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irenethewoman · 1 year ago

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Mrs. Shelby - Chapter 13 - Proposal

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In January 1922, Birmingham, the Garrison Pub was bombed. The surroundings plunged into darkness, and the heat from the explosion was extinguished by the drizzling rain. The wind stirred the black veil in front of me, carrying the scent of the bar.

Tommy managed to dismiss the police with the excuse of a gas explosion and some pounds. Polly found some scraps of paper at the entrance.

Green… Ireland…

I frowned, thinking that Finn had become a thing of the past.

"You're going back to London today. I'll have John escort you."

"I'm not leaving. As you said, it's dangerous in London for the Shelby family."

I couldn't leave. I couldn't turn a blind eye to the unknown dangers my little prince would face. And if they dared to bomb the Garrison Pub, why wouldn't they dare for the Shelby mansion?

"Go out without revealing your face, avoid betting stations, avoid dealing with the police, don't disclose your name, use a fake name, and don't flaunt wealth," Tommy instructed before leaving, and I responded adeptly. "Don't worry, little prince."

I adjusted his collar and kissed his lips, speaking a coded language only we understood. "Stay safe, Tommy."

Watching his back, I suddenly felt like an ordinary but loving old couple. After breakfast, a wife bidding farewell to her husband before he left for work.

Then I stayed at home, taking care of the children with Esme. Maria was still the sensible girl who made my heart ache. She got along well with Esme, but I could feel she was more attached to and dependent on me. I understood her; even if a teenager could accept it intellectually, there would still be resistance to a young stepmother—that's why I resisted my father's remarriage at the age of 13, taking on the responsibilities of a lady of the house.

I talked to Thomas about taking Maria to London for a while when things calmed down. She was too tense, much more mature and sensible than Finn, more like an adult. In the mansion, she could be carefree like her peers on King's Road.

"You like your daughter so much… why don't we have one ourselves?" After hearing this, Tommy raised an eyebrow, saying something contradictory.

"You liked John's previous wife, didn't you?" Esme interrupted my contemplation.

I looked at Esme strangely. Even though we both considered me a member of the Shelby family, whether I liked or preferred one over the other… did it matter?

"Yes, Martha was a good person. She was one of the kindest people I've ever met. But I would also like every wife of John and Arthur—as long as they don't betray Tommy or the Shelby name," I answered truthfully.

I thought she heard some gossip, felt that John loved her less than his deceased wife, and added another sentence of advice. "The deceased have passed; never compare yourself to them. You and John have a long future ahead."

She looked at me in silence for a long time. "You really seem like the mistress of a household."

Would she say I seemed more like a politician's wife? My father used to say that before he died.

"Thomas must be eager to marry you. Young, beautiful, wealthy, and many suitors. Even if you chose him, I think he would still feel…"

"What are you trying to say?"

As she spoke, I walked to the opposite side of her and faced her.

She chuckled, as if surprised by my quick reaction. "Thomas expanded to the south for you."

…Oh, I see, she didn't want to expand to the south. Or rather, she was dissatisfied with it.

"Esme, if you have something to say, say it to me, not to others—whether it's Tommy, Polly, or John."

I leaned down, looking into her eyes. I was a head taller, and she was still sitting, so if I leaned down, she would be covered in my shadow. "I don't want you to talk nonsense to anyone, anyone—whether it's Tommy, Polly, or John."

She looked at me in silence for a long time.

"You do look like a mistress of a household."

I raised an eyebrow. "Really?" I thought she might say I looked more like a politician's wife—my father used to say that before he died.

"Thomas must be eager to marry you. Young, beautiful, wealthy, and many suitors. Even if you chose him, I think he would still feel…"

"What are you trying to say?"

As she spoke, I walked to the opposite side of her and faced her.

She chuckled, as if surprised by my quick reaction. "Thomas expanded to the south for you."

…Oh, I see, she didn't want to expand to the south. Or rather, she was dissatisfied with it.

"Esme, if you have something to say, say it to me, not to others—whether it's Tommy, Polly, or John."

She looked at me in silence for a long time.

"You do look like a mistress of a household."

This is John's wife; I can't be too harsh in my words. I tell myself that I'm just pulling her along, hoping she understands. The expansion of Shelby Limited to London is not just because its big boss, Thomas, wants to marry me, the Baroness from London. It's also because London is a bigger market, a fatter piece of meat. We can earn more money, make better connections, and leave this muddy place. We are no longer street thugs in the slums; we are a company!

"Do you know what this is in the army? Undermining morale—a capital offense."

Before the family meeting, Tommy and I found some time in the bedroom. Afterward, we discussed the confusing situation.

While talking to him, I nestled in bed, massaging his shoulders. I omitted the conversation with Esme; I hope she figures it out herself. Heading south to London, we are bound to succeed.

"Did those Irishmen approach you for a job? Or even kidnap you!" I frowned. We've always kept to our own, so why?

"Our old friend has risen in rank. Still in charge of Irish affairs." He held my hand and turned his head. "Inspector Campbell…"

"So, they're working together."

This is dangerous; Campbell is a ruthless politician, utterly unscrupulous. Cooperating with him requires careful consideration, or it could end in disaster.

And… Campbell is directly subordinate to Churchill, Mr. Churchill, who has been the Minister of Colonial Affairs and also the Air Minister since last year, initiating negotiations with the Irish Sinn Féin party. It's hard to say whether what we're facing is part of a higher-level arrangement.

"Mr. Churchill sent me a telegram," I leaned on his shoulder, embracing his strong waist, "inviting me to lunch at the Leeds Hotel. The day after tomorrow."

"I'm heading back tomorrow, Tommy." I lay on his lap, lazily saying.

"Who else but a Londoner?"

When I entered the meeting room with Tommy, Esme and John were very excited, somewhat angry. It seemed they easily saw through the truth, while the rest of us turned a blind eye.

"This is a company that advocates gender equality." Tommy said. —Well, Tommy and I are quite equal, except for what happened just now on the bed.

John looked at me, trying to find Tommy's true feelings from my face. I lowered my eyes, just quietly pouring myself a glass of whiskey.

John was overly worried. Even if Esme repeated the nonsense she told me that day, Tommy wouldn't fall for her.

"I have no blood ties to this family. But perhaps, precisely because I am not one of them, I can see things from a different perspective. So let me get straight to the point. As my husband said, Shelby Limited is now developing very successfully. But London… I have relatives in Shepherd's Bush and Paddington, where it's more like a war between armies, with the police involved. There are all sorts of foreigners using bombs, nothing unusual. I have a child, fortunate to inherit the beauty of the Shelby family. I hope John can see him grow up, and I hope that one day, we can live in a place with fresh air and lush trees, raising chickens or something. But London only has smog and trouble, Thomas." She glanced at me, "Oh, and your beauty."

… I knew it. In her heart, Thomas is a selfish, arrogant devil. She really can't compare to Martha.

I handed Tommy the glass in my hand. Lower the fire; I signaled with my eyes.

He tilted his head back, finishing the remaining liquid in the glass.

"First, the pub explosion has nothing to do with London. I will handle the explosion on my own. Secondly, as long as we stay united, there's no need to worry about this business expansion plan. As long as we endure the first few weeks, 90% of our business in London will become legal, and the remaining 10% will be managed by insiders, right, Arthur?"

Now, some people present expressed their reservations. That's good. If any of you do not want to be part of the company's future, please leave through that door immediately. Go feed your chickens. As for those ambitious ones, the expansion process will begin tomorrow."

"Polly's son and daughter?"

Why so sudden…

"I'll keep an eye on it." I nodded at Esme, "If possible, I hope you can inform Tommy again."

"So, goodbye." I hugged Maria's shoulder and walked out on the road back to London.

"Why don't we go with Dad and the others?" Maria, visiting London for the first time, was very excited and a bit nervous.

"Because Tommy's car is too small, and we can't fit." And I wouldn't allow my luggage and a corpse to be together.

"All right, my dear girl. This is a vacation." I embraced her.

"Let's go home first, leave the luggage, and then I'll take you to eat Italian food. After dinner, if you want, we can go to Harrods."

I watched her face light up with a dreamy smile. It's good; she finally looks like a child.

When Tommy and the others opened the back door of 10 King's Road, I heard a noise.

He came again, Tommy Shelby…

Maria, visiting London for the first time, was excited and full of energy. I accompanied her for a day, and now I'm tired and sleepy, but still very happy as we walk from the living room to the staircase. I look at John and Arthur, who are staring at the paintings on the wall and the Chinese porcelain on the cabinet. Their curious expressions make me unable to help but laugh.

"Welcome to the Turner Mansion, boys."

Tommy smoothly brushes past his brothers and walks into my bedroom.

"How did it go?" I help Tommy undress, unable to stifle a yawn. "Sorry, I'm so tired. You guys came too late."

"Maria must have worn you out." After changing into the sleepwear I prepared in advance, Tommy lies down with me on the bed.

"It was a good day," he says, veering off topic.

"It's not all good." Hearing him say this, my heart tightens, and I reach out to check if he's injured.

He grabs my hand, only slowly continuing the next sentence, "Arthur lost a tooth."

"…"

Seeing me in a dazed silence, Tommy laughs like a mischievous child who has succeeded in a prank.

"I want to hire Lizzie Stark as a secretary. Today is a good sign." Tommy kisses me. "I need someone who can turn a blind eye occasionally."

"If she can type and do math, sure." I give him a strange look. I did tell him that I want him to share everything with me, but that doesn't include the choice of his secretary.

"As long as Mrs. Shelby doesn't mind."

I immerse myself in his blue eyes. Mrs. Shelby… what a nice title.

"Mr. Shelby, if you want to win a Baroness, it's not just about the body." I lazily extend my finger, circling it on his chest. "You need a ring to prove your intentions and let all the young people in London know that they've lost, the Baroness has a fiancé."

I'm not short of jewelry.

My mother left me a lot of jewelry, and I also inherited a lot of pounds. Occasionally, I buy some new ones, and those suitors would occasionally spend a lot of money buying good jewelry to please me. But what Tommy gave is different.

"Close your eyes." He coaxes gently.

Before closing my eyes, I see him smile. Tommy's smile is really handsome. Those blue eyes are as gentle as the sky in spring, and this person has softened a lot—the most important thing is, only I have seen this kind of Thomas Shelby.

He should be going to find his clothes and then coming back.

"Open your eyes, Lady Baron."

I saw him holding a deep blue velvet jewelry box. Inside was a sapphire diamond ring. A large sapphire, as clear as Tommy's eyes.

I was stunned; this completely exceeded my imagination. It wasn't until Tommy put the ring on my hand that I realized—it's almost like it was custom-made for my hand!

"…So, you had it prepared in advance?" Clearly, a man who already has jewelry and has won the heart of a woman with jewelry, but why do I always feel like he's turning the tables on me? I still know about Shelby Company's development. This ring looks expensive at first glance. This spendthrift, he only knows how to act up when there's no secretary—but why am I so happy?

"My dear Baroness, you now also have a fiancé."

"So, is this your way of proposing?" I still lovingly gaze at the sparkling ring on my hand.

No flowers, no champagne, no luxurious ballroom, no cheering crowd—just a large diamond ring and my lover… honestly, I'm satisfied.

"Think it's too simple?" Tommy leans on the bed, lazily asking.

"No…" I turn back and kiss his cheek. "Just right."

"I'll be the happiest bride in the world."

#cillian murphy #tommy shelby #tommy shelby x reader #peaky blinders #thomas shelby #peaky blinders fanfiction #tommy shelby imagine #fanfiction #thomas shelby x reader #tommy shelby fanfic

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ladysophiebeckett · 1 year ago

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If Michel had never shown up at Ecomoda,how do you think Armando and Betty would have reconciled? Tbh I find it hard to imagine that she would give him another chance while still in Ecomoda and with Marcela around. We know that Marcela and Margarita only resorted to telling Betty the truth to keep Armando from leaving, but they would have probably never done so without that threat looming over them. At this point she also believes he is after Alejandra, turns out his over the top flirting drove her even further away from him. Would the Cuartel tell her that he didn’t do anything with her and that she was gone already without Michel’s presence? With Ecomoda out of debt and Betty refusing to remain the president, would Armando be given another chance by the board committee? I think that in this situation the only way I can see them working out is with Betty out of Ecomoda because it would give them the opportunity to rekindle their romance in a different setting away from the toxicity of the workplace and his family and Marcela (who still had hopes of getting back together with Armando), but curious to know how you think it would have played out.

I'm answering this but I fear I am not answering this, perhaps the way it was expected of me. And I wanna apologize to you, anon, in advance. So. Beware of that.

Before I continue, I want to state that i am using this as an excuse to talk about why canon events are needed and why fics that undo Important Canon Actions fall flat.

Sometimes we as viewers will ask ourselves 'why didnt X character just do (rational action)?' And its because the story needs irrational action\irrational thinking that actually moves the plot forward. We're not looking to solve the plot quickly because that isn't entertaining.

You go into any tiktok comment section that's ysblf related and you will almost immediately see someone call Betty the villain because she chose to have an affair with Armando. But if she doesn't decide to do that, then there's no story. If Betty wasn't naive, if she wasn't so loyal, if she had a reason to be suspicious of Armando--she would quickly put together that he was trying to start an affair with her right after the embargo happened. And if it played out like that, then there would be no room for Betty to grow as a person. If Betty doesn't make this decision then she doesn't change and neither does Armando.

