Requested Here!
Pairing: Tim Bradford x fem!Smitty!reader
Summary: You have a rule not to date men who work with your dad - who just happens to be Quigley Smitty. After becoming friends with Lucy Chen, you meet Tim Bradford and realize that some rules hurt you more than they help you.
Warnings: slight angst, discussion of Tim's past, stress and anxiety (Tim and r), fluff, comfort, very slightly suggestive at the end, softie!Tim, Lucy is a wingwoman
Word Count: 3.8k+ words
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“Sorry I’m late,” you say, hanging your bag off the back of the chair. Your dad waves off your apology as he stands and pulls you into a hug. “One of my choir students asked for help with her homework after practice and I lost track of time.”
“I remember when you used to ask for homework help,” he muses. “I was pretty good at it, wasn’t I?”
“Sure, you were,” you answer, rolling your eyes playfully. “That’s why Mom told me to stop asking you.”
“She was just jealous.”
“That must be it. How was work?”
“It was normal. Bad guys got arrested.”
“That’s the way it’s supposed to be, right?”
“That’s why it was normal. No high-speed helicopter chases or unexpected promotions make Smitty a dull boy.”
You nod, opting to peruse the café’s menu rather than commenting. Your relationship with your dad is great, and you enjoy the time you spend together, but he can be a bit… dim. He doesn’t seem to do it on purpose, but you know that he’s aware of how he comes across, and he doesn’t seem to care that he makes himself the punch line. If he’s okay with his reputation, who are you to pick him apart for it?
“Good evening,” the waiter greets, approaching your table. “What can I get started for you tonight?”
You order, then pass your menu to him after your dad finishes. The waiter smiles at you, and you thank him as he walks away.
“He was flirting with you,” your dad points out.
“You think he was flirting with me, but you can’t tell when I’m being serious about picking up the bill?” you challenge. “He’s a waiter, his job relies on his people skills.”
“If you’re not interested in him, let me set you up with a cop. The money isn’t great, and we’re always stressed, but there are one or two who have promising potential.”
“Dad,” you sigh, shaking your head. “I’m not dating cops. I’ve had the rule for years.”
“No dating cops,” he says with you.
“What if I set you up with someone who isn’t from my station?” he offers.
“No. If you know them, I don’t want to date them. That’s like inviting a devastating breakup or lackluster romance.”
“Just because I know them doesn’t mean they’re like me.”
“That’s not what I mean. I just… it’s easier this way. And there’s something to be said for serendipity.”
“Seren-what-ity?”
You sigh and shake your head. “What song should we perform for the state choir show this year?”
“The Real Slim Shady.”
“Why did I ask?” you mumble.
“Oh, sorry,” you say, stepping back from the metal bin before you. “Completely my fault, go ahead.”
“No, no, I wasn’t looking,” the woman beside you replies. “You’re good.”
She has two records tucked in her folded arm, and you nod to communicate your approval of her choices.
“Good taste,” you compliment.
“I got a record player for my birthday, and I’ve been looking for some of the stuff I listened to as a kid and trying to branch out a bit. Try some new things,” she explains. “Based on your outfit alone, I’m guessing that you have good taste too and could offer a few good recommendations? If you have time or want to, of course.”
“Well,” you begin, glancing toward the alphabetized bins. “I’m a sucker for classic rock, but you’ve got to try something from this decade on vinyl. Most of the production is really good, depending on the label. You said you like older?” She hums, and you flip through the A-C bin before you murmur, “This one.”
“A-ha? Like ‘Take on Me’?” she questions, reaching out for the record.
“One of the best songs ever written, I think, and hearing it like this is like being in the front row of an angel concert.”
“I’ll buy it,” she begins slowly. “On one condition. You get coffee with me and become my best friend, because I feel like we’re halfway there.”
“Was that a Bon Jovi reference?”
“You do know your classic rock.”
“Well, I am a choir teacher.”
“Please agree to coffee. I’ll pay.”
You smile and pull your phone from your pocket. “Here, give me your name and number. We’ll set it up, bestie.”
“I’m Lucy, by the way,” she offers, moving the records against her chest to put her contact information in your phone.
You tell her your first name as you send her a text with your favorite coffee shop and a link to your current favorite playlist. As you walk to the checkout together, you feel lighter. Maybe you can find a life outside of school separate from your dad.
“Take me to church, I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies,” you sing softly, flipping through your choir binder.
“Have you made a decision?” Lucy asks, pulling the chair from the opposite side of the table to sit closer to you.
“I’ve got it narrowed down to three. Well, the kids narrowed it down to three and now I can’t pick.”
“Which songs?”
“Take Me to Church, Hallelujah, and Frozen Heart.”
“Those… those seem very different. What’s Frozen Heart?”
“The ice workers’ song at the beginning of Frozen. I don’t know who picked it originally, but it got a lot of votes.”
“If you were performing, what would you vote for?”
“Honestly, as a teenager, I probably would’ve said Frozen Heart. And they’ve got the skills and the range to do it.”
“There’s your answer,” Lucy says, smiling.
“Thank you,” you reply, closing the binder. “Now, how was your day, Officer Chen?”
“Long, but I did hear a new song on the radio with a melody I think you might like.”
“No, you don’t get to change the topic back to me like that. How are you, Lucy?”
“I’m okay. I guess I just feel kind of bored. Like, I go to work, I hang out with you, and I love my routine, but I want to do something new.”
“Well, you’re invited to the choir show, of course. But, in the meantime, we could always do something together when you have some time off. We live in the heart of shows and sports; there’s plenty of things to pick from and I have someone who can get tickets at a price high school choir teachers and cops can swing.”
Lucy’s eyes brighten, and she smiles.
“What are you thinking?” you ask, narrowing your eyes suspiciously.
“Would you like to go to a Dodgers game?”
“Always.”
You stay at school late on the day of the Dodgers game. Choir practice ended on time, but Lucy is bringing another cop friend to the game, and it will be easier for them to pick you up here rather than at your apartment. As you tidy your classroom, you play music and sing along.
Losing track of time as your playlist continues, you don’t hear someone open your door. As a song ends, you turn and freeze.
“Hi,” you greet, lifting your hand in an awkward greeting. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” the man watching you replies, his eyes following you as you rush to pause your music. “Sorry to intrude.”
“No, I lost track of time, sorry to make you come in.”
“You’ve got a beautiful voice.”
You slow, smiling shyly as you murmur, “Thank you.”
“Oh, there you are,” Lucy sighs, rounding the corner to reach your classroom. “This is Tim, who I asked to wait for me.”
“Nice to meet you,” you say, offering your hand.
His handshake seems to warm you from the inside out, and when you drop your hand to your side, it feels as if you’re pulling away from the world’s strongest magnet.
“Ready?” Lucy asks. “We got an email earlier that the seats were upgraded, so we’ll have an even better view when we win.”
“She just wants the Dodgers to win because there’s less of a chance of us getting called in for overnight patrol if we do. Bigger loss means more fighting,” Tim explains quietly.
“No, I’m a fan,” Lucy argues, several steps ahead of you.
“Is your station near the stadium?” you inquire.
Lucy holds the school’s door open for you and answers, “We’re in Mid-Wilshire.”
You stop in the parking lot as your brows draw together. “You both work at Mid-Wilshire? How did I not know that?”
“You know the station?” Tim asks, slowing to wait for you.
“And its laughingstock.”
Lucy laughs as she pulls the backdoor of Tim’s truck open. “Our laughingstock is a cop, believe it or not.”
“Yeah,” you reply. “Smitty’s my dad.”
Lucy’s hand slips off the door, and she steps forward quickly to catch herself. Tim’s eyes run over your body before lifting to meet your gaze again. If you weren’t feeling so put off by the realization that you’re breaking your rule in a way, you might be flattered by how easily he seemed to take you in. Maybe even admire you.
I’m not breaking my rule by being their friend, you tell yourself. But can it end there? you wonder, looking at Tim.
“Did you know he had a daughter?” you ask, beginning to walk again.
“No,” Tim and Lucy answer together.
Tim opens the passenger door for you and whispers, “I wish I had.”
Less than a month after meeting Tim, you’ve become close. Now, you have not one but two best friends from your father’s station. You haven’t said anything to him about you, and you assume Tim and Lucy haven’t either because he hasn’t brought it up the numerous times you’ve seen one another.
Shaking your head, you try to stop thinking of Tim and focus on the practice session you’re leading. Five minutes before choir practice ends, your phone rings.
“It’s a distraction,” your choir group calls together, quoting your response when asked why they can’t have their phones out even though school is technically over.
You see Tim’s name on the caller ID and wave for them to quiet before you answer it. As a cop’s daughter, you’re no stranger to the wave of nausea that threatens to pull you under as you answer an unexpected call. Tim could be hurt, or maybe Lucy, even your dad. But you must answer the call to find out, so you swallow your fear and ask, “Hello?”
“Sorry,” Tim says breathlessly. “Sorry to bother you. Are you busy?”
“I’m finishing up practice. What’s wrong?”
“Noth- nothing.”
“Doesn’t sound like nothing, Tim.”
“Can you call me when you’re done?”
“Where are you?” you inquire softly, looking over your shoulder at the high school students talking to one another.
“At home.”
“I’ll be right there,” you offer.
Tim releases a sigh before he says, “Thank you,” and ends the call.
“You’re free to go, guys,” you announce. “Great work today. I’ll see you for dress rehearsal tomorrow and then you get a break until the show on Friday.”
The students cheer as they leave the room, but your mood is far more somber as you shove your things into your bag and rush out of the building. Tim’s house isn’t far, but every mile seems to stretch for an hour as you worry about him. After parking behind his truck, you jog to his front door and ring the doorbell.
Tim pulls the door open wearing sweatpants and a look that makes your chest tighten.
“I’m sorry,” he forces out. “I didn’t know who else to call.”
“Come here,” you offer raising your arm to him.
Tim doesn’t hesitate to step forward and into your hold. His arms wrap around your waist as you rub your hand along his bare upper back. Without removing his hands from your sides, Tim nudges the door closed and presses his face into the crook of your neck.
“It’s okay,” you murmur. “I got you.”
Tim exhales shakily against you, and you guide him carefully to his couch. Sitting beside him, with his chest pressed to yours, you trace shapes on his back and begin humming.
“Can you keep doing that?” Tim requests.
You’ve become friends with Tim; you know about his past and grumpy disposition, but you’ve also seen glimpses of the man beneath. Right now, you’re with a side of Tim you suspected wanted to break free but had been buried after years of heartbreak, betrayal, and abuse.
