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ode-to-fury · 5 months ago

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Winter Thorns and Iron Crowns pt. 16

Summary: Stannis and Robert really not doing the Baratheons any favours when it comes to beating the idiot allegations

Pairings: Stannis Baratheon x Reader

Disclaimer: Ok! This is the last part! I’m so sorry if the prose isn’t as good I haven’t read the books in a minute so I might be using a different writing style a little I’m so sorry. Also really sorry if this sucks I haven’t touched this fic in like a year and a half lol. Anyway I hope everyone enjoys. Eat your heart out Bridgerton season 3 This is how you do a friends to lovers confession!

Ser Barristan Selmy, Lord Commander of Robert Baratheon’s Kingsguard, strode through the halls of Maegor’s Holdfast and felt trepidation close it’s unrelenting fingers around his heart.

It was raining, drops pattering against the walls, dripping from eaves and lightly spattering onto his armour as he walked.

He clenched his fists at his sides, knowing Robert had sent him on this errand as some sort of test, though whether it was his test, Barristan could not say.

He stopped in front of a set of double doors, polished so that he could see his reflection in them. He took off his white helm and knocked on the door. Once. Sharply.

It was a few moments before a girl answered, pitch black hair and wide, deep blue eyes.

“Yes, m’lord?” She asked him, half hiding behind the door.

“Is lady Stark within?” He asked her kindly.

“Yes, m’lord,” she replied, and dropped into a quick curtsy. “But, begging your pardon m’lord, she said she wanted no visitors today, owing to the rain.”

He suppressed a roll of his eyes.

“Would you be so kind as to inform her that she will have to make an exception for a summons from king Robert?”

The girl’s already wide eyes widened even further, and she nodded, disappearing behind the large door.

A short time later, Y/n Stark came to the door.

She was dressed in black, her golden brown hair braided back from her face almost austerely, drawing attention to the lines around her mouth, the shadowed bruises beneath her eyes, the four thin scars on her cheek which seemed even more stark against her pale skin.

Barristan remembered the first time he had seen her, a shy, unremarkable girl. She had blossomed during her wardship, had become a lovely young woman, quick with a grin or a sly look for him or anyone else.

No trace of that girl could he see in the woman before him now. Now, all he could see was her slumped form in front of the Iron Throne, tears streaking across her cheeks.

Her lip curled as her eyes met his, as they travelled up and down, taking in his white armour and cloak.

Her eyes were dull, no trace of the twinkle that he had become accustomed to.

A great shame, for her beauty had always been in the twinkle of her grey eyes.

She shook her head, sighing through her nose.

“And out of everyone, he sends me you,” she said scornfully.

“Robert always did have the most terrible sense of humour.”

Will I ever be forgiven for living? He thought, knowing full well which one of his brothers she would have preferred to see outside her door.

“Well?” She snapped, before he could say anything, “Are you going to escort me or just stand there like a halfwit?”

He saluted and turned, not knowing how to reply, and began the long, silent walk to Robert’s solar.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Barristan held the door for lady Stark as she strode into the room. He closed it behind himself and took up a place beside it, opposite ser Meryn Trant.

Deliberately, he did not allow any thought on his new brother to enter his mind or show on his face.

The lady Stark strode into the room, black skirts swirling.

Robert, Maester Pycelle, Jon Arryn and even the king’s eunuch were present. Stannis Baratheon was still on Dragonstone, and would leave within three days, if his letters told true. Which they always did.

She sat down on a chair opposite the king without waiting for his leave, and Barristan felt his jaw tighten in tandem with Robert’s.

She and Robert stared at one another across the table for a long moment before she poured herself a goblet of wine.

“So,” she said finally, “I have been summoned to an audience with the king. I assume there is a reason for it?”

Robert opened his mouth to speak, but it was Jon Arryn who spoke first.

“Marriage.”

The word fell into the silence of the room like an arrow into a shield.

Thunk.

Robert cleared his throat.

“Ahem, yes. I’ve been informed that it is my duty as king to take a wife.”

He flashed her a sheepish smile across the small table, charming in its boyishness.

“A wife from an important family,” Jon continued for him, “With influence, and power. You were raised here, at court, this you know.”

Y/n nodded slowly, her face a blank slate.

“I would have it be Cersei Lannister,” the new Hand continued. “The Lannisters are the richest family in the realm, and we could do worse than having the lord Tywin bound to us.”

He took a deep breath.

“Robert would have it be you.”

Y/n’s shoulders tensed. She sat upright.

“Me?” She asked, her voice small.

“Of course you!” Robert burst out with a laugh. “You are a hero to the smallfolk, a figure from stories already told around hearthfires throughout the realm.”

He smiled at her warmly.

“We would have been kin, you and I.”

Y/n’s jaw tensed.

“I am not Lyanna, Robert.”

“I know that!” The king said, “But she is not here, and so cannot be my queen. If not her, I would have it be you. For the sake of the realm, for the sake of my sanity, for the sake of her memory. For Ned's sake, as well.”

Like as not he thinks the difference between them too small to matter, Barristan could not help but think.

Y/n looked at the table, her lips pursing. For a moment, Barristan saw once more the unsure young girl who had stared wonderingly as he sparred with Arthur Dayne in the courtyard.

“You know better than most what is at stake here, Y/n,” Jon Arryn said.

She looked up once more, and this time her jaw was set, something defiant in those grey eyes of hers.

“I do,” she said quietly, but not softly. “Just as the king knows better than most why I cannot accept his offer.”

There was silence for a moment.

"What?" Robert asked.

"I can't, Robert," she said. "I can't."

The king stared at her, openmouthed.

“Y/n, please,” he said, “Think of the realm, think what Ned would want! Think for a moment- !”

“I have, your grace,” she hesitated. “Robert. Ask me to do anything else for the realm. Ask me to die, if I must. But do not ask me this.”

They stared at one another for a moment, the king becoming angrier with every second that passed.

“And if it turns out he does not love you?” Robert eventually growled at her. “You would have me kiss Tywin Lannister’s feet for a man whose heart turned to stone long ago?”

Lady Stark's jaw clenched, her shoulders tensing, and it was with deliberate slow control that she stood from the chair.

“I daresay you could do worse, your grace, than Tywin Lannister’s feet, or Cersei Lannister’s cunt,” she said coolly. “My answer is no.”

She spun around toward the door.

“I am your king!” Robert shouted at her, standing from his seat to slam his hands on the tabletop.

She flinched at the noise, stopping, but did not turn back toward him.

“Do I have your leave, your grace?” She spat the last words like an insult.

Robert’s face was red, and he looked for a moment as though he would argue further, but then he waved a hand at her back.

“Bah,” he said, sagging into his chair, “Get out of my sight.”

Y/n opened the door and strode out.

“And send someone with wine!” Robert called after her, just before the door slammed shut.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“My lord,” Stannis’ chamberlain called hesitantly from the door to his rooms.

“What?” He asked, not looking up from the harbour catalogue. The man was incompetent at best, but Stannis put up with it, just as he put up with everything in his life.

“Ah, Lady Stark to see you, my lord.”

Stannis’ hand stilled on the page.

He had seen this morning, the preparations starting to be made for the royal wedding as he made his way up from the harbour to the Red Keep. Flowers being brought in, carts stuffed with barrels of wine rolling in from the direction of Dorne. He had paid it no mind, had not been the least bit interested in who Robert had chosen to marry so long as he was somewhat sensible in his choice.

Until the bakery.

He’d never noticed there was a bakery in that particular street before, but as he rode up toward the Red Keep, one woman was shouting at another as they opened for the day.

“I thought it was the Stark girl he’s marrying?”

“Maybe your right, I thought it was a Lannister.”

“No, no, my sister washes linens for the Hand, said she heard him complaining about the king not goin’ along with his choice.”

