#and the last time i tried to contact her last year i swallowed a whole bunch of pills and sadly didn't die

[sirnica]

You are handling it as well as you can!

Thank you, friend. I assure you, the way I'm handing this is probably in the top five worst ways anyone has ever handled a break up (that didn't end up in the news).

But I appreciate your positivity ♥️

[lyjen]

Just a minute | Part 2

Summary: When (Y/n) wants to postpone their wedding because she doesn’t want to walk down the aisle with a walker or in her wheelchair, an argument turns into a fight where (Y/n) rakes up the past.

Request

Taglist: @oliviah-25 @shauna-carsley

<< Previous Chapter | 9-1-1 Masterlist

______

“I want to postpone the wedding” (Y/n)’s voice said as she sat across from her fiancé at the dining table. 

He just came home from his shift at the firestation, he only had the chance to let his duffle bag fall to the ground, kiss his girlfriend and pour himself a glass of water. 

He took his lips off the brim of the glass as he swallowed the bit of water he had in his mouth. His eyes narrowed. “But why? We already postponed the last time.” he asks. 

Evan was confused, why did she want to postpone the wedding they wanted so desperately, again? The last time they postponed was because of the accident, which he understood. But he couldn’t think of a reason right now. 

His hands started to sweat as anxiety rises in his chest. Was he not good enough? What if she changed her mind about him? 

She started to pick her dead skin around her nails, one of the habits she developed in the last few years. Usually it was her biting her nails, but she switched from that to picking dead skin. Not one of her proudest quirks. 

With her eyes focussed onto her fingers, she gathered all her courage. “You know how much it means to me to walk down the aisle with Bobby on my side.” she said. 

No, both of her parents aren’t dead. They were healthy, at least that is what she assumed. (Y/n) simply didn’t have any contact with her parents anymore, she left everything and everyone behind in Maine. 

But when she moved to California and joined the LAFD, she had found her own family. They may not be blood related, but they do feel like a family to her. 

There was a silence between her and Evan, he was caught by surprise. He didn’t expect her to tell him she wanted to postpone. 

“I'm not rolling down the aisle.” She added, and broke the silence that was hovering around the dining table. 

Evan was clearly looking for the right words. But it was like his brain wasn’t making a connection with his mouth. As if there was some kind of error between the two organs. 

“Look.. I-… I know how much it means to you.” He stumbled over his words as he tried to figure out how to create his next sentence. “But from what I can see, you’re doing great. I mean you can walk.” he continued. He knew he sounded like a douchebag, maybe he picked out the wrong words. But this is how he felt.

A sigh rolled off her lips, she hoped he would get it. She told him countless times how much she wanted to walk down the aisle. “Yes. With a walker and slower than a turtle. And I don’t want that.”

Evan shifted in his seat, he pressed his hand against his temple, digging the fingers into his forehead. As a simple breath changed into a soft sigh. “Are you kidding me?” His voice said, as he let his hand that was pressing his forehead, fall onto the table. ”First it was the wheelchair, now it’s the walker?” He asked as his eyes were focused on his hand and wandered back to hers. 

He didn’t understand. He does, but also not. When they were just engaged, they couldn’t wait to get married. They were at the point to just go to city hall and get hitched, because they were that excited. But that’s not what they wanted. 

They postponed the first time because of the accident, and now she wanted to postpone it again because she didn’t want to walk with her walker down the aisle. He doesn’t get it, all he wants is to call the woman sitting right in front of him, his wife. To say that short simple sentence he waited this whole entire year to say.  

Her eyes met his as she let hers move from her fingers up. “You know what I mean Evan.” Her eyes narrowed as a disappointed expression morphed onto her face.

Evan pushed his chair back with his upper legs, and stood up from his seat.  He let a hand slide through his blonde curls as he inhaled, his lungs full with oxygen. He held his breath until he knew what he wanted to say. But instead of words, a laugh left his lips. 

 “You are so…” he stopped himself from finishing that sentence. He wasn’t making her out for that. It was just rude, and it wasn’t like him to call her out like that. Evan didn’t want to hurt her more than she already was. He places both his hands on his face to cover it. He needed to get it together.

Her left eyebrow frowned, as she waited for him to call her out. “I am what Buck? Hmm?” she said. Waiting for the ticking time bomb to go off. She knew this was coming sooner or later, the bomb named Evan Buckley going off. It was only a matter of time.

“Finish. Your sentence.” she added, as she kept her eyes locked onto Buck.

Both his hands slid down his face, quickly letting his right hand trace over his chin as he placed them on his hips. He turned his face towards the ceiling as he pressed his lips into a thin line. He wasn’t going to say it. Maybe it’s for the better that he’d keep his mouth shut. 

He shook his head, as another loud sigh filled the small space they were in. “You know what..” he started as he locked his eyes with hers again.

“I’ve been so supportive all the damn time. Helping you, going to your apportionments and to try and see things from the bright side. But it’s always about what you want, what about what I want?!” He blurted it all out as he pointed towards himself. 

(Y/n) could see the tears starting to well up in his eyes as he talked faster than his mouth could handle. As another silence hit the conversation.

He was right. Maybe she was selfish. Maybe she didn’t listen enough to what he wanted. But this is her once in a lifetime opportunity to shine, and she wanted to make the best of it.  So that nothing else matters in the world, but them. 

Evan felt guilty for lashing out that way towards her. Even though he stopped himself from calling her a ‘spoiled little brat’. He could read the pain and the sorry on her face. “Look.” He said as he crouched down next to her, to get in her height. ”I know what you are going through, I’ve been there.” his voice continued as he placed his hand onto hers. 

A disgusted look was sent towards him as (Y/n) yanked her hand from underneath his. “No you don’t! Nobody does!” her emotions took over her entire voice. She was sad, angry, frustrated and she felt so many more emotions, which she couldn’t even describe. 

(Y/n) wanted to roll away in her wheelchair, but she didn’t. She looked to her right, focussing her eyes on the window. She took a breath, as she felt the emotions taking over her body. Entirely unable to control them now. She could feel the tears stinging in her eyes. “You broke a leg.” She mumbled. ”You could walk with crutches. There’s a difference between paralysis and a broken leg.” Her broken voice added. 

Evan wanted to try and put his hand on hers again, but figured it was for the better as he just tried and made things right with only words. “But I kept hope.. I know I would be able to do my job again.” he said, as he straightened his legs. 

A scoff tumbled from (Y/n)’s lips as the tears in her eyes started to break free from the borders. He didn’t just say that, after everything he had put his found family and her through. It may have happened years ago, but she didn’t forget about it. “Is that what you call suing the city and the LAFD?” she answered fiercely as she shook her head. 

Evan was surprised by her reaction. He may just have started a fire he didn’t want to. He could see the fire burning in her eyes, something he had never seen before. Sure he had seen her mad, but he figured this was going to be on another level, only by the look in her eyes.  “Don’t go there.” he said, as he took an opportunity to keep this argument on a low level. He wasn’t out to fight her. 

She was still facing the window, she refused to look at him. But she felt something burning inside of her. (Y/n) faced Evan again. ”Oh and let’s not forget about the time.. when the doctor told you it was healing slower than expected, and you desperately wanted to do that surgery because you couldn’t wait any longer!” she blurted out as she pointed at him.

He was startled by the intensity of her reaction, “(Y/n)..” he mumbled, that was the only thing he could manage to say. He didn’t want any of this. He didn’t want them to fight because of some stupid wedding.

She rolled her wheelchair backwards and turned so she was facing him now. “Do you call that hope? Or did you just forget about those parts?” She continued. Thunder was written all over her face, as tears were streaming down her face. (Y/n) didn’t care about the tears that made her seem weak rolled over her red cheeks. 

Evan didn’t know what to do, so he just let her rattle. Let the words she didn’t get to say back then, finally leave her chest. Turns out, he wasn’t the timebomb. She was.

She let her hand trace through her hair, moving the strands of hair that were flowing in her face behind her ear. “I couldn’t talk to you for weeks because of that stupid lawsuit, just because you couldn’t wait a few more weeks” Her voice sounded raw, as if some kind of barrier had broken inside of her.

He started pacing, as he turned his back towards her. She couldn’t be serious now. Why was she digging up the past? She knew how sorry he was for that lawsuit. He didn’t think of the consequences. He was so focussed on getting his job back that he forgot the most important thing that made him love the job even more. 

But she was poking him so much with her words. “I wanted my job back!” He snapped at her. 

(Y/n) didn’t expect that reaction from Evan. But instead of letting the words sink in, she directly reacted to them. “And all I want is to walk normally down that aisle.” She shot back at him. ”Without a walker. But that seems like too much does it Evan?” her next sentence sounded a lot more calmer than the one before.

A laugh rolled from his mouth as he tried to calm himself down. She was on edge, and so was he. He let out a sigh as he pressed once again the palm of his right hand against his forehead. A few counts of silence, as he let the situation fall into place.  

He took a loud breath. “If it has to go like this, I don’t even know if I want to continue this conversation if it constantly ends up with us fighting.” he sounded calm. 

Her heart was beating in her chest, as the tears dried up on her skin. The adrenaline in her was so high, that her mouth was talking before she could think of anything to say. “And I don’t even know if I want to marry you anymore.” Her eyes grew wide as she placed her hand in front of her mouth.  

Evan looked at her as if she was some kind of monster. She felt the eyes burning onto her skin as she avoided his gaze, his reaction. “Buck please.. I didn’t mean it” she stumbled as he grabbed his car keys from the dining table. 

He wanted to flee, to run away from whatever situation he had gotten himself into and act like it never happened. He wanted to turn back time, to avoid this scene that had gotten out of hand. Just as he grabbed his keys from the table, he felt a hand locked around his wrist, keeping him into place. 

His eyes wandered from his wrist, to the person who was holding his wrist. When his gaze met her red puffy eyes, he didn’t have the words for whatever just happened. “Please!” she begged him another time. But he didn’t react. 

All he did was pull his arm free from her grip, and without sparing her a glance, he left the house. 

The only thing she could do was listen to the door falling into the lock, and hear the engine of the Jeep he owned running. 

“Fuck!” Her voice sounded through the empty house, so loudly you could hear her lose her voice.

What had she done?

______

(Y/n) rolled with her wheelchair towards the front door as it sounded through the house. Could it be him? She hadn’t heard from him in two entire days, she didn’t hear if he was fine, safe, if he showed up at work or not. And it made her feel a mix of anxiety and worry. She held her breath as she pushed the lever down, wishing it was her fiancé. 

But her eyes filled with hope fainted as soon as she saw Eddie and his son Christopher at her doorstep. Eddie had both his hands tucked in his pocket as Chris held onto his crutches. “Hi (Y/n)” Chris said as soon as nobody else broke the silence. “Hey buddy” her voice said softly and her eyes went back to Eddie. 

“Can we come in?” He asks gently. “Sure” she says with a little doubt in her voice. Part of her wanted to send them away, because she knew what was happening. Gosh did Buck really send his best friend instead of having the guts to face her himself? But the other part of her told her, maybe this is what she needed. A conversation with someone else but Buck. 

She wheeled herself to the side of the door so she could give them the space to enter the house and she could close the door behind them. Eddie and Chris took place at the dining table. Eddie helped Chris putting his crutches to the side of him as Chris got out his homework.  “Want something to drink?” (Y/n)’s voice asked as she wheeled herself towards the fridge already. 

“Are you sure? I can get the drinks too?” Eddie offered, typically Eddie, always looking out and asking if he could help. “Really, It’s okay.” (Y/n) said as she opened a deep drawer and took out some glasses. 

At this point, Eddie wasn’t a guest at their house anymore, and neither weren’t Buck and (Y/n) at his. They knew their way around each other's house like the back of their hands. Guess that’s what happens if you have weekly hangouts. It was normal for Eddie and Chris to come over and just talk about life when Chris did his homework or played video games. As if being with each other on a twenty four hour shift wasn’t enough. They always seeked each other's company. 

She placed three glasses onto the table as she wheeled back to the fridge to get the jug with water. “So where’s Buck?” Eddie asks when he can hear the fridge door close. Her left eyebrow lifted, as her mouth left a scoff. Was he seriously asking her this? Her gut told her enough, Eddie knew what was going on between her and Buck. “Please Eddie, you don’t have to pretend that you don’t know the story already. You’re his best friend.” She told him and placed the jug with water in it on the dining table.

Eddie was sitting on the head of the table with Chris on his left side, as (Y/n) rolled her wheelchair on his right side and started to pour water into the three glasses she just fetched. She could hear him thinking. “Hmm, Okay.. you got me there.” He started as he passed the full glass of water towards Chris. ”But I want to hear your side..” He added. 

She just laughed and shook her head. Why did Eddie want to talk about the situation that didn’t even involve him? Why did he want to make things right between the couple? “What happened? Between you and Buck?” He asks. (Y/n) finished filling the glasses with water, as she just stayed quiet and rolled back to the fridge to put the jug with water back. “(Y/n)..” Her name sounded like a sigh when it floated off his lips. 

“Why are you so invested in this?” she mumbled as she opened the fridge and put the object back where it belonged. She was holding back. She didn’t like to just pour her heart out to anyone, it was her problem and it was hers to fix.

She turned around and wheeled back. “Because.. he suddenly stood at my door three days ago. Asking for a place to stay for the night.” He confesses. 

She should’ve known. His best friend's house. She felt relieved, even though she had a gut feeling of Evan being safe and sound, probably with one of his friends or Maddie. But only to get confirmation, felt like a weight had fallen off her shoulders.

“And one night became two nights, and now we’re on day three. And I kinda want my couch back..” he continued as he locked his glass in his hand. (Y/n) took a sip of her water as she listened to the words Eddie had to say. “So.. tell me your side. I won’t judge. Just a friend.. offering his listening ear.” he finished, as he waited for an answer from (Y/n), the girl he thought of as one of his sisters. 

A small sigh fell off her lips. “We got into a fight. I told him I wanted to postpone the wedding until I could walk without the walker.” Her stomach turned as she tried to make her way through the story. Her eyes fell down to the glass of water she was holding between her two hands. 

“And then?” Eddie’s voice asked, as he gave her some space to breathe and think. But he knew that wasn’t the entire story she wanted to tell. “But.. everything got worse..” she continued as a feeling of guilt and embarrassment filled her veins.

Her eyes started to focus on one point as she started to remember what happened the day before yesterday. “He basically called me selfish, but then he told me he knew what I was going through. And I just told him he was wrong. That no one knows what I am going through right now.” She tells him, as tears started to sting in her eyes.

All those things she said, she wished she could just rewind time and change everything. “And you started bringing up the lawsuit..” Eddie added for her. He knew exactly where this was going. 

She slowly let her head tilt up and down. “And that’s the moment where I lost it.” She didn’t know how to feel. There were way too many emotions running through her body. She stared into the distance as she let the nail of her index finger slide over her thumb, searching for dead skin.  “I didn’t mean those words Eddie.. it was just.. I-” she stumbled, she didn’t know what was the right emotion to connect to that moment. 

He could see her nervous habit taking over, so instead of ignoring it, he placed his hand onto hers, to stop her index finger from picking her skin. “You were upset, and in the heat of the moment you said words that you didn’t mean. We all do that sometimes.” Eddie squeezes her hand softly, just to let her know he was there. 

“You said no one knows what you’re going through right now.. But.. I think there’s one person who comes very close.” His voice said. (Y/n)’s eyes wandered to Eddie as her eyebrows furrowed and a confused look morphed onto her face. Who? Who had the same kind of experience as she did?

(Y/n) followed Eddie’s gaze as he nodded his head towards his son. 

Chris.

His own son, who had dealt with Cerebral Palsy for his entire life. Still, it wasn’t exactly what she was suffering from. But he had trouble walking, just like (Y/n). She wasn’t able to find the strength in her legs, just like him. But the more Chris trained and trained, he could walk without crutches sometimes. Some days were harder than the others.

She didn’t know how to start this kind of conversation. What did she want to ask him? She wasn’t sure. She couldn’t ask him on which team he was on, she wasn’t going to bring a child into their fight. 

Eddie slowly slid his hand back and folded it back onto his arm that was lying on the table. “Hey Chris, can I ask you something?”she softly asked as she watched Chris turn over the page to the next one. He put his pencil down next to the book as he looked at (Y/n). “Sure” he said. 

Her mouth was open, pausing as soon as she wanted to ask him something. She hesitated for a second. But what could go wrong? “How do you do it?” She started. Chris' face went from a neutral look to a confused one. ”You are so positive all of the time, aren’t these crutches some kind of disability?” She added, to clarify her question. 

“Mmm, no..” he answered as he thought of an explanation. “I think of them as training wheels.. That someday, I’ll be able to walk without them.” He explains.

