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BIG BAD JOHN IS FINALLY FINISHED! REJOICE 🙏

Big Bad John

Summary: In the town of Ghostridge, Georgia, Dollie Sheppard runs a quiet saloon where nothing ever really happens. That is until Big Bad John passes through town. He’s supposed to be a legend, a ghost story. But he’s real, he’s handsome, and nothing Dollie expected. With tensions rising, Dollie finds herself caught between the law, her past, and the man with a reputation that could ruin them both.

The Devil Went Down to Georgia ❀ Cowboy Like Me ❀✮ Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy ✮❥ But Daddy I Love Him ❀✮

“Saying me, me, me, me, me more cowboy than you!”

“Me More Cowboy Than You” by The Brudi Brothers

Divider: elleisdesigning

Big Bad John

Summary: In the town of Ghostridge, Georgia, Dollie Sheppard runs a quiet saloon where nothing ever really happens. That is until Big Bad John passes through town. He’s supposed to be a legend, a ghost story. But he’s real, he’s handsome, and nothing Dollie expected. With tensions rising, Dollie finds herself caught between the law, her past, and the man with a reputation that could ruin them both.

The Devil Went Down to Georgia ❀ Cowboy Like Me ❀✮ Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy ✮❥ But Daddy I Love Him ❀✮

“Saying me, me, me, me, me more cowboy than you!”

“Me More Cowboy Than You” by The Brudi Brothers

Divider: elleisdesigning

Big Bad John [Part 4] - But Daddy I Love Him

2,389 words Summary: Cowboy!Schlatt x original character. Dollie and Charlie plot to get John out of jail. A/N: Final chapter! I had so much fun writing this series, y’all have no idea.

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3]

Divider: elleisdesigning

“Too high a horse

For a simple girl to rise above it

They slammed the door on my whole world

The one thing I wanted

Now I'm running with my dress unbuttoned

Screaming ‘But Daddy I love him!’”

“But Daddy I Love Him” by Taylor Swift

Sheriff Clyde Sheppard has had quite an interesting day. A little past noon, he had three boys in his Sheriff’s station claiming “Big Bad John” was in town and staying at his daughter’s saloon. 

Their claim led to Sheriff Sheppard sending his assistant, George, to go check it out and he confirmed that John was indeed staying at the saloon.

Clyde was pissed. His own daughter harboring an outlaw in her saloon? This simply will not do. 

So, he devised a plan. In the morning, he would show up at her saloon and drag John out and imprison him. Clyde doesn’t like the idea of an outlaw cowboy running amuck in his town. He’ll get him out one way or another.

Dollie stands in her doorway with a shocked look on her face as she faces her father. Charlie stands a few paces behind her and John stands around the corner, out of view.

“Daddy,” Dollie says, trying her hardest to keep her voice even. “What are you doin’ here?”

Clyde sighs. “Step away, Dollie,” he says. “I know he’s here.”

“Who?”

“Don’t play dumb. You know who.”

Charlie shifts uncomfortably behind her, clearly wanting no part in this.

Dollie crosses her arms, blocking her father’s path like she could physically stop him if she tried. “You didn’t think to ask before showin’ up here?”

Clyde’s eyes narrow. “I got boys in my station claimin’ ‘Big Bad John’ waltzed into town like he owns the place. And from what George tells me, he’s been stayin’ here.”

Dollie swallows hard, but doesn’t budge. “He ain’t causing no trouble.”

“Yet,” Clyde snaps. “He’s an outlaw, Dollie. You know what men like him do. You think you’re the exception? You think you’re safe?”

“He ain’t what people say he is,” Dollie says. “I’ve seen more decency in him than the men you play cards with every Sunday.”

“Don’t you start,” Clyde says, stepping closer. “You’ve already disrespected me enough by lettin’ him in that door.”

A tense silence falls over them. Around the corner, John’s hand moves to his pistol, but he doesn’t draw. Not yet.

“Who I let into my saloon is my choice to make,” Dollie says.

Clyde scoffs. “You lettin’ that man stay here isn’t just a poor choice, it’s a crime.”

Charlie clears his throat. “Now, hold on,” he says, trying to calm them down. “Maybe we should all just take a second-”

“No,” Clyde says. “I’m here to drag that outlaw out of here and put him where he belongs.”

John steps into view.

“Ain’t lookin’ for trouble, sheriff,” John says. 

Clyde locks eyes with John. “Then why are you still breathin’ my town’s air?” he asks.

“Because your daughter offered me a roof and I gave her my word that I’d cause no harm,” John replies.

“Your word?” Clyde turns to Dollie. “And you believed that?”

“I did. Still do,” Dollie says.

Clyde lets out a humorless laugh, stepping forward until he’s toe-to-toe with her. “You think that man’s different from the rest of ‘em? You think outlaws just stop bein’ dangerous ‘cause they look at you soft?”

John tenses. Dollie places a hand on his arm to hold him back.

“He ain’t dangerous,” Dollie says. “Not like you are right now.”

Charlie takes a cautious step forward. “Sheriff, maybe there’s another way to settle this that doesn’t end with bullets flyin’. Folks in town don’t need the drama.”

Clyde’s gaze stays firmly planted on John. “Drama’s already here, Charlie. And it’s wearin’ a damn vest.”

John lifts his chin slightly. “I didn’t come to cause problems. But I’m not gonna let you treat me like some rabid dog either.”

Clyde looks him up and down. “Then let’s settle this the way men do.”

Dollie’s stomach drops.

“Tomorrow. High noon. You and me, outlaw,” Clyde says. “One shot each. You win, I let you stay. You lose…” he glances at Dollie. “Well, you leave town and leave my daughter alone.”

“You can’t be serious,” Dollie says.

“I’m the law in this town,” Clyde snaps. “And this is me bein’ merciful.”

John crosses his arms, staring him down. “Fine.”

Dollie turns to him. “John-”

“It’s the only way, Dollie,” John says.

Clyde reaches into his coat and pulls out a pair of iron cuffs. “And you’ll be staying the night in my jail. That way I know you ain’t gonna run.”

John nods.

Clyde steps toward him and puts the cuffs around his wrists. 

As they start for the door, Dollie calls out, voice trembling with rage. “You think this makes you a hero, Daddy? Arrestin’ an unarmed man in front of your daughter?”

Clyde pauses in the doorway. “No, baby girl. This makes me the sheriff.”

And then they’re gone.

The room goes quiet. 

“So, what now?” Charlie asks.

Dollie turns around, looking defeated. “I don’t know Charlie.”

Charlie stays with Dollie for most of the day. She cries - a lot - until Charlie is struck with a plan.

“There’s a trapdoor under the floorboards in the jail,” Charlie says, leaning into Dollie. “The tunnel goes all the way out to the General Store. I used it once back when your daddy was still a deputy.”

Dollie stares at him. “Is it still usable?”

“Should be,” Charlie says. “They sealed it up, far as I know. Just covered it up with some old boards. Your daddy probably forgot it exists.”

Something sparks in Dollie - hope. She has a chance to get John out of this predicament and save his life - and her father’s.

“We could sneak in at night,” Charlie says. “George don’t stay the night and your father will be sleepin’. I’ll go through the tunnel and get John, while you stay at the other end with one of my horses. Then…” Charlie trails off, looking a bit guilty.

“Then, what?” Dollie presses.

“Well, then he’s goin’ to have to get out of here, Dollie,” Charlie says, looking at her with sad eyes. “He can’t stay in town.”

Dollie looks down at her feet. 

“I know, Charlie,” she says. “But I don’t want him gone. I want him here. With me.”

Charlie sighs, stepping closer to Dollie. “This is the only way. John needs to leave town.”

“Let me go through the tunnel to get him,” Dollie says.

“Dollie…”

“Please, Charlie,” Dollie says. “I need to see him one last time.”

Later that night, Dollie meets Charlie behind the General Store. He brings his horse, Patsy. She’s got a beautiful, brown coat and a black mane. Dollie pets her as she neighs affectionately.

“Alright,” Charlie says, he approaches the wall and taps his foot on the ground. “The hatch should be around here somewhere.”

He taps his foot around some more before finding a hollow spot. He bends down to brush away some loose hay to reveal a hatch. He yanks it up to reveal steps leading down into a tunnel.