“Well… there you have it then. Got to admit it won’t change that much for us.”

Stannis hadn’t realised how tightly he was holding the reigns until his horse reared and almost threw him. He wrenched them again, turning the animal to the right course, ignoring the looks of the men riding with him.

She’s no Lyanna, but it’ll do.

He should have known. He should have seen that Robert would not allow him this, would never even think of what such a proposal might mean to Stannis. He should have- he should have-

What? Proposed to her first?

He’d almost laughed aloud, but instead had merely ground his teeth harder.

The thought that she would ever consent to a life shackled to him, the second son, when she could have the Iron Throne was laughable. The thought that she would ever consent to a life shackled to him when she could have Robert was even more so.

He had given his report of Dragonstone to the king’s small council, the king notably absent, endured their gripes about his failure to capture the two Targaryen children, and made his way to his chambers.

His appetite was gone, but already he had work to do as master of ships, and it served well enough as a distraction from the pain in his chest that had not eased since the morning.

Absurdly, he wondered how long it would take Davos to get to the Red Keep from Dragonstone if he would summon him.

He realised his chamberlain was still waiting for his answer, and cursed himself for a fool.

The mere thought of her presence stole his wits from him, made him tense, and breathless.

The last thing in the world he wanted was to see her.

But then he was nodding to the man, and closing the ledger, because he had never been able to deny her a thing.

And then she entered.

Her long hair was swept up in braids, in a style that reminded him of his childhood in Storm’s End. She wore black, and seemed pale, and there were dark bruises beneath her eyes which he knew matched those beneath his own.

His heart clenched in his chest, under no control of his own.

“Lady Stark,” he said in greeting. Too hard, too cold by half but he could not do it any other way.

She frowned, almost bemused, and sank into a quick curtsy.

“Lord Stannis,” her head tilted slightly to the side. “Forgive the intrusion.”

She cast her eyes to the door, where his chamberlain lingered still.

“Leave us,” he snapped. The man obeyed quickly.

Her eyes roamed over his face, his fists clenching at his sides.

“Why did you not come?” She said, after what felt like too long of a silence.

“Robert said your ship landed this morning. I was waiting all day.”

He did not look her in the eyes when he bit out, “I did not wish to interrupt your preparations.”

She frowned again.

“Preparations?”

If he was any other man, if he was Robert, perhaps, or Brandon Stark or Rhaegar Targaryen or some peasant in Fleabottom, perhaps he would have overturned his desk. Perhaps he would have walked to the wall and broke his hand against it.

Instead he looked down at the closed book on his desk.

“I suppose I should congratulate you on the match, or,” he could not resist adding through clenched teeth, bitterness leaking into his voice, “Perhaps it would be better to congratulate him, and give you my condolences.”

The frown remained on her face for a heartbeat, and then understanding dawned in her eyes.

“You…” he startled at the sound of her voice, at the hurt in it.

“You think I agreed to marry him?” She asked, shock in every word.

“I assumed so, yes,” he said stifly, not wishing for her pity.

“Only a fool would turn down the king.”

She stared at him, her mouth slightly open.

“After all this time,” she said, disbelievingly, “You think I would marry him? After everything? Do you truly know me so little?”

He blinked. Once.

“You- ?”

“I turned him down,” she said quietly.

“Of course I did, Stannis.”

He stared at her, clenched fists forgotten, clenched jaw slack for once in his life, disbelief and shock vying for the honor of making his knees weak.

Relief, as well.

The shock on her face morphed into hurt, slowly, and it felt as though someone was sliding a sword into his stomach, like a slow death by starvation all over again.

She schooled her features into indifference, and Stannis thought perhaps that was worse than a year of starvation.

“It did not cross my mind that you would refuse him,” he said, and the words sounded too bland to his own ears, and he wished fervantly for once in his life that he could cease speaking but the words seemed to fall from his mouth without his consent.

“Robert has always gotten everything he wanted- “

“He isn’t you, you halfwit!” She burst out, anger momentarily breaking through the indifference. “And you should know me better by now than to think I want that godsforsaken throne to myself when it has brought me nothing but misery my whole life!”

She took a deep, shuddering breath, and her neutrality reasserted itsself. If it did not hurt so much, he would have been impressed by her control.

“I am glad to see you safe, my lord,” she said blandly.

“It seems I’ve been a bigger fool than I realised. You must excuse me, I have much to do. There is to be a wedding in a few days.”

“Y/n- “ he tried, pathetically.

“Good day, lord Stannis.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A fortnight later, Stannis found Y/n sitting on a small pier beneath the cliffs of the Keep, waves hitting the wood as though they had better things to do, watching the sunrise.

He stood for a while at the end of the pier, grinding his teeth. The paper he held in his hands seemed frail, stupid even, when he was confronted with her. The rays from the rising sun made her braid shine golden, and though she wore only breeches and a shirt, she seemed a vision, or some such nonsense the bards always spewed at the sight of her.

All Stannis knew was that his stomach was twisted in knots, and though he had dressed in a fine doublet he still felt exposed, and she had not spoken to her since Robert's wedding.

Before he could lose his nerve, he cleared his throat.

She started, jumping to her feet and turning toward him as though she was ready for a fight. He was somewhat gratified to see the tension leave her when their eyes met, though not entirely.

“Stannis?” She asked, and he was ashamed to hear suspicion in her voice as she did. She raised her chin in that way of hers, standing in such a way he knew made her seem taller. There were dark circles beneath her eyes, however, that he was aware matched his own, and she was still too thin.

As he was. He was aware he looked emaciated, but if he did not do this, he thought he would die from... from whatever this was that had been aching in his chest since she had left his rooms.

"Y/n."

It was out of his mouth before he could decide otherwise. At her raised eyebrow, he cleared his throat once more.

"Lady Stark," he said instead, the paper in his hand felt more flimsy than ever, and he felt his treacherous fingers tremble slightly as he read what he had prepared to say over the past week.

“I’ve spoken to the king, to your lord brother, as well as to Maester Cressen at Dragonstone, asking for advice. I know that I cannot offer you Storm’s End as is my right by birth,” he saw her open her mouth but carried on, heedless, knowing that if he stopped now, he would never start again, “But all of them seem to agree that the match would be favourable for both parties as well as our households. So, Lady Stark, would you...” he took a deep breath, bracing for the worst, “Will you be my wife?”

She looked at him. There were a few moments of tense silence.

“You spoke to Ned and Robert?” She asked softly. He nodded.

“And they both agree the match would be favourable?”

Again, he nodded. His heart was beating somewhere in the region of his neck. It had been the only way he could think of to convince her. If he had to go longer pretending to feel only friendship, his nerves would fray to their ends, but he would be an idiot to think she felt anything of the sort for him.

So, he had written to Ned, and spoken with Robert, and even asked Maester Cressen, who had always counselled him well. It had almost come to blows between him and Robert, the king unwilling to forsake his fabricated claim on the Starks, but Stannis had won out eventually, after three of the kingsguard had come to stand between them.

“There is no...” she was frowning, searching his face for something, “Other reason?”

“No,” he said simply. None that matter.

She frowned, her grey eyes turning dark.

“Then no.”

His breath left him.

“What?” He asked.

“No. Not like this,” she said, and he was shocked to hear her voice shake, not from laughter but from anger.

She turned away from him, toward the sea, and seemed to take a deep breath. When she turned around again her fists were clenched and her jaw was set.

“I waited for you!” She all but hissed at him. “I gave up Winterfell, my home, my brothers! Do you know how the ships in the harbour call to me? But I didn’t board one, because I couldn’t leave you! Do you have any idea how many offers of marriage I’ve had in the past week alone! But I turned them all down, even Robert, even the godsforsaken Iron Throne, because I thought you saw more in me than just a trophy! Because I thought you...” suddenly it was as if a fire had been extinguished. Her shoulders slumped and she seemed so tired.

