You never considered yourself to be queer. Honestly, you didnât care much about that stuff â you just liked who you liked.
So when your girlfriend was on your phone spouting some bullshit like, âI cheated on you, it was an accident, Iâm sorry!â you decided⊠to pull some crazy shit. Because who would you be without that crazy personality of yours, right?
You managed to coax your now ex-girlfriend into giving you the guyâs number. And thatâs really all you needed to get his IP and then, of course, his address â âcause what else did you go to tech classes for? Computer science? Bullshit.
It didnât take long. You pulled up to the house (which was big as shit) on an off Saturday when you didnât have work. There was a car in the driveway â two, actually. Hopefully, the dude just had two cars. So, the guy mustâve been home. You got out your car, looking down at yourself to make sure you were straight â couldnât embarrass yourself in front of the nigga who sent you a âshe busy rnâ text. You looked fairly decent: baggy, stylized jeans, a graphic tee, and a designer jacket that hung off your shoulder just a tad.
You took a deep breath. The plan was simple: meet the guy, press him, fuck the absolute dog-shit out of him, record it, send it to your ex. On some petty shit. You were confident you could pull it off â you were handsome, about 5â11 (but you say youâre 6â0), pretty smile. How could he ever resist falling for your charm? Itâs never failed you before.
Finally, you knocked on the door â a good three times. You stood there for about a minute before a man opened it. Six feet, light skin, long dreads adorned with various rings. The dude was shirtless, abs rippling despite his lean build. His pink eyes were barely focused on you, a blunt perched between his lips⊠and his hands? Just didnât make no damn sense.
âThe fuck is you?â the man said, finally acknowledging you and raising an eyebrow. You cleared your throat â time to lock in.
âYou Jabber, right?â you asked, shoving your hands in your pockets. You had a taser, just in case this bitch was crazy.
âYeah. Jabber. Jabber Wonger. Now you gonâ answer my question or not? Who the fuck are you?â Jabber leaned in a little, exhaling smoke from his blunt right in your face. By reflex, you flinched back a bit, holding in a cough.
âMy nameâs [âŠ]. Iâm Kazâs boyfriend.â You crossed your arms, leaning in too. âYou the nigga who was plowinâ her shit in, wasnât you?â
Jabber squinted his eyes at you, like he was trying to decipher what the fuck you were saying. No fucking way you were about to ruin his high over some bitch he fucked âcause he was bored.
âYeah, and? You tryna press me âbout it?â
âIâm gonâ do more than press you âbout it. Donât even worry âbout that.â
That made Jabber chuckle slightly before he looked you up and down â like he had the audacity to size you up after what he did. You couldnât help but scowl. This bitch.
âI donât see why the fuck youâre laughing.â
ââCause you at my door over some bitch. What, you wanna run the ones?â
Suddenly, Jabber leaned in real close â so close you could smell the weed on his breath. Reflexively, your thighs squeezed together a little.
âOr are you here for somethinâ else?â
This bitch had no right to be so fine. You could see exactly how your easy-ass ex fell for him. But you werenât about to fold that easily.
âIâm here for something else entirely â believe that.â
Without another word (âcause your ass was done talking), you shoved Jabber back into the house before stepping in after him, closing the door behind you. You pushed him up against the wall, and he only smirked â blunt still perched between his lips like this was just another casual Saturday.
âOhh, I see what youâre trynna do,â Jabber laughed â actually laughed. You almost swung on him right then, but before you could, his arm hooked around your waist and pulled you close. Way too close.
âDonât think I ainât seen this kinda move before,â he muttered, eyes half-lidded but sharp. âBut Iâll be damned if I let it happen to me.â
âMan, youâre bullshittinâ. Let me go!â You tried to pull back, but that only made his grip tighten.
âNah, you wanted to put on a show for that lilâ ex of yours, huh? So thatâs what weâll do.â
You froze for a second, heartbeat loud in your ears. Everything about this was backwards â you were supposed to have the upper hand here. But Jabber just kept that smug grin, like he knew heâd already flipped the script.
For a moment, the air between you turned heavy. His breath was laced with smoke, his voice low and taunting. You could practically feel the heat rolling off him, the challenge in his stare.
Technically, everything was still going as planned⊠just not the way you pictured it.
Jabber leaned closer, his tone dripping with amusement. âWhat happened, tough guy? Thought you came here to handle business.â
You clenched your jaw, refusing to look away. âI did.â
He tilted his head, smirking wider. âThen quit hesitating.â Before you could even respond to that utter blasphemy, Jabber took a quick puff of his blunt before pulling you into a heated kiss, the smoke invaded your mouth as well as his tongue.
You could taste the weed on him. Technically..everything was going as planned- you didnât intend on kissing the nigga though.
After a few seconds of processing the situation you reluctantly kissed back. Then it became a battle for who would dominate the kiss.
Jabber pulled you closer making SURE you felt the print in his sweatpants rutting against you. You felt him groan into the kiss as he started pushing you towards the nearby couch. Tripping you up and making you fall back against the arm rest. You let out a surprised gasp, feeling your back hit the plush cushions.
You pulled away from the kiss, desperate for some semblance of air, but Jabber grabs your face and pulls you back into it with a grin. His other hand is already sliding up under your shirt. His hands were cold- as hell. You fought back a shiver until his hand made it up to your chest, his fingers brushed across your pierced nipples, making you flinch.
Jabber pulled away from the kiss to kiss roughly down your neck before coming up to whisper in your ear as he pinched and pulled on your nipples, watching you squirm. âI bet you knocked on my door thinkin you was finna have my ass, now look at you..overly hard.â He chuckled. The faced he used to grab your face was now palming your bulge.
You tried to fight back the moans, squeezing your eyes shut. Jabber licked his lips.
âFuck..you cuter than that bitch when you moan, donât try and hide it. Cmon lemme hear them sweet sounds ma.â
âMa? Iâm..haah- not no damn bitch.â
âYou moaninâ like one though ainât you? Bitch.â Jabber presses his hand down harder to apply pressure, which makes your legs clamp around his hips with a sharp whimper. He laughs.
âSee? Look at you, now let me hear that shit..â His voice gets lower, feeling his own erection peak through. You were just so pathetic right now, it turned him ALL the way on.
He refused to wait any longer, his fingers hooked to the waistband of your boxers and started yanking them off you- taking your pants and your boxers off in one go.
The action was suddenly very sobering for you, becoming overly aware of the situation you were in right now. With a soft gasp you struggled to cover your now exposed lower half.
âMmtch..fuck is you coverinâ up for?â Jabber huffed, you were being extremely difficult. âCmon ma, let me see.â He leans in close, til your noses are almost touching. He moves your hands, peppering your lips with soft kisses, trying to make you ease up.
And by god it was working. Your hands slowly move and settle on your stomach. But your breath was still heavy. Jabber leaned back and grabbed your knees, and before you had time to question he lifted them up and put them over his shoulder.
âThe f-fuck are you doinâ?â You try and give him some attitude, to retain some sort of dignity here, but it was cut short when Jabber shoved two of his fingers in your mouth, moving them around and around,, deep in your throat to draw out a few gags.
âMhm..lube up this fingers baby. You like that donât you? Being treated like some bitch?â
He snatched his fingers out your mouth, drawing out a few coughs from you. He brings his slicked hands down to your entrance, rimming his fingers on your hole before shoving them in without warning.
âA-augh!ââ You gurgle out before you feel a hand come down and smack your ass.
âShut that shit up. You was talkin allat shit and look at you..mmtch..â Jabber starts moving his fingers. Those long, strong fingers going in and out of those gummy walls, you can feel him reaching deeper and deeper.
You bite your lips and efforts to quiet yourself, but youâre huffing and groaning peeks through either way. Your back arches slightly and you can feel your thighs trembling. Jabber reaches deeper, rubbing the pads of his fingers against a certain spot that makes your back arch completely.
A warm feeling washes over you- and you came. You seriously came from his fingers, you can feel yourself heating up from embarrassment. Youâve never been fingered let alone like this, who could blame you?
But Jabber just giggles. âYou just came from my fingers? Hm? You like that pretty boy?â He murmurs as his fingers relentlessly assault that specific spot. Your hands clutch the cushions so hard youâd think youâre about to tear them open, your breath quickens.
âFuck! Fffucck,, slow down..â A whine escapes you despite how hard you try and fight it. The more he moved his fingers the louder you started to moan.
Jabber laughed before pulling his fingers out, eliciting a whimper out of you. He pulled his sweatpants down, and of course the nigga wasnât wearing boxers. He lined himself up with you, wasting no time.
He made sure you were looking him in his face before slammed into you with a groan. âSsshit ma, yo pussy tighter than that bitchâs isnât it? Hm?â
He started thrusting his hips. The size was entirely too much for you, you could barely handle it. Your eyes started to roll back from how hard he was ramming into you. âOh..oh fuck! FUCK!â You moaned out harshly, unable to keep up with the pace.
Jabber looked down at your fucked out face and a grin pulled out his lips. While he was currently ramming the fuck out of you, he reached in his pocket, pulling out his phone and starting to record, his phone pointed right at you.
With a pathetic noise of surprise escaping you, you covered your face as he started ramming into you harder.
âUhnt uh..take yo fuckinâ hands off your face. Let that bitch see how much you love this dick.â He grinned from behind the camera, giggling at you as he angled himself deeper.
âNoo..no- fuck no!â You said, your voice muffled from your hands.
âMmtch..Take yo fuckin hands off before I stop.â He said, his grin fading. He was dead serious. You huffed a few times before actually removing your hands. Fuck him, fuck him and his good dick too.
âYeahh, thatâs what I like to fuckin see, you like when I fuck this pussy, hm? Say it!â
âI love it papi- fuck! You fuck me so gooodd ohh fuck!â The words slipped out of you before you could even control yourself. You glanced down and saw a bulge in your stomach popping in and out as he rammed into you.
âYou feel that mama? Hm? You feel that good dick in your tummy?â
âMmm fuck yes papi!â Your voice cracked, your eyes starting to roll back as he hit that spot again.
âLook at you mama, you look so fuckin beautiful like this.â He kept the camera of the phone steady aimed at you, making sure not a single blur or tremor would be in this masterpiece..that he would surely beat his shit to later.
âJ-jabberâ slow down-â
âWho the FUCK is Jabber? Say my name right, bitch.â His voice dropped and he landed a harsh smack on your ass, the glint in his eyes proved he enjoyed watching that jiggle each time he did. You had a pretty fat ass for a guy..
âPa..ha- papi, slow down!â
âThatâs what the fuck I thought.â
And yet..Jabber didnât slow down. No, not at all. Sure, he had stopped recording..sent the video to your ex with the caption âlol, this ya nigga?â, then blocked her. But he turned you every which way BUT loose. In all sorts of positions in different places around the house. Couch, floor, bed, somehow yall ended up in the kitchen, and then finally back in the damn bed again. By this time you probably came a good 5 or 6 times and you were worn out, full of cum, and couldnât feel your legs.
Jabber looked down at you, relighting his previously discarded blunt with a grin as he smacked your ass one last time for good measure. âYou good as fuck ma, think Iâma keep yo ass aroundâŠâ
Summary: after a party, Dean had the brilliant idea to play wingman
A/N: I liedâŠI have one more thing to get out of my system. Inspired by that scene in Gilmore Girls
Dean was sprawled on the couch, to drunk to make it to his room. It wasnât until he slid off the couch that he woke up.
âFuck, my head.â Dean held his head in his hand, as if it could calm the pounding. Bits and pieces of last night began playing in his head, he remembered talking to a girl for Logan, she told him her dorm number.
âLogan!â Dean yelled out. He got off the floor and walked to Loganâs room, he knocked 3 times, no answer. He opened the door and found Logan still sleeping. âDude, wake up!â Dean approached his bed and started shaking him until Logan jolted awake.
