice crackled over the words. The sound was almost enough to summon a wave of tears.

“I didn’t want you here,” Mary Alice spat. “I didn’t think Klaus would put you in here.” She crossed her arms and glared down at Elena. The fire in her eyes suggested that she wanted nothing more than to strangle the brunette.

“You…” Elena breathed, using the door to stand up. “You told Klaus about me?”

“And that you’ve been using glamour spells to sneak around right under his nose,” she took a step forward. The cameo at her throat caught Elena’s eyes. “I sent him a letter telling him where to find you,” her eyes hardened, “and who was hiding you.”

Elena resisted the urge to press her body into the door as the blonde advanced. She forced a strength she didn’t feel into her voice.

“Why would you do that?” She squared her shoulders. “Do you have any idea what he’s gonna do to me?”

“He wants you for some ritual,” she shrugged, waving off the brunette’s question.

“He wants to kill me,” Elena hissed, stepping closer, “Klaus wants to drain every drop of blood from my body. By helping him you’ve condemned me to death, so I’m gonna ask again: why? What justifies murder to you?”

“I didn’t know he’d kill you,” she shook her head. “I just wanted to make you and Kol suffer. He left me in here to rot and you…” her hand gripped Elena’s arms, “… you stole his affections!”

Elena gasped as she was shoved against the door. She had never been a cruel person, nor was she particularly vindictive, but the blonde witch had practically signed her death certificate over petty jealousy – jealousy that had no foundation before her imprisonment.

Her eyes went cold as she straightened up.

“He doesn’t love you,” she inhaled a calming breath, “he never loved you. From the very beginning he was using you. You,” she dragged her eyes over the woman’s frame, “Mary Alice Claire, were only ever a means to an end. Any affection I took from him was never yours.”

Elena shook her head and walked round the table in the foyer. She wanted nothing more than to pick up the crystal vase and throw it against the door, or the witch’s head.

“He doesn’t care about me like that,” she gripped the table.

“Oh, please,” Mary Alice scoffed, “he’s in love with you.”

“He’s not,” she felt like crying again; they hadn’t known each other long enough for that. What if did love her? What if he had thought of her as more than a friend?

“I’d say he is,” a voice drew their attention to the stairs.

Elena twisted to look at the newcomer. She wore a nightdress that fell to the middle of her calves and a pale pink robe drawn tight around her trim waist.

“Do you know who I am?” She tucked her blonde hair behind her ear and approached Elena, glancing at the gold ring on her hand. A slow smile spread over her lips when the brunette gave a hesitant nod.

“You’re Freya?” Her confidence grew with the reassuring nod. “You’re one of Kol’s witch friends.”

“Yes,” she nodded, holding out her hand, “come with me.”

Elena frowned, glancing over her shoulder. “But the door…?”

“You’re not getting out the door,” Mary Alice rolled her eyes, “nobody is.”

“Ignore her,” Freya sighed, “she’s angry, bitter and jealous.”

“And telling the truth,” Mary Alice called after them.

Elena ignored her and followed the other witch into the empty kitchen.

++++

2011

++++

Rules: he hadn’t lived with rules in centuries; Elijah’s didn’t count.

All of mother’s rules boiled down to one: no killing.

That worked well for him. Murdering his brothers was literally impossible. However, roughing him up a bit – or a lot – was doable, not to mention enjoyable.

The sight of a frame breaking over his head brought a tight smile to his lips.

“Was that necessary?” Elijah brushed dust from his sleeves and glanced at the floor. His body had struck the walls and shelves in several places. “Are we even now?”

“Not even close,” he threw the words at him. Then he threw Elijah, watching with fascination as he crashed into a desk.

Elijah got to his feet, catching Kol’s fist before he could make contact, twisting until he heard a crack. He spun, pinning his brother to the last undamaged shelf.

“Your anger will not change the past,” he worked his jaw, feeling the break heal. “Let it go, and move on.”

“Let it go?” Kol whispered, shoving Elijah’s chest. His tone turned dangerous and icily cold. “Let it go? How am I meant to let it go?” He gritted his teeth. “What happened to her?”

Something flashed in Elijah’s eyes, but he shook his head and relinquished his hold. He stepped back, repeating his plea.

“You helped him dagger me, and likely played a part in what happened to her,” this time he recognized the guilt as it flickered through Elijah’s gaze. He glowered at him. “What happened to her?”

“You don’t want to know,” he sighed at the same time Klaus chimed in from the door.

“She died,” he leaned on the frame of the door, “she killed herself in the Fauline cottage…” he nodded to the mess of books and dust on the floor. “Clean this up and stay away from the new doppelganger.”

Kol turned his burning eyes on Elijah. Her lively gaze swam in his mind; even at her most vulnerable she had never been suicidal. The disbelief must have shown on his face.

“She used a knife,” Elijah breathed, the scene played out before his eyes, “plunging it through her heart. She was dead before I could reach her.”

++++

1914

++++

Fetch the doppelganger, he had said. Sometimes Elijah wondered if his brother remembered that he was not the oldest. He wanted to say no. he wanted to give the strange outspoken woman a chance at life, but he would not repeat his mistakes with Katerina. He swore a vow: family above all.

He supposed he could have said no. He could have made the choice to learn what circumstance had led Kol – the wildest of the family – to protect her. Part of him wanted to know the nature of their relationship, and why Kol had revealed everything to her; it had to have been Kol.

He doubted Kol had chosen to protect her just to anger Klaus.

He could have said no. He could have betrayed his brother and let the woman escape, but if he said no he would have been in the same position as Kol.

He stared up at the two storey cottage. Every few seconds his eyes would dart to the doll head on the fence; its unseeing gaze was unnerving. It stared into his very soul to accuse him of every heinous act he had committed and remind him that it was he and not the young Petrova who should be locked up.

His head tilted to the left as he waited for the witch. The screams had long since stopped, but he could still hear the echo of her voice in his ear.

“Please don’t do this,” she dug her heels into the frozen ground.

Centuries ago he might have been inclined to react to the fear in her voice, but that was before Katerina had played him for a fool and hardened his heart.

