#CW: divorce mention

[luv-n-chaos]

Conversation I had with my sibling @mmartisttalent earlier

[sharp-silver4795]

BEN Drowned HCs

I felt like doing some character headcannons so here we are!

Quick warning: THIS IS A LONG POST!! I really like my version of BEN-

Story Elements

⚠️CW!! implied su1c!de, parent divorce, and bullying. I took a few headcanons and a lot of the stories and mashed em together into this mess-

He’s autistic. He struggled a lot as a kid and teen. Especially after his parents divorced, his issues at school seemed to only get worse. He developed some anxiety around being social and tried to stay away from people.

During school he would live with his dad. It was a pretty place. There was a small wooded area behind the neighborhood, but it had a nice clearing with a lake… Ben was too scared to ever go in since he didn’t know how to swim and couldn’t see the bottom.

He got bullied a lot and didn’t have many friends, but found comfort in video games.

He can’t handle being touched and he hates eye contact. The only way he was ever able to communicate was through screens because it made it easier for him.

He loved to get lost in the fantasy of the worlds he played in, especially Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask…

As a young adult, he couldn’t get away from the screens. He felt safe! He felt normal, though hiding from the world.

As time went on, at age 21, he realized he couldn’t live like that. But he was too scared to go… he didn’t want to repeat every other time of his life.

So, he found some chains in his dad’s garage and decided to finally take a ‘swim’ in the lake…

Living in the Screen

So, yes. He’s apart of the Mansion and has the cabin within the Mid-Mansion.

He prefers to live behind the screens though. There’s no sound except the buzzing of the electricity, he’s not having to move around the circuit board, and he has completely privacy.

He’s in the game system, yes, but not too far. It’s almost like he’s in the lights that bring the graphics to life.

He’s not visible unless you put your face right up to the screen. You might see a few green and brown pixels-

That’s BEN.

Social Shocker

Introvert v. Extrovert

He’s pretty quiet and introverted.

Sure, he likes talking to people, and he can strike up a conversation with just about anybody…. But when push comes to shove, at the end of the day…. Leave him alone. Let him sleep in his electronic void.

Friendships

He has a few genuine friends that he holds close: Lost Silver, Dark Link, Neon Spike, Nina the Killer.

Outside of those friends, he doesn’t really hang out with anyone consistently.

Self Esteem

BEN actually has a lot of insecurities.

The water made it so his skin looks like it’s constantly peeling. He’s a sickly bluish green with bleeding eyes and carries chains on his arms and legs.

It makes him feel gross. So, he hides in his electronic void….

Unless he finds one of his “distraction buddies:” Jeff the Killer, Puppeteer, Nathan the Nobody, Clockwork, Jane the Killer, and LJ

These are the ones that he feels he’s better than. If he feels bad in his appearance or skills in murder, why not crush someone in a video game?

Burn Out

Like most people, he can get social burn out- or even video game burn out.

When he’s feeling socially drained he’ll either escape to the screens, or sit with some of the quieter folks.

It seems quite counterproductive to be with people while you’re socially burnt out- but it works for him.

He particularly likes to watch others work on their projects: Jason and his dolls, Liu with metal and woodworking, Helen painting, etc.

Neutrality

You might have noticed that there are members of both the Mansion and the Dungeon in this section.

That’s because the Operator can’t restrict his social life.

It tried to and failed miserably.

It’s not that BEN can move through electronics of any kind- BEN becomes the electronic.

The Operator can’t keep him from getting anywhere and to anyone…

In the Mansion

BEN is really just cybersecurity.

He keeps a tab open for people who he’s told might be getting a bit close to answers.

He’s also the alarm/warning system.

He set up a way to detect if someone who isn’t in the mansion gets within a certain radius, so he notifies the Rebellions.

Murder

BEN has to have his fun too, right?

He likes to challenge his victims and give them a chance at survival.

Basically, it starts by him being summoned (usually by accident).

Then, he gives the typical warning: YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE DONE THAT

After that, he cyber-stalks his victims for a while. Whenever he’s decided he wants to end it, he appears to them again.

He cuts all their power and cell service except for the device they’re on. He challenges them to a game…

If they win, they live. If he wins, they die.

Little does the poor victim know, BEN is a sore loser… in truth, they’re not making it out alive.

