#defending jacob spoilers | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

navybrat817 · 1 year

Text

A Sunny Outlook

Pairing: Tattoo Artist!Andy Barber x Female Reader Summary: After everything Andy has been through, his outlook on life is a bit jaded. Until you show up. Word Count: Almost 1.3k Warnings: Defending Jacob spoilers/Mix of canon and canon divergent (talk of divorce, child death), slight angst, opposites attract, future smut and feels (it's me), Andy Barber (he's a warning, okay?). A/N: Tenth and final day of my Naughty & Nice Nonsense belongs to new couple, Grumpy and Sunny! Set in the same AU as Hottie and Sugar, I mixed up my list a bit and plan to share Thorn and Rose at a later date. ❤️ Not beta read and written on my phone, so any and all mistakes are my own. Banner and moodboard by yours truly. Andy edit by the beautiful @randomagnes0210. Please follow @navybrat817-sideblog for new fics and notifications. Comments, reblogs, feedback are loved and appreciated!

If you would’ve told Andy Barber years ago that he’d be living his life today as a tattoo artist, he wouldn’t have believed you. He had his path carved out. Life didn’t care what people wanted though, no matter how hard they worked to get it.

“Um, Mr. Barber?” Jake called out to him from the desk.

"How many times have I told you to call me 'Andy'? For fuck's sake," Andy snapped.

"Sorry, Mr. Bar- Andy!"

Andy took a deep breath in and slowly exhaled. He didn't mean to snap at Jake. He was a good guy. One of the nicest around. It wasn't his fault he was in a bad mood.

Which was his mood most days.

"No, I'm sorry," he said.

He wasn’t always a jaded man. Though his dad had been in jail his entire life, he thankfully had a good childhood overall. It helped set him on his path to become a lawyer, as he wanted to help others. He also made a promise to himself to be a good father if that day would ever come. He thought he had that chance to make that dream a reality with his college sweetheart, Laurie.

As a lawyer, he enjoyed his work. It challenged him and helped him grow. It was also stressful depending on the case. Long hours and seeing some people at their worst didn’t always leave him in the best headspace. But he had his wife and they had their son, Jacob.

Life was good.

Until his world got a little darker.

“This isn’t working, Laurie.”

“No, it isn’t."

Andy couldn’t put his finger on why and he wasn’t sure if it was good or bad that Laurie was on the same page. Love took a lot of work and sometimes it wasn’t enough to make a marriage last. Not that they didn’t give it a try. They met with a counselor. Neither of them stepped out on each other. They wanted desperately to make it work for their kid.

But the loss of their son solidified the end of their marriage.

“Andy, I know you blame me.”

The thing is Andy didn’t put that on her. It was the bad weather that caused her to spin out of control. But she carried guilt for fighting with their son before the crash. It was something she couldn’t let go of.

The divorce was as ammicable as it could be, but it didn’t stop him from feeling like a failure. Work couldn’t distract him either. How was he expected to help people, some who were not even innocent, when he couldn’t help himself?

Tears filled his eyes as he sat in his empty house, trying to figure out what the hell was he supposed to do with his life. He didn’t want to go back into the office. He also didn’t want to drink himself to death. In a drunken stupor he called an old friend of his.

Steve Rogers.

One of the most honorable men Andy had the pleasure of knowing. While he went off to law school, Steve joined the army. The last he heard, he became a tattoo artist with another friend and army buddy, Bucky Barnes. He felt like an ass calling when he hadn’t reached out in so long, but the inebriated part of his brain didn’t process that.

“I don’t know what to do,” was all he said on the voicemail.

He woke up the next morning with a text message from Steve: “You any good at drawing?”

It was the beginning of his new chapter.

"You are never gonna get laid if you keep snapping at everyone," Hal winked as he walked by his chair.

"Get fucked," he said with only a hint of malice as Hal chuckled.

"I'm tryin'!"

"Give him a break," Steve said from his station, but he was smiling, too.

Like Jake, it was hard to get mad at a guy like Hal. A charming piercer who drifted from place to place before he met up with Steve and Bucky, he did some of the best work in the city. He was sure some came into the new shop just to hit on him.

"What is it, Jake?" he asked as he stood up and stretched.

"Your consultation is here about the sun tattoo," he explained, pushing his glasses further up on his nose. "Said she saw some of your work online."

Andy took another breath. He prided himself on the portfolio he built. It took him time to build and he didn't have as much clientele as Steve and Bucky, but he was slowly catching up. He was proud of the work he accomplished.

"Yeah, send her over," he said. He had a few minutes before his next appointment. "Thanks."

Jake rushed off before he could say another word, likely afraid he'd snap again. He'd have to apologize again later. He should've been happy. The opening of the shop went well. He liked his place in the city.

What the hell was his problem?

"Hi!"

Andy blinked when you stood in front of him. He wasn't used to seeing such a cheerful smile on someone’s face. Not directed at him, at least. He would've thought it was fake if not for the kindness in your eyes.

Ironic that you wanted a sun tattoo since he saw the world as much darker a long time ago.

Would the sun still shine in your eyes if I had you spread out under me?

Where the fuck did that thought come from?

He didn't lust after potential clients. He hadn't even done one night stand after Laurie. Why did seeing your happy, beautiful face make him want to change his mind?

Why did your smile get to him?

"Um, I can come back another time," you offered, as if you inconvenienced him by walking over.

The mere presence of you rendered Andy speechless until he remembered he had to speak.

"No, it's okay. Please, have a seat," he stood up to pull a chair over. "I'm Andy."

Your smile was back on your face as you gave him your name.

Beautiful, just like you.

"I just want to say real quick that I love your work,” you said as you took out your phone. “I can’t believe I was lucky enough to get in so quickly.”

"I appreciate that,” he said. The compliment meant a lot. “It’s a sun tattoo you want, right?"

“Yeah. My friends call me Sunny because I’m what they call a ‘big ball of sunshine’,” you explained.

“I can’t imagine why,” he deadpanned. You looked like you were trying to hold in a laugh as you set your phone down. “Something funny?”

“Do people tell you that you’re grumpy?” you asked curiously. "Or is it a requirement that at least half of the staff here have to look intimidating?"

His eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he wasn’t the least bit offended. “People tell me almost every day."

“I can’t imagine why,” you echoed with a smile.

"And if only half of us look intimidating, then we aren't doing our job."

“Don't worry. I won't tell," you mock whispered.

He actually smiled back at you before he frowned and cleared his throat. He refused to let you consume his thoughts, even if your bright aura began to chip away at his tough exterior. “Then why don’t you tell me more about your tattoo.”

He listened intently as you explained the kind of sun design you wanted and where. He had a feeling by the time he finished your consultation, he'd be in a much better mood. Even if he didn’t want to be. And your tattoo would be his best work yet.

Andy's world may be a bit brighter thanks to you. ❤️ Love and thanks for reading! ❤️

Masterlist ⚓ Andy Barber Masterlist ⚓ Ko-Fi

#navybrat writes #navy's naughty & nice nonsense #andy barber x reader #andy barber x female reader #andy barber x you #andy barber x y/n #tattoo artist!andy barber x reader #andy barber #tattoo artist!andy barber #grumpy and sunny #andy barber fanfiction #andy barber imagine #andy barber au #chris evans x reader #chris evans x female reader #chris evans x you #chris evans

808 notes · View notes

sarahrogersevans · 8 months

Note

Oooh fluff where andy barber takes care of his new baby girl with his new wife, reader. jacob died here

Second Chance At Happiness- Andy Barber wife!xreader

Summary: Andy takes care of his new baby daughter with his new wife and still misses his son Jacob but gives his daughter and wife so much love and gets a second chance of happiness

Warnings: mild very mild spoilers of Defending Jacob series! Though barely anything mentioned, Fluff, angsty, flashbacks of memories, happy Andy, soft Andy, let me know if I miss anything

~Andy’s POV~

I couldn’t believe how lucky I got with Y/N and our daughter Lilly, after everything I went through in the past I wasn’t sure if I’d fall in love again let alone have another child but I honestly couldn’t be happier. Our daughter Lilly is now two years old and so beautiful just like her mom Y/N. Y/N saw me walk in after I got home from work and she brought Lilly over and said “Hi Andy welcome home! look honey, daddy’s home why don’t you go say hi to daddy while I go get dinner out of the oven.” “Hey Y/N my love and oh good hi pretty girl.” She handed me Lilly and I took her in my arms carefully and said “hi darling how are you doing today hmm? Were you a good girl for mommy today?” I kissed her cheek and we went to sit down and I handed her one of her toys while we waited for dinner to be ready.

Later after we all ate dinner together I read a bedtime story to Lilly and when she fell asleep I softly said “the end.. goodnight sweet girl I love you very much sweet dreams.” I pulled the blanket a bit more on her and turned off the light and went to bed and cuddled with Y/N for a bit.

Y/N laid her head on my chest and I put my arm around her and rubbed her back gently. Y/N said “I’m getting a little jealous of Lilly I think you might love her more than me.” She teased and winked at me and I chuckled and said “no way Y/N I love you both equally and I adore you so much babe you make me so happy but I do love our daughter a lot I can’t believe this is all real sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve this ..” I thought back to everything that happened with my ex wife and my son Jacob and I sighed sadly and Y/N knew everything that happened and she comforted me and said “hey shhh you deserve to be happy Andy I love you and Lilly does too ok? It’s gonna be alright Andy, we’re here and we’re not going anywhere I promise.” She smiled and kissed me softly and I put my hand on the back of her head and leaned in to kiss her more and I leaned my forehead against Y/N’s softly and I whispered “I love you and Lilly both so much I’m so thankful for you both I don’t know what I’d do without you honey.” Y/N and I held each other all night and no matter what happens I knew I’d do anything for my family.

During the night I had a nightmare and memories of the trial, the accident and the arrest and seeing my dad a few years ago came flooding back so I went to sit in Lilly’s room to check on her and I watched her sleep for a bit and just seeing that she was safe and asleep in her bed made me smile so much and I heard Y/N come in quietly and she rubbed my shoulders and kissed my head and said “nightmares again honey?” I nodded my head and hugged her tight and felt a few tears escape my eyes and I said “I love you baby I swear I will love and protect you both no matter what happens you both will always have me you both mean so much to me Y/N, I can’t lose you or Lilly..” Y/N kissed my cheek and whispered “shhh it’s ok Andy I know we love you so much and you won’t lose us ok? Lilly is safe and I’m here with you honey it’s alright it’s gonna take time but I promise you’ll be alright I’ll be right here helping you through this my love, I love you so much Andy I’m so glad I married you.”

That moment when Y/N said that I kissed her forehead and felt happy for the first time in a very long time and I knew this felt right.

Hi Luv! I hope this is close to what you wanted 😊💜xx enjoy!

Taglist:

@jessybarnes

@lokiandbuckysdoll

@sunshine-on-my-mind

86 notes · View notes

shininglikeyoursmile · 8 months

Text

In the waves of your love , I wish to drown🌊🌊🌊

Pairing: Andy barber x reader

Warning: fluff and implied smut at the very end, no spoilers for defending Jacob.

