Hi! Could You Do A Lockwood X Reader Where Shes On Kipps Team And Theyre In Love With Each Other Ever

Hi! Could you do a Lockwood x reader where she’s on Kipps’ team and they’re in love with each other ever since they first met and he asks her out to the Fittes ball? If this makes sense- just a lot of fluff and stuff. Thanks :) ❤️

—enchanted

pairing: anthony lockwood x reader

summary: lockwood and reader, a fittes agent, have been in love ever since they first met and its been quite obvious for anyone else, but them

"quit making it so obvious, will ya?" Quill exclaimed, after the team and you followed him out of the church, where your current mission was held.

"what are you talking about?" you asked, quiet startled by Quill's sudden remark. normally it was Bobby who would get the jabs from the older boy and normally he would compliment your effort. he seemed to be a bit aggravated at the moment though.

"don't play dumb, y/n" Quill shook his head "anyone could read the infatuation from off your face" he stopped and turned to look at you "even now, still"

you scrunched your eyebrows together, still not understanding what your cousin was saying. "Quill" you said lowly "could we please discuss this somewhere else" your eyes hinted at the rest of your team, that was still standing beside you

"its fine, really" Quill ignored your worry "I mean, its not as it isn't obvious from him too"

"what?" you asked confused. it was true, you had been in love with Anthony Lockwood from the moment you first laid eyes on him, but you never thought he reciprocated that feeling. he just was friendly with you, that was all.

"oh c'mon, y/n!" Quill bellowed "Lockwood is obsessed with you!"

"no, he isn't" your eyes darted from Quill towards your teammates

"he's right" Bobby nodded, when your eyes finally landed on him

you shook your head, still not believing what you were hearing

"you can't be that oblivious, can you?" your eyes darted back to your cousin, the blonde boy raising his eyebrows, like he was questioning your intelligence, or your sanity even. "hello, y/n" he said, trying to imitate Lockwood "would you like some tea? I bought it on my way here"

"that's not-"

"y/n!" Bobby joined in "your hair looks so gorgeous today, you should style it like this more often"

"guys, please-"

"if your cousin gets too infuriating, you know you can always start at my agency" Kat added

"ok well, but that's just Lockwood being friendly, alright? we've known each other for a long time, we're friends okay?"

"that doesn't look like friendship to me" Kat muttered

"he literally remembered a book you mentioned once and went to an autography session, just so the author could sign it" Quill rolled his eyes "I wouldn't even do that and I'm your family! just make a move already, poor boys probably getting tired of licking your shoes"

you opened your mouth, stunned at what Quill had just said "he told me his mum had that book flying around and he didn't need it anymore, and that it was already signed when he found it"

"well, it wasn't"

it was weirdly out of character for Quill to stand up for Lockwood, his more or less enemy, like that.

"look, y/n" Quill said firmly "I'm not a fan of Lockwood and he's definitely not my friend, but the poor bloke is literally suffering in front of all of our eyes, its gotten pathetic. the fittes ball is at the end of this week, and if he won't ask you out, then I will write a letter and get him to do it, alright? get yourself together and please stop acting like a love drunken idiot"

"huh?" you exclaimed startled, as you watched Quill turn around and walk down the way, back to the entry of the cemetery, the rest of your team following. you picked up your pace until you were next to them again.

that very evening though, you received a letter from Lockwood himself, asking you to accompany him to the ball. Quill had taken it out of the mailbox and had held it up like a treasure, muttering I told you so.

the afternoon before the ball had been spend by trying on different dresses and forcing Quill to be your fashion consultant, until he was so fucked off he was ready to jump out of the window

"really, y/n" he had said "you could even go dressed in a potato sack and he would still look at you the whole night"

so now you were standing in front of the house, to your luck, not dressed in a potato sack, but a glistening red dress that ended right at your thighs, waiting for Lockwood to pick you up

"hello" he said stunned when he had stepped out of the taxi to hug you and open the door for you. "you look absolutely mesmerising"

these words and the look on his face while saying it, gave you the first moment in which you actually believed what quill had told you. Lockwood was never the one to hold back on compliments, maybe that's why you've never noticed it before.

the ball was in full swing when you two entered the venue, Lockwood holding onto your hand tightly, as if you might slip away if he'd let go of it.

