Stop

*cough cough* sheriff *cough cough*

My fav thing about middle aged OTPs is that 99% of the time they don’t beat around the bush when it comes to dating

bUT THERES ALWAYS THAT EXTRA 1% WHO DATE THE WRONG MOM

The 100

I fixed Brett’s wikia page. I will continue to change it if people change it back. Brett deserved better.

The emotion. The connection. The feeling. So so good❤️❤️

# DREW STARKEY — ACTORS ON ACTORS !

MASTERLIST !

001. SUMMARY !

✯ drew and you participate in variety’s “actors on actors” series.

002. WARNINGS !

✯ cursing, talking about nude scenes, probably inaccurate acting experiences.

003. NOTE !

✯ sorry to all the actors i stole roles from😭 also zendaya is used as a face claim for the social media but the writing is inclusive and has no descriptors of physical appearance… or at least i hope so.

word count : 5,4k (chat i got carried away)

The cozy studio was bathed in warm light, designed almost as if to feel like a welcoming living room. Two plush chairs faced each other, separated by a low coffee table adorned with a few carefully placed books and a small vase of fresh flowers. Everything about the space was crafted to exude intimacy and warmth, inviting open conversation.

Drew Starkey entered the room first, his usual calm confidence mingled with a tinge of nervous energy. He smoothed his shirt absentmindedly and scanned the setup, trying to ground himself in the moment. He was used to being in front of cameras, but this felt different. This wasn’t just about promoting a project or answering rapid-fire questions on a press junket. This was you.

“Hello,” Drew started, a smile gracing his features as he took in the fact that he was sitting right in front of his number one celebrity crush. His hand hovered awkwardly in a small wave, as if he couldn’t believe this was real.

“Hi,” you said back, a giggle falling past your lips when you noticed his sheepish look. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too,” he said, his voice just a little higher than usual. Drew cleared his throat, laughing at himself, which made you laugh too. “Sorry, I’m… a little nervous.”

“Oh, don’t be,” you reassured him with a warm smile. “I promise, I don’t bite.”

“Good to know.” He chuckled, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “How are you doing?”

“I’m great, thank you. What about you?”

“Pretty good, can’t complain.” A laugh bubbled out of him, and subsequently, you. The way he rubbed the back of his neck made you think he was still pinching himself that this was happening.

The cameras rolled, capturing the easy charm and immediate chemistry between the two of you. 

Drew’s grin widened as he began. “First of all, let me just say—I’m completely starstruck right now. I mean, the way you completely own every role you take on... it’s incredible.”

Your eyes widened in surprise, a bashful laugh escaping as you waved off the compliment. “Oh, stop it. You’re making me blush!”

“I’m serious,” he pressed, leaning forward slightly. “You’re like… the blueprint. If I ever get even halfway to where you are, I’ll consider myself lucky.”

“Well, now you’re just flattering me,” you said, your voice teasing but your cheeks undeniably warm. “But thank you, that’s so sweet. And honestly, you’re being way too hard on yourself. You’re incredible in Queer. You’ve got this natural charm that just lights up the screen.”

“Natural charm, huh?” He smirked, pretending to preen, which made you laugh again. “I’ll take that.”

“Good,” you replied, smiling. “You should, because it’s true.”

Drew’s gaze softened, the teasing giving way to something more earnest. “That means a lot, really. Especially coming from you. You’re like… Hollywood royalty to many.”

You tilted your head, a playful smirk tugging at your lips. “To many, huh? And are you part of this many?”

Drew’s eyes widened, and he laughed, a little caught off guard. “Oh, absolutely. I’ve got a lifetime membership to the fan club.”

“Good to know,” you teased, crossing your legs and leaning back in your chair with an air of mock superiority. “I’ll have to start charging you membership fees.”

“Totally worth it,” he shot back, his grin widening.

“Well, thank you,” you said with a soft laugh, “So, we’ve both got some things in common, which I think is pretty cool.”

“Like working with Daniel Craig?” he asked.

“Yes! Honestly, I still reminisce about our time on set… he’s genuinely incredible, isn’t he?”

“He is, yeah. I found myself just admiring him and sort of forgetting I had to act too. He’s just… he’s on another level, for sure.”

“Daniel’s a master of his craft… Most of my scenes as Paloma in No Time To Die were with him, and at first I was so nervous because, like, what if I messed up in front of the Daniel Craig?” Drew let out a laugh at your words, and you couldn’t help but laugh too. “But when he noticed I was nervous he reassured me that it was all good. He’s just the best.”

“You’ve worked with so many high-profile actors.” You nod slightly at his words, as if it were the most common thing in the world. “Are you always nervous when meeting them, or was it just a Daniel thing?”

“It wasn’t just Daniel, no, but I think it depends. For example, when I did Oppenheimer with Cillian Murphy, for some reason I felt more relaxed… even though I had some nude scenes with him.”

“Nude scenes just make you connect, don’t they?” he joked, leaning back with a sly grin.

“They do, actually,” you replied, leaning into the banter. “You’d think they’d be worse, but honestly, with the amount of seriousness and concentration they take, it’s like you don’t have time to be nervous.”

“You clearly pulled it off flawlessly,” Drew said with mock solemnity. 

“You did too in Queer.” You compliment him, “I watched it a few days ago, and the chemistry you had with Daniel was just off the charts.”

Drew’s face lit up, a mix of pride and bashfulness crossing his features. “Daniel’s an amazing scene partner. He really made it easy for me to tap into everything.”

“Well, it shows,” you said. “It was such a raw and beautiful performance. I might’ve shed a tear or two.”

“Okay, now you’re just trying to make me blush,” Drew teased, pointing at you with a playful squint. “But seriously, that means a lot coming from you.”

“Hey, give credit where it’s due,” you shot back with a grin. “You’ve got this way of making everything feel so real. Like when you’re in pain, we’re in pain. When you’re in love, we’re falling right alongside you.”

“Wow,” he said, shaking his head as if to clear it. “I don’t know what to do with all these compliments. This is the best therapy session I’ve ever had.”

You laughed, crossing your legs and leaning forward slightly. “Well, I’m glad I could help. But now I’m curious—how did you prepare for a role like that? I mean, it’s so emotionally intense, no?.”

“It was a lot of journaling, a lot of talking with Luca about backstory and motivations,” Drew explained, his tone more thoughtful. “And honestly, I kind of drew from real-life experiences. Not the exact ones, obviously, but just feelings of vulnerability and… wanting to be understood.”

“That’s beautiful,” you said softly, your smile turning tender. “It’s amazing how much of ourselves we pour into these characters.”

“Exactly,” Drew agreed. “And sometimes it’s terrifying, but when it resonates with people, it feels worth it.”

“It definitely resonated with me,” you assured him. “And I’m sure with countless others too.”

“That’s really nice to hear,” he said with a soft smile.

“How was it for you to work with Luca? Because I remember it being one of the highlights of my career.”

Drew’s eyes lit up at the mention of Luca Guadagnino, and he leaned forward slightly, as if the memory itself was a magnet pulling him closer. “Oh, working with Luca was… incredible,” he said, his voice laced with awe. “He’s got this way of creating such a safe, open space on set. It’s almost like he’s not just directing—he’s inviting you into this world he’s building in his head.”

You nodded eagerly, your own memories of working with Luca bringing a nostalgic smile to your face. “I know exactly what you mean. He makes it feel like you’re collaborating on this deeply personal piece of art, rather than just executing someone else’s vision.”

