Mr Van der Linde | Dutch x Reader

Year II - Term III

A/N: TW for blood and self-injury with a blade – it's not self-harm or anything but I thought I'd drop the warning just in case. (It'll make more sense when you read it – its still a bit insane but the idea was funny in my head lol)

Summary: The long-awaited wedding of Arthur and Charles finally takes place, with you and all your friends on the invite list.

Chapter word count: 10,477

After spending such an intimate weekend with Dutch, for the first time, you found yourself regularly missing him.

It was a mutual feeling, and the two of you made the effort to escape away and see each other, a couple of times over Easter and a few over summer. He'd been understanding of your exam stress, and while second year had been tough for everyone, your group of friends had one thing to look forward to once it was over.

Arthur and Charles' wedding was to be a big affair according to John (and Dutch). In your limited experience with Arthur, you hadn't pinned him to be the lavish type but he was apparently a fan of the prospect of a big family get-together; luckily for you that included close family friends.

John managed to get you all an invite, and you were unfortunate enough to draw the short straw and drive down with him. You had Sean, too, as he and Karen insisted on travelling separately due to their recent breakup. Thank the lord for headphones.

How Abigail had managed to fall asleep you didn't know, but she was using you as a pillow, her head slowly drooping onto your shoulder until she drifted off. It was a good excuse for you to tell Sean to shut it, and in fairness, he did attempt to limit his voice to the front of the car that carried him and John.

The venue was a couple of hours away from the Van der Linde residence, and Mr Van der Linde had been kind enough to provide everyone with hotel rooms so they could enjoy the celebration in full. You could only imagine how eye-watering that bill was.

John drove up the long path, Sean finally falling silent as he gaped at the size of the place. It was a big stately home, converted for use as a wedding venue and hotel. You marvelled as you passed the big fountain out front and through to the car park which was beginning to fill up nicely.

You couldn't escape the vehicle quick enough once John had pulled into a space and you'd gently woken Abigail. John popped the boot open, and you removed everyone's bags to place on the floor.

"God, what a place," Abigail stretched after exiting the car, taking in the gorgeous surroundings.

Upon closing the boot, the slight of Mr Van der Linde strutting towards the four of you with his arms outstretched graced your eyes. He was beaming, and you suspected he was thoroughly in his element surrounded by so much planning, organising, and people.

He was wearing a dressed-down suit, the top few buttons of his shirt undone, and you busied yourself with pulling up the handle of your suitcase as you simultaneously pulled yourself together.

"Hello son," he grabbed John for an embrace and ruffled his hair, which John did not appreciate, and spent all of 3 seconds trying to smooth it down again before giving up. "Hello all, good journey down?"

The three of you nodded, Abigail instantly jumping in to answer. "Yes! Good, thank you."

Dutch offered her a kind smile, and she and Sean began following John to the house, you just behind them.

"How lovely it is to see you again, my dear," Dutch gently clapped his hand on your upper back, and it was impossible not to think about the expanse of that large palm as it remained on you while he led you towards the door.