#the way her voice breaks as she begs… OWIE

[hallwyeoo]

Ellie’s memory of the golfing scene and what it tells us about her.

🚨spoilers for tlou2🚨

I think Ellie’s flashback to Joel’s death is very telling of how she internalized the event and the meaning she applied to his death. It’s also a good demonstration of her relationship to autonomy. Let’s break down the elements that were inconsistent with the actual event:

The stairs/hallway are much longer than they were. This suggests a sense of helplessness, an inability to get there fast enough. Joel is constantly out of reach.

There is blood on the floor outside of the door. Not entirely certain on this one but my hunch is that she blames herself for not seeing more obvious signs of violence/not knowing something was wrong sooner.

The door is locked, another roadblock in her path to Joel. She can’t access him, she can’t help, he needs her and she isn’t there.

Most importantly. Joel yells “Ellie, help me” (which he didn’t in the actual scene, he just screams. He doesn’t say a word in the actual scene)

Ellie hearing Joel scream for her help, calling for her while being horribly beaten, and her being repeatedly impeded on her way to him suggests that what she took away from his death is that she wasn’t enough. They always helped each other, always had each others backs, always got up. Ellie views his death as a failure. She was too slow, too weak, not smart enough to save him. She failed him when he needed her most. She is absolutely helpless to save him, just like she was helpless to save Riley, Tess, Sam, and Jessie (and Marlene, and humanity, and and and-).

Once again, Ellie makes a decision (staying with Riley, going to the fireflies, staying with Joel, being the cure, trying to forgive Joel) and once again her autonomy and ability to find closure is ripped from her.

This is the inciting incident of tlou pt2, this is the moment where Ellie’s whole world shatters the same way Joel’s did at the start of pt1. Ellie enters into the same cycle (which I like to call the “Joel cycle” because… yeah.) that he did, and throughout pt2 she stays in the “20 years later” phase of the cycle. She is changed, she has lost her light, lost what she fought for. She lost her chance to genuinely forgive Joel and rebuild their relationship. She is stuck in a gruelling and violent world that she has no anchor in, at least not anymore. His death is so sudden and so incredibly violent that it practically gave her (and me as well, tbh) whiplash. She’s in a state of total shock.

On another devastating note, this is one of the three times in tlou that we see Ellie beg (that I remember). The first is begging Joel to get up at the university of Eastern Colorado, the second is begging him to get up and for Abby to stop, and the third is begging Abby to not kill Dina because she’s pregnant. (Two times she begs Joel to get up, one time he doesn’t. Two times she begs Abby to spare her family and one time she does. What a beautifully haunting contrast)

To wrap up, every person creates an internal narrative, a story of their life that is crafted from their context and lived experiences. The meaning we derive from those experiences doesn’t always reflect the truth, and that can sometimes bite us in the ass majorly when we experience a traumatic event. We tend to want to find someone or something to assign blame to, some reason or rationale to why it happened. We tell stories. We write them in our minds about ourselves and what happens to us and what that says about us.

But Ellie is wrong. Joel’s death happened in response to a conscious and willing choice he made. It is in no way her fault, and there was absolutely no way for her to know or to stop what was happening. I think Ellie knows that much on an intellectual level, It just doesn’t change how devastated she is over the whole event. It can’t change the fact that she FEELS as though this was all her fault, that Joel did what he did to save her, that she could have saved him. That she should have.

[shrenvents]

Pattern

Chapter Seven of the Miracle Aligner Series

Alex's POV

"Last night got a hold of me, I can't wrestle free from my head."

"Sunlight banging on the wall, begging me for more."

"Jesus man, at least give us a name of the miracle worker behind these lyrics." Zach boasts and I scoff.

"Leave him be mate," Miles lightly reprimands, smiling from ear to ear. I shake my head at both of them and Miles smacks my back. His hand remains where it hit as he leans towards my ear. "But really, give her our thanks," Miles whispers suggestively and I instantly recoil. He guffaws.

I slide the guitar strap from my shoulder and stroll into the studio's break room. 

Truthfully, I can't blame the boys for prying. Considering that the music we've been producing as of late has been some of my best. Something about it is just different, and it's becoming rather ominous...

