Guys real talk. I’m starting university come September. If anyone went or goes to university currently, what’s the stuff i DEFINITELY need for my accommodation and in general for a university student.
I don’t want to buy stuff and then never use them.
[Y/N] Targaryen meets a certain hedge knight. The two of them forget their oaths, vows and principles in their roles.
Masterlist
Content Warnings; unwanted pregnancy
211AC
You weren’t told when Rhaegel, Alys and their children arrived. Or the reason for their visit.
But Aerys seemed somewhat pleased to see his brother.
Rhaegel stuck close to his wife. Their children did the same. They seem rather shy, and never spoke to you or any of Maekar’s children.
Their twins, Aelor and Aelora, seemed to enjoy private conversations with Aerys – which were supervised by Alys.
You had caught them when walking down the halls. Alys’ blue gown caught your eye. And once her eyes met yours, Aerys’ chamber door slammed shut.
Your heart sunk. You tried your best not to show it at dinner. Or when Rhaegel tried to discuss your father and brothers without crying.
Within the next few days, you weren’t called into council meetings. Aerys would walk past you without a second look.
That’s when you knew something was happening.
You had caught Aelinor outside with Daenora, the youngest of Rhaegel’s, playing with Daella and Rhae.
Aelinor welcomed you with a warm smile as you sat at her side.
“Tea, niece?” She goes to nod to one of her handmaidens to begin pouring tea, when you stopped her.
“I’m only here to get answers.”
This caught Aelinor’s full attention. “What for?”
You sigh, glancing at the little girl, who looked far too much like her father. “What is Alys’ plans with the twins?”
Aelinor took a sip of her tea. Her eyebrows raised up from over the cup. She hums. Almost smirking.
“Your sweet aunt Alys is trying to get the twins into an heir race with you..” you dreaded the rest of her sentence.
She sighs. “And, sweet girl, I’m afraid, with Maekar here, she’s winning.”
Tightness in your chest reminded you to breathe. You didn’t say anything, and that was enough for Aelinor.
“I thought if I married Aerion then Maekar would support my cause..?”
Aelinor laughs. “You’re forgetting he’s the youngest son, the youngest brother. He’s dying to get on that throne before any one else.”
Moons later, you knew you were in the early stages of pregnancy. The more you looked into a mirror you noticed the small bump.
You also knew you were in the early stages of being usurped from a throne that was promised to you.
You were waiting for the announcement. You blatantly ignored the pregnancy, pushing the thought away that you were carrying Aerion’s child.
At night, when you laid on your back, staring at the ceiling. He was sneak a hand on the small bump, whispering about a dragon, his heir.
You were disgusted at him, and this thing inside you. You would push his hand away and curl into yourself, crying for your mother.
So when the next morning came. Your handmaidens helped with your dress.
“Princess, I can’t tighten it any further.”
You inhale. “Try, please.”
The girl nodded, tightening the corset, until you could feel it right into your ribcage.
You went on a walk with Kiera around the gardens, the halls – that still haunt you with your brothers and your father.
Young handmaidens talked amongst themselves, glancing at you, looking at you with pity.
You thought everyone was past this pity towards you.
It wasn’t until you were sat at dinner. Aerys stood at the head of the table. Alys sat with a sharp look in her eyes.
“I’m happy to announce that my brother, Rhaegel will be heir after me!”
Your grasp around your chalice tightened. The tightness in your chest was back.
When you raised your eyesight, you noticed that Maekar was in the same predicament.
That’s when it hit you. The throne will never be yours.
You were quick to excuse yourself, rushing to your chambers. Ribbing off the dress and the corset. You sat in your nightgown all night – writing pages and pages to Duncan. About how much you miss him, how much you need him to be here with you.
You knew it was rare that the location Aegon had gave you a while back was where they still were, but you prayed at your bed before wrapping into your duvet – ignoring how your husband came back when the sun was rising, smelling of sex and alcohol.
Yes, you may have been a struggling college graduate, and a ex-burglar. But, you’re Bruce Wayne’s secretary first and Batmans sidekick secondly.