Another example, one that I see in fics a lot is the Cartagena Arc where Armando doesn't get back together with Marcela. Viewers hate that and I get it. So they have him not do it, but they don't take into account why he needs to do that. Armando is a mess and he hasn't put himself together yet, so he goes back to what's easy and familiar. He can't not go back to Marcela just because he's in love with another woman. He needs to end his relationship with Marcela for himself. And that why those kinds of fics fail. Because they're trying to skip a hundred steps of character development.

Now that I've established that, let's get into it:

You asked:

I am first and foremost a romantic and I have to believe that they get together no matter what. But, we're exploring the removal of plot points that push characters into doing things....

We know from canon, before Armando knows of the significance of Michel, that he has a conversation with Mario about getting Betty back. He himself says that he knows it's going to take a long time, and a lot of patience, he knows she's still hurt but that he's going to take the time to show her that he's changed.

Armando here is trying to make a rational choice. He's trying to be normal. He's attempting to give Betty the space she's asked for multiple times.

Again, Michel is not arriving in this situation.

Now we have Betty, who's being tortured by the cuartel, who will not get off her ass about what Armando could be doing and with who. On top of that, she's confused about Armando's actions towards her. His behavior towards her at her lanzamiento disarms her. She wants very badly to believe that his affection is real but she doesn't trust it.

The reason the cuartel is so damn annoying in the last ten episodes or so, is because they need to motivate Betty's desire to leave. Michel showing up with a job offer (plus romantic interest) is Betty's getaway car. If we eliminate Michel's appearance, we are left with an annoyed, unhappy and dissatisfied Betty who's being told by said cuartel--specifically Mariana--that she needs to make a decision. But she's still under the impression that Armando is moving on with his life.

If Michel doesn't show up, Betty and Armando are in limbo. They won't do anything. He's going to leave her alone and she's going stew unhappily in her office. Marcela is still going to be there and the promise Betty made to her will still be in motion. Even if was only Betty using Marcela to keep Armando away from her. (Personally I think that promise is void if Armando dumped her. But I digress.)

All three of them are stuck in Ecomoda Limbo\Hell.

We know that Marcela and Margarita only resorted to telling Betty the truth to keep Armando from leaving, but they would have probably never done so without that threat looming over them.

Yeah, this wouldn't happen at all unless Armando had the motivation to leave. However---I believe in the cuartel. The cuartel saw him show up everyday looking like shit. They don't mention it to Betty when she comes back bc it wasn't a priority. But if they see Betty and Armando in some kind limbo-slow burn hell where Betty is left indecisive....Let's table this for a second, bc I wanna talk about this:

At this point she also believes he is after Alejandra, turns out his over the top flirting drove her even further away from him.

Yes, she does. But he wasn't 'over the top flirting' with her. All he really did (which is the same thing that Betty did with Michel) was walk around Ecomoda with Alejandra. He was seen with her, yes, but he was truly just being friendly and giving her a tour. Was she interested in something more? Yes (So was Michel). Could he have started something with her? Yes (So could Betty with Michel). Does he? (No). Because he's in love with Betty. The Alejandra situation is what motivates Armando to choose Betty. He could try and move on with a clean slate with someone else that doesn't know him or what he did, but he can't and he doesn't want to.

But unfortunately, Betty doesn't know this and it doesn't matter because all she needed was to see them together to make her own hurtful conclusions.

Would the Cuartel tell her that he didn’t do anything with her and that she was gone already without Michel’s presence?

Okay, going back to the cuartel---YES, they would. I believe this in my heart. If they see Betty and Armando in Limbo-Slow Burn Hell and it's been going on for weeks?? Yes, they would tell her the Alejandra thing never happened. Betty wouldn't care, bc she'll say 'if its not her, it'll be someone else'. I think that eventually one of them would mention what Ecomoda was like when she was away but this hinges on someone making a mention of Armando and that would have to motivate Betty's curiosity to know.

Remember that outside the bar when Armando seeks her out, he says 'and all the harm I did to myself'. So Betty would have to be motivated to remember that and wonder it meant. But yes, I think the cuartel would use this information it would just take them awhile.

(Nunca se ponen las pilas a tiempo)

With Ecomoda out of debt and Betty refusing to remain the president, would Armando be given another chance by the board committee?

If Michel never arrived, and Betty and Armando are in Limbo-Slow Burn Hell AND they manage to get Ecomoda out of debt---Armando would still not want the presidency back. Armando's stays on to help Ecomoda bc not only was it his fault, but he couldn't let it all fall on Betty. He even says he had stayed to regain some honor and to support Betty during her presidency. Michel's absence doesn't hinge on that.

Now would the board give him another chance? No. Marcela would be advocating for him and he would refuse it.

If Betty refused it, Armando would ask her to stay. He would talk to her like he talked to her the night of her lanzamiento. And this is where I'm a romantic and can't picture them not ending up together. I think that in this Limbo-Slow Burn Hell scenario, Armando would still offer to leave so that she could stay. If he tried his hardest to show her that he's changed and it still wasn't enough, he would still do what he did in canon except he wouldn't be so dramatic about it.

I think that in this situation the only way I can see them working out is with Betty out of Ecomoda because it would give them the opportunity to rekindle their romance in a different setting away from the toxicity of the workplace and his family and Marcela

Ecomoda is so important. It's like their child.

(They have 3 kids, Ecomoda, the Furby, and Camila).

Okay, jokes aside. Ecomoda is where they fell in love. It's where they met. It's where some of the best and worst things happened to them. It's what keeps them together by force when Betty comes back from Cartagena. Ecomoda is what blurs the lines between them. It's so fundamental to the origins of their romance. I can't see them, in this non Michel arrival scenario, being able to rekindle their relationship without it. If they fell in love during a terrible time for Ecomoda, they can rekindle Limbo-Slow Burn style while getting Ecomoda out of debt.

Marcela being there is not a deterrent because Armando broke up with her and she wouldn't be able to manipulate him. (A visible sign to Betty that he has changed). Yeah, she would beg him to stay as president if Betty were to leave once the company was out of debt and once again he would be like 'Girl, no. It's over.'

If that would be motivation enough for Marcela to tell Betty supporting evidence about his bar time suicide attempts, that's up in the air. We need Margarita's interference for that to happen and I dont think that exists in this Limbo-Slow Burn scenario. I think Betty would have listen to what the curatel saw day to day and then think about what Armando said to her and be brave enough to make a decision on her own. To ask Armando about it and trust that he's telling her the truth.

For Betty it would be a leap of faith.

Unfortunately, in this this Michel-less scenario the diary scene doesn't exist bc Armando doesn't have the motivation to go into her office and look for the photo of them. So there is no him finding out that Betty was in love with him way before the plan. Also, there is no scene where Armando and Mario have their break up friendship fight.

We take Michel's arrival out and the last 9 (long form) episodes fall apart. The plot needs him to motivate certain actions to fall into place. Betty needs a getaway car and Armando needs the motivation to run after her.

So yes, I believe they can still rekindle their relationship (BECAUSE I AM A ROMANTIC) but it would take longer because of inaction.

Again, I apologize if I didn't answer this the way you wanted me to. But this is what came out.

#ysblf #betty la fea #anon #ask

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writeingdocs · 2 years ago

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Untitled.

stray kids bangchan x fem reader genre: angst masterlist an: this is a short fic i wrote last year (that got quite a reaction from my friend haha) and posted on ao3 that i forgot to post here… x

“Long time no see.” She greeted with a smile.

“Mhmm.” He returned the gesture as she sat across him. “I’m glad you could make it.”

“Shouldn’t I be the one saying that? Considering your busy schedule.”

He let out a chuckle.

“I’m surprised you even had time to invite me for lunch.” She continued.

“Well, we have a couple of extra days to roam around. And I would be lying if I say I didn’t plan to meet you here.” He said placing one hand on his nape. “But enough about me, how have you been?”

“I’m alright.” Her lips formed a line before continuing. “I got engaged, actually.”

“You’re getting married?” It didn’t come out as a question, much to his dismay.

“Yeah.” She answered briefly.

“Wow, I, uhm, congratulations!” He was at par with words.

“Thank you.” She smiled.

“I uh hope your fiancé’s not mad you were meeting your ex.” He tried to joke around.

“Nah, he’s cool. He knows you and your family’s very dear to me, way past us dating.”

“Well, that’s a relief. Guess you got yourself a good man.”

“Guess I did.”

“But he’s even luckier.”

“Yeah?”

“Any man would be the luckiest to have you by his side. I sure was back then.” He said with a sad smile.

“Well, I was lucky to have you by my side back then too.” She offered him a warm smile.

“Just not lucky enough for you to stay.” He said a bit bitterly.

“Chris—“

“Look, I’m not saying this to mess you up or anything, but I have to be honest why I asked to meet up. I wanted to know what happened…with us.”

“I thought you already knew.” She took a deep breath, trying to sum up the reason why their three year relationship ended almost two years ago.

“We both couldn’t let go of the things we wanted for ourselves. We came to a point where we can’t compromise anymore and so,“

“You left.” He finished for her.

“I left.” She nodded.

“And you didn’t come after me.”

His head shot up to look straight at her.

“I, I didn’t know you wanted me to…”

She shrugged.

“It was you who wanted to break up.” He didn’t mean to make it sound as if he’s blaming her.

“That’s right.” She nodded.

“But hey, it turned out to be for the better, didn’t it? Mr. Producer of the year.” She tried to make light of the conversation by grinning.

“Stray Kids is getting bigger and bigger, and I get to be the homemaker I’ve always dreamed of. It’s a win-win!” She exclaimed, a tinge of bittersweetness in her eyes albeit her high pitched voice.

But was it? Was it a win-win?

Because surely, Chan felt anything but a winner.

He felt quite the opposite actually—like he’s the most defeated man, even more so now that he has completely lost his chance to get her back.

But everything she had said was right. They both wanted two different things. And no matter how they tried, and they did try, they’re inevitably bound to choose what they want or each other. And they chose the former.

So with a breath, he gave her his most genuine smile. And she knew it was so.

“I’m happy for you. Truly.” He said before pulling away from their parting embrace.

“Thank you, Chris. And I’m proud of you, too. You’re doing well. Take it easy, yeah?” She patted his arm.

“Mmm, you too. Don’t go crazy on your wedding planner, okay?”

“Yah!” She laughed and faked scolded him for hinting her perfectionist persona.

“Send me an invite?” He said when they both calmed down.

“You’re not going to try and stop it, are you?” She raised a brow.

“Tempting—aw!”

She jokingly punched his arm.

“I’m kidding! But not about sending me an invite.”

“Fine, sure.”

“Take care, yeah?” He began walking backwards, still looking at her.

“You too.”

“Don’t trip—“

“Goodbye, Chris!” She cuts him off again and rolls her eyes.

“Just making sure.” He grinned before giving one final wave.

“Goodbye.”

And they parted ways after that. x thoughts? likes and reblogs are appreciated, thank you for reading!

#writeingdocs #stray kids angst #stray kids x you #stray kids imagines #stray kids x reader #stray kids fanfic #bangchan angst #bangchan reader #bangchan x you #bangchan x reader

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inukag-archive · 2 years ago

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Do you know any canonverse fics of the cast celebrating traditional Japanese holidays? Thanks for all the hard work!

Hello Nonnie, we meet again.

As we're sure you noticed in your own searching, there are a plethora of "festival" fics. But the vast majority of them are non-specific celebrations simply to allow plot to happen, as opposed to a specific, traditional holiday.

To get these twelve fics we limited ourselves to: canon/canon-divergent/post-canon and only named Japanese holidays. We also chose not to include Christmas or Halloween stories (since these are originally Western celebrations) but did include White Day since that has a uniquely Japanese origin. Because of these restrictions this list features predominantly one-shots, but we hope our followers may be able to add some more in the comments/reblogs. Now, without further ado-

Star-Crossed by hakomoebi (G)

It's the night of Tanabata, and Inuyasha gets the chance to make a wish.

StarDust by Fenikkusuken (M)

OneShot. A warm summer night, a girl and a hanyou wearing flimsy yukata... it must be the Tanabata Festival! Rated for mature content.

Whispers by @mamabearcat (E)

Kagome and Sango decide they've had more than enough camping out in the woods with for a while. All they want is a night at an inn and a hot bath. Miroku is agreeable; Inuyasha, not so much. But there's a festival in town and it's packed full of people. Surely nothing will happen, right? Will Kagome be able to heal Inuyasha's hurt with soft words? Or will it require more?

For All of Us by EverythingIsMagic (K+)

InuYashaxKagome Almost fifteen years after the defeat of Naraku, InuYasha, Kagome, and the rest of the Higurashi family prepare for a festival at the shrine that now has special meaning to them...

Tanabata Matsuri by DarkBlaze14 (K+)

It's the night of the Star Festival in the feudal era, and Kagome is all smiles until an old name comes up. Fluffy Inukag oneshot. (Set after the conclusion of the Final Act.)

Fireworks by PrincessMelissa83 (K)

[Oneshot] Full on InuKag fluff. Kag's school is putting on a New Year's fair and it just happens to be the night of the new moon so Kagome tries to get Inuyasha to attend with her.

As A Soft Winds Blows by MikaSono (K+)

A short oneshot about the japanese moonveiwing tradition

Midnight Kiss by Sleep Walking Chicken (T)

(One-shot) Its New Years in Kagome's time and Inuyasha wants to be the one to give her her midnight kiss. With help from Mrs. Higurashi and Kagome's friends, will Inuyasha get his wish? (Fluff, fluff and more fluff in this story. Bring a toothbrush)

Obon by Maru Maru (T)

{oneshot} When Kagome wants to go home, but refuses to give a reason, it leaves Inuyasha just a little curious. When he follows her, he'll find something he really didn't expect.

