evan buckley x gn!reader
summary: a visit to the 118 goes wrong when a grief-stricken man with a gun storms in.
w/c: 2.4k
⚠️ TW: gun, shooting
You made your way to the 118 firehouse, a container of cheesecake cradled in your arms. You'd baked it especially for them, making sure to save an extra slice for Chimney, who had raved about it last time.
As you stepped inside, Buck greeted you with his signature smile, his blue eyes lighting up as he noticed the dessert in your hands. "You really didn't have to," he said, pulling you into a hug. "I wanted to," you replied, enjoying the comfort of his embrace. "Besides, Chimney practically begged for more last time."
Buck laughed, taking the cheesecake from you and leading you upstairs to set it on the table where the rest of the crew was gathered. "You should stay awhile," he suggested. "At least until the next call." It didn't take much convincing. Spending time with Buck and his team always made you feel like you were part of something special - they were like a second family to you.
But the peaceful atmosphere didn't last.
About fifteen minutes later, a shout echoed from downstairs, shattering the mood. Everyone turned their heads toward the commotion, a collective unease settling over the group. Everyone exchanged wary glances before rising to investigate. As you all gathered at the top of the staircase, what you saw sent a cold chill down your spine. A man stood at the bottom, brandishing a gun, his voice trembling with rage and desperation. "You killed my wife!" he screamed, his face contorted in agony. "Now you're all going to pay!" The man's behavior sent a wave of fear through you as he ordered everyone downstairs.
Your heart pounded in your chest, but you couldn't afford to panic. Slowly, you began descending the stairs with the others, taking note of the man's shaky hands, the sweat beading on his forehead, and the wild look in his eyes. You leaned toward Buck, your voice barely above a whisper. "Look at him closely, babe. He looks like he's under the influence of something."
Buck followed your gaze, his brows furrowing as he observed the man more closely. You continue, "His hands are trembling a lot, he's sweating excessively and his eyes look wide and panicked. That can't be normal." Buck nodded in agreement, whispering back, "You're right. If he really is under the influence, it makes this ten times more dangerous because he could be unpredictable. We need to be careful."
Before you could say anything else, the man's eyes snapped to you. "What are you whispering about?" he demanded. "N-nothing," you stuttered, hating how fear made your voice falter. "Better be," he growled, his eyes darting between you and Buck.
Buck gently put his hand on the small of your back, his touch bringing some comfort to you. "It's okay, baby. We'll be fine," he tried to reassure you, but he didn't seem so certain himself.
Once you were downstairs, everyone spread out slightly, but Buck stayed close, his touch never leaving you. The man's breathing was erratic, and he was clearly unstable. You kept glancing at Buck, who kept his hand lightly on your back, a silent promise that he wouldn't let anything happen to you. "Stay calm," Buck whispered again, his voice low and controlled, even though you could feel his pulse quicken through the light pressure of his hand.
The man's gaze darted between the firefighters, paranoia swirling in his bloodshot eyes. His grip on the gun tightened, knuckles white against the metal. "You think I'm bluffing?" he growled, eyes wild. "You think I won't do it?"
Behind you, Eddie slowly moved to your right, his movements so subtle that you almost didn't notice. You could tell he was preparing for something, but you weren't sure what. Chimney tried to reason with the man, "We're not the ones who hurt your wife, man. Let's talk about this, figure out what happened. There's no need for this to get worse."
The man's hand shook even more violently, the gun bobbing in the air. "Shut up! You don't know anything!"
Hen had positioned herself slightly to the left, closer to the phone. The man glanced away for a moment, his focus faltering. But then, suddenly, he snapped back to you and Buck, eyes narrowing. "You two," he snarled, pointing the gun directly at you. "You were whispering. Come here."
Buck stepped forward in front of you, shielding you instinctively. "Leave her out of this. She's not the one you want," he said, his voice dangerously steady, but there was a tremor underneath that only you could hear. The man's eyes darted between the two of you, flickering with uncertainty. His breathing grew more erratic by the second. You knew Buck was ready to move if he had to, but the wrong move could end disastrously.
You took a deep breath, trying to keep your voice steady as you started to speak, hoping to diffuse the situation as best as you could. "We don't want any trouble. Please, just put the gun down. We can talk this out, okay?"
The man wavered for a split second, his grip faltering. His eyes flickered to you, and for a moment, you saw some uncertainty, or even hesitation. His grip on the gun loosened slightly, his stance wavering. You hoped this would de-escalate or else this would all spiral out of control. "You don't have to do this," you said softly, keeping your hands where he could see them. "Whatever happened to your wife, it wasn't their fault. They're just here to help."
For a moment, the man looked confused at your words. He probably assumed you were also a firefighter but he seemed to realise that you weren't. Then, his face twisted in anger. "Help? You call letting her die helping?" His voice cracked, desperation leaking into his words. He looked over at the rest of the 118. "I trusted you guys. She trusted you!"
Eddie inched a little closer, but the man suddenly noticed the movement, snapping his attention back to Eddie. "Stop!" he yelled, pointing the gun wildly between all of you. "Stay where you are! I swear, I'll shoot!" Eddie froze, hands up, and you felt your heart hammering in your chest. Buck stepped closer to you again, his body tense, ready to move if needed. "Listen," Buck said, his voice calm but firm. "We're sorry about what happened to your wife. But this isn't going to help. This isn't going to bring her back. Please, let's just talk."
The man's face contorted with pain, his eyes glossy, filled with unshed tears. His arm was trembling so badly that you feared he might pull the trigger by accident. His voice wavered, "I-I don't know what to do anymore..."
Hen, who'd managed to get a little closer to the phone, locked eyes with you. She signalled for you to keep him talking. The longer you stalled, the better chance you had of getting help. Taking a breath, you spoke gently. "I can't imagine how much you're hurting. Losing someone like that... it's unbearable. But this isn't what your wife would want."
He lightly flinched at that, and you knew you'd struck something deep. Did you say the wrong thing? You hoped you hadn't or you could end up dead - or even worse, one of the 118. "You don't know what she'd want," he muttered, though the conviction in his voice was fading.
"I don't," you admitted. "But I can tell you loved her. And I know that if she was here right now, she'd want you to be safe. She wouldn't want you to throw your life away."
Tears slipped down his cheeks, and his hand shook violently, the gun lowering just slightly. But then, almost out of nowhere, a sharp ring pierced the air - the phone. The man jumped, startled by the sound, and in his panic, his finger tightened on the trigger.
Bang!
Everything happened in a blur. You felt Buck pulling you to the ground as the shot rang out. There was shouting, movement all around, and you didn't even know where the bullet went. Your ears rang from the sound, and your heart felt like it was about to burst out of your chest.
When you finally managed to focus again, you saw Eddie and Bobby rushing toward the man, disarming him as he stumbled backward in shock. Hen and Chimney were already moving to check on everyone.
Buck looked down at you, still shielding you even though the danger had passed. Until he felt something. Buck pulled away slightly, his eyes widening in horror as he noticed the blood soaking through your shirt. "No, no, no..." he muttered, his hands trembling as he pressed down on your abdomen. You hadn't even realized you'd been hit, the shock of everything numbing the pain.
"Buck?" your voice came out weaker than you intended and the moment you heard it, the reality started to sink in. The bullet must have hit you. You tried to focus, but the pain was spreading, sharp and hot.
"Hey, stay with me," Buck said urgently, panic creeping into his voice. "You're gonna be okay. Chim! Hen!" His voice cracked as he called for help, but you could barely focus on him anymore. The world felt fuzzy at the edges, the sound of everyone around you starting to blur.
Chimney was beside you in an instant, his hands moving quickly to assess the wound. "Alright, we've got you," Chim said, his voice steadier than Buck's, but you could see the worry etched in his face. Hen was already rushing to grab supplies and Eddie tried to move Buck to the side but Buck refused to budge, his hand still pressed against the wound, his eyes locked on yours. "Stay with me, please," Buck whispered, his voice breaking. You could see the desperation in his eyes, his fear for you palpable.
Chimney spoke more urgently now. "Buck, you need to let us work. We need to stop the bleeding." Buck hesitated, his grip tightening as if letting go of you would mean losing you, but finally, he stepped back, allowing Chimney to take over. Hen was back in seconds, placing pressure on the wound as Chimney worked quickly, his face calm but focused.
You felt Buck's hand grasp yours, his fingers trembling. "You're gonna be fine," he kept saying, over and over, as if trying to convince himself as much as you. But your body felt heavy, the pain sharp. You tried to speak, to tell him you were okay, but the words wouldn't come out. Instead, you just squeezed his hand weakly, hoping it was enough.
"Hang in there," Hen said as she prepared an IV, her hands moving swiftly. "We'll get you to the hospital soon."
Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion. The world around you was dimming, the edges of your vision going dark. You could hear the sirens in the distance, you knew help was coming but it felt so far away. Buck's voice was the only thing grounding you, the only thing keeping you from slipping away entirely.
"I love you," Buck said, his voice barely above a whisper, the words laced with fear. "Please... don't leave me." You tried to hold on to that, to his voice, to the warmth of his hand, but the pain was overwhelming. The last thing you saw before the darkness took over was your boyfriend's face, tear-streaked and terrified, as the world faded to black.
(TIMESKIP - the next day)
When you finally woke up, the harsh lights above blurred into focus. Your body felt heavy, your chest tight with pain. For a moment, everything was hazy, and you couldn't remember how you got there, but then it hit you like a truck. The gunman, the shot, Buck's terrified voice.
You blinked, your vision clearing just enough to see Buck sat beside you, his eyes red and puffy from crying. His hand was wrapped around yours, his grip so tight you wondered if he'd been holding it like that the whole time.
"Buck," you whispered, your voice weak. The simple act of speaking made your throat burn, but you needed to let him know you were here, okay - or at least alive. "You're awake," he breathed, his voice thick with emotion. He sat up straighter, leaning closer to you. "Thank God, you're awake."
You managed a weak smile, though every movement felt like a huge effort. "Hey," you whisper, "It's okay, Buck. I'm okay."
Buck let out a breathy laugh, though it was laced with a kind of relief and disbelief. "You scared the hell out of me," he said, his thumb brushing over the back of your hand. "I thought-" He swallowed hard, his voice cracking slightly. "I thought I was going to lose you."
Buck looked like he was barely holding it together. "Baby, your heart stopped. It-" he paused, his voice shaking. "But they brought you back. You're okay now. You're going to be okay." He said it like he's reassuring himself. You glanced down at yourself, seeing the bandages across your abdomen. It hurt but the pain was nothing compared to the fear you had felt before everything went black.
"I was so scared," Buck continued, his voice breaking as he squeezed your hand again. "I couldn't do anything but watch you bleed, and I..." He trailed off, shaking his head as if trying to shake away the memory. "I don't know what I would've done if we lost you."
"Shh," you murmured, managing to lift your other hand weakly to touch his face. "I'm right here." He closed his eyes at the touch, leaning into your hand. "I love you," he whispered again, like he needed you to know, like you might forget if he doesn't say it enough. "You mean everything to me."
Tears stung your eyes, the overwhelming emotions mixing with the pain in your body. "I love you too, Buck," you whispered back. The words were weak, but they were all you could give him in that moment.
He smiled, though it was shaky, brushing his thumb over your knuckles. "Just rest, okay? The doctors said you're going to need time to heal."
You nodded slowly, exhaustion starting to pull at you again. The pain meds were dulling the ache in your body but your body was craving rest. As you closed your eyes again, Buck's hand stayed firmly in yours. He promised himself he would stay with you however long you needed him to.
911 masterlist
Kinktober Day 2 Zoro Roronoa x Fem!Reader
Word count:878
Tags:NSFW, Modern AU, Unprotected sex(Don’t be silly wrap your Willy guys), drunk sex, breeding kink, slight manhandling
Synopsis:After one to many drinks you and Zoro try something he wanted to try for a while
Kinktober Masterlist | One piece Masterlist
You and Zoro’s night started off with the two of you drinking at a local bar before you two decided to take the drinks home with you when things became a little too loud.
You both are about 15 drinks in your words slur as you both speak about two different things, you speak about a show you just watched and Zoro speaks about how you're so pretty and gorgeous. Then he says something that causes you to stop talking and look at him, “Y/N I was thinking that we should try fucking raw, and me finishing inside of you.” he slurs most of his words but you understood him, you choke on your drink a bit of it coming out of your mouth.
“What did you say!?” wiping your mouth you look at him like he has three heads, but your thighs self consciously rub together, “I think that we should fuck raw and that you should let me finish inside of you multiple times. So want to do it right now?” He has a dopey smirk on his face he takes another sip of his drink, as he is drinking you sit there staring at him wondering if he is being for real or faking it, but then drunk words are sober words and you would be lying to yourself if you said you didn’t think about how he would feel raw and what drunk sex would be like.
“Yea I wanna do it right now” you blurt out watching as he gets up from his seat walking towards you, he grabs your arms and pulls you up to your feet; he then brings his hands to the side of your face and pulling you into a messy wet sloppy kiss, his tongue darts into your mouth tasting the drink you just had, pulling away a string of saliva connecting you both. “Come one, sweetheart” Zoro pushes towards your shared bedroom, closing the door behind you.
You sit on the bed watching as Zoro undresses in front of you, you grab your own shirt and tug it off throwing it next to the pile of his clothes, Zoro stands in front of you naked and hard; his thick veiny cock standing proudly against his stomach, pre cum dripping from his flushed tip. Zoro leans forward grabbing your waistband and pulling both your sweatpants and panties off in one swift motion.
The cold air hits your wet pussy causing you to shiver and whimper, “Shit your so wet” Zoro rubs his thumb up and down your cunt slowly pushing it in and out of your hole, “I don’t even need to prep you baby” he smirks down at you grabbing his hard cock, slipping the tip into your sopping hole, “Oh god you feel even better like this” he slurs from pleasure and drunkenness (?) “Shit. Zoro you feel so good.”
You can feel every ridge and vein on his cock, your cunt pulsing around him. Zoro starts to move his hips in a sloppy and rough way, the sound of his balls and hips making contact with you and the sound of you and Zoro’s loud slutty moans fills the room. The way Zoro thrusted into you had you feeling even more drunk than before, Zoro watches as your face scrunches up in pleasure, the way your eyes fill with tears each hard sloppy thrust he gives you.
“Oh god I’m so close, baby.” Zoro groans his orgasm approaching rather closely, “I’m close to Zo’ don’t stop please don’t stop.” You rub your clit in a fast motion as Zoro fucks you into the bed, within seconds your body is shaking as you cum all over his cock, “F-fuck Zoro” moaning as he fucks you even faster than before catching his own high, “O-oh fuck.” Zoro finishes deep inside your pussy, your hole becoming so full as his load fills you up.
“Shit. We’re not done yet Y/N.” Zoro pulls out of your cunt watching as his and your orgasm drips out your hole landing on the bed, “Turn around for me and put your ass up baby,” he helps you move to your knees, his cum starts to run down your thigh causing you to shiver. Zoro moves behind you roughly pushing your head down in the pillows beneath you thrusting his dick into your hole as soon as it comes into view. His thrusts are so hard that the slapping of his hips against yours causes you to jolt every time you make contact, “Zo’ you feel so good,” you slur drool seeping out your mouth and getting on the pillow.
Your cunt is so sensitive from your first orgasm that your second one comes quicker than before, “Zoro I’m coming” you squirt and cream on his cock your cunt tightening around his cock has him, your moans and cries are the only thing Zoro focuses on has he comes inside you again for the second time of the night, “Y/N” he moans leaning down to kiss and suck on your shoulder.
All movements come to a stop, you and Zoro’s heavy breathing the only thing that can be heard, Zoro kisses your neck before leaning back up; “One more time baby.”
©Bella2023
Part One // Part Three // Part Four
Pairing: Spike x Giles!reader
Part two of four 💖
Warning: reader drinks, difficult relationship with dad!Giles, reader doesn't like Buffy much.
