Notes: I mean no disrespect by writing or posting this, and in no way do I take the themes and topics discussed in this series lightly. So if you’re triggered by any of this, I suggest not reading it.
This is an AU of THE WALKING DEAD. So the apocalypse never happened, and everyone’s alive and well. If for any reason I’m getting characters wrong, please let me know and I’ll fix it to the best of my abilities. Also, there will be moments where I’ll come back to do some editing where it’s needed.
Message me or leave an ask if you want to be tagged!
Pairing: Rick Grimes x Reader (she/her pronouns)
Chapter Description: Your anxiety spikes and you wonder if your ex’s harsh words are true.
Warnings: Anxiety attack; mentions/reference to a toxic ex; harsh/abusive talk from a toxic ex; self-doubt; guilt and anxiety; spelling/grammatical errors; whatever else I failed to mention
Additional Info: Y/N = your name | Y/N/N = your nickname | Y/L/N = your last name | Y/E/C = your eye color | Y/H/C = your hair color
You and Lottie spent a fair amount of time in the backyard, playing with Moose and getting more comfortable in each other’s company. The puppy had quickly become a favorite of yours. His innocence, the way he easily worked his way into your heart; you couldn’t imagine life without him after that. Moose was the dog you always wanted, the one your parents and ex refused to get. You’re secretly thanking whatever god is listening that Lottie and her husband got Moose.
After half an hour, Lottie brought Moose inside, you following behind them. Moose immediately went on the couch, throwing himself on his side and throwing the occasional look the sisters’ way. He was excitedly awaiting their company. You waisted no time, sitting beside him as he started sniffing you intensely. After every place he sniffed he’d give a little lick, which made you giggle. Your hands seemed to be his favorite; he quickly abandoned the sniffing and started licking and nibbling your hands and fingers. You giggled again, deciding to rub his head and sides, with Moose giving little huffs and nibbles wherever you rubbed him.
“I think it’s official,” Lottie said, sitting at the other end of the sofa. You looked at her questioningly. “Moose likes you more than me or Max.”
“No,” you shook your head, gently poking the puppy’s side. “I’m sure he loves you guys more.”
“Trust me, he loves you more.” Lottie smiled, watching as her dog played with her sister. “He’s affectionate with Max and I, but he’s not like this.”
“I’m a new person,” you responded. “I’m sure he’s like this with new people.” You gave your sister another questioning look.
She shrugged. “He is a bit more playful with the neighbor’s kid,” she said. “But he’s got a soft spot for girls.”
“Oh,” you said softly. You didn’t know who she was talking about, but nodded anyway. At least he’s good with kids.
“I think you’d like him,” Lottie said.
“Who, the neighbor’s kid?” you asked. Giving your sister a confused glance.
“No, no—sorry.” She chuckled, waving your comment off. “While I’m sure you’d love Carl, I meant his father.” Your confusion didn’t pass. Carl? His father? Lottie quickly continued: “Rick, that’s Carl’s father. Good man. Him and Max are good friends, have been for the last few years. Recently divorced.”
“I don’t understand,” you said slowly. Anxiety started to bubble in your stomach. She’s giving you way too much information on a man you don’t even know. “This sounds like… Why’re you telling me this?”
“So you can make friends,” Lottie replied. “I know moving to a new area can be scary, especially if you don’t know anyone. Rick’s a good man; he’s a cop too, if that helps. Trust me, I think you’d like him.”
“I don’t know.” You shook your head. With your ex, you’d had a few run-ins with the police. Neighbors who’d call if there’d been an argument, only for the cops to not do anything in the end. You’d prayed and wished that they’d see something—how scared you looked, how you wouldn’t talk or look them in the eyes; they never did. Your ex could talk his way out of anything. After a while, you didn’t really trust cops. You were too scared to call them, and those who came due to neighbor intervention always left. It made you feel even more trapped and isolated. And he seemed to pick up on that.
“If you’re not comfortable, that’s fine,” Lottie said, trying for a smile. “We can take our time. There are plenty of nice people here.”
