#Dante Torres x oc

[cloveroctobers]

BONUS CHAPTER: FREE FALL — Dante Torres x OC x Manny Castillo

A/N: The Dante centered episodes always inspire something lol. And considering that they didn’t just let this Gloria storyline go (like I hoped) it was only right that I dip back into my killing me series. Let’s see how what went down in the mid-season finale comes into play for these two or three huh? THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS IF YOU HAVENT WATCHED YET! 😬 p.s. can’t tell you how many songs I went through that fit best for this one!

Warnings: feels. heartache/angst. Feels & language! + me possibly butchering some Spanish so please feel free to gently correct me if this is wrong 🤎

* GIF BELONGS TO: @nicolethered

<- catch up on the previous chapter here.

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“You know I’m attracted to you, right?” He says to her, warm hand lightly squeezing at her shoulder.

They’re sitting face to face, lounging on her couch back in Chicago. He’s got that stupid grin on his face as she shields her’s at this new (was it?) revelation Manny decided to air out. He’s got his temple resting against his balled up fingers, elbow pressing along the top of the couch while he stares in adoration at the woman across from him.

Seraphina peeks through her fingers, “And what exactly do you want me to do with this information, Manuel?”

“Oh, now it’s the whole government name drop, okay I see you.” Manny chuckles before running his fingers back down her arm again to rest against the hand she has against her balled up knee, “…you can do whatever you want with it.”

Did he mean the name calling or…?

“I probably will.” Seraphina teases.

Manny nods, a grin still on his face. One thing she learned about her new found friend, he always felt like a light at the end of the tunnel. There must have been a reason he entered the bar that one night and why the friendship continued. Seraphina’s old friend Seán (who was off living his best life again, on a cruise with his fiancé—which Seraphina still did not care for) already gave his stamp of approval, although she never asked for it…she still listened on his insight.

Manny checked in, “I know our date…well we’re calling it a hangout to not make it as overwhelming for you but we both know it was a date…went well right?”

She nods.

“I’ve got the most patience in the world you know? I just want to keep reminding you that, I’m open to seeing wherever this goes…whenever you’re ready.”

She’s been freaking out ever since the official date, which was back in August. It felt like Seraphina was supposed to feel guilty by doing this, originally she was supposed to be back in Chicago in September but extended her time out in Rhode Island (and Philly) until late October. That time was very transformative for her, to the point that she could breathe normally instead of taking constant deep breaths. If it was one thing she learned, her parents seemed to be in a better headspace in Kansas City after all these years but…was she ready to give everything up and start over with something that might only last a chapter?

Would this thrill only be temporary?

These were things she started to think about.

Surely vacations are different than spending time somewhere permanently but Seraphina couldn’t erase the excitement at the thought of where she could be. The more she stared into Manny’s dark blue hues with specs of green that surrounded his pupil, she thought there could be endless possibilities instead of remaining stuck.

“I appreciate that.” She finds herself saying, a soft smile playing on her full lips.

It seems as if Manny leaned in closer as he questioned, “Yeah?”

“Yes…I just want to make sure I’m in the right mental and emotional state before I can decide to give you my all.” Seraphina admits, pulling her bottom lip under her top one.

Manny sensed what she was getting at. He heard about what she went through before she ventured off to the New England area and before she reached out, telling Manny that she was out in his neck of the woods on a girl’s weekend trip with her cousin—who ended up wanting to just sleep in the hotel after the first day of sight seeing.

Being a mom was taking Behati out so Seraphina was sympathetic. Which gave her more time to see how Manny was living and seeing him in his element (and his business casual attire wasn’t bad to witness either!) in Philadelphia’s school district. After that he decided to shoot his shot and see if she was down to get dinner with him and hit up the otherworld museum which was trippy but a fun place that brought out their inner child. Seraphina didn’t hesitate to say yes, yet when it got to sitting across from Manny in a intimate setting, she had to tell him that this was a hangout so her heart didn’t burst out of her chest due to nerves.

“We can do that, whatever makes you feel comfortable. I don’t know though, this tension is making me feel like it might be something more, ya know? And if it makes you feel any better, I had to change two shirts before picking you up, I was and still am, so damn sweaty.”

That made her laugh as they both shook out the nerves. Being in his arms felt right that night as they embraced before she went back up to the hotel room to her cousin who was up waiting for all the details. In Behati’s imaginary scoreboard she told Seraphina that Manny was winning but she initially wasn’t trying to compare him to Dante. In fact the longer Seraphina stayed out on the east coast, she found that she wasn’t thinking too much about Chicago. It was all about living in the moment.

Being free.

So Seraphina and Manny met up at the cafe for a quick breakfast before she and Behati headed to the train station to go back to Behati’s home and family in Rhode Island.

…Not without sharing a unexpected kiss which Behati peeped with her shades tilted downwards, along with her mouth open, spying on them from her outside spot at one of the tables.

Seraphina would be lying if she said she hasn’t been thinking about the kiss since she got back. How she preferred Manny with a thicker beard that pricked her skin so nicely, and how his touch held her upright just the way she needed. That didn’t stop the two from talking being five hours and some change away, although closer than Chicago, it felt right to keep things going.

Comfortably casual with a “hint,” of interest.

“Because of Dante?” Manny inquires, eyes trying to catch Seraphina’s.

The bun wearing woman takes a deep breath, “I just don’t want to lead you on and put you through shit if I can’t let go of what can’t be.”

Manny slowly nods at that before a smile splits over his lips again, “Well I love that you’re self-aware and also trying to look after my heart already, Phina-Mena.”

Seraphina playfully rolls her eyes at the nickname but finds herself peeking back at Manny. Actually ready to take on whatever words he needed to say. Manny knew most of the complicated relationship between Seraphina and Dante, although he originally said it wasn’t any of his business, he still listened to what Seraphina felt comfortable enough to share.

It was heavy but most first love’s are.

“And I’m okay with not having all of you right now. Just even a piece of you already tells me you’ll be worth it.” Manny tells her, making her stomach do flips this time, “I also think you don’t give yourself enough credit. I can tell that you have the most giving heart and I think it’s time that you let someone appreciate it and take care of it…properly. Preferably me.” Manny admits, his hand traveling from the woman’s hand and up the side of her neck, before settling his fingertips against her jaw, then his eyes flickered to her lips, “No pressure though.”

Seraphina scoffs, “Now what am I supposed to say after that?! You’re a smooth one Manny, I’ll give you that.”

“I’m a people person, it’s part of what makes me so loveable.” Manny jokes, his nose brushing against Seraphina’s who lightly breathes him in.

Although her stomach should sign up for gymnastics, his scent is soothing her just fine. It’s the same as when they first embraced, fresh like ginger, a dash of salt, lightly herbal with a spec of something warm—probably amberwood. Whatever he had on, it suited Manny well.

So damn well that Seraphina almost placed her lips right on his, if there wasn’t harsh knocks and repeated sound of the door bell ringing that entered the both of their ears that is. The woman feels herself pulling back abruptly, as if to shield that she was allowing herself to sink into Manny’s charm again.

“Sorry,” Seraphina apologized, “I don’t know who that can be.”

Manny caresses at his beard, a bit of disappointment flashed in his hues, as he gently waved her along, “Could be your secret admirer oh wait…”

The brown eyed woman sends him a thumbs down and sticks out her tongue to blow out a raspberry after getting to her feet, “Booo. You should stop eating so much corn.”

“Personally I’m not a fan of starches.” Manny tells with a raise of his hands in surrender as he watches her frown at him over his shoulder, “…It’s a whole thing. We can get into that later though, you got a door to answer.”

Seraphina shakes her head in disbelief, making her way around the corner to peek through her peep hole. It’s a man she doesn’t recognize, staring up at her in the view of a fisheye, curly dark hair with a mixture of grey in it and slicked back on the sides, beady dark deep set eyes, straight nose, pinched lips, and dimples that appeared as he waved at her, almost as if he knew she was analyzing him behind the door.

“Hello, Seraphina Coty?”

“Can I help you?” She says at the same time, not making a move to unlock her door.

He clears his throat, “Sorry to bother you on this crisp breezy afternoon. I’m Charlie Reid, Deputy chief at the CPD. Also a friend of Hank Voight, who I’m positive you’re familiar with. I was just wondering if you had a few minutes to spare and chat with me?”

Seraphina quirked up a brow at this, of course she had her guard up, especially when it came to the law.

It’s not like her and Hank were the best of buddies, it’s not something Dante wanted for her necessarily and although she can make her own judgments, she was held up in a room with the sergeant months ago. However if something like this was coming to her door and the fact that this stranger threw in Voight’s name, made this all a little more questionable to Seraphina.

“I would if this was scheduled, Mr. Reid. You’re kind of interfering with my personal time…especially if this is work related.”

The deputy chief cleared his throat, “I completely get that and definitely should have called to see what works best for you. Yet I figured this kind of conversation you would want to have face to face, considering this not only affects you but also your friend or involvement with officer Dante Torres.”

That gets Seraphina to sharply inhale.

What was he getting at?

Seraphina takes her time unlocking the door, leaving it open but not without looking over her shoulder to see that Manny had moved from the living room and either headed to the kitchen or half bathroom.

She crosses her arms, standing in her doorway as she focused on the man before her.

“Thank you,” Deputy Chief Reid smiles but Seraphina doesn’t match his, “I won’t take up too much of your time since I know everyone has lives to live! I just wanted to inform you that your services can be of good use to me.”

Seraphina feels her brows furrow, “Please feel free to elaborate.”

“You’re a chemist right? Employed at Compound Laboratories and one of if not the best chemist in all of Chicago…although you like to keep a low profile. I respect it.”

She picked up on the slight jab the man tossed her way.

“Right, so as a friend of Voight’s I think you’ll be a friend of mine as well. And friends stick beside each other in their time of need.”

Seraphina didn’t like where this was going.

She didn’t know this man.

She barely knew Voight.

“How am I supposed to be a friend to a stranger I don’t know?” Seraphina tightened her folded arms at the cool air that seeped in from outside, “What if our morals don’t align, Mr. Deputy Chief?”

He leans towards her, almost as if he was letting her in on a secret, “I think they will in order to keep things running as smoothly as possible.”

Seraphina’s eyes goes into slits, “What are you getting at?”

“Your involvement with Officer Dante Torres.” He blinks as if it’s obvious.

“You mentioned that already—

“And his sexual involvement with the late Gloria Perez.” He continues.

Charlie takes in the expression on the woman’s face and he can see that she was left in the dark about that one. Since she’s been back, she’s had little time with Dante and has seen his mother more than him lately. He knew she was back in town, she didn’t ask him to pick her back up which didn’t feel right but he didn’t want to push it, so she took a Uber, and they ended up hanging out the week after. She got back to work and everything felt the same but it really wasn’t.

“I have no knowledge about any of that but I’m certain it’s not true,” Seraphina stood her ground, which makes Charlie laugh.

He points at her, “See, this is why loyalty is a precious thing. You two have been through a lot together, huh? Would do anything for each other…except be together.”

Now he was crossing the line.

“I believe our time is up, Mr. Reid.” Seraphina says and he can tell he struck a nerve, “I don’t know what your goal coming here was but I don’t want any parts of it.”

“Unfortunately that’s just too bad because you immediately became part of it due to your attachment to Officer Torres.” He rasps, “I know you were also aware of his relationship with Perez. Which makes you an accessory as well, therefore you are now part of the top of my contact list.” Charlie explains to Seraphina who’s ready to slam the door in his face, “I just thought I’d ride over here and introduce myself. You’ll be hearing from me soon, so enjoy the rest of your day.”

That sounded a whole lot like blackmail if you asked Coty, who watched the man with ulterior motives slip away into Chicago’s streets.

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“You’re what?” Dante spits out as they’re up in Seraphina’s room, she’s folding laundry and he’s seated in one of the lounge chairs that’s tucked away in her bedroom.

The brown eyed woman clenched her eyes shut, not realizing that she let this slip out. They were just chatting after Dante popped up, he didn’t give her much notice, informing her with a simple text that he was outside. Now that Seraphina knew the truth, that Gloria Perez had been gunned down, she could only imagine how Dante was taking it. Those ideas were very much confirmed, when she unlocked her door to peer into his eyes.

The bags underneath his spring rain eyes were so deep that you could probably float in them. He didn’t look okay and he didn’t originally plan to show up to Seraphina’s place. Dante couldn’t stay home with his ma because it felt suffocating—although she didn’t know everything—she sensed something was up with her son. Which resulted in calls to Seraphina who didn’t feel it was her place to mention that this was part of the bullshit that still lingered.

He went to church, begging for forgiveness and confessing his sins but nothing Dante did with his time off felt like enough. He needed to be around the one person that made him feel safe, and so he subconsciously ended up at the building that felt like home.

Seraphina didn’t bring it up, trying to be normal and give Dante the space to bring it up himself, yet Dante knew Seraphina. She wouldn’t push unless he gave an opening. However he did not expect to hear that her time away from Chicago influenced this.

“I,” Seraphina inhaled as she held a folded up sweater against her torso, “It was just a thought. Nothing is written in stone and it really just slipped out so there’s no need for you to look at me like that.”

Dante pressed his elbows into his knees, “How am I looking at you?”

“Like I’m about to break your heart right down the middle if I ever did decide to leave this city for good.” The dark haired woman blinked, a slight crease appearing in between her brows.

Dante runs a hand down his face in frustration, “I won’t lie…I wouldn’t like it. You stayed away for much too long and it doesn’t feel right here without you.”

Seraphina begins to feel the overfamiliar pluck at her beating heart again at his words, “…I told you my cousin said you were always welcome to visit if you wanted but you chose to stay here.”

“I have a life here, Nina.” Dante voice was croaky as if he hadn’t been sleeping, “And you do too.”

“And how’s that working out for us huh?” Seraphina snapped, tossing the sweater on top of her other folded clothes.

Dante raised his brows, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re not happy here either, Tay.” Seraphina tries to keep her tone leveled, “This place has brought us a lot of grief…we’re just free falling through. Don’t you think we deserve to experience what could be better elsewhere? For the first time, getting out of this city that’s supposed to feel like home, heading to the east coast…I felt like I could finally breathe. I come back and as I’m looking at you, all I see is defeat. Why is that?”

Dante looks up at the ceiling, his eyes glistening with the light pouring in from the bedroom window. He puffs out a breath, “…Maybe it’s because my best friend is choosing to leave behind her home for some guy she barely knows. Or at least considering it, I don’t know.”

Seraphina feels herself sucking in a breath and holding it. There was no way Dante was trying to flip this right now. Had he been silently watching the house while Manny was around or what? If that was the case then some things needed to be said.

“I think you’re deflecting because you don’t want me to find out why you’re really here. It’s not just some casual visit this time.” Seraphina starts, “You’re in mourning over Gloria—

Dante holds up a hand, “Don’t. Don’t say her name, please.”

“And you want me to patch it all up and be part of your healing process like time and time again.” Seraphina feels herself rambling, “Because that’s always my job right?! You come to me when life gets a little too screwed up and expect me to put the pieces back together with a big fucking band aid.”

“I’ve never asked you to do any of that—

“You don’t have to because that’s what you do when you love someone! You almost died but she took the bullet for you like I’ve been doing. And you still can’t see that you diving back into old habits was all for nothing.” Seraphina shakes her head, followed by a laugh.

Dante gets to his feet, pointing, “I think you should just be quiet. You don’t know the first thing about what Gloria and I had.”

“No?” Seraphina tilts her head at Dante’s anger but it wasn’t anything she hasn’t seen before, “I know a woman like that only loves a power trip more than anything. We’ve been around enough of that. So…was it real or part of the game?”

Dante tightened his eyes at the woman that stood across from him on the other side of the bed. “I’ve…been trying my hardest to protect you and I should have never let you in on that part of my love life. I was better off, then you wouldn’t be acting like this. Assuming.”

Seraphina scoffs, “I don’t have to assume a got damn thing. The difference is I know all parts and sides of you, that bitch just saw a glimpse and thought she had it all figured out.”

“Hey! You show some respect!” Dante points at her.

She laughs, hand going to her hip.

“You know she approached me at my job not long after I got back,” Seraphina decides to tell it all, “Gloria felt like she was free to start over—which must be nice. She said that she knew there was something more to you. That I had a hold on you that even she couldn’t touch, something real. Which was enough to tell me that she didn’t value your heart. You were just a piece in a game of chess.”

Dante shook his head in denial.

He didn’t want to believe that but nobody ever truly knows what someone is like when you’re not watching. Via that bugged conversation with Cook. Dante let his guard down multiple times and not once did he ever think Seraphina and Gloria’s paths would cross. He didn’t think Gloria would have stayed in Chicago for as long as she did, tried to forget about her while burying himself into his work like he commonly did but most importantly, he couldn’t fathom Seraphina leaving for good.

“…I understand that it bothers you that I was able to move on but you just don’t know.”

Seraphina laughs, “Anyone would be lucky to be loved by you and she wasted it. Played in your face and you want to stand there and keep acting as if I’m clueless? Don’t insult me, Tay. I deserve better than that and this.”

“With Manny? Really?” Dante presses, “You think he’s going to be the answer to everything? Just drop all that you worked so hard for, for some random guy?”

There it is.

“Looks like we’re actually two sides of the same coin.” Seraphina hisses, “And no. I’d be moving for me because this is my life and I get to decide how it plays out, no one else.”

The tension was filling the room up with smoke and it felt like it was so thick that it was clouding up Seraphina’s bedroom, making the two friends suddenly hard to reach.

Dante felt his eyes burn, “…I’m not trying to tell you what to do…just that I can’t lose you too, Nina! What part of that don’t you get?”

“And guess what? I can’t keep doing this.”

“Doing what?”

“The wishful thinking, the being your friend when there was a time that I believed we could be much more once you pulled your head out of your ass but you’ve told me enough times that we couldn’t be that. Part of me convinced myself that maybe it’s just not the time. Then I had to hear you come up with this delusion that you wanted someone else. Someone who wasn’t good for you.”

“I loved her!” Dante yelled before resting a shaky hand against his five o’clock shadow followed by a clearing of his throat after Seraphina widened her eyes, “It wasn’t fake for me, it’s was real and all those things she said to Cook was just her putting a wall up. A wall that I had the chance to see behind. I’m sorry okay? I’ll always be sorry that I’m not enough for you, even beyond friendship, that I can’t give you more. But if you leave…he’ll never be me.”

Those words felt like the two were slowly being tipped back, like a glass being knocked over from a table in slow motion. Every word was dividing the old friends apart and as much as it simmered, some things were true. It was a tale as old as time like they liked to say. Dante truly felt like he loved Gloria, he got attached and the nature of how it came about was wrong he saw it now with how it was affecting the whole team especially but he couldn’t be sorry for how he felt. Just like his dear Nina, she was always firm in wanting to be together. They had so much history together, years worth and history couldn’t be rewritten but it could be the beacon.

Seraphina tosses her head back, trying to hold back her own tears. Her hands are digging into her hips as she takes in Dante’s words. She knows that. Knows that Manny is nothing like Dante and like she said, she never wanted to compare the two just like she hoped Dante didn’t ever compare her to Gloria. They were all their own people but humans are flawed beings.

Nothing can be perfect but loving can be tragic…when it didn’t have to be.

“He doesn’t need to be.” The woman finds herself saying through quivered lips, “He’s actually the first person that I’ve been talking to where I don’t try to look for you in. And I think that says a lot. You know what else says a lot? Us being so codependent on each other. Me feeling needed by you in ways of comfort and you wanting me because I’ll always be around. Time was never on our side but maybe time is finally telling us to let go and fall back.”

Dante felt himself holding his breath, “No. No, don’t you dare say that to me! Not now.”

“If not now, when? When you’re done grieving? Well that just seems like that’ll be everlasting around here.” Seraphina states, “And I’m not sorry Gloria’s dead…I guess I’ll have to take that up with god at some point…but I’m sorry that you became part of her story. Even if it was only a small part in her eyes. Gloria fucked you up just like I knew she would.”

“So what is this?” Dante feels his blood boiling, “A ‘I told you so,’ moment? I thought you said you’d never be like that. Not with me.”

Her hand goes to her forehead, pushing her hair back from her face as she goes to sit on the edge of her bed, “It’s not that. I think I just realized that I had enough and it hurts…real bad but this will probably be doing us a favor.”

Dante felt his eyes clenching shut and his whole face began to hurt. His legs felt wobbly but he still managed to find a spot right beside Seraphina, thigh to thigh. Her head went to his shoulder and he eventually moves to wrap an arm around her, his lips going to her hair. She took shaky breaths, to control her sobs but Dante couldn’t stop his own warms tears from flooding his face.

Maybe it was all too much after all.

He always wanted her to be happy and if he wasn’t bringing her that anymore, what kind of friend would be if he didn’t wish her well? The dark of Dante wanted to be selfish and keep her far away from this Manny character but there was a glimmer of hope in her eyes when she spoke about him. He noticed. Perhaps he could give her what he couldn’t and that made the acid in his belly rise and it’s been a few days since Dante could stomach anything. Dante knew the few prior weren’t good enough—maybe that Deacon guy could have been but—he had to work on some things truly on his own this time.

Dante needed to process everything, including this.

They were ultimately pushing each other apart to be better on their own. Seraphina was beginning to see that now and she’s held on for a while.

As well as Dante Torres has known Seraphina Coty, his Nina, Dante could see that the end of an era had to happen. His knew his ma wouldn’t let him hear the end of it once this came out but…he’ll learn to deal with it, like he always did.

When Seraphina falls asleep in his lap, he puts her to bed, covering her with a throw blanket, and puts away her laundry. He hesitated in her room, watching her body slowly rise and fall in her slumber with a dry teared face. There’s a lump that formed in Dante’s throat the longer he stares at her. His belly is cramping and his heart felt like it finally snapped in half.

