Kagome45 - Kagome Ackerman

Unexpected Future: Andy Barber/Reader. (1/6)

Summary:As a single mother of a six-year-old, you decide to move out after realizing that his father, Ari Levinson, simply didn't have you both as a priority. In the twists and turns of life, you meet Andy Barber but your job makes things complicated, especially when you work with his son and see his ex-wife several times.

If you like, I would be so grateful if you reblog or comments to interact ( I love to share your thoughts) Also, let me know if you wanna be tagged on every chapter to be remembered.

You arrived four months ago in that town. You were delighted, totally content with how nice people they could be, yet your greatest contact had been with other parents from Mason's school and no more than meetings you felt compelled to go to.

And it was definitely clear to you that the six-year-old was much more sociable than you, you could tell, but he had also helped you to be a little more open to others.

You worked as a psychologist, and you had an office in your house, which also allowed you to have the presence of Mason, who, fortunately for you, was also a calm kid. So, in a three-by-three room, you attended while a door separated you from Mason who used to watch TV.

One morning, ready to drop Mason off at school, you were surprised when the "captain" of the mothers' group interfered with you on your way to the car. You were startled, but seeing that there was no danger in her movement, you laughed and put your hand to your chest "Sorry to scare you" she spoke quickly.

"No, no, it's okay."

She nodded "Could I talk to you for a moment?" you looked at your watch, aware that the second patient of the day would be arriving in thirty minutes.

"Sure, tell me."

"You see... I'm Jacob Barber's mother."

You nodded with a smile "Nice to meet you, my son keeps saying he's a good friend" you remembered his name, Mason was talking about him. Laurie smiled sideways somewhat flattered, but you noticed the nervousness in her body. And there you noticed there was more to it than just an introduction. "How can I help you?" 

"Umh, you'll see," she had begun to ramble on about it, and you waited patiently. After all, you were assessing people's behavior too. "I heard you're a psychologist" you nodded and she let out a sigh "you see, Jacob's father and I divorced a year ago, things have been complicated. I think he might, I don't know, he's changing, changed his attitude" you nodded sympathetically "I was wondering if you could, I don't know, attend to him".

"Yeah sure" you assured taking your phone from your pocket and giving her a reassuring smile "Want to schedule a day?"

She seemed to let out the air nodding "Yes please."

You paused and looked at her "Before that, in the case of children, I usually work the first session with both parents present."

"Oh yes, yes of course," she nodded quickly as if anything you could say would be in agreement. And you scheduled it for Friday afternoon. 

Before you got home, you passed by the coffee shop you went to every day. You walked in and to your surprise, this time it wasn't quite as usual. "I'm telling you, Sam. Every afternoon I have her calling me for the slightest thing the kid does. Do you know how stressful that can be?" you walked up to the counter, seeing that man talking to the man on the other side of the counter. He had his coffee in his hands, but you saw how totally stressed he was as he scratched his chin with his free hand. You saw how his suit covered his shirt, but you were even more surprised by the way his chest was heavily marked with the shirt. "That he spends all day running, he's a kid! He's supposed to do that, let him get dirty if he wants to, I'd be worried if he didn't!" 

You agreed with him, but just smiled at the older lady who approached already knowing you at your recurrence there "Hi honey, what can I help you with today?" 

You saw the letter and fiddled with your mouth "I'll let you surprise me today" you assured and felt the silence come over the room. As you opened your wallet, you felt the voice of the man on the other side of the bar "You're five minutes late this time, girl, I thought you weren't coming today" you laughed, looking at him but you caught yourself in the gaze of both men. The younger one, the one with the coffee in his hand, must have circled in his early thirties and had been left with his gaze fixed on you. You gave him a friendly smile, but seeing how his light blue eyes were resting on you deeply.

"Yeah, work" you shrugged taking out the ticket "I hope that doesn't make you give me an ugly coffee, huh".

"The Italian is exquisite" the man's deep voice made you look at him. "It has cinnamon, and cream" he clarified shaking his head. You thought about it and nodded to look back at the woman who had not yet placed your order.

"So it can be an Italian one?"

"Sure sweetheart" she smiled as she turned to prepare the cappuccino.

"Have you forgotten about your ex-wife already, then Andy?" you sensed the older man's jest at the bar, emphasizing the name. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw him turn his head towards the man, opening his mouth slightly: "The day she stops blowing everything out of proportion with the kid, there will be peace" his voice was now gentler. 

"Here honey, have a nice day" you smiled at the woman and your cheeks dimpled. 

"Likewise" you shook your head waving to the three there to walk towards the door.

"What's her name?" you sensed the man's question, his voice totally relaxed, and you didn't avoid blushing but continued toward your vehicle.

By the time you parked at your house, you passed by the mailbox and sighed when you saw the letter: the one you hadn't opened but knew it said.

"Hey, you know, things aren't easy around here. I probably won't be able to come back to see Mason as I promised. Could you tell him I love him? I'll be back to see him in a few months. Thanks for letting me know you have moved. I'll come straight there as soon as I can.

I am truly sorry,

Ari."

You chuckled as you walked in and closed the door and felt the wad of bills in the envelope. He was an idiot, a real idiot. Four months ago you had written to him and only now you got a reply. He didn't even justify himself, knowing you weren't going to give a shit what he said anyway. Idiot. Idiot. It had been six months since he'd seen your son and you, and all you got was the money he sent monthly from his boss, rarely directly. 

It had been about two years since you had officially broken up with him, but sometimes you think from the first moment you never went out: yes, the letters were very romantic, the sex on the way back was sweet, but things really weren't planned for you to get pregnant in the middle of your studies with 22 and the only support you had had was money. FUCKING IDIOT. 

For the next two days, every time you walked into the cafeteria, he was there again. Andy. He didn't even introduce himself, but you could see his eyes on you like knives. This time, when you arrived, they served you coffee without waiting for you to ask.

"Surprise coffee, I like it" you nodded as you opened your wallet.

"No honey, it's already paid for" you saw her confused and quickly turned your gaze to the man, who made a smile and nodded.

"A mocha," he assured.

"Thank you very much, Andy" you shook your head with a slight smile, making it clear that you already knew his name. You watched as the two coffee shop owners isolated themselves from each other as if leaving an empty space. "For the recommendations and your coffee."

He nodded, and you could really see how he didn't usually do those things, but he didn't seem so self-conscious, or at least he was confident with the moves. And with what little you knew about him, you sensed it wasn't the first time he'd done it, but knowing he was divorced, you assumed it was some time ago.

"Just to be clear, it's not stalkerish of me, is it?" you raised an eyebrow and he laughed "I mean if it's not something just mine."

You nodded, positioning yourself in front of him to push aside the arriving customers. "You're not a stalker, nor is it any of your imagination."

"So I have a green pass?"

You grimaced "Just don't keep buying me coffee every day because I'm going to get used to it."

"Noted" he assured.

"I have to go, but... my pleasure" you nodded turning around with a smile, as he shook his head. And when your back was turned, you let out a breath as your cheeks turned pink.

... 

You were in the living room, eating with Mason. "Mom, isn't Dad coming back?" you saw the six-year-old stop eating.

You grimaced "Your father is not in the country yet, and will be in a couple of months."

"What if he doesn't know where we are?"

"I sent him where we live now, honey. But you know how your father lives" the boy shrugged and you took his hand across the table. "Mason, in a little while your friend Jacob is coming" he widened his eyes but you clarified "however, he's coming to talk to me like other people. So, I need you to behave yourself. He's not coming to play games with you. If you want, one day we can talk to his parents to let him come."

"It's okay, Mom" by the time he finished his plate, you stood up and kissed your head before starting to gather the table, something the little guy helped with. 

After that, while you were tidying up the room, you smiled as you heard the sound of records playing. You peeked out to see Mason kneeling as he placed the record on the turntable. You bit your lip as the music began to play, and inevitably you couldn't think of Ari: it was his turntable, he used them, and now, Mason seemed to have the power of them.

The doorbell rang and you looked at Mason, who looked at you quickly. You gave him a warning look and he turned the music down slightly, to the limit you had set for him every time you waited on someone. You nodded in agreement and adjusted your jacket and jeans to walk to the door.

Kiss me once. FUCK. Then, kiss me twice. SHIT.

You took a breath as you saw the three of them in front of you. "Hello, Miss Levinson" you opened your mouth slightly at Ari's last name spoken by Laurie. 

You smiled, avoiding contact with Andy who seemed to fall into the same account "That's... not my last name "you clarified sympathetically and opened the door, running your hands over your jeans "Please, come in".

"Excuse me" spoke the woman.

"Hello, Mason" Jacob's voice passing in front of his mother, only made you look at Andy who opened his eyes at you. You cleared your throat closed the door and watched as Jacob hugged Mason. You approached the boy. The boy. That was the only priority you had. "Wow, what a cool thing to play music on" Jacob walked over to the record player. "This is what you told me is your dad's?"

Mason nodded "Yes, but he doesn't use it anymore."

You approached the children "Hi Jacob, how are you?" you introduced yourself and stretched out your hand, he kindly shook it. You smiled. You were professional. You just had to ignore Andy. 

"I know who you are, you're Mason's mother" you nodded with a smile. 

"How about joining me for a bit?" you asked holding out your hand. 

"Can't I play with Mason?" asked the confused child.

"No honey, let's-"you looked up at Laurie, who was interrupted when Andy lightly bumped her elbow and shook his head at you. She rounded her eyes.

Andy. His complaint to the wife. Laurie overprotective. Divorce. S-H-I-T.

"First with me, then I'll let you play with Jacob for a bit" you assured and the boy took your hand, nodding. Andy looked at Mason, who was with his toy aware that he couldn't intervene in my work, no matter how much of a friend he was. "Please, parents, join me" you invited seeing Laurie and avoiding Andy's gaze.

"Sure" she assured, taking her purse in front of her and following you, Andy trailing behind. He closed the door when the four of them were left in the room. 

