#“help i'm still at the restaurant sitting in a corner i haunt”

[heartburiedingreece]

Anytime I hear a song that likens an ex lover to a ghost, i think about brocedes

[losstfrost]

"Time between them, which had stood still for a long while, began to move once more"

[lilysnotes]

Episode 6 this, episode 6 that.

I still can believe they used Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy in ep1.

[bravevolunteer]

not to be unhinged but i could turn michael afton into a swiftie

case in point:

[paintedpineleaf]

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE GIRL WHO LIVES IN DELUUSION BREAKUPS HAPPEN EVERY DAY YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOSE IT SHE'S STILL 23 inside her fantasy and you're. sitting in front of me :(

[midnightspunisher]

when taylor swift said "and the only way back to my dignity was to turn into a shrouded mystery" and when she said "but if he's a ghost then i can be a phantom" and when she said "nobody physically saw me for a year" and when she said "i wake in the night, i pace like a ghost" and when she said "you know i didn't want to have to haunt you but what a ghostly scene" and when she said "help i'm still at the restaurant, still sitting in a corner i haunt" and when she said "when she stood, she stood with a desolate knowingness" and when she said "i knew you'd haunt all of my 'what-ifs'" and when she said "i guess sometimes we all get some kind of haunted"

[thisblogisaboutabook]

RIGHT WHERE YOU LEFT ME

Azriel x Reader - Fluff - One Shot

While getting over a breakup, a performer in a Velaris tavern catches the attention of a certain Shadowsinger.

Warnings: Alcohol, Implied hook-up

The notes flowed effortlessly through my fingers onto the ivory keys of the tavern’s antique piano. I’d played the song more times than I cared to admit over the past several months yet the angst of it had yet to be lost on me.

Tonight was particularly lively as the High Lord and Lady’s inner circle made their way into the tavern. One of the nicer pleasure halls in Velaris yet not as alluring as Rita’s, which was closed this week as they install an updated dance floor and modernize the bar’s serving area.

Once word spread of the prestigious guests, a plethora of onlookers flowed in the front doors. It had been a while since the bouncer actually had a line to attend to.

Attendees made requests, many tunes of a more risqué variety in hopes of a sultry dance against THE Morrigan. Who could blame them? She was lovely. Not in a soft and gentle way - but in a powerful, warm, seductive sort of way. Those that didn’t want to be with her, wanted to be her. Males and females alike tried and failed to get close enough for a dance but she stayed close to the remainder of the inner circle on the dance floor, so lost in the music that she hadn’t even noticed the desire flowing around her.

The Shadowsinger had also come out tonight. Though he evaded the dance floor, guarding their corner table diligently. An emotionless, bordering cold stare plastered on his face as he monitored the place. Ever the watchful friend, ensuring nobody stepped out of line. Many patrons gazed from afar, whispering words of encouragement as to who could work up the nerve to approach. The more brazen guests going as far as to take a few steps closer before being put off by his intimidating presence without him even making eye contact with them.

After a recent break up - recent putting it lightly - it had been months but who was counting? I’d taken to spending my weekends in this tavern. One evening, after far too many shots of liquid courage, I began playing on the piano while singing raunchy limericks and catchy tunes I’d picked up over the years during my travels through Prythian. Despite his odious reputation, some of my favorite limericks came from the High Lord of the Spring Court whom I’d never met personally. The poems coming in slurs from drunken participants of the Great Rite many years ago, the Calanmai where I met my former lover.

We’d connected instantly - literally and figuratively - and spent several wonderful years together. Until, damn the cauldron, he found his mate earlier this year. What are years together in the face of fate? Fate having a wicked sense of humor. How lucky for me that his mate dwelled in the city that I had introduced him to, MY city. They’d come into this very tavern shortly after the breakup, kindly leaving just as abruptly they came in. A futile effort of sparing me the heartache. Truthfully, he wasn’t a cruel male. He didn’t know I played here - and I didn’t hate him. But I resented it. All of it.

Which lead me to the song I was currently belting out at this piano. The song I’d written immediately after arriving back to my apartment that night, whiskey in one hand, fountain pen in the other.

“…And you're sitting in front of me at the restaurant, when I was still the one you want

Cross-legged in the dim light, everything was just right.

I, I could feel the mascara run. You told me that you met someone, glass shattered on the white cloth

Everybody moved on

Help, I'm still at the restaurant, still sitting in a corner I haunt, cross-legged in the dim light

They say, What a sad sight"

Despite the angsty, brooding lyrics, the tone was catchy and very easy to move along to. The more frequent patrons of the establishment had come to know this as a staple in my evening set, belting out the lyrics right along with me.

The song was my closing for the evening as I packed up, ready to head out. One of the attendees brought a glass of my favorite whiskey to me, nodding to the beautiful brooding male at the Inner Circle’s table.

Interesting.

I nodded a thank you with a brief raise of my glass to the Spymaster, as a little shadow swirled around my wrist with a gentle tug in his direction.

Who was I to turn him down? Aside from a steaming bath and smutty novel, I had nothing waiting for me to return home.

I casually strode to his table, giving a little smirk before sitting in front of him. Licking my lip before raising the glass to my mouth, lifting an eyebrow as I locked eyes with him.

“I didn’t realize Spymaster involved sussing out a lady’s drink of choice.”

A cool, bemused expression settled on his face as he took a sip from his own glass. “While my skill set is quite impressive, I asked the attendant for the bartender to send you a glass of your favorite.”

“I see. Well, thank you.” I replied, giving him time to continue the conversation or bid a farewell.

“You wrote that song.” He stated, not a question. Spymaster indeed.

For emphasis, I threw back a large swig of my liquor. “I did. Did you like it?”

He met my gaze with a contemplative glean in those hazel eyes, “Yes, no. Yes, the song was good. No, I did not like the truth behind the words. It felt too… relatable.”

I ran my fingers back through my hair letting it loosely fall back into place, and sighed. “Looks like we’ll both need another drink then.” Turning to the nearby attendee and signaling two fingers.

Two drinks turned to three, and four, by the end of the night we had laughed, one-upped eachother on who was unluckiest in love, and I was practically in his lap as we boisterously toasted a cheeky “Damn, the cauldron!” to which a nearby couple audibly gasped. We both muttered quick “apologies” turning away as we muffled our laughter into each others shoulders. He graciously sent the pair a shot with our next round of drinks.

The place started clearing out as the lights brightened and the keep yelled out a last call. Both of us hesitant to call it a night as we stepped into the brisk cold. “Walk me home, Shadowsinger?”

“Azriel. Call me Azriel.” He smiled. “I actually have something better in mind. Join me for a night cap?” He extended a hand.

Holding my hand out to squeeze his reassuringly, I replied, “Y/N. I’d be delighted.”

He eagerly swept me into his arms and darted into the sky, aiming for the House of Wind. The city lights quickly fading into twinkling stars.

Our pulses fluttered with anticipation as I nuzzled my head into the crook of his neck. When I pulled back to meet his eyes, he gave me a mischevious grin and briskly swooped down then back up. I flicked his nose to which he laughed, tilting his head downward to plant a kiss on my forehead.

I finally left the restaurant…

And my dress on his bedroom floor.

[rafesapologist]

rafe & y/n in the recent chapter of the set up

"help i'm still at the restaurant, still sitting in a corner i haunt"

[dear-bunnyboo]

𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐓 𝐌𝐄 || 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐎𝐑 𝐙𝐄𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐒

I am very sorry for this. I was feeling angsty and decided to write this heartbreaking fic 🥺 you need tissues for this one, i thoroughly made myself cry writing this one (cried as I was writing, cried as I was editing, cried as I was rereading).

I’m hurt. You’re hurt. I’m sorry again— I’ll make it up to you guys and make sure that the next Trevor fic is 100% all fluff 🤍

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: Trevor Zegras x Reader

𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠: 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐋𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐌𝐞 - 𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐭

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Trevor has some terrible news for you leaving you stuck frozen in time

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: Angst, angst, a lot of angst, crying, cursing, heartbreak, breakup, emotional cheating, pain, falling out of love, the one that got away, flashbacks, dissociation, depressed!reader, in denial!reader to the point of slight delusion, more angst, no happy ending for reader, more angst

𝐍𝐇𝐋 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 || 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

Friends break up, friends get married

Strangers get born, strangers get buried

Trends change, rumors fly through new skies

But I'm right where you left me

The Earth is a curious and humorous thing. It rotates and rotates and rotates, going along it’s day no matter what— when someone gets a promotion it remains the same rotating sphere , when someone gives birth— bringing new life to the world; the Earth doesn’t even celebrate, when someone dies the globe spins like nothing has happened and their life never mattered.