There’s a beating in his ears that blocks out the sound of his footsteps as he sits back on the bed. His hand rests on the dip of Seraphina’s hips, his touch doesn’t wake her, even when he leans over to place his lips against her cheek.

“Thank you.” Dante pressed his forehead against her jaw for a moment, “Do what you gotta do to be free, Nina. I’ll get it someday…Dios sabe que siempre te amaré.”

He can’t tell you how much longer he sat in that room but eventually he leaves. Yet he breaks down again in the driver’s seat of his car before he pulls it together, ignoring a call from Kim, to head to the bar, his guard down as he drives by a parked car that contains the deputy chief, who continues to plot.

What exactly?

Only time will tell.

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Open case file two here.

[1d5soslittlemixonechicago]

Fight

Hailey upton x Rome Green-Upton

Summary: while Rome is undercover he get a call from torres telling him his wife was missing dropping everything he leaves and goes back to Chicago to help the team find his wife

Hailey was at her locker, packing her stuff, when her phone started ringing, making Hailey look at her phone with a small smile when she saw Rome's name. Rome and Hailey have been communicating, but sadly, not as much as they wanted to.

"Hey," Hailey said as she answered her phone. She grabbed her bag and walked out of the locker room. "Hey!" Rome said, sounding tired. "You sound tired," Hailey said, causing Rome to chuckle a little. "Yeah, I am, but how is the training going? Is it helping you sleep?" Rome asked, knowing that Hailey had been having trouble since he and Jay left. He felt guilty that not long after Jay left he had to go undercover, which he didn't really have a choice of.

"Not really," Hailey said with a sigh as she reached her truck. "I will be home soon, before you know it," Rome said. "I know," Hailey said. Rome went to say something but was cut off when he heard knocking on his door. "I've got to go," Rome said, sitting up. "Me too; I'll talk to you later tonight," Hailey said. "Night," Rome said, hanging up.

Rome didn't know that after that call, after a few hours, Hailey went missing.

~~~

A day later

Hank walked into the tech room, where the team was sitting. "All right, tell me we've got something we can use." Hank said, stopping behind the chair and looking at the screen. "The footage is too grainy to make out much, except for the stats of our offenders." Trudy told Hank There's no sign of the offenders' vehicle in the footage, and there are too many blind spots on PODs. I mean, I can't follow them." Kim spoke in a stressed tone. "OK, what about him, the victim?" Hank asked and pointed at the screen. Kim zoomed in, saying, "That's not enough, not for facial rec." kevin said

"All right, then her car, cell towers, witnesses, and forensics." Hank said he was walking to the other side. "We've got nothing we can use, boss." Adam said as Dante walked in. "I think I got him. I pulled Upton's cell records," Dante stated as he reached the others. "The last incoming call was from a phone registered to Lee Byers," Dante said, handing everyone Lee's file. "The duration of the call was two minutes, and then minutes later, her phone was off. Multiple priors for drug possession. He was arrested six years ago by Jay Halstead and Rome green. Two days after he got pinched, all three charges were dropped." dante continued

"So Halstead and Green flipped him." Hank said, "Guy's a CI." Hank added, holding the folder up. "Upton must have taken over as his handler; she was meeting him for a tip, and one of them was followed." Trudy said, putting the dots together, "All right, so get his phone dump, grab his CI file, run everyone this guy ever informed on, met, talked to, or ever walked by." Hank said, and the team started to move around. "We got an LKA on this guy?" Hank asked Torres. "He lives with his girlfriend, Jessica Owens, down on Humboldt." Dante answered

"Search her place. Bring her in." Hank said he was making the team, but Dante stopped. "Should we call Rome?" Dante asked, making the team stop and look at Hank. Hank turns around and nods his head.

~~~

Rome had been undercover for months, and he was starting to get tired of it. He missed Hailey and his team, and all he wanted was to be with Hailey. What sucked is that Rome was only 2 hours away, but he was dealing with a really dangerous situation and didn't want to put her or the team in danger, so he kept away.

Of course, they talked when he got to his apartment.

Right now, he was at the bar working to get more information when his phone rang. He saw that it was Dante. "I've got to take this," Rome said, not letting them answer, knowing that if Dante was calling something wrong, Rome would answer the phone. "What's wrong?" Rome asked with a worried tone, "Hailey is missing," Dante said, making Rome freeze for a few seconds. "I'll be there soon," Rome said. "Okay," Dante said, and they hung up.

1 hour later

Rome got to the district, rushed in, and saw Trudy waiting for him. Rome mumbled a hello before rushing upstairs to see the group, minus Hank, who was in his office waiting for Rome to arrive. "We've got anything?" Rome asked as the group turned around and looked at him as Hank walked out of his office. "No," Kim said, sadly shaking her head. Rome closed his eyes and sighed before opening his eyes and looking at Hank. "What happened?" Rome asked. "She went to meet Lee Byers when they were taken," Kevin said, making Rome look at him. "Lee Byers?" Rome asked, and Kevin nodded his head. "We have his girlfriend in interrogation," Dante said. Hank walked to Rome. "Let's go," Hank said, walking toward the interrogation room.

Rome and Hank walk into the room. Rome sets a picture down. "That's your boyfriend right there," he says, sliding the picture towards her. "In case you're wondering why you haven't seen or heard from him,He was abducted last night," Hank said, causing Jessica to look up at Hank.

"Did you know that?" Rome asked, leaning against the wall. "No, I did not know that." Jessica said, slightly shaking her head ."No?" Rome asked. "Then why won't you talk to my “officers?Hmm?" Hank asked, sitting in the chair. “You won't give them access.to your phone, your tech.You won't even answer a basic question.Why not?" Hank asked."Because I don't want to be involved." Jessica said, "You already are," Rome said.

"Involved in what?Do you know why he was taken?" Hank asked "No," Jessica said."Do you know who took him?" Hank asked "No," Jessica said, causing the room to be silent for a second."You're lying to us." Rome said, walking to the table, pulling the chair out, and sitting down."I'm telling the truth," Jessica said. "Then answer my questions." Hank started "What is Lee into?Why would he be followed?beaten, and abducted?" Hank asked Jessica, but she didn't answer.

“OK, let me explain something to you.Lee wasn't killed.He was taken.You know what that means?That means they want something from him. "Our guess?" Rome said. "They are going to hurt him until they get it." Hank started "Now, what is Lee involved in? You want him to be hurt?" Hank asked “I'm not trying to hurt him. I just don't know anything.Look, he's an addict. I got him clean, but this would not be the first time. Then he relapsed,and did something stupid. But that's not on me. I have no idea who would have taken him." Jessica said, causing Rome to glare at her .

~~~

Lee looked at Hailey tiredly. "You know, Rome always talked about you." Lee started, causing Hailey to stop what she was doing. "Yeah, I would ask how the wife was doing, and he'd just have the biggest smile on his face." Lee said with a small chuckle, causing Hailey to smile a little.

Lee stopped talking. "Hey. you still with me?" Hailey asked as she looked over, seeing Lee's eyes closed, "You've got to keep your eyes open." Hailey added that she was trying to break the other support bar but stopped when she heard the guys coming back, making her turn her head to the door.

"That can't have been an hour," Hailey said, moving to sit by Lee. "OK. We're going to do this nice and clean. OK? You got it. You know what to say?" Hailey asked, "Yeah." Lee said as the two men opened the door and walked in.

"Hour's up. Where's my money?" Mark asked, "He's going to take you to it." Hailey said, slightly nodding towards Lee, "I hid it." Lee said, "OK. Where?" Mark asked, "He's going to take you to it." Hailey said, "That's not what I'm asking." Mark said, getting irritated now, "Where is my money?" Mark asked again. "I hid it in a safe place, downtown. I'll take you to it." Lee said it tiredly.

Mark looked at Elijah, causing Elijah to look at him. Mark pointed the ax at Hailey and said, "Grab her." Mark said Elijah walked toward Hailey and said, "No, no, no! He's gonna take you." Hailey shouted as Elijah came closer, "No, no! No, no, no, no, no, no!" Lee shouted, "He's going to take you to it!" Hailey yelled

"No, no, no! She doesn't know where the money is." Lee shouted as Elijah lay hailey on the ground, "No, no, no! Please! We're going to get you the money. We're gonna take you to it." Hailey yelled terrified, "Don't hurt her!" Lee yelled again. "She doesn't know where the money is!" Lee shouted, causing Hailey to look at him for a second before looking back at Elijah. "Please! Please! Look at me!" Lee yelled, trying to get their attention.

Mark walks over to Hailey, looking down at her. "So do you want to keep your right hand or your left?" Mark asked, "Please! Please! Don't hurt her! Look at me! It's my fault! It's my fault!" Lee shouted, "I have friends who have money. We'll get you the money." Hailey said loudly, "Do you want to hear her beg, Lee?" Mark asked slightly, looking at Lee, "I can't help. Please! Please!" Lee begged, "Chop it." Elijah said, "Let's go with the right." Mark said, raising his ax.

"No, no, no, no!" Hailey yelled as she saw the ax come down, but I was stopped when Lee got up and shoved Mark away from Hailey, causing Elijah to tackle him into the wall. Mark pins Hailey to the ground as a gunshot goes off, causing Hailey to look over. Lee slowly slides down the wall with wide eyes.

"What the hell? What were you thinking?" Mark asked as Hailey crawled over to Lee, putting pressure on Lee's wound. "He was going to shoot me!" Elijah yelled at Mark.

"You idiot!" Mark yelled, hitting Elijah's arm. Elijah hit Mark back. "He fell on me! He was going to shoot!" Elijah yelled. "He had one hand!" Mark yelled out as he left the bathroom. Hailey gazes into Lee's eyes and says, "It's OK. It's OK." Hailey said "I'm sorry." Lee said, meeting Hailey's eyes, "It's OK." Hailey reassured, "She spent it." Lee said, "What?" Hailey asked, "It's all gone. The money's all gone." lee said His head falls down as he stops breathing. Hailey stares at him.

How are we going to get our money back now, huh?" Mark asked, looking at Elijah, "You idiot!" Mark said, snatching Elijah's gun from him, "What did you want me to do?" Elijah asked Mark to turn to Hailey. "Get up!" Mark said loudly, "He's dead." Hailey said, taking her hand from his wound, "Yeah, I can see that. Get up," Mark said as Hayley slowly got up.

"I know where your money is." Hailey said, looking at Mark, "No, you don't." Mark said, "He told me. We were trying to both stay alive, so we were going to take you to it." Hailey said, "You're lying to me." Mark said, "I'm not." Hailey said, "Tell me where it is then, or..." Mark paused and looked down at the gun. "I'll shoot you right here, right now." Mark said, "No. You'll shoot me as soon as I tell you." Hailey said, looking at both the guys, "He stole it for his girl. I know where she lives. I'll take you, and you can let me go." Hailey said Mark walks closer to Hayley, towering over her. "How about I just beatt it out of you?" Mark said, "That's worked well so far." Hailey said, looking at Mark with a deadpan look.

~~~

Rome sits on the bench in the locker room, looking at a photo of him and Hailey. Rome blames himself for Hailey getting kidnapped. Maybe if he was still working here, it would have been him, and he was okay with that. He wished it was him instead of Hailey. He was taken out of his thoughts by a soft knock on the locker, causing him to turn around to see Kevin. "Hey man," Kevin said, giving him a nod. "Hey," Rome said softly "you okay?" Kevin asked, although he already knew the answer. "No, but I will be," Rome said as his phone rang, making him look at the contacts, then turning his phone off and putting his phone into his pocket. Rome looked at Kevin.

"It's my handler trying to reach me, but I'm not going to answer until I know Hailey is safe," Rome said. "It's not your fault," Kevin said, leaning against the wall. Rome scoffed at that, not believing him. "That should have been me, not her; Lee is mine, and Jay CI," Rome said, standing up angrily. "If I didn't have to go undercover, I would still be here working in this unit, and Hailey would've been here and okay." Rome yelled, and Kevin knows he is not yelling at him; he is angry and worried, as everyone was. "It's not your fault," Kevin said softly, causing Rome to look at Kevin, but before he could say anything, Dante walked in with Hank behind him. "We've got something One of them popped at a traffic cam two blocks from an abandoned motel. He used to work there.” dante say as all four of them walk down the hallway

“The place is empty?” Hank asked “Set for demo in two weeks. She's gotta be there.” dante said as they walked into the bullpen Kim handed Rome his jacket and they set off.

~~~

The team gets to the motel, all getting out of their cars and jogging towards the motel. Rome, Hank, and Dante stopped at door number six while Kevin ran to another door. "Go!" Hank said into his radio. "Copy," Kim said, causing Adam to kick the door. "Chicago PD!" Hank yelled as he kicked the door open. All three of them stormed in to see no one until they reached the bathroom.

"Body!" Hank yelled, causing Rome to rush in, but let out a relief breath when he saw it was not Hailey Dante rush in. "It's Lee." Dante said when he saw who it was. Hank crouches down, examining everything. "Where the hell is she?" Dante whispered. Rome looked at the body; some caught his eye in the blood. "Home" was written in it. "Home!" Rome said, rushing out of the motel room. "She's taking them home," Hank said, standing up and leaving the bathroom with Dante behind him. "Get a BOLO out of Mark's other vehicle. Let's go!" Hank spoke into his radio as he left the motel room.

~~~’

Rome and Hank were sitting in Hank's car in front of the apartment building. "All right, everybody stay low. We got anything?" Hank asked into his radio "The back is clear," Kevin said, looking around. "All clear on the east end." Adam said "All right, just stay back. Stay hidden We’re going in." Hank reported to the team as he and Rome stepped out of the car, looking around, pulling down their jackets, hiding their guns and badges, and walking over the railing towards the apartment.

~~~

Hailey in a truck has her hand tied up behind her back and tape over her mouth she bends her knees toward her face getting her hand from behind her back to infront of her she takes the tape from her mouth and brings her hand up the metal bar inside of the trunk rubbing the zip ties on it after a few second the snapped apart. Hailey searches the trunk for a way out

~~~

Rome and Hank walk out of the apartment building. "Does anybody have eyes?" Hank asked into the radio, asking the team. "Still nothing. All clear." Adam responded, shaking his head. "Come on, Hailey, where are you?" Rome whispered to himself. Hank looked at Rome, "They should have been here by now." Hank said, as his other radio went off, "5021, you got your ears on?" the dispatcher asked.

Go for 5021," Hank said as Rome looked up. "Be advised of your BOLO hit. " The camera spotted the vehicle westbound on Fullerton at Ashland two minutes ago." dispatched said, "Copy you." Hank said, "That's only six blocks." Rome said he was picking up his speed. "That's only six blocks out, but they're heading the other direction. Let's go!" Hank said to the radio that his team was rushing to catch up with Rome.

~~~

Hailey feels around the trunk. She presses on a carpet panel. She rips away the edge to see inside the car. Hailey pauses, looking around, before looking down at her sweatpants. She pulls the drawstring from them and wraps it around her knuckles. She pushes the trunk access door down, crawling into the backseat.

There's an entrance to a park about five miles up." Eli said, "It's secluded." Mark said as Hailey fully got out from the trunk, wrapping the string around Mark's throat and choking him, causing Mark to let go of the wheel to the string. They drive off the road into a patch of dirt, barely missing a tree. Eli tries to reach Hailey, causing her to kick him. Mark still has his foot on the gas, making the car go faster. "No! No! No! No! No!" Eli yelled, "See the concrete wall, hailey ducks!" as they hit it.

Eli lays halfway out of the car hood covered in blood as Marl passes out laying on the steering wheel. Hailey stirs awake in the back seat; she crawls half of her body from the trunk, sitting up half way, groaning as she looks at the men unconscious. She reaches for the car handle. She struggles a few times before she finally gets it open. She crawls out of the car on her hands and elbows. She groans as she full-on reaches the ground and starts to crawl but is stopped when Mark pulls her back to the car, flipping her over. He gets on top of her, wrapping her hands around her throat. Haley fights, trying to get him off of her. She turns her head to the right and sees a broken piece of Mark's car. She grabs it and stabs it into Mark's throat, blood splattering on her face as he falls off of her. Hailey coughs as she finally breathes. A cop car pulled up. "Chicago PD! Ma'am, are you OK?" A female police officer yelled, "I'm police!" Haley yelled, still lying on the floor, looking up at the sky.

The team gets there to see Hayley on the floor. Rome jumps out of the car before Hank can stop it. "Hailey!" Rome yelled. Rome reaches Hailey, who crouches down gently, grabbing her hand and saying, "Hailey, can you hear me?" "Rome," Hailey said, closing her eyes.

