#beth bixler

[thegamingcatmom]

Guys guys guys, my head´s a mess rn. I-

...You had to admit though, perhaps you should have locked that door like Ellie had demanded suggested. How utterly ridiculous of you to believe your undead companion would actually heed your wishes for once, simply because she loves and adores you, because that´s what people in healthy relationships do- ...Right. Back to business.

The plan was to finally finish my response to that ask that´s been sitting in my inbox for way too long, apologies to whoever sent it! 🙏

But, instead, my brain decided to take that obsession for Momma(s) to the next level. And, well, when inspiration strikes-

I will post that ask some point soon, if it´s the last thing I do. 😤

But, until then...

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Bonus (mayhaps):

[housano]

Beth Bixler. That's the post

[itsaaudraw]

three fabled books of the dead, three unlikely (and unlucky) heroes

[dymttz]

In fact...I i'd give it to both. Fact

@gaym0m You're absolutely right.

[marioggy]

Fav Horror Icons

[rainkays]

evil dead rise (2023) behind the scenes 🎬

[nordiccowboy]

i mean they’re both from warner bros. so deadites and barbies exist in the same universe right??

[amycarey]

thinking about my ship

[horrorwomensource]

Help me, Bethy Boo.

LILY SULLIVAN as BETH BIXLER EVIL DEAD RISE (2023) dir. Lee Cronin

[really-epic]

A Soft Place to Land

(GIF not mine)

Pairing: Ellie Bixler x Fem! Curvy! Reader.

Warnings: Alcohol?? idk what else mb

(She/her) is used for the reader

MEN DNI U WILL BE BLOCKED.

_

Ellie wasn’t sure what drew her to the bar.

Maybe it was the ache in her chest, or the suffocating silence of her apartment now that Jay was gone.

Maybe it was the pressure of holding everything together for her kids, Danny’s quiet withdrawal, Bridget’s anger, Kassie’s heartbreaking questions about when daddy was coming home.

Maybe she just needed to feel something else, even if it was just the burn of cheap whiskey sliding down her throat.

She hadn’t expected much from the little bar nestled on a quiet corner of the city, but the moment she stepped inside, the atmosphere wrapped around her like a warm, familiar hug. It was clean, stylish, with a faint buzz of chatter and laughter filling the air. Ellie let her shoulders drop, tension easing slightly as she slid onto a stool at the bar.

Her intention had been to quietly drink and disappear, but the moment her gaze lifted to the bartender, her breath caught.

You.

You stood behind the counter, wiping down glasses and mixing drinks with practiced ease. Your curves were accentuated by the fitted uniform. But it wasn’t just the physical, you carried yourself in a way that made it impossible for Ellie to tear her eyes away from.

“Shit,” Ellie muttered under her breath, suddenly hyper-aware of her rumpled appearance.

You turned toward her, recognition flashing in your striking eyes. Your lips curved into a soft, apologetic smile, and Ellie’s stomach flipped.

“Ellie,” you greeted, your voice low and smooth as honey. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

She shifted awkwardly on her stool, the heat rising to her cheeks. “Yeah, uh… me neither. I mean, I didn’t even know this place existed until… now.

“New spot,” you explained, leaning slightly on the counter. The angle gave Ellie a full view of your face, gorgeous and framed by your perfectly styled hair. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to focus. “You alright?”

Ellie stiffened, the question hitting too close to home. Of course, you’d seen everything. That night Jay stormed out, leaving her standing in the doorway trying to piece herself back together. She remembered catching your eyes for a fleeting moment as you walked down the hallway, your expression filled with quiet understanding.

“Yeah,” she lied, avoiding your gaze. “I’m fine. Just needed a drink, I guess.”

You didn’t press, instead nodding as you reached for a glass. “What’ll it be?”

“Whiskey. Neat.”

“Coming right up.”

As you moved to pour her drink, Ellie took a moment to compose herself. She was falling apart in front of someone who had only ever seen the put-together version of her.

The tattoo artist. The cool mom. Not… this.

But then you slid the glass toward her, your fingers brushing hers for the briefest moment. Your touch was warm, grounding, and when she looked up, your gaze was steady, curious but not prying.

“You don’t have to pretend with me, you know,” you said softly, your voice just loud enough to reach her over the bar noise.

Ellie blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in your tone. “What do you mean?”

You tilted your head slightly, studying her with those impossibly captivating eyes. “I mean, I get it. Life’s a bitch sometimes. And sometimes, you just need someone to talk to, or at least pour you a decent drink.

She huffed a dry laugh, surprising herself. “Yeah, well… life’s definitely a bitch right now.”

You raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at your lips. “Sounds about right for a Thursday.”

-

Ellie didn’t plan on staying long, but somehow, hours slipped by. You didn’t hover, giving her space when she needed it, but every time you returned to check on her, the conversation flowed easily.

You made her laugh, genuinely laugh, for the first time in what felt like weeks. You made sly, sassy comments that had her raising an eyebrow, only to smirk when she threw one right back at you.

-

By the time the bar started winding down, Ellie felt lighter than she had in ages.

“Closing up soon,” you said, wiping down the counter in front of her. “You need a walk home?”

Ellie hesitated, glancing at her phone. The kids were at home with Danny in charge, but she knew she couldn’t stay out much longer. Still, the idea of parting ways with you left a hollow ache in her chest.

“I… yeah, maybe,” she admitted, standing and slipping on her jacket. “I don’t live far.”

Fuck. Why the hell did I say that? She lives right next door! Ellie silently bashed herself.

You laughed, grabbing your own coat, the sound of your laugh was like music to the redhead's ears. “Good. Neither do I.” You teased.

The walk back to the apartment was quiet but comfortable. The city streets were calm, and for once, Ellie didn’t feel the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders.

-

The elevator doors opened on your floor with a soft 'ding' and you walked to your apartments. You stopped infront of your door, hands stuffed in your pockets as you turned to Ellie, who was stealing glances at you from the side.

“If you ever need anything… even just to vent,” you said, your tone sincere, “I’m right next door."

Ellie nodded, her throat tightening unexpectedly. “Thanks. I… I appreciate it.”

You smiled, warm and soft, and for the first time in a long time, Ellie felt like she wasn’t alone.

As you turned to head into your own apartment, Ellie caught herself staring after you, again, her mind racing. You were nothing like she expected, and yet… maybe exactly what she needed.

God help her.

She was falling for her neighbor.

-

[clairedsfield]

evil dead rise (2023)

[stuckinthedeadlights]

Evil Dead Rise Screencaps

Full Zip of the movie can be found here

If you would like to be tagged when I post them or have a scene or character you’d like to see screencaps of send me an ask. If you use them you don’t have to credit me but it would be nice if you could tag me so I can see what you did with them. all of my edits and screencaps can be found here

My Ko-fi is here  and my Redbubble is here if you’re interested in supporting me and my creations

[lifeislikeasong]

I Have Always Loved You - Ellie Bixler (Human) x Fem Reader fic!

