Summary: When the boys found you, you were bound to the wall, ankles and wrists blessing from the cuffs that kept you in that tiny jail, they had a feeling you haven’t even seen the light in a long time. You were scared and you didn’t even speak English.
It was Frankie who found you, he thought he heard a noise in the basement and surely enough, there you were. You were so scared you even threw a bowl and a small vase you found at him.
“We can’t bring her with us. She will slow us down.” said Ben as they all decided to do a small gathering and plan on what to do with you. Ben gave you a bottle of water and a poorly wrapped sandwich. You silently ate everything.
“So, what? You suggest we leave her?” asked Santiago.
“Probably not a good idea, she’ll be dead if someone finds her still here after what we just did.” Will made a good point. Everyone groaned.
“We can bring her to the plane, then we-”
“What we bring her home, Fish?! Are you insane? Stealing money is one thing but bringing an illeagal immigrant into the States is just-”
“I know someone, she will get a name, an identity.” replied Ben. “We can save her.”
“We are not her saviors. We can’t even talk to her, she doesn’t understand English! Can you speak to her? Spanish?” everyone shook their heads. “French” Again, everyone shook their heads. “German?” No. “Then what the fuck should we do?”
“Bring her with us, Benny’s friend will give her IDs and she will live. We killed enough people already.” said Santiago and everyone agreed, even if Tom wasn’t a fan of the idea, he decided to agree.
“We are going to save you.” Santiago said as he knelt down in front of you, offering you a smile.
You didn’t understand a word they were speaking, but you did understand their intentions.
They weren’t there to hurt you, they were there to help. Especially that really handsome one with the beautiful eyes and curly hair, you especially liked him, so you stuck with him. You followed him, watching his movement as he walked, you followed, just as silently.
You watched as they all panicked when you heard shots. You ducked behind a rock, but you couldn’t ignore that you saw an enemy with a gun behind one of the guys, you slowly walked there when no one was watching.
And just as Tom turned, he saw the gun, but the guy was pushed before he could fire and fell, Tom shot the guy before he looked up to see you crouching, he knew you pushed the guy.
“You saved my life,” he said as the others arrived.
—
You were confused. They all talked to you, saying things but you didn’t understand a thing. They all sat around a fire, talking to each other, laughing and you laughed with them, even if you had no idea what they were talking about.
You suddenly spoke up, saying your first name. And they all looked at you confused. They you said your name again and pointed at yourself.
“Ben.” one of them said.
“Will.”
“Tom.”
Okay, easy names, you thought.
"Francisco.” Oh Boy. “But call me Frankie.”
“Santiago.” another longer name.
You nodded and smiled to all of them.
You learned to say all their names. And when you finally got back, well, they got back, you were at a completely strange place.
You did what you knew would work, you stuck with Santiago. And you also knew what the gold ring on some of their fingers meant.
You were a foreigner not stupid.
Your journey with the men was… interesting to say the least.
They all made sure you were safe but Santiago in particular. And who were you to push away such a handsome hero?
—
“You can live with me while we figure this out, I’m the only one without a wife, girlfriend or kids so I don’t have any explaining to do, but you have to keep a low profile.” Santiago said and he repeated himself in Spanish, but you still didn’t understand a word. Yet, you still nodded, you understood his intentions, you understood that this was his home, typical bachelor’s home.
You were given a room and food. But you didn’t like that. Your room was too quiet, it felt cold like your cell. Even if the bed was the most comfortable you could ever ask for and the room was warm.
You still didn’t feel safe. You were lonely.
You often moved to Santiago’s room, trying to be quiet not to wake him up, you would silently laying down next to him, you felt better there, safer.
The first time he noticed you in his bed was when he woke up with you in his arms, in his sleep he unintentionally moved over to you and cuddled you.
He was concerned but he didn’t mind, he just didn’t want to overstep your boundaries. You were happy to cook for him, happy to watch movies with him, whatever he wanted really.
