I’m Not Much of a Talker
Don Hume x Original Female Character
Summary: Don has his first date ever. And I mean Ever. ✨E V E R✨
Word count: 7,162 (buckle up, buttercups! This was longer than I intended)
Rating: Teen and up
Author’s note: This story was inspired by one of the many headcanons @groovin2beats and I have been throwing back and forth - I hope you like it, and that it also has enough Bobby in it :)
Also tagged: @solo-pitstop-vibes
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Don was deep in thought while he walked to the general store. So much so that he didn’t hear Bobby yelling at him from across the street and the next thing he knew, Bobby was at his side, interrupting his racing mind with a nudge to his side.
“Going deaf on me now, Hume?”
All Don did was shake his head and continued walking.
“So where ya headed?” Bobby had to quicken his pace in order to keep up with Don’s long stride.
“The store.”
“What’re the chances? I’m headed there too!” Bobby noticed that Don was ignoring him. “You okay there, Don? You seem… quieter than normal.”
“I’m fine.” He wasn’t. Truth be told, his stomach was in knots and the knots were only getting tighter the closer he got to the store.
Bobby wasn’t convinced and, after prodding again, Don snapped at him. “We’re not in the boat, Moch; you don’t have to cox me.”
Bobby let his remark fly; Don was obviously worked up about something and was in a mood so for now, he’d let him be. Okay.
Full fic on AO3
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you can stay with me | don hume x f!reader
summary: don let’s you stay in his room after the party!
word count: 1,141
warnings: none just fluff
Don Hume bows his head shyly to the applause of the crowd below him. It seems that everyone in the auditorium who hadn’t left with their respective sweethearts were joined in celebration of the young athlete.
He steps off the stage to join the group of men who have quickly become his closest friends as they all take turns shaking his shoulders and kissing his head in pride. Becoming flustered by all the attention, Don excuses himself to the bar, hoping another drink will settle his nerves.
Distracted by all the commotion, Don doesn’t notice the girl walking towards him until she crashes into his frame. The drink in her hand splatters the pair, soaking his white button-down and the front of her soft pink dress.
Any feelings or confidence Don had felt prior had been instantly replaced by embarrassment as he steadied the young girl with a hand on her waist.
“I’m so sorry! I’m the biggest clutz!” You exclaim whilst shaking your hands to remove any lingering drops of brown liquid.
Don takes this opportunity to take in the young woman who stood before him. A once pale pink dress perfectly hugs your frame, complimenting the soft curls in your hair and the scarlet tinge of your lips. As your face reddens with embarrassment, Don realises he had been staring in admiration whilst you continue to spew apologies.
“No, it’s okay. It’s my fault, I wasn’t looking.” He reassures, withdrawing his hand in the process.
“I’m sorry. I really should get going before I trip and accidentally kill someone!” You joke, but it fails to fool Don as he catches the tears brewing in your eyes.
“You were great!” You add before running towards the exit as the tears threaten to spill.
Don turns to check that any of his fellow teammates are not watching him, knowing it would be the main topic of conversation at training the next day if they saw him run after a girl.
Once satisfied they were all distracted, he took off in your direction.
Upon leaving the auditorium, the darkness made it difficult to see anything, let alone your slight stature, until he heard faint sobs around the corner of the building. Sure enough, the cries led him straight to you, your arms wrapped around your body that shakes with each sob.
Don raises a gentle hand to your shoulder, careful not to frighten you.
“Hey, are you okay?” He asks softly.
“Oh yes, I’m fine. I was just worried about getting caught covered in booze when I returned to the dorms… I’m on a scholarship and need a clean slate to keep it.” You utter between sobs, and Don realises that you both may have more in common than he had once thought.
“I understand; I’m only here because of the team…I’m always worried I’m going to screw it all up.” He confesses, shoving his hands into his pockets nervously.
“Oh, come on, Hume, everyone knows you’re the best stroke Washington’s had in years!” You chuckle; your sweet smile doesn’t go unnoticed by Don.
“Hey, I have clean clothes back at my dorm. If you want to borrow a jacket, or something before you head home?” He doesn’t know why he suggested this, but he’ll do anything not to say goodbye just yet.
