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animeyanderelover · 2 years

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Tw: Yandere themes, unhealthy mindset, unhealthy relationship, possessiveness, obsessiveness, delusions, paranoia, stalking, manipulation, threatening, abduction

Indian aristocrat who hates to be in England because they’ve colonized her people

Ciel Phantomhive

☕As the guard dog of his majesty, Ciel is bound to meet darling sooner or later, the Queen most likely already informed him via a letter about the guest that is about to arrive. A meeting in person is very soon arranged and Ciel is on his best behavior since you were invited by his Queen personally. You’re just as polite since you were raised in a aristocratic family yourself yet there is a chance that Ciel might already sense it deep down that something seems to be bothering you. It’s very subtle and barely noticeable, he has sharp eyes though but as long as there is no danger of you having bad intentions, Ciel decides to overlook it. People in your status often have to force themselves to be friendly for the purpose of keeping good relationships after all.

☕️The Queen most likely orders him to look out a bit for you, the old lady trusts the Phantomhive man after all. Ciel invites you over a couple of times for the purpose of at least maintaining a good relation with you for the sake of the Queen. Soma is rather excited when he hears that a fellow compatriot has arrived in India. Soma and Agni are hidden jokers for Ciel since he can ask them about the culture or traditions in India so he can hopefully awake the impression of a guy who knows about your land and traditions. Agni even offers to cook and bake for your arrival to greet you with your national food. Another expectation that turns out to be true is the fact that you seem to open up more and appear to be in a better mood when you discover that Ciel’s is befriended with fellow Indian aristocrats.

☕️Initially Ciel is satisfied with the way things develop. You are willing to visit more often for the sake of talking to Soma and Agni and in the few times he has a moment or two alone with you, you are polite and on your best behavior even if only because you know that Some sees Ciel as a close friend and Agni respects the Phantomhive and his household. When exactly he started to feel unsatisfied, maybe even jealous because you are so happy around Soma is even a mystery to Ciel. Something about you just catches his eye during the time he spends observing you chatting with Soma and his butler and sharing your own opinions about topics. You have your own mind and are intelligent, he likes that.

☕️He’s not keen on showing that he is jealous because he knows Soma will never let him forget it and his butler will have a small feast of amusement so he tries subtly to get closer to you at first. He attempts to participate in discussions only to have you ignoring him for the most part, tries to appeal to you by trying to spark a conversation with you about an aspect of your country he finds interesting and admires. It works only a bit since you always cut such conversations short. At one point Ciel becomes more manipulative and forceful with his attempts, invites you over without telling Soma and Agni and not mentioning to you that you will be left alone which forces you to stay out of politeness.

☕️By now it has become clear to him that you don’t want to have to do anything with him, you seem to not enjoy your stay very much in general. Considering that he knows the history between India and England he might already have his suspicion but he wants to be sure. Now, obviously you wouldn’t answer an English man such a question so instead he talks Soma into spying a bit without the purple-haired male suspecting any major motives behind it. Ciel just wants to get to know you better but sadly you seem to ditch his every attempt. Soma reacts the way he wants him to by not only asking you whether something bothers you but he also attempts to bring the two of you closer, assuming that the Phantomhive has taken a liking towards you.

☕️There isn’t much Ciel can accuse you for since you’re reason for not liking your stay in England is a reasonable one. Your people are colonized and you’re only here because you didn’t have much of a saying, especially since the Queen invited you over. What he can not accept though is that you turn your grudge against him as well since he wasn’t even part of the colonization. Your dislike stands in his way of courting you a normal way and on top of that you don’t want have to do anything with him in which case you don’t leave him a choice. If he can’t have you the normal way, he’ll simply force you. He wouldn’t result to kidnapping since the Queen is involved but there are other ways. He’s sure with a bit manipulation he can easily convince your family to let him have you as his fiancée. You won’t even get to say a word against this.

Sebastian Michaelis

🐈‍⬛There is no interest in you when he delivers a letter from the Queen to his young master, informing him that she has invited a young Indian aristocrat over and would like him to get to know her and look a bit after her for the Queen’s sake. Obviously something Ciel can’t deny, the only thing left now is for him to get to know India a bit more. Sebastian himself knows quite a lot about India yet Ciel also asks his two Indian friends who come from your country. On top of that he informs his butler that he hopes that he can get on your good side by letting you know that he is befriended with compatriots of India which makes Sebastian chuckle a bit on the inside. What a cunning young master he has.

🐈‍⬛The initial indifference about you changes the moment he actually meets you though, your soul and scent instantly intriguing him. Just enough to distract him for a while and have him forget that he is supposed to welcome you inside the manor and introduce himself. He catches his composure seconds after though, sadly and embarrassingly enough for him not in time to avoid the questionable look on your face. Ciel consumes your attention most of the time yet Sebastian does his best to impress you as much as he can and get to know you a bit better. He’s subtly more attentive so he doesn’t arise Ciel’s suspicion, caters to your wishes and serves you your tea and meals in a more fancy manner, sometimes adds something to the conversation Ciel and you have to show bits of his intelligence, let’s his gaze linger longer on you.

🐈‍⬛He isn’t one to show it but he anticipates your visits, to have you in closer range to him and have your sweet and addicting aroma spreading through the room for him to take in, to enjoy your voice and the glances and attention you give him. Sebastian senses it as a demon better than most though, that something is keeping you slightly on edge, that something seems to greatly annoy you even if you do a better job in hiding it than most other people he has seen. He’s sure that his master has caught on to it as well and he does want to know how Ciel will act with this observation so he brings it up nonchalantly when he is with his master. Ciel tells him to observe a bit but he will let you be if you don’t plan something.

🐈‍⬛Due to the fact that you show Sebastian your cold shoulder as well, it becomes a personal problem for the demon himself yet he is very early with the suspicion that it has to do with England in general and the people and since he knows what occurred between your country and his master’s country the assumption that it is due to the colonization is the most likely one. Especially since he sees that you’re happier around Agni and Soma which doesn’t necessarily provoke jealousy but his possessive side. Sebastian is a more daring character so he might hint at his suspicion about you when he is alone with you which ends in a hostile and indignant reaction from you since he is a butler.

🐈‍⬛It is laughable that you dislike him since you believe him to be British or a human at all and for that accuse him for something he didn’t have anything to do with. Darling, he is something much worse and you’ll find that out sooner or later. Sebastian has patience, likes the little chase you give him by trying to resist his charms and subtle flirting whenever his master invites you over. He loves when he makes you bashful by whispering something in your ear or giving you a flirty wink. He stalks you when he has the chance to do so, adjusts his personality a bit more so he appeals to you by sharing the same interests and hobbies. Definitely manipulates you into staying longer if you were to leave earlier.

🐈‍⬛He wants to finish his contract with his master as soon as possible to finally take you for himself. For now his contract ties him down a bit which could lead to problems if he isn’t able to delay your departure for as long as needed. He’d hate to pass on such a delicious soul as Ciel’s but being away for a longer time from his mate is torture in his own rights and something the demon isn’t keen to experience for himself. Kidnapping you is a risky move for now since Ciel will most likely be ordered to search for you and he has sworn to never lie to him, the young boy is shrewd in his own rights as well. So for now Sebastian most likely stays for as long until his contract is finished but don’t feel safe just because you might be out of the country by that point. He’s ready to hunt you down everywhere.

Elizabeth Midford

🎀The Midford family has a rather high position as nobles as well so it is no surprise that Elizabeth and her family will get to know the darling sooner or later themselves. It might be on a party, it might be in a more private meeting but in either case Lizzy is already rather curious about the s/o when she hears that she’ll be there too. Her mother warns her a bit to be polite to you since you’re here by the invitation of the Queen herself and are from another land. Lizzy, whilst definitely a well-mannered young lady, tends to be a bit too open and jovial around people. Her father and brother don’t mind that but Frances does since she’s more on the strict side, obeys the rules of society more.

🎀There is something enchanting about you when Lizzy meets you, something that draws her in and has her wishing to spend more time with you and get to know you better. She shows a huge interest in you since she doesn’t know everything about India besides what she has been educated about and heard from her parents. She really tries to hold back a bit with her curiosity but shows positive reactions about things you tell her, is genuinely amazed with aspects of your culture and wants to know more which encourages you to talk a bit more to her, tell her more about your country since she shows sincere interest. After the first meeting she soon longs to see you again, writes you a letter and invites you over for tea and is giddy when you reply shortly after that it would be your pleasure.

🎀She invites you often over, sees you initially as her good friend. She’s eager to be introduced to your country and get to know India and by that you better as well. She orders your national food to be cooked and tries it herself as well and even if she doesn’t like something she always finishes it and always pretends that she enjoyed it so she doesn’t offend you. She’s equally motivated to introduce you to her culture and her national meals as well though. Often tries on dresses from India and also gets you dresses from England for you to try on. It is a bit hard for her to exactly pinpoint when she fell in love, she needs time to even find out that her feelings go beyond the simple friendship.

🎀Her family seems to notice before she does and all of them are a bit shocked because you are a woman and same gender love isn’t something that is well accepted in their society. Especially Frances struggles with her strict mindset at first. Edward and Alexis accept it faster and support Lizzy, try to convince Frances into accepting it as well because she would go great lengths for Lizzy’s happiness as well. Frances is the one who points out to Lizzy that you don’t seem to enjoy your stay here, something her daughter hasn’t even noticed yet due to her wearing pink-colored glasses of love. It’s only after her mother made her aware that she takes a closer look and sees the signs of your discomfort herself.

🎀She knows the reasons behind it, her whole family already told her that it is very likely that you hold a grudge against their country for just taking control over your own. Lizzy is empathetic, she understands why you’d hate England for it but it also breaks her heart. She doesn’t want you to be unhappy, wants you to enjoy your stay and can’t handle the thought of you secretly hating her for the actions of her country as well. She’d probably not even hold it against you even if she wasn’t even involved in the colonization. Lizzy is even honest enough to ask you the question private on day since she wants to know whether or not the suspicion of her parents is true. You clearly struggle to answer her question and she apologizes instantly quickly, ashamed to have offended you.

🎀You might not even hate Lizzy as a person since she is such a cheerful and nice person but you just can’t help but hate her country and your whole stay here. Once she does know the truth, Elizabeth enters a stage of sadness. She is ashamed for what her country made your country go through, apologizes to you for the injustice. Her family has her back in case you should hate her because Lizzy didn’t have to do anything with the whole colonization. She’s determined to gain your trust and affection the normal way even if she uses guilt-tripping a bit to her advantage. Call her an idealist but as soon as she starts learning more about the colonization in India she wants to do something to help your people and the situation in your country.

