#The officers interrupted his nap :( so rude
Text
Mounted Body Camera || 29th of July, 16068 [22:17:03:47] Footage recovered from onsite officer.
The Splatlandian Biosecurity Department (SBD) has released a statement forbidding unauthorised civilian access to the southern Crater due to concerns of potentially mutagenic contaminants. Investigation is currently underway.
Non-glitchy version under the cut:)
His name is Red btw :).
(Also a big thank you to @ardnin for the font!)
#This is my wretched mutated son with every disease#The officers interrupted his nap :( so rude#My art#splatoon#splatoon 3#fuzzy octoling#Splatoon art#fuzzy ooze#cw eyestrain#cw body horror#found footage#horror#Xeno octoling#splatoon 3 art#splatoon story mode#horror art
52 notes
·
View notes
Note
Hi! I hope you're having a nice day
I'm just wondering if you can make a yandere ghost or price with a s/o who has a other boyfriend fic?
Thanks<3
(if you don't have time for this, it's okay)
— Such Waste
Warnings: Yandere behavior, stalking, suggested age gap, swearing, talks about reader who grew up in an abusive family; current-bf is abusive/has an unhealthy relationship; reader is slightly naive, violence, and detailed blood..
A/N: this one was pretty hard for me to finish so sorry if it's dull or simply not well; I'm not very happy with it lmao. Enjoy! :]
Inserting the key into the door with a small click!, and opening it to your usually, scattered apartment, you sighed — heavily.
Today was grueling. Not only was your work office incredibly demanding, but it was possibly draining what was left of your very soul. Your bones and stiff muscles were hurting. Begging for you to get more sleep than having 2 – 4 hours of naps every day.
You took off your shoes by the front door and put your belongings on the table; re-footing your steps backwards, to put your keys on the bookshelf for remembrance. Though, you were rudely interrupted as your phone buzzed multiple times, and you let out yet another sigh.
In your bones, you had a feeling — an immediate feeling of who it was.
Grabbing your phone in the back pocket, you whisked it out and typed in your passcode before seeing multiple, if not, tons of missed calls and text messages from your current boyfriend.
Liam: Are you srsly ignoring me? It was a joke. — sent at 8:23 pm
Liam: baby, come on. You passed your break. Just answer me. — sent at 8:57 pm
Liam: answer the fucking phone! Are you dumb? Pick up the phone!!!! — sent at 9:21 pm
Liam: if you don’t answer, it's over. — sent at 11:48
You rolled your eyes, feeling anger rise in you again. You chose to send a small message. Who would’ve thought the blue-eyed, blond hair and a tooth gap combo of a man would be the best fit? Not you, apparently.
You: Got caught up with work. Sorry, we can talk more about this tomorrow. I’m gonna head to bed. Night. — sent at 12:19 pm
While Liam was a nice guy, he was slightly controlling and immature. Always wanted to know who or where you were, why you were hanging out with people he didn’t know, and if you loved getting unwanted attention. Sometimes, fights got so bad that your elderly neighbors had to call the police to separate the two of you for a few nights.
Poor Lucy. Wonder how she still deals with you being next door.
Groaning, you put your phone back into your back pocket, before your hands rubbing over your face in exhaustion.
Not only was your boss extremely cranky and rude today, but everyone was on edge due to his behavior. You couldn’t even talk to your coworkers without them using the excuse of ‘I have to leave’ whenever he steps foot into the room. Plus, the stress of bills, your current boyfriend, and the harassment was getting to your breaking point.
God, you hated this job. But it paid your bills. That’s all you cared about, right?
You scoffed, feeling your back prick and pop in places that sounded like it shouldn’t. Looking at the fridge in your kitchen, you slumped over and walked over to it, talking to yourself as you opened it, reaching down for the leftover pizza box that you didn’t get to finish last night.
Barely eating a few pieces, you were already heading down the hallway to your bedroom, peeling off your sweaty work clothes. However, something stopped you in the tracks that made your heart jump right out of your chest and into your mouth.
Roses. Roses were on your bed. Sure, it was beautiful. The lilac, reddening color shining in your room was gorgeous.
But who put them there?
You stared at them. Who the hell was in your apartment? Was it maintenance? Maybe a surprise gift they gave out for people living here in the poor-run down apartments?
No. It couldn’t be. Rarely do they ever give you things — especially flowers. What and who the fuck?
“Do you not like them?”
You jumped at the sudden rough voice, dropping your pizza on the floor and whipping around, seeing a giant man sitting in your favorite chair in the corner of your bedroom; wearing a thick, menacing skull balaclava, piercing your skin like a knife.
“Who… the fuck are you!” you shouted. Your feet stepped back, watching him as he repositioned himself — his elbows now resting on the armrests of the chair, and leaning forward into the obvious comfy chair. You couldn’t help but judge the guy. Who wears a skull mask other than on Halloween? Was he a killer? Going to slice you—!
“I would think you’d know that with the stuff I gave you.”
A chill ran down your spine. So was this — no, this was the guy.
The man who left your favorite chocolate on your window seal each morning, the sweet notes of compliments, sometimes bearing suggestions on things you should wear that day. And the huge bouquet on the front door, which was soon transported to your dinner-table, that was left every Friday.
Oh, my g-d.
“Holy shit,” you gasped, finally looking at his outfit, seeing the Britain flag sewed on his Khaki pants. It’s military. What the fuck did you do? “Did I break the law?” you hushed out, terrified at the man.
However, the man in front of you snickered. “Doubt you’d have the guts to break the law, sweetheart.”
“I– what?” you looked at him dumbfounded. Who the fuck was this guy?
“Ya’ heard me, only have a speeding ticket,” he remarked, making you dart your eyes toward behind you to the hallway, seeing the front door before back at him. “Pretty impressive for your age, if ya’ ask me.”
Your brain short-circuited. “How… do you know that?” you posed, feeling your breathing quicken. “I have so many questions,” you added. But yet, the man stared at you with his darkening eyes. Didn’t help that your room was dimmed. You really should’ve fixed that light.
He stared at you before speaking up. “Bet ya’ do. I’m all answering them as long as you get rid of that cunt of a boyfriend.”
“E… ‘cuse me?” you stammered, taking another step back. But, your anger got ahead of you; your eyebrows knitted against each other. “I can assure you that he treats me well.”
Though, the man just scoffed and stood up as your throat closed at the sight of the man. Why the fuck was he so tall? “Sure. Keep imagining that sick fantasy image of yours, and you’ll wake up in the hospital with a broken nose.”
You wanted to defend yourself. But he was right. Breaking your index finger hurts like a bitch. The frequent fights were exhausting. The last time you tried talking with Liam about visiting a close friend an hour away ended up with his hand reaching out towards your wrist, twisting it with a large sprain and a large hospital bill.
The yelling. The self-blame. The hours of constant harassment with texts and calls. The horrible smell of booze. You really fucked up your love life, didn’t you?
“But,” he started, a thick accent voicing in as he stepped closer into your direction. “I can treat you better, love. Someone who won’t hurt ya. Treat you like the doll you are.”
You narrow your eyes at him, nervously biting at the inside of your cheeks as you wait for him to continue.
“I’ll make sure to treat you well. Something you haven’t been lucky to feel. Your parents were mean towards you, no?” he asked questionably, and it made your heart drop to your stomach. “But, I can take care of you; better than anyone has.”
So many questions raced through your mind as your eyes darted at the floor then back toward the man. Like a rabbit, you stiffened. Confused. Body shaking as the predator approached.
“I don’t… even know who you are,” you replied, tightening your hand into a fist. Your heart was speeding, hands and legs shaking with fear. Your throat stiffened. He could clearly see it — and yet somehow, his eyes got softer; those brown pupils having a sad and apologetic look. Almost like a dog trying to comfort you.
You don’t know you’re crying until you feel a gloved thumb wipe them away, causing you to flinch. Realizing that the man was now in front of you, you tried to step back, but your ankle hit the bedroom wall, securing you in a close habitat.
But, with everything going on, you didn’t have the energy to push him away nor look up at him. Continuing to look at the floor as your mind circled around on whom the fuck was this man?
“Look at me, will ya’?”
You hesitated. Didn’t reply. But as he said your name, a shiver traveled down your spine, and you looked at him – his predominant features coming in. Even with your anxiety and fear swirling in your stomach, you looked at the creases in his eyebrows, the clashing scars near his temple, eyes, and brows. His jarring eyes surrounded by black eyeshadow, seemingly gentler, almost like they were trying to welcome you into a trap.
You stare up at him with half-lidded eyes. And with a gasp, you felt his hand take your chin, his palm almost eclipsing the lower half of your face, and turn your head right into the direction he wanted you to: staring at him in the eyes.
“I promise. I’m not going to hurt you,” he reassures, though, it doesn’t help as more tears drowned down on your behalf.
And yet, you couldn’t fathom his words.
“I don’t–” you started, taking a deep and sharp inhale, “–trust you, I don’t even know your name. How can I know you’re… not some, serial killer?” your question was weak. And stupid. But it was the only thing you could think of out of the bluster.
His eyes narrowed at your reply before answering at your ‘plea’.
“I suppose that’s a start,” he huffs.
You looked at his eyes, before narrowing down at the mask. And clearly, by your eyes and non-answer, he nodded at your invisible ask.
Stepping back, the man’s hands traveled to lift the mask upwards. He revealed the point of his chin, the skin equally rough, like his demeanor.
He didn’t stop from continuing, exposing more of his lower lip. The skin there was rugged and scarred, little creases in the flesh. Scars that made your heart thud awkwardly. At his cupid’s bow, where you saw a huge scar, it made you gasp quietly out of wincing. The thick mark going upward on his left lip, so callused and rough. It looks like it still hurts.
Finally, he pulled the mask fully off, revealing his natural-resting face, thick eyebrows, and the two large scars right above his filled brows. It helped a bit that he revealed himself, but you were still unsure how to… understand the situation.
He said your name, and it made you look at him. “Rest your worries when you’re by me, yeah?”
Those words fell into your stomach and twisted like a towel being squeezed. Though, somehow, in a way, you felt safer. A hesitant silence settles between you both, before you decide to speak up.
“Y–ou won’t hurt me?”
Those stunning brown eyes take a moment to gaze into yours, searching something deeper in your meaning. Instead, all you could muster was eye contact that kept flickering to the floor and trying to calm your quickened breathing.
“What kind of man would I be if I did that, hm?” his voice is airy, tone-flimsy when asking his question.
You swallowed thickly, “I want to know your name.”
“You do know my name, sweetheart,’” he coldly corrected you, “—use that smart brain of yours.”
Seconds blurred by you, trying to think – imagine what could or would be his name. But nothing came up. Nothing came to your brain, which, the man in front of you, hummed in acknowledgment at the state of your confused state.
“Shame you don’t remember,” he started, a smirk curling on his face. “It’s Simon.”
Memories you didn’t know at the time came forward.
Many things are given by that name — your favorite fast food being delivered to your home after a bad day, bouquets in expensive vases being delivered every week; cards given with clothes and money. And somehow, your insurance was now covering things they didn’t.
Oh, and let’s not forget about the lingerie being sent. A note of: I hope to see you wear this tonight. Signed with initials: SR.
At first, you thought it was Liam – but he was a cheapskate. Never liked spending money, especially on you.
Your eyes widened, a bubble trapping itself in your throat — it was him. Police didn’t help, saying something along the lines of, ‘until they hurt you, we can’t do anything’. But when did they ever help?
“So… what do you want, then?” you whisper, suddenly breathless with this proximity. You can see the gold-brown of his eyes clearly, the halo of honey flecks that cover the circumference of his pupil. His eyelashes flutter when he blinks, so pretty and… oddly feminine.
“You.”
And just as he rasped that word, the banging on your front door started. The familiar yelling of Liam drowned out your thoughts, and his screaming made the two of you snap your head in the direction of the front door.
He yelled out your name, and you flinched. Already feeling the bruising grabs, the constant screaming where your ears ring for hours. Oh god, what the hell did you do?
“You– need to leave,” you ushered out, hands and legs shaking for the splinting images that shot through your head.
He was banging on the door, jamming his fists; the handle being shaken so hard that it rattled stuck. It was all too much.
Simon said your name, but you shook your head. Denying his existence. Danger was near, nobody would help save you. He needs to leave, he needs to leave, heneedstoleave—!
He grunted your name louder, and you looked at him with teary eyes; the small rivers turning into full tsunami’s. You couldn’t think. Breathe. He was here. Going to hurt you. He was going to die. So were you.
The door broke, the familiar thundering footsteps shook from across the house. And before you could react, Simon pushed you behind him — shielding you away from your abuser.
“You—!” Liam screamed into the bedroom, a bottle of beer in one hand and his other clenched into a fist; his blue eyes burning into your stomach. You choked out a sob as he stepped further, but stopped at the sight of Simon. For once, Liam looked retched at his own thoughts.
“Who the fuck are you?” he yelled, and the man only narrowed his eyes at Liam; challenging him with his height and quiet demeanor.
“Get the fuck out.” his rough and dark voice sent shivers down your neck, making every hair stand up.
Liam scoffed, a plethora of curses voiced out, before he shut up. Your eyes narrowed, and as you looked at his shocked face, you saw a gun in view next — Simon’s finger gripping the trigger, aiming it at Liam’s head.
Your heart leapt out. Fight or flight mode flicking on.
“Come on, man– we, we’re playing. Right—?” he chuckled out, and Simon grunted.
In the dimmed room, you can see his high cheekbones and the absolute rage that is evident on his face, even hiding behind his mask. His hands are clenched around the gun tightly, finger curling even tighter around the trigger.
“I’m not going to ask again; leave the fucking apartment.”
Liam falsely chuckled, “O-or what? You’ll shoot me? Doubt you have the balls, my… guy.”
Within seconds, the gun went off — making you scream, closing your eyes, and covering your ears. Your fingernails scraped at your ears, making them ring. It hurt, not a single thought. Oh god, what the fuck happened?
“—uck!” was all you could muster before you knelt to the ground, wrapping arms around yourself; teeth clenching down your lips as you felt— tasted blood.
After a few minutes – or seconds – you open them up and find Liam, leaning on the wall for support, bleeding through his arm. There was so much– on the floor, on his hands. His eyes were widened, looking at the man in front of you; anger yet fear rising.
He started hiccuping — more blood dripping down to the floor as he clenched his nearly wound.
“Don’t ever let me see you again.”
Simon’s rough voice of threatening sent shivers down your body. Your breath hitched. Your body starts to shake as your eyes widen. Simon’s threat was enough for Liam to nod instantly, giving you one look before running out; not giving you a second look as it may not leave tonight with his face intact.
You were about to say something, but the man cleared his throat and looked down at your shaking form. “Ya’ okay?”
You looked up at him, slowly nodding. In return, he said nothing, making you feel his eyes take in every detail of you. To your face and pupils, to your shaking legs and ragged breath. Yet, having never meeting you before, he gladly handed over his hand down to you.
Looking up at his scarred hand, you hesitantly looked at it — large fingers, nails scratched and clear hangnails. You didn’t know what to do, other than grab it and strand up with his help.
“Get your things.”
Your eyes narrowed, breath heaving. “Why?”
He looked at you, brown pupils dilated. They were so feminine– pretty. His breath hitched, and a large hand grasped your shoulder.
“Cause’ you’re gona’ be coming with me, forever.”
—
Masterlist || Please consider reblogging and commenting instead of liking, stay well!!
© yandere-kokeshi 2023 — Do not copy, modify, edit, repost, or use my works for ASMR readings, tiktoks, or other content.
#kokeshi!!#yandere blog#yandere x reader#male yandere#yandere#anonymous#yandere male#kokeshi anons#anon <3#ask#yandere simon riley#yandere ghost x reader#yandere ghost#yandere mw2#yandere cod#yandere call of duty#yandere x darling#yandere x you#yandere x y/n#yandere x gn reader#yandere x gender neutral reader#mw2 ghost#cod mw22#cod mw2#mw2#ghost mw2#ghost x reader#ghost cod#ghost call of duty#simon ghost riley
600 notes
·
View notes
Text
"They’re just teenagers."
Summary: A gaggle of Spidermen teens burst in on Miguel and (y/n) with their baby and later on in the week they turn up again to meet the baby.
Word count: 1.3K
Warnings: Kissing, baby
-
-
Sitting next to Miguel in his office I look down at our baby, only a few months old but already she has a mop of curly brown hair, definitely inherited from Miguel. We just managed to get her to sleep, if she didn’t go down for a nap soon then none of us would be sleeping through the night and scared of waking her, I rock her gently in my arms.
I look up to Miguel who’s holding a little toy that he was dangling in front of Mila trying to soothe her to sleep.
Hearing a quiet sigh from him I chuckle slightly, still careful to hold Mila gently as she’s wrapped up in her little blanket.
A few peaceful moments go by before the door bursts open and immediately I jump as I’d gotten used to reacting quickly with our baby. Miguel stands up almost instantly, his eyes latched on to the gaggle of people that just burst through the door.
I don’t recognise any of them but it looks like a group of teenagers have just burst into Miguel’s office which doesn’t seem like it will go well for them.
Rocking the baby, I watch as her eyes open slowly but I try to soothe her, making her fall back asleep. Dread fills my body as she keeps blinking but just as quickly as she woke up she falls back to sleep. After successfully putting her back to sleep I look to the group of Spidermen that broke in only to see Miguel towering over them, whispering to them aggressively. They look from Miguel to me to the baby with eyes wide as he shouts them at them very quietly, so quietly I can’t make out the words but the teenagers seem to get the message.
Miguel closes the door quietly behind the group after he’s kicked them out and he drags himself back towards me.
“That was a close one…” I whisper, looking down at Mila who has the most peaceful expression on her face.
“They’re all idiots.” He says, placing his head in his palms.
“I’m sure it was an accident.” I say, smiling, still rocking the baby gently.
“Accidents wouldn’t happen if they weren’t idiots.” He trails off causing me to chuckle.
The next day, I left Mila with Miguel in his office so I could get us some food. Obviously he requested an empanada but I decided to get him one of the ones with his face on from the headquarters’ canteen.
I inspect the food and look for the coffee machines, everyone tells you about the lack of sleep you get when you have a baby but I didn’t realise it would be this bad.
I move to get in the queue but I’m interrupted by a very tall Spiderman talking to me.
“Hey, you were with Miguel yesterday, right?” The man asks and I nod.
“Yeah, you burst in with some others.” I say smiling.
“Yeah, sorry ‘bout that.” He says, rubbing the back of his neck. “Your kid’s cute.” He says.
“Thanks, you can come by and see her again, Mila and I are here all week because the house is being repainted.” I say with a smile.
“I might take you up on the offer although I doubt Miguel will be too happy about it…” He trails off.
“Don’t worry about him.” I say with a smile. “You can come by whenever, some company different from Miguel and Mila, whilst I love them, will do me some good.”
“I’ll keep that in mind then.” He says, sticking his hands in his pockets.
“Sorry, what’s your name?” I ask, realising it was rude not to ask.
“Hobie, you?”
“(y/n). It’s nice to meet you. I look forward to you coming by.” I say with a smile reaching my hand out for him to shake and he does.
“I’ll let you get your food now.” He says, cracking a smile. I wave to him as he walks off and then proceed to get my food and coffee.
A few days go by and I’ve just gotten Mila up from her nap when there’s a knock on the door, not an unusual occurrence as we are in an office but this time I see a familiar face.
Miguel goes to open the door and upon seeing Hobie’s face he basically slams it in his face after hearing he doesn’t have a reason to speak with him.
“¿Miguel, qué haces?” I ask him and he just looks back at me as I walk towards the door. “I invited him!” I point out, walking in front of him and passing him Mila for a second and re-opening the door.
Opening the door, I’m met with a couple of people still standing outside the door, Hobie and another Spiderman from the other day.
“Hobie and?” I ask, looking at the slightly younger Spiderman.
“Pavitr, miss.” He says very politely.
“Oh, you can call me (y/n).” I smile.
“No you can’t.” Miguel says from behind me so I gently hit him on the chest.
“Please, call me (y/n).” I say and he nods eagerly. “Come in, come in.” I say opening the door and hearing Miguel sigh. “Miguel.” I look at him with warning eyes pulling open the door.
I gently take Mila off of Miguel and show her to the two Spidermans who instantly coo at her cuteness. We walk over to the middle of the room that has sort of been set up as a play area with little blocks and everything. Placing Mila down, the other two Spidermen settle down next to her, playing with her and the toys. I walk back over to Miguel as he stares at the two teenagers.
“Miguel, I need to talk to other people. I haven’t spoken to anyone really since Mila was born.” I say, sadly, appealing to him with subtle puppy-eyes.
“Fine, but why him?”
“Who? Hobie?” I ask, looking back at the two teens playing cutely with Mila.
“Yeah.”
“He’s sweet.” I say. “Stop being so stuck-up, they’re just teenagers.” I reassure.
“Fine, I’m going to get some food. I’ll be back in a little while.” He says, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head after letting out a sigh.
Only a few minutes after Miguel has left there’s a knock on the door and as he’s not here I open it for him revealing another couple of teenagers.
“Hello.” I say to the two teenagers that I recognised.
“Hey, we saw Hobie and Pavitr come in here a few minutes ago…” One of them says.
“Yeah… Do you wanna come in?” I ask, not entirely sure how to react.
“Is Miguel in there?” The guy asks and I chuckle.
“No, Miguel is not in there, just Hobie, Pavitr and Mila. What are your names?” I smile, opening the door revealing the group sitting on the floor. They tell me their names are Miles and Gwen and then rush to the baby.
I follow behind them, shutting the door chuckling to myself thinking of how Miguel will react when he comes back to see the group that’s gathered.
“So, why are you guys so scared of Miguel?” I ask, dangling a toy in front of Mila.
“I ain’t scared of him.” Hobie says. “He just dun’t like me.” He says, lying on the floor.
“I am scared of him, for the record.” Pavitr says, raising his hand in mock surrender.
“I mean, he’s a scary guy!” Miles pipes up which just causes me to chuckle.
“He’s just a big softie.” I say, smiling, looking at Mila affectionately.
“How did he marry someone so not scary?” Hobie asks.
“I thought you said you weren’t scared of him?” I ask, smirking and he stays silent. “He’s sweet once you get to know him.” I say, stroking Mila’s hair.
Then the door opens again revealing Miguel now with some empanadas, coffees and a surprised look on his face that is then gone and would’ve been easy to miss.
And instantly I watch the teens freeze, not a word leaving their mouths and not a muscle moving which only causes me to chuckle.
-
AN: I hope you enjoyed reading!
#miguel o'hara#marvel#spiderverse#miguel o'hara x reader#miguel o'hara x you#miguel o'hara x y/n#miguel o'hara x yn#miguel o'hara fanfiction#miguel o'hara fanfic#marvel x reader#marvel x you#marvel x y/n#marvel x yn#marvel fanfiction#marvel fanfic#fanfic#fanfiction#x reader#x yn#x you#x y/n#marvel fic#marvel imagine#spiderman: across the spiderverse#spiderman: across the spiderverse x reader#spiderman: across the spiderverse x you#spiderman: across the spiderverse x y/n#spiderman: across the spiderverse x yn#spiderman: across the spiderverse fanfiction#spiderman: across the spiderverse fanfic
517 notes
·
View notes
Text
Chapter 1
Bad girl
Tw : bullets the mention of dead people
(You've been warned)
Disclaimer: there are characters in the ff that aren't real NONE of this is real
Ring ...
Ring....
Ring...
The sudden ring of your phone wakes you up from your deep slumber. You sit up and yawn as you reach for your phone . Looking at the screen you sigh knowing Dawn well ignoring the call will get you in some deep shit .
"Hel-" your are immediately interrupted by the voice of your boss . Let's just say she sounded furious . Not a good thing
"Y/n ! I need you here right now, we need to talk. " you look at your alarm clock only to see that its 3 am!
"Boss, its three in the morning .Wh" you are cut off again.
"I don't give a shit about the time Y/N! Just get your ass here, NOW!" Just like she hung up
"Rude..."
________________________________________________
Walking down the streets of scarlet late at night is never a good idea . Dangerous clan members, women selling their bodies on each corner, shooting, almost anything you can think of . You finally arrive at the nightclub that your boss owns. As you walk in your greeted by your fellow clan members .
"Well nice to you here y/n , I thought you had a day off ? " Latrice says . Audrey and Emma wave at you and you wave back at them . "That old hag called for an *imergency* . You said that in a sarcastic tone making latrice laugh at you while rolling her eyes . "Well you better go since its so important" she laughs once again . "Yeah I better go now, well see you later" you walk off but walking towards her office is hard enough trying to avoid all the sweaty smelling people who are drunk and dancing . "This talk better be worth my damn nap...." you say mumbling to yourself
Upon entering you stare at the mess that your boss has made . Broken glass,empty bullet shells, and a dead man , on the floor, with a bullet inside his head .
"I'm not even gonna ask ....... well, you called . What do you need" you ask with a calm tone, not fazed by the corpse on the floor .
"Y/n ! Thank goodness your finally here ! Listen ." She stops as she pulls out a photo of a man who seems to be in his late twenties .
"The filthy rat who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars of me! The drugs, my expensive jewelry, everything ! " She yells . Anger coursing throughout her body.
"I see ... so what do you want me to do about it ?" You calmly ask.
She stays quite for a few seconds then says
"Bring me that bustards head"
Well that's it for this chapter I know bada didn't show up in this chapter but in the next chapter shes gonna show up for sure I hope you liked it just please keep in mind that this is my first time writting a ff and English is not my first language 🙃
Taglist : @ssivinee @sydnerss @sun-nyy @mikaleialt @mikachacha @badaleesbish @badaspebble @badasgirlfriend @badaladinha @aericrys @bluebada @allur1ngs
#bada lee x y/n#bada lee x reader#mafia au#bada imagine#bada lee#swf2 x reader#swf2#jam republic#smau
68 notes
·
View notes
Note
Hii, it's me again cuz i love your writing, hope youre doing well and taking care of yourself
Would you write law x male reader in which reader teases law a lot but never actually kisses him then distances himself a little just to see what laws gonna do, so law gets all flustered cuz he wants attention but doesnt know how to ask for it. Bonus for reader pulling law to his lap to give him a kiss and law pulling his hat down to hide his face
Hope it's not too much 😭
when your grumpy captain wants a Kiss. | Law x Male Reader.
Trafalgar was spending another night up working in his office, with just a cup of coffee by his side to keep him going, the noise of the door opening caught the tattooed man's attention and he glances at the intruder who dares to interrupt his peace, you.
you had just taken a shower and only a towel covered your wet body, Law would probably curse you out for wetting his office floor, however he was busy, with his eyes scanning your attractive body and trying to keep his cheeks from turning red, your teasing smile just made him want to run away, Trafalgar hates the effect you have on him.
- you should get some rest, captain. - you mutter leaning your back against the wall, crossing your arms making the volume in your chest increase, Law couldn't help but look.
- get out of my office. - Trafalgar grumbles in his signature grumpy tone and tries to refocus on the papers on his desk, making you chuckle lightly and walk over to him.
- hey, you're being rude. - you quickly spun his chair around making your captain face you, making Law gasp with his face close so to yours. - maybe a kiss can lift your mood, what do you think, Law? - you rest your strong arms on Law's chair, leaving the poor captain with no way out, your face getting closer and closer to his.
Trafalgar could feel that he was about to fall into insanity, their eyes were trembling along with his lips, cold sweat was running down the skin of his face, Law could feel a glimpse of your lips touching his, he wanted so much to taste you, to feel your tongue running through his mouth, Law never felt that for anyone before.
before Law could completely surrender to you, surrender to the desire to feel your kiss, you pulled your face away, distancing your lips and laughing lightly at his reaction.
- this time you I almost got you, you should see the look on your face. - you laugh as Law tries to compose himself with his face completely red, preferring to bury himself in a hole than look at you again, no matter how much Law tries to fight the urge to surrender to you, he always fails, not even the battles he experienced previously were as difficult as this one.
for a moment you felt bad for playing with your captain like that, it was obvious that he wanted to kiss you, however Law still has difficulties when it comes to feelings or physical attraction, he wanted so badly to surrender to you and receive your attention, your touch, your kiss, everything, and the fact that you always teased him was almost a form of torture for Law, he wanted to hate you but he couldn't.
- you know what? i'm tired, get out of my office, I want to take a nap and you're in my way, don't make me ask twice. - Law orders with an authoritative tone, dropping all the papers on his desk, not even having the patience to work, the captain was so frustrated he just wanted to sleep and try to forget about everything...forget about whatever he feels for you.
- I was hoping that you would ask me to kiss you someday, but at this point I realized that will never happen. - you let out a sigh, watching Law walking towards the bed next to his desk, still avoiding eye contact with you, a mischievous smile appears on your lips, walking towards Law, you pull him suddenly, sitting on the bed with the captain in your lap.
Trafalgar was so shocked he hardly knew how to react, just wide-eyed and gritting his teeth, and the fact that you're still only in a towel makes him even more nervous, your arms go around his waist bringing him closer to you, making Trafalgar feel a shiver run down his spine.
- so i'll kiss you anyway. - you pull Trafalgar's face, placing your lips on his and ending this silly game, with Law finally letting go of his pride and allowing you to explore his mouth with your tongue, law couldn't believe this was really happening, he could even feel butterflies in his stomach from the sweet taste of your lips, even though he was too old to feel something like that.
