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seriiousgiirl · 6 months ago

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𝐼𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ݁𝒿𝒶𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝓈𝓊𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓍 𝓉𝑒𝒶𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓇!𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇.⊹ ₊ ݁.

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓃𝓉 . ⊹ ₊ ݁. alternate universe - canon divergence, post-silent Hill 2, angst and fluff and smut, touch-starved, redemption, grief, mourning, psychological trauma and horror, mutual pining, James adopted Laura, age difference, smut, vaginal sex, rough sex, rough kissing, aftercare, daddy kink, James deserves his happy ending, James is desperate and pathetic, based on the Silent Hill Games and mostly the remake

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ 𝓈𝓊𝓂𝓂𝒶𝓇𝓎 . ⊹ ₊ ݁. Three years after the harrowing events in Silent Hill, James Sunderland has survived the haunting memories of his past but carries the heavy burden of grief and guilt. Adopting Laura, James strives to create a normal life for them both, but the echoes of his former life linger, haunting him in moments of solitude.

As he navigates the challenges of fatherhood and a corporate job, James grapples with PTSD and the lingering shadows of his late wife, Mary. His daily interactions are fraught with anxiety, especially when it comes to Laura's teacher, Y/n. Young, vibrant, and filled with warmth. But as Y/n becomes an unexpected source of comfort and tension in James's life. He is drawn to her kindness and beauty, yet he feels undeserving of her attention, burdened by the ghosts of his past.

When Y/n reaches out with genuine concern for James's well-being, he wrestles with feelings of guilt, lust and longing, torn between the desire for connection and the fear of betraying Mary's memory. As James's pent-up frustrations bubble to the surface, he finds himself navigating a complicated emotional landscape where love, loss, and redemption intertwine.

❛ Part 2 ⋅ masterlist ⋅ ao3 ⋅ requests ❜

➜ ┊ a/n: Hello everyone! After years of being more or less in the Silent Hill fandom, the remake rather inspired me... :') After seeing how cute James is in it, I felt like I was rediscovering his character. The story is a bit different from what we usually see, but I hope it will appeal to the (few, I don't think many would be interested in a silent hill fanfic) people who read it.

➜ ┊: chapter 1/?.

James woke up again, his body snapping upright in bed, his breath ragged and uneven as if he had just surfaced from drowning. His chest rose and fell with frantic breaths that refused to calm, his heart hammering against his ribcage like a prisoner desperate to escape. The room around him was silent, still, and blanketed in shadows, the faintest silver glow of the moon seeping through the thin, worn curtains. It painted his surroundings in an eerie light, enough to make out the vague shapes of his furniture but not enough to chase away the weight of the darkness.

He knew it was early—much too early. The alarm on his nightstand wouldn’t go off for hours, not until the unforgiving numbers clicked over to 7 a.m. He set it religiously, every night, clinging to the hope that one day he’d wake naturally to the sound, as if that simple act could restore some semblance of normalcy to his broken life.

But that never happened.

James never woke peacefully anymore. His body, his mind, refused to grant him that mercy. Instead, he jolted awake in a cold sweat, his body rigid, his pulse racing. Each time, it felt as though he was being pulled from some unseen nightmare—ripped out of a hellish dreamscape that he couldn’t remember clearly but always left its mark. The fear, the panic, the suffocating sense of dread stayed with him, lingering like smoke in the air long after his eyes had adjusted to the dim glow of his bedroom.

He pressed his palm against his face, wiping away the sheen of sweat that clung to his skin. His body felt tense, coiled like a spring that had been wound too tightly. His muscles ached from the constant strain, from the battles he fought every night within the confines of his mind. The nightmares weren’t just dreams. They were fragments of a past that refused to stay buried, haunting him in the dead of night when the world outside was quiet and his mind had no distractions to keep the demons at bay.

The medication bottles on his bedside table gleamed faintly in the moonlight, their labels worn from use. He reached for them out of habit, his fingers brushing the cool surface, but he didn’t open them. No matter how many pills he swallowed, how many prescriptions doctors wrote, nothing ever worked. Sleep was supposed to be a sanctuary, a refuge from the waking world, but for James, it had become another battleground.

He let his hand drop back to his lap, staring down at his shaking fingers. He could feel the tension still coursing through him, the residue of whatever nightmare had dragged him awake. His body hadn’t yet realised he was safe, that it was just a dream, and the adrenaline still pumped through his veins. Every night, it was the same—this restless terror that clung to him, trapping him in a cycle he couldn’t escape. He longed for sleep, yet feared it in equal measure, knowing that the darkness of his subconscious held more horrors than the light of day ever could.

For a moment, he considered lying back down, closing his eyes, and trying again.

But the thought alone made his stomach twist.

With a sigh, James decided to give up on sleep altogether. There was no use lying there, waiting for his heart to calm down or for the remnants of his nightmare to fade. His legs still trembled as he swung them over the side of the bed, the cool floor beneath him grounding him just enough to pull himself up. The shadows in the room seemed to shift as he stood, though he knew it was his mind playing tricks again. He had long stopped trusting the darkness.

He moved carefully, trying to stay silent as he made his way to the door, not wanting to wake Laura. She was the only constant in his life now, the only reason he hadn’t completely unravelled. But even the thought of her, sleeping peacefully down the hall, wasn’t enough to ease the tremor in his hands. As he stepped out of the bedroom, the familiar creak of the floorboards echoed too loud in the silence of the house, and for a fleeting moment, his breath hitched.

Sometimes, in these quiet hours, he could swear he heard them—the monsters. That same sickening creaking sound they made, their grotesque forms dragging across the cold. Or worse, the heavy, slow scrap of metal—a blade being dragged along the ground. His body tensed, instinctively waiting for the ominous presence of that thing— he came to call Pyramid Head. He hadn’t seen it in three years, but its presence still lingered, like a ghost lurking in the corners of his mind. His chest tightened as he imagined that scraping sound growing closer, louder, but he knew… or at least, he tried to convince himself it wasn’t real. Not anymore.

On the worst days, though, it wasn’t just the monsters.

Sometimes, he would hear her—Mary. Her voice, soft and sweet, like the Mary he remembered before everything went wrong, calling out to him. It always started the same way, a gentle whisper at first, like she was in the next room, waiting for him. And each time, it grew louder, more urgent, until it was a siren’s call, relentless and cruel. It was enough to make his heart stop, to make him question everything, and then he’d remember—he knew where that call would lead. Straight into oblivion. Straight into the abyss of his own guilt.

On other nights, he could swear he felt Maria—her warmth next to him in bed, the way her body would press against his. It was so vivid, so painfully real, as though she hadn’t died in his arms multiple times, as though Silent Hill hadn’t swallowed her whole. She had been a ghost, a reflection of everything he had lost, and yet… sometimes she felt alive in those moments. His doctors told him it was all hallucinations, the remnants of trauma deeply embedded in his mind. Certified and explained away in clinical terms, but knowing that didn’t change how real it felt in those fleeting, terrifying seconds.

Even now, as he stood in the hallway, his breath uneven, James couldn’t shake the feeling that somewhere—beneath the layers of his fragile reality—the horrors were still there, watching, waiting.

James padded quietly into the kitchen, his bare feet brushing against the cool tiles as he reached for a glass. The water flowed smoothly from the tap, cool and refreshing, and he drank it straight, the crispness washing over him. It helped clear his mind, if only for a moment, pushing back the lingering echoes of the night’s terrors.

After finishing the glass, he flicked on the small lamp in the living room, its soft glow spilling light across the space, chasing away the oppressive darkness. He made his way to the couch, settling himself in front of the window, where the city still lay shrouded in early morning silence. Outside, the world was just beginning to stir, but here in this moment, everything felt suspended in time.

They had moved far away from Silent Hill, away from Maine altogether, as if he was still trying to escape the town’s haunting pull. When Laura had expressed her desire for a place near the coast, saying she wanted to feel the warmth of the sun and breathe in the salty scent of the ocean, he had obliged her wishes. It was the least he could do for the little girl who had become his lifeline, the one bright spot in his otherwise dark world. It had taken time, but he had learned to appreciate the small things—like the sound of waves crashing against the shore and the way the sunlight danced on the water’s surface.

He pulled his journal from the side table, the worn leather cover familiar against his fingers. The pages were filled with thoughts, memories, and an ongoing dialogue with himself—one that his doctor had encouraged. Writing was meant to help him sort through his feelings, to separate reality from the nightmares that still clung to him like shadows. It was a way to document the moments that felt tangible, grounding him in the present.

With the pen poised above the page, he took a deep breath, letting the silence of the morning wrap around him.

Date: [XX/10/1993]

Another night of waking up in a cold sweat. The dreams feel heavier lately, more vivid. I can still hear Mary’s voice sometimes, like she’s calling out to me. I know it’s not real, but the longing… It’s hard to escape. I need to remember that I’m here now. That I have Laura. She needs me to be present. I need to plan my day—take her to the beach, show her the tide pools, maybe? She deserves to explore, to laugh, to feel alive. Maybe it will help me too.

James paused, staring at the words he’d just written. The ink was still wet, and he felt the weight of each line pressing against his chest, a mixture of hope and dread swirling within him.

He continued, allowing his thoughts to flow onto the page.

I’ve been thinking about the way the ocean looks at dawn. It’s a beautiful sight, the horizon slowly illuminated by the first light of day. I want to share that with Laura. She deserves to see the world as it is. Maybe if I can show her that, it’ll help me remember what it feels like to be alive, too.

He turned the page, feeling the familiar texture beneath his fingertips, grounding him in a moment that felt too fragile. The nightmares are starting to blur again. It’s like I’m drifting between memories and dreams. I know I should talk to Dr. Fischer about it, but I hate feeling so exposed. Every time I sit across from him, it’s like peeling back layers of skin. I don’t want to keep reliving the past, but I also know I can’t pretend it doesn’t exist. It’s a part of me now—part of what makes me who I am.

But sometimes, I wonder if I’m doing enough. If I’m enough. Laura is so full of life—she deserves happiness, yet I feel like a ghost in my own home. The laughter that fills this place is often followed by a silence that weighs heavily on me, as if I’m a spectator in my own life, watching a play where I don’t belong.

He paused, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment, fighting against the swell of loneliness that threatened to overwhelm him.

Some days, I can still hear Mary’s laughter, the way it used to light up the room, but now it’s a whisper in the wind. I wish I could reach out to her, ask her for forgiveness, tell her how much I miss her. But she’s gone, and I’m left with nothing but my guilt and the memories that won’t let me go. It’s a bitter irony—I have another chance at life with Laura, yet I feel more alone than ever.

I thought time would heal me, that the scars would fade, but each day feels like a new reminder of what I’ve lost. I watch Laura play, her laughter cutting through the silence, and it fills me with joy and pain all at once. I want to protect her, to shield her from the darkness I carry. But how can I do that when I’m still fighting my own battles?

Anyway, plan for today: Take Laura to the beach, explore the tide pools, and have a picnic.

As he continued to write, the rhythm of his thoughts began to settle, the initial chaos giving way to clarity. He documented everything he hoped to achieve that day, the things that could distract him.

After some time, the soft patter of small feet echoed in the hallway, and Laura emerged from her room, her hair tousled and her eyes still heavy with sleep. She settled next to James on the couch, curling her legs beneath her as she leaned against his shoulder, still waking up.

“Did you even sleep at all?” she mumbled, her voice thick with the remnants of slumber.

James chuckled softly, the sound warm and gentle. “Just a little. You know how it is,” he replied, glancing down at her. The early morning light filtered through the window, illuminating her features and casting a soft glow around them.

“Not again,” Laura sighed, shaking her head in mock exasperation. “You should really take better care of yourself, you know.”

James smiled, closing his journal and setting it aside, feeling the comforting weight of their shared silence. His relationship with Laura had evolved significantly since that first day they met. In the beginning, there was an undeniable tension, a wall between them built from grief and uncertainty. Laura had been sharp-tongued and defiant, often testing his patience with her stubbornness. But over time, that wall had crumbled, brick by brick, revealing a bond that had become more profound and genuine.

“Maybe I just like the quiet,” he teased, nudging her lightly with his shoulder. “It gives me time to think.”

Laura rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. “Yeah, right. More like you spend it worrying about everything,” she shot back, her familiar sass coming through. But he could sense the softness in her demeanour, the way she had begun to let him in, and it filled him with gratitude.

There were still moments when she wouldn’t call him “Dad”—it felt too heavy, too final—but there had been instances where the word slipped out, once or twice. The first time he had felt a rush of warmth and something almost like fear at her words. It had caught him off guard, pulling at his heartstrings in a way he hadn’t expected. It was one night after a particularly rough day at school.

The kids had been relentless, and when she had come home, her eyes glistened with unshed tears. She had cried so much that night, seeking solace in his arms, and in that moment of vulnerability, she had whispered it—Dad—like it was a fragile promise, something she wanted to believe in.

He had held her tightly, whispering reassurances as she poured out her heart. It was one of the hardest days for both of them, but that single word had changed everything, reinforcing their bond in ways he never thought possible.

The shrill sound of James’s alarm cut through the quiet morning, signalling that it was finally 7 a.m. He groaned softly, the sudden noise pulling him from the lingering remnants of his thoughts. “Time to get moving,” he muttered to himself before swinging his legs off the couch and standing up.

“Laura,” he called out gently, “you need to get ready for school.”

Laura groaned but slowly pushed herself upright, her hair sticking up in tousled spikes. “Do I have to?” she whined, rubbing her eyes.

“Yes, you do,” James replied with a chuckle, heading into the kitchen to start breakfast. He could already hear her muttering under her breath as she dragged herself away from the comfort of the couch, but he couldn’t help but smile at her antics. As he prepared breakfast, the scent of eggs and toast filled the air, mixing with the cool October breeze that slipped in through the slightly ajar window.

He could hear the soft shuffle of Laura getting ready in the background, her footsteps echoing through the hallway.

When breakfast was ready, he set the table, placing a plate in front of her just as she joined him. They ate together in comfortable silence, the clinking of forks the only sound between them for a few moments.

“So, there’s this kid in class…” Laura began, her voice a mix of enthusiasm and worry. As she recounted her stories, James listened attentively, nodding along as she shared her concerns about a class project and the kids who were teasing her again. She spoke with an earnestness that made him proud, she was a smart little girl.

“...and I do think the teacher likes me a lot,” she finished, her voice dropping slightly, smiling shyly.

James reached across the table, placing a comforting hand on hers. “You’re doing great, Laura. I’m so proud of you,” he encouraged, hoping to convey his support.

Once they finished breakfast, he cleared the table while she dashed back to her room to grab her backpack. The familiar morning routine helped ground him, a stark contrast to the chaos that often filled his mind.

Then, James returned to his room, feeling the familiar weight of his thoughts returning. He turned on the water for a shower, the warm spray washing over him, almost as if he were trying to cleanse himself of his sins and guilt. Each droplet felt like it could wash away a little more of his guilt, his pain, and his memories.

After his shower, he stood in front of the mirror, towel drying his ash-blond hair and tidying it up, shaving his stubble. The cold air from outside seeped through the window, sending a shiver down his spine as he dressed for the day. He pulled on a simple shirt and jeans.

But as James stood in front of his closet, the morning light filtering through the curtains, his gaze fell upon his signature khaki jacket hanging quietly amidst his other clothes. For a moment, he hesitated, his heart tightening.

The jacket felt heavy with the weight of the past. He recalled the feel of it against his skin as he navigated the fog-laden streets, the chill of the air contrasting sharply with the warmth it provided. It had shielded him from the elements, yes, but it had also cloaked him in the pain of his choices, the guilt that clung to him like a second skin.

James swallowed hard, staring at the jacket, the muted fabric whispering secrets of the past. He could almost hear the echoes of Mary’s voice, feel the pang of loss that accompanied every memory. It was as if the jacket was tainted, infused with the blood and tears of that time—but also her scent, her warmth and gentle touch.

Perhaps… Today, he could indulge himself.

He took a deep breath, fighting against the swell of anxiety that rose within him. This jacket is just a piece of clothing, James, he reminded himself, yet it felt like so much more. With a decisive moment, he pulled it from the hanger and slipped it on, the familiar weight settling comfortably on his shoulders.

James looked at himself in the mirror, the reflection staring back at him was a man still fighting battles. With a shameful sigh, he adjusted the collar, feeling the jacket’s fabric against his skin. When he stepped outside, the brisk October wind greeted him, a sharp contrast to the warmth inside.

Laura stood at the door, a look of surprise mixed with concern crossing her face.

“Why are you still wearing that jacket?” she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she gestured to the fabric. “You know… after everything that happened in...” She couldn’t bring herself to say the name of the haunting town.

James shrugged, a faint smile creeping onto his face. “I still like it. It’s comfortable.”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a grin. “You’re so weird, James,” she teased, nudging him with her shoulder as they made their way down the path toward the car.

“Weird or not, let’s get you to school on time little girl,” he said, his tone quite firm. Together, they stepped into the brisk morning air, ready to face whatever the day had in store.

‧───────────────

Dropping Laura off at school had become a routine, but for James, it was anything but simple. As they approached the bustling entrance, he felt a familiar tightening in his chest, a sense of dread creeping over him like a heavy fog. It wasn’t the school itself or the noise of children chattering and laughing; it was the attention he attracted.

In a small town where traditional family structures were the norm, a single father with a daughter who didn’t even remotely resemble him stood out like a sore thumb. James had chosen to keep his past private, and he was grateful that Laura’s adoption remained a secret. He avoided any conversations that might lead to questions about their relationship or as to why he was alone, fearing the scrutiny that came with revealing the truth. After all, in the eyes of the world, he was just a man dropping off his daughter, and that was how he wanted it to stay.

As they parked and stepped out of the car, the sun shone brightly, but it felt cold against his skin. He could already sense the gazes of the mothers lingering on him as he helped Laura with her backpack. Their eyes were sharp, curious, sizing him up like sharks circling prey, ready to pounce at the slightest sign of vulnerability. James kept his head down, focusing on Laura as she adjusted her straps and prepared to head inside.

“Have a good day, okay?” he said, forcing a smile as she turned to him, her enthusiasm bubbling over as she waved goodbye.

“Bye, James!” she called, her voice full of cheer as she dashed toward the school gates, her ponytail swinging behind her.

With her back turned, James felt the full weight of the mothers’ stares. He could almost hear the whispers beneath their breath, speculating about him—why he was alone, where Laura’s mother was, and why they didn’t look alike. It was all too easy to imagine the conclusions they would jump to, and he wanted no part of it.

Every step he took toward his car felt like walking through a minefield. He avoided eye contact at all costs, keeping his gaze fixed on the ground as he navigated through the throngs of parents and children. Conversations buzzed around him, but he focused solely on his breathing, trying to ignore the anxiety tightening around his chest.

As he passed a small group of mothers standing near the entrance, he couldn’t help but catch snippets of their conversations, even as he tried to block them out.

“Did you see him? He looks so sad,” one of them whispered, her voice dripping with faux concern. “Who could leave such a handsome man alone?”

James felt a familiar flush creep up his neck, a mix of embarrassment and irritation. He quickened his pace, but their comments followed him like shadows.

“I know, right? A single father is so sexy,” another chimed in. “I wish my husband was as committed to our son’s school life.”

He clenched his jaw, biting back a retort. The last thing he wanted was to be part of their gossip, yet he was helpless against the words that floated through the air like smoke. Each compliment felt like a reminder of everything he wanted to avoid—attention, scrutiny, and the inevitable questions.

As he reached the edge of the parking lot, he heard another mother say, “I heard there’s a parents-teacher meeting tonight. Can you imagine? He’ll probably be all alone again. It’s such a shame.”

The words hit him like a cold slap, and he paused, taking a moment to gather himself. The thought of attending the meeting, sent a fresh wave of anxiety crashing over him. Why did they have to bring that up now?

He finally reached his car, fumbling for his keys in his pocket as he tried to push the whispers from his mind. The weight of judgement lingered in the air, but he didn’t look back. He slipped into the driver’s seat, exhaling slowly as he gripped the steering wheel. “Just another day,” he murmured to himself, willing his heart to calm.

James had avoided women religiously since he came back, erecting barriers around himself that felt both protective and suffocating. The loss of Mary had left a gaping hole in his heart, one that he couldn’t bear to fill with anyone else. Allowing himself to indulge in the warmth of another felt like an insult to her memory.

In the years following her death, he had retreated into himself, building walls high enough to keep the world—and the painful reminders of his past—at bay. He threw himself into fatherhood, pouring all his energy into raising Laura and ensuring she felt loved and secure. She was his anchor, the one bright spot in the dark fog of his grief. Yet, in avoiding connections with women, he had inadvertently created a deep well of pent-up frustrations within himself—frustrations that simmered just beneath the surface, threatening to boil over at any moment.

Every time he caught himself looking at a woman, whether it was a fleeting glance at a passerby or—especially a longer gaze at Laura’s teacher during a school event, he felt a wave of guilt wash over him. What am I doing? He would ask himself, immediately diverting his eyes, as if the very act of looking was a betrayal of the love he once held dear. He had convinced himself that he wasn’t ready to move forward, but in truth, he was terrified of what that would mean.

In the quiet moments, when he was alone with his thoughts, he couldn’t help but acknowledge the weight of his solitude. The nights grew long and lonely, and sometimes he found himself longing for the comfort of another person—a hand to hold, a voice to soothe him.

But the thought of crossing that line felt insurmountable, like stepping onto a precipice with no way back. He often wondered if this self-imposed exile was healthy or just a way of avoiding the inevitable. Deep down, he knew that if he ever did let someone in, it would come with a torrent of emotions he wasn’t prepared to face—the guilt, the grief, and the fear of moving on without forgetting.

Sometimes, when the darkness of the night enveloped him and the oppressive solitude weighed heavily upon his chest, James found himself struggling to resist his deepest, most shameful urges. Alone in the dim light of his bedroom, the air thick with silence, he would reach for the only source of warmth he had left—his own body.

But every time he started to jerk himself, trying to think about anyone other than Mary, he would falter. His thoughts would slip, no matter how hard he tried to redirect them. The moment he ventured into the realm of fantasy, attempting to conjure images of the warmth he longed for, his mind would betray him. Instead of the embrace of another, he would see Mary’s face—her soft smile, the way her eyes sparkled with mischief, the lightness in her laughter that had once filled their home. The memory of her enveloped him, suffocating and punishing him in its intensity, and he would feel a deep-seated shame clawing at his insides.

But jerking off while thinking about his dead wife, the one he had killed, felt utterly wrong.

With a trembling hand, he'd stroke his hardening cock, trying to drown out the memories that haunted him. But no matter how hard he tried to push them away, they always crept back in, taking over his mind and filling him with an overwhelming sense of guilt. Images of Mary would flood his vision, her soft smile and sparkling eyes etched into his mind, along with the lightness of her laughter that once filled their home.

As he stroked faster, his breaths coming in ragged gasps, he could feel the pressure building inside him. But just as he was about to reach the edge of ecstasy, he would see her face again, and the guilt would consume him. How could he possibly find pleasure in this, knowing what he had done to her?

The guilt was overwhelming, flooding his senses as he would try to push it all away, but it clung to him like a shadow. Tears would fill his eyes, hot and stinging, blurring his vision as the shame washed over him. He would cry, feeling pathetic and broken, as if indulging in his own body was another betrayal on a long list he had made in his mind. How could I even think of anyone else? He would chastise himself, the guilt wrapping around his heart like a vice, squeezing tighter until it became unbearable.

Knowing that he could never truly find solace in this act, James would eventually release his warm cum spilling onto his hand and stomach. But even in the aftermath of his orgasm, the guilt remained, and he would lie there, spent and broken, wondering how he could ever redeem himself.

It was a cycle of longing and despair that left him feeling more isolated than before. He would swipe at his tears, but they would keep coming, relentless and unyielding. The echoes of his cries seemed to linger in the air, a haunting reminder that he was still trapped in a cycle of grief that he could never escape…

‧───────────────

The day had finally drawn to a close, and the muted hum of office chatter began to fade as the fluorescent lights overhead flickered in their final moments. James gathered his belongings, the familiar weight of his briefcase resting heavily in his hand. The corporate world had wrapped around him like a well-worn coat, the same job he had held before, one that felt both calming and predictable.

It paid well enough to keep the bills at bay and provided a stable life for him and Laura, allowing him to indulge her little whims—the occasional treat, a new book or doll, or even a day out at the beach.

As he waved goodbye to his coworkers, offering polite smiles and half-hearted chuckles, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of isolation. Their lives seemed so vibrant, filled with laughter and casual conversations about weekend plans, while he felt like an outsider peering in. Part of him wished he could simply slip away unnoticed, disappearing into the anonymity of the evening. But the thought of the upcoming parent-teacher meeting loomed over him like a dark cloud, the spectre of his insecurities rising to the surface.

What if Laura’s teacher had concerns about her progress? What if she brought up issues he was completely unaware of? The prospect of engaging in a discussion that could highlight his shortcomings as a parent filled him with an unfamiliar anxiety. He recalled how he had struggled to help her with her homework due to his absent mind, the frustration evident in both their faces as they would argue over James’ implications. Laura would always end up saying that she wished she had a better family…

As he walked through the now empty parking lot, James’s mind drifted to the scenario of the meeting. Maybe it was a bit late, and he secretly hoped Laura’s teacher wouldn’t want to linger past the working usual hour to talk with him. He envisioned himself slipping away, feigning an urgent call or an unforeseen obligation, but guilt gnawed at him, tugging at his conscience.

He couldn’t let Laura down; she had come to rely on him, and he owed it to her to at least try.

“Just get through it,” he muttered to himself, shaking his head as if to clear the impending doubts swirling in his mind. The crisp October air washed over him like a cleansing wave, invigorating him for just a moment. Inhaling deeply, he felt the coolness slice through the tension that had built up in his chest throughout the day, if only temporarily.

Sliding into the driver’s seat of his ageing car, he turned the key in the ignition, the familiar rumble reassuring him, if only slightly. He glanced at the clock on the dashboard; he still had a little time before he needed to pick Laura up from school. As he drove toward the school, the streets blurred by in a rush of colors, and he allowed himself to mentally prepare for the meeting.

Maybe he could muster enough courage by the time he arrived, but deep down, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that this meeting would push him closer to confronting the ghosts of his past—something he had been desperately trying to avoid.

Thoughts of Mary flitted through his mind, uninvited yet persistent. What would she think of him now? Would she be proud of how he was trying to raise Laura, or would she shake her head in disappointment? These questions haunted him as he navigated the familiar streets. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, trying to steady the whirlwind of emotions roiling within him.

The school building came into view, and he parked in a spot near the entrance. As he sat there for a moment, staring at the looming structure that housed his daughter’s daily adventures. With a deep breath, he pushed open the car door, stepping out into the cool evening air.

As he approached the entrance, he reminded himself that this was part of the job of being a parent—a role he was still desperately trying to fully embrace. After all, it was true she deserved more than a father lost in his own grief.

As he approached the school gate, he spotted her standing there, the last child waiting to be picked up. His heart sank at the sight; he had hoped to arrive earlier, to be there for her when the final bell rang. A wave of guilt washed over him, but when Laura turned and her face lit up with a smile, that guilt was momentarily pushed aside.

At least she wasn’t angry.

“James!” she called out, her voice bright and cheerful, as she stretched out her hand toward him. He could see a small backpack slung over her shoulder, and his heart swelled at how she looked—so much like a little girl embracing the world, unbothered by the worries that often plagued him.

“Hey,” he replied, kneeling slightly to take her small hand in his.

As he thanked the school attendant, a friendly woman with kind eyes who had watched over Laura, he glanced around, hoping to catch a glimpse of her teacher. He didn’t see anyone lingering by the entrance, and a relieved sigh escaped him. Perhaps she had decided to leave, not waiting for him to discuss whatever concerns she may have had about Laura. That was one less thing for him to handle, and he felt a slight weight lift off his shoulders.

