Authors Note- I've been working on this for a few weeks now! I have more in the works. There is more of this story stored in my Google docs, and my mind 😅
Warnings- Some subjective dialogue
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The cursive inked letters M.A.R were forever fused onto her skin. Michael, Andie, Richie.. To the world, they were just three letters inked on her wrist in small script writing, but to her they were so much more than that. They were the letters that forever tied her to two men from her past.
———
“You gonna do it?’ Michael said as he downed another beer while she sat on his lap. Richie was on the other side of the couch, his long legs resting on the worn-down coffee table in front of the three of them.
“You're not supposed to get a tattoo drunk asshole,” Richie replied.
Michael snorted “Yeah right like that's stopped you from making poor decisions.” Mikey shot back. Richie shook his head and took a drag of his cigarette.
“I don't want my first tattoo to be something dumb,” Andie explained. To her tattoos should have meaning.
“What's the fun in that?” Richie asked with a grin.
“At least she's not getting one on her ass as you did,” Michael remarked.
“It was that or get my nipples pierced, no thanks,” Richie replied.
“Yeah, well I'm not the asshole who decided to mix beer and vodka that night and here you are telling Andie not to get a tattoo drunk.” Richie shot his hands up in surrender.
“You guys are idiots.” She said with a laugh. They had been best friends long before she came into the picture. Even though they had different last names. They were brothers at heart. Michael was charismatic, and charming. That's what drew her to him, his carefree nature. Michael was the obvious choice, every girl's dream with his warm brown eyes and dazzling smile. She was happy, she had everything she wanted, but she really wanted more.
The electrical buzz of the tattoo needle was a consistent ringing in her ear along with the pain of the needle injecting ink just under the surface of her pale skin. She had followed through with it, even though she was scared of the needle. She wanted her tattoo to mean something. The only thing she could think of was the initials of their three names. She was a little drunk and her inhibitions were clouded. Mikey was friends with a tattoo artist, so her slight drunkenness wasn't a problem. She looked up from the chair through the window that looked out into the lobby. He was watching her with his intense eyes, and an unreadable look was etched on his face. Did he feel it too? She wondered. The jolt that traveled throughout her body when they locked eyes, or the spark when their bodies got too close to each other. Was Richie Jerimovich secretly in love with her as well? Or was it completely one-sided?
———
Mikey's fingers gently traced over her freshly inked wrist. “This letter R is for Richie right?” He asked curiously. Her throat went dry. She should have known that putting Richie's initials with hers and Mikey's would raise a question.
“Well, you two have been my best friends for over five years, and you're both important to me. I'm in the middle, because with you two I'm always protected.” She looked at Mikey to gauge his reaction.
“I think it's really cool,” Mikey replied.
“You don't think it's weird to have Richie's initials. I can go get a cover-up.”
Mikey laughed gently. “Princess, I'm not mad. Richie is important to you. It's always been us three. We are a package deal.” She breathed a big sigh of relief. At least he didn't know that she was in love with Richie, yet….
———
Later that evening she awoke from bed in a cold sweat, Mikey was beside her sleeping heavily. Carefully she crawled out of bed and pattered down the hall to the kitchen. She let out a gasp when she saw Richie leaning against the counter nursing a beer. “What the hell are you doing here?” She asked as she placed her hand over her chest. She could see his bright blue eyes looking over at her in the dim light.
“I couldn't sleep," he said while he took a long swig.
“So you come in here in the middle of the night, steal Mikey's beer, and make yourself right at home?” She asked in a loud whisper.
Richie let out a dry laugh. “That's rich coming from someone playing house with Mikey.” Anger flared inside of her. How dare he! It wasn't like she had much of a choice. Her rent was sky high at her old apartment, and Mikey was her boyfriend.
“Shut the fuck up!” She said with anger. “You're just full of shit.” She continued. A gasp escaped her as Richie slammed down the beer bottle and stalked towards her.
Before she could catch her breath he gently pushed her against the wall. The smell of cigarettes and beer was on his breath. “Get off me!” She ordered as she tried to squirm away. Even though her thoughts betrayed her.
“You love it. Just admit it. Stop trying to deny it Andie.” He said in a low whisper against her neck.
“Richie..don't.” She murmured as she relaxed into his touch. This was wrong so wrong, she thought. Her boyfriend was asleep forty feet away.
“You want me too. I can see it in your eyes.” Andie shook your head. She couldn't do this to Mikey. A sigh left her throat as her head fell to Richie's shoulder in defeat. His large hand carefully brushed back her wavy shoulder-length hair.
“It's ok sweetheart. We'll talk to Mikey together.” He soothed. “Yeah, and break his heart?! What if he starts using again?” Richie sighed at her statement. She did have a point. Mikey was at times a loose cannon when it came to using pills and booze to solve his troubles.
“I think it's best to tell him the truth.” He said, even though he knew the result would threaten their friendship.
“This isn't just an easy fix. It's complicated, and messy.” She stated with concern. He shook his head in agreement as he gently stroked her hair, which felt too good to her.
“It isn't like you're cheating on him.” He was right, but there were times when she briefly imagined what it would be like to feel his lips on hers, and their bodies pressed together. She had always quickly pushed those thoughts out though, or at least tried.
“What is it you want?” She asked.
He pulled back so he was looking at her, his face turning serious. “What I want, Addie, is you! Maybe I'm the biggest fool on this planet for wanting someone so bad. I wanted you the moment I met you, but Mikey got you before I did. He always gets what he wants, and maybe I'm just some fucking loser, some lowlife who gets laughed at by the big man in the sky. I shouldn’t have been such a chicken. Right now it could be me in that bed with you. It could be me getting to kiss you, hold you, and take care of you. But, I just get to watch from the sidelines.” Her heart shattered at his admission. Richie was laying it all out on the table, and she didn't know if she should take it.
His lips brushed hers before he drew back. "You belong with me," he said, roughly.
Before the logical part of her brain took over she crashed her lips to his. Richie froze, unable to comprehend what was going on. But, then he pulled her closer and moved his lips against her. He tasted like heaven and sin. Something she should run far from. He groaned as she parted her mouth for a deeper kiss. Alarm bells should be going off, but some sick and twisted part of him only pushed things further by moving his tongue against hers. The kiss was messy but tender. It spoke volumes of the want and desire that had been dancing between them for a few years now.
"It’s not as simple as that." She murmured.
"But it could be." He said with desperation. "Just tell me I'm it." Richie continued.
She met his blue eyes. "You have half of my heart, but the other half belongs to someone else." She felt the curve of his reluctant smile against her lips. He closed his eyes, letting his forehead rest against hers. The racing of her heart seemed louder than ever.
“You could have fuckin’ fooled me, Princess,” he said, as her heart skipped a beat at the new nickname. “That kiss gave it all away” He grabbed her wrist, gently as if she would break into a million pieces. “M.A.R. You inked us both on your body.”
She wanted to say something witty or sarcastic, but she couldn’t find the words. “I never meant for this to happen, you know?” He nodded in agreement, even though her statement made his chest ache.
“You should go back to bed.” His hand dropped her wrist as he stepped away. Her body ached for the warmth of him. He was right, Mikey could wake at any moment.
Richie nodded towards the hallway for her to follow. They needed more. She needed to feel the scrape of his stubble against her jaw, and he needed to feel her soft skin. She followed him quietly to the door of her and Mikey's shared bedroom.
Richie stopped. He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, a tender gesture that was the opposite of Richies fuck all demeanor. “You can’t keep doing this, Andie. You can’t keep giving me that fuckin look as if you want me.” His voice was an almost inaudible whisper.
Tears stung her eyes, threatening to spill as she gripped his shoulders “I’m sorry,” She said, hating how pathetic it sounded.
“Get some sleep, tomorrow you'll have a clear head.” He kissed her again, rougher, and more gritty than the last time.
As Andie kissed him back she bit his lip, hard enough that he gasped in her mouth. She wanted him to hurt, to feel the pain she was feeling, just enough to know she wasn’t the only one bleeding from the inside too. Maybe it was sick, a little bit sadistic, but a wild thrill ran through her. Gently she pushed him away leaving him panting with the aftershocks of her kiss, and boldness.
“Goodnight, Richie.” He nodded in response, standing there still, turned on and desperate for more. His fingers touched the small wound on his bottom lip. He was completely fucked now, he thought. There was no going back.
She slid past him and back into the bedroom. Mikey shifted but didn’t wake, causing her to freeze momentarily. After he settled back into sleep she crawled back into the warm sheets. The taste of Richie's blood and the flavor of nicotine haunted her. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand, as if it would erase what they'd done. She curled around Mikey’s sleeping body, holding him as if that would erase the past twenty minutes. Closing her eyes, she prayed that she would wake up tomorrow and this would just be a dream, but that was far from the truth. She was too deep now. She was drowning, and this time she wasn't sure if Mikey or Richie could save her.
———
Present day
The small tattoo was a consent reminder of what once was. As much as it pained her it also brought a sense of comfort. A sigh escaped her as she rolled over in bed. There were many times where the past replayed for her, especially at nights when the world was quiet. She lifted her wrist and examined the ink in the dim light, the inked lines serving as a stark reminder.
Ten years ago she fled Chicago. Leaving Richie, and Mikey behind. Back then she knew it was the best decision. It was for them not her. They had been brothers years before she came into the picture. Mikey was already broken from an emotionally unstable mother, and Richie was damaged from the lack of love from a family. Their little love triangle, made things worse, and she didn't want to cause more pain.
She changed her phone number, and deleted social media in an attempt to remain untraceable. She loved them both in different ways. Mikey for his easy nature, magnetic personality, and kind brown eyes. He was the one who grounded her, who kept her feet on the ground. Then there was Richie for his smart ass remarks, and ability to care for the people close to him. He looked at her like she was worth it, those blue eyes etched into her memory forever. They both loved her, and the reality was that she still loved them, even after all this time. The three inked letters were her lifeline, a link to the best years of her life, and also her biggest regret.
She opened up Google on her phone and typed Michael Berzotto, Chicago Illinois into the search bar. Her thumb hovered over the enter button, but she closed out of the app. Maybe it was better off not knowing.
Ten years ago
“This is completely illegal!” Andie hissed as Mikey pulled her by the hand with Richie trailing close behind her.
Richie laughed. “That's what makes it more fun.” She didn't want to admit it, but a small thrill ran through her at the thought of getting caught. They arrived at a chain-linked fence with a metal sign attached to it that read “Hours: sunup to sundown” It was clearly way past sundown. Behind the fence was a pier that stretched out into the chilly waters of Lake Michigan.
“Remind me again why we are doing this?” Andie asked as Mikey started climbing the fence.
“Because it's fun that's why.” Mikey looked down at her with his boyish smile. Richie stood beside her while Mikey climbed the fence. It had been a few days since the kiss in the kitchen. Andie tried to avoid him, but it was nearly impossible since he was Richie's best friend. Every look between them said something that they both knew was true. There was a mutual attraction, and it had been present from the very beginning. She loved Mikey, and that made this whole thing even worse. A gasp escaped her as Richie brushed his hand against hers.
“Not here!” She hissed as she pulled her hand away. Richie nodded and pulled his hand back. He knew that trying to hold her hand was a really risky move. He wanted to be able to hold her hand, kiss her, and hold her close; all the things Mikey did.
“Hey asshat! Stop thinking about pussy and give Andie a boost will ya.” Mikey ordered Richie. He didn't need that seed planted in his head along with all the other dirty thoughts he had about Andie. What did she look like naked? What did she sound like when she came? Andie had the toes of her feet resting in two holes of the chain link fence, and her hands resting on the top of the fence near Mikey's. Richie placed his hand on her hips and hoisted her up. He couldn't help but notice how good his hands looked splayed over his hips, right above her perfect ass. An image of her riding him popped in his head. Her body moving against him with his hands guiding her hips, his dick started to grow hard at the image in his mind. He definitely needed a cold shower right now. Maybe if he just flung himself into Lake Michigan, he thought.
With a little bit of effort from the three of them, Andie had finally cleared the fence and was standing on the other side with Mikey. “You two go on. I'll stay back and stand cover in case cops show up or some shit.”
“Get your skinny ass over the fence cousin. You're not gonna pussy out on me.” Mikey hollered over the wind that blew around them.
“Fine, dick face,” Richie grumbled as he started to climb the fence. Andie was used to their banter. In fact everyone in their circle was like this with each other. When she went to the Beef to hang out it was also a mess of screaming, and cussing. But, that was their love language. Richie flung himself over the fence. His high-top sneakers made contact with the concrete. “So now what's the plan?" He asked while stuffing his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket.
“The plan-” Mikey paused for dramatic effect. “It is to see who can make it to the lighthouse the fastest.”
Andie groaned. “You're ridiculous. If we die tonight it's all your fault.” Mikey was always the risk taker, always pushing boundaries. Her and Richie always went along with his wild ideas though.
“Relax, Princess, we are not gonna die! Plus, you got Richie and I here to keep you safe.” She glanced over to Richie. He looked at her and shrugged.
The cement path leading up to the lighthouse was narrow, and the frigid water splashed over the edge. She gulped at the sight in front of her. Mikey was far ahead of them walking up the pier without a care in the world.
“He really has no fear?” Andie mused as she watched her boyfriend. Richie stood beside her and let out a laugh.
“Fucker laughs fear in the face.” Richie mused as he watched his friend. Andie was tense beside him; carefully, he brushed his hand against hers. She let out a breath at the contact.
“Richie,” Andie warned.
“You're scared, let me hold your hand.” Andie froze. Mikey was far enough ahead, but she still felt guilty. She grabbed his hand, her heart racing when his fingers interlaced with hers. “We'll just take it slow ok? And if you want to turn back we'll just tell Mikey to fuck off.” Richie said while they walked up the pier. The waves of the water sent splashes along the cement walkway, which made the whole situation more intense for her. A larger wave came over the pier causing her to lean closer to Richie. “It's all good, I've got you.” A gasp escaped her as he kissed her temple. She hoped Mikey didn't see.
“Richie, we have to be careful.” It had been weeks since the kiss in the kitchen, but now they were alone again.
Richie nodded “Yeah. Careful.” He huffed. For the past few weeks all Richie could think about was kissing Andie. He felt like a piece of shit for kissing his best friend's girlfriend, but he had been harboring feelings for her for years now.
“It never happened, ok?” Andie said. Richie stopped and grabbed her by the shoulders so she could face him. He towered over her by a few inches. She looked up at him with her brown eyes, causing his heart rate to increase.
“Damn it, Andie! Why can't you just accept it? We kissed ok? We can't take it back.” His face was inches from hers, the smell of cigarettes clouding her senses.
“What am I supposed to do? You kissed me first, remember?” She challenged while looking into his blue eyes.
Riche leaned in closer. “You kissed me back, you know. You could have pulled away. It takes two to tango babe.” Andie knew he was right. She was just as guilty as he was. Up close she could see the constellation of freckles under his eyes. The air between them seemed to thicken. Richie leaned in-.
“You slowpokes comin 'or what?!” Mikey hollered from down the pier. Richie pulled back like someone had thrown cold water in his face.
In a few minutes, they made it to the end of the pier where Mikey was waiting. “You two making out back there or something?” Mikey teased before taking a long drag of his cigarette. Andie went cold, was it really obvious?
“No.” Was all she could come up with.
Mikey laughed “Oh come on babe Richie has a crush on you, he has for years now.”
“What the fuck man?!” Richie barked.
“I'm not blind cuz, I see the way you look at her. If you're into my girl just say it.” Andie couldn't tell if Mikey was serious or joking, that was the scary part.
“I don't look at her like that,” Richie replied. What would Mikey do if he knew the truth? If he knew about the kiss.
“Kiss her,” Mikey said. Both Andie and Richie froze.
“Mikey don't do this,” Andie said.
“It's just a kiss right Richie?” He asked, while completely ignoring Andie’s comment.
“Mikey just fuckin’ stop,” Richie replied. Andie let the idea swirl in her mind. She knew when Mikey had an idea in his head that he wouldn't let it go. This was ridiculous, but she had a point to prove. Even though she knew it would make matters worse.
“Fine! You want us to kiss! Then here's your damn kiss!” Andie said before pressing her lips to Richie's. Suddenly she was back in the kitchen with his hands in her hair and his tongue tangling with hers. The spark returned, electrifying them once again. Richie was breathless as he broke the kiss. His blue eyes didn't leave hers, he knew that the inevitable was coming. The blow up, the explosion.
“How long?” Mikey asked with his voice emotionless.
Andie was the first to speak. “Mikey-”
“Don't give me that it's not what it looks like bullshit. I was skeptical for a while, but I guess I was right.” He said with a chuckle. The terrifying thing was that Mikey wasn't yelling, and his calmness was scarier than the alternative.
“Do you think I planned on doing this?! I love you.” Andie said as tears began to fall. Not from getting caught, but the fact that she hurt the man she loved.
“It looks like you love him too, Andie. If you had feelings for him why didn't you just say it?” He was right, she thought. She was a coward, someone who couldn't face the truth; that she also loved Richie.
“Because I….because I didn't want to come between you two. I didn't want to ruin this.”
Mikey thought for a moment. “You know what? You can have her Rich.” Mikey spoke while stomping out his cigarette.
“Don't call me Rich. You know I fuckin’ hate that!”
“Oh, you're worried about me calling you Rich? I think you have more important things to fuckin’ worry about, like the fact that you've been in love with my girlfriend and neither of you told me.”
“Stop, both of you! I just want to say before this escalates any further. I never meant to hurt you, Mikey. Being with you makes me happy, you make me feel safe, and protected.” She turned to Richie. “And Richie, you make me feel alive. I realize though I have to choose and I truly can't.” She took a deep breath. “So I need to be on my own.”
“Jesus, Andie! Don't do this. You can't just run away like that.” Richie said desperately.
“Let her go, man. She's made her choice.”
Andie turned around as she began to walk away. “Just know I'll never stop loving you.”
“Who?” Mikey questioned.
“Both of you.” With streaming down her cheeks she began to walk away.
“Andie! You're scared of the water.” Richie yelled. But, it was too late.
“I’m not scared anymore.” It took everything in her not to turn back around. She knew what she had to do even though it tore her apart inside.
Summary: Ben hated Valentine's Day… Until a certain someone changed that.
Warnings: Valentine's Day special (even though where I live it's not Valentine's Day yet! Here we celebrate on July 12th! But I still wanted to participate in the Tumblr love), fluff, mentions of Ben's ex, Ben's insecurity, kiss, use of Yn.
Since his life changed drastically, from water to stone, Ben lived differently. More solitary, so to speak.
His (ex)fiancée abandoned him when she discovered who he had become, or rather, what he had become. She, who he thought could be the love of his life, actually proved to be a frivolous person who abandoned him at a difficult time.
But on the other hand, it was good. Ben spent long months practically isolated so that he could adapt to his body, move without hurting anyone, pick up objects without crushing them until they turned to dust. These past months were difficult, with his moods fluctuating between good days and terrible days. Ben secretly thanked her for leaving him, even though she hadn't been understanding of the situation and consequently broken his heart; he still wouldn't want to force her to go through all that by his side.
Months passed and Ben got better.
He still had good and bad days, of course, but who didn't?
We all have those days when we open our eyes and don't want to do absolutely anything but stay in bed under the covers and feel sorry for ourselves.
The difference was that Ben's bad days always came at a single time of year: around Valentine's Day.
He could deny it, say it was just a coincidence, but everyone knew the truth.
Ben was alone, and it hurt. It hurt when he woke up in the morning with the bed beside him empty; when he went out to buy his favorite cookies, his hand missed having another one by his side; Watching his team win on television, he felt like someone was missing by his side. Ben missed having someone, and Valentine's Day was just there to mock that.
And there was no escaping it. Everywhere he looked, there were hearts, flowers, and couples in love. He couldn't escape it. Not even in his own house, with Reed and Sue rubbing in his face something he would never have, even Johnny had a new girlfriend.
Of course, he didn't blame his family; they had the right to be happy, and Ben couldn't force them not to celebrate that special day because of him. They deserved to be happy, even if it hurt.
At night, Ben dreamed of waking up in another reality, one where he would have someone by his side in bed. Maybe someone who would accept him as he was, or perhaps in that reality he could be normal again. They were dreams, weren't they? Anything could happen.
He made a point of waking up earlier than everyone else, at least that week, so he could leave before the coffee madness began. Reed gave Herbie a new instruction in the kitchen: Valentine's Day dishes. Every morning, the kitchen was decorated, each day in a different way; hearts on the ceiling, flowers on the surfaces, balloons, and even plush toys. Not to mention the food: heart-shaped pancakes, strawberry waffles, baskets of bread filled with different jams… and so on. Ben made a point of skipping that whole morning part, although he was happy with his friend's efforts to keep the flames alive in his marriage; it was difficult for him to stay there and see Sue's eyes shining with love.
It was envy, Ben knew it. But he couldn't change it.
While the days began lovingly at Baxter Tower, for Ben the days began calmly in a nearby park. The lake reflected the morning light with a calmness that freed Ben's mind from any anguish; the ducks swam and played nearby, begging for pieces of bread that Ben secretly gave them—don't tell the police or the landlady who always scolded him for feeding the ducks.
That's when he saw her walking quickly, her headphones firmly in her ears. Ben knew her, obviously he did; she worked at the Tower with Reed. From what he remembered of when Reed introduced her to them, she was a prodigy, something like two doctorates before even turning thirty, or something like that. To be honest, the only thing he remembered from that night was her laugh when he told a totally lame joke. But it was a laugh, and he would forever remember that sweet and incredible sound that came from her mouth.
"Hey! Hi!" Ben said, standing up and throwing a whole slice of bread to the ducks in the lake ahead. She stopped walking immediately, startled by Ben's presence there.
"Ben! Hi! What… What are you doing here? Isn't it too early? " she asked, looking at her own watch and seeing that it was indeed too early.
"I like to watch the ducks." he lied, she didn't need to know how desperate he was to get out of the loving atmosphere of the tower.
"That's why they're fatter! I knew someone was feeding them!" she said, raising a finger to accuse Ben, her tone was humorous, as if she had discovered an incredible secret.
"Guilty" Ben smiled, unable to take his eyes off hers. Were they always this beautiful? "Are you going to work?"
"Yes, I need to check a few things before I start, so I decided to go earlier…" he explained.
"Can I walk you home? " he asked awkwardly, as if reverting to a teenager with a faltering voice talking to the pretty girl at school.
"I'd love to" she said, and Ben immediately stood beside her, walking at a calm pace as if they didn't really want to walk. "I really appreciate the company."
"No need to thank me." he said, looking at the ground as if to prevent her from seeing his red cheeks, if they were even… You know, because of the stones covering his skin it was hard to tell.
"Seriously, there's a duck here that's cruel! He chases me every day! I want to see if he'll come now." Ben laughed loudly. "Seriously! Why do you think I wear running shoes? It's because of Jesonel!"
"Jesonel? Oh honey, that's why he chases you, what kind of name is that?" Ben asked, laughing just like her. He wanted to be able to ask her to laugh forever.
"Hey! It's a pretty name, okay!?" she retorted, lightly bumping her shoulder against his.
"Oh, for sure. I hope your husband knows about your terrible taste in names! Can you imagine giving your children names like that?" not subtle at all. Not subtle at all, he knows. But Ben wasn't going to risk it, even though he didn't see any ring on her finger, he needed the certainty.
"Hahaha" she laughed falsely and offended. "Know that I'm not married so I don't have that problem."
"Not married… Not even dating? " again, he wasn't subtle. She laughed before actually answering.
"Nope. Without anyone… Just another Valentine's Day alone…" she said, kicking a dry clay stone in her path. " And you? Plans for Valentine's Day?"
"No." his tone was so serious that he needed to cough to disguise it a little. He wasn't going to drop an emotional bomb on her like that. "I don't… I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day." he said, looking at the ducks.
"Oh." he heard her say, but before he could continue, an insistent beep interrupted the brief conversation.
Ben?! We need you! Reed's voice came through the watch on his stone wrist, a little robotic.
"I have to go…" Ben said, turning to the woman.
"No problem! Go save the people or… Or arrest someone! " he smiled before starting to run.
"I promise I'll take care of Jesonel if I see him!" he shouted, hearing her laugh in the distance.
"Watch out! He's cruel!!!"
The emergency was nothing they couldn't handle, and in no time Ben was back in the tower. Herbie was collecting the kitchen decorations when Ben came through the door; the robot helper alerted him that there was mail for him.
On the table, next to other letters that had been delivered that morning, was a pink envelope with a red, glittery heart-shaped stamp.
Ben sighed, opening it without hope; he was sure it was just an advertisement masquerading as something else to attract attention.
But when he opened the envelope and a Valentine's Day card fell out, he was surprised.
The card was red, with a pink heart in the center, and Ben's name written in impeccable handwriting inside the heart. Ben opened the card somewhat awkwardly, reading and rereading what was written:
"I wouldn't change anything about you… Maybe just your relationship status…
Happy Valentine's Day, Ben!
Signed, your secret admirer."
Ben frowned, the rocky plates of his forehead bulging. He picked up the card and sniffed it. It smelled of new paper and a faint hint of vanilla. He snorted.
"Very funny, Johnny!" he muttered in a heavy voice, as if trying not to break down. He left the card on the kitchen table before walking quickly to his room, making sure to slam the door shut. The whole building heard.