“Exactly!” Drew said, gesturing animatedly. “And he has this way of pulling things out of you that you didn’t even know you had. Like, he’ll ask you one simple question, and suddenly you’re diving into this emotional rabbit hole.”

You laughed, tilting your head in agreement. “He asked me once, ‘What would this character, Maren in my case, dream about?’ and it completely changed how I approached the next scene.”

Drew’s mouth dropped open in mock surprise. “He asked me the exact same question!”

“No way!” you exclaimed, your laughter spilling out in disbelief. “I love that! It’s honestly such a deceptively simple question, but it opens up so many layers.”

“It really does,” Drew said, chuckling. “And then you’re sitting there like, ‘Okay, now I have to rethink everything I thought I knew about this character.’”

“It’s kind of genius, though,” you added. “He makes you work harder, but not in a way that feels forced. It’s like… he trusts you to figure it out, but he gives you these breadcrumbs to follow.”

“Exactly,” Drew said again, his tone growing softer. “I think that’s why his films feel so intimate, he gets the human part so right.”

You smiled, letting his words settle in the air for a moment. “I think that’s what makes working with him feel like such a privilege. It’s not just about telling a story—it’s about feeling it.”

Drew nodded, his gaze thoughtful. “And those are the moments that stick with you, you know? The ones where you felt something real, even if it was just for a moment.”

“Completely,” you agreed, your voice soft with sincerity. “Those moments are why we do this.”

For a moment, the two of you sat in companionable silence, the weight of the conversation settling in the cozy studio. Then, Drew broke the quiet with a grin. “Okay, but did Luca make you do those impromptu rehearsals at, like, the crack of dawn?”

“Oh my God, yes!” you burst out, your eyes widening. “I’d just roll out of bed with zero coffee and somehow be expected to pour my soul into a scene.”

Drew laughed, his face lighting up. “Right? It’s like, ‘Good morning, here’s your emotional breakdown for the day.’”

You laughed along with him, the shared experience adding another thread to the easy camaraderie forming between you. “But honestly, I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.”

“Same,” Drew said, his expression softening again. “For Luca? Anytime.”

“Absolutely,” you agreed, your eyes locking with his for a moment before the warmth of the studio light reminded you both that the cameras were still rolling.

Drew shifted in his seat slightly, his expression thoughtful. “You know, it’s kind of wild—hearing you talk about all these incredible experiences. You’ve been doing this for so long, and yet it’s like you’re just getting started.”

You tilted your head with a small smile. “That’s sweet of you to say. But yeah, I guess I have been in this industry for most of my life. It’s all I’ve ever really known.”

Drew’s eyebrows lifted. “That’s crazy to think about. I didn’t even consider acting until after college. You must’ve been, what, ten? Eleven?”

“Eight, actually,” you corrected with a chuckle. “My first role was in this little indie film. I was basically just the kid who ran around in the background eating ice cream, but I thought it was the coolest thing ever.”

He laughed, clearly amused. “That’s adorable. And now you’re the Hollywood It Girl. No big deal.”

You rolled your eyes playfully, your laughter light. “Oh, stop it. But yeah, it’s been a journey. Growing up on sets definitely shaped me, for better or worse. Sometimes I wonder what it would’ve been like to have a more ‘normal’ childhood.”

Drew’s smile softened. “That must’ve been such a whirlwind. I can’t even imagine starting that young. I didn’t even think about acting seriously until high school.”

“Oh, I’ve read about that!” You said, your voice lighting up. “You were all about sports growing up, right?”

“Yeah,” Drew admitted with a chuckle. “I was your typical small-town kid—baseball, basketball, you name it. I was convinced I was going to go pro in something, but clearly, that didn’t pan out.”

“Well, I think acting suits you pretty well.” 

“Thank you,” he says with a soft laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “But yeah, the real shift happened in high school when I joined a drama class. It was all Samuel Beckett and absurdist plays, which at the time I thought was the coolest thing ever.”

You leaned forward, intrigued. “So that’s what pulled you in? Drama class?”

“Pretty much,” he said with a nod. “And then I went to Western Carolina for college. I double-majored in English and theater, thinking, ‘If this acting thing doesn’t work out, I’ll at least have a backup plan.’”

“That’s so realistic of you,” you said with a laugh. “Meanwhile, I was ten, telling anyone who’d listen that I was going to win an Oscar one day.”

“And look at you now,” Drew said, gesturing to you with an almost reverent smile. “You made it happen.”

You chuckled, a bit flustered by his admiration. “Well, not quite, just an Oscar nominee for now. But thank you. You know, I think your journey’s pretty incredible too. A double major? That’s no joke. And starting later in the game like you did… it must have felt like a slow burn, but it’s clearly paid off.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Drew said thoughtfully. “It was definitely a slower burn for me. I didn’t land my first real gig until I’d been auditioning for what felt like forever.”

“I think that makes your journey even more special,” you said, your tone sincere. “You came into it with all this life experience and maturity. It shows in your work, you know? There’s this depth to your performances that’s just… rare.”

Drew’s ears turned a little pink, and he laughed softly, glancing down at his hands. “Wow, you’re gonna make me blush over here.”

“Good,” you said with a teasing smile. “It’s only fair after all the compliments you’ve been throwing my way.”

He looked up, his grin sheepish but warm. “Touché. But seriously, hearing that from someone like you—someone who’s been at this for so long and is so insanely talented—it means a lot.”

“Well,” you replied with a playful tilt of your head, “I think it’s safe to say we’re officially mutual fans.”

Drew laughed at that, the sound easy and genuine. “I can live with that.”

The conversation shifted into more comfortable territory as the two of you shared experiences, trading stories about acting and the film industry. Drew, now feeling at ease, leaned forward with renewed interest.

“You know,” he began, a thoughtful expression crossing his face, “I've been thinking about how different TV shows and movies are, especially when it comes to the pacing and character development. Like, in a show, we have to maintain this ongoing energy for the characters over multiple seasons. But with movies, it’s a totally different vibe, right?”

You nodded, understanding immediately where he was going. “It’s definitely a huge shift. With TV, you’re given time to build on a character slowly. Every episode is another chapter, so you can explore new facets of them and keep the audience hooked for longer periods of time. But movies, they’re this intense sprint. You have to get everything across in just two hours or so, but in a way that feels just as layered and satisfying.”

Drew's eyes lit up with excitement, clearly passionate about the topic. "Exactly! You have to balance the action and suspense while still giving the characters these moments of vulnerability. Over multiple seasons, you can really let them grow and change. It's like a slow burn. But when you're doing a movie, you don’t have the luxury of that buildup. It has to be this concentrated emotional punch right from the start.”

“That’s one of the biggest challenges of film, for sure," you agreed. "In a film, every second counts. You can’t afford to waste a moment. But I think what’s also interesting is how both mediums can explore a character’s journey from different angles. TV shows can dive into their backstory in more detail, but movies... they really need to hit those emotional beats and leave an impact without dragging it out."

Drew smiled, clearly engaged in the discussion. “In TV shows you need that perfect balance of suspense, character development, and personal growth. And then, at the end of the season, you drop a huge bombshell that leaves people wanting more.”

You laughed, raising an eyebrow playfully. “Sounds like you’ve been doing some serious thinking about it. What’s the secret to keeping the audience hooked without losing the depth of your character?”

He leaned back, his expression thoughtful. “Well, I think it’s about letting the characters evolve with the story. You need to make sure the audience sees the human side of your character, even when they're in these crazy situations. It’s what keeps people invested in the long run.”

“You’ve really got the process figured out,” you said with a smile. “But you’re right—it’s a different rhythm for TV. With a movie, you get to go deep quickly, but with a show, you have to keep it dynamic and varied. And let’s not forget, you need that cliffhanger at the end to make people binge-watch the next season.”

