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"Definitely wasn't perving." She feigned shock at his accusation as they moved through the crowd of tourists and locals, pushing her closer to him. At some point, the two were so close that she could feel her hand brush up against his but she didn't try to pull away. She actually felt more at ease with him so close. A stark difference from their other encounters where she had always maintained a safe distance.

"Would probably have the same answer as you if I'd lived here." Serena understood what he meant and where he was coming from. They had talked about what civilian life was like, and she would choose whatever that was like.

"So what was the most memorable trip you had here then? Any funny tourist trips like how a monkey stole a phone or something?" Serena wanted to lighten the mood and stop with the whole existential queries, as it was too early for either of them to think so deeply. She's on vacation after all. @burnishedrebel

Serena’s quip made Cesar laugh. “Don’t worry, I’m no sleaze,” he mused in return, a slight smirk crossing his lips as he added, “So long as you promise not to perv on me again if I choose to go skinny dipping.” The sly reference to how they’d met again days prior drew another chuckle from him. 

They walked from the market through the litany of alleyways, shortcuts and side streets that Cesar had long since memorised. They moved closely together, and every few moments he looked over at her to make sure she was alright. When she asked him about his life, however, Cesar turned to briefly regard her before looking forward, considering the question as they moved. 

“I guess…” he began, a few seconds later. “Perhaps it all depends on what would’ve changed about my early life in this mythical new one. I’ve always been a strong believer that we’re made by whatever circumstances we’re in, no matter where we’re at in our lives.” 

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"That works for me." Serena shot him a grin as she had gotten a bunch of mangoes and other fruits, paying the vendor the agreed-upon amount. With the expected haggling, of course. She started to take little bites of her sliced fruit and pictured being under the sun, the waves splashing against the rocks. It was a nice place to relax and find some peace. She only wished she had brought her sister along to experience it all but she knew she needed time away to settle the chaos within her. "As long as you don't expect me to get naked with you, then we're good."

She didn't want to become what they had called her, a warrior who finds peace in death. It wasn't who she wanted to become. She followed Cesar through shortcuts and little rides, being so close to him she could smell his scent. She wasn't sure if it was cologne or just him naturally but God did it smell good. Alluring. "In another life, would you still be who you are now?" Her intrusive thoughts won.

Lingering a step or two behind Serena, Cesar watched with a fond smile as she bought some fruits. She’d taken to life in the city like a duck to water, although he hadn’t admitted as much to her. He knew her stay was only temporary. When she turned back to him and asked what his plan for the day was, Cesar’s smile turned to a cocksure, knowing grin. 

“Well, seeing as my last trip to the coastline got interrupted by your arrival, I figured we could go back… give you a proper chance to appreciate the beaches and see just why I’m always sneaking off to unwind there.” A moment skipped by during which Cesar let her process his idea. “We’ll be gone for most of the day and get back around nightfall, if that works?” 

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Elle did try to move on from Ethan. She really did try. from moving his stuff to this area to hiding away his clothing. She tried her best to move everything that reminded her of him. It hurt her to see it all. It was a betrayal of trust, the fact that he had killed people, and it saddened her that the very first time she had let anyone see her vulnerable was Ethan. It made her walls even higher but seeing him today had her weak in the knees.

It felt like the first time she had met him all over again. She could recall all her fond memories of him and with him. The laughter, the smiles, and who he was. The Ethan she knew was not the man described in the media. "You should. You smell like a prison." She jabbed. "You hungry? I could bring back some food and get you so some books so you won't be bored to death here."

"Oh the TV still works by the way so if you get tired of that- you could watch something."

Ethan began looking around the room as Elle did. He’d been familiar with it from his long friendship with Elle. It had once been where she’d lived with Rosie before they’d moved to their current quarters. As far as hideouts went, it was the ideal place to lay low for a week. Ethan returned his gaze to Elle as she explained about his clothes and he nodded. “That makes sense,” he told her. “Didn’t expect my clothes to still be around, so that’s a bonus.” 

The subject of clothes made him think again about what he currently wore, the scuffed and dirtied uniform that he’d used as part of his daring escape. Reflection about his clothes also made him think about the sweat, dirt and grime on his skin, too. Looking back up at Elle after a few moments, Ethan said, “I really should get cleaned up.” 

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Hearing the pain, the anger, and frustration all balled up into one, his voice echoed throughout the house. She should have been scared but she knew better that his fury was directed at her choices and those who had hurt her. It wasn't her. It should have been at her but it wasn't. With that in mind, it made her feel immensely guilty.

