author's note: she liiiives! i love mark s and just wanna squish his lil cheekies. would consider this a warm up fic, as it's been literal yrs since i've written anything lol. hope i haven't lost too much of my touch. inspired by "vanish into you" by lady gaga. enjoy <3
word count: 2,668
The plain white walls of the severed floor are all you’ve ever known, and honestly, you never gave much thought about what was beyond them.
It isn’t quite zero thought, because Irving had you beat in that regard. Anytime Dylan brought it up (Do you ever think about what’s out there?), and he was guaranteed to do so at least once a quarter, Irving was always the first to respond–no hesitation, eyes never leaving the screen, and it left little room for doubt that he could be lying (Not at all. Pointless speculation). You always take him at his word, but Dylan, always inquisitive and skeptical, isn’t so easily convinced.
The brief back and forth that inevitably followed about if he really means that and how yes, he really does mean that serves as background noise as you refine, a small smile on your face at their banter which drops when a feeling of dread settles in your chest at a particular set of numbers. But then you move them into a bucket and the dread dissipates and the percentage of completion in the top left moves from 54 to 55 and Dylan has changed the subject to which of the four of you might get the waffle party this quarter. The routine is comfortable in its familiarity. Why, therefore, would you possibly want to disrupt it? People like patterns, and you like this one well enough.
But it is true, you’d given it a little thought. You suppose it would’ve also remained at zero if not for the congratulatory animation that played when you completed a file. Your first one, from two quarters ago, had a pixel version of Kier Eagan in a forest, emerging from the thicket onto a cliff overlooking a waterfall and against the backdrop of a beautifully blue sky. Colorful flowers bloomed at his feet and he commended your hard work and dedication and your fellow refiners were all around you because the accompanying tune had grabbed their attention, and they were proud.
“Great job!”
A gentle hand set itself on your shoulder and you looked up to see Mark with a bright smile on his face as he watched the screen. He was so close you could smell his aftershave–musky, invigorating, what you think you’d smell if that was you in the forest among those towering trees.
“Thanks.”
At your simple response, Mark’s gaze slid down to you and he squeezed your shoulder. It’s the first time you had ever wondered what could be up there–on the ground floor, and farther still, past the edges of the Lumon office.
But you didn't linger on it long. There was work to be done, data that needed to be refined, and as the cartoon Kier Eagan had said, you were nothing if not a dedicated employee. And close on the heels of this recollection was another, of your boss this time, sitting back in his chair and wagging his pen at you when you questioned what exactly MDR was working on. Remember: the work is mysterious and important!
That had been when you were new, and he was so eager to show you the ropes. The memory makes you smile again as you grab your mug of coffee and take your first sip of the morning. It’s stronger than normal, and you grimace. Because the screens between the desks are lowered, Mark notices, and he leans over to speak to you quietly, an undercurrent to the conversation Dylan and Irving are still having (you hear mention of finger traps).
“I accidentally brewed it a little stronger today, sorry,” Mark says sheepishly.
Your smile returns. “Don’t worry about it.” A bitter aftertaste sits on your tongue, difficult to ignore, and maybe you should get a cup of water to keep next to your coffee. But then Mark smiles back, and suddenly the acidity is less intense. All you sense now is the heat in your stomach–the coffee settling, perhaps, or something else.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
You don’t know for certain what’s “out there,” but it must be somewhere warmer, surely.
You’re wearing a long sleeve button-up but it’s still not enough. You wonder if the weather outside has been more agreeable, because you arrived without a blazer. You wish your outie had considered bringing one along anyway. The air conditioning always seemed to be running on high, and Mr. Milchick made sure to keep the temperature at 70 degrees, no higher, no lower. You surmise the thermostat is broken, because you’re practically turning into an icicle.
With eyes focused on the computer screen and the numbers you’d selected moving into their assigned bucket, you rub your hand along the opposite arm, trying to generate some warmth. Once the bucket closes, you lay your hand back down on the trackball to continue searching for the next set, but as you do, a heavy weight comes to rest around your shoulders.
You freeze (no pun intended), and when the surprise fades, you reach up. The fabric of the suit jacket is heavy, thick, quick to assuage the shivering you could do precious little to hide (to your embarrassment, for your coworkers never seemed to feel as cold as you did, if ever). But there’s extra heat emanating from the satin lining, a sign that someone had just been wearing it.
“Hope that helps.”
You turn to see Mark, suit jacket-less, with his hands on his hips and a sympathetic grin on his face. There had been a slight upturn at the end of the statement, like he was asking a question.
It’s so easy for you to smile back, and it’s no wonder he’s the boss, you think. Instinctively, your grip tightens on the jacket to bring it more snugly around yourself, and you nod. “It helps a lot. Thank you.”
Mark nods once, a silent You’re welcome, and walks the last few steps to his desk; he’d been walking back from the kitchenette before he paused at your station. The screens are up today, so when he sits, he disappears from sight.
You can smell the detergent he (well, his outie) uses for the laundry, and the numbers you’re making a box around don’t feel very scary anymore as two passing thoughts occur to you–what it might be like to do laundry, and what it might be like to do laundry with Mark.
The next day, you step out of the elevator and deflate slightly when you realize you’re in a short sleeve button-up. Your purposeful steps through the expansive hallways kick up a slight breeze that raises goosebumps along your arms and you consider asking Mr. Milchick if you could have a blanket, but you already get the sense the answer will be a decisive no. That, or it will be yes, on the condition you meet a certain percentage of completion on your file. It wouldn’t be Lumon without management incentivizing its employees in some way or another.
The staggered schedules of those on the severed floor mean you’re the last to arrive at the MDR department, and you mutter a quiet good morning to the others as you take your seat and boot up your computer. Dylan and Irving respond in kind rather absentmindedly, clearly absorbed in their work. Last you checked, they’d both been pretty close to 75 percent completion. They had incredibly good pacing this quarter, and you know an MDE is coming soon, though who would get it first, you couldn’t say.
It’s Mark who responds with a bright Good morning! in typical department head fashion: enthusiastic, and somehow always able to meet the day with a burst of energy. You guess it’s because there’s only four of you, so he takes it upon himself to make it a little livelier–or at the very least, to bridge the gap when the rest of you are quieter than usual.
In any case, the effort never goes unnoticed by you. You smile even though he can’t see it because of the divider, and it remains as you type in the name of your file, keyboard clacking quietly.
It takes nearly an hour for you to realize you hadn’t shivered once. You stop scrolling, brows furrowing. You twist around to look at the thermostat on the back wall, but you don’t know why because it’s not as if you can see the temperature readout from this distance (your vision isn’t great, and if you were allowed to communicate with your outie, you would tell her just a couple of things: bring a jacket, and get your eyes checked).
“Is it a bit… warmer than usual?” you ask your coworkers, wanting to see if it was just your imagination.
The sound of a screen sliding down prompts you to turn back around. Mark confirms that yes, it is warmer. I went to see Mr. Milchick yesterday before leaving for the day, he explains. It took a bit of convincing, but once I let him know it was hindering productivity, he agreed to let us increase the temperature a maximum of five degrees!
You’re at a loss for words at the thoughtfulness, and Mark smiles, albeit awkwardly, due to the blank look on your face. “So hopefully you can work comfortably now.”
You blink and feel your cheeks heat up and you’re embarrassed to have been staring like a deer in headlights. “U-Um…” you stammer, momentarily averting your gaze. But then you meet his again as you give as earnest of a Thank you as you can manage, the corner of your lips turned up in a shy smile of your own.
The awkwardness vanishes, and Mark relaxes. “You’re very welcome.” When he returns to his work, he leaves the screen where it is, and you make no move to raise it either.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
“Guys, I’m at 70%! That MDE is upon us.”
At Dylan’s announcement, you chuckle and remark Can’t wait! Irving says he’s nearly there too, and muses that they might reach 75 percent at the same time.
“How would that work?” Dylan wonders aloud. “A double MDE…”
You push yourself slightly away from the desk so you can stand and stretch: arms high overhead, as far as you can go, and you sigh at the relief in your spine. You bend to the left, then to the right, then come back to center and drop your arms. It’s the middle of the day and you’ve yet to have your coffee; you’d been so absorbed in your file today, getting to work the instant you sat down, and it simply didn’t cross your mind to step away briefly to pour yourself a cup.
As you walk to the kitchenette, you roll your shoulders a couple of times. When you’re really busy, you fail to maintain proper posture, and you mentally scold yourself for not being more mindful. It’s good you decided to take a break when you did.
You see Mark at the vending machine, observing his snack fall from its tray and down into the delivery bin.
“What’d you pick?” you ask.
Mark bends down to grab the cardboard package and then turns to you. “Blueberries!”
You grin. “Good choice.”
Rather than leave right away, Mark lingers, opting to lean against the counter near where you’re preparing your cup of coffee. In your peripheral, you can see him watching as you grab what you need: three tubs of creamer, two packets of sugar. Slightly flustered to be scrutinized so closely, you speculate if he might be memorizing it.
He asks how you’re doing with your file and you shrug and share that it’s going okay. This one is a little trickier than usual. Sometimes I think I’m moving too slow, but I think it’s Dylan and Irving that move too fast! The comment makes him laugh and you like the way it sounds.
“Don’t sell yourself short,” he encourages. “You’re a great refiner too.”
You detect he’s completely genuine and give a bashful thank you. But you don’t look up at him when you do, opting to keep your attention on your coffee as you stir it because you think if you did, you’d only grow more nervous. And at this distance, he would definitely be able to hear the way your breath catches.
You take a sip and your eyes light up. It tastes great today, not too weak nor too strong, and you tell Mark as much. He beams.
“Tried my best to make sure you had the perfect cup.” His smile is fonder than usual when he says this and his voice soft, and you’re thinking about it again–the world beyond these walls.
You’re still holding your mug up to your mouth and you take another small sip, mostly to hide the blush quickly spreading across your cheeks. The small tendrils of steam are hot against the sensitive skin, and you don’t notice Mark’s moved a little closer until you turn to him. You have to tilt your head back to meet his eyes and at this distance his scent is strong–a light spice, sweet and pleasant to draw in, and somehow intimate.
Your breath catches. The corner of his mouth twitches because he hears it. But you don’t want him to step back. Almost imperceptibly you take a half step forward instead, and you wonder if you moved even closer to each other if you might meld into one.
Maybe in another life you’re both at home and he’s brewed the perfect pot of coffee. Maybe the sun is shining, a tranquil morning light coming in through the kitchen window that makes his brown eyes glow like pools of honey. If you try hard enough, you think you can sense the office melting away–these harsh fluorescent lights, these plain white walls, the coldness of it all. Until it’s just you and him, and you imagine him to be someone else to you besides a manager, to be someone more.
He brings his hand up to gently cradle your cheek and you startle slightly, having been so enamored with watching his face. He murmurs an apology and asks if this is okay and all you can muster is a nod. If you could dream, you believe you’d dream of this.
His lips connect with yours in an innocent kiss; it causes a lovely warmth to bloom in your chest. And you’ll never know for sure what’s beyond the severed floor, but you’d like to cling onto the slightest chance that it could be a life with Mark.
You’re the second to last refiner scheduled to leave for the day, with the last, of course, being the department head. It’s Friday and you know for non-severed employees it’s a pretty big deal–the end of the work week, with two wonderful days off ahead. You won’t get to experience that, so instead you look forward to coming back to the office feeling a lot more energized, since your outie will have had more time to rest.
It’s 4:55pm when you shut off the terminal. You stand and push your chair in. Mark is staring at his computer and biting the tip of his pen.
“Good night, Mark.”
He almost seems surprised when you say this, like he hadn’t realized the time. But then he smiles easily, setting his pen down and leaning back, wholly relaxed, comfortable to be in your presence.
“Good night.” He says your name so tenderly your heart clenches, and it overflows with affection.
As morbid as it is, you know your days aren’t guaranteed. You are at the mercy of your outie, and there may be a day you don’t come back because she’s decided to leave Lumon. But you think that if this was the last thing you ever saw–Mark lounging in his chair as he bids you good night, gracing you with a smile that makes you wish the two of you were anywhere but here–you could be happy even as you faded away.
“Careful now.” Mr. Milchick cautioned, his left palm just beneath yours as he’d stopped you from nearly dropping the small, neatly wrapped box. He guided your left hand back to a level height, around ninety degrees at angle from elbow to hand. “We wouldn’t want to break that.” His right hand was set atop yours on the top side of the gift box.
“Oh, thank you, Mr. Milchick,” you sighed in relief. “My apologies, my outie overexerted himself this past weekend.”
