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#playchoices fanfiction
dutifullynuttywitch · 2 months
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Starlit night
Wake the Dead 
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Art by the wonderful @lilyoffandoms
Pairing: Troy Hassan x Eva Archer (f!mc)  
Rating: Teen (fluff) 
@choicesjanuary2024 prompt: Aurora (day 8)
Word count: 1,187 
Summary:  Several years before the events in Wake the Dead, Troy surprises Eva with a late-night outing within the confines of the Tower. 
A/N: In this story Eva is 17, in her last year at school. Troy is about 2 years older and just recently started working at the supply depot. 
Eva tosses and turns around on her lumpy mattress, sleep elusive. She had gotten expelled. Again. Gotten into a fight with her sister over it. Again.  
“Eva, for crying out loud, it’s the second time this month! You have got to be more careful. You know how things are here.” 
“But Brynn, I don’t get why we can’t even talk about how things were, before. Maybe if we knew more, we could make this place a bit better for everyone.” 
Brynn sighs “I know you mean well, lil sis, but the leaders of the Tower are clear about the rules, whether we agree with them or not. And trust me, we don’t want to get kicked out into the wilderness.” 
She sighs, trying to will herself to sleep. Maybe she should hold her tongue more, but it infuriates her that the Tower leaders only care about teaching them the basics for survival – any form of critical thinking frowned upon, worse, punished. 
Toc. Toc.  
A knock on the door shakes her from her reverie. She opens a crack to find a grinning Troy. 
“What the hell, Troy? It’s the middle of the night!” She whispers, glancing back to make sure Brynn hasn’t stirred. 
“You don’t say! Come on, I have something to show you. You’re gonna like it.” He winks. 
“I’m in enough trouble as it is. Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” 
“Afraid not, it’s kind of a middle of the night thing.” He grins wider. “And, we’ve gotta go now if we don’t want to get caught. So, what’dya say, Archer, up for a little adventure?” 
She frowns at him, but her curiosity is piqued.  
“Wait a sec.” 
She shuts the door on his pleased face and quickly pulls on a sweater, sweatpants and boots. She grabs a flashlight and sneaks out into the dark hallway, glancing one last time at Brynn’s sleeping form.  
She’s so gonna kill me. 
As soon as she shuts the door, Troy takes her hand, leading them down several service hallways then up a series of rickety fire exit stairs. They duck into the shadows a few times to avoid patrolling guards. 
“So where exactly are you taking me?” She whispers as they continue to climb ever higher. 
“It’s a surprise.” 
“Troy.”  
“We’re almost there!” He winks. 
Sure enough, a few minutes later he stops them in front of a steel door high up one of the Tower’s outer walls. He pulls out a key from his pocket and unlocks, pushing it open with a flourish. 
They enter a small room stacked with dusty cases filled with weapons, munitions and other military equipment. At the far end, a small balcony overlooks the forest surrounding the Tower.
“Troy, what is this place?” 
“An ammunitions depot. They have a bunch of these scattered around the tower to defend against drones. And in case of security breaches from inside the tower, I wager… Only Blackstock’s most loyal have access keys.” 
“Look at you, the ultimate insider!” Eva smirks at her friend, punching him lightly on the shoulder. 
“Nah, I just know people who know people. The surprise is over here. Come, take a look.” Troy leads her towards the exposed balcony. 
She gasps as she takes in the scene.  
The balcony is perched high above the ground, providing a bird’s eye view of the hills and valleys surrounding the Tower.  
She looks out at the snow-covered mountains and valleys. Millions of twinkling stars lighting the night.  
Her breath catches as she notices bright shimmering lights in hues of green, blue and purple, dancing across the sky. 
“It’s beautiful.” She whispers, stunned. 
“Yeah. They call them northern lights. I read about them in some magazine. I was telling Sam and the guys about them, and she told me she’d seen these strange lights while out patrolling the past few nights. Convinced her to lend me the key to this place. It’s pretty amazing, I never thought we’d see them so far south.” 
“Isn’t Sam that brunette guard you’ve been flirting with?” Eva smirks, teasing. “You charmed her into lending you the keys?” 
“What can I say, I’m irresistible.” Troy grins, puffing out his chest.  
“If you say so, Hassan.” She smirks.
Eva looks out at the magical scenery, captivated. The aurora dance in the skies in an ethereal, pulsating rhythm, reflected on the white blanket of snow covering the fields and mountains.  
She shivers a little as a cold gust buffets their small balcony. Troy pulls out a blanket from his bag. He sits down on the ledge and beckons her over, wrapping them both snuggly.  
“You came prepared.” 
He shrugs “Figured it’d get cold out here.” 
They sit in companionable silence for a while, in awe at the delicate dancing ribbons of light. Relishing in the peace and quiet of the outside world. 
“One day, Troy, I’m going to see all this from outside the Tower. There’s got to be something better out there for us...” 
“I’m quite alright right here, thank you very much.” 
“For someone who spends an inordinate amount of time reading up on old world curio, you’re not even a little interested in seeing and experiencing it for yourself?” 
“Oh, believe me, I am. If it weren’t for the flesh eating freaks I’d be long gone… but let’s face it, I’m too good looking to die.” He flashes her one of his trademark grins. 
She chuckles, a twinkle in her eyes. 
“So, speaking of good looks, why d’ya invite little old me when you could be making out with the lovely Sam?” Eva asks him teasingly. 
“First of all, I don’t need any magical dancing lights to up my game with the ladies.”  
She scoffs.  
“Second, I heard you got expelled. I swear Blackstock’s goons are becoming unbearable. And it’s not just the school. It's harder and harder to get my hands on contraband, they’re really cracking down on everyone.” He sighs. “Anyway, I just figured you could use a friend and some cheering up.” 
“Thanks Troy, this is just about the nicest thing someone’s done for me.”  
She kisses him on the cheek before laying her head on his shoulder, gazing out to the skies once more. 
Troy hopes the darkness hides his blush.  
He wraps an arm around Eva, pulling her closer as they both take in the mesmerizing display. 
Maybe one day he’ll be brave enough to tell her how he feels. 
But tonight, he’s content he was able to brighten her night a little. 
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queenrileyrose · 10 months
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Midnights Like This Part Seven: Sparks
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Miniseries Premise: Riley Brooks leaves everything behind to move to Cordonia after accepting her dream job designing clothing for the upcoming royal wedding. Drowning her sorrows one night, she meets Leo. The pair form an unlikely friendship, having more in common than either expected. Their feelings evolve, but neither wants to ruin the friendship. Will they take a chance or be content to stay friends?
Catch Up Here
Chapter Summary: Riley has a meeting with Olivia, Leo hides.
Book: TRR/ROE
Pairings: Leo x OC, Liam x MC
Rating: T
TW: Language
A/N: I am participating in @choicesflashfics using the prompt “Say that again … I don’t think I heard you right the first time.”
Music Inspo: Sparks—Coldplay
Word Count: 2487
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Riley felt around for her phone, the blaring alarm assaulting her ears. 
She finally blinked her eyes open, and after a quick glance, silenced the phone vibrating across the coffee table. 
Riley sat up, listening for Leo. She pulled the blanket from her body when a small piece of paper on the couch beside her caught her eye. 
She picked it up, scanning the few sentences. Leo went back to the palace. She frowned, wondering why he hadn’t woken her. The last thing she remembered was watching that terrible movie. They must have fallen asleep. 
A pang of disappointment went through her, and Riley couldn’t help but feel a little sad. 
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Leo quickened his pace, his breathing intensifying. Olivia matched him easily, not a drop of sweat on her pale forehead.
“Drake came by,” Oliva didn’t sound winded at all. Leo cursed under his breath. They’d been in competition since they were young. Who could run the fastest, climb the highest tree, win a duel. They were evenly matched, but Olivia had obviously been training harder recently. “Marena and I were sparring, and he popped in.”
Leo stumbled, almost tripping over his own feet. Drake decided to show up after months of silence with no warning? He wasn’t that ballsy.
“Say that again,” Leo huffed. “I don’t think I heard you right the first time.”
“You heard me correctly,” Olivia rounded the corner of the track. “I told him to write Liam a letter, to give him time to decide if he’s ready to talk.”
Leo grunted. That was a better reaction than he would have had. “Think he will?”
“He seemed contrite,” Olivia paused. “I suppose we’ll find out.”
Leo felt a cramp beginning in his calf. He lengthened his stride, willing his leg to relax. 
Riley’s sleeping face flashed in his mind. He woke early, and she was still fast asleep on his chest. A feeling he didn’t want to name spread through him, and he had to get out of the apartment. 
Leo wasn’t falling for her; he simply hadn’t had a close friend aside from his family and childhood friends in years. They had a lot in common, and being around her was easy. 
“I didn’t see you around last night,” Olivia broke through his thoughts. “We were at the beer garden, and you were nowhere to be found.”
Leo heard the teasing tone in her voice. She knew somehow. Perhaps Liam had assumed he left with Riley.
“I had dinner with a friend,” Leo slowed his gait, preparing for the last mile. “It got late; I crashed on the sofa.”
Olivia studied Leo in her periphery. He seemed almost nervous. 
“I have a meeting with your friend this morning,” Olivia’s lips curved into a catlike grin, unable to resist. 
Leo suppressed a sigh. He had a friend. It wasn’t a big deal. “I warned her about you.”
Olivia threw an elbow into Leo’s side. He winced but didn’t let the pain stop him from speeding up to finish the lap first.
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Right on time, Olivia flung the door of the boutique open, letting it slam behind her. “Good morning.”
Riley stood and offered a hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Duchess.”
Olivia returned the handshake, noting that Riley’s was strong. One point for the dressmaker.
“Let’s get this over with,” Olivia lowered to the tufted armchair, perching on the end. 
“Right to business,” Riley nodded approvingly. She set the sketchbook on Olivia’s lap. “Red, of course. I was thinking something rougher, maybe velvet. Originally silk seemed like a good idea, but the corset might-”
“Is that an armored corset?” Olivia interrupted, awe in her voice. “With pockets for knives?”
“Nine altogether,” Riley revealed. “Four concealed sheaths. The gown has two more, and this garter,” she pointed at a part of the sketch. “Has an additional three.”
Olivia blinked rapidly. She would not be emotional over a dress. Even if it was the most beautiful gown she’d ever seen. “You certainly did your research.”
Riley simply nodded, giving Olivia a moment to collect herself. She’d hoped the Duchess would like the gown. Olivia was a force, and the more Riley read, the more she wanted to be her friend. 
“No one has,” Olivia’s voice caught, “designed such a thoughtful gown for me before.”
“It was my pleasure,” Riley fought her instinct to hug Olivia. “I take it you approve?”
Olivia forced herself not to nod enthusiastically. “I do.”
“I’m so pleased,” Riley stood and turned, bending over her bag. “Let’s get your measurements, and I’ll be out of your hair.”
Olivia rose, a little stunned. Ten points for Riley Brooks. 
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“I didn’t know he was staying at Kiara’s family home,” Liam frowned. “I suppose they have being wounded in common.”
Leo pursed his lips. “Damien said Jackson’s cabin was dusty. Drake went from the hospital to Castelsarreillan.”
Liam leaned against the pillar; the hallway was empty at this hour. Leo and Liam were meant to meet with Landon, but the Duke had canceled, citing a flood damage issue that couldn’t wait. 
Heels clacked against the marble floor, echoing down the hallway. 
Leo glanced up; his stomach fluttered as he recognized Riley. Her hair was styled in loose waves around her shoulders; her cream high-waisted midi skirt was perfectly fitted, showcasing her curves; the lilac silk blouse wasn’t a color Leo had seen her wear before, but it suited her. Olivia walked beside her, a genuine smile on her face as she spoke. 
Leo felt panic rise in his chest. He stepped behind the pillar, unsure what else to do. Liam turned, his eyebrow raised. “What-”
Leo crouched slightly, Liam’s frame covering what the pillar didn’t. “Turn around.”
Liam twisted, trying to see Leo, but his brother kept moving behind him. “This is ridiculous!”
“Shut up!” Leo hissed. 
“Liam,” Olivia called out as she and Riley drew closer. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” Liam plastered a grin on. He had no idea why Leo was hiding, but he’d cover for him. “Hello, Ms. Brooks.”
“Riley, please,” Riley replied with a grin. “I think we’re beyond formalities.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Liam chuckled. “That means you have to call me Liam.”
Riley flushed slightly. “I will try my best.”
“All I can ask,” Liam felt Leo poke his spine. “I’d love to chat, but I have a call soon. Leo should be on his way.”
Olivia rolled her head, loosening her neck. She noticed Leo crouched in the corner, using Liam as a shield. She coughed to hide a snort. It would be satisfying to call him out, but she had a better idea.
“I won’t keep you,” Riley was saying. 
“Yes,” Olivia interrupted. “Is Marena in her office? I thought we could all have lunch.”
Liam gave Olivia a sidelong glance, and she darted her eyes behind him. 
“Yes,” Liam clasped his hands together. “She should be out of her last meeting by now.”
Riley and Olivia continued down the hallway. Olivia leaned in, asking Riley a question. 
“She’s gone,” Liam stepped aside, fixing his brother with an incredulous glare. “Want to tell me what that was all about?”
“Nothing,” Leo straightened his blazer. “Let's get back to work.”
“Nothing?” Liam echoed, following Leo into his office. “You hid! From Riley!”
Leo sat in front of the desk. “Francesco will be calling any moment.”
Liam opened his mouth, but the tone of an incoming video call cut him off.
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“Let me get this straight,” Riley covered her mouth with one hand as she finished chewing a bite of kofta. “Liam’s best friend tried to move in on you? While you were trying to prove those photos were fake?”
Marena took a sip of Pinot Grigio, nodding. “Yep. I saw him for the first time the other day and froze. I wanted to scream at him for being such a shitty friend, for making Liam deal with another betrayal on top of-”
Marena trailed off, eyes wide.
“What?” Riley furrowed her brow. She glanced at Olivia across the table, but the duchess was pushing food around her plate. She didn’t see how there was more that happened; her mind was whirring to keep up.
“I trust you,” Marena decided. “You don’t talk to the press, and you won’t tell Ana, right?”
“Yes to both,” Riley leaned forward, mirroring Marena’s posture, hoping she could see the sincerity in her features. “Fuck the press, and Ana is a gossip. What happened?”
Marena launched into the story, recounting the lengths Constantine went to frame her, unable to tell anyone what he’d done without it affecting Liam. That Liam was blindsided and still struggled with being around his father. How Leo had grabbed Constantine by the throat and slammed him against the wall. It had taken Liam and two guards to pull him off.
Riley covered her mouth to stifle a gasp, her eyes filled with tears. She lifted the linen napkin in her lap to her eyes, dabbing at the corners. “I’m so sorry, Ren. I can’t imagine how awful that was.”
“The terrorism is the cherry on top,” Olivia chimed in, eyeing the guards stationed at the doors. 
“We have to focus on the good,” Marena smiled sadly. “I don’t intend to let them win.”
Riley took Marena’s hand and squeezed it, in awe of her new friend. “You’re very brave.”
“Liam is worth it,” Marena grinned. “More than worth it. I’d fight dragons for him.”
Olivia made a gagging noise, and Marena kicked her under the table. Riley couldn’t help but laugh.
“So,” Marena continued. “What’s going on with Leo?”
“Meaning?” Riley quickly hid her surprise at the sudden change of subject.
“He’s not moping about like he used to,” Olivia examined a long red nail. “He’s getting out of the palace more.”
“We have dinner a few times a week,” Riley began, unsure what Olivia and Marena wanted to know. “I took him bowling. We hung out at my place last night.”
Riley still wasn’t sure what happened to Leo this morning. She would text him after lunch.
“Did he spend the night?” Marena’s eyes widened. “Oh my god, are you two together?”
