#jimmydarlingxreader

You felt a nudge on your arm, and looked to your parents. Your father now standing and paying, your mother who sat between you repeated what was said. “Your father said it’s time to go.”

“Sorry, daddy. Of course.” You took a sip of juice as you stood. Glancing at the woman again, you grabbed the last piece of toast off your plate and hurried out as you wondered who she was.

You sat in the movies one afternoon, your friend had gotten up to get more popcorn, not as interested in the flick as you were. A few moments later, you felt a body drop into the seat next to you. When you turned, expecting to see her, you were instead met with him. “Hey.” He grinned.

“H-Hi..” you whispered. His smile grew at the sound of your voice, and you blushed. Trying to hide it, you bit your bottom lip and looked back up at the images on the screen.

He shifted, his arm resting next to yours on the arm rest between seats. You felt the cool leather of the mits he was wearing, and glanced down. It was summer, so you wondered why he wore them. You looked up at him again, at his profile while he enjoyed the film, and let your pinky finger brush gently over the leather.

The corner of his lips turned up slightly and he looked over at you again. Your lips parted slightly as he leaned in a bit closer. You held your breath, waiting.

You heard the door open, light spilling through the dark theater for a moment before it closed. He turned to look back, his body so close to yours that you could smell him. Burnt popcorn, leather and… earthy. It was an odd combination.

A light from a flashlight moved over the two of you, his face illuminating for a moment.

“Shit.” Muttered. “See you around, sweetheart.” he pecked your cheek and hurried down the aisle.

“Hey!” the usher called out as he tried to hurry after him without obstructing patrons views as much as possible. “Get back here!”

Your friend dropped into the seat the handsome stranger had vacated. “What was that about? Who was that guy?”

You followed him with your eyes as he ran out of the theater, laughing. “I wish I knew…” you mumbled.

The usher came back, panting. “Do you know who that was?”

“I’m sorry.” you shook your head.

He huffed and stood straight. “Third damn time this week. My boss is gonna kill me.”

This time, when you saw him, there was no wink, no sweet words to make you blush. He was being dragged out of the diner and shove up against the column before a fist connected with his face, and then another.

You gasped, your hands covering your mouth as punch after punch was thrown. You stood there on the sidewalk, watching in horror, trying to will your feet to move and help him.

Then he dropped to the ground, the large man glaring into the diner before walking away. You started to move forward, wanting to see if he was okay, when your fathers large hand grabbed your shoulder and steered you away. “Damn freaks. Should have stayed where he belonged.” he muttered to your mother, who agreed as they hurried you around the scene.

He looked up from where he lay, eyes meeting your worry filled ones. He turned away, angry, and groaned as he got back to his feet.

You turned and looked back over your shoulder as he was joined by more people. As you turned to look forward again, you saw the sign for the freak show. With your father occupied with his muttering around freaks, you reached out and tore down the flyer, shoving it into your pocket.

Most of the seats had been empty, but the show had been entertaining. You had smiled when you saw him, and munched quietly on your popcorn. His smell now making sense to you.

As you walked out of the main tent, the few people in attendance headed for their cars. You should have been heading home too, but you spotted the carousel. You hadn’t been on one since you were a child.

You were sitting atop a discolored horse when you noticed some of the entertainers eyeing you as they went about their night. “What is she still doing here?” you heard someone wonder out loud. “They never stick around..”

“Better go tell Jimmy.” the accent had you turn towards the voice, but they were already walking away.

When you came back around again, you saw him walking towards you. He wore a white tank and what looked like dark jeans. “You should be headed home.”

“Then take me home.” you said with a smile as you went past. When you came back around, he was just watching you. “Come ride this with me!” you held out your hand but he just glanced at it as it went past. “Please?” you asked going past again.

He sighed, and when you were on the opposite side, hidden by the middle column, he hopped on.

You were looking behind you to see if he got on, but when you turned forward and saw him making his way towards you, you smiled.

“Why are you here? Came to see the freaks?”

Your smile faded. “I came to see you.. I wanted to see if you were o-”

“I’m fine.” he cut you off. You looked down, sadness written on your face. “You should go home.”

“Maybe..” you answered quietly. “This might seem weird… but since that day in at the movies,” you smiled up at him. “I’ve kind of just wanted to hold your hand…”

He cocked an eyebrow. “You want to hold my hand?” he held up his hands, no leather mits to be seen. “Maybe if I suddenly grow normal hands.”

“Why do you hate them?”

“Look at them!” he held them up again, moving closer. “They aren’t normal!”

You held up one of yours. “What can mine do that yours can’t?”

“Separate.” He moved his fingers to emphasize where they were fused together.

“Okay, you got me there..” you nodded. “But if that’s all, it’s a weak argument.”

“Yours don’t scare people.”

“I’m not scared.” you gave him a smile. “Not of you. Not of them.” you looked over to where some of the others had gathered to eat. “That guy though.. I am. I’ll admit that.” you pointed to the strong man. “After what I saw him do to you..”

“That’s my father.” he muttered.

“I’m sorry.” you told him softly, taking his hand. He turned back to you, surprised. “What’s your name? And not that name.” you motioned to the sign that boasted ‘Lobster boy’. “Your real name.”

“Jimmy. Jimmy Darling.”

“I’m Y/N.” you smiled, and started running your fingers over his. “And might I say, Jimmy Darling, your hands are softer than I expected.” He watched as you turned his hand over, palm up, and ran your fingers over it before settling your palm in his and closed his fingers around your hand. “Strong. Stronger than I expected too.” His eyes came up to meet yours. “You don’t need normal fingers, Jimmy. These are perfectly you.” your brought them up to your lips and kissed over a knuckle.

He stared at you in awe as the carousel continued to go around and around. “You’re not grossed out?”

You shook your head. “I fell for you the first time you winked at me.” you smiled.

That cocky grin of his was back in full force. “Want to see what my fingers can really do?”

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