As I sip on my coffee, I contemplate all the ways I could've said goodnight to Jennie yesterday, that would've been far more charming than snogging at her doorstep. 

"Mr. Turner!" A perky voice interrupts my obsessive thoughts. I shift towards the voice, which belongs to a fairly tall woman. "Hello?"

"Sorry," she giggles softly, raising her hand apologetically, then extending it to me for a handshake, which I awkwardly accept. "Amy Winslow, I'm one of the owners of this establishment." My mouth opens in an 'ah,' and I nod in acknowledgement. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Winslow." "No, please call me Amy." She smiles brightly and I squint at her overlined, hot-pink lipstick.  She continues, "Zach let me in to hear your work, I'm very impressed!" She claps her hands, "It must be difficult for you to write a bad song." I quirk my head slightly at her comment, befuddled. "Oh! That was a compliment, Alex." My mouth makes another 'ah,' and I choose to ignore her suddenly addressing me by my first name. 

"Ah, sorry," I shake my head, "I'm a little out of it today."

"That's alright," she says beaming. "I was hoping we could discuss your new record over lunch?" My gaze moves from my mug back to her. "Of course, the others were invited, but they resigned to continue working," Amy exclaims without a hint of sadness, pausing momentarily in thought. "But I believe their lead should take a well-deserved break," she announces decidedly, leaving no room for disagreement. Reluctantly, I respond, "Um, where to?"

...

Jennie's POV

"Jennie! Hoe!" "Excuse me?" My brows furrow and I rise from my desk. As I open my bedroom door, Maggie appears, front and center. "What the fuck," she states flatly, and my brow knit together. "What now Magpie?" I sigh, "Whatever it is, I gotta do the itinerary for-"

Being cut off by Maggie is nothing new, but the picture she shoves in my face certainly is. "What the fuck." I snatch her phone with both hands, bringing it so close to my eyes that it nearly presses against my nose.

There he is, side by side with a tall, in my opinion, flashy, blond woman. "Was he not with you, like, yesterday?" Maggie practically shouts in her confusion. "He's not with her, with her -- is he?" I ask, betraying my typical nonchalantness.

Analyzing the paparazzi photo, I relax slightly when I see the distance between them, and their lack of physical contact. "No way!" Maggie shouts again, "I read your texts, he's way too into you." "You read our texts?" Maggie ignores my question as she begins to pace. "Oh, but you know how rockstars are man..."

"Maggie." I huff and she whirls around the room, mumbling nonsense. "Maggie!" "There's no way! But god! Look at the caption." I scroll up and read aloud, "Frontman Alex Turner seen out on a date with beautiful philanthropist, Amy Winslow."

"ORGGDH!" Maggie's overly dramatic gags are the last straw, and I whip her phone at her. "Owie!" She whimpers, then grumbles, "I'm just saying girl, 'beautiful' is a stretch." I shake my head disapprovingly, "Just shut it, Mag's. It doesn't matter." I turn away to hide my visible disappointment. "It was one date, and it's not like we're exclusive."

"Doesn't matter?" She huffs. "Doesn't matter?!" I compose myself before spinning to look at Maggie. Her wild eyes carry both anger and pity, and I hate it. 

"We have to call him." "What?" Now it's my turn to shout. "Just ask him if they're-" "No way!" I practically whine like a kid. "Oh come on Jen! Communication is key babes!"

I know she's right, and I know she can tell exactly what I'm thinking. How vulnerable it would be to ask him, what I would be admitting to him by doing so, and how that's something I would never do.

"Where's your phone." Maggie's deadpan makes my blood run cold. "No." Disregarding my reply, she begins moving around my room, slowly building an aggressive search for my phone. "M, stop! Oh my god, you psycho!" I holler, completely panicked.

"I'm not letting you fuck this up!" Maggie yells hysterically, "You like him Jen!" "I barely know him!" "Don't give me that bullshit, Jennie, give me the damn phone, for fucks sake." Her eyes trail away from my heated stare, and I follow as they focus on my bedside table, regarding the black object underneath my book. Her eyes then pop back to mine, and we freeze in unison, unmoving.

After a beat, we both leap at my bedside table, flopping on my bed, tossing around, fighting one another, trying to stop each other from reaching my phone.