Teeth Are White by @kstewdeux (G)

When it comes to understanding 20th century holidays, Inuyasha tries and fails so hard.

From Heaven to Earth, From Earth to Heaven by @calloftherunningtide (M)

Festivals and rituals can be fun, but, now that they’re married, Inuyasha and Kagome are going to make their own blessings.

The Floating Lanterns by ananova (K)

Inuyasha watches from a tree as Obon draws to a close. Will Kagome be able to draw him out to participate?

Feel free to add your own recs in the comments or reblogs!

Check our Masterlist of previous lists to see which topics we've covered.

Send us an ask (here).

#inukag archive #inuyasha fanfiction #japanese holidays #inukag fanfic

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velvet-ink · 2 years ago

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Hi. Do you have any snippet for the Dead Carlos/Sad TK WIP? I'm so excited for you to post it. But please no pressure or anything!!!! And if you don't wanna share anything or not writing it, it's fine. Please ignore this if that's the case.

Hi, yes I do! I’m so happy you’re excited for it. I underestimated how long this fic would be but it’s such a heavy theme and I want to do it justice, so I appreciate having someone along for the ride! Definitely still in the process of refining it but more than happy to share a peak.

Snippet for “For the First Time, For the Last Time” below the cut.

"I hope you haven't been waiting long. You could have let yourself in without me."

"Nonsense," Andrea releases him from her embrace, softly patting his arm as she steps aside. "We wouldn't just let ourselves into someone else's home."

A heavy beat passes and TK’s at a loss for what to do with himself. They're both looking at him patiently, expectantly, as if he was the one who called them and asked to meet at Carlos' loft. Between the looks and warm welcome, he feels like he's dropped the script for a play he never chose to be in, fumbling through endless pages to find the right scene because he's on next and just missed his cue.

"Do you have your key?" Andrea prompts gently.

“Um, yeah,” he pats his pocket—unsure how they knew about something he didn't remember until yesterday—and pulls out the lone key. He moves slowly, taking small, hesitant steps towards the door, waiting for them to intervene. They don’t, and he cant help but wonder why he's been granted an exception to that logic. Surely they've frequented this place more than him these last few months.

Nothing makes that more apparent than the unpracticed jiggle of his key in the lock. It hits every bump and sticking point, not at all helped by the slight tremble in his fingers, and it feels like he's failed an important test when the lock doesn't budge on the first go. Steadying himself with a deep breath, he tries again, relief flooding him when the soft click of the lock meets his ears.

He's wholly unprepared though for what comes next.

The last time TK had been here the space was entirely empty. Sure, there were the preinstalled kitchen appliances and some basic furniture had been staged, but nothing that gave the loft heart, nothing to make it feel like home. Now, the first thing he sees are the bookshelves lined with family photos, plants, and the little knick knacks Carlos began collecting from the art stall at the farmer's market to replace his old decor after the fire. Magazines are neatly laid out on the coffee table, a throw blanket is folded over the edge of the couch, the only thing that really looks out of place is the stray hoodie tossed over the back of the arm chair—and that's only by Carlos' standards.

A thick lump forms in his throat as he scans the room, unpleasantly confronted with the reality of everything that could have been, the result of late night ideas and daydreams all come to life right in front of his eyes. It's the home that would have been theirs if only he had the courage for once in his life to talk about his problems instead of running away.

Andrea comes to stand next to him. "Is this your first time back here?"

He nods, unable to find his voice.

She strokes a hand down his arm, the other resting over her heart. "I feel it too. The emptiness. It's not the same without his presence." Her words are thick, coated in grief and held back tears. If TK was stronger he’d put an arm around her and offer the same comfort she’s been generously extending to him this whole time. Him, of all people. Right now, fighting the urge to turn back around and walk out the door is consuming all his focus, and he’s determined not to repeat the same actions that led to this situation in the first place.

"Come on, let's take a seat," she says, gently ushering him to a chair across the dining table from herself and Gabriel.

"So," Gabriel starts, running his palms along the wooden table top, steadying himself for the conversation to follow. "Like Andrea mentioned on the phone yesterday, we wanted to meet today to discuss Carlos' will."

"Right…sorry,” TK nervously picks at his nails. “I don't understand what that has to do with me."

"You're in it, TK," Gabriel states as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "He left you some of his things."

"That can't be right."

"Don't be silly," Andrea chimes in immediately. "You were such an important part of his life, you know that. Of course he left some of his belongings to you."

"What exactly–" He takes a moment to gather his thoughts, a million questions flying through his mind. "What did he leave?"

"He wanted you to have the Camero, the loft, and pretty much everything here. There are a couple family photo albums he has which were for us to take back, family keepsakes and all, but everything else is yours."

"No, that’s…" he glances around him. “I don’t think–”

"We know it's a lot, and there's a lot of stuff to go through, but we'll help you." Gabriel assures him.

He can't make sense of it. Nothing of what has transpired today makes any sense. It's been months since he's been in Carlos' life, let alone set foot in this place. How could all of this be left to him?

"And you two are okay with that?" He asks incredulously. "With me having all this?"

"Why wouldn't we be? This was your home with Carlos. This still is your home. It shouldn't be left to anyone but you."

And there it was, the evidence so clearly on display this whole time but he was too blind to see it. TK wasn’t the one out of the loop. They were.

#911 lone star #tarlos #asks #death tw

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ao3feed-scarletvision · 2 years ago

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(In)Complete (Revised)

by englishmajor226

Imagine a universe where, at the end of WandaVision, Wanda finds a way to keep Hex!Vision and the boys. They flee Westview, Wanda must face the consequences of her actions, and the world now knows about them all. White/Spectral/OG Vision is still out there, and eventually finds the family. What does *that* look like?

I hoped to guess. Inspired by other ScarletVision Squared stories, I originally took on this project to write some steamy smut. I did that in Complete, deciding not to write the origin points of these characters nor their relationship, but picking a point in the distant future.

Now, I hope to go back and write their origin.

This story opens up in the future once again, but this is a journey into the past. Mostly from Hex!Vision's perspective, it's a tribute to this character. It's about fatherhood, relationships, loving ourselves and loving each other. It's about identity, memory and discovering the thing we've been missing may have been inside us all along.

Note: This version of the story has been re-worked to be more reader and newbie friendly. That's why it's getting reposted. A chapter every two days until it's finished, author guaranteed.

Words: 2423, Chapters: 1/25, Language: English

Fandoms: WandaVision (TV), Marvel Cinematic Universe

Rating: Not Rated

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: Multi

Characters: Wanda Maximoff, Vision (Marvel), Hex!Vision, White!Vision

Relationships: Wanda Maximoff/Vision, white!vision/wanda maximoff/hex!vision, Billy Maximoff/Teddy Altman

Additional Tags: Polyamory, exploring the point/identity/role of hex!Vision, when hex vision and white vision exist at the same time we call it scarlet vision squared, what was a smut fic now is something...uh...else, giving smut fic characters the decency of character arcs

from AO3 works tagged 'Wanda Maximoff/Vision' https://ift.tt/BgorJCR via IFTTT

#scarlet vision #scarletvision #the vision #wanda maximoff #scarlet witch #IFTTT

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alexenglish · 2 years ago

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hi! this is the yeonjun fic nonbinary (???) anon from a few days ago. i have a question that i am hoping for some insight from you on? i am at a loss for how to explore doing gender beyond the way i inhabit my body (fashion & physical mannerisms). do you have any helpful resources or ideas or like a conceptual framework or anything? i can't drastically change my personality or interests, and i don't really know what else there is. thank you and have a nice day!

hi alex! this is the yeonjun gender anon~ just dropping by since it is wednesday and it was requested! but also, i know it is a rly complicated question that in a sense reflects my own lack of knowledge of myself & the world (which i will work on thru reflection+reading+observing), and i don't want to put a big burden on you to explain Everything or be comprehensive~ thank you for your consideration and generosity <3 have a good day <3

hello my dear anon! first off, you're so sweet and i appreciate you being patient with me (and also reminding me!) i was busy and then weirdly, extremely sick yesterday, and the few days wait feels like i've wound you up for some profound reveal, when it's truly been so long since i've talked about this type of thing on here, i just hope i can give you something to leap off of.

my biggest piece of advice is that it can be useful to start to define gender inside yourself as something separate from presentation! a lot of times we feel the need to dress and act certain ways to 'prove' we are a certain gender, or align ourselves with a certain gender. that can inspire a ton of euphoria! and is great! i DO encourage you to explore that, naturally, but gender is also about breaking down what our gender means to us outside of that.

if we were all in an ideal world without cissexist expectations or gender roles or social pressures on our interests and presentation - what would our gender mean to us? how would it manifest? how would we express it? what would bring us joy and identity and security and self-insight?

personally, my answers to all those questions are like very neutral, and also very 'both/all', and also very 'i simply do not care,' which is why i am nonbinary! and then, at the same time, outside of that ideal - while i don't necessarily feel like i embody masculinity in my presentation, i do identify with masculinity in a lot of ways - how i feel about myself, how i relate to other masculine people, and also roles i prefer to take socially. there are many things about femininity i genuinely don't understand like presentation and social pressures, and i will not participate in them. but since i am 'mom' and 'girlfriend' in my current family arrangement (which are definers i chose for personal reasons), i am constantly dodging the expectation to fulfill a 'feminine' role in the home/socially, but that is not who i am or who i want to be - so no! lmao

just laying that all out to show you the complexity of a gender feeling, i guess! who i am internally (nonbinary), and how i relate to the world (masculine-leaning), and expectations on me (feminine roles) are all different and meanwhile, i am just a nonbinary person defining gender for myself.

your gender as (unknown variable) doesn't have to inform your performance or presentation. some people are very much like "my gender is (unknown variable) and therefore i have to perform/present as (unknown variable)" when it should be "my gender is (unknown variable), i perform/present in ways that are affirming and authentic, and this is what it looks like!" sometimes what it looks like aligns with (unknown variable) and sometimes it doesn't, and that's like so hecking valid, either way. if you are (unknown variable), you are still (unknown variable) no matter what your interests, clothes, social roles, etc are.

it really IS about defining gender for yourself inside your head. window shopping other genders and feeling out what fits. what suits you best, makes you happiest. sometimes that looks like trying on clothes and pronouns and labels. sometimes it's about talking it out, and finding what's meaningful to you, and how to express that; how to claim it and own it in ways that are profound. it can truly be anything. which is daunting, but exciting, i promise!

and it's important that you don't think of your journey as finding a 'right' answer, think of your journey as finding what fits you 'right now.' who you are now, and who you will be in five years are different people. embrace your now! be kind to yourself while you are exploring! approach with joy and curiosity, above all else!

anyway, i'm not sure if any of that is actually helpful in the way you want it to be, but i hope it at least touched on something you needed to hear. feel free to come back to chat, or even dm me if you want ! <3

#shop talk #mic check #anonymoose

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robynnemrys · 1 year ago

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This is one of the reasons I love Star Trek. They're always making you think. So many of the TOS is analyzing who a person is and what are the fundamental pieces of who you are.

For example, Kirk getting divided into two characters. Evil!Kirk may seem, well, evil but without him Kirk is incapable of being a good Captain as he's unable to make a decision. At the end of the day/episode you have to realize that we are not all good but those negative parts are still a part of who we are and sometimes necessary for us to function. For example, sometimes we need to focus on ourselves to function. And that means being a bit selfish from time to time. It doesn't necessarily make us bad even if it's often seen that way.

I mean some moral dilemmas are more obvious. For example in "The Conscience of the King" we learn about the colony on Tarsus IV and the mass genocide that took place there. There was a fungal infection that destroyed the crops and there was some concern on whether or not they could survive on their stores until help arrived. Kodos, the governor at the time, decided that the best thing for the survival of the colony was to kill off half the population in order for the rest to survive. He chose people based on eugenics and killed off approximately 4 thousand people. He was believed dead but Kirk and another survivor, Thomas, end up recognizing a disguised Kodos among a traveling theater troop. Thomas is later found murdered which only further raises Kirk's suspicions. Aboard the Enterprise, Kirk and another survivor, Lt. Kevin Riley, are both attacked but manage to survive. Riley discovers Kodos is aboard and attempts to attack him in revenge for the attack on himself and the murder of his parents but Kirk eventually talks him down. Its discovered that Kodos' daughter, Lenore, has been attempting to murder any possible witnesses who could testify against her father. Kodos, who believed his daughter was the only thing unaffected by what he'd done, was horrified and when she tries to kill Kirk steps in the way and is killed by her. She goes insane with grief and eventually is institutionalized.

Okay now that we have a rough summary, let's unpack all that.

Firstly, we have the actual events on Tarsus itself. There's the debate on what he's done though the show firmly states that his choice to commit genocide was wrong and earned him the title "Kodos the Executioner." Though some point out that on many other occasions on the show they argue that "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few" which can lead to the argument that the genocide could have been somewhat justified if not for the eugenic basis for who lived or died. The show doesn't explore this but I have read some fics which dive into it.

Next we'll skip to Kevin Riley's storyline. There's the debate on whether his decision was justified. On one hand, we have the argument that murder is never okay but at the same time, Riley lost his whole family because of this man and believed Kodos had just tried to murder him in order to hide his crime. That seems like a pretty good justification to murder someone. I can't recall if Kodos would have been jailed or executed should he be tried for his crimes but I believe there was a chance he'd have been executed so he might have died anyway, so would it have been wrong to let Riley kill him?