“Don’t you want to stay and celebrate?” You sniffle.
“I was about to leave anyways; I got to practice early tomorrow.” Don lies and, without hesitation takes the girl's hand in his as he guides her toward his dormitory.
Upon reaching the dorm, Dons realises his guest may not be impressed by his bare bedroom. However, when he unlocks the door, you enter without hesitation, making yourself comfortable on the edge of his twin bed, feet dangling below.
“So, do you like rowing?” You pipe up as he searches his cupboard for a coat with minimal holes, settling on a fleece bomber jacket.
“Well, I’m getting a job out of it and a room, so yeah.” He mutters, closing the cupboard door behind him.
“I think it’s more than that; I’ve seen how you row.” You tease, a sly smile playing on your lips.
“You’ve been watching me?” Don questions, struggling to believe a girl as beautiful as yourself would ever take notice of him.
“Hard not to.” You admit, smiling softly.
Don notices the goosebumps on your arms and places the jacket around your shoulders. With his tall stature the garment almost swallows you up, but you wrap yourself in it nonetheless.
“I suppose it should be getting home.” You announce after a minute of silence.
“I’ll walk you back.” Don insists, wanting to savour any time left with you.
“I’m sorry, but you can’t; if my hall director sees you walking me home this late, she’ll get the wrong idea.” The girl giggles as Dons face glows bright.
“You can’t walk back alone. It’s nearly midnight.” Don objects, taking your hand in his as if he was pleading. Although he had only known you briefly, the thought of anything bad happening to you made his stomach churn.
“You can stay with me-“ He adds before fully acknowledging the inappropriateness of his offer. To his surprise, your face doesn’t appear disgusted, and instead, you flash your sweet smile.
“What about your bunkmate?” You giggle.
“Oh… I have a feeling he’s not coming back tonight.” Don mutters, glancing over at Shorty’s empty cot.
“Well, if that’s what you want…” You trail off before Don interjects.
“It is,” He assures, Bobby’s encouragement from earlier replays in his head as he bows down to meet your gaze.
You can’t help but lift your hand to brush the loose strands of hair that frame his face back. Don takes this gesture as permission to kiss you.
You intertwine your bodies together as you lower yourselves onto the mattress. You’re unsure whether it’s the liquor or the feeling of Don's strong hands on your body that causes your head to spin as you hesitantly pull away.
“Are you okay?” Don asks, his brow furrowed in concern that he had done something wrong.
“Yeah, my head is sore, probably from all the drinking.” You reply, and he places a calloused hand on your forehead.
“Hmm, you should probably get some sleep,” Don murmurs as he rolls onto his back, allowing you to rest your head on his chest. You tuck your knees up, resting them against his side as he strokes your hair gently.
“Good night, Don…” You’re voice trails off as you fall asleep feeling the safest you’ve been since leaving your childhood home months ago.
Don, who had never been much of a talker, places a soft kiss on your forehead before dozing off himself.
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I love the attention to little details in TBITB
As a cox, Bobby would have to keep his weight down. George Pocock designed his shells for a 120lb max weight of a cox with them preferably being a bit lighter, and Bobby Moch was 119, so about perfect. But while he'd not have had the same conditioning regime as the crew, he'd have been running, sweating in saunas, and generally eating as little as possible to keep small. He literally wouldn't be pulling his weight, so he had to be light.
So while his boyfriend crew were piling their plates high in Poughkeepsie with meats and potatoes and eggs, fats and carbs, Bobby's plate was tomatoes, steamed veggies and was small even then.
For contrast - Don and Joe tucking in vs Bobby's plate
Just a little background moment, but a character moment. Joe and Don in particular (alongside another couple of the crew) were grindingly poor and always hungry. Joe was infamously able to eat and eat and eat, always hungry and never full. That Joe and Don have their plates full isn't just a moment that informs their place as athletes - rowers, esp olympic rowers, consume an insane number of calories, to the point where it can be a literal chore to eat that much to get the nutrients they need - but also their place in society, during The Depression. Never enough anything. Never enough money, never enough food, never enough heat, never enough security. Make hay while the sun shines - the party has food? Eat until you can't anymore because who knows when it's gonna be this good again
Little details, man, they make a movie.
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