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thewritewolf · 4 years

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In Due Time Chapter 30: Purrince

Chat Noir rushes to help Ladybug, who is fighting alone against an akuma and sentimonster team up.

@marichatmay

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Adrien woke to many voices talking all around him, each of them vying to be heard over the others. Propping himself up onto his elbows, he happened to glance over at the other side of the bed and in his tired state of mind had to work to remember why he was disappointed to see that it was empty like usual.

Then it all came back - the movies, the snow, Marinette - and it was like he’d been dunked in cold water. An apt analogy, he thought as he shivered against the cold of the room.

Which is when he finally started paying attention to the voices fluttering around him, voices that he now recognized as belonging to the kwami.

“You’ve got-”

“-by herself-”

“-anything like this-”

Adrien held up his hands to quiet down the swarm of kwami. “Woah, woah. One at a time.” His eyes landed on Mullo first. “What’s happening?”

“We were talking with Tikki-”

“And Marinette rose from her slumber!” Longg cut in.

“Right, then she woke up and we ran off, but she saw something on her… her…” Mullo rubbed their forehead.

“Her phone,” Sass supplied, a concerned frown on his face. “Ssshe had ssseen a troubling omen upon the device.”

“Yes! That is what is the worst part!” Wayzz zoomed in front of Adrien’s face, panic in his voice. “Not long before that, I sensed the activation of Duusu’s miraculous, and I know Tikki felt it too!”

Another miraculous at play? It had been ages since the peacock had been used. Did Hawkmoth have a new accomplice? According to his Guardian training, it was the perfect compliment to the Butterfly miraculous, letting whoever Hawkmoth had brought into this fight attack them with impunity. Just like with the butterfly miraculous.

Clamping down on the fear and worry that threatened to sink into his heart, Adrien slipped into serious mode. His face was set in determination as he turned to the kwamis.

“Marinette went to go fight, didn’t she?”

Wordless nods answered him.

Adrien cursed under his breath and leaped out of bed. “Of course she did. Being willing to jump in front of danger to protect people is half the reason I chose her in the first place. Plagg, claws out!”

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

Ladybug remembered all the times she’d watched a closely matched akuma battle, whether it was in person or through videos on the Cat Chat. Even when she knew that he was going to win, she never liked seeing them. Imagining the pain he must be feeling whenever he gets a solid hit landed on him, or when his attacks just bounce off the villain of the day… it always drove a spike through her heart. Even more so when he was on his own.

But she no longer needed to imagine that sort of pain, because now she was living through it.

Although calling this a close akuma battle would be very generous. It was a two versus one beat down that Ladybug was only barely managing to keep fighting. What she needed to do was buy time for her to summon her Lucky Charm, but right now just staying on her feet and keeping ahead of her enemies was taking all her focus.

The pole she’d snagged with her yoyo was melted by a crackling beam of purple energy. Without an anchor to swing from, suddenly she was falling instead of flying. She hit the ground hard, sliding along the frozen roads for a few seconds before a parked car stopped her momentum. While she tried to recover, a shadow fell over her - the akumatized villain of the day with their cybernetic-looking body. Then the gigantic fabric wolf loomed over him, his maw of sewing needles wide open.

“The likelihood of you outrunning us approaches zero, Designate Ladybug,” the akuma, Shockwave, said in a mechanically even tone. “My partner approaches his maximum capacity for violence. Any further and I will be unable to contain his fury.” He held out a hand. “Submit your miraculous to me and survive.”

Ladybug focused on her earrings and glared at the akuma. “I will never give up.”

“So be it.”

Just as the cybernetic akuma tried to make a grab for her, Ladybug imagined a void inside her, envisioned the power flowing from her earrings and filling that massive space. Just as the akuma was about to make contact with her, she grabbed his wrist and let all the power flow out in one big pulse.

She wasn’t sure what she had expected, but strong roots bursting out from underneath the snow covered pavement of Paris hadn’t exactly been her vision. The roots snared the akuma, holding him in place at the same time that they pulled down the black velvet wolf into the ground, paws deep.