“Humming?” you clarify.
Tim nods, and you start a different song, humming the opening notes before singing softly. As you move through the words, Tim relaxes against you.
“Thank you,” he whispers as you finish the song.
He sits up, separating himself from you. His eyes meet yours, soft and open, and you raise your hand to cup his face before you stop yourself. He put distance between you, and you don’t want to scare him away by moving too quickly. You care about Tim more than you should probably care about a friend.
“Are you okay?” you ask.
“I’m better now,” he admits. “Thank you. Today was… there was a little boy who called the police on his dad because he was hitting his mom. It got to me – it shouldn’t have, but it did. Then I got home, and in the quiet, it was too much. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have let myself get stressed like that.”
“How do you normally destress?” you inquire, shifting the focus from what he thinks he should or shouldn’t have done.
“Boxing, watching a game,” he lists. “I’ve got a few little things, but everything felt wrong.”
“Well, I’m here for you,” you promise. “Anytime you need me.”
“Your voice is pretty.”
“You’ve told me before,” you murmur. “Thank you.”
“Why don’t you sing?”
Your phone buzzes with an incoming message from your dad, but you flip it face down on Tim’s coffee table.
“Do you need to get that?” Tim asks.
“No, he’s just checking in. I’ll call him later. And to answer your other question, I don’t sing because I like teaching, supporting, more than being the center of attention. I love it, but I don’t think I’d thrive in it as a career.”
“When’s the next choir show?”
“Friday.”
“Can I come?”
You smile at Tim and answer, “Of course.”
As you shift your hand to pick at your fingers, someone walks closely behind you and pulls your wrists apart.
“Don’t do that,” Tim says softly.
You sigh and turn toward him, tucking your hands behind your back. “I’m the teacher and I still get as nervous as I did when I was actually singing,” you confess.
“Everything is going to be fine,” Tim assures you. “They’re talented – you’ve said it yourself – and they have a great teacher.”
“Unless I forgot something or miss a cue or-“
“Stop,” Tim demands, using his cop voice rather than the softer tone he tends to adopt when speaking to you. “Breathe.”
You nod, watching his chest as you match your inhales and exhales to his. After several breaths, you release a sigh and whisper your gratitude.
“I brought you these,” Tim says, reaching for a nearby seat. He lifts a cellophane-wrapped bouquet and passes it to you, watching your eyes as you stare at the beautiful arrangement.
“Thank you,” you say. “They’re beautiful.”
“I don’t know choir etiquette, but, I thought you’d like them. If I knew you were panicking I would’ve gotten you something more useful like a weighted blanket or an inhaler.”
You laugh, pushing Tim’s shoulder slightly. Something about being near him makes you feel different. When Tim is with you when you’re talking or sitting together, even the mere thought of him makes you feel special in a way you have never experienced before. Tim Bradford is special, and though he has quickly become one of your closest friends, you can’t help but feel that there’s something else, something more.
“Hi!” Lucy exclaims, pulling you into a hug. “You look so nice!”
“Thank you,” you reply, smiling as you hold your flowers to your chest. “You do too. Thank you both for coming.”
“Of course,” Lucy answers. “I’m so excited.”
“If your choir team finishes third or higher tonight, you go to regionals, right?” Tim clarifies.
“Yes,” you answer. “But we’re hoping to line up some charity shows after this either way.”
“Well, we know a police station that wouldn’t mind a concert,” Lucy points out. “Right, Tim?”
“Right,” Tim agrees, his focus steady on you.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Oh, my dad just walked in. I’ll see you two after?”
Tim and Lucy nod, wish you luck, and then take their seats as you walk toward the opposite side of the auditorium to say hello to your dad.
“I can’t believe she’s Smitty daughter,” Lucy mumbles. “They’re so different.”
“Yeah,” Tim agrees, his eyes following your every move. “She’s a lot more tolerable.”
Lucy lifts her brow and muses, “Sounds like you’d like to do more than tolerate her.”
Tim turns quickly, a warning look on his face, so Lucy raises her hands in surrender.
“Tell her,” she says. “Not me.”
“You really did not have to do that,” you repeat as you and Tim walk out of the restaurant.
“Least I could do,” Tim replies. “Now stop talking about it.”
“No, I have to pay you back. At least let me buy you coffee or something.”
Tim slows on the sidewalk. He brought you flowers to the show, hugged you after your team was awarded second place and progressed to regionals, and enjoyed a nice dinner with you, which he paid for. Everything felt more like a date than two friends hanging out and supporting one another, he realizes. More, he thinks, he wanted it to be a date, and he would like to do it again.
The Tim Bradford who hesitantly agreed to join Lucy and her new friend at a Dodgers game a few months ago is not the man walking beside you now. Not the man wondering what it would be like to take your hand and kiss you in the warm glow of a streetlight, thinking about the right words to ask you out, picking apart every word you’ve said tonight for a sign that you might want it too.
“Are you okay?” you ask.
Tim looks up at you, realizing his thoughts caused him to stop walking. “Just thinking,” he admits.
“Must take a lot out of you,” you joke lightly. “Everything alright?”
“Would you…”
“Would I?” you press.
“Would you like to go out on a date?” Tim asks quickly.
You let the question hang between you as you process what he’s asking. For Tim, the idea seems to crash between you, shattering on the sidewalk between you as you prepare to reject him.
“Never mind,” he says. “I shouldn’t have-“
“No, Tim,” you interrupt, raising your hand. “It’s not you or the question. Not even that I don’t want to.”
“Then?”
“I have this rule. I came up with it years ago, a decision never to date one of my dad’s coworkers. There’s too much that could go wrong, I guess, and I see the strain being a cop puts on my dad and his relationships. So, it’s not you that I’m saying no to.”
“It’s that I work with your dad. I get it,” Tim offers. “Being a cop is hard. Being with a cop is harder.”
“You’re not mad?” you ask.
“I’m not mad,” he assures you, offering a small smile. “You don’t have a rule against being friends with a cop, right?”
“Well, I did, but I didn’t find out Lucy worked with my dad until it was too late, so I scrapped that rule.”
Tim laughs, but deep down, you both wonder, What if the other rule was scrapped too?
Although you picked the movie, you can’t focus on it. Tim’s fingers tap against his jean-clad thigh, moving restlessly as he looks past the television to stare at the wall.
“Tim,” you whisper, leaning toward him.
He hums, his fingers slow, but he doesn’t reply. You reach for the remote, pause the movie, and then pick up your phone from the table. After a moment of scrolling, you find a song and play it. The music fills the space, and you shift to sit atop your feet with only a cushion between you and Tim.
“Oh, they say some people long ago were searching for a different tune,” you sing softly.
Tim turns toward you, his eyes tired and his shoulders tense. As you continue singing the first verse, he lets his head fall back against the couch cushion and his eyes shut. Watching Tim, you sing as the tension in his muscles ease and his hand spreads across his leg, the stressed movements slowing because you distract him from whatever is on his mind.
“And then they nursed it,” you sing, moving your hand to rest an inch away from Tim’s.
“Rehearsed it.” His hand moves toward yours, your fingers brushing.
“And gave out the news.” The song is nearly over, and you want nothing more than to collapse into Tim’s arms and give in to every urge and desire you’ve buried since you met.
“That the Southland gave birth to the blues!” you conclude.
Tim smiles and opens his eyes when you slip your hand under his and lace your fingers with his.
“Does me singing actually help you?” you wonder.
“It does,” Tim answers. “Do I actually help you calm down?”
“Even when I’m not at a performance.”
Tim nods, and the deeper meaning of your questions pushes you toward a decision you’ve been avoiding since Tim asked you out.
“I can’t do it,” you whisper.
Tim sits up straighter, looking at you but refraining from speaking.
“I thought that refusing to date someone my dad worked with would save me from heartbreak, keep me from getting into a doomed relationship. But the rule is what’s hurting me.”
Tim squeezes your hand gently.
“I can’t follow the rule anymore. I want you, Tim. Telling you no hurt me worse than trying to be more than friends could.”
“What are you saying?” Tim asks.
“I… Would you want to go on a date with me?”
Tim smiles, releases your hand, and pulls you against his chest. As his hands rise to hold your face, he answers, “Unless you have any other rules you want to break first.”
Laughing, you shake your head and lean toward Tim.
“I’d love to go on a date with you,” Tim says. “But remember that I asked you first.”
“There is one favor I have to ask, though.”
Tim nods once, and you request, “Can we not tell my dad? For a while, at least.”
“I try not to talk to your dad unless forced.”
“I’m taking that as a yes, honey, I’ll do whatever you want.”
Tim’s brow raises, and he slides one hand around your waist and spreads it across your back to encourage you to lie against him. “Whatever you want, honey,” he repeats lowly before his lips meet yours.
Part 2 of Pretending You Can't
Requested Here!
Pairing: Adam Karadec x fem!cop(analyst)!reader
Summary: Months after he realized how touch starved you are, Karadec continues helping you overcome your touch starvation and get used to touch.
Warnings: touchstarved r, emotional vulnerability, canon-divergent backstory for Karadec, minor injuries, fluff and comfort
Word Count: 3.0k+ words
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“Lieutenant Melon asked to see you,” an officer tells you.
You look up from your desk in the Major Crimes bullpen and nod once. You’ve spoken to him a few times since you were transferred out of Robbery/Homicide, but an early-morning call can’t be anything good. Coming in early to complete reports has become a habit, but your routine is interrupted. You lock your computer screen before you stand, and when you brush your hands together, you realize that the muscles in your arms and hands have tensed.
Last night, you didn’t sleep well, thinking about your loneliness and relationships that aren’t where they should be. It’s a cycle you’re used to, but one you thought you left behind when you found a group of friends and realized that Adam Karadec’s hands feel like home. Yet, it’s been a long few months since his unexpected house call, and not every day can be good.
“Good morning,” you greet, knocking on Melon’s open door.
“Morning, traitor,” he replies. “I’ve got something I could use your help on.” You open your mouth to argue that you have a new job, but he cuts you off. “I promise it’ll only take a few hours. I need some intel and no one else seems to be able to find it.”
“What intel?” you inquire.
“String of robberies in the nicest neighborhoods of Los Angeles. The thieves seem to be targeting houses with expensive safes.”
“Marketed as impregnable?”
“Some, but not all. Most of these safes run upwards of $10,000, and they’re opening them like pocket doors. Current estimated losses from the insurance companies is around $2 million.”
“Homes have security systems?”
“They do. I’ve got a list of addresses, safe makes and models, security system information, and how much time the crew spent in each home.”
“How big is the crew? And how much time are they averaging?”
