#he put so many false promises into her head before this chapter I can't even blame her for the collapse

[yellourr]

can't listen to possibilty without hearing bella's screams in my mind

[cherrycola27]

false god

Series Warnings: Mythology!AU. Language, alcohol, drinking. Military inaccuracies. Mutual pining, unrequited love. Allusions to full smut. Minors DNI. 18+. Individual chapter warnings will come as needed. Banner Credit @thedroneranger

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Chapter 10: Devil in Her Eyes

Even though it is Saturday, and he should be sleeping in, Bradley's body betrays him, and he finds himself waking up much too early with an unfamiliar warmth pressed against him.

It takes his brain a few seconds to catch up, but once it does, he registers that it's your body pressed up against him.

At some point in the night, the two of you shifted, and now, Bradley had your back firmly pressed up against his torso, with one arm wrapped tightly around you, and your head tucked under his chin.

He kisses the top of your forehead and tries to will himself back to sleep, but it's no use. He's hyper aware situation he is in. The very hard situation he is in.

You shift in your sleep, causing your ass to brush across the massive hard-on he has right now. It's almost painful.

He can't remember the last time he had been dating a girl this long without sleeping with them. He was hoping that last night would have changed that, but after what happened, you both knew it wasn't the time.

But you were worth the wait. Bradley had promised himself that he would be better for you. That he would give up his former fuckboy ways, and be the partner you needed. You deserved it.

You weren't some twenty-something with daddy issues who was trying to piss off her parents, and you weren't some tag chaser who only wanted to be with him because of his shiny pins and medals.

If anything, he was the tag chaser because you had twice as many as he did.

You weren't any of that. You were real— substantial, hardworking. You deserved a partner who was going to support you and respected you, and that's exactly what Bradley wanted to be.

So, at 5:48 in the morning, he hauled himself out of bed to take a shower and to have the quietest solo session of his life.

He emerges roughly twenty minutes later. The dim light from the bathroom barely illuminates his bedroom. He looks over at his bed and chuckles. You've moved from your side of the bed, and now, you are sprawled out in the middle of his sheets like a starfish.

You look so much more peaceful now than you did yesterday. Bradley doesn't dare wake you. Instead, he slips on some gym shots and a Navy tank top. He grabs his phone from the charger before going to his kitchen.

He grabs a banana from the bowl on his island, some water from the fridge and a protein shake. He finds his keys and then quietly slips out of his apartment.

He makes his way to your floor and uses the key you gave him and never took back to unlock your door. He hears Cerberus' paws tapping on the floor as he runs into the living room from one of the bedrooms in your apartment. Bradley gently talks to him as Cerberus excitedly greets him.

Bradley heads to your pantry cabinet and feeds Hydra and Cerberus, and refills their water bowls.

The then makes his way back to your entry way to grab the harness and leash you use when you take Cerby on a run with you. Bradley quickly puts it on him, but it proves to be more difficult than he imagined because Cerberus won't stop licking his face.

"I know, buddy, I'm happy to see you too!" Bradley tells him as he scratches behind his ears. He quickly gathers his things and takes Cerberus into the hallway, and locks the door behind him.

Bradley and Cerberus end up running three miles around your neighborhood. They took a break to watch the sunrise before heading back.

It was almost eight when he dropped Cerby back at your apartment with the promise to be back later.

Bradley had taken his second shower of the day and was making waffles when you finally came out of his room.

You walked bleary-eyed into his kitchen and were met with the glorious sight of Bradley clad in grey sweatpants and a black tee straining against the taught muscles of his back as he worked over his stove.

Now that's a sight you could wake up to every morning

"G'morning," you called to him. Your voice was raspy and still thick with sleep.

"Good morning, Angel. I hope you're hungry." Bradley said as he turned and smiled at you. His curls were slightly damp, probably from a shower you figured, and one of them had the audacity to fall from the neat pile at the top of his head and rest perfectly on his forehead, as if it's sole purpose in life was to taunt you.

"I'm starving, but I need to go to my apartment and feed the fur babies and walk Cerberus." You tell him with a sigh.

"Already taken care of. Cerby and I did three miles and watched the sunrise this morning. Fed him and Hyrda and told them we'd be back later." Bradley smiles at you as he plates some waffles and bacon and slides one in front of you.

You stand there stunned. You can't believe he did that for you, and he made you breakfast.

Bradley takes a seat at his kitchen island and looks at you. "It's going to get cold, dig in." He says.

Gods, he is the best

A wide smile breaks out across your face. You take your plate and set it right next to his before plopping down in his lap and planting a kiss on his lips.

Bradley is startled for a moment but then wraps his arms around you and returns the kiss. When you pull away, you don't get up. Instead, you spend the rest of breakfast, perched on his thigh, eating some of the best waffles you've ever tasted.

"I didn't know you could cook. With how often you end up in my kitchen, I thought that you lived off of beer and instant noodles." You joke with Bradley as the two of you finish up the breakfast dishes.

"Breakfast is about all I can do. My mom tried to teach me so I could impress girls, but breakfast is the only thing that stuck. It is beer and instant noodles and the occasional squished sandwich any other time." Bradley shoots back.

"Well, consider me impressed with your waffle iron skills." You say as you stand up on your tip toes and press a kiss to his lips.

Bradley tries to deepen the kiss, but his nose bumps into yours, and he winces.

It's probably the first of many times he'll be hurt by you

You gently stroke his cheek and trail your finger across the bridge of his nose.

"Oh, Love. You poor thing. What are you going to tell Maverick? You can't wear an oxygen mask with your nose like it is." You say sympathetically.

"I'll tell him a fell down some stairs or something. Don't worry." Bradley tells you with a kiss to your hair. His silent way of telling you not to stress over it.

"Okay." You smile at him.

"Love, as much as I want to stay here with you, I've got to be a responsible pet owner." You say.

"I know. We can both go downstairs. Let me get you some sweatpants to wear." Bradley says, knowing you need clothes too.

You slide on a pair of his sweats and draw them at the waist. The two of you make the quick trip to your apartment, and Hydra and Cerberus are more than happy to see you. After finally getting calmed down, you and Bradley settled on your couch while they settled at your feet.

Bradley turns on your TV and puts on a movie that both of you have seen. He's trying to distract himself to keep from asking you the hundreds of questions he has had racing through his mind after your confessions from last night.

He tries to hold it in, but after an hour, he breaks.

Bradley turns off the TV and turns to you.

"Angel, I know it's probably rude of me, but I have some questions for you—about everything." Bradley says.

There is a short pause. You exhale and meet his eyes. "What do you want to know?" You say.

Bradley pauses to think. As much as he wants to dive into the deep stuff, maybe he should ease in first.

"How old are you—really?" Bradley asks. He figures that it's an easy place to start.

"I am really, three thousand one hundred eighty-nine years old. But Olympian years aren't like human years. One Olympian year is about a hundred human years. So technically, I wasn't lying when I told you I was thirty-one." You answer him.

"But, I've only lived on Earth about eleven hundred years." You say.

"Okay. Makes sense, I guess." Bradley says. "What else do you want to know?" You ask him. You have a feeling that is could go one of two ways, and you weren't sure which one would be harder to explain.

"You said that you burned Persephone, and you were banished because of that. What do you mean? If it's too much for you to talk about, I understand. I'm just—curious." He says sheepishly. So much for him easing in

You breathe a sigh of relief.

You weren't ready to have the conversation about his parents yet.

"Well—" you begin.

"Zeus is my older brother. Out of the 'Big Three' of myself, Zeus, and Poseidon, I'm the youngest. Persephone is also older than me. That's important." You tell him. Bradley nods his head.

"Before there was Hera, Persephone was betrothed to Zeus. But she didn't—she said she didn't love him. She came to visit me in the Underworld because she fancied me. She thought I was charming and mysterious. To be a young Goddess, she said I was so mature. Wise beyond my years. I was completely taken by her. She was the first person who ever showed a real interest in me." You say.

"She was lively, beautiful, energetic. She lit up any room she walked in and made my life brighter. She was always the center of attention. When she was around, people were drawn to her. And she had this was of making you feel special—important, like you were the only person in the world who mattered. Just like you, Love. I guess you could say I have a type." You snicker.

"Persephone made me feel important, desirable—worthwhile. When you're the Goddess of death, you're used to being cast a side, but she put me on a pedestal." You explain to him. Bradley listens with wrapped attention.

All you ever wanted was for someone to pay attention to you

"What started out as an autumn infatuation turned into a winter romance. Everything was fine— until spring came, and she was supposed to go back to marry Zeus. I told her she could stay with me. We could marry and rule the Underworld together. But then—well—that's where it gets hazy." You tell Bradley.

"Hazy? What do you mean?" Bradley asks you.

What did you mean?

"Well, I can remember very clearly asking Seph to stay and marry me, but then it's like I have these—these— gaps. It's foggy. The next thing I remember is being on trial in Olympus." You press your fingers to your forehead to try and remember.

"Trial?" Bradley asks.

A witchtrial was more like it

"Zeus summoned me from the Underworld to stand trial for the crime of intentionally maiming Persephone in an effort to keep her to myself. She came to Olympus in shambles about how I had proposed to her and that she tried to break off it because she had come to her senses and realized that she did want me and when she told me that, I lost control and burned her face because I knew Zeus wouldn't have an imperfect bride." You explained.

"Did you?" Bradley breathes out. Almost ashamed to ask.

Did you?

"I don't think so. But I don't remember. I loved Persephone. I never would have hurt her on purpose. She said I made her ugly and unlovable because of how her face and neck were scarred from my fire burns. But I didn't think she was ugly. I still thought she was the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen. I tried to defend myself, but no one would listen to me." You could feel the tears starting to build.

You still remember how much it hurt you. Seeing her standing here. Her her once perfect skin marred with scars that you caused.

You never once thought they made her any less beautiful. Just like how you never thought Bradley's made him any less handsome.

"She said such hurtful things about me. She called me 'a crisis of her faith.' A demon, —a monster. 'A love sick-child who couldn't take no for an answer'." You sighed heavily.

"Zeus was going to force Persephone to stay in the Underworld because my brother is vain and wouldn't marry a disfigured woman. He thought having her there with me was a fitting punishment. A constant reminder of what I had done. But Demeter, Persephone's mother, threatened to withhold the harvest. She'd cause a famine and wipe out the mortals. And if there were no mortals, who would worship the might Zeus?" You laugh sarcastically.

"So, Zeus banished me to the Underworld. I would never be allowed to return to Olympus. Then, he and Poseidon created the River Styx. When I'm in my true form, because of my fire, I can't cross water. Everyone thinks that the River Styx is to keep the living out of the Underworld. But it's not. It's to keep me in." You whisper as a few tears slip down your cheek.

It was a cage

Because that's what monsters belonged in

Bradley pulls you in for a hug. "I'm so sorry that happened to you, Angel. I promise that I will never hurt you like that. I love you." Bradley kisses you tenderly.

"And do you want to know the most fucked up thing about it?" You say.

As if the whole thing wasn't fucked up enough

"What?" Bradley asked you.

"I was nineteen Olympian years old when it happened. I was nineteen, and Persephone was thirty-two. I was still a kid. I mean, one thousand nine hundred earth years seems like a lot, but I was so young." You start to cry.

"All of this happened right before I turned two thousand. Now you know why I didn't like my birthday." You breathe out.

"Then, I was about twenty-one hundred when Zeus got all of us banished to Earth. When it first happened, I tried so hard to complete my quest, thinking maybe I could win them over and get Seph back. But I realized that they would never accept me, and if I did complete it, I'd be back in the Underworld, alone, forever. Banishment meant freedom. So that's why I stopped trying."

Bradley is silent for a minute as he takes it all in. "I'm sorry, baby. I promise I'll be better for you than she ever was."

"You already are." You tell him.

And you mean it

He tucks you to his side, and you two spend the better part of the day curled up on your couch. That is until Hangman texts the group chat asking everyone to meet up for drinks and pool. You aren't thrilled about going, but Bradley convinces you that it will be good to get out of the house after the disaster that was yesterday.

"Fine." You finally agree. "But can we hold off on telling everyone about us until after Christmas? I know we had to tell Maverick, but I just want to keep you to myself for a little while longer." You say to him.

The two of you had been keeping your relationship quiet from the rest of the team.

"I guess. But at the New Years Eve party Penny throws every year, I'm planting the biggest kiss on you at midnight so everyone knows exactly whose girl you are." Bradley mumbles against your lips before kissing you.

..................

The Hard Deck is packed tonight. And you know that you were the one who had asked Bradley to keep your relationship quite for a little longer, but all you want to do right now is thread your fingers through his, press your body up against him, and give him the sweetest kiss.

It's killing you that he looks so good tonight in a bright floral print shirt and tight jeans. He's currently sitting on a barstool talking to Payback and Fanboy about who knows what, and his thighs are spread wide and they look like they would make the perfect seat.

You're about to say fuck it and go over there and deal with the fallout later. But before you can, some perky blonde does exactly what you were thinking about.

Bradley freezes as she wraps her arms around his neck. He is visibly uncomfortable as he tries to gently, but firmly push her off his lap and stand up.

Raged floods your body. You were gripping your beer bottle so tightly that you were worried it would shatter. You could feel yourself heating up the longer you watched her shamelessly throw herself at Bradley.

Your Bradley

You tried to stay calm, and you could see that Bradley was clearly trying to get her away and tell her he wasn't interested.

But the final straw came when she persisted and brought one of her hands up to stroke the scars along his face and neck.

Bradley all but shoved her off of his lap before briskly walking away. And it's a good thing too because you were two seconds away from grabbing a fistful of her hideous extensions and dragging her off of him. Some people just couldn't take a hint.

You tried to go find Bradley, but Jake grabbed you by the arm and shoved a pool cue into your hand and demanding you be his partner for a round.

Maybe this was for the best. You needed a minute to cool down.