That night, Johnny showed up for dinner with his new girlfriend. He ignored Ben's murderous glare and his bad mood, as did everyone else at the table. Everyone assumed it was just Valentine's Day having its familiar effect on Ben.
He, however, went to sleep believing it was just a bad joke by Johnny. The next day, he would still wake up early and escape all the Valentine's Day nonsense and go to his park, feed the ducks and maybe continue his conversation with a certain beautiful prodigy scientist, who had terrible taste in names.
Unfortunately, he didn't find her that morning. But he discovered that Jesonel was truly cruel; Ben had to run around throwing the bread to the sides in an attempt to calm the angry duck.
And when he got home, he was surprised to find Herbie delivering yet another letter. Again, that pink envelope with a red glitter heart stamp.
"Johnny!" he shouted angrily, but still opened the envelope.
"And when the cold night arrives
The sky becomes full of light
And the dawn full of loneliness
It is you, my love, my rock that holds me here
The most beautiful stone I have ever seen.
Happy Valentine's Day, Ben!
Signed, secret admirer."
Ben's heart gave a strange leap.
"What is it, Ben? What is this?" Johnny snatched the card from Ben's hands and read it. "You have a secret admirer? You're kidding me! And you didn't tell anyone?"
"It wasn't you?" Ben was now surprised.
"No offense, but I didn't write poems for you… I like women more, you know? But nothing against it! I understand you're confused and I know I'm an extremely attractive person and"
"Shut up. " Ben took the card back in his hands. -" If it wasn't you, who was it?" he asked the blond, who just shrugged as if he didn't know the answer.
"Did you ask Herbie?" it was a good idea.
"Herbie?" the robot came immediately. - "Do you know who left this letter?" the robot beeped a few times. A denial.
"Yeah, I thought it wouldn't work. Herbie isn't a snitch. " Johnny said, patting Ben's shoulders, who accepted defeat.
The next day, he not only had a new letter, but also a box of cookies.
"A little bird told me your favorite cookies are black and white. I hope you like these! Happy Valentine's Day, Ben!
Signed, your secret admirer."
Ben took a cookie to his mouth. It was soft, melted on his tongue, and had a vanilla flavor that perfectly matched the smell of the envelope paper. They were the best cookies he had ever eaten.
"These are cookies?! I want one!" Johnny tried to grab a cookie from the box, but Ben moved out of the way before he could steal its deliciousness.
"Take your hand away! They're mine!" he practically growled, protecting the cookies with his body.
"How selfish! I'm going to tell Sue!" Johnny threatened, and Ben rolled his eyes, breaking one of the cookies in two and giving half to Johnny. "Thank you." Johnny practically groaned as he ate the cookie. "Where did you buy these? They're delicious!"
"They came with the card." Ben explained.
"Oh, I see, a gift from your secret admirer, right?" Johnny tried to steal another cookie, but Ben wouldn't let him. "Could it be that short reporter from the Morning News? She always asks you questions in interviews. Or that lady who runs the flower stall you helped earlier? She looks like she makes amazing cookies!"
"Johnny!" Ben stood up and went to his room to avoid hearing any more of Johnny's theories. "And if you tell anyone, I'll crush you! " he threatened before closing the door and lying down on his bed, beginning to devour his cookies in peace.
In the following days, the gifts continued. They weren't just cards anymore. A small red origami rose appeared in his suit pocket. A pair of soft socks, the kind that were huge and fit his stone feet perfectly, was left on his bedroom door with a note: "So your feet don't get cold." A vase of mixed flowers with a label: "I know you like gardening, so I thought you'd like to see these flowers growing!"
Ben was intrigued, and a little scared. Whoever it was, this person was watching him. They knew his schedule, his habits, his favorite places and preferences. But there was no malice. Each gift was a small gesture of genuine affection, an attempt at flirting, and something more.
And whether he liked it or not, those cards were doing something to Ben. He no longer woke up grumpy or sneaked out in the mornings; instead, he sat at the table and had breakfast with everyone while waiting for the letters Herbie brought every morning.
Reed and Sue didn't want to comment so as not to scare him, but they could see the change in Ben. They saw how his eyes lit up when Herbie brought the letters before he left to read the mail in his own room. They also noticed the gifts, which made it obvious that Ben was hiding someone, and they would both wait for the moment when Ben felt comfortable enough to introduce his secret girlfriend to them.
For Ben, the last straw was when he read the last card:
"From afar I observe your smile
In every gesture I see paradise;
Your eyes are my sky, my sea, my love.
Who am I? Perhaps the breeze
That kisses your skin,
Or the shadow that follows you;
If one day you want to know,
Who loves you from afar
Just look at the horizon.
Happy Valentine's Day, Ben!
Signed, secret admirer."
He was going to find out who his secret admirer was, even if it meant asking Johnny for help.
"I thought you'd never ask me," Johnny replied, placing his hand over his heart as if Ben had made a love request to him.
The plan was simple. To stake out the building's entrance and catch whoever was leaving the letters and gifts.
From dawn, Johnny and Ben sat on a bench in the small square in front of the Baxter building, Ben with a large newspaper in front of him and Johnny wearing a long coat and cap along with sunglasses so as not to be recognized. They were doing a terrible job.
They stood there for hours, not seeing the typical postman arriving, nor even a new delivery person. Nothing.
And when they decided the plan had failed and went back inside, Herbie was waiting for Ben with another letter and a new batch of cookies.
"How did this slip through our fingers?!" Johnny asked, indignant at their failure.
"I don't know… I just know I'm going to ask Reed for help… Maybe there are traces of DNA in this letter that could lead me to…"
"Don't you think you're going too far?" Johnny interrupted with a slight laugh.
"I need to know who it is, Johnny," Ben said in a confessional tone. "I need to."
"Good luck, big guy," he said, patting his friend's chest a few times before going about his business.
Reed's main lab was an organized chaos. Papers and whiteboards everywhere, mathematical equations so difficult that just looking at them gave him a headache. Ben knew that lab; he'd spent long days there being analyzed when they returned from space.
But today it was a little different. Despite the science scattered everywhere, there was a table in the corner that caught Ben's attention. Perhaps because of a red notebook that stood out among the white papers and equipment.
He wasn't one to snoop, but the notebook was screaming at him. There were details on the cover with the same red glitter that Ben was already familiar with. Upon opening it, another surprise: the handwriting was the same as on the dozens of cards he'd received, but now it described the behavior of chemical elements and a bunch of scientific terms Ben had no idea about.
Looking at the table, Ben saw a package of pink envelopes and red cards, as well as a vanilla perfume right next to it.
Ben's heart stopped for a moment.
The name tag on the table was the last detail missing, showing a small photo of the table's owner. She had a shy smile on her lips, different hair than she had now, but the same sparkle in her eyes. It was Yn.
The one he'd had a brief moment with in the park, which was enough to make his romantic hopes return like a spark near a gas stove.
A lump formed in Ben's throat. It was her. The person who saw goodness where everyone else saw stone. The person who woke up early to bake cookies for him. The person who knitted a pair of socks to warm his rock-hard feet. The one who bought beautiful flowers that thrived in his garden.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't hear the light footsteps behind him.
"Ben!?" - the voice was a mixture of surprise, shock, and pure nervousness. Ben turned slowly. She was standing in the lab doorway, wearing a white lab coat over her clothes. Her face was pale, but two red patches began to bloom on her cheeks. "What are you doing here?" she began to speak, the words coming out in an uncontrollable torrent, as if her brain had short-circuited. "Not that you're not welcome! You are! Of course you are! You're Dr. Richards' best friend, obviously you're welcome anywhere! And besides, you live here, so mi casa es su casa! But I don't live here… I live in Brooklyn! It's not that far, but you understand, right? Geez, I'm talking too much! You know you can talk, right? You… You can talk. I think you should start talking, I won't be able to stop talking until you talk, so… Talk."
Ben watched her, a small smile beginning to form beneath the stone surface of his face. Her nervousness, her uncontrollable chatter, was the most human and charming thing he had seen in a long time. Slowly, with a deliberate movement, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out one of the cards. The first one he had received (which, even though he had left it in the kitchen, Herbie had made sure to put in his room, and from there Ben kept it in his pocket and never took it out again), slightly crumpled, but carefully preserved. He held it up between his thick fingers, showing her the handwriting.
"Is that you?" Ben's voice was a soft growl, but it contained a note of gentleness that he rarely used. Yn turned as red as a ripe tomato. The color rose from her neck, covered her cheeks, and reached the roots of her hair. She opened and closed her mouth, like a fish out of water.
"Oh!" her voice came out as a squeak. She swallowed hard and tried to compose herself. "Yes, it is. I mean, no! No! I mean, yes, but… But I made them for everyone!" the lie came out so weak it died in the air before it reached Ben.
Ben simply crossed his arms over his colossal chest and looked at her, a patient but firm look. The silence stretched for a second that seemed like an eternity to Yn. She broke down.
"It's a lie," she confessed, her voice now a whisper. "I didn't make them for anyone else. I don't want to lie to you! Yes, I made the cards… And the cookies and the gifts… I panicked when you said you didn't like Valentine's Day, but I had already sent my card! I didn't know how you would react, and suddenly I sent three more cards, then I panicked even more, and when I realized it, I was sending cookies and gifts like crazy! I exaggerated, I know, but…"
She didn't finish the sentence. Ben took two large steps and closed the distance between them. Before she could think of running away or apologizing again, he leaned in. His stone hand, with a lightness that defied his appearance, touched her face, his rocky forehead against hers for a brief moment. Then, with infinite tenderness, he kissed her.
It wasn't a rough kiss, but a delicate, soft, and gentle one. An absolutely perfect kiss.
When he pulled away, a silly smile corrupted her face, as wide as Ben's smile.
"Can I take you on a date?" Ben asked as if it were a necessity. He needed to take her on a date and have her to himself like someone who needs to breathe.
"Yes. Please," she said, nodding enthusiastically. Ben took her hand, small and warm in his rocky palm, and began walking towards the laboratory door.
"I loved the cookies, by the way. Very good. The best I've ever eaten."
She let out a laugh that was half relief, half pure joy, a sound that filled the empty lab and echoed in Ben's heart of stone. He gently squeezed her hand and guided her out of the room, leaving behind the notebooks and notes. At that moment, the only equation that mattered was the simplest of all: two hearts, one of flesh and one of stone, beginning to beat in the same rhythm.
Authors Note-I'm a day late, but I wanted to write some Valentine's day Richie fluff. I've been doing a lot of smut lately and wanted to mix it up. This one is so cute and gives me all the feels 🫠💕 hopefully it does you as well
Warning- brief mention of sex
Masterlist
Request open
"It's hard being casual when my favorite bra lives in your dresser" - Chappell Roan
You had never really given Valentine's day much thought, after all it was just a holiday created by card companies to make money. Also, you have always been single on Valentine's day. You were still not exactly sure what you and Richie Jerimovich even were. Five months ago you had met when you started at The Bear as a waitress. Richie was older than you by over a decade, but there was a shared mutual attraction right from the start. You hooked up a few weeks after you had met, ever since then you couldn't keep your hands off each other. The sex was incredible. There was no label, but Richie and you flip flopped while staying at each other's apartments. You had a drawer of things and his place and he kept a pile of clothes and yours. Everything pointed towards you being a couple, but you hadn't put a label on it. It was so much more than casual, and maybe you were both scared of the next step. You had feelings for Richie, he had to as well right?
You were making Richie a heart shaped pizza for Valentine's day. He was out for the day, spending time with his daughter Eva. There was also a card you made sitting on the counter, complete with a colored heart and cute little doodles. It was nothing fancy, and you didn't want to make a big deal about the whole thing, after all it was just another silly holiday. But, you wanted to show him you cared.
The door to your apartment creaked open, alerting you that Richie was back. He wore his leather jacket, jeans, and an old zip up beef hoodie underneath. Lately he sported a suit at work, you loved how he looked all dressed up. It usually made you all worked up and horny while at work, Richie knew it and used it to his advantage. But, he also looked incredible in casual attire. The leather jacket was your favorite. Richie took one look at you and smiled. “Hey, sweetheart. Miss me?” He said with his teasing grin. You rolled your eyes with a chuckle. Richie had his hands behind his back, obviously holding something. “I made you something.” You said with an anxious grin while motioning towards the counter where your creation sat along with the card next to it. He smiled at your gift. “Thanks, babe. I can't wait to try it here soon. But, I got something for you. It's not much. Definitely not as grand as a pizza.” He stepped towards you, putting a small space between the two of you. You could smell his familiar scent, cigarettes and musk. It was a smell that was home, a smell that made you feel comfort. Richie handed you a bouquet of daisies, you smiled at the gesture. “I know it's cheesy and fuckin cliche, but Eva told I need to buy you flowers. I knew your favorites were daisies.” Your heart leaped at his confession. Despite you both sharing the same thoughts on the holiday, he has made an attempt to show he cared, it wasn't grandiose, but it was sweet and thoughtful like him. You turned to go put them in a glass of water. Before you walked away Richies large hand stopped you. “Also…I got you another thing” He said almost shyly. He pulled something out of his jacket pocket while you waited. He handed you an envelope that had something in it other than a card. “Read the card first” He instructed while nervously scratching his neck. You pulled out the card. On the front were words written in pink cursive that said “would you…” you opened up the card where the rest of it read “be my Valentine” underneath the card message was Richie's slanted, and slightly messy handwriting. “I want more than just friends, I want more than sex, I want more than this…I want you to be mine. Will you? Please. -Richie.” Your heart was pounding like a drum at his note. Richie's eyes were on yours, soft and gentle, but holding anxiety. “I will” you whispered softly with a smile. “Good. I was worried you didn't want that.” You shook your head with a chuckle. “I always wanted it. I think we were both just too scared to admit it.” Richie shook his head in agreement. “There is one more thing in there.” He said while gesturing to the red envelope. You pulled out a gold metal chain with a cross charm. It was his necklace that he often wore. “Richie….” You trailed off. “I want you to have it. I want you to have me with you at all times. Plus..it'll look really good on you. Especially if it's the only thing.” He said with a sultry whisper that sent heat right to your core. He helped you out the chain around your neck. “Beautiful” He muttered and he gently brushed your neck. “I know I suck at telling my feelings and shit, but I want you to know that I care about you, sweetheart. A lot. I want you, I want it all, not just a small part. I want the whole damn picture.” His arms encircled your waist and pulled you towards him. “It's always been you, right from the start” you said as your lips were millimeters apart. “Let's stop all this cheesy shit and kiss.” He said against your lips with a smile. He kissed you before you could say anything else. It may have taken a cheesy Hallmark holiday to get you both to express your feelings, and finally make things official. But, it was perfect. The rest of the night was spent eating pizza, watching movies, and wearing only that necklace as he ravaged your body, while Richie whispered the words “I love you, y/n” for the first time. You loved him too...so much.
Richie Jerimovich x Carmy’s Childhood Friend!Reader
Summary: After a disagreement went a little too far, Richie told you not to come back. When he realized you really weren’t coming back, he had to come change your mind. Even if it meant knocking on your apartment door in the early hours of the morning.
CW: f!reader, probably off canon, takes place early season one, reader was carmy’s childhood friend, age gap, pre established relationship (not dating), flash back sequences, mentions of abuse, suicide mention, fighting, self deprecating, confessions, makeout, hickeys, makeup sex, nipple play, fingering, p in v, confessions, creampie
a/n: okay I’m barely three episodes in so be easy on me… I would have watched more by now but Disney+ is being a bitch and won’t let me password share
title track 🎶🚬
~~~
That stupid fucking leather jacket.
Over another jacket to beat the Chicago cold. Cigarettes and cheap cologne wafting in as you opened the door. Tight fitted t-shirt hugging his torso. Hands tucked into his pockets of the track pants he always wore to work. Eyebrows laying flatly across his eyes as he scanned you.
Locking your jaw as you shifted on your feet. Hip cocking to the side as you looked up at him. Rolling your shoulders and stretching your neck. A game of chicken to see who would speak first. Both your egos not allowing you to be the one to start the conversation.
Two in the morning. Richie Jerimovich had the nerve to knock on your door at two in the goddamn morning! After having said some of the most unflattering things to you not even forty-eight hours prior. Taking shots the way only someone you had known for years could. Beating you down to the point of tears. Yet still having the nerve to show up at your apartment during the late hours of the night. Early hours of the morning? Whatever.
You had met back when you were still a teenager. Coming home with Carmy after school one day. Having taken some stupid science fair assignment together. Both of you needing the extra grade. Remembering walking into their home to loud voices shouting over each other in the kitchen. Fire alarm blaring every second. Mikey had accidentally lit something on fire over their gas powered stove. His lanky friend whipping a towel at it while cussing him over and over. Richie was Mikey’s best friend. Late college age. Back when his hair was shaggy and he always wore a wife-beater under his opened button downs. His eyebrows had been harshly arched and his mouth hanging open as he looked over his shoulder to the two of you. Yelling at Carmy, who he lovingly called ‘cousin’, to grab the bag of flour from the cabinet. Throwing it haphazardly across the open flames. Leaving their kitchen in a state of snowy white. Slapping Mikey on the back of the head with another chastising grunt. Mocking him for the scene that you, their newest guest, had to walk in on. Something about making them look bad. His first impression leaving a momentous memory in your developing mind.
Carmy had remained one of your closest friends throughout your lives. Growing up together. Going to every party together. Helping him ask out his first girlfriend. Late night runs around town just to so you did not have to go home. Attending almost every family function the Berzatto’s had to offer. Earning your place as an honorary member. Even when he went off to culinary school and left everyone behind, you still found yourselves texting. More than he gave his own family. Which was telltale of your relationship. The brother you never had.
So when you got the call from Sugar a few months ago about Mikey, you did not hesitate to come lend a hand. However they needed, you would be there. Even when it meant working at The Beef as it fell apart under Carmy’s new leadership.
Things were more than tense in the overly-crowded-underpaid restaurant. No one wanting to take Carmy’s direction. Constantly referring to ‘the system’ they had before this. Not welcoming change.
“Obviously that system doesn’t work!” you remembered shouting in his face.
Richie was towering over you, lips pushed tightly together as his nostrils flared, “Worked just fine ‘til you two fuckers showed up and decided to change everything!”
And that was just the start of it all.
Richie looked to the side and huffed, “You gonna make me stand out in the cold?”
Rolling your eyes and scoffing, you stepped out of the doorway to allow him inside. Locking it behind him. Crossing your arms over your chest as you turned to face him. Leaning back into the door and keeping your lips sealed. Waiting whatever bullshit reason he had for being here at this hour.
Richie’s hand cupped the back of his neck. Rubbing it nervously. Pacing in your living room. Clicking his tongue as he spoke, “We sold out of meat tonight.”
You nodded, raising a brow.
“Well, actually we ran out. Carmy’s hell bent on some new way of cooking it. So we didn’t have enough prepped. And the vendors have quit… cause y’know we’re overdue or whatever,” Richie tapped his foot as he rambled.
You poked your tongue into your cheek. Wondering where the hell this could be going. There had to be a better reason he was here.
“Usually, it’s all hands on deck when things like this happen. It’s how we keep it together. But… there was some hands missing tonight,” Richie finally looked to you again.
You scoffed, “Richie—“
“Let me finish,” he held his hand up to you, “Look, things only work when everyone is on the same goddamn page. I can’t help that you and cousin came in and decided things didn’t work anymore. And I know things got a little heated the other night, but you left us high and dry tonight.”
You widened your eyes at him. Breathing out a shocked laugh. Flattening a hand against your chest and rolling your eyes. Shaking your head because you could not believe this putz had the nerve to say something like that to you. Squinting at him, “I left you high and dry?”
“Pretty fucking much,” Richie shrugged.
“Oh. That’s fucking rich. Coming from you, asshole—“
“Christ, Y/N! You’ve been around long enough to know that’s how we talk. We fight, we scream, we name call; but at the end of it we’re still family. Ain’t that what you always wanted? Feel like part of this fucking family? You’re Carmy’s little friend and all,” Richie gestured up and down.
Carmy’s little…
“Carmy’s little wannabe girlfriend,” Richie had shouted at you the other night, “News flash, dipshit: if he doesn’t want you by now, he isn’t gonna!”
Your palms were burning with frustration. Striking a nerve with that remark. The one he knew always made you so angry. Using it against you in this moment. Everyone around gasping at the comment. You looked to Carmy who had just entered the kitchen. Eyes wide, shock and confusion tugging his brows down. It only made it worse.
“Real good stuff, Richie. And who didn’t Mikey leave the restaurant to, huh? Guess he saw how your marriage worked out and knew better. Can’t even keep a fucking family together. What would you know about running a restaurant?” you pushed up on your toes for a moment, getting back in Richie’s face.
Remembering how your stomach dropped at his expression. Regretting the words as soon as they left your lips. But having to stand your ground. Richie’s jaw flexed as he swallowed. Silence filling the normally hectic space. His eyes darting between yours. Clearly holding his tongue from saying more.
Pointing a finger in your face, “You… You’re being a bitch right now.”
Disrespecting you further. You ground your teeth together. Fighting back the tears that pricked the corners of your eyes. All the years of complicated feelings bubbling in your throat. Lip quivering as you tried to keep a mean face. Nodding as you prepped to say more, but getting cold feet.
“Get the fuck out of my kitchen,” he had said steadily.
“No— NO! Don’t give me that shit,” you pointed with every word, “Don’t act like you and I have some unspoken agreement about being family. Showing up here as if I owe you an apology. You’re the one who told me not to come back. Remember that? Eh?”
“For fuck’s sake,” Richie rolled his eyes, “I told you to get out last night. Not to fucking jump ship!”
You chuckled in disbelief. Lip arching as you took a step closer to him, finger still pointed at his face. Sharp eyes meeting his, “You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to say whatever the hell you want them show up here and act like I did something wrong, Jerimovich.”
“Ahhh, don’t ’Jerimovich’ me—“
“You knew better than saying that shit. Especially in front of everyone!” you clapped your hands together.
“Oh. Come on, Y/N! One fucking slip—“
“SLIP? Don’t you even dare. You know damn good and well how that makes me feel. How fucking angry I used to get when people in school would say that shit,” you barked in his face.
Richie got closer, practically pressing his nose to yours, “Stop playing victim, princess. You’re the one who had the nerve to bring my divorce into it. Let alone talking on Mikey’s name.”
Both of you huffing like bulls about to charge. The air between you running entirely too hot. Both your faces flushed.
“Why’re you acting like we’re strangers or something? Like you don’t even know me anymore?! I thought we were friends!” Richie spoke with his hands.
“I thought so too!” you held your arms out at your sides. Furrowing your eyebrows tightly together as your nostrils flared. Stepping back to rest against the door once more. Sniffling a little, “Thought things were different with us.”
Richie blinked. Things were different between you. Not like your relationship with Mikey or even Carmy. Richie always had a certain protective nature for you. Taking you under his wing as the only other none blood relative of the family. Something you had once bonded over when you were a young adult. Finding a comfort in him that no one else had ever given you. Hanging out with him and Mikey more once you were finally eighteen. And though he did not like to admit it, Richie was fond of you. More than he should have been. Laughing hard at some stupid joke in some movie you watched together. Sometimes letting you rest your body against his after a long day. Driving around late at night and just talking. It was all natural and easy. So, of course, he wanted to protect you. Needing to keep you on track when you teetered off the rails.
Carmy had went off to college just a few months prior. You were not taking it well. Not sure how to even function without your best friend, and things at your home had gotten bad. Your dad was drunk more often than not, and your mom could not take it anymore. Often taking his drunken frustrations out on you instead. It’s not like you could afford rent on your own, and you didn’t know anyone you could stay with.
Drinking helped you forget. The fake I.D. you had bought off some sleazy middle aged guy helped you get into bars and clubs. Drunk more nights than not. It helped you sleep. Helped you forget. It was the best distraction you had.
That night, you had been invited to a party by some older guys at a bar. Frat bros no doubt. Barely able to remember how you ended up at this house in the middle of no where. Surrounded by people you did not know. Music blaring so loud that you could not focus. A red solo cup that someone else had poured for you. Unable to taste it, really. Faces of strangers misshaping in your drunken haze. Some older girls stood around you chatting about life at their office. Mixture of groups confusing you further. Thinking this had to be a college party, but the way they talked about mundane work life made you question it. But the alcohol had you carefree. Bobbing your head to the over the top music. Eyes closed and smile beaming. Not sure what hour it was. Not sure where you were. Not caring either.
A firm hand on your shoulder had you spinning around before you could register the touch. Richie’s voice barely cut through the alcohol raging in your system, “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Hey! Richie!” you slurred, eyes lighting up when you finally realized it was him.
His eyebrows pinched the skin between them. Blue eyes wide and jaw hanging open. Shock written as clear as day across his face. Frustrated at you. Shrugging his arms to the side and shaking his head as he looked you up and down. Revealing clothes with ripped tights. Not enough layers to even begin protecting you from the cold air this time of year. Makeup smudged under your eyes. Cheeks glowing with alcohol.
“What the fuck is that? You’re not even old enough to have that in your hand,” Richie spoke through locked teeth, gesturing towards the cup in your hand. Aggressively snatching it from you and dropping it onto the ground. Earning a late protested ‘hey!’ once you saw the liquid pooling next to your feet.
You crossed your arms and shifted away from him, “Why do you care?”
Richie sighed. Pinching the top of his nose, “You know why. And if cousin isn’t here to keep you straight, looks like I’ve gotta be the fucking one. How come on!”