You did, it turns out, like Spike in a way you hadn’t realised until you had spent some time with him. It made sense now, all the time you had tried talking to him and clinging onto the small amount you had learnt about him while he stayed with you for all those months. The amount of Passions you watched just to spend time with him.
He fascinated you, made you feel at ease in a way that no one ever had, despite the casual threats of death.
You knew, however, that if you stayed where you wanted to be, with Spike, there could be trouble. Not only with the Scoobies. You were still hurt by what had happened with your father. You felt like a failure, you had never meant to lose the jobs or disappoint your Dad.
You just hated the expectations he had and the pressure he had always laid on so thick and it made you want something completely different. What this different thing was, however, you weren’t sure.
You were sitting on a stone tomb, watching as Spike walked towards you, slamming himself down beside you while he waited the last agonising minutes for the sun to rise.
“What’s happening in that mind of yours?” He asked, using two fingers to tap his own temple. He had caught you staring into the distance again, reliving that horrible moment with your father.
“What do you mean?”
“Can tell there’s something up from a mile away” He shook his head adding, “Not that I care much that is”
“I feel like a bad person” you sighed, folding in on yourself.
“You ain’t bad, believe me, I know bad”
“Maybe I haven’t killed anyone like you but if I was a good person, Dad wouldn’t have-” You started to let your mouth run as fast as your thoughts, before he cut you off, a flash of anger behind his eyes at how you had been made to feel.
“Don’t start with all that rot, what dear Rupert did was evil even by my standards. If anything, love, you’re painfully average verging on boring” He shrugged, lighting up a cigarette as he spoke.
“Thanks, I actually really needed that,” You laughed through the tears that had started to well in your eyes. You paused for a moment, before asking, “I don’t think you’ve ever spoken to me this much. Why wouldn’t you talk to me at Dad’s?”
“Couldn’t risk it”
“What do you mean?” Your words caught in your throat as you asked.
“Well, you know, send in the pretty one to play good cop and all that crap” he explained, elaborating that he had thought that you were playing him to get information out of him about the Initiative for Buffy and the others.
You smiled softly at the way he spoke about you. You sat in silence for a while, smiling at him softly, leaning back against the threadbare sofa. He did the same, lying back, his head turned towards you until there were mere inches between you.
He was watching your lips curve in that way he found so pleasing. It made him feel something deep within, a tensing, a fluttering of something he couldn’t describe. God, how he wanted to lean into you, press his lips against you. But he couldn’t let himself go there. He didn’t like Watchers or Slayers. In fact, he hated you. Yep, definitely. Hate. That was what this was.
Later on, after you had stayed for a couple more days, you began to worry that you had outstayed your welcome but he had never actually asked you to leave. It had been confirmed to you as Spike burst through from the lower level of the crypt and kicked some of your old clothes you had set aside to go to a laundromat later.
“Bloody crap everywhere! Can’t move for all your human bollocks” He kicked a bag that was leaking clothes onto the floor. You had sneaked back into your Dad’s place to grab more of your stuff and had overheard him on the phone to someone, once again assassinating your character.
“You’re right. I should probably find something more human-y and permanent” You shrugged, “Thanks for, uh, letting me stay and all”
“Where you gonna go?” He stopped what he had been doing, his brow furrowing in that way that you found so cute. His head cocked to the side as he asked the question.
“I’m not sure yet, but I’ll find something”
“Can’t have that, love, stay until you’ve got somethin’ more proper figured out”
“You want me to stay?”
“’S not that. You could be eaten up tomorrow and I wouldn’t give a toss,” He insisted, slightly more half-heartedly than normal, “Just wouldn’t be right to see you out when you’re perfect bait for anything nasty that walks it’s way in”
It was true, the two instances that a demon had found their way into the crypt, they had made straight for you. Thus, ignoring Spike and letting him gain the upper hand on them both.
His eyes lit up at the way you smiled at his words. Despite the cruel appearance of his words, they made you smile. You had found yourself fond of his threats, his way with words. You had it bad. He drank in your form, eyes lingering first on your lips then slowly along your cheek and before slowly moving to meet your eyes.
He snapped himself away, after spending too long with that unmoving gaze. He snatched up his book and began to read by candlelight sat on one of the stone tombs, again waiting for the sun to set so that he could grab some blood and other necessities.
You stayed on the sofa, lying back and thinking about everything that had brought you to this point.
The turning of the pages and the soft candlelight, the occasional whisper of Spike’s voice as he murmured words that he was reading under his breath. It made you yawn, eventually slipping into a slumber. The atmosphere made you feel so comfortable, comfort in such a way that you had never experienced before. You weren’t afraid of being attacked or judged for your decisions. You didn’t have any pressure or expectations to live up to.
You felt… safe.
After placing a blanket over your sleeping form, Spike decided to make a little trip out. He needed to get a few things, he was starting to enjoy having a roommate. Especially one that he found so attractive. Not that he particularly let himself think on this for too long. He was trying so desperately to stop the feelings from growing, denying it the light of day to bloom.
You hadn’t noticed it to begin with, the way that the crypt started to resemble something not far from cosy. There was a tv set, a little makeshift bar with a fridge and it had been decorated with fairy lights and he had even sourced a real mattress for your room on the lower level. It was split into two, Spike had the bigger room, his explanation was that he deserved it being the only one providing for the house while you tried to find a job.
After a couple of months, you and Spike had been dancing around feelings that had started to grow, not that either of you recognised that the other felt the same. Spike could be grumpy and still often threatened to drink from your brainstem if you left a mess around the place. He was surprisingly particular about how his home was made, especially considering that you were in a crypt and half of it was covered in cobwebs.
“Fancy a proper drink then, pet?” He asked one night.
You had grown fond of the pet names and smiled at his words, you would never have thought your relationship with Spike would become something akin to a friendship. You adored him and allowed yourself brief daydreams where you reached for more.
“I haven’t got any money, Spike, you know that”
“On me”
“I don’t like being in debt to people”
“I’m sure we can work out some kind of repayment” He arched his eyebrow suggestively before snatching up his leather duster and gesturing for you to follow him.
Turns out, there was no repayment necessary as Spike stole the liquor and two glasses from behind the bar and topped up your drinks all night. You never thought you would feel so normal drinking in a demon bar. You did get a few suspicious looks but when Spike glared back they assumed that he was just going to eat you later himself.
You sat in a booth, leaning into him so you could hear what he was saying over the music that was playing. He told you all sorts of stories about his ‘glory days’ and you hung onto every word. You could tell he was exaggerating some of them to impress you and it only made you enjoy them more.
“Spike?” You asked quietly after a while.
“Mm?”
“Is this a date?” You asked, eyes not able to meet his. You instead pretended to find the contents of your glass incredibly interesting.
“Depends, love”
“On?”
“If-” He started, never able to finish what he had been about to let slip. Luckily or unluckily, depending on which mood he was in, he didn’t have chance because a gang slammed the entrance open and started to smash the place up.
He immediately got up and positioned himself in front of you, blocking you from the threat. He smirked and rolled his eyes when he saw you get up and stand beside him in his peripheral.
They were clearly looking for someone that wasn’t you, but when their eyes did land on you it was all that they were interested in. It was the Scoobies. They had clearly heard some edited version of why you had left from your father as they looked at you with suspicion.
“I should have known that you would sink as low as this. To dance with depravity like this is truly reprehensible” Your father spoke first as the other three whispered to each other.
“Spike’s done more for me in the last month than any of you put together. These people haven’t done anything to you-”
“Apart from the fact that they’re not people, they’re demons,” Buffy reminded you. You ignored her.
“I don’t care what you think of me anymore Giles, I don’t care that I’ve disappointed you and I don’t care that you think I’m all “evil” now for having a couple of drinks in a demon bar. Surely someone that was educated so well couldn’t be so stupid?!” You rolled your eyes
“Y/n-”
“Take your Slayer and go” You warned. They had just been looking for information anyway, Giles decided to do as you said (for probably the first time in your life). What you had said affected him. He had been visibly taken aback before you watched him walk back with the rest of the Scooby gang.
The bartender announced free drinks for everyone to celebrate their unlife lasting at least another night now that the Slayer had left. You weren’t exactly feeling it anymore though, so you both left.
You assumed Spike was going to say something mean in answer to your questioning that had been interrupted. But he truly had almost said it had been a date. If you had wanted it to be. He would have done anything, so long as it had made you happy. He knew this now. Knew for certain his desire, his love, was a force that could not be curtailed. The way you had stood up for yourself, even for him. He was used to the insults that were hurled his way by Buffy and the others. He had forgotten what it was like to have someone in his corner.
He was doing that thing again, watching you with that look. The one that told you he knew you, could see directly into your soul. The one you would so gladly offer up to him had he asked.
You were grateful for his presence beside you as the adrenaline from the argument still draining from your body slowly. It had still not properly subsided by the time you both arrived home.
Home.
Funny how a place like this could make you feel such relief. It was simple, but you had never felt that way coming ‘home’ before.
You stood close, his face close to yours, so close that you could smell him. Thick smoke and some kind of cologne that you had never noticed before. You leaned in further, not knowing if it was leftover adrenaline or just pure need, you caught his lips with yours.
He had been leaning towards you at the same moment, his hand sliding up your arm, lingering against your neck. He cradled your neck as his lips moved to meet yours. He pressed himself against you, desperate and wanting. Needing your touch, your kiss. Your everything.
His touch made your kiss deepen, you pulled his shirt, balling it in your fists as you tried to pull him even closer. He tasted good. Too good.
You moved away from him, breaking the sweet contact you had been wanting for so long now. You stepped back again, telling him to go and make himself comfortable. You needed to grab a few things and that you would be back.
“Bloody tease!” he called after you playfully as he did what you had said. He’d have listened to anything you had said to do that again. To touch your body so intimately. It had been all he had fantasised about. All he had been consumed by.
You didn’t immediately understand why you did it.
Why you left the crypt and didn’t look back, walking away into the night.
Leaving him waiting for your return.
This is intended to be Part 2 of The Kay Princesses
Requested Here!
Pairing: David 'Deacon' Kay x fem!reader
Summary: Deacon wants to marry you, but he has to ensure that his kids understand and agree before he proposes. Then, you have a special question for Lila.
Warnings: fluff, brief angst, Annie's fate is up to you
Word Count: 2.4k+ words
A/N: While this is a part 2, it is written from a different POV. I think it could also be read as a standalone, but there are references to the events of part 1. I hope you enjoy!! :)
Masterlist Directory | Deacon Masterlist | Request Rules & Info
Deacon’s kids don’t get to visit him at HQ much anymore, so when they have a day off school and 20 Squad is on standby, he decides to take them by. His team loves seeing them and playing with them – none more than Luca. While they’re there, however, Deacon decides that today is also the day to ask them the most important question he may ever ask. He wants to marry you, he’s known that for much longer than he has had the ring, but he has to get their approval first. Since the beginning, you and he have both understood that if any of the kids said no, you would step back. Deacon prays that you don’t have to step back after walking so far together.
After he calls Matthew, Lila, and Samuel back to his side, he prepares to leave for the day.
“Hey, good luck, Deac!” Luca calls.
Deacon nods his head in thanks, then leads his kids back to the car. He gets to spend the afternoon with them for once, so he’ll ask them as soon as he finds the right words. They eat lunch together, then the kids go to their separate rooms to entertain themselves while Deacon cleans the kitchen.
When he’s done, Deacon takes a deep breath and walks to Lila’s room. She’ll probably say yes, but Deacon prepares himself for the worst. Her door is open, and she’s lying on her bed coloring.
“Lila, can we talk for a minute?” Deacon asks from the doorway of her room.
“Yeah, Daddy,” she answers.
Deacon nods, and Lila frowns at the look on his face. He’s nervous, and she can tell that something isn’t quite right. After he closes her door, he sits on the side of her bed and takes a deep breath.
“What’s wrong?” Lila asks.
“Nothing’s wrong, sweetheart, I just need to ask you something. But, if you want to say no, you can. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Deacon says your name, then stops. He hasn’t told the kids how serious things have gotten with you yet. His team knows, of course, but this is the moment where a single word from any of his children could end what he has with you.
“I want to marry her,” Deacon adds softly. He smiles kindly at Lila before he asks, “Would you be alright with that?”
Lila slides her coloring book aside and climbs into Deacon’s lap. He holds her upright, so she doesn’t fall, and when she wraps her arms firmly around him, he tightens his grip on her.
“Will she live here?” Lila asks.
“Yes, or maybe we could get another house.” He doesn’t want to explain that if they don’t want you in the same house where they knew Annie, he’d move without question.
“And she’ll look like a princess in her white dress, right?”
Deacon smiles as he answers, “Absolutely. And you can wear a dress to be a princess, too.”
“I like her,” Lila says. “I want you to get married.”
Deacon sighs, and hugs Lila to his chest. He whispers that he loves her, and Lila laughs before she murmurs, “I know.”
When Deacon exits her room, he sees the sign hanging across the hall that says, ‘Boys Only (except Lila).’ Samuel will be easily convinced; he thinks you’re the greatest person ever because you know all the shortcuts in Candy Land. Matthew, however, despite having come a long way in his treatment of you, may not be so eager to welcome the idea of having you around all the time. Deacon knocks on the door, and it pushes open.
“Dad! Look!” Matthew calls. He holds up two toys that he has hooked together. “It worked.”
“That’s awesome, bud. Good job,” Deacon responds. “Can you take a break from playing for a minute? I need to ask you something.”
“You’re getting married?” Matthew guesses as he sets his modified toy aside.
“I- why do you think that?” Deacon asks.
“Uncle Luca told you good luck,” Samuel interjects. “Why do you need it?”
“Alright, boys, let’s go back. I want to get married, yes, but if you don’t want me to, I won’t. So, are you comfortable with her being here more?”
“Yes!” Samuel cheers. Deacon smiles, though he suspected as much.
“She’s not replacing Mom, right?” Matthew asks quietly.
“Not at all.”
Matthew nods. “You should do it, Dad. I like her, and she makes you happy.”
Deacon pulls Matthew into a hug without much thought. Matthew groans but returns the affection. Soon, there will be another Kay Princess in the house who may get an exception to the boys-only rule.
Kids are notoriously bad at keeping secrets, and the bigger the secret, the faster it will be shared. So, the moment Deacon learns that his kids like you and support his decision to marry you, he calls you. There’s not much planning or time to make the moment special, but Deacon can’t go another moment without asking you. As Hondo said, the ring is burning him after holding onto it for so long.
When you knock on Deacon’s door, you expect him to open it. Instead, Lila welcomes you in wearing her favorite dress.
“You look beautiful, Lila,” you tell her.
She hugs you, then leads you through the house and to the back door. Outside, the lights Deacon put up to decorate his backyard are aglow in the darkening dusk sky. Deacon stands beneath the tree in the center of the yard, and Matthew and Samuel wait on the deck.
“What’s going on?” you ask them.
Samuel presses his lips together tightly and shakes his head while Matthew answers, “A surprise. Dad wants to tell you.”
“Oh,” you reply softly.
Lila waves for you to go, and you walk off of the deck and into the grass. When you reach Deacon, his smile changes. He takes both of your hands and pulls you closer.
“Thanks for coming,” he begins.
“Of course. What’s going on?” you inquire. “This is beautiful, but…”
“You’re beautiful,” Deacon replies. “And you’re smart, caring, you love my kids… I love you, and every princess quality that you have. I can’t imagine my life without you on my team.”
Deacon releases your right hand as he kneels. Your eyes widen as he pulls a black box from his pocket.
“Will you do me the honor of marrying me, and being on my team, at my side, for the rest of our lives?”
You nod quickly, unable to speak past the tears pressing against your eyes. After a shaky breath, you mumble, “Yes, Deacon. Yes!”
He slides the ring onto your finger, and you don’t even look at it before you hug him. Deacon’s arm wraps tightly around your waist, and he holds you against him as he stands. Behind you, his kids cheer together. You pull back enough to kiss him, then look over your shoulder at Lila, Matthew, and Samuel.
