A/N: This was from the request I got with three different ideas so this is the request where Austin is the readers teacher
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You rolled your eyes as the two girls sitting in front of you in the lecture hall giggled whilst your Professor was talking. Ever since Professor Butler took over your Theatre Studies lectures, every single lecture was filled with girls trying to get his attention and it annoyed you. It didn’t annoy you because he wasn’t attractive, he was stupidly attractive with his blonde hair, chiselled jawline and bright blue eyes. It annoyed you because he was your boyfriend and you didn’t appreciate all of your classmates fawning over him.
When Austin began working as your Professor, you were instantly struck by how attractive he was but you didn’t want to group yourself in with the girls who began acting like fools around him. That seemed to grab his attention when he noticed that you were the only girl in the class who didn’t look phased by him, leading to him calling you out in class, eventually, asking you to stay behind after class to talk to him about your essays. It was after one of your lectures that he kissed you for the first time and your relationship bloomed. Since then, the two of you took every opportunity to spend time together and you were hoping that he’d see your request you’d sent through on the College’s online platform before the end of class.
You were impatiently tapping your pen against your desk, zoning out slightly when Austin’s voice brought you back into the moment. ‘Miss (Y/L/N), do you mind staying behind for a couple of minutes? To discuss the extra credit request you submitted earlier?’ you looked up to see Austin watching you from the front of the class, a smirk so small playing on his lips as he looked at you that you could only tell it was there because of how well you knew him. You nodded in response and murmured a quiet ‘thank you’ before looking back at the notes you’d made this lecture, knowing that Austin would let you borrow his lecture cards if you needed them.
As everyone packed away their things at the end of the lecture, you went at a much slower pace before slowly making your way down the stairs and walking over to Austins desk, setting your bag down next to it and waiting while Austin saw everyone else out. Once the last student had left the classroom, Austin closed the door and the click of the lock was all you needed to hear.
Austin cleared the space between you in a few strides and took your face in his hands, crashing your lips together. Your hands came out to twist in his jacket, pulling his body even closer to yours as he tilted your heads to deepen the kiss. His hands moved from your face, down to your waist as he hummed happily against your lips.
‘Hi,’ he murmured quietly, a smile growing on his lips as he broke the kiss, still keeping his face close to yours.
‘Hi,’ you replied, smiling back at him as you draped your arms around his neck, leaning in to peck his lips once more. ‘Great lecture today, you had all the girls giggling and vying for your attention,’ you teased, and even you could hear the tinge of bitterness in your voice.
‘Yeah? From the sound of it someone’s jealous,’ he said, pulling back and grinning at you.
‘I’m not jealous,’ you protested, refusing to meet his eyes and playing with the lapels of his jacket, ‘I just don’t like them thinking that they have a chance with you. It’d be so much easier if we could tell everyone. Just think about how great it would be to be able to walk around Campus, holding hands, taking about anything and not having to come up with different reasons to stay behind after class. I mean, the amount of extra credit requests I’ve put through, I probably should have graduated last year or something.’
Austin laughed softly, his eyes sad as he looked at you. ‘Baby, you know we can’t do that. I want that too, you think I don’t want to be able to take you out on a date without having to drive at least an hour away from Campus. I want to be able to walk down the street holding your hand and to be able to kiss you without having to make sure that the doors are locked and there’s no one around. But we both know that, until you graduate, we can’t do that.’
‘I know,’ you sighed, feeling your body slump slightly. Austin stepped closer to you, letting you rest your body against his. You stayed like that for a while, content to just sit in Austin’s arms, breathing him in for however long you could before you’d inevitably have to go back to pretending that you weren’t in love with him whenever you saw him in the hallway.
‘Do you still want to go on a date tonight?’ he asked softly, smoothing his hand along your hair gently.
‘Of course, what’s the plan?’ you asked, feeling yourself perk up slightly at the thought of having him to yourself for the whole evening.
‘How about, instead of driving for God knows how long, you come to mine and we’ll order take-out and have a movie night and I’ll be able to hold you all night. How does that sound?’
FYI: all fics listed below spurred from my CCG series, which is a female reader. Even if its listed just as ‘reader’, all fics are female readers. I apologize for this oversight in labeling.
‘coffee cart girl’ universe can be found here.
‘familiarity’ series
request (4 parts)
‘take care’ universe
take care (request, 2k)
hitting a nerve (request, 1k, can be read alone)
‘the benefits of getting stood up’ series
request (2 parts)
‘mutually assured satisfaction’ universe
series (8 parts)
drunk dial (request, 2k)
damage control (request, 2k)
something real (partly a request, 13k)
oneshots
co-stars (request, 2k)
lookin’ for trouble (request, 1k)
best friends (request, 5k)
ink (request, 1k)
red-carpet (request, 3k)
something new (request, 1k)
an interesting night at the hair salon (request, 2k)
it’s my party (and i’ll cry if i want to) (request, 1k)
got a lot of enemies (request, 3k)
a look (request, 1k)
normal (request, 3k)
thankful (combined requests, 2k)
worth it (combined requests, 1k)
assurances (request, 1k)
unwavering support (request, 1k)
always (request, 2k)
last two people on earth (request, 1k)
breakin’ up is hard to do (request, 3k)
full of magic (request, 1k)
a dream is a wish your heart makes (request, 1k, a sequel to ‘full of magic’)
“I feel unspeakably lonely. And I feel - drained. It is a blank state of mind and soul I cannot describe to you as I think it would not make any difference. Also it is a very private feeling I have - that of melting into a perpetual nervous breakdown. I am often questioning myself what I further want to do, who I further wish to be; which parts of me, exactly, are still functioning properly. No answers, darling. At all.”