“My answer is no,” she said icily, and turned from him.

He caught her hand before she could.

“Because you thought I what?” He asked. He had to know, because hope had just started sprouting in his chest, like a flickering candle flame, and he had to extinguish it before it consumed him.

She frowned, and didn’t look him in the eyes.

“Because I thought you loved me,” she said quietly.

She looked up into his eyes, and he could hardly breathe. They shone in the early dawn light.

She was looking at him with something like defiance, as if she was daring him to say something.

He stared at her.

Because I thought you loved me.

He kept staring at her.

She... thought I...

He opened his mouth, then closed it. His thoughts seemed to be moving too slowly.

Finally, she seemed to lose patience with him.

“Never mind,” she said, starting to walk back toward the Keep.

“Wait. No,” he tried to stop her. “I wasn’t- I never meant- “

“Let me go, Stannis.”

“I did not think you could love me,” he blurted. “I did not dare hope you could love me.”

She stopped struggling and finally turned around. To his horror, she looked amused.

He clenched his teeth and let go of her arm.

“Once, when you were visiting Storm’s End when I was seventeen, there was a storm, and Shipbreaker Bay was as wild as I’d ever seen it. You held on to my arm as we watched it through the window,” he said quickly. “I’ve been in love with you since that day, perhaps before, even. But you- “, he stopped, not knowing how to make sense of the feelings swimming around in his head, in his chest. He hated that she did that to him.

You are too beautiful to trifle with me, and too kind and too strong and I never thought you could love me. I thought if we married, I might convince myself eventually, but to presume...

She tilted her head to the side as she regarded him for a long while, frowning. His heart had decided to make a home somewhere in his stomach.

“You’re a simpleton,” she said eventually. Still frowning.

“What?” He asked, perplexed.

“I said,” she walked forward and took his hand, entwining their fingers, “You’re a simpleton, Stannis Baratheon. A fool. An idiot. A...” she looked to the side, thinking. “A halfwit.”

“I’m afraid I don’t follow, my lady,” he said coolly. Now she was insulting him? On top of refusing him?

She shook her head, smiling slightly, and he was about to snap back at her for being an idiot, but she spoke over him.

“Stannis,” she said softly, looking up at him, “I’ve loved you since we were children. Since the first day you showed me Proudwing, do you remember? The sun hadn’t even come up properly yet.”

He did remember, he’d thought she was strange, with her twinkling grey eyes and bare feet, running around Storm’s End on her own. Perhaps he had loved her since that day as well.

“But I was too young to know it was love,” she said softly, “Too young to see the truth.”

“I thought you were strange,” he said, then wanted to kick himself. But instead of being angry, she laughed, and her hand found his arm. A warmth spread through him, like the sun coming out from behind the clouds. That was what she was, sunlight after rain.

“I thought you were strange too,” she said softly. “A strange, lanky little boy who frowned too much and had dark blue eyes just like the ocean. I wanted to try and make you laugh.”

He smiled despite himself, despite the emotions roiling his stomach around, despite the thoughts he could not seem to get in order. Despite everything. Such an immense feeling of love welled up in him that he felt he would die from it.

She smiled too, and her eyes twinkled in that familiar way. Starlight and sunlight and flickering firelight all came together in those grey eyes when she laughed.

Then she stood on her toes and brushed her lips against his, barely more than a touch, barely a second, but fire raced through him. Fire and lightning and ice and everything at once.

“Ask me again,” she said, still standing close to him, hand in hand, her breath tickling his lips. “Correctly.”

“Be my wife,” he said, almost in a trance, “Be mine, please.”

She kissed him again, and again it was like a storm in his chest.

“Alright. For you.”

#honestly i cant tell if this is bad or not lolllll #its been like eight years since i started writing this haha and now its done #sorrows sorrows prayers #stannis baratheon #stannis baratheon fic #stannis baratheon x reader #game of thrones x reader #asoiaf fic #game of thrones fic #my writing

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gingerale2017 · 7 months ago

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Only You Can Mend My Heart of Glass

Fluff/ Angst... mostly angst <3 Words: 8k (WOAH THAT SHOCKED ME) Pairing: Cinder x Kai Fandom: The Lunar Chronicles Setting: Modern AU where Cinder has already been traumatized once, and they are married and share a last name :)

Rating: Teen

Warnings: Torture, kidnapping, grunts of pain? (Oh, and very lazy editing, especially after Kai leaves!) AO3 Link <3

In recent days, Cinder had been waking up with a smile on her face. Nightmares of dead sisters and fake mothers with shotguns finally began to leave her alone. Now she was left with fantasies of suburban households with large playrooms and nurseries with comfy cradles.

Yet, the smile that warmed her face this morning was most likely a consequence of last night. She opened her eyes slowly, getting used to the minimal light the window covered by the blinds provided. Staring upwards, she could see the top of their bedpost, the white ceiling, and the modern fan. Kai was always hot and Cinder didn’t mind the temperature, so the fan was usually on, but it stayed still this morning. They definitely were too caught up last night to remember temperature preferences.

She turned her head to face her husband who was still asleep. Her smile only softened as she traced the features of his face with her eyes. His face looked like a Renaissance painter’s masterpiece in her eyes, one that she had memorized, analyzed, and wondered at countless times. She interpreted his every expression, when he’d make them, and what they would mean. She wiped his tears and even wiped her own with his neck. She kissed every ridge and touched every bump on his body. If he was an unknown land, she was an explorer who discovered and researched every territory, reporting both the good and the bad.

Yawning, she intuitively knew it was around five in the morning, just in time for the sunrise. Good, he needs his sleep. The bags under his eyes looked a little too deep to be healthy. Smirking to herself, she knew exactly what Kai would say if he found her awake in these hours. He’d have the same reason she had for him not waking up. Stretching as quietly as possible, she scouted the room for a shirt. Kai’s discarded button-up was the closest thing she could grab. Luckily, it was one of her favorite items of his to wear.

Cinder rolled out of bed without pulling and blankets and quickly put on his shirt. She stood up, smiling in success, and gave Kai a celebratory kiss.

“Don’t wake up.” She whispered, but she knew he couldn’t hear her. He didn’t even stir.

Before she headed downstairs to watch the sunrise, she stopped by his wardrobe for a pair of boxers and sweats, and happily glided down the stairs.

The aesthetic of the interior design of their little condo was created via the genius of Iko’s love for fashion, and Kai’s perfectionist tendencies. Though Cinder couldn’t offer much because of her horrible eye for fashion, she loved her home.

Following her routine for these types of mornings, she prepared hot water for Kai’s tea and made a coffee for herself. The sun continued to be stubborn while the water heated, so she paid a visit to Kai.

He shifted his position from his side to lying on his stomach while hugging a pillow, back muscles on full display. Cinder told herself not to ogle much on his gorgeous back and limited herself to one (only one?!) kiss on his shoulder. Maybe one more on his smushed forehead, but that was it. He continued not to stir. Triumph!

Finally, the first rays of sunlight revealed themselves through the humble windows. Already, she could feel herself waking up as her body yearned for the warming light.

She raced out of their room and positioned herself on the ledge under one of the windows with a mechanic’s manual and another cup of coffee.

The beauty of the sky was enough to hush crying toddlers and bring an old man to tears. Colors danced in the sky, clouds worshipped the sun, and landscapes were heightened to their full beauty. No, she’d never get tired of witnessing this phenomenon, it was worth the lack of sleep.

And before she knew it, her mechanic’s manual was marked up and the sky turned baby blue.

Her stomach rumbled, signifying it was time for a bowl of cereal.