âWhat the fuck, Dean?!?â Logan exclaimed, completely startled to see the 6â2 human golden retriever standing over him.
âIs that anyway to greet your friend?â Dean feigned being hurt by his friendâs words.
âThis early? Yes, yes it is. What do you want?â Logan groaned, moving to his side to try and get some shuteye.
âThere was this really cute girl at the party last night, I need you to help me find her dorm.â Dean omits the fact that it was for Logan and not himself.
âArenât you dating Allie? Why are you finding another girl cute?â Logan asked.
âShe stole my wallet.â Dean lied and Logan let out a little âhaâ. âYou gonna come with me or not?â
âDude, go by yourself.â Logan said.
âPlease come with me, Iâll pay for your breakfast.â Dean offered and Logan perked up.
âPay for my food for the whole day.â Logan countered.
âDone.â Dean agreed.
You were waiting for the elevator talking to your mom.
âSi mami, ahorita voy a salir para desayunar, no te preocupes.â You told your worrying mother. The elevator dinged and you saw two boys who you have never seen before step out, walking down the hall towards your dorm.
âPermĂtame tantito, mami. Excuse me, can I help you?â You asked.
âNo thanks.â The brunette said as he followed the tall blonde.
âDont put your number, donât put your number.â The brunette told the blonde, both of them standing in front of your dorm, the blonde
âIâm not putting my number, Iâm putting your number.â The blonde corrected.
âThatâs my dorm.â You said and the brunette turned around, checking you out and with a little smirk he said
âOkay, put my number.â
âAre you sure this is your dorm?â The blonde asked.
âIâm pretty sure, Iâve been sleeping there since I moved in. Whatâs your name, anyway?â You asked, arms crossed.
âWell my name is Dean Di Laurentis, and this pretty faced brunette is John Logan.â Dean said with his hands on Johnâs shoulders. âHeâs single, by the way.â Dean winked, John elbowed him, and you stifled a laugh.
âSo sorry, itâs just that a girl stole his wallet.â John said.
âOh, it was in my jeans the whole time, silly me. Well, Iâll leave you two to it, you kids have fun.â And Dean left them.
âWas your friend dropped on his head as a baby?â You asked and John laughed.
âNo, but it would explain so much if he was.â John replied. âYou know my name, whatâs yours?â
âItâs Y/N. So John, what was the plan here?â Y/N asked.
âActually, people call me Logan but you can call me John if you like.â Logan said.
âBueno, Logan, care to explain why Dean was going to leave me your number.â
âI think he was pimping me out. Anyway, sorry to bother you.â Logan said and he was going to talk away when you stopped him.
âI was heading to the dining hall for breakfast. You wanna join me?â You asked.
âIâd like that, actually.â Logan said snd the both of you started walking together to the elevator. âYou like hockey?â The elevator dinged and you got on.
âIâve been to one New York Rangers game but I donât really go to the briar hockey games. Iâve been meaning to though.â
âWell when you go to a briar game, check out number 22.â Logan suggested. The elevator door opened and yall got out.
âI will.â You said. âSo youâre inviting me to watch you play?â
âWell clearly Dean was trying to set me up with you, it must have been for good reason.â Logan said. âSpeaking of which, I have to find him in the dining hall, heâs paying for my food.â
âAlright then. Iâll meet you at the register.â You said. You walked inside the dining hall and split up. Logan spotted Dean talking to Garrett and Tucker.
âHey, where were you?â Garrett asked.
âAsk Dean, he pimped me out to a Latina.â Logan said, pointing at Dean before grabbing what he wanted to eat.
âActually, funny story about that, I meant to pimp you out to that girl.â Dean said, pointing to a short brunette with medium straight hair, wearing a blue baby tee and shorts. âI mixed up her dorm number, I drank lots of beer last night.â
âI am so lost.â Tucker said. They headed to the Register to pay for their food.
âI followed Dean to one resident buildings on campus and he was putting my phone number on the door. This girl was startled, had no idea whatâs going on. But sheâs cute, very pretty.â Logan said.
âLooks like I did something right after all.â Dean said.
âYouâre lucky she didnât call campus security.â Logan said.
âBut you two hit it off! Itâs fate, I swear, god wanted me to mix up the dorms.â Dean said.
happy hispanic heritage month!! much love all my latino/hispanic brothers, sisters and siblings <33 also this can be read as platonic or not!!
hispanic reader whoâs part of the 141 and is there when they go to las almas, the team expects them to be okay and maybe even thinks that theyâll thrive since theyâll be around other people who speak their native language and surely theyâll be able translate anything they might not understand!!
except growing up you were a no sabo kid (someone who cant speak or understand it despite being hispanicâ for my non hispanics who donât know) you just never told the team cause they never asked or had to speak or translate spanish when theyâre around.
in this case you can sorta barely understand spanish!âŠ..just not all the time, you just know surface level words and phrases but if someone were to ask you anything other than âhola, como estas?â you begin to sweat bullets.
you try to speak spanish when you can but being made fun of for not âsounding goodâ while growing up stunted you so bad that you get anxious trying even when youâre by yourself. (me frfr)
so when you meet alejandro and rudy youâre kinda nervous but for the most part you havenât had to break the news or, god forbid, break out your very broken spanish.
everything is going well !!
and then they say something to you in spanish, you think they were trying to joke with you?? everyone stares at you expectantly.
the team just stares at you, slightly shocked and honestly confused???
cause they could have sworn that theyâve definitely heard you speak it!!
âŠ.actually now that they think about itâ
âso does that mean we technically know more spanish than you?â âdonât push it mactavishâ he shuts up immediately.
alejandro and rudy try to keep their laughter in cause they understand, they both have ran into their fair share of others like you.
they simply ask. âcan you atleast understand it?â
you hesitate, bringing your hand up to make a so and so motion. ââŠpoquitoâŠâ you whisper out with a nervous smile.
they chuckle and give you a thumbs up along with a reassuring nod. âthen thatâs good enough for usâ
it may have not mattered to them, theyâll probably forget as soon as this conversation is over.
but it felt nice to be reassured rather than shamed, to be acknowledged for what you do know rather than what you donât.
it made you want to try harder and ignore all the shame that was thrown your way throughout your life.
it wasnât alot, but it was enough.
sorry it got a lil personal at the end. just me projecting and wanting comfort lolll
this is for my no sabo kids who are still trying to learn or have stopped due to the shame and bullying from family or friends or were shamed for wanting to learn but had no one to help them.
i love yall and i see yall đ«¶đŒ hope we can all have a good month this year despite the countryâs unfortunate and horrible situation (ă ÂŽ Ë `) keep ur head up!!
"Supposed to be an Adult, but fuck it, I need a minute."
First Chapter!!! i did cross post this on ao3 aswell, under my ao3 account called anniewasnothere143. ENJOY THIS IS MY FIRST EVER FANIC
Summary: Y/N L/N, never thought she would ever even consider moving to Pittsburgh, but when her favorite attending (her pseudo brother) tells her he's switching hospitals and would love his favorite senior resident to come with him (is he serious??), she can't say no, which leaves her here, moving from hot Miami beaches to windy, cold Pittsburgh, and where does she end up?, PTMC.
word count: 2,676
Baby, I tried to call you:
You've never had trouble adapting to your brother's random bullshit. You're an ER doctor for Christ's sake, you can take a bit of change, you're a big girl. But walking into work, you swear you can already feel how bad today's going to be. Now you know you're no oracle, not by a long shot, but today just feels like doom and despair wrapped up in a blanket. So imagine your surprise when you bump into a tall, built figure.
"There you are, I've been waiting for you for like 30 minutes," says a suspiciously familiar voice.
You look up to see that it's your brother who is looking up at you with the most disturbing smile a man can make at 7 in the morning. "I'm too good at my job for you to give a damn, and also, there was traffic since you forgot we live in a tourist-infested city," you say, looking up at him with a deadpanned face and a sarcastic tone.
"I missed you and your positive outlook on life. Did I ever tell you how much of an Amazing resident you are, and how you're my favorite sister forever and ever?" He says with a sly grin, looking at you, like he didn't just try and sweet talk you.
"Carlos, what the fuck are you on? It's seven fifteen in the morning-" he cuts you off by shoving a suspicously large sized iced coffee from your favorite coffee place downtown, right in your face. "Do you know how much I love you and your...presense" you say quickly as you grab the iced coffee and make your way around him to the locker room to put your duffle bag away."
"That's the reaction I wanted, now just hear me out and don't freak out...or hit me." You stop mid hallway, dread crawling up your spine. "Carli, what. did. You do." You turn, slowly shifting your head to glare at him. You've known Carlos Cruz since birth; your parents made sure of that since your grandparents were best friends, then your mother and his father were best friends, and now you're basically stuck with him because of generational bonding, it's like having a built-in best friend, but with all this information, it means you know him better than you know yourself so you know when he's up to absolutly no good.
"Why do you assume I did something? I'm not always the problem, you know," he says with an overly dramatic, exasperated voice while running a hand through his blonde curls.
"Yeah, all your exes would beg to differ," you say, trying to read him for any signs of what might come out of his stupid mouth.
"Jesus, knew you came in irritated, but didn't know it was this bad. I would've brought donuts too, or some Xanax pills to calm you down," he says with a smile. Your face starts to form a grin, but you quickly remember that heâs currently deflecting. "Okay, not funny, and you know why, so stop asking and just tell me what you did so I can fix your mess like always," you say in a frustrated voice.
"How would i now whats got your panties in a twist- Oh....." he looks up for a second like a though just rammed straight into his head at 90 miles an hour, "Shit- I forgot, your dad right? he still in the hospital?" he says with a gentle tone leading me down the hall to the break room instead of the locker room.
"Yup, another one of his guilty conscience calls begging me to come see him, still no apology though, which is funny because even on his deathbed that old man still can't see that he's wrong," you say in exasperation. looking around and taking in the chaotic ER, floor as nurses and other doctors run across the room like headless chickens, attending to traumas and other patients. You forgot it's winter break, and everybody, for some ungodly reason, wants to travel to Miami to escape the cold, chilling weather of wherever they might have come from. That's the one reason you prefer Miami, Florida, the weather, sure it would be Nice to have seasons every once and awhile hut better than freezing your ass off.Â
"He's a miserable old man, who is starting to regret not being in your life up until now, since everyone's already left him, just remember you owe him nothing, okay, and I'm ten toes behind you, if you need anyhting just ask." he says in a serious tone, staring at me with an affectionate expression.
"Thanks, but enough with the depressing stuff. What did you have to tell me, hot-shot?" you say, glancing up at him since you finally made it to the break room.
"Nothing much, just got a call from someone called Gloria in Pittsburgh, and she gave me an offer to come and work for her." You stay and stare at him for thirty seconds before breaking out in a smile and tackling him with a hug.
"Oh my God, Carli, that's amazing! why didn't you tell me before, you big idiot?" you say with a huge grin on your face. "Sad you're going to leave me here to deal with all this crap though," you say in a thoughtful tone before continuing, turning around to pick up your duffle bag you flung in the air due to excitement, "But that's life i guess dont worry ill man the fort while your gone." you about to continue until you turn around and see literal death and misery stare back at you with a happy grin.
"You won't have to man anything, because you'll be coming with me!" he says in a cherry tone and squeals while you feel your heart drop to your ass.
"What?" you say in a shocked and numb voice. There is no way, you heard that right, you, him, PITTSBURGH???. You know you said you wanted to move at some point in your life, but not to pittsburgh thats like giving up Cocaine for dollar store vapes, okay, you will admit not the best analogy, but you get the point.
"Before I stab you in the eye, with a scpale please, for the love of everything good and well, tell me I didn't hear you right," you say with your hand rubbing your eyes furiously.