Word count: around 300

Main Masterlist

A/n : I love him .

sorry for any grammatical error . No beta read , all mistakes my own!

Reblogs and feedback are always and most appreciated 🥰🥰🥰 please let me know what you think, dear !❤️

Not that it's a secret that Andy loves you

But he never misses any chance to show you how much

He always have his hand resting on your back , his touch providing a sense of comfort and safety

Always kisses your forehead like morning, evening, noon, night

He hugs you whenever he sees you , before leaving for work, after coming back, when you achieve something, when you smile

He makes you dance with him after you both finish dinner or in the meantime, when you're him make breakfast

When you both go out he does a little slow dance, without any background music , just both of you staring at each other, giggling at silly jokes or appreciating each other in your lives

His favorite move is the one where you rest your head on his shoulder, your back to his chest and both your hands intertwined with his , while he sways you both

Just before your date start he takes both your hands in his, kissing each one softly , while he stares intently. His gaze never falters even when you shy away and just when you scold him with a light chuckle followed by whine of his name he chuckles back at your reaction

He softly cups your face and leans in to kiss your lips softly, stroking your cheek with his thumb and humming in the kiss

He starts with how much he appreciate you, how beautiful you are not only in appearance but as in your personality too

He tells you that your smile is one of his favorite, and that always makes you smile

You both go out for ice cream or any desserts after your date while walking

You both find it comforting when you both talk while walking for a while

You both play silly games after finishing your deserts, finding an odd comfort when the sky turns black

Like hide and seek, catching each other , blindfolding the 9ther while the one laughs and giggles uncontrollably

The date are mostly once a week , you both agreed , but it could be any day if you want to

The only difference is the food and rest is same at home

Your home. Your Andy. And You

He brings you mini toys of Marvel characters, pens, diary , stickers cause he knows how much you like those

You both go shopping like twice a month , and he showers you with anything you ask for

Always holds your hand in public, a gesture you find comforting

And after your trips you both end up on the couch, cuddling, talking about stuff, or on bed with you screaming his name from pleasure....

#chris evans #andy barber #andy barber x reader #andy barber fanfiction #andy barber fluff #andy barber fic #chris evans fanfiction #chris evans imagines #andy barber imagine #andy barber x female reader #andy barber x you #andy barber x y/n #andy barber x black!reader #defending Jacob #chris evans fluff #chris evans fandom #chris evans fic

96 notes · View notes

mylevisdontfitanymore · 4 months

Note

I just came back from watching Wonka with my mum and IMMEDIATELY ran to Tumblr to tell somebody, so sorry if these are spoilers, but there's a song in the movie called "Sweet Tooth" and they sing about bribing somebody with chocolate by compelling their sweet tooth, and there's a line that says "don't look at your waistline, it's fine, come on, who needs to see their toes?" and "if your wife's complaining, body shaming, it's amazing what a tailor can conceal" and I full lost my mind, and I've been thinking about Steve and Bucky, or Andy and Ransom, or Nat and Bucky and Steve, or any other combination of people accidentally fattening their significant other with chocolates and them developing a sweet tooth and they steadily crave all sweet things but chocolate at the top of that list.........

I still haven't seen Wonka, and don't I have plans to 😅😂, but... that is really fucking compelling 🥵 that just might be the thing that gets me to see it, lol.

I can't blame you for thinking about that, I mean, the song is literally begging for it 👀 And I know we talk a lot about Andy and Ransom here, but for me, with the specifics of "your wife," I'm thinking about Andy and Laurie...

(Here's the scene on YouTube 🫣)

Like - in a world where they don’t have a child and the events of Defending Jacob don’t happen, rather Andy is just another assistant district attorney - it makes sense that this would happen with Laurie and Andy.

Andy has an extremely high stress job and so he’s not thinking about his looks. Besides, he’s married, he has the woman of his dreams, he loves her to death, and he’s not thinking about impressing anyone. Really, he’s thinking mostly about how to relax when he finally gets home. Plus, he’s thinking about what he can do for Laurie that isn’t paying for shit with his job and being the typical “breadwinner.” He loves her. He would do anything for her and she deserves to know that with his every action. And… he’s thinking about the way she smiles so bright when he compliments what she’s made them for dinner. He’s thinking about how warm and content he feels, sinking into the sofa next to her, after he’s had juuuust enough of that delicious dinner to feel a little beyond sated. He’s thinking about the way she winks at him when they’re cuddling on the couch and she breaks a piece of chocolate off of the bar she’s munching on and he opens his mouth so she can feed it to him.

He’s not thinking that it doesn’t matter if he’s craving more of the sweet things that usually are more of Laurie’s pallet than his own (so what, he’s stressed, he’s allowed to have some sugar to make himself feel better) because he doesn’t even know.

Laurie is so beautiful and smart and distracting. She smoothly weaves in more compliments for him, she sneakily slides a few more items into his lunch box before he heads to work, a bag of gummies here, a bag of chips there, she slowly but steadily increases his portion sizes at dinner, and she keeps feeding him more junk food on the couch after dinner, bite-sized pieces that feel more like foreplay than eating.

Andy doesn’t know he’s got a starter belly going...

Andy doesn’t realize that it spirals to the point that when he buys Laurie a big, big box of expensive, rich chocolates for Valentine’s Day and they all end in his belly rather than Laurie’s. It’s hidden under her blinding grin and heady caresses. The way she touches him doesn’t change. So, how is Andy supposed to know he suddenly has a beer gut? Also, she keeps switching out his clothes - roomier slacks, longer belts, looser undershirts, and bigger dress shirts - as they steadily tighten around his growing frame. Further burying the evidence.

It started by wanting to show Laurie how much he loves and appreciates her, and it’s still for that, half of the things he ends up eating, he wouldn’t eat if it weren’t for Laurie feeding them to him or encouraging to have seconds thirds “if he wants to,” but it’s so much more than that now, too. Andy’s appetite just increases and increases. He’s hungry all the damn time. He’s stressed all the damn time at work, too! He’s stressed unless he’s across the dining room table or on the couch next to Laurie with something in his mouth.

That’s when he’s calm.

When he’s with her and he’s chewing, and she’s looking at him with fire in her eyes. That’s what he needs. He needs her touch, her eyes on him, and anything she wants to feed him. He needs. He’s so hungry for her. And it’s making him pile on the pounds. Completely unaware of it. So what if he can’t see his toes? Who can actually see their toes? So what if he hasn’t seen his dick in months? His wife can, she can more than see it. So what if he’s looking a little more filled out? He’s getting older. It’s not like his clothes are tight or his wife is complaining. He can’t be getting fat! It’s not possible.

🥴🥴🥴

#ask #mylevisdontfitanymore #belly kink #text #stuffing #weight gain #andy barber #laurie barber #andy x laurie #chubby andy #fat andy

22 notes · View notes

inlovewiththefictionalcharacters · 1 year

Text

SECOND CHANCE

CHAPTER - 4 : THE DATE

Pairing: (Dark) Andy Barber x Reader.

Warning(s): Non-Con; Dub-con; Slow-burn(Maybe); Possible Defending Jacob spoilers; Possessiveness; Grief; Angst; Obsessive toddler(😛); Not proofread; Any other possible warnings will be added in the future chapters.

Summary: Follow Andy’s journey after the horrible accident that turned his whole world upside down.

*****

Series Masterlist

*****

Sleep didn’t find Andy that day. The whole night, he kept tossing and turning. His mind was running a thousand miles per hour and the one thing that replayed the most in his mind was her face. Y/N. Her disappointed face laced with mild embarrassment. The whole night, Andy kept cursing himself, calling himself an idiot and whatever names he could remember.

Why the fuck didn’t I just go in with her?! Andy thought countless times.

How could I just reject her?!

By the time it was dawn, Andy had his mind set. He was going to fix things, he thought with determination.

*****

The next morning, more like during the noon, Andy went to the Bakery that Y/N runs, looking so fierce that the kids who stumbled upon him on their way out thought that he looked like someone who’s going to war. Like a man on a mission, he went towards the billing register and saw a kind looking old woman there.

Approaching her, Andy saw her looking at him curiously and greeted him.

“Hello there! What can I get for you, today?” asked Agatha.

Andy smiled at her “Hey! Uh... Can I see Y/N? I kind of have to talk to her.”

Agatha’s stance immediately went defensive. Andy can actually feel that that woman was protective of Y/N.

“What about?” she asked.

Andy smiled again, trying to put the older woman at ease and said “No need to get defensive. I’m her new neighbor. I just had to talk to her about something very important. Please let her know that I’m here.”

Agatha looked at him pointedly and Andy did the same. With a sigh, she caved in.

“Fine! I’ll go get her.”

Agatha went to the back of the store. A few moments later, Y/N came out with Agatha.

“Cindy! Keep an eye out for the cookies!” hollered Y/N while dusting her hands against her apron.

Looking at her - with a Apron tied around her, slight flour coating the side of her cheek and a lock of stray hair out of her ponytail, Andy was rendered speechless. His head started creating scenarios of her prancing around in his kitchen, with an apron tied around her - barefoot and... Andy immediately shook his head, trying to keep his head as clear as humanly possible for what he was about to do. He cannot fuck this up!

When she looked at him, Y/N was both shocked and surprised to see him there.

“Andy! Hey!” she said, rounding the counter.

“What-” she was saying, but got cut off by Andy who said “I’m sorry.”

That made her frown.

“Why are you ap-” she got cut off by him again “Yesterday. I have like this plan to do and I felt like I’m skipping on a lot of steps yesterday if I agreed. That’s why. And I know I’m not winning a lot of favors by cutting you off again and again before you could finish what you were saying, but I’m gonna do it anyway” he rambled.

“Go on a date with me, Y/N” he said and she blinked at him like a deer caught in headlights.

He would have found her expression adorable if he wasn’t a nervous mess already.

He took her hands into his, holding them so that he wouldn’t look awkward, instead pleasing and confident.

“Go on a date with me” he said again, when looked like her head has finally processed what he had said.

“Umm... Okay.. I uh- I mean, yes-uh okay” she stumbled against her words and stopped.

The two of them chuckled at that while Agatha looked at them in amusement.

“Great! I’ll uh- I’ll pick you up at 7″ he said, caressing the back of her hands with his thumbs.

She nodded in response with a smile while her cheeks flushed “Sounds cool!”

She wondered if she could sound any less like a high-school teenager. Andy smiled at her, cupping her cheek with his hand and kissed her other cheek, making her flush even more if that was possible.

After that, he reluctantly let go of her and said “I’ll see at 7 then!”

With that he walked out of the bakery, with a pep in his step, while two of his college students walked in, looking at him, wondering what made Professor Barber behave so, while Andy completely ignored them.

Mission Accomplished!

*****

To say that their date night went good would be an understatement. After Andy informed her that he would be taking her to a restaurant, Y/N got all dolled up in a black body-con dress with spaghetti straps and minimal jewelry, keeping her make-up light and hair - locks of loose waves.