Days, weeks and months passed. You now had a basic English vocabulary.
“Dinner?” you asked Santiago as he was sitting on the couch.
“I’ll order something, come back the series in starting.”
This was your normal now, but you felt bad, ever since he and his team helped you, you didn’t do anything productive, and cooking doesn’t count. Not in your book at least.
You wanted to work, but with the language barrier, it was extremely difficult.
Later that evening, you were getting ready for bed when his phone started to ring.
It was Tom calling.
“What’s up?” asked Santiago as he answered.
“Pope, hi, how’s things with your new-found wifey?”
Santiago laughed a little.
“Not so bad, she can now talk a lot better, why did you call?”
“I know who she is Pope. She was taken from her village, I have a report. Her village was attacked, they killed everyone, even she is presumed dead. There was fire, gunshots, almost everything you can imagine.”
“That’s awful.”
“Yeah, and I also have some news, since she’s dead, well presumed dead, it will be difficult to get her past immigration, you are lucky I know a lot of people but she will need a new last name. I am filling in her papers and I-“
“I will marry her.”
“Sorry? You don’t need to play the hero Pope. It’s all good I put her down as a random, generic last name, but-“
“It’s not about playing the hero. I want to marry her. She’s perfect.”
Tom smiled on the other end of the line.
“Come over tomorrow, collect her papers, oh, and you better start teaching her fast, No government official will believe that she is American if she doesn’t even speak basic English.”
“Thank you, Tom.”
“I should thank her, she saved my life, this is the least I can do.”
You understood that this was needed. Giving you a new identity was difficult, but not impossible. With the correct connections, you were officially an American citizen.
“Now, you can leave the house.” Said Santiago as he gave you your brand new ID. “Leave the house, look for a house, job or whatever you want. But you can stay with me as well. I like you company you know that.”
“Stay with Santi.” You said “No leave. Stay and help.” It made him smile.
“Marry me.” He said, right there, in front of Tom’s house as you two were walking to the car. You tilted your head.
“Marry?” you thought that was a name.
“Yes, I’m asking you to be my wife.”
Now that word you understood.
“Me? Santi wife?”
“Yes. I love you.” You understood that word as well. And all those days you just thought it was one sided. That he only let you sleep next to him because he was kind.
“I love you too.” You said with a rather shaky voice. But it was the truth. Santiago smiled as he grabbed your jaw and pilled you close to kiss you.
You were so happy, you felt like your chest would burst. You not only were rescued from your prison, you got to know this lovely group of men, and you even found love.
This was the fresh new start you begged for every night in that cold, dirty disgusting cell.
“This is kind of a lame party, huh?” You chanced asking, feeling a little awkward as you stood in the large kitchen at Tanney Hill. There was some background music that you didn’t recognise, no doubt whatever Rose found on Spotify when she typed in ‘graduation party playlist’. In an effort to get away from the suffocating afternoon affair you’d slipped into the kitchen, hoping to find a few extra desserts left behind or a good bottle of vodka that Rose wouldn’t notice anyone pilfering.
Instead you found a Pogue, one you recognised almost immediately as Sarah’s boyfriend’s friend Pope…a little long winded but at least you had some information. You’d been surprised but also relieved when you’d seen Sarah’s less than savoury friends show up for the party. Maybe it wouldn’t be so dull after all. It was a pipe dream though because an hour into the afternoon and you realized that no look could escape the inevitable graduation party of stuffy family and friends doing their best interpretation of coastal grandmother, chatting about vacation spots and college studies and eating hor d’oeuvres.
“More than kind of,” Pope laughed, tapping the steamless plastic wine glass against his chin before taking a sip. He’d filled it with lemonade that JJ had tried to top off with alcohol and almost succeeded in actually doing. The slightly sour taste of the lemons offset the entire afternoon and even surrounded by his friends he’d needed an escape from feeling out of place.
“So who are you hiding from?” You asked, looking around as if someone might enter the kitchen and interrupt your time together.
