I Do Not Care If The Players Wanted To Win A World Cup, They’ve Enabled This Man To Get His Hands On

and happy pride month to the thirsty girls (me)

CRAWLING BACK TO YOU • PAIGE BUECKERS

Ever thought of calling when you’ve had a few?

🎵: Do I Wanna Know? covered by Hozier

TW: suggestive, angst, reader is an alcoholic, usage of Y/N, mentions of nausea and vomiting

SUMMARY: you get drunk to avoid running back to your ex…but tonight it brought you right to her.

A/N: I went to a UConn game the other day!

How many times were you going to find yourself in this situation? You were strolling around the crowded house, searching for anyone that would have you. You were drunk again, like you were most nights.

You did this a lot now; get wasted and hookup with strangers. The alcohol allowed you to loosen up, finally find some peace, and the hookups kept you feeling useful and pleasured.

The two of those things also kept you from groveling at the knees of UConn’s best female guard.

You and Paige had been in a serious relationship. You loved that woman. She was the best thing that ever happened to you.

But you’d fucked up. Your love for booze had scared her off. She got sick of attending parties every weekend, sick of having to take away the bottle, sick of dragging you from parties, sick of pushing you off at home when your drunk self tried to start something, sick of nursing your nasty hangovers. She had told you to chill, promised you movie nights and dates instead of parties.

You never listened, so eventually she sat you down and, with a lot of difficulty, ended things. It had become too much for her. She needed to focus on school and basketball. It was her last year in college, after all. She wanted to make it count.

Without Paige, your need for alcohol only grew, which is how you found yourself in the middle of a frat party. Things had been usual, until someone screamed and everyone started fleeing. You knew what this meant; cops. You started running, too. If the police got you, you were screwed. Chugging drink after drink was fun, until the idea of getting caught came up.

You stumbled through the woods behind the house. This was where people typically ran, but you were alone. Maybe you were going the wrong way? You could see lights up ahead, so you went towards those. If there was civilization, you could find your way home. Once you made it through the trees, you found yourself in a campus that you quickly recognized…UConn.

Well, you thought, at least you knew your way around.

You started wandering, your phone in hand, waiting until you had good enough WiFi to get an Uber.

When you first heard the sound, you thought you were imagining it. Surely it was just the sound you associated with the school.

Nope…when the small, outdoor court came into view, you realized there was someone dribbling a basketball.

That someone was Paige Bueckers.

What were the chances?! You needed to go, before she saw you. You turned around fast, and tripped over your own feet. Your body hit the grass with a small “oof” sound escaping your lips.

“Y/N?!” Paige called when she saw you.

She was at your side within a second, immediately trying to get you up.

“Hi, Paige…” You said awkwardly, trying not to slur.

“The hell are you doing here?” She asked as she pulled you to your feet easily.

“I was…in town.” You shrugged.

She was gonna say something else, when her nose wrinkled. “Jesus…you smell like beer.”

It clicked in her brain just then. You opened your mouth to lie again, but all that came out was a shaky, alcohol scented breath.

“Ar you drunk?” She asked quietly.

“Just…a little bit.” You mumbled.

“Bullshit!” She exclaimed abruptly. “You’re wasted, aren’t you?!”

“I didn’t mean to be!” You yelped.

“Sure.” She scoffed. “You accidentally took a few shots? Chugged some beer? Drank some soda that you didn’t know had vodka in it?!”

You huffed, not knowing what to say. She was always right when it came to this.

“I just need to get home…” You whispered shakily.

“Where were you?” She whispered back.

“Party.”

“Hm. It’s early for you to leave a party.”

“Cops.”

An awkward silence passed. She watched you fight intoxicated tears.

“What do you want me to do, Y/N?” She sighed.

“Could you…get me a ride?” You said. “I’ll pay you back, I swear.”

“Where are you going? Home?” She asked.

You nodded.

“What if you go out again, huh? The bar? The club?”

“I’m super tired, Paige.” You shook your head. “I’m not going out.”

“You think I’m gonna believe you?” She scoffed. “You’ve pulled that shit before.”

“Then what are you gonna do?” You said, frustrated.

She sighed again, dragging a hand down her face.

“You’ll stay with me.” She announced. “Just for tonight.”

You froze. Really? Your ex would be the one taking you home?

“Come on.” She said, hesitantly placing a hand on your shoulder. “Let’s go. It’s getting cold.”

She led you back to her apartment. You were a bit unsteady, starting to feel the negative effects of the alcohol.

“Don’t you have roommates?” You asked once you were inside her building.

“They don’t mind.” She waved that off. “Just be quiet and they won’t care.”

“We shouldn’t do this…” You said.

Usually when you got drunk, you were all over her, insisting she go home with you.

You knew better by now.

“Don’t worry about it.” Paige said softly. “I just…I can’t let you go home alone right now.”

The both of you went up to her dorm. She pulled out her keys and opened the door, inviting you in. When you struggled to slip your shoes off, feeling unsteady, she knelt down to get them off for you.

“You feeling sick?” She whispered.

“Uh…not really.” You replied, despite that fact that your head was spinning.

Paige saw right through the lie.

“Go in my room.” She told you. “I’ll be right there.”

You quietly went to her bedroom, remembering where it was, of course. You perched awkwardly on the edge of her bed, waiting.

Paige came in a few minutes later, after convincing her roommates they they wouldn’t be hearing any grotesque noises. She carried a small trash bag and a glass of water.

“Drink up.” She instructed, giving you the cup. She then placed the bag in your lap. “And if you have to puke, do it in there.”

“Thanks.” You muttered.

She knelt down in front of you, looking at you with those insanely blue eyes. “C’mon…drink.”

You took a few sips of the water. You knew she was being helpful, but the water kind of made you want to throw up.

“Just hold onto that bag.” Paige said when she noticed your facial expression.

She stood up, and walked over to her closet. After digging around for a moment, she came back with a t-shirt and comfy shorts. The shirt looked so familiar…you suddenly realized why.

You would always steal her clothes when you were a couple. She often found her hoodies in your bedroom, her sweatpants (which were actually ginormous on you because she was so tall), mixed with your laundry. You rarely hid it well. Sometimes you’d just show up at her place in her clothes.

Your favorite thing to steal was one of her March Madness shirts. It was very comfy, and a reminder of how amazing Paige and her team were. So when she gave you the shirt that drunken night? You quickly burst into tears.

“What? What’s wrong?” Paige asked worriedly.

“You…you remembered.” You sniffled.

She didn’t know what to say. She felt sort of caught. She muttered a quick “Of course I did” and took the water from you.

Her bedroom was dark, only slightly lit by the moon shining through the window, so she didn’t see much when she helped you out of your party clothes. Not like she’d never seen you naked. Once you were in the comfortable clothes, she pulled the blankets on her bed back, allowing you to slip in.

“I’m gonna stop, Paige.” You whispered, still crying as she tucked you in. “I’m gonna stop drinking.”

She sighed. She’d heard you say this before, but never so seriously.

“Good.” She said. “You’re gonna kill yourself at this point.”

“I know…” You whimpered. “I don’t want to die…”

You were quick to put your head in your hands so she wouldn’t see you cry even more. She bit her lip at this. She was angry at you, for continuing to abuse alcohol, but…she hated that she was. She just wanted to comfort you. She never liked seeing you cry.

“Let’s just try to sleep, alright?” She said softly, climbing over you to lie down.

She got in the bed, keeping a safe distance. Neither of you were very comfortable. You were too tense. You hadn’t been in bed together in ages. It would’ve been nice if you weren’t so awkward.

You really tried to pull yourself together. You wiped your eyes, took deep breaths, focused on good thoughts. But your drunken tears kept coming.

Suddenly, Paige was shifting, and she was getting closer. She laid on her side, facing you. Then you felt her hand carding through your hair, gently scratching your scalp.

“What’re you doing…?” You whispered.

“When I used to do this, you’d be out cold within minutes.” She whispered back.

She kept doing the soothing motion. Your eyes were getting heavy, like she’d hoped.

“I’m really gonna stop.” You muttered.

“I know…just sleep.” She murmured.

“I miss you.” You whispered. In your half asleep, intoxicated state, you didn’t think twice about saying that.

She swallowed hard, her hand faltering for only a second. “I told you to go to sleep.”

“I just wanted you to know.” You answered.

“I know.” She repeated, smiling a little at the small amount of sass in your voice. “You don’t have to miss me, though. I’m right here.”

Exhaustion was finally getting to you, so you were falling into a deep sleep.

“I’ll be right here.” She whispered a few seconds before you fully sank into unconsciousness. “We’ll figure this out…we always do."

what if i have big boobs and a small heart?

luke hughes x f!reader social media au

warnings: swearing, use of 'manwhore', allusions to sex

fc: steph bohrer

liked by markestapa, trevorzegras and 791 others

ynofficial: j-dog strikes again

view all comments

colecaufield: HEART, NOT BOOBS 📢

ynofficial: let's all bow down to preacher jack🧎

colecaufield: he's my summer entertainment

dylanduke25: you'll have to excuse my brother in law's behaviour, he does this sometimes. you just have to reset him by giving his fake tooth a wiggle

ynofficial: 💀

lhughes_06: duker what happened to the definitions?

dylanduke25: 'forgetting' - a failure to recall information

liked by lhughes_06

trevorzegras: i think i just pulled something trying not to laugh

lhughes_06: jackhughes you know it's bad when z points it out

_quinnhughes: i can confirm that was my live reaction

markestapa: my my he's done it again

ynofficial: my friend my pal my buddy

markestapa: YOU TALKIN TO ME? YOU TALKIN TO ME?

ynofficial: well who the hell else am i talking to

markestapa: we're really funny

ynofficial: the pranks? the laughs?

markestapa: between me and you?

ynofficial: ah!!!

edwards.73: YOU'RE ON VACATION WITHOUT ME?????

lhughes_06: you're in nj????? at dev camp?????

edwards.73: SEMANTICS

ynofficial: if it helps it's only duker, gavo, me, luke and mark now

edwards.73: it doesn't

ynofficial: you'll get over it😘

jackhughes: fuck

ynofficial: brace yourself. i'm never letting it go

_quinnhughes: he could do with being taken down a few pegs

lhughes_06: and what better way than a future s.i.l with no contractual obligations?

ynofficial: you make it seem like i'm unemployed

lhughes_06: you know you could be...😘

ynofficial: I DON'T NEED YOUR MONEY OKAY

ynofficial: I DON'T NEED TO RELY ON A MAN FOR FINANCIAL AID

lhughes_06: aid???? YOU'RE MY GIRLFRIEND I LIKE TAKING CARE OF YOU

markestapa: rare otp crumbs 😲 

dylanduke25: OTP OTP OTP

liked by edwards.73, jjmccarthy and 873 others

ynofficial: but what happens if i have big boobs and a small heart jackhughes?

view all comments

nolan_moyle: immediately that is incorrect

ynofficial: TREAD CAREFULLY MOYLE I HAVE BOOBS OKAY

nolan_moyle: i was in fact ☝️not talking about your boobs

markestapa: i'm honoured to be featured but you're the biggest liar in the world

dylanduke25: THAT GIRL IS A SOFTIE

edwards.73: well spoken

ynofficial: i will have you know that i am NOT a softie 🤨

_quinnhughes: i beg to fucking differ

ynofficial: QUINN YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE MY BACK

_quinnhughes: then i'm switching sides

ynofficial: 😨

jackhughes: I WAS HAMMERED THEN OKAY.

jackhughes: also you probably have the biggest heart out of everyone i've ever met

ynofficial: shut the hell up i do not

markestapa: to answer your question though, i think you'd just be a baddie

ynofficial: are you saying i'm not a baddie then

markestapa: you're a different kind of baddie honey 💛💛

liked by ynofficial, tyler_duke and 43,183 others

lhughes_06: an appreciation post for the biggest baddie with the biggest heart

view all comments

markestapa: you missed the boob part

lhughes_06: dude

ynofficial: mark has a point, do i not have boobs?

ynofficial: ample?

lhughes_06: i don't know how to answer that on social media

dylanduke25: ample: large and accommodating/plentiful

lhughes_06: LET'S ALL STOP TALKING ABOUT MY GIRLFRIEND'S BOOBS

jackhughes: are you jelly?

lhughes_06: you're the last person who gets to ask me that after what you just said

jackhughes: have a little brother they said 😐 you can bully him they said 😐 it'll be fun they said 😐

_quinnhughes: i'm literally living proof of that not being true wtf are you on

adamfantilli: question 🤔

lhughes_06: oh dear

adamfantilli: are cheesy speeches genetic? or was it a fluke?

lhughes_06: i think i'm offended

_quinnhughes: ouch

trevorzegras: LOL 😛

ynofficial: i had that thought and with experience luke usually says 'fuck shit up' and quinn says 'expose their weaknesses, flash luke, i'll point at the ocean to distract mark and then spike the ball. also, if we win, i'll buy you alcohol for the next month'...so jack is probably the fluke

bradytkachuk: i can confirm this is true yes

colecaufield: that does sound pretty accurate

trevorzegras: _quinnhughes YOU BRIBE UNDERAGE CHILDREN WITH ALCOHOL?????