They are usually found dead after being electrocuted by their own device. It will be passed off as an electronic malfunction.

Sexuality, Gender, Etc.

He’s not exactly Aromantic, more like gray-romantic. He just doesn’t believe he can be in a relationship.

HE/HIM!! It makes him feel human again and not like a fucking monster.

Divider Creds: sisterlucifergraphics

Header Creds: MEEE!!!

[dead-dove-orchid]

Declawed!AU Venny & Sabre

“Oh, Venny.. I’m so sorry.” “It’s okay, papa! I’ll heal, like I always do.”

[habitual-creatures]

Maybee! Ooh..

Who's that? The one with Jo?

▻ 💙🎶 / Raven

( very clearly distracted ‼️ also staring at the fangs :p )

Oh, that's Abaddon.

...Jo's... ex...? I don't know, they're still very couple-y, but they divorced for their own safety? I think?

[herawell]

.

[ayyy-imma-ninja]

Idk if you answered a question similar to this so I apologize in advance but-

In some nasty divorces a parent will do anything to get custody of the kid. Some cases kidnapping, what would they do if it was a parent that just ran off with the child?

You did mention in a previous Q/A that the SK boys would clear the air of the accused. Which would be very helpful in a custody battle.

That being said... if the parents were never really abusive to the kids but still ended up traumatizing their kids durring the divorce, what would they do??

A divorce can be and often are traumatizing for kids, however this is something that is generally outside of Sun and Moon's wheelhouse. There's not much they can do unless they see one of the parents as a threat for the child.

For the child's sake, they might keep an eye out for a while to make sure they were okay and safe.

IF there happened to be a kidnapping, then the most they CAN do is try and help the authorities and let the police handle it from there. This wouldn't be a situation where they'd abduct the kidnapper and kill them. That would draw way too much attention.

[radraptors]

Expedient

A short just-after-the-ending fic for @arcvmonth Day 13: Abyss Beneath a Smile

Read on AO3

The war was over; Zarc had been purified; Yuzu Hiiragi was back home. Yuya Sakaki, fresh from passing his pro test, was in the opening stages of a duel against his father.

And Himika Akaba walked over to her husband.

These were the first words she had spoken to him in three years, and she said them without emotion: "I am filing for a divorce."

"Yes." There wasn't much Leo could say. "I'm surprised you haven't divorced me already."

Himika snorted. "It was much more expedient to report you as missing then declare you dead. Keep the name and relation so there was no doubt on Reiji's claim on the company. But I imagine your legal status will change soon."

Leo allowed himself a small smile. He truly had missed her and her business-like attitude to everything.

He had loved her. He had loved Reiji. But he had thought he would be reunited with them, and with Ray; that the three years apart would be undone and replaced with utopia. Words could not say how much of a fool he'd been.

"I intend to hand myself over to the authorities, so I expect my legal status will soon be 'awaiting trial'. Although I suspect it will be a long wait: I don't believe there is precedent for inter-dimensional war crime tribunals."

"Xyz has no formal government, Synchro is in the midst of political restructure, and I presume your departure has left a power gap in Fusion. It will be a long wait indeed."

"And what about you?"

She paused for a moment, with a blankness in her expression suggesting she had not considered the question before. Which was unlike her - what he remembered of her. They were both driven, ambitious, always following a goal.

"I don't know,” she sighed. “I have two children I have raised badly. I have a second chance with poor Reira, but I don't know what to do for Reiji. I let him do too much, grow too much - he tried to fill your place when you left, and I let him. I encouraged him."

Leo glanced over at her, taking in how much she had changed: the lines of age and emotion on her face. He took a moment to steel himself. "I know it doesn't change anything, but I'm sor-"

"Perhaps," - Himika cut him off sharply, with an arch of the eyebrows that told him not to revisit his words - "Perhaps it would be better to make some use of the time waiting, instead of lounging about under arrest. To go to Heartland and help with the reconstruction."

It would be more expedient for him to go to Fusion, to dismantle the machinery there that only he fully understood. But apparently Himika was not so business-like that she didn't want him to suffer, to see the human cost of his actions first-hand.

And again could not say much more than, "Yes."

