#And also he broke up with me twice both times so that he could persue someone else (one of whom was his bff’s just broken up ex boyfriend)

[butchratchettruther]

Thinking about how comedically bad nearly all of my partners have been

[aaronhart93-archive]

Discord II Broken Glass

Discord thread featuring: Aaron and @wtf-eden

Mentions: @romanbeckett @davieslandon @jayceelynd

Where: Aaron’s penthouse

When: a couple days after the Pride party at Throuple

Description: Aaron tells Eden that he is in love with Roman 

Trigger Warnings: blood/injury 

Aaron:

Aaron walked into his room from the kitchen where he grabbed the pair a bottle of wine and two crystal wine glasses. Aaron only kept the best china around. He smiled when he entered his room and looked over at Eden. He was genuinely happy she was here. The businessman had text her to come over and Eden appeared at his door in no time. It was so simple with her. She made things easy. She wanted to be with him and he wanted to be with her. Not only that, but he wasn’t hurting anyone else when they were together, and they could be happy without causing anyone else pain. They were just Aaron and Eden. Aaron down leaned and kissed her on the shoulder. He had a lot to talk to her about, but he needed a glass of wine first. He walked to his nightstand to open the bottle and pour them each a glass. Handing it to her, he took a deep breathe. “Thanks for leaving so soon the other day. It was important for me to go sort things out with Landon. You’re honestly incredible for understanding.” He said, a light smile appearing across his face.

Eden:

Eden had made her way to Aaron’s home in lightning speed when he texted her. It wasn’t that she didn’t like being at her own home, but she did prefer to be at his house more. Not only was he there but everything at his house was nicer. A bit cozier. Now, Eden sat in his bed, scrolling through her Instagram when he had went out to the kitchen. At his return, she dropped her phone down into his lap to give him her attention. “It was no trouble,” she promised. “I had to run some errands anyways. Like grocery shopping.” She said rolling her eyes as she took her glass from him. She sipped from it quickly, “So? Did you get it all sorted out with him?”June 8, 2020

Aaron:

He was sat down on his bed, cross cross applesauce and was turned to face Eden. “Grocery shopping?” Aaron raised his brow. He’d had almost always had his groceries delivered to him unless he was making a last minute trip. His two exes had both been more or less middle class and he had went with them before, which was one of the many times that Aaron’s privilege hit him hard in the face. He clearly did a lot of growing from his adolescent years. “Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods?” He asked like it was the most important question in the world. He huffed and ran his hand through his lock. “No..well... things are still uncertain with us.” He took a very long chug of his wine, knowing she was about to ask him the details of his fight with Landon. Cmon Aaron. You can do this.

Eden:

Eden laughed, sitting up a bit more, and pulled her own legs in to sit criss cross as she looked at her — partner? They weren’t labeling it boyfriend and girlfriend, but Eden had no idea what she was supposed to call it if people asked. “Yeah, grocery shopping. One of the worst adult things to do. I hate it.” She said with a laugh. Of course, like anyone, Eden loved the feeling after grocery shopping when her house was full of fresh ingredients, but didn’t like going to the store or unloading it into her pantry. “I’m more of a Trader Joe’s girl. Hope that doesn’t turn you off too much.” She joked, pushing his shoulder lightly. She tilted her head towards him, “Well, what’s going on with the two of you? What was the fight about anyways?” She questioned, as she brought her wine glass to her lips once again.

Aaron:

“I can respect it.” He mused. “I get mine from Whole Foods. I could always have my guys deliver you groceries if you actually hate going grocery shopping.” Aaron loved buying pretty people expensive things. He was the stereotypical wealthy man when it came to that. Aaron took another swig if the wine he poured for himself. It was nearly game already. He would most likely also need to address his budding alcoholism with Eden too, but he knew that that conversation would be far easier than this one he was about to have. Mostly because all of this was entirely his fault. He should have backed off of Roman the minute he found out about his relationship to Jaycee and Landon. He’d hurt them and now he was about to hurt Eden. But he couldn’t not tell her. She’d find out anyway, and he was done keeping secrets from people like a coward. He drank from the wine glass again, this time finishing the drink completely. “Well, you remember that other person I told you I liked? It’s Landon’s ex. Considering landon and I are best friends, it’s been causing some issues between us.” He scratched his head, unsure of what to say next. Even though I told him i was exclusive with you and that I’m not pursuing things with him.” Yes, he just used that pronoun. “So now I’m just really unsure about mine relationship with Landon.”

Eden:

The girl let out a soft laugh, "I don't mind Whole Foods, I just prefer Trader Joes." She admitted. There was nothing wrong with going grocery shopping, but the hassle of doing so was a pain. Of course Eden could probably hire Instacart or some sort of app like that to do it for her, but it hadn't ever crossed her mind to do so. "You get groceries delivered to you? Wow, what a rich boy thing." Eden teased, taking another sip from her wine glass. "But, I might take you up on that offer next time I need groceries." Eden wasn't sure what Aaron had been fighting about his friend with, and she wasn't sure what the next words to come out of Aaron's mouth would be. "Ah, I see. Sounds very much like girl troubles." Eden teased, knowing it was usually girls who got defensive over their exes dating their friends. "Him? This other person is a him?" She didn't know the boy was bisexual, and she didn't have any problems with it, it had just surprised her. She herself had slept with people of the same sex before, but never had developed feelings for them. "So why is Landon making it such a big deal if he knows you aren't persuing it with this guy?"

Aaron:

Aaron nodded, and tried to keep himself from smiling like an idiot. "It is a rich boy thing. Maybe you can take me grocery shopping one day and show me what it's like on the wild side." he joked. "Anytime, just let me know and I'll send my guy." Aaron had a guy for just about everything. That was also a rich boy thing. girl troubles. Aaron had to keep himself from laughing. "Yeah." Aaron nodded. 'Coming out' was something that Aaron never thought he would have to do, even though he knew nobody would care. He didn't believe that people needed to come out of the closet anymore because he didn't believe there needed to be one. It was 2020. Truthfully, the businessman didn't really think twice about falling for Roman; he didn't care. He always knew sexuality was fluid and didn't care to label himself at all. "Yes." he nodded, sternly. "He's a he. And I'm sharing this with you because I wanted to keep whatever this is between us open and honest. I'd hate to have you find out through some third party." he took a deep breathe as his heart hit his stomach. "He's mad because it's more than just liking this man for me. I'm in love with him...and well, he's in love with me. Landon's mad because we didn't step away from it a long time ago..." he reached for the bottle and poured the rest of it in his glass. He was so afraid of what she was going to say.

