#Graceland Elvis | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ladelinee · 5 months ago

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Little killer

Summary: Elvis will teach you how to shoot, Memphis mafia involved. Fluff (and a bit of comedy 🤭)

Wordcount: 2,7K

You could still feel your puffy eyes as you blink. Sitting in the luxurious dining room, stirring your hot cup of coffee, you wait for the sugar to dissolve, hoping the waiting will also bring the drink to a more bearable temperature.

In the meantime, your head rests on your left hand. God, it’s already 3 p.m., but it feels like 7 a.m you thought. You love Elvis Presley, but this disrupted body clock is driving you crazy. Keeping up with his schedule is exhausting and doesn’t come naturally to you.

The boys are around, laughing and joking. Normally, they don’t bother you, but today is one of those days when you can’t seem to rest. The only thing you need is just five minutes of silence.

Elvis suddenly strode in, his eyes gleaming like the sun itself with a sense of purpose that sent a ripple of tension through the room.

He slammed his hand on the table, making everyone jump. “Darlin’!” he said, his voice booming, making you spill the coffee a bit. “Today is the day”

You blinked, wiping the coffee off your sleeve, half asleep. “Elvis, today what…?”

He came closer, with all the energy of a man who thought he was about to change your life. He leaned down, his face inches from yours, and said, “Today, you’re gonna become the girl of Elvis Presley, and no one, no one, will ever mess with ya again.”

You blinked. Your eyes darted to the boys in the other room, who were now peeking in with a mix of shock and panic on their faces. Red whispered to Jerry, “Is he… is he about to do what I think he’s gonna do?”

Your heart began to race as you caught their expressions. Wait, you thought, is he going to propose?A hundred different thoughts raced through your mind as Elvis swaggered closer, eyes locked on you.

Your eyes widened, a nervous laugh escaping your throat. “Uh… what exactly do you mean by that?”

The boys were watching from the corners of the room, looking more panicked by the second. One of them mouthed, “What the hell is going on?!”

You felt heat rise to your face, hands getting sweaty as Elvis stood up straighter, his presence towering over you. He gestured for you to stand up. Your heart pounded in your chest, and you clumsily got to your feet, still clutching your coffee mug like it was a life raft.

Elvis turned dramatically to the rest of the boys and then back to you, his voice full of conviction. “I’m gonna make a woman outta ya today!”

The room fell deathly silent. Just what you wanted but at the wrong moment. Joe was half-standing, ready to intervene, while the rest of the guys were practically holding their breath. You felt the heat rise to your cheeks, your mind racing with romantic fantasies.

But before you could say a word, Red, who had been sweating bullets in the corner, suddenly stepped forward, waving his arms. “Uh, boss, are you sure you wanna do this? I mean, she’s, uh… she’s not exactly dressed for… a life-altering moment, ya know?” He looked at your pajama situation and raised his eyebrows.

You shot Red a panicked look. “Thank you, Red. Someone who understands.”

Elvis grinned, ignoring Red entirely. He grabbed your hand and pulled you toward the door with a flourish. “C’mon, darlin’. I got somethin’ to show ya.”

You stumbled behind him, barely able to keep up, still processing everything. Your mind was spinning. This is it. This is my big moment, he’s proposing to me in front of the boys while I look like a half-awake raccoon. You could practically see Elvis getting down on one knee, and hear him saying something like “Marry me, baby,” with all the charismatic aura he could muster.

Elvis stopped in front of the… wait, were we heading to the shed? Not exactly the most romantic spot, but okay. In the backyard behind Graceland, he threw open the doors with a dramatic flourish. Oh God, here it comes,you thought. He’s about to pull out a ring.

Except… instead of a ring, he pulled out a shotgun.

You blinked. And blinked again.

Wait… “… Elvis?” you said slowly, still holding onto the tiny shred of hope that this was all leading to some sort of romantic surprise. “What’s this?”

He grinned, grabbing the shotgun and holding it out to you like it was a bouquet of roses. “Today, baby, you’re learnin’ to shoot! No woman of mine goes out into the world without knowin’ how to defend herself.”