_quinnhughes: i also know a lot of your secrets and i happen to be incredibly persuasive 😬

trevorzegras: was that a threat?

ynofficial: YES LMAO

edwards.73: so in conclusion, y/n is a soft baddie and the boob thing is inconclusive????

ynofficial: i totally forgot about the point of this post

lhughes_06: love to know my efforts go unrecognised ❤️

ynofficial: i don't have to show it on social media 😘

lhughes_06: tis true 😊

rutgermcgroarty: OTP 📣 OTP 📣

markestapa: private but not secret will always have my heart

luca.fantilli: he says swiping at the photos of them making out and shoving them in both luke's and y/n's faces telling them how cute they are and that they should post more couple content

markestapa: how tf do you know what i'm doing

luca.fantilli: there's a groupchat

markestapa: WITHOUT ME IN IT????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

liked by ynofficial, jacob_truscott20 and 63,197 others

lhughes_06: this is how we do ☀️😎

view all comments

jackhughes: 😎🫣🔥🤝

_alexturcotte: court marshaled

g.brindley4: Behaviour.

ynofficial: hot hot hot

lhughes_06: all you you you

markestapa: flirty flirty flirty

trevorzegras: baby hughes is smooth smooth smooth 😮‍💨

jackhughes: 🙄🙄

dylanduke25: is pitcure #1 proof that boobs do indeed win?

g.brindley4: YNOFFICIAL WAS TAKING THE PIC SO YES!!!!!

edwards.73: luke hughes boob guy confirmed 🤫🤫

ynofficial: your curls will be the death of me

lhughes_06: 😊😊😊😊

matthewknies: they'll be the death of me too 😔

liked by rutgermcgroarty, nblanks98 and 528 others

ynofficial: just told these 4 goobers that they've all been 'so bf' recently and luke walked away from me, mark literally FROZE and eddy and duker just...got it

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ynofficial: side note: luke heard me tell this to mark and i've never seen the man look so ready to punch his friend before

markestapa: i was about to use my pims to defend myself

ynofficial: channel your inner rocky

markestapa: NEVER BACK DOWN NEVER WHAT

edwards.73: i think sometimes you should back down and go home

ynofficial: 😧😧

lhughes_06: in my defence, i was in the middle of playing golf

ynofficial: which is ridiculous because it was literally dark

_quinnhughes: yeah i don't remember still being there in the dark

ynofficial: that's because...

lhughes_06: no

lhughes_06: stop don't

jackhughes: now that i think about it i don't remember still being there either????

ynofficial: erm

dylanduke25: ew so you and luke were on a dark golf course with a buggy by yourself????? you disgust me

ynofficial: WE WEREN'T DOING THAT

lhughes_06: we were chatting shit but now that you mention it, thanks for the idea

jackhughes: 🤮🤮

_quinnhughes: don't pretend like you haven't done worse mr hot tub time machine 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

ynofficial: i can never watch that film again

edwards.73: me and duker are just 💪 that 💪 good 💪

dylanduke25: PERIOD 😤😤

ynofficial: it's true, you are

nolan_moyle: nblanks98 you look so bf all the time

ynofficial: yk what i think you're 10000% correct with that nolan

nolan_moyle: thank you 😊😊

nblanks98: aw 🥰

umichhockey: admin would like to agree with you

liked by ynofficial

jackhughes: have i been 'bf' lately?

ynofficial: you've been more 'manwhore' lately

_quinnhughes: ynofficial you're my favourite non-hughes

lhughes_06: when i marry her will she be the favourite hughes?

_quinnhughes: out of my siblings? absolutely

ynofficial: i'm SO honoured

ynofficial: _quinnhughes also you've been very bf lately, i don't tell you often

_quinnhughes: it's the hoodies isn't it?

ynofficial: and the fact that your cuddles are just *chef's kiss*

jackhughes: i give good cuddles too i'll have you know

lhughes_06: jackhughes you're not coming near her with a ten foot pole

ynofficial: you do jackhughes

ynofficial: what

lhughes_06: what

ynofficial: jack's given me hugs before

jackhughes: yeah

lhughes_06: why

ynofficial: he broke up with his girlfriend????

lhughes_06: JACK HAD A GIRLFRIEND?????

_quinnhughes: WHEN WAS THIS???????

jackhughes: ynofficial thank you for that

ynofficial: i'm so sorry oops

markestapa: you've been so gf lately

ynofficial: thank you bestie

edwards.73: what does that mean?

ynofficial: (i don't know)

lhughes_06: should i be threatened right now? i don't feel it but i feel like i should be iykwim

𝚗𝚞𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚗𝚎 || 𝚙𝚊𝚒𝚐𝚎 𝚋𝚞𝚎𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚡 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛

in which the next chapter begins

new york city hums like it knows what’s about to happen. there’s a kind of electricity in the air, thick with promise and nerves, and as your driver weaves through the busy streets, you watch paige take it all in from the backseat—her face turned to the window, hood pulled over her head, hand clasped tightly in yours.

“this doesn’t feel real,” she murmurs, eyes wide as they track the towering buildings, the people, the energy. “like, i’m actually here.”

you squeeze her hand. “you’re not dreaming, bueckers.”

she smirks, still dazed. “you sure? 'cause being in new york with you, about to get drafted number one… i must’ve done something right.”

you look at her—at the soft awe in her voice, the nerves she’s trying to hide—and smile. “you earned all of this.”

she leans over and kisses the back of your hand. “wouldn’t be here without you.”

the hotel lobby smells like roses and money. a few of the other top picks are checking in, media reps scattered around, coaches from various teams exchanging polite nods. paige walks in with her backpack slung over one shoulder like she’s still in college, but she’s greeted like a queen.

people look at you too—curious, trying to place you. her plus one, but not a public one. not yet.

upstairs, the suite is stunning. floor-to-ceiling windows, champagne already chilling in a silver bucket on the table, and a view of manhattan that would knock the breath out of anyone.

paige walks straight to the window. “god,” she whispers. “how am i supposed to sleep tonight?”

you wrap your arms around her from behind. “you won’t. and that’s okay.”

the next few days are a whirlwind of cameras and flashing lights, pre-draft interviews, and moments stolen in between where paige clings to you like you’re the only thing keeping her grounded.

you walk with her to early press calls, watch her shake hands with executives and talk to reporters with the perfect balance of humility and fire. she rides up the empire state building in an elevator full of pr staff, but she only holds your hand. at the top, she stands by the glass and whispers, “feels like the whole world’s watching.”

“they are,” you say, brushing your fingers against hers. “and they’re about to see what happens when a star rises.”

the suite becomes a glam studio before the sun even rises. stylists, makeup artists, wardrobe specialists—all bustling around paige while she sits in the middle of it all, cross-legged in a robe, sipping coffee like she isn’t about to have her life change forever.

her stylist calls you over as you’re about to change into the outfit you packed.

“actually,” she says, holding up a garment bag. “this is for you.”

you blink. “that’s not mine.”

“it is now. paige picked it out. said it had to be perfect.”

your chest tightens as you unzip the bag, revealing a dress so perfectly you, it feels unreal. the fabric is soft, expensive, and the color—something muted and romantic—brings out your features in a way you didn’t even know was possible.

“she did this?” you whisper.

“she wanted you to feel special today too.”

you change in the bathroom, hands shaking slightly. when you finally step out, paige is standing near the window, fully dressed in a glittery-dark colored custom suit that has her shimmering with every step, her curls falling effortlessly over her shoulders.

she turns—and everything slows.

her mouth parts. “holy... you look…”

you laugh, flushed. “you too. you clean up alright, bueckers.”

she walks up to you, cups your jaw gently. “you’re unreal. thank you for being here today.”

“there’s nowhere else i’d be.”

the red carpet outside the venue is chaos—reporters, photographers, wnba legends, fans with signs, people shouting paige’s name like it’s already etched into history.

you try to stay a step behind her, to let her soak in her spotlight, but she won’t have it. her hand wraps around your waist and stays there. through the cameras, the chaos, the interviews—she keeps you close.

you’re standing just off to the side when the espn interviewer waves paige over for a quick one-on-one. the camera is rolling, and you make a move to step back, but paige pulls you forward by the hand.

the interviewer smiles knowingly. “paige bueckers! big night. how are we feeling?”

paige smiles back, calm and radiant. “excited. grateful. nervous. all of it.”

“you’re projected to go number one overall—does that add pressure?”

“a little,” she admits. “but i try to block it out. i’m here to soak it in and be present.”

the interviewer nods, glancing at you briefly. “and you’ve got some company tonight. can we ask who your date is?”

paige glances your way, and you feel her fingers squeeze yours.

“she’s someone very special to me,” paige says, voice even but warm. “we’re here to celebrate the moment. that’s what tonight’s about.”

“so… are you confirming you’re in a relationship?”

she chuckles, not flustered at all. “i’m confirming that i’m not doing tonight alone. that’s all you get.”

“alright, alright,” the interviewer laughs. “we’ll take it.”

twitter explodes five seconds later.

inside the venue, the lights dim and the countdown begins. you sit beside paige, her hand still wrapped in yours like a lifeline. her leg bounces. her breath hitches every time someone coughs into a mic.

“paige,” you whisper, turning to her. “hey. breathe.”

she nods, but doesn’t look at you. her eyes are on the stage.

“whether you go first or fifth,” you murmur, pressing your forehead to hers, “you’re still the most incredible person in this room. and i’ll be just as proud no matter what.”

her eyes flutter closed. she exhales.

“promise?” she whispers.

“promise.”

then the lights shift. the wnba commissioner walks to the podium. the music swells.

“with the first pick in the 2024 wnba draft, the dallas wings select… paige bueckers, university of connecticut.”

the room erupts.

paige turns to you—eyes wide, heart on her sleeve—and she kisses you.

right there. full, gentle, and certain.

the room falls silent for a heartbeat, and then explodes again.

@/espnw: she’s the number one pick. she also just kissed her girl on live tv. paige bueckers is here.

@/wnba: #1 pick. #1 moment. paige bueckers delivers the most unforgettable draft night kiss of all time.

@/bleacherreport: paige bueckers. first pick. first public kiss. iconic.

@/gaysportsnerd: so like… when do we get the engagement photos?

@/dallaswings: welcome to dallas, @/paigebueckers!

@/overtime: not just #1 on the court. paige bueckers just dropped the most iconic draft night moment of all time.

@/chennedyfan99: paige bueckers said “i’m number one and i’m in love, what about it?”

later, after the cheers settles and the cameras stop flashing, paige wraps her arms around you on the balcony of the hotel suite. new york glows behind you, and she leans her head on your shoulder.

“i didn’t plan the kiss,” she says softly.

“i know.”

“but i meant it.”

“i know.”

she turns her face to yours, brushing your cheek with her nose. “i want to be number one in everything. including with you.”

“you already are,” you whisper. “you always have been.”

she smiles, soft and golden. “forever, huh?”

“hell yeah.”

⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ AFLAME !

pairing : firefighter!ellie x rescued!reader

synopsis : your apartment goes up in flames and you're unlucky enough to have been on the top floor, your front door blocked by fire. thankfully, a certain firefighter finds you before it's too late

a/n : ok this literally took so long to write i cannot ,, but im so excited to finally be posting it bc i feel like u guys will like it !

wc : 7.7k

your back is pressed against the wall of your kitchen as you clutch your cat in your arms. she mews in your hold, growing more restless by the second. you can hear the frantic shouting of firemen running up and down the halls of your apartment, rescuing your neighbors one by one. but your door is engulfed in flames, making it impossible for you to show them any sign of you being trapped in here.

oxygen is slowly depleting as your breaths become less like breaths and more like sharp gasps of air. your throat burns and your skin stings with the heat.

your cat, amber, shifts in your arms, wanting to move and breathe without struggle. you hush her, fighting tears as you begin to lose hope in ever being rescued. amber continues to meow loudly, her voice becoming more raw by the second. you shush her, not wanting her to waste her breath on trying to get your attention.

you run a gentle hand down her back, coughing as you try to comfort her. tears run down your cheeks as her mewing doesn't cease. your hand begins to shake as you caress her fur.

sirens can be heard from the street, muffled by your closed window and thin walls. your initial thought had been to open your window for air, but you knew better than to feed the flames with oxygen, so you settled in your kitchen as far away from the fire as possible and fell to your knees with amber against you.

firefighters continue to walk down the hall, calling out things you cannot hear. you recognize the croaky voice of your neighbor. silently, you're glad she managed to get out safe. she'd always been a very kind old woman to you, offering you burnt cookies and warm stories of her grandchildren.

amber continues to scratch and paw at you. you blink away tears and give her a weak smile, feeling the lack of oxygen begin to get to your head. you're delirious and in pain. you'd hurt your arm when you pulled amber out of the debris that'd become of the bathroom. you cut it open on the splintering door, the wood digging right into your forearm without mercy. you can feel the warm blood running down your arm and between your fingers where you hold amber firm against your chest. you try not to focus on the pain, though, rather directing your attention to managing your low source of air.

you hear footsteps begin to descend down the staircase and you can't help the tears that begin to pool down your face at the thought of being left up here. your shoulders tremble as you sob into amber's fur.

you can't go anywhere near the door without being burnt alive. you can't open any windows without your entire apartment exploding with you inside. you can't scream for help because you know nobody would hear you anyway.

the sudden sound of someone pounding on your door brings your mind away from its decent into despair. you instantly sit up straight, amber still restless and eager for play. you watch with blurred vision and a throbbing head as someone bangs on your door. after a moment, it flies off its hinges as a red boot comes barreling through the wood.

"in here!" you shout, staggering to your feet as the firefighter enters your apartment. your body sways on your feet due to exhaustion as the person follows the sound of your voice into the kitchen.

they enter, a gas mask covering their face. they say something to you, but your ears are ringing with the disbelief that they were able to find you. their hands reach forward, offering to hold amber.

see, you know it's unfair and you know you shouldn't, but you refuse. you shake your head, holding amber closer to your chest. she'd always been your dearest possession, and is now your only possession as the rest have been burnt to char. the firefighter nods, not thinking it wise to put up a fight with you.

"ah, shit, your arm." the firefighter mutters. their feminine voice points out that they are, apparently, a woman. "okay, okay. listen, you hold your cat and i'll carry you."

you blink, "what? i don't⎯"

"don't be difficult, now." she orders, crouching down before you can deny her the chance. she puts one arm under your knees, the other across your back. then, bridal style, she hauls you into her arms.

the room swims around you, your head throbbing and your throat raw. not to mention the indescribable pain in your arm. everything swirls and blurs under your delirious gaze. you lean back into her chest, amber meowing loudly at the stranger holding you.

the woman walks toward the front door, making sure to cover your face with her gloved hand as she passes through the flamed doorway. you cough when you're in the hallway, your chest constricting with the amount of smoke in your lungs.

"shh, you're fine. you're okay, i got you." the woman mutters as she begins to descend the concrete stairway. and, for some reason, you believe her.

you turn your focus toward her, staring at what you can make out of her face through her blackened gas mask. you can see her pale green eyes narrowed as her lashes blink repeatedly as she rushes down the steps whilst simultaneously trying not to jostle you too much. her lips are pursed in concentration, the bridge of her nose catching the light as she turns a corner at a landing.

"how'd you know i was in there?" you ask, your words slurred and your voice groggy.

"ma'am, please. just rest." she instructs, her gaze flicking down to your face for a split second before looking back forward. "we don't need to make conversation when you're clearly disturbed and in pain. just relax."

"i can't rest. my head hurts too bad." you say, shaking your head. "just⎯ answer my questions and i promise to leave you alone."

"okay fine." she sighs. "i knew you were in there because your elderly neighbor was a rather feisty woman. she threatened us with her butcher knife, saying she'd stab us and sue our company if we didn't make sure to save you and your cat."

a small smile tugs at your lips. you shut your eyes, tipping her head back. "mm, sounds like her."

"she's quite terrifying." the firefighter comments.

"she's a good person, most the time. she has a huge family and cares for them deeply, she just⎯ she knows i don't have anyone so she treats me like a part of her family." you murmur.

if you weren't so high in delirium, there's no way you'd be saying all this to a random stranger. frankly, you're a rather private person. you only open up to those you're close with and feel comfortable confiding in. take your neighbor for example. you've lived beside her for the past three years.

when you open your eyes, the woman is gazing down at you. her footsteps have become less frantic as she watches you with parted lips.

the two of you have now reached the foyer. a few other firefighters are seen with hoses and blankets for the rescued residents. the woman carries you across the linoleum flooring, the heels of her boots thudding loudly as she crosses the space to get to the large glass door.

once you're outside, you can feel amber relish in the fresh air. her incessant mewing ceases and she begins to purr. your heart clenches as the sound, pitying the fact that she's so happy about something so little such as fresh air.

"williams!" a voice calls out as the woman ⎯ who is apparently named williams, though you're fairly certain that's her last name ⎯ carries you over to a nearby ambulance. "what the hell took you so long!? we were worried sick!"

"oh calm down." williams replies, easing you down onto the edge of the ambulance where the back doors are open.

a paramedics rushes up to you with a roll of gauze. with you now tended to, williams turns away from you to focus on the man in front of her. still, despite the attention you're getting from the paramedic, she refuses to stray too far from where you sit.

after a moment of you swaying back and forth gently as someone wrapping bandages painfully tight around your arm, you hear your neighbors shrill voice call out for you from across the parking lot.

"oh, dear!" she shouts as she rushes toward you, her floral shirt tattered and covered in debris, her grey hair laced with ash. overall, she appears unharmed and you relax a bit at the sight. "oh, i haven't been able to rest until i knew you were okay, but⎯" her eyes trail down to where blood is seeping through the gauze around your forearm. "turns out you're not unharmed."

"it's just a cut, agnes." you insist, still holding amber in your lap as your arm throbs with even more pain than before now that the paramedic has wrapped the bandage far too tightly around your skin. "i'm fine⎯"

"oh, you always say that." she waves a hand at you dismissively.

she then turns to williams, recognizing her to have been the woman that she'd forced into rescuing you earlier. anges tugs on her arm to get her attention, causing williams to turn to face her. she removes her gas mask to be more respectful when speaking to a resident. at the sight of williams' uncovered face, you nearly faint. she looks as though she'd been chiseled from stone and created by a sculptor who was desperately in love with their muse.

"yes, ma'am?" she inquires, turning to agnes with a raised brow.

"i told you guys to get her out of there unharmed!" she reprimands, seething with rage as she gestures toward where you're being tended to. the paramedic is now offering you pills and water for your headache.

williams blinks, taken aback by the blame suddenly pointed toward her. "i don't⎯"

"it wasn't her fault," you interrupt, "i hurt myself trying to save amber."

"still. had the firefighters been there sooner, you wouldn't have had to save your poor cat all on your own." agnes points out, insistent on blaming the woman in front of her.

"i sincerely apologize, ma'am, but you must know that⎯"

"i don't want to hear it!" she interrupts her, holding a hand out to stop her from speaking any further. "to make it up to her, you're now responsible for finding her a place to stay."

"but⎯"

"no buts!"

williams snaps her mouth shut, likely remembering the image of when agnes held her at knifepoint and threatened her entire career. you smile to yourself at the idea of such a sweet old lady scaring the shit out of some buff firefighter.

agnes turns to face you with a soft expression. "you don't worry about a thing, dear. she will figure it all out for you. she'll make sure you have food on your plate and a roof over your head. if not, i'll make her regret it."

she places a gentle hand on your shoulder as she speaks, the last sentence laced with passive aggressiveness to williams, who stands off to the side with furrowed brows. after her assurance, agnes trots off with her infamous prideful stride. the other residents of your apartment scowl at her as she walks by, nobody being a fan of her fiery personality aside from you.

williams sighs, turning to you with a raised brow. "a good person, huh?"

"i said most the time." you point out with a playful smile.

no longer losing a significant amount of blood or with a throbbing headache, you're far less feverish, now able to speak without slurring or letting random facts about yourself slip.

williams sits down beside you, allowing her head to tip back. you stare shamelessly, enraptured by the way her chest rises and falls with heavy breaths or the bits of ash and dirt smudged across her skin. after a moment, she turns to you, removing her gloves and pulling her phone from her pocket. "suppose i should start looking for nearby hotels for you, right?"

you scoff, "you don't need to do that. she was just being protective."

"no, no." she insists. "she was right about one thing. and thats the fact that you wouldn't have been hurt if i got there sooner."

"don't blame yourself, williams, i'm fine."

"ellie." she corrects you with a brow raised in amusement.

you narrow your eyes at her. "what?"

"my name." she tells you with a light chuckle shaking her chest. "call me ellie. only my coworkers call me williams. it's for formality's sake. and, quite frankly, i hate it."

"oh, i'm sorry. i just heard someone call you that and i⎯"

"its fine." she tells you with a small smile. she shakes her head and turns back to her phone, typing for a place to stay in the search bar.

she scrolls through the options for a few minutes. while she does so, you busy yourself with checking amber for any possible wounds or marks. you hold her in the air, making sure to put most of her weight on your uninjured arm as your other still aches with residual pain.

the paramedic didn't give you any ointment or stitches, though you likely needed them. he'd simply wrapped your arm, albeit painfully tight, handed you some pills, then sauntered off to the next wounded resident.

"damn it," you hear ellie mutter under her breath. you turn your attention back to her. she feels your eyes on her and she explains. "none of the hotels accept cats and all the motels are closed."

"i told you i'll be fine." you tell her, a pang of guilt shooting through you. "anges is just⎯"

"protective, i know." she finishes for you. she turns off her phone and stuffs it back into her pocket and turns to face you with brows furrowed in thought. "and don't you dare tell me not to worry after you just told me that you have no family. i know you have nowhere else to go."

you tense at the mention of your family, instantly feeling embarrassed and a bit ashamed even. you shakes your head, "still. it's not your issue to concern yourself with."

"it's literally my job." she points out.

you sigh, knowing you won't win this argument against her. she turns to face forward, staring at the starry sky in thought. meanwhile, you turn toward the opposite direction, seeing that the aflamed building has now been put out. despite that, it pains you to see the apartment you lived in for the past few years in shambles. not all the neighbors were as kind as agnes, but you still called that place home. and now it's gone.

you hold amber tightly against you, her warm fur serving as comfort against the chill of pain that traces up your spine. she purrs against you, nestling deeper into your chest for more pets.

"i have an idea." ellie suddenly blurts out. you turn to look at her, seeing her expression now overcome by newfound determination. "stay with me."

you're instantly taken aback by the proclamation, your brows shooting up as your lips part in shock. "what?"

"my house isn't far from here. come back with me to the fire station so i can change and pick up my car, then we can head over there and you can stay with me for as long as you need until you find yourself a place." she says, her tone making it sound as though it were obvious all along.

"you mean it?" you ask, voice small.

"of course." she confirms. "plus, how could i say no to such a cute cat?"

she reaches out and pets amber gentle behind her ear. she leans into the touch, shutting her eyes and purring loudly. you smile, allowing the two of them a moment to connect. especially considering that you have no idea how long you'll be staying with ellie for.