ATTN: @heartof-flies @gaym0m

It's here! Thanks for your patience, my sweet little followers. I had so much fun with this story. Human Ellie has a special place in my heart, and like I've said before, our girl deserved better.

WARNING: So, Jay is a complete dick in this. So is their Mom. There is a mention of S.A and domestic abuse.

I truly hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it (it's a particularly long read)

A/N: Please do not share to other sites without my permission.

Happy reading, my loves! xxx

EDIT: I'm considering turning this into a series - so, if anyone's interested let me know and I'll see what I can do! 😘

PROLOGUE:

Making your way towards your usual cafe at the end of the street, which is conveniently adjacent to Beth’s music store, Ellie’s tattoo studio and your law office; you thought about your two best friends, and smiled at the fact that you still continue to catch up in the exact same spot after all these years.

You often meet up three times a week for coffee or lunch, depending on how busy you all are. In between those times, you would all spend your free time at each other’s apartments. Conveniently, you all lived in the same building; a beautiful big Brownstone with apartments either next to or above the other. During those ‘down times’ the three of you often spent time helping each other out; whether it was yourself and Beth helping Ellie babysit her kids, you and Ellie cleaning up Beth’s absolute mess of an apartment, or Ellie and Beth making sure you had a fridge full of food for those long work days. Your evenings always ended in the company of your two best friends; no matter how the days went.

So it’s suffice to say the three of you were inseparable. 20 years of friendship will do to you.

However…there was always something more between you and Ellie.

She knew it.

You knew it.

Even Beth knew it. She even teased each of you about it; not while you were in each other's company, of course…cause - awkward!

See, Ellie had a way of making you feel alive; like she had awakened something in you that you previously didn’t know existed. For the life of you, you couldn’t explain why you suddenly found yourself smiling more often than not, or why your heart beat just that little bit faster whenever she entered the room, or why you suddenly missed each other after an extended period of time apart. 

Ellie always found herself gravitating towards you whether you were out in public, or at home. You often found yourselves sitting close together on the couch or at the dining table; your legs and shoulders gently brushing up against each other caused goosebumps to appear on Ellie’s slender, but incredibly strong arms. The mere scent of her perfume drove you wild; a burning feeling always sitting low in your belly. 

You often complimented each other and always offered supportive words of encouragement; as friends usually do. But still, there was always a deeper meaning behind every action, and each and every word. Beth would tease the two of you if you would playfully bicker like an old married couple; usually over who forgot to put the milk back in the fridge or put the laundry away. There were times when she would catch you two staring at the other, blissfully unaware of the longing gaze plastered on your faces whenever your backs were turned.

Beth would also tease you over the fact that you would often make excuses to see each other in the middle of the day, memorising your favourite coffee orders and dropping it off at your respective workplaces. 

Even something as simple as text messages or phone calls would make your stomach flutter. A genuine, loving smile would appear on your face at the sight of her name popping up on your lockscreen. Ellie always seemed to reach out at precisely the right moment; somehow sensing you needed a distraction while under pressure at work. She’d try, and fail miserably to send you memes, which you found absolutely endearing. 

You would also leave each other voice messages. Ellie had panic attacks ever since she was a kid which continued well into her adult life. You were the one person who she could depend on to calm her down, so she’d immediately call you; you’d answer every call you possibly could, but on the off chance you were away from your phone, you’d leave her a voice message with everything she needed to hear. Ellie would sit back, close her eyes and focus on the sound of your voice, feeling instantly soothed and calmed.

You and Ellie were fans of 90’s R&B band, Boyz II Men. Your joint favourite song was ‘4 Seasons of Loneliness’. Whenever you heard that song on the radio, or even playing randomly in Beth’s store, you couldn’t help but think of each other; imagining slow dancing in each other's arms. Beth would sometimes play it on purpose to get under your skin, as cheeky as she was. It was undoubtedly ‘your song’; it said everything about how you feel towards one another and then some. You lost your band t-shirt recently, and unbeknownst to you, Ellie still had hers; she very thoughtfully gave it to you, but, as worn down as it was, since she knew what it meant to you; it being the first concert you ever went to together. You were touched by her sweet gesture and wore that t-shirt to bed or when you're lying on the couch at home watching movies. There were times you’d subconsciously wear the shirt in Ellie’s presence which made her heart soar to the heavens above. It still has Ellie’s scent on it, and everytime you wear it, you feel wrapped up in her warmth.

There were moments when you thought for sure you would finally get together; the sexual tension between you palatable. Your gazes lingered, your hugs always lasted a few seconds longer than regular hugs with Beth and the kids; and you offered to give each other massages to help ease the stress after long, tiring days. Ellie fussed over you and worried about how much pain you would be in after sitting at a desk for hours on end or how your muscles would tense up when you’d be deep in thought about a new case. You also knew how hard she worked, sitting hunched over while tattooing her clients or cleaning up after her kids.

Insisting on sitting between each others’ legs, long fingers worked gently, slowly and tenderly to work the large knots that formed in your shoulders. No words were spoken between you as you just simply enjoyed each others’ presence; the closeness and romance simmering beneath the surface; only little sounds of contentment, sighs and moans escaping lips. Your minds wandered, thinking about what other sounds you could entice out of the other. 

What would happen if I gently kissed her neck, just there? I’d give anything to slowly wrap my arms around her waist right now, hold her close and never let go. You’d both be thinking. 

Eyes wandering to necks, thinking about lips running down the side, over collar collarbones; back to lips…

It felt so good to have each other so close; but hurt to be so far away…

When she married Jay, it broke your heart even though you knew she didn’t love him. You did your best to be supportive, but seeing her with him devastated you.

It shattered Ellie’s heart when you got together with your previous girlfriend; she tried her best to hide her jealousy. Yes, although she was married, it pained her to see you with someone else. 

Even so, while you were with your respective ‘partners’, you still couldn’t help but seek out each others’ presence. There wasn’t really any love between you or your previous girlfriend. Sure, you cared deeply for them, but something was missing. They didn’t make you feel the way Ellie did, let alone loved you like you deserved. When you were with them, they were emotionally distant and manipulative; taking you for granted - you felt alone; not able to be your true self; like you were with Ellie. Regardless, you knew they were cheating on you and while you refused to acknowledge it, you tried your best to make it work; wanting to block out your true feelings.

In the end you couldn’t take it anymore, ultimately breaking up. 

Yes, you had one night stands with other women - wanting to fill the void, but nothing ever came close to what you wish you had with Ellie. No amount of sex or alcohol could stop you from feeling incredibly lonely.

Ellie and Jay were going through their own turmoil. He was an abusive, controlling husband and was only with Ellie because she was successful and somewhat wealthy. In other words, he used her for sex and money before cheating on and divorcing her, relinquishing his parental rights, taking off with his new girlfriend and marrying her in another country. 