From the door, Jerry groaned, burying his face in his hands. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

Red shook his head, laughing so hard he was almost in tears. “This is the best day of my life. She’s over here hearing wedding bells, and he’s giving her gun safety lessons.”

Elvis, meanwhile, was already in full-on drill-sergeant mode. “Now, darlin’, here’s what you’re gonna do. Take this here gun, stand like this, and aim straight at that target.” He set up a tin can on a fence post like it was a challenge sent from the gods.

You stood there in your pajamas, coffee-stained, barefoot, holding the shotgun with a look of complete disbelief. “Elvis, I don’t know if this is really…”

But before you could finish, Elvis waved his arm grandly. “Boys!” he shouted back at the house. “Everybody outside! I want y’all to see how my baby’s gonna blow y’all’s asses away real soon!”

The guys, now looking even more bewildered, slowly shuffled outside, clearly trying not to laugh.

You awkwardly positioned the gun like Elvis had shown you, feeling all of their eyes on you. Elvis stood back, crossing his arms, proud as ever. “Go on, darlin’. Show ‘em how it’s done.”

You pulled the trigger, and the recoil was so strong it almost knocked you into next week. The shot went wide, really wide. You weren’t sure where it landed, but it definitely wasn’t anywhere near the target.

Before you could even catch your breath, you glanced at Elvis, but his face was hidden from view. His gaze was fixed firmly on the guys, though you couldn’t tell why.

There was a moment of dead silence as everyone processed what just happened. Then, in perfect, awkward unison, all the boys started clapping.

Not a normal clap, either. Oh no. It was the most sarcastic, slow-motion, forceful clapping you’d ever heard.They didn’t want to disobey Elvis apparently.

“Wow” Jerry deadpanned, still clapping as he’d just witnessed the moon landing. “She really nailed it.”

“Right on target” Red added, grinning like an idiot.

You shot them all a death glare, your ears still ringing from the blast. “Thanks, guys. Really feeling the support.” You replied.

Elvis, still beaming, gave you an enthusiastic slap on the back that nearly knocked you over again. “That’s alright, baby! You’ll be the sharpest shooter this side of Memphis by the time I’m done with ya.”

You sighed, wiping a stray hair out of your face.I could’ve been getting proposed to right now you thought. Instead, I’m missing tin cans while grown men clap for me like I’m their five-year-old niece.

Elvis sauntered over, clearly noticing your less-than-perfect stance. “Alright darlin’, you’re doin’ great, but let me show ya how it’s done” he said, his voice a smooth rumble. Before you could protest, he slid in behind you, so close you could feel the warmth of his chest press against your back.

Your breath hitched.

He wrapped his arms around yours, his hands guiding yours back onto the shotgun, correcting your grip. You could feel the heat radiating from his body, his breath warm against the back of your neck as he leaned in to speak softly in your ear. “Now, you wanna keep it steady. Relax those shoulders, darlin’. Don’t be so tense.”

Your heart was beating so loudly you were sure he could hear it. Elvis’s hands were warm, firm but gentle as he adjusted your hold on the gun “See?” he murmured, his voice lower now, almost a whisper. “Just like that.”

You could barely concentrate on what he was saying. The mix of his warmth against your back and the tickle of his breath on your ear was making it hard to focus on, well, anything.

"Now, darlin'," he said, "take a deep breath. Hold the gun firmly. Once you exhale, you'll find it easier to control the trembling."

You did as he asked, inhaling slowly, but your breath came out shaky. How could you not be shaky with him this close? The smell of his cologne mixed with leather was all around you, and his voice: deep, rich, and filled with that unmistakable Southern charm, was enough to make your knees weak.

“Keep your eyes on the target” he murmured, his mouth so close to your ear that you could feel the vibration of his words more than you could hear them. “And just… pull the trigger when you’re ready. I know you can do this, baby”

You pulled the trigger, and this time, the shot wasn’t as wild as before, but it still didn’t hit the target. It whizzed by it, probably scaring some poor bird in the tree behind it. The recoil was strong, but this time, Elvis held you steady, his grip keeping you grounded

He let out a low chuckle, still close enough that you felt it rumble through your back. “Almost, baby,” he said, his voice teasing but not unkind. “You’ll get it.”