“Woah,” Dollie gasps.

Charlie turns around to look at her. “You know the plan,” he says. “You’ll go and get John and then bring him back here so he can make his escape.”

“Yup,” Dollie says. She stares at the steps for a while, debating if she truly wants to do this. 

Charlie notices the hesitation on her face. “You alright?” he asks.

“Yeah,” Dollie says. “Sorry, I’m just a little nervous. Feels like I’m goin’ down there just to say goodbye.”

Charlie’s gaze softens. “You are, but it’s better than watchin’ him die at noon.”

Dollie sighs. She knows he’s right. It’s better for John to get away knowing he’s alive rather than him stay and he dies. But she’s afraid she might never see him again and she doesn’t want that.

“You’re right,” Dollie says. 

With that, Charlie hands her a lantern as she steps down into the tunnel and makes her way through. The tunnel is shabby, the walls and floor cracked in some places. The air around her feels thick and damp.

She doesn’t know what she’s going to say when she sees him. Or how she’s going to walk away when she already feels like she’s leaving herself behind with every step.

She walks through it for what feels like forever before finding a trapdoor at the end of the tunnel. She sets down the lantern and uses all her strength to open it, trying not to make any sound.

The trapdoor softly creaks as it opens and she sees John sitting on a cot, staring at the floor with his head in his hands.

“John,” Dollie whispers.

His head snaps up and his gaze meets hers. “Dollie?”

She pushes the trapdoor up more and pulls herself up to stand in the cell. John immediately rushes to her and tightly wraps his arms around her.

“What’re you doin’ here?” he asks, his voice soft.

“Gettin’ you out of here,” Dollie whispers. “There’s a tunnel. Charlie helped me.”

John exhales through his nose, half a laugh, half a sigh. “‘Course he did.”

They stand there for a moment, wrapped in each other. He smells like smoke and iron and dust, and she wants to breathe him in until she forgets what it’s like to be alone.

“You’re not stayin’, are you?” she asks quietly.

John pulls back just enough to look at her, and the answer’s already in his eyes.

“I can’t, Dollie. Your daddy won’t stop ‘til one of us is six feet under.”

“I know,” she says. “I hate it.”

He brushes his thumb across her cheek. “You didn’t have to do this.”

“I had to,” she says.

He leans in and kisses her - slow, full of everything he can’t say out loud. It’s the kind of kiss that tastes like goodbye and something worth fighting for all at once.

When they part, he rests his forehead against hers. “I love you, Dollie Sheppard.”

She stills.

“I love you too, Jonathan Schlatt,” Dollie says.

And she means it. Sure, she’s only known the guy for a few days, but it feels like she’s known him for a lifetime. She feels like she knows him better than she does anyone else.

“Come on,” she says softly. “We gotta go.”

She lowers herself back into the tunnel and John follows close behind. 

They barely speak as they follow the tunnel out. Speaking feels too final - like it really is a goodbye. Like they both know that they’ll never see each other again. Like there’s no hope.

Eventually, they reach the end of the tunnel.

“Finally,” Charlie sighs. “I was beginning to worry that you got caught.”

“Luckily, we didn’t,” Dollie says.

“Well, John,” Charlie says. “This here is Patsy. She’s one of my horses. You can use her to get out of town.”

“Thank you, Charlie,” John says, walking over to pet her.

He looks back at Dollie, who’s standing a few feet away, holding back tears. He pulls her into another hug and puts a hand on the back of her head. 

“I’ll come back for you,” he says quietly, kissing her forehead. “I promise.”

She looks up at him, a tear rolls down her cheek. John reaches a hand to caress her cheek, wiping away her tears. 

“I’ll wait,” Dollie whispers.

He doesn’t say when, doesn’t make empty promises about how soon. Just gives her that look - like she’s the only thing anchoring him to this earth. Like walking away might kill him more than any bullet ever could.

“I don’t want to let you go,” she says.

“I know,” he says, brushing her hair back behind her ear. “But if I stay, he’ll win. And I ain’t lettin’ your daddy be the reason you bury another man you care about.”

That one hits deep. Dollie swallows hard and nods.

Charlie clears his throat softly in the background - he’s trying to give them space, but time’s running short. They all know it.

John steps toward Patsy, gives her a pat on the neck before putting one foot in the stirrup and swinging himself into the saddle. He’s silhouetted against the night, tall and dark and unshakable like the legends say he is, but Dollie knows better. She’s seen the man underneath the myth.

He pulls on the reins, then looks down at her one last time.

“You keep that saloon runnin’, y’hear?” he says, forcing a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “And don’t let your daddy sell it out from under you.”

“I won’t,” she says. “I’ll keep a bottle of whiskey behind the bar with your name on it. Just in case.”

John gives her a final nod, then turns Patsy toward the dark stretch of open land beyond the general store. The hooves clatter quietly at first, then fade into nothing but wind and memory.

Dollie stands there long after he’s gone, her arms wrapped around herself like she’s trying to hold something in that’s already slipping away.

Charlie steps beside her. “You alright?”

She nods, but her voice comes out barely above a whisper. “I will be.”

Years later, Dollie will be tending to the bar. A polished-looking man will waltz into her saloon. She’ll recognize him by his eyes and his tamed mutton chops

He’ll walk up to her bar and take a seat. He’ll tell her he’s a changed man - dropped the cowboy life and became a banker. He’ll tell her he’s looking for work. He already talked to her dad and he reluctantly agreed to let him stay in town, but if he causes any trouble, he’s gone.

She’ll drop a glass on the floor out of shock of her father’s kindness, causing it to shatter. 

He’ll help her clean it up and pull her into a long awaited hug. Then, he’ll ask if she’s married.

She’ll say no - she waited years to be back in his arms. Her father tried to marry her off a few times but she always found a way to get out of it.

He’ll ask for her hand in marriage. 

She’ll say yes as long as her daddy approves.

He’ll tell her he already asked and he said yes.

They’ll marry and live together in a small cottage just outside town. Dollie will keep tending to the saloon. John will get a job in town as a banker. And they will finally be happy together.

Previous Part

COWBOY SCHLATT SMUT IS HERE 🙏

Big Bad John [Part 3] - Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy

1,487 words Summary: Cowboy!Schlatt x original character. What the title says. NSFW / MDNI A/N: The smut took me forever to write. I’m no good at smut so if it’s bad, I’m sorry.

[Part 1] [Part 2]

Divider: elleisdesigning

“And I was going, just about as far as she'd let me go

But her evaluation of my cowboy reputation

Had me begging for salvation all night long”

“Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” by Big & Rich

Dollie lays in her bed, staring at the ceiling. The scene of John kissing her replays in her head. 

After the kiss, their conversation continued a bit before John called it a night and they returned to their rooms.

She's restless, constantly shifting positions to get comfortable, but to no avail. 

Finally, she gets up and goes into the hallway. A soft light coming from the kitchen casts shadows on the walls. Dollie turns the corner to see John sitting at her kitchen table, drinking out of a glass of water. 

“Couldn't sleep?” John asks as Dollie enters the room. 

“No,” Dollie says. “Kept tossin’ and turnin’. You?”

“Same,” John says. 

Dollie crosses over to her cabinets to grab a cup and fill it with water. She turns around to look at John as she leans against the counter. 

The two are silent for a moment. The tension of their kiss from earlier still twists in the air. She can still feel his lips on hers, the warmth of his hands still lingering on her skin. 

She knows he feels it, too - the ghost of the kiss shared between them, lingering in the silence.

John leans back in his chair, looking at Dollie. “So, that kiss,” he says. “You regret it?”

Dollie exhales, taking a sip of water before setting her cup down on the counter. “Do you?”

“No,” John says, sighing. “But I wonder if you should.”

Dollie cocks her head, a confused look on her face. “Why’s that?”

John looks away, shaking his head. “I ain’t a good man, Dollie,” he says. “I got a past full of trouble.”

“I ain’t askin’ you to be a saint, John,” Dollie says.

He looks back at her. “You should.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Dollie studies John for a moment - his hands make fists at his side and his jaw is clenched.

She scoffs. “You think I ain’t been hurt before?”

“Not the way I mean,” John says.

She walks over to the table, placing her hand on the table in front of him and leaning over him. “You keep talkin’ like you got some kinda say in what I do, John. Like you get to decide what’s best for me.”