[kartsstuffig]

quality shitfuckery anyone??

just have the dump

also might have gotten too silly yes i did make a pizza tower oc

ideas lingered in the back of my head for MONTHS

so this is sage

peppinos strange alternative german-italian sister

what id imagine happened is like

their dad divorces their mom like just a few months before sage was born (which was a dick move their mom aint do shit) and peppino had to live with their dad (italian) while sage lived with their mom (german)

they didnt get to see eachother too often but when they did it was like the most fun sage had that year

once sage got to move out (like far after peppino did) she got to see him a LOT more

now she stops by the parlor like whenever she can which isnt super often but they always have a good time when she does

idk what else to add to this :3 too much thought was put into this

she calls peppino hase; always has

also deals with anxiety sometimes but not as often as pep does (poor mf :sob:)

[roseguided-arch]

thinking about how clara, even a while after the actual divorce , never took off her rings & died wearing them.

[ceruleansol-archive]

Y’all should get on summer solstice point so this would make more sense

[habitual-creatures]

My first husband was Abaddon. When a human and an angel have kids, those kids are nephilims. Which are banned. Now Abaddon has to pretend he doesn't have kids to keep him, the kids, and myself safe.

Or we'll be killed...that's why we civilly...is that a word...? Anyway, we divorced and I ended up with an asshole.

*She subconsciously rubs at her nose again*

~Joanne✒️📖

*Roger is just sort of staring, trying to process this.*

Oh, okay-

WAIT- That SUCKS what the hell-

[menodoramoon]

River and Moon and a Few Harsh Truths || MoonRiver, Self Para

January 1, 2025 — River and Moon look for Stella. The conversation veers off.  TW: Mention of blood and injury. CW: Discussions of Divorce.

It's painful. It's awkward. Moon holds herself tightly, everything pained and strained. She feels a collapsing ache in her chest.

River isn't talking to her. They'd rewrapped his hand but it wasn't serious enough to need a hospital. She could rewrap it when they got home.

Neither of them had a key to Stella’s so Menodora used a small locking spell with the tangling reagents. She hates what's become of all of them.

She hates the state they leave Stella’s home in. All that bad energy still lingering. Maybe if they left, it would dissipate? But, if it didn't… Stella would have to face it alone. 

Finally, half way across Main Street, River asks, “why?”

[ Read the Rest Here ]

---

Track list for River Visit 2024

[somedeepmystery]

It's November!!!!

This month I got to spend a week on the seaside. That's the northern Pacific seaside, so cold and stormy. Let me just say, election day came in like a fucking portent and post election, Pacifica knew I needed the mood boost of some serious vitamin D so it was sunny as heck and the sea was... as calm as it ever gets.

I did get a lot of writing done, even with the gut punch of the possible end to our democracy ... ha ha ha [weakly]

I am 48k into the first draft of This Time -working title. And amazingly I have not lost interest, despite spending the last year telling myself the story over and over in 'outline' form. So that's cool.

Been struggling since I got home from my little retreat. Coming home and hugging my daughters really brought it all crashing in on me. BUT we can't let ourselves do the terrorizers' work for them so we persist. I know this book isn't going to change the world, it's not supposed to, but hopefully it can be a bright spot in someone's day/week/month in the near-ish future. And that's something to keep going for I think.

I know I haven't given a lot of information. I told my friend Nia the other day that I struggle with how to present it beyond the basics -- which are too basic to get a grasp of its actual heart.

I do know this story is about forgiveness, forgiving yourself and going forward, forgiving people who wronged you -- even if they aren't sorry -- in order to set yourself free. Forgiveness to break free. I think. I think that's the theme. With a little underlying thought to the twisty (as opposed to twistED) ways of fate, but that part might only be in my mind.

Two people thrown together early, then parted for the purpose of meeting other needs of the universe, then brought back together to heal in the aftermath? Hopefully, someday, you can weigh in on that!

For now though, let me lament that I am not even NEAR the midway point at this word count, which is Just So Typically Me (oh baby baby) Today we write! Later, we edit.

Be well, be kind (to yourself and others,) and remember, if hope is a thing with wings, that's because it's a cockroach. As evil dances around the rooms it thinks it has won. Meanwhile, hope is hiding in the walls, unkillable. And breeding.

