"Grey" Fezco O'Neill x black fem reader

27- Warnings, apologies and unspoken I love yous

Trigger/content warning: One mention of withdrawal

It was odd when you actually sat down and thought about it. You hated to say that the change was surprising, but honestly it was. Rue was doing good. In fact, she was doing more than good. Rue was doing great. Her fever had broken a while ago and the worst of her withdrawals were done for. She was a different Rue, a better one. And she wasn't the only one being affected by it. The whole Bennett household was suddenly pulled out of their slump. You were all moving forward little by little.

You wished you could say all was good for everyone, but the threat of Custer and his connection with the police hung over the very unaware Fezco and Ashtray. Truthfully, you hadn't thought that you and Faye had really connected. She liked you, sure, but that call was more than just a liking, it was trust. She trusted you enough to go behind her own boyfriend's back. Faye didn't wait a day or two to let herself sit with the news. No, she told you immediately. It also meant she cared for the boys. You already knew her time with Fez had changed her for the better, but the extent of his kindness may have just been the thing that saved him.

*Okay, uh, I know... that I have a lot of apologizing to do. Uh... I get that.*

Rue's past words echoed in the back of your mind as she knocked on Fezco's door before waving up to the camera. Nervous and unsure what to expect from today, you rocked back and forth on your feet. It was the first time Fezco was seeing you and Rue since the day she spent running around town. On top of that, it wasn't like the two of you were just stopping by to say hi. You were both here to talk to about important things. Very important.

When the door opened, the two of you were met with a somewhat surprised Fezco. His expression held a subtle hint of something sweet for the both of you. Seeing him face to face, you couldn't control the small, awkward smile that your lips turned into. One that Fezco was quick to match. Giving you a moment to silently smile at each other, Rue held her tongue before faking a cough into her fist and bringing you both back down to earth.

"Hi..." She gives him the same awkward grin you just did. "Can we uh talk." Rue looks to you. "Both of us."

"Y-yea." Fezco stammers, forcing his lips straight. "Come in."

While Rue and Fezco talked, you and Faye were doing the same. She knew very well Custer wasn't just selling out the boys, he was leading all three of them into a trap. Telling her wasn't him trying to give her a heads-up, it was him setting his bait. And Faye wasn't gonna bite.

"You have to tell him." You whispered to a silent Faye.

You weren't sure what the best way to approach this was, or if there even was a best way. Regardless, Fezco needed to know and Faye had to be the one to tell him. For your own safety, you had to know as little as possible. Fezco and Ash preferred it that way. If the police really had, had their eyes set on the boys for a while now, they'd probably have a few questions for you.

After her talk, you and Rue hung out with Ashtray for a little bit to give Faye and Fez a moment alone. He would be the last to learn about the Custer and police situation, and maybe it was better that way, Ash was quick to fly off the handle. He'd do whatever was needed to protect his family, everyone else would just be casualties caught in the crossfire.

...

"Holy shit, he's like fucking flirting on here." A perplexed Rue laughed as she snooped around Ashtrays computer.

He had made the grave mistake of leaving his computer wide open while he went to the bathroom, so naturally Rue was interested.

"Rue stop." You warned her as you stood over her shoulder.

Eyes tracking the cursor as it moved across the screen. You opened your mouth to condemn her for invading his privacy, but instead you found yourself silently reading the message.

"Oh I see you Ash, you got game."

You rolled your eyes at Rue's comment, but it certainly didn't deter you. Although the sound of the toilet flushing and Ashtray washing his hands did. Quickly, Rue scrambled to return the computer to the way he left it before you both took a large step away from his set-up, not bothering to act casual while you stood awkwardly in the middle of the room.

"What yall looking at ?" Ashtray asked leaving the bathroom.

"Nothing." The two of you lied before changing the subject.

You really hadn't realized how much time had passed until the snap and sizzle of Faye opening a can of coke caught your attention. She still seemed nervous, but overall she was calm. Casually sipping her drink and shooting you a thankful smile. You returned the favor, but your smile didn't last, quickly flattening to a dull line as a realization hit you. Fezco knew now. Fezco knew about Custer. The police.

You didn't know if it was your place to say anything. Your first instinct was to go to him to comfort him, but you really didn't know if he even wanted to hear anything from you. Trying your best to not catch him off guard, you slowly opened Fezco's door to find him sitting on his bed. His hands were clasped together on the back of his head. He was faced down staring at the floor, only picking his head up when a small creek left the door.

The sudden sound combined with Fez's eyes on you froze you in place. He was calm, at least on the outside he was forcing himself to be. Truthfully, he looked angry and confused. Ever so slightly your lips parted, maybe to mumble an apology for the sound, but nothing came out. Silent, you stood in the doorway, your hand still holding onto the doorknob. Waiting for a sign, any sign, that he didn't want you there. Instead, with a sigh, Fezco got up, easily erasing the space between the two of you, pulling you fully into the room and closing the door.

Without a word, he consumed you, his arms wrapping around your body and holding you so close, so tight it practically stole the air from your lungs. Almost desperately he buried his face in the crook of your neck, one of his hands swiftly but carefully moved your braids aside, he needed the skin to skin. Fezco needed something to keep him grounded. He needed you.