Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 5

Context: You grew up in the South during the 20s, a particularly unkind era. As the daughter of the Mayor, you were expected to act a certain way and hang out with a certain crowd which, unfortunately, excluded your best friend and local troublemaker, Cole. Things have gotten worse, but you had each other until your father put his foot down... and his hand on you. Cole asked you to run away with him years ago, but you've been too hesitant. This time... you did it, and now you face the rest of your life with your oldest friend.

Setting: (1931) The cabin/A large Southern city

Tags: [MFM4F][Friends to Lovers][Southern Bad Boy Speaker][Good Girl Listener][Addtl. Speakers][Forbidden Love][1930s][Period Piece][Southern Gothic][Runaways][Playing House][Protective][Possessive][Yandere?][Kisses][Love Bites][Jealous][Seeking Work][VERY Spicy][Temptations][CW: Mentions of Abuse/Violence]

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[C] = Cole, your bad boy <3

[S] = The secretary.

[MS] = Mister Sapphirn, business-owner, unfortunately handsome silver fox

[Time: 1932 - the American South]

[Scene opens in the cabin, early moring]

[SFX: Hair brushing/the Listener getting ready]

[You hurriedly brush your hair up and get ready for the big day while Cole grumbles and lumbers around behind you]

[Pause!]

[C] “Mglhlr, you sound very educated, sweetheart.”

[Pause?]

[C] “Guhh, you seem capable of taking on word snakes, yes, despite those not being real things a proofreader needs to worry about! Or ANY sane man!”

[Pause!]

[He chuckles, slowly mixing the pot in the fireplace]

[C] “Sweetheart, the interview is at noon! It’s seven AM and you’ve been dressed and ready to go for two hours! Last time you spent that much time preening, it was ‘fore that dumb barn party where you were trying so hard to impress Charlie, back when he was your flame…”

[Pause…]

[C] “Miss Ma’am, I did not scare poor Mr. Charlie off out of jealousy… He wasn’t good enough for you, plain and simple.”

[Pause.]

[He harrumphs playfully]

[C] “I am not fixated on what is or is not good enough for you. Right now, I’m fixated on you in that outfit…with that little bit of make-up, mm mmh! You look nice looking at your own reflection…”

[Pause <3]

[SFX: Cole approaching the Listener from behind]

[C] “Mmh… Standing here behind that pretty little reflection makes me look like a home invader that ain’t had his maniac juice just yet… or coffee.”

[You reach up and scritch the stubble growing across his chin and he rumbles in response]

[Pause <3]

[C, grumbling] “Rrrgh… scritching my patchy beard hair, now? You’re pushing it… Looking that nice…”

[Pause <3]

[His eyes glint behind you as his fingers run through your hair]

[C] “...real nice.”

[Pause?]

[You let out a quiet gasp as he leans down and gently nips at your neck]

[Pause!!]

[C] “Mmh, can’t help it, baby girl! Can’t help it… You want me to be OK with you flirting and courting to get you a good job. I’m never going to be the damned husband that doesn’t trust his wife cause he thinks he’s lesser… but if you think I’m letting you get away without some love bites…”

[He nips a few more times, even while you squeal and try and bat him away]

[Pause!!]

[C] “Mmhm… Other men can look all they like, but they’re gonna see these love bites from yours truly, and they’ll know you are very much so spoken for.”

[He keeps at it and, at this point, your body can barely keep upright. Fortunately, he has you]

[...<3]

[C, breathy] “Oh, don’t you go getting into this, now… Are you telling me my Good Girl likes her pretty little neck getting all nibbled up? Mmh, just like those little vampire stories she thinks her best friend don’t know about?”

[Pause <3]

[Cole snorts, kissing over a few of the bites]

[C] “...Mmh, sorry, sweetheart. I got carried away… Sometimes, the fact that it’s just you and I out here in this cozy little cabin makes it hard for me to stick with my, ‘Marry proper’ plan. Cause, trust me, the ‘bad boy’ you love so much is about two seconds away from tearing that dress right off and-”.

[Pause!!]

[He laughs and steps back so you can collect yourself]

[C, laughing] “I’m sorry!”

[SFX: Some hurried footsteps and a door (gently) slamming]

[Pause!!!]

[C, still laughing] “I know, I know! ‘Cole, you’re a bad boy! A bad, bad, boy!’, hehehe…”

[Pause.]

[C] “Ohohoho… I best be ready to finish what I started once we get home this afternoon? Whoo, lordy, yes ma’am! But! But… You don’t gotta rush to impress me… I know you ain’t used to things outside the sanctity of what Daddy dearest let you study…”

[...]

[SFX: His footsteps coming closer and a gentle knock]

[C, sincere] “...I’m sorry if I got you all wound up and anxious, baby girl. You know… I can wait, right? Even if that wait is all the rest of our lives… I just want you at my side, OK?”

[Pause <3]

[C] “Eheh… Love you, too. I guess we’ll get through these interviews and then see where the mood takes us, eh? Taking each other’s hand and just running forward together is how we’ve always done it.”

[Pause <3 <3]

[C] “And, hey… You’ll get to see me in my suit for the first time in years, yeah? Before I got ran out of Church, hehe…”

[Pause <3]

[C] “Hehe, I’m a bad boy, I know, I know. Devil him damn self, going to work for the printer press so he can keep an eye on his oh-so-tempting Missus… and all the other devils who will take any opportunity they can to peek and pry at such a lovely angel just getting her a job, hmhm.”

[Pause!]

[He laughs once more]

[C] “I’m getting ready, don’t you worry… I’ll get my Good Girl to her interview, on time, and in proper order, I promise! Let me just get my pants…”

[Pause!]

