Hey y'all!! So Sinners has temporarily pulled me out of retirement. Forgive my writing I'm a little rusty.
Parings: Stack x OC feat. Smoke x Annie.
Word count: A Lot. ๐ญ
Warning: Just a ๐ค๐ฝ Mary shade, protective Smoke, and Annie being perfect per usual. Pretty fluffy. It's a pretty long one shot so I'd grab a blanket and something to snack on.
A/N: I wrote and edited this on my phone so PLEASE forgive any mistakes or weird spacing. Please don't steal my picture or story. I worked really hard on this and I hope you guys love it. ๐ซถ๐ฝ I really sensitive y'all so be kind. Please?! ๐๐ฝ๐ญ
Summary: Stack is looking for love, but can he find what his brother has? The women he's interested in just aren't cutting it and he's not sure if "sweet" is quite what he's looking for yet. Or is it?
Lena walked home from the market in her yellow dress and two braids laid against her scalp on a breezey April day. Spring was her favorite time of year. She loved being outside and leaving her windows open while she read her favorite books or napped. Others called her crazy for leaving her windows opened, but the breeze flowing in between her curtains was relaxing and kept her cool. Besides Lena's place was protected by her friend Annie's magic. She sometimes traded her pastries for protection. That's all Lena really wanted. No money spells and no love spells. Nothing more than protection and safety for her and her home.
It was just Lena so it wasn't that smart to leave the windows opened, but as of now she was safe living alone with nobody, but her, Annie's protection, and her baseball bat.
Lena took a seat at an empty park bench in front of a pond and put her bags down next to her. She had two chapters left in the book and she just had to finish it. The walk home was probably seven minutes away from the park and twenty from the market, but she didn't mind taking a quick reading break today.
"Aye one of these days someone is going to rock your shit and I can't help you. Stack your mouth is going to get you in trouble and so is fucking married women!" Smoke hollard at his brother as he furiously drove to his and Annie's house. His brother was definitely a ladies man, but he took it too far. A good woman was hard to find so taking one from a man that went in front of the congregation and said I do is a death sentence in his eyes. If anyone even stepped to Annie or attempted to talk to his wife he had no qualms of shooting him right then and there. He's done it before and he'll do it again.
Stack sucked his teeth as he brushed his brother off. "Ain't no nigga steppin' to me about shit. Especially not about his bitch."
His brother shot a look at him before focusing back on the road. "Keep calling them bitches especially field bitches and imma knock yo ass out myself. Our mama was a black woman in the field too so you disrespect them you disrespecting her. Another thing if they bitches why you keep fucking them and riskin' your life for some already owned pussy?"
"You preachin' this bullshit to me while you got someone to lay in bed with. Spend your nights and mornins with, cook for you, suck your dick, and live happily ever after with! What do I got, huh?!"
"Nigga I should bust you upside yo' head. You look for sex not a relationship! You look for temporary not forever. You look for those loose girls that want what you want and get mad when they get you before you can get them! I'm surprised yo dick ain't burning right now."
"Well my bad brother. Not everyone can find their forever at 15." Stack sucked his teeth as he looked at his surroundings passing by.
"Every fuckin' excuse in the mother fuckin' book."
Silence rang louder than the engine on their way home.
"I want you to find your own Annie. Not that white skinned broad either. Fucking with her will get yo black ass lynched. They don't give a fuck that she's got that one drop of nigger. She looks like them and she lives like them."
Stack shook his head. "She don't know the word no. Plus her ass can't cook. She turned her nose up to collard greens and measured her sugar for sweet tea."
They both broke the tension with a shared laugh.
Lena had finished her book and it was the perfect ending. The guy got the girl and they lived a happy life after. It was everything she wanted and more. Lena walked home with a smile and a new tune playing in her heart. She couldn't wait to get home and put some music on while she soaked in the bathtub.
As she was walking home a red Model T came zooming past her. Now Lena was a sturdy girl, but they almost knocked her over with the speed they were going. Lena collected her balance and continued walking home.
Stack's head flew back to the thick brown skinned woman in yellow walking by. He wanted Smoke to stop the car, but his brother had just lectured him about woman so he kept his mouth shut. Hopefully he would run into her when he was by himself. She was mighty fine and plenty thick and he didn't want Smoke to blow it for him.
Lena woke up to the sound of birds chirping, her fan slowly blowing, and car horns going off miles away. She stretched out her arms and sat up as she expressed her gratitude for waking up today. Hopeful for a good day Lena got up and headed to the restroom to start her day.
Stack rolled his eye and squeezed the pillow over his ears. No breakfast, no talking, no good morning just Annie's moans and a squeaky headboard. He was happy for his brother, but damn. Every morning? He wanted his own Annie. She was his brother's world. It would sometimes dawn on him that she was his other half. Sure sometimes it made him jealous because as a twin that should've his role, but that was the point of finding your soulmate and partner, right?
He got himself ready for the morning. As he was leaving the bathroom a glowing Annie walked out in a robe with his brother following behind her. He on the other hand looked like she gave him the ride of his life. Tank top was slightly ripped, lips swollen, and a bit of a limp.
Stack wanted to be jealous and mad about it, but he couldn't do anything but laugh. "She to' yo ass up!" His head dropped back with laughter as Annie tucked her head away into Elijah's neck.
Elijah wrapped his arms around his wife and shrugged with a small smile. "Worked me up an appetite. I'm starvin." He groaned into her ear before placing a slap to her ass.
Stack walked into the kitchen and shook his head. "Y'all real annoyin'."
Lena had her hair out. She noticed the aftermath of taking the braids out caused cute chunky curls to frame her face. She slipped her earrings in and put on her white sneakers. She had thrifted a cute red and white polka dotted dress that stopped above her ankles, an anklet that she made with old earrings and cute trinkets sat on her ankle. She threw on a little lipstick and rubbed her body down with some butters that she made herself. Lena grabbed her satchel, keys, and a new book that she started on last night and she headed out the door.
Lena needed to grab a few things from Grace and to return a book today to the library. Just a walk a few minutes shy of twenty minutes.
"Hey Lena!" The older gentleman a few minutes from her house greeted as he took his hat off to address the young woman. "I have some extra apples from my tree. Do you mind cooking me up a pie? I got whatever ingredients you needen to make it."
"No problem, Mr. Willie. When do you need it?" She asked never stopping her stride.
"No rush! Sunday morning after church would be perfect though."
"Throw in a few squash and a head of cabbage and I'll make you two pies. That sound good?"
"Sounds good to me. I'll drive them to your house later on today."
"I'll be back. Heading into town. Probably gonna stop by Chow's. Y'all need anything?" Stack asked as he fixed his hair and adjusted his cuff links.
"What you want for dinner tonight?" Annie asked as she handed Smoke his plate.
"Don't really matter to me long as it's meat and potatoes."
Annie shook her head with a smile. "Pot roast it is."
"With Sweet tea?"
"Anything for you Elias."
"Love you, sis!" He shouted before he headed out the door.
Lena left the library and was headed to Chow's to grab some material from Grace. Grace wanted her to make a skirt for her and Lisa this week. Lena loved working for them because they always paid well and brought her customers. The flowers in their store were from her garden. She brought some by every week. If they needed help she was usually the first person they called. If not her then it was Annie.
Lena didn't have a 9-5, but she worked just about every day. If she wasn't doing it for money it was for food or items. If someone needed help delivering a baby they called her. If someone was hurt or injured they'd usually come to her. Alterations? Flowers? Baked goods? She was the go to girl. That was also the reason many people didn't mess with her. You never bite the hand that feeds you.
"Hey, girl!" Grace greeted as she finished up with a customer.
"Hey, Lisa." Lena greeted the young girl with a smile after hugging Grace. Lisa didn't smile much, but she always smiled at and gave Lena a hug.
"Did you bring me somethin'?" She asked quietly so her mother couldn't hear.
"You already know I did." The sweet woman whispered and snuck the little girl two big chocolate chip cookies wrapped in brown parchment paper.
"Thank you!" She squealed. Her head turned towards the window and her lips perched at the sight of a tall man in red walking into her dad's shop.
"Lisa," Grace called and nudged her head towards the register. Grace walked from behind the counter and took Lena to the back.
As Stack was talking to Bo his head turned at the site of a woman with a fitted mini skirt walk in.
Bo hit his friend's shoulder and shook his head. "That's MRS. Suzette. Married to THE "one punch" Theodore."
Stack sucked his teeth. "What you do talk to Smoke? I'm just lookin'."
"That man that LOOKED at Annie got shot in the knee. These men are serious about their wives."
"You'd shoot for Grace?"
"If you even have to ask I'm not showing her enough love." Bo replied. "You need to talk to Grace's friend. She's real sweet and is a great cook."
"Ion know if I'm ready for sweet." He replied as he adjusted his collar and looked around.