"Mag's, I swear to god!"

"Ah HA!" She takes hold of it, whilst making my pillows, and my books go flying. As she scrambles as far away from me as possible, tapping on my phone, I fall flat on my back.

Then she abruptly goes immobile, face dropping in horror.

"Shit."

"What? What!" I scatter to my feet, dread filling my entire being.

"I accidentally sent..."

"Sent what Mag's?" Voicelessly, she looks up while turning the phone screen towards me. I nearly scream.

Maggie accidentally sent the paparazzi photo of Alex and the blond, to him.

"What the actual fuckkkk!" I shout, "How do you just accidentally do that?" "I know, I know, I can fix it!" Maggie exclaims, with her fake, optimistic smile, not quite meeting her eyes. "I'll just unsend the message!" She pauses, "Except, he's already seen it." "What?" "Just now, he saw it." Maggie states flatly. "I'm sorry Jen, I'm such an idiot."

I look away from her, observing my blank wall. "Well, it's done now." I yell as adrenaline racks through my body, shifting to look at her sorrowful expression again. Her shaky hands clasp onto the phone again. "He's typing."

I shove my palms into my knotted hair, almost ripping it out at the roots. "Anything yet?" I ask after a moment. "N-not yet." Maggie stammers. "Not yet?" I next to growl. Grabbing the phone from her hands, I watch those three dots taunt me. Maggie moves to my side in the meantime. "What's taking him so long." She mumbles, still seemingly afraid of the potential repercussions of her actions.

7:47 p.m. Alex Alexander: She's the owner of the studio I'm recording at. She asked to grab lunch to discuss work.That's all. I swear it.

Maggie lets out a hefty breath of relief, but I continue to read his message over and over.

Suddenly my phone lets out a ring and buzzes in my hands, which makes me and Maggie jump. We gasp at Alex's caller ID as it consumes my screen. "Are you gonna answer the call?" Maggie mutters, eyes training on me.

"I don't know." I bite my lip. "Why's he calling anyways, I saw the damn message." "Cause you haven't responded, and it's been almost ten minutes since he's sent it." Maggie watches me intently. "Jen, are you good?" I shrug her concern away, "I'm fine. I just..." "Like him, and that's okay." She finishes, "He couldn't wait a second longer for you to respond, because he likes you too." My eyes shoot to Maggie's. "Pick it up, take a chance."

Though her words are vague, I know what she's trying to say. "But, you know my pattern M. It won't end well." "In my book, patterns are meant to be broken," is all she says before leaving my room.

8:02 p.m. Alex Alexander: Believe me Jennie. I'm not seeing anybody else, and I don't want to see anyone but you. Please talk to me.

I inhale deeply before clicking the call button. He instantly picks up and my heart pounds. "Jennie?" I listen to his irregular intake of breath. "Jennie, love, say something." "I'm not jealous," is all I can muster, and I wanna die. He sighs. "Of course, I would never assume you were." "Course." Silence envelops the call, and I almost draw blood from my bottom lip.

"Jennie, if you were jealous - as amazing as that would be - I still wouldn't want that, because there is absolutely nothing to be jealous of. We just met today and-" "Well, I'm not so -- whatever," I snap. "Good," He mutters, and his dark tone so close to my ear makes me shudder. I look to the ceiling as I take a seat on the edge of my bed. "Good." A low chuckle echoes through the speaker. "Welp, I'm hanging up now," I declare.

"Wait don't!" Alex stammers out while my finger hovers over the red button. "Why?" "Why?" He quietly laughs again, "Because Red, I want to talk to you." "What?" He lets out an exasperated chuckle. "Don't sound so alarmed, darling. I had a lovely time yesterday." "Hmm, I'm sure you did." I grin, "Player." "Wow, I'm a player now?" I can hear his smile through the phone now. "I do prefer that statement, than the reality where I'm a blabbering fool." "That makes one of us." I retort. Shit. "Oh really? You like it when I'm all over you huh?" "Duh." Double shit. The line goes quiet, and my body floats backwards, dissolving into my mattress.

"Jennie... Can I come over?" I jolt upright. "No! Manwhore!" My fingers slam down on my phone, ending the call. I gasp at my hasty action, dropping my phone, and clasping my right hand over my gaping mouth.