That was the moment something shifted inside you. Richie’s hand on your forearm burned. Seeing him in an entirely new light. Rushing you out the door while curses rolled from his tongue. Giving any guy with a wandering eye a look that could kill. Feeling your stomach warm up when his blue eyes looked over his shoulder to you. For so long, he had been Carmy’s older brother’s friend. A guy who was always around the same way you were. Tagging along with the family antics. But now his image was changing. Protective of you. Guarded you from every body you passed.
The cold air wafting against your skin sobered you momentarily. Squinting your eyes into a harsh blink. Shivering instantly. Furrowing your brow at Richie, “Where are we going?”
“My car,” he bluntly responded.
You pulled your arm from his grasp. Firmly planting both your feet into the cold ground outside. Breath clouding in front of your face as you huffed.
Richie turned, arms falling loosely at his sides with a smack. Shoulders dropping as he tilted his head, waiting for whatever stupid thing you were going to drunkenly rattle off. Losing patience as you both silently stared, “What is it? You’ve gotta be freezing, come on—“
Without hesitating, he pulled his leather jacket off his body. Wrapping it around you, his hand met the small of your back. Tingling along your skin. You pulled it tighter against your body as you continued forward. The heat in your face was blurring between alcohol and blush. It smelt so strongly of him. Cigarettes and some cologne. Natural musk. Your heart was pounding as every nerve in your body screamed at you. Glancing over to him. Had Richie always looked so handsome?
No— fuck! Even drunk clean off your ass you knew better. There was no point in thinking something like that. Richie was way older than you, plus there’s no way he would be interested in someone like you. Carmy’s little friend.
The wedged heels you wore were beginning to burn. Walking more than you had anticipated. Especially on your wobbly legs. Relieved when Richie’s old-beater blurred in your sight. Opening the door, he helped you in. Holding your hand in his as he guided you into the passenger seat. Keeping you steady until you flopped backward against the cracking leather. Pointing at you and instructing you to buckle yourself in. Nodding mindlessly as your eyes grew heavier by the second.
Jumping when he slammed his own door. Taking his place behind the wheel, throwing his own advice to the wind. Putting the key in the ignition, the car barked to life. Puffing out a cloud of black smoke. He’d been driving this thing since he was a teenager. The life inside the engine was wavering. Looking over to make sure you were set, but you had not moved an inch. Tilting side to side in your drunk state. It made him smile a little.
Beginning to head back towards home, the car ride was silent to begin with. Until you groaned and had to sit straight up. Blinking slow then widening your eyes. Fighting your natural urge to sleep.
“Don’t barf in my car,” Richie warned.
“‘m not,” you sighed, swallowing the large amount of spit that gathered in your mouth.
Richie’s arm was propped up on his window sill. Fingers pressed firmly into his temple rubbing circles, “Your folks are gonna kill you.”
“They’d have to notice I’m gone first,” you slurred. Breathing a deep breath through your nose. Eyes staying opened without struggle now. Streetlights reflecting across your face every few feet.
It made Richie’s heart sink. He knew things were not good for you at home. It was the reason you spent so much time away from there. But he did not know it had gotten that bad. To a point that your parents were not even noticing their only child. Their only daughter who had dropped out of college before half way through the first nine weeks and started drinking as a way to forget her failures.
“I don’t wanna go back there, Richie,” you sighed, looking over to him. His eyes still locked onto the road ahead. Anxious that something would happen on the drive home and it would be his fault. Chewing on the tip of his finger. Slowly, you leaned over the middle console. Resting your head on his shoulder, nuzzling into his body, “Please… don’t make me.”
Richard let out a broken breath. Swallowing the lump overtaking his throat loudly. Eyes darting anxiously to the side as he thought. Shifting his hands on the wheel so he could drape one over your shoulders. Wanting to make you comfortable.
“O-Okay, fuck. You can come stay with me tonight,” Richie blinked as fast as he talked, “But no more running off to parties alone. I don’t wanna know what could’ve happened tonight. You hear me?”
You nodded. Listening intently to every word. Happy to be in his presence. Happy to be leaned against him. Feeling safe for the first time in months.
Richie clicked his teeth together, whispering, “Mikey’s gonna kill me.”
Your head hung low. Holding yourself tightly as you bit your tongue. Trying not to cry. The lack of sleep not helping. Dewey eyes peering up at him. Breaking his heart right where he stood. Hating when you cried, especially when it was his fault. No one ever got under his skin like you. Like you had his heart wrapped around a string. Tugging it whenever you pleased. Even after all these years. After all the different directions your lives went in. He was always coming back to you.
“Y-You know how I am,” Richie sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, “You know better than anyone, okay?”
Which was arguable. Maybe not as much since Mikey was gone. But there had to be other people who knew him better.
You shook your head slowly. Tucking your chin further into your shoulder. Embarrassment burning into anger. Ready to continue the screaming match. Ready to kick him out of your apartment. Back into the cold with that damn attitude of his.
“You made me mad, alright? Shit’s been hard the last few months. And it was easy to take it out on you. That’s why I said what I said. I’ve got a short fucking fuse, you know that,” Richie over exaggerated with his hands. Taking a single step closer, but your harsh eyes stopped him. Shooting daggers clean through him. Reminding him of the expression you gave when he made an offhanded comment. Just with a new layer of disgust underneath it.
Richie remembered how his arm had snaked around your waist. One hand holding yours as to lead. Stabilizing you with every step you ascended, “You can sleep on the couch. I’ll get you a comforter and some pillows. Don’t go whining about being cold or nothing.”
Cold air cutting through him like a knife. Short sleeves the wrong choice of underwear. But atleast you stopped shivering with his jacket around you. Keeping his arm around you as he fumbled with the keys in his hand. Unlocking the door with a loud click. Kicking it open, having completely forgotten about the guest already passed out on his couch. Mikey’s unconscious body slumped across the cheap sofa he got from some guy. Stained and smelling of cigarettes, but he could not pass up on such a deal.
“Shit,” Richie mumbled. How could he have forgot that Mikey was here?! Taking up the only spare space he had to offer. Supposing his brain had went into over protective panic mode when he saw those boys circling you like sharks at the party. It was only a one bedroom, it’s not like there was some spare room he could cram you in. Closing his eyes and groaning lowly.
Beginning to guide you down the short hallway. Needing to talk what was happening out loud, “Change of plans.”
Clicking the dull yellow overhead light in the bathroom on, Richie guided your hands gently onto the stained countertop. Taking a step behind you and helping his jacket off your shoulders. Tossing it over his arm and looking at you in the mirror. Stress apparent on his expression. He pulled one of the drawers open and handed you a wash cloth, “Wash your face. I’ll try and find something for you to sleep in.”
Swiftly rushing across the hall into his wrecked bedroom. Piles of dirty and clean clothes merging together everywhere. Forgetting the last time he had done laundry. That damned laundromat had increased their prices. Running a hand through his hair as he scanned around the space. Begging for something he could offer you. Eyes reaching the small dresser he had tucked in the corner. Blue fabric hanging out of one of the half closed drawers. Finally. That shirt he won at one of the bars he went with Mikey to. Throwing a bullseye first try. Remembering how the room had erupted in applause and the blonde bartender had threw it at him. A dartboard in the center, oversized so that the bar didn’t have to keep extra sizing depending on who won. It sagged around his knees. Too big to wear out, but perfect for bed. Perfect for you.
When he came back to the bathroom, you had abandoned all layers besides your bra and panties. Rubbing your finger across your teeth with a glob of toothpaste that followed. Looking over to him with hooded eyes. His face bled red immediately. The matching lace set perfectly fitting your body was the last thing he expected to see tonight. Realizing how bad your clothes scattered across his bathroom floor would look to anyone else. Especially Mikey in the morning when he inevitably waddled into the singular bathroom to piss. Unable to stop himself from following the arch of your ass as you leaned down to rinse the toothpaste from your mouth. Muttering a curse as he strained to look at the ceiling. Offering out the barely worn t-shirt, “Put this on.”
Sliding it over your head, you lost your balance. Wobbling momentarily before catching yourself on the countertop. Giggling as you tried to keep quiet. Richie had jerked to catch you out of instinct. His hand held you at the elbow, concerned eyes peering at you. Body blocking the doorway, Richie hunched just enough to keep eye level with you. Standing together awkwardly, neither of you saying a word. This silence unlike previous ones. Tension webbing itself into it. His deep blue eyes making you blush.
“Guess I’m… uh, guess I’ll sleep in the tub?” you gestured behind you with your thumb.
Richie’s forehead wrinkled, “Fuck, no. You can, um, sleep in my bed.”
Shaking your head in disagreement, “Where will you sleep?”
“Floor’s fine,” Richie avoided the strong eye contact you attempted to hold. Stopping himself from making a decision he would live to regret. Even if everything in him begged to scoop you up in his arms and take you to bed. His eyes darted up, “You’ll have the whole thing to yourself.”
You flattened a hand against his shoulder. Shifting so that your weight pressed into him, hands loosely holding you. Richie closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. Even when your lips pressed into his ear, “I don’t want to sleep alone tonight, Richie.”
A genuine plea. Not some forward move to get him to fuck you. Just a need to feel the touch of someone else. It made him sick. Shaking his head. Refusing to do this. Not with you. Not with Mikey in the other room. Not while you were drunk.
“Please,” it came out broken. Hiding your face in his neck when tears welled at your eyes. Grasping at his t-shirt with shaking hands.
Richie’s tongue wetted his lip. Taking a deep breath as he leaned his head back. Closing his eyes, “Okay.”
Walking together into his bedroom, Richie kept ahold of you. Pulling down the disheveled blanket to allow you to lay down. Draping it back across your body once you got comfortable against the pillow. The soft glow from the streetlights reflected in your eyes. Looking as beautiful as ever, Richie could have stared for hours. But that’s not what this was. So he rounded the bed and took his usual spot. Under the same covers as you. Bodies pressed tightly together on the full sized mattress. He turned his head to look at you, “No funny business. You hear me?”
You smiled. Closing whatever gap existed between you. Tossing your arm across his chest and snuggling into him. Closing your eyes and savoring this feeling. Whispering, “Thank you, Richie.”
His arm rested under you. Hand petting at your shoulder for just a moment before he rested his mouth to the top of your head. Nose nestled into your hair as he nodded, “Yeah, yeah. Go to sleep.”
Probably the softest moment either of you could remember. Unsure the exact moment that had pivoted to change that dynamic. To make both of you cruel and hateful. How had you gone down such different paths? When things between you had been so obviously intertwined for so long. Feeling now as if nothing had been before. Only anger and disdain.
Fingernails digging into your arms attempted to calm you. Something you had done since you were a kid. Hugging yourself when things seemed uncertain. Making up for the lack of sympathy and compassion your parents had. It made you stubborn, no doubt. You squinted at him, “Why are you really here, Richie?”
“I came to get you back,” he shrugged, raising his eyebrows with his breathless words.
“Why? So we can fight more? Or so you could get Carmy off your back?” you let your head fall to the side. Earning a loud scoff from Richie. Who was pacing once more. Contorting his face as he thought of a comeback. Hands digging into his pockets as he stepped. His inability to tell you the truth hurt worse than the fight.
Pushing off the door, you headed into your kitchen. Ignoring the noise that escaped Richie when you walked past like he wasn’t even there. Bringing his thumb up to his lips and chewing at it. Tapping his foot as he stared down at the floor. Blocking him out as you grabbed a bottle of water from the case you had laying on your floor.
“Carmy didn’t send me,” he finally said, “Everyone’s counting on you. We need you. I-I—“ He stopped himself when your head whipped upward. Waiting for the next part. For that simple admission. The thing that would change all of this.
“I’m not coming back,” you stated under your breath.
Richie sighed again. Swallowing the lump in his throat. Running a hand down his face and cupping his jaw. Nodding with the thoughts running rampant behind his eyes. Beginning to step closer to you. Resting his hand on the short island countertop. Leaning his weight as he looked at you, “I need you to.”
It shocked you. Eyes widening at the simple phrase that you don’t know you’ve ever heard him utter. It had to pain him. The look on his face told you that. All you could do was shake your head, whispering ‘no’ like it was breathing.
Richie stepped in front of you. Grabbing both your shoulders in his large palms. Staring at you with those intense blue eyes, “Come on. Tell me what I gotta do. Whatever, I don’t care, just— just tell me what it’s gonna take.”
You stared up at him. Jaw clinched as you thought. Taking a deep breath as your eyes darted to the side. Rejoining his with a softening of your expression. Blinking rapidly as you spoke, “Tell me why you’re here.”
Confusion tugged at his expression. Denying the truth. Even when it was clawing its way from his ribcage and into the back of his throat. Practically strangling him. He hated this. Hated how soft you made him. How easy you let him inside. How right it felt to have his hands on you again. No matter how he tried to deny it, you were what he wanted.
His forehead pressed to yours. Tightening the grip he had on your shoulders. Working up the courage to admit, “I came to say sorry.”
Your heart pounded. Feeling your mouth run dry at that. Richie never apologized, even when he had offended some of the most important people. Tending to stand his ground for whatever thing he had used as an insult. Getting punched? Slapped? Cussed? Didn’t matter. Richie was always right.
His hand came up to cup your cheek. Flattening against the side of your face as his fingers ran through your hair. His tongue wetted his lip, “I hate when I care about people. Makes me want to push until they won’t come back. No matter how bad I get hurt. When you came back, it was like this cut reopened. And I had to make it stop. I… I’m sorry I said those things to you.”
“I’m sorry, Richie…” was all you could muster. While it meant the world, you were not sure you could jump back into the job. Wanting to help Carmy, but not worth sacrificing whatever thread held you and Richie’s complicated relationship together.
He released his hold on you and stepped back. Looking up at your ceiling and flattening the back of his hand to his forehead. Nostrils flaring as his adam’s apple bobbed.
“F-For all of it. I-I’m sorry that I brought up your divorce. I’m really sorry that I even mentioned Mikey. I should’ve just stayed away, a-and let you guys handle this. Instead of inserting myself where I don’t belong. As usual,” you cupped your hand around your mouth, feeling your throat start to burn with the words, “I just wanted to help. I guess I still thought that things could’ve been how they used to be. When we used to… I dunno. Feel like a family or something. I’m so fucking stupid.”
You hit your fist to your forehead. Tears finally passing the threshold. Burning down your flushed cheeks. Words overflowing like vomit from your lips, “Carmy will know some people. Someone can take my place. Help you guys out in a productive way. Better than I ever could, Rich. And you guys can go back to being a family without me dragging on your coattails. I’ll stop being ‘Carmy’s little’ whatever and I can… we can stop whatever this is—“
Richie rushed back over to you, both hands grasping the sides of your face. Lips taking yours between them. Taken completely off guard, but slowly melting into him. One of your hands joining his on your face. Sparks jolted every inch of your body. Feeling the thing deep inside you bloom. What you had been starving for air all these years. Finally getting its life breathed back into it.
“Shut up,” Richie breathed barely above a whisper, “Please. Just shut up and come back.”
“Richie,” you swallowed.
His hand tangled in your hair. Keeping you close to him. Noses bumping one another. Your hands flat against his chest. Lips not even an inch apart. Struggling to breathe. Air thick and hot between you.
“I can’t lose someone else,” Richie pressed his lips to yours again, “I just got you back.”
Hands traveling down your body, Richie squeezed your hips. Holding you tightly to him like you were going to run away. Stepping until your back met the countertop. Breathing lowly as his hooded eyes scanned you. Flattening his palms against the cold granite, caging you between them. Tilting his head before interlocking lips once more. You draped your arms over his shoulders. Letting him kiss you however he wanted. His taste overwhelmed your pallet. Scent filling your nostrils. Weight pressed into you. Entirely him.
Steadily growing more and more heated with every movement. Tongues tasting the other. Teeth bumping occasionally. One of your hands gripping the back of his head. His stabilizing against your spine. Both of you pretending to ignore the bulge that rose in his pants.
Lips began to venture down your throat. “You’re one of the most important people in my life,” kissing against your pulse, “I’ll make this up to you however I need to.”
And you could not help but smile. Still apologizing as his mouth left a trail on your skin. Even when his cock was already half-hard and his mind had ventured to far darker places than he usually let it, he was still apologizing. Mouth always running. Over explaining everything.
His lips felt like heaven against your neck. Flattening his tongue and sinking his teeth in. Certainly leaving some purple marks that you would have to explain. But how could you care about that when you felt so good.
Richie was slowly losing his composure. The hunger in him creeping its way out. Hands growing a little more greedy as he cupped your ass. Pulling your lower half to his. Grinding against you as he sloppily put his lips back to yours. Broken breaths rolling through him. Chasing this feeling like it would disappear any second now. Causing your legs to press together, needing to feel some relief for the ache between them.
One of your hands flattened against his lower stomach. Toying with the hem of his shirt until your fingers met his skin. Feeling the soft happy trail that led down to the band of his pants. Dipping your fingertips beneath to rim along the elastic. Meeting the hair that decorated along his pubic bone. Richie’s air caught in his throat. His own hands cupping the sides of your face once more. Guiding you to meet his eyes.
You exhaled as your head fell to the side. Biting your lip as your eyes darted around his face. Taking in the way his cheeks flushed red and his eyes laid heavy. Lips swollen from kissing you. Dying to get him out of his clothes. Taking his hands in yours, you pulled away from the counter. Stepping backwards slowly, trying to make sure you did not bump any furniture. He followed you with ease. Leading him across your apartment to the hall where your bedroom lied. Stopping in front of the partially opened door and looking up at him again.
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Tongue wetted his lips as he looked into your room then back to you. Eyebrows raising ever so. Which made you smile right back at him. Blushing as you giggled. Leaning your head against the doorframe. One of his hands held onto your hip.
“This how you want me to make it up to you?” Richie’s voice had dropped an octave, smug tone adorning it.
You grabbed his jacket between both your hands, pulling him down to you. Furthering into your bedroom. Stopping beside your mattress. Smiling with a laugh, “Maybe.”
Richie shedded his jacket into the floor. It’s weight thumping loudly. Arms flexing against his tight t-shirt. Swiftly removing his shirt as well before taking you back in his hands. Kissing you once more. Tongue lapping against your pallet. Hands ghosting down your sides to pull your t-shirt over your head. Dropping it into the pile with his clothes. Taking a moment to stare at your breasts spilling over your bra.
“You’re fucking gorgeous,” Richie said it with a low groan.
“Don’t flatter me, Jerimovich,” you quipped. Playing with him. A tease that came as natural as breathing between you.
“Not flattery when it’s true,” he cocked a brow, shaking his head as he spoke to emphasize his point. One hand cupping your breast. Thumbing at your nipple that had perked beneath the thin cup. A moan escaped the back of your throat. Small and barely noticeable. But it caught Richie’s attention. Reaching around to unclasp your bra, his breath fanned against your ear, “And don’t tell me what to do.”
You laughed. Bra sliding off your shoulders as Richie pulled back. Letting to drop in the floor, you flattened your hands to his bare chest. Exploring across the hair along it until your fingers met the cold metal around his necklace. Hooking a finger around it with a smile. Fluttering your lashes up at him. You pushed up so your lips could kiss against his throat. Nipping and sucking the skin. His head fell back with a low moan. Making sure you left a purple mark for tomorrow, it would only be fair. No one would ever put the two together. Even if the two of you had matching marks proclaiming your newfound relationship. After the events of the other night, it would be impossible to believe.
You sat back onto the mattress. Scooting yourself back to make room for him. Spreading your legs as an invitation. One Richie happily accepted. Crawling onto the soft covers and over you. Both of you slowly lowering until your head met a pillow. Lips meeting once more in a tender moment.
Richie’s hands met the band of your sleepwear. Tugging them and your underwear down in one swift pull. Throwing them behind him somewhere. Leaving you entirely nude before him. Vulnerable in a way you had never been with him. Feeling suddenly conscious of your body, you tucked your face into one of the pillows beside your head. Cheeks flushing when you could feel his strong gaze on you. He leaned down and placed a kiss against your clavicle. Kissing a path down to your breast, taking your nipple between his lips. Sucking and flicking it with his tongue. His other hand pinching the other one between tight fingers. Rolling it to match how his tongue moved. Your hands gripped the back of his head, moaning as your back arched. Forcing your chest closer to his mouth.
One hand traveled to your core. Calloused fingertips meeting your sensitive clit. Making your entire body jump, and Richie to pull off your breast. Looking up at you with a wicked grin. Laughing as he widened his eyes at you, “What? Those boys you’ve been with not know where it is?”
You scowled at him, “Fuck you. It’s just been a while.”
Stretching up to kiss at your jaw, Richie tried to hide how he chuckled at that. Utterly amused by everything your body had to offer. The strum of your heart racing at your pulse. How your eyes rolled back in your head. How red you were in the face right now. He was enthralled by it all.
“Yeah?” Richie slowly slid a finger into you, “Well, ole Richie will go nice and slow for you. How’s that sound, baby?”
Your mouth fell open. Eyes forcing themself shut as you threw your head back. Exhaling harshly, his name mixing itself into the sound. His finger pumped slowly into you. Curling and hitting the spot that made you see stars. His thumb pressing into your nub now. Adding fuel to the flames already raging on inside you.
Richie watched your every move. Admiring you as you slowly lost yourself to pleasure. Moaning and rolling your hips to meet his hand. His cock was throbbing between his legs. If you were like this from his finger alone, he could not wait to see how you acted with his cock inside. Chewing his lip for a moment until he could wait no longer.
Removing himself from your entrance, you whined at the loss of sensation. Eyes flying open to see him kicking off his pants. Giving you a full view of him in all his glory. Springing up to smack himself in the stomach, swollen and leaking. Red with his need. Absolutely living up to every fantasy you had ever had about him. Gawking now.
His eyes darted to your face. Catching you in the act, feeding his ego a bit. Smirking at you now, hovering his lanky body above you. Kissing from your cheek to your lips. His head fell to the side as he questioned you, “What’s that face about?”
You got a little flustered at his cocky attitude. Absolutely knowing the effect he was having on you. Making sure to use it to his advantage. Hands came to cup his face, “I just like looking at you, Rich.”
Lips interlocked once more. His cock gliding between your folds, making both of you grunt in satisfaction. More turned on than either of you had been in a long time. Richie pressed his lips to your ear, “Can I fuck you now, pretty girl?”
You sighed with a wide smile, “Please.”
Richie grasped himself at the base, lining up with your entrance. Taking his time to press the head between your folds. Shallowly thrusting to let your body adjust to him. Living for the view of your face contorting in ecstasy. Jaw hanging open as you panted. Sinking in inch by inch until your cores were pressed together. Dipping down so that your foreheads were flush. Heaving deep breaths.
There was a part of you that told you how perfect this was. How maybe this is how things were always supposed to be. And maybe if you and Richie had tried sooner, you’d both be living very different lives. This connection between you had always been different. Perhaps you should have explored it before now. But there was no changing the past. Only the choices you made going forward.
“I love you,” Richie breathed as quiet as he could. Words he swore he would never give another woman. Ones he never thought he could give someone again. Not after all the heartbreak and loss.
It made tears prick at your eyes. Shocked. Wanting to question him. Wanting to deny it. But it felt so right. You smiled, “I love you too, Richie.”
A wide smile taking over his face. Quickly kissing you once more to hide how flushed he got from that. Beginning to pull back before thrusting back into you. Finding a slow and steady rhythm that had you gripping tightly against his back. Nails scratching him. Never had you felt something so good in your life. He was perfect.
Richie’s hand traveled down your figure. Finding your clit once more and circling it with two fingers. Earning a rather loud moan from you. Hips arching at his touch. Giving him a new angle to fuck into you.
“Ri-Richie—“
“Yeah? Tell me, sweetheart.”
“It’s so— so good,” you whined, swallowing harshly.
He smirked, “I know. It’s like this pussy was made for me.”
Moaning in response. Feeling the way the familiar coil in your belly was tightening. Warmth blossoming along your skin a warning of how close you were. If he continued like this you would be unraveling any second now. Walls squeezing him tightly as your body prepared.
“You gonna cum?” his tone naturally teased.
All you could do was nod and call out his name. Words not forming in your mind. Only the feeling of his cock stretching you over and over. The pressure of his fingers sending you to your finish. Wrapping your arms tightly around him as your insides began contorting. White hot blooming all throughout you. Swearing you had never finished so hard.
Richie’s lip quivered at the sensation. Holding you close as his cock began to twitch. Barely thrusting forward a few times before he was spilling inside you. Coating your sensitive walls with his release. Taking your lips between his to hide the moan that ripped from the back of his throat. Grunting with each rope of cum.
As your bodies came down from their highs, the two of you stared at one another. Eyes blown wide with a carnal pleasure. Feeling closer than ever. Faces sharing in their glow. Panting in unison.
Richie rolled off you. Both of you wincing at the sensation of loss. Wrapping his arms around you and pulling you close to his side. Cuddling together in the post orgasm haze. Smiles written on both your faces. Lingering in the silence of the late hours.
“I’ll come back tomorrow,” you whispered holding his eyes.
“Good,” he returned. Running a hand along the side of your head. Simply to feel you in his grasp. Loving how your body fit perfectly against his side as it always had. This intimacy between you entirely new, yet somehow familiar.