Alois Trancy

👅Considering the fact that he is a noble with quite the influence himself, Alois is bound to meet the darling one day as well. It's probably on a party where lots of nobles were invited to where he sees you for the first time. He's heard about you before, most likely in letters where you were addressed as a special guest invited by the Queen and on a party you tend to hear quite the gossip as well. He's bored out of his mind since he doesn't think highly of other nobles so his darling with her foreign background is the most interesting thing he has which is why he opts to stay with her during the party and talk a bit with her. Other guests who know him a bit better know that he is rather special so it's not like he'd be warmly welcomed, he knows they'll just force themselves to be nice to him. You don't know him yet which makes things more interesting.

👅Alois is positively surprised since you were a bit more interesting than he thought you'd be, mainly because he noticed one thing pretty early on. The fact that you just looked like you wanted to get away from the party during the entire time. You kept mostly to yourself and even tried to leave him when he talked to you whilst tryint to maintain the nice image. He's seen that before but you tried to actively run away and that amuses him a bit since most nobles wouldn't dare to do that for the sake of good relations and formal stuff. He wants to know what your reasons are though since you've never met anyone on the meeting before and yet instantly didn't want to get too close to anyone, he asks Claude what he thinks about it. His butler explains afterwards the whole colonization and that this is most likely the reason why you don't enjoy England and their people.

👅In a way Alois pities you but somehow it also fascinates him, your situation and the fact that you don't like the whole country and to an extent the people because most just accept it and don't do anything to help your country regain it's freedom. He suddenly invites you with the intention to peel your mask away and have him see your true disdain regarding the country yet he doesn't get much more than an indignant look and sharp but still polite words. You are headstrong and whilst Alois is not patient he gets his small thrill out of it. Alongside those visits he discovers more aspects about you though, impressions and memories that stick with him and slowly lit something else inside of him. It's somewhat of a chaos as he has to sort out his feelings but the change of his behavior is visible to you.

👅He turns more flirty, writes suddenly regularly with you and asks you often to stay over in his mansion or at least visit him. His curiosity towards your country grows, he wants to know more about daily life there and most of all he becomes more interested in you. Food you like he has cooked, hobbies you enjoy he enables you to do whilst with him and he turns incredibly jealous and whiny whenever you talk with someone else or can't see him. His infatuation is terribly obvious to everyone except him for a while, at least until Hannah decides to open the Pandora box for him. With the realization that he wants, no, needs you, Alois turns more straightforward and more pushy with his advances. He latches on you, the knowledge that you don't like England and their people, including him, isn't all that amusing anymore.

👅He gets support from Hannah the most as soon as he knows about his love for you, Claude just doesn't care as long as he gets at the end of his contract Alois soul to feast on. She stalks you for him, reports anything about you and your daily life to him and informs him if anything important happens. He turns a lot more monopolizing, sometimes doesn't even let you leave his mansion out of fear. The thought that you don't secretly hate him for what his country did to yours silently torments him and only fuels his paranoia and he tries everything to appeal to you. He showers you with presents and your favorite meals, tries to be as much of a gentleman as he can be. He starts to hate his own country and the people in there as well although for different reasons than you.

👅Because of them you might hate him and that is all he really cares about. As terrible as it might sound but he doesn't care about India and their problems nearly as much as he cares about you, instead he worries that you'll be discriminated or suffer due to England in some way which will lead to a horrible ending. He wants to keep you, sees his mansion as the safest place for you and for that is willing ti kidnap you as soon as he hears rumors of you planning to leave soon. He doesn't even care that ou're an aristocrat and have a special connection to the Queen, for his own selfish reasons he can't let you leave him. The only thing stopping him from being irrational is Hannah who at least convinces him to plan a bit so no one will suspect him.

Vincent Phantomhive

🌓He works personally for his majesty so it comes to no surprise that he is being told that there will be a special guest, invited by his Queen personally from India. As a educated individual he knows already about India wants to be best prepared to make a good impression so he takes it upon him to research a bit more before he gets to meet you. He usually is a polite man albeit really dangerous if someone would know him better or, lord have mercy, be his target. Considering that his s/o is a special guest from the Queen, Vincent is even more on his best behavior all to please his majesty and gain your trust quicker since he has heard already that you two are going to spend more time together in the future.

🌓You are a pleasant surprise because not only are you very interesting due to your home which shaped you but also because he is so good in reading other people. It is so subtle and almost insignificant that many others probably wouldn't even notice but he has learned to pick up even small signs of the body. Something definitely irritates you, has you not interacting much more with him besides the superficial chat. He is a smart man himself and it probably doesn't take long until Vincent counts one and once together once he observes that you behave the same way around everyone the whole time. He can see where you're coming from, decides to not question you about it though.

🌓You just have to behave and you two just have to get along so he doesn't disappoint the Queen and that is all it was supposed to be from the start. Some things just don't go the way people expect them to be and love lures in places and people you don't expect it at all. The same happens to Vincent. It's true that you don't open up very much but the time he spends together with you together with his keen observation is enough for him to know more about you than you tell him. You are intriguing in your own ways with little quirks and habits you have. It is somewhat amusing for him, how you always try to avoid him since he had lots of women swooning for him yet you remain distant out of protest and a deep grudge.

🌓Initially it is fun as a challenge when he tries to charm you and elicit a shy and bashful reaction but there is this sense of disappointment the more his feelings deepen. He never talks about it with you since he can predict your reaction too well. You'll get more indirect comments from his side, not enough for you to directly accuse him but just enough for him to observe your reaction to it and draw his conclusions. He digs up information about you since you remain more silent around him and he desires to get to know you better. His ego most likely won't let him rest by only using his influence and connection though, he wants you to tell him a few secrets about you because you trust him as well.

🌓Vincent relies on manipulation fast because he wants his s/o to rely on him more. It is so subtle but he ends up pushing his darling into situations where they need him to explain or just need his help overall. Events where they behave wrong and he comments about it which ends in his darling being embarrassed or probably even exposed to a unpleasant situation where he quickly comes to help. He is mean and knows it but doesn't really care if it results in the desired effect where you rely more on him in order to not make yourself look uneducated again. At the same time he starts to court them, puts his confidence in his charm to gain your heart. He doesn't care if you hate other people, he just wants you to love him.

🌓It would be truly a pity if his plans and his wooing doesn't work but Vincent isn't someone to mourn over such a failed situation long. If his inital plan doesn't work and you still hate or just don't love him, he can use other methods. Admittedly they are methods that won't sit well with you but there is always a way to isolate you and force you to rely on him and love him. Orchestrating an engagement isn't that hard, he just needs the approval of your family and considering how much power he holds due to his status he doubts that they would reject his plead to marry you. If you still decide to refuse him he has no problems bringing family and friends in India in some troubles, he has a wide network where he can pull strings according to his will to spread the one or another rumor which could lead to a damage in your family's reputation where the easiest and most efficient way out is to marry and accept him.

#yandere black butler #yandere kuroshitsuji #yandere ciel #yandere ciel phantomhive #yandere sebastian #yandere sebastian michaelis #yandere elizabeth #yandere elizabeth midford #yandere alois #yandere alois trancy #yandere vincent #yandere vincent phantomhive

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dyouevendraw · 2 months

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About me

So, I thought I’d probably be best to just make a pinned post with some info so I’m not just a void who throws art a a wall. (I’m probably gonna edit as things change) But here we go:

My tiktok is dyoueven

My instagram is dyouevendraw

My name is D, sometimes people still call me Fay, I don’t mind that either

I’m 22 years old

I use they/them pronouns, I’m fine with he/him too. I’d call myself nonbinary or even agender, leaning towards the masc side. It’s a struggle

Additionally to that, I am ace and my romantic attraction is 🤷🏼. I like androgyny and femininity if that says anything lmao

I have a hypermobilty condition, thus, my physical health is very inconsistent. Sometimes I feel fine for weeks, sometimes I can barely move my arms. Luckily, I don’t dislocate easily, I mostly get joint pain, pinched nerves, random bruises and badly healing wounds. Additionally, I seem to have a mild variant of long covid, which is making my lungs weak, so sometimes physical activities winds me badly even though it’s not hard work.

I am autistic and only found out around 2 years ago, thus, school burned me out! I was bullied by my teachers and they ignored all the signs of a struggling student, so I developed bad social anxiety (added by other events with former friends and general genetics probably). I took a year off of art to focus on getting a better mindset, and I guess I’ve been back since this year.

I am a clumsy and unlucky person, that’s why I say I am like Xie Lian a lot (send me a Hua Cheng)

I like k-pop. Currently, I like BTS, TXT, SKZ, LE SSERAFIM, New Jeans, Red Velvet and SHINee.

Other artists I like are: Tatsuya Kitani, Eve, The Oral Cigarettes, Vaundy, King Gnu, Queen Bee and MCR (what a mix)

Fandoms I’m in include(I’m sure I’ll add more danmei when I’m done reading them):

TGCF (I have beef with it but I’m deeply in love)

MDZS

SVSSS (still reading, on volume 2)

JJK

AOT

Sometimes I like Marvel. I only care about Spider-Man and Loki

TLOZ

Pokémon

(Always open to suggestions for more things, especially when they’re queer🤠👍🏻)

I write my own stories and am working on an AU that includes many fantastical being, though I am not entirely sure if that’s ever gonna see the light of day bc I don’t see anyone caring about my writing lol (it already has 137.000 words I’m not even joking it’s not funny, why am I writing this)

I’m sure I’ll post more of my OC’s when I find the time. My favorite is Harumi, he’s the main character in the fantastic beings AU, as a werewolf

I am so sorry my humor is super trauma based, bare with me it’s okay to laugh at my pain, it’s how I process, I swear

My favorite food is anything indian (especially aloo mutter, I bathe in that), pizza (only the one I make), and (red) thai curry.

That’s the only thing that sets me apart from Xie Lian, I eventually did learn how to cook and apparently people like my food!! (I add cinnamon and chili to everything, maybe that’s the key?)

I love building lego and organizing things by category (why I didn’t get diagnosed with asd is beyond me, I’ve always been like that)

I mostly draw on an Ipad with procreate, but I wanna get into watercolor and copics too, I just feel like I’m wasting the suff when things don’t turn out how I wanted them to be

I am horrible at texting and get anxious over it

I had another account here I was running for years, but I was in a pretty icky fandom and didn’t want to associate with the reputation that came with it, thus, I left. I am not the stupid, hurt and depressed teenager I was anymore, and that’s great!