His gaze flickers at her. “Maybe I ain’t got no say,” he says. “But that ain’t stoppin’ me from carin’.”

Dollie stills at that. He said it so simply. Like she hadn’t heard that from men like him - men who come and go and don’t leave much behind but their shadows. 

She watches him, how he won’t quite meet her gaze, like he’s waiting for her to call him a liar. But she doesn’t.

Instead, she takes another step closer, standing between his knees.

“John,” she says, her voice a little softer now. “You really think I’m scared of a bit of trouble?”

John finally looks into her eyes, his lip twitching slightly, like he wants to smile, but won’t let himself. “Ain’t a little trouble I’m talkin’ ‘bout.”

Dollie tilts her head, resting her hands on his shoulders. “Maybe I don’t care.”

John exhales slowly, his hands making their way to her waist. “You should,” he murmurs, but there’s no longer any weight behind his words.

Dollie smirks. “You keep sayin’ that, but you ain’t exactly pushin’ me away.”

John chuckles. “I’m not,” he says.

A quiet moment passes between them and John pulls her in a bit closer.

Dollie’s fingers travel along his jaw, tracing patterns in his thick mutton chops. “You gonna kiss me again, cowboy?”

John doesn’t respond - at least not with words.

He reaches up to cup her cheek, pulling her toward him. Their lips meet in a slow, deliberate kiss like they know they shouldn’t be doing this but can’t bring themselves to stop.

Dollie sighs into his lips, her fingers tightening against the fabric of his shirt as he deepens the kiss. His other hand slides up her back, holding her in place as if she’ll slip away.

“Dollie,” John breathes. 

“Yes, John?” Dollie asks, pulling away from his mouth.

John looks her up and down. “Can we please go to my room?”

Dollie nods.

John moves quickly to scoop Dollie off her feet bridal-style. Dollie giggles as he carries her to his room, nudging the door open with his boot and gently setting her down on the bed. But there’s nothing gentle about the way his lips find hers again - desperate, urgent. 

His hands roam her body with reverence and hunger, like he’s trying to memorize her by touch alone. 

“Dollie,” he breathes as he kisses down her jaw and neck. “You don’t know what you’re doin’ to me.”

Dollie laces her fingers into his hair, pulling him back up to her lips. “Then show me.”

That’s all he needs.

John smirks. He slips off her nightgown, tossing it away as he pushes her back against the mattress, his weight pressing into the creaky bed. He starts to unbutton his shirt while Dollie fumbles with his belt buckle.

He pulls off his shirt and tosses it to the floor, revealing a body marked by a life on the run - scarred, tanned, and worn in the only way real cowboys are. He then helps Dollie with the belt buckle before throwing his belt across the room and pulling off his jeans and boots. 

Dollie looks up at the man in front of her, admiring him.

John chuckles, noticing her stare. “Ain’t much to look at, I’m afraid,” he says.

“You’re beautiful,” Dollie says. And she means it. Every inch of him is something she wants to explore - to cherish.

John moves to press his weight into the bed once more. “You’re killin’ me,” he says, half in awe, half in agony. “I ain’t ever wanted somethin’ like I want you.”

Their lips crash into each other again. John’s hands rub tiny circles into Dollie’s hip.

Dollie slips a finger into the waistband of John’s boxers. “Take these off,” she breathes.

He does as she tells him, his hard cock bobbing up as he does so. His hands slide down her body to do the same to her.

When their lips meet once more, there's a beat of stillness. No bravado, no games. Just John and Dollie together as if it was always meant to be that way. 

John lines up with her entrance and thrusts into her. Dollie gasps at the feeling of him filling her up. 

When he moves inside her, it's slow and deliberate - like he's savoring each second, like this may be the only time they do this. His breath stutters against her neck as he rocks into her. 

“God, Dollie,” he moans. “I ain't gonna last.”

“You don't have to,” Dollie says. “Just stay with me.”

And he does. Every touch, every kiss, every gasp is full of the kind of need that borders on devotion. 

They move together as if they've done this hundred times before in a dream. Like fate brought John into the saloon for them to find each other. 

John gives his last few thrusts through both of their climaxes, pulling out and laying down next to Dollie. He places his head on her chest. Dollie moves a hand to his head, scratching it gently. 

The room is quiet except for the sounds of their quiet breathing - slow and uneven as if they're trying to come back to earth. 

Eventually, they both drift off to sleep, wrapped up in each other's arms. 

The next morning, the sound of frantic knocking wakes up Dollie. She pushes John off of her, quickly slips her clothes back on, and gets up to walk over to her door. 

She opens the door and Charlie comes stumbling in - his eyes wide and body trembling. 

“Charlie, what is it?” Dollie asks, reaching out to steady him. 

“Your father,” he gasps, catching his breath. “He uh - he found out about John stayin’ here. He's not happy about it. Says he's on his way.”

“Shit,” Dollie breathes. “Shit, shit shit.”

She rushes over to John's room to wake him. 

“John, you need to leave,” she says. 

John sits up, trying to gather his clothes and groggily puts them on. “Why? Was last night that bad?” he asks, chuckling a bit. 

Dollie stares at him. If she wasn't so terrified of her father, maybe she'd laugh too. “It was amazing, John. But seriously, you need to get out. My father found out that you're here.”

John's eyes widen, he starts to move faster, trying to get his clothes on. 

But it's not enough. 

When Dollie opens the door to let John leave, her dad is standing on the other side. 

Previous Part

Big Bad John [Part 3] - Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy

1,487 words Summary: Cowboy!Schlatt x original character. What the title says. NSFW / MDNI A/N: The smut took me forever to write. I’m no good at smut so if it’s bad, I’m sorry.

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 4]

Divider: elleisdesigning

“And I was going, just about as far as she'd let me go

But her evaluation of my cowboy reputation

Had me begging for salvation all night long”

“Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” by Big & Rich

Dollie lays in her bed, staring at the ceiling. The scene of John kissing her replays in her head. 

After the kiss, their conversation continued a bit before John called it a night and they returned to their rooms.

She's restless, constantly shifting positions to get comfortable, but to no avail. 

Finally, she gets up and goes into the hallway. A soft light coming from the kitchen casts shadows on the walls. Dollie turns the corner to see John sitting at her kitchen table, drinking out of a glass of water. 

“Couldn't sleep?” John asks as Dollie enters the room. 

“No,” Dollie says. “Kept tossin’ and turnin’. You?”

“Same,” John says. 

Dollie crosses over to her cabinets to grab a cup and fill it with water. She turns around to look at John as she leans against the counter. 

The two are silent for a moment. The tension of their kiss from earlier still twists in the air. She can still feel his lips on hers, the warmth of his hands still lingering on her skin. 

She knows he feels it, too - the ghost of the kiss shared between them, lingering in the silence.

John leans back in his chair, looking at Dollie. “So, that kiss,” he says. “You regret it?”

Dollie exhales, taking a sip of water before setting her cup down on the counter. “Do you?”

“No,” John says, sighing. “But I wonder if you should.”

Dollie cocks her head, a confused look on her face. “Why’s that?”

John looks away, shaking his head. “I ain’t a good man, Dollie,” he says. “I got a past full of trouble.”

“I ain’t askin’ you to be a saint, John,” Dollie says.

He looks back at her. “You should.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Dollie studies John for a moment - his hands make fists at his side and his jaw is clenched.

She scoffs. “You think I ain’t been hurt before?”

“Not the way I mean,” John says.

She walks over to the table, placing her hand on the table in front of him and leaning over him. “You keep talkin’ like you got some kinda say in what I do, John. Like you get to decide what’s best for me.”

His gaze flickers at her. “Maybe I ain’t got no say,” he says. “But that ain’t stoppin’ me from carin’.”

Dollie stills at that. He said it so simply. Like she hadn’t heard that from men like him - men who come and go and don’t leave much behind but their shadows. 

She watches him, how he won’t quite meet her gaze, like he’s waiting for her to call him a liar. But she doesn’t.

Instead, she takes another step closer, standing between his knees.

“John,” she says, her voice a little softer now. “You really think I’m scared of a bit of trouble?”

John finally looks into her eyes, his lip twitching slightly, like he wants to smile, but won’t let himself. “Ain’t a little trouble I’m talkin’ ‘bout.”