As she poured milk into a bowl of honey nut cheerios. Her mind wandered to the surprises she had planned today. Excitement grew in her stomach as she went over the itinerary and schedule for today. He was going to love it, for sure.

As if on cue, arms suddenly grabbed Cinder’s waist and her feet left the ground for two seconds. She yelped, her pitch high enough for bats to get confused.

She felt soft, quick, little kisses moving along the length of her neck. She giggled uncontrollably as his hands squeezed her waist even harder. He began to exaggerate kissing noises as he tried to claim her neck with his lips as his mark as if he hadn’t already thousands of other times.

“Good morning to my beautiful, genius, early bird, perfect, wonderful, pretty, petty, and I’m running out of adjectives to describe my amazing wife.” Her husband greeted her while very gently nipping the places he pecked. More of this and her neck will be glaringly red.

She laughed. “Kai!”

“How’s my lovely wife today?” He murmured, starting on the other side of her neck. She instinctively leaned into him, practically begging him not to stop.

“Mmh. Alright, I guess.” She couldn’t even remember his question.

He turned her around. Stars Above, was his smile not the most wondrous thing ever created? He was so cute.

Pressing his forehead to hers, he asked another question. “Aren’t you going to ask your husband how he’s doing?” His copper eyes were enough to awe even the most stubborn.

She barely formed her answer. Stars, she was surprised she could form audible, coherent words. “I was if my husband was a little more patient.” She challenged him back by refusing to look away. Sometimes, she was able to stun him, and it always felt like her greatest achievement.

“It’s quite a shame then because your husband is having a wonderful morning.” He pulled suddenly, smiling wider (if possible).

“Today is going to be a great day, my love. I can feel it.”

“I’ll make sure of it.” She bit her lip, pulling him back to her again. “I have lots of surprises planned today.”

Kai’s gaze became a fraction more intense. “Oh? May I ask what kinds?”

“Then they wouldn’t be surprises, dummy.”

His small smile will be the death of her. “Can you spoil a surprise right now?” He lightly whispered against her ear, nudging her cheek with his nose.

He breathed her name slowly and pulled her waist tight with his. As soon as he kissed her, she felt herself unravel. She turned her head to his and kissed him fully on the lips, pulling at his hair. He grunted in pleasure and licked her bottom lip.

She whispered his name in between breaths and in response he sat her on the counter, somehow missing the bowl of cereal she had been preparing.

He dug himself into her, enveloping Cinder fully. Their breaths became more desperate as she kissed him harder. Caressing his cheek with her hand, she guided him to stay on her lips. He liked to linger down on her collarbone and neck often, and to be honest, so did she, but today she wanted the focus on her lips. They couldn’t get too carried away, not today at least.

Kai, however, did not take the hint and kept devouring her, as if last night wasn’t enough. Wrapping her legs around his waist, he nurtured her lips to flourish. The temptation to let him carry her away was much stronger than she expected, and she knew a little more of this would end her resolve. So she pulled away with a mocking smirk and pecked the tip of his nose.

He looked down, blinking the haze away and through the confusion. Only now did she notice his work attire was only half-put together. His tie somehow fell on the floor (she suspected it was never tied), his blazer was nowhere to be seen, and his button-up lacked buttoning. None of it was her fault, she was sure.

“It can’t be earlier than six thirty now and if continue on the path I think we’re headed on, then you will be late.” She let her hand glide up his chest as if to comfort him.

His face dropped as he continued to look at her desirously, not helping to cease her shivers. “This is a crime. You’re making me wait on my birthday.”

Cinder laughed. “What is a crime is your lack of patience.” She leaned in to tease him while brushing his chin and he fell for it. He sighed, closing her eyes and breathing her in, ready to kiss. She jerked away and stood up from the counter. Kai lost his balance and held onto her for support.

Cinder broke into laughter, digging her face into his neck. She kneeled to pick up his discarded (and decidedly unloved tie).

“That works,” Kai remarked. Flushing, she stood up immediately to glare at him.

“Trust me, tonight will be worth it.” She winked, wrapping the thin piece of fabric around his neck. “I made a couple of things for you to decorate your office with-”

“Aw, darling, I love it when you make me things.”

“-and our friends are gonna pay a short visit.” Once she completed the first step of tying his tie, she glanced at him to see a joyfully radiant smile. Cinder grinned to herself. He liked it.

“Will there be cake?” He asked. She resisted rolling his eyes as her husband was no better than a small kid. She continued her task.

“Yes, babe, there will be cake.” A big loop.

“And a party?”

“Right here, with all our friends.” Through the loop.

“And time for plenty of cuddling and kisses with my beloved wife?”

Cinder smiled softly. “Anything for my beloved husband.” Tighten the strands. “It is his birthday after all.”

“Hm. How is a pretty girl like you married to such an old guy?”

“Thirty is not old at all!” She pat his chest. “And I’m not pretty enough to be dating cougars.”

Kai huffed, scrunching his eyebrows. “What does that even mean?”

“Well, you know how the most gorgeous models are dating, like, practically dead men?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I’m not that level of pretty for that level of decay to be attracted to me.” She had no clue what she was saying.

Kai smothered his giggle. “Oh, darling, I’m sure the most crusty, old, wheel-chair bound man will fall in love with your beauty. If I were in that position, I would.”

She squeezed her eyes shut. “Can we scrap this conversation? I don’t even know where we’re going with this.”

“Yes, please.” He agreed.

They stood in their small kitchen with their foreheads pressed against each other. She could’ve stayed there for a lifetime if he didn’t pull away.

“Hey.” He murmured, pulling away.

“Hey.” She smiled, pressing her chin to her chest.

“Will you come with me to work today? I don’t know.” Kai whispered. She chewed her bottom lip. “I had this weird feeling all of the sudden, and I don’t want anything happening to you-”

Cinder him off with a soft laugh. She knew how these past few months had been hard on him. All of his anxiety centered around her and something bad happening to her. He’d been the primary one to care for her after her sister died and her stepmother accidentally killed herself. He found Cinder hyperventilating, trying to keep Adri alive by putting pressure on the wound. He scrubbed blood, dirt, and grime off her body. He coaxed her through panic attacks and nightmares. It must have been so hard for him to go through that, and he never told anyone that he was struggling. Cinder had to find that out by herself.

“Nothing will happen to me, I promise. I can’t go with you, love, I’m sorry. I’m stuck preparing your birthday surprises.” She reassured.

Kai sighed, holding her hand to his cheek, and gave it a small kiss. “I understand. I’ll see you later then?”

“Of course. I love you.”

“I love you darling. You are my everything, don’t forget that.”

“Do you always have to out-love me?” Cinder whined.

“Stay safe.”

Kai left for work soon after, and Cinder was left alone. Usually, she’d go and work as a mechanic around this time, but today she had tasks to complete.

She made sure the floors were crumb-less, and the windows spotless. Everyone confirmed their arrival time. 6:30. She had all day to finish everything.

Once she finished cleaning the house, she left for the grocery store. There was a nicely done charcuterie board for sale, along with sangria and red wine. She needed chips, non-alcoholic drinks, dessert, and of course, cake. After she grabbed everything save for the main attraction, she headed to the bakery.

It was here while watching the baker write Kai’s name on the chocolate cake that Cinder got the call that will haunt her forever. It was the third worst call she ever received, second being Peony’s death, and first being a much, much worse one.

She felt the dread Kai must’ve felt that morning, as if something horrible will happen. Recognizing the number from their company, she picked up. “Hello?”

“Mrs. Prince? Sorry to disturb you, but is Mr. Prince with you by any chance?”

She glanced at the baker in confusion. “No. Why?”

“It may be for a silly reason but we can’t seem to find your husband.”

The silence following was overwhelming. Cinder had to force herself to calm down because she could feel her panic start to spiral. “What?” She barked. “What do you mean you can’t find my husband?”