“Five people, from what we can tell, spending less than 9 minutes inside.”
You hum, somewhat impressed by the criminal crew's efficiency. “Email me the information and I’ll see what I can find.”
“You’re the best!”
“I’m not coming back,” you reply with a smile.
“It was worth a shot.”
Back at your desk, you organize Melon’s quickly-typed reports into a spreadsheet. Then, you pull up property records to look for any connection between the homeowners. You don't hear anyone enter the bullpen as you compare and analyze the information about the different security systems and safes.
A hand lands on your shoulder, and you jerk away from the unexpected touch. Morgan lifts her hand when you move and sends you a close-lipped smile.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you,” she offers.
“It’s fine,” you reply, smiling as you shake your head. “I just didn’t hear you come in, lost in the work. Sorry.”
“What work?” she inquires, setting her bag on Karadec’s desk. “I thought we closed the last case yesterday.”
“The last case for now,” Oz corrects as he walks to his desk.
“I’m assisting Melon with a string of safe robberies.”
“He does remember that you’re not his gopher, right?” Daphne inquires.
“Do you guys carpool?” you wonder aloud.
“No, we just get to work on time,” Karadec answers, looking between you and Morgan. “You should try it sometime.”
“If you’re not early, you’re late.”
“And you’ll sleep when you’re dead?” Karadec challenges. “Thin line between dedication, obsession, and avoidance.”
“Are we taking a break from murder and mayhem for philosophy?” Soto interjects.
“Something like that,” Daphne replies. “Have anything for us?”
“Not at the moment.”
“Then we can help with the safe cracking!” Morgan announces.
“I think I found the connection,” you say. “Every one of these safes was manufactured in California, and the homeowners purchased them from West Coast Safes. The safes are installed by a five-man team.”
“You think the installation team is robbing the safes,” Karadec clarifies.
“I do.”
He nods, and Daphne calls Morgan to her desk for her opinion. Karadec moves to stand beside you, and his gaze drops to your tense shoulders, your muscles tightened from holding your shoulders back and up as if you’re guarding yourself against something.
“What are they stealing?” he asks.
“Guns, jewelry, silver, the standard safe contents.”
“Are the safes specific to those contents?”
You hum, pulling up the specs once more. “All but one. The most recent robbery was a tactical safe, but the insurance claim lists precious metals as stolen.”
“They could be looking for something specific, then.”
“I’ll pass that along to Melon,” you offer. “Thank you.”
Karadec nods, watches you email your spreadsheet and findings, and then steps toward the door with you.
“I’ll be right back,” you remind him.
“Are you okay?” he asks softly.
You purse your lips, then nod. As you walk away, feeling Karadec’s eyes on you, you’re reminded of Morgan’s unexpected touch this morning. Karadec sees you past your professionalism and analytic abilities and sees the loneliness and touch deprivation you hide behind your smile. A few hugs from Karadec will help, but the emotions beneath longing for a caring touch won’t disappear if he stays close.
When you return from lunch – which you ate alone in your car because your friends are investigating an attempted assassination – there’s something in your chair. You pull it away from your desk and smile when you realize what it is. Last week, you investigated a stabbing in a neighborhood grocery store and saw a police officer Squishmallow. You couldn’t justify buying a stuffed animal for yourself, especially at a bloody scene. As you pull the soft koala into your arms, you smile. You suspect you know who may have noticed your infatuation with Detective Kirk. But there are no real clues as to which of your new friends gifted you the perfectly huggable detective. With him safe in your bag, you open a report and return to work, your heart feeling lighter with the knowledge that someone cares.
Running your finger along your opposite forearm, you attempt to soothe yourself and go to sleep. Your blankets are arranged comfortably, your new Squishmallow is cuddled against your side, and the mellifluous melody of white noise fills your room. Still, you can’t fall asleep because you feel as if you are drowning in your loneliness and sorrow. Your mind races with the idea that you’ll never be in a meaningful relationship, held just for the sake of it, or kissed breathless because someone can’t help but show you they love you.
Fighting the urge to reach for your phone, you close your eyes and try to imagine you’re somewhere else, living a different life. Your doorbell ringing interrupts that attempt to induce slumber. You ignore it, but the knocks that follow make you groan. Rather than looking at the doorbell camera, you remove yourself from your comfortable imitation of a nest, pull your robe on, and walk to the front door.
“Karadec,” you greet, crossing your arms over your chest. “Is everything okay?”
“I don’t think so,” he answers. “Tell me if I’m overstepping, but you pulled back. I know I told you that you decide how far this goes, but if you don’t get some help, this is going to get worse.”
“I know,” you murmur. You open the door wider, tip your head inside, and close the door behind Karadec.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asks.
“I don’t want to pull away when someone I care about reaches toward me, but I can’t stop it,” you admit. “Morgan laid her hand on me this morning, and it hurt so much. I didn’t even think about it before I moved.”
“That’s not your fault.”
“Why are you being so nice to me about this?” you inquire.
“Because I’ve been there,” he offers. “My old partner and I were friends, we hung out, slapped each other on the back, and then he left. I was alone, and before I even realized that I hadn’t been hugged in months, I was recoiling from every little thing.”
“How’d you make it better?”
Karadec shrugs. “I don’t think I did. I’ve always had a problem with touch-“
“The hand sanitizer,” you interject.
“Yeah… so when I started dreading people touching me, I kind of accepted it. You can’t do that.”
“You did.”
“You aren’t me. This is hurting you. It’s not just the pain of unexpected touch; there’s anxiety, stress, loneliness, and based on the fact that you opened the door, I’m betting you’re having trouble sleeping.”
“You Googled touch starvation, didn’t you?” you ask, lifting your brows.
“No,” Karadec answers, incredulous. “I asked Morgan.”
You laugh, shaking your head as you step closer to Karadec.
“Do you want to talk to someone?” he asks.
“Not really.”
“Do you want to become a cat person and have them to cuddle?”
“Not really.”
“Do you want any help?”
“I… I don’t know. The only time I can remember enjoying being touched was with you.”
Karadec doesn’t reply, and you close your eyes, realizing how it sounded.
“Sorry,” you offer. “I just mean- I don’t have many people in my life, and that was new. But it was different.”
Karadec nods, but your eyes are still closed. He reaches toward you, stops an inch short, and lets his warmth linger. With his eyes on your face, he doesn’t notice you lean forward until your hand bumps into his.
“Why me?” you ask, blinking your eyes open but not moving your hand.
“Why not you?” Karadec challenges.
“That’s not an answer.”
You turn your hand, pressing your palm to Karadec’s larger one. He swipes his thumb across your knuckles, and you shiver at the feeling. Your shoulders drop at his touch, your tension loosening at the physical statement that you are not alone, that someone cares about you.
“Detective Kirk,” you say.
“Who?” Karadec asks, his brows lifting.
“The Squishmallow,” you explain. “Was that from you?”
“Cuddling something can help.”
“Thank you.”
“The less touch-starved you are, the easier it will be to encounter unfamiliar touch.”
“So, you’re saying that if I want to stop overreacting to being touched, I need to be touched more. That sounds like a solid plan,” you deadpan.
“I’m saying that this isn’t 0 to 60, you’re going to have to warm up to being touched. Hold someone’s hand sometime, shake a stranger’s hand, and then ask for a hug. Little things to adjust.”
“I can’t just do that, Karadec.”
He looks pointedly at your interlaced fingers, then back up at your face. Settled on the back of your couch, he’s shorter than you, and you look over his head as you smile.
“You know what I mean.”
“Then do it with me, but don’t let yourself spiral in this.”
“We’ll have to invest in bulk hand sanitizer,” you muse.
Karadec’s gaze wanders around your home, and when he sees your fridge - and the to-do list on it - he tilts his head in thought. “You’re task-driven, analytic, right?”
“I don’t like where this is going,” you murmur.
“Here’s your first task-“
“Are you my therapist now?”
“First task,” Karadec repeats sternly. “This week, find an opportunity to comfort someone with touch. A hand on their shoulder, tap the back of their hand during a shake, whatever it may be. It can be 2 seconds or 20 minutes, but you initiate it.”
“I… okay, I can do that.”
“Good.” Karadec lifts his free hand to your waist, and you step into his touch. “Does it hurt?”
“Not so much now,” you whisper.
Karadec smiles, then jokes, “First two visits are free of charge.”
“… doesn’t get me.”
Karadec hears Ava but hasn’t seen Morgan all morning. He walks toward the office where he thinks she is and stops when he hears another voice.
“Do you get her?”
Aware that he’s intruding, Karadec turns away, but he sees you through the blinds. Your hand rubs comforting circles on Ava’s back, and Karadec returns to the bullpen with a smile.
“Where is she?” Karadec demands as he enters the emergency room. “Now.”
“3rd door,” the nurse answers quickly, pointing down the hall.
“What was he thinking?” Karadec asks Daphne. “She’s an analyst.”
“She’s really good at more than analyzing, you know that,” Daphne reminds him. “It was an audible, and she could have said no.”
“He shouldn’t have asked!”
“Hey, you need to calm down before we go in there.”
Karadec slows, taking a deep breath as he heeds Daphne’s advice. The call that you were injured came as a surprise. You were going to look at a safe, accompanied by three police officers, yet you’re in the emergency room, and they’re unharmed back at the station.
“Hey,” Daphne greets, smiling at you. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine,” you answer. “They’re overreacting.”
“Melon said someone tried to put a drill bit through your head,” Karadec says, stepping inside the curtain. “They’re allowed to overreact.”
“He didn’t,” you reply. “I’m fine.”
Karadec looks at your face and then down your arms. You sport a few scrapes and a forming bruise or two, but otherwise, you look the same as you had at the station.
“Daph, give us a minute?” you request.
“Of course. Need anything?”
You shake your head, and she winks at you before she leaves. Morgan, Daphne, and Oz have known about your feelings for Karadec since you walked into the Major Crimes bullpen a few months ago to answer questions about a suspect you’d investigated before.
“Karadec, I’m okay,” you assure him.
“You shouldn’t have been put in a position to be injured,” he argues.
“Come here?” you ask, beckoning him closer.
He walks to the side of the hospital bed, and you push yourself to sit up before you drape your legs over the side. Karadec holds his hands toward you, ready to assist you.
“Can I please have a hug?” you request.
“Are you sure?” he checks.
You smile and nod, so Karadec leans forward, wrapping his arms lightly around your waist as you circle your arms over his shoulders.
“Thank you,” you say against his shoulder.