“They’re okay with this?” you whisper.
“More than okay. They’re gaining another Kay princess in their lives, too,” Deacon assures you.
You watch Lila twirl in her dress and realize that they’re as much a part of this as you are.
“Deacon, can I ask Lila to be my maid of honor?”
Deacon smiles and kisses you again. Being a Kay princess is far more rewarding than you anticipated.
“Good morning,” Deacon greets when he answers the door. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you. You look very handsome, as always,” you reply.
Deacon welcomes you in, and you kiss his cheek as you pass him.
“Is she ready?”
“Almost.” Deacon laughs before he drops his voice to explain, “She keeps changing. She wants to look perfect.”
“Then would you please take her this?”
You pass Deacon a pink gift bag, and he can’t deny your smile, so he delivers it to Lila’s room. Her squeal reaches your ears in the living room, and your smile widens as Deacon returns.
“What is it?” Deacon asks.
“A matching princess dress. Today had to be special.”
“Every day is special with you.”
“We match!” Lila exclaims.
You look away from Deacon to see her standing before you. She smiles at you before she rushes to hug you. At Deacon’s silent prompting, she thanks you for the dress.
“Well, we’re off to enjoy a princess day,” you tell Deacon.
“Enjoy. Call if you need anything.”
You promise to do just that, then take Lila’s hand and lead her outside. It’s a big day for both of you. Lila gets to live like a princess and spend the day with another girl, and you get to ask her to be your maid of honor. You don’t doubt that she’ll say yes, but just in case, you have a backup plan to involve her in the wedding party another way.
By lunch, Lila is getting tired. She doesn’t want to stop, however, until you tell her about a fairytale-themed restaurant you’d like to try. Easily convinced, you hold her hand as you enter the whimsical building and are led to your seats.
“Lila, have you ever been to a wedding?” you ask her.
“Mmhmm. One of Dad’s work friends,” she answers.
“Do you know what a maid of honor is?” Lila shakes her head, so you ask, “What about a bridesmaid?”
“The girls who stand with the bride?”
“Yep, those are bridesmaids. But the one that stands closest to the bride is called a maid of honor, and it’s usually the bride’s best friend or a girl who is really, really important to her.”
Lila nods along with your explanation, and when you see your waitress returning with your glittery pink princess drinks, you decide to ask sooner rather than later. You set an envelope on the table, with her name written elegantly across the front.
“Would you like to be my maid of honor, Lila?” you ask.
The waitress stops when she hears your question. She smiles and nods to assure you it’s fine to finish before she delivers your beverages.
“Like your best friend?” Lila whispers.
“Yeah. Because you’re super special.”
“And we’re both Dad’s princesses?”
You smile and answer, “That too.”
“Really?”
“Open the letter.”
Lila pulls the card out of the envelope. It’s a picture of a castle with two princesses curtseying, and underneath it reads, “Join me on our special day?”
“Yes!” Lila answers. “I want to!”
She slides out of her seat and rounds the table. Lila hugs you tightly, and you pull the chair beside you out so that she can stay on the same side of the table as you.
“Congratulations, your highnesses,” your waitress says. “I’m sure you’ll be the best maid of honor ever.”
“Thank you!” Lila replies.
“Thank you,” you add.
“So, what do I do?” Lila asks you.
“Lots of things. But I think we should get some lunch before we go shopping for your maid of honor dress.”
Lila quickly agrees and leans against your arm to look at the menu with you.
The morning of your wedding is spent getting ready with your closest friends and family. Luca and Street invite themselves into the bridal suite as well when they hear from Lila that you have snacks.
“Are you nervous?” Luca asks. “Deacon’s reviewed his vows like fifteen times.”
“Should I be?” you reply. “Because I’ve honestly never been this happy and excited in my life.”
“Me neither!” Lila agrees, swishing the skirt of her dress around her legs.
“Deac just wants it to be perfect, special for all of you,” Street adds.
“I would’ve married him at the courthouse the morning after he proposed,” you point out. “It’s already more perfect than I ever expected.”
“We’ll tell him that as soon as we’re done,” Street says, reaching for another cookie.
“Aren’t groomsmen supposed to stay with the groom?” you ask Luca.
“He told me to bring Lila back,” Luca argues. “Never said I had to return by a certain time.”
“Have you seen Deacon cry?” Street asks.
“No,” you say. “Why?”
“Because he is absolutely going to cry when you walk down the aisle, and during your vows, and again after it’s official.”
Luca nods in agreement, and you turn to make sure your mascara is waterproof.
When you step out onto the aisle, your eyes meet Deacon’s and everything else fades away. All that matters in this moment is Deacon Kay and the life you’re entering with him. Which includes his kids. Lila is waiting beside your spot with a smile, Matthew stands between Luca and Deacon on the other side, and Samuel is waving from the front row after delivering the rings to the officiant.
As you begin walking toward Deacon, you notice that he is crying. You blink quickly to clear your own vision, but the tears don’t dampen your smile or Deacon’s. When you reach the altar, you lower gently toward Lila. Matthew and Samuel come to your side as well, just as you practiced.
“Thank you for letting me be part of your life,” you tell them. “I love you, Lila, Samuel, and Matthew.”
They hug you tightly, and Deacon wipes his eyes as you all return to your places. He takes your hands as the officiant welcomes everyone in attendance. You read your vows first, and Deacon cries again. When he begins his vows, however, you are very glad you double-checked that your makeup wouldn’t be ruined.
“… and you’re the most incredible princess I’ve ever had the joy of meeting,” Deacon says. The people around you chuckle, and you smile as you squeeze his hand. “Being loved by you is more special than any title I could have or other life I could live. I promise to treat you like the princess you are and love you more with each breath.”
You chuckle wetly, and Lila taps your side. She passes you a tissue, which makes everyone laugh, and you thank her before you use it to dry your cheeks.
“With those vows – and tears – you will now exchange rings.”
You slide Deacon’s simple band onto his finger, then offer your hand for your matching ring. The moment you are finished, the officiant pronounces you and Deacon man and wife, then steps aside for your first kiss. Just as when you walked down the aisle, everything fades away as you kiss Deacon, your husband, for the first time.
When you step back, your friends and family are cheering, and you pull Lila into a tight hug.
“Thanks for being a princess with me,” you say.
“We’re always princesses!” she replies with a giggle.
“Kay princesses,” Deacon agrees, wrapping his arms around both of you.
Requested Here!
Pairing: David 'Deacon' Kay x fem!reader
Summary: You work in a coffee shop, and when you are trapped in the fridge during a robbery, you can only hope that your boyfriend Deacon will find you.
Warnings: armed robbery, violence against reader, angst to fluff & hurt/comfort.
Word Count: 2.7k+ words
Picture from Pinterest
“How’s the handsome boyfriend?” your coworker asks as you wipe down the front counter. “Still dreamy and treating you right?”
You chuckle at the thought of Deacon not being dreamy or treating you right, an impossibility. “Yes, he is.”
The bell over the door of the coffee shop rings, and you abandon the conversation about Deacon to do your job.
“You know, I’ve been meaning to ask… does Deacon have any single cop friends?”
Reading the name on the latte you just prepared, you shake your head. If you were in her place, and she had a boyfriend like Deacon, you’d want to know where to find one.
“Thanks,” the man says as he takes the cup.
“Have a nice day!” You turn toward your coworker to answer, “Honestly, I don’t know. Street’s still in his ‘will-they-won’t-they’ thing with Chris, Tan is, well he’s Tan… the new guy might be single.”
“I don’t know who any of those people are.”
“You shouldn’t. I can check for you though; if I’m right, you’d be cute together.”
“Is he as easy on the eyes as Deacon?”
“Nope,” you answer with a smile.
✯✯✯✯✯
“Man, I would kill for an espresso after that,” Rocker groans.
Luca waves his hands in a ‘stop talking’ motion before Deacon hears any reference to coffee. Luca loves you, but Deacon has difficulty stopping once you’re mentioned.
“Too bad you don’t have time,” Deacon answers instead. “We got another call. Up, buddy.”
Rocker rolls his eyes before standing.
“What now?”
“Another bank robbery. You should’ve gotten a coffee when you had the chance; it’s going to be a long day,” Hondo answers.
Deacon nods at the idea of coffee, a picture of you making him feel a little more awake.
✯✯✯✯✯
“What is going on today?” someone asks, sitting back after a mad rush.
“Are you referring to the caffeine addiction of Los Angeles or the continuous sirens? Because I have no answer for either,” you answer, leaning on the counter.
“All these sirens and no single cops or firefighters to accept my number,” another voice sighs, joining your small huddle.
“Why don’t you guys head out early? I can close up, I know it’s been a long day,” you offer.
“Are you serious?”
“Sure. You can just cover for me when I don’t want the early shift next weekend.”
They weigh their options before you get a group hug and overlapping expressions of gratitude.
“Yeah, yeah, get out of here,” you mutter, shoving them toward the small locker room-like area at the back.
“You’re the best!”
“I know.”
As the door closes, their voices fading into the alley, you take a deep breath. You feel like you’ve been on the move all day, with people in and out without a break. Your phone shows no messages or calls from Deacon, but you hope to see him tonight.
“Okay,” you whisper to yourself, pushing off the counter as you prepare to close.
You lay your phone on the counter and turn on some quiet music, focusing on getting finished and home to Deacon’s house as soon as possible. The counters are cleaned, and the dirty dishes are loaded into the industrial-sized dishwasher, so you're nearly done. As you begin sweeping the floor, someone opens the door.
“Sorry, we’re closing,” you say, moving toward the door to lock it. “The Starbucks down the street is open all night.”
“They have better security,” the man replies, keeping his foot pressed against the door so you can’t close it.
You drop the broom and step back, reaching for your cell phone on the counter to call for help. The man barges in, locking the door behind him as he points a gun at you.
“Don’t move,” he demands.
Deacon is in your favorites list, so it would only take two taps on the screen to call him. You raise your hands before stepping toward the counter. You don’t get to your phone before the man hits the back of your head, knocking you into a nearby table. Holding your ribs, you try to stand but kick a chair on accident and fall to the floor.
“Are you going to keep being a problem or can you sit there and be quiet?” the man asks with his gun at his side.
“I’ll be quiet,” you answer lowly.
He cocks his head, looking around. Stepping back, he slides your phone behind the counter so you can’t reach it easily.
“You’ll forgive me if I don’t believe you,” he says, pushing you back on the floor.
“No,” you mumble, trying to fight him off of you.
“And you said you wouldn’t be trouble,” he almost growls, bringing the butt of his gun and the hard side of his hand down on your temple.
The impact disorients you; all you can do is grab his hand as he hauls you toward the walk-in fridge. When he pushes you inside and winks before closing the door, the severity of the situation finally reaches you.
“Don’t do this! Take whatever you want but let me out,” you scream, banging on the large metal door.
Your head pounds with each movement, and when you graze your hairline with your fingers, you hiss when you reach the broken skin. Stepping further into the fridge, you shiver under the vent and sink to the floor, fighting dizziness and nausea as your head aches. With no way to call for help, you should try to stay warm, but the pain in your head and fear that no one will find you until morning influence you to close your eyes.
Outside the fridge, the thief sings along to the song playing from your phone as he empties the cash register into his small bag. Nodding at his earnings, he steps toward the door before taking the last muffin out of the display case.
✯✯✯✯✯
Deacon glances down at his watch. You have a habit of offering to close after long days, but even if you stayed, you should be getting home about now. Deacon smiles at the thought of you doing what you usually do: passing your driveway to pull into his own. You’ve been neighbors almost as long as you’ve been dating, though his house seems to be a landing place for both of you.
“20-David to command,” Hondo radios from inside the bank. “We’re Code 4.”
Deacon sighs, lowering his weapon and standing from his hidden position. He pulls his phone from his pocket, surprised to see no notifications from you. Maybe you had a day like he did.
Rushing home to hold you after a long day, Deacon slows beside your driveway, nodding when he sees it empty. But, when he sees your car isn’t in his driveway either, his brows furrow as he wavers between surprise and concern.
Shifting his car into park, he presses your contact, waiting until he gets your voicemail. He texts you to call him ASAP, and after a minute with no acknowledgment, he calls you again. Taking a deep breath in his attempt to stay calm, he dials the number for the coffee shop and prays to hear your voice. The line beeps before your recorded voice greets him.
“Answer,” Deacon begs as the dial tone begins again. “Hey, Luca, I need your help with something. You got a minute?”
“Yeah, of course, anything for you, man,” Luca replies.
Deacon says your name before running a hand across his mouth. “She’s not home and she’s not answering her cell phone or the coffee shop line.”
“Anywhere else she’d be?” Luca asks, shuffling on the other side of the line.
“Not this late. I’m going to drive over to the coffee shop,” Deacon adds.
“We’ll meet you there. Street and I are only a couple blocks away. We’ll find her, Deac.”
Deacon thanks him as he backs out of his driveway. The coffee shop is a ten-minute drive that feels like an eternity.
✯✯✯✯✯
Street and Luca are coming out of the alley when Deacon rushes onto the sidewalk.
“Hey,” Street greets. “The lights were off when we got here. Back door is locked, and her car is still here.”
“Did you try the door?” Deacon asks.
“Not this one; we just got here,” Luca replies.
“Thank you for coming so late.”
“Of course. We’re here for you and her, Deacon.”
Deacon nods, taking a deep breath as he pushes the door open. He glances at Luca, who tilts his head in concern. Luca and Street enter behind Deacon, their hands at their sides and ready to pull their weapons if needed. There’s quiet music playing from somewhere in the building, and Street nods to Luca as he breaks off to find the source.
“Deacon,” Street calls quietly. He stands from behind the counter and holds up your phone.
Deacon swallows harshly, looking toward the back.
“Let’s clear the building and we’ll go from there,” Deacon instructs quietly.
Street and Luca nod, moving slowly and silently until they’re sure the building is empty. Deacon turns on a light in the back, frowning when he sees your bag in its regular storage spot.
“The cash register is empty,” Luca calls, his voice raised after concluding there is no immediate threat.
✯✯✯✯✯
You hear a voice outside and blink rapidly, forcing yourself to focus. With your arms wrapped tightly around you, your shivers are growing in strength as you grow weak and disoriented.
“Where- go- night?” someone asks, their voice breaking as you strain to listen through the thick metal of the fridge.
The voice sounds familiar, and you summon what little strength you have left to bang on the door. It’s quiet, and as your hand slides down the cold metal, your blinks slow.
✯✯✯✯✯
“Wait,” Deacon demands, raising a hand to quiet Luca and Street. “Did you hear that? Something made a knocking noise.”
He walks toward the fridge, the only place they didn’t check during their initial sweep. Luca nods, standing behind Deacon as Street unlocks and opens the door. Deacon sees you slumped on the floor and rushes in.
“Dea- David?” you mumble, your eyes lidded as you look up at him.
“Hey, yeah, I’m here. I got you, sweetheart,” he soothes, laying his hands on your shoulders.
“I’ll call it in,” Street says before reporting the robbery and requesting an ambulance.
“We need to get you out of here,” Deacon says quietly, pulling you against his chest.
He stands slowly, cradling your shivering form to his chest. Once Luca closes the fridge, Deacon sits on the floor, taking his jacket off and wrapping it around your shoulders. He moves you gently to make sure all of your clothes are dry. Sliding his fingers onto your pulse point, he calculates your heart rate with a frown.
“Hypothermia?” Luca asks quietly, passing Deacon a nearby jacket.
Deacon nods, laying it over your hips as he lets you lean against him.
“Ambulance is here, Deac,” Street alerts. “Is she okay?”
“She has to be,” Deacon and Luca answer together.
✯✯✯✯✯
Deacon and Luca follow the ambulance in Deacon’s car while Street returns home, telling the team what happened. They sit together in the waiting room, sharing their concern and sympathies without speaking.