Dollie tilts her head, resting her hands on his shoulders. “Maybe I don’t care.”

John exhales slowly, his hands making their way to her waist. “You should,” he murmurs, but there’s no longer any weight behind his words.

Dollie smirks. “You keep sayin’ that, but you ain’t exactly pushin’ me away.”

John chuckles. “I’m not,” he says.

A quiet moment passes between them and John pulls her in a bit closer.

Dollie’s fingers travel along his jaw, tracing patterns in his thick mutton chops. “You gonna kiss me again, cowboy?”

John doesn’t respond - at least not with words.

He reaches up to cup her cheek, pulling her toward him. Their lips meet in a slow, deliberate kiss like they know they shouldn’t be doing this but can’t bring themselves to stop.

Dollie sighs into his lips, her fingers tightening against the fabric of his shirt as he deepens the kiss. His other hand slides up her back, holding her in place as if she’ll slip away.

“Dollie,” John breathes. 

“Yes, John?” Dollie asks, pulling away from his mouth.

John looks her up and down. “Can we please go to my room?”

Dollie nods.

John moves quickly to scoop Dollie off her feet bridal-style. Dollie giggles as he carries her to his room, nudging the door open with his boot and gently setting her down on the bed. But there’s nothing gentle about the way his lips find hers again - desperate, urgent. 

His hands roam her body with reverence and hunger, like he’s trying to memorize her by touch alone. 

“Dollie,” he breathes as he kisses down her jaw and neck. “You don’t know what you’re doin’ to me.”

Dollie laces her fingers into his hair, pulling him back up to her lips. “Then show me.”

That’s all he needs.

John smirks. He slips off her nightgown, tossing it away as he pushes her back against the mattress, his weight pressing into the creaky bed. He starts to unbutton his shirt while Dollie fumbles with his belt buckle.

He pulls off his shirt and tosses it to the floor, revealing a body marked by a life on the run - scarred, tanned, and worn in the only way real cowboys are. He then helps Dollie with the belt buckle before throwing his belt across the room and pulling off his jeans and boots. 

Dollie looks up at the man in front of her, admiring him.

John chuckles, noticing her stare. “Ain’t much to look at, I’m afraid,” he says.

“You’re beautiful,” Dollie says. And she means it. Every inch of him is something she wants to explore - to cherish.

John moves to press his weight into the bed once more. “You’re killin’ me,” he says, half in awe, half in agony. “I ain’t ever wanted somethin’ like I want you.”

Their lips crash into each other again. John’s hands rub tiny circles into Dollie’s hip.

Dollie slips a finger into the waistband of John’s boxers. “Take these off,” she breathes.

He does as she tells him, his hard cock bobbing up as he does so. His hands slide down her body to do the same to her.

When their lips meet once more, there's a beat of stillness. No bravado, no games. Just John and Dollie together as if it was always meant to be that way. 

John lines up with her entrance and thrusts into her. Dollie gasps at the feeling of him filling her up. 

When he moves inside her, it's slow and deliberate - like he's savoring each second, like this may be the only time they do this. His breath stutters against her neck as he rocks into her. 

“God, Dollie,” he moans. “I ain't gonna last.”

“You don't have to,” Dollie says. “Just stay with me.”

And he does. Every touch, every kiss, every gasp is full of the kind of need that borders on devotion. 

They move together as if they've done this hundred times before in a dream. Like fate brought John into the saloon for them to find each other. 

John gives his last few thrusts through both of their climaxes, pulling out and laying down next to Dollie. He places his head on her chest. Dollie moves a hand to his head, scratching it gently. 

The room is quiet except for the sounds of their quiet breathing - slow and uneven as if they're trying to come back to earth. 

Eventually, they both drift off to sleep, wrapped up in each other's arms. 

The next morning, the sound of frantic knocking wakes up Dollie. She pushes John off of her, quickly slips her clothes back on, and gets up to walk over to her door. 

She opens the door and Charlie comes stumbling in - his eyes wide and body trembling. 

“Charlie, what is it?” Dollie asks, reaching out to steady him. 

“Your father,” he gasps, catching his breath. “He uh - he found out about John stayin’ here. He's not happy about it. Says he's on his way.”

“Shit,” Dollie breathes. “Shit, shit shit.”

She rushes over to John's room to wake him. 

“John, you need to leave,” she says. 

John sits up, trying to gather his clothes and groggily puts them on. “Why? Was last night that bad?” he asks, chuckling a bit. 

Dollie stares at him. If she wasn't so terrified of her father, maybe she'd laugh too. “It was amazing, John. But seriously, you need to get out. My father found out that you're here.”

John's eyes widen, he starts to move faster, trying to get his clothes on. 

But it's not enough. 

When Dollie opens the door to let John leave, her dad is standing on the other side. 

Previous Part - Next Part

A couple of things I'd like to share:

I changed my username! I was previously known as daredevils-toe, but no longer.

Asks/requests are open! Please check my pinned post for guidelines.

Masterlist!

Fluff - ❀ | Angst - ✮ | Smut - ❥

Jschlatt

Series ೃ⁀➷

midnight. you come and pick me up, no headlights. (ao3) ❀✮❥ Almost, Maybe ❀✮ Big Bad John ❀✮❥

Readers ೃ⁀➷

tattooed!reader Supercut (COMING SOON)

Dividers: thecutestgrotto

Almost, Maybe

Summary: Fem!reader x teen!Schlatt. You’ve had a crush on Jay since you were twelve, unsure if he feels the same. Inspired by The Summer I Turned Pretty. 

Part 1 ❀✮ | Part 2 ❀✮ | Part 3 ❀✮

Divider: dialilimoon

Big Bad John [Part 2] - Cowboy Like Me

1,415 words Summary: Cowboy!Schlatt x original character. Dollie and John get to know each other a bit more. A/N: Sat my ass down and managed to write this chapter in about three hours. 💪

[Part 1] [Part 3] [Part 4]

Divider: elleisdesigning

“You're a bandit like me

Eyes full of stars

Hustling for the good life

Never thought I'd meet you here

It could be love

We could be the way forward

And I know I'll pay for it”

“cowboy like me” by Taylor Swift

Dollie leads John upstairs and shows him her spare room. It’s not much - quite small, the wallpaper is tattered and coming off the wall in some places, the furniture is quite old, and the bed squeaks when you sit on it. But it’s a place to sleep.

“Well, here’s my spare room,” Dollie says.

John grunts in response. He walks into the room, looking around before sitting on the bed with a loud squeak.

“My room is just down the hall,” Dollie says. “If you need anything just holler.”

“You got any spare clothes?” John asks.

Dollie juts her head toward the wardrobe in the room. “Should be some clothes in there, but don’t count on it. I don’t get visitors a whole lot.”

John nods. “Alright, thank you,” he says.

“Don’t mention it,” Dollie says before shutting the door and walking to her room.

Dollie lay awake that night, her mind restless as she thought about John. He wasn’t what she expected. Not at all. The stories painted him as some ruthless outlaw, a gunslinger with blood on his hands, but the man sitting in her saloon tonight had been quiet, almost careful. There was something in his eyes - something thoughtful, something tired.

Her father wouldn’t see that, though. He was the sheriff, and to him, an outlaw was an outlaw. If he found out she had given John a place to stay, there’d be hell to pay.

The next day, Dollie gets up bright and early to open the saloon. She makes a quick breakfast for herself and leaves some out for John when he wakes up. 

She goes downstairs into the saloon and does her normal opening tasks before her first customer walks in.

John finally joins her about midday. The folks in the saloon give him wary glances as he walks up to the bar.

“You heading out?” Dollie asks.

John sits down at the bar and looks up at her. “Think I’ll stick around for a few more days if that’s alright.”

“‘Course,” Dollie says. “My saloon is always open to ya, John.”

John smiles. “Good to hear,” he says. 

“Can I get ya anything to drink?” she asks.

“Just a whiskey.”

“You bet.”

Dollie pours him a drink and goes back to serving other customers. 

She’s not sure how much time has passed, but eventually the sun starts to set. Golden rays of light pour in through the saloon’s windows. 