He righted her body and steered her toward the house with an iron grip on her elbow. She struggled against him futilely every step of the way. If it wouldn’t have led to the need for mass compulsion he would have tossed her over his shoulder.

“You don’t have to do this,” she dug her heels in and managed to make him stop for a moment. Her eyes pleaded with him to let her go. “He doesn’t even have the moonstone. I will die in that house.”

“Niklaus has lacked a reason to find the stone until now,” he gave her a pointed look. “I assure you that he will renew his efforts and focus on hunting Katerina down.”

“And then he’ll kill her and me,” she shook. Fear and anger flashed in her eyes. “You’re helping him kill us both.”

“What do you want me to do?” He narrowed his eyes.

Tears welled, misting over her vision and making her eyes glisten in the flickering light from the windows. He had always had a weakness for those expressive eyes. Tatia and Katerina had used theirs to stop him in his tracks, steal the breath from his lungs and bring him to his knees. Doppelgangers used their eyes to manipulate, and he would not be manipulated again.

“Let me go.”

He took a deep breath and stepped towards her. She jumped at the sudden move but stood her ground. He met her desperate eyes and tilted his head. He slid his hand from her elbow to her shoulder feeling the whisper of silk against his palm. It was a cold December night and Klaus had dragged her from Kol’s home without giving her time to grab a jacket; oddly enough she hadn’t started her pleas until they were outside.

She trembled under his hand; frigid air adding to her performance.

“Do you know what happens if I let you go?” He cocked an eyebrow.

“I’ll live…”

He cut her off with a finger under her chin. Her pulse pounded in her throat.

“You’re wrong. If I let you go he will find you and I will meet the same fate as Kol,” he glanced at the now empty street. “Your death is inevitable.”

He grabbed her arms, flashed up the steps and pushed her through the open doors. Magic sealed the house before she could stand.

He heard her shrieks through the heavy wood as he walked back through the gates; the beginning strains of guilt prickled the base of his skull.

“Mr. Mikaelson,” a delicate voice came from his side.

He cleared his throat and shook off the memory. Had it really only been an hour ago that he had deposited her in the house?

He turned to see the woman’s furrowed brow. Her blue eyes were nearly white in the darkness.

“Are you ready?” She rubbed her hands together. “You’ll only have five minutes to find her and get her back out.”

“Yes, Miss Griffin,” he nodded.

“There are a lot of witches inside,” she warned, pulling off her gloves, “since the covens have taken control and turned it into an asylum.”

“Precisely the reason she needs to be removed. The cottage was never meant to hold her for a long period of time. Whenever you’re ready.”

He moved through the gates when she murmured that it was done. A few seconds later he stepped into the house and came face-to-face with Mary Alice Claire.

“Where is the doppelganger?”

“Are you taking her away?” She uncrossed her arms.

“Yes,” he nodded, “and for your help Niklaus has agreed to let you go. The moment she is safe in his presence you will be issued your freedom.”

She straightened up with a tight smile and motioned for him to follow.

His heart jumped into his throat when she froze outside the kitchen. A second later the smell of blood assaulted him.

“No,” he moved quickly, pushing her out of the way and raising his voice. “No!”

He ran into the room and caught her falling body. Staring into her lifeless eyes he smoothed the damp hair from her face and repeated the word, sparing no attention to the weeping woman who cried that she couldn’t stop her.

There was only one voice in his head.

I will die in that house.

@elejah-wonderland @elejahforever @eternityunicorn @morsmornte @fandomrulesall @xanderling @cry-btch @kol-and-elena-fanfiction @geekofmanyfandoms

[helloalycia]

super crush [one] // supergirl

summary: Kara has a crush on you and has a hard way of expressing herself, so turns to her alter-identity Supergirl for help.

warning/s: nothing but extremely awkward and cute Kara tbh

part two  | masterlist

          "...and this is your new desk! It's opposite mine, so if you need anything, I'm right here!"

         Winn Schott, my new work colleague smiled cheerily at me as he awaited for me to ask any possible questions or queries I may have. I was a new employee here at CatCo, and part of the I.T. Tech team, the rest of the team consisting of, well, Winn. He had shown me around the whole building all morning and was very generous, helping me settle into my first day pretty easily.

         "Wow, thanks, Winn," I said gratefully. "You've been a really big help. Made me feel very welcomed. Thank you."

         He waved off my compliment and shrugged his shoulders. "Pfft, stop it, Y/N. I was only doing what anybody else would do. I'm just glad there's another person here who'll understand what I'm talking about from now on."

         I laughed whilst nodding my head. "Yeah, I get what you mean. Working for my last job wasn't very challenging compared to–"

         "Winn! There you are!"

         I was cut off by somebody stopping by Winn's side, out of breath and slightly red in the face. She was dressed quite formally for work-attire, and her blonde hair was pinned out of her face, only managing to emphasise her black-framed glasses that shielded her electric-blue eyes from clear view.

         "I have been looking all over for you!" she exclaimed, patting the brunette on his shoulder. "Where've you been?"

         He smiled before motioning to me. "I was showing around the new girl. Kara, this is Y/N Y/L/N. She's the new technician here at CatCo."

         This 'Kara' girl looked to me, obviously unaware of my presence. Then suddenly, her eyes widened as she looked me up and down. A dorky smile formed on her lips as she opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out but incomprehensible sounds.

         "Y/N, this is Kara Danvers," Winn introduced as he glanced at his blonde friend with confused eyes. "She's Cat's personal assistant."

         I wore my friendliest smile as I put out my hand for her to shake, hoping I could make two friends on my first day. "Hi, Kara. It's lovely to meet you."

         She tried to say something, but once again, nothing came out, so she bit her lower lip as she placed her hand in mine. A firm grip was in place as she shook my hand, her eyes fixated on me as if she had something to say but physically couldn't. I found it pretty adorable and couldn't help but chuckle at her expression.

         Pulling my hand away, she did the same and pushed her glasses further up the bridge of her nose, an adorable habit I presumed she had.