[awolconfessions]

stars are they making you get a divorce? or is gem being thrown into your marriage circle now

We are not getting a divorce. The essence of a divorce requires consent from both parties and Pearl and I are quite happy with our marriage. Though, they've certainly been trying to make us divorce! To no avail, obviously. All they did was give me a lot of papercuts.

They'd have to make us legally divorce in order to make the new marriage licit, but I have a feeling they don't care too much about martial laws, so they'll put it on, anyway. Though it probably doesn't matter too much if the marriage is legal, because pretty much nothing about these games is legal, so.

I think the marriage matters less if it's legitimate and binding — especially considering there's no legal system here to bind it to and no way to make it legitimate given we won't agree to a divorce — and matters more in the spiritual and emotional sense of if Pearl and Gem want to consider the marriage valid.

I don't mind Gem joining the marriage circle if that's something they both want and consent to! I'd be happy to have a wife-in-law if that's what makes Pearl happy. -✨

[fairy-angel222]

𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐅 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐃𝐎𝐎𝐑 𐙚˙⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩

—in which toji is constantly fucking women and disturbing your peace. your complaints lead to you becoming one of them.

pairing: toji fushiguro x fem! college reader

cw: smut, breeding, daddy kink, size kink, age gap, toji being a cocky prick, unsafe sex, ass slapping, mentions of cervix touching

Ever since you heard about your next door neighbor Mr. Fushiguro going through a divorce, things have been hell. For you.

From the day he first moved into the apartment, constantly arguing on the phone with his ex wife about whose turn it was to watch his son, Megumi.

When Megumi is over, everything’s quiet, and you finally get a chance to rest your head and relax in peace. Doing some studying and cleaning in the quiet atmosphere.

You wished the black haired boy would stay for just a day longer, because Toji is back to his usual self hours later. Bringing in young college girls one after the other. Fucking them hard against his headboard as they let out loud cries of daddy. It was annoying. You could even stay inside anymore to get work done.

At every hour of the day he seemed to be active, fucking through all sorts of women, the shaking of your thin bedroom wall never coming to an end as high pitched moans echoed through.

It was getting to the point where you couldn’t take it. You were so fed up. Didn’t he ever get tired? Tired of promising these young desperate girls to call them back only to throw away their numbers and fuck their friends the next day.

Weeks go by and nothing changes, Megumi coming over for a silent three days then leaving again. Giving his father enough time to fuck any feelings for his ex wife out of his system.

You swore you couldn’t take it, you had barely been able to study, occasionally spending an hour or two in a nearby café between classes. When you noticed your grades slipping, your eyes having prominent bags at the lack of sleep, you groan loudly in frustration. Finding your legs moving before you could even process it.

Your fist raising to knock on the man’s door once, then twice, with no answer. You huffed, going in to knock a third time before the door swung open. A tall, muscular man towering over you with a scowl. “What?”

Your eyes widened as you scanned over his body, his perfectly sculpted face, broad shoulders, defined abs, and the very distinct outline in his sweats.

The man cleared his throat, a smirk gracing his face when he startled you out of your intense drooling. “Now, what do we have here?” he chuckled deeply, tilting his head to the side with crossed arms as he rested against the door’s frame. “Here to get your turn doll?”

You gulped, finding it harder to spit out your words as the Fushiguro man stared you down. “I.. I’m here to ask you to keep the noise down, some people have actual work to do.”

Toji whistled, “Oh? A bold one huh? I like it,” His hand reaching under your chin to make you look fully up at him. “you’re a pretty little thing you know,” he spoke, running his thumb along your bottom lip, “wonder what you’d look like ruined underneath me.”

You ignored the flutter that went off in your pussy, clenching your thighs discreetly as you glared. “Just keep the noise down okay old man? I'm trying to study.”

Toji could feel his cock grow harder, you were just what he needed. “So i’m an old man now? That’s a first, usually girls like you just call me daddy.” he shrugged, “but it’s okay, you’ll get there.”

You rolled your eyes as you walked away from him, annoyance written all over your face to mask the arousal swirling in your stomach. He’d probably fucked the entire neighborhood by now, including the campus, so you weren’t gonna fall for his sick charms. You just hoped he complied and kept the place quiet, you didn’t need that usual noise the day before your big test.

