#elpida: eden

[soulsuckrrs]

@elpida | continued meme | Richard & Eden

He was lost there within her eyes, in the meadow of sorrow and conflicting feelings. Large fingers flexed over her soft skin and Richard wanted nothing more than to press closer, breathe her in, taste her lips. But this moment held more than just desire, there was turmoil and Richard's chest seized his heart in a death grip as Eden struggled against whatever was going on in her mind and her heart. Richie never had been very quiet about how he felt, what his heart wanted, what he wanted. An island somewhere with the person he cared about, it had always been some pipe dream of a boy that wanted nothing to do with the rules and responsibilities that were his to inherit, the leadership of a pack, a people that he could never truly avoid despite his best efforts. But if he could have that dream with anyone, Richard felt it would be with Eden.

His hand was seconds from slipping into her hair, drawing her flush to him and capturing her lips with his own but Eden moved away, a heartbreaking action that made Richard make a noise of the same sentiment. She was fighting this, fighting what they felt and had between them, all the unexplored emotions and opportunities all because of her fucking family and Richard couldn't help the flash of anger that burned in his veins at that. No, he couldn't let her push him away, he couldn't be away from her. His head shook and the tall man instinctively reached out for her again but stopped himself, fingers curling into a fist and dropping to his side as he just watched her, blue eyes hooded with a sadness that etched across his furrowed features.

All at once he was slammed with emotions, they'd been swirling in his gut and teasing at the back of his mind but Eden's words hit him like arrows, stabbing deep into his chest to root there where he wanted her to be. He shifted, unclenching his fist and roughly shoving it through his curly hair, exhaling a soft growl and glancing away from her for only a second, not wanting Eden to think his ire was at all directed towards her. Whoever made her feel so confined, so trapped and unworthy of love would feel his ire some day but for now... he couldn't do anything but speak his heart like some fool ready to fall into the pits of a trap willingly if it meant being near to her.

"I don't care Eden, I don't care about any of that," Richard said, tone low, sad and laced with a yearning he couldn't help, he stayed where he was, not wanting to bridge the distance she made between them without her consent but desiring it more and more each passing second, he couldn't stand seeing her cry. "I don't give a shit about your dad or whatever he's convinced you he could do to me, to us," he dropped his head a little, tilting it to the side and catching her green gaze, getting lost there for a few breaths as his brow creased with care and emotion. "I care about you and only you." And it was true, not even his pack meant as much to him as Eden did, the little wolf had gotten so deep into his mind, body and soul, Richard would fight to keep her there.

He took a moment, a breath filling his lungs and exhaling through an opened mouth, pondering his next words and knowing they might be reckless, impulsive, but that was what love did to a person, right? Made them do whatever they could to keep it alive. He broke his efforts in maintaining distance, taking hold of her own clenched hand this time and taking it in both of his. His thumbs caressed at her han and he shook his head, knowing that dream of his wasn't the answer to either of their problems, least of all the one's Eden had expressed but he was going to voice it anyway. "We could run away, sail off to some island, just you and me, leave everyone behind and just... be happy, together." He said softly, hopefully, again his head shook and he sighed, glancing down at where he held her hand in his.

Richard wished he could take it all away like that, just get on his boat with this beautiful woman and leave everything behind. All his responsibilities, the legendary shoes of his Uncle he was supposed to fill and the pack he was supposed to lead. Especially leaving behind her father and family, the people that made her feel less than what she should have. But there was no easy and quick solution to this. Whatever they chose, they had to do it together because Richard would be damned if he gave Eden up. Not now, not ever.

"I can't lose you, Eden," he added after a few moments of silence, pulling her hand to put it against his chest where his heart thundered as if it would spring out of his chest, past his ribs, right into her palm, truly where it belonged anyway. He brushed his thumb over her hand again, wanting to pull her even closer now that he'd made contact once more. "Darling, I understand you're trying to protect me but I would face the wrath of Hades himself if it meant being with you. I won't give up, not even if you try to push me away." He could protect them both, though, his own safety meant far less than Eden's, Richard could only imagine what her father would do and had already done to her to instill such fear in the woman.