Law changes his position, still on your lap, intertwining his legs around your waist, not wanting to stop the kiss, even if you and he die without breath, a muffled laugh escapes your lips, seeing how desperate he was, you imagined that Law must have waited weeks or months for an intimate moment like this with you.
eventually the kiss ended, with you and Law with your foreheads touching each other, trying to catch your breath, you wanted to say something but you preferred to wait to hear what Trafalgar had to say, you smiled seeing Law blushing and covering his face with his hat, finding it adorable.
- If you don't put some damn clothes on, you're going to be in trouble. - Law threatens with his authoritative captain tone, you raise an eyebrow and a new mischievous smile appears on your face.
- I agree, otherwise we will do much more than just a kiss. - Law blushed again, covering his face with his hat and burying his face in the corner of your neck to avoid eye contact, while you chuckled, loving the effect you have on your grumpy captain.
#one piece#one piece headcanons#one piece imagine#one piece x reader#one piece x male reader#one piece x y/n#law x male reader#trafalgar d water law#law headcanons#law x reader#trafalgar law#law x y/n#trafalgar d law x reader#traffy x reader#law imagine#law scenarios#trafalgardwaterlaw#trafalgar one piece#one piece scenario
340 notes
·
View notes
Text
SteveTony - 22/23 favorites
Here are some of my favorite fics of 2022 and 2023 . Don't forget to leave kudos and nice comments in every fic!
...but the place where you belong by Mireille, 2k, Pre-Relationship, Fluff, Post-Avengers (2012).
Steve meets somebody very important to Tony, and makes a good impression. (Pre-relationship fluff.)
The Northern Cascades by resurrectedhippo, 81k, Grief/Mourning, Post-Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 (Movie), Civil War Fix-It, Road Trips.
“I’m asking.” Steve walks two steps forward and waits. Tony’s wide eyes track his movements. “If you’d like to come. Like you said, see the country. How it’s changed. How it keeps going forward.”
***
A post-Infinity War fix-it set three years after the Snap where Steve tries to outrun his grief. This time, Tony runs after him.
met my destiny (in quite a similar way) by ishipallthings, 1k, Love Confessions, Mutual Pining, Post-Avengers (2012), Getting Together.
“I’m in love with you.”
The spatula in Tony’s hand clatters to the floor with an audible thwack.
(In which Tony is incredulous, Steve is determined, and absolutely no pancakes are made for breakfast.)
Punitive Measures (Met your Match) by BladeoftheNebula, 19k, Alpha/Omega, Alternate Universe - Historical, Dom/sub Undertones.
“Gods, he’s a beast,” Tiberius said from beside him, and for a moment, Tony had forgotten he was there. “I don’t envy the omegas, he looks like he’d have a strong hand.”
When the village elders bring in someone from the outside to fairly administer justice in the community, the alphas leap at the chance to send their unruly omegas to the Flagellator.
Tiberius Stone can't understand why his omega keeps acting up so much.
by your hands or mine by apricity_and_soulshine, 1k, Alternate Universe - Western, Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics.
A short little one-shot featuring protective parent Tony and equally as protective mate Steve.
•••
Steve looked comfortable where he had dozed off at his desk. His arms crossed over his chest, boots propped up lazily. His Stetson was tipped down to block out the light bleeding in through the windows of the Sheriff's office. Steve's peace, however, like most days, could only last so long before he was so very rudely startled from his mid-afternoon nap. He jolted awake at the shouting that ensued as Alexander Pierce clambered into the station, Tony hot on his tail. The sheriff barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes at his mate and the man who owned most of the town spitting curses and crude remarks at one another.
this love came back to me by meidui, 8k, Breaking Up & Making Up, Canon Divergence - Avengers: Endgame (Movie).
It’s been five years.
Tony is softer than he remembers, in navy blue wool, silver in his hair and beard, laugh lines deeper around his eyes and mouth, holding onto his little girl. Steve thinks he must look rougher than Tony remembers, from the way Tony holds her tighter and steps back from him when he shuts the door of his car, as if looking for an escape.
As if he could get away from Steve.
The Best Laid Plans by ChocolateCapCookie, 3k, Alternate Universe - No Powers, Single Parent Tony Stark.
“Pete, we need to set dad up with Mr. Rogers!” said Harley excitedly. “Think about it, they’d be perfect for each other! Dad’s always so tired and stressed, he could use someone like Mr. Rogers to calm him down a bit. And I know Mr. Rogers is single, he’s always talking about it being just him and his dog…”
“Harley, this is a stupid idea,” Peter interrupted. “You don’t know that Mr. Rogers is into men. And even if he was, what do you want to do, lock them in a closet together?”
"Yes."
"No, Harley”
On Today's Agenda by Annie D (scaramouche), 779, Established Relationship, Mpreg.
Tony and Steve have been on a baby-making agenda, and Tony wants to get right back to it.
Today Was a Fairytale by iam93percentstardust, 2k, Alternate Universe - Royalty, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Prince Tony Stark, Getting Together.
Today was a fairytale
You've got a smile that takes me to another planet
Every move you make everything you say is right
Today was a fairytale
~
Steve gives Tony daisies.
And it’s… nice.
Tony’s suitors send him roses and exotic orchids and genetically modified blossoms that bloom in impossible colors no one could ever hope to find in nature. His mother makes sure there’s always a fresh bouquet of irises in his room—they usually come from her own garden, but he still doesn’t know how she manages to find them even in the middle of winter.
And Steve… Steve gives him daisies.
love me like a sinner by ArabellaAM, 5k, Canon Divergence - Avengers: Endgame (Movie), Misunderstandings.
“So,” he says in the end, attracting Steve’s gaze towards him. “Is that everything you wanted?”
It’s only then —when he swears he can feel Steve’s breath tickling his cheek— that he realizes how close they actually are. So close the hunger in those blue eyes is undeniable, just as it’s undeniable Steve is no longer looking at him in the eye, but rather to his lips.
“Not really,” Steve says, voice raw and thick, as his eyes move quickly to Tony’s annular finger before returning to his lips.
Tony tilts his head and asks, in a tone that sounds more like a dare, “then what are you waiting for?”
Steve doesn’t actually answer; it’s Tony that makes an educated guess as he tries to grasp for air once Steve dips his head and drowns in his lips.
Or, Steve visits Tony after five years and it's not the salvation of the world he's after.
as long as you love me so by ohjustpeachy, 1k, Established Relationship, Snowed In, Christmas Fluff.
“For what it’s worth, this is not how I imagined our first Christmas going,” Steve groans from where he’s sitting on the floor. It’s hard wood, and Tony knows it simply cannot be comfortable sitting that way. Even super soldiers aren’t immune to backaches, surely, and after the day they’ve both had, Tony wants nothing more than to lay right there beside him, ice and snow and ruined Christmas and failed mission be damned.
Or, after a mission goes wrong, Steve and Tony find themselves snowed in at a cabin in the middle of nowhere. On Christmas Eve.
67 notes
·
View notes
Text
Whoops, I wrote more Foster Ford AU stuff; aka my new AU where Ford gets magically turned into a four-year-old while in Gravity Falls and then put in foster care, eventually winding up with a foster family in California. This doesn't feature gym teacher Stan (sorry) but it does have Ford's foster family. Namely, Ford first meeting them and moving in with them. Happy Sunday.
——————————————————————————————
Sunlight fell on Ford’s face, waking him up. He hurriedly removed his thumb from his mouth and wiped the spit off on his shorts.
I can’t believe I’m a thumb sucker again. The CPS officer smiled at Ford.
“We’re at your new home, Stan,” she said. Ford scowled at the incorrect nickname. “Oh, don’t worry. Your foster family is really nice and excited to meet you! They’re going to take extra good care of you.” She unbuckled Ford from his booster seat and scooped him into her arms. Ford clung to the CPS officer, his stomach churning.
Only a few days into being a four-year-old, and I’m already sick of it. The thumb sucking, the napping, the booster seat, being carried, not being listened to. All of it stinks! Tears sprang to Ford’s eyes. And I don’t want to deal with it! I’ve already been through this before! He sniffed quietly. The CPS officer stroked his hair.
“I know, you’re scared and tired. I’m sure your foster parents will let you finish your nap once we get everything sorted out.” The CPS officer carried Ford to the modest, light gray home the van had parked in front of. She knocked on the door. Within a few moments, the door opened to reveal a dark-haired man with kind eyes. He beamed at Ford in the CPS officer’s arms.
“This must be Stan!”
“Yes,” the CPS officer confirmed. “He was napping during the drive and just woke up, so he’s a bit sleepy and grumpy right now. Once we’re done, he should be tucked in to finish his nap.”
“Of course.” Ford’s foster father stood to the side so the CPS officer could come in. As they walked into the house, Ford’s thumb drifted towards his mouth.
No! I might not be able to control it when I sleep, but I can control it when I’m awake! Tired tears began to form again. They entered a living room. The CPS officer sat on a brown couch, Ford sitting on her lap, while Ford’s foster father took a seat in a chair across from the couch.
“Madeline, they’re here!” Ford’s foster father called. A young woman with bright red hair entered and sat in a chair next to her husband. She smiled warmly at Ford.
“Thankfully, we were able to hash out most of the details over the phone, so this can be short.” The CPS officer stroked Ford’s hair. “And it certainly needs to be short so that Stan can resume the nap that I so rudely interrupted to get him out of the car.” Ford’s foster parents nodded. “I need to verify your names.”
“Madeline Young,” Ford’s foster mother said.
“Wyatt Young,” Ford’s foster father said.
“Excellent.” The CPS officer placed a folder on the coffee table between the couch and chairs. “This has everything we know about Stan so far. He was seemingly abandoned in a small lumber town in Oregon called Gravity Falls. Initially, we planned for him to be fostered by a family there, but the husband was too boisterous for Stan. Judging by the assessments we performed, Stan is exceptionally bright but also slightly traumatized, likely due to whatever circumstances led to him being picked up off the street, dirty and bruised.”
“Poor thing,” Madeline cooed at Ford. Ford looked down at his feet in their Velcro shoes.
“He provided his full name to the officers that picked him up, Stanford Philip Payne.”
Wait, what? Ford looked at the paperwork on the coffee table. Thankfully, his glasses (as well as the rest of his clothing) shrank when he did, so he could read what the papers said. Sure enough, it claimed his name was Stanford Philip Payne. Those dumbass cops misheard me!
“However, even with this information, we have been unable to track down his family of origin. We’ll continue to do our best, but at this point, there’s almost no possibility we’ll be able to. Currently, you will be fostering him, but not with intent to adopt. After enough time has passed without contact from his family of origin, we’ll allow you to file for adoption.” Madeline and Wyatt nodded. “Please sign.”
Ford watched his foster parents sign the paperwork that officially placed him under their care. His stomach churned again. The CPS officer set Ford on the floor and gestured for him to go over to his foster parents. Ford immediately sat down.
I refuse to go to Madeline and Wyatt like a little puppy. They can come to me. Which his foster parents promptly did. Wyatt picked Ford up and squeezed him.
“Welcome to our home, Stan.”
“Does he have any belongings?” Madeline asked the CPS officer, who was gathering the paperwork.
“A few things from the family that he briefly stayed with before we placed him with you.”
“I’ll come grab his things and bring them in while Wyatt puts him down for his nap.”
“Probably a good idea,” Wyatt said. Ford leaned his head against Wyatt’s chest, tears now streaming down his face despite his best attempts to stem the flow. “This little guy needs some sleep, stat.”
“Be a good boy, Stan,” the CPS officer said to Ford. Ford looked away. “I’ll be back in a couple days to see how he’s adjusting.” With that, Wyatt carried Ford out of the living room and down a hallway. As they passed some bedrooms, four girls poked their heads into the hall. Ford tensed.
“Don’t worry, those are just your new foster sisters!” Wyatt said cheerfully. “They’re super excited to have a foster brother for the first time.”
And judging by their appearances, they are all much older than I. Ford’s dread gnawed at his gut. Great. The “baby” of the family and the only boy. Wyatt pushed open a door, revealing a room set up for a young boy.
“Do you want to put your PJs on or go right to bed?” Wyatt asked Ford.
“Bed,” Ford mumbled.
“You got it.” Wyatt slid Ford’s shoes off and gently tucked him into bed. “We’re so happy to have you join the family.” Ford didn’t say anything. Wyatt closed the curtains, turned off the light, and exited, closing the door on his way out. Ford curled up under the star-patterned covers, staring blankly at the moon-shaped nightlight plugged into the wall.
Thankfully, his eyes slowly drifted shut and sleep overtook him.
-----
Ford was awake for about ten minutes, judging by the clock shaped like a sun on the wall, before Wyatt came to get him. It gave him plenty of time to get a closer look at his surroundings, now that he wasn’t crying like a baby.
To be fair, I’m only a few years removed from infancy right now. Such an emotional reaction makes sense. He sat up in bed, closely examining his new room. To his relief, it wasn’t themed around cartoon characters, sports, or race cars. Instead, it appeared to have an astronomy theme, with stars, moons, and planets on most of the furniture.
Ford slid off the bed and padded over to the small bookcase. He ran his stubby, chubby fingers along the spines of the books already populating the shelves. There seemed to be a mixture of picture and chapter books.
They did say that my foster parents were chosen specifically because they handle exceptionally gifted children. Presumably, they weren’t sure what my reading level would be, so they decided to cover their bases. A strange tight feeling formed in his stomach. There has to be some sort of catch. They have to be benefiting from taking in foster children. No one would do this of their own volition without some sort of reward. Right? The door opened. Ford spun around guiltily.
“Looking at your books, huh?” asked Wyatt, who stood in the doorway. Ford nodded silently. “You can read, right?”
“Yes,” Ford said proudly. Wyatt grinned.
“That’s what CPS said. They also said you seem to have an extraordinarily high reading level for your age, so we can skip the picture books and jump straight to chapter books if you want.” Ford nodded. “But right now…” Ford’s stomach rumbled. Wyatt chuckled. “It sounds like your tummy beat me to the punch! It’s time for dinner, Stan.”
Hopefully this wears off before I get used to being called the wrong nickname.
“Well? Ready for some food?” Wyatt asked. Ford nodded. “Good!” Wyatt walked over to Ford and took ahold of his hand. “Let’s get those little hands of yours washed and then eat!”
“But-” Ford started. Wyatt ruffled Ford’s hair.
Why do I have the kind of hair adults cannot help but tousle?
“Sorry, Stan, but in our house, everyone has to wash up before meals. Okay?”
“Okay,” Ford mumbled.
I wasn’t arguing against washing my hands before eating. I didn’t want to be escorted to the bathroom and presumably guided through the hand washing process. Wyatt led him out of the room and down the hall. But like the wrong nickname, it’s just something I need to deal with. For now. Wyatt opened the door to a bathroom tidier than Ford thought was possible. I get the feeling these people are very organized. A far cry from the home I grew up in.
Sure enough, Wyatt guided Ford onto a stepstool and then helped him wash his hands. To Ford’s relief, Wyatt didn’t say anything about Ford’s polydactyly, though there was one weird moment.
“And we’ve got to get all ten- uh, twelve fingers nice and clean.”
Honestly? I’ll take it. It’s far better than drawing an inordinate amount of attention to my extra digits. Wyatt dried Ford’s hands, helped him down from the stepstool, and led Ford out of the bathroom and into the dining room adjacent to the kitchen. Ford froze. In addition to Madeline, four girls were sitting at the dining table already. All were watching him with a vested interest.
“Want to say hi to your foster sisters?” Wyatt asked gently.
“Hi,” Ford said quietly, looking down at the ground.
“It’s okay, girls, he’s just a bit shy. Remember, he’s a lot younger than you all are, but he’s dealing with the same difficulties. So he might be extra quiet until he settles,” Madeline said. Ford let out a soft squeak as Wyatt lifted him into the air, setting him on a chair that already had a booster seat on it. Ford flushed fiercely, embarrassed by both being lifted so quickly as well as the continuing need for booster seats.
He looked at the meal before him. His plate had already been made. On the plate was a serving of mashed potatoes, peas, and chicken. The chicken had been cut into pieces small enough they wouldn’t be a choking hazard. His silverware wasn’t made of metal like the rest of his foster family’s.
“Do you like chicken?” Wyatt asked as he sat next to his wife. Ford nodded silently. “Good! Whenever you’re ready, you just let us know what sort of food you like, so we can get some.”
Children as young as I am are frequently picky eaters. It makes sense they want to stock up on food they know I’ll eat. Ford picked up his fork and poked hesitantly at a pea.
“You don’t want to take me to the store?” he asked softly.
“Once you’re comfortable with it. But we’re going to let you have some time to adjust. There’s a lot new in your life right now,” Madeline said. Ford nodded again. “We’re so happy to have you with us, Stan. And your foster sisters are excited that you’ve joined us during the summer. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know them without school getting in the way.” Ford’s stomach churned.
School. Sweet Moses, I have to go to school again, don’t I? No, stay optimistic. This might wear off well before I have to enroll in kindergarten.
“Let us know if you need help with anything,” Wyatt said. Ford attempted to spear a pea on his fork. It rolled away. “Do you want a spoon for your peas?” Ford nodded. Wyatt grabbed a spoon, also not made of metal, and handed it to Ford. The family began to eat.
As the meal progressed, Ford was introduced to his foster sisters. Octavia, seventeen, and Ashley, twelve, were the biological daughters of Madeline and Wyatt. Stephanie, fifteen, and Tina, ten, were being fostered like Ford. All attended a nearby private school for “exceptionally gifted youth”. And all were immensely fascinated by their new foster brother.
“We haven’t had a foster brother before,” Tina said excitedly.
“I remember we had one a long time ago,” Octavia said. “Back when I was in first grade. But he was older than Stan.” She looked at her parents. “Have you guys ever fostered someone Stan’s age before?”
“No, we haven’t,” Madeline confirmed. “Normally, we don’t take on children this young and dependent.” Ford stifled a sigh.
Fantastic. Confirmation that my independence while living here will be minimal at best.
“But we’re the best suited for him,” Madeline continued. “Not many people can handle little geniuses who come from rough homes.”
“When he’s old enough, he’ll come to our school, then?” Tina asked. Madeline nodded. “I bet he’ll love it! And he’ll look so adorable in the uniform!” Ford cringed, not just at the reminder he’d be expected to attend school, but also at Tina’s exuberant tone. It seemed everyone in the house was going to fuss over him. He reached for his glass of milk. Once again, it was made of different material than everyone else’s; plastic rather than glass.
They really don’t trust my coordination skills. Ford picked up the cup with one hand, only for it to immediately topple out of his grasp, spilling milk all over the table. Madeline jumped up to grab paper towels, while Wyatt quickly went to Ford’s side.
“Don’t cry, it’s okay,” Wyatt said soothingly. He looked at his oldest daughter. “Octavia, could you get Stan a new drink?” Octavia nodded and got up. Wyatt stroked Ford’s hair, presumably to keep him from getting upset.
I’m not upset, I’m embarrassed! They were right to doubt my coordination, which is humiliating for someone who should be in his twenties right now! But it’s not something I would cry over.
“Next time, use both hands,” Wyatt instructed. Octavia placed a fresh plastic cup with milk in it in front of Ford. “Good thing it wasn’t juice. Or it’d be sticky!” Wyatt watched Ford expectantly. With a scowl, Ford picked up his cup, this time with both hands, and successfully drank from it. “There you go!”
“Did he get any on him?” Madeline asked as she wiped up the spilled milk.
“Doesn’t look like it. But even if he had, he’ll be given a bath after dinner anyways,” Wyatt replied. The milk spillage resolved, Ford’s foster parents sat back down and dinner resumed. Ford scooped up a spoonful of peas. His eyes widened as he registered what Wyatt had said.
I’ll be given a bath? Son of a-
#Gravity Falls#Gravity Falls AU#Stanford Pines#fanfiction#Foster Ford AU#my writing#my stuff#speecher speaks
43 notes
·
View notes
Text
I saw Thor so how about a despicable me au. Miles loan request is denied in his steal the moon project because Franziska stole the shrink ray he stole and Manfred declares the project too risky without the key piece secured. He's been ejected from her lair 456 times already.
And then he sees her welcome in the girl scout cookie kids and has a lightbulb.
He takes home three little kids. All holding hands- assumed they were related - is Kay, Sebastian and little Trucy. He manages to steal the ray with their help and then on the way back they demand to go to the amusement park on the boardwalk.
He plans to tuck them into the rollercoaster and leave. They'll get over it- just like he didn't. But adults must ride with kids. He passes out from sheer terror. Comes around to trucy and Kay attempting to swindle a swindler into giving Sebastian the rainbow unicorn stuffed animal of his dreams. Miles reaches up and grabs it.
"Hey no can do Mister you gotta knock them all over to win!" "She did." "Nuh uh see that one? Still standing." "... I see. Let's play again."
The shack does not have a back when they leave. Sebastian buries his entire torso in his prize. "ITS SO FLUFFY I COULD DIE!"
By the time he gets home they're all covered in face paint and either giggling or sugar comaed right to sleep.
Manfreds face twitches as Miles re presents the plan now that the key asset is in place. The trio keeps interrupting. "... Pathetic. Boy you can't even read a room. I was attempting to be gentle. Your simply no longer worth the risk. Loan denied."
Miles and kids end up at a bank glaring down on burned out bank teller Phoenix Wright for a loan to- "uh..." *Kay whispers into Miles ear* "No we are not buying you a paraglider." *Trucy whispers* "I will not have tigers in the house young lady magic or no." *Sebastian whispers* "... Yes thank you Sebastian remodel the house so they can have their own rooms."
They end up on a date. It's definitely not cause Phoenix is a member of the Evil reformation team secretly trying to suss out if Miles is a viable candidate or because Miles is extremely gay. No he just wants to copy wright's office key and approve his loan. Sure. Suuuuure Miles.
"What you gonna offer to steal the moon from the sky for me?"
"It would have made a better gift than the flowers."
"the ones you were allergic to?"
"precisely. What would have been a good date then Wright."
*Flashbacking to being strapped to a table James Bond style and having a Lazer grow ever closer.* "Not being kidnapped is nice."
"what?"
"i said if i don't end up taking a nap partway through it's nice."
At the climax Franziska has kidnapped the kids from their ballet recital (Sebastian was the only one Really into it but the fact Miles didn't show up broke their hearts all the same) and is holding them hostage while she has stolen even the moon from him and Papa loves her more and-
"STOP IGNORING ME AND UNTYING THEM ITS VERY RUDE!"
Miles spends the majority of their climatic fight trying to get the kids to safety and keep them calm. She points the electroshocker directly at him. Sebastian grabs the back of his leg, crying. Miles doesn't look away as he gently tries to push him free. "Go to Gumshoe Sebastian. Go." Manfred screams in her earpiece just to Do it already.
The moon jolts. Increasing in size. "Oh shi-" "Takee mushrooms." Miles finishes for her. Working together to return it to the sky before it crushes them all.
She slips out as the dust settles. Confused. Stands as Manfred - Papa - scolds her to hell and back. On her watch she watches Miles tuck the trio into bed. Kiss them on the head. Something he never did. For either of them.
"Are you listening to me Girl?"
"No." Tranquil as his face went red. Fury building oh so familiarly. Hand on the electroshocker whip. "I'm done listening to you I think."
Phoenix shows up the next day with a smile and "Great news! Your loan was approved!" Miles stares at him with the velvet mansion behind him. "Course you know that already since you approved it yourself!"
"..."
"So let's talk about your repayment plan!" Hands him a pamphlet on the Villain redemption initiative.
"I'm not doing this."
Course if Geff Beesos woke up in nothing but his boxers, assets raided like the Grinch had been through and millions more woke up to find their medical debt was gone - well. That could still be considered Villainous couldn't it?
#miles edgeworth#despicable me au#kay faraday#Sebastian debeste#Phoenix Wright#wrightworth#franziska von karma#maybe trucy should be phoenix's and the Play date was the motive#that probably reads easier
18 notes
·
View notes
Text
AO3 First Lines Tag Game
Thank you very much for the tag, @musewrangler!!!
Okay, for my part, I’m going to only count the fics I have published on AO3, because if I try to cross reference my published works with the writing dates of my WIPs, my brain might just fry.
Like you, @musewrangler, I’m going to put ten of my stories, and I’m going to go from most recent to oldest.
Benjamin Solo and the Shadow of Death
Fandom: Star Wars
Ships: Reylo and Gingerrose, background Phastaka
Setting: Grantchester/1950s AU
(Since James Runcie technically wrote the first two sentences, I’ll put in the third and fourth sentences)
Canon Benjamin “Ben” Solo had never intended to become a detective.
It was something he fell into on account of a very irritating childhood friend’s part.
It was a pleasant spring day in the university town of Chandrila at the parish of St Andrew and Mary, and he awoke to the sound of the birds singing cheerily and the sun shining brightly through the sun-bleached lace curtains, casting delicate shadows across his face.
Taking a deep breath, he let the morning’s serenity wash over him, as he had resolved to do, about twelve years ago, before his serenity was rudely interrupted by a sharp, rapid rapping at his door.
Eavesdropping
(Which I wrote for you, @musewrangler!!!)
Fandom: Star Wars
Ships: Venka/Colonel Ilaina Anders (@musewrangler’s OC)
Setting: @musewrangler’s Original Trilogy AU, Empire Reimagined
Vice Admiral Thomas Venka of the New Republic Navy had just come from the annual meeting of the New Republic military’s senior officers, and had decided to settle down in the Alliance Lounge, which most of the New Republic leadership, the Lady’s leadership, and those in their circle, favored, for a relaxing drink (which he believed he deserved, having to put up with Madine for an hour and a half) before dinner, after which would commence the regular meeting of the Stubborness Support Group at its regular table.
Ten Years Later
Fandom: House M.D.
Ships: OC / OC, mostly Gen
Setting: Post-Canon
(Since this was written in screenplay format, I’ll skip all the screen direction)
From behind, a tall, dark-haired man in a scarf, wool coat, and business clothes drives the vehicle, and autumnal trees and buildings pass by at an even rate as he pulls into a space in a parking lot.
He TURNS OFF the engine, picks up a leather messenger bag, his gold wedding ring catches the light as he opens the door, and he steps out into —
5 Times Athena Noticed Something About Bobby and Didn’t Tell Him + One of the Many Times She Did
Fandom: 9-1-1
Ships: Bathena, Athena/Michael mentioned
Setting: Canon
It was a long and exhausting night for Sergeant Athena Grant, where everything just seemed to get on her nerves, and she was sitting at a peaceful intersection sipping her coffee, not really thinking about much, taking the q-word time while it lasted.
As she thought about nothing and everything, her mind wandered to her marital well-being.
Or rather, the lack thereof.
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Fandom: 9-1-1
Ships: Gen
Setting: Canon
It was another long twenty-four hour shift for the 118, having started early evening the previous day, and it was currently just almost one in the afternoon—the beginning of the home stretch for the exhausted firefighters.
In the loft, Hen, Buck, Chim, and Eddie were collapsed on the couch and surrounding chairs doing nothing, too tired to move, but too wired to nap in the bunks, like Bobby and Ravi were doing.
The Rousing of the White Lady
Fandom: The Lord of the Rings
Ships: Farawyn
Setting: Post-Canon
It was many hours after dinner when Faramir, Steward of Gondor, Prince of Ithillien, left the confines of his office, and he was glad to do so—exhaustion was draping itself over his being, much like his wife’s starry mantle laid over her strong shoulders.
As he made his way through the grand hall of his home in Emyn Arnen, a figure lying on one of the couches near the dying hearth fire caught his eye.
A sigh slipped past his lips.
Èowyn had waited up for him.
Destination: Love
Fandom: Star Wars
Ships: Gingerrose, background Reylo
Setting: Modern Aviation AU
It was a calm day at John F. Kennedy International Airport, and aboard Skywalker Airlines’ nonstop Airbus A380 service to Hanoi, First Officer Rose Tico was going over the pre-flight checklists with her Captain, Ben Solo.
She had exchanged flights with fellow First Officer Jessika Pava, because there was a Tico family reunion at the Tico Compound which was in a quiet area just outside of Hanoi, in a suburb called Hays Minor.
She'd been Second Officer on very many, many A380 flights, and First Officer on many other occasions, which was good for her, since this was the last flight to Hanoi by her airline before the start of the reunion.
Does That Make Me Crazy? (Possibly.)
Fandom: The Suicide Squad/DC Extended Universe
Ships: Quinnflag
Setting: Rick Flag Lives!Post-Canon AU, part 7 of my “The Harlequin and the Colonel” series
Harley knew she had been a coward when she ran from Rick that evening after the Schmidt Mission.
But it was the only thing she felt she could have done, because that kiss…
She couldn’t avoid it anymore; she was in love with her best friend, and she couldn’t bear it if he said that it meant nothing, so she said it herself, not allowing Rick to get a word in edgewise.
She Drives Me Crazy (and I can’t help myself)
Fandom: The Suicide Squad/DC Extended Universe
Ships: Quinnflag
Setting: Rick Flag Lives!Post-Canon AU, part 6 of my “The Harlequin and the Colonel” series
Rick pinched the bridge of his nose, restraining the petulant sigh that wanted to escape his mouth, knowing that letting it out would just aggravate Waller, who on a normal day was challenging enough to deal with, aggravated Waller being ten times worse.
“Why does it have to be the Squad that handles this again? Why can’t The Company do it?”