I am german, though, I speak English so much I might as well be a native speaker

That’s it for now, you can always feel free to ask my questions, my (anonymous) asks, submissions and reblogs are always open, I just won’t answer if you’re rude🤠✌🏻

#artists on tumblr #about me #about myself #about the blogger #about the artist #art #random #text post #pinned post #danmei #tgcf #anime

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maharashtratourntravel · 1 month

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Mumbai Darshan

Mumbai Darshan: Exploring the City of Dreams

Mumbai, often referred to as the City of Dreams, is a vibrant metropolis that never fails to captivate its visitors. With its rich history, bustling streets, and iconic landmarks, this city offers a plethora of experiences for those looking to soak in its charm. And what better way to explore this city than by embarking on a Mumbai Darshan tour?

Mumbai Darshan is an iconic tour that allows you to witness the essence of this city, its diverse culture, and its architectural marvels. And while there are several options available to explore Mumbai, booking a Mumbai Darshan taxi is considered the ideal and best option. This enables you to enjoy door-to-door pick-up and drop service, taking away the hassle of navigating through the city on your own.

One of the advantages of opting for a Mumbai Darshan taxi is the flexibility it offers. Whether you are traveling alone, with your family, or even in large groups, there are a range of vehicles available to cater to your needs. From small hatchbacks for individual travelers to sedans and SUVs for small groups, Mumbai Darshan taxis have got you covered. For those traveling in bigger groups, there are also options like tempo travelers and buses, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their Mumbai Darshan comfortably.

Embarking on a Mumbai Darshan tour offers a multitude of attractions to explore. One of the must-visit places is the Gateway of India, a historical monument and an iconic symbol of the city. Situated along the Arabian Sea, it offers a breathtaking view of the sea and the magnificent Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Another landmark that should not be missed is the Marine Drive, a scenic stretch of road that hugs the coastline. Known as the Queen's Necklace, it offers a mesmerizing view of the city's skyline, especially during sunset.

Another highlight of Mumbai Darshan is visiting the famous film studios like Film City and Bollywood Parks. Mumbai, often considered the heart of the Indian film industry, is where dreams are made and movies come to life. Here, you can witness the behind-the-scenes action of how movies are made and even get a chance to meet some of your favorite Bollywood stars.

For those interested in history and culture, a visit to the Elephanta Caves is a must. Located on an island just off the coast of Mumbai, these ancient caves house intricately carved sculptures and rock-cut temples that date back to the 5th and 6th centuries. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region.

No Mumbai Darshan tour would be complete without exploring the local markets and trying out the street food. From the bustling Crawford Market to the vibrant Colaba Causeway, these markets offer a plethora of shopping options ranging from clothing and accessories to antiques and handicrafts. And when it comes to food, Mumbai is a food lover's paradise. From the lip-smacking vada pav and pav bhaji to the delectable seafood at the famous Juhu Beach, the city's street food scene never disappoints

In conclusion, Mumbai Darshan offers a unique opportunity to explore the enchanting city of dreams. With the convenience of a Mumbai Darshan taxi, you can immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, architectural wonders, and culinary delights that this city has to offer. So, if you're looking to experience the true essence of Mumbai, book your Mumbai Darshan tour today and embark on a journey that will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

#MumbaiDarshan

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swtki · 2 years

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Too Nice To Talk To - P.P

Masterlist

Pairing: TASM! Peter Parker x Fem! Reader

Summary: Peter loves her, the only problem is that she’d be in so much danger if he dare spoke to her

Warnings: Swearing, if you choose to listen to the song they do say the R slur in it. (it was the 80s), very dramatic Peter, mostly fluff, reader doesn’t know Peter is Spiderman

A/N: I love this song SO much

Too Nice To Talk To - Wha’ppen? - The English Beat

Its too late now, its twenty past two. I spent the night just watching you.

Making sure you were safe, that there wasn’t a single threat around.

I watched you every night, no matter where you were. You could be walking home with some girlfriends, and I was lurking in the shadows, making sure nobody followed you all. Or you could be home, dancing in her kitchen as you reheated last nights Indian food, butter chicken. The place downstairs from your apartment had the best butter chicken in Queens.

Now I think quite a lot as I stare at my shoes, About all these things that I put myself through.

Why do I watch you so intensely if I know I could never make you mine? I don’t know, Y/N. Theres something alluring about you. But ultimately, I know, you’re too nice to talk to.

I could never forgive myself if I hurt this ray of sunshine. Just by introducing myself as anything other than your friendly neighborhood spider-man could cause my enemy to pounce on you. To get to me.

One time, I did think about introducing myself as Peter Parker. We were in the subway, you were standing a foot away from me, and I glance but you just stare me through.

But eventually, I got my chance to talk to you. Unfortunately, it was because you were almost getting mugged. Of course, I stepped in right as the gun was pulled out. I knocked him out, webbing him to the wall. You looked at me, shocked. unsure of what to say. Finally, you spoke.

“Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it! What else is the friendly neighborhood Spider-man for?”

You smile and start walking away. I should have said something, I should have made my move.

So, I went back to watching you. Until I couldn’t. I tapped on your window one night, your fourth story apartment window. You look confused and then shocked when you saw my big white eyes staring back at you. You opened your window.

“Hey spider- man, can I help you?“ You were unsure how to feel about me.

“Patrol is a bit boring tonight, came to see if I could offer a pretty lady like yourself any flowers.” I pulled the bouquet from behind my back.

Your eyes widened and you froze. “How did you- why did you- what?” but nevertheless you grasped them in your hands and you welcomed me into your apartment.

“Sorry it’s not the cleanest.” You said, kicking a pile of clothes under the bed. I’d plopped down onto the plush floor and looked around.

“This is a very nice room.” You rolled your eyes and we walked out into the main kitchen and living area.

“So,” You pull a vase out of the cabinet, it’s purple, your roommates favourite color it would seem. “Do you make pit stops to give all the women in queens a bouquet of flowers, or am I special?” My face burned under my mask, you were looking at me, talking to me.

“Just you. There’s something about you, Y/N.”

Your eyebrows raised, and for a minute I thought I’d offended you. Felt such a fool I felt you knew, But you might tell me to go away.

“Do you, um, do you want something to drink?” You turned to the fridge and opened it. “I have beer, hard cider, Dr. Pepper, sprite?”

I laughed, “tap water, if you have it of course” You laughed back.

“Of course.”

I wanted to throw myself at you, to kiss you right then and there.

This evening hasn't gone like I planned, Should I take the situation in hand?

Unfortunately, I chose the other end of the bad choice spectrum.

You handed the glass to me, to which I drank in one swift move.

“How did you know my-“ You started,

“Well, I should be going, thanks for the water!” I ran Out the window you might say I'm out of of my mind.

But you're too nice to talk to.

Too nice.

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spreadyovrwings · 1 year

Text

64 Oslo Square

‘Companion’. Middle English. From Old French ‘compaignon’, literally ‘one who breaks bread with another’.

Strapped for cash, John gets a job at a bakery as their new delivery boy. Juggling school and Queen and work is exhausting, but it’s more than worth it. It’s worth it because of you.

Warnings for this chapter: None! Except like major flirting (gross)

Chapter Five

Two doors down from 64 Oslo Square, there was an Indian takeaway. John had been meaning to pop in a few times, but the emptiness of his pockets had always far outweighed the emptiness of his stomach.

He stopped and gazed at his own reflection in the glass shopfront, coldly cut off from the promise of good, warm food.

John would never admit it to anyone, but he did take quite a bit of pride in his appearance. He wasn’t vain, he hoped, he just liked to look nice. He dressed casually most of the time, but John never left the house without first making sure that he smelt great and his hair was perfectly set.

He frowned as he pulled at his long curls, then brushed his fingertips over his fringe, making sure he looked just right. Roger and Freddie would be dropping round today, the least he could do was look his best while they were antagonising him in front of you.

As John entered the bakery, he took in a deep breath. It had become a habit, filling his lungs with the incredible smells of fresh bread, vanilla speckled custard, and power-soft icing sugar. He’d never get tired of this place.

When he couldn't see you behind the counter, John began to relax. He was always disappointed when your paths failed to cross, but it was a bit of a relief. Perhaps you had taken a rare holiday? Freddie and Roger would, without a doubt, simply reschedule their plans to darken the bakery’s door, but it would buy John some more time, perhaps enough to properly warn you, make up some excuse, or die, whichever was easiest.

Laughter rang out from the kitchen, bright and pretty. John’s stomach flipped, then a moment later, his shoulders lowered. You were here after all.

His disappointment didn’t last very long at all. He saw you move past the kitchen doorway, soft and beautiful and warm, even at a glance. Then, you popped back into sight and waved at him, even though you had to prop the tray of croissants you were carrying up against the doorframe to do so.

Beaming, John waved back until you disappeared from sight again. As he lowered his hand, he realised his heart was pounding.

He wasn’t sure what would be more rude, to slip behind the counter and make himself a cup of tea or wait to be served. John didn’t want to give the impression that he’d made himself at home, but he didn’t want to be waited on by his friends either.

While he was dithering, he caught sight of Alastair, Gladys’ famed boyfriend. The bakery was, as usual, full of customers, but while they were all seated at the tables dotted around the room, sipping teas and coffees and munching happily on sweet treats, Alastair was standing by the kitchen doorway.

It made John frown. You certainly wouldn’t be happy if you knew about that. Alastair had carefully hidden himself away out of sight, tucked behind the corner so that you and Mickey couldn’t see him as you flitted about.

He watched on incredulously as he realised Alastair was using the bakery’s phone. John could just about hear his deep, impassive voice under the low hum of activity. As he spoke, Alastair turned his body away from the kitchen doorway and the other customers, the telephone cord pulled tight against his arm as he tried to move as far out of earshot as possible.

“Just off the high street. Yeah. Yeah, no. No, it’s closer to the park.”

Curious, John moved closer, keeping his gaze down so that anyone would think he was just having trouble deciding what to eat.

“Yeah. Three stories. There’s a flat above and a cellar. She said they had a flood a few years ago but that’s been sorted now. Yeah, no, shouldn’t be any trouble…”

Perhaps sensing he was being watched, Alastair looked round over his shoulder. When he caught John’s gaze, he gave him a quick, polite but cold smile. John did not smile back.

He wondered if he should say something, challenge what he’d overheard, but then you came out of the kitchen at last. You smiled at him so prettily that John completely forgot all about Alastair for now.

“Alright, New Boy?”

“How are you?”

“Good, good. Just trying to sort an order out for this bloke. Called last minute just before closing yesterday, asked if we could add a ‘few’ more things to his delivery. Of course, Gladys said yes. I keep telling her the cut-off is midday but-” You smiled. “Boring, sorry. How are you doing? Isn’t today your day off?”