"Jacob, do you mind if you sit in this chair?" the boy nodded as he did so, leaving the remoteness of his parents but in turn them sitting on the couch, keeping their distance. "Both can help themselves to tea or coffee" you offered pointing to the table in front of them, and nothing else. 

In cases of children, you always evaluated the environment, the behavior of the parents, and not only the child: many times everything comes from the same root.

You walked to sit next to Jacob and looked at the clock, sitting in the chair across from Jacob, both of you at a table. You opened a notebook "Well, Jacob. I know who you are, but I don't really know much about you" you looked at the boy who was watching the whole room.

"Where is that?" he asked pointing to a painting. You turned to see the painting in the room.

"Jacob" Laurie spoke and your pencil went to the notebook. Andy asked her not to speak, you also went to the notebook. You didn't even look directly at the adults, you just went back to the child.

"That's in Ethiopia, Africa. Pretty far from here."

The boy opened his mouth, nodding "Mason told me his dad is in Africa, did you go?"

"No, I never have, would you like to go?"

"It looks like a very nice place" he nodded.

"What do you like most about that image?"

"That sea" he pointed out and you exchanged your gaze between the little boy and the image. It was usual for people to focus on it, for some reason, there was something special that you didn't end up discovering but you could always take advantage of that.

"It's a river, but it looks endless, don't you think?" he nodded "Well, that's a very important river. Maybe someday I can tell you the story" and even though he nodded again, he didn't take his eyes off the picture. Mason used to do that. When the office was empty, he would lie down on the couch and look at the picture just to remember his father. 

"Your job makes you a good person, but a shitty father, Ari" you smiled slightly at the somewhat painful memory.

"So, Jacob...how are you doing in school?"

Forty minutes, and what you were sure of was that this child had no communication problem whatsoever. But you also noticed Laurie's constant intervention, no matter how much Andy asked her to be quiet. And he... he had his eyes on you every time you talked to the boy.

"What are you doing this weekend, Jacob?" you asked passing another written sheet from your notebook.

"Dad said he's taking me to eat at a place that sells lots of burgers and fries, and we're going to a park."

"Nothing too healthy, clearly" laughed Laurie looking at you, but you really didn't see her for more than two seconds without wiping your smile. 

"Please, that's enough" Andy asked wearily. "Stop commenting on everything."

"I'm not doing anything, Andy."

You watched as Jacob wrinkled his nose, following through with a drawing you had asked him to do: specifically the family. "Excuse me, could you step outside for a moment?" you saw them both, totally surprised by your request. 

"Sure" nodded Andy opening the door and letting Laurie go through first.

As the door closed, you looked at Jacob "I'm going to grab my cell phone for a second while you finish that drawing" you quickly opened the cameras to see as Mason sat gathering, as the two adults stood in the doorway, talking to each other, clearly you didn't expect it to be in peace. "Now, tell me, Jacob, do your parents always grumble with each other?"

The boy shook his head "Not so much now because daddy doesn't live at home anymore. It's okay that, he told me that things are going to be calmer for me and that love doesn't change, it just makes it easier. That it's divorce stuff."

"And do you know what a divorce is?"

"Dad told me it's like a puzzle, that little by little you put the pieces together" you frowned but nodded, encouraging him to talk "It's like it's your favorite puzzle, that you want weapons very badly, and that you put pieces together little by little, and that the divorce is like a piece of the puzzle that doesn't fit. It's not that the whole puzzle is wrong, it's just that the piece is from another puzzle and that we don't have to make it fit because otherwise, we might break other pieces, but just take it out of the puzzle." 

You twisted your head, thinking about that "So...you'd be a piece of that puzzle?"

"Dad says I'm the most important, and that although he loves Mom, she's just not part of his puzzle, just as Mom is with Dad."

"And tell you something really crazy?" he nodded. "You have your own puzzle, and your parents are two different pieces that are very important to you."

"But they always end up fighting."

"Yeah but... some pieces are a little bit hard to get to come together. Like sometimes they swell up or they're a little bit worn. But that they are from the puzzle. And what your dad told you is valid, but that doesn't mean that they're not in your puzzle."

He nodded and moved his mouth slightly "So it's okay that they don't love each other anymore?"

"I'm not saying they don't love each other. I think they do, but they are adults and everyone has their own puzzle."

Jacob laughed and you looked at him "Like mint mousse ice cream. Iugh" he shook his head and you laughed at that.

"I never tried it."

"Don't do it" you smiled at the child. 

On the other side of the door, Andy stood with one hand on his head "Laurie, stay quiet" he asked, watching the woman walk in circles. However, every now and then he would glance at the foreign child.

"What if he has something?"

"Laurie, there's a boy up ahead" spoke Any looking at the boy, who was humming a new song as he painted, lying on the floor.

"Yes, exactly, Andy" Laurie approached Andy almost in a whisper "Look at him, he's still. Our son can't do it."

Andy took a breath rubbing his eyes. "You're unbelieve" the door opened and they both turned their heads, watching Jacob happily walk out with a cookie. 

"Jacob agreed to stay here for a bit with Mason while you guys went in."

And when they both sat back down, you arranged the pencils Jacob had used. You were really watching the patience of both of them: Laurie was shaking her knee and Andy was holding his hand to his face, tired of her it seemed. You also noticed how he was still in his office clothes.

You exchanged a glance with him, and all you saw was a pity. You made a slight comforting smile as he sat you down across from them.

"Well, I can tell you that Jacob is a good kid. He is healthy, has an amazing mind, and is extremely intelligent" Andy looked at you, making an obvious expression but you looked at Laurie, who was waiting for you to continue. You denied "I can't really make any diagnosis to a child from sitting in front of him for 1 hour because it wouldn't be fair. If I can tell you that he doesn't present anything that should alarm anyone." 

"So he doesn't have anything? What do you call that thing that..." she snapped her fingers and you looked at her sympathetically: "Adhd" she nodded at your words and you denied "Again, I can't give you the diagnosis of life through sixty minutes, but he doesn't present any symptoms either. He's a child, they all express themselves differently."

"Ready, don't look for anything more from Jacob, please" requested Andy "He's a boy."

"However" your words caught both of them "yes you should work on home, family environments, the dealings between you" both looked at each other "Work together when it comes to Jacob, on par, and avoid friction in front of him."

"So that would be it?" you looked at Andy who was confused. It really seemed more attractive to you to see him as a father, but you had to erase that from your head.

"Well, I'm a psychologist, which implies that my diagnoses or anything that comes out of me require a process. It's never wrong to carry a therapeutic balance at any stage, but that's if you think it's necessary or you want that."

"But is it for something?" you looked at Laurie and her nervous profile only made you remember Andy's words. 

"The question is not that, Laurie. The question would be whether we want her to accompany Jacob through the process of our divorce."

"But we're already divorced" this one blurted out and Andy opened his mouth, throwing himself backward on the couch and looked at you denying it, making it clear he was over it.

"Sure, but it's still a process of change towards the child."

"Could that help you at all now?" asked Laurie.

"Well, I'm not saying you need it but it can provide balance."

Laurie attacked with questions and you just wiggled your eyebrows, trying to hold it all in. Andy sat back down, resting his hands on his legs and taking a breath, interrupting her, "Laurie, Laurie, please, listen for a second" he asked and the woman looked at him "Are you more at ease bringing Jacob here? We're bringing him. There's nothing wrong with him, but stop looking for things. We'll just bring him in so the boy can express himself to her in case something happens."

"I think that would be good" nodded this one and Andy nodded, relieved to come to an agreement. 

"Is that okay?" 

You nodded "It's your decision. If you want we can set a weekly or bi-weekly time, whichever you prefer."

"Weekly" assured Andy "Can it be Fridays at this time?"

"Sure" you nodded, jotting in the notebook.

"And the payment?" the question from Laurie made you nod, taking one of the cards that contained the account number. Andy was the one who took it and nodded.

"Upon arrival I'll make sure the transfer arrives" you nodded, watching as they both stood up. Laurie reached out her hand and you squeezed it, then did the same for Andy. His squeeze was sincere and you just gave him a look to end the tingling in your stomach.

"Please go ahead" as you walked out into the living room, you saw Mason showing a photo album to Jacob. The children turned around. 

"Mom, someday can we invite Jacob home?"

"Sure, but you'd have to organize something ahead of time and only if his parents let him."

"Of course" nodded Andy as Jacob walked over to him. The older one put his hand on the boy's head, who was laughing with Mason. 

"Again, thank you very much."

"You are welcome. On the card is my contact also for anything" you watched as Mason and Jacob now hugged, as Laurie and Andy walked out the door. Laurie started walking and Andy seemed to wait for his son to come. 

"Hey I-" Andy's murmur made you look at him, you closed your eyes slightly denying "Thanks. That is" you saw him waiting for Jacob.

"Jacob, come on" Laurie's shout sounded from the other side.

Andy took a breath and looked at you " I want you to know that my idea didn't change" he whispered and Jacob ran to him.

You nodded"A pleasure, Mr. Barber" you closed the door, letting out a long sigh.

SHIT.

FUCK THIS COUNTRY

I don’t know

Why haven't I seen this before????

AND WHY ISN'T IT IN MY BEDROOM WALL???????

In My Heart 

Max Verstappen x Horner!Daughter!Reader

Christian Horner x daughter!reader 

Part 1 - Promise 

Warnings: FLUFFFFF (FYI Max is 26 reader is 22) 

Word count: 601 (sorry kinda short) 

I used google translate for the Dutch so sorry if it’s wrong. :)

Part 1 

<•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••>

You were walking side to side next to Max, looking at the beautiful colors and the beautiful mountains that surrounded you both. You have always wanted to visit Colorado, that's why Max took you over summer break. Max and you were talking, talking about life, just talking about random things that didn't relate to racing so you both could catch a break. Max was leading the way, you just followed him and told you that he had heard about this spot and wanted to take you. That's all that he told you, you had asked him questions trying to get him to answer but he wouldn't budge, he wasn't going to tell you answers no matter how hard you tried. 

