Random One Shots

Jack - Mary Poppins Returns

Jack x Reader: Moth to a Flame

He was so used to being alone this time of night. The company he held was that of the other leeries, and the light that he granted the city. As he lit one of his many lamps, whistling one of his many tunes, he had a start.
A voice was softly echoing around the street, words weaving into the tune he began. They sounded familiar, surely belonging to the melody who's lines he had forgot.

Falling in love again
Never wanted to
What am I to do?
Can't help it

His eyes shot about, scanning the quiet houses, all with lights off, before his eyes were quickly drawn to the house with candles still flickering. A woman, young, was sitting perched on  a windowsill, a book in hand. You gazed down at the Leerie, a soft smile on your face.
Jack, realizing he was staring, laughed sheepishly and fumbled for his ladder, placing it against the post for his climb.
Coincidentally, that brought him closer to you.
"I seem to have killed your song, I'm terribly sorry," you spoke quietly. He was unsure if that was your natural volume, or if you were simply trying to be quiet for the neighbours' sake. "It put a smile on my face."
"And what a smile it is," the words tumbled from his mouth without much thought, but to his relief the beautiful smile only grew.
"What a charmer! Give it to a Leerie to brighten up my night, in more ways than one."
Jack grinned at the comment, almost hugging the pole to lean closer to you. "Happy to do my job, ma'am."
"And you said my smile was something," your eyes softened at his boyish grin - who was this man, and where'd he get off, being so cute? "I hope I'm not taking you from your route..." you floundered for a name.
"Jack," the man supplied, lifting his hat before readjusting it on his head.
"Jack," you tried, your smile growing at how it rolled off of your tongue. You bent down and offered a hand. "(Y/N)."
"(Y/N)," Jack took the hand lightly, pondering the smooth skin yet calloused fingers. He placed a kiss on the knuckles, piercing eyes not leaving your. "Beau'iful name for a beau'iful lady."
Your cheeks flushed, but a fake scowl crossed your face. "Oh, a Leerie and a Liar, I see."
He placed a hand over his heart in jest. "My dear I would never!"
Your laugh chimmed around the empty, darkening streets, lighting them in a way that he never could.
"What's a beau'y like you doin' out this late?"
"I find night is when I'm most awake," you responded, glancing down at her book. "It's far more tranquil, peaceful. Makes me feel...alive."
Jack pondered this, curious about you.
It was rare, after all, to find a grown woman sitting on her window rail in the middle of the night.
He snapped to attention. "I need to get to work."
"Right," you chuckled sheepishly. "I suppose I can't hog all the light, now can I?"
He laughed. "If only."
Silence fell between you, and he relit the lamp finally - the original reason for his visit. The lamp itself cast a glow on you, lighting your eyes even more, highlighting the strands of your hair. His gaze lingered once again.
You were still staring, and he was uncertain why. How could a man like him attract a force of pure beauty?
"Will I see you again?"
He started. "Well, this is my path. Bike it nearly every night!"
"Something to look forward to! Have a good night, Jack."
"I'll see you tomorrow, (Y/N)!" The cheery Leerie slid down the ladder, attaching it once again to his bike.
Looking back at you he grinned once again, before the melody began floating past his lips. Quietly, he could hear your voice melding with his whistles.

Love's always been my game
Play it how I may
I was made that way
Can't help it

Men cluster to me like moths around a flame
And if their wings burn, I know I'm not to blame.

Moth to a flame indeed, the lamplighter though cheekily. Moth to a flame indeed.