A familiar buzz makes me release my lips and peer down to see Alex's caller ID. "Hello?" I say nervously as I answer the call. "Darling, may I come see you." After a long beat of silence, I exhale loudly, "Sure, but we aren't sleeping together."

"Of course."

Chapter Eight

[hunter-the-sad-skeleton]

(Sneak Peek At Chapter Two Of My Hazbin Fanfic!)

“I-I don’t wanna go….!” Ebony whimpered.

“We can discuss this on the ride back.” Vox growled.

“Y-Yes sir…” Ebony frowned.

“Thanks for giving me her, it is much appreciated~!” Vox bowed, dragging Ebony out by her arm, getting some pained protests from her, door closing behind him.

Ebony was shoved into the car carelessly, Vox sliding in soon after. “Owie…!” Ebony whimpered.

“What the HEAVEN was THAT?!?” Vox snapped as the drive back to the studio started.

“Was what-” Ebony started.

“WHAT HAVE I FUCKING TOLD YOU ABOUT LEAVING THE DAMN STUDIO?!?” Vox yelled. Ebony winced, ears pressing against her head at the loud voice.

“I-I was just-” Ebony started

“ ‘I-I was just-’ SHUT THE FUCK UP WITH THAT HORSESHIT!!!!!!! I KNOW YOU SNUCK OUT ON PURPOSE!!!” Vox yelled.

Ebony whimpered, hugging her legs to her chest, tears starting to trickle out of her eyes. “I-I was just…..I just got restless…” Ebony whimpered.

“SO WHY DIDN’T YOU ASK ONE OF US TO GO OUT WITH YOU?!?” Vox fumed.

“I….I knew you’d say no….” Ebony sniffled.

“SO YOU WENT OUT ANYWAYS?!?!?” Vox hissed.

“I almost didn’t….” Ebony whined.

“BUT NOTE THE ‘ALMOST’!!!!! YOU DISOBEYED A FUCKING DIRECT ORDER!!!!” Vox growled.

“I-I told Velvet....!” Ebony whimpered.

“SHE NEVER FUCKING IS ABLE TO HEAR ANYONE!!!!” Vox barked. Ebony winced, sliding back in her seat.

“I-I’m sorry, sir….” Ebony frowned.

Vox sighed heavily. “You’re gonna have to do some SERIOUS work to get me to forgive you for this.”

Ebony whined, hugging herself tightly. “I….I don’t want to…”

“Well, too bad, so sad, ya don’t get a say in the matter!” Vox growled.

Ebony looked up slightly, seeing that Vox’s frown had been larger than usual. “I……”

“You what?” Vox demanded.

“I just got restless…..” Ebony whined. Vox’s frown grew larger, causing Ebony to push herself further away from him.

“You got restless…? You GOT restless…? YOU GOT RESTLESS?!?!?! THAT DOESN’T MAKE YOUR CASE ANY BETTER!!!!” Vox yelled. Ebony whimpered, curling into herself tighter.

“Besides, everyone there is so nice to me and-” Ebony started

“OH, SO WE’RE NOT ‘NICE’ ENOUGH FOR YOU?!?!?” Vox yelled.

“I just...think that you need to lighten up a bit…!” Ebony bit back meekly.

“No, those...THINGS at that dumb hotel aren’t good for you to be around!!!!” Vox growled.

“AT LEAST THEY’RE BETTER TO BE AROUND THAN YOU!!!!!!” Ebony snapped, ink webs flaring up.

“..............Excuse me?” Vox said, warning her to back off.

“THEY TREAT ME LIKE AN ACTUAL PERSON BACK THERE!!!! THEY DON’T CARE IF I’M THE DAUGHTER OF THE INK DEMON!!!! I’M ME!!! I’M EBONY TO THEM!!! I’M EBONY THE PLUSH DEMON!!! NOT EBONY THE SLUT WHO DOES AS SHE’S TOL-” Ebony started before getting cut off by Vox grabbing her throat tightly.

“Listen here, you little shit, I don’t appreciate you raising your voice at me like that, so I’m gonna dish out your punishment on the way back to the studio.” Vox growled. Ebony whimpered, crossing her legs and pressing her ears against her head as fear coursed through her body.