Masterlist
Content warning; sexual tension, another short chapter, shoot me
taglist; @jellyfish-tae @justservingcant
The Joker has came in, demanding to know where Dent is. It takes everything in you to stay still on your feet, as you watch him and his little friends shove guns into peoples faces, trying to make them scared so that they’ll say something – without your suit, it wouldn’t take you long to be shot down.
But no one budged.
It wasn’t until the man had a knife against an old man’s face that Rachel spoke up.
That’s when Joker thought she was entertaining enough for him.
You blink and she’s in the same position as the old man once was, a knife pressed into her cheeks. He spoke silently to her, about a wife, whilst Rachel fought and squirmed against him the knife.
It’s when you finally moved. “That’s enough.”
“Hah!” He turns to you, knife ready. “I don’t take orders from a little secretary…”
He knows who you are.
“Isn’t Bruce gonna come save you now.” He steps closer to you. You don’t break eye contact, even though you can see Rachel standing behind him, shaking her head, mouthing something to you.
You sigh. “I’m not scared of you.”
He laughs in your face. His breath hot. “Of course, you’re not scared.” The knife is traced along your jaw.
“But I think the people around you, would be terrified, to see you bleeding out…” the knife presses harder. “Right at their–”
Before he could finish their sentence, Rachel had stepped behind him, raised her foot between his legs to kick him in the crotch.
“Oh..!” He turns to Rachel again. “You’ve got a little fight in you. I like that.”
A figure jumps down behind him. Batman. Bruce.
As soon as Joker is away from you and Rachel, she’s at your side again. She’s hugging you.
“You didn’t have to do that.” She’s saying in your ear.
“It’s fine.” You shrug it off.
You had to stand and watch as Joker and his remaining friends run off. The guests soon leave, too. As does Rachel and Dent, once they have a safe passage to somewhere safe.
It’s just you, Batman, and Alfred who’s sweeping up glass.
“Alfred, let me help you.” You felt useless.
“No, it’s quite alright, miss.” You ignore him, picking up large shards of glass into your hand. “We don’t need any more injuries–”
All he heard was a large hiss of pain from you as the glass cuts into your skin. He sighs.
“Sorry, Alfred.” You brush off the glass into a bin, before rushing into the bathroom, where Bruce stood, his chest exposed, wearing only the bottom half of the bat suit.
“Oh, my god. Sorry.”
“Hey, it’s alright.” He stops as soon as he can see the blood trickling down your wrist. “What happened? Did he–”
He, meaning Joker.
“No.” You’re quick to shake your head. “It’s just me being stupid.”
He shakes his head, leading you further into the very large bathroom. Bruce takes your hand under the tap, rinsing the blood with water.
His own hand was so warm, his whole body was radiating heat. You couldn’t help but rest your head on his shoulder.
He sighs. “You alright?”
You nod. “I’m sorry.. that I couldn’t help you.”
His thumb rubs at your wrist.
“Everything happened so fast.” You continue. “He had Rachel, and I couldn’t let anything happen to her, she’s your friend. You’d kill me if I didn’t save her.”
He pauses. He pulls you back. “And if anything happened to you, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”
You snort. “Bruce, you’re the Bruce Wayne, you’re the Batman. I’m just your secretary, your little sidekick.”
He tuts. “You’re more than that…”
You inhale. Bruce’s eyes held such intensity, you couldn’t look away. “What else am I, Bruce?”
He leans closer, and you’re scared of where this is going.
“Oh, apologies!” Alfred. “I was going to see if miss [Y/N] needed stitches, or if you did, Bruce?”
Bruce shakes his head. “Just a few bruises, Alfred. However, [Y/N] might need your help.”
You let Alfred lead you to the kitchen, where he examined the cut. Whilst your heart tried to recover from whatever was going to happen in the bathroom.
Yes, you may have been a struggling college graduate, and a ex-burglar. But, you’re Bruce Wayne’s secretary first and Batmans sidekick secondly.
Masterlist
content warnings; short chapter, sorry
taglist; @jellyfish-tae @justservingcant
Hong Kong was busy. Bruce and Lucius were occupying themselves in LSI Holdings, whilst you went actually sight seeing.
The shops were interesting, though you brought no proper currency with you to buy anything.