“Yeah, that’s called sex,” Dylan snarked, pointing to the hard to cover hickeys trailing to the back of your ear. You weren’t exactly eager to promote or detail your outie’s sex-life.
“It’s his outie’s wedding anniversary,” Mark rectified Dylan’s crass statement.
“I’m aware,” Mr. Milchick responded, “Five years, seven months, and twelve weeks.” His left hand softly traced your wedding ring. If you didn't know any better, you'd say his smile took a softer tone; the usual dead joy in his eyes looked almost enamored. “My congratulations to your outie. I imagine the annual exhaustion indicative of a successful and joyous marriage."
Dylan's yearly crude joke on the matter was cut short as Irving placed a hand on his mouth. "I believe so too," you beamed, "alongside the presents, of course." You nodded to the gift in your hands. "Thank you for hand-delivering this year's gift, and last year's, and the year before that. You really don't have to; I'm sure there are better things to do." You glanced down at the gift; his hands had yet to leave yours.
"Nonsense," he assured you, "It's no trouble at all." Mr. Milchick squeezed your hands and, with one final smile, left the space. Irving made a disgusted sound as Dylan licked his palm and darted into the supply closet for a tissue.
Dylan pursed his lips, glancing over at the door; once certain Mr. Milchick wasn't returning soon, he teased, “Get a room next time, will you?”
You rolled your eyes. "It's hardly sexual to talk to a coworker."
"It is when you and Milchick do it," Dylan pulled a face in good jest. "Tell him, Mark!" He attempted to corral Mark to his side, "The eyefucking is abysmally disgusting." He dramatically exclaimed.
"I mean," Mark pursed his lips momentarily, "I don't really see anything of the sort," his words caused disbelief to rise on Dylan's face. "Besides, isn't Milchick married?"
Both Dylan and you turn to each other, then Mark, before shrugging, uncertain as to the answer. "How can you be sure?" Dylan asked.
His question was met with no answer as Irving returned and sternly expressed Mr. Milchick's preference for privacy: "What extracurricular activities Mr. Milchick has have no bearing here; he hardly enjoys sharing facts about himself outside of work, we should respect that." Dylan pouted and directed a not-so-quiet 'party pooper' at Irving; the latter turned to you and smiled earnestly, "Besides, aren't you more excited to find what anniversary present our friend has this year?"
Dylan half-shrugged, and he and Mark turned their attention to the gift box as you tore away the purple wrapping. This year's gift was an appropriately and mildly decorated set of custom sticky notes. "Your outie's husband is quite thoughtful," Irving commented, glancing at the stickers. “He's a lucky man."
The Best of Her Ch. 1 - Helly R/Helena Eagan x f!Reader
Summary: You got dumped for someone that legally didn't even exist. He wasn't even a person, and yet he ended your engagement with your long time girlfriend Helena Eagan. You had so many questions, and only one person could answer them- Helly R.
A/N: This is very much not canon compliant. Please let me know your thoughts and if you'd like for me to continue!
Helena didn’t meet your gaze.
A knot formed inside your throat.
“You want to end our engagement?”
Helena cleared her throat and pointed her gaze above your head. “It’s what’s best (y/n).”
You closed your eyes and tried to still your racing heart.
She had to do this at her office? Of all places…
“Why,” you asked her.
Helena didn’t respond.
You opened your eyes.
She still wasn’t looking at you.
So you stepped forward and grabbed her chin.
“Why,” you reiterated, forcing her gaze to meet yours. “I deserve that much don’t I?”
Helena heaved a large sigh and shut her eyes. “What does it matter?”
Your hand dropped from her face.
“It matters to me.”
Helena groaned but opened her eyes and looked at you. “Fine,” she huffed. She crossed her arms against her chest. “I fraternized with a coworker during a company excursion and realized I want to pursue a different path.”
You furrowed your brows. “What?”
Helena dropped her arms back to her sides. “I had sex with Mark at the ortbo and don’t want to marry you anymore. Are you happy now?”
Your brows remained furrowed. “Who is Mark? What the fuck is an ortbo?”
-
You detested Lumon and the Eagans but you were pathetically in love with Helena. Life was complicated that way.
But an innie dissolving your engagement because Helena had become psychosexually obsessed with him was not something you could wrap your mind around.
Mark S, Mark Scout, who the hell was he anyways?
The more Helena explained, all while avoiding your gaze once again, the more confused you became.
You sank into a nearby chair.
“Did your father ask you to do this?” You asked, trying desperately to find reason where there was none.
Helena had come out to not only her family, but to the world, for you. She loved showing you off during Lumon corporate parties to the chagrin of her father and the board. Helena had overcome the impossible, all to be with you.
She had called you her truest love.
You couldn’t believe it had all fallen apart because some rebellious innie had enthralled her.
Helena sat down across from you and placed a hand on your knee. “No, this is all me. I didn’t want to keep lying to you.”
“So it was all a lie?,” you asked through choked sobs.
Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes but you would not cry in front of Helena.
“Not all of it,” Helena replied solemnly.
You stood and walked towards the door of her office. You stopped just before turning the doorknob.
You wanted to say something, anything, that would hurt her. It wasn’t fair you were the only one hurting.
But no venomous words formed in your mind.
So you turned the doorknob and walked out.
You weren’t going to stop until you were in your car.
You were going to dramatically march out of Lumon, get in your car, and drive until you forgot all about Helena Eagan and her stupid culty family.
But as you walked out of the elevator a ridiculous, and dangerous, idea came to you.
Helena had easily thrown away a four year relationship, and four month engagement for some innie.
It didn’t make sense.
But maybe if you spoke to the innie, or maybe Helena’s innie, then it would make sense.
A stupid idea.
But you had just been dumped in the most impersonal way ever.
You were in a stupid idea state of mind.
So you walked out of the elevators and slowly made your way towards the bathrooms on the first floor. They were near the emergency staircase and anyone who was watching you wouldn’t wait for you to come out of the bathrooms.
You entered the women’s restroom and walked into a stall.
Then the full weight of your newly hatched plan came crashing down on you.
Even if you were able to get into that stairwell there was no way to know the door on the severed floor would even open from the outside.
Your brief time in Lumon corporate gave you knowledge of the layout of the headquarters but you never reached clearance for anything relating to the severed floor.
You only had a vague idea of what floor it would even be on.
And what if you got caught?
Would they arrest you for trespassing?
Your stupid idea grew more stupid by the minute.
A notification from your phone drew you out of your frenzied thoughts.
You pulled it out of your pocket and looked at the notification.
It was the alert you put in weeks ago to remind you to make the reservation at Helena’s favorite restaurant for your anniversary.
The restaurant was always booked weeks in advance.
Your stomach sank.
The tears rolled down the sides of your face before you even realized you were crying.
You shoved your phone back into your pocket and wiped the tears with the sleeve of your coat.
So what if they arrested you?
It’s not like they would actually pursue charges.
You had brought the Eagan’s a modicum of public goodwill when your engagement was announced, they wouldn’t be so quick to tarnish it by trying to jail you.
Or maybe they would.
They were Eagans after all.
Screw it.
You had to know who this Mark was and what made him so much better than you.
So you walked out of the stall and fixed yourself up in the mirror.
Then you peered out of the bathroom door and looked around.
You couldn’t see anyone watching you.
So you casually walked out and towards the emergency stairs. Once inside the stairwell you looked to the emergency route map and decided to go down until there was no down left.
-
You looked into the small windows on every exit door. Most looked like the ones you knew existed, with the same color schemes.
Several floors later you came upon an exit door that was different. You looked through the window and noticed how eerily white everything was, and how desolate.
This had to be it.
You pulled on the door, it was locked.
That’s when you noticed the keycard scanner next to the door.
You sighed aloud.
You had lost count of how many flights you had walked down so the very thought of having to walk all the way back up was dreadful.
Then you remembered the keycard Helena had made for you. It was an exact copy of her keycard.
She had made it for you to visit her as often as you wanted at Lumon.
You shoved your hands in every pocket you had on your body. You had just used it to get up to Helena’s office floor.
After a few seconds you found it and pulled it out.
You took a deep breath as you brought the keycard up against the scanner.
Hopefully Helena had not deactivated it yet.
A wave of relief washed over you as you saw the light on the scanner turn green.
The door unlocked with a soft click.
You reached for the door but stopped yourself.
Lumon had to have cameras everywhere on the severed floor. How on Earth were you supposed to get past them?
You opened the door and scanned for any cameras from outside the threshold.
You could not spot any so you walked inside.
A shiver ran down your spine.
You didn’t know very much about the severed floor.
You knew the rumors of course, but you knew that most of them were bs.
Still, you were probably one of few unsevered people to ever enter the severed floor.
You knew Lumon would find out you were on the floor eventually so you figured it would be best to just find Helena’s innie as fast as you could and speak to her before you were dragged out by security.
So you started down the hall at a brisk pace.
There seemed to be an endless amount of turns that led to more white hallways.
You were certainly lost.
And Lumon security surely knew you were on the severed floor by now.
You bit your lip.
Would this all be for nothing?
Slight chatter to the left of you pulled you out of your thoughts. You followed it then stopped when you saw a pair of men in suits in the hall in front of you.
One had brown hair and the other was a shorter man with black hair.
You waited until they turned the corner to follow.
No guarantee they would lead you to Helena but finding her on your own was also a longshot.
You followed them down more hallways until they turned into a large room. You followed behind and peered into the room.
It was an office, bright green carpet, and four workstations.
Then you saw her.
Well, you saw her hair.
It was Helena.
Er- her innie.
You had to find a way to get her alone. The two men joked with her as they sat down.
Hearing Helena’s laugh caused a knot to form in your throat. It was bittersweet.
As you waited for a plan to form in your mind you turned to look at the two men you had followed.
One of them had to be Mark, right?
Helena called him her coworker, so he had to be someone she saw every day.
And from the look of the many empty offices you had walked past to get to the MDR office it seemed like these two men were the only people Helena’s innie worked with.
The one with black hair made Helena laugh, but he was not Helena’s type.
But maybe you never really knew her type.
Your eyes switched towards the other man, the one with brown hair.
He was plain looking.
There was no way Helena would leave you for someone so bland.
Maybe Mark was the black haired man after all.
Then you heard Helena- her innie- call the brown haired man by his name.
“Mark,” Helena’s innie called as the brown haired man walked towards the other side of the room.
Helena’s innie stood and followed him.
The black haired man followed soon after.
You had no time to digest the truth of what Mark looked like.
You hurried into the room and looked around.
To the right, where Helena had followed Mark, was a breakroom. You could hear their chatter from where you stood.
Next to the breakroom was another door, with a sign that said bathroom.
So you hurried through that door as the sound of the innies got closer.
You rushed into the stall at the end of the row.
Your heartbeat rang in your ears.
You couldn’t believe you were not only on the severed floor but you were actually so close to Helena’s innie.
You closed your eyes and tried to recall what her name was. Helena had told you- once, after you had pestered her about it.
“Helly wait,” a man’s voice called out as the bathroom door swung open.
“I just need a minute, Mark,” a familiar voice replied.
Helly! Helena had named her innie the cute nickname you used to call her when you first started dating.
The bathroom door closed.
You peered through the crack between the stall doors.
Helena- Helly, turned the sink faucet on and brought her face next to the cool water.
This was it.
Your chance to get the truth.
But your anger had lulled and now your nerves were in full swing.
What if she hated you?
You quietly stepped away from the edge of the stall.
Well- you thought you stepped away quietly.
Helly whirled towards the stalls.
“Who’s there?” She called out.
You held your breath.
This was a bad idea. It was clear to you now.
Helly pushed the stall door closest to her (and farthest to you) open.
She continued down the line, getting closer and closer to the stall you were hiding in.
You had a choice to make.
Impulsively, as this whole plan of yours was, you stepped out of the stall then stopped short when you realized you were face to face with Helly.
“Who the fuck are you?” Helly asked incredulously.
You responded without thinking.
“I’m your fiance- well, I was your fiance.”
Helly’s brows knit together. “Fiance? I don’t even know- wait but you’re…”
“A woman,” you finished.
“Yeah.” Helly nodded slowly.
You cleared your throat and stepped towards the sink. Then you turned back to face Helly.
Now with some distance between you, you could think clearly.
“I am your outie’s fiancé,” you explained.
“Helena?” Helly asked.
You nodded.
Helly looked away from you. She cleared her throat before speaking again. “Does that mean I….I like women?”
“And men, unfortunately,” you replied with a small smile.
Helena had always explained her sexuality as being enthusiastically attracted to you and tragically attracted to men.
Helly cracked a small smile before walking back to the sink and leaning against it.
She wasn’t too far from you but there was enough distance that your brain didn’t short circuit again.