So it’s humorous to you that you expect it to stop for a few minutes so you could catch a breather. Why should the Earth care about you? It doesn’t. Which is why it continues spinning— doing its job, just like everyone around you were.

Matches burn after the other

Pages turn and stick to each other

Wages earned and lessons learned

But I, I'm right where you left me

Everyone around you continues. Everyone is living their lives, people who lost jobs are going out to look for new ones, people who got embarrassed during a important meeting are dusting themselves off and going on with their day but you didn’t understand how you couldn’t seem to do the same— how could you remain frozen in your own mind.

It has been a year.

A year since it all happened.

A year since you last saw him.

And as pathetic as it sounds, you couldn’t do anything after what had happened.

You continued working, trying to distract yourself after constantly crying and questioning yourself for weeks— you lived with your parents for a couple of months, they took care of you, sympathized with you, and supported you— trying to get you back to your normal self.

But you refused to do so.

You didn’t know why.

Or maybe you did.

Help, I'm still at the restaurant

Still sitting in a corner I haunt

Cross-legged in the dim light

They say, "What a sad sight"

I, I swear you could hear a hair pin drop

Right when I felt the moment stop

Glass shattered on the white cloth

Everybody moved on

They told you to move on. They told you that you would find someone better, someone who would love you wholeheartedly, someone who wouldn’t leave you for someone else, someone who wasn’t Trevor.

But what if Trevor was the one you wanted?

You wanted him still even if he didn’t— not anymore at least.

Every time you closed your eyes to go to sleep, you would see the same thing— the red wine that dropped onto the white table cloth as it shattered across the table— your hand that was holding onto the discarded glass trembling with fear.

You remember the silence— the humming of the air conditioning at the restaurant, the thumping of your heart beating, the sound of your blood pumping in your ears— the sound of your heart trying not to shatter in pieces as you tried to hold it together.

The sound of Trevor’s voice as he explained, his guilty and somewhat pained voice entering your ears as he told you the story of what happened.

That was the last time you heard his voice and you cherished it every time he visited you in your sleep— your salty tears falling on your lips as you imagined his voice lulling you to sleep just like he used to do.

I, I stayed there

Dust collected on my pinned-up hair

They expected me to find somewhere

Some perspective, but I sat and stared

Right where you left me

You were so beautiful in your elegant back dress. Sitting in your seat— the same table you and Trevor would always reserve every time you ate in your favorite restaurant— the tiny little area secluded for just the two of you. It was your favorite place. The same place where he took you on your first date, the same place he asked you out to be his girlfriend, the same place you spent celebrating your first year anniversary— the same place where he broke your heart, the same place where he promised to propose, the same place where he said goodbye.

The same place where he left you.

You left me no, oh, you left me no

You left me no choice but to stay here forever

You left me, you left me no, oh, you left me no

You left me no choice but to stay here forever

You remembered how excited you were when you got a call from Trevor telling you that he wanted to talk to you— that he was gonna take you out to the same place. You remembered the huge grin on your face as you nodded in agreement giddily even though he couldn’t see you through the phone.

He loves you.

Your mind was running a hundred miles that second, thinking of all the possibly that you didn’t catch the edge in his voice. You remembered telling him that you loved him and getting a hum in response— you didn’t seem to catch it at the moment because of your excitement.

He loves you.

You remembered running to your room to get ready. The new black dress you recently acquired now sitting perfectly on your body— the pretty little pins you placed on your hair as you pinned them up.

He loves you.

Did you ever hear about the girl who got frozen?

Time went on for everybody else, she won't know it

She's still 23 inside her fantasy

How it was supposed to be

You remembered how excited you were when he finally knocked on your door— you bolted in your heels opening the door to reveal Trevor looking down at his shoes before looking up at you— he looked sad but you didn’t seem to notice at the moment.

You gave him the biggest smile and the biggest kiss. You failed to notice him stiffening against you but he kissed you with the same passion— at least he was trying to.

Trevor loved you. He truly did. Throughout four years of dating, his love for you was real— he still did love you. Just not the same way he did. He wasn’t in love with you anymore. Trevor knew he couldn’t keep doing it this with you anymore— not only was he hurting himself but you as well.

He kissed you as if it was his first.

Trevor knew.

Trevor knew it was the last.

He was saying goodbye to you.

Did you hear about the girl who lives in delusion?

Break-ups happen every day, you don't have to lose it

She's still 23 inside her fantasy

And you're sitting in front of me

At the restaurant, when I was still the one you want

Cross-legged in the dim light, everything was just right

As the two of you arrived at the restaurant— Trevor made sure to remember every last bit of you— he was hurting too but not as much as you were gonna be.

You really did thought.

You remembered thinking that this was the moment. You remembered your heart racing thinking that he was finally gonna go down on one knee. You remembered praying for him— not knowing that he wasn’t the one.

The same thing replays in your head every time you closed your eyes.

“I need to tell you something.” Trevor said somberly.

You remembered holding your breath but all you did was lose it.

You couldn’t breathe.

The same thing plays in your dreams, the same scenario, the same ending.

“I’m sorry, Y/N. I really am but I can’t keep doing this to myself, to you— I-I have fallen out of love.”

He said it as if it was the easiest thing that could happen.

How does one fall out of love?

How does one love you for four years and suddenly not anymore?

How does one mend a broken heart?

He loved you.

I, I could feel the mascara run

You told me that you met someone

Glass shattered on the white cloth

Everybody moved on

What was probably even more painful than finding out he fell out of love with you is the part when you find out he fell in love— with someone else.

He loves someone else. He feels the butterflies for someone else. He wake up for someone else. Not you— not anymore.

You remained quiet, staring at Trevor as he continues to explain and apologize but you refused to listen. Your tears trickle on your face, the mascara running along with your tears but you didn’t seem to care— the wine glass you were just holding now lay broken on the white table cloth— tinting it red as you notice the waitresses entering from your peripheral vision, alert by the sound of glass breaking.

They quickly excused themselves as they saw your state but you knew they were listening somewhere, gossiping to each other— they pitied you.

It was a sad sight.

Help, I'm still at the restaurant

Still sitting in a corner I haunt

Cross-legged in the dim light

They say, "What a sad sight"

I, I stayed there

You were stuck— you couldn’t escape. It has been a year and you were still there reliving the same scene over and over again, feeling the pain over and over again. You didn’t understand why you were doing this to yourself, maybe because a part of you knew that this was the only way you would get to see and hear Trevor again.

It was pathetic.

Maybe because you knew that every time you go to bed and dream about it all over again, you wished you would see a different outcome— maybe this time he does propose.

You were hurting yourself.

Maybe because once you went home that night you cried out all you water weight leaving you numb to the feeling and maybe the pain of reliving the same scene made you feel again.

Dust collected on my pinned-up hair

I'm sure that you got a wife out there

Kids and Christmas, but I'm unaware

'Cause I'm right where

I cause no harm, mind my business

If our love died young, I can't bear witness

You heard things throughout the year. Of course you did. Perks of having dated someone famous— they always talk about him and her.

Just like how they use to talk about your relationship with Trevor, they talk about his new girl.

They say how happier he was than he was with you which was l another slap on the face— you didn’t see how miserable Trevor has been with you the last years of your relationship.

You wanted to be happy for him for finally being happy but you couldn’t find the courage to do so. You wanted to be happy for him and her. You wanted to be thankful to her for taking care of him, for loving him the way he deserves— you really do.

But you couldn’t find yourself to do so.

You were stuck.

You were stuck while they lived their lives— there were talks and rumors of an engagement. Which slapped you harder than the previous. They’re talking about marriage— they’ve been dating for a year and he was gonna propose— it wasn’t confirmed nor denied but the thought alone stings.

Knowing that four years was not enough for him but a year with her was everything to him.

It hurts.