You left a shop, maybe with something in your pocket when you bumped into Bruce.
“Oh, hello.” He says, his hands fall onto your arms.
“Hello, Bruce.”
“Miss!”
You jump, looking behind you. An employee of the shop is walking towards you.
“Best be leaving.” You say, grabbing Bruce’s arm and rush through the shopping centre.
He laughs. “Seriously?”
You shrug. “Old habits die hard, Bruce.”
He shakes his head.
“Lucius has everything in place for tonight.” Bruce speaks, as you’re out of the doors of the centre. “Are you still up for it?”
You look at him, raising a brow. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Bruce sighs. “These men aren’t like the guys in Gotham.”
You nod. “And? I can handle myself.”
It’s his turn to raise a brow. “Can you?”
You slap his arm with the back of your hand. “Now, you’re just being rude.”
You stood on the side of the building, Bruce was on the other side, talking to you through the comms in your ear. The power goes out.
“Ready?” His voice crackles through.
You take a deep breath. “Ready.”
He jumps off his side, landing into the window.
You follow his move, jumping down, using a more safe approach, but you get on the floor, helping Batman with the gun-welding men.
They seemed to be more focused on Batman, and you used that to your advantage, sneaking behind them, knocking them unconscious.
Batman focuses on getting Lau, whilst you fight the remaining men.
When the police arrive, Batman and you are behind Lau, shooting out a flashing parachute for Lucius’ plane to pick up.
The next morning, Lau is sitting outside for Gordon.
The following evening, you’re standing in Bruce’s penthouse for Harvey Dent’s fundraiser, hosted by Bruce, himself.
You walked around the place, having a nosey at the paintings, the fancy vases, the very expensive curtains and bedsheets.
“Well?”
You gasp, turning around. “Jesus, Bruce!”
He laughs.
“You have to stop scaring me.” You move closer to him.
“Just wanted to know what you thought of the place?” His hand comes to your shoulder. “And look at you!”
You laugh. “What?”
“That dress, it is gorgeous.”
No matter how many times he compliments you, you always get flustered, ready to drop dead of a heart attack.
“Thanks.” You nod. “And the place is nice.”
“Nice?” He raises a brow.
You look around. “Well.. it’s very showy.”
He hums. “Not your taste?”
You shrug. “I don’t have your money to show off.” You mean to play it as a joke, not show that you’re shocked at how expensive those are, or how the bed sheets are clearly designer-made.
He looks at you with pity. You want to slap yourself.
“Sorry.” You whisper. “Sometimes I forget how rich the batman really is…”
He shushes you, raising a finger to his lip. “Can’t joke like that now, sweetheart. Not tonight.”
You nod. He takes back to the main room, where it’s gotten busier and louder.
Rachel and Dent, himself, are clearly the main attraction of the night, since they have put all the criminals into Gordon’s office.
You don’t remember when Bruce left your side to take a phone call, or when Harvey never showed up again, but when the Joker steps out of the elevator, the light in your pocket stops.
You had missed your chance to go with Bruce without it being suspicious. Rachel is at your side, looking ready to shit herself.
Yes, you may have been a struggling college graduate, and a ex-burglar. But, you’re Bruce Wayne’s secretary first and Batmans sidekick secondly.
Masterlist
Content warnings; now set during the dark knight era, slight age gap (25+33)
taglist; @jellyfish-tae @justservingcant
2007
Soon after Bruce revealed who Batman was to you, in your apartment. It had been awkward between you two – knowing when he had to explain to others about his bruises, when you know the truth now.
In some official-unofficial way, you’ve became his sidekick. The press button he gave became upgraded to a small signal to let you know he needed help.
He even gave you an upgraded suit. It was a much stronger material than what you had borrowed from Lucius old office. If you looked closely enough, it was almost a duplicate of his suit, except there was no bat symbol over your chest.
The mask he gave you was a small piece. It covered your eyebrows and went down with an arch to your cheekbones. No bat ears in sight.
When you arrived at the office, it was sitting at your desk. Bruce no where to be seen. Lucius had walked past to see you observing the box.
“I believe Bruce wants you to open that later, [Y/N].”