It was Bo's turn to suck his teeth. "That's your problem. You keep finding someone to wet your whistle and that's it. There's more to a partner than sex. Find someone that builds you up and is there through thick and thin. Doesn't get tired of seeing your face everyday. The person you run to for comfort and vice versa. Someone you trust with your entire life. That's what Sweet gets you."
"You point her in my direction and I'll dip my tongue in it."
"Toe! The expression is toe, fool!" He playfully shoved his friend's shoulder.
Stack laughed as he placed his toothpick in his mouth.
"I'll bring these back to you by Saturday. Bye Grace. Bye Lisa."
The little girl waved as she got ready to cash out a customer.
Lena walked home with material in her bag and a few chocolates in hand. She strutted home with a tune in her head and a pep in her step.
"This girl you talking about. What she look like?" Stack asked as he picked at a few grapes that were on ice.
"She's a stacked one. Hourglass, brown eyes, and she always smells real good. She lives like 20 minutes away. She might be with Lisa now. Peak ya head in and see if she in there. She's supposed to be making them some dresses or something!" Bo shouted as Stack headed out of the door.
Stack headed across the street on a mission to see if said woman was still there. He was always allowed into the Chow's establishment, but her shop was mostly white people and it was usually frowned upon to have a black man shop with them. Stack really ain't give a damn.
"Grace, your thick friend still here?"
Grace rolled her eyes. "Who Lena?" Her eyes widened at the realization. "Hell no. You leave her alone. She's way too good for you. She's got her head on straight. She's not one of your whores." Grace put on a smile as one of her customers asked her a question. "Ten cents." She turned her head back to Stack and started pushing him out of her store. "She already left. If you see her leave her alone. Bye Stack."
Stack snatched an apple from her stand before heading back to his car.
As he was driving he took his knife out and tried to cut his apple. He looked up last minute and swerved to avoid hitting a large rock in the road causing him to cut his hand open. "Shit!" As he looked over he saw the same girl from yesterday walking in a red dress today. "Ooohwee it must be my lucky day!" He looked at his hand " Almost lucky. This can wait" and immediately stopped his car for her
Lena was almost at her house probably less than ten minutes away when she saw that same red Model T car zooming past her only this time it swerved and abruptly stopped ahead. It started to back up and she saw a man turn to her. He was very handsome. Hair was neat, had a beautiful smile, nice brown eyes, and a fancy suit. His arms filled out the jacket very nicely too. He wasn't anyone she'd ever seen before, but he was a good looking man.
"Good evenin'." Stack greeted with a nod.
"Evenin'." Lena greeted sweetly.
"Where you headed? This is the second day I've seen you walking. You must live close by, no?"
Her head cocked to the side as she tried to read him. "I might. This your second time seein' me? You ain't say nothin' to me the first time so why now? I wasn't good enough to stop for yesterday?" She teased.
He nervously chuckled his hand still bleeding. "No. My brother was actually driving and refused to stop." He reached over to open the door for her to get in.
Wary, she stepped back with hesitation. Although he was good looking she didn't know him. As soon as Lena was going to decline she noticed his hand was bleeding. "Your hand. That's a lot of blood. You need to put some pressure on it before you bleed out."
"Oh this?" He said as he lifted his hand "Naw it ain't that bad."
She hopped in and ripped an extra piece of fabric off that she had in her purse and wrapped it around his hand. "Put some pressure on it and move over." Lena hovered her body over his to get in the driver's seat as he moved underneath her.
He bit his lip and dropped his head back at the feeling of her ass brushing up against him. She was too focused on getting him bandaged up that she didn't even notice.
Lena hadn't driven in over a year, but she remembered how to do it. For the most part. "I'm takin you to my house to fix your cut. Is that okay?"
"Yeah." He was feeling a little faint. "Got anything to drink? Anything to eat?"
"You feelin weak?" She quickly handed him her purse. "I have some chocolates. We're almost home. Just snack on that until I can get you some water."
After a few more minutes they reached her house. She stopped the car and turned it off before getting out. She grabbed her bags and headed to the door with Stack following behind.
They headed in the house and she immediately grabbed some water, an apple turnover, and her first-aid kit. "Here have a seat. Eat this first."
He quickly took a bite and was taken by surprise. "These real good." He complimented as she pulled a chair up to him and took his hand in hers. "You got some soft hands and smell good, too. Sweet."
"Thanks I made them this morning." She ignored the other two compliments. She was here to help not sweet talk with him.
"They're good. Did you hear what I said about,"
"You ought to be mo' careful. Why was your knife out while you were drivin anyways?" Lena interrupted.
"Ummm I was eating my apple."
"Eatin' and drivin'? Sounds awful dangerous especially with how fast you drive."
"I wasn't going that, OUCH!" Stack flinched and pulled back.
"Don't be a baby. A big strong man like ya self squealin over some alcohol?" She lowered her head to his hand that sat on his lap and gently blew on his cut. Lena gazed up at him as he looked down at her.
His eyes dark and focused on her.
"Better?" She asked above a whisper.
"Y- yeah." His eyes watched as she efficiently and delicately stitched him up.
She hummed a soft lullaby as she grabbed a bandage and a pair of scissors. Lena clipped at the extra stitching and followed up with a secure bandage. "There. You all stitched up." She finished with a satisfied smile. Her eyes big and soft. Safe.
"Thanks." His hand still in hers.
Stack felt something but didn't know what he was feeling. He was happy. He was in awe. He was calm, but turned on, but not like usual. He wanted to get to know her. To be around her. She had him mesmerized.
He looked around the house and although it was small and filled with a lot personality it was neat. "Looks like you're a jack of all trade. Mind me askin what you do?"
Lena wiped her hands off and closed the kit. "If you askin what my title is I don't have one. I just do a little bit of everything for everyone. Little Lisa? I helped deliver her. Those flowers you always seein' at Bo's stores? They from my garden'. I do just about everything, but fix cars." She confessed with a giggle as she crossed her legs in front of him.
"Don't worry about that. I'm mighty handy when it comes to some wheels. I didn't see a car when we pulled up tho."
"I don't own one. Ain't no point. I don't go no further than the market." She poured two glasses of sweet tea and brought it to him.
"Thank you." He took a sip and he couldn't help but shake his head.
Lena's eyes widened at his reaction. She had the best tea on this side of town and she never heard anyone complain.
He pulled the tea back to examine it as a big smile spread across his face. "Probably the best damn tea I've ever had, but don't tell my sister Annie that."
Lena cocked her head to the side and stopped making the sandwiches to look up at him. "Annie? Moore?"
He chuckled and stood to his feet to walk over to her. "Married my brother 8 years ago. Been in our lives for 12. How you know her?"
She closed the bread to the sandwich and cut it in half. "I buy protection from her."
"You believe in it?" He asked as she handed him a plate.
"I believe in Annie. I believe she don't put her name on anything crazy. Her work been keepin' me out harms way."
Stack couldn't argue with that. She kept him and his brother protected while away at war. Hell kept him safe from some of these jealous husbands too.
He took a bit of the sandwich and stood in front of her shorter thick frame. "I should probably ask, do you have a husband?"
Lena leaned back against her table and took a bite. She shook her head. "Don't need one."
Stack chuckled, but stopped when he noticed her raise a brow.
"What's funny?"
He shook his head and wiped his mouth. "Nothin'. Just thinkin' what if someone break in? Havin' a man will protect you."
"Annie protects my home every month and the good Lord protects me everyday." She crossed her arms and looked up at him.
He smiled. "Okay. What if somethin' break?"
"My daddy taught me how to fix things. If I can't fix it Mr. Willie up the street has no problem helpin' me."
"Can't reach somethin'?"
"It's my home. I ain't puttin' somethin' somewhere I can't reach." She quipped with a small smile.
"Somethin' heavy? I'm pretty sure when you go out you need someone to help carry heavy things for you."
"I've always made a way." Lena replied.
"What about sex?" He inquired as he finished his sandwich and stepped closer.
"Sex ain't that important to me. I can handle some of that on my own." Lena replied with a raised brow. "Everything you sayin' I can find a way. Is that all you think you good fo'?" She asked. It was her turn to step closer to him. "Sex and heavy lifting?"
"And protection." He said slightly embarrassed by his answer.
"Baby, if I get a man. A husband" she said as a matter of fact. "I want him to know his worth in this world. Yes my husband can fix, lift, and lick things for me, but is he going to be there for me when I'm ill? Rub my feet when I'm pregnant? Will he support my temporary hobbies that I randomly pick up from time to time? If I'm too tired to cook is he going to make a big fuss about it or is he going to get straight to it in the kitchen? What if I'm having a bad day and don't want to talk? Are you going to be mad at me for my emotions? Will my husband speak as highly of me when I'm not around like I would do for him? Will my husband make love to more than just my body, but my mind and my soul? If I don't feel like having sex are you going to be mad and seek it out else where? I want to come home to peace and so should my husband. A healthy form of communication and respect on both ends is very important to me. I just want to make sure that if I'm going to spend the rest of my life with someone I need to know he's going to be there with me every step of the way without wavering."
