#bit of fluff

[starostasnow]

They can't live without each other. Literally

[biggsodorcitystories]

Christmas Cozy Night In - Zebward

Finally had time and energy to sit and draw something for Christmas. Of course it was going to be Zebward lol!

It's the best time for snuggling up on the couch in your Christmas jumpers to watch a cozy Christmas horror movie

[noemitenshi]

Second Chances

a post season 8 story by

NoemiTenshi and rebelbravado

Chapter 6 - Bite

The next few days(?) went by like a waking nightmare. Troy didn’t know when he was actually awake, didn’t even remember what he did during the times he was. He experienced everything through a haze of pain, was grateful whenever exhaustion took him over, whenever he fell unconscious. The fever still clung to him and at times he thought this would be his end.

When he next was awake, truly awake, not waiting to stumble from one nightmare into the next, Ri was in the room with him. She didn’t elicit the same response Lee did, he didn’t know her in the same way (but then, apart from Lee, he didn’t know any of the people he’d seen here) but he knew her now. Knew her as well as one could know the person nursing them back to health; of course she wasn’t the only one – but she was the one that spent most time with him. She’d become a constant in this wakeful dream-haze he’d found himself in, being by his side more often than not. So he didn’t know her – but he knew her.

“Your fever broke,” she declared, when she’d checked him over and he could hear the relief in her voice. It confirmed to Troy his fears, that this could’ve been his end.

“I still feel like shit,” he croaked. A tired smile pulled at her lips.

“Lee told me you have trouble with your memory?”

That innocent question had him strangely defensive and he only managed a half shrug. Ri just nodded.

“I’ll sent Dasha to check you over. Might be nothing, a consequence of your injuries.”

“Or might be something.” Troy said the thing she hadn’t. Ri pressed her lips together.

“Too soon to tell.”

She was placating him and he didn’t like it, so he huffed a snarl at her.

And also there was something else, as well. Something. pulling, at the edge of his consciousness. Something he couldn’t quite grasp, frustrating him. Something to do with that scar on his temple (from the first time he’d accidentally touched it he avoided that area. Like an old reflex).

“Could be… because of that?” And he tilted his head, presenting the scar.

Ri’s lips formed a thin line.

“...Could be,” she admitted, “You had that when you came to us.”

Troy knew without knowing.

“But Troy, it could be temporary.”

He shrugged that reassurance off. Sure, could be. Could also be his head had been cooked a long time ago. (What difference did it make to him now?)

Silently he watched how she sat him up. Such a small frame she had but she managed it efficiently; causing him no undue strain. He recognized her practiced movements as if it were something he also knew how to do.

When she handed him his pills he took them without hesitation and he didn’t need to grab for the glass of water; it was already set against his lips. He drank greedily – both from thirst and the hope the pills would work quickly.

Then her hands went to his bandages and he grimaced. The pain was always more present when they got changed – something about the way he had to strain and arch so they could wind around him.

His gaze went to her face, a childish gesture ‘If I can’t see it, it’s not happening.’ There was something fascinating about her profile – the set of those full lips, that cute nose, the way her dark eyes were fixed intently on his injury. Or was he fascinated just because she chose to help him so single-mindedly? Or maybe, maybe it was something else entirely. Something like…

“Do I know you?”

“No.” She didn’t look up as she spoke. So dedicated to his recovery.

“Do I know anyone else here?”

“Yes, one. Lee’s best friend. Taqa. Qualetaqa Walker.”

That name didn’t spark any recognition and Troy shook his head way past the point were the pain intensified nigh unbearably. She paused what she was doing, caught his gaze. Such pitying eyes.

“This still doesn’t mean anything…”

And again he ignored her assurances.

“Do you know my story… with Lee?” he asked instead. Asked to distract himself. Asked because he couldn’t help himself. It was strange he’d thought he’d get help from Lee when Lee himself had told him their story was drenched in conflict. Though he had been right thinking it, hadn’t he? Lee had helped him. So… how had he known? Was there something else going on?

But when he listened to Ri telling (a probably abridged version of) the story, he really didn’t know why he’d been so sure Lee would help him. He hadn’t had any reason to. In fact, quite the opposite – at least that was what Troy thought he would’ve done in Lee’s place. Though when he really thought about it, imagining finding the other man near death and entertaining the idea of just leaving him to it, something in him rebelled. That same something that had been convinced Lee could help him…?

Or did he just cling to Lee since he was the only person his mind recognized (without memories). His only tie to his past (and what did it matter, what did it matter?!)

“If you know all that – why would you help me?” Troy asked Ri, almost an accusation. He just didn’t understand, not anything about this situation – why he felt safe with Lee, why Lee had helped him…

“That was a long time ago,” Ri said (Lee had said that to him, too). “Also. I didn’t know any of that when I brought you here.”

Troy watched her closely. Was that… a joke? Definitely not the real reason, he didn’t think so.

“Something tells me that wouldn’t have stopped you,” he hazarded a guess. It had an honest smile curving her lips and Troy impulsively thought he’d like to make her smile like that more often as seeing it lifted his spirits unexpectedly.

“I’m not in the business of letting people die.”

“No…” Troy agreed slowly, “You’re in the business of saving people’s lives.” It made that little smile appear again. Until he added “Indiscriminately?” with a certain… sharpness that surprised himself.

But he didn’t it back or soften it because he found that he wanted to know.

“Yes,” Ri replied, a certain hardness to her tone now.

“That ever bite you in the ass?” Another question that just sprang from him, another need to know he couldn’t quite explain.

“What do you think?” She stood abruptly, taking the used bandages and throwing them away before washing her hands – she was all agitated movements. Apparently her willingness to share had taken a dive. He probably could say something to gentle that line of questioning. Thing just was – he didn’t feel like it (and he couldn’t even say why. God, the things he didn’t know!)

“We can hold our own,” Ri added on a little head-tilt. Might’ve been arrogant except for the absolute conviction in her demeanor. He still felt the need to needle.

“So that’s a yes?”

“...Most people, believe it or not, really appreciate being rescued. Especially now. Hence they’re not inclined to fuck over the helping hand.”

“Bite.”

“What?”

“Bite the helping hand… I may not know myself but I do know the saying.”

“Sure. Bite.”

Her left hand was balancing a bowl of soup (he hadn’t even realized she brought it with her when she came in) as she sat back down next to him, her right holding a spoon.

“Do you bite, Troy?”

She brought the spoon to his lips and he dutifully opened his mouth. Sustenance was good, would help him. His stomach had other ideas, rebelling at that thought and he forced himself to swallow anyway. The spoon went back into the soup as he said,

“I don’t know myself… remember?”