Eden:

Eden grinned, "I don't know, rich boy. It sounds like you might not be able to handle grocery shopping. It is a lot of work, especially for your rich boy hands." One of the things Eden knew about Aaron was that he had money, and he wasn't afraid to flaunt it. Part of her wanted to see how he'd survive if all of his money was taken away for a day. She was sure he wouldn't make it two hours. It didn't upset Eden that this other person was a guy, honestly, she could care less about what Aaron's sexuality was. She wasn't even sure of her own sexuality, and that was okay. Eden nodded slowly as he spoke. She was glad that he was being honest and open, because if whatever this was they had between them was going to work, it was going to need to be honest and open. The two of them didn't have a healthy relationship past, and if this - not relationship, relationship - was going to work, they needed to be able to tell each other things. "Thank you for being honest." She told him, tilting her head just slightly as he spoke. Suddenly, Eden could feel her blood boil. He said on the roof just days prior, that he had feelings for another person, there was nothing about the forbidden l word mentioned. He - like her - wasn't much for relationships and feelings, or so she thought. But clearly she had been wrong about that. How could he not do feelings, yet become exclusive with her while being in love with someone else. She didn't want to be angry, really. He had warned her on the roof top about things that might happen when she decided to become exclusive with him, and she had made her choice. At this moment in time though, she was afraid she had made the wrong choice. "Love?" She said, barely audible. Her head couldn't wrap around the information that was laid out in front of her. She tried to remain calm, but felt herself squeezing the wine glass in her hand, but she couldn't get herself to stop. She was angry, there was no denying that feeling. "I get why he's pissed off." She muttered. Suddenly, the wine glass in her hand broke to pieces. Had she really been squeezing it that hard? She must have been. Eden had been trying to control her voice, that she had lost control of her hand, and now there were broken pieces of glass and drops of wine on Aaron's bed. A bed that probably cost more than her home. "Shit - I'm sorry." Eden stood up from the bed, ignoring that her hand had been bleeding just a bit from what had just occurred. "So - you're in love with this guy -- but you're exclusive with me? What am I to you?" She questioned as she paced along the bedroom floor, doing everything she could to avoid looking in his direction. "Am I a joke? Because I told you I don't fuck with feelings, and you got me feeling these kind of things, that I don't fucking understand. And now -- now you don't just have feelings for someone else, you're in love with them. I must look like some big fucking joke to you."

Aaron:

Aaron frowned. There really wasn't any bone in his body that thought he deserved to be happy at this point. Part of him wished that Eden would just storm out and tell him to go fuck himself. Maybe slap him across the face. Fuck, he really hoped someone would slap him across the face at this point. He knew the rage was coming, but he wasn't expecting her to break the glass. He jumped up from the bed as he heart skipped a beat when he heard the glass break. Dad mode, like always, kicked in when he noticed her bleeding. "Fuck..." he mumbled, reaching out to her to guide her to the kitchen. Before he could, she really laid into him. Yeah, she deserved to react this way. She had a lot of self-respect and anyone with self-respect would react like this. Eden wasn't a joke to Aaron; in fact he really, really liked her. He knew he fucked up when he didn't tell her the whole truth up on the roof, but the truth was he hadn't even admitted those feelings to himself yet. It had been years since Aaron had felt a romantic attachment to anyone and now he was feeling it for two people. The young man was confused, and he didn't know what to do with all the emotion he was feeling. "I'm sorry..." he muttered, but he was so concerned with the fact that she was bleeding to say anymore. That and he wanted to stall for time to think of something better to say besides a dumb apology. "Can I please take you to the kitchen to clean you up?" He wasn't even concerned about the china, even though the crystal was expensive. Crystal wine glasses could be replaced, and the hurt Aaron knew that Eden was feeling was fast worse than some broke crystal. "Please? We can talk in the kitchen after I clean your hand." he begged, reaching to place his hands on her shoulders and guide her to the kitchen. He hesitated at first to make sure that she would let him touch her.

Eden:

Eden didn't understand what she was feeling in this moment. In fact, she never understood what she was feeling when it came to Aaron. In reality, Eden probably should have decked him in the face and called it a day. But, something stopped her from doing just that. Maybe it was the way she had felt when the two laid in bed together, and talked till they fell asleep. Maybe it was the fancy dinners, but something told her to try and stay calm. It was probably those stupid ass warm fuzzy butterflies in her tummy. But how could someone do that? She had never felt a real romantic attachment to anyone - until she met Aaron. And now his romantic attachment was elsewhere, or so she believed. "I'm sorry? Is that all you can say?" She muttered. The girl brought her hand up to her face to really inspect it, it was bleeding pretty bad, but she wanted to get through this talk. But, she knew worse things would happen if she didn't clean her hand. Eden winced at the feeling of his hand on her shoulder, but sighed. "Fine, but we are not in the slightest bit done talking about this." Eden reminded him as they walked towards the kitchen. She didn't like to show emotion, not this way, but she knew there were tears streaming down her face. She could feel the warm wet splotches, which meant her make-up, the make-up she put on to impress him - was probably marking up her cheeks as they made their way to the kitchen.

Aaron:

The native New Yorker shook his head. He knew this conversation was far from over, and he knew he needed to say more than im sorry. Dad mode was just really taking over. “I have more to say, i promise. We can talk. I just.... your hands.” He looked down at her hand that was now bleeding pretty badly at this point. He’d normally be dealing with a screaming 5 year old, so he knew he could handle this. He brought her to the kitchen. And sat her down at the kitchen table, which reminded him...What was with glass being broken in his house lately? He turned to the cabinet to grab the first aid kit. The father rushed back over to her and positioned the chair in front of her. The brunette suddenly noticed her crying. Was she crying because she was hit by him or hurt by the glass? Hell, it was probably a mixture of both at this point. He was the cause of a lot of people’s pain. As he tended to her bleeding hand he looked at her puffy. His heart hurt. He had been the cause of this. Eden was so special to him, and she didn’t deserve to get caught up in this. Eden was the most beautiful and confident woman he had ever met. He loved staying up with her all night, talking with her, and he couldn’t wait for her to meet his daughter. Why had he treated someone so perfect so awfully? He fixed her up within a matter of minutes, knowing exactly what to do. “Now, adult band aid or Frozen bandaid?” He asked, holding up her two options trying to make light of the situation.

Eden:

Eden hated this moment. When she left her house to come over to Aaron's, she had expected the night to go a hell of a lot better. But now she ached, her hand ached, her body ached, even her heart ached. She didn't like what she was feeling, and this was the exact reason she didn't get involved with people. Things never went the right way for Eden, and for once she had felt like something was, only to be destroyed in the matter of days. Her red eyes returned to her hand, which had a lot more red than she had seen in a long time. Normally, if someone got hurt, she would take charge of the situation, she had spent most of her life planning on becoming a doctor, but now, she didn't want to take care of anything, so she was appreciative that Aaron seemed to know what he was doing. When he asked about the band-aid, a small smile broke onto her face. "Frozen, please." She told him, but then pouted again, "Don't make me smile when I'm mad at you."

