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watchtowerindistress · 7 days

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Normally, I wouldn't post every single chapter of a series but I just want to show some love 💕 I would need to write more than 5 replies to summarize my whole thought process 😅

I think I wrote something similar on a Tommy Shelby fic of yours that I stopped watching Peaky Blinders around S2, despite the fact how much of a Tom Hardy fan I am 🫣 I'm still excited how you're going to combine those worlds.

To be honest, I'm looking forward to Hattie's arc because it wasn't as obvious in the first part that she can be really childish, so I kinda hope she can grow and evolve over time. 🤞🏼

“Mm-wha..?” he mumbled thickly, running a hand over his hair, the action sending the duvet sliding towards his waist.

River is just pure adorableness when waking up ☺️

It's funny how you just get Lamb. How I read those lines and instantly heard Gary Oldman in my head 🙌🏼

“I’m fucked if I know why they would want the bloke who can’t tell the difference between colours and the girl who stabs people. [...] You fucking stab anyone this time and that’s it? End of. Alright?”

The way Hattie just gets the reputation of being Stabby Mcstabby 🤣🤣

River Cartwright x Hattie Larkin (oc)

And just like that I have another series on my hands 😂 If you missed the posts yesterday - this is going to be a Slow Horses / Peaky Blinders crossover fic so strap in as I squish my two worlds together 🤭 I’d love to know what you think - remember comments (and reblogs!) are love 🤍

Summary: Faced with the morning after the night before, things are strained between Hattie and River. How will they cope when a new assignment that forces them to spend time together?

Warnings: None really except for bad language and probably inaccurate depictions of espionage - I’m not a spook guys 😂 (or am I?! 😉). Slight spoiler about why River is in Slough House but that’s literally the opening sequence of s1-ep1 so not really a biggie.

Word count: 4413 PART 1 | SERIES

Part 2: The Waterfords

Pulling herself from slumber was a slow and reluctant process. She was so warm and cosy, wrapped as she was in the duvet and…

Her eyes snapped open.

What the actual fuck was that solid mass pressed against her back??

With a jolt of horror she tried to wriggle away from the warmth behind her, only to find she was pinned against it, a heavy arm draped across her middle.

Oh holy fucking shit…

The night before came flooding back, crashing over her like a cold bucket of water.

“Cartwright?!” she hissed, finally succeeding in removing his arm and scooting away from him, clutching the bedclothes to her chest.

Oh god, she was still naked.

River woke up with a start at her wriggling, squinting against the morning light filtering around her curtains.

“Mm-wha..?” he mumbled thickly, running a hand over his hair, the action sending the duvet sliding towards his waist.

Oh fuck, he was still naked too.

“What are you doing?” she hissed and he properly woke up, blue eyes finally focussing on her furious face, his frustratingly handsome features covered in confusion.

“Oh, I don’t know, sleeping?”

“No, you idiot! Why are you still here??”

“I was sleeping,” he said again and her scowl deepened.

“But why haven’t you left yet??”

He squinted at her like she might have hit her head.

“Larkin, I don’t really know how else to explain to you that I was sleeping. What part of that aren’t you getting?”

She sat up, pulling the covers with her so violently he had to quickly grab them to keep some for himself.

“Fucking hell, Cartwright - last night was a mistake. You know that, I know that. So why haven’t you fucked off in the middle of the night like a normal fucking person—” River slowly raised an eyebrow at her but she ignored it, “—so we can both pretend it never fucking happened and get on with our lives?!”

He sighed, struggling to sit up against the headboard, covers pooling in his lap.

“Why does it have to be like that though..? I thought—”

“Oh well now we really are fucked. River Cartwright has had a thought.”

He scowled and fidgeted with his hair again, only serving to make it even messier, sandy blonde strands sticking up every which way.

“You know, you’re the one who started it. And you’re the one who asked me to stay.”

“Yeah.. well..” she fumbled, feeling her face turn red. “I also said it was a really fucking stupid idea.”

Flames of mortification licked across her skin, burning away any latent desire that the sight of his pale, broad chest, dusted with darker hair, might have inspired.

“Hattie…c’mon” he said quietly, reaching towards her.

She hit him with a pillow and he yelped, holding up his hands in defence. “No! Don’t you Hattie me - get out! It’s already…” She scrabbled for her phone on the nightstand and groaned when she saw how late they were. “Fuck, it’s already after eight. You need to go right now ‘cause you can’t fucking go into work in yesterday’s clothes - you’ll give us both away.”

“Fine,” he sighed heavily, throwing back the covers, giving her an eyeful.

“Jesus River!”

He fumbled for his underwear, pulling them on, the elastic snapping at his hips.

“Yeah, that’s what you were saying last night.”

“Fuck you,” she snapped, a fresh wave of embarrassment flowing through her. Did he really have to look that good naked? Was there no justice in the world??

He disappeared into her living room, returning fully clothed a moment later.

“I’ll see you at work.”

As he disappeared again, she scrambled out of bed, grabbing her dressing gown and knotting it tightly at her waist.

“If you tell anyone about this…” she called after him as he stopped at the front door to pull on his boots.

“Why would I? Do you really think I want everyone knowing that I went home with you?” She pulled up short and he drew himself up to his full height, several inches taller than her, looking down with a dark expression. “Yeah, nice feeling isn’t it?”

“River..”

“Save it. I’ll see you at work. Your shameful secret is safe with me.” He stopped halfway out the door. “You’ll get there first so you better cover for me with Lamb.”

The door rattled in its frame as he slammed it behind him, the heavy thump of his footsteps disappearing down the stairs.

Hattie leaned against the wall and banged the back of her head against it a few times.

“Fuck,” she muttered, finally pushing herself into action and heading for the bathroom.

*****

Six weeks later

Thumping sounded from the ceiling above their office and they both sighed.

“It’s your turn,” muttered River, and even without looking up he could feel her sour expression.

With a huffy sigh, Hattie dragged herself from her desk, stumping her way up the stairs to Lamb’s office.

“You thumped, my liege?” she drawled, loitering in the doorway.

Jackson Lamb, surrounded in a fog of smoke, sat reclined in his chair with his feet on the desk. One of his toes was poking through a hole in his desperately threadbare socks.

If it wasn’t an almost daily sight, she might have been inclined to lose her recently consumed lunch.

“Where’s the other one?”

Hattie frowned. “Which one?” There were five other people in the office, apart from her and Cartwright. Not including Catherine because Lamb would never lump her in with the rest of them.

“Who do you think?”

“…Cartwright?”

“Clever fucking girl.”

“He’s downstairs.” She stared at him for a moment.

“Well go and fucking get him then!”

With a mutinous scowl she left the room and leaned over the bannister.

“DANUBE!”

She smirked as she heard the scraping of his chair against the wooden floor of their office and a second later his blonde head poked around the door.

“Boss wants you.”

Wearily he climbed the stairs towards her. “You know, that’s getting really tiresome now?”

She grinned widely. “But yet I have so many more rivers of the world to try.”

He deliberately bumped her shoulder as he passed on his way into Lamb’s office, knocking her slightly off balance and she shoved him back, sending them both shambling into the room.

“Are you two toddlers quite fucking finished? Fuck me, no wonder you two didn’t last five minutes as proper fucking spies.”

Drawing themselves up in poses of slightly embarrassed contrition they both assumed serious expressions.

“Sorry,” mumbled Hattie.

“She started it,” added River, earning a glare from beside him and sharp look from his boss.

“Shaddup the pair of you,” ordered Lamb, pulling his feet off the table to sit properly, shuffling a set of non-descript brown folders in front of him.

“Now, not that either of you delinquents deserve it but I’ve got a job for you—”

“A real one?” interrupted River and Lamb just stared heavily at him, sucking on his dwindling cigarette. “Sorry,” he muttered, shuffling his feet.

“Apparently the Park is having a flu epidemic or some shit, and they’re short-staffed. Which is the only reason you two are being allowed within a hundred miles of an active operation.” He looked squarely at Hattie. “After last time it’s a wonder you still have fucking jobs at all.”

He held out one of the files and Hattie swiped it before River could, quickly flicking it open and scanning the first page. River hovered at her shoulder, reading, the warmth of him bleeding through her shirt.

“We’re doing surveillance? Really??”

God, he was like an excitable puppy sometimes, she thought, rolling her eyes as she kept reading down the page.

“I’m fucked if I know why they would want the bloke who can’t tell the difference between colours and the girl who stabs people instead of keeping a low profile, but here we are. Not so much bottom of the barrel but the fucking thing is well and truly empty.”

“So here it is,” he continued, lighting a fresh smoke. “There is absolutely no contact to be made. The target’s taking his mistress to Devon but it’s a front—”

“Wait what? We’re doing surveillance in Devon??”

“Cartwright if you don’t stop interrupting me you’ll be going fucking nowhere!”

Hattie sniggered but stopped abruptly at the expression on Lamb’s face.

“You’re to keep tabs on him for three days and report your findings to some real spies who will do the proper fucking work. And you will be so fucking discrete that God himself wouldn’t see you, do you understand?”

They nodded quietly.

He lifted two other files and checked the tabs before swapping them, leaning to handing them over. “Because it’s a public place, you need proper legends - details are all in there.” He pulled them back as they reached to take them. “You will not lose these or get yourselves blown. Costs a fucking fortunate to create this shit - far more than either of you are worth.”

He proffered the files again and they took one each.

“Wait what??” exclaimed Hattie as she read the opening section of her cover persona. “No, absolutely fucking not.”

“I’m sorry, did this look like a negotiation to you, Larkin?”

“But we have to pretend to be married!”

“Yeah well, I can understand your reticence,” agreed Lamb, scratching his bristly chin. “I wouldn’t want to be hitched to a cunt like him either.”

River opened his mouth to retaliate when Jackson’s phone rang.

“Go on, fuck off the pair of you,” he ordered, reaching for the receiver. “Oh, and Larkin,” he added and she turned, halfway to the door. “You fucking stab anyone this time and that’s it? End of. Alright?”

She felt River start to giggle beside her and pushed past, stomping back down to their office.

“You know, did it occur to you that maybe I don’t want to pretend to be married to you either??” he grumbled as he shut the door.

She threw him a look as she slumped behind her desk. “Right, yeah, that’s believable.”

“Wow….”

Ignoring him, she leafed through the details, not really taking anything in. “I don’t understand why he picked you and me though.”

“Min’s tied up on that other thing with Louisa, he hasn’t even learned Marcus’s name yet. I mean, would you rather he sent Ho??”

She shuddered. “But why does it have to be one of you lot? Shirley could come with me. Thought we were supposed to be a modern Service these days.”