"fancy a drink?" one of the servers asked and Lockwood took one glass for each of you, downing the liquor as soon as he had handed you your glass.

"nervous?" you asked, laughing at his sudden keenness on drinking

"yes, actually" he said, looking up from the glass and finding your eyes instead. "I'm not normally. only ever when I'm around you. George and Lucy said that its gotten really obvious at this point"

"Quill said that too" you added and Lockwood looked up surprised

"even kipps noticed?" he muttered frustrated

"yeah" you shrugged your shoulders "but particularly he meant me"

"you?" Lockwood asked confused and you nodded "oh"

"yes, oh" you smiled uncomfortably "they even got me as far as to believe that there was something going on, between us, I mean"

"oh" Lockwood repeated

"oh?" your voice sounded more hurt than you had anticipated

"no- I mean not oh, but oh!" Lockwood tried to save himself from the awkwardness "I didnt think we would get to the point as fast, but here we are, and it's seems like I don't really have to tell you what I feel anymore"

"no you don't, technically" you smiled "but I'd still like to hear it from you"

"well in that case" Lockwood laughed "I like you, y/n. since always"

"oh, since always?" you laughed "very specific"

"since the moment I laid eyes on you, to be exact. and here I am, asking you if you feel the same"

"obviously" you smiled at the grinning boy in front of you "it wasn't any different for me, I knew it was over the moment I saw you"

"well, what can I say?" Lockwood chuckled "meeting me enchants people"

TAYLOR SWIFT SONGS FOR FICS

these are all the songs I haven't done yet, if the one you want to request isn't here, please check my masterlist before requesting!

those in cursive are being written right now!!

TAYLOR SWIFT (12)

tim mcgraw, stay beautiful, picture to burn, teardrops on my guitar, cold as you, the outside, tied together with a smile, invisible, should've said no, a perfectly good heart, mary's song, a place in this world,

FEARLESS (14)

fifteen, breathe, white horse, jump then fall, come in with the rain, the other side of the door, you all over me, mr perfectly fine, that's when, don't you, bye bye baby, forever and always, tell me why, superstar,

SPEAK NOW (14)

sparks fly, speak now, long live, electric touch, when emma falls in love, i can see you, dear john, mean, the story of us, better than revenge, innocent, haunted, castles crumbling, foolish one,

RED (18)

state of grace, holy ground, message in a bottle, red, all too well, i almost do, the last time, sad beautiful tragic, the lucky one, begin again, come back...be here, girl at home, nothing new, babe, i bet you think about me, better man, run, everything has changed,

1989 (14)

new romantics, wildest dreams, wonderland, out of the woods, all you had to do was stay, i wish you would, bad blood, clean, say don't go, now that we don't talk, suburban legends, is it over now? welcome to new york, slut!,

REPUTATION (8)

...ready for it?, so it goes..., getaway car, dancing with our hands tied, this is why we can't have nice things, new year’s day, look what you made me do, dress,

LOVER (8)

all of the girls you loved before, cornelia street, death by a thousand cuts, me!, false god, the man, the archer, lover,

FOLKLORE (10)

the one, cardigan, the last great american dynasty, exile, mad woman, epiphany, betty, hoax, the lakes, this is me trying,

EVERMORE (10)

'tis the damn season, dorothea, cowboy like me, evermore, right where you left me, it's time to go, happiness, champagne problems, no body no crime, coney island,

MIDNIGHTS (13)

maroon, snow on the beach, paris, glitch, you're on your own kid, midnight rain, question...?, vigilante shit, bejeweled, the great war, dear reader, labyrinth, high infidelity,

THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT (27)

fortnight, the tortured poets department, down bad, so long london, but daddy i love him, florida!!!, guilty as sin?, who’s afraid of little old me?, i can do it with a broken heart, the smallest man who ever lived, clara bow, the albatross, chloe or sam or sophia or marcus, how did it end?, i hate it here, thank you aimee, i look in people’s windows, cassandra, the bolter, robin, the manuscript, fresh out the slammer!, peter, imgonnagetyouback, loml, my boy only breaks his favorite toys,

songs to write: 147

lockwood

enemies to lovers

—treacherous

pairing: anthony lockwood x fem!reader

summary: how can it be that two people who grew up together hate each other so much? for lockwood and y/n that hate was definitely normal. suddenly they find out that love and hate are really close together and there might be something treacherous in the way that they like to scream at each other.

warnings: making out, reader and lockwood hating each other

"it's literally unbearable with you two" Lucy exclaimed outraged after you and Lockwood had just gotten in another fight on the mission.

"you can be glad that Lucy was able to find the source and seal it" George scolded "you'd both be dead if it wasn't for her!"

both you and Lockwood seemed to shrink under the glaring eyes of your friends. you had just gotten home and it seemed that everything that George and Lucy had kept in during the cab ride was unleashing now

"I'm so fed up!" Lucy screamed and even Lockwood winced at her sudden outburst "how can two people that live with each other since they were born, hate one another that much! I don't even get it, what's up with you two?"

"it's not like I like living with him" you muttered through clenched teeth "it's just for safety purposes and it's my home as much as it is his"

the Lockwoods and your parents had been friends for forever, when they decided to move in together. they thought you and Lockwood would like to grow up together and one day eventually get married, so that you all could become a real family. despite your parents wishes, you and the boy never got along. he knew how to push all the right buttons with you, especially because he knew so much about you. at least you could stay out of each others way as much as possible, it was still a huge house. after both your parents death you both decided to stay, you really didn't have the money to buy another house in London, so it was better this way, even if you two hated each other.

"let's just all cool down and get a good nights sleep. you look like you died two weeks ago, y/n"

"says the boy that never sleeps" you shrugged "don't think you can fool me"

"I don't think we are the ones that need to cool down" George exclaimed bitterly

"whatever you say" you rolled your eyes and bumped your shoulder into Lockwood's when you left the library. you went the stairs up to your room and decided to take a quick shower after the awful mission you had just barely survived. not long after you had gotten clothed, someone knocked on your door.

"come in" you called and Lucy stepped into the room

"hi" she smiled "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry about earlier, I shouldn't have screamed at you like that" "oh no, luce" you interrupted "don't be sorry, please. I nearly got us killed"

"that was hardly your fault" Lucy scoffed "if Lockwood hadn't acted like a total dickhead this all wouldn't have happened"

"oh" you said surprised "you really think that?"

"obviously" she pointed behind her "to make it up to you, I cleared the library, so you can finally read the book in your chair, without having to fear that Lockwood will be there"

"you really did?" you got up excitedly, grabbing your favourite book from off your nightstand "you don't know how much that means to me"

"oh believe me" Lucy smiled mischievously "I do"

if you hadn't been so excited about the whole situation, you might've noticed the smirk that planted on her lips just when you walked through the doorframe. you might've also noticed Lockwood's crooked door and the fact that George was telling him the same Lucy had just told you.

but you didn't notice all that

instead you went down into the library, heart fluttering when you noticed that Lockwood really wasn't anywhere in sight. you sat down on your chair, opening the book in your hands and returning to the point at which you had last stopped reading.

you only looked up when you heard footsteps.

