Okay here's one. I really dont think I'm the asshole but my ex sure does.
AITA for refusing to buy my partner a jar of pickles?
So this story has like, a little background and some confounding factors i think but i really could go both ways on whether i was the asshole.
Ill start with both my ex (21nb) and i (23f) had severe mental health issues and were working on treatment when we were together. Theyd been in and out of inpatient stays throughout our three year relationship. Towards the Day of Pickles, i had my first inpatient stay where i got help i desperately needed to keep myself safe. This happened to be about a week after my 23rd birthday, but about two and a half weeks before their 21st birthday.
Anyway, at that time i had just gotten out of the hospital and started a new job at Joanns Fabrics (i outlived that retail fucker and im proud of it). I had been unemployed for the previous year and a half because of the pandemic and so the retail job was really my saving grace to have some sort of income to buy gas and groceries. My parents let me live rent free with them in their basement but i spent a LOT of time essentially squatting at my ex's dorm because my situation with my parents was not great.
Now my ex was also being financially abused by their mom so they had a monthly "allowance" of 200$ (of their own money they made at their on campus job) and no access to their bank statements. So i spent a lot of my own money on gas and groceries for both of us, and anything we wanted to do for fun, like visit the city. Without an income, this was SUPER stressful for me and i spiraled pretty hard with feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. Supporting two people, even minimal living expenses, on an income of exactly 0$ is the WORST.
Anyway, i got out of the hospital and pretty much immediately went back to picking up as many shifts as i could at work because id been on staff for all of two weeks before hospitalization. Knowing retail, i was probably on the precipice of losing hours or being fired altogether.
My ex wanted me to take time off to celebrate their 21st birthday (they didnt celebrate my birthday that year) and travel to see their family and drink etc. I got scheduled for an inconvenient time. I would have to miss their birthday if i didnt find someone to cover. I managed to switch shifts with another coworker who was nice enough to let me have her morning shift, so i was able to at least travel separately and be a little late to dinner.
The night of their birthday my ex wanted to get drunk and so we went to the liquor store. Now im generally pretty picky about alcohol but if i get anything special i always get enough to share. Mysteriously, no one ever offers to share the expense or pay me back. So with all of 150$ in my account, i purchased enough alcohol for myself and the rest of the party, and a bottle of (cheap af) liquor for myself. I was broke af until my next paycheck and was pretty much planning on giving up meals and staying at home because the commute to work was shorter and meant less gas.
My ex picked out a jar of boozy pickles and asked if i would get it for them for their birthday. I should note that with all the stress i was under i had found a birthday present for them but hadnt actually placed the order (was waiting to get paid). I also didnt lie to them about this and had told them that i hadnt gotten their birthday present yet. They were upset by this and told me they felt like i didnt care about them, to which i snapped and raised my voice a little.
I gave them a bit of a reality check. I told them in no uncertain terms that i was under a lot of stress, from nearly killing myself to being flat broke with little to no help from my family other than a conditional roof over my head, ordering their birthday present wasnt super high on my list of things to do and that i knew what i was going to get them and that i intended to order it as soon as i had the money to do so. After years of the sole attention being focused on keeping them alive, i needed some support and acting like i didnt care completely ignored EVERYTHING i did to keep us both afloat.They cried and played the victim as they tended to do and i was too stressed to do anything but be angry.
So when they asked for the pickles i told them no. I have NOTHING left in my bank account, and anything that was in my account was already allocated for something else.
They told me i was being selfish for buying myself alcohol on THEIR birthday, not even getting them a present, yelling at them, and then refusing to buy the one thing they asked for, especially after i refused to take off work the day before to hang out with them and their family. In front of our friends.
I told them that i was purchasing the alcohol for the whole party, that the present had slipped my mind, and that they were accusing me of not caring about them when i snapped. Then i walked out.
My bff went outside to help me cool down and i told him what was going on and how stressed i was and he said that he agreed with me, it was childish to expect me to pay for everything with no help from anyone and then act like im unreasonable for having to put limits on what i can purchase.
My ex ended up getting so pissed by all of this they broke up with me two days later, saying that their birthday was the final straw for them after I'd been so codependent and relying on them too much to survive.
I think its all ridiculous given all of the stress factors i was dealing with at the time. I feel like we're all entitled to the occasional emotional outburst/bouts of forgetfulness when we're stressed. But my ex seems to think im a selfish asshole. We've been no contact for the last two years so this isnt like a pressing concern or anything but it does make me roll my eyes occasionally.
So tumblr, aita?
(Btw im also much more financially stable now that I'm fully and properly medicated and away from them.)
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Starting over | Part 8
Part 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1
Summary: Y/n once lived in hell, until she gets to know that there’s another life for her, far away from pain and tears.