“No one in particular,” Pope replied, unsure how to accurately explain that he felt like he wasn’t supposed to be here in the first place. He tried so hard, aware that his friends didn’t recognise the effort he made to fit in with them, but it never felt like enough. He never felt outgoing enough or funny enough or cool enough. If he mentioned it, he was sure it would be followed with a chorus of reassuring ‘you’re a pogue, through and through’ that he’d have to accept and pretend changed anything about how he was feeling.
“Well since we’re both hiding from ‘no one in particular’, want to go outside?” You asked, looking back toward the double doors that led out to the veranda. The garden and pool area, unoccupied, we’re decorated in twinkle lights that looks like stars through the glass.
“What’s outside?” Pope asked, watching as you grabbed a bottle of white wine that had been chilling on ice.
“A good hiding spot,” you replied, shrugging your shoulders.
Pope followed you to the glass French doors, slipping out into the warm night with you and wondering if this was all really a good idea. He had seen you around and, if he had seen you, surely you had seen him before. You had to know who his friends were, who his parents were, where he lived. You had to know he wasn’t a kook. So what were you doing entertaining your time with him. He wanted to ask, the question was right there on the tip of his tongue, but then he was afraid he wouldn’t like the answer. That maybe this was just that, entertainment. A funny past time of watching a pogue like Pope trip over themselves to say something intelligible or interesting so you could laugh later with your friends over lunch at the Island Club.
“I heard you’re going to med school in the fall?” You asked, taking a sip of the wine as you sat down on a bench along the garden path.
“Uh, yeah…yeah I am. I’m studying pathology,” he replied, the subject matter comforting him enough that he took a seat beside you, beginning in the way he always did to explain what it was he loved about the practice. Talking interests was like Pope’s own form of drug, it could relax him immediately and he usually went off on tangents that were unintentional and, according to his friends, boring.
You didn’t look bored though, Pope thought. He could hear himself running over all the facts that he found so interesting and talking about someday working at Mayo Clinic or NIH or somewhere just as prestigious. He could hear himself but he couldn’t stop himself, his calm had transformed into nervous rambling and his tangents had woven through all the things he found most fascinating about the work. But you didn’t look annoyed or like you were planning an escape. You listened and you offered short commentary and asked questions, you looked like maybe you actually found him interesting.
“Sorry,” he finally apologized when he felt like he’d run of things to say. “I’m monopolizing the conversation.”
“It’s okay,” you angled more towards him, “I don’t mind. I like listening to you.”
Before Pope could reply to you, JJ’s voice cut out through the garden, calling for his best friend. He could almost imagine JJ hanging out the back door, hands on either side of the frame, leaning almost dangerously into the evening and shouting that they were heading to Hawk’s Nest to finish the party. Pope thought that, if JJ had shown up thirty minutes ago, he would’ve been thrilled to leave but now he was sitting here talking to you and he wished he could push JJ back inside and lock the French doors.
“Sounds like your friends are ready to go,” you mused, smiling at him.
Pope nodded, somewhat distracted. All he could think was that if he left now would the spell be broken? Would you see him the next time around the island and pretend you didn’t know him? Would you laugh with your friends about the pogue who was practically falling in love with you just sitting there drinking white wine at a graduation party?
“Maybe we could…uh,” Pope hesitated, standing up, unsure what he really wanted to say or could, “maybe we could hang out sometime?” He almost wanted to cringe at his own question. It sounded so awkward.
“Give me your phone,” you held your hand out, setting down the wine bottle and taking his phone so you could put your number in and text yourself. “There.” You concluded.
“Sorry,” he apologized as JJ called his name again, “I wish we could just…keep talking.”
“I’ll see you soon Pope.” You promised, leaning forward to kiss his cheek in a moment of boldness, or maybe you were just tipsy enough to be a little more outgoing than usual.