“ERROR THIS TACTIC WAS NOT ACCOUNTED FOR!” The akuma yelled in anger as Ladybug scrambled to get some distance. A fist that crackled with purple energy was pointed toward her, too close to dodge…

...Only for dodging to be made unnecessary as Chat Noir landed on his head and pushed him to the ground.

“And here I was, worried that you’d gotten in over your head, little witch.” His tone was teasing, but there was fear lurking in his eyes.

“Oh, don’t worry. You’ll always be my purrince charming, come to save the day.”

Chat snickered at her pun, but the sounds of snapping roots cut their conversation short. She looked past Chat to see the wolf snaring and gnawing at the plants. It wouldn’t be held for much longer.

“Quick - best guess as to where this guy’s akuma is hidden?” Chat backflipped off of the cyborg akuma to pin him down with his baton.

“I’m going to guess… this!” Ladybug took the red visor off from over his eyes and broke them in her hands.

Just as she hoped, the black butterfly pulled itself out from inside. No sooner had she cleansed it than the sounds of the last few vines snapping reached her ears.

“That,” Chat said, nodding toward the thrashing wolf, “isn’t a person, right?”

“Yes, I’m certain of it.”

“Good.” He pushed the newly de-akumatized man toward her and propelled himself backwards with his extending baton. “Cataclysm!”

His claws ripped the seam of the wolf, exposing the fluffy stuffing within. Green and black electricity danced across its body, and seemed to confuse it. It thrashed against buildings and ran in circles, narrowly missing stepping on Chat, before finally bounding away from them.

Chat huffed and nodded toward the trail of stuffing. “C’mon, I get the feeling we’ll need to follow it, even if all we do is keep people from getting squished.”

Once she’d caught up to him with her swings, she asked mid-run, “Is that another of your gut feelings?”

“Something like that,” he replied. “Where do you think it might be heading?”

Ladybug frowned as she looked around. It was a section of the city that held a few mansions for the particularly well-to-do.

“Maybe its going back to whoever made it?”

Chat raised an eyebrow. “With the exception of stumbling across you, I’ve never been that lucky.”

Ladybug smiled. “Thanks, chaton. I- Wait. Do you see that?”

There was a hole in the ground within the fence of a mansion that they couldn’t see very well by the streetlights alone. In contrast to the other mansions, it was almost completely dark outside.

Chat frowned. “Something about this seems… familiar.” He shook his head and began climbing down the hole. “Come on.”

After a few minutes, they reached the bottom. They arrived just in time to see the wolf, now almost completely out of stuffing, turn into a mess of purple goo before vanishing entirely. There were claw and teeth marks etched into a concrete wall.

Chat glanced at her. She nodded.

His claws were engulfed in the black energy of his cataclysm before being scrapped along the concrete wall. It crumbled to dust before blowing away. A mass of white pushed past the two of them and it took her a moment to realize that it was a whole host of faintly glowing butterflies.

She looked down into the room that had been exposed.

Looking back up at them, hate and rage and a hint of fear in his eyes, was none other than Hawkmoth.

#Miraculous Ladybug #Adrien Agreste #Chat Noir #Ladybug #Ladynoir #Hawkmoth #Sass #Mullo #Plagg #Aged Up AU #MarichatMay2020 #ml fanfiction #my writing #In Due Time #Wayzz #Longg

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artificialqueens · 4 years

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If You Ever Wanna Be in Love (I'll Come Around), Chapter Eight {FINAL} (Branjie) - Athena2

Summary: After realizing her feelings, Brooke calls Vanessa, but she doesn’t answer Now: Their happy ending

A/N:The last chapter is here! Thank you all so much to everyone that has read along with this one! Your support has meant so much to me and the comments I’ve gotten really mean a lot. I’d love to hear what you think about the end! Thank you so, so, so much to Writ. I couldn’t have done this without you and I appreciate you so much, you’re the best. I’m really gonna miss this one. Thank you all for sharing it with me.

“Pick up,” Brooke begs, pacing her office, “Pick up, please.”

This call is her last chance to fix things, and each ring that Vanessa doesn’t answer makes Brooke’s stomach clench tighter, like a giant fist is squeezing her. There’s plenty of reasons Vanessa might not answer. She could be busy, or have her phone on silent. But Brooke can’t stop thinking Vanessa is ignoring her purposely, ignoring the apology and feelings Brooke is so desperate to share.