“Well. I don’t think you would.” She had let go of the spoon to pat his cheek as she spoke. It should’ve felt condescending but somehow didn’t. Then she fed him another uncomfortable swallow.

“You don’t know me either,” he pointed out when he’d forced it down, “You just told me that.”

She did a little head wiggle he wasn’t sure how to interpret. And another spoon went in.

“I’ve got a feeling. You learn to tell these things.”

Troy thought of the story she’d told him about himself. Thought of that angry scar on his temple, the hole in his guts…

“Seems to me… I’ve done some biting of my own,” he pointed out, his hand reaching for his stomach. Her gaze caught that movement.

“You don’t know what happened there. Don’t make up things in your head.” And as if to distract him she quickly fed him another spoonful. That almost didn’t make it down. She must’ve seen because she put the bowl away.

He growled, frustrated. Frustrated for having trouble eating. Frustrated because his memories were a black hole.

“Yeah, I don’t know what happened. I don’t know! But somehow I do know. It’s like it’s there. Just beyond reach but it’s there.”

“Ssh, don’t force it.” Ri’s hand was on his collarbone, pressing gently, moving to his shoulder to pat him. He tried to let it soothe him but his frustration was tenacious.

“… I could be a wolf in sheep’s clothing for all you know. Maybe my memories should stay buried.” He didn’t know what had compelled him to say this. He just knew that that thought, him hurting her as the wolf in sheep’s clothing, upset him.

Apparently it didn’t upset her.

“Maybe you are,” she told him easily, “Maybe that’s how my Wolf found you.”

Troy furrowed his brows – just to stop immediately when his headache increased tenfold.

“Wha—” he started to ask.

As if called, the door opened slightly more and a dog trotted in. Troy watched him curiously for a moment, his gaze drawn to his flews.

“His name is Wolf?” he asked softly; Wolf’s head turned to look at Troy. That was as much answer as Troy needed. Ri still nodded.

“And he led us right to you…”

The name made sense somehow. Troy wasn't sure what breed the animal was, but his resemblance to a Wolf was there. He was big, his head easily reaching the top of the bed. If Ri were to stand he bet it come up to her waist. Its fur was an indistinct colour -or maybe that was just Troy's eyesight, who knew- in between a muddy grey and brown, keen light eyes though and a strong jaw. A useful animal he imagined, with the right training.

“Probably drawn by the smell of blood…” Troy guessed. But as he watched Wolf come carefully closer and move his nose against Troy’s hand, placed right at the edge of the bed, a strange gratefulness came over him. His stomach settled.

“Let me guess. He doesn’t bite?”

Ri again wiggled her head in this nondescript way.

“Oh, Wolf’s the sweetest,” she said, her voice turning sweet, too. As if he understood her, Wolf went to Ri, his head against her leg. She scratched his head lovingly. “And he can tear a walker apart in seconds.”

Troy’s gaze was still fixed to Wolf, imagining the strength his jaws, the strength it took to tear a walker apart in seconds. His respect for Wolf grew.

“Try to get some more rest, Troy. You need to heal before you can do any biting of your own,” Ri told him, still cuddling with Wolf. Though it didn’t sound dismissive. It sounded… jovial. It sounded like…

“I’m going to make it?” The question just burst from Troy the second he had that thought.

She raised her gaze to his and grinned. It made his heart feel light even before he heard what she said next.

“Sure looks that way, doesn’t it?”

[awhitehead17]

Whumptober 2022: Day 19 - Enough is enough

Prompt: Knees Buckling 

Summary: When he receives a call from his missing son, Bruce doesn't hesitate to drop everything and rush to get to him.

Enjoy! :D

“Master Bruce, you really ought to eat something.”

Bruce ignores Alfred as the man places a plate of sandwiches next to him, his focus is entirely on the screen opposite him.

“Sir, this really isn’t helping anyone.”

Letting out a long breath Bruce turns to his father figure to send him an annoyed glare. “I can’t stop looking Alfred. He’s been missing for five days now. Who knows what’s happened to him or where he could be right now. We have absolutely no leads and I’m not going to stop until I find him.”

With his usual level of calmness, Alfred straightens up and tries to reason with him. “Master Bruce, we are all worried about Master Tim, however running your ragged until you collapse isn’t going to help find him any quicker. You need to look after yourself so when we do find Master Tim you are fighting fit and able to help him.”

Bruce clenches his teeth. He hates it when Alfred is right. He has to admit ever since they realised that Tim is missing, the teenager never making it home after being out with friends, he’s been non-stop in trying to find out what happened to his son. All the family have been going non-stop in order to try and find him. So far they haven’t had any luck and every passing minute Bruce’s concern grows.

Turning away from the computer screen Bruce goes to answer Alfred but he's stopped when his phone begins to ring. Running a hand over his face, Bruce picks up his mobile from where it’s been face down on the desk next to him and notices that there’s no idea caller. Dread immediately fills him and he accepts the call with a sick feeling in his stomach.

“Hello?” He speaks into the phone. There’s a long pause afterwards and all Bruce could hear was heavy breathing on the other side. When no one speaks up for a while Bruce is about to hang up when he suddenly hears a weak and frail voice come through the speaker. The voice makes Bruce freeze and all of a sudden hope sparks inside of him.

“Tim?” He looks over at Alfred with wide eyes, noticing how intensely the elderly man is already watching him.

“-uce?”

“Tim is that you? Can you hear me bud?” Bruce could feel his heart pounding inside his chest and millions of questions flood his mind. Putting his phone on speaker he turns to the computer in order to try and trace the call from his mobile, however before he could type anything Alfred is there pushing him away and taking over the task, allowing Bruce to purely focus on the phone.

“Bruce please…” Tim’s voice sounds broken and it sounds like he's on the verge of tears. It breaks Bruce’s heart to hear his son like this.

“Tim can you tell me where you are? What’s around you? Describe anything to me.”

Tim does more than that, he somehow manages to rattle off an address he believes he’s currently at and Bruce sucks in a deep breath when he finds out that Tim is still in Gotham.

“Tim listen to me, I’m coming to get you alright. Stay exactly where you are, I’m coming to get you okay. I’ll be twenty minutes at most.”

Just as Bruce stands up a broken sob sounds out over the speaker. “Please don’t leave me!”

“No, no, no. Tim listen to me,” Bruce is quick to try and console Tim in a gentle voice, trying to get through to the distraught teen, “I’m not leaving I’m coming to get you. Stay where you are and it’ll be even better if you stay on the phone. Alfred is here. Keep talking to Alfred, Alfred will keep you company until I’m there okay?”