Then we have Kodos and his daughter, Lenore. Lenore was born shortly after the Tarsus IV massacre and Kodos believed she was the one thing unaffected by what he'd done. He planned to live his life without ever hurting anyone again however his daughter discovered who he really was at some point and decided to protect him no matter what. She became a serial killer, murdering the few survivors who had seen his face and could testify against him. Kodos seems legitimately upset upon discovering that his daughter has become a murder for him and his decision to live has caused even more death. He chooses to sacrifice himself in order to save Kirk and dies. Kodos seems like a cut and dry villain at first but becomes a more complicated, three dimensional character as the plot progresses. As Tom Hiddleston once said, "every villain is a hero in their own mind" and Kodos exemplifies that well. In his mind he was protecting the colony and ensuring its survival while all the rest of us can see how horrifying his actions were. When given the chance, he tried to live peacefully and seemed genuinely remorseful for what he'd done. Meanwhile his daughter, who had seemed nice through most of the story, turned out to only care for her father and was willing to do anything to protect him which led to her murdering 7 of the 9 eye witnesses who had seen Kodos' face. In her mind she was just protecting her father and couldn't handle his death.

There are many other questions you can ask based on the moral dilemma of this episode. (Heck, you can argue about how gross it is that Kirk, who lived through the massacre, was basically dating Lenore who wasn't born til after said massacre. Granted she did choose to do so in order to get close to him so she could kill him, but still.) But generally we can agree on the obvious ones, eugenics is bad and so is murder. But the rest still make you think which I love. (Plus we get tons of excellent fanfic out of it!)

#image warning #star trek #ethics #morals #tarsus iv #sorry didn't mean to rant but I love Tarsus IV fics man

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reivenesque · 7 years ago

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A Family We Chose For Ourselves FINAL CHAPTER

Chapter 9: Eva (9955 words)

Her and Chris, huh?

For the first time, she thinks that the description sounds just about right.

[ ch1 | ch2 | ch3 | ch4 | ch5 | ch6 | ch7 | ch8 | ao3]

Gifset: Part 1 | Part 2

Søndag 25.12.16

“So, me and you, huh?”

Eva laughs a little at the statement and the sound is like tiny jingle bells that make his heart soar inside his chest.

Or that could have been actual jingle bells coming from somewhere outside, probably one of the neighbours getting into the Christmas party spirit a little too late.

“Yeah, who would have thought right?” Eva says with a chuckle as she snuggles closer into his embrace.

They’re both cuddled together on his bed; Eva with her head tucked comfortably under his chin, her arms around him holding him close, or maybe even keeping herself close to him in case he’d go out and get himself stabbed again. One thing was for fucking sure though, Chris never wanted to go through that ever again. Getting stabbed is very unpleasant and not recommended at all.

In return he has his one arm circled around her shoulder, fingers twirling around the strands of hair that stray into his grasp and the other arm curled protectively around his ribs. Broken ribs are also very unpleasant and not recommended either.

He’s been home for all of a day and he was already getting restless. He was finally allowed to leave by his reluctant doctors because it was Christmas Eve, Chris had been a model patient and maaaaybe it was in small part due William giving the poor doctor the look had he decided otherwise.

William for his part was just as hesitant as the doctors to let Chris leave the safety of the hospital just then, but Chris had mastered the ways of getting William to do whatever he wanted. It was a power he didn’t use often—that much power in the hands of one person could prove to be dangerous—but when he did there was absolutely nothing William could do to refuse him. He might impart that knowledge to Noora one day though, or if ever a time came that he thinks she would need it.

But the doctor reluctantly signed off and Chris was happy, Eva and William were slightly less so, mainly due to the fact that he was obviously still not a hundred percent, but who cared what they thought? It was his body and his health and he was the one who’d been stuck indoors for eight days, thought he was only really conscious for maybe half of that and bed-ridden for two-thirds of it. It was only because of Eva and William that he didn’t lose his mind completely in the meantime.

Chris hated hospitals. He always has and he always will. He always avoided going to one unless it was absolutely necessary or someone managed to drag him there against his will, so getting stuck in one without being able to leave had been one of his biggest fears. Those eight days were his absolute limit. To be honest, he would have left immediately once he regained consciousness if William, Eva and the doctors hadn’t been in the way…and if he could have been able to stand on his own two feet for more than a few seconds before feeling like he was about to pass out.

Eva and William were there the whole time. He thinks Eva only left once because her friends made her, or they tricked her into it, but William was always there and he was never lacking in visitors at any given time. Most of the Penetrators showed up almost ad nauseum once they were allowed to visit, not all at once though, which were small favours. He didn’t think he would have been able to keep up with everyone and everything going on if they had. Erik was also there almost as often as William and Eva, and Chris found his presence oddly comforting. All the other guys had been respectful of his state of mind though, they didn’t talk obnoxiously loud and whenever Chris felt like the surrounding was starting to dip in and out of focus, he recalls the sound of the excitable conversation slowing down to a more relaxed volume. He was thankful for that and for all the guys coming to visit him, even all of Eva’s friends. All of them, even the ones he didn’t know. He’s sure some of them were actually Noora’s friends too, which made the whole situation even more bizarre.

He was okay with Isak, not really friends, just friendly accomplices though he didn’t know Isak’s boyfriend at all. Also, he only then just realized that Isak was gay. He tried not to show his surprise but that shit came totally out of left field. Somehow he felt like he should have…known? Suspected somehow? No wonder Eva kept giggling whenever she brought up the topic of Isak dating one of the Pepsimax girls and she’d thrown shade many times about him meeting Isak during the whole Yakuza thing. He was surprised when Isak walked into his room with a tall, blonde guy and introduced him as his boyfriend.

Eva giggled that time too actually.

“Why are you always giggling whenever the topic of Isak comes up?” he asks suddenly. He thinks Eva was starting to doze off so the sound of his voice jolts her a little when he speaks.

“What?” Eva asks confused. Or faking confusion more like, he knows that look on her face. He thinks he’s gotten pretty good at reading her. She may be brainy but she was also super transparent, and he says that in the most affectionate way possible.

“Isak,” he enunciates. “Why are you always giggling when his name is mentioned? Is it cause you knew he was gay?” Eva gets that look on her face where he knows that she’s trying to cover up her desperate attempt to think up an excuse by being as adorable as she can possibly be. Well, it’s not going to work this time. “Don’t lie.”

Eva tries to smother the grin threatening to emerge, but she’s failing pathetically. “Chris—” she starts, but she’s about to twist the subject, so Chris mimics her tone cynically when he says; “Eva.”

Eva huffs. “Okay, okay. Fine,” she says, turning her head up to look at him. “We—as in, Noora and I, kind of suspected for a while that you and Isak were having…a thing.”

“A thing?”

“Yes, a thing. A…gay thing.”

Chris can feel the crease of his brows getting deeper when he tries to imagine what exactly could have brought this suspicion on. It clicks like a gear in shift suddenly. His meeting Isak about the Yakuza thing; exchanging phone numbers, also for the Yakuza thing. Him getting a call from Isak at the party, again, for the Yakuza thing. He thinks he can maybe understand how that would have looked to other people, especially other people who were maybe looking a little too close because they were maybe a little too involved in everything.

“Let me guess,” he says after his mental debate had come to a conclusion. “You were jealous, weren’t you?”

This time it’s Eva’s turn to act scandalous when she splutters out: “What? No. Not at all.”

“Yep, mm-hmm,” Chris hums teasingly. “I totally believe you right now.”

“Chris—” Eva starts once again, pulling out of his arm to sit up, jostling the bed slightly with the sudden movement and extracting a pained gasp from Chris that he didn’t have time to stop.

The mood immediately shifts after that; the scandalized look on Eva’s face is replaced by concern and a little guilt when she leans carefully over him.

“It’s nothing. I’m fine,” Chris says quickly when Eva’s about to open her mouth to spew some sort of apology that he really doesn’t want. He’s tired of everyone constantly apologizing to him, William being at the very top of that list. “Seriously. Just—it’s nothing, please.”

Eva is hesitant for a few seconds before she nods, returning to her previous position curled up against his side, but with much more care than the way she pulled out of it.

The annoying silence returns and Chris feels himself getting upset by how quickly the mood changed from happy and playful, to sombre and way too serious. He’s getting pretty sick and tired of everyone walking on eggshells around him.

“I wasn’t jealous by the way,” Eva says, interrupting his thoughts. “You would have made a cute couple anyway and I would have gladly stepped down.”

She says all in as a matter of fact and Chris finds himself laughing before he can do anything else. The laughter is agony on his ribs, but he doesn’t care. Eva always has a way of just making him feel better in an instance without even really trying too.

Eva’s soft laughter follows after him and the tension in the room is eased several folds once again. The both lapse into a more comfortable silence after that, Eva still snuggled in his side and Chris trying to recall the last time he felt this at ease around someone who wasn’t William. It was never with one of his hooks ups, that was for sure; the girls were always pretty and always willing, but he barely remembered they faces the morning after and he definitely didn’t remember any names.

He could never forget Eva’s though, even from the very first moment.

And Cool Chris, but that was an entirely different subject.

He wonders where William stalked off to. It was getting kind of late and William hasn’t come to pester him in at least three hours which for him was some sort of record.

The house is quiet besides the sounds of Christmas music floating in from the outside and the occasional jingling sound of sleigh bells from somewhere on the street. The rest of the house is empty besides him and Eva; the living room dark and deserted and the both of them snuggling comfortably in his bed pushed up against the wall opposite the door. He doesn’t know how long they’ve been laying there together; three hours, maybe four. It was nearing five p.m. at that point and William had come bursting in suddenly a few hours ago saying that he had some business to attend to with someone or whatever, he was muttering hurriedly and Chris had just told him to get the fuck out because his babbling was giving him a serious headache.

His stitches itched like a son of a bitch, his insides still felt like someone ran it through a sausage stuffer, his ribs hurt something awful so did the rest of him and he could feel a pounding headache building up behind his eyeballs and William being all jittery didn’t help him at all any at the time, just like it wasn’t helping any at the moment.

Maybe leaving the hospital really hadn’t been such a good idea.

“Chris? You okay?” he hears Eva’s voice calling his name softly and he only realized he’d closed his eyes when he has to open them to look at her.

“I’m okay,” he says in reassurance, sparring her a small smile.

Eva isn’t convinced though. She pushed herself up onto one elbow and eyes him critically. “Are you sure? You seem…in pain.”

“Not more than normal,” he says.

“No amount of pain should be normal though,” she says worriedly.

“It’s just a headache, Eva. Don’t worry.”

“But I do worry,” she says, again as a matter of fact and rendering Chris completely speechless. Chris can’t help himself but stare at her lips when she’s done talking and he realized that for the first time staring at a girls mouth so close to his, her lips aren’t the only thing he wants from her. He wants everything; her lips, her body, her heart; her. All of her. He’s never felt more complete than when he’s around her listening to her talk about her opinions of the Russ and the smile that comes across her face when she talks about her friends. When she tells him about something funny Eskild said or something even funnier someone named Linn said while she’s shot him down, or when she told him about their first Kose group meeting and Sana telling them to get with the 97-ers and about Sana being the one who added him on Instagram and liked all those pictures.

He laughed then, just like he always laughs so easily whenever Eva is around. Eva always has something interesting to say about something and he constantly finds himself unable to look away, unable to hide the interested look he’s sure is plain as day on his face. Eva always trails off and looks sheepishly away when she catches him staring but she has a small contented smile on his face and Chris thinks that he couldn’t think of a more beautiful sight.

Eva is beautiful. He doesn’t think he tells her that nearly enough but she is. All the girls he’d been with have been beautiful in their own way too, Iben was gorgeous and kind and her only fault was that she loved someone who didn’t love her back. But Eva has always been different. Different than the other girls he’d been with and all the other girls at school. He’d heard about what happened between her and her ex and the Pepsimax girl, but who was he to judge given his own track record? Eva had gone through the worst of the worst experience a girl could go through and she’d only come out stronger and Chris found that to be one of the sexiest aspects about her.

“Really, Eva. It’s nothing a little rest and some TLC won’t fix,” he says when he turns to Eva and still finds her expectant and worried gaze on him. “Unless you have other plans,” he says with a grin.

That manages to crack through the serious mask on Eva’s face and she reciprocates with a small smile of her own and a little head shake. “What if I do?”

“Then I’d be really sad,” he says.

“Well, I guess I have to cancel on that hot barista guy then. I couldn’t possibly leave in good consciences now.”

Again Eva manages to make him crack a painful laugh. “No wait a minute,” he says seriously. “How hot are we talking?”

“Pretty damn hot,” Eva says

“On a scale of one to ten, with me being ten and—let’s say the pervy beer guy being one, how hot would you rate him, truthfully?”

Eva looks like she’s giving the question a serious thought, tapping at her bottom lip with her index finger as she lets out a soft hmm. “Well,” she says finally, looking at Chris straight in the eye, “Not nearly as hot as you.”

And Chris is left internally floundering. There she goes again always leaving him in a constant state of disarray and speechlessness.

Instead of answering though, he reaches up to cup the side of her cheek gently, all while maintaining the intense eye contact, running his thumb across her cheeks.

“You’re the most beautiful though, Eva. And smart, and funny and the kindest person I’ve ever met,” he says truthfully.