Jake and Bradley living their bachelor life in a cozy house in Miramar, until a young woman and her baggage falls into their life.
I used the TG:M characters and the setting for the following, my very first, story. It's heavily au and probably ooc. Jake and Bradley are finally best friends, sharing a house at Miramar. The Dagger Team is permanently stationed on based, finally living a settled life.
Trigger warnings: 18+!, past abusive relationship, inaccurate Navy knowledge, hurt/sick reader, angst, drama, protective Rooster and Hangman, angry and protective Phoenix, start of a poly-relationship.
A/N: Please reblog if you like my work. Thanks for supporting me.
Didnt' get the chance to proof read the new chapter properly.
Word Count: 3.0k+
That night was y/n's most comfortable one, the safest and without any nightmares. Her two roommates shielded her from the cruel world, from the demons out there and from the demons in her head. So this sleeping arrangement became their irregular tradition. They were never pushy or made y/n feel that she is obligated to sleep in one of their beds. It was like they seemed to feel when one of them had a rough day and is in need of more bodily contact, especially at the night.
The only thing which makes the young woman wonder is that they never talk about that. There was no real conversation about the three of them currently cuddling all together, sharing a bed from time to time, no word about the small lingering kisses both aviators give their female friend, no explanation for their more gentle touches or their lost looks in their eyes when they're watching the young woman. Y/n enjoys the attention from her two roommates. She likes their touches, their small kisses to her cheeks make her shiver, but also makes her missing their lips on hers. But she also confused. Why did their behavior changed in the last weeks? Is it out of pity? Or are they falling for her like she's falling for them? What happens when one of them breaks? Of course she will be the one to move out. Jake and Bradley's friendship lasts longer than the friendship they have with her. She doesn't want to destroy either of the friendships, but she also can't stop to feel this warm and special feeling in her heart for both men. The thought of her moving out, to leave her friends behind is eating her alive. She just found a safe space within these two fine naval pilots. She can feel her heart healing from her last relationship, but she can also feel her fragile heart breaking by the thought of losing them both. How could she fall for both her friends? How stupid and desperate must she be? She can't just choose one of them just like that. She needs both. When she's snuggling with both men it's the first time she feels whole and loved. But she can't just love two men, can she?
Jake and Bradley on the other side are more than dead certain about their feelings and about what they want. They're both falling for the young woman and they even enjoy each other's company on a completely new level. But they both made the agreement to not overwhelm y/n or to pressure her into something. They want her to make the first step, to start the conversation about their relationship. What they don't notice is that the younger woman is now more than confused.
---
It is a slow night at the Hard Deck. The Navy Bar isn't as packed as usually. There're nearly only patrons there, nursing their beer, chatting with friends or playing pool. Y/n loves these slow evenings with her friends where she doesn't have to fear of bumping into a million sweaty and drunk people on her way to the restrooms or the bar. Even today when the bar is rather empty both Jake and Bradley never seem to really leave their female friend alone. One of them is always touching y/n, not in an inappropriate way, more like they're afraid that the shy woman will disappear if they don't hold her tight. So much affection and intimate moments are new. Y/n wonders why they're both so clingy with her today. These lovingly touches and stares in public is something they haven't done the last weeks. Their cuddly moments were only for their time at home, without prying eyes and the risk of questions which y/n doesn't know the answers to.
A loud cheering brings the young woman out if her daydream. She still feels Jake's hand rubbing soft circles on the small of her back, when she looks up at Nat with confused eyes.
"Come on sweetie, it's our turn to get the drinks. Gives us a bit time to take a breath from these morons." Phoenix grabs her friend's hand and leads her to the bar. When she notices that her tall blonde colleague is following them she turns around. "Ah ah, loverboy. We don't need your help." Nat winks at Hangman and ditches him in the middle of the Hard Deck.
---
"So, you like him?" The brunette woman asks y/n as both of them are waiting for their drinks at the bar.
"The guy over there? I don't even know him." y/n laughs shyly. She doesn't like the attention from the stranger across the bar who is shamelessly looking at the two beautiful women waiting for their drinks.
"NOW WAY. He's a creep." Nat says the last word a bit louder and looks over to the guy "Don't like being watched-" and with that the guy looks away rather embarrassed. "- no y/n, I mean Bagman. You like him. He's all cozy today, can't seem to let you out of his grasp today. Or do you like Rooster? He has this lost puppy dog look in his eyes today. And the cute kiss he gave you on your cheek in the parking lot…"
Y/n feels like she just got caught with her hands in the cookie jar.
"I…I-I don't know what you're talking about." Her reply is nothing more than a whisper. She feels her cheeks heating and a flush creeping up her neck. How can she answer that question? She is just as confused as the woman in front of her.