Stepping away from the desk, Bruce rushes to grab a set of keys from his collection but before leaving he back tracks to Alfred. “If anything changes keep me updated through the comms. Can you update everyone else on the situation as well please.”

“Of course Master Bruce. Hurry, go get our boy and bring him home.”

No more is said between them as Bruce sprints to the car and drives out of the Manor at law breaking speeds. He knows exactly where Tim is and prays that the kid is still there by the time he arrives. His thoughts are everywhere as he drives, he has no idea what’s happened to Tim and if its anything to go by the way he sounded over the phone nothing good has occurred. His son is hurt and scared and it pains his heart that’s happened to him, a child who he's supposed to protect.

Bruce told Tim he would be there in twenty minutes, he ends up making it in fifteen. His tires screech as Bruce pulls up to the curb in the middle of some old back streets and he carelessly flings open the doors as soon as the vehicle comes to a stop.

Rushing across the street and into a back alley where Tim mentioned he was, Bruce frantically looks around trying to find his son. It takes a couple moments but in the end he spots the almost hidden phone box against the wall and just on the side of the box clinging desperately on the phone is his son. For the first time in days Bruce feels a sense of relief wash over him. Of course he isn’t stupid, he knows they aren’t out of the woods just yet but they’ve reached the first hurdle, they’ve found Tim. That’s the main thing. They’ll tackle everything else once Tim is home safe and sound.

“Tim!”

He calls out to his son and immediately gets his attention. Tim turns to him, albeit sluggishly but there’s no denying that Tim easily recognises him. As Bruce starts forward he watches as Tim pushes himself away from the phone box, letting go of the phone and begins to stumble towards him on shaky legs.

Clearly struggling to hold himself up, Tim wobbles in place and as he takes his next step Bruce watches as his legs crumble underneath him, his knees giving out, making him crash towards the floor. Lunging forward Bruce is able to catch him just before he hits the ground, Tim falls easily into his arms and Bruce bundles him up closely, instantly scanning to see how badly hurt his son is.

“Bruce?” Tim breathes out, it’s a question and he sounds like he's in disbelief, as if not really believing Bruce is there with him.

Bruce runs a hand through Tim’s greasy and unkempt hair, not caring how gross it is. “I’m here Tim. I’m here. Thank god, I can’t believe…” Bruce couldn’t even finish his thought, every emotion is running through him and he’s just so thankful Tim is in his arms again.

He cups his son’s face and turns it towards him and for the first time in five days he gets a good look at Tim's face. His son is pale (paler than usual), he has dark circles under his eyes, there’s bruising along his cheek bone, some cuts and grazes aligning his forehead covered in smeared and dried blood.

“I’m sorry Bruce… I’m so sorry…” Tim is muttering to him, his voice quiet and weak, clearly showing how exhausted he is. Whatever happened, it’s easy to say these five days haven’t been kind for Tim.

Bruce shushes him. “No. None of that Tim. You have nothing to apologize for. You’re safe now and that’s all that matters. We’re going to go home now okay.”

Cradling Tim in his arms, Bruce wraps an arm around his son’s back and an arm underneath his knees so he's carrying him bridal style. Before heading back to the car however Bruce goes over to the phone box where the phone Tim had dropped is hanging by it’s cord. Adjusting his grip on Tim, Bruce reaches down and grabs the device.

“Alfred?” He speaks into, unsure if the call is still connected.

“I’m here Master Bruce.” Alfred quickly replies. “I assume you’re with Master Tim, is the lad alright?”

Bruce glances down at the kid now dozing in his arms. “I’ve got him. Whether he’s alright or not remains the question but we can check him over once we’re back. Please prep the med-bay for our arrival. I won’t be long.”

“Very well, sir. Everyone has been updated on the situation. We’ll see you soon.”

With that they hang up and Bruce puts the phone back where it belongs. Cradling Tim in his arms once more he finally heads back to the car. They’ve found him, thank god they’ve found him, now what they have to do is help him recover and piece together what happened. For now Bruce is just going to be grateful he’s got his son back alive.

[sande5098]

Old Friends?

Fandom: Chicago Med

Pairing: Crockett Marcel x female reader

Summary: Y/n starts at Gaffney and meets up with an old friend that she hadn’t expected to see again.

Warnings: Talk of past Ed, talk of death, cancer

Word count: 3.6k

Y/n was excited to start her first day at Gaffney. An attending physician place had shown up and y/n had been wanting a fresh start for quite a while now. One that didn't involve all of the hate that she'd gotten from your old hospital but still in a busy city. So it was a win-win.

She grabbed her bag from the passenger side seat as well as her new white coat and headed through the doors of the general hospital, she was supposed to meet the Director of Patient and Medical services, Mrs Goodwin and Dr Abrams, who was head of neurosurgery, the department in which she would be continuing her residency in. While she was an attending in neurosurgery, she would have to work her way up another 'food chain' as she liked to refer the leaderboard too.                    

She entered through the doors of the entrance to the general hospital where there were two people waiting, one who she knew was Dr Abrams, who she had already met with for the interview and the other, who she could only assume was Mrs Goodwin. The woman looked friendly with a warm smile across her face, and held out her hand to formally welcome Y/n, "Dr Y/LN I'm Sharon Goodwin, Director of Patient and Medical Services. We are very glad to have you here at med. Dr Abrams has made me aware of your outstanding credentials." the woman shook her hand and Y/n nodded her head, feeling a tiny bit awkward; she didn't like to boast.

"Hello Mrs Goodwin, it's lovely to meet you and I can't wait to start today," Y/n said with a smile, and then shook Dr Abrams hand, whose face held a tight, small smile. "Well then, I'll leave you to get settled then. I'm sure Both of you have plenty of work to do." With that, Mrs Goodwin left for the stairs up to what Y/n could only believe was where her office is.

————

Y/n had to admit that after being a week into the new job, she loved it. Everyone seemed friendly enough, with a bit of healthy competition. So far she had to step in only on a couple of surgeries that a couple of the residents and fellows had messed up, which usually ended up with giving them a strict telling off after she had fixed whatever problem that they had created.

Today, however, she was the attending on call since Dr Abrams had to go away to a conference, this afternoon. so you were simply filling in for him. Y/n's pager went off and she had fully expected it to be one of the residents that had screwed again. But no, she was required down at the ED for a consult.