From the door, the boys were clapping again: loud, exaggerated, sarcastic claps that echoed through the yard. “Great job!” Jerry yelled, laughing. “Nailed it that time!”

You groaned, turning your head to give them a look, but Elvis was still so close that you ended up brushing your cheek against his. Your face heated instantly but Elvis didn’t seem fazed at all. In fact, he was grinning down at you, eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Alright, fellas, that's enough for today. Give us some space."

Elvis's gaze remained locked on your lips as he spoke, his eyes filled with tenderness.

“Let’s try again, honey,” Elvis said, a playful smile tugging at his lips as he noticed you getting a little nervous under his gaze.

You tried to focus all your attention on the can ahead of you. You breathed in slowly, trying to follow the instructions Elvis had given you. But just as your finger grazed the trigger, his voice, soft and teasing, broke the silence. “You look beautiful today, darlin’ ” he whispered, his arms slipping around your waist, pulling you just a little closer.

A blush crept up your face instantly, and you could feel the warmth of his body against your back, his masculine energy completely surrounding you. A shiver ran through you, not just from his words, but from the way his sideburns brushed against your ear as he leaned in to whisper.

“Even in pajamas?” you asked, your voice coming out softer than you intended, your smile tinted with embarrassment.

“Especially in pajamas” he replied with that irresistible grin, his blue eyes locking onto your face with such intensity it made your heart skip. And before you could even catch your breath, his lips pressed a soft kiss to your cheek, lingering just long enough to leave your skin tingling.

“Elvis, you’re distracting me,” you laughed, your voice a little shaky.

“I know” he grinned, his blue eyes sparkling mischievously, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on you. “But I bet my baby shoots even better when ol’ Elvis is givin’ her some love.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, the sound mixing with your nervous energy. “Why do you want me to learn how to shoot?” you asked, watching as Elvis moved his hands over yours, adjusting your grip on the gun with effortless confidence.

“’Cause you gotta know how to protect yourself if I’m not around” he replied, his voice tinged with excitement. “You’re gonna be my little killer, the boss of this house.”

Your stomach fluttered at his words, and you swallowed hard, trying to focus on the can ahead of you. But with Elvis so close, the warmth from his body and the teasing in his voice made it almost impossible to concentrate. His presence was overwhelming, in the best way.

“Alright then,” you breathed, doing your best to steady your hands. You tried to follow his instructions, feeling the weight of his arms gently guiding yours as your finger grazed the trigger.

“Take your time, baby. Breathe with me,” he whispered, his lips brushing your cheek again in the process, sending a ripple of warmth through your body. His chest rose and fell against your back, slow and steady, and you instinctively matched his rhythm, your heart still racing despite your efforts to stay calm.

With his arms around you and his presence grounding you, you finally squeezed the trigger. The gun kicked back slightly, but the bullet flew straight, hitting the can dead center with a loud ping.

You gasped, wide-eyed with surprise. “I did it!” you exclaimed, your voice filled with pride as a huge smile spread across your face.

Elvis chuckled, his laughter rich and deep. He gently took the gun from your hands, letting it fall to the ground without a second thought. Before you could react, he swept you up into his arms, spinning you around effortlessly. “Atta girl!” he said, his voice brimming with pride, but there was something deeper in his tone, something tender. “Told ya you could do it.”

You wrapped your arms around his neck, still beaming from the success and the thrill of being in his arms. You could feel the strength in his embrace, but it was his warmth and affection that made your heart race even faster.

Elvis’s smile began to fade slightly as he stopped twirling you in the air and gently set you back on the ground. With a look of pure affection and love, he cupped your chin, his eyes soft as he spoke. “My sweet baby, I love you.”

In that moment, you felt so small, dwarfed by his height and his presence. But the way he looked at you, the depth of his love, made you feel both protected and cherished. His love surrounded you like a warm embrace, and you couldn’t have been happier.

“I love you too,” you replied, your voice soft, a smile tugging at your lips.