Once you had finally got to where Max was leading you, you gasped. You gasped at the beauty of it all. The water that flowed with the land, the tall and mighty green trees that have been living for longer than you and Max, the beautiful mountains, some that still had snow near the top. You couldn't believe that Max had found such beauty. 

“Max, this is…. I can't believe that this is real.” You told him. 

He was behind you, his hands on your hips and his face leaning in to be next to yours. “Only for liefde” he whispered into your ear. 

You leaned back into his touch, one hand resting on your stomach and holding his hand, the other was lying comfortably at your side. “Maxie, I love you so much.” You said while looking up at him. 

He blushed slightly at the nickname, no matter how many times you would or will say it made him blush like a little kid and smile like an idiot in love. “Love you most.” He said while slightly pulling away. This was something he had always told you.  

There was a few minutes of almost perfect silence, you both enjoying the sounds of nature around you. The flow of the water, the leaves rustling in the wind, and the breathing of each other. You felt some moving behind you, you were confused so you turned around and saw that Max was down on one knee behind you. You gasped, tears filled your eyes. Your hands quickly came over your mouth. Max smiled up at you, the biggest smile you have ever seen. 

“Liefde, you have a place in my heart no one else ever could have. When I met you for the first time you were just an annoying 18 year old. "No hate liefde.” You had laughed at that, and you couldn't agree, when you first met Max you were pretty annoying. “But liefde you have taught me many things that I didn't know before. You taught me that if you can learn to hate, you can learn to love. You are the most beautiful person I have ever laid eyes on, inside and out. What I'm trying to say is that I want to spend the rest of my life with you, so y/n Horner will you please make me the luckiest person alive and marry me.” He asked, you could see his hand was shaking slightly, the way his eyes were starting to fill with tears. 

You couldn't say anything at first, so you nodded. “Yes, yes. I'll marry you.” You said. He quickly stood up and put the ring on your finger and kissed you. The kiss was filled with pure love and joy. You pulled away after a bit and rested your forehead on his. 

“ik hou het meest van jou.” You told him

I hope everyone enjoyed this!! Sorry it took me so long to get this done, I plan on making a part 3 to this. (That would most likely be the final part to this sires) I don't know when I plan on getting part 3 out. I hope everyone has a good morning/afternoon/evening!! It would be greatly appreciated if you like, comment and repost! Thanks - apollosdaydreams. :)

© 2023 on tumblr apollosdaydreams do not translate/remake/repost my works in any platform without authorized permission.

Life in SkyHaven w/ Self-Aware!Caleb

Who would've thought your first three days in SkyHaven would be like this? Actually you never even thought being in SkyHaven was possible yet here you are. Self-aware!Caleb x Emotionally-torn!Player A/N: Well part 3 is here. I thought Sylus would be first buuuuut you know what it's fine. pt. 1 ..... pt. 2

Three days have passed since Caleb left you in this fully furnished prison. His place was comfortable, but the atmosphere was cold. You found yourself counting the minutes which only made time tick by slower. He didn’t tell you exactly when he would be back, but you could estimate.

Should only be a few more hours before you get to see that handsome face of his. Also only a few more hours before you shove your foot so far up his ass he’ll be tasting nail polish for the next three months. You’re passed angry with this man — absolutely livid! Not only does he kidnap you and drug you, but he has the audacity to leave for three fucking days right after?

I’ll kill him.

He thought he was slick by setting up his guest room to perfectly resemble yours back home. Even down to the exact same books you had on your shelves. It’s almost like he’d perfectly planned this so you would be grateful that he took the time to get everything that you liked so you wouldn’t be upset about being stuck here.

What do I mean ‘almost’ that’s definitely what he did.

After the first night of sleeping in that imposter room you were so happy to wake up and see ‘your room’ that you actually believed the entire debacle was just a dream. Your joy was fleeting when you turned and saw those damn floor to ceiling windows. You could practically feel your soul shatter at the realization. That’s when you decided to sleep in Calebs room.

You woke up this morning in his bed as expected and sat up turning to stare out the window taking in the vast city of SkyHaven. A small ember of hope gnawed at you, but it was quickly pushed down. “Prepare for the worst and you won’t be disappointed….” You sighed, falling back into the plush pillows of Calebs bed. “I should get up” You’d hate to admit it, but damn was his bed comfortable if your stomach wasn’t growling you’d probably spend another few hours rotting in bed.

You wrapped the plush blanket around yourself and detoured to sit by the window for a little while. You sighed as you watched the everyday civilians below go about their day unbeknownst to them they had a foreigner watching their every move; trapped just a few stories above them wishing she could walk around freely like they do. In just three days you noticed a few patterns among them.

The sophisticated dark haired man who stops in the corner bakery every morning and sits alone.

The two teens running to catch the bus. How are they always late?

The old man who pushes his wheelchair bound — you assume wife — slowly through the park as he makes her giggle.

You kissed your teeth and slammed your fist against the window willing it to break, but your efforts were in vain. You glance over your shoulder to examine the mess you've left in Calebs room. Clothes strewn about making the room look like a tornado came through here. You hate that you find comfort by sleeping in his bed and since you can’t take it out on him the next best option was his room. You've left your mark everywhere disturbing the inhuman cleanliness he had. Could that be because he’s usually barely here? Possibly, but you don’t care it gives you a sense of power ruining his personal space.

However, his scent clings to his pillows and sheets lulling you to sleep. It feels like you’re being held in a loving embrace as you drift off into a lonely slumber. “I hate him so much, but I can’t deny that I do have feelings for that man” You mumble to no one, but yourself because who else is there to talk to? You stand throwing the blanket on the floor and head out of the room. “Doesn’t negate the fact that he’s fucked up for leaving me here”

Although you've kept yourself entertained while being here you can’t help, but miss home. You miss your friends, you miss your bed and you miss your fucking kitchen where you knew where shit was. Calebs kitchen is like a spaceship — three days and you still struggle to find anything in this bitch.

You went about your day as usual.

Eat breakfast….

Shower…..

Watch TV….

Read a book…..

Stare out the window…..

You find yourself jumping at any noise that passes by the front door. ‘Is he back early?’ ‘Is that him?’ then the sound fades and you’re left alone once again.

You curl up into your usual spot on the couch and crack open a book. The sun is starting to set now and you can’t help, but wonder if you'll have to spend another day here in this foreign place alone. SkyHaven truly is a sight to behold — you probably would have loved to explore and see what this place has to offer, but now you just want to go home. You can feel tears stinging the back of your eyes as you watch the sun dip below the horizon. Is he punishing me because I was mean to him? Should I have been nicer? At least the sunset is pretty.

You let your tears flow freely down your face — crying silently.

You turned on the lamp by the couch and tried to immerse back into your book, but you were interrupted by the sound of the front door unlocking. You quickly wiped your tears and tried to stifle your sniffling.

“Are you cryin'?” You had little time to react before you were smothered by Caleb in a tight, but gentle hug. “What happened?” He pulled back — wiping a stray tear from your already soaked cheek. You’re sure you look a mess in your current state and yet here he is looking at you like you're the most precious thing to ever exist. You reached a hand up slowly dragging your fingertips across his face just to make sure he was real. “I told you I'd be back in three days” He smiled as he nuzzled into the palm of your hand — giving it a chaste kiss.

“Caleb….” You felt some sense of relief having him in front of you again after three days of forced solitude. You graciously raised your hand and swung with everything in you — connecting with his cheek so hard it made your hand sting. For a lack of better words — you slapped the shit out of him.

Caleb who was previously sitting next to you on the couch was now sprawled on the floor rubbing his face. You stood over him — anger practically burning you alive “Why am I crying!?” The gall. The audacity. “I was kidnapped, drugged and then left to rot here while you were off with the Farspace Fleet finger poppin' each others assholes!”

Caleb looked up at you before dropping his head and chuckling silently to himself. “What’s so funny about that?” You pushed him onto his back with your foot trying to get a good look at his face. “You’re just very cute when you’re angry pipsqueak” Cute? He finds this all cute right now? Unbelievable. You turned on your heels and stormed out of the living room. You could hear his footsteps rapidly following behind you. Out of habit you stormed into his room and tried to slam the door behind you, but failed when Caleb was already there to catch the door with his foot. “Okay okay I’m sorry I'll explain myself”

You plopped down on the edge of the bed, crossing one leg over the other while gesturing for him to hurry up and start talking “It’s not like I can really go anywhere so go ahead” Caleb approached slowly — sinking to his knees and sitting back on his heels in front of you. Seeing him like this made your heart race and you did your best to remain composed. He stared up at you with those big amethyst eyes — they’re not helping your erratic heartbeat. “Did you trash my room because you’re mad at me?” His fingertips gently brushed your calf, giving you goosebumps, before settling on your knee. You swatted his hand away “Don’t touch me and stay focused”

Caleb chuckled as he ignored your demand and grabbed your foot proceeding to give you a foot massage. “For starters I didn’t drug you”

“Yes you di- ah!”

Caleb tickled your foot making your voice hitch “Your body didn’t respond well to the amount of g-force it took to get here which is why you slept for almost a full day when I got you here” A day? He uncrossed your leg so he could easily get to your other foot. “I imagine the shock you got from waking up here caused your adrenaline levels to spike and once you calmed down that adrenaline dump caused you to faint” The look in his eye seemed sincere, but you’d have to be naïve to believe him off rip. “I would never hurt you” He rested his chin on your thighs — those big amethyst eyes pleading with your angry ones. He actually looks like a puppy right now.

“You look like a kicked puppy” You deadpanned.

“You look gorgeous from this angle” He switched from a sad puppy to a lovesick puppy so fast it almost had your head spinning. “You’re always gorgeous though”

“You can’t sway me that easily Caleb” You shoved him by his forehead off your thigh and stood to your feet. “Even if you are telling the truth you still left me here for three days” You seethed “That’s fucked up and I didn’t appreciate it”

Caleb shifted so he was leaning with his back against the bed frame. “I had a routine patrol” His tone was even and relaxed like you were just supposed to be okay with that answer.

