prologue summary: The one where you, a somewhat well-known singer, figure out exactly how to leave your boyfriend who so happens to work as an assistant coach at West Ham.
Eventual Jamie Tartt x Reader
i was inspired to make a series by @buckychristwrites and @illiterateaffairs, who made the beautiful series' 'About You' and 'Distractions' respectively, so let's give this a go
"Folklore and Evermore are fantastic for someone like (L/N), but is it enough to top the charts?"
"While (L/N)’s storytelling and emotion come through, does she have the audience for such a piece?”
“Previous attempts at topping the charts proved difficult, country or pop, what can (L/N) do next to be number one?”
“Fans approve of the narrative, but do the numbers?”
“It’s definitely a reach releasing two albums within a year of each other. I mean how desperate can you be?
“After experimenting with an album sampling multiple genres at eighteen, is this what (L/N) is finally good at?”
~
It’s exhausting. Everything. Trying to prove yourself while also trying not to seem full of yourself. How can someone just rise to the top of the charts? How can you be good enough? Every day there were articles calling you names and how much of a failure you are and could be. The bad always outweighed the good things people had to say. How can you make someone see who you are and what you are trying to do? It’s impossible to conform to every single version of yourself that people want you to be. It doesn’t help when your boyfriend has already achieved his dream. Helping coach his favorite team. A bittersweet thing to see. His compliments that can seem backhanded at teams. You’ll get there sometime babe. Don’t worry, you’re number one to me. Humiliating coming from someone so fake and narcissistic. Oh yes, the boyfriend you have put your life on pause for, albeit being together for two years, has been cheating on you for the past 3 months. Utterly humiliating.
It only gets worse considering he took over the job of managing you and where you play as an artist. It gave him some sort of promotion of rank amongst the other coaches. Nobody really recognized you at the football events he “booked” for you. Why would these older men listen to songs about a fictional love triangle? The only ones who recognized you were the bored teenage daughters dragged along to such events.
And asking for help is out of the question. Your best friend was only so far from you, playing for A.F.C Richmond. Phone calls and texts could be made any second of the day and you would be swooped away, but you chose not to. Colin has a busy life as you do, so it wouldn’t be right to call him about every single problem you were having, right? You were both doing what you’ve wanted to do since you were kids (one enjoying it more than the other), so why should you disrupt his life with yours?
But when you wake up the next morning with the opportunity of a lifetime, it seems like life has taken a turn for the better.
“Babe! Babe!”
You turn towards the doorway of your writing room resting your hands in your lap from their place on the piano. Derek leans against the doorway, trying to catch his breath.
“They want you to play! At the stadium!”
What.
“What are you on about?”
“Rupert wanted to one-up that ex-wife of his and Jasmine gave the idea of getting someone popular amongst fans to perform at halftime in a game against Richmond! Fantastic isn’t it! You’ve got to thank Jasmine for this, god that woman is amazing.”
Derek disappears down the hallway still shouting at the news. You sit wide-eyed and frozen. Not only at the news, performing in front of hundreds of fans at what possibly is one of the biggest games is a huge opportunity and you should be happy about it. Well, you are, but the name that left your boyfriend’s mouth gave it a sour taste. Jasmine. The woman he kisses and loves behind your back. And the one who gave you a chance at the spotlight in two months' time. Popular amongst fans? Was she being serious or being sarcastic? Nonetheless, what the hell.
An amazing woman, you think.
You stand and make your way to the nook in the window. You stare down at the people who walk past before grabbing at the journal and sitting yourself down. Opening the journal to the page marked by a pen holding its place, you start writing down your next idea.
reputation
You drag the pen quickly on the page leaving a straight line underneath the word, a smirk making its way to your face.
i absolutely KNOW i have to do something with “you know how to ball i know Aristotle” and the entirety of So High School with Jamie, like it just HIT me
but i do have to do the next chapter of reputation, my writing mind has been activated
summary: the one where Jamie needs his sister's help. and the one where Jamie actually helped you figure out your love life.
will kitman x reader
jamie tartt x sister!reader
word count: 6.1k
author's note: here we are, you and me, me and you. this turned out longer than expected, curse the screenwriter in me. but i do hope you enjoy <3
warnings: cursing, light smut, allusion to smut
Time. 2-1.
The crowd jumps and the cheers are deafening. Richmond players storm the pitch and throw themselves at their fellow teammates. It wasn’t an easy win, but a final-minute goal secured their spot. It felt almost dream-like, so of course, it called for a celebration. Chanting echoes off the walls as they make their way back to the locker room. Talks of celebration filled the room but it all came to a grinding halt when Sam mentioned the club they were planning to go to, was closed. Cue the multiple groans and moans of anguish and disappointment. Jamie, however, stood silent.
“What the fuck are you thinking about?”
Roy, the everloving burst of sunshine, broke his thought bubble. Jamie looks at his teammates' expectant faces and sighed. This is not where he was picturing his night to be going. On one hand, he’d be able to celebrate with his team in a more private setting, but then again…Oh fuck it.
“I got a place we could go to.”
And the cheers resume.
“But, I do have to call first.”
And the groans are back. Pulling out his phone, Jamie leaves the room. It rings seemingly forever until the other person picks up. Loud music has Jamie pulling the phone away from his ear.
“Jamie!! What do I owe the pleasure?”
“Remember that favor you owe me?”
“Obviously. You always remind me after I ask you for something. ‘I got ya a sandwich from the shop, you owe meh. This shirt made me think of ya. ‘Oh thanks Jamie!’ ‘Now can ya buy meh these shoes.’”
“You think you’re so funny-”
He pauses before it turns into a back-and-forth game of throwing insults to see who seethes in anger first. Jamie explains his predicament and shuts his eyes, hoping for a positive answer. It’s silent.
“Please, winger. I’ll…I’ll let you come watch drills. I know how much you enjoy that shit you weirdo.”
“I’m so gonna make you regret that. Deal striker.”
Jamie punches the air and expresses his gratitude. Walking back into the locker room, all heads turn to him. Jamie being Jamie, takes the moment to be cocky until he’s hit over the head. Rubbing the sore spot, he grumbles about their invitation. And while they are happy they have somewhere to get absolutely sloshed, Ted wonders who he had to call and why he needed an invite.
“Now hold on gang. Jamie, where is it that we’re going?”
Jamie looks around with a smirk on his face. “You’re gonna love this.”
~
Pulling up to the club, which they now knew was private, the boys were surprised to be standing in front of an old bookstore. Although confused, they follow Jamie quietly through the store. Upon reaching the back corner, an employee sits up in his seat. Jamie utters a word and a bookcase opens to reveal a secret door. Excitement rises as the team walks through. The sound of music and people cheering reach their ears. The scene leaves all of them besides Jamie speechless. It was such an open space hidden behind the walls of an old shop.
“Lads, welcome to Seventh Heaven.”
The crowd gets louder near the bar. At the center of it all is you, standing on the counter chugging a cup of whatever mixed drink was handed to you. You throw your hands up with a sour look on your face. As the cheers and chants of your name fuel your ego, you spot Jamie & co making their way to you. Jumping off the counter, you maneuver through the now dissipating crowd.
“Tartt-breaker number two! You made it.”
“The fuck you mean two? You’re two if anything.”
“Fuck off, I’m number one dickhead.”
“Oi!”
The shouting behind Jamie gets your attention, suddenly remembering you invited the whole team. Shoving Jamie out of the way, you step forward and introduce yourself. Roy, in his lovely Roy Kent manner, asks exactly who the fuck you are. You slowly turn your head towards Jamie, who almost shrinks at your stare.
“You absolute fuckhead.”
“I haven’t done anything!”
“Did you not tell them who I was?”
“You know, that hasn’t really come up…”
Turning to Jamie’s teammates, you drop the bomb.
“I’m Jamie’s sister.”
The uproar commences. They start yelling at Jamie, him trying to defend himself and you watching the drama you caused. The coaches attempt to quiet the yelling but it doesn’t seem to work. Feeling someone stop next to you, you glance to your left. There stands a boy you don’t recognize as one of Jamie’s teammates, but one you saw walk in with them.
“You’re not one of Jamie’s teammates are you?”
Will, almost frantically, turns to you.
“Oh no, I’m just, just Will.”
“Well, just Will, would you mind telling them I have somewhere to be? Remind Jamie drinks are on me, fucking knobhead probably forgot.”
Will stutters out a yes. Smiling, you squeeze his shoulder in thanks before disappearing.
~
After plenty of hounding from the team and Jamie’s pitiful defenses, they scattered thoughout the club in groups. Jamie took it upon himself to show whoever was interested around the place. At first it was Keeley who then dragged Roy who in turn somehow dragged Will into experiencing ‘the grand tour’. Waiters and bartenders greet Jamie as they pass by, confusing his followers. They reconvene with Colin and Sam near the stage, but before they can start a conversation, the lights dim. Whistles and whoops are soon drowned out by drums and the strums of a bass. As the spotlights come up on the stage, there stood you dancing and prancing with another bandmember.
Your appearance garners the attention of Jamie’s team and the younger women in the club. Keeley yells a ‘Holy fuck’ before running towards the makeshift pit.
–
I met a guy in the summer, and I left him in the spring
He argued with me about everything
I wanna get him back
I wanna make him really jealous, wanna make him feel bad
–
God, love's fuckin' embarrassin'
Just watch as I crucify myself
For some weird second string
Loser who's not worth mentioning
My God, love's embarrassing as hell
–
I could change up my body and change up my face
I could try every lipstick in every shade
But I'd always feel the same
'Cause pretty isn't pretty enough anyway
–
Bowing dramatically, you and your bandmates almost trip over each other as you race through the curtains. Leaning against a wall, you catch your breath as they plan the rest of their night away. Before exiting back into the lounge area, they call after you. You wave them off, saying you needed a minute. As soon as they are out of sight, you sink onto the floor. Fanning your face, you try to beat the rapid onset of tears from falling down your face.
They love you, why do you need so much reassurance? You squeeze your eyes shut. Stop thinking you’re the only one being hurt here. Shaking off the repeating voices in your head, you stand. Practicing a fake smile, you open the door. Discreetly making your way back to the bar, Jamie finds you first.
“Why didn’t you tell me you made new music?”
“I was-”
Jamie cuts you off, saying you both needed a drink together to celebrate both of your successes. You’re left with Keeley, Roy, and Will.
“I didn’t know that was you babe! I fucking love your music!”
She squeezes your shoulders before following in Jamie’s direction. Roy nods at you, leaving a star-struck Will in front of you. He opens his mouth to say something but is interrupted with Jamie’s return. He hands you one of the drinks and says some speech about being proud or what not. But you’re not listening, because as soon as Jamie says the word, you knock it back. The burning sensation in your throat covering up the numb empty feeling of being alone. Maybe you were surrounded by your brother and other people who loved and celebrated you, but does it mean anything if you can’t feel it?
~
Waking up in Jamie’s flat was one thing, not remembering how you got there was another. That was new to you. At least you remembered Jamie’s part of the deal: taking you to see hot men kick a ball around. Noticing his glasses and squinty face, you laugh before offering to buy coffee before heading to the stadium. Walking into the locker room, the first thing you notice the dragging feet and slow movements of what Jamie said was “the best fuckin team in the league”.
“Jesus fuck, what did you guys do last night?”
“Us?! How are you even alive right now?” Isaac whisper-yelled.
“Get with the times, gramps.”
Deciding to give them their privacy, you stroll into the coaches office and spin around in the rolling chair. You push yourself out once you hear the coaches enter the room.
“Eh, Coach, we have a guest today.”
“And who might that be Jamie?”
“That thing over there.”
“Rude.” Taking a sip of your coffee, you slowly wheel yourself towards Jamie. His back is turned to you, listening to his coaches as much as his hungover mind would let him. Kicking the back of his knee seemed like a great idea at the time, seeing him fall any time is hilarious. Until the coffee you bought for him ended up on your clothes. The room fell silent, a few gasps were let out. Standing up, you wordlessly handed your belongings to the player closest to you who took it without hesitation. Uttering a “Run”, you take off after Jamie. His panicked explanations echo down the hallway as he leads you out to the pitch. Running out of breath, you drop onto the grass. Cursing Jamie, you starfish onto the grass. A set of footsteps coming closer causes you to open your eyes.
“Are you alright?”
Will looks down at you with concern, but you wave him off. You hear the chatter of the whole team coming out onto the pitch. Will holds a hand for you and pulls you up. Jamie, now halfway down the pitch, watches you while walking in your direction.
“Will, why don’t we find this lovely lady some clean clothes.” Will gestures for you to follow him and before you do, you flip Jamie off. With both fingers like a mature adult would. The silence that surrounded you and Will was suffocating. You vaguely remember meeting him last night, but that only played a tiny part of the big night you had. The both of you start to speak at the same time, awkwardly laughing.
“Sorry.” “Sorry.”
“So, you run fast. Do you play too?
“Pff, not anymore.”
“Why not?”