The call goes to voicemail, that robotic voice telling her to leave her message after the beep, and Brooke falters. She had planned on Vanessa answering, having something to go off. Even just knowing Vanessa was listening on the other end would have been a comfort, rather than sending her words into empty space. But it’s just her now, and even if Vanessa never listens to this, Brooke has to try.

She takes a breath, adjusts her sweaty grip on the phone. “Hey, Vanessa, it’s me. Brooke. Um, I know things aren’t great with us right now and you have every right to hate me, but the exhibit opens tonight and it…it would mean a lot to have you here. If you want to.” Brooke sighs. This isn’t enough, she knows it, and it’s her only shot. “Vanessa, I–I’ve been thinking. And I know I panicked when you tried to kiss me, but I was just scared, and now I know I shouldn’t have been. I’m so sorry I hurt you. I…I love you, Vanessa. I hope I can see you tonight. Bye.”

She numbly pulls the phone from her ear and ends the message. That’s it. It’s done now, in Vanessa’s hands. Brooke should feel relieved, but she just feels sick. Though the prospect of public speaking could be what’s tying her stomach in knots. It’s always like this when she presents, her muscles tight with terror of making a fool of herself in front of people, mind racing with ways they’ll judge her. But she’s talking about something she loves, something she knows better than anything, and once she gets out there and starts, her passionate bravado will take over. It’s the getting out there that’s the hard part.

She leaves the warm safety of her office and heads out into the museum. Everything looks perfect, just how she imagined it. There’s a huge dinosaur banner streaming across the auditorium entrance and folding tables outside, bearing punch and water and cookies and the giant cake with a T-Rex piped in dark green frosting on the top. Hundreds of people–she’s reached the turnout she wanted, and her funding should be secure–mill about, whispering in front of the velvet cloth covering the T-Rex skull, wondering about the fierce predator underneath.

“How’re you doing, Brooke?” There’s Nina, and Brooke’s chest loosens a little. At least she has Nina. Her parents are coming, and her sister’s bringing the kids, and it’s enough to have them, even if Vanessa is missing. Brooke can pretend, at least.

“Okay,” she says. “A lot better than when I had to practice speeches on you for that public speaking class in college.”

Nina smiles, gives a fake shudder. “Lord, don’t remind me. That professor really made you do a speech on gas prices that I had to listen to with my own ears.”

Brooke grins back, some of her nerves melting away, though it doesn’t last for long when Nina’s face falls serious again and her voice drops.

“And the Vanessa situation?”

“Working on it,” Brooke says. Brooke filled her in on everything, and it calms her to know Nina is behind her all the way, that she has a friend to help her out. “Um, can you let me know if you see her?”

“Of course.” Nina pats Brooke’s arm, looks at her warmly, and Brooke rounds through the lobby, putting on her professional business Brooke persona and talking to donors and board members, their praise making her flush with pride. She really did it, and she won’t have to fire anyone or scrape for funding. She keeps going until it’s five minutes to her speech and everyone is inside. Nina comes over to her, and Brooke knows the answer from her face, but she asks anyway.

“She’s not here, is she?”

Nina bites her lip and pulls Brooke into a hug instead of answering.

“I’m sorry, honey.”

“It’s fine,” Brooke chokes out, but everything is falling apart around her. She wants to say it’s a mistake, that Nina just missed Vanessa and she’s down in the front row, but she knows Nina’s right. Vanessa’s not here, which means Brooke’s grand romantic plan won’t work. She blew it, and Vanessa is gone for good. Her vision is turning blurry. She forces the tears back in. Maybe Vanessa didn’t listen to the message yet, or maybe she needs more time. Or maybe she hates you, a dark voice mocks in Brooke’s mind. Maybe she erased your message. Brooke can’t even blame her for that.

“Brooke, I know you wanted her to be here, but don’t let this ruin things for you. This is a big night and you’ve worked so hard for it.”

Brooke nods, not wanting to hear her voice crack. How can she give her speech when she can’t even manage words?