“By the way, honey” Elvis said softly, his voice carrying a playful yet serious tone, “The best restaurant in Memphis is closin’ up just for us tonight. So, darlin’, get yourself ready. I got some plans in mind.”

Your heart immediately began to race. Elvis rarely went out to restaurants; that was one of the downsides of dating a celebrity. Fans would always be there, making it impossible for him to have a peaceful dinner, so you usually stayed in or dined privately in his suite. If he’d gone to the trouble of shutting down an entire restaurant… it could only mean something important.

Elvis winked at you, and you swallowed hard, the weight of his words hitting you fully.

Slowly, Elvis leaned down, his face inching closer to yours. Then his lips finally met yours, it was soft and slow, like he was savoring every second. His kiss was gentle at first, but as your lips moved together, you felt the growing passion behind it. The sensation of his smooth, freshly-shaven skin brushing lightly against your face sent shivers down your spine.

His hand slid from your chin to cradle the side of your face, his thumb brushing over your cheek as he deepened the kiss, but it never lost its tenderness. It was as if he was pouring all his love for you into that moment, holding you close but with the gentleness of someone who never wanted to let go.

Finally, he pulled back, just enough to let your foreheads rest together, both of you breathing heavily. His eyes, dark and hooded, met yours again, a crooked grin spreading across his face.

“Now that” he drawled and smiled “was better than any shootin’ lesson.”

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ladelinee · 8 days ago

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Authors note: I had so much fun writing this that I finished quickly. Maybe I will take longer with the next episode, as the next two weeks are very intense for me 🥲 Enjoy!!

Word count: 3,5K

Warnings: angst, innocent, a bit aggresive E, fluff.

Dontcha’ think It’s time

Part 2 (Part 1 here)

Before you reached the stairs, you could listen already the clinking silverware, lively chatter, and Elvis’s booming laughter. The smell of bacon, toast, and coffee pulled you toward the dining room.

Inside, chairs scraped, voices overlapped, and the Memphis Mafia crowded around the table, plates piled high.

At the center, little Lisa Marie sat in her high chair, happily making a mess spilling cereals.

Lisa spotted you right away. Her face lit up with a big, messy grin.

“You sittin’ by me?” she asked fascinated, her voice slightly muffled by the cereal in her mouth.

“Good morning, Yisa. Of course!” you replied with a warm smile while sliding into the seat next to her.

Lisa giggled, she was excited to enjoy breakfast with you.

Elvis, seated at the head of the table, glanced up. He noticed the interaction, the way Lisa beamed at you, and that put a smile on his face.

Leaning forward slightly, his eyes softened as he said “Mornin’, sugar” his voice smooth and welcoming. “How’d ya sleep?”

You looked over at him, your nerves easing at his kind tone. “Good, thanks. The bed is really comfortable.”

“Well, that’s good to hear” he replied, leaning back in his chair, coffee in hand. “Graceland ain’t that bad, is it?”

“No, it’s really nice” you answered honestly, feeling a bit more at ease.

Elvis nodded, pleased.

Across the table, Joe piped up, breaking the short moment of calm. “Hey, E, the tailor has been waiting for you to confirm a date. Them jumpsuits of yours are about ready to give up.”

“Yeah” Red added, cutting into his pancakes with a grin. “Keep movin’ like you do on stage, and those seams ain’t got a prayer.”

The table roared with laughter as Elvis rolled his eyes, though his grin betrayed his amusement.

“You boys got jokes this mornin’, huh?” he answered back between laughs. “Tell the tailor to come by tomorrow. And careful now, you’re talkin’ to the man who makes sure y’all get breakfast every day.”

Red grinned back. “That’s true, E. But maybe if you laid off the damn bacon those seams wouldn’t be screamin’ for help.”

Elvis shot him a mock glare as the room erupted in laughter again. But before he could retort, Lisa’s little voice piped up, clear as a bell.

“Damn bacon” she let out, nodding as if she agreed with Red.

Everyone laughed at the joke except Elvis, who sighed playfully. He wasn't impressed because Lisa was at that age of repeating everything.