~~~

Hailey was sitting at the edge of the hospital bed as Rome came in with clean clothes for her to change. "Hey," he said, which made Hailey break out of her thoughts and look at him with a small smile. "Are you sure you want to leave?" Rome asked, handing Hayley her clothes. "Definitely," Hailey said as she stood up, grabbing her pants and pulling them up over her gown. "I'm sorry, Hailey," Rome said, causing Hailey to stop grabbing her shirt. She looked at Rome, confused. "For what?" Hailey asked, confused, as Rome walked closer. "For not being here, I wanted to be here. I really did, but I couldn't. I should have been. This wouldn't have happened if I were just here," Rome said. "It's not your fault," Hailey said, pulling Rome into a hug. Rome hugged her back, kissing her shoulder, and they just stood there.

~~~

Rome took Hayley back to the district and said, "I'll be up in a few; I've got to call my handler." Rome said, leaning against his car. Hailey nodded and walked away. Hank walks into the bullpen to see Hailey sitting at her desk. What are you doing? I thought you were staying at the hospital tonight." Hank asked, "Uh, I had Rome bring me back here." Hailey said, "They didn't want to keep you." Hank asked, "They didn't need to. I'm fine. The team was crowding the hospital, and Rome needed to talk to you, so I just came." Haley said, causing Hank to nod, "Where is he?" Hank asked, looking around, "Outside, talking to the handler, but anything on Jessica?" Hailey asked, causing Hank to shake his head.

"Does the doctor say you're allowed to drink?" Hank asked, putting his finger up and showing a little bit. Hailey smiled, causing Hank to smirk and chuckle as he walked to his office.

Hailey and Hank sit and talk. Hailey rests her head on her hand. "The rest of the evidence we got off of Jessica's WhatsApp. She had multiple accounts. And Lee was hooked on one of them. But that's where they planned it. As far as I can tell, the robbery was her idea. She definitely pushed him to steal the cash. Hank explained, causing Hailee to scoff and shake her head. "Is she admitting to it?" Hayley asked.

hank scoffed "No, she lawyered up." Hank said, "But... I mean, we got her." Hank said, nodding his head. "Lee did it for her." Hailey said "Mm." Hank hummed "He wouldn't give her up, not even to me." Haley said, leaning against her seat, as Rome came upstairs with a sigh, rubbing his face. Hank looked over to see Rome. "Hey, want some?" Hank asked, raising his glass up. "Yes, please." As he reaches them, he leans against Adam's desk. Hank poured some for Rome, handing it to him. "He's mad?" Hailey asked, "Oh, he's pissed." Rome said, taking a sip, "When do you go back?" Hank asked, "I don't," Rome said as he drank the rest in one gulp. "What do you mean?" Hailey asked as Rome put the glass down. "They're coming here to Chicago," Rome said, looking at Hailey and then at Hank.

Taglist: @maryannecrimsworth

[maryannecrimsworth]

Headcanons

Pairing: Hailey Upton x Single Father! Former FBI profiler! OC! Kristoff "Kris" Aller

Summary: here

Author's note: these are just some ideas I gathered until I can't come up with the first chapter. I hope you like it

First Stake-out

“You know, you can ask me anything” He seemed comfortable in the passenger’s seat, his voice was serene and low. The night was perfectly still, his slow-moving chest and words being the only proof of life in the whole block. Unlike her, he felt easy, and his breathing was silent and light. His gaze was on the streets, focused but unpreoccupied. Hailey, on the other hand, froze for a second, and her breathing stopped when he suddenly spoke. “It’s easier than following me around, you know.”

She quickly turned to him, and their eyes finally met. Her widened look found his cool expression.

“Why did you do it?”

"I'm uncomfortable with this partnership" Hailey admitted with a sharp voice

"This isn't a partnership." He replied almost immediately. "I'm here for a case. Only one. Then you don't get to see me again."

Hailey sustained their shared gaze — she analyzed his features as he grew unsletted before her light blue eyes.

"I don't think you mean that. Any of it." She stated. " It's useless to ask you anything if you're going to answer with lies."

Kris snorted. "Are you serious?"

"Everything about you seems fake." She argued back "So, yes, I'm serious."

"Hmm." His eyes were burnings hers; his annoyance was clear "Why is that?"

"You have a juvenile record, but almost none reports from the police academy. Several promotions, only compliments, even Platt likes you...On paper, you're a perfect cop, but—"

"I turned it all down." His semblance softened; he shook his head slowly as if her suspicions were perfectly reasonable. "Do you wish to know why?"

For a second, Hailey saw his eyes water, and she was ready to say 'yes' — but Kris turned his face away in reflex. "Someone's here." He whispered, now analyzing the empty streets.

They were not alone.

Context

• At first, Hailey didn't like the idea of Kris becoming her new partner; Technically, he wasn't even suppose to know about the case. For some reason, however, Voight trusted Kris — yet, it didn't mean Hailey would trust him

• "C.I Bishop" that's what Ruzek called him. No long after, Hailey figured out why he had this title: during his patrol days, Kris assigned more C.Is and got confessions for many cases. Suspects would talk to him as if he was a priest in the confessional. No wonder he was selected for the first team of the Special Investigations Unit. Few years later, FBI itself selected him and took him to N.Y

• Voight and Platt treated him with respect and warmth; it was unusual to see Trudy being chatty and asking about his daughters nearly every time Kris passed by; Voight would do the same thing, and worse: many times, he would take Kris to his office for some sort of secretive conversation. Hailey could only watch them

• Adam was willing to be his partner; Torres was making up theories Kris very often agreed with; Voight trusted him completely — and it was clear that Kris wasn't excited about getting a desk for himself. But the Sargent teamed him up with Hailey, and the man occupied Jay's former table with discomfort. They both had to admit, it was awkward

Partnership

• There was something off about him, Hailey could tell. No one could possibly be so balanced, light headed and calm as Kris . No true profiler or police officer could be so easy going while watching and analyzing the most horrible scenes she has ever seen. He looked like a pshyco, staring at the crime scenes and victims with a totally blank face. Another odd thing: he didn't come up with any theories on the first days, even though this was his only job

• He looked, sounded, and behaved like a lie, a fraud. And this case was too important for him to mess everything up. Hailey felt she had no other option: she started to investigate him

• It didn't take long until she figured out: his wife suspiciously passed away four years ago; he left FBI for unknown reasons; he has the guardianship of two girls: Amber, 6, his daughter, and Tessa, 14, his niece. She could find nothing about Tessa's mother. He had brilliant ratings and few complaints. On the paper, he was one of the best police officers Hailey has ever known — who suddenly gave up everything to work at a rehab center. He was either an angel or a demon running from his past

• Another problem: he had a juvenile reccord, which required autorization to be accesed. He came to Chicago when he was 17, and got in trouble just a few days after arriving. The only thing Hailey could discover: Voight took care of his case

A bit more about the plot:

"I have a clue." He spoke out of the sudden as soon as the shift began. His eyes shone with an unsettling energy. "A theory, more precisely." He walked over to the board. "The animal-based accelerator, the abandoned factories and now companies. It's evolving, growing like a story-line." The whole unit looked at Kris with confusion. "I looked up the first arsons again. All the buildings once were public places, hospitals, secretariats, stations and so on." They asked how the companies buildings would fit into that, and he went on "They don't aim at the people, but at what the place symbols. At 3 a.m, they go to old community centers, lock whoever is in up, and set fires to it." Silence again. "Mission-oriented type of serial killers. I'm just missing their manifest." "Why you keep saying them?" The team asked. "It's a group. Probably white, young men, trying to make a statement for the whole town to see." Adam, Kim and Kevin glanced at each other, all of them confused and surprised. Voight, Torres and Upton stared straight at Kris. "I made up a list of possible next targets. They might act tomorrow." Then, without questioning, Voight said "So let's get ready."

[heytaewrites]

Little Secret

Authors Note:

Inspired by this Tik tok of Dante Torres

My first official post on Tumblr (I got bullied with love to post this)

Warnings: mentions of former relationship, Smut, Oral (Fem receiving), P in V. I think that is it.

~~

‘Why are you bringing me to the police station with you?” Rickki complained, “I could be at my apartment doing literally anything else.”

            Shonte rolled her eyes, “You need to get out of the house. Jay is not going to be there, he’s out during surveillance with Hailey, he’s not slated to be back for a couple of hours.”

            Rickki sighed as she tore her eyes from her phone and began looking outside, but she remained silent.

Fuck Jay

Shonte stopped at the red light grabbing her little sister’s hand, “Hey, I will forever die on the hill that Halstead didn’t deserve you, but Kevin is worried about you, and he asked me to bring you, he’s worried about his little sis-in-law.”

The break-up between Halstead and Rickki was difficult to say the least, and Kevin felt responsible for the cause of Rickki’s pain since he was the one to introduce them.

However, Rickki wasn’t one to put the blame on nobody else but her.

            Nobody told her to fall for Jay and nobody told her to put up with his bi-polar ass attitude she decided to do that on her own.

However, once the arguments began to seep in and the breaking of the dishes started to commence, she decided to end things once and for all.

            That decision was finalized eight months ago, and she has been avoiding the Chicago Police Department like the plague.

Until today.

            “I know, Vanessa called me the other day because I missed family movie night. Kevin knows I don’t blame him for how things ended between Jay and I right? Kevin thought he was doing the right thing; nobody ever knows how a relationship will turn out in the end.” Rickki spoke, “I just needed to get my mind right and let myself know that the break-up was not my fault.”

            Shonte nodded as she listened to her sister’s rationale, she was never a fan of Halstead even when he was with Rickki, she always felt Jay and Rickki were on two different spectrums.

            That could just be the big sister in her talking, she never felt no man was good enough for her little sister.

~

The duo walked inside the police department as they took the stairs up to the Intelligence Unit, Rickki looked around at the desks aligned in the front with papers and folders scattered on every desk, the faded white board was barren, flipped to hide anything that was on the bulletin board on the back.

            “Are we supposed to be up here? This feels illegal.” Rickki whispered towards Shonte.

            “If they were working on something that was exposed, Trudy wouldn’t have sent us up.” Shonte spoke.

The pitter pat of feet came behind them as Shonte broke out into a huge grin.

Kevin scooped Shonte in his arms giving her kiss, “I missed you baby, how have you been?”

            “Lonely.” Shonte spoke, feeling the warmth of her lover’s embrace, “You got a lot of making up to do tonight.”

Kevin’s teeth bit into his thick bottom lip as he arched an eyebrow, “Is that so?”

“Okay ew.” Rickki interjected, “The sexual tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife.” Rickki gagged.

Kevin smiled sheepishly, “My bad lil sis, I ain’t even see you there.”

            Rickki laughed, “Of course you didn’t Kev.  You and my sister were too busy eye-fucking each other. I just know next time I’m staying in the car.”

Kevin laughed as he pulled Rickki into a hug, “It’s good to see you, how have you been?” Kevin asked his voice hinted with concern.

            “For the millionth time, I am okay Kev. I don’t blame you for what happened between Jay and I, I’m fine. I promise.”

            Kevin studied her wearily, “If you say so, just gimmie the word and I’ll whoop his ass off the clock of course.”

Rickki laughed, “That won’t be needed Kev, trust he didn’t hurt me that bad.”

Voight’s loud raspy voice was distinctly heard from downstairs, signaling the group had just come back from the stake-out op.

            “Ladies let me move ya’ll to the break room.” Kevin spoke wrapping his muscular arms around the ladies guiding them out of the office.

Rickki and Shonte sat in the breakroom where a pot of coffee was brewing, the smell of roasted coffee fragranced the room.

“If I knew we were going to be sitting in here like this I would’ve brought snacks.” Rickki complained, “They do not have nothing in here to eat.”

            Shonte laughed at her sister as Rickki furrowed her eyebrows, “I am a starving woman, that shit is not funny.”

Shonte smiled, “You’re very dramatic. I know Kevin keeps a bag of snickers in his locker, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you take a few.”

Rickki’s frown deepened, “I cannot just wonder around the police department are you insane?”

Shonte rolled her eyes, “Girl live a little damn. You’re so damn precautious. Kev’s locker is literally by the staircase in the back. The locker room is empty, nobody will see you in there. Just a quick pop-in and out.”

Rickki pushed away from the table as she mumbled something under her breath as she exited the breakroom making a beeline for the staircase that takes her into the basement where the lockers are located.

Spotting Kevin’s name on the locker she began approaching it when she heard the creaking of another metal locker opening.

Her heart jumped, scooting to the middle aisle of the row of lockers, she let out a soft gasp.

The handsome stranger had his hand planted on either side of the locker with his head down as his back muscles flexed showcasing the cross tattoo that was inked on his back.

            His back relaxed showing the full detail of the cross on his back and the other tattoo that lay perfectly on the back of his neck.

            “Holy shit.” She cussed

She didn’t even know the name of the handsome stranger, yet she was ogling the man’s tattooed back.

            The comment made the man look up and turn around, Rickki couldn’t help but stare at the man in front of her

Shit

The quiet man eyed her suspiciously as he took her in as well, “Can I help you?” he spoke softly, grabbing his white t-shirt out his locker and putting it on

            “I-I’m sorry. I did not mean to look at you, I just came to get some snickers out of Kevin’s locker, and I got distracted by your, um art.”

            The man’s lips quirked into a brief smirk as he crossed his arms across his chest, “You were looking at my art? You sure you weren’t checking me out?” The soft edge to his teasing tone made Rickki blush.

            Busted.

“Okay. I was. That’s not a crime.” She spoke, “Unless you’re in a relationship then i-“

            “I’m not.”

            “Good.” Rickki spoke, “I mean just for the simple fact that you are single because this would have been really awkward.” Rickki rambled.

            Dante’s eyes stared into her’s as if he was searching for something, her dilated pupils staring back at him.

Something inside of him was pulling him towards her and he couldn’t quite explain what it is. However, the longer Rickki stared at him the more intense that urge felt

            “I’m Rickki.”

            “I’m Dante. Dante Torres.” He introduced his accent slightly coming through like butter.

            “Could I take you out for a drink, as an apology?” Rickki questioned.

            “You know you aren’t the first woman to check me out right?” Dante questioned.

            “I know that, but I’m probably one of the few who’s offered to take you out for drinks.” Rickki countered, “Feel free to say no, it’s not the first time I got rej-“

            “Seven.” Dante cut her off, “I finish my shift at seven. Give me your phone.” Dante spoke.

            Rickki unlocked her phone as she handed it to him.

Dante began typing his information in and he sent himself a text message to make sure he had her number.

            Taking her phone back their fingers temporarily brushed against each other as a spark was ignited between the two.

Rickki cleared her throat attempting to play it off, “I would’ve texted you myself, you know?”

Dante gave her a soft smile, “I wasn’t too sure. Had to make sure I get my free drink.”

            Rickki smiled warmly and wiggled her phone, “I’ll be sure to text you after you get off.”

Dante nodded at her, “I’m sure you will.”

~

Rickki sat at the bar as seven-thirty rolled around, she had texted Dante that they were meeting at Lucy’s. Dante approached the bar as he sat next to her.

            “Sorry to keep you waiting.” He apologized,

Rickki shook her head in understanding, “I already know how cop life is. Kevin tells me about the long hours of the job.”

Dante ordered his beer as Rickki and him sat in a comfortable silence.

            “Why did you agree to come out with me for a drink?” Rickki questioned.

            “I wouldn’t turn down a free beer.” Dante replied, “Isn’t it obvious?”

Rickki grinned and rolled her eyes, “Well, I thank you for coming out with me tonight. I appreciate it.”

            Dante smiled slightly that she humored his poor taste of a joke, Rickki stared at her drink before glancing at Dante.

            “I have a feeling you don’t go out much.”

This earned a chuckle out of Dante as he nodded, “I don’t, not much anyway, I sometimes go out with Adam and Kevin for beers here and there, but I mostly go home and spend time with my Ma.”

            Rickki’s eyes were focused on Dante as she listened to him talk, his eyes seemed to brighten up at the mention of his mom which made her smile.

            “Tell me about you and your ma.” Rickki inquired

Dante sipped his beer as he looked at Rickki, “You really want to hear me talk about my Ma?” Dante questioned.

            Rickki nodded enthusiastically, “I do. You live with her?”

Dante nodded, “I do. I help take care of her. My ma is the most important woman to me, she helped shaped me into the man I am today. She’s one of the main reasons I became a cop. I wanted to do better by her and to better myself.”

            Rickki’s eyes never wavered because it’s from Dante’s, completely opposite of how she was in the locker room, her attentiveness to him was calming and it relaxed Dante.

            “I’m sure your Ma is very proud of you Dante. I know we just met but- “Rickki paused momentarily, “Don’t ever doubt that your mom isn’t proud of you, especially if you changed your life around for the better. “Rickki finished.

Dante was silent as he sipped his beer, Rickki didn’t even know him, and she was already showcasing genuine kindness to him.

            “You don’t even know me.” Dante spoke as he looked over at her to his surprise Rickki was already looking at him.

            “I mean... I want to. You’re tattooed, fit, and a man with a buzzcut. Not to mention fine as fuck.” Rickki spoke, “You’re the total package, but aside from that just how you spoke about your mom with such gentle kindness and bright eyes tells me you were raised right, and that in itself is the most attractive feature of all.”

Dante smiled at her, a genuine one.

            “Oh, he smiles now. I think I’m making progress.” Rickki teased.

Dante chuckled as he felt his guard lower, he felt comfortable in her presence.

            “You want to know more about my Ma?” Dante questioned.

Rickki nodded and smiled her eyes shining brightly, “Yes, whatever you’re comfortable sharing with me.”

            Dante scooted his stool closer to Rickki’s leaning closer to her face, “Even if we’re here all night?”

Rickki smiled at him, “I got nothing but time pretty boy.”

Dante smiled at her as he sipped his beer.

The night becoming suddenly intimate between the two as Dante began recounting the memories of his childhood and how his mom preserved through all their hardships.

And the duo was there until the bar closed

~

Dante’s arm firmly wrapped around Rickki’s waist as Dante’s arm flexed against her, Rickki could smell his faint cologne, feeling flush against him, Dante was guiding her towards the local 24-hour diner.

Which was Dante’s treat because Rickki would not let him pay the tab for the drinks

Holding the door open for Rickki, as she detached herself from his grip had Dante itching to have her back in his grasp, but he relented as she walked through the door.

“You know you didn’t have to feed me.” Rickki spoke as they sat across from each other in a cozy nestled booth.

“I don’t like for you to pay when you’re out with me.” Dante responded, “I always pick up the tab.”

Rickki smiled as she rolled her eyes slightly, “But I invited you out remember?”

            “My intention wasn’t to have you pay.” Dante spoke, “My mom would beat me if she found out I went out on a date and my date paid.”

Rickki cheesed as she ducked her head down into the menu, “Mmm.. Who said this was a date?”

Dante chuckled, “I did.”

            “Oh, dominant, are we? I like that.” Rickki grinned at him.

The diner was relatively quiet, truckers mostly occupied the space, roasted coffee and the waft of sweet syrup filled the dinner.

            Dante smiled as he studied Rickki, her eyes skimming the menu, “Do you know what you want?”

“I don’t, you should order for me.” Rickki spoke as she closed the menu.

Dante nodded as he got out from the booth, walking over to the counter he placed their order and returned promptly to his seat.

            “So tell me about you, Rickki.”

Rickki drummed her fingers on the table, “I have a dog named Lyla. That girl is the light of my life.” Rickki spoke.

Tapping on her phone screen, she lifted up her phone and showed Dante an all white dog with deep blue eyes, Rickki had her arm snug around her as they smiled brightly into the camera

The photo made Dante smile, “She’s a beautiful lady.”

Rickki grinned, “She is. I traveled state lines for her two years ago. I’d do it all over again.”

Dante nodded as Rickki seemed hesitant to continue speaking, Dante instinctively reached across the table and grabbed her hand rubbing her knuckles lovingly.

“Keep talking, I love hearing you talk.”

Rickki looked taken aback as she curled her fingers, grasping Dante’s hand

Dante offered her a smile, “I’m serious.”

Rickki smiled as she tightened her grip on his hand

“Lyla has gotten me through some tough times in my life the past two years, I don’t know what I would do without her.” Rickki spoke

Dante nodded as he watched her, “Do you want to talk about it?”

Rickki nibbled her bottom lip, “Well I-“

“Two bacon cheeseburgers with the house special cream soda?” The waitress asked unknowingly cutting Rickki off

Rickki looked over at Dante as he nodded at the waitress, “Yeah, this is ours.”

The waitress smiled warmly as she sat food on the table, “You two enjoy your food.”

With a wink the waitress went back to servicing other tables

Rickki smiled looking at the food, “This looks amazing.”

Dante smiled, noting to himself to remind her to pick up where she left off.

~

Or so he thought he would.

Dante did not know how the hell he ended up in this situation, but he certainly was not complaining.

It started with the innocent small touches, hand caresses, and hip grabs throughout their conversations from the diner to the car, then creeped up to small kisses that escalated to full blown make out sessions in the elevator of her apartment building.

That now lead to Dante being in Rickki’s apartment in between her legs feasting on what she had to offer.

She was so sweet and so addicting, her moans had Dante on edge.

            Fuck

Rickki’s hand was placed on the back of Dante’s neck as she moaned out, “Fuuck..”

Dante groaned as he momentarily pulled away from her paradise eager to go back inside.

            “You taste so fucking good baby.” Dante rasped out; his eyes dark as he flicked his tongue against her clit which made Rickki shiver.

Sucking her clit back into his mouth made Rickki arch her back off the bed as broken sobs seeped from her lips.

“Dante I’m cumming!” Rickki exclaimed.

Dante looked up at her as he continued to ravish her, he wanted to watch her fall apart on his tongue.

Rickki cried out as her orgasm overcame her.

            “So pretty...” Dante praised as he continued to lick and suck her through her orgasm.

            “Baby..” She cried out, “It’s too much.”

Dante heard her plea as he decided to spare her for now, he began kissing up her stomach to her breast swirling his tongue around her brown nipple.

Rickki moaned out, she felt her body was on fire, everywhere Dante kissed or sucked on she felt that her body was on the brink of an orgasm.

This man was going to drive her insane

Kissing up from her breast, Dante hovered over Rickki’s face pecking her lips briefly, "You're so beautiful."

Rickki pulled Dante down and kissed him, feeling Dante’s erection rub up against her inner thigh, made her moan.

            He felt so thick and heavy, the thought of him being inside of her made shivers go down her spine.

Dante’s dick twitched up against her thigh as Rickki sucked on his tongue earning a moan from Dante, and he parted their lips momentarily,

“Quiero ser tuyo..” (I want to be yours.) Dante rasped out his eyes staring into Rickki’s, “It mean-“

            “Quiero que me hagas tuyo” (I want you to make me yours) Rickki responded, pecking his lips lightly.

Dante kissed her deeply as he spread her legs wide, pulling away from her momentarily he discarded his boxers, letting his dick spring free, erect, and dripping with precum.

Rickki looked at the thick muscle as she propped herself up on her elbows, “Shit..” Her eyes never swaying from in between Dante’s legs

Until he cupped her face making her look at him, his green eyes were darkened with lust but also with a hint of admiration

            “You want me, Princess?” Dante questioned

Rickki nodded, “Yes, Dante please.”

Dante kissed Rickki once more as he gently pushed her on her back, lining up his dick between her slick folds, pushing inside of her the couple moaned in unison.