Toji had surprisingly did as you asked, and you sighed in content as you read through the pages of your notes. Your pen in your hand finding itself in between your teeth as you bit down softly. You got what you wanted, so why was your mind running wild with thoughts of the Fushiguro man’s hands on your body as he fucked you like all of those other girls.

You shifted in your seat, one leg over the other to bring stimulation to your needy clit making you whimper softly. You couldn’t let yourself give in.

Another week passed and you once again found yourself in the same noisy predicament. Your mind couldn’t help but wander to the man more than twice your age. Way too old for you yet just so.. hot. Toji Fushiguro had become your fantasy.

And it was unbearable.

Hearing all these moans day and night. Hearing Toji’s loud grunts and groans as he no doubt left them with the best fuck of their lives.

It was Thursday, and Megumi would be coming tomorrow per routine, so you’d finally get a break then. But, you couldn’t deny the fact that you wanted an excuse to go over there. Your face serious as you banged on his door.

You waited a minute, a shirtless Toji emerging into the door frame as it flew open. Toji smirked, “Ah, you again.” His sweatpants hung dangerously low beneath the start of his v line, black hair messy as his tongue darted out to swipe across his lips. “Finally came to your senses?”

His last fuck had left right before you came, coincidentally of course.

“N-no.” you objected sternly. “I’m here to ask you again to just be.. what are yo-“

You swallowed hard when he began stalking towards you, a sinister grin on his face as you were backed up against a wall. His breath fanned your head as he bent his neck. Hands on the walls near each side of your face. “Your face says otherwise, doll.”

“No it d-doesn’t.. you’re just a cocky old man preventing me from getting things done.”

Toji’s brow raised with a deep hearty chuckle, “Back to that nickname i see,” His hand grabbing hold of your cheeks and squeezing them together. “Gonna have to clean that mouth of yours, teach you how to be a good girl.”

You whimpered lowly, feeling wetness pool between your legs as you looked up through your lashes. Toji’s eyes trailing to your glossy lips as he inhaled sharply. “Don’t worry, this dirty old man’s lips are clean”

Pressing his lips roughly to yours, your eyes widening as you gripped the edge of your skirt with a moan. Toji smirked against your lips, his hands hooking beneath your legs as he lifted you up. Your frame so much smaller in comparison to his larger one.

Toji was quick to bring you inside. And you found yourself sitting on the man’s lap, your skirt bunched up at your hips as he hammered up into your wet cunt with brute force. His hands kneading into the flesh of your ass each time you ground your hips onto him.

You let out a loud mewl, his thick cock stretching you out and grazing against your gummy walls as he fucked you deep. Feeling him within your stomach when you cried out. “Fushiguro-san— ah, so- ngh g-ood.”

“That’s not my name doll, try again.” he growled deeply, landing his palm onto your ass in a hard slap. And you whimpered tearfully at the sting. “T-toji—” Another harsh smack burning through your flesh making you let out a cry. “Last chance.”

You moaned loudly, your back arching as Toji slammed into you. “D-daddy, ahh daddy, o-oh fuckk—,”

Toji hummed in satisfaction, “Look at you, thought i was a dirty old man hmm?” His teeth biting softly at the delicate skin of your neck, his pelvis hitting your red puffy folds relentlessly. “Moaning for me like a little slut, so fucking pretty.”

You let out a shaky cry, “Haah— F-fushiguro-san,” Your pussy clenched down on his girth, his rough hand making its way around your throat, squeezing the sides and forcing you to look at him. “Not gonna fucking tell you again.”

You mewled, “‘M sorry— nngh,” Your back arching when Toji bullied his cock deeper into you.

“Still waiting doll.” he grunted, eyes dark as his grip on your throat tightened, your moans and whimpers loud as his thighs noisily met your sticky cunt. “D-addy— ahh- so good,” you cried, feeling his angry tip forcing its way to your cervix, kissing the entrance with each harsh thrust.

“Good fucking girl, you’re getting there” he grinned with a groan. A creamy ring formed around the base of his cock, your pussy gushing messily onto him as loud squelching sounds filled the room. “Pussy’s so fucking tight— better be on the pill cause i’m botta cum in that pretty pussy, shit.”

“Ah— nngh daddy, ‘m close- gonna cum.” you whimpered, your eyes rolling back and your lips parting in a string of incoherent babbles, Toji’s thrusts sloppy as he groaned.