When Mrs. Williams learnt about the date, she popped up, claiming that she and her husband are going to look after Ada for the night and told Y/N to have some fun, whisking a squealing Ada away with her with an overnight bag.

When Andy finally knocked on her door - all dressed up, Y/N nervously opened the door and the two of them just stared at each other in awe.

When they reached the restaurant and got seated, they were silent for a couple of minutes and slowly started testing the waters with the conversation. Before they knew it, they were having a blast. The conversation was flowing steadily like they were long lost mates with laughs and giggles. They enjoyed both food and the company. When the desserts came, Andy quickly finished his and started eating from hers too, making Y/N gasp dramatically in mock offense, but she happily shared her dessert with him.

After they were done eating, Andy literally whisked her away after paying the bill. Y/N did protest at that part, but Andy literally grabbed her arms with one of his hand and gave his card. After the restaurant, Andy took her to the beach where the two of them walked barefooted to avoid having the sand in their shoes.

Mid walk, Y/N held one of Andy’s hand hesitantly. Andy looked at her and smiled, squeezing her hand with his, tightening the hold and the two of them walked by the waves. Later, when they found a dock nearby, they walked on it and sat by the edge of it while hanging their legs down in the air. The two of them sat in silence which was comfortable while staring at the waves. When the breeze picked up, so did the chillness surrounding them, making Y/N shiver and rub her arms.

Seeing her trying warm herself up, Andy shrugged off his jacket and leaned closer to her, saying “Here” and draped the jacket around her shoulders. After doing that, the two of them, froze, staring at each other. Their gazes either locked or moving to the other’s lips. Before they know it, the two of them moved closer to each other, their lips touching and moving in sync, kissing each other.

136 notes · View notes

i-have-a-wonky-eye-too · 1 year

Text

The Florist next-door... Part 10

Andy Barber x reader series

<Part 9<

Warnings: Laurie being her usual bitch, Defending Jacob spoilers (gif not mine)

You let out a tired yawn as you opened your front door. 7AM was way too early to be leaving the house but you had work.

You stopped before you shut the door, spotting Jacob sat on his door step, his head in his hands. You frowned and shut the door before locking it behind you. You looked around the quiet street to see if there was anyone else out and about as you made your way over to him.

"Morning, Jacob." You softly smiled at him.

He looked up at you, "Morning." He sighed.

You frowned at him, "What has you up and about so early?"

He let out another heavy sigh, "Can we talk?" He asked.

You paused to look at him before answering, "Sure," You nodded and sat down next to him. "Things okay?"

He rested his elbows on his bent knees as he stared off in front of him. "I guess..." He muttered. "Mom, still thinks I'm a murderer."

"No, Jacob, I don't-"

"I heard her." He gave you a pointed look. "I always, hear them... When they argue." He frowned and shook his head. "... I know it was mom." He said.

You furrowed tour brow, "What was?"

"Your tyres." He gave you sullen look. "I'm sorry... But, why would she do that?"

You drew in a deep breath as you closed your eyes and lowered your head. "Jacob, do you understand how... Hard, this situation is for your parents?" You asked him, "There's a lot going on and even though, sometimes, your mother may say things, she doesn't necessarily mean in the heat of the moment because she's not quite sure how to handle things herself, she loves you still." You looked at him and smiled softly. "You should talk to her."

He scoffed, "She wouldn't listen."

"Then, write her a letter... Or, leave her a voice mail. Make her listen." You smiled, "You and your dad talked, right? On your little fishing trip."

The hint of a smile tugged at his lips as he nodded. "Did you suggest that?" He asked.

You let out a small chuckle as you nodded. "He wanted to go to a football game or something." You rolled your eyes.

Jacob frowned, "I hate sports."

You nodded, "I know." You smiled at him. "Just talk to her, Jacob."

He nodded, "Thank you." He smiled softly at you. "Will you be there? At the trial?" He asked.

You gulped and looked away, "I, uh... Wasn't planning on it. Work and stuff... Unless, you want me to be?" You asked looking back at him.

Jacob nodded, "I need you there, Y/N. You're the only person who believed me from the beginning... Other than my dad."

You nodded, "Then I'll-"

The front door suddenly opened making the pair of you jump and look up at a frustrated Laurie and an equally tired Andy. Andy's features softened once his eyes met yours.

"Jacob!" Laurie huffed, "What on earth do you think you're doing? Get inside. Your father and I were worried sick."

Jacob sighed and stood up from where he sat. "I needed to talk to, Y/N, mom." Jacob took your hand and helped you stand up from the step, smirking a little as you made a joke about being too old to sit on the floor.

Laurie frowned at you. "Inside, now." She demanded.

"But-"

"Now!" Laurie snapped at him, cutting him off.

"Bye, Jacob." You waved at Andy over shoulder before you made a move to leave but were stopped by Jaocb grabbing your arm.

"Wait." He pulled you back a little. "Promise me you'll come, Y/N. I need you there." His brow pinched together as he stared at you.

You gulped and glanced over at Andy before nodding. "Sure, buddy, I'll be there."

The corner if Jacob's mouth turned up slightly, "Great. You can sit next to my mom."

You gave Jacob a small smile before he let you go. "I'll see you later." You waved at Jacob as he headed inside, seeming happier than he was a few moments ago, before you once more turned to leave.

"I'd appreciate it next time if you see our son out here alone that you send him back inside." Laurie called out, her arms folded over her chest as she stood where you and Jacob had been sat, glaring at you.

"Laurie," Andy said her name in a warning manner. "Leave, Y/N, alone."

You let out a heavy sigh and turned to face her. "He wanted to talk, Laurie. He wasn't doing anything wrong." You frowned at her.

"Just do it." She hissed at you before turning to head back inside.

Andy glared at her, "Don't talk to her like that, Laurie. You're being rude." He looked up at you and sighed softly as he stepped around Laurie and made his way over to you, "M'sorry, sweetheart,"

"Don't be," You smiled softly up at him. "It's not you who should be apologising." You sent Laurie a glare over his shoulder.

She rolled her eyes with a heavy sigh, "Andy." She called out. "We need to go inside. Now."

"By the way, he knows you slashed my tyres, Laurie... Even apologised for it." You called out and shook your head. "Still no apology from you though." You looked up at Andy and gave him a small smile before you went over to your car.

You were done being nice with her.

It took every ounce of Andy's self control not to show his anger towards Laurie as she cursed your name, entering the house once you'd driven off.

"Y/N, didn't tell me." Jacob frowned at his mother as he stood at the top of the stairs startling both his parents.

"You don't have to cover for her, Jacob." Laurie frowned at him softly. "You owe her nothing."

Jacob's brow furrowed as did Andy's. "Are you kidding? I owe, Y/N, everything. She's the only person who believed me, without hesitation."

"We believe you, Jacob." Andy said as be approached his son.

Jacob shook his head, "You and Y/N, but not her." He stared at his mother. "You still don't trust me, do you?"

"Of course I do." She frowned at him. "Did she tell you that?"

Andy rolled his eyes with a huff, "Of course, Y/N, didn't say that, Laurie. You're being paranoid."

"Dad's right, mom." Jacob frowned at her.

"So why were you out there at this time of the morning, talking to her?" Laurie asked, her arms folded over her chest.

"I told you, we were talking." Jacob sighed.

Laurie rolled her eyes, "It could have waited until a reasonable hour, Jacob. You shouldn't be out there on your own. Next time, talk to me-"

"YOU DON'T LISTEN!" Jacob shouted at her. "I didn't want to talk to you, mom, because there's no point. I wanted to talk to, Y/N, because she actually listens to me."

Tears began to form in Laurie's eyes as she stared at her son. "I listen, Jacob. I'm your mother-"

"So why don't you believe me?" He asked her with a glare.

Laurie's mouth opened and shit before she cleared her throat. "... I do, Jacob."

He scoffed and turned away from her. "Whatever." He began to walked away from her before he stopped and turned back to face her. "Why'd you slash, Y/N's, tyres?"

Laurie's eyes widened a little. "I didn't-"

"YES YOU DID!" He shouted at her angrily. "Why would you do that to the one person who actually believes me?"

Laurie gulped, "It's... Complicated, Jacob-"

"No it's not." Jacob began, "You're jealous of her, mom." He frowned at her. "Maybe if you weren't such a bitch then people would like you, like they do, Y/N." He sent her one last glare before he quickly ran off up the stairs to his bedroom, slamming the door shut.

Laurie's mouth fell open in shock as she looked over at Andy and glared at him. "Andy! Aren't you going to say something to him?"

Andy screwed his face up, "What? He's right, Laurie." Andy said as he placed his hands on his hips. "Y/N's, right, he's not stupid. And he's clearly more scared of today than we realise." Andy shook his head before he took off upstairs too.

Before he knocked on Jacob's door he pulled his phone out and sent you a message.

Andy: I'm not sure what you and Jacob talked about, but thank you xxx

Y/N: Always xxx

Andy smiled to himself as he raised his hand and knocked before he let himself into Jacob's room, letting a soft chuckle as he watched his son try to do his tie up over his t-shirt.

Andy had told him to keep practicing and it seemed Jacob had listened.

"Still can't get the hang, kid?" He raised his eyebrow with an amused smile.

Jacob huffed, "I'm stupid."

"No you're not, Jacob." Andy walked over to him and pulled the tie over his head, undoing it. "You know, when I first had to start wearing them at college, for my work placement, I had someone fasten all my ties just so I could slip them on over my head when I needed to wear one." Andy smiled.

Jacob frowned, "So why can't I do that?" He asked making Andy chuckle.

"Because I was stupid as a kid." He smiled as he put the tie around Jacob's neck. "Watch," He slowly went over each step until the tie was knotted perfectly around Jacob's neck. "See. Easy."

Jacob huffed, "If you say so."

Andy chuckled softly as he sat on his son's bed and watched him play around with the tie. "Wanna talk 'bout it?" He asked.

Jacob looked up at Andy with furrowed brow. "Am I in trouble?" He asked.

Andy shook his head, "Just tell me why you were out there, Jacob?"

"I told you already." He huffed.

Andy nodded, "I know, you wanted to talk to, Y/N, but 'bout what? Can I help?"

Jacob shook his head. "I just wanted to ask if she was coming to the trial."

Andy nodded, "That all? Because to me it sounds like you talked about a lot more."

Jacob looked up from the tie and nodded, "We talked about, mom." Jacob whispered.

"Oh?"

"I told her I'd heard mom say she still didn't believe me... And that I knew about mom slashing her tyres..." Jacob began, "Y/N, told me, you guys were finding all this hard too... There's a lot going on and sometimes mom might say things, she doesn't mean in the heat of the moment because she's not sure how to handle things herself... But she still loves me."

Andy closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "She's right, Jaocb."

Jacob nodded, "I know... But, I don't like it when mom is mean to her." He looked up to his dad. "I'm sorry I went outside."

Andy shook his head, "It's okay, Jacob, you did nothing wrong. Maybe, next time, just let one of us know." Jacob nodded as he pulled on the tie making Andy's smile stretch. "You did it, buddy."