"Nope, last i checked your hearing was 100% normal so you heard me nice and clearly, You, Me and a one way trip to Pittsburgh for however many years we decide to work their, i get a fully funded deparement and a nice pay raise and you get to continue you fellowship away from family drama, i think thats a win-win," he says in a extaic voice, hands waving ammicably in the air while talking.
"Carlos, I cannot go to Pittsburgh!" you say, dropping your duffel bag and grabbing a fistful of your hair while turning away from him in panic.
"I pinky swear it will be good for us!" he says, chasing after you with a pep in his step. "we despreatly need a change of pace, and you know it, you've been going off your meds more and more, and you're having more episodes!"
You turn abruptly, "Don't you dare call them that im not fucking psycho!" you say fianlly fucking done with all this nonsense. You feel a hand grab your shoulder and manhandle you to face him,
"Please, look at me, listen i know it's not ideal, and I'm sorry for being impulsive, but we need. this you're not crazy, and you're a grown 27-year-old woman who can make her own choices, but you know I wouldn't get involved unless it was bad, and I'm not leaving you here alone to pick yourself up again like last time," he ends quickly and out of breath while staring at your panicked face.
"I-" you start, but before you can even get a word out, the door bursts open and a day shift nurse rushes into the room "Dr Cruz, Dr L/N, we need you Ambulanceâs five minutes out, car crash, high-speed collision, male, mid-30s, unconscious, GCS seven, massive chest and leg trauma, hypotensive, tachycardic, suspected pneumothorax and internal bleeding. EMS says vitals are unstable, trauma teamâs prepping.â
You turn quickly to Carlos, "Well, talk about this later," you say out of breath before speed walking out of the room, past the nurse you think is called sarah and into the locker room at breakneck speed and change into your black scrubs. and rush out of the room to head towards the EMS bay.
You grab a gown and are about to tie it on when you feel hands grab it for you. You glance back a bit to see Carlos.
"Listen i know-"
"Carlos, i dont care. We can talk about it later, alright?" you say in an annoyed tone. You can hear him let out a sigh and feel a little guilty, but quickly push that feeling away. You hear the ambulance before you see it, and start to get butterflies in your stomach. The one thing about the ER that never stops is the bursts of adrenaline you get right before a trauma.
You feel Carlos come to stand right beside you; it feels reassuring even when you hate his guts right now. The ambulance skids to a stop right in front of you and Carlos, tires squealing slightly on the wet pavement. Doors slam. EMTs leap out, a stretcher in tow, shouting vitals as they wheel the patient toward the ER doors.
âMale, mid-30s, MVC, GCS seven, hypotensive, tachycardic, massive chest and leg trauma, suspected pneumothorax and internal bleeding!â the EMT calls over the chaos.
You and Carlos met them halfway, eyes snapping to the gurney as the patientâs blood smeared the stretcher sheets. The team had already started moving: four nurses, two med students, a respiratory tech, all converging in Trauma room 3.
âBed clear!â one nurse yelled.
You counted down, voice steady. âOn three-one, two, three!â The patient was lifted and shifted onto the trauma bed with a jolt. Blood soaked the sheet beneath him, and a faint metallic scent hung in the air.
âAirway?â Carlos barked, hands moving to check tubes.
âET tube in place,â you responded, glancing over the monitors.
âBP eighty over forty, pulse 140, massive external hemorrhage left leg and chest!â a nurse shouted.
âTwo large-bore IVs running, fluids started,â you called back.
One of the med students squinted at the cardiac monitor. âUhâŠis thatâŠmaybe a third-degree AV block? I mean, the rhythm looks-â
"You crouched slightly, calm but precise. âClose. Itâs a sinus tach with frequent PVCs. Keep watching-we donât treat it like a block right now. Good eye, though, notice the irregularity.â
Carlos smirked faintly. âWho knew you were such a good teacher?"
âShut up...â you muttered, turning back to the patient. âFAST scan shows free fluid in the abdomen-likely internal bleeding.â
âGCS seven, pupils unequal,â the other med student called out.
âRight,â you said, nodding. âUnequal pupils could indicate rising intracranial pressure, but nothing we intervene on surgically just yet. Keep your eyes on vitals and bleeding.â
Alarms blared, monitors beeped frantically. Blood streaked the bed, the patientâs chest rising in shallow gasps. You moved quickly, coordinating lines, fluids, and airway while Carlos assessed wounds and instructed the nurses.
âVitals holding for transfer,â Carlos said. âGeneral Surgery paged, OR is free. Heâs going up.â
The team readied the stretcher, nurses, and med students, helping to secure the patient for transport. IVs and monitors followed. You glanced at Carlos, expecting him to go with the team, but he stayed put, arms crossed, watching as the trauma room cleared.
âCarlosâŠ?â you muttered under your breath, a mix of confusion and curiosity, as the last nurses wheeled the patient toward the OR.
"We need to talk," he says, looking at me seriously.
"We." I say, pointing back and forth from him and me, "We are not doing this right now." You're about to walk out, but Carlos blocks the door.
"No we are talking about this right now, because if not it'll take all day for us to talk and by then our shift will be over and you'll be too burnout and numb that you'll just go home without giving me a second glance, so yeah where talking right now," he says shoulder staright and feet planted firm a determined look on his face.
You can feel the fight leave your body, "Fine, but this doesn't mean I'm saying yes," you say quickly, wanting to get this conversation over with. When you meet his eyes, you can see them soften at you, and that breaks your resolve just a little, but you would never admit it.
Carlos smirks, like heâs won a small battle. âYou donât have to say yes yet. JustâŠconsider it. Think about it likeâŠa weird, slightly insane adventure.â
You raise an eyebrow. âAdventure, huh? Right. Moving my entire life to a freezing city because you canât resist a pay raise, just great."
He steps closer, soft but firm. âI donât need a yes yet. JustâŠhear me out. Think about it, not as us leaving everything behind, or leaving our mess that we call lives, think of it as a chance. For both of us.â
You huff, crossing your arms, trying to hold onto every bit of stubbornness left. âA chance? You mean freezing my ass off in a city I didnât even want to live in, for how many years?â
He shrugs, eyes warm. âYeah. That. But alsoâŠa chance to work together, to make thingsâŠbetter. And I want you there. With me.â
Something twists in your chest. You hate admitting it, but heâs right. Part of you does want this, a fresh start, a new ER, the chaos, the adrenaline. And the thought of doing it with him makes itâŠslightly easier.
You take a deep breath, finally letting some of the fight go. âOkay,â you mutter, voice tight but resigned. âIâllâŠconsider it.â
Carlos smiles, just a small, quiet smile. âThatâs all I need for now.â
You look away, biting your lip, letting the tension ease just a fraction. The thought of Pittsburgh still terrifies you, but the idea of facing it with him doesnât seem impossible anymore.
Carlos steps closer, lowering his voice just enough for only you to hear. "Remember⊠cuna a la tumba, Iâm right there with you.â
You blink, staring at him for a second. The phrase lands-familiar, warm, a little funny in his serious tone. His hand brushes yours briefly, and somehow it steadies everything spinning in your head.
The rest of the day drags by. Patients come and go, monitors beep, lines run, consults call, one thing barely finished before the next begins. The ER isnât chaotic, not in that explosive way, but itâs exhausting in that relentless, teeth-grinding way that leaves your muscles sore, your brain foggy, your chest heavy. You patch wounds, stabilize vitals, run labs, and at every step, Carlos is right there-quietly checking, coordinating, catching the things that almost slip through the cracks.
Finally, the last patient before the end of your shift is wheeled into the OR. You drag yourself and Carlos into the locker room, scrubs sticking to your skin, gloves tossed somewhere, sweat and fatigue clinging to every inch. He leans against the lockers, calm, steady, watching you with that look that makes it impossible to lie.
You drop your bag with a thud and exhale as if it might never stop. âYeahâŠsure. Why not, dude?â The words feel heavy, tired, almost sarcastic, but thereâs a spark buried in there, a tiny, reluctant relief that maybe this move isnât as impossible as you thought.
Carlosâs smile is quiet, small, and proud. âThatâs all I needed to hear.â
You lean back against the lockers, close your eyes for a second, letting yourself feel it-exhaustion, relief, uncertainty-and for once, it doesnât feel terrifying.
(Amir, Chance, The Hanks, Hector, Mac, Parker, Skips)
Summary: A vaguely self indulgent post about my favs meeting the readerâs family.
Warnings: Hispanic!reader intended and has a reference to a lot of Hispanic family dynamics, culture, details, and foods. Gender neutral reader (no specified pronouns, gender identity, or anatomy). The characters are obviously human here but that could either be for the sake of a human au or youâve realized them. Thereâs one mention of that idea in Amirâs part but thatâs it. Mentions of drinking and alcohol.This is also based slightly around my family a little bit so it might not be entirely like yours but I feel like itâs open enough in most of it towards common characteristics within other Hispanic families that Iâve seen in my community.
Iâll shut up now. Enjoy! And donât be afraid to request.
Amir
Oh they love him. Amir has literally the best vibes, next to the Hanks
He makes sure to introduce himself to everyone properly. A good hello and handshake with all your male relatives. Complementing all your female relatives no matter their age. Helps with anything he can. Amir wants your family to know that he can be a part of the family and get along with everyone. Heâs barely even trying too. Heâs just naturally so charming and charismatic that heâs able to win them over pretty quickly
If your family is anything like mine then they do a good portion of their assessment of character over talking over dinner/eating by asking about what he does, what he likes, how you met. (Iâm not saying you fed Amir the right answers or anything, but if we want to say that heâs realized and this isnât in the lens of a human au, you might have had to make something up that isnât necessarily a lie but also not the truth of âOh yeah he used to be my mirrorâ)
But Iâm sure Amir is able to hold up just fine on his own and further more
Not trying to say this as an insult or anything but he definitely gets along with your female relatives that most like your tĂas and older female cousins. They let him in on the family gossip. He can get along with the men in your family too but in these types of families, the men typically tend to be these macho man types and very overtly masculine. And I feel like Amir is very in tune with both his femininity and masculinity in a way that might not fully click with them.
But donât worry they like him. They know heâll treat you right.
Chance
Oh sweet friendly Chance <3
Your tĂas and abuelas adopt him. Immediately. No hesitation. Heâs so sweet that they just approve of him as soon as he starts offering to help set the table and dishes, maybe even helping them cook
Someoneâs going to notice how beefy he is and ask him to help with something like mixing something or grinding the molcajete. And heâd love it. This is like rolling a success. This is literally the best case scenario
Iâm not kidding when I say they adopt him too. Itâs like heâs always being here and part of the family after they get used to him. They offer him stuff for his food and drinks. Your tĂos are offering him beers. Everyone is talking to him
You honestly have to beat away your family with a stick just to get some alone time or just a conversation alone with him
Just straight up nat 20, the whole family likes him and treat him like just another member of the family and trust him
âKeep him. We like this one.â
The Hanks
Okay so yeah, they might be scandalized by you having 5 boyfriends at the same time since thatâs not typically seen especially in Mexican culture. So they might be a little weird and off put by their number of them plus their energy. And Iâm sure they know that.
But dude, bro, homie, dawg, theyâre vibes are so good that theyâre able to gain their trust in time
Hank 1 and 5 go round saying hello and introducing themselves to everyone, nice and proper too, they do their best to set the gen z language aside to help them be taken more seriously
Hank 2 and 3 are offering to help with anything. I think after a while Hank 3 gets comfortable enough to get humorous and joke with your guy relatives. Heâs definitely getting a beer. And your family think that Hank 2 (and Hank 5) is sweet.
Hank 4 is able to entertain the kids just fine, along with Hank 5 since he loves kids since he wants to be a father. But I think Hank 4 is able to keep up with them and theyâd find him fun. I can see them just climbing on him.