"oh no" you muttered when you saw Lockwood walking into the library. you went to get up and retreat back to your room, when Lockwood did something totally unreasonable

"don't worry" he smiled "i'm just grabbing a magazine. you can stay"

"o-okay" you said while you watched him get the magazine from off the counter and walk back to the door. your eyes found your book again and for a few seconds there was complete silence, until you looked up and jumped, because Lockwood was still standing at the door

"it's locked" he said answering your unasked question

you got up from the chair and tried open the door yourself, but it was to no appeal. "shit" you muttered

"let's just ignore each other"

"I thought I could finally spend some time alone down here" you said angrily "Lucy even cleared it for me because you were behaving like a dickhead earlier"

"I wasn't at fault earlier" Lockwood replied, only hearing the last part of what you were saying

"obviously you were" you crossed your arms "If you hadn't acted like one, we wouldn't even have fought"

"like you never start a fight"

"no, I'm the peaceful one between us"

"peaceful, my ass" Lockwood scoffed "you once threw a book at me, because I wouldn't let you have the last doughnut"

"see! you were behaving like a dickhead there too" you said mockingly "you always act like one"

"oh I do?" he asked sarcastically "like you always act so high and mighty"

"then tell me what I act like if you're so much smarter"

"you act like a damn witch"

"like a witch?" you repeated laughing "is that the only insult little Anthony knows?"

"I bet we wouldn't fight as much if you could keep your mouth shut once, you're always talking"

"oh does it bother you when I speak? because I'm always right? you don't like to be wrong, not even when we were children, Anthony, believe me, I know"

"because I hated you since we were children"

"oh, like I ever liked you! you were unbearable from the first second on!"

"just shut up already! you always have to be the one who has to keep talking"

"I can talk as much as I want to"

"not when I tell you to shut up"

"you aren't allowed to tell me anything, you dick!" you exclaimed angrily

"just shut up already!" he screamed

"make me" you muttered and watched while Anthony stepped forward until you were only a few inches apart

"I don't think you would want me to" he whispered. he was so close to you, that you could feel his hot breath on your skin

"just shut up already" you said, repeating his words from earlier

"make me" he smiled

and you did just that. your hand went down to his tie and you pulled him towards you, until your lips connected. you had never been kissed this passionately before, and Anthony seemed to think the same.

he walked you backwards, until your back hit the wall. his hands found your waist and your fingers gripped his hair, to pull him even closer

"fuck" the boy you had always hated muttered, when you turned you both around, so his back was at the wall. you bent down your head so you had access to his neck

he breathed in hurriedly, every time your lips made connection with his skin

you had just gotten back to kissing, when your heard the door unlock. George and Lucy walked inside and were speaking to you, until they were silenced by the uncommon sight in front of them

Lucy cleared her throat and Lockwood and you jumped away from each other caught.

"well" said George "this is- unexpected to say the least"

"very" Lucy nodded

Lockwood and you looked at each other and for the first time in.. well, forever, the both of you were honestly smiling at each other, each one wearing a big and toothy grin

"freaky world" George shrugged his shoulders and left the room. closely followed by Lucy

"I don't really think I've ever hated you" Lockwood muttered, connecting your hands

"me neither" you smiled, sending the boy a lopsided grin "I think I could get used to this"

"oh yeah" Lockwood pulled you closer by the small of your back "yeah, definitely" then he connected your lips again

it seemed that everything your parents had planned was finally coming true. like a final rest after a treacherous hike. and your relationship with Anthony Lockwood had always been one thing above all else: treacherous.

okay this is so all over the place as well

1. Our last summer - from mamma mia

2. ceilings - Lizzy McAlpine

3. illicit affairs - Taylor Swift

4. better than words - One Direction

5. the way i loved you - Taylor Swift

6. london boy - Taylor Swift

7. all too well (10 min) - Taylor Swift

8. endlos - Mayberg

9. wenn inge tanzt - systemfehler

10. julia - Jeremias

there are a few german songs in it as well haha

tagging: @frogserotonin @websterss

I was tagged by @meinink to put my on repeat playlist on shuffle and list the first 10 songs. (thanks for thinking of me)

Keep reading

—gifts for little brothers

pairing: regulus Black x sirius black (platonic)

summary: regulus had never once in his life received a christmas present until this morning

warnings: none

authors note: I wrote this ages ago lol

regulus was rather sad as he awoke on the morning of the 25th december. normally, every boy would be impatient and looking forward to this special day all december long. but christmas was nothing special in the black family.

at least not special regarding the wishes of a nine year old boy, such as regulus was one. he was dreading to stand up and get dressed. he hated these days. days on which special guests would visit the black house and join the festivities.

but to regulus' misfortune his mother, walburga black, held these events in a really high course. so she always made sure everything, especially her family, would be perfect when their guests arrived.

so just a few seconds after his awakening, a house elf knocked on the black wooden door to regulus' room.