Setting his coffee cup down slowly, Elvis licked his lips, stretched his arms, and cracked his neck like a man about to deliver the final blow. Then, with a smirk so lethal it could knock a man flat, he pointed his fork straight at Red.

“Listen here, I ain’t eatin’ all this bacon for me, man. I’m carb-loadin’ for later… gotta keep my energy up for your mama.”

The guys detonated.

Jerry fell against Charlie, grabbing his chest like he’d been shot. Charlie was howling, pounding the table so hard the syrup bottle tipped over.

Elvis took another bite of bacon, chewed slowly, and winked.

Red threw his hands up. “Man, what the hell, E?! I ain’t even say nothin’ that bad!”

Elvis just shrugged, taking a long sip of coffee. “Well, maybe next time you’ll think twice before talkin’ about me and my jumpsuits. ’Cause trust me, man, ain’t nothin’ burstin’ at the seams but your mama’s breathin’ when I walk through the door.”

“I’m done. I’m done.” Red slammed his napkin on the table.

Elvis grinned, popping another piece of bacon in his mouth. “Yeah, well… your mama ain’t.”

You sat calmly, hands resting on the table, taking it all in. You were watching and listening, completely absorbed. You didn’t understand every jab being thrown, but still. The way he shot back, so quick, so clever… it was something to admire. You fixed your eyes on him, wide with quiet awe, captivated by the effortless way he turned every joke in his favor.

You had no idea what was happening. But one thing was clear: Uncle Elvis was winning.

Elvis looked at you and instantly felt the weight of all his sins.

Red looked between you and Elvis and smirked. “Yeah, E… now you can’t say anything, huh?”

He shot Red a warning glare. “Oh, you dirty son of a…”

After few seconds Elvis swallowed real slow, suddenly feeling about ten degrees hotter. He glanced around: Charlie nudged Jerry. Jerry looked up, saw your sweet little face, and immediately covered his mouth, trying to hold in his laughter. Joe was staring directly at Elvis, mouthing, “Don’t. You. Do. It.”

Elvis cleared his throat, straightened his back, and gave you his most innocent, charming smile.

“Well now, sugar” he started smoothly, looking you dead in the eye. “Let’s just say… your ol’ Uncle does a lotta charity work”

The table lost it.

Joe was laughing quietly, struggling to catch his breath and kicking his legs. Jerry was nearly in tears. Red's face was all red, and he was mumbling something about how the Lord was testing him.

Wiping the tears from his eyes, Jerry added, “E, you’re going straight to hell, man.”

The playful teasing helped you unwind, and soon enough, you were laughing along with the jokes, a sense of belonging settling in.

Noticing you loosening up, Red smirked and leaned toward you. “See? Give it a year, and you’ll be just as wild as the rest of us.”

“Yeah, but for now, take it easy, Red. She’s just a little girl.” Jerry swallowed a piece of toast, smirking.

Hearing Jerry’s words stirred something inside you. Since the atmosphere they created was making you feel comfortable, you decided to bring this up. Excitement began to shine in your eyes as you declared with a smile, “Well, not for long. Uncle Elvis is gonna make me a woman.”

The room fell into an instant, stunned silence. Forks hovered midair, coffee cups stopped halfway to lips, not a single breathing, and wide-eyed glances darted across the table.

Elvis paused mid-sip, his coffee cup still hovering close to his mouth. He froze, staring at the scene blankly. Slowly, he lowered his hand, the cup dangling from his fingers as he looked around to see how everyone was reacting.

Red made the mistake of looking at Elvis, saw the absolute panic on his face, and lost the battle. His chest jerked with a barely contained snort.

Charlie’s face turned toward the ceiling, eyes shut tight, fighting for composure, while Joe shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Elvis like he was waiting for him to say something.

But the real problem, the reason the laughter was strained, the reason no one could quite look Elvis in the eye, was that the idea wasn’t actually impossible.

By experience, they all knew better.

Before Elvis could even pronounce a word, you continued innocently, completely unaware of the tension. “He said he’d teach me about what men like and how to be more confident, so I figured…”

Lisa, completely oblivious, grinned up at you, swinging her legs.