Rickki’s hands gripped the sheets as Dante’s hips began creating a slow pace, having a strong grip on the back of her thighs.

“Faster...” Rickki moaned out lowly.

Dante increased his speed as Rickki let out a loud moan earning a grin from the male, he watched as Rickki surrendered to the pleasure.

“Feels good mama?” Dante groaned out as he slammed into her.

            Mmm-Fuck!” Rickki moaned out

Stilling his hips slowly, Rickki’s eyes popped opened looking at her lover

            “Dante..” She whined out

His fingers teasing her clit, “I asked you a questioned Princess, I’d like an answer.”

Rickki’s mouth fell agape as Dante angled his hips stroking her sweet spot

“Answer me or I’m pulling out.” Dante demanded

“No!” She cried out, “It feels so good.”

Dante smiled as he leaned down and kissed her, “Good girl..”

Dante increased his pace once again as he began kissing her as he fucked her into the mattress. The pleasure was too much as Rickki’s muscle tightened around his dick

            “Dante..” She moaned, “I-I..”

Dante pressed his lips against Rickki’s silencing her plea

            “Just let it happen baby.” Dante mumbled into her lips, “Fall apart f’me.”

Rickki’s nails dug into his back as she felt his muscles tighten beneath her fingers tips as she cummed around his thick muscle

Fucking her through her orgasm as the kiss became sloppy, Dante’s hips stuttered as he felt his own orgasm approaching

            “Fuck Dante, just like that..” She rasped out as tears filled her vision

“Fuuck..” Dante groaned out as he cummed inside of Rickki

Collapsing on top of Rickki, her hand rubbed the back of his neck as he peppered her chest and neck with kisses

The two cuddled in a comfortable silence as Dante looked up at her, “I want to see you again, take you out on a proper date.” Dante spoke

Rickki grinned at him, “I think we hit all the bases tonight, didn’t we?” she teased

Dante playfully rolled his eyes, “You know what I mean.”

Rickki smiled at him, “I know, and I’d like to go out on another date with you.”

Dante smiled as he leaned up and kissed her once more, “But in the meantime..” he trailed off as his dick began twitching inside of her, “I think you need another round or two, just to make sure I convinced you good enough.”

            Rickki let out a laugh as she kissed him, “I think so too..”

This was going to be Dante and Rickki’s little secret.

[samantha-chicago]

Meet The Boyfriend

Summary: Your family meets your boyfriend and his family

Pairing:  OC x Dante Torres

Warning/s: Mentions of officer down?

A/N: I don't know anything about Dante so I made basically everything up. I've not caught up on Chicago PD and it would take me far to long to catch up and I wanted to write it while it was still in my head so hear it is.

It was just a met each others family thing. Like before a wedding they've got to meet each other except for the fact that we are not getting married and we're only doing this because our families are massive. Dante was the best boyfriend I could ever ask for. I just hope that my brothers can actually see that.

I stood in my bedroom redoing my make up almost like an anxiety thing. My brothers and parents downstairs in the living room and Dante coming with his family and siblings. I had heard my brothers coming in but I hadn't been down to see them yet. I looked over as my bedroom door opened honestly expecting it to be my niece and nephew. I was surprised when I saw my sister in law standing there.

"So I'm coming to get some information without James being about" Donna chuckled standing next to me as I fixed my make up.

"What kind of information do you want?" I asked looking at her

"What's he like? Is he good to you? All that kind of stuff" She answered as there was a car pull up outside the house. I looked out the window thankful I didn't have to answer all of those questions

"Oh is that him? Is it?" She asked looking out the window. I nodded

"Your brothers got you a gift for passing the detective test" My mother explained as I walked into the living room. I sent my brothers a weary look as they passed the brown gift bag between them. I looked at Donna who was smiling. The gift was definitely her idea then that makes me less worried. I walked over

"Yeah. Him, his brothers and mother." I replied and Donna basically ran out of the room. I shook my head with a chuckle as I looked at my Lock Screen. The picture of Dante and I from the day that I passed my detective test.

I walked downstairs once I heard that everyone was already in the house. I had already met Dantes' family when he had a panic that his family wasn't answering their phones. I walked downstairs absolutely terrified of what my brothers were going to say.

"Come on then Sarah" James chuckled as I took the wrapped box out of the bag and started opening it. I opened the box looking between my two brothers and then my two sister in laws. All of them were laughing at the mug they had got me. I shook my head

"Let me guess. James and George decided on it" I chuckled, shaking my head as both of my brothers pointed to each other. I walked through to the kitchen with it

"No making out in the kitchen" George called and I turned around pointing to Dante on the couch before his brother who was in the kitchen helping our mom make tea and coffees.

"What?" He asked frowning

"So Sarah, how did you two meet?" James asked and I sent him a look

"Boyfriend" I started pointing to Dante

"Boyfriends brother" I finished sending him a look as George shut up. I put the mug in the sink before walking out

"Two words. Police officers" I answered, sending him a look as if to say are you dumb. Both Dante and I were on call out today. Both wearing our badges. Dante had his gun on his hip and his radio.

"Well sorry I don't listen to the boring details" He mumbled as I sat next to Dante

"We met while Dante was on patrol. Then he moved up to intelligence. There the boring details" I replied

"Sarah you're looking healthy" Dantes mom smiled

"Thank you" I replied.

"Auntie Sarah can you take us to the park please auntie Sarah" Maya begged looking at me

"Why don't you go get your coat on and Dante can come with us" I nodded. Basically leaving the house so that my brothers can definitely argue about who's going to protect me more. Even though they're both mechanics and I'm the detective. I got up looking at Dante

"Do you have your radio love?" I asked him as he got up

"So how did that go?" Dante asked me

"I do. It's in my coat" He smiled and I nodded, pulling my own coat on with my heeled boots.

Maya and Milo ran over both taking a hand of mine and pulling me out the house. I am the fun auntie mainly because I am the youngest. They pulled me over to the park which was thankfully over the road. Dante followed behind us that goofy smile on his face. The kids let my hands go as we got to the park, the pair of them instantly running over to the slide. Dante wrapped his arms around my waist as I smiled up to him as he leaned down kissing me.

"I don't know to be honest. My brothers are hard to read unless they're happy. Quite funny when they thought that you were your brother" I chuckled seeing his face

"Had to hide how jealous I was" He whispered and I smiled

"You're the only Torres I want" I hummed and he kissed me leaning down. Our moment interrupted by his radio

"10-1 10-1. Officer down. 5021 Henry is down. I repeat 50-21 Henry is down" Dante and I looked at each other before running back over to the house. I ran inside to the living room.

"James look after your kids" I ordered opening my gun safe grabbing my gun and putting it in my holster before grabbing my radio

"50-21 ocean responding plain clothed officer responding " Dante radioed

"50-21 Frank responding. Plain clothed officer" Both of us ran out of the house jumping in my car as Dante had come with his family. I started driving to the address that came up on my screen. Dante put his bullet proof vest on keeping one in my car as we were partners before putting mine on as I drove.

"50-21 ocean and frank on science. Alert all resounding officers plain clothed officers on scene." Dante radioed as we both got out of the car. I ran over to Hailey while Dante ran to help Jay.

"I'm fine. It's the vest" Hailey pushed my hands away

"Upton I'm going to check you out anyway" I replied taking her vest off to make sure it just caught the vest and nothing else

[m00nz-artpad]

Introducing; the girls!

Olivia (top left), Jules (top right), Alexi (bottom left), and Alyssa (bottom right).

They are my four major OCs. Olivia is for X-Men (and basically whatever other crazy AU I create bc I am mentally ill) Alexi is a Bully/GTA OC, Jules is my Gorillaz OC, and Alyssa is my major comfort OC - and oldest - being for Devil May Cry, My Babysitter's a Vampire, and Supernatural.

For anyone who doesn't know these lovely ladies, here's the basic rundown of each leading woman:

Alyssa Redgrave, being the oldest and most updated OC I have, is Dante's daughter. Her age often spans from fourteen up to mid-twenties. She's a nephilim in the same vain as DMC: Devil May Cry Dante and Vergil, and even has the same sort of shit attitude as him, as she was based off of him. She's half devil and half archangel and in the SPN storyline, she's very close to Gabriel and Castiel as they are her family. Lucifer is consistently trying to convince her to "let go" because she's still very terrified of her demon half, thus giving her a consistent moral dilemma of whether to follow in Dante's footsteps or take her own path. She's also extremely traumatized due to the horrors she's faced ever since she was a child.

Juliette "Jules" Tusspot is 2-D's little sister. She's a rhythm guitarist for the band and has a very, VERY complicated relationship with Murdoc. She's the second oldest OC I have and is one who's changed the most over the years. Initially she was just an outlier in the story, but she has since taken up her own storyline as not only a musician but also a mother, being the only OC I have who canonically has a child. She's also the kindest out of the girls, making her very likely to be the most pleasant to be around.

Alexi Castillo Torres is the second youngest, her story starting from the age of fifteen and going up into her twenties and thirties. She's obsessed with Tiffany Valentine and actively tries to look like her. She's Colombian and is the daughter of an infamous criminal who sent her to Bullworth Academy solely to keep her safe. After graduation, she moves to Los Santos and begins a life of crime where she becomes a dangerous and powerful crime boss.

Olivia Hope Howlett is a much more recent OC. Created for X-Men, her story takes place within three different fandoms primarily (at least for her canon storyline); X-Men, Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2, and Heroes NBC. She's a former outlaw who had suffered from amnesia and was close with Arthur, so much so that she viewed him as her older brother and protector. She was also in love with Javier Escuella and the two even got married in the early 1900's after she freed him from execution. She has witnessed everyone around her die and suffers from immense trauma from it, and after promise from William Stryker that her memories would be erased she joined the Weapon X program. However, something went horribly wrong and she became the first "business mistake" for the program as she ended up murdering everyone who got too close to her due to her feral rage (essentially Logan's bezerker rage) being untamed and extremely dangerous. After this, she lives as a drifter for a long time before settling down in New York and beginning to work as a waitress. She meets Peter Petrelli and they form a very close relationship, one that Olivia is scared of because everyone she loves dies. Liv's entire storyline is one of the more fleshed out and intense storylines of all four of the characters and much like Logan, she suffers from extreme and intense trauma and has an equally bad attitude.

[inklore]

— 𝐅𝐀𝐐 ⋆ ˚｡

this blog is strictly multifandom, but that does not mean that i don’t play favorites for certain fandoms/characters. so there will most definitely be more writings for certain characters and fandoms.

requests: are closed, but thots are always welcome!

in no way shape or form should minors be interacting with anything on or posted to this blog. this is an 18+ space. anon hate and celebrity discourse also has no place here, so please respect that. if you are racist, homophobic, bigoted, zionist, islamphobic, judgmental to what people enjoy writing/reading, can’t depict fiction from real life, you will be blocked.

𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞…

rpf, necrophilia, incest, pregnancy, daddy/little play, age play, spitting, kitten, bimbo!reader, foot fetish, animal play, race play, watersports, underage scenarios, alpha/omega, domestic violence, kid fics, male!character x male!oc, i hate the word ‘doll’ as a pet name so i avoid it like the plague.

𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞…

smut (refer to the above list when it comes to this), fluff, age gaps, poly/threesome+, reverse harem, dubcon, noncon, yandere, toy play, cheating (to a certain degree), blood play, knife play, some bdsm, breath play, violence, gore, capture x captive, hunter/prey, praise and degradation, power imbalance, step siblings, supernatural, villainary, choking, mommy/daddy kink (to an extent).

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐒.

marvel ↷

miguel o’hara, hobie brown, marc spector, thor odinson, loki laufeyson, peter parker (all variants), yelena belova, joaquin torres, doctor strange, wade wilson, carol danvers, eddie brock, scott lang, hope van dyne, kate bishop, hela, pietro maximoff, logan howlett, wanda maximoff, steve rogers, kraven, cable, druig, makkari, thena, blade

dc universe ↷

dinah lance/black canary, diana prince, clark kent, pamela isley/poison ivy, arthur curry/aquaman, harley quinn, adrian chase, pattinson!bruce wayne, edward nashton/the riddler

top gun: maverick ↷

jake 'hangman' seresin, bradley 'rooster' bradshaw, javy 'coyote' machado, mickey 'fanboy' garcia, natasha 'phoenix' trace, beau 'cyclone' simpson, reuben 'payback' fitch

star wars ↷

poe dameron, finn, kylo ren/ben solo, bo-katan kryze, din djarin, young!han solo

scream ↷

ethan landry, stu macher, billy loomis, chad meeks-martin, mindy meeks-martin, amber freeman, tara carpenter

bridgerton ↷

anthony bridgerton, colin bridgerton, benedict bridgerton, kate sharma, simon basset, phillip crane

house of the dragon ↷

ser harwin strong, daemon targaryen, aemond targaryen, rhaenyra targaryen

american horror story ↷

cordelia goode, tristan duffy, michael langdon, harry gardner, madison montgomery, kit walker, xavier plympton, ally mayfair-richards

etc shows ↷

villanelle, lip gallagher, tommy miller, carmy berzatto, luca (the bear), kate parks, daisy jones, billy dunne, warren rhodes, geralt of rivia, love quinn, max wolfe, olivia benson, roman godfrey, dream the endless, lucifer (sandman), jonathan pine, mira phillips, the salesman (squid game), hwang jun ho (squid game), kim geon-woo (bloodhounds)

movies ↷

john wick, finnick odair, peeta mellark, johanna mason, han lue, cipher, walter de ville, tangerine, dave lizewski, thomas sharpe, james conrad, neil (tenet), edward cullen, millie / molotovgirl, dante reyes, thrandull, steve kemp, charlie swan, marquis vincent de gramont, keys (free guy), akira (john wick), beverly marsh (it two), ben hanscom (it two), keith (barbarian), frank (don't worry darling)

adam driver ↷

kylo ren/ben solo, adam sackler, flip zimmerman, phillip altman, charlie barber, henry mchenry, commander mills, rick smolan, officer ronnie peterson, matt the radar technician, clyde logan, paterson, jude

oscar isaac ↷

santiago garcia, poe dameron, nathan bateman, jonathan levy, william tell, blue jones, rydel keener

pedro pascal ↷

din djarin, javier peña, frankie morales, javi gutierrez, joel miller, dieter bravo

chris evans ↷

ransom drysdale, lloyd hansen, andy barber, ari levinson, frank adler, steve rogers, jake wyler

[cloveroctobers]

DANTE TORRES | FOLDER TWO: SLIPPIN’

A/N: Not me keeping a story going! Is this going to give, *Sidney’s voice*, “Don’t f-ck with the original!” Or what? I haven’t done chapters or books since my wattpad era 🤭 Guess you have Dante to thank for that! If you’re just tuning in, hope you’re somewhere comfy and you can start here.

S/N: premiere night gave what it needed to give! I’m enjoying learning more about Kiana, she’s cool in my book! I’m most interested in seeing the one Chicago crossover episode—which may or may not inspire some more content…who knows as of right now? I also originally had no plans of writing something new until February but consider this a new year’s gift? 🩵

WARNINGS: Doing what I do best! delivering angst, lots of dialogue in this one, kinda lengthy, most likely language, talks of health risk, revisiting the past, and some reconciliation?

<- need a refresher? Read the previous piece here.

﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉

Seraphina stands in front of the window, fingertips kept warm with a cup of tea as she zoned out on the view of Kansas City. A town that just felt temporary, a place where she would solely be a visitor passing through without leaving any marks behind. It’s been six months since she decided to take a leap and move to Jersey City to begin again. Unbeknownst to her she wouldn’t realize that her time elsewhere would possibly be short lived, receiving a disturbing call that brought her back to the Midwest.

She feels her phone buzz in her back pocket, breaking her out of her gaze from the pelts of rain that flicked against the glass. Blinking Seraphina pulls her phone to see a text from Manny, checking where she’s at and if she’s okay, which lets her know that she’s been on her walk for a while now. The woman lets out a soft exhale, quickly typing out a reply that she’s on her way back now. Yet she stands at the window for a minute longer, dreading the fact that she’s even here and that this will be another mountain to climb.

Sipping at the herbal tea, which warms her, she takes that as a step of courage before she turns, somewhat prepared to continue to get through this and of course be supportive to the man who always had a interesting way to teach her about love.

If one could call it that.

There’s a heat that appears in her throat at the thought that isn’t granted from the tea but she fights against it. Seraphina is aware that now isn’t the time to be selfish about the past, since she’s come a long way in this relationship. Once her eyes lift and connect with familar spring green’s, her breathing gets caught in her throat at the sight of the man.

She speaks first, “Dante?”

They’re both frozen in place in the eerie hallway, his hands are in his pockets and he almost appears like a deer in headlights, removing one hand from his pocket to rub at the back of his neck but manages to breathe out, “Hey, Nina.”

It’s that normal quiet tone of his voice that almost feels like a whisper, which somehow makes her feel like all will be fine against the sudden chill that whips from the back of Seraphina’s frame. Dante can see her shudder, whether it’s from his presence or the mere fact that she’s here in a hospital, he’s not quite sure.

He’s the first to move and Seraphina allows him to come to her. He still gives her some space but he’s close enough to see that her hair is different, much different, shorter and a light brown—almost caramel—compared to her usual dark hair, that she stopped letting grow too long awhile ago, becoming tired of having to tend to so much hair especially working as a chemist. Dante can also see beneath her beauty that there’s worry right in between her brows, she’s always had the best poker face but he can only imagine what she’s holding onto when no one’s watching.

“You changed your hair,” Dante points out, a small smile playing on his lips as he attempts to keep things light.

Seraphina begins to breathe normally, “I did. You like it?”

She’s not sure why she’s asking, she’s never been one to dwell on anyone’s opinions on what she did—except for her father and her old best friend.

The ones that seemed to matter the most.

Dante’s nodding, his eyes moved from her new hair to her face, “It suits you well.”

“Thank you,” she dips her head playing with the lid of the cup, making Dante quickly run his eyes over her fingers, purposely ignoring her nails on a particular hand, yet still wondered what else might have changed in these agonizing months before she tosses in, “…Got any new tattoos I need to know about?”

He laughs a little as he teases, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

The brings a smile to her face as she shrugs her shoulders but says nothing more. They would meet each other’s eyes again before one chose to break it and stare over the other’s shoulder instead. It was tense being face to face after all this time but the two have been through enough storms together to weather it.

“So what brings you to Kansas City?” Seraphina questions, assuming that it must be a case.

Dante moves his hands back into his pockets, “I um…your mom called my ma and told her what’s happening. My ma said a prayer for her—not just her but your family. Then she told me.”

Her throat feels thick at the new information. She hasn’t spoken to Dante at all since she got everything set up in Jersey City before taking her official leave. He was in denial that she actually wanted to leave until he started noticing moving trucks and boxes some time later. After Seraphina found out about the passing of Gloria, she decided that letting go of their friendship might be their best option to move forward in life, they went almost two weeks without speaking after their debate in her bedroom but Dante cracked first.

He apologized and begged her to stay, to not leave him but once Seraphina’s mind was made up, it was almost impossible to change it. Dante had to accept it and it added another mountain of grief he had to deal with on his own. He would call and text just not to receive any response, only to learn that Seraphina was still talking to his mother every so often, which definitely made him want to crash out multiple times.

That was a difficult time and he learned what space really means and from the one person that he never wanted out of his life, was a tough one to swallow. And now he was here.

“You drove all this way for—

“You.” Dante’s response is instant and it makes Seraphina let out a deep breath, “I’m sorry if I’m doing too much but I figured through all of this…you would want someone else here in your corner.”

Dante and Seraphina’s father never had the best relationship. Sure the pair became friends at a young age which was once full of playfulness, bright futures, and adventure before it all quickly changed for the worst. Mr. Coty was big on image and believes that who you surround yourself with said a lot about you and once he realized what Dante’s stepfather was like, he only assumed the worst for Dante. Instead of providing guidance, he brought on preconceived notions of what Dante could be.

He started acting different towards the young boy and once Dante started getting involved with that gang, Seraphina brought home those pills, and Dante beat his step-father so bad that his injuries were unspeakable, Mr. Coty began to despise a young Dante Torres. Years later Dante was here while the older man was at a high risk of declining but Dante could honestly say he wasn’t really here for him—but he would keep that to himself.

“…just tell me what you need from me?” He says after his old friend most likely has so much on her mind that she may not know what to say.

Seraphina’s eyes shine with a number of emotions, for one Dante was here after she went completely cold turkey on him. She set a boundary yet at the same time she still had a piece of him because she didn’t feel right completely cutting momma Catalina off as well. After all Dante had the woman’s first name, “Laura,” tatted on his forearm as a means of always having her near. He wanted to be angry and maybe he was that his mother still had Seraphina around and he was out of luck. Momma Catalina would push just a little until Seraphina had to be firm with her decision to her second mother figure. If you asked Seraphina six months ago what she needed from Dante, her answer would be much different.

Her dark eyes meet his and she finds that he still cares. It was heart warming to witness, honorable even and she wouldn’t forget it. He showed up for her when he didn’t have to and that meant something.

The doors behind Dante flap open, revealing a bearded Manny who looks up from his phone, doing a double take himself. Seraphina catches his questionable eyes first, making Dante the last to peer over his shoulder. Manny gives a single wave but it’s not a beaming smile attached to the usual expression where his eyes crinkle at the corners.

Dante honestly didn’t think the guy would still be in the picture. He did his best to keep his attention on his cases but he couldn’t help but to crack every now and then to get any bit of information he could on Seraphina’s new life now. He already knew that Seán, the still going strong engaged lawyer and good friend of Seraphina’s was now collecting the rent on her property for her so she wouldn’t have to constantly make trips back to Chicago. Dante only wondered if they were on better terms, if he would have been the one tasked with this instead.

There were a bunch of what if’s circulating and it only amplified now, seeing Manny Castillo being here for his Nina instead. Seraphina watched Dante’s jaw tighten at the sight of Manny before he turned back to face her. His eyes quickly shifted back to over her shoulder, rubbing at his jaw in irritation.

A pang of jealousy swirls within his frame because it felt like he was replaced.

“Hey,” Seraphina gently says making his heated stare meet her’s but it softens some, “Thanks for coming when you didn’t have to. It means more than you know, Tay.”

Dante gives a sharp nod.

The short haired woman takes another breath. Something she’s been doing a lot more since she’s been back in the Midwest. Seraphina closes the space between the two, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek and wrapping one arm over his shoulder, waiting for him to hug her back. The tension seems to erase with Seraphina pressed against him, his hands go right to the small of her back, squeezing her as if she’ll slip right through his fingers again.

It’s Manny’s turn to bring his gaze elsewhere. He pinched at his nose but gives the two their moment after seeing Seraphina close her eyes in Dante’s embrace. The hug is over much quicker than Dante would have liked but she touches his face tenderly, offering him an appreciative smile before she walks away from him once more.