Those words from Chris made (Y/n) think. But as soon as she was looking for words to ask him another thing, he spoke up again. “They are very useful as well! I mean, If I want to use an elevator I can just use the crutch to click the button” he laughs. 

A soft small smile was displayed on her face as she heard Chris’ giggles. He sounds just like Evan. Looking at things from the bright side. “Never lose hope, because everyday I use them I get a little bit better with controlling them and my body.” He said. He sounded so wise, as if he already lived a whole life before. 

“Practice makes perfect” she mumbled as she quickly wiped the tear that was rolling down her cheek from her face. “Don’t cry (Y/n)” Chris says as he notices her wiping the tear away. “You’ll be alright. You just need to hold on a little longer to those training wheels, but you’ll get there.” He added.

Maybe Chris had a point. At some point she had to accept the fact that she had training wheels, and even though she didn’t want it, it was a part of her now. That someday she could walk again without training wheels. 

She bit her lip as she tried to suppress the tears she felt coming up again. Chris hops off his chair as he makes his way around the table. With one hand holding the table, and the other one he clings himself around (Y/n)’s shoulders. Hugging her from the side.

(Y/n) firmly closed her eyes as she felt the kid clinging around her body. She brushed her hand over the shoulder of Chris as she opened her eyes and looked at Eddie, who was sitting there with a content look across his face.

Chris loosens his arms from the hug, as he goes back to the seat he was sitting in before. 

She wiped the last few tears from her face as her gaze met Eddie’s, who simply placed his hand onto her shoulder. “I remember when you guys got engaged.. you couldn’t wait, the two of you wanted to get married the same day if you could.” He said as he retrieved his hand again. 

She sighed at the memory. “That was before the accident, Eds” she exhaled. “I'm only gonna walk down that aisle one time” she added as she again avoided his eyes. “(Y/n)..” he sighed. 

He tried his best, but he wasn’t leaving defeated. He had one more last trick up his sleeve, to try and convince her to talk to Buck, to walk down that aisle. 

She thought she knew what he was talking her into. It felt like he was tricking her by using Chris. Both Eddie and Evan knew she had a weakness for that kid. “No Eddie.. I’m not doing it.” she answered. “Just hear me out. Please?” He begged her. 

He slowly placed his hand onto hers again, “Look.. there’s no way you’ll be able to walk without some kind of tool if you do decide to not postpone. You’re going to need those training wheels a little longer, just like Chris said.” He tells her, as he motioned his head towards his son again. 

”I think you need to find a compromise with Buck. That guy has been through hell and back, and still after your fight even if it doesn’t look like it, he still loves you.” his voice said as her eyes fluttered down to their hands. 

“So I’m asking you, as your friend, as your brother of a found family..” he added, as a chuckle fell off her lips. He didn’t care that (Y/n) wasn’t blood related. Eddie himself came to Los Angeles too to start over, just like Buck, and just like (Y/n). “Please talk to him? And make a compromise with him. Because I’ve never seen people so in love and yet so incredibly stupid.” He says as a small laugh leaves his mouth.

“Dad! Language!” Chris said with a warning tone as a laugh took over his voice. Eddie glanced a smile at his son before he turned back to (Y/n) again. “And I’m not only saying this because I want him off my couch..” he smiles. “But because I care about you two, and I don’t want to see this fight break anything between you.” 

That sounded like some good advice.

______

(Y/n) let out a nervous sigh as she got escorted into the hall. With her cane in her right hand she slowly hobbled into the space where she met Bobby. No walker, no wheelchair to be seen. Just (Y/n) in her beautiful dress with a cane in her right hand. 

She finally came to a compromise with Evan. After Eddie’s and Chris' advice, she came to her senses and made her move to visit the fire station while Evan was on shift. Totally taking a risk with the time she’d have talking to him. She had brought over her cane packed in a box, with a note inside saying “I’m sorry I acted so stupid. Compromise? - (Y/n)”  

Sure, she wasn’t happy with the fact that she still had to use a cane to walk down the aisle. But it was much more of an improvement than a walker. She had taken lots more physical therapy appointments, usually she was there twice a week, but she doubled it because she had faith again. Mainly because of the words of Chris. 

“Look who’s there..” Bobby’s voice said as he looked over his shoulder and immediately opened his arms. He carefully gave her a hug as he looked her up and down again. “You look beautiful!” he says as he quickly blinks the tears away. 

“Thanks Bobby” (Y/n)’s voice said quietly as she felt her stomach fill with more and more nerves as soon as she looked towards the huge door on Bobby's side. “See you have your new tool with you? Upgraded the walker, hmm?” Bobby said as he pointed out at the white walker, covered with some glitters and soft pink flowers. “Yeah, I crafted this one with the help of Chris. That kid really has an eye for creativity.” She chuckled as she let her warm sweaty hand wipe the skirt of the dress. 

“Got everything?” Bobby asks for confirmation. (Y/n) licked her lips as she quickly entered her mind to get her checklist. “The bouquet of flowers is inside, I don't have enough hands for that. Uhm.. Oh god no.. my vows..” her nervous, anxious look turned into a terrified look. 

Bobby could see the way she started to panic and placed his hand onto her shoulder. “Hey, everything is okay. Look.” He said as he fished the small envelope out his pocket and held it between his index and middle finger. It felt like the invisible hand around her airway started to loosen up just as she saw the envelope between Bobby’s two fingers. She held Bobby’s wrist and gasped for air. “Maddie gave it to me just before you came here. She was scared you might forget it with everything on your mind.” Bobby confessed. 

Thank god for her sister in law, she really thought of everything. 

“Okay.. You ready?” he asked as he held her free hand in his. “It’s not like I got a choice right?” she smiled as she squeezed Bobby’s hand. “I mean you could always run..” He jokes. (Y/n) laughed, she knew what was happening, Bobby was trying to get rid of the nervousness inside of her. Throwing some kind of icebreaker. 

(Y/n) took a deep breath and exhaled it, and nodded towards Bobby. They both turned towards the large entrance doors. She looped her arm around Bobby’s as she faced the doors. Within ten seconds, those doors opened and she was eye in eye with the entire room. 

With the music Evan and (Y/n) had chosen softly playing in the background she started walking slowly but steadily down the aisle, with her lovely cane on her other side. With her eyes locked on Evan, she walked faster than she thought. She could even see Evan wipe one or two tears from underneath his eyes. 

-

“And now, it’s time for the vows. (Y/n) would you like to start?” the officiant said as he pointed at (Y/n). She smiled as she looked Evan in the eyes and looked over her shoulder, searching for Bobby on the first row. 

Bobby quickly stood up as he handed her envelope over and got back to his seat. She gestured to him a soundless thankyou, and sighed. 

She leaned with her arm onto the cane and closed her eyes for a second. With a trembling hand, she folded the envelope open and took a deep breath. 

“Dear Evan, I always thought it would be difficult to find someone who will love me when I’m always scattered in a thousand pieces. But then I met you.

When I walked through those station doors a few years ago, you gave me the warmest welcome a probie could ask for. I still hate you for calling me probie, by the way. But in those years we became friends, we went from friends to lovers, from lovers to fiancés and today I get to add one last stadium to that. Husband and wife. 

I know I didn’t make it easy for you these past months, and I’m sorry for that. You were there for me when I pushed you away, cared for me and you stood by my side every single step of the way. And I promise you, that whatever life throws at us, I’ll be there on your side. 

I am the luckiest woman alive to spend the rest of my life with my soulmate and I cannot wait for more life adventures and to grow old with you. I vow to stand by you, trust you, respect you and support you. I promise to always cherish you until my last breath. I love you. Love, your wife, (Y/n)”

She knew she didn’t have every single thing on there that she wanted to say. But some things she had to tell him alone. Tears were shed across the piece of paper, but those were tears of joy. 

Laughter, smiles and sobs were shared during the vows. 

A smile spread across Evan’s face as he pulled her close and pressed a small peck on her lips. She was certain that she saw Evan wipe his hand underneath his eyes, getting rid of all the tears. He seemed tuff, like he could kill you, but inside he was a cinnamon roll.

All eyes were turned towards Evan as the officiant called his name and pointed with his hand at him. 

“If you told me to the person I was six years ago, that on this day I was going to marry the woman I love the most, I would’ve told you ‘are you out of your mind?’ I could never have imagined I would be in this place. A place where I look into the eyes of my best friend and pledge to you my love. 

You are the sweetest, most loving, caring and kind person I have ever known, and I have no doubt that you make me a better man. Look at what you did to me when you walked in. You believe in me and have shown me how to love with unconditional acceptance and everyday you reaffirm that you are my soulmate. 

I’m not sure that a lifetime is long enough for me to return all that you have given me, but I promise to spend all my days by your side. I believe in what we are and I will always love you with every beat of my heart. Love, your husband.”

(Y/n) pressed her lips into a thin line as she tried to suppress her tears and sobs. After everything she had put him through, he couldn’t hate her. As well as the other way around. Another letter more moist than dry. 

Evan placed both his hands onto her cheeks as she basically sandwiched her face. His thumbs slowly and carefully slid underneath her eyes. “You’re ruining your makeup with all those tears” he laughed.

She laughed through her tears as she pressed her eyes closed and let her forehead connect with his. 

She belonged with him, all those words proved it to her.

[nicole-timey-wimey-stuff]

Fuzzy Socks

Stepdad Negan x Fem! Reader

Word Count - 5200k

Warnings- Stepcest (if you don’t like it then please don’t read), age gap, Negan doesn’t meet reader before she’s 18, female bodied reader but no physical description of reader, smut, talk of feelings, mentions and descriptions of sex. Daddy kink, 18+ only please, toxic mother, Negan is a sweetheart in this despite the topic.

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“I’m leaving” your mom announces coldly, abruptly disrupting your otherwise quiet dinner. You turn to her in shock, “What do you mean you’re leaving mom?” You were so confused, this was so out of the blue, did she mean on a trip? Or for the evening? Or did she mean forever? You weren’t ready to up and leave your life once again. You thought she was happy here, she seemed happier than previously. But she’d unfortunately always had a habit of this, she would find a man, settle down, then get cold feat and run away again, taking you from whatever school, friends and life you’d settled into and rerouting your whole life once again to a new town, usually hundreds of miles away.

But she’d married Negan, we’ve been here for three years now. Usually she’d leave within eight months. “Mom?” You nudge. “I’m leaving here, I’m not happy anymore. And I can no longer pretend that I am. I’m sorry Negan but I am leaving and I need a divorce.” She explained. All the while you sat there in total stunned silence, how could she do this to Negan? He was amazing, he was kind, funny, gorgeous, would do anything to help anyone. This didn’t make any sense! You looked over at Negan trying to gage his reaction but to your surprise he looked as if he’d seen this coming. “Mom please, don’t make me leave again I’m settled here, I have less than a year left of college, It would mess everything up, you’ve seemed happy here.” You plead.

“Oh no I’m not taking you this time honey, you’re twenty one now, you’re not a child anymore. I don’t have to take you with me. You can stay here, can’t she Negan?” Your mother assumed. Negan instantly nodded his head, “Of course she can, I’m not going to throw her out onto the streets am I? I vowed to take care of her, of both of you but apparently those vows mean nothing to you!” He argued. There was no way he’d let you leave anyway, you were doing well here and he wanted you to finish your degree, he’d grown very fond of you, loved you even. You were everything your mother was not, you were loyal and passionate, you were sweet, you put others before yourself. You were the single best thing that had ever happened to him. Even if his love for you had somewhat shifted into something else, something he couldn’t admit even to himself let alone out loud.

But he’d seen this coming. Over the last year your mother had grown distant, refusing any form of physical contact, and staying ‘out with friends’ more and more, staggering through the door again at 6:30am hoping no one noticed, but Negan did. He noticed the bed dip in the early morning as she tried and failed to crawl into bed quietly, he noticed the subtle smell of another man’s aftershave, clung to her body. All the while she thought she was being sneaky, that her secret was still hidden. But she showed no guilt, no remorse for cheating constantly, she didn’t care, and it was obvious to Negan that you were on the lower list of her priorities too.

Her words stung, you couldn’t lie and say they didn’t. All these years she just towed you with her because she had too? Did you really mean so little to her? You didn’t think you really wanted the answer to that question. So you swallowed any response down and just nodded, hanging your head low to hide the pain that was surely written all over your face.

This broke Negan’s heart, how could your mother be so cruel towards you? You’d been nothing but a kind and dutiful daughter. He wouldn’t sit here any longer watching you be hurt by her heartless words. “Fine, I’m taking Y/N out for a couple of hours, when we arrive home I expect you and your things to be gone!” He declares, standing up and collecting the dirty plates, bringing them into the kitchen. You look over at him in confusion, “Come on sweetheart lets go do something while your mother clears herself out of our lives.” He nudges you softly, his voice calm and sweet towards you.

Standing up from the table you nod at him, “I hope you find what you’re looking for mom” you speak, trying your best to keep your voice steady. “I will don’t worry, I’m free now” she responds, gleeful glint in her eyes. “Oh Negan, here” she calls, before handing him divorce papers, he looks them over, shockingly she wants nothing but the sports car he’d spent the last two years restoring. Did he love the car, yes. But he loved you more. “That’s fine” he sighs, before signing the papers and handing them back to her. Walking over to the entrance hall he grabs the keys to the car, throwing them over to you mum. “It’s all yours, take it and your belongings and go!” He growls.

“What no! Negan you love that car, you’ve spent years working on it.” You worry. “It’s fine Darlin’ we can find another to work on yeah?” He offers, you nod meekly. Your mum never deserved this man.

He grabs the keys to his truck and nudges you out the house, closing the car door you sigh as Negan puts the keys in the ignition, “Where do you wanna go sweetheart? We can go to the movies? Go get icecream? Or we can go for a walk in the park? It’s your choice.” Negan offers, “A walk sounds nice” you reply with small smile. This was much harder on you than it was for him. He hates to see you so sad, so he decides right then that he will make sure you never feel sad like this again, he will do everything in his power to make sure the light of his life is happy.

“Park it is then” he hums before starting the engine.

________________________________________

Arriving back home felt weird, she was gone. The car and all her stuff too, “You alright sweetheart?” Negan asks. “Yeah I will be, it’s just hard to come to terms with the fact she never really wanted me, you know?”, Negan gives you a look of understanding, pulling you into a tight hug. “Your always wanted here ok?” He assures you, kissing the top of your head. You take in his comfort, drink it in like a hot cocoa on a winters day. Getting lost in his scent of old spice and woodsmoke. He felt like home, warm and inviting after a long day in the cold. Feelings stir up in your stomach, ones you’ve tried to bury, you’ve always thought your stepdad was handsome, it would be ridiculous to say otherwise, but your feelings ran deeper than just finding the man attractive.

Pulling away he clears his throat “Let’s get some sleep yeah? We can figure the rest of it out tomorrow.” He suggests, “Yeah ok, tomorrow” you smile at him, causing his heart to jump in his chest, he loved it when you smiled.

Once in your room, you thought over the nights events. You’d always known your mother was selfish but you hadn’t realised she was this cruel. Negan had explained to you on your walk, that she had been cheating on him for a long time now. You could never understand how someone could have a man like Negan and cheat on him! If he was yours you’d hold onto him and never let him go, you’d treat him how he deserves, love him how he deserves. ‘God what are you thinking!’ You scold yourself, he’s your stepdad! You need to get a grip, he’d never look at you in that way, he’s taken you on as his kid, not as a potential lover.

“Argh” you groan at yourself, throwing your body onto your bed in exasperation. These feelings were complicated not to mention forbidden, and the thought of that shouldn’t excite you the way it does. You cannot think like that, it’s a recipe for disaster and heartbreak, he’d be disgusted. You need to let your silly little girl fantasies go, and be realistic. Pulling the comforter over you, you allow your thoughts to shift as fall into a deep sleep.

Across the hall though, Negan is laying in his empty bed thinking about you. The way your hair smelt, the way your body melded into his own. He wonders how soft your skin would feel against his, how warm your neck would be as he nuzzled into it, placing warm kisses down your throat. What noises he could pull from you, would you moan out his name as you found your high? Hips rolling frantically into his own.

Negan felt his cock stir in his pyjama pants begging for friction, ‘fuck it’ he thinks as he traces his hand down his stomach and into his pants. His large hand wrapping around his aching member, smearing the pre cum over his hand as he uses it as lube.

Biting down on his bottom lip to cover his moans, he begins frantically tugging up and down chasing his release. He should be disgusted with himself as he pleasures himself to thoughts of you, his own stepdaughter who is innocently sleeping across the hall. But he can’t allow himself to care any longer, he’s desperate, bucking his hips to meet his hand, with a low groan he reaches his climax, thick spurts covering his hand and lower stomach.