“Let’s go home, shall we?” he suggested, his tone light as he turned to lead Laura away. The sight of her eager nod and bright smile made his heart feel lighter, even if just for a moment. He began to walk toward the car, feeling a sense of normalcy return to him—until a soft voice called out behind him.

“Mr. Sunderland!”

Here’s an expansion on James' perception of you:

James turned, the sound of your voice pulling him back from his thoughts. You were striding toward him, your expression a mix of determination and urgency, the late afternoon light catching in your soft hair.

There was something striking about your presence that always made his heart race, even amidst the rising anxiety he felt at these interactions. It was as if you carried a warmth with you, an energy that seemed to radiate in the space around you, igniting a flicker of something long dormant within him.

“I was just about to leave,” you said, a hint of breathlessness in your tone as you approached. “I wanted to talk to you before you went. Is this a good time?” You looked unsure.

James glanced at Laura, who was watching the exchange with curious eyes. He felt the familiar knot of anxiety twist in his stomach but nodded, trying to mask his apprehension with a calm demeanour. “Sure, I have a moment.”

“Laura’s been doing really well, by the way,” you continued, your voice lightening as you spoke about his daughter. “She’s incredibly bright and has made some good friends this semester. I’m really proud of her progress.”

James felt a flicker of warmth at your praise. He was grateful to see Laura thriving, especially after the rough patches they had navigated together. “Thank you. I know she’s been working hard,” he replied, glancing down at her, who was beaming at your words.

“But…” you paused, your tone shifting slightly. “There are some areas where she might need a bit more support. I think if we work together, we can help her really shine.”

James felt a wave of gratitude and unease wash over him. While he wanted to support Laura, the idea of deeper involvement with her teaching felt daunting. “What do you suggest?”

Your eyes met his, and he felt a strange mix of comfort and vulnerability in that gaze. You began outlining a few ideas, your passion for teaching evident in your animated gestures. He found himself hanging on your words, drawn in by the way you spoke.

As you began to speak about Laura’s progress, he couldn't help but take in the little details—the way your eyes sparkled when you talked about the kids, the way your hands moved animatedly as you explained your thoughts, and the curve of your soft pink lips. It struck him how youthful and beautiful you looked, filled with a vibrancy that he found both comforting and terrifying.

He had known you for years since Laura started school, but he had always kept his distance, avoiding lingering too long in your presence. Every encounter felt like a double-edged sword; he wanted to connect, to know you better, but the fear of what that meant held him back. Your passion for teaching shone through, and it was evident that you genuinely cared for each child, especially his daughter.

Yet, for James, that made you all the more dangerous. It was a kind of warmth that he couldn’t dare to approach or touch, as if it would burn his skin. Your laughter and bright smiles were like sunlight piercing through the clouds, illuminating the shadows that loomed over his heart.

But it also reminded him of how far removed he was from that happiness.

The innocence and light you carried felt worlds away from the darkness he had endured. It made him question if he was even deserving of your kindness, let alone your attention—even if it was strictly professional. You had a purity about you that felt both inviting and forbidding. It was the kind of innocence that reminded him of everything he had hoped for once—everything he felt unworthy of now. How could someone like you, who radiated joy and hope, ever understand the darkness that clung to him? The guilt and despair that wrapped around his heart like a vice?

Yet, as you continued, he realised that part of him didn’t want this moment to end. Just a short while ago, he had dreaded this conversation, but now he found himself wishing to listen to your soft voice all night long.

As you concluded your thoughts about Laura, your smile remained bright, and for a moment, James caught himself wishing he could linger just a bit longer in your presence, absorbing the warmth you exuded. But the instinct to retreat kicked in, a familiar defence mechanism rising to shield him from the vulnerability he felt around you.

“Thanks for the feedback,” he said, forcing a smile as he tried to mask the storm of emotions brewing inside him. “I appreciate you taking the time.”

You smiled back, but there was a flicker of something in your eyes—curiosity, concern?

He couldn’t quite decipher it.

As you stood there, a moment of silence stretched between you, and James noticed a flicker of hesitation in your eyes. You looked shy, as if you were unsure whether you were crossing a line by speaking up.

“Mr. Sunderland,” you began, your voice soft, “are you okay? I’ve noticed you’ve looked... a bit tired lately.”

The question caught him off guard, and for a fleeting moment, he found himself wondering if it was painfully oblivious or truly observant of the details that everyone else seemed to overlook. But quickly, he concluded that he must have been projecting his exhaustion more than he realised, and he must definitely look tired.

The question wasn’t intimate.

He forced a smile, trying to shake off the weight of your concern. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he replied too quickly, dismissing your worry as he nodded almost vigorously. “Just, you know, work and everything.”

For a heartbeat, you searched his face, perhaps hoping to see something more, a glimpse of the truth that lay beneath his carefully crafted exterior. But after a moment of hesitation, you seemed to accept his response. You nodded, though there was still a hint of worry shadowing your features.

“If you or Laura need anything, please let me know,” you insisted gently. “I’d be more than happy to help.”

The kindness in your offer made his chest tighten, his heart pounding with a mix of gratitude and desire. He appreciated it, truly, but it also fueled the raging fire of lust that had consumed him. Here you were, simply trying to be helpful, and yet he couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to have you all to himself, to explore every inch of your body and lose himself in your embrace.

His mind raced with vivid, graphic images of you—unbuttoning your shirt, revealing your tantalising curves; running his hands over your smooth skin; kissing and licking your neck, tasting the salt of your sweat. He could almost taste the sweet moan that would escape your parted lips, the moan of a woman ready to surrender to his sinful, wanton needs. The very idea of it made his breath catch in his throat and his cock twitch in his pants.

He felt like a beast, a predator stalking its prey, as he watched you. Every move you made was a tease, every word you spoke a seductive whisper that echoed in his mind and stoked the flames of his desire. You were a forbidden, irresistible delight that he craved with every fibre of his being.

“Thank you,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper and his voice painfully strained. “That means a lot.” He managed to nod, hoping to convey his gratitude without revealing the turmoil churning inside him.

James' lips curled into a polite smile, but his dark thoughts raged like wildfire beneath the surface. He tried to ignore the forced gentleness of his own tone, reminding himself that he was only being polite. Yet, every word he uttered was weighed down by heavy lust for you, and the knowledge that he should never let these desires surface again.

As you stood there, a mixture of warmth and uncertainty radiating from your presence, he felt a pang of regret. You were offering him a lifeline, yet he felt as though he was dragging you into a murky depth he didn’t know how to escape. The moment hung between you, a fragile thread of connection that he wanted to reach for, yet feared would only end in disappointment. In your eyes, he saw kindness, concern, and a spark of something he dared not acknowledge. But with every passing second, he also felt the walls he had built around himself begin to tremble, as if you might be the catalyst for change he had been both longing for and dreading.

“I should go,” you said, breaking the silence, and James felt an odd mix of relief and disappointment wash over him.

“Right,” he replied, forcing his mind to focus on the present. “Thank you Miss, and have a good night.”

You offered him one last warm smile before turning to leave, and he watched you go, feeling the weight of what had happened. The kindness you had shown him stirred something deep within—a longing he couldn’t quite satisfy.

#silent hill #silent hill 2 #silent hill 2 remake #silent hill james sunderland x reader #james sunderland #james sunderland x reader #smut #james sunderland/reader #x reader #female reader

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sundeerland · 5 months ago

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james sunderland x gn!reader

request: Hello! I see your requests are open? If you write for him, could you write some headcanons on james sunderland being with/comforting a highly anxious s/o? Please and thank you 😊

note: hiii, of course!! thank you for requesting this!! it's been a while since i wrote something for tumblr so i hope this is decent :) and sorry if there's any errors, english isn't my first language. anyways, enjoy!

i think james would be so understanding about your condition, because he is kind of a anxious person himself

he do try to maintain his composure in that matter tho, that's why no one would think he is experiencing the effects of it

when it comes to you, he will stop any task he has in his hands to give you the proper support (unless he's taking down the monsters that comes for the both of you)

will help you regulate your breathing while caressing the side of your arms or your back, whichever is more comforting to you

if you bring to him your worries about anything, he will listen carefully, even if it's something nearly impossible to happen he still will validate your fear and thoughts about it

james himself have these kind of thoughts, he just decide not to share often. but there is rare moments he vocals it to you because he feels comfortable and feels he will not be judged for it

when it comes to you having a hard time to move foward due to your anxiety of what you two will face next, james won't take long to find a safe place for you to rest your mind and body

he will think of a topic to say to distract your mind of it's horrors, and will be pretty much happy about it if you laugh of something he said to ease your thoughts

if you're willing to accept hugs in vulnerable moments, expect to be engulfed by his warmth and a gentle hand caressing the back of your head

overall he's a comprehensive person and is relieved you have someone to rely on, especially because that someone is him

#james sunderland x reader #james sunderland x you #silent hill 2 #silent hill 2 remake #gn reader #female reader #male reader #james sunderland headcanons #james sunderland fanfiction #silent hill 2 x reader #fluff

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cheekycheesecake01 · 25 days ago

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While I'm doing that Salesman request, how about some Submissive James Sunderland headcanons to hold you over? (I desperately wanna finish this game but I have no time and am too much of a pussy)

Sub!James Sunderland Headcanons:

Minors, do not interact...18+

Never bratty, like at all. He might say something that is unintentionally bratty. But correct him, and he'll be a lot more mindful of what he says to you.

Loves serving you in any way possible. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, massaging you, pleasuring you, any way and every way.

Still, don't yell at him or degrade him. He's pretty sensitive, especially after Mary's verbal abuse. That, and he's also lowkey insecure himself. He hasn't had sex in a long time, and when he did, it was very vanilla. He knows he isn't exactly young, and he's even more insecure about taking supplements to get it up.

He likes being spanked, but only with soft impact, and don't ever slap him, choke him, or spit on him.

Lives for your praise. He has a very big praise kink and will do anything to hear you say those two special words. His dick gets hard just from hearing you call him a good boy. He'll put away grocceries and do the dishes, only to glance at you from the side. Breath clutched before releasing a euphoric huff when you praised him.

I've mentioned this before (and that post inspired this one) but he's got a mommy/daddy kink.

It's not to the extent of ageplay, but it's to the extent where he loves calling you mommy or daddy (depending on you) and relying on your judgement to make some (trivial) choices for him. For example, he might ask you to pick out his clothes for the day or ask you what he should eat.

"Mommy, what should I wear to go to work," "Daddy, what should I eat for lunch? Do you want some?" Things like that. (I'm researching gender neutral terminology for this right now, so please bear with me)

He has a thing for being quiet, but full-on gagging makes him panic, so he opts for sucking on your fingers, breasts, or whatever you have to offer him, depending on your body.

Extremely needy as a sub. He wants to be near you at all times, he wants your attention, he craves your praise, and sometimes your voice alone gets him off. Premature ejaculation is a curse (or a blessing in disguise...?) For him. Sometimes when you praise him, he loses all sense of control and cums on himself involuntarily without a single touch from you.

But you've trained him a little with some edging and orgasm denial, and now it's almost impossible for him to cum unless you give him explicit permission to. If you get a call from him late at night, just know he's whimpering and pathetically begging you to let him cum. And yes, he always thanks you profusely after cumming.

He doesn't verbally whine or complain if you deny him, but he whimpers. A lot. He whimpers like a puppy that had his paw stepped on. He'll cry a little, too. He's a soft masochist; he only wants soft punishments and soft belittlements. Instead of degrading, he wants to be talked to like a pet, sweet and a little condescending at times with a stroke of his hair. Instead of spitting and slapping, he wants kisses and excruciatingly pleasureful denial.

With that said, he's a dacryphilliac to a degree. He doesn't want to sob, but he doesn't mind shedding a tear or two; especially if you express satisfaction for it.

He's interested in light pet play. Padded collars and leashes, and could either bark for you or meow, depending on what you want. He's fine with either or some other pet except pony or pig.

He's shy about it, but he's very curious about prostate play. The first time he tried a prostate massager, you were watching him as he twitched, whimpered, moaned, and grinded against the soft mattress, hoping to angle the toy deeper all while he looked at you with a pout of embarassment and arousal. You could see his gaze, craving your approval and praise, as always. He fantasizes about you buying a remote-controlled one for him.

He started dipping his toe in the sissification pool. James doesn't like the extreme end of the spectrum. He's still new to this, and he isn't too fond of the idea of crossdressing to his knowledge as of right now. But if you put girly clips in his hair or a feminine ribbon around his wrists, he'll like it.

#james sunderland smut #james sunderland x reader #james sunderland headcanons #james sunderland #james sunderland x you #sh 2 #silent hill fanfic #silent hill headcanons #silent hill 2 remake #silent hill 2 #silent hill #silent hill smut #x male reader #x female reader

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sundrlands · 6 months ago

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how can you look at this man and not assume he’d just submit to you fully— all morsel of his being melted in the palm of your hands… losing himself to you… for you.

hi there!

the name is ink! im a new blog— already posted my first james fic called ‘significance’ , a submissive x dom reader long fic— here to inform that requests are open! i write for james only (for the time being) so whatever your little heart desires, ill grant your requests.

there’s limitations of course but in terms of anything specific such as the readers way of expression— them being trans, masc or fem presenting, nonbinary or cis gendered— and amongst other things like themes, quick blurbs, etc, don’t fray away from anything you think of and want to be seen written.

make sure that you’re also 18+, this is not a safe space for minors please and thank you.

i hope you all have a lovely day!

#james x reader #james sunderland silent hill #silent hill x reader #james sunderland smut #james sunderland x reader #silent hill 2 smut #silent hill 2 #silent hill #silent hill x reader smut #female reader #nonbinary reader #trans reader #male reader

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msewn · 10 months ago

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James Sunderland and hatsune miku~

I head-canon that james accidentally Listened to one of mikus songs but didn’t know where it was from. he sometimes hums it to himself when he’s alone ^_^

im getting better at clay, I think!

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huntfeld · 5 months ago

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Where Shadows Meet

Pairing: Angela Orosco x Reader

Summary: In Silent Hill, the reader meets Angela, and together they confront their pasts. Through a cautious bond, they find comfort and begin to see a way out—no longer alone.

@fallenvervain hope you like it :)

The fog was thick, draping over Silent Hill’s empty streets in suffocating layers. Buildings stretched upward like skeletal fingers clawing at the sky, their windows hollow and dark, holding secrets that only deepened the town’s oppressive silence. You couldn’t remember how you got here, nor could you shake the feeling that this place knew you somehow, in ways you didn’t want to acknowledge.

As you walked, you spotted a figure up ahead, drifting through the mist. A young woman, shoulders hunched, arms wrapped around herself, as if she were trying to protect what little remained of her spirit. Something about her felt fragile yet powerful, like she carried a lifetime’s worth of sorrow.

“Angela?” you called out softly, more of a question than a certainty.

The woman turned, startled, her face framed by dark hair, her eyes large and hollow. A flicker of confusion crossed her face before her features softened into a guarded understanding.

“You… know my name?” Her voice was delicate, barely more than a whisper, and tinged with a deep sadness that clung to every word.

“Not really,” you admitted, feeling oddly connected to her despite having only just met. “I just thought you looked… as lost as I feel.”

Angela’s gaze drifted down, and for a moment, it seemed she was going to walk away. But instead, she nodded, her eyes avoiding yours. “We’re all lost here,” she murmured, almost to herself, her voice laced with a bitter familiarity.

Without another word, she turned and began to walk, as though your presence had reminded her of her purpose. But she didn’t ask you to leave. When you fell into step beside her, she didn’t pull away.

———

The town was a maze of empty streets and forgotten buildings, each one feeling more suffocating than the last. Your footsteps echoed in the silence as if the town itself was listening, watching, waiting. The deeper you walked, the more Silent Hill seemed to close in, twisting the streets around you, the fog distorting every corner into a haunting half-memory.

At last, you both reached an abandoned apartment building, its cracked walls stained and peeling with age. Angela paused at the entrance, her gaze distant, haunted.

“It’s… quiet here,” she said finally, almost to herself.

You nodded, following her inside. The air was stale, the remnants of forgotten lives strewn across the floor, dust and old memories lingering in the corners. Angela found a spot along the wall and slid down, resting her back against it. Her arms wrapped around her knees, holding herself in a way that spoke of deep pain and isolation.

For a long time, you simply sat beside her, the silence between you feeling more honest than any words. Her presence was a steady weight next to you, comforting in a way you hadn’t felt in a long time. Finally, Angela broke the silence, her voice as quiet and vulnerable as you’d ever heard it.

“People… they don’t come to Silent Hill for happy reasons,” she said, her eyes fixed somewhere distant. “I came here to face what I thought I deserved.”

Her words hung in the air, raw and heavy, as though she was revealing a part of herself she usually kept hidden. You felt the weight of her sorrow, a feeling that mirrored your own in ways you hadn’t expected.

“I don’t think you deserve this at all,” you replied softly. “I don’t even know you, but… I know that kind of pain. The kind that makes you feel like you have to suffer.”

Angela’s gaze shifted to you, something almost like recognition in her eyes. “Is that why you’re here, too? Looking for a way to… make it right?”

You hesitated, the words catching in your throat. “I guess… I’ve been carrying things I can’t let go of. And they got too heavy. I didn’t even realize it until I got here.”

She was quiet for a moment, her fingers tracing a pattern on the floor. “Sometimes,” she murmured, “it feels like this town is just a reflection of everything I try to bury. Like it’s showing me my pain because it’s all I’ve got left.”

You reached out, your fingers brushing hers, a small, tentative gesture. She flinched slightly, but didn’t pull away. Her fingers remained just under yours, delicate and unsure.

“Angela,” you whispered, “we don’t have to do this alone. We don’t have to stay here and suffer like this.”

Her hand tensed under yours, and she looked away, her eyes shining with a deep-rooted hurt. “I don’t… I don’t know how to leave. I don’t know if I even want to.”

The vulnerability in her voice broke something in you. Gently, you wrapped your fingers around hers, careful not to move too quickly. She closed her eyes, her shoulders shaking as she leaned into your touch, the tension in her body slowly easing.

“I’m not saying it’ll be easy,” you said softly, the words meant as much for you as for her. “But we can start small. One step at a time. I’ll stay with you, as long as you’ll have me.”

Angela’s eyes opened, wide and cautious, as though the idea of someone staying, of someone caring, was too foreign to believe. Her fingers curled around yours, hesitant, but with a quiet strength.

You stayed like that, the two of you huddled in the empty silence of the apartment, until at last Angela shifted closer, resting her head against your shoulder. Her breath was shaky, her closeness warm, and you could feel her heartbeat, fragile and steady.

She spoke after a long time, her voice softer, almost shy. “I didn’t think… I’d ever feel safe. Not with anyone.”

You glanced down at her, a gentle warmth spreading in your chest. “It’s okay to feel safe with me. I’m here for you.”

Angela looked up at you, her eyes filled with something tentative, a mix of fear and longing. Carefully, she leaned forward, her forehead resting against yours, as if the contact itself was a quiet promise. You could feel the tension between you both, a cautious closeness that was neither forced nor rushed.

For a moment, you thought about kissing her, but you waited, sensing she wasn’t ready. Instead, you wrapped an arm around her shoulder, holding her in a quiet, protective embrace.

Together, you sat in the silence, letting the connection between you grow in its own time, each touch a reminder that maybe, just maybe, there was a way out of Silent Hill. A way forward that didn’t involve facing the darkness alone.

———

When you finally stood to leave, Angela took your hand, her grip a little stronger, a little surer. And as you walked into the fog, you felt the weight of Silent Hill begin to lift, replaced by the quiet comfort of having found someone who understood.

———

#angela orosco #silent hill 2 #silent hill remake #james sunderland #maria silent hill #silent hill 2 remake #fem reader #male reader #m!reader #f!reader #x y/n #y/n #gn!reader #gn!y/n #gn reader #female!reader #female reader #Spotify #angela orosco x reader

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yellowwithalisp · 2 years ago

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𝙷𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚕 𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚖 - 𝙹𝚊𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚂𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚡 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚂𝚖𝚞𝚝

(So- I have never written a lemon before, or posted it. I've done Erp before but that's about it. So this is inspired by all of @lipglossanon AMAZING stories! ( Seriously- go check them out and give them lots of love!!💛🌻💛) Hopefully, when SH2R comes out, there will be more James Sunderland x reader stuff put out!! 𝐏.𝐒. 𝐈 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞. - Yellow 💛🌻) (Final count- 9,071 words.) ( James Sunderland x Fem!Reader! No mention of (Y/N)! ) 🖤▪ 𝙰𝚖𝚋𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛: 𝙳𝚛𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚁𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝙷𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚕 𝚁𝚘𝚘𝚖 𝙼𝚞𝚏𝚏𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚃𝚅

They made it….. They made it out of that town… She was covered in cuts. There was a bad cut on her lip. She would grumble every now and then about it as she drove through the rain. She had one hand on the steering wheel. And the other tightly holding James's hand. Their fingers intertwined.

The car was silent all besides the rain hitting. The wipers wished the water away as James glanced over at her as she let out a small hiss of pain. James looked at her with concern as she hissed in pain. He gently squeezed her hand and turned his attention back to the road, his eyes scanning the rain-soaked surroundings. "A-are you alright? We should find a place to stop and clean those cuts," he suggested, his voice filled with worry. The light from the lamppost moved past her as they drove. "Yeah- just- stings a bit. That's all." she said. He frowned, his guilt building up as he stared at her.

Continued to hold onto her hand, offering what little comfort he could. "I'm sorry…I wish I could've protected you better," he murmured softly, his voice filled with guilt. He knew the town had taken a toll on both of them, physically and emotionally. As they drove, he kept a careful eye out for any signs of civilization where they could stop and tend to their wounds. "Let's find a motel or something. Somewhere we can rest and take care of ourselves," His heart ached at the sight of her injuries. He reached out with his free hand, gingerly brushing his fingertips over the cut on her lip. "Does it hurt a lot?" he asked softly, his voice filled with concern. She shook her head.

"Not real-ow-ly." she said as it started to hurt again. James slowly pulled his hand away from her lip. James frowned, his concern deepening at her response. He knew the pain was still there, even if she tried to downplay it. He felt guilt for causing her any pain. He realized his touch might have aggravated the soreness, so he turned his attention back to the road, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. "I'm sorry… I should have protected you better…" he whispered above a breath. His hand trembling under hers. She glanced over at him. She took a moment to study James' face, seeing the guilt and remorse etched on his features. Her heart ached for him, knowing that he blamed himself for what had happened.

She tightened her grip on his hand, offering him a gentle smile as she looked back at the road. The rain starts to come down harder as she drives the car to the nearby town. "Hey… I ran ahead when you told me not to. it's my own fault." she said as she shrugged. The guile was still etched on James's face. James glanced at her, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and appreciation for her understanding. He nodded slowly, acknowledging her words. "I…I shouldn't have let you go alone. I should have been there to protect you. I'm just…so sorry"

He admitted, his voice filled with a deep remorse. "But… I should of done more to protect you…" He never planned on leaving that town. Not after he had gotten that letter. He fully intended on never being seen again… Then… He met her. He was simply trying to get some first aid in the store when they meet. And then he meet her, and she stayed. Even after she found out what he did to Mary and what happen. She never judge him, never yelled at him, she treated him with so much kindness. Something that he still tells himself that he didn't deserve from her.

"I… I don't think I would have ever left that town if it wasn't for you." James said as he watch her. Her eyes widen slightly as she slowly the car down at a stop light, the light reflected off of her face. "I'm sure you would of James." She started, but James cut her off. "N-No… I wouldn't. I… Never intended on leaving that town but.. Then… I meet you… You saved me…" His hand was trembling under hers as she gently squeezed it. She looked over at James with a saden look before the light turned green. A mix of emotions flooded her heart as she listened to James' words. While part of her understood his feelings of guilt and remorse, she couldn't bear to see him berate himself anymore.

She squeezed his hand again. Not being able to do much more as she drive. Her touch is soft and comforting. "James… I get that you feel responsible, but it wasn't your fault. We both made choices and… You saved yourself too," She said as she drove the car away from the stop light. They were getting closer to the nearby town where there was hopefully a hotel or inn they could stay at.

She looked ahead as they slowly entered the town. "Don't… Suppose you've been here before?" she asked as they entered the small town. James looked at her, his gaze filled with uncertainty as he looked away and out the rainy window. "No…I've haven't. Hopefully, there's a hotel or inn somewhere around here…" He mumbled, his voice almost unbearable with how hard the rain was hitting the car. James could feel the tension in the air, both from the storm raging outside and from his own inner turmoil. He desperately wanted to keep her safe, to find a place where they could rest and escape the horrors they had faced. As they turned onto the unfamiliar street, the rain continued to pour down, obscuring their vision. James strained his eyes, searching for any sign of shelter. He spotted a small inn nestled between two buildings, its neon sign flickering in the distance. "There… Try over there," he said, pointing towards it. She nodded, focusing on the road ahead as she maneuvered the car toward the inn. The tires splashed through puddles as they approached, and the headlights washed over the building, revealing a worn-out facade. She parked the car in front of the inn, and they sat in silence for a moment, their hands still clasped together.

"I hope they have a room available… It'll be nice to finally rest," she whispered, her voice tinged with exhaustion. James nodded, his heart pounding with anticipation. He couldn't wait to get out of the rain, to find temporary solace within the walls of the inn. He unbuckled his seatbelt and they both stepped out into the pouring rain.

As they stood outside the inn, raindrops cascading down their faces, James took a moment to survey their surroundings. The inn looked weathered and worn, its paint peeling and the sign flickering ominously. He instinctively tightened his grip on her hand, wanting to keep her close and safe. Without a word, they made their way toward the entrance, the sound of their footsteps mingling with the relentless downpour.

The rain soaked them within seconds, the droplets drenching their clothes and hair as they hurried towards the entrance of the inn. James pushed the heavy wooden door open, revealing a dimly lit lobby. The air was musty, the scent of old wood and dampness filling their nostrils. James led her inside, their clothes damp from the rain. The air felt heavy, filled with a sense of unease that seemed to match the town they had just escaped from. As they approached the front desk, a middle-aged woman with tired eyes looked up from her paperwork. "Welcome," she said, her voice carrying a weariness born from years of running the inn.

"Do you need a room for the night?" James nodded, his gaze fixed on the woman as he tried to hide his unease. "Yes, please," he replied softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He glanced at his companion, hoping she was okay. The woman glanced at their disheveled appearance, taking note of the cuts and bruises that adorned their bodies. There was a flicker of concern in her eyes, but she said nothing. Instead, she handed James a set of keys, her voice filled with a wearied kindness. "Room 204… it's on the second floor. Take the stairs on your right." They nodded their thanks and made their way to the staircase as the woman turned her attention back to her paperwork.

James took the keys and mumbled a small thank you to the women. Turning his head to face the other. "Let's head up and get some rest," he suggested, his voice filled with exhaustion and relief. They made their way down the dimly lit hallway, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the silence.

As they climbed the stairs, James kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings, his senses heightened by the eerie atmosphere of the town. They reached the second floor and found their room, the hallway eerily silent. James inserted the key into the door and pushed it open, the wooden floors creaking with each step. The door opened, revealing a small but cozy space, complete with a bed, a worn-out armchair, small television, and a small bathroom. James held the door open for her, gesturing for her to enter first

She walked in and dropped their bag on the floor and taking a moment to soak in their temporary sanctuary. He followed in after her and linked around for a moment. Turning to her, his eyes filled with both relief and worry. "We made it," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "We finally have a place to rest." She stepped over to him, taking in the sight of the one bed and the faint smell of cleanliness. It wasn't much, but it was a haven from the terrors they had faced. She closed the door, offering James a small, tired smile. "Yeah… we made it," she echoed softly.