Dante is determined to make sure that it’s not out of his life. Six months was more than enough and the time prior, he knew that this isn’t going to work for him. They made promises to each other and sure they were much younger then but devotion wasn’t like dust in the wind.

This relationship couldn’t be swept away.

And Dante was going to show her exactly that.

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Dante had no intent of staying in Kansas City for a lengthy time, it was a spur of the moment action in all honesty. One that Voight could tell it was something Dante needed to take care of so he let it slide for now. Would a weekend be enough to get back on track if the childhood friends could? Part of him knows the focus should be on Seraphina’s father, which he didn’t get the chance to talk to her about before Manny came and whisked her away. He wouldn’t push it but it was most definitely on his mind as he sat alone in the hotel room.

He’s already spoken to his ma, who wanted all of the details but there truthfully wasn’t much to say, which meant he did more listening to the woman than what he revealed. Dante didn’t want to apply too much pressure given the unknown circumstance with Mr. Coty’s health but he would be damned if he left here without trying.

Dante’s stared at her contact name for some time until it appears across his screen on its own, spinning along the top of his phone. He takes time answering it, not wanting to appear too eager that the woman took him off block but hearing her voice may just ease his anxieties. She apologizes about it being so late calling him, informing him that she’s staying the night with her father but asked if Dante would be interested in meeting up in the morning at union station to mainly clear the air, which Dante agreed to.

He just didn’t expect union station to be as huge as it was, something he should have researched before he finally fell into slumber, instead of one hour before the meet up time. (the pictures did it no justice) However with his skills Dante was positive it wouldn’t take him long to find her in the detailed building. The high ceilings made Dante feel almost like a child and the intricate chandeliers were pleasant enough to lead the way as he found his way through to the mentioned coffee shop.

Seraphina had just beat him, taking a seat at the circular table, setting her iced coffee and flaky pastry of choice on the table before checking her phone and using both of her hands to massage at her neck. Soon Dante is making his way over to her, heart thudding in his chest. He tells her not to get up, kissing her cheek in greeting before she tells him he should order something inside before the rush starts.

“Iced mocha?” Dante quizzes as he pushes himself closer to the table.

Seraphina nods before lifting her chin at his hot beverage, “Boring cappuccino?”

He scoffs as he takes a sip at his creamy espresso, “Don’t be a hater so early in the morning, Nina. It’s not a good look.”

She playfully glares at him before she sits back against the chair, eyes deciding to people watch.

“Manny didn’t want to attend this meet up?” He slides that in, voice gentle but there was a hint of bite in it that she would obviously pick up on as he peered over at the woman underneath his eyelashes.

There’s a spec of amusement in Seraphina’s eyes, “No. if you must know, he brought my mom back up to the hospital to stay with my dad and he’s working from my parents’ house.”

“Good for him,” Dante mumbles sarcastically.

She shakes her head at him, “This isn’t necessary you know? He’s a good guy.”

“He better be.” Dante informs while Seraphina tilts her head at him in warning, “Just because I’m not around like I would like to be, doesn’t mean I’ll let anyone get away with treating you less than you deserve.”

She stares at him then, finding his words to be genuine. They’ve been around each other enough to know when their protectiveness was warranted. It was nice to see that this was still true.

“Well…you don’t have to worry about Manny in that department.” Seraphina defends.

“Good.”

“Do you want this entire conversation to be about him…because I can tell you more about him if you like?”

Dante’s quick with it, “I’d rather sit on the train tracks while waiting for a train to come by.”

“…That’s dark.”

A crooked smile plays on his lips, “Sorry.”

“Don’t be, not if you mean it.” Seraphina answers, “…Is it bothering you that much?”

“That you’ve moved on without me?” Dante asks, pushing his lips out in thought, “I just…don’t want you to forget me. These six months have been less than great without you, Nina. It’s not something I really got used to. I even thought about driving to the east coast.”

She presses her elbows onto the table, resting her cheek against her clasped hands, “I think you’d like Jersey city. At least the blending in part.”

“Yeah?”

“It’s not Vancouver but I feel optimistic there…at least for now.” Seraphina admits, reaching for her drink.

‘You should visit someday,’ part of her thinks this but she keeps it only as a thought.

Dante watches her for a moment, taking in her words and how she still thought of him. Perhaps it wasn’t all the time like he often did with her but it brought him comfort to know that she hadn’t forgotten him despite her cutting him off. There were plenty of talks between the once young teens when they snuck into each other’s rooms to lay side by side, staring up at one another’s ceilings as they talked about the future, talked about seeing the world together or even a piece of it that didn’t cut like chicago did.

Back then that was just talks but now Seraphina was taking that step…except Dante was behind her instead of beside her in their adulthood.

“Are you in a house?” Dante keeps the conversation casual, having a feeling that it wouldn’t remain this way.

Seraphina tells, “Back to condo living for me. It just doesn’t make sense for me to get back into buying something when I’m not sure JC is going to be my forever home.”

Dante perks up at this.

“I mean I’ve seen Indiana, KC, Rhode Island, Philly, JC, and of course Chicago—which absolutely is the best city in the world,” she teased with a roll of her eyes which makes Dante grin, “I just don’t want to be stuck anymore, ya know?”

Dante can understand that. He’s spent years growing up beside Seraphina but he’s suddenly starting to realize, being left behind by the person he loved dearly, hurt more than he thought it would.

“Was I…part of what made you feel that way?”

Seraphina swallows, “I can’t say that’s fully on you. I made the choice to keep fighting for more from you when you’ve told me countless of times you couldn’t give me that. You didn’t want that. So part of that is my fault so I won’t solely put the blame on you…I can see that now. It took me leaving to process that, Tay.”

Dante blinks in that way which lets the woman know that he has a lot on his mind too. Something she said in this revelation has him slightly spinning, “It’s not that I didn’t want you. It’s just that I knew I had the potential to hurt you more and I know you didn’t deserve that but I ended up doing it anyway.”

Seraphina deeply inhaled and exhaled, “But don’t you think I should be the one that gets to have a say too? I was willing, I’ve seen you at your worst and your best. Shit, your demons are basically buddies with mine and I still chose to love you. Any chance I took it there, you slipped away, it was only on your terms and it just wasn’t fair.”

“Fair?” Dante pressed his elbows into the table, “What isn’t fair is everything that we’ve been through? Getting shot at, me constantly coming to you to clean me up, the drugs, the accident…me going to juvi? The cards told us all that we needed to know. We wouldn’t make it, Nina. Somewhere if we tried…who knows where our futures would be? It wouldn’t be normal. It would always be something else that ruins us.”

Seraphina chews on her bottom lip, looking away from Dante as he spoke his truth. It really stung to know that he thought so little of the two, of what could be. This was part of his demons, of letting circumstances get in his head. Any time the word future was mentioned, Seraphina automatically thought of her ill father. She went to war with that man over Dante, he would tear him down right in front of her whether Dante was in their home or not. Nonetheless Dante never wanted to be seen as the victim, although he’s never had it easy, he still chose to fight and prove himself.

Why couldn’t he keep that same energy with Seraphina?

When it came to love past the platonic, it only felt like defeat. He was anchored in the past and it was no secret to her, never has been.

“So…now that this friendship is on pause…do you still feel that way? Ruined?” Her words stun Dante as she spun it back on him.

Dante didn’t think it was a vindictive move since there were many factors as to why Seraphina made her big move. She was always the type of person to dance to her own drum, much like Dante who had his impulsive moments but he wasn’t sure how to take this.

“Was that part of the plan?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why say that to me?”

“I’m trying to prove a point,” Seraphina sighs, “You didn’t want to try romance because of fear but we tried friendship, your way and I’m the one who put distance between us. You said it hasn’t been easy and newsflash, it hasn’t for me either but I’ve coped. Learned how to exist without you.”

Dante feels his brows furrow. The woman before him was not entirely the same, she was stronger and harder to reach.

“And I’m sure Manny helped with that.” He finds himself snapping unintentionally.

Seraphina laughs in disbelief, hands going up in the air, “Oh this again! That demon is coming out to play huh? You don’t get to do that. Every small chance that I’ve tried to move on, you’ve had a problem with, when it always could have been you, should have been, you could have solved that but you let your insecurities get in the way.”

Dante lifts his shoulders not denying it, “I can’t help it. I’ve always wanted you to be happy but you and I both know they’re not worth your time.”

“…and why’s that?”

Dante blows out a breath, letting his back hit the chair, “Because we belong together…probably in every lifetime but I failed this one by giving my love to someone else.”

Seraphina felt like her heartbeat was in her stomach at Dante’s vulnerability. She didn’t think this conversation would be a walk in the park by any means but she also didn’t expect Dante to say this.

“Now you say that?” Seraphina managed to get out around shaky breath, “And I’m just supposed to accept this after all this time?”

Dante shakes his head, “I’m not asking you to be okay with this. You’re my person too, always will be. I’ve been to hell and back with you…I just can’t let you go anymore. It wouldn’t be right.”

“For who? You?” She fired off.

Dante argued, “Mi ma told me at the beginning, every other week that you called her, you cried over me.”

“It wasn’t just you.” Seraphina hissed, “Sure you were a big part of it but starting over by myself is terrifying but I did it. Just like I kept picking myself up every time you rejected me.”

“I didn’t—

“You did.” Seraphina asserts, “You wanted me as your safe space and needed me as your shadow.”

He winced at how blunt she sounded and how she truly believed that’s what he needed her for.

His elbows rest on the table as he leans a little to peer into her eyes, “You’ve never been a shadow, you’ve always been my right hand, my best friend, my soulmate, half of me.”

Seraphina tossed her head back, feeling her eyes burn. “…Dante…you know what they say about having someone be your everything…you won’t know what to do once you lose ‘em.”

“Is that what you want to hear? That I’m lost without you?”

Robin thicke is gagged!

“I don’t want to hear what you think I want to hear.”

“Good because i haven’t done that, not once since I’ve been sitting here. I love you and that’s not ever gonna change. You wanted time, I gave it to you but it’s my turn to fight for us and I’m tapped in.”

“What exactly are you fighting for? A friendship that no longer serves its purpose?”

“No.” Dante feels as if his heart is breaking again, “T-That’s not true and I know you don’t believe that either. You love me too.”

“Course I do! I wouldn’t have thought about raising a child with you after finding out I was—

Her eyes go wide at her rambling and Dante almost forgets how to breathe. He dips his head, trying to catch her eyes but suddenly she finds her iced mocha more interesting.

“You were what?” Dante pried bringing his up knuckles by his mouth, “Don’t try and slide by that, Nina. Tell me.”

Seraphina takes her time meeting Dante’s eyes, “I was pregnant and I miscarried.”

Dante drops his head against his fist. All the background noise was drowned out by the ringing in his ears and his legs began to shake—it was a good thing he was seated. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, how long has she been keeping this a secret from him?

“When?” Dante croaked out before clearing his throat and trying again, “When was this?”

“Some years ago…back when you were in the academy and I was working at the aquarium until I got hired at the lab.” Seraphina explains, playing with the sleeve of her shirt, but the weight didn’t feel completely lifted, it just felt like she shifted it off to the one person who was the last to know.

Should have known.

Dante pressed his fist to his mouth, just gazing at a sadden Seraphina. She thought about that part of their future, creating a family together, and seeing as much of the world as they could. It was right at her fingertips but it just wasn’t meant to be.

“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry you felt like you could never talk to me about our…baby.” There’s tears in his throat and he has to close his eyes since they stung.

He feels her touch against his wrist, patiently waiting for him to meet her eyes.

“…And I’m sorry that I’m adding more to your grief.”

This she means, as she offers him a small smile.

He takes it, freeing one hand to grasp her’s.

They squeeze each other’s hands so tightly, almost as if they were attempting to take away each other’s pain. He wasn’t completely okay with this, he was mixed with so much right now he didn’t know the proper response or if he had a proper one in this moment. Yes this felt like betrayal because she didn’t trust him enough to let him know, that they had the potential to create life together but at the same time she must have felt so alone going through it all.

His voice comes out strained, “You could have told me, you know? You know I would have been there for you but…you left me in the dark for years, Seraphina.”

Seraphina nods, “I…didn’t know how. I thought I was protecting you—us. You already constantly blamed yourself for the accident when we were kids and I just…didn’t want you to beat yourself up anymore over the loss.”

He laughs almost bitterly although his chest aches while he pulls his hand from her’s, “Protecting me is not lying to me. This all makes sense now, you know? Why you’ve held on all this time when you could have shared that with me? I would have been there and I hope you know that now. I thought we were better than that.”

“Well maybe we’re not,” Seraphina scoffs, “This back and forth is always constant. I finally got tired. I’ve always been sure, always wanted more. A baby wouldn’t have fixed your uncertainties even if a part of me hoped it would then.”

Dante sharply turns his head to her, “Who says I’m not sure? If I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t still be here but it was no problem for you to not only walk away but shut me out on that part of your life.”

Seraphina’s shoulder slump at this. She had to take accountability for this and ultimately she regretted holding onto this for so long. She had fear inside of her as well, it was her way of trying to protect Dante like he’s been doing all this time—in his mind. Perhaps it was all a huge chunk of miscommunications and striving to shield each other from more hurt.

Her voice is hushed that even with Dante sitting across from her, he could have missed this, “I’m sorry for that…I think I didn’t want to be more of a burden to you.”

Dante feels his head jerk back at this, “You never were. I just didn’t know how to make you understand that loving you past our friendship could make things worse. I didn’t want that for us. And now learning this…”

He stops, the blended emotions hitting him again as he struggled to clear his throat.

“I wanted to tell you but if I did…I was scared you’d leave me for good.” Seraphina feels her eyes water but she doesn’t dare let them fall.

He’s reaching for her hand again, her other going to wipe at her damp nose, quickly looking away from her old friend, “I would have never left you if you told me that. Yeah, I’ll always feel like it’s my fault that…you’ll never be able to carry but I wouldn’t have left you alone when you needed me the most.”

There’s a deep throbbing sadness in the air but it softens some with a sort of understanding sprouting amongst them. Their friendship was not only full of love but also great fear.

A sob threatens to escape her lips, “I—I started to feel alone in this for some time. Which is why I thought letting go was the best choice. I made it this time.”

Dante hates to hear Seraphina say this to him. However maybe he’s felt the same, in a different way. He knows he loves Seraphina but wouldn’t allow himself to be in love by shutting himself off to that idea. They were supposed to be so much more but years of hurt clouded their judgment in many ways.

“You were never alone,” Dante’s gaze is raw, open, and just as afraid as she is, “I’ve always been right here. I let hurt lead the way and since you’ve been gone…I don’t think we’re the same people we used to be.”

For the first time in years…it feels like Dante isn’t hiding from her. He’s no longer slipping and although there’s evident distance, he’s no longer shielding himself from what this is.

A smile sits on the corner of her full lips.

This finally feels like they’re getting somewhere and maybe this is what it takes.

“We were never going to be perfect,” Seraphina starts, “That wouldn’t be the Nina and Tay way.”

“Why does your name get to go first when I’m older?” Dante rests his hands on his chest in feign offense, a frown appearing on his face.

Seraphina rolls her eyes, her tone light and playful, “By six months boo-fucking hoo.”

Dante snorts with a crossing of his arms, “I think I’m starting to hate that number now.”

Seraphina can’t help but feel a bubble of laughter rise in her chest, a small, soft laugh that feels almost out of place after everything they’ve said. However something is there, a tiny relief, that reminds them of the easiness of their dynamic that once made their friendship so effortless. It’s like a wave of cool presses down the tension in her neck, freezing it away, making her feel as if they might be okay despite the heaviness at the start of their day.

“It’s just a number, Tay. Not a lifetime.” She tries to persuade, laughter lingering in her tone as she picked at the now cold pastry.

Dante looks at her with a growing softness, his grin reaching his eyes and that faint dimple that isn’t seen so much with others, appears at the apple of his cheek, “Maybe that’s what I need right now. A little more Nina and Tay and a lot less... all of this."

Seraphina nods along as the buzzed hair man who sported a growing 5 o’clock shadow motions to what they’ve been battling.

“That’s your gift you know,” Dante continues, “You’ve always had a way of making me strive for better…like I can do anything. Be anything, be lighter underneath it all.”

The light haired woman can feel herself dissociating as Dante’s words fill up the air. The dark of her mind threatens to bring up the uninvited voice of Gloria Perez, who she had the pleasure of meeting briefly weeks before her final departure from this earth.

“I can see why you have such a hold on Dante.” The brunette approached Seraphina outside of the lab one night as she stands at the doors, tossing her work keys into her tote bag in exchange for her car keys, her head snaps over to the voice that greets her, “He may not have talked about you much, but I’ve always known there was someone much more important. Someone much more real for him, the good against the bad. He should loosen his grip.”

Gloria’s words are like an itch Seraphina can’t get to, taunting her and ready to pull her back to stay in that moment where she met the woman that didn’t deserve Dante. She never wanted to be compared to anyone else but sometimes that’s just not the way the world works. She briefly glanced at Dante who’s still staring at her, a tenderness in his now moss colored eyes across from her. Seraphina can still hear Gloria and it was starting to piss her off—healing takes time okay! She wants to be present with Dante, this was their moment and not anyone else’s.

Seraphina steadies herself, closing her eyes and shaking Gloria’s voice away so it slips somewhere to the back of her mind because those doubts don’t define her anymore as she decides to reply, “…I think we both need to remember the Nina and Tay way a little more."

The hint of wonder mixed with just living in the moment the best way they knew how was reminiscent.

Don’t think Dante didn’t notice the shift in her expression but he doesn’t push it like he knows she would have done him. This was all a lot especially since Seraphina’s plan was to slip in for Mr. Coty and out (things took a turn) yet still found time to make this work.

“…how is he?”

This is the first time Dante’s asking, although it’s been on his mind long before he entered the hospital yesterday evening.

Seraphina tries to put on a smile but it’s weak and doesn’t reach her eyes. “Chemo doesn’t work for this kind of cancer so it’s a 30% chance of survival but they’re starting him on meds soon.”

“Oh, Nina…” Dante breathes while she sniffs and takes a sip from her straw, “What can I do?”

She lightly shakes her head but there’s appreciation on her pretty face and he wants to reach to caress her cheek in hopes that she’ll lean into him. However times are different and they’re rebuilding.

“Just sitting here with me is nice,” She lifts her shoulders, folded by a forced smile and watery eyes, “You did mean it when you said you’d be in my corner right?”

“Always.” Dante nods, “I—

He wants to say it, that he loves her, always would love her but it sits on his tongue.

She knows.

“I needed that.” Seraphina whispers, “You know more than anybody the nature of our father and daughter relationship. When he and mom came to KC, I felt like I got a piece of me back. And now to hear that his life is at risk in his sixties…that’s another thing I didn’t want to dive into but I know at some point I’ll have to.”

Dante can sense that she’s struggling with this. It’s been better, honestly as a friend looking in that her parents decided to move away to Missouri because it allowed Seraphina to just be herself and not her mistakes.

“I don’t know how to be there for him, Dante.” There’s a slight glare on her face as she peers off to the right yet it’s not directed at anyone, “There were plenty of times I needed him growing up and he did nothing but shame me for every little thing. I was such a nervous wreck around him back then. The distance between us three: mom, me, and dad worked. Now that he’s sick I’m just supposed to let everything go? Doing that feels wrong to my inner child ya know?”

His heart aches for her, but his presence remains calm as he knows how much she’s carried when it comes to Mr. Coty and even Mrs. Coty. He’s also been on the receiving end of her father’s hurtful words and anger.

Dante’s voice is careful and gentle, a nature that she can rely on, “You don’t have to have the answers Ms. Know it all,” he winks at the common nickname which makes her smile with a shake of her head, “it’s okay to just be in the now. You have every right to be angry at what he did. I was there for half of it, what he did to you—us.”

From the vile and abusive language when Seraphina wouldn’t obey him, to the sneers at just the sight of her, the neglect, the over strictness where she simply couldn’t be a kid, defying her dreams, the attempted drowning—she couldn’t remember the last time her father even held her hand or told her he loved her.

Her chest works with the storm of the past. It wasn’t only the fact of how he treated his own daughter but it was also the way he treated her friend. Mr. Coty was even harsh towards Dante and belittled him, doing things he didn’t deserve either.

Then there’s this other side of him now, fragile and wanting to make things right if God intended to take him out. Seraphina feels like maybe she should feel guilty for having a bit of bitterness in her as stood in front of his bed, watching him sleep. He was supposed to be the first man that taught her how to be loved.

“I should be there now because you never know with time right,” Seraphina laughs a little, “I could walk away for good but the little girl in me still wants to be there for him and let him know that I do love him and not just because I’m supposed to. But I can’t forget everything. The things he said. The way he treated you.”

Dante nods, knowing this has always bothered Seraphina and seen how Mr. Coty’s ways shaped her, how it’s influenced everything from their relationship to how she views the world. But he’s also seen the strength in her. He knows her better than anyone. And he knows this is part of her growth, part of the painful process of letting go and figuring out what she needs, not just from her father but from the people who care about her most.

Dante’s voice is low but echoes the weight of the history, “Seraphina, I can’t tell you what to do. But I can tell you this—what he did to us, what he did to you, doesn’t have to define your choices now. Be there for you, you have the power.” There’s an intensity in his eyes that feels like reassurance, “You don’t have to fix his sins or anyone else’s. You’ve got this.”

She realizes that’s she’s been holding onto what her father has done for years. How it’s been avoidant since they both moved, buried like most things tended to be in Chicago. It’s a move on and you’ll live moment and frankly, Seraphina Coty’s had enough.

Then there’s a sadness that sits still in her chest at the thought that she could really lose her father. There’s also another presence that’s been on her mind, her patient but blossomed relationship with her new boyfriend of two months, Manny. He on the other hand, learned the dynamic of her relationship with her parents, tried to encourage her to keep an open mind and that closed mouths don’t get fed. Manny was used to constant conversations and was in the works of putting together a sit down and then…this happened.

It was the first time they butted heads.

His intentions were good but he wasn’t there to witness it all. He probably would never truly get it since he had a fantastic relationship with his parents, almost squeaky clean, something completely different than what Seraphina was used to.