"this means a lot to me." you say, causing ellie to lift her head and peer up at you, still gently caressing amber. your entire body is overcome with a sense of gratitude for ellie williams and the unintentional safety her presence provides you with. "i mean it."

***

twenty minutes later, you find yourself amid chaos. you rode with ellie back to the fire station and now you're standing awkwardly as everyone files out of their respective trucks. some of them are covered head to toe in soot and grime. others appear unscathed. ellie herself is somewhere between the two ⎯ in need of a shower, but not repulsing in her uncleanliness. you, on the other hand, are extremely dirty and bloody and gross.

amber sleeps in your arms are you press your back against a nearby brick wall and watch the firefighters all bound around the space. some of them are changing right there in the locker room ⎯ which doesn't have a door, by the way, though it's around a corner. others are rushing to the parking lot, desperate to get home.

"sorry," ellie apologizes as she rushes up to you. she no longer wears her hat, short brown hair askew atop her head. she runs her hands through it, giving you a sincere look. "i forgot how hectic it can be to someone who's not used to this."

you have a hand, "ah, it's fine."

secretly, you're dying inside. not only because your headache is beginning to reform at the sudden mayhem, but because ellie looks so fucking good right now. she saved your life and you know it's likely disrespectful to be so attracted to her, but you can't help it. you know what it feels like to be held in her arms and looked at with delicacy and you can't stop yourself from yearning for more.

"you sure?" she ask. "because if you're fine with it, i might just⎯"

"woah there, williams!" one of her coworkers calls out, walking up and draping his arm over her shoulders playfully. "you kidnapped one of the residents?"

she rolls her eyes, though a small smile can be seen on tugging at her lips. "haha, very funny. no, asshole, i didn't kidnap her. she needs somewhere to stay so i offered my place."

the man raises a brow at this, intrigued. he removes his arm from her shoulders and peers down at you curiously. though, once his eyes land on the sleeping cat in your hands, he breaks out into a wide grin. he holds out his hands. "oh my god! please, please, please can i hold him?"

you shoot the man a scowl, turning amber away from his sight. "not a chance. and she's a girl."

his eyebrows shoot up at your protectiveness. he turns to ellie, waiting for her to defend him. she crosses her arms, shaking her head with a chuckle. "she loves her damn cat, man, can't do anything about that."

he sighs, but says nothing to win your favor. he simply grumbles under his breath about being filthy and scurries off to the showers, already stripping his shirt off on his way there.

with him gone, ellie turns to you with a smirk. "glad to see that i'm not the only one who's denied touching your cat at first."

"of course not." you say. "nobody gets to touch her after the tough day she's had."

"that's fair." ellie agrees with a light laugh. after a moment, she says, "anyway. i was going to ask if you're okay with me showering and changing here instead of waiting until we're back home. that way, once we get back, you can have the shower all to yourself while i prepare you a place to sleep."

you nod, "yeah, of course. do whatever works best for you, ellie, i'm not picky."

"okay." she replies, seeming grateful for your flexibility. she glances over her shoulder toward where the locker rooms are. "okay, yeah. you wait on the bench over here, i'll come out and get you when i'm done."

she gestures toward a wooden bench. it's rather ragged and positioned in the very center of the chaos, but you nod regardless. ellie is offering you a place to stay for an undecided amount of time. refusing her orders would be incredibly rude at this point. so, instead, you nod and walk over to the bench whilst she walks over to the women's locker room.

you cross your legs, allowing amber to sleep in your lap as you wait. you can hear the low hum of people talking from deeper within the building ⎯ likely where the offices and more professional rooms are located ⎯ along with the gentle flow of water from the showers down the hall. people are laughing loudly within the locker rooms, the sound of boots and hats and clothes hitting the floor easy to pinpoint.

you allow your eyes to examine the space around you. the floor is concrete, stained with random spills and dirt. hoses and ladders line the brick walls, hung up as high as they can go. then, on the ceiling, large industrial lights sway gently back and forth. the showers are down the hallway, the men and women's locker rooms on either side of the hall.

suddenly, a loud rumble is heard as the huge garage door is lifted up via pulley. your head snaps toward the sound, watching as a bright red truck pulls into the space.

another wave of firemen bustle into the building once a truck shows up and they're able to pile out of it. they rush in different directions, splitting up in groups of those wishing to change and clean and those who wish to go home as soon as possible.

you avert your eyes down to look at amber as the people walk around you, trying not to draw attention to yourself. though, that's rather inevitable as you stick out like a sore thumb. everyone else is in their uniforms while you're in normal clothes, ash and dirt on your skin with a bloodied bandage wrapped around your forearm that you're trying your hardest to ignore.

and, unfortunately, amber draws quite a bit of attention as you hear a few people murmur and coo in awe of the sleeping cat. you tell yourself to ignore it, uncomfortable with the attention.

"hey," someone says. you look up to see a man standing in front of you with two of his friends on either side of him. he's covered in dirt, the stench of fire filling your nose as he nears you. "cute cat."

"thanks." you say shortly, narrowing your eyes at him defensively.

"oh c'mon, i'm not gonna bite." he says with a laugh. you only deepen your glare at this, already able to know what type of guy you're dealing with here. "what's your name, little lady? come here alone? y'know, i could take ya home if ya need a warm bed for the night. we could share."

he takes a step closer, his knees knocking with your crossed ones. he hunches a bit to reach his hand toward amber. you instantly slap it away, not thinking before using your injured arm. you wince a bit, but fight not to show the pain it causes you. he yanks his hand back as though he'd been burned.

"fuck off." you snap. "at least have the decency to ask before touching her."

"watch it." he sneers. "i've been out saving people all day. i don't need some ungrateful bitch to tell me what i can and can't do."

you roll your eyes. "clearly you do, seeing as you can't tell for yourself what's acceptable."

"how dare you!" he gapes.

his friends both step closer, the three of them crowding you. your arm aches at your side from having used it so carelessly to slap him away. you don't falter, though, knowing that's exactly what they want you to do. instead, you hold your ground and scowl up at him, holding the man's gaze without blinking.

"it's common fucking etiquette to not touch someone without asking." you tell him.

"i didn't touch you, dumbass." he says, his voice growing louder with each word. a few people are beginning to turn toward the commotion, nosily wondering what's going on. "i touched your cat. big fucking difference, there."

"the principle still stands." you point out, keeping your expression neutral and your voice perfectly level ⎯ which only serves to make him more irritated. "you're supposed to ask before reaching your grimy ass hands toward me."

"fuck you!" he shouts, now gaining the attention of everyone around you. "i already fucking told you⎯"

"what the hell is going on here?"

all four of you turn to see ellie standing with her arms crossed. her jacket is off, a thin black tank top covering her top half while her baggy uniform pants cover her lower half. her hair is wet, chin dripping water droplets to the cement floor.

at the sight of her, the two friends seem to no longer be interested in the conversation as they suddenly disappear from the scene. the man in front of you frowns, taking a step away from you though his chest continues to rise and fall with angered breaths.

"answer me, smith." she demands, voice laced with venom. "i asked what the hell is going on here and i don't like being ignored by lower ranks."

"i asked to pet her cat and she⎯"

"no he didn't." you interrupt, the entire left side of your body engulfed in pain after having hit the guy's hand. and you didn't even hit him that hard, damn. "he reached out to touch her without asking. not to mention his horrible flirting."

ellie listens to you intently before casting her gaze over to the man, smith. "so you lied to me?"

"what? n-no! i just⎯" he stammers, eyes flicking between you and ellie, frantic for his coworker to understand. "why are you taking her side over mine, williams? we've worked together for⎯ what? two years?"

"yeah, and you're renown for being a complete asshole." she scoffs.

"but she⎯"

"she is a civilian. and it's our job to protect and respect them, is it not?" she points out, raising her brows as he nods, ashamed. "that includes not cursing at them, calling them bitches, or touching them without permission."

"it wasn't her!" he exclaims. "it was just the damned cat!"

"don't touch her fucking cat, man." calls out the guy who ellie had talked to earlier. the one she seemed to actually enjoy being around. he appears to have just gotten out of the shower, naught but a towel around his waist to substitute as clothing.

"gee, i had no idea." smith grounds out through clenched teeth, his fists balled at his sides. "i can fucking see that now. thanks."

"anytime, buddy." the other man says with a wink before disappearing back into the locker room.

ellie continues to stand behind smith her her arms crossed, her thin tank top showing off every muscle in her torso. you have to force yourself not to stare, distracting yourself by petting amber's back delicately.

"apologize." ellie demands.

"what? me?" he asks, confused. "but⎯"

"i'm not fucking asking, smith." she threatens. "apologize to the pretty lady or i tell miller about this whole thing and you lose your damn job."

apparently, the mention of miller seems to snap smith into obedience as he quickly nods his head and turns to you with a scowl. his fists continue to shake at his sides, his anger balled between his fingers there.

"i'm. sorry." he grunts.

you should accept it, you know you should. but you were never good at doing what you're supposed to. so, instead, you tilt your head innocently and ask, "sorry for what exactly?"

he appears on the edge of insanity as he clenches his jaw and rushes out a quick explanation. "i'm sorry for trying to touch your cat."

"without..." you trail off, allowing him to follow.

"without asking." he finishes.

you smile victoriously, nodding to ellie as to allow her to dismiss him. she obliges, turning to him and giving him one last lecture on respect and obedience before allowing him to make the walk of shame back to the locker room full of men who just heard that entire encounter.

when he turns the corner, ellie walks up to you with a playful grin. "damn, you surely stood your ground there."

"of course i did." you agree. "not just anyone can touch my cat."

she huffs out a laugh, shaking her head at you fondly. "c'mon, lets get out of here. the shower was freezing anyway. all these assholes stole the hot water before i even had a chance."

"okay." you smile, shifting amber in your arms before standing from the bench.

the two of you walk out of the fire station and into the parking lot. the moon hangs high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the parked cars. you watch ellie as she pulls her keys from her pocket and unlocks her vehicle. the moonlight illuminates her skin with a soft hue, her wet hair clinging to the back of her neck.

you reach the car and enter the passenger's seat, holding amber in your lap as ellie puts the key into the ignition the car rumbles into motion. she backs out of the parking space and heads down the road, one hand on the wheel as the other is lazily draped over the center console between the two of you.

you watch through the window as the city passes you by in a blur, cars and shops reflect the moon's glow, everything cast under its resplendent coloring. you turn to ellie, deciding to fill the air with conversation.

"so you're a high rank firefighter?" you ask. "sure looked like those guys respected the fuck out of you."

she chuckles, "i'm ranked high, yes. but they only listen to me because the boss will always take my side over any of theirs and they knows that."

"miller?" you question, recalling the name she'd spoken.

"yeah. joel miller." she confirms. "he's an intimidating man and you'd have to be a fool not to be scared of him."

"are you? scared of him, i mean."

"i was." she says. "but after a few years of working under him and getting to know him as a person rather than just his position of authority, i feel i know him too well to be scared of him."

you hum, "that sounds nice, though. you have power over everyone else."

"yeah. sometimes i wish they'd just respect me without joel's reputation looming over my every move." she confesses with a sigh, her fingers drumming against the steering wheel lightly. "most of my coworkers would rather die than respect a woman, though, so i'm a bit out of luck there."

"well, fuck them." you say. "if they can't see your worth outside of your relationship with miller, their opinions don't mean shit."

her eyebrows shoot up at this, shocked by your sudden ferocity. once the initial shock dwindled, though, she laughs. a full-chested laugh that fills the car. your heart clenches at the sound, musical and luminary in its significance.

"yeah." she says between laughter. "yeah, fuck them."

you laugh along with her, the conversation falling into an easy rhythm. you get to know ellie better and she gets to know you, the both of you simultaneously coming to the decision that it'd be best to get the small talk out of the way before you live together for an undetermined amount of time.

amber remains curled up in your lap, her fur still covered in ash. not like you're much better yourself, though, as your hair is coated in soot and your skin has a thick layer of filth atop it.

when ellie pulls into her driveway, you're shocked to see the house. it's a small cottage-styled building, made of cobblestone and white shudders. the sidewalk is framed with bushes and flowers that have clearly been tended to by their owner. if you were completely honest, you'd expected ellie to live in some sort of industrial building, hardened and dark like her personality.

she shuts off the car and you both exit through your respective sides of the vehicle, amber jostling awake in your hold. ellie unlocks the front door before allowing you entry, the lock clicking as she turns the handle.

you walk inside, the space small but cozy. one bedroom, one bathroom, an open layout for the kitchen and living room. the flooring is wood, antique carpets laid out over the larger spaces. plaid blankets are draped over chairs and couches, available to the user.