You still at the question before shrugging it off. Deciding not to push it, Will holds the door to the boot room open for you. Freshly washed towels and clothes are stacked in piles, the scent of lavender almost covering the smell of feet. Will smiles at the way your nose wrinkles at the smell. He hands you a pair of sweats and a practice jersey.
“I could wash those for you…if you’d like?” He gestures towards your coffee stained clothes.
“Would you? You’re the best thanks Will.”
Leaving to change in a more private setting, you leave Will standing proud of himself. You, on the other hand, feel a strange happy, giddy feeling. And as much as it makes you feel like you’re floating on air, you try to push it back down. It’s not worth getting into again.
~
Jamie’s end of the deal was letting you come and watch hot guys play soccer. So why was sitting on the grass and talking to Will so much better? You had helped him finish setting up the water table and listened to him talk about how he accidentally hears everything in the boot room. The speed he speaks at makes you laugh as he lets it all out. In his words, “I’m sworn to secrecy, and it physically hurts not to tell.” And then he tells you about his breakup and how he somehow mentioned getting drinks to Roy and Jamie after he witnessed their Keeley conversation. You feel for him, because he really seems like a sweet guy.
“Who would say no to fishbowls? That’s just a crime. God I wish my club had fishbowls. Pretty, but dangerous.”
Will turns to you ecstatically. You notice the absolute glee on his face.
“If you’re going to ask me what I think you’re going to ask me, then fuck yeah I’m in.”
“Really?!”
“Obviously. It’s fishbowls.”
Roy’s shout of whistle signals the end of training. The two of you stand, deciding to start your fishbowl adventure later tonight. Solidifying your plans: time, place, Will getting your num-
“Oi! What are you two on about?”
The whole team had unanimously decided to watch the two of you interact and were intrigued by your plans. Especially Jamie. You tried to steer him away from the topic of the conversation, but it was too late. Half the team wanted to tag along to whatever bars you and Will were going to, even after the bender they went on last night. You rolled your eyes at Jamie’s insistence of the whole team going.
Finally back into your own clothes, you waited outside of the locker room as the boys changed. Only, they weren’t changing. Colin figured out that you were a solo artist as well and had pulled up a music video you had uploaded two weeks ago. Expecting an upbeat song like the ones your band had played the night before, they were surprised to hear piano notes. At the sound of your voice, Jamie looked towards where everyone gathered around Colin’s phone. The one thing they collectively noticed was how sad and angry you sounded.
—
Argument you held over my head
Brought up the girls you could have instead
Said I was too young, I was too soft
Can't take a joke, can't get you off
Oh, why do I do this?
—
The video ended with you looking up from the piano with a tear running down your face. There were a few sniffles before Dani spoke up.
“I hope to never experience a heartbreak like that in my life.”
A chorus of ‘Amens’ followed. The boys headed back to their own lockers. Jamie abandons his clothes in favor of his phone. Searching up your name and the name of the song, a multitude of news articles detailing your most recent breakup popped up.
Hartt & Danes Split After Cheating Rumors
Age-gap, Lies & Fights: Inside Look at Hartt-Danes Relationship
Lead singer of Heartbreakers Band New Solo Act Tops Charts
Pictures of you popped up holding hands with some older guy, but what caught Jamie’s attention were pictures of you crying, seemingly arguing with the guy. Jamie was confused. How hadn’t he heard about this before? Why did you change your name? The thought of asking you kind of scared him. If you hadn’t told him, it was either because it wasn’t important or you were trying to hide something. And every time you didn’t tell him something, you were hiding it. Quickly changing, he pops out of the locker room to see you leaning against the wall. Glancing up at the noise, you see Jamie with a weird pained look on his face.
“Fucking finally. I have places to be dickhead.”
You started to walk away but Jamie’s question makes you freeze.
“Who’s Jack Danes?”
Closing your eyes, you let a shaky breath out. You turn to face your brother.
“No one important, now can we go. I, we have to meet Will at 6:30.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t deflect the question.”
“Just some guy Jamie, it doesn’t matter.”
“Doesn’t matter?! Then how come I had to find out through the internet? Interviews from this guy I don’t even know”
Meeting his eyes, a newfound rage fills you. “And you believed him?!”
Your shouting has the door to the locker room opening, heads peeking out. When the shouting turns to blame and name-calling, Ted is quick to diffuse the situation. Separating the two of you, Beard drags Jamie to the coach’s office while Roy leads you toward an empty hallway. However, you don’t stop there. You stomp out of the tunnel leading out the pitch and throw your stuff onto the ground. Roy’s calls fall on deaf ears.
Seeing an abandoned basket of soccer balls, you drag it towards a goal. You knock it over and start kicking them one by one at the net. Roy sighs, before following you. As the last ball sails into the net, you let out a strangled yell before dropping yourself onto the grass. You blankly stare at the other side of the field, Roy coming to a stop next to you.
“You’re still here.” It came out more like a statement rather than a question. And for some, that worried him.
“Can’t exactly have you destroying our field can we? Nearly took out the fucking goal hitting the crossbar.”
You snort at the exaggeration. Roy, although begrudgingly, sat down next to you.
“He’s just worried about you.”
“Well he doesn’t need-”
“It’s the only way that prick knows how!” Pause. “Sorry. Look, it’s not easy finding out your sister was with some random guy and it wasn’t as perfect as it was made out to be. It’s absolute shit.”
You turn your head to Roy, seeing his downcast expression. You both sit in silence. The sunny sky a complete opposite of the vibe invading the clubhouse. With a sigh, you promise to talk to Jamie. Roy nods at you before carefully getting up, extending a hand to help you.
~
You lied. You Ubered back to your flat to get dressed. Will had agreed to meet you a bit earlier to pregame meeting the team. Your goal was to have a fishbowl in every color. And to get absolutely fucked up. You and Will had finished a red colored fishbowl and were heading over to the next pub. The two of you laughed as you approached the building. Noticing your brother among the group of people outside, your mood dropped, but Will’s excitement about an orange fishbowl had you smiling again.
Upon hearing your laugh, Jamie looks up and finds you. He smiles at how happy you look and moves to go to you. You see his efforts and pull Will into the pub, exclaiming how the fishbowls wait for no one. That was one of many attempts to get your attention. You dodged him every single time, and the more you drank the more annoying you found it. After finishing fishbowl yellow, you were stumbling around giggling. How on earth you and Will consumed three fishbowls, nobody knew. It was just funny to see the two of you dance around singing to whatever was being played over the speakers.
Deciding to take a break, Will left you at the booth with Jan Maas to get a couple of waters. The Dutch player had a different idea as he challenged you to a drinking game, each shot stronger than the last. And boy did you need a win after today. The game was cut short as you lost after the second shot, the sour look on your face the cause of it. From across the room, Jamie saw his chance. Sliding out the booth you’re met face to face with the last person you want to speak with.
“I don’t want to talk to you right now.”
“Please-“
“No Jaime.”
You don’t know if it was the burning feeling of vomit or the raw crying feeling in your throat, but it had you staggering out the door. The feeling dissipated as the fresh air filled your lungs. Hearing Jamie behind you, you try to guide yourself down the street. He comes up from behind grabbing your arm.
“Can you stop running? I’m trying to have a civilized conversation with you.”
“And I’m being civilized by not yelling in the middle of the street.”
“Please (Y/N), I’m just trying to understand.”
“Well you don’t understand Jamie! I was cheated on, I was yelled at, and it’s all over the internet! Every time someone searches up my name it’s never my band or my music, it’s my fucking ex talking on and on and on. How could you understand that?”
Jamie swallows the nasty feeling and blinks his tears away. He succeeded in getting the truth but there was no victory in it.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you’re Richmond’s prized possession, I couldn’t distract you. Besides, I'm dealing with it by myself so don’t worry about it.”
“You’re supposed to distract me! That’s your job! You’re supposed to bother me until I help you! I’m here to stop you from doing stupid things. I’m not…I’m not dad, okay? I’m here. We’re striker and winger remember?”
That was your breaking point. For almost your entire life, all you wanted was for your dad to be proud of you, to say he loved you. All you got were pinches on the arm or whispered scoldings. If there was ever any praise from him, it was only when you won games in your youth soccer league.
“You prick, I have $40 foundation on. Don’t make me cry.”
The air feels a little lighter. Of course, you didn’t tell Jamie the nitty gritty details , but he didn’t push for more. The both of you could live with that for now.
~
Despite only being invited to the clubhouse as a bribe, you found yourself coming back time and time again. Most of the time it was Jamie asking you to come to “watch his skills”. You knew it was so he could watch over you, but you didnt say anything. Because everytime you came in was time you could spend with Will. Like now, Will was supposed to be cleaning boots, but the two of you sat on the bench gossiping about the latest bullshit his ex pulled.
“And then she tagged me, then said it was some sort of accident.”
“Ha! Fat chance.”
“I don't know what to do. Everyone thinks I’m some sort of loser.”
You were not going to stand for this. With your past relationship and Will’s adorable sad face, you were determined to get this girl back.
“Give me your phone.”
Without question he all but handed it to you. Pulling out yours you quickly sent him the pictures from the now deemed Fishbowl Night. Creating a little collage to post to Will’s Insta, you took your time in highlighting the ones that showed how absolutely wrecked and happy you were. With the final touches done, you handed his phone back for approval. He glanced at the picture before looking at you. Post successfully uploaded. Not even a minute passed by before a few of her friends accounts, as Will pointed out earlier, were liking and commenting sweet but backhanded compliments. As more popped up as you refreshed, Will and you took great joy in reading them. Then the motherload. She commented. Hope she doesn’t break your hartt xx.
You gasped, covering your mouth before laughing. The two of you leaned on each other for support as your laughs turned into wheezes. Letting out a final exhale, you catch each other’s eyes.
And for some reason, time froze. And then somehow you were leaning closer. And then, his hand was on your cheek. And oh my god his lips were on yours. The moment could last forever, until it was interrupted by the wild pack of animals that was AFC Richmond. You threw yourself from him, the both of you sending yourselves to opposite ends of the room, occupying yourself with meaningless tasks. Some of the boys pop in to get a clean pair of boots, thanking Will for his hard work and saying hi to you. Jamie, however, notices a weird shift in energy. His gaze bounces between you and Will as he follows his lads out. You scratch your head and avoid his pointed stare. The door closes once more and Will almost jumps to you, apologizing. You stop him, placing your arms around his neck, effectively shutting him up with a kiss.
That was only the start of it. Everyday you weren't working on new music or performing with your band, you were in the boot room with Will. Those secret moments you and him shared were something you grew to crave. Not just the heated kisses you shared, but the moments you two layed on the floor talking about god knows what. Keeping whatever this was to yourself made it feel more real. You didn’t have to face those annoying questions the paps threw in your face, no pictures in the tabloids, and you didn’t have to label it. It was yours.
Sitting atop the washing machine, you were mumbling to yourself, putting words together for a song. Will, who was folding clean towels, smiled at your reactions to the discoveries you made in your head. He stopped the chore and walked over to you. His hands on your hips tore you out of your state of thinking. He thumbed the hem of your tank top, his fingertips on your skin sending shivers up your spine. The feeling lit a fire inside you. Pulling him in, you smashed your lips against his. Will slowly slid his hands up underneath your shirt. Leaning in closer to his touch, he trailed kisses down towards your neck. Caught up in the moment, you failed to hear the door opening.
“Oh my god!”
Keeley dropped the folder she was holding and quickly covered her eyes. Repeatedly apologizing, she kneeled and blindly searched for the folder. Upon grabbing it, she walked backward out the door and shut it. With one last sorry, her heels clicked down the hallway. Fuck. Jumping down, you paced back and forth whispering expletives. This was not good. Not at all. Keeley could tell anyone, and then it would get to your brother. And that was not a situation you wanted to be in.
“I need to go.”
Grabbing your bag, you zoomed out the door leaving Will behind with a concerned yet hurt look on his face.
Your heart was pounding, how could you be so stupid? Feeling a panic attack coming along, you breathed in through your nose and out your mouth. Your eyes started to burn with hot tears. Trying to get rid of the anxious feeling, you occupy yourself by cracking your fingers.
“What’s shakin bacon?”
Letting out a shriek, you find Ted standing across from you. He apologizes but notices your shaky hands.
“You alright?”
“Hm? Oh, I’m fine. Nothing to worry about. Just peachy”
“Do you need me to call Jaime?”
“No! No, I’m okay.”
“Call me for what?”
Speak of the devil and he appears in a hoodie and a headband. Ted excuses himself, leaving the two of you in the gall. Jamie notices the state you’re in and immediately goes full big-brother mode.
“Who do I have to kill?”
“No one Jamie, jeez! Get a grip.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing! Can we go home now?”
He was about to question you further when he saw the distressed look on your face pleading with him. Nodding his head, he handed you his keys.
~
It was quieter now. Everybody noticed. There weren't mymore muffled giggles coming from the boot room, no you yelling at Jamie on the pitch, and certainly no you joining them at clubs. If they team thought that was weird, a depressed Will moping around the locker room did it. He didn’t participate in the gossip anymore, only sadly handing out towels and water bottles. And thus began the team’s detective era.