Helly remained quiet.
You bit your lip. You really had not thought this through..
Helly turned her head towards you.
“What are you doing down here?”
“It’s stupid,” you confessed, because the stupidity of your “plan” was self-evident now.
“Okay,” Helly replied, and let the quiet hang between the two of you once again.
You sighed. “It’s really stupid,¨you reiterated.
Helly looked at you and shrugged. “Even if it is, you’re down here now. Might as well follow through.”
“Right…,” you swallowed hard then looked down at your hands. “I wanted to ask you about Mark.”
“Mark?¨
You nodded. “Yeah,” you lifted your gaze back up to Helly. “What’s his deal?”
Helly knit her brows together. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
You crossed your arms against your chest. “He’s your type when it comes to guys, and he is so plain looking,” you rambled.
You knew you were being petty and superficial, but you really struggled to see what about that man drew Helena in.
Helly closed her eyes and scrunched her face. “I don’t- I don’t understand. Why do you want to know about Mark?”
You let your hands fall back to your sides. “Right. You- Well, Helena just ended our engagement because of him, and I’d like to know what about him was worth throwing our future away.”
Helly’s face softened. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Now it was you who shrugged. “Whatever, I told you I was stupid to come down here.”
Helly’s hand fidgeted against the fabric of her skirt. She wasn’t quite sure what to say.
You met her gaze and realized how futile your journey had been. You shook your head and stepped away from the sinks.
“I should just go before they haul me out of here.”
You turned towards the mirror and fixed your appearance.
Helly watched you, curiously.
Then you turned back towards Helly.
You raked your gaze over her, trying to commit every bit of her to memory. This was your first and last time meeting an innie.
You smiled softly. “It was nice meeting you I guess.”
Helly nodded softly. “Yeah it was…interesting.”
You stepped around Helly as you made your way towards the door.
“Wait.”
Suddenly a hand closed around your wrist.
You turned around.
“I might actually know something. Uhm- do you know about the ORTBO?” Helly asked, still not letting go of your wrist.
Blood raced to your wrist and soon it burned with the rush of Helly’s touch.
You met Helly’s gaze. “Yeah. Helena mentioned an ORTBO but I had no idea what she was talking about. I assumed it was some Lumon bullshit,” you replied, doing your best to keep your voice steady.
Helena had grabbed your wrist a million times. She was into being the dominant one in the bedroom. But this was different.
Helly smiled. “Lumon’s got a lot of that.”
The edge of your mouth quirked upwards, and your heart beat began to race.
“It was a work retreat in the woods, from what the others told me,” Helly continued.
You furrowed your brows. “You weren’t there?”
Helly shook her head softly. “No, Helena was.”
You closed your eyes, suddenly recalling what Helena had said.
“Right, she was the one who had sex with Mark,” you replied.
Helly let go of your wrist. “So you do know what happened?”
You opened your eyes, missing the warmth of Helly’s hand around your wrist.
“Helena told me about it but it was unintelligible to me at the time,” you confessed.
Helly raised her brows in surprise. “She told you the truth?”
You nodded. “Yup, we agreed to be totally honest.”
“Guess there’s more to her than I thought.”
You huffed. “Don’t give her too much credit. Helena’s about as honest as a politician when she wants to be.”
Helly half smiled.
That smile….It looked so much like Helena’s but it felt different.
Helly was Helena but not at the same time.
Your stomach twisted into knots. This was somehow even more painful than Helena dumping you.
You looked away from Helly and cleared your throat.
“I should go before security hauls me away.”
Helly stepped towards you. “Wait,” she said and tentatively reached out to you but stopped halfway.
You met her gaze.
“Will I see you again?” Helly asked, her voice unsure.
You raised your brows. “You want to see me again?”
Helly nodded.
Your heart beat thrummed in your ears once again.
“I don’t know…I’ll try,” you replied, not wanting to promise something you weren’t sure of.
Helly smiled. “Good.”
You returned the smile then turned towards the door.
“I didn’t get your name,” Helly called out.
You turned your head back towards her.
“(y/n), (y/n) Riggs,” you replied.
Helly’s face filled with surprise and confusion.
A knock at the door startled you both.
“Helly, Mark is busting a vein, can you come out here,” a man’s voice called from the other side of the door.
Helly stepped closer, your chests just inches apart. “I’ll be out in a second.”
Footsteps faded and Helly turned back towards you.
“I’ll distract them so you can go without being seen. Do you know your way out,” she asked.
You shook your head. “But I’ll figure it out- or Lumon security will lead me out. No biggie.”
Helly smiled. “I really hope I’ll see you again (y/n).”
“Me too Helly,” you replied.
Then Helly walked out of the bathroom.
You waited a few minutes for the voices in the other room to fade before stepping out of the bathroom.
You hurried across the room and walked out into the maze of hallways.
Several minutes later you came upon the exit. You were surprised Lumon security hadn’t noticed you and came to escort you out.
Maybe they weren’t watching the cameras?
Whatever the reason, you were glad you weren’t caught.
You walked towards the exit already forming a plan on how to come back to see Helly.
(WARNING: THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR BOTH SEASON ONE AND TWO!)
Note: Oops I accidentally posted it before it was finished! Hold on while I finish this thing please!
A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)
Mark is very affectionate! He’ll constantly give you hugs and kisses whenever you want them. You may even consider him to be a bit clingy. Basically, Mark is like a teddy bear in human form. Take him anywhere, hug him anywhere, kiss him anywhere!
B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)
Mark is a very loyal and caring friend. You never need to question whether he will be there for you.
C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)
Mark loves to cuddle. It feels good to know that you can find comfort in his arms. He is available for a cuddle pretty much anytime, too. Day, night, it doesn't matter. You don't even need to talk much. It can just be you and him cuddling in almost complete silence. Mark is usually the one holding you, being eager to please you before himself. He occasionally runs his hands over your arms and kisses your forehead.
D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)
“Settling down” isn’t really a thing for innies. The severed floor is the only place you’ve ever known. However, that doesn’t stop Mark from imagining you and him living in your own home and sleeping in your own bed together. He shares these thoughts with you a lot. He knows it likely won’t happen but he doesn’t care. You mean so much to him. Cooking isn’t really a thing for innies either unless they work as a cook so Mark isn’t much help there, unfortunately. He is a decent cleaner, though, and doesn’t mind taking the task.
I don’t think he’s in any rush to settle down with you. He’s content with you coming to visit him at his place and vice versa. But if you want to really want to settle down, then he’ll consider it. Like I’ve said elsewhere in this post, you have to be patient with Mark. He’s dealing with a lot. I think Mark’s a decent cook and has no problem with cleaning either.
E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)
If Mark ever decided to break up with you, he wouldn’t want to cause you any further stress by shaming or belittling you and therefore would be gentle in his words. He would take you somewhere private and comfortable before telling you why he thinks it would be best if you end your relationship and be friends instead or part ways entirely. It would be evident that this experience is hard on him as well because his voice would be slow and trembling a little. He is an emotional guy, after all.
F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)
Since the loss of his wife is still fairly recent, I think you need to be extra patient with Mark. He likes you but in the state that he is in, he is nowhere near ready to marry someone else. He knows that Gemma would want him to be happy, even if said happiness comes from a new romantic partner, but it would still feel like a betrayal in his mind. Perhaps with time that feeling will go away but again, you need to be patient.
Innies don’t get married. Outties do. You and Mark know this but you both would be lying if you said the thought didn't appeal to you. Even if people in the outside world disagree, you and Mark know that your love is just as valid and beautiful as that felt by outties. Getting married would solidify your commitment to each other. However, I don't think there's a wedding chapel at Lumon so you have to make do lol.
G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)
We all know that Mark is an absolute sweetheart lol. He is incredibly good at making you feel nice and appreciated. If you’re upset or anxious, Mark seems to always know what to say to make you feel better.
H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)
Both Marks love hugs. They help him feel safe and loved. The assurance that you are okay and with him means a lot. Mark likes to hug you as a form of greeting or when you're saying goodbye but he'll hug you whenever you want. Mark's hugs are nice and warm because you're close to each other and Mark is just naturally warm. You can imagine that his hugs are especially amazing at Lumon which can be a bit chilly.
I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)
As I've said, you need to be super patient with Mark. Although it has been years since his wife “died”, his memories of her are no less vivid and his love for her is still very much present so I feel that he would be a bit conflicted about telling you that he loves you in a romantic way. Despite this, he would make sure that you feel appreciated though you likely won’t hear him say “I love you” for a long time.
I don’t think it would take very long at all for Mark to tell you he loves you. I think the uncertainty and fragile existence of innies would make Mark want to let you know how he feels as quickly as possible because neither of you know how long you will be allowed to exist. Also, like I have said, you are Mark’s entire world. You make life worth living. Just being in your presence gives him joy. This feeling could only be described as love so, of course, Mark will say he loves you.
J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)
Mark definitely gets super sassy towards whoever is making him jealous. I also think he would put himself between you and the person and become even more physically affectionate, like holding your hand or resting his arm on your shoulders. He may even be pushed to make a moee obvious gesture like passionately kissing you on the lips, making sure the person can see. If the person really starts overstep their boundaries, Mark won't hesitate to tell them to knock it off. He won't abide by anyone making you uncomfortable.
K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)
Oh, Mark is a very good kisser. His kisses are the kind that make you feel like you’re the only two people in the world. They’re usually not frantic but they can be if you two have spent a considerable amount of time apart (like if you’ve been held prisoner by Lumon for two years). Mark isn’t too big on PDA and prefers to kiss you in private but you give each other short kisses no matter where you are, especially if you’re saying hello or goodbye.
Like oMark, iMark is also an amazing kisser. However, due to Lumon’s policy that forbids romantic relationships between workers, you don’t have the freedom to kiss whenever and wherever you like. It only happens when you two are alone. It’s not ideal but Mark, as always, does his best to make these special and fulfilling for the both of you.
L = Little ones (How are they around children?)
Mark wanted to have a child with Gemma so we can certainly assume that Mark must like children. I think he would be a great dad. Funny, caring, and always ready to give words of encouragement. It's the same with children who are not his as well. His depression means that he doesn't really have the energy to horse around around the house with them though.
Innie Mark is good with kids, too. We saw how nice he was to Ms. Huang
M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)
You never get to experience mornings with Mark until the ORTBO. You probably wake up next to each other after a night of bliss. You discuss all of the firsts you have been having in a short amount of time. The first time being outside. The first time sleeping together. Mark is very happy to be with you, evidenced by the soft smiles he gives you. Neither of you want it to end.
I don’t know why but I have a feeling that Mark is a morning person. He’s always been known to wake up fairly easily in the morning and start his day pretty quickly afterwards. If you’re still asleep by the time he wakes up, he’ll gently kiss you on the forehead before leaving the bed.
N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)
The only night you spent with him was during the ORTBO, unfortunately. Neither of you had even seen the moon prior to that night. Mark would check on you in your tent. You probably say some things to each other before Mark takes the opportunity to kiss you. And then...well, I'm sure you can guess the rest.
Nights with Mark tend to be quiet but very lovely. He strikes me as a person who is happiest at home so if you are the same, you would enjoy just spending time with him, perhaps reading, watching a movie or just simply talking. For Post-Lumon Mark, I think he would like to have someone there with him. Before you, his nights were very lonesome.
O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)
Generally, Mark doesn’t have a problem with revealing things about himself, especially if you have proven to be a sincere and trustworthy person. He's neither fast nor slow with giving information. He'll talk about whatever you happen to ask about while giving a little extra bits here and there.
P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)
It doesn't take a lot to get Mark angry, being an emotional person. You and him may argue, as many couples do, but he would never get violent or cause you to fear him. He can be reasoned with when he is in that state if you are willing to talk it out. I think his anger usually comes out when his loved ones get hurt. I don't he really holds anything back in terms of words. He'll tell you exactly what he's feeling.
Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)
Mark cares a lot about learning things about you and generally remembers things you tell him about yourself. Maybe he’ll make a mistake every now and then (the ant farm, for example) but it’s the thought that counts, as they say.
R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)
It’s hard for Mark to decide but I think it was probably you two spending the night together during the ORTBO. Both of you feel so free in the tent even if you are still under Lumon’s control. It’s like you and Mark alone in the world and Mark loves every minute of it.
It was the first night you stayed the night at his place. Before he was always alone, but with you it feels like he’s starting to feel happy again. It reminds him of nights he spent with Gemma.
S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)
Mark is quick to proect people he loves from physical and emotional threats. He'll even put himself between you and the danger. I think Mark chooses flight over fight and does whatever you can to get out of the situation as safely as possible. If threat is emotional, he might put a hand on your shoulder or in your hand and tell the other person that you don't deserve to be treated that way.