Eva’s cheeks flush at the compliment and she immediately turns to look away, a sheepish smile playing at her lips, but Chris’ palm is still cupping her face and he doesn’t allow her to turn away.

“That’s the painkillers talking,” she says, still looking everywhere else but Chris’ eyes.

“I wouldn’t be in pain if the painkillers were still in effect,” Chris says truthfully, trying to catch Eva’s gaze as her eyes dart nervously at everything in the room except him. “Why don’t you believe me?”

The question stills her.

“It’s not that,” she says, trailing off unsurely. “Just—uh, I guess people just don’t tell me that very often.”

Chris’ smile drops slightly at the statement. “Well, they must have been blind as well as stupid,” he says confidently. “And it’s their loss.”

Eva runs her tongue over the bottom of her lips nervously and Chris can’t stop himself from staring. “Thanks,” she says, finally looking up to meet his eyes.

“No,” he replies. “Thank you, Eva, for—well, for everything.”

The silence descends again but neither Chris nor Eva could tear their gazes away from each other. Chris is laying on his back, propped up on a couple of pillows and Eva is on her side, leaning on her elbow beside him, her head slightly tilted and her long brown hair cascading down past her shoulder to brush against his arm.

Chris can feel the tension in the room hovering, it isn’t a bad kind of feeling just—apparent. He feels his breath quickening inside his chest though he tries not to be too obvious about it; Eva is still cool as a cucumber, her eyes intense and focused on him, on his face, he notices the way they trail down to his own lips every so often and he can barely hold back the smile. He’s never been the holding back kind of guy, but with Eva he feels like it’s never his place to take the first step, so he waits for her to…do something, or make the first move, because the aura pulsating around them makes it clear that something is about to happen.

Without a word or even a warning, Eva lowers herself down slightly to catch his lips in a kiss. Chris’ fingers find themselves tangled in a mess of brown hair soon enough as he feels hands reaching up to grab at the back of his neck and head with just as much ferocity. He feels himself almost being pushed deeper into the pillows behind him by Eva’s body pressed against his. His ribs are screaming at him but he blocks out the noise by circling his other arm around Eva’s body, pulling her closer against him.

The kiss lasts about seven hours, or at least that’s how long it feels like. In truth it was probably only about thirty seconds. But eventually they pull apart, a mess of tangles limbs and flustered cheeks and red, swollen lips, panting hard. If kissing and sex weren’t such enjoyable past times, he’s sure the human race would have died out a long time ago. Even though Eva looks as dishevelled as he probably does, there’s a calmness about her that he finds relaxing and the feeling that also makes him pleased. Eva being happy also makes him happy because that’s the most important thing.

“You really know how to leave a guy speechless,” he says after they’ve both managed to catch their breath.

Eva is running her fingers through her hair in an effort to smooth it down and he finds himself doing the same.

“How are your ribs?” Eva asks instead, like it just occurred to her that sandwiching a guy with broken ribs with her body might not have been such a good idea.

“I’ll survive,” he says. “Plus I’m sure they’ll understand when I explain the situation. They’ll be glad to take one for the team.”

Eva chuckles and Chris doesn’t think he’s heard a sweeter sound.

“Asshole,” she mutters under her breath, but returns to her position cuddled against him, reaching across to hug him around the chest and resting her head comfortably on his shoulder. Chris in return, reaches around to hold her against him with a strong arm. The other one gently massaging a bit of relief into his aching side.

“Where did William run off to though? He hasn’t come to be a nuisance in hours and honestly I’m getting quite concerned.”

“I’m pretty sure he’s with Noora—ahem, catching up,” Eva says.

“Yeah…pretty sure they’re doing a lot of that,” Chris says. “Speaking of which—”

“No,” Eva says dismissively before he could even finish what he was about to say.

“But Eva—”

“No,” she says with a much stricter tone. “You’re injured and the doctor himself said not to do anything strenuous for at least the next couple of weeks or so.”

“Eva—”

“Chris—no.”

“Ugh,” he groans petulantly, letting the hand caressing Eva’s shoulder gently drop down onto the bed with a defeated plop.

Eva seems to take pity on his disappointment. “After you’re fully healed though, then maybe we can revisit this conversation.”

That immediately cheers him up and his hand returns to its original position caressing her side gently. “Promise?”

“I promise,” she says, teasingly enunciating every syllable as she turns her head up to smile cheekily at him.

He returns the smile immediately.

Before long, the combination of the calm and quiet atmosphere of the room at the warm bedfellow at his side, Chris find himself being lulled into the welcoming arms of sleep. His finger keeps on tracing indistinct shapes on Eva’s arm and her side as his eyes start getting heavier and heavier and before long he don’t recall anything anymore.

Eva senses the moment Chris actually drifts off. His breathing evens out and the movement of his hand and fingers just stop. It’s relaxing laying there just listening to the sound of his soft breaths and looking at the rise and fall of his chest. His shirt had ridden up a little during their little make out and Eva can’t stop staring at the edges of the jagged scars peeking out from under the hem of his shirt. Two of them: the one that caused all the problems and the other one that was trying to fix everything it did. They were still reddish and raw and painful looking even after eight days and Eva stops herself from reaching over to run her fingers over them. It wasn’t her place.

She hears the sound of an incoming message on her phone and carefully shifts her body to the side, laying Chris’ hand back down on the mattress gently before she kicks her feet over the ledge and sits up, reaching for the offending thing.

It’s a message from William.

How is he? It said.

He just fell asleep. I think he’ll be out for a couple of hours.

It’s a short reply that Eva doesn’t answer and just puts the phone away on the side table before she turns to look at the sleeping Chris beside her.

A lot has changed in the last week or so; most of the changes seem to be between the two of them and the rest feels like it’s within her own self. She came to that realization sometime within the last couple of days. On the inside she felt…lighter, somehow; more at ease and maybe even a little happier. She doesn’t know how much of that is because of Chris, but she suspects that he’s the majority reason. If someone had said that to her last year, she would probably have laughed.

Penetrator Chris of all people. Not just any regular Penetrator, arguably the second most infamous of the Penetrators, of not the most infamous. Personally Eva always found William rather overrated considering all the attention he got from girls from all walks of life, including her own group of friends. She would admit to realizing his charms after they started to get to know each other better though but it still always astounded Eva that people were gunning for William when Chris was standing right there.

The point is, Penetrator Chris of all people, with her of all people.

Little ol’ Eva with her low self-esteem and trust issues; but in her defence, Jonas never really gave her any solid reason to trust him fully. She should have realized it at the time. She might have stolen Jonas from Ingrid, but it wasn’t like Jonas was an unwilling participant in the whole thing. Sana said to her once that you can’t steal a person who didn’t already want to go in the first place.

But Chris never pretended to be anything other than what people thought he was and all the girls that got with him knew what they were getting themselves into. But Eva’s come to see that he’s so much more than that, everything he truly was you could see if you put in a little effort to scratch below the surface.

Eva didn’t just scratch the surface with him though, she broke out the fucking hoe, one might argue in more ways than one.

Her and Chris, huh?

For the first time, she thinks that the description sounds just about right.

In the distance she hears the sound of the front door opening and the sliver of light shining into the room through the crack under the bedroom door but she doesn’t move from her position. She looks at Chris for a few seconds longer in silence before slowly lowering herself back into her original spot. But she keeps her eyes on Chris’s face, reaching over with one hand to gently caress his cheek with her thumb, causing him to stir slightly but without waking up.

She stares at his closed eyes, his lips, slightly parted, the breaths he’s inhaling and exhaling, and the movement of the rise and fall of his chest under her palm. She finds herself whispering, “I love you,” into the silence without expecting an acknowledging response in return.

Chris sleeps on.

Eventually Eva tucks herself snugly into his side, tucking one hand under her chin and the other reaching the rest of the way to embrace him before she too feels the lull of sleep wash over her like a cloud and before long there is nothing.

Chris doesn’t know how long he’s asleep for. The sky is dark out when he opens his eyes and Eva is fast asleep against his side so he doesn’t dare move to reach over and check the clock on his phone. It must have been a couple of hours at least.

He doesn’t know if it was because he stirred too suddenly, but he feels Eva rousing beside him before her bleary eyes turn up to look at him.

“Hey there,” she greets with raspy voice and a sleepy smile.

“Hey yourself, sleepyhead,” he says, his voice groggy from sleep as he reaches up to rub at his eyes with the hand that isn’t holding onto Eva.

They continue lying there in silence for a few additional minutes just allowing their bleary minds to readjust and the drowsiness to work its way out. Waking up from a nap could sometimes be more tiring than not sleeping in the first place.

“Had a good sleep?” Eva asks after a while and a good long, refreshing stretch across the length of the bed.

“It was, until I woke up,” Chris says with a sigh, trying to blink away the sleepiness still clouding his mind. “How am I more exhausted now than I was before actually sleeping?”

“Rules of the universe I guess,” Eva adjusts herself to rest her chin on his shoulder and looks up at him while he arm reaches across to circle protectively around his torso.

“I’m tired of sleeping,” he says. “And I’m tired of being tired all the time.”

“You went through something traumatic, Chris. Your body just needs time to heal,” she says, making the situation sound much simpler than it really is.

“Easier said than done. I’m just bored out of my fucking mind right now,” he says. “Plus I think William may have been murdered or kidnapped because that’s literally the only explanation I can think of. This is so not like him. I think I need to put out a missing person’s report.”

Eva laughs through her yawn.

“Relax. He messaged me asking about you earlier. I told him you were asleep. So to disprove your first point, I’m sure William is still very much alive.”

“He and Noora must really be getting it on though.”

“Honestly, I don’t even want to know.”

“Since we’re on the subject—”

“Shut up, Chris.”

“You’re very mean, you know that?”

“It comes with the brainy part. You just have to accept it.”

Chris laughs at that.

There’s a ping of a new incoming message. It’s not his phone so he assumes it’s Eva’s. Eva doesn’t rush to read it though so he assumes it’s nothing urgent. “You know, I’m getting kind of hungry,” she says.

“Unless someone went grocery shopping today, I don’t think we have any food in the house though.”

“Take-out?” Eva suggests.

“You can use my phone,” he says.

Eva seems like she’s mentally debating something before she replies. “Come on,” she says eventually, scooting across to the side of the mattress and getting to her feet. “Let’s go check the kitchen first before we waste money if we don’t have to.”

“You go ahead,” he says. Already the thought of leaving the safe, warm comfort of the bed and trudging all the way to the kitchen didn’t seem like an appealing prospect whatsoever.

“Chris,” Eva chides gently. “It’s dark outside. You’re really going to make me walk all the way through the dark apartment by myself, at night? What kind of boyfriend are you?”

Chris’ mind immediately zeros in on the word boyfriend, but he doesn’t point it out. “The kitchen is literally five meters away, in a straight line. The only bogeyman that lives here hasn’t been home in hours.”

“Chris,” Eva says again, almost in a whine. As if pronouncing his name longer and longer each time was going to convince him to change his mind.

He really didn’t want to get up. Everything fucking hurt and he regrets not taking his pain pills before he went to sleep, because he’s both sore and stiff at the moment, it was a very uncomfortable state to be in. “Eva,” he mimics the tone. “I’m tired.”

“You just said that you’re tired of being tired, so do something about it.”

Yes, he did just say that. Chris kicks himself mentally for that.

With a loud exhale and a groan, he pushes himself up by his elbow, his left arms still curled protectively around his side and scoots slowly over to the edge of the bed, letting his legs dangle down to the cold floor as he attempts to catch his breath.

A guilty look flashes across Eva’s face for a split second but he doesn’t call attention to it. “Are you still really hungry?” he asks, doing his best impression of a kicked puppy looking up at her.

Eva takes a considerable amount of time answering that. She bites her lower lip and all of a sudden looks much more noticeably guilty, obviously realizing what she was asking of him. Her ‘yes’ is small and sheepish and guilty and all of a sudden Chris feels like kind of an asshole for the way he was acting.

He pushes himself to his feet slowly and with a groan but Eva is there at his side immediately; reaching around to hold him by the waist and pulling his arm across her shoulder to steady him.

“Ready?” he asks, more of a courtesy because he definitely wasn’t. His kitchen might as well be on the opposite end of town for all the effort he was about to put into the journey.

“Are you?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

And so they begin their journey, their pathetically slow and painful journey across those five meters to the kitchen. The hallway is pitch black when they exit the bright bedroom and so is the living room and the rest of the house.

“Now I’m really concerned about, William,” he says as he looks around at the obvious lack of life in the rest of the apartment.

“He’s fine,” Eva says almost a little too confidently, like she knows something he doesn’t.

For one thing, she doesn’t move to turn on the light in the hallways when they pass by the switch. Secondly, her focus, even in the pitch blackness doesn’t seem to be on what’s immediately in front of her. And thirdly, she’s strangely quiet. Even by Eva levels of quiet. Something smelled fishy.

His living room is before the kitchen if you’re coming from the bedroom, it isn’t an important detail to know except for the fact that he feels Eva’s steps slowing down and becoming more hesitant the closer they get to the archway that leads to the darkened area.

“You okay?” he asks, turning to look at the silhouette of her profile in the darkness.

“Yeah,” she says. “I just thought I heard something.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Just—uh, like something moving, but I’m sure it’s nothing.”

Chris is definitely sure it’s nothing. He isn’t a big believer in ghosts or the supernatural or whatever, but at the same time he isn’t a nonbeliever. He knows that there probably are things in the world that they couldn’t yet explain. Including but not limited to the whereabouts of one William Magnusson.

He’s going to start calling him William Missingson if he keeps this up though.