Huddling on the field, they watched Will woefully juggle, not even bothering to pick the bottles up. Eventually giving up, he sat on the grass with his head in his hands.
“This is just sad.”
Agreeing with Colin’s statement, the boys started to discuss what they could do to lift the boy’s spirits. Although, there were many disagreements as to what was the best thing to do.
“Have any of you idiots thought about what started this shit?”
Multiple “oh’s” and “no’s” rang out over Roy’s “Unfucking believable”. None of them had a reasonable answer, except Jamie.
“I’ve got an idea.”
And it was arguably understandable why everyone thought it wasn't the greatest idea. It was, essentially, a get together in Jamie’s backyard. But Jamie’s own detective brain was at work. You hadn’t left his flat in a week, surviving off takeout and sunshine through the windows. He had noticed both you and Will had gotten in your depressive moods after that one day. Every time he tried to convince to come to the clubhouse saying Will was there, you immediately said no and left the room. Even looking back to the time he walked into the boot room, something was happening between the two of you. If he couldn’t get you out of the house, maybe he can bring Will to you.
Jaime had told you about his kick-back and he insisted you make an appearance. You, however, elected to stay in the guest room in comfy pajamas with your keyboard. Sitting on the bed, you pressed keyboard keys singing softly.
My undying love, now, I hold it like a grudge
And I hear your voice every time that I think I'm not enough
The sound of a door slamming makes you flinch. Shaking it off, you trace the freshly written lyrics in your notebook before playing again.
Yeah, I'm so tough when I'm alone, and I make you feel so guilty
And I fantasize about a time you're a little fuckin' sorry
Footsteps in the hall walk closer to the room.
And I try to be tough, but I wanna scream
How could anybody do the things you did so easily?
The door opening stopped you completely. Will stands awkwardly at the door.
“S-sorry, I was looking for the bathroom.”
“It’s down the hall.”
Neither of you moved, you just stared at each other.
“Did you need me to show you?” Moving the keyboard to the floor, you stand.
“I’m sorry.”
Will stepped away from the door frame, moving closer to you. He started to apologize, his voice growing in volume. You scrambled to get up, but once you did, you shut the door and leaned against it.
“Shh! What exactly are you sorry for?”
“For making you go away.”
Oh. You did do that.
“Will, it’s not your fault.”
“It’s not?”
God damn his puppy dog eyes. Placing your hands on his shoulders, you take a breath.
“Will, I’m not, I’m not good for you okay?”
“Don’t say that.”
“Will-“
“No! Everything the tabloids say about you is complete bullshit. Anyone can see that. I see it. If anyone took the time to get to know you, they would see someone smart and funny. Someone who is kind and would do anything for the people she cares about.”
“I’m not the best person to love Will! I spend too much time at the club, I write sad songs about guys I used to date, I just spent a whole week inside my brother's flat because I was afraid to go outside and see if there were any tabloids about us in the boot room! How is that any good?”
“I wouldn’t have held it against you, you know. I’ve listened to the songs, I’ve listened to explanations of these songs! I wanted to know you for you, the good and the “bad”. Even when it meant listening to that dickhead talk nonsense about you.”
Slipping your hands into the front pockets of your shorts, you lean back against the door. There was no other excuse you could give. You weren’t going to admit you were scared to start something new, with someone so kind and sweet and cute and STOP.
“Will-“
“I know.”
“You know?”
“Is this not you letting me down?”
“This is me asking you not to break my heart.”
You smiled sheepishly at him as a grin of his own made its way into his face.
“Can I kiss you?”
“Please.”
At your okay, Will closed the gap between you, pushing you against the door frame. You missed this. You missed the way his hands touched you. You missed how soft his hair was as you threaded your fingers through it. The way his lips felt on yours. Will boldly grabs the bottom of your shirt, gently asking you to take it off. The moment the shirt is thrown onto the floor, you’re pushed against the door once more, the wood shaking. Will’s hands slid further down, grabbing at your thighs signaling you to jump. Landing on the bed with a soft thump, Will takes his shirt off. Returning to the heated kiss, it wasn’t long before his hands were at your shorts. With the button undone, his fingers dipped below the band of your panties.
“(Y/N)!”
The two of you scrambled to put your shirts back on, you struggling more with the button on your shorts. The door opened as you lost your balance. Jamie witnessed you hit the ground while simultaneously noticing Will.
“The fuck are you two doing?”
“What are you doing?”
“I asked you first.”
“I asked you second.”
Jamie glances between you and Will, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. Leaving the two of you in the room, he called out that the pizza was here. Letting out a breath, you stand up. Will smiles at you before his eyes widen. Confused, you follow his eye-line down and notice the shirt you’re wearing. It was Will’s. The one he walked into the flat with. The one everyone saw him in. The one Jamie just saw you wearing instead of your own, because that one was on Will. Curse oversized shirts.
“Do you think he noticed?”
“Knowing him, probably not.”
~
And if he did notice, he hadn’t said anything. Well, more like he hadn’t had the time to question you with his extra practice for the upcoming game. Jamie had invited you to watch the game but hadn’t seen you since he got to the stadium. Expecting to see you in the owner’s box, he squinted, trying his best to spot you. To no avail, he couldn't see shit but was surprised to hear a familiar laugh. Turning in the direction of the sound, he saw you in a Richmond jacket laughing it up with Will. Catching Jamie’s eyes, you wave and cross your fingers, your good luck symbol. He returns the gesture before catching up with his teammates.
Jamie was in shock, his kick to get the ball away from a defender somehow ended up getting the ball into the goal. The 0-0 game was now in favor of Richmond. His teammates surrounded him as he stood there, gob-smacked. Back in the locker room, chants rang out. You and Will watched them jump around like children. Jamie was stepping towards you, not yet noticing Will’s arm slung around your shoulder. Will was about to let his arm drop when you reassured him with your arm around his waist. When Jamie approached you, a spark of mischief sparkled in his eyes.
“What’s going on here?”
“Jamie, Will and I-”
“Are together? Please say you are.”
“I’m sorry?”
“I bet my plan would work. And seeing you guys in each other’s shirt, gross by the way, in me own home, isn’t enough proof.”
Your cheeks burned red as well as Will’s.
“You noticed that?”
“I’m not that stupid.”
You, along with a few of the boys let out sounds of disagreement. Jamie started arguing about his smarts but was soon overtaken with the chants of “Kiss, kiss”. Shrinking into Will’s side, you feel him turn to you. He smiles shyly at you. The little chant fades away, all you can see is each other. As soon as your lips touch, the boys yell out in joy. Jamie rolled his eyes in annoyance, but anyone could see that he didn’t mean it. Leaning your head onto Will’s shoulder, you take it all in.
You could feel it, this was the one.
~
‘The Grudge’ turns fans on Danes
Hartt is Tartt?! Hidden Dynamic Duo
(Y/N) Tartt: Who I Am
You never could have imagined this is how your life would come up to. Being on the front page cover of a magazine with Jamie, playing small games of football, exclaiming your love for someone in public and it actually being reciprocated. It didn’t seem real.
Will kissed the side of your head as he sat next to you in the booth, sliding a drink over to you. Thanking him, you go back to watching your brother and his teammates try and fail to beat the karaoke high score.
But it was real. And you had it.
—————————
@ok-anon was excited, so hopefully this makes its way to you
let’s be honest, will deserves more fics. ever since GUTS came out i have had the idea of a Tartt!reader being the mastermind of certain songs (the sad ones) and being really messed up in the love department of life
but our favorite clubhouse attendant helps her see beyond her first “love”
chapter summary: The one where the boys drag you off to a benefit to have a great time. Unfortunately, nothing ever goes the way we plan.
Eventual Jamie Tartt x Reader
word count: 3.2k
author's note: guess who's back and better than ever? not me but hopefully this chapter. is struggled with the title and content as you can tell, but hopefully we'll have a new chapter out each week...hopefully....
Being at Nelson Road stadium was strange. Well, you’ve been here before, but that was nearly two years ago right when you started dating Derek. He essentially banned you from ever seeing Richmond and Colin play as he was a part of West Ham. Any effort to defy his demands disguised as wishes were met with arguments and sometimes, bruises. Right. The purple marks on your wrist. Until now, they were hidden by the sleeves of your bodysuit. And as you looked in the bathroom mirror, wearing an extra pair of A.F.C Richmond sweats and your tank top, the bruises really stood out.
Just shake it off, hide it
You searched through your bag for hopefully an extra tube of concealer but came up short.
Shit
Taking a deep breath, you make your way towards the changing room. Before entering, you cross your arms, shoving your wrist between your arm and left side in an attempt to hide the marks. The player you recognized as Dani held the door open for you, letting you know Colin was being checked out by a physio. Deciding to wait for Colin there, you head into their sacred ground. The empty room was comforting, there was no one to hide anything from. You set your stuff down on an empty bench before sitting down, letting out a sigh. You hold your bruised wrist gently, not hearing the soft footsteps approaching from the coach's office.
“You alright there love?”
You stand quickly and hide your hands behind your back. The swift movement caused your bag to fall to the ground, some of your belongings scattering out.
“Shit, sorry.”
The two of you clean the mess up before standing again. You try your hardest to not use your bruised hand and to your luck, he hasn’t noticed.
“Didn’t mean to scare you, just saw you staring off into space.”
You smile up at him.
“I’m Jamie.”
“(Y/N).”
And for a second, you forgot about your bruised wrist. So when Jamie offered his hand, you shook it. He caught your wince and went to apologize if he had squeezed too tightly (he hadn’t) when he noticed the blooming violet. You were about to pull your hand away when Jamie carefully took your hand in his and studied it. He takes a quick glance at your face before looking back down at your hand.
“Who did this to you?”
“Oh I just fell-”
“You don’t get these kinds of bruises by falling. Who did this?”
You pull your hand out of Jamie’s and retract into yourself, not wanting to admit the wrongdoings you allowed to happen to you. Jamie, starting to put two and two together in his head, asked one more time.
“Darling, did he do this to you?”
With the way you slightly froze, Jamie felt his heart break a little for the girl he barely knew. You sit back down, pulling your knees up and resting your chin atop them. Jamie sighs, taking a seat right next to you. There’s a faraway look in your eye and it stays silent for a few minutes. He twiddles his thumbs and hunches forward.
“It’s not your fault.”
You spare a look out of the corner of your eye.
“It feels like it is, but it isn’t. You try your best, even when your brain keeps shitting on you over and over again.”
He tries to hide it, but you see him wipe what you assume to be a stray tear from his face. He stands up and holds his hand out to you.
“You just gotta get up and tell yourself you’re better than them. And looking where we’re standing right now, I think we’re doing alright.”
You laugh, carefully wiping at your own eyes, and allow him to pull you to your feet. The moment is cut short as both of you hear Colin making his way down the hall. You look at Jamie in panic before scrambling to look for a sweater or long-sleeve of any kind.
“He can’t know. Colin can’t know.”
“Darling, I think you need to take a breath.”
You grab Jamie’s arms and shake him slightly, repeating yourself. As Colin wishes whoever he was walking with a good night, Jamie hurriedly unzipped his jacket and handed it to you. Colin enters the room surprised to see you and Jamie alone, more so about you shrugging on a Richmond sweater that wasn’t his. His curiosity is cut short as you grab your bag and fuss over his well-being once again. Jamie turns to gather his own belongings but before he can, you wrap your arms around him whispering a soft thank you. He stutters out a response and watches you help Colin avoid stepping too hard on his wrapped ankle. In the hallway, Colin asks about what he walked into. All you respond with?
“Nothing just got an idea is all.”
~
Writing lyrics to a song is a beauty within itself, but imagining the life behind it was nothing short of magical. It was the one thing you had control over when you were with Derek. Creating these worlds and characters, big and small, was what you lived for. Your small audience from back then were in love with your ideas and the way you thought. The music videos you directed for “cardigan” and “willow” were loved and cherished by your fans. And now, it was time for something more.
So here you were pacing around Colin’s flat, humming a tune and muttering words to yourself. You huff and fall back onto the couch. You hear footsteps and the front door open. You peer over the couch to see some of the team file in dressed to the nines for a benefit happening in a few hours. Laying back onto the couch, you cover your face with your hands with a groan, writer's block settling in. You hear someone ask if you’re coming with them.
“Am I going where?”
“The benefit I was telling you about earlier? Before you started to pace like a mad woman thinking she was going to be caught for murder.”
“Ha ha, very funny Colin. No, I’m not going.”
The Richmond players groan and protest your statement. You argue about not being invited to which they respond that you could be Colin’s plus one. You say you have nothing to wear and not a second later one of them is calling Keeley up to bring some outfits. You stutter, trying to say how nearly impossible it would be to find a dress and shoes that would fit you and your taste. Colin takes the phone and gives Keeley notes on what to bring. You stare at the boys in disbelief as they stand proud of themselves.