Jacob looked down to the tie and began smiling. "Thanks, dad."

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

You were a bag of nerves as you made your way out of the court room.

The first day of trial had come to an end and although you still believed Jacob, hearing all the things Neal had up his sleeve to try and persuade the jury of Jacob's guilt, took you by surprise. If you didn't know Jacob and you were a jury member, you could see why they might agree with the evidence against Jacob.

"Y/N!" Jacob called out to you as you stepped out into the hallway.

You looked over to him and offered him a soft smile as you walked over to where he stood with his parents. "Hey."

"You came." He gave you a slight smile.

You nodded, "Of course I did, Jacob." You smiled at him.

"Miss Y/L/N?" Joanne asked with a kind smile. You nodded. "Joanne, pleasure to meet you. I've heard a lot about you."

You took her hand. "Oh," You smiled and glanced at Andy before looking back at her. "Pleasure to meet you." You looked at Andy and smiled at him softly. "How's it going?"

He gave you a tired smile as he nodded and looked at Jaocb. "Good. I think if we can get, Sarah, up on the stand then-"

"NO!" Jacob scowled at Andy. "I don't want her up-"

"You don't get a say, Jacob. She has to go up there, we have no choice." Andy frowned at him.

"What if we had, Y/N, go up." Joanne said.

Your eyes widened a little. "Me?" You looked at Andy.

Joanne nodded, "You've known, Jacob, for many years. You trust him. From what I've heard from him, he confides in you. I think, if we get you up-"

"How would she help?" Laurie frowned. "Surely, his school friend who knew, Ben, is a far better option than her."

You nodded agreeing with her. "I'm not sure I would be any help. Besides, Neal, would try and trick me into saying something again." You muttered.

Andy's brow furrowed as he looked at you. "What do you mean? You've spoken to, Neal?"

You drew in a deep breath as you nodded and looked at Jacob briefly before looking at Andy. "... A few weeks ago he came to the store. Wanted to ask me some questions but I refused to unless you were there-"

"You remembered my rule." Andy smiled at you proudly.

"Answer no questions without my lawyer present." You nodded with a smile. "Anyway, he started asking questions about my ex and if, Jacob, was ever present when he used to-" You gulped and looked down at your feet. "He basically blamed my abusive relationship for the cause of, Jacob's... preferences online." You sighed heavily.

"Don't be ridiculous." Laurie rolled her eyes.

"I'm not lying, Laurie. I have CCTV, do you want to see it?" You glared at her until she looked away from you. You sighed and shook your head, "I told him he was being ridiculous..."

Andy frowned as he looked behind you to where Neal was stood. "We won't need you, Y/N, trust me." He gave you a soft smile as he placed his hand on your arm.

You nodded and looked at Jacob. "Trust your dad, Jacob. He's good at what he does. Trust me."You smiled at him reassuringly.

Jacob nodded, "I trust you."

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

Y/N: Tell me you're still awake?

Andy: Of course I am. Wanna talk? xx

Y/N: If you can xx

Andy gave you a tired smile as he walked through the back door into your kitchen. "Everything okay, sweetheart?"

You nodded, "This is going to sound unbelievably selfish of me, but I need to tell you something."

Andy frowned as he walked over to where you sat at the kitchen table. "This about, Neal?" He asked as he sat down.

You nodded.

"I'm not mad that you didn't tell me." He smiled at you softly. "You did the right thing not talking to him."

You groaned and dropped your head into your hands. "He asked me out."

Andy stared at you surprised, "What?"

"It was months ago, way before all this with, Jacob. He stopped by the store to buy flowers for his 'sick mom' and just asked me out. I told him I wasn't intrested, that I was still getting over everything with my ex and I wasn't looking to date anyone but..." You frowned as you thought back and shook your head. "He basically called me a liar and said I should probably move house first before I became a homewrecker."

Andy balled his fists up in anger. "Son of a bitch!" Andy banged his fist against the table. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I know how you feel about the guy, Andy. Can you honestly tell me you wouldn't have hurt him?" You asked knowing the answer.

Andy sighed, "Still. If that bastard comes near you again, you tell me."

You nodded. "I will," You reached over and placed your hand over his fist. A comfortable silence settled over the two of you as you held hands for a few minutes before you cleared your throat. "I've decided to sell the house."

Andy frowned, "You're leaving?"

You let out a soft chuckle, "No, just moving. I'm taking, Neal's, advice... I can't stay here forever, Andy, can I?"

Andy nodded, "No, I guess not." He gulped and looked at you. "I guess, there's a lot we have to figure out once the trial is over, don't we?"

You nodded. "One thing at a time." You smiled at him. "You should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow." You reached up and cupped his bearded cheek.

Andy drew in a deep breath as he closed his eyes and nuzzled your hand. "I wish I could just go to sleep with you by my side." He leaned over and pressed a kiss to your lips. "But then I'd never want to get out again." He chuckled softly making you smile. He leaned over and pressed a kiss to your forehead. "See you tomorrow, sweetheart."

You nodded with a soft smile. "Good night, handsome."

Tags: @hawkeyes-queen @boringandbored @lewisroscoelove @fangirlfree @am-i-rite @calimoi @wintasssoldier @gh0stgurl @chrisevanseagletattoo @hcaldwell016 @coffeebooksandfandom

#Andy Barber #Andy Barber x reader #Andy Barber x reader series #Andy Barber x f!reader #Andy Barber x Florist!reader #The Florist next-door series #Chris Evans #Chris Evans x reader

103 notes · View notes

dannymillerfansite · 5 months

Text

Aaron related Spoilers 13-15 December

Wednesday 13 December

Victoria opens up to supportive Aaron about her relationship with Jacob

Thursday 14 December 2023

Hour-long episode

Aaron feels like Paddy has capitulated to Chas when he agrees to share Eve's Christmas with her. When Paddy defends Chas and reminds her that he and Eve will always love her, whatever Aaron thinks, Chas is grateful for the support.

Friday 15 December 2023

Charles is taken aback by Aaron's attitude towards his mother.

Via Digital Spy

#aaron dingle #danny miller #spoilers #chas dingle #paddy dingle #victoria sugden #emmerdale

10 notes · View notes

hertzwritings · 2 years

Text

The Barber boys and the bakery chapter 2

A/N: I’m trying to take care of my physical and mental health these days, and it seems like an actually IMPOSSIBLE task. Which is why I escape into this fluffy world of the Barber boys and their baker. I’m BLOWN AWAY with the response to this, and I’m glad to see you guys loving it as much as I do. Also, a GIANT I love you and thank you to @buckyshattergirl who pretty much co-wrote this.

You can buy me a coffee here, and I’ll write you a personalized something – the sky is the limit, my loves!

Remember, feedback feeds the soul (min in particular) and my requests – and askbox – are always open – there’s no limits, because I am me and I have none.

MASTERLIST

CHRIS EVANS MASTERLIST

SERIES MASTERLIST

ASK ME ANYTHING/REQUESTS

Pairing: Andy Barber x female reader

Contains: language, fluff, mentions of panic attacks, mentions of PTSD, a sliver of angst, spoilers for Defending Jacob (mostly the last two episodes)

W.C: 3.000

The sleepover

Andy was normally never one, who got surprised or taken aback about anything. He usually stayed on top of everything, knew the most outcomes, but Y/N had kind of invaded his life and he had no idea how anything was about to go, when she was near. Since the first time they met, she and Jacob spent a lot more time together at the bakery. After a while, Andy told Jacob that he could just bring Y/N home, because he was worried about Jacob walking home alone at night. If he was being completely honest, though, he kind of also wanted to see her. It was also nice knowing someone was around to keep an eye on Jacob, when Andy couldn’t be home. It actually added something, he hadn’t experienced in his house in a while, which was Jacob’s laughter and the smell of baked goods. The house became a home, slowly, but surely. One thing was a new house, but even in the old house with Laurie, it didn’t feel like this. Happy.

Which is why he wasn’t surprised to see her shoes – covered in flour, of course – in the hallway, when he came home from work and toed his own shoes off, before letting his bag fall to the ground. What he didn’t expect, though, was the loud noises coming from the living room – it sounded like a mix of singing and two cats dying. He frowned and walked towards the sound, and – though it shouldn’t surprise him – found Y/N and Jacob standing across from each other, screaming out the song that played in the background. At further inspection, he saw that it was a movie, not a song, and before he had time to figure what movie, they both began singing (dying?) again.

“YOU” Jacob screamed. “ME, we’re FACE TO FACE BUT WE…” Y/N gestured wildly. “DON’T SEE EYE TO EEEEEEEYEE!” Jacob jumped on the spot, before continuing. “WE’RE LIKE FIRE AND RAAAAIN!” Y/N screamed. “FIRE AND RAAAAIN!” Jacob was in his feelings, clearly, because he was on his knees now. “YOU REALLY DRIVE ME INSAAAN… Oh, Hi, Andy.” Y/N stopped singing and waved, and Jacob paused the movie before standing up and waving at Andy. “Hi, dad.” “Hi, kiddo and hi, Y/N. What’re you guys up to?” He asked, slipping his jacket off. Y/N’s eyes lingered on his arms for a moment. “We’re doing a duet. Clearly.” Jacob said with a grin. “Oh, that’s what that was? I could’ve sworn it was a catfight.” Y/N gasped. “Heathen. We sounded amazing.” Andy raised his eyebrows at her. “What, uh… Have you guys had anything to eat yet?” He asked, rubbing his neck – he tried very hard not to stare at Y/N, who wore a gorgeous green dress, that let him see a lot more cleavage (and tattoos) than he had expected. He shouldn’t be looking, but it was kind of hard to tear his eyes away, when all he could think about was tracing her tattoos with his tongue. What on earth was happening to him? Jacob’s eyes moved back and forth between Andy and Y/N, before he scoffed and pointed at Y/N. “Disrespectfully, dad, Y/N is here.” Y/N laughed a little at that and pointed to the kitchen. “I accidentally made enough pasta to feed a small army.” It wouldn’t be the first time. Andy had come home after a late night at the office and found that Y/N and Jacob had made pizza, which was just about enough to last them for a month (“Dad, we needed to make all of them, how else were we going to get all the toppings on there?”), and the time before that, she made lasagna. There were still two full lasagnas in the freezer as they spoke. “A large army.” Jacob interjected, and Y/N playfully rolled her eyes at him. “Yeah, yeah, I’m used to cooking for one, sorry if my pasta-proportions are a little off.” “By like… A lot.” Jacob grinned and looked at his phone. “Oh, I’m headed up. We’re playing Resident Evil.” “Who’s we and what’s Resident Evil?” Andy asked, slightly confused. Jacob rolled his eyes. “You’re seriously too old for your own good. We are Derek, me, Ashleigh, Hope and Sam. And I’m not even going to try to explain the beauty of Resident Evil.” And with that, Jacob turned on his heel and went up the stairs to his room. Andy laughed a little and his heart skipped a beat, when he saw how Y/N looked up at the stairs, her eyes soft and a sweet smile on her lips. She turned to him. “Teenagers, right?” He nodded. “Are you hungry?” She asked and smiled at him – it kickstarted his entire system. How a smile could make him feel like this, he didn’t understand. “Uh, yeah. Yeah, I could eat.” “Well, come along then, Hotshot.” She laughed and led the way to the kitchen, where she began heating up the dinner – it smelled amazing, and he couldn’t help but admire her as she stood in his kitchen, an array of very inappropriate thoughts running through his mind. How she would look bent over the breakfast-bar. How she belonged here. He pulled himself out of his head when she spoke again.