A nurse exits and says your name, smiling as Deacon and Luca rush to her side.
“The doctor wants to talk to you. Relatives?” she asks.
“He is,” Luca answers. “I’m just a friend.”
“Then I’m going to ask you to wait here.”
“No problem. We’re here for you, Deac.”
Deacon nods, whispering, “Thank you,” as he follows the nurse into the hospital.
“You found her in plenty of time, sir,” the doctor says with a kind smile. “She’s suffering from hypothermia and some surface-level injuries. Despite that nasty bump on her head, we don’t see any indications of a concussion.”
“Thanks, doc. How bad is the hypothermia?” Deacon asks.
“We caught it very early. She’s warming up; temperature was right around 94, so it isn't too severe.”
“Can I see her?”
“Of course. Let me know if you have any other questions, and I’ll be back by soon.”
Deacon steps into your room quietly, looking at you with a sad smile. Dressed in the thin hospital gown with heated blankets and heat packs on your chest and neck.
“’S not as warm as you,” you mumble with your eyes closed.
Deacon smiles, pulling a chair up beside your bed. “Working better though,” he says quietly.
You turn your head toward him and smile as you open your eyes. “Thanks for finding me. It wouldn’t be as much fun to get in trouble without you around to save me.”
“Well no more trouble for a while, okay? Because that was terrifying.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. Robbery is working on catching the guy.”
“He stole my muffin.”
Deacon chuckles before offering, “I’ll make you a whole batch to make up.”
“You should’ve been a baker, not a cop.”
“I’m not sure I’m the house-husband type.”
“Trophy husband for sure,” you correct with a nod. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
✯✯✯✯✯
When you get discharged, Deacon takes you back to his house, and you notice that someone has moved your car back to your driveway. After getting you comfortable on the couch, Deacon begins rushing back and forth, doing everything the doctor recommended and then some.
“Deac,” you call when he rushes by again.
He stops and backpedals into the living room. “Do you need something?”
“Yes. I need you to sit with me. You’ve done more than enough, and I just need your company right now.”
Deacon smiles and whispers an apology as he sits beside you, holding you close. You cuddle into his side, focusing on your favorite movie. When you kick the blankets off, barely moving as you struggle, Deacon stops himself from acting again.
“Need help?” he asks, running a hand down your spine.
You nod slowly against his chest, and he reaches across you to remove the blanket.
“Want to you want for dinner?”
“Not hungry.”
Deacon looks at his watch, furrowing his brows when he notices it’s been nearly twelve hours since you ate at the hospital, and who knows how long before that.
“You really need to eat something,” he urges kindly.
Your weight increases on him as you shake your head and close your eyes. When your forehead hits Deacon’s arm, he’s surprised to feel how warm you are. He retrieves a thermometer from the small care kit he assembled in his concern-filled frenzy.
“You have a fever,” Deacon tells you. “It’s pretty high, so I’m going to call the doctor.”
“Stay here,” you mumble, grasping at Deacon’s shirt.
He wraps his arm around you, tugging you closer as he raises his phone to his ear.
“Hello, this is Deacon Kay… Yes, ma’am… She has a fever of 103.2, she’s not wanting to eat, and she’s very weak... I will. Thank you.”
“What’d they say?” you ask as he sets his phone down.
“They think it’s probably just the stress of what you went through, or maybe an upper respiratory infection from the cold. I’m supposed to keep you hydrated, medicated, and happy, and call if anything changes.”
You nod, nuzzling closer to him as he chuckles. It doesn’t take much coaxing from him to convince you to take some medicine, drink lots of water, and take a few bites of your favorite food, especially when he promises to hold your hand through it all.
✯✯✯✯✯
When you wake up the following morning, wrapped in Deacon’s arms, the fever is lower but not gone.
“More water,” Deacon demands.
“You’re bossy.”
“Trophy boyfriends are allowed to be.”
“Trophy husband,” you correct.
“Are you proposing?” he teases.
You take a minute to consider before asking, “Would you say yes?”
“In a heartbeat.”
“Then you just wait until I feel better, Kay.”
He smiles, pulling a lightweight blanket over you as your fever finally breaks.
“You’re still worried,” you accuse, sitting up to look at him.
“Of course, I am. I came home and you weren’t here, and then weren’t answering your phone. It’s only because of Luca and Street that I was able to find you without panicking.”
“Then we should have them over for dinner to thank them. Although, I know you would’ve found me without them.”
“I’ll always find you,” he promises.
“Even when I can’t decide whether to be hot or cold?”
“I love you either way,” Deacon replies, matching your tone as he kisses your forehead.
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.
𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞
𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 - Manny Rivera x Blakc!OC (can be read as reader though)
𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 - Manny and Naoya’s meet cute
𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 - swearing, grammar errors,
𝐉𝐚𝐳𝐳𝐢𝐞’𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬! - It’s been a while…a long while. Sorry for any mistakes or errors, as if said, it’s been a long while and I sort of forgot where I was going with this storyline without having to watch season 2 over. Plus, I also just took what you guys were saying and started at the beginning of the season where Manny shows up. I wanted to get there quickly as well. Most of my fics for characters do follow the show/movie they come from because I’m not that creative, so spare me please. I also have to come up with ideas for just some one one one time between him and the reader, if you guys want to see anything in particular let me know. Also, this is just a little some to hold you guys over for the time being. I plan on editing t this afternoon little before the other chapters come out. I wrote this sleep deprived.
𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭! - 5,895
“Yurrr!! What it do Camera Crew?” Ava beamed as she opened the doors for the infamous camera crew. “Welcome back to the house that Ava built. It’s been a while.” She grinned.
“It’s not like they’ve missed anything,” Naoya said in a monotone as she came out of the office with papers in her hands. She then flashed them a small, but genuine, smile. “Nice seeing you though.” She said softly.
“Hey! Look who it is!” Melisa said as she got into step with them. “What’s it’s been? Like, five months? How you doin'?” She grinned.
Gregory then came out of his classroom, seeing his fellow coworkers and the new and improved camera crew. “Oh, what’s up? We still doing this?” He asked.
“Yeah.” Naoya and Ava answered, although their tones varied.
The cameraman then turned around at the sound of excited giggles from afar, catching Jacob beam at the sight of them. “Oh, my God! You guys! Hey!” He cheesed as he jogged up to them, bumping into the cameras. “Oh! Sorry.” He said as he straighter the camera up. “Um, wow. You got new equipment. Look, I don’t wanna say I told you so, but—.”
“I will!” Naoya said, pushing her friend so she could be in view. “You should’ve listened to me and Jacob when we said to make a right on 30th street instead of a left that night.” She said, squinting at them with a point before walking away. Ava nodded in agreement.
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“You want me to tell you what happened to you?” Ava asked the person behind the camera confused. “Oh, right. Tell the people.” She said before her usual grin spread across her face. “So, they got robbed.” She stated bluntly. “Because they thought it’d be cute to walk around West Philly at night with all this camera equipment. Hell, I’d have robbed you if I was there.” She told them. “Anyway, here we are, five months later because that’s how long it takes for three people with art degrees to save up for new cameras. Welcome back! It’s Career Day today.” She finished enthusiastically before it all dropped within a second. “Unfortunately.”
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“Why would you not listen to someone from Philly when they say don’t do stupid shit in the city?” Naoya asked, looking at the people behind the camera. “We tried to tell you and look what happened. You’re lucky you weren’t held at gunpoint.” She said as she crossed her arms. She paused, looking at the face of the camera crew. “You were held at gunpoint? Oh…” She cringed. “Why the hell did you come back? Are you getting cut a check? Because it must be good.” She stated. “And if you are I want in, I don’t care how much money you think I have.” She said.
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The camera crew then caught the teachers walking into the library as they all waited for some meeting by the district. Naoya took her seat in front of Ava, flashing a confused look at the other when she saw the glasses on the woman’s face.
“Ava!” Barbra yelled, spooking the woman awake. “Not planning on being conscious for Career Day?”
“This is a district initiative. They can handle it.” She frowned, relaxing back into her seat with those glasses still on. “Anyone else feels like the people from the district have been more annoying than usual?”
“They’re not all bad.” Barbra waved her off.
“I think they’re cool.” Jacob chimed in from the other table. Naoya looked back at him, squinting. “Stay at your own table.” She told him, causing Jacob to frown at her in confusion, even though he didn’t take it to heart.
“I actually like them this year.” Gregory chimed in.
“You too,” Naoya said again.
“Shocking,” Melissa said, giving the man a knowing look that he tried to avoid.
“I don’t know, I feel like they’ve been unequivocally and universally worse than they’ve ever been. From unhelpful to unbearable.” Evan complained.
“Wow, what big words for you Ava.” Naoya jutted with an evil smile, turning away before she could see the woman lift her glasses to give her a dirty look. Naoya just continued to smile, looking into the camera even though she could feel the hard gaze on her back.
“Good morning Abbott Elementary.” Janine grinned as she walked into the room with her district coworker behind her. Naoya smirked as she looked her up and down, slightly nodding her head at a chipper and well-dressed Janine. Her eyes then caught a familiar pair behind the short woman, the man smiling at the woman sitting before him. Noaya flashed him a quick smile, causing his to grow as they stared at one another. She tilted her head, looking up at him as he leaned against his weight against the table behind him.
“Hey.” He mouthed to her, not taking his eyes away from her.
“Hi.” Naoya cheesed, lighting biting her bottom lip as she looked into his warm gaze.
“Good morning Abbott Elementary.” Ava mocked from behind her, then received a tap from Barb. Janine smiled, seeing the camera crew was back.
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“So, yeah, I work for the school district now.” She beamed. “You guys missed a lot.”
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Janine gave the camera a quick smile and wave as she walked into the auditorium, moving to find a spot in the chairs lined up. She chose to sit in one of the empty spots next to Gregory, who was behind Naoya, who was across from Jacob.
“Left for right?” The man asked.
“Uh, left.” She answered before taking the seat.
“Good choice.” Gregory grinned.
“Thank you,” Janine said. Naoya frowned, raising her eyes from the handbook in her lap and making eye contact with the cameras a few feet away. She didn’t move her head, not wanting to be obvious, but her face showed enough.
“Girl this development day has me developing a migraine.” Barbra groaned from her seat next to Melissa, who was popping a pill into her mouth before downing water in her cup. The pair sat in front of Jacob.
“Let me have one of those aspirins, please,” Barbra asked, holding out her hand.
“It’s a sleeping pill,” Melissa said. “Wake me if there’s a fire, a tornado, or a volcanic eruption.” She sighed. “I know that’s right,” Naoya mumbled to herself, not looking up from her papers.
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“What?” She asked with a shrug. “I told you guys I hear and know everything. I’m nosy, okay? That’s isn’t a crime.” It was silent for a moment before the woman gave the person a confused look. “Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?” She asked as she lifted her hands to her face.
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“Good day to the fine teachers of Abbott Elementary,” Ava said into the microphone. The majority of the teachers in the room then turned to look at Gregory and Naoya, who was shocked by the odd attention she’s been getting as of late. The pair sat there awkwardly, Naoya more so trying to convince herself that they couldn’t be staring at her.
“What?” Ava asked them.
“No comment about Gregory being “F I O N, fine?” Melissa asked.
“Or whatever’s different about Noaya that’s making her more attractive this year.” Jacob chimed in, causing everyone to look his way, but he was too busy staring at his friend across from him. Naoya gave the man a confused and slightly disturbed look. “Aren’t you gay?” She asked him
“I’m starting to question it.” He said, making her eyes widen and look away from him.
“No, Mr.Hill and Ms.Schemmenti.” Ava chimed back in a little aggressively. “I was speaking to everyone. But since all eyes are on them, uh, Mr.Eddie would you mind reading from the first paragraph of your immaculately assembled binder?” She said a polite smile on her face. If Naoya wasn’t so disturbed, she’d frown her the woman’s behavior, but she couldn’t help but spiral inwardly due to the way everyone was acting.
“Sexily?” Gregory asked unsurely.
“Excuse me?” Ava asked. “That’s is not only suggestive but highly inappropriate in front of our company,” Ava said before gesturing over to the trio that stood at the other end of the stage. Naoya’s eyes jumped to them, eyeing the tall man in the sweater for a brief moment, who just so happened to already be glancing her way. At the newfound attention, the man called his throat before speaking, looking away from the woman. “Uh, hi. Hi, everybody.” He said as she made his way into the center of the over to the podium for the microphone. “We’re from the school district. Principe Colman invited us to come, observe, and collaborate with you all on this Development Day.” He said.
Naoya slightly tilted her head as she analyzed the man, admiring his obvious strive appearance.
“Yes!” Ava said in the mic. “The importance of collaboration is one of the many things I learned while I was matriculating at Cambridge.” She boasted. Naoya gave the camera a deadpanned look.
“We’re super excited to be here.” The man spoke again. “On behalf of the new superintendent, John Reynolds. I’m Manny. That’s my dream team over there.” He gestured to the pair from his original position. “That’s Emily. That’s Simon. And we don’t come empty-handed. We’ve come with some iPads and SMART boards for your classrooms, loaded with learning apps.” He explained, causing the teachers to clap. Naoya just sat there though, her hands clasped over her crossed legs with a disinterested look on her face.
“New and improved model,” Melissa stated as she leaned closer to Barbra.
“Same old engines.” The other woman said. “These people aren’t going to change a blessed thing, except how many bodies are in the room.”
“Thank you. We’ll see you around.” Manny finished with a grin, his eyes trailing back to Naoya. She sat there, face blank as she looked the man up and down. Manny smirked at that, before looking away as he made his way back to his team.
“Gregory, we still need you to read from section ‘A’., there in your binder,” Ava stated.
Gregory stood from his seat, binder in hand. “ ‘Section A. Welcome back.’ That’s concluded section ‘A’.” He said before closing the booklet.
“Thank you, Mr.Eddie. You may be seated.” There was light applause after that, most uninterested or highly confused.
Softly, as if she wasn’t away she was in front of a mic, Ava began to read from her notes. “As the teacher, if they have any ideas from over the summer they’d like to implement. Try to make it fun.” She said to herself. She sighed before moving away from the podium. She struggled for a bit before doing a small dance, asking the question over again. “Does anyone have any ideas from over the summer that they’d like to implement?”
Janine raised her hands.
“Janine!” Ava said. “One of our most…teachers at Abbott.”
“So I was thinking over the summer while I was spending time with myself and just thinking about, like, what really led me to this point in my life.” She began.
Melissa yawned. “Get to the point.” She groaned with her head back.
“Get to the point, Janine,” Barbra said.
“Yeah, okay. So, a Career Day?” Janine suggested. “We should do career day at the school because I checked and we haven’t had one since the only jobs for women were typists, moms, and wet nurses.” She explained. “I think it’s a great way for the kids to see all of the amazing jobs they can have. And that’s it. That’s my idea. I’m done. Career Day.” She quickly finished before taking her seat. Naoya nodded, turning in her seat to look at the girl.
“That was an amazing idea, Neen.” She said, causing the shorter woman to smile. Naoya nodded as she looked at her friend for a while longer. “How much time did you spend alone, exactly?” She asked, causing Janine's smile to slightly drop. Before she could answer, Naoya waved her off. “It doesn’t matter, I was alone too.” She said, letting out an awkward chuckle. “I’m gonna say my idea now.” She said before Janine or Gregory, who was listening, could comment on anything.
She raised her hand, catching Ava’s attention, as well as the people on the stage. “Yes, Miss Lovell.” She said. Naoya jerked her head back at Ava’s use of her professional name before she just shook her head at it. “I was thinking of a librarian.” She said. “A better library program, actually. New books, more books, better books. Just an improvement of that old wretched system that keeps losing the books I put in there.” She said through a strained smile at the thought of all the books she’d donated, only for them to end up missing. Manny looked the woman up and down from his place on the stage, watching the way the sun seemed to shine through the room only for her, dressed in fun colors and her quirky glasses.