“Gonna cum on this old man’s dick yeah?” He teased cockily, “Had so much talk for someone who’s falling apart on my cock.” Toji grunted, “Bet ya sat there listening like a lil perv, your hand down your panties hmm?”

You shook your head no with a cry, “Uh uh- ahh— wasn’t.”

“Sure about that? Sure you didn’t sit there and fantasize about me fucking you like a little slut?” His hand reached down to rub at your clit, a loud moan escaping your mouth.

Your breathing sped up as you felt a coil buildup in your stomach. Your body shaking with pure ecstasy. You let out a high pitched scream, the stimulation to your g spot making your head go fuzzy. Vision turning white as you clenched down tightly on Toji’s cock.

“O-oh fuck— ‘m cumming— ah, cumming daddy.” Toji’s hand pressed down harder on your throat, the pressure restricting your air flow making you let out a choked mewl. Tears welling in your eyes as his heavy balls smacked against your ass.

“Nngh—” The ring of white thickened at his base as you let out whiny cries. Toji’s hand working small circles on the sensitive bud before he brought his lips to your ear. His voice deep and gruff as he groaned. “Fuck doll- squeezing me so tight, come on and scream for me.” He breathed, “make a mess on my cock.”

Toji’s mean pace became too much, a tight pull in your stomach as your mouth fell open, legs trembling with loud cries as an unfamiliar feeling washed over you.

It was heavenly, your brain going dumb and your pupils disappearing behind heavy lids as you screamed loudly, head falling back and nails digging into his shoulders as you fell off the edge.

Toji never slowing the movement of his hips, still hammering up into you despite the mess you were making on his thighs. Your pussy spraying streams after streams of clear liquid as you arched your hips, grinding back and forth to ride out your squirting orgasm.

“Even fucking louder than any of my previous fucks.” he laughed, “Wonder what the neighbors would say, went from being a whiny little bitch to being the same thing you complained about.”

You let out a whine, Toji flipping you abruptly onto your back, his hand still around your neck as the position allowing him to hit even deeper. “Fuck,” he grunted, his words in between each thrust. “gonna fucking breed that pussy so deep.” Letting out a low groan at the last thrust, his lips meeting yours in a sloppy kiss as he bottomed out.

A whimper fell past your lips into his when you felt him fill you up, his cum shooting in hot thick spurts along the walls of your cunt.

He smirked as he pulled away, watching you pant heavily. “Would make such a good breeding bunny.” Dipping his fingers past your lips and resting them on the back of your tongue. “Might have to keep you around, can’t be disturbed if you’re the one making the noise now can you?”

You shook your head tiredly, forcing your eyes to stay open as Toji pulled out of you. His sticky cum seeping out of your fluttering pussy slowly. Your brain was still so clouded, blinking in and out of blurry vision.

Toji hid the smile threatening to creep up onto his face, his face neutral as he plopped down onto the couch next to you. “Rest if you need to, then leave.” He said nonchalantly, trying to seem like his usual self despite the fact that he had not kicked you out yet. Which was something he never did, let a girl stay any longer than a second after sex.

The man would never admit it, but there was just something about you.

He wanted to make you his pretty little doll.

[evilgwrl]

ExHusband!Simon x Reader

You Want a Divorce? (One)

Note: I'm having the WORST writer's block now so pls excuse my lack of proper writing... I'm currently sitting in front of a beach writing in hopes that ill gain inspo

CW: Angst, mentions of sex, jealous/possessive Simon, PLS DONT LEAVE YOUR KIDS IN THE CAR !!! Or break into someone’s house

Inspired by: Ex!Husband Simon

PART TWO

Simon stared at you. The shades of his eyes simmering into endless voids of obsidian, blonde lashes moulded against his greased lids, the residue of the perpetual torture his body had succumbed to during deployment.

“You want a divorce?” He spoke, voice deep as he flickered between your shaking heads, sweat soiling into the papers gripped firmly and your swollen face, cheeks feverish with a red hue, eyes even more so.

You held back a rough sob, throat stripped of all moisture evident in your hoarse voice as you spoke, “Yes, Simon. I think it would be best for our family… for us.”

He scoffed. “You think the best thing for our family is to separate?”