T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)
I think Mark's way of showing his love is simple yet very meaningful. He's not the type to spend a ton of cash on just one date, being a practical and frugal person. Dinner at your favorite restaurant or a walk through the park seems more like his style. If you'd rather stay home, that's completely fine with Mark whom I believe likes being at home. Occasionally he’ll give you gifts that reflect your interests or simply because they reminded him of you.
Oh, dates at Lumon are certainly interesting. You two find a room where you can be together in private and visit it whenever you can. The lunch table at MDR is a good place to check in with each other as well. Most of the time Mark only brings himself to your trysts but maybe he’ll share his food with you sometimes or give you extra tokens or whatever they use for the vending machine to make sure you eat enough throughout the work day. I like to think that Mark is very generous in that way.
U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)
Drinking and staying up late while drinking are his bad habits. You were probably aware of this early on in the relationship since he smells like alcohol quite often. You might understandably voice your concerns about this to Mark directly or maybe Devon and Ricken. He knows you have a point but probably won’t give up his dependency on alcohol easily. I think Mark probably thinks of himself as a “functioning alcoholic” or someone who drinks alcohol to an excess but isn’t a full-blown alcoholic and has some control over how much they drink. So he downplays the problem quite a bit.
Mark doesn’t have many bad habits but I suppose that not fully addressing his emotions when bad things happen can count as one. For example, after his best friend Petey disappeared, he pushed down his feelings and put away the picture of Petey. His attitude towards innie Irving’s death is another example. At times like that, you’ll probably ask him why he feels a certain way but get a vague response or be told to not worry about it, which might frustrate you.
V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)
Before losing Gemma, Mark always put a good amount of effort in his appearance. He’s not exactly a vain man though. His wardrobe is fairly simple and practical, consisting of nice dress shirts, jackets, and pants. He also regularly got his hair cut. As we have seen in the episode Chikai Bardo, he looks incredibly good in all of it. Of course, after Gemma’s passing, Mark started to care less about his appearance due to depression. The only time he dresses up is when he gets ready for work. He still takes care of his general hygiene pretty well but he often smells like alcohol. Regrettably, this continues even after you and him start seeing each other. Mark is aware that
Of course, Mark doesn't dress himself, instead relying on his outtie to do that for him. He cares about complying with the Lumon dress code and expects his outtie to do the same. If he ever came to the severed floor in an outfit that didn’t comply with the dress code, he would be so uncomfortable lol. Fortunately for him, that has never happened. His outfits don’t have a lot of variety but you love the man underneath them so isn’t a big deal. Unlike the fanbase, I don’t think Mark sees anything wrong with his hair since he has very limited knowledge of other hairstyles. Maybe you aren’t too impressed by his hair but at least you can have fun running your fingers through it :)
W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)
Absolutely. The life of an innie can be a lonely one. Mark is lucky to have friends in MDR but once he is deeply in love with you, you become so much more than a friend. You are his everything. You make his life worth living. Cold Harbor will eventually be completed, thus making both of your lives expendable. Even after speaking to his outtie about the possibibility of reintegration, Mark cannot imagine a life without seeing you smile, hearing you laugh or enjoying your company. He would choose hours, minutes, or hell, even seconds with you over a year outside.
Honestly, Mark would feel incomplete both with and without you. Gemma’s death took something from him that can never come back. You bring him happiness but his wife’s passing made him realize how fragile life is and how easily it can stripped away from you. The man he was before his wife’s passing is probably long gone but you assure him that you love him anyway.
X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)
Since he was a history professor, I think Mark definitely likes to read. As a history major, I know that studying history involves a lot of reading. Mark would talk about the books he’s read with you and would love to hear what you have read too. Mark would gladly read to you if you asked.
Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)
Mark really dislikes people who are dishonest or just unkind. He won't even consider being in a relationship with someone llke that, even if they are physically attractive.
Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habits of theirs?)
Mark typically sleeps on his side and has a quiet snore (though he denies it). He doesn't have a lot blankets on his bed as he warms up quite easily. He's not a blanket hog at all and always makes sure you're covered too. I think if you were sleeping on the bed together, he would usually be the big sppon but sometimes maybe you offer to be the big spoon.
The Best of Her Ch. 2 - Helly R/Helena Eagan x f!Reader
Summary: You return to the severed floor, and dodging Lumon's camera and security are the least of your worries.
A/N: Here is part 2! It's Helly's pov. I didn't really proofread so read at your own caution lol. I did have a part 3 in mind so let me know if that's something you would like.
Helly hadn’t stopped thinking about (y/n). She wondered if Helena knew Helly had met (y/n).
Lumon had cameras everywhere, Helena had to have known.
Which would make it impossible for (y/n) to sneak back in.
But (y/n) would find a way.
At least Helly hoped she would.
Helly’s mind was a tornado of thoughts and feelings. Meeting (y/n) felt like….well Helly couldn’t really name the feeling. She had never met this person and yet immediately felt comfortable around her.
Helly didn’t trust easily and yet she didn’t doubt (y/n)’s words.
It bothered her how out of control she felt.
A reminder that she was not in full control of herself.
The more Helly thought of (y/n) the less she understood why Helena would leave (y/n) for Mark.
Sure Helly had feelings for Mark, which were also so new and confusing to her, but anyone with eyes could see (y/n) was something special.
Helly looked at the computer screen. The numbers stared blankly at her.
She sighed.
Helly really wanted to see (y/n) again.
-
After a few days Helly's hope of seeing (y/n) again started to wane, and the thought of never seeing (y/n) again made Helly’s stomach twist into knots.
Helly had thought of so many questions to ask her. Questions about Helena, Lumon, the outside world, and about (y/n) herself.
She wanted to know everything about (y/n).
Now she wasn’t sure she would ever get the chance to.
So Helly turned her focus back onto Mark.
He looked up from his work and at Helly. He smiled.
Helly returned the smile, but hers lacked Mark’s warmth.
She wondered how she could miss someone she had never known.
But her body knew (y/n). Her soul knew (y/n) even if her mind didn’t.
Helly slumped in her desk chair and stared up at the fluorescent lights in the ceiling hoping to rid her mind of images of (y/n).
-
A week later, as Helly rounded the corner towards the break room, she bumped into the very person she’d been hoping to see again.
Helly stepped back, ready to apologize when she looked at who she had bumped into.
It was (y/n).
(y/n) beamed at Helly.
Helly’s heart started to beat faster. Blood rushing to her face at the sight of (y/n) before her.
“I found you,” (y/n) breathed.
A thin sheen of sweat beaded on (y/n)’s forehead. Her breathing evened as she caught her breath.
“How are you here,” Helly asked, still unsure if this was real.
(y/n) pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket and started to dab at her forehead.
“That is a very long story and I don’t think we have the time for it,” (y/n) explained.
Suddenly Helly realized they were in the middle of the hallway. Lumon’s cameras all around them.
“Right, follow me,” Helly said, then led (y/n) through the endless halls.
Helly led (y/n) to an unused office. It was dark and dusty but quiet and private.
Helly stepped aside to let (y/n) in before shutting the door.
“Nice place,” (y/n) joked.
The side of Helly’s mouth curled upwards.
The bright lights from the halls served as soft lighting, letting the pair see just enough of one another.
(y/n) stared expectantly at Helly.
Helly wasn’t sure why.
They stood in silence for a beat.
Then (y/n) cleared her throat and walked towards one of the uncovered desks. She leaned against it.
“So, I’m here,” (y/n) stated.
Helly nodded. “Yes, you are,” she replied nervously.
(y/n) met Helly’s gaze. “Why am I here Helly?”
Helly furrowed her brows. “You’re asking me?”
“You said you wanted to see me again. Here I am,” (y/n) said and leaned back against the desk.
“Right.”
Helly fidgeted with her fingers.
Suddenly all those questions she had for (y/n) disappeared from her mind.
She felt (y/n)’s gaze on her.
It made Helly nervous.
Nervous but excited.
Helly still wasn’t sure how to feel about it.
Lost in her thoughts, Helly didn’t notice (y/n) stand up and walk towards her.
“Do you know why your name is Helly Riggs?”
Helly pulled herself out of her thoughts and realized (y/n) was now in front of her.
(y/n) smelled of vanilla and spice.
Helly liked it.
“I assumed Helly was a nickname for Helena,” Helly replied.
(y/n) smiled.
“It’s my nickname for her,” (y/n) confessed.
Helly furrowed her brows. “Really?”
(y/n) nodded slowly.
Helly wasn’t quite sure how to feel.
“I didn’t think Helena was the sentimental type,” Helly joked.
(y/n)’s smile widened.
Helly realized she wasn’t sure of anything when she was near (y/n).
She kind of liked that.
“And Riggs is your last name,” Helly continued.
(y/n) nodded again.
“Why would she use your last name?”
(y/n) turned and walked back towards the desk.
“She said she wanted to take it on a test run.I doubt she would’ve dropped the Eagan surname if we had gotten married though.”
Helly walked to a desk opposite (y/n)’s and sat down on the table.
She remained quiet.
(y/n) watched Helly.
“It suits you better,” (y/n) said, her eyes never leaving Helly’s face.
Helly’s cheeks warmed. She looked away from (y/n).
There was so much about (y/n) that confused Helly but the one thing she was sure of was that she needed to keep seeing (y/n).
-
And Helly got to keep seeing (y/n).
Every week or so (y/n) would meet Helly in the unused office during Helly’s scheduled lunch period.
It wasn’t much time but Helly savored every second by (y/n)’s side.
(y/n) was warm and bright. She was all laughter and wit.
Every week Helly counted down the days until their next meeting.
She didn’t even care that things between her and Mark had become strained.
She didn’t care about finding Mark’s wife or anything else Lumon related.
All she cared about was walking down the maze of hallways that led to (y/n).
How someone as wonderful as (y/n) fell for someone as dreadful as Helena was a mystery to Helly.
But it was easy to see why Helena fell for (y/n).
She didn’t know it yet but Helly had started to fall in love with (y/n).
-
After a few weeks of secret rendezvous their conversations started to veer from surface level to more intimate questions.
Helly stared down at (y/n)’s fingers as they toyed with Helly’s Lumon lanyard.
It was strange how easy physical touch between them had come.
For (y/n) it seemed mindless, a habit.
For Helly it was a heady rush that felt like rebellion.
“Did you ever wonder about me? About what I was like?” Helly asked, not meeting (y/n)’s gaze.
(y/n)’s hands pulled away from Helly’s lanyard.
She took a deep breath then settled her hands on her lap.
“I did. I wasn’t exactly a fan of the idea of Helena getting severed. I knew it was just to gain favor with her father. When she almost died I begged her not to go back. I didn’t think I could live with the anxiety of it all,” (y/n) answered.
Helly winced at the memory of her attempted suicide.
It seemed cruel now.
Not because she had hurt Helena, but because Helly now realized she indirectly hurt (y/n).
“I’m sorry,” Helly whispered.
(y/n) hooked her finger under Helly’s chin and brought Helly’s gaze to meet hers.
“Don’t be. I didn’t know how bad the innies had it until I did some digging after that happened,” (y/n) said.
Helly’s heart started to race.
(y/n) gazed into Helly’s eyes. (y/n) smiled softly and moved her hand to cup Helly’s cheek.
“You know when I first saw you all I could see was my Helena,” (y/n) confessed.
Helly’s mouth dried, and her throat threatened to close up.
This was a lot more contact than she had become used to with (y/n).
They held hands. They fidgeted with each other’s sweaters or handkerchiefs or lanyard- they did not romantically hold each other’s faces.
“But now,” (y/n) continued and gently ran her thumb across Helly’s cheek.
Helly unconsciously held her breath. She had never experienced such a rush.
Having (y/n) hold her face like that felt like an invitation, but to what Helly didn’t know.
Helly’s eyes fluttered down to (y/n)’s lips.
“Now what,” Helly asked, a slight tremble in her voice.
Helly looked back up at (y/n).
(y/n) had an unrecognizable look in her eyes.
Indecipherable to Helly’s mind but her body knew.
Helly leaned into (y/n)’s touch.
“Oh Helly,” she breathed.
(y/n) sighed wistfully.
Helly closed her eyes and savored the feeling of (y/n)’s touch.
“I don’t understand what’s going on with me (y/n),” Helly revealed.
Suddenly the warmth of (y/n)’s touch disappeared.
Helly opened her eyes and saw (y/n) looking away from her, (y/n)’s hands now firmly laced together.
Helly’s stomach sank.
“Did I- did I do something wrong?”