The early hours of morning were beginning to creep under your skin. Yawning then nuzzling your head against his shoulder. Sleepily kissing his cheek before tucking your face under his jaw. Bodies pressed together. Arms wrapped around one another. Lingering in the comfort. A promise of new beginnings.
“Goodnight, Richie,” you mumbled against his skin.
“Goodnight, sweetheart,” punctuating it with a kiss.
~
Richie’s body woke him up bright and early. Still in your bed. Your body still snuggled against him. Warm and comfortable. Light from the window basking you both in its morning glow. He admired you. Even asleep, you were stunning.
Then he heard a little buzz from his clothes discarded on the floor. His phone still in the pocket of his jacket. Cursing softly under his breath as he looked into the floor. There was no way he could reach it from the bed. Besides, he did not want to disturb you with a phone call. So he ever so slowly began to remove himself from you. The chill of the room sending goosebumps across his skin, only making him more frustrated.
“Rich…” you mumbled still mostly asleep. Chasing after his body as he slipped from the blanket. Eyebrows furrowing in disappointment.
“I’ll be right back,” Richie pressed a kiss to your head, keeping his voice to a whisper, “Phone keeps going off. I’m gonna see what’s going on.”
You grunted in response. Instantly falling back asleep. Richie threw his pants and jacket on. Digging in the pocket for his phone as he walked out of your bedroom and to the front door. Pulling out the box of cigarettes with his phone. Placing one between his lips as he unlocked his screen.
It was Carmy.
Eight times. Calling him over and over like the little shit he was. It was probably something that could have waited until later, but Carmy did not have a relaxed bone in his body. He flicked the lighter he had tucked in the box and took a drawl of the cigarette before another call came through.
“Hey, cousin—“
“Look who decided to finally answer. Hey, yeah, Rich. I need you to go apologize to Y/N today. Last night was a fucking wash. I don’t care what you gotta do, just go say you’re sorry,” Carmy speedily said on the other line.
Richie smiled. Resting his head against the brick outside your apartment. Cigarette loosely dangling from his lips. Watching the way the sky shifted colors across the city. Feeling a warmth in his chest. Knowing you were just a door away. That you were probably still waiting for him to come back into bed.
“You hear me? I fucking mean it,” Carmy’s tone shifted when Richie did not answer.
“Yeah. Watch your attitude, kid. I’ll take care of it,” Richie muttered into the phone. Eyebrows knitting momentarily before his posture calmed.
“Thanks, cousin.”
~~~
[END]
// Thank you so much for reading! This is my first time writing for Richie, and I think I’m in love with this guy. I love how brash and sarcastic he is. What a dream boat. A very fun addition to my roster. As always, my inbox is always open. Requests are welcome. Likes and Reblogs are appreciated. I love you :) //
Authors Note- Since I wrote a SFW one I had to do a NSFW one as well. Enjoy:)
Warnings-MDNI, 18+ only!
Masterlist
Request open
-Richie is a filthy talker during sex. Telling you all the things he's gonna do to you, and keeping each promise. Eat your sweet cunt, spank your pretty ass, and fuck you so hard you won't be able to walk straight for a week....those are just some phrases that leave his mouth.
-Aftercare is very important to him. He'll make sure he cleans you up with a warm washcloth, while telling you how good you are for him. He also makes you stay hydrated...after all he took a lot out of you.
-Sometimes he takes videos of you two having sex. Not to upload them on the internet, he'd never do that to you. The purpose of them is something for him to watch while you're too busy to make time to be together. He doesn't need porn anymore, not when you're better than any porn star he's seen.
-He may be in his mid-fourties but he's got just as much stamina as he did when he was twenty, ok maybe he has a little less. He'd rather take his time making you feel good than wham, bam, thank you mam.
-Sometimes he loves to take it slow. Make you beg for releases and then when you're at the very cusp he stops only to bring you back up again. It may be annoying at the time, but once he gives you that orgasm (or three) its incredible.
-He loves having you ride him. Having you be face to face with him while you lead and take what you need from him.
-Richie is vocal. After all he runs his mouth constantly. He's always moaning or saying filthy things to you.
-He loves having sex in risky places, like the office at The Bear, or in his car parked in a dimly lit alley way. It's the thrill of being caught.
-He is total game to explore kinks with you. Want to try bondage, choking, or spanking? He'll explore that with you, and check in with you periodically to see how you're feeling. Your happiness, pleasure, and comfort is his number one priority.
-He has a breeding kink. He'd only get you pregnant if you wanted it, and make sure you were both on the same page. But, he can pretend right? Gonna put a baby in you, gonna stuff you so full, want me to get you pregnant? Gonna pump you so full, Want me to knock you up?
-Richie is obsessed with your tits. He doesn't care what size they are, because he will worship them no matter what. His favorite thing is when they are bouncing in his face while you ride him. He can't keep his mouth or hands off of them.
-Who needs fancy lingerie when you wear his beef tees to bed. He'll fuck you while you wear one of his tees, and then proceed to wear the tee to work.
-He goes crazy while eating you out. It's not just from the sheer enjoyment of it, it's how you react to him by grinding on his face and screaming his name like a prayer.
-Speaking of noise....one time you got a noise complaint from your neighbor one night. Opps. You told Richie he needed to keep it down, but does he listen?
-He loves leaving love bites all over your pretty skin. He gets a sick satisfaction knowing that sometimes you have to cover the marks on your neck up with concealer.
-His favorite position is any of them where he's looking right into your eyes. He loves that connection, one that goes beyond physical.
-Even though he loves being close and intimate with you he also loves being rough and dirty with you at times too.
-Sex with you just isn't about pleasure for him, it's so much more than that. It's about the connection you have, and how much he loves you.
Hi! I absolutely love your work 🥹 I saw your Richie requests were open and I wanted to shoot you an idea, if you don’t want to do it completely okay!! No particular plot, but a nice smutty fic of him with a Berzatto!reader? Could just see Carmy and/or Mikey depending on the time period getting all mad and flustered if he catches Richie and his sister or cousin getting freaky in the office of The Beef lol
Thanks for the request 😌
I got a little bit too much into this. It was getting long so I am going to post part two once it's finished. I hope you enjoy this 🩵
Fuck the Pain Away
Richie Jerimovich x female reader
Warnings: porn with plot, MDNI, 18+
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Request Open
Your dead older brother's best friend shouldn't be your dirty secret, but sure enough, that was the case.
Richie Jerimovich was fifteen years older than you. You were the youngest out of the four Berzotto siblings. Growing up you harbored a deep crush on Richie, one that only got worse as you got older. You say worse because what you were doing was dirty, filthy, and just wrong.
You had wanted to tell Mikey. “Hey, I'm fucking your best friend.” or “I hope you're not mad but Richie and I had sex on your desk at the beef while you were away.” It never came up, no matter how hard you tried to tell him. Sadly, he'd never know the truth now.
It didn't have a label, you were more or less fuck buddies. But, there was a mutual understanding between the two of you that there was more going on than just giving each other pleasure. Maybe it was the taboo nature of it, or maybe it was just that you were finally accepting what was right in front of you all along; You were in love with Richie Jerimovich.
It all started a few months before Mikey died. Crushing on someone who was married was embarrassing, and you knew better. Richie Jerimovich just couldn't be avoided no matter how hard you tried, especially as Mikey's best friend.
As bad as it sounded, you were happy when Richie got a divorce. Tiff was fine, there was nothing wrong with her, you had actually liked her, and that made it worse. You wanted to hate her, but you couldn't bring yourself to do so. The divorce didn't come as much of a surprise to you. Oddly enough Richie seemed relieved.
You still remember the one Christmas a few years ago, when Carmy finally decided to show his face. Tiff was then pregnant with Eva. Richie seemed happy then. It bothered you more than you liked to admit, so you retreated to your room. That was the Christmas when Mikey started shit with Uncle Lee, and Mom drove her car into the house. Good times. It was all brushed under the rug though, like it always was. Carmy would go back to New York, Sugar would go live her life with Pete, Mom would drown in the bottle while pretending everything was fine, Mikey would take his pills, and I would sit with it all on my shoulders while I crushed on a married man.
It was late when Mikey got home after taking Richie out. Mikey said it was to help Richie get his mind off his divorce, but you were not stupid it was so Mikey could get shit faced. You were sitting out on the couch watching reruns of Family Feud, something Mikey and you did when you were a kid. You heard footsteps coming down the stairs. There was a lump in your throat as you saw Richie standing in the dimly lit room. “Off so soon?” You asked as you took a sip of your water.
“You're bother is skunked I had to make sure he didn't accidentally smash his fuckin’ big ass head getting into bed.” Richie said with mild annoyance. It was no secret that Mikey loved the bottle after all, he took after your mom. Everyone knew he needed help, except for Carmy who ran off to New York to become some fancy chef. Most days Mikey was, well Mikey the loveable older brother, but other days he was a mess. Today sadly turned into one of those days.
You approached Richie. “I'll head up and check on him in a bit. Thanks for making sure he's safe.” Richie nodded. The air between the two of you was thick. It had been like this lately, and you didn't know what to do about it.
“Well, I guess I'd better go back home. Eva left a mess in the living room earlier. Fuckin’ paint on my carpet. You think paint companies would get the hint now. Parents don't want a glittery pink stain on their damn floor. I should call and rip 'em a new one.”
You chucked at Richie's dilemma. “You know I just bought a really good stain remover that works on everything. Let me head to my bedroom to get it.” As you headed up the stairs you felt Richie grab your arm gently.
“It's alright.” He said close to your ear, which sent goosebumps down your body. He was so close to you, close enough to where you could smell his delicious scent of cologne and cigarettes, a combination you would typically find repulsive, but on him it was intoxicating. You should have pulled away, but you both stayed rooted in place.
“What are you doing, Richie?” The question hung in the air for a bit.
“Something I shouldn't be doing.” His lips met yours before you could question him. The kiss was everything you dreamed it would be, just better. Both of you were starving for each other as your lips moved together, and his hands roamed your body carefully as if you would break.
Hours later you both lay tangled up under a blanket on the couch, with your clothes strung all over the living room floor. The consequences were damned at the moment, all of it could be left to figure out in the morning, because right then you were exactly where you wanted to be for so long. Right in Richie's arms.
————
Six months later
A knock sounded outside the door of Mikey's old office. “What? I'm busy, Carm!” You hollered while sorting through the mess of papers that were left on his desk.
“It's me.” Richie's voice sounded. You pushed aside the papers. It was making your head hurt anyway. “Come in,” You said. Richie stepped into the dimly lit office. He smiled as he saw you, which made your heart flutter.
Richie's arms wrapped around your waist. “Missed you.” He murmured as he kissed the side of your neck.
“You just saw me an hour ago.” You chuckled.
“Yeah, well I can't exactly kiss you and touch you in front of everyone can I?” He was right it would be absolute carnage if someone found out about you two.
After Mikey died you and Richie mourned together. What started out as something casual between you two became a daily occurrence. Richie was already like family so it wasn't weird that he hung around. His personality had always been rather brash, but as of recently his attitude at The Beef had been getting worse. Carmy had recently come home from New York and decided to take over the restaurant. Richie wasn't happy about it, after all he and Mikey ran it. You wanted to tell Carmy to relax and ease up a little on Richie, on everyone. It seemed like you were the only one who could keep Richie from completely, going off the rails these days.
You shut the door to the office. It wasn't like anyone would come looking. “That new chef, or whatever the hell she calls herself is getting on my nerves. Her and her stupid system. You know Mikey and I ran a tight ship around here, babe. I don't need some young kid running around here changing things up.” Richie rambled on as he helped you take off your clothes.
“Shut up, idiot. You're not helping the mood.” You teased.
“Sorry, I am just annoyed ok? Your brother has a short fuse these days.” He added.
“Richie, just shut up.” You said with a laugh before you planted your lips on his.
He groaned into the kiss as his large hands kneaded your hips. “I need you so bad. Go sit your pretty little ass on that desk and spread those legs.” You complied and went to sit on the desk that was still littered with Mikey's stuff. Everything about this was wrong. Yeah, you had done it in hidden places around The Beef. Mikey's office was a new place, but there was a thrill behind it.
He sank down to his knees in front of your spread legs. “You're dripping for me, Jesus.” He growled while eyeing your dripping center. A loud moan escaped your throat as his tongue licked your throbbing core. “Shh, keep it down. Don't make me cover your pretty fuckin’ mouth shut.” His threatening tone only made you wetter. His tongue went to work licking, sucking, and biting at your most intimate parts. The feeling of his tongue thrusting in and out of your entrance made you closer to an orgasm.
“Richie!!!!” You keened as you ran your fingers through his short hair.
“That's it! Come for me. Soak my mouth and face, dirty girl.” The pressure low in your stomach was taught, ready to snap at any second.
“Oh God!! You're so good at this. I'm gonna-” just then your orgasm crashed through your body like a tidal wave. Richie doubled his efforts while he worked you through your release.
He pulled back, your release glistening on his lips and chin. “You taste so good, baby. You've got me obsessed.” He said while standing up. Your heart pounded harder as he looked down at you. “Here, taste yourself” He murmured before going in for a kiss. You could taste yourself on his tongue as it tangled with yours. As you kissed you became aroused all over again. Reaching down between your bodies you gripped his hard, thick cock over his track pants.
“Mmm, you want my cock baby girl?” He asked between kisses.
“Please.”
Richie chuckles at your reply. “So polite for me, good girls get rewarded you know?” His fingers played with a loose strand of hair that had fallen out of your ponytail. “Yeah, bend over for me baby! Show me that sweet fuckin ass.” His hands rested over yours to help keep you better balanced against the desk. Dirt and grim were caked under Richie's finger nails, making everything you've been doing lately even more filthy. His thick cock pushed inside of your heat making both of you moan. It always took time for you to adjust to his size, the fact made his ego inflate even more. “Can I fuck you now?” He asked almost sweetly.
“Yes, I'm ready.” With that he drove forward, slamming his cock in and out of you in a delicious rhythm.
“So, fuckin tight. Sweet cunt made for me.” He growled into your ear as one of his hands came up to fondle your breast. His fingers played with your nipple, the sensations making you feel even more alive. The desk that you were leaning on was hitting the wall in sync with Richie's thrust. “You feel so good you know that? So right for me. Pussy made for me.”
"What the fuck?!?" you hear. Richie stops mid-thrust. You glance over to see Carmy standing there with a look of horror on his face., “Richie! That's my little sister! You sick fuck!” he yells. Richie tries to keep most of your body covered, but it’s too late. Carmy had seen everything.
“Dude, your sister is an adult, okay?” Richie snapped.
“Yeah, and she's fifteen years younger than you. I need to wash my eyes with bleach,” he retorts. You realized this conversation between them was just going to go in circles.
“Carmy…I'm ok with this. Richie and I...” You didn't know what you and Richie even were, other than friends.
“Richie and you what? Been having sex behind my back? How long has this been going on? Don't tell me some bullshit lie, either.” You were embarrassed to say the least, your secret now out in the open.
“About six months.” You replied in a small voice.
“Sixmonths?! Even before...before...Mikey died. Did he know?” You looked down at the ground, not meeting Carmy's eyes.
“No.” You said with shame.
Carmy ran his hands through his messy curls. “Jesus. I knew that you had some weird crush on Richie, but I didn't know it would ever come to...this.” By this point, he was pacing the floor. “I'm gonna need a minute. Jesus. Not the thing I ever wanted to see.” Carmy was a frazzled mess.
“Shut the fucking door so no one sees her naked,” Richie demanded.
A sarcastic laugh left Carmy. “You're concerned about someone seeing her naked?! Maybe you shouldn't have your dick shoved in my sister! You sick perv.” You felt Richie tense behind you.
“Well, maybe you should shove yours where the sun don't-”
“STOP!!” You screamed. Both of them froze.
“The reason I came to check the office was because there was a thumping against the wall. Guess it was my sister getting fucked.” Carmy's eyes met yours. “This is bad, you know that he's been selling coke? He's just got divorced. He's a damn mess! You're nearly half his age!” By this point, Richie had covered you up with his leather jacket, but you felt more exposed than ever.
“Don't say it like that you prick.” Richie barked. You could tell Carmy was hitting Richie right where it hurt.
“Well, what else is it hmm? It's not like you were in here doing anything innocent.”
“It's more than that….it's…I like you sister ok? More than just a little, a lot” your heart fluttered at his admission.
“Just don't hurt her, and please stop doing nasty things with my sister in my restaurant”
Richie scoffed. “Like you have any authority over me you fuckin baby. I ran this place pretty much before you walked in with your Michelin bullshit.” You rolled your eyes, this whole conversation was going nowhere.
Throughout the rest of the day Richie was on edge, and he was making it everyone's problem. What stung the worst was the fact that Richie wouldn't even look at you when you went out to the kitchen to grab some lunch. You were scared that he was taking Carmy's harsh comments to heart. That he was too old for you. He was too broken to be loved, and just too much. In your eyes none of that mattered, it never did. Before you left at the end of the day Carmy pulled you off to the side.
“Carm, if you're gonna ream me about Richie I don't want to hear it.” You were over the conversation, today had been a lot.
“You're my baby sister. I don't want to see you get hurt ok? You know Richie. He's…a lot.”
“I do know that, but he's also sweet, caring, and treats me well. He always has..you were just never around to see it.*
You could see Carmy swallow. “I know and I'm sorry. I should have been there after Mikey died. You needed me.”
“I know this is hard to hear, Carm. But, we all did. Especially Richie, we are all he has. You don't know how bad it was after Mikey died. You know Richie found him right? Richie didn't sleep for weeks. I just held him every night stroking his hair, just hoping that I could keep him from falling apart.” You looked down at your feet. “He's still broken, he's just better at hiding it now.”
The door swung open, both yours and Carmy's eyes looked over to see Richie standing there. “You know Carmy. I was the one who found him.”
Carmy cut him off. “Yeah she told-”
Richie's face turned angry. “Shut the fuck up, Carm! You weren't there. I can still see him when I close my eyes. Everyone keeps actin’ like I'm some problem that needs fixed. I wasn't allowed to fall apart. Someone had to hold this shit hole together. Someone had to be here, and that was me. You don't get to say shit because you were off tryin’ to be a fancy pants chef.” You could tell that Richie's words hurt Carmry. Carmry had worked hard, but then again Richie was right. He was gone when you needed him the most, and he didn't even show up to Mikey's funeral. Richie looked towards you. “She's the only reason I didn't fuckin’ break into a million pieces. We held each other every night while we tried to put ourselves back together. So yeah, maybe I'm just no good for your sister. I’d never hurt her, I couldn't. Not when she's the only thing keeping me together, keeping me alive.” You went to reach for his hand, but he turned away which stung. It was like something snapped in him.
“Richie!” You pleaded.
He shook his head as he walked away. “Fuck this. I'm out.” You and Carmy jumped as he kicked the shitty baseboard, causing a hole to appear.
“Thanks for that asshole!” Carmy yelled. Your heart sank in the last few minutes something shattered in Richie, and you knew it was complicated.
———
Richie didn't come home with you that night. Usually he'd stay the night with you if you were at the beef, but after the blow up he disappeared.
There was a knock on your apartment door that jarred you out of your thoughts. You went to look through the peep hole to see the tall familiar figure standing at the door. Carefully you opened it.
“Can I come in?” Richie asked. You nodded as you waved him inside. He dropped his leather jacket on the shoe bench. You wrapped your arms around him while running a hand over his lean chest. You both knew what he came over for, it was like this every time.
“You want to do this? Fuck the pain away.” He hissed in your ear while he backed you against the couch. You nodded yes at his question.
“Use your fucking words, baby girl.” His voice was bordering on cruel.
“Yes.” You replied while nearly dripping from the anticipation. You both undressed while you watched each other with lust filled eyes. Once you were both fully naked he stepped forward towards you.
“You're so pretty you know that?” He stated while spreading your legs and settling between them. The coldness of his gold chain was hitting against your thighs. You both moaned as his cock filled you, and stretched you. In the morning there was going to be yet another noise complaint from your landlord, but you didn't care. The way Richie was driving himself into you while having you pinned against the couch had you moaning loudly. With each movement the head of his cock struck that sensitive spot over and over, until your brain turned to mush. You had given him scratches down his back, digging into his skin hard enough to make him hiss. At one point you lifted your hand to see a bit of blood glistening on your fingers.
You'd never fucked like this before. It had usually been either soft and slow or a bit rough. This was different; this was months of pent up grief and longing for each other. You were both bleeding out from the pain of it all.
“Just take it! Take it!” He growled as he gripped your hips, hard enough to leave bruises that would probably be visible tomorrow.
All you could think about was how this was a dirty secret. There has never been a label. The sex had started well before Mikey died, but after his death it became something that you both felt like you needed. You needed the connection, anything to keep you from being numb. It was the way he'd leave bite marks on your neck that you'd cover up with a scarf or a good amount of concealer, or the way he'd yell your name as he reached his orgasm. Richie's caught your eyes as tears began to fall. He stilled, afraid he'd hurt you.
“Keep going….keep going.” You begged. “Just keep going.”
“Jesus, babe your crying.” He observed.
“It's not you. It's just…it's just…how do we go on like this? I don't want to be your dirty secret anymore.” You said, your voice shaky.
For a moment he looked at you, but then resumed his thrust, slowly. Richie sighed while resting his forehead against yours as he moved in you. Both of your bodies were drenched in sweat.
“What are we doing Richie? I can't keep staying in a grey area with you.” The words came out of your mouth before you could take them back. You could tell that one struck.
“Is that it? Is that what this is to you? He questioned all while his hips stilled inside of you. A feeling that made you feel like he was already gone. He cursed under his breath, and pressed his forward against your shoulder. “I don't know how we make this real.” He said hoarsely. “Everytime I'm with you, everytime I touch you it feels right-and wrong all at the same fuckin’ time.”
Tears fell from your eyes as you turned your face towards his. “Then why do you keep touching me, and fucking me?” You questioned.
“Because it's the only time I don't feel like my whole world is falling apart.” He then kissed you while slowly moving inside of you. His hands traced over your breast, down your stomach and back up all over again. It was like he was trying to memorize you. He resumed his steady rhythm. The familiar pressure was building, ready to snap at any moment. A cry escaped you as he reached down between your bodies to rub your clit in frantic circles. He knew, he always knew when you were close.
“Richie! I'm gonna come.” His fingers worked faster as he continued to rut his hips into you.
“Come with me. I'm gonna-” He then stilled inside of you with a loud groan. You could feel him spill into you as your orgasm washed over you. His head fell against your shoulder, panting as he rubbed circles on your hip.
When he finally pulled away his blue eyes looked darker than you'd ever seen them. “This can't be the thing holding us together.” His statement hurt more than it should.
“So that's it? You fuck me to erase the pain?” You asked.
He flinched. “Don't say that! You know it's not like that.” Richie pulled out of you, making you feel empty as you ever had been.
A bitter laugh escaped you. “Does it even occur to you that I'm in love with you?”
Richie froze. Staring at you like you had grown another head. “Don't do that.”
You laughed weakly. “Do what? Tell you what I've been feeling for a long time?”
“You don't get to drop that fuckin’ bomb.” He snapped.
“It's not like I planned it! I'm tired, Richie. Tired of avoiding this thing between us.”
“I don't want that! I want you. The broken and messy pieces. I want the guy in the baggy leather jacket, and the one who smokes too many cigarettes.”
His face went tense. “Do you think I don't have feelings for you? I'm not just in this to get my dick wet. I don't get happy endings! I'm not your prince charming.” That statement broke you. You knew this wasn't some fairytale, it was messy, it was wrong, but Richie made you feel things you'd never felt before.
He sighed slumping down beside you. “When I'm with you I forget that I'm drowning in this grief. I forget that I'm some fuck-up single Dad. It's just you and me, and that scares me, ok?”
“You're just scared it's real! Your scared to face what's right in front of your fuckin eyes.” You explained while trying to stop the tears from falling.
“You want the truth! Well here it is! I love you! I loved you when I was married to Tiff, I loved you when Mikey was off snorting coke up his fuckin’ nose, I loved you when we watched him being lowered underground. I loved you through it all! Are you happy?!”
“That's all I ever wanted.” You said while your voice cracked.
“Well, it's not what you deserve. You deserve someone who will love you like you should be loved. You're one of the best things that's happened to me and that's why I have to walk away. I can't keep holding you down with me.” His words hit like a punch to the gut.
“Richie! Don't! Please just talk to me. We can work this out.” Tears now fell down your face.
“You and I both know we can't sweetheart.”
“Don't.” You begged. “Please, don't do this!”
He reached behind you and grabbed the throw blanket, and placed it over your naked body. Those blue eyes met yours, saying things words could never say. His lips gently pressed against yours. You gripped his shoulders pulling him even closer as his lips moved slowly. For a moment you were both lost in the feeling. Tears fell from your eyes. It was never just a kiss with him. It was all the feelings that had been a live wire between you two. He pulled back and rested his forehead against yours.
“Fuck.” He breathed. “You're perfect.” His thumb wiped the tears from your cheeks.
“Richie…” you said with a small choked sob.
“I gotta go, sweetheart.”
“Is this goodbye?” you asked, hoping that he would just change his mind.
“I don't know.”
After that it was just a blur. He put on his clothes, and walked out the door. Tears stained your pillow as you heard the door shut. The smell of cigarettes, and his cologne still lingered. He was still everywhere, he always would be that much was certain.