Aaron:

A sly smile spread across Aaron’s face when she spoke. Maybe there was hope for this after all. He found it a little ironic that he was a businessman fixing up a future doctor’s wounds. He nodded, trying to wipe the smug smile off of his face by biting down on his lip. “There.” He said, placing few Frozen band aids on her hands where the deepest wounds were. “The doctor getting doctor’d.” He mused sitting back in his seat. He looked over at her and noticed her makeup running down her face. She was still so beautiful even with mascara down her face.  He gentle took a tissue to pat her eyes. “I’m sorry, Eden. I never meant to hurt you.” He finally said, frowning. “I want to keep things going with us. I like the way this is. I like you.” He tried to smile. “I like the way you don’t give two fucks about what anyone has to say. The way you walk, your tiny voice, how you hold me at night. I could go on. Roman...he just came out of nowhere.” Oh shit. Was this the first time he was actually telling Eden who this other man was? He didn’t actually mean to spit Roman’s name out. It just kind of flew from his lips. He wondered what kind of reaction she would have about that. He assumed they were friends. At least, he knew they knew each other.

Eden:

Eden didn't enjoy the fact that even though she was mad at him, he could still make her smile. "Thanks, doctor." She said, a small smile on her face, but quickly even that faded back to seriousness. Eden wanted all of this information to go away, everything seemed so simple on the rooftop at Throuple. Nothing too complicated, and since that day, all had been smooth sailing. Sure, it hadn't even been a week yet, but Eden enjoyed what they had. She didn't want it to be complicated by this person that Aaron was in love with. She knew her breath was shaky, that he probably felt that as he patted her cheeks dry. She couldn't imagine what she looked like in this moment, probably some wack job that after tonight Aaron would never want to see again. "But that's the problem. You like me. You love him. Those are two very different words, Aaron. What if I was in love with you? Then what would you do? You can't be in love with two different people." She very much knew that you could easily be in love with two people, but she didn't want to admit that. Her cheeks became pink as he spoke about her. She had a list just like that of the things she loved about Aaron. But she wasn't about to go listing them off for him, right now, he didn't deserve that. Her mind then processed Roman's name. "Whoa - hold the phone, you're in love with Roman?!" Eden was filled with sadness. But not so much for herself, but for Roman. She had run into him at Throuple and had told him all about how her and Aaron had become exclusive on the rooftop. How foolish could she be? She didn't have a ton of friends in Kingsboro, but she surely considered Roman as one. Now this, this broke her heart. Roman was fabulous, she knew it, and clearly Aaron did too, if he was in love with him. Eden jumped up out of the chair she had been sitting in and once again returned to a pacing state. "Roman Beckett? There isn't no other Roman I know of. I'm thinking of the right one, yeah?" Her small body desperately wanted to drop to the floor and just cry, curled up in the fetus position. If she was home - home alone, that would be exactly what she would have done. The girl was strong, especially in front of other people, but there was only so much information a girl could take in at once. "I can't believe this." She said, rubbing her head as she paced back and forth. "How did I not know this?" Part of her didn't even realize she was talking out loud, she thought she was talking in her head. "Why would you want to keep this going if you're in love with Roman?" She whispered, feeling the tears starting up once more.

Aaron:

Aaron had really regretted telling Roman those three words. While it felt good to get off this chest, the hurt he had caused other people hadn’t been worth it. Aaron had always been the protective type since his daughter was born. He felt that part of his purpose in life was to keep the people he loved safe. He never wanted to be the person that people needed to be protected from. Aaron very knew that he could definitely be in love with two different people. He wasn’t in love with Eden but he was certainly falling for her, yet his feelings for Roman remind unchanged no matter how hard he tried. It pained Aaron to know that he was the cause of her tears and when he felt her quivering, his heart only aches more. “Morning is going to happen with Roman, Eden.” He could see how upset she was. He wanted to pull her in for a hug, but he wasn’t sure if he was in the place to be holding her. He wasn’t sure if she wanted him, the person causing the tears to hold her. That was a hard question. He did want to be with Roman, but he couldn’t deny his attraction to Eden either. Not to mention, he couldn’t be with Roman. “Roman and I will never be, Eden. It’s not possible. I’m moving on from him.” He didn’t really answer her question. “I like you, Eden and I hate that way I’m making you feel. But I’m not going to pursue anything with Ro. We’re staying friends, but I don’t want to be just friends with you.” He said with pleading eyes.

Eden:

Part of Eden wanted to grab her bag from Aaron's room and storm out, never to see Aaron again. But the other part of her, the bigger part of her, wanted to stay. There was no denying there was a connection between her an Aaron, and even if he was in love with someone else, he had made a commitment to her. He agreed to only see her and to only have sex with her, and she knew that was a big deal. She knew it was a big deal on her end, for her to agree to only have sex with him, but for him to agree to it - while being in love with someone else - was an even bigger deal. She came to a halt in the middle of the room, turning on one foot to loo at Aaron, "You're moving on?" She sighed, bringing her good hand up to her face, wiping away the few tears that were stinging her eyes. "I hate that you're making me feel like this too," She admitted, "I really fucking hate it." Eden let out a shaky breath, walking back over to Aaron, and slipping her hands into his. "You promise you're moving on? Because I can't do this relati---," She caught herself before fully letting out relationship, "I can't do this exclusiveness thing if you aren't. I need to know you're in this one hundred percent." It was hard enough for her to commit to someone, but to be commited to someone like him, this was going to be a roller coaster.

Aaron:

Aaron knew that Eden did not have a good history with her past relationship. And he hated that he was proving her right. Things were way too fucking complicated at this point, which was the whole reason he hated relationships to begin with. “I’m moving on. I really am. Roman has a girlfriend. I’m exclusive with you.” His eyes widened a little bit before she stopped herself from labeling what they were as a relationship and was relieved when she stopped herself. Something he could handle right now was calling Eden is girlfriend. “I’m in this, Eden” He was telling the truth. He had come to terms a while ago that he couldn’t be with Roman, and it was slowly starting to become normal for him. “We can take it really slow. Lord knows, I need to take this slow. But my feelings for haven’t changed at all, Eden. They’re genuine.” Ew, he was getting to mushy but he couldn’t help it.

Eden:

There was reason why Eden hated relationships. They were complicated and messy, never have they been worth it. But Aaron, Aaron was worth it. She would put 110 percent into this exclusiveness, but in return she wanted at least 90 percent back in return. The two were exclusive, but there was no label attaching them, so it was hard to explain it. She kept nodding as he spoke, taking a moment and leaning her head to his forehead for a moment. She let out a quivering breath, “They better be, because — you’re not going to hurt me.” She pulled back from his head once again, “But — if I hear you aren’t moving on— and there is shit going on between you and Roman behind my back. Then this is over. You have one fucking chance, one.” She told him.