// And all these kids at the moment are living out their lives soundtracked to The 1975 and I think it’s because…they just, they get it. They get us. And to have so many people adore our music is…well I think it’s the reason why you do it, isn’t it // X X
Didn’t deserve a fucking Oscar for his role? You’re going to look me in the face and tell me that a man who put his life ON HOLD for THREE GOD DAMN YEARS to throw himself into this larger than life piece of art deserves to lose? No. I’m calling bull shit.
Don’t misunderstand me, I respect the hell out of Brendan. He’s an amazing actor and an amazing man who had been through hell in his personal life and his career. I don’t deny that he did amazing in The Whale. But here’s the thing. Brendan came to set everyday and played a part. He read his lines, did his part, then went home. Austin didn’t do that. Austin never turned it off. Austin BECAME Elvis. He didn’t play a role, he became an icon. So much so that Elvis’s own family said that they wouldn’t be able to tell a difference at some points. I can somewhat overlook the disrespect the movie was shown in the other categories, but Austin deserved this. For him, for Baz, for Lisa, and for Elvis himself. I’m so unreasonably mad. I know people will disagree and that’s fine. Everyone has their right to an opinion. This just happens to be mine.
Aus, honey, you did amazing. So many people are so proud of how well you portrayed such a monumental role. No one could have done what you did. I’m proud, your fans are proud, and I know your mom, Lisa, and Elvis are all looking down so incredibly proud of everything that you’ve accomplished. You deserved better, but don’t let this discourage you. In our hearts you won that award tonight. We love you. Take the break you deserve.
I just have so many emotions happening all at once. So, I’m just going to say this..
Austin, Baz, and the whole Elvis cast and crew put so much hard work and effort into such an amazing film. I’ve have never felt so emotional about a movie the way I do with this one. I will never forget seeing this movie on the day it came out and feeling so many emotions toward the end, that I had to sit in the theater even as the movie was over because I couldn’t stop crying. It truly was an experience. A cinematic experience that I’ve never had before. I wish I could relive it.
It’s made me completely fall in love with such an incredible human being and love him for all of his flaws. That sometimes it feels like I’ve known Elvis personally because of how emotional I get over him. Is the obsession I have normal? Probably not. But if it wasn’t for this movie or the obsession, I wouldn’t have streamed his movies for everyone on tiktok all summer. Met so many Elvis besties that I love so much or been in Elvis group chats, making Elvis edits or even start writing fanfic. Hell I got into so many tiktok fights defending this man with my life, it’s crazy.
This movie was so impactful for so many damn people and younger generations who now love and appreciate Elvis so much. Austin, Baz and everyone else who worked on that film DID THAT. So yeah, I’m a little hurt they were snubbed. But I’m proud of them all either way for making such an unforgettable film and bringing so many people together.
summary: austin and y/n are on vacation, and he is taking pictures every chance he gets.
austin had an affinity for film photography. it was one of the first things he shared with you when you started dating, and over the course of your relationship, many photo-filled frames began to display around your home. photos that austin had taken of you, of the two of you together, and a few shots of him that you'd taken after he taught you how to use his camera.
it was his hobby, something that he was really good at, and took pride in. and you loved to see how happy it made him.
you and him were currently on vacation in greece, finally able to take some time off after the end of award season.
you'd been there only a few days and austin had already gone through a large amount of film rolls. he was loving taking pictures of the ocean view from your hotel, of all the sights and attractions you'd already been to, and of course, just taking pictures of you.
you were his favorite subject to photograph. it didn't matter if he was giving you direction or not, you photographed beautifully. you were never camera shy and knew exactly what to give him in order for his pictures to turn out beautifully.
one evening, you returned to your hotel to freshen up before heading out for dinner. you stepped out of the bathroom after doing your hair, and watched as he was changing the film in his camera. he tossed the full roll into the bag with his other one as you walked over to him at the table.
"i can't believe you've already gone through this much film." you said, rifling through the bag, noting the amount of film canisters.
"we've come to one of the most beautiful places i’ve ever been to. i can't help it." he said with a smiled. he pressed a kiss to your cheek as he walked past you.
you and him finished getting ready for dinner, and headed out. your purse slung over your shoulder, and austin's camera hung around his neck. at the restaurant, the host led you to a table outside on their patio. you ordered your drinks, and while you waited for your food, you and austin took in the view of the ocean in front of you.
"i think we should make this trip again." he said, resting his arm on the back of your chair,
“we still have a few days left of this trip, and you’re already planning another?” you asked, turning to him.
“we’ve just loved it so much already. i think it’d be nice to come back every few years or so.”
“it has been such a wonderful trip so far. i wouldn’t mind coming back.” you agreed.
you sat there silently as the crashing of the waves sounds below you. the sun had started to set, and you and austin were enjoying the view and each other’s company. you leaned forward and picked up your wine glass, taking a drink.
“hold that.” you heard austin say behind you. you sat up straight and tightened your lips around the rim of the glass so you wouldn’t down the entire glass.
you heard his camera click, a small “okay” sounded from him and you leaned back into your chair. looking at the colors of the sky, you knew the photo was going to turn out beautiful.
following your trip, once austin was finally able to develop his film, you and him sat and went through the photos.
all of the scenic photos austin took were stunning, the filter of the film accentuating the colors of the places you visited. it made you feel like you were back in them. there were a few of him that you’d taken, but mostly pictures of you that he’d taken, mostly without your knowledge, but he loved sneaking pictures of you. there were many of the two of you together, being your happy smiley selves on this wonderful trip.
a few more photos you flipped through, and you came to one that you knew would be your favorite of the bunch.
“i love this one.” you said to austin, taking a closer look at the photo in your hands. it was a picture of the two of you that he took with the self timer. he set up the camera on a unlevel rock wall that was across from you, so the framing was a little crooked, but it was still cute. the two of you were standing on a bench, facing the camera with the ocean behind you. austin’s arm was around your shoulders, and you were holding his hand. the two of you were smiling at each other, and you looked so happy.