„kreacher was told to make sure master regulus would be awake by now", the rather ugly-looking house elf spoke, as he lifted the curtains of regulus big window.

„thank you, kreacher. would you please tell my mother that im getting ready now?", the boy lifted his blanket and climbed out of his giant bed. When he was younger (about a year or two) he would use a small ladder to get in and out of it.

„of course, master regulus."

the elf turned around and made his way out of the room, just as regulus opened the door to his closet, to reveal the neat suit that was hanging on the back side of its door.

regulus sighed, again, knowing how formal and unrelaxed this day would go for him.

as regulus made his way out of the closet (no pun intended), formely dressed and ready, at that, he heard a soft knock at his door.

"yes?", asked regulus as he watched the door expectively. in marched his brother, formely known as sirius black.

"sirius!", regulus grinned as his brother closed the door quietly and made his way to the bed to sit down comfortably.

"hello regulus", sirius spoke. "how are you feeling this fine morning?"

"bored"

"no wonder", sirius adjusted his position. "mother is more stressed than last year, because a few special guests will come this year". sirius rolled his eyes so high, that regulus could only see the white in them.

"more special than last year?", regulus asked, worriedly, still remebering the unexpected visit of the prime minister from the year before and his mothers not so relaxed reaction to that. the brothers had to hide under a table the whole evening long, in fear to fall into the aroused hands of their mother.

"apparently" sirius sighed and rubbed his temple. "i can't wait to go to hogwarts and get out of all of this"

"you know that she will still make you come, right?", regulus asked

"of course, but atleast i don't have to put up with this the whole year. i will get a tiny bit of freedom and only come on the day of the festivity so i don't have to be present when this woman throws one of her tantrums."

"if only i could come with you"

"dont worry, little brother. its only one more year and than you can join me at hogwarts. but now, i have a little surprise for you"

regulus raised his eyebrows at sirius and sat down next to him on the large bed. "a surprise? what do you mean?"

"i mean this"

sirius reached into the pocket of his suit and took out a little box, messily wrapped in paper.

"what is this?", regulus asked

"its a present, reg. i read about it in a muggle book. this is what other kids get on christmas morning"

regulus brought the box up to his eyes to inspect it further.

in his nine years living, regulus arcturus black had never received a present. because of that he never got to know, what the term actually meant. he admired his brother for knowing all this, because he always knew things that regulus didn't. it was sirius big interest of knowledge, of freedom and the thought of knowing things his mother wouldn't let the teacher inflict on them.

regulus, on the other hand, wasn't like that. he never had enough bravery to do the things his mother didn't want him to. so adapted to everything he was allowed to do and tried to like it.

as regulus finally unwrapped the present a small amulette fell into his hands. as he opened it he could saw a picture of him and his brother on the right side and his full name and a rather weird looking painting at the left side.

"that is the star that you're named after, regulus", sirius spoke after he noticed the confusion on regulus' face.

regulus smiled. "thank you sirius. i like it very much". the nine year old let his arms fall to the sides of his brother and hugged him messily.

after this, the brothers stood up and made their way out of the door to finally face their mother and get in position for the arrival of their guests.

quietly, just for himself, regulus swore he would never forget, how his heart felt warm and his eyes started to fill with light tears, as sirius black gave him the first and only present he had ever received...

just in love with this.. and the writing 😍

please, could you write something were the reader is part of kipps crew and lockwood is like obsessed with her. anytime they encounter he goes out of his way to be nice to her and kipps finds it so weird because she is like is best friend or sister even. that would be so cool! also love the new things you’ve posted earlier!!!

a/n: of course! I love this idea, and thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed them :) this is a mix between the books and the show (not overly obvious though)

warnings: language female reader (few pronouns used)

"Seems like we've saved you again, Tony," Kipps says smugly, crossing his arms over his chest. "Maybe if you did your research properly, we wouldn't need to come and clean up your mess."