They halt completely by the entrance of the living room and Eva casts an unreadable look into the darkness. Her look is unreadable mainly because they’re in pitch fucking darkness and he can’t see shit besides the feint glow of the moonlight streaming in through the window and the shadows standing against its backdrop.

“Eva?”

Eva is silent for a brief moment.

In the next instance though, Chris thinks he might have been deafened and blinded at the same time because all of a sudden there’s a burst of brightness that detonates his corneas and the sound of a myriad of voices shouting indistinctly at him. Additionally, the soothing baritone of Frank Sinatra singing ‘Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ playing in the background.

Eventually Chris’ brain manages to decipher the wall of words coming at him from every which way at a variety of frequencies to make out the phrase, “Merry Christmas!” being shouted at him.

Right there in the middle of fray, leading the charge, a too wide dorky grin on his stupid face is William not-so-Missingson-anymore.

He’s holding up a glass of an indistinct looking liquid in toast; Noora, also grinning widely, glued loyally to his side. Scattered around him in groups of two’s and three’s, spread out across the span of the living room; all of them seemingly just popped out from behind a piece of furniture are the guys he’s arguably too familiar with, the few people that he considers friends, a handful that he just kind of knows and the rest he’s pretty sure are friends of Eva’s that he’s probably seen around or heard of.

Before his brain can even begin to formulate words or even find the necessary cells needed to signal his face to close his mouth and lower his eyebrows from his hairline where they’re undoubtedly found themselves lodged in, he finds William’s annoyingly smiley face almost right there in front of his. He didn’t even notice him walking up.

“Merry Christmas,” he says a bit too chipper for Chris’ taste.

“Wha—Wh—The fu—Wher—What the fuck?” he knows he’s gaping stupidly at everything, but it’s like his brain has momentarily stopped working.

“It’s just a little Christmas party, man,” William says, as if it explains even a fraction of the questions running through Chris mind at that moment.

“W—Why?” he asks, because he genuinely can’t begin to comprehend the sight he’s seeing with his own two eyes.

“Cause…” William starts, looking away from Chris for a moment, sharing a look with Eva and looking out at the company of people who’d just started mingling with each other, before returning his eyes back to Chris. “Because you deserve it and because we all needed this. This—” he motions out to the whole room with a sweep of his arm, “—this joy.”

And Chris finds himself speechless once again. Beside him Eva is silent, though he finds her eyes on him and a smile on her face when he turns his eyes to look at her.

“He’s right,” she says. “You, me, William; everyone needs this right now.” She trails off for a moment before adding in a quieter voice. “It’s the Kose party we didn’t get to enjoy together.”

Chris looks between Eva and William, then at Noora who just walked up, circling an arm around Williams waist as the edges of her lips curl into a smile. He glances out at the rest of the people in the room, hearing the sounds of merry chatter over the music still playing soothingly in the background; the large Christmas tree in the corner decorated with colourful glass balls and the little lights flickering between colours and what seems to be a giant paper mâché dildo sitting at the very tip.

That gives him momentary pause, before he moves onto the people and the all the familiar faces he sees smiling around him. He recognizes nearly a dozen or so of the Penetrators, Erik in the back with Borkis currently making eyes at the redheaded girl he doesn’t recognize, getting promptly thwarted by Noora’s gay roommate and his sparkly silver leggings. He recognizes Isak and his little group of friends and his tall blonde boyfriend he thinks is named Even. Rounding up the rag-tag bunch of people currently filling his living room to the gills are Eva’s crew sitting around the sofa whispering conspiratorially to each other.

“You shouldn’t have,” he finds himself saying. “This is just—this is all—you shouldn’t have gone through the trouble.” He tries not to get choked up but he can feel himself failing.

“It’s no trouble at all.” It’s Noora who says that, smiling brightly.

“Yeah,” William picks up the statement with a nod. “Because you’re worth all of this,” he says, and there’s an intensity in his eyes and a desperation in his voice when he says that. “It was Eva’s idea actually,” William adds after a moment, letting his last comment stand for a while before changing the subject.

Chris immediately looks at Eva after William says that and finds Eva’s blushing face looking back at him. There’s a small smile on her face but she looks more sheepish than proud at the admission. “Yeah, but William and Noora are the ones who did all the work.”

“Only because you had the idea first,” Noora says. “Work is work, but this party wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for you, Eva.”

“Guys…” Eva says though her words trail away into silence and she avoids making eye contact with anyone.

Chris makes the first move this time though, the arm already slung over Eva’s shoulder turning her around gently and he grabs her around her free shoulders with his other hand, pulling her into a tight embrace, almost curving his body over her small figure as he burrows his face into her hair. “Thank you,” he whispers into her ear. He doesn’t see her reaction, but he imagines her eyes widening, and maybe tearing up slightly because that was the aura she was giving off; eventually he feels smaller arms circling him around the waist, grasping onto the material of the back of his shirt and grasping onto him just as tight. “I love you,” he adds, even more quietly, a phrase that’s just for her ears. This time he feels her reaction; her body stilling in his embrace and the sound of sniffling close to his ear. He feels her nails nearly digging into the skin of his back because that was how firm her grip was behind his back.

This time William and Noora have thankfully taken their leave to go re-join the rest of the group, leaving Eva and Chris to their relative privacy in the room currently packed with people.

They stand there in the embrace for a solid minute before Chris hears a muttering that sounds like Eva’s voice, only approximately three times quieter as usual.

“I love you too,” she says back and this time he’s the one who stills.

They pull apart a fraction, just enough to be able to look each other in the eye after the confession. Chris doesn’t think he’s ever uttered those words to anything that isn’t a plate of food so all this is just really new to him. Judging from Eva’s reaction, maybe it is to her too.

That is until a third voice rather exasperatedly joins the fray and spoils the mood.

“Oi, I’d say get a room, but I’m here to fucking party.”

It’s Cool Chris. She’s cool, so Chris doesn’t even really mind the interruption.

Eva is laughing while simultaneously glaring daggers at her friend from across the room and trying to be discreet about it. But they step out of the embrace eventually, though they return to their original position with Eva at his side keeping him steady and him at Eva’s side trying not to face plant from the effort of standing upright for this long.

“Then lets party,” he says with a forced cheer. The reality is that he really, really needs to sit down. Eva can tell and so can William who walks back over while the rest of the room breaks into a round of cheers.

“C’mon,” Eva beckons him to the sofa where the rest of the girls are sitting around; Sana is as usual surveying everyone around her through a critical eye, though when he and Eva approach, she’s the first one to get to her feet to offer her seat to him.

He plops down with a thank you that he isn’t sure made it past the part of his brain that thinks of things to say to the part of his body that actually says the words.

“No problem,” Sana says which confirms that he had indeed said the words aloud.

“So, how are you enjoying the party?” it’s Eva’s chipper blonde friend asking from beside him.

“It’s…very lively,” he says.

“I mean, I know it’s not the usual Penetrator type party, especially when Christmas party time is pretty much over and there aren’t that many girls here and there’s no actual alcohol, but it’s just friends here having a good time, isn’t that just the cosiest?” she says as more of a statement than a question requiring an answer, and after he manged to decipher what she actually said, he really can’t find anything wrong in what she said.

“It is very cosy,” he says with a small smile and her face just lights up at his reply. “Also what do you mean there’s no actual alcohol?”

“Uh—well, it was Eva’s rule and William agreed.”

Chris immediately snaps his attention towards Eva. “A party without alcohol? Girl, I thought I knew you.”

That immediately breaks Eva out of the shell of silence she’d gotten trapped in after their unexpected declaration of love earlier. “Excuse me? Need I remind you that that was the doctors’ orders? I thought it’d be easier on you if we all went without alcohol for this one night.”

He was about to say something to that, though even he wasn’t sure what dumb thing was about to come out of his mouth when he opened it to reply, but he’s saved by a friendly grasp on his shoulder and Erik’s familiar voice sounding from somewhere behind him. “Bro, the things we do for you. I don’t think I’ve ever been legitimately sober at a party before in my life.”

“Ringing in the incoming New Year with a lot of firsts I guess,” Borkis says; a deep statement made much less impactful by the fact that he’s currently wearing sunglasses indoors—at night, before he hauls Erik by the elbow and they both stumble away chuckling at something Erik had said.

“We do have eggnog though,” Vilde says like a consolation prize.

“Yippee.”

“Ignore him,” Eva says, addressing her friends, looking much more like the Eva he’s used to seeing with the excess of colour now clear from her cheek. “I’m going to go get us some eggnog,” she says to him directly. “You can drink it or you can not drink it, it’s up to you.”

“I’ll drink whatever you give me, dear,” he says with a wink, causing the blush to return to Eva’s cheeks before she hurriedly rushes off, a grinning Vilde following close behind.

Cool Chris who had been uncharacteristically quiet through the whole exchange gets to her feet. “Chris,” she says with a nod.

“Chris,” he acknowledges with a nod in return.

And then she too trudges off after Eva and Vilde. With Noora still glued to William’s side somewhere in the midst of the party, he’s left alone with Sana studying him critically from the single seater sofa to his right.

“So…” he starts, trailing off into awkwardness soon after. “Not here for the eggnog?”

“Not a fan,” she says simply and straight to the point.

“O-kay,” he says.

“You know what I’m even less of a fan of?”

“I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

“People who hurt my friends,” she says, her face the epitome of calm serenity.

Chris is torn between feeling happy that Eva obviously has a group of friends that love her just as much as she loved them and feeling really fucking intimidated, because frankly, he’s feeling both at the moment. “I won’t,” he says. “Or rather, I don’t want to.”

Sana seems to consider his answer but at the end, she actually smiles, and Chris releases the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

“Good. I’ll keep you to your word.”

“What about you?” Chris finds himself asking. “Do you have anyone that your friends need to make thinly veiled threats against?”

“No.”

Her answer comes way too quick and way too dismissive.

Chris finds himself grinning. “You do,” he teases, a feeling of pride swells up inside him when he sees Sana looking actually flustered for the first time ever. He didn’t think that was even possible.

“What’s his name? Do you friends know him—or, do your friends even know?”

“Shut up.”

“Damn, that’s pretty cold.” He finds himself actually laughing at her reaction.

“What’s cold?” he hears Eva’s voice asking, turning just in time to see her approaching with two small round glasses in hand.

“The weather,” he says at the same time he hears Sana’s voice saying, “Nothing.”

Eva looks strangely between the two of them but before she can bring up any of the questions that obviously floating around in her head, he finds himself on his feet faster than he thought was possible for him given his current pitiful state.

“Come on, let’s go look at the tree.” He drags her off, her gaze still glancing between him and Sana who is pointedly looking away before she can even voice her objection.

They pass by three Penetrators, two cheery Merry Christmas wishes and a hilariously big mistletoe hanging off a dude’s silver legging covered junk before they actually reach their destination. The tree is even more eclectic looking up close and there are way more handmade sex toys hanging off it than Chris initially thought.

“I made this one,” Eva points out a small golden Christmas tree hanging innocuously in the side.

“Cute. Who made the uh—the—” he motions to the erect pink penis decorating the tree top like a silent protector with his thumb.

Eva nearly face palms though she’s snickering. “Chris made that,” she says. “I don’t know what it is with Chris’ and sex. It’s like there’s a direct correlation between sex and all their other interests.”

Chris laughs at that. “I don’t know what you mean. Also, I knew there was reason I liked her,” he says, feeling his tongue subconsciously find the outer corner of his lips through his grin. It’s something he does involuntary whenever he feels the most comfortable.

“I like when you do that,” Eva says, eliciting a questioning ‘huh’ from him. “The tongue thing; I like it when you do it. I think it’s a little hot.”

Chris’ grin widens. “You think it’s hot?” he asks, feeling a distinct sense of déjà vu about the exchange. It’s pleasant and nice, made even better by his present company and the relaxed chatter going on around him. “I guess you really do just like me for my body.”

“Damn, I guess I’ve been found out.”

“Speaking of body—”

“I swear Chris, I will hit you.”

“Okay, okay. Girls are just so violent nowadays.”

They continue looking at the tree in silence for a rather hilariously long time. The more Chris studies it though the more little things and new details he starts to notice, such as the suspicious looking decorated condom hanging almost right at the very back, like someone adamantly wanted that thing there but didn’t want to be too obvious about it.

“Did you make that one too?” he asks, pointing a finger at the rather vulgar decoration hiding among the pine needles.

Eva squints a little to look at what he’s pointing at and when she finally notices it, she lets out exasperated groan and a shout of “Eskild!” that’s heard even over the music and the all conversations happening.

But Eskild doesn’t seem ruffled in the slightest by her tone. He continues on shaking his money-maker to the music that so obviously didn’t fit the style of dance he’s going for; the mistletoe now hanging from the back of his pants moving in an almost hypnotizing manner with the sway of his hips.

“I swear that guy has no shame.”

“Well I can see how you’re both friends then.”

Eva elbows him once in the arm, but they’re both smiling light heartedly.

“Also if I have to keep holding onto these two cups of eggnog any longer I’m going to start charging a fee.” He’s about to reach over to grab one of the cups when she pulls it away, her face slightly more serious than it was two seconds ago. “Let’s have a seat first. I’m getting a little tired from having to stand here holding these two heavy cups by myself,” she says.

Chris knows she’s just doing a really bad job at covering up her actual concern and the fact that she wants to go sit down has everything to do with him looking like he’s about to keel over at any minute. Truthfully, he wasn’t even feeling that badly until he just thought about it. It felt like gravity was trying its hardest to pull his insides down into his left knee.