She sighed as she logged herself off the computer she was busy on, telling the charge nurse of neurology, Elise where she would be. She stepped into the lift and pressed the down button all the way to the first floor. Y/n didn't know what to think of the place as she stepped out, it was definitely one busy hell of a place with doctors and ED nurses running everywhere. She would call it organised chaos. As she looked up from her tablet she went to talk to Maggie, the charge nurse down here. "Hi. I was called for a consult." Y/n interrupted the woman politely causing her to turn round and look. "Oh, you must be the new attending up the neuro. It's nice to meet you, my name is Maggie." Y/n smiled at the woman's cheeriness "likewise, my name's Y/n." Maggie smiled, "yes you were called for a consult in treatment 4. I'll send you the patient's file now."  "Thanks, Maggie." She watched her iPad for results before heading off to treatment 4.

As she was about to go in she heard someone come up behind her. "I thought I paged for Dr Abrams." Y/n turned around, "yes, well, you got the attending. Dr Abrams is away right now," she replied smoothly, not looking up from her tablet. "Shall we." She looked up, only to be met with a face she knew she could never forget. "Crockett? If that is you I hate your hair, it's not fluffy anymore." Y/n watched as the man's cheeks tainted pink, Y/n smiled at that. "Well, Darlin' I didn't think I would be seeing you after we left med school." Y/n rolled her eyes, "I have a name, Marcel, start using it."

Crockett just smiled and followed Y/n into treatment 4 where the patient was.  The man was in his early thirties and asleep, as Y/n reviewed his chart and most recent Brain MRI she concluded that he had too much fluid building up in his brain. "Mrs Chambers. I'm Doctor     Y/LN, and I was reviewing your husband's MRI, from the results of said MRI, I need to drill a hole in your husband's head to relieve the pressure on the brain." The woman seemed too stunned to speak, "what would happen if we didn't do the surgery?" Y/n looked at the man who was lying in the hospital bed, before turning back to his wife. "Then Mrs Chambers, I'm afraid that your husband will die. From intracranial pressure caused by the fluid." The woman burst into tears, "with your permission I would like to go ahead with the surgery right now."

The woman let out a whispered 'yes' and Y/n nodded, and started to call in for some nurses to help her move the man to the operating room.

Crockett nodded to Y/n and she nodded back, now she had to get ready for surgery. It was a simple procedure and it should only take two hours if that.

————

Once Mr Chambers was out of surgery, which went off without a hitch by the way. She went to the waiting room where she knew Mrs Chambers would be, she walked out to see the woman who was anxiously waiting and whenever Mrs Chambers saw her, she rushed over and Y/n smiled at the woman while she delivered the news that her husband was in recovery. Y/n had a nurse bring her round to her husband with the promise that she would be back later to check on him.

Now, all Y/n had to do was go back down to the ED to inform Crockett that his patient had made it through surgery and was now in recovery.

She walked down to the ED, leaving the neurology floor behind, semi trusting the residents not to screw up, and if they needed to they could page a fellow. She was busy, and if needed another attending could see to it.

"Dr Marcel," Y/n called from behind him, her friend turned and walked closer to her, "I have my lunch break now, do you want to join?" She watched his lips turn up into a smile. "Sure would like that Darlin', in fact, I might take my lunch early." He turned to Maggie, "I'm going to take my lunch early, promise I'll be back as soon as I'm finished." Maggie nodded and made sure to sign him out on the tablet.

"Well then, Darlin, what do you say we go get something to eat, I know the cafeteria makes a pretty mean toastie." Y/n laughed, "of course you do. Lead the way."

————

They ended up sitting at a table quite close to the window furthest away from the rest of the crowds. Crockett had made it his mission to find some sort of toastie that she liked, starting with ham and cheese; she notes that it was his favourite. Crockett came back over with two plates, one for her and the other for himself. "Voilà."

Y/n couldn't help but giggle at Crockett's antics, he hadn't changed a bit. She took a bit of her toastie and was actually surprised at how good it tasted. She wasn't the type of person for trying new foods, including toasted sandwiches.

"This is actually quite good, please remind me why I don't try new things this often." The conversation fell silent, both of you knew why. Y/n had struggled with an Eating disorder, and it took years to get her out of it. Crockett had been there for her the entire way, helping her get better, he'd been her best friend, someone that she could always rely on until she lost her phone and number, which she lost Crockett's.

"Look Y/n, I didn't mean to pressure you-" "Crockett, don't start. What happened was in the past and I'm over it. I just sometimes like to stick to my 'safe foods'." Y/n smiled at Crockett and went back to eating her toastie. "So you finished your residency and fellowship? I'm impressed."

Y/n rolled her eyes at the man, "of course I did, did you really think I would give up? Not a chance." "Of course, not Y/n, I wouldn't doubt your skills." "Sure." She answered back dryly.

"How's your wife, last time I heard from you, yous were expecting a baby girl." The table suddenly got very quiet, and Y/n knew she had said something wrong judging by the quick change of demeanour in her friend. "We aren't together anymore. And umm... we lost Harper to leukaemia just after her first birthday." Y/n was too stunned to speak, "Crockett, I'm so so sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up." "No Y/n it's okay, you didn't know." The table fell back into a thick silence, the somewhat light-hearted mood ruined. Y/n couldn't help but feel guilty about the situation.

They finished their toasties in silence and Y/n apologised, again saying that she was there if he needed to talk before handing him her number and paying him back for the food, before hurrying off back to the neurology floor, to check in a could of patients.

————

Later that night she received a text message, it was from Crockett.

Crockett Marcel: Hey, it's Crockett. I hope you don't mind me texting you, sorry it's so late.

Y/n Smiled to herself before typing a reply back.

Y/n: Hey Crocs. Didn't think you'd text me tonight and no worries I was just finishing off some dishes.

CM: I'm just gonna keep calling you Darlin' cus of that.

Y/n could feel her face heat up as she typed out another reply, thankful that he couldn't see her coloured cheeks through the phone screen.

Y/n: of course, you will. But then I'll just have to keep calling you Crocs at work as well. I think that's a win-win situation. What do you think?

She giggled slightly at her own reply and watched as he typed back.

CM: Okay then Darlin', but I do have to go off to bed. I've got to get that beauty sleep.

Y/n sent an eye-rolling emoji in reply as well as a good night before switching off her phone. She should probably take Crockett's own advice and go to bed too. It was late and she had an early start tomorrow.

————

Y/n and Crockett got friendlier, with any neurology consult that he needed, he paged her. She was always down as soon as she could be. Crockett knew that he was just doing this as an excuse to spend more time with his friend. He also knew he was being way too open about it, since that's all the nurses and doctors in the ED seemed to talk about. But with it being a Friday night, and he didn't have a shift the next day, he had invited her out to Molly's for a couple of drinks. Just as friends he told himself, constantly. He might have been a bit aware that he was catching feelings but who wouldn't. You just looked so damn hot in your scrubs and white coat.