After you and Jake beat Javy and Nat, you were determined to find Bradley. You didn't have to look far. He was just about to unplug the juke box when the same blonde from earlier came over to him with a beer in her hand. A peace offering, you suppose.

Fucking bitch

You watched Bradley decline her offer as his eyes searched the room for you. He shot you a wink over the rim of his sunglasses before pulling the plug and walking over to the upright piano Penny had.

You chuckled as you watched the other woman walk away. But you didn't miss the way her eyes still lingered on Bradley.

You walked over to the piano and leaned against the top of it along with the rest of the squad. Bradley played a few warmup bars that already had the patrons in an excited mood, but the place truly came to life as the first notes of his famous rendition of "Great Balls of Fire" rang out.

You clapped and laughed and cheered with glee as he sang his heart out. He looked incredibly as he threw his head back and sang. You zeroed in on the vein, straining in his neck and the bead of sweat that trickled down it. You wanted to run your lips and tongue over it and taste his salty, sweet skin. You watched his skilled fingers dance over the keys, and you wondered if he could play your body just as well as he could play the piano. His fingers flew over the black and white keys as he came up on the interlude of the song.

That damn blonde was still eyeing him, so you decided to throw caution to the wind and stake your claim in front of everyone.

You rounded the piano, and as he played, you ducked under Bradley's arm, and without him missing a beat, you perched yourself on his thigh. His eyebrow shot up in surprise, but he kept on playing. As he sang out the second "kiss me, baby" of the song, you did just that. Leaning forward, you planted a steamy, sloppy kiss on his lips. He shimmied as he sang, "Oh, that feels good, baby."

You leaned back against his chest and shot the blonde a smug look before looking to your friends who broke out into applause and whooped over the crowd with joy.

As Bradley finished, you cupped his jaw and kissed him again. He kissed you back in a way that was probably a little indecent for the location, but he didn't care. He probably would have continued if Jake hadn't loudly shouted for the two of you to get a room.

You thought that was a fine idea, so you leaned close and whispered in Bradley's ear, "What do you say, Love, wanna get out of here?"

Bradley didn't answer. Instead, he stood up, grabbed you by the hand, and led you to the bar so he could pay the tab. Once he settled up with Penny, he all but dragged you out of the bar.

The entire ride back to the apartment complex was silent. Bradley's hand was planted on your thigh. Ever so often, he would silde it closer and closer to your aching core.

After he zoomed into the park garage and peeled into his parking spot, extremely crooked, he wasted no time unbuckling both of your seat belts. He looped his finger through the belt loops on your jeans and slid you across the bench seat right next to him.

He fingers curled in your hair as he pulled you to him for a filthy kiss.

His tongue slipped into your mouth as you battled with each other for dominance. Your fingers gripped at the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer. If he kept kissing you like this, you weren't going to make it inside.

While the thought of him taking you right there in the front seat of his Bronco sounded amazing, you wanted to take him to your bed so he could fuck you properly. You wanted him to sleep beside you again so your sheets would smell like him when he eventually had to go back to his apartment.

"Bradley—Bradley lets go upstairs." You finally managed to pant out between kisses. He groaned in protest but agreed.

He quickly jumped out of his car and pulled you out of the drivers side behind him before tossing you over his shoulder like you weighed nothing.

"Bradley!" You shrieked as bounded towards the elevator. "Put me down!" You said to him, but he ignored your protests. Instead, he swatted your ass and laughed.

He did put you down in the elevator only to press you up against the wall as he kissed you again.

"Your place or mine?" He asked you.

"Mine." You confirmed as you blindly felt for the button.

The ride to your floor seemed to take an eternity. You prayed that you wouldn't have to stop because if you did, the people in your building would certainly get a show. Bradley had one of his knees pressed between your legs, and you were grinding down on him as you fumbled with his belt buckle.

You had just gotten it open and unzipped his jeans when you heard the ding of the bell, letting you know you had arrived to your floor.

Bradley wrapped his hands around the backs of your thighs and hoisted you into his arms to walk you down the hallway.

Your lips trailed kisses everywhere you could reach. His chin, his jaw, behind his ear. But your favorite place was along the scar on his neck. The sound he made when your tongue glided along it had your panties absolutely soaked.

Bradley pressed you up against your door as he fumbled with his key ring to find the right one. Thankfully he managed to unlock the door without dropping you.

You were also thankful that you'd made sure to put Hydra and Cerberus in their crates in your spare bedroom for the night. You didn't want any unwanted visitors right now.

Once you were inside, the last ounce of decency you and Bradley had was gone. He slipped out of his shoes in your entry way. You kicked yours off somewhere behind him.

Now that you were behind closed doors, you wanted him naked. You pushed his floral print shirt off his shoulders as he sat you briefly on your feet to get you out of your pants .

He quickly yanked his white t-shirt off as you pushed his jeans down to his ankles and he kicked the the rest of the way off before picked you back up again.

Clad in only his boxers, Bradley was impossibly hard. As much as he wanted to lay you down and love you right. There was no way he was making it to your bedroom. He wanted you now.

Bradley settled on your couch with you perched in his lap. You could feel his erection pressing into you. You rolled your hips against him a few times. Bradley growled at the sensation. It felt amazing.

His hands came to the front of your blouse as he attempted to undo the tiny buttons that held it closed, but his fingers were just too big, and he fumbled over them.

Frustrated and desperate to feel more of your skin against his, Bradley pulled your top apart—hard.

The buttons went flying and scattered across the room as they clattered to the floor. You gasped against his mouth he pulled the now ruined piece of clothing your body.

You wanted to be mad at him, but the way his tongue was licking into your mouth, the way his lips felt against yours, how his large hands felt roaming your skin, made it impossible to be.

His hands lit a path of fire on your skin as they trailed up from their post on your waist. He palmed your breasts through the lace of your bra. He pulled the cups down, causing your soft flesh to spill over top, on display for him.

Bradley hummed in appreciation as he rolled one of your nipples between his fingers and caught the other one with his warm, wet mouth. He laved it to a stiff peak before pulling off with a soft pop and switching to the other.

You grapsed his curls tightly as he showed it the same attention. All the while, your cloth cover cunt moved in a steady rhythm over his tented boxers.

Bradley's lips moved to the valley of your breasts, where he left a line of sloppy kiss up to your collar bone. He lightly nipped the skin, causing you to gasp before reclaiming your lips.

Now, it was your turn to explore his skin. You pulled your lips away from him before greedily nipping and kissing across his firm jaw line. You left a trail of wet kisses down his neck and throat, causing him to groan from deep in his chest.

You then dragged your lips down his clavicle before pressing delicate kisses across his shoulder and up to his neck. You nipped his ear lob, and Bradley let out a wanton moan before one of his hands slid up up your neck and lightly gripped your throat. Not enough to hurt you, but enough to get your attention.

Bradley applied light pressure and used his grip to bring your mouth back to his.

He fucked his tongue into your mouth as you carded your fingers through his hair and scratched his scalp.

Bradley moaned as your hips worked faster against him.

He dropped his hands to your ass, grabbing two fistful of it to help guide your movements.

You wrapped your body tighter around him, squeezing his hips with your thighs as you let yourself get lost in the moment and how good it felt.

Bradley's hips canted up to your core faster and faster.

Each time, you could feel the fat head of his cock brush against your clit. You swore that he was going to make you cum before you even took you clothes off.

Bradley also found himself getting lost in the moment and how good it felt to kiss you while you writhed in his lap.

He didn't know how lost he was until his pelvis snapped erratically against yours.

"Fuck—shit—oh—fu—Angel—stop!" Bradley panted out with a shakey breath.

You immediately stilled your hips and looked at him wide eyes.

Oh Gods, you'd hurt him

"Wha—what's wrong? Did I hurt you? Did I do something wrong?" You asked, terrified of his answer.

Bradley met your eyes, and you studied his face. His cheeks were flushed, and not just from your kisses. He looked—embarrassed.

"No, Angel, you didn't—fuck—you didn't do anything wrong." Bradley said. "It's just—I—" He trailed off and hung his head.

You let out a deep breath when Bradley said that you hadn't done anything wrong. Relief washed over you, and you settled yourself back down on Bradley's thighs.

He jerked at the sensation, and that's when you felt it.

A warm, sticky wetness against the inside of your thighs that wasn't yours.

Your eyes went wide again at the realization.

"Bradley—Love, did you—did you—" you weren't even sure how to say it.

"I came in my boxers like a goddamn teenager." Bradley sighed as he raked his hands over his face.

"Angel, I am so fucking sorry. I swear this hasn't happened since the tenth grade when Sarah McCormick French kissed me in the back of the movie theater on our third date." Bradley sighs as he shakes his head.

You don't mean to, but you can't help it as a luagh bubbles out of you.

"It isn't funny. I'm thirty-five, and this shouldn't happen. You just felt so good, and I was so turned on. I've never finished before my partner like that! Just—just give me a few minutes to recover, and I'll make it up to you. I'll be so good for you, Baby." Bradley exclaims.

"Love, don't worry about it. And please don't feel bad that you didn't get me off. I've never had a man make me cum." You admit to him.

"Never?" Bradley looks at you like you have three heads.

"Well, I didn't get out much after everything with Persephone. In my time on Earth, I haven't had that many partners. I've found that I can't sleep with someone I'm not invested in. I haven't had sex in over fifty years. I kind of gave up on it. If James Dean couldn't get the job done, I figured that I'm probably broken. But I know how to take care of myself." You tell him.

"You slept with James Dean?" Bradley's eyes look like they might pop out of his skull.

"Yeah. It was—lackluster." You shrug.

"And no one has been able to make you cum—for a thousand years?" Bradley continues.

"I think it's because I could never get out of my head." You admit.

"Well, I'd like to try and fix that because you aren't broken. Can I try? Please?" Bradley almost begs. "Yes—please" you whisper against his lips as he kisses you.

But this time, it's slower— Bradley takes his time moving his mouth against yours with a purpose. He drags a hand down the curve of your spine before caressing your hip and splaying it over your stomach.

He slowly inches it down until he can dip his fingertips into the elastic of your panties. The pads of his fingers brush against you swollen bundle of nerves.

Bradley lightly taps on your clit before swirling two fingers around it.

He gages every reaction you make. He takes note over every little gasp and sound and hitch in your breath. He pays close attention to the way your body responds to him.

Bradley continues his journey southward and runs his knuckle through your slick folds before dipping into your slit with two fingers.

He curls them upwards, searching for that rough, rubbery spot that he's sure will have you seeing starts.

You jerk in his lap when he finds it. He zeros in on it, like a target in his F-18.

Oh Gods, does it feel good

You take your lip between your teeth as he draws his the pads of his fingers across it over and over again.

"Don't bit your lip. Don't hold any of your pretty little sounds in. I wanna hear you." He tells you before kissing you.

You leaned forward, pressing your body against his as he picked up the speed of his fingers. Bradley adds his thumb to the mix, drawing tight circles on your clit.

Your hips buck against his hand on their own accord. The lewd sounds of his fingers gliding through your wetness fill the room.

Bradley continues to work his hand against you, and you can't believe how fucking good it feels. Heat coils in your belly. You can feel it tightening in your stomach, you haven't felt this in such a long time.

Fuck, he's good at this

Bradley feels your pussy walls flutter around his fingers, griping his digits for dear life.

"You're gripping my fingers so tight, Baby. Feels so good." Bradley praises you. You bury your face in the crook of his neck as you feel the tension building.

Maybe you weren't broken after all

You're trying your best to stay of your head so you can enjoy this because it feels amazing.

You're close. The closest you've been in almost seventy years.

"Bra—Bradley." You whine ou against his neck.

"I know. I know, baby. Let it happen. Don't fight it. Let go." He encourages you.

So you don't fight it. You let it happen.

And after a few more strokes of his thumb, the band snaps, and you cum hard in his lap.

Your thighs tremble and shake as your whole body convulsed. Bright light errputs behind your eyes as you let out a loud groan of pleasure. It's so intense that your body feels like you're flying.

Bradley is captivated as he watches you fall apart for him.

Watching you shatter is, without a doubt, the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Bradley had never been one to use the word "ethereal" to describe beauty. But the way you looked when you came for him, there was truly no other way to describe it.

He watched the fire dance in your eyes before you closed them and gave yourself full over to the pleasure. Your body practically glowed as you chanted his name over and over like a sacred prayer.

As you came down, he held you close, burying his face in the crook of your neck, whispering words of reassurance against your ear.

You feel boneless as you finally come down from your high. Your head is resting on Bradley's chest and you can hear his heart pounding.

"That was—that was amazing." You pant out.

"You looked so beautiful." Bradley praised you.

"Why don't we go take a shower and then lay down." Bradley suggested. You nodded and tried to stand up, but your legs felt like jello. Now, it was Bradley's turn to laugh as he carried you to the shower.

Both of you cleaned up quickly. You put Bradley's clothes in the washer for him for tomorrow.

You found the boxers and sweatpants he'd lent to you in your dryer. He slipped the boxers on while you grabbed his Top Gun tee, which was also fresh and clean, and put it one before you decided to skip the undies.

By the time Bradley helped you into bed, you could hardly keep your eyes open. You curled into his chest as he laid down beside you for a much better sleep than the night before.

Taglist: @shanimallina87 @teacupsandtopgun @mayhemmanaged @wkndwlff @roosterforme @daggerspare-standingby @dakotakazansky @startrekfangirl2233 @hecate-steps-on-me @cassiemitchell @na-ta-sh-aa @katieshook02 @desert-fern @je-suis-prest-rachel @soulmates8 @diorrfairy @eli2447 @xoxabs88xox @djs8891 @roosters-girl @sebsxphia @rosiahills22 @dempy @callsign-magnolia @alchemxx @gretagerwigsmuse @withahappyrefrain @lt-spork @multifandomlover4life @beccaanne814 @bradshawsbaby @seitmai @kmc1989 @bcarolinablr @roosterisdaddy36 @itsdesiree86 @waywardhunter95 @hisredheadedgoddess28 @whatislovevavy @asshlyyyy @inkandarsenic @tomanybandstolove @jiminie-08 @dingochef @laracrofted @skipchat @sunlightmurdock

[semitransparent-glob]

i will ask questions on the condition that you never use the pleading meat emoji again (please). what're the motives? what's the puzzle/solution you're most proud of? do you incorporate dr traditions like a double murder in ch3 and the buff one dying in ch4? what character made you the most sad to kill off?