Omg I love this so fucking much 🥹🥹🥹 literally one of the best things I’ve read in a while, thank so much for fulfilling my request!!! Can’t wait for part 2! ❤️
Authors Note- Welcome to another late night/early morning project. When I'm feeding my son at night is when I get the best ideas. So, here you go :) a NSFW one will be coming soon.
P.S.....I love hearts, comments, and shares 💓
Warnings- a few mentions of sex, but nothing explicit.
Masterlist
Request Open
-He was so nervous to ask you out, so nervous that he was sure he smoked a whole pack of cigarettes prior to asking you out. When you said yes he thought you were joking.
-It took three dates for Richie to muster the courage to kiss you. Once he finally did he was addicted. Addicted to the taste of your lips, and the way the fit perfectly with his.
-In the morning before you wake up he makes you coffee just the way you like it. A shot of fancy flavored syrup a big splash of creamer. He drinks his black, of course, but takes a sip of yours each morning to see if he gets it just right. After all, his girl deserves the best coffee. He's convinced he does it better than Starbucks, or any of those other fancy ass coffee joints.
-He's obsessed with the way you look in anything you could wear a paper sack and he'd still think you were the most beautiful thing he has ever laid eyes on.
-He loves it when you lay your head on his chest while taking a nap or sleeping in his bed. Wants you to stay like that forever, safe and protected in his arms.
-Speaking of sleep..whenever you wear one of his beef tees to bed he goes absolutely nuts. He loves the way the hem hits just below your ass, a little too big on you but just enough to make him go mad. Bonus points if it's the only thing you're wearing.
-The first time you cried in front of him he broke. He held you through your tears, and wiped them away with his thumb. Richie would do anything to take away your pain.
-He has no filter, or no restraint. He'll smack your ass in public and whisper dirty things in your ear just a little too loudly. Just enough to get you worked up until he can get you alone.
-The background photo in his phone is a selfie you took of you two with Eva when you guys went to The Shed Aquarium.
-Speaking of you with Eva. He loves watching you with her. Like when you braid her hair, make art with her, or bring over your old Barbies to keep at his apartment for her to play with. All he can think about sometimes is making you a mom to his kid someday, but he's way too chicken shit to say anything.
-The front seat of his car is is favorite place for making out. The foggy windows, and your panting breaths as you straddle his lap. It makes him feel like he's nineteen again.
-Infact you make him feel less like an old man. It's crazy how much he can keep up with you while you're half naked on his lap.
-He doesn't understand why you need to wear all that makeup. You're beautiful no matter what. His favorite look of yours is when you wake up all sleepy with your hair slightly messy and your face all soft and makeup free. But, Richie knows it boosts your confidence though.
-You go to The Bear often just to see Richie all dressed up in his suit. He's naturally a leather jacket and track pants guy, but seeing him in a suit just drives you crazy, and he damn well knows it too.
-Richie loves seeing that you've made yourself at home in his apartment. He loves the little touches you've added. Like a few candles, and some decorative throw pillows. Your presence in his life has added so much to his previously pretty dull life.
-He sneaks you left overs from The Bear after his shifts. He knows Carmy would lose his shit if he found out, but when isn't Carmy losing his shit?
-Richie loves to watch you get ready in the morning. Always going up to you and touching so that you playfully swat him away, but he knows exactly what gets a good reaction.
-Speaking of physical intimacy. He loves to ravish you. Has you in his bed whenever he can. Listening to those perfect sounds you make, that he caused.
-Richie lets you pick the movies to watch. He's an action guy, wouldn't be caught dead watching a rom-com before you came along. He doesn't want to admit it; but some are actually pretty good.
-He's the best cuddler. He loves to hold you close at night. His long arms around you, holding you tight while you rest your head on his chest.
-When he says I love you for the first time, he's such a nervous wreck. He knew it was love the moment you met, but he didn't want to scare you off. Richie felt like such a sap, and didn't realize a woman could get under his skin like that. Even Tiff couldn't do that. Yup, he has it bad.
-He can't believe it when you say love him back. For so long he's felt unlovable. He didn't know someone as sweet, and gorgeous as you would fall for an old asshole like him, but you did and isn't gonna let you go. If he gets his way he'll have you forever.
i have been deprived of mikey content and then i found your blog and i was so happy 🥹
do you have any headcannons for when its one of those nights where mikey just can't seem to get enough of you (and she can't get enough of him either) and they're both just practically devouring each other rahhh
yay! i'm glad you found me 💜 mikey holds such a special place in my heart.
i reckon that's the reality most nights with mikey, if we're being honest. there's just something (many things) about you that he just can't ever get his fill of, ya know? when it comes to you, he's never not coming back for more.
tonight, he takes the steps up to your place two a time because he's been fighting a raging hard-on from the moment he hopped into his truck an hour ago.
he'd already had you this morning; the kind of gossamery half-awake/half-asleep sex that's so tender it almost brings tears to your eyes. it was hours before the sun remembered it had a job to do, but he stopped needing the light to know your body long ago.
yeah, he'd had you this morning, but it wasn't enough.
he wraps his arms around you from behind, despite the fact that you're tending to the spaghetti sauce on the stove. his erection presses hard and insistent at the small of your back and you drop your head against the solid mass of his chest with a deep sigh.
"you smell like fried onions and butter,"
he smiles against the crook of your neck, mumbles something about taking a shower together to remedy that problem.
"yeah? and what about the sauce?"
"fuck the sauce," he murmurs and drops the dial on the burner to low.
"some italian you are," you huff, before letting him lead you by the hand to the bathroom down the hall.
he's on his knees for you the second the shower turns on. has one of your legs propped up against the porcelain ledge of the tub and he's lapping at your slick folds like a man starved. like you're the best meal he's ever tasted because to him, you are.
your fingers find purchase in his hair, it's long enough now that you can get a good fistful of it, and you do. he's jerking his cock with his free hand, and when he moans, the vibrations hit your clit with a force that causes stars to bloom at the edges of your vision.
"could do this all fuckin' day, baby," he groans, his voice shattered under the weight of lust. "want you to come all over my tongue."
you're close, but you're not quite there yet, just need something—
he inserts two of his fingers into you, and your walls involuntarily flutter around them, earning you a satisfied smile. "that's it, baby," he coos. "squeeze 'em nice and tight, hm? bet you wish it was my cock."
"fuck, mikey," your voice is a warning.
he rests his forehead against the lower part of your belly and nods. "i know, i can tell you're already close. what's it gonna take, hm?"
his fingers never let up their unforgiving pace and when he bends down to suck your clit between his teeth, it's all over in instant. an intense wave of heat washes over you, followed closely by a painfully unadulterated pleasure that sparks like a blaze out of control and like always- he's there to catch you through it all.
he doesn't stand from his position until the tremors from your release have subsided, and even then, he stays where he is to press a couple of lingering kisses to the soft skin of your thighs. "you did so good, baby."
the rest of the shower passes by without incident despite the erection he's still sporting.
it isn't until he has you on the bed beneath him that you realize how badly he needs you despite already having had you earlier.
"just can't get enough of this pussy, baby," he grunts, before lining the head of his swollen cock up against your slick hole. "miss you every second i'm not inside of you." he teases you by pushing himself an inch in before stopping.
"please, mikey," you are embarrassingly close to begging for it now. you wiggle your ass against him for good measure and earn yourself a long, hollow groan.
without warning, he thrusts all of the way in, and your head falls to the pillow beneath you, your mouth slack at the sensation of being split apart by him. his rhythm is slow at first; measured and controlled as if the man were capable of being either of those things with you. his words from earlier find you through the pleasure-induced haze of your brain, and make you smile.
'could do this all fuckin' day...'
"you like it like this," it comes out as a hushed statement. "like being fucked until you can't think or talk, hm?"
he takes a couple of deep breaths and slows to an aching halt. his dick throbs deep within you, mimicking his frenzied heartbeat.
"it's just too damn good, baby. not gonna last much longer."
three words exist that are the matchstick to his dynamite; they're on the tip of your tongue, but everything is blunted and honeyed at the moment, and the words linger just out of your reach.
he peppers a trail of scorching kisses down the length of your spine, and the sensation brings you back to earth, freeing the words that were so elusive only a moment earlier.
"come for me, mikey."
"fuck," he rasps. "you want it baby?"
you push back against him and it's all the confirmation he's going to get. his hips stutter against yours, and his fingernails leave minsicule crescent moons in your soft skin as he slowly fucks his warm release into you— the sensation nearly enough to tip you over the edge a second time.
he allows himself a couple of minutes to bask in your warmth before pulling out of you entirely. the sudden emptiness feels inexplicably all-consuming, and you swallow back the lump of emotion in the hollow of your throat.
he kisses your pout away, promises you that you won't have to wait long to have him again.
Summary: Ben and his girlfriend need to learn how to be intimate.
Warnings: sex, P in V, dry humping, fingering, Ben is a tits guy, fluff, rude reporters, blood (but only a little), use of Yn… I think that's all.
The bad part about dating a celebrity was that everyone knew about their relationship. She found out on their very first date.
The date was supposed to be something simple, intimate. Ben took a long time to ask her out, like months.
First he was shy, then he started to get closer little by little. He made up excuses to go to Reed's lab, just to see the scientist. She still laughs when she remembers the day Ben went there because he was convinced he had a splinter in his finger. In his stone finger. She, of course, did her best to find the splinter… Even though it took a whole afternoon where it was just the two of them talking alone. Without the interruption of the world or Johnny teasing Ben every second.
The barb trick worked perfectly. Spending an entire afternoon listening to that distinctive accent that made her skin tingle, or those eyes so blue she was sure they were pieces of the sky… Ben Grimm made her fall completely in love with him.
The first date brought the real shock of reality. She knew who Ben was, obviously, but she hadn't expected it to be like this. She hadn't thought that an evening picnic in the park, eating delicious treats from Maisie's, would become chaotic just because she was next to him.
Ben tried, truly tried, to keep people away, joked a little with the children hoping they would leave soon after (besides trying to be pleasant for their first date), took the photos the paparazzi wanted so badly, but people remained around them.
"Look at that… Poor thing, having to put up with someone like him…" she heard one of the women whisper to the other.
"Hey Ben! What time is it?" Ben laughed, but she saw the anger growing inside him.
"It's just a cartoon, man." he murmured as if he'd said it a thousand times already.
"Come on, Ben! What time is it?" the man insisted.
"What's it like dating someone made of stone, little girl?" an older man asked, placing a microphone in front of her mouth. The woman tried to move away, but the man was insistent. "How do you have sex? Is he normal down there?" she moved away again, and this time, Ben appeared.
"Get away from her." he didn't speak in a friendly or playful way like before.
She felt his chest press against her back, the large man's arms outstretched in front of her, blocking any photos those vultures might take.
Within that strange embrace, she realized, looking up and seeing Ben's orange skin illuminated by the late afternoon sun, making him seem even less human. His blue eyes were furious, yet tired, as if he had dealt with this every day of his life. The rocks on his skin reflected his tough exterior, but she knew that inside, Ben was soft as melted butter.
In that embrace, she realized that if it weren't for his tough exterior, Ben would have already thrown everything to the wind. The paparazzi, the nosy people, and the children didn't see Ben as a person. They saw him as an attraction.
And she was right beside him.
"Come on, let the girl answer!"
"Yes! We want to know!" another shouted from the back.
"That's enough," Ben said, standing up and taking the woman with him, as if he weighed absolutely nothing. At the first step, the paparazzi immediately pulled out their cameras and took dozens of photos. The children ran away, and the gossips took a step back. Ben moved forward, forcing them out of his way, and walked quickly enough to lose the paparazzi and their damned camera flashes.
The woman, protected inside Ben's overcoat as if she were a baby, saw absolutely nothing. She only knew Ben had stopped walking when he opened the overcoat and put her down.
They were right in front of the building where she lived; it wasn't more than a few blocks from the park, but it was still a considerable distance for Ben to walk. He didn't say a single word, and neither did she. Yn just looked at the building entrance and at Ben, as if expecting him to break the thick ice that had formed between them.
"You," they both said at the same time. Both with tones of confidence, and yet, so much insecurity that their voices faltered slightly. Ben gestured to her, as if giving her a chance to say what she wanted to say.
"I was going to ask if you want to continue… in my apartment?" She grimaced, feeling how strange that sounded.
"Seriously?" Ben seemed genuinely surprised.
"We barely had time to talk before…"
"Before everyone came to see the circus act?"
"Ben… You know I don't think that, right?" she had sincere doubts about that. And his silence was enough for the answer. "You're not a circus act. You're a man who deserves a decent first date." she said more firmly this time. "I can't promise many things, I'm sure my refrigerator has mushrooms growing inside, but… I have lasagna recipe that I guarantee you'll like!" a small smile bloomed on his lips.
"Show me the way." Ben replied.
The first date wasn't what she expected; they couldn't finish their picnic in the park or chat under the moonlight. Instead, Ben taught her how to make a divine tomato sauce, while she ensured a lasagna filling that made him close his eyes with just one bite. They may not have shared the famous first kiss, but it was a night neither she nor he would forget.
The next day, she dressed up a little more for work, hoping to find Ben on the way. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, but he made his presence felt with breakfast left on her desk, right next to a bouquet of flowers, her favorites of course.
Her morning routine was always the same: arrive at the Tower, have coffee, and check the main news on the computer before actually starting work.
Ben graciously provided her with a divine breakfast, with soft, warm bread along with the hot, slightly bitter liquid of his perfectly brewed coffee. All that was left was to read the news.
The first featured article was a gossip magazine, with her picture clearly visible on the cover. The title was a provocation to her career: The Affective Dynamics of a Relationship with a Rock: A Case Study. Of course, they made it seem like an academic study as soon as they realized she worked in a lab.
She ignored it; after all, it was an online gossip magazine, they only posted nonsense. But the next headline also caught her attention: Who is the woman next to Ben Grimm? Meet Dr. Yn.
She rolled her eyes and skipped the article again, mentally making the excuse that it was just a coincidence to have appeared in two headlines in a row.
But the third one made her want to scream: Ben Grimm, the Rock Man, is capable of having sex?
The article tried to be intelligent, using terms like "altered physiology" or "DNA adaptations," but it was all a simple way of saying how strange it was for a man like Ben to be in a relationship and how that, for some reason, was enough to make articles about it. Social media was worse. Her Instagram screamed with private messages suggesting ridiculous and disgusting things, even her photos were under attack. A mix of how she didn't deserve Ben or how she was too good for him. There were even compliments about how she had so much "altruism," as if she were doing charity by dating Ben.
Fortunately, a stone hand closed the laptop with care practiced over years.
"Don't read it," he said as if it were advice he gave himself all the time.
"How can I not? It's ridiculous!" she huffed, leaning back in her chair and looking at the flowers beside her. "They say… That I'm doing charity by dating you… It's ridiculous."
"Are you?" he asked, but she heard the provocation in his voice. "The important thing is that you know the truth."
"But…"
"They're going to talk anyway." Ben brought one of his hands to her face. The stone of her skin was warm, more so than she had imagined it would be, and much more careful too.
"When Sue warned me it would be difficult, I thought she was talking about something else," she commented with a laugh, which Ben mirrored.
"You can still back out," he said, lowering his hand, but she immediately stopped him, placing his hand back on her face.
"If being with you means going through hordes of paparazzi, people with ridiculous comments, or children wanting to use you as a toy," Ben laughed, as did she. "I'll stay with you." Ben looked at her as if she were the craziest woman possible.
The truth was, she liked Ben. She loved how he talked about his life with excitement, how he described piloting a rocket as if it were easy. She loved the sound of his heart beating like strong drums beneath his stone skin. She found it incredible how he remembered the smallest details, like the way she drank her coffee, or the fact that she hated the feel of most hand creams but liked having her hands moisturized anyway. If she needed to cross a sea of paparazzi to be with him, then she would do it.
The lab was still quiet; Reed hadn't arrived yet. It was comical how someone who lived there could be late every morning. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, and in the background, though it seemed impossible, they could hear the birds singing, blessing the morning with melody.
She approached first, and Ben remained motionless. She decided to climb onto her chair to reach the height she needed to touch his rough cheeks. Ben seemed to forget how to breathe.
She smiled at the rough sensation on her fingers; it was like touching a stone that had been in direct sunlight, warm and, strangely, comfortable. Ben placed his hands on her waist, not necessarily pulling her close, nor pushing her away; just making her feel safe there, close to him.
The touch of his lips came timidly. She expected the texture of his mouth to be the same as his rough face, but it wasn't. It was rough, yes, but not like his cheeks; it was more like dry lips on a harsh winter day. Ben remained motionless, as if holding back with all his might to avoid reacting. Not because she didn't want to, but because she knew that every tiny movement of his carried the weight of thousands of stones.
She, unfortunately, didn't share the same thought, having the naive act of deepening the kiss.
For a few seconds it was perfect, it was sweet and exciting… Until it became painful.
She pulled away as soon as she felt the slight burning sensation on her upper lip. Her hands left Ben's neck and touched where it hurt, seeing the bloodstain on his skin.
"Oh sweets… I didn't mean to," his voice was full of horror. She could see his eyes so worried and horrified, as if he had ripped her heart out with his own hands. "I'm so sorry, sweets."
"It's okay, Ben," she said, feeling the soft touch of a napkin on her mouth, Ben holding it.
"No, it's not," he put his arm around her body, moving her from the chair to sit on the counter.
"It was just a scratch, no need to go into emergency medical mode." she commented with a laugh, still feeling Ben with the napkin over her cut. He didn't laugh at all.
"That's not funny, Yn. I hurt you… I can't even kiss you without hurting you." she saw the pain in his eyes. She could see the tension in his jaw clenching as his blue eyes were fixed on her small cut. His shoulders were stiff as stone (no pun intended!), carrying the tension and worry of the world on his back.
"If it counts for anything," she moved her own hand to touch Ben's face again. She saw his eyes move to hers; if she were to guess, she'd say Ben was scared. "I thought the kiss was incredible."
"You don't need to lie." he replied as if he were trying to convince himself more than anyone else.
"I'm serious." she took his hand away from the injury. "It was different, of course… But it wasn't bad… It was like… Like"
"Kissing a brick?" He finished as if he were making a joke about himself, but she saw the touch of truth and insecurity that ran through him.
"Like kissing someone who's in love." Ben looked at her as if he expected her to laugh, as if it were a joke he didn't understand. But Yn had never been so serious. "And I would really like to kiss him again." He was hesitant, but seemed to give in, leaning in to leave a very, very careful kiss on her lips. 'See… We just need to adapt a little." she clarified, moving her finger against his cheek in a caress.
"Ben! What are you doing here?" Reed said, walking over to them and looking at them as if he hadn't invaded a clear moment between them.
"You really aren't that smart." Ben said, placing his hand on his friend's shoulder, who looked even more confused. 'I'm going to steal your scientist for today, okay? She's clearly hurt and unable to continue working here." She couldn't help but smile at Ben being so lighthearted and playful, even though seconds before it seemed like he was about to fall apart.
"Hurt?" What Reed had in IQ, he lacked in social skills.
"Exactly, now excuse us." Ben helped the woman down from the counter, taking her bag and guiding her with his hand on her lower back out of the lab, leaving Reed still confused.
Weeks had passed since that day in the lab, and now the world knew for sure that Ben Grimm was in a relationship with Yn, the famous scientist who worked alongside Reed.
Despite being in a relationship, the pace was slow. I mean, they kissed, but Ben still hesitated. Even more so after what happened in the lab.
But, on one of their first nights together, when Ben convinced her to stay after dinner with them in the tower, he truly opened up about his deepest fears.
He explained that because of the mutation, his body wasn't the same, no part of it. His entire epidermis was like hard leather, beneath which were layers of a kind of tissue that was extremely similar to stones. But the mutation affected more than just his skin; his body was different. He had bones that could withstand more than eighty-five tons, but others, like the bones in his hands, suffered significant atrophy, which only didn't cause damage to his coordination thanks to the appearance of hydrostatic musculature. His lungs were powerful enough that he didn't need to breathe for long periods of time, his ribs were fused together providing armor-like protection for his heart (which, of course, made sense given that Ben Grimm's heart had to be protected by walls and walls of thick armor).
The bottom line was: Ben was different. And their relationship had to adapt to that, or… accidents would happen.
They were at her house, Ben was sitting on the sofa with his girlfriend in his arms. He was focused on the game playing on the television, and she was playing with his fingers in such a natural and silly way, but Ben simply loved it.
There was something so domestically beautiful about the scene, something she simply loved. Ben, wearing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt that looked tiny on his broad torso, completely absorbed in the game, murmuring comments to the screen as if the players could hear him.
"That pass was ridiculous! He wasn't free!" he only realized he'd spoken aloud when he heard her laugh. "What are you laughing at?" He joked, moving his enormous hand to tease the woman.
"You talk as if you know!" she replied, teasing him back. She knew very well that Ben had been a player in school, and that he had gotten a scholarship because of it. But she was going to tease him, just for the sake of teasing.
"Know that before I was like this, I was a handsome player." he joked, watching her roll her eyes but continue smiling.
"And who says you're not a handsome man now?" she stood up, with a mischievous smile looking at Ben, and he just raised his thick, stony eyebrow.
"What are you going to do?" he asked, curious and apprehensive.
"Nothing… I just want to show you that you're still, in fact, my handsome man." she said too innocently.
"Sweets…?" he began to say, but it was too late. With a movement that was intended to be graceful, she sat on her boyfriend's lap, with the sole idea of snuggling against his chest, exchanging caresses and perhaps, taking that step in the relationship. But the reality was too harsh and painful.
When she went to sit on those monumental thighs sculpted from stone, there was neither the comfort she expected, nor even the flexibility needed to embrace his overly broad body. The impact was directly on the inside of her thighs, a sharp tug that made her see stars from the pain. Her throat released a groan, to which Ben immediately reacted by placing his hands on her body in an attempt to lift her, but each movement was horrible.
"What was that? Honey?!"
"My thigh…!" she groaned in pain, and Ben did what he needed to do, lifting her up in one swift motion, making her scream a little more before placing her on the sofa beside him.
Ben quickly got up, walking to the kitchen and getting ice for the woman on the sofa. When he returned, he knelt on the floor to hold the ice against the inside of her thigh. Anyone entering the apartment now would surely laugh at the compromising position they were in, her legs pressed together and groaning, and Ben kneeling on the floor with his hands on her legs and his face distributing kisses in that area.
She had dreamed so much about that position, but in very different situations.
"At least it was educational," she said amidst the pain of her muscles complaining and reminding her to stretch more every day.
"I'm an idiot. I should have stopped you," he grumbled, looking at the floor like an embarrassed child. "I'm sorry, sweets."
"Ben, honey, how could it have been your fault? I was the one who wanted to climb on you… And I'm clearly the one who needs to do more stretching exercises…" she joked, running her hand over his face to caress it. "Maybe Reed could give me some tips?" this time he laughed.
"Can I try a massage?" he suggested. "Since it was partly my fault."
"You weren't to blame, Ben. I already said. I was the one who decided to jump on my boyfriend… Who's a rock. It's not your fault."
"I didn't want to be a rock. Not for you." he said, almost like a not-so-discreet confession.
"Well… I don't want you to be different." she replied, sitting up a little straighter to look into his eyes. "I only want you, Ben, with the rocks and everything else."
Ben rested his head against hers, a gesture they had both learned to use as a demonstration of affection. For some, it would be foolish and silly; for them, it was like a promise being made.
A few days later, Ben needed to be a hero, which resulted in another interview with the Fantastic Four on television. This time, she wasn't watching from her home, but from backstage, anxiously waiting to see her beloved on stage.
The questions were silly at first, typical things like: How was saving the city? or Is it difficult to do what you do?
But then came a specific question for Ben.
"Mr. Grimm, a question especially for you," the man said, and the audience reacted as if they knew what was going to be said. "Now that you're officially off the market, can you answer a question for us? What's your intimacy like? Said with your… condition?"
The air left the room as if a door to the vacuum of space had been opened. The silence was abrupt and total. Reed stood speechless, his lips moving without making a sound. Sue gave the reporter an icy look that could freeze the sun. Johnny, normally laid-back, looked ready to literally set the man's microphone on fire.
Ben, who had been sitting, motionless like a statue, slowly leaned forward. The sound of his stone hand closing on the arm of the metal chair was a long, slow, menacing creak, like stones being ground together. The chair, designed to support his weight, warped under his hand like modeling clay.
"Don't you think there are better questions to ask?" He looked directly at the reporter, and his voice, when it came out, was low, flat, and laden with a danger that made the whole room tremble. "How… what are the chances of a self-important reporter surviving a single punch from me?" The silence that followed was even deeper. The reporter paled, his smile fading. The cameras focused on Ben, then on the reporter, then back on Ben. Security began to move toward the stage, but Reed intervened quickly.
"I think we're done here," he said, grabbing his friend's arm and guiding him off the stage. There was no applause.
But of course, the damage was done. The interview went around the world. The moment when Ben threatened the reporter was edited to appear more threatening than it was, and experts debated whether he was becoming dangerous to the public.
And social media exploded. #ThingAndGirlfriend trended for hours. Memes emerged, some funny, others cruel. Articles in "scientific" journals speculated about Ben's physiology. One particularly disgusting one suggested that, due to his rocky composition, he might be incapable of feeling physical pleasure, making their relationship essentially platonic.
