Pairing:(mentioned) Drake Walker x MC (Riley Brooks)
Word Count:~1140
Warning: Language, Alcoholism, mention of gambling
A/N:I am so excited to be bringing up the rear in @moodmusicmonday’s special event “Luck of the Draw”! I was given the song “Ballroom Blitz” by Sweet, and it definitely threw me for a loop! But, it inspired this little fic, and I hope y'all enjoy! Big thanks to @kat-tia801 for taking a gander at this and helping me brainstorm the ending! All characters belong to ours friends at Pixelberry.
~~
An erratic ear-piercing hum overwhelms his fragile senses, startling him from his whiskey-induced slumber. He dares to open one of his swollen eyes, but the brilliance of day seals it shut. His limp body lays prostrate against a cold marble floor, the frigid chill of the ornate stone serving as a nice reprieve on his heated, ruddy skin.
“Mr. Walker?”
Drake jerks his body at the eerie sound of his name. He hesitantly lifts his head, squinting his eyes painfully as they adjust to the blurred lines of the sunlit room. He carefully sweeps his head to the left before taking in the scene to his right.
“Brooks? Li?”
No one is there.
He finds himself alone amongst the debris and disarray of a large ballroom. Broken glass, crumpled up napkins and cigarette butts litter the once pristine floor. With a deep grumble, he lays his aching head in his calloused hands. The familiar foul stench of barley and fermented sherry rests in his unkempt beard. The thunderous rhythm of his own pulse courses between his ears, stirring deep within him the one thing that can take away this discomfort.
A drink.
“Drake? C’mon. Get Up.”
The sudden strong hand of Drake’s best friend grips tightly to his elbow, pulling him to his knees. Still slumped over in a stupor, Drake finds his footing, finally standing up on his own two feet.
“Thanks, Li–” Drake feigns sobriety, “–’preciate that hand–”
“We need to talk, old friend. Now.”
“Now?” Drake chuckles. “The party is just getting started,” he jovially slaps his hand on the back of Liam’s shoulder, but the tall blond’s demeanor remains stoically grave. “Alright, alright,” Drake shoves his hands in his pockets, “let me grab some drinks–”
“No,”Liam growls. “No more drinks. No more excuses.” He hands over a thick, white envelope to Drake.
Drake’s face grows long. “What is this, Li?”
“Drake, you knew–”
“What the fuck is this, Liam?”
Liam sighs, grimly taking in the sight of what has become of his best friend. “Drake,” he clears his throat, “last night was the final straw. Actually, it’s been the final straw for a while.”
Drake leans in closely to Liam, “But–but, Liam, you can help me, right? Please–”
“Drake,“ Liam looks away, grief creeping into his voice. "I can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?” Drake snarls.
Liam refuses to look at him. “I’m sorry.” He whispers. “The council got involved. It’s out of my hands.”
Drake combs back his greasy chestnut locks before tearing open the letter. As he reads the news, red blotches of fury crawl up his neck, his wrathful eyes darting to Liam.
“Terminated.” Drake reads the word as if he were pointing a gunt. “You hired me, Liam, so that I would take over Bastien’s spot someday. I was supposed to be your right hand man–”
“Yes,” Liam slows him down with a deep punch of his voice, “but that was two years ago Drake. A lot has changed. Youhave changed–”
“–Li, if it’s the drinking, then fine. I’ll quit drinking–”
Liam sighs, shaking his head. “You’ve been saying that–”
“–and this time I will. I-I promise. Please–”
“Drake, we offered treatment for this several times. I begged for you to go when–” Liam abruptly stops, staring remorsefully into his best friend’s bloodshot eyes. “–when Riley and the boys left.”
Drake looks down at his feet, slipping his fingers in the back pocket of his jeans. “Th-that’s not why she left. You,” he scoffs, “you and your fancy friends brought that girl here and made her think she was royalty–”
“I appointed you both as such, Drake! Have you forgotten?”
“–we didn’t need your fucking charity, Liam!”
“Charity?” Liam snickers under his breath. “You really want to talk charity with me?” Liam furiously shakes his head before peering vengefully at his friend. “Who gave you the money to repair your truck after you wrecked after one of your benders–?”
“–oh, fuck off, Liam!”
“–and then this same person had to pay for several guards to keep silent and not turn you over to the police when they came snooping around with rumors of an accident. Oh, but, ‘we didn’t need your fucking charity, Liam’.” Liam starts to pace as he begins to raise his voice. “Or what about the time you gambled away your wedding band? The deed to your house? Your entire inheritance from your father? Christ, he must be so proud of you right now–”
“–Fuck you, Liam!”
“Who do you think is keeping you from being locked up right now for dissidence?”
With bated breath both men glare at one another with hatred, hands gripped into fists, sizing one another up.
“Mr. Walker?”
The haunting voice calls to him again, but Drake shakes it from his head as he remains focused on his best friend… his onlyfriend.
Liam finally exhales the breath he was holding, a look of sadness crossing his face. “Drake, I–I don’t know what to do for you anymore.” The king begins to ring his fingers, his eyes welling with tears. “I–I don’t know what’s going to get your attention.”
“Li, I’m fine.”
Liam raises a sorrowful eyebrow, unable to respond.
“I’m serious, Li, I’m fine.”
Liam takes a deep breath. “Okay, old friend. We expect you out by the end of the day.” Liam turns to exit the trashed ballroom.
“Wait… wait, where am I supposed to go?” Drake calls out to Liam, but the king never turns back around.
“Liam?Liam?”
“Mr. Walker?”
Drake finally opens his eyes, an older, colorful woman pulling him from his memory. “Are you ready, Mr. Walker?” She flashes a kind, friendly smile before turning her attention to the crowd that has gathered. “Shall we get started, folks? We have a very special guest tonight…”
As she continues her introduction, Drake begins to ring his hands nervously. Feeling his heart race wildly in his chest, he starts to recollect how he used to cure his anxiety, searching for the answers at the bottom of bottles, spending most of his days actively dying rather than living.
But not anymore.
“… please welcome Drake, thirty days sober.”
With a roar of celebration from the audience, Drake stands, straightening the wrinkles from his slacks before approaching his sponsor. She hands him a special red chip, marked with a giant ‘30’ before giving Drake a tight hug.
Drake bites his lip, fidgeting with the trinket in his palm. As he finally looks out into the crowd, a sudden crooked smile grows across his face.
There in the back of the room was a familiar, tall blond beaming with pride. Liam. With a gentle nod of acknowledgement to his lifelong friend, Drake blows away his nervous jitters
“My name is Drake,” he takes a deep, trembling breath. “And… I’m an alcoholic.”
Having to lose it all to finally get himself help. And to have his life long friend supporting him at such an important moment on his road to recovery..
Series Premise: Alyssa Devereaux and Drake Walker fell in love at Langston University nine years ago. Drake broke things off out of nowhere and disappeared, breaking Alyssa’s heart. What will happen when she’s chosen to compete in Liam’s social season?
Chapter Premise: Alyssa’s life takes a turn for the worse after Drake breaks things off. (2010)
A/N: Remember Two Things jumps between 2010 and 2019. 2019 chapters will be told in third person past tense, e.g. “She said …” 2010 chapters will be told in first person present tense, e.g. “I want to …,” and the perspectives will switch between Alyssa and Drake. I am hoping this is not terribly confusing and look forward to your feedback!
Flashback chapters happen because the character featured is having those memories in the present day. In this chapter, Alyssa is telling Drake all of this in her room following the Coronation.
Please let me know if you’d like to be on or off the tag list!
A/N #2: I have written some very emotionally difficult things, many of them within this series.
This is probably the hardest chapter I’ve ever written.
Thank you to @bbrandy2002,@ao719,@axwalker for prereading, to @kat-tia801 for cry-emoji-ing with me, and to @txemrn for scanning the hospital scene for accuracy and telling me what Kristin should say. Thank you also to @mskaneko for the the moodboards that close each chapter.
Lastly, thank you, readers … your messages, asks, likes, comments, and reblogs mean the world to me. I appreciate them so much!
Drake Walker – and the memory of him – belongs to Pixelberry Studios. They can claim nothing else here.
Warnings for this series: Smut , language, drug use, physical fighting, PTSD, angst, grief, loss, depression, unhealthy alcohol usage. Do not read this if you’re under 18.
Warnings for this chapter: depression, graphic medical description, death ideation, unplanned pregnancy and loss.
I’d like to take a minute to apologize PROFUSELY for being so late in reblogging all of your amazingness. You know I don’t log on much anymore but I will for you anytime, anywhere.
Iknew this chapter was coming. I knew it … and I still dove in, face first, because Lyssa needed this. She needed to tell Drake everything about this time in her life. When shit sucked. When she didn’t even really see the point in living through life like she used to. She didn’t see why she had to go back to school. School reminded her of the love of her life and the good times, and right now, it wasn’t good.
A quick sob escapes as I consider that I might not even need to take my pills anymore, not if I have no one to love me.
This statement makes my chest hurt
Mariah Carey is warbling “All I Want For Christmas Is You” over the speakers.
This makes me chuckle because I know how much you do NOT enjoy Mariah and every Christmas season people be blasting this song (it’s me, I’m people).
There are two lines.
There are two lines.
There. Are. Two. Fucking. Pink. Lines. And. My. Life. Is. So. Completely. Fucked!
Welp. She is SUUUUUUPER pregnant and it popped up like immediately.
and the father of this baby, the man I thought I was going to marry, ran away to some nameless foreign country and never wants to talk to me again.
Oh God it hurts
Drake doesn’t love me anymore. He doesn’t want me anymore. But together, in love, we somehow created a tiny something that will grow to be a person.
She doesn’t know this yet, but he still loves you Alyssa. But I’m glad she’s making this decision like an adult, regardless of what she thinks Drake is thinking.
He took away my fucking sun.
This chapter was so hard to read, as I’m sure it was hard to write I’m anxiously waiting to see how Drake will react.
Characters belong to Pixelberry; Ella Brooks belongs to me; Alyssa Devereaux belongs to the amazing @burnsoslow
Summary: The Loft AU that takes place after Drake proposed to Alyssa in @burnsoslow ‘s last birthday fic It’s Your Love.
A/N: My sweet Burnsy, this is my THIRD birthday fic for you - can you freaking imagine???? We’ve known each other for three years! I will keep this short and sweet -> I can’t even begin to fathom what would have happened if we never became soul sisters. I love you, our hilarious conversations, the fact that I can watch football with you and you don’t judge me for the shit I say, and that you always finish my thoughts and take the words right out of my mouth. Thank you for always having my back, for believing in me, and for loving me really hard. I hope you loved your early gift and this fic! P.S. posting now because it’s your birthday on the east coast and I’m falling asleep
A/N2: Also participating in @wackydrabbles this week (after 573925639 bazillion years), prompt will be in bold.
Characters belong to Pixelberry; Ella Brooks belongs to me; Alyssa Devereaux belongs to the amazing @burnsoslow
Summary: The Loft AU that takes place after Drake proposed to Alyssa in @burnsoslow ‘s last birthday fic It’s Your Love.
A/N: My sweet Burnsy, this is my THIRD birthday fic for you - can you freaking imagine???? We’ve known each other for three years! I will keep this short and sweet -> I can’t even begin to fathom what would have happened if we never became soul sisters. I love you, our hilarious conversations, the fact that I can watch football with you and you don’t judge me for the shit I say, and that you always finish my thoughts and take the words right out of my mouth. Thank you for always having my back, for believing in me, and for loving me really hard. I hope you loved your early gift and this fic! P.S. posting now because it’s your birthday on the east coast and I’m falling asleep
A/N2: Also participating in @wackydrabbles this week (after 573925639 bazillion years), prompt will be in bold.
Characters belong to Pixelberry; Ella Brooks belongs to me; Alyssa Devereaux belongs to the amazing @burnsoslow
Summary: The Loft AU that takes place after Drake proposed to Alyssa in @burnsoslow ‘s last birthday fic It’s Your Love.
A/N: My sweet Burnsy, this is my THIRD birthday fic for you - can you freaking imagine???? We’ve known each other for three years! I will keep this short and sweet -> I can’t even begin to fathom what would have happened if we never became soul sisters. I love you, our hilarious conversations, the fact that I can watch football with you and you don’t judge me for the shit I say, and that you always finish my thoughts and take the words right out of my mouth. Thank you for always having my back, for believing in me, and for loving me really hard. I hope you loved your early gift and this fic! P.S. posting now because it’s your birthday on the east coast and I’m falling asleep
A/N2: Also participating in @wackydrabbles this week (after 573925639 bazillion years), prompt will be in bold.
Characters belong to Pixelberry; Ella Brooks belongs to me; Alyssa Devereaux belongs to the amazing @burnsoslow
Summary: The Loft AU that takes place after Drake proposed to Alyssa in @burnsoslow ‘s last birthday fic It’s Your Love.
A/N: My sweet Burnsy, this is my THIRD birthday fic for you - can you freaking imagine???? We’ve known each other for three years! I will keep this short and sweet -> I can’t even begin to fathom what would have happened if we never became soul sisters. I love you, our hilarious conversations, the fact that I can watch football with you and you don’t judge me for the shit I say, and that you always finish my thoughts and take the words right out of my mouth. Thank you for always having my back, for believing in me, and for loving me really hard. I hope you loved your early gift and this fic! P.S. posting now because it’s your birthday on the east coast and I’m falling asleep
A/N2: Also participating in @wackydrabbles this week (after 573925639 bazillion years), prompt will be in bold.
Characters belong to Pixelberry; Ella Brooks belongs to me; Alyssa Devereaux belongs to the amazing @burnsoslow
Summary: The Loft AU that takes place after Drake proposed to Alyssa in @burnsoslow ‘s last birthday fic It’s Your Love.
A/N: My sweet Burnsy, this is my THIRD birthday fic for you - can you freaking imagine???? We’ve known each other for three years! I will keep this short and sweet -> I can’t even begin to fathom what would have happened if we never became soul sisters. I love you, our hilarious conversations, the fact that I can watch football with you and you don’t judge me for the shit I say, and that you always finish my thoughts and take the words right out of my mouth. Thank you for always having my back, for believing in me, and for loving me really hard. I hope you loved your early gift and this fic! P.S. posting now because it’s your birthday on the east coast and I’m falling asleep
A/N2: Also participating in @wackydrabbles this week (after 573925639 bazillion years), prompt will be in bold.
Warnings: Adult language; sexual innuendos; possible stereotyping; mentioning of pubic hair. It’s the Loft guys, so just be prepared for anything.
Words: 3180
There’s not much that you can say, To stop me from falling in like I am
Even the waves can’t wash away our names in the sand
Never could, never can
It had been a week since Drake popped the question to Alyssa and the two had all but disappeared in his bedroom. The only way the gang knew they were alive was the banging of the headboard against the wall for a straight hour or the imperceptible noises of lovemaking. When Leo finally got Drake by himself in the kitchen, he talked him into going out that night for a drink.
“Where are we going? What are we doing? Who’s going?”
“Your bar, the one we always go to, Walker,” Leo raised his brow questioningly. “Why are you acting all squirrely?”
“I’mnot being squirrely, I just want to spend time with my fiancé rather than go to a sausage fest,” Drake retorted.
“She can come too, El is going to be there,” Leo shrugged and walked off, leaving Drake sitting at the kitchen island as Liam strolled in, whistling.
“What’s that face for?”
Drake shook his head. “Leo. There’s nothing left to say.”
Liam nodded with a chuckle. “So, long time, no see,” he smirked at his best friend. “You’re enjoying engaged life.”
“Yeah,” Drake grinned. “It’s been fucking awesome.”
Liam poured himself a mug of hot coffee and took a sip. “Well, I’m glad you’re headed out with us tonight, you know, so you can see someplace other than your bedroom.”
“I happen to like my bedroom, thank you very much.”
“Because the woman of your dreams is in there,” Liam pointed out with a knowing smile. “I’m proud of you.”
Drake looked up from pouring his coffee with a quirked brow; His best friend knew him better than anyone. “Yeah?”
Liam nodded. “You’ve been through a lot, not wanting to settle down at first, having your heart broken at times, and then swearing off women-”
“I was in a dark place,” he explained as he brought his mug to his lips. “It was rough.”
“That’s what I mean, Drake. You were in a dark place, and Lyssa brought you into the light.”
Later that night
While Ella and Lyssa sat at the bar with their glasses of champagne to celebrate, the guys relaxed in their regular booth while Max brought over a round of beer.
“This is on me guys,” Max chirped as he handed the glasses out. “Just for our friend Drake.”
Leo gulped his beer and pursed his lips. “You know what you never told us, Walker?”
“What’s that?”
“How you met Alyssa,” he paused as he took another sip of his drink. “And how you managed to hide her existence from us for six months.”
Drake smirked. “Well … it wasn’t easy when Liam and Ella were around because those two are so damned observant. But you guys” - he gestured to Max and Leo - “are dumb as shit.”
“What are you guys up to?” Ella and Alyssa appeared at the table with knowing smirks on their faces.
“The guys asked how I kept you a secret from them in the beginning,” Drake wrapped his arm around his fiance as she crawled into the booth next to him.
Alyssa dimpled. “In my defense, I wanted to meet everyone.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t.”
“You were not subtle, Walker,” Ella snorted as she plopped onto Liam’s lap and nuzzled her face into his neck, his arms instinctively coming up around her waist.
“I just didn’t want these idiots to embarrass me!” Drake cocked his head towards Leo and Max who gave him shocked expressions.
“Rude!” “I just bought you a drink!”
Lyssa waved both her hands in the air to stop the incoming argument. “I’ll tell you guys how I met this handsome guy.”
A year ago
Alyssa Devereaux was sick of meeting douchebags. These guys were hot but they were either really, really stupid or just creeps. As she walked down Anaheim Blvd, she saw the bar where she was supposed to meet this guy her coworker set her up with.
“This place looks like it’s crawling with egotistical idiots,” Lyss mumbled to herself. She didn’t even know this guy’s name, her coworker saying she didn’t want her to judge him from that. Which was already a bad sign. Alyssa was instructed to look for a tall man with a beanie and a red rose. She took a deep breath in and made her way inside the bar. A very drunk person was up on the stage singing a bad rendition of Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Diana Ross.