“You’re gonna be amazing out there.” Nina’s hands are steady on Brooke’s shoulders as she offers encouragement, and Brooke breathes with her, nodding when she’s okay.

“I’m good,” Brooke insists. She adjusts her shoulders and stands up straight. “I’ll see you after.”

Nina nods. “Good luck.”

Brooke heads to the auditorium stage, cringing until she adjusts to the spotlights. She wishes she could look into the crowd and see Vanessa’s face to anchor her, just to know she’s there. But she sees her parents, and it has to be enough. The place is packed, not a seat open, and new tears spring in Brooke’s eyes. All through high school she was told that going into paleontology was a waste, that she should pick a field with more secure jobs. A field people actually care about. Tonight, the hundreds of expectant faces before her prove that people do care, that her passion isn’t a waste.

She takes the podium from the museum director, hesitating a split-second over abandoning her opening joke (What do you call a dinosaur that’s a loud sleeper?). She ran all her options by Vanessa and went with Vanessa’s favorite, and it’s almost too painful to do it, Vanessa’s laugh echoing in her ears. But she nails the pun (A tyranno-snore-us) and the erupting laughter tells her it was the right choice.

Brooke waits for the laughs to die down, takes a breath, and begins her speech.

—

Vanessa loses track of how many times she’s heard the word ‘Flavortown’ tonight when the phone rings again. It’s Brooke, and Vanessa’s heart skips a beat. She reminds herself she’s angry, but her resolve is wavering, worn thin by hours of sitting here, trying not to think of the exhibit she was missing, or the new voicemail burning a hole in her phone.

What’s the harm in answering? Maybe she should answer, give Brooke a piece of her mind. One last telling-off to really end things and help her move on. She accepts the call before she can keep arguing with herself.

“What do you want?” She has to stay strong, can’t give an inch here.

She hears Brooke breathe on the other end. “I missed you at the exhibit.”

“Why would I go? I don’t owe you anything.” A clean break, Vanessa reminds herself. She needs to move on. She can’t get hurt again.

“I know. I just…I wanted you there. I miss you.” Brooke’s hurt, Vanessa hears it in her voice. Hurt in a way Vanessa’s never heard before, hurt in a way she imagined Brooke was as a kid, left out of games with the other kids. She shouldn’t care that Brooke is this upset, but she does.

Because she misses Brooke too, has missed her all week even through her anger. She missed being able to text Brooke and tell her about the mysterious pacifier that appeared on the library carpet and disappeared overnight. She missed setting up weekend plans with Brooke, searching for fun things they could do. She missed Brooke’s smile and her snort-laugh.

“Did it go okay?” Vanessa asks. That coldness she started with is rapidly thawing and she can’t keep it up when Brooke sounds so sad, so lonely. The memories are rushing in no matter how hard she fights, and she can’t be this mean to the woman who brought her coffee and tried so hard to win her a stupid stuffed animal.

“Yeah. It was great.” There’s an awkward pause, and Vanessa detects something Brooke is hesitant to say.

“What else?” Vanessa prompts.

“Um, I got an award,” Brooke says quietly. “It’s from the state, for kids’ programs I did. It was a surprise.”

“Shit, I—I’m sorry I missed it.” She really is sorry, the burst of regret running through her. She can imagine how happy Brooke was, how much it meant to her, and she’ll never be able to do anything but imagine. Because she wasn’t there for Brooke. Something so important to someone that was (is?) so important to her, and she wasn’t there.

“It’s fine.” The defeat in Brooke’s voice jumps through the phone, and Vanessa can practically see her shoulders slump. “Like you said, you don’t owe me anything.”

Vanessa bites her lip, fighting the dampness that pools in her eyes. She hates being mean like this, hates knowing she hurt Brooke, even if Brooke hurt her first and has it coming. But what can she do? It would be stupid to try a relationship again, hurt her heart once more. “Brooke, I–”

“It’s fine.” Brooke repeats. “I, um, I left you a voicemail. I don’t know if you’ve listened to it, but if you want to…”

“I haven’t yet,” Vanessa admits. She shouldn’t listen to it. She knows she shouldn’t. Brooke doesn’t love her, so what could she have said? It’ll only make Vanessa hurt worse. But why does she want to end the call this second and listen to it? “I…I gotta go, okay?”

