"So you're the babysitter, huh" Rodrick Heffley x black fem reader

20- Cat and mouse

Author's note: Okay, so things are slowly coming together purr. I really hope it doesnt feel forced but come on it's been 20 chapters. When this is over imma take a break and try writing someone who isnt Rodrick. 😟 Shocker I know, but I have a few ideas for other people. Thank you so fucking much for 32 thousand reads. I love yall. All imma say about this chapter is I wrote it in a day. Idk if thats good or bad, but it is what it is.

It was an almost odd comfort. Knowing what people thought and not letting it affect you. Normally if someone or a few people thought two friends were dating it would cause some strain between them. Or at least that was your experience. Having your past "Friends" act outrageously simply because someone teased them about possibly being with you. Turing you into some undateable joke, which hurt. Deeply.

But maybe that's what brought you and Rodrick so close. He didn't act disgusted or embarrassed, he just didn't care. And that's what made this all just one big game to you. You and Rodirk could tease each other without it going too far or making things awkward.

In retrospect, it might not have been the best thing to do if you planned on deflecting the dating rumors. But it certainly was fun. Then again who cares right. It's not like you were actually dating or had any feelings for each other... Or at least none that you were sure of. Rodrick might have been another story, though.

...

"So, anything interesting happen at school?" Your mom ask before taking a bit of her food.

You mumble a small no, expecting Faith to do the same. But today something had happened.

"I heard a rumor about you today." Faith says to you.

The atmosphere of the room changes immediately. On default, your mind runs back to any and everything bad thing you've ever done.

"What kind of rumor?" Your mom asks a voice directed at you.

"Nothing. I just overheard Greg say that Rodrick had a crush on you."

There's a silence as both their eyes lay on you. The same expression written on their faces.

"What." You say to their stares.

"Nothing. Just, I wouldn't be surprised if it was true."

"It's not true. Trust me, Greg just loves drama."

You knew this for a fact.

"Doesn't mean it's not true."

The truth was, you weren't fully sure how Rodrick was going to react. It's one thing to randoms spread lies, but it's another to hear it coming from your own brother. Especially if your brother was as messy as Greg was. You thought maybe he'd laugh it off, joke about how out of hand things can get. Or at least yell at Greg and give him some type of threat.

But no, instead he froze, taking a moment to react. Rodrick was clever, he could tell by the way you brought it up was casually. He knew if he acted too shocked or caught off guard that you would have questions. Questions he wasn't sure if he could answer.

He gives you a dry chuckle, his hand squeezing the back of his neck.

"Greg told her that?"

"No, not like directly. I'm pretty sure she was just eavesdropping on him and Rowley."

"So Rowley knows."

"I think so, why."

"Nothing." He says, giving you a small smile.

It's far, far from nothing. A long time ago, Rodrick made the decision to put you first. After everything that happened between the two of you in such little time, He decided that your friendship, and your feelings, mattered more than his.

"I'll be right back, I gotta go to the bathroom." You say, getting up from Rodrick's bed.

He makes a small noise of acknowledgment as you leave the room. He waits a second before getting up and storming into Greg's room. Once he enters, he slams the door behind him, scaring Greg and Rowley.

"You little shit." Rodrick says seething. "I trust you with one thing, and you just can't keep that big mouth shut." 

He spoke loudly and in his brother's face.

"W-what are you talking about?" Rowley says, besides Greg.

"No one's talking to you, Ron Weasley. Beat it."

Rowley quickly gets up and grabs his bag. He was already scared of rodrick, but right now he was terrified. But before he leaves, he gives Rodrick a word of advice.

"You should just tell her ya know she might feel the same way." 

Rodrick turns to him, eyes dark. Narrowed on Rowley as if he was some target. The look send a shiver down Rowley back. Coming out of the bathroom, you were immediately pushed into the wall by a running Rowley. Seeing you, Rodrick is quick to change his demeanor. Letting Rowley get away.

"Hey y/n. You hungry ?" He quickly changed the subject. 

"Uh, We still have some work to finish, but I guess I could take a break."

"Cool, I'll uh put a pizza in the oven."

Sitting in the living room, you flip through channels while Rodrciks in the kitchen.

"Hey there y/n." Franck says leaving the basement.

"Hi Frank."

You cringed internally at calling him by his first name. But every time he insisted you call him frank, and after some time you were used to it.

Opening your mouth to speak, you quickly shut it. Unsure if you really wanted an answer to the million-dollar question. But your curiosity got the best of you. It wouldn't hurt to ask, right ?

"Frank, can I ask you something ?"

"Of course."

"Do you think... Do you think Rodrick could have a crush on me?"

You felt silly just saying it. Thinking Frank would give you some mundane answer telling you how he didn't know. But instead he dances around the question, not say what he really wanted to. Not wanting to betray his son's trust but not wanting to discourage you.

"Is that a yes?" You ask genuine, confused by his rambling.

"It's certainly not, a no."