“Because,” she replied, with a long-suffering tone, “as I said earlier, they suspect a mole on the inside, and they want this bastard nailed to the wall already. So they discreetly passed their request to me.”
Salud
Fandom: Law & Order: SVU
Ships: None, Rafael Barba and Rita Calhoun friendship
Setting: Canon
Rafael was just settling down to a nice steak dinner, nursing a very nice top of the line scotch he had been pleasantly surprised to find on the top shelf of the restaurant he was trying for the first time, a joint called Forlini’s.
He ate slowly, careful of the wide bruise around his neck from Cain yanking the belt, when a familiar shadow fell across him.
“Was that really necessary, Rafael?” Rita asked, briefcase clutched in one hand, hip cocked against the bar counter.
No pressure tagging: @welsharcher, @girl-among-mts, @justhereforfandomandfriends, @sheena-is-a-punk-rocker, @gerdavonrinnlingen, @celestialsmessy1, @webtrinsic1122, and @farfarawaygirl
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
take my hand, wreck my plans | william nylander
a/n: if you’ve been around this blog for a while, you’ve probably seen me talking about “willy fake dating fic” for quite a bit now...well here she is! settle in for a long read (the longest i’ve posted in one go before) and i hope you enjoy reading it as much as i enjoyed writing it! so so so much love to literally every single person who cheered me on while writing this, but extra special thanks to @denis-scorianov and @danglesnipecelly for all your love and support
also shoutout to my girl tswift for the title, evermore still slaps
word count: 21.5k
It’s right in the middle of the busiest hours of the day when Steph’s text comes in, which means Aubrey barely even reads the message. She sees the words dinner and Friday and responds that she’ll be there, and then goes back to trying to fix the clusterfuck of code that one of her coworkers messed up earlier in the morning before her project has to get sent off to a client at the end of the week.
By the time Friday comes around, she’s only just managed to fix the code but the project is finished enough to send off as a first draft, so Aubrey races over to Steph and Mitch’s place after work, knowing she looks frazzled as hell from the look on her best friend’s face the minute she enters their kitchen. “Sweetie.” Steph says, then bites her lip.
The feeling is mutual to Aubrey, because she’s giving Steph the same once over that Steph’s giving her. She’d arrived from the office, which took casual Friday to the extreme, in her favorite leggings, denim jacket, and converse- still enjoying the last bit of summer before Toronto turned to fall. Meanwhile Steph was dressed up for the evening in jeans and a flowy top. Her hair was done, her makeup looked beautiful; nothing about her screamed casual dinner at home. Certainly not like the messy ponytail Aubrey was rocking, after running over from work.
“Wine?” Mitch offers, breaking the silence, and Aubrey nods immediately, forgetting entirely about...whatever is going on here in favor of the alcohol she’s been needing since she arrived at the office today.
Mitch pours a glass and offers it out, but honestly, fuck that; Aubrey reaches for the bottle instead and takes a sip. “Nope, listen, these motherfuckers-” And then, she cuts herself off abruptly as she catches sight of the single most beautiful man she has ever had the pleasure of even having in her field of vision, leaning against the counter.
“No, go ahead.” Blondie grins, and fuck that, of course, he’s got the most beautiful smile too. “These motherfuckers, what?”
“Fucked up a huge project at work this week.” Aubrey finishes, pretty lamely, compared to how heated she’d started that sentence.
“Gonna start throwing that at Matts.” Blondie grins again. “Anytime he fucks up a pass to me. This motherfucker.”
“Heh.” She laughs, lifting the wine bottle in a cheers-esque manner, and then, not knowing what else to do, she takes another large sip.
Blondie is still grinning when Aubrey brings her bottle back down and Mitch is doing a very poor job of hiding a laugh, but it’s not hard to see that Steph’s making murder eyes that Aubrey pointedly ignores, so Steph turns her attention away with a sigh. “What’s up, Will?”
“Oh, uh, Matts and Alison nominated me to see if there was anything we could do to help.” Will says smoothly.
“We?” Mitch raises an eyebrow, at the distinct lack of we that arrived with Will.
“Well.” Will shrugs, like that should explain everything, and maybe it does, because Mitch only snorts.
“We’re okay.” Steph jumps in. “We’ll all be out soon.”
Will nods, and leaves Aubrey with one last grin, before he turns and heads out towards their back patio, which must be where dinner is taking place, but as soon as the door shuts behind him, Aubrey turns to round on Steph and Mitch. “What the fuck?”
“Me, what the fuck?” Steph, her best friend since grade school, knows exactly what she’s talking about. “You, what the fuck?”
“This was a setup?”
“You didn’t know?” Mitch cries, turning immediately to his girlfriend and looking incredibly offended.
“Yes she did!” Steph defends. “I literally texted you: Mitch has a single friend we think you’d get along with if you’re interested. Are you free friday for dinner? We were thinking of having you all over. And you said: sounds good I’ll be there.”
“Well, in my defense, work was a dumpster fire this week and I really only skim-read that text.”
“Well now I know why you showed up like that.”
“Rude, Stephanie.” Aubrey sticks her tongue out at her best friend, grinning immediately afterwards, because Steph’s her best friend and she’s the only one she would let talk to her this way. “Just for that I’m not using a glass the entire night.”
“Not like your first impression could get any worse.” Steph deadpans.
“Meh.” Mitch shrugs. “It’s Willy. He’s done way worse.”
Steph sighs, pinches the bridge of her nose, and then looks over. “Could you use your one free hand then to take a second bottle of wine out then please? For the rest of us who’d like some, to share?”
Aubrey grins. “Gladly.”
That this was meant to be a setup couldn’t be more clear to her as the three of them make their way out to the porch with more drinks and some snacks. Mitch and Steph have dragged some of their comfier patio furniture around the firepit; there’s a couple curled into each other on one of the couches, an empty one with Mitch’s favorite type of beer on the table next to it, and one seat open on the couch that’s occupied by Will.
Aubrey shoots Steph a look as Steph practically leaps back onto the empty couch, and then she slips herself into the empty seat next to Will. That level of distinct lack of chill is really her thing, thanks Steph.
Steph merely grins back, formally introducing her to everyone around them. And okay, their friends are cool- like Aubrey knows they are; she’s met more than a few of Mitch’s hockey friends before. She’s many-a-time fifth-wheeled dinner with Mitch and Steph and Matt and Syd. She, Mitch, and Steph still had a group chat going with a bunch of Mitch’s old teammates from the Knights. Hell, Strome and McDavid had joined Mitch in playing with her and Steph on their families’ summer softball team last summer.
But she just can’t seem to understand what they see in Will that they think he’d be good for her. Like sure he’s nice enough, and obviously good looking, and like, yeah she has a good time while she’s there, but like, sparks? Nothing.
Regardless of the lack of sparks between them, it is a fun night, and she curls up in one of the guest rooms in Steph and Mitch’s that night, fully planning on laughing at them the next morning.
Except, the next morning, Mitch is already gone for practice and Steph’s first question is, “So when are you going to see Will again?”
Aubrey frowns. “Uhh I don’t know. Probably whenever you have us both over for dinner again?”
Steph frowns back. “What?”
“What what?”
“You didn’t, like, give him your number? Make plans? Anything?”
“Why would we?”
“Because he’s perfect for you?”
Aubrey gives her a look. Was Steph even at the same dinner that she was? They, like, barely interacted; Will chatting more with Auston and what’s-her-name or Mitch and Auston, and her with Steph pretty much the entire night. “Perfect for me? Seriously? That’s the guy you think is perfect for me?”
She huffs. If Aubrey didn’t know her best friend better she’d think she was offended, but, well, she does. “Yes!”
“No!”
“I mean, at least give it a shot!” Steph needles.
Aubrey pulls a face. “Why? So we can break up and make things super awkward at anything you and Mitch throw for the rest of your lives? No thanks.”
“I’m telling you.” Steph says. “Perfect match.” But she drops it after that, suggesting brunch, an offer that Aubrey immediately agrees to.
-----
It’s a quick stop for Aubrey to pop home to change and pick up her roommate, Erin, before the three girls head over to what’s long been a favorite brunch spot, laughing as Aubrey and Erin watch Steph fire off a series of snapchats to Mitch featuring her bottomless mimosas- her favorite way of asking to be picked up on his way home from practice.
Erin laughs so hard she almost snorts mimosa out her nose as Aubrey and Steph recap dinner from the previous night, but once she recovers, she hits Steph with a look. “I am begging you to invite me to this next time, solely so I can watch the two of them interact.”
Aubrey gasps as Steph laughs. “Rude!”
Erin giggles, beginning to recount the date she’d gone on last night-her fourth with this guy from the gym she belongs to-and Aubrey finds herself nodding along with Steph in all the right places, as friends should, happy that Erin’s happy, especially after her shitty last boyfriend, and eager to meet this guy for more than the five minutes he’d shown up at their door.
Her story is interrupted-for Aubrey, at least-by the vibration of her phone, and she checks the text from an unfamiliar number, rolling her eyes when she sees the message.
hey this is will, followed by an amount of emojis that could only actually be from Mitch.
hi mitch. She sends back.
lol. Comes the response. sorry.
you don’t have to apologize for mitch. i’m familiar
Will reacts to that with a haha and then it’s a while before she checks her phone again, enjoying brunch with her girls and laughing at the look on Mitch’s face as he comes to pick Steph up and realizes he’ll be driving her and Erin back as well.
he’s really found his place between annoying and relentless. Will’s texted, when she checks again a little later, at home on the couch and pleasantly tipsy, deciding what to Netflix with Erin.
that’s his sweet spot. Aubrey sends, and then points halfheartedly at The Office on the screen, well on her way to a post-brunch nap.
-----
Aubrey knows Mitch and Steph well enough to know that’s not the end of it, and sure enough, the subtle (and not so subtle) hints keep coming. But luckily, training camp is about to begin, and so even if they do keep coming, Mitch, and by extension, Will, are both too busy for Mitch and Steph to push anything too crazy on her and Will.
Until suddenly the season begins, and even though things are still crazy for them, suddenly they’ve got days off or afternoons free and she finds that the subtleness of the hints becomes gradually less subtle.
jesus fuck. Will sends one afternoon and she laughs at it immediately, even as he continues typing. tell steph i’m sorry but mitch had to go.
She laughs loudly, which earns her a look from her nearest coworkers. right there with you.
considering just lying and telling him i already took you out last week to just get him off my back jfc.
tried that already. knew i was lying right away. Aubrey sends back. She appreciates him trying, but come on. That was like, the first thing she tried.
well, Will sends, and then those annoying three dots appear and disappear about four times, before he finally finishes. let’s just go somewhere then and get them off our backs.
time and fucking place. She replies.
-----
Aubrey meets Will at a bar that’s close to her work, a couple days after that text exchange, just in time for the end of happy hour. He’s got a drink in front of him already, that he quickly finishes when the waiter comes to take her order, so he can order another one while she orders one of her favorite cocktails, before it becomes full price again at the start of the next hour.
“You know, I thought Mitchy would have been more…” Will trails off, looking thoughtful, but then continues after a moment. “Smug, when I told him we were going out tonight. What’d Steph say?”
“Oh don’t get me wrong. They’ll be smug to each other.” Aubrey tells him, confident that the two of them are at home right now boasting about the fact that they were right. “But if they think we’re actually on the same page now and they say anything that I hear, that would be the end. Downward tailspin, cut my hair six inches, new tattoo, you name it.”
Will laughs. “So it’s like that?”
She nods. “A little lacking in some impulse control.” She holds her thumb and index finger up to him, with about 10cm of space between them, to show him just how poor it is, and Will laughs again.
“Guess I’ll just have to wait for a nice, big I told you so tomorrow.” He says.
Aubrey snickers. “One a day for the next few weeks more like.”
Will shrugs. “Meh, I’ll figure something out to give him a taste of his own medicine.”
“We should.” Aubrey nods absentmindedly, as a comment she’d made to Steph right after the initial dinner comes back to her.
“Should what?” Will frowns.
“Give them a taste of their own medicine.”
“Where are you going with this?” Will asks curiously.
Aubrey grins, as the idea starts to form. “A tragic break up to make things so awkward for the two of them that they’ll regret setting us up in the first place.”
Will pauses for a long moment, but then he grins and leans toward her. “I’m listening.”
-----
Steph is bouncing when Aubrey walks into their weekly Thursday barre class. She’s sure she knows why, but Aubrey gives her a strange look anyway when she slides in next to her. “What?”
“What?” Steph repeats. “Seriously?”
Aubrey laughs. “Use your words, Stephanie.”
“Bitch, you know what I want.” Steph says, which makes the woman in front of them turn and give them a scandalized look.
Aubrey giggles. She’d really just wanted to annoy Steph a little but that was totally worth it all. “Yeah I know. It was good. Like whatever.”
“I hate you so much.”
“I’m going to see him again!”Aubrey protests. “What more do you want from me? I’m not going to like, profess my undying love for him after one date. I’m not Mitch.”
“It was like, our fifth date, and he didn’t profess his undying love for me! He just said he loved me!” Steph huffs as Aubrey snickers. She laughs about it now, they all do, a thing she teases both of her friends about, but she vividly remembers the panic Steph had been in coming home from that date.
“Well.” She says, grinning. “I guess I’ve got four dates to go then. Or maybe Will does.”
“Will’s too chill to do anything like that.” Steph decides, just as their usual instructor enters. “Ridiculous shit is definitely more your move.”
Aub thinks back to her date with Will the other night, where they’d carefully crafted an entire narrative to start this fake relationship, and fights back a grin, because she’s pretty sure Will can be just as ridiculous. He just does a better job at hiding it.
-----
Just after noon one day, a few weeks into her arrangement with Will, Aubrey’s phone buzzes and she more than welcomes the interruption from the current project she’s working on.
need a favor. Will’s sent, followed immediately by, please.
sure, what’s up?
His name pops up on her screen next and Aubrey frowns, swiping to accept the call. “Hey.”
“I’m downstairs.” Will says and she frowns, both at the skipped greeting, and at his words.
“Of my office?” She blurts.
“Yeah.” Will says, like it’s the most casual thing in the world, and Aubrey pushes her chair back abruptly.
“Uh ok. I’ll be right down.” She’s already pushing the button for the elevator, waving off the coworker calling after her, asking if everything’s okay.
Will’s waiting outside, with two cups of coffee in hand, and even though he’d said that he was, Aubrey’s still kind of surprised to see him. He passes her one of the cups in his hand and she takes it, thanking him as she does. “So what’s up?”
“I need a favor.” Will says, starting to walk, and Aubrey follows easily, sipping on the latte he’d brought her.
She laughs. “You said. What do you need?”
“The team’s got this thing on Friday.” Aubrey gives him a look, because she knows what the thing the team has on Friday is, Steph’s been talking about it for a few weeks now, and it is not as casual as Will is throwing it out to her right now. “And I think I need you to come with me.”
“Do you though?” Aubrey says. “Do you really?”
“I tried for you not to.” Will admits, shooting her a grin, which she appreciates. “But, well, it’s a thing I would have brought any other girlfriend to and then Mitchy opened his mouth too…” He trails off.
“So find a dress.” Aubrey sums up.
Will nods. “Please. I’ll pay for it.” He adds, but she brushes it off.
“If we’re still stuck in this for Blue and White, you can buy me a dress then.” She grins, and Will returns the grin.
“Deal.”
-----
Fixing her curls one last time in the mirror by the door, Aubrey grabs her clutch and runs downstairs to meet her Uber. She’s late, not like super late, but more so than she’d hoped to be, even after texting Will that she was running behind with work and that she’d have to meet him at the venue probably, if he didn’t want to be late.
She shoots off a text to him when she gets in the car, letting him know she’s on her way, and makes polite chatter for a few minutes with her driver, leg bouncing anxiously until he pulls up to where she needs to be.
Will’s standing outside the door when she pulls up, like he’s waiting for her as if this was an actual date, looking at something on his phone in the meantime, which gives Aubrey a minute to take a peek at his suit. He looks good; she might not have any desire to actually date Will, but she can absolutely admit to both herself and anyone (including Steph) that he’s probably the most objectively attractive human she’s ever met, and the suit only ramps that up. It’s custom made, perfectly fitted, a navy blue that brings out his eyes, and maybe a little more casual than some others she’s seen but in a good way.
His choice in suits makes her feel better about what she’s wearing. Aubrey’d been trying to work off what Steph was wearing, while making sure that what she'd picked out wasn’t overly fancy for the evening or too similar to what Steph had already chosen, ending up in a knee length dress with a sheer high neckline.
“Hey!” She smiles, catching his attention, mildly disappointed that he doesn’t even flinch in surprise, only looks up as smooth as can be and returns her smile.
“Hey.” He slips his phone in his pocket, reaching out for her hand.
“Fuck, I’m sorry.” Aubrey says immediately, that terrible feeling of letting anyone down instantly relieved when Will waves her off.
“You haven’t even missed the entire cocktail hour.” He says and she feels her eyes widen as he nods solemnly. “Yeah, it’s like that.”
“Our first stop better be to get me a glass of wine.”
Will laughs, pressing the button for the elevator. “Wouldn’t dream of it being anywhere else.”
Will refreshes his own drink as well, and selects a red wine for her after Aub hems and haws over the options for a minute, a choice that she almost can’t bring herself to take a sip of once the glass is in her hand, for fear that she’ll never be able to drink another Malbec again, guessing this one is well out of her price range based on name and bottle appearance alone. (She takes a sip anyway, it’s as delicious as she’d expected).
Will’s smiling, as if waiting for her reaction, like there’s not a wine she doesn’t like (well, chardonnay, but like, even that she’ll drink if it’s all that available). “Should we do this?” Aubrey asks him, ready to watch him be roasted by teammates for the evening, and he nods, hand moving to the small of her back, leading her deep into the crowd.
But for all the shit he claims to have taken recently about her, they must be on their best behavior, out in public. Everyone he introduces her to is nothing but friendly; the few people she’s met before this event greet her with smiles and open arms, welcoming her into the fold.
“Are you sure these are the same teammates you warned me about?” She asks Will, when they have a minute to themselves, just finishing up a long and very nice conversation with Justin Holl, Jake Muzzin and their wives, and thinking of the series of texts he’d sent her this morning about “all these assholes.”
“They’re being nice, just for you.” He insists. His arm is still at her waist; it’s barely left there all night.
“Ugh, so I grew up with seven siblings and I’m not even going to be able to use the skills I got from that to throw down?” She jokes. “What was the point?”
Will actually stops walking for a second, drawing her into him quickly when she stumbles, not expecting the abrupt stop in walking. “You have seven siblings?”
Aubrey nods, wondering if she should bother getting into her family dynamics right now, and settles for a short version. “On my mom’s side, yeah. My parents divorced when I was a baby, and they both remarried. My brother and I have more siblings from both of them; it’s just like a whole thing with my dad.” She winces.
Will’s grinning again, though, like he didn’t even catch it, and he points to himself. “One of six.”
“Oh my god!” She blurts out excitedly, before she can help herself. There’s not many people she knows with sibling counts even close to hers, step and half siblings including, let alone a family like Will’s. “See, you get it!”
“Get what?” She hadn’t even realized that Mitch and Steph had approached them, until Mitch pokes in nosily.
“That younger siblings are actual monsters.”
“You talk to your sisters everyday!” Mitch frowns, because he doesn’t get it; he never has.
“Yeah, your point?” Aubrey gives him a look as the others laugh around them. “That’s literally what having younger siblings is, and you just don’t know it because you are one.”
“Shots fired.” Steph nudges him.
“You’re the younger sibling too!” he nudges her back.
“Mmm, traditionally, Aub and I count all our siblings together, soo.” She trails off, laughing at the look on Mitch’s face.
Aubrey’s nodding; their families had grown up so close that it wasn’t uncommon to see Steph and her sister hanging around with Aubrey and her brothers, from the time they were children, all the way until today. “That’s why when Cam starts driving me crazy when she’s here next weekend, I’m just dropping her at your place. Basically the same thing.”
“Ohh, so she’s definitely coming?” Steph asks, eyes wide.
Aubrey nods. “Confirmed it with my mom today, I’m going to meet her halfway.” She pauses for the briefest of seconds. “Want to come?”
“Yes! Coffee on the way?”
“Obviously!”
“Yeah, Will and I are definitely going to sit this one out.” Mitch nods firmly.
“You weren’t actually invited, but okay.” Steph pats his shoulder mock-comfortingly. “But we should all do dinner when we get back!”
It takes everything in Aubrey not to show the internal panic on her face. She’s insanely close with her sisters, despite the age gap- she’s close with all her siblings, the brothers that she’d grown up probably terrorizing their parents together and the younger ones that terrorize them all now. It was probably unrealistic to think she could make it through “dating” Will without him meeting any of them, especially knowing how close Steph is with them too. “Yeah, that would be fun.”
She feels Will squeeze her side gently, almost comfortingly, but before they can get much further with this conversation, someone’s coming around and asking them to find their seats for dinner, so they split off to their tables, with promises to make plans for the following Friday over the next few days.
-----
Will’s quiet on the drive home after dinner, in his very expensive car, which is fine because Aubrey spends that time marveling over it. Like, she knew he was boujie, but, wow.
“Is your sister staying all next weekend?” Will asks, abruptly interrupting Aubrey’s caress of the soft leather of the seat beneath her legs.
“Hm? Oh yeah.” She nods. “Cam’s been a super pain since Kayls started high school this year since she’s still back in junior high, but worse since Kayls just got invited to her first high school party and it’s next weekend.” She sees Will’s wince out of the corner of her eye and laughs. “Oh my god, you don’t even know the half of it! When I texted Cam to invite her up next weekend, she was like why would I want to come hang out with a bunch of old people like you anyway?”
Will’s laughing and Aubrey’s jaw drops until he shares, “When I was home last summer, my youngest sister made me drop her off at a friend’s house three doors away because I wasn’t cool enough to be seen with.”
She actually laughs at that- if Will, an actual professional hockey player, isn’t cool enough to be seen with, then who is?- but the attitude is so familiar. “They’re super close, Kayls and Cam, and like I kinda get why Cam’s being super annoying about a lot of shit. Like, I know she feels like she’s being left behind. But god, does she have to take it out on the rest of us?” She shakes her head, clearing both the thoughts and a piece of hair out of her face. “It’s just the age, my mom and I talk about it all the time. They’ll be nice again in a few years.”
Will glances over at her briefly with a look of panic on his face, before flicking his eyes back to the road. “That’s not really a comforting statement. As someone with three younger sisters,” He clarifies. “Not someone meeting yours this weekend.” Aubrey giggles. “But actually, I was wondering what your plans were with her on Saturday night? If you wanted tickets to the game for you guys?”
“Oh!” Aubrey blinks in surprise. “That would...that would actually be really nice. She’d like that.”
“Yeah?” She can hear the smile in Will’s voice.
“Well, she’d like the flex on all her friends on Monday.” Aub admits, knowing that her sister could probably care less about actually seeing a Leafs game. “And on the boys, they’d be super jealous.” At his glance, she clarifies. “Cam’s a triplet.”
He mutters something under his breath and she giggles again; she’s pretty sure that was Swedish and she can guess what it was. “But they’re not coming?”
“Not this weekend.” She confirms. She is definitely not hosting all three of Cam, Tyler, and Danny for the entire weekend. No way, no how. “But once they find out you’re offering tickets? I’m sure my phone will be ringing.”
“You know where to find me.” Will shrugs, pulling up in front of her building. “Thanks for coming tonight.”
Aubrey grins at him. “Fooled Steph and Mitch no problems.”
It feels like it takes a second for the comment to register with Will, but when it does, he returns the grin. “Yeah, no problems.”
-----
Steph waits until they are well on the road to meet her mom and both sisters (because in a surprise twist that everyone saw coming, a high schooler got grounded and a party was cancelled) sitting in stop and go traffic, before bringing up what Aubrey knows she’s been dying to ask. “So how’s Will?”
“Fine?” She responds, before she remembers that she’s supposed to know these things and hastens to finish. “It’s been a busy week with like, work and this shit, but like, he’s good.”
Steph makes a noise, like she’s unsatisfied with that answer and Aubrey gives her a look after she’s braked with the masses, waiting for it to pick up again. “But, like, how are the two of you?”
Ah. Ok. So that’s what this is about. “We’re good.” She assures Steph, absolutely certain her best friend is going to see right through her. “Just like, figuring shit out, you know? It’s still new.”
Steph’s nodding. “I mean, it wouldn’t be if you’d just gone out when Mitch and I first brought you to dinner…”
“Stephanie.” Aubrey says warningly, picking up speed, probably with too much hope that the traffic has cleared.
“Fine!” Steph laughs. “I know, I can’t say I told you so to you or you’re going to panic and break up with him and probably dye your hair and get bangs or something, but like. I’m super happy for you guys. You were so cute last week.”
“What?” Aub says blankly, because she really doesn’t have much else to say, but it doesn’t seem to matter, because Steph’s on a roll now.
“Like, Will couldn’t take his eyes off you the entire night.” She continues. “It was super cute; he kept, like reaching for you, you kept finding him.” She taps Aubrey’s leg excitedly. “Ok, I know I said I wouldn’t, but I’m too fucking excited and I knew you’d be perfect for each other, I knew it.”
“Oh, look! There’s a tattoo place right at the next light.” Aub says loudly, even though she has no intention of getting a tattoo right now- all four of her tattoos were impulsive decisions and the three threats she’s made since she’s gotten in the car feel like far too much thought, not to mention the time crunch they’re on to get back for dinner-but it does serve as the threat she intends. Steph clearly has no desire to try and talk her out of getting one today and switches the topic to something she just saw on the Insta of one of their friends, which lasts them until they pull into the parking lot that’s serving as the meeting point.
“Aub!” For all that Cameron pretends she’s too cool for everything, just like every 14 year old Aubrey can remember, she throws herself at Aubrey the second that Aub and Steph get out of the car.
Aub squeezes her back, wondering when she got so tall. “Hey Cammie.” Cam swats at her as she pulls back. She hates that nickname, the one that Aub and her three older brothers have called her basically her entire life, but they’ve never stopped, no matter how much their youngest sibling had begged. “Where’s Kayls?”
“Here!” Kaylee huffs from next to their mom, who’s chatting with Steph, has been since she hugged her the minute she got out of the car.
Aubrey’s eyes narrow, taking in the sibling who looks most like her. “Is that my sweater?”
“No.” Kaylee says too quickly to be true. “Are we ready? We have dinner plans, right?”
“Meeting Aubrey's new boyyyyfriend.” Cam sings, and Aubrey shoves her hand in her sister's face.
“Not if you’re going to act like that, we don’t.”
“Girls.” Their mom pauses, mid-reach for Aubrey, to give her youngest two daughters a full-on mom look. “Be nice.”
Aubrey laughs at the looks on their faces, before clutching at her mom. “Hi momma. Love you.”
“Love you too.” Her mom squeezes. “Thanks for this gift.” She whispers and winks because Aub knows that her mom loves all eight of them dearly, but these two in particular are driving her nuts right now. “See you Sunday, at Luke’s.”
“Bye, I’m sure I’ll call you ten times before tomorrow!” Aubrey waves at her mom as she gets in her car, sliding back into the driver’s seat of her own, where Steph, Kaylee, and Cam are chattering to each other as they buckle their seatbelts.
It’s just as she’s pulling back onto the road that Kayls gasps. “Aub, I think I forgot to pack toothpaste.”
“Ohh, me too!” Cam realizes.
Aubrey exchanges a look with Steph quickly. It’s not looking promising that she won’t be making a call to her mom, to talk her off the ledge.
-----
“What do you mean, you didn’t bring pants?” Aubrey rubs her temples as she stares at her sister.
Kaylee shrugs. “I forgot to pack them.”
“I forgot shirts.” Cam calls from the bathroom, where she’d just showered. “Can I borrow one?”
“Did you bring anything?” Aubrey asks wearily. “Toothbrush? Underwear?”
“Of course I brought underwear.” Kaylee huffs, sounding legit offended, like she didn’t forget to pack pants on a weekend trip away.
“Well excuse me for thinking you might not have, since you didn’t bring anything else!”
Her phone buzzes on the nightstand again; it’s got to be the third or fourth time, but she’s honestly been so caught up in her sisters that she hasn’t had time to check. “Just, like, grab whatever from the closet. We’re already late.”
Sure enough, it’s Will texting, letting her know he’s downstairs. be down in a few, She responds, not bothering to go into the whole pants story. “Girls! Three minutes!” She grins at their shrieks, packing a couple things into her purse and laughing to herself as she listens to them get ready. “Kayls! Cam!”
“We’re ready!” They rush out together, Kayls dressed in a pair of her favorite jeans and Cam in one of her favorite sweaters-how they always manage to find her favorites is ridiculous-but they don’t have time for her to make them change.
“Ugh.” Aubrey just says instead, ushering them out and locking it behind her. “Come on, Will’s been waiting.”
“Will’s here?”
“Yes?” She frowns at the two of them. “Where else would he be?” But Kaylee and Cam are already giggling to each other, enough for her to roll her eyes to herself as she leads them out to Will’s car, knowing it’s definitely too much to expect them to just be cool.
“Hey.” Will greets, as she slips into the passenger seat.
“Hi.” She returns, smiling at him.
“Uh, hi?” Cam says impatiently from the backseat. Will laughs, but Aub gives her a look.