She hangs up before Brooke can say anything else, then switches to voicemail, her heart pounding. The little red notification glares at her, judging her for leaving the message unheard.

She presses play, and Brooke’s voice makes her heart swell.

“Hey, Vanessa, it’s me. Brooke.”

That dork, Vanessa thinks fondly. Only Brooke would introduce herself on a voicemail with her name and number linked to it. Never mind that Vanessa would know that voice anywhere.

“Um, I know things aren’t great with us right now and you have every right to hate me, but the exhibit opening is tonight and it…it would mean a lot to have you there. If you want to.”

Shit. Vanessa’s supposed to stay strong, not let this bother her, but she can’t be that mean. Brooke had called her practically begging her to go, to share this with her, and Vanessa wasn’t there. Brooke went to that stupid carnival for her, and she missed one of the biggest nights of Brooke’s career to sit home and sulk. Tears prickle in her eyes and she frantically blinks them away as voicemail-Brooke sighs before continuing her message.

“Vanessa, I–I’ve been thinking. And I know I panicked when you tried to kiss me, but I was just scared, and now I know I shouldn’t have been. I’m so sorry I hurt you. I…I love you, Vanessa. I hope I can see you tonight. Bye.”

Vanessa’s shoulders heave with sobs, the phone slipping from her shaky hands and tumbling to the carpet. Brooke loves her. Brooke loves her, and Vanessa can’t stop crying. If only she had answered the damn phone. She could’ve gone to the museum. They could’ve talked it out. She could be in Brooke’s arms now.

What if she’s ruined everything? Brooke was heartbroken on the phone, and what if missing the exhibit made Brooke so upset she’s given up on Vanessa, given up on them? The thought of losing Brooke again, after coming so close, all because of an unanswered call, makes her boil with anger over her own stubbornness.

But can Vanessa trust her? Brooke went from terror over a kiss to loving her. What if next week she just wants to be friends again, says her feelings are a mistake? But she called and apologized, told Vanessa how she feels even when it must have terrified her, and there’s no denying the honesty in her voice. Brooke really loves her. Maybe she did just need time, like A’keria said.

Even as she tries to think things out, Vanessa’s heart knows the answer. She wants to be with Brooke more than anything. She wants to make a mess cooking with her every night, and go on picnics on the weekends, and stare up at the stars together. She wants to fall into bed with Brooke and sleep curled around her. She wants to see Brooke every day, to celebrate the good with her and comfort her through the bad. She loves Brooke and every bit of her dinosaur-loving, over-cautious, soft-hearted self. She loves Brooke, part and whole.

I hope I can see you tonight, Brooke had said.

Vanessa’s heart kicks into overdrive, her mind buzzing. It’s not too late. She can still see Brooke tonight. She needs a plan, she needs–she scrambles around the apartment, trading her dog pajamas for the gold dress she meant to wear tonight, fixing her hair. The museum gift shop is closed, but Target should have what she needs. She can do this.

A’keria comes out of her room, no doubt bothered by the noise Vanessa’s making.

“What the hell? Sounds like a herd of elephants out here…” Her gaze turns to Vanessa, and she smiles. “Go get your girl, V.”

Vanessa will.

—

Brooke’s parents insist on taking her to dinner, and she sits at the table and listens to them talk about how happy they are for her, how great things went.

Brooke should be happy. She is happy. She’s here with her family, and the exhibit went even better than she planned. The glass award she won is in the car, safely wrapped up in her old red hoodie, and she even got to bask in the sour-lemon expression on Greg’s face when the board chose him to present it to her. Tonight was everything she dreamed of and more, and she accomplished everything she wanted.

So why does it feel like something’s missing?

Or maybe it’s someone.

They’re at a table for four, and that single empty chair is staring at Brooke, its worn vinyl mocking her. She can’t help but picture Vanessa in it, making them all laugh.

There’s a platter of golden mozzarella sticks in front of Brooke, but they don’t taste as good as they should. The adrenaline and excitement from the night are vanishing, and she feels drained. Hollow, even. If she wasn’t here with her parents she’d go home and crawl into bed. What’s the point of all this if she doesn’t have someone special to share it with?