[midnightscxre]

" Well aren't you a little lady. " smooth baritone, warm and thick like melted caramel, complimented the manners rather than mock them. It did tickle the man under the ribs, witnessing someone uttering ' please and thank you ' so honestly, not from fear or force. It seemed to him, the girl was a pleasant company even before the army of dead conquered mother earth. The realization followed by another, that the chances of them being in the same circles in the life before were slim, very, very slim, odds for even meeting her where 1 in a 100. Sophisticated, polite, calm women did not enter pubs owned by the mob, filled with people arm to the teeth, downing beer and not minding the brute behavior. No, this one certainly would not be in the cards he was dealt -- so somehow, deep inside, for the first time the man saw the bright side of getting that Joker with a decaying zombie face that changed the world order. . . because meeting Eden certainly didn't count as another disaster.

" Does the please and thank you approach work on the corpses as well? Maybe I am missing something here. . . instead of smashing their hissing, ugly mug, I should have just politely ask for them to take a hike. " the laughter continued to spread through the scattered, ruined space of the gas station, until it suddenly died down. Her touch, that is, the squeeze of the sleeve of the leather jacket left him in place, watching the small hand next to his wide one. He allowed contact, left his hand still, feeling the hunger for protection, comfort. . . perhaps most of all humanity, in that act. " No need to thank me sweetheart, we can't all be just savages, killing for a bite of food or bullet that would do more good if we swallow it ourselves, not others. . . " A grim tone to the response, but honesty evident in the sentence.

A thought passed through the privacy of his mind, a realization of hypocritical statement. He killed for less than a bite of food, which today means literal survival -- before he killed for mere piece of land that wasn't even his. A territory, to protect the invisible lines of what the Devil stranglers proclaimed theirs. Gaze wondered to the chain still hanging on his jeans. A weapon taking more lives than bullets ever did or would. A favorite thing to steal a soul with. Clearing his throat, snapped back to the present moment by the melodic tone of Eden's voice, grin appeared under the untrimmed mustache. " Would never say, Irish's that is so polite? Maybe there is hope for us after all. " he joked, knowing well the reality is far from the stereotypes other glued to the Irish. They were friendly, helpful, honest, loyal . . . maybe after a few pints they were just a bit sensitive with the nerves. However, a few firsts flying in a quick brawl and everything is back to normal. " I am a mutt myself, that is why the accent isn't on point. " Jace explained vaguely, unaware of the small chit chat they were having, not very common for this times. " Am from Texas, long way from here. Left when I was 16. " small pause, deafening silence when the never-ending regret cut the beating blood pump on the memory of what. . .who he left behind without even a proper goodbye. " Mother was Irish, died giving birth to me. My father was Texan, and the old man gave his best to convey the bits and pieces of her memory on me, so he copied her accent, until my tongue didn't shape words with it. . . the thing ended tho, he died when I was eight, went to my uncle and aunt. "

History lesson was over as quickly as it began, telling it stirring the graves of too much buried ghost eager to haunt him. " Some valuable skills for sure. Is she still here? " Regretting the question as soon as it fell from the mouth, thick eyebrows lowered. " I mean. . . if your community fell apart, maybe she is out there. " Approach of reassurance not his usual ammo, though he tried. It seemed this fragile woman experienced a turbulent ride through the roads of Inferno, there was no need for the ' hard truth ' yet, telling her everyone she knew were probably dead, and she had a guardian angel getting her this far if she was so merciful and trustworthy toward strangers. Although, he scolded his own self, recalling the words she uttered before, asking only for a quick death. The woman was tired, obviously, tired of living the life on the run and in constant terror or everything around them. Chest puffed, chains of muscles tensing, need to shield her bubbling in his chest. She seemed as one of the very few pearls of purity on this gruesome battlefield of horror. " The thing you said, about finishing you? I think I'll keep you alive, listenin' to my bullshit probably a better punishment, to teach you not to lower your weapon around strangers, ya? " Jace teased, trying to bring up her spirits.

Pushing the callused hand into the back pocket of the light blue jeans, man fished out a crumpled box of cigarettes, biting the bud of one and extending the hand towards Eden. " Want one? " The other hand lighted the tobacco, as he inhaled the delicious smoke almost feeling the muscles fluttering with euphoria. Yes, he was addicted to this sinful pleasure. Next statement of the woman came as a punch to the gut, nearly choking on the grey could lingering in his lungs, Jace coughed violently. The corners of the eyes tuned red, while the eyeballs were glazed with a thin layer of tears. " Damn darlin' , you nearly killed me, I though we were good. " Commenting while straightening himself up, balled fist slammed the stone-hard chest. " A preacher, huh? I assure you, sweetheart, I was quite the opposite before zombies fucking up the society. " As if the patch ' president' on the left side of his chest and the brutal sight on the back, didn't reveal enough.