“It’s been literally two seconds. Could you, like, chill?”
“Nope!”
Aub side-eyes her again, but turns back to Will. “These are my sisters, Cam and Kaylee.” They greet him eagerly, a sentiment he returns, and then spends the entire car ride to the restaurant where they’re meeting Steph and Mitch at answering every question they ask with absurd patience.
“Oh, I smell garlic.” Kaylee says, once Will has dropped his car off with valet.
“It smells delicious.” Aub corrects, because it’s definitely heavy on the garlic, but it smells heavenly.
Will smiles over at both of them, though Aub’s not sure if he means it more for Kaylee or her. “This is one of my favorite restaurants.”
“Really?” She blurts out, before she can stop herself, and he nods, reaching for her hand.
“Great food.” He confirms. “Come on; Mitch and Steph are already here.”
That certainly serves to get her sisters moving-all her younger siblings have stopped being impressed by Mitch but they still love seeing him just as much as they love seeing Steph- and they push their way into through the doors quickly enough that Aubrey rushes to catch up to them, not trusting them alone, and tugging Will along with her.
Cam and Kaylee have already found Mitch and Steph, already chatting away with the two of them, like they didn’t just see Steph two hours ago in the car, and Aubrey and Will slip into the last two seats at the table.
“You good?” Will nudges her as they sit.
Aubrey nods. “Yeah. Pretty good.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Pretty good.”
“Well, Frick and Frack may legitimately drive me crazy this weekend but.” She shrugs. “We’ll see.”
“What happened to dropping them off with Steph if they drove you too crazy?”
She laughs. “God, if only, Will. If only.”
“Will!” Kaylee interrupts, looking up briefly from her menu. “What’s good here?”
“Will! What’s this mean?” Cam adds and Aubrey takes a deep breath, even as Will looks like it’s his absolute pleasure to walk them through the names of some of the different dishes on the menu.
“Wine, please.” Aubrey requests from the waiter, the second he arrives at the table. “Literally, anything you’ve got.”
But Will waves that off, ordering a bottle of red for the table, in perfect French. “Show off.” She grumbles at him quietly and he grins at her from over the top of Cam’s menu, before he goes back to helping her out.
From her other side, Steph’s hiding her own smile, or rather, doing a very poor job at hiding one. “What?” Aubrey presses.
“Nothing.” Steph says. “Just happy to be having dinner all together.”
“Well that’s bullshit.” Aubrey calls her out, at the very blatant lie; Mitch snorts into his hand to cover his laugh. “But always happy to be having dinner with you too.”
Steph beams, clinking her wine glass with Aubrey’s the second the waiter fills them both. “Again, tomorrow, pregame?”
Aub looks over at her sisters, who have moved away from asking Will menu questions and are, instead, asking him questions about the bun in his hair. “Assuming you aren’t bailing me out of jail instead? Sure.”
-----
Aubrey Dupont:
we’re going to do apps with steph pregame but want to say thanks again for tix tonight! want to do dinner again with us after if you’re free?
Will Nylander:
i’m free dinner sounds good 😁 it’ll be late though once I get out
Aubrey Dupont:
that’s fine! Id say breakfast but we’ve got to leave pretty early tomorrow to get to my brothers to knock a wall down!
Will Nylander:
….holy shit cam was serious
Aubrey Dupont:
😂😂lollll yeah they’re opening up the dining room and living room! We’re all going out to take the wall down, we’re supposed to meet Steph and Mitch and then head out
Will Nylander:
lol does mitch know? he booked us a tee time Sunday
Aubrey Dupont:
stfu he did not😂 lol he probably just doesn’t want to get iced that early
Will Nylander:
haha what??
Aubrey Dupont:
hahaha the first time steph brought him home to meet our families, it was my parents Christmas Eve party, my brothers iced him like three times in the first hour. He was so trashed he couldn’t even walk back next door to Steph’s house.
It’s just like a thing we do, all our siblings and he was not prepared for it at all 😂
Will Nylander:
sooo if I left one in his locker this week, how much trouble would you be in?
Aubrey Dupont:
lol a lot but it’d be worth it, you should 100% do that
Mitch Marner:
we’re knocking down a wall tomorrow wtf why didn’t you tell me? I’ll brave a Smirnoff to knock down a fucking wall. What time are you and Will picking us up?
Will Nylander:
i fucked up, sorry
-----
“That’s really cute!” Zach Hyman’s wife smiles as she hands Kaylee her phone back.
“Thank you.” Aubrey mouths to her, as Cam and Kayls flock to the phone to check out the pictures she’s taken of them, and Alannah smiles at her knowingly. Aub’s sure she’s got sisters of her own.
“I’ll see you soon.” Alannah promises. “We should do dinner soon, the three of us, next time the boys are out of town.” And then she’s pushing her way toward Zach before Aub can respond to anything.
“Not a word.” Aubrey says warningly to her sisters, as Steph snickers, thinking of how picky the two of them are about pictures almost always.
“These are actually really cute though.” Cam says, like she even means it.
“Yeah, she did good.” Kayls adds, sliding her phone back into her purse.
“So happy they meet your standards.” Steph says dryly.
“They are the ones to meet.” Kayls flips her hair and it’s all Aubrey can do to fight back a laugh. She honest to god forgets how funny they are sometimes, when they’re driving her as crazy as they are now.
“You’re too much.” Aubrey tells her and Kaylee grins, looping her arms around Aub’s shoulders and squeezing tightly. “Okay, now you’re really too much. You’re suffocating me; get off! Look,” She nudges Kaylee away, noticing quickly that Mitch has appeared recently- without Will, but with Auston-and tries to draw her attention there instead. “Mitch is here, bother him instead.”
Kaylee peers over. “Honestly, who even cares about Mitch? I’d rather bother Will instead.”
Mitch’s jaw drops as Steph and Auston laugh, but Aubrey feels the tension immediately in her shoulders. “Jesus Christ, could you just say thank you to Will so he doesn’t think you’re a literal monster like the rest of the world does?”
“Thanks, Will!” Kaylee and Cam chorus, and she glares at them right up until she feels a presence at her side and realizes he’s actually right there.
“It was great to have you guys here this weekend.” Will smiles at them, sounding absolutely sincere, not a hint of sarcasm.
“We had so much fun.” Kayls is already gushing before Aub can even turn her death glare to her.
“What’d you guys do today?” Will asks her and again, it’s the sincerity that gets Aub, like he actually cares to listen to her sisters tell him about the brunch place that she and Steph took them to this morning, the stores they hit afterwards, a few of their favorite spots, before they had to go home and get ready for the game.
He’s sweet and attentive, asking all the questions that he should and nodding in all the right places. “You guys still want dinner?” He asks, probably as soon as he can find a time to interrupt. He’s got to be absolutely starving after that game.
“Yes.” Aubrey answers for them all; she doesn’t really care what her sisters actually have to say on the matter. If Will’s hungry, they’ll eat right now whether they want to or not.
“Can we go back to that bakery we went to earlier, first?” Cam asks, and Aubrey straight up glares at her, but before she can even say no, Cam’s already whining to her. “Oh my, god, seriously? Stop, Aubrey!”
“Ryan, like, swears you’re fun; I just don’t see it.” Kaylee adds, about their brother, the one just younger than Aub.
And like, Aubrey knows they’re just trying to get under her skin, but like, Jesus Christ. “That’s because Ryan’s an actual adult and whenever you two come up here I have to be your literal mom, because you forget to bring toothbrushes and pants and use manners!”
“Take like four deep breaths.” Will says, in that chill way he is about basically everything, and immediately Aubrey feels her glare swing over toward him. That’s basically being told to calm down and there’s literally nothing fucking worse than that, doesn’t he know that?
Probably not. He’s probably never been told to calm down in his life. Jesus, what was it again that made Steph think he was perfect for her?
Mitch, probably recognizing that Aubrey’s about to lose it, pulls Cam into his side for a one-armed hug, mentioning that he’s starving, which at least cues Kaylee into the fact that Will might be too. “Yeah, dinner does actually sound good.” Her eyes flicker over to Will first, before landing on Aubrey, and only when Aub sees the flicker of remorse in them does she actually take that breath that Will had mentioned.
“What time are we meeting in the morning?’ Steph asks, and Aub knows she’s looking to smooth over any potential blow up.
“9:22.” She deadpans, laughing at Mitch’s face.
“It’s supposed to be a nice day!” He protests. “I wouldn’t have made a tee time if you two had told me we were knocking down a wall! I had to hear it from Willy! What’s this shit?”
“Kicked out of the group chat again.” Aub shrugs, even though she knows well and truly that he hasn’t been- and won’t be again until sometime early spring, when someone does it symbolically for a day as they do every year.
“I’ll kick you out of the group chat.” Mitch says childishly, as Steph tries to collect him, Auston already ready to leave, and promising Aub that they’ll make plans later that night about the next morning.
“Will, where do you want to take us tonight for food?” Kayls asks, as they part ways in the lot.
Will looks a little startled. “Oh! Uh, what-where do you guys want to go?”
“We want to go where you like to eat.” Cam says. “We’ll eat anything.”
Will looks at her for confirmation and Aubrey nods; none of them are picky eaters. “Sushi?” He suggests and both girls nod excitedly, racing off towards Will’s car. “See?” He nudges her as they walk to catch up. “They’re fine.”
She glares up at him; he bumps her again and then again, repeatedly until she smiles. “They’re not awful.” She agrees, especially now that they’ve reminded her just how nice they can really be, at times.
Will’s grinning, matching her own smile. “I know you love them.”
“Don’t call me out like that, William.” He mimes zipping his lips and she laughs. “Ugh, you dork. Let’s go eat.”
-----
Kayls and Cam are in peak hurricane form, only barely dressed and nowhere near packed and ready to go, when Will texts to announce that he’s arrived to pick them up in the morning, so Aub just responds with her apartment number and tells him to come up.
He arrives at her door a minute or two later, with a guest in tow. “Mitchy invited him.” Will explains sheepishly, as he and Auston make themselves at home at the breakfast bar in her kitchen.
“Sorry to just, like, crash.” Auston adds.
Aubrey blinks at them. She feels like Will, of all people, should know better. “There’s legit eight of us; we adopt strays all the time.” He cracks up at that; they both do actually, and she smiles, just as Kayls shouts something about Cam stealing her leggings, from where they’re still in her room gathering her stuff.
“They’re not even yours!” Cam shouts. “Aubrey, tell her I got them first.”
“Well I was planning on wearing them!”
“Well you didn’t say that!”
“It’s just like being at home.” Auston says, smiling fondly enough that Aub laughs. “Make sure you check the straightener before you leave or they’ll fight about who forgot to turn it off in the car.” And then she straight up cackles; that’s a fight she knows well.
Auston and Will are both laughing as well, even as she hears her sisters shout for her. She ignores it, running her hands over her temples and turns towards the cabinet. “Coffee?” She asks them, and they both laugh as a muffled shout can be heard.
“Please.” Will says and Auston agrees so she pours mugs for them both, making idle chit chat, interrupted occasionally as they wait for her sisters to finally appear and be ready to leave.
They do, eventually, far later than Aubrey would have liked, and late enough that she’s grinding her teeth about it, loud enough that Will nudges her gently when she passes him to get her coat. He’s right though, it’s not like they’re in a rush to get out to her brother's house, but she’s anxious enough by that point to get moving that she doesn’t even realize what Kayls has taken from her closet to wear until they’re all climbing into Will’s backseat. “Oh my god, what are you wearing?”
“They’re literally yours!” Kayls snaps back and that’s not a lie, but it’s not what Aub’s got issue with either. It’s the absurdly clashing patterns in her leggings and oversized long-sleeve.
“I never wear them together.”
“That’s because your fashion sense is basic a-f.” Kayls pronounces each letter individually and Aub knows, she knows that Will and Auston are laughing at the look of disbelief on her face, even if she can’t see them. “You should take some tips from Will; his is on point.”
“Thanks, Kayls!” Will beams at her through the rearview mirror.
Aubrey ignores him. “Will’s homeless, that’s why he dresses like that.” She deadpans, which he protests immediately even as Auston cracks up.
“You’re not homeless.” Cam says to her, and it’s the fake innocent thing that does it for Aub. “Will could live with you.”
Aub pulls a face even as Auston just laughs even harder and Cam stares at her like she’s waiting for an actual answer. “Walked right into that one.” She mutters to herself, as Will meets her eyes in the mirror. He’s fighting back a grin; she can see the laughter in his eyes. “Will, coffee at the next Tim’s, please?” She’s going to need one to get through this.
Will’s full on grinning now, but he pulls off at the next exit in search of coffee and hands over his credit card before she can even object. The rest of the ride to her brother’s house feels like it passes in a flash, Kayls and Cam tumbling out of the car to greet Luke practically before Will’s even put it in park.
The only thing that stops Aubrey from having a complete heart attack is the immediate sense of calm she feels from no longer calling herself in charge. Luke’s here; he can deal with this shit now.
She feels Will laughing at her as they exit the car. “I thought you’d be more nervous.” He says, as they walk toward her brother, side by side, with Auston.
She snickers. “For what?” And then leans herself into Luke for a hug. “Hi!”
“Jesus, what’d you give them before you brought them here?” Luke returns the hug.
“Literally anything that would shut them up.” She says, dead serious, and then introduces Will, and Auston, almost as an afterthought.
Luke is friendly and welcoming, like she knew he would be. They’ve never had the overprotective sibling relationship she hears about from people. They’re too close in age, only a year apart in school; or too close in general, sharing too much as they grew up shuffled to their dad and stepmom’s every other weekend for their court-mandated time. She’s never doubted that he has her back, but he lets her live her life, no matter how stupid the decisions she might make (though he’s certainly not shy about telling her when he thinks she making one).
“Fitz and Steph and Mitch here yet?” She wonders, as they walk inside, the chatter between her sisters and sister-in-law already evident.
“Running late.” Luke says. “But Ryan’s upstairs sleeping. He stayed last night.”
She grins at him, contemplating running up to wake him, but in the end decides against it, settling for following the sound of her sisters’ voices into the kitchen. Rachel’s standing at the counter, setting out snacks and listening patiently as Kayls and Cam detail their entire weekend to her.
“-Will got us tickets for Saturday’s game-”
“-we ate at this amazing sushi place-”
“Rach!” Aubrey interrupts, tugging her sister-in-law away from Kayls and Cam, who are talking over each other. “Come meet Will.”
Rachel sends her a grateful look and immediately turns her bright smile at Will and Auston, introducing herself to them both and offering them drinks. By the time that she, Luke, and Aub finish getting drinks for everyone, Ryan’s coming downstairs, rubbing a hand over his face sleepily, and the introductions begin all over again.
Then Aubrey and Steph’s parents come in with her two youngest brothers, which cues another round of that, and then finally, Steph, Mitch, and Fitz roll in, which has Aubrey cackling when Auston leans over and whispers. “You didn’t tell us your brother is Little Fred?”
“What the fuck are you on?” She frowns at him, but Will’s got the same look on his face.
Will nods over at Fitz, the stepbrother who’d been in the same grade as her growing up and one of her best friends for about as long as she could remember. Said brother is currently trying to mess up Cam’s hair with one hand, while fighting one of her triplets, Tye, for the last danish. “He’s come out with us a few times, I guess with Mitch? He looks like Fred.” She gives the two of them a look. Literally the only thing her brother and their goalie have in common is red hair. Will shrugs. “Little Fred.”
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” She declares. “The bar is so low.”
“Must be.” Ryan nudges her side. She hadn’t even heard him come up beside her. “Dating you and all.”
She flips him off and he grins; Ryan’s actually the sibling closest in age to her, with the way all their birthdays work out, but from Luke to Ryan, all four of them are close and when Steph and her sister were added in there as well…well, the group chat gets chaotic.
“Hey!” Her mom snaps her fingers at them. “I don’t want to see any of that today.” And Aub can feel it in her face, the look she’s giving back to her mom, like certain that she’s not serious, because, honestly, has she met any of them? She peeks over at Ryan; he’s fighting back a laugh and that’s all it takes for her mom to lose it, the seriousness on her face quickly turning into a laugh.
It’s enough to get them all moving though, toward the wall they’re going to be tackling today, where they’re divided into teams by her stepdad and Steph’s dad, the only two who competently know what they’re doing.
“Ohhh!” Cam says immediately drifting towards the power saw. “Can I use this?”
Will pulls it away from her hands before she has the chance to even touch it and Aubrey’s calling out to her stepdad. “Mike! Are we stuck with these people all day?”
“Yes.” Her stepdad calls back; he’s already showing Tye and Danny how to demo their end of the wall.
Aub looks at Will and immediately mouths, “I’m sorry,” but he’s already loudly laughing at her. She kinda hates that he’s laughing at her, but she hates even more how contagious his laughter is.
-----
It’s a little past dinner time and Aubrey’s exhausted, too tired even to take her empty pizza plate to the kitchen trash can from where she’s sitting on the family room floor.
Around her, the rest of her family is in a similar state. Ryan’s actually asleep on one end of the couch, and on the other end, Auston’s half-heartedly grumbling at Derek Carr and the Raiders, while Steph’s lying across Mitch’s lap on the other side of the room. It’s about as quiet as they’ve all ever been, even Mitch and her sisters, which is how she knows they’re all exhausted.
Next to her, Will’s been quietly munching on a plate of fries since he finished his pizza a while ago. Aubrey reaches over and steals one from him. “Hey!” He protests.
“You’ve had the whole plate!” She thought she ate a lot; she honestly doesn’t know where he puts it all. “I just wanted a couple!”
“A couple?” Will repeats and Aubrey nods with a grin, reaching out and swiping another one from the plate. “Keep this up and we’re going to have to stop for second dinner on the way home.”
“I could probably eat again by then.” She rationalizes, stealing another.
Will laughs, sliding the plate over a few inches toward her, and Aubrey grins triumphantly. It’s quiet for a minute, or mostly quiet, the only sound for the next minute Auston moaning about a fumble, and Kaylee and Cam asking a question about it and then giggling to each other about it before they even get a full answer to it.
It’s Auston’s perplexed face that reminds her and she nudges Will as she goes in for another fry. “Hey.” She bumps him again, grabbing his attention. “Thanks.”
Will hums, sounding almost confused, and glances over at her. Every time Aubrey thinks it’s impossible for him to be more good looking, he proves her wrong; and always doing the most innocent things. He’s just looking at her, with this tiny little smile, but the light’s catching his eyes and they look impossibly blue and gentle, so soft like the rest of him does right now, in a way he almost never publicly is. “For what?”
“For putting up with my sisters all weekend and their increasingly ridiculous comments.”
Will laughs and he’s so close that she can feel the vibration. He’s leaning back against the wall again, but his head’s tilted a little, just barely leaning against hers, and Aub leans into it a little as he starts to talk. “My two youngest sisters play this game, every time we go to the airport, yeah? After we’ve said goodbye and everything. It’s like this competition between them, for who gets the last touch. And they’ll like chase me down as far as they can until I get to security, back and forth between the two of them…”
Aubrey’s already giggling, picturing the scene. “Same shit, different day,” She summarizes the weekend.
He flicks his finger across her nose and she giggles again. “Bingo.”
-----
It’s only when they’re back in the car and on the highway back toward Toronto after stopping for sushi for a second dinner that Auston says, sounding entirely too casual to actually be casual, “So, like, what’s really going on here with you two?”
Aub feels her stomach drop and it takes everything in her not to look at Will, who of fucking course, plays it enitrely cool. “What do you mean?”
Auston leans forward, from the middle seat in the back, which he’d generously offered to take so that she could sit up with Will even though she’d insisted he’d want the leg room up front; she’s starting to wonder if there was more to it than that. He gestures between the two of them. “It’s just, like, not how you usually are with girls.”
Will’s head whips back to look at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He demands.
“Will!” Aubrey hisses. “Eyes on the road.”
Auston’s cackling as Will turns his attention back to driving, but continues to eye him up through the rearview mirror. Aubrey twists in her seat; she can still stare him down. “So anyway,” He continues. “There’s that. And then, I mean, I was in the car with him when you literally texted him your apartment number. That was pretty sketch.”
Aub swings her gaze over to Will. “It came over Bluetooth.” He defends.
She pats his thigh. “Stick with hockey, kay?”
He laughs, and when she looks back at Auston, he’s laughing too, but he’s also got this thoughtful look on his face. “So anyway, what’s going on?” He presses.
“Steph and Mitch.” She says finally, after exchanging another look with Will.
“Ah.”
“That’s it?” She frowns at him. “That’s all you have to say?”
“Well, I mean, I’m sure there’s more to it, but like, I have met them before.” Auston grins when she and Will both laugh. “So what’d they do now?”
“Do you have an hour?” Will drawls.
“I have beer upstairs.” Auston offers, since they’re basically pulling up to his apartment, and since Will looks over at her for confirmation, Aub barely even takes a second before agreeing.
“Any wine?”
-----
It’s actually kind of crazy how relieving it is for someone else to know about her and Will, outside of the two of them. Aubrey hadn’t even realized how much it was weighing on her until it’s not, until the three of them had spent three hours laughing about it, recapping the entire thing and then just laughing about nothing.
She notices right away that it's equally relieving to Will, that the two of them will drift over to Auston when the team does something together, or that she’ll get a snapchat from one of them from the road that features Will and Auston off doing something ridiculous.
Steph calls her out on it one day, when the two of them are at a game one night. “I did not introduce you to Will for the two of you to spend time with Auston.”
“You ditched me last night!” Aubrey protests, but really, Steph’s not wrong. That was one time, because Mitch’s brother wanted to introduce his new girlfriend to them, and she’s been out here avoiding invites like it’s her job.
Steph continues like she didn’t hear a thing. “I introduced you to Will so that we could have great couples’ friends and hang out all the time, so why aren’t we?”
“I thought you introduced me to Will because we’d be perfect together?” Aubrey bitches and Steph gives her a look, so Aubrey promises that she and Will will do dinner with her and Mitch again soon.
Dinner soon, to Steph, apparently means that weekend, and Aubrey finds herself in Will’s car again, with a bottle of wine and a plate of dessert, driving out to Etobicoke on Friday night. “I like that I’ve claimed this seat now.”
Will laughs. “What?”
“It’s always set where I want it to be!” She grins. “Perfect leg room!”
Her phone buzzes as Will laughs again, but it only takes a quick glance at the screen to click back out of it. “You okay?” Will asks.
“Huh?”
“You just got real quiet, real quick.” He says, turning onto Steph and Mitch’s street. “Everything alright?”
Aubrey huffs out an aggravated breath, trying to decide what, if anything, she wants to say. “My other dad is being...my other dad.”
“Oh?” Will parks in their driveway and she huffs out another annoyed sigh as her phone buzzes in her pocket, knowing it’s just her half-brother again with more shit about their dad.
“He’s like…” She gathers her stuff and tries to find the words as they walk inside. “I don’t even know. Everybody’s been freaking out since some lady tagged him in a bunch of pictures on Facebook last week but my siblings are at dinner with him right now and they asked him about it and he told them he’s not seeing anyone.”
“Wait, seriously?” It’s the first thing Steph says to her; Aub’s been bitching to her about the whole thing for a week now and she’s more than familiar with her issues with her dad.
“Yes!” She cries. “My sister asked if he was seeing anyone, he said no. I guess one of the boys asked if he’d taken any trips lately, because of the pictures, and he said no. So he’s just straight up lying and I don’t know why!”
“Maybe,” Will says. “He’s not actually lying.”
Aubrey pats his arms gently. “You’re new here, so I’ll let that terrible thought pass.”
Will looks taken aback but she can barely spare a thought for that as Mitch says, “Maybe he got secret-married again and is just waiting until you’re all there to tell you-OW!” Steph elbows him hard and he grins anyway. “What? I’m just saying!”
“I already went to therapy once this week, Mitchy.” Aub mock-glares at him. “I cried for three hours and only didn’t dye my hair blue because Steph came to pick me up for the game. I don’t need to go again. Keep that shit to yourself and get me some wine.”
Mitch laughs; he’s equally familiar with her post-therapy routine and her feelings for her dad. “Alright fine.” He says, but there must still be something on her face because Will’s hand comes to rest on her shoulder right after that and he rubs it gently for a minute before he comes to sit next to her.
Conversation turns lighter after that- to Mitch’s brother’s new girlfriend, who Steph liked and Mitch thought was only okay and then to Will’s sister’s new boyfriend, who he hates-before they’re all more focused on food and a game later in the evening.
It’s easy to ignore her phone buzzing when Aubrey and Mitch are dominating Steph and Will at Codenames (or calling cheaters, because Will and Steph most definitely are), but much harder to ignore in the car when she and Will are alone again, and Aub barely even notices when Will doesn’t make the turn for her place, instead just driving straight to his place.
“Oh.” She says quietly when he finally parks and they’re in the garage, instead of just pulling up out front of her building, like he has been recently.
“Didn’t want you to dye your hair blue tonight.” Will deadpans and Aubrey laughs, surprised that it’s kind of watery.
“Fair, it was definitely a risk.”
Will smiles at her gently. “I’ve been told my guest room is supremely comfortable.”
Aubrey raises her eyebrows; she can siphon out the source of that one. “I hear your brother has pretty shitty taste.” She says and he laughs, that loud one he’s got that she can’t help but smile at because it sounds so ridiculous, but Aubrey’s already getting out of the car, ready to follow him up before he can see.
Will’s condo is pretty much everything she expected- a lot of modern pieces, a lot of white, very Scandanavian- but there’s plenty of Will in it as well. A lot of family pictures. Some hockey stuff-both Leafs and Team Sweden-but not an overwhelming amount.
She’s still looking at some of the pictures (he looks so much like his mom) when he returns with a couple glasses of wine, and she accepts hers with a gracious smile. “Thank you.”
“We’ve been at this long enough for me to know that wine’s your thing.” He jokes and she laughs.
“I meant for bringing me here.” She shoves at his shoulder; annoyingly enough he doesn’t even move. “I definitely would have done something stupid.”
“What are friends for?” Will smiles and there’s that annoyed feeling again, maybe even more so than just a minute ago, tugging at her stomach, for really no reason. They are friends now, in pretty much every sense of the word. They hang out, they text, they do all kinds of things. It’ll actually probably be hard for her, to not be friends with him, or at least pretend to be, when they have to “break up” for a bit to annoy Steph and Mitch.
“Yeah.” Aubrey says and it just sounds off so she takes a sip of her wine right away so he can’t see whatever her face is doing. “If you were really my friend, you’d let me borrow some sweats to sleep in. You know. Since you kidnapped me to bring me here.”
“Ohh, I don’t know if we’re that close.” Will says, but he’s laughing as he walks toward his room so she knows he’s kidding.
It’s a pretty quiet night between the two of them once they make themselves comfortable, just chilling on the couch and watching Netflix, and Will’s not stingy with his pours so Aubrey pours herself into his guest room a little tipsy, and maybe that’s why she texts him from bed. You were right, your guest bed is pretty comfortable.
*Supremely* comfortable. Told you so 😜
-----
Aub’s still in Will’s absurdly comfortable guest bed when her daily FaceTime call with her sisters comes in and she answers it without thinking. “Hey.”
“Where are you?” Kaylee asks immediately. “That’s not your room-oh my god, are you at Will’s?” She blurts and Aubrey wants to smack herself.
“That’s Leafs stuff!” Cam exclaims, popping her head into the frame. “You never wear Leafs stuff! Oh my god, do you live there now?”
“Back up, calm the crazy.” She’s cutting off this spiral before they’ve got the story of her and Will eloping spread to her entire family.
Kayls pouts. “You never let us have any fun.”
“I do not want a call from Grandma this afternoon asking me why I got married to the blond hippie from the Leafs because you two can’t keep your mouths shut and she saw one bad picture.”
Cam’s jaw drops in outrage. “That’s so rude, we would at least send a good picture out! Like she’d know how hot he really is; there’d be no need to google and accidentally come across a picture of him in a Sugo hat.”
That’s it. She’s up for good now. Aubrey throws the blankets off herself and sits up off the edge of the bed, rubbing her temples in hopes it’ll make her tiny hangover headache go away. Limited success. “You googled him?”
“Of course we googled him!” Kayls says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Aub, oh my god, he’s got-”
“I’m leaving this room right now.” Aubrey warns; she’s already at the door. “Stop talking about him like he’s not here.”
Cam immediately launches into a story about a couple of the girls on her field hockey team and something that had happened at practice after school yesterday, a story that she’s still detailing when Aubrey walks into the kitchen to find Will also looking into his phone with a fond look on his face as a loud jumble of voices shout back to him in what she can only assume is Swedish.
“Coffee’s back there.” He points, greeting her with a smile. “And mugs above it.”
“Thank you.” She’s pretty sure, from the expression on his face, that he knows how much of a lifeline that’s about to be for her.
“Hi Will!” Kayls calls and Aub glares at her, but Will calls back a greeting in return before returning to Swedish, but definitely in an argumentative tone.
It’s a couple more minutes of that-listening to Will speaking in Swedish and going through her usual morning nonsense with her sisters-before Will lets out the smallest groan and then looks at her. “My sisters want to say hi.”
“Oh.” Aubrey says, surprised more than anything.
And before she can really say anything, Cam adds. “Yes! Then we can talk with Will!” Which is how she finds herself sitting next to Will with his dog curled in her lap, both their phones in front of them, speaking with her sisters and two of Will’s sisters.