She closed the laptop, her hands trembling. The violation was complete. Every attempt at intimacy that she and Ben shared now was a potential performance for the eyes of the world. Every touch, every kiss, every moment of vulnerability could be distorted, analyzed, ridiculed.
She hated it. She hated the meddling reporters. How their relationship was public enough for someone on the internet to come out with "tips" on how to improve her relationship with the stone man. She detested how, in a way, she wished it were easier. That she could simply jump into Ben's arms and love him the way he deserved.
And as if he took her mind, Ben was at her apartment door, with her favorite food and flowers.
The dinner was perfect, the lights dimmed in the quiet apartment, a simple yet intense conversation.
There was an intimacy in the air, a closeness that went beyond the physical. They were in her bed, the kisses were more careful now, she guided him to avoid any harm, but Ben was being careful.
Ben kissed the side of her mouth, her chin, her neck. His hands, those enormous hands, ran along her back with calculated pressure, enough to be felt but not to hurt.
The excitement was palpable in the night, an electric current in the air despite (or perhaps because of) all the difficulties. There was something intensely erotic in the restraint, in the constant awareness that one wrong move could cause harm. She wouldn't say it aloud, but it was too erotic.
Ben, carried away by the moment and by a deep desire that had been building up for months, rolled over her, trying to support himself on his arms so as not to put his weight on her body. Perhaps because of the wine, perhaps because of the intensity of the moment, his calculation failed by a fraction.
There was a dry, sharp crack, like a thick branch snapping. A groan from the old, solid wood, and then a thunderous collapse that seemed to last an eternity.
The bed collapsed under his weight. The wooden headboard struck the wall with force, cracking the plaster into a complex web of fissures that spread like lightning bolts from a silent explosion.
The romantic moment evaporated into thin air along with the plaster dust that began to linger in the soft light. They lay amidst the wreckage, covered by sheets and pillows, the mattress tilted at an odd angle over the broken bed slats.
She stood motionless, in shock. Not because of the danger; she knew Ben would protect her.
Ben stood up quickly, pulling her into his arms just before the bed collapsed.
"Sweets, I—" Ben began to speak, but was cut off by the most genuine laugh he had ever heard.
It wasn't a nervous laugh, but a deep laugh that rose like a volcanic eruption of dark humor. A laugh that carried Ben along with it.
"I promise to pay for the damage," he said after the laughter subsided a little.
"Of course you will! You think I'll let this go cheap? You'll have to work hard, Mr. Grimm. Lots of extra work with the Fantastic Four. Maybe a world tour. Charity concerts. Autographs."
"Whatever it takes." Ben rolled his eyes, wrapping his arms around her and returning his kisses to his girlfriend's neck.
"You know…" her tone changed from playful to seductive. "The bed is already broken anyway… Do you want to continue where we left off?" before he could answer, she heard the annoying sound of Ben's watch, the danger alert that couldn't be ignored. They both groaned in disappointment.
"I promise to come back."
"You better!" she said, giving him one last kiss before he left the apartment.
In the days that followed the bed incident, they began to explore each other's bodies a little more, discovering more and more until they could go further. For example, Ben had the pleasure of discovering that he could still appreciate a beautiful pair of breasts without hurting them, and even cause pleasure with just the right touches. But they were going further.
The discovery came almost by accident. They were in Ben's room, a spacious but sparsely furnished room (all reinforced) with a spectacular view of Manhattan. The floor was covered with a fluffy carpet that always made her want to lie down there, which was exactly where they were at that moment.
It all started with casual touches, a caress here and there, stolen kisses… A wandering hand… Until she finally climbed onto Ben's lap (this time, without pain… Thanks to the stretches Reed gave her!), the kisses began to get hotter and more passionate, until Ben made a movement with his hands, pulling her hips closer as if it were just muscle memory. Their bodies, separated only by their clothes, couldn't help but feel the friction as something very welcome. He felt her hips move again, and again, taking on a rhythm that made him break the kiss just to groan.
"Sweets?" he called, but he didn't really know why.
"Do you want me to stop?" she asked, slowing her movements. Ben whimpered, using his hands to force her to move. "Use your words like a good boy," she smiled when she saw his eyes close and him whimper again. She knew that if he wanted to, he could force her body as he pleased, but he wouldn't do that.
"Don't stop, please," she did, giving him an unrequited kiss (it was difficult for him to kiss when he was experiencing pleasure for the first time in years).
She could feel every part of his body, even through his clothes, and right then she decided she should buy a much larger dildo so she could practice at home.
It didn't take long for Ben to lose control. His arm flew onto the mattress behind him, his fingers crumpling the fabric until it tore like wet paper. Ben groaned loudly and clearly, something she never thought she would hear so clearly. She felt his penis throbbing in an intense orgasm.
She continued to move her hips until Ben practically begged her to stop, and only after he asked did she stop. Ben smiled, hearing her sweet laughter, feeling the many kisses she left on his face before rolling onto his side and sighing wearily. He smiled, putting his arm around her in a tender gesture.
"Is it strange?" she asked, looking at his lap, where the silhouette of his penis was still visible, and of course, the stain of semen on his pants.
"Yes and no," he replied, moving his hand to hers. "I've felt pleasure before… But not like this. I don't think I've ever felt like this."
"Never?" she asked, her tone slightly surprised. Ben turned her face towards him.
"Never." It was obvious he wasn't just talking about sex.
"Me too," she replied, knowing exactly what he meant, but still afraid to say it aloud.
After that night, Ben began to train more. Not to lift trucks, or to safely bring stranded ships to shore. But to train so that he could give her the same pleasure he felt.
In theory, he knew. He knew how to use his fingers and his mouth, as well as his own body, to make women's eyes roll back in orgasms. But that was before he became who he was. Now everything was more difficult. Grabbing a simple cookie from the counter was a training exercise that required concentration and luck. A lot of luck.
And almost two weeks later, Ben finally felt confident enough to do what he wanted.
She, of course, had no idea; she thought it was just a regular date. But when they returned to the tower, he gently guided her to her own room, losing Johnny in the hallway and closing the bedroom door with his foot.
She immediately went to the bathroom, preparing to sleep as she always did when they went on dates. But when he came out of the bathroom, Ben was under the bedsheet, his posture nervous as if he were about to do something unthinkable.
She lay down beside him, perfectly normal.
"You're nervous… What happened?" she asked, somewhat afraid of the answer. Ben took a deep breath before replying.
"Remember weeks ago when… When we…"
"When I made you come in your pants like a horny teenager? Yeah, I remember." Ben rolled his eyes with a laugh.
"You could say that," he teased back. "Anyway, I… I've been practicing and I wanted to do the same for you."
"Oh… Sure! I mean, if you want we can…"
"I don't want to have sex," she looked at him almost offended. "No, I mean, I want to… But not today. I'm not ready for that step, but I thought of another."
"Okay… What do I do?" she asked, slightly nervous.
"Just… Relax and enjoy it," he replied, placing his hand on her face and guiding her into a deep kiss. She shivered as she felt his fingers slowly tracing her body, almost agonizingly.
"Ben…" she whispered, her voice already faltering.
"I practiced…" he replied, his mouth trailing down her neck. "So I wouldn't hurt you," he added, using his hand to pull down the straps of her pajamas, exposing her breasts. Ben immediately kissed both her nipples before choosing one to lick and gently nibble. Up to that point, nothing new had happened, until she felt his hand slide down to the waistband of her pajamas.
Ben's touch was timid, but once she gained his trust, that was all it took. She was in a pure frenzy of pleasure with Ben's touches. He gave her breasts the necessary attention they needed; the stimulation complemented the touches of his fingers. First, he teased her clitoris with minimal but precise force. Its texture was something new and interesting. It was like discovering something mind-blowing. But what she truly screamed in pleasure was when he moved his finger down, teasing her body before carefully entering her.
A single finger of Ben's was enough for her to feel her body stretching; it was enough for her to imagine what it would be like when they actually had sex.
"You need to take more than that for us to have sex…" he murmured provocatively, his girlfriend about to climax in his hand.
Ben felt her begin to ride his palm. Her skin providing such delicious friction that it made her eyes roll back in pleasure.
It didn't take long for her to climax there. But just as she did, Ben didn't stop.
Let's just say that at breakfast there were some not-so-subtle glances exchanged between Ben and yn.
Ben became a little bolder after that, and so did she.
They were in her new bed, her room renovated to be reinforced like Ben's room in the tower. The lights were low and the curtains closed. He was using his fingers again, but now they were a little bolder. She was completely naked, and he was only wearing his underwear, which didn't make much effort to hide his arousal.
Ben had already made her come with his fingers, then in her mouth, and with his fingers again, leaving her body quite relaxed for what they planned next.
She moved her hand against his chest, touching his skin and moving down, feeling the rocky slabs on his abdomen contracting at her touch.
Ben was more confident and in control of himself, not hiding when she lowered his underwear to free his penis, as hard as a rock.
She moved her hand against his hard skin, feeling the warmth and the delicious sensation of weight in her palm.
Ben groaned softly against her lips, but made no move to do what she wanted to do.
Then she decided to do it. Carefully removing his hand from her sex, and taking the momentum she needed to turn Ben on his mattress and climb on top of him. She decided to move her hips a little, teasing both him and herself with Ben's cock rubbing between her lips.
She had both hands resting on his chest, and he, with his large hands, took her entire buttocks.
A few movements of her hips and she wanted more.
In a careful movement, she let Ben's head enter her body slowly and steadily. Her body opened little by little, and she was very grateful that she had bought a larger dildo for practice.
It was as if her body was being stretched to the extreme, it felt good. Good enough for her to be on the verge of orgasm in just the first moment, but who was going to judge her? Ben? The one with his eyes closed, whimpering something so low that she understood it to be a plea for him not to come too quickly.
But Ben's prayers were in vain. With her first movements, he came deep and strong, but she didn't stop, using Ben's cum as if was lubricant to gain more momentum and become more confident.
She continued to use the stone man as her sex toy for a few more long moments before finally succumbing to her own deep and delicious orgasm. Waves of pleasure coursed through them both, deep, convulsive contractions that made her collapse onto his chest, reveling in pleasure for a few more seconds before her mind drifted into a post-sex peace.
She smiled, looking at Ben, seeing the glow of his skin after sex.
"We… We did it." Ben smiled, almost drunk, moving his hands to caress his girlfriend tenderly, while leaving small kisses in her sweat-dampened hair.
"Yes, we did it." She answered, smiling and reaching out to steal a brief kiss from him.
"I never thought… That I could feel this again." he said, moving his hand to her face and caressing it.
"You deserve to feel pleasure, Ben. You deserve to feel love too. " she said, closing the small space between them in a deep kiss.
"I love you, sweets." he said in a sincere and affectionate tone.
"I love you more." she replied, and Ben smiled.
"Impossible."
They could still receive intrusive questions when they went out on the streets, they could still have their dates ruined by curious onlookers and paparazzi, but at least they had a very good way to relieve the tension.
I was hoping you could do some more ben grimm x f!reader fluff or smut I don't have any full ideas but maybe a PT.2 to the first fic about him plssss???
I really love your writing lol Ty !!!!
Finally - Part 2
Have a couple kids got the whole block looking like you…
Ben Grimm x fem!wife!reader
Word count: 2.3k Masterlist Part 1
Reader’s POV
It had been one year since Reed performed a scientific miracle in the lab and gave you your old life back.
You opted to stay in the Baxter Building after that. Opted is the wrong word though, more like forced. Reed wanted to monitor Ben as closely as possible, god forbid something went wrong. And you weren’t going to complain about free rent in Manhattan.
You slowly switched back to normal furniture, as opposed to the specially made fixtures that had filled your shared space. You replaced Ben’s clothes with his old ones that you had in storage because you were never able to fully part with them.
One year of having your husband back and one year of relearning how to love each other like you used to.
There were moments where it was harder than you thought it would be, transitioning back into everyday life, Ben relearning to be himself, but you had reached a plateau of bliss recently.
And the sex, god the sex. Ben was insatiable, and so were you.
So, when you held the pregnancy test with two lines across it in between your fingers, you shouldn’t have been as shocked as you were.
You were sitting on the floor, back against the bed, one hand gently over your mouth in shock, the other holding the test shakily. You’re not sure when you started crying, or why, but you were.
You had always wanted kids, you and Ben had always talked about it before everything happened. But after the accident, it was off the table, and you never imagined it would be back on it.
Franklin was born, and that kept your baby fever at bay, enough for you to not think about it as such a loss anymore. And over the past year, it never came up. Reed mentioned he wasn’t sure it would ever be possible due to all the molecular changes Ben had endured, but it wasn't important at the time, all you wanted was him.
You were so caught up in your spiral, that you didn’t hear the knocks on the door, it wasn’t until Johnny announced himself that you realized he had entered.
“Ben, are you in here?”
You whipped your head towards the door and met Johnny’s eyes as he walked in. You wiped the tears from your cheeks with the back of your hand, although it was no use, you were a mess.
Before you could say anything he came around the bed and sat next to you awkwardly.
“Okay, so no Ben,” he said quietly with an uncomfortable laugh.
You closed your hand around the white stick in your hand, hoping he didn’t notice it. You shook your head, “no, he’s been in the lab with Reed all day,” your voice came out weak.
“Whatchya got there?” Johnny asked cautiously, nodding towards your closed fist.
You couldn’t form any words, you just started crying again, trying to take a deep breath, but failing.
Johnny scoots closer and wraps his arm around your shoulders.
“Want to tell me why you’re so worked up?” he asked, caution in his tone again.
You inhaled through your nose and out your mouth, “I just don’t know if this is what he wants,” you said it softly, like you could break at any moment.
Johnny sighed, you leaned on his shoulder slowly, your head feeling heavier than usual.
“I think, I know he would definitely want this, especially if it’s with you,” he paused for a moment, “you are the love of his life and he’s known that since the moment Sue introduced you to him. Hell, I knew just by the way he was lookin at ya.”
You chuckled lightly, thinking back to the first time you met him, how nervous he seemed.
Johnny shook you lightly, “this is good, this is so good. Franklin gets a cousin, I get to be an uncle times two. And to top it off you guys will be great parents.”
You laughed again, looking at the test in your hand as Johnny kept his arm on your shoulders.
“You’re right, this is good. I’m going to be a mom.” You said, still through tears, but believing it more as a happy sentiment now.
Ben’s POV
It was late afternoon when Reed finally freed him from his duties in the lab.
He basically ran back to your shared room, excited to see you after a grueling morning helping Reed run tests on space matter.
When he got to the room he noticed the door cracked. As he moved to push the door open, he peaked inside and saw you leaning on Johnny.
Your shoulders were shaking
And you were clearly upset enough to need comfort.
Comfort which you were seeking from Johnny?
And then he heard it.
A little muffled because of where he was eavesdropping from, but he heard it through your sniffling.
“I’m going to be a mom.”
His heart stopped. He froze, feet glued to the hardwood floor below him.
Why were you seeking help from Johnny?
Why didn’t you tell him?
Did you not want this, or did you just not want it with him?
His spiral was interrupted when he heard you and Johnny shuffling from your spots on the floor.
Ben took off towards the kitchen, trying to collect himself and pretend he hadn’t just overheard what he did.
He tried to make himself look busy, pulling down pots and pans to start dinner preparation, even though it was far too early to cook.
Reader’s POV
You and Johnny walked into the kitchen side by side, your cheeks were tear stained and your eyes definitely red.
You had the test in your back pocket, ready to show your husband, knowing this is something you wouldn’t be able to keep.
“Already, starting dinner?” You questioned, trying to keep your tone light.
Ben didn’t turn to face you. He just nodded in response.
‘Well. I’ll let you guys be,” Johnny went to turn on his heels and make his way to his room.
“Well you might as well stay, since you two are so, you know, close,” Ben snapped.
You nearly flinched at his words, Johnny furrowed his brows.
“I don’t know what that means,” Johnny said confused.
Ben scoffed.
“Honey, what are you talking about?” You asked.
Ben shook his head and turned to both of you, “well, I wouldn’t want to separate you two, that’s all.”
“Johnny, you can go, thanks again.” You said softly, and before anyone could butt in, Johnny ran out of the kitchen and down the hall.
“You want to tell me what’s going on in that head of yours Ben?” You asked, a little firmer this time.
He put his palms down on the counter, bracing himself.
“I just overheard something that seemed like it wasn’t for my ears, but I’m glad you have Johnny to confide in, that’s great,” he said sarcastically.
“I don’t know why you’re being so mean about this. He came in looking for you, and found me upset. Would you rather he left me there?” You crossed your arms defensively.
He sighed, running his hand over his face.
“You’re right, I’m being insecure.” he said softly, embarrassed.
You exhaled, knowing how hard it is for him to admit, it was one of the many things you had been working on over the last year.
You walked around the kitchen island so that you were standing next to him, placing a hand on his back and rubbing softly.
“I just saw you leaning on him, and then if what I think I heard is correct, I got really upset he was the first one to hear it,” he said, almost shamefully.
Your breath hitched, “what did you hear?”
He turned his head and met your eyes for the first time since you walked into the kitchen.
He seemed hesitant, “that you’re going to be a mom,” he said it barely above a whisper.
You smiled softly, tears already brimming your eyes, “this isn’t exactly how I wanted this conversation to go, but.” You reached into your back pocket and placed the test on the counter in front of you both.
Ben looked down at it, analyzing the two very obvious dark pink lines.
“When I saw the results I just kind of collapsed,” you spoke softly but honestly, “we haven’t had this conversation in eight years, and I started panicking. We’ve been so wrapped up in one another this past year, it hasn’t even come up other than the time Reed said he’s not sure if it could even happen. And then I was sick the other morning and then today I realized I was late, and yeah. Johnny found me right after I saw those two pink lines amidst my emotional spiral.”
Your hand was still on his back, he sniffled and you realized he was also crying.
He peeled his eyes away from the test and looked at you with his blue eyes shining.
“I’ve always wanted a family with you, this is like,” he shook his head while he searched for the words, “this is like a dream come true.”
You let out a wet laugh and looked down at the test again, almost confirming that it was real.
He brought his hands up and cupped your face, “I never brought it up because I didn’t want to get our hopes up, but now, now we’re going to be parents,” he said it like he couldn’t believe it himself.
“Yeah, yeah we are,” you said nodding before he pulled you in for a deep kiss.
It was soft and salty from all the tears you were both shedding.
When he pulled away, he dropped his hands to your hips and held them lightly. You wrapped your arms around his neck and leaned your forehead against his.
You both sat there, smiling like idiots, when he slowly moved his hand over your stomach.
“There’s not quite anything to feel yet,” you said with a giggle.
“I know,” he said looking down at where his hand rested, “I’m just excited.”
“I’m sorry Johnny found out first, that is obviously not how I wanted this to go,” you said seriously.
Ben shook his head, “don’t apologize, I’m sorry for being such an ass.”
You laughed at him, “s’okay.”
“CAN I COME BACK IN NOW!” Johnny yelled from the hallway, startling you both.
Ben sighed, keeping both his hands on you.
“IS THAT A YES?” Johnny shouted again.
“Yes, Johnny. Coast is clear.” You said back.
He nearly jumped into the room with a grin on his face, “I am pumped to be a favorite uncle yet again! This is going to be so sick for us.” He pulled you both into a tight hug.
“Can’t believe you’re going to be a dad Ben, honestly it's a scary thought,” he said, pulling away from the hug.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Ben said with an eye roll.
“You guys better tell Reed and Sue soon, because lord knows I can’t keep a secret!” Johnny exclaimed dramatically, as he exited the room again.
You laughed, but Ben rolled his eyes again.
“Let’s go to our room, we can tell them in the morning,” you said, wrapping your arms around Ben’s neck, “I want this to be just ours tonight.”
He hummed in content, “and Johnny’s?”
You rolled your eyes now, “let’s not think about that right now.”
He smiled and kissed your lips again before taking you both to your room and spending the night talking nurseries and baby names.
Later that night, when the building finally went quiet and the city lights softened outside your window, you lay curled against Ben’s chest. His arm was wrapped around you protectively, his hand resting over your stomach like it belonged there and wouldn’t be moving for the next nine months.
You listened to his heartbeat through his soft chest, something you once feared you’d never get back.
“Can you believe this?” he murmured into your hair, voice thick with emotion. “After everything… we get this.”
You smiled, pressing your cheek into his chest. “I can. Because we fought for each other. We earned this.”
He tightened his hold on you just a little, like he was afraid you might disappear if he didn’t. You tilted your head up, catching his lips in a slow kiss, one that felt like relief.
For the first time in years, the future didn’t feel fragile.
The Baxter Building would wake up tomorrow buzzing with excitement, Reed’s stunned silence, Sue’s tears, Johnny’s inability to shut up, but tonight was just yours. No labs. No tests. No fear of things being taken away again.
Just you, your husband, and the quiet miracle growing between you.
Ben’s hand shifted slightly, his thumb brushing gentle circles over your stomach as if memorizing the feeling.
“I’m gonna protect you both,” he said quietly, like a vow. “Always.”
You closed your eyes, heart full to the point it almost ached.
“I know,” you whispered.
And for the first time in a long time, you fell asleep without wondering what tomorrow might take, only what it would bring.
Summary: Despite everything that's changed, you need your husband to know that you love and want him just as much now as you did before.
Word count: 3.4k
Tags and warnings: A little smut (Ben talking you through it, hell yeah), fluff, Ben is the biggest sweetheart, reader and Ben are married, reader is she/her, no use of Y/N. 18+!! Minors, please do not interact!!
(I was not expecting to ever write this, honestly, but then I wasn't expecting so many people to tell me they actually wanted it, so here it is! I love Ben so much, and I hope it comes through in every word. Title is from Warm Shadow by Fink.)
Ben Masterlist || Fic Masterlist || Taglist
After everything that's happened, it had naturally taken some convincing on your part to get Ben to agree to this.
It's not that he doesn't want to, and he's been very insistent on reassuring you of that. But so much about him changed after the cosmic storm, and he's still getting used to it all.
No matter how many times you tell him he won't, he's scared of hurting you. He always was a worrier, even before.
After a lot of talking, and plenty of reassurance from you, you finally reach a compromise. One that you're both happy with. There are some things that he's just not ready to try right now, but he's more than okay with keeping the focus on you.
You decide on a night where neither of you have anything planned the next day. Which isn't exactly the easiest task when you're married to a superhero, but he at least has nothing scheduled, and that's good enough. That way, you can take your time, and Ben isn't worried about how late it is on top of everything else.
That's not to say that you're not nervous either, but you'd trust Ben with your life. You do - every time the city's in danger, your life is as much in his hands as everyone else's is.
There's no one you would rather do this with. You've missed him. Missed having that intimacy with him.
You can tell his nerves have been eating at him for the better part of the day, and even before going to bed, he pulls you to the side to check in one last time.
"Are you sure about this?" he asks, bright eyes carefully watching you. "Because if you're not, we can just-"
You shake your head, placing your hands gently on either side of his face. "Ben. Sweetheart. I'm sure. I'm more than sure. I want to do this with you, okay? You have no idea how much."
That seems to settle him, even a little. Enough to stop him from asking you over and over if you're okay, at least, which you're very grateful for.
He insists that you give him a bit of time alone first, and as curious as you are as to why, you don't question him, taking yourself to the bathroom to freshen up instead. You know you don't need to do it for his sake; he thinks you're the most beautiful thing he's ever seen, regardless of how you look. Even when you're bedridden with the flu, he still tells you just as earnestly. When you'd told him he clearly needed his eyes checked, he'd just laughed.
But still, tonight is special. You want to look nice. You take your time, putting your pyjamas on over a new underwear set you'd bought specially. It's nothing too over-the-top, but you wanted to have something pretty to wear.
Twenty or so minutes feels like it's long enough for whatever it is he's doing in there, you decide. You give him another minute as you wait outside, before finally knocking the door.
"Ben?" you call. "Can I come in?"
There's a beat of silence before he answers you. You open the door, hoping that he hasn't been pacing around the room and getting himself all worked up again.
"Is everything okay- Oh."
You trail off, a warm smile pulling at your lips. Across the chest of drawers are candles, as well as a bouquet of roses arranged in a vase, and scattered across the bedspread are rose petals. You find Ben sitting in the middle of the bed, waiting for you.
"Is this what you've been doing in here?" you ask fondly. "You didn't have to go to all the trouble."
Ben shakes his head. "Was hardly any trouble. I just wanted to do something nice for you."
You cross the room to sit next to him on the bed. It's hard not to notice how tightly his hands are clasped together, and you gently pry them apart to take them in yours.
"You're so thoughtful, you know that?"
"You deserve it," he replies, and you feel a little pang in your chest at that, because you know he means every word he says.
It had taken you a while to accept just how in love with you Ben really is. He's never exactly been one for wearing his heart on his sleeve, but when he cares for someone, it runs deep. He would do anything for you. You've never met anyone like him before.
You swing your legs up onto the bed, giving Ben's knee a little pat until he gets the message. He moves, letting you settle yourself between his legs, with your back against his chest. No sooner have you gotten comfortable when he's gently pushing you forward.
"What are you doing?" you ask, glancing at him over your shoulder.
"I don't want your back getting sore," he explains, as he places a pillow behind you. "I'm not as soft as I used to be."
You open your mouth, when he immediately holds a hand up to stop you.
"I'm not picking on myself, alright? It's just a fact."
You smile to yourself. How does he always seem to know what you're about to say?
"Fine," you reply, relenting. "But can you do something for me?"