LMAOOO ok i promise <33

tysm for sending questions 🥰🥰🥰🥰

I think i am going to put this under a readmore bc i am going to ramble so so much

I definitely followed conventions of the 3 visual novel dr games, and studied the trials and motives to make my own motives and trials. I found as many consistencies as I could and tried to stick to them for my fangan, just to give myself a framework to work off of and I thought it would be fun :^))

For the motives: I have all of them planned out pretty well except chapter 4 and 5, which need some ironing out but i have some ideas.

Chapter 1: The motive is the idea that one among them has already killed someone, but since the person wasn't a student, there will be no trial. What actually happened was that one of the people working for the mastermind was killed by the mastermind, because that person was planning to betray the mastermind. The mastermind then staged her body in a spot where the students could find it, and claimed that one of the students had killed her in secret. But because none of the students actually killed her, they aren't able to figure out who among them did kill her, and so they just keep throwing accusations and tensions rise, leading to a killing on false suspicions.

Chapter 2: This motive is kinda specific to Shin, my Ultimate Ghost Hunter, but because the mastermind has all information on the students, she can do something like this. Basically, there's a horror movie that follows a serial killer butcher, but throughout the movie there are subliminals that activate a curse/pact Shin has with a demon that he made in the past. The deal is, he has to kill someone or else he will die horribly from the curse, and he has a time limit. So this leads to him killing someone, and then staging it like the movie to frame my ultimate Butcher character. (this follows the "revealing a serial killer" convention (even tho it's fake))

Chapter 3: The motive this time is a time limit, but its so that if they don't kill anyone, they get to go free, but they will all have their talents completely erased from their brains, and will have to live as talentless people. Junichi, who can't stand the thought of losing his talent and livelihood, ends up killing two people to keep it.

Chapter 4: for this one I have a sort of end goal in mind, where the Real goal was to create a complex murder and prolong the trial as long as possible so that one of the people working for the mastermind can work behind her back while she's distracted to slip information to the students. There needs to be something more to push for a murder, and i'm still working on that

Chapter 5: Like v3's chapter 5, the motive this time is to create an unsolvable murder in order to break the killing game. I also think that Kazuya may be getting too much info at this point, and the mastermind may cook up a motive to put a target on his head specifically, like how Junko did to Kyoko in chapter 5. I am still workshopping this one as well.

OK for puzzles, i am still working on my trial puzzles, and honestly not super confident in those, BUT i am kinda proud of some of the hints for the bigger mystery. I think the ch 3 motive is one of them, the indirect hint being that if Monokuma has the power to just. take away someone's talent, that might say something about the talents and their legitimacy. (foreshadowing for the fact that their talents are fake like in v3)

To add to that, Kazuya (my lesbian komaeda clone) starts the killing game not knowing his talent, but later finds a letter of acceptance to Hope's Peak in his room that wasn't there before, and it claims that he is the Ultimate Lucky Student. He will tell this to Emiko (main character) and say that the fact that it was clearly intentionally placed there might mean something; basically, this is information that the mastermind *wants* him to know, and he is aware of that.

In the end, it will be revealed that Kazuya was originally supposed to be the Ultimate Character Designer, and that is foreshadowed by his drawing gloves >:^) (that was an idea from a friend hehe <3)

HONESTLY i was sad to make any of em die, but i think the one that's gonna hurt me the most to write is Rokurou's death, not only because I am very attached to his character but because he's a killer and is gonna get executed </3. I wanted his death to mirror Gonta's in a way, and dear god that trial Hurted me.

but also just look at him. He's a sad cowboy who does math.

ALSO KAZUYA. like i knew the moment i made him he had to die but also like. I like him so much ...

[honoredbastard]

I COME BACK WITH THOUGHTS/THEORIES ON ITADORI AND HIS RELATIONS- I THINK.

anyways, so i'll just point this out: i'm not good at speaking my thoughts in an organized manner. i absolutely suck at it, i speak on how my brain brings up the thoughts so i might ramble, get over my head in a thought, etc. i can't control it so i apologize in advance for the jumpiness of the texts. i will spell a lot of things wrong and not everything will be correct, as i read translations and on a manga site. don't worry it's not illegal, i believe.

MANGA SPOILERS AHEAD.

i apologize for my absence! last week or two weeks ago the tower to my computer completely broke and will not turn on. i tried to repair it and follow my fathers instructions but nothing worked. even cleaned off the fan and went through countless nights readjusting things. it's not my cords either so to help me out my father is working extra shifts to get me a new pc. so in the meantime i'll do small posts like these but not full writing/head canons until i have a computer tower lol. a family member was kind enough to allow me to have their phone while we work throughout this issue.

now onto the actual topic:

kenjaku and itadori's relationship. ( family wise ).

for context in the most recent chapter, 160 "colony" kamo shows up in sasaki's home and talks to her about the culling game and a barrier. but that's not the point, the point is as he's guiding her to the barrier inside her "dream" at the end he says "oh right. i almost forgot to tell you. thank you for getting along with my son." and then she is awakened inside the barrier, in her pajamas beside iguchi. when sasaki and iguchi look at the barrier and gather themselves they bring up kamo.

sasaki asked iguchi if he mentioned his son and he says no. this leaves sasaki in a state of confusion when itadori flashes in her mind. she says his name aloud like she finally connected the dots. now. why am i bringing up this whole kenjaku thanking sasaki for being his "son"'s friend. it throws me off because why didn't he thank iguchi?

did he not think iguchi meant their friendship? because sasaki was the one uninjured and still counted itadori as a friend? does iguchi not consider itadori as a friend anymore?

because we haven't seen these two at all since the incident. that raised many questions in me. as well "how can itadori be related to kamo?" and itadori is related to choso.

because kamo's technique is explained ( vaguely. we are aware he can create barriers, take over bodies, and has incredible cursed tools. chapter 134. this is also where choso makes his connection ( i believe. ) to itadori yuji as his brother. but because we saw this with todo many thought itadori just had another unconsious technique that allows the person who is hit create false memories and believe of a completely made up relationship with itadori without his knowledge. but alas, i was wrong. ) and we're given more hints shown than told ( imo ) i tried my best to make sense out of the situation and what he said. i think my conclusions are pretty solid, so continuing on.

we're given very little history on itadori, his past, and family. at the start of the manga we know that itadori's only family he knows is his grandfather and that he is ill in the hospital. at the very very beginning we learn that itadori is your average cute, fluffy, laid back but strong and goofy protagonist. in smaller words: itadori is kirby but even cuter and dumber.

my first impressions of him is a pineapple. if you're confused to this saying: it's calling a person prickly on the outside but sweet on the inside. and this is true, itadori's grandfather seems prickly and cold on the outside but he genuinely cares for itadori.

he raised itadori for all we know and did that with his all in assumption. but this ends up backfiring onto itadori, because he cares so much for his grandson - he ends up leaving a " curse " on yuji.

help people. save them.

itadori takes this to heart as his grandfathers speech is his last one. when he looks over to his grandfather the man is dead and now yuji is left alone. then the following events occur.

at this point in time i assumed itadori was an orphan ( he technically is if we're connecting the dots. his parents has not been shown, he doesn't speak of them, they aren't in the picture. we can conclude either they disowned itadori or died before he could make complete memories of them. )

but when we are shown in chapter 143 itadori's parents we see this "woman" jin ( yuji's father ) and his grandfather talking about has the same scar pattern. this scar pattern is either stitching ( assuming that is how kamo keeps the top of the opened skull from coming off. this is also how kamo revealed his cursed technique / body of sorts ( the brain, assuming that is kenjaku in his cursed technique and not the body / puppet he is controlling " getou suguru " ) to gojou. )

this is the only way i find kamo being able to assign itadori as his son. why is that you might be asking this dumbass here.

we do not have the full story, exact date, location, and full context of the memory/dream itadori is having. this cannot be fake either because kamo would than have no reason to call itadori his son. or is there? anyways.

take a leap of faith with me. imagine that before itadori is born ( he seems no more than a few weeks or days old in this memory. hence why i am thinking my conclusion is pretty solid in theory. but yknow gege, there might be something different. ) anywhooo.

TW. D3ATH/IMPLYING ANTI LIFE ATTEMPT

kamo had to have taken over yuji's mothers body after an accident OR after she gave birth to yuji. his grandfather is interrupted by her before he can finish his sentence but it seems to be leading to the conclusion that either kaori ( yuji's mother ) died while giving birth to yuji or kaori could not conceive and tried to take her own life or cause an accident that would take her life. ( i read a fan translation for this part but im pretty sure i also read the official translation today too and it added up to the same. )

i believe in the first idea, but since kamo's cursed technique wasn't explained in detail i don't know the conditions of his body technique. does the original host of the body have to be dead? can he regenerate body limbs ( i highly doubt. getou lost an arm during his fight with yuta. overconfident dick. reminding me of an ex ANTWAYS. i forgive him for being overconfident smooch. he learned. OFF TOPIC but continuing on i promise.

this is being continued from the cut off point. i'm so upset so it'll just be summarized. i can't believe this shit lol i took three hours just to finish it for it to literally cut off the bottom half.

continuing on in a sadge mood. kamo must not have the complete ability to take over a body. after all getou took his only arm he had as he was dying and choked his own body to his full ability. getou was willing to die ( possibly, you never know he could be alive if he killed his own body. moving on. ) just to have the chance to save his friend from being swallowed by a damn box.

so there has to be a chance that kamo cannot fully take over the previous persons complete consious and memory of their body. if getou still had his other arm after losing the fight to yuta, he could've choked kamo with both arms. in theory kamo wouldn't be able to control the right arm and die to the previous host choking him to death.

so why wouldn't the other hosts do it? after all, kamo did say it was his first time experiencing such a thing. assuming kamo has lived throughout many bodies in his 150+ lifespan none of the previous hosts could take control of their body.

i believe getou was completely influenced by gojou and his six eyes. there is no way gojou would even try to speak out to his friend unless he had an inkling or saw getou still in there. helpless and without the ability to save himself from the cage he's in.

being used and puppeteered in his own body by an external force. laughing in the world he could not. putting getou into a constant misery and defeat that he couldn't escape his hell. the one he tried so hard to fight and get out of. even if it was the wrong path.

gojou was the last person to witness getou dying. he had to watch getou bleed out after their conversation because he couldn't bring himself to kill his friend. the one he spent his whole jujutsu student life with. so for gojou to say such a thing to getou despite all that he did had to break getou out of his misery and give him that small sliver of hope that he could do something. of course he failed, but i doubt that's going to be the end of that.

the only way i see kamo being related to yuji is if he took over kaori's body before the pregnancy. assuming that when kamo takes over a body he becomes one with said body and is that person for however long he lives in said body. my only thing is, can he take over a persons body whilst they are alive? i would go more in depth like i did the last time but i am extremely upset about my work being erased so that's the end of this part.

thank you for reading! i have one more thing for you though.

the last time we see sukuna in a manga page after the shibuya incident is where he is on his throne and in his domain. this is after yuji is stabbed by yuta and is presumed "dead" at the time. he seems to be interested in yuta and i can think of 2-3 things. I would love to hear your theories too so don't be afraid to barge into my dms like the koolaid man.

A - sukuna is interested in Yuta because of his ability to use the reverse healing technique ( only a few sorcerers know this. sukuna being the first. shoko being the second one to be told that she has this power and then gojou. ) because of this he sees potential in yuta as well or has added this boy into his plans. after all, there is very few that can make sukuna make an expression that isn't an RBF. aka megumi and possibly gojou. I was looking at the page of him stabbing yuji and noticed we only see the entry point of where the blade enters. it's smaller because some got chunked off so its a possibility yuta used this to his advantage when "killing" yuji and instead hit an artery that could kill him but quickly healed him afterwards. or just his heart. the ideas.

B. Rika, Yuta is able to completely control Rika as shown. Even though he claims he is on the weak side, these two combined seem like an unstoppable force. He may be interested in Rika as she is a curse that has been put on someone that can fully control it. Not many people is shown to be able to control their curse. As we haven't met many.

this was enti and that's the last of my post! thank you for reading and it was a fun one. even though i had to restore this shit. anyways, i'd love you to add or fix up my ideas and tell me your thoughts and opinions! Thanks a bunch!