“S’pose I just can’t get enough of you.”

You blinked.

John gawped. He had intended ‘you’ as a plural: you, Mickey, even Gladys. But that wasn’t what he said and both of you knew it wasn’t what he meant either. He really couldn’t get enough of you. It was as simple as that.

Luckily, a customer required your attention and you were both saved.

You put up one finger, holding him in place.

“Hang on,” you said, then went to serve the customer.

John let go of the breath he’d been holding.

He really was a shambles. He should just ask you to dinner and get it over with; his heart couldn’t take much more of this. It’s just that whenever he spoke to you, all his carefully prepared words went out the window, and even breathing became a struggle, let alone talking.

John watched you interact with the customer, how you smiled and waited patiently for them to choose a cake.

He liked the way you stood, with your weight on one hip, how you rested your hands on your waist, and how you spoke, confident and disarming with an edge that gave away that you were always two steps ahead.

Even if he could work up the courage to ask you out, where could he take you? John barely had enough money to feed and clothe himself, he wasn’t much of a catch. The thought sank like a stone to the pit of his stomach.

John’s gaze slid wearily back over to Alastair, who by now had hung up the phone and was blowing kisses through the kitchen doorway, presumably to Gladys since he didn’t think Mickey would appreciate the gesture.

Alastair dressed well: his shoes gleamed, his shirts were always neatly pressed, and he reeked of expensive cologne. Off-putting as he was to be around, he could afford to treat Gladys to dinners, dates, and opulent gifts, or so John had heard.

What did he have to offer you but an incomplete degree, a second-hand bass guitar, and so much social anxiety that he had to practice saying hello to you in the mirror for twenty minutes before he left his digs?

“Look at that!

John turned to find you lifting the glass dome from a cake stand. It was only after you’d boxed the last remaining slice and handed it over to the customer that he realised why you were smiling at him. John’s lips parted in surprise as he gazed at the now empty cake stand.

“Was that my..? People actually bought it?”

As Gladys bustled past, she reached over the counter and pinched his cheek.

“Of course they did!” She said. “It was lovely, John. You did a great job.”

You laughed softly, shaking your head at your boss as she swept past you.

John cupped his now smarting cheek with one hand, his other fingers wrapped around the edge of the counter. He feared if he let go, his weak knees wouldn’t support him for very long.

“Thank you. Is it…? Is it really all sold out?”

He spoke softly, raising his eyes to you. John would never know how his tender gaze made your heart melt, how the slight tilt of his head made you want to just throw away your dignity and kiss him.

For a moment, your gaze softened. He wished he knew what you were thinking, what it was that made you look at him so sweetly before your smile turned pointed again.

“I said it was for charity; it went in seconds,” you said, making Gladys laugh.

John pretended to look wounded, pressing his palm flat against his racing heart.

“Oof, you’re mean.”

Your smile relaxed into something more gentle, and John couldn’t help thinking how pretty you looked when you were pleased to see him.

“Just kidding, Johnny. People really liked it.”

John’s hand was still resting over his heart. The nickname made it thump against his palm. He had to look away, if he didn’t, he knew a bashful grin would spread across his face, and he would have a hard time explaining away his bright red cheeks.

“Well, you baked it. I just made it look nice.”

“You’re good at that. Why do you think we hired you?”

Gladys reached over and flapped her hand at you without taking her eyes off the tea she was steeping.

“Stop flirting in front of the customers.”

To John’s amusement, you rolled your eyes at her, but then you smiled, tired and pretty, and winked at him.

“Wait till I get you alone in that kitchen.”

You were only kidding. At least he thought so. Still, John couldn't help his mind wandering to what that might entail. Your gorgeous round hips under his hands. The soft gasps he might inspire as he parted your thighs. Your fingers wrapped around his jaw as you kissed him, deep and slow, in a dark, quiet corner of the kitchen where no one would see you.

While John all but melted, Gladys huffed and shook her head.

“You are shameless.” She gave John an apologetic look. “Cuppa?”

“Please.”

He got himself seated, then a few moments later, you came over with a steaming cup of tea and a couple of biscuits.

John hoped you would sit with him but the shop was full today and you just didn’t have the time. He watched your fingers wrap around the seat opposite his and knew you ached to stay. It must have been a busy morning, your eyes were clouded and soft, but even though you must be exhausted, you still made time for him. The thought warmed his chest.

“I’ve got some friends coming round.”

“To your digs?”

Your hair was down today. He thought he could smell your shampoo, something citrusy, sharp but sweet just like you.

“Here,” John suddenly panicked. “If that’s alright?”

You smiled, and his shoulders relaxed.

“Are these your mates from your band?”

“Yes, um…”

There was a streak of flour on your cheek. His fingers ached to brush it away for you, to cup your face and feel you sink into him as he kissed you.

“They’re, er…”

John could never hold your gaze for very long. He meekly glanced away, then back again, but there was something about you looking down at him from this angle that made his cheeks burn. His eyes felt heavy as they drifted down to your cheek again, then the safe, soft curve of your shoulder.

“I wanted to apologise in advance.”

If he’d been brave enough to meet your eyes, he would've seen understanding, then amusement flash across your face.

“Are they coming to embarrass you?”

“Yes,” John sighed, forcing himself to make eye contact again. “And I’ve talked about you a lot so they know your name and- Basically, they’re gonna drive you mad and I’m really sorry. You don’t have to talk to them.”

To his surprise and no small amount of relief, you reached over and rested your hand on his bare forearm. Warmth spread through his veins immediately, all the way up to his now burning cheeks.

“I can’t wait to meet them,” you said gently.

You are so beautiful.

The words almost slipped from his mouth but John clamped his lips together just in time.

You gave his arm a squeeze, then went back into the kitchen where Mickey was waiting to tease you about getting distracted.

John watched you walk away. He hoped you might turn back at the last moment and ask if he wanted another baking lesson, or simply catch his eye and wink at him again. But you didn’t.

Instead, he let his gaze drift down so that he might memorise the shape of your arse, your hips, and your thighs in those tight, dark blue flares. John turned his attention to his cup of tea, his face hot, feeling guilty and exhilarated all at once.

Roger and Freddie had warned John that they’d be dropping by about lunch time, so, of course, they rocked up just as the clock was ticking towards three.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of the bakery with his back to the door, John felt safe. No one looked his way, no one bothered him, and he had a perfect view through the kitchen doorway, where you were dusting cinnamon rolls with clouds of bright white icing sugar.

He heard them before he saw them. 64 Oslo Square’s peace was broken by the door being pushed open with gusto, then the clomp clomp clomp of chunky heels on the wooden floor.

“Sorry we’re late!”

A hand came down on John’s left shoulder. Freddie’s neatly manicured black fingernails shone, his bangles rattling in John’s ear as he shook him gently.

“Bloody hectic morning. You’d think the whole of London was in that market.”

“I am starving!”

Roger dropped into the seat across from John like a sack of potatoes. He immediately flopped over the table, resting his head on his forearms with a long groan.

“Deaky,” he complained. “I’m so cold. Can I hold your tea?”

Huffing softly, John pushed his mug across the table.

Roger unfolded his arms and wrapped his fingers around it, his forehead now pressed against the table. He yawned loudly, his back arching under his big coat.

“What a day, Deaks. It’s bloody freezing out there. I was wearing three furs by the end.”

“Oh, this place is lovely though,” said Freddie, scanning the room with a glint in his dark eyes. “Nice and cosy. Oh, for God’s sake, Roger. Move over!”

Roger had taken the outside seat, so Freddie had to squeeze behind him to reach the empty chair by the window. Muttering and swearing, he lifted one leg high and hopped the rest of the way. Roger didn’t raise his head from the table once but a few customers did look over in interest.

John shrank back into himself, hunching his shoulders with embarrassment. Freddie wasn’t exactly the most inconspicuous of figures at the best of times, let alone when he was cursing Roger and making a big fuss.

He looked fearfully towards the kitchen doorway but thankfully, you didn't seem to notice the commotion over the rumble of the ovens and the notoriously ancient and unreliable whisk.

Freddie must have followed his gaze because he suddenly gasped.

“Is that her!”

John shot him a pained look. If he shrank back in his seat anymore, he would be in serious danger of slipping right under the table.

“Please, please don’t say anything.”

“What! When we came all the way here to meet her!”

“It’s a five minute walk from the market.”

“Yes,” Roger lifted his head. “But it’s raining.”

Freddie gestured emphatically, as if he’d made a salient point.

“Pouring. And I turned down lunch with Zandra for this.”

“She is pretty.”

Roger was gazing at you too now. He craned his neck, trying to get a better view, and nodded his head approvingly when he did. Something about the way he looked at you made John frown.

“Is she going with anyone?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think so.” John sighed. “Mickey says she isn’t.”

Freddie frowned.

“Mickey?”

“The big lad in the kitchen,” Roger reminded him.

Freddie perked up.

“Oo?”

“He’s married.”

Disappointed, Freddie flopped dramatically back in his chair.

“Typical,” he muttered while Roger pulled a sympathetic face.

John couldn’t resist smiling. As embarrassing as they were, it was good to see his friends.

They were always teasing him, poking fun at each other and generally being a nuisance, but just because they could be silly didn’t mean they were unreliable. Roger, for example, might not care too much for his degree, but drumming was his life.

Passion, they had it by the bucketload, but they also had a wonderful habit of reminding John that he was still young, that he should be having fun, and that sometimes, it was alright to not take things too seriously.

Roger was already practically falling out of his seat with excitement, but when you left the kitchen to talk to Gladys, he slapped Freddie’s arm frantically.

“So how does it work?” he asked. “Do we go order at the counter or does she…?”

Freddie flung up his hand and waved it airily in your direction, his chin raised to the ceiling, reminiscent of a duke or a prince.

“Hello!” He called across the room and beamed when you looked over. “Hello, love!”

John saw the bewildered expression on your face and wanted to melt right into his shoes. The bakery didn’t do table service; hopefully you wouldn’t think they were being purposefully rude.

“Freddie, please,” he hissed.

“I’m just saying hello!”

Out of the corner of his eye, John could see you starting to make your way over.

“Oh, God.” He sat up straight. “Please be normal.”

Freddie just scoffed and waved him off.

Roger began to form what would probably have been a painfully acerbic response, but both he and Freddie looked up when you finally appeared by the table.

“You hollered?”

You sighed the words, resting your weight on one hip in a way John found frankly exhilarating.

You looked down at them, taking them all in, one by one. Your expression was flat, though thankfully, you didn’t seem to be genuinely irritated.

When your gaze finally landed on John, the corner of your mouth flickered, and he let out a breath he didn’t realise he was holding.