“Well, he isn’t picking up his phone, ma’am, and not even Torin can find him.”

She pinched her forehead with her fingers. “Hold on, let me try calling him.”

She hung up quickly and called her husband, but he never picked up.

“Miss? Your cake is ready. Is it good or do you want me to fix anything?” The baker said in a sweet voice.

“Thank you. Can you box it up please?”

“Of course.”

Cinder decided to check out as a way to convince herself this is just a big misunderstanding. Maybe he’s taking a nap and his phone died or something silly. Yet her fingers kept trembling and the strands of her hair continued to be annoying. She stayed in contact with the company the whole time and they kept asking her if she heard from him. Clearly, if she was asking them about Kai’s whereabouts, she didn’t know Kai’s whereabouts!

Their panicked Once she paid she flew to her car and called Torin.

“Cinder, stay calm.” He greeted in a baritone.

��Did you find him?!” She cried as she sped down the street.

“No, not yet-”

“What even happened?! How can no one find him?!” Her panic made were swerve through lanes. When a car honked at her she screamed: “Get off the road!” Strange since she was never the one for road raging.

“Cinder, please calm down!” She took the chance to breathe deeply at a red light. “He was in his office taking calls one moment and gone the next. I am quite shocked to his disappearance as well.”

“Any guessed as to where he could be?” She asked. Torin paused, and Cinder nearly drove her car into a tree.

“He either fell asleep in the storage room or..” He paused.

“Or what?” She pressed. He didn’t answer. “Torin, or what?!”

“I may be wrong, hopefully I am, but I fear your husband has been kidnapped.”

Cinder froze. Thankfully, she was already in her neighborhood or else she would have crashed into someone else.

“Cinder, this is a reach. I don’t think anything bad happened.” He tried to comfort her.

“No, you think this is the most likely answer, or else you wouldn't have hesitated.”

He sighed, the stress obvious even through the phone. “Just stay home Cinder. Everything will be okay.”

Being left alone was not the right choice for Cinder. She drove herself crazy with horrible theories. Pacing non-stop around the condo, she told all her friends about Kai. Iko resolved to come asap, as did Thorne and Cress. The rest said they’d check in and try not to storm her. She was grateful.

Not even ten minutes later Torin called again.

Heart racing, she answered. “Hello?”

His voice sounded dejected, heartbroken and tired. She knew exactly how he felt. “I think we need to get the police involved.”

Her heart dropped. Her mind spiraled, her hand shook uncontrollably, she even dropped to her knees. She rubbed her stomach in an attempt to calm herself. She spoke in an assured voice. “Ok. I’ll call them.”

Even through shaking fingers, she dialed 911. “Hello, this is 911, what is your emergency.”

“Hi, my name is Cinder Prince and my husband is missing.”

Hours later there were lights outside the condo and people inside. This was not the type of gathering she expected tonight yet all her friends were here along with Torin and police. They questioned everyone there multiple times and no one had not one lead. Kidnapping, though, became the lead reason to his disappearence. Reasons: He’s the CEO of a major company with many loved ones and nor very skilled at self-defense.

Cinder sat on the couch with Iko rubbing her back and Scarlet offering her water.

“Breathe, Cinder. Everything’s gonna be okay.” Scarlet assured.

Cinder hunched over with her hand buried in her hair. Slowly rocking herself, she cursed and sat up. Scarlet and Iko shared a look, no doubt noticing how eerily similar this situation to the one a couple months ago with Peony.

“I’m fine.” Cinder assured, taking a swig of Scarlet’s water. “He’s fine. We’re all fine.”

Iko gave her a worried look and hugged her. “We should go to a club after this all passes. Dance the shock off.”

Cinder laughed but there was no humor in it. Winter and Jacin walked up to the girls.

“How are you feeling, dear cousin?” Winter inquired.

“Horrible, but managing.” How she managed to not break down screaming, she didn't know.

Jacin grimaced. “Winter and I need to go check on something very important. We’ll be right back.”

She blinked, feeling like a jerk for not caring about whatever mini emergency they might have. “Take your time.”

The smiled and left.

Scarlet excused herself to go to her husband. Now left alone with Iko, Cinder felt herself start to crack.

“Iko,” She murmured, focusing on the corner of the TV. “I can’t do this again.”

Her friend knew exactly what she meant. “Nothing is happening again, ever.”

“I barely survived the first time. If I lose K-” Cinder’s voice cracked. The surge of emotions that she had ignored all morning came bursting forth like a geyser. Iko tightly pulled her close as she sobbed in her shoulder. “If I lose him, I lose myself.”

“You won’t lose him. If I have to go track him down in the sewers like a bounty hunter, I will. He’ll be back soon, you’ll see.” Iko’s words always brought comfort to Cinder’s pain. They spent years comforting each other through Adri’s abuse and Peony’s pain that they knew the best methods of making the other feel better.

This time they did little to calm Cinder’s panic. “You don’t understand. When Peony died, I died. He brought me back to life. So did you, of course, but he was there for me the most. If he dies, I die. There’s no one to bring me back to life again. I live for him. I work, and I clean, and I laugh, and I breathe for him. I love you, Thorne, and everyone else for him. Because of him. If he dies, I die.”

“Listen to me Cinder. No one is dying tonight.” Iko squeezed her hand but she continued.

“He’s probably lying in a ditch, window glass everywhere, stuck in his car, bleeding out right now. On his birthday!” She began to sob. “He asked me to go to work with him and I said no because I wanted him to have a good birthday, especially after everything he’s done for me. This is cruel. Evil. And it’s all my fault Iko. I- I killed my husband, the only person who would put up with me-”

“Cinder! Please snap out of it!” Iko cried. “You’re overwhelmed and spiraling, enough.” Iko gave her a moment to calm down. Once her breaths became more even, her friend spoke. “Your mind is causing you to say false things. Kai isn’t dead. I have a feeling you’d know once he passes. Do you know?” Cinder shook her head. “Good. Two, he isn’t the only one capable of resurrecting you. I will try hard as hell to pump your heart again and you know how relentless I am. Besides, there’s a room full of people who love you who would do anything to bring you back to life, am I wrong? Exactly. Three, if anything, stars forbid, happens, it will not be your fault. We aren't going down this road again. Promise me you won’t blame yourself. Promise me, Cinder.”

Cinder hesitated. “I promise.” She murmured, barely audible.

“Good.” Iko hugged Cinder tight again. “Everything will be okay. I’ll be here for you no matter what, okay?”

“Okay.”

Just then Cinder felt a vibration in her pocket. Frowning, she pulled her phone out. Little did she know she’d receive the worst call in her entire life.

She answered the phone on speaker. “Hello?” Her voice shook.

“Is this Mrs. Prince?” A deep voice greeted her.

“Yes, this is she. Who are you?”

“I suggest you go somewhere private.” She gave Iko a weird look. Her friend nodded.

After settling herself in a small corner of her condo, she spoke. “Okay. Tell me who you are now or I’m calling the police.”

“I don’t think you want to do that.”

“Why not? Who are you?!”

“Because your husband wouldn’t agree, isn’t that right Mr. Prince?” The entire world froze. She felt ice climb up her veins, overtaking her whole body.

There was movement on the other end of the line, a sound of someone choking and then a voice she loved more than anyone else’s.

“CINDER?! CINDER!!” Kai cried.

She couldn’t even sob. Dread filled her body and strangely enough, so did relief. He wasn’t dead. She hasn’t lost him yet. Her voice trembled. “Kai?”

“CINDER! Whatever you do, don’t listen to them, they’re lying-” He was stopped abruptly by a sickening, flesh-sounding noise. She gasped, in shock. They struck him. They hurt the love of her life. Kai groaned in pain, causing rage to replace everything she had been feeling before.