Karadec feels you relax, and he tightens his grip on you. You’re adjusting to touch – slowly, but it’s happening – and now you’re asking for it. He knew things were improving when he saw you comforting Ava earlier. Still, he didn’t expect you to initiate a hug this quickly.
“Only for you,” you say.
“Hmm?” he hums in question.
“You’re the only person I can touch without panicking,” you repeat. “For now, at least.”
Karadec pulls back to look at your face and brushes his finger over a scrape on your temple. “Then take whatever you want,” he offers.
A week after your unfortunate encounter with the safe crackers, you accompany Melon to arrest them and accidentally abandon your team in a time of need. Repentant, you get Karadec’s address from Soto and approach his apartment a few minutes before 11 p.m.
You hesitate before you knock on Karadec’s door. His late-night visits to check in on you seemed very out of character for him and still do, despite his explanation that he has been through what you’re struggling with and wants to help. You know he’s awake, but you won’t press him to talk or knock again, you decide. A minute passes, then two, and you shift on his doorstep as you prepare to leave.
“Hey,” Karadec says, pulling his door open.
“Hi,” you greet, wringing your fingers together. “I’m sorry for just showing up, but I heard about what happened with Oz. I should’ve been there.”
He shakes his head, dropping his eyes to your shoes. “None of us should have been there.”
“You got everyone home safe, though, Adam. That’s what matters.”
“I almost didn’t.”
“Daphne told me you saved his life. He’s still here, focus on that.”
Karadec shakes his head again, and you step into his door, raise your hands, and cup his face. “Don’t think about what could have happened. It’s a slippery slope.”
His hands find your waist, pulling you inside before he pushes the door closed behind you.
“What are you doing here?” he asks.
“You told me to comfort someone. I told you that I didn’t mind when you touched me.”
You move your right hand to his neck, tipping his face toward yours.
“Stay here with me,” you plead. “You’ve been helping me since we met. Let me return the favor.”
“It wasn’t a favor,” he argues, shaking his head in your hold. “You don’t have to repay it.”
“Then let me stay, just because.”
“Why?”
Your hand slides off his jaw, surprised by his question, but he catches your wrist and uses it to pull you closer.
“Why do we pretend we can’t do this? You feel it, I know you do. But we circle around each other, terrified that we’ll bring out the worst in each other.”
“Maybe the worst is all we can see in ourselves.”
Karadec presses his lips together, and you don’t hesitate this time. No more pretending, giving yourself excuses, or finding reasons it won’t work. That you won’t work together.
You press your chest to his, angle your chin toward his face, and kiss him. He freezes, flexing his hands at your sides before he holds you like he never wants to let go. Karadec is the one source of touch you can never be scared of, grow tired of, get enough of, and as you move together, you begin to see the good. You can’t regrow the trauma from before now, even if you left, because Karadec is one of a kind. You’re where you belong.
“Still think I’m your therapist?” he mumbles when you pull back for a breath.
“My place?” Morgan asks the following morning.
You hug Morgan rather than answering. She pats your back awkwardly, then returns the affection.
“Thank you,” you say against her shoulder.
“Not necessary,” she replies.
“Why don’t we all go out to dinner?” Oz suggests.
“I’m in,” you agree, pulling away from Morgan. “We’re a family, right?”
“Well, that answers that question,” Daphne muses.
“What question?” Karadec asks, pulling his eyes from you.
“The will they portion of what I told you to avoid.”
“It took my nearly dying to get you two there?” Oz deadpans.
“Don’t say it like that,” Karadec chides.
“What are we talking about?” Soto inquires.
“Family dinner,” Morgan answers, laying her hand on your shoulder.
eddie brock wanting to go out with reader, so she dresses up but venom takes over and compliments her in his own weird ways <3
Your ring nearly snags a thread on the inside left cup of your dress, and you carefully retract it before it can tear the garment. There's a lace edge beneath your bra that's itching something fierce, and you can't wait to take the dress off tonight.
Or, of course, have it taken off of you.
"Eddie?" You call through the apartment, now peering down at your necklace as you try laying it against your chest in a particular way, "Ready to go, babe?"
"Yeah," He calls from the kitchen, the soles of his dress shoes clicking against the wood floor as he comes to find you, "I was thinking we could- woah."
His abrupt stop makes you glance up, and he's got his eyes glued to your dress. It's a new one, a rich brown hue that drapes down your frame like you're a modern-day Jessica Rabbit.
I take it you like the dress," You laugh, watching Eddie's cheeks go pink. He needs a moment to recover, and you're patient enough to give it to him, but venom isn't.
With a series of ungodly squelches the symbiote envelops your boyfriend, sharp, jagged teeth already set in a grin that barely holds back his massive tongue. His eyes are narrowed and it makes his grin that much more predatory, a look that sends a shiver down your spine.
"I do not know why Eddie will not talk." Venom leans in, hulking figure crowding your own smaller one, "But I want to. You look delicious. You look like chocolate."
"Yeah?" You grin at Venom, fingers fiddling with the silky fabric of your dress, "Thanks, Venom."
"Do you know what I do to chocolate?" Venom leans in farther still, until you can feel his breath fan over your face. He's intoxicatingly large, and your vision is entirely taken up by him.
"I do," You laugh, reaching up to cup his cheek, "I've found enough massacred remains of hershey bars around this place to know you're not gentle with them."
"I would like to do that to you." Venom's tongue comes out to lick over his teeth, a slimy, dripping, circular path, "But for your comfort I think that we should do it on your bed."
"Not right now," You lament, leaning your forehead against his and kissing the space where his nose should be, "We have to eat first. But maybe you can arm wrestle Eddie for me later, big guy."
"I would win an arm wrestle." Venom boasts, thinking literally instead of picking up on the broader meaning of your words, "Eddie is a weak loser."
"A weak loser who's paying for my dinner tonight," You pinch at Venom's arm, though you're sure it doesn't hurt him, "Lemme see him again, V. We can't be late to this place or we'll lose our table."
Venom is very polite with you. He follows orders seamlessly, shrinking back into Eddie until the man's tanned skin breaks through the black goop that had been swarming it. He's on you in an instant, hands against your hips and nose knocking into yours, "You think I'm a weak loser?"
"No!' You laugh, kissing the smile he's trying to tamp down in the name of dramatics, and wriggling from his grip to grab your helmet off of the counter, "I just think Venom could beat you in an arm wrestle."
"It's true," Eddie calls after you, jogging to catch up as you head for the door, "But it's not nice!"
Series Masterlist
Summary: You and Tim go on your very first date. 0.3k+ words
A/N: Thanks for the love on this series so far! My friend and I are looking forward to hearing more of your thoughts and ideas!
Sitting in front of Tim at a really fancy restaurant was stressful, to say the least. Everything on the menu was hard to pronounce and you didn't know what any of it meant. Luckily, Google was your friend that night.
“See anything on the menu you like?” Tim asked from behind his own menu.
“Um, everything looks so good. It's hard to choose,” you said while grimacing about the fact there are five items that include snails.
“To be honest, this isn’t really my thing. But I know a fantastic Chinese restaurant down the street. Their noodles are amazing,” you said while placing down your menu.
“That sounds amazing. I wanted to impress you, so I tried taking you somewhere really nice,” Tim said while standing and offering his hand.
“So tell me about yourself,” Tim said while drinking some water.
“Well, as you know I’m a teacher. Graduated with my twin brother from Stanford. I was born and raised in Kansas with a heavy male influence,” you stated with a smile.
“What does your brother do?” Tim asked.
“Well, my older brother moved to Stanford with me and my twin so we can all stay together. He opened a mechanic shop. My twin is a lawyer, he has his own firm. We all are really close, so we get together at least once a week,” you said while smiling; you love getting to talk about your brothers.
“Wow, I wish I was closer to my sister. She is actually moving closer to me, so I will get to spend more time with her and my nephews,” Tim said when the food arrived.
The night went on with telling stories and getting to know each other better. It was going so well that the both of you decided to go get ice cream because you weren’t ready for it to end. But after walking along the pier and getting your frozen treat, the later it was getting. The time for the end of the date had come.
“I had fun tonight,” you told Tim at your front door.
“Me too. Can I take you out to lunch tomorrow? I want to see you again really soon,” Tim said with a cheesy smile.
“I would love that.” You kissed Tim on the cheek. “Goodnight, Tim.”
The morning of your wedding day dawned misty and cool, the sky an otherworldly grey drifted over by pearly clouds. When you opened your eyes, you were greeted by the sight of a dress bag hanging from the top of your bed. You threw back the covers and crawled over the bed to get to it, pulling it carefully down and laying it across your lap.
Keep reading
sanji has been wondering what this day would be like for years and he's sure he could die a happy man after a night with you ♡
18+ ACCOUNT/CONTENT SO MINORS DO NOT INTERACT
warnings: sub sanji, men whimpering yeahhhhh, sex for the first time, afab reader!, lots of commanding sanji
sanji pants heavily when you pull off of his cock with a pop, a pathetic whine leaving him when you press a sloppy kiss to the tip. "such a good boy. don't even have to tell you to behave." you giggle as you pump him with your fist, another cry leaving him as he watches your hand and grips the sheets underneath him. you stop only a moment later, crawling into his lap and leaning down to kiss him as you slowly grind back against his cock that's leaking pre-cum and flushed red at the tip. "c-come on, baby, pleasepleaseplease.." he gasps out, his shaky hands finding your waist and squeezing it. you playfully tut at him, taking his hands off your waist much to his dismay; a quiet cry leaves him when you instead place his hands on your breasts. "gotta take it slow, sweetheart. don't want you cumming just yet." you say with a hum, reaching back to lead his cock to your entrance.
the two of you moan in unison when his tip pushes just past your folds, staying like that as he throws his head back against the pillows with a loud moan. his face is flushed red with lust, lips slick with spit as he tries to stop himself from drooling at your heat around his tip. "don't be shy, honey, i want to hear alll your sounds." you giggle as you finally lower your hips with a long moan, sanji unable to hold back the embarrassing cry of a curse that leaves him. his hips buck up into you on instinct, another whine leaving him when you push his hips down with one hand. "let me take care of you, handsome. you already help me so much." you say, lifting your hips again; you bite your lip to hide the growing smile on your face when you don't lower your hips, relishing in the desperate look in sanji's eyes. "pleasepleasepleasepleaseohgodspleasebabyplease"
you pick up the pace of your hips as you lean forward enough for sanji to force you further down, groaning as he buries his face in your breasts; had this been any other moment, you would have laughed but sanji's eagerness even for his first time only turned you on even more. "such a good boy, puppy, so so good." you whine softly as he squeezes your breasts further against his face. without warning, he starts to buck his hips up into yours in a way that sends a chill up your spine, setting a fast, steady pace that makes a choked moan leave you. he babbles strings of praise to you and what you think is an apology; "feelsofuckinggood, 'm sorry.." he whines as his hands find your ass and squeeze it, using it as a way to lower your hips to meet his.