Catching his breath he pulls himself up, moving to his bathroom to clean himself. Intrusive thoughts begin as guilt starts seeping in, what was he doing? He sighs running his hands through his hair, He decides to put it down to over a year of no sex, that’s what’s causing it, it must be.

He’d tell himself that he wouldn’t pleasure himself to the thought of you again, but he knows it’s a lie. He’s started his decent into the deep end now, and there’s no turning around.

________________________________________

The next morning you awaken to the smell of pancakes and sweet sugary syrup. You get yourself ready quickly and bound down the stairs. Upon entering the kitchen you see breakfast all laid out for you, “Wow! This looks great Negan, you didn’t have to go all out”. You say, but the grin on your face was all he needed to decide he most certainly did need to. “That’s ok sweetheart I wanted too, coffee is in the jug” he points over to the coffee machine. You mutter a thanks, grabbing yourself a mug of the steaming liquid.

Breakfast goes by without a hitch, it was easy talking to Negan, but then you both always chatted over breakfast. Usually while your mother slept upstairs, tired from her late night gallivants.

“I’m going out with Lacey today, girls day to you know cheer me up.” You mention. “I think that’s a great idea sweetheart, you take as much time as you need. Just let me know if you’ll be home for dinner or not.” He offers.

“Ok will do, promise.” You respond, standing up and giving him a quick kiss to the cheek, before clearing your place and heading out. He watches you leave, his hand tracing his cheek, where he can still feel the remainder of your gentle kiss. He groans loudly to himself, he needs to clear his mind. So he decides to busy himself with house chores and DIY projects that needed doing. With your mother gone he could do as he pleases, finally finishing house projects the way he wants too.

But he speeds through them, finishing the last project he had on his list by early afternoon. Glancing over at the clock, he takes in the time. 2pm is that all? He probably still has ages until you come home, maybe some ‘alone’ time wouldn’t hurt? He has time doesn’t he? Nudging his bedroom door too, he strips down to his boxers before getting comfortable on his bed.

Closing his eyes he imagines a woman above him, as his hand slowly glides down into his boxers, he imagines her breathy moans as she rides him. Starting slow at first carefully rolling her hips, then speeding up as her hips collide into his own.

He imagines moving her hair out of her face, your face, the face he loves looking back at him as you continue to bounce on his lap. “Fuck” he moans, getting lost in the pleasure.

________________________________________

You’d had a lovely time with Lacey, you’ve been shopping, finding some cute autumn outfits and adorable fuzzy socks, you’d even found a pair for Negan. But after having a wonderful lunch out, you were ready to come home, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster this weekend and you wanted to curl up with a good book, wear your new fuzzy socks and drink a steaming mug of pumpkin spice cocoa.

Entering the house everything was incredibly quiet, there was no sign of Negan anywhere. “Hello?” You call out, seemingly to no one as it appears the house is empty. Looking out the front window you see Negan’s truck. ‘How odd’ you think, maybe he’s in the garden? So you wonder out the back, but still no sign of him.

You place your bags down onto the dining room table and kick off your shoes, padding up the stairs you hear a groan. ‘Oh yeah he said about doing some DIY projects, sounds like he’s struggling a bit’ you think. Maybe you should offer some help? Your self care plans can wait a little while.

That’s when you hear your name “Y/N fuck” he groans, he’s obviously heard you come in and needs help, shit you hope he hasn’t hurt himself. But as you quickly charge into his room you stop frozen in your tracks. There laying back on his bed is Negan, hand wrapped around his member, frantically moving it up and down all while moaning your name. He hadn’t even heard you bound into his room, seemingly still locked in his little fantasy.

“Negan?” You whimper, you’d meant to sound more firm but you really don’t know how to feel right now. Your shocked, confused, churned up and turned on all at the same time.

Just after you call out his name his eyes tear open in shock, hastily he pulls the cover over himself before rambling. “Fuck sweetheart, I’m so sorry, I didn’t hear you come in”.

You nod still absolutely frozen in place, “You said my name, I thought you needed help, you know with the DIY projects. You sounded in pain I thought you’d hurt yourself. I’m sorry I shouldn’t have just came in”. You mumble. He carefully gets up from his bed, sheet wrapped around the middle, “You have nothing to be sorry for Darlin’ this is completely my fault. I’m so sorry sweet girl, I never wanted you to find that out, especially not this way.” He groans running a shaky hand through his hair, he watches your face looking for any clue on how you felt, but you just look so confused.

He slowly takes a step towards you, as to not scare you away. When you don’t run for the door he closes the gap pulling you into his arms. He feels terrible, you must feel so betrayed, he has no clue how to make this up to you? Maybe you’d want to leave, go live with your grandparents or your aunt and uncle. You had a decent relationship with the rest of your family, it was just your mother who was the issue.

He was stuck in this inner turmoil, not knowing what to do for the best. Maybe he shouldn’t even be cuddling you right now, but he needed the comfort too. You on the other hand were still so confused, did this mean he loved you like you loved him? Did he feel the same way or was this a one time fantasy? You needed to know either way.

Pulling back you ask “Why were you saying my name?” You frown, “I think you know why sweetheart, I don’t think there’s any hiding it now” he sighs. “What I mean is, umm is this a one time fantasy Negan or do you have feelings for me?” You ask.

“Does it really matter Darlin?” He asks, because he’s betrayed you either way, no matter what now you will be uncomfortable being here.

“Yes!” You all but shout, “It does matter Negan, it matters to me, so please tell me which it is.” You demand, trying your best to keep your voice unwavering.

Negan lets out a long sigh, nodding as he sits back on the end of his bed. He runs his large hand down his face before answering, “I love you, I am in love with you sweetheart and I know this means you’ll need to leave now and I’m so sorry because I said you can stay here, and you can! But I doubt you want to after all this.”

You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding, before smiling down at him. Leaving him just as confused as you were five minutes ago, “Why are you smiling Darlin, this isn’t right I’ve betrayed you in every way I” he was cut off by your lips crashing into his, as you slot your body between his legs. It takes him a second to catch up, but then he melts into you pulling you closer and onto his lap, hooking your legs around his back.

Pulling back to catch your breath you give him what he’s needed for so long, “I love you too Negan, I always have. I was so jealous that mom met you first, because she had the only thing I ever wanted. You.”

This time it was him that pulls you in to a bruising kiss, his arms locking tightly around you as he prepares to never let you go. “God what did I ever do to deserve you?” He mumbles in between kisses. “I don’t know, but what I do know is that you need to show me just how much you love me” you tease, grinding your hips down into his, causing him to hiss at the contact, “That sweetheart I can do”.

You feel your back hit the bed as he flips you over, bringing his hands up your ribs, carefully pulling your shirt up and over your head. While you impatiently kick your jeans off somewhere at the bottom of the bed, the action making him smirk, “Impatient darlin’?” He teases, “Yes” you moan, becoming more and more breathless by the second.

He could tease you all day, make you wait until you’re crying for him desperately. But he can’t, not today, you’ve both waited so long for this and he plans on worshiping you like you deserve. “Ok baby, don’t worry I’ve got ya” he says as he moves down your body, kissing down your stomach until he reaches your pubic bone. Placing a soft kiss there he wastes no time pulling your panties all the way off, and diving into your sweet pussy. You gasp at the sensation before letting out a long moan, the feeling of him suckling on your clit causing your legs to shake, “Negan oh fuck, you feel so good, more please give me more” you beg.

He answers your prayers by adding two long, thick fingers. Pushing them into your tight hole. “Shit!” You moan, your climax approaching quickly, never had you come so close to release so fast in your life! “Please don’t stop Negan, I’m so close” you whine, “Don’t worry baby, I’ve got you, let go for me darlin’” he encourages, and you do, with a cry you reach your pinnacle, releasing all over his mouth and fingers, while he devourers it all up like a man starved.

You’re still so lost in your high you don’t notice him pull off his boxers and moving in between your legs. As your vision clears you feel him nuzzling into your neck, placing gentle kisses against your sweet spot while sliding his cock between your lower lips. “Are you sure you want this sweetheart?” He asks nervously, he’d stop right now if you asked him too, even though every fibre of his being so desperately needed to be buried inside of you.

You nod frantically, “Not enough baby girl, I need words” he nudges. “Yes fuck, I need you now, need you inside me so much” you beg. That’s all he needs to push forward burying himself inside you, all while letting out a low groan, “Fuck your so tight baby, and so wet. This all for me?” He asks, trying his hardest not to blow his load straight away. But you just feel so good! He’s overwhelmed, you’re really here, in his arms, begging him to make love to you.

He’s so lost in it all he jumps slightly when you roll your hips up into his, searching desperately for the friction you need. “Please, fuck please daddy make love to me” you beg. He whips his head up to look at you, and for a moment you worry you’ve taken things too far, the name unconsciously slipped through your lips, before you could even think.

But the smirk on his face says otherwise, who knew his perfect little girl could be so dirty. “Daddy huh?” He punctuates with a firm thrust, making you throw your head back in pleasure. “My naughty girl, does that get you off huh? Calling me daddy? Knowing it’s your step dad making you feel this good?” He teasingly scolds, as he starts a brutal pace, “Fuuuucckk!” You moan, leaking all over him, “Yeah you definitely get off on that don’t you? Dirty girl. Look at that, such a mess you’re making on daddy” he tuts, “Please daddy, please don’t stop” you moan, lifting your hips to meet his thrusts. “Don’t worry baby I have no plans on stopping, you’re mine now and I ain’t ever letting you go.” He groans, rapidly ramming himself into you, at the same time he cups your cheek, pulling you into a loving kiss. A stark contrast to his brutal thrusts, but he still wanted you to know how much he loves you.

“Daddy I’m gonna cum!” You scream, “Go on baby girl, cum on daddy’s cock” he demands, hitting that perfect spot again and again hurtling you into your second orgasm, feeling your tight pussy clamping down on him triggers his own high, causing him to release hot spurts inside you as he growls into your neck. After you both catch your breaths he pulls himself up to look you in the eyes, “I love you so much sweetheart” he smiles. “I love you too” you grin, “So this is it now? You and me together?” You ask.

“Yeah sweetheart, this is it now. I told you, I’m never letting you go.” He affirms.

________________________________________

6 Months Later……………

Sat at the breakfast table, drinking a warm mug of coffee, your left hand laced in Negan’s you smile.

Things have been wonderful, you’d both fallen into your relationship so easily. And with summer coming to a close, you were soon finishing your final year of college. “You know sweetheart you only have a few weeks of college left, and I was thinking that maybe it is time to start a new?” He proposed. “What do you mean?” You ask, feeling a little uncertain all of a sudden, reading your face he pulls you closer, “Don’t worry darlin’ it’s a good thing, I was thinking that maybe we sell this house, move away and buy another somewhere new? Somewhere that’s only ever been ours? No bad memories attached, we can choose somewhere together?” He asks.

You light up “Really?” You gasp, excitement flooding in you. Buying a house together sounds like a dream. “Yeah, well the divorce has been final for a while now, and I feel like we’d both benefit from a new start, my jobs remote anyways and you will be starting new, so why not? Maybe somewhere by the sea? New England?” He offers.

“That sounds wonderful Negan, I’d love to live by the sea, I’ve only ever been once. It would be magical to be right by it everyday. And choosing somewhere new that’s just ours sounds perfect” you grin. “Great, it’s settled then, we will go down to the realtors this afternoon, get the ball rolling.” He suggests. You sit yourself onto his lap, running your fingers through his hair, “How did I get so lucky?” You smile, “Nah I’m the lucky one sweetheart”, you grin placing your lips against his, as he pulls you closer wrapping his arms around you. You both deepen the kiss, tongues dancing together loosing yourselves in each other.

Just as things start heating up, as hands begin to wonder and you start rolling your hips against his, the sound of something heavy hitting the floor startles you both.

“What the fuck!” A familiar voice chimes through the kitchen. “Shit” Negan mumbles into your shoulder before looking up, his eyes meeting those of your mothers.

“What the hell is this!!” She barks, you quickly get off Negan’s lap and turn to your mom, “Well mother I guess it’s exactly what it looks like.” You sigh. There was no use trying to hide it now. “I think I need more of an explanation than that! Negan?” She shrieks, “We are together, Y/N and I, and as you left quite some time ago I really don’t think it’s any of your damn business, you clearly know your way in, so can you please reverse the process and make your way back out of our home!” Negan orders, his tone cold and final.

“How long has this been going on? Were you two doing this behind my back!” She shouts, causing you to flinch, Negan won’t allow you to be hurt by this woman again, so instinctively he pulls you behind him all while taking a defensive step towards your mother. “How dare you! After you know full well what you were doing behind my back! You didn’t hide it very well trust me!” He spat. “Well I umm, that has nothing to do with this! That’s my daughter! Your step daughter! How could you!” She cries.

“Firstly you lost the right to call her your daughter the second you left, second we haven’t been married a long while now so she is no longer my ‘step daughter’ and to answer your question, no this didn't happen until after you left, now will you please leave!” He growls.

Your mom turns to you, “I always knew you were a little slut, but to steal my husband, even I didn’t think you’d lower yourself that far!” She sneered. “Hey! How dare you…” Negan starts, but you place your hand on his arm, giving him a look that says ‘No I’ve got this’.

“I didn’t ‘steal’ your husband mom, you left, and you asked him for a divorce, which I may add you made him sign then and there. You then walked out of our lives, leaving me here with Negan without looking back. Now what? It wasn’t greener on the other side? You thought you’d come back here and pick up where you left off? Life doesn’t work like that mom.

I’ve nearly finished college and soon we will be moving, and we won’t see you again, you can go on and live your life exactly how you wanted, alone. You wrote your terms in the divorce papers, to which he agreed too and signed, so you are entitled to nothing here. So to echo what Negan said, please leave. I hope to never see you again.” You declare, opening the front door and motioning her to leave.

Negan watches with a proud smirk on his face, one your mother certainly notices. “This isn’t over! You won’t be walking happily off into the sunset I promise you! I will tell your grandparents, they will all know what a little slut you are! You’ll have no one left!” She shrieks.

“You can tell them whatever you want, but I can assure you they won’t be shocked. I’ve invited Grandma and Grandfather to my graduation. So I had to tell them about me and Negan. They weren’t too happy to start with, but once Negan spoke to them on the phone, told them what you’d done and how much he loved me. How he wants to make me happy and love me how I deserve, they came around, in fact we are both invited over for thanksgiving with the family. So you can take your threats and shove them where the sun don’t shine mother, goodbye.” You say calmly, once again motioning for her to leave.

She screams in frustration before stomping out and slamming the door. You know you haven’t heard the end of this, and in all honesty you hope you can move quicker than she can plot.

________________________________________

Graduation passed with a blur, your grandparents did in fact come and they made mends with you and Negan. All be it along side threatening him, that if he ever hurt you your grandma would castrate him. But even she could tell how much you loved one another, Lacey took a bit more convincing, she couldn’t understand to start with, but you reminded her you met him when you were over 18. That nothing happened until you were even older than that, you told her how happy he’s made you, and that you hope she will come visit you in your new home.

Eventually she came around, and has since visited you in your new home. Which was the best surprise, as you couldn’t imagine loosing your best friend.

Your new home….. it was beautiful, a little two bedroom cottage right by the sea in a sleepy little seaside town in Rhodes island. It was perfect, Negan let you decorate it however you wanted, in his words “I couldn’t care less, paint it all pink if you like, if you’re happy I’m happy”.

You’d gone up and spent thanksgiving with your family as planned, they were all very welcoming to Negan, as they hadn’t met him with your mother, it was easy to only see him as your partner. It was lovely to see everyone again, the family who loves you, but whom your mother had kept you away from. Your mother thankfully didn’t have your new address and it felt like things were finally good, really good in fact, and as you snuggle up with Negan on your first Christmas in your new home.

Fuzzy socks sat on both your feet, and the heat from the fire warming your skin, a deep contrast from the snow that’s softly falling outside your window. You look down and smile gleefully at the glistening ring on your left hand, and in that moment you knew that everything was worth it.

[bon2bonn]

Flowers

Carlos Sainz X leclerc!reader

🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼

PT.2✨

Words count : 1.3k

*It's time to face the storm aka. Charles.

Warnings : grammar, cursing, blood, cheating mentioned, overprotective brothers, not proof read, hospitals, arguing , ex! Pierre.

You can read " Pt.1 here " and "Pt.3 here" and "PT.4 here"

* things got out of hand, and now part 2 is extended to 3 and possibly 4 ?but here we go !