"this is cute," you say, looking around, "didn't take you for a homey decor type."

she chuckles, shutting and locking the front door behind herself. "well i've gotta keep you on your toes somehow."

you laugh, placing amber on the floor to allow her time to roam and stretch her legs. in an instant, she's disappeared and won't be found for the next few hours. ellie leads you to the bathroom, allowing you time to clean off.

the bathroom is small as well, a tiny sink surrounded by a messy counter beside the toilet and tiny shower. if you're being completely honest, you love the house. it's so small and yet so comfy and warm. the disheveled nature to the house makes it feel more like a home, lived in and used. you love it. ellie, on the other hand, has been subtly tidying up as you guys walk through the space. while you examine the shower, she stacks up the messily placed contents of the countertop. when you turn back around to face her, she instantly stops, quick to cover up what she'd been doing. you find it oddly endearing.

"well," she murmurs, "i'll leave you to it."

with that and nothing more, she exits the bathroom. she'd already showed you how to use the shower and where to find towels so you're well prepared to wash off. but, as you strip your clothes off, a fiery pain shoots down your arm and up your side. you wince, looking down at the bandaged wound. it's bleeding through the material, your fingers beginning to feel numb from how tight it's wrapped.

you ignore it and step into the shower, trying to wash off without any thought for the searing pain in your limb. you wash your hair and scrub your body with your uninjured arm, the scent of ellie filling the air. her shampoo and body wash now coats you, a certain intimacy to the domestic act of sharing bathroom supplies. for some reason, the flutter in your heart is harder to ignore than the physical agony in your forearm.

you finish showering and wrap yourself in the towel ellie had set out for you. water drips onto the tile flooring, creating a puddle around you. you hug the towel closer to your body, not wanting to make a mess in ellie's home. but your arm suddenly aches at the way you tighten your grip.

with a groan, you decide to unwrap the wound and check on how it's doing. seeing as ellie is a firefighter, you're sure she's got some bandages under the sink. you undo it, instantly grimacing at the sight of the gore. you wince as cold air touches the open wound.

"fuck," you mutter, taking in the lack of care the paramedic put into helping you. there's no way you should have walked off without stitches or some kind of cleaning.

you crouch down to the cabinet under the sink and begin rummaging through its contents. you feel horrible for going through ellie's belongings in such a way, but you assure yourself it's for a good reason. you eventually find a first-aid kit and you crack it open.

unfortunately, you have no experience with medical care. half the things in the kit are foreign to you, random rolls of gauze and unlabeled ointments. you frown, the pain in your arm only growing as more time passes. eventually, you decide to just bite the bullet and ask ellie for assistance. you stand from the floor and close her cabinet before calling out to her.

"ellie! can you come in here for a sec?" you shout, sitting down on the closed toilet seat with the first aid kit in your lap. within seconds, she's opening the door, now changed into a pair of shorts and a random band tee.

"hey, what's—" her words instantly cut off when her gaze lands on your bloody arm, the wound no longer wrapped and now reopened. "holy shit, what are you doing?"

she rushes over to you, her voice laced with concern and desperation to help you. your eyes sting at the sound, never having heard someone so worried about you. you blink it away, looking down as you struggle to explain yourself. "the paramedic didn't wrap it well and— it, uh, hurt really fucking bad, and—"

"shh, shh," she walks over to you with soothing tones and gentle hands, "you're okay, let me see."

you hold your arm out to her, allowing her to examine it. she holds your wrist delicately in her hand, turning your arm over to look at the wound. she sucks in a breath at the sight. you frown, "is it that bad?"

"no, just," she sighs, "don't worry about it, okay? i'll fix it as best i can."

she crouches in front of you, taking a few things from the first aid kit. you watch as she picks out a specific ointment, her knowing exactly what to grab despite them not having labels. she then grabs a roll of gauze and a bottle of something, but the label is faced away from you. she sets the ointment and gauze aside, uncapping the bottle.

"this is gonna hurt." she warns you as she grabs a rag from the disarrayed countertop and pours a bit of the liquid onto the fabric. when she places the bottle aside you manage to read the name of it. hydrogen peroxide. she notices your wary gaze and gives you a reassuring smile. "it's a disinfectant, it'll clean the wound to prevent any infections."

you nod, sighing through your nose as you hold your forearm out to her. she watches you with furrowed brows as she places the rag over the open wound. you instantly stiffen, wincing through the pain. your jaw clenches as the liquid seeps into open flesh. you squeeze your eyes shut, "fuck that hurts." you pant.

"i know, i know," she whispers, gentility laced between the threads of her tone. "it's okay, you'll feel better soon, just— just breathe,"

you try to do was she instructs, but your breath comes out choppy and uneven. you open your eyes to see her staring up at you with pursed lips and a knitted brow. the sheer worry in her gaze adds weight to the air that suffocates you. it presses down on your chest and further constricts your lungs, which only serves to deepen her worry.

you force yourself to look away, focusing instead on the wall behind ellie's head. you stare at it intently, though you remain unable to shake the queasy feeling that comes with knowing ellie's eyes are on your face, tracing every feature that adorns it.

finally, she removes the rag from your arm and you're flooded with the relief of no longer being burned from the inside out. she sets the cloth aside and grabs the ointment, squeezing a small dot of it onto her forefingers.

"will this hurt too?" you ask tentatively.

she shakes her head, "no, this will soothe the pain."

"okay." you nod. "i'm far more excited for this part then."

"i don't blame you," she says with a light laugh.

she then leans forward holding you arm with an indescribably delicacy. you find yourself yearning to lean into her touch, wanting to collapse in her arms. but, somehow, you find the strength to hold back and remain sitting upright on the toilet seat. she runs her fingers down the soft part of your forearm, coating you torn skin in an off-white salve. the cool temperature instantly soothes the pain and you let out a soft sigh at the feel of it.

"oh yeah, this is so much better," you murmur, a small smile tugging at your mouth.

she looks up at you through her lashes, head remaining downcast as she carefully adds more ointment. "how'd this happen anyway? you just took the wrap off?"

"the paramedic wrapped it too tight." you explain. "my fingers were going numb and i could feel my heartbeat in my forearm. he didn't add any of this fancy shit you're adding either."

she chuckles, "ointment and disinfectant, you mean? it's hardly fancy. i'd have thought a paramedic would be smart enough to know that." her teeth grit slightly as she clenches her jaw around the mention of the incompetent medic who handled you earlier. she shakes her head, "i should've stayed with you and made sure he'd done his job right."

"that's not you obligation, ellie." you remind her. "and look. you're helping me now far better than any medic would have. i almost prefer it this way."

"oh really?" she asks, unconvinced. "you prefer to have some strange woman attempt to fix you up in her messy bathroom than a licensed and highly qualified paramedic in an ambulance?"

you shrug, "well he apparently wasn't that highly qualified."

"true," she agrees with a laugh.

she finishes coating on the ointment and twists the cap back onto it before setting it on the countertop beside the discarded rag and peroxide. she grabs the roll of gauze and begins to unravel it.

you watch her with lidded eyes, the events of today beginning to catch up to you. it's hard to believe you'd woken up this morning thinking it'd be a normal day. you'd just gotten back from work when you smelt smoke from one of your neighbor's apartments. the though didn't click in your head until you saw flames beginning to crawl into your home. one thing lead to another, and now you're here. in the house of someone who you hadn't known five hours ago.

"still," you murmur as she starts to wrap the gauze, "i prefer you helping me because you actually care about my wellbeing and not just making as much money as possible. you're kind, ellie. i'd be a fool to prefer a medic over you."

she lifts her head to meet your eyes, her movements coming to a sudden halt. her pale green eyes bore into your own, something sensual and momentous passing between the space that separates you. the bathroom is enveloped into a long wave of silence, nothing done nor spoken.

the weight of your situation presses down on you both. ellie, in her baggy shorts and stained band tee, having invited a wounded stranger into her home ; you, in naught but a towel, feeling more at home in ellie's vicinity than you ever did anywhere else.

a tether is tied between you as you feel the weight of the world pull you toward ellie. you lean in, just barely, ready for something you can hardly even process at the time being. she does the same, completely disregarding the gauze and pinning every ounce of her attention to you and the closing gap between you.

your noses brush and a spark ignites deep within you, something in your soul screaming that this is correct. a celestial puzzle clicks into place when your lips meet hers, the stars in the sky and the soil under mother nature screaming with victory as the two of you connect.

she tastes of fire and desperation, you of toothpaste and exhaustion. your wounded arm means nothing to you when you shift forward to wrap them both around ellie's neck and tug her closer. she does, rising to her knees as she places her hands on each of your hips, only a thin white towel separating her hands from your bare skin. she leans into you, allowing her hands to feel and memorize the curves of your poorly covered body.

"wait," she mutters against your mouth, "wait wait wait."

you pull back, staring at her with curiosity. her pupils are blown, cheeks flushed, lips wet. everything in you begs to lean back in, but you force that feeling down and oblige by her wishes to part. "what is it?" you ask.

"just—" she cuts herself off with a sigh, staring into your eyes with naught but adoration behind her irises. "i really like you and, uh," she looks down, blinking harshly as she tries to voice her thoughts without fucking it all up. your heart melts at the sight, remaining patient as she sorts through her jumbled mind. "i want to take my time with you. i don't want this to just be some fling. i respect you more than that."

you continue to stare at her, your eyes doing all the talking when your mouth is out of words to say. after a long moment, you finally say, "that's fine, ellie. we can do whatever you're comfortable with."

her shoulders relax at the sound of her name on your tongue, spoken with such careful delicacy that it sounds like music, like it should be praised and studied for hundreds of years to come. not only that, but she softens at your words as well, eternally grateful for your understanding.

"we can still kiss though," she's quick to add.

you laugh, shaking your head fondly at her rush to make sure that's out of the way. you lean in, still smiling as your lips touch. everything falls into place around you, nothing aside from ellie mattering to you.

⊹ ࣪ ˖𐙚 taglist : @luvsturniolo @zombieegirl @elliestunna

mark looks like the type of guy to say he’s drinking coffee but is actually drinking hot chocolate w extra marshmallows

You owe me.

Pairing: BBF!Ellie williams x Reader

(Mondern AU, Brothers best friend AU)

Minors DNI

(Warnings, 18+ ONLY): Subby!Ellie, Smut, Readers Brother is mean lol, slight angst at the end?, can my horrible writing be a warning? Don’t think there’s more, but lemme know!

Word count: 5,432

The moment your brother came knocking on your door earlier that evening saying that him and Ellie called dibs on the living room tonight, and to ‘not come in there unless you want to die,’ you just knew that you needed to fuck with him.

You’ve met Ellie a bunch of times, but your words were always cut short because your brother never liked you talking to her.

She liked talking to you though, you could tell. And that made you feel good. You enjoyed her just as much back.

Thinking of making your brother mad in front of Ellie made a small smirk crawl onto your face. She never let him get away with treating you bad, she would always stick up for you. That made you want to do it even more, knowing you’d both team up on him.

Biting your lip at the thought, you thought that maybe now was the perfect time to go and mess with him. Sighing, you get up from your bed and walk across the room to your door.

Opening it as quietly as you can, you peek down the hall to see if anyone was there. Once you see that the coast is clear, you start padding down the hall on your tippy toes, so as to not make any noise. You reach the living room and sneak a look around the corner to see what they were up to.

Your brother and Ellie take up the couch. Ears filling up with the sounds of their obnoxious laughs as they have their feet kicked up on the coffee table, showing each other random videos on their phones.

“Dude! He totally fucking broke his neck, look!” Ellie cackles, shoving the phone into your brother's face while chomping on chips.

He follows it with a wheeze. “Wait wait wait, no. Look at this one.” He snickers. It goes quiet for a moment as they look at whatever he’s showing. The room fills with a loud ‘OH!’s’ a second later as they react to the impact of the video.