“I think Jake might need a therapist.” She said softly. He frowned. “Huh?” He already asked Jacob if he wanted to go to therapy to deal with everything that had happened, but Jacob had responded with “If Imma be sad, Imma do it with pizzaz”, and they kind of left it at that. She piled a bunch of pasta onto a plate and handed it to him, before she opened a wine next to her like it was second nature to her to give him a glass of wine – his favorite, he realized. She placed the glass next to his plate and poured herself some too, before she sat down in front of him, biting her lip. “I know…” She paused and took a sip. He followed her, allowing the wine to calm his nerves a little. “I know Jake’s been dealing in his own way.” “With pizzaz, if I recall.” He said softly, jabbing his fork into the pasta. He liked the pride on her face, whenever he ate something, she made. “Yeah, with pizzaz. I think…” She sighed. “Listen, I know I’m not really in a position to say anything about this, but lately… He’s been off. I don’t know why, maybe we’re nearing the anniversary of something…” She looked pointedly at Andy, who swallowed thickly.

Truth was, they were nearing the anniversary of that fucking day. The day, where Laurie drove the car into the side of a bridge, hysterically asking Jacob if he killed Ben, and it left a lot of marks on Jacob. Not physical, but Andy knew his son, and he knew that Jacob was dealing. Not well, but he was trying. “All I’m saying is that maybe he’d do good with a few sessions. I know a few great therapists, that specializes in trauma in young adults and PTSD. I can give you their numbers, if you want them.” He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Listen, Y/N, I appreciate you trying here, I really do, but…” “I get it. Not my circus, not my monkeys, right?” She narrowed her eyes at him, and he saw a sliver of the same fire, she had in her eyes the day he met her. “Listen to me, Andrew…” He almost lurched back in his chair. Oh, she was scary when she was like this – and it was the first time, she’d ever used his full name and not just called him Hotshot or Andy. “That kid? He’s the single most amazing kid, I’ve ever met. He’s kind, he has the biggest heart, he has a hell of a lot more understanding of the world and the people in it, than anybody who’s been through what he has, should. He is doing his best to hide the fact, that he’s terrified, feels alone and scared, because he doesn’t want to burden you with it. I’m telling you right now, that kid would walk through hell and back if it meant keeping you happy.” “I am…” “I’m not done.” She cut him off and took a sip of her wine. “He doesn’t want to talk about what happened, but I read the news when the trial started. I know what he went through, although I’m pretty sure there’s way more to the story than he’s been willing to let on. I also know that he cannot bear this alone, Andy. He needs help.” She leaned back in her chair and her eyes softened. “I know you think you’re helping him by not talking about it, but you’re not. I… he loves you so much, that little shit, but you’re both knuckleheads, that won’t talk about your feelings.” Andy was reeling. Was he hurting Jacob by not forcing him into therapy?

“I don’t want to force him.” “You don’t need to. You need to be honest with him, tell him you know he’s dealing with a lot, and you want to help, but you understand why he doesn’t want to talk to you about it. That it’s okay to admit you’re not okay, because it is.” He sighed and he almost had a heart attack when her hand softly laid on top of his. How was she so warm? He was quiet for a moment, before he turned his hand and held onto hers tightly. “My ex-wife is…” He said slowly. “She, uh… She tried to kill Jacob.” “Excuse the fuck you me?” Y/N was seething. “It was the nail in the coffin. Laurie had been… We were creatures of habit, I suppose, that’s why the marriage lasted so long. I was already considering leaving, and then she drove the car into the side of a bridge with Jacob in it. They got away both relatively unscathed, but…” “I’m going to murder her. You’re a good defense attorney, right?” He smiled a little. “I don’t think I can defend you if you’ve made your intentions on murder clear.” “Damn.” She sighed. “I know he needs help; I know he bottles up… I just have no fucking clue how to reach him, Y/N.” “I’m telling you, if you would just talk to him…” She stopped talking and her eyes narrowed, looking up the stairs. “What?” He asked when her hand slipped out from his. “Something’s wrong.” She said simply, before she stood up from the table and ascended the stairs with wide strides. He frowned. How could something be wrong? He listened for a second and realized that the sounds of chatter had stopped completely from Jacob’s room. In the same second, he stood up himself and moved to go up the stairs himself, Y/N appeared again, but carrying Jacob. At first, Andy was mostly surprised at the fact that Y/N was strong enough to carry a 15-year-old who was just as tall as she was, but then he saw her face, and the way Jacob had buried his face in her shoulder.

“Can you get me ice-water, Andy?” She asked frantically. He nodded and quickly poured ice and water into a cup for her. She gently moved to the living room, where she sat down on the couch with Jacob still clinging to her frame. His shoulders were shaking. “What’s going on?” He asked, handing her the ice water. “Panic attack, I think.” She mumbled, her free hand carding through Jacob’s hair. “Listen, I need you to do two things, okay?” He nodded, his eyes on Jacob. He looked so damn small and frail in this moment. “Yeah, I…” He wanted to take over, but he was frozen. His hands felt cold. “Andrew, look at me, please.” His eyes snapped to hers. She smiled softly. “He’s going to be okay. I got him here, we’re good. Just listen to me, it’ll help him, okay?” He nodded. “Good. I need you to go get the stuffed bunny in his room.” “The stuffed… He threw that out.” She shook her head, dipping her fingers in the ice water and gently moving her cold fingers over his face. “No, he put it in his closet. Go get that for me, okay?” “Okay, yeah.” He ran. When he got to Jacob’s room, he barely had time to think over the picture, he saw on his nightstand, and went straight to the closet, searching for the bunny. He found it, and when he turned again, he saw the picture again. His heart skipped a beat, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it, and rushed down the stairs. He heard her voice before he saw them again. “Hey, Jake, you’re okay. You’re safe, okay? Just focus on the way, I’m breathing. Breathe with me, baby. You’re okay, I’m here. Your dad is here.” Andy swallowed the lump in his throat and ran to the living room, handing her the bunny. “Thank you.” Her voice was leveled, calm and soothing, and she slowly pried Jacob’s hand from her shoulder and put the bunny in it – he instantly began rubbing the matted “fur”, and it seemed to soothe him, because after a few seconds, he lifted his head from her shoulder and exhaled a shaky breath. “Good, Jake. You’re doing great. Andy, come here.” She patted the space next to her, and Andy didn’t hesitate. He sat down, wrapped an arm around her shoulders to card his fingers through Jacob’s hair, and Jacob stretched his legs out to rest on Andy’s legs. He moved his free hand to his legs, gently rubbing circles on it. “Why did you want the bunny?” He asked softly. She smiled. “Uh, textured objects like this can help ground a person having panic attacks.” He nodded. “Oh.” He looked at her. She exhaled, and Andy saw the fear in her eyes; he knew it all too well, because he felt the exact same way. “What’s the other thing, you needed me to do?” “This.” She replied. He nodded and they stayed like that for what felt like forever, silence enveloping all three of them. Despite the reason why, they were sitting like this, Harry’s House playing softly in the background (Y/N must’ve put it on at some point), he couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards the younger woman next to him, while also feeling something akin to… Well, he didn’t know. She felt like home, and it looked way too natural for her to sit with Jacob like this. She could be his mother, if he didn’t know them. The thought passed him as quickly as it left him, but it left a wide crater in him, because he realized that maybe he wished that she was. That he had met her, not Laurie, and had a life with song and too much food and a happy Jacob, if she was in it. Fuck.

“You want to talk about it, bubba?” She asked, when Jacob’s breathing had evened out. She bit his lip and looked to Andy, who smiled comforting. “You can say anything, Jacob. You know that.” Jacob nodded, and his fingers played with the ear of the bunny. “The game…” Jacob began, and Andy almost cried – his voice was so small, like he was embarrassed. “There was a car-crash in it. I just… Couldn’t.” Andy saw her eyes flare. “Hey, that’s okay. You’ve gone through something bad, Jacob. You can’t always control when or if these things happen.” He said, squeezing Jacob’s leg. “Listen, I think…” Jacob nodded. “I need therapy, huh?” Both Andy and Y/N nodded. “Maybe it would be good. Maybe.” Jacob said, and Y/N stroked his hair. “Jake, there’s nothing wrong with needing help to sort out your feelings. It doesn’t make you wrong.” “Y/N?” he looked up at her with big eyes. “Yeah, bubba?” “Can you stay? Like… For the night?” She looked to Andy, who nodded once. “Yeah, of course. Anything you need, Jake.” He sighed in relief and slowly got up from her lap. He suddenly looked so much younger than his 15 years. “Thanks. Dad, uh…” “I’m coming.” He stood up too, and led Jacob up the stairs, looking at Y/N. “I’ll be right back.” “Take your time.”

He helped Jacob get ready for bed and tucked him in just like he did when he was younger. It brought a strange sense of comfort to them both. “Are you okay, buddy?” Jacob nodded, hugging the bunny to his chest. “I think I just… I don’t know.” “That’s okay.” Andy kissed his forehead. “Listen, I think that we might need something else than just therapy.” “Like Y/N staying here for the rest of my life?” Andy chuckled. “I don’t know if she’d want that, buddy.” Jacob scoffed. “You’re both idiots.” “I’m going to ignore that, bud.” Andy sighed. “How about this weekend… We’ll go to the shelter, huh? Look at a dog or something?” Jacob’s eyes lit up. “What? I thought you didn’t like dogs!” Andy thought about it – he thought he didn’t. but whenever he said the words, I don’t like dogs, and I don’t want one in the house, it was Laurie’s voice echoing. “I do. I thought I didn’t, but I do.” Jacob grinned widely. “Also…” Andy grabbed the picture frame from his nightstand and held the picture out to Jacob, who blushed. “What’s this about, Jacob?” Jacob shrugged. “She fits better.” He simply said.

Andy couldn’t deny that. The family picture from a vacation in Mexico, where he, Laurie and Jacob held each other, was as he remembered it; except the fact that Laurie’s face had been covered with a cut-out polaroid of Y/N smiling widely. She did fit in better.