Lyssa scanned the bargoers and saw a tall man in the corner booth with a beanie and a red rose. He spotted her immediately and waved; she gave him a small smile and waved back. Okay, well, at least he’s cute. They made their way towards each other and she found herself engulfed in a very big hug.
“Hi! You must be Alyssa?” He asked, hopeful.
She nodded. “Yes, and you are?”
“I’m Chet! Jessica told me you were beautiful, but … my God!” His eyes were wide as he took in Lyssa’s flawless porcelain face and short frame.
Her eyes were wide as well. “Y-your name is Chet?”
“Yup!” The man grinned proudly. “Let’s go sit! I ordered drinks already, Jess said you like white claws!”
Alyssa shrugged and looked around the bar, it was a small establishment but it had pinball machines, arcade games, a basketball hoop, a karaoke stage in the other corner of the room … she may have misjudged-
“So, you’re a teacher?” Chet asked, interrupting her thoughts, as they sat across from each other.
She nodded. “Jess and I work together, I run the reading program.”
“Damn, that’s awesome. I wish I learned to read good.”
Alyssa’s brows furrowed and she sat forward in her seat. “I’m sorry, you what?”
“Yeah! I never got to learn to read really good, I told my Nana that I wanted to be a street artist!”
Lyss pursed her lips and nodded. “I … see.”
Chet smiled and slammed a hand on the table, making their drinks rattle on the old wood. “She told me she wanted me to finish school but I was like screw you Nana! I’m gonna be a street artist and not just any street artist, but a sick as fuck street artist yo.”
“Right,” she picked up her white claw and took a large gulp. It’s going to be a long night.
Chet, unphased by her answers and facial expressions, continued his story. “Like, some people look at a wall and just see a wall, you know? But for me, I look at a wall and I see a damn dolphin with a cool backpack or Cookie Monster handing out tacos!”
“Oh! Tacos, do they have those here?”
“Yeah! Go ahead and order what you want, I gotta tinkle,” he ran up from his seat and walked towards the back of the bar.
Tinkle? Alyssa closed her eyes, covered her face with her hands, and groaned. She wasn’t even 15 minutes into this date and she already wanted to jump ship. Why did her friends and coworkers want to set her up? She was a 26-year-old woman who was single in Los Angeles. That’s why. Lyss fished her phone out of her purse and began scrolling through her contacts in hopes of finding someone that could bail her out.
Chet returned from the bathroom and his monologue went on for another 45 minutes. Lyssa was only able to nod, say one or two-word answers, or fake laugh at something he said.
Drake sat on a barstool across from Chet and Alyssa as he nursed his third glass of whiskey. He had just finished up a meeting with a potential client that wanted to invest in his bar and decided to stay for a few drinks. The bar wasn’t that big, and the drunk woman on the stage that was attempting to sing Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations finally finished her set, so he was able to hear most of the couple’s conversation. He noticed the gorgeous, dark-haired woman as soon as she walked in, but hid his dismay when the dumbass in a beanie stood and waved at her. Those starving artist types always get the girl, he thought to himself. But as the night wore on, he kept smirking or hiding his smile with his glass at the things the moron would say. The woman had no interest in him, not having said more than two words at a time, not that she could speak over this douche anyway. Drake watched the beanie man stand and make his way to the restroom again and then tilted his head as the woman closed her eyes and put her hands against her temples, looking like she was about to cry.
Maybe it was the whiskey, maybe it was how gorgeous this woman was, or maybe it was just the fact that everything this dude said was just stupid … but Drake wanted to help her. He drained the rest of his whiskey and made his way to the booth. “Excuse me, I’m sorry to bother you, but … are you okay?”
Lyssa opened her eyes and was startled to see a gorgeous man wearing a gray t-shirt that accentuated his perfectly chiseled chest and arms staring at her. “Oh,” she cleared her throat. “I … am not okay actually,” she turned and peered towards the back of the bar where the bathrooms were, then turned back to face him. “This is the worst date in the history of dates and I’ve been trying to get the fuck up out of here, but he won’t shut up.”
The man nodded, trying to hide a smile. “Well, he’s on his way back, so just follow my lead.”
Alyssa furrowed her brows in confusion, and before she could say anything, Chet returned to the table.
“I want to paint the walls of that bathroom so bad,” he gestured behind him. “I want to be like Michael D. Angelo and just go to town!”
Drake and Alyssa stifled their laughter.
“Do you mean Michelangelo?”
“No, no,” Chet shook his head fervently. “It’s Michael D. Angelo!” He turned to look at Drake. “Hey dude, can I order a sco-ro? And whatever the lady wants.”
Drake arched his brow. “A … sco-ro?”
“A scotch on the rocks, bro.”
“Right,” he looked at Lyssa, then back at Chet. “Sure, well, I’m Drake, I own this bar and a phone call came in for-”
“Alyssa,” she added with a smile.
Drake smiled back. “A phone call came in for Alyssa, there’s a family emergency and she needs to leave right now.”
“Oh shit!” Chet put his hand on his forehead. “Go, Alyssa! Go save the day!”
Without giving it another thought, she grabbed her purse and stood from her seat. “Thank you, Chet, have a good one!”
Drake quickly matched Lyssa’s steps and ushered her out of the bar. He continued to walk with her down the street until she saw another bar and quickly pulled him inside.
“Oh my God, that was so fun,” she giggled and Drake felt his knees go weak at the sound.
He grinned down at her. “You’re welcome. I’m sorry I stuck my nose in there, but I overheard part of the conversation and thought you might need a save.”
“He has a tattoo that says Warrior Poet,” she said in a deadpanned tone. “And he tipped the bartender with a sketch of a hip hop ninja.”
Drake snorted. “He called a scotch on the rocks a sco-ro.”
“Yes!” Alyssa let out a loud laugh. “What the fuck?”
After a few minutes of both of them laughing like lunatics in the corner of a bar, Lyss looked around. “Hey, this isn’t as cool as your bar,” she dimpled. “Was that really your bar?”
“Yeah,” Drake gave her a sad smile. “I have to go back in a little bit. I just wanted to make sure you got out of there safely.”
Both of them didn’t move as they stared at each other.
“Oh. Okay, well, thank you,” she whispered, Drake could barely hear her but he could have sworn there was disappointment in her voice.
“You’re welcome, Alyssa.”
“I parked just across the street from here,” she gestured to the door.
Drake nodded. “I’ll walk you.”
The pair walked in silence, both trying to figure out how to see the other again, but trying not to look too desperate.
Alyssa dug into her purse and found her keys, clicking the alarm so her door unlocked. “This is me. I appreciate you walking with me.”
“Of course,” Drake stared into her clear blue eyes, then drifted down to her plump lips. They began to move and all he could do was stare. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Can I give you a hug for saving me?”
He leaned down - way down - and wrapped his arms around her tiny waist. He felt her arms come around his shoulders and shivered at how her fingers raked through the hair at the nape of his neck. “Alyssa.”
“Lyss.”
He pulled back a little bit to look at her face. “Huh?”
“My friends call me Lyss or Lyssa,” those dimples made another appearance and he swore he would pull down the moon and fucking stars just for her to keep smiling at him like that.
“Lyssa, would you mind if I … um, took you out to eat? For lunch? Or dinner? Whatever you’re hungry for,” he felt a wave of nervousness course through him and he started to babble. “I mean … if you want to, that is. And not at my bar. We can go anywhere-”
She let out a laugh. “Yes, I’d love that, Drake.”
Present-day
“You’re such a simp, Walker!” Leo howled as he slammed his hand on the table with a laugh.
Ella’s eyes were wide. “You’re so … marshmallow-y and sweet, Drake! Do we even know you?”
“Heis sweet,” Lyss grinned as Drake blushed a crimson color.
“Okay, okay, enough about knowing me-”
“Well, I know something you all definitely don’t know about me,” Max announced. “Since we’re talking about all that, I blew my nose once and a bug came out.”
“We wereall there when that happened,” Ella pointed out.
Alyssa grimaced. “It was at my birthday brunch.”
“Alright, so how did you hide being in a relationship around the loft?” Liam questioned.
Drake and Lyss looked at each other. “Well …”
Three months into their relationship
“Your roommates always yell at each other like that?” Alyssa whispered as she curled against Drake’s side in his bed.
“Leo and Max usually go back and forth for a bit and then they chill out afterward and start eating cheese,” he chuckled. “Or Liam comes out and tells them to shut up. They’re like an old married couple.”
“I want to meet them.”
“They’re so ridiculous, baby,” Drake ran a hand up and down her soft arm. “And I don’t want to share you yet.”
A few hours later, when Drake thought the living area was empty, he snuck Lyss out of his bedroom and they both crept towards the front door.
“Drake! Is that you?”
The pair panicked and frantically looked around for somewhere Lyss could hide. Drake pushed her behind the couch and folded his arms across his chest in an attempt to look natural. “What?”
Max appeared from around the corner. “You’ve been holed up in your room for two days, I didn’t know if you died or not.”
“I’m alive, but I’m headed out so-”
“Oh! Where are you going? Leo!” Max hollered as he pounded on the bathroom door. “Let’s go out with Drake!”
Drake shook his head. “No, I-”
“Okay!” Leo’s voice sounded over the water running in the sink. “Give me a minute, I have a patch of pubic hair I need to get!”
“Ew!” Alyssa said from behind the couch and gagged.
Max turned. “What was that?”
Drake’s eyes widened and then coughed. “Ew, Leo, what the fuck?”
“Yeah, ew,” Max echoed. “Use your ball shaver and let’s go! I charged it after I used it.”
Drake scrambled to think of a way Alyssa could leave without being spotted. He feigned shock as he looked out the loft windows. “Beaumont! Is that Taylor Swift?!”
He had never seen his lanky friend run so quickly, his face plastered to the glass. “Where?!”
Drake waved at Lyss behind the couch for her to get up and move. She ran towards the front door, opened it, and scampered into the hallway out of sight.
“That wasn’t Taylor Swift, Drake,” Max turned away from the window with a pout. “But she does have a hat like that.”
Standing in front of the door and letting out a relieved sigh, Drake shrugged. “Sorry.”
Present-day
The gang let out wild bouts of laughter.
“That shit only worked with Max and Leo,” Drake said as he wiped the moisture from the corner of his eyes.
“They’re so gullible,” Ella snorted.
Leo rolled his eyes. “Alright, well even when we knewyou were together, it was still weird.”
Seven months into their relationship
Drake and Alyssa sat at the kitchen island, Lyss feeding him a grape and then kissing him.
Leo gave them a look of disdain. “It’s just food!”
Lyss giggled. “I know it’s super annoying being around a couple, I’m sorry, Leo.”
“I’m not sorry,” Drake smirked as he obligingly opened his mouth for the pineapple Lyss fed him.
Max stared at the couple with widened eyes. “It’s super annoying and super weird to be around Drake in a relationship. It’s freaking me out” - Leo elbowed Max in the side - “I mean freaking us out. Plus you’re freaking out the cat. He’s actually never going to experience real lovemaking!”
“I think you’re too into your cat, Beaumont,” Drake said with a shake of his head.
“He needs to get crazy and get his freak on! He’s getting snipped next week! What should we do?”
“A cat bachelor party?” Lyss suggested.
“How did we get to talking about his cat’s balls and kitty sex?!” Drake bellowed.
“The cat needs to go, Max,” Leo said sternly.
Alyssa had to know. “Why?”
“They carry disease, are obsessed with my nipples and they areunwelcome in this loft.”
“Your nipples?” She squeaked.
“Alright, we’re done here,” Drake stood from the barstool and tugged at his girlfriend’s arm.
“Where are we going, baby?”
“To my room, where we don’t talk about cat genitalia or my roommate’s nipples!” Alyssa snickered as she let him pull her down the hall. “I knew I shouldn’t have had you meet them,” Drake grumbled.
Present-day
“Well, I met them and we’re getting married,” Alyssa kissed Drake’s cheek. “You’re stuck with me now.”
The pair gazed at each other, their friend’s conversations and the bar noise fading around them.
“You know, some people come into your life for a season or a specific reason,” he murmured as he picked up her left hand and stared at the gold engagement ring with three stones, a small smile playing on his lips. “But you, baby” - his eyes traveled up her body and met her gaze - “You’re for a lifetime.” Drake leaned in for a kiss, ignoring his friend’s cheers in the background.
Characters belong to Pixelberry; Ella Brooks belongs to me; Alyssa Devereaux belongs to the amazing @burnsoslow and is used with permission.
Summary: The gang goes to Sonoma Valley for a week and shenanigans happen of course. Ellyssa (Ella + Alyssa = besties forever) enjoy time alone with their men … along with Max.
A/N: Set in The Loft AU, my favorite of favorites of all time lol
A/N2: It’s @neotericthemis birthday today and I am soooo sorry this is late! Sri, you are so damn supportive, loving, kind, and HILARIOUS. I love that you squeal and yell at me when I write something ridiculous or when cheating Leo pops into the scene and you message me immediately LOL I can’t do this whole tumblr life without you, thank you for never forgetting about little old me. I love you so so soooooo much! I hope you like this along with the edits!
Thank you @burnsoslow for reading this entire thing and loving me so hard.
Warnings: Adult language; sexual innuendos; compromising situations
Words: 689
The gang was headed to Sonoma Valley for the week and they were all excited. Drake and Alyssa were celebrating their engagement and, to Drake’s dismay, Lyss wanted everyone to join them on the trip. Liam and Ella were looking forward to having a week to unwind after working several days in a row. Leo adamantly refused to go on a “couples trip” while Max shrugged and agreed.
“I’m sorry you’re the fifth wheel, Max,” Lyssa hugged her friend and gave him a cute pout as they wandered towards their rooms.
“I’m fine,” he squeezed her back. “I love spending time with you guys, it doesn’t matter if you’re matched up and I’m not.”
“Don’t even think about walking into our rooms without knocking, Beaumont,” Drake pulled his fiance by her hips against him. “This was supposed to be ourtrip.”
Max rolled his eyes. “Just keep it in your pants and your bedrooms and we’ll be fine.”
“Can’t make any promises,” Liam smirked as he stole a glance at Ella walking in front of the group.
“I heard that, Rys,” Ella turned and returned his smirk. “This kink of yours gets sand in the weirdest places.”
“Guys!” Max yelled as he put his hands over his ears.
“He won’t be able to resist,” Drake whispered to Lyssa as she chuckled beside him.
The next day
The group enjoyed an entire day of horseback riding.
“Oh my God, El,” Maxwell had tears in his eyes from laughing. “Your horse loves you!”
“Summer is the best,” Ella laughed. “Aren’t you girl?” She ran her hand over the soft mane of her horse.
Liam let out a chuckle as he stared at the picture. “Best horse ever!”
Day four
“These wine tours on a boat could potentially be dangerous,” Lyss peered over the edge of the boat as she clutched her wine glass to her chest.
“Dangerous how?” Drake murmured as he nibbled on her earlobe.
Alyssa shuddered. “Drunk people, boats, the swaying … someone could fall overboard!”
“Hey!” Max appeared behind the couple with a full glass of wine. “Where’s Liam and Ella?”
“Honestly, they’re probably doing it in the back of the boat,” Lyssa snorted.
“I don’t doubt it.”
“Let’s play a board game!” Max announced when he brought over Monopoly.
“Devereaux gets waytoo competitive,” Drake shook his head. “I don’t know if you want to see that side of her Beaumont.”
“She can’t be that bad,” Max shrugged.
“I do not get competitive,” Lyssa rolled her eyes. “But I will beat your ass, Max!”
Day six
“I love that we have nothing planned today,” Ella snuggled against Liam’s side as she sipped her coffee.
“We just wanted to relax before we have to leave tomorrow,” Lyssa said as she made a sad face.
Drake leaned over to kiss her temple. “We need to plan something with just us, baby.”
“Guys! We gotta go to brunch!” Max squealed as he ran up to his friends.
“Alright, I’m hungry, let’s go,” Drake grumbled as he stood and pulled Alyssa up with him.
“We’ll meet you guys there,” Liam said and the friends separated.
Ella stuck her bottom lip out. “I’m hungry, babe, where are we going?”
“I wanna show you something,” he flashed her a mischievous look.
An hour later
“Where the hell are they?” Max mumbled as he wandered outside the hotel looking for Liam and Ella. Creaking noises and moans got his attention and he raised his brows. “They wouldn’t …” Max slowly made his way towards the sounds and his eyes almost popped out of their sockets. He pulled out his phone, quickly snapped a picture, and scampered back inside.
“Oh my God, Beaumont, why are you so red?”
“You’ll … see …” Out of breath from laughing and running, Max’s thumbs were flying over the keyboard of his phone.
Lyssa and Drake’s phones went off at the same time showing a notification.
“No, they didn’t!” Alyssa dropped her phone as she began to snort with laughter.
“Told you he couldn’t help it,” Drake shook his head and put his phone face down on the table.
I want to give you another snippet of (probably’s) next’s week part one of Italian Night, due to the sudden shift in chapters. This chapter is ofcourse based on the Italian diner in book 2, where he had to miss her.
I still need to edit some more, so It could come out a little bit diffrent, but there might be a little bit of a reference to previous chapter where we found out that Drake wrinkels his nose being sarcastic…
“Two more cases of pasta?” Drake asks while taking more out of the fridge, “Just so that I know where I’m getting myself into. Are you going to invite the whole hallway to join us for dinner?”
“Oh, no, no, no,” Riley chuckles while grabbing a bottle of her favorite whiskey from the fridge, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think you want to spend the next two hours answering questions about when you’re going to propose to me, when our wedding will be, and when you’re going to knock me up. I mean, I absolutely love these people to the death, but they get way too excited when there is even a whiff that could indicate a change in my non-existent love life.”
Drake fills the pan with boiled water from the kettle, adding the pasta to it before moving over to stir the sauce. He looks up at Riley with a sly grin, “Well, I’m absolutely afraid that I have to correct you here, Herreld. We already know each other for,” he glances down at his watch, “five hours. It’s honestly goddamn time that we have a talk about when you’re finally going to make an honest man out of me.” He laughs at his own joke, but spots pure horror on Riley’s face when he looks up at her, “Herreld, it was just a joke. Easy.”
“Oh my God, Drake,” Riley lets out a deep relieved breath with her hand on her raging heart, “That was next level. Sarcastically joking, and deliberately not wrinkling your nose…”
Drake’s laugh instantly disappears, his brows furrowing in thought. I didn’t wrinkle my nose?