And it's been so long

But if you ever think you got it wrong

I'm right where you left me

You left me no, oh, you left me no

You left me no choice but to stay here forever

Maybe one day you’ll be back together or maybe in another life.

You could only hope you could escape, you desperately want to. You want to live again, you want to love again— maybe in the future someone chooses you and only you, maybe your dreams of getting married in Italy will come true, maybe in the future your dreams of having children and a family will come true.

But as of now all you can do is dream.

Going back to sleep to see him all over again until you couldn’t anymore.

You left me

You left me no, oh, you left me no

You left me no choice but to stay here forever

dividers: @cafekitsune

𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭: @thetortus @groundzerosuki @boobyskeetz @immediatehumor6 @milyswrld @lucyysthings

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-𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐲ఌ

[dulltoned]

Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three

Branch spends the next few days trying his best to enjoy what time he has left. He stomps down the bitter sting every time his brothers get together to talk about the future and tries to bask in the little moments they allow him. Branch makes breakfast for Bruce and tries to wriggle a recipe out of him that he can cherish during the gray days. He spends an evening with Clay talking about novels and getting as many recommendations as he can so he can know what kind of books his brother likes. He even lets John Dory pick at a few of his projects so they can bond over their shared handiness born from their survivalist pasts. Branch has never gotten to know much about his brothers, he was so young when they left he can barely remember any of the little details, so he clings to everything now. Clay's ears flick when he's irritated over something insignificant, like a bent page in his book or the uneven amount of pencils at Branch's workspace. John Dory sleeps with that stupid glove on, and he cleans off his goggles every night because the routine helps him relax. Floyd hums rock songs in the shower even though he doesn't like the lyrics because he loves the melody. Bruce isn't a huge fan of seafood after so many years serving it back in his restaurant on Vacay Island but he loves Country Troll cuisine.

Branch gathers every little detail he can and he tucks it away because he knows that soon enough these few fleeting memories will be all that he has left to hold on to. Soon enough they'll be on their way and he'll be alone with only their ghosts to haunt him. He thought that he was finally done grieving. He thought that maybe he was finally ready to let go of the family that didn't want him. Now he can already feel their absence like a gaping wound even though they're still here sitting in the next room over.

Today is the day. Branch takes a fortifying breath and brushes nonexistent dust off his vest before slipping out of the kitchen to go gather up his brothers from the living space around the corner. He plasters a smile on his face as he steps through the entryway, leaning up against the arching entrance like nothing could possibly be wrong. John Dory has Clay tucked under his arm and is violently ruffling the younger troll's bright green hair. Bruce is cackling, nearly doubled over, and even Floyd is hiding a few loose chuckles behind his paw. Clay's hair admittedly doesn't look any different than it did before but that doesn't stop him from spewing protests.

"Are you guys done yet or should I give you some more time?" Branch teases, raising an unimpressed eyebrow that's betrayed by the amused smile spreading across his face.

John pauses his assault to look over at Branch and his grip seems to have loosened just enough for Clay to make his hasty escape. "I guess we can cut this short," John Dory shrugs, smirking while Clay grumbles and Bruce wipes tears from his eyes. John looks proud, smug in a way that Branch thinks only an oldest brother could be. His heart aches wondering if this is the last time he'll see that expression and he struggles to keep his smile in place.

"I'm sure the balloon is already set up so we better get this over with." Branch pushes off the entryway and tucks his hands deep into his trouser pockets in a hopefully subtle attempt to hide how they've started to shake. Bruce's laugh is still ringing in his ears and he can't help but ask himself if he'll be able to remember it so distinctly a year from now. He swallows thickly, eyes flicking from sibling to sibling and drinking in the easy smiles on their faces. They look so happy right now, joking and laughing and roughhousing like brothers are supposed to. Branch feels so out of place. Do they even care that they're leaving him behind all over again? Have they even noticed that they're ripping his heart to bits and stealing away the tattered pieces so he could never hope to be whole again without them? Do they think he's being childish because he's so heartbroken over something inevitable?

"I guess you're right," John Dory agrees, stretching out and popping his back. John throws Branch an easy smile and motions for the rest of their brothers to gather up so they can head out. Clay rolls his eyes and helps Floyd up from the armchair while Bruce stands from the couch. This is it. This is really it. Branch's heart flutters pathetically beneath his ribs and dread thrums through his veins. He wasn't ready to say goodbye. Not again. This wasn't enough time. He wanted more time. "Lead the way, little brother."

Branch is helpless to do anything else but swallow down the vile, bubbling emotions climbing up his throat and walk them out of the bunker towards the clearing Poppy arranged for their departure.

The pit in Branch's stomach only grows with each step and he listens with mounting irritation as his brothers chatter excitedly behind him. They're all excited to get back to their lives and Branch wishes he could begrudge them that. He wants so badly to be angry but he can't. They deserve to go back to their lives, their homes, their families. He doesn't want them to be miserable, he just wishes that he could be part of their happiness. He's well acquainted with loving others more than he's loved but the hurt never quite fades.

"Hey, Branch, you're quiet up there." Bruce calls and Branch looks over his shoulder curiously. Bruce smiles back teasingly, his eyes shining with bright mirth that Branch doesn't think the situation warrants, "Got something on your mind?"

"Or someone," Floyd joins in with a playful wiggle of his eyebrows that makes Clay cough a poorly concealed laugh.

Branch frowns, eyebrows furrowing, "What?"

"Poppy's going to be there, right?" Bruce asks like it's obvious and the pieces slot into place. They thought he was distracted because Poppy was going to be there to see them off?

"Oh. Not really," Branch shrugs. He turns back around when he sees their expressions shift, smiles dropping while they share confused glances. Branch figured it would be obvious why he was so quiet but maybe that was a bit presumptuous of him. He's been eagerly spending as much time with them as he could these past few weeks despite how obvious they were about their plans to exclude him. He guesses his silence now could be seen as a little odd, all things considered.

They don't say anything else for the rest of the trip. At least not to Branch. He hears them muttering but he doesn't try to listen in or even turn his head to look back again. He does his best to keep his eyes straight ahead and tune them out. Before he knows it he can see the large burgundy body of the hot air balloon growing steadily larger in the distance and the dread burrowed in his gut spikes. This is it. 

John Dory lets out an impressed whistle, "It's bigger than I expected," he admits but he sounds excited about it. It hadn't even occurred to Branch that his brothers wouldn't really be familiar with traditional Pop Troll transportation anymore. Branch offers a noncommittal hum and scans the area around the balloon's basket for a splash of pink. He spots her quickly and some of the hurt in his chest dissipates. He can breathe a little easier knowing that she's here.

It's only a few moments before Poppy notices them, Viva a bundle of energy at her side. Pink eyes find them from across the clearing and a smile breaks out across Poppy's face like the sun after a rainstorm. She bounces on the balls of her feet and waves excitedly, calling a loud hello instead of waiting the thirty seconds it would take for them to reach her. Branch can't help but chuckle, shaking his fondly with a roll of his eyes while John and Bruce yell back their own greetings. Viva rushes over at top speed, twirling around Clay before falling into step beside him like it was second nature. She's rambling excitedly about something that Branch doesn't have the energy to try and follow but Clay is smiling brightly and nodding along.

"Hey," Poppy greets him softly, sliding up to him and gently grasping the front of his vest so she could pull him in for a swift kiss. Her eyes scan over his face and a frown tugs at her lips, "Are you okay?" She whispers, ducking in close for some semblance of privacy.

Branch tries to offer a reassuring smile but it feels bittersweet and tired, "As good as I can be," he sighs, lifting a hand to rest it softly over hers, "Better with you here." He confesses and bumps their foreheads together. She smiles, though the worried furrow between her brows remains. Branch wants nothing more than to smooth out the creases, chase away the concern she's wasting on him, but he knows that there's nothing he can do to convince her that he's fine. She wouldn't believe him even if there was.

She presses another quick kiss to his cheek before pulling away to properly greet his brothers, sharing a few warm hellos, "So, is everyone all set?" She looks between them, hands on her hips, like she expects them to have luggage despite the fact that they arrived empty-handed. She doesn't wait for a response before she turns on her heel and gestures to the small grassy hill next to the balloon that would give them easy access, "You guys should have plenty of room and there's a bunch of blankets if it gets cold, I also packed a lot of snacks just in case you got hungry. Oh! And there are some games--" "Okay, okay, sounds great Poppyseed," John interrupts, eyes wide when he realizes that Poppy had no intention of stopping her ramblings. He raises his hands in an attempt to slow her down, "What about a manual?" He presses curiously, the shock bleeding away to a fond amusement that made Branch's heart pang.