“Darlin’, I told y-“

Elvis didn’t even get to finish before Jerry leaned in, his voice low but urgent. “You might wanna hit the brakes before this train goes completely off the rails.”

In return, Elvis shot him a glare. “You think I don’t know that?”

Turning back to you, he forced a strained smile. “Now, sugar, what I meant was-“

“But you said-“

“I know what I said” Elvis cut in quickly, his voice tightening up with irritation.

Charlie decided to pour gasoline on the fire. “She’s got a point, E. You’re always braggin’ about how you know what women want.”

Elvis’s patience snapped. “Charlie, I swear to God…”

But you weren’t done. “And it makes sense, right? You said you know what men want, and if anyone can make me a woman, it’s you, Uncle Elvis!”

That was the final straw. The room went nuts, their laughter transforming into a strange mix of hiccuping, snorting, and wheezing. It sounded like a bunch of chickens getting spooked and a pack of turkeys doing their gobble thing, creating a total circus.

Elvis, however, didn’t find it funny.

“Alright, that’s enough!” he shouted. He slammed his hand on the table, making everyone jump. His face was bright red, and his eyes blazed with frustration. Every time he tried to speak, someone cut him off. His patience was gone.

The room quieted suddenly, giggles dying out in an instant. Lisa's attention snapped to her father, her eyes wide and glued to his face.

You shrank in your seat, your face red with embarrassment. “I didn’t mean anything bad” you whispered, your voice breaking.

Elvis sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I know you didn’t, sugar” he said, his voice softer but still firm. “But you can’t…you just can’t say things like that. Not like that. Not here.”

Tears welled up in your eyes, and you pushed your chair back. “I’m sorry” you said quickly, bolting from the room before anyone could stop you.

No one spoke. No one dared.

Elvis exhaled heavily, dragging a hand down his face. The men exchanged uneasy glances until Jerry finally broke the silence. “Well…that went south fast.”

Elvis shot him a warning look but remained silent.

Red smirked softly “E, this is just a taste of what’s comin’. Wait till Lisa’s her age. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

Elvis glanced at Lisa, who had returned to her cereal as if nothing had happened.

“Lisa” he said tiredly, “finish your breakfast. And behave when you get older, ya hear me?”

Lisa looked up at him, confused but obedient. “Okay, Daddy” she replied, taking another bite.

As soon as breakfast was over, Elvis let out a quiet curse before standing abruptly and leaving the table.

He made his way upstairs, pausing outside your door to knock softly.

“Darlin’? You in there?”

No response. He hesitated, then turned the doorknob.

The room was empty.

Elvis’s stomach sank as he scanned the hallway, his worry mounting.

“Jerry!” he called with sharp voice. “Get everyone. She’s gone.”

You ran down the driveway of Graceland, your feet pounding on the hot pavement. As you neared the end, the city of Memphis sprawled out before you, alive with activity, a sea of unknown but filled with the promise of answers.

You didn’t stop. Not when the air burned your lungs, not when the weight of this morning’s turmoil pressed against your chest. You weaved through pedestrians.

Finally, the library stood before you.

You pushed open the doors, stepping into the cool, hushed space. “If no one’s gonna help me” you muttered under your breath, determination settling in your bones. “I’ll find out myself.”

Some time later, Elvis was behind the wheel of his Cadillac, the engine roaring as it crawled down the streets of Memphis. His knuckles were tight on the steering wheel. Jerry sat in the passenger seat, glancing anxiously between Elvis and the road ahead.

“E, you’ve been drivin’ in circles for an hour”

Elvis ignored him, his sharp blue eyes inspecting the sidewalks. “She couldn’t have gone far” he muttered.

Jerry sighed. “Look, maybe she just needed some air. She’s not gonna do anything crazy.”

“You didn’t see the way she looked when she left that table, Jerry. I snapped at her, and she ran off feelin’ like she’s got no one to talk to. Hell, I wouldn’t stick around after that, either.”