Just as she’s about to start polishing glasses, a group of three men burst into her saloon. They all wear similar tattered clothes and each wear a cowboy hat. She doesn’t recognize them, but she gets plenty of folks she doesn’t recognize in her saloon all the time.

“How can I help you, boys?” Dollie asks.

“We heard Big Bad John’s in town,” one man says. “Heard he might be here. Just wanted to pay him a visit.”

By the way the man is looking at her and how he said John’s name, Dollie isn’t sure these guys are looking for a friendly chat. But before she can say anything, John gets up and approaches them.

“That would be me,” John says. “What can I do you for?”

“Well, you see,” says another man. “We caught wind of you passin’ through town. You killed our brother a couple years ago. We’ve come to get payback.”

John looks like he’s sizing the three men up. He’s studying them intently, planning his next move. She notices a flicker of something dangerous in his eyes. 

Dollie doesn’t like it.

Silence settles in the saloon - thick, heavy. Some patrons back away, some leave entirely. Dollie herself isn’t sure what to do. 

One man shifts on his feet, his hand moving toward his holster.

John takes notice. “Now, I don’t want any trouble,” he says, putting his hands up. “If you boys are smart, you’ll walk away.”

“Is that so?” the man who spoke first - likely the leader - asks. “Funny. Last I heard, Big Bad John doesn’t walk away from no fight.”

Before John can respond, Dollie slams her hand down on the table with a loud thud. The men look at her. 

She shakes her finger at the leader. “That’s enough,” she says. “I don’t care what unfinished business y’all think you got, but it ain’t gettin’ settled under my roof.”

“This ain’t your fight, lady,” the leader sneers.

“It sure is when it’s happening in my saloon,” Dollie retorts. “Now, unless you boys are lookin’ for a drink, I suggest you run along.”

The man who had been reaching for his gun scoffs. “You think you can just send us packin’?” he asks.

“I don’t think,” Dollie says. “I know. This is my saloon. You start trouble, I promise you won’t like how it ends.”

The leader scoffs and juts his chin toward the door. “Let’s go,” he says. “But this ain’t over.”

“It is for now,” Dollie says.

The men make their way toward the door, glaring at Dollie as they do so. She watches them leave and listens as the sounds of their heavy boots get quieter and quieter. 

After a few moments, the saloon goes back to its normal hum of conversation. 

Dollie turns back to John who has returned to his seat at the bar. “You sure do know how to attract trouble,” she says.

John smirks, taking a sip of his whiskey. “Not my fault folks don’t know when to let things go.”

She rolls her eyes. “Next time, don’t bring it into my saloon.”

Later that night, Dollie and John stand on Dollie’s balcony, sharing a cigarette. The cool night air feels good on her face and she can just barely see John in the moonlight.

They sit quietly for awhile, just taking turns with the cigarette.

“So, Dollie,” John starts. “How’d you get to own the saloon?”

“Grandpa owned it before me,” she says. “I practically grew up in the saloon. Mom died when I was quite young and dad didn’t know what else to do with me while he was working, so he’d dump me here durin’ the day. Grandpa taught me how to tend the bar when I was about eleven. He taught me everything I know. After he passed, I inherited the saloon. Been runnin’ it by myself ever since.”

“Sorry about your grandfather,” John says.

“Don’t be,” Dollie says, taking a drag of the cigarette before handing it to John. “It happened a while ago.”

The two are quiet for a moment, taking in the night breeze.

“What does your dad do?” John asks, breaking the silence.

Dollie chuckles a bit. “He’s the sheriff, actually.”

She looks over at John - even in the dark, she can see his eyes go wide. 

“He doesn’t know you’re here,” Dollie says. “My dad and I… we ain’t on the best of terms. He don’t approve of me runnin’ the saloon. In fact, he wanted to sell it after grandpa died, but legally, it’s mine. Now, Dad’s set on marrying me off to some guy and convincing him to sell the saloon. But he ain’t found anyone to marry me yet.”

John nods, not adding anything.

“How’d you get into the cowboy life?” Dollie asks.

John exhales, watching the smoke swirl into the night air. “Didn’t have much of a choice. My old man worked cattle. Taught me how to ride and shoot. Figured out real quick that life ain’t always fair. You either get tough or get left behind.”

Dollie studies what she can see of him for a moment, seeing something deeper in his words. “That why you left? To find something better?”

John smiles softly. “Something like that.”

Dollie leans on the railing, very aware of the way John’s side presses against hers. “You ever think of leavin’ the cowboy life behind?” she asks.

John turns his head, his gaze meeting hers in the moonlight. “Some days,” he says.

Neither of them says anything for a moment. The air feels heavier, charged with something neither of them are quite ready to name. 

Without thinking, Dollie shifts closer. John hesitates for only a second and leaning in to press a soft kiss to her lips. The kiss is slow and tentative, almost like they’re feeling this out, trying to figure out what the other is thinking.

When they pull apart, John chuckles. “I didn’t see that comin’,” he says.

“Me neither,” Dollie says, smirking. But she definitely doesn’t regret it.

Previous Part - Next Part

Big Bad John [Part 1] - The Devil Went Down to Georgia

1,040 words Summary: Cowboy!Schlatt x original character. Dollie gets an unexpected guest in her saloon. A/N: Brain worms got me. 😔✊

[Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4]

Divider: elleisdesigning

“Nobody seemed to know where John called home

He just drifted into town and stayed all alone

He didn't say much, he kinda quiet and shy

And if you spoke at all, he just said, "Hi" to Big John"

“Big Bad John” by Jimmy Dean

In the old town of Ghostridge, Georgia, nothing ever really happened for someone like Dollie Sheppard. She ran the town's saloon after her grandfather died. Most of her days were spent pouring drinks and dealing with the occasional rowdy drunkard. Folks passed through her saloon all the time telling stories about outlaws, shootouts, and menacing figures that haunted the West like ghosts. But in the quiet town of Ghostridge, Dollie didn’t witness any of that herself.

There was one outlaw in particular that Dollie heard the name of a lot: Jonathan Schlatt. Most folks called him “Big Bad John.” He was the kind of legend that made men shiver and women clutch their children a little tighter.

They say he comes into town dressed in all black, his gun visible at his side. Some even claim he’s killed several people, but no one ever says the same number - it’s always either two, five, or even thirty.

Dollie doesn’t believe in fairytales, and sure as hell doesn’t believe in ghost stories. Hell, she’s not sure “Big Bad John” even exists. Folks come into her saloon spouting phony make-believe over a glass of whiskey all the time. 

That was, until he walked right into her saloon.

One moment, she’s standing behind the bar, polishing glasses while making small talk with Ol’ Charlie. The next, the doors to her saloon fly open and a man scrambles in, his eyes wide and full of terror.

“It’s him! It’s Big Bad John!” the man shouts.

Panic spread through the saloon like wildfire. Chairs scrape against the floor as men try to hide under tables. A few darted for the exit, practically tripping over themselves in their haste. The only ones who didn’t move were Dollie and Charlie.

Dollie scoffed, arms crossed over her chest. “Y’all really believe that nonsense?” she asks. 

No one said a word. 

Then, she heard it. Heavy boots against the wooden planks of the saloon floor. Slow. Deliberate. The kind of footsteps that belonged to a man who wasn’t in a rush, because he didn’t need to be.

Dollie lifted her gaze as the man entered her saloon.

He was tall, at least a foot taller than her, and built like a man who’d spent his years taming the land rather than letting it tame him. Dressed in dark jeans, a belt with a large silver buckle, and a maroon button-up beneath a black vest, he carried himself with the kind of ease that only came with experience. A long black leather coat hung from his shoulders, dust clinging to the edges like he’d ridden through hell and back to get here. A black cowboy hat cast a shadow over his face, but when he stepped fully into the light, Dollie caught sight of sharp brown eyes and neatly trimmed mutton chops.

Something about his demeanor makes Dollie freeze for a moment.  Was this actually Big Bad John? He looked dangerous. But not in the way people had described. He wasn’t the monster they had painted in their stories - he was something else entirely.

She stood behind the bar, watching him closely as he made his way to the bar and sat down. He reaches for his hat, taking it off and setting it on the counter. 

“What can I get for ya?” Dollie asks.

The man looks up at Dollie. She feels captivated by his good looks.

“Whiskey, neat,” he says.