"I can be that." Stack answered. "I love when my woman cooks for me, but I can also throw down in the kitchen. When our baby is cryin' and you spend all day nursing I'll be the one to wake up and change em'. You want to randomly ski in this 90 degree weather I'll be the first one in line at the ski store. Hell I'll build you some myself. I can oil your scalp when you too tired to do so and I can run your bath water after a rough day. If you don't want to talk I'll sit here with you in silence until you're ready. However I'd hope you'd never get so down to where I can't hear that pretty ass voice of yours. Be a damn shame." He teased.
He closed the little bit of space between them and rested his hands on either side of her.
Lena watched his eyes scan her face. From her brown almond eyes, round cheeks, to her plump lips. He focused on her lips longer than she needed him to. Lena was no stranger to eye contact so he wasn't intimidating. She had strong will and knew no amount of flirting and flashing of his dimpled smile was going to make her fold.
His head dipped down for a kiss, but Lena moved her head to avoid his tempting lips.
He couldn't help but laugh. He'd never had someone reject his kiss before.
Lena smiled at him and took his face in her hands. "You should head home now and get some rest. It's starting to get late. Annie and your brother might be trying to figure out why you're not home yet." Her fingers played in his beard before placing a gentle kiss to his cheek. "Goodnight Stack."
"Can I see you tomorrow?" He asked. Borderline begged.
"I've got a pretty busy schedule tomorrow."
"I don't have to do nothin. I can just sit around and wait until you finished. I just want to see you."
She tried to hide her smile, but failed. "I'll be wrapping my day up around 4."
He flashed his grin. "See you tomorrow at 3:30. Goodnight Ms. Lena." He tilted his hat before placing it back on his head and walking out the door.
"Nigga you said you went to Chow's bout 7 hours ago." Smoke pointed out as he finished his second plate. He got up and brought it to the sink to wash and dry.
"Damn. Was I gone that long? My bad." Stack removed his jacket and took a seat. "Where's Annie?"
"Freshin' up for bed." Smoke looked at his brother's hand. "Hell happened to you? You ain't get yo ass in no shit you can't fix, right?"
Stack had a smile on his face.
Annie walks in with her robe on comfortable and ready for bed. "Oh lawd. That boy happier than a tick on a dog. Which young lady did you pay a visit to today?" She handed him a glass of sweet tea and a plate from the stove.
"Thank you. I went to go visit the Chow's, but as I was leaving I got distracted. Ended up cutting my hand on my knife while I was driving and ran into a beautiful lady named Lena."
Annie stood straight up and scanned her brother in law. "What you doin around Lena? She a good girl that mind her business."
"If she a good girl then he ain't want nothin to do with her. Unless you sweet talked her out of her skirt like usual." Smoke assumed.
"Naw, she don't play that. She focused. Sweet girl with a lot of hobbies." Annie looked at his hand. "She stitched you up?"
Stack nodded with a smile. "Fixed me a sandwich and some tea too. We ain't do nothin but talk. That's all I wanted to do. She real nice and a little feisty. Think she'd be interested?"
Smoke scoffed, but Annie nudged his shoulder.
"Your mission to just sleep with her?" Annie asked. She took a plate of pie from Elijah and thanked him with a kiss.
Stack shook his head as he enjoyed his food. "I ain't want that once I started talkin' to her. Ion know how to explain it, but I just liked bein' 'round her. She got a good spirit I guess." He shrugged as he filled his mouth with food.
Elijah fed Annie a bit of the shared dessert. He circled the fork around in the air before asking his question. "What she look like? Must not be your type if you didn't want to have sex."
"She not my usual type, but she real pretty. Brown skin, full hair, round lips, hips, a little healthier than my usual, but that really don't bother me none. She fit it so well." He whistled. "Voice is like butter. She smell good too and got the softest pair of hands"
Annie chuckled. "That girl don't play about her perfumes and butters." She confirmed. "When you gon' see her again?"
"Tomorrow at 3:30. Said she should be done with everything around then."
"What y'all plan on doin?" Smoke asked as his brother got up for a second helping.
"Nothin." He said happily with a shrug. "I'm just goin to talk. Might see if she'll let me fix a few things around the house or somethin?"
Annie chuckled at her brother in law. He was bit by the love bug. It was no surprise though. Lena was a warm and welcoming spirit who minded her business and helped others along her way. She didn't want much just a simple and happy life. Her love hit hard so if Stack wasn't on his best behavior she would have no problem leaving him with a broken heart. Annie knew of her ex that didn't do right by her and she got rid of him. That man been in a miserable marriage with a woman he don't really want. Hadn't truly found love since she left him.
"Just be careful. She might be a good girl, but she ain't no pushover. If you screw up she'll send you on your marry way and not think twice about it." Annie confessed.
"Imma be on my best behavior." He kissed his sister in law's cheek and sat down to finish his food.
"Stack you don't have to fix that it's fine." She advised as he unscrewed the bolts in the fan. It worked the blades just happened to have one speed and that speed was slow. It was too hot and moving too slow for Stack's liking.
"Naw. It's fine. I can fix this. The motor ain't blown just probably got a little dust in the shaft that's all."
Lena sat next to him on the couch and watched as he struggled with one of the screws. She covered her giggle with her hand causing him to lose his focus and look over at her.
"This funny to you?" He put the fan down and turned to tickle her side now causing Lena to double over in laughter.
"You sweatin' on me!" She laughed as she grabbed his arms to leave some distance between them.
He sat up and sighed. "Baby, it's hot in here! I'm tryna fix this fan and you laughin'. I'm strong it's just stuck!" He said in his defense.
Lena gave a sarcastic nod. "Very strong. Need help with that last screw?"
"I'll screw you!" He mimicked under his breath.
He was just joking seeing how he was playing off of her words, but she was turned on by that. She shook it off and just cleared her throat.
He took his button up off leaving him in a tank top and a leather vest holster. His gun was strapped in and his knife at his side. Lena's eyes wondered towards him as his arms flexed once he finally got the screw loose after a few twists and turns.
"Ha!" He turned to her and noticed her direct her eyes from his arms to his face. He smirked and looked her in her eyes. "I got it out."
"I see." She replied softly. Lena moved closer to him on the couch closing in the space between them. "So what's the next step?" She asked looking up at him with those big brown eyes of hers.
Stack cleared his throat. "I umm" he looked away. "I'm just gonna clear this shaft off and put it back in." His eyes widened and his head snapped back towards her. "Back on! I meant back on!" He corrected.
Lena couldn't help but giggle at him being nervous.
He put his focus back on the task at hand and did just that while she got up to grab something to drink. The wind blew through the window causing her dress to fly up a little catching Stack's attention. "Shit." He said to himself.
"You say somethin'?" Lena asked as she headed back over to him. Hips swaying side to side and a soft smile on her face.
He shook his head. "Nothin' just that I fixed it." He put the last screw in and turned it on.
"Awww yes!" Lena cheered on as she sat down next to him. The fan was blowing faster and stronger. "Ugh that feels so good. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Told you I'm good with my hands." He grinned.
"I see." Lena playfully teased. "I know you introduced yourself to me as Stack, but what is your real name?" She asked as she leaned her elbows on her lap to look up at him.
He smiled at her beauty. "Born Elias raised as Stack."
"Elias." His name sung beautifully on her tongue. Very southern, sweet, thick, and sexy. He wouldn't get tired of it.
His eyes scanned her plump lips. He swallowed hard and adverted his eyes to his glass of tea. "Yes ma'am."
"Did you want dinner or is Annie making something for y'all back home? I don't wanna ruin ya appetite. Mrs. Annie a good cook."
"Great cook. She's making pork chops, but I can still eat here if you had planned on cooking. I don't turn no plates down." He laughed.
"I'm just making a salad with salmon croquettes for dinner. Ain't nothin too fancy."
"You say croquettes? They're one of my favorites. I can make room for both."
Weeks had gone by and Elias had been over her house almost everyday. Showing up in the morning and leaving late at night. Smoke would either pick and drop him off or he'd take the car himself. It didn't really matter how he got to her Stack was going to see her either way. Time was spent doing things Stack was never used to doing before. She enjoyed his company and same for him. He'd drive her into town even if she insisted on walking or taking her bike. They even went on a picnic by the lake a few times. Unfortunately the two of them couldn't hang out the following Saturday because she had to finish a new set of dresses for Lisa and Grace, but Lena had planned to see him the Sunday after bright and early.
"Lisa it fits? How bout you Grace?" Lena asked as she sat at their shop past closing. The two ladies came out from the back room and spun around. Smiles were shared by each lady because of how everything turned out. Lisa had a beautiful pink and gold embroidered dress that came past her ankles and Grace had a beautiful blue and gold dress that stopped a little under her knee.
"They're perfect as usual, Lena. Eight for her and ten for me, right?" She clarified as she handed Lena cash plus a small tip.