“So why not wait until after your patrol?” A familiar knot formed in your throat as you anger built up — no way you’re about to start crying right now. You swallowed hard and regained your composure. Caleb noticed the shaky breath you let out and it made something heavy settle in the pit of his stomach. He slowly got to his feet moving towards you. You stepped back wanting trying to keep him at arms length. “You deliberately brought me here and then left like it was nothing”

“Once I figured out how to bring you here why would I wait?” Calebs words were cold, but his voice was soft and his touch was even softer as he gripped your waist willing you to come closer. “I’m real now so we can be together according to your rules” You fought against his hold and repeatedly punched him in the chest. “I hate you so fucking much you lizard built bitch if you ever have no haters then I'm fucking dead” Part of you is hoping these hits are caving his chest in and the other part just wants to fall into him, but you’re so torn and it’s his fault.

By the time you calm down you realize your face is pressed into his chest. His arms are wrapped tightly around you and a gentle hand rubs your back. You hate to admit it, but being in this moment is the most comfort you've had in days. Nothing could stop the way you’re melting in his arms — fuck. “You can punch me a few more times if it will make you feel better” You want to, you really want to, but damn does being in his arms feel like a safe haven.

How can someone so unnerving be so comforting at the same time?

You sniffled and purposely rubbed your nose onto his uniform. Your last little bit of revenge on him. “I’m done I tired myself out”

The two of you stood there in an oddly comfortable silence. Caleb only held you tighter when you tried to slip away. He was the first to break the silence “Are you hungry? I can cook you something special” without looking at him you quietly nodded your head. Having a meal specially prepared for you sounded nice and you figured it’s a good way to have an actual conversation. “Since you so graciously got snot all over my uniform i’m going to shower and then get started on your dinner”

He turned on his heels, but not before placing the softest kiss on your forehead. It took everything in you not to recoil or tense up — you want him to think you trust him completely if you plan on getting any actual information out of him.

“I hate that your cooking is so good” You didn’t anticipate the fact that you’d end up scarfing down his food like a heathen when you agreed to have dinner with him. You didn’t even get to ask any of your questions. You wiped your mouth with a napkin and dropped it onto the plate, signaling to Caleb that you were full.

“You hate it, but you cleaned the plate” He snickered as he grabbed your plate and replaced it with a slice of warm apple pie topped with ice cream. Your mouth practically watered when the intoxicating aroma hit your nose. “Still have room for dessert?” You looked at him for the first time since you two sat down for dinner and the sudden movement shocked Caleb. You keep falling into this never ending loop of falling under this alluring spell of his whenever he’s close. The way his eyes sparkle when your gaze meets his shouldn’t have your heart racing, but here you are.

Memories of the kiss you two shared three days ago replay in your head and you find yourself hoping he closes the distance. “Well?”

“What?” You blinked rapidly.

“Do you still have room for dessert?”

You looked back down at the dish in front of you; you could tell it was going to be immaculate. “Of course there’s always room for dessert” You slid the bowl closer as Caleb moved around the table taking his seat next to you again. “I do have questions Caleb and I'm still mad at you”

“Then let’s go over each grievance one at a time pipsqueak” He pinched your nose making you swat his hand away. “You’re so cute”

You start dramatically scooting your chair away which probably is not helping your case, but who cares. “You need to take me seriously” You stabbed your spoon into the pie making sure to get a good apples to crust to ice cream ratio when suddenly Caleb drags your chair back to him — even closer than before.

Caleb: I’m listenin' You: How did you make a carbon copy of my room? Caleb: I could see it durin' our video chats You: Ok creepy … Did you put something in those flowers? Caleb: No you had a panic attack You: Do my friends and family know where I am? Caleb: I pulled some string with them don't worry You: That was incredibly vague what about my job? Caleb: Your job thinks you're on vacation which by the way thanks for lettin' your vacation time stack up you have enough time to be here for a month You: Im not staying for a month and don’t I need clearance to be here? Caleb: Of course that’s why you’re my Adjutant

You drew back in shock, choking on your food in the process “I’m what!?”

“My adjutant” Caleb so graciously repeated as if you actually didn’t hear him the first time. “No one will even dare to think about questioning you” He beamed at you while he spoke “See? I took care of everything”

“What if I don’t want to do that? I can walk out that door right now!”

“And go where?” His beaming smile shrunk into a cocky smirk. “How exactly do you plan on getting home?” His words were said with a smile, but the look in his eyes was cold. His demeanor sent shivers down your spine causing you to instinctively lean away. He must’ve seen the fear in your eyes because his gaze melted and nothing, but yearning pooled in those captivating eyes of his. “Let me make up for those three days”

“Caleb let me go” You whispered.

He cupped your face and caressed your cheeks with his thumbs “I’ll do anything, but that”

[3.5k] married life has perks that you hadn't ever imagined. and it came with duties you never considered to exist in a totally fake, accidental marriage with a three time world champion who was not what he seemed.

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.

As stupid as it sounded considering he had messaged his confirmation, you hadn’t actually expected Max to show up. At most, you expected the question for your address was just going to be him sending the McDonald’s to you with a note saying ‘just this once’.

So when someone knocked on the door a little past ten o’clock, you really weren’t expecting to find Max standing on the other side with a bright smile on his face and two bags full of groceries in his hands. 

You stood there, dumbfounded and blinking at the world champion in front of you. “You were serious.” 

His brows furrowed together slightly like you were the one being out of character. “Yeah, I was,” he said, waiting a few moments before he continued. “So, are you going to let me in or—”

“Oh, yeah!” You flashed him a shy smile as you stepped to the side, pulling the door open a little wider as he stepped into your apartment. You made a brief, noncommittal noise and muttered something about a kitchen in the direction you waved your hand, but Max walked in the right direction almost like he owned the place. 

Like he knew his way around your apartment with ease. 

The thought shouldn’t have pleased you as much as it did.

You glanced down at your attire with a frown, your cheeks burning at your chosen outfit but, in your defence, you really hadn’t expected Max—or anyone—to come over tonight. The shirt was an old one of your father’s you had stolen from his closet many years ago, the pyjama bottoms were from a Christmas set your family had got a couple of years ago and your hair was pushed back from your face in some messy hair-do that probably wasn’t the most flattering.

And definitely not the outfit you would have chosen if you knew Max was coming over. 

But you pushed down the urge to grab a hoodie or a blanket or anything else to cover yourself up, and instead made your way towards the kitchen. 

There was something oddly domestic about the sight: Max standing by the counters, emptying the contents of the bags as he murmured away to himself like he was accounting for what he actually bought. He was dressed in just a pair of grey sweatpants and a hoodie (a Red Bull one, unsurprisingly). His hair was messy, dishevelled even, like he hadn’t bothered to put any product in it today. 

You decided you preferred it much better like that.

“Are you okay with quesadillas?” 

You blinked, looking at Max with raised brows. “You can make quesadillas?” 

Max glanced at you over his shoulder, something quite like amusement shining in his eyes. “You say that like it’s a hard dish to make.” 

“I still burn toast,” you admitted with a shrug. “So anything that isn’t charred is impressive to me.”

Max snorted, almost like he thought you were joking. It was embarrassing that you weren’t, and almost impressive itself that you had managed to stay alive this long by yourself after you moved out of your mother’s house.

“Yes, I can make quesadillas,”  he said, finally answering your question as he began to move through the kitchen like he belonged. “It won’t take long, maybe thirty minutes at most.” 

“I may starve to death by then,” you whined, a playful tint to your words as you pulled yourself to sit up on the empty counter space on the opposite side of the kitchen from him. “McDonald’s would have been faster. And I would have eaten by now.”

Max turned to glare at you, his eyes narrowed. “You hadn’t eaten all day. I wasn’t going to let your first proper meal be McDonald’s.”

“And you said you wanted to be husband of the year,” you murmured, returning the glare and you could see his lips twitching upwards. “Plus, I was too busy to even attempt to cook for myself!” 

“Too busy to eat?” He questioned, not quite convinced. 

“I got wrapped up in my work,” you admitted, feeling your face burn as he watched you closely. You waited for him to get the same look on his face—the one your brothers’ or your mother always gave you—that screamed ‘I’m not mad, just disappointed’. But it never came. 

Much to your surprise—something Max had been doing consistently over the last few weeks—he looked intrigued, interested, fascinated. 

“What work was it?”

You told yourself it was a throwaway comment. That he was just being polite. 

“Are you trying to stall the fact you don’t actually know how to make quesadillas?” You teased, head tilted slightly to the side as Max smirked in response. 

“I can multitask,” he assured you. “I can listen and cook.”

“Max Verstappen? Being the listener instead of having people listen to him?” You let out an exaggerated gasp, placing a hand on your chest. “Now, that is just unheard of.”

Max rolled his eyes, though you didn’t see the fond action. 

“Maybe everyone else just isn’t interesting enough to listen to,” he stated simply as he began to work, collecting the vegetables he had chosen and taking them to sink to wash. 

You watched him closely. “And I am?”

“Always,” he said, flashing you a smile over his shoulder before his focus returned to the food.

Despite his offer, you changed the conversation to something that was…well, more of a two way conversation rather than you talking about yourself and your work uninterrupted. Though, you pushed down that kernel of something warm and fuzzy and kept it hidden safe, even if his words were just a polite offer covered in sweet words. 

Around forty minutes later, you sat beside the boy on the counter as you both happily ate your quesadillas, a bright smile on your face as he began to retell some old story about him and Charles back in the karting days. Once you had both finished, you took his empty plate and waved away his offer to wash the dishes as you assured him you had a dishwasher that did the job just fine. 

Your back was turned to him as you loaded all the dishes into the dishwasher, not seeing the way his eyes drifted to some papers hidden under a pile of magazines. 

“Did you do this?”