Aaron:

Aaron couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Eden was really something special. The fact that she could put up with all his bullshit, but at the same time really assert herself and what she wanted out of Aaron. “I’ll give you my all.” He told her. He wasn’t sure if he believed the words himself, but he really really wanted to. Even though she was completely serious, he couldn’t help but smile. “The fact that you’re giving me a second chance really just proves how much you my like me.” He sing-songed as he grabbed her non-injured hand to kiss her palm. “You’re fucking incredible.” He mused.

Eden:

She wasn’t sure what was going to happen between her Aaron. But she knew if she didn’t peruse this, she would regret it later on. She needed to know what the feelings she had for Aaron were, and if it meant she’d get hurt in the process than so be it. “You better.” She relaxed her shoulders when he kissed her hand. “I know I am incredible. My word of advice to you is don’t fuck it up.” She said, pressing her lips to his for just a moment, “I should go clean up the glass in your bed.” She reminded him, heading back towards the bedroom,  “Again, sorry about that.”

Aaron:

If anything, this conversation had left their 'relationship' pretty uncertain. Then again, it wasn't really super certain to begin with anyway. He couldn't help but smile when she told him not to fuck it up. There was the Eden knew he so well. "Just sit. I'll clean up." he said, guiding her to the couch. It was the least he could do. After all, he was the cause of the broken wine glass. "You don't have to be sorry. I'll be right back." he said, sliding down the hallway to clean up the expensive crystal that was all over his floor and bed.

[erikismybitch]

Waiting In Vain : Chapter 10

Safe Again

Marley could breathe again. This new apartment smelled like fresh paint and the Endless Weekend candle she lit on her shiny new kitchen counter. Next to her new Kitchenaid stand mixer that Becky gifted her . She had come over to lend a helping hand . Help her organize things and catch up. The two of them laid down in her living room on her new area rug . It’s where her couch would go as soon as she bought one. The door was wide open and allowed the breeze to come through. The two movers Marley picked up at a local hardware store were moving heavy things in and out of the rented Uhaul. She didn’t have many things to fill the apartment yet, but it was hers . She couldn’t afford to furnish the entire place right away. That would take some time and a few extra shifts at the bar. Marley was in no rush, she would lay in her empty living room for a year . As long as it was her living room .

“Aren’t you glad to be out of that damn hotel?” Becky roller over on her belly to face Marley who did the same.

“It wasn’t that bad , it was kind of nice to have a maid clean up for me” Marley went back down and spread her arms and legs like she was making a snow angel. Becky laughed at her silliness . “But, I’d rather clean up my own shit any day”

“I still can’t believe you got your dream apartment”

Marley got up completely and looked around the room. Their voices were so hollow. “I have no idea how I got in here. When I applied they said they had a long waiting list” she shrugged .

“The other people must have not fallen through” Becky got up too.

“I know , they just called me a few days ago and told me I got the place”

Marley felt like a weight had been lifted from her chest . All the bad that had been happening to her, something had to give . After college she moved into a small studio, shortly after that Trey moved in with her . The studio had gotten too small for the both of them so they found a bigger place. Then they broke up and Marley moved in with Tiana. So this was Marley’s first place on her own. It was perfect , hardwood floors and light grey paint . The landlord gave her full permission to puncture the walls so the opportunity for framed art would be endless . The living room had huge windows that looked out onto the street. She couldn’t wait to put ceiling to floor curtains in them. Crown molding was in each room . Her bathroom was a vintage dream . Black and white oyster tile and a freestanding tub. Marley’s room was what she loved best . It was the last door down the hall . She had bay windows and a nook that she would fill with pillows and books . All that occupied the room now was an air mattress, she had to purchase a bedroom set .

Before the two girls got too restless , they decided to go out and buy groceries for the apartment. Marley wasn’t big on eating out , she enjoyed cooking and it always saved her money. After the two movers finished, Marley paid them and left . At the grocery store Becky pushed the cart as Marley loaded it almost to capacity. Becky was chatting to her about how Pedro wanted her to cook dinner every night since they’ve been married . Not only that but he had turned into a major slob, expecting her to do everything for him. Cleaning up his mess, washing his clothes and even picking up his dry cleaning .

That’s one thing Marley was afraid of when getting married. Giving her all to someone , for them to turn out to be someone else . Just like Becky did , Marley had dreams of living the perfect life with a husband and kids . Though, she would never say those words out of her mouth to anyone. Never seeing a model of a perfect marriage all her life, she thought it didn’t exist . But a girl could dream, right ?

“Have you tried to talk to him about it?” Marley asked , the duo began loading the conveyor belt with the groceries.

“Not really , I’m hoping he will see how unhappy it makes me” she told her .

“You have to tell him, you can’t just expect him to know Becky “ Marley put the last few items on the belt and went to the register to pay . She greeted the employee and brought her attention back to Becky .

“I don’t know how to” she admitted .

“Whenever it comes up for you , just tell him how you feel”

Becky got quiet , maybe she was thinking of a good time to express her feelings to Pedro . Marley paid for all of the groceries and they loaded them back in the cart . They did the same with the trunk of Marley’s car and got inside . “I don’t know when I should tell him” Becky started going on again about her issue . Marley looked out of the drivers window and rolled her eyes . She felt is was a simple fix , it was nothing to keep going on about. She was greatful for Becky being her friend , but she was starting to get on her nerves about this . Becky kept saying the same things about Pedro over and over , it had gotten to a point where Marley felt as if she was talking to herself about it . She just gave Becky a few “yeah’s” and “that’s crazy” when Becky would get to a point . Not really listening anymore.

Marley’s window was facing the Grocery store , so she could see everyone who walked in and walked out . Even Trey , who walked into the store with a blonde woman holding a baby. Marley shifted up into her seat , she squinted her eyes to be sure . It was the back of them, but she knew for a fact that it was Trey.

“What the hell?” She mouthed quietly, Becky didn’t even hear her . It wasn’t some coincidence that they had walked in at the same time , but he pushed onto the small of her back to move her away from a bystander. Marley reached to unbuckle her seat belt , she didn’t know what for . Her first instinct was to coincidentally run into them . But like a saving grace... her cell phone rang . A number she remembered from a week ago, one that she had been too chicken to call on her own . It was connected to the car already when she answered.

“Hi Erik” Marley smiled, as if the person on the other end could see her . Becky was surprised at her friends sudden change in mood , and also surprised at who she was talking to.

“What you up to?” His deep voice came through the car speakers , Becky nudged her friend for not filling her in on the situation .

“I moved into my new apartment today, so I’m out getting a few things”

“You got a place?” He sounded genuinely happy for her.

“Yeah, and it’s the place I was telling you about when we talked last” Marley’s shameless smile never faded.