Ellie confided in you and Beth that she was never in love with him, as she was more or less forced into marrying him because of her mother - since she got pregnant with Bridget in her first year of college at a frat party. Ellie was drunk, and Jay took advantage of her.

Beth and Ellie’s mother cared about social status and felt it wasn’t a good look for her eldest daughter to have a baby out of wedlock, regardless of the abuse Ellie was subjected to. Not only that, their Mom knew Ellie was gay, so she did whatever she could to hide that fact from her socialite friends; thinking Ellie’s ‘lifestyle’ would reflect negatively on her; impacting or discrediting her social status. Thus, making the decision by coercing her daughter into marrying a horrible excuse of a man. She was fully aware of the abuse Ellie suffered, but none of that mattered to her. 

When her mom died, Ellie finally found the courage to put an end to her sham of a marriage and move on with her life.

All of this had taken place four years ago…

She too, had slept with a few women, but no one could fill that void; the love she so desperately wanted - the love she wanted from you.

God knows you wanted to be together, but for whatever reason time never seemed to be on your side.

In truth, you were both scared of being open and brutally honest with each other; either in fear of getting hurt again, or losing each other.  The last thing you each wanted to do was ruin your friendship.

Which is probably why you’ve wasted the last four years….

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 1:

Your mind raced as you tried to find the confidence to break your news to your friends. It had been brewing for the past month or so, but you didn’t say anything until it was set in stone. You figured there was no point in upsetting anyone in case nothing ever came of this promotion.

You had a habit of overthinking, and did your best to calm yourself down before arriving at the cafe.

As you eventually made your way to the end of the street, you were snapped out of your deep thought process by the sound of Ellie’s voice.

Your stomach fluttered at the sight of her.

“Hey, Y/N”, she beamed at you, her voice as sweet as honey.

“Hey, Ellie”, you smiled back, a little reserved.

She reached for you and brought you in for a hug. You lost yourself in her for a few seconds, briefly forgetting the news you had to share. 

Tensing, you let go of her.

Ellie frowned, slightly taken aback, as she bent down to look you in the eye.

You avoided eye contact and she knew instantly that something was wrong. She slowly reached up, placing her hand under your chin; you leaned into her touch; finally looking her in the eye - silently apologising for making her worry. You hadn’t intentionally worried her, but she knew you would open up eventually.

“Beth’s late again?”, you asked.

“Isn’t she always”, she laughed softly, trying to soften the mood.

You giggled as she smiled.

Yes, I got her to laugh again. God, I love that sound. She thought to herself.

As if on cue, Beth appeared in the cafe and greeted you both, apologising for being late.

“Go grab a table, it’s on me”, you told your friends.

They smiled and sat down. Collecting the order, you passed out the coffee as you all began discussing the day so far.

Beth filled you in on the weird and wacky customers that invaded her store, while Ellie shared some crazy stories about her clients. You sat back and listened in awe, proud of your friends for following their dreams and supporting their small businesses.

Beth asked how work was going for you and you tensed again, which didn’t go unnoticed by the Bixler siblings. It wasn’t like you to be nervous when talking about your job; you were nothing if not confident, but humble.

You clenched your jaw before relaxing, smiling softly.

“Y/N? You okay?”, the older sibling asked.

You felt Ellie’s eyes on you; almost piercing through your soul.

Looking up at your friends, you began to talk.

“Sorry, I don’t mean to be distant; it’s just been a long morning”, you said quietly.

They sat, still looking at you, waiting patiently. Ellie couldn’t help but think how beautiful you look; that woman is so desperately in love with you, it was painfully obvious to everyone around you.

“What’s up?, Ellie asked kindly.

“Uh, well, that deal I’ve been working on for our biggest client…We settled this morning. We got the contract”, you said.

“Corporate were impressed that the turnaround was quicker than we thought; and offered me a promotion to–”, you continued.

“That’s great news, Y/N!”, they said in unison, interrupting you.

Looking at Beth, you saw her beaming at you. Clearly she was proud of you for working so hard and achieving something you’ve always wanted. You gazed over at Ellie who looked at you with unwavering amazement, in absolute awe of you.

“What’s the promotion?”, Beth asked.

“Partner”, you said simply.

They shared a look, knowing you’ve wanted this for so long.

“Congratulations! You’ve worked so hard, Y/N - you deserve this”, Ellie said.

Smiling, you thanked your friends; chewing the inside of your cheek, contemplating whether or not you should rip the bandaid off with the next bit of news.

Now or never. Stop delaying the inevitable; be honest. You told yourself.

“Y/N?”, the siblings said, drawing you out of your thoughts yet again - not noticing you checked out for a few seconds.

“Oh, sorry…There’s more”, you said, uncomfortably shifting in your seat,

“The law firm has plans to expand the company and open up new offices in London and Sydney. Since I’m the new partner, they’ve asked me to oversee everything for the Sydney office”, you said nervously.

Beth and Ellie listened intently, sensing your hesitation. 

You didn’t dare to look at Ellie.

“They want me to relocate to Sydney in six weeks”, you said hesitantly.

“Well…that’s, uh. How long?”, Beth asked.

“Three years”, you said.

A beat of silence passed through the three of you, Ellie taking a slow sip of coffee to calm her nerves.

“There’s a lot to consider; almost too much…We only got confirmation things were moving ahead this morning; we’ve known about these new offices for a little while now, but didn’t expect it to happen so fast”, you continued hesitantly.

You heard Ellie suck in a breath, from the corner of your eye you saw her look down at her hands, instantly picking at her nails; Something she did when she was scared - a habit she picked up as a young teen. 

Beth looked between the two of you and spoke up again.

“Wow”, she said.

“Yeah”, you said.

Beth kicked Ellie’s shin under the table.

“Ow, what the fuck?”, Ellie snapped.

Beth gestured towards you and Ellie finally acknowledged you.

You met each other's eyes. Sadness, worry and despair reflected through them; it broke your heart yet again as you anxiously waited for Ellie to say something.

“I…I’m happy for you, Y/N. Excuse me, I need to get back to work. Thank you for lunch”, she said quietly; the hurt was evident in her voice.

A few seconds of awkward silence passed between you and Beth as Ellie up and left.

“I...don’t know what to do”, you said.

“What do you mean, Y/N?”, Beth asked.

You sat quietly for a few seconds, before speaking up again.

“I don’t know if I can leave and move away so quickly. I can’t pack my whole life up in six weeks. I can’t leave my family; this is happening all too fast. I accepted the promotion, but told my boss I’d need time to consider moving. It’s a fucking huge decision”, you reasoned, looking sadly out the door, watching Ellie quickly cross the road and down the street.

Beth watched you; her eyes squinting at you. She knew there was another reason why you were hesitant.

“Look, you’ve worked so hard for this. Don’t let this opportunity fall through - take it; you’re great at negotiating, so why don’t you take the time to speak to your boss and come up with an alternate decision”, Beth said.

“You know Ellie - she just needs time”, she continued.