" And what were you? Professional climber surely not. " Another harmless joke, trying to keep the conversation light, making them forget for a moment where they are. Thick fingers brought the cigarette to the lips, taking another hit. Mention of the radio caught his interest instantly. " Radio, huh? Honestly darlin' been searching for some of those for a while now. Classic radio, song playing one. . . any chance you know where I can get that? " There was a promise, a legend even, passed down from generation to generation of the bikers. An agreement, between the rival clubs. A story so bizarre Jace always thought it was just a joke. But now, he really hoped it was not. The story went that if ever there was a disaster, something so devastating that the world can't recover from it, the clubs will join forces, unite, see the survival of their ranks is secured. And all he had to do to see if that is really true, is find the radio and listen. . . for the tunes of the song The house of the rising sun. Coordinates hidden inside of the lyrics, to the actual house.

Jace thought through the options laid on the table of destiny. Wounded stranger with probably not one savage bone in her body a bad package to take on. Slowing him down is the least of his problems, after all, he can't fully trust her. " Ok, darlin' this is what I propose. I am heading to a place allegedly not far from here. . . a market so to speak. Vulture's nest, heard of it? " Of course he will decide the opposite, taking her with him Jace got the information from the last guy he joined forces with. . . briefly -- considering Eden was now drinking the water he took from the man after strangling him. But he didn't end the guy's life for liquid, no, it was because the man tried to do that to him. Mistake on his part, underestimating Jace's calmed behavior. " From what I hear, I can get some bullets there, for a price. And medicine, that is certainly a thing there too. . . I just wonder what they will charge for it. " Trade was a complicated thing these days, value determined on the spot by the individuals, depending what they need. But she needed some antibiotic, something to prevent a potential infection. " Can you walk? " Jace asked before she answered does she even want to join him on this path, already approaching her and turning his back. " I would gladly offer you a ride on my Harley, but the flat tire got us separated. So I can offer you my back for a while. Because we have to move. This place? " He looked over the gas station. " Hot spot for unwanted guests probably doing the same things we did, looking for anything they can use. So we need to go. "

"I was running from biters, and.. I mean as obvious as it is I'm little, sometimes it'd easier to climb a floor and pick them off from a height." It wasn't a dumb choice, it wasn't like they'd manage to scale what she could and there was nothing wrong with using your strengths to your advantage. "It was when I was climbing down, there was a bit of metal and I slipped. I wasn't being careful." If she told the truth it'd be that she had that first dizzy spell of light headedness and couldn't keep focus that day. What day was that? What day of the week was it now?

In part Eden knew she was being an idiot, but so help her if he turned on her, overpowered her, murdered her for some bread, then so be it. She was tired, she was worn out, thirsty. Death might be some form of mercy to her right now, or at least she thought so. Maybe it'd all stop being peaceful, maybe whatever lay in the great beyond didn't have snapping jaws and rotting flesh. "When it umm... when it comes to ammo, it's a pain but try the upper floors, the bits that are hard to get to. It's where I find ammo, the places people think will be too difficult now or even too rusted and broken." Her free hand pressed to the warmth she felt bloom against her shirts fabric, crimson now dabbed on her fingertips that she stared down at.

"If I'm wrong, if I'm being a big idiot... if you want to take, everything I have just do me one kindness, and make sure you'd do it quick and make sure I'm dead, I'd not want.." her hand gestured. "I'd not want to be like them." in these times, killing someone was the mercy, the cruelty was to let someone turn, to become a flesh eating monster. It was when he turned, that was when she thought that'd be it and the way her pupils shot showed it, the expectance. Some people would have killed her over bread and berries, some would have killed. her for ammo alone. Then there were the sick ones, the ones that had lost all scraps of humanity and would've tortured the girl for fun. Shamelessly as his expression softened, all she could think was that he had lovely eyes. They reminded her of a storming sea with enraged clouds yet beneath something so gentle, waves that hushed and lulled a sense of security.