[He cackles with that malicious energy that has annoyed and fascinated you since you met, casually walking away from the door while you fume]

[C] “Pants, o’, pants! Do come out ‘fore the Missus has a heart attack, won’t ya?!”

[That Cole. He’s a bad, bad boy…]

[SFX: Cole issuing a smart whistle]

[C] “Alright, the joke’s over… Damnit, if one of those possums got my one good pair… Larry, you hear me?! It’s only gonna take you taking some of her bloomers ‘fore I get tasked with taking you off this green Earth!”

[...But he’s your bad boy <3]

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Scene Break: The Cabin to Sapphirn Publishing]

[SFX: A gradual fade from forest ambiance to city ambiance]

[You stand before the publishing firm once more - knees shaking and throat knotted. Cole stands at your side, subtly rubbing the small of her back]

[C] “Welp… Here we are once more before the wrought-iron gates of destiny, hm? Hey…It’s just one little job interview. If you don’t get it, it’s not the end of the world. Just means you’ll get to spend more time at the library or do some schoolin’ while I’m working to support us.”

[Pause!]

[He pauses as you oppose this, surprised]

[C] “...OK, she doesn’t like that idea… Baby girl, what’s gotten into you?”

[...]

[He listens, like he always does. And, like always, he comes away with a contemplative ‘hmm’]

[C] “...So, because yer watched me get hurt from all that manual labor over the years, you want to make it easier so… so I can have some fun and relax too, mmh? You could be a stay-at-home wife, free to enjoy your time while a man desperately in love with you works, and you’d rather be out here with me.”

[Pause <3]

[He smiles, eyes a touch misty]

[C] “...Damn. For all the bad luck in my life, I guess the good Lord was saving all the good luck to give me you.”

[Pause <3 <3 <3]

[He takes a breath, pats your shoulder, and steers you inside]

[C] “Go get that interview done so I can get you home. We’ll get you a ring ASAP, and we’ll get hitched proper, and we’re gonna take the world by storm! For now, go on in there, look that man right in the eye and say, ‘Mister… I’d like that job. Pretty please’.”

[SFX: The doors swinging open]

[Pause!!]

[C] “Howdy again, ma’am, one incredible proofreader, right on time!”

[The secretary shoots you both a look but gestures you back]

[SFX: The Listener and Secretary walking together]

[C] “Good luck, baby! I love you!”

[Pause! <3]

[SFX: The door swinging shut]

[S] “Hm… Your beau changed his tune a bit. And he even dressed for his interview. Surprising.”

[...]

[S, chuckling] “Oh, I’m not making fun. He’s quite a specimen with that dark curly hair and those intense eyes… Well, regardless, Mister Sapphirn Sr. will be in shortly. Sit here, across the desk, and wait, please.”

[Pause]

[SFX: The door shutting/a clock ticking]

[Pause…]

[SFX: The door opening and footsteps]

[A surprisingly handsome older men enters, examining a piece of paper severely. The man adjusts his glasses, staring you down coolly as he takes a seat]

[MS] “Mister Sapphirn Sr. A pleasure to meet you, young lady.”

[You shake his hand, trying to remain firm]

[Pause]

[MS] “Well, your CV was certainly impressive for a young woman your age, Miss.”

[Pause <3]

[He smiles]

[MS] “Hmhm… I do appreciate hard workers. And fans of the books we publish here. You most certainly seem qualified, but… I wonder something.”

[Pause?]

[He shifts forward in his chair, taking you in. He seems to pause, sniffing once or twice before he nods to himself]

[MS] “Oh, but you smell of upper class, my dear… A charming lady such as yourself should surely be focused on wooing a gentleman of some means, hmm?”

[Pause.]

[He cocks his head in response]

[MS] “A young man already has your heart? A hardworking young man that you do not want to leave working to provide alone… Well. What a good girl you are…”

[His eyes dip to your neckline and you feel yourself heat up. The bitemarks glare obviously]

[P-Pause]

[MS, pleasant] “Now, now, no need to be embarrassed of those little bites on your neck. There is something to be said for a woman that wants to stand equal to her partner in some ways… and be quieter in others.”

[P…Pause]

[He stands, swirling the coffee in his cup]

[SFX: Coffee being slurped quietly]

[MS] “Mmh, ahh. Fine cup of Joe. Ah, to Hell with it. Why not? You’re literate, easy on the eyes, and care for the work. Consider yourself to be starting next week, come 8 AM!”

[Pause!!!]

[You hop up excitedly and hug him before you can think better]

[MS] “Oh? I won’t say no to a celebratory hug…”

[P…Pause]

[You just hugged your new boss before ever starting the job]

[...]

[He laughs in a whisper]

[MS] “I won’t tell if you won’t… Go on, go tell your man you got the job. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear it, hm?”

[Pause!]

[MS] “Ohhh, he’s my next interview? Hmhm, well, don’t you worry. I’ll be nice and fair to him as well. One thing, first.”

[SFX: Cloth ruffling]

[You shiver as your boss fixes your dress around the shoulders]

[MS] “There we are, all fixed and proper. Those salivating sailors won’t give you as many wolf whistles and your man can avoid fewer fistfights, hmhm. Young men, am I right? So ready to fly off the handle over a beautiful girl they want even a shred of a chance for. But! Go on, now. I’ll try and have him back to you shortly~”.

[SFX: Uncertain footsteps and the door opening and shutting]

[Cole smiles at you as you emerge, happy to embrace you with a happy laugh]

[C] “That smile tells me everything! Congratulations, sweetheart! I’m so proud of you!”

[Pause <3]

[C] “Yep, yep, I won’t keep the man, waiting, don’t you worry. Wish me luck!”

[With that, he lopes off to talk to your new boss. That you just hugged…]

[SFX: The door closing]

[...You certainly hope that’s the most embarrassing thing you do on the job… but somehow doubt it]

[To be continued]