“Unbelievable you lot are.”
When Keeley arrives, she drags you to the spare room you’re staying in and lays out the dresses she brought. As you push through trying on the outfits she brought, you both can see none of them fit your personality.
“Thanks for trying Keeley, but I don’t think any of these are going to work.”
“I was afraid that might happen. I have one last thing. You up for it?”
You answer with a “Why not”. At least Colin would know you tried. However, Keeley has different plans as she practically bounces back into the room with another dress bag. She excitedly hands it over to you and leaves the room. Opening the bag, you gasp at the garment and before you know it Keeley is squealing over you and brushing makeup onto your face and styling your hair. Upon looking in the mirror, you shower Keeley with compliments on the finished look but question if your outfit choice is appropriate to wear to a benefit meant to raise money for children’s hospitals. All you get from her is a “Don’t worry love, they eat this shit up. Just own it”.
Slipping on the black heels she left for you, you head back to the living room. The clicking of your heels quiets the conversation, but as soon as you step back into the living room you are met with stunned stares and slackened jaws.
“I fuckin knew it! God I love you and your legs.” Keeley goes on to rapidly explain that she absolutely could not picture you in any of the dresses she was looking through. You had to hand it to her though, because if there was anything to say about Keeley Jones, it was that she had taste and a magnificent understanding of everyone else’s. She had found this body suit with a bejeweled chainlink skirt. The jewels glittered in the light, your eyeshadow sparkling in the same color.
“Doesn’t she look fantastic?”
At Keeley’s question, the boys had straightened up and gave respectful compliments to deter from their previous stares. The only thing left to do was get into the limo and leave. Anxiety built on the way there. Sure you had done events such as these before, but you weren’t in the spotlight or hot water as much as you are now. You wouldn’t walk the red carpet for pictures half the time due to Derek’s insistence on “getting good photos for my portfolio”, whatever that meant. Reality hit as the car slowed to a stop. You hear shouts and orders as the boys slowly file out. Colin had a beaming smile, ready to spend the night partying with his lads but it slightly faded as he saw your panicked face. He slid his way along the seats until he sat right next to you.
“The last time I was at one of these, I was told I couldn’t be on the red carpet. Only people that mattered.”
Colin grimaced at the statement. “Well, I seem to remember a bunch of girls screaming and singing near the pitch for you. Crying even. You matter to a lot of people and if anyone tries to tell you any different, you have a team of Greyhounds ready to attack anyone who does.”
You let out a small laugh, not even bothering to correct Colin’s mistake about the dog breed. He held out his hand for you to help you out of the car. As soon as you stood up, you heard cheers from fans and shouting from photographers. Many asked for pictures of Colin and the both of you together until you neared where the rest of the Greyhounds waited for a group photo. Colin, having the beautiful face he has, is called back for more.
You hear a small voice call out a courtesy title followed by your last name. You turn to find a younger woman no older than twenty in the crowd of older men and women. You see the camera in her hands and step closer to her.
“What can I do for you sweetheart?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, but would you mind if I got a few photos of you? I haven’t...been able to get any.”
You look around and see how the other photographers push each other for a better view at the barrier. You smile at her before asking if she needs anything specific.
“Just be you!” You laugh at the statement and hear the camera shutter. As you pose and smile for her, you notice other photographers starting to notice her bright idea of photographing you. They start to clamber and gather, the lovely girl starting to get squished. You shout at them and instead of gaining their attention, you get Colin’s and the rest of the team. They start to gather around you, confused but ready to defend you. You steady the younger woman, both hands holding onto her arms. The sounds of camera firing fill the air as you reassure her, but you can still see uncertainty and panic in her eyes.
“Colin?” With one glance, he understands what you’re asking. Security opens the barrier to allow your photography acquaintance through.
“Let’s get you those pictures, yeah?”
~
And that’s how you find yourself sitting at a table three drinks deep with Colin, Will, and Dani. The three started to worship your kindness for the “smaller” people in a crowd and decided to immediately drink in celebration, and whatever they brought back to you was strong. Giggles emanated from your table as you all laughed at each other's stupid jokes.
“You used to make fun of my accent all the time! I bet you still do!”
“Did not Colin, you liar!” The three boys started chanting your name in an effort to get you to mock an accent. You rolled your eyes but stopped as they landed on Jamie Tartt. A waiter came by and dropped off the shots Dani had ordered for the four of you. You take it, shaking off the taste before imitating a Mancunian accent, a rather dramatic one at that.
“I’m the island's top scor-er, sexually. I’m not just a los-er, I’m the los-er.”
They lost their shit.
“Nah, no I’m just playing a game. Do you know what I mean, find the fittest girl there ‘ave sex in the toilet and ask ‘er to marry ‘er. Strat-e-gy.”
Will falls on the floor, Colin and Dani silently laugh and wheeze, and you snort at their reactions.
“What the fuck is going on ‘ere?”
The four of you look to see Jamie standing in confusion with a drink in his hand. You see the boy's eyes fall on you. With a straight face, you say, “It’s just poopeh.”
A chain reaction of laughing sets off, Jamie still standing in confusion. You open your eyes as you sense someone next to you. Jamie pulled up a chair between you and Colin. The air feels different, more electric now as he sits next to you. He takes a sip of what you assume to be whiskey on ice before pausing.
“Hold on, were you all makin fun of meh?”
Your three companions immediately point at you like schoolchildren. You try to sputter an excuse but Jamie turns to you with an offended look on his face. Your voice dies down as your eyes meet. You don’t know if it’s the lighting, your inebriated state, or just Jamie, but god was he gorgeous. You sheepishly smile at him and he returns it with one of his own. Your little moment is interrupted as a waitress stops by the table to ask if you needed anything else, but upon doing so, she spots Jamie. She flirts with him shamelessly much to your discontent. Setting your arm on the table, you turn to Will who was already staring at you with a strange look on his face. You want to question why he’s still on the floor, but a hand touching yours makes your body still.
“You want anything darlin?”
You honestly don’t know what came over you ever since Jamie decided to sit down right next to you. You’re able to mutter out an answer but notice the waitress looking at you with squinty eyes and a frown. Glancing back at Will, you take note of the way he stares off into space. Waving your hand in front of his face, he gives you a lazy smile. You hold your hands out to pull him up. However, Will decided to jump up too fast and ended up falling into your lap. You catch him before he can fall over which ends up with him sitting in your lap. Your snickers capture the attention of the other boys.
“What in the fuck are you two doing?”
You cover Will’s ears, “Don’t use crude language in front of my son.” It’s all fun and games as Will wraps his arms around your neck to stabilize himself and keep the joke going. But it’s never a party until something goes wrong.
“I never pictured you being a cougar, but you know what they say.”
Derek and Jasmine stand before the table. Jasmine seems uncomfortable as she presses herself into Derek’s side, but she moves to do nothing. The music hides any loud comments from the other tables, but the boys hear every word.
“No, I don’t know what they say, Derek.”
“Ouch, feisty. Had a little too much to drink there didn’t you?” The sarcasm in his tone is evident, but you’re not letting this go, not with the confidence you have with the alcohol in your system. Derek is faster though, he always was. He claps a hand on Will’s shoulder before speaking.
“Don’t waste your time with this one, she doesn't put out much.” He winks before pulling Jasmine away.
You visibly deflate, your good mood ruined. Colin attempts to follow him but is pulled down by Dani and Jamie. You excuse yourself from the table, a hand held to your face to stop any tears from falling. Will sinks into the chair you were sitting in watching you walk as quickly as you could while intoxicated in heels. As soon as Colin is free from the hands holding him back, he follows you.
Breathing in the fresh air, you fan your face to make the tears disappear but a few escape your eyes. The red carpet has long vanished, barriers lined up against the wall, but a lone bench calls out to you. It’s silent, no cars or people are on the street. You could care less as you sit on the bench. The door swings open and an out of breath Colin sits right next to you.
“I forgot how fuckin fast you are when drunk.”
A watery smile finds its way to your face and a concerned look from Colin is all it takes for the tears to start streaming down your face.
“I tried so hard Colin. So hard. And I still get shit on. No matter how many songs I write to get rid of these feelings, to try and connect with people who feel the exact same, but it still hurts. Why does it hurt?”
The way your face falls breaks Colin’s heart. He holds you as you sob in his arms. It tugs at his heartstrings at how torn apart and shattered you were. However, he brews with anger at what you said and he thinks about the music you’ve written. Not your recent halftime show, but the two sister albums you put out some time ago. Some made sense in your fictional love triangle story you had meticulously created, they were beautiful while others were sad and tragic. The thought of you hoping for the love you gave in return and never receiving it? It made a few tears fall down his face.
“Oh love. I wish you had come and talked to me.”You whisper out an “I couldn’t” and a “He wouldn’t let me”. And oh how that angers Colin. You slowly wear yourself out, falling asleep in his warm embrace. The words float in Colin’s head. He starts to understand a little more about the relationship you had with Derek and why he felt so cautious about it. And he knows he needs to ask about it when you wake up.
The spotlight was on you, a familiar yet unwanted feeling. News headlines questioned your ability to hold a crowd that big and there was not one positive thing to combat them. Even the almighty Rupert and his sidekick Derek forgot how small you were compared to other artists. It was almost as if they wanted you to fail despite wanting to take a win from Rebecca Welton. It also was a surprise to see the size of the stage and the number of light fixtures fixed to it. Even dancers who seemed to be warming up? You made your way to the stage from the tunnel, crew milling about preparing the finishing touches. Derek spotted you in your confused state and jogged over to you.
“Amazing isn’t it? Jasmine had the bright idea to have a full stage with room for choreography. She even got some designers to agree to make these long flowy dresses to match your “vibe”.”
“My vibe?”
“Yeah, you know, the way your songs sound and the meanings, all that. She’s gotten a choreographer already planning out your movements. She has a hairstylist and a makeup artist waiting for you already to practice the look they have picked out. Oh this is so exciting! Come on!”
“Wait, Derek!”
But he has already rushed off, jogging back across the field. There was no choice but to follow him which somehow led you to be sitting in a makeup chair with two strangers attacking your hair and face. It was awkward and the silence was excruciatingly painful. Both stylists had made it quite clear they weren’t amused or happy to be working with you. You were left alone in your makeshift wardrobe area looking at an unrecognizable figure in the mirror. Your hair didn’t suit your face and the makeup distorted what you knew to be yourself. The dress, the most beautiful shade of purple, wasn’t what you had planned for the event. In fact, none of this was what you had planned. You would have been content with a small stage and your guitar. It didn’t need to be this difficult.
This wasn’t you. Not in this moment of time. While you reveled in the beauty of your songs and the meanings you so delicately handcrafted, this wasn’t how they were supposed to be showcased. Of course, the opportunity to perform in front of hundreds of people was a dream, but it was to good to be true. A small percentage, if any, would know the lyrics to your songs. It didn’t seem-
“Knock knock!”
Jasmine pokes her head through the doorway, a radiant smile on her face.
“Oh, you look absolutely gorgeous! Are you ready for it?”
“For what exactly?”
“To go over the setlist! I know they were still making changes, but they should be done by now. We need a rehearsal today and to schedule a few more before the match in a few days, which may have to be every day for a couple of hours at the rate we’re going.”
“The setlist is already being done? Don’t I get a say in it?”
Jasmine frowns slightly, her demeanor shifting.
“Derek thought it would be best to pick certain songs and leave out others. He thought you might pick some not fit for the purpose of the show.”
Right. The show wasn’t completely for you, it only involved you in some plan on getting sweet revenge on Rebecca Welton on Rupert’s behalf.
“He said that?”
“Well, yes and no. Think of it like this.”
She places her hands on your arms in an attempt to comfort you.
“You have someone looking out for you making sure you don’t make any more mistakes. It’s sweet. Now let’s get going. I’ll give you five more minutes to yourself.”
Jasmine leaves the room shutting the door behind her. Her words left you dumbfounded. First, you had no say in the songs you’d sing and second, she said Derek was there to help you make no more mistakes. You had no idea if she was being genuine or if she was deliberately trying to hurt you. You shook the thoughts from your head, heading out towards the field.
As you walked across the field, you spotted instruments being set up on stage. It gave some sort of relief that you would play your own, but that was soon taken away. Derek was giving people papers and orders of where to go. The instrumentals of your songs soon flooded your ears. Carefully, you climbed up onto the stage and approached Derek. He spun around at the sound of approaching footsteps.
“You made it! You look exactly how we pictured you should, this is perfect! You have to meet the band and-”
“The band?”
Derek gives you a strange look.
“The band that’s going to be playing for you. Did you think you would be playing yourself?”
“I always have, you know that.”
“Yes, but we wanted to make you seem like a bigger artist than you are. We need to let Richmond know we are better than them in every possible way. Rupert is going to come by for a rehearsal and speaking of which, you need the setlist.”
You started to ask a question be he quickly shot you down.
“(Y/N), you don’t really have a say in the songs. What you have in mind doesn’t fit.”