“Call me later, when you get settled”

“Okay” Marley’s pitch was a little too high , it tickled Becky and she started to laugh at her . As soon as she hung up the phone she let everything out .

“Was that thee Erik!”

“Yes” Marley hid her face behind her hands. Her friend pulled them away

“Why didn’t you tell me about this?”

“About what?” Markey cut on the engine and played coy , Becky gave her a serious look .

“I didn’t want you to know , in case things didn’t work out”

“ There is no denying the chemistry between the both of you . We all seen it at the club that night . Hell, it’s obvious that he likes you” If Becky hadn’t been there to correct them ,Jazzy and Asia would’ve assumed that Marley and Erik were an item. That small moment outside was that intense.

“I mean... have you seen how fine he is, a guy like th-”

“Marley have you seen yourself!” Becky yelled with passion, so much so that it surprised Marley “Do you know how many guys come up to me at the bar asking about you ?”

“Shut up Becky”

“I swear”

Marley pulled off and out of the parking lot , thinking about what Becky said . Maybe she was being too hard on herself . If Erik kept persuing her, obviously it was something he liked. Deep down she couldnt help but feel like second best when it came to him. Erik did not chose her first and that always sat in the back of Marley’s brain.

“So these guys at the bar” Marley began to speak again . “Were they cute?”

The both of them chuckled. “Some were cute, some were hideous, but none of them looked like Erik” Becky answered.

“Do you think this is a good idea?”

“I’m all for anybody that makes you smile the way you just did”

Marley scoffed in embarrassment. He have her those school girl feels, this is what frightened her most . Erik was bittersweet right now. All these feelings and all he did was call ...twice . There was no substance for their relationship... or friendship as Marley thought , because intentions weren’t clear . Of course she knew that they were sexually attracted to eachother , but with these feelings , she hoped for it to be more than that .

And those feelings almost made her forget about seeing Trey at the grocery store . She shook the negative thoughts of him off , Erik somehow had the ability to make her forget logic. There was no more Trey in her life since she left his house . Unless he had a clone walking around , that woman and baby couldn’t possibly be his . Where were they ? Especially during those weeks she lived with him ? Marley chuckled for even thinking something that far out .

[fatrainbowmermaidunicorn]

Happier (Taehyung x You ONESHOT)

A/N: This is one of the first requests in my inbox and im sorry it took this long to write this. I just got inspired last mightt. sorryy love youuu

A/N : And also, I’m trying a new thing here. if anyone here like my stories and want to give some support, why not buy me a coffee? ☕💜

MASTERLIST

Walking down 29th and Park I saw you in another’s arms You look happier

“Hey, woah slow down Tae. How many glass have you drank?” Jimin snatched his glass away and Taehyung smirked.

“Oh come on Chim. Its a party. A happy occassion! Shouldnt we be happy too? Let me drink!” He growls and tries to get his glass back but Jimin pull his hand away.

“How long are you going to be this way? Are you going to get drunk everytime you remember her? Everytime theres a couple? A wedding? An engagement? Anything thats reeks happiness or reminds you of love?!”

“Yeah. I am! So what?!” Taehyung growls and sneered at his friend, trying to find another glass.

“Get over her already Kim Taehyung!” Jimin yelled. “Get over Y/N!”

“I cant. Not when she looks so happy in another man’s arm. No one should be able to make her happy like that except for me Chim! No one!” Taehyung sighed and slumped down on the chair.

“But you are the one wbo blew it Tae. Its your own damn fault and you got no one to blame,” Jimim rubs his friend’s back. He knows how heart broken Taehyung is but theres realy no one else to blame but himself. “Now man up. Its a party and you wont ruined it just because you cant see anyone else happy and in love!” Jimin growls and shakes Taehyung’s shoulder. “Shes happier now and you should be happy for her, and thats that,”

Saw you walk inside a bar He said something to make you laugh I saw that both your smiles were twice as wide as ours Yeah, you look happier, you do

Its only been a few months after their fateful breakup that Taehyung saw Y/N again. He saw her in her favorite scarf and beanie, fighting the cold weather, her nose and the tip of her ears slightly pink. Taehyung loves that look on her. He always teased her about it when they were together. Without realizing, his legs has taken him into her direction, wanting nothing more than to tap her shoulder and tell her how much he misses her, but Taehyung never get the opportunity when clumsy as she is, she bumped into someone the moment she walked into the bar, spilling the glasses of beer the man is holding. And before he knows it, the two of them are talking and laughing to the wee hours, the man’s friends forgotten and Taehyung sat alone by the corner, just staring at them.

His last memory of hers… her crying face, her eyes thats filled with pain.. now is replaced by the wide smile on her face, laughing at something the man said. If only Taehyund had walked faster. If only Taehyung grabbed her hand first before she enters the bar, if only she wasnt clumsy. So many ifs but everything is too late when all he can see now is Y/N’s big grin that matches the man as they exchanged phone numbers.

If only he could turn back time and treat her right.

Ain’t nobody hurt you like I hurt you But ain’t nobody love you like I do

Y/N and Taehyung has been together for almost 10 years. Well, they will be 10 in a few months and Y/N loves him like no other. Dating an idol was never easy. Especially if the said idol is extremely well known and good looking and she is just a normal girl. Its fate they met and fall in love. Y/N had refused his invitation for drinks multiple times when they first met, but Taehyung was relentless. He keeps showing up and asking her out, and who in the world could resist Kim Taehyung’s charms when he decides to put it to good use on someone. So, after months of persuading and convincing, Y/N finally said yes to a coffee date.

A simple coffee date turns to talking all day long. They laugh, they share their interests, they shared stories, and they even continued their coffee date to a night walk by the Han river which they ended up sitting and talking until the break of dawn. As Taehyung walks Y/N home, he finally finds the courage to ask for her phone number and one simple coffee date turns to lunches, movies, walk in the parks, dinners and on their 10th date, Taehyung finally asks her to officially become his, which Y/N said yes to without hesitation.

Taehyung and Y/N are madly in love, and eventhough they were not allowed to date in public, that didnt seem to stop them as their love for each other burns quite strongly. Y/N believes that no matter what happen, they can take it, just as long as Taehyung continues to love her.

Nine years they have been together. They are in love and happy and Taehyung couldnt have asked for more. Y/N is understanding, beautiful, smart, sweet and everything else he ever wanted in a girl, but Yerin came like a summer breeze in his comfortable winter with Y/N. Hr met when Yerin, a rookie idol, was casted as one of the model for their music video. She is fresh, young, charming and new and for some odd reason, out of the sevem boys, she seemed to be interested in him. Yerin didnt know at first, to the world Taehyung is a single man, and by the time she found out that Taehyung is in a long term serious relationship, she has already fallen too deep in love with him,amd a girlfriend wont stop her efforts in persuing Kim Taehyung.