“I could name a plethora of reasons those Ideas won’t work.” Ava began, barely listening to their suggestions. “Scheduling, previous failed attempts, that’s the fact that it’s was your ideas.” She said, gesturing between the two. Naoya jerked her head back at the woman’s audacity while Janine tried to save herself.
“Right, but there is a way—.”
“But I’m just gonna go ahead and say no and save yourself the embarrassment.” Ava cut in. Janine leaned back in her seat while Naoya raised her middle finger at the woman on stage, not caring for the guests who were visiting the school.
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“I’m never suggesting anything again.” She hissed as she leaned against the lockers. “It’s one thing to try and embarrass me in front of my coworkers who already live pathetic lives and make less money than me. It’s another to do it in front of sexy company. She’s gonna pay one way or another.”
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Naoya was walking next to Janine, the shorter woman looking her friend up and down. “There is something different about you that I just can’t put my finger on.” She said skeptically, causing Naoya to slightly frown at her. “You are glowing though.” She shrugged.
Before Naoya could speak on the matter, they were intercepted by the voice. “Hey, Janine. Ms.Lovell.” They said, causing the girl to turn around. “I’m Manny, which I said up there.” He stumped as she held out his hand. Janie shook his first before he moved into Naoya. The man hiked as he looked her in the eye, Naoya’s face blank as she placed her hand into his, giving his large hand a firm shake.
“You can call me Naoya.” She said with a small smile. She couldn’t help it. She tried to stay stoic in front of the man but there was something about him that just made her all giddy and gooey inside, especially now that they were up close and she felt his skin on hers, even if it was a simple handshake.
“Naoya.” He tested the name on his tongue as he continued to look her in the eye, both parties loving the way it sounded. “I love that.” He said until he was aware of what he said. And also aware that his hand was still in hers. “Name. I love that name. It’s cool and different.” He said, before pulling his hand away. Noaya nodded, letting out a small huff of a laugh. “Thanks.” She said, placing her hand behind her back. Janine’s eyes snapped to the cameras near them, slightly shocked written onto her features.
“Uh, I just wanted to say, that, uh, Career Day and the Library Program sounded good.” He began. “They’re good ideas and I would love to hear more.”
“Thank you!” Janine said. “So you guys are new at the district?” She asked.
“Yep. Just started over the summer. Loving it so far.” He explained, looking between the two. “Feel like we’re going to make a lot of positive changes and do what the last administration didn’t. Nobody embezzling funds in my watch.” He joked, causing Naoya to giggle. Janie was taken aback, looking at her and the cameras at Naoya's unusual behavior. “Funny.” The taller woman simply stated before beginning to make her way out of the auditorium.
“Oh, hey.” Manny began again, stopping her while Janine stayed stationary. “Actually one of the things we wanted to do today was shadow some teachers. Are you two up for it?” He asked, looking between them. Naoya glanced at Janine, who shrugged, before looking back at Manny and doing the same. “Yeah, sure. I’m just gonna be setting up my classroom.” She said.
“Same,” Janine stated.
“Exciting!” Manny grinned.
Naoya nodded, a fond smile on her face. “It’s is exciting. I’m a pretty creative and free spirit.” She grinned. “Yeah? Well, I’m just gonna grab my coworkers.” He grinned. “They're talking to Principle Coleman over there. You guys are so lucky you have such a good principle.” He said. Janine awkwardly smiled while Naoya just pursed her lips.
“Yeah.” Janie agreed, nodding as the man walked away.
Noaya watched him with a small smirk before sighing and twirling around, her straightend hair flowing behind her. Janine squinted as she watched the woman practically skip away in glee, Manny not too far behind.
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“That’s what it is!” Janine grinned primal at the cameras. “She’s not wearing her contacts.” She grinned proudly. It didn’t last long though, slightly dropping as she looked at the camera, thinking it over more.
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“No,” Naoya said to the camera, an almost offended look on her face. “I wear my glasses almost all the time. Granted, these are new frames, but why the hell? These people know nothing about me.”
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“So, where’d you teach before picturing to the school district?” Noaya asked as She, Janine, Manny, and his crew walked to their classrooms.
“I didn’t, actually.” Manny averted sheepishly. Janine flashed a look to the camera while Naoya hummed in acknowledgment with a purse of her lips. “But I grew up here, though.” He quickly added. “My first-hand experience is more from when I was a student in the area.” He said as Janine led them into her room.
“Oh, alright.” The shorter woman nodded. “Well, you know, that’s one of the reasons I wanted to teach at Abbott.” She said. “Because I was a student in the area, as well, so…” She shrugged. “This is my room.” She said to them.
“What are you making here?” Emily asked, gesturing to the table where a tone of colored paper and glue was laid out.
“Oh, A ‘Welcome Back’ sign for the kids. Naoya was helping me paint.” She grinned, gesturing over to the woman next to her. “We’re gonna decorate it together so that everyone feels included. I try to implement a lot of color. I wanted to go with blue because that inspires focus.” She began to explain.
“And calm, which is so important for primary classes.” Manny chimed in. “I read about that in Chalkbeat.” He grinned. Naoya tilted her head at that, flashing the camera a Quick Look as she glanced between the two.
“You read Chalkbeat?” Janine asked, a smile starting to spread across her face.
“Mm-hmm.” Manny hummed.
“I basically live in the comment section, so…” She chortled.
“Oh, my God. Are you @JTeaguee215?” He asked as he stepped sideward a little, an excited grin on his face. “Yes!” Janine said enthusiastically. Naoya softly nodded her head, glancing at the camera when it tried to catch her tense facial expression at the exchange.
“And @JTeagues267 when I wanna spice up the discourse.” She continued.
“Ms.Teagues, I’m @MannyFromTheBlock. I’m always using this emoji.” He said before doing a salute. Janie gaped at him in shock. “That’s you!”
“That’s me.” He grinned.
“I love your comments,” Janine stated with a grin.
“I love your comments.” He smiled back.
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“Fuck!” She yelled in the hallway, turning away from the cameras as she her fist j to the lockers, making a loud sound.
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Janine continued onto fine before glancing at Naoya, who had taken several steps back and looked to be on her way out of the room. When the other woman saw her looking, she flashed a tight smile before looking away. Janine eyes subtly squinted in confusion before she continued. “Anyways.” She began, brushing the interaction off. “Naoya wanted to paint the walls blue last year, but you guys—the district—didn’t like the idea of pinging walls, so…” She shrugged, explaining for the other woman.
“What!? Why not? That’s is so good.” Manny responded, his eyes sifting to the distant figure of the other woman. “I think that’s exactly an idea that we could and should implement.” He said softly, examining her awkward grin. The woman just nodded, rubbing the back of her neck while Janine glanced at the cameras at the tension hiking within the room.
“It’s a low-stakes, high-reward improvement,” Emily stated, glancing Naoya’s way.
“Yes. Let’s revise that.” Simone grinned. Janine pursed her lips, making a funny face as she looked away from them. The trio looked at the woman funny. “Are you okay?” Simone asked.
“Yeah,” Janine asked. “Just a lot of positive reinforcement. I usually only get that from Ms.Love back here.” She awkwardly chuckled, pointing to the woman next—behind—her. That caused all of their eyes to drift to the woman, who seemed dither than she was before. She stood by the other door, her hands stuffed in her pockets now that eyes were on her while she was almost away from them.
“Are you okay?” Janine asked, looking at the woman confused, her mood a complete flip from earlier.
“No,” Naoya said simply before twirling around and skipping to her room. Janine paused, glancing back at the trio as they all watched the woman leave, Manny with a small smile on his face. “She’s a wonderful woman.” She began, stealing out of the door. “A soft chocolate chunk cookie with crispy edges. Her words not mind, they’re in her Twitter bio.” She said, trying to fill the air with something. The trio nodded at that. Janine lightly cleared her throat before making her way to Naoya’s room. “Let’s follow her, shall we.” She said softly, the others trailing behind her.
They made it to her door, looking into the classroom as Naoya rearranged the comfy furniture she had the way she wanted it.
“Wow.” Manny sighed from the door before making his way into the room. Naoya turned at the voice to see the group, said the man looking around as he trailed in.
“This is really nice.” He said softly before letting his eyes fall on her.
Naoya’s face held a small grin as she nodded. “Thank you. I try.” She shrugged.
“It’s cozy in here.” Emily grinned as she made her way around the different sections.
Noaya's eyes snapped over to her as she pushed a small couch over to the rug she had laid out in between the bookshelves. “Yeah, I try to keep it that way.” She said, pairing the seat. “I hate—The kids hate fluorescent lighting.” She chuckled nervously, shooting them a quick look. “But some do come on when it’s instruction time.” She added to save her ass.
Manny grinned at her as he nodded his head. Janie looked between them with a small smile before glancing at the watching cameras, her expression dropping.
“That’s actually really important.” He began. “Such lightening for long hours does nothing for brain stimulation.” He said. Noaya glanced at him, lightly nodding. “Yeah, it actually has the opposite effect. Weakens memory retention causes migraines” She said. Manny hummed, looking at her. “It’s why they have them in prisons.” She added, quickly turning away from them and then moving over to a box that sat on a table. Manny’s eyes tricker after her, not wasting time before stepping closer as he watched her.
“What’s this section for?” Simone asked, watching as the woman set a box on the ground in front of an empty shelf, flanked by small bookshelves on either side. “Oh, this is my relaxation saltation.” Naoya grinned as she lifted the clear top of the record player, and then reached down to pull out a vinyl from the box. “Well, that’s what it is now.” She said as she placed the Minnie Riperton record onto the player. “It used to be where I taught the kids music. As best I could though. We didn’t have a music teacher here for a while.” She said sheepishly, glancing at them. “Now it’s called the relaxation station. The kids like coming over and picking out their songs. It’s a reward for good behavior.” She shrugged before pressing the machine on, the classroom then being filled with the soft sound of Les Fleurs by Minne Riperton.
“Wow,” Manny said softly, not taking his eye off the woman. “That’s amazing.” He said, this team nodding as they looked around the comfy section. “Naoya glanced at him, a small smile creeping onto her face. “Thank you.” She said softly. They stayed each other in the eye for what felt like forever before the woman gulped and looked away from him, trying to find something to occupy herself. She looked down, her eyes going to the box of records she needed to put away. She squatted as she began unloading them into the section at the bottom of the shelf. She handled the old-school records with care, not wanting to damage the already torn covering and hurt the disc.
Manny couldn’t help but watch with a fond look in his eye, the colorful woman in her own world as she worked, her lips softly singing the song playing in the background.
“What’s this on the board?” Emily asked from the other side of the room, catching their attention. Naoya had just finished when she stood up, rubbing her hands against her jeans. She quickly glanced at Manny, who was already looking at her, before her eyes trailed to the questioning woman near the board, who pointed at the Kanji.
“Oh, those are just words I she a lot so I put Kanji next to them so the kids become familiar.” She said as she walked closer. “We also didn’t have a language teacher here for a while so…” She tried off with a shrug. “I was teaching them the Spanish I learned from the bodega guy growing up but he wasn’t saying anything children should be.” She grinned tensely at them. “Now I just inform them on Japanese when we have free time or if they’re curious, which they usually are.”
“Why Japanese?” Simon asked. Naoya glanced between all of them, a small smile on her face.
“I’m Japanese.” She said with a small smile. “It’s my first language. My mom was a nurse and an English teacher over there for a long time.” She sighed. The other hummed, surprised at the new revelation while Manny admired the woman.
“My mother was a teacher as well.” He said, causing the woman to look his way. “It’s part of the reason why I work at the district now.” He said softly. Noaya started at him, mother of the faces faltering from their soft expressions. She just nodded at what he said. Because she could speak, as if she was going to, Janine spoke up.
“What’s this one mean?” The woman asked, pointing at the unfamiliar Kanji on the board.
“Oh, it’s just love.” She shrugged. “I put it on the board at the beginning of each year because if I was a teacher in Japan, that would be my name.” She said. “Sensei Ai or Ai-aan.” She stated in Japanese, ignoring the impressed looks she gathered from the crew as she continued to explain. “Even though Ai is the general term of love and affection.” She shrugged.
“That is so amazing,” Simon said with a proud grin, looking at the woman. “There is such a diversity of cultures and learning in this classroom. What grade do you teach?” He asked. Naoya was slightly taken aback by his apparent enthusiasm, looking at the man with a small smile. “Fourth grade.” She said.
“Mhm, that’s when all the magic starts to happen.” He said, causing Naoya to nod. Manny glanced between the two, his smile slightly strained as he watched them interact.
“Yeah,” Naoya said. “There is a significant development in their cognitive abilities. The children become more logical and critical thinkers, alongside increased independence, stronger social connections with peers, and a growing awareness of social hierarchies, often navigating feelings like peer pressure and the desire to fit in. They also start thinking more about abstract ideas, and not just about things they can observe.” She explained. Everyone in the room looked at the woman in shock, taking in the information she just dumped on them.
“I majored in Psychology for Human Growth and Development. I was gonna be a children’s therapist but I realized my heart can’t really handle all that.” She said. Some hummed with the other nodded at the woman.
“Well, aren’t you the gift that just keeps on giving? Full of unexpected but pleasant surprises.” Simone said, grinning at the woman. Naoya laughed, waving him off before turning to find something else to do in her class. Manny’s eyes trailed after hard, glancing between her and his coworker.
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Noaya was walking down the hall, talking to Gregory when Janine came out of her classroom, spotting the two. “Oh, hey! Fancy seeing you here.” She joked, speaking to Gregory. “Whatcha got there?” She asked, gesturing to the boxes the pair held.
“Just bringing the books in.” The man said. “Oh, there is a ten-for-ten sale at Nichols Schola Supplies, by the way.” He said while Noaya nodded.
“Oh fuck yeah,” Janine said, catching the two off guard.
“What the hell?” Noaya stated in shock.
“Trying out cursing. Still getting the hang of it.” Janine sighed, seeing their confused and shocked faces. “No was Baltimore?” She quickly tried to change the subject. Noaya sighed, sensing where the conversation was going, and moved to carry the box she held in Gregory’s classroom.
“It was so flat!” Was the first thing she heard from Gregory when she exited the class after luring the box down. She cried in confusion, looking at the cameras before making her way over to the pair.
“What’s you do over the break?” Gregory asked her before glancing over when Naoya came closer, squinting at her. “You too, now that I’m thinking about it.” He said.
“I just spent a lot of time with myself,” Janine answered. “And it was good for me. I feel, sure, centered, good.” She listed with a content smile. “Oh, Jacob, Noaya, Erika and I started going out to brunch together. We’re calling ourselves the Brunch Bunch.” She joked.
“Why not just the Brunch Bunch?” Gregory asked.
“I thought it was just the Brunch Bunch? That’s why I named the group chat.” Naoya said, her brows furrowed.
“Fuck, that’s good,” Janine said. Naoya pursed her lips while Gregory let out a tense exhale, Janine, looked between the two.
“It’s just not working for me, is it?” Janine asked.
“Not quite there,” Gregory said.
“Fuck, no.” Noaya scoffed. Janine snapped her fingers, pointing at the woman. “See, that sounds so much better.” She said. Noaya cocky shrugged before her eyes caught a finger coming up behind Janine.
“Hey,” Manny said. “Teacher of the Year. Gregory Eddie.” He said in his odd accent that she couldn’t help but find endearing. “I heard about that garden you made out front. Really cool, man.” He said.
“Oh! Thanks.” Gregory said. “I like to do it and it makes the school and the street look nice.” He explained with a small shrug.
“Sure does,” Manny said before looking between the two women. “Uh, Ms.Lovell, Ms.Teauges, could I speak to you two for a quick second? Sorry to interrupt.” He said to Gregory. Janine nodded. “Oh, yeah. All good. And you can call me Janine.” She said as she led the man into her room. Gregory and Noaya shared a look before they glanced at the cameras. They then went their separate ways, her into Janine’s class while he went into his own.