^ this is for pure humor

[shimurah]

THE PAST NEVER FORGETS

this chapter outright stated a message this arc and story overall send. the league are results of the hero society's deeds and 290 focuses solemnly on one character.

it starts off, unlike everything we've seen so far, a dabi that we never quite saw. sitting with his head bowed in his head, dabi is bracing for the vulnerability he is to expose. he isn't just exposing his father, he is exposing the very deep of himself. weighting all the possible ways his message will be received, the knowledge that there are many chances of not being belived, of being mocked, attacked, etc. in spite of his worry he doesn't back off and drives into who is dabi and how he come to be this way.

the dabi the public eye is used to is this: the notorious 'terrorist' from the league of villains. he is known - which was intentional on dabi's part. it makes sense that dabi would want attention drawn to himself, he's never been shown as trying to hide who he is not, not really. from the moment we see him, he specifically used language that doesn't even suggest, outright tells, dabi is a name he goes by now. looking at his outfit as well, he was carrying the hair dye remover (?) from that moment. he has been ready for this moment the whole time.

he recorded in advance, planned in-depth not only the way he faces his endeavor but the world as well. there is a critical importance in the way the society will take the message, it's crucial that they believe what he is saying in order to destroy endeavour's career. dabi starts with something they are aware of or suppose of him, that he is not innocent. he states having killed more than 30 innocent people, there would be no point in denying in any sense. 1. a big influence in dabi's killings is endeavour. to ruin endeavour reputation, he first had to create the villain he is now. 2. it's true that he not once tried to mask dabi, actually thrilled for being recognized as THE dabi. his notoriously would make it more than difficult for him to play the act of the innocent victim now, which he never even tried to.

why would dabi go for being a villain, with the knowledge that the chances of him being taken seriously are small? did he acknowledge that even as a favorable type of victim his credibility against endeavor's is lower to the ground? personally, i think he made all of his decisions with a clear eye, all plausibilities being taken & judged through and through. by stepping into the shoes of a villain, the scum of the society, his chances spectacularly lower. but by doing so, he is free to rightfully avenge himself.

greed for power, something that as dabi says can lead men into unimaginable depths. endeavour had willingly chosen, not forced by anybody, to walk that path. taking a wife by force even, using her as a tool to create more tools to satisfy himself. what he would do to achieve this can be summoned into one simple word. anything.

dabi was abused both physically and emotionally. a bad constitution that was in the way of him reaching the place his father wanted. the frustration he every day had to go through, likely blaming himself for it, and adding to the mix the way endeavour would encourage him to push his own limits to achieve something greater than himself. the training was something deeply toxic, you simply don't force a kid through something like that. we have seen how it scarred shoto, someone who unlike dabi, had nothing standing in the way of endeavour's goal.

if dabi was an almost perfect, shoto was THE perfect. there is great pressure on the perfect yes, no denying, but there is great pressure on the almost perfect as well. their trauma is equal, dabi's trauma is just as valid as shoto and vice versa. and while their siblings didn't go through the training, their trauma is just as equal.

dabi lived with the knowledge that the only thing he was "created" for was his father's selfish dream. abused children often wonder the reason their parents brought them into this world, why do they exist besides to suffer. as a child, it is absolutely excepted and understandable to desire parental love. even if dabi hated what endeavour put him through, in his heart he would wish to become what his father wanted in order to achieve his love. did he wonder if making endeavour happy would result in his father changing and coming to love him? did he have to grow up and watch that idea shatter, to be tossed aside as something no longer useful, a broken thing?

such things are not something he could simply let go of, even if he was out of that place. like adults no longer in the abusive, toxic environments, that still carry the effects of the abuse they went through. dabi simply cannot move past it, it is not something one is to be asked or excepted to do.

endeavour, on the other hand, is living the dream. even before becoming the no 1, the perfect heir was on his move to the top. he successfully trained shoto into a promising tool that will eventually fulfill the dream and had to watch himself rise in the position he always wanted. it is easy for him to decide to move on, forget of the past, leave everything where they belong. but the past didn't decide that, the past came back to him. he is forced to now deal with the consequences he avoided and denied.

the past never forgets. even if endeavour tossed dabi aside and let him become a past, and then attempted to leave him altogether in the past.

facing one's consequences, often thrown in arguments against the league but i firmly believe in the difference between the two situations. saying they are the same is false. endeavour & the hero society planted the seeds not willed by anybody but themselves.

the league & dabi were forced into reacting. a hand forced is not the same as a hand willingly pushing said hand. the league is more than encouraged to react back, and while not all of their acts have been agreeable, i still stand by that. the flaw is in hrksh's intentional writing, which i won't be driving into as others discussed it very well.

dabi's goal to kill shoto once shoto reached the age and the top is something you cannot deny to be a response to the abuse. is it alright? no, not by any means. there is a complexity here, into which you can't drive in without remembering you are talking about child abuse victims. abuse responses aren't black and white, good and bad. dabi isn't inherently selfish or evil for thinking that.

dancing together in hell, falling together gathered all types of reactions. does dabi intend to die is the question. after some time of thinking, i dare to think and hope that won't be the case. it's true that dabi is in a bad condition, true that his phrasing is suggestive. but from a narrative, logical view, which i ABSOLUTELY don't claim to be hrksh's style up until now, that would be deeply disappointing and sad. a tragedy that would not serve. it's early to speak but for now i personally choose to believe dabi is going to live to at least completely reach his goal. endeavour is an important piece yesm but he is, still, a piece in dabi's game.

[cherry-gemz]

Healing Hands: Chapter One

Summary: You find yourself abroad in London as the Chief of Pediatrics. Everything has been running smoothly until you are faced with an undiagnosed case and the doctor assigned is anything but willing to face defeat. Will you be able treat the child's unknown disease in time, along while facing uncharted waters with love in the workplace?

Parings: Henry Cavill {Dr. Cavill} x Y/N {F!Reader}

Rating: Overall series 18+ only, Chapter is PG

Word count: 2200 +/-

Tags:  @evansamericanass @meowpurrbooks​ @lilithpaijiee @pterodactylterrace 

A/N: Trying something new at writing Henry fanfic. IDK if it’s any good, but either way wanted to start writing. LMK if you're interested, comments and tags welcomed! 💜

P.S. I am no means in any medical field or sorts, so if I get something incorrect on a term or process, bear with me xo.

----------------------------------------------------

You knew that it was a gamble moving to the UK for the Chief of Pediatrics position. But it was time for a change. You needed to leave Eugene, Oregon. Start fresh. There was too much pain there and you had to get away. So when your cousin, who was a nurse from Brighton informed you that there was a need at her hospital for the highly-visible role, you thought why the hell not? You'd score a free round-trip to England of anything and actually see some family you've never met if it didn't pan out. 

Little did you know that you'd fall in love with London: the weather, the people, the imagery of it all. Oregon weather wasn't all too different, so you acclimated well. It had been a few months of you settling in: understanding more of the language barriers despite it still being English. Knackered, cuppa, trollied. 

That is until you had a run in with the division chief of Pediatrics, Dr. Cavill. The staff adored the renowned and painstakingly handsome doctor. And while you could appreciate the view as well, you never were on the same page with his ideals. His defiant behavior of undermining your direction of the unit was becoming a thorn in your side. 

But this time, this time you'd had enough. He mentioned to a patient's parents, while with the speciality case, the hospital could take on their son's situation as priority and receive around the clock care. You threw down the patient's file on your desk and pinched the bridge of your nose. It was a lost cause, you had looked into the patient ever since you started the role.

The child seemed perfectly healthy and lab tests may show no signs of illness. But the chronic pain and fatigue were unexplainable. You empathized, but the poor child has undergone so many tests that at this point it was about providing facts to the parents. And right now, there was no cause of alarm. You weren’t a Dr. House, this wasn’t television. You didn't have the staff to dive into any research or clinical studies. You had a hospital to run, employees to pay, other lives needed saving. 

You picked up the phone to the case nurse on the pediatric floor. 

"Hello? Yes, this is Dr. Y/LN. Can you please remind Dr. Cavill of our 5pm? He's late. Thank you." 

Slowly hanging up on the phone, you turn back to the patient's file. The boy, Jon Foulger, was just shy of his ninth birthday. No positive results for Lupus or Guillain-Barré syndrome. But This case had been bothering you, poor Jon had been in the hospital for three months and still no progress on a diagnosis. While you were never known to give up on a patient, you knew giving false hope to the parents was detrimental not only to the family, but to the same of the hospital's integrity. You were in a high esteemed role now, you knew that you had to discuss further with Henry on his actions. 

Twenty more minutes passed by and you checked your watch. Fuming, you stood up from your desk and headed down to the pediatric floor by the lift. 

As you briskly walk down the hall corridors you can't wait to give Cavill a piece of your mind. You turn the corner and ram right into a brick wall, or so you thought.  Your hands instinctively pick up and see placed on the doctor's firm chest. You immediately flush and lose composure. 

You knew he was a good-looking man, but this up close and personal was a whole other level. His dark hair and curls were fluffy and good enough to touch. His piercing steel blue eyes looked at yours and made immediate contact. His bone structure made the Michaelangelo's David blush. 

"My apologies, Dr. Y/LN. Didn't see you there," his voice was like butter. 

You straightened out your white coat, "Ahem, yes. Well I seemed to have been lost in thought. My apologies as well."

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, almost an hour ago…" you shifted your weight to stand a bit taller. He towered over you with his muscular frame and height. 

"Patient...Jon Foulger. We must discuss the repercussions of your current actions."

"Jon-Jon," he replied stoic. 

"Excuse me?"

"He likes to be called Jon-Jon."

"Well yes, let's go to my office and discuss further, please Dr. Cavill."

"As you wish," he replied and pivoted his heel to the nearby lift.

The rise up to the 12th floor was a quiet one, awkward overall as you knew you had to give a coaching and hated the notion. You missed practicing medicine; while you enjoyed the administration of your position, the thrill of helping others and using your hands were erased with cases of employee performance reviews, reports, budgets. 

He coughed into his fist and then held his strong hands in place in a clasp. 

He finally broke the silence, "Enjoying London?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Have you had any time to take a holiday?"

"Um, no. Been too busy."

"It might do you some good," he replies as he looks to check his watch. 

You huff, "Somewhere you need to be, Doctor?"

"No, just checking the time."

His arrogance irritated you and now you weren't feeling as badly to give him his coaching. 

The lift opened as you arrived at the floor and he held out the door for you to exit first. You nod and walk to your office, your kitten heels clicked on the hospital's linoleum floor and the sound echoed through your ears. 

As you both enter your office you stride quickly to your desk to assume dominance of the room. 

Henry stood near the doorway, admiring your photos and certificates on the wall. 

"I knew you were American, but Stanford Medical? Interesting, thought you were from Oregon. When will you be returning?" You can't read him if that was a compliment or sarcasm. 

"Dr. Cavill, would you be so kind to shut the door," you state firmly and sit down, ignoring his comment about your return to the states.

His brow peaks and he nods, turning to close the door. 

"Please, have a seat," you say. 

"I'd rather stand, thank you," he replies and you know this is going to be a difficult conversation. 

"Well this will only take a moment then. Your recent behavior with the Foulger family, while I commend you for your dedication, has been slight askew with the hospital's protocols."

"Is that so?" His voice dropped and his brow arched. "In what way, Dr. Y/LN?"

You cough as the drawl of his mouth turns upward and you can swear there's a smug smirk across his face. 

"Well...for one...you've promised around the care of the child. Now simply put, we've exhausted all efforts for a diagnosis and until Jon...Jon-Jon…shows any new symptoms, we are at liberty to provide him comfort care for the remainder of the evening, but he will need to be discharged in the morning. We've exhausted him enough with MRIs, blood tests. I'm at a rock in a hard place, Dr. Cavill."

"The rock or the hard place where you give up on a child's well-being simply because you haven't thought to see him as a person? Rather as a number on your statistical analysis of how functioning this hospital is?"

His eyes pierce through you and make your knees grow weak. The nurse staff usually talks about him being a cuddly bear, always making the children laugh and smile. But this man before you, why he's no cuddly bear. He was a beast of a man. A grizzly in fact. 

"Now see here, I will let you know that this case is very important to me. All the children are. But what you fail to see is that for whatever reason you've gravitated to this particular case, you're chasing something that doesn't exist." 

His broad shoulders and strong neck tense at your words. He blinks methodically, as if he's scoping out his prey. No, don't let his charm and rugged good looks distract you. This is a man who is used to getting what he wants and you are a woman who knows perfectly what to do with that.

"And I believe you're blind, Doctor."

"Excuse me?" Your voice was shrill and short. "This is borderline insubordination. I'd be careful with your next words, Cavill."

"Pardon my frankness, Dr. Y/LN, but I've been here longer and know these patients in and out," his voice raised and you could see the hint of a vein showing on his thick neck. "Some of the children come from very poor and debilitating environments. We can't just cast them off once a diagnosis doesn't stick simply because we need the bed or we're done trying!"

"DR. CAVILL," you exclaim and let out an exasperated sigh. His demeanor changed and his upper lip curved slightly. 

“Dr. Y/LN. With all due respect, I think you’re making the wrong judgement call here. Things are not adding up with Jon-Jon, if we just give it a few more days...I feel like we’re making progress and I’ve labored enough research into it-”

"Again, while I appreciate your passion...”

“Passion which you need to show for the patient-”

You raise your hand to silence him, “This is not up to you, Dr. Cavill. As Chief of Pediatrics, this is my call. We will discharge Jon tomorrow if he does not show any new symptoms. If you disobey any further protocols, I will have no other choice but resort to disciplinary action. Do I make myself clear, Doctor?"

You press your hands on your desk and lean inward, portraying your stance. 

"Perfectly," he responded. 

"And another thing, I -" you start, but he turns and abruptly walks out of your office, leaving your door open. 

The nerve! Did he really just do that? Where does he think he's going? Didn't I just tell him I'd resort to disciplinary action?!

You rush out of your office and you see him striding through the hall. His strong posture, shoulders back eluded to years of boarding school perhaps or military. You noticed his fists were clenched and it gave you slight satisfaction that you chipped away ever so slightly at his ego.

It was going to take a lot more than that to send you packing, you thought. 

----------------

The next day came and went. You had confirmed that Jon-Jon was discharged with the floor nurse and while you were relieved to have handled that quite professionally, you knew it did not bear well with the rest of the staff.

You were still getting your feet wet and learning more about your team. It was solid overall, many years of expertise collectively, but they treated you like the outsider you were. No requests to meet for lunch or drinks after work. No camaraderie birthday cards seeking your signature or date night advice. Just the normal days in and out, pulling many late nights in your office, up to the point of exhaustion. You'd collapse in your double bed after work, stare at the ceiling of the small room you rented from your cousin, Laura, and try to drown out all the bustle of seven people in the same 3 bedroom flat. 