"Y'all gonna be the talk of the town. The colors fit y'all so well too." The proud craftswomen said in awe. "Lisa how you wearing your hair?" She asked. Grace always wore a low and tucked bun for formal outings, but because Lisa was younger Grace liked to do something a little more age appropriate and fun for her.
The little girl walked over to her to describe what style she and her mother were thinking about. Lena remembered that she had a few ribbons in her bag and pulled one out that matched. "How about a bow?"
Lisa's face lit up and Grace smiled. "Mama look!"
"You tell Miss. Lena thank you. She's gotta head home. You want Bo to give you a ride? He won't mind." Grace asked as she hugged Lisa tightly.
"I'm good. Thank y'all tho. It ain't a far walk. Y'all have a good night tho."
"You sure?" Grace asked again as Lena headed towards the door.
"I'm good Grace. Y'all have a good night!"
Lena walked home in the dark but she had protection on her. Her goal was never to walk home so late, however she got to Grace's later than anticipated. A little bit of the sun was still up before she left the shop so she thought it was fine however the sun set faster than Lena could walk. Purse at her side and shoes hitting the dirt road Lena heard some people talking off into the distance, but less than a minute later a male voice approach her.
"P-pardon ma'am. Where you headed looking so good this time of night?" He said a little too drunk and a little too close.
"I'm headed home thank you. Seems like your company needs you back over there, no?" She quipped as she tried to keep calm.
He threw a lazy arm towards his company. "They be alright. I'm tryna come home with you pretty lady." He stumbled backwards. "Why you diggin in that bag?" He asked stumbling again.
"Just tryna find my lipstick that all." Lena pulled out some protection powder and blew it at him causing him to scream out and fall to the ground.
She continued to walk home, but this time at a faster pace. She had to remember to tell Annie thank you for her protection powder and get some more from her because thinking about how much she blew out she definitely used more than needed. It wasn't her fault though. She panicked plus she never had to use it before, but she was glad she carried it with her.
Not even two minutes later she heard a car pulling up by her. She prayed it was Elias.
"Lena, come on and get in." Annie instructed as she sat in the passenger seat.
"Annie what are you doin on my side of town?" She asked. She looked in the driver's seat slightly startled. She saw a man looking exactly like Stack driving except he wore blue and wasn't talking.
"We had stopped by the Chow's to drop something off and Grace said you had walked home. Ion know why you insist on walking by yourself. You know people crazy."
"I had your powder on me. Wasn't nobody gon hurt me." Her smile was big and bright. Proud.
Annie chuckled. "You a stubborn girl."
Smoke pulled up to her house and stopped. He turned towards Lena and greeted her with a nod. "My brother Stack had some business to handle. He'll be up here in no time to stay with you overnight. Just for safety purposes."
"And don't say you don't need it. I blessed your house, but we can't be too safe."
"I understand."
Turning around by a sound behind her Lena saw Stack jogging in the distance. She hopped out of the car and examined his clothes from afar. His jacket in hand and shirt untucked. She was sure he had done some damage to the guy that approached her. Lena wasn't sure what he did or how bad he handled him, but she was turned on by his disheveled look.
She walked over to Stack and took his face in her hands. She scanned his face and ran her hands down his arm to find any sign of harm.
"I'm okay. That nigga ain't, but he's no longer my problem. Let's head inside." He turned towards his brother and Annie and waved them off. "I'll see y'all tomorrow round noon."
"Thank you again. Bye Annie."
"I'll bring more protection by tomorrow." She waved as Smoke drove off.
The two of them headed up the stairs with his arm around her waist. As soon as they walked in he shut and locked the door and dropped the curtains down. He sat down at the kitchen table as she headed to grab a cold wet rag. Lena kneeled down in front of him, in between his legs, and gently pressed the rag against his skin. "Did he get you?" She asked as she sat back.
He shook his head. "He didn't get a hit in. Come here."
She rarely ever hear him speak like this. Her eyes soften at his tone. Lena sat on his lap as he wrapped his arms around her thick waist. His head rested on her chest and he just took in her heartbeat.
Sounds of crickets, her blowing fan, and the howling dogs were silenced by the matching heartbeats shared between the two of them. A rhythm Stack had loved and gotten used to since being around her. He never stuck around someone long enough to notice if his heartbeat matched there's. He was grateful for experiencing a first with her. It may not mean much to her or anyone else, but to him it felt real. Felt normal. It felt like home.
Lena could tell his mind was racing and he was trying to calm his nerves. She allowed her hand to gently caress his neck. "You wanna get ready for bed?" She asked.
Her eyes scanned his face.
"Yeah." He lifted her up with ease.
"I'm not trying to hurt you."
"You ain't hurtin me, baby." He replied as he headed to the bedroom. Stack gently laid her down before taking his gun off, removing his knife and holster. He placed it at the nightstand next to the bed as he kicked his shoes off.
Without breaking eye contact Lena removed her dress revealing a short lilac colored slip.
Stack removed his shirt and pants leaving him in his boxers.
Lena bit her lip at his muscular frame.
Stack couldn't help but chuckle.
"Why you laughin' at me?" She asked. She made her way to him on all fours to sit in front of him on the bed. Her head tilted to the side as she looked up at him waiting for an answer.
"Cause you're cute. You also try to play innocent, but I catch you lookin' at me. Bitin' your lip and everything."
Lena couldn't help but laugh at him trying to imitate her. She gently nudged him as he laughed.
"I'm just sayin. Hey, I don't mind."
"I'm looking because I like what I see." She confessed.
"I'm surprised you ain't said nothin about me. I'm always looking." He laughed.
"I don't mind." She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked up at him and his brown eyes. "Imma kiss you now, okay?"
"You don't ever have to ask." He whispered seconds before he greeted his lips with her plump set. He moaned at the touch of her lips and the taste of her tongue. Stack lifted Lena up making sure his hands were secured under her ass.
She moaned in his mouth as he gave her a firm yet gentle squeeze.
His lips moved to her neck as he took a seat on the bed. His grip not loosening up as he sat down with her body on top of his. The weight of her on top of him was something he could definitely get used to.
Lena's fingers gently played at his nape as soft moans escaped her lips which caused his breathing to speedup.
He pulled back from her soft skin. Not because he wanted to, but because she was doing everything right. Her gentle caresses and fingernails always made his heart skip a beat and his goosebumps raise. He rested his forehead against hers and took in the gentle gestures. Lena hummed a soft tune as they took in each other's presence.
"Am I getting too heavy?" She asked. This was the first time she was in his lap for this long and wasn't sure if he was comfortable.
"Naw. You just right."
Not wanting to let the softness of her body go just yet Stack stood to his feet with her in hand and pulled the ceiling fan chord to turn the light off. He gently laid her down and settled his body down next to her.
Lena turned towards his body and nuzzled up next to him. "Thank you again Elias. You didn't have to beat that creep up just for me. I was able to hold my own."
He released a sleepy chuckle. "If I didn't he'd think it was okay to try that shit again." Elias hand rubbed up and down her now exposed hip as she stroked his beard. "I don't play about my girl." He poked one eye open to see her reaction.
Lena sat up on her elbow and looked down at him. "Your girl?" She asked gently.
"I've been meaning to make it official. Lena if you don't mind having me will you be my girl? My partner? My person?" His nerves getting the best of him now causing him to ramble. "I don't usually do this. I've actually never done this so I'm not sure if I'm,"
She stopped him with a kiss. Tasting his tongue yet again was becoming a favorite of hers. His hands gripping her ass as Lena's hands gently ran down his stomach. Stopping at his waistband. She pulled away to catch her breath. Her breast rose as she caught her breath. Her brown eyes scanned his face with a smile. "My answer is yes."
"Yes?" He grinned ear to ear. He pressed a quick kiss to her lips again before pulling back to look at her. He had never done this before. He wanted to put his best foot forward. Be on his best behavior. He wanted to build his own world with her the way his twin brother built his with Annie.
Stack took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Baby I'm tryna to be good right now and your hand is umm,"
Realization kicked in and she lifted her hand from the band of his boxers with a giggle. "Awww I'm sorry!" She cooed. "I appreciate you being patient with me, but baby we don't have to be innocent everyday." She confessed with peppered kisses in between.
"Wait now don't tempt me!" He threw his body over hers and immediately rammed his face in between Lena's neck causing her laugh to fill up the room.
"You think that boy was on his best behavior last night?" Smoke asked Annie as he watched her get dressed.
Annie chuckled. "He ain't walk home last night so I think he did alright." Annie turned to her husband and tilted her head to the side with a smile. "What's wrong, Elijah? Why you so worried about your brother and Lena, hmm?" She asked as she stood in front of him. Her hands gently laid on his firm shoulders as she awaited his answer.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and shook his head. "I just worry about him gettin' in trouble. Messin' with his future. I'm scared he ain't gon find love and he just gone be by himself forever. I can't be with him every step of the way. I want him to find his other half."