“No,” Riley said a little too loudly. “I mean, yes, he spent the night, but it wasn’t ... nothing happened. He’s fun to be around; we’re friends.”
“Oh,” Marena and Olivia said in unison, both sounding a little disappointed. 
“We have a lot in common,” Riley wasn’t sure why she felt the need to explain. “Our upbringings, we both just got out of serious relationships. It’s nice to have someone who understands.”
“Right, your father, the politician, and the ex,” Olivia murmured thoughtfully. “I suppose so.”
Riley briefly wondered if anyone hadn’t read her background check.
“That’s sweet,” Marena smiled softly. “You should come to the beer garden tonight!”
Olivia snickered, and Riley cast a confused glance at Marena. “Olivia already invited me.”
“Great minds,” Marena nudged Olivia. “Right, Liv?”
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Leo pocketed his cell phone. He hadn’t responded to Riley’s message because he wasn’t sure how to explain. He took a deep breath. Tomorrow morning he’d stop by and speak to her. 
Liam clapped Leo on the back. “No overthinking at the beer garden!”
“No ties either,” Leo smirked at his younger brother and ruffled his hair. Liam frowned and patted down the strands.
“There’s Liv,” Leo began. “And-”
Leo swallowed hard. Riley sat on the bench beside Marena, across from Olivia. She was dressed down slightly in black wide-legged pants, a lacy crop top that exposed a few inches of her toned stomach, and an oversized black blazer with the cuffs rolled. Her hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail. Leo had never paid much attention to what women wore before, but it was usually the second thing he noticed about Riley. 
“Riley,” Liam finished, jostling Leo’s arm. “Ren said she invited her. Let’s go say hello.”
Leo followed Liam to the table, his thoughts swirling with what he could possibly say. 
Marena scrambled to her feet and embraced Liam tightly. Riley smiled at the display while Olivia rolled her eyes good-naturedly. 
“Hello,” Leo said lamely. He shoved his hands in his pockets, his fingers tapping against his thighs. 
“Hi,” Riley grinned up at Leo. “I haven’t seen you all day.”
“I was busy,” Leo shifted on his feet. “Uh-”
Leo stopped, unsure of what to say next. He hadn’t felt this awkward around Riley before. 
“I need a drink,” Riley swung her legs from under the table and stood. “You?”
“Oh,” Leo forced himself to remove his hands from his pockets. “Sure.”
Riley waited until they were out of earshot. She hadn’t wanted to embarrass Leo by putting him on the spot. 
“Did I do something wrong?” Riley kept her voice low. “Was it the movie? Was it that bad?”
“No,” Leo felt his shoulders relax for the first one that day. “No. It’s not that.”
Riley glanced at Leo quizzically. “I’m confused.”
“I felt … weird,” Leo stopped abruptly next to a large tree several feet from the wooden bar. “I woke up, and your head was on my shoulder, and I didn’t want to move you.”
It felt intimate, is what Leo didn’t say. 
“I see,” Riley put a comforting hand on Leo’s arm. “You could have woken me up and told me to get my ass in my own bed.”
A laugh burst from Leo’s lips. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to handle it.”
“It’s okay,” Riley soothed. “In the future, wake me up. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Not that there’s going to be a future.”
Riley rested her head on her palm. “That sounded bad. I mean …”
“I know,” Leo chuckled, relieved that all the earlier tension disappeared. “Friends?”
“Oh my,” Riley fluttered her lashes. “Are we officially friends?”
“Yes,” Leo ignored the way his pulse quickened. He could think she was beautiful and be her friend. “You made it weird again.”
“Sorry, I’ll shut up,” Riley agreed, glancing back at the table. Liam, Marena, and Olivia quickly averted their eyes. 
The notes of a slow song whispered through the night air, and Riley found herself swaying to the beat. It was one of her favorites.
“She caught us,” Marena whispered out of the side of her mouth.
“Mm-hmm,” Liam hummed, watching from the corner of his eye. “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”
Olivia tipped her head back to swallow the dregs of wine in her glass. “No.”
Leo hesitated before holding his hand out to Riley. She took it, a smile lighting her face, and he led her to the floor. 
“Wait,” Marena hissed. “They’re dancing?”
Leo placed his hand on the curve of her waist, taking her hand in his as she stepped closer. “I like this song, too.”
“Good taste,” Riley managed a small smile, her mouth suddenly dry. She rested her hand on his shoulder, following his steps. 
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Perma: @ao719 @appleone @burnsoslow @charlotteg234 @choiceskatie @differenttyphoonwerewolf @emkay512 @foreverethereal123 @gabesmommie1130 @gardeningourmet @iaminlovewithtrr @imashybish @kat-tia801 @kingliam2019 @kristinamae093 @ladyangel70 @lovingchoices14 @lunaseasblog @marshmallowsaremyfavorite @mom2000aggie @nestledonthaveone @originaljudgepiepaper @pixelatedpassion @platapirexy @queen-arabella-of-cordonia @queenmiarys @queenwalton @royalpest @tessa-liam @trrfanaddict @3pawandme @txemrn @21-wishes
Leo x Riley: @mywildheartremains
TRR/TRH: @jared2612 @malblk21
MLT: @alyshak92 @belencha77 @irisk12 @karahalloway @persephone13 @starrystarrytrouble @tinkie1973
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noesapphic · 25 days
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Threads of Gold
Author's Notes
A few days ago, I commissioned Thia @oh-so-youre-a-nerd from their Your Characters comms this beautiful piece of Mr. Sinclaire and Marianna, and the moment I saw the sketch, I knew I had to bring it to life.
I am aware that I said I'd stop writing Marianna here, but she's too amazing to just quit writing her here and the brainrot's stronger, lol.
English isn't my first language, so please forgive any typos/grammar mistakes I may make.
To read more of Ernest and Marianna's journey, click here!
Check out my masterlist for more!
Summary: Ernest and Marianna share a cozy and intimate moment
Word Count: 644
Category: Fluff
Rating: G
Book: Desire and Decorum
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March, 1812
It was late night, and Ernest Sinclaire found himself in Marianna’s house once again. He had duties in London, and if he had endured them, it was to see her once the moon was out. After a passionate session, they got decent and Marianna prepared some tea before the man went back to his townhouse.
“What am I to you, sir?”
Ernest looked up, blinking, rather confused and drowsy. “Sorry?”
“I asked you what do I mean to you.”
“I… haven’t thought about it deeply. But… I know that I like being with you, and not just because of…” his ears flushed pink, but he carried on “but more than that. I like talking to you, listening to what you have to say…”
Marianna bit her lip “I feel the same. I can’t explain it, but… there’s something about you that keeps drawing me back to you.”
They both stood in silence, the theme on the conversation weighing heavily on them. It was clear that they were more than lovers, yet they weren’t in love with one another. Not at least on his part. It’d be more complicated for her than him. He wasn’t the first man of his station to marry someone like him. Indeed, the second wife of his ancestor, Walter Sinclaire, had married a woman of the night’s daughter who sold oranges for a living, and theirs had been a beautiful and tempestuous relationship that had led to the century-old tale of the duelling pistol hanging in Ledford Park.
He could see that she did not wish marriage. The way she shifted and acted when the word came out in her presence wasn’t difficult to miss for someone like him. He was used to lurk somewhere and observe and read the room, an underrated societal skill few used, desperate to shine in the scene. Many failed miserably, and it was quite pitiful to watch.
But somehow, Marianna always stole the spotlight. Despite being eleven years his elder, she looked like she was his age, maybe younger. Her fair skin shone brightly on the fireplace’s shadows, her golden locks now down and messy. The thin nightgown carved her perfectly plump figure, sign of years of work, children perhaps as well. He suddenly remembered his travels to Italy, and seeing the statues of Aphrodite and being mesmerised by the detail of the naked female body. It came to him that the same proportions had been given to Marianna: beautiful hip dips, her body being plump and soft like a pillow. Her face was earth-shatteringly striking: light blue like the Pacific Ocean, plump cheeks and mildly full lips with the perfect shape that drove him mad every time he kissed them. Her neck was elegant, and her collarbones had this effect on him that he couldn’t describe. She was too beautiful to work there, enduring blithering idiots and blind drunks who sought refuge from their wives. She was a work of art, and he wished he was blessed with the gift of art. He’d gladly paint her. The image sent heart flutters to his chest.
Getting close as she gathered her thoughts, he stroked her hair, smelling the jasmine and the hint of rosewater on it. Marianna softened at his touch, not daring to turn around and face the question in both their minds.
Playing with her hair, he created threads of golden hair, the colour of the sun, and set aside some stray hairs to kiss the nape of the neck “I may not have the word for it yet, but you mean more to me than the English language’s adjectives can provide. Know that. Always.”
Embracing, they observed how the sun slowly rose, and Ernest hoped that, whatever happened between one another, memories like these would prevail in both their memories.
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BOLAS Fics & Art of the Week Sep 10-16, 2023
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✒️= Fanfic | 📱= Text Fics/Edits | 🎨= Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+
MAL VOLARI x F!HUMAN!MC
Her Legacy ✒️ | @storyofmychoices
The Quest for Daenarya ✒️| @storyofmychoices
Raya and Mal 🎨| @erixafleur
TYRIL STARFURY x F!ELF!MC
As Promised ✒️ | @secret-fungi
Moonlight Boy ✒️ | @secret-fungi
Tired Soul, Rest Your Weary Bones ✒️| @secret-fungi
TYRIL STARFURY x F!HUMAN!MC
Alive Again ✒️ | @agattthaa
The Lover's Caress ✒️ | @lawrencebarkley
Not Pretty, Beautiful ✒️| @agattthaa
The Perfect Vision From Your Dreams 🎨| @lampyri
MULTIPLE PAIRINGS
Here for You ✒️ | Mal Volari x F!HUMAN!MC, Aerin Valleros x F!MC - @a-cloud-for-dreams
Main CFWC Fic/Art of the Week List
Open Heart Fic/Art of the Week List
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ladylamrian · 11 months
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Welcome to the World of Night
Nightbound is a visual story from the @playchoices App created by Pixelberry Studios. The characters and places are owned by Pixelberry except of those which I created myself to give the story a special touch.
Main Character: "Female" (not going to appear). It also can be canoned as a Male Main Character too, but then the plot with the hunting outfit wouldn't make sense.
Characters: Garrus, Krom, Ivy, Luc, ... and more
Summary: A child gets plunged into the World of Night after a tragetic incident.
Mystery ● Angst ● Drama ● Friendship
Word counting: 4.9K words (Whooopsie)
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Angst, Death, Language, Blood
Taglist: @choicesficwriterscreations ; @peonierose ; @secretaryunpaid ; @lilyoffandoms ; @lawrencebarkley ; @blackcatkita ; @infactnoimmasitinthemiddle ; @jdstar88 ; @mxdanni ; @tessa-liam ; @hopelessromantic1352
Reblogs/feedback/reactions appreciated !!! <3
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Who knew that after a tragetic event, the death of a child's parents, would turn the world for Elijah Ryder upside down.
As an old, gray haired man with beard entered a bar, called the Graveyard Shift. He was carrying a young child over his shoulder which couldn't stopped crying. Two familar faces inside the building greeted him as he entered... but, they weren't ordinary people.
"Elijah, what happened and who's...?", a very young fae payed his attention towards the old man and the sad child.
"It's not good to bring a child into a bar.", Krom, the stone troll added.
Elijah Ryder was a nighthunter who lived alone and often visited the Graveyard Shift for a drink, but this time it was something else. He had a tiny companion, a young toddler, about 5 years old who's been crying for a long time.
"Shhh, stop crying. It's alright, you're safe now. Calm down, child."
"Mom!! Dad!!", it cried. Tears covered his face, his sobs getting louder and everyone around him getting now restless.
"Garrus, my child, do you have anything from the fae realm to make this child calm down?", the old man asked who took a seat as he tried to calm the little boy down.
"I am not sure if we should...", Garrus couldn't even finish his sentence as suddenly Krom took the boy from Elijah away and placed it on his lap. His heavy arms wrapped around the toddler as he calmly wispered to calm it down.
"Hey, hey, brave boys don't cry. If you continue crying, you're going to make me sad too.", the stone troll got emotional, wrapped his heavy arms carefully around him and pulled him closer for a hug.
Several minutes passed until the little boy has calmed himself down, but still couldn't hold back his tears. Elijah already filled Garrus and Krom in about what happened to the child. The boy and his parents were having a picnic for his mom's birthday. There, his parents got attacked by a mysterious monster. His mother even shoved him towards the bush and told him to run, but when he saw them being killed, he screamed and caught the monster's attention. But before the monster could do anything to him, Elijah Ryder came to rescue. He picked up the boy and ran, the monster howling behind them. Elijah covered the eyes of the child from the sight of his parents' bodies as he passed. He sang quietly to it, all the way out of the bayou, and let the young boy cry all over him...
"Yes, and that's what happened."
"Oh dear, this is terrible. I wish..."
Suddenly the kid pulled away from Krom, ran towards the Graveyard Shift it's door until Elijah caught him to prevent the child's escape.
"Stop, you're not goin' anywhere. It's too dangerous as a child alone is such a big city."
"And Mom and Dad? I want to go to Mom and Dad. I want them back."
"They're gone, my boy. Forever."
"Don't you have other family members you know? They can help you.", Krom asked.
"No, I don't. I am alone."
"You won't and you don't have to be scared anymore because I will adopt you, take care of you now. You don't deserve living alone in this horrible world. Tomorrow morning, I will take care about the adoption papers."
"Sir, you can't be serious? It's such a huge responsibility and..."
"I know, Garrus.", Elijah looked at him in a serious expression and then turned his attention to the boy again. He went to his knees, placed his hand on the child's shoulder and smiled warmly.
"Now, tell me... What's your name, my boy?"
"Nik.", he sniffed and wiped his tears away.
"What a great name for a such strong boy, Nik. Damn, you have nice hair, and the cool clothes you're wearing... Wow!", he praised the boy who gave a shy smile back at him.
"May I present myself, Garrus. You are now my little, cute brother, so welcome to the family. And may I present Krom, we both just met a few days ago."
"Yes, I'm Krom. And no need to be afraid, Elijah and Garrus are my friends and will take good of you."
"Yes, fear not. Oh,... Elijah, I still have an apartment upstairs left empty... Well, except of that nighthunter outfit which was left upstairs. Do you want to take it for yourself and the child? I'm afraid that living in a house in the woods could scare Nik.", Garrus recommend.
Suddenly Elijah's calm face turned into a thundery look filled with anger. He took a step towards, grabbed Nik and pulled him closer into his protective embrace, away from Garrus.
"Garrus, my child, you're recommending me to rent the apartment she lived in?! Her apartment? Haven't you forgotten the way she betrayed me??!!"
"Elijah, she doesn't live in New Orleans anymore. She's gone and took most of her things with her... well, except of her hunting outfit with the red leather jacket. The one you gifted her..."
"No, I don't want to know anything about this. I don't want to rent the apartment where she stayed and I never will."
"Who's she?", small Nik asked the angry man.
But instead giving an answer, Elijah went on his knees to come face to face with the boy. Looking deep into the innocent eyes, the man told him. With clenched jaws and in an angry tone which made the little one shiver.
"No one, she's no one. And Nik, one thing you should know. Never, never, never, trust anyone."
"What? Why?"
"I will show you. I will teach you why and then you will understand, my boy."
And with that, Elijah grabbed his wrist and lead him outside of the building without looking back at Garrus and Krom. Only Nik turned his head back to meet the eyes of his newly made friends again before leaving the Graveyard Shift. The small boy wondering what will happen next in his life.
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Elijah dragged the little toddler into a souvenier shop near French Quarter, not far away from the Graveyard Shift. Colorful masks and costumes greeted them, as they entered. A very old woman benting over and waiting behind the counter.