“How do you know what I have in mind, Derek?”
“Come on, we’ve been dating for two years, you think I don’t know you?”
At the call of his name, Derek excused himself from the conversation leaving you in the center of the stage. It was like a stab to the heart. None of this performance was about you, it was everybody else’s. And yet you still followed whatever you were told to do.
~
Two days before the match
“August slipped away into a moment of time
‘Cause it was never mine”
“Cut! Cut, cut, cut!”
Mid-song you were cut off, yet again. It was a cycle repeated every few minutes.
“The choreography isn’t right, weren’t you told to do what you normally do when you perform this song?”
“And I have told you time after time, I play my guitar every time I sing this song. But you’re not listening to me.”
“Darling, I was hired as creative director of this halftime performance, you do as I say or I blacklist you from future performances. Which doesn’t seem possible at the moment with your attitude.”
You seeth in silent anger. You push through the entire rehearsal, eager to leave the stadium. And when you finally get back to wardrobe to change back, the day somehow gets worse. You exit the building and make your way to the parking lot to wait for Derek. The constant dinging of your phone in your bag breaks you out of your trance. You dig through your bag and find Twitter to be the culprit of the noise. And boy was it a shock.
Multiple news accounts tweeted articles and comments about your appearance at the West Ham v. Richmond game. But what caught your eye was the A.F.C. Richmond account tagging your username. You click on the tweet to find a clip of a recent press conference with the tweet reading “Real men support their besties”.
You press play and find yourself listening to Colin answering questions.
“And what do you think of (Y/N) (L/N)’s upcoming performance as a halftime entertainer?”
“(Y/N) is a talented artist. She has come so far and I’m happy to see her fulfilling one of her goals.”
“Even if a larger audience doesn’t approve of her choices in her music career?”
You see Colin straighten up.
“For as long as I’ve had the pleasure of knowing (Y/N), she does everything for a reason. Even if it may seem “outlandish” or “stupid” to critics like you, she puts her whole heart into it for the one person who will love and cherish her work to the very end. I look forward to our match against West Ham, not just for a win, but to see my best friend do the one thing she has dreamed of doing since she was a kid.”
A bittersweet smile made its way to your face. You and Colin hadn’t spoken for a while, with his matches and you following Derek as he requested. Maybe you should send him a message? Colin, however, beats you to it. You don’t have a chance to read it as a hand snatches your phone out of your grip. Derek comes into view and holds the phone up to his ear.
“Hello hello, is (Y/N) here? She didn’t hear me calling her name.”
“Jesus Derek, what the fuck.”
“You weren’t listening, I had to do something.”
He pulls the phone from his ear and moves to hand it back to you, but he catches a glimpse of the screen.
“Why is he texting you? I thought I said you couldn’t.”
You try to take your phone back from his grasp but Derek holds it higher in the air.
“He’s my best friend, I can’t just ignore him.”
“And I’m your boyfriend, I think I know what’s best for you.”
“Derek, please-”
He grabs your wrist tightly and sharply pulls it back down. You visibly wince at the sudden pain.
“I’m your boyfriend, you don’t need anyone else protecting you or saying thighs to defend you, I do that. That’s my job, alright?”
You don’t answer. At your silence, Derek jerks your arm.
“Alright?
You quickly nod. Derek lets go of your arm. Seeing tears about to fall from your eyes, he hugs you tightly. He places your phone into your back pocket before letting go of you. He kisses your cheek.
“I only do what’s best for you, you know that. Now I have to go meet with Rupert and Jasmine to discuss final additions to the show. And maybe when I get home, we can celebrate”
Derek looks at you with a smirk on his face before walking away, leaving you frozen by yourself without a ride home. You carefully rub your wrist, already feeling the ugly marks that would soon stain your skin. In fear of speaking to anyone and of meeting Derek at home, you start the long trek back, taking the long way home.
~
One day before the match
You had been silent for the last rehearsal. To get through the day faster, you chose not to voice any differences or concerns you had about your performance. You didn’t even have the courage to respond to Colin’s text much less open it. You were heading down the long hallway from your wardrobe room when you caught giggles and whispers of a heated conversation. But what really caught your attention was the mention of your name. You stop at the corner and lean against the wall. You take a peak to find Derek pinning Jasmine against the wall, face pressed into her neck. Her giggles turn into soft moans as Derek’s hands slide down her body. You place your back against the wall and slide down, hitting the floor with a small thump.
You knew they were sneaking around. You saw the little glances and the comments they made towards the other. Even the time they kissed as an elevator closed, hiding the affair within. But never would you have imagined them being this bold. It was an ugly feeling, a nausous bugs crawling on your skin type of feeling. How could you have let this go on for so long? How could you have been with him for so long? How could you tolerate it? It was then in that moment that you made the decision to make this show about you. Not revenge on Ms. Welton, not to make West Ham look good, and definitely not to make Derek look good. It was going to end, all of it.
You stood up from your spot and marched back to your dressing room. You snatched your phone from the vanity and found Colin’s contact. The message you never read glared at you.
Don’t let anything they say get to you, they don’t know you. You know you. Don’t let anyone make you forget that.
You press the call button. The call is picked up after the first ring.
“Do you want to help me do something stupid?”
~
Day of the match
You looked at yourself in the mirror. The purple dress hid any indication of another outfit underneath. The bold choice of a red lip and your cat-eye eyeliner made you feel like…yourself. It was what you felt in the moment and having the decision to do it was truly an amazing thing. Getting to the stage was no big deal, you and Colin had created a foolproof plan of getting you there, which involved you being wheeled in a “cleaning cart” to underneath the stage where you would rise up as planned.
There was a knock on the door.
“Hey babes, they’re ready for you if you are.”
You turn to the small TV in the corner of the room playing the match. There was only a few minutes until halftime. You open the door to see Keeley Jones.
“Let’s hope they’re ready for it.”
Being underneath the stage was surreal. Even if it was meant to be put up and torn apart within a short period of time, it was so elaborate. Workers milled about and the surprisingly loud chanting of your name filled the space. You quickly took off the dress revealing your outfit underneath. Pulling on the knee length boots, you grabbed a plain black microphone out of a box. Some of the dancers looked at you in confusion and anger, still dressed in flowy dresses. Those that agreed to your change in plans were dressed in black with microphones in hand. You took your place in the center of the lowered stage piece. The lights dimmed.
“And now, for your entertainment, the artist behind the delicate Folklore and Evermore, (Y/N) (L/N)!”
At the mention of your name, a glitch sound was heard. All fell silent before-
“Baby let the games begin”
The band takes off playing your song as you rise up, head lowered. As you are lifted onto the stage, the lights go red.
“Are you ready for it?”
Lights flash on you. Your black bodysuit sparkles in the spotlight. The crowd goes wild for you despite knowing none of the lyrics or meaning of all this. Your dancers and back up singers join you on stage, bringing the choreography you learned in secret to life. And when the moment came for the high note, you basked in the audience’s shouting of the lyrics as they learned the longer the song went on. The song came to an end, but this was only the beginning. At center stage, you unzipped the hoodie piece of your suit before continuing the set. Your look dramatically into the crowd, hoping your lyrics and fake laugh reached Derek’s pathetic little heart.
“If a man talks shit, then I owe him nothing”
You hear cheers and screams coming from the girls and women in the crowd. You smirk, making sure this performance was as powerful for them as much as it was for you. The moment you get lifted into the air by your dancers felt like what it meant to be a phoenix rising from the ashes. If it was at all possible, the crowd seemed to be even louder as you finished, smiling and laughing at their reaction. The lights went out, allowing you to see the benches both teams sat at. You could see Derek arguing with Rupert, and Jasmine trying to mediate the two. It was far from over. The sounds of your next song started playing, and this one? The audience knew.
“Cause baby we got bad blood”
The singing grew louder as the stadium filled with screeches and yelling. The sound of a banjo mixing with pop music sent them into an absolute frenzy. You were bringing back your old songs, songs that haven’t been heard in years.
“Should’ve said no”
You fell off the stage, your dancers catching you.
“Should’ve gone home”
You start running to the Richmond bench where you meet Colin with the handshake you made up when you were kids. As you start singing again, you start dancing wildly together. Cameramen follow your movements to display on the screens. While the coaches and other players seemed confused at the start, they hop in on the fun. You stay for a moment before walking towards the West Ham bench. Colin runs off grabbing a box.
“Shouldn’t be asking myself why”
You close in on Derek, pushing yourself into his face as he tries to back up.
“You should’ve said no, baby and you might still have me”
You lean back dropping the microphone onto the floor near his feet. Colin appears next to you with a microphone sparkling with red glitter. You make your way back to the stage, but never back on it. You finish your performance on the grass. And as soon as it ends, Colin comes running, picking you up and spinning around in circles. The crowd chants your name. Colin sets you down. You bring the mic back to your face.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to perform for you today London Stadium, but I do have some unfortunate news for you.”
You paused. All eyes were on you. Derek, although hiding from embarrassment, was staring at you with worry. Not for you, but for himself.
“I resign from my position on the West Ham United team as an entertainer and as an assistant. I will no longer be affiliated or used as a figure to represent this club, but rather another.”
Colin tilts his head in confusion. That last part wasn’t part of the plan. You look at Derek and Rupert as you speak your last sentence.
“From now on, I will be working closely with A.F.C Richmond through their season not only to support their endeavours, but to finish my upcoming album reputation!”
With that, you turn and run towards the tunnel, waving at fans until you’re hidden away. You continue running until you find the locker room Richmond occupied for the match. You shut the door and lean against it for a second. You place the mic down on a bench before running your hands through your hair in disbelief. Being alone was shortlived as Colin burst through the door. He hugs you tightly, but keeps a hold of you when he pulls away.
“When you said stupid, I didn’t think you meant this stupid.”
“Me neither, it just came out.”
The two of you embrace each other once again. An idea comes to mind. You let go of Colin.
“You have an extra jersey in your bag right?”
“Always.”
“Want to make it even worse?”
The rest of the team along with the coaches file into the locker room. At the sight of Colin and you, they quiet down. Coach Lasso, the bright soul, comes forward.
“Well I must say, that was a mighty brave thing you did out there Ms. (L/N). Wonderful performance too, you’ve come a long way from country.”
You were in shock.
“You knew me from when I did country?”
“Of course I do! Everybody should, I was happy to hear that banjo and slight country twang in your voice. Reminded me of home”
You smiled sweetly at him. You were about to respond, but the sound of heels interrupted. Everybody turned their heads to the locker room entrance to find Keeley and Rebecca Welton.
“Let’s wrap it up boys, we’ll do a talk and walk while we wait.”
Colin squeezes your shoulder before following his team. When they all vacated the room, Keeley came bounding to you.
“That was fantastic babe! Absolutely spectacular.”
“It couldn’t have been done without you, Ms. Jones.”
She responded to your tease with a light punch to your arm.
“(Y/N), this is Rebecca, Rebecca (Y/N).”
It was then you realized what you said on the field. You bring your hands up to cover your mouth.
“Ms.Welton! I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to blab, I just needed-”
Rebecca holds up a hand.
“There’s no need to apologize, I understand.”
“You do?”
“Of course I do, half the things I’ve done were done to try and hurt someone else. In fact, I must say I’m proud you had to courage to do that in front of so many people. Which brings me to this.”
You look between her and Keeley, who was trying to hide the biggest smile on her face.
“If you wish to make what you said out there real, we’d be happy to have you.”
Keeley starts bouncing on her feet. Your mouth opens in shock.
“You’d want me?”
“You have quite the talent, and I’d hate to see you lose it because of…certain people.”
“Ms. Welton-”
“Rebecca.”
“Thank you Rebecca, I-I don’t know what to say.”
“Then don’t. Save it for when you finish writing.”
Rebecca smiles at you before extending her hand out to you. However, you take the opportunity to hug her, taking her by surprise. She returns the gesture. Keeley claps her hands together.
“Now why don’t we watch our boys beat the absolute shit out of your exes.”
You return to the field with Colin’s backup jersey over your bodysuit. Rebecca and Keeley headed to their seats, but you took the opportunity to cheer for your best friend in a place Derek would hear. As fans spotted you walking toward the Richmond bench, they cheered.
“I spy with my little eye, a country gal making her way to the rodeo.”
You smile at Coach Lasso’s commentary. To appease him, you speak with a slight country twang.
“It ain’t a rodeo without a cowboy Coach Lasso.”
“Please, call me Ted.”
You shake hands as well as the other coaches before turning to the field where the play has resumed. You see Colin attempting to run from his attackers before he is tripped. Whistles blow, and some boos can be heard from the Richmond fans. Colin gets up slowly. You see the trio of coaches make the decision to pull him out. As Colin sits down on the bench. You crouch as Colin rubs his ankle.
“What happened?”
“Got me on purpose and made it look like a wee little accident.”
“I’m sorry-”
“It’s not your fault (Y/N).”
“But if I hadn’t done-”
“If you hadn’t done what you did, you wouldn’t be here wearing my jersey with knee-high boots.”