Squeezing his hand gently. James felt a rush of warmth fill his chest at her words. He wanted to say so much more, to let her know just how much she meant to him, but the words remained trapped within his throat. Instead, he simply nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Let's… Hope we can get some rest. God knows we deserve it." he managed to mutter, his voice quiet as he turned as she walked around the room before taking off her wet coat. letting it fall to the floor with a damp thud.

As she slipped off her wet coat, James couldn't help but watch her every movement, his eyes lingering on her figure. The dim light of the room cast soft shadows on her damp hair, making her appear ethereal and alluring. He swallowed hard, trying to push away the thoughts that were beginning to consume his mind. He moved towards her, his steps hesitant yet determined. "Let me take care of that for you," He murmured. She blushed as she leaned down to grab the coat off the floor for him.

James reaches out to gently take the coat from her hands. His touch was lingering, and there was a slight tremor in his fingers as he carefully hung it up. He turned back to face her, his gaze fixed on her now vulnerable form. She watched him, a mixture of surprise and amusement in her eyes, as if she were silently questioning his actions. There was something captivating about the way he moved, the way his eyes seemed to study her every detail. It made her heart flutter and her skin tingle with anticipation. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

Her words hung in the air between them, creating an unspoken tension that neither of them could ignore. James blushed as he moved away from her with her wet coat in hand. Attempting to regain his composure, James cleared his throat and ran a hand through his damp hair. "Uh… I'll, uh, see if there's anything we can dry off with," he stammered, his voice slightly shaky. As he stepped away, he tried to ignore the intense heat rising to his cheeks. He rummaged through his bag, searching for something to help her dry off. His hands trembled as he found a towel tucked away, and he quickly walked back to her, offering it with a slight smile. "Here, this should help," he said, his voice softer and more composed than before. She graciously accepted the towel, her eyes gleaming with gratitude as she wrapped it around her shoulders. "Thanks, James." she said, her voice filled with warmth. James flushed even more at her words, his heart fluttering in his chest. Attempting to shift the focus away from himself, James glanced around the room, looking for anything else that could be of use.

"I, uh, think there might be some spare blankets in the closet if you get cold," he suggested, his gaze avoiding hers. "Or, um, maybe I could, um, turn up the heat if you'd like." She chuckled softly, the sound sending a shiver down his spine. "How about you help change my bandaids first." she said as James face turned bright red, his breath hitched, heart pounding in his chest. He swallowed hard, trying to steady himself as he mustered a small. "Y… Yeah. I-I can help with that." James nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. He reached into his bag, fumbling for the first aid kit he had packed. His hands trembled as he pulled out the necessary supplies, his gaze fixed on the floor. "Just… Just sit down and let me take care of you," he mumbled, his voice filled with a mix of nervousness and determination. She complied, taking a seat on the edge of the bed as James sat down behind her. He started to ask where the injury was when he felt his body froze as he watched her strip her wet shirt off of her body. His eyes followed a bit as she tosses it onto the floor. "Sorry, it's under my bra." she said as she still has the bra on. But held up buts if the blanket up to her chest just in case. Sweat quickly formed on James's forehead as he swallowed hard. "It…. It's ok…" He said weakly. James felt his heart racing, his cheeks burning with a mixture of embarrassment and desire. He tried to keep his gaze focused on her injury, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from her exposed skin. It took all of his willpower to maintain his composure and avoid making his attraction apparent. He cleared his throat, trying to regain some semblance of control over his thoughts.

"I…I'll be gentle, I promise," he managed to murmur, his voice lingering with a hint of nervousness. James carefully reached out, his fingers trembling slightly as he gingerly lifted the edge of her bra, exposing the injured area. His touch was light and delicate, his focus solely on tending to her wounds. He fought against the overwhelming urge to let his fingers linger, to explore every inch of her exposed skin. Instead, he focused on cleaning the cut, his breath hitching at the close proximity between them. "how bad is it?" She asked as James took out the fresh bandaids and took a moment to inspect the wound, his eyes studying the cut with a mix of concern and focus.

He wanted to reassure her, to let her know that it wasn't too severe, but a part of him couldn't help but be captivated by the sight of her vulnerability. He cleared his throat, his voice slightly shaky as he responded. "It's… it's not too deep. It should heal fairly quickly," he replied, his tone soft and comforting. "But I'll make sure to clean it thoroughly and put a fresh bandaid on." he said as he looked at her bare skin and then over at her. He carefully began cleaning the area, his touch gentle yet purposeful. As he pressed the bandaid against her skin, his skin brushed against hers for a brief moment, sending a jolt through his body.

He quickly pulled his hand away, swallowing hard as he tried to maintain his composure. "There… all done," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. She nods as she reached back and reattaches her bra. "Thanks." she said as she turned to look back at James. His eyes lingering on her cut lip. "L… Let's take…. Of your lip next." he mumbled. Her eyes widen slightly as one her hands reached up and gently touched her cut lip. "Oh yeah… I forgot about that…" James couldn't tear his gaze away from her injured lip, his concern evident in his eyes. He reached into the first aid kit once again, his hands slightly more steady this time. As he retrieved the necessary supplies, his focus remained fixed on her, his desire to mend her wounds overpowering his own trepidation. "Here," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, "let me take care of it."

He carefully approached her, his touch feather-light as he gently cleaned the cut. Each brush of his fingers against her skin sent a ripple of electricity through his body, and he fought to remain composed. Once he had finished cleaning the wound, he applied a small amount of ointment and placed a fresh bandage over it. "There," he said softly, his eyes meeting hers briefly before he lowered his gaze. "All better." She watched him intently as he tended to her. "Thanks… Again James" She said with a soft smile. Her eyes started into his green eyes. James could feel his heart pounding in his chest, the heat of desire coursing through his veins.

He bit his lip, his mind battling with his desires. Wanting to both follow his heart and protect her from his own hidden desires. "I… I should probably go clean up. The rain made quite a mess of me," he stammered, his voice slightly shaky. She blinked, slowly nodding her head. "Sure, but don't think I didn't see you get hurt as well. On your back. She said as she turned on his wet shirt. "Strip. Let me take a look at it."

James blinked in surprise, his cheeks turning a deep shade of crimson at her request. He shifted uncomfortably, his hands nervously fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "I… uh… it's not as bad as it looks. Just a scrape," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes flickered towards her, she was giving him the look as she had her hand held out for his shirt. Hesitant, he slowly began to unbutton his shirt, his movements careful and deliberate. As the fabric fell away, revealing his bare chest. She looked at him for a moment… Then two… Then three.

Before quickly blocking and shaking her bead lightly. "Ah-you can- turn around so that I can look at the cuts."James blinked in surprise, flustered by her sudden change of demeanor. He quickly turned around, his face burning with embarrassment as he faced away from her. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, unsure of how to navigate this newfound intimacy. He could feel her presence behind him, her gaze fixed on his back, and it only served to heighten his nervousness. James tried to steady his breathing, reminding himself to keep his composure. "Just… just let me know if you need me to do anything," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. His hands trembled as he clenched them into fists. Time seemed to slow down as he waited for her to examine his wounds, his mind a jumble of anticipation and longing.

She hummed as she gently placed one of her hands on his back. Her hand… It was so warm…. "It doesn't look too bad… Still, I'm gonna clean it and change out the bandaid on it." she said as she placed her other hand on his lower back. James shivered slightly at her touch, his body tensing as her warm hands made contact with his back. Her presence so close to him was both electrifying and terrifying, stirring a mixture of desire and anxiety within him. He breathed deeply, trying to steady himself as her gentle touch sent a wave of warmth through him. "Th-Thank you," he managed to stammer, his voice slightly shaky. He closed his eyes, his body relaxing under her care. It felt oddly comforting to have someone tend to his wounds in such an intimate manner. He listened to the sound of her soft of her move around on the bed, retrieving the necessary supplies. James tried to suppress the rapid beating of his heart, his mind flooded with thoughts of what could happen next. But he was careful not to let those thoughts show, keeping his expression neutral and his emotions hidden. As she began to clean his wound, her touch was gentle, her movements precise. The sting of the antiseptic caused James to flinch, a shudder running through his body. But he fought to remain still, to let her do what she needed to do. He could feel her breath against his back, her quiet concentration filling the air. The small gasp that escaped her lips when she saw the extent of the injury only fueled his desire, awakening a simmering passion within him.

"This… Will sting a bit." she said before cleaning the cuts. James winced at her words, preparing himself for the stinging sensation that was sure to follow. He bit his lip, trying to suppress any sounds of discomfort. His mind, however, was consumed by a mixture of pain and pleasure. Each touch of the antiseptic brought forth a symphony of conflicting emotions within him, a bittersweet reminder of the complexity of his desires.

As her delicate fingers gently cleaned his wounds, he could feel the tension in his body slowly melt away. The pain was overshadowed by the intimate connection they were sharing, igniting a fire deep within his being. "Their healing well. I need you to tell me if they hurt or start to open up again ok?" she told him. He couldn't help but steal glances at her, taking in the concentrated expression on her face as she worked. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of concern, her care evident in every movement. It was in moments like this that James felt an overwhelming surge of gratitude for her presence in his life, even if it they only meet a few days ago. The way she attended to his needs, both physical and emotional, stirred something within him that he couldn't quite put into words. Finally, she finished cleaning his wounds, carefully placing fresh bandages over them. James let out a soft breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. He turned around to face her, his eyes locking with hers. There was a mixture of vulnerability and desire in his gaze, a silent invitation for something more. "Thank you… for taking care of me," he repeated, his voice filled with a longing he dared not fully express. She smiled as she gently rubbed his back. "You did the same for me James."James felt a surge of warmth flood through him, his heart skipping a beat at her words.

He couldn't help but let a small smile grace his lips, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "I… I'm glad I could be here for you," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "You mean a lot to me… more than you probably realize." His hand reached out, hesitating for a moment before cupping her cheek gently, his thumb stroking her skin softly. The tenderness in his touch was almost overwhelming to him. She watched him before smirking. "Wow James, why does it seem like your almost sad that my hands are no longer on your back?" she teased him as his face turned red. James's face flushed with embarrassment, his eyes widening in surprise at her teasing remark. He tried to hide his nervousness with a forced chuckle, but the rosy hue on his cheeks betrayed his true feelings. "I… uh… well, it's not like I didn't appreciate your touch," he stammered, his voice laced with a mixture of sheepishness and genuine longing. "I just… I guess I got used to it… and it felt… nice." He averted his gaze, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. It was rare for James to let his guard down, to openly show his vulnerability and desire. But with her, it was different. She had a way of teasing him that made him both uncomfortable and exhilarated, stoking a fire within him that he couldn't quite quell. "So… um… what now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "What do you want to do next?" His heart raced in his chest as he looked at her, hoping that she would give him some indication, some clue as to where this newfound intimacy would lead. A small smirk formed on her face. "Would you like me to keep touching you? Or are you gonna go take that shower?"James's breath caught in his throat, his eyes widening at her suggestive words. He felt a surge of desire course through him, his body responding instinctively. His voice came out as a hoarse whisper as he replied, "I… I think a shower… would be a good idea." He couldn't deny his longing for her touch, but the need to cleanse himself and find a moment of solitude to gather his thoughts was overwhelming. He stepped back slightly, his hand lingering on her cheek before he reluctantly withdrew it. "But… maybe later, we could… continue where we left off?" he proposed, his voice filled with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. She nodded, slowly getting off if the bed. "I'll take one after you. I'm going to get out of the rest of these wet clothes."

James's breath hitched, his body trembling with a mixture of desire and nervousness. The longing that consumed him. With a hesitant smile, he nodded and turned towards the bathroom, walking away but feeling her gaze linger on him. The door closed behind him, and he sunk to the floor, the cool tiles against his bare skin soothing his racing heart. He allowed himself a moment of solitude, his mind filled with thoughts of her and the possibilities that lay ahead.

As the warm water cascaded over his body, James let out a long sigh, feeling the tension melt away with each drop. The steam filled the bathroom, creating a sense of intimacy and tranquility. He closed his eyes, letting his mind wander, the image of her delicate touch still fresh in his memory. It was a bittersweet sensation, a mixture of desire and longing. '𝘐… 𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳…' He could feel his length starting to twitch, starting to come alive as he gently wrapped one of his hands around it. '𝘐… 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢….' He couldn't deny the fire that burned within him, the hunger that yearned to be satisfied. Slowly, his other hands roamed over his body, slick with water and desire. He explored every inch of his own skin, his touch firm and loving, imagining that it was her hands caressing him instead. '𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳..'

James's breath hitched as his hand traveled lower, his fingertips grazing the sensitive skin of his length, his mind filled with visions of her. His thoughts became consumed by fantasies of their bodies entwined, aching for the connection that he craved. He could feel his length starting to throb the visions of her in his mind made it pulse.

'𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦…' The water amplified the sensations, the slickness allowing him to glide his hand over himself with ease. His breaths became shallow, his pace quickening as his desire mounted. '𝘐-𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳…' With a shuddering gasp, James succumbed to his carnal needs, pleasure washing over him like a tidal wave. He leaned against the tiled wall, his body trembling as he rode the waves of satisfaction. '𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘩𝘦𝘳… 𝘈𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦…'

His mind was filled with her image, her touch, her essence intermingled with his own. "𝘏-𝘩𝘩𝘢𝘢…" He couldn't help but let out a deep, primal moan. The sound bounced off the bathroom walls, mingling with the rush of water and steam. His body convulsed with each wave of ecstasy, his muscles tensing and relaxing as pleasure coursed through his veins. His mind was consumed by the image of her, her soft lips and delicate touch. He imagined her hands caressing his length, her fingers dancing along every inch, driving him further into a state of euphoria. The intensity of his pleasure heightened, causing his breathing to become erratic and his grip on himself to tighten. As James's pleasure built, his moans grew more desperate, the sound echoing through the bathroom. '𝘍-𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬…' He could feel his body tensing, his muscles coiling with anticipation. With each stroke of his hand, the pleasure intensified, a delicious friction igniting his nerves. His mind was overtaken by fantasies of her, his imagination running wild with the images of their bodies intertwined. He could imagine the softness of her lips on his skin, her warm breath ghosting over him. He could almost feel the press of her body against his, her hands exploring every inch of him.

He let out a guttural cry, his body shuddering as he rode the waves of ecstasy. His release spilled over his hand, mixing with the water. His seed spilled over his hand and mixed with the water, carried away by the steady stream. As his body came down from its orgasmic high, James leaned against the wall, his chest heaving, his mind hazy with satisfaction. The sound of his own heavy breaths mingled with the steady flow of water, creating an intimate soundtrack for his post-orgasmic bliss. He took a moment to catch his breath, relishing in the daze of pleasure that enveloped him.

As James slowly regained his composure, he slowly pushed himself off of the wall and turned off the shower, his mind still clouded with the vivid images of his fantasies. He reached for the towel, wrapping it around his waist, the fabric warm against his skin. His body was still humming with the remnants of pleasure, a lingering reminder of the ecstasy he had just experienced. Stepped out of the shower, and wrapped a towel around his waist. He couldn't help but feel a pang of anticipation, knowing that soon he would be able to share his desires with her, hopefully…

ʚ🌻ɞ

"… I hope he's ok." She mumbled as she looked over at the closed bathroom door. The old Tv playing in the background. She had changed into a tank top and shorts. With most of her body under the blankets. "He's sure is taking his time in the shower…" James emerged from the bathroom, the towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was damp, droplets of water clinging to his skin. He glanced over at Ava, a mixture of nerves and desire swirling in his eyes. "Sorry for taking so long," he said, his voice slightly shaky. "I… needed a moment to myself." He walked towards the bed and over to where his bag was. She watches him walk by here. Having a bit of a hard time keeping her eyes from looking lower at him. She watched some water run down his body and blushed a bit. "Everything ok? None of your injuries opened up, did they?"

James turned to face her, his expression a mix of relief and uncertainty. "No, nothing like that. I'm fine, physically at least," he replied, his voice still trembling slightly. He sat down on the edge of the bed, his eyes meeting hers. "I just… needed a moment to collect myself. This… all of this is so new to me," he admitted, his voice filled with a touch of vulnerability. "But being with you… it feels right." He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She blushed as she closed her eye. Feeling the warmth of his hand against him. "Well, since your down now. I'll go take me shower real quick." She said as she opened her eyes.

James nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Y-yeah, sure. Take your time," he replied, his voice filled with understanding. He watched as her gracefully got off the bed, a wave of desire coursing through him as he caught a glimpse of her in her tank top and shorts. As she walked towards the bathroom, he couldn't help but appreciate the way her body moved, the gentle sway of her hips captivating his attention. His desire for her only intensified as he imagined the water cascading over her naked form, her body glistening under the steam. James couldn't help but feel a tinge of impatience, his hands clenching involuntarily as his anticipation grew.

As the bathroom door closed behind her, he let out a shaky breath, trying to steady his racing heart. He knew that they had much to explore together, and the mere thought of it sent a jolt of excitement through his veins. He opened his clothing bag and quickly rummaged through it, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of what lay ahead. He slipped on a fresh pair of jeans and a plain white t-shirt, his movements quick and efficient. As he gathered his damp clothes and folded them neatly, he couldn't help but hear the soft sound of running water in the background, a reminder of her presence just a few feet away. His body responded instinctually, a familiar ache building deep within him. He took a deep breath, reminding himself to keep his desires in check. There would be time for that later, once they were both sated and ready. With a gentle sigh, James finished organizing his belongings and sat at the edge of the bed, glancing at the closed bathroom door with a mixture of anticipation and longing. He get dress, trying to take his mind off of it… It failed.

Warm droplets caressed her skin, offering solace and comfort. The steam enveloped her, creating a veil of privacy within the enclosed space. She closed her eyes, letting the water cascade over her body, massaging away any lingering tension. She couldn't help but think about James, his presence still lingering in the room. When he was helping her change her bandagies… His hands were so soft..m and worm. He was so nice to her. Making sure that she was ok before he did anything…and back in the town, he did everything he could to protect her.

The anticipation of their intimate encounter sent shivers down her spine, her body responding to the thought of his touch. Her hands instinctively traced the curves of her body, gliding over her skin with a sensuality that matched her growing desire. The water intensified the sensations, making her skin slick and responsive to her every movement. Her fingertips trailed down her neck, across the swell of her breasts, and further down, exploring the depths of her own desires. She imagined James's hands upon her, his touch gentle yet commanding. Every stroke and caress mirrored the images in her mind, heightening the pleasure that coursed through her veins.

Slowly, she let her fingers slip between her thighs, a gasp escaping her lips as she felt the warmth and wetness that awaited her. Imagining James being there with her, his voice husky with desire, she played with herself.

"𝘐-𝘐… 𝘏𝘢𝘢𝘢… 𝘊-𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴…" She mumbled. The steam rose around her, creating an atmosphere of seduction and surrender. She let herself succumb to the growing pleasure, her moans becoming lost in the symphony of the water and her own desire. She lost track of time, lost in the depths of her fantasies, until finally, with a shuddering gasp, she reached the pinnacle of her pleasure, her body convulsing with the force of her release. The water washed away the remnants of her passion, leaving her trembling as she turned off the shower, a sense of satisfaction washed over her. She wrapped a towel around her body, drying herself off as she stepped out of the shower. Putting on her fresh cloths…. She was not going to tell James about this…What would he say if he knew she had thought about him like that? She nervously finished getting dressed and opened the bathroom door. "H-hey." She said softly.

James's breath hitched as he saw her emerge from the bathroom. His gaze traveled over her, taking in every curve and contour. He could still smell the lingering scent of shower gel and steam clinging to her skin, adding to her allure. "H-hey," he stammered, his voice thick with desire. She walked over to him and sat down next to him on the bed. "… We can finally breath huh?" She said with a soft chuckle. Moving her hand to hold his. "We're finally safe…"

James felt a sense of relief wash over him as he intertwined his fingers with her's, her touch grounding him in the present moment. He looked into her eyes, seeing the warmth and understanding reflected back at him. "Yeah, it feels… good to finally be safe," he replied, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. He squeezed her hand gently, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Thank you… for being here with me. For understanding and accepting me, flaws and all," he whispered, his voice laced with sincerity. She chuckled as she closed her eye. "Your acting like I did nothing wrong." James rubbed his thumb against her hand. "You were told what I did and… You still state with me.. And helped me fight those monsters." She was quiet for a moment before looking over at him. "James… When I saw you getting into your car… That look on your face… You weren't going to leave town, were you? Where…. You going to drive your car into the river?"

James froze, his heart pounding in his chest at the directness of her question. He had been hoping to keep that part of his thoughts locked away, buried in the depths of his shame. But there was no escaping her intuition, her ability to see through his facade. He took a deep breath, his eyes downcast as he mustered the courage to respond. "I… I can't lie to you." he admitted, his voice wavering slightly. "In that moment, the despair was overwhelming. I thought about it… driving my car into the river. Ending it all." His grip on her hand tightened, a mixture of fear and vulnerability flickering in his eyes.

Her heart sank at James's confession. She had suspected it, but hearing him say it out loud was still painful. She squeezed his hand tighter, her fingers lacing with his. "James… I'm so sorry you had to go through that," she whispered softly, her voice filled with empathy. "But I'm glad you didn't do it. I'm glad you let me drag your ass over to my car and get in with me.."

James's eyes welled with tears as her words washed over him. He let out a shaky breath, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love wash over him. "Thank… You" he murmured, his voice filled with emotion. "Thank you for saving me, for giving me a reason to keep going. You… you stopped me from making the biggest mistake of my life." He turned his head slightly, capturing her lips in a desperate kiss. They broke apart, their foreheads resting against each other, their breaths mingling. "I don't know what I did to deserve you," James admitted, a smile tugging at his lips. "But I'm not letting you go. Not for anything."

She smiled as his with a soft chuckle. "Good, I would hope not" She said as she rest her forehead against his. "So… About finishing where we left off…" she sat with her legs crossed a she looked at James's eyes widening in surprise. He struggled to find his voice, torn between his desire for her touch and his fear of crossing a line. His mind raced with conflicting thoughts and emotions, uncertainty and longing intertwining within him. Finally, he managed to stammer out a response, his voice barely audible. "I… uh… yes," he whispered, his cheeks flushed with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. "If… if you're comfortable with it… I would like that." He cast his gaze downwards, his fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of the blanket. Despite his attempts to hide it, the longing in his eyes was unmistakable, baring his vulnerable desires to her. He hoped she wouldn't reject him, wouldn't push him away. He yearned for her touch, for the intimacy that it promised. In this fleeting moment, he allowed himself to surrender to the desires that lay dormant within him, eager to explore the depths of his longing with her by his side.

"Your… Really attractive.." The room filled with the heavy with desire and pleasure as they explored each other's bodies with a hunger that couldn't be ignored. "S-same… Could be said for you…" James said as her green eyes looked into hers. She responded by rolling her eyes. "Same could not be said because I'm not attractive." she said. James couldn't help but feel a rush of desire and affection for her. He wanted to show her just how attractive she was to him, both inside and out. His hands moved gently along her curves, tracing every contour as he whispered softly in her ear.

"Don't say that," he murmured, his voice filled with genuine sincerity. "Your beautiful." He gently brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her cheek. "I… Find you incredibly attractive, in more ways than one. I-I'm…. Drawn to you." His voice was filled with a mixture of sincerity and a touch of vulnerability. As he spoke, a faint blush tinted his cheeks, his own insecurities bubbling to the surface. He had never been good at expressing his feelings, especially when it came to matters of the heart.

But he couldn't help but want to reassure her of her own beauty. She blinked, seemingly taken aback by his words. Her eyes softened, and a small smile played upon her lips. "You really think so?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of vulnerability. James nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Absolutely…. P-please believe me when I say that you are truly…. Breathtaking to me."

As their lips moved against each other, their bodies gravitated towards each other, their hands seeking out the familiar contours and curves. With each touch, their passion ignited, the intensity growing with every fiery caress. Their clothes became little more than barriers, mere obstacles to their escalating desire. James's hands hesitantly trailed along the soft fabric of her clothes, his fingers craving to feel the warmth and softness beneath.

With an unspoken understanding, she pulled away from the kiss, her eyes filled with a mixture of desire and anticipation. She took his hand, guiding it to the hem of her top, silently inviting him to explore further. James's hands trembled slightly as he touched her skin, his fingertips slowly inching upwards, tracing the curves of her body. The softness of her skin mesmerized him, igniting a fire within him that he could no longer contain.

His lips hungrily sought hers once again, as if he couldn't get enough of her taste. Their tongues danced in a passionate duet, sharing the depths of their desire. His hands grew bolder, and her eyes widen for a split second as she let out a small hiss. James quickly pulled away as he looked at her with worry in his eyes. "I-I'm fine.. Just a bit sore on my back from the cuts." She tried to give him a reassuring smile.

James's worry melted away slightly as he listened to her reassurances, a small sigh of relief escaping him. He didn't want to cause her any harm or discomfort, and the thought of hurting her made him uneasy. Cupping her face, he gazed into her eyes, searching for any signs of pain or discomfort. "Are… You sure you're okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. "I don't want to hurt you. If-If it's too much, we can stop-"

She leaned into his touch, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "I'm fine," she murmured, her voice filled with warmth. "I promise, I'm okay. I want this…. I want 𝘺𝘰𝘶." Her words ignited a flicker of desire within him, banishing his worries and filling him with a newfound determination. He nodded, his eyes filled with a mixture of love and longing. "O… Okay," he breathed, his voice laced with anticipation

Their bodies pressed against one another once again, the heat and passion between them intensifying with each passing moment. James's hands explored her curves, his touch becoming more confident and sure.

"𝘑-𝘑𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴…" She whimpered out his name.

He trailed soft, lingering kisses along her neck, his lips sending shivers down her spine. His hands traveled lower, tracing the contours of her waist before finding their way to the button of her shorts. He glanced up at her, seeking her approval before proceeding.

"𝘊…. 𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘐-𝘐?" His voice was barely above a whisper as she silently gave him permission to continue. His hands deftly undid the button and zipper, peeling her shorts down her legs with a gentle urgency. His breath hitched as he caught sight of her exposed skin, his mind drowning in a sea of desire.

As he knelt before her, his fingertips grazed her thighs, his touch featherlight and tantalizing. He pressed soft kisses along the inside of her leg, relishing in the taste and scent of her skin. Slowly, he parted her thighs, and her legs trembled as she blushed, feeling his gaze on her. "𝘕𝘯𝘨𝘩…" His tongue glided over her with a reverent touch. The exquisite sensation made her gasp, her nails digging into his shoulders.

He couldn't tear his eyes away from her, the sight of her bare skin driving him wild with need. Without breaking eye contact, he slowly trailed his fingers up her inner thighs, relishing in the softness and warmth of her skin.

She let out a whimper, her body trembling with anticipation. James moved closer, his lips ghosting over her thigh, his touch teasing and taunting her. He wanted to savor every moment, to make her crave his touch just as much as he craved hers.

With a sudden surge of confidence, James pressed a gentle kiss against her most intimate place, his tongue darting out to taste her. She gasped, her back arching in response to the pleasure that coursed through her. James's hands gripped her hips, holding her steady as he continued to explore her with his tongue, his movements growing more fervent and desperate. James could feel himself growing harder as he explored her lower lips with his tongue. "𝘠𝘰-𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦… 𝘚𝘰 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥…" He mumbled. He could feel his cock starting to throb in his pants as he softly moaned. Steering back to life. Images from his time in the shower came back as his tongue moved deeper into her.

He continued to lavish her with his tongue, feeling her legs twitch as his tongue moved. He glanced up to see her tightly griping the blanket of the hotel bed. He could hear his own heavy breathing mixing with hers and feel the throbbing, insistent need in his own body. The erotic taste and intoxicating scent of her arousal filled his senses, driving him to the edge of desire. "𝘐… 𝘐-𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵… 𝘈-𝘈𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.."