“Coming right up,” she says, reaching for a glass and pouring the man a whiskey. She slides the glass across the counter to him. “There you are. Enjoy.” She smiles at him.

Dollie goes back to polishing glasses and speaking to Charlie. Slowly, the other saloon patrons go back to whatever they were doing before this mysterious cowboy entered the saloon.

“Can I get another?” The cowboy asks. 

Dollie pours him another. “So, cowboy, where ya from?” she asks. 

“All over,” he says. 

Dollie nods, not pressing. “And your name?” she asks. 

“That a habit of yours? Getting to know every man who walks through that door?” 

Dollie looks him in the eye. “Just want to get to know who’s sitting in my saloon,” she says. 

“Your saloon?” he asks. “You run this place?”

“Indeed, I do,” she says. “Now, are you going to tell me your name or what?”

He takes a long sip of his whiskey. “Jonathan Schlatt,” he says. “But most call me John.”

“Like Big Bad John?” Charlie pipes up.

John chuckles. “Yes, like Big Bad John - if that's what they're calling me,” he says. 

“Well, welcome to my saloon,” Dollie says. “If you don’t mind me saying, you don’t seem so big and bad to me.”

John chuckles. “Is that so?”

“If I believed all the stories, I’d be shaking in my boots right now,” Dollie says. “But you’re just another man looking for a drink, huh?”

John lets out a low chuckle. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m just waiting for the right time to prove ‘em right.”

Dollie doesn’t flinch. “If you were going to prove ‘em right, I figured you would’ve done it by now.”

John smiles. “Smart lady.”

Charlie let out a laugh. “I like this one, Dollie. Seems like he’s got some sense.”

John tipped his glass toward the man. “I try.”

Dollie leaned forward, placing her elbows on the bar. “So, tell me, John. How does a man get a reputation like yours?”

John exhales. “People like to talk. Sometimes a story is better than the truth.”

She considers this. “I get that,” she says.

The three of them - Dollie, John, and Charlie - talk until Dollie closes the saloon. Charlie eventually heads out, but John stays.

“So, where can a man get a place to sleep around here?” he asks.

“Well, there is an inn down the road, but they may not let you in. Not too many folks like ‘Big Bad John’ around here,” she chuckles.

John chuckles as well. “I guess that’s true.”

The two are quiet for a moment before Dollie gets an idea.

“You know,” she says. “You could stay here. I live above the saloon. There’s a spare room.”

“That would be nice,” John says. 

“Alright, follow me, then,” Dollie says before leading John upstairs.

Next Part

I just finished a particularly long Schlatt fic on ao3. 18 chapters. 35k words.

midnight. you come and pick me up no headlights.

Summary: Nora Parker is a content creator who makes cooking videos. She meets Schlatt at a party, and he pisses her off. He agrees to do a cooking stream with her to make up for it.

Almost, Maybe [Part 3]

902 words Summary: Fem!reader x teen!Schlatt. You’ve had a crush on Jay since you were twelve, unsure if he feels the same. Inspired by The Summer I Turned Pretty.  A/N: Last part. Part 1 - Part 2

Divider: dialilimoon

At breakfast the next morning, all you can think of is Jay. 

You feel like you’re stuck. The tension between you and Jay has been building up all summer and it’s getting unbearable. Every longing glance, every lingering touch leaves you wanting more.

And last night, Jay had said it. He admitted it. And then Drew had to come along and ruin it.

“So, what happened between you and Jay last night?” Robin asks as you sit down on your bed after breakfast. 

“Nothing,” you mutter.

She snorts. “Bullshit.”

“Wait, did something actually happen?” Maggie asks, sitting on her bed.

“Well, he - we - confessed our feelings for each other,” you say.

“And?” Robin asks.

“That’s it.”

“You didn’t kiss?” Maggie asks.

“No,” you sigh, laying back on your bed. “Drew interrupted us before anything could happen and then I kind of… ran away.”

“You ran away?” Robin asks. “No wonder he was acting so weird at breakfast.”

“You have to go talk to him,” Maggie says.

“Yeah I will,” you say. “Eventually.”

Later that day Gabe and Drew suggest a boat ride.

So, you put on a swimsuit, grab a towel, and make your way to the dock. 

Jay is already there, wearing a t-shirt and swim trunks, his hair messy from he wind. Your stomach flips. 

The boat ride starts normal - Maggie and Robin fighting over music, Gabe driving the boat too fast, and Drew leaning back in his seat with his sunglasses on looking unbothered.

Then, the boat stalls. 

“Shit,” Gabe mutters, fiddling with the motor. “We might be here for a bit.”

“Well,” Robin says, stretching, “guess we’ll have to swim to pass the time.”

One by one, everyone jumps into the lake - except you, Drew, and Jay.

You and Jay are sitting on opposite ends of the boat, avoiding each other.

It’s ridiculous. You know it. And apparently, so does Drew.

Because suddenly, he stands, stretches, and says, “Hey, Y/N, why don’t you and Jay go check the storage compartment for extra towels?”

You narrow your eyes. “Why?”

He smirks. You immediately don’t trust him.

“I don’t know. Just in case we’re stranded out here for a while.”

Jay exhales sharply but stands. “Fine,” he mutters.

You follow him below deck, where the small enclosed storage area is dimly lit.

Jay kneels, checking the compartment. You stand awkwardly beside him, arms crossed.

The silence is excruciating.

Finally, he sighs. “So, are we gonna talk about it?”

Your throat tightens. “About what?”

Jay gives you a look. “Really?”

You shift on your feet. “I mean… what’s there to say?”

Jay lets out a dry laugh, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know, maybe the fact that I told you I liked you and then you just—ran off.”

You flinch. “I didn’t run off.”

He raises an eyebrow.

“Okay, maybe I did,” you admit. “But Drew totally ruined the moment.”

Jay sighs, leaning against the wall. “Yeah. He did.”

There’s a pause. Then, he looks at you - really looks at you. “But that doesn’t change how I feel.”

Your heart pounds. You open your mouth, but before you can say anything, the boat suddenly lurches.

You stumble forward. Jay catches you. His hands land on your waist. Your palms press against his chest.

Neither of you move. Your breath is shaky. His fingers tighten slightly. Everything feels too much. Too close.

And then - he leans in.

Your eyes flutter closed. His nose brushes yours. Your heart is beating so loud you’re sure he can hear it -

“We fixed the boat!” Robin’s voice cuts through the moment like a knife.

You jump apart. Jay curses under his breath, running a hand over his face.

“Right,” you say quickly, stepping back. “Let’s - uh, let’s go.”

You don’t miss the way Jay clenches his jaw, looking frustrated as hell. You don’t blame him.

Later that night, you go out to the dock to clear your had. It had been a crazy day and you needed a moment alone. 

You stand at the edge with your hands in your pocket.

After a quiet moment or two, you hear the dock creak behind you. You turn around to see Jay. 

He takes a deep breath and steps beside you. “Hey.”

You look over at him and smile. “Hey.”

You’re both quiet for a moment.

So you say it.

“I didn’t run because I don’t like you,” you admit, voice soft. “I ran because I do.”

Jay turns to face you.

Your pulse races, but you force yourself to hold his gaze. “I was scared,” you continue. “Because I like you so much, and I didn’t want to ruin—”

Jay cuts you off.

By kissing you.

It’s not hesitant this time. It’s urgent, desperate—like he’s making up for all the moments you almost had.

You grip his sweater, his hands find your waist. 

You melt into him, the taste of summer and longing being all you ever wanted.

When he pulls away, he rests his forehead against yours.

“I don’t care if summer’s ending in a few weeks,” he murmurs. “I just don’t want this to.”

You swallow hard. “Me neither.”

He smiles. “Good.”

You kiss him again, because you can.

Because this is yours now.

Maybe this summer was always meant to change everything.

Previous Part

Almost, Maybe [Part 2]

1,759 words Summary: Fem!reader x teen!Schlatt. You’ve had a crush on Jay since you were twelve, unsure if he feels the same. Inspired by The Summer I Turned Pretty.  This part isn't necessarily NSFW but contains some dirty thoughts. Read at your own discretion.  A/N: I love this series so much so far. Thank you all for your support! Part 1 - Part 3

Divider: dialilimoon

The sun is out and high in the sky, its heat pouring down on you. Gabe drives the speedboat fast enough that little droplets are coming off the sides and hitting your skin, but it's not enough to cool you down. 