Drew’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “You’re giving away all the secrets! Next thing you know, people will be expecting a cliffhanger every time they watch a movie."

“Well, movies and TV are both art, but they demand different approaches,” you said, “and you’re doing an amazing job balancing both. I’m honestly so excited to see where your career goes next. Both worlds are lucky to have you.”

He chuckled softly, clearly humbled. “Thanks. I think I’m just lucky to be a part of both. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be in a show that gets people talking for days?”

“Right? You’ve got Outer Banks, which has such a dedicated fanbase, and then movies like Queer that touch people in such a different way. It’s amazing to watch your versatility.”

He leaned in slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. “I’m just trying to keep up with you. Honestly, your transition from action to more emotional roles is inspiring. I hope I can pull off something even close to what you’ve done with your career.”

Your smile softened, your voice sincere. “Well, you’re already doing it, Drew. You’re already there. It’s not just about the roles—it’s about the heart you put into them. And you’ve definitely got that.”

Drew’s smile faltered for a moment, the weight of your words sinking in. His gaze softened, as if he were truly reflecting on what you’d said. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms but keeping his eyes on you, his expression thoughtful.

“It's crazy, isn't it?” He began, his voice a little quieter now, “The idea of giving so much of yourself to something that feels so... intimate. But when it works, when the audience feels it too, there's nothing like it.”

“Exactly,” you agreed, your voice a little quieter now. “That's the real magic, when the audience feels like they know the characters, like they're right there with them. It’s not about the plot twists or the fancy sets—it’s about the emotions that we build and share with them.”

Drew nodded thoughtfully, his gaze drifting away for a moment before returning to you. “Speaking of emotions, I just saw your new movie, We Live In Time,” he said, his voice taking on a softer tone. “It’s one of those films that stays with you, you know? It’s raw in a way that makes you uncomfortable, but it’s also beautiful. How did you tap into that for Almut?”

Your expression softened as you thought back on the experience. We Live In Time had been a journey—a raw, almost therapeutic one. “It was an emotional rollercoaster, honestly,” you said, leaning back slightly, letting the memory settle in. “I think the hardest part was showing that moment where her whole world shifts. It was such a raw, profound type of emotion I had to channel in order to do justice to the character and her experiences.”

Drew sat back, letting the weight of the conversation settle. “I think that's what makes your career so incredible. You never just play a character. You become them. And you take us with you. Every heartbreak, every triumph, every moment of doubt... we feel it all with you. That's what makes your work so powerful.”

You met his gaze, feeling the depth of the conversation linger between you both. “It’s all about connection, right? Connecting with the character, with the audience, and with the emotions that we all share as humans. Because at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to make sense of time, love, and the moments we get.”

Drew smiled, his expression genuine and soft. “Well, you’ve definitely made sense of it for me. We Live In Time—it’s not just a movie. It’s a reminder to cherish what we have. And that, in itself, is something special.”

You smiled back, your heart full as you let the words sink in. “Thank you, Drew. That’s really sweet of you.”

You both shared a comfortable silence for a moment, before Drew broke it with a playful grin. “You know, it’s clear you’ve mastered the art of vulnerability on screen, but I can’t help but wonder—did you ever have moments on set where it was just... impossible to take things seriously?”

You laughed, the sound light and genuine. “Oh, absolutely. In fact, as a kid, it was all impossible to be serious,” you admitted, shaking your head at the memory. “I remember this one time during a scene on set when I was probably around 9 or 10. We were supposed to be doing this emotional scene, and I had to cry on cue. But instead of crying, I couldn’t stop giggling. It was a dramatic moment, and my co-star was all serious and trying to get through the scene, but I just... lost it.”

Drew raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Giggling during a dramatic scene? What happened?”

“Well, my director, bless her heart, kept trying to give me these 'serious actor' looks. She was this no-nonsense kind of woman, and she had this way of narrowing her eyes when things weren’t going well. I tried my best to hold it together, but then my co-star—who was way too good at being serious—looked at me and just gave this super intense stare, and that was it. I burst out laughing right in the middle of the take.”

Drew chuckled, shaking his head. “I can just picture that. You were probably trying to hold it together, but it must have been so hard with all that tension in the air.”

“I swear, the more I tried not to laugh, the harder it became,” you continued, grinning at the memory. “It was one of those moments where you’re like, 'Why am I even here? I can’t do this.' But somehow, I got through it. The director had to take a deep breath, and we did a few more takes. Eventually, we got it done, but I think we all were on the verge of cracking up the whole time.”

Drew let out a laugh, clearly imagining the scene. “I can’t blame you. I feel like as a kid, you have no filter. Everything feels like a joke, and it’s so hard to be serious when everyone else is trying so hard.”

“You have no idea,” you said, your voice still light. “There were so many times I’d be doing a serious scene, and I’d start thinking about something random, like a certain meme or a funny sound someone made on set—and then, bam, it was game over. I’d be holding in a laugh like my life depended on it.”

Drew smirked, leaning in a little. “I totally feel that. I mean, as an adult, I still have moments where I struggle to keep a straight face. I once had a scene where I was supposed to be super intense, but the prop guy was standing just out of frame, and he made this ridiculous face at me—completely threw me off. I couldn’t stop laughing, and it ended up taking hours to finish the scene because we kept cracking up. Honestly, I think the crew started to get annoyed with us after a while.”

“See?” you said with a grin. “It never really changes. Truthfully, the older you get, the harder it becomes to hold it in. But then you look at the footage and realize how much fun you actually had, and that makes it all worth it.”

Drew nodded thoughtfully, a playful twinkle in his eyes. “Yeah, that’s the thing. Sometimes it’s the moments you didn’t plan for that end up being the most memorable. Like when you have a laugh on set, and suddenly you feel closer to everyone, even though you’re supposed to be in character.”

“Exactly,” you said, your smile widening. “There’s something so beautiful about those unscripted moments. It reminds you that acting is, at its core, about connecting—whether that’s through laughter or the heavy stuff. And even though I had my fair share of giggling fits as a kid, I think those moments taught me just as much as the serious ones. Maybe more.”

Drew leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “It's funny how those little moments—like a laugh in the middle of a serious scene—can end up being the ones you remember the most. I think those are the ones that make the work feel real, you know?”

You smiled, your gaze distant as you reflected on the years of working on sets. “I know exactly what you mean.”

“Yeah, like those unscripted moments,” Drew added, his voice quieter now, as if the weight of the sentiment lingered in the air. “They give the performance an authenticity that you can’t get from just following the script to a tee.”

You nodded, the words hanging between you like a shared understanding. “Exactly. And as a kid, I was so focused on getting it ‘right’—on being perfect—that I missed the beauty of just being in the moment. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how important it is to let go of the idea of perfection. It's in those mistakes, the wrong takes, the bloopers—that's where you find the truth.”

Drew's expression softened, his eyes meeting yours with a sincerity that made your chest tighten. “I think it’s key not to be afraid to show the mess, the imperfect parts of a character, because that’s what makes them human.”

A small chuckle escaped you, the warmth of the moment filling the studio. “Right? We’re all just a little bit of a mess, trying to figure it out, but that’s what makes the journey worth it. We’re constantly learning, constantly evolving, and we bring that to our work. The growth, the mistakes—it all shapes us.”

Drew nodded, his gaze shifting as if reflecting on those same ideas. “Yeah, and the growth never stops, does it? Just when you think you’ve figured it out, something new happens, and it challenges you again.”