Just like any other day, You sat alone during lunch. But that never really was ever a bother being used to it now. You were excited about an audiobook you were meaning to dive into and right when you were about to use your airpods, that's when you noticed him enter the cafeteria. 

His presteen, crisp white lab coat was tight around his build. You could tell he took fitness seriously and wondered what he was hiding underneath it all. You unknowingly licked your lips as you watched him search for a fruit out of the bowl off the commons counter. Curious to know what he fancied: was he into a sweet apple or something more tart like cherries. 

He picked up a peach and squeezed it with his massive hand, making it look quite comical considering his size. His eyes met yours and you quickly looked away, trying to now draw any attention to yourself. You fumbled with your phone as you connected to the audiobook and heart his footsteps approached your empty table. 

"Good afternoon," he said. His voice was deep, smooth, and inviting. Not at all like the day before in your office. 

You play coy and don't bother to look up, fidgeting with your sandwich. 

"Hello," you reply distantly. He made you nervous. Would he bring up yesterday's conversation? Will he continue to look that delectable each day?

He smirked and took a bite of the fuzzy peach. There was a slight crunch as he dug his pearly whites into the rounded fruit. The velvet and thin layer of skin eased off and entered his mouth; he chewed slightly and let the piece swirl around with his thick tongue. 

You peered to look at him and his stare hadn't relented. He took another bite. This time the luscious juice slips out of the white-yellow fleshed fruit and down slightly on his chin. Oh, to be that piece of fruit and have him ravish you that way.  How he’d expertly use his hands over you and taste you with those lips.

He can tell you're still distant, however he notices you're unable to tear your eyes away from him. 

He walks over, closer to you now, and you can smell his cologne: a woody aromatic scent tied with a hint of suede. It's downright delicious and with the mix of the peach, your senses are in overdrive. 

What is it with this man and his ability to excite and anger you all at once? You not only want to put him into his place, you want to do so right here on the cafeteria table and have your way with him.

"Lovely day, isn't it?" He smiles devilishly and places the half eaten fruit on the table next to your phone and walks away. 

Your cringe and use all your might to not look back at him. He's going to make this very hard for you, very hard indeed. 

[eveenstar]

𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 [𝑨 𝑨𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝑯𝒖𝒙 𝒙 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒙 𝑲𝒚𝒍𝒐 𝑹𝒆𝒏 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 || 𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒛𝒆𝒏 𝑨𝑼]

||➸𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐈: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐚𝐧||

Summary:  After your sister's coronation, you hoped destiny had bigger plans for you. With the arrival of the king of Alderaan, you finally feel like your life will turn into a fairytale after so many years of being isolated. Maybe you shouldn've have been so hopeful. But not everyone gets a happy ending, and maybe the answers you seek are right down the hallway.

Tags/Warnings: Angst.

Author's Note: Hello! Well, here's chapter 2 as promised. Kinda didn't like the ending, took me 3 takes. I also left a easter egg somewhere in this chapter, wanna see who'll notice it :)) Feedback is much appreciated ♡ Hope y'all enjoy!

Taglist: @girl-next-door-writes

The ball room has never been so colorful like before, and you were certain you had never felt so many eyes laid on you like shadows in the dark. Like they were waiting for one single wrong move from you, a false step, so to say.

Your feet almost slid across the floor as you searched for your grandfather Palpatine in the crowd, he was nowhere to be seen. So many unfamiliar faces and no one to recognize, but again, you had no friends.

"Hello."

You turned around and met the brown eyes of your sister, Rey, who was staring at you with a relaxed smile.

"Oh, hello me?" You stupidly looked around in a brisk, "Uh, hi. You look beautiful! Is that mother's dress?"

An astonishing scarlet dress with a V neckline, you wouldn't say it was adequate for the coronation, but she looked amazing in it. Rey's new crown fit her head perfectly, you swore it was your father's crown but the newly red crystal on it made you doubt a little. What kind of crystal was that, anyway?

"I can say the same about you." Rey sweetly smiled and looked to the huge crowd dancing around the large gala room. She never looked at you for too long, you guessed it was merely because...well, you actually had no idea.

"Your Majesty, the duke of Alzakan."

"Alsakan! Duke of Alsakan! Ahem," You stared at Rey, and given to you two being sisters, you could sense how tense she'd gotten when a taller man approached her and overly exaggerated bowed down. You don't remember hearing about this duke's arrival, even if he made it seem like he was the brightest star of the room.

The queen gave him a polite nod.

"Your Majesty, as your most profitable trading partner, it is an honor to finally meet the true queen of Naboo." The man gently kissed Rey's hand, but even if it was just a respectful greeting, you didn't blame her for being tense. This duke had the energy of a child that ate too much sugar.

Behind Rey, you coughed by accident and it caught their attention as you saw both heads turn to you with brows furrowed. You got your perfect princess posture back and offered them a apologetic smile and a wave.

Rey put herself in front of you as a way of ending this embarassing moment and distract the duke as she offered her hand for a shake.

"I must say the same about you, Duke Pryde. My grandfather spoke very highly of you." This surely boosted Pryde's ego as he smug smirked to his guards behind him, "I hope our trade routes will remain as sucessful as they were with my parents."

"Well, I, uh." Their conversation faded to background noise as you tried to distance yourself from the spotlight and pretend this never happened, maybe if you slowly backed off nobody would notice the younger princess slinding off somewhere.

You felt too many eyes on you, even if your eyes were certain nobody was watching you. You did not plan on disappointing anyone, at least, not at your sister's coronation party. Full of grace, you looked to the crowd and surroundings, and your eyes paused on a strange symbol on the far away wall just to your right. It was a sixteen-rayed symbol inscribed within a hexagon, denoting an explosive force pushing against attempts to contain it.

You were quite sure you'd seen this symbol before, somewhere. Your eyes only focused on the sigil as you tried your hardest to search your memories for it. But, the closer you got to it, an invisible force pushed it further from your grasp. Just like sand slips through your fingers when you attempt to hold it.

In fact, you do not remember your childhood, nor your early teenage years. Not a single thing. You just remember the feelings after something traumatic had happened; the loneliness, the pain, the anger and more loneliness. Sometimes, as of right now, your mind didn't feel like your own, nor did your memories. They felt like they belonged to someone else. Someone who was not you.

Tu'iea eyes deceive tu, isar nenx jostas savimi

The whispers in the walls. There they were again. They always came from the walls, but you only say that because you hate to admit that they sound right next to you.

"(Y/N)?"

You loudly gasped as you turned around in a fright, your eyes met Rey's once more. She was frowning, and with a slight worried look painted on her eyes. Oh, you hoped nobody heard it.

"Is everything alright?"

You quickly washed off your scared face and laughed to ease the situation you were currently stuck in, hoping she wouldn't do any questions about it. Or mention it by any case.

"Dear stars, yes, I'm quite alright, thank you. It was probably just some bug."

She nodded, and only when she moved away from you that you realized Rey was holding your hand in a way of calling for your attention. Before moving to her side, you glanced an eye to the wall where the symbol was, but it wasn't there.

"This party looks so alive." Rey commented besides you, her eyes were as bright as stars in the sky as she watched the people dance like there was no worries in the whole galaxy.

"Maybe we could keep the gates open." You suggested, your heart full of hope. "Your queen now, Palpatine can't control us anymore. We can bring life back into the palace!"

"We can't just change things without thinking, (Y/N)."

"But why not? It can be like before. I don't understand." You softly grabbed her hands and stared into her eyes, "This party doesn't have to be the only one. We can have plenty of more!"

"That's right," She replied, and your smile stretched further, "You don't understand. You never will. Things will never be like before."

And just like that, you felt your heart shatter into millions of pieces, like somebody just pulled your heart out of your chest and stabbed it right in front of you. Even if you and Rey weren't close, she had never spoken to you that way. No, something changed about her.

Upon realizing her mistake, Rey let go of your hands and smiled, but a strange one. A forced smile.

"Forgive me, I...Excuse me."

Not even giving you the chance to apologize, you watched Rey disappear behind some group of horned beings, which you didn't even try to remember what they were before you heard another voice behind you.

"Princess (Y/N), we meet again." Kylo Ren, that voice was impossible to forget. "I was just about to meet the queen, did something happen?"

"Oh, no, she had to...to talk to some duke of Alzakan." You looked back at with, forcing the same smile Rey had just pulled ten seconds ago.

"You look upset." His coal eyes were analyzing you once more, as if he was trying to read your inner thoughts. His eyes were like black holes, you quote internally, so easy to get lost in. They held so many emotions within. Your mother used to tell you that your eyes are mirrors to your soul, and you believe it, most of the time. You wonder what kind of soul Kylo Ren had.

"I'm sorry, do you want to get some air?"

The king silently nodded and gave you the front lead to the palace private gardens, your most favorite place to wander around and be in contact with nature, since you weren't allowed to leave the palace's grounds.

The echoes of the enchanting gala sounds began to fade in the background at each step you took farther from it. The shiny walls were replaced by glass ones, the only barrier between you and the actual garden. It was ethereal at moonlight, a complete breathtaking view. If you were to choose a place to spend all of eternity, this garden would be the chosen one.

Saturn Gardens.

The name you remember choosing for them when you were a child. Which doesn't make a lot of sense since it's only one garden, but hey, who cares right? Saturn was a funny name, you had a slight feeling it belonged to a name of something you were deeply fond of, but you couldn't quite grasp what it was. Nonetheless, you were thankful you choose a good name for them.

Yvir always told you how heavenly you looked at moonlight, and you're sure of it. This place is almost magical, so peaceful and silent even when there's a party happening just on the end of the hallway. You remember falling asleep here a few times, either it was reading or painting. You were quite a multi-talent person thanks to growing up bored and isolated on a huge palace, so you've gained a few skills here and there. This place was your big centre of inspiration.

You felt free here, from all responsabilities and troubles of life.

You discreetly glanced a curious eye to Kylo, who was walking besides you and attentively exploring the garden with his eyes only. In your mind, you wondered if he had a safe place too. A place where he felt free of everything, where he could relax without troubles, or where he felt inspired. Maybe everyone has something like that, you're not sure.

"Truth be told, I have no idea why my grandfather ordered the gates to be closed, or why most staff was fired." You sighed while your fingers gently passed through some book pages laying there on the pale blue glass table. Kylo looked over to you with an intrigued gaze. "Or why my sister shut me out. It was always me and myself."

So distracted by your thoughts, you barely noticed Kylo taking your hand from the book and hold it. His hands felt warm, surprisingly, as you had imagined that they were cold as ice. In difference to yours, his hands were also far larger. It caused a small smile across your lips.

"I spent most of my childhood lonely too." He admitted, his eyes never leaving your hands. "My parents were either ignoring me or too busy to hear me."

You remember the stories about them, but you didn't want to cross the line and ask him. This conversation you and the king of Alderaan were currently having was something that already cross rule number three; never mention his parents. So this caught you off guard.

Probably noticing your tense posture, Kylo's eyes shifted to yours; they held such a curious yet comforting gaze, as if this was his attempt to say "it's okay" without actually saying those two words. The moon behind him made him seem like an angel.

"I know how you feel." He assured you calmly. You were so lost in his eyes, so lost in the way they stared at you. "You can talk to me."

If you could preserve this moment, you would. You'd keep it close to your heart and protect it from all darkness in the galaxy. The mighty and mysterious Kylo Ren, former prince and now king of Alderaan, just opened his heart to you and pronounced those five words that you had never been told before.

You hoped this wasn't a dream. It'd break your soul if it was.

"Do you dance?" Upon your sudden question, Kylo raised an eyebrow. You got up from your seat and twirled around, loving the way your dress moved. "Will you dance with me?"

Even if his lips didn't move, his eyes expressed all the emotions you needed. They were like a calm ocean, or the rising sun in a early morning.

"My lady," He politely offered you his hand, once more. "It would be my pleasure."

You smiled, the most genuine smile you'd had in a long time. Your heart was filled with joy and excitement, hopefully it wouldn't jump out of your chest by the way it was beating so fast. Faster than the way you rushed to the coronation. You never felt like this for someone, no, and definitely not for him.

His moves were calculated, but so tender-hearted and light. He twirled you around again and kept you close to his chest, one hand on your waist and another one guiding your other hand. At this point, you weren't even worried about making the wrong turn or stepping your foot on his. No, no, it was like your body was no longer your own, but knew perfectly which steps to take and you were glad for that.

In your mind, you imagined dancing like this with Kylo in the middle of a royal ballroom, but it was only you two. With or without music, it didn't matter, you and Kylo were too busy staring at each other's eyes to notice any background sound.

You had no idea how long you two had been dancing, but it ended so quickly.

"May I ask you something?" He asked in a strange, low voice.

"Of course, anything." You stepped a bit away from him once the dance came to an end.

Kylo traced lines alongside your hand, back and forth, and another hand came to meet your cheek as he slowly caressed it.

"Will you marry me?"

Oh dear stars.

Everything stopped around you, at least that's what you felt. You didn't even know what to say or do. Maybe, just maybe, the universe was finally showing you your destiny. That you were worthy of something just like Rey is.

The king of Alderaan had just asked you to marry him, and there was only one answer available to your heart.

You laughed and smile, nodding in happiness, "Yes!"

The ballroom was still full, everybody seemed to be having a great time just like you. Palpatine was nowhere to be seen, but Rey was seen talking to Duke Pryde and some others you assumed were also trading partners. Poor thing, a part of you felt guilty she had to spend her party talking to them. She didn't look happy. But maybe the news you're about to give her will make it up. That's what you hoped for.

Moving through the crowd as you held Kylo's hand had already got you lots of side-eyes and surprised gasps and whispers. This will entertain them for a very long time, and you didn't even try to hide your smile. Why would you? You're the most happy person in this room right now, and you were not going to hide your emotions again.

"Rey! I mean, your Majesty, may I speak to you, please?"

She nodded, excusing herself from the boring companies, and followed you to a more empty space of the room.