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

TAGLIST: @acaceta @a-skov @angelmather1 @cooldreamlandsandwich @doubletriplepowerbomb @est1887 @enchantedbytomandhenry @fionnthebandersnacc @herroyalbubbliness @jeepgirls-stuff @keiva1000 @kebabgirl67 @littlebirdofrivia @luclittlepond @mis-lil-red @multifanficdom @one-sweet-gubler @pandaxnienke @perfunctory-username69 @penneferofvenerburg @sleutherclaw @sofiebstar @summersong69 @spookyboogyuniverse @stardusted26 @thereisa8ella @timetraveller4 @thatonechickhere @themanfromu @thelastpyle @tragicphoenix13 @yourlocalhoney @wheretheriversrunintothesea @first-jumper-tris46

165 notes · View notes

andydrysdalerogers · 2 years

Text

Cautious/Brave ~ Andy Barber

Summary: After the events surrounding Jacob's murder trial and the car accident, Andy finds himself lost as he grieves next to Jacob's bedside. Coming to terms with everything he has lost, waiting for Jacob to wake up, he finds solace with the one person in charge of Jacob's care. A sweet nurse who cares not just for her patients, but their families as well...

Word Count: 1.9K

Song: Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCarthy (performed by Boyce Avenue)

Warnings: spoilers for the end of Defending Jacob; angst; fluff

Part One of Two

Main Masterlist

Cautious Part one

TWO MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT

Andy Barber walked into the hospital room, a defeated look on his face, a manila envelope in his hand. He stopped just inside the doorway, taking in the image of his son. Jacob was still comatose, hooked up to machines to help him breathe and keep his systems going. He sighed, shaking his head in sorrow. He missed Jacob's smile, his humor, his laugh.

Laurie couldn't deal with what she had done. She left after spending a couple of weeks in the hospital. The divorce papers were delivered this morning. Andy couldn't bring himself to open them yet. He moved over to the side of Jacob's bed and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. "Hi buddy." He sat in his usual chair, talking to his only child, willing him to wake up.

You were Jacob's nurse. You came in every day, checking his vitals, changing the IV bags, making sure that he was comfortable. You walked into Jacob's room, distracted by a page you were getting that you missed his dad sitting with him. "Oh, Mr. Barber, I'm sorry. I'll come back."

"No, YN, its ok. I'm early. Please do what you need to do. How is he doing today?"

You checked Jacob's vitals. "He's holding steady." You looked into Andy's sad blue eyes. "I'm sorry I don't have better news."

"It's ok, YN. Thank you for taking care of him."

"It's my pleasure. I try to visit when I have time. I've been reading him this." You hold up your book.

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Interesting."

"My niece recommended it. She knew Jacob from school." You chew your bottom lip, nervous about your admission.

"Oh." He looked down. "Tell her thank you."

"I will." You got another page. "I'll be back. See you later Mr. Barber."

"Andy. Call me Andy."

"Ok. Andy." You smiled at him and he smiled back, the first time you had ever seen him smile. It beautiful. You walk out of the room still smiling.

THREE MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT

You are making your rounds on your patients. You hum along with a song in your head and head into Jacob's room. You look to see if Andy is there but he isn't. Slightly disappointed, you check on Jacob, changing out his IV and making sure that he is stable. You had become friends with Andy, talking every day, getting to know one another. You got to know the real Andy not the one the media likes to portray.

"I brought you a coffee," a voice behind you says, startling you. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"Its ok Andy. I was just focused on this IV bag connection. Thank you," you took the coffee from his hand. "How was the case today?"

"Pretty easy. Cops mishandled the evidence and my client walked. Joanna was right, I am kinda good at this." Andy smiled. He had taken a job with Joanna Klein's firm instead of going back to the district attorney's office. He helped those he could, hoping for redemption to bring back his son.

"That's great Andy. I'm proud of you." And you are, really. Andy was a good man dealt a horrible hand.

"How was today?" He asked as he sat next to Jacob.

"The physical therapist was here, moving him around so he doesn't get stiff. I think the doctor wanted to talk to you about some of the test results. He should be here in a few minutes." You update the chart.

"Thanks, YN. Reading anything new?"

"We moved on to Harry Potter. I wanted a comfort read."

"Good choice. You can't go wrong with Harry Potter." He sipped his coffee with a smile. "Do you think he can hear us?"

"I like to think so. I like to keep that positive thought." You smile at Jacob. "He looks like a good kid."

"He is the best. He was always positive. Even during everything." You could see a tear forming in Andy's eye. You grabbed a tissue box and handed it to him. "Thanks."

"You know, it's not just the patients we care for on this floor. We care for the family as well. If you need to talk, just let me know." You patted his hand. He grabbed it and brought it to his lips, kissing your knuckles gently. "You are the sweetest. Thank you."

You blushed and had just moved away when the doctors came in. "Hi Andy. We got some updates."

"I'll just step out," you say, walking quickly out but glancing back at Andy, who smiled.

You make it back to the nurse's station and your friend Renee notices your flushed cheeks. "You ok YN?"

"Yeah, just had moment is all." You grabbed the next chart you needed to work on.

"Nothing to do with the handsome worried father in there would it?" Renee said with a twinkle in her eye. You didn't answer, your blush answered for you.

"I got another patient," and you walked away.

FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT

"You've never been outside of Massachusetts?"

"I've never had a chance. Went from school to school to become the nurse you see today." You smile at Andy. "I've been a busy girl."

"I see that. But if you could, where would you go?"

"First thought, New York. I really want to see a musical or something. Then London."

"Ah, a romantic. I like it," he says with a chuckle.

"A hidden one but yes. My minor in school was English lit. I love to read, obviously but I always wanted to visit the places my heroes were. But the call to help was greater." You leaned against the door frame, enjoying your time with Andy.

"That's sweet." Andy swallowed, unsure if he could say what he wanted to ask. "YN, you never talk about your home life."

"Oh." The statement took you by surprise. "Well, I live alone with my dog, Punkie."

"Punkie? Like the TV Show?"

You blush, "yeah. It was one of my favorites."

Andy throws his head back laughing, his hand on his chest. You huff slightly, annoyed at his laughter. He sees your face and calms down. "Sorry, sweetheart. Its just, you look a little young to have seen Punkie Brewster."

"I watched the re-runs." You finished updating the chart and started to walk out, your feelings hurt. You felt a hand on your arm.

"I'm sorry YN. I didn't mean to insult you or anything." Andy's eyes pleaded with you not to be mad.

"Its ok Andy. I should go." You left the room. You walked pass the station, needing a moment to yourself. You didn't know why Andy's comment hurt you. Yes, you were younger than he was but that didn't mean you were immature. You wiped your face and took a couple of breaths before walking back to the nurse's station.

Renee never missed a beat. "You alright YN?"

"I'm fine Renee. Reality just hit me hard right now."

"Want to talk about it?"

"Just realizing that maybe having a crush is a bad idea." You look at the next chart. "Especially since it's against hospital policy."

"Oh, honey. Andy, right?"

"God Renee I'm so stupid. He sees me as the young kid nurse. And I just realized that I like to spend time with him, but he doesn't see me as anything more." You sigh. "I'm just setting myself up for heartbreak."

"You never know, sweetie." Renee sympathized. "Sometimes you can't help it when you spend so much time with someone."

"Thanks Renee." You walked away to your next patient. You hadn't seen Andy standing close by, having heard everything you said.

He went back into Jacob's room and sat down. Did he think of you as just the nurse? Maybe at the beginning when he had to deal with the divorce. He hadn't told anyone that Laurie relinquished her parental rights and left everything to Andy. It was a comfort to have you talk to him about anything other than real life. He liked getting to know you. He loved that you cared about Jacob so much. He hadn't meant anything by his comment. Now, he didn't know if everything was going to change.

FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT

You walked into Jacob's room and found Andy asleep in the chair. He had been throwing himself into work since you started to pull away. You didn't want to have your heart broken over a stupid crush. But the sight of him, legs propped up on the edge of Jacob's bed, arms crossed as he slept tugged at your heart. You grabbed a blanket and carefully covered him, protecting him from the cold air that the air conditioning pushed.

You went to check on Jacob. While you worked, you whispered to Jacob, "I wish I knew you. You seem sweet. But you keep fighting. I'll be here every step of the way."

Andy woke up as you were talking to Jacob. Even if things were off between the two of you, you still cared for his son. He watched as you brushed the hair from Jacob's face, almost motherly. You kissed Jacob's forehead and headed out quietly.

Andy realized that he started to fall for the sweet nurse who loved his son.

SIX MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT

You arrived at the nurse's station for your shift. It was early in the morning, and you yawned as you gathered your charts.

"This is for you."

You turned to see Andy with a cup of coffee.

"Thanks Andy. You didn't have to."

"Yes, I did. Do you think you have a moment to talk?"

"Sure, of course." You headed into Jacob's room for some privacy. "What's up?"

"I don't like what happened to us. We were getting close and then you pulled away. I know I upset you when I laughed but I don't understand why you pulled away."

"Andy, I..."

"Look, I know that its probably against some ethical thing but can I take you to lunch?" His eyes were hopeful.

"Andy, if I could, I would. But why? I'm just your son's nurse."

"YN, you are so much more than that. You care about Jacob. I know you talk to him, not just read. I saw you that day, caring for him. You put the blanket on me."

"I care for my patients and their families." You look down, not wanting to admit the feelings that were still there and growing for Andy.

"YN, sweetheart." He put his finger on your chin and gently lifted you head. "You're not alone. I feel something for you too."

"I can't Andy. I could lose my job." A single tear fell. "I'm sorry." You started to turn away.

"Please don't go. YN, please."

"What am I supposed to do Andy?"

"Just tell me I'm not alone in this. Please?"

You looked into his blue eyes. You could see the hope in them, the longing for the answer he knew was there. "You're not alone," you whispered. You pulled yourself away from him and went back to the nurse's station. You tried to calm yourself but nothing worked. Renee saw your face and pulled you aside.

"Honey? What happened?"

"He likes me too. But I can't. The hospital would fire me."

"Oh, sweetie." She wrapped her arms around you and let you cry. You felt your heart break into a million pieces.

Brave - Part 2

#andy's hea #andy's shenanigans #chris evans #chris evans fanfiction #andy barber #andy barber fiction #andy barber fanfic #andy barber x reader #defending jacob #forbidden love #mutual pining

98 notes · View notes

the-al-chemist · 2 years

Text

Artemis Hexley and the Return to the Riddles

Chapter 5: Unforgivable

A/N: Artemis gives evidence against Patricia Rakepick as the trial continues, and receives an unexpected gift. Warnings: references to violence, murder and death, spoilers for year six of HPHM, discussion of child neglect.

The doors of the courtroom swung closed behind Jacob Hexley and his two Dementor guards, and the sound of it seemed to ring in Artemis’ ears. It sounded extremely loud and strangely distant, both at once.

There was a soft hum in her ear, and it took a moment for her to realise that it was Kingsley murmuring to her:

“Breathe, Tiny.”

For once, Artemis did as she was told. She drew a deep breath, and turned to Kingsley, ignoring the noise from the rest of the courtroom.

“You said he didn’t commit any crimes,” she said. “You said that he was innocent.”

“I believed that he was,” Kingsley frowned. “I have been suspicious that Duncan Ashe’s death was orchestrated by the Cabal for some time, but I had no reason to think that Jacob was involved in it. He said that it was his fault when Moody and I interviewed him in May, but-”

“After he handed himself in at the lakeshore?”

“Yes. But I truly believed that it was his conscience speaking, not a true admission of guilt.”