“Uh Drake,” she asks urgently, noticing the confusion on his face, “You didn’t wrinkle your nose on purpose, right?”
“A Walker knows, when a Walker knows” Part one. Faith happens.
Hi everyone! I’m participating in the 12 Days of Fictmas! Thank you so much @emichelleand@leelee10898 for hosting it and I love it so far!!
So I completely failed at writing a short piece. Because when I got the amazing prompt ‘Nutcracker’ my mind kept running. And I ended up with a 9.000 words piece, and it turned into a series that I’m going to focus on this December and January. I mean talking about a crash and burn, got nothing going on situation.
SORRY!
Book:The royal romance
Pairing: Drake Walker X F!MC (Riley Herreld)
Rating: 18+
Series Summary: Drake meets Riley. But not in the usual kind of way. Fate interferes when Riley’s supposed to be working on that big Bachelor night.
She gets drawn to Cordonia in another way. But what happens when a Workaholic, meet a Walker come together? Will they provide a Christmas miracle and get over their own love skepticism?
Or can we turn on ‘Love actually’ after this series to make us feel good again?
One way to find out!
Part one. Summary: We see how faith interferes with Riley meeting the guys and after that, it’s jingling all the way at the Christmas Market. Extremely fluffy Drake and Savannah!
A/N:This is without pre-reading. I completely went rogue, so I’m sorry for the mistakes I made due to tiredness and English not being my first language.
A/N: If you want to be tagged for this series (Outside of my Drake’s and Permanent taglist) Please let me know!! I will not tag the Readers/writers taglist for part two without having permission.
A/N:Some parts might seem a bit uncharacteristic, but for the sake of Christmas fluff. I’m taking this all the way. In this story Bartie is a little bit older when Drake meets Savannah again.
Category: Over the top a bit predictable Christmas fluff, with an edge.
Warnings: Mentioning’s of a mom dying of cancer, swearing, and implied sexual situations. Please do not read if you’re under 18.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
A Walker knows, when a Walker knows. Faith Happens.
Four years ago. New York.
Riley enters pub ‘The fiery breath’ on a cold Sunday afternoon. She decided to come in early to have a cup of coffee and hear about Daniels’s Saturday night shift since she had to call in sick the night before.
“Riley!” Daniels smiles broadly from behind the bar.
He snorts, “Yeah. I’m so mad at you! God, I bet you loved calling in sick because of having massive food poisoning.”
She chuckles while sitting down on a high stool, “It was a hoot! Man, me and the toilet had some serious one-on-one bonding time going on yesterday. I think we even got to second base…”
I do feel for her, but the way she describes it is just…
Hiiii! So as always I’m going to start with how I excited I always get when you reblog my stuff :D!!! Thank you sooo much. And you’re picking out a few very important points!!
OMG THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I GOT FOOD POISINING! I had one Indian restaurant that I loved, and I always got the same Chicken Korma, but then one night I decided to try something different and go for the lamb option, and hey presto! Throwing up my guts for the rest of the night… Totally feel ya, Riles…!
Ohhh that sucks ☹️
I mean… duh!
I feel like we’re very much on the same level when it comes to Drake
She shakes her head and glances at the photo, “Nah. It’s special. There is definitely something about it.“ And she sighs, “It’s beautiful.”
I wonder what made her stop and stare… Has she been there before maybe…? Is that where she will meet Drake…?
This is actually very important piece, but will only be revealed until the last chapters.
LOL! The snark between these two is amazing!
It’s been so surprisingly fun to write conversations between these two!!
Lol I love how Liam is trying to play match-maker! But what is this ‘things are great’ meme…?
His comment after -in this story- Liam and Liv returned at the palace. I’m using it as if the world suddenly learned about that hot best friend, being the first time ‘live’ on camera.
Maxwell made him a shirt later!
I’m sorry, the picture is a bit big, but I have no idea how to fix it. But then again, it’s Drake, it’s fine right?
Loved this part! And it’s so true! For both Savs and Drake actually! I’ve never thought about it this was before, but you are correct!
"The Walker curse”
This was great! Can’t wait to see what happens next!!!
Right back at ya with the reblogs!! (No pressure though!!! Please, I just love them!!)
“A Walker knows, when a Walker knows” Part Eight. Car trouble.
Book:The royal romance
Pairing: Drake Walker X F!MC (Riley Herreld)
Rating: 18+
Word count: 2.782
Series Summary: Fate interferes when Riley’s supposed to be working on that big Bachelor night. She gets drawn to Cordonia in another way. But what happens when a Workaholic, meet a Walker come together? Will they provide a Christmas miracle and get over their own love skepticism?
One way to find out!
Part eight. Summary: Drake drives Riley home in her deathtrap car, who finds herself struggling with her feelings as fluffy part after fluffy part of our so beloved marshmallow is revealed.
A/N:For everyone who takes time to read it, thank you!! Please let me know if you want to be tagged for this series A/N:Due to a very long chapter, overload on work and writing for two other series, I had to cut it in three. So first this one. Italian nights part one will release next saturday. A/N: Please excuse grammar mistakes. English is not my first language.
Category: Over the top a bit predictable Christmas fluff, with an edge.
Warnings: Swearing, Please do not read if you’re under 18.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
A Walker knows, when a Walker knows.
Car trouble.
Still Sunday, five days before Christmas.
Drake arrives at her building after a thirty minutes car ride. He smiles softly, glancing at the woman on the passenger seat who’s still fast asleep, snuggling into his coat. He undoes his seatbelt, before gently brushing her cheek, “Herreld, hey, time to wake up.”
“Mmh,” she snuggles against his hand and her breathing turns steady again.
AHHH I AM SO SOFT FOR THESE TWO i wonder that situation might be And liam please run into liv and please don’t come until the next month PLEASE DON’T
I always looooove your comments!!! Heck, I’m going to hope with you that he’s running into liv!! Thank you soooooo much ;) for reading, commenting awesomely like you always do and sharing!! Don’t worry they will have a lot more fluff before Liam arrives ;)!!
“A Walker knows, when a Walker knows” Part Eight. Car trouble.
Book:The royal romance
Pairing: Drake Walker X F!MC (Riley Herreld)
Rating: 18+
Word count: 2.782
Series Summary: Fate interferes when Riley’s supposed to be working on that big Bachelor night. She gets drawn to Cordonia in another way. But what happens when a Workaholic, meet a Walker come together? Will they provide a Christmas miracle and get over their own love skepticism?
One way to find out!
Part eight. Summary: Drake drives Riley home in her deathtrap car, who finds herself struggling with her feelings as fluffy part after fluffy part of our so beloved marshmallow is revealed.
A/N:For everyone who takes time to read it, thank you!! Please let me know if you want to be tagged for this series A/N:Due to a very long chapter, overload on work and writing for two other series, I had to cut it in three. So first this one. Italian nights part one will release next saturday. A/N: Please excuse grammar mistakes. English is not my first language.
Category: Over the top a bit predictable Christmas fluff, with an edge.
Warnings: Swearing, Please do not read if you’re under 18.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
A Walker knows, when a Walker knows.
Car trouble.
Still Sunday, five days before Christmas.
Drake arrives at her building after a thirty minutes car ride. He smiles softly, glancing at the woman on the passenger seat who’s still fast asleep, snuggling into his coat. He undoes his seatbelt, before gently brushing her cheek, “Herreld, hey, time to wake up.”
“Mmh,” she snuggles against his hand and her breathing turns steady again.
“Herreld,” he whispers, caught between her blushed cheek and soft hand. He’s not keen on disturbing the peaceful sight of her wrapped in his jacket, but it’s what’s best given the two nights of sleep she skipped, “I’m sorry, but you have to wake up!”
“Mmh,” She slowly opens her eyes, mumbling, “Are we here already?”
“Already?” Drake snorts softly, gently retrieving his hand, “It’s a miracle that we arrived at all considering the deathtrap you drive, Herreld.”
“Yeah,” she stretches, unabashedly yawning, “she keeps me on my toes this one!”
“Keeps you on your toes? Your engine gave up on life three times during a freaking thirty-minute ride. Tell me, how long is this scream for help blinking?” He taps onto the ‘maintenance needed’ indication light.
“Uhm, well you know… A while I guess…” Riley stumbles, “Does it really matter?”
Drake scoffs, “Nah, why would it matter? It’s for decoration purposes anyway. No function, just a pretty little addition to your dashboard.”
She tries to change the subject by bopping his nose, “Did you know that your nose slightly wrinkles when you’re being sarcastic, Drake? It’s cute.”
“Cute?” He scowls, “Wanna rephrase that, Miss Herreld?”
“Did you know that your nose slightly wrinkles when you’re being sarcastic? It looks so dangerous, tough, and terrifying, I don’t even dare to boop,” she tries to do it anyway, only to get stopped by a gentle hand on her wrist, “your nose.” She pouts, but Drake’s more prepared this time, “Are you done?”
“Fine… If you really want to know,” she slowly lowers her hand. “It’s round and about forty-seven months.”
“FOUR YEARS? It’s already blinking for four years? Oh God, talking about pure madness.”
“It is, but sometimes it is, what it is. "Her head falls back against the headrest. "I went to a garage two years ago, found out that my car was beyond saving. So, I bought a second-hand car, then found out that there was a family in my hallway who could put it to way better use than I did. They just had a baby, their car broke down. You know how it is. So, I was very lucky that the garage was willing to give me my old car back for free after tweaking it a bit.”
“But I guess you managed to find a way since we’re still sitting in this deathtrap?”
“Well, I may or may not have abused their sleep delusion due to a week-old baby, to trick them into signing a borrowing contract. They’re only allowed to return the car in exchange for a drawing created by their kid Emily-Rose, which has to be at least on the same level as a Picasso.” She chuckles, “I’ve been receiving art every day for the past year.”
“They’ve been trying to give your car back for over a year?” Drake laughs warmly, “Oh Herreld, please tell me, how hard has it been to lie about what you think of those drawings?”
“I’ve been rating all of them with cute little glitter drawings, and a note 'better than Picasso’s work.” She turns her head, cheek resting against the headrest as she glances him sideways, “I hide them in a binder in my closet to make sure her parents don’t find out.”
Drake matches her movement, booping her nose affectionately, “You’re officially something else, Herreld.”
The sincerity in his eyes makes her heart flutter, whispering, “Thank you, Drake.”
“Just calling it how I see it,” he shrugs, fingers tapping on the steering wheel, “But you know, I can always give this wreck a check-up if you want. I simply need a toolbox, duct tape, and I can fix almost anything with wheels.”
She chuckles, “There might not be enough duct tape in the world to save this car, Drake.”
“Do not underestimate the scary amount we have at the Palace, Herreld. I think I could wrap this whole car into a bouncing ball.”
“Even though I really want to see that, I simply cannot accept.”
“Okay,” He gently takes his hand in hers, “Let me specify. This is a 'this is going to happen rather than an 'up for discussion’ kind of situation, Herreld.”
“Interesting technique, Walker. But I do have a question…”
“Of course, you do, "He laughs, "I don’t even know why I ever expected you to accept help with a simple thank you…”
“Hey,” she smacks him teasingly against the arm, “I’m very capable of accepting help with a simple 'thank you! Thank you, very much.”
“Right and I’m a fairy godmother who’s going to Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boothis car into a brand new one.”
She looks at him with wide eyes, biting her bottom lip before bursting into a full-blown belly laugh. “Hahaha, imagine you… hahaha…” He stares at the bundle of shaking adorableness as she’s not even capable of finishing her sentences, tears streaming down her cheeks, “Hahahaha…”
Drake feints being insulted, but seeing her laugh so freely, warmly, and fully makes his heart beat faster and faster. It’s Full-filling him with utter happiness, causing a broad smile to breakthrough no matter how hard he tries to stop or deny it. “Stop picturing me like a fairy godmother, Herreld…”
“But, hahaha, I’m seriously impressed by how fluent that Bibbidi flowed out of your mouth, Walker! I mean… there has to be a story here. I hope I’m not offending you, but you don’t strike me as a 'Cinderella-story’ guy.”
“Oh, no, no. I never got the appeal of the whole, commoner marries the prince stuff, but it was my sister’s favorite movie growing up, the one we always watched as she woke up scared in the middle of the night when our dad was on a mission…”
“Drake, that’s…” Her wide blues water, her hand clenching around his as her heart fills with warmth at the image of younger Drake so caring, so protective over his sister. Realizing that he must have been carrying so much all these years. When his dad was away from home to work, after his dad died, his mom moved back to Texas and leaving him alone with his sister.
How he must have tried to protect her, how powerless he must have felt after her running away. How he must have lived in uncertainty, but despite all that welcomed her, and Bartie back into his life with open arms anyway. Without blame, only making sure they’re safe and loved unconditionally.
This, and all she has seen tonight, all that she has heard over the past few months from Savannah, Maxwell and Bartie simply set her heart aflame. Oh no… Seriously… If you decide to fall for someone for the first time in your life… Don’t fall that for the most eligible Bachelor of Cordonia.
“Herreld, are you okay?”
Just let go of his hand.
“Herreld?”
I don’t want to let go of his hand.
“Captain Marshmallow for Sparkles.”
“Ha?” She snaps out of it, her hand still clenched around his. “I’m so sorry, Drake. I would’ve never laughed so loud If I have known the story behind it. I’m so, so, so sorry, it was so inconsiderate.“
He squeezes her hand, taken aback by her sincerity, "The only thing you need to apologize for, Herreld, is for apologizing because that’s the only crime if you have an enchanting laugh like that…”
Their eyes lock, and the air thickens as both lean towards each other like magnets.
“Drake,” she whispers, her heart on the brink of exploding, “That’s…” She swallows, realizing… I’m utterly, properly and sparkly fucked. Her eyes snap to his full lips so close to hers, licking hers briefly and feels control slipping out of her hands. Get your head out of the gutter, Riley. Come on. This guy is the whole package, heart of gold and just look at him. He’s constantly surrounded with models, gorgeous women at court, and you’re you. Simply you. Snap out of it. Don’t lose it. She shakes her head, snapping out of it and quickly blurting, “So, my question!”
Drake yanks himself backwards, thank full for her interruption since he was one second away from doing something really stupid. What the hell is happening? “Yes, question. You had a question. Thank God, for you having a question!”
“Alright,” Riley takes a deep breath to compose herself, “I understand that you fixing up my car is not up for discussion, buthow do you feel about discussing conditions?”
“Conditions?” He rubs his forehead to clear the fog, before giving her an impressed side-glance, “You’re a clever one, aren’t you? You know, I’m okay with negotiations about conditions! Please, the floor is yours.”
“Okay, one. You’re not allowed to spend a dime, and two… I want to do it together to learn something about cars.”
Drake looks at her in sincere surprise, “That’s it?”
“Yes, what did you expect? Me watching, while you fix the car full-on Magic Mike style?”
“What the hell is a Magic Mike?”
“You know what. Doesn’t matter and most of all, please don’t google it.”
“Alright. Counter conditions, I’m paying half.”
“Nope.”
He takes a second to think, conceding when an idea comes to mind, “Alright, agreed.”
She narrows her eyes, “Okay, I’m suspicious.”
“You should be,” he shrugs, “but I’m agreeing to your conditions and that’s what matters.”
Their hands find each other naturally, and their fingers entwine despite their scare only a minute ago. “You know what. I’m just going to trust you in this one. We’ve got a deal. Thank you, Drake.”
He strokes her hand with his thumb as if he has done it a million times before, “I’m doing this for the car, Herreld. Your engine is literally screaming in pain, it’s a true miracle that you slept through it.”
Riley snorts softly, “It’s almost like I’m really tired after two nights of no sleep.”
“Yeah. Weirdly human of you, Sparkles. But…” His hand slips out hers, tapping her leg, “Let’s get you home. Oh, and before I forget… You need to text Mable about arriving because I’m pretty sure I’m a dead man if you don’t. She’s terrifying.”
She chuckles, immediately taking out her phone to text her. “You’ve got that right! Or else’ Mable is very, very scary Mable.” Drake leaves the car, her eyes fall onto a bunch of texts from Liam, and an idea comes to mind.
Her door opens, Drake appears with a grin and offers her his hand. She takes it with a big smile, his jacket in hand. He hands her, her car keys after she’s safely back on two feet. She offers him his coat back, but he only accepts it to drape it over her shoulders once more.
“We’re not at your warm apartment yet, Herreld.”
“I’m just going to have to accept this, don’t I? Another one of those 'this is not up for discussion things…”
He slides an arm around her shoulder, “Most definitely, yes.”
She smiles shyly, instantly causing his heart to skip a beat, “Really sweet, thank you.”
He squeezes her tight against him, murmuring against her hair, “Your welcome, Sparkles.”
Before long they arrive on the third floor, and when Riley opens the door to a long hallway, an unexpected, delicious smell hits Drake’s nose. It reminds him of something, but where his mind fails to place it, his stomach rumbles loudly in approval.
“You okay there, Walker?” Her arm slides naturally around his waist, tapping his stomach, and his arm finds her shoulder again. “I’m fine. No need to worry about me.”
Together they walk through the hallway where several doors are wide open. “Is this normal?” Drake asks as they walk past the fourth open door where Riley gets greeted, and he’s stared at in uttermost surprise.
“We do our best to look out for each other in this hallway, so, yeah.” She holds still after a few more steps, “Ahh, this is me.”
He points at a rolled-up piece of paper on her door with a grin, “Is that what I think it is?”
“Yes!” She carefully removes it and turns to him in excitement, “Want to see it?”
Drake nods, moving behind her as she unrolls the drawing. His hand slides onto her hip, studying the drawing with his chin resting on her shoulder. The sketch itself is far from impressive, but the expression on her face is something else.
She leans into his touch, whispering, “Isn’t it precious?”
He smiles sheepishly, taking in the glow of pure happiness radiating off her, her eyes sparkling with love and pride. “I would say beautiful,” he whispers with his eyes far from the drawing. His arms find their way around her, pulling her close against his chest, nuzzling into her hair. She chuckles, “Drake, that tickles!”
“Oh, I’m sorry Herreld! I didn’t mean to do that!” He teasingly brushes his nose against the sensitive skin of her neck, enjoying every bit of her warm flowery perfume, “Is this better?”