“P-Please don’t…” Ebony begged. Vox grinned, pinning Ebony’s wrists above her head.

“Sorry sweetheart~! Ya shoulda thought your plan through before executing it~!” Vox purred.

(Timeskip to them arriving at the studio.)

Vox strode to the door, waiting for Ebony to follow suit. Ebony padded over, shaking slightly and eyes filled to the brim with regret and horror. “What’s wrong~? Didn’t enjoy it~?” Vox taunted. Ebony shook her head no.

“I-It was fine, s-si-it was fine, sir…” Ebony stuttered. Vox grinned.

“Good~! Cause if ya get caught sneaking out again, it’s gonna happen again~!” Vox warned. Ebony nodded shakily. Vox opened the door, poking Ebony with his leg, prompting her to head inside.

“VAAAAL, WE’RE BAAACK~!!!” Vox called, following Ebony inside.

“Oh, hey Vox. Hey Ebony! How’d it go?” Velvet greeted.

“O-Oh, heya, Vel…! Everyone was nice…!” Ebony smiled shyly.

“Wait, you HEARD her?!?” Vox gasped.

“Yeah.” Velvet said.

“WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL US?!?” Vox yelled.

Velvet sighed, rolling her eyes. “I knew you’d blow up on her. She’s having it rough enough as it is with her parents, Vox.” Velvet frowned.

“Oh, I’m SUUUURE she is.” Vox grumbled.

“Vox, you know they’re trying to FORCE her to keep the family tradition job going, right?” Velvet asked. Vox’s monitor reset a moment.

“They’re...what?” Vox gasped. Velvet’s eyes widened in shock.

“Wait, you didn’t know?” Velvet asked in shock.

“No, I didn’t!” Vox gawked. Vox looked down at Ebony. “Ebony-I’m...so sorry…!” Vox apologized.

“I-It’s fine, Vox, y-you had no way of knowing…” Ebony wheezed.

“Vox. Why does she sound like that?” Velvet asked, anger growing in her voice.

Vox remained silent. “VOX. WHAT DID YOU DO?” Velvet snapped.

“Alright, fine, I fucked her as a punishment for sneaking out!!” Vox barked. Vox crossed his arms. “There, ya happy?”

“Um. NO?!? That’s NOT an okay form of punishment, Vox!!” Velvet snapped.

“So what? She’s fine, she’s not hurt.” Vox chuffed.

“Vox, listen you little shi-” Velvet started.

“Vox, Velvet, sit down.” Val frowned, walking in.

Vox sat down, pulling Ebony down with him, not caring if he hurt her.

“Okay, from the top-what happened?” Val asked.

“Well, your friendly neighborhood slut Ebony decided to sneak off and-” Vox started.

“I WASN’T ASKING YOU, VOX.” Val growled. Vox shut up immediately. “Ebony, dearest, what happened today~?” Val asked, voice dripping with fake sympathy. Ebony whined, seeing the smirk on Vox’s face.

“We-Well, sir, I snuck out to the hotel again last night an-an-and then Dad asked me to come by the theater for work and then I couldn’t go up because anxiety hit, and then I went back to the hotel and Vox came by and picked me up and fu-” Ebony started before Vox slid over, shoving his hand over her mouth and holding her in place with the other.

“-AND I found you and helped you get back here! RIGHT, EBONY?” Vox grimaced. Ebony nodded.

“I can tell from her crooked hoodie that something happened before she came back.” Val frowned.

“..........” Vox frowned.

“Vox, please say you didn’t.” Val sighed.

Vox was dead silent. Val sighed heavily, facepalming. “Vox, you CAN’T do that every time she misbehaves…! It’ll stop having the effect on her after a while…!” Val groaned.

“What do you want me to do, mind control her or something?!?” Vox snapped. The room was filled with dead silence.

“...............................................................” Val was dead silent.

“I can tell by the dead silence that that’s not what you wan-” Vox started.

“No no, that may actually be a good solution.” Val interjected.

Ebony whimpered, shrinking away from Vox. “Well, I mean if ya don’t mind holding her down, I could do it right now if ya want.” Vox shrugged nonchalantly.