“We already pretty much are. You’re away for days, weeks, months at a time. We’re hardly a family and it’s difficult to explain to the children why I’m crying.”

“Ok then.”

That was it. You would admit, it stung. His lacklustre tone felt like a stab in the gut, the blade drenched with anthrax as it reared blistering sores internally, the effects having shown through your putrid complexion. Your skin was dull, practically lifeless, the only living form of you grew day by day through the darkening of eyebags that almost made you look apocalyptic.

It had been 12 months of separation, officially 8 being legally divorced. You kept his last name, the permanent burn of hearing Mrs Riley still searing through you with every syllable, yet you feel it would only hurt you more if they said Ms.

Simon was often away now, and the minimal family time he used to get felt pointless as the shabby apartment he moved into after the sudden interference of your mind-boggling news barely fit the two kids you shared. His body felt more relentless on him, the taunting of his mind fulgurated the inoperative reality that he would come home to you, to his family.

His voice, almost like it dropped an octave had grown richer in aggression, tormenting those he deemed suitable, both with his tongue and with his bruised knuckles, an oil painting of blue and purple hues radiating across the pale flesh as he shrugged it off to his team as “pushing himself and others to do better”.

Couldn’t you realise your mistake? Wouldn’t you prefer crying in his arms about his absence than never having it fulfilled again?

As he looked around the bleak environment, tan stained walls revolting the creaking mattress he had brought someone home to, someone who wasn’t you. It made him feel sick like a viral infection had slunk its way into his bloodstream as he laid next to a woman that failed to make his cock throb, endless images of you sprawled out under him flickering. No wonder he called out your name instead.

You felt the familiar shake of your hands every time your phone dinged; Simon’s dreary tone was evident through his dry “On the way” text. You ushered a day of your children’s life into their cartoon-themed backpacks, innocent smiles adorning their skin, doe-like eyes of brown, far too familiar to Simon’s staring up at you.

The sound of his car scraping into your paved driveway almost made you feel like throwing up, the nerves of seeing him combined with the already present pit of anxiety due to your date later turning you into one big shaky mess as you brushed it off as “too much caffeine”.

The echo of his car door slamming shut rung through your ears, staining you with the reiteration that your ex-husband was now at your door, heavy fists knocking upon the wood. The image you saw of him in your mind morphed back to reality as you stared at him, a blank expression on your face.

“Hi, love.”

“Hi, Simon.”

Your frown was clear, the pet name you were so used to becoming a distant memory in the past few months. It was a hole you were attempting to fill, to clear yourself away from his teasing tongue and faux impression of a healthy relationship. You were divorced for a reason, you knew that, but as you gazed upon the lack of life in his skin, it was almost like he was holding a mirror up to you.

“Daddy!” You watched as your 5-year-old, Ella, practically leapt into his hefty frame, his hands coiling around her like second nature. You could feel his warmth, the heat that would build in your stomach when you felt those same digits touch you.

“Hi sweetheart,” his voice gruff, yet tone lighter as he placed a delicate kiss on the skin of her forehead, “You miss me?”

She nodded, her face buried in the hem of his neck as your other child cooed from the bouncy chair, tubby legs attempting to wheel himself to the door.

“There’s my boy,” Simon practically cooed as he placed Ella down, bounding inside as he lifted the toddler out, grabby arms reaching out to pull at Simon’s locks, gentle tugs causing you to laugh.

Your voice cut through the scene like glass. Why would you want to destroy such a happy moment? Weren’t you supposed to be reuniting? Just say it, tell Simon you want him to come home, that you need him.

“This is Ella’s bag,” you speak, holding up the pink Minnie Mouse bag, “And this is Toby’s.” Your son giggled as he muffled out the words, “Transformers”.

Simon nodded, “Are you doing anything tonight?”

Ella practically screeched, “Mummy’s going on a date!” The thrill of her laughter that followed only seemed to make the situation more awkward.

“A date?” Simon’s voice was deadly, the hair raising on your arms as you shook your head, a tight smile on your suddenly dry lips.

“No, no, nothing like that. Just catching up with an old colleague of mine.”

“But he’s a boy, Mummy,” Ella giggled. Who was raising your daughter to be such a big mouth? Your face formed an annoyed look, eyebrows raising as a line of wrinkles crinkled against your forehead, your pointer fingers massaging your temples.