“See you soon.” He felt like he was floating on a cloud as he backed away from you, clumsily tripping over a large flower pot on the path and righting himself, before turning and leaving. You couldn’t help the wide smile on your face as you watched him, entirely mesmerized by Pope and eager already for the next time that the two of you would see each other.
the idea of the pogues in a high school setting is actual so fun so i kinda got carried away. i rlly hav a thing for writing the character pining for the reader rather than the other way around.
im basing this off of how my high school was cus idk shit about any other high schools lmao. also excuse volleyball terminology, i also very much miss volleyball
warnings: cursing, like terrible writing, just filler stuff
one - ♫ I THINK by Tyler, The Creator ♫
It was already two weeks into your senior year and you were settling in nicely. At two weeks people were still switching around their classes making sure they wouldn’t regret the class they decided to settle into. You were satisfied with your schedule considering you only had 3 actual academic classes.
For your last year you’d opted out of taking one least year of math or another year of science. You were a good student sure but you’d never been the best at maths or sciences. To the Pogues’ surprise Pope had a similar schedule, yet the only reason he wasn’t packed with AP classes was because he was signed up for dual enrollment with online college courses.
“Dual enrollment helps clear GEs better than AP classes. I’m not saying I wouldn’t pass those AP tests but this way is easier,” Pope explained to JJ as they walked through the crowded halls of Kildare County High. Kooks and Pogues alike littered the hallways, separated in their own little groups and yet standing amongst one another.
“Whatever you say Pope,” JJ shook his head. He and Pope had one class together this year and that was Intro to Drawing in the very beginning of the day.
“Heeeey guys,” Kie greeted as she walked up to them, hiking her bag up her shoulder. Kie had opted out of a backpack this last year and had instead started using a tote bag which was only filled with her laptop, a single notebook, her pencil case, and other small personal belongings that had nothing to do with school.
“You guys going to the game on Friday?” Kie questioned and Pope cringed as JJ groaned.
“No Kie, we are not going to the football game this Friday-”
“Guys come one, first game of the season! Plus the environmental club is planning to work snack bar. All the money goes toward the Turtle Habitats and the Save the Ocean Foundation,” Kie plead.
“As much as I love the turtles Kie,” the group stopped at Pope’s locker, “Our football team is garbage. Why would I subject myself to that?”
“Ok I know that, but don’t go for the team,” Kie raised her eyebrows at the two of them, “Go for the turtles!”
JJ shot her an “eeeh” sort of look and Kie huffed in annoyance.
“Come on, if you could give me a whole other way to fundraise then please do,” Kie crossed her arms as Pope shuffled around the belongings in his locker.
“You need help fundraising Kie?”
The three teens turned in the direction of your voice and you grinned as you walked up to them, your teammate and other best friend Isabelle walking with you. Isabelle was tall, one of the tallest girls at school actually, and though they saw you two together frequently it was still kind of amusing to see one of the tallest people they new walking around with one of the shortest people they knew.
“Yeah well, my club’s planning to do the football game snack bar but nobody goes to the game’s anyway so,” Kie shrugged.
“You could fundraise at the volleyball game,” Isabelle suggested giving Kie a smile. Kie smiled back sheepishly as she shifted on her spot.
“Are you serious?” she questioned, turning to you and you shrugged.
“Well, why not? Wouldn’t hurt to ask our coach,” you stated and Kie watched as Pope closed his locker and turned as your hands reached up to fix the collar of the button up he’d worn over his t-shirt.
“We have a game tomorrow, and then there’s a workshop on Saturday. If your club wants to try and fundraise during those, we can try and figure something out,” Isabelle spoke to Kie and Kie flushed for a moment before she nodded frantically and began talking over a few ideas that were already coming to mind.
“And people are guaranteed to show up to the girls volleyball games,” JJ wiggled his eyebrows at you and Pope and you laughed as Pope reached up to whack JJ in the chest. You couldn’t help but note how weird JJ looked without one of his usual hats on. You figured it was because the teachers lost their minds over hats being worn inside the building.
“So (Y/N),” Pope started and you and JJ looked at him.