She feels the push and pull between what’s expected of her and what she needs. She can’t stop herself from thinking about the differences between him and Dante. Which is ironic since she never wanted Dante comparing her to Gloria.

Seraphina’s voice is firm, pulling herself back from the brink of uncertainty, “I hear you I do but it’s never that simple. I’ve got someone else in the picture now and Manny feels like I’ll regret it if I don’t help out. He’s trying to be there for me too through all of this.”

Dante slightly scrunches up his lips while studying his old friend. So her and Manny were serious now? Only makes sense since he’s here with her but it doesn’t stop the sting of hearing it so plainly. “Screw what Manny thinks. He can be here but he has no idea, he wasn’t there so he shouldn’t be pushing you to do something you’re not sure of yourself, Nina. I would know, I was there first and I’m not going anywhere this time. Even if you push me away.”

It’s petty sure but Dante feels the way that he feels and he can’t change it. He wasn’t here to cause problems between Nina and Manny but he was going to say what he felt. Dante could respect that Manny was here during Seraphina’s time of need but he couldn’t get with the overstepping.

He’ll learn his place soon enough.

Dante says this with quiet conviction, as though he’s making a promise to himself, to her, that this—what they are—isn’t something he’s willing to give up again, not without a fight. He let her go twice before but this time taught Dante everything he needed to know.

He can fight harder for her and that he will.

Clearing his throat after finding Seraphina observing him with her eyes, in a way that he was almost like an experiment made him a little uneasy. Sometimes she didn’t realize she was even doing it, her eyes low but focused with curiosity.

Dante continues, “I’m not here to compete. But I’m here for you. I always have been. And if you need me, you don’t have to hide from that. Especially when it comes to him.”

His statement is bold and lets Seraphina know, this whole ordeal has unleashed something in him that she’s seen in Dante before.

She exhaled with her eyes closed and says, “I don’t know what I need right now. But I do know that I’m not ready to shut you out again.”

And those words alone works just fine for Dante.

After all maybe he was beginning to see the art of letting go in order to rebuild. But some parts of him still wondered what that rebuild would look like, after they departed and went on about their days with a new found acceptance of each other.

What would they look like now?

The future, it seemed, wasn’t clear but they were still a puzzle that they intended to piece together and not let slip through their hands, this time.

﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉

-> Part two

[cloveroctobers]

DANTE TORRES | PAGE TWO — memory game

A/N: you’ve had to have known after that recent episode (12) that id be inspired to write more. Shoutout to the snow day that gave me a chance to write this! There’s been some debates about how some people feel like this episode “still”didn’t add any depth to Dante’s character but I guess you’re entitled to your wrong opinion…they just don’t see him like I do! 😉 It’s neither here or there but I feel like with the crumbs that they do feed us in centered episodes, it gives you a chance to understand these characters bit by bit. I’m all here for subtle details! We have two weeks apparently until the next episode?!!! Which is an Atwater focused one so why not write a little something in the mean time?

S/N: I’m going to attempt to not make this as long but there’ll be some important scenes to see I think! Also we got a canon age for Dante and it’s apparently twenty-five? I always knew he was younger than the rest but I still thought at least thirty or pushing thirty! + I’ve also decided to go down the rabbit hole of watching Chicago PD from the beginning, finishing up season two soon, wish me luck lol!

WARNINGS: more angst, yearning, a little crossover with another show since I’m currently watching it lol, language, how childhood trauma plays into your adulthood, + mini flashback scene that leads to something! —without me giving too much away.

<- read the first piece to the sequel here.

ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ

The days started to blur into one since settling into a place that felt like quicksand. She tries not to sink, finding outlets that are supposed to provide coping mechanisms. Seraphina’s been trying therapy, had to after being abducted and the whole talking to a stranger thing helps but the cold sweats and nightmares are a force of their own.

It doesn’t help that chief deputy Reid has found use for her. Tracking her down to her parents’ new place of residence, something else she doesn’t need right now and it’s reminiscent to his imposing ways back at the place she’s now renting out. Seraphina can feel herself dissociating as Charlie Reid is talking to her, ears ringing, the weight of everything comes toppling back on top of her and his presence is no relief.

“Did you get that?” He questions her on the stoop of her parents’ brick home.

Her arms are folded, backside pressed against the railing as she slowly rises her head, “I get that you have a funny way of timing.”

The wavy haired man lets out a slow sigh, peeking at the closed shut door, wondering if there was anyone inside trying to listen in on this conversation, “I…understand that you’re dealing with a lot right now but I also understand that you’ve got free time since you decided to pitch in for the care of your father, Mr. Coty.”

The short haired woman lets out a scoff of disbelief, “You mean taking on a job in the east coast, just to give it up, live on some savings all while trying to help my mother tend to my stubborn and mean sickly father? I don’t think you know what free time is, Mr. Reid.”

He nods, understanding how bad it sounds, off-putting even, “Right. I just mean this could be a way to keep your mind off everything.”

Seraphina begins to chew on her bottom lip in irritation, knowing that this man didn’t care much about her well being, eyes closing as she focuses on her breathing more than her irritability, another reminder that she needed to make a run and pick up more feminine care, “Sorry but no…you came here for personal gain and if I remember correctly, not that long ago, you were introducing yourself to me and throwing clues. So I suggest you tell me what your purpose of being here is because I really don’t have the patience to play the guessing game.”

Reid goes quiet at this, taking in the appearance of the younger woman across from him. He could appreciate that she wanted him to get right to the point and stop throwing hints. He’s backed off for a while, giving the IU the chance to do what they do but that didn’t mean he stopped having eyes on all of their cases.

Seraphina Coty happened to be included in Reid’s spark of interest.

There was a specific case that was brewing and Reid wanted to get ahead of it before it would eventually be brought to intelligence. He also found immediate connections involving this case, which brought him out to Kansas City instead of Jersey city.

“What’s your history with Quantico?”

Reid’s eyes are hard on Seraphina and although she was mainly a case file to him, he had a feeling that he was just about to learn that she was much more than that. She’s good, almost trained to not show emotion on her face but her shoulders are more tense now at the mention of the academy, than when she first stepped out onto the stoop.

“I think you already know.” Her voice is hoarse against the wind, exhausted, “What does that have to do with anything?”

The Chief Deputy blinks, “Are you kidding? Trying out for the FBI, that could have led you to great heights.”

“Yeah no thanks, being more screwed up isn’t the path I wanted.” Her voice is much stronger with this statement, “I quit after five weeks because I didn’t like the weight, the power, or the intent of guns. Still don’t. I fired it and had a whole panic attack in front of the class. I enrolled for forensic science not to kill or cause harm to anyone. That’s not me but that part, was mandatory.”

Reid hums as he takes in this perspective.

The man attempts to be genuine but it feels anything but that. Seraphina learned pretty quickly that people like this always have a motive but nonetheless she let him continue his play, “…I won’t ask you to kill or harm anyone but I will—am asking for your help.”

Ironically enough, this felt more like a demand.

“What exactly do you think I can help you with?” Seraphina frowns, tightening her crossed arms, “Shouldn’t you have a team that handles whatever you’re getting at?”

“You’re my best bet.”

“In what world?”

“Well mine of course,” he says with a crooked dimpled smile before hardening his stare and throwing this at her, “Do you know a Peter Sutherland?”

Seraphina keeps her mouth shut but she inhales.

“What about a Francisco Jenkins?” Reid fires off, “See…one of the most interesting things about you is, you like to stay clear from crimes—well for the most part—in the present but somehow your past will always have ties to it.”

Seraphina feels her nostrils flare.

It was clear he was trying to get underneath her skin but she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.

“The only one that is the most clean is your current boyfriend, Manny Castillo. How long do you think that is going to last before you go back to what you know?” Reid quizzes but it felt more like he was taunting her.

Seraphina tightens her stare at the beady eyed man on the stoop with her, “I think this conversation is over.”

“I’d have to disagree,” Chief deputy responds as he moves with her, “I think it’s just part of your story and you have to see how it plays out.”

“Is being vastly vague and metaphoric your way of guilt tripping people?” Seraphina frowns in confusion before declaring, “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Sure, if you say so,” the man shrugs, “I believe we all know what’s wrong and what’s right. Yet there are always things in between that can cloud your judgement: you and Jenkins, then you and Torres.”

“What’re you saying?”

Reid spits it out, “You were once involved with Francisco Jenkins and he was murdered about a year ago.”

Seraphina chokes on her saliva then, grabbing at her throat and coughed to catch her breath, Reid offers to clutch at her shoulder but she smacks his hand away. Once she fights to gain her breathing back she wheezes, “Shit, not Cisco. There’s no way you think I had something to do with that? We were in the same class and we haven’t spoken in years.”

“You dated didn’t you?” Reid keeps on dumping, trying to get more out of her but he already knows that she’s clean but he’s her connect.

“What?” Seraphina snaps, “We went on a date once, that obviously didn’t go anywhere. He’s a—was a nice guy.”

“Because you’re too caught up on Torres, who you’ll do anything for.”

He’s not wrong!

“What does any of this have to do with the murder of Cisco?”

“Not much, really.” Reid eases off some, “He and Peter Sutherland remained good friends. Sutherland used to work for the White House but got into some trouble, yadda yadda. He’s now involved with some secret organization. Want to know what else I found interesting?”

Seraphina tilts her head to the side after learning information about people who were in her life for a mere second before turning into scrolling faces on a social media app, “I’m sure you’re gonna tell me.”

“When you were sixteen, you had a kleptomaniac habit that started to develop after your mother OD’d.” Reid says as if he’s delivering more detail in the personal life section from a Wikipedia page of Seraphina’s life, “Even hung out with some jewelry thieves but you didn’t have anything on you, let’s call it right time, wrong place it seems. Yet you were the only one out of the crew that had a well known fancy father, a superintendent that had the power to make anything go away.”

Seraphina feels her body run hot and her heart seems to go into over drive. The wheels are turning but she hopes the exhaustion internally and externally overshadows what she’s really feeling.

“You like to solve crimes, put the puzzles together in a lab. It’s no different than me and Torres’ world.” He reasons, “And since you’ll do anything for the people you love…like cover up a illegal relationship that Torres was involved in, get pills for your sober mother so she can cope with the thought of your declining father…or end up with some jewels of your own that somehow end up with a certain lawyer that’s collecting rent on your property, I think those are also things that can go away, if you assist on this case.”

Seraphina rests her elbows back against the railing now, trying to weigh out her options. The last two were not true but it was clear that Reid had a way of making things appear a certain way. It was obvious that he had the power to destroy everything that Seraphina worked so hard for but it had to be on his terms. Never in a million years would she sell Dante out, especially when she had no desire to have any ties with law enforcement, somehow she was still connected.

Mainly to the science of it but that can only get you so far.

“I’m going to leave you with some files that are in my car but they’ll go more into depth,” Reid is checking his phone as if he had someplace else to ruin, “Here’s a brief run down: a crew of thieves that go by the sanguine forsaken, TSF for short, have been using blood diamonds from Sierra Leone to fund not only weapons but to also smuggle into the states. And they’re making their way into Chicago.”

Seraphina shakes her head, “That goes beyond my pay.”

“You’ll be compensated when you comply.”

“It’s not just about pay…this is manipulation and not what I do. I used to work on crime scenes and bodies. Now I just analyze, research, and experiment.”

“You keep saying you like to play it safe but you’ve haven’t known that for a while, have you?” Reid probes making her break eye contact, “I’m not trying to be your enemy here, I just want you to know what you’re made of and it’s not a shell. I’ll get those files for you and we’ll be in touch.”

That was final and not a choice.

Seraphina takes a moment after slamming the front door shut behind her. The files burn against her fingertips as she holds them to her side. Her back is against the door, head raised high up towards the ceiling as she tries to mentally prepare herself for what she just got tossed into.

“Stupid question I know…but is everything okay sweetie?” It’s the voice of her mother to the left of her that brings Seraphina back down.

She turns to the woman, who stands fidgeting with her fingers, hoping that her words didn’t set off her child. Growing up, normally the two didn’t have the time to butt heads mainly since Mr. Coty had enough energy to provide that. There was a time where Seraphina was comfortable saying that she preferred and loved one parent over the other, as a child, you don’t understand what damage that does to the adult.

However it takes two.

Seraphina takes a moment to respond and even move but when she does, her gaze is focused on her mother’s hands. Those same hands that tucked her in many nights, those same hands that tended and provided tender care to her hair as she sat on a pillow on the floor, and once those same hands that guided her until she lost control and could no longer provide that.

When her dark eyes flick to meet her mother’s, there’s a small smile by her mom’s plump lips. She appears much fragile now over the years, Seraphina wouldn’t dare call her weak like her father often did because despite it all, she still knew how to love her parents. It’s almost like staring into a mirror, how she favors her mother much more now that she’s older when many used to tell her it was the opposite.

“You were just…out there for a while with that man.” She says, almost as if she’s stepping on eggshells.

Seraphina’s not in attack mode, although she feels that if she didn’t have a therapy session this morning via online, this moment maybe different. She’s gently shaking her head, reaching a finger to twirl the end of a faltering coil from her birth giver’s fro, giving it shape, before resting a hand on top of her mother’s shaky ones, “Everything’s fine mom, just work stuff unfortunately. You doing okay? Need me to grab anything for dinner?”

And just like that her troubles are tucked away at the sake of making sure things run the way that they should.

After a quick run out to the store, she grabs some essentials and last minute ingredients for her mom’s vegan dish, Seraphina finds that she can’t bring herself to put her car into drive just yet. She moved through the store almost on autopilot, grabbing mostly what she needed and a few things that she didn’t. Self-checkout normally was her best friend but since her mind was gone, she almost left her things at checkout even after a worker came to assist twice.

Letting her hands drop from the keys in the ignition, she pulls out her phone, fingers halting over a number that she said she would call later tonight instead of through constant texts, she chooses another number instead.

“Hello?” Which sounds more of like a, “y’ellow,” to be honest.

Seraphina clears her throat, “You still don’t know how to pronounce your H’s do you, Atwater?”

He scoffs, “There you go, already startin’ something on my line.”

A small smile appears on her lips as she sniffs, running a finger back and forth over her brows. There’s a heat that washes over her frame again, a wave of tears building in her throat, and she doesn’t have to say anything because the man on the other line can already sense something is wrong. Calling each other out of the blue like this was not the norm and although they were friends through a mutual person, they usually got to see each other through work related moments or random times around the city.

They didn’t even have a proper goodbye before Seraphina took off.

Kevin didn’t want to ask how she was because he already knew and assumed so he goes with this instead, “Tell me what’s on your mind, girl. I’m listening.”

So she does.

Seraphina hates that she’s troubling the man with this, even threw a few apologies in there but he didn’t want to hear any of that. She barely mentions her father but she didn’t need to as she says that this chief deputy had a weaseling way of getting what he wants at the worst time and that’s possibly something the IU should keep in mind. This Atwater could sense after learning about Kim’s promotion and how she felt about it but that didn’t stop Kevin from making note of Seraphina’s words.

“And you don’t want Voight in on this…or even Dante?” Kevin says Dante’s name, almost quietly, which makes Seraphina think he’s at the district.

Seraphina sighs, “We’re taking one step at a time to rebuild our relationship. I don’t need to bother him with this—

Kevin’s ready to argue against that, also aware that this woman right here could never be a bother to Dante Torres.

She doesn’t leave room for him to interrupt, “And the last thing I want is Voight getting in on this right now when it’s not really anything yet. I know it’ll eventually get to you guys anyway just based on what Reid said. I just feel like I needed to tell someone who would get it.”

“And if something goes south.” Kevin pointed out which makes Seraphina suck air through her teeth, “Which it won’t. I got you, alright? You called me, so you can trust me. And I guess I’ll have to take the heat if Torres is on my ass once he finds out.”

Seraphina is so sure, “He won’t.”

Kevin snickers at that, “Do I need to remind you of his birthday party back in June?”

Instantly she’s rolling her eyes at the way Dante acted but ultimately she knew it was because he cared. Getting involved would just lead to more scars that she didn’t need. He was right on that part. He had nothing but good intentions, they fought for each other and knew that they always would. However they were their own people and would always do what they felt was right whether the other liked it or not. Just look at Dante and his whole profession of working with and for the law! Seraphina made the decision to back off after it all got to be too much, she knew her limits yet somehow Dante felt like he had to keep facing his.

The woman knew that as soon as she was officially brought into this case, she would have to leave Kansas City and go back to Chicago. Whereas Kansas City felt like quicksand, gradually tugging at her toes the longer she stayed here, Chicago felt like she was being drowned again. The city she was born and raised in also felt as if she was being pulled under but she would go back if it meant she could help.

Again…there really wasn’t a choice here.

“Thanks for having my back, Kev.” Seraphina finally says after more talking.

He blows a raspberry and jokes, “Just be lucky that I like you.”

Seraphina laughs a little and it feels good to be able to.

There’s another voice that can be heard in the background.

A woman’s.

“Yo, Atwater. Get a look at this.”

Seraphina tilts her head to the side in question and decides to tease herself, “Uh oh, better get back to your work wife.”

She’s learned little of their newest team member, Kiana, just based off of what Dante’s mentioned over check-in’s. She’s never met Kiana or heard her speak but Seraphina pinpointed that Kevin must still be working and she already knows what Kim and Platt sound like.

“It ain’t even like that sis but hold on, check this out.”

Before Seraphina can get a, “what?” Out she’s met with the dial tone, which makes her roll her eyes at the man’s childish ways, although she feels a little at ease telling someone about what was on her plate.

When she gets back to her parents, it’s walls back up but she makes her presence known as she takes on a role moving around the home. Her father is only awake for maybe twenty-twenty-five minutes, to put little food and liquid’s down as much as he can stomach before it’s time again for his daily dose. And just like that the mother and daughter are watching his steady but shallow breathing as he rests in one of the rooms that now contains a hospital bed.

Mrs. Coty keeps busy, also tucking herself away in one of the many rooms of the older 1950’s home, picking up the bead painting hobby with neo-soul softly playing in the background upstairs, although Seraphina knows this hobby is to stop her mother’s hands from shaking so much, she leaves her to it, deciding to clean up the kitchen. This also keeps her busy, transferring the coconut rice bowl into containers and leaving them on the counter just in case someone wanted leftovers. Seraphina’s scrubbing at the dishes with such intensity that it would scratch anyone’s skin off if she kept the same motion to her body.

She’s using more than enough force that’s she panting, scrubbing at a scorched spot at the bottom of the pot, that she’s got a trinkle of sweat falling down the back of her neck. It isn’t until she picks up on the buzzing of her phone on the dining table that she stops her assault.

Immediately she thinks it’s Manny, not knowing what time it is and over the years it feels as if she lost the concept of it. When she gets to her phone, her hands are partially dried as she picks it up and placed the phone on speaker.

“Hi.” She greets, shaking her hands about, in hopes of drying them faster.

There’s shuffling on the other line, “Hey, Nina. Do you mind if I come see you?”

Resting her hands down on the table, she leans towards the phone, eyes shifting as she picks up on Dante’s tone. It’s normally gentle, slightly accented, comforting, and it’s still all of those things but there’s a hint of something else.

Fear?

“What’s wrong?” She asks, knowing that something is up but not because he wanted to see her again.

He hesitates at first but gives a little, “I’ll tell you when I get to you. Is it okay, though? That I stop by? If it’s too much, I won’t.”

Seraphina closes her eyes and shakes her head. She put up boundaries when she took her exit once before but they knew hiding from each other wasn’t the way to go either. There was too much history, too much love to just put everything to the side for good.

“I’ll send you the address.” Seraphina decides, “Drive safe.”

And she hears the acceleration of his car pick up before they bid their farewells. The hours drag on as Seraphina feels like she’s a ghost in a home that doesn’t belong to her but it holds two parts of her. Her parents are of course the first to go down completely for the night and she lets her mom know that Dante should be here around midnight or after.

Mrs. Coty only provides a smile as Seraphina is the one almost tucking her in for the night. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask if she could take the spot where her father once lay but she simply placed a kiss to the woman’s forehead, closing their bedroom door with a soft click before going into her own night time routine, all while talking to Manny out in Philly.

He’s as lively as ever and things seem so well on the other side. He doesn’t apologize for his good nature and Seraphina appreciates that normalcy, he’s aware that she prefers to hear the good over the damper, to let her know that there’s still life out there to grab. Of course he isn’t insensitive, always checking in on how things are going and if she needed anything but she’s not the type of person that wants people to fuss over her. If Manny pushed then she tended to shut down but not without biting back. It was something he had to learn about her and navigate not through but with.

Butting heads for the first time was scary to witness on Manny’s part but he wasn’t going to back down by any means. He’s used to disagreements and duked them out in the professional world as well. He wasn’t ready to let go, not when he felt like this relationship was worth it, sure it was still fresh and a lot was going on her end but he was determined to stick beside Seraphina.

Seraphina expressed to her therapist, Dr. Tamsin, that she felt like their relationship wouldn’t last (since any other never did) and it would be her fault, she was prepared for it despite her therapist telling her that self-sabotage was also a weight that she needed to let go of in order to find true happiness.

Her eyes are closed but her mind won’t let her sleep and the ding from her phone makes her rise. It’s 12:48am when she reads the message, giving it a thumbs up not even a second later, she’s slipping her feet into some slippers and pushing off from the bed. Leaving the room that’s adjacent to the stairs that leads to the first floor where her father lay, she pauses in the hallway, along with her breathing as she listens to the consistent beeping of the monitor, before continuing to the left through the living room and towards the front door.