Your family is able to see that they all care for you though with how they help get things for you or help you with things. Along with how well behaved they are
Iâve made this joke before but youâve got those boys TRAINED
So yeah. Maybe they are wary at first about the whole âfive partnersâ thing but they see that youâre fine and that they all listen to you and that theyâre actually really great additions to the family in all the different degrees
Hector
Oh heâs so nervous! It would take a while for him to even have the bravery to join you at your family get togethers. I think you might have to go alone a few times and put a good word in for him before he can even think about it.
Itâs not that he doesnât want to. He does. He really does. Especially if family is a big part of you. But thatâs kind of the issue. What if they donât like him? What if he canât fit in? What then? Will they reject you? Will they reject him? Will you reject him? Poor thing.
You do your best to put in that good word though. You tell your family about how much you love him. What he does for you. How he cares for you. Basically playing ambassador. You put in the good word, if they like the sound of him then they say so and offer to have him come over next time, maybe even send you off with a plate of food so that heâs not totally left out, and tell him everything.
âYou know that rice that I brought back is made by my tĂa. I tell her that you like it and she always says that I should bring you so that you can have more. And my other aunt has threatened to send me home with the whole pitcher of fresca just for you to try. I also told them that you like tres leches cake. My grandma promises to make some of her motherâs recipe just for you. All you have to do is come.â
When he finally does come heâs so nervous though! He knows that heâll be fine but heâs just so timid that heâs still nervous. Even then you still have to do a bit of the talking, but heâll get out of his shell eventually and start talking
Your family is all over him though. They ask him if everything you said was true along with asking more about him
Heâs the abuela favorite. If you know you know. In every Hispanic family there is the member, especially among the in-laws, that is the one thatâs the abuelaâs favorite that they dote on like theyâre her own. She thinks heâs so sweet and loves him to bits and defends him from any of the othersâ teasing
Your uncles and other men in your family try to get him to drink, but to me, Hector doesnât seem like a drinker or that heâd really like anything other than a glass of wine every once in a while. So likes yeah maybe heâs not joining the menâs bottle-after-bottle beer drinking circle that always seems to form at family gatherings but like, he might join the tĂa wine drinking circle and gets all the family drama and gossip somewhat unprompted because âIf heâs gonna be around then he should know this.â
Heâs also got the all clear from everyone like Chance and Amir do. They see how polite he is and that he truly is in love with you that theyâre like âYep. Thatâs Hector. Heâs in this family now.â
Mac
As soon as Mac enters that house, the tĂaâs whose house this gathering is at is yelling at everyone to accommodate for them. I swear to god. As soon as thereâs someone coming who is a wheelchair and or a cane user the hosting tĂa runs the accommodation like the fucking NAVY. If you are Hispanic and have a relative who uses a wheelchair or cane you know exactly what Iâm talking about
You donât even need to tell them. They can feel it in the fucking wind and act accordingly
âMove the chairs! How are they going to be able to sit with us if thereâs all these chairs in the way?â If Mac arrives in their wheelchair
And constantly offering them a seat if theyâre using a cane in case they need it.
Anyways
Mac is definitely nervous, for sure, but I think after they acclimate to the environment and meet everyone, then they hold up just fine
Your family asks all sorts of questions, not really anything invasive, since god knows Hispanic family especially like to ask very personal questions about literally everything, but I think Mac is able to keep up just fine and answer properly depending on the question and how they want to answer
They like that theyâre smart. They complement them a lot on that, especially if Mac talks about their occupation. 100% there is aunt that says âAh. See thatâs a good job.â To one of your younger cousins, because that always happens. Always. Not speaking from experience but rather observation
But they like them. They definitely pass the vibe check and low-down evaluation and interview over dinner.
Parker
Okay yeah yeah, heâs excited but also nervous, but mostly excited. They like his vibes. Think heâs funny blah blah blah whatever
He is taking names in LoterĂa
Heâs out for blood
Parker loves your family, he thinks theyâre fun. The tĂas love him, your grandma is insistent that âheâs too skinnyâ and makes sure heâs fed. Heâll do just fine. But respectfully he does not give a singular FUCK about that as soon as the LoterĂa cards come out. Thatâs how you know heâll hold up just fine, because itâs all about family till those fucking cards and the coin cup come out, and if youâre from a Hispanic family then you know that.
Parker isnât even here for the money! He almost forgot his quarters at home. Heâs just like this because thatâs how he is. As soon as you told him about LoterĂa, heâs just been waiting
Heâs good though. Heâs quick making the call when he finally gets a line or a full card. Itâs like a trained dog waiting for the ball to get thrown
Okay all jokes aside, I think your family likes him quite a bit. He might be a bit more energetic than theyâre expecting but they like his enthusiasm and politeness, but also his sportsmanship in games
He happily plays ref for the kids when they play something, and heâs fair to the rules.
âThat doesnât count! I wasnât paying attention! Right, Parker? That didnât count?â âI called go. Thatâs a fair goal.â âAw man!â
They like him though.
Skips
I donât know what it is about Mexicans and emos but for some reason they vibe so god damn hard, this should be scientifically studied because why the fuck did he just come up in here and everyone just started jiving with him
No questions asked. Instantly passes the vibe check. Itâs like heâs always been here. Other boyfriends have never gotten in this easy what the fuck
Honestly? Heâs Hispanic too. I donât care if he has the whitest name and skin ever. Heâs Mexican now. Fuck it. Heâs just super white passing and his family wanted him to pass among white peers.
(I love doing this as a hispanic person in fandoms btw just seeing a character and being like âYeah theyâre Hispanic now <3â and love seeing it with other poc people in fandoms just making their favs their ethnicity)
So heâs all good
He might get teased a little bit along with some comments but like, itâs whatever, they get used to it
Your teenage cousins and relatives think heâs cool though. Especially if theyâre also some form of alt.
I've grown up as a Hispanic(puerto Rican) girl in the Midwest. I know exactly what I'm doing here yall. Give me space to cook. Billy... you complex character that I can't choose what to think about...
Hispanic reader!
Warnings: swearing, a big TW/CW for racism/slurs(that I can say), blood, abuse mentioned (verbal/physical, not done by reader or Billy to each other...except the one time she smacks him),
ââ
Going to school in Hawkins was... well weird. The rest of your family moved to New York, and your mom picked... Hawkins, Indiana. A little town in the middle of fuck all Indiana with barely anything to do.
You had grown up here after you turned seven. You could count the amount of kids who were anything other than white on your hand. And if you did research, you were sure you'd find out some fucked up shit about it. But you didn't. You went to school, studied, and in the summer you worked. You mostly tried to make sure to stay safe. Until that west coast prick showed up and decided now would be the best time to pick on you.
"Didn't know there was girls like you here."
You turn slowly. Expecting some lame loser who thought it would be funny. Instead you're met with blue eyes and a jean jacket. Oh goody, Billy Hargrove.
"Excuse me?" You retort, crossing your arms over your chest.
"What? Don't understand me? Don't spic English?"
That word. It stuck in your head and you laughed. You had had odd comments thrown at you but this was a full on racist comment from this gringo pendejo. You matched over, raised your hand and smacked him, the sting of your palm a physical representation of the anger burning through you right now.
"You don't talk to me like that. In fact, you don't talk to anyone like that! Ever! And I know you won't wanna know why because you are not man enough to pull that shit again!" You yell, finger in his face, anger radiating off of you. "You don't get to reduce me to something small just so you can't feel big."
He stares. He feels the eyes of others around him, the soft gasps. He feels something the sting of your palm on his cheek, the feeling of embarrassment deep down, making him nauseous.
"I didn't-"
"I don't give a damn what you meant. It doesn't matter what you meant. You use ugly words to cover up your ugly ass attitude and your ugly soul. Don't you ever think I will let you get away with your behavior just because you think I'm scared," you said, voice solid as steel. "SobrevivĂ a un huracĂĄn para que un hombre idiota me diga eso, no mijito no-"
He sat there for a minute. Waiting. Max was standing just a few feet away having seen the whole thing. He saw people turn and talk, and be felt it again. The pit in his stomach. He stomped out his cigarette and got in the car, fingers tapping the steering wheel.
ââ
You hated that stupid boy. But you loved how his little sister lit up Lucas. Lucas was friends with Dustin, and Dustin was basically Steve's little brother, and Steve became your friend after he dated Nancy and decided to be a good person, so you were friends with all of the group.
One of the only places you felt comfortable sitting was with the "freaks". The only people you knew for a fact were not racist, and you felt safe being yourself with. So you sat, in your usual spot, next to Lucas and Dustin. Eddie sat at the head of the table, laughing at something.
"I wanna invite Max, but... I dunno she keeps saying Billy-"
"That racist, blonde, brainless, mouth breathing, hijo de la gran puta can kiss my ass-"
The table went quiet for a minute before Eddie cheered.
"Yeah! What she said! To hell with him."
You sighed, fixing the sleeves of your jacket, grabbing your backpack and tray.
"I'm gonna head to class. Only three more months if this. I wish I could just skip this shit."
ââ
Billy watched from across the lunch room. You smiled and laughed with the group, hell he watched you talk to Steve like you were old friends and the jealousy started to bite him. Why did he care what you did?
...
You didn't even look his way, not even sparing a glare to send his way when you walked past, you were unbothered by his presence and that bothered him the most. He was bothered by you.
You were the first girl to stand up to him. The first person. Ever. He should hate you, he wants to... or at he least he thinks he wants to. He can't stop thinking about you. Maybe it's the way you slapped him with no hesitation, the way you confronted him with no fear, the way you didn't even let him affect you...
He shook his head, and ineffectively, the thoughts.
ââ
The night of the confrontation when he went home, he sat at dinner with his dad, Max, and his stepmom. There was not much talking. Until there was the comment.
"Well, honey, when those people stop taking our jobs, I'll be able to move up. Can't believe it. Spic got a promotion before I did, I bet-"
Billy stopped listening. That's what he sounded like. His father. He finished dinner, leaving to his room, closing the door, feeling dizzy, heartbeat audible in his ears. He was like his father.
'I'm him... exactly... just repeating what he's saying-... oh god I'm exactly like him I sound just like him I-'
"You aren't man enough to try that shit again-"
"Ugly attitude and ugly soul-"
The words floated around him until all he could do is realize he had been and was a horrible person. If a man like his father said... did people see him as his father? He stumbled to his bed, sitting with his hands in his hair, looking at his desk where there was a picture of his mother. She must be so disappointed.
ââ
Months later, you were working at the pool like you had been every summer for the past four years. When you weren't life guarding, you were working at the record shop. But this year, there was a change. That stupid grin. You glared at him as your manager said you'd be training him.
You saw him look away, looking visibly smaller when you looked at him. You sighed and lead him through the facilities, where storage was, where the first aid was, how to open, how to close, telling him the phone inside would only directly call the emergency responders.
You adjusted your whistle after putting back the first aid kit, placing keys back on the third hook from the door, where they always went. You could feel his eyes boring holes through your skull.
This was the most you had spoken to him since the day you called him out. While turning, your flip flop got caught on uneven cement. You tripped and he grabbed your arm to make sure you didn't fall. He watched as you pulled your arm back like he burned you.
"Careful. Don't wanna get me on you. What? Think I'll contaminate the pool? Is that why you're here now hm? Gonna guard it from people like me-"
The words rushed out, you couldn't stop them. He stared and stammered, he was trying to find the right words, any words but he couldn't.
"I-I... I didn't-... that was- stop it!" He shouted, grabbing your wrists with a bruising grip. "I didn't... I was stupid okay? I didn't think I just repeated what I'd been told I didn't... fuck I'm sorry, okay!?"
You looked up, wide eyed. To him, you looked like a scared dog. Teeth bared, scared eyes, ready to leap. He let you go, and you stumbled back. Your wrists were red and would definitely bruise later.