“KAI! Touch him again and I swear I’ll kill you!” She screamed. Everyone in the room ran towards her but she could only focus on what was on the other side of the line.

The police motioned something to her but she couldn’t interpret them.

“Now, let’s not make empty threats, Cindy.” There was a grunt and cry of pain. She suspected they were pulling his hair or something. Quickly that rage submitted into desperation.

“STOP IT!” She wailed. “Leave him alone! He didn’t do anything wrong!”

“You’re absolutely right, Cindy-”

“Don’t call me that. Let him go. I’ll find you.”

There was a loud slap and a sharp whimper. Her heart shattered out of her chest. She could almost see her broken, beaten down expression from the shards of her glass heart.

“Mrs. Prince!” The officer barked. “Tell us what is going on!”

Cinder continued to push out the world. She choked on the sound of his cries. Another punch and Kai gasped for air. She imagined him breaking down, bleeding, murmuring her name. Her guts twisted in agony, her throat uttered in pain. It should be her in that chair, not him. It never should have been him.

“Whay do you want?” She pleaded. “Money? We have money, just stop hurting him.”

“No, my mistress wants something more valuable.”

“Anything, just leave him alone.” There was a clatter in the background.

“Nah.” He said lightly, as if hurting another human brought him delight What a sick, twisted man. “It’s for the video I’m making you. I’m sure it will liven up the bedroom, if you know what I mean.” A kick to Kai’s body, another grunt in pain

She shut her eyes so tight they might have ruptured. “You’re messed up.” She murmured.

“It’s why I have this job. I love torturing entitled bitches like you. I love watching your fake ‘tough’ outer skin break.”

There was a muffled yell in the background followed by another gut-piercing slap.

“Tell your husband to shut up or I will.”

“What do you want?” She asked again. “Tell me that and I will give it to you.”

He laughed. “Simple. Your inheritance.”

She scoffed. “My inheritance? Is this a joke?”

“You are a Blackburn, are you not?”

“A disowned one. The wouldn’t give me cent.”

“Ah, that’s where you’re wrong, Cindy. In your mail, which I doubt you checked, you’ll find a contract listing all your holdings in Prince Organization, and anything you have in Blackburn Industries.”

She forgot about Blackburn Industries. After her mother died, she owned quite a bit of the twisted business, but like that horrible part of her life, she blocked it out. She remembered her aunt Levana needing her part of the inheritance to take control of everything, but at that point, she was long gone. What she did know, though, is that if her aunt took control of the whole company, lot’s of innocent people will suffer.

She held the phone away and asked one of the officers to check the mail. They left right away. “The Prince Organization is not my inheritance, I got some of it when I married Kai. Marital rights and all that.”

“I know, it’s not on the contract. I just wanted a tip.”

Cinder couldn’t do this for much longer. S

Even breaths, in and out.

“If I sign this, you’ll let him go?”

“As long as you personally deliver it, you have my word.”

The man hung up, leaving Cinder a void of a human. Once she got the energy to speak, she explained the situation to everyone.

The officer who checked the mail came back with the contract that contained everything the man said it would be.

“Don’t sign anything yet.” The police instructed. “Let us investigate everything first. If they call again, tell us.”

Cinder nodded as Iko and Cress guided her to take a seat.

“That’s absolutely disgusting.” Cress remarked. “How is it possible for anyone to be that cruel.”

Cress blinked back tears while Thorne comforted her. “Kai’s a strong guy, he’s been through a lot. He’ll endure, I’m sure.” He said.

“Hey.” Scarlet said, seating herself next to Cinder. “Why don’t you take a short bath or shower, fresh yourself up. You’ll feel better afterwards, trust me.”

“What if they find something while I’m gone.” Cinder protested. “I can’t just leave.”

“You won't leave, we’ll come and get you right away.” Argued Scarlet.

After some protest, Scarlet and Wolf hauled Cinder to her bathroom.

“Try to relax your mind. Anxiety won’t help the situation at all.” Then her friends left.

Baths were Kai’s method of soothing her. That horrible night when both her sister and step-mother died, Kai had singlehandedly bathed and took her of an unresponsive Cinder. The trauma had left Cinder in a state of shock for several hours and Kai had to drive her home, up the stairs, and in the bath. Blood cakes her entire body and every time she looked at herself she’d freeze and recount everything that happened step by step. That loop replayed in her mind for hours and the next thing she remembered was Kai in the tub, fully clothed and wrapped around her. That was her first crack of the night. She seemed to sob in his chest forever.

He did a good job with scrubbing all the blood out. He managed to wash her hair too, though she didn’t remember it. He’d talk about his job, the nice old secretary he hired, their finances. He made jokes, not good ones but the kind that are so bad you have to laugh at it. It took her a while for her even smile again, and when she did, it was with him. She was happy again because of him.

Cinder dunked her head in the water and screamed. She let frustration, anger, desperation, depression, and anxiety fuel her throat. She couldn’t think about Kai anymore, she’s supposed to be relaxing. She and him had picked up bathing as a calming process following panic attacks, stress, anxiety, or even just a bad day. Though they bathed separately, it was always more effective when together.

Sighing, she quickly started to wrap up the bath when she got a call. Though it didn’t make her top three of worst calls, it was still up there.

A cold ominous feeling seemed to replace the warm water in the bath tub. Cinder dried her hand and slowly picked up the phone. Somehow she knew this call was important.

“Hello?” She answered with a shaky breath.

There was a pause then a sigh. “You’ve taken your time getting back to us.” Replied a smooth feminine voice. “I take it you want to negotiate?”

The voice sounded horribly familiar. The voice that haunted her life. The voice she had pushed so far down that she couldn’t remember who it belonged to.

Fear seized her body. She gripped the edge of the tub to steady herself. “What do you mean?”

The woman laughed. “Don’t act stupid, Selene, er- Cinder is it?”

She squeezed her eyes out of her forgotten birth name. Had this woman checked her medical records? Who is she? Why would she go to such lengths.

“What do you want?” Cinder demanded. “Give me back my husband!”

The woman tittered. “You’re not in the right place to negotiate that kind of stuff, girl. I could have my men hurt your dearest even more?”

“Why are you doing this?” Cinder panted.

“I’m running out of patience and I need your finances. This isn’t the worst thing I’ve done, so don’t worry.”

Cinder paused and recollected her thoughts. “You said you wanted to negotiate. All I want is my husband back. What can I do to achieve that.”

“You know what to do, yet you’re reluctant to give it to me. I don’t want you to negotiate, I want you to do as you’re told.”

“My inheritance? It’s practically useless once my relatives find out I’m giving it away.” This conversation only solved to further her confusion.

“I just need your signature, then it will be out your my hands.” The voice sighed. “If you need my word, it shall be yours.”

“I’ll think about it.” Cinder mumbled, unsure of to say.

“Well, make your decision fast because in thirty minutes we’ll move to harsher punishments on your husband. I’ll have my men call you so you won’t miss out on anything. Goodbye, Mrs. Prince.” The woman hung up with a laugh.

Dumbstruck, Cinder sat in the tub with a slacked jaw. Once again, she could not believe this was happening. Soon enough, she’ll wake up, right?

Once reality became clear again, she hustled out of the bath and tried to get downstairs as soon as possible.

“Cinder, what’s wrong?” Scarlet stopped her frantic run. Her caring friend must’ve notice the desperation on her face. “What happened? Did they call you again.”

“Yes.” She breathed. “I think is was the person in charge this time. She said in thirty minutes they’re gonna hurt Kai with more painful methods, I can’t let that happen. I have to save him.”

Cinder rushed to the kitchen island where she had last seen the fateful papers.

“Where’s the contract?!” She yelled.

“The police took it when they left like two minutes ago.” Iko explained.