“That night, he told me to trust him. No matter what happened,” Artemis blinked back tears. “Why would he say that and then…”

Her voice tailed off, and her eyes drifted towards the doors through which Jacob had been escorted away. She could feel Ben and Merula watching her from the seats beside her, and she avoided looking at either of them.

Across the room, the Wizengamot had begun to settle, other than Madam Bones, who remained on her feet.

“May I suggest that we end this adjournment promptly?” she asked, and the courtroom quietened. “Guards, bring in the next defendant.”

Artemis steeled herself as the doors opened once more. This time, the person who entered was flanked by four Dementors, and she wore not just handcuffs but steel gloves, which prevented her hands from moving at all. It took a moment for Artemis to recognise the witch; her red hair had grown lank, and her face sallow and bony. But when she raised her head, the sharp look in her eyes remained unchanged. It really was her.

“Are you Patricia Rakepick?” said Madam Bones.

In spite of her current predicament, Rakepick smirked. “It would be quite the administrative error if I weren’t.”

“Madam Rakepick, you stand accused of multiple accounts of criminal and morally reprehensible behaviour and several acts of Dark Magic committed both in the name of the criminal organisation R and on your own accord. More specifically, you are accused of the use of Unforgiveable Curses on no less than five accounts, of the attempted murder of Miss Artemis Hexley, and of the murder of Miss Rowan Khanna,” Madam Bones paused, and Artemis felt her hear skip a beat. “We shall hear witness testimonies before voting on our judgement. If found guilty, you will be sentenced to Azkaban prison for life. Professor Dumbledore?”

“Yes, Madam Interrogator?”

“Do you wish to continue to serve as witness for the defence?”

“If no one else is willing, I feel morally bound to do so,” Professor Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled behind his spectacles. “After all, even those who are guilty of terrible things are entitled to a defence.”

From the seat in the middle of the courtroom came a harsh laugh, and Madam Rakepick cocked an eyebrow at Dumbledore.

“Ever the moralist, Dumbledore,” she said drily. “No, Albus. I shall defend myself.”

Professor Dumbledore bowed his head and returned to his seat in the witness benches, and Rakepick watched him do so with a passive facial expression. As Artemis heard him walk behind her, Rakepick’s eyes settled on her for a moment, and her former mentor’s eyebrows raised in recognition, almost as if she were greeting her from across a street. The casual nature of the gesture made Artemis’ chest tighten, but she refused to be intimidated. She held Rakepick’s gaze and glared back fiercely until Rakepick looked away, her lips twitching ever so slightly as she did so.

Kingsley was the first to testify. He told the court about his investigation into the Cabal, how he and the other Aurors had tracked Rakepick down the previous year, and how she had escaped Ministry custody using wandless magic. He described the evidence found in the Forbidden Forest after the night Rowan was killed, and how Rakepick had appeared when interviewed by the Aurors after her second capture. Mr Borgin went next, telling the court about the cursed artefacts he had procured for Madam Rakepick over the years, and how she had used the Cruciatus Curse on him two years before.

Merula had also suffered the Cruciatus Curse at Rakepick’s hands, and she said as much when she was asked to testify, along with speaking about how Rakepick had asked her to pass on information from around Hogwarts, presumably to pass onto the other members of R. Both she and Ben in turn went over the night of Rowan’s death, and Artemis had listened with her palms balled up in her lap, her fingernails digging into the heels of her hands.

It was her turn last of all. When Ben finished giving his testimony and returned to sit at Artemis’ side, Madam Bones called out:

“Miss Hexley, please.”

At the sound of her name, Artemis unclenched her fists and smoothed out her robes, ready to stand up. She looked across to the other side of the courtroom, and caught Madam Rosmerta’s eye. The landlady gave her a reassuring smile, which might almost have helped to ease her nerves, if it weren’t for another person rising to their feet at the same time.

Sara Hexley was whispering to the other witches and wizards sitting on the same bench as her, and one by one, they shifted positions to allow her to pass them as she made her way along the spectators’ stands towards the doors of the courtroom. Artemis froze.

She was leaving.

Her mother reached the doors of the courtroom and slipped out through them before they had even fully opened. The door did not slam behind her, but made a quiet clicking sound.

“Miss Hexley?”

“Artemis, they’re calling for you,” Ben whispered, and Artemis barely heard him, just as she had barely heard Madam Bones repeating her name.

“Miss Artemis Hexley, will you stand?”

Kingsley’s hand touched Artemis’ arm, and he shook her gently, drawing her attention away from the doors and towards him.

“It’s time for you to speak, Tiny.”

Artemis’ legs felt weak beneath her, but she managed to stand, and walked to the centre of the room, avoiding meeting Rakepick’s eye. She looked up at the rows and rows of magenta-robes witches and wizards looking down on her, and jutted her chin forward.

“Please state your name,” said Madam Bones, in her booming, authoritative voice.

“Artemis,” said Artemis.

“Your full name?”

“Artemis Sheba Hexley.”

“And your profession, Miss Hexley?”

“I don’t have one.”

“Your home address, then.”

“I… I don’t really have one of those either,” Artemis swallowed. “I’m staying at the Three Broomsticks for the school holidays, and then I’ll go back to Hogwarts.”

“For the benefit of the court scribe, Miss Hexley’s profession should be listed as ‘student’,” Madam Bones said, and Madam Umbridge tutted loudly as if Artemis were deliberately wasting everyone’s time. “Miss Hexley, please could you tell the court about how you came to make Madam Rakepick’s acquaintance?”

“She came to Hogwarts at the start of my fourth year,” Artemis told the interrogator. “She was there as a Curse-Breaker, because of the Cursed Vaults, you see. She asked me, Merula, and my friend Bill to be her apprentices.”

“And what did that entail?”

“Meeting on Sunday mornings to learn about curses and runes and duelling. And sometimes finding clues about the Cursed Vaults.”

“Such as?”

“A broken arrow that belonged to a centaur in the Forbidden Forest that my friend Charlie knows, and a key with gillyweed on that I found in Filch’s office one time.”

“I see,” Madam Bones nodded her head encouragingly. “So, Madam Rakepick had you venturing into forbidden areas of the school grounds and breaking into private offices on her orders?”

“Um…”

“You are not in trouble, Miss Hexley.”

“Yes, she did. Sort of. She tricked me into going to find the key for her,” Artemis explained. “She said to go looking for a missing part of the arrow, but when I got there she came in and got the key, and said that she was using me breaking into the office as an excuse to go in herself to stop me.”

“And were there any other occasions on which Patricia Rakepick tricked you?”

“Yes.”

“Would you be able to tell us about them?” asked Madam Bones, ignoring the whispers from the benches behind her.

“She said that she was being threatened by R, and then I started being threatened by them, too. They sent messengers to me, which turned out to be people under the Imperius Curse. My friend Ben, over there, then Rowan.”

“Rowan?” Madam Bones tilted her head. “Do you mean Rowan Khanna, who the defendant is accused of-”

“Yeah, that Rowan. My friend. My best friend,” Artemis swallowed again. “Rakepick said that we were on the same side, the side against R, and that I should trust her, because together we were going to stop R from getting to the Cursed Vaults, and she would help get Jacob free from the Vaults, but that was all lies. She was the one who had been casting the Imperius Curse on my friends all along, to get me to think that we were on the same side. She was using me to get to the Cursed Vault and then betrayed me and all my friends.”

“I presume that you are referring to the events of June 1989, which Miss Snyde and Mr Copper have already detailed.”

“When we went to the portrait vault? Yeah. She told us all about it and then she attacked us. She used the Cruciatus Curse on Merula, and she tried to kill me with a knife.”

“A knife?” Madam Bones’ eyebrows furrowed. “Not the Killing Curse?”

“No. Just a knife. She wanted me to be the one to use it on myself. That’s why she used the Cruciatus Curse on Merula, she was threatening to hurt my friends if I didn’t do it.”

There were murmurs of shocked confusion from all corners of the court. Madam Bones remained unflustered as they died back down. Her posture was still incredibly upright, but her eyes had softened slightly.

“This wasn’t the first time you witnessed Madam Rakepick use the Cruciatus Curse, was it?”

Artemis shook her head. “She used it on Mr Borgin, too. She was trying to work out whether or not I was a Legilimens by making him hurt so much that it hurt me, too.”

Madam Bones said nothing in response; she merely nodded her head. When she did speak, she changed the topic completely.

“Miss Hexley, please tell the court about Rowan Khanna.”

Artemis had to take a deep breath before doing so.

“Rowan was my best friend, like I said before. I met her before I even started Hogwarts, and we were in the same dormitory when we got there. She was really clever, she loved reading and history, and she wanted to be a professor when she grew up. Her favourite animal was a cat, and she was tall and wore glasses, and-”

“Hem hem. I think you might have misunderstood the interrogator, Miss Hexley,” Madam Umbridge interrupted her. “Please tell the court about the events surrounding the death of Rowan Khanna.”

“Oh,” Artemis felt a wave of grief hit her. She waited for it to subside before nodding her head. “Right. Yeah, fine. Sorry.” She looked up and across at Madam Rosmerta, who stopped scowling at the court scribe to mouth words of encouragement at her. “Well, it was right at the end of November last year. Rakepick had escaped from the Ministry like Kingsley said. They had Dementors watching the school because a few days earlier I’d seen Rakepick down at the shore of the lake. She had tried to attack me, but Jacob came and stopped her before she hurt me.

“After that, I really wanted to talk to Jacob, to make sure he was okay, and I found out about the Vanishing Cabinet Mr Borgin talked about earlier. He left me message there, saying it was too risky to send letters because they might be intercepted, so we should meet in person instead. That was the plan, and Merula and Ben came along for it to be safer. The problem was that Madam Rakepick must’ve already intercepted the letters, because she was there when we got to the Forbidden Forest. She arrived, saw off a Dementor that was trying to attack us, and then started to attack us herself.”

“Why would Madam Rakepick stop a Dementor from harming you if she wanted to cause you harm?” asked Madam Umbridge.

“Well, I don’t know, do I?” Artemis retorted. A look of contempt passed over Umbridge’s toad-like face and a whisper echoed through the seats behind her.

“Madam Umbridge, may I remind you - once again - that you are here in the capacity of scribe, not interrogator?” Madam Bones said tersely.

“My apologies, Madam Interrogator. I was merely curious,” Madam Umbridge gave an insincere smile and picked up her quill.

“Apology accepted. Do continue, Miss Hexley. Please describe the attack.”

“Merula got hit first. She was unconscious and I checked on her whilst Ben fought Madam Rakepick. Then she - Rakepick, I mean, not Merula - used the Killing Curse. She aimed it at Ben, and I wanted to stop him from getting hit so I ran towards him, but I was quite far away. Probably too far away to get there in time, I don’t know.” Artemis’ hands were trembling, so she stuffed them into her pockets. “But before I could get there at all, someone jumped out from the trees and pushed him out of the way. It was Rowan. She must have followed us without us realising, and she saw what happened and tried to stop it, to save Ben, and she did save him, but… but she got hit. With the… the Killing Curse. She fell down and I tried to wake her up but I couldn’t. She was gone. Rakepick was gone, too. Not gone gone, but she must have left while we were trying to help Rowan.”