Your eyes snapped back to her. She smirked.

“I know, okay. I’ve always known”, she said.

“I….”, you mumbled.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Beth. We should get back to work”, you said.

“Don’t avoid it. Take the time you need; just know I’m happy for you, and will be here if you need anything”, Beth smiled kindly.

Hugging you, she thanked you for lunch and you each headed back to your respective workplaces.

On your way back to work, Beth’s words played on your mind. It hurt to see Ellie’s reaction; deep down you understood why; but it still scared you.

You had a lot to contemplate. You felt lost; you wanted this opportunity, but you didn’t want it to affect your…situationship or whatever unspoken thing you had with Ellie. 

You arrived back at work, putting your feelings aside to go about the rest of the day; compartmentalising.

You would come to a solution eventually. You just needed to get used to the idea before making any concrete decisions.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 2:

Later that same evening, you headed home - thoughts of Ellie invading your mind. You had a feeling she was thinking of you, too…and you were right. 

Across town Danny and Bridget were studying at their friends’ house, and little Kassie was fast asleep; so Ellie threw herself into cleaning the apartment, doing laundry, scrubbing the bathtub - doing anything she could to stop the ache in her heart at the thought of losing you.

Upon entering your building, you automatically smiled at the sight of Ellie’s apartment. Your smile soon faded as you didn’t hear the usual sound of old school R&B playing in the background. Instead you heard sounds of clanging pots and pans and cuss words. Just as you were about to knock on her door, Beth appeared from her apartment next door.

“She’s been doing this for almost an hour; the kids are gone for the night. She won’t talk to me”, she said, attempting to keep her voice low.

“Maybe…I could try and talk to her, help her calm down”, you said.

Suddenly the door opened; Ellie appeared.

“What are you doing?”, she asked, annoyed, her voice slurred.

You took her in; she looked like she’d been crying…and drinking. 

Shit. It had been a while since you saw Ellie this drunk.

“El, we were just talking…”, Beth said.

“Well can you keep it down? Some of us have things to do”, Ellie replied, beer in hand.

She stumbled forward bracing herself on the door, slipping slightly.

You stepped forward to catch her.

“I got you, Ellie”, you said warmly.

As drunk as she was, she looked you square in the eye; registering your presence. Losing herself in your eyes before speaking, turning angry.

“Oh, just drop the act, Y/N. If you had me, if you cared enough about me at all, you would have told me from the beginning, instead of stringing me along this whole time”, she hissed, stepping away from you.

“How long was this planned, huh? Did you know all along? The minute you finally get somewhere in life, make something of yourself, you think you’re better than everyone else and just leave? Is this life not good enough for you? Was this your plan all along; move away from the only family you have; move away from the person who lov- Mmm”, she seethed, stopping herself from finishing that sentence.

“You don’t care. You’re selfish. Look at you”, she laughed; taking a swig from her beer.

“So much for telling each other everything”, she said.

Her words cut deep. Then you remembered she was drunk; and tried not to take her words to heart - as harsh as they were.

Did Ellie really think you didn’t care? After everything you’ve been through together, how can she stand there and say that? She never spoke to you like that before.

She didn’t even stick around long enough to hear you question your promotion; she just took off. Scared; running from her true feelings again. Maybe you were more alike than you originally thought…

“She doesn’t mean that”, Beth said, noticing the hurt on your face.

“Don’t speak for me, Beth”, she snapped.

Turning her attention back to you, Ellie’s eyes looked a little bit clearer; almost like she snapped out of whatever trance she was in, seemingly realising what she had said before she spoke again. 

You braced yourself for more harsh words, but this time they didn’t come. 

“I don’t feel too good. I’m going to bed, so I need you to get out of my face before I say something else I might regret”, Ellie said sadly, her voice cracking.

“Ellie, I…”, you whispered.

With that, she firmly closed the door in your face, but not loud enough to wake Kassie.

You stood staring at the door for a few seconds, wanting to comfort your…friend, but decided against it. It was best to leave things as they were, as painful as it was. Ellie wasn’t thinking clearly, and now neither were you.

Beth stood there, shaking her head in the direction of Ellie’s apartment. She knew her sister was a real hot head at times, and wasn’t going to let this go lightly.

“I’m sorry, Y/N”, Beth said.

“It’s okay Bethy-boo. It’s not your fault”, you said sweetly, offering a meek smile.

“I’m just going to go to bed, I don’t really want to talk right now, if that’s okay. It’s been a long day”, you continued.

“Of course”, she said.

You gave her a grateful hug, squeezed her arm in thanks before heading upstairs to your colder than normal apartment.

You showered, attempting to wash this day away. Ellie’s words playing on your mind like a broken record. You couldn’t deny those words stung; you tried to remind yourself it was the alcohol talking - not Ellie. Not your sweet, kind, beautiful Ellie.

Climbing into bed, you reached for Ellie’s shirt; clutching it as you cried yourself to sleep; feeling absolutely sick to your stomach over what the next few days could bring.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

That was the sound of your alarm clock going off at… 

Groaning, you rolled over to peek at the time.

4:45am. Great. 2 and a half hours sleep. Fuck this day. You thought.

Laying there for what felt like an eternity, which in reality was only 15 minutes; your mind cast back to yesterday’s events and Ellie’s reaction. You couldn’t bring yourself to face her today; this being the first time in 20 years - her words cutting your soul. Another thought crossed your mind…

Was she comparing me to Jay? Why did she have to ask pointed questions like that? She knows I’m nothing like that scumbag ex of hers. 

That thought shattered you yet again. Sighing, you got out of bed and went about your normal routine; making your bed, running on the treadmill for 20 minutes, making your protein smoothie, got dressed and walked out your door. Your heart ached as you looked at Ellie’s apartment; in that moment, all you wanted to do was go in there and make sure she was okay, hold her close and tell her everything will be alright. But you decided against it; she genuinely hurt you last night which was a first and you needed time to sort your own headspace out.

You threw yourself into work, not daring to think about Ellie. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 3:

Back at the Brownstone, Beth snuck into her sisters’ apartment to clean up the mess Ellie had made; literally and figuratively, while she slept off the grog. It was rare when Beth took on the role of ‘Mother’, but when she did, she was a damn good one. 

Little Kassie sat at the kitchen table as Beth served up her famous chocolate chip pancakes.

“Aunty Beth?”, she asked.

“Yeah, Kass?”, she responded.

“Why was Mommy yelling at Aunty Y/N last night? They never fight”, she questioned innocently.

Beth paused.

“Mommy was just stressed and very tired, Kassie. She’s been working too hard. That’s all”, Beth said.

“Okay…”, Kassie said, only half convinced.

“C’mon, eat your pancakes and I’ll take you to school”, Beth said, ruffling her niece's hair.

Heading towards Ellie’s bedroom, Beth slammed the door. Ellie groaned.

“What…the fuck”, she mumbled.

“Ellie”, Beth said.

No response.