You didn’t respond, looking down at Moose. The puppy had stopped his nibble attack, instead going for resting his head on your lap. You absently rubbed his ear, trying to distract yourself from your rising anxiety.
“How about we watch a movie?” she asked after a moment of tense silence. “Whatever you want.”
You looked up for the briefest moment before glancing down at the dog. “It doesn’t matter to me,” you said, the comment automatic. “Whatever you want to watch is fine.”
With a soft sigh, Lottie nodded. “Give me a minute, I’ll get some snacks ready first.”
You nodded wordlessly. Part of you felt bad, your reaction obviously causing a shift in the general atmosphere. Things had been going well for the last couple hours, but then you had to make it about you again. Running your hands over your face, you close your eyes for a moment. You always seemed to make everything so difficult. It’s not fair to Lottie. Or Max. Or anyone else. It’s your fault. It’s always your fault. Blowing things out of proportion, making everything about you, never being grateful for what you have—maybe Ethan’s right.
You flinch at the thought, at the name. Ethan. The man you spent five years with. The man who made your life a living hell. You could practically hear him in your head, voice condescending and bitter. Angry, loud, cold. Your stomach twisted nauseatingly. Opening your eyes, you looked at the tv in front of you. Your mood had shifted, no longer did you want to be in Lottie’s company. And as much as you enjoyed Moose, you didn’t want to be around him either. You needed space.
“Lottie?” you called, your voice hoarse and thick with emotion.
“Yeah?” she exclaimed. “Everything okay?”
You swallowed thickly. “I, I think I’m going to lay down for a bit. I’m kind of tired.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. You can watch a movie, I just…” Anxiety started to overflow, your voice wavering off mid-sentence. You took a breath to regain your composure. “I need some me time.”
“Okay just, just let me know if you need anything.” Her voice sounded uncertain.
You mumbled out a response before gently moving Moose’s head from your lap. He looked up at you with those big brown eyes. Guilt started to ooze out the longer you looked at the puppy’s face. How could you leave him? Why would you want to? But you needed to. Giving him a final rub and a small smile, you left to your room. Gently closing the door, you sat on the edge of your bed.
Your room didn’t help much. It felt small, like the walls were closing in on you. The air felt thin and your breathing became labored. Your heart was beating so fast it felt about ready to jump out of your chest. Every breath you took sounded like a train, making you wince. Closing your eyes, you tried taking deep breaths. Your hands gripped the edge of the bed, nails digging into the bedding and blankets.
Stop being so dramatic. Ethan’s voice rang in your head, so clear you were almost convinced he was in the room with you. Tears flooded your eyes, a strangled sob escaping your mouth. You always make a big deal out of everything, you know that? You’re so fucking selfish! Everything’s always gotta be about you and your damn feelings. I don’t care about how you feel, do you understand me? So just shut up and dealwithit.
You felt your skin prickle, fear mingling with the overwhelming anxiety. His words continued to bounce around in your head, and everything only got worse. The room suddenly felt like a prison. The air had been knocked out of your lungs. Your head was spinning and your heart was slamming against your ribs. Every fiber in your body was screaming that you’re in trouble, in some kind of danger—get out!
Abruptly standing, you threw your door open and rushed out. You barely registered Lottie as you hurried out the front door, gasping for air like a fish out of water. You leaned forward, your hands resting on your thighs as you desperately tried to steady your breathing. It wasn’t even a minute later that you felt a hand on your back, causing you to jump forward, stumbling to regain your footing. You whirled around to see who’d touched you, trembling and still struggling to breathe.
Lottie stood behind you, worry and fear etched on her face. “Y/N?” she said, her voice quiet but cautious. “What’s wrong? How can I help?”
You could only shake your head, unable to find the words. Lottie had a hand stretched out, hesitant. Her eyes were questioning, asking permission to touch you. You looked down. Lottie put a hand on your shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze. Your brain hardly processed what she was doing.
It didn’t take long for the guilt to rear its ugly head. The guilt that maybe you were being selfish, that Ethan was right and you always made everything about you. You couldn’t go one day without causing a scene or blowing things out of proportion.