Being single has never bothered her. She celebrated internships and new jobs at dinners with her parents and at bars with Nina. She’s had occasional girlfriends, none that happened to be there for any major milestones. And she was fine with it. She didn’t need someone else to be happy, or have value, or say her accomplishments meant something. But she looks around the restaurant, sees couples upon couples at tables for two, holding hands and talking and splitting food, and it hurts. Hurts to see them happy with each other, having someone that would hopefully always be there.

She doesn’t need another person to live, but she wants one. Wants someone who’d be there for her whether she was happy or sick or sad. Someone she’d be there for in return. Someone who’d let her have alone time, but never let her be lonely again. Someone who would always love her, who she’d share these things with. But she ruined her chance.

Her brave face stays on until she’s back home, pulling into an empty parking spot, and she’s suddenly wracked with sobs, her whole body shaking. She’s in her empty car, with her empty self, and she’ll go into her empty apartment. And it will never change.

She’ll never have anyone like Vanessa. Vanessa is once in a lifetime, every romantic cliche come to life. But it’s true. Brooke will never find someone like her, someone who makes her happy just by existing, who understands her. Who loves–loved–her. But Brooke had pulled away when Vanessa put her heart on the line, and maybe she deserves to be lonely forever after what she did. Vanessa will move on, probably. Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to love her? She could already have someone new, already be moving on.

Jealousy burns in Brooke’s stomach as she moves up the stairs with a head full of images of someone else getting to see Vanessa’s smile, and it’s worse than the emptiness. Being numb was better, to not feel the sadness inside, to not hurt from loneliness.

She turns the corner–

It can’t be.

It just can’t be.

Brooke rubs at her eyes and even pinches her arm. This is a dream, it must be a dream.

“About time!” A raspy voice booms, and that voice is straight from Brooke’s dreams. “I look like a murderer standing out here!”

Heels click on the floor, and Brooke realizes she’s running. She’s running to her apartment and opening her arms as Vanessa burrows into them, burrows into that hole in Brooke’s heart and makes it complete again.

“Vanessa, you—,” Brooke can’t form a sentence.

Vanessa looks up at her, eyes glistening with tears.

“We need to talk,” she says gently.

— Brooke is still pinching herself as Vanessa sets bags on the couch.

Vanessa is here in the glittery gold dress they had picked out together, one Brooke didn’t think she’d see her in again. She’s here and Brooke doesn’t know if it’s because her feelings have changed, but she’s never been so beautiful.

The silence fills the whole living room, she and Vanessa staring at each other from their positions on the couch. As much as she’d like to just hug and kiss Vanessa, ignore what happened, Brooke knows they have to talk. She wipes sweaty hands on her thighs.

Vanessa clears her throat. “Brooke–”

“I’m sorry,” Brooke blurts. “Vanessa, I’m so sorry for what I did.”

Vanessa bites her lip. “Do you wanna talk about what happened? ‘Cause you panicked before and now you’re saying you’ve changed.” Vanessa’s not angry, just a little cautious. Brooke supposes it’s fair. Vanessa doesn’t want to take a chance and get hurt again.

“I…” Brooke takes a breath. “When you tried to kiss me, I panicked. We were just friends. I thought it would do more harm than good to kiss you. Because then things would change, and I didn’t want them to. I liked being your friend, and I didn’t think it was fair to lead you on if we were just friends.”

Vanessa nods. “Brooke, I…I realized I loved you after we stayed at your parents’. I wasn’t gonna say anything, but then I just had to, and you didn’t react how I wanted.” She smiles sadly. “But I understand where you’re coming from. And I should’ve talked about it before I tried to make out with you.”

Brooke gives Vanessa a shy smile. “It took me some time,” she admits. “I talked to my mom, and I realized I like you as more than a friend. I love you, Vanessa.”

Even though she said it on the phone, it’s different to say it now, with Vanessa’s wide eyes taking her in, her hand reaching over. Brooke squeezes it with her own, takes in Vanessa’s hands and how special they are, from the paper cut on one finger likely from a craft, to the shiny red nails and soft palms. Holding Vanessa’s hand shouldn’t be a big deal, but it feels more intimate than a kiss, like she’s holding a piece of Vanessa. Brooke’s heart warms that Vanessa trusts her with this piece after everything, and she holds on tight.