way too soon for sanji, he feels himself getting close and he can already tell it's going to hit him hard. "b-baby, 'm soclose, please, w-wanna cum inside.." he pants heavily, looking up at you with this look that makes you let out a small whine: how can you possibly refuse him when he's looking at you like you are god herself? "let it allll out, honey, give it all to me." you whine as you start to move your hips to meet his, feeling your own release coming. sanji's sounds only grow louder and more pathetic with every stroke inside of you, calling out your name like a mantra. it isn't long until sanji finally cums, letting out a loud, low groan as his hips speed up into an almost impossible pace much to your pleasure. he goes limp against the bed as you ride out your own high, head tipped back and soft gasps slipping out of you as you milk sanji for all he's worth.
im ngl to yall, i finished this at almost 2:00 am so sorry if anything sounds weird LMFOAM
Description: A deeper dive into sneaky link Roy and Y/N
Warnings: Suggestive content, allusions to sex, cursing, sneaky links
Word Count: 0.8k
"Roy, what did I say about calling me?" Y/N asked while she rubbed an expensive cleanser onto her face. He just happened to facetime her the one night all of her siblings were in town for some mission. Her phone was placed on her vanity counter as she did her nighttime skincare routine. Her knotless braids sat in a bun on top of her head while she wore a robe with her name embellished on it.
"I know, I know, but I need you," Roy's eyes couldn't help but travel down the silk robe. His mouth went dry at the sight of her cleavage.
"We're not exclusive, you could call someone else," Y/N offered. As much as she hated the thought of him with someone else, it would be the safer alternative if Jason or Dick caught them together.
"I want you, though," Roy whined and Y/N had to reconsider her choices. For him to be just her sneaky link, she didn't like the power he had over her emotions. She didn't appreciate how sweet he was to her but she loved how he begged for her attention.
"Okay, you always know what to say. I'll be over in thirty," Y/N said hanging up the phone.
Y/N had an important in the city that she rarely stayed in. It made the perfect place for her and Roy to meet up. Donning a pair of sweats and a zip-up hoodie, Y/N stuck her head out of her bedroom door. The key now was to avoid Alfred. If she timed it right, she could make it through the front door without anyone knowing she was gone for at least two hours.
"It's late, where are you going?" Damian asked as his sister attempted to sneak out of the manor. Y/N almost cursed once she remembered that Damian was off patrol because of his broken arm.
"Out," Y/N suspiciously drew out the one-syllable word.
"Out or out-out," Damian questioned trying to gauge if he wanted to come with her or not.
"I'll buy you a month's worth of vegan Ben & Jerry's if you walk away and don't tell anyone," Y/N offered with a quirked eyebrow. Damian contemplated his choices and realized that ice cream is always the answer.
"Deal," He backed away slowly into the hallway and Y/N dashed the excite.
- Roy doesn't remember how he ended up shirtless and cuffed to Y/N's bedframe. All he remembered was walking into her apartment and being attacked with kisses. She had him stripped to his boxers and she wore the thinnest lingerie he had ever seen. She straddled his lap and placed a ball gag in his mouth.
"Don't start whining, yet. We've barely started," Y/N said as she kissed his cheek. She stopped when she heard a phone buzzing on the floor.
"It's Jade," Y/N said as she held up his phone. Roy's eyes widened as he realized how this was about to go. Jade managed to call Roy almost every time he was with Y/N. It was never about Lian, either and that just pissed Y/N off even more.
"Hello," Y/N spoke into the cell phone while running her hand up and down Roy's thigh.
"Who is this?" Jade asked.
"Let's not pretend you don't know who I am,"
"Where's Roy, Y/N?" Jade asked with venom on her tongue. Y/N enjoyed teasing the assassin. It was like taking the bully's favorite toy.
"He's a little busy at the moment," Y/N said as she searched her bedside drawer for more fun playthings. Roy was sweating bullets. He knew that Jade was mildly crazy but Y/N was wildly petty.
"Give him the phone," Jade demanded.
"I would, but there's a gag in his mouth. He looks so pretty tied to the bed," Y/N winked at Roy and his cheeks turned an even brighter red than his hair. He was in for the night of his life.
"I will fuck your shit up," Jade threatened into the phone's speaker. Y/N simply removed the phone from her ear and waited for Jade to finish her string of curses.
"Bitch, you're the one who calls every time we're together," Y/N noted without missing a beat.
"And you'd think that the spoiled princess would learn to take a hint," Jade spoke and Y/N chuckled to herself a little before responding.
"You know what, I'm not arguing with a woman whose baby daddy just ate my ass," Y/N said without a hint of remorse. She had a smirk on her face the entire time. The line went quiet before Jade began to scream into her phone.
"You bi-," Jade started before being rudely interrupted.
"Have a blessed night. Okay, where were we?" Y/N turned to face Roy with bright eyes.
Let's pretend The Bear and Abbot Elementary are in the same city.
Another cute interaction between Carmen (Carmy) Berzatto x Abbot Teacher Femreader! Sunshinereader!
Carmy stood in the dimly lit laundry room, hands on his hips as he glared at the washing machine like it had personally wronged him. The display panel flashed erratically, like it was trying to send an SOS in Morse code, while a faint but concerning smell of burning plastic wafted through the air.
He let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. All he wanted was to wash his clothes—just one normal task in a sea of chaos. Apparently, even that was asking too much.
With a frustrated sigh, he muttered curses under his breath and gave the machine a half-hearted nudge with his foot, as if that might magically revive it. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. The machine remained defiantly lifeless.
“Wow. Bold strategy. Were you planning to wrestle it next?”
The voice startled him. He turned sharply to see you standing in the doorway, holding a laundry basket overflowing with brightly colored clothes. You were dressed in the epitome of Saturday comfort: an oversized t-shirt with a graphic that read 'Physics: It’s Not Rocket Science... Oh, Wait, Yes It Is,' paired with baggy sweatpants and ridiculously fluffy, colorful monster feet slippers. Your hair was slightly messy like you’d just rolled out of bed—or perhaps fought the laundry demons he was now dealing with.
Your lips curved into a teasing smile as you tilted your head. “I’m impressed. I didn’t know machines responded to passive-aggressive foot taps.”
Carmy let out a quiet sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Didn’t have a better idea.”
“Well,” you said, stepping into the room and setting your basket down on the counter, “I hate to break it to you, but this thing looks like it’s plotting your demise. What’s the issue? Won’t open?”
“It stopped mid-cycle,” he explained, gesturing toward the uncooperative machine. “Clothes are stuck. It’s probably fried.”
“Oof. Smells like defeat and polyester.” You crouched down to inspect the machine, tilting your head like a mechanic sizing up a stubborn engine. “Looks like it’s giving you the silent treatment. Did you try apologizing? Promising to separate your whites and darks next time?”
“Funny,” Carmy deadpanned, though the twitch of his lips betrayed his amusement.
You straightened up, planting your hands on your hips in a stance that could only be described as authoritative. “Well, lucky for you, Carmy-next-door, I happen to be an expert in broken things.”
Carmy raised an eyebrow, leaning back against the counter. “Yeah? How’s that?”
You let out a playful scoff, crouching in front of the washing machine as if it were a patient in need of your expertise. “When you work in a place that runs on shoestring budgets and prayers, you pick up a thing or two about fixing stuff. I’ve practically got a minor in MacGyver-ing. It’s part of my many talents.”
He smirked, watching as you pressed a few buttons and tapped the side of the machine like you were coaxing it back to life. “Sounds like a tough gig.”
“Oh, it’s a blast,” you replied sarcastically with a grin, peering at the machine’s latch. “But the real fun is my lovely fourth graders and their… slippery fingers. Nothing keeps you on your toes like finding out your class stapler’s been dismantled to ‘see how it works.’”
“And you adore them,” Carmy guessed, his voice soft but sure.
“Ugh, to a fault,” you admitted, sitting back on your heels to glance at him. “They’re chaos in human form, but they’re my chaos. Like when Marcus decided to see if he could use glitter glue as a bookmark. Spoiler alert: he couldn’t. And then there was Kayla’s science project that involved exactly zero science but a lot of snacks. Kids are wild, but they’re kind of the best.”
Carmy chuckled, the sound low and warm as he shook his head. “Sounds like you’ve got your hands full.”
You huff a laugh nodding. “But they make all the broken stuff worth it... also, they’ve prepared me for moments like this. Fixing things? I’m a pro. Diffusing meltdowns? Also a pro. Dodging paper balls? Let’s just say my reflexes are unmatched.”
He chuckled quietly, his blue eyes softening as he observed your easy confidence. “Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out.”
“Oh, hardly,” you said with a self-deprecating laugh.
He watched as you tinkered with the inner workings of the washer, the way your monster-footed slippers stuck out behind you, and the light in your eyes as you spoke about your students. There was something captivating about the way you moved—confident but never overbearing, your words spilling out in an endless stream of humor and warmth. For someone who probably dealt with endless chaos in your day-to-day life, you had an energy about you—warmth—messy and vibrant—that felt oddly grounding in his otherwise muted world.
Finally, with a triumphant click, the washer’s door popped open. A puff of warm, damp air escaped, carrying with it the faint scent of detergent. You rocked back on your heels, grinning up at him as if you’d just disarmed a bomb.
“And there you have it!” you declared standing up, sweeping your arm dramatically toward the liberated laundry like a game show host revealing a grand prize. “Your clothes are finally free, Chef Carmy. Laundry liberation, courtesy of yours truly. I accept gratitude in the form of snacks, coffee, or eternal admiration—your choice. But please, no autographs. I have to stay humble.”
“You’re something else, you know that?” Carmy said, huffing a quiet laugh as he shook his head, stepping forward to start transferring the damp clothes into another machine. His tone softened slightly as he added, “But thanks, really. I owe you one.”
You waved a hand dismissively, already moving to the next machine with your own basket in tow.
“Don’t worry about it, Carmy…” you said, your tone casual, though the smirk playing on your lips suggested otherwise. “But, if you do feel like you want to repay me, feel free to bring me more of those leftovers—like the ones you brought when I first moved in.”
He paused, eyebrows raising slightly as he met your gaze. “That’s what you want? Leftovers?”