“Do what?”

“These drawings.” 

You froze for a moment before you turned around, finding Max spreading a few sheets across the counter. Your body burned in realisation when you noted they were some of your more recent designs, the ones that didn’t fit the pretty box your professors and teachers wanted, the ones that you liked to just draw for yourself in between projects.

“Those are nothing,” you waved him off, resisting the urge to rush over and snatch them from his hands like a mad woman. “Just silly, little—”

“They are amazing,” Max interrupted, the sincerity in his voice knocking the rest of the words from your throat. “Like, insanely good.” 

You put your focus back on cleaning up, trying to ignore the way your stomach twisted—almost pleasantly—at his words. You felt like you were moving in a trance as you cleaned down the counters and turned the dishwasher on before you made your way towards Max. 

His focus was still on the sketches, his eyes scanning every little detail like it was important for him to memorise it all. You don’t think anyone outside of your teachers had ever looked at your work with such…focus.

“They really are nothing,” you said to Max as you stood beside him, fingers tracing over the drawings like they were gentle strokes of a pencil. “Just some fun on the side.” 

“Charles mentioned you went to school for this. Fashion, no?” Max questioned, his brows furrowed together like he tried to remember the sliver of information he learnt about you years ago.

“Fashion designing and business management,” you said, letting out a sigh. “I love it, I do. It’s just…” 

His attention focused fully on you. “Just what?” 

“Constricting, I guess,” you admitted with a shrug of your shoulders. You turned to look at him, expecting judgement but there was nothing but understanding in his eyes. “I know in the long run these classes will help be but sometimes I just…”

“Want to do what you want?” Max finished, a small smile gracing his lips and it looked so pretty with his flushed cheeks. “I get the feeling.” 

“One too many team orders ignored?” You questioned, your voice light and teasing and you were glad when he laughed in response. 

“Something like that.” 

A few moments passed with neither one of you saying anything. It wasn’t silent, it never was in Monaco. There was still plenty of noise outside: cars revving, people laughing and cheering, the distant sound of music playing from some party who knows how many streets away. It was never quiet in Monaco, but there was something comforting about the blanket of outside noise when you were in your apartment with Max. 

“Come with me.” 

He had blurted the words out so suddenly that it took you a few seconds to realise what he said, what he was asking. You blinked once, then twice and still your brain was confused. 

“Come with you where?” 

He paused before his cheeks burned a light pink colour, like he realised he hadn’t given much explanation or context before he blurted the words out. He cleared his throat, his shoulders looking a little tense as he tried again.

“Come with me to the FIA ceremony,” he said and, if you didn’t know better, you would have sworn he was nervous. Max Verstappen—three time world champion—looked nervous. “I mean, you’re my wife and…stuff.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “And I want you there.”

Your lips parted in surprise, taking a few moments before the shock washed away and the questions started. “I—don’t you already have someone as your plus one?”

He looked a little embarrassed when he shook his head. “I honestly planned to go alone.” 

Your heart lurched a little at the idea. “Don’t you have to tell them in advance?” 

“I’d say a few days is enough,” he replied, a small smirk on his lips once again as realisation dawned on you.

“Oh my god.”

Max frowned a little. “What—”

“I only have a few days to find something to wear!” You hissed, your eyes widening as Max let out a loud, boisterous laugh. You slapped his arm, a wave of panic washing over you. “Max, this is serious! I have nothing!”

Max tried to fight his laughter. “It’s not that big of a deal, you don’t have to wear—”

“Yes, it is a big deal! It’s the official ceremony! I am the world champion’s date!” You said, looking at him like he had grown another head. “Oh my god, I am going to have to go shopping tomorrow.”

Max’s nose wrinkled. “Please tell me husband duties end at quesadillas and don’t extend to shopping trips.”

...

...

“When you said to come visit you in Monaco before heading home for the holidays, this isn’t what I had in mind.”

The curtain pulled back enough for you to poke your head out and glare at the blond sitting on the purple velvet futon. However, Logan just stared back at you with an absolutely bored expression on his face.

“You said you didn’t mind what we did,” you argued back.

“That was before we knew we would be sucked into dress shopping,” Oscar muttered under his breath, his focus on his phone screen. However, Logan quickly nudged his ribs with the point of his elbow and the Aussie let out a hiss as he snapped his head up. “What? We are, like, the two worst people you could have brought with you.”

“And it’s not fair Arthur got out of it,” Logan added with a pout.

“Who else could I have asked?” You retorted, looking between both boys with an expectant look. “Plus, I want to spend some time with my best friends before Christmas.” 

“I know you are only saying best friends to butter us up but I have to say it’s working for me,” Logan admitted with a sigh, ignoring the way Oscar rolled his eyes.

“Charles likes his fashion,” Oscar supplied lamely before frowning. “But not…good fashion.”

“Understatement of the century,” you snorted before pulling the curtain shut again and surveying the pile of dresses you had dragged into the dressing room less than an hour ago. This had been your fourth shop of the day and you still hadn’t found anything to wear for the FIA ceremony. “I don’t think he would have taken so kindly to me asking him which dress he thinks Max would think I look the hottest in.”

“And we would?” Oscar grumbled.

“Is he still pissed?” Logan asked, ignoring the Aussie before you poked your head out and took even longer to get through the dresses. “I thought he was playing nice at the dinner with Pascale.”

“He did,” you confirmed with a nod, even though they couldn’t see you as you frowned at the orange dress you had just slipped on. Definitely not the right shade. “But he has also been forwarding me divorce lawyers and articles on American Marriage Laws.” 

“Yikes,” the blond muttered. “He really hates the idea of you being married to Max.”

“He is an overprotective brother, he always has been.” You sighed as you glanced at yourself before shaking your head, moving onto the next dress which was an odd shade of moss green. “I think a part of him just blames himself for not stopping everything back in Vegas, so he feels the need to fix the mess now.” 

“Do you wish someone had stopped you?” Oscar asked, genuine curiosity lacing his voice.

You paused, unsure how to answer. 

“It’s not like you could have stopped her, grandpa, you were in bed before the sun had even set,” Logan snorted, breaking the few seconds of silence as you stared at yourself in the mirror. 

“And where were you?” Oscar retorted. “If you were up, why did you not stop her?”

“I was busy myself.”

“Doing what?”

“None of your business, Piastri.” 

“Out making your own mistakes?” 

“Excuse you—”

“God, maybe it was a mistake to bring the two of you,” you commented as the curtain was pulled open again, and you stood in the entryway of the dressing room. You looked at them, your hands on your hips and a grin on your face. “If I had to guess, I would have said the two of you got married in Vegas with the way you bicker.” 

Oscar rolled his eyes. “As if I would marry him.”

“Uh, people would love to marry me,” Logan frowned before his attention shifted to your dress, his nose scrunching up in disgust. “Yeah no, puke green looks good on no one. Next!”

...

...

“Holy shit.” 

With the FIA Ceremony being held in Baku, it meant that you and Max had to fly his jet out to Azerbaijan the day before. You hadn’t even thought about the logistics of the trip until after you had bought the dress and Max had sent you confirmation that Christian had managed to book an extra room at the hotel so you didn’t have to share with him. 

It was incredibly stupid for you to be so nervous about the whole event when it wasn’t even about you. Yet, Max looked the splitting image of calmness as he sat across from you in the plane, tapping away on his phone as he played some stupid game Lando had got him addicted to.

His nerves remained calm once you landed, his hand on the small of your back as he led you towards the car that was designated with taking you to the hotel. He was a gentleman all throughout dinner as he kept one arm around the back of your chair as he indulged in small talk with Christian and Checo. He even walked you to your hotel room door—though it was next door to his—and pressed a chaste kiss on your cheek and walked towards his room before you could even say anything. 

Max Verstappen, three-time world champion, was completely unfazed by the fact he was about to step in front of hundreds of cameras with his new wife.

You, however, were two steps away from shitting yourself. 

You had practically clung onto Oscar the next day, needing a sense of normalcy before you had to start getting ready. Though, in an annoyingly predictable turn of events, even Oscar wasn’t fazed by the upcoming ceremony and the award he was about to collect himself. If anything, he found your freakout to be highly entertaining before the boring trophy ceremony began. 

You had paced up and down the hotel room more times than you could count as you rushed around, desperately trying to look as put together and elegant as a last minute invite could. Your heart had been in your throat in the minutes leading up to Max knocking on the door. 

And for the first time, he didn’t look so sure of himself. 

Max stood on the other side of the door—a sight that made your heartbeat pathetically fast as the memory of him showing up the other night at your apartment came to mind—with a large bouquet of flowers in his hands. He was dressed in a suit, his hair styled to perfection, and yet there was a flush on his cheeks as he took in your appearance. 

“Good ‘holy shit’ or bad ‘holy shit’?” You teased, though you tried to cover up your own doubt as you glanced down at the floor-length red dress you had finally picked after dragging Oscar and Logan to seven different stores around Monaco. 

“Good,” he breathed out, his eyes glazed over like he was in a trance as he took you in. “Definitely good.”

You didn’t even try to hide your grin. “You aren’t mad that it’s Ferrari red?”

“You could have chosen any colour and I’d still consider myself lucky that you’re standing next to me,” Max admitted, something sounding in his voice that you couldn’t quite put your finger on. Before you could ponder for too long, the boy cleared his throat and quickly offered the bouquet to you. “I know a boring awards ceremony isn’t exactly an ideal first date but….here.”

You took the bouquet with a wide smile, leaning down to smell the flowers appreciatively before stepping back into the room to place them on your bedside table. “Thank you, Max, they are beautiful.”

“So are you,” he said it so quietly that you almost swore you made it up. 

You turned back to him, mouth open and ready to say something before you paused as you took him in, blinking in surprise. 

Max frowned. “What?” 

“Is that the same suit you wore last year?” 

Max glanced down at himself before shrugging. “Yeah, and the year before that. And the year before that. And—”

You blanched. “You wear the same suit every year?” 