She stood quietly for a few seconds watching Ellie. It was obvious Ellie still didn’t register her presence; or if she did, she wasn’t interested.

Sighing, she walked over to the window and opened the curtains. That got Ellie’s attention.

“BETH! You bitch!”, she yelled.

Right, I’ve had enough of this shit. Beth thought.

“Alright enough! Get up, El or I’ll move you myself”, Beth said sternly.

Sitting up slowly, Ellie rubbed her eyes taking in her surroundings. A few seconds later, a guttural groan came from her throat; a wave of nausea washing over her.

“You look like hell”, Ellie said.

“You’re one to talk”, Beth replied.

Then, it all came flooding back to her. 

Your news. Her reaction. The way she treated you. How cruel she was.

Fuck. She screwed up big time. 

Beth just continued to stand there quietly observing her sibling, seemingly reading her mind.

“I hurt her, didn’t I?”, Ellie said, her voice hoarse.

“Hurt is probably the understatement of the year, sis”, Beth replied.

“I didn’t mean what I said; that’s not how I feel at all”, Ellie expressed.

“It was…I was… Surprised. I got scared. Oh, God I’m sorry”, she tried to reason.

“Hey, I’m not the one you need to apologise to”, Beth said, putting her hands up in surrender.

“I was surprised too. But that didn’t give you the right to treat her like that, Ellie. You really fucked up last night”, Beth continued.

“I mean, what were you thinking, huh? Y/N isn’t Jay! That was cruel. You should have seen the look on her face. You know, after you so rudely walked out on lunch yesterday, she was telling me she doesn’t know if she should go. She said she had too much to consider”, Beth said bitterly, putting her sibling in her place.

“I know what I said, and I saw her face. My God, I wish I could take it back”, Ellie cried, her head in her hands.

“She is nothing like Jay. I never meant to hurt her”, she continued.

“I’m just… terrified of losing her, Bethy-boo”, she whimpered.

“And why is that?”, Beth questioned.

“Because I’m in love with her. I’ve always been in love with her”, Ellie said without hesitation, finally looking Beth in the eye.

“I love her so much, I do”, she repeated, teary eyed.

Beth smiled.

“I know. Now get up, and go make it right”, she encouraged.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

You tried your best to get on with your day, but Ellie still invaded your mind. You had received some texts from Beth, who was checking in on you and only answered a couple of them. You had important meetings with the firm's big clients so couldn’t allow outside drama to affect you. 

Placing your phone in your pocket, you went about your business.

Two hours and a half hours and two meetings later, you found yourself back in your office attempting to take a small break.

Checking your phone, you noticed 3 missed calls, 1 voicemail and 6 text messages - all from Ellie. Your heart sank at the sight of her name; missing her instantly. You debated listening to her voice message, thinking it would break you.

Before you knew it, you pressed play.

“Y/N…Hey. It’s me. It’s Ellie. I suppose you know that already; fuck what am I saying?”, you could tell just from this sentence alone Ellie was inwardly cringing. A small smile crept on to your face as you continued listening.

“I’m at the cafe waiting for Beth, I hope you’ll make it. Listen, I am…so sorry. I’m an idiot and never should have said what I said. I never wanted to hurt you, please know that. I just…*sigh* You know what, I can’t do this over the phone; I miss your face and need to see you”, she said, sounding sorrowful.

Even through the phone, you could tell she was genuine…but it still didn’t undo the hurt.

You were surprised over how abruptly the voicemail ended, and as if on cue, you heard a knock on your door. Without thinking, you got up and when you answered it, Ellie appeared holding a large cup of coffee as a peace offering.

A beat of silence passed through, taking the other in. 

While Ellie looked as beautiful as ever, it was clear to you that she was hungover, but had also been crying; her eyes sunken in and as heavy as her heart. She glanced at you; she could tell you hadn't slept all night, your eyes sore from crying; the guilt weighed heavier than ever.

In that moment, all you wanted to do was forget yesterday ever happened and hold each other the way you’ve always dreamed of. 

“Uh, hi”, you mumbled.

“Hi, Y/N”, she said meekly, smiling softly.

“I bought you a coffee, I know you can’t make it through the rest of the morning without it”, she said, awkwardly handing you the steaming cup.

You stood there equally as awkward, the tension growing steadily between you. Reaching out, you accepted the coffee; your fingers accidentally brushing against each other almost as if reigniting a spark. Ellie tried wrapping her pinkie around yours, but you stepped back at the last second.

“Can we talk?”, she asked, sounding remorseful.

“Not right now. I’m working”, you answered, more bitterly than intended.

With that, you turned to walk back to your desk but Ellie ever so gently caught your wrist, stopping you.

“Please”, she whispered.

Turning back to face her you saw tears forming in her beautiful green eyes, silently pleading with you to give her a chance. 

“Fine”, you quietly said.

Gesturing towards the opposite seat at your desk, Ellie closed the door and sat down. You stayed quiet.

“Y/N, I’m so sorry. Really. I know what I did, I know what I said, and I absolutely hate myself for it. I was drunk and stupid…I know that doesn’t make it okay; I was just surprised”, Ellie blurted out, evidently nervous.

“That person you saw last night; it wasn’t me. You know that. Listen, I’m so proud of you. You’ve worked so hard and deserve everything that’s good. I know you didn’t plan this, and I never ever meant to say you were selfish; or that you were anything like...him. I just…I just got scared”, she continued.

“Oh, so you don’t hate me then?”, you questioned.

“What? Of course not; I could never hate you”, she answered; slightly offended.

“Well that’s not the impression you gave me last night. I am not Jay”, you snapped.

“I know…I know. I’m trying to apologise, make it right”, she said sadly.

“No, Ellie. You don’t get to compare me to your abusive ex and then say I’m the selfish one just because you got scared”, you snapped again.

“Please, Y/N. Just - give me a chance to explain. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you”, she said.

“Yeah, well you did and now you’ve got me questioning everything….I’m sorry, but I can’t do this right now”, you said, standing up.

“C’mon, Y/N. This isn’t us, this is not how we deal with things”, Ellie pleaded.

“This isn’t the time or the place”, you said, suddenly feeling drained; but indicating this conversation wasn’t over.

She followed you to the door, gently touching the side of your waist. It took everything in you not to go to her. She felt you giving up resistance ever so slightly; before you were hit with another wave of anger, stepping sideways.

“There is no us”, you said.

Shit. I shouldn’t have said that. You thought.

You didn’t mean it. Glancing up at Ellie, you knew she knew that.

“Please, just go”, you whispered.

With sad puppy dog eyes Ellie took one last look at you, defeated and walked out of your office.

I’m still not giving up. Ellie thought.

Slinking against the opposite side of the door, you began crying again.

Why is everything suddenly harder than it needs to be?

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 4: 

Almost three weeks went by with virtually no contact from you. Time went by far too quickly, as your proposed flight date grew closer. You just focused on work, taking this time to consider the full promotion, avoiding Ellie even though you live in the same building.