Only then did she notice there were no blue uniformed officers around. She spun. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was about to knock when you came rushing out.”

“Where’ they go? And why?” Cinder asked, voice rising again. Her anxiety and fear were moving too fast in her head to keep up with.

This time Thorne walked up to her and steadied her shoulders. “They said they had a lead and ran out to pursue it.”

“And they didn’t tell me?”

“They wanted to but they had no time.” Thorne frowned and pulled her close. “All you need to do now is breathe and to have faith that they will find him. This is hard for all of us too, Cinder. We’ll get through it together.”

She leaned against his chest, hiding tears from her friends. They were so good to her and so calm. They must think her crazy or overreactive. They were correct, of course. What she needed was to get her mind straight and collected. She need to swallow one worry at a time instead of swallowing all at once. That way, she won’t do something stupid and make this situation worse.

Once she gathered herself, she pulled away. “Ok. You’re right, Thorne.” Then she smiled and turned to her friends. “Thank you guys for being here, I don’t know how crazy I could’ve gone without you.”

Crests smiled reassuringly back and walked up to grab her hand. “C’mon, everybody, let’s go sit down.”

As they settled around the living room, Cress went to make some calming tea. Scarlet sighed, pulling out a metal flask. “I fear I might need something stronger.”

Cinder couldn’t help but snort as Thorne agreed. “Ditto.” She wasn’t much for drinking but when Cress handed her tea, she motioned for Scarlet to pour some in.

“Oh crap!” She slapped her head. “I forgot I can’t drink.” She put the mug down and Cress walked back to refill it.

“Why not?” Scarlet asked. But Iko’s eyes went wide.

“Don’t tell me you’re-” Iko started but Cinder cut her off with a nod. Hands flew to her mouth. “Oh my stars, Cinder.”

“What? You’re what?” Wolf said leaning in.

“I’m not following.” Cress said, sitting down.

“Well, I only found out two weeks ago, which was really convenient because his birthday was so soon and I planned to surprise him now in front of everyone.” Cinder smiled go herself. “He would’ve been so happy. That was the biggest surprise I had in stock for him.”

“Aces and spades, Cinder. You’re pregnant.” Thorne concluded. Cinder only nodded in agreement.

Scarlet sat up to hug her. “Congratulations, Cinder. I know how hard you guys worked to do this. Oh, I’m so proud.”

“It’s bittersweet, you know. He should be here.”

“He will soon enough.” One by one each of her friends congratulated her and tried not to be over excited. Cinder was happy she remember the good news in spite of the bad.

“Good luck with the newborn years.” Thorne cautioned. “Especially if you get two like us. Expect no sleep.” Cinder laughed.

“I’d say the toddler years are worse. You’re not exactly there yet, Thorne.” Wolf argued.

“I say it all depends on the baby. Thomas was a fighter as a newborn, but Michelle stayed consistently feisty. Mara is very quiet.” Added Scarlet. “The twins are somehow natural opposites.” She laughed to herself.

“Yes, I’ve notice how Michelle is so social but Mara very kept to herself.” Cress agreed. “My twins are like that, but they love being near each other.”

“Well, my girls love their older brother and their father.” Scarlet said with a quick look at Wolf. “They go wherever the men go. Which is such a shame because they get spoiled to death.”

“Aw.” Iko squealed. “How could you not spoil them with those faces.”

Scarlet smiled warmly. “Believe me, it is very difficult to say no to them sometimes.”

“But they need character, Scar.” Wolf muttered, kissing Scarlet’s forehead. She looked at him as if they shared an inside joke.

“Yes, they do, hun.” Scarlet murmured back.

After watching the couple’s intimacy, Cinder felt her heart begin to slice apart. She wished Kai’s arms were around her neck right now, kissing her cheek and telling her what a great surprise this wd. And his reaction to her news? Stars above, he would’ve not been able to quit bouncing off the walls. A ghost of a smile graced her lips as she imagined them holding each other in bed after everyone had left storming up names. After they’d come up with something serious, he would say Matchia or Matchi which would we short for matcha green latte. Oh, aces and spades, she loved him. Oh, stars, she missed him. Oh, on her poor torn-up heart, please let him be okay. Please let him come back to her, or, at the very least, let her go to him.

At that moment, in the midst of her inner plea, Winter and Jacin stormed through the door without knocking. The group stared at them with confusion, and desperate curiosity. The lot hungered for news about their friend, and based and the couple’s expressions, it looked like they had an answer.

For a while, they took each other in. Winter’s usually never pulled back hair. Jacin’s blond locks in pure chaos. Cinder’s disheveled posture. A broken heel. A bottle of rum. A stack of papers in a flushed pale hand.

At last, Winter broke the analyzation. “Cinder.” She breathed. At once, Cinder felt goosebumps create ridges all over her body. Whatever her cousin was to say next was going to destroy her entire existence, or prevent her world from ending. “There’s a lot I need to share with you, but first, Kai is okay.”

Cinder felt the pressure of her body tighten in disbelief. She stared at Winter in shock. Then, with a shuddering chin, she spoke in a vulnerable, haunted voice. “He’s okay?”

Winter nodded encouragingly and wrapped her arms around Cinder. They couldn’t stop the tears that flowed through in each eye. Around the two, their friends got up and hugged each other in relief. As Cinder quietly sobbed in Winter’s clothes, her cousin whispered in her ear. “We know who did it.”

As she blinked tears away, her nerves revived and turned more aware. “Who?” She whispered, her voice hungry for an answer.

“The same person who murdered your stepmother.” Immediately, Cinder pulled away with a furrowed brow.

“What happened to my stepmother was an accident.” She asserted.

“No, it was quite intentional. We found proof of the whole situation being set up. In Adri’s mind, she was going to pretend to attempt suicide in front of you so you could be rattled up enough and easily taken advantage of in that state. The death of your sister only doubles your trauma and weaken your mental strength.” Winter looked at her intensely.

“Why would she do that?” Cinder murmured.

“She was offered quite a lot of money.”

“Enough for her to settle peacefully for the rest of her life.” Jacin butt in. His interruption made it clear that the whole room was listening to their conversation. Cinder didn’t mind though, and motioned for Winter to keep talking.

“But the safety on the gun was malfunctioning on purpose. She was meant to die to shake you up even more. And to get rid of evidence I suppose.”

Cinder rose up from the couch, mouth agape. “I don’t understand why someone would do something like this. What do they want from me so badly?” She rambled.

“I’m afraid it is had to do with some laws my stepmother cannot tiptoe.” Winter said.

She whipped her head to her cousin frighteningly fast. “Levana?” Her aunt’s sinister voice hissed like a snake in her head, the same rattle as the woman in the call. How could Cinder be so dumb, of course it was her aunt?! She needed time to think to put two and two together, to recognize the sliding voice.

Instead of diving herself into the new information, she chose to push it down and focus onto more upcoming matters.

“Where is Kai?” She urged suddenly. Winter blinked from the sudden change in subject but answered quickly.

“He should be at the hospital by now? I warned the police to his location before I got here.”

“Thank you so much Winter.” She hugged her friend tightly. “And Jacin too. You’ve done me the greatest thing imaginable. You found him. Oh stars, I’m so glad he’s okay. Thank you so much, for everything.”

After the hugs and relieved conversations, Jacin drove Cinder and the group in their respective cars to the hospital.

She raced through the sliding doors, ignoring the familiar scent of the wallowing walls. Her fingers gripped the white counter as she asked for Kai.

“May I have some form of identity, please?” said the front desk lady. Cinder was shaking so bad, Thorne had to help her pull out her license.

“He’s in room 102. And two to three visitors at a time, please.” She said, casting a sideways glance to her friends.

Cinder nodded and jogged away, not really knowing where room 102 was. Jacin, being familiar with the hospital, dragged her from running to the opposite end of the building. She was too drained to argue the tight grip on her arm.