         "So, what did you need, Kar?" Winn asked her, but she was still staring at me with red cheeks.

         Eventually, she zoned back into reality and looked to her friend. "Um, what? Oh, yeah. My computer froze and Miss. Grant needs me to send some emails. Can you fix it?"

         "Y/N can fix it," he immediately said, making me raise my eyebrows and look his way. He smiled encouragingly. "It's your first day. Starting off small will boost your confidence."

         I guess he was right... I shrugged my shoulders and was about to agree then ask Kara where her desk was, but I didn't get the chance because the blonde had already grabbed Winn by his arm.

         "Uh, no, it's fine! Um, Winn, you can do it!" she got out in one breath before I watched her drag him to her desk, which I now knew was a few desks down from ours.

         I tried not to feel offended as I headed to my desk to sit down. I shook it off and smiled to myself as I looked at it's contents, noticing the basic office equipment that was there, along with my own computer. I couldn't wait to make it my own by decorating with my own personalised knick-knacks.

         However, as I was admiring my new workspace, I felt eyes on me, and when I looked up, I saw Kara and Winn talking whilst sending me glances every now and then. I met Kara's eyes the next time she looked up, and a giant awkward smile formed on her lips before she looked away again. I snickered to myself, finding her odd behaviour intriguing.

         Today had been a pretty good first day.

***

         It had been approximately two weeks since I had begun working at CatCo, and I was loving every minute it. The people were really nice, and I had made some new friends in the process – Kara and Winn. Cat Grant wasn't the nicest of the bunch, but she barely paid me any attention unless her computer didn't work or something, so I didn't have to worry about angering the boss.

         Winn was the person I had become the closest to since working here, and I was really grateful for him because he was how I befriended Kara, and it made my move to National City less scary than I imagined it to be. I had hung out with both him and Kara a few times and they were really easy to be myself around, that's what I loved. There was one thing that I was slightly confused at though...

         Remember when I said that I had made new friends? Well, one of them, Kara... I didn't think she liked me. She was friendly and smart and beautiful and probably the most adorable person ever, but I didn't think she liked me. And I was determined to get to the bottom of it.

         "Hey, Kara, Winn," I said with a smile, approaching the two colleagues that were sitting on Kara's desk.

         They both looked up and met my eyes, but their reactions were different. Winn smiled as usual, but Kara smiled awkwardly and immediately looked away, avoiding my eyes. See? Things like that would confuse me and make me wonder whether she disliked me for some odd reason.

         "'Sup, Y/N?" Winn asked with a smile.

         I shrugged and kept my eyes on Kara, despite her avoiding me. "Nothing. I actually just wanted to ask you guys if you wanted anything for lunch. I'm gonna pick something up now."

         "Ooh, can I get a panini from that new place that opened up?!" Winn asked with excitement, making me look his way to see a giant grin on his face.

         I chuckled at his expression which resembled a child's. "Sure. Anything specific?"

         "Surprise me."

         I smiled with amusement before looking to the silent blonde. "Anything for you, Kara?"

         Her eyes flickered up to mine before looking down again, and a faint pinkness spread across her cheeks as she spoke. "What? Um, no, I'm good."

         Winn furrowed his eyebrows when he nudged her shoulder. "What? Kara you were just complaining about how hungry you were."

         I raised an eyebrow as I looked between the two of them, and eventually settled my gaze on the flustered blonde. She seemed uncomfortable with all the attention, and I wondered why she was like this every time I spoke to her. Whenever I saw her from afar, she seemed relaxed with whoever she was speaking to, so what was I doing wrong?

      ��  "I'm not hungry anymore," she said like it was nothing, before standing up and looking to Winn. "And um, I think Miss. Grant wants me, so um, yeah." She turned to walk away, but momentarily forgot I was there and ended up bumping into me. She bit her lip and looked up, her blue eyes meeting mine. Smiling nervously, she mumbled an apology before stumbling away, only leaving me in confusion.

         "Uh, you saw that too, right?" I asked to Winn, watching the blonde walk away. Or should I say stumbling about as she avoided bumping into people.

         "Mhm," Winn mumbled with agreement.

         I kept my eyes on Kara until I saw her about to round the corner. She looked over her shoulder and was obviously surprised to see me watching her, as she widened her eyes and did that adorable awkward smile of hers before rushing away, out of my view. When she was gone, I looked back to Winn and sighed heavily.

         "She is so confusing," I stated before slouching on Kara's desk beside him.

         He quirked an eyebrow. "Trust me, I know that. But I wanna know why you think that."

         I raised my hands, motioning to the direction she just left in, before letting them fall to my sides again. "I feel like she doesn't like me. She's always doing her best to avoid me, and she acts different with me than she does with others. But then I think she does like me because she does that cute little smile of hers and stares at me with those big blue eyes and ugh, I'm so confused."

         The blonde's expression remained in my mind as I looked at the spot where she was once stood. She had such a pretty smile. But I hated that I rarely saw it because she made it her thing to leave whenever I showed up. Like before.

         I sighed distractedly and looked back to Winn, only to pull a face when I saw him smirking at me knowingly.

         "Uh, what are you doing?" I asked, trying my hardest not to feel creeped out by his expression.

         "You like Kara," he said with a teasing tone.

         "No, I don't."

         "Yes, you do. I would know. I was once in the same boat."

         I raised an eyebrow. "You liked Kara?"

         He shrugged it off. "Yeah. So I know that the way you look at her is the way somebody looks at a puppy. Lovesick."

         I almost snorted. "I don't love her. I've known her for two weeks, dude."

         "Yes," he agreed, then stood up to face me. "But you have a crush on her."

         I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest. "Even if that were true, it doesn't matter. She doesn't like me. Whenever I try to get her attention, she leaves."

         He chuckled to himself as if he knew something I didn't. "Whatever, Y/N. All I'm going to say is keep trying. I'm sure things will happen how you want them to be."

         Thinking he was some wise old man, he walked away leaving an air of mystery behind him along with a disgruntled me.