"Elijah, good to see you.", she answered and coughed.
"You're getting old, let someone else handle this shop."
"You're old too and you still hunt. And tell me, who's this tiny and weak companion of yours?", she laughed loudly and scared the child. It quickly hid behind Elijah and looked away from the old, scary lady.
But before the man could answer, another child appeared from behind the counter rushing towards the shop doors. The shouting of the old woman stopped him.
"Luc, come back! Where do you think you're headin'?! Stay in the shop and help me. Have you already finished the potion I told you to create for a customer?"
"Non, momie. Can I do it later? I want to head outside."
"Pourqoui?"
"To play with pretty girl."
Luc's mother got angry and pulled him back without even touching him. The tiny Nik couldn't believe his eyes and hugged Elijah's legs even tighter. She used magic which made little Luc fly across the room, back to her. It looked like beeing pulled by a real magnet.
"You will not meet pretty girl, she's dangerous and not even pretty."
"I think she's pretty, momie. And friendly."
"Go and play with Brie instead!"
"No, not Brie. Brie is sometimes mean and thinks she's a better witch child than me. I want to play with the pretty girl, she never made fun of me. She's so friendly and pretty."
"You won't meet her, son. She's a Reimonenq and Tonya's child. She can kill you by just touching you with her bare hands", she explained him which made Luc sad while Nik, the other child brought by Elijah listened carefully and got even more frightened. Monsters, magic shop, potions, killing hands,... What in the world had he gotten into?
"I wanna go home...", Nik wispered who couldn't stop his tears and pulled on Elijah's clothes.
"I'll take you, little fella.", he answered to him and turned his attention back towards the old lady and Luc.
"Okay, you bitchy witch, I'm waitin'. Fresh holy light arrows, please. And a charm too.", he asked her and already placed the total amount of money on the counter infront of her.
She collected the money while Luc excitedly began gathering the needed items. Proudly he handed over the right arrows in the right amount. He was sure good in mathematics. Then the tiny boy turned around, climbed on a stool and reached to the other item which Elijah ordered too. It was a brown necklace as a silver ring hangs on, a magical charm. Luc gave it to Elijah who smiled warmly at him.
"Good work, little Luc-ster! You were so quick, I bet you can take better care of the shop than your old mother. But she's right, you better stay away from the Reimonenqs'. And study hard your magic.", he gave him advice, patted on his shoulder and left the shop with Nik.
Outside he offered Nik to wear the pendant he just bought. After the young child wore it, his eyes began to glow and sparkle lightly. He closed them and then, after a few seconds he finally opened them.
"What was that?", he carefully rubbed his innocent little eyes and blinked a few times.
Now everything looked much clearer to him when he found out that the walking humans on the streets of the city weren't all ordinary humans. No, some of them weren't human at all. Strange figures crossed by, ones he had never met before or only knew from fairytales and other stories.
"Nik, welcome to the World of Night. Now you'll see the true forms and identities of all beeings who use to hide it with the help of a spell. It's important for you to know that there's more than what it seems. You cannot trust anyone blindly in this cruel world. I'll promise to take care if you, make you understand and teach you everythin' you need to survive and live in our world."
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Several months have passed since that tragetic incident, where a little boy lost his parents. Elijah Ryder became offically Nik's adoptive father. Now his name was offically Nik Ryder, Elijah Ryder's child. The old man took good care of the little boy and made sure to keep him happy and no longer mourn or cry over his dead parents. Father and son quickly became good friends.
They spend much time together in the nature and Elijah taught him a lot about the nature, animals, plants and even hunting, so that Nik could protect himself when he's alone. One night the man even left the child alone in the graveyard, when both of them were hunting down a dangerous creature. Nik was left alone, so that he could learn not to blindly trust anyone, and that he should handle things on his own too. That lesson frightened Nik the most, but he understood that and what's best for him.
"Dad! Daaad!!", the little boy screamed and rushed to their little house in the woods, searching for his adoptive father. It was early morning when Nik decided to go for a walk alone into the woods, but ended up discovering something frightening.
As he finally arrived home to quickly get his adoptive father, Elijah outside the house, he was greeted by an unfamiliar woman who's car was parked infront of their little house with a driver sitting inside it. The woman wore a light blouse and a short, black skirt which made her look like a real business woman. Earrings were hidden behind her black, shoulder-lenght hair. Her fair skin was shining in the sunlight and the heart-shaped face of her's was covered with make-up. Elijah was there too and was having an heated argument with her.
"I absolutly do not care, I only came here back to collect a few things of mine which I left behind. Immediatly let me inside the house, Elijah.", she demanded and took a step forward. A snake appeared out of her left sleeve which nastily hissed at Elijah. It was her pet snake, named Slitter.
"Ahh, a snake!!", Nik got frightened and took a few steps backwards.
"Don't worry, child. My little Slitter won't hurt anyone, he's not poisonous. Slitter just... doesn't like it if I get treated unfairly, right Elijah?", she said it with a meaning tone.
"I gave all your belongings to Garrus, so go to him. Besides, I won't let a traitor like you inside my house, Jacqueline."
"I'm no traitor. How dare you insult me like this?! I will make sure that..."
"Hey, stop!! Don't talk to my dad like this!!", the child angrily intervened.
"Son, let us adults talk."
"Elijah, did you called him your son? You have a child?", the woman surprisingly asked. For a short moment, she just silently stared at the child before coming out of her thoughts and facing the man infront of her again.
"You know what, Elijah? I don't want my things back anymore. You, me and Tonya are no longer a team and no longer The Guardians of the Night anymore. Have you understood? And neither will there be a next generation who will protect the worlds. I am happy with my new life. You can burn my hunting licence if you'd like, because leaving New Orleans and the nighthunters was the best thing that ever happened to me. Tonya was right, I should have done it earlier.", she confessed while Elijah only kept glaring at her with clenched teeth.
"If y'a done now, then I suggest y'a to leave."
"Well, gladly. Was nice to meet you... not. Such an unwelcoming and grumpy man you still are. I'll be going then, can't let my company, my caring boyfriend and my dearest child wait.", she curled her cherry-red lips, turned away from him and was headed towards her car.
Elijah stood still and kept looking until she finally left. The old man's silence was worrying the little boy, so Nik stepped closer to gave him a soft hug and tried to make eye contact. And when the eye contact finally happened, Nik was greeted back with a smile on his father's face. He gently ruffeled the hair of the child which made it giggle.
"Don't worry, kid. Annoying people come and go in life, don't lose heart. By the way, where were ya' before?"
Quickly Nik's smile faded away and sadness was written all over his face.
"Dad, the... the wolves. The werewolves did something terrible.", he wispered and led his adoptive father deeper into the woods. The boy was looking around to remember and then pointed at a lonely tree. Marks of claws were carved onto it, werewolf claws. Blood, flesh, feathers and some body pieces of one or two birds were scattered on the ground which made the boy shed tears.
"Dad, they killed two innocent animals."
"The werewolves killed a falcon. No, two falcons.", the man analyzed. "But Nik, that's the way of life and the cycle of mother nature. Prededators have to hunt to survive."
"And we nighthunters hunt monsters to save humans. Isn't that something else, dad? And what will happen to the baby falcon?", he sniffed and pointed above to a bird's nest were a tiny chick was sitting waiting to be fed by the adult birds. Carefully Elijah reached for the young, helpless bird and held it in his palms.
"Squeak. Squeak. Squeak."
"Poor baby bird lost it parents like I did, dad. We can't let it live outside alone without food and care. Can we keep it?", Nik requested and stared with his sad eyes to Elijah.
"Nik, it's a wild animal which lives free outside in the nature. We can't keep it forever or treat as a pet.", he explained which broke Nik's hope. But then he said more.
"How about we take good care of it for now till it gets older, and then we'll let the bird free? It's currently very young and could need help, or else it could easily become another prey."
"Yes, that's a good idea. I will take care of little birdy, I promise.", Nik excitedly said and began happily jumping up and down. Carefully Elijah handed the tiny bird to his son, who softly carried it in his palms and kissed it. "You're not alone now, birdy. Like I have Elijah, you have me now."
From that day on, little Nik took care of it's very first pet which became a close friend of him. The boy named the falcon "Arrow", because he believes that one day it'll accompany him on his hunts and be flying fast like an shooting holy light arrow in the sky.
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About 15 years later...
It's evening, the young fae served drinks to his fellow customers, including his two best friends, Krom and Ivy. The bar wasn't very crowded tonight, but he was still busy.
"Mmmh, the Seasalt Slurry you make is definitly my favorite now. Thanks, Garrus.", Ivy praised him and enjoyed the magical drink.
But Garrus didn't answered, he went from table to table, picking orders and served his magical drinks to everyone inside his bar which was called The Graveyard Shift.
"So that's the famous Graveyard Shift...", a young teenager talked to himself as he entered the building. He began walking slowly towards the bar counter while his silvery-gray eyes shifted around, not to overlook any important detail. Garrus quickly rushing to the counter to take his order.
"Welcome to the Graveyard Shift, how may I help you?"
"What do we have here, a fae? No wonder that the drinks are famous of the Graveyard Shift.", he answered and smiled at him.
"Don't worry, I'm telling you that our friend Garrus won't disappoint you. Oh, I... by the way... You do look so young. Very young actually.", Krom noticed.   To his defence, Nik showed the three of them his identity card and hunting licence before putting them back in his pockets.
"Really, me and young? Thanks for the nice compliment. But don't worry, I'm above 18. Just reached my 20s if that happened to concern you, troll guy.. Hmm, do you happen to serve a drink called Snake Tequila?"
"What's that? It sounds scary.", Krom answered.
"A drink I just discovered while I was on an undercover mission in Arizona to save a pegasi herd. The Blight Brothers challenged me to drink it, so I had to. It was the only way to impress them and to get inside their gang. I didn't liked it at first, but later I got used to the taste of the drink. Not bad actually."
"Oh, I heard of that drink. It's not one of own my recipes, but I could make one if you like. I personally wouldn't drink it, dear.", Garrus friendly laughed and began to create it in the backroom where the correct ingridients were safely stored. In the meantime, the man took a seat next to Krom and Ivy. He began to analyze them.
Krom was a stone-troll with tiny fangs, who wore a regular red shirt. His skin made of stone, but his heart gentle and warm. Ivy was a so called "zombie girl" who has long purple and pink ombre hair with bangs. She had red glowing eyes and gray skin and wore a short black Victorian goth style blouse, black leather trousers.
As she discovered beeing watched, she didn't looked away like Krom did. No, Ivy's a strong woman who wasn't afraid and stared back at him with her deep red eyes. He wore a gray shirt, black pants underneath and a long brown leather jacket with a brown necklace as a silver ring hanging on it.
"Hmm, you're the hunter with the Cajun accent who sometimes visits my library, right?"
"Correctly said, creaturelogist. Nice to meet you outside the library too sometimes. It's been a while."
"Yeah, it's been a while. Besides, how could I forget the young hunter who never forgets my payment?", Ivy giggled.
"He's a nighthunter? But isn't he too young for...", Krom asked out of interest.
"A person has to be ready for anything.", he answered in a sad tone.
"Well, whatever, that's Krom. He might look like a dangerous and mean stone-troll but in real, he's such a fluffy and friendly teddybear person. And the fae who makes your drink right now, that's Garrus. Both are my friends.", Ivy informed which washed away the sadness, written on the man's face.
"I see that you're scaring my customers again, Ivy", Garrus joked as he quickly appeared from the backroom and placed the ordered drink infront of the man on the counter. "Here you go!"
"Ewww, what is that?!!!! Eww, a dead snake?!! Is the snake even real?", Ivy felt disgusted and so did Krom, but he stayed silent.
"Now enjoy this drink, I guess. By the way, I have never seen you before... First time in the Graveyard Shift here?"
"Yeah, I guess so.", he answered a took a sip of the drink. Ivy and Krom shocked as they see him drinking the greenly colored liquid with something long swimming inside.
"Not bad.", he praised Garrus and his mixology skills. A sly smile on his face.
"Thank you, sir."
"Oh, don't call me sir. Nik, just Nik is fine. My name's Nik Ryder.", he introduced himself and shook hands with the fae.
"I am Garrus and it's a pleasure to meet you, you're always welcome in the Graveyard Shift, Nik. It's also such a coincedence... You have the same surname like a hunter friend of ours, right Krom-darling?", he mentioned and Krom nodded for approval.
A soft pink washed over his stony cheeks after Garrus called him darling. Ivy noticed and began to understand that Krom has a secret crush on Garrus, so she silently grinned by herself.
"Your hunter friend? The only hunter who shared the same surname like mine, was my dad, Elijah.", Nik sadly confessed and looked away.
"Waaait, you're Elijah Ryder's son?!! The Elijah Ryder?!! But how and when did this happen? I mean... he's not someone who had a great relationship with women and...?"
"Wooaah, woah, slow down... The hell, no, I'm not his real son. He adopted me, but he's still my dad.", Nik angrily intervened before anything wrong came out of Krom's innocent mouth. "Don't you all dare to say anything wrong about my dad, guys. Not only the troll, I'm warning everyone here in this room."
"I apologize on behalf of Krom, very sorry. But I remember that we have met before too.", Garrus answered.
"Nah, I don't think so. Been livin' in the woods with my dad for years and haven't seen a lot of New Orleans. It's my first time here in the Graveyard Shift, sooo..."
"No, we really met before. Garrus, I remember now too. Nik, you were a small toddler, that's why you don't remember. Elijah told us that he saved you from a monster which attacked your parents.", Krom added which made Nik finally realize that they were telling the truth. He did met Garrus and Krom before. It's not the first time he visited the Graveyard Shift, he was here too before. Just about 15 years ago.
"Hmmm... Maybeee, I'm not sure. Sorry, I don't remember.", Nik answered after thinking hard, but he didn't remembered. He was too young, but he knew that they weren't lying. He believed them.
"Awww, such a sweet reunion with our little baby brother after many years. You got so big and strong, darling.", Garrus got excited and softly pinched Nik's cheek while Krom gave him a strong and welcoming hug.
"Ouch."
"Yes, we love you too. Now tell us where grumpy, old Elijah is? Haven't seen him for so long, right?"
"He... he..."
His beautiful eyes sparkled with tears and he hid his face behind his palms. Silent sobs appeared. Krom gently patted his back and the three of them shared sad glances to eachother. After a few seconds, he calmed himself down on his own, wiped his tears away and apologized embarrasingly at them.
"So... sorry, I didn't mean to. Sorry, it just happened. I... I need to be strong. Sorry, it's just... he's dead. My dad, Elijah died just a few years ago when I was 17. He's no longer in our world, he left. He's gone. I lost my dad, the only person I had in this damn world left. I don't want to talk about this topic now.", he looked away and began to analyze the building.
"Nik, we're sorry. We didn't..."
"It's okay, I'm... I'm fine. Need to move on with life."
"Is he the reason you became a nighthunter too in such a young age?", Krom carefully asked.
"Yes, to honor him and everything he ever has done for me. I lost my parents and him from the claws of supernatural monsters. That ugly and horrible side in this world which ruined my entire life. I... I could have turned evil, I could have destroyed that part of the world with all it's supernatural beeings, but I can't. My birthparents thaught me respect, to love nature with it's living beeings while Elijah thaught me to understand, learn and protect the worlds from evil. Later, I learned myself that not everything in this world is horrible. Guys, I even met a friendly werewolf guy, and you know how mean they can be and what kind of bastards these creatures are. I hate werewolves. I hate werewolves as much as vampires. But, he's diffrent. Mister Lowell is so diffrent than the other wolves. I think he also has two sons. Whatever. The main thing is that in the World of Night there still is the World of Light with it's many beautiful and fantastic creatures. Fae, pegasi, dragons, hippogriffs and more. And what kind of person am I who decides other's fate? So my only mission will be from now on to save the human world and the supernatural world from the evil. To protect children, families and each beeing because I don't want anyone to suffer as much as I did.", Nik explained which made Garrus, Krom and Ivy a bit emotional too.