“I don’t see why I need to get a new one every year,” Max argued back, clearing his throat a little. 

“Max, you’re a three-time world champion. You are going to collect your third world championship,” you continued as you walked back towards where he was standing. “You should be wearing something special to commemorate the day.”

“I won the championship weeks ago though,” he said, his brows furrowed together like he didn’t understand your point. “What’s the big deal about collecting a trophy?” 

“You made history this season,” you said to him, tilting your head slightly as though you were trying to size him up, trying to understand him. “You should be wearing something more special than a suit you’ve worn years in a row.” 

Max nodded like he understood what you meant but his lips twitched upwards in a smirk. “Next championship, you can design my suit then.”

You blinked once. And then again. 

“You would wear something I designed?” You asked, almost wincing at how soft your voice sounded when you spoke.

“Of course I would,” he said before he offered his arm for you to take. “You have a year, so you’ll have plenty of time to work on a good suit. One appropriate for a four-time world champion.”

You snorted, shaking your head. “And you’re so sure you’ll win next season?” 

“Oh, I know it, baby,” Max grinned back at you, and something about the way he smiled made him look so young and mischievous. “Maybe you can make one of your own designs for yourself as well. We could be matching.” 

“Maybe,” you said with a smile, letting the hotel door close behind you as you tried to pretend like your heart wasn’t thundering in your chest at his implication of doing this again.

...

liked by oscarpiastri, danielricciardo and 372,947 others

yourusername 3x world champion and great personal carrier. would 10/10 recommend this verstappen guy

view all 21,930 comments

maxverstappen1 the stairs were steep, you would have decked it

oscarpiastri you would have

yourusername i take my thank you back

user SHE WAS HIS DATE KWEBFKBEFJWEF

user omg this keeps getting better

user it's like a fanfic irl

user the tiktok povs could never

landonorris you are so-

yourusername what did i do now?

landonorris you told me you picked the papaya dress

yourusername i said that so you would shut up

landonorris your wife is bullying me maxverstappen1

maxverstappen1 good

user i can't believe this is real

user THE FACT SHE POSTED HIM WITH THE TROPHY TOO

user has anyone checked on charles?

arthur_leclerc he is currently breathing into a paper bag

user ARTHUR-

charles_leclerc i'm glad your loyalties still remain with ferrari

yourusername well it is RED bull so...

charles_leclerc i am blocking you

redbullracing our favourite wag!

charles_leclerc i am blocking you too

.

Always Come For You Pt. 1

Steve Rogers x Reader

Imagine on my fandom Instagram?: No

Prompt?: No

Request?: No

Requested prompt?: No

Edited: Yes

Word count: 5720

Ko-fi

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Warnings here (none yet... they will be coming soon)

You can listen to the story be read out loud here.

Post Date: August 22ed 2022

Post Time: 9:46 pm

Summary: Steve thought he’d lost both his best friends in the war, but he never expected seventy years later to find out that he’d ever get to see the two that mattered most to him again. First Bucky, now he’s told the reader is alive too? Will he ever get the chance to tell the reader how he feels or is all lost? Bucky came back, so why can’t you?

This was based off of a post I saw on @druiigg page now it is in no way shape or form taking anything from the work that was posted to their page, it just heavily inspired it. So thank you Enna for inspiring this.

This is the post that inspired this:

Please refrain from stealing our work, thank you and please enjoy!!!

Steve’s Pov: *Flashback* 

“War continues to ravage Europe, but help is on the way. Every able-bodied young man is lining up to serve his country. Even little Timmy is doing his part collecting scrap metal. Nice work Timmy!” The war ad before the movie plays. 

“Nobody cares!” A guy shouts out from the front of the theater. 

“Just play the movie!” he continues to shout as he throws his hand up. 

“Hey, show some respect, won’t you?” I whisper out to the guy and he goes quiet as the ad plays on. 

“Our brave boys are showing the axis that the price of our freedom is never too high.” The ad continues to play on with it now quiet. 

“Let’s go! Get on with it!” he yells out again and I get angry. 

“Hey, just start the cartoon!” he continues on as everyone just lets him. 

“Hey, you wanna shut up?” I yell at him on my last straw as I lean forward. 

“Together with allied forces, we’ll face any threat, no matter the size.” The ad plays on as the guy slowly stands up in front of me and glares at me. 

Before I know it, we’re outside and I’m getting a punch to the face. I get back up, but he’s bigger than me so he easily throws another punch, making me fall to the ground again. I get back up using the wall and grab the lid to the trash cans that are next to me. 

I hold the lid out like a shield, but he easily rips it from my hand and throws it to his side. He then turns back and throws another punch, making me stumble back against the wall. I stand back up and get into a fighting stance, ready to fight back. 

“You just don’t know when to give up, do you?” he asks as he throws his arms up before letting them drop back to his side. 

“I can do this all day,” I pant out as I get down, ready to fight him off. 

I take one swing at him, but he quickly blocks it before throwing another punch to the other side. I go flying back to the floor and hit the trash cans on my way down. 

“Hey!” I hear a familiar voice say as I take a moment, but I turn my head to see Bucky. 

“Pick on someone your own size,” Bucky tells the guy as he walks backwards. 

The guy then swings at Bucky and he dodges it before laying his own punch to the guy. I get up and lean over the trash, watching as Bucky kicks him in the butt and the guy goes running off. 

“Sometimes I think you like getting punched,” Bucky jokes as he walks over to me. 

“I had him on the ropes,” I responded as I flick my hand to get goop off of it. 

“How many times is this?” Bucky asks as he bends over and picks up my recently failed enlistment slip. 

“You're from Paramus now?” Bucky asks as he looks up from the slip and I don’t reply as I start to dust myself off. 

“You know it’s illegal to lie on the enlistment form?” he asks as he looks at me. 

“And seriously, Jersey?” he adds as I wipe at my nose before I finally look up at him to see him in uniform. 

“You get your orders?” I ask as I continue to wipe my hands. 

“The 107th. Sergeant James Barnes. Shipping out for England first thing tomorrow,” he affirms and I nod slowly. 

“I should be going,” I state as I look down and rub my hands together one last time. 

“Come on. Knucklehead,” Bucky chuckles out after a moment of silence before gripping my shoulder. 

“It’s my last night. Y/n’s gonna clean ya up,” Bucky explains as he keeps his arm around me and we head outside of the alley. 

“Why? Where are we going?” I ask as we continue to walk. 

“The future,” he replies as he hands me a newspaper. 

I look at it to see an ad for the world expansion of tomorrow. I shake my head and fold the paper back up before turning to him again. 

“Is y/n going?” I ask and he shakes his head. 

“Nope. I asked her. Said she had other plans. She’ll be leaving the house at maybe 6:30ish. Gives her time to help patch ya up,” Bucky explains as we start walking towards my house. 

“But didn’t she just get off work?” I ask and he nods. “Maybe we shouldn’t bother her then,” I add on and Bucky chuckles. 

“I know you don’t want to have her do it, but you know what she’ll say if I don’t bring you to her,” Bucky replies and I only nod in silent agreement. 

“Well, come on. Hussle, buddy, we’re meeting the girls at seven,” he explains as he puts his arm around my neck again and pushes me forward slightly. 

“What girls?” I ask him and he chuckles. 

“I may or may not have found us dames to hang around for the night,” he admits with a grin and I roll my eyes. 

We walked for quite a while before coming up to my mom's apartment. Instead of going to mine, Bucky knocks on the door across from us. We wait maybe five minutes before we hear y/n. 

“Coming just a minute!” she shouts before the door swings open. 

“Boys! Hi!” Y/n beams at us before her mouth falls into a frown as she looks at me over. 

“Oh Stevie, did you win another fight?” she asks and I shake my head no as I grin. 

“No. I lost again,” I uttered and she gave a ‘whatever’ motion with her hand. 

“Awe, I really thought you’d win this time. I guess there’s always next time, bubs,” she mused with a smile and Bucky scoffs. 

“Y/n, please don’t encourage it,” Bucky complains and y/n lets out a heavenly giggle. 

“Bucky. I’m not encouraging anything, but the fact he’ll win,” she remarks and he rolls his eyes exasperatedly. 

“That’s encouraging him to fight in the first place,” he remarks and she shrugs, making him roll his eyes. 

“Well, come on. Gotta get you fixed up for that date,” she affirms as she grabs my hand and starts to pull me to her bathroom. 

“Did ya at least get one punch in?” Y/n asks as she pushes me to sit on her toilet and starts to get her supplies she keeps for this exact reason. 

“No.. he blocked it,” I murmur and she just smile at me. 

“There’s always next time, bubs. I know you’ll get one in next time,” she reiterates what she said before. 

“I heard that! Stop encouraging him to fight, y/n!” Bucky shouts from her living room. 

“Oh! You heard no such thing!” she yells back before turning to me and putting a finger to her lips, telling me to be quiet. 

“I like your moxie, Steve. Keep it. Don’t ever lose it,” she tells me as she puts a hand on my cheek, rubbing it lightly before going back to cleaning my cuts. 

“Did he tell you he tried to enlist again? Under another alias?” Bucky asks as he comes into the bathroom and leans on the door watching as she cleans at my lip. 

“No. Steve? Did you?” she asks and I sigh before nodding. 

“Stevie. I know you want to help, but please don’t do that. You could get caught. Then where would I be after you go away for it? Stuck with this pain in the neck… no, I really don’t think I could handle that…” she deadpans, jabbing her thumb over her shoulder at him and I laugh when Bucky’s face falls. 

“Hey! I wouldn’t be so bad to be stuck with!” he proclaims, making me and y/n laugh. 

“Sorry to tell you, Buck… but it’d be absolute torture. I need Steve more than you…” she jokes and he scoffs before shaking his head. 

“Oh, stop being all in cahoots, you knuckleheads,” Bucky grumbles with a frown, making me and y/n laugh. 

“Awe, Buck, I’m just ragging on you. That’s all,” y/n professes with another giggle. 