“me too. really the epitome of our trip, the two of us happy as clams in such a beautiful place.” he agreed. you flipped through some more pictures before austin spoke again. “this one is mine.” he said, passing the picture to you. it was the picture he’d taken of you at dinner, wine glass to your lips and the sun setting in the background. you smiled down at the photo, which turned out to be even more beautiful than you imagined.
as you finished going through the photos, and deciding on the ones that you wanted to have framed, you and austin decided to have a nice dinner in. you ordered takeout and turned on a movie, cuddling up on the couch. later that night, after you finished getting ready for bed, you found austin in his office. he was sitting at his computer, scanning in the photos to his hard drive. you watched as he edited a few. you saw his phone light up on the desk next to him, a picture of you already set as his wallpaper.
“mm, you’re fast.” you teased, tapping the screen to light it up again. “send me the one of us.” you said, pressing a kiss to his temple. he nodded, and by the time you got back to your bedroom, the pictures were already sent to your phone. you saved the picture and edited it slightly before making it your wallpaper.
after you set the photo, you smiled at your screen, memories of your trip flashing through your mind again. you loved that austin was into photography as much as he was. you loved getting to reminisce on your memories with all the beautiful pictures he took.
austin made his way to bed, climbing in next to you. you felt his arm wrap around your waist as he pulled you into his chest. you felt his lips press to your shoulder as he nuzzled into the nape of your neck.
“i love you.” he said softly.
“i love you more.” you replied, pressing a kiss to the back of his hand. you laid there quietly as you began drifting off to sleep.
Masterlist
Summary: Reader exists in the same circle as Austin and has been head over heels in love with him for years but she never speaks up over the course of their friendship until a new years party.
Rating: T
Word Count: 2.1 k ( I swear this was meant to be a short whip I have no idea what happened)
Warnings: Unrequited love lol (can you tell I'm feeling angsty?)
A/N: Hey girlies, it's been a hot minute haha. School kinda got in the way and then I had to learn (for the zillionth time) that men ain't shit (besides our lord and savior Austin Butler of course). I quite literally have no inspiration so please do send me some requests. I'm thinking of doing another angst fic about Hanahaki disease... How do we feel?
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When Austin told you he had started dating Vanessa Hudgens you felt like you wanted to die. Yes. Die. The world seemed to close in on you as he continued explaining how they had met and how he had asked her out. Each word was another knife in your throat and every admission of his love for her tore your heart into smaller and smaller pieces.
But you sat there and listened. You listened as he detailed their first kiss, their first date, his confession, and hers to him. It took each ounce of self-control to not get up and scream. Scream at him for not knowing how you felt and scream for the heart that had broken.
But you kept your mouth shut. You helped Austin plan all the valentines day dates, the birthday trips, and each anniversary date. Every single thing he had done for her and every girl he had been with since had been painstakingly vetted by you. You were happy to help him, but the fact that all your preparations were for another girl was a hard pill to swallow.
Everything came to a head when he started dating Kaia Gerber. She was beautiful. in every way imaginable she was conventionally attractive. Her skinny legs, straight waist, and small hips made you want to collapse in on yourself. She was perfect in every way. She was everything you were not. Tall, skinny, and beautiful.
Austin was smitten. He had developed a habit of dating skinny models and he had yet to break it. You were anything but surprised when she caught his eye when he asked you if you had her number, when he took her out for the first date, and then eventually when they started dating. It was routine for you now.
He would meet a girl, become infatuated, date her, dump her, then move on to the next one.
But at least you stayed constant. You had been constant for well over a decade at this point. That was more than any of the other girls could say. So you were content, until the New Year's of 2022. It was December 31st, 2022 and Austin had just broken up with his latest fling and had elected to spend New Year's as a free agent. You had never really had a date on new years because your previous relationships always ended before the fateful day or started after. You had grown accustomed to accompanying the same leather chair in the corner of your living room while you watched your friends with their respective partners mingle about your house. You sipped champagne as you watched couples drunkenly sway together as the countdown began to draw dangerously close to midnight.
1 hour to midnight
You spotted Austin out of the corner of your eye and you felt the iciness in your heart melt when he smiled at the people he spoke to. He was in the middle of a group of 4 other people yet still looked ethereal. His hair shone under the kitchen light and the crinkles around his eyes made you want to run your fingers over them.
You watched him. You watched how his lips moved. You traced his figure with your eyes until you reached his hands. His fingers picked at the cuticles of his nails. It was his nervous habit. He always resorted to picking at his cuticles whenever he was around people he didn't know well. It had led to many last-minute manicures before photoshoots to help deal with the redness it left.
30 minutes to midnight
You slowly pushed yourself off the comfortable chaise and made your way over to him. Maybe if you were with him he would feel so nervous, and it could save you from a last-minute call to the nail salon where you had to beg for an opening. You slid in next to him and smiled at the people around him. They barely looked away from Austin to greet you, but you were fine with that. Austin was the star, not you. You slipped your hands in his hand and tugged it behind your back to keep it out of view from those around you.
Austin thrived off of physical touch. He needed it like the air he breathed. Whenever he was feeling nervous or overwhelmed being enveloped in a hug from you or even just having your hand in his was enough to calm the nerves and allow him to breathe. Austin looked down to where you were pressed into his side.
You knew him so well that even from across the room you knew he needed grounding. His chest swelled with pride for a reason he couldn't quite pinpoint.
His conversation with those around him continued without a hitch and when the countdown started to broadcast on the TV, they all made their way to their respective partners leaving you and Austin alone at the kitchen island.
15 minutes to midnight
You kept Austin's hand clasped in yours as the countdown numbers descended. Neither of you planned on moving or letting go. The warmth of his hand reached places all over your body and practically heated you up from the inside.