"...Being sorry is...something. Better than nothing. But let's get one thing straight. I will not educate you. I will not help you. I am not a rehabilitation center. I'm not your little excuse to say you're not that way anymore. You want to say you're better? You've learned? Show it," you say, fidgeting with your whistle.
"I-... listen, I'm sorry. I-... what I said it was wrong it was... I didn't question what he said and I just... I shouldn't have said it and I'm sorry."
"...Okay."
He watches you walk away, his feelings a mix of conflicted and scared.
ââ
Hours later, you go get ice cream with the kids at the mall. You smile, waving at Robin, Steve sitting on the counter.
"Hey! Finally, I can prove I have friends my age!" He laughs, high-fiving you.
You laugh, until he grabs your hand and inspects your wrist. The bruise you knew would form had started.
"The hell happened here?"
"The white devil."
Lucas laughed, nudging Max, who glared at him thinking he was saying she was one.
"Oh... Hargrove got you? God, he's such an ass, I'll get him for you I swear-" Steve started.
"No. I can hold my own. I've got it. He's just a guy. I've put him in his place more than once. Now, how about some ice cream?"
The kids cheered and you laughed.
"Not only can we get into the pool for free but we basically get free ice cream from Steve and Y/N. It's like... being rich!" Lucas said, laughing.
"Lucas... buddy, you are upper middle class..."
ââ
You were working today with that man. You couldn't trade shifts. Tonight was a closing night. All you needed to do was make it two more hours. The pool was empty despite the warm weather. You assumed most people were heading home to go to the mall which was relatively new.
The silence was getting you and you stated to fidget. No you were not... no... no-
"So... wanna tell me about yourself, Hollywood?" You mumbled. Word vomit. Before you could stop yourself. Damnit.
He turned in shock. You wanted to talk? To hear about him?okay...
"Well, what do you want to know?"
You thought for a minute, "You always talk about your dad... never your mom why is that?"
He could feel the walls (that were nonexistent because you were outside) squeeze and close in on him. Why didn't he talk about his mom? Oh, right, she was dead, and anytime he thought about her, he cried. But, you asked. Should he?
"...None of your business," he muttered, playing with his whistle. "What about you? Why is it always I hear about your mom and not your dad?"
"None of your business," you retorted. He laughed, scanning the water. You took a breath before continuing, "He's uh... he's gone. Like... he passed away. In the hurricane. Uhm... he was a first responder and couldn't... it's been a few years like I miss him but... it's been a bit... I sometimes can barely remember his face... his voice."
Billy stopped for a moment, clutching the rests of the lifeguard tower. You... were similar to him in a way he didn't know before.
"I'm... um I'm sorry... to answer your question my mom is also um... gone. Passed away. And that's why here in this shithole, with Max and her mom and..."
"And why you're a pain in my ass, got it got it got it."
He looked over with a half smile and laughed quietly again before mumbling a soft, "Yeah..."
The quiet settles again, and you hum softly. A radio crackles.
"Hello? Hello hello?"
"Oh!" You exclaim, grabbing the radio. "Yes? Hello Mr. Waylon. Oh, it is completely empty sir. Yes. Alright. Thank you sir, have a great night! Tell your wife and Sarah I said hello. Alright, bye bye."
You turn, "Well, pack up, and let's start closing duties Hollywood, this place is dead and we got radio confirmation."
Billy hops down, starting to help with covering the pool and clean up. You go to the back room to count the till, and he's left out cleaning the pool.
That's when a little boy comes in. He looks like he could be your little brother, but he knows it's not. He sighs.
"Hey, kid we're closed," Billy says, turning to face him.
"I-I know I... um..." the boy stammers, he has an accent. He fidgets, backing away from Billy, scared, knowing of his reputation. "Is... Y/N not... the one working?"
Billy stops for a minute. This kid was shaking, terrified of talking to him.
"Hey hey, she's busy," Billy crouches down. "What do you need?"
The little boy fidgets, "I-i lost my toy here... i-... was... um... have you seen?"
Billy takes a minute, and stands up.
"Here, let me take you to our lost and found, and uh you see if you find it. That sound good to you?" Billy suggests. The boy nods, following him.
You hear footsteps and see Billy helping Christian, a little boy who lived next door to you. Your family and his were close, given you were only Hispanic families in town. You stand up.
"I can-"
"I've got it. It's fine."
You hesitate.
"Christian? EstĂĄs bien? No te a... dicho algo malo?"
"Mmm no... tenĂa miedo... pero me estĂĄ ayudando. No da tanto miedo... no es malo como tĂș dices..."
"Christian-"
"He... just wanted help he lost his toy... I've got it you can finish up," Billy muttered.
"Okay... okay..."
You finish counting the till much slower than needed, walking out to see Christian still talking to Billy holding a beat up action figure in his arms. They sat at the edge of the pool, feet in the water talking. Christian barely talked in English, scared of ridicule. But here the boy was, talking sentences about his action figure and the comic it was from, Billy listening with a half smile.
"Hey, your mom is probably worried. Get home before it gets dark," you called out, slipping your shorts on over your bathing suit.
Christian got up, thanking Billy and running off. You stood watching, making sure he got out on his bike okay.
"Magically good with kids huh?" You mumbled.
"Hey uh... I'm done out here. Anything else you need? Or can we head out?"
"We can head out."
You sighed, taking long strides to your car, sighing as you reach, taking a long look as you try to start the car. It sputters and refuses to turn on.
"God fucking damnit piece of shit-"
Billy jogs over to his car, and sees you struggling.
"You okay? Let me take a look at it," he says.
"You gonna fuck up my car or something?" You say sarcastically.
"Give me a light, and I'll fix it. If I can't, I'll drive you home yeah?" He says.
You groan, grabbing your lighter, lighting his cigarette. The smoke fills your nose and you sigh as he lifts the hood of your car.
"Oof... um... so... there's your issue," he mutters, pointing at an empty space.
"How the FUCK did someone take my engine?! Ay Santisima madre ayuda me..."
ââ
So Billy Hargrove was driving you home. You grabbed your belongings from the back seat and trunk, which was only a few tapes and a change of clothes.
"Don't leave any of that shit in my car," he huffs, getting in.
You hop in the passenger seat, "Why? Don't want daddy to know you had one of my kind in here?"
"Fuck you're impossible-"
"I'll walk-"
"No the fuck you wont sit your ass down."
You huff, and fidget with the cassette tape you typically played in your car.
"Alright, I'm letting you play your cassette and you better not have shit taste in music," he sighed, taking a drag.
You smirked and placed the tape in the player, the first song being 'Devil Woman' by Cliff Richard.
"Hmph. Nice. But just his whole album?" He asked, driving slowly.
"Nah. Eddie made me a cassette with my favorite songs. I got The Runaways, Joan Jett, Tina Turner, some old jazz and shit...Mötley CrĂŒe-"
"Alright alright, I see. Not bad," he smirks.
Oh he was about to insufferable at work wasn't he?
ââ
Billy had never had a lot of fun. Sure he went to parties but he wasn't really having fun, just an excuse to be out of the house. So when some of the guys on the team invited him to just go walk around the mall, he agreed.
They were just walking around, whistling at girls, and Billy was just spacing out. At least he wasn't home. They eventually decided to go to the ice cream parlor and he watched as the girl working the counter ran to the back, Steve coming out with her. He would typically make a snarky comment but he didn't feel like it today.
"Hey, maybe we can find your lil co-worker girl... or one like her, girls like her are always easy... y'know, she's got that fire, spicy-"
"Shut up," Billy huffed.
"Huh? Oh come on Billy, since when do you care?" One called.
"Since right now, shut the fuck up," he growled, staring at the boy next to him. He stared until awkward silence filled the group and they dropped it.
ââ
A few days later, you noticed how odd Billy was acting. Wearing a shirt to work. Odd. The kids called out to you, hiding.
"Hargrove! Watch, I gotta do something quick. Anyone drowns I'm on your ass."
"Y/N! Oh thank god, Billy he's... acting weird we-... we um... we think the mind flayer got to him," Max explains.
You look back. The boy looks dazed, not in this world.
"Could be heat stroke-"
"He hates the heat."
"You gotta let us test something out. You won't like it..."
"If I get fired..."
"Please. Let us. Let me," El said, looking at you with pleading eyes.
"...Fine."
ââ
You didn't help the kids. You just stood outside from the building with the showers, watching in case someone came in unexpectedly... until you heard yelling and banging. You ran in, and Billy was trapped in the sauna.
You ran in just as he fell to the floor. Or so you thought.
"We're at 220," Will said.
That was... not a temperature you'd recommend... that was dangerous.
"Guys, hey, that's dangerous-" you started, trying to get past them until you heard Billy crying.
"It's not my fault, it's not my fault, it's not my fault Max, I promise you it's not my fault-"
Max walked closer to the door and you followed her, seeing him on the floor, crying, pleading. You looked uncomfortable, but you needed to know what the hell was going on.
"W-what's not your fault Billy?" Max stammered. You admired her courage.
"I've done things Max... really... bad things," His voice cracked, hair sticking to his skin from the humidity. "I didn't mean to."
"Guys, I don't think this is a good idea, it's too hot I-" you started to rattle the chain.
"No! Y/N, trust us! Please!" Mike begged, grabbing you.
You hesitated. On one hand, it was Billy Hargrove... on the other hand you felt bad because you had basic human empathy. But you trusted the kids. So you backed away a bit.
"He made me do it..."
Those words made you freeze. Were they right? About the mind flayer?
"Who... made you do it?" You asked.
"I dunno... it's like a shadow... like a giant shadow... please Max... Y/N..."
"Max back up... what did he make you do?" You asked, covering the girl.
"It's not my fault okay?! Max, please...please believe me Max it's not my fault. I tried to stop him, ok? I did!" The boy is sobbing now, and you're holding Max tightly, scared of what was happening.
He kept begging for you and for Max to believe him. And crying. You stood with Max, as tears fell from her eyes. You didn't realize you were crying.
You watched from the window.
"I believe you okay...? We want to help you you just gotta talk to us okay?"
You watched as one of his hands grabbed something from the floor and the heard Will say he could feel him near.
"Get away from the door."
You barely registered Mike's words. Until he yelled, "GET AWAY FROM THE DOOR!" Just as Billy broke the glass. You both screamed, trying to get away. Lucas knocked him out with his slingshot.
"You guys have to go. Now. I'll stay here-" you ushered, pushing them away.
"No way! He'll kill you!" Lucas tried to grab your arm.
"I said go. I can handle myself. Now."
ââ
When Billy woke up, he groaned, head pounding, sweating. The sauna was still on. He felt so disoriented.
"...Hollywood? That you?" You called.
His head snapped to the door.
"Y/N...? Let me out... let me out please let me out..." he begged, standing up, wobbling.
"I will... I will just... need to make sure it's you... it is you right Hollywood?" You asked, grabbing the pipe. "No shadow?"
"No..."
You sighed, walking forward to the door, taking the chain off the handle, "You attack me and I'll knock you on your ass again. Conmigo no chinges."
You hummed a song, keeping your eyes on him. He stumbled and you opened the door. He walked to you.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry I'm so sorry..."
You sighed. Why did you feel so bad? What was he apologizing for? Because it wasn't his racism. It wasn't the words he had said to you... no it was something different.
"What are you sorry for?"
ââ
You knew leaving Billy was a bad idea. But you left. You had to tell them.
However, getting to the mall wasn't hard. What was is the fact Dustin was in the middle of talking about Russians with Robin, Erica, and Steve. As well as everyone else.
"Jesus Steve you look like you got beat to death and came back," you sighed.
"Nice to see you too."
...
"Where's Billy?"
ââ
This plan was stupid. This plan was dangerous. This plan put you in the middle of everything.
"We need someone to draw him out someone who he would listen to... he would get mad," Mike said.