"Oh, Nik..."
"Hey, it's okay. I'm fine. Now let's change the topic, okay? Hmm, do you happen to have a free apartment for rent? I've been searching for one. I just wanted to move closer into the city and... and... Elijah's house in the woods... I can't face it, old memories with him and... I... I miss him. I miss him very much.", he confessed. Garrus gently squeezed his shoulder for support.
"No fear, my mortal friend, I happen to have an empty apartment upstairs left for you in a good condition and fair price. Well, there is one hunting outfit left upstairs. The person who lived there before must have forgotten it."
"Or abandoned it on purpouse.", Ivy giggled.
"Okaaay, well, I want to see it. If the apartment is good for me, then I will take it. One outfit won't stop me, okay.", he answered and followed Garrus, the owner of the building upstairs.
A few minutes later the two of them returned and joined Ivy and Krom who are ready to hear Nik's decision.
"I... I think, I'm taking it. It's a deal."
"Hear, hear, my fellow friends, may I announce Sir Nik Ryder as the new renter of the apartment, our new neighbor and friend.", Garrus triumphantly introduced which embarrased Nik. Krom and Ivy enjoyed and both clapped as Garrus elegantly bowed at the end.
"Are you royalty or what, Garrus?", Nik smirked.
"Hihihi, I think this was fun. Welcome to the Graveyard Shift!!!", Ivy excitedly squeaked.
"Merci, merci, mademoiselle Ivy. Nice bar here.", a happy voice greeted them. It was Luc who just entered the bar and appeared to the group with some arrows to deliever to Nik.
"I didn't welcomed you, Luc. I welcomed... Oh whatever, forget it. Long time not seen actually."
"Oui, I hope you're doing fantastique. Nik, here are the arrows you wanted.", he said and handed them to him.
"Thanks Luc, I'll pay the money tomorrow morning. I promise."
"No problem, I trust you. Hey, have you heard about that new hunteress in town? She's a real hottie and her wild magenta colored hair... just wow.", Luc whispered to Nik who raised an eyebrow.
"Better hunter than me? Well, every new hunter collegue who will help us to defeat the evil guys is heartly welcome. But I hunt alone, like always. Hmmm, by the way, you kinda seem happy about her."
"I think Luc's always like that when he's meeting good looking people, especially women. Am I right?", Ivy giggled.
"Mademoiselle Ivy, what do you mean with always? I haven't met a lot women in my life. The only women I know are my mother, Bri, the other witches and Ivy and no other. And I feel attracted towards women and men equally.", he explained.
"Oh Luc, I was just kidding. Don't feel attacked like that. Join us for a drink! Welcome to the Graveyard Shift too.", she laughed and lightly punched his shoulder which made him laugh too.
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liaromancewriter · 1 year
Text
Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
Premise: Ethan returns from a business trip and discovers the joy of being home.
Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine) Rating/Category: General. Fluff. Words: 995
A/N: This fic is inspired by TikTok Tuesday 35 from @potionsprefect. Submission for @choicesdecember2022 Day 19 “Christmas Lights” and @choicesficwriterscreations Holiday Event 2022. Also submitting to @choicesholidays​ prompts “thankful” and “holiday spirit”.
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The sky above was dark, but the snowy white city streets were bright, with Christmas lights providing a kaleidoscope of color. Pop music drifted from the car speakers, and his driver’s head bobbed lightly with the tune, fingers tapping against the steering wheel.
Ethan Ramsey sighed deeply as the car neared the mid-rise condo building facing the Boston Harbor. It was good to be home. There was a time when he would have considered a condo just a place to park his head at night. Now it was home and held everything he cherished in his life.
Glad to leave the cold and icy wind behind, he grabbed his bag from the trunk, marched through the revolving glass doors, and into warmth. Up the elevator. And home.
Ethan unlocked the front door and inhaled the fragrance of fresh flowers in the foyer. It was mixed with vanilla from the holiday baking adventures; Cassie had texted him updates. And there was another scent, something indescribable and yet so familiar.
He set his overnight bag against the wall and hung his thick winter jacket in the hallway closet. The cheery melody of a classic Christmas song was blasting through the air, and he raised his eyebrows at how loud it was. He sent a silent thanks for soundproofing as he followed the sounds to the living room.
The sight before him set off a wide grin across his face, displaying teeth and dimples. He leaned against the wall, folded his arms across his chest and watched his wife and daughters literally rocking around the colorfully decorated Christmas tree.
Cassie Valentine was barefoot, dressed casually in jeans and a black sweater, her blonde hair flying everywhere as she executed a perfect pirouette. His wife laughed uproariously when Sophie and Eloise tried to copy her but lost their balance and, giggling, fell into a heap on the thick floor cushions.
His daughters were also barefoot and wore knee-length dresses with flared skirts in the same style but different colors. Their long brown hair was held back from the front by glittery fairy headbands almost falling off.
He couldn’t hear their giggles above the music, but he could see the pure joy on their innocent faces as their mother helped them off the floor.
That’s when he noticed Cassie’s phone mounted horizontally on a tripod, likely capturing the dance party to send to his father and her parents. Both sets of grandparents demanded a near-constant stream of photos, videos and FaceTime calls.
His heart softened when the three of them started gyrating their hips to the rhythm of the song’s chorus. They hip-checked each other before leaping away and twirling in place, throwing their arms in the air.
To be fair, at five years old, the twins’ dancing was more energetic than coordinated. But they also had their mother’s natural gift and style.
The tune on the speakers changed to another popular Christmas song, one of those ubiquitous ones you couldn’t avoid no matter where you went. Before he lost them to the music again, he moved further into the living room and into their line of sight.
“Daddy!”
Eloise and Sophie shouted gleefully when they saw him and rushed towards him, their arms wrapping around his legs. They tilted their heads back and gave him toothy grins. He smiled at them, his hands automatically brushing away the wet strands clinging to their rosy, red cheeks, the back of his hand caressing the soft skin.
He met Cassie’s smiling gaze as she sauntered to where he stood, unable to move due to the girls clinging to his legs. She laced her fingers through his, cupping the back of his neck with her free hand, and leaned in.
“Welcome home,” Cassie whispered before capturing his lips in a brief but searing kiss.
“It’s good to be home,” Ethan said softly, clearing the gruffness from his throat.
“Daddy, come dance with us!” Eloise exclaimed, taking his hand to drag him to the middle of the room. Sophie did the same to Cassie.
Ethan started to protest that he didn’t dance to this type of music. But his words were drowned out by the pleading looks from his daughters. Unable to deny them this, he nodded and joined in, laughing at how Sophie and Eloise started jumping around.
Cassie held out her hands, and both girls took one. Then all three spun round in circles, their feet stamping to the fast melody. Ethan started to call out that they would get dizzy, but they changed dance moves before he could get a word out.
Sophie tried to pirouette again, succeeding this time, her body held up by Cassie’s tight grip on her hand. Meanwhile, Eloise tucked her hands in both of his and tried to get him to dance with her.
“Round and round in circles, Daddy,” she said giddily.
He stumbled at first but soon followed Eloise’s lead, holding on tight to her small hands as the room spun around him. Ethan wouldn’t necessarily call this dancing, but the twins seemed to love it, as did their mother.
The song changed to Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, which was a cue for him and Cassie to change dance partners. He whirled Sophie in his arms while Eloise and Cassie did some kind of bunny hop moves.
Rockin' around the Christmas tree At the Christmas party hop Mistletoe hung where you can see Every couple tries to stop Rockin' around the Christmas tree Let the Christmas spirit ring Later we'll have some pumpkin pie And we'll do some caroling
Snow swirled outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting the world into a magical, white fairytale land. Inside, the star on top of the Christmas tree shone bright, and music continued to play.
The family of four danced around the Christmas tree, lost in the pleasure of being in each other’s company, their laughter ringing free.
They were happy. They were home.
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Submissions: @openheartfanfics​
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clansayeed · 8 months
Text
The Evening ― a Bound by Destiny drabble
⥼ Summary ⥽
While Nadya is busy making friends among the Ball's other human guests, Adrian and Kamilah retreat to the vampire-exclusive La Soiree. It is there that Adrian meets a pair of vampires with which to spend the evening... and finds himself caught up in the scintillating air of their natural mystery.
note: This piece takes place during Bound by Destiny, during the events of Chapter 10: The Cellar. It is not necessary to read to understand Book 1 or the Oblivion Bound series, but it does provide a fun insight into both Adrian and the original characters Valdas and Isseya.
word count: 4,175 rating: mature content warnings: language, blood drinking, vaguely-described sexual situations find out more: HERE
⥼ MASTERLIST ⥽
[READ IT ON AO3]
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By the third time Kamilah sweeps her gaze across the room he’s had enough.
“You don’t need to babysit me all night. Do you think I’m going to up and retreat the moment you turn your back?”
The look she gives him isn’t entirely unwarranted; a simple arched brow and the kind of breath that shifts her bosom at the top of her corset but serves only to be seen and understood.
For as long as he’s known her, Adrian has been fascinated with Kamilah’s skill of speaking columns without so much as an utterance. Maybe it comes with age. More likely it’s just something uniquely Kamilah.
“Give yourself a tad more credit Adrian.” She curls a single finger in the air; summoning a serving boy from out of his line of sight and plucks her choice of dark amber liquor from his offered assortment. “‘Retreat’ is not a word in your lexicon.”
The same silver tray is offered to Adrian. He declines, and the servant flits away.
“You know what I mean.”
Kamilah savors her drink for a long moment. “Perhaps I did, once. Now, however, I find myself in need of a translator where you are concerned.”
And… well, isn’t that entirely not what he was expecting. “What’s that about?”
“It is about the changes I’ve seen in you over the last few months. I’ve yet to determine whether or not to be concerned.”
“A chan—” But before he can even get the full question out, Kamilah cuts him off.
“Do not play the fool to me. Never to me.”
Eyes sharp as the daggers she collects so avidly; plum-tinted lips curled into a frown usually reserved for literally anyone else. All of her discontent plain to see despite the heady fog of incense that curls around the foyer and its guests.
But it’s not exactly difficult for Adrian to figure out the source of her ire. The unspoken name that’s kept her on her toes.
Only Adrian wouldn’t dare do anything but call Nadya a profoundly positive influence on his life. Not even just his—Kamilah’s, too. How long has it been since he’s heard even the whisper of amusement curled into the corners of her mouth? Or seen a kindness as simple as slipping Nadya her Clan symbol so she wouldn’t have to brave the train ride without them at her side?
One of his great personal tragedies of the last century was being forced into the role of silent witness to the hardening of Kamilah Sayeed’s heart. And yet she sits here in front of him and implies he’s the only one changed by the strange yet welcome break in immortal tedium ignited by their wondrous new human friend.
Alas, Adrian isn’t the least bit surprised.
He’s young (compared to her, anyway), but not stupid.
Before Adrian can speak a word in his own defense a familiar and throaty laugh catches the pair’s attention. It has Adrian looking beyond her shoulder while Kamilah twists lithely to join him in watching Lester’s entrance to the evening’s events.
To no one’s surprise their fellow Council member has arrived with a beautiful woman gracing each arm. Mortal, given the flush in their cheeks — and no doubt a disturbingly small fraction of his presumed age. He postures; he always does. Loud bellowing guffaws and over-exaggerated reunions with old friends he will need plenty of liquor to recall the names of.
By the time he’s made his way across the foyer there’s an entire Castellanos entourage on his heels. And as quickly as they gathered… they all vanish together too. Gone behind one of several doorways draped in maroon velvet.
Attentions turning back to one another, the looks Adrian and Kamilah exchange make his heart feel a little bit lighter. Even when they aren’t eye-to-eye on one thing, they will always be on the same team.
“Well we know which salon to steer clear of.” Adrian muses.
“I would venture caution even to those which share a wall with his den of debauchery.”
That, however, brings up the unspoken discussion neither of them have wanted to set in motion. The one where they discuss their own and each others’ participation in the soiree’s intended purpose.
Kamilah is certainly dressed for it. And Adrian isn’t even the only one around them wearing a simple suit — sometimes what is not revealed is just as tantalizing as what is, after all.
So he sighs, accepts defeat, and politely stops the closest server for his pick of red wines on offer. “I’ll stay—salut,” his raised glass meets hers between them, “but I’ve got too much on my mind to even think about… joining in.”
Knowing it’s the best she’s going to get out of him, Kamilah accepts this and begins to unwind herself from the supple leather sofa.
“One of these days you might want to try not shouldering the world’s every burden.”
“One of these days.”
“And when such a day comes, I might just die from shock.”
“Just don’t resent me for being your demise.”
With a bemused little smile Kamilah bends down to bestow chaste kisses to his cheeks. It’s enough to give Adrian a strange yet fleeting sense of relief. “I cannot make any promises about not holding it against you,” she teases. “But in all seriousness— do try to find something to keep you entertained tonight. You might even find yourself enjoying what opportunity comes along. It does so only once a decade, if you recall.”
Then Kamilah takes her leave. Adrian watches her go for lack of anything better to do… though the sight of her greeting an unfamiliar woman with a coy smile and friendly kisses isn’t exactly easy on him. He’s glad she’s giving into the opportunity to let loose even a little bit — but knowing what Adrian does about Nadya and her feelings towards Kamilah…
Well, he’s frustrated. Torn between two loyalties. But that’s nothing new.
La Soiree is still in its early hours. Eventually the foyer, still bustling with the last wave of attendees under the impression fashionably late has modern relevance, will be no more than an echoing chamber. And Adrian still doesn’t know if he plans on being one of the scant few left behind.
Wistfully his thoughts drift—unsurprisingly—to Nadya and the Cellar party happening below. Maybe he could pop in. Could check and just make sure she’s acclimating and finding friends and doing well. But would the attendants even let him in…?
The other end of the long couch sighs. Drawing Adrian’s attention to the man helping himself in taking up Kamilah’s place.
He gives the stranger a polite nod out of sheer courtesy — already readying himself to stand and take his leave.
“Surely there is enough room to share?”
Adrian blinks, startled. Looking back at the man but unsure of what to say.
“Yes, you,” the stranger offers a small chuckle and a sweeping hand to all of the empty cushions around them. “There’s no need to leave. In fact, I invite the pleasure of your company.”
The pleasure of his company? Words no doubt carefully-chosen here… of all places.
“Unless…” The man shrugs one shoulder before looking up at Adrian through obviously lowered lashes. “You have a prior engagement, of course.”
Something about the unspoken implication rubs Adrian the wrong way; and makes him debate staying solely to prove the man wrong. There’s a touch of the sinner in the glint of the stranger’s honeyed eyes and the almost predatory way he watches Adrian while sipping his drink.
Apparently… he’s doing this. Adrian sits back down… and tries to reassure himself of the feeling that he may not have really had a choice in the matter. Of course he did.
… Right?
The other vampire doesn’t bother hiding the victory lacing his smile. “Forgive me, where are my manners…”
He extends a dark hand… and the moment Adrian reciprocates the other takes it as unspoken permission to snatch up the empty cushion between them.
“You will call me Valdas.”
Oh will he? “Adrian, Adrian Raines.”
Only Valdas doesn’t relinquish his grip so easily. Leaving Adrian watching with growing confusion and unease as he turns over their joined hands with a tender curiosity.
“Ease the tension in your jaw. It isn’t good for such a handsome face to always look so displeased with the world.”
Reluctantly, Adrian does. “I don’t think I look… displeased,” and brushing the barely-concealed compliment aside… “May I have my hand back, Valdas?”
Apparently not. Well-trimmed nails brush along the inside of his upturned wrist. They linger in the same way winter just won’t let the city go in February. The barest touch dragging along the lines of Adrian’s palm in a way only a lover’s should.