***

         When I returned with Winn and I's lunch, I also bought Kara something, too, knowing she would be hungry even though she wouldn't admit it to me for whatever reason. I found the duo by Winn's desk this time, chatting happily. Kara was actually laughing, and as I neared them, I realised I liked the sound of her laugh. A lot.

         "I've returned! And with food!" I exclaimed as I made my presence known.

         Their conversation quietened down, and I saw the excitement in Winn's eyes as I set down his takeaway. I couldn't help but laugh as he eagerly grabbed his food. I grabbed Kara's bag and held it out to her, noticing the small smile on her lips.

         "I got you a panini too," I told her, smiling in return. "I figured you'd be hungry."

         "Thank you," she said with a nod, accepting the bag. Her hands brushed mine in the process, and I didn't think much of it, but apparently she did, judging from the red blush that spread across her cheeks. She did look pretty adorable.

         We all dug into our food and it was silent as we enjoyed our lunch. However, I couldn't seem to look away from Kara. I was still wondering why she was the way she was with me. Maybe I could change things.

         "Hey, Kara," I called after swallowing a bite of my panini. She looked up with a mouthful of food, so I took her attention as my cue to continue. "Do you want to go out to the movies tomorrow night? I'd love to get to know you a bit more."

         She almost choked on her food when she swallowed, making me grab the nearest bottle of water and hold it out for her. She shook her head and waved me off though, so I put it back down but watched her with concern.

         "You sure you're okay?" I asked, resting a hand on her leg because she was sat on the desk in front of me.

         Her eyes darted from my hand to my eyes, and I was so confused to why she was acting like this. Whatever it was though, Winn must've understood because he was laughing hysterically in the corner. I didn't even bother to question him as I waited for Kara to speak.

         "Uh, yeah, I'm fine," she promised, offering a small smile through her blushing cheeks. "Sorry. And um, the movies? Are you, like, sure?"

         I smiled with confusion and cocked my head to the side. "Uh, yeah? I'm pretty sure, ha."

         She smiled toothlessly and I watched her visibly gulp before nodding her head. "Yeah, um, I'd like that."

         Feeling a sense of accomplishment, I straightened my posture and felt myself smile widely. "Wow, okay. Cool! I'll text you tonight then?"

         She nodded and avoided my gaze again. "Y-yeah. That's fine, Y/N."

***

         Asking Kara to accompany me to the cinema was a good plan, despite her acting strange at first. We ended up watching a comedy, (not just so I could hear her adorable laugh all the time), and afterwards we got some Potstickers, per her request. The weird behaviour between us soon disappeared and I could finally get to know the real her. She was still clumsy and awkward at times, but it was actually really cute to witness. Despite the unfortunate part of her having to leave early for an emergency, I would like to say that it was a good evening, and my crush on Kara Danvers was very much intact.

         Around CatCo, I would continue to hang with Kara and Winn, (and occasionally their other friend, James), and we would spend time together outside of work, too. During these times, I couldn't help but fall harder for the blonde, yet I was clueless on how to approach her and ask her out. She always seemed nervous and distant, and I wasn't sure how to go about it. Even after admitting this to Winn, he assured me that Kara was just being Kara and I should give it a shot, but that was easier said than done.

         "Supergirl is back at it again, having disarmed four criminals at a bank robbery in under two minutes, and managing to save countless more lives!"

         The news reporter on the TV droned on and on about Supergirl's latest achievements and many of my colleagues were sat or stood watching. Winn and I were leaning against his desk as we watched the impressive images and videos playing of Supergirl saving the day.

         "She's so amazing," Winn commented with a hint of pride in his voice, as if he knew her personally. He looked to me, a smile on his lips. "Don't you think?"

         I shrugged in agreement. "Yeah, I guess she is. Always saving the day and people's lives."

         "You guess?" he asked, feigning offence as he pressed his hand to his chest in awe. "How do you just 'guess'? She's Supergirl!"

         I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction, and I was unable to give a response because Kara soon joined our side, having noticed the others watching the news report and me laughing at Winn.

         "What's got you all smiley?" she asked with a small smile of her own, scrunching her nose up a little.

         "Y/N guesses Supergirl is amazing. Guesses!" Winn exclaimed with disbelief.

         I smiled to contain my laughter. "When you say it like that, you make it sound worse than it is!" I looked to Kara and shook my head. "He's just overreacting."

         I figured Kara would drop it, but she bit her lip as she looked me in the eye curiously.

         "What do you think of Supergirl?" she asked, not bothering to hide her eagerness.

         I rolled my eyes and gave her a knowing look. "Oh, no, not you, too." A faint pink blush appeared on her cheeks and I couldn't help but laugh at how cute she looked. Continuing, I said, "Supergirl is obviously amazing. I mean, she has superpowers for crying out loud! I just don't get excited about her like, well, everyone in National City."

         Winn stayed quiet as he crossed his arms over his chest and sulked like I'd personally offended him. Meanwhile, Kara raised her chin indifferently.

         "So, um, why? Don't you like her?" she asked not very subtly, before looking down and playing with one of Winn's collectibles whilst conspicuously glancing up at me every few seconds.

         "I do," I defended myself with a chuckle, finding this whole situation amusing. "I just don't see the point in fangirling over her like..." I glanced at Winn, who glared at me, before looking back to Kara, who was still trying to seem uninterested. "I'm not from here so maybe that's why I'm not feeling the hype around Supergirl. I don't know."

         I shrugged lamely as I looked between the two Supergirl fans, and they both contrasted extremely, making me laugh all over again.

         "What do you think of Supergirl?" I asked Kara, raising an eyebrow.

         Kara knocked over one of Winn's toys when I asked, and raised her eyebrows as she cleared her throat. "Me? What do I think?"

         I nodded, an amused smile on my lips as I watched her fumble about awkwardly to place Winn's toys back in order.

         "I don't know, I mean, she's Supergirl. What's to say?" she said, then bit her lip afterwards.

         I opened my mouth to respond with something sarcastic, but another voice interrupted, cutting everybody off.

         "Why is nobody working in here? I don't pay you all to stand around and do nothing!"