You smile at each other.
“Come on, let’s watch them avenge me.”
The game could have gone better as it ended with a tie. But boy did it feel good to cheer and yell with Colin. Despite his slightly injured ankle, Colin picked you up and carried you to the huddle to celebrate their draw. They file into the locker room and gather their belongings. As you all file out of the locker room, you just remember that your stuff sits in the home-side part of the stadium.
“Shit.”
“What’s happened?”
You look at Colin with a troubled look on your face.
“My stuff. It’s in the dressing room My phone, my bag, my clothes.”
You won’t have to worry about any of that anymore as Derek storms down the hall with your bag in hand. He shouts your name and throws your belongings at you. The bag slides across the floor. You take a step back as he gets closer.
“I always knew you were stupid, but the shit you pulled today? You put the icing on the fuckin cake.”
Derek stands in front of you, breathing heavily. Another pair of footsteps comes quickly, Jasmine’s figure appearing.
“Derek!”
“Maybe you should listen to her, Derek. She always has such great things to say.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that I know about your sneaking around and the marks on your goddamn necks! Did you really think I wouldn’t know? I thought you would have some sort of decency to try and hide it, but you made it known to everybody but me! You’re mad I embarrassed you in front of people who “love” and “support” you? Good! Maybe people will see who you really are. A liar, a cheat, and a terrible coach.”
Derek raised his hand, but before it made contact with your face, a hand caught him by the wrist. You turned to see not Colin? A hand pulled you backward as the person stepped in front of you. A jersey with the number nine blocked Derek from your view.
“Wouldn’t want to cause a fuss would you mate? Not with the cameras.”
You hear Colin whispering in your ear as he pulls you to walk with him. You stare at the player wearing the number nine and Derek in a standoff. You want to see how the moment plays out but the next thing you know, you’re sitting on a bus with the rest of the Richmond team. All you can do is stare into blank space as before a hand invades your vision. You see number nine with your bag in your hand.
“I think this belongs to you, darling.”
You take the bag from his grasp, thanking him. He smiles at you before walking towards the front of the bus for a seat. You could finally relax. The bus takes off back to Nelson Road, the drive calming you down. A constant buzzing from your bag pulled you from your trance. Your phone. You dig through your bag to find Twitter once again popping off. Except this time, it was photos of you being carried by Colin with the team. There were pictures and clips of you performing. Fans tweeted how much they loved you while others would make a great episode of Thirst Tweets. You shut the phone off and leaned your head back on the seat.
Maybe some would think you did something bad, but god did it feel so good.
She didn’t want to do it, she knew falling would only bring more pain. But if it got her away from her stupid brothers, then maybe it could be worth it.
Free falling until she hit the center of the country, creating shockwaves felt everywhere. Many thought of it as a sign of the Apocalypse, and maybe it was. No, not The Apocalypse, but one no one would see coming.
Hitting the Earth knocked the breath out of her vessel, but it remained intact. A crater that would puzzle the planet was left behind.
What fell from space and created a hole in the shape of a bird?
Murdering her brothers and sisters isn’t what Y/N planned for her future, but it’s what it came to be. After all, they were destroying her creations. The angels wouldn’t stop until every one of them was gone, and they were succeeding.
The Dark Angels appeared after Y/N hit the Earth all those years ago. An army of them soon emerged and a war was started.
A rogue archangel against Heaven.
Of course, she lost as Heaven was still under God’s rule. And it only made her angrier.
All that was left were three, the Queen of Dark Angels herself and two loyal followers. The others were slaughtered or turned into one of God’s angels. With every Dark Angel lost, the more hopelessness and despair she felt. The loneliness only grew.
“Mistress, I...I’ve come bearing bad news.”
“What is it, Lira.”
“Nathan and I were scouting the area per your request and the angels....they attacked before we even knew they were there. We tried to leave but the battle had already started. Nathan’s gone and soon I will be too.”
“Lira, what are you saying...” She turned to see Lira with her dark angel blade sticking out of her chest.
“Didn’t let them take my blade,” she laughed breathily, “but damn do they hurt like hell. Get it?”
“Lira!” Y/N caught her as she fell.
“It’s okay, it isn’t your fault. I made this choice and I’m happy I did. I met someone who believed in me.”
“Don’t say-”
“This is goodbye Y/N, thank you...for everything.”
Her body fell limp. The last was gone. The angels had succeeded. Y/N was nothing once more. If she made more Dark Angels, it would only be a matter of time before Heaven found her.
The wind picked up. A storm was brewing. Rain poured and lightning struck.
Y/N let out an agonizing scream and the Earth shook with it.
She stood with Lira’s body in her arms, red eyes blazing, wings flared.
“You want a fight. Well Dad you’re gonna get one.”
“What kind of supernatural bitch would cause all that? A demon Sam.”
“I’m telling you, it’s way too powerful to just be a couple of demons.”
“Well what else is it gonna be Sammy? Some rogue angel? Please.”
“That’s where you’re right Dean-o.”
The two whipped around to find Gabriel standing with Castiel and…Lucifer?
“What the hell! Why’d you bring him here!” Dean pointed at Lucifer who responded with an annoyed, “relax.”
“Relax? Relax!”
“Dean. Sam. If you would listen to them, we could stop what’s causing all of these problems.”
“Oh Cas, always the voice of reason,” Gabe jokes, “But he’s unfortunately right. We have a problem and it’s a big one.”
“Understatement of the century,” Lucifer mumbled.
“Anyways! This isn’t some demon or angel. It’s an archangel, and she’s pissed.”
“Woah woah woah. Back up. You’re saying you have a sister? And you just happen to bring her up now.” Dean asked.
“Well she wasn’t important until now,” Gabriel responded.
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“Well what would you want me to say Lucifer? That she was the best out of all of us? That she did good things for humanity? Sorry bro, she didn’t.”
“Yeah well-”
“Can the two of you stop and tell us what’s going on?” Sam intervened.
“The one that’s causing these problems is our sister, who just so happens to be the youngest archangel. She couldn’t handle Dad loving humans more than her so she jumped from Heaven years after Lucifer was sent to the cage,” Gabriel began.
“She agreed with Lucifer?”
“Yes, unfortunately, she did.”
“Hey!”
“After she hit Earth, she started to create an army of new beings. She called them Dark Angels. Humans were corrupted by her views and grew wings and horns. Normal angel blades can’t kill them unless enough wounds are inflicted upon them or the blade is left in long enough. Only a Dark Angel’s blade can kill a Dark Angel. Heaven managed to get ahold of enough of them for a war and we won. Only a few remained and they were easily extinguished. The last one was killed three months ago.”
“When the destruction started.” Sam realized. Gabriel nodded.
“That doesn’t explain why Lucifer is here,” Dean spoke.
“We agreed to stop Y/N together because it is the only way she might listen to us. Happy?”
“Might?”
“Will you stop underestimating us? We have a plan in motion.”
“And what would that be? First of all, who is she really and why haven’t you said her name.”
“Because the bitch tabooed it.”
“Gabriel, don’t.”
“That’s what she is. She acts like some maniacal witch who can warp reality. Haven’t you seen Age of Ultron dude? Where do you think the Scarlet Witch came from? Huh? Inspired character remember? Even got the tragic backstory and accent down.”
“No, I don’t remember because if you can recall I was in a cage the last time you saw her!”
“Okay ladies relax,” Dean said.
“Tabooed? Like Harry Potter,” Sam asked
“Nerd.”
“Shut up Dean.”
“Anyone who speaks her Angel name is doomed. We don’t know how she did it, but we have lost many because of it,” Castiel explained, “Now we really must go over the plan if we want to prevent any more chaos.”
The crater hadn’t changed much, no one had bothered it in the many years Y/N had been on Earth. It was said to be the mark of the Devil so many stayed away.
But you’re no Devil Y/N, you’re weak. You’re a hopeless little girl with no family. Everyone you loved is gone.
“I thought I got rid of you.”
“Oh sweetheart, there’s no getting rid of me. I’m Despair, I’ll always be waiting for your depressive thoughts.”
Y/N turned to see her worst creation. Despair first appeared after Y/N fell to Earth. Her feelings were strong enough to create something hurtful, but it wasn’t intentional. Despair took the form of a trustworthy guy, but he would only make your life worse.
“I gotta hand it to you Y/N, you look better than when I last saw you. Still can’t fix those wings though, can you?”
“Leave me alone and nothing will happen to you.”
“That’s an empty threat if I’ve ever heard one. You’re weak and you know it. Your little Dark Angels gave you strength, but now there’s no one left. Should’ve stayed in Heaven.”
“Go away. That’s an order.”
“I don’t follow your stupid rules anymore Y/N. Remember, it was your mistake that I’m here. I only came into being because you thought following your brother was better. But he wasn’t on Earth, he was in the cage. And you were all alone. You were all alone in Heaven, alone as you fell, and alone now. That’s just how it’ll be…forever.”
“Stop!” Y/N fell to her knees. It was the truth and the truth only hurt.
“If you can’t even listen to me, what made you think you could take on your brothers? They were always stronger than you Y/N!”
“Enough!” Her voice echoed and when she looked up, he was gone. She failed to notice the power that radiated from her yell. The red magic would go for miles and capture the attention of the Winchesters & co. It left her weak and allowed her wings to come into the plane of human sight.
Like I told you, weak.
“I’m gonna go for you first and then teach Dad his lesson. I will not have you be that little devil on my shoulder.”
“So you want us to pray to a rogue angel, an archangel, and hope she appears in the middle of the circle? That’s safe, very safe, and very thought out.” Dean said sarcastically.
“In summary, yes,” Gabriel replied
“Just give us the paper.” Sam was exhausted from the arguing coming from his brother and the two other archangels. The plan was simple, call upon Y/N and ask for guidance. It was her purpose long ago, but it wasn’t forgotten.
“Harmonia, Archangel of Heaven, we are lost and we are in need of guidance.”
...
...
“Well, that was stupid.”
“I wouldn’t insult the one you’ve called upon Dean Winchester.”
Her voice echoed around the room. She wouldn’t appear to them just yet. I mean, it’s the Winchester’s for Dad’s sake, you can’t trust them.
“I don’t need to send any warnings. If you call and I find it in my interest, I’ll come. If you really needed my help, you would know that. What do you want?”
“Dude, Gabriel was right, she’s a bitch.”
“Dean!”
“Good job Dean, you gave us away!”
“I’m not the one talking!”
“Yeah, Gabriel.”
“Lucifer, don’t you start.”
Castiel, ever the voice of reason, called upon her again.
“Y/N, we just want to talk.”
“If you wanted to talk, you wouldn’t have set a trap with those bozos.”
A chorus of “Hey’s” came from the others. She stepped out from the shadows, but only enough for her wings to still be hidden in the dark.
“But I always did like you Castiel. We can talk as long as you don’t have any other tricks up your sleeve.”
“Y/N, you-“
“You look like you’ve been dunked in a pool and then rolled around in a pile of dirt.”
“I’m well aware of how I look, Gabriel.”
Her clothes were tattered, her makeup smeared, and her hair was tangled and knotted. Sweat glistened on her forehead. The past few months had been rough, the stress of trying to destroy Despair was catching up to her. But most importantly, her wings were visible to everyone. Scarred, mangled, ruffled black feathers, some wounds slightly bleeding. They would be able to see just how weak she was if she took another step.
“But I’m not here to discuss my appearance. What does the Scooby Gang want now?”
“Did she-
“We want to know what's been happening the past three months,” Cas interrupted Dean.
“If you must know, I’ve been dealing with something and I am handling it. You won’t need to worry about it any longer.”
“That’s reassuring, thanks.”
“I wouldn’t say anything Gabriel, nor you Lucifer, nor any of you actually. All of you have destroyed something or hurt people at some point in your lives. So why does it matter when it's me?”
“Because people are dying Y/N!”
“That is not my fault Lucifer!”
But isn’t it?
“Oh, would you shut up already!” She yelled at the voice in her head. Of course, he would choose to speak to her now. To make her look crazy.
“If you don’t actually need my help, I have things to take care of. Goodbye Castiel, I wish you well. The rest of you can, well, you can just fuck off.”
“Y/N-”
“Don’t Castiel. I have enough to deal with as it is. I am sorry about the damage I have caused, but I didn’t do it on purpose. As hard as it will be you have to believe me.”
She stepped back into the shadows and prepared to leave when Lucifer spoke up.
“How are your wings?”
“What?”
“You heard me. No angel can take that fall without a little damage.”
“It’s none of your business. We are not as close as we used to be and we are certainly not close enough for you to finally care about me.”
“Will you stop being elusive and shit? Just answer the question”
“No.”
“Oh come on, what’s wrong with you.”
Tension was building up. It was only a matter of time before Y/N’s temper blew. The more her supposed brothers antagonized her about the question, the more her energy grew. It all got to be too much. Her eyes glowed red and she turned, fully coming out of the shadows.
“Enough!”