They find William lounging on the sofa when they get back, his legs crossed at the knee and an arm slung over Noora’s shoulder, currently involved in a seemingly deep conversation with Sana who’s still occupying the single seater sofa like it’s her own throne.

“But seriously, what would one person need with eight pallets of toilet paper?” he hears William ask when they get closer.

“I don’t know. Did you think I asked? Maybe he jerks off a lot,” Sana says, talking to William with a tone one usually reserved for petulant two year olds who won’t stop asking dumb questions.

The undoubtedly thrilling conversation halts when they walk up, and William who notices their approach first immediately gets to his feet.

“You okay?” he asks right of the bat.

“Yes, I’m okay. Would you please stop asking me that? I’m not about to keel over at any moment you know. It’s getting annoying.”

“Chris,” William chides gently and Chris folds like paper.

“Fine. I need to sit down,” he says and that’s about as much weakness about how terrible he’s currently feeling at the moment as he’s willing to admit.

William immediately moves to give him room to pass and Noora scoots over to the edge of the three seater to make space for him and Eva.

The moment his butt drops onto the soft cushion he tries not to moan with relief. Who knew being upright could be so exhausting. Being injured is both exhausting and annoying. Being injured with four people looking on worriedly at him is even more exhausting and annoying.

“Enough,” he orders. “Fine, I admit I’m still not a hundred percent, but all of you hovering and treating me with kid gloves isn’t helping any, so stop it.” He leans back into the backrest of the sofa and flings an arm out to cover his eyes.

He can feel the tension in the silence that ensues. The seat beside him dips slightly and he smells the gentle waft of Eva’s shampoo as she leans in close to him, a hand rubbing his thigh in a comforting manner.

“I’m sorry,” he hears William say, there’s regret in his voice and a feeling of guilt bubbles up inside him. “I didn’t realize we were doing that. We’re just worried about you.”

Chris exhales once and removes his arm, sitting up straighter to address William, who’s now perched on the arm rest beside him. “I know. I’m sorry too. I’m just—tired of everyone tip-toeing around me. What happened sucks, but it isn’t like I’m just going to suddenly drop dead. But every time someone starts fussing I kind of feel like I am. I just want everyone to be—normal.”

“Okay,” William agrees, reaching over to place his hand on Chris’ shoulder.

“So anyway, the toilet paper guy,” Sana says suddenly, attracting all the attention back to her. “He’s either a serial masturbator, or he’s leaving them scattered around the house in a planned madness sort of way in case of an alien invasion.”

“Sana,” Noora chides through a chuckle.

“I thought Muslim girls were supposed to be demure and soft-spoken,” William says though he isn’t unamused by her comment.

Sana rolls her eyes and scoffs. “You should get out more, William. The world extends much further than the length of your undoubtedly overpriced bed.”

Everyone laughs out loud at that, even William.

Chris spares Sana an appreciative nod for the change of subject that is discretely reciprocated and the atmosphere around them is much more relaxed after that.

“Chris,” Eva calls him suddenly when the conversation trails off to a different subject between Sana and William that Chris can’t be bothered to concentrate on. “I was wondering, if—uh, if, when you’re free—or if you want to anyway…that we could—if you want—we could have dinner maybe, sometime, at my house when my mom’s home?”

Chris sits up straighter at that. He must have been high because it sounded like Eva just implied that she wanted to invite him to dinner and introduce him to her mom. It was the first offer of its kind that he thinks he’s ever received.

It’s…touching.

She stutters out quickly when he doesn’t answer for a second too long; “I mean, if you don’t want to it’s totally fine. I know we’re just—”

“Eva,” he interrupts her mid stutter. “I’d love to,” he says earnestly.

“Really?”

“Yeah. Really.”

“Good. I mean, great. My mom’s always busy so I don’t know when she’ll actually be around though.”

“It’s fine, just tell me whenever, and I’ll be there.”

“Great,” she says with a wide smile that immediately brightens up her whole face.

Chris finds himself unable to look away because it’s like he just realized how beautiful she really is. He’s always found her pretty, but nowadays he thinks that she’s even more than that. She just takes his breath away every time.

“You wanna hear something funny?” William asks after it becomes apparent that his conversation with Sana had ended a while ago and that the three of them have been eavesdropping on their conversation the whole time. “I’ve actually already been introduced to Eva’s mom.”

“What?” Eva exclaims confusedly while Chris can only raise his eyebrows in surprise.

“Yeah. When I came over to pick up—umm, you know who for—you know...”

“Shit,” Eva grins. “I completely forgot. Remember Noora, when you guys snuck out of my room drunk off your ass that time when Vilde…you know.”

Noora laughs a boisterous laugh when she recalls the exact memory. “Oh my god, I remember.”

“Am I missing something?” Sana asks, looking to Chris for an explanation but getting only a similarly confused shrug in return.

“Yeah, same here,” he says.

“You weren’t there Sana,” Noora says. “Basically Vilde was in preparation to sacrifice her virginity to our dear William here—”

“Anyway!” William interrupts quickly. “I met Eva’s mom at the door and we were introduced. It wasn’t all that funny or all that long. Let’s move on.”

“No, no, no,” Chris objects with a raised hand. “I’m still intrigued.” From the chair to his right he hears Sana’s supportive, “As am I.”

“I’m with William on this one,” Eva says. “That was really all there was. By the way, my mom said you were handsome enough for an average looking guy,” she says with a shrug at William and a not at all apologetic smirk. “Sorry.”

Noora bursts out into laughter and William actually looks genuinely hurt by her words, but Chris finds the whole thing too hilarious to even think about comforting his friend. Even Sana is laughing and Chris can’t help but look around at this unlikely group of people he somehow found himself smack dab in the middle of;

The most amazing girl he’s ever met on his arm; snuggled against his side though her attention is on Noora beside her clutching onto her arm and burrowing her face in her shoulder in laughter. At the unlikeliest of allies he ever thought he’d find sitting just a few feet away; her headscarf, a piece of clothing he’d found so intimidating before, but right now he didn’t even see it past the wide dimpled smile she was wearing as an even more apparent accessory.

He looks at the various people spread out across his living room; familiar Penetrators friends and the guys like Isak and Jonas (despite their rather rocky history) that he’d truthfully grown to like over the course of the last year or so. He looks at the girls that he isn’t really all that familiar with, but the fact that they’re here now, immediately put them on Chris’ good side, and at Cool Chris who is truthfully one of the coolest people he knows.

Finally he looks at William at his side; for the first time it truly felt like he had William at his side instead of him constantly being at Williams side. His best friend, his bro; his family. Maybe even more important to him than his own flesh and blood because William has always been there for him. Sure sometimes he gets side tracked by other shiny things, but Chris never holds it against him for long; he really can’t, because William is one of the best things that’s ever happened to him.

Lastly, he looks at the gorgeous, amazing girl at his other side. He wonders how he managed to find himself in this position with the girl he doesn’t think he really deserves, the best friend he considers more important than life itself and all the people who have somehow broken through his impenetrable wall and made themselves completely at home in his tiny metaphorical and literal apartment. At that moment he thinks he really is the luckiest person in the world.

Family isn’t just the people you came from or the people who share the same blood. Family can be people who come into your life and just stay, through the problems and the drama and the heartache and the fights. Family are people who have your back and pull you up off the ground when you can’t seem to muster up the strength to do it yourself. Family can be just a collection of people that you allowed in when it was hard letting other people see how broken you really were on the inside. It doesn’t make it any less precious or any less important, it just makes it a family that you chose for yourself.

Without warning, he grabs Eva by the shoulder and kisses her once and passionately right on the mouth.

Eve is flustered when he pulls back and everyone else can just look on gobsmacked but to Chris, things have never felt more right.

A/N: Finally made it to the very end. This story has been an absolute pleasure to write and while I’m happy to have completed it, there’s also a bittersweet sense that comes along with it. It’s been such an amazing time fleshing out these characters that I love and trying to do justice to this pairing that I love so much and I truly hope I succeeded in doing that. Especially with this chapter, because all the Chris/Eva in this chapter is a long time coming. Slow burn indeed.

A huge thank you to all the people who have followed this story loyally and been patient with me and my irregular updating schedule. Especially to the people who have left such nice comments and written such nice tags about this story on here and on ao3 and the people who have sent me asks about this story and to let me know how much they like it, I really appreciate it a whole lot.

This chapter is dedicated to one of the women of my life, @hikaru9 and the new amazing friend I made on this site because of this story @imyourliquor-youremypoison

Hope this chapter is a worthy conclusion to this tale because I put my heart and soul into this story and I’m really proud of it.

#chris schistad #eva kviig mohn #skam #chriseva #chris x eva #fic: a family we chose for ourselves #reiven fics #chrishelm #sana bakkoush #chris berg #vilde lien #william magnusson #noora amalie sætre #girl squad #friendship fic #fics: a family we chose for ourselves #my fic: a family we chose for ourselves

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oskea93 · 2 years ago

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☨ Fire Away ☨ Chapter Four (part one)

▾ Caius Volturi x OC ▾ ▲ Warning: Sexual content, cursing, physical altercation, homophobic remarks ▲

⍏ Taglist: @xoxoindigo @vampluv3r @ladysybilchronicles @badkitty83 @volturgeist @theplagueworm @dogmom2014 @hybridlamb @clandestine-nerd @yourfamilyfriendsatan @yourlocalrockstarsimp @violetlilites @quennconstanceuniverse @soraththefallenangel @cancankiki

★ Taglist now available ★

▿ Author’s note: Hi guys! Sorry for the late update. I thought I was going back to work but something came up, so I have a couple more days to write! First off, I want to thank you all that have read, liked, and added yourselves to the tag list. I really appreciate it :) This chapter we meet some new faces that will travel with us on the long road of this relationship. I also want to apologize for leaving you at a cliffhanger (i’ll make it up to you in the next chapter). I’m sorry if there are any grammar mistakes and i’ll try to go back and see what needs to be fixed. If you haven’t already, you can be added to the taglist via the link above! I asked this question in a post on my page, but if anyone out in Tumblr land makes trailer videos for stories, I would love for this fic to have one! A couple years ago, a creator made one for my Jax Teller story and it was amazing. I think it would be cool if this story had one too. I’m gonna stop rambling now, but if you have any questions, concerns, or just want to say hi, I would love to hear from you!!▿

✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥

I looked at the dress that had been dropped off moments ago.

The lace detail and soft pink coloring glowed in the mid-day afternoon sun. I had yet to tell him if I was going to dinner with him, but he took it upon himself to have the dress delivered (just in case). Along with the dress was a note, instructing me to be at the hotel salon in an hour. For a moment, I had forgotten all about his dinner invitation. I spent most of the day staring out at the sea, my mind lost as the waves brushed against the white sand. This was supposed to be the time where we spent getting to know one another. We were supposed to hang out and tell each other about ourselves. We were fucking married and yet I knew nothing about him. I don’t know how much he knew about me, but I’m sure it wasn’t much. I watched all these fucking couples walking hand in hand, strolling on the beach, just laughing and enjoying one another. I was a little envious if I was being honest. When I pictured myself married, I could see myself being that way with my husband. Enjoying being around him every minute – craving his touch and just spending our time getting lost in each other.

However, my world is pretty fucked up and I don’t get to participate in that fairytale. I get married to an arrogant asshole I never fucking met. Not to mention being beat by his security team and then having sex in front of a middle-aged man just so it’s public knowledge that Caius and I consummated our marriage. I mean that’s what every girl wants, right? I understand that his uncles have an agenda – I mean, Aro basically spelled it out to me at the wedding. Caius was to take over the family business and I was to stand by his side – be the doting wife and give him the heir that the Volturi family needs to continue. That’s a lot of fucking pressure for someone to be under. What happens if I wasn’t able to give them that heir? Would I be sent up to a tower and locked away until it was time to execute me? Would they bring in another girl and have her carry Caius’s child, passing it off as our own when the baby is born? Why was I the chosen one? What was so special about me that he chose me out of all the girls in the town – the world…

The pink material pooled around as I sat in front of the mirror. My newly highlighted locks perfectly styles, framing my face perfectly. I went back and forth, talking myself into and out of going to dinner with him. The bottle of wine giving me the courage to finally text him, letting him know that I would be there. A car was on its way to pick me up – bringing me to some undisclosed location. The same butterflies that were present during our wedding flew around inside, nausea and nerves making it worse. I slowly removed myself from the floor, shaking out the tool of the dress, making sure nothing was stuck in the fabric. My high heels carried me to the door, one last sigh leaving my body before I exited the room.

I walked through the lobby, keeping my eyes down as I walked to the awaiting BMW. The man instantly opened the door once he saw me, his eyes gentle as he helped me into the vehicle. I watched as the coastline whizzed past us, finally stopping once we reached a busy building. This must have been the place for couples to eat while at the resort. The driver quickly helped me out of the car, directing me on where to meet Caius. I gave him a smile and thanked him before walking towards the entrance. Those around me were dressed similar.

I ventured further into the bar area, taking a seat at the end of row. I watched as those around me talked, some choosing to dance to the music being produced by the pianist in the corner.

“Ma’am-“The bartender caught my attention, a drink in his hand. “The gentleman at the other end wanted you to have this.” He sat the half-filled glass in front of me – Red Wine. I looked to where he pointed, my heart starting to race once I saw who it was.