"Hey Crockett, what's up with you?" Y/n said as she walked beside him. He cast a look over to you, "me? Why would you ask that Darlin?" Y/n rolled her eyes, "do you want a list?" She raised her eyebrows and Crockett just sighed, he didn't need to be reminded of his anxious ticks. "It's nothing, I swear." Y/n rolled her eyes, "fine, don't tell me then. She playfully huffed as they walked towards treatment 2 where Crockett had a patient that was in need of a consult.

"Alright then Mr James, I'm Dr Y/LN and I'm the neurosurgeon looking into your case. Care to tell me what's been bothering you?" She said as both she and Dr Marcel followed her in. That's whenever she was met face to face with a man spewing insults at her. "Who do you think you are bringing in a girl to look at my head. Do you want me to die?!! You better get me someone who knows what they're doing!" Y/n blinked, "well Mr James, I'm the only neurosurgeon on call right now, and to be honest I would much rather your chances with me than with one of the residents." She knew she could very well get a fellow to come down but it wasn't worth wasting their time either, since the only fellow currently in was a female. But you didn't want to put her through this right now.

"Get me your superior, now!" Y/n watched as Crockett stepped forward. "Mr James, believe me when I tell you she is one of the best people in this hospital to take on your case, in fact, she's one of the best neurosurgeons in the county." He said putting a hand on your shoulder, trying to comfort you needlessly.

Y/n watched as he tried to say something and then started shaking violently. "He's seizing. Need some help in here!" Y/n called out as she rushed to remove the pillow from under his head and fur the bed flat. "Push 2 of Ativan."

"Ativan in." One of the nurses called back, she looked at Crockett. If she was going to do this surgery she needed to do it now. He stopped shaking and slowly woke up, wondering what happened. "Mr James I need to do the surgery now, or you will die. Do I have your consent?" The patient shook in disagreement. "I'll leave you to it then." Y/n turned her back and stripped her gloves, shoving them into the bin. She was angry, he wouldn't let her do the surgery because she was a woman.

"Sexist retard." You hear a voice whisper in your ear. "I'm going to page one of the residents. If they screw up his surgery, It's not my problem." Y/n was about to walk away when Crockett grabbed her arm, "drinks at Molly's at 10. Me and you?" Y/n felt a small smile fresh onto her face, "you're paying." She whispered back, "of course Darlin', do you really believe a gentleman such as myself would expect anything less?" Y/n chuckled at Crockett's cheeky response, "I'll see you there then." It was only at that moment that Y/n became hyperaware he was still leaning over her ear and she turned to face him, "so I'll be seeing you later then." Crockett smiled at her, "of course Darlin'."

————

They both found their separate ways to Molly's, Y/n came straight from her shift and just changed into a casual dress that she kept in her locker and was at Molly's just before Crockett showed, she said hello to a couple of people she knew, and sat down at a secluded corner table. Crockett appeared only a couple of moments later, sitting himself down opposite her.

They ordered drinks since none of them had any shifts tomorrow, and if they really needed to they could just get taxis home if they drank a little too much. Though Crockett was definitely not going to get pished out of his mind, besides, he wanted to make sure Y/n did nothing she would regret; though if she was still the exact same from uni, he knew she should be able to hold her drink. Maybe 4 or 5 drinks in Y/n felt bussing, she knew that it would probably be best if she went home now, though she didn't want to cut their fun short so decided on another shot of cherry vodka, which didn't take long to finish. "I think that's gonna be me for the night." Y/n chuckled, feeling slightly tipsy. "Well, I'm sober enough to drive, do you want a ride home instead of getting one of those Ubers or taxis?" Y/n smiled at her friend, "sure Crocs."

Y/n stood up and as they walked to Crockett's car, she practically fell asleep on his shoulder, while walking. Crockett looked down fondly at her as he helped her into his car. Funnily enough he'd forgot to ask where exactly her apartment was... fuck. Oh well, he could just drive them back to his.

Crockett sighed as he left his bedroom, he'd left Y/n sleeping in his bed while he went to the sofa. He already kept a quilt and multiple pillows there, in case something like this happens, where someone who he brings home has had a bit too much to drink and he refuses to sleep with them.

Crockett made himself comfortable as he settled himself on the sofa, he was awfully tired too and fell asleep with his mind on the beautiful woman asleep in his bed.

————

When Y/n woke up, she was confused. She didn't recognise where she was, nor who she might be with. Y/n saw that she was still in her dress from yesterday which brought back her memory somewhat, that and a killer headache. She'd almost forgotten what a hangover could do to someone. Almost.

This wasn’t even a bad one, she just rolled her eyes at her own dramatics and pushed herself out of this strangers bed, she wasn’t sore, so she hadn’t managed to talk anyone into having sex with her and she was still in her clothes from last night.

She had went out to drink at Molly’s with… god, she couldn’t remember, wait, Crockett? She smiled, this must’ve been his place. It’s quite nice, if she did say so herself. She didn’t have a shift today so she could relax, besides she had had a very tiring week and this was her only day off, she was going to spend it wisely.

She walked to the door of the bedroom and opened it quietly, she was able to see the clock from the doorway, it was only 8:37 in the morning. Crockett didn’t have a shift either if she remembered the right schedule, but we’re was he? Maybe the living room?

Y/n struggled to find her way through her friends confusing apartment, it was so weirdly layed out, and just didn’t make any sense whatsoever. Y/n found her way to the living room where she found Crockett lying on the sofa, sleeping relatively peacefully. Y/n sighed at the sight, then realised that she was staring. God, she felt like a creep. With that thought she made her way to the kitchen and started searching though the cupboards to find some sort of food that she could prepare, it was probably the least she could do to say thank you.

Crockett had also slept on the sofa, you had known from experience that he was like this, but it had never happened to you. He was respectful, and you liked that about him. It was something that you didn’t often see with your past boyfriends and if you were being honest, it made you like him even more.

Y/n found something she could make, scrambled eggs and bacon, she knew that Crockett had loved that sort of stuff in med school, but she didn’t know if that had changed or not. But by the fact that he still had both eggs and bacon within the used by date, he did.

Y/n jumped as she felt hands touch her waist, “good morning’ Darlin’. What’re you making?” Y/n chucked and breathed a sigh of relieve, “you scared me. But I’m making eggs and bacon, figured you’d still like it from med school.” “You bet I do.” Crockett whispered, she could feel his breath against her ear, giving her the involuntary shiver, which she was sure Crockett had felt.