"Here," Branch reaches up into his hair and pulls out the pilot's manual. He refused to give it back after Poppy'd thrown it out just a few months ago. It's been haunting him these past few days but he hadn't dared to forget it on the way out of the bunker. He steps forward and passes the thick volume to John Dory, trying not to look at his brother's grateful smile, "It's pretty extensive but you only really need to read the first and the fifth chapter for a quick trip." He clears his throat awkwardly, trying to keep up a lighthearted attitude

"I'll take that," Clay reaches over and plucks the book from John Dory's hands with ease, grinning as he completely ignores John's protests. Viva giggles by Clay's side and even leans in to get a better look at the manual while Clay flips through it to see the table of contents. Branch watches the two self-proclaimed Putt Putt Trolls and hopes that maybe Clay will come along when Viva inevitably decides to visit. Branch has come to really enjoy having another level-headed, fact-oriented troll around and one brother would be better than none. If he's lucky, which he can admit isn't likely, maybe Clay will even keep him updated on their other siblings.

"So this thing is all ready to go?" Bruce looks up at the large balloon, admiring the structure with muted curiosity. He doesn't look too interested but rather intrigued by something unfamiliar.

"Yep!" Poppy chirps, bouncing over to stand back and look with Bruce despite being well-acquainted with Pop Troll travel methods. She's already flown out to visit each of the other Kingdoms at least once since the end of the Rockapocalypse. "All the prep work was finished last night so all you need to do now is climb aboard." She explains with a curt nod, clearly proud of herself and her work.

"Well!" John Dory claps his hands together drawing everyone's attention back to him, "Sounds like that's that then, let's get this show on the road, huh?"

"We shouldn't drag this out any longer," Floyd agrees with a sad smile and a small nod. John moves first, stepping forward to ruffle Branch's hair before walking over to climb up the incline. He vaults over the lip of the basket easily and quickly begins looking around. Floyd follows after him, shuffling forward with a clear exhaustion weighing down his limbs. He walks right past Branch without even glancing back, hiking up the hill and accepting John Dory's help into the basket with whispered thanks. Branch swallows convulsively, trying to push down the lump growing in his throat. Did Floyd not even want to say goodbye?

A hand lands lightly on his shoulder and Branch turns around only to be wrapped up in Bruce's arms. Instinctively Branch hugs back, squeezing tightly and nuzzling into Bruce's comforting hold. Bruce's arms envelop him in a warm, secure embrace and Branch mourns the fact that he'll likely never get to feel safe in his brother's arms again. "It was really nice seeing you again," Bruce murmurs into Branch's hair with a soft sniffle.

Branch's own eyes burn but he forces out a small laugh, "Yeah, you too, man." He doesn't think he'll ever forget the joy he felt when Bruce first told them that he was a father. He was terrified and elated at the idea of being an uncle. Bruce pulls back and wipes his eyes, a bright and happy smile on his face before he, too, leaves. It's getting harder and harder for Branch to keep his expression neutral and he finds himself desperately wishing for Clay and Viva to make their leave before he starts to break again.

Clay, thankfully, steps in and pulls Branch into a side hug with the manual tucked neatly under his other arm. Viva detaches to go say her own farewells to Poppy and Branch is pitifully grateful for the modicum of privacy. Clay presses their temples together with a lop-sided grin, "Take care of yourself, okay?" He extracts himself quickly but also reaches out to ruffle Branch's hair like John Dory had and Branch doesn't even try to push him away.

"Yeah, you too." Branch tries to smile back but his world is starting to feel dark and desaturated again. He wonders if Poppy would notice. She insists that she can see his hues shift with his mood even when Branch himself couldn't tell. He wonders if she can see the color draining out of him the way it feels like it should be. Watching Clay turn away and stride confidently over to the balloon stirs something deep and anguished in Branch's chest and he stomps down the urge to reach out and ask them to come back. It was too familiar watching them leave and being powerless to make them stay.

Viva and Poppy wrap up their own muted conversation and share a tight hug before Viva rushes off after Clay. They climb into the basket together, talking excitedly about something or another, and it makes Branch's stomach churn seeing them all so content while his world crashes down around him again. He realizes with sudden and startling clarity that he has to say goodbye. He can't let them leave this time without saying something.

He scrambles forward before Poppy can make her way back to his side and looks up into the basket with wild eyes. Floyd spots him first and his merry expression drops immediately but Branch speaks before Floyd gets a chance to question him. "I know it probably doesn't mean much," Branch starts hesitantly and has to take a calming breath when his brothers' attention shifts unwaveringly to him. "But I'm going to miss you guys." John shares a confused look with Bruce and Clay while Floyd's frown only becomes more pronounced. Floyd moves back towards the edge of the basket with a shake of his head.

"What do you mean? Of course it means something," Floyd assures softly, leaning over the rim to better meet Branch's eyes. Floyd's scanning him over and it makes Branch feel exposed.

Branch tries to laugh it off, rubbing the back of his neck nervously, "I guess I wanted to make sure that you knew this time." He cringes the second the words leave his mouth, "That came out wrong--" He immediately tries to backtrack before he ruins any chance he has at ever seeing any of his brothers ever again.

"Back up," John Dory cuts in, appearing at Floyd's side, "Why is this starting to sound like goodbye?"

Branch freezes, dumbfounded, and blinks up at them. His anxiety is drowned out quickly by his confusion, "..isn't it?" He asks only to be met with two startled faces. Branch cranes his neck to look at Bruce and Clay so he can see if they're as confused as he is but they look just as upset as John and Floyd do.

"Hey, Viv, maybe we should give them a second." Poppy chimes in from somewhere behind him and he watches distractedly as Viva climbs back out of the balloon and walks off somewhere with her sister. He's sure he'll be grateful to Poppy for this later but right now he's just trying to get his thoughts sorted. Why were they so shocked? Did his brothers really think that he was that oblivious? He wasn't blind, it was easy to see that they were keeping him away from their important conversations.

John Dory hops over the rim of the basket and lands neatly in front of Branch, "Why in the world would this be goodbye?" He asks urgently. There's something desperate in his eyes that Branch can't quite discern but he doesn't understand why they're the ones making such a fuss about this. He was the one who had a right to be upset but he was trying to let them go.

Branch tilts his head and scoffs, sparing a glance at the hill where Bruce is carefully helping Floyd back out of the balloon before turning his attention back to John, "Aren't you guys leaving?" He raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms to keep himself from fidgeting with the hem of his vest. John Dory gestures to him frantically, making an exaggerated noise of disbelief before turning to the others like they could possibly help him.

"Yeah, for now," Clay looks at Branch like he's grown a second head and it was really starting to piss him off. What right did they have to be so flabbergasted? They were the ones who made plans to ditch him, not the other way around. This wasn't his plan.

"Where in the world did you get the idea that we weren't coming back?" Bruce adds on, asking the question that was apparently on all of their minds as he lowers himself down from the edge of the hill to drop down beside John.

"It's not like you've been subtle," Branch snarls, taking a sick pleasure in how his brothers jump away from the sudden tone shift. Good. If they wanted to play dumb they deserve to face the consequences. "You've been here for almost two weeks and every time I happen to walk into the room the conversation dies. A few days ago you were talking about just how much room Vacay Island and the Golf Course have for everyone without even a single mention of Pop Village. Are you kidding me! Why the hell would I think you were staying?" Recognition is blooming across Floyd's face and he can see the realization dawning for Clay like it was happening in slow motion. The green-haired troll's eyes widen just a fraction and his mouth drops open into a soft oh and it'd be funny if it wasn't because Branch had known all along that they were planning to abandon him again. He was so tired of being thrown away like he was nothing and they had the audacity to think he was too stupid to catch on? Maybe Poppy was right and he should just cut his losses and accept that they didn't want him in their lives. He was better off without them anyway.