Tags:User discretion is advised. MDNI, hurt, heavy angst, mentions and descriptions of miscarriage, stalking, emotional abuse, vivid imagery about miscarriages, trophy wife, runaway wife, hiding, strong language, slight yandere themes, panic attacks, grabbing, mentions and descriptions of sex, regret, mentions of Emma, mentions of divorce, one-sided love, a desperate Hanma, brief moments with Kisaki, too many messy emotions in general
Damn. This took hell lot of time ngl (╥﹏╥) It was worth it tho. I took almost three months to complete this because of all my exams and tests in between and was busy balancing my own schedule and concentrating on making myself better. I really hope y'all like it. I felt like I went overboard with the crying here and there but that is justified, afterall, after what Y/n was put through. This the last and final part btw. Enjoy! I’ll link a smol playlist I made for this. Listen to it in order, music makes the reading experience way better, trust me.
|Part 1 | Part 2 | Playlist | Asks about Affliction are open |
By the time Hanma had collected his bearings, leaving the mansion in pieces as the aftermath of his shock, he notices the blue crockery set on the table, laden with food.
He’s shocked.
After some examining, he realises that there was food, and lots of it, and by judging the copious number of boxes in the refrigerator, there was enough to last for one week.
He doesn’t know what to feel.
Guilt eats him alive.
“What have I done?”
He asks himself, repeating the sentence like a broken record.
Hanma sinks to his knees, hands clutching at his head, as the taste of tears register to his tongue.
The only person who stayed constant for the longest time was gone.
Just like that.
Like the first flash of thunder; beautiful in its own fearful way.
The onslaught of emotions he felt at the reality of the circumstances catching upto him was overwhelming. Overwhelming as the events of the day he lost everything grip his mind.
This was the first time he was being frank with himself. The first time he let himself to feel, to kneel on the ground and finally let out the tears which needed to fall. To finally let himself feel the weight of the loss, to revel and bathe in the pain.
To let the burn of abandonment reduce him to the ground and feel what he loved to inflict upon others.
To finally let her see what was underneath the mask of indifference he’d lived under his whole life.
But the thing was, she wasn’t here.
She wasn’t. And by the way her voice seemed to break more and more with each word on the recording…she wouldn’t ever look back.
Summary:“For the first time in his life, Andre stood at the edge of the end of his world.
For so long, too long, he’d never brought the insides burning, skin chilling,I’m-about-to-die feeling on himself; as one does when they tread off the path of least resistance.”
In which Andre tells Chloe that he’s divorcing her mother.
I just watched the Zoe episode and it gave me Vibes. Now there’s this. Zoe is not a player in this fic but she is mentioned (not by name).
Warnings: Mentions of pregnancy, children feature predominantly, divorce mentions
Summary: Years after Bruce Wayne had gone into hiding, his whole world was turned upside down and he comes to see you. That’s when he finds out there’s more to you then he remembers.
Wordcount: 2.1k
A/N: Yes, this was aimed as being the Christian Bale Batman but honestly, it could really fit for any of them. This just follows certain plot lines from the Dark Knight Rises
You watched the TV, staring at the screen in front of you. It was a scene of Batman, soaring through the streets on the motorbike that was oh so familiar.
The man underneath was familiar too. You hadn’t seen him in five years since you had broken up and he had dropped your partnership for renewable energy.
You had known him and Rachel for years, and after her death he felt so guilty for letting his best friend die he became a recluse. But you were okay with it, as long as the two of you were together. And for three years you would stand by each other no matter what.
“Mama,” a small child called out, the little black haired boy running into the room with a smile on his face.
He didn’t know he was the heir to the Wayne company at the mere age of 4 but he was content with this house and this life. You had tried to tell Bruce for months before giving up.
“Alfred, please let me in,” you had begged, holding the raincoat against your body, “I need to talk to him,”
“He’s not taking any visitors right now Miss, I’m sorry,” he said, a sad look on his face.