River laughed, dropping his own file on the desk.

“Shirley, really? What if you get in a tight spot, like last time?”

“Please, she’s ten times tougher than you. And she’d be quicker to help and probably wouldn’t immediately get herself punched in the face, leaving me no choice but to stab someone.”

“So it’s my fault that you killed Kalugin??”

“I mean, that’s what I told Duffy and Lady Di,” she grinned.

“F’fucks sake,” he muttered, glaring moodily at the papers in front of him.

“Oooohh… language, Tiber.”

His head snapped up, finding her grinning wickedly at him. “Larkin, I swear to god…”

“Hey now, that’s no way to speak to your wife,” she beamed, turning her attention back to her file.

He watched as she chewed the end of her pen, eyes down, scanning the page. Fucking hell, this was going to be a long three days.

*****

The car journey from London to the Devon coast was possibly the longest thing Hattie had ever endured. Although they had settled into a certain rhythm of slightly awkward, passive aggressive normality at work, being in a confined space with him for the better part of five hours was a completely different matter. He was too close, she could smell his aftershave, the soft spiciness bringing back memories she had been trying to forget.

Like having her face pressed against his neck, breathing him in, as he fucked her over the edge, every deep stroke sending her spiraling.

Her thighs squeezed together unconsciously and she cleared her throat, hoping he hadn’t noticed.

To break the tension she suggested they quiz each other on their cover stories - newlyweds, Robin and Glenn Waterford. Hattie couldn’t help but feel that someone at the Park had a dodgy sense of humour when they came up with their aliases. River had whinged for at least half a day about being forced to be called Glenn, until she pointed out that it might not actually be worse than his real name and he had retreated to silent seething instead.

“How did we meet?” she asked as he overtook a slow moving tractor on a country lane, finally off the motorways and heading towards the coast.

“At a wedding - I was a friend of the groom, you worked with the bride.”

“And they are called..?”

“Vic and Mike.”

She nodded and he tapped the steering wheel thoughtfully.

“But how did we get from meeting at a wedding to getting together?” he asked.

She glanced at him, his eyes trained on the road. The shiny silver band on his forth finger catching the light.

“Day after the wedding, there was a very hungover lunch and a walk where I stupidly rolled my ankle and you took care of me.”

“Damn right I did. Because I’m a fucking gent like that,” he chuckled, shooting her a quick smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling in a way that made something swoop in her stomach.

She fiddled with the (very fake) diamond rings on her finger, the feeling of them still weighing strangely.

“How much of this sort of stuff have you done?”

“What, surveillance, or undercover?”

“Either.”

He shrugged, slowing behind a cyclist out enjoying the warm weather. “A bit. I mean, I’d done a fair few ops like this before…”

“Before you crashed Stansted and were exiled in disgrace?”

He pulled a face at her, darting around the cyclist. “It was—”

“A training exercise, I know, I’m only kidding you on. It’s not like I’m not languishing in disgrace with you.”

He flicked a quick glance her way, seeing her brushing back her dark hair with a hint of embarrassment.

“Are you ever going to tell me why you’re in Slough House?”

She looked at him, lips in a tight line. “River, you’re a spy. If you want to know, you’ll have to figure it out for yourself.” Turning slightly more towards him, she tried to contain a grin. “Or maybe you’re just not as good a spook as you think you are.”

“Better than you,” he scoffed.

“Well when you figure it out, you can let me know.”

He followed the satnav and turned onto another road, the sea suddenly twinkling on the horizon.

“Oh how pretty,” she smiled. “I haven’t been down this way for years.”

“Me neither.”

“We used to come here all the time when I was kid. Well, here and Cornwall.” She rolled down the window, in the hopes of letting the summer air tinged with salt drift into the car, only to be hit with a heavy waft of cow manure from the fields they were passing.

“Oh fuck! Shut that before we pass out!” he laughed, pinching his nose as she hurriedly pressed the button to close it again.

“Don’t be such a baby, it’s just the countryside.”

“Yeah, well, unlike your country bumpkin self, I grew up in London. And the countryside can keep it.”

“Yes, because the capital is often so fragrant. I do love the smell of piss on the breeze in the morning.”

He threw her a look and she met it by sticking out her tongue.

“Mature.”

“I am. Shame about you.”

“Hatts…” he muttered warningly.

“No, no. We’re almost there, so I think you should call me Robin from now on. Get in the groove with it…. Glenn.”

He didn’t have to look sideways to feel her grin.

“Ok, when we get there we have to set up and be ready for Changretta arriving. He’s being tailed to the hotel so if anything happens before he gets here we’ll know about it, but the Park thinks it’s unlikely.” She checked her notes. “And then he’s got dinner in the hotel at eight fifteen so we have a reservation for eight o’clock.”

“Do we have any more intel on whether it’s just him and her, or are they expecting guests?”

She shook her head. “No, nothing. Table is booked for two but I guess we need to be ready for anything.”

*****

Twenty minutes later, River pulled the car off the road that ran along the sweeping bay, crunching over gravel in front of the beautiful old stone building, frontage weathered by years of bracing sea air.

“Fuck… this place must cost a bomb…” muttered Hattie, looking up at the mullioned windows in quiet wonder. “Expect people like you, stay in places like this all the time?”

“What’s that supposed to mean? People like me?”

She shrugged as he pulled into an empty space.

“Oh come off it, River, with your grandad do you really expect me to believe your family wasn’t loaded? I bet you weren’t freezing your arse off camping or in a caravan.”

He bristled slightly. “Think what you like but we weren’t. My mum… well she lives a different kind of lifestyle.” Cutting the engine, he twisted to look at her. “Anyway, game time. You ready?”

She blew out a breath and nodded, wishing the nerves in her stomach would fuck off.

Climbing out of the car, she stretched her stiff limbs, taking the opportunity to get a surreptitious look at their surroundings. Only one way in and out of the guest car park but there would be access at the rear for deliveries and the like. And only five other cars - all much fancier than River’s - currently in the car park but it was still early.

River joined her, toting their small cases, smiling warmly.

“What do you think?”

“It’s amazing,” she beamed back, trying to take her case but he shook his head, gesturing for her to go on ahead.

The grand old foyer was immaculate, large displays of fresh flowers giving off a soft scent as they passed.

“Checking in?” asked the young man at reception.

“Yes, Waterford,” replied Hattie, River standing close beside her. She almost jumped as a large warm hand settled on her hip, gently pulling her back against him.

There was a certain amount of keyboard tapping before the man looked up again.

“Ah yes, Mr and Mrs Waterford–”

“Still getting used to hearing that,” grinned River and she forced a giggle, feeling him press a kiss against her temple.

The receptionist smiled. “We have you with us for three nights and we’re delighted to offer you a complimentary upgrade to our honeymoon suite.”

Hattie couldn’t stop her eyebrows shooting skyward. She’d just assumed that the Service would have arranged for them to have separate adjoining rooms or something - not actually having to pretend to be married even behind closed doors.

“That’s amazing, isn’t it darling?” prompted River, squeezing her hip.

“Yes! Wow, thank you, that’s so kind,” she enthused, pulling herself together.

“And your parcels arrived earlier and have been left in your room, along with some gifts from us to congratulate you on your marriage,” the young man smiled, pushing a piece of paper towards River. “If I could just have your signature, Mr Waterford, and we’ll need a credit card for incidentals.”

As River let go of her, fishing around in his pocket for his cards, Hattie looked around the ornately decorated space. A huge sweeping staircase led to above, and she could see doors to the bar and restaurant beyond, and another corridor that led towards the spa. There were plenty of cosy nooks and groups of invitingly squashy sofas and armchairs, some clustered around fireplaces that screamed winter comfort. It was beautiful, but was going to be a nightmare to track Changretta through and follow their instructions to be entirely inconspicuous. He’d clearly chosen the location with care.

“Alright, that’s all gone through, here’s your key.” He handed a small key on a heavy brass fob to Hattie. The old fashioned affectation would make it a lot easier for them to pick the locks at least. “The lifts are just around to the left behind the staircase. Do you require any help with your luggage?”

They declined and set off for the lifts, dragging a case each.

Objectively, the honeymoon suite was ridiculously beautiful - enormous bay windows housed a little seating area that overlooked the sea, which was glittering in the late afternoon sunlight. And if she’d been here on an actual holiday - or actual honeymoon - she’d have been beyond thrilled.

As it was, however, she was less than thrilled to be trapped in a single room, with only one (albeit, huge) bed, with the colleague she was working very hard to pretend she’d never had sex with.

“You need to cool it with the PDA, Cartwright,” she grumbled as soon as they were safely behind closed doors.

“We’re supposed to be fucking newlyweds, we have to act like it.”

“Yeah well, unless you want my trusty letter-opener in your guts you’ll keep your hands to yourself.”

He rolled his eyes and started opening the discretely packaged equipment that had been sent for them by the Park. Once Changretta arrived and they knew what room he was in, they would have to break in and install listening devices so they could keep tabs on him.

“How could they not give us separate rooms?” Hattie continued complaining as he methodically separated the tiny devices for planting, from the things they would need to keep in their room. “Or twin beds at the very least! Do they really expect me to share a bed with you??”

He sighed heavily, biting his tongue, as she walked around, inspecting a small sofa in the window.

“You can sleep on this.”

“No fucking way! You’re shorter than me - you can sleep on it if you’re going to be such a princess about sharing a bed.”

She sucked in a breath, hands on her hips. “No way! I thought you were, and I quote, ‘a fucking gent like that’??”

He straightened, pushing a hand through his hair. “Glenn might be, but I’m not throwing my back out just because you’re having a hissy fit. It’s a massive fucking bed, there’s plenty of room for both of us to be able to pretend the other person isn’t even there.”

She balled her fists. “Fine! But given how handsy you’re feeling, we’re putting pillows down the middle.”

“For fuck’s sake, Larkin! I was trying to be a fucking professional and be in character. You could at least meet me halfway!”

“Oh for crying out—”

“Ssshhh!” River waved his hands at her to shut up.

“Don’t you tell me—”

She shut her mouth as an audible creek emanated from just outside their door.

“Oh fuck.. I swear to god if we’ve been made before this has even started…” she groaned quietly as footsteps disappeared.

Sticking his head round the door, he checked the hallway.

“It was just housekeeping,” he said as he shut the door again. “But we should be more careful. No more yelling.”

“I wasn’t the one yelling,” she mumbled and he shot her a glare. “God, I was kidding, River.”

“Just come and help me with this stuff, yeah? We need to get sorted so we can go and loiter downstairs.”