“So Pope?” you smiled and missed how JJ glanced between the two of you with a knowing look in his eye.
“Am I gonna see your dress anytime soon?” Pope questioned and you rolled your eyes.
“Pope I literally already told you that no one’s allowed to see it until my party,” you leaned against Pope as he shook his head.
“But I’m not just anyone,” he insisted and you laughed as the first bell of the day rang overhead.
“Ok whatever dude,” you shoved at Pope and he playfully slapped at your arms, “Me and Isa have to go, I’ll see you guys later,” you bid and you gave Pope a hug and a kiss on the cheek before you waved goodbye to JJ and Kie. The three of them watched you two join the sea of students and JJ turned to Kie and Pope.
“Was I seriously just fifth wheeling?” he scoffed and Pope glared at him as Kie flushed at his insinuation.
__________
“Ok can I just get like…the color? Oh my-you never even told me the color!” Pope stared at you with wide eyes and you shook your head as you covered your mouth to try and keep your laugh from coming out. The two of you were in your second to last class of the day (You were both TA’s for the Intro to Film teacher and that usually meant goofing around in the back as the class watched movies all day), and Pope had not let the topic of your dress drop.
In fact he had asked you about it for the past three weeks.
“I can’t ruin it,” you whined and Pope leaned forward and groaned into your shoulder.
“Telling me the color won’t ruin it,” he mumbled and you reached up to rub his back.
“Yes it will,” you whispered back playfully and Pope groaned again as you laughed, “Oh by the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you…”
Pope sat up and motioned for you to continue.
“I don’t need to have an escort or anything, but I was actually wondering if you’d like to be my escort? For my party?” you weren’t sure why you were so nervous but you couldn’t get yourself to look Pope in the eye. You watched as your fingers played with the end of his shirt.
“(Y/N).”
You looked up at Pope through your lashes and he flashed you a wide grin.
“I would literally be honored,” Pope pulled you into a tight hug before pulling back, “Also I would’ve been extremely offended if you didn’t ask me and I probably would’ve just been your escort anyway.”
You laughed and quickly brought a hand up to cover it up as a few of the students in the room shot the two of you looks.
“I wouldn’t even go through with the party without you,” you told him softly and Pope could feel his heart skip a beat. Sometimes he wondered what it would’ve been like if he had gathered up the courage to ask you out ages ago. Despite the bullshit he told his friends he knew that he was in love with you. He would always love you, but being in love with you was different. It meant so much more.
“So that means I get to know the color of your dress right?” Pope whispered and your mouth dropped open in shock as a wide grin stretched across his face. You tried to stop yourself from smiling as you reached up to whack him on the shoulder.
“No!” you whisper-yelled.
“But how am I gonna coordinate with you-”
“Drop it Pope,” you laughed as the bell rang to indicate the end of class.
________
“Where’s Kie?” John B questioned as JJ and Pope walked up to him. Today was the first girl’s volleyball game of the year and they had planned on going to watch together. They only really did it out of support toward you but that obviously didn’t stop JJ from his usual flirting.
“Her club’s doing snack bar or something, to help fundraise for turtles. Did she not tell you?” Pope asked as they walked into the gym together. There was music playing through the gym’s speakers and there was chatter and noise from every point. There was the sound of shoes squeaking against the gym floor and the sounds of volleyballs coming into contact with the floor, hands, the walls, etc.
“Nah, I didn’t see her that much yesterday or even today.”
“Yeah, where the hell were you anyway?” JJ questioned as he led the way up the bleachers. It was definitely crowded but the boys weren’t at all surprised, Kildare County High’s volleyball team was actually good, meaning they usually garnered a large audience of spectators.
“I was at the counselor’s like all day trying to figure out how I’m gonna get enough credits to graduate,” John B sighed and JJ and Pope cringed. After John B’s dad disappeared in their sophomore year, the boy had taken a half a step back from his academic responsibilities to try and keep himself together and afloat. Then after Big John’s body was found at the beginning of their Junior year, John B had considered dropping out entirely. He missed a majority of that school year as a result of his grief, deciding that he felt there was no point for school any longer.