Gabe slows down the boat and comes to a stop at a bay at the edge of the lake. “Alright, everyone get in the water willingly or I'm pushing you in,” he says. 

You look over at Robin. “Wanna jump in with me?” you ask. 

She nods. “Of course.”

The two of you make your way to the end of the boat and jump in the water. 

The water is cold, but refreshing. You swim away from the boat a bit. Robin follows you. 

You float of your back, letting the water cradle you as the sun beams down on you.

Robin splashes water in your direction, you sputter, laughing as you retaliate. 

You hear Maggie yelp, looking over to see Gabe has pushed her into the lake, jumping in himself. 

“You’re an ass!” Maggie shouts as she surfaces. 

“Jay, you better get in too or you’ll end up like Maggie here,” Gabe says.

Jay stands at the end of the boat, hesitating. 

“Come on, Jay!” Robin says. “Don’t be a wimp.”

He grins. “I’m just thinking about my approach.”

Jay backs up to get a running start and cannonballs right beside you. The impact sends a huge wave of water over you, momentarily submerging you. 

When you resurface, he's already laughing. “Worth it.”

“You suck,” you say, chuckling a bit as you splash him in the face. 

He coughs, sputters, and splashes you back. The two of you dissolve into laughter, water flying everywhere. 

Suddenly, he grabs your wrist. His touch sends shockwaves through your body. “Truce?” he asks, dropping your wrist just as fast as he grabbed it. 

You smile. “Truce.”

Gabe climbs back into the boat and claps his hands together. “Alright,” he says. “Who's up for a game of chicken?”

Robin whoops. “Let's do it!”

“Okay, teams of two,” Gabe says. “Robin, why don't you go with Maggie. Then, Jay and Y/N can be partners. I'll be the ref.”

You look over at Jay. “Guess I'm stuck with you, huh?” he says. 

Your cheeks burn as you swim toward him, hoping he doesn't notice. “Guess so.”

Jay kneels down slightly and gestures for you to climb onto his shoulders. You hesitate for a second before placing your hands on his wet skin and hoisting yourself up onto his shoulders. 

His hands grip your thighs to steady you and your entire body goes rigid. This was a bad idea. 

Robin and Maggie prepare for battle while you try not to think about how close Jay’s hands are. How natural it feels. How you wish they were exploring your entire body, not just your thighs. 

“Alright,” Gabe shouts. “Ready, set - go!”

Robin lunges toward you, trying to push you off Jay’s shoulders. You try to fight back, gripping onto Robin’s arms. 

Jay’s grip tightens around your legs, keeping you steady. He’s stronger than you expected. 

At some point, you almost fall, but he adjusts quickly, holding you tighter. 

“Hold on to me,” he murmurs. 

Your breath catches, but you do as he says, your hands tangling in his hair for balance. 

After a few minutes of back and forth, Robin wins the round and sends you toppling backward into the water with a laugh. You break the surface, gasping for air.

“I think you let her win,” Jay teases, running a hand through his wet hair. 

You roll your eyes. “Excuse me, I fought for my life.”

He laughs, but his eyes linger on you for just a second too long. 

“We should probably head back to the house,” Gabe says. 

You and the others scramble back onto the boat. You grab a towel and dry off before sitting down. Jay does the same and sits down next to you, his thigh gently brushing yours. 

Gabe starts the boat and speeds away from the bay. 

Later that night, Drew finally arrives, pulling up in his car just before dinner. He doesn’t look like he wants to be here, but your mother, Susan, and Julie run out to greet and hug him anyway. 

“Drew!” Maggie says excitedly, running up to hug him, while you approach more cautiously.

“You actually showed up,” you say, crossing your arms.

He smirks. “Don’t sound too surprised. Mom guilt-tripped me into it.”

You roll your eyes, but you’re glad he’s here. 

After dinner, the parents decide to go to a bar and you and the other kids start a bonfire. You grab blankets and marshmallows, settling into a circle around the crackling fire. The night air is cool, but the flames keep you warm.

Gabe stokes the fire, sending sparks up into the night sky. “Anyone want to play truth or dare?” he asks.

“Hell yes!” Robin says. 

“Alright, I’ll start. Robin - truth or dare?” Gabe asks.

“Dare.”

“I dare you to shotgun this beer,” Gabe says, tossing Robin a beer from the cooler. 

Robin catches it and pulls out a pocket knife. “Challenge accepted,” she says as she cuts a hole in the side of the can and puts it to her mouth. You and the others cheer her on as she chugs the beer. 

When she finishes, she does a small bow and throws the can into the trash before sitting down. 

“Alright,” Robin starts. “Maggie. Truth or dare?”

“Dare,” Maggie says. 

“I dare you to… run across the dock barefoot.”

Maggie takes off her shoes and socks. “That’s easy,” she says as she runs toward the dock. 

The game moves on, each person getting their turn. Drew is dared to jump in the lake fully clothed, Jay has to tell an embarrassing childhood story, and Gabe is dared to prank call his ex-girlfriend. 

Finally, it lands on you. 

“Y/N, truth or dare?” Gabe asks. 

“Truth,” you say. You don’t want to do some crazy shit and potentially get hurt. Telling an embarrassing story is better in your opinion. 

Robin whispers something in Gabe’s ear and smirks. Gabe gives her a confused look. “Okay, who was your first crush?”

Your stomach drops.

You glance at Jay instinctively while Robin watches you like a hawk. Your heart pounds. Do you lie? Do you brush it off?

Before you can answer, Drew speaks up. “Oh, that’s easy,” he says. “It was Jay.”

The entire group falls silent. 

All eyes turn to you. Your face burns. Jay looks stunned, his mouth falls open as if he’s about to say something but stops himself. 

“Drew, shut up,” you say through gritted teeth. 

“What?” he says. “It’s true. You used to follow him around like a lost puppy when we were kids.”

Maggie chokes on her drink and Robin looks like she’s going to explode from excitement. 

Jay clears his throat. “I - uh - I didn’t know that.”

You want to crawl into the ground and disappear. Or, better yet, throw yourself into the fire. Anything to get out of this awkward situation. 

Robin leans forward. “But what about now?” she asks. “Still got a thing for him?”

“Okay!” You stand up abruptly. “I think I’m done with this game.”

Robin is dying of laughter, and even Maggie looks amused. Drew looks pleased with himself, while Jay is unreadable. 

You turn on your heel and start walking back toward the house.

As the night goes on, the others slowly trickle back into the house. A storm quickly rolls in, causing the last few to come running back.

You spend most of the night playing board games and watching movies, but you can’t shake the awkwardness with Jay.

You go out to the back porch, wanting to get some fresh air. You hear the door slide open behind you. You turn your head to see Jay. 

“Hey,” he says, leaning on the railing beside you.

“Hey,” you mumble, avoiding his gaze.

You fall silent, the only sounds coming from the rain falling on the ground. Jay sighs, rubbing the back of his neck like he does when he’s nervous.

“I - uh… didn’t mean to act weird earlier,” he says. “Drew caught me off guard.”

You scoff. “Yeah, he seems to have a talent for that.”

Jay exhales. “I just didn’t know that you felt that way.”

You tighten your grip on the railing. “Yeah well,” you say. “It was a long time ago.”

Jay doesn’t he respond right away. Instead, he turns to look at you. You can feel his gaze on you, watching, waiting.

“But what about now?” he asks.

Your breath catches. 

You knew this conversation was coming. From the moment Drew revealed your crush, it was inevitable. But now that you're standing here, with Jay looking at you like he actually wants an answer, like maybe he’s been thinking about this too, you don’t know what to say.

“I don’t know,” you mumble, though it’s a blatent lie.

Jay exhales, rubbing the back of his neck. “Look… I get it. This is weird now. But I just - I need to know if you still feel that way.”

Everything inside you goes still.

The air shifts between you, heavy with something unspoken. The only sound is the rain, steady against the roof, against the wooden deck.

You could lie. You could brush it off, laugh, make a joke.

Or you could be honest.

Your throat feels dry, but somehow, you find your voice. “Yeah,” you admit, barely above a whisper. “I do.”

Jay doesn’t react at first. He just stands there, watching you, as if processing what you just said.

