Fletcher Narrowed His Gaze At Her, His Patience Wearing Thin. "Have You Ever Thought, Knowing What You

Ben Barnes in Gold Digger (episode 4)

amoonlitmemory​:

Closed starter for @littledaydreamers

“Honey I’m hoooome!” She called out loudly as she barged through her twin’s front door. “Now where is my beautiful neice? It’s okay baby, Auntie Edie has come to save you.” 

Bethany sat slumped over the dining room table as Lottie played with her toys on the floor. She couldn’t even find the energy to lift her head and greet her sister. Instead she gave an undignified grunt, a long deep sigh falling from her lips. “You can have her. She’s been a nightmare today.” 

Rory let out a soft laugh. He shook his head, still grinning as he glanced down at the empty space where his coffee should have been.

“Ah, well,” he said, looking back at her with a teasing glint in his eyes. “Contrary to popular belief, I have somewhat of a life outside of performing. Oat milk lattes are a big part of that life. Well, it's vanilla latte, if we're being pedantic but that's neither here nor there.” He joked with another laugh. He started to say something else when a group of fans approached, asking for autographs and photos. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face—pausing mid-conversation felt a bit awkward—but he obliged with practised ease, signing and smiling before turning back to Ember with an apologetic smile. As the fans walked away, their hushed whispers lingered in the air, curiosity evident in their voices as they wondered about the redhead by his side.

Rory let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as he glanced toward the café. "Well, technically, yeah," he teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "But I'm in no rush. I reckon the latte can wait. I like being able to have these moments with my fans." He replied honestly. "Just make sure you get a photo or something before I go. I'd feel terrible if I forgot and left you with nothing to remember from our chat... that's if you even want to remember this -- I probably shouldn't assume. I'm not that arrogant, I promise." He ran a hand through his hair, laughing.

Ember's cheeks burned brighter under Rory's playful gaze. He thought she was flustered, not making a fool of herself? Well, that was… marginally better. Relief washed over her, quickly followed by the realization that she still had to say something.

"No, no crisis!" she blurted out, a little too fast. Ember immediately cringed internally. Smooth, Ember, real smooth. She forced a small, shaky laugh. "An existential crisis might be a bit dramatic," Ember managed, her voice a touch breathy. "Just... a bit surprised. You're... you're usually on stage, not, you know, buying oat milk lattes." She gestured vaguely with one hand, hoping she didn't look like a complete idiot. The fact that Rory was smiling at her, a real, genuine smile, made her want to melt into the tarmac. She just hoped she wasn't making him regret ever leaving his house for caffeine. "Oh my goodness, am I stopping you from getting your coffee?"

excelxior​:

for @littledaydreamers​.

“ so i guess we’re lab partners huh? “ of course the teacher wanted to push them and match them with new people so they wouldn’t get too comfortable. “ eric. “ hand extending, “ let’s hope you know how to do this shit cause’ i don’t. “ 

Natalie chewed her lip as the other spoke. A year ago, she wouldn’t have cared who they had paired her up with. She’d never been one to shy away from conversing with new people, but a lot had happened in a year and now she was practically just a shell of what she used to be. “Natalie.” The blonde replied in a small voice as she hesitantly reached to shake his hand. “Actually, I don’t...” she replied, pausing awkwardly. “I, erm, I-I took a break for like a year and I’ve only just come back, so I’ve missed a lot.” Natalie explained, feeling bad that they had dumped the male with her. She tugged on the material on her cardigan, pulling it over her hands. It had been an uncomfortable day listening to people gossip about her as she walked by.

real talk though, all i am asking for is a cute (and potentially angsty) domestic plot surrounding a girl who has to take responsibility for her younger sibling when their parents bail and a perhaps slightly older man who falls for her. due to whatever circumstances, perhaps he doesn’t have anyone in his life either so his whole life becomes her and helping to take care for the sibling. however, nobody said that the way he helps to support their new lil family is legal. just a thought. 

A gentle voice cut through the darkness, but Robbie was too distressed to hear the man's words. He clutched his head in his trembling hands, sobbing as he rocked back and forth. "They're dead. They're all dead." He whispered, his voice a broken echo.