“That's the beauty of it,” you said, your voice quieter now, the bond between you both deepening. “The challenge is what keeps it exciting, keeps you moving forward.”

Drew grinned, a playful spark lighting his eyes once more. “Well, I guess we’re both lifelong students of this thing called acting, huh?”

“Absolutely,” you said with a laugh, the lightness returning. “And just like any good student, we’ll always be learning. Who knows, maybe we'll even get better at not laughing in the middle of dramatic scenes.”

Drew let out a hearty laugh, nodding enthusiastically. “I think that’s going to take years of practice, honestly.”

You both shared a moment of genuine laughter, the warmth of your conversation filling the space around you. You leaned back into the chairs, the laughter still lingering in the air, a sense of camaraderie that made the space between you feel comfortable and open. You continued sharing stories, moving seamlessly from one experience to the next.

The conversation began to slow, the easy flow of stories fading into a comfortable silence, as you both shared an unspoken understanding. The light laughter that had filled the room now felt like a warm, lingering hum between you.

Drew shifted slightly in his chair, his gaze turning toward you with a subtle, thoughtful expression. “You know,” he began, his voice softer now, “I really hope we get to work together sometime. I think it’d be incredible. It’s the kind of thing where I can already imagine what it’d be like. Just... easy, real. Like this.”

Your heart skipped a beat at his words, but you kept your composure, offering a smile that spoke volumes. “I’d love that. If you receive a call from your manager these days… maybe I had something to do with it, so be prepared.”

The air between you both was charged, the quiet intensity of the moment not lost on either of you. There was something unspoken, something deeper that neither of you addressed outright but that seemed to hang there all the same. The connection was undeniable, yet it lingered in the silence, unspoken, but clear.

Drew finally broke the spell with a playful grin, his eyes flicking back to yours. “Oh, I’ll be ready. Can’t wait to see what magic we create together.”

You returned his smile, your heart racing ever so slightly, though you kept it hidden behind the ease of your words. “I’m sure it’ll be something incredible.”

As the interview wrapped up, there was a lingering sense of something unspoken between you both, an attraction that neither of you had to mention but was so clearly felt. The kind of connection that could only be hinted at, but would never truly fade. It was the kind of moment that would stay with both of you long after the cameras stopped rolling.

“Thank you,” you said softly as the final moments of the interview started to loom, your voice carrying a depth that reflected everything unsaid between you. “This has been amazing. Honestly, it feels like we’ve been talking for hours, and yet it still doesn’t feel like enough.”

He nodded, his expression soft but genuine. “I feel the same way. This has been one of the most honest and open conversations I’ve had in a long time.”

The crew began to pack up, signaling that the interview was at its end, but neither of you seemed in any hurry to break the moment. The usual chatter and movement around you felt distant, as if the two of you were in your own world for just a little longer.

“You know,” Drew said, his voice quieter now, a hint of sincerity threading through, “I think we make a pretty good team even just sitting here talking. Imagine what we could do with a whole script.”

Your smile softened, and you nodded, the words feeling right, but the undertone of something more—something unsaid—hung in the air. “Yeah, I think we’d be unstoppable.”

The moment stretched between you both, filled with the kind of comfortable tension that comes when you realize you’ve shared something real. Something that felt like it could turn into something more.

You both stood up, a final, lingering moment before the usual goodbye. Drew extended a hand, his gaze holding yours a beat longer than necessary.

“Take care, okay?” he said, his voice warm, like the words carried more than just a polite farewell.

You shook his hand, the warmth of his touch lingering just a moment longer than expected. “You too, Drew,” you replied, your voice soft yet carrying an undercurrent of meaning that mirrored his own.

As you turned to gather your things, you couldn’t help but glance back over your shoulder. He was still standing there, watching you with that same thoughtful expression, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. The faintest smile curved his lips, as if he were replaying the conversation in his mind.

“See you around,” he called out, the words simple but loaded with promise.

“Yeah,” you said, meeting his gaze one last time. “See you around.”

Walking away, you felt a peculiar lightness, as though something intangible had shifted, leaving you both exhilarated and curious. It wasn’t every day you met someone who made you feel seen in such a profound way, and as you left the studio, you found yourself smiling, a quiet hope blooming in your chest.

And for a fleeting second, you allowed yourself to wonder what could come next.

Thinking about writing some Outsiders based off the musical👀👀

The Professor |Chapter 11| A Jake Seresin AU

Previous Part | Masterlist | Next Part warnings: age gap (reader is 21, Jake is 35), power imbalance, mentions of blackmail, mentions of raw sex, SMUT, angsty angst, Jake still can't understand how to feel things, slow burn, enemies to lovers. word count: 7k (ISSA LONG ONE I SORRY)

You were sweating in the airport as you stood next to Jake waiting for your luggage to come around. You had decided to spend Thanksgiving with Jake and his family in Texas. It was between that, going home to Aunt Sally’s or sitting alone and eating Kraft Mac’N’Cheese from the box. Also, Olivia Seresin had messaged you on Facebook asking for Vegan dishes to make, and you couldn’t possibly turn down the invite from that. 

“Oh, there,” You said, pointing to the cheetah print suitcases that Lucy let you borrow. Jake nodded and grabbed your bags. You were slightly embarrassed of your luggage compared to the sleek, gray metal of Jake’s suitcases. 

“You ready?” Jake asked, and you looked up at him. If you were being honest, you wanted to run to the ticket counter and find the next flight back to Boston. You had been trying to keep your nerves at bay the whole flight, but Jake could see right through it, “Hey, what’s wrong?” 

“Nothing,” You shook your head and went to grab your main bag, but Jake stood in front of you, “Are you sure your family is okay with this? I mean, two out of four-” 

“I could give a fuck less what Nancy and Liz think about you. My mom loves you, and that’s all that really matters to me,” Jake said. He cupped your face gently, “It’ll be okay. I’m not going to let them be mean to you like the last time. Alright,” You nodded and Jake kissed your lips, “Now come on, my parents are waiting.” 

You gulped and grabbed your suitcase, and followed Jake out of the airport. It was easy to spot Jake’s mom, her red hair was teased to the heavens. She was wearing all black, but the white heeled cowboy boots on her feet stuck out. Olivia smiled brightly and nudged the man beside her, who could only be George Seresin, Jake’s father. You sucked in a breath as Olivia ran up to you and hugged you tightly. 

“So glad to see you again!” She said and kissed your cheek before moving to greet Jake. You saw the awkward hand shake between Jake and his dad. Jake hardly ever talked about his dad but from that interaction alone, you could tell the relationship was strained. 

“Dad, this is Y/N,” Jake said, introducing the two of you. He put his arm around you, which gave you some confidence as you held your hand out for George to shake. 

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Seresin,” You smiled and George shook your hand. 

“Jake, help your father put the bags in the car,” Olivia smiled sweetly, “Sit up front too. I want to run some possible recipes by Y/N to make sure she can eat them.” 

“Oh, Mrs. Seresin, I told you that you don’t-” 

“Nonsense,” George said, which made you stiffen up, “She’s been bugging me for weeks about trying a healthier way, and now she gets a test run.” You smiled and Jake looked down at you. He kissed your cheek before grabbing your suitcase from your hand to put in the back of the shiny Cadillac SUV. 

You weren’t sure where Jake got his cold personality from, because Olivia talked your ear off the whole ride back to the Seresin house. Well, more like a mansion. You were in awe as George rolled up to a gated lot, punching in the passcode and the black gate rolled back. You assumed him being a politician meant that they needed some more security. The house was everything that you imagined, a large white house with a terracotta roof, windows from floor to ceiling. There were four other cars parked in the driveway, which you assumed to belong to the Seresin sisters. The house wasn’t too far away from the old downtown, which you made a note to have Jake take you down there to visit some of the little mom-and-pop shops. 