His grip lightened but his hands still hovered above the red fabric of her dress. “Crockett, I’ve got to concentrate on breakfast,” she whispered, “come on Darlin’ you know that I’ve been waiting from this since med school, I think you can at least give me a kiss before I leave you alone.” He suggested smirking into her neck. Y/n could feel her face heat up, “fine.” She turned her head and gave him a peck on the cheek. Crockett raised one eyebrow at the peck as he watched Y/n’s face glow pink. “I suppose I’ll set the table then.” He gave her a peck on the cheek back, causing a fierce pink glow to take over her face.

Crockett smirked to himself as he watched her find a glass and pour herself a glass of water from the fridge. He guessed he just had that sort of effect on people.

[make-me-imagine]

I Got You

Plot: When you and Din are hired to find a valuable artifact, you find yourselves on an abandoned planet. When searching for the artifact, you come into contact with a frightening creature. Racing to get to you in time, Din fears he may be too late to help you.

Prompts: "Somethings not right..." & "Nothing bad is going to happen to you." Requested By: Anonymous; There was a third prompt but I could not find a way to fit it in; hope you don't mind.

Pairing: Din Djarin x G!NReader

Warnings: Mentions of a creepy monster similar to a spider. Mentions of gunfire, injury to the readers leg from spider, and blood. A lot of mentions of the spider, so beware.

Word Count: 2.7k

General Taglist: @criminaly-supernatural, @caswinchester2000, @imaginesfire Din/Mandalorian Taglist: @furblrwurblr, @startrekkingaroundasgard, @hoeforthefictional

*Takes place around the timeline of Season 2 **Creature is made up and not from the SW Universe.

-

As you landed on the desolate planet, you and Din prepared yourself with various weapons and tools you might need. You had developed a routine with Din during the last few weeks you were aboard to razor crest. You helped with the child, and repairs to the ship. And most recently, you were joining him to earn money.

This most recent bounty was different than others Din took on. Different, in the case that it was not a living being he was looking for, but an object. Din took on a well-paying job to uncover an ancient and valuable object that had been lost in the ruins of an old civilization. Din, hired to find it, asked for your help, since the ruins were so expansive, and you had no real idea of where the artifact was.

Exiting the Razor Crest, your eyes scanned over the various ruins of the old city. Buildings toppled over and covered in dirt and moss. It had been destroyed by the empire years ago, and had been abandoned ever since.

"The guy that hired you really gave you no indication of where this artifact might be?"

Din shook his head, "He did not."

"Great." You mumbled out as you began to walk over the ruins of an old building. Taking out a scanner, you scanned the ground, checking whether there was something underneath, a cavern, room, bunker, anything. Din began doing to same nearby, as the Child watched the two of you from his crib.

Din, on occasion found himself looking over at you, checking to see that you were still in his sight. This was the first time you joined him on a hunt, and the fact that it was for an object was the only reason he allowed you to join him. He found himself feeling protective over you, for reasons he did not want to linger on for too long. He did not want to become attached to another person he might lose, but, though he was determined, he had already failed at this. He was indeed, attached to you.

Looking back towards you once again, he felt a momentary panic when he saw you nowhere in sight. Straightening up he looked around, listening, and watching. And upon hearing a muffled call of his name come from nearby, he found himself running towards your voice.

The child cooed in surprise as the crib began to quickly follow. And once Din, having vaulted over a crumbling wall, saw you down in the entrance to a bunker, looking up at him, perfectly fine, he felt himself sighing in relief, and also chastising his own unwarranted panic.

"It seems that there is a whole system of bunkers down here!" You called up to him.

Din, jumping down with a grunt, landed beside you in the cramped space.

You, upon looked over at Din, were alarmed to see how close he was. His armored body practically pressed up against you in the small space.

Din, having noticed the same thing, cleared his throat before peering into the entrance you found. It was caved in slightly, and the space to get in was not nearly big enough for him to get through.

"I can get in there." You commented, having been thinking the same thing.

Din thought about it for a moment, "I don't know. We don't know what's down there."

You shrugged your shoulder a bit, "A valuable artifact that will set us up for months?" You said as you peered at him.

Looking at you for a moment, and considering your words, he let out a defeated sigh. "Alright. You go in, but keep in constant contact through your coms. And take this." Handing you a tracking beacon, you took it and placed it in your pocket. "I'll continue searching up top." He finished.

"Okay, got it." You said as you began to squeeze your way into the hole.

Din watched you carefully, and seeing you beginning to lose your footing, reached out, and grabbed your arms to steady you, "I got you." He said as you looked up at him. You smiled in thanks and continued your way in as Din reluctantly let you go.

Once you made it in, turned around and gave him a thumbs up with a smile. He watched you for a moment as you turned on a light you had with you, shining it down the cavern.

"Be careful." Din called out once more, worried his feelings became too apparent in the tone of his voice.

Turning back you smiled at him and nodded, "You too."

Din watched you for a few more moments as you disappeared down the dark cavern. Letting out a deep breath, he turned to climb back out, and to continue his search.

"I wonder what this place was." Your voice came through the comes slightly muffled, surely from being underground. But he felt relief to hear you talking. "A bunker maybe?" You continued, and Din could hear the rustling of rocks and debris as you wondered through the caverns.

"Does it look like somewhere the artifact might be?"

"I don't know, there are a lot of hallways, maybe its an underground system of travel. It seems to go on forever."

"It might have bee a safe way for the people to get around during the Empires attacks." Din suggested as he made his way through a crumbling building.

Almost an hour passed with nothing of significance happened before he heard you made a noise of surprise."What it is?"

"I- think I'm in some form of...temple?" You spoke softly. "This caved in doorway led into this huge room. There seems to be old statues of maybe leaders, or Gods, I'm not sure. But, it does give the feeling of being important. I'm gonna look around for the artifact."

"Alright, just be careful, I got your tracker up, but I can't exactly get to you quickly."

"I know. I think there's a place I can get out nearby, I'm getting more natural light down here than before."

Din continued to traverse over the ruins, he found some old mechanical parts to ships, machines, and droids, scavenging some of it, he felt that the main reason he was here might prove pointless.

As you searched around the room you were in, you studied the various statues around the room. When admiring one, you suddenly felt the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Spinning around, you peered around the room, unable to shake the feeling that there was something in the darkness.

"Something's not right..." You said quietly, but loud enough for Din to hear you.

"What do you mean?" He asked, stopping in his tracks, hearing the anxiety in your voice.

"I don't know, I just...got a bad feeling."

"A bad feeling?"

Listening for a little longer, you felt the unusual feeling dissipate. "Never mind, I think I was imaging it."