Freddie leaned right over the table, stretching out his hand towards you.

“Freddie Mercury, pleasure to meet you.”

As he reached over, he accidentally shoved his shoulder into Roger’s face, who complained and huffed and tried to push him away.

Amused, you shook Freddie’s hand.

“Nice to meet you.”

“You know, John hasn’t stopped talking about this place since he was hired,” Roger beamed up at you. “And now I see why.”

You shook his hand too, your eyes flicking towards John, perhaps to see how he felt about that last comment.

“He talks a lot about you too.” You smiled. “You must be Roger.”

“It’s great to meet you. You know, I’ve been past this place a hundred times and I keep meaning to come in.”

“Well, now you have, what can I get you?”

They ordered two cups of tea and two slices of cake, chocolate for Roger and coffee and walnut for Freddie.

You returned with their food quickly. If John didn’t know any better, he’d think you actually were excited to meet his friends.

When you’d expressed interest in them before, he thought you were only being polite. But no, he could see it in your face, you were practically fizzing. The others wouldn’t be able to tell but they didn’t know you like he did.

But why? Why were you so eager? To tease him? To eek more information about him out of his friends? Perhaps. There was a far more likely explanation, one that warmed his chest to even consider. You liked him, you wanted to meet his friends, you wanted to be a part of his life, as he’d become a part of yours.

You set two cups of tea down on the table in front of Roger and Freddie, as well as their slices of cake. To John’s amusement, you set another slice of chocolate cake down in front of him.

He opened his mouth to say something but to John’s surprise, you chucked him under the chin before he could protest.

“So, what’s the verdict?” You smiled down at them. “Are we good enough for John?”

“I think this place has done him the world of good,” said Freddie.

When you glanced at him, John offered you a brave little smile.

He thought it was rather obvious that this place, that you, had had a profound effect on his confidence. John wouldn’t be shouting the others down in an argument anytime soon, but he carried himself in a different way. Yes, you’d done him a lot of good.

“Is he as chatty with you lot as he is here?”

“Oh, Deaks? Can’t shut him up, can we Deaky?”

Roger stuck out his foot and nudged John’s under the table.

You turned your gaze to him. There was a small smile on your lips, soft and gentle. It lacked your usual snark. In fact, John thought it was the warmest look you’d ever sent his way.

“Deaky…”

You repeated the nickname, trying it out for the first time.

John would be the first to admit that he didn’t have the most exciting name. First, middle, and last, it was a title that did the job, a sensible, straightforward, boring old name that he sometimes wished his parents had put just a little more thought into.

He didn’t think his nickname was particularly exciting either, but neither his real name nor the one his friends had given him had ever sounded better than from your lovely, smiling mouth.

“A fantastic bassist,” Freddie was saying, while you and John gazed at each other. “Great head for business-”

“Great head. Ow!”

Roger yelped as Deaky’s boot connected with his shin.

“He’s brilliant,” Freddie went on. “You could hang your hat on him.”

“Especially when he’s talking about you.” Roger was faster this time and moved his leg away from John’s swinging platform. “Though, you’ve gotta watch the bruises on him, love.”

“Bruises?”

“Yeah, from all the girls pushing him away with barge poles.”

John looked up at you, hoping his exasperated expression would go some way to apologise for his friends. But you weren’t looking at him, you were watching Roger almost reproachfully. And there was that taut bowstring smile.

“And what do you do, Roger?”

The way you said his name, John had to hide his smile behind his mug. It was very different to the way you said his, always so warm and soft when you were pleased to see him, or staccato and electric when you were teasing him.

Roger didn’t seem to notice the acidity of your tone. He puffed out his chest.

“Oh, you know, I’m in the import/export business. Real premium merchandise.”

John rolled his eyes.

“They have a stall in Kensington Market.”

Your smile cut through Roger’s affronted response.

“I’ll leave you to it.” You waved airily at his friends. “Nice to meet you both.”

They tried to convince you to sit with them, but you politely declined. You were still on shift, you said, you had work to do, but John caught the glance you threw his way before you left. You were lying.

Concerned, he hoped they hadn’t bothered you too much. But that particular worry settled again almost as soon as it shook off its wings. His friends appeared to amuse you, the roll of your eyes told him that, and the little smile that was just for him.

Roger and Freddie watched you leave, grinning.

John hadn’t known him all that long really, but a stranger on the street could tell that Roger loved women, all women. And loved them genuinely too, not for sport but for the way they spoke, the way they walked and held themselves, he loved their nuances and their laughter, and he already seemed to adore you.

It should have made John nervous. It should have made him bristle with envy. Roger was clever and kind, handsome and beautiful all at once, easy to talk to and to get to know, something John just couldn’t seem to get the hang of. But it was him you kept smiling at, his mouth you were always watching, his shoulder you squeezed when you said goodbye.

“Oh, she is lovely,” Freddie watched you walk away with an almost fond smile. “Absolutely wonderful.”

“She is, isn’t she? She’s so…”

Roger grinned.

“Smart and funny and pretty, and bossy in a way that makes your knees weak…”

“All warm and delicious and soft, and you’d frankly let her do anything she wanted to you?” Freddie finished, raising a delicate eyebrow.

John nodded.

“That pretty much sums it up, yes. She’s just… Wow, you know? And I think she really likes me.”

“Ask her out then!”

John snorted.

“I can’t do that.”

“Why?”

“I’ll die.”

“Oh,” Roger scoffed and rolled his eyes in an almost motherly way. “Don’t be a twat. You like her. She likes you. What are you waiting for? I’ll die of old age at this rate.”

“I’m not- I’m not being a- It’s hard!”

“To ask out someone you like?”

“For me, yes!”

Freddie put a hand on Roger’s arm.

“John probably just wants to do it right. Is that it, Deaky?”

“Yes! Well, it- Yes, I want to make sure she actually likes me.”

“She looks at you like she wouldn’t mind bending you over one of these tables.”

“Roger!”

“Hey, I wouldn’t mind that myself. She’s gorgeous.”

“Please,” John pressed his fingertips against his closed eyelids. “Please shut up.”

“I hope those kitchen walls aren’t too thin,” Freddie smiled, sipping his tea regally. “You’ll give her ideas.”

“Like she hasn’t had them already. She’d definitely have you pinned up against the bread slicer if you gave her half a chance.”

“I want to do this right,” John pressed on gallantly, his voice a note or two higher than usual. “I don’t want to make things uncomfortable and lose this job and my friends… I want to… I want to see her outside of work but I just can’t figure out how to… Nothing seems right. Everything I think of either seems boring or too much or… Oh, God, I don’t know.”

John took a bite of his chocolate cake, miserable.

While his mind raced, turning over and over like a sputtering engine as he tried to decide what to do, his friends exchanged a glance that said many things all at once.

Freddie’s twisted mouth suggested they should help John take the next step, while Roger’s raised eyebrows emphasised that they ought to act soon, as John looked like he was about to keel over.

They changed the subject, aiming to reel John back in with talks of their next gig, of a new song idea that Roger wanted to try, and some gossip about the girl Brian was seeing. They ate their cake and drained their tea, warmed by the bakery and its gifts.

At last, the rain began to ease and the staggered buildings that bracketed the street were backed by a rosy sky. The city was slowly turning its face towards the evening, soon the lamps that lined the roads would beckon them out into the dark.

A serious lack of funds and four conflicting schedules meant that the only time Queen managed to book a slot in any recording studio was around midnight, when every musician in their right mind was off having fun. Tonight, the boys were meeting across town, hoping inspiration might find them and bless them with a track or two.

John didn’t want to leave. The rain had almost stopped now but he knew the harsh wind would slip under his clothes until his muscles ached from trying to shake some life back into him. It was a long trudge to the studios in the north of the city, especially in the platforms he’d worn just in case you saw him and his friends standing together and it wasn’t obvious that he was tallest.

Distracted by thoughts of homework, a feeble dinner, and leaving the delicious warmth of the bakery, John didn’t notice Roger slip over to the counter to talk to you until it was too late.

You were chatting with Gladys, haggling over wages again, but stopped when Roger leaned right over the counter and waved at you.

“Here, love, what time do you finish?”

“We close at six?”

Too late, John realised his friend had gotten away from him and marched over to rescue you. He got there just in time to hear Roger ask,

“Perfect, are you free tomorrow night?”

John wrapped his fingers around the scruff of Roger’s shirt and pulled him away from the counter, shooting you an apologetic look at the same time.

While Freddie went up to pay for their drinks, John cornered Roger.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing!”

“You’re meddling.”

Roger smiled, wide and unapologetic.

“No...”

“Roger Meddling Taylor.”

“I just thought I’d see if your gorgeous boss has plans this week!”

“Why would you..?”

“You know how I’m your favourite person in the whole wide world?” Roger grinned. “Well, after your lovely new friend.”

“Roger…”

“And how I would never steer you wrong?”

John only grimaced.

When he went up to say goodbye, you were there waiting for him with a soft smile.

“They seem nice.”

“They’re…” John huffed. “They’re a lot. They’re nice but they’re idiots.”

“They love you to bits.”

“You think?”

You just smiled again, then asked,

“You off, then?”

“Uh, yes. Yeah. I was um…” John glanced back over his shoulder to find his friends watching him with eager expressions. “We’ve got a gig. Tomorrow night. It’s not far from here, actually.”

“That’s ni-”

“Do you want to come?” It came out too quickly, too nervous. John winced. “Sorry, I- Sorry. It’s, uh, it’s the first one I’ve organised myself and I’m terrified no one’s going to show up. Or worse, only a couple do and- Doesn’t matter. What I’m trying to say is, I’d really love for you to come.”

He watched your smile grow, but before it could meet your eyes, it changed shape, hollowed out, and turned downwards.

“Tomorrow night? I’ll be-”

“Working, I know.”

You were always working. In all the time that you’d known each other, John couldn’t recall you mentioning any friends, any hobbies, or any life outside of this bakery.

He knew all about loneliness, how you could sink so deep before you even noticed, and trying to break through the surface to catch your breath felt impossible. He thought you might be able to help each other.

Still, he didn’t mean that to come out quite so sharply. He saw something flicker across your face. John tried to soften his expression, hoping you’d see that he was trying, at last, to reach out, to make a connection.

“It’s at eight.” He placed his hand flat against the counter but was too cowardly to brush his fingertips against yours. “One night, that’s all I’m asking. My way of thanking you for helping me settle in. And, hey, there’ll be popcorn. Maybe even a beer if you’re lucky.”

For a moment, he thought you might decline. Between your uncertain gaze and the unmistakable sound of Freddie and Roger practically vibrating with anticipation behind him, John almost caved and told you not to worry. He was glad he waited. That one second meant all the difference, just one moment of bravery.