She should have called, texted, or contacted him, but she figured he wouldn't have wanted to see her or hear from her. Her icy cold hand felt his calluses. She didn't know what to say to him because no amount of apology or reasoning could ever make up for her mistake. It astonished her that he still felt any sort of love or care towards her. "How can you forgive me so easily?" "I hurt you, Henry." Elle's voice was in a soft whisper. She looked into his eyes and tried to find any inkling of resentment. "I'm sorry."

Henry’s blood roared in his ears as Elle’s words sank in, each one a spark to the tinder of his barely contained fury. He slammed his fist on the counter, the mug rattling, his voice a raw, guttural snarl. “You’re telling me someone dared to hurt you, Elle? Took advantage of you when you were out there, lost and trying to figure shit out?” His eyes blazed, wild with rage, the kind that made his hands shake as he imagined tracking down whoever left her so broken. “That makes me want to rip the world apart, you hear me?” He paced a step, his boots heavy on the kitchen floor, then stopped, chest heaving.

“And you—disappearing like that, not a damn word for months? That gutted me. I kept your stuff, Elle, sat here like a fool wondering if you were even alive, and it pisses me off that you thought you had to go it alone!” His voice cracked, the anger turning inward. “I hate that you felt so out of control, that you think you were dumb for it. You’re not dumb—you were hurting, and I wasn’t there.” He dragged a hand through his hair, forcing himself to meet her gaze, his eyes still burning but softening with a desperate need to reach her. “You’re here now, and I’m so damn glad, but I’m furious at everything that kept you away, that made you feel you couldn’t come to me. No one’s touching you again, not on my watch.” He stepped closer, his hand finding hers, gripping it tightly, a fierce promise in his touch. “We’ll get through this, together. You’re safe now, and I’ve got you, alright?”

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She looked pitiful as she stood in the rain. Everything on her was drenched, from her clothing to her bag, but it beats spending another hour with the man she thought she could trust. Elle drew closer and situated herself in front of him. Her cold hands grasped the warmth of the cup. The only thing that kept her warm and she was grateful. There were a few flinches and shakes here and there but it wasn't like she was going to ask Henry to get her anything. She had already pushed the boundary by showing up unannounced, let alone how she was gone without a trace for several months.

The brunette was close enough to him but it still felt like there was a wall that kept her away. It wasn't anything he did but there was this pull- a tug. It was as if she didn't trust herself around him. "I thought I needed to find myself-" Biting down on her bottom lip, "I just- I didn't know who I was anymore. So much has changed. It felt like I was out of my body, and I was on autopilot."

"I know I shouldn't have left- I know should have talked to you. I was- I was dumb." Her gaze moved back to her tumbling fingers, unsure how he would react. "I searched and I searched. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, and someone took advantage of that- It took me a while to get out of that, and when I did."

Henry leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, his gaze softening as Elle stepped out of the bathroom, her damp hair still dripping despite her efforts. Seeing her in those old clothes—ones he’d kept tucked away in a box he couldn’t bear to throw out—stirred a quiet ache he wasn’t ready to confront. “Yeah, well, couldn’t leave you out there looking like a drowned cat,” he said, his voice rough but threaded with a reluctant warmth. He turned, grabbing a mug from the cabinet and pouring coffee from the pot he’d started brewing the second she’d crossed his threshold. “Here,” he slid the mug toward her, the rich aroma curling between them as his eyes flicked over her face, searching for answers he wasn’t sure he was ready for. “You look like you’ve been through hell, Elle. And I’m not just talking about the rain.” He paused, his jaw tightening as he wrestled with the urge to ask about the months apart, about why her things still lingered in his bathroom like ghosts of their past. “You wanna tell me what’s going on, or are we just gonna act like you showing up at my door in a downpour is business as usual?” His voice softened, a trace of old tenderness slipping through, but his steady gaze held a quiet challenge, waiting for her to bridge the gap between them. / @imperfectox

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He could just as easily not agree to her terms because what would be stopping him? Elle knew that he would keep his word. He was that kind of man. As strange as it may seem, she had a lot of trust in Ethan despite what he had done. If she were to tell anybody about this, she just knew that they would be concern and even scold her about it. They would probably ship her to some psych ward but she had a gut feeling that she was making the right decision. Not just for her but for Ethan as well. Closure. They both needed some kind of closure. Away from prying eyes, away from four concrete walls, and away from all the noise. Just the two of them.