The soft glow of a lamp illuminated the space, casting a warm and comforting light. Robbie felt the bed dip as the male took a seat next to him, trying to calm him. With the man's soothing words and gentle touch, Robbie finally met his gaze. "They're all dead. I watched them die, one by one." He repeated, his voice strangled.

thomas barrow made a habit of being a self-centered man, he wouldn't deny it. he had learnt, from a young age, that if there was no one else to look out for him then he could only trust himself. his reasons for volunteering as a medic had been, in part, selfish ones. his medical training had spared him active military service for the first few months of the war, and he had believed, as everyone else had, that the whole thing would blow over quickly. he would have left the army with newfound status and a possible change in profession. that was the plan at least... how naive that young man had been.

the war had changed him, changed everything — the footman turned medic, now managing the makeshift convalescent home that had taken over downton, working alongside members of the very family that he used to serve. he was no longer at the front, but thomas had seen firsthand the horrors that these men had returned from. he knew the destruction, the death, the pain and suffering, the desperation. he felt a duty of care; underneath that egocentric, individualistic mindset, thomas barrow cared about the poor souls. if he could ease their plight in any way, he was glad to.

a shout drew the lance corporal's attention — night terrors were becoming increasingly more common in the soldiers that passed through his care... depression, shell shock, post-traumatic stress disorder, was it truly any wonder when they had been through hell and back?

❝ hey now, easy there. you're alright, sir. ❞ he started, coming to the soldier's bedside as he jolted awake. speaking in gentle, hushed tones, a hand rested on the man's good shoulder, thumb rubbing in soothing circles as thomas tried to meet his gaze. in the soft lamplight, sharp grey hues searched the soldier's own slightly vacant stare, as the medic continued — with a string of comforting words and a grounding touch, he tried to bring the other out of whatever nightmare plagued his mind.

❝ you're alright, just breath for me, nice and slowly, sir, that's it. you're safe. ❞

Ruby read his message, and if she wasn’t already mortified, this just about sent her over the edge. She collapsed back on her bed, wishing it would just eat her up and save her from this whole situation.

Her jaw dropped. Well 😈? THAT’S what he was going with? And then the follow-up? Oh, he was insufferable.

Her face burned as she gripped her phone, debating whether to block his smug ass altogether or try to salvage what little dignity she had left. But knowing King, ignoring him would only encourage him. And if he thought she was just going to roll over and let him have the upper hand, he had another thing coming.

With a deep breath, she started typing.

Text to King: Glad you like it. Too bad it was meant for someone who’d actually get to see it up close.

She bit her lip, smirking, imagining his expression when he read that.

the male was led in a very relaxed position, sprawled over his bed with one arm propping up his head. at this point he had lifted his torso in order to clock the farther window which was in line with her own. he could just about make her out in the mix of the glow of her lamp and the shadows that surrounded but he knew she was panicking. of course he was probably one of the last people she would want to be in receipt of a photo like this, and really he should delete it.. but on the other hand, he'd already seen it now, might as well take advantage of the situation. scrolling his fingertips over the screen to zoom in as he held the phone over his head in a led down position a smirk tugged at his features when a text came through from her again.

text to girl next door: well 😈

text: that's a cute little set you've got there

okay, so he couldn't help himself, he was handed a golden opportunity here and why wouldn't he take it? especially when nothing else exciting was going on this time of night other than a few other messages he chose to ignore.

Kai’s smirk faltered the second he saw the shift in her expression. He hadn’t expected that. He’d meant to rile her up, to keep their game going, not—whatever this was. Not her shutting down, withdrawing, like he’d just snuffed out the fire between them with a careless flick of his wrist.

His jaw tensed, watching her clutch her jacket, the way her lips pressed together like she was trying to hold back more than just words.

“Pia—” His voice came out rougher than he intended, but she was already looking away, already dismissing him, already convincing herself that this was over. And that—God, that didn’t sit right with him.

Before she could take a step, he reached for her wrist again, this time gentler, more deliberate. “That’s not what I meant.” A sigh left him, low and sharp, like he hated having to say this out loud. “You think I don’t—” He stopped himself, exhaling through his nose. His grip tightened just slightly, not enough to keep her there if she really wanted to go, but enough to make her listen.

“I don’t want her, you've got to know that” he admitted, quieter now, but no less intense. “We've been playing these games all night. I don’t get jealous. I don’t—” He ran a hand through his hair, looking away for half a second before locking his gaze back onto hers, something raw flickering beneath the frustration. “But then you make an appearance here in this shitty little club where you clearly stand out, and suddenly, I’m throwing punches in bars and watching every move you make like a fucking idiot.”