The crew was smacked against the walls of the warehouse. Y/N stood heaving, her marred wings out for everyone to see. Her maroon, almost black, wings had feathers missing, some even fell as she walked. Her wings were dirty and some places were matted with blood. Some spots where feathers were missing were scared, and feathers would no longer grow there. As they slowly stood back up, the gang took notice of this. Lucifer looked at her with a pang of great sadness, a sadness that no one thought he was capable of. Gabriel just stood in shock, not even he had seen such horror done to an angel. Castiel didn’t know what to think, maybe it was pity, but he didn’t know. Sam and Dean watched in a mixture of awe and a sort of guilt. Angel wings weren’t a thing they should be able to see, it almost felt wrong to look at them. Y/N noticed their eyes locked on her wings causing the feeling of insecurity to rise. It wasn’t something she felt before and it felt strange. Why did she care about how her wings looked to others? She tried to hide them behind her, but what could she do? She couldn’t hide them, so she gave up and let them droop. Her weakness was available for all to see.
“Don’t look at me like that, don’t act as if you care.”
Gabriel and Lucifer almost looked hurt. I mean, they used to be as thick as thieves, brothers and sister. But they also turned their back on her.
“You caused this. Everything that has led to this point had something to do with you two, so just stop.”
Summoning the young archangel turned into something it wasn’t supposed to be. Instead of feeling a deep hatred for her, Dean and Sam kind of understood where she came from. The want for revenge and victory. The needy feeling of being seen by your family.
“What happened?”
She turned to look at Sam and prepared to snap at him but was stopped by the pure curiosity she felt from him.
“War. Family. They didn’t agree with me. An order was sent out to put an end to my creation, but it was for the wrong one. Not one of those who came for me cared about what happened to me. They stabbed and wounded whatever they could. My blood has been spilled on almost every continent of this sorry planet.”
“I’m sorry, but the wrong one?” Gabriel jumped into the conversation.
“What are you not understanding Gabriel? My dark angels were never a threat to humanity, I made sure of that. They were misunderstood and saw me as a person who could bring hope. They were the first people in centuries to believe in me and see me not for my power, but for my nature. However, someone thought otherwise. When that order was put out, everything I had built went to shit. So much blood was spilled for the wrong reason. I have had to burn more bodies than every hunter combined. All of it, for nothing. You all missed the true villain of the story. Despair.”
“You can’t blame it all on your absence of hope Y/N.”
“I am not talking about me Gabriel, I am tal-”
“Talking about me.”
Despair cut her off.
“Howdy doo Scooby gang and magical folk, how ya doing?”
Despair stood on the catwalk of the warehouse, this time in the form of a teenage boy. His black suit almost cloaking him from those below. Y/N just sighed, she didn’t have much energy left to fight with him.
Not again.
“Oh yes again, beautiful. Why would I leave you behind?”
“And just who are you,” Dean questioned.
“Oh jeez, you really aren’t that bright. I’m Despair, pleased to meet ya. Friendly foe to dear miss Harmonia.”
“For once in your life, shut up,” Y/N said.
“Awww, but mom that’s no fun.”
“Anyone care to explain? Anybody? Y/N?” Gabriel asked.
“Y/N here, best mom award, accidentally created me. Beautiful story really. Crash landing in the middle of Kansas, screaming and crying. Then poof! I appear a grown-ass male in the middle of nowhere. I mean, why Kansas, what is this, Wizard of Oz?”
“Why are you here? And why are you a teenager?” Y/N questioned, tired of his shit.
“For shits and giggles, duh. But oh, would you look at the time, I’ve got to skedaddle. Toodles!”
And then he was gone. Everyone now looked at Y/N.
“That’s who should have been eradicated from this realm. Despair is one of the most aggravating beings to be known. Any hope that you have left is sucked out the moment he appears. He doesn’t make himself known as a person, but when he does, all you feel is emptiness and loneliness. He has more of his “fun” as an emotion.”
“So everywhere you’ve been, all this destruction, was him?” Sam asked.
“It was me trying to end him. I have had to deal with him for centuries. That is who Heaven should have rallied against. Not me and certainly not my creations. But it’s too late now, everything I had is gone and I will do anything in my power to get rid of him, even if it kills me.”
With that, Y/N warped outside. She noticed the sleek black car belonging to Sam and Dean and almost scoffed at their trademark. She moved to take a step when she was surrounded by a ring of fire.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she growled.
The Winchesters & co ran outside and found their second trap holding the angry archangel.
“Get me out of here.”
“Y/N if we-”
“Stop it! We are nothing! Nothing! Our little sibling bond means nothing to me anymore. I have more important things to do than have whatever conversation you want to have. So let me out!”
“We can help you if you-”
“Oh now you want to help. You couldn't have done that when I willingly jumped down to Earth. You couldn’t have helped me when everything I have done to help myself was literally being annihilated? I don’t want your help, I’ll kill him myself.”
“Well we don’t want to see you kill yourself in the process! What about that huh?” Gabriel screamed.
The older archangels may not have seen her or spoken to her for what seemed like an eternity, but something inside of them still cared about their younger sister. That feeling would never go away. Y/N could only look at them with a blank face.
“Well it’s too little too late for that brother,” she said sarcastically.
The fire that burned around her went out. Sam had taken it upon himself to help her.
“Dude, what’re you doing?”
“Dean, who are we to stop her?”
Y/N looked at him with suspicion. No one, especially a human she just met, had trusted her that fast for years. She slowly set her foot outside the circle and was a little surprised to find herself in one piece.
“...Thanks…”
Sam nodded at her. Castiel noticed a strange feeling coming from Sam. There was a little bit of pity and some guilt, mostly sadness, but there was the tiniest feeling of attraction? Not even Dean had that feeling coming from him. Though, Castiel decided to say nothing about it. He instead chose to speak up about how weak Y/N appeared to be.
“Y/N, are you alright?”
“When you find yourself in the middle of a Holy fire after talking to Despair, you’re not at your best.”
She then fell to her knees with a grunt, her wings wrapping around her body. Gabriel and Lucifer followed their sibling instincts and went to help Y/N. The amount of energy she released in the warehouse slowly caught up to her. She was fading in and out of consciousness now. Gabriel tried to take her into his arms, but with her wings in the plane of the living, it was difficult. It was best just to have her head lay in his lap. Y/N was muttering nonsense with eyes fluttering, a nonsense only her closest Dark Angels understood. She finally shut her eyes and let sleep take over.
Y/N was set in a room with no wards set. Sam knew she wouldn’t receive that information well and she was in no state to defend herself against all of them if it came down to it. The rest of them gathered around the table discussing their next move, but they weren’t the only ones in the bunker. Jack was wandering around making his own little discoveries.
“So what are we going to do about her? She’s not going to be very happy being here.”
“Oh Dean-o, that’s why we come up with a plan to get rid of whatever she’s trying to get rid of before she wakes up.”
“Because that is so easy Gabriel.”
“Lucifer, not a word. Not a word.”
And so began the discussion of what to do about Despair and Y/N’s seemingly endless sleep. Jack, however, had a different idea. He had been walking down the hallways looking for whatever was calling him. It felt like his father and Uncle Gabriel, but weaker. He followed it to a closed door. Whatever was behind it needed help. He opened the door to see a strange sleeping woman. Despite her unconscious state, he felt the call for help. He walked closer and closer until he found the edge of the bed. He reached his hand out and set it on her arm. His palm started to glow and it spread around Y/N’s body. And then…
She woke up.
She sat up taking in her surroundings. She noticed Jack who still had his hand on her.
“Hi”
“Hi?”
“I’m Jack. Who are you?”
Y/N almost hesitated, “Y/N. What are you? You…aren’t human.”
“I think you mean who…I’m Jack.”
Y/N realized she wouldn’t get anywhere with her questions. But what she did realize was how alive she felt.
“What're you doing?”
“You were calling me. I could feel your pain, so I came to heal you.”
That’s when the light got a little brighter. It got so bright that Jack took a step back and covered his eyes. His hand was no longer on her, but the light continued to grow. Y/N stood up from the bed and looked at her arms. The light covered her body until Jack could no longer see her body beneath it. But underneath, Y/N started to heal. Her wings easily grew the feathers that were replaceable and her appearance was cleaner. No longer did she wear tattered clothes, nor were her wings visible to the human sight. They returned to the plane where only angels could see them. The light then dissipated. Y/N was still in awe, no being had that power to heal an archangel just like that. Maybe other angels or archangels and maybe…
The plan was only getting worse. Any idea Dean had put on the table was met with disapproval from Lucifer with Gabriel mocking him. Sam sat in silence as they continued to argue. But then he heard laughter, and it wasn’t just Jack laughing. There was someone else. He left the room, no one taking immediate notice. He followed the voices to the room Y/N was in. He put his ear to the door only to hear Jack and Y/N?
He opened the door. The two inside looked up immediately. Jack was excited to see Sam, but Y/N was a little suspicious.
“Hi Sam! Look who I found.”
That’s when Sam noticed Y/N’s new look.
“You’re confused,” Y/N broke the silence, “but so am I. Where are we?”
“A bunker, in Kansas, but uh, what happened?”
“I healed her!”
Y/N smiled at Jack, the pure joy he showed had a place in her once-dead heart. Sam, however, was still confused.
“He healed you?”
“He did, yes. Why am I here?”
“Your brothers decided to bring you here for protection. They wanted to make sure you would end up okay.”
“That’s hard to believe,” she scoffed, “The only ones who have actually shown me they cared were you and Jack. Why should I believe you?”
“Because it’s the truth.”
Gabriel.
He stood in the doorway with his hands in his pocket, a shy smile on his face. He had left after he noticed Sam’s departure. He backed out of the Dean-Lucifer argument to watch in entertainment only to find Sam no longer in his seat.
“You want me to believe you? You of all people Gabriel?”
He only sighed and gave her a sad look.
“You just have to Y/N.”
This only made her angry. Her eyes started to glow red and a red mist started to form around her fingers. She was about to take a step forward when Sam blocked her from doing so. He had stood in front of her and put both hands on her shoulders. Her little magic show disappeared and tilted her head up to look at him.
“You’re tall,” she bluntly stated.
Sam let out a laugh which caused her to give a soft smile. Gabriel and Jack watched on opposite sides of the room. Jack watched in pure excitement while Gabriel’s sad look was replaced with a little suspicion. But that moment was interrupted by Dean and Lucifer sliding into view. Dean saw Jack in the corner while Sam held Y/N back. Lucifer saw Samuel Winchester sincerely touching his dear sister.
The Deviants had come out of nowhere. The plan to convince Druig to join the rest of them ended with the death of Gilgamesh. Although Sersi had the ability to turn the vicious Deviant into a tree, the Eternals lost a member of their family. Gilgamesh was laid to rest, but the worries of Thena’s Mahd Wy’ry pranced about their minds, even if they didn’t know it. The work Druig had done over the past centuries was over in a second. He had agreed, not without insult, to stop the Emergence, but there were Eternals yet to be found. Phastos, Makkari, and Talvi. Most had their suspicions about the first two, but Talvi disappeared the moment the family parted ways in Tenochtitlan that day in 1521.
Sersi broke the silence.
“While we are happy that you’ve agreed Druig, we do need to hurry and find the rest. Do you have any idea where they could be?”
“Funny you ask me. The moment I left was the last time I saw any of you.”
“Well that’s a load of bullshit.”
“Kingo-”
“No Sersi, I think for once, our buddy Druig should tell the truth instead of being a lying little hermit,” Ikaris, in all his ‘glory’, decided to jump in.
“You’re calling me a liar?”
“Enough! This isn’t helping anyone,” Sersi commanded, “ Druig, please. If you know anything-”
“I told you, the last time I saw any of you was when I left, even her. If that’s what you want to know then just say it.”
The small group of Eternals looked at Druig. They knew the past between the two coldest Eternals, all the fights and issues Ajak had to referee. Kingo decided to take it further.
“So, was the last time you saw her when you left the temple or when she followed you into the forest?”
“What?”
“You know what I asked.”
“While I do understand your level one speech Kingo, you’re asking a stupid question. What are you not understanding? The last time I saw ANY of you was when I left that damn temple.”
Now it was the group's turn to be confused. They all know what lead to Druig’s departure and the breaking of the family. They specifically remembered Talvi’s pained yells and screams as Druig left. They remembered when she ran after him, spewing hatred towards Ikaris. They remembered their fight amongst each other, that they didn’t realize she slipped so far away, never to be seen again.
—--------------------
Tenochtitlan, 1521
Druig was gone.
Druig is gone. He left.
His beliefs had triumphed over the group. They had mixed feelings watching him leave. Most in sadness, Ikaris in anger, and Talvi distraught. Druig could be an ass and annoying and ignorant and a dick, but they had spent too many lifetimes together to not feel anything. So as he grew further and further, with the people following him with empty eyes, Talvi grew angry.
“We’re just going to watch him leave?”
“There’s nothing we can do Talvi, he has made his choice.”