The moment they stepped into her apartment Charles turned not giving her any time to settle " here we are ! , now tell me who did this and what does Carlos have to do with it?" She took a deep breath before facing him with a wary look before saying " Pierre caused it" watching as he gave her a disbelieving look back " why would he ?!" Only for her to shake her head with a shrug " because he's not who I thought he was , I only had a version of him in my head that turned out to be a lie but I was too in love with him to notice what I get myself into . And when I finally realized how much I was justifying his mistakes I decided to walk away and he didn't accept that . He kept on trying to corner me to convince me to talk to him , to give him a chance and everytime I refuse he'd turn violent ,just like what happened today " Charles looked confused with what he was hearing "you told me you both agreed to end it , you told me everything was alright and you were just both busy and ...." She cuts him off "That was never the case . he was distancing himself and whenever I tried to talk about it we end up fighting , he'd just back away and I thought he was giving me space so we can process things and work on it , but it turns out he was seeing someone else " .

Taking a moment to breathe, she clenched her eyes before turning to sit on the couch before adding " we had a fight , right before Miami last season , I had a work trip and it took three flights just to go see him , trying to work things out , I knew how your schedules are putting pressure on you and how hectic they can be so I decided to surprise him , and when I got there and I found him with someone , or more accurately on top of her , I confronted him but he blew it on me and I broke up with him " .

Charles's expression went From anger to confusion to shock and disbelief quietly voicing " why didn't you say anything?" His sister gave a bitter laugh " you weren't exactly the biggest supporter of us dating in the first place Charles, you strongly opposed the Idea of me dating anyone Let alone one of your friends !" . He only got more agitated " I had the right to know , why didn't you tell me?" She looked at him with anger exclaiming " yeah right! I would just go up to you and say "hey Charlie , remember the guy you told me not to date , Pierre ! Your friend! Turns out you were right I shouldn't have! because guess what!? he cheated on me and now we broke up!" Because I know how well you'd react to that " .

He denied but she cuts him before he could protest " just like how you blew up on Carlos today " that got him to swallow down whatever he was about to say . Looking around trying to find something to say only for his gaze to fall on the vase still sitting on the coffee table holding her favourite flowers , his mind drifts back to Carlos's driver room , that single flower sitting atop the shelf exactly like the ones he's looking at right now , his sister's favourite flowers staring at him . A warning bell rang around his head making him recoil as he finally realized what's been Infront of him the whole time , he snapped his head to look at her " you and Carlos?" Only for her to look away , refusing to make any eye contact opting to look down at her hands instead , that got him to snap again " for how long!?" She flinched at that holding back tears " about 10 months" he laughed in disbelief " you've been seeing my teammate for about a year? A whole fucking year ! And never thought of telling me ? Your own damned brother ! His fucking teammate!" Her tears fell as she whispered in a broken voice " I didn't know how to tell you without you lashing out like this , you won't understand !" He raised his voice in anger "understand what?!" Looking at her in anger "understand that you kept all of these things from me !? That you went behind my back and now you're with my teammate !?! Understand what exactly!?" . She counter immediately " that I never meant for that to happen, for me to hide that I have feelings for someone , because I was scared of what you'd think , of how any of you three would react !. It's never the same when I comes to me , while you could go out and date whoever you want and no one would bat an eye , but I have to pray that you won't chase away anyone who God forbid had any interest in me . So no Charles you won't understand!" .

He looked at her with his hands raised pointing at her accusingly " and that went well , right?, you didn't even think about telling me now Look at how things ends up with Pierre , now Carlos!? , Who's next ?! Huh ? Who's going to be the next one when things go wrong with him too !?". She looked at him eyes wide and mouth agape in disbelief , unable to make any response so he kept going " I knew I shouldn't have let you come along , I knew something was bound to happen! You didn't listen to me now look how it ended up!".

She stood up voice hoarse "get out" he turned to her in confusion " what?" She ignored him only saying louder "I said get out Charles! Now! " . He scoffed at that " you're kicking me out just cause you can't handle when someone finally tells you the truth? " She shook her head " No Charles , because I thought I was wrong when I didn't tell you , I spent days contemplating whether I should tell you or let my guilt eat my soul because I knew you'd hate me if you found out , even Carlos tried to convince me to tell you many times but I refused, I always felt guilty about keeping it from you , but I guess I was wrong " she stood and stepped forward giving him a sad smile " I never regretted that I dated Pierre , it was my choice to be with him in the first place , but it was his choice to love someone else and choose them over me , same as my choice to love Carlos to give him a chance because I know it's not in my hand to control Pierre or Carlos or anyone else's actions towards me , but it's in my hands to love them " her tears came back falling more as she went on " the same as I love you my brother , I won't force you to accept any of my choices , I won't , because you chose to not understand , to not listen to me and to think of me this way" .

He took one last look at her , eyes red and swollen , tears staining her cheeks and a broken look consumed her face , guilt overtook him but he turned and left , slamming the door behind him leaving her to deal with the aftermath in the silence of her home .

[kwlsn]

the apple of my eye . . .

r ⁿ o . . .

A big chunk of crystal-clear ice slowly melted into Rin's glass — distorting the image of a lady in red heels, sensing his gaze on her like a predator for tonight.

Some people may call it an obsession, but Rindou wasn't obsessed with you — he was reclaiming what his.

"It's been a while, cheater."

"Sugar, y'know it's not true."

He waved his hand, telling everyone to leave him alone as a group of girls at the corner caught your eyes — making Sanzu and his men have to drag them out by their hair when they wouldn't budge.

Rindou hooked his arm around your knees, pulling you close to him as you rested your head against his chest, taking the upper three buttons off as your freshly manicured nails made a trail along his tatted chest.

"Thirty-thousand for this? My baby is either dumb and got scammed or trying to squeeze my money off."

He wrapped his hand around yours, pressing a kiss on your wrist as his eyes made contact with yours — trying to get an answer out of you.

Even though you moved out of his house, Rindou still let you have three of his cards to pamper yourself — each of them was for different occasions and as long as you didn't return them to him, he knew you were still his.

He believed you were playing around this whole time, still feeling upset when a stranger tried to make a move on him a year ago and he didn't brush her off.

You kept your lips tightly sewn, avoiding the older man's sharp eyes as his grip got tighter around your waist — pushing you to the limit as you straddled his hips, pressing your lips against his.

"You taste like alcohol, sugar."

"The guy I made out with is a heavy drinker."

Jealousy was a word Rindou never experienced before because he felt secure with your relationship with him — but your little game was his last straw and being nice to you was out of the topic now.

"Get on your knees now, whore."

He watched you climb off his lap, sitting in front of him like a good girl he taught you to be — feeling proud of himself for succeeding in molding you into his little doll.

Spreading his legs wide, you kept your hands close to you and unbuckled his belt with your mouth — taking it off slowly as you could see Rin was already getting impatient that his veins were visible around his neck and forehead.

Pushing down his boxer, you looked at his size in silence — always having many thoughts on how he would fit it inside you today when you knew that he would never give you time to adapt with it.

Shaking those thoughts off your head, you took his tip inside your mouth gently — feeling how heavy it was on your tongue, swirling it gently around his head before pushing it deeper into the back of your throat.

"Good girl."

He groaned, slipping his fingers between your hair and turning it into a makeshift ponytail — biting on his lower lip as your lipstick left a stain on his base (not that he was complaining though).

The combination of your tongue and moan was enough to drive him crazy, pushing him to his limit and giving him more high than any drug Sanzu could get for him — you were his only addiction and if you ran away again like before, Rindou might have to imprison you inside his expensive penthouse like what Mikey did to his wife.

One last buck against your mouth and he let out a thick string of cum filling up your mouth as you swallowed them without a complaint, looking at him with a pair of doe-like eyes that melted his heart the first time he met you.

"C'mere, sugar."

He took off your clothes and threw your expensive pair of underwear to the audience on the dance floor, watching them going wild and trying to grab one of the pair.

If there was something Rindou always enjoyed whenever he was with you, it was having people watching him pounding you hard — filling you up to the brim, making sure you kept everything to warm you up inside.

Rindou gripped your waist as he watched how you tried your best to fit it in as his tip was already making out with your cervix and yet, it was barely halfway inside.

"Need help? Here, lemme."

He placed both of your hands under your thighs spreading them open as he slammed his hips hard into your — a wide grin tugging on his lips, watching people taking pictures and videos of how your bare pussy was currently bullied by his thick cock.

Looking at him with red cheeks, you glanced at his hand and then your currently lonely clit — wanting him to pay it some attention as he let out a chuckle.

"You're really a whore, hm? Mine only, of course."

As if it was a threat, Rindou pinched your puffed up clit between his fingers — rubbing and rolling it with his hand as he could feel you were so close, wall pulsing and clenching on his cock, begging for it to fill you up, breed you and have every see you getting claimed by the one and only Haitani Rindou.

"I-I'm cummi—"

As if it was a cue, your raw pussy finally gave up and covered Rin's table with your sweet nectar — giving him a little bit of taste how much you had missed his voice, his touch, his cock.

As Rin noticed how tired you were, he asked one of his men to bring in a blanket — covering your shivering body with it before telling the rest to kill everyone who watched him fucking you.

After all, you were the apple of his eyes — you were his only and belonged to no one but him.

[wisteria-beach]

Time after time | R.C

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x reader

Summary: When your boyfriend ditches you on the night of senior prom you end up running into the last person you would ever expect to see, Rafe Cameron, your best friends older brother who you haven't seen since he left for college three years ago…

Originally posted: 06/05/2023

Series Masterlist | Part two

_________

The sidewalk was cold, hard and uncomfortable to sit on but you barely felt it, too consumed by the swirl of unrelenting emotions threatening to overtake you. It was supposed to be the best - the most magical night of your life but instead it had been one long disaster.

Salty tears stung your eyes and made your phone screen blurry as you read the text response from your mom “sorry sweetie, I had to cover someone’s shift, can you get a ride home with Sarah?”

You swallowed and the action felt like glass in your throat “sure” you text back “see you later” as you thought about the fact that Sarah had already left, speeding off in Topper's shiny jeep with a smile brighter than the stars. 

She was happy, her prom had been perfect. Her date had shown up, bought her a corsage, danced with her all night long, all things that you couldn’t say had happened to you. And though you’d tried to have fun dancing with your friends the night had been ruined before it even began with your boyfriend's words swirling through your brain “Listen I just have better things to do than going to a stupid high school prom okay? I'll make it up to you.” 

That was what you got for dating a college guy… ”stupid high school prom” but it hadn’t felt stupid to you, you’d been dreaming of this day for what felt like your whole life. You had a binder full of dress ideas before you’d even finished middle school and dreams in your head about the perfect night with the perfect date. Josh had seemed like that guy, tall, a little older, handsome and sweet (only when he wanted something, your mind supplied in hindsight) but he’d ditched you after promising he’d be there and he hadn’t even bothered to tell you until the day of. 

A burst of anger swept through you knocking the air from your lungs and you swiped the tears from your cheeks as you unblocked your phone, pulling up his contact and hitting “block”. He’d known what this night meant to you and if he wanted to put a stupid frat party over you then you were done. 

You felt a strange mixture of sadness and relief as you saw his contact flash away, the delete button pressed. You realised that he’d never really been the dream boyfriend you’d wished that he was, that you were better off without him but it didn’t take the hurt away…the knowledge that you’d never get a do over for this night.

You stood up from the sidewalk, unhooking your heels and tying the straps around your wrist - if you were going to walk home you might as well do it semi comfortably. The concrete was cold under your toes and goosebumps flecked your arms with the breeze, it was an unseasonably cold day in the outer banks and you felt like it was just yet another slight the universe was throwing at you that you had to walk home, freezing in your dress. The perfectly miserable end to the perfectly miserable night. 

The walk was long but the streets were empty, everyone locked away neatly in their houses sleeping happily or basking in the afterglow of post prom parties. It seemed like you really were the only one left and the darkness seemed extra vast for it, the orange street lamps luminance making everything look a shade more eerie. But then you heard the roar of an engine and you crossed your arms over your chest protectively, pointedly not looking its way, hoping it would pass you by quickly. 

But the vehicle didn’t speed ahead, it slowed down and eventually you were forced to turn to the side to see that the bike had stopped beside you and the driver turned your way, removing his helmet. 

Your heart sped up and skipped a beat, was this day really so terrible that on top of everything else you were about to get kidnapped too? You were completely and utterly alone on the dark side street and you wondered if running would make any difference to your fate but then the helmet was off and your eyes went wide, mouth gasping as you realised who it was. 

“Rafe Cameron?” you asked, he looked different, more muscular, older, sexier your mind supplied. Though you weren’t sure why that shocked you. After all it had been almost three years since he’d gone off to college and you’d last seen him. 

The corners of his mouth turned up in a grin, his own eyes widening and flicking up and down your frame appreciatively. Your cheeks heated up and you turned away from his striking eyes. 

“Y/N L/N? Is that you?” he asked the slight edge of disbelief in his voice “what are you doing here?”

Your eyebrow quirked up, amused at his question “well I live in the obx…it’s not unheard of for me to walk down the street you know, question is what are you doing here?”

You knew from Sarah that Rafe didn’t come home often, mostly only when he was obligated to like at holidays and even then his presence wasn’t guaranteed. 

He shrugged “would you believe it if I said that I was homesick?” 

“Not really.”

“Fair enough.”

There was silence for a beat and then you blurted out “you look good by the way, really good” your eyes went wide as you realised what you’d just said out loud “I-I just mean college suits you…you look healthy. ”

You cringed internally at your choice of words, healthy? Seriously? Exchange a few sentences with him and suddenly you were back to the stuttering, blushing sixteen year old fawning over her best friend's older brother and ‘heartbroken’ when he left for college. Even the memory of it made you cringe.

“Healthy?” Rafe repeated a teasing smirk pulling at his lips as he seemingly knew what you had really meant.

You swallowed quickly “yeah…”

He laughed, the mirth reaching his eyes and you couldn’t help but laugh a little bit too.

“Well you look hot .”

Your cheeks flamed and he grinned “ smoking hot…what happened to my little sister's annoying best friend?” 

You looked down at the tires of his bike trying not to let him see your smile “you left…she grew up…that’s how time works you know.”

“Really? Thanks for the lesson…hope she didn’t forget about me though…”

“Oh she didn’t think of you once” you said, flashing him a teasing smirk your conscience laughing at the blatant lie…he had crossed your mind more than a few times over the past 3 years…the fact you checked his long abandoned facebook every couple of months was proof of that, but it wasn’t something that he needed to know. 

He threw a hand over his heart “ahh still annoying I see but you wound me.”

“So you thought about me then?”

“Everyday and night, ace.”

Your heart skipped a beat at the long forgotten nickname from childhood (a relic of your slight obsession with the pet detective movies) and you looked down coyly “oh I believe you, bet you have a shrine to me in your dorm don’t you?”

He stuck his tongue in his cheek to stop his laugh and nodded seriously “with candles.”

You giggled “you’re an ass Rafe Cameron.”

“And you’re a dork Y/N L/N.”

There was another, more comfortable pause of silence until Rafe interrupted, repeating his question from earlier.

“So what are you doing here?”

You shrugged “walking home, my moms got the car.”

He frowned “it’s prom night though.”

“So?”

“Well shouldn’t you be off having fun at an after party, sucking face with your date or whatever people do after prom? I know it's been a while since I was in high school but I'm pretty sure people don’t just go home alone.” 

You sighed “I just…didn’t feel like it I guess.” 

He crossed his arms over his chest and your eyes instinctively followed the movement of his muscles flexing against his white t-shirt.

“I don’t buy it” he shook his head slowly “you are the same girl who would dress up in a disney princess dress and decorate the living room to watch prom movies all weekend, right?”

You pressed your hands to your face groaning “ oh my god …yes that was me but I would like to remind you that i'm not nine anymore, thank you very much. I can’t believe you remember that.”

He laughed “Are you kidding? Of course I do, you and Sarah monopolised the tv every weekend I could never watch monster truck racing.” 

“Oh the horror” you said sarcastically.

 “No but seriously what happened, why are you all alone?”

Your heart sped up a little “nothing” you lied but you couldn’t look him in the eye. 

“C’mon” he urged you “it’s me , you can tell me.”

You sighed and turned your head away acting like watching a sparrow hopping across a telephone wire was the most interesting thing to look at. 

“y/n…this is prom , it isn’t right that you’re just going home. Where’s Williams?” 

You turned to him with surprise, you didn’t realise he knew the name of your boyfriend, but you shrugged it off thinking that Sarah must have told him. 

“He didn’t come.”

Rafe’s eyebrows shot up “ what ? Your boyfriend didn’t come to prom how -”

You cut him off, wincing at the word boyfriend “ex actually.”

“Since when?”