Seraphina doesn’t pause here, unlocking the door to meet Dante’s light green hue’s. The expressions on each other’s faces hold a mixture of emotions and it’s not long before Seraphina is the first to lift her arms. The buzzed haired man charges at her, wrapping her up in his embrace so quickly that her back hits the coat closet door behind her. She holds onto him, arms around the back of his neck, as Dante bunches up the back of her sweatshirt, pulling her as tight as he can to his frame.

She gets off her tippy toes, their arms rearranging so she hugging him around his waist, his arm goes across her shoulders, while her head rests against his chest and the weight of him finally brings her reassurance. It’s bittersweet really, how this is the one weight that her body will always welcome.

They’re back up in the room, she’s under the covers but Dante is lying on top of them with a blanket. They switch from staring up at the ceiling and one staring at the profile of each other’s face. They’re shoulder to shoulder, he’s examining her hand and her nails look much better than what he remembers but just the thought of what happened makes his insides burn deep.

“What’s got you so upset that you took a five hour plus drive to see me?” Seraphina whispers, her gaze slowly blinking up at the view of the bubbly ceiling.

Dante gives a long tired sigh but finds a way to let it out, “I went undercover at my old juvi center. It was tough because I thought I was over it but…I guess I’m not.”

That gets Seraphina to bring her dark eyes to his and his focus is back on her hand.

“Well…it’s not something you can just get over. Stuff like that is heavy and it takes time,” Seraphina tells him, “I didn’t get to see you often in there but of what little I did…I knew you weren’t okay.”

Dante is nodding, his touch is warm against her surprisingly cool hand, “I had to survive and I didn’t need you or mi ma worrying more than you two already were. I did things in there that I’m not proud of and I saw things…my roommate…experienced the same thing I saw in there today. I did nothing then to protect him but I made sure I did something now.”

Seraphina is still staring at him, Dante’s jaw is clenched with tension and she can’t help but to use her free hand to caress the bone. His eyes close at her touch and he exhales.

“You don’t have to say it if you’re not ready,” her tone is hushed although her heartbeat should be loudest thing in the room, “But you also don’t have to carry it by yourself.”

Dante’s replies, “The same goes for you.”

Which makes her breathing hitch. Their eyes locked in and it’s filled with such an intensity it feels as if Seraphina’s heart might just burst. Did he know about Reid being here?

He says nothing more as he stares at her.

“I thought I buried everything as best as I could, try to forget it all as a way of moving forward but there’s a piece of me that can’t be fixed.” He admits, “I’m stuck between who I am, who I was, and who I’m supposed to be.”

This she could relate to in many ways.

They’ve been lost since their youth was ripped out of their hands but that didn’t mean they didn’t try.

At this point in life, there were times where it still didn’t feel fulfilling enough.

“That’s okay too you know? You’re the one who told me that I don’t have to have all the answers right now and life isn’t meant to be planned out all in one day.” She sends him a small smile, “There is no guideline. I know our childhood still hurts, I know but we’re not there anymore. We don’t have to be. You made it through what most people never could and that is something to be proud of.”

There’s a lump in Dante’s throat as he listens to his voice of reason. His best reason. His forehead goes to rest against her’s and he knows her words hold truth but there’s a darkness that wants to win and likes to slip out every now and then. Being in church didn’t help this time around and that was painful to acknowledge, especially since it provided the strength for Dante to get through juvi.

“I’ve been losing my mind without you,” He informs Seraphina, his eyes flicking open so that she sees that he means it, “Just so you know…I’m as proud of you as you are of me. Even when you dyed your hair hot pink when we were what? Sixteen?”

Seraphina groans, earning a laugh out of Dante, which is a good sign. “What is this? A walk down memory lane?”

“What’s wrong with that?” Dante braces himself as she lightly shoves him, “I said I was proud of you, for doing what you wanted and standing by it.”

“And pissing off my dad?”

Dante can’t help but to smirk, “That too.”

The short haired woman rolls her eyes, and moves to rest on her back. She remembers one of the times when she showed up to the detention center on her own, thoughts of smuggling a teen Dante his favorite drink and some ice but remembered how they confiscated momma Catalina bringing in a cupcake for his sixteenth birthday. Seraphina remembers touching his shoulder in greeting before she plopped down on the bench across from him.

“No fucking way,” Dante is all grins, the type of grin that meets his eyes, bringing out that signature dimple at the top of his cheek as they settle on Seraphina.

He wasn’t expecting her today and assumed it was another lawyer and already knew his ma had to work overtime. This was a pleasant surprise, seeing his best friend sitting across from him in the most vibrant shades of hot pink you can imagine.

The teen shakes her head back and forth, lightly curled hair bouncing with her as she did so, “I did it, Tay.”

She ignores the ring around his right eye because the smile on his face is much more joyous. The last time she was here he had a much different tone, hint: he was being an asshole that day so she wouldn’t say anything else that brought that side of him out. The dark haired curly haired boy looks around, resting his elbows on the table before reaching out to pinch at her hair, tugging on it lightly, which makes her scowl and slap his hand away.

“Stop that.”

He rubs his fingers together to see if any of the dye came off, “My bad. Had to make sure you’re not pranking me.”

“Who me?” She crosses her ankles over the other, straightening her posture before clasping her hands on the table, “Never.”

Dante gives her a blank stare, “Yeah, whatever. That’s a good look for you, Nina.”

“Thank you, baby.”

It slips out but Seraphina doesn’t dwell on it as she pulls out an envelope to slide over to Dante. Whose heart may or may not have skipped a beat at the term of endearment. “What?” She inquires, finally meeting his light eyes and taking her own off the ink that decorated his arm.

“N-nothing!” He quickly shakes his head although now Seraphina thinks he’s acting a little weird, “What’s this?”

“Open it and see, genius.”

“Shut up.”

She uses the tip of her finger to push the tip of her nose back and sticks her tongue out, making him mock her back before they fall into laughter. Dante makes quick work of opening the envelope, eyes peeking over at Seraphina who has a grin of her own on her lips.

Inside the folded up paper is aluminum foil.

Dante is confused as he holds it for her to see, “Um…?”

“It’s ice.” She snickers while Dante gives her a look of annoyance, “To put on your teeth.”

“Oh you’re so lame.” Dante can’t help but to snort out a laugh, surprised this was even allowed in but still appreciated the sentiment.

Despite the fact that Seraphina thinks it’s the most hilarious thing, just picturing Dante posing with the new grillz in his mouth. He’s ready for her to knock it off. To cut her laughter out, he reaches across the table to yank on her arm—not enough to hurt—pulling her towards the table so he can pluck at her hair, “Cut it, lava girl. You think you’re gonna help my street cred with this?”

“It’s a start.” She smiles at him from over the table.

He doesn’t argue with her even with the bullshit that’s going on in this place…because she’s so damn cute and he can’t help but to love her.

Their gaze is back on each other’s once again, forehead to forehead just breathing each other in. There’s a tension in this room again and the weight is tipping the longer they stay like this. So the only thing Dante can think of is to nuzzle his nose against Seraphina’s, not fighting hard against the urge of his actions. Her eyes are closed and her heart is drumming so fast as if Sheila E was the one with the sticks. She knows what’s about to happen before Dante even does it, just by the way they had a far off glint in their eyes at seperate memories that still brought them to this very moment.

Love.

His lips connect with her’s, his hand going to her cheek to keep her in place. The kiss is slow, tentative and challenging a boundary that was supposed to be in place but anything short of familiar. The seconds stretched on yet the kiss only deepened, Seraphina feels herself completely falling into his frame, her hand going to his wrist, her thigh tossed over his hip, inviting him on top of her.

There’s this unspoken understanding, a quiet moment of support that’s poured into this kiss. He tries to use his elbow to support his weight but Seraphina is open to take it all as his tongue slips into her mouth. Her hands are caressing his back, squeezing as their tongues do a dance that would be too much for PDA. A free hand goes to his buzzed hair, the hair prickling her fingers as their lips pull apart with a pop.

Their chests are heaving but Dante doesn’t stop there, his face burying into her neck to suck on the skin there. There were times like these when Seraphina was thankful that her mother was not a light sleeper. Her nails scrape at his back as he continues his assault on her neck and right now she doesn’t fight against this wrong.

“I love you,” she breathed out making Dante pull back to show her his pretty eyes that have significantly darkened.

It rolls off his tongue with ease as they’re nose to nose, his finger running over her full bottom lip, “I love you more than you know.”

She’s shaking her head now, “Not possible.”

His head tilts followed by a frown, “What?”

She lifts up some, nipping at his lip, “Show me.”

And his lips are back on Seraphina’s, erupting a moan that he echoes at this sensation and just the way she sounds. She shouldn’t threaten him with a good time.

They both exhale.

ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ ꫂ ၴႅၴ

[cloveroctobers]

-> Here you’ll find a ongoing fic based on Chicago PD’s Dante Torres.

[~Series~]

KILLING ME — a OC turned angst filled tale in which Seraphina and Dante have a lifelong history together. It’s quite simple really, she’s in love with Dante but he makes it not simple, by holding back on the idea of them being in a romantic relationship because of their past in order to protect her heart. This is a story of friendship and of course heartache.

Killing me ☒

Burn ☒

Hammer to the heart ☒

Free fall ☒

FOLDER TWO ⬇️

Slippin’ ✓

Memory game ✓

[cloveroctobers]

🎶 𝔴𝔥𝔢𝔫 𝔶𝔬𝔲’𝔯𝔢 𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔞𝔫𝔤𝔢! 🎶

~PART IV!~

Here are all works written during the superior SPOOKY season of 2024 🍁📜 🖤 💀

FAR FETCHED > Roman Reigns

SWEET DREAM > Terry Richmond

UPSIDE DOWN > [Multi] Armando Aretas, Angel Reyes, Cane Tejada, Terry Richmond, & Stella Kidd

SAVE YOUR BREATH > Armando Aretas

FEEL LIKE HOME > Dante Torres

FIRST LOVE > Jimmy Holiday

SYMPHONY > Boone

LITTLE DARK AGE > Bode Leone x reader x Fire Country

.𖥔 ݁ ˖🍁๋࣭ ⭑🍂༘⋆ .𖥔 ݁ ˖🍁๋࣭ ⭑🍂༘⋆ .𖥔 ݁ ˖🍁๋࣭ ⭑🍂༘⋆

A NOVEMBER EP 🧦 — SEPARATE FALL SLICES!

U CANT REMEMBER > Jimmy Holiday

CUT TIES > Terry Richmond

NO STRESS > Armando Aretas

OUTTA LUCK > Javi Rivera

~RANDOM FALL COLLECTION~

HOME > JJ Maybank

HOME [p2] ^ > JJ Maybank x oc x OBX

SWEETENER > [Multi] : Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Terry Richmond, Cane Tejada, & Barry (OBX)

| OTHER WORKS… |

FREE FALL > Dante Torres x oc x Manny Castillo

[cloveroctobers]

Here you’ll find part ii. To my spring prompts. This will consist of all works written during the spring season of 2023 🦚🍃🪷

FEELS = Dante Torres > Series: Chicago PD + NBC

CHUCKY CHEESE = Barry > Series: OBX + NETFLIX

WORTH IT = Kiara Carrera > Series: OBX + NETFLIX

KEEP UP = Rio (platonic?!) x oc x Mick > Series: Good Girls + NBC

HOLD ME = Tommy Miller > Live Action Series : The Last of Us + HBO

ROSE COLORED LENS = Sarah Cameron > Series: OBX + NETFLIX

WATCH ME WORK = Carmy Berzatto > Series: THE BEAR + FX/HULU

BLACK MASCARA = Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes > Series: MAYANS MC + FX/HULU

BLOODWAR = Joel Miller > Series: The Last of Us (Live Action!) + HBO

SOUTHERN DELICACY = Rio x oc x Arman Morales > Series: Good Girls & The Cleaning Lady + NBC/FOX

DATING LAYLA = REQUESTED_ Layla Keating > Series: All American + The CW

TERMS & CONDITIONS = Angel Reyes x oc x Cane Tejada + FX/STARZ

PART iii.

[cloveroctobers]

@darqchilddaydreamz Thank you so much, I’m glad I could provide a little *maxwell’s voice* something something! I look forward to it! 🤩🩵🩵

DANTE TORRES | FOLDER TWO: SLIPPIN’

A/N: Not me keeping a story going! Is this going to give, *Sidney’s voice*, “Don’t f-ck with the original!” Or what? I haven’t done chapters or books since my wattpad era 🤭 Guess you have Dante to thank for that! If you’re just tuning in, hope you’re somewhere comfy and you can start here.

S/N: premiere night gave what it needed to give! I’m enjoying learning more about Kiana, she’s cool in my book! I’m most interested in seeing the one Chicago crossover episode—which may or may not inspire some more content…who knows as of right now? I also originally had no plans of writing something new until February but consider this a new year’s gift? 🩵

WARNINGS: Doing what I do best! delivering angst, lots of dialogue in this one, kinda lengthy, most likely language, talks of health risk, revisiting the past, and some reconciliation?

<- need a refresher? Read the previous piece here.

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Seraphina stands in front of the window, fingertips kept warm with a cup of tea as she zoned out on the view of Kansas City. A town that just felt temporary, a place where she would solely be a visitor passing through without leaving any marks behind. It’s been six months since she decided to take a leap and move to Jersey City to begin again. Unbeknownst to her she wouldn’t realize that her time elsewhere would possibly be short lived, receiving a disturbing call that brought her back to the Midwest.

She feels her phone buzz in her back pocket, breaking her out of her gaze from the pelts of rain that flicked against the glass. Blinking Seraphina pulls her phone to see a text from Manny, checking where she’s at and if she’s okay, which lets her know that she’s been on her walk for a while now. The woman lets out a soft exhale, quickly typing out a reply that she’s on her way back now. Yet she stands at the window for a minute longer, dreading the fact that she’s even here and that this will be another mountain to climb.

Sipping at the herbal tea, which warms her, she takes that as a step of courage before she turns, somewhat prepared to continue to get through this and of course be supportive to the man who always had a interesting way to teach her about love.

If one could call it that.

There’s a heat that appears in her throat at the thought that isn’t granted from the tea but she fights against it. Seraphina is aware that now isn’t the time to be selfish about the past, since she’s come a long way in this relationship. Once her eyes lift and connect with familar spring green’s, her breathing gets caught in her throat at the sight of the man.

She speaks first, “Dante?”

They’re both frozen in place in the eerie hallway, his hands are in his pockets and he almost appears like a deer in headlights, removing one hand from his pocket to rub at the back of his neck but manages to breathe out, “Hey, Nina.”

It’s that normal quiet tone of his voice that almost feels like a whisper, which somehow makes her feel like all will be fine against the sudden chill that whips from the back of Seraphina’s frame. Dante can see her shudder, whether it’s from his presence or the mere fact that she’s here in a hospital, he’s not quite sure.

He’s the first to move and Seraphina allows him to come to her. He still gives her some space but he’s close enough to see that her hair is different, much different, shorter and a light brown—almost caramel—compared to her usual dark hair, that she stopped letting grow too long awhile ago, becoming tired of having to tend to so much hair especially working as a chemist. Dante can also see beneath her beauty that there’s worry right in between her brows, she’s always had the best poker face but he can only imagine what she’s holding onto when no one’s watching.

“You changed your hair,” Dante points out, a small smile playing on his lips as he attempts to keep things light.

Seraphina begins to breathe normally, “I did. You like it?”

She’s not sure why she’s asking, she’s never been one to dwell on anyone’s opinions on what she did—except for her father and her old best friend.

The ones that seemed to matter the most.

Dante’s nodding, his eyes moved from her new hair to her face, “It suits you well.”

“Thank you,” she dips her head playing with the lid of the cup, making Dante quickly run his eyes over her fingers, purposely ignoring her nails on a particular hand, yet still wondered what else might have changed in these agonizing months before she tosses in, “…Got any new tattoos I need to know about?”

He laughs a little as he teases, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

The brings a smile to her face as she shrugs her shoulders but says nothing more. They would meet each other’s eyes again before one chose to break it and stare over the other’s shoulder instead. It was tense being face to face after all this time but the two have been through enough storms together to weather it.

“So what brings you to Kansas City?” Seraphina questions, assuming that it must be a case.

Dante moves his hands back into his pockets, “I um…your mom called my ma and told her what’s happening. My ma said a prayer for her—not just her but your family. Then she told me.”

Her throat feels thick at the new information. She hasn’t spoken to Dante at all since she got everything set up in Jersey City before taking her official leave. He was in denial that she actually wanted to leave until he started noticing moving trucks and boxes some time later. After Seraphina found out about the passing of Gloria, she decided that letting go of their friendship might be their best option to move forward in life, they went almost two weeks without speaking after their debate in her bedroom but Dante cracked first.

He apologized and begged her to stay, to not leave him but once Seraphina’s mind was made up, it was almost impossible to change it. Dante had to accept it and it added another mountain of grief he had to deal with on his own. He would call and text just not to receive any response, only to learn that Seraphina was still talking to his mother every so often, which definitely made him want to crash out multiple times.

That was a difficult time and he learned what space really means and from the one person that he never wanted out of his life, was a tough one to swallow. And now he was here.

“You drove all this way for—

“You.” Dante’s response is instant and it makes Seraphina let out a deep breath, “I’m sorry if I’m doing too much but I figured through all of this…you would want someone else here in your corner.”

Dante and Seraphina’s father never had the best relationship. Sure the pair became friends at a young age which was once full of playfulness, bright futures, and adventure before it all quickly changed for the worst. Mr. Coty was big on image and believes that who you surround yourself with said a lot about you and once he realized what Dante’s stepfather was like, he only assumed the worst for Dante. Instead of providing guidance, he brought on preconceived notions of what Dante could be.

He started acting different towards the young boy and once Dante started getting involved with that gang, Seraphina brought home those pills, and Dante beat his step-father so bad that his injuries were unspeakable, Mr. Coty began to despise a young Dante Torres. Years later Dante was here while the older man was at a high risk of declining but Dante could honestly say he wasn’t really here for him—but he would keep that to himself.

“…just tell me what you need from me?” He says after his old friend most likely has so much on her mind that she may not know what to say.

Seraphina’s eyes shine with a number of emotions, for one Dante was here after she went completely cold turkey on him. She set a boundary yet at the same time she still had a piece of him because she didn’t feel right completely cutting momma Catalina off as well. After all Dante had the woman’s first name, “Laura,” tatted on his forearm as a means of always having her near. He wanted to be angry and maybe he was that his mother still had Seraphina around and he was out of luck. Momma Catalina would push just a little until Seraphina had to be firm with her decision to her second mother figure. If you asked Seraphina six months ago what she needed from Dante, her answer would be much different.

Her dark eyes meet his and she finds that he still cares. It was heart warming to witness, honorable even and she wouldn’t forget it. He showed up for her when he didn’t have to and that meant something.

The doors behind Dante flap open, revealing a bearded Manny who looks up from his phone, doing a double take himself. Seraphina catches his questionable eyes first, making Dante the last to peer over his shoulder. Manny gives a single wave but it’s not a beaming smile attached to the usual expression where his eyes crinkle at the corners.

Dante honestly didn’t think the guy would still be in the picture. He did his best to keep his attention on his cases but he couldn’t help but to crack every now and then to get any bit of information he could on Seraphina’s new life now. He already knew that Seán, the still going strong engaged lawyer and good friend of Seraphina’s was now collecting the rent on her property for her so she wouldn’t have to constantly make trips back to Chicago. Dante only wondered if they were on better terms, if he would have been the one tasked with this instead.

There were a bunch of what if’s circulating and it only amplified now, seeing Manny Castillo being here for his Nina instead. Seraphina watched Dante’s jaw tighten at the sight of Manny before he turned back to face her. His eyes quickly shifted back to over her shoulder, rubbing at his jaw in irritation.

A pang of jealousy swirls within his frame because it felt like he was replaced.

“Hey,” Seraphina gently says making his heated stare meet her’s but it softens some, “Thanks for coming when you didn’t have to. It means more than you know, Tay.”

Dante gives a sharp nod.

The short haired woman takes another breath. Something she’s been doing a lot more since she’s been back in the Midwest. Seraphina closes the space between the two, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek and wrapping one arm over his shoulder, waiting for him to hug her back. The tension seems to erase with Seraphina pressed against him, his hands go right to the small of her back, squeezing her as if she’ll slip right through his fingers again.

It’s Manny’s turn to bring his gaze elsewhere. He pinched at his nose but gives the two their moment after seeing Seraphina close her eyes in Dante’s embrace. The hug is over much quicker than Dante would have liked but she touches his face tenderly, offering him an appreciative smile before she walks away from him once more.

Dante is determined to make sure that it’s not out of his life. Six months was more than enough and the time prior, he knew that this isn’t going to work for him. They made promises to each other and sure they were much younger then but devotion wasn’t like dust in the wind.

This relationship couldn’t be swept away.

And Dante was going to show her exactly that.

﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉

﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉

﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉

﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉

﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉

Dante had no intent of staying in Kansas City for a lengthy time, it was a spur of the moment action in all honesty. One that Voight could tell it was something Dante needed to take care of so he let it slide for now. Would a weekend be enough to get back on track if the childhood friends could? Part of him knows the focus should be on Seraphina’s father, which he didn’t get the chance to talk to her about before Manny came and whisked her away. He wouldn’t push it but it was most definitely on his mind as he sat alone in the hotel room.

He’s already spoken to his ma, who wanted all of the details but there truthfully wasn’t much to say, which meant he did more listening to the woman than what he revealed. Dante didn’t want to apply too much pressure given the unknown circumstance with Mr. Coty’s health but he would be damned if he left here without trying.

Dante’s stared at her contact name for some time until it appears across his screen on its own, spinning along the top of his phone. He takes time answering it, not wanting to appear too eager that the woman took him off block but hearing her voice may just ease his anxieties. She apologizes about it being so late calling him, informing him that she’s staying the night with her father but asked if Dante would be interested in meeting up in the morning at union station to mainly clear the air, which Dante agreed to.

He just didn’t expect union station to be as huge as it was, something he should have researched before he finally fell into slumber, instead of one hour before the meet up time. (the pictures did it no justice) However with his skills Dante was positive it wouldn’t take him long to find her in the detailed building. The high ceilings made Dante feel almost like a child and the intricate chandeliers were pleasant enough to lead the way as he found his way through to the mentioned coffee shop.

Seraphina had just beat him, taking a seat at the circular table, setting her iced coffee and flaky pastry of choice on the table before checking her phone and using both of her hands to massage at her neck. Soon Dante is making his way over to her, heart thudding in his chest. He tells her not to get up, kissing her cheek in greeting before she tells him he should order something inside before the rush starts.

“Iced mocha?” Dante quizzes as he pushes himself closer to the table.

Seraphina nods before lifting her chin at his hot beverage, “Boring cappuccino?”

He scoffs as he takes a sip at his creamy espresso, “Don’t be a hater so early in the morning, Nina. It’s not a good look.”