"Elijah you already know everyone has a different walk of life. His ain't gone be the same as yours or mine. Lena might be who he needs in his life. He's hardly here with us anymore and I'm sure he would've bragged about getting himself some from her, but he hasn't. She got him baking cookies from scratch, goin' on picnics, readin' books by the lake. She's good for him and I think he knows that. You gotta trust your brother to find his way his own way." She kissed her husband's lips and rubbed his arms. "Come on let's head over and pick him up. That was his first time staying over so he probably don't wanna come home tonight." She teased.
Lena was taking a nice bath and reading her book when Elias asked to join her. He sat across from her on the floor and took her book and began reading it to her letting her get lost in the fairytale. She had raised her leg and enjoyed the bubbles that sat on top of the warm water cover her leg only to slowly pop with the warm winds blowing through her windows.
Elias put her book down and watched as her thick thigh lifted up and he had every thought imaginable run through his mind. Her eyes focused deadset on him as her smooth brown skin was exposed with every gust of wind. He was doing a damn good job the last few months, but temptation was getting to him every second of the day.
He stood closer to Lena and placed his hands on both sides of her on the porcelain tub. "Keep teasing me with that leg and imma jump in here with you."
She smiled at his threat and was hoping he made it a promise. "What's stopping you?"
He took his shirt off and stepped in one foot at a time with his pants on.
"Elias!" Lena screamed with laughter as he got in halfway dressed just to join her.
Stack hovered over her completely wet and just smiled. He looked her in the eyes and leaned in for a soft kiss. Nothing too long or harsh. Just soft enough to make her heart flutter and lips want more. "You probably the best thing to ever happen to me, ya know? I ain't been this happy in a while and I want to thank you." He confessed.
She gently took his face in her hands and saw the honesty in his eyes. She wasn't looking for a partner or a man. She just so happened to go with her gut with him and she was happy she did. He had brought nothing but peace and happiness into her already peaceful and happy life. He wasn't trying to change it or her just enhance it and he did that times ten. She was forever grateful for him.
"I'm so glad I got in your car to stitch you up two months ago." She confessed with a smile.
"You and that smile healed me up that day."
Lena's eyes started tearing up.
"That ass kept me around though."
She couldn't help but fall into a fit of laughter. Leave it to Elias to make her capture so many emotions all at once. "I can't with you."
He shrugged and kissed her nose. He stood to his feet, leaned over to grab the towel and helped her up. He wrapped her up in a towel and helped her out of the tub.
As they were drying off she got a knock at her door. Elias gently guided her behind him as they headed towards her door. "Who is it?"
"It's Jim Crow nigga open up."
"Elijah!" Annie shouted as she tugged his arm.
Stack opened the door and Lena welcomed them in.
The look of confusion read on Smoke and Annie's face as they saw a wet Stack and a towel clad Lena.
"Make yourself comfortable. I'm going to make myself presentable. Elias see if they want some of that pound cake." She said before disappearing into her room.
"Y'all want some? I helped her bake it the other day."
"It's edible?" Smoke asked as he received a plate from his brother.
"Elijah be nice in other folks home." Annie scolded.
"Why would I offer you somethin' that ain't edible, fool? My baby helped me make it." He said with pride.
Lena walked out and handed Elias a pair of slacks that she made for him a while back. He thanked her with a kiss before heading to the bathroom to change. Lena sat on her couch and smiled. "Thank y'all again for last night. I do appreciate it. Elias helped make that pound cake. He was so proud of himself once it slipped right on out the pan." She confessed with a giggle.
"It's good. Elias should be proud of himself." Annie confessed.
"My brother ain't been crossing the line with you has he? He been respectful?" Elijah asked as he put his empty plate down.
"Oh yes, sir. Always respectful with me. He's always so thoughtful, too. Very kind and a great listener. He lets me ramble on and on about nothing sometimes just so he can hear my voice." She nervously giggled.
Smoke gave her a content nod.
Annie smiled. She pulled a bag out of her pouch and handed it to Lena. "Here's some more protection powder and a mojo bag. Keep this on you at all times. You don't gotta wear it around your neck everyday just keep it on you any way you can, okay?"
"My baby made me and my crazy brother one. We was skeptical about it at first, but it's proven many of times to keep us out harms way. I suggest you keep it close to you when you heading to the market by yourself." Smoke informed.
Annie shared a proud smile at him and took his hand in hers. He gave her a gentle squeeze in return. He wasn't always a believer, but time proved itself over and over again that what she was doing was the truth. The proof was in the pudding. Ain't no way around it.
"Elias you plan on heading back home with us now? We ain't trying to take up her whole Sunday." Smoke asked.
"Oh I don't mind. If y'all want we can have a little cookout today? Elias and I went to the market a few days ago so I have plenty of food to share and cook. I can make a fresh batch of tea, too. Mr. Willie up the street brought me some extra vegetables from his garden. If I don't use it up it'll go to waste and I would hate to trash good vegetables."
"Yeah stay and celebrate." Stack added.
"Celebrate what?" Smoke quizzed. His eyes went back and forth between the two sitting in front of him. They were practically sitting on top of each other and their fingers were locked.
"I asked her to be my girl last night. She said yes. I know it ain't marriage yet," he clarified "but it's the first step. Hopefully she says yes to that too when I ask her in the near future."
Annie looked so proud of her brother in law. He seemed like an enhanced man. Not necessarily change because he was always gonna be Stack, but it seemed like Lena made him want to be a better man. She prayed it all worked out for them because he deserved that happiness that he was always searching for.
Smoke's features softened at his brother's new found happiness. He always wondered if he'd ever find someone and although he only knew about Lena from Annie and Stack she seemed like the best person for him. His brother always spoke so highly of her. He was never vulgar when it came to her or crude. Always respectful and that's all he could ask for.
"Well my schedule is free, baby?" Smoke asked as he looked at Annie.
She smiled and gave her a nod. "Sounds good to me. Thank you and congratulations. I'm proud of you Elias."
Stack smiled wide as he gripped Lena's hand.
"Alright I'll start getting some water boiling. Excuse me." She stood to her feet, gave Elias a kiss, and headed into the kitchen to start cooking.
Annie got up to help leaving the brothers to talk amongst themselves.
"I'm proud of you. Seems like you got yourself a good one."
"Yeah. She real sweet. Got a heart of gold."
Stack continued to tell Smoke all about his plans. He was going to get a car and probably move in with her before getting married. He wasn't in a rush, he wasn't going anywhere and neither was she, but he wanted to make sure everything was set up to give her a perfect life that she deserved.
Stack watched as his girl and his sister in law laughed together about whatever conversation they were having. This was the life he wanted to live. He was glad that he stopped when he did that warm spring day.
Michael and Reader are exes and actors who are always caught up in an invisible string. This time the string leads them to interview each other for their own Actors on Actors episode.
[ Go easy on me! This is the first time I've posted in years. Happy New Years everybody x ]
The studio lights are blinding.
Youโve been through a million and one press junkets and interviews but this time, the air feels thick. Every corner of the room buzzes with an unfamiliar electricity that makes the hairs on your neck stand up. The set is pristine, designed to look like a cozy living roomโtwo chairs, warm lighting, a small coffee table between themโbut the last thing you can focus on is the camera.ย
Because heโs here. Michael. Sitting just across from you.
You can't believe it. Of all the people they couldโve paired you with for this episode of Actors on Actors, they had to pair you with him. Your ex.
The same ex who once held your heart in his hands, and, with a few words, shattered it into pieces youโve been picking up ever since. The same ex who, when you look at him now, is still so achingly familiarโlike he never left. His smile. That same mischievous glint in his eyes. His laugh, low and rich, the way it used to rumble through you and make your heart stutter. Everything about him makes it impossible to breathe without feeling that pull again, the one that you worked so hard to forget.
Parts of your brain know that it wouldโve been easier if the relationship had ended in a screaming match or some sort of cheating scandal, but you know that it just wasnโt true.
โWeโre not the same people we used to be, and I canโt keep pretending we are. I think itโs time we let go before we lose ourselves completely.โ
โDo you think that weโve outgrown each other?โย
The answer in the silence between the two of you was all the confirmation that you needed.
You two were the definition of the right time , wrong person, and now you have to sit there and pretend that you didnโt plan your entire futures together at 16 years old.ย
Of course the planning happened during a game of M-A-S-H while you were waiting in the dressing rooms on the set of The Wire.ย And at the time you wouldโve rather been Prodigy from Mindless Behavior or Zayn as your final choice, but 2 kids and a little blue house with him didnโt sound so bad.
ย It still doesnโtโฆ
But youโre both here, now, for the cameras.
You can put your professional face forward and sit for a conversation with him for the next 30 minutes. Itโs not like you hadnโt seen him since the breakup. You are in the same circle and you are both mostly drawn to the same projects so the two of you constantly being around each other was inevitable.ย
The crew gets into position, their voices soft but urgent as they check angles, make sure the lighting is right. You know the script for thisโquestions about your latest roles, how youโre navigating your careers, the โgame of acting.โ A simple conversation. But itโs never simple with him.