"You got it all wrong!" John reaches out and places his gloved hand firmly on Branch's shoulder but Branch jerks back with a growl. There wasn't any guilt on their faces but instead a soft, bitter understanding that was starting to make Branch feel cornered. He was getting real sick of being left out of the loop.

"Branch, please, just let us explain," Floyd implores. Branch huffs, glaring, but some of the tension falls away at his brother's plea. Floyd looks at him with desperate lilac eyes that are starting to fill with rising guilt and Branch loathes to see his kind-hearted sibling so hurt. He doesn't want to cave, he wants them to deal with how they've hurt him and feel the weight of their actions, but it's Floyd who's asking and that's enough to break his resolve. Branch waves a hand with a sharp exhale, silently urging them to continue before he changes his mind.

His brothers sag with visible relief and John Dory quickly scrambles to take the reigns once more. "We thought you were uncomfortable," he tries to explain and his face his twisted apologetically with such genuine regret that Branch wants to believe him. "Whenever we started talking about our plans for after we went home you'd start to get all fidgety or you'd just kind of…"

"Leave," Bruce finishes off. John Dory's eyes flick back to Bruce before nodding.

"We thought that you didn't want to talk about it, which feels really stupid in hindsight." Clay admits with a disappointed sigh. Like he's realizing he should have known better but he'd been so caught up in the moment that it hadn't even occurred to him.

Branch can only stare at them in disbelief, waiting for one of them to laugh and tell him this was some sort of stupid joke. "Are you serious?" He seethes, paws closing into tight fists that shake at his sides. "The first few days you guys only talked about how eager you were to go home," Branch had been a bit flighty at first and, in the beginning, his heart would jump into his throat every time they started talking about how excited they were to go back to their lives. He was scared. Scared to lose them, scared that despite everything they just went through for each other it still wasn't enough to hold them together, and he didn't want to ruin their happiness with his own catastrophizing. "You laughed in my face when you thought I wanted us to be in each other's lives and you think I'm jumping to conclusions thinking that this is the last time I'm going to see you?"

Floyd looks horrified. Branch realizes that there's a decent chance that Floyd didn't know about that part. "Branch, I'm moving to Pop Village." Floyd says in lieu of any empty comforts he could've offered. What's done is done, they couldn't take it back.

"What?" Branch breathes, hesitant joy bubbling up and peeking through the anger still burning bright in his stomach.

Floyd smiles and it's bright and contagious, drawing similar expressions from their brothers, "I wanted it to be a surprise but after everything I really don't want to go back to Mount Rageous. I still need to talk the details over with Poppy but I wanted to move here to be closer to other trolls again. To be closer to you." Floyd looks like he wants to close the distance between them and Branch is glad that he doesn't. There's a tentative trust being built but Branch is still wired from the roller coaster this conversation has become and he's sure that one wrong move will send him tumbling.

"I'm coming back with him to pick up Rhonda but I plan to stop by often now that I know where this place is," John Dory gestures back the way they came towards Pop Village. It's plausible, it's all plausible, but Branch is still hesitant to believe them. He doesn't know what he'd do if all these reassurances were empty and meaningless.

Bruce steps forward slowly, raising his hands in surrender when Branch takes a hasty step back. His face is soft and open when he speaks, "I'm sorry we weren't really thinking, Branch. And we never should have implied that we didn't want to be a family again. We were frustrated and angry and tensions were high but adding everything up it's not too hard to see how you came to these conclusions," Branch wonders if this is what a dad voice is. He never met his father and he never really had the kind of friends that would introduce him to their parents. He imagines that this is what Bruce sounds like when he soothes his kids and tells them that everything is going to be alright and that makes something small and broken buried under his ribs yearn. "We want you to visit too, B. I want you to come to Vacay Island and meet your nephews and niece." "And I'd love to show you around the Golf Course!" Clay chimes in brightly, eyes shining with unshed tears that contrast with the fond smile on his face.

"Have you seen your bunker? You'd be amazing at camping." John Dory agrees warmly.

"We just got you back," Floyd murmurs but it's loud in their close proximity. "I don't think any of us want to say goodbye."

Branch feels the last of his protective anger drain out of him and sucks in a shaky breath. He smiles, uncertain and thin, but it seems to be enough to reassure his brothers. "Okay."

"We're really sorry, Branch," Clay insists, blinking away the wetness in his eyes and staring over at his youngest brother with blatant worry, "We really just weren't thinking, man. We never wanted to exclude you or make you feel like this was it."

"It's okay, really, I have a bad habit of overthinking this kind of thing," Branch sniffs, trying to be casual despite how his heart was still racing. He was already upset that he'd accidentally made a big deal out of nothing but it was admittedly nice to be reassured so sincerely. It soothed his frayed nerves in a way that was strange but welcome.

"It's not," Floyd disagrees quickly and Branch startles, "It's not, not really, but we'll have time to make up for it, okay?" And isn't that everything that Branch ever wanted? He'd wanted more time and miraculously they're giving it to him. Maybe this isn't the end, maybe it wasn't time for goodbyes after all. His heart starts to calm and a fragile hope begins to bloom where the anxiety was nestled under his sternum.

"Yeah," Branch nods, his smile shifting into something lighter, "I'd like that."

John reaches forward and snags Branch by the wrist, tugging him forward before Branch could even think to ask what was going on. John Dory's arms wrap around him in a bone-crushing hug, "I'll be back, got it?" He says firmly into Branch's hair. Branch nods into John Dory's shoulder, arms raised with shocked uncertainty. He gives in after a few beats and hugs his brother back as tightly as he can.

Branch lets the hug linger, grasping tightly to the leather of John Dory's vest until the contact starts to make his skin itch. He detaches himself stiffly, shaking out his arms with an awkward chuckle, "You guys really should get going, though. You're burning daylight." It still hurts to see them go but it feels different than it had before.

"That's probably for the best, huh?" Floyd agrees, reaching out a hand to Clay in a silent request for help that the older troll quickly jumps to oblige.

Branch uses the time it takes his brothers to hoist themselves back into the basket to compose himself. These past few weeks have been incredibly jarring and he thinks that he's seen enough of his emotions for the next few months but… it's also been surprisingly rewarding. He turns to scan the treeline hoping to spot a flash of pink but he doesn't even have to go looking before Poppy and Viva pop into view already making their way back over. They had to of been watching from a distance but Branch is confident that Poppy would have dragged them far enough away that they couldn't have overhead anything so he's not worried.

Viva bounds back over to the balloon and practically tackles Clay in her dash over to him. They immediately start talking quietly and this time Branch can admire their dynamic without any clouds of resentment hanging over him.

"You got this thing figured out?" Branch asks. "Totally. No need to worry," Clay assures, raising the manual and wiggling it for emphasis. Branch is glad that there's someone on that thing who'll actually read the instructions.

"I'll see you around, then, I guess." Branch smiles.

"Soon," Bruce promises.

With that they cut the ropes holding the balloon down and start the ascent into the open air. Branch and Poppy wave with vastly different levels of energy and their siblings wave back. There's no pit in Branch's stomach as he watches them get further and further away and no crushing sorrow when they say their goodbyes. It's not goodbye this time, not really, it's see you later. That makes him feel lighter than he has in days.

"You're looking blue," Poppy admires at his side, slotting her paw into his like it's meant to be there. You're looking happy, she means.

"I am." He admits quietly and is surprised to find that he means it.