Valdas hums as if pleased. “The trained eye can always tell who among us are survivors of the days of old. Indulge me this, Adrian Raines — I would put you at two, three centuries walking?”
“Pardon?”
“You are pardoned. I’m asking for your age, young man.” Which is a strange endearment to hear from someone who looks pretty close to him in physical age at the very least. Adrian can almost imagine a bit of a baby face hiding under that thick and well-trimmed beard.
While asking someone’s age isn’t any taboo among their kind—especially those gathered at La Soiree—Adrian can’t help but feel a little bit uncomfortable; sharing his age with a man he’s only just met. It’s a clear indicator at the very least that he’s not from around New York or the surrounding states. If he was he’d know Adrian by sight. And age has always been an important measure of decorum — among the Council anyway. It’s why the likes of the Baron will always hesitate before crossing Kamilah; or even Adrian himself for that matter.
Kamilah had even explained to him once the importance of age in the old European vampire culture. How it dictated everything from eye contact to forms of address to even whether you could speak to someone at all.
If Adrian’s placing this Valdas’ accent even remotely geographically close… these could be dangerous waters ahead.
Subtly, Adrian tries to coax his hand free. “Is it that important?”
He fails. Earning instead the stroke of a roughly calloused thumb over the top of his palm. “My curiosity has you uncomfortable,” Valdas answers; a statement that leaves Adrian slightly taken aback.
“Well, no, I —”
The other vampire’s grasp tightens suddenly. It’s minuscule, but definitely noteworthy.
“I do not ask the same thing twice.”
That Adrian doesn’t have a hard time believing. At this rate it’s just easier to answer and get it over with. “I’ve never had a reason to count the years off,” he coolly lies, but still offers, “somewhere over the head of two hundred and fifty, though.”
His acquiescence is met favorably; an almost proud curve added to Valdas’ smile while he nods.
“Yes. I thought so.”
“How could you tell?”
Valdas seems glad Adrian asks. He gestures with a sweep of his thumb over calluses so old Adrian often forgets they’re there; no more important or defining unto him than the scar on his foot from the angry end of a horseshoe nail in his youth, or the chip on his bottom tooth he had been forced to wait for modern dentistry to finally get corrected.
Judging by the way Valdas looks at them, too, their permanence is kind of the whole point.
“The evidence is here, do you see? So many of us lucky enough to have survived have telltale marks such as these. Marks from a farmer’s labor or a blacksmith’s skill. Yours, Adrian, are a tad more distinct though. I would recognize another soldier’s hands anywhere.”
There was once a time when Adrian would have recoiled at the assumption. It didn’t matter if it was true or not. But Gaius has been gone for so long, now. Titles like Soldier, like Bloodqueen, have faded into nothing more than words; as mundane as their current occupations of CEO and Council Member.
“You’re a regular Sherlock Holmes, huh.”
Valdas again shrugs a single shoulder. Then he turns his own hand up and into Adrian’s cupped palm to reveal his own similarly rough hewn skin.
“Deduction has its uses to be sure. But I’ve found experience to be a far more adept means of investigation.”
At least Adrian can take his hand back, now.
“Well I guess my eye isn’t as trained. I hope you’re not waiting for me to guess your age.”
“Why would I, when the time it would take you to do so even close to accurately could be spent in far more amicable ways?”
In the time it takes Adrian to realize his intended insult, Valdas throws his arm over the back of the couch and allows himself to sink further into the pliant leather for comfort.
Well, Adrian thinks, there are worse ways to spend the evening.
He could be in the same room as Lester.
“I take it you are local to the area?”
Adrian nods. “Well—Manhattan, yes.”
“I mean to say that this is not your first of these events.” Valdas gestures broadly to the foyer around them; growing more empty with every passing minute. The intricate and semi-sexual dance of small talk and choosing partners seems to be nearly over.
Ah. “Oh, no then,” he answers. “What about you?” Since it’s highly unlikely his companion is here for someone’s Debut.
“‘Tis our first on this continent. Though the Balls of old hosted by the young Lord Lafayette weren’t so specific in nature back then — they never were.”
There’s… quite a bit to unpack there in a simple statement; and Adrian doesn’t really know where to begin. Maybe that’s a good thing—famous last thoughts—when Valdas reaches forward and cards a surprisingly gentle touch through his hair.
Adrian should be leaning away.
Why isn’t he leaning away?
Because apparently once again Kamilah is proven right — only this time she isn’t even here to reap the spoils of her victory. And because maybe it has been a while since Adrian has… indulged himself with the company of another. It’s not as though Valdas isn’t an attractive man; that’s not it at all. He just isn’t the first person Adrian would have picked out in a room full of equally eligible vampires ranging from casually friendly to just plain horny.
So where does that leave them?
It leaves Adrian speechless; a wordless yet not entirely unwilling participant to the way the other vampire takes slow and purposeful advances. It’s not like Valdas is trying to lure him in falsely with a ruse. They both know exactly what’s going on, what each movement and action mean, and what they could very well build up to.
And Valdas is surprisingly patient as he waits to see if his affections will be reciprocated… or politely refused.
Adrian Raines is a polite man by nature. However he doesn’t refuse.
The rough pad of Valdas’ thumb swipes over Adrian’s bottom lip slowly and with care. Pressing down with the barest of pressure; just enough to feel the tip of his nail on his front tooth.
There’s a point to this brief hesitation. Now would be the time to tell him to stop, if that’s the plan.
Instead, Adrian asks— “Which party would you be referring to, exactly? The Ball, or La Soiree?”
The answer to Adrian’s question lies not in words, but in the way Valdas moves his hand to hold the other’s chin with thumb and forefinger; in the way Adrian follows by allowing his head to cant to the side, welcoming a warm exhale of breath on his neck.
Valdas’ lips tease just shy of a kiss. There’s the tickle of his facial hair that Adrian hasn’t felt in—phew—at least two decades, maybe more? Sensations both familiar in theory and new in specific experience. All that and the air of hunger that hangs over them, sultry and sweet.
Adrian’s half-lidded eyes briefly sweep the room around them in a daze; looking but not really seeing anything from beyond this moment the men have sealed themselves in. Why would he even bother — when there’s still so much to be taken in from the awakening his body is undergoing?
That strong grip winds its way into Adrian’s coiffed hair — clutching at soft strands and digging into his scalp. Like the hand’s owner was born in the tumultuous storm straddling pleasure and pain and has never left it.
“May I?”
Two words given breath and life wet against Adrian’s throat. He isn’t given the chance to answer… but he doesn’t need to when blunted teeth suddenly give way to something sharper.
The lightest twitch is all it takes for Valdas’ fangs to pierce Adrian’s flesh. It’s a carnal act as much as it is a relief; eliminating the need to navigate the murky waters of speech any further.
They sit together, each man’s existence honed in on the other, for what feels like an eternity. The soiree, the Ball itself; everything could continue to move and flow around them and Adrian is quite sure he would be none the wiser.
Yet every time he reaches out to offer some kind of physical reciprocation, Valdas declines. Whether it’s seeking out his cheeks or hair, trying to skirt touches to his neck or shoulders… even when Adrian tries to switch subtle tactics and goes for the buttons of Valdas’ dress shirt with certainty—the other man pushes his hands back in a silent command to simply enjoy. To allow himself to be enjoyed.
The next attempt becomes his last. Rejection joined this time by punishment of Adrian’s hands held bound in his own lap. He really doesn’t have a choice after that.
Somewhere in the din of it all the hairs on the back of Adrian’s arms prickle with gooseflesh. It’s enough to drag him into awareness beyond the heated coil burning in his belly and back to the world that—somehow, like a fever dream—exists outside of Valdas’ extremely talented mouth.
They are being watched.
They are being enjoyed.
One of the staff tries to offer the woman an hors d’oeuvre; just doing her job, being polite. But even from across the room Adrian can see the tension rippling underneath supple olive skin; can sense it in the shift of her lithe body under the dim lighting of the chandelier, and in the way the sheer veils that cover just enough of her skin glide effortlessly along her body and curves.
She is dark black hair in ringlets around sharp cheekbones and a sharper jawline. One eye the color of a tree in morning light and the other an ivy-toned green; both pupils blown wide and black and seemingly endless. And her smile… oh how her fangs catch pearlescent in the light.
He has absolutely no idea who she is.
That doesn’t stop her from staring at them with eyes giving new definition to the word desire.
But the attention starts to unnerve Adrian slightly. Enough to make him twitch and move under Valdas’ continued bloodstained attentions — though his body isn’t sure where to go.
Judging by the tightening grip on his hair… nowhere.
But even through whatever lusting frenzy has him so enamored, Valdas doesn’t ignore the chance of ambiance. Rather than pull back entirely he simply shifts; coyly tucking his face into Adrian’s fluttering pulse in order to cast a subtle glance at what exactly has his new treat ready to flee.
“Ah, yes,” he croons, a familiarity in his tone that catches Adrian off guard, “she can be rather… intense at first. But I assure you darling, she means no harm. Well… none that will go unrewarded anyway.”
Blinking through the haze of Valdas is harder than Adrian expected it to be. “You… know her?” He asks.
Only the second the words pass his lips he no longer needs them. Only then does he remember Valdas’ earlier choice of words—
“…our first time…”
—and it all makes sense.
“She’s your… partner.”
Valdas chuckles lowly; lets his rumbling voice thickened with arousal burrow itself a home beneath Adrian’s skin.
“To call her such a plain term is almost an insult — not that you could have known. If my beloved is merely my partner, then this—here, you and I—is nothing more than a business-like chat.”
Which they both know is an understatement. Point proven when Valdas finally releases his wrists, reaching between their entwined bodies to palm the evidence of Adrian’s enjoyment of even the little they’ve done so far. Finding him full and aching; eager for release against the tight fabric of his suit slacks.
“I can’t recall business ever putting me… here.” Hard, confused; the itch of the role of prey tingling the base of his spine in a way it hadn’t since Adrian was Turned.
And all-too-quickly due to that woman’s unwavering stare.
Valdas wrenches Adrian’s focus back from across the room with a squeeze. Watching and relishing every expression flickering across Adrian’s face with rapt obsession. “I’m gladdened to know you aren’t opposed to Isseya’s voyeurism.”
Any protests that might have been are thus no longer. They die on the tip of Adrian’s tongue; swallowed down so quickly he almost chokes on them in exchange for the moan Valdas pulls from him when he skillfully destroys Adrian’s button fly without a care.
His head falls back against the back of the chaise, his world sent off-kilter, everything distorted at the edges of his sight.
Only to be brought back by the slow and purposeful approach of the tigress called Isseya.
Deceitfully delicate hands fall on his shoulders. The whisper of a soft thumb stroking the juncture where Adrian’s neck meets his shoulder that quickly grows heavy. Effortlessly she is holding him down — pinned and prone.
Isseya leans over him then — fully aware of how her supple breasts follow the curve of her spine to lean just within reach of his parted lips. But the kiss she captures Valdas with becomes a form of distraction all its own.
Humans invented monogamy because to them life was fleeting. Vampires have a very different mindset—and rightly so. There are dozens of ways two (or more) of their kind can define the relationships they have between one another and all together; probably even more than Adrian knows.
But as he watches their tongues tangle soft and exploratory, two of Valdas’ fingers tucking under Isseya’s chin and the control held in such a simple touch… Adrian quickly learns, and understands.
Calling her partner really was a kind of insult. It belittles them and what they are together; what they have. What they let wash over Adrian in building desperation and raising volume wet and eager and only continuing to grow.
What would it be like to kiss someone like that, Adrian finds himself wondering. It’s not an answer, but as if under a compulsion he watches himself lend Valdas a hand by hooking his finger into the rope belt hanging low on Isseya’s hips — like that could somehow hold her there.
The couple press their foreheads together briefly before parting in a silent reckoning. Isseya’s gaze trails lazily back to Adrian like he’s an afterthought.
Oh, yes. You exist.
“You always find me the prettiest presents, My Beloved One.” Her voice rings like chimes on a twilight breeze.
With a chuckle and a nod, Valdas resumes his earlier pursuit — fingers dipping steadily below Adrian’s bespoke waistline to take his arousal in hand. “Who said he was yours?”
“I did.”
“I rather like him for mine own.”
“Cruel, lover.”
Adrian wants to interject; though at the moment his brain is likely to say something stupid about not belonging to anyone, about being his own man. But it’s difficult to think when he’s… like this.
“Strong jaw, good cheekbones… You know I love the cheekbones.” Yet even the bare minimum of a compliment feels, coming from her, like worshipful praise.
His stare is glassy, and he looks up at Isseya with acceptance as well as desire. Another minute more and Adrian worries he might find it impossible to deny them both of anything. Especially the inevitable.
Maybe that’s the whole point.
“Does he suit your vision of the evening, my love?” Valdas asks, words breathed like worship into Isseya’s slender neck. The vampiress hums at the affection and question both, sweeping Adrian up in another of her all-consuming gazes.
“I’d have to taste of him, first.”
Rather than give her an answer, Valdas simply turns to Adrian with a single eyebrow raised.
The unspoken question hangs loudly between them all.
Well? The choice is his.
Well…
Adrian watches his hand cup the back of Isseya’s neck, pulling her in for a kiss.
There are worse ways to spend the evening.
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A gift for the lovely @princess-geek and her Desire and Decorum fan fiction Unspoken Desires ✨
I saw someone reblog one of my old posts that was dedicated to this amazing series and it inspired me to make another version of the original moodboard ^_^ it features @princess-geek’s face claims for her MC Beatrice and Ernest- Jenna Coleman and James Norton! 😊
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lucy-268 · 1 year
Text
Pancakes
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Series/Pairing: Open Heart - Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Charley Valentine)
Other Characters: Tobias Carrick; Bryce Lahela
Disclaimer: Most characters belong to PB, Charley is sort of mine
Rating / Warnings: T
Summary: Ethan decides that he is going to learn to make pancakes. Bryce and Tobias are going to help him.
Comments/Notes: Written for the For the Boys event at @choicesficwriterscreations​.
Word count: ~1,510
Ethan looked around as Charley bounced into the kitchen. “Good morning,” she wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him.
He shifted his coffee cup to the other hand and turned in her embrace, leaning down to kiss her. “Good morning to you. This is unusual. You, awake and dressed at this time on your day off.”
“I hope you can drive just a few miles out of your way to drop me off at Sienna’s this morning. She’s giving Bryce a cooking lesson and I was invited for breakfast.” She smirked at him. “Sienna is hoping that her pancake lesson goes better for Bryce than her last student.”
He shook his head. “Don’t remind me.” He poured her coffee into her to-go mug. “Let’s get you to Sienna.”
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Ethan walked out of his meeting with Leland and decided he needed to shift his focus. He checked his watch and headed for the nurses station on the third floor. “Dr. Varma, when do the interns have rounds?”
Jackie’s head snapped up from Tobias’ phone that the two of them were laughing over. Tobias grinned at Ethan. “Still haven’t learned how to make pancakes yet, buddy?”
Ethan took the proffered phone and looked at Charley’s post.
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“Interns, Varma?”
“Right.” She pushed herself up from where she had be leaning against the counter. “They should be here in about five minutes. Dr. Carrick is leading rounds today.”
“I’ll be joining you on rounds today, so if Dr. Carrick wants to find something else to do, he may.”
“You will?”
“Bad meeting with Bloom?” Tobias asked. When Ethan glared at him, Tobias added, “I’ll go along on rounds, too. You may scare them off.”
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The next Sunday after Charley left for her shift at work, Ethan poured himself his second cup of coffee while he waited for Bryce and Tobias to show up.
Bryce arrived first and handed Ethan a recipe card. He recognized the neat hand writing of Sienna. “She swears by this recipe,” Bryce stated, “and I was able to master it on my first try.”