You moved your hand forward, so now the very tip of your middle finger was pressed against his.

“Okay, yeah. Alright, New Boy, you’re on. I’ll see you then.”

As you spoke, you slipped your hand over his, your index, middle and ring fingers now resting over his.

“Really?”

“Yeah! Yeah, no, that sounds like fun. I’ll be there.” You laughed. “I’ll even make a sign with your name on it, make sure everyone knows who I’m there to see. I’ll shout ‘that’s my delivery boy!’”

John smiled so wide it made his cheeks ache.

You glanced over his shoulder at Roger and Freddie, beaming away, and pulled your hand back.

“Do I need to bring anything?”

“Just yourself.” John gave a little wiggle he’d want to punch himself for later. “And your dancing shoes.”

As he turned to go, Roger cupped his hands around his mouth and spoke loud enough for the whole bakery to hear.

“And preferably something revealing so Deaky has something to look at while he’s-”

John grabbed him by the shoulders, span Roger around, and pushed him out the door.

“See you later!”

Bedford College was a tall, imposing building, red-bricked and impressive, even in the half light of a blustery spring evening. You felt the eye of the clock tower follow you as you crossed the campus, following the signs sporting Queen’s scrawled logo.

You tugged at your velvet flares, then the front of your top. You looked good, hopefully, but not too good, like you’d made an effort but effortlessly. You didn’t want John to know how eager you were to see him outside of work, but you didn’t want him to think that you didn’t care about the gig, about him.

You found the sports hall with little trouble. Concerned, you realised you couldn’t hear any music. Perhaps you’d got the time wrong? You checked your watch. No, a few minutes before eight, you were right on time.

The sports hall doors were heavy, you had to lean your whole body against one to push it all the way open. When you stepped inside, the air was warm and close, the unmistakable odour of a school gymnasium.

For a moment, you thought you must have come to the wrong place. The room was practically empty. Through the low light, you could see six or so teenagers floating around near a makeshift stage, and a low drinks table dotted with paper cups and homemade bags of popcorn.

Finally, you saw John. He and his band mates were standing beside the stage. He looked decidedly nervous. Next to him, Roger and a tall man, who you knew must be Brian, seemed to be spatting at each other like alley cats. Even unshakeable Freddie was tugging at his silver bangles, his bottom lip caught between his teeth.

You moved slowly towards the stage, keeping an eye on the other attendees. Perhaps something had happened? Maybe rather than being late, you were actually too early?

The band moved onto the stage. They got into position with practice ease, though you were sure John’s restless fingers, Roger’s scowl, and the half-interest of the meagre crowd were not part of the act.

You watched John with such obvious interest, you couldn’t believe it took him several moments to notice your eyes on him. He seemed relieved to see you.

While Freddie introduced the band, John lifted his fingers from the sleek black body of his bass guitar and waved them at you. You smiled back in what you hoped was an encouraging way, but the four lads and two girls that made up the rest of the audience were beginning to grow restless.

John was just starting to mouth something to you, something you couldn’t make out in the low light of the sports hall, when suddenly, Brian swung his arm and a shriek shot across the room and hit the back wall.

The sound reverberated through you, then Roger threw up his arms and brought them down again hard, the sound of the toms smacking the crowd with such force it took your breath away.

Freddie ricocheted across the stage, a tightly coiled spring finally set free. He thumped his foot in time with Roger, his microphone angled downwards as he held the gaze of everyone in the audience, almost like he was daring you all to try and stop him.

And beneath it all, beneath Brian’s soulful guitar, beneath Roger’s pounding beat and Freddie’s glorious voice, was the steady, faithful, perfect thrum of John’s bass guitar, keeping everything tied together.

You watched him with tears pricking the corners of your eyes. You weren’t even sure why. The sound was just so warm, so safe. The others were unpredictable and fantastic, but John, standing there with his eyes almost closed, his head tipped down towards the neck of his guitar, his legs parted in a wide stance, he was the heart and soul of it all.

“You were right. They are good.”

You turned your head and saw two boys whispering to each other, smiling at the music washed over them. Their enjoyment made you smile. You couldn’t be more proud of your delivery boy.

You didn’t take your eyes off John for the whole performance, which, with its limited audience, the band seemed to be treating as more of a rehearsal. They chatted between songs, swapping notes and fiddling with their equipment. That didn’t mean they didn’t give it their all though.

You kept waiting for John to turn and chat to you, but he kept his voice low, only speaking to his bandmates when they spoke to him first. Whether it was the nerves of the low turnout or not wanting to break the barrier between audience and performance, you weren’t sure.

It wasn’t until the last song that you remembered what John had said. Bedford College had been booked under his recommendation, he’d organised the whole thing and only six paying punters had turned up.

“Oh, New Boy,” You murmured, as the last notes of this shambles of a gig circled your head. “This is gonna set you back.”

The boys took their bows, nodding gratefully when you all applauded, then gathered at the back of the stage to talk.

Unsure of what to do, you hovered vaguely in the direction of the drinks table. The rest of the audience were either chatting, glancing hopefully towards the band or stuffing bags of popcorn into their pockets, while you stood alone, off to the side, feeling so awkward it was almost painful.

You wished John would just come over and say hi. You were a couple of years older than everyone else here and the only one who’d come alone.

A small voice in your head wondered if it would be better to wait outside, away from their watchful eyes. Would it be cooler to catch John on his way out? Or would he think you didn’t care? You worried your bottom lip, torn and uncertain of yourself, a feeling you hated above all else.

As you poured yourself a cup of water, you watched the band out of the corner of your eye. The boys were discussing something important in hushed voices. You wouldn’t be surprised if John had completely forgotten you were there, seeing as the snatches of conversation you could hear seemed to be about the low turnout.

You saw John roll his eyes, his lips pressed together with thinly-veiled irritation. But then he caught your gaze and his expression brightened, as if with relief.

To your surprise and no small amount of delight, John jumped down from the stage, his heels clacking against the worn wooden floor as he hurried over.

“Hey! Hey, Skip!”

You smiled awkwardly at a gaggle of teenagers with clothes much cooler than yours as John clomped over to you. Thankfully, Roger and the others had hopped down from the stage too now, capturing the kids’ attention, so you and John were left alone.

“Hey, rockstar! You-”

He’d jumped down from the stage so quickly that he still had his bass slung around his neck. With a move that would have your heart racing whenever you thought about it in future, John swept the heavy guitar behind him so that he could wrap his arms around you.

“You came!”

He held you tight against his chest as he laughed, so soft and sweet that only you could hear it.

“It’s so good to see you. Thank you for coming.”

John’s narrow frame felt so small against your own, yet you seemed to fit together perfectly. His long hair tickled your nose as he bent his head and rested his chin on your shoulder, his heart hammering in time with your own.

He smelt like sweat and cheap aftershave, and to your delight, a little bit like the bakery. 64 Oslo Square had a way of embedding itself in all your clothes, your hair, even, it sometimes seemed, under your skin. It didn’t occur to you until then just how much John had come to feel like home to you.

The thunk in your chest when he moved away jarred you for a moment. You’d been toying with his bass behind his back, tugging at the thickest string to feel the reverberations. You wondered if he could feel them echo from the guitar through his spine.

“Wow, you look...” John shook his head, looking you up and down so unabashedly that it made your face heat up. “I mean, you’re… Do you always..? You look… I’m-”

You smiled.

“Hi, John.”

“Hi.” He shook his head again. “Wow.”

Blushing and lost for words, you shook your cup of water at him.

“I was promised a beer!”

He laughed.

“Well, I did say ‘if you’re lucky’.”

“I should’ve known you’d cheap out on me. You could always buy me a drink to make up for it?”

“Then I’d be the lucky one.” John’s smile faded as quickly as it appeared. “I’m sorry about tonight. I promise, next time there’s a gig it won’t be organised by me and the room will be… Well, it’ll be better.”

“I thought you were amazing.”

It was John’s turn to blush. His gaze dropped to the floor as if it suddenly weighed a ton, his forehead all scrunched up and serious.

“Well, we’ve been working really hard. We rehearse almost every day.”

“It shows. But I meant… John?” You slipped your fingers under his jaw and gently lifted his head. “I meant you were amazing.”

Slowly, he began to smile again.

“Yeah?”

You laughed and squeezed his hand, hoping he’d be able to feel just how proud you were of him, as if the words were written on your palm, now pressed against his, a secret message just for him.

It must have brought back some of John’s courage because suddenly he said,

“You look beautiful.”

Taken-aback, all you could do was smile, bemused.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Not just tonight. Always. You’re beautiful.”

He pressed his lips together, almost like he wasn’t sure whether to say what he wanted, but then John huffed a tiny laugh, the battle in him an apparent surrender.

“I fancy you like mad.”

You couldn’t help it, you burst out laughing.

“Have you been drinking?”

“No! No, I’m just really, really nervous.” John pulled a face. “Actually, okay, yes, I might have had one little drink. Freddie says it’s good luck before a show.”

“Mm, Dutch courage.”

“I think his family’s from Zanzibar, actually.”

You rolled your eyes.

“Muppet.”

John grinned.

“Anyway, I- It’s mostly just- This’ll sound daft but I’m just really pleased to see you.”

You’d never seen a man so nervous. John could hardly hold your gaze. His skin, scattered with tiny beads of sweat, shone pale under the low lights, his fringe now plastered to his forehead from the exertion of the show. When he nervously swept at his hair, you could see that his hand was shaking. He looked like a dream.

“Not that daft,” you said, hoping he’d catch your meaning.

John’s usually impassive eyes softened just a little.

“No?”

Before you could respond, Roger appeared from nowhere and jumped on John’s back, clinging to him like a monkey as he laughed. When he saw you, Roger practically fell into you, his bandaged hands gripping the tops of your arms.

“You came!” Roger kissed both your cheeks with gusto, grinning from ear to ear. “I knew you would. Didn’t I say Johnny Boy? He was worried you weren’t going to show but I told him, I said to him, ‘Deaky,’ I said ‘That girl will be here front and centre and you won’t be able to string two notes together’. But didn’t he do well!”

Over Roger’s shoulder, John looked like he wanted to sink right into the floor.

You just laughed and gently peeled Roger off you. Lovely as he was, he was all sweaty too.

It was a nice glimpse into his character though, the others too, that even for a crowd you could count on two hands, they’d put everything they had into the show. You couldn’t imagine how John would look performing in front of hundreds, maybe even thousands one day.

“You all did brilliantly.”