George Karim scowls. "Not all of us can press a button and have everything we need right under our fingers."

"Besides, you didn't save us," Anthony Lockwood, the face of Lockwood and Co, says. "We had it all under control."

You break off from Kat's side, inspecting the damage around the park, and make your way over to Kipps. "If by under control, you mean you were surrounded by fourteen Wraiths with very few salt bombs or magnesium flares left to defend yourself with, then yeah, you had it under control."

"(name) -" Lockwood blinks, then plasters on that smile of his. "How nice to see you."

Against your better judgement, you smile. "You seem to be making a habit of us saving your asses. I hope it's not some excuse to see Kipps' pretty face."

Kipps, your team's supervisor, frowns at the pair in front of you. Off to the side, Bobby Vernon is instructing a few other Fittes agents, disposing of the source of the horde of Wraiths. Kat, as blank-faced as always, stands on the other side of Kipps, and Ned Shaw... Well, he's somewhere. Probably glowering at some poor child.

"No, I can assure you, Kipps' face is the last thing I want to see on a case," Lockwood says, sending a charming grin your way. "It's perhaps even scarier than the Wraiths."

You laugh softly, earning a glare from your supervisor. It's hard suppressing your smile.

"I expect we'll see you more this week, Tony," he says. "It seems that without your little Listener, you're getting even worse than before."

George bristles, fists clenching by his sides. "We were doing perfectly fine on our own. Now, if you don't mind, we'd better be on our way."

Lockwood straightens. "You're right, George. But, first, we need our pay."

"Oh, no," Kipps says. "No, see, we secured the Source, so, by DEPRAC rules, the commission is ours."

"You can't be serious," Lockwood says. "This was our case."

Kat, face void of any emotion, says, "Well, it's ours now."

George moves a step closer, knuckles white with tension, but Lockwood pulls him back, murmuring something in his ear. Angrily, Karim storms past you and out of the park.

"Best be off, Tony. Don't want to stay out too much later. I'm not sure we can be bothered saving you from more ghosts."

Lockwood ignores him, casting his gaze on you. "See you around, (name)."

You smile again. "See you, Lockwood."

And, then he's gone, striding off to catch up with George. You watch him go, curiously, until he's past the hedge line of the park and faded into the darkness of the night.

"Stop it."

You turn to Kipps, frowning. "What?"

"Stop looking at him like he's God's gift to the world," he grumbles. "He's an idiot, and he's the competition unless you've forgotten. Stay away from Lockwood - it won't end well."

Nodding, you cast his words aside immediately. It only makes you want to know him more.

"I'm serious, (name). You're like a sister to me, and I can't afford for you to get sidetracked and then hurt because of him."

Too late, you think. You have most definitely gotten sidetracked.

--

Shit. Shit, shit, shit.

Scrounging around in your bag, your heart is pounding and your face feels hot with embarrassment. You can't find your purse, and there's a big long queue of people behind you, waiting for their turn to order with expressions of irritation. God, you want to melt into the floor and die. Someone groans behind you, their frustration seeping into your bones.

"Oh, my god, I'm so sorry. Just give me a minute -"

"Here you go," a voice says, and an arm reaches out beside you, passing a twenty-pound note to the cashier.

You take your coffee from her hand and shuffle out of the way quickly, breathing a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much. If I can find my purse, I'll pay you back."

"No, no, you're fine." That voice... Something about it is familiar.

Looking up, your jaw goes slack. "Lockwood! Oh, hi. How are you?"

His mouth splits in a grin. "Hey. I'm good. I'd ask how you are, but judging from how red you are, I think I can guess."