“But Ajak-”
“We can’t force him, it would only do more damage. It is not our mission to help Druig, the people of this planet come first.”
“You have to understand Vi-”
“Ikaris, whatever you have to say I don’t want to hear. I know you’re happy that he’s gone, so why don't you shut your mouth like a good boy.”
“Uh oh,” Kingo whispered, “this won’t be good.”
The wind started to pick up. A sight breeze turning into a stormy speed. But then it started to grow cold, something that’s never happened before.
“I know Druig and you had your differences, we all did, but not once did I ever say anything to you about your issues, did I? But if you want to start now, then be my guest,” she paused for a second, “ You are a follower Ikaris, whatever Arishem or Ajak has to say to you, you listen and do it, with no hesitation. You had no problem mowing me down when I lost control, several times! It isn’t my fault that I came here broken, none of it was my fault. But I’ll do you a favor goody two shoes, I’ll leave myself.”
The air around the top of the temple was reaching freezing and the wind was at the tip of knocking everyone over.
“And go where, with Druig? Even he can’t stand you Talvi, none of us can,” Ikaris seethed.
And then it all stopped. The temperature rose and the wind dissipated.
“Anywhere is better than being with you.”
And so she went to leave, but the rest protested. Gilgamesh mentioned she could stay with him and Thena in solitude. Sprite said she needed someone to talk to. Sersi wanting Talvi to stay with her, bribing her by saying she didn’t have to talk to her. Kingo shouting at Ikaris about his cruel words. Ajak just watched as another part of her family leave in anger and disarray. Talvi ignored every member of her family and descended the steps into her future. She glanced up, with tears streaming down her face. They were all fighting but it didn’t matter anymore, she was leaving. She had reached the treeline when the Eternals looked back down. They had lost another within minutes of Druig leaving, but they had discovered something.
Maybe Talvi cared a lot more for Druig than she let on.
And maybe, she could control a lot more than the wind.
—-----------------
The Amazon, Present Day
Druig didn’t know what to think. He thought, more so hoped, that she would be happy tagging along with part of the Eternals. That was too good to be true because now, the one person who understood him, was hiding somewhere across the world. However, the one thing stuck in his mind when Sersi was explaining, was what Ikaris said to Talvi.
And go where, with Druig? Even he can’t stand you Talvi, none of us can.
And before he said or did something that could ruin anything related to the Emergence, he walked away to a secluded corner.
“Druig?”
“I don’t know where she is Sersi.”
“That’s not what I was going to ask. We do, however, have a lead on Phastos. Maybe he knows where she is.”
“And why does that matter.”
“I know a lot more than you think.”
Sersi didn’t have to see Druig’s face to know there was the tiniest of smiles on his face.
—--------
Chicago, Present Day
It was a cool day when Talvi arrived, bringing a chill with her. She stood in front of Phastos’s house with a smile. It always brought her joy to see the small family, something she missed and longed to have again. She was brought out of her thoughts when Jack came running out of the house.
“Auntie Tal!”
She crouched and met him with a hug.
“Jack! When did you get so tall!”
Jack laughed as Phastos appeared in the doorway. The boy ran back inside with shouts of glee. Talvi stood up and greeted Phastos, but the happy atmosphere disappeared when the reason for her visit spun around her mind. Phastos could already feel the dread seeping from Talvi and prepared himself for the worst.
They made their way toward the dining table where Talvi spotted Jack and Ben discussing her visit. But at her solemn face, Ben knew it wasn’t going to be good, so he distracted Jack with throwing a football in the front yard.
“It isn’t good, is it?”
“No.”
“Tell me.”
Talvi told him everything. How the ground shook, almost tearing the village apart. The damage she had to help repair so the people wouldn't freeze. The fear that stuck with the children. How, for the first time in forever, she felt a genuine fear spear through her body. She had always been so sure that she would be able to protect the people of this planet, but now the planet itself was causing her doubt.
“I don’t know what to do. If I do do something, what if it goes wrong? But if I don’t do anything, it may as well be the end for these people. I have come too far to let it go to shit Phastos.”
“I am not going to lie and say it will be okay, but we will find a way.”
“I believe you, trust me, but something tells me that this is bigger, something else is causing all of this.”
“Worrying won’t get you anymore. I can see the sweat on your face and we both know that that’s never good. Tomorrow, we’ll figure this out, together. Now, why don’t we go in the garage, I have a couple things I want to show you.”
Talvi gave him a meek smile before following him to the garage. The cool day immediately calmed Talvi’s body as she watched Ben and Jack toss the football to each other.
“He’s gotten better. I can’t believe he’s grown that much.”
“You know, you were always so observant with the children, you were always so motherly with them. Sprite hated that.”
“Hey! She may be as old as us, but she’s tiny! How could I not mother her, or you and the others? You guys made it way too easy for me,” she teased.
“Uh, Phil?”
Talvi and Phastos looked towards the other male, but were surprised to see Sersi and Ikaris. Talvi’s heart sank as she met Ikaris’s widened eyes.
“Oh shit.”
Without warning, the wind blew into the garage and Talvi disappeared along with it. The small family had been used to Talvi’s sudden appearances and disappearances, but Sersi and Ikaris had learned more about her in just a second. Phastos glanced at where Talvi once stood before looking back at his guests, sighing as he did.
“More friends from college,” he whispered to himself.
The days seemed to blend together. That tended to happen when you’ve lived on Earth for 7000 years. Talvi had been living in Iceland since the day her family broke up. She had secluded herself in a small village and became a protector of some sort. The people respected her presence and didn’t seem to mind that she never aged. Rather, they thought they had been blessed by a deity. Talvi had been living a quiet life in the cold land, learning many things about the humans and herself.
Despite being happy in her secluded home, she missed the chaotic nature of her family. Even if she did miss them, Talvi felt she deserved to live in isolation. She couldn’t protect her family then, so she decided to let them live their lives without the added baggage that was Talvi herself. Although, she ran into Phastos when visiting the States. At first, she was hesitant to be in contact with another Eternal, but that all changed when she met Jack.
It was a wintry day in Chicago, a perfect day for Talvi to be out and about. It was the night of Christmas Eve and it was Talvi’s mission to experience the holiday in every state. She had been walking in a neighborhood admiring the Christmas lights, the snow-
“Talvi?”
She froze.
“Talvi, is that you?”
“Phastos?”
“I can’t believe it! After all this time, you finally reappeared.”
“It’s nice to see you too Phastos,” She smiled, happy to see part of her family for the first time in centuries, “How did you find yourself in Chicago? I heard about what happened in Japan, I’m sorry.”
“I was lucky. I found a family, and that changed everything.”
“I am happy for you Phastos, I’m glad that you could find people to love.”
“Do you want to meet them?”
“I’m sorry?”
“Do you want to meet them Talvi?”
“Are you sure?”
“Why wouldn’t I be sure?”
“Well...I’m me.”
“Talvi, I know you. I trust you, and I want you to meet my family if that is something you want to do.”
“Okay, lead the way.”
The two Eternals walked up the path towards the door and entered the home. Talvi’s heart was pounding. When she entered, she noticed how warm the interior of the house felt compared to the frigid Chicago air. She could hear what sounded like a child’s voice and another adult singing Christmas songs. They walked into the kitchen to find exactly that. The other adult noticed their presence before the child did.
“Phil, you lost track of time agai-, who is this?”
“This is my friend from college, T-Talia. Talia, this is my husband Ben and our son Jack.”
“It’s so nice to meet you!”
“You look like a princess!”
“Thank you, Jack, and you look like a prince yourself.”
The small boy giggled, turning back to placing cookies on a plate. Phastos and Ben shared a look.
“Talia, would you like to stay for the holiday?”
“Oh, are you sure? I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“A friend of Phil’s is a friend of mine, we would love to have you stay.”
“Yes! Stay!”
The glee and pure joy emanating from Jack’s voice made the choice. Children had always been her soft spot.
“Okay, I’ll stay!” she laughed.
“Alright Jack, it’s time to go to bed. Let’s put the cookies out and I’ll tuck you in.”
“Awwww, okay. Goodnight dad, good night Tal-Tal-Tali. I’m going to call you Tal, goodnight!”
Ben and Jack left the kitchen, leaving Phastos and Talvi to themselves in the kitchen.
“Friend from college, huh?”
“I didn’t want-”
“It’s okay Phastos, I understand, but did you really have to change my name? What’s wrong with having a unique name Phil?”
“You’re not going to let that go, are you?”
“Nope.”
The two friends laughed, happy that the first time back together was positive. But when do things not go wrong? Talvi’s knees buckled and gave out from beneath her. The heat radiating from the oven filled the kitchen, and it overwhelmed Talvi’s body.
“Hey, hey, what’s going on?”
“It’s…way…too…hot.”
“Oh crap. I forgot about that.”
Phastos quickly picked Talvi up and carried her to the sliding doors. When the door opened, the chilled air rushed in the room combatting the heat. Talvi’s body started to cool down, heart and breathing slowing down.
Talvi smiled at the memory. She needed to visit them again soon. Finding Phastos almost gave her the courage to find the other Eternals. Almost. She was still surprised that she confided in Phastos about her location and life.
That’s enough self-loathing for the morning.
Talvi left her bed and got ready for the day. She was to help the village prepare for the festival of the Snow Queen and help the children with their lessons for the day. Exiting her house, she noticed the light snow falling from the sky and the people milling about. She could see some of the women making their way to the courtyard to decorate. Some of the children were building snowmen and making snow angels before rushing to the school.
Everything is going to be perfect.
And it seemed to be going that way as well. Until things weren’t perfect.
The ground started to shake. At first, it was subtle, but then things took a turn for the worst. The houses groaned with the more violent shakes. The people started to panic while the children started to scream in terror. Talvi noticed one of the weaker trees was about to fall on a group of young boys that were huddling underneath it. Talvi ran towards them, quickly touching it and turning it into snowflakes.
“Are you okay?”
The group nodded, although they were still fearful. The ground started to shake again, albeit, not as strong as before. The young boys hugged her tightly, Talvi returning the gesture. When the shaking subsided, she told them to go home. School did not matter at the moment.
“Jack!”
Talvi quickly ran back towards her house to contact Phastos and the family. She frantically searched for her phone before realizing she didn’t even have one.
Phastos was right, that would have been nice to have right now.
She gathered a gust of wind in her palm to send a message.
“Tell Phastos that I’m on my way. Things are happening here and I am going to visit a lot sooner than expected. Have my room ready and cold. I’ll be there soon.”
The wind left through the open window, leaving Talvi alone once again.
The group of eleven walked towards the walls, golden magic turning the grey they wore into colorful armor. Talvi, one of the many strong women on the team, was granted a suit of grey and ice blue. She noticed her suit was almost identical to the look of the blonde woman.
Their next mission was on the planet Earth, to kill all Deviants and keep them from harming the human species. Although, she wasn’t sent down with the others. Instead, Ajak, the Prime Eternal, told her to stay on board the Domo and wait until the others killed the Deviants. They looked so organized down there, like an actual team.
Thena and her conjuration of golden weapons.
Makkari and her super speed.
Kingo and his blasts of power.
They were all so...powerful and in control.
“Thinking about them won’t do you any good.”
“Ajak.”
“You have great gifts of your own, why do you question yourself Talvi? You are strong, you just have to believe it.”
“Yes, but the others have such beautiful gifts, why am I the only one limited to what I can do?”
Ajak walks towards the Eternal and grabs her hands. “You are capable of great things, all you have to do, is try. Now, get ready. We are meeting the others on the ground.” Ajak walks away, leaving Talvi with her own thoughts.
If only it were that easy Ajak.
You’re doing yourself a disservice beautiful.
“Get out of my head Druig.”
“Oh, but you make it so easy for me. Somehow in some way, you are the only Eternal I can read. You let your thoughts wander. Not to mention, you think way too loud. I just so happen to find my way in through the cracks.”
“Bugger off, would you? We have more important things to worry about.”
“What? The Deviants you don’t think you can kill?”
“Druig…”
“Or the powers you have no control over?”
Talvi groaned out of frustration. She didn’t want to hurt the people who were supposed to be her family, but then again, he was being annoying. Instead of retaliating, she chose to walk away, leaving Druig smirking to himself.
“Calm down Talvi, don’t let him get to you,” she whispered to herself, “Just go meet the others, everything will be fine.”
However, she couldn’t stop thinking about the rest of her team.
Ajak, who had the ability to heal.
Ikaris, who had the power of flight and could shoot powerful beams out of his eyes.
Sersi, who had the ability to manipulate matter.
Kingo, who had the ability to shoot energy from his hands.
Sprite, who had the ability to create illusions.
Phastos, who had the ability to create any invention or weapon.
Makkari, who had the ability of super speed.
Gilgamesh, who had the ability to enhance his strength with golden shields around his arms and fists.
Thena, who had the ability to create weapons out of thin air.
Druig, who had the ability to manipulate and control other people’s thoughts.
And Talvi, who had the ability to manipulate the wind.