*****

To their immense frustration, Luca Changretta didn’t turn up until almost seven o’clock. At risk of being obviously loitering near reception, they had to take it in turns to roam the hotel, the other perched carefully by the window of their room, which afforded a helpful view over the main entrance.

I think he’s here

The text from Cartwright flashed up on her phone and she put down the book she wasn’t reading and finished the coffee she’d been nursing for forty-five minutes, grimacing at the cold dregs. Pretending to check her phone she saw a tall, dark haired, handsome man striding across reception, with a small, brunette at his side. Her dark cat-like stare roved the room and Hattie quickly had to avert her gaze.

Call me, she texted back and her phone began to vibrate.

“What’s wrong?”

“Hi mum,” Hattie smiled cheerily, seeing the woman with Chagretta glancing her way. “Yeah we got here fine, it’s gorgeous.” Boredom filled the woman’s pretty face and her gaze slid past Hattie, ignoring her again.

“Is there something wrong? Did he make you?”

“No, no, the journey was grand.”

“Larkin..”

“How’s grandad? Have you been to see him today?”

“You what??”

Catching Changretta’s eye as he turned towards her voice she made sympathetic noises into the phone, twisting away slightly, seeing him go back to focusing on the receptionist in one of the many mirrors. In her ear, River kept asking inane questions.

“Ssshh, I’m trying to listen,” she hissed as quietly as she could, covering it with a louder, “Oh well, that’s good news at least.”

“You’re in the Harbour Suite, Mr Sarratore,” smiled the same receptionist who had checked them in earlier. “The lifts are just behind the staircase. Do you need any help with your luggage?”

“I’d better go mum, Glenn’s waiting for me. Give my love to dad,” Hattie said, as Changretta began to head towards the lifts, hanging up before River could reply.

“He’s in the Harbour Suite under the name Sarratore,” she announced as she shut the door of their room. “It’s only two doors down from here so we should get clear reception from the bugs.”

“You could have texted what you were doing,” River grumbled from his spot, reclining on the bed.

“There wasn’t time, his little woman friend was looking.”

“So much for being discrete.”

She shrugged, toeing off her trainers. “We’re staying in the same hotel, they’re bound to run into us.” She paused, eyeing him. “I see you picked a side of the bed.”

He sighed. “Let me guess, this is your side, right?”

She shook her head, opening the wardrobe, flicking through the stuff she’d brought, trying to pick an outfit for that evening. “No, you already know I sleep on the other.” She pulled out a dark green dress. “What do you think? Would Robin wear this to dinner?”

Forgive me but I couldn’t help myself a little ‘but there was only one bed!’ action 🤭 I’d love to know your thoughts and your engagement is fuel to my fire ♥️ xx

☕️ Enjoyed this story? Why not by me a coffee - Ko-Fi

Masterlists: SLOW HORSES | SERIES | MAIN

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#fic rec #river cartwright x oc

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watchtowerindistress · 11 days

Text

At the moment, I'm not really into writing and reading smut, so I didn't get to appreciate this one in its splendor. Maybe I'll revisit this one in the future. 😘 Although, I still adored the moments in between. I needed some time to gauge what to say while re-reading everything again.

“We really don’t have to do this…” he ventured again, even though the idea of not made his guts twist. He wanted her so badly it was almost painful, his cock straining against the fabric of his trousers.

Oh, what a gentleman. As much as it pains him. This is really sweet of him. 💕

“Oh my god… shit…” she hissed, tugging at his hair until he groaned, the sound reverberating against her clit.

Okay, that was hot. 🥵

He shifted, hooking an arm under her knee and pulling her leg towards her chest, allowing him to slide even deeper. The change of angle had him brushing her gspot with every movement and she couldn’t seem to get air into her lungs, plaintive cries slipping from her lips as he drove into her more quickly.

Okay, ... who is this man for finding her g-spot several times?

“I think I love you, too,” he replied hesitantly, leaning in to kiss her again. But she dodged his advance with a small frown. “You think??”

The way my mind had the same answer like River ready, while knowing - oh shit that's not going over well. 😅 You know, without committing that hard because it still feels really fresh.

“Outrageous - they don’t let stupid people into MI5.” She cocked an eyebrow. “Don’t they? I mean, Spider’s there so they can’t be that choosy.” He screwed up his face. “Ok rule one of this relationship - can we please not talk about Spider when we’re in bed?”

🤣🤣 Very important to set some ground rules. Not to mention someone's work enemy while in bed - very standard and understandable.

“Urgh,” she complained, as he squeezed her against his chest. “When did you last shower??” The rumble of his laugh flowed through her and she held him a little tighter.

Ohhhhh, that's some real love. 🥰

River Cartwright x Charlie Faraday (oc)

Thanks for waiting lovelies and for all those who shared their love for the first part with me - it makes such a difference when people engage so don’t be shy - my anon asks are always open too if you’re too bashful to comment directly 🤍 I hope you enjoy this one too, xxx

Summary: Picking straight up from Part 1, now their feelings are out in the open, River and Charlie waste no time in finally being together.

Warnings: 🔞 Smut! Like basically 95% of the chapter is just soft, fluffy filth. You’re welcome! 🤭 Minors DNI. This two-parter is entirely spoiler free.

Word count: 4261 PART 1 | SERIES

Work Drinks - Pt. 2

They barely made it to the top of the stairs before he had her pressed against the wall again, lips on hers, her fingers knotted in his hair. He groaned quietly into her mouth as she tugged his strawberry blonde strands and warmth pooled between her legs at the sound.

With an effort he pulled back, her lips pink and a little swollen, pupils wide.

“We don’t have to…y’know…” he said a little breathlessly, the message slightly undercut by his thumbs tracing the curve of her breasts beneath her shirt.

“Do you not..?”

The fact she could feel him pressed hard against her suggested otherwise.

“No no - trust me - I want to,” he rushed in reply, stealing another kiss which immediately grew heated, a whine in her throat as, not entirely on purpose, his wandering thumbs brushed across one already peaked nipple. Teeth nipping at his lip, her body rocked into his, chasing friction.

Gasping, they separated, his face clasped between her hands.

“River, will you stop trying to be such a fucking gentleman and just fuck me already?”

He chuckled lowly, unpinning her from the wall. But as he tried to move towards his room she caught his hand.

“Not in there - it smells of boy and you forget I know how often you change your sheets.” Her nose wrinkled. “I’m not sleeping on the bedding you wank in, Cartwright.”

He bobbed his head side to side - she had a point - and followed her into her room, with her clean and superior linens.

As he kicked the door closed behind them, she paused, not feeling quite as brazen as moments earlier. Was this really happening? How many times had she imagined something like this between them? Warmth rushed to her cheeks, her lewd fantasies mortifying in the face of him actually being here in her room.

“You alright?” he asked quietly, coming close, a little unnerved by her sudden silent stillness.

She hadn’t even realised her hands were partially covering her face until his fingertips brushed across the back of them, easing them away.

Peeking up through her hair, the low light caught the reddish strands, making them glow.

“You don’t know how long I’ve wanted this,” she murmured, blinking quickly and looking away.

He cradled her face, pushing her hair back, tilting her chin up to make her look at him.

“Same.” He brushed his lips against hers softly. “But that doesn’t mean we have to rush - we have all the time in the world.”

She shook her head slightly, a quiet glow spreading from her chest through her body, illuminating her from within, chasing away the dark vestiges of her anxiety. Slowly her hands crept up to the collar of his shirt, stroking across the soft cotton and up to graze along his neck.

“I need you,” she whispered.

He almost came in his pants.

Tugging lightly, she brought his mouth back to hers, the softness quickly being replaced by something altogether much needier. She fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, craving the feeling of his skin as he hooked his hands under the hem of her jumper and dragged it over her head, leaving her exposed to him.

Shucking his shirt to the floor, he followed as she dropped to the bed, shuffling into the middle, doing her best to hide her chest behind her arms.

“You are so fucking beautiful,” he mumbled, gently prising her limbs away, and she flushed with a strange combination of embarrassment and delight as his mouth traced a path from her lips to her jaw, and down her chest. With a quick glance up, meeting her eyes, he closed his lips around the stiff peak of her breast, teasing the sensitive bud with his tongue, smirking as she swore and her back arched up against his touch.

Sucking gently, he released it with a pop. When he blew lightly against the slick pebbled flesh, she let out a quiet keening moan, her hips rolling meaningfully against his, the grinding against his cock making him groan and he nipped her breast with his teeth in reply.

“Fuck, River…” she whimpered, hands roaming his back, his sides, nails dragging over his skin and making him shiver as he turned his attention to her other nipple.

“Please...” she gasped needily, hands now circling the waistband of his trousers.

He leaned up to kiss her again, full and desperate, tongues and teeth battling as he felt her pop the button and ease the zip of his fly down. Trying not to get in her way as she palmed him over his clothes, he ran a hand down her body, bypassing her pyjamas entirely to run his fingers over her cotton-covered pussy. Pressing against her slit he could feel her desire already dampening her underwear. As he rubbed small, experimental circles against her clit, her hands - now delving into his own underwear - stuttered to a stop as she gasped against his mouth.

“You’re so wet for me already,” he grinned, gently hooking her pants to the side, eagerly watching her as he ran a finger through her folds. She twisted her face away, cheeks flaming with embarrassment, but couldn’t prevent the almost pornographic noise that left her throat as his fingertips found her clit properly, rolling slickly over it. She clapped a hand over her mouth in horror and he laughed, pulling it away with his free hand.

“Oh no, don’t do that, I want to hear all of those.” He pressed a little more firmly on the little bundle, eliciting another uncontrollable whimper. “Just like that.” His blue eyes, close to hers, were darker than she had ever seen them, pupils blown wide with need.

He watched with something like fascination as he pressed lightly against her tight entrance, drinking in the way her eyes widened and her teeth trapped her lower lip in anticipation.

“I want to see you,” he mumbled, pulling away, to her mild confusion because the feeling of his fingers teasing against her cunt was pulling the majority of her attention. Whining indignantly as his hand disappeared, she propped herself up on her elbows to complain just as he kicked off his own trousers, briefly giving her a better view of the not inconsiderable bulge in his boxers. Thus distracted, he caught her a little unawares as he dragged her own lower layers off in one movement.

Settling between her legs, she almost forgot to be embarrassed at being completely naked in front of him, as his large hands pressed her thighs apart, opening her glistening folds to him.

“Fucking hell…” he breathed, air rushing warmly over her sensitive skin, making her squirm. Lightly, he trailed his tongue along her slit, her head falling back to the covers as he glided the tip over her swollen clit.