"I'm so sorry you had to pay, just let me -" You begin searching in your bag again, but Lockwood's hand closes over yours, halting the movement. Sparks run up and down your arm at the touch.

"(name), it's perfectly fine. My treat."

Your worried expression softens. "I can't thank you enough, Lockwood."

"Don't worry about it." He hesitates for a moment, eyes flickering over your face. "Do you want to come back to Portland Row with me? Chat over some doughnuts, maybe?"

Despite Kipps' warning, you want to accept, but you can't, as much as it pains you.

"I'm sorry," you say. "I've got to get back - we've got a case to get to in a few hours. I was just getting some sort of caffeine to energise me beforehand."

He looks a little disappointed, but he's still smiling. "That's alright. Maybe another time?"

You grin. "Sure. And, thank you, again, Lockwood. Really. You saved me from melting into a puddle of embarrassment back there."

"It hurt to watch," he jests. "Should I prepare my gear at home, just in case Lockwood and Co have to come save you Fittes lot for once?"

Laughing, you say, "No, but thanks. No offence, but I think we're a little more qualified for this job than you are, Lockwood."

There's a pause, one in which he only looks at you, smiling. Then, "Call me Anthony."

--

Before you lose confidence, you knock on the pale blue door before you.

Portland Row is quiet, despite it being mid-afternoon and summertime, but you don't really mind. With the sun beating down on your back, and a warm breeze that smells faintly like cut grass, you couldn't be more relaxed even if you tried.

The door swings open, revealing the face of George Karim, who doesn't seem overly pleased to see you.

"What do you want?"

You're taken back a little by his forwardness. "Oh, I just thought I'd come nip round and pay you guys a visit. I brought a bunch of doughnuts and biscuits and stuff from Arif's." You hold the box in your hands a little higher.

"George," a voice calls - Lucy Carlyle's, judging from the pitch. "Who is it?"

"(name), you know, Fittes agent? Kipps' crew?"

"I've brought treats from Arif's," you say over George's shoulder. "I come in peace."

"Oh, for god's sake, George, let her in!"

This time, it's Lockwood - Anthony - who speaks. He opens the door wider so that he and George are standing shoulder to shoulder in the frame. His wide smile is dazzling, and, as usual, his clothes are crisp and clean, as if he put them on right away after being ironed and hasn't moved in them lest they crease.

"Hey, (name). Thanks for bringing food."

He nudges George out of the way and gestures for you to come inside, which you do albeit cautiously.

The house isn't what you expected at all. With three teenagers living there, you assumed it'd be rather modern, but the wallpaper is old, and all sorts of decor and memorabilia hang on the walls. Masks, photos, and the likes. Straight ahead, Lucy Carlyle stands on the stairs, dressed in a comfy top and shorts, and despite the tension between your agency and theirs, she smiles at you before hurrying down the stairs and disappearing into what you assume is the kitchen. George follows her, frowning.

Deftly, Lockwood takes the large box of sweet treats from your hands.

"What's the occasion?" he asks, leading you down the hall to the kitchen.

"It's just a thank you for paying for my coffee the other day," you say. "Also, I wanted to see you, and I figured George wouldn't let me within ten feet unless I brought goods."

Lockwood laughs. "Well, you're right about that."

The kitchen isn't the largest you've seen, but it's cosy. Lucy is clearing space on the table which, oddly enough, is covered in a white tablecloth full of scribbles and writing. George is boiling the kettle over to the side, four mugs set out in front of him, though one is considerably smaller than the rest.

You can't blame him for not liking you. Although Kipps is like your brother, you know that he goes too far sometimes, and he's never been particularly nice to Lockwood and his friends. You're a part of his team, so their dislike for Kipps - or George's, at least - has extended to you.

"Please, sit," Lockwood says, gesturing to one of the seats.

Smiling a little awkwardly, you sit down as he separates the contents of the box onto different plates. Lucy takes the seat next to you, plucking one of the doughnuts straight out of the box and smiling.

Lucy has never had the warmest personality, or so you've heard, but the doughnuts have seemingly put you in her good books. That eases your discomfort a little.

