Feb 2
Happy Birthday Shakira! 💜
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Happy Birthday Shakira! 💜
Original under cut
“You’re not listening.
You don’t understand.”
“You’re not listening.
You don’t understand!”
Pairing: Richard Armitage x Reader
Length: 3313 Words.
Warnings: None
Rating: Fluffy fluff
Disclaimer: I do not own Richard Armitage in any way, shape or form. This is purely for entertainment purposes only. I don’t make any money from this, whatsoever.
Note: This was requested by the lovely @nowiloveandwilllove !
N indicates where the reader’s name goes.
——————————
Buzz. Buzz.
The phone vibrated across the table, notifying its owner that there was a notification to be viewed. Judging by the constant buzzing, it was important. Pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose, to busy beforehand to even take notice of her spectacles, she reached a point on her brief where she felt she could stop. Grabbing her phone, she flicked her thumb across the screen, unlocking the device. Beaming at her, encased in a text bubble was a message from Richard. He had sent her a picture of his outfit for the evening, along with a text.
So sharp, bond would be jealous. I look forward to seeing you there. x
N smiled, opening the message to make a reply. Only, another message stopped her in her tracks.
Hello, N. Sorry to be a pain but I need that brief tomorrow morning. The trial date has changed, and they’ve brought it forward to Tuesday. Cheers. I owe you one.
Let down, N looked from her boss’ message to the computer screen. She then began to calculate how long it would take her to finish off the brief, allowing herself time to then shower and change for the Summer Ball Richard had invited her to. She figured that if she could get the majority finished before 3pm, she could then get ready and leave for 6pm and be at the venue for 6.30pm. At a push, N could finish the rest of it when she got home, providing she didn’t drink too much. Perfect! She congratulated herself on her little plan. So far, her boss’ message did little to put a dent in her mood. She was going to the ball, regardless of the sodding brief.
Fingers frantically scattering across the keys, she glanced quickly to the clock, laughing at her in the corner of her screen. She almost felt like it had taken over that damned paper-clip that used to tap the screen, as if to patronise her, whenever she was running a late night to finish an assignment for university. Stupid paper clip, stupid clock! The digits flicked over, flashing ‘15:45’ against the dark background. Dropping her head in to her hands, N groaned. So far, her plan was falling apart. She had a lot more to type than she had expected and already time was going against her. Running her fingers through her slightly oily locks, she took a moment to think. As much as she really didn’t want to, she was beginning to think that the Ball would have to go on without her. He was going to have to enjoy it without her, with other beautiful women, no doubt, too. She huffed and slouched in her chair, staring up at the ceiling and cursing her choice of career.
After years of being buried under dusty, old books and spending hours upon hours of researching critical cases; N wondered if her degree in Law was ever really worth it. It felt like she had gone from being locked in a library, to being locked in an office. The job just didn’t allow her any free time. Fair enough, she earned a fairly hefty wage, but what use was it to her if she couldn’t go out and spend it? Not much use at all!
She was in half the mind to message her boss and tell her where she could kindly put her brief. It was only when she caught a glimpse of her graduation photo, sitting proudly on her desk, that she stopped. Her graduation was one of the most beautiful days of her life, so far. Not only had she managed to survive the three years that was required to gain her degree, but she had passed with a first. What made it better was that her Grandparents were able to make it over, travelling from overseas, to watch her receive her diploma. The photo on her desk was of her, standing in between her mother and her Grandma, their black and white smiles, beaming back at her. Shortly after, her Grandma was taken ill, losing the battle to Cancer. That horrible C word that N would not even wish on her most despised enemy. Kissing her finger, she lovingly placed it upon the glass, above her Grandma’s heart, sending her love to the darling angel.
Before the tears had a chance to cloud her vision, N pulled herself back to the current moment, looking back at the brief that demanded her attention. Picking up her phone, she tried to ring Richard, needing to explain her situation.
Engaged.
Great!
She threw her phone on to the table and got up, in desperate need for a coffee and a moment away from the blinding artificial light of her computer. It was going to be a long night. Stupid brief! She thought, jabbing at the button on her coffee machine, forcefully letting it know that she needed caffeine. The machine answered with a whirr of coffee beans grinding and water boiling. She wasn’t entirely sure how the thing worked, but what she did know was that, that noise was the sound of her desire coming true. In minutes she would have the perfect cup of coffee that would assist her in the long night ahead. Maybe, just maybe, if she pushed another hour, she could still make it. She would just be late.
Cinderella was late, and look what happened to her! She got her man and a kingdom to go with it.
Taking her freshly brewed coffee, N tottered back off to her office, to tackle the nightmare that was the damned brief.
****
Music and chatter blurred in the background, the venue alight with energy, coming from its inhabitants. All dressed in their finest gowns, the men and women enjoyed food, passed around on trays by well trained waiters and waitresses, and champagne that flowed endlessly. Anxiously, one guest checked his watch yet again, perhaps for the third of fourth time in that same ten minutes. His conversation partner began to believe he was boring the gentleman, since it was the second time he had caught him glancing down at his wrist.