It’s pretty much maximal chaos, but when they both end their calls a few minutes later, Aubrey’s still smiling as she runs her hand through the dog’s fur and Will’s laughing to himself. “Mmm, good luck to you.” Aub nudges him, easy enough to do since she’s still sitting flush up next to him. “When they’re in town next month. They’ve probably all followed each other on Instagram by now already. Best friends in no time.”
“Gonna be busy with games.” Will says weakly. “Practices, media things. Think it’s gonna be your problem.”
“Like hell.” She laughs, shaking her head when he joins in and doesn’t stop. “Oh my god, that was not that funny!”
“Just thinking of all the ways they’re going to torture us when they’re all together after they’ve spent the last month talking shit about us in a group chat.” Will says, somehow still laughing about that, because he’s literally the most chill person on the planet. Like of course he’s not even bothered by that.
“I don’t have enough food in me to deal with that thought.” Aubrey declares, laughing decidedly less at the thought of actually meeting Will’s family. In person. Where they’ll have to actually see her and see what a farce this is. “Feed me.”
Will shrugs. “Let me change and we’ll grab brunch.”
Aub looks down at the very large sweats she’s borrowed to sleep in. “We’ll stop first, yeah?”
“Depends on how hangry you are.” Will calls back, already walking away.
She pulls a face at his back at that one. She’s actually pretty hungry, but like, she’s not dumb enough to go out to brunch with him in a walk of shame. Not when there’s already a group chat forming about her on Instagram. She doesn’t need Leafs Twitter coming for her too.
-----
It’s easy to settle in a routine from there; meeting Mitch and Steph for dinner a few times, joining Steph for games and then leaving with Will for a second dinner after, and easily splitting off to spend time with her own family and friends or catching up with them when Will is off on road trips.
It’s so easy to settle into a routine like that, a relationship routine, that she lets herself get lulled into a false sense of security, the message from her dad catching her off guard completely one day.
“What’s wrong?” Will asks, when they’re at dinner after a game. It’s their thing now; pick a restaurant and grab some food right afterwards before he drops her off at home. It’s a nice way to wind down actually; she usually looks forward to it.
Tonight though, Aub has been uncharacteristically quiet since they met up and she was a downright bitch earlier when she and Steph were fighting about something. Like, she knows they’ll forget all about it tomorrow, but still. She owes her best friend coffee at the least. “Hmm?” She looks up at him, barely hearing his question.
“What’s wrong?” He repeats, giving her a look before she can fight him against answering.
She pushes her food around a little-very uncharacteristic for her, and she can tell even Will’s picked up on that. “My dad wants to meet us all for dinner this week, which means he probably did get secret-married again.”
“Oh.” Will makes a face and Aubrey returns it, laughing when he contorts his even worse. “And that’s-I mean-again?” He finally settles on and she nods, ready to drop this bomb.
“It’ll be wife number six, but secret wedding number three.” She says, delighting in the way his jaw drops. “This is just, like, what he does; he just announces he wants to have dinner with us and then shows up and is like and here’s my new wife, like it’s super casual, and then we all wonder why I need therapy when he’s out here hiding wives and families like it’s a fulltime job.” She finishes, only realizing how heated she is about it when she looks up to find Will staring at her with wide eyes.
“Um.” Will starts.
“Sorry.” Aub hastens, flushing.
“No!” Will says. “No, don’t apologize at all, you can, like, share whatever you want. I just...I got like half of what you just said.” He gives her an apologetic look. “Missing a big chunk of this story.”
“Right.” Aub nods, pretty proud of how calm she sounds. Dr. Seth is going to be so impressed with her next week. “Sorry. We haven’t talked about the two secret families he was hiding when I was growing up. Ok, I’ll back up.”
“He what?” Will cries, but Aub waves him off, diving into the whole history of her dad, her half-siblings, and her step-moms...as well as their various divorces.
“...and that brings us to now.” She takes a sip of her wine thoughtfully; Will has long since drained his and refilled. She’s pretty sure she didn’t miss anything. “And dinner that’s going to be an absolute disaster.”
“Do you want me to come?” Will offers.
“No!” She says immediately. That’s like-god, that’s the worst idea ever. They do not need to get her greedy father involved in this, who’d take one look at Will and see dollar bills. She’s accepted that she can’t change the way her dad treats her (after many years of therapy); she’s got another dad who loves her and it’s not fine the way her dad doesn’t remember her birthday or what she does for work or pretty much anything important about her, but it is what it is. But like, she’s not going to subject Will to it. “It’ll be-fine.”
He raises an eyebrow. “You think so?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “But thanks anyway.”
Will purses his lips. It’s clear that he doesn’t love that answer, but he doesn’t say anything more on the subject, asking her instead if she wants to split a dessert, as if he doesn’t already know the answer to that question, and Aub, grateful for the change in topic, even agrees to let him pick this time.
It’s a rare gift.
-----
Aubrey knows she had a little too much to drink at dinner with her dad, but she’s not so drunk that she can’t recognize that this is Will’s door she’s standing in front of, knocking loudly and repeatedly.
She has only a moment to contemplate that-that it’s here she chose to come to after yet another disaster dinner, instead of Steph’s or her brother’s or back home to her own place-before Will’s opening the door, the confusion passing quickly over his face when he realizes it’s her.
“Hey.” He beams and steps back, silently inviting her in, but Aub doesn’t want him to go further away from her. That’s why she came here. “Whoa, hey!” Will says, as Aub steps in the condo and presses herself against him. “Are you-” He lets out a strangled choke as she tiptoes up and loops her arms around the back of his neck. “-okay?”
“Peachy.” She says, pulling him down to kiss her.
It’s not really a great kiss; Will’s kissing her back for a moment, and then pulling back. “Wait-”
“No.” She whines, leaning in for another, and he does it again, caught up for a moment in kissing her, but then it’s like his thoughts catch up to him and he breaks it.
“Aub, we shouldn’t- we aren’t-”
And like why shouldn’t they? They’ve been doing this fake relationship for a while now and not able to hook up with anyone else because of it. He’s objectively the hottest person she’s ever seen. There’s no reason that’s coming to her right now that says she shouldn’t. “We’re friends now!” Aubrey says, running her palms over his shoulders. God, why weren’t they doing this the entire time? “Right?” And Will nods, slowly, but it’s a nod, “It’s fine, friends hook up all the time.”
“You really want this?” His thumb brushes her cheek as she nods and only then does he pull her back in for a kiss.
-----
If Aubrey thought Will’s guest bed was comfortable, it’s really got nothing on his actual bed. She rolls over, curling into the pillow a little more and opens her eyes to see the sliver of sunlight coming through catch the edge of Will’s face, that one piece of hair that’s sticking up that should be unattractive, but is totally not.
It’s really just unfair.
The sound comes from behind her and Aub jumps when she realizes it’s Will’s alarm going off. It seems like it barely even fazes him; he just reaches across her and silences it; his arm falling across her when he drags himself back.
“Hi.” She smiles.
“Hi.” Will laughs and it lights up his whole face; she can’t help the hand that comes up to trace over his features. “Come on, that’s not fair.
“What’s not fair?” Aubrey asks innocently, trailing her nails down his chest.
He groans. “I have to go. Skate.”
“You don’t have to go.” She pouts and he groans again.
“You’re making it really hard to have to.”
“Good.” Aubrey giggles, only stopping when Will shuts her up with a kiss.
“Really hard.” He repeats as she rolls her hips into his.
“Fine.” She sighs, flopping onto her back, and she knows the move does exactly as she’d intended when his eyes go right to her chest. “I guess I’ll just have to stay here in bed until you get back.”
“Please do.” He insists, leaning over to kiss her again. “Fastest skate ever.” Will promises.
“You can’t control that.” Aubrey reasons, even as Will’s shaking his head at her while he climbs out of bed.
“Fastest skate ever.” He repeats.
She can’t really confirm or deny that it is; but when he does return, pulling her out of a doze by jumping on top of her, there’s coffee on the table for her too. It’s cold by the time she gets to it.
-----
“You guys are being weird.” Steph comments one night, as Aub’s cheering after Will scores a tie-breaking goal.
“What?” Aubrey gives her a look. “What do you mean?”
“You and Will.” Steph says, like it should be obvious. “You’re like-” She breaks off, making a noise of frustration.
“You’re in the honeymoon phase.” Alannah supplies helpfully and Steph lights up.
“Yes!” She cries and Aubrey glares over at Alannah but she merely smiles back. “But it’s like, you’re back in it? Like, you weren’t for a while and now...you can’t take your hands off each other again!”
Aubrey doesn’t really know what to say to that. She’s not denying that she and Will have been all over each other ever since that first night they slept together. She can’t even remember the last time she went to her apartment for anything more than to pack clothes and she’s lost track of the number of times she’s reached out for him only to find Will already reaching for her.
But before? She can’t think of any moment where they were ever like they are now. Like there’s too much space between them even when she’s right next to him. Or this pull that brings her toward him no matter where he’s at.
But she doesn’t...she doesn’t know what to say about that. Because it’s not like anything has changed between them. They’re still friends; they still laugh and joke as usual, still gossip about their friends together, are still just waiting to drop a big break up on Mitch and Steph.
Nothing’s changed, even if maybe, she thinks, something has.
So she shrugs at Steph and says, “We’re just happy. Is that so bad?”
Steph beams and leans her head against Aubrey’s shoulder, and like, Aub knows that’s exactly what she’d been hoping for since she introduced her to Will, but Aubrey still feels like something wasn’t right about what she said.
-----
Aubrey tugs on the Nylander jersey that drapes over her frame as she and Will walk into the hospital conference room. “Are you sure about this?”
“It’s tradition.” He grins. “Stop playing with it.”
“That’s what she said.” She says as dryly as she can, managing to keep the face until he laughs, and then she cracks up with him.
That’s how the two of them walk into the conference room where the team is meeting; laughing so loudly that everyone stops what they’re doing to turn and look, but she and Will only get a bunch of fond smiles before everyone turns back to their own conversations.
Steph gives her a knowing look when they approach hand in hand, which Aubrey ignores pointedly. “You didn’t warn me we’d have to actually go things wearing this dumb jersey when you plotted to get us together.”
“Oh I didn’t?” Steph says innocently as Mitch and Will sputter in protest. “Must have slipped my mind.”
“Dumb jersey?” Will nudges her.
Aub shrugs, looking up at him with a cheeky grin. “It’s a little big. Might have some trouble getting out of this thing.”
Will grins. “I’m sure some help can be arranged.”
Mitch feigns gagging. “There are children around.”
Wills hand drags up her side briefly-too briefly- as he grins at Mitch. “Where, Mitchell?” But he backs off and Aub does too, both of them catching up with teammates and wives and girlfriends around them.
Or they back off a little, but Aub still finds herself drawn int0 his orbit, especially once they start splitting off into groups to move through the hospital to go see the kids. His hand will brush against hers as they move between rooms; she’s bumping her shoulder against his arm comfortingly as they talk with parents.
It’s not very subtle, but they don’t need to be. Except…
“What is going on?” Auston hisses at her, in passing, as he’s about to step inside the room Will’s just about leaving.
“Nothing.” Aub says innocently, but Will reaches for her hand when he leaves, opting for a fist bump with Auston instead, and Auston’s eyes widen, but Aubrey tugs Will along before he can say anything. “Come on, let’s grab some water real quick!”
The diversion doesn’t last long; Auston catches up to her only two rooms later while Will’s in talking hockey with a little girl and she’s waiting outside, leaning against the wall. He joins her, looking in as well for a moment, before looking over at her. “This is a terrible idea.” Auston says flatly.
“You were on board with it!” Aubrey hisses, trying to keep a smile on her face.
“That was before I realized you guys were sleeping together. Now it’s going to backfire and go to shit.”
Aubrey frowns. “Why?”
“Why?” Auston repeats, like he can’t even help himself. “Oh my god, you don’t even-” He stops abruptly.
“Don’t even what?” She prompts, when it’s clear he’s not going to continue.
But he doesn’t continue. He just rubs his temples for a minute and mutters under his breath. “Fuck me, how do I have to be the smart one here?”
“Hey!” Aubrey protests, offended. “I am always the smart one.”
“Not right now.” He says cryptically. “And it’s hard to tell who’s being dumber: you or Willy.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Aubrey frowns, but Auston’s already walking away. “Auston!” He ignores her. “Auston!”
“Hey.” Will’s reaching for her arm gently. “What’s wrong?”
Auston’s out of sight now anyway. “Nothing.” She shakes her head, clearing her thoughts and then looks up at him. “Next room?”
-----
“What are you doing Friday?” Aubrey looks up from scrolling through her family’s group chat; Will’s peering at her from across the island.
“Nothing.” She says, after thinking about it for a minute. “What’s up?”
“We play my brother on Saturday.” He says and the shoe doesn’t drop until he adds, “So my parents and sisters are coming in for a bit. Watch the game. Do early Christmas. Hang out a bit.”
“Oh.” She bites her lip. It shouldn’t-it shouldn't be weird. He survived a whole weekend with her sisters, he’s met her entire family; they’ve gone out a few times with varying numbers of her brothers since then. It just...feels weird now.
Will eyes her carefully for a second but continues. “They come in early Friday morning and I made dinner reservations for that night, if you want to come with us.”
He says it super casually, the way he is about pretty much everything, but she knows him well enough now. There’s a little hopeful tone at the end of it, almost like a question even though it’s not phrased as one. “Yeah.” She says, and even though she’s already nervous about this dinner that’s literally days away, it’s worth it to see the smile grow across his face. “I’d love to come with you guys.”
“They’ll be excited.” Will says, which really undersells just how excited his sisters actually are when they do roll into town later in the week.
Daniella throws herself at Aubrey the second she walks in the door, chattering excitedly about meeting her, and spending the weekend together, and dinner that night, all before Aubrey can even put her purse down. She doesn’t know what her face is doing but whatever it is is bad enough that Will says something to his sister in Swedish and follows it up with a glare when she giggles something back to him.
It works though; Daniella detaches herself, but she does stay close, almost bouncing along next to Aubrey as she steps further inside. “Come on.” Will nods toward the kitchen. “My parents are in here.”
Fuck, his parents. She takes a deep breath. “Cool.”
He grins. The panic must definitely be showing on her face, but his sister just keeps talking through it- Aubrey can relate- or Daniella just doesn’t notice it in her excitement. But Will does, still grinning at her, and she brushes against him purposefully with her shoulder as she goes to follow Daniella, only for him to grab her hand as she passes.
“You don’t have to be nervous.” He squeezes her hand and the only thing that stops her from frowning is his sister. It’s kind of a harsh reminder of the circumstances that she is meeting his family under, the details behind what’s happening here, and that someday-probably soon even- they’ll go back to...well, she hopes that they’ll at least still be friends.
Even if they stop hooking up.
Danielle goes right up to Stephanie in the kitchen, the two of them whispering to each other in a way that immediately reminds Aub of Kaylee and Cam, enough that she has to fight back a laugh. But it’s Will’s parents that really draw her attention. Michael and Camilla are exactly how she’d pictured from every story Will’s ever told her, full attention on her as soon as she and Will enter the kitchen.
“This is Aubrey.” Will introduces.
“Hi!” She smiles, hoping it’s bright and warm enough to hide her nerves.
And it works- or more likely, Will’s parents are as perceptive as he is- because they jump right into chatting easily with her.
She loves them immediately.
They’re warm and friendly, like they’re welcoming her, even though they’re the ones who spent hours on a plane recently. Will’s mom- Camilla, she insists- draws her into a conversation about her family right away- “William told me you have many siblings as well.” “Mum!” “Mum, they’re the best!”- which keeps them going for a while until Michael reminds them they have a reservation to keep.
“You can keep talking at the restaurant.” He teases Camilla, who’s glaring at him. “Some of us are hungry!”
She rolls her eyes at him- a look that is so similar to one Aubrey’s seen Will make a thousand times- but it serves to get all of them moving. They do keep talking at the restaurant, Camilla shoving her own son out of the way to pull Aubrey in the seat next to her, and Daniella sliding in the seat on her other side before Will can grab it, only for him to mutter something to her in Swedish, sending her quickly sliding over to the next one.
Dinner seems to fly by but it’s actually a few hours later that they’re returning home, pulling out a bottle of wine for a night cap. Aubrey’s just about preparing to go home to her own place before Will’s mom stands up and kisses the top of her head, right in line with all her own kids, promising to see her in the morning, and then the night wraps up and Will’s pulling her into his room, like it’s any normal night.
“Are you-” She trails off abruptly as Will walks right to the closet, like no strange thing. But, what did she even want to ask? Are you sure you want me to stay? It’s not going to be weird if I do?
“What’s up?” Will pops his head out of the closet.
“Nothing.” Aubrey shakes her head, moving to brush her teeth. She’s not even sure she knows where that question was going; she can’t explain why tonight feels weirder than any other night that she’s climbed into his bed before.
It does though, and that’s made even more evident by the way she tosses and turns once they climb into bed and turn the lights off, settling in on what’s become her side of the bed, right after she brushes her teeth and runs through her nightly skin routine.
It feels like it shouldn’t be so hard to sleep- it’s been a long day, following a long week, preparing for Will’s family to arrive, but she can’t seem to get comfortable and her thoughts are racing.
She rolls over again, facing Will this time, only to find him looking at her with amusement. “You okay?”
“Can’t sleep.” She admit, biting her lip
Will grins, pulling her close. “I can fix that.”
“I’m not having sex with you while you’re parents are here!” Aubrey hisses.
“No?” Her breath hitches as his fingers dance lower down her stomach and then-
“Will!” She laughs, as he gently pinches a ticklish spot.
“Shh!” He’s grinning, she hates him so much. “My parents are-”
“Don’t say it.” She says, surging up to kiss him so he can’t finish that sentence. God, she hopes his walls are thick.
-----
“Stop.” Aubrey hears Will right outside the door. “Go away.”
She can hear one of his sister’s respond, but the actual words get lost in the chaos of her own sisters’ FaceTime, which she’s wrapping up as she lies in bed. It’s loud enough outside that she knows Will’s family is awake already, bright enough that she probably should get up, but she’s too comfortable to make herself move.
“Daniella!” She hears, followed by something in Swedish just as the door opens and a blonde head pokes in.
“See! She is awake!” And that’s all the warning she gets before Daniella is jumping up right next to her.
“Daniella!” Will snaps again, but Aubrey’s already sliding over to make room for her.
“She’s fine.” She assures him, wrapping her arm around Daniella’s shoulders as she cuddles in close.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Daniella says to her brother, not bothering to pull herself away from Aubrey’s iPhone screen, where she’d barely wasted a minute before jumping into chatting with Kayls and Cam.
Will’s leaning against the dresser and shaking his head in amusement, watching as Aubrey manages to finish up her call (a task much harder with Daniella in her ear, calling just as much nonsense back as her sisters do), but there’s a soft smile on his face that Aubrey almost can’t bring herself to look at, so she starts twirling her hand through the ends of Daniella’s hair.
“I can’t believe you two.” Daniella huffs, and she’s so much like Will, just loving her hair played with; Aubrey tries to hide her grin because she knows he’d fight her on it if she had to say it out loud right now. “Not even inviting your sisters here for the weekend.”
“Why would we invite ourselves into that kind of roast?” Will says dryly. “The two of you are bad enough.”
“Like you’re not going to talk about us anyway,” Aubrey adds. “I’ve seen the receipts.” She teases. “I know you talk about us on instagram.”
“You talk about us on instagram?” Will demands immediately.
“No.” Daniella says, unconvincingly.
“They talk with my sisters every day.” Aubrey whispers to him and laughs when he turns his outraged face toward his sister, who avoids his gaze completely.
“Seriously?” Will cries.
Daniella shrugs. “We have a lot to say.”
“I’ll give you a lot to say.” Will says, mock-threateningly, before throwing himself on the bed on her other side and poking his finger in her side until she’s laughing so hard that she’s begging for him to stop. He does, after one last poke, which Daniella returns with a pout. “Go get dressed.” Will nudges her. “Or Aubrey’s going to go to brunch without you.”
“Aubrey wouldn’t do that.” Daniella says confidently, standing to leave. “She’s nicer than you.”
Will barks out a laugh. “Is she?”
Both Nylanders turn to look at her, just as she’s swinging her legs out of bed and Aubrey shrugs. “I wouldn’t leave your sister behind.” She says, grinning when Will laughs and Daniella’s got her phone out of her pocket before she even leaves the room.
-----
Will and Alex are close. Aubrey knows this. She knows they talk pretty much everyday whether it’s texting, Facetiming, or even actual phone calls. They’re brothers, sure, but more than that; they’re best friends.
And maybe that’s why it’s hard not to shrink under Alex’s gaze the second they meet. It’s not that he’s not friendly when Will introduces them, returning the smile she gives him.
It’s just that his gaze feels piercing in a way that none of the rest of his family did. It feels like Alex sees through all of her but more than that; he’s studying all of her and doesn’t like what he sees.
God, she doesn’t know what she’s going to do if Alex doesn’t like her.
She tries to be bubbly and bright, more listening than contributing to this conversation that’s mostly just brothers catching up. She knows that dinner later, and at their early Christmas celebration tomorrow, will really be when she gets to make her big impression on him.
“Willy!” John Tavares calls, looking apologetic about the interruption.
“Be right back.” Willy pats her arm gently before jogging down the hall and now Alex’s full attention is on her. Now she can’t help but shift her weight from foot to foot, even as Alex smiles at her. “So, Aubrey, huh?”
She fights back the urge to bite her lip. “Yup.”
“It’s exciting to finally meet you.” He grins and Aubrey’s jaw drops a little. “Will talks about you all the time.”
“He-he does?” She asks quietly. It’s about the most unexpected thing Alex could have said to her.
Alex bursts into laughter. “Uh yeah.” He says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world, but before she can press anything further, Will’s back, slinging his arm around her shoulders and squeezing her into his side tightly.
“Ready for second dinner?” Will presses a kiss to her temple.
“Always.” Aubrey leans into him, ignoring the knowing look that Alex is sporting currently and the feeling in her stomach that doesn’t quite feel like butterflies.
-----
Aubrey tries to give it a few days after the Nylander’s leave town, hoping the feeling in her stomach will calm itself, but when it’s been a week and it hasn’t settled, she’s forced to admit that she’s going to need outside help.
Can you let me in? She sends, when she’s sure she’s outside the right door.
Open. Come in.
She frowns at the response, opening the door. “I don’t love that!” She calls as she walks deeper in the condo. “You should really-” She stops abruptly, as a blonde whips her head around to glare at her and Auston stares at her wide-eyed. “Oh!”
“Oh?” The blonde repeats, kind of mockingly, but also seething, and Aubrey doesn’t really know what to do, so she looks over at Auston, who’s pointedly avoiding both of their eyes. “Unbelievable.” She shakes her head, shoving past Aubrey and only when the front door slams does she hear Auston breathe.
“What the fuck?” She asks him immediately, “You could have just said no, it wasn’t a good time to come over!”
“I wanted her to leave!” He protests. “I tried everything! She even volunteered to come take Felix on a walk with me!”
Aubrey cackles, barely managing to compose herself at Auston’s glare. “Well, go and get his leash. We can walk and talk.”
She gets quickly distracted by Felix’s excitement for a walk, snapping like twenty pictures on her phone, before Auston finally prods her about the reason she even wanted to meet today. “So what’s up?”
She takes a deep breath. “Am I in love with Will?”
“Are you in love with...are you fucking kidding me?” Auston responds immediately, looking at her like he had that day they were at Sick Kids- like she’s completely missing something that everyone else knows.
“I’m gonna take that as a yes.” She says reasonably.
“Oh my fucking god.” He says, sounding distressed. “Don’t you have, like, a therapist for this shit? How did I get drafted for this?”
“I mean, yes, I do, but I haven’t gone into the details of it with Dr. Seth before this and I don’t think an hour would cover it.” She says; she’s thought about that already. Auston rubs his temples. “Stop that.” Aubrey chides. “Your hairline is bad enough.”
“Well you’re not helping!” Auston cries. “Jesus Christ, am I in love with Willy? Where the fuck have you been?”
“Egypt, I guess.” She says and he stares at her flatly until she explains. “Denial?”
“Fuck off, I hate you so much. Oh my god.” He groans. “Willy would have laughed so hard at that, fuck you.”
The worst thing is that she knows he would have. He’d have laughed and laughed and laughed, his eyes crinkling and his smile bright and warm, so loud that she couldn’t help but join in.
“Holy shit.” Auston says quietly, watching the smile on her face. “You’re really in deep.”
“Ugh, yes.” Aubrey groans, covering her face. “I hate it. I hate these feelings. I hate not knowing. I hate-”
Auston cuts her off, choking out a laugh. “Not knowing? Not knowing what?” And then he chokes again, once he looks over at her. “Not knowing if Will-” He stops abruptly looking like he’s got a secret that he shouldn’t be telling. “Come on, you aren’t this dumb.”
“You’re being serious?” She says quietly, looking over at Auston hopefully.
He avoids her eyes, bending down for a minute to pet his dog, but Felix absolutely betrays him by trying to run towards a new smell on a nearby bush, giving him absolutely nothing to look at instead of her. “I mean, come on.” Auston gives her a look. “Don’t make me say it.”
“Did he say it?”
“No.” Auston shakes his head, tugging gently on Felix’s leash to turn around. “But Aub, really? He brought you to meet his whole family.”
“He met mine too.” She reminds him. “And so did you!”
Auston shakes his head. “You...you just don’t see how he looks at you.”
Aubrey bites her lip, but she can’t resist asking. “How does he look at me?”
Auston doesn’t even have to think before he responds. “Like the rest of us aren’t even in the room.”
“Oh.” She says quietly, looking down at the ground. Felix is just trotting away happily, like Aubrey’s entire world hasn’t been flipped on its axis.
Auston, at least, seems to recognize the effect of what he’s said. “Look, even if you’re not ready to talk with him, just, like, look at the guy. You’re not in this alone.”
She’s definitely not ready to say anything, but, well, she could give that a try. Just try and see what Auston sees.What everyone sees apparently. “Alright.” She agrees.
“I won’t say anything.” Auston adds. “You two can figure this mess out on your own.”
“You’re the best.” Aubrey declares, leaning up to kiss his cheek.
“I know.” Auston smirks, pulling Felix’s leash out from under her feet.
“Jerk.” Aubrey laughs, shoving his shoulder gently. “If you didn’t have the second best dog in the world right here, I’d push you harder.” She crouches down to scratch Felix’s ears, only for Auston to pull him out of her reach.
“Second best?” He cries, outraged. “Nuh-uh. You don’t get to pet my dog after that kind of disrespect.”
“I just ranked your dog above Zeus!” She protests. “But Pablo’s my boy.”
Auston releases his hold on the leash a little and Felix trots over toward her arms as he teases, “I thought we just agreed Willy was your boy.”
“Yeah, well,” Aubrey scratches behind Felix’s ears, smiling as his tongue lolls out. “Man’s best friend.”
-----
Will’s acting funny when Aubrey sees him the next day.
She only catches him for a few minutes before the game, when they briefly cross paths at his place when she goes to pick up a jacket she left there, and she doesn’t know how to explain it, but something just seems...off.
It’s like...he barely looks at her when she’s in there digging around what’s become her side of the bed and then he brushes past her, muttering something about how he needs to go and for her to just lock up whenever she’s done, which would be fine, except he usually waits for her if she’s around when he leaves so they can walk out together.
Something’s just off.
“Are you sure you didn’t fight about anything?” Steph frowns at her, later that night. “Even like a small, stupid thing that maybe you brushed off? Because you do that.”
“No!” Aubrey swears. “At first I thought he was just annoyed about the book, because the book I’m reading right now takes place in Sweden, so like every few pages I ask him if it’s real? Or what it’s like?”
“God, you must be the most annoying girlfriend.” Steph giggles.
“Don’t even, I know everything about you and Mitch.” Aubrey pokes her and Steph giggles again, admitting defeat. “But no! He wouldn’t even look at me! Something’s up!”
Steph purses her lips. “That is weird.” She admits. “It’s very...not Will.”
“No!” Aubrey cries. “Will doesn’t sit and let things stew! He doesn’t care enough about what people think about him for that.”
“So why is he acting like this then?” Steph asks and Aubrey blows out a frustrated breath.
“I don’t know!” She says. “And I just want him to tell me what’s going on.”
The rest of the game is fairly uneventful for the two of them, slipping quietly out of their seats after the win and chatting between themselves and a few other friends as they all wait. One by one, the boys all make their way out of the locker room, and Aubrey frowns as even Auston and John walk out, stopping briefly to chat with her, before even they go, until finally, finally, Will steps out, his face flickering when he sees her.
“Hi?” She says, a little annoyed.
“Hi.” Will says, like nothing’s just happened, like he didn’t just do a double take of the worst kind at her mere presence.
“What’s wrong?” She frowns, reaching out for him and gently sliding her hand on his forearm.
“Nothing.” There’s no other word for it; Will flinches.
“Will.” Aubrey breathes as he shrugs off her arm.
“It’s nothing.” He repeats. “I’m just tired.” Which is so clearly a lie and she frowns, ready to call him out, but he reaches for her hand and says, “Let’s go eat,” with such finality that she doesn’t really know how she’d bring it up.
All she knows is that his hand feels cold in a way it never has before and the silence they sit in at dinner is like nothing she’s ever felt with him, even before they started sleeping together.