(y/n) closed her eyes and gently shook her head. “No it’s not- I just…,” (y/n) said then trailed off.
Helly frowned. She had ruined things.
She had said too much.
(y/n) opened her eyes then moved to stand.
Helly watched helplessly.
(y/n) stood and started for the door.
Helly sprung up and followed.
She reached out and grabbed (y/n)’s wrist.
(y/n) stopped but she didn’t turn to look at Helly.
“Tell me what I did wrong…please,” Helly pleaded.
(y/n) let out another sigh.
Then she finally turned her head towards Helly.
“You didn’t do anything wrong Helly. I…I shouldn’t have come down here. I’m sorry.”
Helly furrowed her brows.
“I don’t understand.”
(y/n) pulled her hand free of Helly’s grasp.
“I should go. Bye Helly,” (y/n) said and turned back towards the door.
(y/n) rushed out of the room before Helly could say anything more.
Tears welled in Helly’s eyes so she turned away from the door.
She crossed her arms and hugged herself.
Helly had ruined it all and she had no idea how.
She only hoped (y/n) would return.
-
It was weeks before (y/n) returned. Week after week Helly made her way to the secluded office and waited in vain for (y/n) to arrive.
She hated the fact that she didn’t know how she had upset (y/n).
Helly wracked her mind, played their last conversation over and over in her mind, looking for answers.
But she found none.
Mark invited Helly to spend her lunch period with him. They had barely talked since (y/n) had come into Helly’s life.
Even when Helly wasn’t with (y/n), her mind was occupied with questions for (y/n) which made Helly a pretty poor conversation partner amongst the macrodata team.
Helly planned to accept Mark’s invitation to spend lunch together but something inside her told her to wait for (y/n) one last time.
So when lunch rolled around Helly made her way towards the unused office space.
She swung the door open and to her surprise (y/n) was already there, her back to Helly.
“(y/n),” Helly said, relief washing over her.
(y/n) turned around, and Helly could tell she was just as relieved to see her.
(y/n) smiled sheepishly.
Helly walked in and closed the door behind her.
The two stood next to each other, in awkward silence.
Helly wasn’t sure what to say. Should she apologize? But she didn’t know what she would apologize for.
Finally, (y/n) spoke.
“I owe you an explanation,” she said.
Helly turned her head towards (y/n). She nodded softly for (y/n) to continue.
(y/n) took a deep steadying breath.
“I shouldn’t have run out of here like I did. That was foolish of me.”
(y/n) started to fidget with her fingers.
She did not meet Helly’s gaze.
“Did I do something wrong,” Helly asked.
(y/n) shook her head. “Not at all Helly.”
“Then why didn’t you come back the following week? I spent weeks waiting for you,” Helly replied.
“I’m sorry Helly. I am,” (y/n) repeated.
“If it wasn’t something I did, then what happened?” Helly pressed.
(y/n) nervously toyed with her hair.
She still did not meet Helly’s gaze.
“I came down here the first time because I wanted to know why Helena had chosen Mark over me but then,” (y/n) began then finally looked over at Helly, “I kept coming back because I wanted to know you.”
(y/n) bit her lip.
“Fuck it,” she whispered and shook her head. “The truth is when I first saw you all I could see was Helena but now I realize you are the part of her I fell in love with. My friends always asked me what I could possibly see in Helena, and now I know it was you who I saw and you are who I fell in love with.”
Helly stared at (y/n), speechless.
(y/n)’s shoulders relaxed but she regarded Helly cautiously.
“I don’t know what to say (y/n),” Helly admitted.
“That’s alright. I’m not sure I would know either if I was in your place,” (y/n) replied.
Silence descended between the pair.
Helly had wondered how much of her personality she shared with Helena. How similar she was to her outtie.
Helly hated the idea that she was exactly like Helena.
But she wasn’t sure how to feel about the idea that who she was was visible in Helena.
(y/n) cleared her throat softly.
Helly’s gaze shot back up to (y/n).
“Do you want me to leave?” (y/n) asked nervously.
Helly shook her head.
Through all the confusing thoughts that swirled in her head one thing was clear, she wanted (y/n) here by her side.
“Okay then,” (y/n) said and sat down atop a nearby desk.
Helly mirrored (y/n)’s actions and sat atop an opposing desk.
After a few moments in the quiet darkness Helly’s thoughts settled.
She looked up at (y/n) who was anxiously toying with the hem of her shirt.
“How similar am I to Helena?”
(y/n) met Helly’s gaze. She smiled softly.
“You both have a very strong demeanor but you never bought into the Eagan brainwashing so you are free in ways Helena could never dream of.”
Helly let out a sarcastic huff. “Free is not how I would describe my life.”
(y/n) cringed. “You’re right. I just meant that Helena is constrained by her inferiority complex surrounding her Eagan ancestors and you don’t have to deal with that baggage. That lets you be someone Helena could never dream of.”
Helly considered (y/n)’s words thoughtfully.
(y/n) stood from her seat and crossed the room towards Helly. She leaned against the same desk Helly sat on.
“I’m sorry if I freaked you out. I just couldn’t explain why I ran out of here in a panic without telling you how I feel about you.”
Helly softened. “I’m not freaked out (y/n). This is just so new to me I don’t understand how I feel, like at all,” Helly confessed.
(y/n) eyed Helly wearily. “Do you hate me?”
Helly looked at (y/n) incredulously. “I don’t think I could even if I wanted to…and I definitely don’t want to. I know that much.”
(y/n) smiled. “I’m happy to hear that.”
Helly returned the smile.
The rest of Helly’s lunch period was spent in a comfortable silence. (y/n) sat next to Helly on the desk and after a few minutes she let her head rest on Helly’s shoulder.
Helly breathed a sigh of relief. She had missed the warmth of (y/n) next to her.
-
(y/n) beat Helly to the office every week after that, and even started to sneak in things from the outside world for Helly to try.
First it was cookies (y/n) had baked, then it was (y/n)’s favorite food, and on their three month anniversary (y/n) snuck in a cupcake with a candle.
“Happy three month anniversary Helly,” (y/n) said as she lit the candle.
Helly stared down at the lit candle then back up at (y/n).
“It’s really been three months since we met?”
(y/n) nodded.
They blew out the candle together.
“Did you make a wish?” (y/n) asked.
Helly blinked at her. “A wish?”
(y/n) chuckled. “You can make a wish whenever you blow out a candle,” she explained.
Helly raised her brows. “Did you make a wish?”
(y/n) nodded once more.
“What did you wish for,” Helly wondered.
“Can’t tell you or else it won’t come true.”
Helly furrowed her brows. “That’s weird.”
(y/n) laughed then scooped a bit of frosting up with her finger.
She bopped Helly’s nose and transferred the frosting.
Helly laughed and moved to do the same but (y/n) quickly got away.
After a few minutes of chasing each other the pair split the cupcake and ate contently next to one another.
-
Helly especially loved the day where (y/n) snuck in a music player and brought in her favorite album.
“It’s a classic,” (y/n) explained as the music played.
Helly looked at the album cover. It was a man with a microphone looking down at something off the page.
Jeff Buckley’s Grace, Helly read.
The music was slow but Helly liked it.
(y/n) watched Helly.
Helly looked up at (y/n).
They stared into each other’s eyes as the song continued.
Maybe I'm too young
To keep good love from going wrong
But tonight you're on my mind
So... you'll never know
Helly’s chest tightened.
They hadn’t talked about (y/n)’s confession since that fateful day.
And Helly had had plenty of time to think of her own burgeoning feelings.
Broken down and hungry for your love
With no way to feed it
At first Helly believed her feelings for (y/n) were pure curiosity. (y/n) came from a world Helly could never fully imagine. (y/n) provided so much information Helly had desperately wanted.
So I'll wait for you, love
And I'll burn
Will I ever see your sweet return?
Then Helly considered how miserable the weeks without seeing (y/n) had felt. How every moment Helly was conscious was spent thinking of (y/n).
Oh, will I ever learn?
Oh-oh, lover, you should've come over
'Cause it's not too late
Lastly she found out her friends had their own conflicting, gut wrenching, desires that plagued them. Mark told Helly about his confusing feelings for Miss Casey, who was his outtie’s wife, and Dylan revealed to them that he was given the special perk of seeing his outtie’s wife and speaking with her. Dylan had fallen in love and it was freaking him out.
Helly didn’t reveal the truth of her lunch escapades. She didn’t want to share (y/n) with them.
But hearing their stories did help Helly parse through her own feelings.
And she came to a very overwhelming and scary realization.
My body turns
And yearns for a sleep that won't ever come
It's never over
My kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder
It's never over
All my riches for her smiles
When I've slept so soft against her
“You look lost in thought,” (y/n) whispered.
Helly pulled herself out of her reverie. She blinked then focused her gaze on (y/n).
“Sorry.”
It's never over
All my blood for the sweetness of her laughter
It's never over
She is the tear that hangs inside my soul forever
Oh, but maybe I'm just too young
To keep good love from going wrong
(y/n) smiled. “It’s alright. My favorite part is coming up,” (y/n) revealed.
Helly stared into (y/n)’s eyes, butterflies filling her chest and beating against her ribs.
The realization Helly had come to was that she too was in love.
Helly had never been in love, but the feelings that raged inside her were too strong and overpowering to be anything else.
Oh-oh-oh, lover
You should've come over, yeah, yes
Yes, I feel too young to hold on
Helly’s eyes flickered down to (y/n)’s lips.
She had only kissed one other person. She wasn’t even sure if she was good at it.
And much too old to break free and run
Too deaf, dumb and blind to see the damage I've done
Sweet lover, you should've come over
Mark didn’t know any better but (y/n) surely would.
What if she was bad at it? What if (y/n) stopped loving her because she wasn’t good at it?
Oh, love, well I've waited for you
Lover, lover, lover
Her body took over. Helly leaned in towards (y/n). Her eyes flickered back up to (y/n)’s.
What if (y/n) rejected her?
It was too late to turn back.
Helly’s eyes closed as she closed the gap between herself and (y/n).
She felt the warmth of (y/n)’s breath on her lips.
(y/n) leaned her forehead against Helly’s.
“Are you sure Helly,” (y/n) whispered tenderly.
Helly nodded, not trusting her voice.
Not when all she could think about was (y/n)’s scent of vanilla and spice.
Then she felt (y/n)’s lips against her own.
Lover, love, love, love, love, love, love!
Lover, you should've come over
'Cause it's not too late
Heat washed over Helly’s whole being. It felt like being bathed in fire but not burned.
The music started to fade but Helly could barely hear it over the thrumming of her heart in her ears.
(y/n)’s hand cupped Helly’s face and brought Helly closer against her.
Helly steadied herself with a hand on (y/n)’s thighs.
This was different from the kiss she had shared with Mark.
Her lungs started to burn but Helly didn’t dare pull away.
What surprised Helly was how familiar the kiss felt.
Not because she had kissed before.
But because (y/n)’s lips fit perfect against her own, and her hands knew exactly what to do.
Helly deepened the kiss and hungrily bit (y/n)’s lower lip.
(y/n) let out a soft moan.
A burning desire bloomed between Helly’s legs.
Helly froze.
That was new.
(y/n) pulled away, and fought to steady her breath. “Are you okay?”
Helly felt her face go hot. She looked away from (y/n) and nodded.
(y/n) smiled. “Are you sure?”
Helly sat back down beside (y/n).
The heat between her legs started to pulse.
(y/n) regarded Helly curiously.
Helly steadied her breathing.
Had she done something wrong?
She closed her eyes.
She knew (y/n) would know.
But it felt embarrassing to ask.
Helly swallowed hard then let out a deep breath.
“Something happened…between my legs, it feels hot and I don’t know what it is.”
(y/n) softened. She suppressed a laugh.
“Helly, I think you’re aroused.”
Helly’s eyes flashed open. She turned to (y/n).
“That’s never happened before.”
(y/n) smirked. “Not for you but your body and I are well acquainted.”
Helly let her head rest against the desk behind her. She let out a laugh.
“So you caused this?”
(y/n) laced her fingers with Helly’s. She brought Helly’s knuckles up to her lips. She kissed them gently.
“If it makes you feel any better, you have the same effect on me.”
Helly met (y/n)’s gaze. She raised a brow.
“I do?”
(y/n) nodded.
Helly smirked. “That does make me feel better.”
(y/n) laughed and brought her head against Helly’s chest.
Helly kissed the top of (y/n)’s head and listened to the rest of the album in blissful silence.
Things would soon change but in that moment nothing and no one else existed.
The Best of Her Ch.3- Helly x f!Reader, Helena x f!Reader
Summary: Some things are too good to last forever.