Unable to resist any longer, James pulled away, his eyes burning with hunger and need. He scoot back a bit on the bed as she pushed herself up a bit into a sitting position. His hands fumbled with his own pants. "𝘐… 𝘐-𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥…" The bulge in his pants was desperate to be free from the restraints of clothing. The urgency hung heavy in the air as he finally pushed his pants down, his hardened length sprang free. She reached up and help him get his shirt off as she kissed his neck. James swallowed as he looked back up at her. One of his hands was around his length as it twitched, waiting for her to give him the ok to go on. She whimpered as she was still feeling the effect of his tongue that was in her, but nod her head at him. With a moment of hesitation, he moved forward and positioned himself at her entrance, the head of his cock brushing against her slick folds. James's breath hitched at the exquisite sensation, his body trembling with anticipation. "𝘍-𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬… 𝘑𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴-" Her body trembled under him.

With a controlled urgency, James slowly pushed himself into her, his length sinking deep within her velvety warmth. He groaned in pleasure as he felt the delicious tightness enveloping him, the sensation sending shockwaves of pleasure coursing through his body. "𝘑-𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵… 𝘕𝘨𝘩… 𝘈-𝘈 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦…." Their bodies became one, their connection raw and intoxicating. She gasped and arched her back, her hands instinctively gripping the sheets as James filled her completely. The feeling of him stretching her, filling her to her core. "𝘍-𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬.. 𝘚-𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘪𝘨…" Her walls clenched around him, squeezing him tightly as they adjusted to the intimate intrusion. "𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘑𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴-" "𝘋-𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘻𝘦 𝘴… 𝘚𝘰 𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵-" His movements were slow and deliberate, allowing her to adjust to his presence. He pulled back, his cock sliding almost all the way out before he plunged back in, a low groan escaping his lips. "𝘚…. 𝘚𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮… 𝘈-𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵… 𝘐-𝘪𝘵'𝘴… 𝘚𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯-" He slowly started to move after giving her time to adjust to his length deep within her. The rhythm they established was gentle yet unrestrained. "𝘐'𝘮… 𝘎𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳… 𝘖𝘬?" James's name fell from her lips in breathless cries as he started to thrust into her. His hands gripped her waist, his fingers digging into her skin as he thrust deeper into her, his movements growing more urgent with each passing moment. "𝘚𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮-" He could feel her inner muscles clenching around him, pulsating with desire and need. The pace of their breaths quickened as his thrust quickened.

James's hands roamed over her body, exploring every curve and dip, the sensations driving him mad with desire. His lips found hers once again, their mouths melding in a passionate embrace, their moans muffled in each other's kiss. The room was filled with the sound of their panting breaths and their bodies colliding. James could feel the tension building within him, the coil of pleasure winding tighter until he was on the precipice of release. His movements became more urgent, his thrusts growing harder and faster as they both hurtled towards the peak of ecstasy. He could feel her walls clenching around him, her cries of pleasure becoming louder and more urgent. With one final, powerful thrust, James let go, his body convulsing as he found release within her. His climax sent shockwaves of pleasure through her body. She moaned his name, her voice filled with ecstasy as she clung to him, her nails digging into his back. Making James moan out her name as well as he close his eyes tight The room filled with their muffled moans and breathless sounds.

James collapsed onto the bed beside her, his breath heavy and labored. He pulled her into his arms, holding her close as they both caught their breath. A sheen of sweat covers their bodies. She slowly took her nails off of his back and wrapped her arms around him. His touch was gentle and loving, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her bare skin. "𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶." he whispered, his voice filled with warmth and adoration.

She smiled softly, snuggling closer to him, her body still tingling with the remnants of their passion. "𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰𝘰." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she closed her eyes, feeling his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her skin. Her eyes slowly closed as she fell asleep in his arms. James held her in his arms, feeling a sense of peace wash over him as he watched her drift off to sleep. His heart felt lighter, the weight of his guilt momentarily lifted. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, whispering softly, "I love you…." The room fell into a calm silence, the only sound the steady rhythm of their breaths.

ʚ🌻ɞ

As they approached the front desk, a middle-aged woman with tired eyes looked up from her paperwork. "You two look better." She said as James handed her back the keys to the room. James gave the woman a weak smile, his hand still intertwined with his lover's. "Yeah… We're doing okay," he replied, his voice filled with a mix of gratitude and weariness. "Thank you for your help earlier." The woman nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "No problem, hon. I'm just glad I could be of assistance." She glanced down at the keys in her hand before she turned to put the keys away with the rest. "I hope you two find some peace… and happiness. Life can be tough sometimes, but it's important to hold onto the things that make us feel alive." James's grip on his lover's hand tightened, and he nodded, a flicker of determination in his eyes. "You're right… We'll… We'll find our way." He turned to leave, but before he stepped out the door, he cast one last glance at the woman. "Thanks again. Take care." With that, James and his lover walked out of the hotel. Heading to his lovers car. "So.. Back to my please?" She asked him as she gently squeezed his hand. James looked at his lover with a soft smile, his eyes filled with affection. "Yeah, let's go back to your place," he replied, leaning in to give her a gentle kiss on her lips. The touch of her lips against his brought warmth to his heart, a sense of warmth, comfort, and belonging that had been dead for three cold years.

#silent hill #silent hill 2 #silent hill 2 remake #silent hill james sunderland x reader #james sunderland #james sunderland x reader #smut #lemon #james sunderland/reader #x reader #female reader

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thewritersaddictions · 4 months ago

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Silent Hill 2 Remake Master List

James Sunderland: Warning (Coming Soon)

Maria (Coming Soon)

Prymaid Head (Coming Soon)

Completed on: 11/30/24

Posted on: 11/30/24

#james sunderland #maria silent hill #silent hill 2 remake #silent hill 2 #fluff #fem reader #female reader #requests are open #open requests #requests open #silent hill #james sunderland smut #james sunderland x reader #james sunderland x you #james sunderland silent hill #sh2 remake #sh2

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stereotypical-day · 3 months ago

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Chapter 3: Woodside Apartments

The back room of the Neely’s bar was dark. Only shadows of objects were showing from little light that entered through the glass on the locked door on the left side. It was a rather small space, the stairwell that led up was chained shut. Nina shifted closer to the shelf in front of them, searching through in attempt to find something useful. She picked up a bottle of antiseptic and quickly shoved it into her fanny pack.

James was looking around, searching for their way through. He noticed a small, like ventilation opening right under the ceiling on top of the right wall. It led to another room. He pushed the container in front of him close to a wall.

Nina watched him carefully as he turned around to offer her a hand. She obliged, struggling a bit with her unpractical heeled boots, but managing her way up. James groaned as he pushed himself, jumping over the wall with a loud sound of his feet landing on the hard concrete.

“It’s clear over here”, his voice was loud as he stood up looking at Nina’s head peeking through the passage watching him. She pushed her body up struggling as her whole arms were shaking under the weight of her body.

She managed somehow to lift her knee up and support herself with her legs. Clumsily, she jumped over, landing down on her legs, one of them twisting in ankle as she lost her balance. Nina fell down, pained whimper leaving her lips as she gripped her ankle with both of her hands.

James rushed to her side, crouching down beside her.

“Did you hurt your ankle?”, his eyes glancing at her hands gripping her leg, pained expression on her face. She couldn’t stand being like this. Stupid boots. Why did she decide to wear them today anyway.

She ignored his question, her brows furrowing in frustration as she tried to stand up, but her face twisted in pain as her leg refused to cooperate.

“Hey don’t-don’t move”, his tone soft but firm as he pushed her down holding her shoulders with both of his hands. His lips pressed into a thin line, as he glanced towards her ankle. He hovered his hands over her ankle awkwardly, unsure what to do in a moment.

She winced at his touch, pulling her leg away from him trying to stand up again, now leaning on her functional ankle for support.

“I’ll be fine, it’s- it's nothing”, her voice shaking as she tried to lie, totally unconvincing. Her face twisted in pain again, as she put her injured foot down, but still keeping all her weight onto the functional one.

James’ hand hovered near her arm, wanting to steady her but he wasn’t really sure if she would let him.

“You don’t look fine”, he said firmly, his voice carrying a hint of quiet exasperation, “Stop trying to move before you make it worse.”

Nina brushed his hand off, lips pressed together tightly as she was trying to suppress the pain in her leg.

“I don’t need your help, James”, she snapped at him, but shaky voice betraying her.

“Really?”, he tilted his head slightly, his voice soft, “Because it looks like you can’t even stand on that foot”, he gestured towards her painful ankle.

She glared at him, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and frustration as she tried to step away, but the second she stepped down with her injured foot, sharp jolt of pain flashed through her leg. She let an involuntary gasp as she stumbled, unable to keep her balance.

James’s hands shot out instinctively, gripping her arms to steady her before she could fall.

“Easy”, he gripped her arms tightly, his voice low and steady. “Just... stop for a second, okay?”, his gaze met hers for a moment, his eyes soft and concerned.

Nina looked away; her breaths heavy as her chest kept tightening with unwanted emotions. The pain in her ankle was nothing compared to vulnerability she felt in the moment. Instinctively, she placed her hands on his shoulders to keep herself balanced and closed her eyes for a second trying to calm down.

“Relax.”, his soft voice was like a music to her ears, but she somehow couldn’t let go. She couldn’t let herself feel out of control. He slipped his hands around her shoulders, as she threw one of her hands around his neck leaning into him as they walked together towards the open room in front of them.

Nina was struggling to keep her balance, every time she would shift her weight into the wounded leg, she would wince at the sharp shooting pain. James gently placed her to sit on the chair in the backroom, as he took the note from the table reading it to himself.

The note was hinting to check the outside for the blueish-green car, where they would probably find their next clue. James didn’t even know what they were looking for, but he scribbled something down quickly onto the map marking a spot where the car could possibly be.

“Are you okay to move forward?”, James glanced at Nina who was sitting down on the chair beside him.

“Yeah”, she said softly trying to stand up, managing to balance herself on one leg.

“I hate to admit it but I might have to lean on you for a while”, Nina’s voice was barely above a whisper as she finally came to terms that she won’t be able to move forward without his help.

“That’s okay”, James shifts closer to her allowing her to lean on him as she balanced herself by throwing her arm around his shoulders. This felt a bit awkward for both of them as they walked outside into the fog again.

Small alley behind the bar was filled with abandoned cars, garages were placed on both sides of the road. They walked slowly, James gripping a plank in one hand, holding Nina with another. Her arm was draped over his shoulders and the other empty, clutched into fist.

She could feel shaky breaths leaving his lips as they approached another rusty iron door, leading into another section of the small alley. The car they were looking for was in front of them, but there wasn’t anything particularly interesting about the car itself or the insides of it.

“You can stand, right?” he glanced at her eyes, as she shifted her weight onto her uninjured leg. She gave him a quick nod as he turned around to inspect something that looked like a bloody, rotten cloth laying on the street.

Nina turned her head away from the sight, feeling nauseated again. James’ face carried a strong feeling of disgust as he lifted a sleeve from the blood-soaked jacket on the floor, revealing a key that was marked as “Woodside Apartments”. He quickly checked the map, marking the spot.

Suddenly, strong wind started blowing out of nowhere, fog grew thicker as radio transmitter went off like crazy. They were being cornered by what seemed like an army of monsters coming from all sides.

“James!!”, Nina yelled through the wind, her long hair flying around her face. He lifted his head looking around in panic as he quickly grabbed her arm and threw it around his shoulders again. James looked left and right, but there seemed to be no escape, monsters cornering them in small space. He clutched the plank in front of them harder, in fear, when Nina suddenly shouted.

“There”, she raised her hand to point the direction towards the narrow alley that seemed clear. James rushed, both of them trying to move as quickly as they could. His breathing was ragged as he was putting effort to move for both of them. The alley was their only escape route, they managed to get out to the main street again, wind blowing strongly in their faces, lifting the garbage and plastic bags up.

They couldn’t see anything from the thick fog, they could barely hear each other as wind has temporarily deafened them both. Somehow, they managed to reach Woodside Apartments building, James picking up the pace, dragging Nina who pushed herself to run despite her painful ankle.

With shaky hands, James unlocked the main door and they found themselves in the dark lobby of the Woodside Apartments.

They separated, as James shut the door behind them locking it. Nina collapsed on the floor her back leaning against the wall, her breathing erratic. James was out of breath himself; he took quick glance around the dimly lit space inside, before shifting his focus on her.

“That was close”, he sounded breathless, his voice shaky. “How are you holding up?”, he took a step closer to her, his voice steady now as he was trying to catch his breath.

Nina was silent for a few moments, breathing heavily, her mouth dry as she struggled to speak. She was extremely thirsty, this town draining her. She lifted a gaze towards him, his soft eyes landing on her face as he crouched down beside her.

His eyes were soft but filled with quiet concern. “Nina?” he prompted gently.

“Good”, she finally replied, her voice hoarse. Her ankle now throbbing in pain, as the adrenaline set in.

“Let me take a look”, he placed his hands around her foot, hesitating for a second.

“What are you doing?”, she raised her voice at him sharply, a mix of fear and urgency as she pulled her leg back.

“I just want to help you”, he replied determined, his tone was calm. Nina hesitated, biting her lip in frustration. She hated this - hated the vulnerability of letting someone touch her, of needing someone. But the throbbing pain in her ankle was impossible to ignore. With a reluctant sigh, she let her leg relax, allowing him to reach for her boot again.

James moved carefully, he gently slid off the boot from her foot, his brows furrowing at the sight of her swollen ankle.

“It’s swollen, but it doesn't look broken to me”, he said after a moment, his hands gently tracing her ankle inspecting for any deformities. She shivered under his gentle touch, the thought of her enjoying this terrified her. He just made it harder for her than it already is.

She pulled her foot away from his hands, grabbing her boot from the floor and putting it on quickly, as James backed away his confused gaze still on her. She avoided to look at him.

“I’ll manage”, she murmured, her pained voice betraying her vulnerability. James exhaled softly, sitting back on his heels as Nina hurriedly tugged her boot on. He could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her hands shook slightly as she zipped her boot back up.

“Sorry”, he said quietly, his voice hesitant, “I didn’t mean to... make things worse”

Nina paused for a second, looking up at him as she sighed. “You didn’t”, she started, “I just...”, her voice trailed off; she shook her head as she pushed herself up attempting to stand.

“We should get going”, she said firmly, turning around as she pushed herself to climb the stairs in front of her. Each step sending fire jolts through her leg. James stood up after her and quickly followed.

They found themselves in a dimly lit abandoned lobby. The lobby looked like it has been scavenged through, everything was a mess, things scattered around, keys missing from their places. They made their way inside to reach something covered with a white dusty sheet.

James pulled the sheet off only to reveal something that looked like a puzzle. He gently slid his hand over the painted wood, lost in his thoughts, as he soaked in the object in front of him.

The piece of wood looked like some kind of table, with five holes places horizontally and one hole on the top. In the middle of the whole thing was a painted tree, the sun in the right upper corner and the moon in the left upper corner.

“Three bright coins in the five holes be, first sits the Maiden underneath the tree”, Nina read out loud with her soft voice.

“Hm, that means the coin with a maiden on it is placed underneath this painted tree, right?”, she looked up to James. He looked concentrated, furrowing his brows, staring at the puzzle.

“The wind from behind the Maiden doth blow, a beautiful Flower alone has to grow”, Nina continued, now getting confused.

“And here comes the Man, so sleek and so fine, in the pale moonlight his eyes doth shine”, she finished.

“I think I get it, the coin with a man on it goes here”, she gestured to space underneath the painted moon, “and the maiden in the middle and the flower in the last hole”, she explained confidently.

“At least that’s what I think”, her voice got quiet suddenly, realizing she showed a bit too much excitement.

James glanced at Nina, his expression softening for a moment. “That makes sense,” he said, nodding toward the puzzle. “You’re good at this.”

“It’s nothing”, she looked away, slightly embarrassed. “All we have to do is find those coins now”, she tried to explain, not meeting his eyes.

They left the lobby, looking around the first floor in silence. It was so dark they barely managed to keep themselves oriented. Nina leaned on James’ shoulder with one of her hands as she limped slowly after him. They checked the bathroom on the first floor, and scavenged through some of the drawers picking up some medicine, bandages, antiseptics and a few syringes with ampoules of morphine inside the box.

Nina inspected the syringes, considering to inject herself one of these morphine shots, but deciding to save it for later.

The only way left for them is upstairs, up the creaking staircase. Nina held onto James as they climbed up the stairs slowly, wood creaking beneath their weight. They heard voices coming from above, James’ breathing became shallower as they approached the second floor.

“Hello? Is anyone there?”, he called out loudly. No answer. Hallway on the second floor was so dark they could barely resemble anything. The only light source was coming from this one apartment with an open door. James carefully approached the door, Nina following behind, her hand on his shoulder.

The bright flashlight blinded them both, as they shielded their eyes from the sudden light. The room was filled with what seemed to be mannequins. From the context of it, it was most likely a sewing room.

The mannequins looked really creepy peeking from the dark room, flashlight turned towards the door. James went inside carefully, picking up the flashlight and suddenly, something hit him on the head hard, knocking him down.

Nina stumbled back not seeing anything, before James turned the flashlight towards what it seemed to be mannequin but instead of her torso, it had another pair of legs stacked upside down on top of another. The second pair of legs were wobbly and cut off on the ankles, missing its feet.

Nina was quick to take the wooden plank he dropped and swung it towards the monster while James was still on the floor. The mannequin let out a creepy laugh which only fueled Nina’s rage. It sounded like those dumb girls that would laugh at her for always being alone. She hit it stronger this time gritting her teeth and ignoring the pain in her leg as she took a stable stance.

After a few more brutal hits, mannequin monster finally collapsed down on the floor blood pooling around it. Nina took advantage to take out her rage on it as she used the plank to deliver a few more ruthless hits on its laying body.

She hated how good it felt. The crunch of the wood against the monster’s body, the way its laughter stopped when she hit it hard enough. But the anger still burned in her chest, no matter how many times she swung.

James looked disoriented; he stared at her killing the monster without a word. He somehow managed to stand up. Nina turned towards him, breathless, handing him the plank.

He blinked at her, still dazed, as he slowly lifted his hand to take the plank from her outstretched hand, his fingers grazing hers, sticky with sweat and smeared with blood.

“Are you okay?”, she asked catching her breath, as she leaned against the wall for support.

“Yeah... fine”, he murmured, blinking a few times to regain focus. His eyes shifted towards mannequins butchered body then landed back on Nina. She let out a sharp exhale, leaning against the wall as she wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, smearing dust and sweat across her skin.

“Are you?”, he asked quietly.

“Yeah”, she replied quickly, flashing him a tiny press lipped smile.

James turned around inspecting the clothes that one of the mannequins was wearing. It was a modest flower dress topped with soft pink cardigan. He seemed to be lost in thought.

“These clothes...”, he murmured to himself. They looked like Mary’s clothes. The thought of her made him sad. He was pulled out of his thoughts as Nina approached him, steadying herself by gripping his arm. He turned his attention towards her, opening his mouth as if he was about to say something, but changed his mind. He placed the flashlight in the front pocket of his jacket and opened one of the drawers in front of him.

They found a chute courtyard key that opened the door leading to courtyard on the first floor. James inspected a key before putting it into his pocket. Nina was still catching her breath, holding onto his shoulder for a little while before she let go. ��

“This is exhausting”, she sighed sitting down on the floor again. She took out the morphine shot from her fanny pack, and begin to unpack it.

“Shit, how do I do this”, she murmured as she paused to think.

“Is that a good idea?”, James followed her movements as she rummaged through her fanny pack looking for bandage or something that could help her disinfect her skin to be able to inject herself.

“Do you have a better one?”, she replied raising her head to meet his gaze.

She sighed, “I can’t keep going like this, James. My leg hurts so much and I don’t think I can keep leaning onto you for support”, her voice showing that exhaustion was slowly overpowering her.

“Give me the antiseptic”, she demanded stretching her hand out towards him, James put a hand in his pocket taking out one bottle of antiseptic and handing it out to her as he crouched beside her carefully.

Nina poured out the liquid over her hands in attempt to wash them. She took off her leather jacket revealing tight grey colored top that accentuated her slim figure. She rolled up her sleeve and used a piece of bandage, previously soaked with antiseptic to clean the place where she was about to inject herself.

James studied her actions carefully as she looked around realizing she isn’t able to inject the shot herself. Her breathing was shallow and frantic, panic settling in.

“I think I might need an extra hand here”, she glazed up at him. James’s brow furrowed as he watched her, his hesitation clear.

“Please”, she whispered to him desperately. He changed his position slightly and put his knees down on the floor leaning on them now.

“Alright”, he said softly shifting closer, “Let me see”

She adjusted her position, rolling her sleeve higher and extending her arm. Her breaths came shallow and quick, her chest rising and falling as she tried to steady herself.

“You-you”, she stumbled over her words as she gulped, her throat dry, “You have to pinch the skin right here, and inject it slowly”, she explained with a shaky voice.

“But don’t go straight down, angle the needle a bit so it doesn’t go into the muscle”, she continued trying to take control over the situation.

“Okay, I got it”, he held the syringe in his hands leaning closer to her carefully.

“Wait!”, she raised her voice suddenly. “Wash your hands with antiseptic first”, she shifted away from him slightly.

James leaned back on his knees, sharp sigh leaving his lips, closing his eyes for a second, containing his frustration.

“Alright”, his voice low but composed, as he handed her the syringe, he took the bottle of antiseptic to clean his hands. The sting of the liquid bit at his skin, but he didn’t flinch.

Nina watched him closely, her free hand tapping nervously against her leg.

“Happy now?” he muttered, raising his hands for her to inspect. She nodded slowly and handed the syringe back to him.

“Just make it quick”, she turned her head away as he leaned closer to her. Her whole body was tense, she pressed her lips together in attempt to relax.

James hesitated for a moment, the syringe feeling heavy in his hand. He glanced up at her, his expression conflicted. “You need to hold still,” he said, his tone firmer now.

His hands were steady despite his discomfort. He cleaned the spot she had prepared, his touch gentle but deliberate. His fingers grazed gently over her skin, pinching the skin of her forearm, her body shivering at his touch.

He pressed the needle into her skin, his movements precise, and slowly injected the morphine. As he worked, his jaw tightened, a subtle sign of the unease he was trying to suppress.

She hissed at the sharp sting of the needle piercing through her skin, her jaw tightening as she looked away. When it was done, he pulled the needle out carefully, placing it aside before glancing at her. “How’s that?” he asked, his voice softer now.

She let out a shaky breath before relaxing her tense body. “Better”, she murmured, warmness spreading through her arm all around the injection site.

James stood up, cleaning the dust off his knees and repositioning his flashlight. Nina still sat there on the floor, leaning against the wall, she threw her head back and closed her eyes. She felt the pain subside slowly, she wasn’t really sure if it was the effects of the drug or freeing herself from pain that made her so relaxed, almost lulling her into sleep.

He turned towards her, flashlight in his pocket illuminating her pale face. Despite the exhaustion and pain, she looked beautiful, he couldn’t ignore that. But the thought flickered and faded quickly, overtaken by the weight of finding Mary and the fear gripping them both.

James cleared his throat; she opened her eyes slightly, shielding them from bright light with her arm. He picked up her leather jacket from the floor holding it for her.

“Nina?”, he said softly staring down at her.

“Mm?”, she replied with a soft hum, her eyes still closed.

“We can’t stay here”, James said gently, “Not for long”

She opened her eyes, her eyelids heavy as she stared at him, her expression sluggish, unfocused, eyes glassy. She put her sleeve down and attempted to stand up, her still wobbly even though the pain was subdued. She maintained her balance by leaning against the wall.

“The pain’s better?”, he asked, his tone quiet but probing. He held her leather jacket for her in his hands.

“Yeah. For now.”, she replied as she glanced up at him. He helped her put her jacket back on and they finally got outside the room into the dark hallway. Nina could finally walk normally as pain almost entirely left her body.

They made their way down the hallway on the left, attempting to enter apartment 201 on the right. It was locked.

“Where to now?” she asked, her voice steadier, though her eyes darted uneasily down the hallway.

James glanced at the map in his hand, his flashlight beam shifting to illuminate the marked routes. “Courtyard,” he said. “That key we found earlier should get us outside.”

They made their way down on the first floor again, and used the key to enter the courtyard. Fresh air from outside hit their faces, fog still there. They found themselves in between two blocks of the building that were connected in between.

They roamed around a bit, trying to enter the second section through the main door unsuccessfully. All doors were unsurprisingly locked. James noticed garbage container and an open window leading into one of the apartments in second section of the hotel. He pulled the container in front of the window for them to climb through and get inside.

Nina’s leg stopped hurting so she could easily climb the container right after James and they hopped inside the room. Room was so dark they barely managed to resemble anything if it weren’t for the flashlight.

On the desk they found an old newspaper. Headline read about the suicide of murderer Walter Sullivan, who managed to commit suicide in his prison cell with a spoon. Nina chuckled softly as she read through the text, James furrowing his brows at her, the words about Sullivan seeing “the red demon” sticking to his head. She discarded the papers quickly, continuing their search.

As they scavenged the room together, Nina noticed something in the corner.

“Hey, come here”, she called for James as she picked up a box of what it seemed to be a pack of bullets.

“Bullets?”, James raised an eyebrow, Nina handed him over the box with 10 bullets inside.

“Hm, these are for 9mm handgun”, he said quietly holding a flashlight towards the box in his hands.

“Which would only mean that there is a gun in here somewhere”, she filled in with excitement.

They checked around one more time, but they found nothing else. Going out into the cold, dark hallway outside the apartment, distant noises creeped up on them, echoing through the hallway, the source of it unknown.

James shifted towards Nina a bit, staying close in case something startles them. In front of them, room 109 was open, so they checked it through, but didn’t find anything important. After they left the room, they made their way down the hallway, their shaky breaths echoing through the long, empty hallway.

They reached, what seemed to be the obstacle on their way. Unusually, the hallway was split into two parts by prison bars, blocking their way forward. James crouched down as he noticed a key on the floor on the other side. It wasn’t too far away; he could just reach it with his hand if he tried really hard.

He got down on his knees, pushing his whole arm through the bars attempting to reach the key. Suddenly, he felt something step on his hand playfully and he pulled his hand back. The kid kicked the key further away where James can’t reach it.

“Jesus”, Nina was startled for a second. “Ha Ha”, kids voice echoed through the hallway as the kid ran away into the darkness again.

“Hey wait!”, James yelled after the kid. “Damn it”, he murmured standing up.

“What’s a kid doing in here?”, he turned to Nina.

“I don’t know, but this town is definitely no place for a kid”, Nina replied softly lost in thought. “Maybe she came here with someone, who knows”, she shrugged off her shoulders and turned away.

“We can try reach the key from the other side, let’s go”, she looked over her shoulder at him. He was quick to follow as they made their way outside again.

They circled their way through the hallway and reached the other side of the hallway where they picked up a key for the hallway on the second floor.

“Alright, let’s check the second floor”, his voice low but determined. Nina didn’t say anything, just continued to follow him. Her mind was swimming in sweet relief as morphine did its thing. She didn't feel pain, or even fear. The feeling could be addictive if she isn’t careful enough, but she justified it that she needed it in the moment. She couldn’t let herself be a burden to James, or anyone really.

Before they went to second floor, they checked the apartment 102 on the other side of the hallway where little girl ran away. They noticed a drawing of two bunnies on the wall, one of them was sad bunny and the other one was happy.

“Huh”, James chuckled amused, “Quite the artist”, as he commented on a kid’s painting.

Nina flashed him a small smile, rare sight on her face, maybe even the first time she actually formed a proper smile at him.