She playfully glares at him before she sits back against the chair, eyes deciding to people watch.

“Manny didn’t want to attend this meet up?” He slides that in, voice gentle but there was a hint of bite in it that she would obviously pick up on as he peered over at the woman underneath his eyelashes.

There’s a spec of amusement in Seraphina’s eyes, “No. if you must know, he brought my mom back up to the hospital to stay with my dad and he’s working from my parents’ house.”

“Good for him,” Dante mumbles sarcastically.

She shakes her head at him, “This isn’t necessary you know? He’s a good guy.”

“He better be.” Dante informs while Seraphina tilts her head at him in warning, “Just because I’m not around like I would like to be, doesn’t mean I’ll let anyone get away with treating you less than you deserve.”

She stares at him then, finding his words to be genuine. They’ve been around each other enough to know when their protectiveness was warranted. It was nice to see that this was still true.

“Well…you don’t have to worry about Manny in that department.” Seraphina defends.

“Good.”

“Do you want this entire conversation to be about him…because I can tell you more about him if you like?”

Dante’s quick with it, “I’d rather sit on the train tracks while waiting for a train to come by.”

“…That’s dark.”

A crooked smile plays on his lips, “Sorry.”

“Don’t be, not if you mean it.” Seraphina answers, “…Is it bothering you that much?”

“That you’ve moved on without me?” Dante asks, pushing his lips out in thought, “I just…don’t want you to forget me. These six months have been less than great without you, Nina. It’s not something I really got used to. I even thought about driving to the east coast.”

She presses her elbows onto the table, resting her cheek against her clasped hands, “I think you’d like Jersey city. At least the blending in part.”

“Yeah?”

“It’s not Vancouver but I feel optimistic there…at least for now.” Seraphina admits, reaching for her drink.

‘You should visit someday,’ part of her thinks this but she keeps it only as a thought.

Dante watches her for a moment, taking in her words and how she still thought of him. Perhaps it wasn’t all the time like he often did with her but it brought him comfort to know that she hadn’t forgotten him despite her cutting him off. There were plenty of talks between the once young teens when they snuck into each other’s rooms to lay side by side, staring up at one another’s ceilings as they talked about the future, talked about seeing the world together or even a piece of it that didn’t cut like chicago did.

Back then that was just talks but now Seraphina was taking that step…except Dante was behind her instead of beside her in their adulthood.

“Are you in a house?” Dante keeps the conversation casual, having a feeling that it wouldn’t remain this way.

Seraphina tells, “Back to condo living for me. It just doesn’t make sense for me to get back into buying something when I’m not sure JC is going to be my forever home.”

Dante perks up at this.

“I mean I’ve seen Indiana, KC, Rhode Island, Philly, JC, and of course Chicago—which absolutely is the best city in the world,” she teased with a roll of her eyes which makes Dante grin, “I just don’t want to be stuck anymore, ya know?”

Dante can understand that. He’s spent years growing up beside Seraphina but he’s suddenly starting to realize, being left behind by the person he loved dearly, hurt more than he thought it would.

“Was I…part of what made you feel that way?”

Seraphina swallows, “I can’t say that’s fully on you. I made the choice to keep fighting for more from you when you’ve told me countless of times you couldn’t give me that. You didn’t want that. So part of that is my fault so I won’t solely put the blame on you…I can see that now. It took me leaving to process that, Tay.”

Dante blinks in that way which lets the woman know that he has a lot on his mind too. Something she said in this revelation has him slightly spinning, “It’s not that I didn’t want you. It’s just that I knew I had the potential to hurt you more and I know you didn’t deserve that but I ended up doing it anyway.”

Seraphina deeply inhaled and exhaled, “But don’t you think I should be the one that gets to have a say too? I was willing, I’ve seen you at your worst and your best. Shit, your demons are basically buddies with mine and I still chose to love you. Any chance I took it there, you slipped away, it was only on your terms and it just wasn’t fair.”

“Fair?” Dante pressed his elbows into the table, “What isn’t fair is everything that we’ve been through? Getting shot at, me constantly coming to you to clean me up, the drugs, the accident…me going to juvi? The cards told us all that we needed to know. We wouldn’t make it, Nina. Somewhere if we tried…who knows where our futures would be? It wouldn’t be normal. It would always be something else that ruins us.”

Seraphina chews on her bottom lip, looking away from Dante as he spoke his truth. It really stung to know that he thought so little of the two, of what could be. This was part of his demons, of letting circumstances get in his head. Any time the word future was mentioned, Seraphina automatically thought of her ill father. She went to war with that man over Dante, he would tear him down right in front of her whether Dante was in their home or not. Nonetheless Dante never wanted to be seen as the victim, although he’s never had it easy, he still chose to fight and prove himself.

Why couldn’t he keep that same energy with Seraphina?

When it came to love past the platonic, it only felt like defeat. He was anchored in the past and it was no secret to her, never has been.

“So…now that this friendship is on pause…do you still feel that way? Ruined?” Her words stun Dante as she spun it back on him.

Dante didn’t think it was a vindictive move since there were many factors as to why Seraphina made her big move. She was always the type of person to dance to her own drum, much like Dante who had his impulsive moments but he wasn’t sure how to take this.

“Was that part of the plan?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why say that to me?”

“I’m trying to prove a point,” Seraphina sighs, “You didn’t want to try romance because of fear but we tried friendship, your way and I’m the one who put distance between us. You said it hasn’t been easy and newsflash, it hasn’t for me either but I’ve coped. Learned how to exist without you.”

Dante feels his brows furrow. The woman before him was not entirely the same, she was stronger and harder to reach.

“And I’m sure Manny helped with that.” He finds himself snapping unintentionally.

Seraphina laughs in disbelief, hands going up in the air, “Oh this again! That demon is coming out to play huh? You don’t get to do that. Every small chance that I’ve tried to move on, you’ve had a problem with, when it always could have been you, should have been, you could have solved that but you let your insecurities get in the way.”

Dante lifts his shoulders not denying it, “I can’t help it. I’ve always wanted you to be happy but you and I both know they’re not worth your time.”

“…and why’s that?”

Dante blows out a breath, letting his back hit the chair, “Because we belong together…probably in every lifetime but I failed this one by giving my love to someone else.”

Seraphina felt like her heartbeat was in her stomach at Dante’s vulnerability. She didn’t think this conversation would be a walk in the park by any means but she also didn’t expect Dante to say this.

“Now you say that?” Seraphina managed to get out around shaky breath, “And I’m just supposed to accept this after all this time?”

Dante shakes his head, “I’m not asking you to be okay with this. You’re my person too, always will be. I’ve been to hell and back with you…I just can’t let you go anymore. It wouldn’t be right.”

“For who? You?” She fired off.

Dante argued, “Mi ma told me at the beginning, every other week that you called her, you cried over me.”

“It wasn’t just you.” Seraphina hissed, “Sure you were a big part of it but starting over by myself is terrifying but I did it. Just like I kept picking myself up every time you rejected me.”

“I didn’t—

“You did.” Seraphina asserts, “You wanted me as your safe space and needed me as your shadow.”

He winced at how blunt she sounded and how she truly believed that’s what he needed her for.

His elbows rest on the table as he leans a little to peer into her eyes, “You’ve never been a shadow, you’ve always been my right hand, my best friend, my soulmate, half of me.”

Seraphina tossed her head back, feeling her eyes burn. “…Dante…you know what they say about having someone be your everything…you won’t know what to do once you lose ‘em.”

“Is that what you want to hear? That I’m lost without you?”

Robin thicke is gagged!

“I don’t want to hear what you think I want to hear.”

“Good because i haven’t done that, not once since I’ve been sitting here. I love you and that’s not ever gonna change. You wanted time, I gave it to you but it’s my turn to fight for us and I’m tapped in.”

“What exactly are you fighting for? A friendship that no longer serves its purpose?”

“No.” Dante feels as if his heart is breaking again, “T-That’s not true and I know you don’t believe that either. You love me too.”

“Course I do! I wouldn’t have thought about raising a child with you after finding out I was—

Her eyes go wide at her rambling and Dante almost forgets how to breathe. He dips his head, trying to catch her eyes but suddenly she finds her iced mocha more interesting.

“You were what?” Dante pried bringing his up knuckles by his mouth, “Don’t try and slide by that, Nina. Tell me.”

Seraphina takes her time meeting Dante’s eyes, “I was pregnant and I miscarried.”

Dante drops his head against his fist. All the background noise was drowned out by the ringing in his ears and his legs began to shake—it was a good thing he was seated. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, how long has she been keeping this a secret from him?

“When?” Dante croaked out before clearing his throat and trying again, “When was this?”

“Some years ago…back when you were in the academy and I was working at the aquarium until I got hired at the lab.” Seraphina explains, playing with the sleeve of her shirt, but the weight didn’t feel completely lifted, it just felt like she shifted it off to the one person who was the last to know.

Should have known.

Dante pressed his fist to his mouth, just gazing at a sadden Seraphina. She thought about that part of their future, creating a family together, and seeing as much of the world as they could. It was right at her fingertips but it just wasn’t meant to be.

“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry you felt like you could never talk to me about our…baby.” There’s tears in his throat and he has to close his eyes since they stung.

He feels her touch against his wrist, patiently waiting for him to meet her eyes.

“…And I’m sorry that I’m adding more to your grief.”

This she means, as she offers him a small smile.

He takes it, freeing one hand to grasp her’s.

They squeeze each other’s hands so tightly, almost as if they were attempting to take away each other’s pain. He wasn’t completely okay with this, he was mixed with so much right now he didn’t know the proper response or if he had a proper one in this moment. Yes this felt like betrayal because she didn’t trust him enough to let him know, that they had the potential to create life together but at the same time she must have felt so alone going through it all.

His voice comes out strained, “You could have told me, you know? You know I would have been there for you but…you left me in the dark for years, Seraphina.”

Seraphina nods, “I…didn’t know how. I thought I was protecting you—us. You already constantly blamed yourself for the accident when we were kids and I just…didn’t want you to beat yourself up anymore over the loss.”

He laughs almost bitterly although his chest aches while he pulls his hand from her’s, “Protecting me is not lying to me. This all makes sense now, you know? Why you’ve held on all this time when you could have shared that with me? I would have been there and I hope you know that now. I thought we were better than that.”

“Well maybe we’re not,” Seraphina scoffs, “This back and forth is always constant. I finally got tired. I’ve always been sure, always wanted more. A baby wouldn’t have fixed your uncertainties even if a part of me hoped it would then.”

Dante sharply turns his head to her, “Who says I’m not sure? If I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t still be here but it was no problem for you to not only walk away but shut me out on that part of your life.”

Seraphina’s shoulder slump at this. She had to take accountability for this and ultimately she regretted holding onto this for so long. She had fear inside of her as well, it was her way of trying to protect Dante like he’s been doing all this time—in his mind. Perhaps it was all a huge chunk of miscommunications and striving to shield each other from more hurt.

Her voice is hushed that even with Dante sitting across from her, he could have missed this, “I’m sorry for that…I think I didn’t want to be more of a burden to you.”

Dante feels his head jerk back at this, “You never were. I just didn’t know how to make you understand that loving you past our friendship could make things worse. I didn’t want that for us. And now learning this…”

He stops, the blended emotions hitting him again as he struggled to clear his throat.

“I wanted to tell you but if I did…I was scared you’d leave me for good.” Seraphina feels her eyes water but she doesn’t dare let them fall.

He’s reaching for her hand again, her other going to wipe at her damp nose, quickly looking away from her old friend, “I would have never left you if you told me that. Yeah, I’ll always feel like it’s my fault that…you’ll never be able to carry but I wouldn’t have left you alone when you needed me the most.”

There’s a deep throbbing sadness in the air but it softens some with a sort of understanding sprouting amongst them. Their friendship was not only full of love but also great fear.

A sob threatens to escape her lips, “I—I started to feel alone in this for some time. Which is why I thought letting go was the best choice. I made it this time.”

Dante hates to hear Seraphina say this to him. However maybe he’s felt the same, in a different way. He knows he loves Seraphina but wouldn’t allow himself to be in love by shutting himself off to that idea. They were supposed to be so much more but years of hurt clouded their judgment in many ways.

“You were never alone,” Dante’s gaze is raw, open, and just as afraid as she is, “I’ve always been right here. I let hurt lead the way and since you’ve been gone…I don’t think we’re the same people we used to be.”

For the first time in years…it feels like Dante isn’t hiding from her. He’s no longer slipping and although there’s evident distance, he’s no longer shielding himself from what this is.

A smile sits on the corner of her full lips.

This finally feels like they’re getting somewhere and maybe this is what it takes.

“We were never going to be perfect,” Seraphina starts, “That wouldn’t be the Nina and Tay way.”

“Why does your name get to go first when I’m older?” Dante rests his hands on his chest in feign offense, a frown appearing on his face.

Seraphina rolls her eyes, her tone light and playful, “By six months boo-fucking hoo.”

Dante snorts with a crossing of his arms, “I think I’m starting to hate that number now.”

Seraphina can’t help but feel a bubble of laughter rise in her chest, a small, soft laugh that feels almost out of place after everything they’ve said. However something is there, a tiny relief, that reminds them of the easiness of their dynamic that once made their friendship so effortless. It’s like a wave of cool presses down the tension in her neck, freezing it away, making her feel as if they might be okay despite the heaviness at the start of their day.

“It’s just a number, Tay. Not a lifetime.” She tries to persuade, laughter lingering in her tone as she picked at the now cold pastry.

Dante looks at her with a growing softness, his grin reaching his eyes and that faint dimple that isn’t seen so much with others, appears at the apple of his cheek, “Maybe that’s what I need right now. A little more Nina and Tay and a lot less... all of this."

Seraphina nods along as the buzzed hair man who sported a growing 5 o’clock shadow motions to what they’ve been battling.

“That’s your gift you know,” Dante continues, “You’ve always had a way of making me strive for better…like I can do anything. Be anything, be lighter underneath it all.”

The light haired woman can feel herself dissociating as Dante’s words fill up the air. The dark of her mind threatens to bring up the uninvited voice of Gloria Perez, who she had the pleasure of meeting briefly weeks before her final departure from this earth.

“I can see why you have such a hold on Dante.” The brunette approached Seraphina outside of the lab one night as she stands at the doors, tossing her work keys into her tote bag in exchange for her car keys, her head snaps over to the voice that greets her, “He may not have talked about you much, but I’ve always known there was someone much more important. Someone much more real for him, the good against the bad. He should loosen his grip.”

Gloria’s words are like an itch Seraphina can’t get to, taunting her and ready to pull her back to stay in that moment where she met the woman that didn’t deserve Dante. She never wanted to be compared to anyone else but sometimes that’s just not the way the world works. She briefly glanced at Dante who’s still staring at her, a tenderness in his now moss colored eyes across from her. Seraphina can still hear Gloria and it was starting to piss her off—healing takes time okay! She wants to be present with Dante, this was their moment and not anyone else’s.

Seraphina steadies herself, closing her eyes and shaking Gloria’s voice away so it slips somewhere to the back of her mind because those doubts don’t define her anymore as she decides to reply, “…I think we both need to remember the Nina and Tay way a little more."

The hint of wonder mixed with just living in the moment the best way they knew how was reminiscent.

Don’t think Dante didn’t notice the shift in her expression but he doesn’t push it like he knows she would have done him. This was all a lot especially since Seraphina’s plan was to slip in for Mr. Coty and out (things took a turn) yet still found time to make this work.

“…how is he?”

This is the first time Dante’s asking, although it’s been on his mind long before he entered the hospital yesterday evening.

Seraphina tries to put on a smile but it’s weak and doesn’t reach her eyes. “Chemo doesn’t work for this kind of cancer so it’s a 30% chance of survival but they’re starting him on meds soon.”

“Oh, Nina…” Dante breathes while she sniffs and takes a sip from her straw, “What can I do?”

She lightly shakes her head but there’s appreciation on her pretty face and he wants to reach to caress her cheek in hopes that she’ll lean into him. However times are different and they’re rebuilding.

“Just sitting here with me is nice,” She lifts her shoulders, folded by a forced smile and watery eyes, “You did mean it when you said you’d be in my corner right?”

“Always.” Dante nods, “I—

He wants to say it, that he loves her, always would love her but it sits on his tongue.

She knows.

“I needed that.” Seraphina whispers, “You know more than anybody the nature of our father and daughter relationship. When he and mom came to KC, I felt like I got a piece of me back. And now to hear that his life is at risk in his sixties…that’s another thing I didn’t want to dive into but I know at some point I’ll have to.”

Dante can sense that she’s struggling with this. It’s been better, honestly as a friend looking in that her parents decided to move away to Missouri because it allowed Seraphina to just be herself and not her mistakes.

“I don’t know how to be there for him, Dante.” There’s a slight glare on her face as she peers off to the right yet it’s not directed at anyone, “There were plenty of times I needed him growing up and he did nothing but shame me for every little thing. I was such a nervous wreck around him back then. The distance between us three: mom, me, and dad worked. Now that he’s sick I’m just supposed to let everything go? Doing that feels wrong to my inner child ya know?”

His heart aches for her, but his presence remains calm as he knows how much she’s carried when it comes to Mr. Coty and even Mrs. Coty. He’s also been on the receiving end of her father’s hurtful words and anger.

Dante’s voice is careful and gentle, a nature that she can rely on, “You don’t have to have the answers Ms. Know it all,” he winks at the common nickname which makes her smile with a shake of her head, “it’s okay to just be in the now. You have every right to be angry at what he did. I was there for half of it, what he did to you—us.”

From the vile and abusive language when Seraphina wouldn’t obey him, to the sneers at just the sight of her, the neglect, the over strictness where she simply couldn’t be a kid, defying her dreams, the attempted drowning—she couldn’t remember the last time her father even held her hand or told her he loved her.

Her chest works with the storm of the past. It wasn’t only the fact of how he treated his own daughter but it was also the way he treated her friend. Mr. Coty was even harsh towards Dante and belittled him, doing things he didn’t deserve either.

Then there’s this other side of him now, fragile and wanting to make things right if God intended to take him out. Seraphina feels like maybe she should feel guilty for having a bit of bitterness in her as stood in front of his bed, watching him sleep. He was supposed to be the first man that taught her how to be loved.

“I should be there now because you never know with time right,” Seraphina laughs a little, “I could walk away for good but the little girl in me still wants to be there for him and let him know that I do love him and not just because I’m supposed to. But I can’t forget everything. The things he said. The way he treated you.”

Dante nods, knowing this has always bothered Seraphina and seen how Mr. Coty’s ways shaped her, how it’s influenced everything from their relationship to how she views the world. But he’s also seen the strength in her. He knows her better than anyone. And he knows this is part of her growth, part of the painful process of letting go and figuring out what she needs, not just from her father but from the people who care about her most.

Dante’s voice is low but echoes the weight of the history, “Seraphina, I can’t tell you what to do. But I can tell you this—what he did to us, what he did to you, doesn’t have to define your choices now. Be there for you, you have the power.” There’s an intensity in his eyes that feels like reassurance, “You don’t have to fix his sins or anyone else’s. You’ve got this.”

She realizes that’s she’s been holding onto what her father has done for years. How it’s been avoidant since they both moved, buried like most things tended to be in Chicago. It’s a move on and you’ll live moment and frankly, Seraphina Coty’s had enough.

Then there’s a sadness that sits still in her chest at the thought that she could really lose her father. There’s also another presence that’s been on her mind, her patient but blossomed relationship with her new boyfriend of two months, Manny. He on the other hand, learned the dynamic of her relationship with her parents, tried to encourage her to keep an open mind and that closed mouths don’t get fed. Manny was used to constant conversations and was in the works of putting together a sit down and then…this happened.

It was the first time they butted heads.

His intentions were good but he wasn’t there to witness it all. He probably would never truly get it since he had a fantastic relationship with his parents, almost squeaky clean, something completely different than what Seraphina was used to.

She feels the push and pull between what’s expected of her and what she needs. She can’t stop herself from thinking about the differences between him and Dante. Which is ironic since she never wanted Dante comparing her to Gloria.

Seraphina’s voice is firm, pulling herself back from the brink of uncertainty, “I hear you I do but it’s never that simple. I’ve got someone else in the picture now and Manny feels like I’ll regret it if I don’t help out. He’s trying to be there for me too through all of this.”

Dante slightly scrunches up his lips while studying his old friend. So her and Manny were serious now? Only makes sense since he’s here with her but it doesn’t stop the sting of hearing it so plainly. “Screw what Manny thinks. He can be here but he has no idea, he wasn’t there so he shouldn’t be pushing you to do something you’re not sure of yourself, Nina. I would know, I was there first and I’m not going anywhere this time. Even if you push me away.”

It’s petty sure but Dante feels the way that he feels and he can’t change it. He wasn’t here to cause problems between Nina and Manny but he was going to say what he felt. Dante could respect that Manny was here during Seraphina’s time of need but he couldn’t get with the overstepping.

He’ll learn his place soon enough.

Dante says this with quiet conviction, as though he’s making a promise to himself, to her, that this—what they are—isn’t something he’s willing to give up again, not without a fight. He let her go twice before but this time taught Dante everything he needed to know.

He can fight harder for her and that he will.

Clearing his throat after finding Seraphina observing him with her eyes, in a way that he was almost like an experiment made him a little uneasy. Sometimes she didn’t realize she was even doing it, her eyes low but focused with curiosity.

Dante continues, “I’m not here to compete. But I’m here for you. I always have been. And if you need me, you don’t have to hide from that. Especially when it comes to him.”

His statement is bold and lets Seraphina know, this whole ordeal has unleashed something in him that she’s seen in Dante before.

She exhaled with her eyes closed and says, “I don’t know what I need right now. But I do know that I’m not ready to shut you out again.”

And those words alone works just fine for Dante.

After all maybe he was beginning to see the art of letting go in order to rebuild. But some parts of him still wondered what that rebuild would look like, after they departed and went on about their days with a new found acceptance of each other.

What would they look like now?

The future, it seemed, wasn’t clear but they were still a puzzle that they intended to piece together and not let slip through their hands, this time.

﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉﹉

TBC…?!