"I, I mean, we'd like to ask for your blessing on," You and Kylo looked at each other for a brief moment, "on our marriage!"

Rey almost chocked on her drink and quickly put it down on a table.

"Ma,Marriage?" You nodded. "I'm sorry, I'm quite confused here."

"Well, I know it's a bit of a sudden, and we haven't planned the ceremony, but it could happen here! Just like mother and father's wedding." You chuckled innocently at the thought of it.

"If Your Majesty doesn't mind it, of course." At this comment, that you didn't spare a thought, Rey furrowed her brows at Kylo in a angry stance and dismissed him completely.

"We could invite everyone in the kingdom! We could get so many songs to play and the decoration, oh I'll need to talk with Yvir." You put your hands on your hips, going through a mental list of preparatives for the wedding. You couldn't wait to tell Yvir.

"(Y/N)-"

"Oh stars, I hope you don't mind if Kylo stays here until the wedding! I'll need a few days to plan everything-"

"Absolutely not! (Y/N)!"

You stopped, her loud voice kicking all thoughts you previously had. Kylo, next to you, stared at her with indifference, like this somehow didn't even surprise him.

Rey inhaled calmly, "With all due respect, your Majesty, but my sister can't marry a man she just met."

"What? You can't decide that for me, Rey. I'm an adult, just like you." You crossed your arms, eyebrows furrowed just like hers. Your sister's expression turned to a more uncomfortable one, and you had no idea why this was making her be like that.

"(Y/N), you're too young to know about love."

"And I suppose you know instead? All you ever did was shut everyone out. You shut me out."

All the eyes in the room were now on you three, this time not even a single whisper was heard. Even more silent than the gardens. Rey shifted uncomfortably on her feet, moving her fingers repeatedly, a panicked gaze on her eyes.

"(Y/N)-"

"Just why, why do you do this? Why did you shut me out? What are you so afraid of?" Unlikely and unexpected, you screamed at her, only to regret it the moment that sentence left your mouth. But it was too late.

"That's enough, (Y/N)!"

A rash strong blow sent Kylo flying across the room. Hadn't it been for Kylo placing himself as a shield in front of you, you knew that was intended for you.

"That's the force." Somebody said.

"She's a Jedi!"

[masked-buffoon]

Chapter 14: Truthful liar (Part 4)

Warnings: mentions of drug addiction

Author notes: quite a long part... I have to admit, I did not pay attention to its length ^^” I hope you enjoy nonetheless!

It was impossible for us to question the victim. As soon as he had set a foot in the nearest hospital, he had collapsed and had been immediately taken care of by the nurses. And he had not yet woken up… The white corridors smelled like medicine,but it was not unpleasant. Perhaps it was because I was used to the infirmary… My fingers clutched around my box of pills. I could not show a single health care professional that I was an addict, unless I wanted to be brought to the psychiatric unit… However, that stressful situation did not help with my withdrawal, and I was starting to grow uncomfortable. I sighed, and covered my hand to hide the fact it was trembling. Soon enough, Dazai reached me. He was coming back from the doctor's office, and his serious face did not reassure me the least.

"His condition is bad, isn't it…?" I frowned.

"Yep. He isn't going to wake up anytime soon." He stood next to me "We should find another lead."

"... I'm tired, already…" I groaned.

"Don't, the case has just started."

He took my trembling hand into his, and pulled me up suddenly. Then, he brought me towards his chest and used his taller body to hide me from anyone's eyes. I looked up at him, ready to question him, but he was quicker and grabbed the box in my pocket.

"Take that opportunity. Hurry."

"But people —"

"Who cares about what people believe? No one knows us here, anyway…"

He had rarely been that firm since my entrance in the Armed Detective Agency. Quietly, I nodded, before shoving up to three pills on my mouth and swallowing. It was burdensome to be an addict… I was glad that this pitiful life would stop soon. Soon… I closed my eyes a moment, before glancing up at him. He had not budged and, from an outsider's point of view, that scene must have looked like a hug… But to me, who had just drugged myself, it was just a convenient hideout… Gently, I cracked a smile and put a hand on his chest to push him away. Slightly…

"It's alright, now… We can go…"

"Really? Good~" He regained his usual playful smile.

"Should we head to the police station?" I suggested.

"That's not a bad idea." He pulled away from me.

"... Your hand…"

"Ah. My bad."

He had casually left it on my shoulder.

"Dazai… I'm fine, really. Besides, you've seen me take morphine countless times, already." I assured him.

"I have, yet that doesn't mean I am used to it. Every single time…"

"It's almost over. Don't worry… I'll never end up in such a state again…"

"Did you read my mind? That's surprising…~"

"I couldn't possibly… Not that I wouldn't want to…" I looked away.

"Mine will remain a mystery for you~"

"If I can't use my ability to understand it, I'll just strive to know you better…" I muttered.

"... You're right…"

I looked at him softly, and tugged on his sleeve to get him moving.

"We have some work to do. The case won't solve itself."

He chuckled, and we both headed out of the hospital. In front of our colleagues in the Agency, Dazai always behaved strangely, constantly acting like a buffoon, making a joke of himself. I had secretly resented him for putting on such a mask, and it hurt even more to know that everything was a lie. However, at the moment, there were only the two of us, and there was no need for him to keep playing the tragic story of the sad clown who was never allowed a single tear. In front of me, weakness was allowed, and I hoped he was aware that I would never judge him nor take advantage of him… Somehow, I felt special. I was the only one alive who got to see the sadness hidden beneath his mask… That in itself was exceptional enough, coming from Dazai, and it brought me back to our days in the Port Mafia. Thinking about it, he had been less secretive than he was these days, more willing to show his emotions, perhaps… I wondered if that was because of his mistake, because he felt as though he owed me, because he had hurt me… I was most certainly putting too much thought into that, anyway.

The policemen we met told us that they had never assigned any guards for Suda Hiroshi — that was the name of our client. Immediately, they deployed troops to arrest the imposters, but when we arrived, they had already disappeared.

"That's a fishy story…"

The detective in charge of the case put his cigarette out in the ashtray, and sighed.

"We were aware of the many assassination attempts on Suda-san's life, but we had received words that he was already guarded… That's why we never made a move…"

"What do you know of his research?" I questioned him.

"Wasn't it something about oil…? I have to admit that, as a proud citizen of Sapporo, I wasn't too pleased to hear about it…"

"So false information was spread about him… Why would anyone want him to be hated, though…?" I thought out loud.

"Is there anyone who would benefit from Suda-san's fall?" Dazai asked.

"Not that I know of… The only prominent family around here is the Ogawa family. However, they've come here around twenty years ago to retire. I heard their granddaughter lives with them, too." He told us.

"So, they aren't involved in business anymore…"

"No, not at all…! The granddaughter goes to school with my own children. She's well-behaved and polite, really, a kind girl…! They won't create any troubles."

We exited the police station, without much more information. At the very least, I knew that my grandparents were not involved in the case, which relieved me, in a way. I would not have to come into Ruriko-chan's life to destroy it once again… On the other hand, I had no idea about the motive of the criminal. Why would they sequester the man and let him die a slow, painful death, while running his reputation in Hokkaido? If there was nothing worth Suda-san's downfall, then it was surely…

"A passionate crime. A revenge." Dazai completed my thoughts "That's the only thing I can think of."

"I agree with you. It's the only option left, anyway. I'll call the Fox to get his background checked."

"Such a troublesome case… It doesn't help that the victim is a friend of your friend… Will you tell him?"

"Tell him what? That his friend is wounded, in a hospital between life and death…?"

"Wouldn't you want to know, though? If I was in this state, wouldn't you want to be aware?"

"... You have a point…" I conceded "I'll tell him…"

The call was short. My informer was upset and regretted taking so long to inform me about the situation. Although he had not been in contact with Suda-san for years, he was still his friend, and, knowing how he cared about the people close to him, I could only imagine how terrible it felt for him to know the researcher was hurt. He promised to work on the case, but I could perceive how disheartened he sounded. I did not insist and simply hung up. It was not my fault, yet I felt guilty; the Fox had entrusted me with his friend's life, but I had not managed to save him in time.

"Let's go back to the inn." Dazai suggested, slowly guiding me towards a car.

"Mmh… I want to rest…" I muttered, shoving the phone in my pocket "I don't want to hear about that case anymore…"

"You know we'll be back on it tomorrow."

"... I want to quit…"

"Don't be nonsensical, you're simply tired. A long bath in the onsen will make you feel better."

"Maybe you're right… I hate personal cases. Being emotionally involved doesn't go well with me… I should have asked Kunikida to take care of it." I regretted my choice.

"But the Fox made that request to you, his friend. You couldn't have refused either way."

"So, I was trapped from the beginning… Ah… That's the last time I go to Hokkaido."

"So it isn't entirely about the case." He noted.

I stayed quiet, unable to answer. I had not told him about my dream, after… Would he understand? Would he brush it off and call it "weird"? Would he laugh at me…?

"I'm bothered… By my sister…" I murmured "I'm torn between the wish to see her and my reason telling me that it would destroy her even more…"

"I see…"

As I was wondering if that would be all and if he truly did not care about my issues, he leaned towards the driver and changed our route.

"Where are we going?" I frowned.

"It's a surprise~ Do you have your sunglasses?"

"... Sure…?" I took them from my handbag "Why?"

"Wear them when we arrive~"

I did not question him, used to his strange yet meaningful behaviour from time to time, and obeyed him. Although the sun was playing hide-and-seek behind the clouds, I hid my eyes behind the darker glasses and followed him out of the vehicle. After walking a few meters, we arrived in front of a school, and I immediately understood which trick he had played on me. I grabbed his arm, rather brutally.

"Dazai…! You know… You know I can't…!" I protested "Let's leave this instant…!"

"No." He easily removed my grip from him "You want to see her, don't you? Then, at least, look from afar and check for yourself that she's alright."

"... Isn't that stalking her…?"

"Was gathering information on her via the Fox more legal?" He retorted.

As though I were scared they would fall, I readjusted the sunglasses on my nose, and leaned my back on a wall, waiting for the bell to ring and for Ruriko-chan to come out. Would she have friends? Most certainly… How many? I wished for her to have a lot of them… Would she see me? But she would surely mistake me for a stranger… She would not mind my presence too much, since she would not know I was her sister… In fact, I was terrified to meet her, and feel her look full of disgust on me… I was afraid she would scream "murderer" in the street and attract the police… Yes… I was scared that she would destroy my own life, the normality I had gained through so many hardships. In the end, it was the selfish side of myself which was frightened by Ruriko-chan. Unconsciously, my hand brushed against Dazai's, hoping desperately that his ability could cancel my feelings as well, where I knew it was simply impossible. Even so… It gave me the courage I lacked to face my precious sister.

The bell rang — an unfamiliar melody I was hearing for the first time, since had never attended school — and it did not take long before a flow of students came out of the building to head towards the gate. However, I did not see Ruriko-chan. I waited, and waited. My friend did not leave my side, despite the minutes passing and the sun slowly going down behind the buildings. I was disappointed. After bracing myself so hardly, all of my efforts had been in vain… I did not feel ready to experience such an unpleasant time ever again.

"Some clubs end later." Dazai spoke, out of the blue "Let's wait a bit more…"

"Even so, if she comes out alone… She'll be more likely to see me…"

"But will she recognise you? To be honest, you've changed…"

"How? Except for my clothes, I'm still Ogawa Yōko. If it weren't for my sunglasses, do you think these eyes of mine will go unnoticed? Sometimes, I hate them…" I crossed my arms.

"You can be so childish, sometimes~" He teased, wrapping an arm around my shoulders "These eyes are a part of you, as recognisable as they are, and I, for one, like them."

"Y-You do…?" I stuttered, turning towards him "I… Well… Thank you…? I suppose…"

Many people had already complimented my mother's eyes, but never had they paid attention to mine. The fact that it was Dazai, above anything else… It was… Surprising, to say the least… And oddly pleasant. It was impossible for me to suppress the smile from my face after his unexpected words, and even the nervousness I had felt upon waiting for my sister had faded away. Instead, it had been replaced by a strange mixture of warmth and contentment. Was receiving kind words always this agreeable…?

"There she is." My friend broke my train of thoughts.

Time seemed to stop as my eyes fell on the young girl who was Ruriko-chan. Unmistakably, it was her. The uniform of her high school seemed to fit her perfectly, the pleated skirt gently flowed around her legs as she walked, and her face had gotten thinner, more delicate… She had grown into a fine lady, although she was not yet an adult. And her clear blue eyes… They did not have the lavender colour of our mother's, but their blue, alike precious lapis lazuli, shone even brighter under the sunlight. My heart panged painfully in my chest as I refrained myself from running towards her. I could not…

"So that's her… She's cute~"

I could not repress a glare.

"Don't you dare even get close to her." I warned him.

"I'm not into younger girls, don't worry~" He laughed at me.

"Whatever…" I mumbled.

"She does resemble you, though…" He remarked.

"... Does she…? Are you blind…? Look at her gentle, pale face…! She is just like a doll…! And her long, jet black hair… Mmh… She's so beautiful, you really should get a pair of glasses…"

"Oh, really…~?" He smirked at me "I don't think so… But anyway, since she looks so good, I'll just have a word of two with her~"

"Dazai…! I forbid you…!" I ran after him "Come back here…! You're doing this on purpose…!"

However, he was much faster than I was, and he quickly reached Ruriko-chan in front of the gate. There, he put on his brightest and most seductive smile, and bowed slightly in front of her.

"Hello miss~ I saw you from afar and couldn't resist greeting you, since you're such a beauty~"

Her face expressed disgust, and she took a step back.

"I'll report you, sir…" She threatened.

"I apologise on behalf of my coworker…!" I moved in between them "Don't mind him, he's always like that, but he doesn't mean any harm…"

"I see… Well, I suppose I'll let you go, then."