“Fuck… River…I—”

Her words died on her lips as he wrapped his around her clit, sucking gently, tongue rolling across it as he pushed her legs further apart. Sparks burst behind her eyelids as he lapped against her, teasing just enough to send glimmers up her spine but not enough to send her over the edge, his stubble deliciously rough against her sensitive skin. Her fingers knotted in his hair, hips bucking to meet his face until a heavy forearm pushed her down into the mattress, the controlling action almost enough to make her cum on his tongue.

But when his fingers began toying with her opening again, first one fingertip, then two, until she was desperately trying to bear down on them, she could barely hold back. She’d imagined his hands on her - those long fingers inside her - for years. Whimpering breathless pleas, she begged him for more, feeling the curve of his lips against her as finally he slid two deep inside her plush, wet heat.

“Oh my god… shit…” she hissed, tugging at his hair until he groaned, the sound reverberating against her clit. Trying to ignore the throb of his cock, he curled his fingertips, searching and seeking…

“FUCK!” she practically yelled as he connected with the spot inside that made her legs turn to jelly and electricity shoot through her veins.

Flattening his tongue against her clit he looked up, watching as her face contorted in pleasure, the fingers of the hand not buried in his hair rolling and pinching her nipple. Her walls fluttered around his fingers as he worked against the soft spot inside, her arousal dripping down to his palm.

Panting, she could feel the coil inside tightening, threatening to spring free of her control at any moment. Every brush of his tongue, the fullness of him stretching her open, sent bright bolts of pleasure coursing through her. She could hear herself babbling, whining pleas and curses mingled with his name, as he pushed her closer and closer, the prickle of his stubble almost painful against her clit but she never wanted it to end. Without warning, he sucked hard on the little bundle and her world exploded, an almost silent cry in her throat as pure, raw pleasure tore through her, lights blinding and sparkling across her vision.

He had to catch her as her thighs tried to clamp around his head and suffocate him, her body arching from the bed, her climax coating his tongue. Fuck, had anyone ever tasted this sweet? He knew right then that he would never, ever, get enough of her like this.

Lapping more gently, he took what she gave, smirking as her body jolted with every graze of his tongue against her over-sensitive nerves. Not removing his fingers, he wiped his chin with his free hand and shifted to lie next to her, catching her mouth with his. She could taste herself in his kiss and he felt the shudder of desire it sent to her core, walls tightening around his lazily moving digits.

“I think I could watch you do that all fucking day,” he grinned, robbing her of a reply as he swiped against her gspot, her mouth falling open in a gasp instead. He brushed his nose against hers, eyes large and blue in her vision as he began moving them with more purpose again. “In fact, I think I’d like to see you do it again… now,” he mumbled, voice thick with gravelly desire. He began fucking her harder, working her gspot with an almost vicious fervour until she was gasping and whimpering, hands scrabbling at his shoulders.

“Fuck.. River.. just there.. just like that.. fuckfuckfuckfuck…”

“Cum for me,” he commanded in an almost growl, ducking his head to run his teeth over her nipple and she unraveled instantly, hands over her face at the intensity.

“Good girl,” he grinned as his movements slowed to a stop, and she shakily peeked up at him between her fingers.

“No need to look so pleased with yourself,” she grumbled quietly, pushing her hair back from her flushed face.

Sliding his fingers out, his grin only widened at her involuntary whimper at the loss.

“Oh really? I think I have a lot of reasons to be pretty pleased with myself right now.” He waved his fingers, covered in the evidence of his prowess, at her before making a show of popping them in his mouth.

Her thighs squeezed together at the sight. It was possible her lewd fantasies hadn’t been entirely inaccurate after all.

She ran a hand over the straining bulge in his underwear and his mouth fell open, a low groan slipping out. “How about you stop showboating and fuck me, hmm?”

His lips crashed into hers as she helped him push his boxers away, his face slipping to her neck as she wrapped a hand around this achingly hard shaft.

“Fuck..” he mumbled thickly into her shoulder, his hips stuttering slightly into her fist as she stroked him too gently for the length of time he’d been waiting.

“Not so cocky now,” she chuckled breathily into his ear, only to gasp as he pressed his thumb against her clit. Raising his head, he met her eye, a serious expression painting his flushed features.

“Do we need..?”

She shook her head quickly.

“I’m all good if you are.”

With a brisk nod he shifted to hover above her, pressing his forehead to hers as she teased his tip through her slick folds. His eyes slid closed for a second as she helped ease him against her tight opening.

“River…” she whispered and he opened them, her eyes wide, grey-blue eyes staring up at him, a slight wiggle of her hips begging him to go further. “Please.”

With a groan, he pushed into her, the soft, velvety heat of her enveloping his cock, making his head spin. She hissed quietly as he stretched her open, wider than his fingers had tried to prepare her for.

“Are you alright?” he mumbled, breath coming in short, quick gasps, doing his best to let her settle around him.

“Oh my fuck yes,” she half-laughed in a rush of air. “Please, please…”

She didn’t have to finish her sentence - which was fortunate because she hadn’t formulated much beyond begging - before he began to move his hips, rolling into her with deep strokes that took her breath away. Bracketing her head with his arms he kissed her, swallowing her moans as he slid almost all the way out only to drive back into her hard.

“You feel so fucking good,” he groaned as he trailed kisses down her neck, sucking lightly. “So… fucking… tight.” He punctuated his words with sharp thrusts that made her yelp and grip his shoulders harder, her nails digging into his skin. Curling a hand into his hair, she dragged his mouth back to hers in a sloppy, breathless kiss, her hips rising to meet his movements, chasing more of him.

“Let go,” he murmured against her lips, feeling the telltale quivering of her walls around his length. Snapping harder into her, his eyes closed as her body squeezed even more tightly around him. But he quickly forced them open again, desperate to see the first time he made her come apart like this. “You look so fucking beautiful when you do.”

Heat rushed to her already flushed face and she twisted away from him, the arrowing of his hips sending her hurtling towards the edge of the precipice.

“Don’t hide from me, Charlie,” he panted in breathless gasps, stilling his movements. “I want to see you.” She pulled herself back to meet his eye as his hand came to cup her face, thumb running over her cheek. “You’re so pretty when you cum for me,” he smiled wolfishly and he felt her body react, the wild fluttering of her cunt around him almost having the unintended consequence of sending him over the edge.

“Don’t tease,” she mumbled, moaning softly as he tried to get himself together and his cock flexed deliciously where he was seated deep inside her.

“I’m not.” He leaned down, kissing her so chastely it was as if he wasn’t currently filling her to the brim. “You’re perfect.” She rolled her eyes and he flexed again - deliberately this time - making her gasp. “Don’t look at me like that, you are. I can’t believe it’s taken this fucking long to get you into bed. I still can’t quite believe you’re being stupid enough to let me.”

With a quiet sigh of laughter and a shake of her head, she clasped her hands around his neck, pulling his lips back to hers, rolling her hips up into him.

“Make me cum, River,” she mumbled against his ear as his stubble scratched across her neck, teeth scraping lightly at her words. Quickly picking up the pace again he dragged his heavy length against her sensitive walls, snapping back into her so hard, her breasts bounced beneath his chest. She wrapped her legs around his hips, feet pressed into his lower back, urging him deeper.

“Harder… jesus River.. just there.. fuck..” she begged, whining as he complied, the wet sounds of her desperation filling the room, her plush cunt sucking him back in greedily each time he buried himself in her.

“Shit, Charlie, I can’t—” he grunted, head spinning with the tight press of her walls around him and she unravelled with a cry. He couldn’t hold back against the squeezing, spasming, vice-like grip around his cock. As she was lost to the weightless sea of bliss rushing over her, his hips drove forward hard one final time, stuttering to a stop as with a guttural groan he spilled deep inside her.

For a moment he couldn’t think - all thought replaced with light and warmth and sheer bloody relief, his racing heartbeat whooshing in his ears. Slowly he became aware that his face was buried in her shoulder, the soft coastal scent of her perfume filling his nose, her quivering arms and legs locked tightly around his body.

Struggling against her grip he managed to pull back to look at her, face pink, clashing with her auburn hair. A shy smile pulled at her lips.

“Hi,” he smiled back, a breathless chuckle slipping out with it.

“Hi yourself.”

He brushed his lips against hers and she let him claim her, mouths moulding together so perfectly it was as if they had always been meant to. Two pieces of the same puzzle.

“I love you, River,” she said quietly, arms looped around his neck, fingers playing with his hair. His heart stuttered in his chest as he took in the soft, serious look in her eyes. There were barely a handful of people that he trusted in this life, but she had always been one of them.

“I think I love you, too,” he replied hesitantly, leaning in to kiss her again. But she dodged his advance with a small frown.

“You think??”

He pulled back, a little flustered. “Well this is all a bit new for me, give me a fucking chance! I only found out tonight that apparently the idea of you with anyone else makes me homicidal.”

She started to laugh and he slid out of her, shifting to lie beside her. Immediately she tucked into his side, fingers running in lazy patterns across the planes of his chest, tracing the jut of his collarbone as they lay in contented silence for a moment.

“I love you,” he said more confidently, looking down as she turned her face towards him. “I think I have for fucking years. I was just too stupid to realise it.”

She ran the backs of her fingers over his stubbled cheek, thumb stroking across his slightly kiss-swollen lips.

“Well, you are pretty stupid.”

“Outrageous - they don’t let stupid people into MI5.”

She cocked an eyebrow. “Don’t they? I mean, Spider’s there so they can’t be that choosy.”

He screwed up his face. “Ok rule one of this relationship - can we please not talk about Spider when we’re in bed?”

A smirk danced on her lips as she propped herself up on her elbow.

“Relationship..?”

He coloured, panicking slightly. “Well.. yeah… I mean.. I thought..?” The smirk broke into a grin and he groaned. “You’re funny.”

“Funnier than you,” she chucked, kissing him slowly. “So it’s official then? We’re doing this..?”

He pushed her hair back behind her ear, cupping her head in a large palm.

“Makes sense. I mean, you’re already cleared by the Service so it takes a lot of the hassle out of it.”

Before she could object, he pulled her back into a kiss, though she managed to get in several well deserved slaps to his chest before he rolled her over, pinning her beneath him.

“Prick.”

“You love it,” he smiled. She grumbled and he kissed her again, deepening it until she was quietly moaning into his mouth.

“I love you, Charlie,” he murmured as he let her come back up for breath.