“Rakepick left without hurting you?”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

Madam Bones inclined her head. “I understand, Miss Hexley. What I mean is, she left without causing you physical harm.”

“I guess so, yeah.”

“Interesting.” Madam Bones frowned deeply for a moment, before she almost smiled at Artemis and told her, “No further questions, Miss Hexley.”

Artemis gnawed on her lower lip as she walked back to the seats. Kingsley stood up to let her pass him, whispering as she did so:

“Well done, Tiny.”

She nodded and sat down, though the balls of her feet stayed planted on the ground, her legs bouncing up and down without her consent.

“Madam Rakepick,” said Madam Bones, and Rakepick merely cocked her eyebrow by way of response. “We have heard the evidence against you. Do you have any words to help your defence before we pass judgement?”

Coolly, Rakepick stared back at the interrogator and let out a short, sharp laugh.

“I think that judgement has already been passed,” she said. “After all, the case against me is a strong one. Witness accounts of my usage of all three Unforgivable Curses, and a child’s blood on my hands. I cannot imagine that there is anything that I could say now to change the minds of the court. My fate is sealed.”

She turned and looked at the witness stands, directly at Artemis. Artemis couldn’t read the look in her eyes, but the calm expression on Rakepick’s face made her blood run cold. Even worse was the way that the corners of Rakepick’s mouth twitched before she turned back and continued:

“I’m not an expert in matters of fate or destiny. I am neither a Seer nor an Oracler, but I do know that some things are unavoidable. Some things are greater than any of us, more powerful, and more important. Some things require - and justify - actions that otherwise would be morally reprehensible and unforgivable.”

There were shocked whispers throughout the court. Artemis frowned. Surely, Rakepick couldn’t truly believe that-

“The murder of a child might justified in order to pursue an important cause?” Madam Bones looked taken aback. “It’s an interesting concept, Madam Rakepick, but not one that I think-”

“Of course, this is a court of magical law. Here, I am either guilty or innocent, because in law, everything is right or wrong, black or white. But outside of this courtroom, the world is not like that. There are some wrongs that are greater than others,” said Rakepick. “Miss Khanna’s death was regrettable, but it was a death of her own choosing. She gave her life to protect the lives of others.”

“Of one other.”

“One other that she was aware of. But potentially countless more that she will never know about.”

The court had fallen silent. Artemis barely breathed. The quiet atmosphere was broken by the the voice of Madam Bones the interrogator.

“Your meaning is not clear, Madam Rakepick. Please explain yourself so that the court may understand.”

Rakepick laughed again. “It does not matter if or how I explain. The court will not understand.”

“Humour us.”

“The Cursed Vaults are an enigma that very few can understand. Those of us who do know that within the Vaults there lies a great power, one so great that it might save us all. But nothing of the sort can come without a price. Rowan Khanna paid that price. She made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Artemis felt sick. Around her the room was spinning, and it was warm. Too warm. She desperately wanted to get out, but her path to the doors was blocked by Dementors and Rakepick. The thought of facing either made her feel even more nauseated.

“You can condemn my actions, but I stand by them.” Rakepick paused and looked at the witness stands. Her eyes settled on Artemis momentarily, and she added, “What I did was necessary.” She raised her gaze higher. She was looking behind Artemis now, at Dumbledore in the back row. “It was for the greater good.”

“What does that mean?” Ben whispered to Artemis, his voice trembling.

“It means that she is a crazy bitch,” muttered Merula. “We should have left her trapped in that Vault.” She regarded Rakepick with a look of disgust as she continued, “I hope she rots in Azkaban. I hope the Dementors give her hell.”

Artemis had heard enough. The rising heat in the courtroom was making it hard for her to breathe, and the windowless walls seemed to be closing in on her. She needed to get outside. Wordlessly, she pushed past Kingsley and walked out across the courtroom, straight in front of Madam Rakepick and the entire Wizengamot, and towards the double doors that led out to the corridor outside. She heard someone call after her, but she didn’t stop; if anything, she began to walk faster, letting her legs carry her out of the courtroom, the doors slamming closed behind her.

The corridor outside was dark, quiet, and cool. Artemis found herself able to breathe a little easier, but the atmosphere was still oppressive. Longing for fresh air, she decided to walk the two flights of stairs back up to the atrium, from where she could at least find her way back up to the London street above. Rosmerta and Kingsley would be able to guess where she had gone.

She ascended the steps to Level Nine, but did not go any further. Instead, she paused by the black door at the top of the staircase, the one that formed the entrance to the Department of Mysteries. Why had she stopped there? She could not say for certain, but there was something about that door that made her feel the need to pause, something about it that made her feel… Something. She just could not tell what that something was.

“Artemis.”

The sound of her name being spoken drew her attention away from the door, and she turned to see a woman walking down the corridor towards her. As she recognised who it was, Artemis tensed.

“I thought you weren’t coming back,” she said.

“So did I,” replied Sara Hexley. Even now, she did not look at Artemis; her eyes were fixed on the door, the expression in them both void and full of emotion.

Artemis frowned. As always, she was unable to tell what her mother was feeling or thinking, but if anything, she would have said that Sara looked sad. She supposed that made sense. Leander Hexley had both worked and died in the Department of Mysteries. Artemis might not have been old enough to remember much about her father or the time around his death, but her mother certainly would have a lot of memories, not all of them happy.

“Why did you come back?”

“Jacob was on trial.”

Her mother’s answer was enough to quell the rush of pity Artemis had started to feel for her, leaving her only with the anger and resentment she had held onto since their last meeting.

“Really?” she said, almost laughing in spite of the fact that she felt like crying. “You came all this way here because Jacob was on trial and you didn’t think that you should maybe stay for my sake when I was being a witness? Or maybe you didn’t realise that was why I was there, seeing as you weren’t around when my best friend got murdered, or after, when I might have needed my mum to be with me.” Artemis exhaled angrily, before letting more words tumble out of her mouth, “But no, you had already left, just like you had already left before it was my turn to speak today. But then, why start paying me any attention now when you’ve never bothered to before? I guess-”

“Stop,” her mother interrupted her, and the tone of her voice made Artemis do as she was told. “Just stop.” Sara blinked and kept her eyes on the door as she continued, “I don’t need you to tell me all the ways in which I have failed you. I know that I failed you. I’ve failed at everything. I’m forty-five years old, and what do I have to show for it? A dead husband, a son in prison, a daughter who despises me…”

“Do you blame me for despising you?”

“No,” Sara said simply. She peeled her eyes away from the door to the Department of Mysteries, and just for a moment, looked directly at her daughter. “I don’t blame you, Artemis.”

Artemis swallowed, and her mother closed her eyes and shook her head, slowly and sadly.

“It’s my fault,” she continued. “I know it’s my own fault. I was never able to give you what you needed, and… I came here because I thought you might want to know why.”

A part of Artemis did want to know why, but she ignored that part of herself.

“No,” she told her mother, jutting her chin forward. “I don’t want to hear your excuses.”

“Not excuses. An explanation.”

“Explanation? How can you…” Artemis’ question died before she finished asking it. She rolled her eyes. “Forget it. I don’t want to know.”

She half-expected - and maybe half-hoped - that her mother would argue with her, but she did not. Instead, Sara Hexley inclined her head, a look of resignation on her face.

“Okay,” she said, very quietly. “But in case you ever change your mind-”

“I won’t.”

“- you should have this.”

Sara reached into the pocket of her long coat and pulled out a tiny package, slightly bigger than one of Penny’s lipsticks, wrapped in brown paper and tied with gold thread. She held the item out to Artemis, who did not reach out to accept it.

“I don’t want anything of yours.”

“Actually, it’s yours. Half-yours, anyway,” said Sara. “Take it.”

Artemis hesitated before reaching out to take the little parcel from her mother, their fingers brushing against each other as the item exchanged between their hands. Sara had soft hands, Artemis thought, and a small part of her longed to take hold of one, the way she hadn’t done since a time she could no longer remember.

Before she could act on that sudden and strange impulse, her mother’s hand had been removed from her own, and the only thing she held was the parcel she had been given.

“I’m sorry, Artemis,” her mother told her. “I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I am sorry. For everything. I wish… I love you.” Artemis’ eyes grew wide, and her mother’s closed tightly. “Good bye.”

Sara took one more look at the black door. Artemis watched her closely. It was not just sadness in her expression. There was anger in it too, and regret, and fear, and something resembling longing. Artemis tilted her head, curious. She had never been able to read her mother this well before.

Her ability to do so was short-lasted. Artemis felt the connection between her and her mother close down, as if she were being pushed out of Sara’s head and away from her thoughts. Her mother looked down to the ground and turned from her, walking down the corridor and out of sight.

“Good bye, Ma,” Artemis whispered.

She listened to her mother’s footsteps fade away, and as she did, she heard more echoing up the stairs, along with a familiar voice. Hastily, she shoved the parcel Sara had given her into her pocket and rubbed the tears away from her cheeks, just as Madam Rosmerta reached the top of the staircase and approached her.

“There you are, love. I thought you might have gone outside,” said Rosmerta. She looked from Artemis to the black door and back again, frowning deeply. “What are you doing at the Department of Mysteries?”

Artemis shrugged in response, and Rosmerta sighed.

“Come here,” she said, pulling Artemis into a tight hug. “It’s okay, love. The Wizengamot found Rakepick guilty. She’s going to Azkaban, and she’s going to stay there. She’s not ever going to hurt you or anyone else again, you hear me?”

Ros released her hold on Artemis to look straight at her, holding her gaze with nothing but sincerity in her eyes. Artemis sniffed and nodded her head.

“Yeah. Sorry for leaving, I just-”

“You don’t need to be sorry for anything, Artemis.”

With her arm still around Artemis’ shoulders, Rosmerta led her away from the black door, the same way Sara had only just left by. Artemis looked for her mother as they reached the atrium, but there was no sign of her. Sara Hexley really had gone.

“Wait,” said Artemis, as she and Ros walked past the fountain. “I want to put a coin in.”

She made her way over to the fountain, her hand reaching into her pocket. She held her mother’s parcel in her hand as she looked into the coin-filled water, gnawing at her lower lip. She was curious as to what was inside, but her curiosity was nothing compared to her self-righteous anger. If Rosmerta could act like a parent, why couldn’t her own mother? What possible explanation could she have for that? If Sara’s explanation was going to be anything like Rakepick’s, she would rather not have it anyway.

She pulled the parcel from her pocket and dropped it into the fountain, hitting the surface with a satisfying plop. Artemis watched it sink to the bottom to rest among the coins, before returning to Madam Rosmerta’s side and leaving the Ministry of Magic for good.

#artemis hexley #hogwarts mystery #hphm fic #hphm #the hexley saga #patricia rakepick #madam rosmerta #kingsley shacklebolt #dolores umbridge #merula snyde #ben copper

33 notes · View notes