You shrugged again, holding up your phone “since I blocked him about 20 minutes ago?”

Rafe’s eyebrows shot up so far they practically reached his hairline and he leaned against his bike with a look of confusion and shock “listen ace, you’re gonna have to give me a little more, what happened?”

You deflated with a heavy sigh you didn’t want to hash it back out, you already felt stupid for feeling so upset in the first place over prom and you didn’t want Rafe to see that too.  “Why does it matter?” you asked dejectedly.

“Because” Rafe said, “if i'm gonna put him in the hospital anyway i'd like to at least be able to give an explanation to the cops.”

Before you could help yourself you were laughing, pressing a hand to your lips to stifle the giggles when you saw he was deadly serious, leaning against his bike with a look of fury and righteousness on your behalf. 

“You can’t beat him up Rafe.”

“Why not?”

“Assault is kind of illegal just in case you weren’t aware” you teased and he rolled his eyes. 

“I'd still do it for you.”

You smiled, looking down at your shoes as you said softly “I know.” 

Before you could register the movement he’d stepped closer and you felt the blood rush to your cheeks as you registered the enticing scent of his cologne and his fingertips briefly  brushed your skin as he reached out to tuck a flyaway strand of hair behind your ears. 

“Ace” he said gently and you looked up momentarily stunned by just how blue the shade of his eyes were, like the ocean bathed in the glow of the moon “c’mon it's me, tell me what happened.”

Just like that your walls crumbled and before you could stop them the words were tumbling from your lips, tripping over one another as they rushed out “he ditched me…he promised that he’d come and then he text me 20 minutes before he was supposed to get here that he wasn’t coming, he didn’t wanna miss party of the year in his stupid frat or whatever and I guess I just feel so stupid for trusting him…for letting him ruin everything and…”

You had more to say but the words clogged in your throat, lips choking on them until all that came out was a sob as your eyes filled with hot tears and you didn’t have a second to feel mortified that you were crying in front of Rafe Cameron, Rafe Cameron who you’d loved since the moment you’d set eyes on him, because he reached out and folded you into his arms and you instinctively leaned into his embrace. 

He smelt like cedarwood and pine and the faint scent of the leather jacket that he'd worn earlier but most of all he smelt like home. Like fresh laundry and hugs that took your breath and your fears away. “It's okay” he murmured, stroking a large hand through your hair and you felt the pins keeping the style in place fall out the locks tumbling over your shoulders and making you feel surprisingly free and for a half a second you laughed wondering what mini you and mini Rafe would have made of the two of you actually getting on for once. 

“I'm sorry” you murmured, mortified by the tears, and if you were being honest a tiny bit of mascara, staining his white t-shirt but he just shook his head.

“You have nothing to be sorry for ace.”

You groaned, hiding your face in the comfort of his chest. “I do, I'm being so pathetic…it’s just a stupid high school dance.” 

He pulled you away from his chest but kept the contact, his arms warm and firm on your shoulders as he made you look at him and the sincerity on his face. 

“You are not pathetic” he said and when you shook your head he gripped your shoulders harder “no listen to me you’re not, he’s the pathetic one because he could have been spending his night with a beautiful, smart, funny girl and instead he gave all that up.”

You tried your hardest not to blush, his words filling you with warmth but making you shy at the same time. “And if you won’t let me kick his ass will you at least compromise and let me run him over with my car?”

You snorted and then nodded slowly “okay but you have to call the ambulance afterwards.”

He grinned and reached out to shake your hand “deal.”

He bumped his shoulder against yours, his eyes sparkling against the darkness of the night “there’s that pretty smile.”

“Shut up” you mumbled, flushing, and he grinned harder. 

Suddenly he was pulling away and before you register what he was doing he’d grabbed his leather jacket from where it was slung around the handlebars and wrapped it carefully around your shoulders and you smiled at him grateful that he’d noticed you were cold. 

His jacket was soft and best of all it smelt like him and you couldn’t stop yourself from closing your eyes and enjoying that comforting smell if you’d tried. 

“Hey daydreamer” his shout pulled you from your reverie and you saw he’d kickstarted the engine on the bike “c’mon i'll give you a ride.”

Your eyes went wide and he smirked “on that ?”

“you scared?” he taunted lightly “what you don’t think you could handle a bike, ace?”

“Are you challenging me Rafe Cameron?”

He shrugged “maybe” and you grinned.

“Oh fuck it” you said as you swung a leg over the bike and he positioned your arms so that they were wrapped tightly around his waist.

“Don’t forget to hold on” he called out and then suddenly you were flying….

Or at least it felt like you were flying, you’d never been on a motorbike before and you quickly discovered that it was fun, the wind rushed around you like you were a speeding bullet and the trees shading the coast blurred into dark green shapes. It was thrilling and fast and you buried your face into Rafe’s back resisting the urge to whoop like you were on a rollercoaster. 

“You missed the turn in for my street!” you shouted after a while and you felt rather than heard his laughter. 

“I never said I was taking you home ace, the night is still young.”

And you thought that maybe this tragic, horrible, miserable night might not end as such a tragedy after all.

[probably-writing-x]

This Too Shall Pass

Rafe Cameron x Reader

Summary: You and Rafe didn’t work anymore, you’d tried and you’d failed. But it was a tough pill to swallow when you were sure this was forever.

Warnings: Just a whole lot of angst my loves

Author’s Note: This is way too sad, I’m so sorry

Not my gif

Rafe knew how it felt to lose things, to lose people. He knew the feeling, he knew how to suppress it until it eventually went away. It wasn’t that he knew how to properly cope with loss, but he knew how to avoid coping. Whether it was drink, drugs, or girls, he knew how to avoid dealing with things. This time felt like an exception. This time, he’d lost you.

The two of you had been dating on and off for two years since school. You’d argue and split up, bicker and decide you weren’t good for each other, but everyone knew that you always went back to each other. You forgave him, and that was something he didn’t get from anybody else but you. But this time was too far, in the past few months he had become a completely different person - he was chasing a high that he wouldn’t find, getting into fights, threatening the Pogues. It was spiralling and it didn’t seem to stop.

And you just couldn’t do it anymore. You’d tried, anybody could see that you’d tried. You’d opened the door to him after he’d disappeared for a week without contacting you, you’d given him a place to stay when he didn’t want to be at home, and you’d cleaned up his wounds after a fight with the Pogues. You’d done it all. But it got to a point, a breaking point. And you couldn’t do it anymore. You couldn’t keep being his safety net. So, you’d ended it.

That was a month ago now, and to say you had found it easy would be an understatement. Your friends had rallied around you, Sarah bringing you ice cream and telling you that her brother didn’t deserve you. You’d done all you could to avoid him on the island, not going to parties and shutting yourself off from the friends you used to share with your boyfriend. Anything to avoid him, right?

But Sarah had called you over to hers tonight, saying it was an emergency, and for some reason it felt like a welcome home to be going back to the house you’d spent so many nights at.

You knock on the door and step back, waiting anxiously for the house to open up.

“(Y/N)?” It’s Wheezie on the other side of the door, “What are you doing here?”

“Hey,” You smile, having missed seeing the girl that you treated like your own sister, “Sarah asked me to come over, she said it was urgent.”

She frowns at you, “Sarah’s at John B’s. She hasn’t been here since yesterday.”

A lump forms in your throat almost instantly, like the pieces of a puzzle clicking together. And the last piece falls into place as soon as you see the body stood behind Wheezie, just coming down from the stairs. Your breath catches in your throat.

“I should go,” You force out, clenching your fists at your side to ground yourself back to the moment, trying to convince your legs to turn and get you as far away from the house as possible.

“(Y/N) please don’t,” Rafe breaks straight through to you, “Just stay.”

You’d listened to him so many times before when he told you to stay, and you weren’t sure that this time would be any different. Your eyes focus on him, taking in his form. He looks like he’s lost weight, his face looking like it has been drained of his normal energy. You’re so focused on him that you don’t realise Wheezie has left, leaving just the two of you and far too much space between.

“Can you just come in? Please?” His eyes are pleading with you more than his words do.