Riley laughs warmly, making Drake’s heart flutter. God, I love this sound…
“We really should head inside, Drake.”
“Mmh,” he murmurs against her hair, still holding her close against his chest while she fiddles with her keys to unlock the door, “Youshould get inside. Ishould get going because I have a brisk evening walk to look forward to…” She opens the door, and he gets hit by the delicious smell of tomatoes, onions, and garlic, his stomach grumbling.
“You sure about that, Drake?” She spins to face him, casually leaning against the doorpost, “Because I think your stomach is really looking forward to a plate of steamy spaghetti meatballs…”
“Oh, I really shouldn’t Herreld…”
“A homemade pizza…”
His stomach grumbles louder than before.
“Yeah, that’s it, mister Walker. Your stomach has spoken, and I have a quick one-question pop quiz for you. Can you guess what kind of situation this just turned into?”
Drake grins, leaning against the doorpost with his arm above her head, “Wow, this is biting me in the ass way earlier than I expected.”
“You know, I’m going to count that answer as correct.” Riley slyly reaches in her pocket to take out a glittery pen, and she takes his hand in hers. He raises his brows at the sight of her taking the lid off with her teeth, eyes fixated on where her full pink lips softly encircle it. God. That’s… He swallows, murmuring flustered, “Do you always carry a glitter marker with you?”
She mumbles inaudibly due to the lid in her mouth, until Drake takes it in hand with a snort, “Okay, let’s try that again, Herreld.”
“Yes, you never know when you have to rate something, Drake! This being the perfect example!”
“You know…” He smiles, “I don’t even know why I was surprised there for a moment…”
She stops before touching his skin with the penpoint, “My annoying drive to constantly do the right thing forces me to warn you about this being a permanent marker, though…”
“Just do it, Sparkles.”
Riley draws a 100% on his hands with small marshmallows as zeroes, and a little captain head on top of them, Drake enjoys the gentleness of her fingertips on his skin and the sight of her biting her bottom lip in concentration is mesmerizing.
“There, and now…” She motions him to come in with a victorious grin on her face.
He leans in towards her instead of entering her apartment. His hands find their familiar way back onto her hips as he whispers, “You know, as far as 'this is going to happen,’ situations go… I could do far worse than sticking around for food. Especially because I’m the one deciding on conditions…” Her victorious grin disappears when he meets her eyes with an excited twinkle in them, gently guiding her backward into her apartment, “and do I have one for you.”
“A Walker knows, when a Walker knows” Part Seven. Let me take you home.
Book:The royal romance
Pairing: Drake Walker X F!MC (Riley Herreld)
Rating: 18+
Word count: 5.300
Series Summary: Fate interferes when Riley’s supposed to be working on that big Bachelor night. She gets drawn to Cordonia in another way. But what happens when a Workaholic, and a Walker come together? Are we in for a Christmas miracle?
One way to find out!
Part Seven. Summary: Riley and Drake both spill things they rather would’ve kept hidden, while their bodies seems to disagree less and less with their minds.
A/N: For everyone who takes time to read it, thank you!! Please let me know if you want to be tagged for this series A/N: Please excuse me for grammatical errors. A/N: After this one, there is only one left before Maxwell is going to edit the video, before our story build up is over.
Category: Christmas fluff.
Warnings: Swearing.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
A Walker knows, when a Walker knows.
Let me take you home.
Still Sunday, five days before Christmas.
Silence falls. The sound of their enhanced breaths mixes with the crackling of the fire and only one of them has to slightly lean in…
A sudden loud bang echoes through the silent night startling both. Drake instantly acts on instincts, but where he usually manages to handle such a situation calmly, he’s taken over by sudden fear.
He tackles her to the ground, before completely covering her body with his, protecting both of their heads with his arms and hands.
“A Walker knows, when a Walker knows” Part Seven. Let me take you home.
Book:The royal romance
Pairing: Drake Walker X F!MC (Riley Herreld)
Rating: 18+
Word count: 5.300
Series Summary: Fate interferes when Riley’s supposed to be working on that big Bachelor night. She gets drawn to Cordonia in another way. But what happens when a Workaholic, and a Walker come together? Are we in for a Christmas miracle?
One way to find out!
Part Seven. Summary: Riley and Drake both spill things they rather would’ve kept hidden, while their bodies seems to disagree less and less with their minds.
A/N: For everyone who takes time to read it, thank you!! Please let me know if you want to be tagged for this series A/N: Please excuse me for grammatical errors. A/N: After this one, there is only one left before Maxwell is going to edit the video, before our story build up is over.
Category: Christmas fluff.
Warnings: Swearing.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
A Walker knows, when a Walker knows.
Let me take you home.
Still Sunday, five days before Christmas.
Silence falls. The sound of their enhanced breaths mixes with the crackling of the fire and only one of them has to slightly lean in…
A sudden loud bang echoes through the silent night startling both. Drake instantly acts on instincts, but where he usually manages to handle such a situation calmly, he’s taken over by sudden fear.
He tackles her to the ground, before completely covering her body with his, protecting both of their heads with his arms and hands.
Just as always I’m just going to start with: I LOVE YOUR REBLOGS! And I love those gifs soooooooo much!!! Especially those from Drake and Riley… Their perfect!
THANK YOU SO MUCH! There we go .
It’s such an emberassing moment for Drake, him tackling her too the ground. She’s making him lose control and he’s going to have a lot of struggles with that in fact.
But things quickly get out of hand when they do manage to let go though, when they dare to lose themselves in each other. It’s fun to write, their body language has this shit figured out waaaaay before their minds recieves the message.
Haha, yes he’s in deep. I love how you say this, once more a sign of him losing control. But Riley’s in deep too, letting him take her home, after sharing his experience with Liam.
Tim is going to cause some drama yes, he’s not keen on having a guy like Drake around the girl he’s in love with… Can’t blame him :P.
But yes, for me these two are def. soulmates in the making, maybe they’re already are. Faith is hitting hard and fast with these two.
A Walker knows, when a walker knows…
Once again, your reblogs are amazing! Thank you for reading, taking your time too comment, reblog! It’s amazing! Makes me want to write like crazy!
“A Walker knows, when a Walker knows” Part Seven. Let me take you home.
Book:The royal romance
Pairing: Drake Walker X F!MC (Riley Herreld)
Rating: 18+
Word count: 5.300
Series Summary: Fate interferes when Riley’s supposed to be working on that big Bachelor night. She gets drawn to Cordonia in another way. But what happens when a Workaholic, and a Walker come together? Are we in for a Christmas miracle?
One way to find out!
Part Seven. Summary: Riley and Drake both spill things they rather would’ve kept hidden, while their bodies seems to disagree less and less with their minds.
A/N: For everyone who takes time to read it, thank you!! Please let me know if you want to be tagged for this series A/N: Please excuse me for grammatical errors. A/N: After this one, there is only one left before Maxwell is going to edit the video, before our story build up is over.
Category: Christmas fluff.
Warnings: Swearing.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
A Walker knows, when a Walker knows.
Let me take you home.
Still Sunday, five days before Christmas.
Silence falls. The sound of their enhanced breaths mixes with the crackling of the fire and only one of them has to slightly lean in…
A sudden loud bang echoes through the silent night startling both. Drake instantly acts on instincts, but where he usually manages to handle such a situation calmly, he’s taken over by sudden fear.
He tackles her to the ground, before completely covering her body with his, protecting both of their heads with his arms and hands.
Work has been crazy, and this chapter is way too fun to write (It’s looong)! So it’s taking a little more time. We’re in for fluff, a little bit of drama, and I already had to cut it in half! I wanted to give an impression of two big moments of what’s to come after he has taken her home. Part one of ‘Italian night.’ (Sorry for any grammer mistakes)
“Ha?” She snaps out of it, “Uhm, yes. I’m fine. It’s just so sweet. I can’t believe I laughed so hard… I’m so sorry.”
He squeezes her hand, blurting as he is taking aback at the sincerity in her words, “The only thing you need to apologize for, Herreld, is for apologizing because that’s the only crime if you have an enchanting laugh like that…”
Their eyes lock and silence falls. “Drake,” she whispers, her eyes watering and her heart on the brink of exploding, “That’s…” Yup, I’m utterly, properly and sparkly fucked.
———
Riley swallows, “That kind of makes me wish that I could’ve been there with you.” He smiles, dimples forming and he meets her sparkly blues, taken aback with the sincerity in her voice. “Me too.”
“But, I’m here now. We can pretend to be on a secret date in Rome?”
Drake’s breath hatches in his throat. Date. Is this a date? Am I on a date? But I don’t date. I should tell her that I don’t date.
She squeezes his hand, “Drake? Hey, are you with me? Did I say something wrong?”
But I don’t want to tell her… I want… He startles at his own thought. Yet. I don’t want to tell it yet, who wants to ruin the mood right?
“Sparkles for Captain Marshmallow!”
“Oh right, that means ordering in my best Italian.” He clears his throat, face turning serious, looking to the left as if he’s talking to a waiter, “Spaghetti and Pizza.”
Her hand leaves his, feinting being annoyed, “Seriously, Drake? You forgot the lasagna.”
Drake smacks his forehead, “You’re right. But maybe I can catch up with him!” He glances over his shoulder, “Ahh damn, sorry Herreld. He just disappeared into the kitchen. I guess we’ll just have to make do.”
I hope you enjoyed it and the chapter will be out ASAP!
Taglist please let me know if you want to be added, or removed:
“A Walker knows, when a Walker knows” Part Seven. Let me take you home.
Book:The royal romance
Pairing: Drake Walker X F!MC (Riley Herreld)
Rating: 18+
Word count: 5.300
Series Summary: Fate interferes when Riley’s supposed to be working on that big Bachelor night. She gets drawn to Cordonia in another way. But what happens when a Workaholic, and a Walker come together? Are we in for a Christmas miracle?
One way to find out!
Part Seven. Summary: Riley and Drake both spill things they rather would’ve kept hidden, while their bodies seems to disagree less and less with their minds.
A/N: For everyone who takes time to read it, thank you!! Please let me know if you want to be tagged for this series A/N: Please excuse me for grammatical errors. A/N: After this one, there is only one left before Maxwell is going to edit the video, before our story build up is over.
Category: Christmas fluff.
Warnings: Swearing.
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
A Walker knows, when a Walker knows.
Let me take you home.
Still Sunday, five days before Christmas.
Silence falls. The sound of their enhanced breaths mixes with the crackling of the fire and only one of them has to slightly lean in…
A sudden loud bang echoes through the silent night startling both. Drake instantly acts on instincts, but where he usually manages to handle such a situation calmly, he’s taken over by sudden fear.
He tackles her to the ground, before completely covering her body with his, protecting both of their heads with his arms and hands.
Riley’s not sure what just happened. Drake’s body’s tense on top of hers. He’s leaning on his elbows to avoid crushing her, forehead against hers, his eyes squeezed, and his breathing seems far off. A tense silence falls before a light crackling fills the air caused by beautiful fireworks in the starry sky. “Drake,” she whispers with a soft, slightly dazed smile, “it’s fireworks.”
“What?” Drake murmurs in confusion, finding last traces of colorful delight when he glances at the sky over his shoulder. A relieved breath escapes him and his head falls down in the crook of her neck. “Just fireworks… I am so sorry, Herreld!”
Her hands slide up, massaging the back of his neck in comfort. Her fingers drift once in a while off into his hair, applying pressure on his scalp as if she has done it a million times before. “It’s fine, don’t apologize!”
“Mmh…” A warm chuckle escapes her mouth when Drake groans in approval. “Still… I’m supposed to handle these possible threat situations without panicking. I have no idea what came over me.”
“Newsflash! You’re only human Drake. Buuuut it’s good to know that I’m not only dealing with a sideline pyromaniac this week but also with the threat to be tackled at every moment. I’m looking forward to getting familiar with the ground in the week to come!
Drake snorts against her neck with no intention to move as she’s working magic with her fingers. "Whaaat? I thought that you would be at least engaged to the ground, figuring how much time the two of you must be spending due to those feet of yours…”
Riley barks out a laugh, “Ohh, please don’t let my husband ‘mister work’ hear that. He’s easily jealous…”
“Is that right? So, what would he say if he heard about you serenading and, most of all, declaring your forever love to your clipboard?”
“Ohhh no, no,” she grins, “we have no time for that kind of drama this week, Drake. Don’t you dare!” His body slowly relaxes under her touch, murmuring, “Fine! Working with Max will cause enough drama this week anyway.”
She chuckles warmly. “Much appreciated… And you’re probably right… But Drake…”
He groans in protest when her hands leave his neck. “I know, I know.” He jumps up, offering her his hand and she accepts it. “I get it, we’ve been here a while now. You have to get back to work.” He easily pulls her back up to her feet, steadying her with his hands on her hips. “Come on.”
He turns back towards the Christmas Market but is pulled back by a broad smiling Riley. “Yes, we’re here for a while now, but I actually wanted to tell you that I’m getting hungry…” Her eyes fall on the hard-working volunteers in the distance, her last words turning into inaudible murmuring. With the hour-to-hour cleaning plan fresh in her memory, she knows that they are not even halfway and realizes that she might have gotten carried away for a little bit the past thirty minutes.
But where she usually wouldn’t have to think twice about getting back to work, she finds herself conflicted for some unexplainable reason.
Drake notices her sudden struggle, gently guiding her eyes back to his with a hand on the cheek, lingering there. “Talk to me, Herreld.”
“Well…” Riley bites her bottom lip in doubt, having trouble sharing her thoughts. “Would it…” she takes a deep breath, mumbling with her hand on her forehead. “God, I hate how much I suck at this…”
Drake knit his brows together to hide his amusement at the sudden spat of swearing.
She blurts. “Would it be really selfish that I actually want to” she takes one of the sticks in hand, holding it up for Drake to see, “stickaround a little bit longer and complete that s'more?”
Drake blinks at her horrible joke, finding it hard to move past it. Especially when one secretly finds it way too amusing for his own liking, since he usually would’ve slammed Maxwell against the back of his head by blurring out an abomination like that.
Riley sighs, her brows furrowing at his ongoing silence. “Oh God, it is, isn’t it? You know… I’m going to get to work!” She turns her head, Drake’s hand leaving her cheek and she wants to brush past him, but he stops her at the hips, guiding her back in front of him.
“Alright,” his hands linger, looking her straight in the eye. “For your information. I wasn’t confirming that you’re selfish for wanting to stay a little bit longer. I just needed a little bit of time to process that abomination of a joke, that’s all! And honestly, it was kind of selfish that you decide to hurt my poor, innocent ears with it!”
A small smile appears on her face, one that Drake naturally matches.
“It’s also selfish that you don’t seem to care, at all, about the high risk I’ll be taking by staying here with you! Hell, your easily jealous husband 'mister work’, might come over to punch me in the face for keeping you away from him…” He leans forward to take his stick off the ground, his face turns vulnerable, “But I think it would be actually kind of selfish to not stick around, Herreld.”
He averts his eyes, looking down at the stick in his hand. “Because take it from me that it reallysucks to see someone who you care about think about everyone else except for themselves. To see someone working themselves into pieces and not being able to get through their thick head that they’re only human. Consider Mable and all the others who care about you. Consider the kids… I mean, who is going to take your place when you have burned yourself out, ha? Is that really what you want? You’ve got to take care of yourself if you want to take care of someone else, Herreld.”
Riley instantly chokes, his words reminding her of what her mom used to say. She averts her watery blues to the sky, desperate trying to avoid crying for the first time in four years. How did that slip my mind?
-Please be a care bear for you as well. Because caring for someone else starts with caring about yourself.-
Drake glances at her teared-up eyes, carefully taking both their sticks in hand, and throws both on one of the chairs before gently pulling her close again. “Do you want to talk about it? Can’t promise that I can say anything useful, since I tend to make things only worse when I open my mouth, but me learning to shut it actually taught me to be a great listener…”
She snorts at his sweet words, quickly wiping away a few escaped tears. “You know what it is, Drake. I’ve always been an over-the-top caring person, but things really turned into overdrive when my mom got sick. I mean. I get others, I can help them with their feelings, thoughts, actions. But expressing myself… Dealing with me. Worst nightmare ever. I mean. I’m a mess. A lot is going on in here,” she taps herself on the head, “I daily drive myself crazy. Multiple times. So, I found that it’s easier to focus on the job I love, focus on my friends and their well-being, but most of all focus on those great kids to give them the best time of their lives, to see them blossom and grow every day, other than to focus on myself and the things I actually should’ve been and/or still should be dealing with.”
Riley freezes, eyes growing wide as the words just slipped out of her mouth like they’re nothing. But they’re everything. She had kept them hidden for such a long time. “Ha,” she says stunned, “there is no chance that I’ve just said that in my head, right?”
Drake shakes his head, an 'I’m sorry’ expression on his face.
“Well.” A playful snort escapes her while wiping away another few escaped tears. “That sucks. One time machine, please. Where’s Dr. Who when you need him? Or do you have a neuralyzer on you by any chance?”
Drake smiles softly at her sudden spat of randomness, pushing away that he never felt more connected to someone else in his life for some unidentifiable weird reason. “I’m sorry. I left my MIB gear at home. But, Herreld…” He leans back, gently tipping her head up to wipe away a tear with his thumb. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s fine that you suck at talking, sharing. Your only human.”
Riley visibly relaxes at his comforting words. “You’re seriously the first person ever who doesn’t drop the 'you’re weirdly uncomfortable with sharing your feelings for a school tutor’ card when they find out I’m bad at expressing feelings other than happy ones.”
“People actually say that?”
“Can’t blame them though, I can’t expect them to understand if I never explained any of it.”
Drake gently brushes a few stranded locks of hair behind her ear, blurring straight from the heart. “Well, I do get it. Talking about feelings, fears, God that’s hard! What if you burden someone with those feelings, questions? What if someone feels attacked? What if history repeats itself? I mean… There was nothing I could’ve done to prevent it in the first place, but why risk increasing the chance of repeat by stacking even more guilt on her shoulder. It’s not that I’m blaming her for anything though, but I know she’s still struggling with it. But all I want is for her to be happy. So that’s where I keep my focus on, and I just need to suck it…” He freezes,horror slowly creeping up his face. I’ve been doing the fucking same with Sav.
Riley realizes where he’s talking about. Savannah has been opening up to her the past few months, telling her about her disappearance, how happy she was that Drake found her. That he had instantly welcomed her and Bartie into his life without pointing one blaming finger at her.