“Well, uh, Janine.” Manny begun. “I was talking with the other from the school district. And you two seem to have a ton of great ideas.” Manny complimented, looking between the pair. Janine smiled proudly at him while Noaya shrugged softly.
“There’s this fellowship—.”He started again. “The Robeson Fellowship at the district. We want somebody with in-field experience to come to enhance what the district can do to make schools as efficient as possible.” He explained.
“That sounds like a great opportunity,” Janine said. “I'm pretty sure I can help you find somebody for that.” She stated, glancing at the woman next to her.
“Well, no, I had one of you in mind for it,” Manny said, glancing between the two. Noaya’s eyes widened, immediately shook her head. “Oh! That’s amazing but.” She chicken’s nervously and in shock. “I can’t.” She sighed, trying to come up with an excuse as to why she couldn’t.
“Yeah.” Janine echoed. “I’m flattered but, you know, the summer is when I get a little bit of a break away from school.” She said, causing Noaya to point over at her in agreement.
“This would be doing the school year,” Manny stated.
“But that’s when we’re doing the schooling,” Noaya stated, brows furrowed as she gestured to her class.
“Yes, well, a sub would take over your class. While you’re with us for your duration of the fellowship.” He said. Naoya’s brows raised as she nodded at his words, taking them in. Janine, on the other hand, scoffed out a chuckle. “Sorry, but no.” She said. “I can’t imagine being away from my students, so… I’m flattered but, no, thank you.” She said.
Manny grinned, letting out a small chuckle. “Okay, alright.” He said before he then turned to Naoya, who had her hand behind her back. Her eyes widened slightly, taking in what the man was saying. “Uh, I’ll think it over.” She said with a nervous smile. “I would have to plan so much and, you know, I only have so many ideas.” She shrugged.
“And I bet they’re all great,” Manny told her, his voice very sure of himself as he looked at the woman. Noaya nodded her head, offering him a small smile. “Okay.” She said. Manny nodded before moving his way out of the room. He was on his way out of the room before he turned around, looking between the two.
“Just give it some real thought, okay?” He said, his eyes mainly on Noaya. “You can help make some real change around here. Creative and culturally diverse ideas—.”His eye then trailed to Janine. “And painted walls are just the start.” He gave Noaya another smile, showing his there before making his way out of the room.
Once he was away Noaya sighed, throwing her head back. “I’m gonna go complain to Jacob.” She sighed before exiting the room to make her way upstairs.
Summary: do to your work as a high ranking national security officer you and Tim get taken hostage in your own house
Warnings: : torture, not descriptive but is listed what happened. Misogyny and sexism (not from tim), hospitals, kidnap, canon violence
Notes:
Sorry for the grammatical errors. I’m new at writing so feedback is appreciated. Thank you for reading. do not translate or appropriate my work
Comments and kudos are highly appreciated :)
words: 2500
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You unlock the door and enter your house. Tim is already out of uniform, and he is cooking dinner in the open space kitchen. You drop your bag on the floor next to the door as you sigh, tired from the long day. As one of the top-ranking officers of the National Defense some days were really exhausting to say the least. At least you now could relax at home with your husband
‘hey. I thought I would get started on dinner’ he says as he puts on the stove, giving you a hint of a smile to greet you, something that is reserved to you and only you
‘did I tell you that you are the best husband in the world?’ you ask him with complete appreciation as you give him a quick kiss
‘from time to time’ he teases you as he smirks
‘you are. I’m starving. And it was my turn to cook’ you tell him seriously as you place your hands around his neck as he places his on your waist. He kisses you again, now more properly
‘well you can always show your appreciation later’ he teases you again as you roll your eyes lovingly at him ‘deal’ you tell him as you peck him again before you throw your heels out of the way
‘long day?’ he asks as he lets you go to stir the rice
‘the longest’ you reply as you start to set up the table ‘we fear there has been a breakthrough of info on undercover agents and they put me as head of operation to make sure they are safe, I need to check each of them’ you sigh
‘well that sounds exhausting’ he replies honestly
‘your day?’ you ask
‘some standard arrests. And lucy passed my Tim test today.’ He replies as he start putting the food on the plates
‘tim tests? Can’t you leave that poor boot alone?’ you playfully make fun of him as you sit down
‘be careful or you are going to be Tim tested too’ he says pointing the spatula at you
‘you wouldn’t’ you tell him faking shock ‘I’m your wife’
‘don’t test me’ he replies hiding a smile ‘come on. the food is ready’ he says as he moves towards the table with the meal in his hand. But before he places it on the table the room gets filled with smoke and he feels something in his neck, a narcotic that makes him faint instantly as you do too while he calls your name.
-.-.-.
You wake up tied to a chair in your home’s office. Two men stand in front of you
‘hello y/n’ they tell you ‘had a good sleep?’ they mock you
‘who are you and what do you want’ you ask. This is not your first kidnap
‘straight to the point I see. We want the real name of the undercover agents’ they tell you playing with a knife
‘I don’t have them. They are classified’ you reply
‘and that is the first lie of the night. Our intel says only one person has all of the names, and that is you’
You maintain your calm wondering how they know it. ‘I don’t’ you reply as you asses the situation. You are chained to the chair. Is impossible to break free
‘okay let’s see if your memory starts to work after we are finished with you’ they tell you before punching you in the face
-.-.-.-.-.
Are the screams that wake Tim up. your screams. It takes him a few seconds to realize that he is still in his living room and that the screams he is hearing are your screams.
‘y/n!’ he shouts ‘leave her alone!’. but is useless. He is not even tied, he is chained to a metal chair. He mentally curses himself and your shared love for design, at least if it were a wooden chair he could have tried to free himself. He assesses the situation. he is a cop, he was a sergeant in the army , he should know how to get out of any situation. he needs to help you. His wife is being tortured and he is without a scratch and unable to help you
He tries for more than two hours to free himself, trying to not think about what they are doing to you as your screams get progressively worse
Tim is kind of scared of how you held up, how you did not say anything as they tortured you. He knew you were strong, but this, this is almost inhumane.
The screams stops and he fears the worst.
The door suddenly opens and the two men bring you in. he has the first glimpse of you since they took you. tim can’t almost recognize you. Your face is too puffy and full of blood. They had beaten you up, for hours. Tim also notices that some of your limbs don’t look right. The two men throw you on the floor. You are still passed out. Your hands tied together behind you.
His hearts start beating again only when he sees a feeble movement of your chest going up and down. You are alive.
Tim’s blood boils in his veins. Flashbacks of the last time he has seen you like this passes through his mind. more than 10 years ago, when you were both in the army and you got taken hostage for days. He still doesn’t know all of what had happened to you during the captivity, you never talked about it apart from some info then and there. He had killed who did that to you, heading the rescue mission. He had a lot of remorse for what he witnessed in the army but never for that. Now he wanted to do the same to these two men who had entered his house and tortured his wife. Damn the consequences
‘son of a bitch what did you do to her’ he says in anger as he tries in vain to move
‘don’t worry big guy. She is alive. I must say this bitch is strong. Broke more than 20 bones in her body one by one and still has not given a name’
Scratch that. Tim doesn’t want to kill them. He wants to break each and every bone of his body and more. He wants to inflict them 10 times what they did to you.
‘I’ll fucking kill you’ he says rage in his eyes
‘what a knight with a shiny armor. A bit difficult considering your situation right now.’ The guy mocks him
The man takes some water and throws it in your face to have you woke up, it works as you stir. He throws more at you before giving you a kick. Tim tries to move from his chair and the man laughs at him
‘tim’ is your first word as you try to find him, your eye focus still blurry from the blood and the puffiness until you see him, just a bruise on his face, his eyes blurry with tears for you and anger against them. You sigh in relief
‘are you okay?’ he asks his voice almost breaking, he knows he sounds stupid as you clearly are not but he needs to have a verbal confirmation
‘yah’ you say as you spit blood. Tim doesn’t believe you
‘sleeping beauty is awake’ the man says taking your face in his hand roughly to throw you on the floor again
Tim flinches
‘as torturing your body did not work we will try with a psychological torturing. let’s see if your so little to nonexistent self-preserving instinct applies also to others’ the man says pointing his head towards tim
Your biggest fear comes true. Tim is going to suffer because of you.
‘tell me the real names of the undercover agents or I make him my own punching ball’ the kidnapper says pointing to tim
Tim stays silent looking in your eyes saying with them ‘don’t’. you spit some blood and stay silent. Your heart breaking as you just basically agreed for the man to torture your husband
‘well then’ the man says as he punches tim. You look away. The other man grabs your face again and forces you to look as He punches tim again and again . tim tries to not react, knowing that if the situation was reversed he would give in immediately at the sight if you suffering. He tries to be strong for you, to not have you give in to the blackmail
‘okay clearly you don’t care enough’ the man says as he pauses his assault on tim. ‘who is this one anyhow’ he asks as tim too spits some blood, his face now too puffy and bruised.
‘no one important. The local supermarket delivery guy. He was just dropping my food delivery’ you lie through your teeth
Tim knows you are saying that to protect him, to not have them use him as leverage more than they are already doing, but it hurts anyhow
‘no one important? Hum. There are quite a few pictures of this delivery guy around here’ the kidnapper says as his partner picks up and passes to him a photo of you and tim where you two are kissing
‘no way, this is your bitch?’ the man asks tim connecting the dots
‘don’t call her that’ tim replies his anger violent
‘tim’ you warn him, knowing his rage will only harm him
‘oh I see. You are her bitch’ the man says pointing at tim ‘this changes everything’ the man says to his partner laughing ‘if torture on her won’t work let’s see how she reacts when her man is the one being tortured’
The second kidnapper picks up the boiling hot knife he had been warming up and passes it to the leader who shows you the knife before going towards tim
‘don’t tell them anything’ tim tells you dead serious ‘I can handle it. I promise’
The kidnapper burns tim and cuts him, when he breaks his leg you scream. Tim still tells you to not speak as you start to cry but remain silent.
‘I see. We have a fellow hero here’ the man mocks tim, now bloody almost as you
‘ I didn’t expect this to be this difficult. I will give you that. Okay now time to stop the games’ he says taking out a gun and pointing it to tim ‘speak or I put a bullet between his eyes’
‘y/n don’t tell him anything, I am just one person’ tim says trying to convince you. He is a cop his job is to protect people. His life counts less than the one of the undercover agents.
‘you choose y/n’ the man mocks you ‘300 agents or the man you love’
‘please-‘ you plead them. The man puts the gun on tim’s forehead
‘last chance’ he says as he charges the gun while tim mouths ‘I love you’ as he closes his eyes waiting for the inevitable end
‘okay okay I will tell you!’ you shout ‘But please let him go.’ You plead them
‘see? It wasn’t that difficult’ the man replies as he drops the gun from tim’s head
‘Let’s make a deal I will voluntary come with you, I will be a valuable hostage, but let him go. Please I beg you’ you continue. You don’t care what happens to you, you just want to save tim and the agents
‘y/n quit the crap don’t-‘ tim says as the man punches him to shut him up before laughing
‘the great y/n y/l/n the youngest director of Internal Security Special Unit and one of the top ranking National Defence officers is begging me? Wow. and all for him? a woman is a woman after all, he must fuck you well’ the guy mocks you, while the other laughs
Tim is boiling in rage at the blunt sexism and insults of the man in front of you. You don’t care anymore, you will do whatever it takes to get Tim out
‘please let him go’ you plead him again
‘nah. This is more fun. Speak now or never’ he tells you
‘don’t tell them’ tim says pleading you with his eyes
‘3 … 2 …’ the man starts counting the gun barrell at tim’s forehead. tim takes in your face for what he thinks will be his last time. He wants to take in every detail of you even if you are so bruised and broken, to him you are still the most beautiful person. As the man reaches two he closes his eyes
‘John Lawrence!’ you scream before he can count to one.
‘perfect. Here we go. See it was easy’ the kidnapper mocks you as tim opens his eyes in defeat, as you can’t bring yourself to look at him
You list all the people taking the longest time possible to hope they will come rescue. You want to buy time, knowing that when the list is done not only the agents will be dead but also you and tim.
Yet Inevitably the list comes to an end
‘thank you very much. Betraying your country and 300 people for one single man’
You keep your head low knowing you just sentenced to death 300 agents.
The man points the gun towards you ‘kill me but spare him please’ you say having given up on your fate but hoping you will still be able to save tim
Tim flinches in his seat at your plead. ‘she told you what you wanted let us go now’ tim says
‘and let you stop our operation? No way’
‘by the time they find us you will already have done it’ tim tries to make him reason
‘you know what? You are right. I will not kill you’ the man says as he turns
He shoots you in the stomach as tim screams your name and you can’t even cling to your stomach as your hands are tied ‘I will let you die of blood loss so that you can stare at his corpse knowing it is your fault’
He then points the gun to tim’s head
‘no! please!’ you shout
‘its okay sweatheart. I love-‘ tim says looking at you
As you hear the gun shot you close your eyes screaming but then you hear tim’s voice calling your name. you open your eyes as you see the SWAT entering the house and killing the two intruders before you pass out
-.-.-
Tim wakes up in a hospital bed, Lucy goes next to him in a second
‘tim! How are you?’ she asks him
‘y/n. where is y/n’ he asks frenetic looking around ‘tim…’ lucy tries
‘where is my wife!’ he shouts at his rookie. ‘next room but tim-‘ she tries, he doesn’t care he gets of the hospital bed falling down as he realizes that is leg is still broken after all
‘tim- you shouldn’t get up-‘ lucy tries to make him reason as she goes to help him
‘help me or leave!’ he says his eyes look like pure fire she nods as she helps him up and to walk next room where you are staying
Angela, who was sitting next to you, stands up seeing him ‘tim-‘
Tim freezes when he sees you. You are in a bed, more casts on your limbs that he can count. Your face is still swollen even if now is clear from the blood, tubes come and go out of you, one is even in your mouth.
‘y/n’ he sighs. Lucy and angela help him to the chair next to your bed. He sits down and takes your only non-casted hand in his
‘how is she?’ he asks them looking at your broken form, eyes lucid
Angela and lucy exchange a look before Angela speaks ‘the doctor said the situation was critical. Both her legs, her arms and one hand are broken. She had a concussion from the beating and lost a lot of blood, but the gun shot did not damage any major organ’
‘is she-‘ he is afraid to ask as the words die in his throat
‘yes she is in a coma. They are positive that she is going to wake up.’ Angela says
‘when‘ he asks as a knot forms in his throat
‘they don’t know‘ lucy replies as tim just nods never taking his eyes off you
‘the intruders?’ he asks now voice plain and cold
‘they were killed in the rescue operation. Any info they might have gotten never made it to their associates’ angela says, careful to not say or insinuate that you indeed told them something or in this case everything
‘they should have suffered more’ tim says as lucy and angela exchange a look
‘tim you should be resting. You have a broken leg and a minor concussion, and bruises and burns everywhere…’ lucy tries to make him reason
‘leave’ he only replies voice flat
‘tim…’ angela tries
‘leave!’ he shouts looking at them and they do leave. He turns again towards you worry and regret consuming him
He places your hand in both his as he kisses it before placing his forehead on it.
And for the first time in years tim bradford cries
PART 2
Tim Bradford master list in ‘Other Characters’ master list’
Pairing: Adam Karadec x fem!cop(analyst)!reader
Summary: You're touch starved and wishing to make friends in the LAPD, but you move divisions so often that it becomes difficult. While working with the Major Crimes unit, you find a solution to both problems.
Warnings: depiction of touch starvation, discussion of difficulty making friends, murder case, fluff, comfort, OOC Karadec
Word Count: 4.1k+ words
A/N: I love Karadec so much. Hope someone can enjoy this.🫶🏼
“Melon alert,” someone whispers as they rush past you.
You roll your eyes and turn to the next page of your report. Lieutenant Melon is annoying, but he has yet to request your direct assistance. That is one of the few benefits of being quiet and reserved in a Los Angeles Police station. It is, however, far outweighed by the downfalls. You’re lonely, and you want to make friends at work, even though you are quiet. Each time you meet someone you think could be a friend, you get moved to a new desk or a new division and have to start all over. Maybe, you think, I’m just not made to have friends.