Holding in your groan, you roll your eyes, you knew you shouldn't have expected much. Your shoulders begin to slouch in boredom as you wait for them to start doing something else that was worth interrupting.

After waiting for another minute, you hear Ellie speak up. “Hey wait, I thought we were supposed to be watching that one movie.” Her words have you smirking devilishly.

“Oh fuck, you’re right!” You watch him shuffle forward with a grunt, reaching for the remote on the table. “Ehh actually man, I’m kinda hungry, the chips aren't doing much. Maybe we should get something first.” She says.

Resting your arm up on the wall nonchalantly, you speak up. “I could go for something to eat.” Both of their heads dart over their shoulders to look at you, making your lips turn up into an innocent smile.

Ellie’s eyes widen as she sees you. She tilts her chin up and gives a small wave. “H-hey.” She says.

Raising a brow in amusement, you flutter your fingers at her. “Hey there.” Your voice is low.

“I thought I told you to not come in here.” Your brother grunts at you as you drop your arm from the wall, walking up to the couch.

“And no. We’re getting something, not you.” Her eyes stay on you as you finally reach the couch. “C’mon man, she can get something too.” Ellie defends you, shooting him a glare.

“Yeah, I can get something too asshole.” You snark down at him, which makes her huff a laugh. He looks back at her and smacks her knee.

“Hey!” She frowns. “Don't laugh dude.” He scolds her. In return, you bring your hand up and swat the back of his head. “Don't hit her, you jerk.”

“Ow!” He turns to you and rubs the back of his head. “You don't even have any money, and I'm not paying for you! So no,” He turns to look at Ellie, “She can’t get anything.” He shakes his head. A sour look takes over your face as you cross your arms.

“Fine. Then I'll pay for her, you big baby.” She shrugs coolly, her words are full of spite. “You’ll pay for her, but not me? I ask you all the time!” He sulks.

“Exactly. You ask me ‘all the time’ dumbass. She didn't ask me, I offered.” She says slowly. “I just don't get why I always have to pa-” Ellie groans in annoyance, letting her head fall back against the couch. “Jesus, i’ll fucking pay for you, just shut up!”

Your brother’s sulking body completely changes, now it exudes excitement. “Hell yeah! Pizza it is.” He celebrates as he brings his phone back to his face.

Shaking your head, you click your teeth in disagreement. “Hmm, no. I don't want pizza. I’m really in the mood for some cheesy fries though.” You say with enthusiasm.

“Well I want pizza and it's not up to you.” He snorts, continuing to scroll and find something to order.

Honestly, you didnt care what they got. You just didn't want your brother to be happy.

Thinking fast, you look at Ellie, who’s already looking at you. Bending to lean your hand on the back of the couch, you pout. “Ellie, can we get that one place? Y’know that one that has the really good mozzarella sticks and cheesy fries? It sounds really good right now and my tummy’s growling.” Hope shoots from your eyes to hers as you plead.

“Fuck no-”

“-Yeah. We can.” She nods at you. Turning his head quickly to her, he waves his hands angrily. “Why does she get to pick?” Rolling her eyes, she runs a hand through her short hair.

“She’s not picking, I am. I could go for some fries. And since I'm paying, I get to choose.” Ellie smiles.

A big groan fills your ears as he throws himself back against the couch. “But that stupid place doesn't even deliver anymore. And I don't want to go pick it up.” He whines annoyingly.

“Aw that sucks. I guess we’re not getting anything.” She says simply, bringing an arm up to lay over the headrest of the couch.

Ellie knows that your brother would never give up the opportunity for free food. “Really!” He cries out. She doesn't say anything, just flattens her lips and shrugs.

After a moment of sitting there contemplating, he huffs. “Fine asshole. Let's go.”

He grunts as he pushes himself off of the couch, walking around the armrest and nudging his shoulder rudely into yours.

You stumble back, frowning. Your eyes go directly back to Ellie, pouting dramatically. Tilting your head at her, you try to silently beg her not to go.

Somehow she easily caught on, her mouth turning into a small ‘o’, as she blinked at you.

“Uh, Nah. I’m comfy, man. You don't need me to go with you, just …get me whatever you get i guess. I’ll cashapp you.” Ellie responds, continuing to lounge lazily.

“Why are you being such dick tonight?” Your brother grumbles at Ellie as he steps his sock covered feet into his slides.

He walks across the room and picks up his keys. “Would you just shut up and go get it? I wanna watch the movie.” He shuffles across the wooden floor, heading towards the door, grumbling along the way.

“Yeah yeah, whatever. I’ll be back soon. Come lock me out, idiot.” His eyes dart to you as he unlocks the door and opens it.

You walk yourself up to the door with a pep in your step, you squint and smile sarcastically. “You already know what I want.” Finishing it with a snide “Obviously.” Grabbing the handle to close it after him, he turns and puts his hand on the door, stopping it.

“Dont fuck with my friend, go wait in your room or something. I don't want to come back to her saying she wants to dip because of you.” He scowls.

“Just go get the fucking food you douche.” Giving a bright smile, you finish it off with a, “Don't crash!” You flip him off and slam the door closed in his face, locking it.

Walking back up to the couch, you bend your elbows on the headrest to look down at her. A second later you hear the sound of a car door opening and then slamming shut. The buzz of the ignition starting up fills the silence. “Hey again.” You hum out.

Her head shoots up, looking at you with wide eyes. “Yeah.” She blinks. You furrow your brows in confusion, your face turning into a ‘what’ look. Fluttering her lashes she lets out an awkward laugh, “I-i mean, ‘yeah’ as in ‘hey’.” She tries playing it off.

“Uh, alright.” You answer back with a small laugh. Your ears perk up as you hear the car pull out of the driveway.

Clearing your throat, “So.” You look down at the seat that once had the company of your brother in it, “Can I sit?” You ask her sweetly, shrugging. She nods straight away, pulling the bag of chips up from the side of her, sliding it on the table.

“Of course! It’s your couch.” She goes to swipe at the seat, ridding it from all of the crumbs that have accumulated.

You walk around and sit down, almost shoulder to shoulder with her. You feel her try and leisure back. She lifts her hand and places it behind her head, trying to seem cool. As you look at her, she gives a sheepish smile back.

“Do you wanna-” Her voice cracks awkwardly. Ellie brings a fist up to her mouth and coughs to clear her throat. She winces, “I mean, do you wanna watch something? Till he gets back, I mean.” Her voice is filled with embarrassment as she gestures to the TV.

You don't mention that little awkward moment, instead you agree happily to her offer. “Sure! But nothing too scary though, I'm going to bed soon.” You squint your eyes and point at her playfully. “Cool cool.” She nods stiffly back.

After a few minutes of looking through movies wordlessly, your voice cuts through the silence. “So, how's your day been?”

“Um uh, good.” She gives a tight lipped smile as she stops scrolling through the TV. As you look at her, you can't help but shamelessly stare. You really did feel a little dazed by her.

Ellie’s big green eyes to her dark and pretty freckles, all the way up to her nice little wolf cut, makes you feel a little dizzy in the head.

You can’t help but think why someone so fucking hot could ever be friends with.. Your brother.

Your thoughts make your face cringe up. While you do it, you don't realize that you’re still staring directly at her.

“Uh.. Is something on my face? Sorry.” She wipes at the corner’s of her mouth quick, assuming there's still chip crumbs there.

“Oh no no! Sorry I just.. Couldn't help but think about you and my brother?” You trail off, tapping your thigh in wonder. “What do you mean?” Ellie’s face pulls up in confusion.

You shrug. “Like.. you being together?” Ellie nearly gags at your words. “What? Hell no. I’m definitely not into that.” She shakes her head. “My first crush growing up was literally Stephanie from Lazy town.” She laughs for a second and then suddenly stops to cringe at herself.

Bingo.

Gasping, you bring your hand up to lay on her shoulder. “Thank god! I was gonna fucking lose my shit if i found out that my brother was seeing someone as hot as you.” You scoff in amusement as you linger your hand on her.

Her breath hitches at your subtle compliment, looking away quickly. “Uh yeah, we-um, it's.. not like that.” She huffs a laugh, scratching her head. “Cool. Cuz you’re way too hot for him.” You giggle, rubbing over her shoulder.

Ellie’s head turns to stare at your hand, you watch her throat bob and her jaw clench. She doesn't say anything as you continue to rub her through her sweatshirt, her eyes flick away.

A light-bulb abruptly flashes in your head. You trail your hand down her arm, feeling her toned bicep through the baggy clothing.

“Oh my god Ellie! You’re so strong.” You tilt your head with wide eyes. “What are you hiding from me under there, huh?” You flirt shamelessly. Her cheeks tint pink from that, she laughs.

“Oh uh, nothing really. I just lift a little bit I guess. I mean sometimes, not like, all the time or anything i just go randomly. More like every so often, honestly. I went yesterday actually. I should probably go more but i don't have-” She stops, snapping her lips shut.

Ellie nods at herself, realizing that she’s rambling. “Yeahhh.. i'm gonna shut up now.” She trails off.

“No! Oh my god, It's ok. I like hearing you talk. Your voice is..” You trail off. “I don't know.. Really attractive?” You lean to the side, putting your temple to the headrest, keeping your eyes on her. She scoffs at that. “No.” she shakes her head. “It's not.”

“Now why would I lie to you?” You tap her cheek. As she looks over at you, your eyes climb up her face, landing on her messy head of hair. Biting your lip with a smile, your eyes roam over her hair.

“I like it.” Tipping your head at her. “Huh?” Ellie asks.

Lifting your hand, you push her hair back behind her ear with the tips of your fingers, gently. “Your hair. I like it. It looks good on you.” You smile, shrugging cutely. “Oh, Thank you.” She nods bashfully.

You ponder innocently, “So since you’re not into my brother, are you seeing anyone?” You perk up as you hear her scoff loudly. “What? Me? No..No way.” Ellie follows it with a laugh, like your question was unbelievable.

Oh, you were so gonna fuck her.

“I'm sorry! I was just curious, that's all.” Smiling sweetly, you shrug nonchalantly.

Looking down at yourself, you eye the oversized T you’re wearing, only accompanied by your underwear underneath. Your mind wanders, thinking of the practicality of whenever your brother would pop up again.

“Hey, how much longer do you think he’s gonna take?” You question, bringing your hand down to rest on her thigh. “Uhhh..” she becomes stiff as she spreads her legs wide at your touch. Fumbling with her phone, she taps it to turn on.

“Like uh, um- like 30 minutes? Probably? He takes forever to figure out what he wants, even though he always gets the same shit anywhere he goes.” She lets the phone fall on the couch.

Her chest raises heavily as she continues to stare down at your hand, which now starts to massage her.

“Oh, Good.” You hum, smiling. Staring at her, you put it simply. “Wanna fuck?”

It was like you knocked the breath out of her. “What?” Her voice raises as she breathes out loudly. Rolling your eyes, you pick up her hand and set it onto your bare thigh.

“I said, ‘Do. You. Want. To. Fuck.’” You spread the words out for her.

“I-i don't think that's a good idea.” She mumbles nervously. You scoff with fake offense. “What. Do you not find me attractive? Is that it?” You raise your brow as your lips turn up into an amused smile.

“No! No! Of course not! Y-you’re very pretty.” She rushes out. “Very.” Her eyes widened.

Smirking, you move in and give her a lingering kiss on her cheek. You stay close, almost nose to nose now. “Then what's the problem?” You tease. “It's just-your brother.” She says it like it was obvious.

“Hm? My brother? What about him?” You murmur, looking over the room, pretending to search for him. “I don't see him around.” You snicker to her mockingly. “Do you?” Ellie rolls her eyes, huffing heavily.

“It's not funn-” You interrupt her by planting hot open mouth kisses onto her jaw.

“I'm not laughing.” You continue to kiss and nibble along her skin. Her hand comes up to grasp at your hip, gripping you tightly. “Fuck..” She whispers, then bites her lips. “Mmm.” You hum against her. “You like that?” Your voice is low, only to where she can hear.

“Yeah.” She sighs out.