It was already half the hour to nine, and Richard was beginning to wonder where she was. If he had his phone, as he stupidly decided to leave it at home, he would have called her. It was not like her to be late, not even by a minute or two. N was a woman that admired punctuality, in her clients, but most all in herself. So, to be over an hour late, was very out of character for her. It made him worry. He was not able to find out if she was okay. Heaven knows what could have happened from her home to the venue. For all he knew she had been in an accident. Suddenly on high alert, he felt he had to get to hers and quickly.
“Yet, why he decided to take the film in that direction is beyond me!” The gentleman continued warbling, even though Richard had not heard a word that he was saying.
Politely interrupting, he told the kind man that he had to go. The gentleman looked a little aghast, that he should be interrupted midway through his annual rant on the direction of his most favourite Shakespeare play. Usually, Richard was one for joining in on such a conversation, an admirer of Shakespeare’s works, but instead he found the urge to leave, much stronger than his want for arguing Macbeth.
Excusing himself once more, he quickly turned on his heal and darted for the exit. Looking, frantically, left to right, he then hailed one of the cabs that pulled up on the drive. Jumping in to the vehicle, he instructed the driver to take him to where she lived, his fingers tapping nervously on his knee. As quick as he had given the address, the driver had begun his journey with haste, taking him to where he needed to be. Luckily, the sudden downpour took his mind off of the worst, the rain drops racing down the window offering him a welcomed distraction.
****
Bang, Bang, BANG!
The noise shook N from her zombie-like state. Her heart stopping, for a second. Hand on her chest, she took a deep breath to get over the initial shock. Who on earth is causing that incessant banging?!
Pushing her chair away from the desk, she got up and cautiously made her way down the stairs and to the front door. She was sure that if the person banged any harder, her door was going to come away from the frame. The door itself was shaking with the ferocity of the knocking, coming from the other side.
“Alright, alright! Sheesh!” She exclaimed, hurrying to take the chain off of the door. Who ever was on the other side had better be prepared for a good knock to the head, for frightening her and for being so noisily insistent. Twisting the brass lock, she pulled open the door, ready to have a go at the other person.
It wasn’t until she had clocked who the annoying knocker was, her anger dissipated, being replaced with confusion and concern. The rain hammered down, leaving a rather drenched man standing on her doorstep, looking rather unamused.
After noticing that she was indeed okay, the lines of worry had fallen from his face, only to be replaced with slight annoyance.
“What the hell happened? You had me worried!” The rich baritones scolded her.
“Did you not get my message?” She offered in reply, wondering why he was so angry.
“No, I didn’t. I left my phone at home!”
“Then how was I-“ She then realised he was still standing in the rain. “Oh, for Christ’s sake Richard, come in before you end up swimming with the fishes!” She pulled the soaking wet gentleman inside, slamming the door shut behind him. Making sure to slip the chain on and twisting the lock, she then turned to her friend.
He stood there, his suit becoming heavier by the minute as it absorbed more and more water. His hair, soaked, caused water to drip in to his eyes and down his face. His shirt, once crisp and white, was now practically see through. The bow-tie, that may have stood proud before the shower, drooped, hanging sadly around his neck. N bit back a giggle, feeling for the poor soul. He then shivered, the cold finally getting to him.
“Come with me, we’ll get you dry and warm.” She motioned with the nod of her head, in the direction towards the stairs.
****
She didn’t have much, in terms of clothing, that he could wear. She was rather small, compared to his towering frame. She managed to find an oversized t-shirt and a pair sweatpants that she had, hiding in the back of her cupboard. There was no shame in it. Whenever N sought comfort, she would always sift through the men’s section for clothes, finding they fit much better. For women it was either, tight or bared a lot of flesh. Oh no, N was a woman of comfort. She spent most of her working day, trapped in a suit of some sort, and heels. All she wanted to do when she got home, was to throw of the restricting outfit and pull on something baggy and warm.
Whilst Richard showered, she placed the clothing just outside the door, resting on top of the wash basket. Socks, sweatpants and a t-shirt.
Looking at her watch, she sighed a deep sigh, running her fingers through her thick locks. As much as she didn’t want to, she had to get back to her work. In all honesty, she was beginning to feel the sting of exhaustion, mostly from staring at a screen for too long, making her eyes a little sensitive.
Plonking back down before her computer, she took off her glasses and sleepily rubbed her eyes. It was probably the worst thing she could do. Once her eyes felt the weight of her glasses come away, she felt like she could easily close them. Folding her arms in front of her, on the desk, she nestled her head on them. The sound of the rain on her window, paired with the dim light of her desk lamp, helped N to drift off to sleep, ignoring the glare of her computer.
****
Drying off his hair with the towel, Richard felt better. He had found the clothes that N had laid out for him. He couldn’t help but chuckle. He had never before met someone so openly comfortable with shopping in the men’s department. Not that he had any issue with it, each to their own. Plus, it was all fabric at the end of the day. He just admired the way she put her own comfort over the need to be fashionable.