You received a handful of texts from Ellie, who just kept apologising over and over again which you ignored. You did bump into her a few times, of course; when she was carrying a load of laundry or grocery bags while you left for work or the gym. She smiled at you, to which you acknowledged her, said a quick hello, then went on your way. She respected the fact that you needed space, and trusted you would speak eventually; as much as it pained her not to be around you.

Even though it had only been a short amount of time since your last conversation, it was obvious you two were struggling with how much you missed each other. If this is what it felt like when you were in Australia, then you didn’t want it. 

If you did go to Sydney without seeing or talking things out with Ellie before you left, it would kill you. You haven’t felt this much pain since she was forced to marry Jay.

You received messages from Beth and met for coffee twice. She told you Ellie was miserable, and that the kids knew something was wrong. She accused you of both being hotheaded and stubborn, but also told you she thought you were being equally as cruel by avoiding her when you knew you had to talk. 

Upon reflection, Beth was right. It was time to communicate; you didn’t want to punish Ellie anymore.

While on a break at work, you decided to text Ellie.

“Hey, Ellie. I think it’s time we talk, would you like to come to my place tonight?”, you sent.

Almost immediately, your phone chimed.

“Hey, Y/N. Me too - I’d like that”, she replied.

“6pm?” you asked.

“Perfect”, she wrote.

Smiling softly you placed your phone back in your pocket, anticipating seeing your best friend again.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The night rolled around quicker than you realised. You arrived home at 5pm, cleaned up, showered and prepared some food and drinks. This evening could go one of two ways but you were willing to work through it.

Checking the clock, you saw it was 5:58pm. Ellie knocked at your door once before you leapt from your spot on the couch and opened it. 

There she was, beautiful as ever. 

Two minutes early, and just as keen to see you.

“Hi”, she said nervously; trying to hide how delighted she was to see you again.

“Hi”, you smiled, albeit anxiously.

You gestured for her to step inside. 

“Can I get you a drink?”, you asked, breaking apart and instantly missing the closeness.

“Uh..yes”, she said.

You poured two small glasses of whiskey, sitting in close proximity to each other.

“How are the kids?”, you asked.

“Good; Beth’s with them tonight. They’ve been asking about you. They…they miss you”, she said quietly.

“I miss them, too”, you said.

Silence grew around you again as you maintained precious eye-contact. 

“So…”, she started.

“Ellie, I’ve missed you”, you said, deciding to jump right into it.

“I’ve missed you, too”, she said.

Relief swept over the two of you after hearing those words. The air suddenly shifted around you. You couldn’t take it any longer and engulfed Ellie in a tight hug, which she readily returned; her strong arms feeling like home. Without saying a word, you stood there holding each other for what felt like hours. 

“I’ve been thinking, and…you were right. This isn’t how we do things. I’ve hated these past few weeks without you. I should’ve handled this whole thing better than I have. I just wanted to say I’m sorry; truly - for everything”, you said.

You held on to both her hands, clutching tightly.

“You don’t have anything to apologise for, Y/N. It’s me. I never should have walked away from you; I’m an idiot for speaking to you the way that I did. But like I said the other day, that person you saw wasn’t me. I need you to know that, more than anything”, Ellie pleaded.

“Y/N, I know you’re not Jay. What I said…it - It was absolutely uncalled for. I know how hard you’ve worked for this. You’re not selfish; you are somebody - somebody special and a damn good lawyer. I know you’re never going to abandon your family. I’m happy for you, I really am…it’s just, you’re my best friend and I don’t want to lose you”, she said.

“We’ve been through so much together, and if I’m being honest it will hurt to see you go; but I promise I’ll support you. I just don’t want to stand in your way; again, I’m so sorry I hurt you. Can you forgive me?”, Ellie asked, on the verge of tears.

Taking a beat, you answered.

“Look, I know you never meant it. I know you’re not that person. These past few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us; we’ve both said things we don’t mean, but I promise you, you’re not going to lose me. For the record, you have never stood in my way, Ellie. In fact, you inspire me.…and, yes, I’ll forgive you. I hope you can forgive me, too”, you said.

Ellie sucked in a breath; finally letting a few tears escape her eyes.

“I forgive you”, she uttered.

You reached out and gently dabbed them away with the base of your thumb. She closed her eyes, as you sweetly stroked her cheekbone.

“I’m sorry I said there is no “us”, Ellie”, you said quietly.

She opened her eyes and studied your face.

“What?”, she whispered, her eyes now clear and hopeful.

You smiled.

“Wha-what about your promotion? Sydney?”, she asked.

You sighed. 

Standing up, you walked slowly towards the window, closing it; suddenly nervous about the next obvious conversation. 

Picking up your whisky glass, you took a slow sip before you spoke.

“I’ve decided I’m not moving”, you mumbled.

Ellie couldn’t believe what you said. 

“What do you mean, ‘you’re not moving’?”, she asked.

“I negotiated a new deal. I’ll still go to Sydney eventually, but it won’t be for three years. Most of it will be remote, while the building is constructed; then I’ll only have to travel there twice a year for 5 weeks”, you said, staring out the window.

“I’m staying”, you said, turning back to face her, your expression pensive.

A sense of relief washed over Ellie. 

“I can’t do this anymore, Ellie”, you continued, as tears formed in your eyes.

Her heart sank for a minute, thinking the worst.

No, this isn’t how it’s supposed to go. She thought.

Ellie stood from her place on the couch, heading in your direction. Your heart started beating faster the closer she came to you; her eyes silently searching yours for any hint of uncertainty. She ever so slowly extended her hand, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear.

“What are you talking about, Y/N?”, she asked quietly, her voice low and smooth.

“I think you know, El”, you said equally quiet.

You reached up, taking hold of her hand against your chest as you looked deep in her mesmerising eyes, stepping closer so there was no more distance between you.

“El, we can’t ignore our feelings any longer…I-I’m deeply in love with you; I always have been, and that’s why I’m staying; I’m tired of running. I’m done being stupid. For the first time in my life, I’m choosing love; Ellie, I could never leave you behind”, you said, your voice full of warmth and adoration; your smile reaching your ears.

Oh my God. I can’t believe this is actually happening, she thought.

“Y/N, I’ve been in love with you since the moment we met. I never knew this type of love existed until I met you. No one has ever made me feel the way you do. That’s why I got scared; I don’t just want you; I need you, Y/N. You’re my heart. You’re the only person I’ve ever truly loved, and I couldn’t bear the thought of being without you”, she said; her tone matching yours.

“Well, it’s a good thing that you won’t ever have to worry about that. I’m not going anywhere”, you said lovingly.

“I can’t believe you’re really staying”, she said, pressing your foreheads together.

You wrapped your arms around her neck; her long arms going around your waist.

“You better believe it; I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Ellie”, you said.

“Really?”, she smiled; teary eyes searching yours.

You began swaying gently in her arms.