She knows that she still deals with guilt every day, afraid to talk to Drake about it since she doesn’t want to bother him any more than she already did in the past. He already carried so much for her, is what she always says.
She also knows that Savannah told him that her leaving has been completely out of his control, and she realizes that he must have been struggling with that deeply, especially since she’s heading over to the place where it all went down in the first place. Returning to the cause of why she left and Riley can’t imagine how that must feel for someone who always desires to be in control.
“I…” Drake stumbles, releasing her with one big step backward. What the hell Walker. Blurring this out in front of a professional. Oh, God… I so don’t want to… But she’s not going to let this go. But she reads the room perfectly to his surprise.
“Drake, it’s fine. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. I’m always willing to listen, always. Without any judgment. But only if you want to, and only on your terms.”
He raises his brows in surprise since everyone has been pushing him to talk about his thoughts and feelings for his whole pathetic life. So he didn’t expect someone to let something like this go after him spilling part of the beans. “You’re really letting this go?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry, did you expect me to push you into talk with all kinds of smart little tricks?”
“Uh. Yeah?”
She shakes her head, “Sorry! Not My Style, Mister Walker.”
Drake awkwardly rubs the back of his neck, “So, what do we do now?”
“Well…” Riley smiles a little bit cheekily, “Once upon a time, there was a brave Captain Walker, who very subtly pointed out that I needed to take care of myself before being able to be there for others. And since that’s one hell of an annoying, great eye-opening idea… I would like to suggest that you introduce me to the yumminess of the s'mores. So I guess what I’m trying to say is…” She grabs from the chair, offering one of them to Drake. “Drake Walker, will you stickaround with me?”
Drake drapes his hand down over his face to hide a big smile at her once again bad pun. “You are un-fucka-believable, Herreld.”
“Ahhh come on!” She gives him a cheeky smile, wiggling her brows. “I know you want it!”
“Fine,” he accepts the stick with a roll of the eye, before scooping her up in his arms to carry her towards the chair. For safety measures only of course.
“But let it be known that Drake Walker is brave enough to risk death at terrible humor by sticking around.” He gently lowers her on the chair and she shoves away the basket between her and his chair. He places his chair against hers, before slumbering down himself.
Riley chuckles while removing the ruined marshmallows from the sticks. “I shall personally spread the tales of brave Captain Walker! Oh. Maybe I can write a song, follow you around with a lute? The word of me singing is out anyway. So, how’s that?”
“Dear Lord. That sounds like full-on hell on earth!” Drake flashes her a drop-dead gorgeous, heart stopping, dimple popping smirk despite his words, “But it isn’t working, so go for it!”
“You know…” She gives him a crooked smirk. “You, mister I’m always grumpy to keep people at a distance, are actually very fluffy, and caring on the inside. Maybe I should pierce you on a stick and give you a good roast, Captain Marshmallow.” She gives him a teasing poke with her stick, which he smacks with a huge grin on his face. “Yeah, yeah. No need to make a fuss about it. Moving on. Now. Can we finally get to the part where you show me that you’re actually capable of being a good student?”
She teasingly salutes him. “Yes, Sir Captain Marshmallow! Sir. I will be the best student you’ve ever encountered!”
He pinches the bridge of his nose with a groan. “First order of business. Drop the Captain Marshmallow.”
“Not a chance! It’s way too cute to not let it,” she holds up her stick, “stickaround!”
Drake’s brows raise sky-high, throwing her his most 'I’m so not amused’ death glare.
Riley coughs, “I mean. It’s way too tough and bad-ass to not stickaround and I promise to only say it when it’s just the two of us?”
He takes the last two marshmallows out of the box, handing them to Riley. “Fine. I’ll take it. I know better, and this is the best I’m going to get out of this deal.”
She accepts them with a soft snort, fingers brushing in the process, lingering against each other just a little bit too long. Their eyes meet in silence before they manage to break away from each other with a shy smile. Riley pierces the marshmallows upright, before showing them to Drake with pride. “So, am I a good student, or what?”
Drake accepts one of them with a sly grin. “I couldn’t be more proud of you, Herreld. It’s extremely impressive! Brava! You just pierced a fucking marshmallow on a stick the right way.”
“Wow!” Riley smirks teasingly at him while lowering her marshmallow right above the flames. “You’ve got on hell of a messed up reward/punishment system there, Walker. I get a sarcastic snarl when I’m a great student, you use your angry Captain Walker voice when I disobey…”
“What would’ve you expect?” He matches her movement by also lowering his marshmallow to just above the flames. “A grading report decorated with little sunshine- and smiley stickers, written feedback burger and all of that topped off with a weird glitter figure just like I have seen on Bartie’s rated schoolwork?”
Riley chuckles. “YES! At the very least! And don’t make fun of my little glitter drawings! Their fun, the kids love them and a little bit of glitter has never hurt anyone!”
“Yeah…” Drake grins his eyes snapping to his marshmallow. “Clearly you’ve never been to one of Maxwell’s birthday parties!”
“He told me about those! Is it true that you’ve actually filed a motion for officially banning glittery drink after the last one?”
“Oh yeah! And I still stand by it. Glitter in drinks should be illegal. Booze is supposed to be stiff, not sparkly!”
Riley moves her attention back to her marshmallow. “Well. I don’t see the problem.”
“Of course, you don’t!’ He grins.
"Yeah. A good stiff drink makes me happy, sparkles make me happy. Put them together…” She sighs dreamily, not noticing her marshmallow dangerously lowering, “and you have a little sparkly potion of joy.”
Drake snorts, leaning in to gently take her hand in his to steady it. “Well, at least I don’t have to wonder why you and Maxwell get along so well! But how about we keep our focus on our marshmallows? These are our last two and yours was extremely close to getting very familiar with the hot flames, sparkles.”
“Sorry,” she chuckles at the cute nickname. “I’m not great at doing two times at the same time.”
“Yeah, well sorry isn’t going to cut it, Herreld. You just lost glitters on your feedback form!”
“Ahhh!” Riley’s head snaps to the left, her big blues watery, lips pouting and all of that nearly gives Drake an immediate heart attack, finding himself ready to get up and raid the craft shop downtown at this very instant. God! What the hell is going on?
“Drake!” Her big blues snap to his marshmallow, her hand lifting his but it’s already too late! Drake stares disappointed at his marshmallow that has turned into a torch before extinguishing the flames in the snow. “Well, that’s a first.”
“You never burned a marshmallow before?” Riley eyes him carefully, trying to figure out what to do as he rubs his forehead in disbelief, mind seemingly running. What the fuck am I doing tonight? I panicked at the sound of fucking fireworks, got distracted from something as simple as roasting a fucking marshmallow… What the hell? I’m losing control… I never lose control.
Riley realizes that this is not just about burning the marshmallow. She ties the knots together in her head. Everything that Savannah has told her over the past few months, combined with Drake’s mention about being in control and uttermost careful she asks. “So, do you want to talk about it, or do you want me to tell you a bad marshmallow pun to take your mind off of things?”
Annoyed he throws his stick onto the fire, watching it immediately getting swallowed by the flames. “I just burnt a fuck marshmallow, Sparkles. What the hell is there to talk about?”
“Do you really want me to answer that?”
“You know what?” He leans back into his chair with folded arms, challenging her with raised brows, “Enlighten me!”
“Okay…” She checks her marshmallow, finds it perfectly roasted and clamps the stick between her knees. “About Savannah returning this week to the place where it all went down a few years ago, after telling you that there was nothing you could’ve done to prevent her from disappearing? About being scared that history repeats itself, but being scared to talk about it to Sav?”
She hits the nail on the head, his brain defensively switching to rationalizing as he’s been doing the past few years. “She’s there all the time, Herreld. This week is going to change nothing. Besides, she would never leave Bartie alone, so it doesn’t make sense.”
Riley takes two cream crackers, coating them with chocolate before placing the hot marshmallow on top. “Fear doesn’t always have to make sense.”
Drake grumbles, muttering under his breath as her words hit him right in the chest. His eyes focused on her hands that assemble the s'more with care. “Never thought that these words would ever leave my mouth, but I would like to switch to the bad marshmallow puns, please.”
“Okay.” She smiles, pressing the second cream cracker on top of the roasted deliciousness before meeting his eye with an extremely exciting twinkle in them. “Why does the marshmallow cross the road?”
He groans, “O dear lord.”
“Well…”
“I don’t know. Why did the marshmallow cross the road, sparkles? Please tell me. The expense is killing me.”
She nudges him in her excitement, “Because he realized that there is s'mores to life!”
Drake drapes a hand in front of his face, but no matter how hard he tries to hide it, a snort escapes nevertheless. “You’re killing me here.”
“Warned you. Said bad marshmallow pun, Drake. Here,” she taps with her hand holding half of the s'mores against his upper arm and he looks up in surprise. “Oh, no. Can’t accept it! You never ate one, I ruined mine.”
She raises a brow. “Are you kidding me, Captain Marshmallow? You were just one of the two stars of a 'how to make the perfect s'more’ video where the two of you literally shared one marshmallow since there sweet bundles of love made to be shared. Do I really need to explain it? Where was your head at?”
He accepts his half with a slight shake of the head, “Fine. Thank you!”
Riley looks at him in expectance, not taking a bite of her half in hand.
“What?”
“Take a bite, I want to know how I did.”
Drake’s expression turns serious, taking a bite in his fullest attention.
“Well… Have I earned my sparkles back?”
He grins, “I guess you’ll just have to wait and see until you receive your feedback burger card, Herreld.” She wants to pout again, but he sees it coming from afar. “Don’t you dare, miss Herreld!”
“Fine,” she grins, before relaxing into her chair. “I’m a patient women Walker!”
Drake also relaxes in his chair, his right arm casually leaning far over his own, half onto her armchair. “Since I’m far from patiently… Just take a freaking bite already.”
Riley takes a big bite, her eyes grow wide and a food moan escapes her mouth, “OMMEGUT! TWIS ISH DELISIOUS.” He snorts at the ongoing cute food moans, before enjoying the rest of his s'more himself.
A comfortable silence falls, both of them enjoying the food, and secretly each other’s presence. Riley lets out a deep content sigh after finishing her s'more, throws another log on the fire, and relaxes back in her chair.
She pulls up her feet, resting her arm on the armchair against Drake’s, her head comfortably leaning towards him, but still against her own chair back.
Drake takes his last bite, glancing at the relaxed woman beside him. She looks up and meets his eye with a gentle, quiet smile, and he wipes a little bit of chocolate from the corners of her mouth before both of them turn their gazes back towards the fire.
They sit there for another thirty minutes in utter silence. Drake glances back at her, noticing that her eyes are closed. “You okay there, Sparkles?”
She nods, mumbling, “I’m just so relaxed.” Drake shifts a little bit, offering his soft shoulder. She thankfully snuggles against it, without opening her eyes. “Is this okay?”
“Yes,” and he bops her nose full of affection, drawing another gentle smile from her. “Thank you, Drake. For this, for earlier, tonight, and for weirdly making me feel at most relaxed as I have been in five or six years.” Her last words turn more into whispers and Drake feels conflicted. Hell, he could be here all night with her against his shoulder for some reason he doesn’t understand, but falling asleep might not be the best thing to do when it’s freezing outside. So he blurs with a heavy heart. “Herreld, can I take you home?”
Riley slowly opens her eyes, moaning a little bit. She glances into the distance where the Christmas Market isn’t even half done, struggle filling her heart briefly. But Drake gently guides her eyes to meet his, “Herreld… Come one.”
She looks up at him from under her eyelashes, not wanting to lose the magic just yet. “Can we stay here for just a bit more? Like fifteen minutes?”
He glances down, finding it impossible to say no to the way she looks at him. “Fine.” He gently tugs a hair behind her ear. “But I will start cleaning up after those fifteen minutes, and I will take you home. Where are your car keys, before I’m not able to wake you up anymore.”
She slowly nods, before snuggling back against his shoulder. “My keys are in the bag over there. Thank you, captain Marshmallow.” He snorts softly at the nickname, “That’s fine, Sparkles. It’s all fine.”
A soft smile appears on her face and Drake fights the sudden urge to kiss her forehead. Averting his eyes back to the fire, his hand slides onto one of her folded legs. “Is this okay?”
“Yes, nice and toasty.” She murmurs, her breathing turning steady. They sit like that for another fifteen minutes and then some more since Drake’s not really keeping track on time. But decides that it’s time to go when he also threatens to doze off. He gently moves her head away from his shoulder, before standing up. She lightly protests at his sudden missing body heat, calming down again after a slight shift.
Drake sighs deeply at the peaceful sight of her, taking off his coat and draping it around her, tucking her in. I’ll get warm moving anyway.
She snuggles happily into his jacket. He sighs deeply at the comfortable sight before wrapping up the tent, putting away the camera and the rest of the stuff.
Everything, except for the chair Riley’s sleeping on, is packed after ten minutes. He takes the car keys, before kneeling in front of Riley, gently squeezing her hand. “Herreld, I’m going to carry you to the car, okay?” She slowly opens her eyes, rubbing them lightly, “I don’t mind walking…”
“I don’t want to take the risk that your sleepwalking abilities are as bad as your awake ones, Sparkles. Please, let me carry you!”
She chuckles, her arm sliding around his neck in approval. “So, now your asking? You’ve been carrying around all night!” Drake gently takes her in his arms, before taking the big bag with all the important materials from the ground. He makes sure that she’s wrapped in his coat. “Your half asleep, it feels different.”
Riley snuggles against his chest. “Your sweet.” Her words make Drake snort, causing her to murmur, “What’s so funny?”
“No woman, other than Savannah or my mom, has ever described me as sweet before.”
“Well, thank you for trusting me enough to show me that apparently top-secret side of you.”
Drake takes a deep breath, once again suppressing the need to kiss her forehead. “Thank you for making me,” he whispers back while entering the parking lot. He uses her electric car key to find out which car is hers. The car lights of a small, hanging by a red car flash for a second. He chuckles, something in him expected her to be driving such a barrel. He carefully opens the door, gently lowering her onto the passenger chair and there was no waking her up as he was afraid that would happen. He fixes her seat belt and she’s once again out after shifting in her seat. He gently closes the door, leaving it unlocked to find Mable.
Her loud voice fills the air, making it so that he has found her after only a minute. She’s standing behind a table, together with his sister, and gets greeted heartily. “There he is! Our miracle worker!” Mable grins from ear to ear, which disappears when she notices that Riley’s not with him. “Is everything okay? I would’ve expected her stubborn ass to work after.” Savannah frowns, “And why are you walking around in only a shirt with a vest?”
“Turned it into a blanket…”
Mable and Savannah share a glance. Drake rubs the back of his neck, taking his phone out of his pocket with the other. “The most important thing is, is that everything is fine. I’m actually coming over to let the two of you know that I’m taking her home, and I need her address since she’s fast asleep in the car.”
Mable blinks three times before suddenly bursting into laughter. “Hahaha, right. This has been really funny,” she raises her voice slightly as if Riley’s hiding somewhere, “Just come out, Riley. The joke’s over.”
“Uh,” Savannah nudges Mable, who wipes away a few tears from laughing. “Mabs, I think he’s serious.”
“What?” Laughter has disappeared in a matter of a second as her eyes snap down at Drake’s phone, asking her to put Riley’s address in his navigation. She hesitantly takes it, still not able to believe what the hell is happening before handing it back.
But when he accepts it, she holds onto it. “I trust your sister and I trust you, Drake. I don’t know how you did it, but please take her out of here! But even though you are both grown-ups who can fend for themselves, I’ve got to say this as her bestie. She has to text me when she’s home. When I don’t hear anything within the hour or if I hear that there’s something wrong… I will kill you. So, take good care of her, or else…”
Drake nods in reassurance. “Thank you for your faith and the address, Mable.” He hands her the bag with the camera and some other important stuff. “I will look out for her, and I will return! So, see you two later!” He turns, walking away.
“Wait!” Savannah yells after him, “How are you coming back? Should I ask Max to drive behind you?”
“Nah,” he waves, “It’s a great night. I’ll just walk.”
“Walk,” Mable blinks, “but it’s a thirty-minute ride…”
“I’m going to be okay! Need some clearance of the head anyway!” And with that, he disappears around the corner.
“Hey, was that Drake? Where’s Riley?”
Savannah and Mable startle at Tim appearance out of nowhere, both turning around. Mable smiles apologeticly, “Tim… Yes. That was Drake coming over to tell that he’s taking her home.”
Tim folds his arms, setting his jaw. “Of course. Well. Good for him, right? Well. I’ve still got some work to do.” He turns, ignoring Mable calling out to him. “Tim, please…”
Savannah narrows her eyes, “What was that?”
Mable pinches the bridge of her nose. “The beginning of a whole lot of drama I’m afraid.”
Drake’s arrives at her car before long, carefully sliding into the driver seat to find Riley still fast asleep.
He’s captivated at the peaceful sight of her, her slow and steady breathing, and the content smile on her face. He adjusts his coat, making sure that she’s warm and tucked in, accidentally brushing her soft cheek in the process. She instantly snuggles against his hand, sighing contently.
His eyes drift over her face, admiring the beauty of her, the one he so desperately tries to push away.
Nothing going on here.
Just been a weird long day.
Nothing going on.
He sighs deeply, forcing his eyes away from her, turning the key and the engine comes to life. He shakes his head at the horrible sound. Suddenly he hears soft murmuring, making his eyes snap back at the bundle of adorableness beside him who’s snuggling so deep into his coat that she has almost disappeared. “Mmh, Drake you smell so good. Maybe I should be filing a motion to Liam against that because it should be illegal.”
Drake softly snorts at her sweet words, pushing away any thoughts that her words could indicate actually wanting more from him and the flutter in his heart that, that thought actually seems to give him.
Nothing going on.
She’s just sweet like that. I’m just caring like this.
He takes another deep breath, before shifting the gear, driving out of the parking spot backward. His eyes find her one more time, and he smiles.
Yeah. Nothing going on.
And with that, he carefully drives off to take her home.
I would like to address some of the feedback I received last night in relation to a genuine Anon ask that I responded to.
Firstly, I’m sorry if somehow my Drake has offended anyone in anyway. If the way I wrote him or personified him has been the issue you have with me, please message me directly and we can have an adult one-on-one conversation about it.