You find yourself obliging, stepping through the threshold and into the house. He closes the door behind you as if he’s still terrified that you could leave at any second.

~~~

You’re both in one of the multiple lounges in this house. You’re sat down on the sofa, arms crossed over your thighs like you need to close yourself off from him. Rafe is stood across the way from you, pacing back and forth across the width of the room every so often.

“How have you been?” He asks eventually, breaking the silence as if the question had been calculating in his head ever since you’d got here.

You swallow the lump in your throat, “I’ve been okay, just keeping busy I guess. You?”

He goes to respond stops himself, trying at it once more before eventually saying, “I don’t know how much longer I can do this, (Y/N).”

“Rafe…”

“No, I’m serious. I’m not just saying it,” He shakes his head, “I’m not sleeping, I’m not eating, I’ve been getting drunk every night, nothing helps.”

“Rafe don’t tell me that, what do you want me to do?”

“Tell me how to fix it!” He raises his voice and you know he regrets it instantly, watching as you flinch at his words.

He falls silent again.

“I don’t know what you want me to say. We’ve broken up. And that’s as hard as me as it is on you, but that doesn’t change the fact that we’re not together anymore,” You explain, slow in your words so that it drains all emotion away from them, “We need to learn to live without each other.”

“I don’t want to do that, (Y/N), I don’t want to live without you.”

You’re quiet, mainly because no words are good enough for this.

When you look up at him, Rafe’s eyes are brimming with tears, his lips piercing together to stop himself from completely breaking. He brings a hand up over his chin and you notice him still wearing the ring you had bought him for his birthday last year.

It breaks you. In that moment, it feels like you truly break. You were looking at a person your heart still knew that you loved, but your head was too far gone to go back to. A boy that had held your love for so long, and you had slowly been convincing yourself to let go of. A boy that knew you better than anyone, and you now had to come to terms with not knowing at all.

“Just tell me what I can do, (Y/N),” He whispers through his voice breaking, choking through a sob that he doesn’t want to release.

You’re crying too now, tears flooding down your cheeks like a reflex you were now desensitised to completely.

It draws you to each other, both hearts inevitably yearning for the other beyond what any rationality could give.

Rafe comes over to you and sits down on the couch, close to you so that your knee bumps his, he reaches out and takes one of your hands in both of his, leaning forward until your foreheads touch.

“I never wanted to lose you,” He mumbles, tears wetting his cheeks and rolling down to his lips, “With everything that was going on, the last thing I wanted to happen was this.”

You nod, swallowing the lump in your throat once again, your breath trembling when it releases.

Not a single part of you wants to pull away from him, or leave, or get out and never see him again. So you just stay like that - both taking in every piece of contact between you two that you’d been craving since you’d left.

But there’s a more rational side to you now, that you seemed to have lost when the two of you were together. Your head managed to overwhelm your heart now.

“I need to go, Rafe,” You whisper the words, worried they’ll slice too harshly if you speak them any louder.

He shakes his head, “No.” He chokes the word like it pains him to even think of it, “Please don’t leave.”

“We can’t do this again,” You reach up a hand and brush his hair away from his forehead, dragging your fingers through the shorter hairs at the side.

He leans his head into your touch, wanting to pocket every piece of it now he knows it’s temporary, “How do I do this without you?”

You smile a little, trying to soften the moment, “You’re Rafe Cameron, I don’t think there’s a lot you can’t do.”

Rafe turns his head fully to the side and kisses your palm, his lips lingering over there for a moment, longing him to kiss his way back to you.

“Is this it?”

You shake your head quickly, knowing deep down that the idea of forever away from him would always seem impossible, knowing that there was too much between you to ever fully say goodbye to, he’d always inevitably be your end, and so you say;

“It’ll pass.”

[sol-consort]

Do you think in the mass effect universe, there's like porn of every alein race having sex with humans, like a human fetish almost? I'm asking because when I was romancing Garrus in ME2 Mordin said something about sending over videos to shepard's room that would help her have sex with him, and I'm like 'what does that mean?' Are there like a lot of interspecies alien porn? Also circling back around to stuff Mordin said about the turian cum will it definitely cause an allergic reaction or is there just a chance of it? If yes, can I just swallow and have an epipen on hand?

"Can I just swallow and have an epipen on hand?" having finished typing the last paragraph of your very professional worded letter, you navigate through your omni-tool as you press the final confirmation required to send the letter directly to the Turian Embassy, signed - a very concerned human.

The next day, the Turian public affairs and foreign relationships ministry, in collaboration with the Blue Talon healthcare ministry, ensure the widespread of the Turian-Human sexual educational pamphlet... alongside complimentary epipens to all humans affected.

I'd be very disappointed in humanity if there WASN'T a porno category for us at least a couple of years in the aftermath of first contact.

Humans already have produced so much porn–the anal section alone would cost you an entire lifetime to watch through, and you wouldn't even make it halfway through the category. We've been making porn since ancient times, be it oil paintings, statues or written erotica.

There will be a flood of human porn into the galactic web once we connect our Internet to their network. And that's just human on human action!

The asari, undoubtedly, dominate the industry. The first ever published alien on human video was with an asari. The first couple hundreds were, the other species simply haven't warmed up to us yet.

However, the first homemade porn video between an alien and a human was with a turian. The first contact war forced the two species to get closer by virtue of beating the shit out of each other, it came to no one's surprise that it turned into hatefucking after the council put a stop to fighting.

The turian government tried to deny it and keep it on the down low. But seeing how human microbes being deadly to turians, and that the turians themselves found the humans irresistible and much more breedable than they'd ever admit, the government was forced into action to protect the wellbeing of its people.

Insiders encouraging the widespread of human porn, paying pornsites to host educational videos and information about a turian could safely fuck a human. "Spit, never swallow," becoming an unironic slogan used in this campaign.

Unawarly, in an attempt to preserve whatever remains of their dignity by making this whole operation an open secret; the turian government have laid the very first stones into tha paved stairwell of making the turian population to be the highest consumers of human porn.

Be it Turian/Human or else. Hell, a lot of them prefer the Asari/Human videos, claiming it's like watching their two favourite things fuck. What's better than one candy bar? Two candy bars! smushed together. In bed. The human on the receiving end preferably because turians still get a special thrill from watching the humans act submissive and be put in their place.

-

At the end of the citadel mission in ME3, the devs unawarly made something very funny canon. If you're femshep and never romance anyone else through the entire game, you will wake up in bed with Javik.

This means that, canonly, the only prothean pornagrophy video to ever exist on the galactic web (Shep's house has cameras which are connected to the cloud) has been with a human.

If that doesn't cause a massive spike in the human category and make us truly rival the asari who have been oversturating the market for so long, I don't know what else does.

On a side note: geth and AI like EDI might consider the human/vibrators category to be of massive interest.

The whole myth of "did you know human women have no refactory period? They can orgasm indefinitely" spreads like widefire amongst the other races. Suddenly, everyone wants to test this out, asari scientists keep sending appeals to the human embassy despite continuous rejection.

-

For the human/turian safe sex, I think making out is off the table. Even without the whole microbes thing, I'm not sure how their peak with metal plates could've worked with our soft, easily injured lips. The skin on our faces is where it's thinnest. It's very easy to scratch and scar.

Not only does Mordin mention sending you some videos, but Garrus himself brings up the fact that he watched some videos and is now ready to...relieve out stress together, if you want.

Turian cum might be bad for you to digest orally, probably trigger your immune system into a false alarm. However, luckily, the immune system is not allowed in your reproductive organs! Just a precaution fail safe measure in our design so that your immune system doesn't end up accidentally hurting your reproductive ability when it invetabily fucks up, as immune systems tend to do on occasion, also see: pollen.

So you can get creempied by Garrus–and turians in general, no risk of death, allergy, or pregnancy!

As far as I know, besides the asari being a joker card that's compatible with every race, the drell are the only safe-ish species for humans to consume all of their fluids. Be it cum, saliva or...even tears! It will only get you high. No other species experiences that with them tho, so imagine the mindfuck that is to drell.

Suddenly told that your whole existence is a psychedelic to humans, that you could get one on cloud nine by a simple kiss.

[magicalbuttertarts]

Could I request college professor Kenny Omega and college female student reader are broken up and he’s jealous of the rumors about her dating someone else on campus and it leads to make-up sex?

AEW Masterlist

Yes Professor (18+)

Kenny Omega x f/Reader

This has not been proofread. Please enjoy though.

Warnings: age gap, Kenny Omega is 40, f/Reader is in their early 20s. P in v. Unprotected sex. Oral (m receiving) cum swallowing.

Requested by anonymous. Hope you like it.

WC: 1288

©️ magicalbuttertarts 2024: do not repost or translate my work. This is the only place I post my work.

It has only been two week since I called our secret relationship off.

Two weeks and she has already found someone else.

I mean, I shouldn't be surprised, she is gorgeous, and young. She is almost done College and has her whole life ahead of her.

She doesn't need her much older Professor keeping her from following her dreams.

So as the final few months of her final year started to close in, I knew it was time to break it off.

I still remember the tears that threatened to fall as I tried to explain to her that she had her whole life ahead of her, and I didn't need to hold her back.

"I am sure you just want to make sure you have your next student lined up for next year to take my place." She angrily said.

I tried to explain to her that wasn't it, but she wouldn't listen.

I tried to tell her that she has and will be the only college student I would ever hook up/be with, but she walked out of my office, slamming the door behind her.

I collapsed in my chair, knowing that these last few months are going to be the hardest months of my life.

Then I could hear the whispers saying that she has been out partying and been seeing some guy.

Usually this wouldn't have been news here, but she as far as anyone else knew, she just wasn't interested in dating or hooking up with other people.

But as I watched her every day in my class, I tried to keep my feelings down.

I tried not to show how jealous I am of these stupid rumors, but when I saw her talking to one of the football players, and he was touching her arm, I kind of snapped.

I called out her name, and she looked up at me, with no emotion on her face.

"Yes Professor?" My cock twitched in my pants at her calling me that. It brought back memories of the first couple of times we hooked up and she would beg me to fuck her.

"Meet me in my office after class."

I could tell she was furious but she had no say in the matter.

So as the minutes ticked by, I didn't make eye contact with her as I came one of my final lectures before their final projects are due.

"You are dismissed. I will see you all Monday afternoon. Remember Tyler." The same football player who was touching her looked up at me. "You will be going first on Monday, so be prepared."

He already knew that. This was decided long before I saw their interaction.

I was sitting at my desk, when I heard her knock on my door.

"Please close the door behind you, and have a seat."

I heard her sigh but do as I ask.

She sat across from me, waiting for me to speak, but I didn't have any logical explanation on why she was here.

She was always the best in my class, even before we started seeing each other.

"Why am I here, Professor?"

I finally looked at her and could see the sadness in her eyes as she looked at me.

"I made a mistake." Was all I said.

"On my last quiz? Yes I believe so, I knew I got question 54 correct."

I shook my head no to that.

"You know what I mean."

"You're the only who broke up with me."

"I know, and I wanted you to move on, but..."

She cut me off before I could finish my sentence.

"So you heard those dumb rumors. Of course that is why I am here." She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.

"I thought I could live without holding you or kissing you, ans the thought of you doing that with someone else is driving me insane."

"I am not doing that with anyone. Tyler asked me to help him study. He knows he needs a good grade to pass."

"Oh." Was all I said.

"We were together for a long time Kenny. I couldn't move on that fast even if I wanted too."

"I want you back. I'll go wherever you go. I know you can get a job anywhere." I could get a job at any college as well.

"I don't want to get back with you, just because you believe that I was with someone else." She said to me.

"No, the moment you closed the door when we broke up, I instantly regretted it."

"Kenny, I want to be with you, but you have to be certain you want to be with me."

I stood up, and walked around the table and stood next to her, getting on my knees and looking up at her, holding her hands in mine.

"I want to be with you, and only you."

She wrapped her arms around my neck and we kissed.

I wrapped my arms around her as I stood, never once stopping our kiss.

I picked her up and placed her on my desk, just like I did the first time we did this.

I started to kiss down her neck, as she was trying to undo the buttons of my shirt.

I pushed what little I had on my desk, not bothering to to care at this moment.

She reached down between our two bodies, unzipping my pants and pulling out my cock, jerking it a few times as she placed it against her pussy.

I moved her panties aside, as I slowly slid into her until I finally bottomed out.

"Fuck." I swore under my breath, resting my forehead against hers. I didn't move, savouring finally being inside her after so long.

My thrusts was methodical and deliberate. I knew how she liked it as I watched her fall apart in my arms.

Her juices soaking my cock and my desk below her.

"Kenny." She would gasp here and there, as she looked down at where our bodies were joined.

"You belong to me." I groaned as I sped up.

"Only you Kenny, only you." She whined as she kissed me.

I knew I wasn't going to last long. Not after only using my hand for the past few weeks.

She clung to me, moaning my name into the kiss as she came around my cock. Her pussy clenching around my cock so damn tight, it made me see stars.

I fucked her through her orgasm, knowing how she would would want this to end.

When I was almost at my peak, I pulled back for her to drop to her knees.

Her quickly wrapping her lips around my cock as the first rope of cum came.

She swallowed everything I had to give her as she looked up at me, and I down at her.

My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest as I helped her to feet and get her situated.

We fixed ourselves up and then I kissed her once more, moaning at the taste of me on her lips.

"Come to my place tonight. I'll make you dinner." I told her.

"I'll be there at 6, Kenny." She kissed me one last time, muttering that she loves me.

"I love you too, baby."

Tag list: @lghockey @nicoleveno14 @madhatterbri @legit9thlunaticwarrior @hooks-martin @wwenhlimagines @melissahausen @faerieofthenightcourt @tahiri-veyla @crowleysqueenofhell

[osamusriceballs]

The Accident - Part XIII

Atsumu x fem reader

Warnings: None

Words: ~ 1,4 k

About: Still problems in paradise.

Part I II -> Next Part

7 missed calls from Atsumu Miya

3 new messages on your mailbox

25 new text messages from Atsumu Miya

"Looks like someone's really eager to talk to you," the taxi driver comments when your phone won't stop ringing, but you just snort and finally turn off your phone. "Seems like it, yeah." He raises an eyebrow at your resigned tone but tactfully keeps any further comments to himself, a gesture you appreciate at the moment.

Your whole body feels numb.

You're furious with Atsumu, that's certain. Part of you wants to confront him, ask how he could sink so low as to cheat on his girlfriend – heck, how he could marry you without telling her. Another part just feels sad and disappointed, just wanting to go back home and get some sleep, hoping things will seem better with time. Maybe you'll find out that all of this is just a bad joke, just a misunderstanding. Perhaps she's not his girlfriend – maybe she is someone who misunderstood that he's married and just had no idea that it's you. But why did she claim to have him in the palm of her hand?

You fight back tears and take a deep breath through your nose, thankfully almost home at this point. You won't try to reach out to him. Not after tonight. He'll either contact you tomorrow and explain everything, or you'll not see him again.

xxx

"He hasn't tried to contact you?" Yachi looks at you with sad puppy eyes while she applies a soft pink polish on her nails. You shake your head and hold your cup of tea a bit tighter. The TV quietly plays a movie in the background, something you two don't really focus on right now, especially not since you're finally talking about Atsumu.

"He called a few times during the night, but after that, nothing. Complete silence. I can't even see his profile picture anymore. I think he blocked me." You swallow the heavy lump in your throat at this words. He blocked you. Like you're some kind of obsessed fan or just a nuisance to him.

It's been a week now since it happened. You expected him to at least call again or maybe even visit your apartment after not seeing you for so long, but nothing. He hasn't bothered even giving you the slightest sign of life. But your heart clenched when you saw that he had updated his Instagram profile today with pictures of him at Onigiri Miya's – and you found the strawberry tiramisu that you both had shared the other day among the pictures, you just can't understand why he would do that.

Yachi closes the small lid and looks at you with anger coating her face while she carefully reaches for her phone. "I'll call Hinata and ask—"

"No!" You shake your head energetically, and Yachi lowers her hand. "Please don't bring him into it. It's embarrassing enough that I thought we had something going on." You bury your face in your hand and sigh, and Yachi quickly wraps her arms around you in a comforting way while making sure her fingers don't smudge her polish.

"I'm so sorry, Y/N. I never thought he was seeing someone. Hinata also had no idea, I guarantee it. He would have told me instantly if he knew. And Kageyama would have told me as well. They will give him an earful once they know."

You smile bitterly but still feel a bit better at the thought of cute sunshine Hinata yelling at Atsumu. "It's okay; it's not your fault. I'll forget about him. Just another year, and then I'll completely cut him out of my life."

You smile weakly, finally returning the hug with the mug still in your hand. It's time to forget about him. You'll see him in about a year, and that will be the last time. You'll make sure of that.

"Before I forget, Hinata asked if you received the cards for the Olympics match. You don't have to go, but if you want to, he'd be glad for you to come. He really likes you."

"I'll think about it. It's in a few weeks, right? I don't know if I want to see Atsumu so soon again. But maybe for some sort of closure?" You pull back and look at her with furrowed brows, and she nods at your words.

"I get it. But I'm still really disappointed in him. I really thought he's a good guy."

"Me too." You smile sadly, thinking about the pretty woman in the elevator, feeling a pang in your heart.

A part of you is still longing for him. He makes you feel good, he makes you feel desirable and beautiful. He makes you feel like you matter to him, like you're having a part of his heart. Yet, he hasn't told you about that woman, and it makes you feel dirty. The fact that he hasn't reached out after that night is enough to make you want to forget him and erase any foolish hope that this is just a misunderstanding. It's bitter reality.

You just need to make it clear to your heart that Atsumu Miya is no longer part of your life.

xxx

"Samu, she hates me."

"Yeah, and she has every reason to."

Osamu sighs as he watches Atsumu, a big pathetic clump of sadness practically lying on his counter. Atsumu is in no condition to drive home, and Osamu is well aware of that, already planning to drive to his apartment before he can finally go to his own bed. Since that incident a month ago, Atsumu has become unstable, getting drunk every other night, setting up a dangerous routine. Knowing he has an important match coming up doesn't stop him. Volleyball, always his top priority, now takes a back seat to his misery. Not even Bokuto can cheer him up, and Hinata is suspiciously avoiding him. He suspects Yachi finally told him what happened, though Hinata hasn't mentioned it.

"I even posted a pic of me being here tonight. She didn't come."

"You post pictures of being here almost every night. You can't tell me you expected her to come after parting like that? And you know that there's still the chance that she met her on her way downstairs." Atsumu sighs, slowly lifting his head at Osamu's sharp response. His face is red, eyes red-rimmed – a side effect of the alcohol. He looks horrible, and it actually pains Osamu to see him like this.

"Shut it. I'll call her. I got a new number today. I can call her now; I was just waiting for the right moment."