“Yeah, really”, you beamed.

“In that case, Y/N, will you be my girl?”, she whispered.

“Always”, you whispered back, your eyes darting to her lips.

Since you were slightly shorter than Ellie, you had to stand up on your tippy-toes. She giggled softly, meeting you halfway to join your lips in your very first kiss.

It started off sweet and slow, little sighs and moans escaping lips. You moved your hands up to her neck, gently cradling the back of her head as she held your waist, tenderly stroking your skin.

“I love you”, she whispered into the kiss.

“I love you too”, you whispered back, smiling against her lips.

A burning feeling ignited low in your bodies, as all your senses were heightened; completely wrapped up in each other.

The kiss progressively grew deeper, more passionate; your hands beginning to wander down each other's bodies, exploring, as you slowly began making your way to the bedroom; never breaking away from the embrace. Once inside, you locked the door - shutting out the rest of the world.

That night, you and Ellie became one. For better or worse.

It was the first night of the rest of your lives. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------

EPILOGUE: 6 months later

The house was loud and lively for a warm Saturday night; everyone was home for a nice change, so Ellie thought it would be nice if her family watched a movie together. After much deliberation and bickering between Danny, Bridget and Kassie, Up! was eventually chosen.

Beth sat on the floor, as Kassie insisted she braid her hair. Danny sat lounging on a spare recliner, with his trusty headphones around his neck as he mindlessly played a videogame on his phone. Bridget sat on the opposite side of the couch reading her protest book. 

You and Ellie were in the kitchen washing up the dishes from dinner, playfully slapping each other on the butt with a tea towel while stealing sweet kisses along the way.

“Mom! Momma! Hurry up! The movie is starting!”, Kassie yelled from the living room.

“We’re coming! Hold your horses”, Ellie giggled.

You planted one last kiss on her lips before taking each other by the hand, and headed towards the living room. Ellie sat down and immediately made grabby hands at you; you smirked at her adorable neediness and sat down next to her, resting your arm across her chest. She kissed the top of your head, burying her fingers in your hair.

“Okay, guys come on. You wanted to watch this movie, so get off your phone and put the book away. Kassie, put Staphanie down”, Ellie said.

20 minutes into the movie, Danny realised there were no snacks on the table.

“Mom, can you get us some popcorn?”, he asked.

“Uh, no. I asked you before if you wanted anything and you said no. If you want it, get it yourself”, Ellie said.

“Yeah, you loser. Go and get some”, Bridget teased.

Danny picked up the nearest pillow and yeeted it in Bridget’s direction, hitting her in the face, knocking her book off the armrest. She poked her tongue out at her brother, who stuck his middle finger up in response.

Everybody giggled, before Danny asked again.

“Seriously, Mom? Can you make us some?”, he asked.

“Can you bring us some candy, too?”, Kassie called out.

“Ugh, alright, alright!”, she joked.

Ellie groaned. She was comfortable snuggling up to you; enjoying the feel of your hands playing with hers. She didn’t want to move, but got up anyway.

“Wanna come with me, babe?”, she asked suggestively, raising her eyebrows.

Your stomach fluttered at the pet name.

“Of course”, you smiled; rubbing your nose against hers affectionately, picking up on the double entendre.

Getting up, you walked back into the kitchen.

“I want M&M’s!”, Bridget called out.

“And SKITTLES!!”, Kassie bellowed.

Ellie groaned again, throwing her hands up in surrender. 

“These kids, I love them, I do, but I swear they get on my last nerve…”, Ellie said, with a hint of mischief in her voice.

You laughed and rubbed her back as she placed the popcorn bag in the microwave.

“Aw, my poor baby”, you said sarcastically, smirking at her.

Ellie turned sideways, sauntered slowly over to you and grabbed you by the waist.

“Oh, so now you’re being a shithead, too? Think you’re funny?” she asked; her eyes glistening with cheekiness. 

“Maybe”, you winked.

“You know they’ll officially be your kids, too in a few months, my love. Are you sure you want a lifetime of this? Last chance to back out”, she teased, inching closer to you, knowing it’ll get under your skin.

Your breathing quickened as Ellie backed you up against the benchtop; trapping you sexily, clearly enjoying the playfulness between you.

“Hey, I proposed to you. Of course I want this, honey; they’re all a mini version of you. Who wouldn’t want more of that?”, you said, meaning every word before squeezing her butt affectionately.

Her heart skipped another beat.

Smirking, Ellie bent down slightly and hooked her long, strong arms under your legs lifting you with ease, placing you on the kitchen bench to stand between your legs. Snatching the tea towel from your hands, Ellie twisted it in hers, using it as a makeshift scarf to pull you impossibly closer, placing a tantalising kiss on your lips. 

You giggled, placing your arms loosely around her shoulders.

“That’s sweet, dear - but as I recall I proposed first…we just happened to plan it on the same night”, she insisted.

“If you say so”, you teased.

“I do”, she replied, proud of herself.

“You know you’re supposed to say that on our wedding day, don’t you? Not now”, you teased again.

“So? I said it now, I’ll say it again, and I’ll say it on our wedding day. I’ll continue to say it until the day I die”, she said, her tone changing from cheeky to sincere.

You got lost in your own little world for a minute; eyes searching, gazing lovingly, adoringly at each other - taking a moment to appreciate this tender moment.

“I can’t wait to marry you, baby”, you whispered, inching closer to her lips.

She cheekily dodged your lips to place tender kisses on your neck; smirking at the way you moaned and leaned sideways to allow her more access.

“I can’t wait to marry you, future Mrs…Bixler”, she whispered back, finally capturing your lips between hers.

Before you knew it, you engaged in an intense make out session; completely forgetting the snacks. She cradled your face, softly stroking your cheekbones with her thumbs. You slid your hands under her oversized t-shirt, leisurely dragging your nails along her abdomen; she moaned at the touch as her stomach clenched; growling softly in your ear; a sound you’d never get tired of. You chuckled, loving the effect you had on her.

Just as she began sliding her hands up your thighs, you remembered the snacks.

“Babe, we should stop”, you husked.

“Do we have to?”, she whined.

“Yes”, you whimpered.

Suddenly, Bridget walked in - putting a stop to your little romp.

“What’s taking so long?”, she asked.

“Oh. Oh, man! Get a room!”, she exclaimed, after catching you in an embrace.

You broke apart enough so you were decent, but still cuddling.

“We had one before you walked in”, you joked, smiling at your soon-to-be adopted daughter.

“We’ll finish this later”, you quickly whispered to Ellie, who smirked.

“I swear to God, you two can’t keep your hands off each other for more than five minutes!”, she teased.

You and Ellie shared a look, feeling coy.

I wouldn’t want it any other way, was the unspoken, shared thought between you.

“Now if you two are done, can we please finish the movie? Danny’s being a smart ass, and it’s taking everything in me not to stab him”, Bridget said, deadpan.

She grabbed the snacks and walked back towards the living room; not before she took one last look at her Moms and smiled.