-----
“Merry Christmas!” Cam throws open the front door dramatically before Aubrey, Will, Steph, and Mitch have barely even shut their car doors. “Come on, you’re late!”
“Oh boy.” Aubrey mutters and she hears Steph and Mitch laugh.
Will, however, is as quiet as he’s been all drive up to her parents for their annual Christmas Eve party- as quiet as he’s been all week, as he’s been since whatever happened- and it makes her wonder why he even came. She’d told him he didn’t have to come if he didn’t want to; he’d just given her this tiny smile and asked her what time they had to pick up Mitch and Steph.
“How are we late?” Steph asks, as all four of them start yanking off coats and scarves the second they walk in the door. “None of the neighbors are even here yet!”
Cam huffs at that bit of logic and turns on her heel, walking away from them as they laugh, which cues Aubrey’s brothers into their arrival. Tye and Danny poke their heads around the corner of the wall, calling for Mitch immediately to show them how to do something on a new video game, but right away they’re thwarted by their mom. “Later.” Mitch whispers to them, as Tye and Danny grin, following the four of them into the kitchen.
In the kitchen, they find Aubrey and Steph’s moms working in tandem- the way they always have on Christmas Eve- to finish the appetizers and set food out. They stop only briefly to greet their daughters and their daughters’ boyfriends, and to direct them on where to put the desserts they brought, before they’re shooing them all right back out.
“Dads in the basement?” Steph asks, like they all don’t know the answer already, and Danny nods, leading the way down the stairs, where Fitz and Ryan have already started a beer pong game against Mike and Tom.
“Shotty next.” Mitch calls, while he waits for Aubrey and Steph to say hi to their dads.
“You gonna be able to walk back next door?” Fitz snorts out a laugh.
“That was one time!” Mitch protests. “Nobody warned me how much drinking there was on Christmas Eve!”
“It’s like we hadn’t spent the last four months together before that.” Aubrey deadpans, focusing more on watching Will greet her stepdad with the same enthusiasm as he had her mom, and her brothers, and Cam.
But then, he comes back to her side, and when she goes to tangle their fingers together, his hand stays limp, just kind of letting her do what she wants, not returning the gesture at all, instead of pulling her closer like he used to.
“Guess I thought you two were the anomaly.” Mitch teases. “Then I learned I’d have to bring my A game all the time.”
“Yeah buddy.” Tom says, looking over at his daughter’s boyfriend right after he sinks Fitz and Ryan’s last cup. “Who’s with you?”
-----
By the time Mitch and Will get demolished in beer pong, Aubrey and Steph are fighting back a laugh at their dads’ light buzz already going and the neighbors have started to arrive, which brings a temporary pause to pong play for more introductions.
The neighbors all love Will, which, of course they do. Aubrey’s not surprised at all. He’s funny and charming and personable, just has this air that draws people in, and every one of her mom’s friends finds her at some point after they meet Will to gush about how wonderful he is.
“Yeah.” Aubrey says, almost helplessly to Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Morris, as she watches Will with Kayls and Cam across the room. “He’s pretty great.” They smile knowingly at her, Mrs. Jones winking as she passes, leaving Aubrey to watch them with a fond smile on her face.
It’s Will who notices her staring first, because of course it is. Kayls and Cam are oblivious to everything around them. He catches her eye, still laughing about whatever they’re talking about, and there’s a second where his smile grows when he sees her, a second Aubrey feels a grin growing across her own face.
And then it all stops abruptly as something flashes over Will’s face, and as quick as the grin was there, it’s gone.
Aubrey frowns and watches as Will returns to talking with Kayls and Cam again, but notices the smile on his face seems forced now. She wants...well, she doesn’t know exactly what she wants, but she’s tired of not knowing what’s going on with him.
“Hey.” Fitz nudges her shoulder. “It’s too early for you to be sad about going to your dad’s tomorrow. Come take a shot with me.”
“I-” It’s not that. She starts to say, but stops herself. Today’s not the day to try and tease out whatever’s going on with Will. Whatever it is could wait until after Christmas. “Yeah, sure.”
Fitz grins, leading her over to the makeshift bar, corralling a few friends as they go, but by the time he starts pouring, the crowd around them has gotten bigger. Will’s standing next to her, but the space he’s left between them feels so purposeful, and it only makes Aubrey frown as she listens to Fitz’s Christmas toast, as he cheers to a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, to good friends and great family. “And a way too cool future brother-in-law.” He jokes. “Don’t fuck this up, Aub!”
“Yo!” Mitch protests loudly as Aubrey feels the breath get stuck in her chest.
She can’t even look at Will, so tense she can hardly bring her shot glass up to her mouth. The alcohol barely even burns and she knows it’s not because she’s too drunk to taste it; the numbness of her brother’s comment still stinging, and it’s well after she’s deposited her shot glass on the counter that she realizes, “Where’s Will?”
Mitch frowns, looking behind them. “He was right here, wasn’t he?”
Aubrey nods slowly, trying to stand on her toes and search for him. “Can you just-” She starts.
Steph’s right on her wavelength. “You look up here; we’ll check downstairs.”
Will is nowhere to be found on the main floor, so she heads upstairs and finally finds him in the room they’d thrown their bags in earlier. “Hey.” She breathes out a sigh of relief. “There you are.”
“Here I am.” Will says quietly. He’s in front of the taller dresser, looking at the bulletin board covered in pictures from high school and college- one of the few relics left in the room from when it was hers before her mom refashioned it into a guest room.
“I’m sorry about Fitz!” She blurts. “He didn’t mean any-”
“We should be wrapping up soon, right?” Will says abruptly, interrupting her.
“What?” Aubrey frowns, shocked. That is...not at all what she thought he’d say.
“This?” He gestures between the two of them. “Like, Mitch and Steph definitely think we're a thing. Can call this off soon?”
“Um.” Aubrey tries to breathe but something’s definitely restricting that ability. “We…what?”
“We can stop this pretending.” Will says, like it’s obvious, and Aubrey feels her stomach drop. This...this was all pretend to him. “Do that break up that’s going to crush them. The whole reason we did this.”
“Right.” She swallows the lump in her throat. “Uh yeah, we can do that.”
Will shrugs. “Cool.” He says, and then turns and walks away, leaving Aubrey standing there wondering where exactly she went wrong.
-----
“Ok.” Steph snaps her fingers and only then does Aubrey look up from the Leafs vs. Calgary game that her best friend invited her over to watch that she’s paying absolutely no attention to- and hasn’t actually been able to focus on all night. Her best friend is standing in front of her, holding a new bottle of wine, and looking concerned. “I’ve asked for your glass like four times now. What’s going on?”
Aubrey bites her lip and holds her glass out. If she’s going to do this, they’re both going to need refills. “I have to tell you something.”
Steph frowns immediately but fills Aubrey’s glass and then her own. “Uhh, ok? What’s up.”
Aubrey doesn’t know whether she needs a deep breath or a sip of wine to settle her nerves. She goes for both. “Will and I aren’t together.”
And maybe...maybe that was the wrong way to phrase it, because Steph’s face just falls. “I’m so sorry, babe.” She says, reaching out and rubbing Aubrey’s arm. “I really thought-” She shakes her head and Aubrey’s still trying to figure out what she said wrong, what she can say to make her see what she really means. “Are you okay?”
“No.” Aubrey says and Steph looks like she wants to reach for the wine bottle and pull her in for a hug at the same time, until she continues. “No, I mean; Will and I aren’t together now because we were never really together at all and no, I’m not okay either, actually, now that you mention it.”
Now Steph frowns uncertainly, like she doesn’t know what to say. And that look? The one on her face right there? If it didn’t feel like her heart was already breaking, she’d be cherishing that look.
Now she can’t even enjoy it.
“You’re going to have to explain this one to me.” Steph says, her voice carefully neutrally.
So Aubrey does- beginning with the night that Mitch and Steph had had them over and her and Will’s plan to get them to stop nagging, to when they’d started sleeping together, to how it felt like they were together for real and on the same page, right up until they weren’t.
“I wanna be so mad at you right now.” Steph says, after a long silence.
“You should be.” Aubrey admits. “I would be.
“Well, you’re making it really hard looking so sad.” Steph glares. “And being so dumb.” Aubrey’s jaw drops, even if the callout is probably well deserved. “Will looks at you like you are the center of the universe. He looks like his entire day has gotten better every time you walk into the room. For God’s sake, he willingly met your dad on Christmas last week! You cannot honestly tell me you think he doesn’t really want to be with you!”
“He told me he wanted to stop!” Aubrey cries. “He was the one who said we should do the breakup!”
“Well if you don’t want to, then tell him!” Steph dares.
“Stephanie.” Aubrey frowns.
“What?”
“I can’t do that!” Aubrey hisses.
“Why not?” Steph pours another glass of wine for herself and then passes the bottle over. Aubrey accepts eagerly. “Did Will tell you why he wanted to stop this...dating thing?”
“...no.” Aubrey sighs. It’s another thing that’s been driving her crazy.
“So ask him.” Steph says plainly. “And tell him you don’t want to stop.”
Aubrey bites her lip nervously. “But what if he says no?”
“Honestly the worst thing that happens here is that you still break up.” Steph says gently. “But this really just sounds like a matter of you two actually needing to talk about where you stand. Will’s not a mind-reader, Aub; he can’t have known you didn’t want to stop things, especially if this was all your idea in the first place.”
Ugh, she’s right. “I hate everything about this.” Aubrey sing-songs. “Including the fact that you even introduced us.”
Now Steph grins. “You do not hate that we introduced you. You just hate feeling vulnerable.”
That’s too accurate to address, so Aubrey flips her off and reaches for the wine again.
-----
Will picks her up for the Leafs annual New Year’s Eve party and it’s unfair because no one should look that good dressed in black pants and a sweater, but there’s Will waiting by the car with a beanie on his head and a pea coat left open, for maximal torture is the only reason Aubrey can think of.
“Hi.” She breathes, running across the street to him as best she can in her heels.
It takes him a second to respond. “Hi.” He says finally, opening the door for her. “You uh, planning on blinding us all tonight?” He teases, once he slides into the backseat of the uber with her.
Aubrey giggles at the lame joke as she looks down at her glittery skirt. It’s such a lame joke but she’s just so relieved he even made it. That they still have dumb things to laugh over. “Hmm, over-under on how many of us are wearing something sparkly tonight. 10?”
“Over.” Will answers immediately and she giggles again.
The ride doesn’t take long so it’s only a few minutes before they’re pulling up to the club, where they run into Travis Dermott and his girlfriend exiting their uber at the same time. “Nine more.” Will whispers in her ear, as Kat turns to greet them, and they both catch sight of a sparkly tank under her jacket.
“Hush.” Aubrey bites back a laugh, but only barely, before she pulls Kat in for a hug. Inside is about as loud as she’d expected but once they all step upstairs into the VIP section roped off for them, it’s easier to hear, easier to think, and easier to breathe.
Or at least, it is for a moment. She can feel Will’s eyes on her from across the room, where he’s at the bar ordering drinks for the two of them, and she and Kat have gone to say hi to more people.
“So, uh.” Steph says, in lieu of hello. “I don’t think Will’s being weird anymore.”
When Aubrey turns and follows Steph’s eyes, Will’s still looking at her, unashamed in his gaze or getting caught. He winks back at her, grinning when she smiles at him. “No.” She says slowly. “I guess not.” Steph just grins at that, kind of smugly, and Aubrey huffs at that, turning away to greet Morgan and Tessa behind her.
It’s not long before Will returns with drinks, still grinning as he pulls her immediately to the dance floor. He pulls out some of his most ridiculous moves and Aubrey laughs, harder and harder the more she drinks, and then finally falling against him after he and Mitch attempt the Toosie Slide together.
“Why are you laughing?” Will demands, wrapping an arm around her waist and taking her hand, leading her into some weird kind of slow dance, even as the song changes into something by The Chainsmokers.
“I just like seeing you like this.” She grins.
His brow furrows. “Like what?”
“Just-” She doesn’t know how to explain it. How open he is right now, how loose and easy and warm he looks because he’s just able to be himself, and how happy she feels to be with him, especially when he’s like this. “Just happy, I guess.”
Will grins again and presses a loud kiss to her temple, that she barely has time to giggle at, because he says, “Always happy to be with you,” like it’s the most casual thing in the world.
And Aubrey gasps in shock, but she doesn’t think Will even notices, because he’s dipping her back over his arm right after that and then she’s too busy laughing again.
-----
Steph flops down on the remaining couch seat and ignores the look that Auston sends her in favor of fanning herself with her hand. “Sure.” He says dryly. “I’ll move over a little.”
“Would you? Thanks.” She snickers and he shakes his head fondly at her.
“How about you?” He looks over at Aubrey. “Gonna squish me in the corner even more?”
Aubrey’s already settled herself on his other side, on the edge of the couch. “Nah, I’m good here.” She bumps her shoulder against his.
“Is it even possible to squish you in the corner?” Steph muses.
“Why are you squished in the corner?” Aubrey asks, confused. “What, you couldn’t find a date for New Year’s?”
“I make it a point to not bring dates to holiday parties.” Auston says and Aubrey’s jaw drops.
Steph’s snickering into her palm though, so it’s clear this particular brand of assholery isn’t unfamiliar. “Holidays and events.” She cackles. “Keep those expectations low.”
“Although now that I know that all it takes to make a girl leave is to just have you walk in my house the next morning…” Auston trails off thoughtfully.
Aubrey shoves at his head, ruffling his hair on purpose, but she can’t help but laugh along with him. “Don’t you fucking dare. I’ve got better things to do than that.”
“Like what?” Steph says, too innocently to be real. “Will?”
“I’m leaving.” Aubrey stands, as Steph and Auston both laugh. “I don’t have to listen to this.”
“Is noon good tomorrow?” She hears Auston call after her, while Steph cackles next to him. “How about 12:30?” She flips him off over her shoulder, without looking back, instead pushing her way around Fred and his new girl, to find Will where she’d left him at the bar with Mitch.
But at the bar, she finds only Mitch, who’s looking a little confused. “Where’s Will?” She asks.
“Um.” Is all Mitch says and Aubrey frowns immediately.
“Mitch, what happened?” Aubrey says flatly and Mitch caves right away.
“I don’t know!” He says. “We were just ordering drinks, watching you guys, everything seemed fine, and next thing I know, he was walking away!”
“Well where did he go?” She asks impatiently, barely waiting for Mitch to point before she’s shoving her way through the crowd.
It feels like she circles the entire building before she finally finds Will, and it’s more like she happens to run into him than she actually finds him, which just annoys her even more, enough that she grabs his hand and pulls him outside to a spot far enough away that it’s quiet enough to talk.
It’s not quiet- it’s still New Year’s Eve and there’s people all around them going up and down the street- but it’s far enough from the door that they can’t feel the music anymore, at least.
Will’s staring at their hands, still linked, but he’s not saying anything, and even though she’s the one who dragged them out into the cold, he’s the one who started acting weird in the first place, and she feels her annoyance grow. “I thought we were having a really good time tonight?”
Will sighs. “We were.” He pauses. “I was, at least.”
“Ok, I was too.” Aubrey says slowly. “So, what happened?”
Will sighs again. “Look, it’s fine, like this was never supposed to be a thing with us, yeah? I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at me. I’ll get over it.”
She’s so confused. “Get over what? Why are you mad?”
“I saw you,” Will says. “Coming out of Auston’s one morning. I was driving past, after practice on my way home.” He shrugs, almost casually, but she can see in his face how hurt he is. “And like, we were never supposed to be a thing.” He repeats and she frowns. Why does he keep saying that? “So I’m not mad at you and I can’t even be mad at him. But I saw you and Matts together and I knew I liked you more than you liked me.” He shrugs again, trying to play off his words as light as casual, but Aubrey’s trying to put the pieces together of what he said. “I know you’d rather be here with him tonight, but that’s why I can’t do this anymore.”
“Oh my god.” She breathes. “You’re so dumb.”
“Hey!” Will protests.
“We’re so dumb.” She corrects, because, really, it’s the truth. “I was at Auston’s that day because he was the only one who knew about us at the time and I needed to talk to someone about if I’m in love with you!”
Will doesn’t move for a second, the longest second of Aubrey’s entire life. “Where, uh, where’d you land on that one?” He asks, like he’s kind of nervous for the answer.
And Aubrey can relate; there are butterflies in her stomach, even though she’s positive she knows how this is going to end now. “Pretty strongly in favor for.” She says and Will beams, that bright smile that lights up his entire face. “I didn’t get to tell you earlier, but I’m always happy to be with you, too.”
“That’s good.” Will says mildly, and Aubrey grins, waiting for the rest. “Because I really love seeing you smile like that.”
Her jaw drops a little. She’s not upset about what he said at all; it’s just so not what she expected him to say. And in that moment of silence, Will grins down at her once more, before leaning down to kiss her.
-----
It’s late the next morning by the time Aubrey tumbles out of bed, yanking a t-shirt of Will’s over her head. Will’s been up for at least an hour already, and she kisses his cheek as she passes, giggling as he lightly pats her ass in return.
“Coffee’s still warm.” He says.
“I still love you.” She teases. “That’s not changing just because you kept the pot warm.” Will flips her off and returns back to the game he’s playing on his Switch. “Have you seen my phone?”
“Near the front door.”
Most of her stuff is still by the front door, thrown hastily down when they’d come in late last night. Her phone’s still got a little battery left, filled with messages from late last night and earlier this morning, but one in particular catches her eye.
Steph LaChance:
i told you so 😉
#william nylander#william nylander fan fic#william nylander fanfiction#william nylander imagine#Hockey Fanfiction#hockey fanfic#nhl fanfiction#nhl fanfic#nhl imagines#hockey imagines#my hockey fics
427 notes
·
View notes
Text
Don’t Mess With the Commander’s Nap
(He’s not the one they’ll have to deal with if they do)
Rating: G
Word Count: 1.7k
Pairing: Commander Fox x afab!reader
Warnings: Does me almost crying while writing soft Fox thoughts count as a warning?
Summary: Fox works too hard and is in much need of a break and damnit you’re going to do something about it.
A/N: Big thank you to @lackofhonor for the idea for this addition to my Commander Fox series 💕
[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] // [Part 5]
Masterlist
You try not to pay attention to the weird looks you’re getting as you march to Fox’s office clutching your softest pillow and blanket from home. Actually, it’s not as weird as you think. Everyone looks thoroughly entertained at your antics as you pass them. It’s not like they’re going to stop you either way.
You stash your stuff by the side of Fox’s door before you key it open. He looks up and raises his eyebrows in surprise at you standing there. Considering it’s noon and not your usual day off, it makes sense for him to question it.
“Exactly how busy are you right now?” You ask, not moving from the doorway.
He smiles. “For you? Not very.”
You grin in return and grab your things from the floor. “Good. You’re taking a nap with me.” You walk to his couch and pull it out, setting everything up how you need.
“Cyare,” he laughs. “I do still need to work.”
You make your way over to him, still smiling. You card your fingers through his hair and press a kiss to his forehead. “It’s cute that you think you have a choice.”
Tugging on his hands does nothing to actually move him, not that you really think it will, but it’s worth a shot. In fact, he tugs you back in return and you stumble straight into his lap. This happens a lot, you realize belatedly.
“That’s not fair,” you pout, not at all opposed to your position.
Fox gives you that stupid smug smirk that still sets your heart a flutter no matter how many times you see it. “Your engagement strategy could use some work.”
“Come on.”
You kiss him.
“Come lay down.”
Kiss.
“You’re exhausted.”
Kiss.
“You know I can see it.”
Kiss.
“Are you trying to convince me or seduce me?” Fox interrupts, pulling back just far enough to be out of immediate range of your lips. He doesn’t try to hide his grin though.
You tilt your head innocently and bat your eyelashes. “Yes.”
Loathe as you are to get off him, you do, slipping away with ease and attempt to pull him up again. He follows you this time, much to your surprise, and you end up guiding him to the couch. It’s not actually that big of a mattress when it’s pulled out, but you’re not going to complain about having to get closer to fit. Did you plan it that way? No. But if anyone asks, yes you did.
You lay down after Fox and he shifts around so you’re both sharing the pillow. He pulls the blanket up too, but not all the way. There isn’t really a need for it in his office besides comfort.
“Thank you for indulging me,” you whisper.
Fox pulls you even closer and you can feel him press his lips to your head. “I’ll do anything you ask, cyare.”
You squint at him suspiciously. “Why’d I have to convince you then?”
He gives you a cheeky grin. “I wanted to see what you would do.” He shrugs.
“Rude!” You thump him on his chest plate but you’re laughing soon after. So is he.
“Let’s get some rest. Isn’t that why you came here?”
“Kriffin’ right.”
Fox drifts off before you, which just goes to show how tired he really is. You lay there watching his chest rise and fall slowly. You brush your fingers lightly over his armor where your hand rests in front of you. You almost never see him this relaxed in his office. Or at all really. You’re glad you can give him this, even in the middle of the day. Especially in the middle of the day because you’re certain he doesn’t take any break at all regularly.
You’re content to stay in his arms just like this, dozing off easily knowing there was no safer place to be than right where you are.
—-
Fox isn’t actually asleep. He knows you want him to get some rest but it’s hard when something could happen at any moment. Being ready for anything and general paranoia go hand-in-hand in his line of work. Plus, if he falls asleep now he won’t be able to see how peaceful you look sleeping next to him. Nor would he be able to think about how right this all feels. He wasn’t lying when he said he would do anything you ask.
And he’ll say it as many times as he can, he’s probably the luckiest man in the galaxy. Definitely the luckiest of his vode. You really are perfect. He’d yell it from the top of the senate building if he didn’t think he would be decommissioned for it. He’ll risk everything for you, but the last thing he wants to do is leave you alone like that. Not after everything you’ve done for him.
You’re stuck with him now, but he has a feeling that if he said that to you, you’d just turn it around and say he’s stuck with you too. Like he would ever be mad about that.
He’s never thought about what would happen after the war before. It’s never-ending in his mind, even if he’s not on the front lines. He still wishes he was, but that feeling lessens every time he’s with you. If he had been out who-knows-where in the galaxy, he never would have met you. You would have never even gotten as close as you are to his vode if you hadn’t been drawn to the mess by the smell of his caf.
You definitely would’ve still been arrested though; of that he has no doubt.
His little fighter, you are.
So he thinks of after the war, whenever that will be, and he sees you there with him. You still have caf together every morning, but now it’s fresh from a pot in the kitchen of the house you share. You’ll move off Coruscant, because he knows all the bad things that go on in even the smallest shadows. It’s a terrible place to live. The top levels are too guilded; the bottom levels are too dangerous.
So a different planet, and one that doesn’t have such a political presence in the galaxy.
Maybe he sees a few kids eventually too. He isn’t sure about that yet though. That’s a conversation you both need to have before thinking too much more about it. But if things happen to go that way, he shudders to think what a bunch of mini-hims running around could do. Even worse, a bunch of mini-yous. But both of you mixed together in many tiny beings? They’d take over the galaxy by the time they’re ten.
And even if things don’t go that way and you don’t want kids, as long as you’re together… yeah, that’s really the best kriffing thing.
—
You’re not sure how long you manage to be asleep for, because you startle awake what feels like a minute later by the door to Fox’s office opening. By some miracle, Fox stays asleep, and you turn your head carefully to look at Stone standing there. He raises one eyebrow at what must be one of the oddest sights he’s probably ever seen stepping into this office.
You press a finger to your lips in an obvious sign to be quiet. Then you drag your thumb across your throat in an even more obvious sign that you will hurt him if he wakes Fox up.
Stone’s lips quirk up into a smirk before he raises his hands in surrender, pointing at the data pad in his hand and then to Fox’s desk. You give him the go-ahead and turn back into Fox to get comfortable again. The door slides closed behind you a few seconds later.
“You know I’m awake, right?” Fox murmurs above you, eyes still closed.
“No you’re not,” you say back.
“What exactly did you threaten him over?”
“You’ve got a new data pad on your desk.”
Fox groans lowly. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m not awake yet.”
His thumb starts rubbing your side unconsciously. There’s no more intent behind it other than comfort and you shuffle closer so his hand splays over your lower back. It’s warm even through your shirt and you sigh in contentment. You’ll never get tired of the feel of his hands on you. He squeezes you once and you look up at him in question.
“So how are you here? What about your work?” He asks.
“I took the rest of the day off.”
“Just to take a nap?”
You smile sweetly at him. “Just for you. The nap is a bonus.”
He dips his head down to peck your lips, and you chase them back up when he pulls away. He gives in, of course, and you take the time to slowly kiss each other breathless. It’s easy to get lost like this. There’s no rush - no need to go any further to feel how much harder your heart can beat because of him. And you’re sure that if he wasn’t wearing armor, you’ll be able to feel his beat just as hard for you too.
“Hey,” you whisper.
Fox hums in acknowledgement.
“I love you.”
His eyes are on yours a second later. Though you can barely see the difference between his pupil and the deepest brown of his iris, you know exactly what they look like as they slowly dilate. They’re especially beautiful when they catch the sunlight at just the right angle and literally light up. Absolutely mesmerizing.
“Ni kar’tayl gar darasuum, cyare.”
You don’t need to be a genius to figure out he just said he loves you too. Which is good because telling him that, no matter how long you’ve felt it, is a spur of the moment decision. You’re glad you did though. You didn’t know when there would be another moment like this.
Soft cuddling, dozing off to the sound of his breath puffing above you, the feel of him pressing up against you.
It’s perfect.
He’s perfect.
And you love him.
#prior writes#star wars#swtcw#clone wars#the clone wars#soft fox#commander fox#cc 1010#commander fox x reader#commander fox x you#afab!reader#coruscant guard#writing#fanfic
215 notes
·
View notes
Text
Part 2 of THIS
This is still episode 2 of Loki + you are in it but with a twist! I will probably make this a serie idk I'm basically going with the flow lol , what do you think?
Pairing: Loki X Fem!reader
Setting: episode 2 of Loki
Warning: angst
P.s. if you find any mistake please correct me, English is not my mother tongue and I want to improve. Reblog, if you can, it helps a lot, thank you💕
P.p.s. gifs belong to the creators.
Trust PT.2
"So, are you going to tell me what happened between the two of you or what?" Mobius asked while looking through the files. He was pretty enthusiastic about Loki's discovery, but searching for the right apocalypse was not exactly a pleasure job. Y/n sighed, her eyes quickly glanced at Loki: he was napping on the table, his arms under his head and his eyes closed, he looked cute. "Nothing happened, we had a very brief trip in Pompeii and that's all." She lied while closing the file, nothing useful was found. Mobius raised an eyebrow and passed her another file. "You look mad and he looks like someone just stole his unbearable tendency to be chatty, so something happened for sure..." He tried to say, but an agent interrupted him. "Mobius, can you come for a second, please?" The girl cordially asked and he nodded while standing up. "I'll be right back, wake him up." He said and left. Y/n sighed and looked at him: he seamed so peaceful, with his long hair framing his relaxed features and his breath regular.
She wanted to cry, she didn't even know why but she felt a violent sadness. She tenderly tapped his arm. "Loki?" She called him and he slowly opened his eyes. He looked at her and raised his head, he looked confused. Y/n immediately stared back on her file, pretending to be uninterested. "Y/n, I'm sorry, I fell asleep." He apologized and she turned a page without even looking at him. "It's okay, being a genial God must be exhausting." She mocked him and he sighed. "Okay, I probably deserve this kind of treatment." He said and stood up, his fingers going through the files scattered across the table while he walked to her and sat next to her, where Mobius was sitting a minute before. She ignored him. "Y/n, look..." He tried to say but she gave him a file. "Instead of wasting your breath, why don't you help me?" She asked and looked at him, he bit his lower lip and nodded. In that precise moment, Mobius came back. "Both of you, let's go for a walk." He said and turned. Y/n closed the file and stood up, Loki did the same but he grabbed her arm to draw her attention. "Y/n, I'm sorry if I hurt you, but.." she raised a hand. "Loki, I hate to break it to you because I know how much you love attentions, but you do not have whatsoever effect on my mood." She lied, her tone venomous. He gasped and opened his mouth, mostly because he didn't expect her to be that firm, not because he actually believed her. He let her arm go but couldn't say anything else, because Mobius called them again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Oh, come on, why is this taking so long?" Loki nervously asked while walking up and down the room. Y/n crossed her legs, she was sitting on the couch outside Ravonna's office. "For being thousands years old, you're quite impatient." She mocked him while putting her arms on the backrest of the sofa. He sighed. "Ravonna will not let Mobius organise this mission because she doesn't believe in me." He said and sat next to her, she tensed up but didn't move. "How can she? You're so reliable!" She joked and he chuckled, his eyes staring at her. "Okay, you're being bitchy now." He said and she crossed her arms over her chest while feeling like she was being a bit too rude. He stared at his hands. "I've never been good at being loyal," He softly admitted, his voice barely audible. She raised an eyebrow, surprised by that rush of honesty and looked at him, he was smiling. "But you probably already know, you must have seen my file." He said and she shook her head. "Actually, Mobius was the only one allowed to; he told me something, but I've never fully gone through your file." She said and he raised his head, his eyes now stuck into hers.