"Okay, good." With a slow nod, she diverted her attention to the room. It was filled with all sorts of memories. This was her home with Rosie when she first started the inn. It was small and quaint but it was home for the longest time. It had a tiny kitchen, living and bedroom, as well as a working bathroom. The laughter that used to fill this room, she smiled to herself. "So uh- your clothes are in the bedroom. I had to move them here because I wasn't quite sure what to do with them, and well- I didn't want to throw them away." @burnishedrebel

Ethan shrugged at her point. There was no mistaking the warning look on her features. “If I’ve only got a week left with you then you can’t blame me for wanting a little sweetener with the deal.” It was a risky approach, Ethan knew that, but the logic was sound in his addled mind. As he waited for Elle’s response, his heart rate quickened and his mind raced. He didn’t want to particularly think about where he’d go if she rejected him and his terms entirely, but fortunately he didn’t have to think about that when she agreed to visit him in exchange for letting what they had go. 

The idea of it didn’t devastate Ethan like he thought it would. She’d still come to visit, and besides… he could hardly give her what she needed in the confines of a jail cell. One part of his mind tried to tempt him towards sin, to reject nicety in favour of getting what he wanted. Ethan slapped that base instinct right down, instead shrugging and saying, “I can do that… I promise.” With that, he'd effectively started the week long timer.

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How is it that she had met so many brilliant people in her life but the only opinion she would ever consider would be Cesar's. The sentiments and life lessons that would come from him were profound; she would, at times, just be in awe of the man. No one impressed her or caught her attention quite like he does. She let out a soft chuckle at the retort of his company. With his charm and good looks, she no longer wondered about his lonesome self. "I have no doubt about that, C."

time skip.

As promised, Cesar had brought her to a little market filled with knick-knacks, produce, and all sorts of people from all walks of life. The bustle and hustle reminded her of city life. It was familiar but yet so different from what she was used to. She had picked up a couple of fruits and inspected them, looking to buy a little snack as they started the journey. "So what's the plan? What's our itinerary for the day, Mr. Tour Guide?" @burnishedrebel

Cesar shrugged. “I’ve picked up a few things here and there,” he told her. He didn’t consider himself a chef on par with those he’d met in the restaurants and cafes, but he was able to knock up a good few quality dishes. It was one of the skills he’d taught himself since leaving the Navy, where he’d relied entirely on the bland nature of rations and canteen cooking. 

He quirked an eyebrow when Serena asked him if he ever got lonely. A slight smile crept onto his lips as she explained what she meant about missing family and the idea of him settling down. “Nah, I don’t get lonely,” he explained with a shrug. “I’ve always been reliant on myself. Happy in my own company. You know what they say… if you’re lonely when you’re alone then you’re in bad company.” A chuckle separated Cesar’s words before he said, “As for keeping my bed warm sometimes… I’m good at that when I want it.” 

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heyy! if anyone is around and interested in doing smut-focused or kinky plots over on discord. heart this 🫶

[imperfectox]

After all that had happened, she didn't know where or whom to turn to. Her parents had her little girl, and she thought she needed to get her head straight. During the time she was away, she had met a man who captured her attention and mesmerized her. It felt almost as if she knew him like they were childhood friends. One thing led to another, it turned out he didn't have the right intentions, and it almost cost her life.

Thus, she was at Henry's front door, unsure if he would let her in, let alone even talk to her. Elle stood there in the freezing cold, drenched in rain, and did as she was told. She waited for him.

"Thanks." She shut the door behind her and did her best to quickly change into her old clothes. He had kept them. Why? A million thoughts flooded her mind but the fact that even his bathroom didn't change. Her jewelry, skincare, and other belongings were scattered in his bathroom. She came out drier than before as she tried to squish the water out of her hair.

"Thank you- for uh- the clothes and the towel- just letting me in."

Open to: anyone (mun/muse/fc 21+)

Muse: Henry (Aaron Taylor Johnson fc) is the owner of 'Queen of Hearts Casino & Resort'

Plot: around this plot

Henry’s heavy sigh fogged the chilly air as he opened the door, his gut twisting at the sight of them standing there, drenched and shivering. He hadn’t expected to see them again—least of all at midnight, with a storm snarling outside, rain hammering the porch roof. With a curt nod, he stepped aside, the door’s hinges creaking as they shuffled in, trailing the sharp scent of wet earth. “Stay there,” he muttered, his voice rough, barely masking the resentment simmering beneath. He vanished down the dim hallway, the floorboards groaning under his steps.