“Ragging on me? No, no it doesn't work that way. I’m the one who’s always supposed to be ragging on you. Not the other way around,” Bucky explains and she giggles. 

“Buck, it’s way above my pay grade to not be ragging on you,” y/n jokes back and he just huffs as he crosses his arms. 

“Whatever you say, doll,” Bucky settled as he shook his head still leaned against the door frame. 

“They're all done. The dame that’s going out with you tonight is a real lucky girl, Stevie, treat her right tonight. You hear me?” she tells me as she pokes my chest and Bucky bursts out laughing. 

“Y/n, you're the only girl he’s ever really been around. With the way he treats you, doll, I really don’t think Steve could harm a soul,” Bucky bursts out and y/n rolls her eyes. 

“Every guy is capable of hurting someone at least once, Buck. Whether it be physically or mentally. Even our Steve is capable of it. I love Steve and you, but you're still men in the 40s,” she explains and Bucky rolls his eyes. 

“And you’ll always be our doll. I promise I’ll treat her well,” I agree with her and she smiles an almost sad, soft smile at me. 

“Good. Now get going, I gotta get ready,” she tells us as she pushes us towards the door. 

“Boys, wait…” she exclaims as Buck opens the door. 

We both turn around and before I know it, I’m being pulled into a bone-crushing hug. I hug her back, confused, but I hear her sniffle. 

“What’s wrong, y/n? Are you ok?” I ask her and she quickly nods. 

“I’m ok, Stevie,” she responds before squeezing me one last time. 

“I love you, ok. Just remember that,” she whispers in my ear before she fully pulls away and I arch an eyebrow when I see her eyes are rimmed red. 

“I love you too. You know I always will,” I tell her and she softly smiles at me. 

“Can you give me and Buck a minute, Steve?” she asks and I give her a thoughtful look. 

“Sure. I’ll be just outside,” I say, pointing over my shoulder. 

Y/n’s Pov: 

“Bucky. If I’m not here for when you leave tomorrow, promise me you’ll give this to Steve,” I tell Bucky as I hand him the fat envelope that I had put my letter and a few other things to Steve in. 

“What? What do you mean you won’t be here?” he asks and I shake my head. 

“I can’t tell you. Government stuff…” I explain and his eyes widen. 

“Your aunt…” Bucky gasps out and I nod. 

“It’s time I take her place. Don’t worry, I won’t be the only girl. What’s your station going to be?” I ask him and he shakes his head in disbelief. 

“No. You were supposed to stay here and be with Steve,” he fights back and I sigh. 

“That was the plan, Buck… but I didn’t predict my aunt being killed in action then me needing to go take her place. What is your station?” I ask again and he rubs his face in frustration. 

“The 107th…” he reluctantly tells me and I shrug. 

“At least we’ll be together. Best friends helping one another through war,” I joke, but tears fill my eyes and I start to shake. 

“I don’t want to leave him all alone, Bucky,” I mutter as my tears start to fall now. 

“Oh, doll. Come here.” Bucky pulls me into a hug. 

“Why don’t you just tell him? You told me. Then maybe he’ll understand,” Bucky tries to reason with me and I shake my head. 

“There’s nothing to understand, Buck. My aunt told Erskine herself that she wanted me and not my cousin. She knew that I’d handle it far better,” I explain and Bucky sighs. 

“I really wish you didn’t have to go,” Bucky sympathizes with me and I choke back a sob. 

“Me too, but I have no other choice,” I explain as I try to hold back another sob. 

“But if for some reason I die over there, you give him this,” I tell him as I hit my knuckle against the thick envelope. 

“I promise I will…” Bucky says before he’s hugging me again. 

“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then,” I state sadly and he nods. 

“Wait! I forgot to give you yours,” I exclaim before I rush back over to my desk to grab Bucky’s letter. 

“Just promise me, you’ll only read it if I don’t make it home,” I choke out as I hand it to him and he nods with sadness all over his face. 

“So I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then?” Bucky asks and I nod sadly. 

He gives me one last half-hearted smile before he shoves the letters into his jacket. I watch as he leaves my house and pats Steve on the back as they both walk off. Steve turns and gives me one last wave and I wave back as I lean against the door frame. 

I watch as they push each other back and forth until they're out of sight. I shake my head with a light smile before walking back into my house. I walk back into my room and see my suitcase half packed. 

I finish packing up my suitcase before sighing as a knock is sounded on the door. I walk out to the door and open it. 

“Dr. Erskine, hello,” I greet the older man in front of me. 

“Hello, dear. Are you ready to go? We need to make a stop by one of the recruitment buildings on our way out,” he explains and I nod as he holds out his hand before motioning for my suitcase. 

“Oh. Thank you. Just let me turn all the lights out,” I explain and he nods as he takes my suitcase for me. 

I walk back to my room and take one last look around at it. A tear falls down my cheek and I quickly wipe it away before sighing. I then turn off the light before walking back out to the living room and catching the rest of the lights off as I go. When all the lights are off, I walk out and turn around to lock the apartment door. 

After locking up, I turn around to see Erskine holding a car door open for me. I walk over and give him a light smile before getting into the car. He gets in next to me before telling the driver he can go. 

The driver drives for a while before coming up to a recruitment building. Erskine leans forward and talks with the driver for a moment before turning back to me. 

“Ok dear, the driver is going to take you to the plane where you’ll fly over with Howard Stark. I’ll see you tomorrow morning at camp,” he explains and I nod as I give him a light smile. 

“When you get to camp, you’ll be introduced to Miss Peggy Carter. She’ll share your tent with you as well as work alongside you. She’ll inform you more on your job once you get there,” he explains and I nod in understanding, making him smile. 

“Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow!” he reiterates as he gets out of the car. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Dr.,” I respond before the door closes. 

He waves at me and I wave back before the driver pulls the car out of its spot. I watch with my forehead against the window as the driver passes all the places I knew growing up. I let a few tears fall as I see the diner Steve would always take me to after nightmares. 

“Ma’am, are you ok?” The driver asks as he makes eye contact with me though the rear view mirror. 

“I’m fine. I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. I’m y/n,” I respond and he lightly smiles at me. 

“Edwin Jarvis Ma’am, but everyone just calls me Jarvis,” Edwin explains as he gives me a small nod. 

“Well it’s nice to meet you, Jarvis,” I tell him with a smile and he gives a nod. 

“It’s nice to meet you too, Miss y/n,” he responds with another smile. 

“I hear you’ll be flying over with Mr. Stark. Good luck. He’s a lot sometimes,” he explains with a chuckle as he shakes his head. 

“Do you work for him?” I ask and he nods his head. 

“Yes, I do. I’m his family’s butler. I’ve been with them since he was maybe five,” Jarvis explains with a proud smile. 

“Well I’m sure he appreciates you very much,” I comment with a smile and he smiles back. 

He continues to drive for a while before pulling up next to a plane. He gets out before coming around to open my door for me and I smile at him as I get out. I turn and look at the plane to see someone standing by the stairs. 

“That would be Mr. Stark. He just finished his futuristic show,” Jarvis explains as he pulls my suitcase out for me. 

“Thank you, Jarvis. I hope we get to meet again,” I tell him as I turn to him and he nods. 

“As do I, Miss y/n,” Jarvis replies before handing me my suitcase. 

A well put together man who looks around my age comes over to us. “Ahh, you must be y/n. Alacia’s niece, correct? I’m Howard. It’s nice to meet you, dear,” he says.

“Yeah, that’s me. I was hoping I’d never have to do this, but I wasn’t anticipating auntie Alacia dying,” I explain and he nods solemnly. 

“Well I am sorry to hear about poor Alacia, we were real good friends,” he explains and I give him a sad nod as we start to walk towards the plane. 

“I’m afraid I didn’t know her very well. She was already busy working with the government by the time my mama died,” I explain and he frowns, shaking his head. 

“Well she certainly knew about you, my dear. She was always showing me pictures of you growing up when your mother would send them to her. You were what mattered most to her, my dear,” he explains as he puts a hand on my shoulder and my eyes widen. 

“Really? Cause my mama said she didn’t want anything to do with me…” I mutter out and he shakes his head. 

“All a cover story, doll. She had to stay away to protect you,” he explains some more and I shake my head in disbelief, making us stop a few feet in front of the plane. 

“I don’t believe you,” I timidly squeak out and he holds up a finger. 

“Of course you wouldn’t, you're just like her, you know,” he informs me as he pulls what looks like a wallet out of his back pocket.  

“Here. She kept one just like it with her all the time,” he explains as he pulls something out of the wallet and holds a picture out to me. 

“What? How do you have a baby picture of me?” I ask in shock as I look at the picture of myself. 

“Your aunt…” he starts, but trails off as he gives a dismissive wave in the air. 

“She gave me one when I said how adorable you were one time. She had older photos of you, but I liked this one. You looked so young and cute with your hair all done up,” Howard explains and I feel a blush rise to my cheeks. 

“Thank you. It’s nice to hear I had family I didn’t know around. I always thought of myself as a stray cat after mama passed. I mean I had the boys, but I guess I had you and my auntie out there too,” I timidly explain and he grins. 

“You became part of the team dear, even while not being around. I started to think of you like a sister,” he continues to explain as I just hold the picture:

“Well I hope we can really get to know one another then,” I reply as I give the picture back to him. 

“Glad to hear it! I’m sure we will. Come on then, best be going,” he declares as he puts a hand on my back before starting to lead me to the plane. 

“Oh wait!” I shout out as I set my suitcase down before running over to Jarvis. 

“Bye, Jarvis. I’ll see you soon, ok?” I promise as I pull him into a hug and he smiles as he hugs me. 

“Ok, Miss. See you soon,” he agrees before pulling away from the hug. 

“Hopefully very soon,” I nod in agreement before taking a step back. 