She cupped his face between her hands and studied him for a moment, blue eyes earnest and sincere, strawberry blonde fringe flopping across his forehead. Her heart swelled in her chest, as a whole dance troop of butterflies wearing clogs did the can-can in her stomach.

This was real. This was happening. This wasn’t just a fantasy - lewd or otherwise.

“I love you, too.”

*****

3 weeks later

Tiggy slid along the old burgundy leather bench seat next to him, close enough that he could smell her perfume. The warmth of her body radiating across the small gap between them.

“Cartwright,” she smiled, brushing her long dark hair back over her shoulder, eyes quickly flicking up and down his form.

Oh fuck, Charlie was right, maybe Tiggy was trying to fuck him.

“Where have you been hiding?” She gave him a slow cat-like smile, fingers trailing over his arm. He swallowed quickly.

He’d got to the pub long after the others, having been last to face the debriefing of their most recent assignment. Duffy had seemed to take an uncomfortable amount of pleasure in questioning him for much longer than any of the others. By the time he caught up with the rest, they were already well on their way, the exhaustion and exhilaration of a job well done aiding the booze in its swift ascent to their heads’.

“I was starting to think you weren’t coming…” Her fingers wrapped around his bicep, her lips coming closer to his ear and he caught a whiff of wine on her breath. “I thought maybe we could celebrate together,” she murmured.

Clearing his throat quickly, he tried to pull away. “Tiggy… I—” he started but she cut him off.

“What’s the matter, River..?” she teased, fingertips creeping up to his chin, drawing a nail across his stubble, more of a beard now really after three days with no time for anything except work.

Not far from their table, the door of the pub opened and there was no denying how his face lit up at the sight of the person who entered.

“You have got to be kidding me,” grumbled Tiggy, drawing back and folding her arms. “Her??”

But River barely heard her, quickly shimmying out from behind the table to meet Charlie in a tight hug.

“Urgh,” she complained, as he squeezed her against his chest. “When did you last shower??”

The rumble of his laugh flowed through her and she held him a little tighter. No matter how many times he went on ops and came home safe, she was always anxious. Days on end with no time or permission to contact her. The waiting was always excruciating and to compensate she had buried herself in work. Which is why she was still in town at eight o’clock at night when the text that he had just been released from The Park came through. Barely stopping to gather her things, she had raced to meet him.

“Did you save the world?” she asked quietly as she drew back, a smile dancing on her lips.

“Single-handedly, as usual,” he grinned, leaning in to kiss her.

“Oh fucking what?!” exclaimed Spider coming back from the bar, hands laden with drinks. “I thought you were ‘just friends’, Cartwright??”

River didn’t look away from her, a giggle contained by her bitten lip, mirth lighting up in her eyes. How had he possibly been stupid enough not to realise how he felt about her for so many years? Maybe she was right and he really wasn’t as smart as he thought he was.

“Seems not,” he grinned, pecking her lips again. Slowly he turned his attention to the disgruntled man beside them.

“Actually, mate, I think I owe you a thank you.”

Spider’s scowl turned to a grimace of confusion. “And why the fuck is that?”

He slipped his arms around Charlie’s waist, pulling her closer and glancing down with a cheeky smile.

“Because it was the shock of seeing a prick like you trying to have a go that made me wake up about what I was failing to see.”

Spider huffed. “See what?”

“That I’ve been in love with her since the day I met her.”

Charlie’s expression softened and she pushed up onto her toes to meet his lips, fingers gently threading through his messy hair.

“You soft sod,” she chuckled against his mouth.

“Get a fucking room,” spat Spider, stalking off towards the group’s table where a thunderous looking Tiggy watched on as the pair embraced, entirely uncaring about their audience.

“Hmmmm… he has a point,” River smirked as he let her come up for air.

“About what..?” she asked in confusion, her head felt fluffy and unclear. Three weeks in and she still hadn’t quite gotten used to him kissing her like that.

“Do you want to get out of here?” he grinned, blue eyes twinkling with mischief, lust written all over his face.

“I thought you’d never ask,” she grinned back, laughing as he practically dragged her from the building, barely stopping to say goodbye to the others.

Sorry for the sugar overload at the end there 🙈 But I hope you liked it! Remember, comments (in any form but reblogs esp!) are love 🤍 xxx

☕️ Enjoyed this story? Why not buy me a coffee - Ko-Fi

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#fic rec #river cartwright x oc

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watchtowerindistress · 14 days

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@topherwrites OH MY GOD I'M DYing! I've never received a recap before since I usually do that 😅 God, I love reading your best moments 💕 I absolutely love writing banter - it's just so fun when I get into my Sorkin phase 😅 I prefer that over the world-building since I don't always have the motivation to write down the whole narration.

Yep, that whole interaction during karaoke to make Jake feel better, was just along the lines of this in my head...

Yep, that's both of their love language. Physical touch is just their thing which is why people tend to be confused by the nature of their relationship.

Bob is just this sweet summer child who doesn't deserve Jake's asshole-y ways. 💮

for the love of ... bob? - jake seresin x reader (2/2)

Summary: Being Jake's (best) friend - sorry, Javy - proved to have its ups and downs but there was something about having him in your corner you couldn't resist. Jake and you just clicked on a deeper level. That's why you didn't get it when the Southern boy was acting so weird.

Word count: 6.9k

Warnings: Jealous! + Soft!Jake, fluff, language, kinda angsty, kinda mean!Jake

Author’s note: I haven't seen Anyone but You (I just get the icky when I see two blondes on screen), so I took Glen's sentiment that he's not the best singer 🤷🏻‍♀️ Is it obvious yet that I really like Lewis/Bob? 😏 Who knew that I would write a Jake story and have Bob's name mentioned soooooo many times to get Jake to freak out? This chapter made me realize ... maybe I'm not good with painting a scene when I feel more comfortable just writing the banter/dialogue because at times I'm just more "clinical" when it comes to narration and I just want to get to the point. 😅

No words can describe how much everyone's reactions moved me. Especially how so many people reblogged this fic. Keep on doing what you're doing, guys! 😘

Chapter Summary: Y/N is an absolute mastermind, but Natasha is one too. Bob is an absolute sweetheart (nothing new to see here).

Tagging: @mellowstatesmanhandsempath @ravenmoore14 @blackmagicwoman @silenthappyplace @mrsevans90 @dempy @arcxnxm @hookslove1592 @djs8891

Read me on AO3

~Jake POV~

“Special delivery for Floyd.”

Maverick showed up in the break room. And, without further ado, dropped a Tupperware container on the table where Bob was sitting. Bob looked up curiously. “Huh, okay…”

Jake was sitting with the rest of the Dagger Squad on base, when his mouth hovered over his sandwich, about to take a bite.

“Y/N dropped it off at Penny’s,” Captain Mitchell explained.

At the mention of your name, Jake frowned before turning his head to inspect what Maverick just delivered.

“Oh, Bob is climbing the racks of popular guys around here,” Natasha teased. “Let me see.” She reached for the piece of paper taped on the cover.

Despite Bob’s efforts to stop her, Natasha’s actions were too swift. He observed Jake with uncertainty.

Natasha narrated the post-it, “Just a small piece of Montana so you can feel more at home, Bob. Only meant for sharing when the others have done something nice for you,” she paused. “Woah, this can be tough for some people. P.S. I’ll be your Huckleberry. Y/N. That’s cute. And then there’s some sort of smiley face.”

Bob snorted before revealing the insides of the Tupperware. The smell of dessert reached their nostrils. It left a speechless Bob behind. He smiled fondly. “Oh, … it’s Huckleberry Buckle.”

The rest of the crew groaned in delight.

“Bob, my friend,” Bradley leaned down, to drape his arm over his shoulder, “you do know that I held the door open for you this morning.”

Bob chuckled. “Just dig in, y’all. If you want some, just grab a plate and a fork.”

This was the signal for most of the Dagger Squad to spring into action.

“Don’t be animals. One for plates and one for forks,” Javy reminded them.

With sentimental eyes, Jake took another glance at the freshly baked dessert. He cleared his throat. “That’s Y/N for you. Baking stuff is Y/N’s love language,” he explained before watching Bob out of the corner of his eye while everyone dug in.

Bob took his ringing phone from out of his pocket. “Hey, yes, I—we just got it. You just made everyone’s day, I think.”

The Dagger Squad echoed with their mouths full, “We love you, Y/N! Love—love you!”

Jake intensely watched Bob while he munched on the pastry, desperately wanting to know what you two were talking about.

“You want me to—really? Did you mention that to-” Bob’s gaze met Jake’s. Once he already found him already staring at him, Bob meekly averted his eyes. “Um, yeah, sure. Hangman, it’s for you,” he said, giving him the phone.

Jake put a smile on his face when he spoke with a gravelly voice. “Hello, stranger.”

He heard you on the other end exhale. “Has anyone ever told you that you got a really sultry voice?”

Jake inhaled deeply and instantly regretted it. Choking on a crumb, Jake coughed to clear his throat. He felt his skin heat up, either your words or the chocking hazard was getting to him. “Uhm, okay?” He phrased as a question. “Not under these circumstances, no.” For good measure, he took a huge gulp of water.

“Have you asked them yet? You know, the karaoke thing?”

“No?”

Jake could basically feel you vibrating through the phone.

“Well, are you gonna? Time is of the essence.”

“Why are you so adamant to get it done this quickly?” He asked, taking another bite.

You stammered, “I need to—I just do. Aren’t we best friends?”

Jake laughed at your faltering attempt to get your way. “Of course, we are.”

“Then it’s your responsibility to make me get to know your colleagues, no questions asked. Maybe I could make you look good, huh?” Now your insistence for this event kinda made more sense.

He exhaled, “Guys, want to do karaoke night with Y/N?”

The Dagger Squad made whoops of agreement.

“You heard that? You really know how to work the crowd, don’t you?”

“What can I say? I have to make use of my strengths.”

Jake shook his head. “I can tell.”

“Now I know why we never did karaoke together,” Natasha mused before knocking back a drink of tequila.

“What?” Jake was still smiling widely when he stepped off stage.

“That was horrendous to watch. And I’m not even talking about what we were just forced to listen to.”

He rolled his eyes at her dig. “Come on, you’re just being mean. Y/N, hey, tell them.” Jake widened his arms, expecting you to snuggle up to his chest.

As if reading his mind, you stepped into his arms. Almost like you were keeping him in suspense, you licked your lips and patted his chest consolingly. “You looked really handsome up there on stage.”

“See?” Jake looked around to challenge his witnesses before realization hit him. He followed you as you stepped away from him. “Wait, what?”

Any disappointed feelings evaporated within him when Jake sat next to you on the couch which oversaw the karaoke stage and spoke softly, “You having fun?”