Ellie’s phone suddenly vibrates, knocking her out of the trance you put her in. “Goddammit.” Her hand pushes you back and away from her. You scowl, looking at the side of her face.

She picks her phone up quickly, looking at the screen. You peek at it, seeing your brother's nickname pop up.

Rolling your eyes, you hunch over and read his spammed messages.

‘Cashapp me idiot.’ Ding. ‘C’mon, I'm not paying for this shit.’ Ding. ‘HURRY UP’ Ding. ‘UR ALWAYS ON UR PHONE DUDE. LETS GO’

You sit up, huffing in annoyance.

“Shit.” Ellie whispers. “I forgot to send the money.” Beginning to unlock her phone, you snatch it from her, push the notification button off and let it drop onto the coffee table. “Who gives a fuck?” Shaking your head, you toss your body onto her, connecting your lips messily with hers.

“Wait.” She murmurs in between the kiss, making you pull back with a frown. “What?” Ellie’s face looked nervous, scared even. Her emotions made your face drop. “Are you a virgin or something?” You question with wide eyes.

Not really wanting to take someone's virginity like this, you go to pull off of her.

“No! I’m not!” Ellie stops you, her hands hold you by your waist. Those words put you at ease, making you fall back into her, “Then why not baby?” You mutter.

“It’s just.. Like I said, it's not a good idea.” She says breathlessly. Frowning, you shake your head. “It's nothing serious.. We’re both adults here.”

Ellie looks away, contemplating your words.

“C’mon.” You murmur hotly in her ear, pecking at her jaw. She doesn't answer as her head falls back into the couch. “Just let me touch on you a little. I’ll make you feel so fucking good.”

“I dont know..” Ellie trails off, making you whine.

You shake your head, pouting. “That’s so mean.” Pulling back, you plant your hands onto her chest for leverage. You begin rocking your hips against her toned thighs. “So, so, mean Ellie.” You whisper as you let your eyes fall closed.

“Jesus.” She groans as she opens her eyes to look down at where you grind down onto her. Gasping, she whispers, “Please.” Smiling widely at the ceiling, you bow your head down shyly. “So you do want me to touch you?”

“Fuck yeah. Of course I do.” She gasps. “But you’re my best friend's-” Her voice is completely conflicted. “little sister.” Staying quiet for a moment, you sigh heavily. “Mmm-Yeah. But that's ok.” You reassure her with a giggle.

“No. No it's not. He’ll kill me if he finds out.” Her voice trembles.

Palming her shoulders, you try calming her down. “He wont find out, unless you tell him dummy. What he doesn't know, won't hurt him.” You assure her, grinding down harder.

She sighs out as her own hips start moving up. “I would never. You promise not to tell?” Moaning, you nod. “It’ll be our little secret.” Ellie groans against you as you bring your mouth back to hers.

You pull back for a second, her lips chase after you while her eyes stay shut. You give a breathless laugh while reaching down.

Curling your fingers around the edge of her sweatshirt, you pull it up and over her head. Her hair fluffs up, going askew. She swipes her hair out of her eyes quickly to see you.

Throwing it on the floor, you look over her body. She only wore a sports bra underneath, which was so thin it looked like second skin. Moving your eyes over her toned arms and hard abs, you nearly drool as your gaze catches onto her tattoo.

“Holy shit Els, you really were hiding all of this from me, huh?” You coo at her as you run your hands up and down her arms.

Ellie grits her teeth while looking up at you, she grabs your hips again, moving you rougher against her. Bending, you latch onto her lips again. “So big.” Peck. “And strong.” Peck. “Makes me so fucking wet. Y’know that?” You kiss messily down her mouth, her chin and down to her neck.

“F-fuck, really?” Your hands fall down to palm at her tits. Nodding, “Sooo, wet.” You purr, beginning to pluck at her nipples through the fabric, forcing them to harden.

Whispering, “Take this off.” as you toy with her bra. As soon as she hears that, her hands fly away from you to rip it off, launching it somewhere behind you.

Ellie looks from your face and then down at herself, resting her hands flat on your thighs. “I.. it's not much.” She huffs humorlessly.

You shush her, “Stop it. They’re perfect.” Trailing your palms up her naked sides, you bring them up to mold around her small peeks. “So perfect baby.”

“Thank you.” She lets out a shaky breath as you squeeze them tightly. Running your thumbs over her nipples, you groan. “You really are so hot Ellie. You have no clue.” You shake your head with a furrowed brow.

Every few seconds, you dip down to kiss her. One hand smooths up her neck to entangle in her short hair. The other hand drops from her chest and past her belly button, beginning to play with the waistband of her sweatpants. You feel her belly clench up against your knuckles as you run along her waist.

Biting your lip, your mind races thinking about all the things you wanna do to her. You quickly lift your shirt over your head, leaving you bare besides your panties. Ellie’s mouth falls agape as she stares at your bare chest. “Wanna touch?” She nods vigorously.

You push your chest forward into her face a little more. “Then what are you waiting for?” Her rough hands crawl up your sides, finally engulfing your tits. “God. You’re so fucking pretty.” Ellie whispers.

Your fingers return to rubbing teasingly underneath the band of her pants. She hesitantly glides one of her hands down from your boob to run it over your thigh, nervously. Reaching down, you fiddle with your panties. Her eyes follow your movements.

“We should hurry.” Pulling the crotch to the side very slowly, “It’s ok. Touch me.” You purr, picking up her hand to bring to your dripping center.

You whimper as she glides her fingers through your lips, passing over your clit. You finally dip past her pants and into the front of her briefs. Your fingers pass her trimmed hairs, “Shit!” She stiffens up as she feels you slide along her slit.

“Already so wet. Is this all for me?” You giggle breathily. “Fuck yeah, All for you.” Ellie groans as you begin circling her clit. Her hand follows yours as she begins to roll over your nub tightly. Sighing, you rock your hips against her movements.

Your fingers slowly begin drifting down from her clit, starting to rub at her entrance. Her hips jut up as you push inside of her.

“Shhh.. I got you.” You whisper. Your pace is slow as you drag them in and out of her. She pushes her head back into the seat while trying to maintain the movements of her own hand.

After a few more slow pumps, her feet plant to the floor to ground herself, as she starts to become antsy.

“Please.” Ellie heaves out. Gazing at her, you bite your lip. “Please what?” You continue to move your hand leisurely. Her fingers slip down and push into you with one thrust, making you buck your hips in surprise. “Please just fuck me.” She groans as she starts to move her fingers.

“Aww. Y’just need it so bad huh.” You taunt, beginning to fuck into her a little quicker while rolling yourself on her thin digits. Her free hand comes to wrap around your wrist. She feels your hand flex with each piston of them sliding into her.

As you start feeling her own pace falter, you curl your fingers, beginning to slam them up into the ceiling of her cunt. “Oh Fuck! God, Ngh-right there. Just like that.” Ellie’s legs shake under you. The feeling of her trying to fight to keep them open makes your belly bloom.

“Louder baby, I love hearing you.” You whisper. Ellie’s mind buzzes, feeling as if she needs to swim for her thoughts. Your confession makes her groan, “I can’t believe this is happening.” She whimpers out.

“I can't believe it either.. I thought I'd have to play with you a little longer.” You respond, amused. Her eyes pop open to look at you, hooded with lust.

“What?” She questions you as you pull out to rub over her clit a few times, then push back in. Snickering, you answer her. “I mean, I thought I'd have to butter you up a little more.” You peck her on the lips, furrowing your brows. “But no. You were just too easy. Couldn't resist some ‘off limits’ pussy, right?”

“I’m sorry. Ugh-so sorry.” Ellie sobs out.

“Ellie, you have no idea how long i’ve wanted to fuck you.” You sigh. “I.. I think about you all the time.” Ellie easily admits. Perking up, you stare at her face, your pace begins to pick up as your mind wonders.

“Yeah? Even when you fuck yourself?” Your fingers thrust harshly into her. “Yes!” She grits out. “Say it again.” Your chest heaves.

Ellie’s strength completely disintegrates, making her fingers completely stop their motions. “Think of you!” She hisses. You shake your head fast, “Nuh-Uh, use your words. What about me?” You bring your hand down to pull at her wrist, feeling as her fingers slip from within you with a soft squelch.

“Your pussy! I think of your pussy.” She cries. “How you smell, and t-taste.” Ellie whimpers as her hips try to move along with your thrusts. “Want you to stuff my face in your pussy and make me breathe you i-in.”

You laugh, bringing her hand up to her mouth. “That's what I wanted to hear.”

As she goes to speak, you stuff her wet fingers into her mouth. She automatically rolls her eyes back behind her lids as she tastes you on her tongue. Ellie huffs a sigh through her nose, her lips tighten around her fingers as her tongue dances over them.

Letting her own fingers go with a pop, her hand falls to your thigh, squeezing you with need. “Please-Oh fuck, please. Lemme taste you. Want it so bad.” Ellie begs. Her whiney voice makes your heart flutter.

The aching and burning of your arm starts to get to you, making your pace falter for a second. “Then you better fucking hurry, and cum.” You hiss out through the pain.

Ellie’s hand instantly flies down to rub at her clit at the same fast pace you continue to pound into her with, the loud squelches of her pussy were muffled behind her thick pants.

Planting your hand behind her head onto the head rest, you lean down to her ear. “I think..” You look down and then back up to her face. “I think this pussy’s mine. Don't you?” Ellie’s hips start moving aggressively against your hand, “Oh fuck yeah, this pussy’s yours.” She mewls. “S’all yours.”

“I’m fucking dripping for you, want you to lick me all up.” You moan as you feel her starting to tighten up around you. “Want you to grope me when you do it, and I don't want you to stop until it hurts.”

Her head turns to the side, shoving her face into your neck. Her hand slips around your waist, pulling you so that you’re chest to chest. “Please don't stop, please.” Ellie sobs out. “You close baby? You gonna cum, just for me?” Your voice is full of hope.

“Yes! Yes! I’m so close!” Ellie’s toned belly starts flexing harshly as she continues to gasp for breath.

Her noises become quicker as she rocks against your body, her legs begin to shake with each swipe against her pulsing bundle of nerves. “Take it. Take it. Take it.. Cum all over me.” You whisper huskily.

“Holy fu-I’m gonna-Oh.” She squeezes out through her tight throat. “I’m gonna fucking cum for you-” Suddenly, Ellie stiffens up underneath you.

With a loud overbearing groan, her walls squeeze you tightly, gushing all over your fingers. “Fuck! I’m cumming, I'm cumming..” Ellie chants as her walls twitch and flutter around you.

“So good for me baby. Takin’ it so good.” You don't stop hammering into her as she busts around you. The once soft wet noises now squelch loudly with your brutal pounds.

Thighs shaking violently, Ellie finishes with a spew of incoherent swears following with her body going limp under you. Your fingers come to a slow stop, and you gently pull out of her.

She hisses as you rub along her sloppy lips, twitching as you overstim her clit. You think it's cute, watching her twitch and shiver as you smear her cum up and down her slit.

Ellie doesn't stay quiet, every few moments she lets out a pained whimper. She lazily pulls her own hand out of her underwear, letting it droop lazily against her thigh.

Finally allowing Ellie to breathe, you pull out your hand from her pants. Wrapping your lips around your now sticky pruned up fingers, you moan at the deep musk she’s covered you in. You take your time sucking her cum off of them.

The shiney beads of sweat that roll down her temples catch your eyes. Letting your fingers fall from your mouth, you shuffle up closer to her while wiping your wet fingers on the couch. Dabbing at her hairline, you coo to her. “Shhh, I know baby. Came so hard for me.” You kiss her hot cheek.

Both hands come up to take a hold of your ass, kneading at them. “After this, I think I’d do anything for you.” She groans into your chest, kissing your collarbones. Sitting there while catching your breaths, you run your hand through her damp hair calmingly.

Ellie speaks up after a few moments. “You.. You never got to finish.” Timidness filled her tone. You hum,

“That's ok. Maybe we could go back to my room?” You try and persuade.

Sighing sadly, she thinks about it for a second. “He should be here soon. I don't think there’s ti-” The sound of a car pulling up into the driveway fills your ears. Suddenly, you’re harshly shoved off of her, landing in between the couch and the coffee table with a loud ‘Oof!’