“Everyone is already here?” Jake asked, stepping out of the front seat. He opened your car door, and offered you his hand to take. You weren’t sure if it was the dry Texan air or the fact that his parents were in the vicinity, but Jake was laying on the gentleman-ness extra thick. 

“Liz, Nancy and their families came in this morning,” Olivia said, “Don’t know why they insist on staying here for Thanksgiving, but here they are.” You tried to bite back a laugh but it was useless. Olivia gave you a wink as she looped her arm through yours, “Now, I want to double check that you are okay with eating eggs. Cause I can find a substitute for them.” 

The house on the inside was even more stunning than on the outside. Your eyes looked up at the grand staircase, and at the tall ceilings. A beautiful chandelier hung down that filled the foyer with tiny rainbows from the sun hitting it. There was a welcoming scent of spiced apples and vanilla. You could hear the laughter of children and the call of their names from their parents. 

Your heart filled with a certain grief at the sight of the house, it was a house that your mother dreamed of. You could remember your mother clipping out pictures of houses from magazines and telling you that one day, they would be able to afford one of the big fancy houses in a better community for you. But as much as you loved the Seresins’ house, you wouldn’t trade the house that you grew up in for the world. 

“Sweetheart,” Olivia said, snapping you out of your memories. 

“Huh? Oh sorry,” You shook your head and Olivia gave you a sad smile, “I can eat eggs. It’s no problem.” 

“Holidays aren’t fun, are they?” You shook your head and looked down at your shoes, “Jake used to bring Bradley home, before he patched something over with his uncle. I know that look, it’s the look of missing the people you love. Tell me, what’s a tradition they used to do.” 

You thought back to the last holiday season you spent with your parents. You were probably thirteen, and your father was determined to host Thanksgiving at your house. It had been an utter disaster, which ended with you guys ordering chinese food and watching football. But one thing always remained the same, and that was getting to open one very early Christmas gift to kick start the Christmas season. You told Olivia that and her face lit up with a smile. 

“Not boring her to death are you?” Jake’s voice cut through the living room. He wrapped his arms around you and kissed the top of your head. 

“No, just sharing Holiday traditions,” You said looking up at him. 

Jake had a look in his eye, and you couldn’t quite explain it, but it looked mischievous, “We’re gonna go take a quick nap. We’ve been up early and flying all day.” You looked at him quizzical. You both had slept on the plane, and you weren’t feeling the slightest bit tired. 

“Oh of course,” Olivia said, “Your room has been cleaned, and you should have fresh towels in your bathroom and extra sheets in your closet.” 

“Thanks momma,” Jake kissed his mom’s cheek before grabbing your hand and dragging you towards the stairs. 

“Be down for dinner at 6! Semi-formal!” 

“Yeah, got it!” Jake yelled down as you tried to suppress your giggles. As soon as you were out of eyesight of his mother, Jake grabbed your body and threw it over his shoulder. 

“Jacob!” You scolded. He pushed the door to what you assumed was his childhood bedroom. Jake placed you down softly on the bed, and wasted no time climbing on top of you and kissing you. You sighed into the kiss, as his hands roamed your body, and hiked one of your legs over his hip. Your hands roamed his broad chest before pushing him back slightly. 

“I thought you wanted a nap,” You smirked. 

“I do, but not before I do this,” He leaned back in and kissed your neck. 

“Mhm,” You pushed him back again, “Not going to happen, Mister.” 

“Oh come on!” Jake pouted, “Please. Just a quickie, let me eat you out, something,” It sent a tingle down your spine at how desperate Jake sounded when you shook your head. 

“Not with your nieces and nephews running around. Maybe later,” You kissed him, “I want to take a shower though,” You went to get out of bed, but Jake’s strong arms wrapped around your waist and pulled you back down. 

“Nap first, shower later,” Jake said, letting out a breath and holding you close to him. You knew that it was useless to fight against him, so you relaxed into his hold and ran your hands through his hair. 

You were not entirely sure why a dinner at one’s own house required a dress code, but you weren’t about to ask. Your peaceful nap with Jake had been interrupted by three red-hair Seresin grandkids. Not that you minded, you always loved kids and Jake’s nieces and nephew were the most adorable little beings you had laid eyes on. It was strange for you to watch Jake interact with them with such kindness and gentleness. You had grown used to his angry and snappy attitude towards college students. You wondered if he treated his students the way he treated his nieces and nephews how much better his professor rating would be. 

Jake had laid out clothes for you to wear, something that would get the approval of not only his mother but his sisters as well. He wasn’t worried about you getting along with his father, no one got along with the man, not even his brother-in-laws who like to think that they do. George Seresin didn’t care for anyone else but himself. He was a selfish politician, but a good one. He knew how to sweet talk to the home crowd to secure their vote. Jake saw right through the act every single time. 

“Shh,” Jake had his hand over your mouth as he repeatedly thrusted into you, “There’s little ones nearby.” 

“Jake, shut up,” You groaned, not wanting to be reminded. He chuckled into your neck. You tilted your head back to lean against the shower wall. Jake’s strength once again amazed you as he held you in his arms, fucking you against the shower wall, “Fuck, Jake, please I’m close.” 

“Yeah? You’re close, baby? I can feel you clenching around me,” His hand snaked its way in between your wet bodies and began drawing circles on your clit. You leaned your head on his shoulder and bit down on the skin to stop you from screaming out as the beautiful, white hot pleasure rolled through your body, “Fuck, that’s it, that’s a good girl. Cumming all over my cock.” 

“You fuck me so well,” You cried out. You lifted your head and grabbed Jake’s face with your hands, “Cum in me.” You said looking into his green eyes. Jake groaned as he felt himself release deep in you, hot spurts coating your walls. You moaned at the feeling and kissed Jake’s lips. 

“You think you can stand when I put you down?” Jake asked. Your legs had been securely wrapped around his waist for the better part of twenty minutes. 

“Probably not,” You smiled. Jake chuckled and kissed you quickly. He gently untangled your legs from his waist but kept his arm around you. He grabbed the washcloth from the shower handle and gently ran in between your legs, cleaning up the mixed cum from the both of you. You sighed in content as Jake placed a soft kiss on your lower back. 

“So pretty,” Jake said, “Especially this,” You squealed as he bit the tattoo that was on your ass. The thin line tattoo that read ‘playboy club’  had been a dare from your first spring break as a 21 year old. Lucy and Zeke had a matching one with you, “Such a naughty little thing.” 

“Don’t act like you don’t like it.” 

“Oh sweetheart, I-” 

“JACOB!” The crash of the door had you jumping, as Jake rolled his eyes. He gently pushed you against the wall, hiding your naked body with his own. 

“What, Amelia?” Jake sneered. 

“Dad says hurry up, you’re going to raise the water bill,” His sister said, “But I can go tell him that you’re actually saving water.” You bit your lip to try and hide your embarrassment but it was no use as you flushed bright red, “But still, hurry up. James and Mark think they know how to properly cut tri-tip and I don’t want them to fuck it up.” 

“Got it. Can you leave now?” Jake said and looked over his shoulder. Amelia gave her brother a thumbs up before leaving the bathroom. He could hear her talking to what he assumed was to his other sister Kathy saying ‘they are totally boning right now’. Jake sighed and looked down at you, “Well that’s Amelia.” 