"Jace." she repeated and then that, a last name. How very human a thing, and how many people she wondered, had forgotten that type of simple thing? Her blood stained hand touched her chest and in that moment you could see, there was so much love inhabited into the last name she'd never forget, forever her best memories. "O'Connor." she huffed air, a slight amusement. "I know I don't sound Irish right? My grandmother did though she was.. well, her accent was a lot stronger than yours." that didn't matter, but little details like that made them seem more human than surviving animals. Her arm was still, she was stiff.. but as long as she waited in silence for his hands to turn bitter and nasty, for them to squeeze or grip a part of her that was too delicate for rough hands, the moment never came. Those green robs just continued to watch what he was doing, the way he peeled the fabric back to reveal the sore flesh, the blood, wet mixed with dry against pale flesh. "Oh I'll be fine, I'm fine, I'm.." no. She wasn't fine. She barely gasped as he lifted her to the counter and heavens, she was light. Legs dangling freely over the edge freely, her jeans showed signs of the fact she was a good climber, scraps and slight nicks to the thick material but nothing deep enough through them like her shoulder. Eden braced, ready for a sudden sting but what he gave her instead was completely kind, just as she'd been to him.

She didn't seem to timid when she reached to take that from him and she was fully aware she must have looked insatiable when she took three large swigs from that bottle, a gasp following but nothing had ever felt as good, her throat thanked her for the relief of liquid. "Thank you, Jace Catto." she almost panted the words with how she'd drank. She nodded her head, tensed again in preperation but god it did sting, and that instinct reaction was for that first 'f' to roll out, her face scrunching and rather than swear her bodies reaction was to reach and grip, to briefly squeeze what she'd grabbed which by chance, was his arm with slender fingers clutching at his clothings fabric. "Sorry, sorry." she breathed, eased, stopped squeezing her grip. Rare for someone to be polite these days, even rarer to apologise. "Medicine? Hell I'd be lucky wouldn't I? I think I'd be long dead if I had any of that on me." before he moved she reached and rather than take his hand, she took his sleeve again. "Hey— thank you, you didn't have to do that I mean I know how... people aren't people anymore I—" she let go of his sleeve.

Eden remained there, perched on that surface and as if to be disappointed to admit the story, lowered her head. "I'd really love to tell you I have a group but it's more.. I had a group. I was part of this place, there were walls and people, houses, running water." she started to explain, looking reminiscent. "See, I was useful to them because they had a mill and my grandmother was a baker. I learned everything from her so I knew how to make flour go further and how to make bread like that. Bread that'd last and not go stale overnight, how to make a starter for sourd—.. you don't really care for all that part but, it went wrong. Someone hid a bite and came back in the walls and within a few hours it was.. destroyed. I kept some things to the side just incase, made a run for it because.. I guess some people would say I was a coward some would say surviving." a light shrug and she flicked her own hair back behind one ear. She wondered what he'd think, a coward perhaps? Abandoning people like that, or survivor, for not waiting to become one of them. "It might be a little bit stale but it should still taste good." she explained. "There umm.. There was a radio there, they were talking to another group to the west which is why I'm here, looking for this other place. No idea where I'm going." she paused, tilting her head towards him. "Do you think I've more chance of seeing Jesus than finding this place?" Eden pressed her lips together momentarily before flashing her eyes to him again. "See, you're bringing up seeing Jesus and here I was totally thought you were a preacher before the world went to hell." she was joking with him, teasing and that hint of a smile curving the corners of her lips was precious.

[isolatednights]

"When did you get this?" + reverse - because i'm not able to control myself eden&asher

he had claimed his own scars were stories of a past he wanted to leave behind, yet the man wanted to know each story related to the woman. hypocritical of him? absolutely, but asher couldn't help it. the little Q & A he'd endured days earlier had left him curious - resulting in him watching eden a touch closer than usual. nothing obvious, but perhaps his gaze lingered a bit longer - raking over any revealed swaths of skin and sending eris' dirty looks when the woman caught his quiet perusal.

wandering around relatively blind proved difficult when none of them could see upcoming obstacles and often left him carefully helping her and the children over or around them while eris and silas were left to fend for themselves. that day, he'd had to lift her and fingers had grazed a particular mark that had left his mind whirling. it was only when they stopped for the night that he worked up the courage to actually say anything. the kids were asleep - silas and eris were elsewhere, and hesitantly, he'd reached out to graze the spot. "when did you get this?" the question is a parrot of what she'd asked him, but turn about was fairplay, wasn't it?

[wrathfulmercy]

@elpida

[shelbysdevil]

@elpida

[wrldofmyown]

@elpida continued

It's not that Xander wasn't aware of the weight of his question, of what the consequences it could bring for them if the topic was brought up. It was a question he wanted an answer to because when they first talked about it, when Xander confessed, Eden told him she couldn't forgive him. And she has every right not to.