He looked... relieved? She couldn't tell. "So you have no idea of what happened in my life?" He asked, he sounded urgent. She shrugged. "Not much, why is this so important to you?" She asked and he sadly chuckled, his fingers crossed. "Nothing, it's just... I'm glad you haven't seen how messed up I've been for the most of my life, you must not have preconceptions..." She interrupted him. "I wouldn't have had anyways, I do not judge people for their past." She said and he slightly opened his mouth, mostly surprised to hear something like that, then he nodded and softly laughed. She frowned. "Why are you laughing?" She curiosly asked. He shook his head while grabbing her hand and standing up. "Come with me, there's something I need to show you." He said and she followed him, trying to ignore the fact that she was feeling goosebumps because of his touch. They quickly went to Mobius' office and Loki closed the door at his back. She looked around. "Why are we here?" She asked and Loki sat at the desk, inviting her to sit in front of him. She did it. "Look." He said and pressed a button on the monitor. The images of his file started to be projected in front of them.
She saw a beautiful baby boy, with bright blue eyes and curly blonde hair. He was walking in a majestic garden, flowers blossoming all around, when he suddenly saw an animal approaching: a long, green snake was crawling to him. The kid looked at it, admiration and curiosity burning in his eyes. He slowly got closer, his hands reaching to touch it. As soon as he picked it up, the snake disappeared in a green mist and another child, with deep blue eyes, as dark as the sea at night, and pitch black hair appeared. "That's me!" He screamed and a knife materialised in his hand. He stabbed the other boy in his arm with a playful smile on his face, the blonde boy screamed.
Loki paused the image and looked at y/n. "As you can see, I've always been, how can I say? Problematic." He chuckled and y/n looked at him. "Why are showing this to?" She asked, not sure where that was going. He sighed. "Because that's what everyone saw, that's what my brother saw, but I was so much more." He whispered, his long fingers moving on the monitor.
The scene in front of them changed: now the blonde boy was not a kid anymore, he was a teenager. He had grown the glimpse of a beard and he looked taller, even more robust. He was training with a sword and his opponent was Loki: he looked so young, with short black hair and an agile but definitely immature body shape. He tried to dodge Thor' sword, but he was not as skilled as he was. His sword fell to the ground with a thud. Thor laughed and Loki rolled his eyes while raising his arms. "Okay, were done for today. I think I'm not ready for our first mission." He said and the blonde boy nodded while picking his brother's sword from the floor and passing it to him. "You're getting better, soon you'll be able to beat me, but if you prefer not to come it's okay." Thor said and Loki chuckled. "You just say it to make me feel less stupid." He said while putting his sword in his case. Thor shook his head and put a hand on his shoulder. "Just because you can't use a sword it doesn't mean that you are stupid. You can do magic, I can't." He said and Loki sighed, his eyes looking at his palace. Thor talked about that mission for another couple of minutes, he was excited like never before because that was the first mission Odin allowed them to partecipate to, then he walked away from him, his figure looking royal. Loki ran his hands through his hair, but quickly turned because he heard footsteps approaching: a woman with long hair and an elegant dress walked toward him. "Mother." He whispered, his voice filled with respect. Even from a monitor, y/n could perceive how much Loki loved her. Frigga smiled and tenderly caressed his cheek. "Are you ready for tomorrow?" She asked and he chewed the internal part of his cheek. "No, I'm not going, I'm not ready. But Thor is." He said and Frigga shook her head. "Thor is not going." She said and Loki frowned. "What? Why?" He asked, his mother shrugged. "He forgot to feed the horses and clean the weapons. These were his simple tasks and he ignored them, how can I expect him to follow orders in a proper mission? He's not ready." She said and Loki widened his eyes: his brother was going to be devastated by that decision. He had been talking about that damn mission for weeks, he had been doing nothing but training for it. Loki took a deep breath. "Mother, I actually told Thor that I would've done those things. It's my fault, not his." He lied and looked away. Frigga raised an eyebrow, her eyes scanning his son. She put a finger under his chin. "My child, this is so unlike you. You're always so precise." She said, curious to see if he was going to tell her the truth. He shrugged. "I got distracted." He said and she looked at him for a couple of seconds, interested in realising how far he was willing to go for his brother. She sighed. "Fine, but you will have to fulfill your duties right now." She said and he nodded, his legs moving to walk away. "Loki?" She suddenly called him and he turned. "Yes, mother." He asked, she smiled: a maternal, tender smile. "You're more than ready for that mission." She whispered. His lips automatically curved into a tiny smile.
Loki stopped the file and stared at her, y/n was pensive. She slowly turned to face him. "That's the part I hated to show to other people." He whispered while shutting down the monitor. She stared at him. "Why?" She asked, he simply shrugged. "I suppose that making people believe that you are emotionless and uninterested just makes you appear tough and undefeatable." He admitted while looking at his feet. She frowned. "No weaknesses. Is that it?" She asked and he nodded, his eyes analysing his own hands. "No weaknesses." He confirmed, he sounded sad. She tilted her head. "Why did you show this to me?" She asked. For a couple of seconds, he didn't speak. He just stayed there, his hands nervously shaking and his eyes avoiding her, then he took a deep breath and looked at her. "Because I trust you." He whispered.
She widened her eyes, his words drilling a hole in her soul. She didn't know what to expect, but she certainly didn't see that coming. She slowly stood up, her body moving toward him almost instinctively. She kneeled down in front of his chair to look at him, her face now at the same height of his. She gently caressed his cheek, her anger making room for something different: the awareness of how hard it was for him to show true feelings, how scary it must have looked. Her fingers gently travelled on his cheek while her eyes searched for his. "Loki, look at me." He didn't move, he didn't seem to be bothered by her touch but he couldn't look at her. She didn't push him, she just stood there and waited for him to be ready. When he finally looked at her, he had watery eyes. "I'm sorry if I made you believe that I didn't care. I do, I care." He admitted, his voice sounding torn as if it was just hard for him to pronounce those words. She smiled. "It's okay, I don't want to push you or make you feel like you own something to me." She said and he put his hand on hers, his cold fingers covering hers. "You don't, I feel... understood, and it never happened before." He said and she moved a lock of his hair from his eyes. "You're a bit of a challenge, but this is probably why I like you so much." She said, her cheeks getting pink.
He chuckled, his charming smirk appearing on his face. "Oh, so you like me, I thought I didn't have whatsoever effect on your mood." He mocked her and she gasped while opening her mouth, but she couldn't resist but smile. "Loki Laufeyson," she said while standing up, he did the same and laughed. "You are impossible." She concluded and pretended to be mad. He grabbed her waist and closed the distance between them, his body attaching to hers and his eyes travelling from her lips to her eyes. "Oh my... I love how my name sounds when you pronounce it. Say it again." He commanded, his nose rubbing against her neck. She shook her head and chuckled, the she bit her lower lip: that God was a pain in the ass. "Loki Laufeyson." She whispered against his ear. He grinned, his fingers drawing figures on her back. He kissed her neck, his lips cold against her skin. She tilted her head and moved her y/h/c hair on the opposite shoulder to let him kiss her. He smiled on her skin, intrigued by her move, and bit her. She gasped, her hands pulling his hair, but let him do what he wanted. He sucked that zone, his tongue sending shivers down her spine. She moaned. "Loki Laufeyson, stop..." She said his name again, her voice begging him. He mischievously chuckled and slowly stopped torturing her neck. He looked at it: the hickey he had left was turning red, he smiled in satisfaction. "I like this on you." He said while staring at her.
She put a hand on that zone and opened her mouth. "Loki, everyone will see it!" She reproachfully said and he laughed. "For as much as I'd like this to happen, I know that you work here, so stay still," He commanded, his hand moving on her neck. He put his palm on the mark he had left and she felt a sudden tickle, then he removed his hand. "All done." He said and she frowned. "What have you done?" She curiously asked and he shrugged. "Now you and I will be the only people able to see that beautiful hickey." He said and she chuckled, her hand massaging her neck again. "You're full of resources." She said and crossed her hands on his shoulder, he winked at her and caressed her waist. "I know." He said and kissed her. This time, she felt like the kiss was totally different: filled with awareness, nothing like the Pompeii kiss, which felt like impatient and almost suffered, that second kiss was intense, deep, passionate. She caressed the back of his head, her tongue meeting his while he slowly touched her skin under her shirt, his long fingers caressing her hips. She smiled on his lips, her heart beating fast in her chest. "Okay, we really have to go." She said, she was out of breath.
He looked at her and felt his heart skip a beat: she looked gorgeous, with those red cheeks and swollen lips because of the kiss. The mark on her neck was clearly visible and her eyes were staring at him like he had never been looked at before by a lover: with tenderness, interest, thoughtfulness. He held his breath. "Okay, then let's go." He said and exhaled while taking her hand. In that precise moment, Mobius opened the door. They both took a step away from each other. "Oh my..." He said and Loki tried to talk but he raised a hand. "Shut up!" He said, y/n opened her mouth to talk but he interrupted her too. "The both of you! We'll discuss about this later, now I need you to come with me. Ravonna said yes." .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Okay, a girl, this makes sense." Y/n said while staring at Sylvie: somehow, she looked exactly like y/n could imagine a female version of Loki. The girl stared at them both. "How lovely, you have a girlfriend." She provoked Loki and he shook his head while covering y/n with his body. "Don't mind her." He said, trying to move the focus from her. Sylvie laughed. "Oh I get that, you want to protect her, but I'm sure she can take care of herself." She said and moved her hand. Loki felt her powers on him: he flew away, his body hitting the floor. In that moment y/n ran to her: she tried to kick her but Sylvie dodged her strike. The female version of Loki tried to punch y/n in her stomach but she was pretty agile, she moved aside and managed to slap her. Sylvie laughed and widened her eyes, she was surprised. "You've got potential." she said while dodging a kick. Y/n rotated to avoid being hit in her face and looked at her. "Touch him again and I'll show you all of it." She threateningly said and Sylvie laughed. Loki stood up and ran to them, well aware of what was about to come. "Despite how skilled you are, you simply can't compete." She said and touched her arm. Y/n rolled her eyes and fell on the floor. Loki ran to her. "Y/n!" He called her and took her in his arms, she looked like she was sleeping. "Don't worry, lover boy, she'll wake up, she has a pretty strong mind." Sylvie said and Loki looked at her with hate. She was positioning the TemPads all around. "What are you doing?" He asked, but she simply looked at him with a smirk. Suddenly, the lights went off.
Loki instinctively hugged y/n, his hands squeezing her to make sure she was there. She moved, her eyes slowly opening but nothing to see around her. "Loki?" She called him. He turned his head toward her even if he was not able to see her. "Y/n, are you okay?" He asked while caressing her face, she could perceive his concern. "Yes, what happened?" She asked. They slowly stood up, Loki never letting go of her for a second. "I don't..." He tried to say but the lights turned up again. Sylvie was standing in front of them, her face a mix between satisfaction and amusement. She opened a portal and jumped into it, her eyes almost inviting Loki to follow her. "Loki..." Y/n whispered, aware of what he was thinking. "I must stop her, please wait here, it's not safe," He said and quickly kissed her, not even giving her the time to oppose. He smiled. "Damn, you're so beautiful, I'll be right back." He mischievously winked and turned, then he jumped in the portal. Y/n looked at him, not sure of how many things had happened in the last thirty seconds, then she heard Mobius running to her, his heavy steps filling her ears. She looked at the portal and cursed inside. "Splendid, what the hell do I do now?".
PART 3
#loki x y/n#loki x you#loki imagine#loki x reader#loki x female reader#loki laufeyson x fem!reader#loki laufeyson x y/n#loki laufeyson x you#loki laufeyson imagine#loki laufeyson x reader#loki odinson imagine#loki odinson x female reader#loki odinson x you#loki odinson x reader#loki odinson x y/n
147 notes
·
View notes
Note
Solomon: Simeon broke the Purgatory Hall's router, so I'm borrowing your guys' router for a bit. Hope you don't mind.
How do bros react?
I'm not gonna lie, I laughed when this came in. I took this as Solomon hanging around the HOL but as I was writing I realized you might have meant Solomon taking the router so I put that in Levi’s part.
Belphegor
He probably wouldn’t notice at first.
Rudely awakened, in his opinion, by an explosion below his room in the attic.
He was going to go back to sleep but when he smelled the lingering smoke, he figured he should check it out.
Yawning, he opens the door and finds Solomon fanning a cauldron while reading through his tablet.
“Belphegor! Did I wake you? I’m sorry, there was an unexpected reaction.”
Always one to get right to the point, Belphie asks, “Why are you here?”
“MC said I could come over. Simeon broke the Purgatory Hall’s router, so I’m borrowing your guys’ for a bit. Hope you don’t mind.”
Belphie furrowed his brow and answered, “No, just keep it down or move somewhere else.” Ultimately he didn’t care as long as his naps wouldn’t be interrupted.
Beelzebub
Beel was on the way out of the kitchen and passed Solomon sitting on the couch in the common room.
He was a few steps from passing the room completely when the sight of Solomon finally registered. He took a few steps back.
Solomon giggled as Beel came back into view. “Hello~”
Beel popped a chip in his mouth as he replied, “Hi Solomon, no offense but what are you doing here?”
“No offense taken, Simeon broke the Purgatory Hall’s router, so I’m borrowing your internet for a bit. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Ah. I don’t mind.” Then a thought popped up, “Does Lucifer know you’re here?”
“MC invited me so I assumed they asked permission.”
Beel nodded, “Probably. See you.” He then headed towards his room to get ready for a run. He also doesn’t really care.
Asmodeus
“Solomon!?” Asmo gasps, “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming over!?”
Solomon sighed, “If I told you then I wouldn’t get any work done.”
“Work?” Asmo walked over and rubbed Solomon’s shoulders. Asmo scanned the papers spread over the dining room table and the website pulled up on Solomon’s laptop.
“Simeon broke the Purgatory Hall's router, so I'm borrowing your guys' router for a bit. Hope you don't mind.”
“Of course not! You’re always welcome!” Asmo smiled warmly at his pact partner.
Solomon couldn’t help smiling back, “Do you want to join us? MC should be back shortly with some snacks.”
“How can I say no to my two favorite humans?” Asmo giggled, “I’ll go grab my school bag.”
Satan
Irritation flared as he came across someone sitting in his favorite chair in the HOL’s library.
The flash of white hair had him seeing red, he was ready to rip Mammon out of the chair with force if needed.
When he stomped around to be face to face with the wrongdoer, he was taken back, “S-Solomon?”
“Oh hi Satan! Doing some reading?” Solomon gestured to the book in the blond’s hand.
“Mhm,” he hummed as he wrangled in his wrath but he couldn’t stop his next statement’s bite, “What are you doing in our library?”
“Simeon broke the Purgatory Hall's router, so I'm borrowing your guys' router a bit for research on this project. Hope you don't mind.”
Satan nodded, “That’s fine.” He resigned himself to his second favorite chair, “Simeon sure does have a penchant for breaking technology in unexplainable ways.”
“Right?” Solomon laughed and the two settled into an amiable silence.
Leviathan
30 minutes to release, Levi reminded himself. One of his favorite animes was premiering their season and series finale and he was binge watching the show to be ready. He had it timed perfectly, he’d wrap up 5 minutes before, get some water and snacks and settle in.
At 20 minutes, his TV and computer both went black. He freaked out and when they both booted up with an interrupted connection error he stormed from his room.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing!?” Levi yelled with a pointed finger as he found Solomon packing up the router.
“Simeon broke the Purgatory Hall's router, so I'm borrowing your guys' router for a bit. Hope you don't mind.”
“I absolutely do mind!” Levi ripped the router from the bag and started plugging it back in. As it reestablished the connection, he looked at the time, 10 minutes!
“Well what am I supposed to do, MC said I could use it for a bit?” Solomon looked to Levi for answers.
Hating to cross MC and also running out of time Levi said, “I don’t know, just work on the project here? I need the internet for the release of the season finale that’s dropping…” another glance at the time, “in 5 minutes! Whatever you do, don’t unplug that router or I’ll come hunt you down.” Levi made a gesture that he was watching the sorcerer and then bolted from the room.
Mammon
He wasn’t doing anything important, just scrolling through Devilgram when the video wouldn’t load. Weird, he thought, refreshed and now his whole timeline wouldn’t load. His D.D.D. was still connected to the internet so he figured Levi was playing around with too many devices.
He pushed himself up out of bed to give the third born a piece of his mind.
On his way to Levi’s room, he found Solomon posted up in the common room. He had his laptop and tablet on the table with paperwork scattered around. It looked like he was taking a break by looking at his D.D.D. just as Mammon had been.
“So it was you, sucking up all the internet,” Mammon accosted.
Solomon jumped, he looked embarrassed to have been caught on his phone, “Hello Mammon. Simeon broke the Purgatory Hall's router, MC said I could borrow your guys' router for a bit. Hope you don't mind.”
Mammon wanted to tell Solomon to get lost but if MC had given the ok... Mammon felt conflicted and when Solomon smiled, he knew he was right where the wizard wanted him.
“Whatever! I’m heading out anyway,” Mammon grumbled and decided to head to a casino, he deserved to blow off some steam.
Lucifer
Lucifer sighed, how did I end up like this? He looked up from his office chair at Solomon typing away on his laptop.
Originally MC asked if Solomon could come over to finish his essay. He hadn’t minded as long as MC was with him, not totally trusting the sorcerer to keep his nose out of the secrets of the House of Lamentation.
Solomon had come over earlier than MC had mentioned, “Simeon broke the Purgatory Hall's router. I hope you don't mind that I’m early but I have other assignments that I need to get done.”
MC wasn’t back yet so Lucifer led him inside and to his office, offering it was a good quiet spot to focus until MC returned. The unsaid added benefit that he could keep Solomon under his watchful eye.
The next time Lucifer looked up, he caught Solomon’s gaze. He narrowed his eyes, “Were you watching me?”
“Maybe,” Solomon shrugged, “Were you watching me?”
Lucifer sighed again as he thought, when was MC going to be back?
#obey me#obey me crack#obey me lucifer#obey me mammon#obey me leviathan#obey me asmodeus#obey me satan#obey me beelzebub#obey me belphegor#my writing#anon squad#obey me solomon
142 notes
·
View notes
Text
home; bday | kth x reader
home; bday | kim taehyung x reader
genre | CEO!taehyung, dad!taehyung, established relationship, fluff
summary | Feelings of home can be found anywhere, he often tells himself. But there’s really only one home.
rating | PG13
word count | 1.5k words
warnings | none
a/n | bcos our taehyungie deserves the softest, warmest, loveliest birthday ever 😌🌻
There’s many things that feel like home to Taehyung. The creases between rumpled sheets, the gentle warmth of the rays of the afternoon sun, even the way all hotel bathrooms seem to look the same till they all blend into a monolith of shiny mirrors and cool marble top counters.
Frequent travel was to be expected with his job, given his position as the CEO. It had taken some getting used to at first, but by now he's well adjusted to the hustle and bustle of airports and the flurry that accompanies cumulatively spending a good quarter of his year living out of a suitcase. The sights and smells and entirely different cultures packed into the numerous cities he’s had to visit no longer daunts him. Not when he began to find little things that always remained the same. Home could be found stashed away in little pockets of the universe, like in the consistent offering of scrambled eggs at hotel breakfast buffets all over the world. Comfort could always be found in even the tiniest of things.
But not today.
Today, the tie around his neck – a blue tie with the signature Gucci snake that he’s normally excited to wear – is mildly suffocating, the stiff collar of his button-down like the looming threat of a chokehold. Sat at the meeting room table as someone drones on, he stares through the immaculately spotless glass of the table to watch his feet as they tap anxiously in his glossy black dress shoes. Somewhere at the back of his mind, a little voice chides him for not paying attention. The presentation is for him after all. But the meeting has spilled fifteen minutes overtime now and it doesn’t seem to be coming to an end any time soon.
Normally, he doesn’t mind. Normally, he recognizes the amount of time and labour that goes into each presentation, and would love to honour that by giving his employees his fullest attention. Normally, he’s anticipating hearing the innovative ideas that they’ve curated for him, more than eager to discuss them and offer his own insights.
But this isn’t a normal day. On a normal day, he wouldn’t have scheduled a midday flight on the day of an important meeting, wouldn’t be checking for the time every two minutes, and most definitely would not do what he’s about to do.
Raising a hand, his velvety baritone cuts across the presenter’s rushed monologue, “I’m really sorry. I know it’s really rude of me to do this, but is it possible for us to wrap this up in the next five minutes?”
“Ah,” the presenter stutters, fiddling with the cuffs of his pressed shirt nervously, “I, um, I have one more component to share on. Just one, and it’s the crucial centrepiece to this idea.”
“Will you be able to cover it in five minutes?” Taehyung asks, skimming through the printout of the deck he’d been given at the start of the meeting.
“Ah, um, no, but-”
Taehyung nods, and returns his gaze to the presenter, all fidgety from being caught off-guard. In his periphery, he watches as a figure saunters down the corridor towards the glass door of their meeting room, the unhurried yet purposeful footsteps so distinctly Stella. Perfect. Right on cue as she always is.
Three knocks sound on the door quietly but confidently. The door swings open and the executive assistant pops her head in, winged eyeliner and red lipstick flawless. “Sorry to interrupt,” she says, addressing the room. Then, she turns to him. “Mr. Kim, your flight timing is steadily approaching and you need to leave very soon. Would you like me to call the driver now?”
“Dependable as ever, Stella,” he says with a smile. “That would be most ideal. This meeting will conclude in three minutes, yes?”
His question is met with docile nods and murmurs of agreement. No one can fight the CEO’s word after all, no matter how benevolent and understanding he normally is.
“Alright, thank you everyone for your time and your effort,” he says, gathering his handouts and slotting the folder into the sleek leather of his hand-carry. He stands, dusting himself off and collecting his belongings. “Not just for this morning’s meeting, but for all that went into the preparation for it as well. I know that we weren’t able to complete our agenda for today, but I will look over the deck in my own time and we can take this conversation online over the next few days.”
From there, it’s a mad rush to the car, hastily swapping his blazer and tie for a plaid trench coat and scarf to combat the winter chill. Stella aids in rolling his luggage across the polished floors of the office, the sharp clacking of her stilettos accenting against the steady thrum of the luggage wheels.
When the luggage’s hauled into the boot of the car, and Taehyung’s strapped in, ready to leave, Stella pauses with a hand on the open door.
“Have a safe flight home, Mr. Kim,” she says, then flashes a tiny smile. “And happy birthday.”
Taehyung laughs. Of course Stella would know. No detail is too small that it would escape her eagle-eyed attention.
“Thank you, Stella.”
“Ok, now go before you miss your plane.”
The car zips off and carries him closer to the only thing that’s been on his mind all day.
It’s a one hour ride to the airport and then a flurry of check-ins and security clearances and then it’s the bit that he hates the most – waiting. The emptiness in waiting – for boarding to begin, for the plane to take off, for the flight to end and the plane to land and the worst by far is waiting in line for the passengers to clear out – it’s agonizing to him. Nothing, not even the clogged ears from the altitude changes, can compare to this awful feeling of having to rush to wait and wait to rush. Especially when it’s compounded with the building anticipation that accompanies the closing of the distance between him and what he really wants.
And so when the cab finally pulls up on the street he loves the most out of all the thousands of streets his work has taken him to see, his heart leaps and he can’t help the grin that spread across his face. The white orbs of the streetlamps cast the shoveled snow on the sidewalk into a luminescent glow amidst the nighttime darkness. Climbing the steps to the front door carefully – how anticlimactic would it be if he were to slip and fall here after the long journey he’s taken to finally now be at the cusp of arriving at his destination – he unlocks the door and crosses the threshold, his footsteps slow and heavy and breaking the sleepy silence that’s blanketed itself like the snow atop the roof of the house.
Shrugging off his winter wear, he hears light footsteps pad their way towards him.
“Daddy?” a sleep-addled and tiny voice calls out.
“It’s me,” he replies softly. “Daddy’s back.”
His daughter gasps and the little footsteps quicken as they run off, and he follows after his 4-year-old into the living room.
“Mummy, mummy,” he hears her sharp whispers. “Quick! Daddy’s home!”
“Wha-?” comes a sleepy voice.
Taehyung enters the living room, toasty and warm from the heater, to find his daughter attempting to shake you awake where you lie bundled up in blankets.
“____,” he murmurs, kneeling next to you. “I’m here.”
In an echo of your daughter’s earlier gasp – you truly were mother and daughter after all – you jolt upright and kick off your blankets. “No! No, no, no, we had something planned for you!”
Hurrying into the kitchen and flicking on the lights as you go, you dash to the fridge. Taehyung can’t help but notice the mixing bowl in the sink and the piping bags left abandoned on the island counter, conspicuous amongst the otherwise spotless kitchen. You weren’t normally this messy, but the unkempt state of both you and the kitchen pointed to some plans going awry. When he looks up to find you, you’re setting a cake on the table. It’s rustic looking, definitely home baked, and the icing is patchy in places. The words Happy Birthday Taehyung are scrawled shakily across the top, and the copious amounts of sprinkles is surely his daughter’s handiwork.
There’s a tug on his pant leg, and he looks down to find his four-year-old gazing up at him. “Do you like it?” she asks. “Mummy and I made it for you! But then we got tired and went to take a nap for too long.”
He holds back tears as he bends to pick her up into his arms. She squeals and squirms against him as he places kisses all over her forehead and little chubby cheeks. “Of course I do,” he says, moving over to wrap you up in a hug with his other arm, giving you a kiss of your own on the lips that he’s been missing for the past week. “I love everything you two do, whether it goes according to plan or not.”
You laugh, burrowing your head into him. “Welcome home,” you say, your warm breath puffing into his neck.
“Yeah,” he breathes, “I’m home.” And he really is, no longer scrounging for bits of it, but taking it in in its entirety.
#ficswithluv#bangtanhq#bangtanarmynet#btswriterscollective#btsbookclub#bangtanfairygarden#btswritingcafe#btswritersguild#taehyung x reader#taehyung fluff#taehyung fic#taehyung oneshot#bts x reader#bts fluff#bts fic#bts oneshot
574 notes
·
View notes
Text
Love Language - Fred Weasley x Reader
A/N - Hey! Sorry I’ve been inactive for a little while, I’ve been super busy with work and stuff, but here’s a fluffy Freddie fic.
Request: Hi! Can I have a Fred Weasley x reader where they’ve been dating for a while and they have a love touch relationship where they always have to be touching in some way. Then umbridge comes in and makes the boys and girls can’t be within 8inches rule
1.3k words
masterlist here
Hogwarts was unbearable for Y/N at the minute. Professor Umbridge had begun to take over the entire school. Every class that she sat in was tense, some of her teachers had lost their jobs, all of the clubs had been banned. But everything seemed okay when Y/N was with Fred. They had been dating for a while now and barely spent a second apart from each other. George used to often make jokes about Fred getting aggravated if he and Y/N weren’t constantly touching. They were basically joined at the hip.
All of that ended one day when a particularly loud noise rang through the halls of Hogwarts. Y/N and Fred were on their way to their Transfiguration class when they heard it.
“Boys and girls are not permitted to be within eight inches of each other.” Umbridge’s voice echoed through the corridor. Y/N’s heart sank immediately, and she looked down at her and Fred’s entangled fingers.
“Don’t worry, love, what’s she going to do? Chop our fingers off?” Fred laughed, shaking his head, “she’s a right hag, isn’t she? Old Umbridge.” Y/N tried to laugh but there was a dull ache in the pit of her stomach, she couldn’t think of anything worse than her and Fred getting into trouble just for holding hands.
“Yeah, I suppose,” she smiled, “We’ll just have to try and be careful, Freddie.”
“Being careful” to Fred meant stolen kisses in the corridors when he thought that no one was looking. He would often grab Y/N’s hand and pull her into a deserted corridor and give her a quick peck on the lips before dashing off as soon as he caught a glimpse of either Filch or Umbridge. They were walking back from Quidditch practice one evening when Fred quickly yanked Y/N’s arm.
“What was that for?”
“That bloody cat,” he yanked his head in the direction of Mrs. Norris who was fast approaching them.
“Shit.”
Without a second thought, Fred grabbed her hand and pulled her into the broom closet down the next corridor.
“Fred! What the hell were you thinking?” she hissed, “if we get caught in here we’ll be in twice as much trouble,”
“I’m sorry,” he said, “I panicked. I barely get to be with you anymore now,”
“We’re together all the time, Freddie,”
“Yeah, but not like together, Merlin, I can’t remember the last time I properly hugged you or held your hand. I hate all of this sneaking around,”
“I know, I hate it too,” Y/N frowned.
“I mean, if it was just me that was going to get into trouble then I’d parade around the corridors holding your hand and kissing you every five minutes,” he smiled, “I’d just hate for you to get into trouble for it.”
Fred gazed into her eyes for a moment, taking in all the features of his girlfriend’s face. He placed one of his hands on her waist and pulled her closer to him. She looked up at him and smiled. God, he would take a hundred detentions with Umbridge just to see her smiling at him. There was a loud creak as the closet door opened abruptly.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Filch drawled.
Y/N and Fred were frogmarched to Umbridge’s office, where she sat at her desk smiling sweetly at them.
“Care to tell me why you and Miss Y/L/N were in the broom closet together, Mr Weasley?” She smiled grimly. Y/N shifted on her feet, glancing at Fred out of the corner of her eye.
“Well, you see,” Fred began, “Y/N here is my girlfriend and you know, this ‘eight inches’ rule isn’t really working out for us,” he glared at her. Umbridge giggled.