A/N: This is the last chapter for this story. Please let me know what you think! Helly didn't have sex with Mark in this canon just Helena did. Also TW for SI!
The weeks that followed felt like heaven.
On some days thirty minutes felt like thirty seconds, never enough time beside your Helly.
Other days those thirty minutes moved at a snail's pace. Those days were usually the ones where your throat ached from the choked back words you were too scared to say, in fear of scaring Helly off.
They scared you too. Your feelings for Helly had grown so fast in such a short time.
But in some ways you had known Helly for much longer.
The looming threat of Helena catching you also lingered in your mind.
She had to have known by now. You were careful and sneaky but Lumon’s eyes were all seeing.
Every time you pulled into the Lumon parking lot you wondered if you’d be able to see Helly or not.
It felt like you were a mouse being toyed with.
You knew the cat was always around the corner, waiting to pounce.
It worried you that Helena kept letting you see Helly.
But you’d never stop pulling into that parking lot.
As long as there was a chance of seeing her, you’d risk it.
You snuck into the severed floor as you always did and made your way to the empty office. You were a professional at navigating the all white hallways now.
Helly’s lunch period wouldn’t start for another couple of minutes.
You had arrived earlier to set up the office space.
The last time you had seen Helly things between the two of you had started to heat up.
You’d never gone past heavy petting and kissing but it took everything in you not to reach under Helly’s skirt.
You wanted her badly.
And judging by the way she looked at you, she wanted you too.
But you didn’t want to rush her.
And she would always stop when things got too heated.
Which told you she wasn’t ready to go all the way.
But just before you parted ways last week Helly had confessed she felt ready to take the next step with you.
So you showed up early today to make the office a bit more comfortable.
You couldn’t bring in much but you brought in a blanket to lay over the floor and a small vial of tequila to ease the nerves.
Not exactly what you would have hoped for your first time with Helly but given the circumstances of your relationship, it was the best you could do.
Helly arrived just as you finished positioning the chairs and dust covers to provide you and Helly with privacy.
“Hi,” Helly said nervously.
You crawled out of the fort you had built and stood up.
“Hey,” you mirrored.
Helly walked up to you and grabbed your hands.
“I’m really excited (y/n).”
You smiled. “Me too, and a little nervous,” you confessed.
Helly smiled back. She looked down at your hands and laced her fingers with yours.
She gave your hand a gentle squeeze then looked back up at you.
“I’m ready.”
You let go of Helly’s hand and crawled back into the small fort you had constructed.
Helly followed and laid down beside you on the blanket.
You laid on your side, facing her, and propped yourself up with your arm.
Helly mirrored you.
With your free hand you brought out the small vial of tequila.
“Liquid courage,” you told her, then drank a shot of it.
It went down smoothly but the burn lingered.
You handed the vial to Helly.
Helly took it and sniffed it.
“Alcohol?” She asked.
You nodded.
“I’ve never had any,” Helly said then gleefully downed the rest of the tequila.
You giggled at the face she made when the liquor hit her tongue.
Helly swallowed the tequila with a scrunched face.
“That’s disgusting,” she said and handed the empty vial back to you.
You tossed it aside.
“We don’t drink it for the taste.”
Helly chuckled.
You inched closed to Helly and brought her lips against yours.
Helly’s pliant lips opened for you when you deepened the kiss.
You would never tire of her kiss.
But you soon became hungry for more.
The tips of your fingers wandered down Helly’s side until you reached her hips. You pulled her sweater and shirt up until you felt the warmth of Helly’s skin.
When your fingers touched her skin, Helly broke from your lips.
You looked into her eyes. “Is this okay?”
Helly nodded. “Yeah, it’s just…new,” she confessed.
You smiled softly. “Just tell me what feels good, okay?”
Helly furrowed her brows. “Don’t you already know?”
Your smile faded. You gingerly cupped Helly’s cheek.
“I want to know what makes you feel good. I don’t care what felt good to her.”
Helly let out a deep breath and nodded. “Okay.”
You gave her lips a quick peck before looking down at the hem of her shirt poking out from her skirt.
“Lay down,” you told her.
Helly did so.
You got on your knees and pulled the rest of her shirt from her skirt. Then you pulled her sweater over her head.
Helly smiled nervously up at you as you slowly undid the buttons on her shirt.
As you pulled it off of her shoulders you bent down and placed a searing kiss on Helly’s collarbone.
Helly’s head fell back and she let out a pleased hum.
You smiled against her skin and moved your lips to her throat.
Slowly you laid against her, propping yourself up on one arm to make sure your weight wasn’t solely on her.
With your free hand you slid to the zipper on the side of Helly’s skirt. You unzipped the skirt and started to tug it down.
Helly pulled her skirt down in her own hands and kicked off with her feet.
You brought your lips back up to Helly’s.
Your fingers roamed across Helly’s skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
Helly’s hands settled on your cheeks. She brought your lips closer to hers.
Her body felt so familiar but so new.
After a few minutes of heavy petting and kissing your fingers worked their way between Helly’s thighs.
You felt her wetness through her underwear.
You didn’t want to just feel her. You needed to taste her.
So you pulled away from Helly’s lips and kissed your way down to her hips.
Helly’s gaze never left yours.
You pulled her underwear down to her ankles and Helly quickly kicked them off.
You gently spread her legs apart then met her gaze.
“Are you sure?”
Helly nodded. “I want you,” she replied, her voice thick with desire.
You lowered your head between her thighs and felt your own wetness grow with the sounds of Helly’s pleasure.
-
It felt like fireworks. It felt like every cell in her body was alright with electricity. It felt better than anything Helly could have imagined.
And as she opened her eyes to find (y/n) smiling down at her Helly wanted nothing more than to make (y/n) feel the exact same.
Helly pulled (y/n) down and kissed her hard.
Her hunger had only been partially quelled.
When Helly broke the kiss she realized (y/n) was entirely too clothed.
So she started to tear at (y/n)’s shirt.
(y/n) chuckled. “Here I thought you’d want to recoup before we continued.”
Helly smiled up at (y/n). “No way.”
(y/n) sat back on her thighs and undressed.
Helly watched, rapt.
The office was nippy but the cold was neutralized when the warmth of (y/n)’s skin hit Helly’s.
The pair resumed their kiss and Helly dug her fingers into (y/n)’s hair.
Helly’s body moved before her mind told it to. Helly guided (y/n) to her side then onto her back.
Helly straddled (y/n)’s waist.
(y/n) smiled up at her.
Helly raked her eyes over (y/n)’s body, wanting to remember every inch of her.
“You’re breathtaking (y/n),” Helly whispered.
She brought her lips back onto (y/n)’s.
After another searing kiss Helly pulled away.
“What do you want me to do?” She asked.
(y/n) tucked some of Helly’s red hair behind her ear.
“You don’t have to worry about me Helly. We don’t have to rush,” she replied.
Helly frowned. “No, I want to make you feel good too.”
“Okay,” (y/n) said, then she guided one of Helly’s fingers into her mouth.
(y/n) took all of Helly’s finger into her mouth and sucked on it.
Then (y/n) lead Helly’s finger down between her thighs.
“I want you to go slow at first, just like this,” she said.
(y/n)’s finger slid into (y/n)’s sex alongside Helly’s.
Once Helly had found the rhythm (y/n) took her finger out and raised her hips to give Helly better access.
Helly loved seeing (y/n)’s face fill with bliss.
So Helly started to pump faster.
Sounds of pleasure erupted from (y/n)’s lips.
It made the throbbing between Helly’s own thighs ache with swollen desire.
But Helly had to focus on (y/n) for now. It was her turn.
“Faster,” (y/n) begged.
So Helly did so.
Helly felt the muscles inside of (y/n)’s start to tighten.
Like many times before Helly’s body moved with a knowledge her mind did not have.
Helly pulled out of (y/n) and quickly brought her face between (y/n)’s thighs.
“Helly?” (y/n) asked breathlessly.
Helly replaced her finger with her tongue. She was flooded with the taste of (y/n)’s desire.
(y/n)’s eyes closed as Helly’s tongue moved against (y/n)’s sex.
The moans and quick breaths of (y/n)’s pleasure rang in Helly’s ears.
When Helly felt (y/n)’s muscles tighten this time Helly quickened her pace.
(y/n)’s fingers found their way to Helly’s hair and pulled Helly closer towards (y/n).
(y/n)’s hips bucked and her breath hitched.
Helly smiled against (y/n)’s sex as she watched.
(y/n)’s hips fell back against the blanket, and (y/n) tried to catch her breath as she came down from her climax.
Suddenly an image appeared in Helly’s mind’s eye.
It was an image of Helly and (y/n), but they weren’t at Lumon. It was snowing, and soft multicolored lights hung above them.
Helly pulled away from (y/n) and sat up.
The image left her as soon as it had come.
Helly frowned.
That had never happened before.
(y/n)’s eyes fluttered open.
She sat up, concerned. “What’s wrong?”
Helly blinked and turned her gaze back on (y/n).
“Nothing.”
She wasn’t quite sure what had happened.
“Are you okay?” (y/n) continued.
Helly nodded slowly. “I think so….”
Then Helly realized (y/n) might think she had done something wrong. So Helly explained what had happened.
She described the image that popped into her head just as (y/n) climaxed.
(y/n) furrowed her brow. “That’s strange.”
Helly nodded. “Yeah, it’s never happened before. Do you think maybe it’s from a dream I had?” Then Helly corrected herself. “I mean a dream Helena had.”
(y/n) shook her head. “No.”
Then it dawned on (y/n).
“Wait- I think it might have been from our first date.”
Then (y/n) had caught her mistake.
“Er, my first date with Helena,” (y/n) corrected.
“A memory?” Helly wondered aloud.
(y/n) nodded. “It has to be. Helena and I went out around Christmas. There were lights up everywhere downtown and it was snowing.”
Helly frowned. “What does this mean?”
(y/n) shrugged. “I don’t know. Have you heard of other innies having memories from their outie’s life?”
Helly shook her head. “The whole point of severance is that we don’t have memories from each other.”
The two sat beside each other in silence, contemplating the gravity of the moment.
(y/n) wrapped the blanket around them then laced her hands with Helly’s.
“Time’s almost up,” (y/n) said with a sigh.
Helly closed her eyes and let her head rest against (y/n)’s shoulder.
“I want more time,” she confessed.
“Me too,” (y/n) said. Then she let out a small laugh. “Maybe I could get a job on the severed floor. Then we’d have all day together.”
Helly chuckled and looked up at (y/n). “You wouldn’t remember me,” Helly replied, bittersweet.
(y/n) let go of Helly’s hand then turned to face Helly.
“I wouldn’t remember you but my body would. I would feel comfortable around you without any explanation,” (y/n) declared.
Helly smiled softly. “Like I did when I saw you.”
(y/n) nodded. “And I’d get to fall in love with you all over again.”
Love?
“You love me?” Helly asked.
(y/n) cupped Helly’s face in her hands. “Of course. I love you Helly.”
Helly’s smile widened. “I love you too (y/n).”
Then (y/n) brought her lips against Helly’s.
Helly wanted more. More time with (y/n). More life than just the endless white hallways and four walls of the empty offices.
But she knew she could never have more.
-
A few days later, the other shoe finally dropped.
(y/n) pulled into the Lumon parking lot as she always did. She parked and made it through security without issue.
She was stopped as she neared the emergency staircase that led down to the severed floor.
Security informed (y/n) that Ms. Eagan needed to see her.
(y/n) tried to get away by stating she needed to use the restroom but security would not let her.
Instead they led her up to Helena’s office.
Helena poured over various documents as (y/n) was led into her office.
Helena dismissed security then asked (y/n) to sit down.
(y/n) did so, eyeing Helena nervously.
Helena leaned back in her chair and looked (y/n) over from head to toe.
“The severance procedure was studied greatly before its roll out,” she began.
(y/n) shifted nervously in her seat.
“But it was never tested during sex, not the Kier way of doing things I suppose,” Helena joked.
A smirk spread across Helena’s lips.
Blush bloomed over (y/n)’s face.
“So you know,” (y/n) asked rhetorically.
“Of course I know,” Helena replied. “What kind of company would Lumon be if you managed to sneak in undetected for weeks onto our most secure floor?”
(y/n) rolled her eyes. The cat had finally pounced.
“If you knew why did you let me keep going back?”
Helena leaned back in her seat. “Many didn’t want you to, but I knew you would be the ultimate test of the strength of severance.”
“Why me?” (y/n) asked with narrowed eyes.
Helena gave (y/n) a knowing look.
Because she once loved me, (y/n) realized.
(y/n) crossed her arms against her chest and shifted in her seat.
