#maybe they're running from whumper and need a place to stay for a few days

[whumppromptoftheday]

a whumpee who's so caring and so loving and so so kind that nobody knows what they're going through until they reach out and ask for help. even then, it's hard to get someone to help because everyone thinks it'll be something small whumpee doesn't really need help with

[watermelons-dont-grow-on-trees]

Back Home

for now this is where the story ends chronologically

did i manage to mention 2 characters ive never even spoken of before? yes! that is to say, the story's far from finished, this is just the latest current event in the timeline as i think of it (edit: they're introduced in the honeymoon chapters so they aren't that random anymore)

masterlist

previous

TW: ptsd, whumpee visiting whumper, lots of dehumanisation, very fucked up dynamic changes

Emery had stared at the shiny surface of Luke's business card for what seemed like hours. She should have ripped it in half and thrown it at him before heading back to the courtroom, instead she pocketed it and only remembered she had it at home.

She was too anxious to sit down, and placed her phone on the kitchen counter staring at the numbers she copied from the card.

Was she really about to flush all the progress she made down the drain and call him? The man who kept her as a pet for years, Luke Fletcher, who made her life a living hell even after she escaped, a small piece of him still stuck in her brain like years old gum stuck to a bench in the park.

It was true that she needed the money, but was it really worth it becoming indebted to that monster?

She pressed on the call button without thinking further. It rang loud and clear each beep sending shivers down her spine. She prayed he wouldn't pick it up. Then she could've had a peace of mind, and when he inevitably called back, revenge would taste sweet as she would disconnect the line.

"Fletcher-Richards, how can I help?" she shuddered, the familiar phrase had been burnt into her mind, of course he gave her his private number. She lost all sense of what she was about to say. No words came to mind she just stared at the phone.

"Em?" he asked, figuring it out quickly. She swallowed hard.

"Yes" she confirmed.

"Great, I was wondering when you'd call. Listen, I looked into your lawyer better, and I severely overestimated him, he doesn't stand a chance. I was thinking-"

"I'm sorry, S-" she stopped herself just in time not to say it "sorry, but I don't want to talk. I just want to know if you meant it? About the money?" Emery hoped the correction was smooth enough that he didn't notice.

"I wouldn't have offered if I didn't" he scoffed "Just hear me out okay?"

"Sure" she sighed. No matter how hard she tried to convince herself she was allowed to say no, she didn't actually know how.

"I can give you the number of another lawyer, who'll help you out and maybe even get you a good deal. He's the second best in the city"

"The best one wasn't available, huh?" she half whispered it, but Luke still replied.

"I don't think the same person can represent both the defense and prosecution in the same trial" Emery knew that he was laughing. As if the whole situation was a joke between old friends "I'll arrange it for you, just come by tomorrow"

"To-tomorrow?" Way too soon.

"Would you prefer to drag it out a few more days?" Of course not. She knew she wouldn't sleep at night anyway.

"No. Sorry"

"I'm home all day, the gate will open for your car"

...

She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. There still was some hope they'd miss the sound and she could just leave. Tell Luke noone opened the door when he inevitably calls.

"Good morning, come on in" he greeted her with a bright smile and stepped aside to let her in. The familiar scent of the house filled up her lungs and for a moment she thought she'd burst into tears.

"Make yourself comfortable" he gestured towards the living room to her left "The papers are in my office, I'll be right back"

She stayed frozen in place until she lost sight of him as he disappeared in the stairwell.

Nothing had changed. The floor was still covered by the long red running carpet she cleaned so many times before. The walls were the same eggshell white colour, warm and comforting to anyone, who hadn't been confined to this hell of a place.

She made her way to the dining table and pulled a chair out for herself. She took a second before she sat down on it and tried to calm herself. It was just like any chair at home. She didn't have to kneel next to it ever again.

"Damn, look what the cat dragged in" A chill ran through her so deep she felt it in her bones. She made eye-contact with Cole, who casually made his way over to the table and sat down across from her.

Emery couldn't do anything, just stare at him like a deer in the headlights of a truck that definitely won't slow down or swerve to avoid it.

Everything was wrong. The phone she had in her pocket burnt as it was something she's not supposed to have, the air around her neck felt freezing without the collar around, and she was sitting by the dining table, eye to eye with her ma-.

"Is the prodigal daughter finally returning?" he teased with a grin. As if he didn't know why she was there.

"No" she forced out and looked away. She was on the verge of tears again.

"I'm kidding" he laughed and laid back in his seat, his gaze burnt holes in the side of her face "Luke will be right back"

She nodded and risked a glance over to Cole again. He barely changed if he did at all. His skin was dark brown and rich as ever, from travelling all around the globe, vacationing together with Luke in the most luxurious sunny beaches, where even the sun shines differently, whenever they could. His hair short and dark, immaculate. He shot her an award winning smile.

"I had to ask, just to make sure, now that you're here you cold stay a while" There it was again, words that pierced her skin and twisted like a blade.

"Everything okay here?" Luke entered and Emery could breathe again. She hated how relieving his presence was, as if he already started lulling her into a sense of safety that he would rip away for his own entertainment, amending it later with comfort only he provided, just to take that away too, in a vicious cycle over and over again.

"Perfectly, were just catching up" Cole smiled innocently at his husband.