You stand and stretch your arms over your head. The report on your desk must be signed by Melon, but he’s busy, so you walk down the hall to stretch your legs and get something from the break room.
“Sorry,” you apologize as your shoulder hits someone backing out of the elevator. It feels like the skin on your shoulder is on fire, and pain like pins and needles travels down your arm. This would have been a good indicator something was wrong if you hadn’t already known you were touch-starved. Shaking your arm, you see the large box in his arms and ask, “Do you need help with that?”
“Please,” he answers.
You slide your hands under the side opposite him, and he lowers it to rest between your chests.
“Thank you.”
“No problem. Detective Osman, right?”
He nods and somehow knows your name, too. You look around briefly as he leads you through the door into Major Crimes. This is one area you have not worked in, but you think you’d like it. The people in this division are kind when you see them in the station, and they do good work. Your gaze hits Detective Karadec, and you look away quickly, telling yourself it’s because you need to watch where you’re going.
“It’s too much,” he says, his shoulders moving up in a short shrug as he nods. Something about his body language disarms many people, but every time you see him, you’re drawn in by him.
Lieutenant Soto exits her office, pinching the bridge of her nose. Detective Osman sighs as he looks at her, then thanks you quietly. You smile and nod, then walk toward the door. Before you reach it, Soto calls your name. Turning slowly, you raise your brows and hold your hands against your stomach.
“Yes, ma’am?” you answer.
“You worked in the gang unit last year, correct?” she inquires.
“Yes, but only for a few months in the spring.”
“Are you familiar with the name…” she pauses to look at a sticky note in her hand, then says, “Victor Kwang?”
Nodding, you explain, “I did the paperwork for his arrest warrant, the affidavit, I mean, and some research into his accomplices and manufacturing.”
“Did you find the factory in Westlake?” a woman in a cheetah-print skirt asks.
“Excuse her,” Karadec interjects as he spins his chair to face you. “This is Morgan Gillory.”
You’ve heard about Morgan, or as Melon calls her, the cleaning lady, but if she already found Kwang’s Westlake factory, she’s better than you thought.
“I did,” you tell her. “It wasn’t operational at the time, but it was searched. Turned up practically nothing.”
“Okay,” Morgan drawls slowly. “It’s not in the report.”
Karadec watches how your brows pinch, and your eyes shift like you’re thinking.
“There’s another report,” he guesses.
“I only worked on one.”
He nods once before spinning his chair to use the computer. Opening the report they’re going on, he scrolls to the bottom of the first page to see who completed the report.
“It wasn’t this one,” he says, looking over his shoulder at Detective Daphne Forrester.
She raises her hands and says, “It’s the only one that came up when I typed in Victor Kwang.”
You focus on your memory of completing the report and ask Daphne, “Are most of his arrests for assault?”
“90%,” she replies.
“Wrong Victor Kwang,” you say. “When that case was open, there was a lot of.. discontent, I guess, in Koreatown. The DA said they had every right to be treated exactly the same here as in Korea.”
Karadec scoffs and shakes his head. You agree; it didn’t make sense, but you complied.
“So?” Osman asks.
“His arrest record and the reports from that investigation have his Korean name on it. Kwang Kyu. Surname first, given name, and everything we have on him is in that file.”
Soto raises her brows at Karadec, unseen by you. He looks between you and his lieutenant, then to Morgan.
“Who are you reporting to now?” Soto asks you.
“Lieutenant Melon,” you reply. Quieter, you add, “Technically.”
“I think it’s time for a change,” she muses before returning to her office.
“Did you do this whole report?” Daphne asks, looking up from her computer. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thanks,” you answer softly. Without Soto as a buffer and the contained topic of police work, you’re unsure how to talk to the detectives you’ve looked up to for so long.
Soto returns from her office and smiles as she instructs, “Pack up. You’re coming to Major Crimes.”
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Oz asks.
Soto looks away from the door that just closed behind you and levels her gaze on Karadec.
“I think she can help,” he states. “Morgan didn’t catch that the report was for the wrong guy.”
“You didn’t either,” she argues.
“Where does she usually work?” Daphne wonders aloud. “I see her around from time to time, but never in the same place twice.”
“She jumps around,” Soto explains.
“Why?” Oz adds. “Hard to work with? Trying to find where to use a golden ticket?”
“She’s good,” Karadec answers. “She can do close to everything. Chief decided to pass around the talent.”
“And how do you know that?” Soto challenges, her brows raised knowingly.
He looks at her from the corner of his eyes, then shakes his head.
“If Kwang opened a factory in Westlake, he probably did it to get away from the suspicions about what he was doing in Koreatown,” Morgan muses. “His factories form a parallelogram with an overlaid pyramid. When you look at those on a map, they center around one place.”
“Being?” Karadec presses, sounding more tired than he had with you.
She moves closer to the caseboard and examines the map briefly. “Hotel Normandie.”
“Koreatown?” Daphne clarifies.
“Yep. 605 Normandie Avenue.”
“And what is that supposed to tell us?” Karadec sighs.
“I…” Morgan purses her lips to trace her nail along the map.
“You’re missing another shape,” you point out as you return with a small tote bag of your things.
Soto’s eyes widen, and she presses her lips together to hide her smile. You’ve been here for less than five minutes, and you’re providing information Morgan can’t. They all know it’s because of how long you spent studying Victor Kwang, but it’s still interesting to see.
“Hotel Normandie is one of Kwang’s favorite spots. It’s less than thirty minutes from the Hollywood Bowl, Griffith Observatory, LA County Museum of Art, Natural History Museum, and Dodger Stadium. That’s a-“
“Pentagram,” Morgan finishes. “He could get around to all of them and back to the hotel in 2 hours without traffic.”
“Add Forest Lawn,” you add, setting your bag on an empty chair. “And you’ve got a hexagon.”
Karadec stands at the word hexagon, and you wonder what they’re working on.
“DB was called in this morning,” he tells you as he slides his cell phone and a bottle of hand sanitizer into his pocket. “It was found at the corner of Wilshire and Crenshaw. There was a note in the vic’s pocket with the name Victor Kwang written repeatedly. The note was folded into a hexagon.”
“And that intersection is in Kwang’s criminal hexagon,” Morgan adds.
“The victim had his visa,” Daphne says as if she’s reading your mind to answer your questions. “ID’ed him as Chang Shirong. Came in from China four months ago, so he likely would have been traveling back within the next few weeks.”
“Six months. He had a B-1 visa?” you realize incredulously. “What business activities was he conducting?”
“I’ve got that,” Oz interjects, holding an open file. “He had a relatively legitimate clothing business and was negotiating contracts with Lids and Fanatics.”
“How long ago did he get approved for the visa?” Morgan asks.
“Five years ago,” Daphne answers.
You fall silent and listen, happy to stay here and complete their paperwork while they go out in the field and put Kwang back in jail. Provided that he’s found guilty, of course.
“When was Kwang released after the sweatshop factory fiasco?” Karadec asks, though his gaze strays to you.
“Five-and-a-half years ago,” Oz reads. “Could have easily gotten in with Chang to move operations overseas.”
“The Government Accountability Office would’ve had Kwang on a short leash,” Soto states. “If Kwang broke that kind of labor law, he wouldn’t have been able to conduct business of any type, not for a while at least.”
“Not necessarily,” Morgan counters, raising her finger.
“Here we go,” Karadec murmurs, holding his fist against his chin.
“AB633 holds California garment manufacturers responsible for sweatshop conditions. It ensures workers are paid minimum wage and overtime. Because of that, the Labor Commissioner can bring lawsuits on behalf of the whole workforce to guarantee wages and – this is the important part – revoke the registration of the manufacturer that fails to pay a wage award. They up new registration fees, but can't legally keep someone from reopening a business based only on wage crimes.”
“Sounds like you need to look into the sweatshops,” Soto says before telling everyone where to go.
You pull a chair to Daphne’s desk to help her trace Kwang since his release from prison, and she smiles as she whispers, “Teach me your ways.”
You send her a small smile and immediately decide that you want to be friends with Daphne Forrester. The longer you sit beside her and across from Oz, the easier it is to open up and offer your ideas and theories.
“Oz,” Morgan calls as she returns a few hours after leaving. “Karadec needs you to throw a phone book at someone.”
“We still don’t do that,” he replies as he exits the office.
“What are we working on?” Morgan asks as she takes Oz’s chair.
“We found Kwang’s quote ‘professional’ activities since leaving prison,” Daphne explains.
“Any theories?”
“I don’t have any.” Daphne gestures toward you as she adds, “This one has some great ones.”
“Lay ‘em on me,” Morgan requests. “Unless you don’t want to.”
“You must be a very good mom,” you murmur.
“I have a teenager,” she says, “I know the signs of someone not wanting to talk to me. I also notice when someone’s eyes wander to a certain detective.”
“Karadec?!” Daphne exclaims, tapping her hand against your arm and igniting invisible flames beneath your sleeve.
You drop your head and wring your fingers together. “I think Kwang met someone in prison who could set him up with an overseas businessman. Your victim flew in on a visitor’s visa a week before Kwang was released and stayed for nearly two months. If they met then, Chang had a reason to get a business visa and make regular trips to visit his business partner.”
“Any idea who could’ve known both of them?” Morgan wonders.
“That’s where we found the hiccup,” Daphne answers.
You have an idea, but it doesn’t make sense, so you stay quiet. Morgan and Daphne look at you, then at each other. Morgan nods before she stands.
“You’re coming to my house for dinner,” she says. “It wasn’t an invitation or a question, you’re coming. Let’s go.”
Daphne nods and tells you to have a good night, so you follow Morgan out of the station. While you walk into the parking lot, she slows and looks toward you.
“You like Karadec,” she begins. “When you’re not incredibly focused, your eyes stray to him. It happens when you’re not confident in your statements, too.”
“I- he-“ you try before deciding to say, “Sorry.”
“Oh, don’t be. I notice a lot, and I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. Maybe you should try to just talk to him tomorrow, share one of those good ideas you kept to yourself today.”
“I thought that was your job.”
Morgan smiles. “If it gets Karadec to smile, I’ll relinquish my duty to you for a day.”
“Why would that make him smile?”
“You can figure that out, detective.”
Morgan begins walking again, and as she opens her car door, you call, “I’m not a detective!”
The following morning, you enter the station early with a mental list of names and information to look into. Walking into Major Crimes, you’re not entirely surprised to see Karadec already at his desk.
“You’re early,” he muses. “You can use Oz’s desk.”
“Thanks.” You lower into Oz’s seat and use your station login to access the police database.
“Help yourself,” he offers, gesturing to a donut box.
You smile and take one of your favorites. If you had to guess, you never would have assumed that Karadec was the one who brought the donuts every week. Maybe they take turns, you think.
As you work quietly beside Karadec, you run through each idea you have. Each search that fails to provide a helpful result discourages you more than the last.
“Pass me the Kwang file?” Karadec requests.
His fingers brush against yours as he takes the extended file. He thanks you, but you don’t hear it as your nerves alight. You try to hide the pain in your hand as you place it back on the keyboard. Failing to remember the last time you were hugged or even simply touched in a way that lets you know someone cared about you, you force yourself to focus. Your hand curls into a fist as the pain subsides, and then you return to work.
With your focus on the lack of touch you’ve experienced recently, you don’t notice Karadec watching you. He’s known since before you joined their team that there is more to you than people think.
As the rest of Major Crimes begins arriving, you log out and pull a chair to the corner of Daphne’s desk to continue working with her. Karadec tries to focus, but when you are close, he finds it hard to do.
“Good morning,” Morgan greets, sitting beside you. She lowers her voice to remind you, “Talk to Karadec.”
“All of my ideas turned up nothing,” you explain softly.
“And?” Oz asks as he approaches the other side of Daphne’s desk.
“She likes Karadec,” Morgan replies.
Your eyes widen as you look over at her. Daphne stifles a laugh, and Oz shrugs as if that isn’t new information.
“Yeah, yeah,” Morgan murmurs. “Et tu, good report maker. Seriously, tell him something. You have more ideas; I can see it.”
“Any new theories?” Karadec asks, turning his seat to face Daphne’s crowded desk.
“I think the order of the hexagon was wrong,” you blurt out.
“Why would the order matter?” Oz inquires.
Karadec watches you, listening carefully. Morgan smiles and shakes her head knowingly before she winks at Daphne.
“If the route matters, then traffic, travel times, and when the places are actual targets changes.”
“Targets?” Karadec repeats.
“I assumed you were evaluating the places based on their proximity to his former sweatshops,” you explain. “So, he could use them as alibis, to recruit workers, or in this case, to lure Chang into his previous enterprise to undermine Chang’s business.”
“Like a sightseeing tour for bad guys,” Oz translates.
“Alternatively, they were on their way to one of these places and Chang dropped some news about taking a larger profit margin or something, Kwang was outraged and killed him.”
“In which case, he’d want to get another shop up and running ASAP,” Morgan comments.
“Let’s run with that theory,” Karadec decides. “We’ll split up and check the different points on the hexagon. Use Kwang’s previous warehouses for ideas about where he’d be holed up or operating a new factory.”
“Someone from Immigration is here with Chang’s visa information,” Soto says.
“I got it,” Oz offers. “Go find this guy.”
“I’ll go with Daphne,” Morgan announces.
“Okay,” Karadec agrees, standing. “Which direction do we go?”
“Hotel Normandie faces east,” you answer. “Most people turn right when leaving a building, so he’d be pretty likely to go South. The art museum would either be first or last because it’s west of the hotel.”
“We’ll take the southern locations starting with the Natural History Museum. Then we’ll hit Dodger Stadium and go around. Daphne and Morgan, go west to the art museum then north toward Griffith Observatory. Overlapping visits should double our chances.”
“Yeah, that’s not how percentage of chance works,” Morgan replies. “I’ll explain it later.”
“Oh, good,” Karadec deadpans.
“So…” Karadec begins as he drives toward the natural history museum. “What did you want to do when you joined the department?”
“At first, I didn’t know. Then I realized I wanted to become a detective,” you answer. “I think it’s too late for that.”
“Never know. What made you decide?”
“A lot of detectives worth looking up to. Including you.”
You realize what you said and chew the inside of your bottom lip as you wait for Karadec to say something. Anything.
“Thank you,” he says after a moment. “Although you had better options.”
“I didn’t know Daphne yet,” you joke, pulling a rare smile from him. “Hey, slow down. That building should be condemned.”
Karadec slows as he steers the car onto the gravel shoulder. He watches the shadows moving in the covered windows and radios for backup.
“ETA two minutes,” dispatch replies.
“Uh, Karadec?” you interrupt.
“Yeah?”
“Door just opened.”
You watch Victor Kwang exit the warehouse in an expensive suit. He notices the car and then runs along the side of the building. You don’t hesitate to exit Karadec’s car and chase him, ignoring Karadec’s yells for you to wait.
As you round the western side of the warehouse, you speed up and push off your right foot to tackle Victor Kwang. He grunts as he lands in the dirt, and you pant through your recitation of his Miranda rights. Karadec approaches behind you and passes you a pair of handcuffs.
“Maybe we should let you carry those next time,” he says. “Is that your car, Mr. Kwang?”
“Lawyer,” Kwang replies as you turn him to make him sit up.
“In that case, I’ll go ahead and get it towed to the station in violation of California Vehicle Code 22500,” Karadec says, pulling his phone from his pocket.
You look at the car and smile. “Section f: A person shall not stop or park on a portion of a sidewalk.”
“It’s my sidewalk!” Kwang argues as sirens approach the front of the building.
“It’s the city’s sidewalk,” Karadec says. He takes your place and pulls Kwang’s arm to make him stand. “So, we’ll be searching your illegally parked car when it arrives at the station.”