He was dressed in a grey, button up shirt and stripped dress pants – a fedora placed on his balding head. His eyes connected with mine, his lips turning into a disgusting smirk. I instantly pushed the drink away, stepping away from the bar. I didn’t want to be anywhere Victor was – including this fucking restaurant.

I found the bathroom, making sure to lock the door behind me. Where the hell was Caius. He fucking told me that he would meet me here. And why the hell was Victor here? I paced around the small room, finally leaning against the sink. I took a couple deep breaths, glaring at myself in the mirror. Was this a fucking set-up? Was Victor here to kill me – get me out of the picture and make my death look like an “accident.”

I snapped out of my thoughts one a knock sounded on the door. I stood straighter, fixing my hair, giving myself one last look. I had decided that if Caius didn’t show up in the next three minutes, I was leaving and going back to the resort to pack my things. I had already looked up flights this morning while I was debating coming here, saving a ticket in my cart just in case. I could be back in the states by midnight and on my way to wherever.

The knocking accrued once more, my anger starting to rise as I ripped open the door. The girl on the other side pushed past me, her eyes filled with disgust and hate.

“You got some temper on you, little girl.” Victor’s accent piercing through me. “My beautiful wife has an even worse one.”

I looked up at the man, realizing that the girl who pushed past me was the one he was talking about. “Where’s that handsome husband of yours? Find him another girl to sneak away with?”

I stayed silent, not wanting to interact with his kind. He let out a laugh, shaking his head as he popped a cigarette between his lips. The scent flowed through the air as flashbacks of the night before re-emerged. “That boy is too handsome for his own good. Plus-“ He slowly started walking towards me. “You’re a beautiful girl yourself – I can see why Caius enjoys you so much.” I was cornered between his body and the wall. “Maybe little Caius would be interested in sha-“

“Vanessa!” Caius’s loud voice boomed, causing those around to look.

I pushed past Victor, feeling his hand reach out for my arm as I ran towards Caius. “About time you got here, Caius.” Victor smiled. Out of relief, I wrapped my arms around Caius’s body, feeling a sense of calm as his arms were tightly around my body. “Your lovely bride and I were just talking.”

“Is that right?” Caius was pissed. His body was rigid, his heart beating fast. “Maybe you should stick to talking with your own wife, Victor.” I turned to look at the man, my side flush against Caius’s.

I watched as his wife walked out of the restroom, his hand reaching out to grab her. In typical woman fashion, I checked her out from head to toe. She was young – younger than Victor that was certain. Her dress was black, a noticeable slit at the top of her thigh. The neckline plunged as her implants showed for the world to see. More than likely bought by the bastard she was married to. Her hair was honey blonde, curled to perfection as her dark makeup made her eyes pop. She was a beautiful girl but filled with attitude and greed.

“Miranda-“Victor spoke, keeping his eyes trained on Caius. “This is Caius and his new bride, Vanessa.” His tone biting. “Caius and Vanessa Volturi.”

She just stood there, not introducing herself and anything. I sure as hell wasn’t going to greet here, not after the way she pushed me out of the way for the bathroom. Also, I didn’t like her fucking husband and from the way things were going, I wasn’t going to fucking like her either. I had no reason to waste my breath and words on someone that didn’t deserve them.

“Why don’t the two of you join us for dinner? You know Daniel and Michael would love to see you again, Caius.”

“My wife and I will be having dinner alone.” Caius voiced. “Give my best to Daniel and Michael.” Caius’s released his hold on my body, grabbing my hand. He led us past the two, walking deep in the restaurant and to our awaiting table. He gave the waiter a kind smile as he ordered us both water – asking to see the alcohol menu as well. The table was silent once the man left – his temper still hot.

“Did you know he was going to be here?”

He looked up at me, his eyes narrowing at my question. “You serious?”

“I wouldn’t be asking you if I wasn’t.”

He leaned back in his chair – his eyes becoming darker. “You think I would take you to a place when I knew that bastard would be here? You honestly think I’m that much of an asshole?”

I chose to play with the salt and pepper shakers, dodging his question and piercing gaze. “Gee, thanks.” He sighed.

The waiter soon returned with our drinks, handing Caius the wine menu. I stayed silent, trying to decipher the menu as I listen to him order a bottle of wine and a glass of Johnny Walker Red. I listened as Caius ordered his food – giving the waiter my order soon after. Once he was gone, Caius and I kept our conversation to a minimum. The quiet between us becoming a bit much after a while.

“Who are those other two guys he mentioned?”

His eyes stayed on the wine glass, “Daniel and Michael?”

I nodded my head.

“Their father is an associate of my uncles. We basically all grew up together but haven’t spoken really in a few years.”

“Why?” I indulged.

His eyes connected with mine, a deep hatred flooding his irises. “They betrayed me.”

I was taken back by his change of tone – worried that if I pushed even more, he would come undone. “What did they do?”

He played with the silverware, tracing the edging on the knife. “It’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“If they betrayed you, why did Victor act like you guys were fr-“

“Because Victor is a trouble making asshole who’s only looking out for himself and screwing everyone else over.” He cut me off. “He’s Aro’s right hand man – apparently it’s tough finding good help nowadays.”

“Mr. Volturi-“The waiter appeared, dropping a note on the table, along with a glass of red wine. “Mr. DeMarco wanted me to give you and your wife this – He’s requesting your presence.” I watched as Caius stared at the waiter before turning his eyes towards the note. His eyes scanned over the paper, his head dropping back slightly.

“Thanks.” He muttered.

The waiter nodded his head slightly, walking back towards the kitchen.

“What does it say?” My eyes scanned his frame – tension and anger consuming his body once again.

He muttered something under his breath before gulping down the Johnnie Walker, reaching for my hand, pulling me into his warm body. He kept me close as we walked through the restaurant, the sound of laughter and loud talk getting closer.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in!” A tall man smiled as Caius and I entered the curtained area. “Victor told us you were visiting this lovely island, but he didn’t say anything about the beauty you brought with you.”

The man was tall- a little taller than Caius. His features were dark – dark hair, tanned skin, perfectly white teeth. His tailored suit fit him perfectly, tight enough to draw your eyes over the fabric. My eyes drifted to the rest of the guest. A blonde girl sat to his right, her dress tight and sleek over her small frame. A man to his left looked at Caius like a junkyard dog looks at a fucking bone. Wanting to tear him apart and leave him for dead. He looked similar to the man standing up, only difference was his hair was lighter and longer.

“Well you know how finicky Victor’s brain is-“Caius spoke. “I’m surprised he still knows how to hold his dick when he pisses.”

The man let out a loud laugh, “That’s a good one, Volturi.” I glanced up at Caius, feeling his fingers digging into my side. “Well-“The guy looked at me. His eyes scanning my body. “You gonna tell us who she is?”

“That’s his wife, Vanessa.” Victor spoke. “Gorgeous, isn’t she.”

I shifted uncomfortably further into Caius as his eyes slowly moved up my body. “She sure is.” His voice low.

“Why don’t you have the bride and groom join us, Daniel.” Victor smiled. “Give them a little celebratory dinner.”

Daniel smiled as he looked between Victor and Caius, “I think that’s a fantastic idea!” He clapped. “Michael-“He looked at his brother. “Go tell that pinhead waiter of our to get us two more chairs-“He paused, turning his attention back to us. “We’re having special guest for dinner…”

I sat as close to Caius as possible as the guest around us sat relaxed and happy. I watched as they spoke animatedly, drinking and abusing the staff with shitty and ridiculous demands. Caius was slouched in his seat, smoking his fifth cigarette in the matter of 30 minutes, his left arm resting protectively on the back of my chair. He stayed silent – his facial expression never changed from the time we arrived at the table to now. He rolled his eyes in frustration at their stupid request, muttering curse words under his breath.

“Vanessa, is it?” A female’s voice caught my attention. The blonde that was seated next to Michael staring at me, a wicked smile on her face. “How did you and Caius meet?” “Their marriage was fucking arranged.” Victor spat. “He barely fucking knows her.” The table turned silent as those around us took in Victor’s information.

“They still do that shit?” Daniel looked at us confused. Caius stayed silent, blowing his smoke off to the side.

“Apparently.” Victor shrugged. “Aro and Marcus’s idea.”

“That’s bullshit.” Caius spoke, all eyes retreating on him. “It was my choice – not the choice of my uncles.”

The girl leaned forward in her chair, his breast on full display. “And what makes her so special?”

“For starters she’s not a slut.” Her face slowly fell at his answer. “She’s smart, kind, beautiful-“His eyes connected with mine. “She’s an old soul – a perfect soul.”

The table went silent, each looking at one another, unsure at his answer. My eyes stayed trained on Caius, my heart beating out of my chest at his answer. It felt true, sincere. “You mean that?” I whispered.

A small smile formed on his pale face, “I do.”

“Gentleman!” Daniel’s voice boomed. “Why don’t we let the ladies chat and get to know each other while we have a couple rounds at the bar.” His eyes landing on Caius and I. “Come on Caius- “ He smiled. “You don’t want people thinking you’re a fruit, do ya?”

Caius rolled his eyes, turning to me, gently kissing me. His lips lingered, my need for him increasing every second. He slowly pulled away, caressing my cheek before stalking off with Daniel. I could hear the other girls speaking with one another – laughing and dancing to the music that was playing.

“Vanessa!” The blonde from before yelled. “Get your ass over here and join us.” She was drunk. I reluctantly removed myself from the chair, tiptoeing my way over to where they were gathered. A glass of wine was shoved into my hand by Miranda, Victor’s wife, a mischievous smirk spread across her face. “Let me guess-“She spoke. “You don’t drink?”

“Not when I don’t know who poured it.” My eyes boring into her.

“You must have some kind of golden pussy for Caius to choose you.” She replied. “You’re not the typical type he goes for, especially for him to marry.”

I could feel my blood starting to boil. “Excuse me?”

A couple of the other girls surrounded her, “You heard me.” She smiled. “What’s your secret, Vanessa? You put out within the first hour? Give him the best blow job he’s ever had. There has to be a better fucking reason why he chose you.”

“You jealous or something? Maybe you’re jealous that he chose me and your stuck with that fat, old piece of shit you call a husband.” The words spilling out of my mouth like lava. “He fucking told you why I was the one he picked. Sorry if you don’t believe it or you’re just pissed you’re one of the whores he was talking about.”

The glass that she was holding shattered against the floor. “You think you’re so damn perfect, don’t you bitch?” She stepped towards me, now practically face to face. “Caius Volturi may make himself out to be the alpha but he’s nothing compared to Daniel and Michael. Just a small little runt in a litter full of pit bulls. Pit bulls that are waiting to tear him apart any second.”

“Maybe you should back off Miranda.” One of the girls spoke.

“Yeah, Miranda-“ I sneered. “Maybe you should back off.”

Before she could respond, the guys reappeared – Caius and Daniel nowhere to be found. “What’s going on?” Victor asked, looking between his wife and I. I watched as Miranda slipped her arm around the man, her left hand running up his chest.

“Nothing baby - Just a little girl talk is all.” She sweetly smiled.

“That right, Vanessa?” Victor’s eyes searching my own.

I decided against answering him, choosing to roll my eyes, walking away from the dreadful couple. I was never one to back down from a fight. Hell, if the guys wouldn’t have shown up, Miranda and I would have probably been on the floor, rolling around on the broken glass.

I grabbed my bag off the table, making my way to exit. I wasn’t going to wait for Caius to find me. Who the hell knows where he even was at this point? I just wanted to get away from Miranda and her minions, especially her fucking husband. I flagged down one of the resort vehicles, telling the man where to drop me off. Rain started to fall on the roof, the windshield wipers having a hard time keeping up with the weather...

The trip took about 10 minutes, dropping me off at the front entrance. I thanked the man with a smile, my dress dragging the wet ground. I made my way to the room, throwing my bag down on the table as soon as the door closed. I took a seat on the couch, my head leaning against the back, a sigh escaping through my lips. Everything was a fucking shit show. I sat there for a few extra minute before slowly walking towards the bathroom. I stripped out of the dress, leaving the pink fabric pooled on the tile floor. The warm water washed away the stress of the night- scolding and leaving red marks on my body.

The sound of the resort door closing rang throughout the room, my heart dropping for a moment as I stood completely motionless in the glass box.

“Vanessa?” I let out a sigh of relief hearing Caius’s voice. “Ness?”

I stayed silent, standing against the tile, shampoo resting in my hair. I watched through clouded glass as his figure appeared, taking a step back once he saw me. “Oh, I’m sorry.” He muttered, his hand running through his loose hair.

“How’d you get in here?” I played with the shampoo bottle. “It’s not like you have a key.” My voice soft.

“I told the guy downstairs that I lost my key, and I couldn’t get my wife on the phone to answer the door.” His voice dropping. “I mean it’s partially true, you don’t answer your fucking phone.” The room was quiet, aside from the running water. I glanced up, watching as he started removing his coat and shirt.

“What’re you doing?” My voice a bit panicked.

The sound of his belt hitting the floor caused my heart to race, his bare back on display as he pulled down the black briefs he wore beneath. My back hit the wall as the cold air rushed in, his eyes connecting with mine as he the door closed behind him. Goosebumps covered my arms as he stood in front of me, water droplets running down his tattooed chest. “I’m taking a shower with my wife.” Our bodies practically touching as his arms trapped me against the glass. My eyes focused on his lips, hungry to feel them on my own, my whole body.

#jamie campbell bower #jamie campbell bower imagine #caius volturi #caius volturi x oc #caius twilight #caius x reader #jamie bower #jamie campbell bower smut #Jamie Campbell Bower x oc #twilight

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