You put on your game face and saunter onto the set with a calm powerful stride.
โWe are two people that need no introduction. Hello Michael.โ you say to the camera while holding your hand out and he looks at your hand for a moment as if you had just handed him a speeding ticket.ย
You laugh softly at his expression and decide to not give him too much of a hard time.โIโm just playing. Hey Mike.โ you try again, and his small pout dissolves into a soft warm smile that takes over his entire face.ย
โHey, baby girl.โ
He pulls you in gently by your hand into a hug. A warm embrace that lasted a minute, but felt like an eternity.ย
The last time you were pressed this close to his chest was months ago while your legs were clasped around his waistโ holding on for dear life as he stretched you out after the Oscars after party.
The comforting hand that was massaging your back was the same as the one that held you closer while his hips rocked slowly into you.ย
Your hearts were beating so loudly against one another as if they were trying to declare your love because neither of you dared to speak the words.
โI miss you.โ
โI know.โ
โLook at meโฆ Please?โ He pleaded again, this time moving your braidsย out of your face.
You let out a sigh and turn your head away, letting his lips land on the side of your face and neck instead. โI canโt.โ you reply quietlyย
โI know.โย
โCome on, baby girl.โ Was all that it took for you to roll him onto his back and slide your champagne colored gown up higher and off of your body.ย
You can hear him take a sharp inhale while his hands up and down your body as if heโs remembering and studying all at once.ย
His fingertips danced over your soft brown skin that felt hot to the touch. His eyes finally met yours as you took him into your hand once again and guided him into you without haste. You teased him slowly the way that he liked while your other hand held his jaw in place.ย
He opened his mouth slowly to take your fingers into his mouth between his parted lips as you sunk down onto the tip and let out a breath while preparing to take the rest.
Michaelโs eyes flutter closedย when you cupped him lower and you tsk before shaking your head.
โLook at me. You wanted me to look at you. I am right here. You close your eyes again and I'm leaving. And youโre not allowed to cum until I say. Do you understand?โ You question, trying to sound brave because if you had stayed in the previous position you donโt know how you wouldโve kept your composure.
โYou say that because you donโt know how good you fuckin- feelโ Michael added and nodded hesitantly-
ย Michael glances at you, his eyes catching yours for the briefest second before he looks away, focusing on the monitor instead. That moment feels like a confession. He always knew how to make you feel like you were the only person in the room. Even now, even after everything.
โYou ready?โ His voice is low, careful, and it makes your stomach flip. You swallow hard, nodding once, trying to push down the surge of emotions that threatens to consume you.
โYeah. Ready.โ
The cameras roll, the noise in the room quiets, and suddenly, itโs just the two of you. Alone in front of an audience you canโt see, surrounded by a pressure neither of you has fully prepared for.
Michael leans forward, his usual charm in place, but the tension in the air is palpable. You can feel his gaze on you, warm but intense, like he's trying to figure out just how much youโve changed since the last time you saw each other.
โSo,โ he begins, his voice smooth, โyouโve been getting a lot of praise for your latest role. How does it feel to be the one everyoneโs talking about?โ
Itโs a simple question. But it isnโt. Not when the words hang between you like a fragile thread that could snap at any moment. You know him. You can feel the way heโs looking at you. The way his eyes soften when they meet yours. The way his lips press into a thin line as if heโs waiting for something.
You answer, but your mind is elsewhereโfloating between memories of late-night talks, whispered confessions, and the sting of a love that was never quite enough to keep you together. Your gaze flits to him briefly.
The moment stretches longer than it should.
This was a mistake.
But you donโt say it. You canโt.
โWell, I am in awe that when they wrote this character that Jordan Peele had me in mind. Like, of all people. He had seen my work and said yes I need this bumbling awkward nerdy black girl to be my leading lady. You know how much I loveย Jordan Peele. How many nights have we had in depth discussions for hours about Nope and Get Out and Us. And the script was just brilliant. I canโt say much about it yet, but you know how ecstatic I was when I found out that I got this role 2 years ago. I called you 5 minutes later after I called my mom and I just sobbed. Getting to star in a movie alongside Viola Davis is just any actorโs dream and itโs just purely insane. Sheโs the sweetest, most gorgeous hardworking person in the room. And she taught me how to let those tears flow without being embarrassed. You owe it to the character to tell their story. It will not always be pretty.โ You yap on and Michael is just staring at you with those stars in his eyes like heโs trying so hard to pay attention to all that youโre saying but with the way that heโs eyeing you it feels like heโs searching for something.
โYou have an eyelash.โ He lies quietly and grasps at nothing on your cheek while letting his fingertips graze your cheekbone momentarily.ย
It takes you back to the night of the after party once again.
Youโve now braced your hands against his chest with one knee down on the bed so that you can gain the perfect angle to bounce for longer.
The new angle allowed him to feel everythingย at once and his hands gripped your hips, his mouth opened to let out a broken whimper-โ just above a whisper.
Your hands trailed from his chest to his throat before your grip tightened around it.ย
The feeling of being sheathed inside of you like a warm embrace was too much with the way you brought yourself back down onto him with smooth rolls of your hips and bouncing.ย
He thought that he was going to lose mind before youย fell forward to let him impale you on it and pick up where he left off.ย
It was your turn to whine softly againstย his neck while you licked a strip up his neck up to his earlobe , suckling it softly.ย
โRight there? Right there! Right. There.โ He teased as he mocked your words. He locked one hand on the back of your head and the other around your waist to seal you in place before thrusting harder into the most perfect soft ribbony spot with precision.ย
You turn your brain off to how โwrongโ it was to be back in your hotel room, using the man who was once the love of your life like a pogo stick.
A long drawn out โfuckโ leaves his mouth and you know that heโs close. You lean back and allow him to sit up while you ride him again. He rests his forehead on your shoulderโ placing the softest butterfly kisses.
The switch from him doing all the work below to Lotus position felt like it was nearly too much and somehow not close enough.ย
You stare into each otherโs eyes while chasing that feeling together, in sync and in ebbs and flows of what felt the best to you both.
โFuck, I love you, and I canโt help that.โ he admits quietly. His hands come up to cup your breasts, softly grazing the hardened brown buds.ย
Your body froze in place. You searched his face for all signs of uncertainty and euphoric accidental confessions, but sighed a sigh of relief when you couldnโt find a hint of doubt.
โIs that not enough?โ you question.ย
You both didnโt have the answer to that question so you opted to lean in to kiss him and suckle his tongue instead.
The moment your thighs began to tremble against him he knew that you were close.ย
โMy God.Michael, fuck.โ you whine and try to match his rhythm but finding yourself cradling his head against your breasts and trying to prepare for that coil to snap in the pit of your stomach.ย
โDoing so good for me. Good job, mama. Good fucking job.You feel so fuckinโ good. Ma fu-โ He praised and hissed as he felt your nails rake down his back,ย
โHarderโฆ Youโre gonna make me cum-โHe whispered and you could feel him twitching and throbbing inside of you.ย
โI canโt. I canโt-โ You whine again , feeling overwhelmed by the feeling of being so close to where you want to be.ย
โYes, you can. Use your words. If you wanna cum , you gonna have to use your words.โย
โPlease?โ
โPlease? Please? Please, what baby? I donโt understand that.โ He mocks you to the very end but you know with the way that heโs now gripping your cheeks and dropping you down onto him , that heโs just as close as you are.
โPlease make me cum.โ
โI know. I know. I know.โ he coos.
โ Get my fingers wet for me, baby, Iโm going to get you there. You feel so good. Gonna make you feel so good.โ Heย leanedย you back gently, his hands sliding down from your breasts up to your mouth.ย
You wasted no time making a show of getting his fingers nice and sopping wet. You sucked on them while he gripped the back of your head and made you take them deeper. Any other time your skin wouldโve felt like it was burning with the way that this gaze was set upon you , taking you all in.
He rubbed the back of your head with a satisfied hum and with one soft kiss to your temple he got to workโmaking you feel the best that you had in the 4 months since the breakup.
With his fingers between your legs , rubbing gently atย your sensitive little bud and him now thrusting up into you and a tempo that was different than before you knew that you wouldnโt last long.
A combination of your grip and the sting of your long sparkly nails were the last thing he needed to send him over the edge with you.
ย He smacked your thigh softlyย just in time for you to lean back a little in his lap and let him coat your stomach right next to the little โmโ inside of a heart tattoo.ย
As you moan into each otherโs mouths you begin to overstim each other.ย
He laid you back, still grinding softly against you and with you twitching in his arms.
Even after all that had just taken place, the softest kiss that he placed against your lips almost felt forbidden.ย
He leaned down to rest his forehead against yours while you both caught your breath. Neither of you wanted to burst the bubble of fantasy so instead you did what you both do best and silently comfort each other.