So when you went home that evening and tried it on, everything fit perfectly.
He sat as his desk when you walked in the next day. You leaned against his doorway, he looked up and smirked at you.
“Well?”
You snort. “How did you know my measurements?”
He shrugs and leans back in his chair, hands interlocked. His eyes never leaving yours. “I have a good pair of eyes.”
You shake your head. “What?”
Shrugging it off, you walk into the office, closing the door. “So, am I some sort of sidekick, now?”
He nods. “If you wish.”
You sigh, licking your lips. “Does that mean I have to stop my extra hobby?”
He laughs. “Sweetheart, if you want a raise, so be it.”
And he does give you a raise. Your night gear seemingly useless now that you’re out at night with Batman, with your own grappling hook, and personal training from him.
Even your suit had its own spot in his “batcave”.
2008
This morning you actually woke up in time, and was standing outside Wayne Enterprises way earlier than you usual would.
You had printed sheets that Bruce would need for the meeting with Mister Lau, and when you went into his office, he wasn’t there.
He arrived later that day, when Mister Lau was due to present his business in front of the board.
He sat next to you and looked clueless.
“Bruce,” you whispered, trying to keep up your professionalism. He leans forward. “Do you think the sheets I leave on your desk are for you to wipe your ass with?”
That makes him stifle a chuckle, and lean back in his seat, as you continued to take notes about Mister Lau’s points.
Five minutes later, you can hear snoring beside you. Lucius wrapped up the meeting, and led Mister Lau and others out of the room.
“Bruce!” You slapped his arm.
He shoots up in pain, grabbing his arm. “Fuck!”
Your brows shoot up. “Oh, shit, sorry.”
He sighs. “It’s fine.” Bruce stands up.
“What happened?” You follow him.
“Copycats, Scarecrow,” he turns back to you. “And dogs.”
You laugh. “Did a chihuahua nibble on you?”
He rolls his eyes. “No, it was one of those big ones. Y’know, the… I don’t know what they’re called. M‘not a dog person.”
He opens the door to let you out, following behind you.
“I prefer cats myself.” You reply, even if he wasn’t asking.
Bruce nods, hands in pockets. “Yeah, they’re alright.”
Lucius met you two from the other hallway. Bruce and him talked about how Lau’s business was too suspicious, and could be illegal work going on behind closed doors. Eventually, Bruce asked for a new suit.
“And [Y/N] needs a cape.”
You raise your head from your notes – that were now useless since Bruce wanted to cancel the deal. “I do?”
Bruce nods. “Both of us need to be able to float.”
You sigh. “I’m scared of heights enough.”
Lucius laughs. “Don’t worry, [Y/N]. Just close your eyes and hope for the best.”
As you stood in front of a mirror, trying on the new cape, it was black, red underneath.
“It suits you, miss [Y/N].” Alfred speaks.
“You think, Alfred?” You moved and it whooshed behind you. “I just think Batty is wanting a protégé.”
He laughs at that as your beeper on the small desk beeps and flashes white.
“Duty calls, miss.” Alfred grins.
You smile as you turn to leave, picking up your mask you leave.
You stood on the police stations rooftop, with Harvey Dent and Batman.
Dent didn’t see you arrive. Your skills of silent moving still comes in handy.
“Jesus!” He yelps when he sees you.
You nod. “Hello, Dent.”
“Another one, seriously?” Harvey asks the bat.
Batman nods. “Needed extra hands.”
“And what are you called, miss?” Harvey turns to you.
You look at Batman, then back at Harvey. “That hasn’t been discussed, yet.”
Harvey laughs in disbelief. “Great, another vigilante, who’s unnamed. You trust her?”
Batman nods. “With my life.”
You look at him, shocked by his answer.
Gordon walks through the rooftop door.
The discussion became about Lau, his journey to Hong Kong, marked bills, and distrust in both Harvey and Gordon’s department.
Gordon had seen you once or twice, so your presence wasn’t a shock to him.
When Harvey confirmed that if Bruce brings back Lau from Hong Kong, it wouldn’t be wasted. You and him both disappeared into the shadows.