Jerry leaned back, crossing his arms. “She doesn’t know what she’s doin’. She just needs to cool off, and so do you.”

Elvis didn’t answer. He slowed the car as they passed the library, something catching his eye. He squinted at the front doors.

“There” he said suddenly, pulling over to the curb with a screech.

Jerry craned his neck. “You think she’s in there?”

Elvis didn’t reply. He threw the car into park, climbed out, and strode toward the library doors, his pace quick but steady. Jerry hesitated for a moment, then let out a sigh, shoved his hands into his pockets, and leaned against the car, eyes fixed on the library doors.

You were still flipping through books, growing more and more stressed. Your fingers trembled as you picked up another, then another, the words on the pages blurring together in your frustration.

“What’s all this about?”

The deep, familiar voice made you freeze. You looked up to see Elvis standing at the end of the aisle, his hands on his hips, his eyes fixed on you.

You sighed, guilt and relief flooding your face.

Elvis walked closer, crouching down so he was eye level with you. His gaze softened when he saw the pile of books around you, and the frustration written all over your face. “What are you doin’ in here, honey? You had us all worried.”

You glanced down at the book in your hands, fidgeting with the corner of the page. “I just…I thought maybe the library would help. My parents always said books have the answers, but none of these books explain anything about…”

“About what?” Elvis asked gently, his tone calm and patient now.

You hesitated, then blurted out, “About how to be a woman. I thought if no one was gonna help me, I’d figure it out myself. But these books don’t make sense!”

He glanced at the titles around you, understanding dawning on his face. “Sugar,” he said softly, “you don’t need no books for that.”

You looked up at him, your eyes glossy with tears. “Then how am I supposed to learn? I just…I want to understand what I’m supposed to do, what I’m supposed to be.”

Elvis let out a long breath, sitting down on the floor beside you, leaning his back against the bookshelf. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, just stared down at the books scattered around you.

“Listen to me, darlin’” he said finally, his voice low and steady. “There ain’t no book out there that’s gonna tell you how to be a woman. That’s somethin’ you figure out on your own, little by little.”

“But I don’t even know where to start” you said, your voice small.

Elvis reached out, resting a gentle hand on your shoulder, making you look at him. “I’ll help ya, honey, as best as I can. But don’t go running off thinking you’re on your own.”

Tears slipped down your cheeks, and you sniffled, nodding. “I didn’t mean to make you mad.”

“I know you didn’t” he said, his voice soft. “And I didn’t mean to snap at you. That’s on me, sugar. M’sorry.”

You nodded again, the tension in your chest starting to ease. Elvis stood, brushing off his pants, and extended a hand to you.

“C’mon” he said with a small smile. “Let’s get you back home. You got the whole house worried about ya.”

The rest of the day, you felt a little more at ease.

For the first time in a long while, you felt supported. Like maybe… you weren’t so alone after all.

Even so, when night fell, sleep wouldn’t come.

You tossed and turned, kicking off the blanket, pulling it back on again, but nothing helped. Your mind wouldn’t settle.

Finally, with a sigh, you pushed back the covers and slipped out of bed. You hesitated at the doorway.

You still felt a little uncomfortable moving around on your own in a house that wasn’t yours. Everything felt too big, too unfamiliar, too grand. But waking someone up? That felt even worse.

So, you forced yourself forward.

Graceland was different at night. The house was silent, dimly lit, wrapped in shadows. The soft white carpet felt cool under your bare feet.

When you reached the kitchen, you traced your fingers along the cabinets, finding the fridge by touch alone. The soft glow illuminated the space as you pulled it open.

Carefully, you poured the milk and warmed it up the way your mother used to.

The moment the warmth hit your fingertips, you sighed, finally feeling something familiar. Something that felt safe.

You were ready to take that first, much-needed sip, and then you realized you weren’t alone.

Leaning against the counter, watching you, stood Elvis. His robe was hanging loosely, and his hair was messy, making him look different.

Finally, he spoke.

“Couldn’t sleep?” His voice was low, rough from the lateness of the hour.

You shook your head, “You either?” still gripping your glass.

Elvis let out a quiet huff, lifting the drink in his hand slightly. “I don’t do much of that these days.”