         Cat Grant entered her office as she spoke, and seconds later, she added, "Keira! I need you over here!"

         Everyone scrambled back to their desks whilst Winn and I stood up straight, ready to get back to work. Kara seemed relieved for some reason, and unbothered by the fact Cat said her name wrong.

         "Aren't you even going to try and correct her?" I asked with a humoured smile, walking past Kara and to my desk.

         Kara shrugged and ran a hand through her hair. "What's the point? She doesn't listen anyway. I don't mind, though."

         "Keira!"

         "And that's my cue," she stated, smiling widely at Winn and I before racing to Cat's office.

         I found myself smiling as she left, thinking back to how beautiful she looked when she smiled like she did.

         "God, you're like a teenager with a crush," Winn said with fake disgust.

         I rolled my eyes and ignored his comment, knowing he was still salty about my Supergirl comment.

         "Can you blame me? She's adorable."

[imagining-sio]

Escapism II

Chapter 2: The Local Pain In The Ass

“How were the boys?” Edna asked as I stepped back into the shop. I stood firmly in the Forrest, a perplexed expression upon my face.

“They are certainly something.” I said wearily, most of the customers had left, and it was around the time Edna was supposed to leave.

“Well they certainly are,” she chuckled fondly, sweeping the broom in hand side to side.

“How come you didn’t tell me those were the ones in the biker gang?”

“Because they aren’t, honey. Are you seriously believing the gossip about those boys?”

“I mean, the evidence given-“

“The evidence given? It is he said she said- Don’t believe a word that comes out of Rumlow’s General store. That spoilt little rich boy is only spreading those rumors to get women’s attention.” She shook her head.

“Who is Rumlow?”

“Oh I forget you’re still new around here,” she set her broom upon the wall next to her apron.

“Brock Rumlow is the stepson of Alexander Pierce; the county sheriff. Pierce himself is of old money. But Brock, that boy took every worst quality in trade for being handsome. You best steer clear of that boy, and his group of friends.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. He doesn’t come around here does he?”

“Please, he won’t go anywhere near Barnes, not after the incident at the Witch’s Coven.”

“I’m sorry; did you just say Witch’s Coven?”

“Yes it’s the local dive bar, it’s just outside of town, you’d probably pass by it on your way home. A few years ago, there was a nasty bar fight between those boys. It didn’t end pretty. Brock got off Scott-free. James however.”

She didn’t have to elaborate at that point.

“Well, we should be heading home.”

“Wait I thought you said I would be closing.”

“Well I’m think we take the rest of the day off. Thomas won’t mind, as long as I have a say.” She winked at me. This old woman was up to no good. You could see it from a mile away.

“I won’t argue that.” I undid my apron and set it upon the hook. I helped clear everything off outside, bringing it in so that Edna wouldn’t have to exert herself.

I placed the chairs upside down upon the tables, in order to do one last sweep of the place. Edna inventories for tomorrow and made sure the books were back in stock. She easily finished before me, reminding me to lock up for the afternoon. I nodded and kept sweeping. I turned some music on as soon as she was out of earshot; blasting my phone to the highest volume. I began serenading the broom handle, and then dancing with it; eventually using it as the microphone. It certainly made cleaning a lot more fun.

I finished up sweeping placing the remaining lint in the waste bin. I removed the bag and replaced it with a new one. I grabbed my belongings and walked out the only entrance, the front. Making sure to carry the garbage at an arms length away.

I went around back to place it in the dumpster only to find someone ogling himself in Oliver’s reflection.

“Can I help you?” I threw the trash bag over the side of the dumpster, catching the mans attention. His hair was tight along the sides of his head, and heavily spiked on top. Almost like he used way to much hair product to keep it that way. He had chiseled features, his cheekbones could cut glass. Something seemed off about him. Maybe it was because I caught him ogling himself as if he was out of a musical where he tries to win a girls heart by forcing her to marry him. Or maybe it was because he wore a black turtleneck with a blazer. Those types of guys were the ones who thought they were hot shit and fainted it to everyone they framed lesser.

“Haven’t seen you around before,” he adjusted his jacket, coolly playing off that he wasn’t breathing heavily on my bronco.

“I’m new here.”

“So you’re the new girl I’ve been hearing so much about.”

“I take it your a local then?” I raised a brow.

“Not just any local sweetheart, I’m the local,” he cocked his head to the side. He leaned his arm in the hood as if he was treating my car as his own.

“A local who needs to get his arm off my hood?” I raised my brows expectingly, holding my keys in the one hand. The slight look of fear graced across his smug features.

“Funny I never pictured a girl like you driving a thing like this?” He tried to play it off again, clearly disregarding my mood and patience.

“I’m just full of surprises, local,” I shot back, clearly unamused.

“Well how bout I take you out tonight and we’ll see how surprising you really are?” He blocked my path to my driver side door.

“Please move,” I said, my right hand slyly going into my purse, frantically searching for the pepper spray.

“Not till I hear an answer sweet thing,” he smirked.

“I don’t even know your name, what makes you think I’m gonna give you an answer.”

A motorcycle engine cut into the conversation. I swore I heard the man growl, not in the friendly way.

“Hey, is he bothering you miss.” I heard the voice. I turned my head to find my neighbor. Surprise graced my face, over his black shirt was an acid washed denim jacket. The way he sat in the matte black motorbike was making his thighs far larger than they should have been. He bore no helmet, his brunette locks shone brightly in the afternoon sun.

“Get lost Barnes, we’re having a conversation.”

“Really, what’s her name?” He smirked. The man stood silently boiling.

“Well Brock?”

“Fuck you Barnes!”

“I don’t swing that way buddy, sorry to disappoint.” His smirk only grew wider as the man, now known to me as Brock, turned beat red with anger, walking away. My shoulders slumped in relief as he rounded the corner.

“I thought he’d never leave.” I unlocked good ole Oliver and tossed my purse in the passenger seat.

“Yeah, he’s like a disease I swear.” Barnes chuckled.