As they made their way to the second floor, they unlocked the door and carefully slid in the long and dark hallway. They quickly became disoriented as darkness filled every corner, and their flashlight offered little relief.

Sliding in the first open room they noticed; they found themselves in what seemed to be a laundry room. Nina was so thirsty; she started to lose her voice because her throat was so dry. She rummaged through looking for water, or anything that could help her ease the thirst.

Unlucky, she didn’t find any liquid in there, as she turned around to look for James, she found him with his head stuck into what seemed to be a garbage chute.

“What the hell are you doing?”, she put her hands on her hips staring at him. He quickly pulled his head out of the garbage chute, a streak of grime smeared across his cheek. He blinked at Nina, looking slightly startled, like he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t.

She wrinkled her nose dramatically, her expression caught somewhere between genuine disgust and playful teasing.

“I saw something,” James said, straightening up and brushing his hands on his pants.

“In the garbage chute?” Nina raised an eyebrow, glancing skeptically at the rusted opening. “What, are we dumpster diving now?”

James frowned, looking back at the chute. “No, it’s a coin,” he said seriously. “It looks like the one we need for the puzzle.”

Nina blinked at him. “A coin? In there?” She leaned closer to peer into the chute, then immediately recoiled as the rancid smell hit her. “Ugh. Are you sure it’s not just... trash?”

“It’s not just trash,” James said defensively, pointing at the chute. “I can see it wedged in there. We just need to knock it loose.”

Nina leaned over the chute again, holding her nostrils pinched with her fingers to manage the smell of the garbage. She saw a shiny coin stuck down there between the garbage.

Nina pulled back quickly, wrinkling her nose. “You’re right. It’s not just trash—it’s treasure,” she muttered, her tone dry but without bite.

James glanced at her briefly, not responding as he scanned the room again. “We need something heavy,” he said, more to himself than to her.

“There is nothing heavy in here”, she crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Let’s just keep going, we can circle back here later”

James nodded and cleared his throat as they left the laundry room to find themselves in the dark hallway again.

Next room they entered was completely demolished. “Jesus Christ”, Nina muttered under her breath as she stepped on something crumbled down on the floor almost losing her balance.

James went ahead of her, scanning the room with his flashlight. In the center of the room was abandoned shopping cart. He leaned over and picked up the handgun resting at the bottom of the cart. He can finally fight those monsters in the proper way, he thought to himself.

He lifted the gun inspecting it. It was Beretta 92FS Centurion- 9x19mm. Finally, those bullets would have some use after all. He took the bullets out of the pocket, loading the gun carefully, his breathing heavy as he held the plank under his armpit.

“What is that?”, Nina walked towards him slowly. She stood by his side as he slid the gun back with the click.

“Could be useful.”, he murmured slipping the gun into the waistband of his jeans, his movements careful.

“So, what? You’re keeping it?”, she leaned over the shopping cart to look at him.

James glanced at her briefly, then nodded. “Yeah,” he said. “It makes sense.”

Nina scoffed at his words, pushing herself back to her feet as she nudged the shopping cart towards James blocking his path.

“Do you even know how to wield that thing? And why do you think you’re the one who deserves to keep it from the two of us?”, she looked angry, her tone sharp.

“I've had some practice”, James replied softly, his tone calm avoiding to escalate the tension further.

“That’s not the point James”, she snapped at him, pacing around nervously, “I’ve been using guns since I was a kid, I know how to handle one, why won’t you trust me”

“Trust has nothing to do with it,” he said, his tone firm but patient. He came closer to her handing her his plank.

“Here, have this”, he stretched his hand out towards her.

She chuckled, looking away. her eyes narrowing from rage, “What the hell am I supposed to do with that?”, she glanced at him annoyed.

“The same thing you did with that mannequin back there”, James said voice low and steady.

“Do you think you’re funny?”, she takes a step towards him her tone serious. James places his hands on her shoulders keeping her at arm's length away from him

“Calm down”, he says with a soft, but firm tone.

“Don’t tell me what to do”, she snapped at him, raising her voice and brushing his hands away from her shoulders. She turned around and kicked the shopping cart hard, knocking it over in frustration.

“Look, Nina.”, James took a step towards her, “I get why you’re mad. But this isn’t about control—it’s about keeping us alive. Please just-” he sighed closing his eyes for a second, “I need you to trust me on this”

Nina’s eyes narrowed; her frustration palpable. “I thought you said this isn’t about trust,” she replied, her voice sharp, laced with anger.

James hesitated for a moment, his gaze not leaving hers. “It’s not about trust in the way you think,” he said slowly. “It’s about making sure we both get out of here alive. I need you to trust that this—me having the gun—is the best way to keep us safe.”

“Is this about me being a woman?”, she turned around to face him, “Because I don’t need you to save me, James. I’m not some damsel in distress waiting for her savior”, she lifted her voice visibly upset, her eyes piercing through his.

She felt helpless because he decided to take all control by taking a gun for himself. She hated him for that. She wanted to be in control so badly. It’s what kept her from not slipping away into the darkness.

James took a deep breath, clearly trying to keep his patience in check. His voice was steady but firm as he spoke, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Stop arguing with me, Nina,” he said, his gaze fixed on hers. “We’re just wasting time.”

“Give me the gun then”, she pressed further.

“No”, he said calmly. She took a few steps closer to him, trying to be sneaky and take the gun from his waistband.

“You wanted to stop arguing. Here, I’ll stop if you give me the gun”, she came closer to him her fingers shifting towards the gun tucked at his waist.

He caught her wrist mid-air, his darkening gaze on her eyes, “Stop”, he snapped, “I said no”, he said firmly, hand on her wrist tightening.

Her breath hitched as his grip tightened, her eyes darting up to meet his unwavering gaze.

“What’s gotten into you?” His voice softening, “I'm not going to hurt you, Nina”, he sounded almost apologetic, but still kept his firm stance.

Her eyes finally softened as she looked up to him. She realized how stupid she sounded earlier. Embarrassment creeping up on her, as her cheeks flushed. He held her wrist for a moment longer before softly loosening his grip and finally letting go.

She looked away, taking the plank from his hand slowly. Why did she have to make a scene like that? That was pathetic. She would probably even make a fool out of herself if he handed her the gun. You should be thankful he stood his ground, pathetic little girl. Her mind was talking to her again.

“I’m sorry”, she said quietly, turning her head away.

“Don’t be”, he said gently stepping closer to her as he put his hand on her shoulder, “This isn’t easy for either of us, but we have to stay focused, keep our heads clear.”

She nodded, her eyes meeting his briefly, the vulnerability there almost too much to bear. She looked away again, her fingers brushing against the plank in her hands.

Her eyes were fixed on the ground for a moment before meeting his gaze again. She couldn’t speak again, her throat tightening.

“Let’s just keep going”, she tried to brush the moment off, her voice hoarse.

“Are you sure you’re gonna be okay”, James kept his hand on her shoulder, his grip tightening as if he demanded the confirmation.

“Yeah”, she whispered quietly, him putting his hand down as they left the room towards the hallway again.

Before they went out, James picked up a few boxes of bullets he found in the same apartment, stuffing them in his pockets.

Nina’s thoughts churned as they walked down the dark hallway. She replayed the moment over and over in her head—his firm tone, the way he caught her wrist so effortlessly, the quiet determination in his voice as he refused to back down.

She hated how much she respected that.

His calm strength made something stir in her that she hadn’t felt in years. It wasn’t just respect—it was something deeper, something unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Her chest tightened as she realized the feeling wasn’t entirely unwelcome.

But that scared her more than she wanted to admit. The thought made her feel small, vulnerable, and painfully aware of how detached she’d forced herself to be.

Her stomach churned at the memory of her outburst—the way she’d lashed out, how he hadn’t flinched. Instead of snapping back, he’d simply stood his ground, calm and unmoving, like he understood her anger without holding it against her.

She was pulled out of her thoughts quickly as loud manly scream echoed through the dark hallway. Startled, they both turned around, sticking close to each other as their movements slowed down. Nina glanced up at James, gripping the plank in her hands tighter.

They entered the apartment straight down the hallway. Moving carefully, James stepped in first, noticing light flickering from inside of the room. As they went in, they noticed a man sitting in the armchair in front of the tv. Tv was on, static noise filling the room, screen was flickering white.

The man in the armchair had a bloody cloth covering his head. James stepped forward his hand hesitantly hovering over the cloth wanting to pull it down before he quickly retreated, turning his head away in fear and disgust.

Nina lifted her hand towards her mouth covering it, as her stomach turned at the sight, threatening to make her sick again.

James picked up a key from the table next to a dead man. It was a key to room 212. He checked his map one more time marking the spot, as they were quick to leave for the hallway again.

In the room 212, they didn’t find anything particularly useful, except a few bandages and antiseptic bottles that Nina shoved into her fanny pack. They went out on the balcony and went into apartment next door through the window.

The inside of the apartment was dark. James held a gun in both of his hands as they scanned the room around.

As they entered the kitchen, the sudden screech of metal against linoleum sliced through the quiet. Before they could react, a mannequin monster lunged out from the shadows, its grotesque double-legged form twitching unnaturally.

James froze for a split second, his grip on the gun tightening. Then, instinct took over. He raised the weapon and fired.

The first shot rang out, deafening in the confined space. The recoil jolted his arms, but his aim was steady. The bullet struck the mannequin’s torso, sending it staggering backward. He fired again—then again—each shot precise, each one pushing the creature closer to collapse.

His breathing was heavy, as he stepped over the monster, still in shock. James stood over it, his chest heaving, the gun still raised. His hands trembled slightly as he kept his aim trained on the unmoving creature, as if expecting it to lurch back to life.

“Is it... dead?” Nina’s voice broke the silence, shaky and hesitant.

James lowered the gun slowly, his breathing still uneven. “I think so,” he muttered, stepping back from the corpse. He glanced at her briefly, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins.

She studied him for a moment, the tension still palpable in the air. “You’re... a lot better with that thing than I thought you’d be,” she admitted, her tone softer now, almost reluctant.

James offered her a faint, tired smile, lowering the gun to his side. “Let’s hope I don’t have to prove it too often.”

He stared down at the floor for a while, catching his breath before he lifted his head up to speak up.

“Let’s keep moving,” he said finally, his voice steadier now. “We shouldn’t stay here longer than we have to.”

Nina nodded, as she followed him out of the apartment into the dark hallway. Next apartment they entered was interestingly quiet. They carefully looked around, James clutching the gun in his hands pointing it in front of them and Nina followed beside him holding his plank.

A paper with a note on it was placed on the table. Nina came closer to pick it up, her face changing expression as she read through. James leaning over her shoulder to read it too.

“You must think I’m cruel but this prison is of your own

Making the choice was yours

I watched you make it over and over and over again

This time’s not gonna be any different

And I’ll be here watching”

Nina gulped audibly, glancing up at James who had puzzled look laced with fear on his face.

“What a bunch of nonsense”, she crumbled the piece of paper in her hands, chuckling nervously, trying to downplay the effects of words left on both of them.

James stepped back, cleared his throat and turned around to open the wardrobe that was placed against the wall. What he found was something like a camera looking into the room behind the wall. It was something like a secret room, with a safe placed in the middle.

He glanced over at Nina, “Hey, there is something behind this wall”, he said as he leaned against the wardrobe with one hand. Nina came closer, moving inside to look through into another room.

“Come on, help me move this thing”, he said as he leaned into the side of the wardrobe further attempting to push it. Nina was quick to help, shifting closer to him as they pushed the wardrobe to the side. Moving it they revealed a secret passage in the wall behind the wardrobe. James carefully slipped through, Nina following behind him.

They found themselves in a room full of drawings on its walls. It was cold in there. The safe was placed in the middle. Inspecting it they realized they need a code for it to open. Nina went over to one of the walls reading the smudged words written in white letters.

“Right where the rooftops pierce through the night Left are homebound footprints with no owner in sight But he has found home, oh, please pray tell Or a river of memories leading right to his hell”

Nina read the words out loud lost in thought. James was inspecting the drawings in the back of the room, before he came closer to her to stand by her side as they both seemed to be lost in thought thinking about the puzzle.

“Rooftops...”, she said quietly her voice trailing off. Maybe there is a drawing of rooftops in here somewhere. She glanced around the walls but wasn’t really able to spot anything similar to that.

“I’ve just seen a drawing that looks like rooftops, right there in the back of the room”, James turned around to face her. “It has number 13 written next to it”

“Ah, well there we go that should be our first number, right?”, Nina exclaimed excited.

“Now, footprints.”, she paced around the walls focused looking for the next clue. “Here they are, it’s number 7”, she raised her voice in excitement. James took out his map scribbling numbers on it.

“A river of memories leading right to his hell...”, she repeated the last line of the puzzle again. “What is the river of memories?”, she looked around confused before she noticed a doodle of what looked like “river”, even though it looked nothing like river.

“Here it is, number 11”, she glanced towards James, making the way towards safe. She put the combination in but the safe didn’t open.

She let out a frustrated groan, “How?”, she asked confused. “I’m almost entirely sure that this is the right combination”, her voice laced with raising frustration.

James stepped closer, watching her fiddle with the safe, her frustration evident in the way her fingers tightened around the combination lock.

“Let me see,” he said calmly, leaning in slightly.

Nina shot him an annoyed look but stepped back, crossing her arms. “I swear I put it in right,” she muttered.

James crouched down in front of the safe, his eyes scanning the numbers etched into the dial. “You probably did,” he said gently, turning the lock experimentally. “But it’s not just about the numbers—it’s the direction too.”

Nina blinked at him, her irritation giving way to confusion. “What do you mean?”

“The first number goes to the right, then the second to the left, and the last one to the right again,” he explained, his tone steady not looking up as he turned the lock carefully making it open with a quiet click.

“There”, he said quietly, as he inspected the inside of the safe. Inside was a coin with a man on it and a simple iron key. Nina glanced down at the open safe, her frustration melting into reluctant gratitude.

“It seems to me we’ve hit the jackpot”, she joked holding a coin in her hand inspecting it. James stood up, taking the key that opened the door on the other side of the room leading into the hallway.

In the room 203, they found a key leading to a small staircase that was locked due to maintenance. The staircase led to the 3rd floor. They picked up a few necessities they could found from the room 203, and made their way towards the small staircase.

Unlocking the door on the second floor, they decided to go down the stairs first, to check for the other side of the first floor where they haven’t been before. They moved carefully down the stairs, James taking opportunity to unlock the door leading to courtyard from the other side, making a free passage.

Wandering around the hallway on the first floor they heard a sound coming from one of the apartments. It sounded like a person coughing and throwing up. They both froze for a moment thinking it could be one of those monsters again. James gripped him gun tighter and Nina readjusted her position keeping a plank in front of her body ready to swing it.

They entered a messy apartment where everything was scattered around, walls were torn off and it was equally dark as in the other parts of this building. There was blood and remaining of debris on the floor. James approached the kitchen carefully, where he found another dead body, laying down with its head in the fridge.

He quickly turned his head away in disgust as Nina took a step towards him.

“What is it?”, she looked over him curiously, taking a sight of a dead person. She gagged at the sight, turning around disgusted, as she tried to contain herself from throwing up.

James pressed his lips into thin line as he turned around to check loud coughing sounds coming from the bathroom. They looked at each other questioningly, as James pushed the bathroom door open, his brows furrowed.

“Hey! Who’s there?”, his tone was sharp. Nina was just behind him peeking over his shoulder. They noticed, what seemed to be a young, visibly overweight, boy, sitting down on the floor hugging the toilet.

His clothes were childish, he had a cap on, his blonde greasy hair sticking to the sides of his face, his eyes so light blue that they were almost see-through. Nina looked down on him with a judgmental look on her face disgusted by his looks and behavior.

“It wasn’t me! I didn’t do it”, the guy looked distressed, shielding his face from James’s flashlight. “I didn’t do it, I swear”, he cried out.

“Hey, are you okay?”, James’s breath shaky, but carrying a hint of his usual kindness.

“I didn’t do anything, he was like that when I got here”, the guy continued his narrative, visibly distressed.

James looked over at Nina, who felt her anger bubbling up again. She wanted to leave, and this guy disgusted her. He didn’t even look that naive to her. She made a face at James that was something between confusion and disgust.

“He?”, James questioned, “Oh you mean a man back there? In the kitchen?”, he quickly realized what the guy was talking about.

“I didn’t do it, I swear I didn’t kill him!”, the guy continued crying.

“Yeah, it’s alright. I-I'm not saying that you did.”, James’s voice was caring, he carried his usual stable demeanor, while Nina scoffed beside him. The guy glanced up at her for a second.

“Look, my name is James. James Sunderland”, he introduced himself with a half-smile.

“And this is Nina”, James gestured towards Nina standing slightly behind him.

“Umm... Eddie", the guy introduced himself hesitantly.

“Eddie, okay”, James replied, his voice soft and gentle.

“Ugh, I don’t have time for this”, Nina murmured as she exhaled loudly, brushing her hair back from her face. She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, clearly uncomfortable.

Eddie’s eyes flicker up to her. He shifted uncomfortably on the bathroom floor, his expression a mixture of embarrassment and frustration.

“Yeah, I bet you don’t,” Eddie said bitterly.

James turned slightly, sensing the tension rising. “Nina,” he said softly, a hint of caution in his tone. Nina raised an eyebrow, her lips pressing into a thin smile that wasn’t quite friendly.

“So... do you live here Eddie?”, James continued with his soft tone turning towards Eddie.

“No, I’m not even from this town It’s just...”, Eddie shifted his attention to James. He trailed off a bit.

“Something brought you here”, James finished his sentence, nodding understandingly.

“Yeah, you could say that”, Eddie said while sweating profusely. His skin shiny from sweat. “I... well they came at me, I didn’t know what to do so I ran. I came here. Figured it might be safe. B-but then I found the guy in the fridge.”, Eddie explained before he started throwing up again.

Nina felt so disgusted that she almost gagged too. “Jesus Christ”, she muttered under her breath in frustration.

“Easy...deep breaths”, James’s voice was soft and caring but he never stepped closer to the guy from the doorframe.

Eddie wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes darting nervously between James and Nina. He seemed to hesitate before speaking again, but his gaze lingered on Nina, his expression hardening.

“And what are you looking at?”, Eddie snapped towards Nina, who was nervously tapping her foot.

“Excuse me?”, she straightened, her arms still crossed. Her tone wasn’t loud, but it was sharp enough to cut the tension.

“Miss perfect over here,” he muttered. “Pretty face, skinny arms, probably used to getting everything handed to her.” He let out a sharp laugh, hollow and mean. “Bet you never had a day of trouble in your life.”

Nina stiffened, her eyes narrowing. “What the hell is your problem?” she snapped, her voice sharp.

“Girls like you think you’re so much better. Always looking down on me, acting like I’m some kind of freak.”, Eddie continued his voice rising slightly.

Nina let out a sarcastic laugh, rolling her eyes, “Oh please, I don’t even know you”

“You think I don’t see how you’re looking at me, huh?”, Eddie shot back at her, his face flushed.

“Eddie, calm down.”, James stepped in, “No one is here to judge you.”, he sighed.

“Look, these things... This whole town”, James’s voice was soft, contrasting the tension in the room, “There’s something wrong with it”, he continued quietly.

“Might be best if you just get out of here”, James said softly.

“Yeah...”, Eddie’s voice calmed down, “Yeah, you’re right”, he looked away after lifting his gaze towards James again.

“Hey you wanna come with? Maybe together we can find a way out of this town.”, Eddie proposed and his tone almost hopeful. Then he continued, “You know, you don’t have to stick around her”, his voice was bitter as he gazed towards Nina.

Nina huffed, her jaw tightening, but didn’t respond immediately, her hands curled into fists at her sides, the restrained anger burning in her eyes.

James stepped forward before she could say anything, positioning himself slightly in front of her, his calm presence acting as a barrier.

“Sorry, Eddie, but I can’t leave. Not yet, I...”, James said firmly, his voice steady but not unkind, “I need to find someone”, he finished softly.

“And Nina’s been with me through all this. I’m not leaving her behind.”,

He glanced back at Nina, his expression clear: Stay calm. Let it go. Nina pressed her lips into a thin line, exhaling through her nose as she forced herself to stay silent. Her anger simmered just beneath the surface, but she held it back, her arms folding tightly across her chest.

“Oh”, Eddie muttered, looking down at his feet. James turned, gesturing for Nina to follow him out of the room. She shot one last glare at Eddie before walking away, her boots clicking down on the cold tiles.

“And Eddie,” James said, pausing at the doorway. “Be careful”, his tone soft but firm.

Eddie nodded absently, his shoulders slumping. “Yeah... you too,” he murmured as James closed the door behind him.

Nina stood outside, her arms still crossed tightly over her torso, her foot tapping against the floor. Her body was tense, the restrained frustration clear in her posture.

“What a jerk”, she commented under her breath, looking over at James.

James leaned against the wall, running a hand through his hair. “He’s just scared,” he said, his tone low but thoughtful.

Nina scoffed, letting out a bitter chuckle. “Yeah, scared,” she echoed sarcastically. “Did you hear what he called me?”

James met her eyes, his expression calm but serious. “I heard,” he said quietly. “But he’s not in a good place. None of us are.”

Nina’s lips pressed into a thin line as she looked away, the anger in her chest slowly dissolving into something closer to exhaustion. “I guess,” she muttered.

James reached out and lightly touched her arm, his voice soft. “Let’s keep moving.”

Nina nodded reluctantly, falling into step beside him as they continued to search the rest of the apartment.

They came close to an open window leading down into the backyard of the apartments building. Below, in the drained backyard pool, three monsters circled aimlessly, their grotesque forms twitching and lurching.

James’s jaw tightened as he raised his gun steadying his aim. He took a deep breath before firing, the shot echoing sharply through the quiet. One monster dropped instantly, its head snapping back. The others jerked at the sound, clumsily trying to get out of the pool.

James didn’t waver. He fired again, the recoil jarring his hands as he shot the second monster in the chest. A third shot dropped the last one. His breathing was uneven, his hands trembling slightly as he lowered the gun.

Nina stepped up behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Her lips curved into a faint smile.

“Nice job,” she murmured, her voice low but filled with a sense of pride. Seeing him handle the monsters with such precision and calmness made something stir inside her—an unexpected mix of respect and admiration.

James cleared his throat, shifting slightly under her touch. “Thanks,” he muttered, sliding the gun back into his waistband.

Without hesitation, Nina climbed out through the window, her movements fluid and practiced. She jumped down into the backyard with ease, landing lightly on her feet. James followed more cautiously, glancing left and right, his fingers brushing the handle of the gun just in case.

They went inside the empty pool, where they found a coin with a snake on it. James put the coin in his pocket before they continued further through one of the doors leading into the lobby part of the building on the first floor.

Taking a second to catch their breaths a bit, they continued up to third floor. In the apartment on the first floor they found a peculiar note. Nina lifted it up to read it.

“I was wrong, wrong, wrong. No I wasn’t but I wasn’t entirely right. I need to peel off more, something blood-close" She flipped the note over and read:

“I was looking outside but it is in me. There’s someone inside me”

Nina shivered at those words. She looked at James, hint of worry showing on her face as she put the note in her pocket. James shifted closer to her, visibly affected by the note too, but he was trying to stay composed.

He cleared his throat and they looked around where to go next from there. They noticed an opening down at the bottom of the wall. James crouched down to inspect it before they decided to crawl through and found themselves in the room that seemed to be like kitchen.

They got up, clearing the dust from their clothes.

They rummaged through the kitchen when James spotted a dusty cardboard box tucked in the corner. He crouched and picked it up, brushing off the dust to reveal its contents: a six-pack of canned juice, still sealed.

Nina’s eyes lit up. “Juice,” she said, her voice breaking with relief. “Oh my God, I’m dying of thirst. Give me one of those.”

James pulled the juice away from her hands before she could catch it, “I was thinking we could use this to weigh down the garbage chute. It might be heavy enough to push down the stuck coin.”

Nina frowned, her brow furrowing. “Or we could drink it,” she countered, her tone playful.

“Seriously, James, when was the last time either of us had anything to drink? I’m not risking dehydration for some stupid coin or whatever you think is down there.”

He exhaled through his nose, holding the box out of her reach as she tried to grab it. “We need to get past this puzzle. If we don’t, we’re stuck here.”

“And what if I faint from dehydration?”, she furrowed her brows. "Come on, just one can James, please”, her voice pleading as she shifted closer to him tugging at his arm.

James sighed, his flashlight beam shifting slightly as he glanced between the chute and Nina. He relented just enough to set the box on the floor between them. “Fine,” he said, his tone exasperated. “One can. Just one. But we need the rest to weigh this down.”

Nina didn’t hesitate, tearing the box open with surprising force and pulling out a single can. She popped it open, the sound echoing faintly down the empty space. The juice was lukewarm and syrupy, but she drank it like it was liquid gold, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

Satisfied, she tossed the empty can aside, only for James to pick it up and shove it back into the box. “We need all the weight we can get,” he muttered.

James pushed the box of juice down the garbage chute, box sliding down with the metallic thud. The coin moved down with the box the faint sound of the box tumbling down echoed through the building.

James leaned closer to listen. “I think it worked,” he said, his voice lighter for the first time.

“Let’s go down there then”; Nina impatiently rushed him outside.

They made their way into the courtyard again, towards garbage container. The bright coin with maiden on it was shining brightly on the floor as James bent over to pick it up.

“Got it,” he announced, relief threading his voice. Behind him, Nina crouched by the garbage container, her hands already rooting through the mess of trash.

“What are you doing?” James asked, turning toward her, the coin still clutched in his palm.

Nina didn’t look up, her voice muffled as she shifted a torn garbage bag aside. “Seeing if any of those cans survived. What does it look like?”

James blinked, his expression caught somewhere between disbelief and amusement. “You’re digging through garbage... for juice?”

She straightened slightly, shooting him a glare over her shoulder. “I told you I was thirsty”

He sighed, stepping closer but keeping a careful distance from the container. “You really think any of them made it through that fall?”

“Only one way to find out,” she muttered, her fingers curling around something cold and metallic. She pulled out a box, two of those cans stayed inside the box while the other ones fell out. They were still intact, shielded by the box around them.

She pulled the cans out, wiping them with her hand as she held them triumphantly. “See? They’re fine”, her face showed happiness for a short moment, “Do you want one?”, she offered a drink to James, extending her hand towards him.

He shook his head refusing her offer, “No, thanks”. Nina just shrugged her shoulders and stuffed one can in her fanny pack, and cracked one more open, pouring the sweet liquid down her throat.

She threw the empty can towards the rest of the trash, turning around ready to keep going, refreshed.

They made their way toward the puzzle behind the counter in the dimly lit lobby. James carefully laid out the coins on the dusty surface.

“Okay,” he murmured, examining the three empty slots in the puzzle. He glanced at Nina. “You said Maiden in the middle, Man on the left, and Flower on the right, right?”

“Right,” Nina confirmed, leaning closer. Her voice was steady, though her eyes darted nervously around the room.

James nodded and placed the coins as instructed. The second they placed those coins, the puzzle shifted revealing another set of words displaying themselves in front of them.

“The man doth approach, his Blade now revealed, his face disappears behind the shining steel.”, Nina read aloud, her voice quiet but deliberate.

“So...” she trailed off, tilting her head as she studied the lines. “We move the Man one spot over.” She reached for the coin, flipping it to reveal a sword etched on the other side. “And flip it to the sword,” she added, sliding it into the correct position.

James’s brow furrowed as he read the next set of words that appeared, his voice low. “Away from the man doth the Maiden flee, towards the Flower, away from the tree.” He cleared his throat. “Guess we move the Maiden too,” he said, shifting the coin one spot to the right.

Another shift of the puzzle revealed the third riddle.