Osamu hesitates but decides it might be good for Atsumu to finally reach out, after being unable to do so during the past few weeks. Doubtful you'll answer, it's late after all, but maybe when you listen to the whole story and if Atsumu does a lot of groveling and explaining- then maybe you two still have a chance. Osamu still has no idea what kind of fate brought the two of you together, but he is certain that you'd make a great couple. If only his twin had a few more brain cells and a bit more luck.

Atsumu has finally managed to find your contact and started a call, which got directed to your mailbox after a few moments. He clears his throat and straightens his posture before he begins to talk, almost looking like his usual self.

"Y/N? It's me, Atsumu. I know it's been a while, but I'm sorry for everything. I couldn't call or text, but I miss you." He sighs and covers his eyes. "I miss you a lot, actually, I've been thinking about you every day ever since that night. I know it's all kind of messed up, but I can explain everything. Please, just let me. Please, y/n. I don't... don't want to lose you." Atsumu takes a deep breath and ends the call, his hands slightly shaky now.

"That was... corny." Osamu cringes, wiping the counter and putting Atsumu's beer aside.

"That's it – my last try of reaching out to her. If she's not answering, I'll just let her go." Atsumu's words are a bit slurred, but Osamu still gets it. He prays you'll listen – or else he'll be in trouble.

xxx

You wake up to a missed call and a message on your voicemail from an unknown number. Probably spam.

Without thinking twice, you delete the message.

[darkestspring]

second time is the charm pt 2

a/n: welcome to the part 2 of my reincarnated targayrnen oc series, you can find part one right here, thank you for all your support and kindness. after contemplation, daella bonds with cannibal at eight years old. i hope you like it!

Alicent had tried to not have favorites in her children but she adored her youngest daughter. Daella had been a complicated birth, when her beloved daughter first came out of her, the maesters had nearly declared her a stillborn. she was breathing so lightly they couldn’t see her little chest moving. Alicent had cried the first time she held her.

Daella, she had lovingly named her, after the targaryen ancestor’s third wife. Daella, because she wished for her baby to be loved.

“Mama?” A soft voice shook her out of her stupor. Light purple eyes stared at her with a tilted head, a silent question. “I want to visit Vhaelys.”

Across the table, Rhaenyra had watched on, uneasy. It still didn’t sit well within her that her sweet baby sister had claimed the cannibal and then renamed him.

“Are you sure that’s such a good idea, sweet girl.” Rhaenyra voiced, her eyes soft at her sister in a ways that twisted at Alicent’s insides.

Daella blinked slowly at her older half-sister. “Vhaelys would never hurt me, he’s sweet.” She defended her dragon.

A part of her stung to bond with another dragon, the dragon from her first life was no longer alive. Her beloved Achlys had passed away a long time ago. A part of throbbed with pain at the reminder.

“He’s sweet to you, my sweet sister.” Aegon cut in making Rhaenyra stare him down quietly. “Who would not love you, sweet sister.”

“My sweet sister.” “Beloved girl.” “My lovely Ella.” Voices mixed together in her mind of people she loved that are long gone.

To remember is a curse.

“Daella?” Aemond’s voice right next to her is quiet as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

Daella flinched away at the contact that startled her. Wide, purple eyes focused on the concerned look of her brother. “Are you well?”

“Did you not sleep enough, my Daella?” Her mother asked her, worry coating her as she got up from her seat.

Daella had a tendency to get lost in her own memories. Daydreaming, the others called it. It was a trait that she shared with her elder sister, Helaena but it was not the same. Helaena was a dragon dreamer, Daella had reincarnated and remembered everything. Maybe they were both cursed, in a way.

“I am well, Mama.” She made the effort to smile at her mother, leaning into the warm palm.

“Oh, my love.” Alicent whispered, kissing her daughter’s head. “If you wish to go see C-Vhaelys, you may but take best skilled guards with you, just in case.”

“When the dove fall in love, the dread will swallow her whole.” Helaena whispered to herself, her hand reaching out for her younger sister’s.

Daella let Helaena hold onto her as she started to get up from her seat. “I shall return later. Mother, Grandsire, My beloved siblings.”

Helaena refused to let go of her hand and Daella smiled before pulling her sister along. Her lovely sister.

“How come that one gets to go with Daella! It should be me!” Was the last thing she heard before walking away.

Times were peaceful now. She hoped they would not change at all.

But for now, she was off to see her lovely boy.

[averseunhinged]

it's wip wednesday again, and because i'm incapable of just looking at something and then putting it aside for later for my own good, here's a new chonk of last week's soulmates au.

“Tell me, how have you been feeling the past six months or so?” He tutted at her preemptively. “The truth, please. No polite, little social niceties. There is method to my asking.”

“Awesome. Love talking about my feelings with people I barely know.” Caroline stared at her feet as she walked, arms wrapped around her waist, and struggled to speak. “Not great. But things have been busy and stressful and a lot has happened. I haven't had time to do anything but keep cleaning up the next mess. And no, I'm probably not totally okay, but people are counting on me. So, I have to be.”

"How has that manifested," Elijah pushed and then specified, "for you?"

“I don't need a therapist," she snapped back, and Elijah watched her expressive face solidify, blank and hard with a nearly inhuman stillness, a struggle with temper he had become familiar with after living with Klaus for so many years. 

“Fortuitous, as I am not one.”

“Oh, please!” she laughed with an edge of agitation. “I'd bet my entire college fund that you used to hang out with Freud and Jung just to learn how to do your whole shtick a little better. How to intimidate your enemies most effectively in under ten words.”

“Ten? Excessive. Under five, whenever possible.”

She laughed again. “See! You're trying to be funny! That has to be some kind of sneaky, psychological warfare thing.”

“It's a matter of honor. My sense of humor is nowhere near as terrible as my brother's, as you previously implied.”

The remains of her fit of temper dissipated with her laughter, tendrils of it drifting away like smoke. She sighed. “Fine. I'm...sad. Which makes sense. Everyone keeps leaving. Or dying. Which is also sort of leaving. I might have a few abandonment issues, which is totally understandable and a normal thing to have. Just because I can't brush things off like everyone else, that doesn't make me crazy or weak. I try so hard to make everything okay for everyone, but sometimes it's too much. i'm supposed to be the strong one. The good one. The one who solves everything, even when no-one will listen. But I can't sleep. And nothing tastes good anymore, not even fries or ice cream or anything. Sometimes, I even have to force myself to feed. And I–” she stopped speaking and glanced hesitantly at him. “It's going to sound crazy. Are you sure you want to hear this?”

“I would appreciate it,” he said truthfully.

She slowed down, strides shortening, and stared into the distance as though the answers might exist there. “It's like this restlessness inside of me. Like I need something, but can't figure out what that thing is. I just know I don't have it, but I have to keep trying. It makes me so frustrated with people and I don't even understand why. They never say or do the right things, but I can’t fix it or even explain what the right things are, because I don’t know. I just know it’s all wrong. Nothing feels right anymore," her voice broke. She swallowed more than once, but it still came out in a choked murmur, "And I'm always so alone."

She further stretched her shoulders, tightening her arms around her torso. Hugging herself, he realized. An attempt to hold herself together, as she'd likely been for over six months. He stopped walking. He reached out to the girl and stopped her as well.

“Thank you, Caroline,” Elijah said, his hand gentle on her elbow, their only point of contact. “My apologies, but thank you for explaining.”

“Why? I don't understand why you'd even want to know.”

“Because I had to be sure. And because Niklaus tried, but you're far more lucid than he is at the moment.”

[naavispider]

Spider stood outside the apartment, trying to calm his pounding heart. Maybe this wasn't as great an idea as he thought. What if Quar - his dad didn't want to see him after all they had been through?

"The uncertainty will drive you crazy. To move forward, you have to try. If he refuses, you will know that this chapter of your life is closed for good. However, if he agrees, you can start over together." - The voice of his therapist, Janine, rang in his head. Spider sighed quietly. At the urging of Norm and the Sullys, he finally agreed to start therapy to work through all the turmoil in his life, and although it did bring some relief, the process itself was not very pleasant. And that's how he found himself at his father's door, with whom he decided to cut off all contact. He nervously adjusted his hair, automatically running his hand over the beads that Tuk had woven into it. "Breathe", he reminded himself and took a preventive puff of his inhaler. "The worst thing he can do is close the door in your face". Finally, with a trembling hand, he rang the bell. "That was it, there was no turning back".

He heard footsteps and a moment later the door opened. Quaritch looked the same but a bit older. Spider noticed more gray hair and more wrinkles around blue eyes wide open with surprise look . They both spent a few seconds just staring at each other, taking in the sight of the other.

"Um...Hi, Dad." He began, mentally cursing his trembling voice.

"Son" The man replied and Spider felt a lump in his throat. Even though he heard that word from Jake's mouth almost every day, it felt like he was hearing it for the first time in 4 years. An uncontrollable smile appeared on his face, which was an attempt to hide his nervousness, even though he had a feeling that it didn't work out well. Quaritch still didn't speak. "Damn, you should have warned him somehow, instead of appearing in front of him without any warning.." He shifted awkwardly, swallowing and saying a quick mental prayer to Eywa that his greatest fears of rejection would not be realized.

"Can I come in?" It took all of his willpower to keep himself from running away as Quaritch mercifully nodded in agreement and Spider almost sighed aloud in relief as he crossed the threshold.

“Sit down,” came the voice of the homeowner. He tried for the last time to put together what he had to say (of course to no avail, as he collapsed due to his nerves) as he crossed the room to carry out the order. He saw Quaritch move out of the corner of his eye and looked up hesitantly. The man was rubbing tattoo. A tattoo that evoked so many feelings in Spider that he couldn't even describe them. His dad caught his eye and immediately stopped, probably not wanting to scare him away. He then took a hesitant position, leaving enough space between them that Spider wasn't afraid to make a move. "Get your shit together, you're an adult and it was your choice to come here, so start a topic". Maybe he should start the conversation with the fact that after years of feeling separate and stupid, he was finally diagnosed with ADHD? Maybe then Quaritch would understand why he's sitting here speechless, as if his brain had shut down.

"This is weird" he focused on honesty. To his relief, his dad laughed lightly.

"I'm sorry for... dropping in."

So that's it, that's all for now because I don't know if it makes any logical sense at all 😅 Spider's thoughts are originally written in italics, but here they are removed, so they are in quotation marks. Sorry for any mistakes, but English is not my first language and I have never written anything like that. If you like it, I can write something more because I have some ideas haha

Jsjshsjjsjs OMG?!!! You wrote JANINE?!!! When I read her name I screAMED 😭😭 of couRSE she’s Spider’s therapist in this au 😭😭 I loved this so much! I was grinning the whole time 😍 Please, if you’d like to write more I would LOVE to read it! 🥰💞💙💞💙

[emotionalcadaver]

Part 17: Loved

Fandom: Inception

Pairing: Robert Fischer x OC

Summary: Alice calls her mother with some news.

Word Count: 2,139

Notes: Warnings for depictions of shitty parents and references to emotional child abuse.

Previous Part • Series • Next Part

When she was three years old, Alice broke a teacup.

She had been playing, pretending to serve tea to her stuffed animals, all situated around a table, and the piece of China had slipped through her clumsy little hands, breaking into a million pieces all over the floor. And then her mother was barreling in the room, grabbing at her shoulders and shouting, shaking her back and forth while tears streamed down Alice’s cheeks. 

And for just a glimmer of a moment, Alice was afraid that her mother might hit her.  

It was a memory that returned to her now, as she paced back and forth along the soft carpet in her office, cell phone clutched to her ear while it rang. The door was closed, but even through it she could distantly hear the sounds of splashing and laughter from the pool they had on the back deck. Spooky, who had followed her into the office as if able to sense her distress, meowed, jumping down from where she’d curled up on the couch to rub against Alice’s legs. Stooping, she scooped the little black cat up with one arm, pressing a kiss to her soft head before sinking down onto the couch, Spooky situating herself in her lap. 

“Hello?” the sound of the voice on the other end of the line, picking up at the last ring, made her jump. She had honestly not expected her to pick up.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Alice? Whatever are you calling for?”

Alice sighed, head thrown back and biting her lip. “I just…wanted to say hi, I guess,” it wasn’t the truth. She had called for a very specific reason. But she figured she ought to go about things slowly. 

“Oh.” 

The awkward silence that followed made her wish that the ground would open up to swallow her whole. 

“How are…how are Celia and the kids?” she figured it wouldn’t hurt to bring up her mother’s favorite conversation topic.

“Oh! Just wonderful! The girls are getting so big! Did Celia tell you Kinsley got first place in the science fair? Not that it's surprising, of course…”

“No. No, she didn’t,” Alice figured it probably wouldn’t be the best idea to mention that she hadn’t spoken to Celia in over a year.

“I just don’t understand why Cece couldn’t have given them more normal names, yanno? I’ve never understood it. She didn’t have to go full classical, of course, but something a little more mainstream wouldn’t have hurt.”

“Of course,” Alice said monotonously.

“Do you think you’ll be visiting soon? It would do the girls good to know their aunt.”

Alice frowned. “I don’t…I’m not sure…things are still…settling here,” another lie. The dust had fully settled around the splitting up of Fischer Morrow a little less than a year ago. 

“Of course. Though if you come you’ll also have to swing by your father’s and Tracey’s. If they hear that you were in town from Celia or David and didn’t visit they’ll be upset.”

By “they” Alice knew she meant Tracey. Her father probably couldn’t give much of a shit if she visited him or not.

“I still am amazed how that all…transpired, you know. Even all these years later.”

“Yeah. So am I,” she failed to keep the bitterness entirely out of her voice.

“Really? I mean, Tracey was your friend all throughout high school…”

Yeah, which just makes it all that much worse. One of your closest friends marrying your father almost immediately out of high school wasn’t exactly something that endeared one to either party involved. Her father had settled for unapologetic in his attitude about the whole thing. Tracey still tried to act like they were the best of friends every time Alice saw her.

It had not been her initial intention to fall almost completely out of contact with her family. It just sort of happened. The geography of where they were located certainly didn’t help matters, but the older she got the more she was beginning to realize that this was probably how it always would have gone. Even if she’d lived in the same city as them.

Her relationship with her older sister had always been tumultuous. Celia was the superstar of the family. She was good at everything, smart, charming…everyone’s favorite. And she had never liked Alice, and their parents always took Celia’s side. Even when Celia was cruel to her. 

So, when she decided to phase out all contact with her sister outside of the occasional presents sent for her nieces, it really hadn’t been that surprising to either of them.

Her little brother David was different. He had been Celia’s little soldier when they were growing up, but as he got older, he’d softened to her somewhat. They would never be close, but he was probably the only one Alice would even be remotely interested in visiting should the occasion arise.    

Her father had never forgiven her for not supporting his and Tracey’s marriage, and much as Tracey tried to keep their friendship afloat, Alice could never look at her the same.  

And then her mother. Her mother who had always treated her as a nuisance and a failure; never once acknowledging any of her accomplishments. Always making her feel less than her siblings. The only thing Alice suspected she saw her as any good for was a potential avenue to getting her hands on the Fischer fortune. Otherwise, she wondered if her mother would even take her phone calls at all.

“Mom,” she took a deep breath. Might as well just rip the band-aid off and get this over with. Then she could end the call and go back outside to be with her friends.

Her real family.

“Mom, there’s something I wanted to tell you.”

“Alright.”

Spooky, who had nestled herself onto Alice’s lap, meowed up at her, making biscuits against her thigh. She smiled down at the cat, allowing her cuteness to district her for a moment. 

“I got married this weekend.”

The words hung in the air for a long time, nothing but shocked silence on the other end of the phone.

“Married…” her mother said softly. “To Robert?”

Alice’s brows furrowed at the questions. “Yes. Of course to Robert.”

She was met with another bout of silence.

“Alice, are you pregnant?”

She chastised herself for not being ready for that response. In hindsight it was incredibly in character for her mother to ask that. Though it still shocked her.

“What!? No!”

“It’s just…honey, this is…this is so sudden…”

“Robert and I have been dating for ten years!” 

“You’re still so young, Alice…”

“I’m thirty-four!”

“Now, there’s no need to get upset,” her mother said sternly, but Alice thought she detected a trace of defensiveness in her voice. Like she was embarrassed. 

Did her mother really have no idea how old she was?

The realization made her throat go dry, the part of her that was still a small, desperate child just looking for her mother’s approval whimpering in pain. But the rest of her was relieved.

It would make what she needed to do next easier.

The silence on the other end of the line was deafening.

“Is that all you have to say to me?” Alice asked finally, realizing that her mother was waiting for her to speak. Probably expecting an apology.

“Alice…what do you want me to say?” her mother sighed.

“Oh, I don’t know. A congratulations would be nice,” sniffing, she rubbed at her forehead. “Look…if you want to tell the others…Dad and Celia and David…that’s up to you. But I–”

“You’re not going to call them?”

“No,” she said quietly. Truth be told, she hadn’t made up her mind if she would. At least not until that exact moment.

“But…your father and your siblings…they’ll want to know…”

Alice shook her head even though her mother couldn’t see her. “Would they?” she spat out bitterly. “Listen…I’ve thought about this a lot…and I’ve decided that…” she swallowed hard, and forced herself to be strong. “I’ve decided that this is the last time we’re ever going to talk.”

“Wha–wait. Wait a minute, sweetheart. What? What do you mean?”

Alice sighed. “Let’s be honest for a minute, Mom. I was always just the extra child, right? The screw up…the black sheep. None of you were ever proud of me or tried to understand me or…anything. And I know that me being married to Robbie might mean that you now think…” she bit her lip, then shook her head. “I’m not going to be just a bank for you to come running to every time you have financial issues.”

“So you’re just going to cut out your entire family and be down there in Sydney all alone?”

From outside the door to her office, she could hear laughter. “I’m not alone.”

“Alice…”

“Look, I’m sorry, but I have to do this. I…I need to do this,” if Robert was strong enough to tear himself free from Fischer Morrow, she could tear herself away from the cruelty of her family. She could. “I love you,” I’m just sorry you’ve never been able to love me back.

“Alice!”

“Goodbye, Mom,” she hung up the phone before she could hear anymore, quickly switching the ringer off so if her mother tried to call her back she wouldn’t know, tossing it away into the throw pillows on the couch, burying her face in her hands. A few tears spilled from her eyes, chest spasming with them.

Spooky meowed, standing from her lap and knocking her head against Alice’s hands, purring and rubbing her face against her in comfort. Dropping her hands, Alice wrapped her arms around the cat.

“Good girl, Spooky,” she praised quietly, kissing her between the eyes. “I’m okay.”

She gave herself a handful of moments to pull herself together, scrubbing at her face and blowing her nose, taking a few deep breaths before opening the door and venturing out down the hall and into the open plan living room and kitchen. The door to the back deck and pool was open, so their guests could come and go as they pleased. Cider was sitting in her cat tree, watching proceedings with disapproving eyes, but when she saw Alice she hopped down to rub against her legs. 

“Hey,” Robert was in the kitchen, clothed in just his swim trunks and sandals, dumping a bag of chips into a bowl to take outside. “How did it go?”

“Eh,” she shrugged, making her way around the counter to him. “As expected.”

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest, kissing the top of her head. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

“It’s okay. It’s done,” keeping one arm around him, she snagged a chip from the bowl, still leaning her head on his chest while she angled her face to look outside. “Everything still going well out here?”

“Of course. Everyone’s having fun.”

“Mm,” she smiled to herself, watching as Eames cannonballed into the pool, James and Phillipa shrieking in delight from their floaties. Cobb was lounging in an inner tube, watching the whole interaction with a grin. On the deck, Arthur, Yusuf, and Ariadne were lounging in the poolside chairs, chatting. They’d all come down for the wedding; a private affair out on the beach near the docks where she and Robert used to play as children.   