“How long have you known?”
Helena let out a long sigh. “From the very first day. I was called up from the severed floor as soon as you had left.”
(y/n) clenched her jaw.
Helena continued.
“I was going to have security show up at your house to take the keycard back but I couldn’t help my curiosity when she asked to see you again.”
(y/n) fixed a hard stare at Helena.
“She has a name.”
Helena sat up in her seat, incredulous.
“She’s not a person,” Helena countered.
(y/n) clenched her jaw. “That’s not true,” she replied through gritted teeth.
Helena waved (y/n) off dismissively.
“The experiment has gone on long enough. Give me the keycard and Lumon won’t press any trespassing charges.”
(y/n) furrowed her brows. “Are you serious?”
“I think that’s quite generous don’t you?”
Helena laced her hands together in her lap. The very image of nonchalance.
“What about Helly?”
Helena shrugged. “What about her?”
(y/n) sighed. “I didn’t get to say goodbye.”
“You can say goodbye to me,” Helena replied with a small smirk.
(y/n) scoffed and shook her head.
“She’s not a person (y/n). I am,” Helena reiterated, annoyance laced in her voice.
“She’s more of a person than you could ever be Helena,” (y/n) volleyed.
Helena’s mouth fixed into a straight line.
“Fine, if you will not give me the keycard I’ll just have security take it from you.”
Helena reached over to the phone on her desk.
(y/n) stood and put her hands on top of Helena’s. “Wait.”
Helena stared up at (y/n). “What?”
“Please just let me say goodbye,” (y/n) pleaded.
She kept her hand atop Helena’s. Helena always had a hard time saying no to (y/n) when she was distracted by physical touch.
“I’ll say goodbye and never step foot near Lumon ever again,” (y/n) continued.
Helena’s gaze flickered to (y/n)’s lips then back up to (y/n)’s gaze.
“Why should I?”
(y/n) slowly slid her hand underneath Helena’s and laced their fingers together.
It surprised (y/n) that Helena allowed her.
It also made (y/n) feel awful for the manipulation but she had to say goodbye to Helly.
So she continued.
“For the love we once shared. Please Helena,” (y/n) urged.
Helena stared at their intertwined hands a moment before pulling away from (y/n).
She cleared her throat. “What we shared was simply a childish infatuation,” Helena declared.
(y/n) frowned.
“That’s not true Helena. Don’t say that, please,” (y/n) whispered.
Helena softened but remained quiet.
(y/n) closed her eyes and gently shook her head.
“If it was just a childish infatuation then why care that Helly wanted to see me again.”
Helena looked down at the documents in front of her.
“I told you, it was just to test the procedure,” Helena replied, fidgeting with different documents absentmindedly.
(y/n) narrowed her eyes. Helena was avoiding something.
So she pressed further.
“Maybe at first, but you let me go back for months.”
Helena shrugged.
(y/n) looked Helena over.
A light blush creeped onto the apples of her cheeks.
The truth was embarrassing to Helena.
(y/n) just had to figure it out, then she could negotiate a goodbye.
What was embarrassing to Helena Eagan?
Love, (y/n) thought.
But then it dawned on her.
Desire.
Helena would always turn bright red during foreplay when (y/n) made her admit the depths of her desire for (y/n).
A slow smirk spread across (y/n)’s mouth.
“Did you like watching us?”
Helena’s gaze shot up to meet (y/n)’s.
(y/n) continued. “Did it remind you of what it felt like when we were together?”
Helena’s jaw clenched. “Oh please don’t flatter yourself. As if I would care to watch you fawn over a lesser version of myself,” Helena countered, trying her best to sound nonchalant but the growing redness on her face revealed otherwise.
That’s when it clicked for (y/n).
She smiled mischievously. “Helena….are you jealous?”
“That’s preposterous,” Helena replied, her face now beet red.
(y/n) placed her palms on the desk and leaned towards Helena.
Helena swallowed hard as (y/n) neared.
“I don’t think it is,” (y/n) argued.
Another quick flicker to (y/n)’s lips. Helena closed her eyes and shook her head.
Then she stood from her seat and crossed the room towards the door.
“Security will collect the keycard, now leave.”
(y/n) moved quickly and cut off Helena before Helena reached the door. She blocked Helena with her body.
The two were now inches apart. The closest they had been since before their breakup.
(y/n) searched Helena' s face for any indication she would give into her.
But Helena was unreadable.
So (y/n) dropped the bravado and led again with vulnerability.
Helena had once confessed it was one of her favorite qualities in (y/n).
“It’s okay if seeing me with Helly is hard for you. Seeing her was hard for me too, at first.”
Helena's eyes softened.
(y/n) continued. “All I could see was you, and I hated you so much but I still loved you just as much.”
“Do you still love me?” Helena asked, her voice just above a whisper.
The question caught (y/n) off guard.
But she knew the answer.
“I do.”
Helena’s brows lifted. “I…wasn’t expecting that.”
(y/n) sighed. “Helly is a part of you as much as she is her own person Helena. I couldn’t love her without loving you. Severance splits a person’s consciousness not their soul.”
Helena’s jaw clenched once again. She looked away from (y/n).
A silent beat passed.
Then Helena let out a deep sigh.
“She’s taken everything from me.”
“Helly?”
Helena’s gaze drifted back to (y/n). She nodded.
“My father believes he sees Kier in her. Mark prefers her. And now she has you too,” Helena confessed. “I hate her for it.”
Tears started to well in Helena’s eyes.
(y/n) softened.
An errant tear streamed down Helena’s cheek.
Helena began to look away but (y/n) brought Helena’s gaze back to her.
Then (y/n) wiped the stray tear off Helena’s cheek with her thumb.
Helena’s eyes closed, and to (y/n)’s surprise she even leaned into (y/n)’s touch.
(y/n)’s heart started to ache.
“You win,” Helena confessed then walked back to her desk.
(y/n)’s shoulders sagged with relief.
“Really? You’ll let me say goodbye.”
Helena nodded as she sat back down. “Yes. I’ll have them escort you down to the visitation room.”
“Visitation room?” (y/n)’s brow furrowed.
“We set it up for another employee to see his outie’s wife as a perk,” Helena explained. Then she looked back up at (y/n). “Beats seeing her in an empty, dusty, office, don’t you think?”
Then Helena cracked a smile.
(y/n) smiled back. “Yeah, it would.”
The smile left Helena’s face as soon as it had come. She cleared her throat and looked back down at the documents in front of her.
“I start my shift in a few minutes. I’ll have Milchick take her to you.”
(y/n)’s heart soared. “Thank you Helena,” she said then turned towards the door.
(y/n) opened the door to leave but stopped herself. She turned back to Helena.
(y/n) crossed the room to where Helena sat.
Helena looked up, confused.
Then (y/n) bent down and kissed Helena’s cheek.
A light blush crept across Helena’s face.
“What’s that for?”
(y/n) smiled softly. “A proper goodbye.”
Helena returned (y/n)’s rueful smile. “Goodbye (y/n).”
(y/n) turned back towards the door and exited the office.
She walked down to the elevator that led down to the severed floor.
The security guard eyed (y/n) curiously then received a phone call. He answered.
A moment later he passed a security wand over (y/n) and guided her towards the elevator. He selected the right button then exited as the doors began to close.
(y/n) bit her lip.
How the hell was she supposed to say goodbye?
The reality of the situation began to dawn on her.
She would never see Helly again.
(y/n) sighed aloud.
A part of her wanted to make the elevator stop. To delay the inevitable.
But she owed Helly a proper goodbye.
So she would muster the courage.
-
Helly emerged from the elevator and was greeted by Milchick and his thousand watt smile.
“Helly R, please follow me. You’ve been granted a special perk to begin today’s work day.”
Helly furrowed her brow, immediately suspicious. “I have?”
Milchick nodded. “This way,” he said and started down the hall.
Helly followed, a growing unease inside her.
Had they found out about (y/n)?
Were they going to do something nefarious to her as punishment?
Helly briefly contemplated running away, but the pair had arrived.
It was a room Helly had never seen before.
A placard next to the door read Outie Family Visitation Suite.
Helly’s confusion doubled. She already knew who her outie’s family were.
Milchick stopped and turned around to face Helly.
“In you go, Helly R.”
Helly opened her mouth to protest but Milchick opened the door to reveal (y/n) standing in the middle of the room.
Helly ran into the room and wrapped her arms around (y/n).
She barely registered the door close behind her.
“(y/n),” Helly breathed in relief.
(y/n) returned Helly’s embrace.
After a minute in each other’s arms Helly pulled away.
“What are you doing here?” Helly paused, then looked around the room. “Where are we?”
(y/n) held Helly’s hand and led her to sit down next to her on a plush loveseat.
“It’s the visitation room. Where innies can meet with their outie’s family members.”
Helly nodded slowly. “Yeah I got that from the name, but I’ve never heard of this place before.”
“I don’t think many innies get the privilege,” (y/n) replied.
Helly’s gaze landed back onto (y/n). Taking a good look at (y/n) now, Helly realized (y/n)’s were bloodshot.
“You’ve been crying,” Helly declared.
(y/n) smiled sadly and didn’t reply.
Dread crept into Helly’s bones.
“They know?” Helly asked.
(y/n) nodded silently.
“So…is this goodbye?”
The words felt like lead on Helly’s tongue.
“Yes,” (y/n) replied, casting her gaze downwards.
Anger replaced the dread. Helly’s jaw clenched.
“How long have they known?”
“Since the start. Helena let it continue to test the strength of the severance procedure,” (y/n) said.
Helly rose from her seat indignantly. “How dare she?”
(y/n) tugged on Helly’s hand.
Helly sat back down and sighed.
She laced her fingers with (y/n)’s.
“I don’t want to say goodbye.”
(y/n) looked up and met Helly’s gaze.
“I don’t either, but we don’t have a choice.”
Helly’s lip started to quiver. So she bit down to stop it.
(y/n) let go of Helly’s hands and cupped her face instead.
“But at least you know. I didn’t want to leave and have you think it was my choice.”
Helly leaned into (y/n)’s touch.
“I’m surprised she let us have this.”
(y/n) let out a small laugh. “I had to do a bit of convincing but…,” she said then trailed off.
Helly placed a gentle kiss on (y/n)’s palm. “I won’t ever forget you….please don’t forget me either,” Helly whispered.
(y/n) softened. “Oh Helly…”
(y/n) brought her forehead against Helly’s.
“I couldn’t forget you even if I wanted to.”
Helly smiled. “Good.”
Then she closed the gap between them and kissed (y/n).
Helly kissed (y/n) until her lungs burned, and even then she only stopped because (y/n) pulled away.
(y/n) smiled as she tried to catch her breath.
Helly smiled back.
(y/n) reached into her shirt and fished out a small gold locket.
Helly furrowed her brows. “What is that?”
“I wasn’t going to bring this in today but I’m glad I did. I was scared it wouldn’t get through security but thankfully he didn’t look too hard,” (y/n) explained as she undid the locket.
It opened to reveal a picture of (y/n) on one side, and an address on the other.
Helly looked up at (y/n) in confusion.
(y/n) placed it in Helly’s palm.
“Hide it well.”
Helly nodded. “I will.”
Then Helly snaked the locket around her brasier.
Helly looked over at the door.
“How much time do you think we have?”
(y/n) shrugged. “I don’t know, but it won’t feel like enough.”
Helly smiled and brought her gaze back to (y/n).
“I love you (y/n).”
(y/n) grinned. “I love you too Helly.”
Then the pair sat in comfortable silence in each other’s arms.
They wouldn’t have forever, but they had that moment.
Helly closed her eyes and tried to recognize every one of (y/n)’s scents..
Her shampoo, her perfume, the natural scent of her skin.
Helly had to memorize it all.
Then the dreaded moment had come.
Milchick opened the door and walked through.
“I’m afraid family visitation time is over,” he declared.
Helly’s eyes flashed open. She sat up in her seat.
“No,” she cried.
For all his faults Milchick did seem genuinely sorry. He frowned and turned towards (y/n).
“If you’ll follow me, Miss Riggs.”
Helly turned towards (y/n).
(y/n) sighed aloud then stood.
Helly followed.
(y/n) wrapped her arms around Helly and placed a gentle kiss on Helly’s neck.
“I’m forever yours,” (y/n) whispered as she pulled away.
But Helly couldn’t let go.
(y/n) turned back towards Helly, a sorrowful look on her face.
“I don’t want this to end,” Helly confessed.
(y/n) smiled sadly. “You’ll always be in my heart, Helly. I hope there is a measure of comfort in that.”
Hot tears burned in Helly’s eyes. “It’s not fair.”
