The Rolling Stones' imagines

(Keith) Love throughout the years

A/N: This one-shot is long and kind of drags lol. I hope you enjoy reading!(:

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5 years old

Love.

Such a strong word to use for her age but she was determined that she was in love with Keith Richards.

She had never experienced the feeling she felt whenever she looked at him with anybody else. The warmth (she identified as butterflies) in her tummy and the anticipation to see him again all matched her fairytale book. Keith didn't know it yet but he was her knight in shiny armor.

For a child he was intimidating to other kids (and even some adults) but to her he was the cutest thing she had ever seen. His hair was short and his ears were big and the fact that he rarely smiled and seemed to walk around his front lawn moping made her giggle to herself. It had become a routine of hers to grab a step stool from the kitchen, perch herself near the front window and wait for him to come home from school or Mick's house.

A dreamy sigh escaped her lips watching him stumble and almost fall face first climbing up his stairs. He was as lovely as every prince she's ever read about.

Sometimes she would get the impression he noticed her spying and at the turn of his head she would duck with her face boiling red and her nerves in a jumble. He however had no idea of her existence as his gaze trained straight past her and to her mother unloading groceries.

He sighed before walking inside.

7 years old

Then one day as if for the first time ever, he finally saw her.

"She's cute." Mick had commented stepping off of his bike as a bead of sweat trickled down his forehead. Keith glanced up from placing the brakes on his. "Who is?"

"Your neighbor."

Sure enough she was outside with a book in hand under the shade of a tree. Keith studied her. Sure, he knew they had a daughter and had caught glimpses of her during the two years living in this home but he never realized they were the same age nor that she was even prettier than her mom. She had caught his interest and the idea confused the boy. Up to this point he had only really admired older women. Could he possibly like her?

He played it safe. "She's all right." Keith shrugged and Mick scoffed before deciding he was to be the absolute gentlemen and invite her over.

At the sound of leaves crunching she glanced up and for a moment her heart pounded at the two beautiful boys in front of her. But she was quick to feel bitter looking at Keith sheepishly smiling at her and decided to turn her utmost attention to the boy with pouty lips. Keith frowned. What had he done wrong?

Unknown to him, in her childish tantrum she was upset that he never noticed her. She couldn't understand how months of pining for him in secret hadn't resulted in him knocking on her door confessing his love.

"I'm Michael." Followed by a lopsided grin and she had almost thought to inform him she knew of this detail but decided against it and smiled before introducing herself.

Keith silently repeated her name to himself and tested the way it sounded. She still hadn't looked his way and that made him all the more curious.

Unknown to them at the time this was to be the start of the ultimate trio.

8 years old

It had taken her exactly 4 months to open up to Keith and forgive him. Keith didn't understand why she was best buds with Mick and would give him the cold shoulder. But now the two walked in an out of each other's houses without a care in the world. Which was where he was actually headed at the moment.