Finally, she stood face to face from room 102. The door was the only thing standing in way from her and the love of her life. Scarlet suggested she go in and have a moment alone before the rest of the lot come in. She hesitated when her fingers gripped the handle. Thorne nodded at her to go on in. They shared a reassuring look that gave her confidence.

Taking in a deep breath, she opened the door.

He was sleeping. Of course he was sleeping. Her whole body was trembling as drunk him in. She did her usual hung she did when he slept: analyze. And it broke her heart.

The masterpiece she gazed upon every morning without fail was tainted, torn, and unloved. It was as if someone spilled a can of tomato soup on it, or stabbed with a fork. Like it was purposely stomped on or kicked around, ignoring it’s value and love that went into it. Ignoring that he was a person too.

His nose was bandaged up. His left eye was covered by gag-inducing shades of purple, blue, and green. His lips were painfully open and a cut on his skin was covered by two staples. The hair she ruffled this morning was matted and lost it’s depth. Even as he slept, his eyebrows were tight as if he were disturbed. He can’t find peace even in his dreams.

Horrified, Cinder covered her mouth with her hands. A wave a fury washed over her again, and she wanted to fish for a scalpel and cut each villain for every time they even breathed near Kai’s body. She didn’t even know what they did to him below his collarbone. Instead, she calmed down and forced herself to approach he beloved, one step at a time.

She had always ben a fan of running. Saving the harder problems for late or, even better, for someone else. Part of her wanted to wait outside and call Torin to wake him up. By the time she reached Kai’s bedside, she nearly completely swallowed the urge to leap over the bed and run away screaming or chase after those evil men.

Once she made contact with his skin, though, she found it impossible to leave. Her fingers traced his name across his palm, like a plea. She would wait for him to wake up on his own violation, not on hers. But she had also always been impatient.

“Kai?” She finally voiced the one thing she wanted to ask. “I’m here my love. Be with me now.”

Because the stars loved to mess with her, he did not wake up instantly like his favorite cheesy movies. Instead, she watched his chest move up and down while their friends waited outside. She felt a little bad for her friends, but Kai needed rest.

After tracing and kissing his arm for the twenty-fifth time, Kai woke up.

His eyes fluttered like small butterfly wings. She froze, not wanting to scare his fragile body away. She watched his lips form her name. His beautiful voice felt miles away from the sheer power of his eyes. He held so much control over her, she’d do anything with one glance.

He was here. With her. He didn’t die. He’s alive. She didn’t die.

Before she knew, she was crying. Kai noticed and reached out to her with a bandaged hand. Her breath choked at his wounds but he ignored it. All he wanted was to touch her.

Cinder leaned towards his outstretched hand and let it caress her face. Closing her eyes, she felt him wipe away her tears. Kai softly wrote poetry on her face, as if she were his favorite poem and it had taken him years to write. As if he almost lost her before she could complete her. He didn’t want anyone else to write her ending, only him and her as his muse.

He drew in a shake breath, causing Cinder to open her eyes and focus on his tears. Like a catalyst, she sprung from her seat into Kai’s arms, wrapping herself around his broken body, promising to fix it. She guided his head to her shoulder and told him to cry. She told him to give all his pain to her, she can take it. His hands gripped her hands, although they felt much weaker. His whole body was trembling. What did they do to him?

“Oh, Kai, I’m so glad you’re okay. I thought-

I really thought you were going to-.” She spoke through her tears.

“I know, my love, me too.” His confession only made her cry harder.

They laid there for while, sobbing in each other’s arms, basking in their presence, not taking this moment for granted. They kissed, they hugged, they talked, and they finally agreed to let their friends in.

The ton came in with a rush. Iko was first who grabbed the rails of his bed and asked him if it was okay to hug him. He said yes. The rest embraced him one by one and gave a remark. Lastly, Torin and Nancy, came in (she didn’t remember if she called them or not) holding the birthday cake she planned to surprise him with.

Laughing, she wiped her tears and walked over to the pair. “Torin, you didn’t need to do this!” She hugged him.

“Kai always got cranky when he didn’t get cake on his birthday.” He said. Then he walked over to Kai and said some words that made her husband cry.

Nainsi placed the cake in the table Cinder pulled out from Kai’s hospital bed. She invited all her friends in, surely no staff would know for a second.

Kai’s eyes gleamed with joy, despite his wounds. They sang to him but his eyes stayed glued to hers. He mouthed ‘I love you’ in the midst of his song.

A single tear fell from her eye. She didn’t die. He didn’t leave her. Feeling the power of the unyielding vow she made at their wedding day, she mouthed. “I love you too.”

Kai was released the next morning. He had a bad concussion that they wanted to watch him overnight. He was fine.

During the car ride, though, he was silent. He had a fractured ankle so he had to wear crutches, and stitches over his left arm and hand. At red lights, she’d steal glances at his form, how hurt and broken he was.

Once they arrived home, she helped them to their room and settled him into their bed. Once he was comfortable, she plopped right next to him.

His head turned to her with smirk. “What?” Cinder asked with a smile. She tucked her elbow underneath her head so she could talk to him better.

“Nothing.” He murmured. “You’re going to be a good mom.”

Her eyes widened, she had forgot about their brewing child. How did he know? Who told him? “What?” She said in shock.

“Sorry!” He murmured, turning his head to the ceiling. “I know we just started talking about kids a couple months ago, but when I was in that room, I kept thinking that I didn’t want to die without raising a kid. And seeing you again, of course, but I really want a baby.” He sighed. “Sorry if I scared you off.”

She unsuccessfully smothered a giggle. He turned to her with a raised eyebrow. “What?”

“Nothing, it’s just timing.” She explained. “You only got to wait nine months to raise a kid.”

Kai nodded. “Okay. In nine months, we’ll try for a kid.”

Cinder knew she shouldn’t but she laughed at his concussed brain. “No, I mean your kid will be born in nine months.”

Kai looked at her confused. “We’re adopting.”

She smiled, kissing his cheek. “Bless your heart, my love. I’m pregnant. Due date’s in December.”

He only blinked at her slowly until it sank. “Oh stars, we’re having a baby. You’re cooking it right now!”

He started to get up, but she put him down. Her smile grew wider at his excitement. His face was pure wonder and endearment. “Don’t get up, baby, you can celebrate from here.”

“Cinder, you’re gonna be a real momma!” He reached out to her face, laughing. “Should I call you momma?”

She threw her head back and laughed. “If you want to.”

He started shaking his head excitedly. “It’s the best nickname ever! I love you, momma.”

She ticked her head once to the side. It sounded weird, but whatever helped his healing brain.

As they lay there, laughing, kissing, and holding each other, she vowed to never let anything happen to him again. Now that their family was growing, no one will hurt any member of it. They will never get close. She was shutting the door on that chapter of her life, making sure no one will come knocking ever again. They were going to start a happy life, and raise a happy family. No one will ever come between them again.

A/N: One, I wrote 8k words?!!??! No wonder this pic was haunting me. Anyways, I made this on a whim but have no fear, I have a raider takeout fit that will follow up this as soon as I feel like publishing it. Two, the editing is so bad, the story has SO many holes, I just got tired of explaining. I'm sorry if it bores you, skip to the end if you like, whatever, but show some love if you want that makeout fic. Three, I have nothing else to say. Goodbye for now!

Tagging: @just2bubbly @cinderswrench @cindersassasin @the-wee-woo-royal @deprivedmusicaljunkie @crescentchat @notjacinclay @wheresmymom-imlost @salt-warrior @rapunzelfromthemoon @briggycat @impossiblesuitcase @kaider-is-my-otp (these are for my kaider ONLY fics so please ask if you want to be tagged or removed <3)

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