You turn yourself around a little more to face him properly, tapping your fingers lightly along his sleep shirt.
"Take this off for me?"
He clears his throat awkwardly, his eyes looked everywhere but at you. You smooth your hand across the fabric.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to, okay? There's no pressure," you tell him, your voice quiet and reassuring. "But I don't want you hiding yourself away from me because you're worried about what I might think."
You watch him carefully, until finally, his eyes meet yours, and he nods. He reaches for the hem of his shirt, pulling it over his head and tossing it to the floor.
"There," he says gruffly. "You happy now?"
You give him a wide smile. "Oh, I am very happy right now. Believe me."
And you are. How he looks definitely took some getting used to - there's no denying how drastically different he is now. But it's only the outside that's really changed, the inside is still the man you fell in love with.
You lean in close to him, pressing little kisses across the lines and grooves of his chest and stomach, smiling when you feel him tremble beneath you. He always was so sensitive.
"And since you were so generous to me, it seems only fair that I..."
You pull back to toss your own shirt onto the floor.
"...do the same for you," you finish.
Ben's eyes widen. His gaze roams across your bare skin, and it's hard not to squirm under his attention, especially when you feel his hands tentatively graze against your sides. He stops at your shoulders, gently turning you back around again. His arms wrap around your waist, and he rests his chin lightly against your shoulder.
"I think I'm the luckiest guy in the world, d'you know that?" he tells you, his voice a soft, low murmur in your ear.
A shiver runs down your spine at his words. You've always loved Ben's voice, loved the slight roughness to it, the twang of an accent he couldn't hide even if he tried. But now? It somehow sounds even better. There's a gravelly quality to it that makes heat pool in the pit of your stomach more than you'd like to admit. Especially the way he is right now.
"Oh, yeah? How's that?" you ask airily, running your hands along his forearms, where they still lie, strong and sturdy, against your stomach.
"Because...I've got the most beautiful woman in the world in my arms right now," he replies, and a rush of warmth erupts across your skin, creeping into your cheeks.
You let out a soft laugh, playfully patting his arm.
"Nuh-uh, don't you dare argue with me on this," he grumbles, his grip on you tightening slightly.
He's careful in how he holds you, very aware of his newfound strength. You've told him on more than one occasion that you find it very attractive, even dropped a few hints as to how he could use it, if he so wished. You don't want to push him too far before he's ready, but the thought of him just lifting you-
It's hard not to get distracted by it.
"I wasn't going to, I promise," you insist.
You hear him nod. That's another thing that took a while for you to get used to - the sounds he makes when he moves. He finds it irritating that he can't do anything quietly anymore, but you find it oddly soothing. Like the gentle roll of thunder when you're cosied up in bed in the middle of the night.
"Okay, good," he replies. He takes a breath then, and he sounds a little hesitant when he speaks again. "Good girl."
Your breath catches in your throat then, and you feel your thighs automatically clench together.
"What?" he asks, warm breath ghosting against your skin as he chuckles softly.
You can still feel how nervous he is, and if you're honest, you aren't all that much better. You've never really been the most confident when it comes to this, but you know Ben needs all the reassurance he can get right now. So you make yourself push aside your own anxiety, for both your sakes.
"Nothing, it's just...That was really hot, you know that?" you tell him sincerely. "Like really hot."
You rest your head back against his shoulder, reaching up to press your palm to his cheek. You feel him lean into your touch, and you smile.
"Let's get you out of that head of yours, okay?" you murmur. "I really want to do this with you."
He presses a kiss to your palm, then your wrist, placing his own hand over yours, and gently guiding it back down to let it rest on your stomach.
"Tell me what you want me to do," you say, hoping to give him a little push in the right direction.
His hands slide down your torso, along the tops of your thighs, where they stop, drawing little lines back and forth.
“Can’t do much if you’re sitting like that,” he says. “Come on, open up, sweetheart.”
A squeak of a sound slips out of you at that, heat rising to your face. You do as he says, slowly parting your legs. His touch, soft and light against your skin, leaves you quivering. He plants his palms against your inner thighs, and it's then you realise that he's holding your legs open.
“Here’s what I want you to do for me,” he murmurs, a low rumble that leaves goosebumps across your skin. “You’re gonna take that pretty little hand of yours, and you’re gonna touch yourself for me. You think you can do that?”
You nod; maybe a little too enthusiastically, but you can't bring yourself to care. You have no idea where he suddenly pulled this newfound confidence from, but you're certainly not going to complain about it.
You take your time, trailing your fingers across the backs of his hands. His skin feels so different now too, but there's still a warmth to his touch. He still feels like a living, breathing thing. It's strange, but you've grown to love it so much. You thought he was handsome before, and you still think he's handsome now. It doesn't matter what he looks like, because underneath it all, he's still your Ben.
Yours.
You slip your hand beneath the lacy band of your underwear, when you hear a soft tut from behind you. You stop.
"What's the matter?" you ask.
"Nothing's the matter," he says, almost dismissively. "It's just...Well, I can't really see much like that, can I?"
He's going to be the end of you if he keeps that up, he really is.
"I suppose...But what should I do about it, hm?"
"I've got an idea," he says.
His hands move up to your waist again, and without warning, he lifts you up, pulling a startled yelp out of you. The strength he has to just pick you up like that, like you weigh nothing to him, it's...
God, it's something else.
And the funny thing is, you probably do weigh nothing to him. You've seen him lift a car like it was a cardboard box. It's hard not to let even the thought of it completely fluster you.
Trying to keep yourself focused on the task at hand, you pull off your underwear, letting them fall somewhere on the floor with everything else. Ben eases you back down onto the bed, and it's only then that you realise how breathless you are.
"What's wrong?" he asks, concerned.
You shake your head, getting yourself comfortable again.
"You, mister. You're what's wrong," you tease, running your hands back and forth across his thighs. "You can't just lift a girl like that and expect her to be okay afterwards."
You're determined to give him an ego, no matter how long it takes. You hear him smile, a small breath of a laugh brushing along the back of your neck.
"Alright, noted," he says. "Now...I think you were about to do something for me, weren't you?"
He sounds a little more confident than he did before, and you decide to push him a bit further.
"I don't know," you reply coyly. "I think you told me to do something, but..."
You sigh theatrically.
"I just can't remember what it was."
If you were turned to face him, you'd be batting your eyelashes at him for dramatic effect. Ben clicks his tongue.
"I'd have thought a smart girl like you would remember something like that," he says, and you feel that warmth, that heat, pool in your stomach again.
With one hand, he gently pushes your thighs apart again.
"'Is that jogging your memory at all?" he asks.
He takes your hand in his, sliding it down to let it rest on your lower stomach.
You nod. "Yeah, I think...I think it's coming back to me."
"Good," he replies, giving you a little pat. "Go on, then. Don't keep me waiting."
So rarely is he ever like this that it leaves you feeling dizzy. It's not that Ben isn't confident in himself, it's more than he isn't obvious about it. Even before, if something needed done, he'd just get to work and that would be that. No preamble, no build-up to it. He's always been quieter in how he does things. So it's understandable that you're lost for words right now.
You bite your lip as you move lower, trailing your fingers lightly against yourself. Already, you can feel how wet you are, and he's hardly even done anything. If that doesn't prove to him that you still want him, you don't know what will. You take your time, letting yourself get used to your own touch. Slowly, you work your way up, gently dragging your fingertips against your clit. A little hiss of pleasure slips from you then, and you feel Ben move himself closer, his hold on you tightening.
"That feel good, sweetheart?" he murmurs, his voice rougher than it was before.
You nod earnestly. "Yeah. Keep talking to me. Please."
"Do you know how long I've wanted to see you like this again? You drive me crazy, I swear to God you do. Prettiest thing I've ever seen, and you don't even have to try."
Your fingers quicken their movements as he talks to you. You're not going to last very long if he keeps this up.
"That's it, baby, keep going. You're so good for me, you really are."
There's no stopping the little moans that are spilling from you now, your breath hitching more and more as you feel yourself getting closer.
"God, I've missed seeing you like this. Missed hearing you like this. You sound so good, sweetheart. You're perfect."
His words, his voice, the warmth of him surrounding you - it's so overwhelming, and you're close, far too close. It's been too long.
You barely get a chance to warn him when you feel yourself suddenly tipping over the edge, wave after wave of warmth rushing over you. Ben holds you through it, whispering little words of encouragement before you collapse against him, suddenly exhausted.
God, you've missed him too.
"How was that?” he asks, and he has the audacity to sound humble after what he just did to you.
You manage to drag yourself upright, turning yourself around in his arms.
"You did not just ask me that, Ben Grimm," you retort, pretending to scold him.
He's about to open his mouth, probably to explain himself - you know him so well - when you kiss him, effectively shutting him up.
"It was perfect, okay?" you tell him when you pull away. "Absolutely perfect."
He's still looking at you, his expression dazed.
"What?" you ask gently.
He shakes his head. "Nothing. I just..."
He lets out a little sigh, a contented smile spreading across his face as he presses his forehead to yours.
"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me," he whispers.
You can't help but smile in return. Only you could marry a man who can tug at your heartstrings like that not five minutes after leaving you an absolute mess.
"I could say the same about you," you say softly, casting your eyes across his face.
Where his skin was once dotted with clusters of freckles, in their place you find little speckles of rock, like granite. You carefully run your thumb across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.
"You've still got all your constellations, space man," you say fondly.
He pulls a face at you, scrunching his nose up as your touch tickles his skin.
“I always loved your freckles. I’m so glad they’re still here.”
“I’m glad you’re still here," he replies solemnly.
That catches you by surprise. You know it’s not because he doesn’t trust you, it’s because he’s still trying to settle into this new life, and it hasn’t been easy for him. It’s not just how he looks: it’s his size, his unbelievable strength, the looks he gets from people on the street. He never really liked being in the spotlight before - he’d have usually been the one behind the camera - and now he has no choice. He can turn down every interview, every photoshoot, every TV appearance, but there will still be someone asking for a photo when he stops by Maisie’s, or wanting to ask a question he’s answered a thousand times before while he’s just out for a walk.
You know how exhausting it is for him. And you know when he says the things he does, it’s because you’re one of the constants in his life. It’s not mistrust, it’s gratitude.
“And I’m glad you’re still here,” you say, just as sincerely. “And I always will be.”
He all but scoops you up in his arms at that, and you let out the most undignified squeal.
"You can't keep doing that, you know what it does to me," you chide, trying and failing to hide your smile under a glare.
Ben just laughs, kissing your cheek. "Yeah, I do now."
You wrap your arms around his neck, laying your head against his chest. Even now, you can still hear it. His heartbeat, as loud and strong as it ever was.
"Next time, maybe you'll let me do something for you?" you ask gently.
There's no pressure behind your words, more of an invitation if he ever changes his mind.
"When I figure all this out," he replies. "I promise."
And for now, after everything that's happened, after everything you've been through together, that's good enough. You'll wait for as long as he needs, and even if he decides he doesn't ever want to, that's okay too. Because you love him, no matter what.
I would do anything for a Ben Grimm smut 🥹 maybe something where Reid finally comes up with an anecdote and he can finally be intimate with the reader? (Also wouldn’t mind rock form but idk how that would be to write lol)
Finally
Ben Grimm x fem!wife!reader
Word count: 3.3k Masterlist
Not sure if there’s a Ben crowd out there but I had two requests for this so please enjoy! Honestly this is HOT.
Warnings: p in v, fingering, hand job, kissing, porn with plot!
You knew it wasn’t an argument you were going to win.
You had told him over and over that you would much rather have him like this than not have him at all. That you would make it work for the rest of your life if he was still here, still your husband, still your Ben.
It had been seven years since your husband came back from space completely different, physically. But he was still the same man, with the same big heart, the same kindness, and the same love for you.
You didn’t leave his side, you moved into the Baxter Building and went through every transition and adjustment without giving it a second thought.
So now you were sitting in the living room with your knee bouncing up and down, waiting for Reed and Ben to get back from the lab.
Sue held your hand and your knuckles were white against hers.
She looked worried, although she was trying not to show it, trying to be strong for you.
Reed said he figured it out, the way for Ben to go back to his human form. Obviously there were minimal ways to test this, if it would work, if it would have side effects, there was no way to know, but Ben still wanted to take the chance.
“I’d rather have this version of you, then no version of you, Ben. I can’t live without you.” You had sobbed when he came to you with the news, told you the risks.
He took your face gently in his rocky hands, “I miss touching you, I miss feeling your skin, I miss not being seen as anything other than a space rock. If there’s a chance to have our life back, then I’m going to take the risk.”
He wiped the tears on your face with his thumb. “So you made up your mind then?” You had asked softly. All he did was nod in response.
So here you were, two weeks after that discussion, sitting on the couch for the last two hours, not able to breathe.
Reed said it would be quick, so why were you still sitting here?
Sue sighed, “do you want me to go check?”
Ben had one very specific rule, you were not to go anywhere near the lab until Reed gave you the okay. You kissed him before he went in, held him, told him you loved him and that nothing could change that, once those doors closed, Sue took you to the couch.
You shook your head, “no, don’t leave me.”
She nodded and squeezed your hand. You fiddled with the wedding band you wore around your neck. Ben had given it to you before they left for space the first time, and you had worn it ever since.
Then you heard a door open in the distance and footsteps, you could tell they were Reed’s.
He came into view and looked between you both, “ready?”
His eyes landed on you, and you could swear there was a small smile on his lips. You nodded and stood from the couch, Sue still holding your hand.
Reed stepped aside and gestured down the hall. “You can come in now.”
Your legs felt weak as you followed him, Sue letting go only when you reached the lab doors. You pushed the door open. The air inside was quiet, almost reverent, machines humming softly as if afraid to interrupt what had just happened.
And then you saw him.
Ben was lying on his back, no stone, no jagged edges, no orange glow under the lights. An IV in his arm and wires attached to the screen next to him, Reed monitoring him closely. But it was him. Skin warm and familiar, dark hair curling at his temples, chest rising and falling with slow, steady breaths. Human. Your Ben.
The breath you’d been holding for years tore out of you in a broken sob.
“Ben,” you whispered, barely trusting your voice.
His eyes opened slowly and he turned towards you.
For a heartbeat, he just stared at you, like he was afraid you’d disappear if he blinked. Then his face crumpled, emotion flooding in all at once. “Hey,” he said hoarsely. “C’mere.”
You didn’t remember crossing the room. One second you were standing there shaking, the next you were at his side, your hands in his, his hands, warm and gentle and achingly familiar. He pushed himself up just enough to pull you into his arms, burying his face in your shoulder like he had a thousand times before.
You cried into his neck, gripping him like the world might take him back if you let go. “You’re here,” you kept saying. “You’re really here.”
He kissed your temple, your cheek, your forehead, soft, careful, like he was relearning how. When his lips finally met yours, it was tender and trembling, full of everything you’d both survived. No rush, no heat, just love, overwhelming and real. It was soft, just like you remember.
When you pulled back, you reached for the chain around your neck with shaking fingers. You slipped it off and pressed the wedding band into his palm.
“I kept it safe,” you whispered. “Every day. But now you can wear it again."
Ben stared at the ring like it might vanish, then closed his fingers around it, emotion breaking through again.
He slid the band onto his finger, where it belonged, and looked back up at you with a smile that felt like coming home. Your hands were on his face, thumbs stroking back and forth, like feeling his skin is the only way your mind could process it was real.
“I want to monitor you tonight, but tomorrow you should be good to go. I want you in the Baxter Building for the time being, close by,” Reed said from the doorway.
He wrapped his arm around Sue’s shoulders, and held up the tablet in both of your directions, “we’ll let you both be, but I’ll be monitoring your vitals.”
They turned and left with wet eyes and soft smiles.
You turned back and faced him, his face still in your hands.
You looked him up and down, his chest bare, sweatpants low on his hips. Your hands moved instinctively to his chest, wanting to feel the warmth that you had been dreaming about.
You let out a wet laugh, hands moving all over him, “it worked,” were the only words you could form.
Seven years, it had been seven years since you could truly touch and kiss him. With his rock form, he was always so gentle and cautious, never wanting to scratch or hurt you. Your kisses were always short and sweet, you missed feeling physically connected with him.
“Yeah, I think it worked,” he said, rubbing his hands up and down your arms.
You stayed with him all night. Squeezing into the hospital bed Reed had set up for him.
Reed came in and out, Johnny came and brought an emotional reunion. Sue brought you both dinner.
You didn’t even say much, just staring at each other in awe. You missed how his blue eyes sparkled and how his shoulders shook when he laughed. The feeling of his skin on yours was pure bliss and you couldn’t wait until Reed cleared him so you could take him back to your room.
You slept in his arms, completely wrapped up and on his chest, warm and soft.
The next morning, Reed came by and told Ben he could go.
“Like I said, don’t leave the Baxter Building, please. And I want you to wear this bracelet, just so I can keep track of your vitals. Obviously something like this has never been done, so, I just want to be extra cautious. But everything seems to have gone perfectly.”
Reed disconnected Ben and you helped him out of the bed.
He was a little wobbly at first, readjusting in his new, well old, body.
He slipped on the crewneck Reed had brought him and you helped him back to your room.
You clicked the door shut behind you and turned to him.
His arms naturally wrapped around your waist, “I missed being able to hold you, really hold you,” he said softly as his lips moved to your jaw, and down to your neck.
Your hands moved to his head, his short hair soft under your finger tips.
It had been so long since you had felt his touch, your thighs were clenching just from his fingers carding your waist and his lips touching your neck.
“Shower with me?” He whispered into your neck.
You exhaled deeply, nodding, not able to fully form words from being so flustered.
He took your hand and you both went to the bathroom.
The modifications made to your room still held strong, doorways extra wide, shower extra tall and open, an unnaturally large bed in the center of the room. It suddenly all felt so big.
You turned the shower on and suddenly felt nervous. Your stomach in a knot, not in a bad way, but in an anticipatory way.
It had been years since you felt his fingers on you, his lips on yours, his hands, god his hands.
“Are you okay?” He asked from behind you, sensing your nerves.
You turned around and faced him again, making your way to where he was leaning on the counter.
“Yes, more than.”
“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, I just want to be close to you.” He said, moving a strand of hair behind your ear.
You kissed him then, not soft like you did in the lab, really kissed him. The kiss sent a shock through your system.
He was hesitant at first, getting his footing.
Then his hands reached for your waist and pulled you flush against him. You pulled the hem of his sweatshirt over his head, breaking the kiss momentarily, wanting to feel him.
You took your own shirt off and pressed yourself against him again.
The kiss got sloppier, his tongue slipping in your mouth, making you moan, almost embarrassingly.
You felt his erection grow against your thigh.
He pulled away and tilted his head down to you, “let’s get in the shower.”
You kept kissing him as you kicked your pants off and unclipped your bra.
His pants slipped down, followed by his boxers, and you nearly drooled at the sight of your husband naked in front of you for the first time in so long.
Your sex life changed drastically the last few years, and it was basically non existent, which you couldn’t blame Ben for, he wasn’t himself and he was so scared of hurting you.
So to see him standing before you, made you emotional.
He stepped closer to you, putting his hands over your cheeks again, the ring on his finger that matched yours cold against your skin.
You felt like you were buzzing, like electricity was moving through his hands into you, you felt alive and in love.
“You never left me,” he said softly, “through all of that you stayed, you loved me as I was.”
His eyes were wet, and you could feel the lump in your throat, “I’d like to think I lived up to my end of our vows,” you said with a wet laugh.
He laughed too, tears falling freely for both of you.
It was like you were seeing the sun for the first time in your life, all your memories flooding back, your wedding, your first date, the first time you met, and everything in between.
He was so beautiful, and you hadn’t been able to touch him in so long.
He leaned in and kissed you again, backing you into the shower with him.
The water was warm and your lips didn’t disconnect as you both moved under it.
He sighed as he stepped under the water, pushing your back against the tiles and his body against yours.
You both kissed like you were starving.
His hands found your breasts and immediately began kneeding them, rolling your hardened nipples in between his long fingers.
You moaned into his mouth, feeling the coil in your core. It had been so long, you were sure this would be fast for both of you.
He pushed his knee in between your legs and you mindlessly began grinding against his thigh as his hands moved to grip your ass.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said against your lisps, “you have no idea how much I missed this.”
Your mouth hung open, your arms slung around his shoulders, his hands touching you everywhere they possibly could.
Then, hesitantly, he moved his hand down your stomach, in between your thighs.
When he softly touched your clit, your body nearly jolted and you let out a whine.
You reached your hand down and softly wrapped your fingers around his cock, making him moan.
“It’s been so long,” he said against your lips, slowing moving his fingers up and down your folds.
The water from the shower was still coming down on both of you, but neither of you cared. All that mattered was the tension, the magnetic pull you could both feel towards one another.
The love that you hadn’t been able to show one another physically for years, all of it coming to a head right here.
“I missed touching you,” you said lowly, moving your hand up and down his shaft firmly. You could feel him twitch below you.
He dipped one of his fingers inside of you, making you lean your head back against the tile.
“Ben…” you moaned.
He groaned and you both picked up your pace, you with your hand and him with his fingers going in and out of you.
He kissed your lips hungrily again, and when he pulled away, you held his gaze.
His pupils blown, mouth slightly open as he grunted and moved his fingers inside of you. You were dripping onto his fingers.
You could feel everything, the coil inside of you getting tighter as he curled his fingers. His cock slightly twitching against your palm, his breath against your mouth, everything felt so intimate and warm.
He suddenly pulled his fingers out of you, making you whine.
You stopped moving your hand and looked up at him.
“I want to feel you, I don’t want to finish like this,” he crashed his lips to yours again. It was all tongue and desperation.
His hands moved to the back of your thighs, which he gripped before lifting you up.
You yelped a little because of the unexpected jump and he laughed into the kiss. Your arms were securely wrapped around his neck.
He moved you out of the shower and into the bedroom.
He gently placed you on the bed and hovered over you.
“You didn’t lose any of that super strength I see,” you said with a smile.
He laughed again.
God you missed his lips and his smile.
“We’re getting water everywhere,” you said in between kisses, making him laugh again.
“I’ll clean it later, princess,” he said before slipping his tongue back in your mouth, shutting you up immediately.
He pulled away and looked into your eyes. You could feel the blush creeping into your cheeks as you watched him stare at you.
“I love you so much, you’re so beautiful,” he said barely above a whisper.
“I love you,” you whispered back, “now please, fuck your wife.”
He bit back a moan at your demand. Reaching between your bodies, he lined himself up and slowly pushed in to you.
His eyes didn’t leave yours and you felt yourself stretch around him, the sensation something you haven’t felt in years.
Your nails dug into his shoulders, feeling the soft skin bend under your finger tips drove you insane.
He slowly pushed himself into you, your legs wrapping around his, locking him in place.
He pulled out of your before slowly pushing back in, repeating the process at this pace until you were both adjusted.
“Ben,” you moaned, “faster, please.” You begged.
And he listened. He quickly picked up his pace moving in and out of you blissfully. The only sounds being your breathing, moans, and skin on skin.
The coil inside you was tighter than you’d ever felt before, you were stretching around him so blissfully, grabbing at his skin, teetering on the edge of pure pleasure.
You were both a moaning mess, kissing each other sloppily and feeling your bodies move completely in sync.
“I’m not going to last, baby,” he panted.
“Me neither,” you whined back.
You reached your hand between your bodies and began working on your own clit.
His thirsts got sloppier and you could feel him twitch inside of you as you squeezed his cock.
“God Ben, I’m so close,” you warned him.
“Cum for me baby” was all he said.
The coil inside of you snapped and the wave of pleasure that came over you made you feel high and dizzy.
You hadn’t felt this way in years, completely letting go as you moaned and screamed his name as you clenched and came around his cock.
You could feel his messy thrusts and the grunt of your name as he came inside of you, filling you up.
He collapsed on top of you, your legs still wrapped around him, feet hooked together, nails still dug into his back.
His face was nuzzled into your shoulder and you were still panting, coming down from the orgasm you just experienced.
As you both caught your breath, he rolled onto his side, pulling out of you.
“I guess now we should actually shower,” he joked.
He propped elbow up with his head in his hand, his other arm laid across your waist.
“I missed that,” you said in between your deep breaths.
He grinned next to you, “I promise next time I’ll go slower with you.”
You turned under his arm so that you were facing him, leaning into his body again, feeling the skin on skin.
Placing kisses all over his face, his jaw, his neck, even his chest.
His hand rubbed soothingly up and down your back. Both of you smiling like idiots.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
You both froze.
“Did you lock the door?” He whispered at you.
You opened your mouth to answer but the knocks came again, this time harder.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
“Ben?” You heard Reed’s voice, “I was notified your heart rate was extremely elevated. Are you okay?”
Ben looked at his wrist and closed his eyes, the bracelet.
“Oh my god, he literally tracked your heart rate as we had sex,” you said trying not to laugh.
Then Reed said your name. And the doorknob jiggled. Thank god you locked it.
“Ben, are you okay?” His voice came again, now louder.
“REED! I’M FINE, PROMISE!” Ben shouted to the door, “please go!”
You could hear Reed sigh on the other side of the door and mumble as he walked away.
You both laughed and smiled at one another.
“Alright let’s actually shower now,” you said pulling him out of bed with you.
“Alright but no clothes tonight, for either of us,” Ben said with a smirk.
You giggled and pulled him back into the bathroom, “deal.”