“Where once grew a Flower, a venomous glee, where once was a Maiden, but a Stone doth be. And over her Grave, the Man doth remain, his blade never met the vile Serpent's vein”, Nina read, her voice slowing as the weight of the words settled.

James leaned closer, inspecting the symbols on the coins. “Flower turns into snake,” he murmured, flipping the Flower coin to reveal a coiled serpent.

“And the Maiden into a tombstone,” Nina added, flipping the coin with careful fingers. She hesitated before flipping the sword back to the Man. “That should do it.”

The puzzle shifted again, louder this time, grinding to reveal its final challenge, proposing a final question to them to make their choice.

“The beast who its teeth in her flesh doth bore, He who has failed, she who is no more. Now unto you falls a grievous chore. Who carries blame for what fate had in store?”

A tense silence followed as they stared at the riddle, the question hanging heavy in the air.

“Well, it’s obviously the Man’s fault,” Nina said, breaking the silence. Her tone was confident, though there was an edge of irritation in her voice.

James glanced at her, frowning. “Why the man?”

“Wasn’t he the one who moved first?” Nina gestured at the puzzle. “He pushed her toward the snake. If he hadn’t done that, she’d still be alive.”

James shook his head, his brows knitting. “But the snake killed her,” he pointed out. “The man didn’t sink his teeth into her flesh—the snake did. That makes the snake the guilty one.”

Nina sighed, crossing her arms. “Maybe. But isn’t it the man’s job to protect her? Feels like he failed at that too.”

James studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he turned back to the puzzle. “Let’s go with the snake. It’s the more logical answer.”

“Fine,” Nina muttered, stepping aside. “Let’s see if your logic works.”

James picked up the serpent coin and placed it in the central slot. A loud crack echoed through the lobby as the puzzle released, revealing a key nestled inside.

“Room 201,” James read aloud, taking the key and slipping it into his pocket.

They climbed up the stairs, the room 201 was the first room down the hallway on the left side. Few hours ago, they tried to enter that same room but it was locked. Now they had a key. James carefully placed the key into a lock, twisting it and pushed the door open. The inside of the apartment looked quite nice. It wasn’t in the state of decay like the other ones.

Room on the right side had a simple bed and a table with a chair next to it. It was tidy too. Nina thought how she could get used to this as she searched through the room, James leaning against the doorway hint of confusion showing on his face.

“It’s nice in here”, she said quietly, glancing up at James who seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.

She nudged him slightly, getting out of the room before entering the room straight in front of them. The apartment was dimly lit with lamps placed in the corners. James walked slowly before he stopped in front of the table.

“What is it?”, Nina stood beside him glancing up at him as he lifted a handkerchief in his hands. This belonged to Mary, he thought to himself. A flicker of hope crossed his face, she must’ve been here.

Both of them were startled, when suddenly, a mannequin monster fell down on the floor few feet away from them. Its twisted form writhing unnaturally in pain, letting out a high-pitched tortured scream.

James instinctively grabbed Nina’s wrist pulling them a step back. The sounds of rustling metal and mannequin cries were coming from the room behind the wall. James pulled them aside with their back against the wall as he peeked over. What he saw, made him confused and horrified at the same time.

A hulking figure with a huge metal pyramid over his head was fighting two mannequin monsters. It looked like he was punishing them or setting them apart, he wasn’t really sure what it was but the sight was grotesque.

James froze, his face pale as he processed the scene. Nina, desperate to see what was happening, tried to peek around him, but his grip on her wrist only tightened, holding her back. She shot him a questioning look, mouthing silently, “What is it?”

He didn’t answer. His face was completely drained of color as he clutched his gun in one hand and her wrist in another. Glancing around the room he noticed an open closet, two steps away in front of them.

Without thinking, he pulled Nina’s wrist, pulling them both inside the closet, shutting the door behind them.

“James—” she hissed, trying to protest, but he ignored her.

Inside the closet, he positioned her in front of him, almost like a human shield, pressing her back against his chest. His arm circled her waist, while his free hand clamped firmly over her mouth, preventing her from making a sound.

“Shhh”, he whispered shakily, his breath warm and uneven against her ear.

Nina squirmed in protest, her muffled cries vibrating against his palm. His grip tightened, pulling her closer until her head leaned back against his shoulder. The warmth of his body surrounded her, but it brought no comfort. If anything, it only magnified her sense of helplessness.

Peering through the slats of the closet door, Nina’s breath caught in her throat. She could finally see the scene in front of her unravel. A man with a pyramid on his head looked like he was abusing those mannequins. She was in shock, her mind unable to process the sight in front of her - it was too surreal, too horrifying.

Her heart pounded as adrenaline surged through her veins, her hands trembling as they clutched James’s arm. She wanted to scream, to do something, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. All she could do was stand there, trapped in James’s hold, her body frozen with fear and helplessness.

Pyramid headed man moved towards the room where they have both been standing just seconds ago. His movements were uncoordinated, grotesque just like his whole look. He stopped and made a a few weird stretchy movements, as if he was preparing to fight something.

James’s shaky breath became more frantic against her ear. She felt his arm tighten around her waist as he raised his gun towards the Pyramid. Her eyes widened in panic, and she grabbed his arm, trying desperately to push it down.

Don’t shoot! she wanted to scream, but all that came out were muffled cries against his hand. James's face was inches away from hers, she could sense his fear and how he acted out of sheer impulse.

The Pyramid-headed man took another step toward the closet. James pulled the trigger. The gunshots echoed sharply through the confined space. One. Two. Three. He fired three shots at the metallic Pyramid head, each followed up by Nina’s muffled screams, but Pyramid monster didn’t even flinch.

Instead, he made a few twitchy movements before lifting a mannequin’s leg from the floor and pulling it down with him as he disappeared behind the red door.

For a moment, there was silence.

James softened his grip on her before finally letting her go, pushing her aside gently to get out of the closet, moving towards the red door in confusion.

As he released her from his grip, Nina felt the weakness in her knees. She stumbled out of the closet, her knees giving away beneath her as she crumbled down on the floor.

Her chest was tightening, silent tears streaming down her face as she tried to breathe in desperately. She supported her upper body with one hand leaning on the floor, her breaths coming out in shallow, panicked gasps.

The air felt heavy, suffocating, her vision becoming blurry as she struggled to inhale properly.

James finally turned around after inspecting the red door in front of him, taking a sight of Nina’s crumbled form on the floor.

“Nina...”, he said softly, taking a step closer towards her, crouching down to her level.

She didn’t look at him. Her eyes were wide and unfocused, staring blankly at the floor as her breaths came faster and more erratic.

“Hey”, he tried again, his voice steady and firm. “It’s okay. You’re okay. Just breathe”

Her chest tightened and she let out a strangled gasp, her hands clutching at her knees, knuckles turning white from the pressure.

“In through your nose,” James said softly, demonstrating as he inhaled deeply, his hand motioning downward as though guiding her breath. “Out through your mouth. Slowly.”

Her head turned slightly toward him, her watery gaze meeting his for just a moment. She tried to follow his instructions, but her breaths came too fast, breaking into shallow gasps.

“It’s okay,” he murmured, scooting a little closer. “Take your time. I’m here. Just focus on breathing.”

A shaky inhale passed her lips, followed by another. Her trembling started to ease, though her body was still tense.

“That’s it,” James encouraged, his voice low and steady. “You’re doing good. Just keep going.”

Tears spilled silently down her cheeks as her breaths finally found a steady rhythm, but her breathing was still shaky. Her hands relaxed their death grip on her knees but still hovered in her lap, trembling slightly.

“I-I...” she started, her voice breaking, but the words caught in her throat. Her lips quivered as a sob escaped her.

James hesitated, watching her carefully. “Nina,” he said softly, his voice carrying a quiet warmth, “It’s okay, you’re safe now.”

“Safe?”, she looked up at him, overwhelming emotions crashing over her all at once. Her tear-streaked face showing frustration and anger, her voice trembling. “You call that safe?”

James flinched at her tone slightly, but he didn’t move. “I didn’t... I was trying to protect us”, he said softly.

Her swollen, red eyes glanced over at his, shooting him a striking look.

“Why would you grab me like that?”, she lifted her voice, sobs escaping her lips as she spoke. “What the hell is wrong with you, James? You didn’t even give me a choice, you just held me down like I’m-”, she choked on her words, fresh tears spilling over her cheeks.

James’s expression softened further, guilt flashing across his face. “I didn’t mean to... I just...” He hesitated. “I panicked. That thing... whatever it was... I didn’t know what else to do.”

“You didn’t know what else to do...”, she repeated his words with a small chuckle between her sobs.

“So, you decided to put a hand over my mouth like that and make me feel like...” her voice was cut with another loud sob as she continued, “I-I couldn’t even breathe. And then you started shooting—James, you shot at that thing!”

James’s mouth opened, but no words came out. He looked down at the gun lying beside him, guilt tightening in his chest.

"What were you thinking?” Nina demanded, her voice cracking. “You had no idea if it would even work, and you still pulled the trigger! Do you have any idea what that felt like? Being trapped, hearing those shots, not knowing if we were about to die?”, her voice broke completely, tears falling faster now.

James shifted closer, looking down his lips pressed into a thin line as he spoke again, “I don’t know”, he admitted his voice strained, “I thought... it would scare him away”

“Well, that didn’t work, did it?” she said bitterly, gesturing toward the red door. “He knew we were there, James. He knew.”

James nodded slowly, his jaw tightening. “Yeah, I know”, he said quietly, “But he didn’t come after us. He left.”

Nina broke down in tears again, intensity of her emotions washing over her again, she put her hands over her face.

“I-I couldn’t do anything”, she whispered between the sobs, her voice shaking. James lowered himself down a bit more, he hesitated before he reached out awkwardly.

“Come here”, he murmured. Nina was taken by surprise, her body stiffening at the contact as James gently pulled her closer to his chest. As the steadiness of his arms surrounded her, she relaxed and broke down again, her cries muffled against his shirt as she clutched the material in her fists.

“I’m sorry”, he whispered against her hair, pulling her a bit closer, the embrace felt a bit awkward and hesitant, but his arms were steady.

“I hate this...I can’t-”, she choked out her voice muffled. James moved his hands on her back in a soothing manner as she let herself break down against him, the warmth of his body making her feel a sense of comfort, in the midst of the chaos of her own emotions.

They stayed like that for a moment, Nina’s sobs gradually quieting as her breathing evened out. James loosened his hold slightly, glancing down on her.

“You good to move?” he asked gently, his tone awkward but genuine.

Nina sniffled, pulling back and brushing at her tear-streaked face. “Yeah,” she muttered, avoiding his gaze. “Let’s just... go.”

#james sunderland x reader #sh2 #silent hill 2 #silent hill #silent hill fanfiction #james sunderland #silent hill 2 remake #sh2r #james sunderland fanfiction #james sunderland original female characters

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kiyokowastaken · 5 months ago

Text

A Piece Of Heaven.

James Sunderland x Female Reader.

Minors Don't Interact!!!

CW: fingering, overstimulating, p in v (no protection), hair pulling/tugging, blowjob, babying a middle aged, miserable man, dirty talk, OOC James, porn with plot, age gap (reader is in her early twenties while James is in his mid-thirties), tit sucking, creampie, dom!James, oral (male and female receiving and giving, face f*cking, James has a breeding kink.

Summary: After partnering up with James and Maria, you could see the dynamic between them. A beautiful blonde vixen flirting with a miserable and pathetic man in search of his supposedly dead wife. Feeling a bit jealous of the interaction between them, you decided to climb the roof of the hotel to watch whatever of the sky that you can but you’re interrupted by someone.

This isn’t revised so excuse any misspelling or grammar mistakes! I was also inspired by another amazing James Sunderland x Reader writer named sundrlands so check them out!!

Enjoy loves ^^!

The fucking fog.

How come in some areas it’s dense as fuck but now when you need the fog to be dense, it’s not. You saw the blonde haired woman named, Maria latching onto James’s arms as if she couldn’t hold her own. You knew that the male was far too awkward to say anything about it, so he merely just let it be. You looked around the area, it seemed not as rundown and ruined as the other places that you guys have encountered, you caught a glimpse of a flower shop and your interest was piqued to say the least.

You jogged over to the small shop as James was looking down at the map trying to figure out where the hotel was as Maria was merely talking his ear off. You were pleasantly surprised when the flowers looked to be alive, they were still blooming in such a terrible condition. Your fingertips reached out and graced the soft petals of a Lily, the beautiful flower slightly moved by your touch before it got covered by a shadow.

You turned around to see James, which caused you to take a few steps back. His cologne was faint yet lingered around him, he smelled like clean laundry with a hint of a musky yet woody scent, the kinda smell that when you hugged someone you would try and take another whiff, “Uh..I figured out the way to the hotel, we would get there in a couple of more minutes..” The blonde haired man would mumble.

You couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh as you looked back at the blossomed flower, “You speak as if I’m going to snap back at you.” James merely flushed a bit at your comment as it took him a moment to think about his next choice of words. He always seemed to do that, instead of other people who just spoke their minds without considering what others might say.

James was the opposite, it’s like he handcrafted his response for you, yet he still fell short, “I didn’t want to disturb you, you looked peaceful over here in your own world.” He hummed out as he looked down at the flowers before he reached out and tried to stroke the flower but it seemed that he lacked a certain softness to his touch.

The very Lily that you once caressed so tenderly and gently, lost a petal once James touched it. James seemed a little disheartened as the sad look on his face that he always had seemed a bit more sadder, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have touched it, it seems like whenever I touch things they always end u-..” You stopped James’s sad monologue as with a bit of confidence, you grabbed his hand with your own and gently moved over to a flower, a budding bushel of Heathers.

You guide his hand and with a gentle brush of both hands, the bushel waves gently before you pulled your hand away with a small smile as you turned to look at the taller male, “Don’t always be pessimistic James, you have a gentleness to you. You just need to be patient, now come on, Maria is waiting for you.” You said with a slight bitter tone that James seemed to catch before his soft yet gruff voice said, “You mean, us, she’s waiting for us.” To which, you merely nodded before walking back with James.

A few minutes turned to a hour and the sweet moment between you and James had seemed to dissipate into thin air. Maria was once again walking side by side with James, their hands occasionally brushed against each other more than they should. At one point, Maria mentioned how cold she was which caused James to pause before he tugged off his military jacket and held it out for her which she graciously took and slipped on. You, in the meanwhile just scoffed, how unbelievable. James was merely being a gentleman and gave the women his jacket, so she wouldn’t freeze to death and here you were acting like it was the worst betrayal of your life. I mean, it stung a bit, you asked James to borrow his jacket during a moment of rest since the room you guys were in was cold to which he merely just got up and went through the hassle of finding a semi-clean blanket and handing it to you.

You merely just looked around at whatever you could in the surrounding scenery as the fog began to slowly disappear. You looked back to see the hotel, it was small but it was near an embankment of water which gave it a nice appeal. You guys got closer and before you guys knew it, you guys separated off into your own rooms. James got the room in the middle while you and Maria got the right and left rooms next to his.

Once, James got his jacket back from Maria, you all settled into your own rooms for the night. It was a delightful surprise when the water still ran through the pipes of this hotel, it was clean water as well. You stripped out of your clothes and turned the warm water on as once your body stepped into the warmth, it melted away any stress that you had away. You guys had battled all sorts of weird ass monsters coming to this hotel, so this was refreshing to say the least. You cleaned off the grim, sweat, and the blood off your body before getting out and changing back into your clothes.

They were a bit dirty but nothing too bad, you then debated into taking a nap or just roaming around the hotel. You guys could probably stock up on whatever you needed to finish this fucked up adventure so without a second thought, you grasped the handle of the door opened it before stepping outside into the fresh night breeze. Silent Hill looked less scary when it was night, the fog almost seemed lifted and the surroundings were now noticeable.

You turned towards James’s door to see him talking with Maria as they both leaned against the iron railing. You squinted a bit and you found yourself a bit shocked to see a small smile on his face, you had more than enough seeing the two of them together so you turned on your heel and walked to the opposite side. You looked through the few rooms that were accessible and grabbed some bandages and couple of food supplies before you found a latter up to the roof of the hotel.

You shrugged before you grabbed ahold of the latter and started to climb your way up to the room. Once on top of the roof, you let out a deep sigh as the air felt fresher up here. The cold wind stung your warm skin and blew through your slightly damp hair before you found yourself sitting on top of the roof. It was comfortable, the concrete of the roof was smooth enough to not be uncomfortable as you laid back and looked up at the sky and for once in Silent Hill, you felt at peace.

You closed your eyes for a moment as the wind blew small strands of your hair away from your face, you slowly reopened your eyes and the moon was bathing everything in its moonlight, including yourself. You looked serene, downright ethereal to James as he finally found you, he was getting worried once he searched your room and every other room that you already ransacked and didn’t find you.

He took a deep breath air before releasing it as he could now be calm. A few minutes ago, he was talking to Maria, the woman was good company. She was cocky, confident, and a downright temptress but he had enough of those types of women in his younger years. The attention was nice but you caught his eye, he really shouldn’t even be considering anyone when he’s looking for his wife, yet you graced him with patience, a loving and gentle touch, and the way your eyes always seem to shine a bit more brighter whenever he talked to you made him feel..good. Mary, they had their arguments and yet, they loved each other but somewhere along the way the glimmer in her eyes and the way she looked at James, it no longer felt like home. Yet, here he was searching for her after three years of her supposed death.

James saw you staring up at the sky and found himself also in awe at how beautiful the stars shined. He then cleared his throat as he saw you perk up as if he had frightened you, “Sorry..I didn’t mean to scare you, I just got worried when I didn’t find you in your room.” He said softly, as he walked a bit more closer before he found himself sitting down a bit away from you as he didn’t want to invade your space. “Are you okay..? I mean, obviously we aren’t since we are stuck in this hellhole but you seem to become a bit more reserved.” James said as his eyes glanced at you before looking elsewhere.

A silence followed afterwards and it seemed to eat at James, maybe he shouldn’t have said anything.

You let out a huff as you turned your body to fully look at James, “Are you something with Maria?” You rebutted with a question of your own. James was stunned at the question as he felt a red flush settle at the tips of his ears as he shook his head, “Me and Maria..we are just uh..good acquaintances. That’s all..” He stumbled out as your eyes hyper focused at his small movements and gestures.

“Then..why don’t you act the same way with me? You found Maria and me at the same place, we have been traveling together for a while now and yet, it seems like..you dislike me.” You muttered out before peeling your eyes away from James. James didn’t mean to make you feel that type of way, he didn’t mean to make you feel isolated from your small little group. This place was already isolating as it is.

“I-..I’m sorry, it’s just that..well I find myself feeling some kind of way whenever I’m near you and I don’t want that to affect us, it’s difficult to explain.” You could see James in the corner of your vision, he was rubbing the back of his neck. A bubble of confidence or maybe the way the moonlight reflected on James’s eyes made him seem all the more pathetic. You patted your lap as you looked at him for a split moment, “We have all the time in the world right now, explain this feeling to me, please.”

James looked at your lap that you patted before looking up at you, he felt like if he gave in to you, he would betray Mary. He did all of this for her. He reprimanded himself for feeling a warm feeling whenever you guys even locked eyes for a split moment. Yet, a part of him craved comfort, he wished to be adored again. He wished soft hands cradled his worn and tired face and pressed soft kisses against it. Mary once did that before the damned illness took her.

He moved closer to you and placed his head on your plush thighs and closed his eyes.

Warmth.

That’s what you gave off, the scent of a sweet yet citrus scent clung onto you and your clothes. He tensed up when he felt your hands on him. One on his chest and the other one scratched his scalp and he battled to hold back a soft groan. Sinful. This was utterly sinful. He was still married to Mary, he loved his wife, yet why did he turn around and push his face onto your stomach as one of his arms wrapped around your waist and pulled him close.

“J-..James..!” You stuttered out as the touch to you was foreign. You had have past lovers and loved every single one but none of them made you feel the way James did. The older man, he made a part of you want to baby him..protect him and care for him. He could provide for himself yet to your mind that didn’t matter.

“You make me feel warm, you make me forget about Mary. It feels so wrong. I’m here for her..and yet, your arms have felt more like home than hers ever did..and I feel guilty for such thought.”

Those words that James muttered out against your stomach made your face burn unlike any other. You didn’t know how to respond as you felt him take a deep inhale and then exhale, he felt more relaxed..guess that was eating at him for a while now. Your hand merely slid from his chest towards his back and rubbed his back as she sighed.

“You don’t have to feel guilty James..I also feel the same, I just didn’t know that you felt like I did. You always seemed reserved towards me, so I just thought I made you uncomfortable for something like that.” You felt James shift before you removed your hands from him as he sat up. He was fairly close now. You could smell him just like you did in the flower shop.

“..As I stated before, I’m not uncomfortable with you. I will feel terrible if you got mixed up with someone like me, (Y/N). You’re kind, sweet, warm, patient, and just everything that I’m not. I still have this whole Mary thing to resolve. We still need to get out of here and..I’m a bit older than you. You’re barely enjoying yourself, I’m already past my prime.” James said with a soft chuckle leaving his lips. God, that chuckle..it felt like a drug. You wanted more of that.

“You should stop putting yourself down, you’re terrible at even finding a good thing about yourself, James. You have this softness in you, I can see it. It’s just hidden by troubles, nothing that a little patience and talking can’t undo and about the whole age thing. Do you really think I care? We have gone against unexplained beings and you think an age gap is what’s gonna scare me off?” You rebutted with an eye roll as James raised an eyebrow.

“Do you like your men older?”

The silence that followed was all consuming, you cleared your throat as you puffed up your chest a bit as you nodded, “Well, yes but not senile old.” This seemed to make James laugh as he turned his face away from you as his body shook with his laughter.

“So, do I fit into your criteria?” James asked as his normally reserved and cold demeanor changed slightly. It had a hint of flirtatiousness and genuine curiosity. “I mean, yeah, you do.” You said as you couldn’t help but notice him moving closer.

A sudden change in the air happened, it was noticeable. He hummed as he looked at your eyes and then down to your lips, he wanted to kiss them so badly. It was almost downright painful how much he craved to brush his lips against yours. You could feel his eyes, you almost felt naked in his stare. It felt like he was undressing you.

“Jam-..”

“Can I kiss you?”

Did you fall asleep on the roof of the hotel and now your mind was conjuring up some wet dream about the male you have been lusting over? No, this felt real. He felt real. The warmth he radiated was real. You could only nod before he leaned in close and looked into your eyes with his beautiful, enchanting blue-grey eyes, “I need you to say yes or no.”

You felt your heart beating quickly, he was close, his slow exhale of breath. You could feel it against your lips before you opened your mouth, “Yes..please.”James let out a soft and quick breathy laugh before he placed one of his hands on your neck and pulled you into the kiss. His other hand was placed on your waist as he pulled you closer to him. You couldn’t hide the slip of a soft whine tumble out of your lips.

Heavenly. That’s what James felt right now. If Silent Hill was his own personal hell then you must be his personal heaven. The hand that held your neck slowly slipped upwards towards your jaw as he held it. His tongue flicked against your bottom lip as to ask for entrance.

James acted different. This wasn’t the same man that seemed to dislike small talk or any time of human connection if it didn’t regard Mary. You might’ve unleashed a animal, a hidden side of him that you only caught glimpses at whenever he swung that metal pipe and aimed at those twisted creatures before pulling the trigger without hesitation. You opened your mouth, a tad bit but that was enough for James to slip his wet tongue into your mouth. Your arms that were once by your side slipped upwards to grasp at his faded, forest green military jacket as a anchor. Your own tongue shyly met his in a heated and sultry dance. The kiss that was supposed to be somewhat sweet became needy and sloppy.

He tilted his head to the side as his hand that was on your waist slipped down and underneath your shirt as his calloused and rough hands grasped your body as if to reassure himself that you weren’t going to slip away. That you weren’t a figment of his imagination. You were real.

The two pulled away from the kiss as a line of saliva was the only evidence of the hot and heavy kiss. James’s hand that was on your jaw slid upwards and wiped your bottom lip as the string of saliva was no longer there. The air was charged with sexual tension, it was no longer awkwardness and stepping on eggshells. It was filled with lust, need, and want.

“I need you..I want you but we don’t have to continue if you don’t want too.” James said between small soft pants as he tried to regain his steady breathing. Your eyes were hazy, in your mind, you only wanted him. You craved him. You have held back for a while and now the man that you craved, he craved you back.

“I need you as well, James Sunderland.”

Those words sealed your fate. Now, here you were, your shirt and light jacket thrown on the floor of James’s hotel room. Soft moans and pants filled the room as James left dark purplish red marks on your neck and collarbone. How you were going to explain these marks to Maria tomorrow, well, that was a problem for tomorrow. James was set on marking your skin up, claim it as his. To claim you and mark you as his woman.

His tongue licked and traced from your collarbone down the valley of your breasts. He placed a couple of sloppy kisses there as his mouth traveled to your right breast as he attached his lips around your harden bud. His tongue swirled around it as he started to suckle on your breast. His hand ran up your body and groped your left breast, his thumb and middle finger pinched and tugged on your nipple as one of your hands grasped the bedsheets and the other hand tried to muffle your moans and gasps.

Your body was soft, warm, and inviting to James. He felt like he was tainting you with all of his sinfulness, he didn’t want to damn you but at the same time. He grasped onto you as if you were his salvation and maybe, you were. His angel, his pretty girl..he wanted to leave you a beautiful mess. His teeth softly teased your nipple that was on his mouth before he pulled away with a lewd ‘pop’. Your expression was his favorite thing, yet he disliked you hiding your face.

“Don’t hide your face sweetheart, I want to see you for who you are, please.” He said as he locked eyes with yours as his mouth wrapped around your left nipple as his right hand slid up your body to tug and pinch your spit ridden nipple. He gave the same treatment to your left nipple until he felt satisfied with himself. After that, he left a couple more love marks on your chest just to make sure as pulled away from your shivering body.

“May I?” He said as he eyed your pants as you nodded as your hands slid down to unbutton and unzip your pants so that he didn’t need to struggle as much. His hands then grabbed the hem on your pants and panties before he tugged them down in one fluid motions. The need to cover your intimate area was strong as your hand slipped between your thighs to cover your slicked cunt. James found that cute, he dropped your pants and panties on the ground before his attention returned to you.

He grasped your waist and pulled you to the edge of the bed as he made you sit up as he got on his knees. He wanted to taste you, badly. He looked up at you for a sign of hesitation before you nodded once again in consent as his hands prided your thighs open. He felt himself salivate when he saw your cunt dripping for him, “All for me, pretty girl~?” He cooed as he looked up once more to see your flustered face. He chuckled as he began with pressing soft kisses on your inner thighs as he teased you with small nips to your thighs. He suckled a few marks on your inner thighs before he was face to face with your cunt.

He closed his eyes as his tongue slipped out and a wet stripe licked your slit. You instant let out a whine as your thighs tensed up, he kept your thighs apart using his hands which were wrapped around them. He prodded his wet muscle into your cunt as his nuzzled his face into your wet heat. His nose occasionally bumped against your clit as his tongue lapped at your juices as he eagerly tasted you like if you were an expensive wine. His tongue prodded your clenching entrance before he nuzzled his face more into your cunt as his tongue slipped into your clenching and unclenching entrance.

His slurping became downright pornographic as your hands left the crumpled up bedsheets and slipped into his dirty blonde locks. Your head fell back as your lips were in a ‘o’ shape as moans and whines of pleasure left them. You began to grind your cunt against his mouth as the way he slurped you like he was a hungered man was all too addictive. The way his nose bumped against your clit would send shivers down your spine as goosebumps riddled your body, “J-..James~!” You moaned his name loudly.