“Not just any leftovers,” you clarified, turning back to load more clothes. “The fancy ones. Braised short ribs, perfectly roasted vegetables... whatever culinary magic you’re whipping up in that kitchen of yours. Don’t think I forgot.”
Carmy paused mid-transfer, glancing at you with a faint, almost embarrassed smile. “You liked those, huh?”
“Liked?” you scoffed, tossing a pair of socks into the machine. “I was ready to write you a thank-you sonnet. That braised short rib? Poetry in food form. You’ve ruined me for takeout forever.”
He chuckled softly, shutting the door to his machine. “It was just a test recipe.”
“Well, then I’d be happy to test more of your recipes,” you said with a wink, starting your own machine and leaning back against it. “Strictly as a favor, of course. I’m nothing if not generous.”
“Generous,” he repeated, shaking his head with a smirk as he pressed the start button on his machine. He glanced at you, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Alright. I’ll see what I can do.”
“See?” you teased, flashing him a grin. “You’re already getting the hang of this whole neighborly exchange thing. Don’t worry, I’ll keep my expectations high.”
Carmy shook his head, letting out another quiet laugh. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet, here you are,” you quipped, settling yourself into the nearby chair and grabbing a book from the empty laundry basket at your feet. You opened it casually, like you weren’t fully aware of the fact that his attention was still on you. “Don’t keep me waiting too long, Chef Carmy. I’ve got standards now.”
Carmy smirked faintly, shaking his head as he leaned back against the counter, arms loosely crossed. His gaze lingered on you for a moment longer than he intended, watching as you flipped through the book, completely at ease. The light in the room, though dim and slightly yellowed, softened your features, making you look... warm. Pretty, even. The oversized t-shirt, the messy hair, and those ridiculous monster slippers didn’t detract from it—in fact, they only made you more endearing. Not that he’d ever admit that out loud. Instead, he tucked the thought neatly into the back of his mind, letting it sit there quietly.
The faint hum of the working washing machine filled the space, stretching the silence between you into something that felt oddly comfortable. He wasn’t used to that—not in conversations, not in moments like these. Usually, silence felt heavy, awkward, something to be broken. But this? This felt... different.
Still, the need to say something eventually won out, despite his lack of finesse with small talk. Clearing his throat softly, Carmy shifted his weight and finally asked, “So... uh, how are you liking it here?”
You glanced up from your book, your lips curving into a small, knowing smile. “In the building? Or in the laundry room?”
Carmy huffed a quiet laugh, looking down briefly before meeting your eyes again. “The biulding, I guess."
“Oh, it’s not bad,” you said, leaning back in your chair. “The walls are a little thin—I may or may not know the entire plot of the soap opera your upstairs neighbor is binging—but they are decent. A little quiet, though, except for one guy who keeps kicking appliances. Total menace.”
“Sounds rough,” Carmy deadpanned, though his smirk gave him away.
“It is,” you said with mock solemnity before your smile softened. “But honestly? I like it. It’s... cozy, you know? Feels like a place where things can settle down.”
He nodded slowly, his gaze dropping briefly to the floor. “That’s good.”
“It’s growing on me,” you admitted, closing the book and resting it on your lap. “I mean, it’s not every day you move into a building and immediately make friends with someone who’s probably going to be on the cover of Some Fancy Chef Magazine someday.”
“Friends?” he said, arching a brow.
“Yeah, friends,” you replied with a teasing grin. “Or at least laundry room acquaintances.”
He shook his head, his smirk softening into something closer to genuine. “Friend's better.”
"Good," You smiled, shifting slightly in your chair. “So, Carmy-next-door, aside from working and battling possessed washing machines, what do you do for fun?”
“For fun?” he repeated, raising an eyebrow as though you’d just asked him to name every spice in his kitchen alphabetically. “Uh... I don’t know. Not sure I’ve got much time for that.”
“Not buying it,” you shot back, narrowing your eyes playfully. “Everyone’s got something. Come on, spill. What’s your guilty pleasure? Do you secretly knit in your downtime? Binge-watch trashy reality TV? Start a garden but refuse to tell anyone because it ruins your ‘serious chef’ vibe? And if you are, I know someone who could be your new best friend.”
He let out another quiet laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “None of those, but now I’m thinking I should start knitting just to throw people off.”
“Do it,” you said, pointing at him. “Then you can make me a scarf. But seriously, what’s your thing? There’s gotta be something.”
Carmy hesitated for a moment, his gaze dropping briefly before meeting yours again. “I guess... sometimes I’ll just walk around the city. Clears my head, you know?”
You nodded, smiling softly. “That’s a solid choice. City walks are like people-watching with a side of fresh air. What’s your favorite spot?”
“There's this park near the river. Quiet, not too crowded. Good place to think." Carmy tells her.
"Sounds nice," you replied, smiling. "I might have to check it out sometime."
"You should," Carmy said, his expression softening. He clears his throat, "I-uh, I used to draw, though. Sketch stuff when I had the time.”
“Used to?” you asked, leaning forward a bit, intrigued. “You mean you don’t anymore? Or are you just too modest to admit you’ve got sketchbooks hidden under your bed?”
His smirk faltered into something a little more genuine, a touch of shyness creeping into his expression. “I still do. Sometimes. When things aren’t too crazy.”
“Now that’s interesting,” you said, sitting back with a thoughtful smile. “What kind of stuff do you draw? People? Landscapes? Elaborate food masterpieces?”
“A little of everything,” he said with a small shrug. “But mostly recipes, or at least how I want them to look."
“Like a visual diary,” you said, nodding. “That’s actually really cool.”
“Yeah, well...” he trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s nothing big.”
“Carmy,” you said, tilting your head at him. “You just admitted to having an actual hobby, and I’m here for it. Don’t downplay it.”
He huffed, shaking his head flushing ever so slightly. “Alright. What about you? What do you do for fun?”
“Me?” you repeated, your eyes lighting up as you sat back in the chair, clutching your book like a prop in a comedy routine. “Well, let’s see. I’m a professional daydreamer, certified in overthinking, and an expert-level snack enthusiast. It’s an impressive resume, I know.”
Carmy chuckled, the corner of his mouth twitching into a rare smile. “Sounds like a full-time job.”
“Oh, it is,” you said with a mock-serious nod. “But if we’re being serious... I like to read, obviously.” You held up the book for emphasis. “And I’m a sucker for a good movie. Big screen, small screen, doesn’t matter. I also like to go out with friends— go to clubs, a karaoke bar, grab dinner, play board games, complain about life. You know, the usual.”
He tilted his head, his expression softening. “Any favorites? Books or movies?”
“Hmm,” you mused, tapping your chin. “For books, I like a little bit of everything—mysteries, fantasy, even the occasional cheesy romance. Keeps life interesting. And movies... I’m a sucker for feel-good comedies. But every now and then, I’ll binge something dark and broody just to balance it out.”
Carmy nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “Feel-good comedies? Got any recommendations?”
“Oh, I’ve got tons,” you said, your eyes gleaming. “But only if you’re ready for some real classics. Think Clueless, The Princess Bride, or When Harry Met Sally. If you’ve never seen those, we might have to reassess this friendship.”
“Clueless,” he repeated, remembering the movie because of Natalie who forced him and Mikey to watch it, one eyebrow-raising. “That the one with ‘As if’?”
“Yes!” you exclaimed, pointing at him with enthusiasm. “See? You’re already on the right track.”
He smirked, shaking his head again. “I’ll take your word for it.”
“What about you? Do you watch movies, or is that too much fun for someone as serious as Chef Carmy?”
He smirked, rubbing the back of his neck. “I watch stuff sometimes. Nothing specific. Just... whatever’s on.”
“Lame answer,” you teased, narrowing your eyes at him. “We’ll work on that. I’ll make you a list. Everyone needs go-to favorite movies.”
“I’ll hold you to it,” he said, his smirk softening.
“Good,” you replied with a playful nod, leaning back in your chair. “And since you’re such a layer enigma, like an onion, I’m guessing you don’t do the whole ‘night out with friends’ thing often?”
“Not really,” he admitted, his tone quieter now. “Doesn’t happen much.”
“You should,” you said, leaning forward slightly, your tone teasing but warm. “You might surprise yourself. One minute you’re awkwardly standing in a corner, and the next, you’re reenacting a dance scene from Dirty Dancing with a stranger. That’s how the best stories happen.”
Carmy shook his head, a quiet laugh escaping him. “Not sure that’s my thing.”
“Hey, it doesn’t have to be Dirty Dancing,” you said with a shrug. “But everyone deserves a good night out now and then. Even mysterious chef-next-door types.”
“I’ll think about it,” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “But no promises.”
“Fair,” you replied, looking over at him with a soft smile. “I’m just saying, Chef Carmy, you can’t live in your kitchen forever. Sometimes you’ve gotta step out and find your own rom-com moment.”
Carmy stared at you for a moment, a small, genuine smile tugging at his lips. He shook his head, as though amused by something he couldn’t quite put into words, but the warmth in his expression lingered.
The hum of the machines filled the room, a soft backdrop to your easy conversation. What started as playful banter drifted into more thoughtful exchanges—small glimpses into each other’s lives, quirks, and histories.
Minutes melted into what felt like seconds, neither of you noticing the time slipping away. For once, it wasn’t about schedules, responsibilities, or the ever-present noise of the outside world. Just two neighbors sharing stories in the glow of the laundry room’s dim light.
A/N: So, thank you so much for all the support. It really keeps me going. I'm thinking of making like a small series of this, like a few interactions before they started dating- maybe some jealousy along the way lol- the first date- maybe the future but idk.
Also, just in case I do, please tell me if you would like to be tagged.
Part 4?
@themorriganisamonster
𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: author! ransom drysdale x touch starved! girlfriend! reader
𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: You have the perfect cure for Ransom's writer's block.
𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 2.2k+
𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 & 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬: 18+ content! filthy smut, p in v sex, vaginal fingering, thigh riding, dirty talk, swearing, creampie
“Fuck!” Ransom slammed his fist down on the dining room table. He ran a hand through his hair frustratingly. With a sigh, he slowly closes the lid of his laptop. He had made no progress on his novel despite working for hours on the first draft, all the words he typed out seeming forced and not flowing right, resulting in him deleting everything and starting over.
“Ransom!” Y/N’s voice rang out, drawing his attention as she entered the dining room. His eyes lifted to meet hers, taking in her appearance in the silk nightgown that stopped just above her knees.
For a moment, he contemplates telling her to leave, but he can't bring himself to do so. Instead, he sighs and runs his hand through his tousled hair once more.