You leaned against his side, feeling content with just doing your familiar tradition. “You know I do. Thanks for being such a good sport about this.”

“You mean for me being such a horrible singer?”

“You’re tolerable,” you said soothingly and stroked the back of his neck.

“Gee, thanks.”

You nudged your head against his shoulder. “Kidding. You have a great shower voice.”

With a frowning face, Jake stared at you.

You paused in thought. “That sounded weird, didn’t it?”

“Already forgotten.”

“You’re such a sweetheart.” You briefly leaned your head back into the crook of his neck.

The expression which bordered between mischief and intimacy on Jake’s face was only meant for you to see. “Careful, darlin’. With words like that, you’re starting to make all the girls here jealous.”

“I’m good, thanks,” Natasha interjected, jolting you from your thoughts. “Don’t know if you guys are disgusting or just too adorable together.”

You chuckled, hiding your face behind your hair.

Jake leaned his arm against the back of the couch you were sitting on and said with a teasing voice, “Oh, Phoenix, is there something you want to tell?”

A mysterious smile lingered on Natasha’s lips. “I don’t know. Is there something you want to tell?”

Jake remained silent when he narrowed his eyes. “Nope.”

“Pity,” Natasha retorted.

“This tension is getting way too thick for me.” You decided and braced yourself to stand up. “Bob’s song choice is calling my name.”

At the mention of his name, Jake turned his head in an almost comical way. “Wait, Bob?”

You turned halfway around. “Definitely. I think I’m feeling ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’, you know?”

Natasha gave her vote of confidence. “Don’t let Bob fool you. He’s great. As long as you don’t get into a duet with Rooster.” Her eyes widened at that specific scenario. “I’m serious. I can’t take one more ‘Great Balls of Fire’ today.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

Jake stood up, hiding his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “We’re singing together, right?”

“Of course we are, buddy. It’s tradition,” you said, patting his cheek before leaving again.

Jake sat back down with a sigh, mouthing, “Buddy?” to himself.

“You must have really scared her off with your karaoke performance, … buddy,” Natasha teased next to him.

“You know what?” Jake brooded over his next retort. “Why don’t you have fun with your next Britney song, huh?”

“Thanks. If I play my cards right, I could convince Y/N to join me. I bet she likes Toxic, huh?”

“Everyone does.” Knowing that you wouldn’t mind that one bit.

~ Jake POV ~

“Another plane, another train. Another bottle in the brain. Another girl, another fight. Another drive all night,” You rapped without having care in the world while you mimicked guitar sounds. With your arm slung over his shoulder, Jake carried your body inside.

“You know, I got neighbors, right? I don’t know if they’d appreciate you hollering to the Beastie Boys.”

As if the thought just hit you, you rasped, “I could do it while whisper-yelling. You know, show them some taste.”

Jake shook his head at your antics. “You and your 90’s songs.”

“That was actually late 80’s.”

Jake only chuckled at your musical knowledge shining through. “Someone’s not drunk, huh? Do I need to carry you to bed?”

“Oh, Mr. Lieutenant Seresin-” You leaned back with a smirk, inspecting Jake thoroughly. That gaze alone, and that rank drop, sent a surprising shiver down his spine.

-“You know, I’m not that kinda girl.”

“Oh my God,” he whispered. “Only you would try to flirt in your affectionate state.”

“I’m always flirting with you.”

That reminder unsettled Jake, especially since that sort of affection seemed unusual to other people. For some reason, he didn’t want to lose that. Jake swallowed, frowning. “Yeah, that … that’s what we do. We’re just really, uh…”

“Really secure in our friendship,” you added, holding onto his arms.

His eyes lit up, feeling grateful for your words and warm from your touch. “Exactly. We are.”

You smirked. “How secure do you feel with Javy?”

“Hey, that’s very different. I’m very comfortable with ‘touching guys’, but we’re not in the flirty stage.”

You pursed your lips, imagining that specific scenario. “So, you’re saying you could get there with him one day.”

He didn’t have to ponder about that. “Nope. There’s never been the need for that.”

“Oh, you’re saying I’m special, sweetheart?” Your hold shifted into a tight hug.

“Don’t fish for compliments. You know you are,” Jake whispered quietly, like he was sharing something only for you to know.

“Oh, that’s nice,” you muttered. Snuggling deeper into his strong shoulders while enjoying his warmth. “Damn, your shoulders are really something else, huh? Did I already say that?”

Jake’s shoulders shook with laughter. “It’s fine.”

Like a gentle and exploring piano player, your fingers danced around his shoulder. “You must get them compliments all the time from everyone else.”

“I don’t care about everyone else,” Jake paused.

“Sorry for objectifying you. You’re a real nice guy.”

“First, I don’t mind you objectifying me. Second, don’t you dare call me nice.”

“Oh, you’re just a sweetheart and I don’t get why you don’t let others see that.” Jake felt his body vibrate when you nestled deeper into his neck. Maybe it was easier for Jake to admit stuff if he didn’t have to look at you.

That thought process was eviscerated when you leaned back to stare into his eyes. You stroked his cheeks with deep consideration. “You know, sometimes I keep thinking you deserve so much more than the small scraps of brief flings you’re setting for yourself.”

Almost allured, Jake leaned his face into your palm. Before he caught himself with that infuriating smile. “Oh, you’re thinking about me having sex. Is there something you want to tell me?”

He could feel your disappointment deeply in his core when you sighed heavily. “Jake, you really know how to kill the mood.”

Jake smiled proudly. “Thanks. I really worked hard on that skill.”

With wide eyes, your whole stance changed. “I changed my mind. Can you take me to bed, in a purely platonic way?”

“Only because you asked nicely.”

“Oh, proof that Jake Seresin is secretly a gentleman.” As soon as he offered his smile, you squeezed his dimples, like he was a little kid.

Jake shook his head. “Okay, I think it’s time for bed.”

“And the great Hangman takes aim. Will he be able to defeat the local competition or forfeit his winning streak?”

Jake sighed at hearing Rooster commenting with high anticipation on their pool game at their usual hangout. His arm, holding the cue, hesitated on the pool table. “Rooster, if I have to listen to your droning voice any longer-”

Rooster leaned over the cushion, whispering teasingly, “Why? Am I getting inside your head?”

Jake scoffed at the insinuation. “You think you can get to me with mind games? I invented those.” He pulled his arm back. The moment he saw you enter, a fond smile tugged at the corner of his lips when he saw you laugh with Natasha and -

-pat Bob’s arm?

Jake pushed the cue forward. And watched in apprehension as it slipped away from the ball. “Fuck me,” he grumbled. He couldn’t look away from the unfolding car accident of his play as the ball slithered frustratingly to the middle of the table.

Rooster snorts morphed into boisterous laughter. “Outstanding performance. At least something is getting to you. Are you sure you’re as good as you claim to be?”

Jake whipped his head around. “You know, why don’t you play one of your piano sessions?”

“That would be kind of hard to do since-” Rooster leaned forward with his cue stick. “-you know, I’m beating you.”

Jake cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck. He felt his eyes wander surreptitiously to the pair sitting at the bar. Jake made grumbling noises when Penny covered his view as his fingers tightened around the cue stick.

“Ace, you need a special invitation or are you considering to surrender already?” Jake heard the annoying voice behind him. It took everything inside him to not give up and wander where he really wanted to go.

“You’re a hilarious bird.”

Jake lined up his shot.

~ Y/N POV ~

“Okay, what did I miss?”

When you turned your head, Jake sauntered next to you. It took you another glance until you noticed something amiss. “Woah, what happened? You look really hot,” you said, inspecting Jake’s forehead with the back of your hand.

Jake smirked. “Well, thank you. I try my best.”

You rolled your eyes at Jake’s antics to view everything as a compliment. “No, you dork. I mean, you’re like really sweaty. Did you overdo it with the testosterone match?”

“I think I did it just right,” Jake sputtered.

“Who won?”

His green eyes twinkled at the spoken challenge, making your heart flutter. “Who do you think?”

It took you less than a few seconds to look towards Bradley, who swaggered behind Jake. “Who won?”

Jake opened his mouth to gasp at your cheekiness not to trust his word. “I won! What are you asking him for?”

“Barely,” Bradley mouthed, making you giggle. “Totally. I was absolutely … destroyed.” His eyes turned serious when Jake’s gaze found his. “I need some beer to recharge,” he said, moving away.

With a conspiring demeanor, Natasha leaned forward to whisper into your ears. “Oh please, let me tell him.”

Jake’s head moved in her direction. “Oh, you’re here too. Tell me what?”

She placed her hands on your shoulders, slightly shaking your body with her utter enjoyment. “Someone’s gotten herself a date,” Natasha trilled with a sing-song voice.

The glower on Jake’s face sent shivers through your body. You felt uncertain at seeing his reaction. You tried to tell yourself that Jake was just being an overprotective friend. His gaze alternated between yours and Natasha’s before it finally landed on Bob’s.

A wide-eyed Bob swallowed his cup of water. “Not me. I mean, not that Y/N isn’t … you know-” You felt touched that Bob tried to rectify his statement by not wanting to hurt your feelings when he truly looked at you. “You’re really pretty. A guy would be lucky to have you.”

You inwardly gushed at Bob’s gentlemanly ways and felt utterly compelled to give him a hug. Instead, you held him by the shoulder. “Oh Bob, you’re such a sweetheart. You just earned yourself a dance. Pick a song.” With an energetic jump, you moved from your stool and went towards the jukebox.

“I didn’t want to make things weird for the team,” Bob whispered with wide eyes.

There was something akin to respect shining in Jake’s eyes when he nodded once before staring calmly at Natasha. He tried really hard not to reveal his candid emotions on his face. Jake promised to himself, he wouldn’t clench his jaw or cross his arms. He felt like a twitching fool when he was about to cross his arms. Instead, he was forced to let his arms glide downwards before he stroked his abdominal muscles. In the end, he awkwardly hid his hands in the back pockets of his pants.

Natasha smiled mysteriously. “Don’t worry, I’m a great matchmaker. She’s in the safest hands.”

“Phoenix,” Jake started, before he inwardly winced. He crossed his arms and spoke slowly, “what are you doing?”

She shrugged. “Just listening. Y/N mentioned something when we were talking.”

He couldn’t help tilting his head in intrigue. “What exactly?”

“That’s for me to know and you to butt out.” Natasha’s expression softened when she tried to soften the blow. “All in good time. I have a plan. It’s gonna sound weird, but you seem like someone who likes having their best friend close. This is me ensuring to make San Diego as appealing as possible to her. I’m just saying—if she wants to stay,” she said, shrugging her shoulders.