This made James prideful, he pulled away from your slicked cunt as leaned his head against your thighs as you guys once again locked eyes as he panted heavily. He looked downright fucking sinful, his hair a tousled mess in your hands, his face flushed red, his eyes glazed over with pure lust and admiration, and his lips along with his chin were smeared with a combination of his spit and your juices. “Use me to get off, c’mon baby girl, I’m only here for you.” He panted out.

Those words made your eyes roll to the back of your head as his lips wrapped around your clit. Fucking hell. He was so fucking good, you felt the coil in your stomach come to life. One of his hands left your thighs as they slipped down to your cunt, his index and pointer finger slipped into your cunt without much resistance. He angled them upwards and curled them in a ‘come here’ motion, you soon began to grind your cunt on his face like if he was merely a tool for your pleasure.

The coil began to slowly unravel as he continued to suckle on your clit as his fingers quickened in pace as he felt you clenching non-stop on his fingers. You pushed his face against your cunt with your hands as his unused hand gripped your thighs in a bruising hold before he pulled away as he heard a disappointed and pitiful whine leave your pretty lips. He panted heavily as his chest rose and fell quickly as he tried to regain all the air he needed. He fell back on his ass as his other hand that was on your thigh wiped his face clean from your wetness. “Not yet, pretty girl, you aren’t going to cum that easily.”

He said as before he stood up, he then began to strip. Once he was naked, he had scratch marks and cuts on his body. They had long scarred which meant he probably got them long ago, your eyes mapped out his entire body before your eyes found his cock. He was trimmed, neat which surprised you. He was a good six and a half inches, he was more length than girth. He had a pretty pink tip, that was currently leaking pre-cum as it seemed that eating you out worked him up.

You looked up at him as he walked towards you, you licked your lips as he loomed over you. He grabbed your chin as his thumb ran across your lip, “Will you be a good little girl and suck me off, ‘hm?” He asked as you merely dumbly nodded, “Then, what’re you waiting for?” He let go on your chin before as he grabbed your hair into a ponytail as your mouth opened to let him slide into your mouth.

Your mouth wrapped around his tip as your tongue licked his slit that was leaking pre-cum. You swirled your tongue around his head before you slowly took more into your mouth, you had a bit of a gagging reflex so little by little did you take his cock into your mouth. You felt the tip of his cock press against the back your throat which caused you to gag, your hands held onto his muscular thighs as your nails dug onto them. He was fully in your mouth, he could see that you were tense so, he gave you a bit of advice, “Relax..breathe through your nose. You will cause yourself to gag more if you try to breathe through your mouth.” He said as he felt you take his advice.

He then started to bob your head up and down his cock as he felt drool mixed with pre-cum coat his cock. He also heard a bit of it fall onto the floor beneath the both of you, he let soft groans out as his head lolled back in pleasure as the hold that he had on your hair tighten, “That’s it darling, you’re taking my cock so well…” He mumbled out as he slowly began to buck his hips into your mouth. As when he looked down at you, he saw your pretty mouth around his cock as those tear filled eyes looked at him.

“Fuck..if you look at me like that, I might just cum early, doll face.” He muttered through gritted teeth as he felt you hollow your cheeks to create more suction. He felt you become more comfortable as he placed his other hand on your head as he began to lightly thrust into your mouth. The lewd noises and the occasional gagging sound around his cock made him shiver. He felt the knot in his stomach slowly appear.

He quickened his pace a bit more as he almost lost himself when he felt you swallow around his cock. The way your throat tighten around his cock, it was fucking heaven sent. You were a fucking miracle. He began to just fully thrust into your mouth as you slacked your jaw, letting him fully fuck your mouth as groans and..a whimper left his mouth. Oh, this was heavenly, he made such a pretty noise that made you bob your head with his thrusting as you felt his cock throbbing into your mouth more frequently.

It was you that pulled away from his grasp as you coughed, your lips were swollen from the kissing and the sucking you were just doing. He let out a frustrated groan leave his lips as he felt his cock throbbing as his orgasm was so close. You inhaled and exhaled deeply as your chest heaved, “If I couldn’t get my..orgasm, then you can’t either..” You panted out as James merely glared at you before he nodded, it was only fair. He edged you close to your orgasm and you did the same.

He pushed you down on the bed as he towered over you as you guys scooted upwards onto the bed a bit more. James placed a pillow underneath you and moved you close to him, you wrapped your legs around his hips as he looked at you, “Uh..I don’t have a condom, are you sure?” James asked as his hands were on your hips as his thumbs wrapped smoothing circles on your skin. You bit your lip as you thought for a moment before nodding, “Yeah, it’s okay..I want to feel all of you.” You mumbled.

James nodded as he positioned himself before he slowly slipped inside you. You winced a bit at the penetration as it had a been awhile since you slept with someone. James gritted his teeth as he swore that he wasn’t about to cum right then and there. You were fucking tight, he huffed as the grip on your waist tighten as he slowly sank more of his length into your cunt. You, in the other hand, you felt filled. He thrusted fully into you as your toes curled as he let you get used to him and his size.

A few seconds passed before you rolled your hips and a soft moan left your lips, you looked at him and gave him a reassuring nod as he bottomed out before thrusting back into you. Your hands wrapped around his neck as your nails dug into his board shoulder, “F-..fuck, James..feels so fucking good~!” You whined out as James settled for a slow yet deep pace.

Skin on skin slapping could be heard throughput the room, the scent of sex lingered and consumed the air in the room as the bed squeezed with every deep thrust that James gave you. Your moans mingled with his groans as his hands ran up your body and groped your breasts as bounced every time that he thrusted into your squelching cunt. Lips messily found each other as both of you locked lips in a sloppy and lustful kiss. Passion and..love was found between the two of you. You guys fucked each other like if you were in your own honeymoon.

You guys complete forgot about the outside world and the cruel reality. You guys were completely focused on each other, saliva slicked lips found bare and naked skin to mark as James pace became more quick. Your nails ran down his back creating red irritated marks as he groaned, one of his hands slipped away from your breasts and down to your clit. He rubbed quick and tight circles as he felt you clench around him like a vice, trying to milk him for everything that he had, “f-..fucking hell, c’mon doll face, take my cock. After we are..out of here, I will make you my pretty wife and fuck a baby into you, yeah~?” James said rolled his hips into your cunt.

You nodded as you were feeling so fucking good, he was fucking you so good. “y..yeah, I wanna be your pretty wife..fuck a baby into me right now, please baby~!” You whined against his ear as he nodded. Both of you too drunk out of each other’s presences as the coil in your stomach grew too tight as he quicken the pace into a more quick and deep pace as his kissed your g-spot so fucking precisely and him rubbing your bundle of nerves didn’t help as you came around his cock without warning. You clenched around him tightly as he felt your walls spasm around his cock.

“Good girl..coming on cock so prettily, gonna make you a mommy, mhm, you want that baby girl, ‘hm~?” James said as he wrapped his unused arm around your waist and pulled you close to cold sweat covered body. You nodded dumbly as you felt overstimulated, the way he kept fucking you like a mere ragdoll, chasing his own orgasm made you clench around him. You bit down on his shoulder he as he continued to thrust into you as he felt his cock twitching more frequently, “Close..I’m gonna breed you, my sweet girl. Make you mine fully, come on, cum with me. Let’s cum together….” He muttered as his breathing was ragged.

His chest heaved quickly as his thumb started to swipe against your clit as his thrusts became animalistic in pace as he pounded into you. He groaned loudly into your shoulder as came deep into you. Filling your womb to the brim with his seed as you cried out as you came hard. He stopped swiping on your clit as both his arms held you close to him. He could feel himself twitching inside you. Fuck..you both were tired. He slowly pulled out of you with a wince as you merely groaned, you felt his sticky, warm seed drip out of your abused cunt.

James pulled you down onto the bed with him as he would clean this mess up later but right now, he wanted to relish in the afterglow. He pressed a kiss to your forehead as his hands rubbed your back as you nuzzled into his chest, “I will do everything I can to get us out of Silent Hill..I promise.” He muttered against your hair as you merely nodded as you were fair too tired to form any sentences. He soon felt your body go limp as you feel into a deep slumber.

This wasn’t about Mary anymore, he had to move on from her..he loved Mary but you loved him even if he was a broken man. You chose to embrace him and give yourself to him regardless of the darkness within himself.

You were his saint, his angel, his goddess..his little piece of heaven.

#james sunderland x reader #james sunderland #james sunderland smut #james sunderland silent hill #james x reader #silent hill 2 #silent hill 2 smut #silent hill x reader

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lordship-posts · 6 months ago

Text

PLEASE MIND THE TAGS AND NOTES!!

(NOT ALL TAGS APPLY YET BECAUSE ITS A MULTI CHAPTER FIC)

A Female reader/ James Sunderland fanfiction, part 1.

Enjoy:

‘Violate me'

"What?" James spins around, a mixture of confusion and distaste written all over his Features.

"What? I didn't say anything." You huff, he's been on edge this whole time. Sure you both seem lost in this place, you don't even remember how you got here. All you know is that you woke up with your upper body resting on a bar table. Wearing something you would have never picked out for yourself.

Red high heels with a slightly ripped and thin Pantyhose.

A tight denim skirt and a stomach free Black top. The only jacket you got is James green one, pulling it tightly around your shoulders.

"Sorry, I thought I heard you say something" James shakes his head to himself, guiding the two of you with his flashlight towards another empty and cold looking place. Maybe he can get a fire started or something.

When he helps you climb inside through the window he stops to stare at something causing you to lightly run into his side "What?!" He spins around again, a form of anger on his face.

"What's wrong with you? You stopped moving and I didn't see shit in here" You huff.

"No you said something this time, I know you did." His body language makes you feel uneasy and you are slowly reconsidering if you can actually trust him.

"I didn't. I swear. What do you keep hearing me say?" Now you are curious.

"Forget about it. Just...if you are messing with me, stop okay?" He turns away and starts collecting wood. Or more like parts of the inner walls tossing them on a pile. Hopefully a fire works out here.

After a few too many failed attempts of him trying to make a fire you step in, you manage the first time you try. Watching the dry wood burst into a bright and big fire, it warms your skin, it looks tempting to touch, if only it wasn't so dangerous.

James pulls up two chairs close by the fire, holding on tightly to his metal pipe with an eye on the window.

"Ugh these are fucking killing me, I don't even know why I'm wearing them" your hands pull on one of the Red high heels. Rubbing at your ankle before you do the same with your other foot. "I don't know why I'm wearing any of this" You sigh.

Not exactly survival attire.

His gaze is glued on your legs, watching your hands massage your ankle and calf muscle.

'Hurt me'

He hears you whisper even though not a single sound left your lips.

"I'm sorry." James frowns deeply.

"Sorry for what?" You place the heels next to you, inching your feet closer to the fire, picking at the torn fabric of your pantyhose.

"For being angry, I don't mean to be. It's just...this place" it drives him mad the way your fingers toy with the thin fabric. Tracing your thigh with his eyes, fighting an urge to pull at the denim skirt to see your legs connect to your hips.

"It's okay, I'm kinda used to that stuff, you just gotta be able to handle it when it comes back at ya" when your eyes meet his thin lipped polite smile is almost unsettling.

"You get angry too?" He asks.

"Yeah, I've lived in an angry home for many years, so, there will always be anger." But you don't want to go down the trauma lane today.

And thankfully James doesn't ask anything further. It's just the two of you and a blazing fire in a run down old store. His face lit up by those flames almost seems nostalgic, but the sad kind, fond memories written over with painful ones, the kind you'd rather forget about.

"We can rest a bit but we shouldn't stay too long" James is always in a hurry to get somewhere but only barely knows to where.

"Okay." You nod, breathing in deeply, the scent on his jacket reminds you of something. Decay. And a probably failed attempt to mask that scent with a way too aggressive aftershave. You enjoy not having your feet in those shoes and your legs strained from the uncomfortable angle for a few moments longer before James seemingly gets more and more uncomfortable.

"Hey you okay?" You put your hand on his shoulder but he flinches away from your touch.

"You are sure you aren't saying things?" His eyes seem desperate for reassurance or...for you to confess to something you didn't do.

"Positive. We were sitting in silence" He seems to dislike that statement a lot.

"So i'm just crazy then, great" He nods, he's tired, god he's so tired.

"If you tell me what you heard or what you keep hearing then maybe we can figure it out or something?" You shrug.

Something in his eyes seems off again.

"No..No it's...- it's Vile. It's awful." His breathing picks up speed when your body turns towards him and you place your feet at the edge of his chair.

"Just talk to me. Everything about this place is Vile and..awful" You huff.

"I keep hearing you say things that you aren't, stuff you certainly don't mean. It's so...off putting. It's like I'm reading a mind that isn't there, because I know It's nothing you would think or say." He really is uneasy about this.

"James, what am I saying?" You wonder.

"Violate me."

"That's what I heard the first time. And then I heard Hurt me." He can't look at you at all.

"Oh? Wow. Yeah I really didn't say that" Why would you say such things? Doesn't make any sense.

"Is that all you heard?" Is there more? If there is, you hope it won't be as bad as 'violate me'.

"Just a moment ago I could have sworn I heard you say 'let it all out on me' " His eyes wander to your legs again, how easily spreadable they look. The voice is dripping filth in his ear again, he can't believe he's hearing such words especially knowing the woman in front of him didn't say any of them.

"Let what out? Anger? Frustration? In what way?" But while you finish your sentence your eyes trace his, the way his gaze is lingering on your knees, picturing something.

"Wow...okay, that's, that's a lot and that's not okay" You turn away from him putting the shoes back on.

"That's what I mean, I'm sorry, I know this all seems so messed up. I'd never.." He shakes his head "I would never." He says in a firm and loud tone.

"Bare minimum but good to know" You give him his jacket back, feeling uneasy in the cold and under his gaze now that you stepped away from the fire. You don't do that anymore, be a thing for fucked up guys who need to unwind. An object they can toss out once they get tired of it.

"Don't go! Please, you're gonna get yourself killed in those heels. Or in the cold." He keeps his distance but offers his jacket back to you.

You hate that he's right.

The longer you hesitate to take his jacket back the sadder his eyes seem. Almost as if he's really haunted by what he said, and by what he's hearing.

You reach out and take his jacket, pulling it over your shoulders and tugging your arms in front of your chest. "I used to...say these things. I don't say them anymore" his gaze truly does appear to soften.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything." He slowly takes his seat back by the fire.

"Used to drink and Party a lot. Hook up with the fucked up ones you know? And one night I.. -" You hear the brakes of a car loudly in the distance. The sound of a horrible crash almost bursts your eardrum.

"Did you hear that???" You jump up to look out of the window but there aren't any driving cars. Or people. Let alone a real road for cars to drive onto.

"Hear what? I didn't.. " James follows to peek outside. It's just as silent and as foggy as it was when you two came in here.

"Sounded like a horrible crash" You frown. A memory floats in your head somewhere unable to reach it, unable to really remember.

"Strange. Feeling like there is something you have to remember. Need to remember. But it won't come to you no matter how hard you try" You point out and when you turn around James is just a few inches from you.

He's beautiful.

If only his eyes weren't so haunted, it's a look you remember, the edges of the eyes slightly red and the shape of the eye feels..taunting.

It's a pair of eyes you see staring down at you, slamming your body into the mattress as hard as they can while pouring another drink down their greedy throats. You let them. You didn't fight. You didn't want to fight it.

A part of you always liked it.

It feels as if he knows, knows that deep down you want to be roughed up, have bruises on your hips and wrists for days.. reminders of their brutality.

He looks at you as if he can see you touching yourself to those memories. Clench your bruises while you climax to be reminded of the feeling again, and again and again.

He looks away first, trying to keep his composure. God he's trying so hard.

"This has to stop. These things we keep hearing, I can't..- I can't focus, I forgot where i was heading! What I had to look for." He frowns. A bottle of whisky smiles brightly at him in the rubble of the rundown store. He can't. He can't have a drink not now. Not here. Not with you.

He can't even look at you for too long or these thoughts or voices whatever they are come back. They always come back.

"Let's just stay busy, let's keep going, you said you had to find something in an Apartment?" You tilt your head taking the map from his jacket pocket. A set of heavy door keys jingle in the same pocket.

"Let's head there and not stop no matter what we see or hear, okay?" You shift your weight on your heels when you don't get an answer straight away.

"Okay James?" You try to see what he's looking at this time but.. you two don't see the same things in here. You probably never will.

"Yeah." He grabs the metal pipe from the chair and then he's out the door, waiting for you to catch up.

______

At the Apartments.

The tension didn't ease up much but at least you have something new to do, you have no idea what he's searching for but as long as he kills those monsters for you, you gladly tag along.

"You okay?" You ask when he's staring off into the distance again.

"Voices." He replies with an exhausted sigh.

"What did they whisper this time? I mean.. can't get that much worse right?" He doesn't respond at first and you sense this weight on his shoulders again, if his Guilt was a rain cloud it would follow him around everywhere.

"Squeeze until my eyes roll back" He whispers.

"Oh" choking was a big part of it, everytime you were dumb enough to trust someone with it, it could have been the last mistake you've made.

Nobody luckily ever took it too far, or you wouldn't be here right now.

"Are you hearing things about me?" He asks before trying to solve some kind of puzzle looking thing.

"No, I don't hear any voices but..-" You hesitate.

"But?" He turns looking at some type of button in his hand not sure yet what to do with it.

"But I can see it.”

“In your eyes I mean." You avoid his gaze this time.

"See what?" He takes a gentle hold of your shoulder.

"Death." You frown when his haunted gaze turns sad, desperate, trapped.

"My wife, she- she passed" He lies.

"Oh shit. Sorry! I'm so sorry about that, I shouldn't have said it" You really didn't mean to remind him of that.

"Was it very recent?" Trying empathy on a man like him is playing a dangerous game, you've done it too many times.

"It's been three years" He mumbles while solving the little mystery by replacing some buttons.

"You look like it happened yesterday".

You hear a door in the distance unlock and watch James step away from the table the puzzle was on, he seems colder now, you probably overstepped a little. You two are strangers after all. Maybe it's not for you to say how he looks or how he might be feeling.

"You don't look too happy either, it's in your eyes too, your cheekbones, the way they look a bit sucked in. Alcoholic?" He asks not so gently.

"Used to be a lot of things, but I never had a Problem with that" You stand on this. Wrongly so.

"Sure." James nods before he walks past you, he doesn't seem to believe a word you said. Takes one to know one maybe? No. You never had a problem right?

_____

The stroll through the different run down Apartments it's exhausting in its own way. Your feet really really hurt by now and ever since you mentioned how James looks as if his wife passed yesterday he's been distant. Maybe the memory of it just simply hurts and he needs some time to cool down again.

You suddenly feel a grip on the jacket, yelling out as you get flung across the room by something, something big and scary wearing a Triangle shaped helmet carrying a huge sword.

You hear James gun go off a bunch of times but the landing you took knocked the air out of your lungs. That thing turns around and walks towards you, James Shooting doesn't matter at all.

It grabs you by your throat and...this must be it. You'll die here. Your punishment for what happened 3 months ago..

The realization of it weighs deep in your gut, the guilt you feel pouring into every inch of your skin makes you sick. And then the Monster drops you,it slowly walks out of the Apartment and you hear the sound of the sword dragging behind it get further and further away.

"I did it. I killed him..- I killed him, I killed that poor kid" You shake your head violently. Hands shaking. Every fiber in you craves a drink.

"What? Hey, calm down, what are you talking about?" James tries to lift you up from the floor but you won't budge. So he kneels down next to you.

But instead of confessing anything you just push yourself up against him, arms wrap around his torso while your head rests on his chest.

Being held like this while the memory of a crash comes back to you helps but in the end..you are here for a reason, crying about it won't be enough, everyone in silent hill needs to pay for their sins. You shouldn't have driven that night, in the rain, after a bunch of drinks. You took a risk and it backfired.

And then you ran. Not wanting to rot away in prison for killing that 17 year old in the other car, you ran and you ran until you woke up here, lost, stranded.

Now two haunted pairs of eyes are gazing at each other. None of them are better than the other.

________

I hope you liked it!

Here you can read it or bookmark it on A03 !

Part 2 right here

#silent hill fanfiction #silent hill 2 fanfiction #silent hill 2 remake #james sunderland #james sunderland x reader #james sunderland x female reader #archive of our own #james sunderland fanfiction #my writing #chapter 1

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seriiousgiirl · 6 months ago

Text

𝐼𝓉 𝓌𝒶�� 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 — 𝒜 𝒮𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓀 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝒾𝓁𝑒𝓃𝒸𝑒

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ݁𝒿𝒶𝓂𝑒𝓈 𝓈𝓊𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓁𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓍 𝓉𝑒𝒶𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓇!𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇.⊹ ₊ ݁.

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ 𝓈𝓊𝓂𝓂𝒶𝓇𝓎 . ⊹ ₊ ݁. James is just needy and frustrated.

❛ Part 1 ⋅ Part 3 ⋅ masterlist ⋅ ao3 ⋅ requests ❜

➜ ┊ a/n: Ok, I didn't expect to get so much positive feedback on this story, let alone people reading it. Thanks for the reposts, and the likes, it's really heartwarming. I hope this new chapter lives up to your expectations!

➜ ┊: chapter 2/?.

Yeah, I’m fine,

Just, you know, work and everything.

James' words echoed in your mind far longer than you'd expected, long after you left the school and returned home. It was such a simple explanation, too simple, almost rehearsed. You replayed the conversation over and over, dissecting every syllable. Was that really the whole truth? Or were you just looking too much into it? You usually worried about your students, not their parents, but there was something about Mr. Sunderland that was different.

The way his voice had that edge to it, tired yet restrained, lingered with you.

You tried to brush it off as you kicked off your shoes and hung up your coat, settling into your familiar routine, but it wasn’t easy. Mr. Sunderland had always caught your eye—not in the usual way parents did when they showed up to school events, eager to check off a duty. There was something about him, a fragility hidden beneath his exterior that you couldn't quite ignore. You couldn't stop yourself from wondering, Is he okay?

He wasn’t just Laura’s dad to you; he was an enigma of sorts, a man who seemed out of place among the chatter of parents and the laughter of children. The first time you really noticed it was years ago, at a school event. You could still remember it clearly, as if it had just happened. The room was filled with the vibrant energy of kids running around, voices overlapping, and parents chatting with one another, but James stood on the outskirts, a shadow of a man amidst the lightness. His posture had been tense, like he was holding himself together by sheer will, his eyes distant and guarded, scanning the room as if he didn’t belong.

You had watched him, then—just a little too long—and something about the way he looked made you wonder if he was more lost than he let on. There was a weight in his eyes, a haunted look that never quite went away, no matter how much he smiled for Laura or spoke politely to the other parents. It had unsettled you, this quiet suffering that no one else seemed to notice, or even care to notice.

As you moved about your apartment, grabbing a glass of water and flipping through papers, your mind kept circling back to that same thought. Normally, you were good at compartmentalising—work was work, home was home. But James blurred those lines for you, even when you didn't want him to. There was something about him, something that tugged at your heart in a way that made it hard to let go once you started worrying.

You shook your head, trying to clear your thoughts. You had no reason to be this concerned.

After all, you barely knew him beyond your interactions about Laura. And yet, here you were, standing in your kitchen, your mind consumed with thoughts of a man you’d only spoken to a handful of times. It was absurd, but the more you thought about it, the more you realised that you had been noticing him for a while. Maybe it was his quietness, or the way he seemed to drift away in crowded rooms, but something about him had planted itself in your mind and refused to leave.

You were a teacher, not a therapist, and you had no business prying into his life. But that didn’t stop you from caring. You knew that if you hadn’t spoken to him at that first event, if you hadn’t seen that lost, almost broken look in his eyes, you might have been able to brush it off. But you had seen it, and now it was impossible to unsee.

Maybe that was why his tiredness today had stuck with you. The dark circles under his eyes, the way he seemed to force a smile—it all felt too familiar, too much like someone who was holding themselves together by a thread. You sighed, staring into the dim light of your living room, feeling the weight of something you couldn't name.

Maybe it was because you saw a little of yourself in him, in that quiet sadness that never quite left his face.

Whatever it was, it wasn’t going away. And as much as you tried to tell yourself it was just concern for a parent of your student, deep down, you knew it ran deeper than that.

As you ate dinner, you recalled the school event vividly, the day you first gathered the courage to talk to him. The air was filled with laughter and chatter, and you were moving through it all with practised ease, making sure everyone felt comfortable and included. That’s when you saw him.

He had been standing there, watching Laura play with the other children. There was a sadness about him, something fragile and haunting in the way he observed everything without really engaging. You had felt a strange pull toward him, an instinct to reach out, to offer something, even if it was just a gesture of kindness.

You had hesitated at first, unsure if you should approach him. But something in his isolation spurred you forward. Gathering your courage, you had picked up two plates of the chocolate cake from the refreshments table, a favourite among the kids, and made your way toward him. As you walked up, he didn’t even notice your presence at first, so absorbed in his thoughts that he seemed to be a thousand miles away.

When you finally held up the plate under his nose, he jolted, startled by your sudden appearance. His wide eyes met yours, and for a brief moment, he looked at you as though you were a ghost, someone he hadn’t expected to see or speak to. It had almost made you retreat, thinking you had made a mistake, but you had offered him a warm smile instead, hoping to ease the tension.

“The cake is really good,” you had said softly, holding it out to him. “You should try it.”

He had blinked, then smiled politely, a small, hesitant curve of his lips that didn’t quite reach his eyes, “Thank you.” He accepted the plate from you, his fingers brushing yours for the briefest second before he pulled away, creating an awkward silence between you two.

You both stood there, watching Laura run around with the other children, her laughter floating in the air. You had wondered what to say next, unsure if you should even be speaking to him at all. But then his voice broke the silence, soft and gentle, yet with a strained quality that made it sound as if every word was carefully measured.

“You… you are young for a teacher,” he had said, his voice as uncertain as his expression. There was a pause, a flicker of discomfort in his gaze before he looked away, as if unsure whether the comment had crossed a line.

You chuckled softly, relieved that the silence had finally broken. “Yeah, I guess I found my calling pretty quickly,” you replied, taking a small bite of your own slice of cake. You had gotten used to that comment—it was something parents and even some older teachers had mentioned when you first started at the school. But somehow, coming from James, it felt different. There was something in the way he had said it, almost like he was impressed, or maybe curious, but cautious, too.

He nodded slightly, staring down at the cake in his hands before taking a hesitant bite. For a moment, it seemed like he wasn’t sure how to react, but then his face softened, and he looked at you again. “This… this is really good,” he said, almost as if the taste had surprised him.

You smiled, glad that the small gesture had helped him relax a bit. “It’s the kids’ favourite,” you told him, motioning to the crowd of children still running around, their laughter filling the air. “I bake and we serve it at every event. If it’s not on the menu, the parents complain.”

James chuckled, a low sound that barely made it past his lips, but you noticed how it brightened his face, even if only for a second. It was a small victory, seeing that shift in his expression. “I can see why,” he muttered, taking another bite as if savouring the moment.

You watched Laura playing with the other children and decided to continue the conversation, not wanting the moment to fade into awkward silence again. “Laura’s doing really well in class, by the way. She’s a joy to have. Always so curious, always ready with questions.”

James's expression softened at the mention of Laura. His eyes followed her, his gaze warm despite the distance he seemed to keep from the joyful atmosphere around him. “She loves school,” he said, his voice almost reverent, as if Laura was his anchor in a storm he couldn’t quite escape from. “It’s… amazing, really. The way she’s grown since I’ve—well, since she’s been here.”

You nodded, remembering how Laura had come into the class that first year—bright, confident, and eager to learn. “She’s a natural learner, always asking for more books, more activities. Sometimes I think she’d rather stay in class all day if she could,” you said with a laugh.