If the issue is that I made him black while leaving Lily white, why is that an issue? I have interracial family members who legitimately (and rightly) would like to know.
If there is no direct issue other than “the canon character is white”, why all this outrage and hate?
I’ve been posting about my pairing for well over a year and never tried to hide that he’s mixed (which I will continue to say since I never cover Bianca’s ethnicity), and this is the first time that I have received such negative feedback on this aspect of his character.
I feel I went above and beyond to make sure that I was describing and characterizing him accurately per his ethnicity, as I appreciate that this is a sensitive topic.
Asking POC I know, as well as outside POC sources to get a good mix of opinions; and they all have liked and approved of the way I wrote him.
Secondly, if you ship Driam, I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings as well. We all have personal likes and dislikes, and this particular ship is not something that I feel I can personally support. I can love you and not support something you like.
That said, I have no underlying issue with people who choose to ship this pairing, either through their writing, or reading preferences.
Especially since I am an LGBTQ+ person myself (which I shouldn’t haveto announce online). But instead of asking where I was coming from (personalpreference), I was yet again attacked based on a very narrow interpretation of a comment that I wrote.
No, I don’t like the ship (I don’t have to), but I do like Maxwell with other men because he’s stated he’s been with “people” which is a more open door IMO than only being with a female mc (such as implied with Drake and Liam in canon). Hell, I write a version of Maxwell who is rather flamboyant in his fluidity.
I am open to adult conversation, but the attacking and doxxing(yes I was doxed) is unnecessary and uncalled for over a fictional character. I made a creative choice as an author, which I stand by, and I am happy to discuss further with people (one-on-one) if they are legitimately interested in finding out more about why I made the choices that I did. If I knew that innocently answering a genuine ask would cause such uproar and backlash, I would have deleted it. But, silly me, I thought it was acceptable to answer a question sent to me the way I want and not how others want it answered.
There is far more to my black Drake than “I just wanted him black” (which I will not discuss here because of space, and also because this is not the right place to have that discussion). In addition, I’ve been nothing but kind and supportive of everyone on this site, including those who create for ships I don’t like.
Love and let live, and absolutely - if you don’t like something, don’t read it. It saves everyone a massive headache. I encourage you all to open up and imagine new possibilities – which I’ve seen time and time again in this fandom.
I hope we can move past this and be more supportive of each others’ choices, and if we disagree with something that someone else has written, then let us be constructive about it, instead of being vindictive / judgmental about it.
Now that this has been clearly addressed, I will not be addressing comments like this on my page going forward. Thank you for reading my stories and whether or not you choose to continue to do so – have a blessed day and I love you.
Since it’s still technically Sunday for a bit longer here, I’ll toss a Sunday six out. I know I’ve been pretty radio silent, but I’m dealing with a LOT on the home front. I’ve been working on things, it’s just been slow since there’s so much going on and needing my attention.
Autumn’s Awakening
Po Valley
The valley was misery.
It was thirst; with no way to filter the water, each creek crossing filled their mouths with sand.
It was hunger; rationing every morsel of food, splitting a can of beans between four people hardly left anyone feeling satiated.
It was overthinking to pass the time; with no other way to distract their minds from the hell surrounding them.
It’d only been a few weeks since they saw Jack, but in her heart it felt like years.
Random one-shot
“Let’s draw matches,” Leo belted as he swiped a handful of matches off the table.
“This is stupid,” Drake grunted before taking another sip.
“You’re just worried you’ll draw the short match and strike out,” Rashad jabbed.
“No, I don’t want to play this game. It’s demeaning to all involved.”
“He does have a point,” Liam chimed in.
“You can’t always take his side,” Leo elbowed his brother in the ribs. “It’s almost like you two are together.”
“He’s my best friend,” Liam scoffed, shoving him away. “And I don’t always take his side, only when he makes sense.”
A shit-eating grin spread across Leo’s face and his eyebrow twitched, “that’s exactly what someone in a relationship would say.”
Liam’s jaw dropped while his rosy cheeks grew redder, “I-”
“You what, brother? Anything short of a love confession for our sweet darling Drake-”
Golden boy
Lythikos
“My apologies Lady Lily.”
That intrigued her, he had never called her that unless they were around other nobles. It was always Ms. Starke before now.
Chewing on her lip, she lifted her eyes to see he still kept his gaze averted from her.
“Does Liam need something?”
“No. I came on my own behalf. Would you take a walk with me? Please?”
The TRR gang and Cordonia belong to Pixelberry, I’m just borrowing them.
Series Summary: Elyse Sandoval has always been the perfect daughter, willing to do whatever was needed to protect her mother’s ambitions. But when she is promised to a powerful and dangerous King, she learns how far she is willing to go to stay out of his clutches.
Haha, when I started reading this I was thinking, ‘Why is it so cold’ Then I remembered where they were going! lol
Just the sight of it made Drake’s jaw tick in annoyance. But I didn’t share his sentiments, all too happy to soak up all of the heat and plushness of the leather seats after our long and arduous boat ride.
I agree! Drake is just too stubborn for his own good sometimes!
“Well, well, well…” she says when we get closer, her voice a deceptively light taunt. “This is the woman that Constantine is willing to declare war for?” Her eyes trail down from the top of my head to the very tips of my toes, “I guess the appeal is lost on me.”
Yikes! This Olivia is…..
“Make Constantine and the others think that another has claimed you, and that is the reason you abandoned him. Our dear king does hate to share.”
Who does she have in mind though? Herself or Drake?
“My mother traded me to Constantine like a toy she had grown tired of. Without second thought or concern. And now Olivia wants to use me like that….”
True! But to Oliva’s credit, she’s telling her what’s on her mind and giving her an option.. that’s a lot more than what her mother did!
“When she said Constantine’s enemy, she was referring to Drake. She wants the two of you to pretend to be in a relationship.”
Ohhh, Drake. Okay
The Fire and Ice Ball will be a great opportunity to show the court that you are with us, and that you have left Constantine on your own accord. It will be the opening move in our little dance.” “And after?” I force myself to ask, not meeting his eyes. “The night will be yours to do as you please.”
That doesn’t sound too bad
He goes to say something else, but stops himself, instead fixing me with one of his large smiles. It warms my heart slightly, already feeling myself growing attached to the strange man in front of me. It is similar to the kinship I feel with my sisters, a feeling of safety and home.
I love this!
Ohh that mood board! Who’s your Oliva?
Lol! The next few chapters are all going to be in Lythikos
I agree! Drake is just too stubborn for his own good sometimes!
1000%! This Drake is exceptionally stubborn.
This Olivia is intense at first, but with good reason. We will see more into her mindset in the next chapter.
True! But to Oliva’s credit, she’s telling her what’s on her mind and giving her an option.. that’s a lot more than what her mother did!
That’s very true! Olivia is letting her have the choice, but she also knows how much it would hurt Connie
That doesn’t sound too bad
They’re all about consent and choice in these parts lol
Ohh that mood board! Who’s your Oliva?
My Olivia for this series is Evan Rachel Wood. I don’t usually use her, but I found that photoshoot and fell in love.
Thanks for the tag @chemist-ana! I have a few things I can share
*****
Undeniable (Part 8): We Are Bound To Each Other’s Hearts
TRR: M!OC x F!OC, Drake Walker x MC, Liam Rys x F!OC
But as Jackson’s gaze slid across the table, his chesnut brown eyes locking onto hers, Len couldn’t help but smile. With a subtle wink, his eyes shifted back to the rest of the group, all none the wiser about what just transpired between them. Her heart pounded in her chest, whispering a silent prayer under her breath. Please let this go well. She had all the faith in Jackson, but she also knew him, flaws and all. Jackson’s mouth and temper had always gotten the best of him, especially when he was stressed or upset. And if he was worried about someone he loved….nothing could get in his way.
“Lord Jackson?” Lady Kiara asked, looking up from her notes.
“It’s just Jackson.”
She gave him a tight smile, “Of course. What do you feel are the most important attributes for a leader to possess?”
As night crept through the hallowed halls of the estate, all of the household staff were occupied. Filled trunks lined the space beside the staircase, food and drinks prepared for the long journey ahead. The coachmen took extra care of the horses, ensuring that they had their evening meal before attaching their bridles.
Yes, all those who were traveling back to Valtoria that evening were prepared for the arduous journey.
That was, except for the Duke himself.
While no one had ever claimed that the man was adept at hiding his emotions, Drake’s temperament was particularly foul on this evening. He wore his sullen expression like an ill-fitting suit, his discomfort obvious for the entire world to see. Many tried to help him prepare for his trip home, but were met with similar dismissals, not quite cruel, but also leaving no room for argument.
For a man who claimed that he was in such a rush to leave the capital, he seemed to be doing anything in his power to delay his departure.
*****
Untitled Father’s Day (Unspoken AU)
TRR: Drake Walker x MC, Liam Rys x F!OC
From the moment she entered this world, Hope Walker was a force to be reckoned with. While her older brother had been a docile and calm baby, she had always been the complete opposite. From her echoing cries in the middle of the night, to the first time she screamed the word “no” for the world to hear, everyone was always aware of what was on her mind.
At just four years old, she had already grown more spunky and assertive than most adults. So to see her now, mouth agape, no sounds coming from her lips, left her parents stunned.
Alaina elbowed Drake, “Should we….do something?”
Drake ran his hand through his hair, “Like what?”
“I don’t know,” she sighed. “She’s been stuck like that for almost five whole minutes. I think Liam and Callie broke our child.”
Written in the Stars (Part 3): I’m Going Back on the Things That I Know
Book: The Royal Romance A/U
Pairing: Drake Walker x F!OC
The TRR gang and Cordonia belong to Pixelberry, I’m just borrowing them.
Series Summary: Five years ago, Drake Walker made a mistake that cost him everything. But when a family emergency brings him back home, he’s forced to face memories of the past and the girl that claimed his heart a long time ago.
The TRR gang and Cordonia belong to Pixelberry, I’m just borrowing them.
Series Summary: Elyse Sandoval has always been the perfect daughter, willing to do whatever was needed to protect her mother’s ambitions. But when she is promised to a powerful and dangerous King, she learns how far she is willing to go to stay out of his clutches.
And I MUST know more of this Court of Whispers!! Will she and Drake do….things???
I’m right there with you! Maxwell and me are in the corner giving them the eye lol. As for the court of whispers…we will see where Drake and Elyse are at that point. Thank you so much for reading and sharing
The TRR gang and Cordonia belong to Pixelberry, I’m just borrowing them.
Series Summary: Elyse Sandoval has always been the perfect daughter, willing to do whatever was needed to protect her mother’s ambitions. But when she is promised to a powerful and dangerous King, she learns how far she is willing to go to stay out of his clutches.
The TRR gang and Cordonia belong to Pixelberry, I’m just borrowing them.
Series Summary: Elyse Sandoval has always been the perfect daughter, willing to do whatever was needed to protect her mother’s ambitions. But when she is promised to a powerful and dangerous King, she learns how far she is willing to go to stay out of his clutches.
Intrigue? Mystery? Romance? This has quickly became my favorite series to date. @kat-tia801 you’re keeping me on my toes where the story will go, I. Am. Hooked.
That is the BEST compliment! I am so happy you are enjoying this series so far! Thank you so much for reading and sharing @curiousconch
The TRR gang and Cordonia belong to Pixelberry, I’m just borrowing them.
Series Summary: Elyse Sandoval has always been the perfect daughter, willing to do whatever was needed to protect her mother’s ambitions. But when she is promised to a powerful and dangerous King, she learns how far she is willing to go to stay out of his clutches.
First off…I love your writing style! Every word so descript and woven into the feel and emotions of the story. This “Court of Whispers” triggering the movie “Eyes wide shut” memories for me! Lucky for Elysse, she has Maxwell to talk to. Can’t wait for more
Never piss off or play with a wildcard
So true! Olivia is underestimating Elyse right now. Thank you so much for reading and sharing!
A/N: Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve updated this one. I have started, and finished, two whole series in the last few months. I have chapters for five other series in process, but for some reason, I sat down at my laptop and this is what came out. For those of you who even remember this series, here you go!
“Where the hell is she?” I raged as Drake tried to calm me down.
“Hold on, I’ll talk to the clerk.”
I watched him as I paced around the waiting area that had been cleared by my guards. Alec and three other guards had followed behind us to the airport. It had taken them longer to get there, but once they did, the room had been cleared quickly. I could tell by the stormy expression on Alec’s face that he wanted to scold me about leaving without him, but he could tell by the expression on mine that it would be a bad idea.
Drake came back glowering, “They have no idea what-“ He cut off as his phone rang. Pulling it out, he answered it with a curt, “What?”
He listened for a moment then looked up at me, gloating and my heart leapt, “What is it? Where is she?”
“On her way to Ramsford.” He answered.
“How?” I asked in astonishment, the Beaumont’s had also been detained.
He held a finger up, finished his conversation then pocketed his phone with a grin, “Marco.”
“What?”
“Marco saw the commotion, saw you and I both trying to get to her. So he pulled four of his guys and they beat Bastien’s guys to the airport. He countermanded Bas’s orders telling them that he had instructions directly from the new king to take her into custody and detain her elsewhere.”
“And they bought that?”
Drake gave me an expansive shrug, “Even though he’s in a different unit, he was the highest ranking guard on the scene, so they really had no choice. He wasn’t sure the palace was safe, so he took her to Ramsford. He sent the other four guys home, so he’s the only one that knows where she is.”
I bounced up and down on the balls of my feet, brimming with glee, “Bas is going to be so pissed!”
“Yep!” Drake affirmed, “now let’s go get our girl!”
“Marco is getting a raise, a promotion, or maybe both!” I told him as we made our way back to the car.
“Yeah but….Li, we have to be very careful right now. You are technically king now, but we still don’t know whose loyalty we can trust. Not after tonight.”
He was right. I stopped walking and scanned the men behind me. I motioned for Alec, “Send the other guy’s home.”
“But sir-“
“Do it, Alec. You can ride in the car with me and Drake, but I only trust you. Do you understand?”
He pressed his lips together and gave me a steely look, then he blew out a breath and nodded, “Yeah, I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it.”
Drake and I climbed into the back of the gleaming black Devore GT, one of four I’d been talked into purchasing when Logan became my primary driver. He wasn’t wrong, the thing could outrun even the Venom GT intercepts used by, and modified for, the Cordonian State Police to patrol the motorways. My Devores were customized with full roll cages and bulletproof glass. Just in case.
As we drove, Alec and Drake strategized, “We’re going to need a couple of rank and file enlisted men that we can trust to keep their ear to the ground and see who’s siding with who. We need to know who we can and can’t trust, so we can clean house.” Drake was saying.
I pulled out my phone and put in a call to Lt. Everly, the head jailor. After giving him strict instructions to release the Beaumont’s, I called Lt. Jason Toussaint, the head of cyber security, someone I trusted implicitly because Drake did. He’d hand picked him and recruited him from the Cordonian Royal Air Force, they had served together before Drake transferred to the Royal Guard. I gave him several orders, then I placed my next call to Hana.
I desperately wanted to call Riley, but Drake informed me that Marco had made her give her phone up at the airport. We couldn’t be sure it wasn’t being traced or bugged.
“Hana, I can’t say much because I have no idea who’s listening.” I told her, “But everything is ok. I’ll explain it all when I get back. Meanwhile, you should have your things moved to my room and have anything of Riley’s that was left behind moved to Drake’s. You’ll be hearing from Lt. Jason Toussaint; he’ll bring you a new phone and the personal guard I’ve picked for you. Accept both the phone and the guard only from him, understand?”
“Yes, I understand.” She answered, “Take your time, I’m good here.”
“You’re a good friend, Hana.” I told her.
“You guys make it easy.” She said, “See you when you get home, goodbye.”
The ride to Ramsford was excruciating even though Logan broke every speed limit getting there.
I didn’t bother to knock, I barged right in like I owned the place. It’s not like Bert or Max were home yet anyway. “Riley!” I called out as I entered the foyer.
“Liam!” She hit my chest and was in my arms before I could draw in my next breath. “I knew you’d come for me!”
“I will always come for you.” I told her as I held her tight against me, the stress and anxiety in my center finally starting to uncoil as I buried my head in her hair and drew in her familiar, and comforting, scent.
“Goddamn it, Brooks, you scared the shit out of us!” Drake bellowed as he pushed his way past Alec to get in the door behind me.
“Drake!” She released me and flew into his arms.
He hugged her back about as tightly as I had, closing his eyes as he murmured, “Kardia mou.” Before dropping a kiss on the top of her head.
“So, first things first.” I told her, “I had to get engaged to Hana.”
“You….what?”
“Come, sit, let me explain.” I lead her into the formal sitting room so we could get comfortable. “Alec, make sure there are no staff around to overhear us.”
“On it, boss.” He said as he disappeared down the hallway.
I turned to the other guard, “Marco, I hope you didn’t unpack her luggage. If you did, put it back in your SUV.”
“Yes, sir, Your Majesty.” Marco gave me a grin and a salute on his way out.
Riley looked at me in surprise, “But I thought I was staying here until-“
“Absolutely not! This is the first place my father will look for you!”
“Your father? Your father is behind this?” Her face lost all its color.
“Yes, love, but don’t worry, we have a plan.” I assured her.
Drake closed the door, so it was just the three of us in the sitting room. I explained everything. Some of it even Drake hadn’t heard yet, there hadn’t been time.
When I was done, they both stared at me in horror. “Your father had your mother killed?” Riley was aghast and more than a little afraid.
“Jesus!” Drake drew a hand through his hair, “I knew he was a sadistic bastard but that….fuck, Li, I’m so sorry!”
“It’s ok-“
“It’s not!” Riley said as she moved to embrace me.
“The fuck it is!” Drake said at the same time, pulling me into an embrace from the other side.
I almost drew away, there wasn’t time for this. I had to get her somewhere safe. But the feeling of relief and comfort I felt there, wedged between the two of them, the love I could feel coming off them both in waves, overwhelmed me. I didn’t deserve it, there was nothing I’d ever done to possibly deserve either one of them, yet there they were, loving me. I couldn’t help it. I broke down a little. I cried softly into Drake’s chest while Riley pressed her body against my back.
“Sorry.” I mumbled when I finally got myself together, turning toward Riley.