As Bryce followed Ethan into his kitchen for coffee, he looked around and let out a low whistle. “This is some kitchen. My apartment in Palo Alto could fit in here with room left over.”
Ethan smiled. “It was actually one of the selling points when I bought it. Cooking is relaxing for me after a difficult day.”
Tobias had arrived and walked through the apartment. “As long as it isn’t pancakes.”
“Don’t you ever knock?”
“Not when I’m expected and you leave your door unlocked.” Tobias set a bag on the counter. “I have in here the ingredients for the best pancakes ever.”
Bryce picked up Sienna’s recipe card. “Sienna’s are the best.”
Ethan handed them a printout of a recipe he had. “I have my own recipe here.
Tobias pulled the page out of his hand. “What is this? Grams? Milliliters?” He laughed. “Nigella’s recipe, right?”
Before Ethan could answer, Tobias set the paper down and pulled a container of ricotta cheese, a quart of buttermilk, and a couple of lemons out of his bag, setting them on the counter. “We are going to make lemon ricotta pancakes.”
Bryce objected. “No. Those sound too difficult for Ethan. He needs to start with something easy.”
“I will have you know, I am a fantastic cook.”
Tobias waved his hand to silence Ethan. “Bryce, first of all, Ethan has proven time and time an time again that he cannot make a simple pancake recipe. Second, except for his pancake game, he is a wonderful cook, so a more difficult recipe should be right up his alley.” Tobias pulled his printed recipe out of his pocket and dropped it down with the other two.
“Charley loves Sienna’s pancakes.”
Ethan sighed. “Let’s go with Sienna’s.”
Thirty minutes later, Bryce frowned as they looked at the pancakes. They were flat. Ethan sighed. “This always happens.”
“I told you Sienna said not to mix the batter until it was smooth. It’s best to have a slightly lumpy batter.”
Tobias picked up the plate and moved it to the counter by the sink. “Next recipe?”
“Nigella’s.” Ethan said as he carried a blender over to the counter they were working.
Bryce and Tobias looked at each other. “A blender?”
Ethan picked up the paper and read. “The easiest way to make these is to put all the ingredients into a blender and blitz. But if you do mix up the batter by hand in a bowl, make a well in the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar, beat in the eggs, melted butter and milk, and transfer to a jug: it's much easier to pour the batter into the pan than to spoon it.”
Tobias shrugged. “If Nigella says blender, I guess we use a blender.”
Bryce set down the electric griddle they had used. “Let’s do this.”
Soon the batter was ready and Ethan poured some of the batter onto the griddle. “Should it spread like that?”
“It should not.”
While Ethan and Bryce gathered the second batch of pancakes and set them on the counter next to the first while Tobias assembled the ingredients and mixing bowls for the lemon ricotta pancakes. “Saved the best for last.”
Tobias stepped back to allow Ethan to mix the batter. “Careful you don’t overmix. Make sure it’s just combined.”
“I can read, Tobias.”
Soon Ethan was dropping the batter onto the griddle. Even Bryce looked impressed. “We may have a winner.”
Tobias smiled. “I knew it. Regular pancake were just too easy and not for you.” Within ten minutes the men sat at Ethan’s kitchen island to dig into the stacks of pancakes.
Tobias took the first bite and his eyes widened in horror. He used his fork to dig into the pancake pulling out a clump of ricotta cheese. “I warned you not to overmix. I should have also said don’t undermix.”
Bryce and Ethan both pushed their plates away. “At least these ones looked edible.”
Tobais looked at his watch. “It’s now past noon. Let’s go grab lunch. My treat.” Ethan looked at the mess spread over his kitchen. Tobias grabbed Ethan by the shoulders and turned him towards the door. “We’ll come back and help you clean your kitchen before Charley gets home.”
Four hours later Tobias pulled up in front of Ethan’s building. “Just drop me off.”
“No, Bryce and I will be happy to help you clean up, won’t we Bryce?”
“Yeah.”
“I got it. Thanks for trying to help me this morning.”
Ethan was soon unlocking his door. He stopped short as he saw Charley leaning against the island in the kitchen. “What happened here?”
“Bryce and Tobias decided to teach me how to make pancakes. It didn’t work, so we went out for lunch. I intended to have this mess cleaned up before you got home.”
She smiled as she glanced at him over her shoulder. ”I’ll help you clean the kitchen, then you can fix me Georgian stuffed chicken.”
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Two weeks later Charley woke up alone in bed. She tipped her head as she heard voices from the kitchen. She headed down the hall and stopped out of sight of the kitchen.
Tobias’ voice floated back to her. “Man, the least you can do is let me have breakfast with you.”
“You’ve already eaten three!”
“I didn’t get to wish Charley a happy Sunday.” Tobias protested. “Are you going to tell her you didn’t make the pancakes?”
Charley heard plates clattering before Ethan said, “Here are plates for you and Bryce. Enjoy work and you should head to the hospital now.”
Charley smiled at the exchange between the two men, thinking back to the meeting with Tobias in Bloom’s sitting room. At that time, she would have never thought she would see them together, not that she would consider Tobias a treasured friend. She headed back to the bedroom as the front door closed behind Tobias.
Ethan returned to the bedroom, carrying a tray loaded with pancakes, bacon, and coffee. “Good morning!”
Charley yawn and stretched, sitting up in bed. “Breakfast in bed? What’s the occasion?”
“We’re both off today. It’s special enough for lemon ricotta pancakes.”
Charley dug her fork into the fluffy stack of pancakes. “Mmm. These are wonderful! I’ll have to thank Tobias next time I see him.”
“Tobias?”
“He helped with the recipe, right?”
“Oh, um. Yes, yes, he helped.”
As they enjoyed breakfast together, Ethan finally broke down. “Tobias made the pancakes!”
Charley threw back her head and laughed.
“You knew! He told you.”
She shook her head. “If you want to surprise me, you need to be quieter in the kitchen.”
Ethan grabbed the tray off the bed and carried it over to the dresser. He returned to bed and pulled Charley against him as she was still laughing.
“You need to stop laughing and I can think of one way to make you stop.”
Charley wrapped her arms around his neck, “Your methods are very effective.”
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Tagging List (since Bryce and Tobias were featured as well as Ethan, I’m tagging all of my Open Heart lists): @choicesficwriterscreations​ @openheartfanfics​
Perma - @a-crepusculo @bex-la-get @danijimenezv @genevievemd @jamespotterthefirst @jerzwriter​ @liaromancewriter​ @potionsprefect​ @writer-ish​ @crazy-loca-blog​ @quixoticdreamer16​ @starrystarrytrouble​ @zahrachoices​ 
All Open Heart - @annfg8 @coffeeheartaddict2 @utterlyinevitable @differenttyphoonwerewolf​
Open Heart - Ethan & Charley only - @ohchoices @queencarb @headoverheelsforramsey @rookiemartin @youlookappropriate 
Open Heart - Bryce & Maggie only - @burnsoslow​
Open Heart - Tobias & Samantha only - @burnsoslow @kat-tia801 
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choicesfanaf · 1 year
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Looking After You
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Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Arundhati Kulkarni)
Characters: Ethan Ramsey, Arundhati Kulkarni
Word Count: 706 words
Rating: General
Summary: Ethan looks after a sick Arundhati.
Category: Fluff
Tagging: @choicesficwriterscreations, @openheartfanfics
Perma: @jamespotterthefirst, @quixoticdreamer16
Ethan x Arundhati: @rookiemartin
"Such a pleasant day. Spring is quite beautiful. If I get done early, I'll spend some time in the garden with Ethan," Aru thought as she walked towards her office for a meeting with the diagnostic team.
When she reached her office, she felt her throat itch and a bit sore. Fortunately, she had a few lozenges in her bag, and she popped one in her mouth before the meeting, not thinking much of it.
The following morning, at 3:00 am, Aru woke up with a blocked nose, headache, and cough.
Ethan, a light sleeper, also woke up when he heard Aru groan while trying her best to get some rest but failing, as was evident by her constant turning.
He took a minute to realise what was happening and made a cup of tea to soothe her.
"Ethan, could you please sleep in the guest room? Or let me go there? I don't want to get you infected because of me," Aru said while sipping some warm tea. 
"No, honey. I'm not going to do that. I want to look after you, okay? I know how you are and that you won't look after yourself. So, let me take care of you", he replied while rummaging in their medicine kit for a Tylenol. Aru eagerly took the pill from Ethan when he found it, hoping to get some relief.
The next day, she woke up quite later than usual and panicked that she would get late for work. Just when she started to rush to get ready, Ethan chimed in, "Aru, I have requested a holiday for both of us cause you are sick and I don't want others to get infected, especially your patients. I'll stay at home for today to take care of you, my love."
"That’s very sweet of you, Ethan, but I will be fine in a day or two, I don't want you to ignore your work."
"I'm not ignoring my work by looking after you, Aru. In fact, I'm doing both."
"Okay, love, thanks a lot for taking care of me."
A while later, Aru sat down with her blanket in front of the TV while Ethan made her favourite tomato soup and watched her comfort movies, Welcome and Om Shanti Om.
After finishing her delicious soup, she went to gargle with warm salt water and a quick bath under instructions from Ethan while he made her favourite comfort food.
When she came back, Ethan gave her a cup of kadha, whose recipe he had procured from her mom on a visit.
Ethan then checked her temperature because he found her hands and forehead cold.
He realised she had a fever, so he got her some Tylenol and asked her to rest until lunch.
She protested, saying, "It's just a little fever, I'm fine. There's no need for medicine. Let my body fight it out."
"Aru, my love, you have a fever. I want you to get better as soon as possible, which won't happen if you don't take your medicine," he said.
"Okay....if you get well soon, we'll go out to eat some chaat," Ethan continued when he got no response from Aru.
"E, are you trying to bribe me? Because this is new stuff. I have only seen you do this to little kids when they don't listen."
"Well, I have to find a way for you to ingest your meds."
"You know it's nothing major, right? I'll be fine in a few hours even without the pill."
"I know that, honey. But I can't bear to see you like this, even if it is a minor thing."
"Ethan! This is nothing to worry about, and the doctor in you knows that."
"I know that very well, my darling."
"Then why are you worrying?"
"Because I hate to see you like this, in pain! I love you, Aru, and this is too much for me to bear."
On hearing this, she could barely contain his happiness and moved to kiss him, but she suddenly moved away.
"Ethan, I don't want to infect you."
"Sorry, Aru, I understand," he said, as planted a soft and assuring kiss on her forehead, "come on, let's eat Rajma Chawal."
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aallotarenunelma · 2 years
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Hello, dear Choices fanfiction writers!
In an attempt to spread some positivity among the writers in our community, I would like to give you the opportunity to uplift a fellow writer.
It's important to support each other in any way we can. If you want to send some love to a writer, a writer whose writing you enjoy, a writer you want to support for different reasons, it's easy.
Send me an ask and mention:
• the writer you want to send some love to
• your favourite sentence/dialogue line from one of their fanfictions (let's keep it sfw)
• the title of the fanfiction you're quoting.
I will turn it into a quote. Here are examples I made for another fandom:
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The last one on the right is the one I made for the lovely @missameliep as a birthday gift. 💛
Please, note that the requests can't be anonymous, as my purpose is to send kindness and love to a fellow writer, in order to support their work; to turn their bad day into a good one; to hopefully be a little light during a difficult time they could/are experiencing.
It's also in hope to create new friendships and to strengthen the already existing ones. 🌸
I'm putting this in tags I know are very active as I wish to reach out to as many people as possible, but it's for every Choices fanfiction writers. :)
If there are any question, please, feel free to send me an ask or to comment on this post.
Signal boosts are very appreciated.
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angelasscribbles · 1 year
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Fixed It
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Tagging everyone under the cut
PermaTags:
  @nestledonthaveone @gkittylove99 @karahalloway  @texaskitten30 @tessa-liam
@kachrisberry @fangirling12566 @belencha77 @lovingchoices14 @twinkle-320
@21-wishes @secretaryunpaid @lunaseasblog  @princessleac1 @bebepac
@emersyn-in-cordonia @walkerdrakewalker @73geenalove @tornbetween2loves @sillydg
@pinklipsandmasonjars @savannahdix @jennieausten @kingliam2019 @3pawandme
@queen-arabella-of-cordonia @tinkie1973 @differenttyphoonwerewolf @jared2612 @mainstreetreader
@amandablink @harleybeaumont  @xpandass420x @ladyangel70 @twinkleallnight
@dcbbw  @indiacater @queenmiarys @phoenixrising308 @gabesmommie1130
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queenrileyrose · 1 year
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Midnights Like This Part Four: Haven’t Met the New Me Yet
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Catch Up Here
Miniseries Premise: Riley Brooks leaves everything behind to move to Cordonia after accepting her dream job designing clothing for the upcoming royal wedding. Drowning her sorrows one night, she meets Leo. The pair form an unlikely friendship, having more in common than either expected. Their feelings evolve, but neither wants to ruin the friendship. Will they take a chance or be content to stay friends?
Chapter Summary: Leo and Liam discuss Drake. Leo and Riley run into each other.
Book: TRR/ROE
Pairings: Leo x OC, Liam x MC
Rating: M
TW: language
A/N: I am participating in @choicesflashfics using the prompt “I just need some time to myself.”
Music Inspo: happiness—Taylor Swift
Word Count: 2500
Thank you to everyone who reads, likes, comments, and/or reblogs this. I appreciate it so much. ❤️
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“You’re sure about this?” Leo studied his younger brother critically. Liam stood at the mantle, a fire roaring in the elaborately carved fireplace, casting reds and yellows across the scowl on his face.
“Yes,” Liam tossed the remnants of his nightly Scotch down his throat, wincing at the burn. “Why not Maxwell? He asked Marena to come to Cordonia because he noticed how happy I was after meeting her. He’s a good friend.”
Leo hesitated. “What about-”
“The man masquerading as my best friend?” Liam spat, dropping the crystal tumbler roughly onto the bar cart. “The one who told my fiancée I was leading her on? Who tried to kiss her after she was attacked, and again at the coronation? Who spent the engagement tour trying to change her mind about me? Who, after Marena and I were finally able to be together publicly, propositioned her at the ball thrown announcing that?”
Leo sipped the drink in his hand, giving Liam a moment to calm down. Drake had crossed a line. Many lines, over and over. 
“I had a suspicion,” Liam refilled his glass. “Drake was always with Marena but never around when I tried to find him. But I gave him the benefit of the doubt.”
Leo understood that love made people act in ways they never had. Drake and Liam were practically brothers, and for Drake to jeopardize that relationship told Leo all he needed to know about Drake's feelings for his future sister-in-law.
Be that as it may, Leo would forgive Drake when Liam did. Had Drake and Marena somehow ended up together, Leo didn’t want to think about how heartbroken his brother would have been. Liam wore his heart on his sleeve with Marena, always. Leo had cautioned him once during the tour, and Liam responded that he’d rather give Marena everything he had and be rejected rather than wonder if he’d done enough.
Leo understood that, too.
“Marena didn’t even tell me everything until that ball,” Liam’s expression softened. “She didn’t want our friendship to suffer. She thought us being engaged would end Drake’s advances.”
“Drake didn’t think Ren would tell you,” Leo stood, setting his drink down to warm his hands by the fire. “Or he didn’t care.”
“I couldn’t even confront him,” Liam’s face darkened. “He took that bullet. He saved her when I …”
“Was fighting off assassins with me,” Leo cut Liam off. That night had been surreal. Flashes of Liam and himself aiming punches and kicks at masked men still woke Leo in the middle of the night. “We aren’t doing this again.”
“You’re right,” Liam massaged his temple and dropped onto the velvet settee across from Leo. “Maxwell will be my best man. You’ll perform the ceremony. Olivia is Marena’s maid of honor.”