Relentless and determined to make Taehyung hers, she become his dream girl, his one place to vent about work stress… or when he has fight with Y/N. Tiny unimportant arguments turns into bigger fights led Taehyung to not coming home for days. And Yerin swoop in to take the opportunity and on one drunken night at a bar listening to Taehyung vent about the fights led to sleepless night in her bed, doing things he shouldnt have. One night turns to many, once a week turns to almost everyday and soon enough Taehyung is convinced that he is in love with Yerin too.

So Y/N becomes a punch bag. A person to release his anger on when he got into a fight with Yerin. When he is jealous about Yerin’s intinate closeness with her co star. Smiles and sweet nothings are only whispered in Yerin’s ears and only harsh words of insults and yelling are left for Y/N.

Nine years theu have been together. Ten in a few months, and Y/N knkws something has changed in her relationship Taehyung. Is it her? Did she do something? Did she changed? Is that why Taehyung hates her so much?

Tears dripped down on the cold floor as she kneeled down to pick up the remains of the food that she worked so hard to cook as a surprise for him and scattered pieces of the broken plate that Taehyung threw on the floor earlier before storming out. Just because she asks him where he had been when she calls the dorm and the boys said he were not there. Just because of that one question, Taehyung pushed down everything on the table to the floor in rage before storming off, not coming home for the next three days. Dont even get her started on the harsh words Taehyung said to her every day, cancelling on date nights for no reason at all even when she is already fully dressed and pushing her away when she tries to kiss him. Y/N starts to keep to herself, crying herself to sleep whenever Taehyung stormed off or didnt make it home for the night, keeping quiet when he is around, afraid anything she said will set him off, all the while trying to think of the mistake she did that seems to make Taehyung to stop loving her.

But no matter how she tried, she doesnt know why. Y/N was almost convinced that maybe Taehyung’s love for her has expired. Maybe love does have an expired date after all. After all, they have been together for nearly 10 years, maybe he is bored of her already.

Then one fateful day, when she decides to come home early from work, she finally found out why.

The red stilletos placed neatly in front of the door is definitely not hers. But even with a panic rising in her chest, Y/N tries to reason with herself. Maybe one of the boys comes over to visit Taehyung and brought their girlfriend with them. Yes, that could be it. But the dim lighted house when she entered and the trail of clothes leading to their bedroom are making it hard to believe the reason she just came out with.

The noise she heard as she neared the room is making her thoughts came true and the sight she sees when she pushed open the door slightly confirmed everything.

Y/N covered her mouth with both of her hand as she stood there watching her boyfriend thrusting in and out of a woman she has never seen before. Their loud moans and being lost in pleasure distract them from seeing her there, and with tears running down her face, Y/N turned around and went out from the house, eliminating all traces that she has been there and witness the whole thing.

Maybe its a one time thing. She can forgive a one time thing right? Everyone make mistakes and Taehyung is only human. He loves her. Taehyung still loves her.

Atleast that is what she keeps tellimg herself as she comes home hours later, pretending like nothing happened.

Y/N’s hope and trust that its a one time thing broke into pieces when she starts to caught them multiple times, everywhere. Even worse when she caught Taehyung talking to the girl on the phone, and texting her. Her heart shattered into pieces when she finally heard it. Taehyung’s hush voice, under the blanket.

“I love you Yerin, goodnight angel,”

All this time Y/N pretended not to know that her boyfriend is sleeping with someone else, in her own house too. She pretended not to know, hoping its just a fling, something Taehyung needed to get out from his system. She knows she can forgive him, just as long as he tells her he still loves her.

But telling the other girl he loves her? Y/N knew then that their relationship is over. And she knows just the perfect gift she could give to the man she loves, one last time.

Sat on the corner of the room Everything’s reminding me of you Nursing an empty bottle and telling myself you’re happier Aren’t you?

Why didnt he notice her smile that just didnt reached her eyes anymore? Or the way she goes to bed early? Or how she always refuses date night saying shes too exhausted? And her puffy and red eyes like she has been crying all night when she wakes him up for breakfast? Why didnt he see all that?

Taehyung took a swig from the already half empty bottle as he thinks about all the things he should have noticed. Things that showed Y/N already knows about his infidelity. Knows how he already broke her heart.Things he should have done. This is his usual routine whenever they dont have a schedule now, crawled into a corner at a nameless bar where no one would recognize him and drinks up one whole bottle or whatever bottle that he is sober enough to order next, thinking about his memories with Y/N. The good memories, the bad memories, and just memories of her. The way she walks, talks, laugh and smile. The way she always smell, of roses and vanilla, the way she needs to drink a cup of milk before she can fall asleep, the way she loves to dance in the rain. Every single thing reminds Taehyung of Y/N. So he drinks. He keeps on drinking until all theres left are hazy memories of her, and yet, when he wakes up after passing out at some alleyway the next morning, her face is always the first thing that appeared in his mind.

Taehyung shouldnt be this way. He shouldnt even feel this way. He shouldnt even be thinking about Y/N at all. Y/N has found someone new. Someone who can make her laugh better, smile wider, happier even, and she dont need him anymore. But why is it Taehyung needs her more than ever now?

Ain’t nobody hurt you like I hurt you But ain’t nobody need you like I do I know that there’s others that deserve you But my darling, I am still in love with you

“T-Taehyung?” Y/N’s sleepy eyes popped wide open when she realized who is at her door at 4 am in the morning, looking drunk as hell and disheveled.

“Baybeeeee,” Taehyung slurred as he stumbled into the door, trying to kiss her but Y/N avoided him.

“Tae go home. Its 4 am and you are drunk,”

“I-Im not drunkkk. I want to see my babybeee,” he giggles and stumbled into the couch.

“Tae…” Y/N sighed. “Just stay there. Ill make some coffee to help you sober up and then maybe you can go home,” Y/N make sure he is safe and comfortable on the couch before heading to the kitchen to make him the coffee and some snacks. By the time she came back, Taehyung is already fast asleep, drooling on her couch. She stood there in front of him, a steaming cup of coffee in one hand, looking at him sadly.

“I guess… we just have to talk tomorrow then. Sleep well Taehyung,”

/////

“Hey… how are you feeling?” Taehyung feels like he has woken up in heaven when the first thing he sees is Y/N’s face smiling in front of him if its not for the killer headache attacking his head right at that moment.

“Like dying,” he groans out. Y/N giggles at his answer and even then he feels his heart skipped a beat from the sound.

“I know. You are hangover. Drink this. It will help,” she pushes a glass of hot beverage in front of him and some pills. “And I made breakfast too. Eat up before you go okay,” the thought of Y/N making him breakfast sends his heart into a frenzy but then he remembers her next words, ‘before you go’ . Right. They are no longer together. He can no longer lounge and watch TV with her, legs tangling together after breakfast or his favorite, making sweet sweet love to her. Y/N belongs to someone else now. And he needs to go after he eats breakfast.