"So Max?"
"Y/N."
The two names were said at once.
"You're a better target. I dunno why but he's been like... shutting down the people when they say things," Max says.
"Things like what?" You ask, sighing, knowing you're the one they're going to choose. One is child and redhead endangerment the other is minority, and this is what you get for being friends with all the weird white kids.
"Like when his dad mentions... like... people like you-"
You knew what she meant, nodding.
"He... he's been like... shutting it down."
"Yeah and when he came in with his stupid friends to make our lives hell... they made a comment and Billy got kinda aggressive with them about it," Steve added.
Your eyes softened. Had he really... actually changed? That much? God damnit why is he redeemable.
"Fine fine fine! I get it. I'll go out."
"Yeah let's use the Latina as bait..." you muttered. "Billy? Billy you there?"
You walked around until he had finally come in. He looked angry. Not himself. Eyes full of fear. You took a step back, taking a deep breath, holding onto your pendant of La Santa Muerte.
"Billy... um... you... you there?" You mumble, stepping forward.
"Back away..."
You look up, confused. His voice was strained, breaking. He looked like he was holding something back.
"I just... you um... you remember that day when you drove me home and uh, I like... put my cassette in an-and you... you already had one in... I was so... nervous that I held it and uh," you stepped closer with every word. "I left with it in my hands a-and I never have it back... and you still have mine so like a tape for a tape cuz yours is signed by the band and mine was made by a friends but.... I want that back... and to get it back, I need Billy back... not just... whatever the hell you are..."
He stumbled a bit as you got closer. You saw everyone getting in position.
"You... need to leave... I-i...I don't want to hurt you...."
The words were whispered and broken. You looked up. He was crying, bruised and bloody. You hated how part of you wanted to believe him. But that's when chaos broke loose and Eleven started her part of the plan.
You ran, hiding behind a service counter until you had a clearing to get to the second level, finding Steve and Robin who handed you some fireworks. The second the flayer got too close to Jane... Lucas threw fireworks first. Then you.
But there was a feeling you needed to go help her. You don't know why you just knew... you had to.
"I'm going down there. I-...I think... I feel like she needs me," you ran before either of them could stop you, fireworks going off in the background. You reached Billy and Jane.
"She was pretty... she was really pretty..." Jane whispered.
You crawled over, sitting on your knees. Jane looked over with tears as you nodded, placing a hand on Billy's shoulder.
"Y-you... you remember that time we were working... um when I first started calling you-"
"Hollywood..." he whispered.
"Yeah... yeah Hollywood... and I asked... I asked about your mom... and I told you about my dad? You remember that? And um late that day we got to close early," you laughed, giving Jane a chance to get out of there. "And then you-"
"Christian... he came in," Billy whispered. The black veins on his body seemed less prominent.
"Yeah... yeah he did... y'know I was... so worried... you were going to say something to him," you admitted.
"I deserve that," he whispered.
"Yeah... but... but you don't deserve this," you mumble, gesturing at everything.
The fireworks stopped and you turned hearing the soft growl of the monster. You turn, the vibrations of the growl felt through the floor. Billy stood up. The monsters mouth opened, a long tentacle... type... thing came out of it, and Billy stood his ground.
Another claw came up and got his side and that's when your fear turned to couragec grabbing a sharp piece of debris as you ran up, stabbing it. Billy dropped to the floor as blood stained his undershirt, the monster turning to you.
"Fuck... fuck fuck fuck why did I do that-" your realization was cut short as you were grabbed by the same appendage, one stabbing your side, another your leg. You screamed in pain, fighting it off, or trying. Until you saw your Santa Muerte rosary fall, beads breaking off, scattering on the ground.
"Oh hijo de la gran puta-"
Safe to say you were pissed. Even in your pain, the one symbol of protection in strength that was always on your person... broken. You yelled, anger filling you as you stabbed with the piece of debris, weaker every time, crying.
Suddenly, you felt its grip loosen... and you fell with it. Steve was the one to run and catch you. You coughed up blood, wincing and writhing in pain.
Billy stood up clutching his side, walking over to you as the monster crumpled up.
"Hey hey hey, back off!" Steve yelled as you groaned, whimpering.
"Hurts, hurts, hurts, Steve, it hurts," you writhe, crying.
"Hey, I know, stop moving you're gonna make it worse," Steve scolds, holding you, Dustin coming over and putting pressure on your wounds.
"Carajo eso duele-"
Your breathing is ragged as they carry you outside. You're put into an ambulance with Billy.
You cough up blood, and let out a laugh followed by a hiss. Spots danced in your vision.
"Heyyyy Hollywood..."
"Y/N... hey, you gotta stay here right? Keep your eyes open," he muttered.
"Ha... hey... I'm... uh... woahhh you are all fuzzy and-"
ââ
You woke up in a hospital with lights shining in your face, the sun setting could be seen from the window. You room had flowers and random notes and toys attached. Your throat feels dry, itchy, the weight of an IV in your arm.
"Oh! Y-you're awake!" A nurse said, smiling, putting down your medication.
"I-...I am," you mumbled horsely.
"I'm glad to see it. It will take a bit for your muscles to recover from being asleep so long," she smiled.
"How long...?"
"About a month. Must have been the blunt force trauma and blood loss. You're so lucky you have so many people who care about you. Your boyfriend-"
"I-I don't have a boyfriend miss. Uhm... describe him?"
You assumed maybe she thought Steve or Johnathan was your boyfriend. Maybe they'd come to visit with the kids, and that's why.
"Oh um, he's here with a kid right now, here. Let's make sure your vitals are all good and we can put you in a wheelchair to go see," she says.
A doctor comes in to talk to you, goes over your charts and everything else and a team of two nurses gets you on a wheelchair pushing you out. You hummed softly, expecting maybe Lucas, Max, or Dustin with Steve. However, when you turn the corner, you're surprised to see Billy sitting with Christian as Christian reads a book in Spanish to him.
"Okay kid, slow down I'm trying to follow along," Billy laughs. "Here here, you try reading that sentence in English here and I'll try reading it in Spanish. Deal?"
Christian laughs and his face turns slightly, seeing you. The boy jumps up and runs over. He's crying, hugging you.
"Oof- Estoy bien, estoy bien... shh oof, oye, ten cuidado, todavĂa estoy herida..." you laugh, hugging the boy back, a hand ruffling his hair.
Billy stood, walking over, hands in his pockets.
"Hey..."
"Hey..."
You smiled, looking up.
"So... you've visited me quite a bit? Thought I should have recognized that obnoxious cologne," you teased.
He laughed and looked down, "yeah... bet you can't-"
"Drakkar Noir. I know. I can smell. It's strong..." you whisper. "So... reading?"
"Damn, you saw that?" He laughed, Christian getting off your lap to go talk to the receptionist. "I uhm... well I guess... I wanted... I-... can we go somewhere... private?"
You nod, and with his help, you guys made your way back to your hospital room.
"Y/N I... I know I've fucked up. I've been an asshole I've been... not great to you. To Max... to anyone... But I don't... I don't want to be that anymore. I've... I-... I don't know how to say it without sounding like... I dunno I'm sorry," he says, frustrated as he runs a hand through his hair. "I just want to prove to you I've been trying. And I know this doesn't make it better... but I... got this for you. Yours broke when the... the mind flayer? Got you..."
He hands you a small box and you take it softly opening it up. Inside was a rosary. Not any rosary, a Santa Muerte rosary. Same colors you had before. Your eyes filled with tears.
"The white devil gave me my santisima back... I-..." you sniffled holding it.
"Shit I'm sorry-"
"No no no... it's... I love it... you must... must have gone far for it," you whisper, putting it on, the weight making you sigh in relief.
âNah⊠you should have something that protects youâŠâ
You two spend the next few minutes talking. When you yawn, trying to get back into your hospital bed by yourself, he helps you.
âI should probably take my leave⊠I know the kid got picked up by his mom but⊠you probably want me out of your hair and all-â
âStay.â
And with that it opened the door. That maybe⊠he wasnât so bad now. He still had work to do, but he would damn well take anything you have him.
Warning â ïž : there will be lots of Spanish in here that isnât translated (might come back and translate it later!) đ sorry babies, it took me so long to write this tho so hope you enjoy đ
Simon hadnât wanted to be there.
Not at this quinceañera, not in this crowded backyard strung with papel picado, not in this sweaty button-up that his buddy Alvarez had made him wear. Heâd rather be on the base, in a gym, or hellâeven on patrol. But Alvarezâs girlfriend insisted he bring a âplus one,â and since Simon was the only guy around not completely allergic to loud music and family functions, he got dragged along.
âYouâll be fine,â Alvarez had said. âJust nod, smile, and eat whatever they give you. Everythingâs delicious.â
Simon wasnât so sure. The party was in full swingâlaughter, dancing, the smoky smell of carne asada filling the air, and Spanish flying in all directions. Kids were running around barefoot. Abuelitas were blessing people and handing out tamales. And the musicâJesus, the music was loud.
He stood near the punch table like a glorified coat rack, arms crossed, trying not to scowl.
Thatâs when he saw her.
Bright red dress, heels too high for comfort, hair falling in waves to the middle of her back, and a laugh that cracked through the noise like a spark. You were dancing with your cousin, hips swaying, arms up, a glass of pink agua fresca in your hand and glitter shimmering across your collarbones like you belonged in the center of attention. And maybe you did.
You caught him staring.
He looked away.
You walked straight toward him.
âOye,â you said, voice full of playfulness. âWhy you lookinâ so miserable? You allergic to fun or something, white boy?â
Simon blinked, caught off guard by the directnessâand the accent, the attitude, the glow of your skin in the backyard lights.
âIâm not⊠miserable,â he said.
âCoulda fooled me.â You took a sip of your drink and looked him up and down. âWho invited the bodyguard?â
He almost laughed.
You held out your hand. âCome on. I donât let sad statues stand by the juice table. Youâre dancing with me.â
âI canât danceâ
âBut you will.â
And somehowâyou made him. You dragged him onto that dance floor with no rhythm, no clue, no chance of escape. He was stiff, awkward, completely overwhelmed. You were warmth and perfume and sass, spinning and swaying and talking a mile a minute. And somewhere in that blur of movement, laughter, and corridos, Simon Riley forgot how to be a shadow.
You let him breathe but never let him go.
âž»
The end of the night came too quickly. You were sitting together on the porch, heels kicked off, eating elotes from the snack cart your cousin had rolled in as a surprise.
âI think I tore something trying to keep up with you,â Simon said, groaning softly as he leaned back against the steps.
He gave you a flat look, but the corner of his mouth twitched.
âI wasnât trained for this kind of cardio,â he muttered.
âYou did great,â you said, bumping your shoulder against his. âYou only stepped on me three times.â
He looked down, sheepish. âIâm not exactly built for salsa.â
You leaned in, grinning. âYouâre built for something. Just not spinning.â
He looked at you then, really lookedâyour glitter had faded, your lipstick was smudged, your earrings had come off. But you were still radiant. Still bold. Still everything he didnât know heâd been missing.
âYou should give me your number,â you said, casual but firm, handing him your phone.
He typed it in without hesitation.
âBecause I know youâre gonna pretend you donât want to call me, but you will.â
And he did.
âž»
Date one: late-night tacos under a flickering light, you judging his choice in hot sauce.
Date two: you made him dance againâbadlyâthis time in your living room in socked feet, laughing when he nearly fell trying to copy your cumbia steps.
Date three: you brought him to a family cookout, where the meat was sizzling, the music was blasting, and your tĂosâall three of them built like ex-wrestlers with gold chains and mirrored sunglassesâdescended on Simon like a tactical unit.
They sat him down at the domino table with matching smirks, passing around beers and grilling him in rapid-fire Spanglish.