Yet with the surprising help of Sheriff Peterkin he had pushed himself back into finishing school. The school understood of course, but that didn’t mean it didn’t take a toll on his academic record.
“I’m sure it’ll work out in the end,” Pope encouraged and JJ nodded, before the blonde clapped and looked around, eager to get John B’s mind off the matter.
“Oh shit look there’s Quincy,” JJ pointed out and the trio made their way over the where a large group of other Pogues who had gathered up on one side of the bleachers. While some schools may have had senior sections or something of the like, their gym was separated by Kooks, Pogues, parents, and then any visitors from the opposing school.
“Hey JJ what’s up man?”
JJ dapped up Quincy and the two of them began talking about something or another as John B and Pope were greeted by the people around them.
“Yeah (Y/N)!!” someone near them yelled, “You dig those balls!”
The three boys turned to the court and watched as you shook your head and laughed but kept your focus on the court. You squatted down low once more and they watched as you warmed up, passing dimes for your setter to set.
“Woooh (Y/N)!” JJ’s hands were cupped around his mouth as he yelled.
“Yeeeahhh!” John B yelled and was followed up by the student section of their gym, Pogues and Kooks alike, cheering for their team despite it only being in warm ups.
Soon enough people had settled into the bleachers as the Varsity game came to a start. (Pope, JJ, and John B had yelled their hearts out at your introduction - “Number 10, Libero: (Y/N) (Y/L/N)!”. And JJ had pointed out where Kie was bustling over at the snack bar, charming people into buying whatever she pointed out to them).
“Oh shit hey, I’m gonna go say hi to (Y/N)’s parents. I totally forgot,” Pope told his friends and the two nodded, waving him off. Pope mumbled “excuse me’s” as he maneuvered his way by people’s legs and tried not to knee anybody in the back of the head. He jogged down the steps of the bleacher and made his way to where the parents were all situated, watching the game intently. There was a bout of cheering and Pope glanced over to the court to watch you jump up in excitement as your team scored another point.
“Hey Pope!” Pope looked up at that and smiled as your mom waved him over to where she was sitting with your dad.
“Hi!” he greeted, and leaned over as your mom stretched her arms up to give him a hug in greeting.
“Your parents not here tonight?” your dad questioned and Pope shook his head.
“Nah they couldn’t leave the store. They really wanted to come though. (Y/N)’s last first game and all.”
“Ah well that’s alright, plenty of games after this one.”
“Of course. Uh Mrs. (Y/L/N) how’s the party planning?” your mom rolled her eyes though he could tell there was no ill intent.
“Stressful. All (Y/N) focused on was her dress and her guest list. Finding a place to even have the party was almost impossible,” your mom explained and Pope chuckled.
“(Y/N) won’t even let me know what the dress looks like,” Pope told them and your mom laughed as your dad nodded.
“She’s hid it from her dad too.”
“Won’t be able to see it ‘till the party,” your dad shook his head at that as Pope let out a surprised chuckle.
“Youate that (Y/N)!” someone yelled and Pope and your parents glanced over at the game and watched you get picked up by Isabelle as your team cheered over winning the first set of the match.
“Well I’m gonna head back to my friends,” Pope pointed over to where John B and JJ were sitting, now with the addition of Kie.
“Of course, of course. We’ll be seeing you at our house later?” your mom teased and Pope shrugged as he laughed.
He waved your parents goodbye and by the time he’d gotten back to his friends Kildare was already ahead in the second set.
“Not working anymore Kie?” Pope questioned as he took a seat beside her leaving her between him and JJ.
“Yeah we made shifts so it’s Marco’s turn,” Kie explained pointing over to the snack bar.
“Was our volleyball team always this good?” JJ questioned and Pope scoffed.