“I love you too, Brooke.” Vanessa’s eyes sober a second. “But are you sure about this? I…I kinda need to make sure you’re in this all the way. I don’t want to push you, and I don’t want to get hurt again.”

Brooke breathes slowly. “The truth is, I haven’t been in a real relationship for a while. I’ve never had anything too serious, either. It’s a little scary to me,” she says quietly. “But I want to. With you. I really do. And I promise I won’t hurt you again.”

“I won’t ever hurt you either,” Vanessa says, ringing with sincerity. “It doesn’t have to be scary. We’ll have each other.”

The thought gives Brooke a rush of courage, enough to keep going. “Would you be okay with things being really slow?”

Vanessa isn’t someone who questions her feelings. She’s someone who knows relationships, knows love. Brooke doesn’t want to ruin that for her with her own fear of things moving too fast, her uncertainty at navigating a serious relationship.

Vanessa nods firmly. “We can go as slow as you want, okay? Especially after this fake dating shit, I think going slow is exactly what we need.”

Brooke smiles hopefully. “Maybe we could start with a real date?”

Vanessa grins. “You got it. How about a little make-up for tonight?” She pauses, creeps in closer toward Brooke. Suddenly, her lips rest on Brooke’s cheek, and Brooke’s whole face burns. Vanessa’s kiss is delicate, like she’s afraid to hurt Brooke, and she pulls away quickly, eyes frightened.

“Brooke, was that okay?”

Brooke doesn’t answer, but puts her lips on Vanessa’s. It’s not their first kiss, but it’s the first one that’s real; the first one that’s just them, no acting. Brooke opens her eyes a second and sees Vanessa’s eyes fluttering as she melts under the kiss. Brooke’s heart races in her chest and Vanessa’s breath is similarly hitched. The living room lights hit Vanessa perfectly, and forget seeing her in the dress—this is the most beautiful Vanessa has ever looked, blissful and dreamy. Brooke lets her hands cup Vanessa’s cheeks, feels that they’re just as hot as her own, and she waits for Vanessa to pull away first, because Brooke won’t back out of a kiss with Vanessa ever again.

“Definitely okay,” Brooke says. She leans back on the couch and jostles the bags, making Vanessa leap up and grab them.

“I almost forgot! These are for you.”

Brooke takes the items and stifles a laugh. A stuffed T-Rex, a tiny model rocket ship, and two cupcakes with astronaut food sprinkled on top. A childhood museum gift shop-raid come to life. She throws a hand over her mouth, certain she’ll cry.

“Vanessa, I love them. Thank you so much.”

Vanessa smiles, but she seems sad. “I’m really sorry I wasn’t there for your award. I was just upset, and I didn’t want to go and keep falling in love with you. But I should’ve been there.”

Brooke takes Vanessa’s hands again, running her thumb over her skin. “It’s okay. I understand. And Nina filmed everything like a dance mom at her child’s recital, so you can watch the video.” She takes a breath, takes a chance. “You know, I had this big treasure hunt planned for if you came.”

Vanessa’s eyes widen. “You didn’t!”

“I did. I was gonna send you through the museum and be waiting for you at the end.” She still wishes she could have done it, a big gesture from the movies Vanessa loves so much. But things have worked out, and Brooke wouldn’t change a thing. Vanessa is here next to her, and that’s all that matters. Besides, the map is still safe in her purse, and maybe someday she’ll need it.

Vanessa swats her. “Well, now I want a treasure hunt!” Her pout tries to look angry, but it just makes her even cuter.

Brooke grins. “I’ll save it. After all, we’re gonna need date ideas.”

Vanessa smiles back. “Yeah, we are. Let’s see, there’s a movie in the park next weekend, and a new exhibit at the art museum, and maybe we can get a reservation at that Italian place–”

“Slow down!” Brooke giggles. “We have plenty of time for all of it, okay?”