Din couldn't get rid of the heavy feeling on his chest. "Alright, but just keep your eyes and ears open."

Searching the rest of the room, you suddenly see what appeared to be an old stone crate nearby, buried beneath some fallen stone. Walking over to it, you removed the debris and checked it over, seeing the lid loosened. "I got something, an old stone crate, I think there might be something inside."

Din, taking out his tracker, he began to make his way towards you "Alright, I'm heading your way, I'll check for another entrance into the temple."

As you pushed on the lid to the crate, you grunted as the stone lid slowly moved. Getting it open enough to peer in, you shined your light inside. You let out a relieved breath when you saw inside the artifact that had been described to you by Din. "I got it Din!I found it!"

He felt relief rush over him as he grew closer to where you were, seeking out more entrance down to where you were. "Great, get it and try to find a way out."

After pulling out the artifact, you wrapped it up in a piece of fabric, and placed it in your bag. As you were doing so, from the darkness behind you, you hear some debris falling to the ground, followed by a few bangs. Turning, you eye the darkness. "Was that you Din?"

"Was what me?" He asked, curiosity in his voice.

"Did you find a way down here?"

"No, I'm still on the surface."

You felt your chest tighten as goosebumps crawled up your arms. "I was afraid you were gonna say that." You spoke quietly now as you peered into the darkness, before shining your light into it, seeing nothing.

"Y/n?" Din asked, his voice full of concern.

You spoke quietly "I think there's something down here."

Din felt his heart drop, picking up his pace, he tried to get to you, looking around desperately for an entrance. "Okay, Y/n, just find a way out of there. Nothing bad is going to happen to you." His words seemed to be said more to comfort himself than you, as began to feel a panic take over.

As you stood, you looked around desperately, seeking out a hole in the ceiling or nearby cavern walls to get out of the temple. Hearing more movement behind you, you spun around, shining your light and taking out your rifle.

Seeing something in the shadows nearby, you moved your light to it. You felt a gasp leave your mouth before you meant it, as you saw what was moving in the shadows.

It was a tall creature is spiked legs, similar to a spider, but with one singular eye on it's head. It's mouth was on the bottom of it's rounded body. It had a concerning number of teeth as it stared directly at you. Your light seemed to anger it as it let out a hissing growl tht echoed through the room.

"Holy-" You were cut off as the creature bounded towards you, jumping from one wall to another. You began to run towards some light coming from a nearby cavern, hoping that you would find an exit.

From the surface, as Din arrived to where you were, though on the surface, he not only heard the creatures cry from your coms, but from underneath him as well. "Y/n!" He called out.

"Krayter Spider!" You yelled through the coms, making Dins stomach twist as he pictured the creature in his mind.

A large spider-like species, related to the Krykna, huge, dangerous, and terrifying. Stopping the Childs crib from following him, he began to search for an entrance into the temple or caverns nearby.

As you raced down a cavern hall, you looked behind you, only to see the Krayter Spider squeezing its large body into the cavern after you, its legs reaching out, getting much closer to you than you'd hoped.

Stumbling into an adjacent room, you saw a an opening at the ceiling out to the surface. Looking around, you see an old fallen down statue. Climbing up onto it you called out to Din, "Din I found an exit, but I can't reach it!"

Din, having been following your tracking signal, looking around for the opening. Spotting it nearby, he saw it covered by a fallen pillar. Peering down into the hole, he saw you, climbing up. Pushing on the pillar, trying to move it, he felt a desperation take over as it was too heavy to move.

Looking back at the entrance you see the Krayter spider squeezing through the small door, the walls around it crumbling as it forced it's way in. Letting out a loud and angry shriek, you felt yourself begin to panic as you looked up, seeing Din desperately trying to move whatever was blocking the exit.

"Dank ferret!" Din yelled out in anger before standing up. Taking out his rifle he began to fire at the pillar, breaking it apart slowly, hoping he could destroy it.

As debris fell down into the hole, you covered your face, looking back just in time to see the creature make it's way into the room. As the creature ran towards you, you lost your balance, falling from the statue and to the ground with a pained grunt.

Crawling away, you dived under another fallen stature, barely dodging the spiders piercing leg as it tried to stab you. Firing your weapon, you managed to hit the spider in its body, causing it to shriek and jump back. You watched in horror as it began to crawl up the wall and across the ceiling. You fired your weapon, but the spider was faster than you expected, managing to dodge most of the shots.

Din, having broken the pillar enough to push it through the hole, looked in to see you firing at the spider. "Y/n!" He called, getting out attention.

Din began to fire at the spider to distract it as you made your way towards him. Climbing back up the statue, Din, grabbing his stun staff, led it down towards you. Leaping up, you grabbed it, holding on as Din began to pull you up.

He watched in horror as the spider jumped down from the wall and ran quickly towards you. Din, pulling you up faster, watched as your face changed from panic to pain as the end of the spiders sharp leg pierced through your lower leg. You let out a cry of pain and latched onto Din as he aimed past you with his gun, firing at the spiders head and then shooting its leg, breaking it from his body.

Pulling you out the rest of the way, he held you in his arms before pulling you up and carrying you away from the cavern. You looked back in pain to see the spider reaching up out of the hole. But you knew it wold not come out completely as they were hurt by direct light.

Getting further away, Din placed you on the ground, seeing the spiders leg still pierced trough your leg. The child, being close by now cooed in worry as he stared at the two of you.

While continuously apologizing, Din pulled the spiders leg out and then quickly cauterized and wrapped the wound.

Letting out pained breathes, you kept your head pressed against his arm as he did this. When he was done, he looked down at you with worry. "Are you alright?"

You let out a sigh and nodded your head, "Yeah, thank you." Yo opened your eyes and looked up at him. Though you could not see his face, you could sense the worry he felt as he looked at you. You gave him a faint smile as you reached into your bag and pulled out the artifact, relieved that it had not fallen out. "I think we should raise the price for this you know. They never said anything about Krayter spiders."'

Din let out an amused chuckle, "That's a good idea."

Helping you to stand, you were expecting to take a slow and painful walk back to the ship. What you were not expecting, was Din scooping you up in his arms and carrying you.

You let out a noise of surprise, before nervously speaking, "I can walk Din it's fine!"

He shook his head, "It's too far back to the ship. It's alright." He then looked down at you, "I got you." The softness in his voice took you by surprise, and you had to tare your gaze away from him.

"Alright," You began, with a soft whisper, "Thank you."

Din also had to pull is gaze away from you as he carried you back to the Razor Crest. As the events that passed ran through his mind again, he could not resist the feeling that pulsated through him as he held you in his arms.