7 minutes to midnight
Austin leaned his head down to whisper into your ear, "If I didn't know you better I'd say that you end up single on New Year's on purpose." You heard the smile in his voice.
"Do you?"
His brown furrowed together, "Do I what?"
You matched him with a grin of your own.
"Know me better." The half tilt of your head made his stomach churn.
His laugh was smooth and boisterous. He brought his other arm around your shoulder to bring you closer to his side. Your heart slowed as you relaxed into him and abandoned your unnecessarily alcoholic drink on the kitchen counter.
5 minutes to midnight
"Hey." Austin's voice cut into the still air of the room. His eyes were trained on the TV and you looked up at his jaw as you waited for him to finish his sentence.
"Do you… do you wish you had a date? For New Year that is." The question caught you off guard and you twitched as you pressed into his side.
"uhm, I-I. I gues-" You stuttered when you couldn't seem to form a cohesive response. Your heart started to accelerate again and your breaths came out in short pants.
You took a deep breath to steady yourself once more to better be able to form a cohesive sentence.
"Well, I guess no one wants to be alone on New years. But that is just how it always seems to happen." You paused a sudden feeling of bravery came over you. The most likely culprit of such a feeling being the alcohol.
"And the person I would like to be with is almost always in a relationship during the New Year." You focused your gaze on the suddenly very interesting kitchen tiles. You had previously told Austin about someone that you had a crush on for years. You had tried to keep it yourself but Austin tended to pry when it came to matters of love but as much as he tried to wrangle the information out of you about who it was, you had kept tight-lipped and unwavering in your resistance to respond.
"Oh?" His eyebrow quirked up as he looked away. It seems he had also taken a sudden interest in the wall decor you had across the room.
"Is this the same guy you've told me about before?" His voice was deep and his throat bobbed as he spoke.
"Yes, it is actually. The very same."
"Haven't you been into this guy for years Y/N?"
"Yes, I have."
"And you are still into him? Why? He is the stupidest man in the world if he hasn't noticed by now." His chuckle was low but you could tell he didn't actually find it remotely funny.
You looked up at him and wished that he would understand from your eyes that you were talking about him, that you were in love with him.
But you had been in love with him for nigh over 10 years and the dolt had yet to come to any significant realization regarding your feelings so there was no use hoping for something like that now.
"Well, I would stop loving him if I could, but as soon as I feel like I can get over him, he does something that has been crawling back." You shrugged lightly and took another sip of your drink before placing it back on the counter.
3 minutes to midnight
"And it doesn't help that he is my best friend." You were skirting around the dangerous territory with that statement. You knew you were. But you were so tired that all the previous reservations and rules you had so painstakingly followed, disappeared.
Austin's eyes widened in confusion.
"Best friend? You have another best friend?" Austin was too slow for his own good.
You shrugged before replying, "Nope, I only have one best friend."
He let out an exasperated sigh
"So I'm not your best friend?!" Your eye twitched.
"No Austin. You are my only best friend."
"So who are you in love with?" Your fingers twitched. You were going to strangle him.
"I am in love with my one and only best friend."
Silence
Austin tensed next to you and you awaited the sting of his rejection that you had spent the better part of the last 10 years preparing for.
2 minutes to midnight
The silences echoed in the room despite the growing cheers of those around you. The timer was steadily counting down the seconds and you wanted to vomit.
The bile rose in your throat when the counter reached 30 seconds. Awaiting his rejection was arguably worse than the rejection itself.
10
9
8
You pushed away from him. His previously comforting warmth had twisted something in your gut and now you wanted to vomit.
6
5
His hand traced your back as you slid away before it fell back to his side. He stuttered out a "W-wait."
But you didn't want to
3
Austin yanked you back until your face was back in his chest and his arm was around your waist. He moved his head into your neck and pushed his nose into your hair before taking a deep breath.
2
Your breath caught when he pulled your head away from him to look into your eyes.
1
He kissed you. He kissed so hard you could have sworn you had fireworks behind your eyes. His hands were everywhere. Crossing your neck, cupping your hips, and splaying across your back. He kissed you until neither of you could breathe anymore. You wrenched away from each other and gulped down large breaths of fresh air.
His hand shakily pressed against your cheek and you looked up to meet his eyes. You didn't want this to be something that only happened because it was the heat of the moment. You wanted it to mean something to him. You wanted him to love you the same way you had for years. You didn't want this to be mean nothin-
"I love you." You had the timbre of his voice memorized. You knew it was Austin speaking but you still looked around you dreading the possibility of him not speaking to you.
But your face was still cupped in between his hands and his eyes were on you.
your eyes were wide as you looked at him You felt stinging and then a prick of tears in your eyes. They fell slowly down your cheeks one by one and Austin kissed each of them away.
All at once you need him on you all over again. You had gone years without so much as a kiss on the cheek from him and you would be damned if you continued in that fashion.
So you pulled his lips hard against you and kissed him until your lips were numb and swollen, and even then you didn't want him off of you.
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well, this was probably shitty so forgive me. It has been a while science I posted so figured I needed to back in the groove of things haha. I think I might do a Teacher x student Austin fic next so watch out for that lol.
words: 2,219
ship: austin butler x reader
summary: (anon request) "reader jokingly brings up the fact that she has always wanted the clichés in a relationship but have never been with someone who would want to give that to her"
warnings: none
notes: requests are open for now :) thanks to anyone who's left me one! appreciate it xx
tag list: @killerqueenfan, @karamelcoveredolicity, @elizabethrosecresswell, @gigisworldsstuff, @stylespresleyhearted, @rairaielv
You’re still pretty new to the whole interview thing—this being your first major breakthrough in film with an upcoming project. Not that you’re not proud of everything you’ve done prior, of course you are, those steps are what’s gotten you to this point. Starring in a film you can really sink your teeth into. Great plot, wonderful character development, intrigue and opportunities for growth.