My sister looked me up and down.

"It's strange… I'm positive I never saw you around here, yet you seem familiar, somehow…"

"Is… Is that so…?" I cleared my throat "We're detectives from Yokohama. We're here on a case. This is Dazai Osamu, and I am Fuyuno Kasumi."

"Oh… You're here for Suda-san…? The man whose life is constantly threatened?" She realised.

How smart she was… Was she truly my sister?

"Indeed… We hope to solve it soon."

I noticed the case she was holding.

"You play an instrument?" I asked to change the subject.

"I do." She smiled "Since you're a detective, why don't you try guessing it?"

"Sure… May I hold it?"

She handed me the case, and I took a quick look at it. Then, within a few seconds, I had my answer.

"The violin." I stated confidently.

"That wasn't too hard, was it? That's the most common one after all." She shrugged.

"It could have been a trumpet. But I mainly looked at your hands, and most particularly your fingers. They are a violinist's." I grinned.

"... I see…"

"Is there a problem?" I inquired.

"No, just… For a moment… Your smile… There is someone whose smile I've never seen… I was just wondering… If it would look the same… But that's impossible, you're not her… And… She's possibly already dead…" Her face darkened.

"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to remind you of that person…"

"It's not your fault. She was very sick… Perhaps it was for the best, after all…"

I clenched my fists. If Ruriko-chan believed I was dead, then perhaps I should let her live thinking that way… Even if it did not seem like she resented me for my deeds.

"You seem to like her a lot." Dazai said softly, taking me aback.

"Yes! She was my precious older sister, after all… Although I once held a grudge against her… No, maybe everything is better this way, after all…" She whispered "Anyway, it was nice to meet you two. Good luck with your case…! I have to go back home, otherwise, my grandparents will be worried."

"Yes, it would be wiser to go back, indeed. Be safe on the way." I waved lightly.

As soon as her back was turned, I sighed slightly. Did she not  hate me for killing our parents…? Did she not want me in jail…? Or gone from this Earth…? Ruriko-chan truly had a gentle heart… She did not resemble me at all, her hands were pure, and produced beautiful music, unlike mine which only provoked screams of agony. We were different, and, despite the fact that I had gotten accustomed to living in a lighter word, it did not change the fact that I was tainted. I should not approach her anymore…

"Ogawa…!"

His sudden call, along with the screeching sound of a car's wheel on the concrete, made me act before my brain could even register what was occurring. I grabbed Ruriko-chan from behind, and pulled her out of the road before the vehicle could hit her. Her musician's hand did not let go of her precious instrument, even as we fell back on the sidewalk, which would have amused me if her life had not been in danger. Unable to help it, I wrapped my arms around her a moment, and kept her close to me, feeling my heart beat even faster at the thought of losing her so cruelly.

"How… How did you know my name…?" Her small and shocked voice reached my ears.

"That…" Dazai clicked his tongue, looking away.

He had made a mistake when calling me… Even so, I was grateful — the fraction of second gained when she stopped, hearing her name, had allowed me to save her.

"You must have misheard." I lied "Can you stand up?"

"Wait, Fuyuno…" My friend prevented me from moving "Your sunglasses…"

They had fallen from my face, and the car had crushed them, adding to my misfortune.

"Shit…" I cursed.

"Are you alright?" My sister turned towards me "I must be heavy…"

I immediately closed my eyes.

"Y-Yes… I… Just… I'm sensitive… To the sun, so… It's hard for me to see without my glasses…" I invented an illness.

She did not say a thing and, since I had deprived myself from my eyes, I could not see her face.

"You know… I'm not a detective, but… If you truly were sick, you would take better care of these glasses… You could have tied them, for example… And you should own a spare…"

She really was too smart… It was my defeat, and I had to face its consequences.

"You're right… I'm not sick… I was just… Hiding."

I opened my eyes, and glanced at the shock in her look, before helping her up. Then, I smiled — or smirked, it seemed like a weird way to lift the corners of my lips up.

"It's been a while, Ruriko-chan…"

"Ah… I see… It was one of your horrible tricks…" Tears fell onto her cheeks "You're the worst… The worst…! Even after everything I told Fuyuno Kasumi, even after losing your only way of hiding, you're still dishonest… Why are you always, always lying…?!"

"Ruriko-chan…"

"Don't touch me…! You're a liar…! I don't… I don't want to see you again…!"

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have… But… I thought you hated me… So, I… I just… I just wanted to know… How you were doing…"

"If you truly wanted to check on me, you would have come in person, instead of lying, as always… As expected…"

"But you said you didn't hate me —"

"I don't hate you, but I don't trust you either. Go away, now. Don't… Don't try to reach out to me anymore. My sister is dead to me."

I was not able to hold her back and, powerless, stared at her silhouette fading away in the remnants of the sunlight. Being alive, yet dead in another person's heart, felt like the ground had shattered beneath my feet.

"... It was a mistake…" I breathed out "A terrible one…"

"Ogawa, that was my fault… I should have given you more time… Or maybe I shouldn't have insisted in the first place…" Dazai sighed.

"Yes… It is your fault." I cried "Everything… It is your fault… If only I had waited more, I would never have hidden myself, had I been ready…! But you had to butt in and convince me otherwise… Why did I even follow your lead, in the first place…?! This is my business, my sister, yet you interfered again! You always do! And now… And now she… Whereas she didn't hate me…"

"Ogawa…"

"I'm dead to her…! Do you understand…?! I do not exist anymore…!! I stopped living in her mind…! She might as well have killed me, I would have suffered less… That's your fault…" I sobbed, falling to my knees "I've lost my sister… Ruriko-chan…! Ruriko-chan…!"

"... I'm sorry…" He crouched down to face me "I'm sorry that it turned out so badly…"

I reached for his collar, and pulled him towards me to bury my face in his coat, to hide my pitiful tears. Even when he had left, I had not cried this much. Why was this one loss so painful…? Was it because I had expected something…? What was the point of desiring and hoping, then, if these feelings only brought pain by crushing my heart…? What was the point of longing, if the person I wanted to see did not want me by her side…? I should have known and abandoned these useless emotions long ago, I should have learnt from my experience with Dazai, but I was as ignorant as I had been years ago.

"It's alright… Blame me all you want, if it alleviates your pain…" He murmured "I did miscalculate, this time…"

"... I'm sorry…" I sniffed, slowly calming down "I got carried away…"

"I said it's fine."

I looked up at him, but far from a face matching his comforting words, his expression was… Well, he was expressionless. Or perhaps annoyed. I had vexed him.

"There is something I've come to understand, with time…" I pulled away from him "Human feelings… Are kind of unpredictable. You can manipulate them, you can play with them, but at the end of the day, you'll always end up surprised… Besides, you made a mistake because you're not familiar with Ruriko-chan…"

"And what's your point?"

I grabbed his cheeks and forcefully pulled them up to force a smile on his face.

"A genius strategist can make mistakes. And, you're a human too. You have a brain, and emotions, not a chessboard which pieces you move thanks to calculations." I told him.

"I don't have enough ego to be angry about failure." He avoided my eyes "Rather…"

His fingers tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear, and he sighed again.

"Nothing… The night is falling, let's really go back now." He took my hand to help me up.

"Mmh… There is no use crying, anyway… What's done is done, and I can never go back. I'll just have to live without her." I wiped my tears away.

"... But you have me…"

"... Did you say something…?"

A car had passed right while he was talking, and I was afraid to have misheard. He cracked a smile.

"Nothing at all. I'm just excited to try the onsen, that's all~"

"True." I giggled "We do deserve some rest."

[romaisamaria]

Chapter 2: Promise

Eva woke up in her room, she had the most strange dream ever. She dreamt her mummy and daddy took her to a strange dark place surrounded by what looks like monsters but for some reason she wasn't scared of them. She was still on her bed, so she tried to get up so she could go running to mummy's and daddy's room as she did every morning. Just when she was about to open the door, mummy opened it for her. She thought that was strange, mummy never wakes up before her, but she was happy to see her so she went to hug her.

"Mummy!" Shouted of happiness, Eva. But as soon as she touched mummy she realised two things. One, mummy didnt smell that nice perfume she always wear; and two, it felt really strange.

"Mummy?" Asked Eva with confused expression. "You're not mummy"

"Clever little girl" said the false mummy. "I guess you have figured by now that I'm not your mummy", she put a lot of emphasis on the word "not". Suddenly she turned herself into something else.

In front of Eva, it wasn't mummy anymore. Instead, it appeard this strange scary figure. She looked like a woman but her skin was pale white, bright red and long hair that was covering all up to her waist and a very very pair of dark purple eyes. She looked like she was wearing a long black dress with small black birds heads on the tail.

Eva was starting to feel scared by this look.

"Where's mummy? I want to go to mummy!" Shouted Eva.

"Silence, you foul girl!" Shouted the demon. "I'm your mummy now, and we're going to have lots of fun" smiled the demon with a very dark face.

Mummy...I want Mummy! Daddyyy!!!

-------------------------------------------------------

Back at Devil May Cry shop, Dante was trying to explain the situation to Lady and Trish. Meanwhile, Vergil was sat on the sofa in deep silence and still holding Eva's picture.

"Lady, I need to ask you to stay with Kyrie. You need to protect her, I have the feeling if the demon can't control Eva, they might come for her" asked Dante.

"I understand, I will miss the fight though" answered Lady with a sad expression.

Dante put his hands on Lady shoulder and looked at her on the eyes. "I know, but I trust you with this."

"Trish, you're coming with us. You know the underworld better than anyone, and you would help us to discover more about this "shape shifters" demons. I dont think I've encountered many...apart from you". Said Dante carefully.

"There's was a group of them back in the day who worked for Mundu's wife"

Vergil lift his head after hearing this.

"Mundu's wife?" asked Vergil. "How could that be possible? He's a demon as I'm guessing was she?"

"Your father was a demon too and here you are" responded Trish. "Before your father rebelled against Mundus, he had planned to "marry" Belcea and have descendants. They were hoping to have an heir who can rule hell after them, and so on. Made by pure royalty blood. I know, sick..but remember that they are demons after all"

"What happened to her after the rebellion?" Asked Dante.

"I know she was pretty wounded, she disappeared but we were sure she was dead. Otherwise she would have shown her face during these years to seek revenge for killing Mundus"

"I dont like this" said Dante. "What if she did have an heir before her "disappearance"?

Dante looked at his brother. "We need to find Nero. We need to get more information from this".

Vergil, however, had a dark face and suddenly asked "how many years have we been fighting demons, brother?"

Dante didn't expect that question right now but he tried to answer with a confused expression "not sure, brother. More that I can remember"

"You would think that after all this years they would have learned the lesson by now. We are the sons of sparda, the legendary Dark Night. I think we have proved more than enough that we are, if I dare say, even stronger than father. How they still think they can come after us and get away with it? ....whoever is after our family, after us, they will pay. I will make sure that the entire hell watch as I ripped their body parts and hang them around. This is a lesson I'm eager to teach. NEVER. MESS. WITH. US."

Dante looked at his brother and he suddenly felt for a second something he never felt before. Fear. He had never seen his brother like this. Despite all the past encounters and fights they had had, Vergil never showed such cold anger. He looked at his brother and he could see for the first time a glimpse of his father.

"We will get her back brother, we will show these demons who they're messing with since they seem to have forgotten who we are" Dante assured Vergil.

"Well, while you ladies are there holding each other, I got a track of Nero. Morrison send me some letters he had been exchanging with Nico"

Dante and Vergil suddenly realised they were touching each others shoulders and broke in an awkward move.

"So where is he?" Asked Dante shaking away the awkward feeling.

"I've got the coordinates here, we can track them easily. Kyrie was right, they're still around Capulet City but I dont understand why they're still staying there"

"Let's move then before they decide to leave" urged Vergil.

"Alright, let's get all the arms we need first. We dont know yet what kind of demon we're dealing here" said Dante. "We're leaving tonight, I need to call Kyrie as well to let her know we will be heading towards Nero".

Vergil gave Dante a nod with his head but said nothing. Working in a team wasn't his style so he felt a bit awkward and unsure what to do. He was used to be alone and work alone. If it was up to him, he would have left hours ago with just the company of Yamato. But he knew that Nero wouldn't agree to get his help so easily. As much as he hated it, he needed Dante to difuse the situation and make Nero approve his presence.

Ever since they escaped hell, Vergil tried timidly to have some sort of contact with Nero. Whether was through Dante or the shop, he tried at least to have him on the same room. But a couple of months after his return, Nero started to change. He started to get more serious, and it looked like his thoughts were constantly somewhere else. Little he knew that it was all because he was thinking of his family, how to protect them and keep it all as a secret.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Dante asked suddenly, waking Vergil out of his thoughts.

"Talk about what?"

"Do I really need to spell it? You know? You having a kid first..and now having a grandkid.....I know you never talk about Nero's mother and I tried my best not to ask even though I'm dying to know how you..you out of everybody...could bang a woman...and not just a woman..a human female! Shocking! Like how it happened? Or where? Or was it just random? Or was it....?

Vergil had to cut him off because his questions was getting out of line.

"I don't have to give you any explanation, Dante. What I have done or not, is indeed none of your business and I will not degrade myself or Nero's mother to this conversation just so I can satisfy your curiosity" Vergil needed to make clear that he will not talk about Nero's mother with anybody but Nero. He felt he owned him at least that.

"Okay, okay brother...relax, I was just trying to get you to talk about something at least! You've been dangerously quiet after today. That is all"

"I dont know what to tell you. Talking about feelings and ...all of that nonsense...is just not my style. I have a granddaughter and now all I can think about is how we will get her back. She does look a bit like mother, doesnt she?" asked Vergil suddenly.

"Yes, she does. I'm suprised but you have to admit our dna is quite strong, look at that white hair, seems like is gonna last a lot of generations" said Dante laughing.