“Don’t be sorry.” She told me softly as she ran a hand along my face.
“Never be sorry for having a heart, Li.” Drake echoed her sentiments as he rubbed a hand across my back.
“Riley, I have to ask…” I drew in a deep breath, not wanting to ask, but knowing I had to, “Are you sure you want to be with me? I know you love me, but this is more baggage than you signed up for. More than anyone should have to endure. If you want out, I won’t blame you, I won’t hold it against you. I can have the royal jet ready within the-“
“Liam.”
“What?”
“Shut. Up.” She grasped my face in both her hands and pulled me into a kiss. A long, lingering, passionate kiss. “I love you. I’m all in. No matter what.”
“But you will be in danger until we can-“
“I’m not going to lie and say I’m not afraid, but he only wants to stop you from marrying me, right? I mean, if he wanted me dead, he could have just killed me instead of going to the trouble to frame me, right?”
“She has a point, Li.” Drake agreed. “As long as you keep up the ruse of being engaged to Hana, Riley should be safe.”
I nodded as I wiped my face across my sleeve, “Right. But still, we need to take precautions and be proactive. He also wanted her out of the country, and we forestalled that. He doesn’t like being thwarted.”
“Agreed. That’s why we’re moving her.”
Riley looked back and forth between us, “So where-“
There was a knock on the door, Marco stuck his head in, “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Beaumont’s are on their way home and Bas has sent guards with them to look for Lady Riley here.”
I jumped to my feet and pulled her up with me, “Just get in the car, I’ll explain on the way.”
As we rushed her out to the car, I muttered to Drake through gritted teeth, “Bas is so fucking fired!”
Pairings for series: Riley x Liam, Liam x Max, Riley x Max, Riley x Drake, Riley x Rashad
Paring this chapter: Riley x Drake
Rating: NSFW
Warnings for this chapter: Lemons
Song Inspiration: None, really, but just because of the title I have San Antonio Stroll by Tanya Tucker stuck in my head.
Word Count: 3,054
A/N: This was random. The opening sequence was just suddenly in my head and from there, it lead to another snippet that had been rattling around in there (the lemony one) without context. So I connect my random scenes into something and now I pass it on to you.
In a darkened corner at the back of the hottest new nightclub in San Antonio, Drake leaned against the wall talking to a blonde woman that was poured into her strapless fire engine red bodycon dress . His arm rested on the wall above his head, his body inches from hers. His eyes had just slid down her curves when Riley walked up. The blonde’s head was tipped back, her blue eyes trained on him. Riley recognized the expression on the woman’s face. Victory. She really thought she had him.
“Hey babe.”
Drake jerked his gaze away from the woman’s body when he heard Riley’s voice. He stood up straight and stepped away from the wall. “I wasn’t…I mean, I was just….”
Riley wrapped an arm around his waist and went up on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek. He sighed in relief as he bent down to make it easier for her. She gave him a smile as she rubbed her lipstick off his cheek. Turning to face the other woman, she asked, “Who’s your friend?”
The blonde was vibrating with annoyance, “My name is Chloe, and you’re interrupting.”
Riley raised an eyebrow then glanced at Drake in amusement. “Am I interrupting?”
“Course not.” He scoffed, “We were just-“
“Yes, you are.” Chloe insisted, “We were just about to get out of here, weren’t we?” She turned her gaze back to Drake with a seductive grin.
“Uh….”
Riley’s eyes darted between them in amusement. “Well, if that’s the case, don’t let me stop you. Drake?” She calmly took a sip of her drink while she watched the confusion and terror slip across his face.
Chloe watched the exchange with frustration. “Can I speak to your girlfriend alone for a minute?”
Drake’s panic ratcheted up about ten more notches, “I…uh…I don’t think that’s a good idea, you have no idea what you’re about to-“
“Nonsense!” Riley exclaimed brightly, “I think it’s a splendid idea, cuddle bear. Why don’t you give us a moment?”
“Riley….sweetheart, this poor girl was just-“
“Drake,sweetheart. Go away.” There was a warning note in her voice that he chose not to ignore.
Both women watched him walk away, then turned back to face each other.
“Listen,” Chloe stepped close and with fake sympathy told her, “I hate to be the one to break it to you, but your boyfriend was totally checking me out.”
“I’m sure.” Riley said with a sanguine smile, then took another sip of her drink.
Chloe’s brows drew together in consternation, “I don’t think you understand. That man isn’t really yours.”
“Oh, I can assure you, he is.”
“No. He was flirting with me.”
Riley gave her an appraising look, “You mean you were flirting with him?”
Chloe gave her a condescending smile, “Listen, honey. I know it sucks but maybe I can at least give you some advice.”
“Oh, yeah? Like what?”
“Cuddle bear? Really?” She shook her head in amusement, “He’s not really the type of man to-“
“That man? That one right there?” Riley pointed to Drake.
“Yes.” Chloe said, wondering if Riley were slow.
Riley smiled, “Oh I know, he doesn’t look like the type to even want to cuddle, does he?”
“No, honey, and I’m sure-“
“And yet he does. That man right there is a world class cuddler. Can’t keep his hands off me, actually. I mean there are times it’s almost annoying.”
Chloe huffed in frustration, “I don’t think you understand. If I wanted to leave with your boyfriend right now, I could.”
“Think so?”
“I know so, honey. So why don’t you save yourself the embarrassment and-“
Riley threw her head back and laughed.
Chloe was getting exasperated. The girlfriend had usually scurried away in tears by now. “I don’t see what’s so-“
“Hold on.” Riley held up a hand then turned to wave Drake back over, “Drake, get your ass back over here now.”
“What’s up?” He asked when he got there.
“This woman is under the impression that you want to leave with her. So, I’ll make a deal with you.”
Drake crossed his arms over his chest, “Ok….”
Riley shrugged, “If that’s true, then I’ll allow it. You can leave with her, right now and I won’t hold it against you. I’ll go find my own entertainment for tonight and tomorrow we’ll just forget the whole thing happened.”
Drake’s eyes went from Riley to Chloe then scanned across the dance floor full of young, hot, eligible men. He moved closer to Riley and put his arm around her, drawing her close to his side, “You already know the answer to that. You’re the only woman I want.”
Chloe was seething with anger, “Excuse me?” Then to Riley, “You saw how he was looking at me!”
Riley glanced up at Drake, knowing exactly what he had been thinking. “Do you want to tell her why, or should I?”
Drake stared down at Riley for a moment then turned to Chloe with a sigh as he raked a hand through his hair, “Look, Chloe, I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong idea, but-”
“The wrong idea? I know exactlywhat-“
“Yeah…no, I was checking you out but that was for…I mean, it was because…I was going to ask if….”
“Oh, for the love of God!” Riley rolled her eyes at Drake, then to Chloe, “He was going to ask if you were up for a threesome. But now I’m thinking that’s only going to work if you’re into a little light bondage and spanking. You really should be punished for your presumptuousness.”
“I…..what?” Chloe was speechless, maybe for the first time in her life.
“I said-“ Riley tried to step forward but Drake had one arm around her waist and his other arm had crossed his body so he could twirl a lock of her hair between his fingers.
She slapped his hand away from her hair and pushed his arm off of her waist, “See? I told you. He can’t keep his hands-“
Drake ran a hand down her back. She gave him a look and he stopped, holding both hands up in the air, “Sorry. I can’t help it.”
“I know.” She smirked, “I usually like it, but I’m busy right now putting this basic bitch in her place.”
“Wait. Are you calling me a basic-“
“Yes,honey, I am. The idea that you could take a man from me…any man, but especially this man, would be laughable if it wasn’t just pathetic.” Riley stepped into the other woman’s personal space, “I was willing to share him, for an hour or two anyway, but I think I’d prefer someone a little more….grateful for the opportunity. Because let’s face it, he is the hottest guy in here tonight. I know it and you know it. Too bad you let your ego get in the way.”
Chloe’s eyes flicked to Drake, whose eyes were fixed on Riley as he stood behind her, playing with her hair again. “You’re both crazy, you know that, right?”
Riley smirked as she stepped backwards, bumping into Drake’s chest. “You have no idea.”
Drake’s arms encircled her, pulling her back closer as he moved her hair, so his lips could find the back of her neck, “I don’t need anyone but you. We could just go back to the hotel right now.”
“Ahh, cuddle bear, I thought we were going to find a playmate tonight.” She breathed as she leaned her head back against his body, one hand covering his at her waist, the other going behind her to tangle in his hair.
He gripped her tighter with a growl, grinding into her from behind, “I’m not against it, but we can do that another night. I don’t think I have the patience tonight. I need you now!”
“I’m still here!” Chloe burst out, “What is wrong with you two?”
“Oh.” Riley’s head snapped forward, “Why are you still here?”
“I….” She stared at them for a moment as her face flushed crimson, then she turned and stalked away with what little dignity she had left.
“I swear, Riley, she came up and started talking to me!”
Riley spun in his arms, “I believe you. And you’re allowed to speak to people, Drake.” She bucked her hips forward, pressing into him.
“Would you have really let me leave with that random woman?” He asked as his hands dug into her ass. He sounded hurt.
Riley wrapped her arms around his neck, “No. I would have gutted her like a fish.”
He hummed happily as he resumed kissing her neck.
“That makes you happy?” She tittered.
“Yes. I like your jealous streak.” He said tugging her closer. “It’s fucking hot when you stake your claim.”
“I mean, you are mine.” She murmured in his ear, running her fingers through his hair.
“Fuck! See? When you say shit like that, I just-“ His eyes scanned the room, then he drug her down a short hallway toward a door labeled ‘employees only’. He never took his hands off her as he kicked the door opened and pulled her through it.
Riley glanced around to find they were in a small storeroom. Drakes’ lips were at the hollow of her throat, and he already had her blouse unbuttoned.
“Drake, the door.” She breathed out, pushing him away.
He growled as he released her. He looked around quickly, then shoved a shelf in front of the door. He made his way back to her in three long strides, shoving her up against the wall. His hand slipped under her skirt, fingers gliding across the thin fabric of her panties. “Fuck. You’re already dripping wet.”
“That’s what you do to me.” She told him as her head thumped back into the wall.
“Good.” He replied as he knelt in front of her, pulling her panties down as he went. She stepped out of the them as he pushed her skirt up. Her hands gripped his hair as he leaned forward and inhaled deeply, “God damn you smell good.”
The first tickle of his tongue against her sent electric sparks thrilling through her, spiraling out from her core, suffusing her body with heat and ramping up her desire. He started slow, licking long, languid stripes from just below her opening to just above the clit as she moaned and thrust herself into his mouth. As her grip on his hair tightened, he picked up pace, attacking her clit with vigor, tongue darting in and out as he lapped and sucked at her.
The waves of pleasure climbed higher and higher as his mouth became more insistent. A finger pushed inside her, then another as his tongue worked her masterfully. His fingers curled inside her in a come hither motion as he sucked her slick, throbbing clit between his teeth and her body pitched forward as she cried out, a tidal wave of pure bliss crashing over her. He worked her through the orgasm, her moans and whimpers making him harder than he already was.
He climbed back to his feet, a self-satisfied smile curving his lips as he unbuckled his belt. Riley’s body slumped back against the wall, breathing heavy, chest heaving, face flushed. If that wasn’t the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, he didn’t know what was. He shoved his pants down and entered her with a groan. She was soaking wet, and he was drenched with precum, making entry effortless and easy. He buried himself deep inside her as his body shuddered with unrestrained passion.
Her arms went around him as he lifted her off the ground and slammed her back against the wall with the force of his thrust. He moved his body, plunging in and out of her as he watched her face, “Come for me, baby.”
Riley felt the pleasure building again, pooling and coiling in her center.
There was loud thunk as the door tried to open but slammed into the shelf instead. A gruff voice bellowed, “What the hell?” There were several more thunks then a knock and the voice called out, “Is someone in there?”
“Don’t you dare stop.” Riley gasped, “I’m so fucking close.”
Drake could only grunt in response because he was right there too. The knowledge that an observer could crash through the door at any moment only served to propel him on, pushing him even closer to the edge. He was inside her, and nothing else mattered. The way she smelled, the way she felt, the way she sounded as her soft whimpers built to a crescendo of long tantalizing moans and provocative, short sobs and gasps, all conspired to narrow his focus until he heard nothing else.
“Fuck, Drake!” She cried out, her nails gouging into his flesh as her entire body pulsed with pleasure.
He felt the gush of wetness coat him as she squirted with her orgasm. “Oh fuck…” He almost lost his footing as he shoved himself brutally into her one last time, hot, thick, ribbons of liquid shooting out of him and into her as he strained forward, pining her to the wall with his full body weight, a guttural whine of his own spilling from him.
“Goddamn it, open this fucking door right now or I’m calling the police!”
“Shit!” Drake exhaled as he leaned his forehead against hers, a roughish smile playing across his lips, “Guess we’d better go.”
She nodded as she licked her lips, still struggling to get her breathing under control.
Drake lowered her gently to the ground and kissed the top of her head before yelling toward the door, “Coming!”
Riley giggled, “That’s what she said.”
“No, that’s what she did!” Drake corrected her with a grin.
“Twice!” She giggled as she pulled on her clothes.
Once they were both dressed, Drake pushed the shelf to the side and opened the door. “Sorry.”
“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t report this to-“
Drake shoved a hundred dollar bill into the man’s hand with a smile, “Sorry for the inconvenience, I’m sure there’s no need to involve the authorities.”
The man glanced down at the bill in his hand then shrugged his shoulders as he pocked it, “No harm done. You two have a nice night.”
Drake took Riley’s hand, but as he started to pull her down the hallway the man looked at her face and startled, “Hey! Aren’t you-“
“Shit!” Drake swore under his breath as he turned back around, “No, she’s not.”
“But-“
Drake reached into his wallet again. He quickly counted out five more hundreds and shoved them at the man, “I think you’re mistaken.”
The man looked at the money, up at Riley, then down at the money again, “Yep. Sorry about that. My eyesight ain’t what it used to be. Sorry to trouble you good folks.”
“No trouble at all. You have a nice night.” Riley beamed at him before turning and letting Drake lead her back through the nightclub.
“We should probably have the car brought around and get out of here.” He told her.
“Yeah.” She agreed, “I think we’ve freaked out the locals enough for one night.”
Drake’s eyes sought out Riley’s guards for the night and he signaled to Marco, who nodded and then spoke into his com.
Five minutes later they were back in the limo on the way to the hotel. Riley fell into the seat across from Drake. He looked at her and shook his head.
“What?” She asked.
“Why are you way over there?” He asked, leaning forward and pulling her across to fall on top of him.
She giggled as he wrapped her in his arms, “Haven’t you had enough?”
“Never!” His laugh rumbled through his chest as he pinned her arms so he could rub his stubble against her check.
“Hey!” She squealed in mock protest.
He released her so she could slide off him and cuddle into his side. His arms went around her with a contented sigh. “You have no idea how much I love you, do you?”
“I think I have some idea.” She teased.
He was serious as he told her, “No, I really don’t think you do. There’s a reason I can’t keep my hands off you and it has nothing to do with sex.”
“It doesn’t?” She asked doubtfully.
He snickered, “Ok, sometimes it has a lot to do with sex. But sometimes it’s just because….I don’t know how to explain it.”
“What?” She gazed up at him questioningly.
He twirled a lock of her hair around a finger as he watched her face, “It’s like I have to know you’re nearby at all times. It grounds me. Never mind, I’m being stupid.” He looked away, letting his head thump into the leather seat back.
“You’re not!” She assured him, her hand caressing his check, “I get it. And believe it or not, I feel it too. It’s like the world just makes more sense when you’re nearby.”
“Yeah!” His face lit up, “That’s it!”
“Hey.” She threw a leg over his lap, “I would touch you all the time if I could. But even when I can’t, I need you to know that it’s important to me that you’re there.”
His hand glided across her thigh and hip as he lost himself in her eyes, “Good. Because sometimes I can’t tell.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I don’t mind waiting until we’re alone, I get why I can’t touch you in public, at court. But it drives me fucking insane when you act like you don’t even notice I’m there. Like I’m just another one of your guards.”
“That what you think?” She traced a finger across his lips. “Because I am always aware of your presence. I’m just good at hiding it.”
“Good to know. Thank you for coming with me to check on mom and the ranch.” They would be leaving San Antonio the next day for Bianca’s.
“Of course. I love you.” She leaned her head on his shoulder.
“I have no idea why, but I’m so fucking grateful for it. I love you, Riley, more than anything in the world.” He rested his head on top of hers and held her tight as the limo rolled on through the Texas night.
Pairings for series: Riley x Liam, Liam x Max, Riley x Max, Riley x Drake, Riley x Rashad
Paring this chapter: None, this all the guys dealing with the children.
Rating: R
Warnings for this chapter: Language
Word Count: 3,784
A/N: This is my offering for @txemrnfather’s day fic idea! Can you imagine all the Bad Romance guys trying to wrangle kids that have BR Riley’s DNA? You don’t have to imagine it….here it is, hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
A/N2: Habibti means sweetheart in Arabic
A/N3: Ellie (Eleanor) and Xander (Alexander) are Liam’s. Jax (Jaxon) is Drake’s, Jace (Jason) is Max’s and Charli (Charlotte) paternity is unknown.
“Why am I here, again?” Rashad asked with a slight frown. When Liam had asked him to attend the public celebration of the queen mother’s years of service to Cordonia as she prepared for her retirement, he had assumed it was in his capacity as Riley’s lawyer or as a member of the Cordonian court and Liam’s inner circle. Not as a babysitter.
“Because Riley is quarantined with the flu, and we needed backup. You are their godfather.” Liam stated matter of factly.
“Yes.” Rashad responded carefully, “But I’m not the only one. Leo is too, and he has more experience with-”
“Not to put too fine a point on it, but Leo isn’t sleeping with my wife.”
“Touché.” Rashad held his hands up to indicate surrender, “But they have godmothers. What about Hana or Olivia?”
“Hana is also down with the flu.” Liam replied.
“And Olivia?”
Liam waved his hand dismissively in the general direction of where Oliva was seated, “Oh, feel free to tell Olivia she’s more suited for this because she’s a woman.”
Rashad’s eyes went wide as they flicked to Olivia and back, then he cleared his throat, “So, what do you need me to do, exactly?”