She approached Ransom, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind as she stood behind his chair. Her touch sent a shiver down his spine, but he remained steadfast in his determination to meet his deadline.
Her concern and desire were palpable in her tone as she whispered into his ear, "You've been working all night. Come to bed. For my sake, baby?"
He sighed, his lips slightly parting. "No. I've got a deadline. You know how important this book is to me." His stubbornness was clear in his tone, but Y/N wasn't yet done. She knew how much his writing meant to him, yet she was unwilling to give up.
After hearing Ransom's response, her desire to be with him outweighed her concern for his writing deadline. Her hands slid down his chest as she nuzzled into the crook of his neck, inhaling the woodsy scent of his cologne, her lips brushing against his jaw. He still refused to give up writing, but at that moment, all she wanted was for her boyfriend's attention to be directed at her...and her only.
“Ransom, I need you,” she begs, one hand inching closer to his belt buckle. And before she can move another inch, he snatches her wrist, surprising her.
He smirks when he hears her gasp. “You’re a persistent little thing, aren’t you?” Still holding her wrist, he pulls her down onto his lap, his arm snaking around her waist to hold her in place.
While the other glides down her arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake. “You think you can just waltz in here and I’m gonna give you what you want? Hm?”
“Ransom, please—?” He interrupts her, cupping her mouth with his palm. His other arm still holding her against him, his growing bulge pressed against her ass. “You feel that? That’s all me, baby girl.” She clenches her thighs together, a familiar honeyed heat pooling in her lower belly.
Ransom grins when she doesn’t answer. “Here’s what’s going to happen; you’re going to do what I say, and if you’re a good girl, maybe I’ll give you what you want.”
She nods as he leans back against his chair, arms loosely falling to each side. Leaving Y/N free to move about, but she remains sitting. Eyes pleading for some sign of what she’s meant to do, Ransom takes note, but he says nothing. He hums, his fingers trailing over her shoulders, pushing down the thin strap. “Here’s what I want you to do. I want you to ride my thigh. Show me how much you want me,” he whispered in a seductive tone.
Y/N takes a deep breath and forces herself to move, shifting so she's now straddling Ransom's thigh while he sits in his chair. She can already feel the tension in her own body, as she stares at his handsome face in anticipation. She can also feel the heat building within her as his fingers trail over her shoulders and down the thin straps of her nightgown.
Hands clinging to the fabric of his sweater as she started to move against his leg. Soft whimpers and moans escaped past her glossy lips, and he hummed his approval. Her breath hitched in the back of her throat when his hands trailed up her bare thigh, the cold of his rings grazing the sensitive skin.
“Mmm. Good girl,” he praised. His hands moved up her sides, dancing under the fabric of her nightgown, slowly teasingly inch by inch.
With her eyes closed in pure bliss, she threw her head back. He pushed the hem of her gown up, licking his lips as he felt his thigh begin to get damp from her arousal.
“Fuck, you’re doing so great for me, sweetheart,” Ransom groans against her ear, and a moan escapes her lips, rocking back and forth against him faster, losing all composure.
“C’mere,” he drawls as his thumb slides to her front, brushing her swollen lips, collecting her wetness. Ransom smirked devilishly, a hungry gaze overtaking his lust-filled blue eyes when she gazed down at him, finding satisfaction in the neediness her body provided.
She trembled at Ransom's devilish smirk, her breath catching in her throat as his thumb brushed against her swollen folds. As his thumb continued to collect her wetness, she felt herself growing even more aroused, yet she couldn't help but feel vulnerable as she gave in to Ransom and his touch.
She rocked back and forth, her body pressing harder against him as her arms wrapped around his broad shoulders, her lips seeking his own. Ransom grunted in appreciation and pleasure as he tightened his grasp on her thighs and leaned in closer to her. His hunger for her was palpable in the way he gazed at her with longing and lust in his eyes.
Ransom smirked, taking his thumb into his mouth. His tongue curled around his thumb with a guttural groan. He loved it—craved the taste of her desire. He gripped her chin, forcing his lips on her.
She melted into the kiss, tongues swirling as their breaths melded into one. Y/N groaned softly when the loss of contact, only to shiver when his icy blue eyes pinned her with their intensity.
"Get up. Bend over, arms spread out on the table," he told her after a moment, his voice still filled with lust. But as she started to move toward the table, Ransom pulled her back, turning her toward him again.
"On second thought," he told her, “I want to see that pretty face as I pound into that tight cunt. Face this way, like that... yes, baby—perfect.” His fingers trailed between her slit, his fingers dangerously close to her entrance.
Y/N whimpered when Ransom pressed his knee between her thighs, spreading her open for him. Leaning forward to capture his lips, her nipples hardened against his chest. “Uh-uh. Hands-on the table,” he snapped. “Spread.”
She did as he ordered. He looked down at her, taking her in, and bit the corner of his bottom lip. His mouth pressed into a smug grin. “Fucking perfect.” Ransom slid his hands back down the softness of her inner thigh, gripping tighter as they made their way to the apex of her sex.
Two digits teased her soaked opening, plunging them both inside of her warmth at a slow pace, dragging in and out. Her hips bucked upward against his hand, and he groaned at her eagerness.
Her hands curled, gripping the edge of the table. Her breath grew heavier and heavier as his fingers moved in and out of her. “Mmmm,” she whimpered.
“You are so wet and hot,” Ransom hissed into her ear. “Do you know what that does to me?” She watched him unbuckle the clasp of his belt, her eyes heavy with lust, watching every movement he made, admiring the muscles that danced underneath his thick white sweater as he slowly dragged it over his head and cast it aside.
He smirked at her, enjoying her wanton eyes, needing him as much as he did her. He stepped close to the table, pulling his cock free, and stroking it in his hand. She felt her mouth salivate.
“This is mine... all mine,” his eyes narrowed on hers. He brought the head of his cock against her slit. It jumped and pulsed against her slick core. The hardness was driving her mad. She pouted up at him.
“That look,” He exhaled harshly. “is why I’m going to give you whatever you want. Tell me what you want...don’t hold back. If you want my dick, then tell me, be the dirty girl I know you can be.”
He ran his thumb over her bottom lip, leaned down, and kissed her deeply. “Let go... give into the pleasure. Release the pent-up desires you’ve kept bottled inside.” Y/N couldn’t handle it; she’d gone far too long without having the weight of him over her body and the touch of him upon her skin.
The words flew from her lips freely. “Ransom, fuck, I need you...” she muttered, followed by a quick hitch, “I need to feel it in me.”
He smirked, pleased. “Yeah, baby?” She nodded; the next thing, his cock plunged deep inside of her with a grunt. “Ransom...” she moaned as he pulled back out slowly, leaving his tip to catch on the edge of her throbbing sex.
Her fingers gripped the edge of the table for purchase when he pushed his way inside, filling her so completely with himself. There was nothing between them, they were one.
Ransom placed his hands on her hips, his fingertips biting into her flesh as he ground his cock deeper and harder against her. She wrapped her arms around his body and held on as he pumped into her.
“Is this what you wanted, sweetheart? Is my dick what you missed when you touched yourself? Did your own hand bring you pleasure?” She mewled out her approval when his thumb caressed against her lower abdomen, making it press harder on the spot that made her head spin faster until, finally, her cunt pulsed with every wave of electricity that crackled through her body. She felt every nerve within her clamp down and cling to his length as it filled her to her brink.
His palms pressed to her breasts, pinching the perked buds as her pleasure rose. Ransom picked up the pace, pushing into her harder, hitting that delicious spot that had her back arching.
“Tell me. I want to hear you say it, baby.” Her walls clenched tighter around his length, sucking him in and not releasing. He buried his face into the crook of her neck, nibbling on the sensitive spot beneath her jawline, earning more melodic moans from her.
“You. I want you, all of you—God, fuck yes,” she cried out as he slowed the pace of his thrusts, holding her still as his pelvis hit her clit. Each time he drew back, it left her needy and wanting. Ransom placed her ankle atop his shoulders, looking down between them as his cock slid into her, glistening with her slick.
The sounds of their pleasure mingling echoed off the empty walls of the Drysdale residence. Ransom groaned loudly as his eyes closed, letting the sensations roll over him like a thunderous storm. She rolled her hips to meet his thrusts. His balls slapping against her ass. He grunted, loving the feeling of her pussy, the tight heat, and velvety walls.
“Such a greedy girl, always wanting to be full of my cock—fuck! Just like that baby, cumming already...” He slapped his hands onto her hipbones and rode her harder. She could see stars behind her lids, a telltale sign that she was nearing release.
His mouth dipped low, suckling at the peaks of her breast and pulling one taut nipple into his mouth, alternating between them. “I fucking love these tits...” he mumbled against her skin. “Just seeing you like this—fuck, baby, you make me feel things I never thought possible.”
“I love you, Ransom,” she whimpered when he drove into her in short, brutal jabs. He slowed and stared down at her. He smiled and caressed her face.
“I know,” he said as he kissed her. Her orgasm slammed into her, shattering her from the inside out, and she trembled from the sensation as she lost control of all faculties.
Her toes curled against his back, and her heels dug in. She shook against him and clawed at the smooth wood as Ransom continued to slide into her, slowing his movements while she rode the high.
His chest rumbled in a feral growl as his seed shot forth and flooded her core. He stilled for a moment and waited until he was spent. Pulling from her, he admired the sight before him. His cum slowly seeped from her slit and dripped from her folds onto the floor. A dark sense of satisfaction settled over him, and he gave a smug smile.
When she recovered, she sat up slowly, wincing slightly. Her sore muscles ached, but she felt sated in all ways. Ransom pulled her up against him, wrapping his arms around her. She breathed him in, sighing happily. “I didn’t hurt you, did I? Sorry, I got carried away,” he kissed her neck.
She laughed. “No, but I will be tomorrow, but it will be worth it.”
“What am I going to do with you?” he mused.
“I have a few ideas,” she grinned as she looped her arms around his neck.
Ransom laughed and peppered kisses over her neck. “It seems I created a monster,” he quipped, “but don’t think I haven’t noticed the lack of underwear. You knew what you were doing, you little devil.”
“What can I say? When it comes to you, I can be quite needy. Besides, how else would I get you to stop working?” Ransom scoffed, and he wrapped his arms tighter around her, kissing the top of her head.
“You head up to bed. I’ll be there soon. Okay, baby?” he asked. She nodded.
“Okay, baby, I’ll be waiting for you,” she replied as he helped her to her feet and walked over to grab his discarded clothes. He watched as she left the dining room.
