FALLING LIKE THE STARS [Fem!Reader x Donald Malarkey]
AFTER A BROKEN HEART, Y/N GOES TO A BAR TO RELIEVE HER PAIN AND FINDS A BETTER SOLUTION
warnings : some swearing, mentions of cheating, intoxication
genre : fluff
word count : 1.5k+
note : finally have some time to write, and also possible part 2(?)
song recommendation : falling like the stars - james arthur
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maybe it wasn't meant to be.
trying for three years to be the one he loves, to be the one he can come back to. but it doesn't matter. that's in the past. i’ve tried everything to be the one he wants and he repays me with fucking some nurse in the pacific. if he's going to get some action in australia, then he won’t mind if I get some in england.
y/n stared at her appearance in the mirror, the velvet dress hugging in all the right places, hanging just above her knees. hair done up to perfection, eyes shadowed with browns and whites paired with painted red lips.
smiling at the woman staring back, she twirled and nodded her head at the mirror.
“y/n! come on, were going to be late,” said edith from downstairs. “unless, you're rethinking going out-”
“no, i’m coming!” said y/n, grabbing her purse and coat from the bed. running down the stairs, she met the questioning eyes of edith.
“what?” asked y/n, dropping her arms partially.
“nothing! well…” edith trailed off, walking up to y/n, she pulled out a necklace. “thought you would want this.”
it was stunning. silver chain, gems shining, even in the grim lights of home. it held a small, heart-shaped, trinket in the center, bedazzled with gems. y/n chuckled at the sight, it was certainly gorgeous.
“oh, edith…” said y/n, shocked at her friend’s gift. “this must of been very expensive! how did you get this?”
edith smiled at her, motioning her to turn around, which y/n obliged. bringing the necklace around y/n, edith spoke.
“it’s mine,” said edith, causing y/n to turn to her, “but, i don’t have use for it and I think tonight, it could find itself a person…”
clipping the necklace on, y/n reached up to it and felt it, smile dropping slightly at the kind gesture. it hurt like hell, but one way to forget about that stupid man in the pacific was to live life.
“well, i don't know if it’ll find someone tonight, but…” said y/n, shrugging at edith’s idea, “it can sure try.”
“that's all it asks for.” said edith, sending y/n a smile, “shall we get going?”
y/n agreed and the two headed out the door into the dark of the night, hoping to relieve some stress.
— —
aldbourne, england. such a small, beautiful village. with days full of soldiers and orders, the nights fill with lights, drinks, and cigar smoke. despite being an outpost for american soldiers, it was a great party village, especially the blue boar.
y/n and edith exited their car and made their way to the bar. entering the bar, they were engulfed with liquor and cigars. men of many ranks gathered in the bar, ranging from privates to majors and lieutenants. music playing softly amongst the chatter, y/n made her way to the bar.
“can i get a beer please?” asked y/n, the bartender nodded and walked away.
sitting on the stool, y/n picked away at her nails. the space was getting claustrophobic, but she could get through it, with a couple drinks in her that is. placing her purse on the counter, she shimmied off the jacket, revealing her velvet dress underneath.
scouting the bar, she spotted multiple groups of soldiers. many sat and drank, others playing cards or darts, and some on the dance floor. apart from soldiers, there were many women amongst the crowd also. all in their best dressings, red lips and perfect hair, just like her. the only thing i’m missing now is a wedding ring.
y/n shook her head at the thought. it wasn't her place to judge, she was in a situation where you would wear your wedding ring out while getting with other men. a ring to be tarnished or bring new meaning.
nodding to the bartender, she picked up the bottle he had placed and took a sip. sitting with one leg over the other, y/n watched the crowd of faces laugh. edith was nowhere to be seen, yet y/n wasn't concerned. the whole point was to come here to forget about everything, the war, the stupid men who cheat, the dead, everything. and here she was, drinking her sorrows away instead of having fun.
an hour had passed, the party was still lively and loud, and y/n had gotten through too many beers to count. sitting at the bar, y/n smiled and giggled whenever she saw someone, the drunken giggle. edith had checked on her a few minutes before, which she was fine, until she got into shots.