And it certainly doesn’t hurt that your co-star is Austin Butler.
The whole experience of working with him has been an absolute blur, you’re just trying to take things as they come at you—one day at a time. You can’t quite put into words how great it’s been to make this film with him, that he’s so incredibly humble in his experiences, that even though he’s done a film like Elvis, he’s still willing to learn and keep himself down to earth in how he presents himself, how he talks to people.
You’ve become really good friends over this entire process and, admittedly, you’ve been thinking about Austin in a not so friend way either but. How can anyone not have a crush on this man?
Regardless, you’ve kept that (for the most part) completely to yourself. The last thing you want to do is somehow disrupt your working relationship, especially when things are going so well. There was only one slight mix up and Austin’s never brought it up again so you’re ninety percent sure that it didn’t even happen. One too many drinks afterhours with people from set and all of a sudden you’re spilling state secrets out to Austin when he tries to make sure you get home safe. Not your finest moment, though you don’t remember it being too embarrassing?
Definitely something capable of keeping you up at night—that and admitting during an interview that you never had an ex that indulged in all the clichés of dating.
It’s like one of those early hours nightmares, your clock burning 2:35AM into the side of your head, as you stare at the ceiling. Along with your eighth grade prom date fiasco and that one time you told that hot waiter ‘you too’ when he said ‘enjoy your food’. Just…utterly putting you in shambles. And maybe it’s not something to worry about, you’re still getting used to interviews and not overtalking when you’re nervous. Austin’s given you some tips about breathing and really listening to the question, counting to three before replying so you’re sure about what’s going to come out of your mouth.
And you suppose it’s not the worse thing? Not like it’s a childhood story you’ve divulged and overshared that you should be ashamed about. It’s just…you mentioned to the interviewer that you’re actually kind of fond of all the old-school cliché things that come with dating. Fresh flowers, goodnight texts, someone that’ll call just to hear your voice, good morning texts, sending random pictures throughout the day of things that remind you of the other person.
Your past two relationships didn’t bother with any of those things, they were fast paced and kinda…thrown together? It feels so hard to describe them now that you’re outside of it, and it took you a while to actually listen to your heart that you weren’t as happy as you wanted to be anyways. There’s a difference between being single and just settling—you don’t want to do that anymore.
Especially if it doesn’t come with all the romances and small pieces of love languages that you feel it deserves.
It doesn’t have to be overdramatic or complicated…you’re just asking for effort. And the typical clichés? kinda demonstrate that.
“There was literally no reason for me to divulge that on live television,” You place your phone on your shoulder, holding it against your ear with your head. Your friend Katrina gives a soft laugh in response, “I mean, really, all the interviewer asked me was if I had a date to the Golden Globes.”
But that simple question just popped off the whole thing about why you’re single, about why you’re taking time to find someone right and not just jumping into a relationship. Then, of course, there are always those teasing questions about Austin—about your friendship, how sweet and humble he is, how handsome. Like…that’s all very obvious but why do people talk to you like you’re supposed to do something about it?
To threaten everything you’ve already built with him, personal and professional wise? No thank you.
“I think the real question everyone was asking is whether you’re goin’ with Austin.” A loud sigh leaves your lips, tipping your head back to look at the ceiling of your living room as you lie on your back on the couch. “There are no sighs when you have a man that hot in your life.”
A soft chuckle vibrates in your throat, shaking your head because…everyone (meaning Katrina) on the outside thinks it’s easy having a crush on your friend. That you could just…cross that bridge, build that connection if you really wanted to. But this isn’t a movie, you don’t have the script right in front of you, you have no idea what’s going to happen if you decide to do that.
And you’re not sure if it’s worth that risk.
“You won’t know if you don’t ask.”
“Oh my god,” You exclaim, amusement wrapped around your tone, “Are you my best friend or relationship therapist?”
“I get the privilege of being both,” Katrina grins, you can almost hear it as she speaks, “For free.”
Rolling your eyes, you can’t help but smile, playing with a loose thread in the sweater you’ve got on. “All I called you for was to ask if we were still on for brunch tomorrow morning and if you think I made a fool out of myself on TV.”
Katrina sighs softly and hums and you can tell that she’s backing down, for now, “Yes always to brunch and no, you did nothing that was embarrassing. You were just honest—nothing wrong with that.” Then she pauses…and you already know she’s back at it again,
“Besides, maybe someone was watching and taking notes.”
You run a hand over your face, shaking your head—God, “Goodbye.” You laugh gently, pressing the red button before she can start herself in on another rant.
Setting your phone down on your coffee table, you’re considering ordering take-out or conquering laziness and going down your street to the taco counter on the corner when there’s a knock at your door. Your eyebrows draw together in confusion because you’re not expecting anyone…unless it’s your neighbor. She’s older and her cat is constantly getting stuck in the closet and she always has trouble getting her out. Sighing, you draw yourself up and off the couch, wandering over without looking through the peep hole.
Which is how your jaw almost ends up on the floor.
It’s Austin, which is not exactly surprising, he’s been to your apartment plenty of times—just not like this. He’s got a giant bouquet of black roses in his arms, almost kinda comical for him because he’s tall and skinny and it feels like it throws him off balance somehow. He’s also got a small white teddy bear, a maroon heart sewn onto its chest and you kinda…open and close your mouth because you’re so confused and slightly overwhelmed, you have no idea what to say.
Except the first thing that comes to mind, “Well, you’re definitely not Mrs. Deborah.”
He laughs lightly, pulling the flowers away from his face a bit so that they don’t obstruct his view as he steps forward into your apartment. “Was hopin’ I had the right door,” He jokes, “Hard to see around these things.”
Closing the door behind him, you’re still completely thrown off as to what exactly he’s doing here with these things like, “It’s uh—it’s not my birthday?”