“You’re just going to help us corral the kids during the ceremony. Here they come now.”
Rashad watched apprehensively as Drake made his way over to them with a diaper bag slung over his shoulder, Jax and Jace in tow, both trying to wriggle free as he gripped a small hand in each of his own. Max followed carrying a squirming, two year old Charlotte. Xander and Ellie trailed behind, bringing up the rear.
“You’re going to be in charge of Charlotte.” Liam informed him.
“Me? Why me? I think I’d be better suited to watch over Ellie or Xander!” Rashad protested.
“Of course, you think that.” Drake smirked at him, “They’re the easy ones!”
At 12 and 9 Ellie and Xander had more maturity and more experience with these types of events and were, indeed, easier to contend with during one. Usually.
The younger boys, Jax 6, and Jace 4, were more rambunctious and much harder to convince to sit still for any length of time. Then there was Charlotte, who had whole heartedly embraced the entire tenor of the terrible twos. High spirited was the term Riley used for her.
“Not gonna lie, Charli scares me a little. One time I woke up and found her standing next to the bed just staring at me like she was in a trance.” Max shuddered.
Drake rolled his eyes, “You know she was sleepwalking, right Beaumont?”
Max ignored Drake and leaned closer to Rashad, “Did you know Riley originally wanted seven to nine children?”
Rashad blinked, “What?”
Max nodded somberly, “Charli is the reason she tied her tubes after five.”
Rashad’s eyes shot to the small child in Max’s arms, her angelic face arranged in the most brilliant innocent smile he’d ever seen. No, that wasn’t true. He’d seen that exact smile on Riley’s face. Innocent and brilliant was her most disingenuous and potentially dangerous smile. He swallowed, hard, his mouth suddenly dry.
“We can do this, guys!” Liam asserted, he ran an entire country for God’s sakes, how hard could it be to wrangle his own children for one event? “I mean Riley does it all the time, she handles all five of them by herself at these things and they behave perfectly.”
“Yeah.” Drake responded drily, “Because they know better than to cross their mother. But they know some of us are pushovers.” He looked right at Max when he said it.
“Hey! I am not a- “
Liam gave him a look, “You let them eat flaming hot Cheetos for breakfast last week.”
Drake asked, “Why do we have a water slide in our backyard at Valtoria?”
Even Rashad joined in, “I believe I was called in last month to coordinate appraisals of a fleet of BMWs after an art project gone awry….”
Max huffed, “Ok, you know what? I believe in letting children express themselves, ok? They need to know it’s ok to be themselves-“
“Sure, Max,” Drake interrupted as he put the diaper bag down, then turned to address his question to Liam, “How are we going to divide five kids between four adults?”
“That’s easy.” Liam replied, “Ellie and Xander go together because they’re the easiest.”
“I’ll take Jace.” Max volunteered.
“No!” Liam and Drake both shouted at the same time.
Max looked at them in confusion, “Why not?”
“Because you don’t reign in his worst impulses, you tend to encourage them.” Liam said. Drake nodded in agreement.
“Jace needs a firmer touch. Here.” He pulled Jace over to Drake, “Max, you take Jax. Ellie and Xander can come with me.”
Backpacks, water bottles, jackets, toys that they had been told to leave home but had been brought anyway and various electronic devices were shuffled around so the appropriate adult had possession of the items belonging to the children in their care.
“Ahem.” Rashad interrupted the activity, directing his question to Liam, he asked again, “Why do I have to take the little one?”
“Because” Liam stepped closer, leaning in so they wouldn’t be overheard, “She might be yours. Look at it as a bonding opportunity.”
“Mine?” He asked in astonishment, “No, I mean….”
“Look at her features, Rashad. Those eyes…”
“Green, like her mother’s!”
“Hazel, there’s brown around her irises.”
“That might rule out Max, but not Drake, that’s still three potential-“
“She has Riley’s features, but our coloring, mine and yours. There’s brown in her eyes and black in her hair. Not to mention, Charli can be a very serious, calculating child. She’s extremely intelligent and studious, already at two. I love them both, but there’s no way she has Drake or Max’s DNA.”
Rashad and Liam both tilted their heads as they studied the curly headed quiet child in front of them.
She was the spitting image of Riley, but her hair had undeniably darkened as she had gotten older, trending now more toward the ebony hues of both Liam and Rashad than the russet brown of Max’s or the even lighter chestnut shade of Drake’s hair. She had Riley’s curls and the auburn was in there, streaking the black with brilliant shades of red when the sunlight hit it just right. Her nose, her lips, her chin, all her mother’s.
The seriousness and intelligence might come from one of them, but her intensity and temper was all Riley. Which was why none of the other men wanted to deal with her during a long, boring proceeding. A bored Charlotte was a dangerous Charlotte. She was Riley, with a two year old temper and lack of impulse control.
“Here.” Max thrust Charlotte into Rashad’s arms before he could protest again.
Drake tossed him the diaper bag, “Good luck.”
“Ah…..” He looked wildly around at the other three men, but they had all turned their backs to him, dealing with their own charges.
“Ok.” Liam breathed out a sigh of relief, sure that they had this under control, “Xander, Ellie, come with me.”
Rashad’s head snapped up in panic, “Wait, you’re leaving?”
Liam shrugged, “Sorry but, you know, I’m the king and this is a state event. Responsibilities and all that. I have to go give a speech. Ellie, Xander, let’s go.”
“It’ll be fine,” Max assured him, “Liam gives a speech, Leo gives a speech, a bunch of other people give speeches, we all applaud and then there’s a parade or something.”
“That sounds horribly boring for young children.” Rashad responded doubtfully.
“Oh, it is.” Drake laughed at him, “Why do you think I said good luck?”
Max and Drake situated themselves between the boys, so there were two adults between them. Drake turned his attention to opening a pack of goldfish crackers for Jace as Max pulled out his cell phone and stared trading Pokémon with Jax. Rashad turned his head to peer into Charli’s eyes. She was adorable. He decided that it couldn’t be that bad. She was only two after all.
As he stared down into her bright, sparkling eyes, he felt a twist in his chest. What if she was his? The idea of this beautiful child being part him and part Riley wasn’t the worst feeling in the world. He’d never wanted fatherhood, and his lifestyle and work schedule wouldn’t permit it even if he had. But then, no one was asking to him to fill that role. Regardless of DNA, Charlotte had a father. She had three, actually.
It wasn’t surprising to him that Max was a good father, he had a nurturing side to him that Rashad assumed was critical for parenting, as well as having managed to maintain a playfulness that endeared him to children.
And Liam, of course Liam was a good father. His love for all five of the children was evident in all his interactions with them and in the unmistakable pride in his voice when he spoke about any of them.
Most surprising, to Rashad at least, was Drake. Rashad didn’t dislike him, precisely, they’d been friends since their teenage years, but that was more a function of them both being friends with Liam rather than any real connection between them. They were too different. It was more that Rashad had never understood what Riley saw in him. He understood why she was in love with Liam. Or maybe that was a function of conceit since he considered Liam and himself to be very similar in many ways. And while Max could be exuberant and irreverent at times, those things were also true of Riley, and he could also be respectful and decorous when the situation called for it.
But Drake was pure force of will, often getting his way through brute force and intimidation. He lacked subtlety and finesse. Which is why it was so surprising to Rashad that Drake was possibly the most competent of the three when it came to parenting. Though perhaps those qualities were precisely what made him good at parenting. Rashad considered that as he watched Charlotte’s face slowly collapse into a scowl. “Oh no…. what’s wrong, Charli?” He tried for a soothing tone.
Her face reddened and her brows drew together as she leveled the full force of her two year old fury at him, “Want Mommy!”
“Mommy’s home sick, Habibti, remember?” He patted her back and rocked her gently as he’d seen Riley do many times.
Her face got even darker, “Want. Mommy!Now!”
“Listen sweet baby girl, what if I get you a snack?” He said cajolingly as he dug through the diaper bag with his free hand.
“No snack!” She started to wail.
“Ooooh, look! How about some cheerios?” He offered.
“No snack!” She struck his hand, sending cereal pieces flying everywhere, “Want mommy!”
“Charli, please, we don’t scream in public-“
“M-m-mo-moooooooommmmmiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!” Big, fat tears slipped down her face as the wailing increased in volume and pitch.
“Oh no, oh no, oh no!” He began to jiggle her faster, “Shhh-shhh-shhh, it’s ok, it’s ok.”
“NO!”She screamed as she pulled a chubby little hand back and smacked him in the face as she kicked him then went rigid in his arms and slid right through them onto the ground.
Rashad scooped the truculent toddler into his arms, kicking and wailing and hissed at the other two men, “Let’s trade!”
“With who?” Drake demanded.
“Both! I’ll take both the boys and the two of you can take Charlotte. That’s two adults to one child, this is a deal you should take.” Both boys were sitting quietly, Jace kicking his little legs out in front of him as he consumed his weight in goldfish crackers and gummy bears, Jax completely absorbed in a video game.
Max protested, “I don’t know…Liam said-“
Drake tried to explain, “They seem easy because we have them separated; I don’t think you appreciate-“
“No, I don’t think you appreciate how little I understand toddlers! Please!” Rashad shoved Charli into Drake’s arms and motioned for Jace to follow him.
Jace shot a questioning look at Drake, who was trying to soothe Charli. When Drake shrugged, Jace followed Rashad back to his seat asking, “Do you have any snacks? What about a juice box? Are you coming to the palace later? Daddy says they’ll have baklava at the party tonight and that we have to be good because this boring speech thing is for grandma and Ellie says I talk too much, but I don’t think I do. I talk the normal amount, Jax is the one that talks a lot. How long are you staying this time? We’re not in trouble again, are we? The thing with the cars wasn’t our fault, Xander said-“
Rashad gritted his teeth and tuned out the barrage of questions as he settled back into his seat and tried to focus his attention back on the speeches. Liam was at the podium. Ellie and Xander were standing on the stage behind him with Leo, some members of the royal council, Leo’s oldest son, a few visiting dignitaries and the queen mothers long time personal assistant standing behind him. Regina was in a private box looking out over the stadium where the event was being held.
As Liam shuffled the notecards, laughter rippled through the crowd. He looked up and out over the audience in confusion. The laughter got louder. His face paled. He whipped his head around to look behind him.
“Eleanor! What are you doing?” Then cursed himself because it was caught on mic.
She froze before responding with, “Uh…dabbing.” With a tone that clearly implied he was an idiot for not knowing that.
“Well, please stop.”
“Yeah, please stop.” Xander shoved her in the side.
There was some more laughter in the crowd and a few appalled gasps.
“Hey! You little shit!” Ellie elbowed him, hard.
This time the appalled gasps and the laughter were louder. Leo moved over to place himself between the two, effectively forcing a détente. Liam gave him a grateful smile before apologizing to the crowd and continuing with his speech.
In the crowd, Rashad whispered, “I thought they were the easy ones?”
Drake gave Rashad a conspiratorial smile as he tried to snuggle a wriggling, fussing, climbing on him like he was a jungle gym Charli, “Usually. Looks like Liam’s not getting off as easy as he thought he was. Ellie is a firecracker and Xander is just usually sneakier than the other two boys. When Jax and Jace get caught doing something they’re not supposed to be doing, Xander is almost guaranteed to be the one that put them up to it, he just retreats before suffering the consequences. But if anyone can bring out his inner demon, it’s Ellie.”
Rashad marveled at the way Drake carried on a conversation as if a rabid toddler weren’t using him as an obstacle course, while continuing to keep said toddler on his person despite her obvious attempts to be put down so she could run amuck. He was so busy being intrigued by it that he completely missed what was going on with the children he was supposed to be watching, as a quiet tussle over the video game started behind him.
Max snickered as he leaned toward Drake, “Remember the time she tricked him into cussing by insisting that a cat is called a putty tat, like tweety bird says?”
They had gone back and forth with the putty tat, pussy cat argument until Ellie had finally raised her voice and yelled, “Putty”, causing Xander to shout out, “Pussy!”
“Yeah.” Drake chuckled softly, “Poor kid. The look on Riley’s face when Regina heard that!”
Drake’s focus was on Charli who had placed a foot on his shoulder and attempted to launch herself into the row behind them when Rashad’s voice pulled his attention as he whisper screamed, “Jace! Jax! Get back here right now!”
It was too late, both boys were off and running down the aisle, Jace gleefully screeching with laughter as he ran away with his brother’s Nintendo Switch, Jax in hot pursuit, murder in his eyes.
“Fuck!” Drake swore, shoving Charlotte into Max’s arms. As he passed a distraught Rashad he muttered, “You’re fucking useless.”
The boys were running up the stadium steps as Drake raced after them. He caught up just as Jax tackled Jace to the ground. A scuffle ensured as they fought for possession of the Switch. Drake picked Jax up and lifted him easily with one arm while glancing down at Jace, holding his other hand out, “You ok, kiddo?”
Jace took Drake’s hand as he scrambled up, “Jax hit me!”
“Uh huh. And what have we said about taking other people’s stuff?”
Jace crossed his arms and stuck out his bottom lip. Drake sat Jax on the ground and knelt down in front of him, “I know he took your game, but you know that hitting is not ok, right? Remember your conflict resolution lessons?”
The lessons had been Liam’s idea, Drake had scoffed at it, but he couldn’t deny that it had helped. Too bad it hadn’t helped today specifically. Drake presided over the exchange of the game and apologies. As they headed back down the aisle, a woman smiled at him, “Good parenting skills.”
Jax looked up at her, eyes going directly to her very pregnant belly. “You’re pregnant!” He informed her.
“Yes.” She smiled at him as she lovingly cradled her bump.
“I know how that happens. The daddy puts his peanut in the mommy’s kerchina and then-“
The lady’s face went red as Drake’s hand clamped down over his son’s mouth. “Sorry.” He muttered as he ushed the boys back to their seats. He settled them back in their original seats as he told Rashad, “I told you they have to be kept separated at these things.”
“Tata, who’s that?” Jace’s voice was unnecessarily loud.
Drake’s head spun to look in the direction Jace was pointing, and staring, mouth opened at the jumbotron. Drake answered him, “Uh….that’s the pope. He couldn’t make it in person, so they are having him video call in to give his regards to grandma.”
“No. They guy behind him!”
Drake’s brow furrowed for a moment because there was no one behind him. Then understanding dawned on him as he noticed the huge crucifix with the image of Jesus with the crown of thorns hanging on it. “Oh. That’s Jesus.”
Unfortunately, there was a pause while the pope gathered his thoughts, so Jace’s voice carried clearly over the hushed crowd as he loudly exclaimed, in horror, “JESUS IS DEAD?!”
“Uh….Max?” Drake turned to Max in panic as Jace started to cry, loudly.
“On it!” Max traded seats with Drake, passing a squirming, whining Charli back to him in the process.
Max tried to soothe him, “Hey buddy. It’s ok, that’s not real, it’s a plastic statue.”
“So they can make Jesus look fakedead?”
“Yeah, yeah, exactly.” Max nodded, feeling pleased he’d explained it so well.
Jace’s face crumbled again, “Why would they do that?”
Drake’s attention was drawn away from Max and Jace as Charli slipped from his grasp and crawled under the seats. Drake had to get on his hands and knees to reach her. He reached under the seats then cussed softly through clenched teeth as he jerked his hand back when she bit into it, her teeth digging into the tender area between his thumb and index finger.
Drake crawled around on the ground trying to reach Charli as Max continued to try calm down a very distraught Jace. When he finally managed to pull her out, he handed her back to Rashad, “You’re turn.”
Rashad looked up in surprise as Charli crashed down into his lap. “Oh..uh…hello again.”
She glared at him, “Want down!”
“How about a new toy?” He asked in desperation.
She stopped fighting and cocked her head curiously, “What toy?”
He dug around in his pockets and came up a keychain made from a heavy medallion. It was silver and green with a crescent moon and star on it. Rashad did not consider himself to be a religious man, but his grandmother had given it to him as a symbol of the faith she devoutly believed in, and he had kept it because it reminded him of her. He detached the medallion and held it out to Charli.
Her eyes widened in delight as he offered it to her, “Oooh, pretty!”
Rashad sighed in relief as she took it and settled into his lap, then anxiety surged through him again as she shoved it directly into her mouth. “No, no! You can’t swallow that, you’ll choke!”
Drake was about to offer Rashad some advice when Jax tapped him on the arm. He looked down and asked, “Yeah, buddy?”
“I have to pee.”
“Can it wait?”
“No.”
“Shit.”
“Mommy said you’re not supposed to say shit in front of us.”
“Oh, fuck me.” Drake mumbled.
“You’re not supposed to say fuck either.”
“Oh for the love of- You know what? Come on, all of you, it’s time for a break anyway.”
Drake stood and took Jax by the hand, Max followed behind him with Jace. “You coming?” He asked Rashad.
“No, I…I think I’m good.” Rashad replied.
Drake shrugged, “Suit yourself.”
“Grandma’s really old, isn’t she?” Jax asked as they stepped out into the aisle, “Is she going to die soon?”
Drake sighed as he guided him up the aisle, “We really need to have a talk about what is and isn’t an appropriate question.”
“He’s not wrong, Drake.”
“Really, Max?”
Rashad settled back into his seat after having shifted a little to let the others out, his arms tightening around Charli to keep from disturbing her. She had finally settled and was rubbing her eyes sleepily. She mumbled something as she rubbed her face against his chest. It sounded like shod. “What, habibti?” He asked.
She lifted her face and gazed up at him with heavy lids, her little hand coming up to pat his check softly, “You. ‘Shad.”
He jolted in surprise; she was trying to say his name. “Yes, I’m Rashad. And you’re Charli.”
She smiled at him sweetly, “Luf ou, ‘shad.” She mumbled before dropping her head back onto his shoulder and falling asleep.
He felt his heart melt into a molten puddle inside his chest as he gripped her closer. Her breathing became even and deep, her back rising and falling evenly under his hands. He kissed the top of her head, inhaling her sweet baby smell and whispered, “I love you too, habibti.”
This positively provocative series of Man on Man kinky action is brought to you by more Wacky Drabbles: ((Reader discretion advised - dubious consent and violent sexual behavior))
#11 - “Did you have fun?” (Happy Birthday Drake)
#12 - “You know that’s not what I meant.” (There’s a first time for everything)
#13 - “I didn’t know we were keeping track.” (Coming Clean)