“An old colleague?” Simon practically gasped. Had he met him at your old work Xmas parties?

“Let’s get you guys in the car.” You fumbled with Toby’s car seat as you strapped him in, your nimble fingers shaking with anxiety before you shut the door, pressing a kiss against the window before wiping away the minimal residue of dirt. Gross.

“Who is he?” His tone was acerbic like he was looking for an argument. How dare you try and replace him? He was your husband, the father of your two kids? Have you seen this random man before? Had he fucked you?

“God, Simon-“

“Who is he?” Simon was relentless, bullying his way into getting the answers as his arms folded across his chest, tattoos practically screaming at you too.

“His name’s Andrew. I ran into him at a coffee shop a few weeks back and he just wanted to catch up. That’s it.”

A loud scoff sounded in the air. “You mean that geezer from that corporate job you hated? The one who didn’t know it was weird to blatantly stare down your dress when you were standing next to your fucking husband?”

“He didn’t stare down my dress! You’re not my husband anymore, Simon. I can see who I want.”

“I don’t want our children to grow up thinking they have multiple dads.”

You’ll admit, that stung.

“Multiple dads? You’re out of your mind. The only reason they would ever believe they have multiple dads is if their real one stopped showing up. And where have you been, Simon? When have you shown up?”

Simon held his tongue, the warmth of the metallic taste gashing through his teeth as he practically snarled past you. “I’ll bring them back tomorrow.”

The dress you wore was practically suffocating you as you tucked your stomach in. Simon never minded the change in your figure after motherhood, he found himself liking it even more. He loved knowing that his seed put you through that, that he made you swell with his children, and he brought out the glow in your cheeks and the delicate stretch marks that laced your hips.

Andrew was nice. His tone was comforting as he walked to your door, ushering you to his car as he insisted you could order whatever you wanted. He was handsome, the salt and pepper hues of his hair settling your insecurity.

“We’ll take the Pinot Noir,” he spoke, looking at you with an almost arrogant sheer in his blue eyes. You only liked white. Simon knew that just like he knew everything about y-

You’re not with Simon anymore. You had to realise that. Maybe that’s why you brought Andrew home, let him shove his cock (that was a lot smaller than what you were used to) inside your heat, as you let out moans you had mimicked from the porn you watched with the actor that resembled far too much of your ex-husband.

Simon's fingers gripped the steering wheel early the next morning, your two children snuggled up in the backseat as he drove back to his old house, your old home. He wasn’t a man who gave up easy, he would show you, prove to you that you made a mistake. You needed each other.

Hold on. You don’t drive a red car?

His car lurched into the entrance of your home, nearly ramming into the garage as he shoved it in park, rolling down the two back windows slightly for air as he dug around in the small side compartment of his car.

The familiar gold key he had stolen from you the night he packed up all his stuff stared back at him, practically egging him on. Go on Simon, march in there. So he did. His hand rattled against the door knob, glancing back to peak into the car for a second before he slammed the door shut.

Your body froze. Were you being robbed? No. It was only Simon. A very angry-looking Simon. You stood, the white sheet barely shielding your naked body as he took in the sight of the man next to you, his hands wrapping around his shoulders as he practically ripped him out of bed, flinging him onto the floor as he grunted, eyes reared with hatred.

“Simon, what the fuck are you doing? WHERE ARE THE KIDS?”

Andrew groaned, on the floor, covering his groin as Simon chucked the masculine clothes at his head, the thin boxers soiled across the man’s scalp as he trembled.

“Our kids are asleep in the car, waiting for their Mummy to come to the zoo with them.” Simon’s words were despicable, laced with an acrimonious tone, small particles of spit seething through his lips as stared at you.

He turned to the man, a giant frame staggering over the top of him. “Get the fuck out, and if you wake up our kids when you go past, I will personally put a bullet straight in the middle of your skull,” he said, pushing a thick digit against his forehead as Andrew rushed out, clothes barely on before you felt the front door shut, a cry of apologises leaving your lips as you tried to assist him but Simon only held you back, a tight grip coiling around your arm.

“What the fuck was that? How’d you get in?” You couldn’t even place the words to say, humiliation roaring through you as you snuggled the sheet closer to you, away from his peering eyes.

“It’s time to be a family again, don’t you think love?”