“By giving her a date? You’re right, it doesn’t make any sense.”

“Best-case scenario: She’s gonna have the time of her life with the potential to meet the love of her life while getting a meal out of the date.” Natasha lifted the palms of her hands like a scale to weigh the chances. “Worst case: death by boredom. And next thing you know, Y/N is gonna seek comfort from her best friend after realizing that all naval aviators are douchebags.”

Jake groaned at the thought. “Ugh, great. It’s a damn naval aviator?”

She tilted her head in fascination. “Short question: does she have a thing for aviators? There was a fangirl moment when I mentioned Mav.”

He winced before murmuring, “It’s a statistics thing. Don’t mention Iceman around her.”

Natasha nodded. “Noted.”

“You’re way too involved in this.” Jake pressed his lips together, hoping to see her ultimate endgame. “What’s in it for you?”

“Not everything’s an agenda.” Natasha brushed by him, moving away.

Jake narrowed his eyes with deep suspicion. “And that’s not really an answer.”

~ Y/N POV ~

You could feel your heart beating nervously in your chest. Even your stomach was being all fluttery when you looked into the bathroom mirror while putting mascara on your eyelashes. You heard shuffling behind you before you met green eyes in the reflection.

Your voice echoed in the bathroom. “Jake, you’re hovering like a mother hen.” You didn’t bother turning around since you needed to focus on the task at hand, in order not to go crazy with anxiety. His rare controlling persona wasn’t helping matters.

Jake leaned his shoulder against the door jamb. “I’m just curious, that’s all. You’ve never met the guy. Assuming it’s a man, I don’t want to presume.” He waved his arms around. “I wouldn’t put it past Phoenix to put you on a blind date with a girl.”

You pursed your lips while mentioning casually, “Nat did mention that most of the aviators on the force were duds.”

Jake grimaced. “Going to ignore that,” he mumbled under his breath.

You wiped some mascara remnants from your eyelid. “Your sex not being dating material or me hypothetically dating the same team?”

Jake shook his head, clearing his throat. “So, where are you two lovebirds meeting tonight? Romantic restaurant, picnic by the waterfront?”

The annoyed growl leaving your mouth surprised you. Normally, you weren’t an irrational person who was prone for aggravation. His hovering presence distracted you in an inefficient way. “Seresin, you’re starting to cramp me in this bathroom.” You puzzled yourself more than him when you shoved him through the door. “All answers will be given in the living room after I had some breathing room.”

As soon as the door was closed, it felt like you could breathe again. You exhaled a heavy breath. “Oh my God,” you whispered.

“I heard that!” Jake protested behind the door.

“Good!”

Jake released the breath he was holding. He was sitting on the couch, drumming his fingers on his thigh. He mindlessly watched ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’ on his TV, needing something to run in the background while he was waiting for you to come out. Every time he heard noises coming from the bathroom, Jake craned his head, unable to tamp down his curiosity.

The moment the door closed again, he felt nervous energy coming off of him. And he didn’t truly understand why. Jake heard your shuffling feet in the distance before you finally came out. It felt like the breath had been knocked out of his body.

There was something about a Y/N in a sundress and ballet flats that made him feel very weird. You swung around to show off the full effect of your date attire.

“So, what’s the verdict? Does it meet the expectations of Jake Seresin at least?”

“Um-” Jake cleared his throat before he averted his gaze. “-it looks good.”

“Oh, if the dress looks good… Lucky me, huh?”

“Whoever you’re meeting tonight, they’re the lucky ones.”

“Oh.” You rushed forward, hugging Jake sideways in gratitude. “I like when sweet and charming Jake comes out. He’s such a gentleman.”

“I’m going to assert plausible deniability, in case you decide to reveal my secrets.” Jake shared a small smile with you, reminding himself to at least appear like he was fine with the thought of you going out with another naval aviator.

“I wouldn’t. Not for a good trade at least.”

Jake pointed at you as a reminder. “No apple pie.”

You threw your head back, groaning loudly. “How about a strudel?”

“Not even that.”

“Fine.” She leaned back against the couch before whispering quietly, – like you had to remind yourself - “I need to get going.”

He looked up. “You want me to drive you?”

“That’d be weird, wouldn’t it?”

Jake had to keep trying. “To pick you up then.”

A small part of him would remember fondly how he made you chuckle. “Even weirder flex. I’ll be fine.”

The goodbye kiss on his cheek made him sigh before he nodded with a resolved air. “Text me when you need a getaway car.”

You laughed airily. “Alright.”

It was an hour later when he was already lying in bed and mindlessly scrolling through social media on his phone when he received a text from you.

Don’t need a getaway car.

Nodding dazedly to himself, Jake whispered, “That’s just … great.”

Jake was proving to be an utterly, frustrating man. It had been fifteen minutes since you said good morning that Jake had uttered a word. Only the sound of awkward breakfast crunching could be heard.

You sighed when you saw Jake eye you inscrutably again. He truly thought he was being covert. “Okay, when are we going to break the tension?”

“What tension? There’s no tension.” Jake kept munching on his cornflakes. Like he didn’t have a care in the world. Granted, Jake was the kind to keep on eating food, even when he wasn’t feeling well. “It’s a wonderful morning. I’m having breakfast.” Jake scarfed down a mouthful. “There’s nothing out of the ordinary whatsoever.” To prove his point, he offered a close-lipped smile.

You narrowed your eyes in speculation. Talking gibberish was very unlike him. “You want to know how last night went.”

“I don’t want to know.”

“You don’t want to know,” you repeated slowly and in strong incredulity.

“Yep, no interest.” Jake paused in thought. “Unless you want to talk about your date.”

“I’m not going to force you into a conversation if you couldn’t care less.”

“I do care,” Jake rushed with his reply before his voice turned casual again. “I mean a meager amount.”

“Is this like a guy thing?” You sniffed, taking on a low manly voice for effect. “I don’t mind talking about my latest conquest but I’d rather die than talk about it in a meaningful way.”

“First, I hope that wasn’t an impression of me.”

Your face took on a blank expression before you crossed your arms. Waiting for Jake to continue with his list.

“Second, I don’t mind talking about your … dates, as long as it’s not, you know-” He winced. “-sexual.”

“Jesus, that was a first date. And besides, I don’t know if that’s sexist or something else, that you’re allowed to talk about that stuff, but not me?”

“I don’t know why we’re going the feminist route, but with you it’s just different,” he mumbled before shrugging.

“Why?”

“Because you’re my best friend,” Jake responded fervently. “And none of these guys deserve you.” His voice turned quiet, becoming serious all of a sudden. “You deserve someone better.”

Disappointment filled your body at Jake’s perspective. Recounting all the times in your head when you would tell him how he deserved someone who could challenge him, yet appreciate the things about him which made him such a decent and caring guy. It was a pity that Jake would rather wallow in his self-loathing, while pretending to be the most egotistical guy that ever existed than to be vulnerable for once.

Your shoulders deflated when you realized that maybe he would never be ready to have a meaningful relationship—or any relationship at all that progressed over the 3-day mark—and you swore that a small part of you died right there on the kitchen floor. Feeling more hopeless than ever.

Before you could fully understand the reason why this bothered you so much, Jake’s concerned expression pulled you out of the deepest parts of yourself.

“What? What’d I say?”

You shook your head. Never feeling this gloomy before. “You know, for someone who claims to be so smart, you’re just so dang stupid.” Every single word felt like it was torn painfully from between your lips.

“What?”

You just felt too tired to make Jake understand. It felt easier to just turn your body away. Despite how much you hated appearing this careless towards him. “I got to go. I’ll see you later, Jake.”

~ Jake POV ~

“Well, someone’s in a bad mood.” Natasha teased him. Despite them having to endure the same punishment by being forced to do push-ups next to each other, Natasha still seemed to be in a formidable mood.

Jake turned his head. Not caring particularly that he sent her a dark glower.

“Don’t hang your head, Hangman. I doubt you could’ve evaded Mav’s hit on your best day.”

“Shut up,” he grumbled. Inwardly, he winced. His ma would have his hide if she heard him talking like that to anyone.

“What? No comeback? I wonder what else could be bothering you,” she mused to herself.

Natasha didn’t fool him one bit. Jake wondered if she had it out for him and that was why she focused so hard on Y/N.

“What do you think, Bob?” She decided to thrust the knife even deeper.

Even at the mention of his name, Jake swore his forehead garnered the first droplets of sweat.

Bob chose to focus on his push-ups before grunting, “I’m not getting in the middle of this.”

“You’re way too nice.”

Jake clenched his jaw. “Yes, someone’s a real goody two-shoes.”

Bob turned his head, looking bewildered. “What did I do?”

“Oh, just sweet and perfect Bob who can do nothing wrong.”

Heavy footsteps came closer. “Why do I hear chattering and see no push-ups over here?” Maverick’s voice came over their heads.

“Understood, Sir,” Bob automatically replied.

Jake kept his mouth closed. As much as it pained him.

After the completion of their punishment and he had taken a shower, Jake hurried after Natasha in the rec room. “I need to talk to you.”

Natasha tilted her head. “I thought we already did.”

“Who was the date?”

She exhaled in exasperation, glaring at him. “You’re so predictable, Hangman,” she said, turning around to leave.

“Wait, wait. I’m sorry-”

Natasha stopped in her tracks. She swivelled her head, frowning. “An apology? You just bought yourself two minutes of my time. Go on.”

“Was it Bob?”

Natasha breathed out slowly, pausing in thought. “…You have a weird fixation on Bob. I wonder why that is.”

Jake cleared his throat and crossed his arms. “I don’t-”

“Just kidding. I know why that is. And no. I asked, but he refused.” She shook her head, revealing that this bothered her more than she wanted to admit. “Honorable little fucker,” Natasha grumbled. She chose to clarify instead. “He wouldn’t have minded to date Y/N, but, you know- Didn’t he tell you this already?”

Bob did mention that. But Jake couldn’t help thinking that he might have changed his mind. He averted his gaze, feeling slightly depraved that he considered Floyd doing that. “Maybe. But still.”

Natasha raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “What does it matter who the lucky fella was? What are you gonna do? Scare the hell out of them?”

It was indeed bad when someone like Phoenix could predict his future plans. “If it’s someone who doesn’t deserve her, then yes.”

She hummed. “If you know her so well, then tell me, what kind of person do you think Y/N deserves?”