Leo smirked. Olivia behaving like a real girl was perhaps the most surprising turn of events. “It’s settled.”
“You should at least speak to him,” Leo continued, earning a huff from Liam. “It’s eating you alive. Not for him, for yourself.”
“I’m not ready just yet,” Liam raised his glass in a toast. “Your dinner with Riley is tomorrow?”
Leo’s back stiffened before he forced himself to relax. “Yes.”
Liam waited for him to continue. Leo didn’t speak. 
“Good,” Liam broke the silence. ��You’re due a new friend. We both are.”
As Leo was about to excuse himself, a sharp knock he recognized shook the door.
Leo crossed the room to the entrance, grasping the handle and swinging the door open. “See you tomorrow, little brother.”
Liam was already halfway to the door; Marena shot through and leapt into his arms. He caught her easily, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “See you, big brother.”
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Riley shoved a stack of papers into a plain manila folder, checking the gold watch on her wrist. She had time to stop at the bakery on her way home. While cronuts hadn’t been popular in New York for years, Riley found herself craving one after Marena told her about them.
Riley grasped her sleek black phone just as it began to vibrate. She stifled a sigh as the caller id flashed. She had to answer. She’d ignored all the other calls.
“Father,” Riley said in lieu of a greeting. 
“Aurora,” Grant gritted out. “I haven’t spoken to you all week.”
It had been a wonderful week. Riley worked late most nights, putting finishing touches on the wedding gown, a maid of honor gown that Ren insisted be red, and Leo’s regalia designs. Riley had a meeting with the king next week, her nerves not lessening. 
“I’ve been swamped,” Riley pressed her lips together. “Is anything wrong?”
“No,” Grant admitted. “I wanted to inform you that I've formed an exploratory committee.”
Riley’s head jerked up, and she carefully lowered to her leather desk chair. She knew exactly what that meant.
“You’re going to run for President?” The words came out as a squeak, and Riley cleared her throat.
“I am,” Grant sounded pleased, and Riley’s stomach roiled. “If the results are positive.”
Riley leaned her forehead against her hand. If Grant ran, it would change everything. She’d have Secret Service on her at all times. Her father would know her every move. He’d be able to interfere with her life under the guise of security.
“I thought you were sick of politics,” Riley was unable to keep the tremor from her voice. “You said you were going to write a book.”
“I think a book can wait if I’m elected,” Grant sounded positively smug, and Riley fought the urge to scream. “It’s early days, of course.”
Riley set the phone on her desk and reached for the locket around her neck, unclasping it. Her mother’s soulful brown eyes stared back at her. Not for the first time, Riley wondered how her life would have been different if she had lived. 
Her father’s distant voice brought Riley back to the present. She lifted the phone back to her ear.
“Aurora?” Grant snapped. “Are you there?”
“Yes,” Riley said coldly. “I have a meeting.”
She hung up before her father could protest, powering her phone off, so she didn’t have to see the subsequent calls and texts arrive. 
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Leo glanced around the outdoor patio. He’d asked to be seated outside, and he’d ask again tomorrow. The restaurant had mood lighting. Leo did not want mood lighting.
Leo attempted to peruse the menu online, but it wasn’t available. He left little to chance and decided instead to investigate the restaurant before meeting Riley. He’d be more comfortable.
Why did he have to tell her he wanted to discuss regalia over dinner? His suit was perfectly fine. 
Leo scrubbed a hand down his face. It wasn’t anything. He didn’t feel anything romantic for Riley. She was easy to talk to, and he found himself wanting to know her better. 
Riley didn’t look at him the way the others did. With pity they didn’t think he could see.
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Riley stepped outside the bakery, pink bag in hand containing two cronuts, and breathed deeply. She looked up at the sky; the stars and moon were brighter tonight.
Riley glanced over her shoulder as she stepped off the curb, almost tripping over her stilettos.
Leo locked eyes with her from a table just outside the restaurant they were due to meet at tomorrow night. Riley’s brow furrowed as she made her way to him. 
“Hi,” Riley said the word slowly, dragging it out. She noted the sheepish expression on his face as she drew closer.  “Whatcha doin’?”
Leo sent a message the day after she saw him at the palace, and she’d agreed to the time and place. She hadn’t seen him since, even though she'd been to the palace several times. She had chalked it up to him being busy, and Marena had said as much. 
Leo stood, adjusting the hem on his navy blazer. “Uh. Eating dinner.”
Riley raised an eyebrow. “Is this your normal place or something? Ren said it was new, but-”
“No,” Leo tried to smile, but his nerves turned the expression into more of a grimace. “Uh, can you stay a moment so I can explain?”
Leo gestured to the chair, and Riley lowered into it, curious. Leo seemed so nervous, leaving her wanting to do something to calm him.
“I wanted to, um,” Leo felt the heat rising from his throat. “I wanted to scope it out first; see the menu. I don’t like going in blind.”
“I get that,” Riley relaxed back against the wire chair. “I tried to look at the menu online. It wasn’t there, and I panicked a little.”
Relief flowed through Leo; his face relaxed into the smile he’d attempted earlier. “You did?”
“I also don’t like going in blind,” Riley used her free hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Pro tip, look at Pictagram. I managed to see the dessert portion, at least.”
“Can I start you two off with drinks?” a waiter they hadn’t seen approach piped up.
Riley grinned at Leo. “Want to have dinner now? Live a little?”
Leo chuckled. “What about the regalia sketches?”
“That can wait,” Riley shrugged. “Maybe getting to know you a little better will change those a bit.”
Leo hesitated for the briefest moment before nodding in agreement. “Drink?”
“A gin martini, two olives,” Riley set the paper containing cronuts beside her, draping her black crossbody purse across the back of her chair. “I am only having one. No repeats.”
Leo took in her outfit, a pair of linen bordeaux wide-legged trousers, a white silk fitted blouse with a low neckline, and fringed earrings that perfectly matched her pants. Leo noted that she was always put together. Not a hair or hemline out of place. 
Leo used his suits as a sort of protective layer against the world. While Riley worked in fashion, some of it was probably expected, but he couldn't help but wonder if it was a type of protection as well. 
“That sounds great,” Leo decided to change it up a bit. “Same.”
The waiter nodded and strode away, leaving the pair alone again. 
Riley plucked the menu from the center of the table. “Let’s see what’s going on here.” 
Leo glanced at the menu he’d been studying when Riley spotted him, surprised when she spoke again. 
“How was your day?” Riley looked up at the same time Leo did. 
“Oh,” Leo stammered. No one asked how his day was. Liam was around for most of it; Marena asked how he was, usually patting his back. But not how his day was. “It was busy. Meetings with diplomats, more wedding details.”
“That sounds hectic,” Riley closed her menu, resting her hands on the thick, glossy surface. 
“It can be,” Leo agreed. “What about you? How was your day?”
Leo felt odd parroting the question. He sincerely wanted to know. Riley’s eyes were a little sad; they weren’t crinkling as much as they had when she smiled the last time he saw her.
“Work was awesome,” Riley sighed happily. “All the designs are coming together.”
“But?” Leo prodded. 
“My father might run for President,” Riley rubbed her temple. “I am considering changing my name and moving to the Netherlands.”
Leo burst out laughing, covering his mouth a moment later. “I’m sorry. What does that mean for you?”
“It means that I’m under his thumb more, and there’s no escape,” Riley’s voice was gloomier than Leo had ever heard. “You know all about that, right?”
Leo nodded. Constantine had tried to exert his control during the years Leo traveled around the world. He had been forced on a plane home numerous times. When he discovered that Katie had been on a cruise ship, it seemed like fate. Constantine couldn’t pull him off a cruise ship easily. “I do.”
Riley covered his folded hands with her soft palm before returning her hand to her lap. “No sense in worrying about it until it happens. Enough about me.”
The side of Leo’s mouth twitched. If he were in Riley’s shoes, he’d do nothing but worry. She accepted it was out of her hands. 
“Do you need more time with the menu?” The waiter set two martinis carefully on the table. “Our specials tonight are kreatopita and bifteki with lemon potatoes.”
Riley was about to tell the waiter he had her at potatoes when she saw Leo grip the menu he was holding. He’d come a night early to study it, and he was set on doing just that. 
“Could we have a moment?” Riley said as Leo’s grateful gaze met hers.
The waiter nodded and promised to return, disappearing behind the doors.
Riley went over some of the information she’d read about Leo. Free-spirited, spontaneous. A daredevil who’d once scaled a volcano. Until he met a woman on a cruise ship. 
“She really messed you up, huh?” Riley said softly. 
Leo‘a cheeks heated. He loosened his tie, popping the top button. He nodded, unable to form words.
Riley wanted to hug Leo. She sensed that would make things worse. 
Instead, Riley unfolded her menu. “You seem like a moussaka guy.”
Leo couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s my favorite.”
“After my breakup,” Riley kept her eyes on the menu. “I didn’t leave the house for a week. The first time I did, all greasy-haired and in sweatpants, guess who I saw?”
“The ex?” Leo recalled wanting to do just that, but the tour made it impossible. 
“Yep,” Riley wrinkled her nose. “I ran before he saw me, but I stopped wallowing, the night I met you aside.”
“I never properly thanked you,” Riley’s voice lowered. “You were so kind to me.”
“I wasn’t that-“
“You held my hair back,” Riley argued. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Leo said with finality in his tone. 
“I was on the tour with Liam,” Leo confessed. “I called her once after too much wine, told her I’d never love anyone again. She hung up.”
“You have to do something dumb after that kind of split,” Riley folded the menu and placed it on the table. “It puts it into perspective, right? They’re out there living their best lives, and we’re crying ourselves to sleep.”
“I suppose,” Leo glanced over the menu. “I wasn’t lying, though. I won’t love again. It’s not meant for me.”
Riley couldn’t help herself this time; she stretched her hand out and took Leo’s large hand in hers. He returned the gentle pressure, surprising her.  “Right there with you. Or maybe I just need some time to myself. Probably the first part, though. Love is stupid.”
“Agreed,” Leo said as Riley patted his hand before releasing him. “What are you getting?”
“Souvlaki,” Riley announced. “Moussaka?”
“Yes,” Leo grinned. “Thanks for the save.”
Riley saw the tension leave Leo’s shoulders, his smile genuine, changing his entire face. He was not so different from her. It was nice to have someone that understood.
“Anytime,” Riley smiled back.
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Tags: please let me know if you want to be added/removed 💕
Perma: @appleone @burnsoslow @charlotteg234 @choiceskatie @debramcg1106 @differenttyphoonwerewolf @emkay512 @foreverethereal123 @gabesmommie1130 @gardeningourmet @iaminlovewithtrr @imashybish @kat-tia801 @kingliam2019 @ladyangel70 @lovingchoices14 @lunaseasblog @marshmallowsaremyfavorite @mom2000aggie @nestledonthaveone @originaljudgepiepaper @pixelatedpassion @platapirexy @queen-arabella-of-cordonia @queenmiarys @queenwalton @royalpest @tessa-liam @trrfanaddict @3pawandme @txemrn @21-wishes @xpandass420x
Leo x Riley: @mywildheartremains
TRR/TRH: @jared2612 @malblk21
MLT: @ao719 @irisk12 @karahalloway @persephone13 @starrystarrytrouble
If your name is crossed out. I wasn’t able to tag you. Hopefully it works in the notes 💕
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noesapphic · 1 month
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Come Back to Me, Detective
Author's Notes
Surprise, @totojo2 I'm your Secret Valentine!
Imma be honest, due to exam season coming up, this event slipped my mind, but I have given my best having in mind your tastes and dedicated it some days and came up with this! It's short and nothing like I had originally planned, but I'm proud of it and it gave me a chance to write COP (and fem Trystan too ngl) I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Lots of love to you <3
English is not my first language, so please forgive any grammar/typo mistakes
Summary: After Cameron Rose collapsed after saving Marguerite and the grand reveal of who was the killer all along, Trystan has some thinking to do before Cameron wakes up
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1.0k
Pairing: Cameron Rose (NB!MC) x fem!Trystan Thorne
Category: Angst with a good ending
Book: Crimes of Passion, Book One
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The fire happened in a blur. The last thing Trystan saw was Cameron, her Cameron, being rushed to the hospital, and Trystan felt her whole world crumbling. Cameron was not the kind of person to crumble and give out, no; they were all about fighting till the end. Maybe they did fight till the end and crumbled. And Trystan was not there. The feeling made her heart race faster. She. Was. Not. There.
Naturally, the first thing the exiled princess did was get to her car and drive behind the ambulance, the thought of her beloved Cameron there and alone killed her inside. She could not lose her detective like that. No, especially when Trystan counted with endless resources. She’d bring her Cameron even if the Drakovian scaffold was next for her.
Trystan had worked and been with many people, but no one quite like Cameron. There was something about them that left Trystan wanting more each time they interacted. And now that she could lose them, it felt like a pressure that Trystan couldn’t get out of her system.
Please God, she begged, take me. Take Eleanor. Take Tony. Anybody save them. I’ll do anything. I beg you.
She wasn’t even religious, but for Cameron, she would.
The moment the ambulance stopped at the urgencies gates, Trystan raced behind Cameron’s bed. Running behind their bed, she looked at them, their beautiful brown eyes closed, eerily still, and that terrified Trystan.
They were about to enter the room when the doctors stopped Trystan “Where are you taking them?! I demand to be there!”
“Are you family of the patient, ma’am?”
“No, but—,”
“I am afraid that you must wait for family members to arrive. We shall call the person in their emergency list and hope they answer.”
Seething, Trystan hollered “I am Princess Trystan Thorne of Drakovia and I demand to be in the room!” Her eyes were watering, trembling of impotence, but the doctor didn’t budge.
“Sorry, but unless you’re directly family, I’m afraid that you’ll have to wait.”
An idea struck. Cameron would kill her, but it was worth a shot.
“Not to mention their fiancée.” The nurse stopped, and Trystan smiled to herself “how will you explain to them that their beloved is not there, hm?”
“Oh! Uh… you… should’ve mentioned that earlier. In that case, follow me.”
Trystan waited, and after what it seemed like a long time, Cameron came out fine, simply asleep. Trystan checked their pulse, and sighed of relief. It was stable. They’d be fine.
For the next hours, Trystan watched how Cameron breathed, their chest raising and falling, a constant reassurance that all of this had been but a scare, and that they’d be fine. Jimmy came a while later, panting and demanding to see how Cameron was. He did raise an eyebrow at Trystan being their fiancée, but said nothing, as in an understanding that now that was between Trystan and Cameron.
The hours passed, and Trystan felt like she was being slowly buried alive, hopeless, barely breathing. Cameron was fine, but asleep nevertheless.
“Please,” she whispered, “please, Cameron, wake up. Wake up and call me an idiot. Berate me. Roll your eyes at me, glare at me, yell at me for lying my way here, but please, come back to me. Come back to me, Detective Rose.”
Jimmy frowned “I don’t know how I’ll pay for this. Cameron has their own money, but it doesn’t do much.”
“Money’s no trouble for me. Let me pay for it.”
“I can’t ask you to do that—,”
“Mr. Rose,” she hissed, more to herself than anyone else “Cameron was with me when it happened. A life was on the line. A case was to be solved. They were under my protection, and I failed to do so. They could’ve died, and I wasn’t there. Please, let me be useful, or I swear to God that I will explode.”
Jimmy, reading the expressions on the princess’ face, relented. He sighed “Very well, kiddo. But, as a retired old dog, some things are out of your control. You couldn’t have predicted what would happen, even if you are as powerful.”
“I could’ve done something. Rush back with them. Wait for them. Stay with them.”
“You got them out, did you not?”
“Barely.”
“Barely is better than not at all. Some are not so lucky and have no option but to watch their partner die on the job. I speak from experience.”