(y/n) cupped Helly’s face with her hands and pressed her lips against Helly’s.
A final lingering kiss.
Helly tasted the salty tears mixed with the heat of their kiss.
This was the end and there was no way for Helly to stop it.
Milchick cleared his throat loudly.
(y/n) pulled away. “Goodbye Helly.”
Helly reluctantly let go of (y/n).
But she couldn’t say it.
She couldn’t say goodbye.
Helly watched powerlessly as the love of her life walked out of the room and out of her life, forever.
She sank onto the floor, tears streaming down the sides of her face.
-
(y/n) mindlessly followed Mr. Milchick to the elevator and walked into it.
He said something to her but she couldn’t hear.
Too wrapped in her own thoughts.
Mr. Milchick pressed a button and the elevator doors closed.
Up and out she went.
When the elevator doors opened anew (y/n) walked straight towards the exit.
She couldn’t be in the building for another second.
It felt suffocating.
But as she neared the door the receptionist chased after her.
“Ms. Riggs!” She called out.
(y/n) barely heard her.
The receptionist caught up to her and stopped her.
(y/n) turned towards her.
The receptionist handed (y/n) a letter.
It was addressed to her.
In Helena’s handwriting.
“Ms. Eagan asked me to give this to you before you left.”
(y/n) took the letter and thanked the receptionist.
Once in her car (y/n) opened the letter.
It read:
Dear (y/n),
I’m a coward. But you already knew that.
And you were right, I was jealous of you and Helly.
Watching the two of you felt like watching us fall in love all over again, and a small part of me realized you actually looked happier by Helly’s side.
I couldn’t bear it at first but after all I put you through, maybe I deserved to watch you fall for a version of myself I could never be.
She makes it all look so easy. Not just loving you, but loving others too.
She has friends that care deeply for her.
One almost killed me just to bring her back to them.
I’ve never known such devotion.
And now that I have lost you I fear I never will.
Earlier today, in my office, I briefly contemplated telling you all this.
Maybe then you’d take me back.
But I know better.
I know you better, though you’d probably disagree.
Maybe if I was more like her…but I can never fully be her.
Knowing you, you have probably snuck something in. One last gift to her.
As a last gift to you I will allow her to keep it.
She won’t ever forget you, and neither will I.
Loving you has been the highlight of both our lives. I know that much.
Goodbye (y/n).
Forever yours,
Helena Eagan
(y/n)’s eyes closed as she let her forehead rest against her steering wheel.
As if saying goodbye to Helly wasn’t hard enough, Helena had to bear her soul too.
(y/n) sighed.
A part of her told her to tear up the letter and drive out of the parking lot.
She didn’t owe Helena anything.
But she couldn’t. She knew she couldn’t.
So (y/n) sat up and opened her car’s glove compartment. She rummaged around and found a piece of crumpled up paper with some unknown dates on it and a pen.
She scratched out the dates and began to write her response.
She wrote:
Dear Helena,
You were my Helly first. I haven’t forgotten that.
Had you asked me to take you back after the first time I snuck down to the severed floor I would’ve said yes without a second thought but you’re right, it’s too late now.
Not because my feelings for you have all gone. I wish it were that simple.
I wish I loved her and stopped loving you, but love is never that simple.
You could never be Helly R, that much is true, but you need only let yourself be the Helly Eagan I fell in love with.
You are a part of each other. Two parts of the same soul. A soul that is irrevocably intertwined with mine.
You bury Helly deep inside Helena to make your father proud but he will never truly love you Helena.
You must live for yourself. Live for yourself and I promise you will be surrounded by friends and by lovers who love you as I did.
You don’t think you can, but I know you can. You did once.
You threatened to defy your family’s wishes when they tried to end our relationship, and again when they asked you to hide our love.
That was the Helly in you.
Goodbye Helena.
All my love,
(y/n) Riggs.
P.S
I know Lumon thinks Severance will lead them into a new age but the procedure is not as foolproof as you and the board want to believe.
After Helly and I made love she recalled an image from our first date. The twinkling Christmas lights and the gentle snowflakes.
Love will always conquer all.
(y/n) folded the letter up and placed it back in the envelope the receptionist had handed to her. Then she got out of her car and walked back towards the imposing building.
She entered and greeted the receptionist.
“Please see that Miss Eagan gets this.”
The receptionist took the letter and said she would do her best.
(y/n) left once more and did not look back.
She got into her car and drove off.
One day she might be able to look back on this time of her life and find peace with it all, but that day was not today.
-
There was no point to anything anymore.
(y/n) leaving was worse than waking up on a boardroom table unsure of how, where, and who you were.
It felt like being torn apart.
Milchick returned to the visitation suite to find Helly in the same place he had left her.
He cleared his throat to get her attention.
Helly looked up, her eyes red and swollen from tears.
Milkchick looked away from her, uncomfortable by the vulnerability of Helly’s state.
“I’ve been informed that you earned an early release day. You are free to clock out for the day Helly R.”
Helly frowned. What good would that do her?
“Thanks,” she replied but made no effort to stand up.
Milchick cleared his throat again.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to insist on escorting you to the elevator to see you off.”
Helly sighed. It didn’t make a difference to her.
“Okay,” she said and began to stand.
But Helly remembered the elevator would catch the golden locket. She wasn’t sure how (y/n) had snuck it in but Helly was damn sure Helena would take it from her if she dared go back up with it.
Helly stood and wracked her mind for an excuse to ditch Milchick.
Then it dawned on her.
“Mr. Milchick, I’d like a moment to say goodbye to my fellow MDR workers.”
Milchick furrowed his brows.
“Whatever for Helly R? You’ll see them tomorrow when you return to work.”
Helly smiled nervously. “Of course but you know how they get when they see I’m missing and I doubt they would believe you if you told them the truth.”
Milchick contemplated Helly’s words.
The MDR crew did get rowdy when one of their own wasn’t there to explain their absence.
So he acquiesced.
“As you wish Helly R. Stop by the MDR office to bid adieu then make your way to the elevator to clock out.”
Helly nodded. “Thank you Mr. Milchick.”
Then she headed towards the MDR office.
Once Milchick was out of view Helly took the long way around to the empty office space that had become her home.
She opened the door and was instantly struck by the lingering scent of (y/n)’s perfume.
Helly’s heart ached.
She took the locket out and placed it in the drawer where she stored the other items (y/n) had snuck in for her.
That’s when another idea struck Helly.
Her stomach sank as she stared at the electrical cord from the music player (y/n) snuck inside.
Helly did not wish to be born. She did not wish to live a severed existence. It was out of her control.
But this was in her control.
Helly grabbed a nearby pen and undid her skirt. She scribbled a message to Helena on her thigh.
It read:
You have taken everything from me. I will not exist without her.
Then Helly put her skirt back on. She grabbed the electrical cord and snuck it under her shirt.
Helly walked to the elevator and dragged a nearby trashcan into it once the doors opened.
Helly made a noose with the electrical cord then stepped onto the trash can to reach the ceiling.
She had done this once before and failed.
This time she would not.
As the doors closed Helly kicked the can away from her and the world turned to black.
-
The months following the breakup with Helly were arduous and feeling happy again felt impossible for (y/n).
But as the old saying goes, time heals all wounds, and this was no different.
She would never forget the love she shared with both Helly and Helena but the memory of that love hurt less when she thought about it.
(y/n)’s days were now spent at work, in her garden, and at the farmer’s market every weekend.
It was a quiet, slow, existence.
An existence that would soon forever be changed.
The day started out like any other.
It was Sunday, and Sundays were spent at the farmer’s market selecting the coming week’s groceries.
(y/n) was bent over a selection of peaches and plums.
She selected a few then looked up to pay for them.
Out of the corner of her eye (y/n) noticed a head full of fiery red hair, the same shade as her.
(y/n) shook her thoughts away and finished her transaction.
She went to put the fruit into her bag when she turned and realized who the red hair belonged to.
Helena was there.
A ways away, trying her best not to be seen, but visible nonetheless.
(y/n)’s chest tightened.
She hadn’t seen her in months.
(y/n) put the fruit in her bag and turned to walk the opposite way.
(y/n) skipped shopping for the rest of her groceries. She got back into her car and took deep breaths.
Running into Helena was inevitable.
It was a small town after all.
After a few calming breaths (y/n) decided to continue her day.
Next stop, the flower shop.
(y/n)’s therapist recommended she display fresh flowers in the middle of her home as a way to bring new life in.
It had helped so (y/n) kept doing it.
The local flowershop was run by an eccentric and charming older woman, and (y/n) didn’t mind paying more to support her business.
At the flower shop (y/n) picked up her usual bouquet.
On her way out she once again spotted Helena.
Helena kept her distance but it was obvious she had seen (y/n).
Worry started to creep in.
Seeing Helena once felt normal, inevitable even, but twice?
(y/n) hurried back to her car.
She got in and started the car.
A loud knock at her window shook her from her thoughts.
It was Helena.
Was Helena following her?
Anger sprouted in (y/n).
How dare Helena thrust herself back into (y/n)’s life after all the pain she had caused.
(y/n) opened the car door and stepped out.
“Are you stalking me now?” (y/n) exclaimed.
Helena smiled brightly.
(y/n) furrowed her brow.
“Why are you smiling? Stop that.”
Helena stepped closer toward (y/n).
“It’s me (y/n).”
(y/n) frowned.
Of course it’s you Helena, (y/n) thought.
What on Earth had gotten into Helena? Who else could she be?
Then it dawned on (y/n).
She stared at the woman in front of her.
(y/n) noted the softness in her gaze.
And the golden locket around her neck.
(y/n)’s eyes darted back up to meet the woman’s gaze.
“He- Helly?” (y/n) asked, her voice breaking- afraid to ask because it felt impossible for it to be true.
Helly nodded.
(y/n) returned Helly’s smile then wrapped her arms around the redhead.
Below the cut is a long update regarding all the reader inserts I'm working on and plan to work on.
The Queen and Her Lady is dead. I really have lost all desire to finish writing it. I did outline the entirety of it through the end of season two of the show so let me know if you guys would like me to post that, just bullet point style.
But hopefully you all won't hate me too much because I have cooked up and even better, more insane, Alicent x reader story. It's over 20k words at the moment, spanning the entire season, and I have it mostly finished- just needs polishing. I don't know how many chapters it will come out to because I've just been so hyperfixed on it and it's one big document at the moment but I will be sure to break it up and have them all queued to post weekly. I've titled the new series Bastard King, so that might give you some hints as to the nature of it.
As for my Pitt fics.
I have a few pending for Cassie: When Did You Get Hot?, Anon's request for an injured reader, Cassie x Robby! younger sister reader, and professionally unprofessional pt 3 due to a reader's request. These are at varying levels of completeness/conceptualized/outlined.
Heated Rivalry pt 2 was requested so I also have that coming down the pipeline as well as a trinity x reader x samira fic titled One of Your Girls.
A victoria x reader fic I've titled Like A Virgin is also on the to do list as well as a Joy Kwon x reader fic titled Sour.
Last but certainly not least, anon's request for a bossy Helena x reader fic for Severance. I have not forgotten about it! It's definitely in the mix.
I have no idea when these fics will get completed and posted. All I ask if your patience. Long time readers will know this all too well! I deeply appreciate everyone's support whether it is in the form of kind words on anon, likes, or reblogs with and without comments.
So please keep an eye on this blog for all fun things to come! Don't be afraid to send in a message if you have any questions about any of this.
"Careful now," Seth cautioned, leading you around the furniture to what other surprises he'd concocted for your wedding anniversary. It was never just a brief celebration with him but a whole week of surprises and gifts.
"Seth," you sing-songed, squeezing his hand gently as you turned a corner. You'd tried mapping out where in the house you were but had gotten lost somewhere between the foyer and the stairs. "I could have just closed my eyes.” You quipped.
Seth had insisted on the blindfold, always wanting to capture the joy on your face year after year. “I’m aware, dearest,” he spoke fondly, finally ending the journey; the blindfold came off, first to catch your eyes was the sunset, which you shielded your eyes from. Second was the softly lit backyard lanterns illuminating the backyard, and the third was the freshly made dinner, beautifully laid out and ready to be eaten.
“I thought perhaps we’d both enjoy a home-cooked anniversary meal this year,” Seth said, presenting a bouquet of lilies, chrysanthemums, baby’s breath, snapdragons, and anthuriums.
“You were right,” you accepted the bouquet, “when did you have time to arrange all this?”
He pulled out a chair, and you approached and took the seat. “Don’t worry yourself over that,” he kissed your forehead, circling to his side of the table and taking a seat. “For you, I have all the time in the world.”