"Hey, this is nothing against you. If any, I'm on your side, girly. I'm just curious. These two idiots changed drastically in the last weeks. Of course you had a good influence on them the day you moved in with them. But the last weeks… I observed them, you. What's going on? What's the deal?"
The smaller woman feels the panic in her chest bubbling up. Her ears are ringing and she can't help herself but steady her shaky legs against the bar.
"I don't know. They're both so good to me. I like being near them…" y/n whispers as she grips the backrest of the barstool in front of her in a bruising grip. She takes a deep breath to overcome the fear and panic in her chest, when a soft and small hand gently strokes her back.
"Y/n, this is no interrogation. I'm just curious and I worry about you. I don't want to see you get hurt, neither of you three."
"I'm so confused, Nat - " the young woman turns around fully to finally open her heart to her only female friend "- I don't know how to explain it."
"It's ok, sweetie. Just try to, I'm not here to judge. I'm your friend, ok?" Phoenix squeezes y/n's sweaty hand, noticing the small twinkle in the other woman's eyes.
"Nat, I'm falling for them. For both of them. I've never felt so loved, safe and warm in my life. Whenever I'm with them, I feel whole. This is so wrong, who the hell is in love with two men and to top it all they're my roommates. What a fucking sl-" but Nat doesn't let her finish her sentence.
"Stop right here. I will never ever hear that word out of your mouth, at least when we're talking about you. You're so far away from being that s-word." She hugs the other in a tight embrace but a familiar voice brings them out their private conversation.
"Hey Ladies, we're waiting for our drinks. You need help?" Bradley taps his hands on the shoulders of the two women. His left hand lingers a bit longer on y/n's back and rubbing a soothing circle in between her shoulder blades.
---
During their short conversation Nat instantly noticed the desperate and sad look in her friend's eyes. She is the last one to judge that y/n obviously had fallen for both her roommates. But she wants, no she needs to know what's happening in the Rooster-Hangman-y/ln household. So she takes the initiative and heads them off when both aviators are on their way back to the pool table.
"Not so fast, you goons. Need to talk to you, both." Bradley and Jake look at each other but don't seem to complain and follow their female colleague out on the deck.
The waves are crashing against the shore, the sun is already set and the wind is a strong and cold breeze. When the three of them stop at the railing and have a look over the dark water, Nat can't help herself but feel her anger towards her two friends starts to boil over.
"So, what's your game? Was it a stupid bet? Or are you two just assholes playing with the feelings of your friend?" Nat puts her hand on her hips even with both taller aviators hovering over her she knows she is the top dog here.
Jake is the first to find his voice after Phoenix accusations. "Okay, slow down here for a moment. What are you talking about? What game or bet? I don't know what's going on. Rooster, a little help here?"
Rooster takes a step closer to his roommate, shaking his head. He has a vague suspicion of what Nat is getting at. But before he can answer one more round is firing out of the woman's mouth.
"You, of all people, you should know how hard it is when an important person plays with your heart. Bagman is an asshole, he just hid it the last two years. But YOU, Rooster, what the fuck is wrong with you?" she pokes her forefinger painfully in Bradley's hard chest.
"Hey, calm down tiger. Let us explain, okay?"
Jake looks a bit panicked as he heard those words out of Bradley's mouth. Explain their situation? Admit that they both have feelings for their female roommate and special feelings for each other? Despite the cold he feels a bead of sweat rolling down his neck, he's nervous. Bradley places a hand on his friend's shoulder as he starts to explain the whole situation to their furious looking friend.
"I'm all ears. But let me get that straight. I want to hear the truth and if this is a stupid dick-measuring contest, who can get y/n in his bed at first, I'm gonna kill you both!"
"We had her in our bed already…" Jake mumbles nearly inaudible but Nat catches his whispered words and instantly goes for him. Seconds before her fist can do any harm to Jake's chest or face, Bradley catches the mad woman.
"Shut the fuck up, Hangman. And you Phoenix, please let him live and let me explain our situation." Rooster tries to calm down the whole situation.
"Jake and I, we fell for y/n. But this is not a competition. We're both in love with her and ok with that. But we don't want to overwhelm her with our idea of a poly relationship, so we decided we wait until she wants to talk to us about the situation."
Phoenix tries to comprehend Bradley's words. They both are in love with y/n, y/n told her she is falling hard for both the aviators. The two men talked already about a poly relationship, the only one left in the dark is the shy and sensitive young woman with the broken heart.
---
Their ride home is unusually quiet. Each of them seems to be in their own small world and lost in thoughts. Phoenix's words are still replaying in both Jake's and Bradley's heads.
"You have to talk to her. And not in three weeks but as soon as possible. This situation is confusing her. She is afraid that she will lose both of you. Please talk to her, she loves you!"
Y/n loves them, both. Nat is right they have to talk to her, now.