âMijo, how many weapons you know how to use? Because I know at least four ways to disarm a man with a chancla.â
âWould you ever kill a man for making our sobrina cry? âCause we might.â
Simon, a trained killer, had never been more alert in his life.
Even bootcamp hadnât rattled him like that.
Your parents were there too, of courseâyour mom dishing out second helpings while chatting with your tĂas, your dad working the grill and dancing with one of your cousinsâbut the crowd was thick and the music loud. They saw him, hugged him, gave warm but distracted greetings in between serving plates and telling kids not to run near the fire.
It was warm. It was chaotic. It was too much to be personal.
So when he came over a week later to your childhood home on a quiet Sunday afternoon, just for dinner, it was different. Quieter. Sharper.
You warned him. âMy dadâs a clown. My mom will feed you like youâre starving. And everyone talks very fast. Donât panic.â
Your dad? He cracked a beer, clapped Simon on the back like it was a tactical blow, and said, âYou break her heart, I break your knees. With love.â
But over the mealâenchiladas, arroz, frijoles, and homemade salsa that made him sweat and cough and keep eating anywayâhe relaxed. He laughed. Your family didnât let him sit in silence like some stoic monument. They teased. They overfed. They asked questions and cracked jokes until the stiffness fell away.
They didnât let him be a statue.
They made him real.
And then came date four.
You were in that oversized hoodie he loved, curled up on the couch with your legs tucked under you, barefaced and radiant.
He kissed youâslowly, reverentlyâhis rough hands holding your face like he wasnât sure you were real.
âI want this,â he murmured. âWhatever this is. I want it.â
You smiled, kissed him again, and said, âThen you better learn how to dance, mi amor.â
âž»
Your parents werenât thrilled at first when you told them you were moving outâbut they softened when Simon showed up on a Saturday morning with a truck, coffee for everyone, and rolled-up sleeves ready to work.
He packed every single box himself. Labeled everything in neat capital letters. Didnât let you lift a thing heavier than a purse.
Your dad tried not to hover, but he stood in the hallway watching. Your mom kept walking in and out of your bedroom, touching things sheâd folded for you years agoâblankets, little photo frames, the corner of your old dresser.
Itâs not that they didnât trust you.
They knew you were grown, strong, smart. They saw how happy you were. How steady he made you. But it was hard. It was hard watching their little girl leave and knowing she wouldnât be coming home to them anymore. That the light in your old room would stay off. That the seat at the dinner table would be just a little more empty.
But Simonâquiet, tall, sharp-eyed Simonâwas gentle. Respectful. Patient.
He thanked your mother for the lunch she insisted on making mid-pack.
He listened when your father gave him unsolicited advice about rent, plumbing, and fixing leaky windows. Nodded. Took mental notes. Didnât flinch.
And when he opened the truck door for you later, he helped you in like you were something breakable and precious.
At the apartment, he gave you the bigger closet.
He built you a custom rack for your shoes out of reclaimed wood because âyour heels deserve better than a cardboard box.â
He let you hang your neon pink âBad Bunny, Good Heartâ sign in the living roomâright above the TV. Didnât even blink.
When you stress-cleaned the entire place twice a week, blasting cumbia at full volume and moving furniture that didnât need to be moved, he just grabbed the broom and started sweeping.
No questions. No complaints. Just a kiss on the forehead, a âYou missed a spot,â and a smile.
You became a team. A home. A weird, glittery, soft kind of forever.
âž»
He proposed after almost two years, during a quiet evening at home. Just the two of you.
No crowds. No photographers. Just takeout containers on the counter, a few candles flickering on the coffee table, and the soft hum of your favorite playlist in the background.
You were in sweats. He was barefoot. Your hair was in a messy bun.
And stillâhe looked at you like you were made of gold.
He reached for your hands, callused palms warm and steady, thumbs brushing across your knuckles.
âYouâve been mine since that dance,â he said, voice low, eyes soft like velvet. âBut I want to make it real. Marry me, my love.â
You blinked once. Twice. Then burst into tears, nodding as you choked out a âyesâ and launched yourself into his arms.
You kissed him for ten whole minutes, barely stopping to breathe, let alone look at the ring.
When you did look, you gasped like it was the first diamond ever made. âÂĄAy Dios mĂo! Itâs so pretty!â
And then you scrambled for your phone, hands still shaking, dialing your mom before he could even get off the floor.
âMamiâÂĄME VOY A CASAR!â
Your mom screamed so loud he flinched. Then came more screaming. Then the crying. Then the chaos of trying to conference call every tĂa you had.
Simon sat there watching, utterly overwhelmed and utterly in love.
âž»
You married in the spring.
The sky was the soft kind of blue that felt like a blessing. The church was bigâwhite stone, wooden pews, sunlight spilling in through tall stained-glass windows. Every seat was filled with someone you loved: family, friends, cousins on cousins on cousins, all dressed in color and joy and gold jewelry.
And near the front, seated on Simonâs side of the aisleâlooking just slightly out of place in their suits but trying very hard to behaveâwas his other family.
Price in a crisp navy three-piece, standing a little taller than usual. Soap, already misty-eyed before the ceremony even started, practically bouncing in his seat from excitement. Gaz, freshly shaved, clutching a small gift box and nudging Soap every five seconds with whispered comments like, âMate, you think Ghost is nervous? He looks like heâs about to faint.â
They were his brothers. His lifeline.
Simon had never expected them to come. Heâd told them they didnât have toâhad muttered something like, âNo big deal, just a wedding.â But all three of them had shown up anyway. Early. With matching pocket squares and their names painstakingly written out in your momâs loopy handwriting on the guest list.
Soap cried again when he saw you walking down the aisle. Even Gaz got a little glassy-eyed.
And Simonâwho had once walked through hell with these men at his sideâstood there in a light gray suit, sweating bullets under the collar, eyes fixed on you like you were the only thing in the world.
And thenâwhen it came time for vowsâhe cleared his throat, reached into his jacket, and pulled out a little folded piece of paper.
âDesde el dĂa que te vi⊠supe que eras el caos que necesitaba.â
His accent was clumsy. Thick. Adorably white-boy. He butchered the rhythm, said âizquierdosâ like it had three syllables too many, but he didnât stop.
âTe prometo bailar contigo⊠aunque tenga dos pies izquierdos,â he said, voice shaking. âTe prometo amarte, escucharte⊠y protegerte. Siempre.â
You sobbed.
No delicate tears, eitherâugly crying, mascara-streaked cheeks, hands to your face like you could somehow hold all the love inside your chest. You kissed him before the priest could even finish, threw your arms around his neck and laughed into his shoulder as the room exploded in cheers and clapping and whistles.
He whispered, âYou okay?â against your hair.
You nodded. âEstoy loca por ti.â
The reception was held in a big hall your family rented just down the road. String lights crisscrossed the ceiling. There were papel picado banners in every color fluttering from beam to beam. A whole wall was dedicated to desserts and pastelitos. Your primo Luis was DJing. Your tĂa Rosa was already barefoot by the first slow song.
Simon hadnât let go of your hand since youâd said I do.
You walked into the room to applause and whistles, Simon still looking like he couldnât believe this was his life. You in your dress. His team in suits. Your family everywhere.
It was loud.
The music, the laughter, the sound of kids running around with too much sugar and not enough supervision. The food was endlessâcarnitas, arroz con gandules, tamales, fresh tortillas that your tĂa Alma insisted on making on-site even though she was technically supposed to be a guest.
And Simon?
Simon was glowing.
At first, he stuck close to you. At his usual edge-of-the-room comfort zone. But your tĂosâyes, the same ones who had interrogated him months ago like he was being recruited into the CIAâdidnât let him stay there long.
One of them clapped a massive hand on his back. âCome on, yerno. Youâre family now.â
Another one handed him a beer. âWe made bets that you wouldnât survive us. But mĂrate. Still standing.â
The third one pointed toward the dance floor. âNow dance with your suegra before she gets mad.â
Simon turned to you, wide-eyed.
You grinned. âSheâs right there waiting, babe.â
And there she was: your mom, already swaying to the rhythm of the cumbia, snapping her fingers with that look that said, donât make me ask twice.
He didnât hesitate.
He walked to her, took her hand like it was sacred, and let her guide him through a slow, gentle dance. She beamed up at him, one hand on his arm, the other gesturing like she was giving him detailed instructions only she understood.
When the song ended, she kissed both of his cheeks and whispered something in his ear that made him go still for a second, then nod with a soft, grateful smile.
You watched them, heart swelling.
But that was just the start.
The next song came onâfast, loud, full of hornsâand your cousins pounced.
âOye,â one of your primas whispered loudly to the others. âI want the one that laughs a lot. ÂżCĂłmo se llama? El que llora fĂĄcil. EstĂĄ bien cute.â
Another one pointed. âNo, no, no. El serio. El que se ve todo elegante. I want that one.â
âI call dibs on the moreno with the earrings,â someone yelled over the music. âMĂo. Lo vi primero.â
Soap, Price, and Gaz looked like deer in headlights.
âJesus Christ,â Soap muttered. âAre they fighting over us?â
Gaz took a nervous sip of his drink. âYou didnât tell me her family was this intense.â
Price chuckled, adjusting his tie. âYou lot better get out there before they start drawing blood.â
So they did.
Soap got dragged into a group dance with three primas shouting instructions at him like he was in a Zumba class. Gaz ended up cumbia dancing with tĂa Marta, who kept twirling him like he was the bride. And Priceâstoic, unshakable Priceânodded solemnly, took your abuelaâs hand, and led her into a slow dance that had the whole family swooning.
Simon couldnât stop smiling.
He was a little pink in the ears. Still stiff in the shoulders. But he looked at you like he was seeing heaven. Not because of the venue. Not the decorations. Not even the fact that you were now his wife.
It was becauseâfor the first time in his lifeâhe belonged.
Not to a mission. Not to a ghost of a past. But to you. To this noise, this color, this chaos, this home.
He pulled you in as a love song started. Held you tight, swaying to the music while your dress whispered over his shoes.
âMarried,â you whispered, still not quite believing it.
âMine,â he murmured back, resting his forehead against yours. âForever.â
And when you kissed him this time, there was no ceremony. No audience. Just the quiet promise that whatever storm life brought nextâyouâd face it together.
As husband and wife.
As a family.
âž»
The honeymoon was bliss. Sunburnt kisses. Slow mornings tangled in hotel sheets. You barely left the roomâtoo busy rediscovering each other with no schedules, no missions, no noise. Just soft laughter, whispered promises, and Simonâs hands never far from yours.
And when you finally came homeâback to your little apartment with the creaky floorboards and the window that never quite closedâit felt like stepping into a new chapter.
Your first night back as husband and wife, you didnât even bother with pajamas.
The suitcase sat half-unpacked near the door. A few candles still burned low on the windowsill. The soft rustle of the curtains was the only sound as you lay across Simonâs chest, asleep, your leg draped over his, one hand resting just above his heart. Completely bare. Completely his.
He couldnât sleep.
He stared at the ceiling, one arm wrapped around you, thumb tracing idle circles into your back. His heart felt too full. Too loud. Like it was trying to tell him something he hadnât been ready to hear before.
He thought about the future.
About the way your last name sounded when you said it with his.
About the way you had started talking about âsomedayâ like it was real. Like it was close. A bigger place. Maybe a dog. Maybe⊠kids.
Simon exhaled slowly, pressing a kiss into your hair.
He couldnât imagine going back out there. To war zones. To shadows. To any place that didnât end with your voice saying, âHey, babe, Iâm home.â
Heâd been a soldier most of his life. A weapon before he ever got to be a man.
But now?
Now he had something to protect that wasnât a flag or a mission.
It was you.
It was this.
Maybe it was time to step back. Take an office job. Talk to Price. Let the younger lads run into fire while he stayed here, safe, solid, something softer.