"Are you not a bit worried about what Kyrie said regarding to her demonic side? I...wasn't expecting it will happen. I didn't even expect Nero will carry it or any future descendants we would have will the time come"

"I'm not gonna lie, brother. That did suprise me, but then again when I met Nero the first time, I knew he was special. When I saw how Yamato reacted on his hands, I realised he was your son but...no offense...he seemed a better version of you, he was full of love and loyalty to Kyrie even though he was just a punk kid back then." Said Dante with a smile. "And you saw how he transformed himself, hell...he even grown an arm back..."

At the mention of the arm, Vergil twicked painfully. He had a big trouble talking about it. He didnt know he was his son, and even if he knew, on the state he was back then...he would have still done it which made him feel ashamed of himself.

" Listen brother, I know we are not the kind of people to talk about this so openly but you need to get your shit together once for all. You're missing the opportunity to know your son, to have a family, to have people who love you to surround you. This is your chance to get that. Don't screw it up chasing something that it will never work. You have been on the road to get power for more time that we can remember, and tell me brother...what did you get out of it? Pain? Emptiness?..."

" Dante, I know what I have to do. I just want Nero to have his daughter back. I dont expect him to forgive me for what I have done. I cant even forget myself, but what is done is done and I can not change the past. His head it's on his daughter right now, so this will not be a good time for us to "talk".

Dante was listening carefully, despite what Vergil said he had other plans in mind. This is the best opportunity for him to redeem himself. He needed to save his brother. He knew if Nero never accepts him, he will lose his brother. He couldn't afford that, not now that he was back and in good terms.

"Alright, time to move. The soon we rescue our granddaughter, the sooner you would be able to "talk" with Nero. Also, we agree that you will be grandpa Vergil and I'll be uncle Dante, yes? I mean no offense, but I think I look way younger than you" said Dante jokingly.

"I'm just older than you by a minute Dante, dont forget that! Plus, you're the one who looks like it's about to make it to his 90th brithday party. The beard...with the white hair?...hmm...not a good combination."

"Are you two done?" asked Trish while rolling her eyes. "Everything is ready, I managed to get a car big enough to get all the guns and swords, and us of course"

"I'm driving!" Said Vergil and Dante at the same time. "Hey, I asked first!" shouted Dante. "I dont care brother, you're out of your mind if you think I will let you drive and get us killed"

" I'M DRIVING so don't make me say it again and get in the car, NOW!! Shouted Trish.

"Alright, Trish..no need to lose it" answered calmly Dante.

" Swear to God, dont make me act like your mother in this trip cause it will be a bit too akward considering you guys are probably older than me. Remember, I "might" look like your mother, but I'm NOT"

They finally managed to be on the way to Nero. They couldnt wait to get Eva back and know once for all, what the hell was going on.

[alj4890]

Chapter 31 Buona Sera

The Royal Romance Fan Fiction (Liam x MC*Riley) (Maxwell x OC*Amanda) (Drake x Olivia) (Hana x Rashad)

These characters are from the amazing writers of Pixelberry's Choices stories: The Royal Romance and Red Carpet Diaries. The only character of my own is Duchess Amanda Bridgerton of House St Orella. 

Masterlist The Other Friend TRR

Chapter 31 summary: It has been a few days since the barn raising and the tour has begun in Italy. Riley tries to talk to Bertrand and has her first meeting with everyone’s favorite countess. Madeleine talks to some of the others, slowly stirring the pot.

Chapter 31

Okay. Deep breath. One more time. I know I have never been a queen before. I've never been to Italy before. I've never been married before. I've never--okay Riley you are horrible at psyching yourself up. Look at the positives. You are married to the love of your life. You are in a beautiful country. You have your friends to support you. Everything will be fine.

Riley checked her appearance in the mirror. Olivia, Hana, and Amanda had come by earlier to help get her ready for the dinner this evening. Olivia had brought a red dress to impress the Italian noble that Riley would be meeting. Hana had helped her learn some phrases in his language as she put her makeup on. Amanda had been quiet through most of the meeting.

As the ladies prepared to leave, Riley asked Amanda to stay behind. "I can tell something's wrong."

Amanda looked away, biting her lip. "Riley, I don't want to burden you. Not with this tour and all."

Riley sat down. "Hey, it's okay. You can tell me. You and Maxwell aren't having any trouble are you?"

Amanda took a seat across from her. "It's Bertrand. Constantine followed through with his threat to Maxwell. Bertrand is beyond angry at him for marrying me instead of bowing down to the king's demand and taking his offer of refilling the Beaumont coffers. I...I don't know how to fix this. Maxwell is trying to hide how much this hurts, but you and I both know he isn't successful at that. I'm afraid of what else might happen. I'm worried that if this does not get resolved then Maxwell will come to resent marrying me. I've tried to speak to Bertrand, but he ignores me and leaves the room each time."

Riley sat there trying to absorb what was going on. She was worried that Constantine would follow through on the rest of his threats. What did he have in store for everyone? Was he only going to attack Maxwell and Amanda?

"Amanda, I will talk to Bertrand and see what is going on."

"No, I can't ask that of you. You have this tour and everything else going on. Plus, you should be enjoying the honeymoon part of this."

Riley smiled and squeezed her hand. "Lucky for you, I happen to be an honorary Beaumont. I love you guys and want to make sure you keep your happy ending."

Amanda hugged her and left to finish getting ready. Riley checked the time. Liam wasn't due back from his meeting for another hour. She decided to try and find Bertrand.

Riley found him sitting at the bar in the club car. He was talking to a lady that she did not recognize. When he saw her approaching, he rose and bowed respectfully. He had a fond twinkle in his eye. "Your majesty," he said with a smile. "How are you this evening?"

"I'm doing well, thank you."

He turned to the lady next to him. "I don't believe you two have met. Queen Riley, this is Countess Madeleine." Madeleine cooly assessed Riley before dropping into a curtsy. Riley smiled. "Good evening Countess, it is nice to meet you."

Madeleine continued her calculated stare. "Yes, I've heard quite a lot about you. It is amazing how one from so common a background has risen to such heights."

Ah, thought Riley. Now I am starting to see what everyone was talking about. Riley turned to Bertrand. "May I have a word with you?"

Bertrand nodded and told Madeleine he would find her later to escort her to dinner. She bowed her head and left for her room.

"What can I do for you?" He inquired.

"Bertrand, did something happen between you and Maxwell?"

His genial expression hardened. He sneered. "Did something happen? Only the most important thing happened. Maxwell had the chance to regain our fortune. I do not regret you becoming queen per say, but he should not have defied the king. He purposely chose to marry and not even attempt to save our legacy. And that... woman he married! She refused to do her duty. The people and her king wanted her to marry Liam. And she did not do as she was supposed to! She enticed my brother with her ways to turn his back on me. His own flesh and blood! They are both a disgrace to the Beaumont name!"

"Bertrand! They were following what Lord Nicholas had wanted. They were bound by that contract, just as much as Liam and Drake. Maxwell and Amanda love each other. Surely you do not--"

"Love! Bah! They could have still been together If she had married Liam. The King Father had made plans for such and shared such with them. They refused to think of anyone but themselves. I want nothing more to do with either one."

Riley stood there in shock at his disgust. "Bertrand, please try and see it from their point of view. They have been in love with each other for years. Liam and I could not have been together without them. Please don't lose your family over this."

"Father always said you have to put your duty above all others. Maxwell chose his path. Now he must deal with the consequences." Bertrand gives her another bow and walks away. She stood there for a few moments wondering what just happened.

Liam walked up behind her. "Good evening, my love". She turned to receive his kiss. "Wow, that dress is...wow." She laughed and kissed him again.

"Was that Bertrand you were talking to?"

Riley shared what Amanda and Bertrand said. "Liam, what are we going to do? Is your father planning on coming tonight?"

Liam had to fight to keep calm. He had expected his father to strike again. He thought though that it would be towards himself instead of his friends."We will figure something out. My father and Regina have another engagement this evening. At least we will have a reprieve. For now, we should make our way to dinner. I can't wait to show you off to Italy."

Drake and Olivia were looking at the nobles mingling, while waiting on their drinks at the bar. "I've got to say, I had a hard time keeping a straight face when you told that Italian lord what you really thought of his home during dinner."

Olivia grinned. "He just wanted us to keep inflating his ego. Someone had to pop it. I'm not going to sit and coddle him." Drake handed her a drink and clinked his glass against hers. "Here's to more popping."

Madeleine walked up to them. "Well, well, well. Don't you two look cozy?"

Drake shared a look with Olivia. Her lips smirked, "Drake, did you catch a repulsive aroma of sulfur just then?" He chuckled and sipped his whiskey.

Madeleine's eyes narrowed. "Olivia, I'm surprised to see you so chummy with the man who has insulted you through the years. It's very interesting. Is this a new way of getting your revenge? Lead him on to end it with humiliation?"

Olivia's eyes flashed with hatered. Drake gently put his hand on her shoulder. "Come on Liv, let's go find someone decent to talk to." She looked into his eyes, and he saw her fight to calm down. She brushed past Madeleine with her hand in his. Madeleine watched them go with an intrigued smile.

Rashad was waiting on Hana. She wanted to talk to Riley about an idea for an event during the tour. He had let her go without him so he could complete a call to his business partner, Wiliam. He was quite content to stand there across the room from her. His eyes touched on so many things that made her, well, her.

She would gently push some of her hair behind her ear whenever she was planning something or talking serious. He watched her smile bloom and could hear the music in her laughter. He was falling so hard for her. Even William noticed a difference in his voice recently. He was happy. He had been trying to take things slow with her, but all he wanted to do was go fast.

She glanced over at him and gave a sweet smile. He winked back at her. He loved the blush that stained her cheeks. He loved that she shyly winked back. As he was in this blissful state, Madeleine came up beside him. "Good evening your grace."

"Countess Madeleine."

"I see that Lady Hana has caught your attention. Such a pity."

Rashad knew he should ignore her, but he could not stop from asking. "What's a pity?"

"Oh, just that she is the kind of lady to agree to an engagement, then break the poor man's heart a few days before the wedding. It is all over the U.K. how she did the Earl of Renthorpe so badly with that stunt. He was simply devastated by her false promises. I would hate to see someone like you go through that. You've already been through so much."

Rashad stood there in anger and irritation. Not at Hana, but at Madeleine for making him think and doubt any part of her. Hana had previously shared how her relationship with the Earl went. He trusted her. He was falling in love with her. He knew the risks. He needed to get away from Madeleine. He bowed his head and walked away. Madeleine watched him leave the room and saw Hana's worried expression.

Amanda stood alone, looking out over Venice from the balcony of the restaurant. She needed a break from having to pretend that she was happy and that she didn't notice her husband's unhappiness. The dinner had been difficult to get through. Each time Maxwell and Bertrand were near each other, the coldness and snide remarks happened.

She sighed and leaned against the railing. It's only going to get worse, she thought. Amanda turned when she heard footsteps behind her. Well. It's official. I'm a psychic, she thought. Looks like the worst is coming my way.

Madeleine walked over to Amanda. "Good evening, Amanda. I haven't seen you in a long time. The way things were going, I thought you would stay in California."

"I never intended to move there. I was only helping Thomas Hunt adapt my novel."

"Hmm. Perhaps it would have been better if you had remained there. I know it would have been better on poor Bertrand and Maxwell. It would devastate me if I was the cause of brothers hating each other. Then to let down the people of Cordonia after winning their hearts. You are by far stronger than I am to be able to do all that and still be cheerful."

Amanda knew Madeleine was trying to make her feel awful, but she had thought of most of that already. She was tormented with wondering if it would have been better if she had decided to stay in California. She could have nullified her uncle's contract by marrying someone like Ryan. Had she been selfish in trying to win Maxwell and then marrying him?

Madeleine cut her peridot eyes at Amanda. "I don't know how you are able to face Maxwell everyday knowing it is because of you he has lost his only family member. Why, if I-"

"That's enough Madeleine! You will not speak to my wife like that again! Do you understand me?"

Amanda turned in surprise to see Maxwell standing there with his fists clinched. Madeleine turned to simper to him. "Maxwell, I want to help you and your brother heal your relationship. With Amanda as your wife, you need help. I would never-"

"Do you ever know when to shut the hell up?! Get out of here, bitch! No one wants you around."

Madeleine stiffened. "Oh someone does want me. He just wants nothing to do with the two of you." She walked past him to go back inside.

Maxwell took the last few steps to Amanda. He was slightly shaking with anger. He gently cupped her face. "Are you okay? Why didn't you tell her to leave you alone? If I had known you were not going to come back at her, I would have jumped in sooner."

Amanda pulled back and faced the the city. "I don't know why. I was...what she said is basically true. Things might be better for you if I had not returned. It kills me that I can't fix this for you. Knowing I am the cause of--"

Maxwell interrupted her. "Constantine is the cause of all of this! Bertrand has his head so far up his own 'name loving' ass, that he can't see anything else. If you had decided to stay in California, I would have come after you. I was already toying with the idea before you told me you were coming back."

He placed his finger under Amanda's chin to turn her face to his. "I have never at any point felt that you were the cause of anything bad in my life. You are the best thing to happen to me. You were the one dream I had. I don't ever want to see you allowing Madeleine or Bertrand or anyone ever talk to you like that again!"

He wrapped his arms around her. Her eyes met his. All she could see was love. She kissed him. "Thank you, my love, for defending me."

He smiled and kissed her. "Anytime.” As he his hands moved soothingly up and down her back, his mind began to think of something more pleasant to end the night on.

“Hey.”

"Hey to you too."

"I just had an idea."

"Okay. What is it?"

"Amanda, we need to get to our room. Now."

"Why?"

"You never had a bachelorette party."

Amanda feels her heart race at the way he is looking at her. She grins at his playfulness. "Do I get a private dancer for this?" He nods and gives her a slow wink. "Then lead the way, my Lord."

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