As if he’d heard you thinking about him, John slipped his arm past Roger and hooked his fingers through yours. He dipped his head down so that he could speak by your ear, and though you were distracted by his warm breath on your skin and the knowledge that John’s fingers were so long, his fingertips brushed your wrist, you just about managed to catch him ask,

“Don’t suppose you wanna go for a walk?”

You ended up walking to the nearest tube station together. John simply slung his guitar case over his shoulder, waved goodbye to his friends, then led you from the sports hall with a hand pressed to your lower back.

You could still feel it now, even though he’d long since stopped touching you. It was like his handprint was seared onto your skin, warm and steady and surprisingly possessive in a way that made your heart pound. John was often so quiet and unsure of himself, the sudden surge of confidence was enough to make you dizzy as he guided you out into the night.

You wanted to ask why he didn’t say goodbye to his friends properly. You wanted to tell him again how wonderfully he played tonight. You wanted to tease him about the low turnout. But the hand that had felt so big and confident against your back kept brushing your own as you walked, and it was enough to stun you into reticence.

He surprised you again by breaking the comfortable silence first.

“No stars.”

John’s gaze was fixed on the dark sky. There were no clouds tonight for the first time in weeks, but still, the night was empty and lonely.

“No, it’s funny, innit. Completely black.”

“Don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.”

“C’mon, you’re hardly a country boy.”

“There are more stars in Oadby than in London.”

John pulled at his thin red jumper, squaring his shoulders against the cold night air.

“Are you warm enough?” he asked.

“Are you?”

“Not in the slightest.”

You laughed and tugged at your scarf.

“C’mere.”

As always, John did as he was told. He stopped and bent his head so that you could reach up and wrap your scarf around his neck.

John mumbled a thank you as he buried his nose in the soft material. It smelt like you, of sweet things and good dreams. He rearranged the scarf around his neck so the cold air wouldn’t sneak inside the collar of his jumper.

“Is it my colour?”

Beaming, you flipped one of the ends over his shoulder, unable to ignore how good it felt to see him wearing something of yours.

“You know, I think it might be.”

John’s gaze fell to the pavement as he smiled. You could practically see the gears turning in his head and knew he wanted to say something. Your heart hammered at the endless possibilities of such a bashful expression. Before you could prompt him to talk, he raised his head and surprised you yet again.

“I’m so glad you came tonight. I know it was rubbish. I promise it’s not usually that depressing. We usually pull a pretty good crowd, actually. I was hoping you’d see that side of the band.” John’s gaze slid away out of habit, just for a second, then he was back. “Of me.”

“I’m glad I came too, you really were brilliant, John... To be honest, I was a bit nervous. I almost called to say I couldn’t make it.”

“Why?”

The bluntness of his question caught you off guard. You didn’t mean to admit that, but something about John and his clever grey eyes made you want to say things aloud about yourself that you couldn’t imagine telling anyone else.

When you didn’t say anything, John tilted his head to the side.

“When was the last time you went out?”

You opened your mouth but no sound came out. You realised you had no answer.

“Gigs aren’t really my thing, usually,” you said instead.

The station was just a few steps away but there was no one around, and the little shops that lined the street were empty and dark. Every house had its curtains closed. Even the Thames seemed to be whispering as it slinked past behind you, it’s waters endless and ancient.

You stepped back and leaned against the brick wall behind you, subconsciously putting some space between you and John. You pulled your coat around you, feeling suddenly vulnerable, and hoped he would think it was just from the cold.

The tables had turned and now the spotlight was on you. It was fun teasing John, peeling back his layers and getting to know the parts of him he didn’t often show, but you hadn’t expected him to turn it back on you.

John followed you, keeping close, and as much as you hated yourself for it, the proximity made your chest flutter.

“Not just to a gig. To a club or out for dinner, or something?”

Again, you said nothing. You didn’t exactly feel interrogated but John’s sudden interest was surprising. If it had been anyone else, you would have fought back, but his expression was so earnest, his voice low and gentle. He was asking because he cared.

John sighed, and for a moment he looked conflicted. You wondered if he was alarmed by his own actions, if he too was surprised by how much he cared. Maybe that wasn’t it. Maybe John just wasn’t used to expressing how he really felt. It was certainly interesting to watch.

“You work so hard. That bakery is going to be yours someday but it’s not right now.” John squeezed his eyes shut, like he always did when he was trying to think of the right words. “What I mean is, you’re young, you deserve time off, you deserve the chance to see your friends.”

“I don’t really have many friends.” Embarrassed, you quickly added, “Why do you care anyway?”

John took the tiniest step closer. He wasn’t quite invading your space yet but he was within arm’s reach. You had to raise your chin to meet his gaze now. It made you feel small, a feeling every instinct told you to challenge, but you held on, trusting John to know you and to understand your limits.

“Because I like you. I wanted to make you smile.”

John spoke matter-of-factly, as if it were obvious. Did he know what he was doing? Did he know that he was making your heart pound? Or was he just as uncertain as you, just as slow to fall and as quick to worry.

He sighed then, slipping his hands into his pockets. You thought you saw a little of his nerves slip away, as if he’d realised that he was asking for a lot of honesty from you without giving anything back.

“I know what it’s like to feel… Stuck,” he said.

“I’m not-”

“I know. I know. But you can miss a lot of living while you’re waiting for your life to start, you know? You’re… You’re kind, and beautiful, and you deserve to have some fun.”

He was right. You had been feeling lonely. The bakery was your whole life, you worked every day, you lived above it, socialised there… Now that he’d asked, you really couldn’t recall the last time you saw friends or went out and enjoyed yourself.

You let his words wash over you like warm water over golden sand. John cared. John saw you. John wanted to know you and help you and make everything better.

“That’s twice you’ve called me beautiful tonight,” you said.

For once, your forwardness didn’t make him retreat. John simply smiled.

“My turn.”

“Hm?”

“To flirt with you outrageously.”

“I don’t flirt with you!”

“Yes, you do! Outrageously! You’re a menace!”

“Is it working?”

John raised his eyebrows.

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

Pleased and blushing, you could only smile as you struggled to keep your eyes from drifting down to that intriguing mouth of his.

“You’re here because you just played an incredible gig to a heaving crowd.”

Even though it made John laugh, you couldn’t help feeling bad. You’d accidentally burst the bubble of tension building between you. Strangely, you missed it. You couldn’t help wondering what might have been, how much closer John might have stepped, how bravely you might have spoken if you’d let the moment go on just that little bit longer.

“Sorry about tonight.”

John shrugged.

“Something to learn from.”

“Are you always so..?”

“What?“

“I don’t know. ‘Easygoing’ doesn’t seem like the right word, but…”

“No point worrying about what you can’t change.”

“The others agree?”

“Rarely. On anything.” John looked down at the pavement again. “I think I’m different. From them, I mean. They all seem to slot together pretty well and I’m… I don’t know. The odd one out. I don’t really know who I am in the group.”

“Aren’t you the cute one?”

John huffed through his nose, shaking his head. You’d flustered him. With a smile, you realised you had the upper hand again.

“Have you seen Roger? He could charm a tortoise out of its shell.”

“Oh, he’s got nothing on you, New Boy.”

You pushed off the wall and stepped closer, and now you were invading his space. John didn’t move back though. He held his ground, his peculiar eyes fixed on yours.

“Mickey told me you said I was pretty,” he said eventually.

That stunned you for a second but you quickly recovered.

“Mickey’s an idiot.”

“So you don’t think I’m pretty?”

The street was completely empty, no cars, no people. There was only you and John, the only two people in the whole wide world. Under the amber light of a towering lamppost, you watched each other, waiting, daring, hoping.

At last, you said,

“I think you’re beautiful.”

John smiled, and you finally had an answer for him about where all those missing stars had disappeared to.

Feeling bold and drunk on the surreality of the evening, you asked,

“Are you seeing anyone?”

“No.”

“Mickey said you weren’t.”

“Yeah.”

“Gladys thought you might be.”

“I’m not, Skip.”

“Right. Okay.”

“Are you?”

“No!” You had to laugh. “No, no, I’m not. Not for ages. I mean, not ages. I have dated. But there’s not been anyone since- Not for ages.”

“Right.”

You watched each other again, just for a moment. John’s gaze dropped first. You knew to him it would feel like mere moments, but to you, the difference between his eyes on yours and his eyes on your mouth was staggering. It left you breathless.

When you stepped forward again, testing the waters, you were sure you saw John’s hand jump inside his pocket. What had its intended target been before he stopped himself? Had he felt cornered? Was it to press against his own racing heart? Did he itch to pull you in closer? You weren’t sure which option made you the most nervous.

His eyes were still fixed on yours though. John was a bundle of nerves but he was still here, he was still holding your gaze. What would happen if you took that final step closer?

It felt like an age before either of your moved again. It was John who finally surrendered.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

Breathless and brimming with every emotion under the sun, you forced a grin that slowly became more real as your heart began to settle again.

“Yeah, see ya. Don’t stay up too late, New Boy, you’ve got about a hundred orders to deliver in the morning.”

John laughed and rolled his eyes, muttering something like ‘great’ or ‘can’t wait’ under his breath, but you were still recovering and didn’t quite catch it.

You stepped into the warm, stark entrance to the tube station together. John had to take the Circle Line, so you parted ways after passing through the barriers. You waved goodbye to each other, both of you feeling suddenly very lonely.

You were just about to head towards the escalator down to your platform when you felt a hand on your shoulder.

“Almost forgot.” John slipped your scarf off and wrapped it around your neck, then bent down and kissed your cheek. “See you tomorrow.”

He said your name, your real name, so softly and so lovingly that you could hardly believe it. Then he was gone.

You stared after him, bewildered and flushed and fizzing with delight. It felt like every nerve in your body was alight, even your fingertips seemed to be tingling.

It wasn’t until the station guard sent you a warning look that you realised you were blocking the way. You hopped on the escalator, still feeling dizzy.

You pressed your fingers to the spot on your cheek where John had kissed you, then let them slip down to where his fingertips had grazed your neck as he tied your scarf for you. Though you weren’t sure why, you looked back up the length of the escalator, back to the spot where you’d said goodbye.

“Fuck,” you said, and laughed.

Master List

#john deacon #john deacon reader #john deacon x reader #john deacon imagine #queen imagine #queen fic

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sunshinejihyun · 2 years

Text

Girls’ Night In

Fandom: Love Island the Game Pairing(s): Bobby McKenzie x Leila (MC), Chelsea Rating: PG-13 Summary: Bobby and Leila have an unexpected visitor who makes their night a little more exciting. Word Count: 2.06k

Author’s note: This was written for the Love Island the Game season 2 gift exchange hosted by myself and @justtuesdays. I was given the chance to write for @callmebeem and I enjoyed every moment of it. I hope I wrote Leila to your liking, and I must also thank you for participating in the exchange. I hope you enjoy this little slice of life between the two lovers and their best friend.