“Thanks for the save, I thought I was gonna have to pull out old faithful here,” I gestured to my pepper spray. His eyes widened at the sight.

“Brock is harmless, really. He’s all bark no bite.” He shrugged.

“I’m not the kind of person who will take that kind of risk.” I put the can of pressurized blinding spray back into my vehicle.

“I noticed.”

“Do you now? What have you been watching me, neighbor?” I crossed my arms, shutting the door with a loud resounding thud.

“Hard not to when we’re the only two on the street.” He snapped back.

“Still doesn’t explain the ‘cute neighbor’ part. Just how would you know that if I haven’t seen nor spoke two minutes with you,” I glanced at my watch, “One of those minutes being right now.”

His mouth went slack. He scratched the back of his neck, the collar around his shirt loose ring, revealing the taut muscle beneath the black fabric.

“There is no good answer for that is there?” He said sheepishly, a red tint brushing across his cheeks.

“And that is the reason why I carry pepper spray.” I got back into my bronco, turning over the engine.

“See you round, neighbor.” I gave a condescending wave to him as I pulled out of the parking lot and drove home.

The sun was shining just right over the mountain, and it’s light shimmer across the lakeside. The wind blew the scent of the water into the vehicle, and allowed that nice summer breeze to rid the hot summer heat to something more bearable.

I arrived at the house, immediately going to my room to put on something more comfortable. I put on the black leggings with the racing stripe down the sides and oversized grey sweatshirt. I grabbed my bottle of wine and glass, waltzing outside to enjoy my nightly sunset upon the lake. I planted myself in the chair upon the landing, popping the cork open and pouring myself a glass of rosé.

I looked over the lake, a few boats were out enjoying themselves on a nice evening. Whether they were fishing or out to enjoy the sunset. One boat however was as if it were in the x games. It was weaving between the others, making sure to splash them. A sense of dread grew exponentially as the boat started hurling toward me. I barely had a chance to cover my wine before a large wave hit me square in the face. The force of the wave was hard enough to knock me off my chair, sending me into the lake itself.

I heard a large group laughing at me as they sped off, and I by the time I was able to climb back up and give them a piece of my mind they were long gone. Probably some stupid rich man’s teenager thinking he could do whatever he wanted.

I wrung our the hem of my beloved sweatshirt, removing it to reveal the black halter crop top beneath. I angrily marched back into my house placing the sweater and leggings immediately in the wash. I changed into a pair of light jeans and white trainers. I walked out the front door to grab one of my cardigans I had left in the bronco, Oliver.

I regretted the instant I walked out the front door. I looked up to find Barnes parking himself in the garage, walking up to his mailbox, flitting his keys around the key ring between his fingers. He didn’t seem to notice me, to which I was glad. So I kept walking toward my vehicle. I opened the door, searching for the desired item while my feet were still latched to the cement driveway.

“C’mon where is it?” I said to myself in frustration. This day was only getting worse at this rate. I shit the door with a loud slam, moving toward the trunk; lifting it above my head. As soon as I opened the trunk I found what I was looking for.

“Aha!” I snatched it up from the floor, instantly putting it on, making sure to cuff the sleeves to where they were three quarter length. I shut the trunk, satisfied with my expedition. I looked back over to find my neighbor staring at me, eyebrows raised and mail in hand.

“Neighbor,” I said before walking back to the door. I went to turn the knob, but found myself unable to. I tried again, and again; each time growing more fervent.

This was not happening.

“Hey Neighbor,” I heard a male voice, his breath upon the back of my neck, causing chills to run up my spine. It took me back to a time I did not want to remember at a time like this. I instinctively elbowed the figure behind me, before whirling around to see the potential assailant.

“Whoa! Hey, it’s just me!” Bucky was doubled over, his arms clutching his stomach. Horror spread across my face.

“Oh my god! I’m sorry!”

“No it’s fine,” He wheezed.

“Don’t sneak up on people,” I said as I helped him stand upright. I looked at him, noticing that he nose was bloody.

“What happened?” I asked, my hands instinctively moving to check the cut on his forehead.

“Nothing,” he grabbed hold of my wrist with his right hand, his expression turning cold. It only made my blood run hot.

“That doesn’t look like nothing,” I snapped back.

“Well, will it make you feel better is I said that the other guy looks worse.”

“I don’t condone fighting,” I said to him.

“Funny coming from a girl who can really pack a punch.” He looked at my door, “You locked out?”

“It would appear so.”

“I take it that pepper spray can is in there?”

“Yes,” I eyed him carefully.

“I can unlock the door; but you have to promise not to spray me when I’m done.”

“I’m letting you break into my house.”

“Alright then.” He backed up a few steps, enough to no longer stand under the small pediment awning roof above the door. He jumped up, his hands gripping the gutter. I on the other hand was turning beat red due to I was having a front row to his exposed stomach, exposing not only his very obvious v-line, but his happy trail starting from his belly button and vanishing beneath his belt line.

A few moments later he was onto the roof, climbing through the open window of my bedroom. I was slightly alarmed by how easily that he could climb in and through my window. Not a minute later my front door opened, with my handsome neighbor was on the other side.

“Love what you’ve done with the place,” he said as I walked in. I could only give him a mocking glare as I stepped into my home.

“Thank you, now kindly leave,”

“Wow, tough crowd.”

“I’m not much of the crowd you’re looking for, Mr. Barnes.” I folded my cardigan over my chest.

“Please call me Bucky, Mr.Barnes sounds like my father.”

“Or I just call you neighbor and you go back to your house.”

“You really want me outta here don’t you?”

“Nothing would make me happier.” I ushered him out my door.

“Wow, Wanda would love you. You should drop by The Witch’s Coven; tonight is ladies night you know.”

“So you’re interested in a girls night out situation? What you wanna go out for mani-pedi’s” I scoffd mockingly.

“N-no! Just, I think you two would get along is all! I’m not trying to-,” He stuttered over his words, a bright pink tint flush across his face.

“One thing you should know about women, my dear neighbor. Us women, we don’t like being told what to do.” I gave a self satisfying smirk as I shut the door on his agape expression.