You hesitated, shifting slightly before finally stepping toward the counter, perching on one of the stools. You suddenly felt small in the space, small in his presence.

Elvis’s gaze flickered over you, noticing something, thinking, but keeping it to himself. He took a slow sip of his drink before exhaling through his nose.

“I told you I’d teach you a few tips, and I meant that” he murmured, his voice steady. “But I think you already learned the first lesson on your own.”

You frowned slightly. “What lesson?”

Elvis leaned forward, resting his forearms on the counter.

“You had initiative to do what your heart wanted” he said. “You made a decision for yourself, without anyone tellin’ you what to do.” A small smirk touched his lips. “And… you’re willin’ to change. That’s admirable, sugar.”

A warm feeling curled in your chest.

Elvis wasn’t the kind of man who gave compliments easily, not the ones that mattered.

But just as the moment started to feel too heavy, too serious.

He suddenly leaned back, stretching slightly.

“Ah, and also” he added, pointing at you, “you’re grounded for escapin’.”

You nearly choked on your milk. “What?!”

Elvis smirked, taking another sip of his drink. “Yeah. Sorry, young lady, but I gotta stick to it.”

“You don’t even ground people!”

“I do now” he said, chuckling. “First time for everything.”

You huffed, crossing your arms. “This is so unfair.”

Elvis just shook his head, his laughter soft but real.

The moment softened, and for a second, it almost felt normal again.

Then, you studied him a little closer. His face wasn’t guarded like it usually was. He seemed… different.

“You look different at night,” you said out of nowhere, tilting your head.

Elvis raised a brow, smirking slightly. “That so?”

You nodded, taking a sip of your milk. “Yeah. You seem… I don’t know. Less like ‘Elvis Presley’ and more like… just you.”

Elvis exhaled a short laugh, shaking his head. “Darlin’, I don’t even know what ‘just me’ is anymore.”

You frowned, watching him carefully. “Well… I think you’re the best person I know.”

That made him stop.

His fingers tensed subtly around his glass. His lips parted slightly, as if he was about to speak, but then he hesitated. He had spent years battling to separate the man from the artist, struggling for people to see the difference between who he was and who they expected him to be. But you were too young to understand the weight of that fight, and he wasn’t about to launch into a speech. Instead, he swallowed the thought, keeping it to himself.

You didn’t know why, but you wanted him to believe you. So you continued.

“I…I think you’re kind, and funny, and you make everyone feel safe. And I don’t think people tell you that enough.”

Elvis stared at you, his tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek.

His blue eyes flickered in the dim light, studying your face. Then, before you could think, his hand lifted, fingers grazing along your cheek.

“Appreciate it, darlin’”he said, his smile warm and sincere.

The touch was light, barely there, but it sent a strange feeling through you.

It was warm. It was soft. It made something deep in your stomach flutter in a way you didn’t understand.

You looked up at him, your breath hitching slightly. He was so tall, and his hand seemed enormous compared to your face.

Elvis seemed to realize how you were reacting to what he had just done.

His hand lingered just a second too long, his thumb brushing the corner of your jaw, before he suddenly pulled away like if the surface was burning, clearing his throat.

Elvis shifted, suddenly looking tense, uncomfortable. He ran a hand through his hair, reaching for his drink like he needed something to do.

You swallowed, confused by the strange feeling left behind.

The athmosphere in the kitchen felt heavier now. Different.

Elvis downed the rest of his drink in one go and turned his back to you.

“Alright, honey” he said, voice tighter now, forced into something lighter. “Time for bed.”

You hesitated, still feeling the ghost of his touch on your skin.

But finally, you nodded.

“Okay.”

You slid off the stool, heading for the doorway.

Elvis didn’t turn around.

As you walked back to your room, you weren’t sure what had just happened.

You didn’t know why your heart was beating too fast.

You didn’t know why your skin still felt warm.

And you didn’t know why as soon as the door clicked shut behind you…

Elvis let out a long, sharp breath and muttered under his breath, “Shit.”

Tag: @iloveelvisss

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