[Y/N] was a neighbour of Peter ‘Steele’ Ratajczyk’s, who had seen her as another sister. When she starts her own band, it’s his best friend, Josh Silver, who catches her eye.
Masterlist
Content warnings; marriage (gasp), pregnancy?? (double gasp) ((acting as if I haven’t had this all planned out since the start))
August 1998
As soon as your mother got word that you were engaged, she already thought you were behind on the planning. She had even called Madeline to come over to help plan. Abby had walked all over your mother’s house – your mother was just happy to be able to baby another little girl.
You weren’t even paying attention to your mother’s rambling, as you were brushing back Abby’s curly hair.
“[Y/N]!” Your mother’s screech scares the toddler.
“Mom!?” You reply.
“This is your wedding, you should at least pretend to be interested.” She starts flipping through these magazines. “I’m thinking something like this dress.”
“I’d rather die.”
“She’d rather die.”
You and Madeline say in unison.
Your mother groans. “Why do I even try!?”
Madeline sighs. “How about–”
Josh walks into the war zone.
“Oh, great. Let Josh pick everything for the wedding.” Your mother speaks up. You want to bash your head against the table.
Josh raises a brow to you and Madeline, both of you sigh.
“Have you come to save us?” You ask.
Josh laughs. “Not going well then?”
He hears your mother mumble under her breath as she moves past you all to head into the living room.
You bite your lip to stop yourself from laughing. “It’s going amazing.”
Madeline had left to buckle Abby in her car seat to meet you back at your house.
“Josh, I would rather marry you in my pajamas, just us, than have my every single family member sit and stare at me.”
He nods along. “Makes sense.”
You lean into his body. “You’re supposed to agree and say that you’d love me any way.”
He kisses your head. “You know I do.”
You sigh. “We should just sign a marriage certificate, and drink the night away.”
“We can do that.”
You raise your head from his shoulder. “Really?”
“If that’s what you want.”
And that’s what you two did. You signed a license, with your mother as your witness, Peter as Josh’s witness. And that was that.
Officially married in September.
Your parents left early from the party, but that didn’t stop the rest of you from continuing. Jeremy was somehow invited, obviously his camera got involved, asking you what it was like to be married, and to not call this engagement off.
You were quick to shove the camera away, laughing as Kenny got Jeremy into a chokehold.
•
December 1998
Joel – or in reality was Kacey – hosted a “just because” party. Darragh and his girlfriend had arrived and left before you could blink. Peter was talking to one of Kacey’s bandmates. Josh and Joel were smoking outside.
You quickly walked to the toilet, doing your business. As you washed your hands, you noticed a pregnancy test box in the bathroom trash. You didn’t pay much mind – what Kacey and Joel were planning was none of your business.
Until you did a double take. You really stared and really thought. Drying your hands, you counted the weeks and months since your last period.
“Oh, fuck.”
You’re quick to leave the bathroom, almost running in Peter.
“Hey, you okay?” His hands are on your arms. “Look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
You sigh, try to laugh it off. “I’m fine. Just really tired.”
You gulped. “Where’s Josh?”
“Leavin’ already?” He asks. You just nod and move past to get to Josh.
•
The following week, you didn’t tell Josh what was wrong with you. Why you were starting to get sick, why you weren’t smoking or drinking anymore. Why you and Madeline’s phone conversations were now very private.
You felt terrible, not telling him. But you were terrified to tell him.
It wasn’t until you were vomiting into the toilet bowl for the fifth time this night. The smell of the raw food turned your stomach.
You heard footsteps. Then a hand was holding back your hair.
“You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”
You just sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“What’re you sorry for?”
You go to wipe the vomit from the corners of your mouth, but Josh is already there with a facecloth.
“We didn’t really get around to talking about kids.” You reply.
He laughs, either at you or at the situation. Either way, you wanted to cry.
His hand holds your face. “Do you want a kid?”
You shrug, before nodding. Quietly , you speak up. “Yeah.”
Josh nods. “Then, so do I.”
You go to speak. He continues. “Not because you just want to. I want kids, too.”
You laugh. “Kids? More than one?”
“Okay, get past this one first and see how it goes.”
Yes, you may be a struggling college graduate, and a burglar in the shadows of the night. But you’re Bruce Wayne’s secretary first and that’s more important.