[daenerys-targaryen]

I actually won’t stand for any right where you left me slander because friends break up, friends get married strangers get born, strangers get buried trends change, rumors fly through new skies but i'm right where you left me matches burn after the other pages turn and stick to each other wages earned and lessons learned but i, i'm right where you left me help, i'm still at the restaurant still sitting in a corner i haunt cross-legged in the dim light they say, "what a sad sight" i, i swear you could hear a hair pin drop right when i felt the moment stop glass shattered on the white cloth everybody moved on i, i stayed there dust collected on my pinned-up hair they expected me to find somewhere some perspective, but i sat and stared right where you left me you left me no, oh, you left me no you left me no choice but to stay here forever you left me, you left me no, oh, you left me no you left me no choice but to stay here forever. did you ever hear about the girl who got frozen? time went on for everybody else, she won't know it she's still 23 inside her fantasy how it was supposed to be did you hear about the girl who lives in delusion? break-ups happen every day, you don't have to lose it she's still 23 inside her fantasy and you're sitting in front of me at the restaurant, when i was still the one you want cross-legged in the dim light, everything was just right i, i could feel the mascara run you told me that you met someone glass shattered on the white cloth everybody moved on help, i'm still at the restaurant still sitting in a corner i haunt cross-legged in the dim light they say, "what a sad sight" i, i stayed there dust collected on my pinned-up hair i'm sure that you got a wife out there kids and christmas, but i'm unaware 'cause i'm right where i cause no harm, mind my business if our love died young, i can't bear witness and it's been so long but if you ever think you got it wrong i'm right where you left me you left me no, oh, you left me no you left me no choice but to stay here forever you left me you left me no, oh, you left me no you left me no choice but to stay here forever

[starsaroundmyscarsblog]

What would this blog be, without a Taylor-inspired one shot?😄

Right Where You Left Me

Summary: Marc Breaks Your Heart and Leave You Haunted

Marc × reader

Warnings: Angst. Like a shit ton of it. I may have almost cried. Also implementing some lines (sort of) from sad romance songs.

Part II is up BTW - its called happier x happier

Friends get break up, friends get married Strangers get born, strangers get buried

Trends change, rumours fly through new skies

But I'm right where you left me

Today was supposed to be a happy day. You hadn't seen Marc in months, as he'd been doing some private security work in Egypt, under his former officer Raul Bushman, and even though you were used to him being away months at a time, you still got nervous every time you were reunited, and today, especially, you could feel your heart pound.

As you reflected on it later, maybe at the time it had been your body's way of warning you. To turn back, stay in bed all day, not meet Marc at that little restaurant you both loved to go to.

He'd been acting distant for a while. And at first, you thought it'd just been a bad day. But then, a bad day turned into a bad week, and almost a month had passed, and nothing was the same. Whenever you texted him, Marc's answers seemed short, more calculated, like he was having to put effort into spending time with you when it should just come naturally. Still, you were positive that whatever it was bothering him, you would sort it out today when you saw each other. Your relationships had grown so strong because of your ability to talk and communicate with each other.

Matches burn after the other

Pages turn and stick to each other

Wages earned and lessons learned

But I, I'm right where you left me

You blew out the candles in your shared apartment, a lavender scent, bought just so you could make it smell nicer before closing your book and stretching. You had to hurry if you wanted to make it to the airport in time to pick him up. Then, onto the little café right next to the local Barnes and Noble. It was a tradition started when he first started going on tours with the navy. You'd always pick him up at the airport, and he'd buy you a new book, and you two would go to the café for drinks and to talk. In those moments, though the entire world was going by, it felt like all there was was him and his deep brown eyes.

After getting dressed, you headed over to your car and pulled out of the drive, leaving as early as possible. Marc didn't text you when he made landfull, but that didn't matter because you spotted him in front of the airport waiting anyway. You quickly parked and ran up to him, giving him a tight hug, but even though he hugged back, something felt different. You shrugged it off, thinking it was just you. He put his suitcase in the trunk, and climbed into the passenger seat next to you as you pulled out into the main road.

"So do you wanna drop your things home and change, then go to the café, or go there first and maybe get lunch on the way home?" You asked, looking out ahead, to make sure you were turning safely

"Do we have to go to the café today?" He asked "I'm not really feeling it."

You were a little surprised by Marc's answer. Normally he was the one suggesting you go. Thinking he was just in a grumpy mood, you encouraged him

"Oh, come on, it's tradition."

"Fine." He sighed, his reaction hurting you a little, even though you acted like it didn't. Finally, you pulled up to the café and entered, Marc following suit, the comforting smell of cinemmon and coffee warming your heart.

Help, I'm still at the restaurant

Still sitting in a corner I haunt

Cross-legged in the dim light

They say, "What a sad sight"

You made way for the little booth in the corner by the window, where you always sat, since Marc liked to watch the world go by. You smiled at him as you sat down, though he didn't smile back. 'Maybe he didn't see it...' You thought, before one of the waiter's came up to you, asking what you wanted

"Can I have a hot chocolate please?"

"Sure. What about you sir?"

Marc was staring out the window, completely deaf to the waiter's question

"Marc." You shook his arm a little.

"What?" His eyes flickered between you and the waiter "Oh, sorry. Gimme a coffee please."

The waiter went off quickly.

That was weird. He normally got the same as you. Hot chocolate.

I, I swear you could hear a hair pin drop

Right when I felt the moment stop

Glass shattered on the white cloth

Everybody moved on

Marc didn't make any conversation like he normally did, so you decided to sart. You asked him about his time in Egypt, but his answers were short, so after the waiter delivered the drinks, you changed the topic onto yourself, feeling a little awkward. You were just telling him about work when he burst out:

"I met someone."

Time stood still.

I, I stayed there

Dust collected on my pinned-up hair

They expected me to find somewhere

Some perspective, but I sat and stared

"What do you mean?" You asked, though you knew what he meant.

"I met someone," he repeated, slightly louder "In Egypt. Layla. Her name's Layla."

You felt the tears forming, but you wouldn't let them fall. Not now. He couldn’t see you weak.

"How long?" You asked, just stirring your hot chocolate carefully

"What?"

"How long have you loved her. When did you figure it out?"

"Y/N" Marc sighed, leaning back "It doesn't matter."

"Marc, if I'm going to give you up forever to another woman, I deserve to know how long you've loved her."

He sighed again

"I don't know. I didn't plan this," he replied, saying the last part hurriedly."I met her through work, and then, you know, we kept spending more time together -

"And you forgot about me."

"Y/N it's not that simple."

"Isn't it? Another woman came along, and I wasn't important anymore."

"That's not true. It's just different with her."

"How?" You asked."How is any different Marc? Does she sacrifice her sleep and comfort you when you have nightmares or panic attacks? Did she sacrifice a job to be closer to you? Did she sacrifice her dreams so you can live yours? What's so different about her, Marc?"

"Because, the way I love Layla, I can't love you!" He finally snapped, though not loud enough for everyone to hear him.

You couldn't speak. You couldn't move. It was like there was this heavy, depressed weight over you, ridding you of any power.

"And I appreciate everything you've done for me. I'm sorry, Y/N. But you deserve better... Someone who can love you better."

He moved to hold your hand, but you moved away from him, haunted. Frozen.

'I deserve you.' You wanted to say, to scream it out. 'I've been there for you through everything. Not Laila.'

Right where you left me

You left me no, oh, you left me no

You left me no choice but to stay here forever

You left me, you left me no, oh, you left me no

You left me no choice but to stay here forever

Marc stood up, his coffee still untouched. A part of you knew this would be the last time you saw him. But you couldn't move. You wanted to. Hold his hand, bring him back to you, and make him forget Layla. But, you knew, in the pit of your desperate little heart it was. Over.

"I'll my things from the apartment tomorrow."

You couldn't even respond, but your eyes went blurry. He took the keys, got his suitcases out of the car, and returned them to you, almost hesitating.

"Y/N, I-m

"Just go. Please Marc. Just go."

So he did.

You stayed in that café all morning, all afternoon, all evening, all night. The world came and went. And everything was still there. The coffee Marc had gone cold. Yours had been finished earlier in an attempt to console yourself.

If it wasn't for the fact that they had to close at 11, you would have stayed there all night too. You didn't want to go home. You didn't want to face the mind-numbing emptiness of your apartment right now, but you were the one paying for it, so you might as well.

You drove home in silence, parking your car next to your building, before taking the lift up to your floor. For some reason, before you turned the door, you had this strange hope. That Marc would be there, making dinner, that it had all been some terrible but dream, but as you stepped inside, you were faced with the fact that this wasn't some typical nightmare, but your new reality, and so for the first time all day, you let yourself crack, and the tears roll down.

Did you ever hear about the girl who got frozen?

Time went on for everybody else, she won't know it

She's still 23 inside her fantasy

How it was supposed to be

Did you hear about the girl who lives in delusion?