His tongue darted out to wet his lips as his grip on her wrist loosened, fingers dragging down her arm before dropping away completely. His expression hardened again, but not before she caught the ghost of something else—something vulnerable, something unguarded.

“So yeah. Go back inside if that's what you want. Go find someone else to dance with.” He tilted his head slightly, dark eyes scanning her face like he memorised it. “But don’t stand here and act like it's not you that I want to take home with me tonight. That’s bullshit, and we both know it.”

of course he was going to twist it to his advantage. couldn't just outwardly admit that he was envious about the fact that she was close to another male, and that she let him kiss her as well. the fact was pia was a pretty confident person, she knew she was fortunate to be graced with good looks and she was content in herself and her own skin, however kai definitely made that waver.

the fact was, his comment didn't make her want to go out there and kiss someone else just to see if he was bluffing, oh no, it made her feel withdrawn instead. he'd officially put a stop to their little game in one fleeting sentence and he didn't even realise it. now she felt dejected and not to mention that she was even more furious with him than she was earlier, which she didn't think was possible.

"oh okay.. fine, have it your way.. you hit him because he was an asshole, right.. cos he was dancing with me, because you didn't seem to know him so that's not a very credible answer. but i am done, kai.. made it clear that i'm not exactly desireable anymore, so i'll save myself embarassment and quit while i'm ahead, hmm?"

she curved her jacket over her arm, her nostrils flaring with clear irritation as she looked away from him for a moment, lips pursed.

"have fun with your peppy little date over there."

Ruby’s eyes flicked to the window, her attention suddenly pulled by movement across the way. She froze, her breath catching in her throat as she saw King move through his bedroom. He was right there, just a few feet away, and for a moment, it felt like the world had slowed down.

She could make out the shadows of him moving around, his figure shifting in the dim light, and—shit—she realized she could see him perfectly. The window between them might have been a few yards apart, but right now, it felt like he was only a breath away.

Her pulse quickened, suddenly self-conscious, like he might have somehow known she was watching. She quickly looked away, but not before catching a glimpse of him stripping off his shirt. The image from the photo flashed in her mind, and she couldn’t help but feel her heart race a little faster.

Her fingers tightened around her phone, but she didn’t say anything immediately. She just sat there for a moment, trying to keep her cool, but the reality of what had just unfolded—and what was unfolding right in front of her—was starting to sink in.

She glanced back out the window, but now, she was really aware of how close they were.

Ruby’s eyes widened when the picture came through, her breath catching in her throat. She hadn’t expected him to be quite so… confident with it. She’d known King was always bold, but this? This was something else.

She leaned back against her pillows, her pulse unexpectedly racing. He was definitely playing his part in this game, no doubt about it. She’d asked for it, after all. She bit her lip, trying not to smile, but then his next message hit her, making her pause.

Text to King: Laughing at you? I’m not that cruel. You're my friend, and I wouldn't do that to you. Plus, from what I'm looking at, there's nothing here to laugh at. You can't really tell me you don't know how hot you are.

She stared at the picture again, trying to ignore the little part of her that was actually impressed with the whole thing. God, he knew how to make a show of it.

Text: And no, I’m not showing it to anyone. This is just for me.

Ruby quickly typed, her fingers hovering over the keys for a second before committing to her response.

Text: Why would I do that? I’m more curious about why you’re doing this. I just never really thought you were interested.

text: two secs

he shot up from his bed faster than he had for a lot of things as he stood infront of his long casted mirror. admitedly the lighting wasn't the best but he still could take a decent photo. he yanked the fabric of his shirt of his head as his hair dishevelled from the motion. it had gotten long, but he didn't dislike it actually, he always didn't feel like himself when it was cut right back anyway. turning himself at an angle he took a photo in the mirror, gazing back at it seconds later. yeah.. that'll do, and it was what she asked for.

text: (sends picture)

text: i am curious though.. you have never shown any interest in me like this before, how do i know you're not laughing at me over there? or planning to show this picture to all your girlfriends?

couldn't blame the guy for being paranoid, she was way out of his league and he had accepted that a long time ago which is why she remained her slightly annoying, cocky neighbour.