He returned moments later, clutching a towel and a folded stack of their old clothes—faded jeans and a flannel that still held the faint, maddening trace of their scent. His fingers lingered a moment too long before shoving the bundle into their hands. “Bathroom’s where you left it, I’ll make coffee.” Without waiting for a reply, he turned toward the kitchen, the linoleum cold against his bare feet, his jaw tight with unspoken questions. Anger coiled in his chest, but so did a dangerous flicker of hope. They were here, but for how long? This time, he’d claw answers from the silence before they vanished again.

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"I'm guessing you know how to cook because even I couldn't be able to pick up all that, or at least I don't think I could." Serena loved food but more so the cooking aspect. She remembered that she only started cooking when her sister told her she couldn't cook a decent meal. It was insulting but of course, she was as competitive as they come. She got a bunch of cooking books and started slaving away in the kitchen. Her forte was Italian but she did explore other cuisines just never had the chance to try the authentic ones. "You ever get lonely here, C. Just- I wanted to ask- I'm guessing you're far from family and familiar people. Ever thought of like- you know the traditional sense- settling down?" She rarely asked questions and it felt foreign to even ask. She wasn't the type to get to know people but she thought when in rome- well- in asia to be specific. @burnishedrebel

“I wouldn’t dream of anything else,” Cesar replied when Serena asked him to make her time there memorable. A soft, affirming smile accompanied his promise. With that, Cesar began to focus on his food, the dishes all chosen from his usual favourites at the restaurant. When Serena declared her satisfaction with the food, Cesar grinned and chuckled. He briefly regarded the particular delicacy she’d just eaten when Serena asked him what it was. “Spicy pork balls,” he told her. “They throw a whole load of spices in there, everything from lemongrass and ginger to cilantro and garlic… all topped off with a touch of cayenne pepper to really give ‘em a kick.” 

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"You're asking for a lot for someone who tried to kill me." Her arms folded over her chest, and she gave him a look. The kind of look that warned him not to push the boundaries. If she had to be honest, she probably had given a week for selfish reasons. Something to close the chapter. She had to be realistic. She loved him but having a lover who had killed before and had attempted to kill her in a maximum security prison would stop her whole world. She would be constantly worried about him. Wonder if he's doing okay, if he's eating, and if he's safe. It would drain her to just keep being worried about him. So at least for this one week, she could at least savor the moment. Treating Ethan as he is, not the serial killer the media is painting him out to be.

"I promise to visit you every month if you promise that after this week. We'll both have to let this go." It hurt to say it out loud, but she needed to set the boundary. She knew she needed him but she needed to focus on her life with Rosie. "Promise me that at least." @burnishedrebel

“One week…” Ethan repeated, as if mulling over the idea. In truth, one week was a lot longer than he’d expected, and even Elle’s ultimatum that one of them would end up turning him in didn’t throw him off. “Alright, one week,” he affirmed mere moments later. For a brief few seconds, Ethan was fine with that, but instinct made him add his own clause. 

“You need to come visit me, though. Once a month, or every two at the least.” It was a perhaps audacious demand, especially considering she was giving him a full week with her before he had to go back. If she had any doubts as to why, Ethan banished them as he added, “You can’t expect me to spend the rest of my life in jail without getting to look into your beautiful eyes every so often.”

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"I hope so." The corner of her lips quirked up a bit before her eyes met his. His military experience was no joke, and if she were to somehow be faced with him in a fight, she would definitely need a bit more ammo and training to even go toe to toe with him. Thankfully, he was her tour guide in this side of the world. She hoped their paths never had to meet in that kind of way again. She enjoyed their little banter and talks. It almost felt like he was the only one who understood what skeletons felt like in the closet and what kind of demons kept her up at night. Though Serena knew that she would take all of her pain to the grave.

"My good time here is in your hands, C. Make it memorable for me?" She took another piece of pork with her chopsticks and popped it in her mouth. Savoring the flavor, she hummed in delight. "God, that was good, what was that? It's spicy but in a good way- comforting." @burnishedrebel

Serena’s unexpectedly probing question made Cesar shrug. “No, not really,” he admitted, a slight wry smile briefly crossing his lips. “The Navy had its ups and downs. As a SEAL… I’ve seen and experienced things that would drive a lot of people mad… almost drove me mad, in fact.” Rather than continue, Cesar simply shrugged. “All in the past now. I’ve found a port where I can settle and just let life gently take me along by.” 

He sensed that Serena struggled with her own demons and experiences. Her bitter chuckle was a hint towards that, and as she began selecting from the dishes, Cesar wanted to reach out and squeeze her hand. He refrained, however, although that didn’t stop him from saying, “I think this sorta life would be good for you, you know? At least for the next few weeks.”