Break-ups happen every day, you don't have to lose it

She's still 23 inside her fantasy

And you're sitting in front of me

A few days after Marc had gotten his things (which had been done with his spare key while you were at work, which he had left on the doormat) you had turned down all the pictures framed of you and him on the shelves and kitchen counter. You didn't have the heart to throw them away. You wanted to, but just couldn't. Your friends had tried to cheer you up, take you out to parties, or introduce you to new guys, but nothing worked. The parties were packed with people, but you found them empty and lifeless, and the dates paled in compared to Marc. Your friends eventually grew tired of hearing that you missed him and told you to "just get over him." But it wasn't that simple. Marc Spector wasn't just another guy. He was your solar system; your universe. There'd never be another him

At the restaurant, when I was still the one you want

Cross-legged in the dim light, everything was just right

I, I could feel the mascara run

You told me that you met someone

Glass shattered on the white cloth

Everybody moved on

So you ended up at the fateful café where Marc broke up with you. You didn't know why. It was where he shattered you in two, but you had also had some of your happiest memories there. When he told you he liked you, then loved you. You could see it now, the dim light reflecting off his bright eyes. It was perfect. Life with him was perfect.

Help, I'm still at the restaurant

Still sitting in a corner I haunt

Cross-legged in the dim light

You revisited that café every day, for you don't know how long. Days, weeks, months, maybe even a year. You were so caught up in him. You couldn't help it. You had never been so happy. Never will be again. Sometimes, when it was dark or rainy, you thought you saw him leaning against a streetlight opposite the café. But then you blinked, and nothing was there. You wondered at that point who you were looking out for by coming there. Why were you at that stupid little place? He didn't go to it anymore. Because of you. He wanted a new life. With someone else. You were the past. Layla was the present. Had your future with him been a lie?

I, I stayed there

Dust collected on my pinned-up hair

I'm sure that you got a wife out there

Kids and Christmas, but I'm unaware

'Cause I'm right where

I cause no harm, mind my business

If our love died young, I can't bear witness

And it's been so long

But if you ever think you got it wrong

A few years had passed, and you were still there. You were sure Marc had moved on by now. Sure, he and Layla were married. Were happy. Maybe she was expecting. Sometimes, you imagined it had been you. You he had chosen to love above everyone else. You hadn't found anyone new. Even though you had tried, it was almost like you were still waiting for him. In case he came back. To you.

I'm right where you left me

You left me no, oh, you left me no

You left me no choice but to stay here forever

You left me

You left me no, oh, you left me no

You left me no choice but to stay here forever

But you knew you would always be there. The world would come and go. Dynasties would rise and fall. People would be born and live, break up, and marry, right here in this quaint little shop. But you would stay here, forever in pain, while Marc spent his forever in love.

[roselandsrl]

Help I'm still at the restaurant

Still sitting the corner I haunt

Crossed legged in the dim light

They say what a sad sight

[sleepisaturn]

right where you left me

PAIRING—steve rogers x avenger!fem!reader

SUMMARY—Steve finally askes you out for a dinner date but as you sat patiently at the restaurant, where was Steve?

WARNINGS—angst, steve being a jerk, no happy ending, kinda more focused on reader

A/N—idk if this is considered a song fic but some of the lyrics of Taylor's song is written in-between paragraphs so...

part 2 still a wip!

Matches burn after the other

Pages turn and stick to each other

Wages earned and lessons learned

But I, I'm right where you left me

The warm lights of the restaurant were supposed to make you feel cozy but contrary to what you were feeling, you felt anxious, nervous and everything all at once. It's been more than thirty minutes and Steve was still nowhere to be found. The agreed time was 7 pm and it's already close to 7:40. The slow pouring rain made your situation much more gloomy.

The anxiousness became worse as more minutes passed, Steve wasn't answering any of your texts or any of your calls. Your breathing got heavy as you clasped your hands together trying to keep your cool, deep down you were feeling scared that something bad happened to Steve. You didn't think much about what people might think of you at the moment, a beautiful woman who's sitting miserably at a cozy restaurant; alone. All you could think about is—where's Steve?

Help, I'm still at the restaurant

Still sitting in a corner I haunt

Cross-legged in the dim light

They say, "What a sad sight"

It was supposed to be a fantastic night for you because finally your long time crush Steve Rogers, Captain America finally asked you out on a date though from everyone's perspective you were totally in love with the man. You wouldn't deny that, you fought with him, bled for him and almost sacrificed everything you had for him. It was obvious but maybe not to him. You are undeniably, truly, completely and unconditionally in love with him.

You're a beautiful woman, that's what you believed but it did catch you off-guard that Steve suddenly asked you out on a date. Who wouldn't? But you've been his friend for years and you believed for the longest time Steve was always gonna love one woman and that being the one and only Peggy Carter or maybe his actual ex-girlfriend who he broke up with almost a year ago, his first love's niece, the impressive and beautiful agent Sharon Carter.

You felt pure euphoric happiness and countless butterflies danced in your stomach, it felt like a million fireworks erupted in your heart when Steve decided to ask you out. You remembered every part of that day, that night—that second that he dropped the ball and asked you the million dollar question like it was yesterday, well it was actually yesterday.

[ flashback ]

" report's suck don't they? "

" and here I thought being Captain America would excuse me from the paperwork " Steve chuckled as you sat beside him with your own reports.

" oh please your hobby is reading reports "

" I never said I liked writing them "

" well I guess were the only responsible ones here seeing as you have Natasha's pile and I have Tony's "

" more time to spend with me " Steve smirked as you breath a nervous laugh as his words caught you off-guard

" my, my Captain America being cocky? "

" don't deny it, you love my company sweetheart " Steve responds as he confidently holds your chin between his pointer finger and thumb, tilting it slightly as he makes you look at his breathtaking blue eyes. Your breath hitched momentarily.

You scoffed, turning away from him not believing Steve was actually being flirty with you.

" oh yes because everybody's dying for your presence, Oh? Mr. Rogers, would you please sign my chest? " You asked while doing a slightly higher pitched voice, you didn't want to make Steve think he can just play with you. You played along with his flirty antics as you suddenly opened your jacket making Steve choke on air which was your plan. You weren't wearing a revealing top but the action definitely caught Steve off-guard.

You laughed like an old man, having difficulty breathing as you laughed at the expression Steve did after your little stunt, his red face made you laugh uncontrollably and made you a coughing mess.

" you're not gonna win whatever game you're playing Rogers " You said as you went back to your reports, calming yourself from the laughing while Steve coughed to catch your attention once more.

" What if I wasn't playing a game? "

" Then what's with the random flirting Captain? planning on trying those moves on someone? "

" yes actually, you " He replies with no hesitation, you would've laughed if it wasn't for the serious expression he wore.

" —would you give me the honor of taking you out on a dinner date? " Steve continued as you fell silent, internally you were screaming and your heart immediately beat faster than normal as his words found your ears.

" Yes ... YES! of course " You reply with a smile, and seeing the wide grin on his face made you blush madly.

I, I swear you could hear a hair pin drop

Right when I felt the moment stop

Glass shattered on the white cloth

Everybody moved on

I, I stayed there

Dust collected on my pinned-up hair

You catch yourself smiling as you remember the events of yesterday's evening. You reminisced the comfortable silence that happened after, wide grins as the two of you did reports you didn't want to but the worst news came as you opened your phone that had a notification from Natasha. You smiled momentarily as you saw her name flash on the lock screen but your face fell immediately as you read the words she sent.

she's back

Those words made your legs feel weak as more anxiety filled your mind and your heart felt like it was slowly being chipped away by the tools used in carving stones.

please tell me it's not who I think it is

yup, Sharon's back and she went to Steve like she did nothing!

is Steve with her?

You hesitantly typed, scared of what the answer to the questions that naturally floated in your head might be. Different thoughts came to mind but you didn't want to judge Steve, he would never ditch you for his ex, not without informing you first in case he did. Wouldn't he?

Yeah ... He's with her, I'm sorry

Natasha answered, making you shut your eyes hoping everything was a dream and that the special blue dress you wore wasn't for nothing. Your eyes felt teary just as a waiter went to you asking if you needed assistance in which you replied with one bottle of wine, please. You hoped that maybe Steve would come to you after he talked to Sharon, that is if that's the only thing he was doing with her. That tiny hope ran out as you've realized you've been sitting at the cozy, warm restaurant alone and pathetically for three hours straight, you've finished the red wine long ago. Now, you just sat quietly and glanced outside where the rain stopped and the streets shined as the countless puddles reflected the street lights and shop signs.