This chapter; it’s your birthday–Bruce gives you a present. It’s your birthday–your hands are stained with blood
Masterlist
Content warnings; age gap (24+32), blood, sexual tension(?), the end of Batman begins era, starting dark knight soon.
taglist; @jellyfish-tae @justservingcant
2007
Work seemed to fly by. Bruce had meetings. You had a coffee and a cigarette outside with Lucius. You finally met this Alfred that Lucius kept mentioning.
When Bruce’s final meeting finally wrapped up, he lead the man out of the office. The man continued to speak with his back to Bruce, looking around the building and your desk.
Bruce caught you looking and mocked the man, rolling his eyes, sticking his tongue out.
You laugh, unexpectedly, which has the man looking at you. You pretend it was a barking cough, apologising for the interruption.
When the man left, Bruce went back into his office. You were itching for him to come to your desk and talk to you, make fun of all the meetings, compliment your hair, talk about your new heels – that you definitely did not buy.
His door opens again and he walks to you. “Happy birthday.”
You had forgotten about your birthday. The days of the week all blending into one. You’re twenty-four. One year older and bolder, as your mother used to tell you.
He handed you a small bag, which held the wine you liked at the restaurant. You smile at him. “Thank you.”
“I’d say take a night off the boxing, sit in and enjoy.” He replies.
Maybe one night off wouldn’t hurt. It’s not as if Batman is that vulnerable without you.
How you were so wrong.
You sat to a glass of the wine, drinking in small sips, to make it last longer, watching reality television. Some bits made you laugh, some bits made you cringe from how scripted it clearly was.
You had walked to your kitchen counter, pouring up another glass, as a shadow stood in your fire exit.
You had screamed, almost dropping your glass. Batman stood, one hand on your window, the other on his side.
You had ran over to open the window. “How did you find out where I live?”
“Questions later.” He spoke in short breaths. “Please.” He nods towards his side.
You help him in and onto your sofa. The tv get turned off and you run around like a headless chicken trying to find your first-aid kit.
When you finally get it, you’re on your knees in front of him - you had hoped it would’ve been in a better situation.
“Do you want to take off the suit?”
He shakes his head, his head falls back as he groans in pain. You press hard onto the wound to try and stop the bleeding, or to pause it for a minute to see what happened.
“Bat, what..” you sigh. “I can’t see shit.”
You stand up and go to your kitchen drawer, trying to find something that’ll help you, and not leave you with a dead body on your sofa.
“[Y/N]..” you hear.
You snap your neck, turning to him.
Your fucking boss sat on your sofa, trying to pull of his mask and suit. You felt faint, the wine in your throat, your dinner half way into your mouth.
“Bruce?” You sounded terrified.
“It’s okay, sweetheart…” he sighs, trying to sit up straighter. “It’s okay, it’s only me.”
You step closer to him, tape in hand to tape the gauze against his stomach. You wanted to cry. He could easily rat you out and no one would question him; he’s Bruce Wayne. He’s the Bruce Wayne.
Bruce Wayne is on your sofa, bleeding out.
Then it finally hit you. Bruce Wayne is fucking Batman.
Your hand that was pressed against his stomach, was covered by his, squeezing your hand to bring you back to him.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t tell you.” He says.
You inhale, trying to think if this is real or some really weird wet dream you’re having right now.
“I…” you try to say something. But he just nods.
“Your secret is safe with me.” He says. He leans further back into the sofa, blood continues to slip in between your fingers.
“Should we call Alfred?” You finally managed to get words out.
Bruce nods. “Just needed somewhere to sit for a minute.”
Bruce took over for a minute to hold the bandage against his skin, as he calls Alfred on your phone with his other hand.
You stood at the kitchen sink, trying to wash the blood of your hands, trying not to worry that he might speak about you to other people.
You turn and he’s there, trying to get closer to you.
“You should be sitting down.” Your hands on his shoulder. He sighs, almost like he wanted your touch against his bare skin.
“Alfred is coming.” Is all he says. “And please, stop worrying, sweetheart.”