James smiled, but it didn’t fully reach his eyes. You noticed the faint lines of weariness etched into his features, and it stirred a quiet concern in you, one you couldn’t quite explain. Every time he spoke of Laura, it was like he was holding onto her with both hands, like she was the only thing keeping him alive.

“She talks about you a lot,” James said after a moment, his voice quiet again. “Says you make learning fun.”

That comment had warmed you more than you expected. “She’s sweet,” you replied, smiling at the thought of Laura mentioning you at home. “I just try to make sure the kids feel like they can explore the world in their own way. Laura seems to have a natural curiosity about everything.”

James nodded, but he seemed distant again, as if his thoughts were drifting somewhere far away. You could see it in the way his shoulders slumped slightly, the way his eyes seemed to darken as the conversation went on. You hadn’t meant to pry, but his sadness was palpable. And in that moment, you had found yourself wanting to say more, to offer some kind of reassurance. But before you could, James spoke again.

“I’m glad she’s in good hands,” he said softly, his gaze still fixed on Laura as she ran across the playground.

You remembered the weight of your words that day, how you hesitated before finally gathering the courage to ask him something that had been bothering you for a while. The conversation had been light up until that point, but you couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the story, something beneath the surface of James’s distant demeanour and Laura’s bubbly personality.

You didn’t want to pry—especially not during a casual school event—but the question had been lingering in your mind since the start of the year. Laura’s information sheet had been so bare, so lacking in detail, compared to what most parents submitted. No emergency contacts beyond James. No mention of other family. You tried to tell yourself it wasn’t your place to ask, but as her teacher, you felt like you should at least know a little more.

So, as you stood next to him, the quiet stretching between you after your exchange about Laura’s love for school, you finally spoke up, your voice hesitant. “I, um… I hope you don’t mind me asking, but…” You paused, swallowing the nervousness that had crept into your throat. “On Laura’s information sheet, you didn’t fill in much. I didn’t want to pry or anything, but I was just wondering—well, if there’s anything we should know? Just to be prepared, you know, in case of an emergency.”

James’s face shifted at your words, and for a second, you thought you might have overstepped. His jaw tightened, and he looked down at the ground, his expression hard to read. You immediately regretted asking, feeling heat rush to your cheeks as the silence between you deepened.

“I didn’t mean to—” you began quickly, your words tumbling out as you tried to backtrack. “I just wanted to make sure we had everything we need for Laura. I’m sorry if that was too forward, I just—”

James shook his head, and to your surprise, he let out a soft chuckle, his lips curling into a faint smile. “No, it’s okay,” he said, his voice a little lighter now, though there was still something guarded in his tone. He glanced at Laura again, watching her as she played, before continuing. “It’s just that… I adopted Laura a few months ago. So I don’t have a lot of information about her past.”

The words hit you like a gentle but unexpected wave, washing over your initial embarrassment and replacing it with a deep sense of sympathy. “Oh,” you whispered, your cheeks flushing deeper as you realised the weight of his admission. “I—I didn’t know. I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

James shook his head again, cutting off your apology with a reassuring smile. “Really, it’s fine,” he said, a softness in his eyes that made you relax a little. “I know it’s probably a little strange, but… I didn’t want to put too much on those forms. We’re still figuring things out—so, I would appreciate your secrecy on this matter.”

“Of course,” you nodded, feeling a mix of embarrassment and understanding settle in your chest. “That makes sense,” you replied, your voice softer now. There was a brief pause, an almost peaceful silence between you, and for the first time that day, you didn’t feel awkward standing beside him. You felt something quiet but real.

He glanced at you then, a flicker of something in his eyes—gratitude, maybe, or something deeper, something unsaid. For a moment, you thought he might open up further, let you in just a little more. But instead, he nodded, offering you a tight smile that didn’t quite mask the exhaustion behind his eyes.

“Thanks for the cake,” he murmured, the word heavy with meaning, but it felt like a conversation he wasn’t ready to continue. “You can now add me to the list of your fans,” he tried to joke. And that was how it ended that day. A polite smile, a brief exchange, and a shared piece of chocolate cake.

But it had been the start of something—an awareness, perhaps—that had lodged itself in your mind since.

‧───────────────

It was the end of the school day, and you stood at the doorway of the classroom, waving goodbye to your students as they rushed out, eager to meet their parents. The air was filled with the excited chatter of children, their laughter carrying through the schoolyard as they bounded toward the gates, already discussing what they would do once they got home—playing, watching cartoons, or just relaxing after a long day.

You smiled, watching them, a familiar warmth settling in your chest. These moments, seeing the kids so happy and carefree, were some of your favourites. But as the crowd of parents thinned and the rush of students began to dwindle, your eyes fell on one child still waiting, standing a little apart from the rest.

Laura.

She was fidgeting with the sleeve of her pink shirt, her eyes darting around as she glanced at the gate, waiting for someone who hadn’t yet arrived. You felt a small pang in your chest, noticing how her usually bright demeanour was tinged with a quiet sort of patience.

She wasn’t upset, not yet, but you could tell she was starting to wonder where he was.

You walked over to her, your steps soft against the pavement. Kneeling down next to her, you offered her a gentle smile, hoping to ease the unease you sensed in her small frame. “Hey, Laura,” you said quietly, “Don’t worry, your dad will be here soon. I’ll wait with you until he comes, okay? So you don’t have to worry.”

Laura looked up at you, her wide eyes filled with an innocence that tugged at your heartstrings. She nodded, though her fingers still played nervously with her sleeve. “Okay,” she whispered, her voice small but trusting.

You sat down on the bench next to her, offering her a comforting presence. The schoolyard was almost empty now, save for a few stragglers who were still being picked up. You glanced toward the gate, hoping to see James approaching, but there was no sign of him yet.

The two of you sat in a peaceful silence for a moment, and you couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of protectiveness toward the little girl beside you. You had always cared for your students, of course, but with Laura… it felt different. There was something about her that drew you in, something about her quiet resilience and the way she tried so hard to be brave.

You glanced at her again, noticing how she was now staring at the ground, still fiddling with her sleeve. “You know,” you said gently, trying to distract her, “you were amazing in class today. I think you’re going to be a star at our next reading session.”

Laura looked up at you, a tiny smile tugging at her lips. “Really?”

“Really,” you nodded, your tone full of warmth. “You’ve come so far, Laura. You should be proud of yourself.”

Her smile widened just a little, and you felt a sense of relief wash over you. At least for now, she seemed more at ease, even if only for a moment. Still, your gaze flickered back to the gate, and you silently hoped James would arrive soon. You knew how much Laura looked up to him, how much she counted on him, and you didn’t want her to start worrying that he wouldn’t come.

Even so, you would wait with her for as long as it took.

As the minutes passed, Laura’s hands fidgeted more restlessly with her sleeve, her small brow furrowing with an expression far too serious for her age. She glanced up at you and then back at the ground, her lips pressing together as if she was holding something in.

“Is everything okay?” you asked gently, leaning a bit closer to her.

Laura hesitated, biting her lip before she spoke. “I... I’m not sure,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s just... James has been really tired lately. He doesn’t smile anymore—well, even less than usual. And sometimes...” Her voice trailed off, her fingers gripping her sleeve tightly.

You could sense the worry radiating from her, and it tugged at your heart. You leaned in a little closer, your voice soft and reassuring. “Sometimes what, Laura?”

She hesitated again, her eyes flicking up to yours before darting away. She seemed on the verge of saying something more, something important, but just as the words were about to spill out, the sound of hurried footsteps caught both of your attention.

James.

He rushed through the gate, his face flushed and his breath coming in heavy pants. His tie was slightly askew, his khaki jacket over his broad shoulders, and you could tell from the sheen of sweat on his brow that he had run all the way from wherever he had been. His gaze immediately locked onto Laura, and the relief in his eyes was palpable.

“Laura... I’m so sorry I’m late,” he said, his voice breathless but filled with concern. He bent down to her level, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Work ran later than I expected, but I’m here now.”

Laura’s face brightened instantly at the sight of him. Whatever worries she had moments ago seemed to melt away as she launched herself into his arms. “It’s okay, James. I knew you’d come. Y/n kept me company.”

James held her tightly for a moment, his eyes closing as he took a deep breath, seemingly trying to steady himself. Then he stood up, his gaze shifting to you. There was an apology in his expression, a look of regret for being late. “I’m sorry if I kept you waiting,” he said, still catching his breath. “I rushed over as fast as I could.”

You smiled, shaking your head. “No need to apologise. We’re just glad you made it.”

For a moment, as James straightened his posture, you could see the fatigue lingering in his eyes—deeper than just physical tiredness. It was the kind of weariness that came from something more, something that ran deeper than a late night or a long day at work.

You smiled politely, already anticipating that James would soon make his usual excuses to leave as soon as possible and head home with Laura. But to your surprise, he lingered for a moment longer, his gaze shifting from Laura to you, a look of contemplation on his face. There was something different about him today—something new.

“Miss...” he began, but before he could finish, you couldn’t help but giggle, waving him off playfully. “Oh gosh— It makes me feel so formal and old, how many times have I insisted you call me by my name?” You teased lightly, hoping to break the ice that often felt a little too thick between you two.

James’s expression shifted slightly, a hint of amusement dancing in his deep-set eyes. “I suppose it’s hard to shake old habits,” he replied, a half-smile playing on his lips as if he were sharing an inside joke with himself. You watched as he took a moment to consider his words, his brow furrowing slightly as he grappled with the shift in the dynamic between you.

“But... Y/n,” he finally said, his voice almost hesitant, as if he were testing the waters.

The way he spoke your name was slow and deliberate, as if each syllable was a treasure he was unearthing. The warmth of his voice wrapped around you, and the moment felt electric. The air thickened with an intimacy you hadn’t expected, leaving you momentarily breathless.

You felt your heart skip a beat as a rush of warmth flooded your cheeks, your breath hitching slightly in your throat. Suddenly, the space between you seemed to shrink, and the innocent and fleeting conversations you typically shared transformed into something more profound, more intimate.

“Y/n,” he repeated, this time almost to himself, as if he were savouring the taste of it.

The sound of your name rolling off his tongue sent a flutter through you, igniting a mixture of excitement and shyness that caught you off guard. You felt like you were standing on the edge of something new and uncharted, and the thrill of it both exhilarated and terrified you.

“I—uh, right... well, it’s nice to be called by my name, that’s all,” you stammered, attempting to regain your composure. The heat of embarrassment crept up your neck, and you could feel your heart racing in your chest, a drumbeat that seemed to echo in the stillness between you.

James chuckled softly, the sound warm and inviting, breaking the momentary tension. “I’ll make an effort to remember,” he said, and the sincerity in his voice struck a chord deep within you. You could sense the vulnerability in his words, a hint that perhaps he was allowing himself to be more open, more human.

The moment lingered, stretching into a comfortable silence as you both absorbed what had just transpired. You could sense a connection crackling in the air, a magnetic pull that made your skin tingle and your heart flutter. Laura, oblivious to the undercurrents swirling around her, stood between you, still clutching her father’s hand, her wide eyes darting back and forth between the two of you, momentarily aback by the interactions.

“James, can we go home now?” Laura chirped, her voice cutting through the quiet. “I want to play with my dolls!”

James jolted, as if he was coming out of a trance and looked down at her, his expression softening as he nodded. “Of course, sweetie. Let’s go home.” But then he turned back to you, an earnestness in his gaze. “I appreciate you looking out for her.”

The compliment caught you off guard, and your heart swelled with a mix of pride and gratitude. “Thank you, Mr. Sunderland. It’s a joy,” you replied, a smile spreading across your face. You were grateful for the opportunity to teach such a bright and spirited child, but it felt like more than just a job.

It was a chance to make a difference, even in small ways.

As the three of you stood there, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow around you, you felt a sense of connection deepening—a bond that was slowly beginning to form amidst the complexities of life. But just as quickly as it had come, the moment slipped away as Laura tugged at her father’s hand, eager to be on her way.

“Come on, James!” she urged, her excitement palpable. “Let’s go!”

With a final shared smile, James turned to leave, his hand wrapped securely around Laura’s. But, just as James was about to turn and leave, he hesitated for a moment, glancing back at you with a hint of nervousness in his eyes. “Oh, and… it’s only fair that you can call me James,” he added in a rushed voice, as if the words were tumbling out before he could stop them.

The casualness of the remark hung in the air, but the weight of it landed heavily on your chest. You stood there, momentarily shocked, your mind racing to comprehend what he had just said. The simple invitation felt monumental. You could see the apprehension in his expression, as if he were dreading your reaction, almost afraid of the implications his words might hold.

He turned back to Laura, who was practically bouncing on her toes with excitement, and as he walked away, you felt a strange mix of exhilaration and longing. The distance between you began to stretch, but in that moment, all you could focus on was the sudden intimacy in that one little request.

“James,” you whispered, the name rolling off your tongue for the first time, almost shyly.

But he was already walking away, his back to you, and the sound of his gentle voice echoed in your ears. You could almost see the tension in his shoulders as he hurried to catch up with Laura, leaving you standing there in the golden glow of the setting sun. For a fleeting moment, you wished he could hear you, that your voice could reach him just a little further. But the name lingered in your mind, and you knew this was more than just a name.

As they disappeared from sight, you found yourself smiling, a warm flutter igniting within you. You could hardly believe that you had spoken his name, and yet it felt right. James.

Just James.

‧───────────────

A couple of days had passed since that moment, and you found yourself standing outside the school as the last of the children filtered out, giggling and chattering excitedly about their plans for the evening. The air was warm, filled with the sweet scent of the last remnant of the flowers, yet your thoughts were completely consumed by James.

As he approached, you couldn’t help but feel a flutter in your chest. His blue-gray eyes had a captivating quality that seemed to pull you in, as if they held secrets and stories you longed to uncover. They were gentle and soft, yet haunted, a hint of sadness always lurking just beneath the surface. You had come to notice this subtle dichotomy in him—the warmth of his smile contrasted with the weight he carried in his gaze.

Since your last interaction, James had consistently arrived at school on time, much to your surprise. He had also begun to linger after school, initiating unusual and trivial conversations. And each time he approached, you felt the world around you fade, leaving only the two of you in a bubble of shared moments and unspoken words.

“Hey, you,” he greeted, a genuine smile lighting up his face as he stepped closer. The way he said it made you feel like you were the only person in the universe, and it took every ounce of your professionalism not to melt under his gaze. “How was your day?”

“Pretty standard,” you replied, trying to keep your voice steady. “Just the usual chaos with the kids. You know how it is.” You chuckled lightly, but inside, your heart raced, fighting the blooming flush on your cheeks.

His smile widened, revealing a glimpse of warmth that made your stomach flip. “They can be a handful, can’t they?” He leaned slightly against the brick wall, his body language relaxed yet intent, as if he was genuinely interested in your thoughts.

“Yes, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” you said, your voice tinged with sincerity. “They bring so much joy, even when they’re a bit much to handle.”

James nodded, his expression contemplative, and for a moment, you felt an intimacy forming between you. It was strange, this connection, as if you were bound by an invisible thread that pulled you closer together, even as you knew the rules that separated you.

“Laura seems to really enjoy her time in class,” you mentioned, hoping to steer the conversation back to safer ground.

He chuckled softly, but there was an edge of vulnerability in his tone. “She does. I think she’s found her place here.”

You glanced down, fidgeting with your hands, trying to quell the flutter of anticipation that filled the air. “I’m glad to hear that. It’s important for her to feel comfortable.”

James’s gaze didn’t waver. “You’ve made a difference for her,” he said, sincerity lacing his words. “I can’t thank you enough for that.”

The sincerity in his voice sent a wave of warmth through you, igniting a mixture of pride and embarrassment. “I’m just doing my job, really,” you replied, though the way he looked at you made you feel anything but ordinary.

“I don’t think you realise how special you are,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

For a heartbeat, you felt suspended in time, caught in the gravity of his words. But then reality hit you, a reminder of the boundaries that loomed between you. He was a parent, and you were a teacher.

Yet, as he lingered there, the air thick with unspoken possibilities, you couldn’t help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, the rules could bend a little in this moment. The thought both exhilarated and terrified you. You took a breath, willing yourself to maintain your composure, yet secretly wishing that this conversation could stretch into the endless horizon of what-ifs that danced in your mind.

As the silence settled between you, James straightened up, a look of determination crossing his features that made your heart sink slightly. His expression turned serious, the warmth that had lingered just moments ago fading into something more guarded. With a deep sigh, he seemed to gather himself before speaking, the weight of his words evident in the way he shifted his stance.

“Um, could I have your number?” he asked, his voice steady but laced with an urgency that caught you off guard.

You stilled, your breath hitching in your throat. The unexpected request sent a rush of warmth flooding your cheeks, and for a moment, you felt entirely unmoored, caught in a tide of surprise and delight. Was he really asking for your number? The notion was thrilling yet terrifying, sending your mind racing with possibilities.

James must have noticed the startled look on your face because, almost immediately, his demeanour shifted again. Realising how his words might be interpreted, he quickly added, “I mean, it’s just in case I need your help—like you offered before, with Laura or school stuff.”

The clarification hung between you, and you couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and a slight tinge of disappointment. Part of you had dared to hope that this moment was more than just professional courtesy, but as the reality settled in, you pushed that thought aside, telling yourself to focus on the task at hand.

“Of course! That makes total sense,” you managed to reply, your voice slightly breathless. “I’d be more than happy to help with anything you need.”

With a mix of excitement and nerves coursing through you, you fumbled for your phone, your fingers trembling slightly as you unlocked it. This felt surreal—exchanging numbers with James, standing so close to him, the air thick with unsaid words and lingering glances. You dared to meet his gaze again, and for a brief moment, you lost yourself in the depths of his blue-grey eyes, which seemed to flicker with both anxiety and something deeper.

As you typed in your number, a playful thought crossed your mind, and you decided to break the tension. “Just so you know,” you said, glancing up at him with a teasing smile, “I’m not available for cake emergencies or anything.”

James chuckled softly, the sound bringing warmth back into the cool air that surrounded you. “Noted. I’ll keep my cake emergencies to a minimum, then.”

The lightness of the moment felt almost intoxicating, and as you handed your phone back to him, your fingers brushed against his skin. The contact sent a jolt through you, a spark of electricity that made your heart race anew. It was such a simple gesture, yet it felt charged with an intimacy that caught you both off guard.

In that brief moment of contact, you instinctively placed your hand over his arm, a reassuring gesture meant to bridge the gap between you. The warmth of his skin was intoxicating, and you felt him flinch ever so slightly under your touch, as if your hand had ignited something deep within him.

His eyes widened for a split second, the guarded look momentarily replaced by surprise. “Thanks,” he said, his tone sincere as he accepted your phone, but there was a subtle shift in his expression, a fleeting glimpse of vulnerability that made your heart flutter.

“I really appreciate it,” he continued, his gaze locking onto yours, and for a heartbeat, it felt as if the world around you had vanished, leaving just the two of you standing in the schoolyard, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. With a final glance, James stepped back, his expression a mix of gratitude and apprehension. “I should get going,” he said, his voice a little softer now, almost hesitant. “Thanks again for everything.”

‧───────────────

James sat on the edge of his bed, the soft glow of a bedside lamp illuminating the worn pages of his journal. His hand hovered over the paper, as if hesitating to commit his thoughts to words. Outside, the October air had settled into a biting chill, the kind that always stirred uneasy memories. The crisp wind rattled against the windows, and James found himself drawn back to dark times, moments when the world had felt as cold and unforgiving as the night closing in around him now.

He pressed the pen down, scratching out his thoughts with deliberate care, almost as if the act of writing might exorcise the ghosts of his past.

Date: [XX/10/1993]

The air is changing. That sharp bite... it reminds me of those days, the ones I wish I could forget. That hollow feeling creeping in, like the cold. I keep trying to push it away, keep myself in the present. Focus on what matters.

He paused, tapping the pen against the paper, as though searching for the next words. His thoughts inevitably drifted, not to the past he so desperately wanted to escape, but to something—or rather, someone—new.

But lately... lately, there’s been a kind of warmth. Like I’ve found the sun again. It's dangerous, though. I know it is. It has to be about Laura. She's the reason I’m here. She's my only focus. But when I see her... when I see Y/n...

He paused again, his jaw tightening as he tried to push down the surge of feelings rising up in his chest. Y/n, your warmth, your presence—it was getting harder to ignore, harder to suppress the way his heart sped up when their conversations lingered just a little longer than they should.

I try to keep the conversation about Laura. I need to keep it about her. She’s Y/n's student, my daughter, and that’s all there is to it. That’s how it should be. It’s enough, it has to be. But I catch myself wanting more. And that scares the hell out of me. But I can’t help it. I find myself lingering after our conversations, craving the moments we talk about anything else—about the weather, about life, about her smile. God, her smile...

His hand trembled slightly as he wrote, the words spilling out onto the page with a sense of urgency, like he was afraid of admitting them even to himself.

There’s something about her. I see it in her smile, in the way she talks to Laura, the way she looks at me sometimes. She’s young, full of life and warmth, and I... I’m not that. I haven’t been that in a long time. She deserves better. Deserves more than someone who can’t escape his past—a murderer.

James exhaled shakily, running a hand through his ashe blonde hair. The darkness of the room felt oppressive now, mirroring the darkness in his thoughts.

I should stop. I need to stop. I can’t let myself think this way. Not about her. Not when she’s...

He trailed off, his hand going still as he stared at the half-finished sentence, the weight of the unsaid words heavy in the air. The journal felt like a confessional, a place where he could let out the thoughts he would never say aloud.

And yet, it offered no relief. No absolution.

She’s kind. She’s patient. She’s pretty. She’s good. Too good for me. I need to remember that. I have to stop before I ruin everything. I shouldn't want her. I shouldn't feel this way. But God, the way she looks at me, the way she smiles... it makes me weak. Makes me want things I have no right to want.

Makes me feel things I've tried to bury deep inside.

But even as he wrote the words, a part of him resisted, fighting the notion of letting go of that warmth, of her. With a sigh, James closed the journal, his chest tightening with the familiar ache of guilt. He set it aside, staring at the ceiling, haunted by both his memories and the new feelings he couldn’t quite bring himself to fully acknowledge.

Sleep wouldn’t come easily tonight—not with your name still lingering in the corners of his mind.

As James lay there, staring at the ceiling, the image of your face flickered in his mind, your warm smile and kind eyes filling his thoughts. The more he tried to push you away, the more you seemed to consume him, your presence a constant ache in his chest. He shifted restlessly, the sheets tangling around his legs as a bead of sweat trickled down his temple. His body grew hot, his skin prickling with a need he couldn't ignore.

James closed his eyes, his breath coming faster as he pictured the gentle curves of your body that he longed to explore, straddling him, your hips rolling against his as you rode him. He could almost feel the heat of your core, the way your walls would clench around him as he thrust deep inside you. A moan escaped his lips, low and needy, as his hand drifted down to his growing arousal. He stroked himself through his pyjama bottoms, the friction of the fabric only adding to his growing desperation.

‘I'm sorry, Mary,’ he thought, even as he pushed his pants down, freeing his aching cock. ‘I'm so sorry. But I need this. I need to feel something, anything, besides this endless grief.’

James wrapped his hand around his shaft, the touch sending sparks of pleasure through his body. He imagined it was Y/n's hand, your slender fingers wrapped around him, guiding him to ecstasy.

"Fuck," he groaned, his hand moving faster, the sound of his skin slapping against his arousal echoing in the silent room. He knew it was wrong, knew he should stop, but the need consuming him was too strong to resist. In his mind, you were on top of him, your hips grinding against his, your breasts bouncing as you rode him with wild abandon. He would grab your hips, pulling you down harder, burying himself deep inside your warmth.

"Oh god, Y/n!" he cried out, his body tensing as he neared his peak. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" The words tumbled from his lips, a desperate plea for forgiveness as much as a prayer of ecstasy.

As he stroked himself faster, harder, the guilt began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of urgency. His hips bucked into his hand, his breathing ragged as he chased his release. With a final, strangled cry, James came, his seed spurting across his stomach and chest. The pleasure crashed over him in waves, washing away the pain and sorrow, if only for a moment.

In the aftermath, as his chest heaved with laboured breaths, James felt a twinge of shame. As the haze of pleasure faded, the reality of what he had done crashed down upon him. Tears welled in his eyes, and he curled in on himself, his shame overwhelming him once again.

"I'm a monster," he whispered, his voice broken.

James lay there, paralyzed by his own shame and revulsion. The sticky warmth of his seed coating his skin served as a stark reminder of his weakness, of the depth of his depravity. He couldn't escape the images of Y/n that haunted his mind, the memories of their interactions intertwining with the twisted fantasies he had just indulged in.

With a trembling hand, he reached for the box of tissues on his nightstand, cleaning himself up as quickly as possible—as if he was cleaning a crime scene. He wanted to scream, to lash out at the world that had led him to this point, but he knew it was futile. There was no one to blame but himself, no one to shoulder the burden of his sins.

As he lay there, listening to the distant sounds of the city beyond his window, James felt a sudden urge to purge himself of the poison that consumed him. He needed to cleanse his soul, to rid himself of the taint of his desire.

With a determined grimace, he rolled out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom. He turned the faucet on full blast, the cold water spraying him in the face like a baptismal rebirth. He scrubbed his skin raw, watching his cum as the water swirl down the drain, carrying away the evidence of his transgressions.

James stood there, a broken shell of a man, his body shaking with the force of his sobs. He wanted to scrub himself clean, to remove every trace of her from his being, but he knew it was futile. For the first time, he had crossed that line, had given in to the darkest recesses of his mind. And it had felt...good.

"I'm sorry, Mary," he whispered, his voice raw and hollow. "I'm so sorry. I don't know how to stop this."

But even as the words left his lips, he knew they were empty. He didn't want to stop, didn't want to deny himself the fleeting moments of ecstasy that Y/n brought him. He was a monster, a depraved creature.

After his shower, James sat on the edge of his bed, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting long, twisted shadows across the room, his journal open once again in his lap. His hand hovered over the page, trembling, knowing exactly what he needed to write but dreading it.

His hand stilled. How had it come to this? He had never expected to feel this pull, this temptation toward someone, toward you. He had tried so hard to be good, to keep things professional, but you had stirred something deep inside him—something he couldn’t control.

Y/n.

Your namelay there on the page, staring back at him like a secret he could no longer hide.

I’ve already tried to relieve myself with thoughts of her… it’s not new. I’ve always been weak to her. The way she smiles, the way she speaks, her kindness. It’s all too much. I’m too weak. But this time…

James exhaled, his chest tightening. This time had been different. This time, he had given in completely, no longer just a fleeting thought or stolen glance. For the first time, he had let you take over his mind entirely, and the release had been overwhelming. It had been the first time in years—since Mary—that he’d allowed himself to finish with someone else in his thoughts.

For the first time, it wasn’t Mary I thought of when I—

He stopped, unable to bring himself to put it into words. But the truth lingered, pressing down on him. For the first time, it had been you.

His grip on the pen tightened, the shame gnawing at him. He had crossed a line—one he never thought he would cross again. But the worst part? The part that made his skin crawl?

It felt good.

For the first time, I let myself think of someone else, and it felt...good.

His breath hitched, a wave of guilt washing over him, followed by something darker. He closed the journal with a sudden snap, his chest heaving, his heart pounding in his ears. Tossing it onto the bedside table, James leaned back against the pillows, staring up at the ceiling. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to push away the thoughts of you that flooded his mind.

I should stop. I need to stop.

But he couldn’t. He was trapped, caught between the past he couldn’t escape and the future he shouldn’t want.

"I'm sorry," he whispered again, though this time, it was barely more than a breath. He wasn’t sure if the apology was meant for Mary or for himself.

He closed his eyes, Mary’s name on his lips, but as his mind drifted, it wasn’t her face he saw.

It was yours.

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