“Yeah you were just too busy staring at their asses to watch them play,” he reached around Kie to shove at the blonde and JJ batted his arms away.
“Hey, you can’t exactly blame me!”
“Gross JJ,” Kie rolled her eyes and the boy looked at Kie with an offended look before turning to John B as if to say, ‘are you hearing this?’. John B only shook his head at his best friend. The 3 Pogues chuckled at JJ’s expense before they turned back to the game. It was your turn to serve now and as you waited for the referee to blow his whistle John B reached up and cupped his hands around his mouth.
“Do it for Pope, (Y/N)!!”
Pope whipped his head over to John B as the students around them “oooh’d!” some of them shoving at Pope playfully. From the court he missed how you glanced up at where they were sitting, a grin on your face as the referee finally blew the whistle to let you serve.
“Shut up John B!” Pope hissed and the brunette only laughed it off as Kie mentioned how Pope should’ve been used to this by now and JJ yelled.
“For Poooope!!!!” JJ yelled as you served the ball.
The Kildare supporters all cheered as you aced your serve and Pope flushed in embarrassment as you turned and pointed to him, riling up the crowd of students as those closest to him shoved at him once more.
“Yes King!” someone yelled at Pope and he couldn’t help but grin as he pointed back at you.
After a long day of fucking around and being teenagers, settling down and chilling by the bonfire was a typical way for the Pogue’s to end the night. Wrapped up in sweaters to fight the chill of the night air, yet wearing shorts to keep themselves from over heating, the group talked over how in only a few days they would be starting their senior year.
“’Outfit ideas for our last-first day?’” Kie mocked as she scrolled through her instagram feed. It was only during these cool down moments did the Pogues ever really find themselves on their phones. Usually they spent their days wrapped up in each other’s tomfoolery.
“Man I still can’t believe we’re gonna be seniors,” JJ scoffed, “I thought I’d have dropped out by now to be honest.”
“Yeah me too,” John B teased and the brunette laughed as JJ flicked sand at him.
“Can’t wait for all those senior events,” Kie grinned but the boys only groaned. They weren’t the type to care much about dances or football games or typically any school santioned events. But Kie being Kie was involved in a lot of school stuff like that. Pope was involved in school sure, but only academically. The last time he’d gone to a football game he nearly got his head busted open when a fight had broken out and he and his friends had gotten caught in the middle of it.
“C’mon you guys. Last homecoming? Senior picnic? Pro-”
“Pope!”
The group of four turned in surprise and watched with wide eyes as you ran your way over to them, practically leaving clouds of sand behind you at how fast you were rushing.
“(Y/N)?-” Pope grunted as you barreled into him the second he stood from his seat.
“Oh my god, you’re never gonna believe it-oh shit, hey guys,” you greeted Pope’s friends and they greeted you back though the confusion was clear on their faces. Outside of the Pogues you were Pope Heyward’s absolute best friend. The two of you had known each other since quite literally the day you were born considering your mom and Pope’s mom were the best of friends.
You didn’t usually hang around the other Pogues though. They were Pope’s group. You were friends with them of course, and you definitely spent a lot of your time with them. But outside of Pope you tended to hang out with your teammates.
Despite that, you and Pope made sure that you saw each other almost everyday. When he didn’t decide to sleep over at the Chateau he was either at your house or you were at his. When he did decide to sleep over at the chateau you’d find yourself there with him at the end of the day. Even if he spent an entire day with just the Pogue’s he reserved time to be with you. And you, him.
“Ok-I’m like losing my mind!” you panted and Pope laughed as he steadied you.
“Jeez (Y/N) take a breather,” he told you and you let out a breathless laugh before taking a moment to gather yourself.
“Ok,” you giggled, “Sorry. But I was just with the girls right? And my mom calls me and guess what?”
“Whaaat?” Pope dragged out and his friends watched in amusement as you shook his entire body.
“My dress came in! Ah! Oh my god I’m so excited!” You squealed as Pope’s eyes widened a wide grin stretching his features.