You get him back on the sofa, his hand reaches out to your face. “For all they know, you’re just really bad at your boxing club.” He tries to joke.
You try to smile. “And you’re bad at polo.”
That makes him laugh and grimace in pain. “That’s m’girl.”
[Y/N] was a neighbour of Peter ‘Steele’ Ratajczyk’s, who had seen her as another sister. When she starts her own band, it’s his best friend, Josh Silver, who catches her eye.
Masterlist
Content warnings; estranged siblings (based this off my own relationship with my brother) ((self-insert, I know shoot me)) sex mentioned, Idc if Kenny doesn’t have a pool, he does now.
March 1998
Madeline had came to visit you all. It was a day out, including dinner, ice cream for you and her, and a walk along the beach.
When you came home, Josh sat on the phone. You didn’t pay much attention to him, as you moved to the bedroom, to change into your pajamas.
When you came out, he met you halfway, the phone extended your way. You raised a brow. His face said enough.
“Hello?” You spoke into the phone.
“Hey, Pops.”
It was Stephen. You felt ready to throw up.
Josh recognised that face, his arms wrapped around your shoulders as Stephen continued to speak highly of his adult life, career, his children, his wife.
You didn’t reply. He kept going on about how much he’s seen of you on television, how proud he is of you, how much he missed you.
You wanted to ask him what took him so long to get jn contact with you, if he can so easily go and visit your parents. You wanted to beg him and ask him what’s wrong with you, that he didn’t want to speak to you for the rest of your teenage years and now, majority of your adult life.
But you don’t. Except you shake in Josh’s arms.
“So, how ‘bout we meet up, you can meet the kids and Lillian..? You’ll like her. She’s amazing. So are the kids.”
You take a large inhale of air. Your head thumping in pain. “Okay, yeah.”
“Yeah? Bring Josh, too. Can’t believe you two of dating, crazy stuff. We’ll figure out where we’ll go for food when we meet up.”
You don’t remember saying goodbye to him, or when Josh took the phone off you, and mumbled goodbyes to Stephen, before the phone is gone.
You let out a large exhale, almost falling into the sofa. “Fuck.” You sigh, your head falling into your hands, fingers pressing into your eyes.
Josh’s hand rested on your shoulder. “It’ll be alright.”
You wanted to explain to him what was running through your head, ask him if he can give you the answers to your questions. But your voice is stuck, only able to voice your tiredness.
•
When you walked into the little diner, you didn’t expect to see three little kids that you looked identical to Stephen. A boy, a little girl and a baby girl.
You sat opposite them, Josh at your side. Stephen and him spoke as if they still see each other everyday. His wife, Lillian, made small talk with you.
She even tried to get you to hold the baby. It stared at you with Stephen’s eyes and you pushed yourself away.
“No, I’m not good with babies.” You tried to laugh.
“Oh, come on.” Lillian jeers, as if you’ve known her your whole life. “Every woman is good with babies.”
You try not to look disgusted at the comment.
You feel Stephen’s eyes on you – like he was trying to find the courage to speak to you. Like the words weren’t coming to him. Guess that runs in the family.
“Well, little sis?” Stephen finally speaks up, you almost jump. “How was college?”
You could hardly remember college, it was a decade ago. “It was okay.”
Stephen nods, his daughter is crying to get into his lap. He helps her up, pressing a kiss on her head.
He continues the odd conversation. “This band of yours… interesting stuff.”
You nod. “Maybe.”
“What do you think of Pete and mines?” Josh tries to break the awkwardness.
Stephen shrugs. “That stuff is normal. Men being wannabe rockstars. But seeing a girl doing it…” his eyes fall back on you. “Not something you see everyday.”
You shrink into the booth seat.
It felt like hours before you could leave. You had at least ten bathroom breaks, staring at yourself in the bathroom mirror, picking at your skin until it was raw.
When Josh finally waved them off as they drove away, you broke.
“I never want to see him again.” You say.
Josh nods, looking at you. “Yeah, same.”
You look at him. “But he’s your friend?”
He shrugs, opening the car door for you. “Haven’t seen or heard from him in eighteen years.. could do with another eighteen without him.”
You two sat in the car in silence for a while before the car is switched on.