“What the hell!” You grumble. “Fuck fuck fuck!” She says erratically, jumping up from the couch. Ellie stands and fixes her pants with one hand as she looks for her bra in a frenzy. Finding it, she slips it on with a quick swoop. “Get dressed!” She urges while waving her hand.

You use the coffee table as leverage to push yourself up, grabbing your shirt on the way. A loud slam of a car door makes a scared shiver run up your back. Ellie struggles to turn her sweatshirt inside out, throwing it over her head.

You rush up to her, gripping her forearm, “Come with me to my room, we can lock the door.” You repeat with a whisper, nodding. “What? No! Just go.” Ellie hisses. Taken aback, you scoff. “Oh, ‘Anything’ Huh?” You evilly squint at her as you tug your shirt back on.

When she hears your tone, she turns back to you quickly. “I’m sorry!” She cries, trying to pull you to her. Ellie bends to try and give you a swift kiss in apology, but you shove her back.

“You totally owe me, jerk.” You whisper angrily, running down the hall. The sound of an angry bang to the front door meshes with the slam to the one of your bedroom.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it, there will probably be a second part to this. Or even maybe one a little less tame, and more on the darker side. Maybe Pervert!BBF!Ellie williams?

Don’t forget to reblog please! 😭

TAGLIST🏷️: @elliesfavgf @sarahduke @lov3lylotus @hi2647 @uraesthete @happysparklingshadows @annadoingshitpoorly

Lemme know if you wanna be added to my taglist!

imagine this man just shows up and is your real estate agent

cold feet

caitlin clark x black!reader

A/N: this isn't my first time writing, just my first time writing and publishing it publicly like this! hope you guys enjoy it!!! let me know what you think!

-

you stood attempting to block the glare of the sun from your eyes with your bouquet in hand. 

“kate it’s fucking hot. why did we let her choose to have a wedding in hell’s kitchen?” you questioned, leaning toward the blonde who suppressed a laugh.

“stop it. caitlin’s literally getting married. hold the jokes in for 10 more minutes.” she whispered, elbowing you lightly as you rolled your eyes playfully, looking toward your best friend who stood in a white wedding gown with her hair pinned behind her ears. 

she looked stunning 

“do you connor mccaffery take caitlin elizabeth clark to be your lawfully wedded wife?” the priest questioned as you stood just a few feet away, a heavy feeling in your chest suddenly. 

caitlin turned around, glancing at you and kate with a small smile, her face being struck with something as she turned back around. 

“i do. i really do.” he said, looking toward you as your body stiffened. you never really liked him, and frankly he triggered your fight or flight, but caitlin was you best friend, so as long as she was happy, you stood by her. 

“and do you, caitlin elizabeth clark, take connor mccafferey to be your lawfully wedded husband?” 

“i-“ she began, pausing briefly and glancing to her parents and brothers who sat in the audience, your eyebrows knitting in confusion as she hesitated. 

“caitlin?” the priest questioned as she dropped connor’s hands, whispering before backing away and running down the aisle, the train of her dress in her hands. 

“wait what the hell just happened?” you questioned aloud, looking toward connor as he ran his hands through his hair, turning toward the groomsmen as you look between kate, anne, and brent.

-

you stood outside the bridal suite, kate, caitlin’s parents and brothers behind you as you knocked lightly. 

“coco? it’s just us, let us in! are you okay?” you asked softly, leaning against the door, hearing sniffles from the other side. 

“honey, we just wanna talk. what’s going on?” anne questioned, stepping closer as you listened to a sob escape from her mouth. 

“i don’t wanna talk mom. just- leave me alone!” you heard, her voice receding as you assumed she walked away from the door. 

“caitlin. we just wanna help. if it’s just cold feet-“ kate began, a sudden bang being heard against the door, heavy enough to be a shoe.

“go away! leave me alone!”

“okay, well i’m not dealing with her bullshit today. i stood out in the sun for her. kate hold my flowers.” you spoke, shoving them into the girls chest as you ripped a bobby pin from your hair, leaning down to pick the lock. 

hearing the click, you swing the door open, stepping into the room and scanning with your eyes. 

you spot her curled up on the balcony, her legs pulled to her chest. 

“hey guys, give me a minute. i wanna see something.” you say softly, receiving nods of approval, shutting the door behind you. 

“caitlin?” you ask, watching as she jumps noticing your figure.

“how’d you get in here? get out!” she exclaims, rising to her feet as you show off the pin in your hand. 

“you taught me how to pick a lock, if there’s anyone to blame, it’s you.” you joked, registering the runny makeup on her face as a smile formed on her face. “what’s going on coco? if you won’t talk to your parents, talk to me.” you encourage, moving some pillows from the couch and sitting down as she cautiously makes her way toward you. 

“promise you won’t tell?” she ask, her attitude a bit lighter as you give her a knowing look, patting the seat beside you. 

“i haven’t told a soul your secrets since grade school clark. start talking.” you said leaning back as she began to pull pins from her hair, getting frustrated as you moved to help. 

“i just. i hesitated. i have love for him, but when it came down to saying i do. i mean, i don’t think i can marry him. so many thoughts flashed through my mind. i know he’s not your favorite person in the world, and he made me happy for so long. my family loves him, and he loves me. i know that. but it just went through my mind that he can’t be it for me.” she said, twiddling with her hands, a nervous habit of hers as you placed a hand on top in comfort. 

“do you think there’s any chance of this being cold feet? you’ve been so excited. you had me up at 6AM picking out flowers, i flew out to new york to pick up your dress because you had a game. i’d do it all over again a million times, because i love you. but are you sure?” you ask, watching as fresh tears brim in her eyes

“there’s also been something else on my mind, and it’s kind of scary to think about. but um, i’m not sure how long it’s been a thing for me. but i just haven’t found him attractive, in like any way lately. i’ve had the shortest fuse, and we brushed it off as wedding stress, but i don’t know.” she said, letting out a sigh, laying across your lap. 

“so you guys are in a rough patch. that happens, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t marry him. you do love him caitlin.” you reassure as her body shoots up, her eyes shifting toward you, red and puffy. 

“what no- i don’t. i realized i don’t love him the way that i love you.” she responded, biting at the skin on her lip as you felt your breath get caught in your throat. “i thought. maybe it was the same type of love that i had for kate, but it was just different because i've known you since we were kids. but i love you. i realized that at the end of the day, i want to be with you, always. when we’d talk about kids, our kids separately started to become our kids. i want to grow old with you, and do life with you. i want to fall asleep in your arms and wake up in them. i miss that. i miss that feeling that i got back in high school during sleep overs, not realizing that that same feeling is what i felt croatia.” she spoke, your mind rewinding to the summer in croatia where you along with most of the team got pretty tipsy, caitlin included.

you believed yourself to be a pretty decent drinker, being able to handle your alcohol, but there was something about croatia that had you waking up the next morning with a naked caitlin curled into your side. 

you had talked about it, remembering bits and pieces, but came to the conclusion that it was drunken curiosity. 

“i’ve thought about that night, or at least what i can remember, every night since it happened. i can’t get it out of my mind, and i honestly don’t think i ever wanted to. i can’t marry him, because im in love with you.” 

“so what do you want to do?” you questioned, caitlin scooting closer as you took a breath, processing the information. 

“do you love me? in that way?” she asked, her voice barely audible as you suppressed a smile, giving a slight nod. 

“yeah i do. i’ve loved you since we were 15. but you’ve had a pretty solid record sheet with guys and showing me that you’re straight, or so i assumed. so i just accepted it and let it go.” you stated transparently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she leaned into your hand. 

“you have no clue how happy that makes me. i also don’t care if you’re not ready for marriage yet, i know i said yes to this whole thing, but i feel like it’s because i felt like i needed to. i’d walk down the aisle with you in a second, but i get if you’re not ready.” 

“im not. but i think i will be sometime soon. what do we do from here?” you question, a lot of the tension in the room subsiding, watching her brown eyes roam the room. 

“come here.” was said as you’re pulled down to the floor in front of the couch, a giggle escaping your lips as she crawled in her dress across the room, grabbing a stack of papers from the coffee table. 

“what are you doing? you have people waiting for you to get married, or at this point announce that you’re not.” you say, reprimanding the girl as she rips the paper apart, rolling up small pieces. 

“just give me a second. okay, give me your hand.” she demanded, offering a hand before slipping a makeshift paper ring on your empty ring finger. “there. it’s like high school, but instead of promising to be each other's best friends, i’m promising to give you more than that.” a smile on her face as a knock is heard on the door. 

“caitlin? babe?” is heard as your eyes widen, watching her breath intake sharply. 

“is it bad that i forgot about him?” she questions, a fearful look on her face as you smile, standing to your feet. 

“talk to him, talk to your parents. i’m going to go talk to kate, and we’ll let everyone know there will be no wedding.” you say, helping her to her feet with a smile, turning on your heel. 

“hey. wait.” she said quickly, turning toward her as she presses a kiss to your lips, grasping your face with both hands before pulling away. “i love you”

-

you sat awkwardly in the lounge, kate staring at you from her spot on the couch. caitlin had bought her family and connor in at the same time to talk to them and the guests were dismissed from the ceremony but invited to enjoy the catered food they had planned on serving.

you felt anxiety in the pit of your stomach, shifting in your chair as kate continued to stare, her eyes narrowing. 

“kate stop looking at me like that.” you demanded, frustration in your tone as she churned her head, smiling softly. 

“you guys fucked in croatia didn’t you?” she questioned, your eyes widening at the question. 

“KATE!” 

“i knew it! you were both walking around weird that morning, the tension on that plane ride was crazy. but i’m assuming her calling the wedding off was for more than just a one night stand?” the blonde quizzed as you nodded silently. 

“she loves you, doesn’t she?”, another nod of the head. 

“i kept telling her she was gay, she kept denying it. i was right! but seriously, i think this will work out. maybe not right now with everything going on, but it will.” 

you heard the door open, turning to watch as connor stormed out, his face red as you could tell he’d been crying, followed by caitlin whose face was also tear stained and her family trailing behind her.

“so are you guys getting married or did i buy this suit for nothing?” colin jokes, walking and plopping down next to you, throwing an arm around your shoulder as he leaned against you, pressing a soft kiss against your head. 

“colin leave her alone. this is definitely news, but you’re still family and we don’t love you any less. if you guys are happy, then that’s all we can pray for. it’ll take some getting used to, but i feel like it’ll feel like our normal in no time.” anne speaks, offering a smile as she places a hand on your shoulder, brent nodding along. 

“and hey, i don’t have to sit through a boring reception dinner. no offense cait honey.” brent says, caitlin waving him off as she grins at you. 

“i think we should go see what’s left from the catering, and go back to the hotel. also let’s make sure connor isn’t starting world war 3 on twitter and try and relax.” kate suggest, standing and squeezing caitlin’s shoulder as she smiles at you. 

 “ i think that sounds good.” you agreed, standing to your feet as caitlin mirrored you. 

-

you stood staring at the different options, the room pretty empty except for you, kate, caitlin, and her immediate family. there were still some stragglers, but it looks like most people either just left, or took food to go and were on their way. 

you felt a hand on your lower back, turning to see caitlin standing beside you, a soft closed smile on her face as she leaned into the crook of your neck. 

“thank you. for everything.” 

“of course, you’re one of my favorite people in this world.” you say, her hair falling down your shoulder as she hugs you. 

“do you think connor would be okay with me taking you to australia over him?” 

“i don’t think he really gets a say if you and your family paid for most of the wedding.” 

“wait you’re so right. where’s my phone?” she questioned as you gave her a warning look knowing her notifications would be a war zone themselves. 

“let’s just get some cake right now. yeah?” you suggested in place as she pulled away, a bit of a pout on her face as she agreed to your statement, picking up a plate of her own. 

“hey. i love you. like a lot.” she says, a smile resting on your face as you hummed. 

“i assumed you did, otherwise i don’t think you would have left your fiancé at the alter for me.” you joke, hearing her laugh loudly in response as she presses her forehead to yours, a bright grin on her face. 

“i’m glad we figured out it wasn’t just cold feet.” 

Simon and Johnny <3