Once she was out of view, Ransom sat back down in his chair. As he tried to resume his work, all he could think about was his girlfriend upstairs in their bed. The sounds of her soft cries, the feel of her under his touch. He licked his lips.
Who knew writer’s block could be such a blessing?
As he saved his document, he smiled and shut the lid of his laptop. Work could wait another day. For now, he had something more important to take care of.
banner credit: @.saradika
A vox machina oneshot
Vax x reader.
The reader has a card that allows them to swap places with the intended target depending on the intention behind it. They use it on vax and take his place as the raven queens champion just as she is about to take him away. They tell vax to go be with keyleth and live a full and happy life with her Unknown to the reader vax was in love with them the whole time. The last thing they say to him is a heart felt confession on their love for him before they dissapear. I know it's an angst one but if you want to make a fluffy ending it's up to you
Enjoy! 😘
They tried. Everyone tried. Every loophole, every possible way to weasel out of this deal with the goddess of death was exploited. All of them failed. They tried and they failed. At least they tried. The only regret Vax has is they wasted plenty of time on this unsolvable problem. He knew his time was running out. Even before he realised it. He knew that time would come where she’d pull his tether and he’d have to leave everyone being. She sent him out with a purpose and that’s now completed. Not even the greatest wish could change that. Especially not now. The deal is done. Vax accepts this. It took him a while but he does. It doesn’t make it any easier though. She gave him time to say goodbye. She didn’t have to. There is yet some mercy left in the cold dead heart of the Raven Queen, some compassion still beyond that broken mask. He got to say goodbye to you.
This can’t be the end. This is not the way. You refuse to accept this fate. For all the love in your heart, for the bleeding hearts of your friends. They need him. You need him. He cannot just slip into oblivion to serve the goddess of death for eternity because of some cruel mistake. It’s neither just nor fair. This fate is a cruel one. Fate is cruel. You know it all too well. Life deals you a hand of cards when you are born. Some are born lucky. Others are lucky to be born. Some are destined for greatness. Others are doomed from the start. For entities that pretend to be benevolent and kind, they are not far off from the tyrant claiming themself king, or the evil mage enslaving the many. It all comes down to that hand of cards. You got lucky. For all the bullshit in your life you got your hand on one of those cards and you just happen to be good at that ethereal game of sleight of hand. It’s not cheating if there’s no rules. You drew from the deck of fate and you got lucky. That luck came with a curse though because you’d always know what the gravity of that decision would mean.
You got your hands on a card that could change fate; your fate to be specific. You may have thought about it many times but by using that twist of fate you condemn another to yours. Could you live with yourself knowing that you took something from another for your own gain? Equally, would you sacrifice yourself for anyone down on their luck and willing to take their suffering instead? You know damn well why you didn’t use this cruel trinket. But now, it resurfaces again, it burns in your palm as you walk by Vex trying to hold herself together as she pats her brother on the shoulder with some witty remark. You nearly break when he pulls her into a hug and you see her tears spill. She wipes them away before he pulls back. Vax noticed either way. You notice all of them heartbroken. You’re heartbroken too. You don’t want him to go. He holds part of your heart after all. You’ve never told him so blatantly but it’s true no less.
You see Keyleth falling apart at the seams. Vax tries to console her but he can’t. She holds his heart. He holds hers and he’ll be taking it with him whether he intends to or not. It hurts him to know he’ll leave his friends, his family, his love so hurt with his departure. You see the effect Vax has had on their lives, all of them, on yours. You know how much he means to them and that card of fate starts to become more and more appealing. You have a chance to save someone you love. You can make a change in order for him to change the world. You can give him a chance of life by throwing away your own to the service of some god and you’d do it without a second thought. You will. You’ve already made up your mind. The only reason why you haven’t yet is because you struggle to find the right words to tell him. You don’t think you can face him with this. What would he think of you to know you could have changed a fate so easily and never did. Are you truly so selfish? Were you truly not ready to until it came down to your own pain? You can’t keep avoiding this anymore and so you slip away.
Vax notices you retreating ever so slowly. How could he not? He might be light on his feet and it takes one to know one but he’d always notice your presence or lack thereof. The air changes and so does that strange coiling feeling within him whenever you’re near. It’s quite pleasant. He’s known it for a while now but with his impending doom, he could not bring himself to give into it, to give into you knowing he’d only break you. He made that choice for you he supposes but equally so for himself. He can’t look you in the eye while he’s torn away from you. He can’t face your tears. The others, it’s already hell on Exandria facing them but were he to face you, he’d be falling apart. You’ve been strong so long. He wishes he could be as strong as you. He doesn’t have the heart for it but he too has begun to see the cracks in your armour. Something’s amiss and when he sees you slowly retreat to the back of the room, away from the conversation, away from the people until you slip outside entirely, he feels that tether pull taut and he cannot but follow.
Vax finds you out front. There’s something in your palm, a card he realises. Just the one. It’s got a golden sheen to it and you reach out to touch it. He sees your shoulders shaking and tense. You bite your lip. That’s when you let out a muffled sob. You’re not aware he’s there. You squeeze your eyes shut and tears spill. He takes a step closer to you.
“If you had the power to change this fate, would you?” So you had noticed his approach. He couldn’t care less. You’re hurt. Not physically but you’re hurt either way and it breaks his heart. It’s yours after all, even if you don’t know it. You quickly put that golden card back in your pocket. You wipe away your tears and let out a shaky breath.
“What do you mean?” He questions but the look you give him implies no humour and comes with a sense of urgency. “I don’t want to go. I’d much rather stay here with you, with them but I can’t. It was a worthy sacrifice and I’d make the choice a thousand times over.
“If-uh-“ You try to find the right words but can’t even look him in the eye. “If another could take that place and you could stay, would you stay?” He thinks for a second and then grows suspicious.
“At what cost?” You shake your head.
“I’m sorry. Forget I said anything. You shouldn’t be spending this valuable time out here with me talking about this stupid-“
“Hey, hey- time spent with you is never wasted. I want you here with me, for as long as I have, for as long as you’ll have me.” You feel his palm agains your cheek, raising your gaze to meet his. You see that pained but kind smile. It only solidifies your choice. You know what to do.
“Okay.” You squeak not able to keep your voice stable and Vax just simply pulls you into his embrace. That’s the last conversation you’d have with him until that fated moment, until the true goodbye.
The goddess had come to lay claim to her champion, to the life she’s to call hers and the servitude she’s owed. The goodbye is a harrowed one but it’s not his goodbye. You look at Keyleth holding onto Percy who does his best to console her, Vex attempting to stay strong and stoic despite the tears running down her face and noticeable the death grip she has on Pike’s hand. Scanlan’s even struggling and so is Grog. The Raven Queen holds out her hand and beckons. Vax says goodbye to you last. He holds onto your hand, brings it to his chest. There’s no words he speaks but his eyes say it all. You take a step towards him and turn so you’re interposing between himself and the goddess. The others go alert, contemplating the prospects of killing the goddess and freeing the resident rogue form this cruel pact if you make the first move. Vax holds onto your hand still as if to keep you from doing something stupid or reckless against a literal god. Little does he know.
“I invoke the blessing I have been given. I invoke the fate that was never mine and will share the burden of it. I trade my place for his as it is the right of the hand that was dealt to me. Fate wills it so, and so it shall be.” You remember the words well. Though you have never spoken them out loud. They are like a practiced speech. You’ve played them over in your mind; the script upon that fated golden card and when it appears in your palm it glows that bright golden like the tethers of fate and memory the Raven Queen holds so dear. It certainly peaks her interest.
“What are you doing?” Vax asks looking between you and the goddess. You glance back over your shoulder.
“What I should have done the very moment this curse befell you. I’m sorry I could not do it before. I hope you can forgive me. You’ll be free.”
“You can’t do this!” Desperation and despair are the ways of the mortal worlds, of those consumed by time and whims of circumstance. They are the ways of you and him and everyone around you.
“It’s okay, Vax. It’s okay. I’ve made my choice. They need you more than they need me. I wish you a happy life. Even if I can’t be part of it.”
“I need you.” He sounds so small, so broken and that alone makes you almost regret. Almost. But you wouldn’t reverse it. Even if you could.
“Your heart belongs here. With Them. With your sister. With Keyleth. My heart belongs with you but you do not need it, not like they need you. It’s a worthy sacrifice.” You take a step closer towards the goddess but Vax does not let go of your hand. He holds on.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I love them. I love my sister, my friends, Keyleth. I love them. But I’m in love with you. I’m in love with you and I can’t let you do this.” Your heart stops right there in your chest. Your world comes apart. To have those words be spoken… You don’t even know what to do with them. You can’t breathe or speak or think for some moments. He loves you. He’s in love with you. Vax is in love with you and you’re about to leave him behind. You’ve made the right choice either way but it’s become a far more painful one now and you come to realise that’s exactly what he tried to protect you from by not mentioning before. You hate and love him for it.
“It’s already done.” That stupid card dematerialises in a golden dust. and invisible breeze lets the dust weave into a tether to wrap around your free arm. You feel it burn and pull painfully so. You pull against the strain, toe to toe with Vax and softly place your lips against his. A final parting gift, for whom you’re unsure. “My fate is sealed. May you live a good life, Vax’ildan. May it be a long and merry one filled with love.” And that’s when you step away, in that brief moment where he lowers his guard and is forced to let you go. The golden tether pulls you in and away from him. The Raven Queen beckons you and you follow with one last glance over your shoulder, one last look at him.
“I love you.” The final words he’ll ever hear from your lips. He’s too late to respond. You’re gone. The goddess of death is gone. His heart is gone and he’s left on Exandria broken and surrounded by his loved ones. He feels empty despite it. He doesn’t know what to do or say or think. It’s a whirlwind.
‧̍̊˙· 𓆝.°𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 。˚𓆛˚。 °𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐫 .𓆞 ·˙‧̍̊
pairing ☽˚⁀➷。 andy barber x fem!reader
summary ☽˚⁀➷。 packing couldn’t be easier
word count ☽˚⁀➷。 3134 DO YOU DIRTY SERIES
warnings ☽˚⁀➷。 PART THREE OF SERIES laurie making a move on andy grr😡, andy packing up a box, talking about tomatoes, shower sexy sex, fingering, praise kink, having to be quiet, andys hand over your mouth yum, breeding, laurie being literally crazy, school stuff, intentions kidnapping, trauma, crying, bad bitch vibes
authors note ☽˚⁀➷。 PLEASE REBLOG MY TAGLIST IS ENDING ON JULY 10TH PLEASE FOLLOW @dulceslibrary AND TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN I POST 18+ ONLY,, feedback is appreciated
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