When Rooster parks his Bronko in front of their home, y/n was the first one to jump out the car and nearly running to the front door. She noticed the strange mood on their way back home from the Hard Deck and it made her scared. So there's only one thing which came to her mind: flight. She will just hide in her bedroom until the morning, hopefully with a good night's sleep the tension is back to normal.
"Hey, cupcake. Can you - can you come over please?" Jake talks in her direction, she stops dead in her tracks. That's it. They're going to kick you out or worse, they're going to pressure you into a decision. But she can't decide. Y/n tried to dry her clammy hands on her jeans, still not able to turn around and go back to Jake into the living room.
A big warm hand grabs her right arm. She is so deep in thought and afraid of what is to come, that she nearly jumps from the touch and flinches away, closing her eyes, brace herself for the slap. But there is no slap to her face, no kick to her legs, no fist in her ribs. Two strong arms are enveloping her in a tight but warm and familiar hug.
"Hey, Princess. I'm sorry, didn't want to scare ya. You up for a talk, with Jakey and me?"
Y/n instantly feels safe in Bradley's arms. Her back is pressed to his chest and she feels his steady breathing. She nods her head and slowly turns around just to be pressed deeper into the taller man's chest.
"Come on, let's take a seat on the couch, Jakey is waiting for us." with a kiss on top of her head he leads the slightly trembling woman over into the living room.
When she carefully takes a seat beside Hangman he immediately takes one of her smaller hands in his stroking gently over her knuckles. Bradley takes a seat beside his female roommate and starts the most important conversation of his life.
"So, we need to talk to you. Please let me explain and let me finish. You don't have to be afraid, you know we will never hurt you. Jake and I respect your opinion and your decision."
There was the word which makes y/n heart skip a beat. They want a decision from her. She has to choose between her two best friends. Why was she so stupid and fall in love with both of them. Her hands start to tremble violently and a tear makes its way down her cheek.
"Hey, Princess. Don't cry. What's wrong?" Bradley catches her tear with his thump and looks her deep in her eyes. He sees a turmoil in her big eyes, which are under normal conditions big and full of love.
"I - I- I should move out. It's too complicated with me. And don't want to be in your way and I don't want to ruin your friendship. I can't decide, I - I'm falling for you both…" In full blown panic y/n wants to get that out as soon as possible, but the last words are nothing more than a soft whisper. She doesn't want to make this more awkward. When she prepares herself to stand up and go into her bedroom and maybe start packing her stuff, strong arms are enveloping her in a tight hug. Jakes arms are holding her in place, not in a possessive or scaring way. For y/n these arms feel like home.
Bradley softly tilts her chin so that she's no longer looking in her lap.
"Princess. Nobody wants you gone. I make it short, okay. We're both in love with you, Jake and I. You're the best that ever happened to both of us. You're kind, lovely, our ray of sunshine and so beautiful. So Jake and I had an important conversation weeks ago. We talked about the three of us. How we both fell hard for you. How we love to have you around us, to have you in our arms. We - we talked about how a relationship between all three of us would feel like."
The young woman listens intently to Bradley's words. They're in love with her?
"You are in love with me?" she looks confused between Jake and Bradley.
"Yes, cupcake. We're both in love with you. We both want you to become our girlfriend. But we don't want to pressure you into something you don't want. I know that sounds really overwhelming. Take your time, think about it, but please don't shut us out." Jake speaks in a soft tone he doesn't want to scare the small woman in his arms.
She seems to be deep in thought, a lost look in her big eyes. Minutes crawl by without anyone of them dare to speak.
"Princess, you with us?" Bradley squeezes the small and cold hands of the woman in front of him. She once again lifts her head to look the brunette aviator in his warm brown eyes. She opens her mouth but not a word is coming out of her plump lips. To shy and nervous to say something. Bradley cups her cheek with one of his hands. "Y/n, there's no pressure. But please believe us, that we're 100 percent honest with you. There's nothing Jake and I want so much than keeping you safe, cuddling you, kissing you…"
His face is now so close to hers that their noses almost touch, with his last word he closes the distance between him and y/n. When his soft lips touch hers she lets out a soft nearly inaudible moan. Before their kiss gets to heated Bradley takes her head in both his hands and looks her deep in the eyes. She gasps and with big scared eyes she looks at Jake. Unsure of how he will react after seeing her and Bradley share a passionate kiss. But instead of being shocked or mad he just smiles at her, his thumb gently tracing her swollen lips.
"What Bradley said is true, cupcake. There's nothing in this world we want so much than to see you happy and safe. Should we test how we three will be together? One word and we back away, no pressure. Let's see what the future will bring us."
She shyly nods at the blonde aviator and before she can form a coherent word she feels Jake's lips on hers.
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