Her voice was different as she spoke, it was usually filled with a sweetness and tenderness when she talked to him but it couldn't be found right that moment. As Eden talked, he nodded his head slowly, his features softening when she talked about her brother. He wanted to interrupt her, he wanted to say that he would never hurt her... but he had in the past. And it broke his heart. It still broke his heart knowing he broke hers first, knowing he had broken it way before they met.

Then she's voicing that fear again, of something happening to him and that's when he gently reached for her hand, then took a careful step towards her, pushing a loose strand of her dark hair behind her ear, "you're not like your father, Eden." A hand remained on her features, his thumb gently tracing her cheek, "if you were, you would've dealt with me months ago when I told you what I did." Now her father... if her father found out it would be a different story.

"Every night I go to bed thinking about what I did. About what I took from you and I wish I could go back. I wish I could do something to take away the pain I caused you, that I still cause you." He remembers well that job, it was one of the first he did and felt he had to prove himself, he was being selfish so he didn't leave room for critical thinking as he does now. "I'm not able to bring Ben back but I will do everything in my power and more, to ensure that you're safe, Eden. He was your protector, your safe person. I want to be that for you. Can I keep being that for you?"

[wiinestories]

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO THESE TWO 💕😍😍 @elpida

[secretscost-archived]

@elpida asked: “they’re gonna catch us—” - from eden. (again, sue me.) || meme

"Let them, they might learn a thing or two," Alexander said with a growl in his voice and a mischievous grin on his features. After Eden confessed her feelings and in turn he told her about his own, when neither of them were working, Xander was all over her; making sure she knew how hooked he was on her. Tonight wasn't the exception.

The assassin hadn't been to a party in years, often found himself at a pub having drinks with a couple of friends or staying at home with Auggie and Romeo and watching a rugby game or film. But here he was now... hidden in some supply closet because he couldn't take his eyes off of Eden throughout the whole evening. And she had done her own teasing before too.

With her back facing him, Xander hiked up her skirt to above her hips and after pushing her panties aside, he unzipped his jeans to free his erection. Licking the pad of his thumb he teased her entrance, "look at you, you've been wantin' me just as much, sweetheart..." He murmured then grasped his hardened cock and slowly pushed his tip between her soaked lips until he was fully sheathed within her. "How does that feel, hm?" His voice came out hoarse.

[memxntovivere]

closed starter for @elpida

Bellamy had been on an early morning run, trying to clear his head of the thoughts that had kept him up all night. He thought of grabbing a coffee, which led him to thinking about the bakery, which trailed to thinking of Eden. It had been a few weeks since they managed to clear out the remaining damage, but he had yet to stop by while off-duty. He saw the closed sign, but caught sight of her through the window. He would've knocked had she not already been walking to let him in. Bellamy barely waited for the door to open before he spoke. "I broke up with Jenna..." The words came tumbling out—the confession long overdue. It was for the better, honestly. Looking back on it now, they were both seeking comfort rather than something long-term. It didn't help that Jenna also wasn't Eden.

[imrtale]

the god of the underworld had dreaded the day he would lose his realm, yet, the day had came and went. the underworld was dying. partially his own fault as his emotions were the very construct that upkept the realm and he had become lost in his own grief and anger in the last century. so, the solution of course, comes with angering his sister yet, he follows his instinct anyways. when his crow lands on his shoulder, squawking in his ears, he knew eden was here. and he manages to use the very crows loyal to him as transport, stepping into the cool air with his crow's feathers in his wake as he appeared before eden. he doesn't say much, not at first at least. looks her over and draws a breath. or two. "have you ever been outside of your home realm little sparrow?"

@elpida !

[isolatednights]

closed starter for @elpida

( our modern au! rhea & elias )

"you really didn't have to walk me home," she repeats again, dark hues flickering up to the man at her side. he'd stood at the bar hours earlier to place a drink order for himself and others ⸻ people rhea could only assume were friends or colleagues, but after they'd been passed over to him, they'd been delivered to their intended hands before he'd plopped back onto a stool in front of her. it was on the quieter side that night, so rhea hadn't had any issue entertaining him, assuming he'd grow bored after a while and wander off when she expressed nothing but friendly banter. but conversation had flowed so readily between them, that rhea had grown frustrated when she'd been drawn away to serve other customers. and when the bar eventually cleared out and closing rolled around, she'd been surprised he was still there.

tugging her jacket closer around her shoulders, rhea takes a quick glance at her phone screen, a noise of contemplation leaves her. "there's a little bakery right around the corner from my building. owner is sweet as pie and she makes the best damn pastries i've ever had. good coffee too. she should be opening up soon ⸻ let me buy you breakfast?" a very early breakfast, mind you, but breakfast all the same.