You stayed there until the staff had to ask you to leave unless you actually ordered a meal but you didn't have the stomach to eat anything as you were just ditched by Steve, Steve the golden boy just ditched you for his bitch of an ex-girlfriend without even telling anything.

Right where you left me

You left me no, oh, you left me no

You left me no choice but to stay here forever

You left me, you left me no, oh, you left me no

You left me no choice but to stay here forever

You hailed a cab quickly after exiting the restaurant, you couldn't just walk in your state. You weren't drunk but you were probably tipsy enough to trip over nothing. The elderly cab driver dropped you off in front of the tower. You held your heels in one hand and your coat hanging loosely on your shoulders. The guard immediately let you in as he recognized you. You were sadly met by nobody inside the compound as you entered, not Steve—nobody. You knew Natasha went out for her nightly jog while the others you thought were just busy doing their own stuff.

You contemplated whether or not you'll confront Steve tonight. A couple minutes passed as you sat on the couch of the living area of the tower, your thoughts consuming you as you sat silently.

With a huff of a breath you stood up, shrugging your coat as you walked barefoot on the cold floor of the tower. You pressed the fifth floor where Steve's room is located, the ding of the elevator distracted you from your thoughts.

At the restaurant, when I was still the one you want

Cross-legged in the dim light, everything was just right

I, I could feel the mascara run

You told me that you met someone

The sound of your heart shattering was all you could hear as you watched the view In front of you—Steve and Sharon fricking Carter making out. Steve was kissing Sharon Infront of his door as she was about to leave when he heard the elevator open and there you stand, looking gorgeous in a silk blue dress. You stood pathetically in a blue dress that you wore for what would've been your date with Steve but instead you see him kissing another woman.

You momentarily spaced out, you didn't know what happened after but suddenly Steve was Infront of you and Sharon was nowhere to be found.

" Y/N! " Your eyes snap to Steve as they were previously gazing on the floor.

" So yesterday was really just a game huh? " You asked with a laugh even as your heart broke more that it already was, even if you knew that it was Sharon who owned his heart. You confidently looked at him straight in the eyes with your teary ones.

" Y/N I—Sharon was just here and she wanted to get back together and to be honest I still kinda have feelings for ... her " Steve tried to explain, failing as he saw the disappointment on your face, he knew it was an asshole move to ditch you but Sharon just knew how to keep him from leaving, to pull him back into their own little world.

He did genuinely like you, he did but Sharon made him think that she's the one, the only woman who'll truly make him happy and he stupidly believed that. His mind desperately believed Sharon and him were meant to be, that the break up was just a test on their relationship even as his heart silently shouted your name. He just didn't see how perfect you were for him.

" of course, it's always going to be her, she's perfect—she's a Carter after all " You brokenly said, sadness and jealousy evident in your voice. A bitter tone encasing your words as you felt rage.

" I liked you , I really do, you're a beautiful woman but Sharon is just ... and you’ll find someone better than me " Steve said while trying to hold your hand but you turned away completely giving him a cold shoulder.

" I understand perfectly Steve, you owe me no loyalty and that's okay—I guess I just expected more from you " your voice low as all your disappointment and heartbreak was put into words.

" No, i-its, I know that was not respectful of me to just leave you hanging and ditching our date but Sharon was just suddenly here and then she just kissed me and I—I caved, look I know this looks bad but— "

" Again, it's my mistake to have high expectations and if you'll excuse me I had a whole bottle of wine so I feel a bit sleepy, goodnight Steven " You replied as you quickly turned away from him and wiped the tears that threatened to fall.

“ Y/N … shit “ you heard Steve mutter as you entered the elevator but you ignored his words as you felt so close to breaking down, maybe you fell for him more than you realized as you felt like your heart was shattered to a thousand pieces.

I'm right where you left me

You left me no, oh, you left me no

You left me no choice but to stay here forever

You quickly walked out on Steve, the elevator ride felt like forever and as you unlocked your room you immediately dropped down on the floor. A deep sigh came out of your lips as you rested your head on the large metal door of your room, tears immediately escaping your eyes.

" how could I be so stupid!? God! , you just had to fall in love with someone like him huh? yes, how could little ol' me be ever good enough for the great Captain America, Sharon’s just perfect so—perfect and she’s beautiful ... she's gorgeous "

" How could Steve not love her? "

You talked to yourself hoping Steve wouldn't hear it with his super hearing ability. You sat and stared at the ceiling questioning how stupid it was to actually think Steve was a perfect guy, well not perfect but you at least expected that he wasn't a jerk like the other guy's you've dated.

You didn't know how long you stayed on the floor crying as you felt intense heartbreak, ironic that he wasn't even yours to lose, but you stayed there crying your heart out—probably longer than the time you spent waiting at the restaurant.

[hvghes]

right where you left me ft. tyler duke

Friends break up, friends get married strangers get born, strangers get buried

tyler and his childhood best friend had finally gotten together during their first year of college. they both attended osu together it being both of their dream schools. she attended every on of his games and he attended all of her events. she was a smart girl always getting awards and he never missed one of them. she helped him study to maintain good grades and he was her emotional support.

Trends change, rumors fly through new skies

everything was perfect. the first year of college was one of the best, especially since tyler finally got the courage to get his girl. but towards the end of his hockey season there were rumors of tyler transferring. the young y/n never wanted to bring it up because tyler would never leave. but little did she know the rumors were true.

Help, I'm still at the restaurant still sitting in a corner I haunt cross-legged in the dim light they say, "What a sad sight”

every saturday night was date night. the two were at their normal go to diner for a date. celebrating the good of the end of Tyler’s season. as much as y/n didn’t want to bring up the rumors it was eating her alive.

“ty, are you transferring to umich?” and he paused midway of eating setting his utensils down looking down. that was enough for her answer. she got up placing some money on the table before leaving. she was about to lose the man who taught her what real love was.

You left me no choice but to stay here forever

tyler came by to her dorm the next morning to talk. “look i don’t want you to give up your dreams just because i am moving. osu was always your dream school since we were both little. yes it was mines but my main dream was to play hockey with dylan. you’re my world y/n but i don’t want to be in the way of your dreams. we’re over.”

Did you hear about the girl who lives in delusion? breakups happen every day, you don't have to lose it

she tried her best to continue going on with life. during her second year her grades slipped. she stopped caring about school. she stopped caring about herself. she still went to the diner every Saturday night in hopes he’d be there one day.

I, I stayed there dust collected on my pinned-up hair

she couldn’t bear going to any of the hockey games. although she became friends with some of tylers old teammates, she still couldn’t pull herself together to go. they felt awful. they knew how hard the break up was. what she didn’t know that tyler would ask them how shes doing. he felt terrible. his old teammates didn’t sugar coat her state she was in. they were honest. tyler went through the worst being away from his girl.

And it's been so long but if you ever think you got it wrong I'm right where you left me

sophmore year was coming to an end. so was hockey season. but of course the one year of tyler and y/n being over ended up on the day where umich was in town for a game. it was on a saturday night and y/n didn’t bother going. instead she sat in the corner booth where her and tyler shared their first kiss, where he took her on their first date, where he officially asked her to be his. where all their happy memories laid until the rumors of him leaving was confirmed. thats when the once happy corner booth turned into a nightmare. she hadn’t realized how long she was there until one of the workers who always served her and tyler found her sleeping and asked her if everything’s alright. to which she said everything was fine and paid for her bill and as soon as she got up to leave she saw him. her person was here for the first time in way too long.

tags: @drysdalesv

[lionheartedmusings]

whatever you do don't think about q!jaiden post-bobby's death and "right where you left me"

friends break up, friends get married strangers get born, strangers get buried trends change, rumors fly through new skies but i'm right where you left me matches burn after the other pages turn and stick to each other wages earned and lessons learned but i, i'm right where you left me help, i'm still at the restaurant still sitting in a corner i haunt cross-legged in the dim light they say, "what a sad sight" i, i swear you could hear a hair pin drop right when i felt the moment stop glass shattered on the white cloth everybody moved on i, i stayed there dust collected on my pinned-up hair they expected me to find somewhere some perspective, but i sat and stared