Austin raises his eyebrows, “I know that,” He replies warmly and then begins talking about the roses, “I know gettin’ black ones is a little strange but I figured with all the…horror movies you like and Halloween aesthetic that you have up all year—”
Amused laughter wraps around your tone as you speak, “Halloween is a feeling, not a season.”
“—I figured you’d appreciate these.” He smiles and hands them over.
Your stomach does this ridiculous flip-flopping, cheeks kissing pink because you’re so confused and stunned. You take them carefully, pressing your nose and lips into a few flowers, breathing them in. Austin smiles and uses the bear to press a kiss to your cheek before giving you that too.
“I…not that I’m not completely in love with these,” You say after a moment, almost hesitantly, “But why?”
Austin hums, shrugging his shoulders lightly as he pushes his hands into the pockets of his jeans, “Because.”
And that stirs something heated and distinct in your chest. You’re attempting not to overthink such a simple answer. Because.
Letting out a breath and preventing yourself from spilling your thought process out, you give him a soft smile and bite down on the inside of your cheek. You turn to take the flowers into the kitchen, finding scissors to cut the ends of the stems off.
“Not sure I have a vase big enough.” You chuckle, wondering if it’d make more sense to split up the large bouquet—some out here, some in your bedroom. You settle for a smaller black glass vase you’ve got dried flowers in by the windowsill and swap them out, letting the rest of the bouquet rest in the sink until you’re ready for them.
You lean against the counter, taking a long look at the flowers as the word because spins around in your head. And while you’re touched at the sentiment, at the explanation that Austin has given you—you can’t help but wonder…
“I’m assuming you saw the interview?”
Austin smiles a little, the prettiest of blushes kissing his cheeks, highlighting some of the freckles he has on his cheekbones. It’s ridiculously attractive and your stomach does a full swirl before you have to look away. There’s this itch to run your fingers through the blonde curls above his forehead.
“I did—but it’s not the main reason why I brought you those today.”
A soft self-deprecating laugh leaves your throat, “Oh no? Not because you’re pitying me?” And even though you’re joking, kind of, attempting to smile through it—you’re worried that’s the only reason he’s even here, that he somehow feels sorry for you.
“No, hey,” Austin says softly, taking a step towards you to reach out and touch your arm. He gently grasps your elbow to keep you from backing up, squeezing, his thumb rubbing back and forth. “It’s actually uh—you probably don’t even remember this but, that time when we went out to drink with the cast and crew?”
And your cheeks instantly flush red because of course you know what he’s talking about. You thought for sure you could safely assume you hadn’t said anything that’d come back to haunt you. Which is worse? This or the interview? You shake your head, running a hand over your face,
“You remember that?”
He smiles a bit and moves his hand to play with a few strands of your hair near your cheek, curling them around your ear, “Kinda hard to forget.”
And while you feel like that should somehow make it worse…it doesn’t. Austin takes a step forward, keeping the proximity close between you. You can feel the heat from his skin radiating off his body, kissing your own, pressing against your pores like a gentle embrace. It’s dizzying.
“I mean, who knows what I even said,” You attempt to play it off with a small laugh, your eyes looking into Austin’s soft blue ones.
But given where this conversation has been going, maybe you should have been prepared for Austin to reply with, “You said you had feelings for me but you were afraid to tell me.”
God. “I really need to never be allowed to drink again.”
Austin smiles, shaking his head, “Did you mean it?”
You let out a slow breath, holding his gaze as your heart begins hammering in your chest. Here’s the moment of truth, right, where there’s no barrier of a long night or too many drinks to hide your emotions. There’s no taking it back after this, and yet you feel like Austin already knows what you’re going to say.
You lick your lips before a soft laugh echoes, “Of course I meant it.”
“Good,” Austin hums, cupping your cheek with his one hand, “Because I mean this.”
He leans down to kiss you, heat exploding pleasantly in your chest, slipping between your bones and making you melt towards him. You wrap your arms around his waist, keeping him close, and you can’t help but smile against his lips as he continues the kiss before you both pull back slightly to breathe. There’s butterflies in your stomach and you feel slightly dizzy from this turn of events. All these clichés that you never thought you’d be able to experience.
Then, unable to keep the smile off your face, you lean in and nip at his lower lip.
Austin with a reader who’s constantly putting herself down?. As someone who does that a lot, I need to hear comforting words from Austin
I hope this is okay. I kinda ran with it. We explore your and Austin's insecurities. I hope this whole thing makes sense! <3
Austin knew you were having one of your bad days as soon as he got home from doing press. He had walked into a silent house that's usually filled with your singing or your dance music blasting from your alexa. As he walked further into the house, searching for you, he could hear you groaning and grunting to yourself. He stood outside of your cracked bedroom door, peeking in to find you tossing what looked like every piece of clothing you owned on the floor. Not liking the image you see in the mirror in what you're currently wearing, you angrily pull it off your body, wanting to rip the fabrics to shred as you take it from your body and toss it to the floor, standing in front of the mirror, criticizing every inch of skin you see in the mirror.
"Why is he even with me, Bri?" He raises his eyebrows when he hears your best friend's voice come through the phone sitting abandoned on the bed. Apparently you had called her while trying on clothes trying to find a good going out outfit. But today you felt pretty in nothing.
"What do you mean?" Your best friend asked.
You rubbed your face, tired and exasperated at feeling this big emotion for so long. "I mean, he's been with models, Bri. He's been with a Disney star. Why is he with me? I'm just a nobody. I mean, I'm not model, I... I don't have much going for me. The best thing about me is he's my boyfriend. I'm just a stupid no one. I'm always afraid of going to red carpets with him because then what if an interviewer asks me something and I give a stupid dumb answer. I mean, I'm just me.. What if he's with me as a joke, or a bet? What if he's just with me out of pity... And all this goddamn hate I get! Don't they know whatever they come up with, I've already said to myself?" You ask as the tears finally spill over.