“okay-” said y/n, holding a shot glass with a man she met seconds before, “on three…”
“one…two…three!”
both of them shot back the drinks. y/n felt the liquor burning down her throat and grimaced at the sensation. the soldier laughed and smiled at her. y/n returned the smile and got up from the stool, grabbing the man by the hand and pulling him to the dance floor.
with slight protest, he agreed and followed along. y/n pulled him and twirled holding onto his hand. he laughed at her and brought her to his chest. y/n didnt know if it was the drunk thoughts but there was something about this soldier. his brown hair with reddish highlights, or his dark eyes filled with warmth. his strong jawline or soft, pink lips.
“you, my dear, are way too drunk to be on a dance floor,” said the soldier with a chuckle, looking down at her.
“and you are too sober to be dancing with me,” replied y/n, wrapping her arms around his neck. “what’s your name, soldier?”
“donald malarkey, at your service ma’am.”
“well, private malarkey. what would you say to a proper dance?”
“i wouldn't refuse, miss..”
“l/n. y/n l/n.”
“i would love to dance with you, miss l/n.”
“then lets dance.”
grabbing her by the waist, donald brought her closer to him. y/n stared up at him, smiling at the tipsy soldier and leaning against his chest. the soft heartbeat drowned out the music, it was peaceful. months of pain and crying over a man who couldn't wait when she did, and felt at peace for once. she didn't know if it was masking the pain of her once beloved, but the warmth of his arms made her think. she wasn't imagining that asshole as she did before, she could clearly picture donald. his red hair, his stubble he would most likely get in trouble for, the crinkles of his eyes when he smiles, and his brown eyes you can stare into for hours.
it was wrong to feel like this for a man you just met, but it felt like years. his touch, his warmth, it was familiar. as if she were already familiar to the touch of him.
donald looked down at the woman in his arms, her eyes shut and resting against his chest. she looked peaceful. y/n fluttered her eyes open and giggled at him.
“what? is there something on my face?” asked donald, smiling down at her.
“why were you staring at me?” said y/n, causing donald to blush a light pink.
“well, with a beautiful woman in my arms, its hard not to stare.”
now it was her turn to blush. y/n shook her head, as they continued to sway slowly to the song playing on the radio. she gets complimented once and loses her train of thought. picking her head up, she looks around the bar and notices the emptiness. it was emptier than before, few women and soldiers. it was time.
“oh my, i didn't know how late it got,” said y/n, backing out of donald’s arms. “i should probably find my friend, she's kind of my ride home…”
donald let her go and nodded, straightening his brown uniform. “well, miss l/n, we should do this again sometime…”
“are you asking me out on a date, private?” asked y/n, smiling at the blushing man.
“if you want it to be.”
“well then, private, yes,” said y/n, walking with him to the bar, “we should do this again.”
grabbing her things, donald picked up her coat and opened it up. thanking him for the gesture, y/n put on her coat with his help and threw her purse on her shoulder.
“let me walk you out,” offered donald, opening the door to the bar. y/n didn’t refuse.
the wind was colder than before, temperatures dropping faster in the night. y/n squealed at the rush of wind, pulling her coat tighter around her. donald laughed at her reaction and walked with her until they reached the parking lot.
“oh no,” said y/n, looking at the empty parking lot with tumbling garbage and grass. edith had left and she was stranded in aldbourne.
“shit, edith left without me” said y/n drooping at the thought. now the alcohol has worn off. “what am i going to do? she's probably home by now!”
“don’t worry, we’ll think of something, uh,” said donald, trying to think of something, “i know this is going to sound a bit forward…”
y/n turned to him and nodded for him to go on.
“maybe you can stay with me?” said donald, bitting the inside of his cheek, “it’s totally understandable if you don’t, its just that it's late in the night and i don't know if a cab would come right now-”
“okay,” said y/n giggling at him fumbling.
“okay,” copied donald, smiling at her, “we should probably go there then, this way.”
y/n followed donald as he made his way down the strip. it was definitely way too early to say anything, but she felt it in her chest.
“well private, didn't take you for one to take a girl to bed on a first date,” teased y/n, laughing at donald shaking his head.
“only you, miss l/n,” said donald, “only you.”
maybe it wasn't meant to be with an asshole, but there was something with donald malarkey. and y/n desperately wanted to figure it out.