“Alright.” Val got up, gently grabbing Ebony and holding her back. Ebony yelped, struggling to get out of his grip. “Stop moving, dear~! You’ll only make this harder on yourself~!” Val hummed.

“N-No, lemme go…!!!” Ebony whimpered. Vox stood in front of Ebony, crouching down to her height.

“Okay, kiddo, look me in the eyes, alright?” Vox asked gently. Ebony shut her eyes tightly, nodding no violently. Vox frowned, sighing heavily. “Kid, you ain’t making this any easier.” Vox frowned.

“I don’t care…!!” Ebony peeped. Vox frowned, grabbing her muzzle and forcing her to look him dead in the eyes. Ebony kept her eyes shut tightly. Vox frowned deeper and sighed, going to rub her ears, knowing that’d get her to open her eyes. Ebony fought hard to not open her eyes, but it was futile, as she opened them anyways.

As soon as Ebony’s eyes were open, Vox activated his spiral eye, drawing Ebony’s attention with it and slowly using his mind control abilities on her. “Keep looking me in the eye, thaaat’s right, good girl…” Vox mumbled under his breath. Ebony tried breaking from Vox’s grip, but he tightened it, not letting go.

“No….I don’t…...Want……” Ebony said tiredly.

“I know, hush...It’s okay...You can trust me...Hush...this is nothing to panic over...This is for your own good…” Vox hummed. Ebony blinked, keeping her eyes shut and Vox went back to petting her ears, getting her eyes open again. “Stop resisting, dammit!!” Vox sighed, frustrated.

“No, I’m not….a puppet….” Ebony zoned out a moment before shaking her head as well as she could.

“Hold still. Ignore everything but my voice and eye, okay?” Vox instructed carefully.

“I…….no…..I won’t….!” Ebony objected half-heartedly.

“Hush…..It’s useless to resist, just listen to my voice and focus on my eye and everything will be okay…” Vox hummed. Ebony slowly started spacing out as she slowly got drawn in. She just wanted it to be over. She blinked again. “I SWEAR TO LUCIFER, IF YOU DON’T STOP-” Vox started.

“Patience, Vox. Just have some patience~!” Val hummed. Vox sighed.

“Kid, look in my eye and DON’T blink.” Vox instructed. Ebony tried escaping, but it was fruitless.

“No….I don’t want this….!!!” Ebony objected.

“Hush….Don’t fight, it’ll be alright….” Vox hummed. Ebony’s eyelids drooped slightly as she slowly gave in.

[thatssonanii]

Daddy & Haleigh

Okay so I lied, I’ve got more Roman fluff and it’s Daddy Ro. I’m not gonna day of its the last one or not. We’re just gonna rock with this. Okay? Cool! 😂😂

——-

Five years old

“Hold on tight, Princess. Don’t be scared, Daddy’s got you.” Roman assured his daughter.

Roman and her mama had gotten her the pink Shopkins bike she asked them to get her for her birthday two months ago. When she first got it Haleigh begged them not to put the training wheels on, of course they did anyway. Roman promised that if she did a good job with them, then he would take them off and teach her how to ride without them. Here it is two months later and he’s making good on his promise but Haleigh isn’t sure about it anymore.

She looked up at Roman with big, brown, scared eyes. “Don’t let go, Daddy.”

“I won’t just yet, Haleigh. Go on and pedal,” He encouraged, “I’ll be right behind you.”

Haleigh did what her daddy told her and the bike started to roll down the sidewalk of their neighborhood park. She was beyond excited to be riding without the training wheels. Now she knew what all her friends were talking about.

Roman was barely holding onto the bike anymore, just letting his fingertips graze the back of her seat as he jogged alongside her. Eventually he stopped and watched her ride with a proud smile. His phone made a quick appearance so he could snap a few pictures and videos. Haleigh laughed and screamed about how much fun she was having until she turned a corner and saw Roman was no longer behind her. Her fear had returned causing her to forget how to break or turn her handle to avoid the bushes in front of her. Roman realized where she was headed quickly sprinted over to her just as she made contact with the bushes.

“You okay, Princess?” He asked pulling her from the bushes. It hurt his heart to see her face red and tear filled. He started to pick the pieces of brush that were stuck in her helmet and on her clothes.