“What? seriously?”
“Yes seriously!”
“Uuum, dress for what?” Kie decided to pipe in and you turned to her with a bright expression.
“My dress for my debut! My mom’s aunt or something is like a dress maker in the Philippines and we sent them my measurements like 3 months ago. And it just got shipped in!” you were talking at 100 miles per hour at this point and Kie, JJ, and John B were having a hard time catching up, “I’m supposed to pick it up tomorrow afternoon I think, but I was just so excited that I had to tell Pope!” you turned back to Pope who hadn’t taken his eyes off you, his expression soft yet excited.
JJ turned to Kie, silent for a moment as he gathered his thoughts, “…What?” he whispered and Kie snorted as she shoved him away.
“Your debut…that’s like your 18th right?” John B questioned and you nodded at him obviously a bit surprised that he remembered. You could barely remember telling the other Pogues about this. You only tended to talk to Pope or 1 or 2 of your teammates about it.
“Yeah, I can’t believe you remembered,” you laughed and John B smiled.
“What?” John B questioned as JJ and Kie both shot him looks of confusion. You were lost to their interaction as you began to ramble to Pope while he listened intently, nodding along or humming in response to you. You’d always been the more energetic one of your pair. You were there for only a moment longer before you decided it was time to head out.
“Ok, I’ll go now,” you laughed waving to the Pogues after you gave Pope a hug and the usual kiss on the cheek, “Good night you guys!” you bid and Pope and his friends waved back at you as you turned and jogged back over to your car full of teammates that they hadn’t even noticed.
“Bye (Y/N)!” Kie called just as you were about to enter the car and though they could barely see you in the dark, they knew you were blowing them kisses. They silently watched the car drive away before Pope finally settled back down into his seat.
Looking up he blinked as his friends stared him down.
“What?”
“C’mon Pope,” JJ urged, “Senior year man, are you finally gonna ask out (Y/N) or what?” Pope’s eyes widened at that and he sputtered as he tried to come up with a response.
“Wh-what?! What man no! That-that’s (Y/N). My like best friend since we were babies!”
“Yeah, that means you guys are basically soulmates, Pope,” Kie teased and Pope could feel the heat on his cheeks and the tips of his ears.
“Hey, if you don’t wanna ask her out,” JJ wiggled his eyebrows, “I’ve been holding back y’know?”
“Shut up JJ,” Pope threw a handful of sand at the blonde.
“This is your last chance Pope,” John B insisted, “Before you head off to college to play with dead bodies, and she heads off to college to be a college athlete.”
Pope scoffed at that as he looked down and played with his the ends of his sweater.
“It’s not like that ok?” he tried to argue but they only shot him knowing smiles.
“Just sayin’. Senior year’s the year man,” JJ raised his brows at him and Pope could only scoff as they dropped the subject.
Pairing:Frankie Morales x Female Reader x Santiago ‘Pope’ Garcia
Word Count: 7,705
Rating: Explicit. (language, sexual acts, sexual contact with two separate men)
Summary:This is it: the moment when things change between you and Pope … what happens between the two of you - and how do you handle it? But just as importantly, how do Pope and Frankie handle it?
Author’s note:
I am so damn sorry that this has taken so long to get out. I didn’t forget about them, I just got really sidetracked with other things. But we’re back! Thank you all for being so patient with me.
He would have stopped if he’d wanted to. You knew that - you knew exactlyhow he would have reacted - freezing and then straightening all the way up, pulling himself away from you and out of your hold, hands leaving your body without hesitation as he turned away and spluttered out an excuse. But Pope didn’t do any of those things, and before you knew it, he was kissing you, the man’s lips soft and warm against yours.
I appreciate how you didn’t have Pope and the reader immediately have sex. It felt real that they shared a couple of kisses and are now taking some time to process how they feel and how they’re going to move forward. I also admire Frankie because I don’t know how he’s not feeling jealous. I know I couldn’t do it!