“And those kids.” Josh speaks up.
You laugh. “They look just like him, it’s gross.”
He leans back further into his seat, glancing at you. “I understand why she seems so okay with it.” He looks out the window. “If our kids looked like you, I wouldn’t complain.”
You go to light up your cigarette, and pause. You look at him. “Excuse me?”
Josh laughs. “What? You don’t want kids with me?”
Your mouth goes to reply. Never has kids ever crossed your mind – well maybe a bit, especially when Madeline was pregnant, or when Kenny told you Bonnie was pregnant. You just didn’t think anyone would want to have kids with you.
“Maybe..?” You ask, say. Your brain is running wild.
Josh sighs. “[Y/N]?”
You look up from your feet to him.
“It’s okay.” He continues. “If you don’t want to marry me or have kids with me. I’m happy with you, either way.”
That stuck with you, especially as you got ready for bed. Josh was already wrapped in the sheets. You brushed your teeth, over your shoulder you seen him staring at you through the mirror. Then you seen him staring at your side of the bed, waiting for you.
It made your heart hurt. Whatever that feeling means. You wiped your mouth dry, and crawled into bed. Josh wraps his arm around your waist, and immediately passes out.
The traffic outside had died down, the only light in your room was the streetlight. The only noise in your room was Josh’s soft breathing.
The more you thought of your life, the more restless you go. Your tired state now leaving.
“Josh?” You whisper into the dark, as he moves away from you.
He hums, clearly still asleep.
You lean up, resting your head on his side. “What if I do marry you?”
That woke him up. He moved onto his back, his arm on your back. “What?”
You sigh, the words making your heart beat faster. “What if I want to marry you?”
He grins. “Do you want to?”
You nod. “Yes.”
His hand comes up to your face, pushing back your hair. “Will you marry me?”
You nod again, feeling yourself smile. “Yes.”
That following week, he bought you a ring and did a “proper” proposal – which included a home-cooked meal, he ran you a bath, gave you the ring, had some good sex, and finally, passed a joint around.
•
July 1998
This summer was most definitely not something you had missed when you lived away from Brooklyn.
While Arizona was just plain hot, you were sweating, you got a cold shower. Problem solved.
The issue with Brooklyn heat, was just how the heat stuck to you. Everything sticking to your body like glue. The heat makes you want to throw up and die.
So when Kenny had called and invited you and Josh to his house to chill around his pool, you immediately jumped into the car.
When you arrived, Bonnie was already chilling in the pool, baby Megan in a little floatie, floating around her mother.
“Hey, sexy.” Bonnie says. You laugh.
Josh and the others were sitting in the sun room, acting too cool to sit in the pool.
Whilst Bonnie swam around with Megan, you stuck your feet in the water.
“She’s adorable, Bonnie.” You say as Megan beams at you.
Bonnie smiles. “She is my daughter, after all.” She kisses her daughter’s cheek. “Even if she does look like Kenny’s twin.”
You smile as the baby tries to paddle towards you. Bonnie helps her and sets her on your lap.
The girl just stares at you with big eyes and a large grin. You can’t help but smile back.
Bonnie gets out of the water and sits next to you. “You’re good with kids. She doesn’t settle for just anybody.”
You shrug. “I dunno.” You glance at Bonnie, the baby plays with your hair. “What’s being pregnant like?”
Bonnie shrugs. “It’s different for everybody. Obviously, the more further along you are, the more difficult it is. Carrying a nine pounder isn’t for the weak.”
You laugh. Megan laughs with you.
“I can imagine a few mini Josh’s and [Y/N] running around here.” Bonnie takes her daughter back.
You look at her and laugh. “Really?”
Bonnie nods. “Most definitely.” She jumps back into the water as the baby squeals in happiness.
You lean back on your elbows, enjoying the coldness of the water, trying your best to ignore how Josh is smiling at you through the glass door.
How often do you release chapters? (I check for them everyday)
It just really depends if I’m in the mood to write in all honesty. I have another chapter coming out at 1pm my time (Ireland/UK). But it’s usually every other day or every 3 days!!
izzy806
prguitarman
dededos
theartofmadeline
snowghoul