After an officer takes Kwang, you take a deep breath.
“Are you okay?” Karadec checks, laying his hand on your shoulder.
Your muscles tense, pulling into a tight knot before immediately releasing to be more relaxed than before Karadec touched you. He feels every movement and realizes by the movement that you are devastatingly touch-starved. Karadec does not like touching things or people, you’ve noticed, but you’re both acutely aware of how well his hand fits on you.
“I’m okay,” you answer quietly.
The moment ends abruptly when Karadec’s phone rings. He removes his hand from your shoulder to answer Daphne’s call, but his warmth lingers as you follow him back to the car.
After Kwang confesses to receive a plea deal and offers up the international crime matchmaker who introduced him to Chang, you return home. Your hand raises to your shoulder, where Karadec touched you. Now that the case is closed, you’ll likely be transferred out of Major Crimes again and lose the four people you think you could have been friends with. Again.
Someone knocks on your door, and you approach it quietly to look through the peephole. Sighing, you open the door and silently invite Karadec into your home.
“Is everything okay?” you ask. “Soto told me I could finish the reports in the morning.”
“No, that’s fine,” he replies, looking briefly around your living room before bending back slightly with his hands in his pockets. “I… I think I can help you.”
Your mouth opens, but you take a moment to find the right words. “Do you mean that the other way? Can I help you again?”
“No, no,” he answers with a smile. “Can I just show you?”
“Sure,” you say slowly.
Adam pulls his hands from his pockets as he steps toward you. You inhale quickly at his proximity, and when his hands raise, you hold your breath. Tensing your muscles as Karadec lays his hands on your waist, you swallow. His thumbs brush wide arcs between your ribs as your body relaxes at his touch.
“Oh,” you realize under your breath.
“You said you looked up to me as a detective. I admire you as a lot more than that.”
The initial pain of his touch fades, and you seem to melt beneath his hands. If you’re going to react like this, Karadec thinks, he may never take his hands off you.
“I thought you didn’t like touching things with germs,” you remember.
“Found an exception.”
Karadec smiles as you argue, “Soto won’t like that.”
One of his hands slides from your waist and catches your hand. You instinctively try to pull away because it hurts, but he holds you tighter, drops his smile, and whispers, “It’s okay.”
You nod and shift your hands to interlace your fingers with his.
“If you want help with this,” he murmurs, brushing his thumb across your knuckles. “I’m here. But you tell me when to stop.”
“Why?” you inquire.
Karadec doesn’t answer, and you admit, “I have feelings for you. Like… feelings. I understand if that makes you feel different and you don’t want me close anymore.”
“Feelings?” he repeats, using the tone you used the second time. “Should it make me feel different?”
Your brows furrow and Karadec returns both hands to your waist.
“It doesn’t,” he assures you, dropping his hands.
“There’s hand sanitizer in my bag, behind you,” you offer.
“Soto sent me over to tell you she wants you in Major Crimes full-time,” Karadec interjects. “It’s up to you, though.”
“Would that… Do you care if I say yes?”
“I’m not going to answer that.”
“You’re not really helping me here.”
He nods in a small circular movement which tells you he doesn’t care about that. His smile, however, makes you smile.
“I have wanted to be a detective for a long time,” you muse.
“Anyone you’d be leaving behind in the other divisions?”
“Oh, yeah,” you answer sarcastically. “I’m just swimming in friends, hence the extreme touch starvation.”
“Give Soto your answer in the morning,” he requests. “I’ll see you there?”
“Of course.”
You watch Karadec leave, and when you wrap your arms around your waist, nothing happens. No pain, no pins or needles, just warmth and the memory of Karadec's touch.
When Karadec enters Major Crimes the morning after visiting you, you’re nowhere to be seen.
“Daph!” he calls. “Where is she?”
“Morgan?” she clarifies.
“She’s finishing paperwork,” Oz answers. “Transfer papers, I’d guess.”
“I need signatures,” Soto says, exiting her office.
“Beautiful,” Daphne whispers as she signs your completed report.
“Yes, it is,” Karadec agrees, though his eyes are up, watching you enter the office with a smile.
“Where’d the grumpy persona go?” you whisper as you place a donut box on your new desk.
“I’d guess wherever he left it last night,” Soto answers, looking between you.
Morgan enters, spouting theories about another case but stops when she sees you. “I told you! You just had to stop pretending you couldn’t do it.”
“Hey,” Daphne calls, pointing at you with a sprinkled donut. “No ‘will they, won’t they,’ okay? Do it or don’t, but I can’t watch my friends dance around each other.”
“We’re friends?” you repeat.
“Duh.”
“So…” Morgan begins. “Are you okay with a group hug or do you need some more time?”
You look at Karadec, who shrugs, and then you nod. As you’re wrapped in warmth and care by your new friends – and Karadec, who you hope can be more than a friend – you realize that you finally found where you belong, and you’re not pretending anymore. You can do this. You can do the job, the friendships, and the openness.
Pairing: David 'Deacon' Kay x fem!neighbor!reader
Summary: Deacon's son Sam loves giving you temporary tattoos. When Deacon comes home to find you with a full sleeve of them, he admits he could get used to seeing you like this.
Warnings/Word Count: 1.6k+ words of fluff (in which Deac flirts a lot)
Masterlist Directory | Deacon Kay Masterlist | Request Info/Fandom List
You step out of the car and sigh. It’s been a long day; you’re tired, stressed, and want to decompress. Before you move toward your door, someone calls your name.
“Sam!” you reply, smiling brightly as you lower to hug him.
“I brought you something,” he mumbles, reaching into his pockets.
“I wonder what it is,” you muse lightly. “Can you give me a hint?”
“No!” he exclaims with a laugh.
After another round of checking his pockets, he withdraws a small square of white cardstock with a plastic film over it. The temporary tattoos have become an inside joke between you and Samuel Kay. Since you did his dad Deacon a favor several months ago and babysat the boys and Lila while he embarked on a late-night raid, you’ve been the happy recipient of more tattoos than you can count. You’ve borne firetrucks, robots, planets, and animals on your skin. Deacon saw the first one, but you’re not sure if he knows that his son enjoys giving you tattoos nearly as much as he enjoys receiving them himself.
“Sam!” Deacon calls, walking into your yard. “What did I tell you about speaking to ladies?”
“Right,” Sam says, pinching his brows as he stands up straighter. “How are you today?”
“I’m doing well, Mr. Kay, thank you. How are you?”
“Better when I give tattoos,” he answers honestly.
Deacon shakes his head, and you thank Sam for the dog tattoo he gives you.
“How are you, older Mr. Kay?” you ask Deacon.
Sam looks between you and his dad, then returns to his brother and sister. You watch him go, smiling at his joy.
“Better when I see you,” Deacon answers.
“You’re teaching your children to be flirts, you know that, right?”
Deacon shrugs. “I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything.”
“My team was invited to an event the mayor is hosting. It’s tomorrow night and my usual babysitters aren’t available on such short notice.”
“I can absolutely watch the kids for you,” you offer. “As long as I can order them pizza.”
“Pizza!” Matthew shouts.
“They’d love that,” Deacon says, shaking his head. “Thank you. I can pay you or find another way to thank you.”
“Flirt,” you exclaim softly.
“You’ve done a lot for us,” Deacon explains. “Made this transition to single parenting easier. I appreciate it more than you know.”
“You deserve it all and more, Deacon. I’ll see you tomorrow, what time?”
“5?”
“See you at 5,” you promise. “Thanks, Sam!” you call. “Hi, Lila, hey, Matthew!”
They stop playing long enough to wave, and as you walk into your home with the smile only Deacon can bring you, you wonder if Deacon has any idea that you are the lucky one in this arrangement.
“Uncle Luca got it for me,” Sam explains after his dad leaves.
You’d had trouble speaking to Deacon before his teammate Street picked him up. With his form-fitting dark suit on, he’d been more attractive than usual, and your eyes and brain were working overtime.
“Very cool,” you tell Sam, looking at the oversized tattoo booklet with him. “Which one do you want to do first?”
Sam hums as he flips the page, and you stifle a laugh when you realize that he’s acting exactly like Deacon. He reaches a page of tattoos that are all pink and purple. He hesitates, then looks at your arm.
“Can I give you some?” Sam asks.
You shrug before you answer, “Sure. Whatever you want, bud.”
While Deacon regrets leaving you and his kids when he could have stayed home or brought you, you realize that giving Sam permission to do whatever he wants might not have been your best idea.
Deacon’s tie is loosened at his neck when he enters his home. The time with his team was enjoyable, but the night felt long, and he was distracted. By you, even though you were miles away.
“Hello?” Deacon calls softly. “Anyone home?”
“In here!” Lila replies.
Deacon smiles as he follows her voice to the living room. You’re lying on the center cushion of the couch with Sam asleep against your side, Lila lying across your legs, and Matthew fighting to stay awake as he watches an animated movie play on the television screen.
“Thank you,” Deacon whispers.
Half an hour later, he’s carried his children to bed, tucked them in, and wished them goodnight. You’ve straightened up the small mess you made during dinner when he returns to the kitchen. The urge to wrap his arms around your waist and hold you tight startles Deacon, but he realizes quickly that he should’ve seen it coming.
“We had a lot of fun,” you tell Deacon. “Thanks for letting me hang out with my favorite neighbors.”
Deacon smiles, dipping his chin in a way that makes your heart flutter. He pauses, tipping his head to the side as he looks at your arm. Reminiscent of an intrigued puppy, he gently reaches for your arm and lifts it in front of you.
“Nice sleeve,” he muses after a moment.
You laugh at his teasing, unconsciously leaning against him as he traces his fingers beneath a few tattoos, his touch featherlight yet addictive and enlivening.
“I like it,” you whisper, looking into his eyes.
Deacon trails his fingers down your arm, then links his fingers in yours to hold your hand.
“How was the thing with the mayor?” you whisper.
“Something was missing,” Deacon admits, using your joined hands to guide you closer.
“You’re jealous of my sweet tats,” you joke softly. “They would look good with your suit.”
Deacon nods, clearly not listening to you. He lifts his other hand to hold the back of your head before he tilts your head, gentle in his movements as he guides you into the perfect position.
“I could get used to it,” Deacon says.
“It?” you repeat, glancing down at his lips.
“Coming home to you, seeing you with my kids, watching Sam cover you in tattoos.”
“I could get used to it, too,” you whisper.
That’s all Deacon needs to hear, and he closes the distance between you. He holds you gently, lovingly, and reverently. Deacon makes the world around you disappear. In this moment, you know him and him alone. Then, he spreads his palm over your tattooed bicep and traces an already flaking mark that sends shivers down your spine.
Three months after Deacon first kissed you in his darkened kitchen, you find yourself against his side during a movie night. Samuel is drawing on your arm with skin-safe markers and a printed picture, but you’re not allowed to look until he’s finished because he wants to surprise you. Lila’s hair remains in braids after your girls’ lunch earlier today. This feels like home. Like you’re where you’re supposed to be.
“Looks good, Sam,” Deacon says, his chest moving against your back as he speaks.
“Can I look yet?” you request.
Sam caps a marker, then nods and bends your arm so you can see it. The flowers and shapes lining the top and bottom of your forearm are messy in the most perfect way, but it’s the handwritten note that catches your attention. Sam tried hard, and from how slowly he moved the marker along your skin, you know he was copying his dad’s handwriting.
“Thank you, Sam,” you say before you turn to face Deacon. “Yes,” you tell him, smiling brightly as you reach for him.
Deacon smiles, pleased by your answer to Sam’s tattooed ‘Will you be Daddy’s girlfriend?’ tattoo. “Nice sleeve,” he murmurs, pulling you against his chest to kiss you.
“Which one?” Lila asks, holding up two temporary tattoos.
You point to the one on the right: two interlocked rings. Your arm has slowly become covered from your shoulder to your wrist. With less than thirty minutes until you walk down the aisle to marry Deacon, you already know his reaction will be great.
Lila takes your unmarked hand, and you smile as you look down at her. She looks adorable in her dress, and how she looks at you like she loves you and the life you’re creating for her with Deacon makes your heart thump harder in your chest.
“Can I call you Mom now?” she asks.
You fight the tears threatening to build in your eyes, unwilling to disturb your makeup. “If- if you want to, Lila, of course you can.”
“Thanks, Mom,” she says.
She skips toward the small table by your vanity table and takes a mint as if she didn’t just change your entire life with a single word. Luca knocks on your door and smiles at you before he tells you it’s time to take your place at the end of the aisle.
Deacon’s eyes are on you the moment you come into view. His gaze drops to your arm, but then he sees you. His eyes are watery when you reach the altar, and you shake your head as a warning not to cry.
“That’s my favorite sleeve yet,” Deacon tells you before the ceremony begins.
As your reception closes, and only your closest friends and family remain, you hold a sleeping Sam in your arms, and Deacon spins Lila around the dance floor. You're in your new life now, your family. If every moment feels half as perfect as this – temporary tattoo sleeve or you as you are – then you can never ask for anything more.
Bonus:
“So, what are you planning to do with your dress?” Deacon asks.
You look up from your phone, where you’d been scrolling through crafts to preserve your wedding decorations. “One side of my dress is covered with temporary tattoo stains,” you remind him. “I’m going to treasure that forever.”
“We can just give you new tattoos next time you want to ruin an outfit,” Deacon points out. “Or when we get back from the honeymoon, or when-“
“I get it,” you interrupt. “You like the sleeves.”
“Yeah, I do. But I love the girl under them.”
★Fics★
Thomas Troubles
→ Baby Thomas is causing trouble
Batmom giving birth
→ Damian not knowing why y/n’s baby is brown
Batmom Being Pregnant
→ pregnant batmom things
MILF STUFF
→Reactions to batmom being a milf
Winter Wonderland
→ winter at the manor
Keeping Up With Her Kids Love Lives 1 2
Strummin’ My Pain
→ Duke and Batmom jamming out
Songs that remind me of Black!Batmom and Bruce 1 2
T-Shirt and Hair Tied
→ Bruce just wants to fuck his wife in his t-shirt
Invited to the Cookout
→ Clark makes the mistake of putting raisins on the potato salad
The Key to Marriage w/ Bruce and Y/N Wayne
→ They sit down for an interview and discuss their marriage
Smile for the Camera
→ His wife wants to make a sex tape
For the man who has everything
→ Dick doesn’t know what to get Bruce for Christmas
Sense of normalcy
→ Batmom and Jason at four stages of his life
“Oh My God! My Parents are Swingers!”
→ Dick finds out about his parents’ extra-marital activities
Don’t Touch My Hair
→ Sometimes having black hair is stressful
Batmom Finding out about Damian
→ The bullshit Bruce be on
BHM
→ Black History Month in the Wayne Household
Winter Wonderland
→ Winter at Wayne Manor
In High School
→ a brief story of Y/N and Bruce in high school
In the Before Times
→ What Batmom did before getting with Bruce
My Baby Boy
→ Batmom finds out Jason is still alive
★Headcanons★
Batmom & the pets HCs
Batmom Dying HCs
Being Pregnant w/ Bruce’s Baby HCs
★Blurbs★
Vampire blurb
Batmom singing Megan Thee Stallion lyrics
Blurb #003
Blurb #005
Blurb #028
Batfam at a Cookout Blurb
Tiktoks about Black!Batmom
F My Baby Dad Blurb
Batmom Gets Pearls Blurb
Batmom Gets Mugged blurb
Juneteenth Blurb
Batmom and Bruce Working Out Blurb
Picture Day Blurb
Black Wife Effect Blurb
Batfam Sick Blurb
Mother’s Day Blurb
Black!Batmom Knitting
Binging Shows w/ Bruce
Bruce Missing a Phone Call
Jim Gordon Instigating Blurb
Elevator Blurb
Hot Mom Blurb
Black!Batmom & the Renaissance Tour
Batmom’s reaction to the Red Hood
Bruce is Dead in this One
Announcing the Twins Blurb
Birth of the Twins Blurb