Not weak. Never that.
But grounded.
Tethered.
Waiting for you.
He looked down at you, your lashes resting against your cheeks, lips slightly parted in sleep.
And for the first time in his entire life, Simon Riley wasnât afraid of the future.
He was ready for it.
All of it.
ââ-
The house was small, warm, full of sunlight and mismatched furniture. A place stitched together by shared coffee mugs, throw blankets, and the smell of your cooking in every room. Your glittery âHome is where the chanclas areâ sign went up in the kitchen the same day you moved in.
Simon, ever organized in his quiet, tidy way, had his own mug shelf and a dedicated hook for his tactical gearâright next to your keychain that had a fluffy pom-pom and a tiny bottle of Valentina hot sauce.
It wasnât perfect.
But it was yours.
One morning, still groggy and in your robe, you stepped out of the bathroom with a plastic stick clutched in your hand, your eyes wide and shining, your lip trembling just slightly.
Simon was in the kitchen pouring coffee. He turned at the sound of your footsteps and immediately froze when he saw your face.
âWhatâs wrong? You okay?â
You opened your hand.
He blinked at the test.
Then at you.
Then back down at the two clear pink lines like he wasnât sure if he was awake.
âIs thatâŠ?â
You nodded. Your throat was too tight to speak at first. Your eyes filled faster than you expected, tears spilling over your cheeks without warning.
He crossed the room in two strides, coffee forgotten on the counter, and took your face in his hands.
âAre you serious?â he breathed. âWeâre having a baby?â
Your voice cracked. âWeâre having a baby.â
He kissed you, soft and slow and sweet, like he wanted to kiss the tears away. His eyes were glassy too.
âWeâre having a Riley-sized baby,â he whispered into your temple, a little grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
âRiley-sized babyââsomething you two had joked about many, many times after the first serious talks about having kids. Mostly because Simon was huge. And you? Absolutely not.
You pulled back just enough to stare up at him, horrified. âAy cabrĂłn,â you muttered, eyes wide. âÂżTĂș sabes lo grande que estĂĄs?â
He choked on a laugh and pulled you tight into his chest, pressing kiss after kiss into your hair while you dramatically buried your face in his shirt.
âCĂĄlmate, baby,â he murmured, still laughing softly. âWeâll figure it out.â
âI need snacks,â you sniffled.
âIâll get you snacks.â
âPickles. And Takis. And that mango with the spicy powder.â
âGot it. Anything else?â
You wiped your face, still sniffly but already recovering. âAnd maybe a crib. Eventually.â
He looked down at your tummyâsoft and familiar beneath your robe, the same one heâd kissed a hundred times beforeâand laid his hand there gently. âIâll build it. Big enough for a little chaos gremlin like her mamĂĄ.â
You snorted, leaned into him, and let yourself smile through the nerves. âOjalĂĄ que tenga mi nariz y no la tuya.â
âOh, thanks, love.â
âYouâre welcome.â
You were scared. He was terrified.
But standing there in your beautiful kitchen, sunlight warming the tile, your arms wrapped around each other and a baby on the wayâthere was nothing you couldnât face.
Together.
And you couldnât wait to tell your family.
âž»
And that little stick in your hand became a heartbeat on a monitor. Became tiny kicks beneath your ribs. Became midnight cravings, swollen ankles, and Simon sitting on the floor rubbing your back while you cursed the universe in Spanglish.
He read baby books. Took notes. Practiced holding a teddy bear like it was your newborn. Built the crib by handâthen rebuilt it because the first one wobbled the tiniest bit âour baby is not sleeping in a death trap, cariño.â
You decorated the nursery together. Soft colors. A little mobile that played lullabies. He painted the walls while you sat in the doorway, crying over a diaper commercial because âthat baby had such chubby cheeks, Simon!â
One night, curled up together on the couch, your belly snug against his side, he asked quietly, âYou think sheâll look like you?â
You smiled, running your fingers over the stretch marks blooming on your skin. âIf sheâs lucky.â
He kissed your shoulder. âWe still havenât picked a name.â
You tilted your head, thoughtful. âIâve got a list.â
âCourse you do.â
âFour pages.â
Simon blinked. âBloody hell.â
You giggled. âWell, you better start narrowing them down, papĂĄ.â
And somehow, between back rubs and baby kicks and whispered prayers in the middle of the night, one name kept rising to the top. Soft. Strong. Full of light.
You were still tossing names around the day of the anatomy scan. You held Simonâs hand tightly as the ultrasound tech moved the wand across your belly, the screen glowing with fuzzy, miraculous shapes.
âBaby is right there,â the tech said gently, smiling. âLooks like youâre having a healthy baby girl.â
The world seemed to stop.
All the weeks leading up to this you both had speculated you would have a baby girl, already referring to the baby as âherâ/âsheâ
Simon stared at the monitor. Then at you. Then back at the monitor.
His hand slipped from yours so he could cover his face, his shoulders shakingâhe was crying before a single word left his mouth.
You reached for him, brushing his hand aside so you could cradle his cheek. âSimon,â you whispered, eyes already stinging. âHey. Look at me. Mi amor.â
He did, eyes red, lashes wet.
âA girl,â he choked. âWeâreâweâre having a little girl.â
You kissed him, fingers in his hair, grounding him through the flood of emotion. âYeah,â you murmured. âOur little girl.â
He held you the rest of the appointment.
And he never let goânot once. Not ever.
He held your hair when you threw up, held your hand at every checkup, held you close every time the fear crept in.
When the reality that you would be bringing your baby into the world became too scary.
He was there.
And when the time came, he was still right there. Strong. Calm. Pale as a ghost, sureâbut solid. He whispered to you through every contraction, wiped sweat from your forehead, kissed your temple as you screamed and pushed and cried.
And then she was here.
Graciella Riley.
With her little scrunched-up face, her soft cries, her full head of light brown hair.
Simon cried the second he held her.
You held her nextâshaking, sobbing, overwhelmed. And he was there, wrapping himself around the both of you, whispering, âYou did it, my love. Sheâs here. You did it.â
And that led to today.
Coming home.
Gracie in the back seat, facing backward in the safest spotâmiddle of the car, mirror on the headrest so you could keep looking at her the whole way.
Your stitches pulling with every step.
Simon helping you out slowly, carefully, like you were made of glass. One big hand holding yours, the other cradling the carrier like it held the whole world.
very light angst + implied nsfw + hispanic/latin reader + past fat shaming + insecurities + fluff + mentioned past unhealthy mechanisms
a/n: totally not self indulging. this has been in my drafts for a year LMAO please like đ§đ»ââïž
à«ź ÖŒ Û monkey d. luffy Ś Û« â§
when you first joined the crew, luffy KNEW you had some sort of trouble with food
you were so hesitant of EVERYTHING that he found himself insisting and making sure you ate well, along with sanji
ây/n, eat more.â you felt like he was your MOM.
you could hear the âestas muy flac@â from your family members or the âni que estuvieras a dietaâ from your mother
but it was so HARD to say no to luffy, captain or not.
you still didnât have a healthy relationship with food, and still felt a little guilty if you found yourself eating more than you FELT like you shouldâve
sometimes youâd go all day without eating until luffy drags you for dinner, itâs not that you did it intentionally, you just donât find it in you to eat
honestly, it worried luffy but he never really commented on it
all he would do is make sure you at least ate
but when you would play with your food more than eat or even just stare at the plate before you, he would frown and actually force feed you
âY/N YOU HAVE TO BE STRONG AND HEALTHY SO WE CAN BEAT EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT WAY!â
yet, one day he finds out you literally had an issue with eating, you had mentioned it to chopper and he just happened to overhear
then it clicked why you were always squirmy during intimacy
and WITHOUT FAIL, to your surprise, he started being reassuring to you
heâs always a sweetheart with you, your hype man regardless but this time you knew his intentions were for you to understand you shouldnât worry about your physical appearance
his eyes were ten times more tender outside the bedroom
yet, when it came to intimacy he was like a hungry animalâ kissing, biting and grabbing. it had taken you aback at how specific he was being, but you still melted into him
he made you forget the voices that would say âhide thatâ or âdonât let him noticeâ but he made sure you understood that heâll love you regardless of what you think
and heâs an eater
heâll eat you up. always.
à«ź ÖŒ Û trafalgar d. law Ś Û« â§
heâs a DOCTOR. manâs knows when someone is off.
he mistook your lack of interest in food for a stomach bug, genuinely concerned and forcing you to take pills and medicine
lowkey made you feel bad and ashamed to the point you came clean
medical confidentiality right?
đ the face he gave you!!
âitâs unhealthy to neglect vital nutrients to your body.â
very stern about your meal intake, takes it upon himself to make sure you eat what you can stomach at first and make sure you grow comfortable with both him and food
heâs sweet really, just shows it in private
he literally sits you down and asks you what you would like for your body, because if you have any concerns then you MUST attend them CORRECTLY
no more unhealthy mechanisms
and he falls even more in love when you seem more radiant, more confident.
heâd come up from behind always and just plant a warm, wet kiss on your ear before whispering a compliment on your appearance
he made you feel like no one elseâs opinion mattered anymore.
literally it didnât matter if people commented on your weight, the results you were having made you feel confident
he was definitely surprised when youâd initiate intimacy, when youâd devour him like a starving animal
âsomeoneâs hungry,â he teased once, but when you had paused, he realized his wording must have affected you
he low key panics and stutters out an apology but you smirk at him
âfor once i donât feel guilty for eating-â and you devour his heart and soul too
à«ź ÖŒ Û eustass kid Ś Û« â§
iâm sorry but this doofus was really oblivious about it until killer pointed it out
he was so mad at himself. how dare he not see your issue with food?? he thought you gave him your leftovers out of love!!
dude heâs like, an insensitive giant thinking heâs being helpful
it made sense of why you were always trying to put off intimacy or why youâd try to make him see less of you
âi donât give a damn about how you look. why would i care?â he asks.
in his head he was being sweet and saying âi love you just the way you are.â
but it made you feel like shit
you were already struggling with feeling right with yourself, and he comes and says he doesnât care? maybe youâre being sensitive but even that made you feel worse
it felt like youâll never be enough for anyone, even eustass.
you never felt like you mattered, but growing up your weight put labels on you. you grew up with insults being used as nicknames, yet you felt like eustass saw you as nothing
âwhy arenât you eating?â he asks when he notices you still arenât developing a good eating habit, some days you eat well and others you either overeat or donât eat at all
âdoes it matter?â you huff.
âi give a damn when you could get sick!â
âyou said you donât give a damn about how i look, so shut up about what i do.â you growl.
âeh? when did i say that!? you need to eat!â he huffs.
âwell no thank you.â
you ignore him and he has to corner you in your room to get you to pay him any mind
his interrogations fall deaf in your ears as he cages you under him on your bed
âif i donât matter to you get out,â you blurt out.
âwhat are you talking about? when have i made you feel like you donât matter to me.â
âyou know iâm struggling and you just- you just said you donât give a damn about how i look!â
âbecause i donât! does it have to matter? i love you for you! pirates seek out people for their bodies and for their own pleasures! iâm with you because i love you for who you are!â
âand i am not saying youâre ugly or whatever it is you think i think!â he beats you to every argument.
and then he goes on to show you PHYSICALLY what he means. not like, harsh or anything. youâve never felt so precious under his care before, he kissed you so tenderly.
he didnât make you feel fragile, like something that could break in a bad way
he made you understand how he sees you as more as his partner- as an extension of his soul, his missing piece
âiâll make sure you never feel like that again, as long as youâre with me, youâll be more valuable than a poneglyph. whatever you struggle with, iâll help you through it.â
your confidence went up, because honestly heâs brutally honest and many people take what the captain says seriously; yet you knew heâs never lie to you
at the end of the day, what your lover says is what matters to you.