“You let go,” she sobbed with an accusatory stare. A look she had surely gotten from her mama, Roman couldn’t help but laugh a little.

“But I was always right behind you. I saw you, I didn’t go anywhere.”

“But … but,” she cried wrapping her arms around his neck. “You let me fall.”

“Wasn’t I there to pick you up, Hae? Even if I’m not right there by you I’m always behind you and I’ll always be there to pick you up,” Roman explained pulling her face from his neck, “You’re gonna fall a lot but Daddy will always be there. Alright?” She nodded allowing him to wash her face with the towel he had brought along. “Do you have any owies for Daddy to kiss? Or are you alright?”

“No owies,” she squeaked through her tears.

“You did really good though. Daddy’s so proud of you.”

“But I fell, Daddy.”

“But you got back up. I tell you what, if you’re feelin’ up to it you can ride your bike back home and I promise not to let go unless you ask. Sound good?”

“I dunno.”

“Don’t you wanna show your mama and big brother that you can ride your bike?”

Haleigh put her hands on her hips and leaned her head to the side. Her thinking pose, another thing she had gotten from her mama.

“Can I get ice cream?”

“Yeah, you can, Princess,” He laughed picking her bike up, “Mama won’t like it but she’ll be aight.”

Thirteen Years Old

This was the day Roman dreaded more than prom and college send off. As he sat outside Haleigh’s bathroom door he wondered when did Jesus start to hate him. Koda was gone with friends, his wife was at work which left him to have a Daddy Daughter day with Haleigh. Even though she was a teenager, she was still a daddy’s girl.

They were watching one of the many Fast and Furious movies when she got up to use the bathroom. The back of her baby blue sweatpants caught his eye. There was an unmistakable red stain.

“Fuck my life,” He muttered a little louder than he should’ve which caught her off guard. She turned caught her daddy’s eye then moved her stare to the red stain on her mother’s favorite white sofa. Roman tried to tell her that it was okay and he would fix it but she had already ran off.

“Babygirl, come on out. We can fix this,” Roman spoke softly through the door.

“This is so embarrassing. Mama’s gonna kill me for destroying her sofa. Just let me be, Daddy.”

“Let me help, Hae. Just come out.”

She sobbed loudly catching him off guard. The hormones had started already. “I want mama. She knows about this you don’t. I don’t want you to see this. Get mama, please.”

Roman knew there was no way his wife could come home. She had a full day at the bakery and he would honestly be surprised if she got home before eight o'clock tonight. He figured he could at least call and have her talk him through this.

“I’m gonna go call her, Princess.”

He went back downstairs to call her. As the phone rang, he couldn’t help but laugh to himself about his lack of luck.

“Hey, Ro. You and Hae alright?”

Roman had never been so happy to hear his wife’s voice.

“Yes and no,” He sighed. “Hae got her period and won’t come out of the bathroom. She’s scared you’re gonna be mad for messin’ up the sofa. She doesn’t want me to help because I apparently know nothin’ about it.”

She laughed at the distress in his voice. “Breathe, baby. Everything is alright. First, put some bleach and fabuloso on the spot and let it sit,” she demanded softly, “While that sits go look in her closet for a box that says ‘Haleigh’s A Woman’ and tell her I told you to give it to her and open the door. Give her two of the pills and tell her to shower. While she showers, you need to get the stain out. Don’t rub it, scrunch it so it doesn’t set in. By the time you’re done, she should be and you’re gonna have to show her how to put the pad on. Afterwards just give her one of your daddy talks.”

——

Haleigh and Roman talked after the whole fiasco was over with. He decided to take her on his man cave to avoid her freaking out over the sofa again. They relaxed in one of the double wide recliners continuing with their previous movie.

“Mama told me that this means I’m a woman now. So does that mean I can’t be your little girl or your princess anymore?”

“You’ll always be Daddy’s little girl and princess no matter what, Hae.”

She snuggled into his side at his words. No matter how much her friends teased her, she would never stop being her Daddy’s little girl.

“Thank you for helping me, Daddy. Sorry for saying you didn’t know.”