About half an hour later, you and Jake walked down the grand staircase, hand in hand. He had put on a pair of black dress pants, a button up shirt with a tie and a sweater. The dress that you wore was simple, and you paired it with an oversized plain sweatshirt. The jewelry that you were wearing was actually a gift from Mrs. Seresin and was laying on the bed when you got out of the shower. Even though you were dressed up, you still felt a tad out of place from his sisters. Nancy and Liz glared at you as you walked into the kitchen, while Amelia gave you a bright smile. Kathlene was somewhere else in the house taking care of her three month old baby. 

“Oh Y/N, don’t you look beautiful!” Olivia said as she came over and greeted you with a kiss on the cheek, “Mhm, I knew sapphire was your color. Did Jake tell you that I own a boutique downtown?” 

“No, he did not,” You said and looked at him, “I told him earlier that I want to go visit downtown, I saw a couple shops that caught my eye.” 

“Perfect! You can join me and the girls tomorrow while the boys do some ranch work,” Olivia smiled, “Jake, go help Mark and James. Your father is busy working on starting the smoker for thanksgiving.” Jake nodded and gave you a quick pat on the shoulder before walking over to his two brothers-in-law. Olivia led you over to where the Seresin girls were sitting at, “Do you want something to drink?” 

“Uh, water is fine,” You answered. 

“Water?” Nancy asked, “You’re not pregnant are you?” 

“No!” You said almost too quickly, “I mean, no, I’m not, I just don’t like drinking wine this late. I get headaches and the spins.” 

“Me too!” Amelia said, “We didn’t get the chance to meet properly before, I’m Amelia, the youngest sister, the better sister, the favorite child.” You could see Nancy and Liz roll their eyes out of your peripheral vision, “Jake has told us a lot about you. You’re studying English?” 

Amelia had quickly become your favorite Seresin. She was nice and actually had a conversation with you instead of talking at you or making snide comments the whole time. Maybe it was because the age gap between the two of you was only about six years, so she knew a lot of what you were going through as a fourth year in college. Amelia was also the most interesting sister by far. She had just gotten back from spending six months in Africa at a research center. You could see Nancy rolling her eyes at the way Amelia lit up at the questions you asked.

Jake sat next to you at the dinner table, and Amelia on the other side of you. Nancy, Liz and their husbands sat across from you, and you could feel the stares of the older Seresin girls on you the whole time. The dining room was relatively quiet, save for the gentle conversation that was flowing. Kathlene, her husband and all the kids were sitting in the kitchen, behind the closed door.

Olivia had a strict no children at the dining table rule. Your mother would’ve hated that rule. She didn’t like when your grandmother or aunts tried to push the children into another room. She thought it was mean, and always made sure to make enough plates at the dining room table for the kids to be there. That was one of the things you missed the most about your mother. She had a way of making everyone feel at home. 

Jake must’ve sensed a shift in your emotions as he placed a hand on your thigh. You looked over at him and he smiled. He grabbed your free hand and held it in his. 

“So, Jacob,” Nancy said, setting her wine glass down, “Little birdy tells me that Natasha was in Boston last week.” 

Jake shifted in his seat, “She was. She was there for a conference.” 

“Did she stay at your house?” 

You knew what Nancy was trying to do. She was trying to get under your skin, trying to get you to crack, but you weren’t going to get that satisfaction. You had no idea who this Natasha woman was, or if she stayed at Jake’s house or not. It made you somewhat jealous that he might’ve had another woman over but you brushed it off, as you reached for your own glass. 

“She did stay,” You answered, and Jake snapped his eyes towards you, “She’s rather nice, I kind of like her. And she can make the best. . . oh what was that dish she made? Oh yes! Vegetarian Risotto with red wine. To die for.” 

Nancy clenched her jaw as she set her wine glass down and went back to picking at the food on her plate. Jake couldn’t help the smirk that arose on his face and squeezed your hand. Olivia looked like she was beaming with pride at the way you handled her daughter’s attitude. You smiled to yourself and went back to eating the food on your plate. 

The sun felt great as you sat in the backyard of the Seresin Ranch. It was peaceful, there was a gentle breeze and you could hear the lowing of cattle in the distance. The house was empty, save for the couple of maids that were around tidying up the place for yet another family dinner. Thanksgiving was still a day away and you were already tired of eating family dinners. You just wanted to order a good ol’ vegan pizza and watched reruns of Yellowstone in your pajamas. You had decided to stay back from today’s shopping adventure to work on your end of the semester thesis. Also, today was the day that first rounds of grad school applications were supposed to be reviewed. 

Your whole life you had been working for this moment. The dream that you and your mother once shared, and now you carry on in memory of her. You weren’t sure what you were going to do if you didn’t get into Doctor Hoffman’s program. There was never really a back-up plan in your mind. You knew that Boston had a good grad program, but it wasn’t renowned like Doctor Hoffman’s at USC was. 

The air conditioning felt nice as Jake walked into the house followed by his father and brothers-in-law. He spotted you out in the middle of the backyard. Your hair was golden and shining in the sunlight. He grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and drank down half of it in one gulp. He forgot how demanding ranch work could be. George wanted to move most of the cattle from one pasture into the next to keep them close for the winter months. It had been a while since Jake had rode horseback and his thighs ached as he walked. 

“What is that girl doing?” Mark, Nancy’s husband, asked, “Sitting out there like a stone.” 

“It’s a nice day,” Jake shrugged. 

“She’s got some fire in her,” James said, “Liz was telling me all about it.” 

“You could say that,” Jake said, and put his water down, “I’m going to check on her.” 

The men nodded and started talking about the price of cattle as Jake walked out into the backyard. Your eyes never left your computer as he sat quietly beside you. The two of you sat in silence for a while, listening to the world around you. It was peaceful, and Jake liked it. He felt like he hadn’t really gotten a moment alone with you since you got here. Yes the two of you had your own room and bathroom, but it still didn’t feel the same like this. 

Jake moved his body so that you were sitting in between his legs and he was leaning up against the tree. He hummed as he ran his fingers through your hair. He loved your hair, it was always so soft and smelled like pears. His hands worked to make a half-assed braid, pulling the strands away from your face. You told him once how much you hated the hair in your face. You couldn’t quite make out the song that Jake was humming, but it reminded you of a tune that your dad used to play. 

“I got in,” You said softly. 

Jake paused, “What?” 

You looked over your shoulder and then back at your laptop, “I got in. To Doctor Hoffman’s program. . . I’ve been accepted.” 

“No shit,” Jake asked and leaned forward to look at your screen, “Dear Miss L/N, we at the University of Southern California think that you would be an exceptional addition to the graduate program for English majors under the direction and leadership of Doctor Megan R Hoffman. Holy shit! You got in!” 

“I got in!” 

Jake all but tackled you to the ground, his arms wrapping around you as he hugged you tightly. You giggled as he rolled you on top of him, his smile bright as he looked up at you. He gently ran his hands over your hair and brought you down for a kiss. It was soft and tender. It reminded you of the kisses you used to see your parents exchange. There was no rush, no need to quickly remove each other's clothing. The kiss felt different, and it was different. You pulled back and rested your hands on his chest as you pulled yourself up to straddle him. Jake’s green eyes looked up at you, full of adoration and pride. 

“My smart girl,” Jake said, his large hands engulfing yours sitting on his chest, “I always believed you could do it.” You scoffed and rolled your eyes playfully, “It’s true. You’re so smart, Y/N. I knew that you had the potential, that fire in you to make it into the program. I just had to bring it out in you.” 