He never wanted to turn you away, the girl of Bruce’s dreams, but the master of the house had been determined to not let anyone into the house, not even you.
Especially not you.
“I’m pregnant,” you admitted, tears in your eyes as you looked at the Butler who you had always been fond of, “I have a letter for him, can you at least give it to him,”
“I can do Miss, and I hope it works out between you and Master Bruce,” he said before taking the letter and stepping into the house.
Bruce had watched as you got into the car, driving away from Wayne Manor for the last time when Alfred walked up, handing the lonely man the letter.
“She isn’t safe with me, I can’t let her stay,” he stated, not even opening the letter because if he read your words, he knew he’d run right back to you.
“Master, I think it would be wise for you to read the letter. She has some life changing news for you,” he pleaded but it fell to deft ears.
Bruce picked up the letter with his name inscribed and threw it directly into the fire, turning his back to it as he stared down the dirt path he had just witness you drive down, “I don’t need to know,”
Now years later and you were living with Alfred in your apartment that had been secretly paid for by the Wayne foundation all these years. Alfred had made sure his godson grew up in the best life style that he could and that you two would never have to worry about anything.
So after he had quit his job at Wayne Manor, you of course gave him a place to stay and Tommy was glad he was here as well.
You threw the daily newspaper on the floor, the headline reading that Bruce Wayne has gambled away all of his money to the stock market just before they had crashed and now he was without any power and was essentially broke.
You sighed, head in your hands. You worked as a scientist sure, but it wasn’t enough to afford this apartment and this carefree lifestyle you had been so comfortable in. There was probably enough money for the next few months, but after that you may have to find a new place.
You watched Alfred playing lego with Tommy in the other room, the little boy giggling away to himself as he played with the legs car, speeding along the road. You sighed, shaking your head.
It was clear he had too much of his fathers daring and risky attitude in him already.
Whenever you looked at your son, you saw the man you were once in love with. They had those same compassionate eyes and a mop of untameable black hair on their head. You couldn’t help but worry for him though when - or if - he found out who his father was. Would he be disappointed? Happy? Upset? For now, you thought, that wouldn’t be a problem.
Until you heard a knock on the door. You quickly walked to the hallway, with all the crime going around recently and the attack on Gordon, yeah, you were a bit scared. You peeked through the keyhole and scoffed when you saw Bruce in front of it, waiting nervously.
You opened it, raising your eyebrows as you looked at him. Sure, you had seen a few pictures of the hermit that he had become over the years, but he was still the most beautiful man you’d ever laid eyes on.
His breath hitched as well when he saw you, dressed in casual clothes but still as beautiful as when he would dress you up and take her to galas and be in her arms all night.
“What the hell do you want Wayne?” You asked, already knowing it wasn’t for you or your son.
“I’ve come for Alfred,” he said, the two if you not breaking eye contact, “I’ve come for help,”
“He doesn’t want to go back, it seems you manage to push away everyone you’ve ever held dear,” you said, turning your nose up at him.
The little boy ran into the doorway, stopping as he saw the tall man that towered over him. He smiled, “I’m Tommy,” he said as he saw the man, instantly not feeling threatened by him.
Alfred rushed out, breathing heavily, “I’m sorry Ma'am, I couldn’t stop him,” he said and you nodded, an awkward blush on your face.
“Go on Thomas sweetie, you go play with Alfred and don’t cause any trouble,” you said with a smile.
When you looked back up, Bruce had tears in his eyes. You’d never seen him so vulnerable, almost like he was imagining a world where he hadn’t left you. Because he knew. He knew as soon as he saw the little boy with black hair and inquisitive eyes who had inherited the name of his father.
“How old is he?” He croaked out, looking down at you with tears welling up in his eyes.
“Four,”
“Is he mine?” He asked, almost begging to know the answer, “He looks just like me,"
You didn’t answer for a second, meticulously deciding on how to explain to him the last four years whilst also letting him know he no longer had any say in your life or yours son.
"That’s none of your business anymore, you didn’t even read the letter did you? Listen to any of the voicemails I left?” You asked, folding your arms across her chest.