“I’m glad you’ve found each other again”, she said.

“Hurry up Bridge!”, Danny and Kassie bellowed, interrupting a sweet moment.

“Yeah, we’re getting hungry out here!”, Beth called out a few seconds after.

“ALRIGHT! Fuck!”, Bridget yelled.

“Hey, language!”, you and Ellie yelled in unison, giggling at each other.

“Moms were making out in the kitchen again!”, Bridget announced, walking back into the living room, laughing at the collective groan from her siblings and Aunty.

As soon as Danny spotted the food, he leaped out of his seat, snatching what he wanted out of Bridget’s hands. Kassie then snatched it from him, then Beth snatched it from her.

“Bagsies! Mine!”, Beth laughed.

Kassie jumped on Beth and soon after Bridget and Danny joined in, attacking their Aunty with countless pillows as Beth squealed.

You and Ellie peaked in, watching the commotion unfold.

“Help! Sis? Y/N?”, Beth laughed.

“You’re on your own with this one, Bethy-boo!”, Ellie chuckled at her sister, kissing your forehead.

Helping you off the kitchen bench, Ellie took your hand and lead you back to the couch. She took the opportunity to wrap her arms around your waist once again, as you put your hand on her chest, placing your head above her heart, listening to her now steady heartbeat; the two of you laughing at the chaos in front of you.

Taking in the amazing image in front of her, Ellie couldn’t believe how many years were wasted. But instead of dwelling on what was, she continued to look to the future. You seemed to be thinking the same thing as you looked up at her, kissing her cheek affectionately.

“I love you, Ellie”, you said, smiling lovingly at your fiance.

“I love you, too, Y/N”, she replied, her smile reaching her eyes once again.

Sharing another sweet kiss, Beth and the kids began mocking the two of you. You laughed as Ellie flipped them the bird, before you all turned your attention back to the movie. 

Yeah, this is us.

[cheryl-williams]

LILY SULLIVAN as BETH BIXLER EVIL DEAD RISE 2023 || dir. LEE CRONIN

[thegamingcatmom]

If you had to choose between...

human!momma:

OR

demon!momma:

Which would it be?

tw: kidnapping, emotional manipulation (kinda), general madness

In case you´re worried about any drawbacks when it comes to the extend of madness, worry not. For both are as bonkers (about you) as they come, each in their own unique way.

Had a bad day? Say no more - Momma(s) will be there to cheer you up. Strong arms coming to wrap around you, scooping you up, squeezing just a tad bit too tight and cooing at you oh so sweetly as you whine and lament, because-

"-air!"

...Not her fault you´re such a delicate little thing.

(She wouldn´t have it any other way.)

...What was that?

Some random fool is responsible for putting her sweet girl in such a sour mood?

Well, consider it done.

*Human!Momma sharpening the soon to be murder weapon.*

(And yes, she will be wearing those glasses later, too. Momma wants to witness every little twitch, after all.)

How about something not quite as extreme, though? Some everyday stuff? Something sane? Surely things aren´t gonna escalate this time. Right?

...Right?

Something on your way to that hellhole the apartment spiked your interest, and you mentioned it kinda off-handed. Just trying to make pleasant conversation. Yknow, normal things.

Waking up from a rather refreshing nap, you did not expect to be met with not just one (1) redhead, but two (2) - your roommate wearing a grin rivaling Cheshire's, while the much smaller version, clutched tightly by big hands, trembled like a leaf. The poor thing-

Come to think of it, the kid seemed familiar. And not just because she was the spitting image of your fiery roommate (minus the blood and guts, if we´re dealing with Maggot Momma). You swear you´d seen her before-

...

Watching your companion's face fall as you patiently explained to her why kidnapping someone wasn't exactly in either of your best interests shouldn't have been nearly as gut-wrenching.

"-you can´t just go out there and snatch someone up like they´re a stray cat! Especially not a child!"

Oh...so it´s her fault, now?

"You were the one gushing about my mini-me earlier!", Momma no longer understood the world. This was what you wanted, wasn´t it?? "You looked so happy, imagining what it would be like..."

Strong hands wrapped around your upper arms then, slowly stroking up and down. "Don´t you think this would be absolutely perfect? You were right...look at her, she was meant for us!"

Oh boy. Here we go again.

"What if her parents come looking for her? Someone will notice if she won't show up at school anymore-"

"We're her parents now", said with a most serene look. If you hadn't been living with that exact attitude for well over a year now, you'd have felt chilled to the bone.

"You can´t just-", you stop yourself there, realizing you sounded like a broken record by now. This was not a battle won by logic.

Deep breaths.

Alright-

"...She´s not the one." you concluded, trying your best to look the part. It was something that came rather easy to you by now, as you had been given plenty of opportunities to master your poker face.

Your roommate was looking at you like you were the one who´s lost it.

"But...earlier you said-"

"I lied", you silently applauded yourself for remaining steadfest at the sheer disappointment slowly spreading across your partner´s face.

You didn´t particularly enjoy being the "party pooper", but more often than not, you felt like this was the only thing keeping the redhead´s tendencies somewhat in check. So you took that role very seriously.

"I guess I was just...blinded by this idea of another you, so perfect. How could it not be when you´re so...you?", you couldn´t have sounded more sappy, and you knew it. But that was the point.

It always worked.

So you continue, tears starting to form in your eyes-

"I´m sorry for getting your hopes up...so stupid! I should´ve known better - I was looking for an excuse to justify making her ours, but I knew she wasn´t the one, all along. I could feel it!", you started lightly hitting your head then, turning things up a notch and adding to the dramatics of it all.

And then-

"Oh...honey-"

You had her.

"Stop, stop...stop!", your hands were grasped, preventing you from further doing your head in. Good. That shit started to actually hurt. "Stop hurting yourself...and stop worrying that pretty head of yours. I understand."

"...You do?"

"Mhm..."

You were pulled into a smothering hug, her cheek coming to rest on your head, swaying the two of you slowly from side to side. "I know what it feels like...to be overcome by your thoughts and feelings. Like a deep-rooted instinct, overshadowing everything else. You get this tunnel vision where nothing else matters...nothing except yourself and that moment. I know it because...it´s what I feel every time I look at you."

And, just like that, you were reminded why you put up with all of this in the first place.

You reciprocated the hug just as fiercely, finally allowing yourself to relax, now that the crisis had been averted. Nobody was dying or getting dismembered, the apartment was still standing, you had no authorities nearly kicking your door in, demanding you to-

"LAPD, open this door!"

...

Momma, reconsidering some of her life choices (she´s really not) as you throw her a look that clearly says "Told you so".

...

WELL-

What do you think? Who will be your unhinged partner in crime, now and forever more because you belong together, were meant for each other-

Make your choice.

In fact-

Can´t wait to see those results...

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Bonus:

[rainkays]

fave horror genre is final girls from my fav horror franchises that would be bffs if they met <3