Austin had to put a stop to this. You're spewing absolute nonsense and he could tell you were starting to spiral into a panic.
He burst into the bedroom, startling you, quickly picking up your phone. "She'll call you back Bri. I got this." He didn't wait for your best friend to reply before ending the call and tossing your phone on your shared bed.
You continue to cry and slowly drop to the ground in Austin's arms as he shushed your cries.
"H-how much did you hear?" You ask once you've calmed down. He sighs, sad that that's how you thought of yourself. To him, he's the one who constantly wonders why you're with him. He's had a lot of girls take advantage of him because he looks like a human Ken doll so he thanked god the day he found you who cares about him for him and cares about what he thinks and care about him more than just what he looks like and what you look like standing next to him at red carpets hoping he made you pretty by comparison.
It breaks his heart that you don't think you're good enough for someone like him. He's just a guy. And he hates that because of his looks, people put him on a pedestal.
"From 'why is he even with me?'" You choke on your embarrassment crying again. "And can I set some things straight? I am not with you out of pity or some bet or as a joke. I'm with you because you are an outstanding person who cares about everyone they ever meet. When you met me, you took the time to see me. Not Austin Butler. You saw Austin.
"I wish you could see you through my eyes. Because you know what I see? Who I fell in love with?" You stay silent, prompting him to go on.
"I see a gorgeous inside and out individual who wears her heart on her sleeve and I see someone who is my absolute best friend. I don't date anyone for how they look so I don't care if you don't look like a model. You are human and you're healthy that's what matters." Austin squeezes your hip, hoping all of his words are sinking into your damn soul.
He sighs, searching for the rest of his words. "I don't know what will make you believe what I'm saying but I've gotta try my hardest to make you see yourself the way I see you." And with that he cups your face in his large hands. "You my dear are worthy of love. You are kind. You are honest. You deserve the world and I will give it to you until my last damn breath. You are beautiful. You are intelligent. You are quick-witted and hilarious and you are stronger than I could ever be, you hear me?
"And I thank my lucky stars every day I get to be with you and spend my time with you because I'm living my best life with you by my side." And at the end of this life changing (for you) speech, Austin pecks your lips. "I." Peck. "Love." Peck. "You." Peck. You smile into the kisses. "I love you too, Austin. Thank you, I really needed that." He nods. "Do you want to go on a walk with me? It'll help clear your head too." You nod and he stands, holding his hand out to you. "Let me just text Bri tell her I'm okay."
*
I really hope this was okay, anon! I really tried to put as many positive affirmations in there as possible for ya and I hope this makes you smile/makes you feel better! <3 much love
You would always be proud of Austin for chasing his dreams. You were proud to have a front row seat to his life changing. Most of the time. It was days like this you feel unworthy to be loved by Austin. It’s currently 10:30 your time which means it’s about 6:00 am Australia time. You haven’t been able to talk to him since yesterday morning due to your conflicting schedules. You would have gone with him to Australia but you had business back home you had to be present for.
You have a tendency to overthink the littlest things, not just with your boyfriend but in general. If someone’s tone is off, you notice it and then think about it for the next month so not talking to Austin for as long as you have makes you believe the worst.
He’s found somebody else.
I should have gone with him.
He forgot about me.
Your phone rings and you look to see Austin’s contact photo flash on the screen. Your mood is ruined now. He’s gonna pick up on it. You can’t do it right now. You decline the call hoping to pull yourself together but Austin doesn’t give you the chance because he calls you back immediately.
There’s nothing you can do because you know if you decline it again, he’s gonna be upset with you because you aren’t answering his calls.
You slide your finger across the screen, his bright smile lighting up the screen. You decided to keep the phone laying on your desk, hoping to gain your composure before having Austin see you upset.
“Hi love.” Austin says as the phone call connects.
“Hi love.” you reply
“Where’s my girl?” he asks curiously
“I have a lot of work to do tonight, babe. I’m so sorry.”
Honestly you were doing whatever possible to get him to hang up. You wanted to overthink in peace. Maybe even sob into a pint of ice cream,
“I know you and I know that’s a lie. You always make sure to have your work done just in case I call you.”
Damn it. He knows you too damn well.
“Not to mention, you haven’t made eye contact with me once. You only do that when you’re thinking. When you’re thinking, I lose my girl.”
“Austin, I’m fine.” you say trying to get him to focus on something other than you.
“Hey, no, we don’t do that. Talk to me.”
“It’s stupid.”
“That is the furthest thing from the truth. If it’s on your mind, I would really like to be let in so I am able to help you. I understand if you don’t want to tell me everything right away. All I ask is for a little insight. It doesn’t have to be much.”
“I understand.” you say. You take a moment to finally make eye contact with him. You realize what people mean when they say “Eyes are the windows to the soul.” As you look at Austin, you realize that his soul is made up entirely of you.
What are you doing? Why aren’t you talking to him? He’s here for you.
“If you need a minute, I’m happy to just sit here with you. You are allowed to tell me as little or as much as you would like. Take all the time you need.”
You nod before closing your eyes and taking a deep breath,
“It’s just– I’m not there with you and the time difference and the headlines and gossip. It makes me feel like you’re going to forget me. I’ve seen the paparazzi photos, Austin. You and Olivia look pretty damn cozy.” you take a breath trying to calm yourself down.
You didn’t realize how upset you actually were about this whole situation.
I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gotten so upset.” you say as you make eye contact with Austin.
“Love, you have every right to be upset. I completely understand. Would I like you here by my side every minute? Yes. Do I wish when I got anxious before press and events you were by my side? Yes. Do I wish afterwards it was just the two of us? More than anything.”
“Austin, please.” you practically beg him. You already feel bad enough not being there with him.
“Just let me finish. There is a point to this. I promise.” he says.