Jake spread his arms. It felt strange how a list of things ran through his head and how they just rolled off his tongue. “Someone nice. Someone who just gets her and adores her little quirks. Just a gentleman.” He counted the amount of traits with his fingers. “Funny, maybe a bit sensitive or vulnerable. Good-looking, but that’s not as high up on her list as the inner qualities.”

Natasha remained quiet. Her brown eyes were staring at him with a profound expression. “Very insightful. Interesting qualities you just listed off. Anyone you know that could fulfil those strengths?”

At the mere mention, he felt like he was put in the spotlight. Either she wanted him to say ‘Bob’ – since those characteristics could cover him easily—or maybe utter his own name. The more he thought about it, the more he realized how much he wanted to be with you. And wanted to be a part of you.

Jake carefully glanced at Natasha. Not trusting her look of consideration, he narrowed his eyes. He spoke slowly. “I’m not sure.”

“Pity. I could be persuaded into making something happen, if you know what I mean.”

Jake licked his lips, knowing exactly what she was trying to get him to admit. He pressed his lips together.

“But … you would actually need to say the words.” She waited patiently before sighing. “My patience knows its limits though. So, if you got nothing to say, then…” Natasha pointed behind her to threaten her departure. She nodded to herself once before saying, “Okay.” And walked towards the exit.

Jake opened his mouth, as he watched her walk away. He didn’t understand where his courage was coming from when the words left his mouth. “Natasha, would you squeeze me in as Y/N’s date?” He knew how he’d usually call her ‘Phoenix’ or in very rare instances ‘Nat’ so he figured that she caught him in a vulnerable mood for a change.

She dramatically turned around and pursed her lips. “Depends. Will you also apologize to Bob for being an absolute dick?” She paused. “Again?”

Jake sighed. “Listen, I don’t-”

“It’s called being a decent human being. It’s the least you could do. Not to mention-” Natasha tapped her chin mockingly. “-I can’t imagine how Y/N would feel if she found out that someone was being this rude to sweet Bob. I mean, what do you think? How would she feel about that?”

He revealed a tight smile at the slight warning. There was no need to hit below the belt. He would have done it anyway if Natasha said he was being a jerk. “Fine, I got your point. I’ll apologize,” he grunted lowly.

She smiled cheerily. “Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

You felt bad about ignoring Jake, you thought, while you waited in the midst of the amusement park of Belmont Park. Ever since this morning, things had been weird between you. Or Jake was just being his stubborn and obstinate self.

You had been baffled since Natasha sent you a message that the date location had changed. The more you looked around, you realized that you would’ve loved to spend time with Jake at this place. You exhaled with disappointment. Jake would absolutely force you on the roller-coaster, but then feel bad once your stomach was upset by buying you a funnel cake.

Deciding that your bond with Jake was far too important than to leave everything hanging like that, you yearned to clear the air. Pulling out your phone, you scrolled through your contacts until your thumb pressed against the name.

The sound of a cell ringing in the distance made you turn your body in uncertainty. You frowned once you saw Jake advancing with hesitation, waving an arm in greeting.

“Hey, you.”

You hung up your phone, trying to grasp his presence. “What are you doing here? Did you want to ride the Giant Dipper, or something?”

Jake smiled awkwardly. “I wouldn’t actually mind that. Depends if my best friend would be up for it too?” You tried to prepare yourself against his puppy dog eyes as he stepped closer. The movement made you take notice of his suave appearance. You swore you could feel your knees weakening when you saw him wearing his jeans and a pressed white dress shirt.

Jake rubbed his hands against the fabric of his pants.

Not wanting to hurt him, you spoke slowly. “That’s hard to say. I’m kind of on a date. Just waiting, I guess.”

“Yeah, I know. Natasha told me.”

You felt befuddled by his explanation. “Why … would she do that?”

“I asked her to?” Jake phrased the statement into a cautious question.

You pursed your lips as you tried to understand why she would do that in the first place. “Did you bribe her?”

Jake blushed at a memory when he explained with a gravelly voice, “I think I paid her off by giving her the satisfaction in seeing me grovel.”

“How did that look like?” You said, feeling fascinated by the concept of a begging Jake. Even that word didn’t seem to fit him.

“You don’t want to know, trust me.” Jake grew silent before something akin to hope lit up his eyes. “Why did you want to call me?”

You cleared your throat. “Why are you here?”

Teasingly, Jake pointed at you. “I asked you first.”

You sighed. “I wanted to clear the air.” Still, you were not above getting one small dig in. “Unlike some people, I wanted to be the grown-up one here.”

Jake narrowed his eyes. “Now someone’s just being cheeky.” He exhaled, willing to admit any wrongdoings. “I’m sorry for being a dick.”

“Why were you?” You spoke softly. Just because he was your close friend didn’t mean that Jake would get special treatment.

Jake stepped closer until you were only a foot apart. “Because I have a talent for it. Because it’s easier to just pretend. Because of you going out … with a naval aviator just pissed me off. Because I-” He breathed in, like he was preparing for you to hit him. “-I really, really like you.”

You blushed, not yet trusting if he meant it or if this was just some strange prank he wanted to pull off. “You like me,” you repeated, unable not to tease him just a little bit. “And here I thought most of the time I was your annoying best friend.”

“I think you’re confusing yourself with Javy.”

You cocked your head playfully. “Oh? Do you really, really like him too?”

He pursed his lips, like he needed to entertain that thought first. “He’s just alright, I guess. I mean, I more than like you. It’s like obnoxious.”

Wow, and here you thought, Jake could prove to be an adult for once. So, unless he decided to brandish a real love confession that didn’t sound like the most aggravating nuisance, you could do the same.

“Oh my God, you’re like a big kid, huh? Using those big boy words.”

His eyes were burning with sage fire. “You’re just so infuriating at times.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Says the great Jake?”

“That’s what I mean! You’re driving me absolute insane. You’re making friends with everyone you meet.” Jake counted at his fingers. “Maverick, Bob!-”

You furrowed your eyebrows. “What’s Bob got to do with this?”

“He’s like-” Jake grimaced. “-And you’re-” He waved towards you, very eloquently describing the issue at hand.

“I think somewhere was a compliment. Let me just reiterate: you think Bob’s a great, wonderful guy and I’m just-”

“Perfect,” he uttered with a hoarse voice.

You inhaled deeply, stammering nervously. “You can’t just say stuff like that.”

“It’s still the truth.”

“What if you’re only saying all of this because you can’t stand the idea of me getting with a naval aviator?” You voiced your inner worries, absolutely needing him to be truthful.

Jake opened his mouth several times before admitting, “Partly true. But the truth is, Nat made me realize I was just being too chicken to fully admit that I … I can’t imagine not spending the day with you. You make me think about you all the time. Even when I’m out with the guys and I keep thinking ‘Oh wow, Y/N would love to try out that drink’ or ‘As much as you’re a talker during Sunday Night Football-”

“Not always,” you mumbled quietly.

“-you still make it fun.”

You pressed your lips together, feeling very nervous and emotional by his words.

“Maybe I just didn’t realize I was in love with you until the concept truly hit me, that you might be into a … nice guy like Bob.”

Despite his familiar self-loathing, you couldn’t help reminding him with a small smile, “You’re a nice guy too, Jake.”

“Only with you.”

Jake’s confession made your heart palpitate in your chest nervously.

“So,” Jake started, “what do you feel for me?”

You hummed to yourself before confessing, “Ditto.”

Jake huffed loudly. “Oh my God. Of course, you’d be aggravating about it.”

“I’m just saying, maybe I really, really like you too.”

He shook his head, trying to suppress a smile. As much as you could tell what he wanted to hear from you.

In the end, you chose to take a chance. “Let’s just say, there are more times when I realized over the years how I’m in love with you than the amount of times when I can’t stand you. The second is pretty close though.”

You couldn’t have been prepared for Jake’s wide and blinding smile.

“Ditto.”

You rolled your eyes, while revealing a small smile on your lips. You decided to put him out of his misery when you admitted, “Nat was my date.”

“Wa-wait, what?”

You shrugged your shoulders. “She said that she had a specific guy in mind, but he wasn’t ready yet. I just thought it was someone who was still out on a mission. So, we hung out last night.”

Jake still remained confused. “And did what?”

“Nosy,” you mumbled. “Karaoke and stuff like that.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He inquired with wide eyes.

“I wanted to, but you decided to be a jerk about it.”

Jake narrowed his eyes, shaking his head. “Nat ‘Fucking Mastermind’ Trace.”

“What?”

“Nothing.” Jake looked at your surroundings, hiding his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Do you want to go on a date?”

You smirked. “Like a platonic one?”

“Nope, like a real one. You know, the romantic kind. I promise to make it a bit fun, unique and unforgettable.”

“That’s a big promise.”

Jake smirked arrogantly. “I’m aware. It also perfectly describes me.”

You groaned loudly. “And here we go. I want Nice Guy Jake though and not the obnoxious one.”

He was walking alongside you, nodding. “I’ll tell him to take an off-day.”

“What is it about you and Bob though? He’s just a really stand-up guy. Really funny.”

“So am I.”

“Sometimes. Let’s just say, we just get each other. You know, cut from the same cloth.”

Jake hummed. At least he was no longer being a caveman when it came to Bob. “Okay,” he said, laying his arm over your shoulder.

“I mean, he was just helping me rent an apartment in the city,” you explained, gauging his reaction.

“What?”

“Yes, he offered to put in a good word and Nat sent me a few listings.”

It seemed like the rare event of a speechless Jake took place. “Huh, that’s-”

“As I live and breathe, a speechless Jake Seresin was just seen out and about.” You glanced at him through your eyelashes. “I think you were about to say that’s a real stand-up guy thing to do, huh?”

Jake sighed, not wanting to admit reluctant respect before mumbling something under his breath which sounded close to, “Damn it, now I really got to apologize.”

You turned your head. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“It’s okay. There’s still time for you to deal with your big boy emotions,” you replied before you chose to do something new. By taking his hand and interlacing your fingers together. “And here I thought, judging from your letters, you had more of a rivalry thing going with Bradley.”

“I know, right? I thought I would feel threatened by Rooster of all people. But Bob?”

“Let’s just say, in another life Bob would’ve swept me off my feet,” you retorted, patting him against his chest.

His blank expression could be described as something where he tried to imagine that so-called horror reality. “… Don’t even joke about that.”

#steph replies #comment reblog

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watchtowerindistress · 16 days

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Thank you for all the support 💕 It feels so unreal to have (in my eyes) so many reblogs. I absolutely adored fulfilling the best friend x reader trope. Really speaks for Nat that she'd help Jake out like that since she sees him as this annoying brother she can't stand.