[soulsuckrrs]

The time ticked by as Richard watched from afar the dancing little she-wolf, entranced by her dancing and movements, his blue eyes never wavering from her except for one split second and in the time it took him to search for her there she was, stopped in front of him, beaming up at him like a star come to Earth. His features softened, lips moving up into a smile that held more than just wonder and fascination. There was fondness there and that electric sensation he'd gotten before at the bar heightened just beneath his skin, making Richard want to reach out and touch her, take her hand in his, pull her closer. Make sure that no one else touched her but him. An urge he almost acted on before she spoke and snapped him out of the possibilities were he to forget where he was and who he was representing here.

Eden. Yes, a beautiful name for such a beautiful woman. The soft chuckle that left his lungs was low and very much amused, that sentiment touching his blue gaze as he looked at Eden, taking a step closer to her if only to get closer but also to block off anyone wanting to do the same. The flush of her cheeks sent his pulse racing and that electric feeling to multiply tenfold. "Yes," he said on the breath of his chuckle, tongue flicking out to wet his lips before Richard offered her his free hand and his smile quirked at one corner more than the other. "I would absolutely be delighted to take a stroll with you and taste..." he paused, dragging his bottom lip between his teeth and chuckling again, a slight hint of color on his own cheeks now. "-- your forbidden fruit." There was a returned flirtatious hint to his low tone, voice pitched so only she could hear the last bit of his words.

No one else in the room mattered, not even the person who brushed against his back as they pressed between him and the other close bodies surrounding the dance floor. Richard shifted a bit closer to Eden then, hand still offered to her, whether for a handshake or to accept it to hold, he didn't really mind either but wanted mostly the latter. "I'm Richard but you can call me Richie, if you'd like... or any variant of that," he said with a little shrug, the nickname something his sisters used still to this day but it helped him feel separated from the titles and prestigious properties his name held. He wasn't a young man anymore, sailing across the seas to find adventure and passion, Richard was an alpha, the leader of a pack, the king of a people like had always been expected of him.

But right now, in the middle of this place where duty was supposed to over take his desires or pleasures, Richard acted on impulse, like he always did, something that couldn't be tamed out of him by his Uncle or any of the many noble wolves that influenced him over the years. "I don't make it a habit to come to these sorts of affairs though... I am very glad we both decided to come to this one," he said, shifting back a step once he was able and making room for her to step past him towards the nearest exit, a balcony that led to a lovely garden he had no doubt. He nodded with his head, eyes holding hers before snapping around to spot several watchful gazes. "Shall we? The air isn't getting any fresher here." Meaning he didn't like the eyes on them and very much wanted to get Eden alone.

There were plenty here that did want her attention, a lot of Beta's that wanted her gaze, not that they'd get it... after all her Father gave her stern rules and she hadn't to follow them, didn't she? It hadn't even crossed her mind to take into consideration anything more than the pull in her chest that yearned to be closer to him. The man with the charming blue hues. Another Alpha named Adam tried to feign her attention, tried to dance closer to her, and at one point tried to wrap a hand around her waist but she was like the heat of a fire, flickering around people, weaving a crowd so that she'd disappear and reappear in his line of sight, the sequins of her dress catching glimpses of light that made her twinkle. She shimmered and sparkled, starlight in a crowd.

That was until that little wolf in the green dress had managed to make her way to him, after seemingly playing cat and mouse, her fleeting glances and smiles, the flash of those pretty green eyes but now they were there, right before him. She didn't like how hands had reached at her, fawned at her, slid across her skin in that crowd but what Eden did know was that was stood here, seemingly in his shadow, she felt safe.. she felt guarded and that was a comfort that she finally felt she could breathe in. She let go of a breath she didn't realize she'd held. A soft, sweetheart smile started to tilt her lips. It almost looked reminiscent, of meeting a friend from years ago, like seeing someone admired in your past.