He placed his towel in the wash basket and made sure the bathroom was clean, before witching off the light and closing the door. He looked over the bannister of the stairs that allowed him to see the lower ground of her home. He checked for any signs of her pottering around, downstairs. Instead, he was met with darkness. He deduced that she had perhaps gone to bed. It was late after all.
Making his way to her spare room, he passed her office, noticing the dim glow, seeping through the gap in the door. Surely, she’s not still working?! He thought to himself, with a disapproving shake of his head. He knocked on the door, awaiting her to invite him in.
Nothing.
He gently pushed at the door.
“N, don’t you think you should –“ He stopped when he noticed she was in fact, fast asleep at her desk. She looked rather uncomfortable, the way her body was all twisted. She must have been tired, to fall asleep so quickly and in such an uncomfortable place.
Richard looked at the screen, baffled at the endless word count, that made no sense to him at all. Carefully reaching over N, he made sure the work was saved, closing down her computer afterwards. He stilled when he felt her move, a soft moan escaping her lips.
Moving aside all of her stuff, he then looked all about her, figuring out the best way to pick her up. A plan in mind, he gently pulled out her chair and then bent low to place his arm under the bend of her knee. Wrapping another arm around her, he manoeuvred her so that he was sure she would be safe in his grasp. With a mental count to three, he lifted her from the chair and in to his arms. A little clumsy, he stumbled backwards, but was careful to not cause her any harm.
N must have been exhausted as she barely stirred. Her head resting on his shoulder he stole the chance to look at her face.
He believed that people looked their most innocent when asleep. All the worries and stress of life erased, only to be replaced with pure bliss and peace. N was no different. Her long eyelashes rested upon her cheeks, the curls of her hair, framing her face beautifully. He just wanted to reach down and place a chaste kiss upon her forehead, but he felt it was not fair to do such a thing without her permission. She wasn’t yet aware of how he felt about her. He wasn’t sure if she would ever know, as he had the habit of loving from afar. His own fear of his heart being broken, keeping him at a distance.
Gently hitching her up, in his arms, he carefully moved from her office to her room. Laying her down on the bed, he made sure she was covered and as comfortable as he possibly could make her. It was then she stirred, her eyes opening slowly. She looked around and noticed that she was no longer at her desk.
“H-How?” She spoke, her voice laced with sleep.
“I thought you’d be more comfortable here.” His smooth voice was like velvet, sure to make her fall asleep again.
N rubbed her eyes and then it hit her. The brief! Eyes wide she made a move to get out of bed, only she was stopped by a strong hand, pushing her back down.
“But, Richard…” She started, with no chance to finish before he interrupted.
“I think you’ve done enough tonight, N.” He saw the worry line her soft features. He then reassured her. “Don’t worry. Everything is saved and shut down. You need to rest otherwise you’ll burn out.”
“I know. Sorry.” She nodded, she couldn’t argue with him. He was right. She had done far too much in one night. She was ever so tired. “Thank you.” She offered him a sleepy smile.
“Anytime, now get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.” He gave her a smile in return, making sure the blankets were pulled up properly.
N then placed her hand over his, stopping them both momentarily. He looked a little confused, hoping he had not done something to offend her.
“Stay in here, with me?” She wasn’t sure where it was coming from, but what she did know was that she wanted him by her side. It had been such a long night, and after causing him so much trouble, she just wanted to stay warm and comfortable with him, in bed.
He wasn’t quite sure how to take her request, his body frozen to the spot where he was standing, feeling the weight of her hand on his. It was only moments ago he was wishing he could do just that, laying with her, hopefully with her in his arms, as they slept.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean too…I just.” She stammered, unable to find her words, suddenly feeling embarrassed. “I want you to be warm and also, I don’t want to be alone.” She looked at her blanket, nervously biting at her lower lip.
He said nothing. For a moment he pondered on whether or not it was a good idea. If he lay beside her, he would get a feel of what it would be like to have her in his arms; and he knew the moment he came to be back in his own bed, without her, he’d miss it. Yet, he would be a fool to pass up the chance. Still silent, he moved the covers over to carefully slide in beside her. Already, her bed was warm and the duvet soft and sweet smelling. He could see why she could easily lay in bed all day. It was like a field of pure comfort.
To begin with, Richard wasn’t sure where to put himself. He didn’t want to invade her personal space by laying too close, yet she didn’t seem to mind. As soon as he was covered and laying comfortably, she snuggled close. She fit perfectly in the little nook that his arm created, the one that lay above his head.
“Thank you.” She muttered, her eyes closed once again. He smelt so warm and clean, she couldn’t resist but drifting back in to the land of nod, in his arms.
Whilst it was not said aloud, her actions told him a whole new story. N had opened up to him in a new way, he thought she never would. Not allowing himself to overthink it, he buried himself further in to the mattress, his arm then moving to wrap around her, holding her close. Until the morning, he was going to relish in having her in his arms, sound asleep. When they were both awake, he would then take the chance to tell her about how he felt. Finally.
——————————
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