“By being a dickwad?” 

“Okay, well,” Jake said and you giggled. You placed another soft kiss on his lips, “I am so fucking proud of you. Come on,” He gently rolled you onto the ground, and stood up. He gave you his hand and he pulled you up to your feet, “We gotta go celebrate.” 

“Jake, really it's- PUT ME DOWN!” You squealed as Jake threw you over his shoulder. He made sure that your dress was pulled down as he walked into the house. You giggled as he carried you into the house. 

“Jacob, what on earth are you doing?!” You flushed as Olivia’s voice called out to you. You lifted your head up and saw that she had a smile on her face. Jake walked over to the fridge and looked for something. 

“Where’s that bottle of. . . got it!” Jake said, grabbing a bottle of champagne, “We’ll be at the Cub house,” You wiggled in his grip and Jake set you down on the ground. He wrapped his arm around your waist, keeping you in close, “Y/N got into grad school today.” 

You watched as the eyes of the Seresin family lit up at Jake’s announcement. Olivia was the first one to you, pulling you into a tight hug. You melted into her touch. You loved Jake’s hugs, but being hugged by his mother was something different. It made your heart hurt, as Olivia pulled away and kissed your cheek. George even shook your hand and gave you a quiet ‘congrats, darlin’ before Amelia swooped in and hugged you. Even Jake’s nieces and nephews came running to you giving you a hug, just wanting to be included in the celebration. 

“Oh sweetheart, that is such wonderful news! I bet your parents are smiling down on you,” Olivia said. You gave her a tight lipped smile and Jake could tell there was a shift in your mood, “Oh! I’ll make a cake. How does carrot cake sound? I made Jake a carrot cake when he got into Doctor Hoffman’s program as well.” 

“Carrot Cake is fine, Mom. Save it for tomorrow,” Jake said. 

“Let the boy go, Liv,” George said and placed a hand on his wife’s shoulder, “Boy wants to go on to the Cub house for the night.” Jake gave his father a nod and George passed him the keys, “Not a scratch. Got it.” 

“Yes sir.” 

“Be back in the morning. Chores before Turkey,” George said, “Now, go on.” 

Jake smiled at you and grabbed your hand, pulling you out of the house and towards George’s shiny white truck sitting in the driveway. You giggled as you tried to keep up with his strides. He opened the door and helped you inside, buckling you up. 

“Do I need clothes?” You asked and Jake shook his head. 

“We’ll be back early,” Jake said and handed you the bottle, “I just want to be able to fuck you how I want and not worry about my sisters kids hearing you.” Jake kissed you and shut the door, jogging around to the drivers side. His words sent a tingle between your thighs as you clenched your thighs. 

The ride to the Cub house wasn’t very long, but it was beautiful. The sun was starting to set a bit as Jake drove down an old dirt road. The Cub house was a log cabin that was tucked back on the Seresin ranch, probably five or so miles away from the main house. Jake was right, it was quiet and away from the little ears that were roaming the main house. Jake parked in the driveway and got out quickly running to your side. He didn’t even let your feet hit the ground as he carried your bridal style to the cabin. 

“Laying it on thick today, aren’t you,” You said and Jake grunted. 

The inside of the cabin was beautiful, and you could tell that it was well maintained. There was a certain warmth about it as you looked at the tall fireplace and at the family pictures on the mantle. Jake set you down on the ground, and you took a couple steps forward, looking around at the house. Your eyes danced over the pictures of the fireplace. You could point out the faces of the Seresin siblings, most of them being during christmas. One picture in particular caught your eye, one of Jake and that familiar stunning woman but this time they were posed on the steps of a church, her in a beautiful white dress. 

“Sweetheart,” Jake called out to you. You turned and he handed you a glass of champagne, “Thought I told them to toss this,” He grabbed the picture from the mantle and flipped it down. 

“She’s beautiful,” You said and sipped the bubbly drink.  

“Yeah, but looks are deceiving. Her heart is ugly,” Jake said and looked down at the glass in his hand, “I don’t want to talk about her. I brought you up here because I want to celebrate with you. . . properly.” 

“Oh really?” You smirked and Jake nodded. He grabbed your glass out of your hand and set it on the mantle. You wanted to protest but you watched as he took a sip of his and then grabbed your throat. You kept eye contact as you opened your mouth and  he spit the liquid in your mouth. 

“Close,” He demanded, “Swallow.” You looked at him and swallowed the drink. Jake groaned and crashed his lips to yours. He tapped at your thighs, signaling for you to jump. You wrapped your legs around his waist and he carefully lowered you to the floor on the white soft rug. His lips went to your neck as his hands roamed your thighs, pushing your skirt up your legs. The straps of your dress fell down  your shoulders, exposing your collarbones. Jake’s tongue swiped across them, his hands coming to pull the top of it down. 

“God, you’re perfect,” His hands easily cupped your breasts, and squeezed them. You moaned out at the feeling as his tongue circled one of your nipples before sucking it into his mouth. 

“On the floor, Jake?” You asked, your voice sounding airy. 

“Darlin, I’m gonna fuck you on every single surface in this house,” Jake said and moved his mouth to your other breast. His hand moved in between your legs, gently rubbing at the wet spot already formed between your legs, “So wet for me always. You’re always ready to take my cock aren’t you.” 

“Yes, sir,” You moaned as he rubbed you through your panties, “Touch me, Jake,” You pulled on his hair, making him look up at you, “Fuck me, do something please.” 

“Oh darlin,” Jake cooed, “I’m gonna do more than just fuck you. I’m gonna make love to you.” 

You sucked in a breath as Jake helped you stand up from the ground. He fixed your dress before grabbing the two champagne glasses and bottle, walking you down towards the main bedroom. You stood awkwardly in the doorway as Jake set the glasses down and turned on the lamp, illuminating the room with a soft glow. He looked over at you and smiled, taking your hand and leading you towards the bed. He sat down, and you stood in between his legs. Jake gently lifted your chin and kissed you passionately. You sighed into the kiss, your hands resting on his shoulders. 

You grabbed Jake’s hands, making him stand again and taking a couple steps away from the bed. Your eyes locked on his green ones as you grabbed the bottom of your dress and lifted it up. Jake got the hint, kicking off his shoes and then shedding his shirt. Your dress hit the ground as Jake undid his belt. You stood before him, bare save for your underwear. Jake’s breath caught in his throat as he looked at you. Everytime he looked at you like this it was like the first time all over again. 

Jake reached out for your hand, which you let him take, and walked you to the bed. The two of you laid down next to each other, face to face. Jake gently ran a finger down your body, causing goosebumps to arise on your skin. You felt like you were under a microscope as Jake looked down at your body. You wanted to hide, but at the same time, you liked being on display like this for Jake. 

“You are everything,” Jake said softly, “Smart, beautiful, kind. You are perfect,” Jake shifted his body so he was on top of you, “Truly, perfect.”  

You didn’t want the night to end. It was beyond amazing. Every touch, every kiss, every word that was said was going to be in your memory forever. In between sessions of love making, you and Jake shared stories of your childhoods, the happy times that you both could remember. And true to his word, Jake fucked you on nearly every surface in that cabin. 

Currently, you were helping Olivia set the table for Thanksgiving Dinner. You had spent nearly all morning and into the afternoon working in the kitchen with Olivia and Amelia. Kathelene kept you all company as she tended to her baby. Nancy and Liz were off doing whatever it is that they do, which was probably partaking in small town gossip. The men spent the morning doing chores and cooking the turkeys and duck for dinner. Olivia assured you that there would be something for you to eat that wasn’t straight from an animal. 