You wipe the sweat from his face and he leans over to grab tissue from the hotel room nightstand to clean you up.ย
โYou okay? โ He asked softly knowing that neither of you had the energy or words to have the actual conversation that needed to be had but you both agreed that for the sake of growth and moving on that this would be the last time.ย
โYouโre okay. Youโre okay.โ He confirms while running his hands over your back to ground you.ย
He opens the bottle of water on the nightstand and holds it up to your lips before taking a few sips himself.ย
By morning you could feel his fingertips grazing your cheek while heโs saying his goodbyes.ย
It was as if he was reading your mind. The audacity of this man to smirk at you as if he knows that the last time you had the best orgasm of your life was 2 years ago and again 5 months ago while feasting upon you like you were the last meal heโd ever have.
You had been broken up for over 2 years at that point and you both blamed it on the delirium from the lack of sleep caused by late call times and reshoots.ย
You cough down your Earl Grey tea and return a look of your own. โThank youโ you say firmly and he continues the discussion.ย
โI remember that. When you called me I was already on my way home with flowers cause it was Monday - and if yโall didnโt know, brief sidenote. I feel like Mondays are hard enough. Everyone deserves flowers to start their week off right. So, yeah, you called and I also ended up bringing home a little โCongratulations, my future Oscar winnerโ cake. And now a year later youโre about toย share that movie with the world. Iโm so proud of you. I know how hard you worked. And thatโs the thing about both of us. Neither one of us ever really wanted to be actors growing up. It just kind of fell into our lap as a part of our path and itโs something that we fell in love with. I have always loved your work ethic and your style of acting. You know that I tell you that on and off camera. The way that you can make any character feel soโhuman. Thatโs something that I really admired about you. She was this professional little thing that walked on the set of The Wire like she had been working in the industry for 20 years. She used to scold me so much too. I heard โbe professional , Michaelโ more from her than I did the director.โ He says laughing and you kick him playing with your heel.ย
โYou were a menace! I thought that we were gonna get kicked off of set with your prank wars! Our scenes were already 60 secondsโ you say laughing as he grabs your foot,
โHeeyy! I was just trying to get your attention. I didnโt learn to love acting until I watched your scenes and wanted to work harder and fall in love with the craft. But, my first thoughts were the curly haired brown skinned girl that I got to see every day. You know, I wasnโt BIG MIKE back then. I had straight backs and 4xl Big and Tall shirts.It was rough. But Wallace taught me a lot. It was one of the first roles where I got to put on different shoes and hats and walk through someone elseโs lifeโ He says, laughing at himself at first.
โPlease edit a photo of that right here, thank you. Because why did the wardrobe department have him dressed like Master P, every episode. โ You chime in while laughing at him.
He pushed your heel playfully with his loafer and it made you both burst out in laughter again.ย
โItโs okay because they dressed me like Reba McIntyre. They really said a single mom who works too hard and loves her kidsโฆ It wasโฆ something.โ You joke before getting back to the main topic.
โYeah, a lot of people donโt know that he and I have known each other for forever and I can address the elephant in the room. Just because we're not together anymore doesn't mean that we aren't still fans of each other and the craft and we work well together. I literally cried when his character Wallace died. They didnโt tell me so that my reaction could be more authentic. I hated it and wanted no parts of it, but it taught me how to embrace feeling and emotion and let it flow as it needs to. In order to breathe life into the character. I cried again while watching him in Black Panther for the first time. It still gets to me to see him hurt or in pain or justโโ You try to continue the conversation but didnโt expect to get choked up on the idea of how much you care for his well being,
Michael instantly leans in with a tissue from the table next to your mugs to wipe away your tears and you quietly wave him off with a small shake of your head before taking a moment to gather your thoughts,ย
You watch as the corner of his mouth turns down for a second and there's something etched across his face like he wants to comfort you but he's not sure if that's his place now.
The frown on his face is replaced with a knowing look when he realizes that youโre still in front of a whole crew and cameras.ย
He settles for placing his hand on your knee and running his thumb over it to calm your nerves and soothe you.ย
It was something heโd always do to calm you before anything important while your leg jigged and shaked from the anxiousness.ย
You give him a soft smile and nod before continuing the conversation.
โ I think it was a combination of how hard he worked to make Erik feel human and how far heโd come in general. I also felt like Wallace in a way led to you bringing Killmonger to life. Erik really did feel like that guy from your neighborhood that you watched get dealt the shittiest hand of cards in life and he had to learn to play the game with those cards while going after the people who dealt them in the first place. Shout out to Ryan Coogler. Those were my favorite movies to work on. Lupita, Letitia, Angela, CHAD. Everyone worked for hours to create what you saw on the screen. You could just feel how important and special this film was going to be for a long time. My heart. My heart is forever left in Wakanda, honestly.ย I literally cried watching all of his films to be honest. Put on any of the Creed films and you will find me bawling by the end. He and Tessa were like magic together. And yes I saw all of the tweets and articles, thanks TMZ. But, no really, can I just also clarify that Tessa and I are besties. I literally had to silence my phone before this because she will be sending some sort of meme. People love a good fake story.We needed a good laugh.โ You tease while mouthing โfuck you guysโ to the camera.ย
You can hear the staff chuckling and you turn to see Michael immersed in what youโre saying. His eyes only leave your face to take a sip of his coffee.ย
โYeah, Tessaโs the homie. We were celebrating our anniversary in Cabo when we read those articles too. People just say anything and itโs taken as the truth. . . I think youโre right too. Thatโs exactly the way that I think of both roles. Really I approach all roles that way. Whereโs the humanity in this? And if I canโt find it. Then I wonder when it was turned off. How did the character lose it ? Then from there I just dive in. . . Switch with me?โ He asks after making a face at how sweet the coffee is.ย
He takes a swig of your Earl Grey and takes a moment to collect his thoughts.ย
โOh, I couldโve told them that you wouldnโt like this. It's very sweet but very nice, thank you.โ You say in the direction of the staff.ย
โOof. You have. You have my red lipstick on you from my mug.โย
Youโre already swiping at his lips without a second thought. It didnโt dawn on you how awkward things might appear until you meet his gaze and heโs grabbing another tissue from the table and swiping at his own lips.
โDid I get it?โ He asks licking his lips slowly and you wanted to smack the grin off his face at that moment.ย
โYup. YUP. Got it. Perfect, good job.โ You reply cheekily before looking out at the crew and staff.ย
โAlso, Did you know that he was my first on-screen kiss? My first on-screen everything..." You segue into the next conversation about your newly released romcom.ย
The cheeky grin that he was once wearing is now replaced with a look of nostalgia induced sorrow.ย
โYeah yeah. It was all teeth and upper lip. I didnโt know what was going on. I just knew that they said hey keep it cute. Simple. A peck. I still wasnโt at the BIG MIKE stage. This was the Chronicle era and I know yโall didnโt watch that one, but thatโs alright โyouโre still my people. Itย was for some throwaway party scene. It didnโt end up making the final cut but the butterflies that I felt that day was all that I remember. I was so nervous I kept getting the lines wrong. Anyways, Steve ended up getting smashed into the ground the next day and that was that, but I didnโt even care. I was on cloud 9. We had our first date the next weekend after that.โ He reveals and you smiled fondly back at him at the thought.ย
โYou never told me that you were nervous. I was so nervous that day. I think I ate about 20 Altoids and then I couldnโt even feel my tongue for 5 minutes.โ
He chuckles to himself at the thought of the memory.
โYou were definitely my celebrity crush. So, for me it was and still is a special moment in my careerโฆ And now I know why your breath was so minty.โ He jokes but you donโt miss the way that he rubbed over the tiny print of your initials on the inside of his wrist.
โAlso, can I just add. Can you please stop dying on screen! Youโve got about 4 or more characters that just get off-ed brutally. I was so over the moon when I found out that you would be the male lead opposite of me in this thriller romcom, Try Again. I know how much you give to these characters and how much you want to do their stories justice but I love when you laugh. Itโs still my favorite sound. Working with you on this new romcom was difficult because we did all of our own stunts, but I loved it because it felt like we were 16 again. I havenโt heard you laugh or seen you smile that much in years. So many heavy characters took so much of your light in order to bring them to life. In this A24 movie we play a couple whoโs thinking about getting divorce and are in the process of separation. However, we end up needing each other to get through a situation because it isnโt as it seems! So stay tuned for that.โ You continue, pointing towards the camera.
He leans back in his chair, looking at you with a softness in his eyes, a little more vulnerable than he usually lets on in interviews. There's a long pause, like he's choosing his words carefully, trying to balance what he's feeling with the professional facade.
"Man, Iโ" He laughs softly, running a hand through his hair, as if gathering the courage to say exactly whatโs on his mind. His voice lowers, sincere. "Youโve always had a way of seeing right through me, havenโt you?"