I didn’t bother to check and see if he left, I simply went back upstairs and hid from the world under my bedsheets.

——————————————————————————

It had been a week since I had any encounter with my neighbor. All I had gotten were fleeting glances, whether in his shop as I came to drop of coffee with Thor, or if they were all congregated in his garage. The group was certainly more welcoming than I had initially thought. Nothing could have initially preppared me for how blaise they were in their nature.

Today, the mood was certainly different.

I came by with Thor, whom upon my meeting of the crew, they had specifically requested I bring them coffee from now on; carrying coffe’s as well as pastries in hand. Clouds grew over the sky; a harsh wind whipped through the main street, I hadn’t put on any coat this morning, mainly because I was running late for work.

“They say it’s gonna storm tonight.” Thor drew conversation as we entered the shop. It was strange, he was quite restrained in his tone.

“Really,” I asked, looking up at his towering form.

“I suggest that you stay inside tonight.” He said before we started handing out drinks to their respective owners. It seemed strange for him to give me warning, let alone speak of something ill will coming. He wasn’t much of a religious person; then again I don’t know much about these people.

“Morning, (Y/N)!” Steve greeted me, I immediately noticed the bandage upon his cheek, a slight red tint upon it.

“What happened there?”I asked as I handed him his drink.

“O-oh, this?” He jittered, “It’s nothing.” He chuckled with feigned certainty. Steve didn’t seem like someone who would lie, considering he seemed really bad at it. I’ll let it slide, just this once.

“Right,” I smiled at him; “You can just tell me if you fell down the stairs, you know.”

“It wouldn’t be the frist time.” Sam muttered as he sipped his beverage. Every one seemed to look on edge, it was beginning to become contagious on my account.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, Barnes is in a mood.” Sam replied, a grimace marking his face.

“When isn’t he?” Natasha walked past, hugging me as she went to pick up her danish.

“Well, if Rumlow would shut his mouth we wouldn’t be in this shithole.”

“Shithole?” Scott shot up, as the initial owner of this place, of course he would take offense.

“Look, lets just drop it. The best we can do is just lay low and stay out of trouble. All we have to do tonight is keep Buck from doing anything stupid, and that’s what we’re gonna do.” Steve’s authorative voice shut everyone down.

“You guys know I’m still here right?” I asked, making all of them pale.

Just as Steve opened his mouth the door from the office slammed open. I almost dropped the last drink in hand it was so loud. It felt like a bomb going off, but it only hieghtened the tension to the whole shop. I watched as my neighbor marched through the shop, a bold black and purple bruise under his eye, his lip split, clealry dishevled. The bruise wasnt fresh, but it had to have happened either the night before or the penolument before then. The look in his eyes were a raging sea, ready to capsize any object in its way.

No one dared speak for the frist few minutes as he went about to working on the nearest project. I simply handed the blonde adonis his best friend’s beverage and left.

I was to close up in the evening, Edna and Thomas were going out of town for the weekend. Since they were so kind, (and wealthy), they gave me overtime and let me off for the weekend.

As I was sweeping the floor, the door opened. I looked up seeing the man from last week who was ogling my vehicle.

“Well, well, well,” This time he was accompanied by two of his rather large and very intimidating friends.

“If it isn’t the new girl; now why would you be working in a slum like this.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it a slum, Local,” I replied, the grip on the broomstick hardening. In the distance thunder clashed in the skies above.

“Anywhere near the shitpile shop over there is a slum in my book.” He hiked his thumb and pointed directly at the auto shop I was previously in this morning.

“I haven’t had a problem with them.”

“Thats because you shouldn’t assoiciate with them, sweetheart,” He took a step closer to me; to which I promptly took three steps backward. His two friends roamed around the store, feigned interest in the books. They were clearly there to initmidate. I knew this play, I had experienced it before. I was dissapointed that I would be experiencing it again so soon.

“I dunno if you know anything about the female species, Local; but you don’t tell them what to do.” I stood defiantly.

“Well they should listen if they know what’s good for them.” He sneered. I tried to back away from him as he quickly approached me, but I was blocked in by the cake display case. In addition, he blocked my exit from one side with his arm. My grip upon the broomstick went bone white. I watched as he nodded his head, and his two bodygaurds went to the front door, locking it as they left. Alarm bells were going off in my head. This was not good. Not good at all.

“You see sweetheart, me and you new neighbor don’t really get along. And he seems to be a constant pain in my ass. But you, you can get close to him, can’t you? You’re his sweet, cute, little neighbor. So, I’ll be generous with you. You get close to him; and then you relay everything about him to me. If you do, I won’t let anything happen to you.” he smiled, it only made me quiver with fear.

“If you don’t. Well, I can’t say it won’t end all sunshine and rainbows.”

This whole scenario I was in was starting to become a broken record. I leave a town because of men like this; I run like a scared little child. I came here to start fresh. I shouldn’t be scared of this wannabe when I ahd already expirenced somethign far worse than the real thing.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

“Are you done with the whole Godfather act?” I raised a brow. I swatted his hand off of the display, moving behind the counter, continuing with my cleaning.

“I don’t know if you have noticed, Mr.Local; but I’m not the type of person who takes orders from self entitled assholes who need human gaurd dogs to compensate for his micropenis.”

I gave him a glance, watching the sweat bead down his angered explression. I clearly hit a nail somewhere in that sentece.

“You’re asking me to basically commit espionage. And for your puny brain you may not know that is the criminal term for Spying on somebody. For your information, I will do no such thing. I am not about to compromise my morals for you, or anyone. So let me make myself as clear as I can. If you come down here to try to threaten me again, I will shove this broom up your ass. Now get out of my store, and do not come back.”

“You will regret this, honey.” He poitned atme angrily. I cackled in response.

“No I won’t. Now get out before I get my pepper spray.” I watched as he turned heel and left, making a point to slam the door on his way out. I walked over and flipped the open sign to ‘closed’, and triple checking that the locks were all botled shut. I lowered the shades and sat down at the nearest table. At that point only I slumped into the seat, a large exhale escaping my lips. I could feel tears ready to burst, I couldn’t believe this was hppening. I held my head in my hand atop the table, racking on how I ended up in this situation in the first place.