“Hey,” he gave her a little squeeze, nuzzling at the top of her head. “I’m proud of you.”

She smiled a little sheepishly, hiding her face in his chest. “Thanks.”

In all honesty, she didn’t feel that bad about it at all. Certainly not hollowed out or lonely, like she expected. Instead she felt free. Like a massive weight had been cut from her.

The realization of the knowledge she already knew was fully settling in: her family had never been the people who raised her back in California. 

Her family was right there in their house. Her husband, her friends, and her cats. All the people who had always loved her just the way she was. She no longer needed her mother’s approval, or her sister’s acceptance, or her father’s love. And she would never feel the need to return to the old neighborhood in Los Angeles where they all still lived within a few blocks of each other. 

“Let’s get back outside, yeah?” Robert suggested. 

“Yeah,” she smiled, letting him take her hand in his while he balanced the chip bowl with the other. “Hey,” she stopped, pulling him towards her gently until he was right in front of her, so she could stretch up on her toes and kiss him. “I love you.”

Robert grinned so brightly he could have put the sun to shame. “I love you too.”

Yes, she was happy right where she was. 

Where she was loved.    

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[digeethegenie]

He who looked back

Day 03 - Tempest Shadowbringers - Lv. 80 : Shadowbringers Spoilers for Endwalker CW - Depression, Contemplation of Mass-Murder and Genocide, Abuse of G'raha Tia (Yeah, no. If you're a G'raha stan, I am very sorry), Deliberate misgendering.

There is a story passed down in Spira from mother to child of a builder who walked the lands of Hydaelyn. He had a wonderful gift. He was able to use magic, the very bending of Aether itself, to create with the ease of clicking one's fingers.

One day, he heard that a terrible war had destroyed his home, taking his waiting family away from him forever-more. In his grief, the builder recreated his home, whole buildings, peoples and cities, and spent the rest of his life wasting away in a dream of empty nostalgia.

When his soul returned to farplane, the land he created, too, returned to dust.

That land of myth was known as Zanarkand.

The Venmont Yard had not, in the last hundred years, seen the excitement of the last week. The building of the titanic talos to scale Mount Gulg and take down the last of the lightwardens- who turned out to be the matriarch of Eulmore no less!- and to see, if only for the briefest of moments, the grandeur of the night return to Kholusia before it, and from what the ship workers heard, the rest of the star's sky be once again enveloped in light.

And that wasn't the strangest event to happen in the week, ether.

One night, two dockworkers returned from their work to Amity, speaking of a well dressed man with black hair streaked with grey holding by the scruff the unconscious form of a mystel man who looked like the Crystal Exarch of all people. They spoke of how, when they tried to talk to the man, he only growled something incomprehensible at them before walking into the waters of The Tempest, an invisible barrier keeping him and his captive from being swallowed whole by the sea.

Whilst an attempt was made to contact The Crystarium about the incident, given the hostage, they received no word back from the city's guard regarding it.

What they did see, however, a few days later, was a massive tide that crashed just short of the dock. The people of Amity could only be amazed at the event, not aware of its significance to the events of that day or how it tied into the final end of the cancerous light.

Emet-Selch walked- for a value of the act of pretending to walk whilst a barrier kept one's pathetic human form from being crushed by fathoms of underwater pressure, to say as little as possible about his hostage- across the bottom of The Tempest, the last remaining sea of the ruined star. As he walked, he observed the Sahagin of this reflection, The Ondo, who had taken up residence in what looked like an eons-rotted remains of a city.

Like maggots and flies on a corpse, he sneered to himself.

He could have, with a click of his fingers, wiped the whole grotesque scene from his sight. The temptation was absolutely there. Mass-Murder and Genocide were surprisingly easy after the first couple of times and even more so after the thousandth self-uttered insistence that the people you were destroying were not, in the truest sense, people and thus you weren't guilty of murder.

And yet, he did not.

He didn't know why. Pity? Self-Satisfaction that theirs was an imperfect, mortal existence that would soon be brought to a horrific end? Sheer Apathy?

It was probably the last one, he thought to himself before walking on and leaving The Ondo with no clue to just how close they had been from death.

After some time walking the depths, Emet-Selch finally found the place he was looking for. A place where he was sure that if that odious little girl and the rest of her merry band of idiots decided to- showing nothing but spite to the much better idea of just accepting their lot and letting the cancerous light burst the punt-worthy little shite open- chase after him, he could finally convince them that theirs was a futile and foolish cause.

With a click of his fingers, the Aether in this gorge, left untouched by the cancerous light, began to form into a grand city. Streets and lamps began to pop out from the ground like flowers in a botanist's guardian. Buildings sprouted and blossomed into whole apartment buildings, windows shining with light. Then, from the aether, cloaks began to form before being filled and standing up. Each wraith wearing a similar, white, bird-like mask and talking in a humming, echoing tone, a tongue that Emet-Selch could recall perfectly even after the eternity since he had heard it last.

He watched as these shades, recreations of his long-lost home and people, go about their business and for the longest time, he just looked at it like a lonely child, captivated by his toy.

Then he noticed one of the shades take on an unusual manner. Its way of walking and socialising with the other shades made it clear that he had, through sheer misadventure, recreated a certain someone. Someone he missed dearly. A good friend.

His stoic face cracked a little frown of sadness at the sight before he could feel himself lose his composure. He put his hand to his forehead to cover his face and emotions from the world in the hopes that no one saw his moment of weakness.

"Hythlodaeus…"

"Was he someone important?"

The wall came back up instantly as Emet-Selch turned around to see who had uttered that and realised that his hostage was now fully conscious and sitting up on his knees.

How? Emet-Selch thought to himself. He got a clean shot off his back. That he didn't keel over stone dead when he shot him was surprising enough, but that he could move at all?

Another one of his tricks, Emet-Selch scoffed to himself. Another annoying thing that he would have to decipher after the deed with the girl was done.

G'raha Tia took this moment of thought to press his luck and enter into a parley with the Ascian.

"Why are you leading them here?"

Emet-Selch looked at him, not willing to justify the miqo'te's question with an answer.

"You said it yourself. Had the Scions been found wanting, you would have killed them there and then. I know you can do as much. So. Why? Why go through all of this?"

The question was a piercing one and it struck Emet-Selch. It was one that he had been asked only once before and before the world had been ruined.

It brought back unpleasant memories.

Memories of Them.

Their long, blonde, hair. Their azure blue eyes. The freckles on their face.

All matched by the girl, odious little thing, a crude parody of Them.

He should have laughed, really. He nearly did when he first saw her.

Memories of Them intruded into his mind. The various times They called after him by his name, his actual name. Each time, a little different; Sometimes a smile, sometimes in a pout, sometimes devious, always kind.

Then he crashed to the one memory of Them he didn't want to remember.

The one memory he will always remember.

The memory of his final meeting with of Eurydice. They of the Seat of Azem.

"Why?! Why are the council- no, never-mind them. You. You, Hades- why are you going through with this?"

He was back in the time between The Final Days and The Sundering. His robes tattered and his mask cracked from facing the horrors he had seen in the apocalypse. In front of him is Eurydice, not even wearing the robes of their collective people but something clearly more suitable for fighting the abominations that terrorised their once perfect world.

They were clearly upset at the news that the council had decided to create Zodiark, a being who could stem the tide of madness and veil the star in aether, by sacrificing over half of the remaining populace.

"We didn't have a choice. Eurydice, If we don't stem the tide of this madness, the whole star would have been lost."

Anger washed through Eurydice's face.

"You're just hiding the star away from whatever is doing this! You can't ask that many people-"

"We did, and they agreed. It's already done."

Sheer disbelief crossed their face.

"You can't… Not just like- "

Disbelief gave way to panic.

"E-elidibus. H-he would never have agreed to it. He would know that it's too much. Where is he, Hades? I-I need to-"

Emet-Selch remembered the look he gave Them. That pathetic sideways look. One that would haunt him for all eternity.

"No…"

"Zodiark needed a soul to become its heart." he said, trying desperately to offer an explanation. "He volunteered to become that heart. I'm sorry, Eurydice."

"But he-… J-just a kid…"

Eurydice started to step away from Hades. In his panic he grabbed them by the arm.

"I. I'm sorry, Eurydice, but-"

Finally anger took over and they wrested their arm off of him.

"No…No! You don't get to call me that any more." they said, their voice burning with anger.

"Eurydice!"

They turned their back and hunched over as they shouted.

"Shut up! Just shut up!"

For what felt like an eternity there was a silence between the two. Then Eurydice's shoulders slumped and They spoke again, their voice broken from the shock.

"I'm going to find out what caused this and put a stop to it. And You…"

All Hades could do was look at the ground as he heard the darkness in Eurydice's voice. His conviction about the Zodiark plan was left in taters.

"…Just stay out of my way…"

They then turned around and uttered the last thing they ever said to them with a poison that still festered in his heart.

"… Emet-Selch."

Suddenly, like someone had popped a balloon in his face, he is brought back to the present, imperfect world.

The poison flowed through his mortal body and through sheer force of adrenalin he screamed. Before G'raha could react, Emet-Selch had pulled back his foot and punted the Exarch in the stomach, crushing the wind out of him. He crumpled to the ground. He lay, all but destroyed by the strike, before the large garlean body of Emet-Selch as he towered over him, grabbed him by the hair and pulled the miqo'te's face up to his.

"I will not suffer to be asked of my designs by a savage, half-made man." he hissed with the venom flowing through him. Through gritted teeth his spite seethed.

"I will enjoy watching your precious little Warrior of Light burst into a lightwarden. Oh, the joy that will fill my heart as see as her wrath. How it will make the other lightwardens seem like great and bountiful boons from her. Precious. Godsdamned. Goddess!"

G'raha had no choice but to stare directly into the madness of eons.

"My Sin, such a beautiful thing she will be. She will devour this whole debased farce of a world. I will watch, laughing like a jester watching the metors fall upon the star, as she sees to it that every. Last. Pathetic one of you savages is wiped off the face of existence."

To describe the look on Emet-Selch's face is an impossible task and one that would only end, dear reader, in your madness.

"As your better, a true man, I promise you I will enjoy throwing you to her and watching you be her first meal."

G'raha Tia, in spite of everything, smiled through his wince.

Sick of the sight of the miqo'te, Emet-Selch threw him face first to the ground, and clicked his fingers. A crystal formed around the crumpled man and with a wave both it, and the Exarch inside, vanished.

Now alone and feeling emptier than he had ever before. He sat on the edge of the building. He watched Hythlodaeus go about his business and felt no joy. What would he say if he could see him?

He lowered his head and scowled.

"When I am done, my world will have no need for heroes."

[zenpookie]

The Chains that Bind Us

Chapter 1

Stefan's smile could not be wider. He found a good one. He couldn't believe his luck. Just in the nick of time too! It was the 10th anniversary of Master Astarion's ascension. The spawn were bringing him a morsel for him to choose from. Master Astarion promised a reward. Damned Olivia had been showing off her prized stallion all month-- a beautiful dark skinned high elf from the upper city. Stefan briefly considered killing her choice, but no. He wanted to beat her in all fairness.

Luckily, he found his meal ticket just last week.

He had been roaming the taverns and happened to stumble into the Elfsong. It was a last ditch effort. Rarely did ever find beautiful people roaming through Elfsong. It was a tavern that catered to peasants or working class citizens of Baldur's Gate.

But, he was desperate.

He found her sitting at the bar. Alone. His prey was a high elf. Flowing white hair down to her shoulders and lovely pale skin. She had the most enticing aroma. She smelled like a comfortable spring evening. He casually leaned against the bar next to her. "You've convinced me."

She gazed up at him, a slightly inquisitive look strewn across her face. High cheekbones. Symmetrical face. A deep shade of red across her lips. Perfection. "Of what?" She tilted her head.

"Love at first sight."

She chuckled. "That's terrible. Did you come up with that on your own?"

I'm in. Stefan thought, "Well, I'm still working on it. I'm Stefan. And you are?"

The elf paused for a second as she studied Stefan's face. "Rhiannon." She extended a hand.

After a brief chat, he learned she was recently traveled into the city. She had been to Baldur's gate in the past and was thinking of moving back into the city. No family. No employment.

"You are so brave." Stefan tried not to leer at her long, pale neck as he said these words. "To move to the city, without knowing a single soul. Baldur's Gate would swallow you whole."

Rhiannon nodded in agreement. "The Elfsong was an old hang out of mine. I was hoping to recognize some of the patrons."

"And?"

Rhiannon shrugged. "And, it seems they have moved on." She downed her wine. She stared with great interest at the back of the bar, avoiding eye contact.

"Well. Their loss. My gain." Stefan nudged Rhiannon's shoulder playfully. "It just so happens I've got a spare ticket to the party of the year. It's next week. You could come meet some of my friends. If, of course, you can tolerate an evening with my horrid pick up lines."

She glanced up at him. He gave his award winning pout. A sly smile crept across her face. "It's a date."

She is my winning trophy.

A week had passed since he first found her. He was ready to cash in on his prize.

Once Master Astarion smells her blood... He will certainly choose her. I will be favored spawn of the year for sure. Stefan grinned to himself. Maybe Master Astarion will let me help him drink her dry. Stefan's mouth watered at the thought.

Stefan smoothed his shirt as he opened the Elfsong tavern doors. "There you are Rhiannon. Are you ready to depart?"

The high elf turned to face him. In his mortal life, she might have caught his breath. A sapphire decorated lacy navy mask, complete with an off shoulder matching dress. Her long white hair pulled into an intricate braid, exposing her bared neck and shoulders. And oh those collar bones. Stefan dug his fingers into the palm of his hand.

Rhiannon tilted her head, "Are you all right?"

Stefan caught himself, "Oh... I'm sorry, yes. You just ... look good enough to eat." He winked.

Rhiannon laughed, "Well aren't you just a charmer. Keep working on that one too."

Stefan grinned back and held up his arm. "M'lady?" Rhiannon took his arm in hers, staring up into his red eyes. "Lead the way, my lord."

It was a short walk to the old Szarr palace. Stefan ushered her through the atrium into the banquet hall.

Most of the guests had already arrived. The patriarchs of the upper city with their spouses were twirling in the dance floor. A buffet of delicious wines and gourmet foods for the mortals laid out on an long table. Cigar smoke wafting from a smaller room in the far back. At one end of the hall, sitting in a grand throne was Master Astarion presiding over his banquet. Next to him an elegant Drow elf, Vanara. His current favored spawn.

As Stefan gleaned over the banquet hall, he watched with irritation as Olivia and her stallion stepped up to pay their respects to Master Astarion.

I will not be outdone. Stefan thought bitterly.

"Come. Let's me introduce you to the master of the house." Stefan placed his hand along the small of Rhiannon's back.

She arched her eyebrows at him. "Of course."

He guided her through the twirl of masked dancers to the feet of master Astarion's throne.

"Master Astarion." Stefan bowed deeply at his sire's feet. "I would like to introduce you to Rhiannon. She is new to the city."

Astarion gave small smirk and nod as the couple bowed before him. "Charmed, Rhiannon. Tell me, where do you hail from?"

"I'm born Baldurian, but in the most recent years I've been traveling the world. I just returned from Waterdeep." She gave a small curtsy.

"Is that so?" Astarion leaned back with a careful interest in his eyes. "I have never had the pleasure myself, but I'm told it's just a delightful city."

"The sunset overlying the port at sea is a sight to behold, my lord."

"I'll just have to take your word for it. What brings you back to Baldur's Gate?"

Rhiannon paused for a moment. "I came looking for something I lost long ago."

"Oh? Pray tell. Was it an item of power?" Astarion gave a dramatic fist pump into the air.

Rhiannon smiled, amused. "No, I wouldn't consider it that. It matters not. I did not find it."

"Aw. How... mysterious." Astarion gave her a look of mock pity and intent curiosity. "One last thing before you go. You must tell me name of your perfumer. You smell absolutely divine."

"It's... something of my own creation."

"Ah--. Strange. It seems familiar to me." He narrowed his eyes at Rhiannon suspiciously. Stefan felt a cold chill trace down his spine. "Well. No matter." Astarion leaned back in his seat, quickly resuming his charming facade. "Enjoy your evening."

Astarion dismissed them with a wave of his hand. But just for a moment, a mere moment... Stefan thought he caught the glimpse of a curious twinkle in his master's eyes, and the darkened jealous look of Vanara sitting next to him.

I'm in.

The night passed quickly and before Stefan knew it the chimes for the final dance were singing through the ballroom. A polite clap erupted through the banquet hall and slowly, the mortals trickled from the ball room.

The final dance was a private event. Special guests only. In other words, the spawn and their invited prey. Stefan was overjoyed. Master Astarion was pleased with his pick. He was sure of it.

"What's going on?" Rhiannon shot Stefan a concerned look.

"Oh, I forgot to mention." Intentionally. Stefan mused. "The final dance is between a special guest and Master Astarion."

"Special guest?" Rhiannon cocked her head with a slight frown. "Can you elaborate?"

"He personally chooses a partner at the end, and you do a final dance with him. You get some private time with one of the most powerful politicians in the city." Stefan shrugged. And then he drinks you dry. "It's... an honor."

"Hm." Rhiannon considered his words, but if she had any further doubts she did not express them.

"All right. Line up!" Astarion jumped to his feet, a show of pure joy and excitement on his face. "Let's get this show on the road."

The spawn and their party guests lined at the center of the banquet hall.

"What have you brought me this year Vanara?" Astarion rubbed his hands gleefully.

"Master Astarion. This is Cleo. She is a visiting silk trader from Cormyr. She is eager to meet you Master Astarion." Vanara triumphantly removed Cleo's mask to reveal a comely young woman with bright yellow eyes.

"Is that so?" Astarion licked his lips.

"It is." Cleo giggled. She held out her hand. "It is so lovely to meet you m'lord. I represent some of the most fashionable new upcoming fashion artists in Cormyr. I would love the chance to talk to you about starting a business relationship."

Astarion took her hand in his. He kissed the back of it gently, moaning slightly. "I look forward to it. Well done, Vanara."

He moved onto the next guest. A tiefling with long braided purple hair with the voice of an angel, who was eager to a famous bard. Next to her was a handsome albeit perplexed drow. Rhiannon noted a sense of increasing excitement as Astarion made his way down the line of guests.

Not all of his "presents" were met with such enthusiasm. There was a gnome, to which Astarion gave an irritated look to the accompanying spawn.

"Master Astarion, I'm sorry. It was--"

"Shush." Astarion held out a single finger. "Get this thing out of my sight."

The spawn's lip quivered and quickly hurried his guest away.

"Tell me you have something better Olivia. Ah, yes. The chocolate dream."

"Chocolate dream?" The high elf removed his mask, frowning.

"It's what I call you, Sendaris." Olivia interjected quickly, sensing her prey's anger. "When you're ... not around. My chocolate dream. My stallion."

The high elf's shoulders relaxed slightly, his face slightly embarrassed. "My dear, I wish you wouldn't."

"Nonsense." She winked at Astarion. "Master Astarion and I share a fondness for beauty." She stroked his braided hair gently with a hand, almost possessively. She nuzzled her cheek against his shoulder as she stared ominously at Stefan.

"I win." She mouthed to him.

Stefan bristled. "We'll see." He mouthed back.

"All right you love birds." Astarion held his hand out. "It is a delight to meet you good sir."

Sendaris gave a suspicious look, but eventually took Astarion's hand returned a firm handshake.

Astarion then turned his attention to Rhiannon and Stefan.

"Ah yes. Our mystery flavor." Astarion giggled. "Go on then, show me that beautiful face."

Stefan swelled at these words. Master Astarion is happy. Rhiannon reached and released the clasp holding her mask. Stefan watched his master's cheerful smile fall as Rhiannon pulled the mask from her face. Dread filled Stefan.

"Are... are you not pleased Master?" Stefan twisted his tunic nervously. "I thought her quite to your taste."

Astarion's face was cold. Unreadable. Hardened. Silent. The mood shifted. There was a cold anger that seeped into the room.

"What are you doing here?"