This was the closest he had ever been to you, and though the events that led to them were less than desirable, the fact that he was in fact holding you in his arms, made him feel as though he never wanted to let you go. And, as your arms remained gripped around him, as you slowly became more comfortable in his arms, you began to think the same thing.

xx End xx

Hope you liked it! If you did please consider leaving a comment or reblogging! <3

If you'd like to be added to my Star Wars, Din, and/or Mandalorian taglist, let me know! :)

[randomperson351]

Frustrated - BH

Summary: You aren't exactly yourself and Billy notices.

Note: I'm from the U.K so the way I write how to drive might be different to how you know to drive.

Do not repost or rewrite any of my work. Minors and ageless blogs are blocked.

Masterlist

As usual, Billy lent against his car as he waited for you to come out from Melvald's store where you just finished your shift. The routine the two of you had was like clockwork. Billy would finish his shift at the pool and then he'd drive round and pick you up when you finished shortly after him. Then once he'd picked you up he would find an empty road or car park and he'd teach you how to drive.

Usually, you loved driving around with Billy. You were getting pretty good and Billy was surprisingly patient with you, not to mention the insane amount of trust he must have in you to drive his precious car in the first place.

Today however, Billy could tell as soon as you walked out of the shop that it would be a different story. Your eyebrows were pulled together, there was no dazzling smile on your face as you turned to see him waiting for you and your sunglasses hid the glazed and tired expression your eyes held. He knew something was wrong from that moment, but chose not to say anything.

Before you fully exited, Billy heard Joyce call for you and say something, what it was he wasn't sure but it made you nod your head and wave goodbye with a tiny, barely noticeable smile on your face.

"Hey baby." He greeted you as you walked over towards him, his eyes never leaving your emotionless face. He'd only seen you like this once before, and lets just say that was enough for a lifetime. Billy hated seeing you stuck in your head, some days even being too tired to talk to him properly; he made you promise to tell him whenever you even had an inkling of feeling like that again so he could stop it in anyway he could.

"Hey." You answered in a quiet voice, barely above a whisper as you gave Billy a quick hug and walked straight to the passenger door, opened it, and swung your body inside, finally relaxing after a practically unbearable day.

Billy got in quickly after you, looking over to you frequently as he pulled out of the parking lot and onto the main road, contemplating whether to mention anything or just leave it. He decided to just leave it, hoping that this was one of the times when you started driving it gradually lifted your mood.

"Where do you wanna go tonight to drive babe?"

"Do we have to drive tonight? I'm not in the right mood." You confessed quietly, if you spoke any louder you were positive you'd start crying.

"It's probably better if we do, you'll have to drive when you're not in the right mind in the future so you may as well start doing it now." Billy said, not realising how harsh it sounded to you; but you had no time to dwell on it since you had to stop the lump in your throat and watery eyes becoming obvious to him.

Billy drove for a little, looking for a clear car park, eventually finding one much to your displeasure, and got out to put the L plates on while you begrudgingly made your way to the drivers seat, adjusting it to your size before putting your seatbelt on.

"Alrighty beautiful, you know what to do, just set off at your own speed when you're ready." Billy told you, putting his own seatbelt on.

You got yourself together, only just, and set off. Everything was going fine and then you had to reverse back into a bay, where you continuously stalled the car time and time again.

"It's okay baby just take your time."

"Why can't you just do it?" You complained, completely fed up.

"Because you have to learn if you want to pass your test; now come on. You know what you need to do."

"Billy I can't do it!" You exclaimed, just wanting to go home and sleep the rest of the day away.

"Yes you can!"

Knowing how Billy was, and knowing what he was going to do, you opened the car door and took the learner plates off, passing them back to a confused Billy still sat in the passenger seat.

"What are you doing?" He asked. You lent down to face him through his window.

"Either you drive me home, or I'm walking."

"Don't be ridiculous y/n, get in the car."

"Will you be driving me home?"

"No! You're going to do this manoeuvre and then we can go home." A hint of actual anger in his voice.

"Well goodnight then." You waved him off sarcastically and walked up through the woods so he couldn't get to you.

"Hey honey, why're you home so late? Everything okay?" Your mum asked as you opened the door well past dark.

"Uh yeah its fine, heavy day. I'm just gonna head straight to bed tonight mum, okay?" You told her, trying to conceal the wobbling in your voice from crying the entire way home.

"Alright sweetie, you sure you don't want any food first?" Your mum asked, gesturing to the food on the side.

"Maybe later, I think I just need a nap first."

"Go on then honey, come down when you're feeling better, okay?"

You nodded as an answer and walked heavily to your bedroom, falling face first onto your bed and succumbing to the pull of sleep as soon as you felt your eye lids become heavy.

"Y/n, y/n. Come on, please wake up y/n, I really need to talk to you." A hand was on your back and shaking you gently to wake you up, causing you to be less than pleased at whoever it was jostling you at 4:27 in the morning.

"Who's speaking?" You grit out, eyes still closed and hoping that this was some sort of fucked up dream.

"Its me, Billy. You weren't answering your phone when I called and your door was locked so I couldn't get in. I had to climb in through your window." He explained, moving his hands around your body to get you to turn around and face him, even though your eyelids were still closed.

"You know, funnily enough, I wasn't answering because it's almost half four in the morning; and the door was locked because it's almost half four in the morning." You told him sarcastically, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes and finally opening them to see Billy's face looking down at you and his hip near yours where he was sat on the bed. One of his arms was over the other side of your body from where he was leant down shaking you awake.

"I know that, but I was worried about you. When you left, you were crying and upset and when I thought about the fact that I'd just let you walk through the woods on your own when it was dark, I felt terrible. So I came here at almost half four in the morning because I needed to make sure you were okay."

You sighed a little at Billy's reasoning and sat up so you were more his height.

"Well I'm fine, so..." You led off, not really looking Billy in the eye. He took hold of your chin and tilted it up so you were staring into his piercing gaze.

"Are you? Truthfully?" His eyes darted between yours as he waited for you to answer him.

But you couldn't. So you shook your head no and waited for his reaction instead. But all he did was hug you, tight and unyielding to his chest while you breathed. His crushing strength a grounding mechanism for you as you reciprocated the hug and held back the new tears that had welled up in your eyes.

"Will you stay tonight?" You asked him, still enveloped in the hug, hiding your face in his shoulder.

"Did you even need to ask?"

And he led you both down on your bed (after removing his own shoes and clothes apart from his underwear) and held you close for the rest of the night, not for one moment loosening his arms.

[solarsavoy]

Picture of drunk Nagisa for my fic "Don't Drink and Assassinate" on AO3! Link to the story here.