George sets cups of tea down on the table before sitting down himself, just as Lockwood does, too. They all take their pick of the treats, grinning and chatting away.

"So, (name)," Lockwood says. "How did your case go the other day?"

Lucy raises her eyebrows. "You're keeping tabs on Fittes now?"

"We ran into each other a couple of days ago," you explain. "We stayed and caught up for a little bit."

George frowns. "Is that why you took so long getting back from your shopping trip?"

Lockwood sips his tea. "Yeah, I suppose. Anyways, how was it?"

"Fine," you say. "Some lady was murdered by her son a few decades ago, wanted revenge on the family - you know, the usual."

"Please tell me Kipps got a little injured," George says.

"George!" Lucy hisses, but something in her eyes tells you she doesn't feel much different than he does.

"Unfortunately for you, no, he didn't. Since he's just our supervisor, he stays within an iron circle and shouts orders at us."

"Surely that must get annoying?" Lockwood says. He's watching you carefully, and you can feel your ears growing hot under his gaze. "Having to take orders from someone who can't even see what's going on."

You shrug. "Yeah, it does, but there's not much we can do about it."

"Maybe, you could work with us."

Everyone seems to freeze when Lockwood says that. You slowly look up at him from the pastry you were just reaching for, your face the definition of pure shock. Lucy, bless her, just sits with another doughnut halfway to her mouth, eyes a little wide. But George, oh, George. It takes all your strength not to laugh at the expression of unadulterated surprise, mixed with a little bit of anger, as a biscuit hangs from his mouth.

"What?" you all say simultaneously.

Lockwood only grins wider. "I think it'd be a good decision. If we have one extra agent, it means if we get overbooked, we don't end up with one agent per case and can double up. And I don't think it'd hurt for Lucy to have some female company in the house."

"You can't be serious," George says.

"I'm not. So, (name)?"

The words are hard to find. "Uh, I mean, shouldn't you guys all talk about this together? I don't want to just be barging in, you know? Besides, I'd need to talk to Kipps, and that'll go down about as well as a magnesium flare in a forest."

"For once," George says, "I agree with (name)."

"Oh, come on." Lockwood waves his hand nonchalantly. "She's an incredible agent, and she'd fit right in. I don't think there's much to discuss."

In all honesty, you feel flattered that Lockwood is offering you a position within his company, only because you admire him so much. Fittes, and just about all of the big agencies, are too bureaucratic, in your opinion, and extremely controlling over cases. Lockwood and Co have free rein, within the rules set out by DEPRAC, and aren't hindered by supervisors or massive amounts of paperwork, all because he had the confidence to split off and set up his own company.

"Let's not rush into any decisions," you say, standing slowly. You don't want to move too quickly and elicit the rage of Karim. "I think I should probably head off. Enjoy the food, and, uh, have a good day."

Smiling awkwardly, you make your way out of the kitchen and hurry to the front door.

Footsteps sound behind you and, as you open the door, Lockwood says, "Wait."

You turn, sighing. "Before you say anything, Lockwood -"

"Anthony."

"Anthony, thank you for the offer, but I really think you should talk to Lucy and George first. I can't just accept without them wanting me to, and that's if I can accept."

Lockwood leans against the doorframe, looking down at you with those dark eyes of his. God, they've got you hooked.

"I will. I just - You're wasted at Fittes, stuck following the orders of someone whose Talent faded years ago."

You give him a look, but it's half-hearted. "Kipps basically raised me, alright? But I get it. Again, I appreciate it, but speak to the two of them first and then I'll consider it."

That seems to be a good enough answer. His smile is blinding. His hand briefly brushes yours, and your breath hitches.

"Give me a call in a few days," you say, "and we'll see where we're at, yeah?"

"Will do."

"I'll see you soon, Anthony."

If possible, his smile only grows brighter. "Likewise, (name)."

As you leave, you can still feel the brushing of his hand on yours, a sensation you hope will never fade.