I give him one last wave before fully turning around to see Howard now handing my suitcase over to someone. The person takes it from him and walks away, I can only assume it’s to put it away for the flight. With one last sigh I grab onto my locket that has both the boys in it before starting up the stairs of the plane.

~Time Skip~

“Morning dear. Time to wake up,” I hear as I open my eyes slowly. I see Howard standing over me with a smile. I rub at my eyes as I sit up and Howard sits back down in the seat in front of me. 

“Where are we exactly? Dr. Erskine didn’t exactly tell me where we’re going to be stationed,” I ask through a yawn and Howard lets out a chuckle. 

“Right now you and I are in Paris, but when we head to camp you’ll be at Camp Lehigh in New Jersey,” Howard explains as he gets up out of his seat. 

“Wait, why Paris?” I quickly ask and Howard’s eyebrows furrow. 

“Did Erskine tell you nothing?” Howard asks in an angered voice. 

“No. He did not. He said Peggy Carter would fill me in,” I explain and he sighs, shaking his head. 

“Damn, Dr. Always leaving me to do it all,” he mutters under his breath before standing straight. 

“We are here to get you your uniform and work gear,” he explains as he walks over to the wall before opening the door to a closet. 

“Here, put this dress on. Your first official job starts now,” he tells me as he throws me a nice navy colored dress:

“Ok…” I agree with slight confusion before walking into the bathroom.

Once I’m done changing, I look at myself in the mirror and sigh. I shift around, feeling uncomfortable in the dress, a dress I’d never normally wear. 

Oh what would Stevie say if he saw me now…

A knock on the door breaks me out of my thoughts and I crack the door open. Howard stands there with a wide smile on his face. 

“You look absolutely beautiful, doll. Here, put some makeup on. Maybe before we leave we can do what me and Peg always do when we’re out here,” he declares as he holds a small bag out to me. 

“Well, thank you. I’ve only ever been called beautiful by two other people,” I bite my lip as I explain and blush a little before walking back into the bathroom leaving the door open as I apply the makeup he gave me. 

“Never had a beau then, I take it?” he asks and I shake my head. 

“No. I have, just none of them were really anything real. It was more just because, ya know?” I try to explain but fail and he laughs. 

“Ahh, so you got boyfriends to get over another boy, am I correct?” he asks with a raised eyebrow at me as I finish up and zip up the bag before walking back out. 

“Yes, ok…” I reluctantly agree and he smiles. 

“Well, what’s his name?” he asks and I chuckle as he eggs me on. 

“His name is Steve. We grew up together. Me, Steve, and our friend Bucky, well actually his name is James Buchanan Barnes, but we’ve always called him Bucky,” I explain and he smiles wide. 

“Well doll, why haven’t you tried anything with him?” he asks and I shrug. 

“I don’t think he’d like me like that. Now, what’s the job?” I ask and he grins, standing up. 

“You're not getting out of this that easily. We’ll continue this conversation later. Anyway, my plan for us to do what me and Peggy do when we come out here works into the plan,” he tells me as he puts a hand on the small of my back and leads me out of the plane. 

“Ok. What are we doing?” I ask as we now start down the stairs of the plane. 

“We’ll be having fondue while gathering information! It’ll be perfect!” he excitedly explains and I raise an eyebrow at him. 

“One, what is fondue, and second, who are we getting information on?” I ask and he gasps like a school girl getting dirty information. 

“You’ve never had fondue?!” he asks and I giggle, shaking my head no. 

“Well, then let's go quickly! You must have some fondue!” he shouts as he holds the door to the awaiting car open for me. 

“Ok. I guess I’m having fondue,” I reply with a giggle before he’s closing the door and running around to get in himself. 

“Trust me. You’ll love it,” he promises before he leans forward to tell the driver to drive. 

The driver starts to drive and before I know it, he’s pulling up to a nice looking restaurant. I smile as Howard gets out and opens my door for me before holding an arm out to me. 

“Play along. We have to look like a couple out having fun,” he whispers into my ear as I grab onto his arm and walk with him. 

“Of course, dear,” I agree though a giggle and he smiles. 

“You're a natural at this. No wonder your aunt named you instead of your cousin. I’ve met her, she wouldn’t be able to just blend in the way you are, dear,” he beams with a bright smile. 

“She is a little bland sometimes…” I agree and he throws his head back laughing. 

“This friendship is starting out very well, my dear,” he states as he pulls my chair out for me. 

“Yes. I would say it most definitely is, Howard. Thank you,” I agree as I take a seat in the chair. 

I pull my chair in as he takes a seat across from me. A waitress comes up to the table and Howard speaks with her in French. When they're done talking, the waitress walks off and he turns to me with a grin. 

“So, where is this fondue you speak so highly of?” I ask as I look over the menu before realizing I can’t read it. 

“Don’t worry, I’ve already ordered it. She’ll be back with it and to take our drink order shortly,” Howard explains and I sigh. 

“Thank you. I wouldn’t have been able to even read the menu,” I respond and he smiles as he shrugs. 

“Well, you don’t have to worry about that. You’ll be learning French and so much more through this job,” he informs me and I nod. 

“Do you have any other languages under your belt?” he asks and I nod proudly. 

“One summer, my mamma thought it’d be good for me to learn something new, so she had me learn Italian,” I mention with a proud smile and he nods. 

“That probably was more your aunt than your mamma, dear,” he comments and my eyes widen in shock. 

“What do you mean more my auntie than my mamma?” I ask and he sighs as he takes a moment. 

“I mean your aunt most likely wanted you to know at least one other language before coming into the job. So she probably hinted at it to your mother,” he explains and I’m at a loss for words. 

“She… she…” I choke out and he places a hand on mine. 

“She really did love you, dear girl. She just couldn’t be there with you,” he spoke softly as he gave my hand a squeeze. 

“I just always thought she hated me. Learning she loved me from afar is just hard to believe, but you’ve truly made me believe it,” I explain as I wipe at a tear and he smiles softly at me. 

“Well my dear, you have me now and I’m sure you’ll have Peggy too after you meet her. She doesn’t exactly do what you and I do, but she helps out when she can,” he tells me and he smiles one last smile at me before the fondue comes to our table. 

“What would you like to drink?” he asks me as the waitress sets down the breadsticks along with sliced apples and a bowl. 

“Oh. Just water for me,” I affirm and he nods before talking to the waitress. 

“Well, are you going to try it?!” he asks with a raised eyebrow as the waitress walks away. 

“Of course I am. You didn’t even give me a chance to!” I joke and he chuckles, shaking his head before holding his hand out over the food. 

I grab a breadstick and tear it in two before dipping it into the bowl. After dipping it, I hold my hand under it as I move it up to my mouth and take a bite. The flavors mix together in my mouth amazingly and I let out a light moan at the taste. 

After I’m done chewing, I look up at Howard who’s smirking at me. I roll my eyes before dabbing my napkin around my mouth. 

“My, you weren’t kidding. That stuff is amazing,” I declare and Howard chuckles. 

“See, stick with me doll and you’ll try many new things,” he states with a wink and I giggle lightly. 

“Me and Pegs come almost weekly, just so we can get away from everything,” he explains and I nod in understanding. 

“Well I hope to join you in some of your getaways,” I note and he smiles as the waitress brings our drinks and sets them down. 

“Of course you can, my dear! It’ll be the three of us fonduing!” he proclaims and my face twists up in disdain. 

“Yeah, maybe we don’t call it that,” I inform and he chuckles. 

“Why ever not! It could be our code name for it,” he responds and I roll my eyes before giggling. 

“Ok, Howard, fonduing it is,” I reluctantly agree and he grins. 

“Perfect! It’s settled!” he beams and I nod as I pick up another breadstick to break in half. 

We continue to eat as Howard carefully watches a guy across the room. Soon all the fondue is gone and Howard is standing from his chair. 

“Come now, darling, our job here is done,” he tells me and I get up. 

“Really? But all we did was sit here and eat fondue,” I muse as he puts his hand on my back. 

“All you did was eat fondue. I, on the other hand, surveillanced who we needed to. Even got pictures of him,” Howard explains as he leads me to the car. 

“Wha- how…?” I ask in shock and Howard chuckles. 

“This is what you will get good at my dear, but in due time. For now I want your first real job to be a success,” he tells me as he opens the car door and lets me in first before getting in himself. 

“To the plane, Jarvis!” he declares and the driver turns around. 

“Of course, sir. Hello, Miss y/n, nice to see you again,” Jarvis responds with a smile before turning to me. 

“Good to see you too, Jarvis,” I reply and he smiles before starting up the car. 

He drives us back to the plane and we get into it. Howard hands me a new set of clothes, telling me it’s my uniform before sitting down. I walk into the bathroom and change before coming back out. 

“Sleep, my dear sister. We have a long journey back,” Howard tells me and I smile slightly at him as I put my new dress into my suitcase. 

“You too, Howard. Sleep well,” I tell my new friend and he smiles at me before closing his eyes and resting back in his seat. 

I sit in my seat and lean back with a light smile on my face. Before I know it, I’m being woken up by Howard again. 

“Wake up, dear. We’re here,” he announces softly as I blink my eyes open. 

“Hmm. Good morning, H,” I reply sleepily as I rub my eyes. 

We both pick up our stuff before heading out and when the door opens we see all the soldiers training. Howard leads me over to the ladies tent and helps me with my bag. 

“Welcome to camp, my dear,” Howard beams as he sets my bag down by one of the only two beds. 

“Thank you, H,” I reply and he smiles. 

“I like the new nickname, dear. And you're very welcome. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning in the head office to get you acquainted with everything. Peggy should be in for bed soon,” he explains and I nod as I roll out one of the mattresses. 

“Goodnight, doll!” Howard shouts as he leaves and I giggle. 

“Goodnight!” I shout back before plopping down on my bed. 

I let out a puff of breath before shaking my head in disbelief of how my day has gone. I smile lightly before standing up and getting ready for bed. Sleeping on an army cot doesn’t sound too appealing, but I am sure I’ll get used to it very soon. 

To Be Continued…

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