Jack and the cuckoo-clock heart x readers

sneak peak into 'From a Crows Wings' (my new joe x reader)

EDINBURGH
1884

I turned over in my comforters, blinking my eyes open and pushing myself up from my warm sheets. "Morning" I hummed to myself and yawned, getting out of bed. I took in my room before my eyes fell to the side at the big grandfather clock standing next to my vanity.

A smile grew onto my face. I was gifted this beauty by my father when I arrived here in Scotland. The clock was an intricate, amazingly carved dark walnut and... Its 6am oh no. I hurried over to the chair that was pulled out from my desk. A maroon velvet school dress sat folded over the back of the chair. A pair of sheer tights laid over the dress and a pair of lace up heeled boots sat on the seat.

I picked up the clothes and slid my silk nightgown off my shoulders, having it falling to the ground around me before I put on the school dress and tights. I spun around in front on my mirror, taking myself all in before I heard a yell from down the stairs. "[y/n], petit-déjeuner. Be down soon!" I let out a heavy breath and shut my eyes.

"Je vais! Je vais! I'll be down soon father!" I yelled at the door before opening my eyes and looking down at my vanity. I picked up a vile of ink, a pen and my journal and brought them to my bed. I put them down onto the chest at the foot of my bed before turning to my book bag and opening it, putting all my things into it and then closing it once more.

I put my arm and head through the loop of the strap and sat it on my shoulder. "Alright coming" I huffed, marching over to my door, opening it and then walking out of my room. I hurried down the stairs and into the hall, looking to the left to find my father at his usual spot at the dining table.

My mother stood over him placing a plate down before looking up at me and smiling. "Good morning" I took my hand off the strap of my bag to wave at them before continuing my venture down the small hall and opening the door to the cold streets of Edinburgh.

I took a deep breath and pushed myself to continue walking, my heels hitting the frozen over sidewalk rhythmically. I looked around, the grey streets illuminated by the shop windows that passed by as I ventured deeper into the city. The nostalgic routs I used to take as a young girl, the secret hide outs we made.. 

Eventually I stopped walking and turned around. My left heel hitting into my right as I fully turned and stopped. I looked up at the familiar gates of Calton Hill, the jagged patterns of the metal doors looming over me. The cold metal croaked as the wind pushed them back and forth slightly. I let out a heavy breath, it wavering in the air as it escaped me.

What if he's not here anymore? What if he doesn't remember. I go up to him and he rejects my advances.. well not advances as in advances but what if he rejects me, simply tells me he has no idea who I am even if its true or not.. Or worse he left with no trace, no one can track him and I return to Scotland in hopes of one happiness and he's gone like the crisp Edinburgh wind?

My grip on the bag tightened and my eyes shifted up from the gates to the big courtyard before me. I nodded to myself before hesitantly moving through the gates, head first. I haven't walked into this courtyard in so long... The sound of the wind whistling through the hollow benches, the creaking of the swings either being pushed by the wind or a solemn lower classmen.

My eyes took in the area, scanning the grounds when my eyes landed on a familiar statue postured boy leaning on one of the pillars of the school. His arms crossed and his raven black hair was pushed back, two strands fell perfectly on his forehead. My body let go of its stress, well half of it. My hypothesis of whether or not he will remember me is still unproven.

His gaze met mine and my whole body tensed, butterflies teasing my with their incessant fluttering in my stomach. My eyes dropped to the floor. I slowly drew them up, watching his towering shadow slither across the courtyard ground to me. My view stayed at his shadow for a beat before I begrudgingly brought my face up to meet his piercing gaze. His eyes cutting me deeper than the cold wind.

"Joe?" I spoke, surprisingly melting under his pitch black eyes. His thin eyebrows rose in an unsatisfactory way and his eyes darting from one place on my face to the next, studying me. His eyes flickered narrower and he dropped his crossed arms.

"[Y/N]" He spoke making me let out a breath of relief, it almost sounded like a scoff. I let go of the tight grip on my bag and dropped my shoulders. Joe looked around, surveilling the scene around us before tilting his head up slightly making a few more untidy strands of hair fall over his forehead.

"Let's go somewhere else" He demanded lightly. The moment I nodded he spun around on his heels and made off to the front doors of the school. I followed as closely as I could while I trailed after him through the halls of the school. His long legs keeping him a few big paces in front of me.

We weaved through halls, every once and a while he seemingly slowed down to let me catch up to him only so he could speed up again. I was basically completely hidden behind his tall stature. He suddenly stopped abruptly making me softly bump into him.

"Oh sorry" I said quietly, backing away as he turned around to face me. "You're back" Joe spoke, hiding away in his crossed arms. I gave me best smile at his brash statement although it came out wavering and dishonest. My eyes slowly drifted down to his arms.

"When did you arrive?" He asked, tilting his head to the side and I looked back up at him, nodding. "Last week" I informed. "How long are you staying for? In Edinburgh" Joe raised his eyebrows, his permanent scowl softening the slightest bit. "Im not sure yet" I spoke. "Im leaving some time after the school year. I know that far, not whats going to happen after though." I fiddled with the collar of my dress nervously.

"Ah" Joe accepted. "Welcome back." He added, making my smile grow back more genuine. "Thank you." I nodded and he looked around again before turning back to me. "How was being back home?" Joe asked. "Not the same" I let out a small sigh. "Paris treated me well.. but it didn't have the same effect it did before I knew what I was missing here in Edinburgh" I dropped my hands from my collar and looked back up at him.

"You look.. taller" I smiled trying to change the subject. "You look shorter" He responded making me laugh quietly. Joe had always been taller than me, than pretty much everyone in his class but my god was he tall now. I had to take breaks from looking up at him so I didn't hurt my neck.

"I missed you" I spoke taking a leap of faith. Please say me too, please say me too, please say- "I missed you too" Joe spoke quieter. My smile widened and it took a lot of strength for me not to cheer or give myself a pat on the back. I nodded, taking a deep breath to try to cover my excitement.

"Thats good to hear" Joe spoke flatly, although he had always had this dullness to his sound. "What?" My voice perked and he took a low breath, turning his head to the side as if he were watching something else. "That we both missed each other" His attention returned to me after his statement.

"Right" I nodded, trying to keep myself from blabbering on about my fear I had earlier. The shrill of the bell hit us both and I jumped slightly at the brazen noise. "I do not miss that" I huffed, crossing my arms. This comment made Joe let out a small laugh that he hid under sigh. My face softened and a smile crept on my face, I haven't heard his laugh in so long.. too long perhaps.

As he turned to leave, I perked up. "Wait, where am I supposed to go?" I called out, trailing after him. Joe turned around with a confused look "Just follow me?" He puzzled and I pushed my head back slightly. "Oh" I stated and he spun back around and started walking again...

Read the rest in From a Crows Wings my new Joe x reader fic thats now on my page!!

Hope you guys enjoy :D