Michaelโs eyes meet yours, the years between you two suddenly feeling smaller, as if the old connection is still there, just buried under time. "Itโs... Itโs not just the characters, you know. Those stories, they take so much, but they also give me a way to feel things I didn't know I needed to. But hearing you say thatโฆ hearing you say that you miss my laughโฆ it hits different now."
He exhales slowly, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I don't think I realized how much of myself I left behind, chasing all those roles. But you always knew how to make me feel like me again. Even on the hardest days, there was something about your energy that could pull me back."
A pause, and he glances away for a moment, almost like he's fighting to keep his composure. Then he looks at you again, softer than before. "I missed you, more than I would have liked to admit. The real me. Not the guy I play on screen, but the one who can sit next to you and just laugh about nothing at all."
He clears his throat, trying to make it sound light again. "So yeah, youโre right. You were 16 again, and I was with you, laughing like nothing ever changed. Layla and Quinten are a lot like us in a way. They fell in love very fast and early on in life and they had seen it all and done it all. And then one day life is pulling them in two different directions. And onto a path when theyโve never really had to travel alone before. Thereโs love always, but thereโs also self discovery that needs to happen. But there is always, always love, respect, and care.โ
There's a tenderness in his gaze that lingers for just a second longer than expected, before he finally gives you that familiar, playful smile. "So yeah. Try Again is coming out a few months before Sinners, stay tuned!" He finishes off, trying to keep a level of professionalism and privacy.
The words he says hit harder than expected, each one a tender reminder of what you once shared, what youโve bothย lost, and what could still be there, even in the quiet spaces between the two of you.ย
After blinking back the tears a few times, almost as if youโre trying to keep the vulnerability at bay, but the sincerity in his voice has already cracked something wide open.
For a moment, itโs quiet. Your gaze softened but the way that your heart thudded against your chest made this feel way too real. You felt caught between the walls that you built and the person sitting across from her, the one that still knows you better than anyone else. You take a breath and turn slightly toward him, leaning in just enough to let him know youโre hearing him, really hearing him.
"You always did know how to make me feel like I was the only person in the room, even when we were surrounded by a hundred people." You smile, but itโs a little sad, a little too knowing. "I think that's why it was so easy to fall in love with you in the first place. You never treated me like I was just another face in the crowd. You saw me. And I... I didnโt always know how to be honest with you, even when I shouldโve been. But maybe, Iโve learned a little more now. And I think thatโs the thing that made me connect with Layla in the first place. Sheโs accomplished and driven and sometimes a little controlling but thatโs only because she wanted the best for him. Quinten is kind, loving and friendly. I think sometimes to a fault because in the career that heโs in people will see that as an open invitation to be as sneaky and shitty as they can be. Even if itโs done quietly and he doesnโt really see it. We get to see their growth and communication throughout the film. And thereโs aliens! So really stay tuned! "
His eyes linger on his, soft and steady, before Michael responds . "I think you're right. Maybe itโs not about going back to what they were. Itโs about... accepting where they are now.I could talk so much about this and the process of bringing a script to life as an actor. But, we only have about 30 minutes for the discussion and theyโre already signaling for us to wrap it up! Weโre both yappers so we didnโt even get into half the things that we wanted to talk about. Round 2 on your podcast, Table Read? โ
He asks plugging your show at the end, but you both knew that it was just another reason for him to see you and spend more time with you.ย
You let out a soft breath, eyes flicking down for a moment, then back up to meet his. โIโd like that, actually. Thereโs so many more things I'd love to get into with you and Iโm sure theyโd love to see it.โย
โThank you so much for being here with us today and Iโm truly sorry that all we did was yap the time away but look forward to Sinners with this large headed man and the incredible Lily Rose Depp. You can also look forward to our movie Try Again. Once again, thank you for having us.โ
Once you wrap everything up and the director yells cut , Michael scoops you into a hug without much thought.ย
โYou smell good.โ He says quietly and you just give into it, resting your head on his shoulder.ย
As the cameras stop rolling and the director yells "cut," the room suddenly feels quieter, as if the world outside their conversation has been temporarily suspended. Thereโs a weight in the air, and for a second, you wonder if the moment has already passedโif you should just let it fade with the lights and the final words of the interview. But then Michael's arms are around you, pulling you into a hug without hesitation, like heโs waited for this exact moment.
"You smell good." he repeats, voice low and warm against the side of your neck.
The โreminds me of homeโ part swirling around his brain is silenced and you both settle into the hug.
For a moment, you donโt say anything. You just lean into him, your head resting on his shoulder, the familiarity of his embrace wrapping around you like a protective cocoon. The hug is long, comfortable, almost as if time has folded back to the years before everything shifted. Before the distance, the separation, the silence.
You breathe in his scentโsomething thatโs distinctly himโand it hits you with the sudden realization of how much you missed this. How much you missed him.
"I didnโt know I missed this... until now," you admit softly, your voice barely above a whisper, vulnerable in the way only old friends or lovers can be.
He pulls back just enough to look at you, his face close but not too close. Thereโs something in his gaze, a mixture of longing and something more, something unspoken that lingers in the air between you. The laughter, the warmth, the smilesโtheyโre all still there. He hasnโt changed, not entirely. Neither have you.
"Yeah, I think we both didnโt realize how much we needed this," he murmurs, brushing a strand of hair away from your face, his hand lingering a moment longer than necessary. "But we canโt go back to where we were, can we?"
You meet his eyes, feeling the weight of those words, but thereโs no sadness in them. Not really. Itโs just the truth. Youโve both moved forward, but this moment, the connection between you, doesnโt need to be erased. It just needs to evolve.
โI donโt think itโs about going back," you reply slowly, voice steady. "I think it's just about... acknowledging it. Acknowledging that weโre here now, even if itโs different. But, different isnโt always a bad thing.โ
Michael nods, the sadness in his eyes matching the quiet acknowledgment in your words. "Different can be a good thing."
For a moment, neither of you speak. The room around you feels like itโs frozen in time. The noise from the crew, the laughter from the makeup artistsโit all feels so distant now, like theyโre characters in their own story, while you and Michael are the ones still figuring out what comes next. Thereโs a kind of peace in that.
You finally pull away from him, offering a small, sincere smile. โIโm really glad we got to do this. Itโs been... a long time.โ
โIt has,โ he agrees, his voice soft. Then, with a playful grin, he adds, โMaybe we should stop making it so long next time?โ
You laugh, and for the first time in ages, it feels effortless. You can almost hear the echo of that laughter from when you were both 16, the sound of two people who hadnโt yet learned how to let go of each other.
โI think I could manage that,โ you tease back.
And just like that, the walls that had been built over the years seem to crumble, at least for a moment. The past isnโt gone, but it doesnโt feel as heavy anymore. It feels... shared. Real.
As you both make your way off set, you turn to him one last time. โAre you going to the Golden Globes lunch thing?โ
He gives you one of those familiar, knowing smiles. โFor sure. Itโs on my schedule. You?โ
โYes.. Itโs on mine tooโฆ See you there?โ
โSee you there-โ
And with that, the chapter ends. Not with an answer, not with certainty, but with the soft, unspoken promise of maybe more. Maybe one day. But for now, you both step into separate futures, carrying pieces of each other with youโunspoken, untouched, and yet undeniably there.
Heyyy.... How y'all doing? Hypothetically speaking if I had a fic sitting in my draft folder about reader and Michael B Jordan being exes and doing the Actors on Actors interview - would you wanna read it still ?
i've had writers block for two years straight. HELP ME.
i've opened and closed google docs 4 times today . I've got my keyboard out and wrist support and everything and still cannot come up with anything more than โโ
I'm sorry loves ! I see the tags and @'s for new carmy fics but depression be ripping into me most days and i don't have a lot of energy. I have watched the new season though and i have new things to write about. Im just trying to find the spark.
Anyways, i hope that you are doing okay & that something good happened to / for you today ๐ซถ๐ผ ๐ซถ๐ผ.
I know that today's a tough one for a lot of people so if you're still trying to heal from a mother wound. I love you and your feelings are valid. And i'm your maman now. Tell me all about your current special interests while i cook us dinner๐ซฐ๐ผ๐ค.
But the opposite, happy american mother's day to all the loving, kind, intelligent women who are doing their best & making shit happen. You deserve all the flowers ๐๐ค
I really found my love and inspiration for writing again . I have joel miller (the last of us), Namor , Greg (from abott elementary), Carmy , and then my laptop decides to eat dirt ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ right after i bought my maman a nice gift for mothers day. Aint that bout a bitch! But i will be getting one some time next week๐ค๐ผ๐ค๐ผ.
When are we getting another Carmy fic sis, the black reader content is far and few in between๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ
I have so many unfinished carmy fics! I still have the bachelor party/the wedding / the honeymoon and a bunch of little blurbs. I love that people wanna read about Carmy. But my laptop ate dirt so i'm going to get a new one. Writing on my kindle is so difficult. But the Carmy fics are coming ๐ค.