“Alright,” Olivia smiled at her perfectly dressed table, “You go get cleaned up, honey. I brought you a little something from the boutique, I think you’d like it.” 

“Thank you, Olivia,” You said, and headed upstairs. 

Olivia sighed in content and then walked down the hall towards George’s office. She knelt down underneath his desk, and punched in the code of the safe and got out a velvet black box that had been sitting there for years. Her next task was to call in her only son to talk to him. Jake was always attentive to his mother, and showed face quickly in George’s office. 

“You called me?” Jake asked. He was already dressed for dinner. Choosing a pair of gray dress pants and a pullover sweater. 

“Yes, sit, sweetheart,” Olivia said, patting the spot on the couch next to her, “You look nice, blue suits you.” 

“Y/N picked it out,” Jake said. 

“She’s got great taste,” Olivia smiled, “You know, I never really ever liked Allison.” 

“Gee, thanks for telling me now, Mom,” Jake rolled his eyes playfully, “Why are you telling me this?” 

“I’m telling you this because you need to hear it. You have a good girl Jake. I can see, your father can see it, and even Nancy, who will argue and fight about it, sees it too,” Jake looked at his mother, “Do not mess this one up, Jacob,” Olivia placed the box in between them. Jake felt his breath catch in his throat at the sight of the box, “You have been hurt before by love, and sometimes we aren’t lucky to get another chance. But by God, Jake, this is your chance. I haven’t seen this happy, lovestruck look on your face since you were seventeen and bringing Allison home for the first time. Hell, Jake, you even look younger. And I bet your heart feels lighter too.” 

“It does, Momma,” Jake nodded, “But Y/N. . . she’s not ready for this. She’s too young. She’s got a life to live-” 

“Then you keep this,” Olivia placed the box in his hand, “You keep this until you know for sure. But I know in my heart. . . that you know she’s the one.” 

Jake was unusually quiet as you sat next to him at the very full dining room table. Both George and Olivia’s parents were there along with several other cousins, aunts and uncles. The drinks were flowing and so was the conversation. You were in a conversation with Jake’s grandmother, Bethany, talking about the history of the Seresin ranch. Grandma Bethany was a sweet woman, and liked to hold your hand while you talked. 

Jake felt like the room was suffocating. There were too many people, too many voices. The ring box that was sitting in his suitcase upstairs suddenly felt like it was going to catch the whole house on fire. Jake hadn’t really had a chance to digest the conversation he had with his mother until now, as he was sitting at the table surrounded by what could be his future. So he proposed to you, and then what. He would have to leave Boston College to follow you to USC. It was not guaranteed that he would find a job, and he could remember how hard it was to stay afloat on a grad student salary. He lived with four other people in a run-down house that surely had asbestos in the walls. 

After marriage, came kids. He looked as his three nephews came running into the room followed by his cousins. He had heard Kathlene and her husband Peter up late at night dealing with their newborn. Jake wasn’t sure if he could handle that. He was too scared of turning into the cold hearted man who sat at the head of the table. Jake couldn’t sit at the table any longer, he felt like he was going to choke and die on his own necktie. 

“Excuse me,” Jake said and pushed up from the table, throwing his napkin on his plate. You looked up at Jake as he made a dash for the front door. 

“I’ll go check on him,” You said and gently excused yourself from the table. 

Jake was half way down the driveway when you got outside. The night air had cooled off, and you wrapped your arms around your waist as you ran after him. Jake heard you calling his name but he didn’t stop as he kept walking towards the gate, towards freedom. He needed to get away from it all. 

“Hey!” You finally caught up to him, and grabbed his arm, “Would you-” 

“What the hell do you want!” Jake yelled, turning around to face you. You took a step back at his brash tone. 

“Are you okay? You just got up and left.” 

“I know what I did,” Jake sneered, “And no, I’m not okay. I left to get away from you.” Jake continued on walking down the driveway, with you hot on his heels. 

“Me? What did I do?” 

“Oh what haven’t you done,” Jake rolled his eyes. 

“What is going on, Jake? Talk to me. You have been off all-” 

“You’re not my fucking girlfriend, I don’t have to tell you what’s going on.” Jake stopped and faced you. His words were like a knife to your chest. Part of you knew that deep down, you weren’t more than just another girl to Jake, but hearing him say it outloud, hurt more than it should. You sniffled and turned your head away from him, “God! This is why I don’t do relationships! You are insufferable right now! I left to get air, to get away from you. What else do you want to fucking know?!” Jake started walking again. 

“I want to know why you keep doing this?”  You yelled after him. Jake stopped, “Why are you so scared to allow yourself to feel? Why are you scared to tell me what’s wrong? Why are you so scared to love me?” The last sentence you spoke was barely above a whisper, but Jake still heard it. And it still made his heart clench. 

“Cause I don’t,” Jake lies right through his teeth.

“You’re lying.” 

“I’m not,” Jake shook his head. 

“Then look me in the eye and say it,” Y/N steps forward, standing toe to toe, “Tell me that you don’t love me.” 

Jake looks her in the eye, “I don’t love you, Y/N.” You clenched your jaw, not backing down from Jake, “I’m leaving. I don’t want to see your face for the rest of the night.” 

You watched as Jake’s frame retreated down the driveway and to the gate. You wiped the tears from your eyes and looked around, seeing if anyone heard what happened. Amelia was standing up by the house, with a sad expression on her face as you returned. She didn’t need to tell you, but she had heard everything, it was the look on her face that gave it away. 

“I’ll tell them you aren’t feeling well and Jake is with you,” Amelia said and you nodded, “He doesn’t know how to let good things happen to him.” She gave you a gentle squeeze on your arm and you went upstairs to the bedroom you shared with Jake. 

It was well past late when Jake found his way home, smelling like the floor of a bar, but he was stone cold sober. He couldn’t bring himself to drink knowing the harsh words that he had said to you. None of it was true, not one single bit. Jake was in love with you. He was madly, deeply, stupidly in love with you. And it terrified him. He had never felt this love before. He wasn’t even really sure what to do with it. It amazed him how his heart could love one person so much like this. 

He stumbled up the stairs to his bedroom, pushing it open. He expected to see the outline of your body under the blankets. The scene that he had played out in his head was that he would come home, apologize, and tell you that he loves you. Instead, he was met with a perfectly made bed and a note laying on it. Jake quickly moved to the bed and picked up the note. 

‘Got an early flight home. Called a cab, don’t worry. Sorry I ruined your night- Y/N 

P.S check the desk’ 

Jake’s eyebrows furrowed as he looked over at the desk. A gift box, wrapped in beautiful white paper with a gold bow sat on top. Jake walked over to it and lifted the top of the box. He hung his head with guilt as he looked at the gift on the inside. Jake had only mentioned it once, that his Shakespear collection was missing one book. And somehow you managed to get him a first edition copy of Romeo and Juilet. Jake gently picked up the book, and held it against his chest.

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fanfic really is. like. it really is about the community. it's about the comments. it's about the story you rip directly for your heart and bleed out on your keyboard. it's about the i loved it when you... and the i screamed when you wrote... and the keyboard smashes and the i can't believe you did that!!!! and the i'm suing you for damages like it. this is community. fanfic is literally. an act of community. the greatest act of community in fandom because it comes with such raw, overwhelming vulnerability. whether you're writing kink fic or 100k words of trauma exploration, you're just like. hi hello this is my soul please embrace it and people do. oh my gosh

I'm dead

Tom met up with them!!!

He looks so good in the bandana 🔥🔥

Don’t let depression stop you from being that bitch