“Yeah.. thanks,” he takes a sip of the drink and swallow his pills. “I take it I was drunk and showed up at your house at late hours last night?”

“4 am to be exact,” she smiles.

“I’m really sorry Y/N,”

“Its okay Tae. It happens. I understand. Eat up and sober up okay? Your brothers must be worried about you,” she smiles again and start to get up but Taehyung stop her by pulling her hand.

“No. Theres no possible way that you can understand Y/N,” he looks at her straight in the eye. “You wont be able to understand how much I miss you, need you,”

“Taehyung, dont,” Y/N tries to shake her hand loose but to no avail.

“Please Y/N…”

“I-I dont know what you are asking from me. Taehyung we are over. I have met someone new now,” Y/N tries to shake her hand off again. “Tae… I’m happy with him,” Her words were like a blade to Taehyung’s heart. “You know I’m happy with him,”

“Y/N… I know you deserve to be happy. I know theres someone out there that deserves you more than me, that can treat you better, love you better…” he trailed off, hoping for a reaction.

Y/N just kept quiet, finally able to take her hand back after Taehyung let it go.

“But Y/N… give me a chance. You have loved me before. You can love me again. I will treat you the way you really deserve Y/N. Please…,” Taehyung begged, his eyes wide. “Y/N… I still love you. I am still so in love with you. I cant forget you. I cant move on from you,”

“Tae… please dont do this,” Y/N sniffles, tears threatening to fall down. “You know I love you before Tae. You are everything to me,” she cups his face. “But its over. You didnt choose me. So I chooses someone new Tae. And this breakup is the only gift I could give you,”

I could try to smile to hide the truth I know I was happier with you

“Happy anniversary Kim Taehyung. I cant believe its our 10th year together now,” Y/N smiles at him and Taehyung smiles back. God, he misses that smile. So beautiful. A smile that never fails to make all his bad days turns good again. That smile that never leave her face no matter how bad Taehyung treated her all this years. Abandoned her, keeping her a secret, yells at her, making her a punching bag, push her around, hurt her… everything bad he did, she only replied with that smile.

Why am I so stupid? Taehyung thought to himself. He already have the perfect angel bestowed upon him and all he do is take her for granted and hurt her. I’m never going to make her cry out of sadness ever again. Ever. I’m going to make it right this time. Who am I kidding? No one will ever be able to make as happy as she is. Y/N is the only one for me. Forever and always. I’m at my happiest only when I’m with her, and I’ll keep it that way.

Yerin was a mistake. He never loved her. He realized that now. Everything he did with her is out of lust, and blinded feelings. Y/N deserves better. Y/N is the only girl for him and he knows that now. Taehyung just hopes that he is not too late.

“Happy anniversary baby,” Taehyung closes the gap between them and hold her hand. He leans in to give her a kiss but Y/N titlted her head, avoiding it, making Taehyung confused. “Baby? Everything okay?”

“Everything is more than okay. Its great even,” Y/N smiles again, but her smile is sad this time. Taehyung furrowed her brows. Whats happening? He starts to panics when tears starts falling down her cheeks softly, but the smile still etched across her face.

“T-then why are you crying baby?”

“N-nothing. I’m just going to give you your present okay?”

“Okay. But wait!” Taehyung reached on the table and take the gift box that he had wrapped so carefully. “Open mine first. Its not much baby but I promise everything is changing starting now. That present is just the beginning,” he grins, knowing Y/N couldnt possibly understand what he is talking about.

“I…” Y/N looks down, not moving to take the box. “Just… I want to give you my present first okay Taehyung?”

“O-okay then baby. What is it?”

“I’m afraid its not something material,” she smiles. “But I know you will love it,”

“Really? What is it baby?” Taehyung smiles warmly at her. “Whatever it is you are giving me, I will like it anyway. Because it came from you,”

Y/N smiles and didnt say anything, moving closer to him and take his hand, her thumb carresing the back of his hand before the other carressed his cheeks. Her eyes look into his deeply, as if trying to remember his face one last time. Taehyung feels panic rising in his chest but keeps on smiling.

“My gift for you Taehyung, is a bit special. Since its our 10 years anniversary,” she looks down for a moment before lifting her eyes to look back into his, glazed with tears. “I’m giving you your freedom,”

“What do you mean? What freedom?”

“I’m breaking up with you Tae,” Y/N smiles softly, tears are again cascading down her cheeks.

“Breaking up?! What?! Baby no! I-���

“Listen to me!” Y/N raised her hand to stop him from talking. “I’m breaking up with you Tae, so you dont have to. I know about you and Yerin and I also know about how long it has been going on,” Taehyung felt all the blood is gone from his face as he tries to grab Y/N’s hand but she flinched away. “I’m giving you freedom from me Tae. So you dont have to cheat anymore. Go to her,”

“Baby no! I’m sorry!” Taehyung is also crying now. “Baby, I swear. Its a mistake. I-”

“Its not a mistake when it has been going on for more than a year Tae,” Y/N gave him a small smile. “I can see your face Tae. Your exhaustion whenever you are with me. How forced you feel when you have to come back to me when all you want is to be with her, right? Its alright. This is my final gift to you. You dont have to feel bad anymore. And I wont put this against you,” Y/N nods and pulls out something from behind the couch, her luggage that Taehyung recognized so well. He recognized because they bought it together. The stickers on it a reminder of all the places they have been together, creating memories, but now all torned up, leaving the surface if the luggage empty. Is she throwimg all their memories away?

“No. No! I’m not letting you go! Y/N, I’m sorry. I know. I know my mistake is too huge to be forgiven, but give me a chance to redeem myself. Just dont leave me, plesse baby,” he pleaded, begging desperately.

“I cant do that Tae. Every night when you didnt come home I cried in my bed, my head spinning, thinking if you are with her tonight. Thinking if you are doing the things you used to do with me. Are you happy with her? Are you sleeping soundly in her arms? I cant do that anymore Tae. I’m sorry but I cant,”

“I swear Y/N. Its over. Its really is over! Its you. You are the one I want. The one I love!” Taehyung tries to pull her back when she tries to wheel her luggage out the door.

“Tae.. I keep on thinking, wondering. Is there anything else that I could have done, that I should have do to prevented you from doing it… but I cant think of anything. I have given you my everything Tae bur its not enough,” Y/N sobs. “I realized it now. Im not enough. A-and this is the last thing I can give you to proof how much I love you,”

“If you love me, please dont go Y/N. Please dont. I will change. Ill do anything you want, please Y/N. I love you, I love you,” Taehyung is already on his knees, hugging her waist but she peeled off his hands that di wrapped around her.