It felt so good to have him back, his confidence, his touch, his skin against yours, things you didn’t even realize you missed so much. For the first time in seven years you felt whole again.
He pulled you into another kiss under the shower head and you actually showered this time.
You spent the entire night wrapped up in one another, touching, kissing, laughing, and smiling.
He sighed against your lips, “finally. I’m finally able to make you feel good again.”
You smiled again, your cheeks beginning to ache because of all the laughing and smiling tonight, “I love you, Ben.”
“I love you, baby.” And he kissed you again, and again, and again, and you finally had your husband back.
the way it’s been seven months since they made this post and no one has written anything yet. get up and work! it seems like no one wants to work these days!
Summary: Yn is hired as Franklin's nanny, she didn't think she would stay there longer than necessary, but ended up tripping over a rock.
Warnings: strong language, use of Yn, blood, broken nose, nudity description, fluff.
"This is the living room… We like to get together here every Thursday, sometimes we watch movies or just play something. It's a way for us to stay connected with the family." Sue's voice was calm, but maintained a certain agility. Obviously, she didn't want to spend hours and hours on that tour; the great Invisible Woman must have more important things to do, like ending some war or world hunger. "Of course, you're invited to join."
"Oh! Don't worry about me, as soon as this little guy is in bed, I'll be far away. I don't want to bother you…" Their lives already had enough spotlight; they certainly didn't need the nanny interfering even more.
"Don't be silly, you're part of the family now. Reed gave you the key to your room, right?" she asked, shifting Franklin's position in her arms. The baby slept soundly, with his mother's peaceful voice and the calm vibration of her walk.
"Yes, it's with me. He said that i could sleep here with Franklin while you're on a mission."
"Great, you can decorate however you want, as long as you don't need major renovations. Herbie can help you with that."
"Herbie? " as if waiting to be called, a small robot with a geometric face and a seemingly cheerful tone rolled towards me.
"This is Herbie. " Sue spoke in a friendly tone, perhaps she knew how strange it was to have a robot at her disposal. " Anyway, Franklin's routine is detailed in the binder I left on the counter… "the binder must have had more pages than a book, but I've seen worse mothers.
"Does he have any kind of allergy or illness that I should know about immediately? " I may not have much experience as a babysitter, but I know that even fabric softeners could trigger skin allergies in babies. I didn't want my first day to be spent solving a problem like that.
"No. He's a baby with perfect immunity. " something in her tone made me feel there was more to it.
"He becomes invisible just like you, doesn't he? "My tone came out worried, after all, how was I going to take care of a baby who was invisible?! At least she found my tone funny.
"No. And he doesn't stretch like his father, or catch fire like his uncle. Don't worry. Franklin really is unique. " You could see how much she loved him just by the way she looked at him, which made it painful when she realized she would soon have to leave.
"Honey? We're almost late. " Reed's voice was anxious, obviously he was, it was a big event that night.
"Who is this? Has Reed finally gone crazy and is he going to start experiments on humans? "Johnny asked, sticking his hand inside a colorful cereal box.
"Johnny, this is yn. She's Franklin's nanny. " Reed said without even looking at his brother-in-law or anything besides the clock. " If we don't leave in… three minutes and fifty-four seconds, we're going to be late."
"It's not like we're going to get stuck in traffic. " Johnny commented, sitting on the counter still devouring his cereal, until Reed reached out and took the box from him. " HEY!"
"We're not going in the Fantastic Car, we're going in a courtesy limousine. " I was still too fascinated by Reed stretching his arm across the kitchen to focus on anything else.
"What!? Why!? " Johnny huffed like a child.
"Because Ben isn't going, Johnny. " Sue answered this time.
"What!?"
"We have to go now!" Reed hurried again and this time, it seemed to work.
"He ate forty minutes ago, he needs another bottle before bed and" Reed stretched his hands across the room, taking his son from Sue's lap and handing the baby to my arms. Then he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. As if it were totally normal.
"She knows." he assured, giving the woman a kiss on the lips.
"See you later, Franklin! "Johnny said, nibbling on the baby's foot, who giggled through his drool. " See you later, Franklin's babysitter!"
"She has a name, Johnny! " Sue gave her brother a light tap on the shoulder. " See you later, Yn… Bye-bye Franklin! Mommy loves you! " Reed had to pull her into the elevator again.
When the door closed, my posture finally relaxed. Not that I was uncomfortable there, it was just the nervousness of the first day of work. Just the nervousness of working with the most famous superheroes in the world, people whose names are known to everyone around the globe. People with so much influence that one wrong move and I could never get a job again.
Except in Latveria, I heard that all you had to do was speak ill of Reed Richards and your passport there was guaranteed.
"So it's just you and me then, isn't it, Franklin?" The baby in my arms smiled toothlessly, as if he could perfectly understand what I was saying. Obviously, that wasn't exactly it; babies his age couldn't yet understand simple sentences, but they could recognize tones of voice. "Want to help me with your mother's binder? I bet she's extremely organized…" I commented, starting to flip through the pages.
At first, I thought Sue might leave crazy instructions like some famous people I've worked with before. But the most "abnormal" thing that could have been there was the story I was supposed to read to him: On the Origin of Species, by Charles Darwin. To be fair, his father was a genius and his mother… Well, she was THE Sue Storm, so obviously the bedtime story for Franklin wasn't Little Red Riding Hood.
"What do you want to do first, Franklin?" The baby obviously didn't answer, but he flashed a beautiful toothless smile. "We can… play with your toys… Or maybe take a nice warm bath? After all, how am I going to eat those little feet if they're full of smelly feet?! Huh?!" The laugh Franklin let out was enough for me to understand why I was doing this.
Sure, there were ups and downs in every profession. Babysitting was no different; there were days when I didn't know where I ended and the poop began. But… there were days when everything was perfect.
"Oh! Wow! I was just kidding when I talked about the smelly feet, Franklin… But this… This is disgusting…" It was like an explosion. And I knew it wasn't just a fart. "This… This is mean… You did it on purpose, didn't you?" I joked, pinching his cheek, making him laugh even more. "Well… If this is your way of asking for a shower, who am I to say no?"
Despite the tour Sue had given moments before, that floor was huge and easy to get lost among the dozens of doors. I knew where Franklin's room was, and where Sue and Reed's room was. And as far as I remembered, there was a bathroom right nearby.
"Are you excited to take a shower?" I was praying that Franklin's things were in that bathroom. I didn't want to have to call Sue and bother her during her event." I know you must be dying to get out of those dirty diapers! " I was right, it was indeed a bathroom, but it wasn't empty.
"DON'T YOU KNOW HOW TO KNOCK?!"" his voice was strong and angry, obviously he was. Ben was completely naked, his skin was still wet from the shower and the mist of hot humidity did absolutely nothing to hide his body.
I had already seen pictures of Ben in magazines, because of him I finally managed to make my tomatoes bloom and actually produce tomatoes. They were incredibly acidic, but they were still tomatoes.
But no picture could prepare me for him in person.
He was much taller than any magazine made him seem. And much wider too, from shoulder to shoulder he seemed to be over a meter. And much, much more muscular.
Although he didn't have skin like a normal human would, his stones did nothing to disguise those muscles and I was just grateful. It seemed as if each crack perfectly outlined each muscle segment, just as each piece of hard rock seemed even more rigid covering the large muscles of his chest.
And obviously my eyes decided to move on their own and descend through the valley of temptation to temptation. Obviously it was different, after all Ben's whole body was like a rock and his penis would be no different.
But it wasn't anything like you might imagine. Just like his fingers, the stones were smaller, and they piled up like scraps of skin. He was large, exactly proportional to his own size, which made him enormous by any human proportions. Despite his skin being rocky, somehow it didn't seem rigid, and in an even more confusing and strange way, it seemed quite inviting. Enough to make me forget how obvious it was when you looked directly at him.
And that's certainly why he pulled the nearest towel and wrapped it around his waist.
"I… I didn't know anyone was here!" My first reflex was to cover Franklin's eyes; the baby seemed to think all that tension was pure comedy.
"GET OUT!" Ben shouted, and my body immediately responded to that tone. It was as if all my bones trembled at that voice.
"SORRY!" The door slammed shut louder than I wanted, but it wasn't like it would make things worse. "Shit!" Normally I wouldn't swear in front of a baby, but at that moment I just wanted to hide until Sue came back to say goodbye, because obviously I wasn't going to stay here after this.
And with a wave of a magic wand, the next door I opened was indeed Franklin's room, and obviously, there was a family door connecting Sue and Reed's room and, of course, their suite.
As if it were the only thing that could distract my mind from that humiliating scene, I finally got to give Franklin the bath he needed, and even though the baby laughed like a fool with the foam and soap bubbles, nothing could erase those shameful minutes from my mind.
With Franklin dry and smelling good, I went back to his room through the family door and sat on the floor with the baby. If I remember correctly, the binder said he could play before his last bottle of the night… But it's not like I could make sure of that; I wasn't going to leave that room anytime soon. Not when I knew I might end up running into Ben.
Knock knock
"Damn it! " at least someone was knocking on the door.
"May I come in? " obviously he was going to ask in addition to knocking. As if he wanted to rub it in my face that he had manners. " I brought Franklin's bottle and… And… I don't know if you've had dinner yet or not, but I made lasagna…"
And like a child afraid to face the monster under the bed, I did the most humiliating thing. Opening the door only for my arm to reach out and feel what I could only imagine was his chest (now I could feel that he was dressed). My hand was guided by another until it found the bottle in his hand. It was warm, at the ideal temperature to put Franklin to sleep.
"Thank you." I murmured, closing the door and hearing his footsteps fading further and further away.
With the warm milk in his stomach, it was easy to get Franklin to sleep.
And with that room so quiet, it was impossible to ignore how much my stomach was rumbling.
I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to face Ben and go through all that embarrassment again.
But my stomach begged.
Maybe if I was quick and quiet I could grab a slice of that lasagna and run back to the room and have my first and last meal in Baxter Tower.
My feet barely touched the wooden floor of the building. The hallway light was off, as was the kitchen light, but the light from the television partially illuminated the room.
He was watching television. His back was turned to me, and that was all I needed to grab the lasagna and run to the room and continue hiding until the fateful moment when Sue would say goodbye.
The lasagna was right there on the counter, still steaming. Its cheese was melted and its sauce glistening, oozing flavor right in my face.
I needed to grab a plate and go back to my room…
Where are the plates?!
"The plates are in the second cupboard on the right. Cutlery in the drawer below. " Can he read minds?! Ben Grimm, besides being a stone, could read minds? Was he a telepathic stone?! " You don't need to hide, I may not be handsome anymore but you don't need to hide.
"What?! No!" For a being made of stones, he certainly walked silently, since he was standing right on the other side of the counter.
"I'm not handsome or you don't need to hide? " He seemed to be having a lot of fun with my desperation, since there was a clear smile on his face.
"You… You're messing with me, are't you?! "I said, leaning on the counter, looking into those blue eyes like a spring sky. Ben leaned on the counter too, lowering his body onto it. "Because thanks to you, this might be my last job..."
"Thanks to me? You're the one who invaded my bathroom! " His tone was accompanied by a laugh, as if he were taking the whole situation humorously rather than catastrophically.
"I didn't even know you'd be home! " I replied with a small laugh as well. There was a silent pause before I finally decided what to say next. "Look… I'm sorry fot"
"Invading my privacy and exposing me to the world?"
"Pfft! Don't be dramatic! " My finger tapped his chest accusingly, but Ben seemed to find it funny, as his smile only widened. " It wasn't to the world, at most your nephew and I covered his eyes."
"After staring at my body as if I were a piece of meat… " That sentence made the blood rush to my cheeks. And I couldn't even say I was lying.
"It's not quite like that. " I murmured, looking at the lasagna between us; it seemed like a good way to distract myself.
"Are you sure? I think I saw drool dripping from your mouth a moment ago. " He teased, gesturing to his own mouth.
"And I thought Johnny was the one who was too full of himself," I retorted teasingly, raising my gaze to his just in time to see him look away.
"You gave me confidence by looking at me as if I were still attractive," he replied in a slightly more serious tone.
"You… You are attractive," I replied, turning back to look at the lasagna, feeling like a silly teenager admitting her crush to someone.
Luckily, the divine intervened.
"Yn? Ben? We're back!" Sue's voice sounded excited to be home and exhausted at the same time. Whatever the night's event had been, it was tiring.
"They're in the kitchen!" Johnny said, patting Ben's shoulder a few times, walking past him and heading straight for the lasagna between us.
"I thought you'd be asleep already… How did things go?" Sue asked, and I immediately handed her the baby monitor, letting her see Franklin sleeping on the small screen. Reed came over and leaned on his wife's shoulder, smiling at the sleeping baby.
"They went well… We had a little explosion, but nothing a bath couldn't clean up." I prayed that Sue was so focused on the baby that she wouldn't see my cheeks blushing, or Ben coughing behind me. "He played with the blocks, drank his bottle, and fell asleep quickly listening to the story of the species… A peculiar book for a six-month-old, but I think he understood the premise…" Reed smiled, listening to that. "And… And I think my work here is done… I'm going now. " I didn't want to look back to say goodbye to Ben; I wanted to maintain as much professionalism as possible.
With a quick goodbye, I went home and threw myself on the bed. I knew what would be waiting for me at dawn: a delicate message saying, unfortunately, my services would no longer be needed.
I don't know how I managed to fall asleep so quickly, but it was one of the best nights I've ever slept, and not because of the dream about the rocky man. Definitely not because of him.
But, like every night's sleep, morning came next, and with it the rather unenthusiastic checking of my phone messages, waiting for Sue's message saying she wouldn't want my services anymore when…
Sue Storm: Good morning! Are you available for a job tonight? Ben told me you were great with Franklin yesterday.
That night, I didn't find Ben. Sue had told me that everyone was going to an event for the Future Foundation, something that gave me mixed feelings. I was relieved that I still had a job, obviously, but also anxious to be there again. Every time I passed through the hallway to see Franklin, I remembered that embarrassing memory. I can still smell his soap, just as I can feel my bones vibrate from the scream he let out.
It was a memory I wouldn't mind forgetting.
Besides this anxiety, I couldn't deny that I was indeed frustrated that he wasn't home. Franklin didn't exactly know how to answer my questions; he wasn't very good at conversation. But he loved to play, especially with a plush toy shaped like Ben… I think liking him was the only thing Franklin and I shared in common.
After playing, Franklin had his last meal before bed to the sound of his evening reading: The Structure of Matter. I have to say, reading those books was helping Franklin's intellect as much as mine.
The Baxter Tower was empty, but its refrigerator wasn't. Sue assured me that the food there was safe to eat, especially since it had been made for me. For some reason, she emphasized this several times.
After a delicious meal, I washed the rest of the dishes (even though Herbie tried to kick me out), and lay down on the armchair in Franklin's room, keeping him close in case he needed anything.
The family arrived a few hours later. Franklin barely woke up to greet his parents, despite Johnny's drunken shouts. Luckily, Ben took him to his room before the baby woke up.
After a brief recap of the night's events, I said goodbye to Sue and Reed, seeing the clear tiredness in their eyes, and headed for the exit.
"Leaving without saying goodbye already?" his voice made me jump as I waited for the elevator.
"Yeah… You're tired and I didn't want to bother anyone," I replied with a small, polite smile, trying to control my brain so I wouldn't remember the previous night.
I couldn't not remember that he was naked in that bathroom. The way the stones contoured his muscles. The way the water seemed to provoke lust in the other's gaze. I tried to focus on the fact that he was now wearing a tailored suit, whose dark brown tone complemented his blue eyes even more.
"Did you enjoy dinner?" he asked in an almost insecure tone.
"Oh, it was great! Your chef is truly divine." If it were possible, I'd say he blushed.
"I'm glad…" he opened his mouth at the same time as the elevator door. Ben sighed.
"I have to go… See you later, Ben," I said, pressing the ground floor button.
"See you later, darling," Ben said the instant the door closed.
The elevator door closed and only then did I release the breath I hadn't realized I was holding. The mirror showed the red that was spreading across my cheek, as well as a silly smile growing at the corner of my mouth.
Darling
Just when I thought the night could be free of any stronger emotions, he comes and says that…
Darling…
Unfortunately, Sue had the next day off. Well, I should be saying fortunately, but I really wanted to see Ben again.
But it was a rare day off. I needed to take advantage of that free time to catch up on some necessary things, such as finding a laundromat in the city, since my last one had the audacity to stain my clothes and my small apartment didn't have any space for a washing machine. That's what happens when you rent a place thinking, "I'll spend more time outside than inside, so what does size matter?"
The new laundromat was next to a café. The plan was simple: after the clothes were clean, I would have a coffee and a biscuit, a reward for doing an adult activity.
The bag of dirty clothes was swaying with every step I took. The loud sound of my music blocked out any other stimuli reaching my ears, including the bell of the café door opening.
The impact was solid. My body slammed against a concrete wall that suddenly appeared. The bag of clothes fell to the ground, but luckily the arms of the concrete wall prevented me from falling as well. A sharp pain shot through my face, at the same pace as I felt something running down my nose.
"Damn it! Aren't you looking where you're going, darling?!" The voice was unmistakable, low, rough, and now full of concern.
My hand went to my nose before my eyes even focused on those alarmed blue ones staring at me. As soon as my fingers touched my nose, a pain blurred my vision; the tips of his fingers were blood red. It didn't take long to understand where the blood was coming from.
"Shit!" Ben said, half-kneeling on the floor, not caring about getting his jeans dirty, his hand never leaving my back (as if he didn't trust that I could stand on my own). His other hand touched my face so delicately that it didn't even seem to be there, quite the opposite of what one would expect from someone made of stone. His sky-blue eyes didn't dare leave my face for even a second. " I think I broke your nose… " he murmured, a great deal of guilt hidden in his tone. His hand left my face and slipped into the inside pocket of his brown jacket, pulling out a handkerchief and placing it under my nostrils.
"But I only bumped into you… " that made me chuckle softly.
"You bumped into someone made of stone, darling..." again, the hidden guilt.
"Will we ever meet normally? " my voice came out nasal, letting out a groan of pain that showed between an embarrassed laugh.
"At least this time nobody's naked. "Ben replied, pressing harder against my nose.
"Oh, that's not a problem for me. " I replied without thinking, and I saw the shock of him hearing that." Oh God! I didn't mean that! " I tried to think of something to cover it up, but I was interrupted by Ben's laughter. Of course, that lovely laugh brought mine along.
"You're bleeding quite a bit…" he murmured between laughs, his concern growing more serious. "Let's go." Ben picked up the bag of clothes from the ground, and with his hand on my back, began to lead me down the street.
"Where are we going?" I asked, holding the blood-soaked handkerchief still to my face.
"Where do you think? To the Tower. I want Reed to take a look at that nose… Maybe then you won't sue me?" he joked, walking a little faster, trying to hide his concern.
The idea of going back to the tower wasn't my favorite, but I wasn't going to argue. Either Reed would fix my nose or a doctor in the emergency room. And nothing against doctors, but I preferred Reed.
The walk wasn't long, and soon we were in the elevator. Even though the blood had decreased, it was still quite noticeable. Ben made a point of guiding me everywhere, practically forcing me to keep my head up.
Reed, thankfully, was in his lab.
With the efficiency of a genius, he applied a small blue light device to my nose. A tingling sensation later, and the pain was gone.
"All done. Your septum has been realigned," he commented with a small, friendly smile. "I would avoid any impact for the next 48 hours, and use plenty of ice."
"Wow… You have a device just to fix noses?" I asked, looking at the small mirror he had just given me. Ben was right behind me, arms crossed, watching his friend.
"Ah… It was necessary." Reed didn't hide his gaze from Ben.
"What? Wasn't it the first time someone bumped into him and broke his nose?" "I asked jokingly, but his serious look told me enough. "Really?!"
"It was once," Ben said, sighing, seeing my smile.
"It was six times," Reed corrected, avoiding Ben's gaze. "But it was last month… Last month."
"Last month?!" I couldn't contain my laughter, not seeing Ben blush like that. "At least now I don't feel like an idiot."
"Ice can help with the swelling and bruising," Reed continued. "These are painkillers; you're not feeling anything now, but you certainly will later. Always take them on a full stomach, otherwise they can make you nauseous," he said, handing me a small glass bottle of pills.
"Thank you, Reed… How much do I owe you?" I asked, fully aware that Reed had put his work aside to help me; I had to give something in return.
"Oh, don't worry, dear," Reed replied with a polite refusal. "You're part of the family, in more ways than one." I don't know what he meant by that, but I thanked him anyway.
"Come on, let's go to the kitchen and get some ice to put on there. " Ben said, helping me down from the stretcher and taking me to the kitchen. He didn't get a chair or anything like that, instead he put me on the counter as if I weighed the same as Franklin. " Here you go." He handed me a blue ice pack, which as soon as it touched my face caused immediate relief. Ben smiled, hearing my sigh. " I think we have a proximity problem, don't you think? " That made me laugh, a nasal and painful laugh, but still a genuine laugh.
"You think so? " I asked, just wanting to see where he was going to lead. Ben moved closer, standing between my legs and using his arms for support on the counter, one on each side surrounding me there.
"Absolutely." He said seriously and humorously at the same time. " The first time, you violated my privacy and looked at me like a piece of meat. " My eyes rolled, but a laugh escaped my chest. "And now you're touching me like this. It's getting serious." My heart was racing and butterflies were fluttering in my stomach. I knew he was teasing me, provoking me but not hiding the attraction that was obviously there.
Without thinking, I placed the ice cube beside me on the counter, crossing my arms behind Ben's head and leaning forward.
"I'd say it's getting pretty serious," I replied, leaning my face forward even more, until my lips touched his.
His lips were softer than I expected. It wasn't like kissing a cold, rough stone, but rather kissing soft, warm, yet dry lips.
Ben froze. He didn't move for a while, long enough to seem like an eternity. And then, a low, guttural sound came from deep within his chest; he finally responded. I heard the sound of his ice cubes scraping against each other before his enormous hands enveloped my body, his touch delicate yet firm. Ben pulled me closer with ease, deepening the kiss and making the universe disappear, including the pain of my broken nose.
That's when the sound of the cupboard next to us opening made us pull away from each other. Ben didn't take his hands off my body, nor did he make any effort to move away, he just turned his face. I didn't do the slightest thing to move away either.
We both turned our faces to find Johnny leaning against the counter next to us, his hands holding a box of colorful cereals as he looked at us with a wide grin. He was still wearing pajamas and his hair was all messy, in a "cow-licked" style, but that didn't erase the mischievous look he had.
"And I thought you'd lost your charm," Johnny said, pointing his sugar-stained finger at Ben. "And you… I'm offended that I wasn't the first choice here." I rolled my eyes when I heard that.
"Johnny, if you say one more word…"
" HEY SUE BEN, STOLE FANKLIN'S BABYSITTER!!!" Before Ben could finish, Johnny yelled, running out of the kitchen.
"Just in case, do you still know how it works? Want a basic anatomy lesson? " Johnny's head appeared from behind the hallway wall, dodging in time to protect himself from the cereal bowl Ben threw at him. "Wow, you really need to get laid! With that kind of mood! Good luck, Yn!"
"JOHNNY!" Ben's yell made the walls tremble, but it didn't wipe the smile off my face.
Johnny finally left, and although Ben's expression became closed and irritated as he stared down the hallway, a touch from me on his cheeks relaxed his face into a calm smile.
I guided his face back to mine, kissing his lips again and enjoying that feeling more and more.
Ben pulled away moments later, picking up the ice pack and putting it on my face again.
"Reed won't like knowing you're ruining his work," he murmured with a mischievous grin on his face.
"I'm ruining his work?" I asked, holding the ice pack in place, looking at him incredulously at his statement but clearly understanding the joke.
"Oh! Speaking of which!" Ben stepped out from between my legs and began rummaging through the refrigerator, grabbing various ingredients.
"What are you doing?" I asked as he began chopping and putting things in the pan.
"Reed said you need to take your medication with food… I'm making sure of that," he said, winking at me, before grabbing a second pan and adding more ingredients.
"That seems like a lot of food for one person," I said, looking at Ben around. He moved lightly and knew exactly what he was doing.
"Are you asking me out on a date after violating me in so many ways?" I rolled my eyes at his tone, but my smile didn't disappear.
"Yes, Ben Grimm, I'm asking you out on a date even after violating you multiple times. " I replied, watching his smile only grow wider, as well as his cheeks turning a little redder.
"In that case, I accept going on a date with you, darling. " Ben replied, taking a few steps to kiss me on the lips again, then going back to cooking.
Ben made sure to put all the food in containers so we could eat at my place, a guarantee that Johnny wouldn't interfere with the date at all.
The date was perfect; even with the cramped space in my apartment, Ben was comfortable there, and I even more so. At the end of the night, he reminded me again to take my medicine before giving me one last kiss.
I lay down on the bed right after, with the most genuine smile on my lips.
My phone vibrated, announcing the arrival of the messages.
Ben ❤️🪨: Can I say I miss you?
Maybe a second date?
Yn: absolutely yes.
Ben ❤️🪨: See you tomorrow then. ❤️
I couldn't control the little excited squeal I let out.
The phone vibrated again and again.
Sue Storm: Hi Yn! Good evening, tomorrow night Reed and I are going to an awards ceremony, and I'd like you to look after Franklin.
For the first time, I was excited to go to work the next day. Even more so to see Ben.
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