“We do,” Vanessa agrees. “Tonight, I want to eat these cupcakes and hear all about your speech.” She reaches to the cupcakes and hands Brooke the vanilla one, taking the red velvet for herself. She wipes away the frosting Brooke gets on her nose, and Brooke warms under the touch.

“Well, the joke was a big hit–”

“–I told you!” Vanessa yells.

She nestles against Brooke, a perfect fit, and Brooke knows this is what love feels like.

—

“Are you sure your family will like me?” Brooke picks at her sweater cuff, and Vanessa won’t let her be nervous.

She strokes Brooke’s arm, heart swelling when Brooke stills instantly at her touch. “They’re gonna love you. Promise.”

Brooke nods, swaying along to the radio as Vanessa drives. It’s the same playlist Vanessa made for their first trip together, and she knows Brooke is lost in the memories like she is.

Memories of the pumpkin patch they visited last month, when they stuffed themselves with cider donuts and got stuck in the corn maze for an hour before finally escaping in fits of laughter. Memories of their Halloween together, with Vanessa as Evelyn and Brooke as Rick from The Mummy, with lots of candy and kisses. (Brooke’s already working on their Jurassic Park costumes for next year). Even the memory of when Vanessa helped Brooke make an apple pie, their buttery hands brushing as they rolled out dough, making such a mess with the flour that Apollo was more white than gray.

It’s been three months of pure joy, of dates and dinners and conversations where Vanessa’s gotten to know Brooke all over again. They’ve had movie marathons and make out sessions and played games through grocery store aisles, and every time Vanessa looks at Brooke, she can’t believe how lucky she is. Can’t believe they’re together, after all the twists and turns to get here.

She peeks over at Brooke, in the green sweater that matches her eyes, a hopeful smile on her face, and Vanessa knows she wouldn’t change a thing about their relationship.

Vanessa pulls into her parents’ driveway and takes Brooke’s hand. “You good?”

Brooke’s a little pale, but she smiles. “I’m good.”

“Let’s do it.” Vanessa leads her up the driveway, and she can’t believe this is finally happening. After fantasizing about this for so long, thinking it would never happen, she’s bringing Brooke home to her family, letting Brooke meet the people who mean so much to her. It’s one of many firsts they’re sure to have, and Vanessa’s heart swells every time she thinks of what their future holds. And maybe, just maybe, that treasure hunt proposal is in the future some day. But for now, she has Brooke, and she doesn’t need anything else.

“Vanessa!” Vanessa is in a bone-crushing hug with her mother before she can prepare for it, squeezing back just as tight. Her mom only pulls away when Vanessa moans about suffocation. Her mom turns to Brooke, and Vanessa watches Brooke tense at first, then loosen.

“Mrs. Mateo, I’m—“

“You’re Brooke!”

Vanessa’s mom wraps Brooke in a squeeze even tighter than the one she gave Vanessa.

“All right, Mom, you’re gonna crush my woman!” Vanessa laughs, rubbing Brooke’s back when she’s released. Brooke’s smile overtakes her whole face, like she didn’t mind being squashed. Like she’s truly happy to be here, loving this glimpse of Vanessa’s family.

“She can handle a big hug from me. I can tell.” Vanessa’s mom winks at Brooke, and Brooke’s cheeks turn soft pink. “And call me Annabelle, none of that Mrs. Mateo nonsense.”

Brooke grins. “Of course.”

They follow her mom in and there’s Vanessa’s dad and brother, and her nieces screaming while her nephew runs around, and Vanessa doesn’t have to worry about Brooke getting scared and running away. Because Brooke knows these parts of her and loves her for them.

“This is Brooke, everyone.” Vanessa does the introductions, watching her family take Brooke in with wide eyes.

“Now, how did you two get together again?” Her mom asks.

Vanessa smirks as Brooke lets out a snort. They lock eyes and erupt into laughter, laughter tinged with disbelief of what happened yet all the certainty that it’s real, that their love is real, and always will be.

“It’s a long story.”

#rpdr fanfiction #brooke lynn hytes #vanessa vanjie mateo #akeria davenport #nina west #branjie #lesbian au #fake dating au #if you ever wanna be in love #athena2 #concrit welcome #submission #s11

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