Trystan flinched. What a terrifying thought, carrying Cameron’s dead body in her arms. Unmoving. Still. Cooling down by the minute. Getting up abruptly, she shook her head, brushing off such a grotesque thought and, without a word, went out to get some coffee.
On the way there, Trystan spotted Luke, Ruby and Mafalda in the waiting room. They all rushed towards the princess, showering her in questions about Cameron’s state.
“Quiet, not all at once!” Mafalda chided.
Nodding to Mafalda in gratefulness, Trystan cleared her throat “Cameron’s fine. They’re now unconscious. They don’t seem gravely hurt, most of the damage is by smoke breathing. They haven’t woken up yet, but I know they will. Soon.”
They all nodded, hopeful. By God, they would. They had to. Or else Trystan would burn the entirety of New York to the ground and not even bat an eye. Her predecessors had done far more gruesome things for love--.
She shook her head. Love? She barely knew them! But… it also felt like she did. Something about them just clicked, like they had been made custom made for her tortured, troubled and perfectly disastrous and grotesque heart.
Typing a few buttons on her phone, she quickly got delivered some potent alcohol to clear her head. Rubbing her temples, she pondered on what she was feeling, and how different it had been when she was with Juliana. It was nothing like that. It was different. Rare. Special. Raw. Real. Secure.
It wasn’t love. Not yet. But it could very well be. With Cameron, it was more than possible. Something inside Trystan wanted it to be.
But for now, she turned back and went back to Cameron’s room, where, a few minutes later, began to stir awake. Trystan’s heart raced fast, embarrassingly fast. Not helping the beam, she whispered “I knew you wouldn’t leave me, Detective Rose.”
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Open Heart Fics & Art of the Week Sep 10-16, 2023
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✒️= Fanfic | 📱= Text Fics/Edits | 🎨= Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+ 🌺 = Hispanic Heritage Month
BRYCE LAHELA x F!MC
Summers Kiss ✒️ | @peonierose
ETHAN RAMSEY x F!MC
Battles of the Past ✒️| @zealouscanonindeer
Dangerous Games ✒️ | @zealouscanonindeer
Drunken Nights ✒️ | @zealouscanonindeer
I'm Almost Home ✒️ | @zealouscanonindeer
Rediscovering Joy ✒️Ⓜ️ | @coffeeheartaddict2
What Could Have Been? ✒️ | @zealouscanonindeer
OPEN HEART M!MC
Jensen Through the Years 🎨🌺 | @mydemonsdrivealimo
SIENNA TRINH x M!OC
Fairytales 📱| @liaromancewriter
TOBIAS CARRICK, ETHAN RAMSEY
High Seas (2/2) ✒️ | @jerzwriter
TOBIAS CARRICK x F!MC
What Might Have Been ✒️| @alj4890
Main CFWC Fic/Art of the Week List
BOLAS Fic/Art of the Week List
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liaromancewriter · 1 year
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Reflections and Renewals
Premise: Cassie’s temper flares up as the first anniversary of the poison attack approaches, but she soon learns the value of second chances.
Book: Open Heart Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine); Feat. Max Valentine, Sienna Trinh, Rafael Aveiro, Naveen Banerji Rating/Category: Teen. Angsty Fluff. Format: Prose + Text & Pic Fic Words: 2,495 TW: Mentions minor character deaths in the past, PTSD, dealing with grief
A/N: In Lia Land, Cassie & Max’s birthday is on October 5 and the poison attack happens in 3rd week of October. This fic is set on the first anniversary and shortly after the first part of Two Birthdays.
Submission for @choicesflashfics​​ Prompt 2 “Even when you’re next to me, it feels like you’re miles away.”  For @choicesmonthlychallenge​ Falltober prompts “leaves” and “candles” and @choicesficwriterscreations​ Naughty or Nice event "You ordered takeout from my favorite restaurant?" "You were having a bad day." (Nice prompt)
Finally, I’m using prompt number 5 from @creativepromptsforwriting​​​ Angsty Fighting prompts and tagging for reblog to @creativepromptfills​​​. All prompts in bold.
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Part  1: The Shadows
Cassie Valentine could feel her head pounding and her heart rate accelerating the closer she got to Edenbrook. It was like a monster waiting in the shadows to burst out and devour its victim.
She walked around to the staff entrance, took the elevator to her floor, and swiped the access card to enter the locker room. Her breathing was ragged, and she forced herself to even it out.
Cassie thought she’d come a long way from the survivor’s guilt she’d felt last year. Therapy helped her overcome the trauma, but if she was honest, the anger never entirely disappeared. This week had been the worst, with the anniversary of the poison attack coming up.
She’d heard her friends whispering and knew they were worried about her. Her shouting match with Jackie over dirty dishes left in the sink hadn’t been her finest moment. Neither had the spiteful words she’d exchanged with Elijah over some stupid video game.
Cassie knew she was being a bitch as it happened, but she couldn’t stop herself. Even Sienna had glanced at her with something resembling shock. Cassie couldn’t stand it anymore. She had packed up an overnight bag and went to spend the night at Ethan’s.
“Did you get a bug bite?”
Sienna’s voice and light tap on the shoulder broke through her thoughts. Cassie realized she’d been standing in front of her open locker, staring unseeing inside as she scratched at her arms. The skin on her forearm was turning red, the whiteness of the scratches from her nails standing out.
“Cassie, are you alright?” Sienna asked, concerned.
“I’m fine,” Cassie told her, rolling her sleeves down and shrugging on her white coat. “Really, Si.” She insisted when Sienna didn’t look convinced.
“I don’t know, Cassie.” Sienna began slowly, frowning slightly. “Even when you’re next to me, it feels like you’re miles away.”
Cassie tamped down her frustration. “Just leave it, please.” She slammed her locker shut and marched out the door to start her shift.
She had to remind herself that she wasn’t the only one affected last year. Sienna had lost someone who could’ve been the love of her life. Bobby would never see his children graduate college. Cassie had felt Rafael’s life practically slip through her fingers.
While she had physically recovered faster, it had taken Raf months of physical therapy just to walk without a cane. He would never be that paramedic who rushed into a collapsing tunnel to rescue others or ran into a burning building to save a pregnant woman.
If it hadn’t been for the teams from Mass Kenmore and Edenbrook working together, neither of them would be here today. She needed to remember that and be grateful for the second chance she’d been given.
But a small voice, the one that had almost convinced her to give up last year, resurfaced. And she could feel herself falling into an abyss of despair.
The Diagnostics Team didn’t have a case today, so Cassie picked up her assigned patients from Ines, responding to her cheeriness with monosyllabic answers.
She went about her work, feeling detached, unable to find her characteristic optimism. Usually, she loved talking to patients and learning about their lives. Today, she just wanted to get it over with.
It wasn’t until she stopped at the nurses’ station to check on lab results that she completely lost it. The path lab had messed up not one but two blood samples and wanted new ones. Both from patients that had given her grief about needles.
“Great. Really great, this is just perfect.”
She ranted as she pushed the chair back, slamming into patient files on the counter behind her and sending folders flying everywhere. She tossed aside the tablet in her hand, not noticing how it flew across the counter before crashing to the floor with a loud crack.
“Dr. Valentine!” Dr. Banerji’s stern voice stopped her.
Cassie looked up to see Naveen standing a few feet away, hands on his hips, scowling at her. She had never seen Naveen angry before. He looked so severe that Cassie felt herself becoming small under his harsh stare.
It wasn’t just him. The nurses, Maureen and Sarah, gawked at her. One of the orderlies nodded nervously before quickly disappearing down the hallway as if he was next on her hit list.
“My office. Now.” Naveen barked, striding toward the elevator banks, not waiting to see if she had obeyed.
Cassie hurried after him. Only a fool would ignore a direct order from the Chief of Medicine. By the time Cassie took her seat across from his desk, she had calmed down enough to realize what a colossal spectacle she’d just made of herself.
“I know this is a difficult time for you, Dr. Valentine,” Naveen said, staring at her with none of the softness she’d come to know. “However, that is no excuse for the bad behavior I just witnessed. It will not be tolerated. From anyone.”
He held up a hand when Cassie opened her mouth. “Take one hour to bring yourself under control. Finish the rest of your shift without incident, and we’ll say no more of this. But if I hear you’ve acted out again, you’ll be suspended without pay for three days. A disciplinary notation will be made on your file. Is that clear?”
Cassie nodded, too ashamed to say anything. When Naveen dismissed her, she scurried out of his office and took the elevator down to the cafeteria. She eased into an empty booth on the far side and curled up in the corner, hidden from sight.
Tears fell unheeded as the tightness in her chest choked her. Her mind was lost in a haze of memories. Bobby’s heart gave out so instantly that they never had a chance to save him. Danny slid to the floor, his hand clutching his throat as he tried to breathe. Her upturned knees hid her face, and she let grief take her.
Part 2: The Silver Lining
Half an hour later, a comforting hand fell on her shoulder. Cassie looked up to see Rafael standing above her, his eyes soft with understanding. She moved over, and he slid into the booth beside her, wrapping his arms around her. They hugged each other, both knowing what the other needed.
They slowly drifted apart. Cassie took the napkin he handed her to blot her eyes dry. “Thanks.”
“I’ve been remembering that night, too,” Rafael confessed softly. “But I’ve realized something which helped me finally feel at peace.”
“What was it?” Cassie asked when he didn’t continue.
She watched him look away, and then he sighed deeply before turning to face her.
“Life is a precious gift. You and I, we’re the lucky ones. We got a second lease on life, and now we need to make it count,” he paused to place his hand atop hers on the table.
“The past can’t be changed, Cassie, but the future can,” he continued, peering intently. “We need to keep our eyes forward and do everything Bobby and Danny will never get a chance to do. That’s what second chances are for, not for dwelling on what was.”
Cassie thought about Rafael’s words for the rest of her shift and found herself searching for peace. She didn’t find it, but she found her friends and made amends, taking heart when Jackie’s customary snark returned full force. Elijah squeezed her hand to say all was forgiven, while Sienna beamed with pleasure at the single yellow rose Cassie procured.
She apologized to Maureen and Sarah and tracked down the orderly to assure him she wasn’t a serial killer. By the time Cassie had finished her apology tour, it was two hours past her shift, and Ethan had already left. He’d texted to say he’d meet her back at his place.
Cassie took the T, wanting to lose her poor mood in the relative anonymity of public transit. When her phone signaled a text, she smiled at the name that flashed across her screen.
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Cassie got off at the station near Ethan’s apartment building, huddled inside her coat as a cold breeze blew off the bay, and kept walking. She wondered why the lights were on low when she entered his apartment. Was he already asleep?
Hanging her coat in the hallway closet, she slipped off her shoes and called Ethan’s name.
“In here,” she heard him say.
She entered the living room to find Ethan standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows. Flickering candles lined the kitchen counter, coffee table, and mantel above the roaring fireplace.
Cassie’s nose twitched in appreciation at the scent of food, and her stomach grumbled. She detected the aroma of saffron and spices, her lips curving upward in recognition.
“You ordered takeout from my favorite restaurant?”
She stared at the selection of tapas on the kitchen island and a platter of seafood paella resting in the middle.
Ethan reached for her hand, entwining their fingers before pulling her into his embrace.
“You were having a bad day,” he said simply, brushing a hand down her hair.
Cassie breathed in his scent, a heady mix of bergamot, sandalwood, and something uniquely Ethan.
His hands locked on her lower back when she leaned back, her hands resting on his forearms. She gazed into his eyes and saw understanding and love. Stretching up on her toes, she lightly brushed her lips across his mouth.
“Thank you,” she murmured. “I really needed this tonight.”
“You’re welcome.” He kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose and, finally, her mouth, deepening the kiss when she parted her lips before letting go. “Now, pull up a seat and let’s dig in before the food gets cold.”
She took a sip of the Shiraz he poured and bit into a thin slice of toast with crushed tomatoes, garlic and olive oil. Cassie munched on her tapas, smiling inside at Ethan making desultory small talk, something he avoided at all costs in the typical scheme of things.
They kept the conversation light for the rest of the evening, polishing off the spicy paella and Crema Catalana that followed for dessert. Cassie was stuffed and pleasantly drowsy when he joined her on the couch after putting the kitchen to rights.
She leaned back against him, loving the solidness of his chest and the comfort of his arms around her. They watched the flames in the fireplace, and she found her eyes drifting close when he whispered in her ear.
“We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, Cassie. But I’m here in case you change your mind. You’re not alone.”
Part 3: The Renewal
A few days later, Cassie laid flowers on Danny’s grave, the cheerful dahlias adding a pop of color to an otherwise dreary day. Fall had New England in its grip, with gray clouds and leaves turning orange before falling to the ground, leaving branches bare in their wake.
Sienna crouched down, adjusting the flowers and tokens left by other mourners. She sat back on her heels, took daisies out of the bouquet and planted them one by one along the headstone, their white petals bright against the dark stone.
“Danny loved daisies and sunflowers,” she said, her voice watery as she sniffed back tears. “He always said they were happy flowers and made him smile.”
Cassie placed one hand on Sienna’s shoulder and squeezed lightly in comfort.
Sienna briefly placed her hand on Cassie’s and then returned to her task. “Did I ever tell you how we met?”
“No,” said Cassie. “I assumed it was at the nurses' station.”
Sienna glanced over her shoulder and grinned. “Nope. He rescued me on the T my first day at work.” She turned back to check her arrangement, making slight adjustments.
“He must have seen the ID badge clipped to my bag, or maybe it was the wide-eyed look of panic on my face,” she giggled. “I had forgotten which stop was Edenbrook’s. He stood up as the train approached the station and then walked over and said if I was going to Edenbrook, this was my stop. We walked over from the station together and were fast friends by the time I swiped in.”
Lost in memories, Sienna bowed her head. Cassie could see teardrops tracking down her cheeks. She joined her on the ground and hugged her friend from behind, letting her grieve for what could never be.
“You know Danny wouldn’t want you to grieve forever, right?” Cassie said, hesitant at first but finding her resolve when Sienna turned to face her.
Her eyes held traces of tears, but it wasn’t grief on her face; it was serenity. “I’m not grieving for Danny, Cassie. He believed his purpose was to help others find solace. I will always miss him, but I know he wants us to live our best lives.”
Cassie remembered Raf’s words and felt shame wash over her. “I’ve been so angry these past few weeks, Si. I kept seeing myself as a victim again. But you and Raf reminded me that I am alive and have people who love me. I can’t let this one incident define my life. I need to move forward. We both do.”
Cassie stood up and held out her hand to help Sienna up.
“It’s time to move on, Si,” she said. “You told me months ago you were ready to start dating, but you haven’t been out with anyone since Wayne. These days, you’re more sad than happy, especially when you think no one is looking.”
Sienna looked past Cassie’s shoulder, unable to share what was in her heart. Lately, she’d come to realize how wrong she’d been, pushing away the one person who’d made her feel true happiness. But she couldn’t tell Cassie any of it.
“The boards are coming up,” she said with a shrug. “I’ve just been stressed about them and everything being thrown at us this year.”
She kept her gaze steady and her expression unfazed as Cassie watched her, a considering look on her face. Sienna knew her friend was too good at reading people. It must have worked because Cassie didn’t push.
“It really is beautiful here, isn’t it?” Cassie said, craning her head to take in the peaceful resting place.
“When spring comes, and the leaves bloom, it’ll be even more so,” nodded Sienna. They started walking back to where they’d left Jackie’s car. “Renewal is as much a part of life as leaves falling. You can’t have one without the other.”
Cassie stopped as they reached the car and turned to face Sienna.
“You don’t have to tell me what’s making you sad, Sienna. But I’m here for you. You’re not alone.”
Sienna smiled and thought how lucky she was to have met not one but two people who cared so much for her. And if Cassie could find a way to move forward, so could she.
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One week later...
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(Between Max & Ethan)
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Part 4: Moving Forward
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