“Can I come in?” He asked and you opened your arms, inviting him in, the man stepping into the apartment. He knew Alfred had been sending money to a strange place each month and now he knew that it was all for you.
The apartment felt like a home. Pictures of you and your son littered the back wall, a few pictures of Alfred were also with the two of you. Then he saw one that had been slammed down on the table on the side, almost like it had been collecting dust for years.
“I’m sorry,” He began to rock on the balls of his feet slightly, “I didn’t want to drag you down with me,”
You scoffed, “Well you’re currently still a wanted criminal as Batman and you are completely broke so yeah, maybe I’m glad me and my son aren’t involved,”
He reached for your hands but you pulled away, “I never stopped loving you, I pushed you away because I couldn’t bear the thought of you knowing I was Batman and then being arrested,” he explained, a singular tear rolling down his cheek.
“I had just given birth to Thomas when you sent me those divorce papers,” you explained, now it was your turn to begin to get upset, “He’s your son, it says on his birth certificate. But the minute I signed those papers, I knew you weren’t coming back for us,”
“That’s where Alfred’s been going on his vacations, to see the two of you,"
You nodded, "He’s always known, he’s paid for this apartment all these years, he’s my son’s godfather,”
“Our son,”
You pointed your finger at him, an angry look on your face as you stepped closer to him, blood boiling at the prospect of him claiming any power over the boy you’d raised, “My son. You haven’t been there for him and if you hadn’t cared so much that your butler quit then you never would have,” you spat out, tears rolling down your cheeks as you hit him on the chest, “You weren’t there for me,"
He pulled you against his chest as you sobbed and you hated the comfort that you found as soon as he wrapped his arms around you. He pressed a kiss to the top of your head and he realised just how much he missed this.
"I’m sorry, I should’ve been here. If I’d have read the letter, I’d be sitting here with you and our son and everything wouldn’t have gone to hell,” he whispered, your name on his lips like a prayer, “I love you,”
“I’ve always loved you,” you whispered back, pulling away to look up into his eyes, “But how can I trust you?”
“I’m going to fix this, then you can come back to the Manor, all three of us, as a family,” he promised, taking your hands in his, “And Alfred,”
You laughed, a smile on your face.
He wiped away the tears, “There’s that laugh,” he said so quietly he wasn’t sure you’d even hear.
“Alfred,” you called out and the man stepped out of the room, the little boy standing behind him to try and get a look at the scene, “I think Bruce needs to talk to you, but first-” you crouched down, “-Tommy come here,”
The little boy rushed into his mother’s arms, looking up at the man with wide blue eyes. He seemed curious and Bruce knew this was his son, he was perfect.
“This is your dad, you wanna go say hi?” You said and he nodded, running up to the man and wrapping an arm around his leg.
Bruce chuckled, prying the boy off slightly before kneeling down and wrapping him in the largest hug he’d ever given in his life. Tommy giggled, smiling up at his father as if he’d always been in his life.
“I love you son,"
"Love you too daddy,” he said and Bruce teared up, watching as you came and pulled the two boys into a hug.
“Once he’s done what he needs to do, he’s going to come back for us, for you. And we’re going to live in a nice big house with Alfred all the time,” you promised and the boy stood up.
“Come look at my legos,” he said, grabbing the larger hand of his father.
He chuckled, the widest grin that Alfred had seen in a while on Bruce’s face, “Of course, then I’ve got some business to attend to, is that okay kiddo?”
“Yeah,”
He looked back at you, a smile on his face as he looked at you with tears in her eyes. This was it. This was what he’d always wanted.
“You know he never submitted those divorce papers,” Alfred said as he stood next to you, the two of you watching as Tommy gave Bruce a guided tour of his room and all the little things he had, “He could never bring himself to lose you forever,”
You smiled to yourself, “Well he’s got to do better, I’m not going to forgive everything in an instant, but I’m willing to make it work,”
And for the first time in years, neither you nor Bruce needed to be scared, you had each other.