A sudden know at the door made me jump out of my skin. It was a soft rapping, the shadow clearly wasn’t the one whom had just left; but I didn’t wat to take any chances. I gripped the pepper spray in my apron.

“Hey neighbor, I just wanted to check and see if everything is alright?” Barnes’ voice made me relax, which in itself was odd. At the moment I couldnt care less. I walked up to the door, peering betwen the blinds, finding my neighbor on the other side; more bloody than I saw him this morning.

I quickly unlocked the door and swung it open.

“What happened?!” I aksed, just as the thunder rumbled, and the rain began to deluge.

“It’s nothing.” He grimaced.

“You look like you just got you ass handded to you; how is that nothing?”

A loud expensive looking suv whizzed by, its engine roaring extremely loud. Most like the muffler had been taken off as to why it was unusally loud.

“To be fair the other guy looks worse.” he shrugged.

“Where are you Barnes!” Mr. Local’s voice rang through the streets as the SUV made its way back up the main street. My neighbor paled as he stood drenched in the rain. I rolled my eyes, stepping aside to let him in the shop.

He dashed inside before the car drove past. I flipped off the car, knowing full well it was Rumlow. I closed the door and locked it again, all four of them.

“Why is it every time I see you; you somehow are always beat up?” I asked drying my hands on my apron.

“It’s a gift.” He chuckled, only to regret it by coughing violently.

“C’mon, I’ll give you a ride home.”

“You don’t need to do that.” He protested.

“Look, it’s not like I don’t know where you live.” I quickly rebutted; “Also, I assume that you probably saw that asshole and his cronies walk in a while ago otherwise you wouldn’t be over here in the first place. Which means you either decided to play vigilante and get your ass kicked or you were just in the wrong place and got your ass kicked.”

“Why is it that you think I am getting my ass kicked?” He cracked a charming smile.

“Have you looked in the mirror?”

“You trying to tell me I’m ugly?”

“You said it, not me.” I gave him a shit-eating grin in response to his deadpan face.

“You’re hilarious.” He said unamused.

“That’s why your buddies bring me around the shop isn’t it?” I hung up my apron, grabbing my purse and keys.

“Yeah well, maybe I’m not apart of that crowd.”

“You trying to use my words against me?” We walked out the back door, I hurriedly locked the back door. We dashed into the bronco, desperate not to get drenched further.

“Perhaps.” He heaved as he sat himself into the passenger seat. I tossed my purse into the back, sticking the keys into the ignition.

“Or is this your polite way of saying I’m not your type?” I backed out of the small lot and onto the road, quickly sticking the gearshift into drive and roaming down the road out of town.

“You said it not me?” He parroted me with a smile. I rolled my eyes, but could not withhold the smile growing upon my own lips.

The putter pattern of the rain felt like it was the sound of a power washer by the silence between us. The only foreign sound was passing vehicles, for my radio had long since been broken.

“This thing work?” My passenger began to fiddle with the said device.

“Nah, gave out after I passed through Kansas.” I flinched as the thunder shook the earth.

“You should drop this off by the shop tomorrow, I’m sure we got a spare lying around somewhere.” He said, turning his head to look out the window. His statement almost made me swerve.

“Why would I do that?” I asked him, gaining control over my composure, thankful that he didn’t catch the slip.

“Cause it’s neighborly,” he shrugged, supporting his chin on his hand.

“Is that you’re excuse for everything?”

“Nah,” he cracked a wide grin; “just you.”

It made my heart lurch. I hated how he could do that so easily. Time I made him feel the same.

“So, neighbor;” I started, “wanna tell me why Steve had a bandage on his face this morning?”

“He ran into a pole.”

“He told me he fell down the stairs,” I replied quickly, having his tense reaction. I watched out of the corner of my eye as he gnawed on his plump bottom lip.

“Fine, you caught us. We run a fight club. But now that I just broke the first rule; I’m gonna have to kill you over it.” He said with a serious expression.

“You broke a rule, that’ll cost you honey....”

“P-please, stop,”

In a gut reaction I slammed on the brakes; making his head hit my dashboard. Luckily we were on our street, so there was no immediate traffic to either make the situation worse, or honk at me till kingdom come.

I held onto the steering wheel with a vice grip. My breathing quickened, becoming more shallow. I could feel my thoughts racing a mile a minute, with the wrong kind of memories spewing back and forth.

“Hey! Hey! I was kidding!!” Barnes’ voice was slowly becoming muffled. A far more foul voice was echoing in my head.

It wasn’t until I felt a soft touch upon my hand I was drawn out of my train of thought. I looked over to see the extremely concerned face of my neighbor. My handsome neighbor.

“I was kidding; I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you, (Y/N),” he said with wide eyes. Those blue eyes, one I was so afraid of; were nothing but soft when he locked his gaze with mine.

“I won’t do it again,” the corners of his mouth twitched upwards. I felt his thumb rub the back of my hand. I took a deep breath.

“Look, I’ll just go. I know I took it too far, goodnight (Y/N),” he opened the door and exited the vehicle in the pouring rain.

“It’s not your fault,” I spoke before he could close the door.

“What?”

“It’s not your fault.” I looked up at him, giving a sad smile; “I’m just a little, tense, is all.”

“Well, I hope you won’t have to feel tense around me. You know where to find me if you ever wanna talk about it. Goodnight (Y/N), thanks for the lift.”

“Anytime, Neighbor.”

“It’s Bucky,” he corrected with a kind smile.

“Right, Bucky.” I nodded in approval, before chuckling.

“What?” He scoffed.

“Sounds like a sexual euphemism.” I snorted, watching as his face turned beat red.

“It’s definitely not that!!” I burst out laughing at his childish reaction. He slammed the door and marched into his house.

“Hey! You should come over tomorrow!” He hollered across the street. I rolled my eyes, a wide smile on my lips as I walked through my front door.