Whistling as he opened the door to their shared apartment, Bobby absentmindedly sang out his normal hello, only to be met with no response, which was an unusual occurrence. He usually stayed late after work to prep the batter and dough for the next day, so Leila was almost always home by the time he returned, a smile on her face and a kiss waiting for him at the door. They’d settle down onto the couch and talk about their days while scrolling through food delivery services to figure out what to order for dinner that night. Some nights if he was home early, they would make something together in the surprisingly big kitchen for the small apartment.

But it seemed like Leila wasn’t home, so Bobby pulled out his phone from his front pocket to check for any texts from his girlfriend and when he came up empty handed, he pulled up Doordash, looking over the menu of one of his favourite Indian food shops. Absent-mindedly, Bobby walked toward the darkened kitchen to get himself a glass of water.

Flipping on the light, he jumped back in surprise as he found Leila crouched on the counter, a colander on her head and armed with a spatula. “What in the world are you doing?”

Leila’s eyes didn’t move from the spot on the floor they were glued to, but she responded to him nonetheless. “I saw a spider,”

“And that means arming yourself with one of my good spatulas to attack it?” Bobby smirked, grabbing a few paper towels. “Where is it? I’ll get it.”

She shrugged, the colander tipping slightly on her head and he bit his lip to hold back a smile as she readjusted it, her red hair sticking out of some of the holes. “He disappeared under the counter. Quick, hop up here before he comes out and takes our first child.”

“Lass, we don’t have a child.” Nonetheless, Bobby clambered up on the counter with her and as he settled in next to her, a lot more cramped than she was, Leila plopped a plastic mixing bowl on his head and handed him his nice rolling pin. “Thank you, my queen, for giving me the most valiant of armour. Now I’ll be able to properly protect you.”

Bobby leaned in to kiss her nose in a real greeting and she giggled as their makeshift helmets clunk together. “My mighty hero,” she responded. “Thank you for finally coming to my rescue.”

“Of course, always gonna help if you need it.” Bobby replied sincerely, before backtracking. “What do you mean finally? How long have you been up here?”

Leila bit at her nail and Bobby watched her carefully. “A while.”

“And you didn't think to call me?”

“My phone is in the living room.”

“So… you’ve been sitting here and watching the floor? For a while?”

Leila shrugged once again. “I lost sight of him. When I put my feet on the floor he’s gonna bite my ankles.”

“I think the spider is more scared of you than you are of him, lass.” Bobby said, his hand falling to her back and rubbing softly.

“Not taking the risk.” She replied and while Bobby knew he could sit here and try to reason with her, yet it wouldn’t change the fact that she was not going to move from her spot until the spider had emerged and gotten taken care of. At his moment of defeat, Bobby sighed out, brandishing his weapon and jumping off the counter. “What are you doing?”

“I'm gonna hunt down the spider. Wanna come with me?” He waggled his eyebrows in a taunt. “Unless you’re too scared.”

Without replying, Leila launched herself at Bobby, her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, causing him to stumble slightly. “I’m not scared but I’m also not letting my feet touch the floor.” Pointing forward with her spatula. “Onward, my steady knight!”

As Bobby’s hands wrapped around her legs to hold her up, he moved to bend down, looking at where she said the spider had run to and while he didn’t see anything, he still swiped the rolling pin under the crack to see if it’d scare the spider out. He felt Leila’s fingernails press into his skin as he stood back up.

A knock sounded on the door, and without even waiting for an answer, Bobby heard the doorknob jiggle with a key. “Hey guys! Put your clothes back on if they’re not already.”

The familiar sound of Chelsea’s shrill yet sweet voice called into the apartment and while Bobby enjoyed her company, he wasn’t sure he wanted her in on the spider hunt.

“Chels!” Leila called, jumping off of Bobby’s back and running toward her best friend. “What a lovely surprise! What are you doing here?”

“Well babes, you weren’t answering my texts or calls so I decided to take a trip to see you and make sure all was well.” The blonde explained and Leila exhaled, looking towards Bobby. The both of them looked ridiculous; with kitchen utensils as weapons and armour, anyone would. “But it seems you were preoccupied. With… whatever you were doing.” She paused, eyeing the pair. “What were you two doing?”

“Well, I saw a spider…” Leila tapered off and Chelsea held up her hand, her purse hitting her side as she did so.

“Say no more, bestie. I totally understand.” She nodded, the ringlets in her hair bouncing with the movement. Leila nodded with her, the colander bobbing along with the movement.

“We haven’t been able to find it yet. It may have even walked out the front door on two legs.” Bobby said, taking the bowl off his head and placing it on the coffee table he was sitting at.

“Oh, silly. Spiders have eight legs, not two.” Chelsea said, waving him off. Turning back to Leila, it was like Bobby no longer existed. “Well now that I’m here, I’m thinking girls night. Matching jammies, face masks, nail polish, and chick flicks. Waddya think?”

“I think I’ll make the cupcakes.” Bobby volunteered before his girlfriend could even respond, sending an over-the-top wink at Leila and grinning as her cheeks turned a gorgeous pink. Taking the kitchen utensils that Leila still had, Bobby retreated into the kitchen as he heard Chelsea squeal in excitement. As he got started on the cupcakes, Chelsea thrust silky pajamas in Leila’s arms and marched her to her bedroom, demanding she change while Chelsea did the same in the bathroom.

When the bedroom door slammed, Bobby heard Leila scream and without thinking about it, he dropped the batter scoop and ran into the room, where he found her cowering on the bed, half undressed, and pointing at a spider on the wall. In all fairness, it wasn’t a tiny spider, but it certainly wasn’t anything like he was picturing.

“Lass, it’s alright. Look, I’ll get it. Keep an eye on it whilst I get a napkin so it doesn’t disappear again.” Bobby backed out of the room, a twinge of guilt in his stomach for leaving her on her own to get a napkin while she looked so petrified.

As he returned, he found Chelsea on the bed next to her, an arm wrapped around her shoulder. They were wearing matching silk pajamas: Chelsea in pink, Leila in green. “It’s okay hun. Look! Bobby’s here and he’s gonna take care of it. Nothing to worry about!” And taking care of it is what Bobby did. He squashed the bug, dropped it into the trash can, and made his way over to the bed, snuggling up to Leila and kissing her forehead.

“The brave knight has defeated the evil arachnid,” Leila whispered, causing Bobby to laugh. “His queen is forever grateful and vows to bestow a kiss to his lips.”

Without giving a response, Bobby’s hand fell to Leila’s hip, pulling her gently to him as he pressed a sweet kiss to her lips. Her hands dropped onto his shoulders, looping around his neck and he felt her smile against his lips.

Then, Chelsea cleared her throat. “You guys are cute, but I am still here, you know?” Their friend interrupted the moment and Bobby pulled away, clearing his throat and rubbing at the back of his neck, a telltale sign he was embarrassed.

“I’m gonna go put the cupcakes in the oven.” He said, getting up and moving back in the direction toward the kitchen.

“Make sure to meet us on the couch after for face masks!” Chelsea called after him and Bobby tutted in acknowledgement.

___________________________

“C’mon Bob,” Chelsea whined out. “Let me just put a little pink on your toes.”

Bobby raised his eyebrows as much as he could under the quickly hardening face mask and he wiggled his toes, causing both girls to look down at his feet. “I don’t see the harm. I never walk around with these babies out. Most people have to pay to see pictures of them.”

“I’m not gonna judge but…”

“Chelsea, he’s kidding.” Leila deadpanned, looking up from the clear polish she was painting onto his fingers. She had trimmed the cuticles, put some oil on them, and is now polishing them nice and shiny. “The only OnlyFans content he puts out is stuff we make together.”

“Oh yeah, lass. Did you end up asking Chelsea about maybe joining us for that one picture…?”

Chelsea had stopped her movement towards Bobby’s feet, instead keeping herself planted on the couch. “No I haven’t asked her but she’s already here so…”

Leila and Bobby both looked at Chelsea and before either one of them could ask anything, she shot up, nail polish spilling over the bottle. “I love you both but that isn’t something I am willing to do!” She exclaimed and before she could go on to say more, the couple burst out laughing.

“Oh man, Chelsea, you should have seen your face!” Bobby choked out between laughter.

“Sorry Chels, you were just too easy.” Leila said and while Chelsea huffed and sat back down. “For the record, we do not sell our sex tapes. Those are for our eyes only.”

Before the blonde could even question if Leila was joking again or not, Bobby motioned to the credits rolling on screen. “Movie’s over. It’s getting pretty late. Should we all head to bed?” Going to the linen closet. Bobby grabbed a bundle of sheets and blankets and the girls stood up, the routine becoming almost second nature by this point. Chelsea decided on impromptu sleepovers quite often.

As Bobby spread the sheets over their couch, Leila leaned in to give her best friend a hug. “Goodnight sweetie, I’ll see you in the morning. Do you have work? You might need to get an early start.”

“I do, but if I’m a little late it’s okay. I couldn’t miss out on some of Bobby’s yummy pancakes.” Chelsea said, shooting a grin at the man who was holding open the bundle of blankets for her to slip into.

“You got it, Chels,” Bobby promised as she climbed in.

Patting her head like you would do to a child, Bobby bid her goodnight before wrapping his arms around Leila’s waist and carrying her to their bedroom, plopping her down onto the bed before laying directly on top of her.

“Uh hello, girlfriend suffocating under here.” Leila said, cheekily pinching Bobby’s bum.

“Uh hello, comfy boyfriend here.” Bobby responded by pulling a blanket over them to prove his point.

“Rude,”

“You can’t be talking about me, I’m a knight in shining armour.”

They were silent as Bobby rolled off of her, wrapping an arm around her as Leila snuggled in, her head resting on his chest. “You don’t think there are any more spiders, do you?”

“Absolutely not. And when the next one shows up, I’ll be sure to squash it too.” Leila’s body relaxed and Bobby reached over to turn the light off. “We should set an alarm to wake up tomorrow.”

“I’m sure we’ll hear Chelsea before we see her.” She responded with a yawn and he had one follow shortly after.

“Goodnight, Lass. I love you.” Bobby pressed a kiss to the crown of her head and he smiled as he felt her nails scratch lightly on his chest in acknowledgement.

“Sleep well, handsome.” Leila replied sleepily, eyes already shut.

#my writing #love island the game #love island the game s2 #litg s2 #bobby mckenzie #bobby litg #bobby love island the game

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