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If things were different, then perhaps his visit would have been welcomed with open arms. Laughter. Love. But it wasn't. Ethan was a convicted serial killer, and she was the last girl. The one who happened to get away but in reality, she wasn't a victim. He had done nothing to her. The only crime in her eyes that he had committed was making her fall in love with him. It was the kind of love that could throw caution to the wind and had her rethinking every moral and every value she held. He had turned her entire world completely upside down in a matter of months.

Elle knew she would regret her decision but a part of her wanted him. She was crazy about him, and everyone could see that. After his arrest, it was as if the light had gone from her once sparkling eyes. Others had assumed it was because it was the thought that her lover could have killed her any time soon, and she would have lost family. Her little girl would be distraught. It wasn't the case. It was the fact that she trusted and loved him. "One week. You get one week."

"Then you turn yourself in again, or I will do it." @burnishedrebel

Elle posed a very good question. And, from the way she looked at him, the tension obvious in her manner, Ethan sensed it was a question she wanted a certain answer to. She may have called him darling still, but even a psychopath like Ethan had to concede that his plan had a distinct flaw of logic about it - how could a woman he’d tried to kill still harbour feelings for him? He pushed the thought that he’d misread her signals during the prison visit to the back of his mind, instead shrugging and saying, “I’ve got nowhere else… and I wanted to see you again, even if just one last time.”

There was truth about that statement, both parts of it. His heart thudded against his chest and his mind raced with possibilities. He’d tried to kill her once on that night he’d been caught, the male driven insane by paranoia and bloodlust. It was the one thing about his crimes that made him sick to his stomach, and even the idea of laying a finger on Elle again made him feel revulsion towards himself. And yet, equally, the idea of being out but without her made him feel like he might as well just be back in prison. 

As she warned about becoming an accomplice if caught, Ethan said, “I can leave… I don’t wanna put you and Rosie in harm’s way anymore.” Ironic, given how he’d shown up that day, but then again the mind of a psychopath was hardly the most coherent. 

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Peace was a dream that she longed for and that she could never imagine for herself. She even thought it was just a silly little daydream because at the core of who she was, there was chaos that brewed. She had tried to leave her line of work countless times but she always kept coming back. At first, it was for her sister's education and their lives, but in the end, she didn't know what it felt like to find tranquility. So to see it in front of her eyes, one can't blame her for being a skeptic. At the very least she knew it was possible.

"Life hasn't always been kind to you, has it?" It may have been out of pocket for her to say but for someone to seek peace far from home must have faced terrible things. Serena didn't expect a response but rather it was meant to be an observation. It was perhaps her way to acknowledge what peace meant to him. "I'm glad you found solace. I'm still trying to find mine." She let out a bitter chuckle as she eyed the dishes in front of them. Picking one of the dozen, she had taken a portion to try. Unknown and exciting. Something she hadn't in a long time. Whether it be about her companion or the food. Who knows? @burnishedrebel

Cesar could’ve pressed the point further, but he chose not to, instead accepting Serena’s cheeky smile and slight shrug as response enough. A slightly knowing smile crossed his lips, hinting towards his own views about the topic, yet he moved on just as easily as she did. Their food soon arrived, allowing them a few moments to focus on that as the little ceramic bowls and plates containing deliciously scented food were placed in front of them. 

Serena’s question made Cesar look back at her and he pondered it for a few seconds. He didn’t need that long to think about it. “The peace, above all else,” he mused. “I know this city is all hustle bustle, but out where I work and elsewhere around there are plenty of quiet spots. And, even in a place that’s busy… if the views are stunning enough and the people so welcoming… well, even then you can find pockets of peace. It’s what I needed after I left the Navy.” 

@imperfectox

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plot: enemies to lovers except Muse A has been pining over Muse B from the moment they met, muse b is the only one insisting they’re actually enemies. @miidnighters

"what the hell are you talking about?" puzzled and confused by the sudden change of demeanor of the other. they were sworn enemies for the longest time; moreover, the two had never agreed on anything, they bullied each other relentlessly, and it had never crossed her mind that it would ever change. "what do you mean you want to be friends?"

[imperfectox]

so i'm up and about and i was wondering if anyone wanted a starter? hehe.

[imperfectox]

(𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧) 𝐓𝐎𝐌 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐆𝐄 ;  the sandman.  by clicking the source link below, you will find #1,020 gifs of tom sturridge in the sandman series 1 (2022). do not edit or repost them. like / reblog if using.

content warnings: blood, body horror, cages, fire, flickering lights, injuries, noose, partial nudity/shirtless scenes, shaky camera.

information about my commissions.