"Eden." she spoke finally, despite knowing she could've remained in quite content silence beside him but there was something about the way she looked at him, doe eyed and hopeful. "Before you ask what my name is... it's Eden." she knew she was being bold, but her friend had told her to make herself noticeable and memorable and she hoped she was doing a good job of that since nobody else at this party mattered now. "Yes, like the Garden of Eden and maybe I umm- maybe I can tempt you with forbidden fruit?" a blush immediately flushed onto her cheeks, her smile widening to show her pearly whites. "That was in fact my best attempt at flirting with you and it was still absolutely terrible." her hands came up to move over her blushing cheeks and she giggled, what a sound that was, honey pouring into the air.

"I haven't seen you at one of these before not that.. well I- I haven't been to one before actually.." she was nervous, to speak to this man she felt such a pull to, the fact she was having to raise her voice to be heard over the music didn't help. She reached forward to offer her hand. "Come outside with me for air?" plus, she knew there was that risk her Father might be there, watching her every move. Truthfully, some of the wolves here scared Eden, she'd heard of their tempers and their violence and that wasn't her. Maybe she should've been more wary of him but something in her soul knew it could be at ease.

[wrldofmyown]

@elpida continued

Everything was too bright. So much silence except for the machines that came into view when he looked to the side. But then, there was a warmth, a warmth around his hand which was what prompted him to look to his other side and see her. A woman with dark hair and big green eyes he had no recollection of. She was holding his hand, an action that he knew was sweet, it probably even held an even deeper meaning. "Eden..." his voice was coarse and barely audible just like when he questioned who she was.

He could see in her eyes that something was wrong. Was there something even more than just knowing her? "I hate hospitals." Alexander muttered under his breath, hey at least he remembered that. The mention of Auggie and Romeo... his beloved pets.

Xan... there it was, she was something of his. What was she? He couldn't tell.

Alexander saw her exit the room and through the glass he was able to distinguish her silhouette as she seemed to hug someone. And suddenly, he felt a great dread while he was hooked to the machines monitoring his vitals. He felt his brain pounding and a massive headache soon ensued, when he reached to try and rub his forehead he noticed a bandage around it. Did he get hit in the head? What happened to him? How did he end up here? Did the lady sitting beside him know? And so he pressed the button asking for a nurse and doctor but only to ask them to bring back Eden.

"What happened, Eden?"

[wiinestories]

WHAT IF THEY HAD AN INSTAGRAM EDITION - @elpida

[isolatednights]

"When did you get this?" - eden&asher ehehe prepare yourself

between the turning weather and the lengthy days spent blind folded as they traveled in search of a more permanent home, it was rare any of the others saw him without a handful of layers on. they'd lucked out recently - finding a house with a working well and woodstove. it had been enough to convince eris and asher to stick around - to scavenge the nearby area and give everyone else a much needed rest.

with his clothes having been scrubbed clean in the bathtub and left to hang to dry in front of the fireplace, the man had sat on the bed that evening in nothing but a pair of sweats, remaining swaths of tarnished skin on display. getting comfortable on the mattress, he'd rolled to face eden - as if expecting the question now that she could properly see each puckered or raised mark.

even without looking, he can identify the scar - knows how it looks, how it was caused and why. fingers twitch at his side - a residual reaction from a man who once would have told another to leave well enough alone. but this is eden - and while there might once have been shame in admitting the truth, now.... now he almost wants to unburden his sins. speak them aloud and let them float away. "i wasn't a good man, before." a fact he's admitted to her previously. "got in with the wrong people young to work off the debt my dad got us into. needed a way to take care of my sister. first time my boss sent me out solo i got this. someone owed him money and was attempting to skip town. was told i needed to get payment one way or another." cash, assets or a life. "found him easy enough. easy to pick out skittish people. but he was nervous - desperate. tried to fight me, pulled a knife. have a few others scars from the swipes he tried," fingers rise to tap against a handful - all small little slivers of silver compared to the puckered mess eden had originally pointed out. "went for a hit i wasn't expecting and he stabbed me. ended up finishing the job a bit more messily than i should've. boss wasn't pleased - told me i could patch myself up. was the first time i'd ever done it for something more serious."

he had worse - not that he'd admit such a thing - not if she didn't ask. "'m covered in 'em. nothin' to worry about now. just stories of a past i'm not too proud of."

[wiinestories]

Because it's this gorgeous angel's birthday, and she deserves to be cherished bc pls two of my muses love her (each in different ways, but they still do) HAPPY BIRTHDAY EDEN THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE 😍💕✨ @elpida