“You dont love me Tae. If you do you wouldnt have done it. There must be something about her that makes you keep coming back… and I’m giving you the freedom to enjoy that with her. That is my last gift to you,” Y/N pushed his hands away and with tear stricken face turn to him one last time. “Happy anniversary Tae, you know I love you, but my love alone is not enough. You will be happier without me. Goodbye my love,”

And with that, Y/N walks out, never looking back.

Baby, you look happier, you do I knew one day you’d fall for someone new But if he breaks your heart like lovers do Just know that I’ll be waiting here for you

“Its been years Tae… you need to accept the fact that Y/N is happy and she is getting married okay?” Jimin sympathetically looks at his friend. “You want her to be happy dont you? And look at her Tae,” Jimin points to the front, where the main couple of the engagement party stood. “She looks so happy. Jungkook makes her happy, and you know that. He treats her right. She has been happy ever since she met Kookie at the bar,”

Taehyung look at the newly engaged couple in front of the room, Jungkook pulling Y/N, his now fiancee, in for a kiss as she blushes shyly and gave a weak smile towards Jimin.

“She doesnt just look happy Chim,” Taehyung said, making Jimin turned to him,curious as to what his friend is going to say. “She looks extremely happier. Happier than she ever did with me… and thats a good thing right?” Taehyung finishes off his glass in one gulp. “But I’ll be here Chim. I’ll be waiting for her here, forever. And if I ever be given the chance again, then I’ll make her even happier than that,”

[talldarkandroguesome]

8th of Second Seed, Middas

Another day of Council pageantry.

Obviously, it would become fact that Qau-dar and Khes has left the home they were staying in. I’m not sure who informed the Temple first, the Ordinators at my manor when Qau-dar and Khes came for breakfast, or the Ordinators at the other home when the servants discovered the morning of that they were not simply ignoring a call for breakfast.

Qau-dar and I were hauled before the House Council under a number of accusations. Primary amongst them being the obstruction of the justice system. Secondarily, I was thrown the charge or coercing a witness. The various charges went on from there.

However, the subject of an assassination attempt was brought forward. Qau-dar, to his credit, reminded the Council of his importance. He told them very plainly that in light of his treatment, the failure for our House to secure his safety, and the subsequent accusations laid at his feet, he was compelled to tell his clan that our House was not fit to have an agreement with.

I could have kissed Qau-dar for the wisdom of such a play. It takes Councilmer years to learn to pull strings like that. Mephala must have smiled down upon us.

Well, that got the Council to stop in their tracks. Soon they were all about apologies and compromises.

Discussions broke out about how important it was to really pander to Khajiit customs. Most of it was racist rhetoric. It argued mostly about how Elsweyr had joined the Dominion and how unwise it was to give in to such sentiment.

Others said if the Council were serious in the mission that I was possibly going to be executed for, then there was no question about the importance of following Khajiiti customs in these matters.

Mother drove the point home by reminding the Council that it was not an Ordinator or one of Almalexia’s Hands who had thwarted the attempt, but an Armiger that was one of Qau-dar’s own companions.

That upset some of the opposition who claimed that the Ordinators and Hands should be punished for the failure to keep away assasins. Another Councilmer insinuated that Tel had meddled in the guards’ affairs and that was the issue.

One of mother’s colleagues asked how an assassin would even know where to find Qau-dar or how they would know who he was. Would not the only people aware of his location be members of the House Council who had decided where was safest to keep him?

That produced an entirely different round of fighting. Everyone accusing their Council rivals or providing alibis. Some speculated on conspiracies involving myself or members of my traveling companions.

When the arguments began to get out of hand and bordered more on personal insults, Almalexia herself stepped forward.

Well, not so much stepped and floated.

She did, surprisingly agree to take Qau-dar’s words to heart. She also believed that if the integrity of the previous punishment were to be upheld, so too did the conditions of my mission, namely, its success.

She also reminded the Councilmer that the Ordinators and the Hands were there to see that nothing strange was to occur. That, indeed, none but the Council were made privy to Qau-dar and Tel’s identities or locations.

It is the first time I have seen her taking her monicker to heart in quite some time. She asked that whoever was on the Council who had ordered the kill retract it and refrain from making attempts on the witnesses.

The unspoken threat lingered heavy in the air. The Council was silent for a while.

Then Uncle moved to finalize the business of the day. Little discussion was had in matters beyond. Tel and Qau-dar were both allowed to return to my manor and additional guards were set, both to watch for attempts made on my companions and to ensure that I was not tainting or twisting testimony.

Shortly after Tel and their belongings arrived at the manor, they pulled me aside.

I asked about how they were doing. They seemed fine, physically. But they were concerned.

We talked about the attempt on Qau-dar. I asked how bad it was. Seems like from how Tel described it, that it was only by chance they had seen the assassin. They didn’t seem to think any of the guards could have stopped it.

I am unclear if that means that they were lacks on purpose or just not fully aware of the extent of threat that existed. Likely a bit of both.

I thanked Tel for having saved Qau-dar. Tel seemed very different when talking about the situation. They asked if I had thought something like this possible.

I admitted that, while I knew an attack on myself or my family was possible, I had not expected anyone to try and go after Qau-dar.

I suppose it makes sense, harm Qau-dar and the clan is not likely to complete the negotiations. Further, the Council has so far recognized Qau-dar as my husband. It is likely that the idea of someone in line for the Grandmastery marrying a Khajiit would be upsetting. Many of them will never be eligible for such an honor. The idea that by marriage and circumstance a Khajiit could become Grandmaster of our House makes certain Councilmer’s blood boil.

Tel also asked if I could let them know in advance anytime I suspected that my life or someone else’s might be in danger.

Poor Tel. I laughed in their face. Being most places in Tamriel I could be persued. Being in Morrowind means my life is in real danger. Being in Mournhold means there are people actively seeking my life at most every moment. I told them as much. They seem like they still do not understand just how cutthroat life is amongst the nobility. Literally, in most cases.

I reassured Tel that by being confined to my manor, my life was in little danger. The walls were nearly impossible to scale, I have had to do so before. The back of the grounds the walls meet with a sheer cliff face going straight up twice or more the height of the watchtower. And there are few places inside that an assassin might be able to hide. The most likely means of attempting to end my life would be via poison, and I have plenty of cures should anything come close to hurting me.

Tel still seemed unnerved. They asked that I let them know when the risk was heightened.

I suppose they were not lying when they said they were taking their time here as a bodyguard assignment. The subject, my own body.

Not that I mind having Tel follow me around and looking out for dangers most of the time, but a mer needs their privacy. Especially in prayer. I will have to refrain except during times Tel is asleep.

I wonder if Tel would try to guard me even while Avon and I were intimately involved. I should ask Avon if they would be uncomfortable with Tel there. Just in case.