Then, he steps closer.

“Okay,” he says, exhaling as if he’s been waiting for you to say that. “I think I feel the same way.”

Your stomach flips.

He lets out a nervous laugh. “Actually, no. That’s a lie. I do feel the same way.”

The world narrows to just him. Just this. 

“Jay,” you whisper. Your heart beats faster as you stare at him. 

He takes another step forward, but before either of you can say or do anything, the door slides open. Drew steps out, startling you and causing you to step away from Jay.

“Oh, shoot,” Drew says with a slight smirk. “Am I interrupting something?”

“No,” you say before moving past him and into the house, making your way to your room. You reach your room and shut the door behind you, staring into a nearby mirror. 

What the hell just happened?

Previous Part - Next Part

Almost, Maybe [Part 1]

1,373 words Summary: Fem!reader x teen!Schlatt. You’ve had a crush on Jay since you were twelve, unsure if he feels the same. Inspired by The Summer I Turned Pretty.

A/N: I’m severely missing summer right now. Part 2 - Part 3

Divider: dialilimoon

June was always your favorite month. June meant bright blue skies and a shining sun. It meant no school. It meant spending time at the lake cabin your parents bought with their friends. It meant seeing Jay. 

Jay.

You have had a crush on the nerdy teen boy since you were both twelve and he brought you soup when you felt ill. That’s all it took. Looking back, he probably only did it because his mother forced him to, but you didn't care. That one action had you whipped for life.

You’re not sure if he feels the same. No one even knows you have feelings for him - other than your mom, your younger sister, and your best friend Robin. You tell them everything. 

This summer is the summer before you go off to college and you’re determined to make a move of some sort. 

You stuff a few cute swimsuits into your duffle bag and finish packing. You sling it over your shoulder and rush downstairs and outside to where your father’s pickup truck is parked on the driveway.

“Y/N, are you ready?” your dad asks, holding out his hand to take your bag.

“Yup!” you say, handing it to him. 

“Alright, get in the car,” he says, throwing your bag in the bed of his pickup.

You open the back door of the pickup and jump into the seat behind the driver. Your sister, Maggie, is sitting in the one behind the passenger seat. 

Eventually, your parents finish packing the car and get into the front seats, and you’re finally on the road.

You pop in your earbuds and play some music on your phone. You look out the window as you ponder the trip ahead. You haven’t seen or spoken to Jay since last summer. What will you say? What will he say? Maybe you’re thinking too hard about this. He’ll be the same as he always is. Why wouldn’t he?

You feel nervous yet excited as your father pulls into the driveway of the lake cabin. You get out as soon as he parks and grab your bag from the back. 

“Y/N! Maggie!” Jay’s mother, Susan, squeals, running out of the house to greet you two. 

You drop your bag on the pavement as Susan pulls you in for a hug. 

Your parents share the lake cabin with two other couples. Susan and Todd and Frank and Julie. Frank and Julie live in Maine near you and your family. They have two kids - their daughter, your best friend, Robin, and an older son named Gabe. Susan and Todd live in New York and Jay is their only child.

Susan was always your favorite of the parents - other than your own, of course. Her warm hugs and excellent cooking is unmatched. 

“Where’s Drew?” Susan asks. 

“I think he’s coming later this week,” you say, though you're unsure if he’s even coming. Your older brother Drew is about two years older than you and goes to a college in Massachusetts. He doesn’t visit home often. He said he would come to the cabin this summer, but he’s said that before and not shown up.

“Well, I’m making dinner later,” she says. “You girls go put your bags in your room and I’ll help your parents unload.”

You nod and promptly walk to your room with Maggie. 

“You think Drew will actually show up?” Maggie asks as you set your bag down at the end of your bed and throw yourself onto the sage green comforter. 

“I don’t know,” you say. “I hope so.”

“Hey, guys,” says a familiar voice from the door. You look up to see Jay leaning on the door frame. He looks different than he did last summer - slightly taller, a bit more muscular. Did he start working out? You realize you’ve been staring and quickly look away.

“Hello, Jay,” you say, sitting up. 

Maggie mumbles a greeting, but doesn’t pay much attention to him as she unpacks her bag.

“Gabe, Robin, and I are going to the beach after dinner, care to join?” Jay asks.

You smile. “Of course,” you say.

“Great,” Jay says, smiling. He turns away and you watch as he walks down the hall.

“You are so down bad,” Maggie says, chuckling.

Your face flushes as you throw a pillow at her. “Shut up.”

After dinner, you return to your shared room with Maggie and Robin. You grab a pale pink bikini out of your dresser and take turns with the other two girls changing in the bathroom connected to your room. 

“Oh, lord,” Robin says as you exit the bathroom. “Jay is going to love that.”

You scoff. “Shut it, Robin,” you say, rolling your eyes a bit.”

“I’m serious, Y/N,” she says. “If he hasn’t noticed you before, there’s no way he won’t notice you in that. Plus, you have changed a lot since last summer.”

“Really?” you ask.

“Yeah,” Robin says. “You got skinnier, your hair is longer, you’re glowing.”

“Well, thank you,” you say.

“You guys ready to go?” Maggie asks, grabbing a few towels for the three of you.

“Yup,” you say, cracking a smile.

The three of you make your way downstairs, meeting Gabe and Jay by the back door. You swear Jay’s gaze lingers on you a bit longer than normal as you approach.

You step out into the cool night air, the dirt below your feet a familiar and welcome feeling. You missed nights like these - longing for the simple moments with your friends.

You all fill Jay in on your lives since last summer. Him living so far away from you during the school year meant you don’t talk to him too much when you’re not at the lake. Though, you wish you could.

You fill him in on your classes, friends, and the general chaos of your senior year. Robin chimes in with her own stories, and Gabe throws in the occasional sarcastic remark, making you all laugh. Jay listens intently, nodding along, and every now and then, you catch him looking at you.

The five of you reach the beach. The moon casts a bright light over the waves lapping on the shore, and the air is cool but not cold. It’s perfect.

You lay down your towels. Jay takes off his shirt, revealing that he has definitely started working out. You try not to stare. Robin nudges you and wiggles her eyebrows. You roll your eyes and playfully hit her arm with the back of your hand.

Gabe is the first to sprint into the water, yelling like a lunatic as he dives in. Maggie and Robin follow, laughing as they wade in a shallow area before fully submerging themselves.

“Are you coming in?” Jay asks, standing beside you, his expression unreadable. 

“Yeah,” you say, stepping toward the water. The water envelops your ankles. It's cold, but you force yourself to keep going. 

Jay follows you as your toes sink into the wet sand. Soon, the two of you are waist deep. Maggie, Robin, and Gabe are further out, already splashing each other like little kids. 

You look over at Jay. The light of the moon reflects on his face perfectly, lighting up his best features. Before you can stare for too long, he speaks up. “So,” he says, clearing his throat, “college next year, huh?”

You nod. “Kind of crazy, right? Feels like just yesterday we were kids building sandcastles and arguing over who could hold their breath underwater the longest,” you laugh. 

Jay chuckles. “You always beat me. Not fair, by the way.”

“You just have weak lungs.”

“Maybe,” he smirks. “Or maybe you just liked beating me.”

You tilt your head, considering. “Maybe you're right.”

There's a pause. Then, Jay sighs. “I've missed this,” he says. 

Your heart skips. “Me too.”

You stare at each other for a moment. There's something in his gaze that makes you feel like the whole world just narrowed down to this moment. Before either of you can say anything else, Gabe splashes water in your direction. 

“Come on, guys,” he shouts. “Get out into the water.”

Jay looks back at you and smiles before following Gabe farther into the water. 

You smile. Maybe this summer will be different.

Next Part

About me!

Hello! I'm Harley (she/her). I'm 18. I love writing silly little stories. I will likely post them here. And literally anything else I feel like posting, really.

Interests: Jschlatt, Sam and Colby, Taylor Swift, Marvel, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, SNL, shifting, New Girl, Sinjin Drowning, Smosh, The Sims 4

Shifting Side Blog: @harleyshifts

My asks/requests are open! Guidelines are at the bottom of this post.

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Guidelines for asks:

➳ I will not write anything offensive (fetishization, SA, self harm, etc.).

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Dividers: thecutestgrotto