"Here's the check," he placed a stack of papers on the table and picked them apart to show her. Emery was glad there was something to focus on "this is the private number of the lawyer I told you about, I talked to him earlier and he's willing to take over your case. Call him. These are some statements you might need, copies of our pet licenses," he flipped through the pages and pulled the last document from the bottom of the stack.

"And this one, is your intake form, signed by you and two others who were present as witnesses. Don't let it get into wrong hands" she stared at her own handwriting.

"Why are you giving this to me?" she looked up at the man confused.

"Well, owner's keep these of pets usually, given the circumstances I think it's for you to have"

In a twisted way that was the most reassuring sentence she has heard since her escape. No amount of progress she made with her therapist had brought this amount of relief. She hated that it was Luke granting it.

"Emery!" she jumped from her seat and turned around.

The pet stood dead in her tracks, just before they collided and looked over to her owner for permission. He just nodded with a fond smile.

Emery buried her face in the other woman's wild, blonde curls. She took in the familiar scent and finally let her tears roll.

Alyssa sobbed into the crook of her neck, she caressed the locks of hair that barely reached her shoulder, and let herself be lost in the familiar embrace of Emery's bony hands.

"I never thought I'd see you again"

"I'm so sorry. I should've brought you with"

"Okay, that's a step too far" Luke placed a hand on Aly's back, who immediately unfolded herself from the embrace and dropped to her knees. The man's hand slid up her spine while she did so and found it's way through her hair, gently massaging at her scalp.

Emery took an instinctive, horrified step back.

"I respect you, Em, but Alyssa's my property still. She never was and never will be going anywhere, right love?" Aly nodded.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that" she muttered, suddenly far too aware of the space she was taking up standing.

"Hm, sure you didn't" She would take Alyssa as far away from this place as possible if she could.

"Come on, Darling" Cole interrupted, still sitting at the table, clearly enjoying the scenario that unfolded "They haven't seen each other in so long, let them catch up"

Luke sighed, frustrated, he let go of Aly's hair.

"Fine, but the puppy stays on her knees, where she belongs"

"No, I can't-" I can't become one of you. I can't do that to her "I have to go" she needed to get out.

"Please!" Emery's protest was cut short and she made eye contact with Alyssa, pleading for her to stay just a little longer.

"I'm sorry, I can't-" she tried, but her determination crumbled as fast as it built up.

"I'd hate to keep you here against your will, but you don't look alright, stay for a coffee?" Emery scoffed, absolutely bewildered by the words that left the man's mouth. I'd hate to keep you here against your will. No you wouldn't, you'd enjoy it the most you monster.

"Sure" she locked eyes with Aly again, and attempted to smile at her. She sat down and the pet was quick to snuggle up to the side of her leg, resting her head against her knee.

They both flinched as Luke walked past them to the kitchen.

Her hand hovered over Aly's head tentatively. She never imagined to be put in that position, it was almost too much to handle.

The pet looked up at her, pleading, as if to say it's okay. Emery remembered far too well how much comfort it brought for her hair to be played with, to be given an ounce of comfort.

Alyssa's hair was thick and soft, she tried to avoid getting her hand pull at the tangles that formed no matter how many times she brushed them out.

"How do you take it? Milk and sugar right?" Luke asked from behind. She used to. Now she couldn't bare to look at any sweet beverage's.

"Black, please" she corrected and Luke hummed in acknowledgment.

"So, Em" Cole leaned forward in his seat, commanding her attention back to him "What have you been up to these past few years?"

"Therapy, mostly" she answered bitterly, no idea where the sudden courage possessed her from. Maybe it was soothing to have Alyssa curled up next to her. No, she couldn't think like that.

He laughed "And how's that working out for you?"

"Cole" Luke frowned, entering Emery's line of sight again, balancing three cups of coffee on a tray.

"Sorry" he replied, still smirking. Of course he wasn't sorry. Luke placed the cup in front of her.

"Thank you, S-" There it was again. Old habits die hard "Thanks"

They sipped their coffees in awkward silence, that only the soft clinks of the saucers broke.

"Can I ask Alyssa something?"

"You're welcome to" Luke shrugged.

"How have things been here? Since I- since..." she struggled to finish. Aly still looked up at Luke for approval before answering.

"Good" came the well-trained reply "I- it's just... I miss you. And I miss Lucky"

"Why, what happened to her?"

"Let's not bring Lucky up, it upsets Aly" Luke moderated. Alyssa nodded miserably "Tell her about your little playdates, puppy"

"Beau is here a lot" she took a deep breath to try and steady her voice. What the fuck happened to Lucky? "I'm really happy that Sir allows it"

"Beau is... hers?" Alyssa tensed up. Luke just nodded "I really have to go now" she stood up abruptly, pushing Alyssa away. She grabbed the papers and crumpled them into her bag as fast as it was possible.

None of them made a move to stop her, as she hurried towards the front door.

Luke stood up and followed her outside.

"Will you be alright driving home like this?" he asked cautiously. She couldn't speak, but nodded and sat in the driver's seat. "I'm sorry, about Aly bringing all that up..."

"It's not... It's fine. Not her fault" she shook her head. Bile rising up her throat as she thought about how the day would end for Alyssa for the infraction, unfortunately she had a solid idea.

She slammed the door in and started the car.