You look at him, waiting for him to continue.
“I also know that you are kicking ass back at home and as much as I wish you were here with me, I could not be more proud of you.”
Your eyes were welling with tears.
“For years I have been lost. Lost without you. I didn’t understand what my purpose was in this life. But I know who I am now. I am yours.”
You were full on sobbing now.
“I am yours now and always. I wouldn’t dream to be anything more. You take my breath away every time. I honestly still can’t believe it when you say you’re mine.”
This distance was hard on both of you but moments like this makes you stop and realize that you don’t want anybody else.
“Love, I don’t think you will ever truly know how much you saved me. It was the first time that you smiled at me. I knew right then that I was put on this earth to love you.”
“I will tell you that as much as I need to in order for you to believe it. I love you so much.”
“I love you more than you know.”
You were going to bed that night wondering how you got so lucky to be loved by Austin.
Dancing in the Dark | Austin Butler x Reader | One Shot
Summary: Reader is having a hard time with her mental health and Austin wants to comfort her.
Pairing: Austin Butler x Reader
Word Count: 797
What you’ll like: This one is heavy on the hurt/comfort and emotional intimacy. Austin understands what you're going through with your mental health and I hope it's healing to read.
Warnings: Big ol' trigger warning for those of you struggling with your mental health. Reader is going through a hard time with depression and anxiety in this. There is no mention of self-harm, suicide or any of that, but she's having thoughts and insecurities that go hand-in-hand with a mental health crisis. Brief mention of alcohol.
If the above is something you can't deal with right now, don't worry! Look after yourself first and read Everyday instead- it's a soft, fluffy AustinxReader oneshot with 0 trigger warnings!
A/N: Not gonna lie, my mental health hasn't been great lately. But knowing that Austin Butler can be as confident as Elvis, rolling around onstage like a ferret in heat in front of hundreds of people, and then go on Jimmy Fallon and shake from anxiety? That helps.
I hope this helps you, too.
Listening to Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen is also great.
Masterlist | Requests are currently open (Please tell me everything you want! Confess your sins! Have a good time with it!)
“What do you say to yourself, in those moments?”
Austin’s question came as a surprise. You were laying together on the couch with him watching TV and you reading a book, head on his lap. His fingers played with your hair, but stopped when you stiffened up.
“What moments?” You tried not to freak out, but your heart betrayed you by leaping to your throat. You closed the book you’d been mindlessly enjoying just a minute before, but didn’t look up to meet your boyfriend’s eyes.
“You know. Those moments.”
You did know. Those moments came like contractions, getting closer and closer together until the pain was overwhelming; but you weren’t pregnant. You were just depressed. And it was getting worse. Austin noticed it first, when you started sleeping in all day on weekends and stopped doing the little things like loading the dishwasher and folding your clothes, which stayed in a pile of clean-and-dirty in the corner of the bedroom. Other people were starting to notice the way you clung to your wine glass at dinner parties, making sure it never emptied. Work was starting to notice little mistakes that were ‘very unlike you’ according to your manager. Put simply: you weren’t okay.
“Why are we talking about this now?” You muttered, fingernails digging into the spine of your book, leaving crescent indents in the glue there. Great, now I’ve ruined the book too.
“Because I’m worried. You’ve been reading that same page for 30 minutes now.”
“It’s got some big words in it.”
Even without looking, you knew the expression on Austin’s face. The one that said, Come on, talk to me. A sigh boiled over the back of your throat and escaped, like you were an air mattress slowly deflating. When you finally met his eyes, they were soft. The same blue eyes you fell in love with. His fingers rubbed soothing circles on your scalp, playing with your hair.
“I don’t know. I can’t control it. I know it’s stupid and not true, but I believe it anyway. I’ll tell myself I’m dumb, and ugly, and ungrateful and boring. Then my brain opens a whole filing cabinet of things I’ve done wrong, everything from yesterday to a decade ago.”
You swallowed and closed your eyes, not wanting Austin to look at you. “When I was six years old, I made my baby sister cry because I pinched her cheek too hard. That’ll just pop into my mind, and it won’t leave. I’ll think, how could I do that? Why did I do that? Then I’ll blame myself for feeling guilty, because what normal person blames themself for something they did when they were still a toddler?”
Austin tilted your chin so you were looking up at him again. His expression was gentle; curious.
“In your defence, Rosie does like to push your buttons.”
You laughed, the sound coming out strangled from your choked-up throat.
“How are you feeling about your appointment?”
Therapy. You’d been before, and you’d go again- this Sunday, in fact.
“Alright.” You swallowed. The tightness of your throat was starting to ease, even if your stomach still churned like a meat-grinder. “I know this stuff isn’t meant to be a straight line.”
“It never is.” He sighed.
Austin had his own experiences- he hadn’t slept for two years while he filmed Elvis, waking up in the middle of the night and going downstairs to watch old interviews, read old books. You’d wake up and find him with dark circles under his eyes, mumbling quotes in a voice that wasn’t really his. It was haunting to watch the man you loved go through so much stress. Then the movie came out, everyone fell in love with him, but the stress stayed. Muted, but visible in the way his hands shook on Jimmy Fallon, at press events, even when you were hand-in-hand on the red carpet.
“But it does get better, right?” No matter how little sleep he’d had, Austin always seemed to deal with it better than you. Even on the days when you found him with red eyes, shaking, curled into a ball with an Elvis concert playing on his laptop, he still had remarkable control of himself. He rarely took it out on you, and he never gave up trying. He slept soundly nowadays, the two of you wrapped tight together in bed until the early hours of every morning.
“It does. You learn to live with it.” Austin leaned down to press a kiss to your forehead. “I’m proud of you for getting help.”
“Thank you.” You’d been together so long it was easy to forget how much you loved hearing those words, most feelings expressed through actions and shared looks instead of words.