“I’m sure you know, Mr Weasley, that this is an educational environment and those kind of relationships aren’t exactly appropriate,” she was still grinning, “a week’s worth of detentions for the both of you should be sufficient then?”
“But-” Fred interrupted.
“No buts. You can start tonight. Take a seat.” She gestured to the chairs in front of her desk where two black quills lay menacingly. Y/N didn’t have the strength to protest, she felt defeated. She felt guilty about feeling a bit angry at Fred for getting them into this mess. However, she sat down and proceeded writing the lines that had been set for them. It wasn’t her first detention with Umbridge and after she had written a few lines, she felt the familiar stinging, burning sensation on the back of her hand.
It was late when her and Fred arrived back to the Common Room. Neither of them spoke a word to each other on the way back. They didn’t speak to each other the next morning either. It wasn’t until they were having dinner that the silence was finally broken.
“Is it a bit frosty at the dining table this evening, or is it just me?” George joked, looking at the pair.
“Just you I reckon, Georgie,” Fred replied snarkily.
“Stop being rude,” Y/N nudged him under the table.
“I think you two need to go talk about whatever is going on,” George said, “Fred’s angst is getting all over my apple pie and custard and I can’t take it any longer,”
“You want to go for a walk?” Y/N stood up, going to reach her hand out for Fred before smiling sadly and tucking it into one of the pockets of her robe instead.
They walked out of the Great Hall and started wandering down the corridors.
“I’m sorry if I’ve been being grumpy, Y/N,” Fred said, glancing at her, “I’m just finding it really difficult not being able to be with you properly,”
“I know,” she smiled at him, pushing her hair out of her face, “George said that you’d been being a bit tetchy, I thought you were just mad at me or something.”
“What?” he stopped in his tracks, “I could never be mad at you, sweetheart,”
Tears started welling up in her eyes, she fiddled with the sleeves of her jumper as she looked at Fred. She could really do with a hug off of him right now, but she didn’t want to risk another detention.
“Erm, Y/N, turn around…”
She was half expecting to see Umbridge pacing towards them and was bracing herself for another argument. Instead, she turned around to face a large, ornate wooden door.
“That wasn’t there before… was it?” she asked, walking towards it cautiously.
“It’s the Room of Requirement, I reckon,” Fred said, placing his hand of the handle, “It only appears to people who really need it.”
Y/N and Fred entered the room. It was decorated plainly, a large plush sofa sat in the middle of the room in front of a roaring fire. Fred threw himself down and pulled Y/N onto his lap. Fred’s touch seemed to linger on her skin, his fingers felt warm as he stroked them up and down her arm comfortingly.
“This is better, isn’t it love?” he smiled, cupping her cheek in his hand and pulling her in for a kiss. Fred’s lips were warm and soft, he kissed her tenderly, playing with a strand of her hair. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, trying to get as close to him as possible. Y/N buried her face in his hair, breathing in the fresh, clean smell that she had missed so much. It felt good to be close to Fred again. She had missed lazily playing with his hair as he napped in the common room, how his fingers were constantly intertwined with hers.
“I never, ever want to leave here, Freddie,” she whispered.
“Me either.” He tucked his face into the crook of her neck, and she could feel him smiling against her skin. In that moment, everything seemed okay. As long as she was with Fred, everything always would be.
#fred wealsey#fred weasley x reader#fred weasley imagine#fred weasley fanfic#fred weasley x y/n#fred and george#fred and george weasley#weasley twins
606 notes
·
View notes
Text
Tag list: @ohpuckyeah, @joelsfarabee, @besthockeyfics. @dreamer1430 @Defiant-Mouse @miracleonice87 @lovethepreds @linkingdolans @chicagostylehockey @heatherlcrosby87 @hockeywocs @shortstacks-blog @heatherawoowoo @newlibrary @markymarkstrom @iangiemae @puckbitchesgetmoney @missymore @himbos-on-ice @fiveholegoal @no-pucks-given @pagirl6866 @willieshakesqueer @nazdaddy @whatishockey @alphalib22 @romanseggy @laurenairay @texanstarslove @konecny-s @cutiesara23 @myhockeyworld87 @extratragic @ squidlywiddly87 @ stuff4me2do
I love these banners, don’t you? Banners made by @whatishockey
Word Count: 5118
CW: angst, smut but not super filthy smut (medium filth?), bad language
Dress and shoes that Nina wore in this chapter
Join the tag list here!
Only three more chapters and an epilogue left
Nina fidgeted as dug into her pocketbook for her keys to her parents’ house. It was time for Sunday dinner, the one meal a week that she wasn’t responsible for cooking and therefore, Nina never missed it. Cooking was not her forte and Nina had no problems with that. However, this Sunday dinner, she needed to talk to her family about their lives changing.
The smell of roast chicken filled the house and Nina took a deep sniff as she opened and closed the door. Aryanna and Dad were watching the late game aka hate-watching the Ravens vs Saints. The Steelers were playing on Monday night this week.
“Heey sweettart,” Vernon said, getting up to give his oldest daughter a hug.
Nina hugged her father back, holding him close for a second. “Hi Dad.”
“Oh no!”
Nina ended the hug, turning with her father towards the tv. Lamar Jackson had just run for a 20-yard touchdown. They all groaned; the Steelers needed the Ravens to lose as both teams were running neck to neck for the AFC North crown. As Nina got absorbed into the game, the situation with Sidney was still in the back of her mind.
Nina had talked to her mom earlier in the day, explaining everything to her mother, well everything but the sex. Tracey had listened with an open ear before telling her daughter not to make a decision over her potential happiness just because of how it could affect her family. Tracey had reminded Nina that Jason, while he was at UNC now, had been a 5-star tight end prospect and they dealt with the media when it was time for him to sign with a college.
After talking to her mom, Nina had taken a nap before coming to sunday dinner. As she watched the game, waiting to eat, Nina hoped for courage. However, she kept it to herself when it was time to eat, instead listening to Aryanna talk about school, her dad talk about his new position at work which meant that he wasn’t going to be going out on the road as much anymore. Nina shared some stories about her clients while Tracey talked about the switch to travel nursing over working in the hospital. But when it was over, Nina gulped and summoned her courage.
“So, I got news,” Nina started once dinner was over and dessert was served. She looked down at her glass of water. Before she could continue, Aryanna piped up. “Let me guess, you’re breaking up with Sidney Crosby because you’re a punk.”
“Aryanna!”
Nina glared at her little sister while Tracey reprimanded, “That was rude, little girl.”
“Sorry,” Aryanna muttered.
“Anyway, before I was rudely interrupted,” Nina said, “I have news. After thinking about it, talking to Sidney, and going over the pros and cons, I’ve decided to give him another chance.”
Tracey smiled as Aryanna shouted yes. Vernon looked at his daughter and carefully said, “Are you ready for it?”
Nina grimaced. “As ready as I can possibly. Are y’all?”
“We only want you to be happy, sweetie,” Tracey consoled. “Plus, I saw those pics of you two. He’s smitten.”
Nina groaned while Aryanna laughed. Vernon added, “We were already planning to move soon anyway. We’ve been looking at homes in South HIlls and we just closed on a house in Mt. Lebanon.”
“Oh wow. When was I going to find out,” Nina said with a smirk. She knew her parents had been thinking of moving for a while but the market had been super hot for a long time. Before she had moved into her current apartment, Nina had heard of the different arguments her parents had about moving to different areas. But before they could find somewhere, someone else would snap it up.
Tracey grinned. “We weren’t going to say anything until we closed because of how long it took to find somewhere. It’s taken almost two years and we even saved enough to offer forty percent as a down payment. It’s a fixer-upper though but it has a bigger backyard for my garden and the schools are better.”
“What are you going to do with this house,” Nina asked before taking a bite of her sweet potato pie. Fuck, she wished she could bake and cook just so she could make herself sweet potato pie all of the time.
Vernon replied, “Probably sell. There are people looking to buy even though this area isn’t that great. ”
“I guess it’s settled. This is exciting though.”
Tracey snickered before looking at her husband. “I hope you are still excited when we need you to help pack, Ni-ni.”
Nina looked to her right before taking out her phone and sending a quick message. Free monday? 12pm?
She received a quick response. Yup, just tell me where to meet
Vernon casually commented, “I’m also looking at it this way; this is a practice for when Jason is in the NFL and becomes famous.”
“Good point,” Tracey said. “I can start practicing telling people no even more now.”
Nina laughed. “Looks like I have nothing to worry about then.”
The conversation switched to the Steelers game tomorrow night as they finished dessert.
**
Honestly, Sidney was a bit surprised to get a message from Nina so quickly. He had fully expected her to wait until Wednesday and he had been preparing himself for the worst possible outcome. As a competitor, prepping for each game meant learning his opponents’ strengths and weaknesses. Nina wasn’t his opponent but Sidney was now very aware of the power she had over him with just one look, let alone her touch or words.
Nina had asked to meet somewhere that wasn’t at their homes. Sidney suggested lunch but after looking at his schedule, he asked if Nina could maybe meet him at the Pens offices and then get lunch after. Fidgeting in the smaller conference room, Sidney began to worry that Nina wouldn’t show up when the clock showed that it was already five minutes past the time they agreed to. But then, Nina wasn’t the most on time person either so Sidney rationalized to himself, he should worry if it was fifteen minutes passed and she still wasn’t here.
Then outside the door, Sidney saw Nina talking with Evelyn, one of their PR mavens. They were having an animated discussion and Sidney smiled softly. Nina opened the door and grinned at him. “Hi Sid, sorry for being late.”
Evelyn waved at Sidney and he waved back. After Nina walked in, Evelyn peeped in and said, “I was just catching up with Nina since it’s been a while since she’s been here.”
Sidney nodded as Nina replied, “thank you so much for the advice, Evelyn, I will definitely use it!”
Evelyn waved goodbye before closing the door firmly. Nina chose a chair directly across from Sidney and sat down. There was a brief pause before Nina giggled. “Oh my God, you looked like you were about to die before I showed up.”
“Well, I had to remind myself that you’d show up but part of me still was worried because of everything in our last conversations,” Sidney replied.
The aura in the room turned serious as Nina bit her lip and folded her hands together. “Yeah, those conversations,” Nina started. “I like you a lot, Sidney Crosby, but… I hate this circus that surrounds you. I know that it’s something you can’t control but I hate it. But I realized, especially after talking to my mom, there’s nothing I can do about it now. My life’s forever changed.”
Sidney cleared his throat but Nina stopped him. “Let me finish, Sid because I can already tell you’re ready to make promises you can’t keep. So let me save both of us the headache.”
Sitting back, Sidney leaned in his chair. “What are your plans, pretty girl?”
“You have to get over being super private and claim me publicly. You want me to be yours, Mr. Crosby? Then you have to let the world know we are together. No are they or aren’t they bullshit.”
Nina glared at Sidney when she was done. Sidney flushed; part of him hated the idea of letting the world know more than they really needed to know about his personal life. At the same time, he already knew he was going to do whatever Nina asked him to, in his own way. “You know I don’t use social media,” Sidney began before trailing off. Then he smirked.
Nina casually said, “you’ll find a way.”
“I already figured it out,” Sidney drawled. “What else do you want, pretty girl?”
“No more surprise meet ups with people from the team, let me know ahead of time. Just like I’ll let you know ahead of time whenever I decide you should meet my fam.”
Sidney actually blushed while Nina arched an eyebrow. “I know I’m amazing but that was a bit uncomfortable when I think back. At least you didn’t abandon me to talk to your teammates and let me fend for myself.”
“I’m sorry, Nina,” Sidney apologized. He felt really bad now: he had been so excited that he really didn’t think about how Nina would have felt. Nina shrugged; it wasn’t that bad to be honest because Sidney stayed at her side, introduced her to everyone, and made sure she was included. But that didn’t mean she wanted him to continue doing that.
Nina smiled at Sidney and asked, “what do you think, Sid?”
Sidney scratched his jaw as he thought of his reply. It was relatively simple but it would also be life-changing for him. He finally said, “Yes, it all sounds good. But I have one thing?”
“What’s that?”
Sidney smirked as he looked Nina up and down. Nina rolled her eyes as she smiled. She could guess where his mind was, right in the gutter. But Sidney surprised her when he said, “Then let me spoil you. I have no problem claiming you publicly, but I want you to let me treat you like I’ve been wanting to treat you.”
Nina gave Sidney a bashful smile before looking to the side. “I’ll never say no to purses and shoes but I don’t want you to buy out the store-“
“I already know that, sweetheart,” Sidney firmly said, “but let me treat you like you deserve.”
“Okay, okay,” Nina conceded.
Sidney pushed his chair back, making space. Then he patted his lap. “Come ‘ere.”
Nina got out of her chair and sat on Sidney’s lap. “You know where we are,” she hissed even though she had obeyed him.
Wrapping an arm around her waist, Sidney smiled. Smelling her coconut-vanilla scent, he realized how much he had missed her. “I know, I’m not going to do anything inappropriate, pretty girl. Just missed having you close to me.”
Sidney kissed the back of Nina’s neck, causing her to shiver. “Watch the postgame of our next game, Nina. Now, what do you want for lunch?”
“Um, honestly, I want Chipotle. I have to get back to work in about an hour so nothing fancy,” Nina replied.
Turning so that she was facing Sidney, she placed her index finger over his lips when he opened his mouth. “I forgot to add this earlier but I’m also going to say this now. I’m not quitting my job anytime soon. I’m going to finish my Ph.D. and if I decide to stop working, it’s because I plan to teach full-time. So, if you expect I’ll be waiting at home and living for you, now you know that’s not going to happen,” Nina stated.
Sidney opened his mouth to reply but the door opened. “Hey, I’ve been looking for you, Sidney!”
Nina squeaked in surprise and Sidney sighed. It was Brian Burke and Sidney was sure that it was probably something important but this wasn’t quite the moment where he wanted to see him.
Brian smiled. “It looks like you two have made up.”
Nina weakly waved. At first, she was going to move off of Sidney’s lap but his hand around her waist made that impossible. “I’d introduce myself but I figure I interrupted,” Brian continued.
“It’s okay, I was on my way to get lunch,” Nina replied.
Sidney added, “With me.”
“Don’t forget, you said you wanted to help with more planning for our pride game this season,” Brian reminded Sidney.
“Ohh, the pride game! You’re getting more involved in it? That’s awesome,” Nina exclaimed.
Sidney blushed as he smiled under Nina’s praise.
“Would you be interested in being involved, Nina,” Brian asked.
Nina paused for a second, her eyes wide. “Um, sure.”
“I can get your contact information from Sidney,” Brian asked.
Nina nodded as Sidney rubbed his hand up and down her back. Sidney said, “I’ll let you know,” as Brian closed the door.
Placing a hand over her face, Nina sighed. “Wow.”
“It’s fine. Look, your first volunteer project,” Sidney kidded.
“I need to eat.”
**
The game against the Isles had gone well. Sidney had tallied two assists and a goal in a 4-2 win after having a four game slump. Normally post-game interviews were a necessary evil but he was a bit nervous this time. Not because he knew they were going to ask about getting out of his slump, but because of what he was going to say.
The first couple of questions were easy softballs. Then Sidney was hit with the question that opened the door.
“Sidney, great breaking your slump. There were rumors that your personal life was affecting your game on the ice. What do you think about that?”
Sidney looked at the reporters, all ready for him to give a cliche. Instead, Sidney admitted the truth. “My personal life was affecting my game on the ice. But we’ve fixed our issues and I’m glad.”
There was a pause, as if the reporters didn’t know where to start. Sidney looked at one of the PR interns to the side. The intern gave him a slight smile and a quick thumbs up. Sidney decided to continue, “We prefer to keep our relationship private for now but she means a lot to me and is very important to my life. I will not be answering any more questions about my relationship at this moment.”
Luckily, the rest of the questions were about hockey but Sidney knew that his statement was going to be a big part of what everyone was going to talk about. Once back in the locker room, Geno gave Sidney a big grin. Tanger said, “You did it?”
“Yeah but I’m serious, I’m not going to answer a bunch of questions about my personal life,” Sidney replied. “Now though, every time we struggle, the dumbasses will start talking about it.”
Tanger grimaced as Geno said, “Fuck them.”
Guentzy laughed as he stated, “I agree with Geno. Fuck them.”
Sidney laughed as he pulled his shirt off before pulling off his pads. Sitting in his crocs, hockey pants and pads, Sidney pulled out his phone. There was just one message from the only person who’s opinion mattered to him, wow😍 .
Sidney replied back, made it official for u but in the way u wanted 😁😏
😘🥰 part of me can’t believe it but i’m happy u listened to me, was Nina’s reply.
Sidney texted, only 4 u, before finishing getting undressed so he could take a shower.
**
To be totally honest, Nina thought her life would have exploded the minute that Sidney admitted that he was seeing someone in the post-game conference after the Isles game. It wouldn’t take much to put 2 and 2 together, especially when she went out with Sidney and the Malkins to a popular Shadyside restaurant the day after. But things were relatively calmer.
There were still the nasty looks from other people, especially women when Nina was out by herself, running her everyday errands. But there were also people who seemed to defer to her and it felt so fucking weird. Like, if she wanted to, Nina felt like people were ready to let her do whatever she wanted because she was now Sidney Crosby’s girlfriend.
Nina bit her lip as she waited in line to pay for her groceries. Then someone bumped into her and it was Ron. “Hey Nina, long time no see.”
“Hi Ron,” Nina replied with a strained smile.
“Not everyday one sees their ex. Look at you, shopping like the rest of us. Your man ain’t ordering groceries for you.”
Nina resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She could feel the eyes of other people at Weis and she knew there were people looking for something to gossip about. Nina definitely didn’t want to give Ron the satisfaction of a reaction. She merely replied, “I have my own life I have to take care of on my own.”
“Oh wow, because I remember the way you two were looking at each other that time we went out on a date. Makes me think you were cheating on me with him,” Ron goaded.
Nina gave him a blank look. “We were long over, for almost three years, before I went out with Sidney. But you had two other women when we were a couple,” Nina stated with a shrug. “Anyway, it’s my turn to check out. Bye.”
Nina tuned Ron out as she checked out. The cashier commented, “That guy seems like a dick.”
“You live and you learn,” Nina replied with a smile as she paid, unaware that someone had uploaded video of that encounter to the internet.
**
Sidney gulped down his protein shake, home after practice. The season was starting well but he felt like the team could be better. Sidney wanted another cup, one more cup and he felt like this was the year. Then his phone buzzed and he saw it was his mom.
“Hi Mom,” Sidney said, sitting on his sofa. He had some time before he needed to get ready for tonight and it was always good to talk to his mother.
Trina chirped, “Hi Sidney, how are you?”
“I’m doing good, short practice today before our game against New Jersey tomorrow,” Sidney idly replied as he turned his tv on. Flipping through Netflix, he chose an episode of How I Met Your Mother.
He could hear his mother’s smile through the phone when she teased, “Your father told me you told the press that you are seeing someone last week. Is it that girl you kept talking about over the years?”
Sidney giggle-honked before admitting, “Yes, it is. I’m finally dating Nina.”
“Are you sure it’s a good idea? This is something totally different for you,” Trina asked, concerned. Her son had a relationship with Kathy but this situation with this new girl was something totally different. Part of her was worried that since Sidney had wanted this girl for so long, that he was diving into this without really thinking about it.
Sidney replied, “You sound like Nina.”
“Hmm, I do?”
“Yep, Mom, you did,” Sidney said, “Nina wasn’t sure if it was a good idea for a long time but I managed to convince her it was.”
Trina was still feeling skeptical. From what she knew, this girl was from the area, a fan of the team, a different race, and had worked for the team for a period of time. It was possible she could be playing the long game. “Is she there with you now?”
Knowing her son, Trina was convinced that Nina was already living with her son. Her son, when he decided he wanted something, went all out to get it. She was surprised when Sidney said, “No, she’s at work, then she has class.”
“Class,” Trina asked, her tone perking up. This sounded interesting.
Sidney informed his mother, “Nina decided to get a PhD in rehabilitation science this year. She works as a physical therapist.”
“That sounds interesting, isn’t that how you met her,” Trina idly said. The door opened and Troy stepped in. Trina put her finger to her mouth to shush her husband.
Sidney scratched his head, wondering where his mother was going with these questions. “Yes. Nina works somewhere else totally different now. But she’s looking into becoming a professor after guest lecturing at, I think, Pitt.”
Trina raised her eyebrows. That was interesting information. Switching the conversation to more mundane subjects, Trina filed that information in the back of her head. It sounded like this Nina was a bit more well-rounded than she thought.
Sidney sighed when he hung up on his mother. That conversation felt like one thing but he could sense there was another undercurrent. Then he received a picture message from Nina and his mind went straight to the gutter. Sidney sighed; it was going to be a long night.
**
“You look very nice.”
Nina smiled as she replied, “Thank you,” to the guest.
It was kind of last minute, this dinner that Nina found herself invited to. It was thrown by Nathalie and most of the top brass of the Penguins were here as well as Sidney, the Letangs, and the Malkins. Because Sidney had gone public with their relationship, Nina had found herself suddenly invited. Luckily for her, Nina already had an appropriate cocktail dress for the occasion.
Her dress was black with an asymmetrical one shoulder with a bow but it came to just above knee level. Nina’s heels were gold, an impulse purchase several months ago that she was happy to have. The outfit was classy, understated, and definitely Penguins colors.
Sidney seemed to like it as well from the way his arm stayed possessively around Nina’s waist whenever possible. At least it wasn’t a public event; the possessiveness would have looked bad. But because it was informal and in a private room at PPG arena, Sidney was able to get away with it.
The length was a blessing and a curse. A blessing that it meant that Sidney couldn’t try to do any funny business during dinner but a curse in that the more he touched her, the more Nina wanted him. By the end of the night, it was obvious that Sidney was getting close to losing his cool and Nina was loving it.
As soon as they got into the car at the end of the night, Sidney pounced. His lips touched hers, demanding and devouring as he kissed her. Then abruptly, Sidney let go. “You'd been torturing me all night in that little black dress. So sexy, the way it showed off my pretty girl’s body.”
Sidney already knew that Nina was perfect in every way anyway. However, as soon as he saw her step in with that black dress and gold heels, it took every ounce of media training and self-control for Sidney not to strip it off of her and fuck her right there. Right now, he was glad that he hired a car after this event.
Sidney didn’t even do anything in the car other than keep his hand on Nina’s thigh. The difference was that he told Nina every filthy thing he planned to do to her once he got her home. Nina wiggled on the seat, her legs shifting as Sidney whispered what he planned to do to her. It was insane, what he could do to her with his words.
Nina had expected Sidney to push her against the wall when they got back to his place but instead, he just guided Nina to the kitchen before taking out two glasses. Picking out a wine, Sidney poured two glasses.
“I’ve missed you in my bed but I’m patient,” Sidney stated, his hands palming Nina’s ass before giving both cheeks a smack. Then Sidney picked up the glasses of wine and passed one to Nina.
Nina smirked. “I’m not,” she said as she took a sip.
“Can’t be patient for me, pretty girl?”
Nina shrugged as she took another sip. Then she delicately licked a drop that was on her lower lip, causing Sidney to visibly grunt and shudder. “Maybe,” Nina finally replied.
“Good.”
Sidney sat down in a chair and patted his lap. Nina sat on his lap, the hem of her dress riding up. “Did you have a good time?”
“I actually did for something that was pretty last minute. Don’t ask me if I remember everyone’s name yet.”
“That’s okay,” Sidney reassured Nina. “No one expects you to remember everyone, yet.”
Nina snorted before taking another sip of her wine. Idly, Sidney added, “Fuck, I love this dress.”
“Maybe if you move your hands higher underneath it, you’ll get a surprise,” Nina taunted. Licking her lips, she winked.
Unable to resist a challenge, Sidney moved his hand higher and higher. Then he whistled when he realized Nina’s surprise. “You went commando all night and didn’t tell me?”
“I’m lucky this dress was lined so well that no one could tell,” Nina admitted. “But it was worth it.”
“How,” Sidney asked as his hand touched Nina’s pussy. She was already wet.
Nina smirked. “Because I knew if you found out tonight, the look on your face would have been priceless.”
Sidney ignored that statement as he stroked Nina’s core with his fingers. Rolling her clit with his fingers, Sidney hissed at the idea that Nina was here, with him tonight. His pretty girl, perfect in his lap. "I love how wet you get for me, pretty girl."
"Only for you, daddy," Nina moaned as she clutched his shoulders. Sidney growled at her words, her pussy clenching harder on his fingers.
Suddenly, Sidney picked Nina up and placed her on the table. Nina smiled as she hiked up her dress and spread her legs. Sidney licked his lips. “We’re gonna see how many times you cum for me tonight, pretty girl.”
“Fuck, I can’t wait,” Nina moaned as his mouth met her core.
**
Sidney woke, at first disoriented because someone else was in his bed and curled up on top of him. Then he realized it was Nina and he relaxed. Her head was on top of his chest, one arm on him as she slept on her side. Carefully extracting himself, Sidney went to the bathroom. After relieving himself, he watched Nina continue to sleep, now curled into herself. Sidney took a quick picture, it was so cute. However, after taking the picture, he checked his messages. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he chanted.
Nina opened her eyes slowly, her body deliciously sore after last night. Stretching out her arms, she sleepily asked, “What’s wrong, Sid?”
“Seems like someone has something against you, pretty girl,” Sidney said, suppressing his fury.
Nina’s eyes snapped open, sleep now forgotten. Sitting up, she queried, “What happened?”
“There's a video of you with some guy at a market.”
Grimacing, Nina sighed. “I ran into Ron while getting groceries. He was being a jagoff asshole.”
“You don’t look bad at all, PR thinks you handled it perfectly.”
Nina got off the bed and walked over to Sidney. Wrapping her arms around him, she pleaded, “Fuck him and fuck whoever took video.”
Snuggling into Sidney’s chest, Nina nipped one of his nipples. “Plot your revenge later, Sid. It’s eight am and I know you have a maintenance day today. Come back to bed.”
“‘Come back to bed?’ You know this is my bed,” Sidney joked. His anger was going away each second that Nina was pressed against him, her lips giving him little kisses and bites on his upper body.
Nina looked up at Sidney, giving him soulful eyes. “Please, daddy?”
Trailing her hands around his neck, Nina murmured, “I’ve been so good. Please?”
“Fuck, how can I say no,” Sidney groaned as Nina giggled. Picking her up, he tossed her on the bed.
Scooting back, Nina spread her legs as Sidney settled in the middle of them. “I love the way you fuck me, Sidney.”
Sidney smirked, his brown eyes smoldering as he crouched over Nina. “Oh do you?”
“Yes, I do,” Nina hummed, her fingers tugging on his chain. “You should do it again.”
Sidney settled between Nina’s thighs, pulling her legs around his waist. His lips lowered to hers in a gentle kiss. Slow and drugging, enough to make both of them red hot for each other, full of promise. Pulling away, Sidney nipped Nina’s lower lip. Nina sucked her lip into her mouth, her brown eyes meeting Sidney’s. Cupping Nina’s chin, Sidney reminded her, “How do you ask, pretty girl?”
“Please fuck me, daddy,” Nina asked, her body arching towards his. “Make me yours.”
“Good girl.”
**
Nina tried hard not to feel self-conscious as she made her way to the ice-level with Aryanna, Catherine and her children, and Anna with Nikita. It had been a week since that awful article with video from her interaction with Ron. It had been set up to make Nina look like a gold digging whore and it hurt to have guys, guys she had only gone out with once or twice, say things that made her seem horrible. Nina hadn’t admitted that part to Sid when he was in a fury about it. Lauren had reminded Nina that men tend to be assholes about women that they couldn’t have and that Nina was way beyond their level even before her current relationship.
Even though Nina had distracted Sidney that morning, by the afternoon, that article was off the internet. A radio host had mentioned it and then within an hour, issued an apology for talking about it. However, it was forgotten pretty quickly as more people cared about the Steelers potentially staying undefeated with a game coming up against the Browns.
Nina smiled as they reached the ice. The team was doing warm-ups and Sidney was in the midst of his pregame rituals. She actually had more enjoyment from watching Aryanna react to watching the guys on the ice. Tanev gave the glass near them an ice shower while Geno and Kris had greeted Nina and Aryanna while saying hi to their families. Then, very unexpectedly, Sidney broke one of his traditions and came over. Giving the glass a small shower, Sidney waved at Aryanna before smirking at Nina. Nina smirked back before giving Sid a little wave.
As people took pictures of Sid waving to her, Nina smiled. She could live with this, maybe. ‘No, that was a lie’, Nina thought as they made their way to the family box. She was going to have to live with this now, it was too far gone to go back. And she didn’t want to.
#sidney crosby#sidney crosby imagines#Sidney Crosby imagine#Sidney Crosby smut#sidney crosby fic#hockey imagine#hockey fic#hockey imagines#hockey rpf#nhl rpf#nhl imagine#nhl imagines#nhl fanfiction#nhl fic#nhl smut#smut#penguins imagines#penguins imagine#penguins fic#all bets are off#hockey fanfiction#crosby fic#Crosby rpf#hockey smut#nhl writing#hockey writing
162 notes
·
View notes
Last Seen Blogs
phobialicious
Is this really blogging
sunlitslumber
Sunlitslumber
fyuuun
ハヤセ フウ
triciasv23jn
Wizard&Shadowhunter&Semigod&Mockingkay&