Roman kissed her forehead, never talking his eyes from the screen even though he could feel Haleigh’s brown eyes on his face. “It’s alright, Hae. Just remember Daddy’s always here and he’s got you.”

Seventeen Years Old

Roman couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness watching his wife do Haleigh’s hair and make up as she got ready for prom. His little girl was becoming a young woman right before his eyes and there was nothing he could do about it.

She had caught his eyes in the vanity staying at their daughter and smiled. “Doesn’t she look beautiful, Ro?”

“Yeah,” He sighed, “She looks as beautiful as her mama.”

“Mikey should be here in a few minutes, Daddy. And you promised to be nice.” Haleigh reminded him. She was already nervous about going to prom with the boy she had a crush on for years and the thought of her dad intimidating him made it no better.

“Don’t worry your pretty lil head about that, Princess. I’ll keep him company while he sits on you.” The doorbell rang out through the house before either woman could say anything else. “Get the door, Koda! I’m coming!” Roman had flashed them a sneaky smirk before leaving the room.

Koda had come home from college once his mama mentioned Haleigh going to prom. He had to meet the boy that would be taking his sister out. His dad needed reinforcement after all.

As Roman came down the steps, he noticed Koda had the poor boy hemmed up in the corner of the foyer. He laughed going to separate them.

“It’s alright, son. Let him go, we can all go sit and talk while we wait,” Roman smiled giving Mikey a firm hand slap on the back, “Right?”

“I’m sure my daughter has told you what I expect from you. And I mean every single thing I said. Im allowin’ you to borrow her, she does not belong to you and will be returned to me the same way she left out of this house. You got that, Mickey?”

“It’s Mikey, sir.” The young boy sputtered out.

“Your name won’t matter if you hurt my Princess. You keep your hands in respectful places and your lips and other body parts to yourself. If so much as a piece of hair is out of place, I will hunt you down. Not only me but her brother here, her uncles and cousins. Don’t play with me, Mickey.”

Mikey let the name thing go. He didn’t want to upset the large man anymore than he already was. He held Roman’s stare until Koda grabbed his attention.

“I hear there’s a hotel party afterwards,” Koda said nonchalantly, “If I find out you took my sister there, I’ll break your lil ass in half. Got it?”

Mikey stared wide eyed at the two men. He didn’t know what to say. He had already made plans for the night but they were making him seriously reconsider.

“I believe my son asked you a question, boy.”

“Ye-yes sir. I got it.”

Just as they wrapped up Haleigh and her mama entered the room. Roman and Koda stood while Mikey sat dumbfounded until Koda snatched him up.

“You look real beautiful, sis. Don’t she, Mickey?”

“Uh..uh,” Mikey stuttered until Roman patted him on the back, “You look amazing, Haleigh.”

“Thanks, Mikey. Is that for me,” she laughed pointing to the corsage he held.

After her mom took a million pictures, the couple were finally on their way out the door. Roman watched her walk hand in hand with the young boy, saddened at the fact that she had left without hugging him. He watched them pull off, closing the door once they were out of sight.

“Perk up, big man. She’ll be back.”

“She better,” He mumbled.

Minutes later the front door opened and the sound of heels clicking against the floor caught them off guard. Roman rose to see what was going on, Haleigh met him in the doorway of the kitchen. She wrapped her arms around him tightly catching him off guard.

“I forgot my hug, Daddy.” She mumbled into his stomach. “You let me forget.”

“It’s alright, Princess. Go have fun and call me if you need me. I’ll be there.”

———

It was just after ten, Koda and and his wife had turned in for the night. Roman couldn’t sleep until he knew his babygirl was home and safe. He settled on Fresh Prince reruns while he waited. He had started to dose off when the front door opened and the sound of sobbing emanated from the foyer. He waited for her to stumble into the living room before he said anything.

“What’s wrong, Hae?”

She looked up from her hands she was crying into. One look at her father and she broke down even more.

“It’s alright, sweetheart. Just calm down and tell Daddy what’s wrong.”

She shook her head still crying into his chest. “You’re gonna be so mad at me. I can’t tell you, Daddy.”

“I won’t, baby. Just tell me, please.” It joked him to see her like this. The only thing on his mind was killing Mickey, Mikey or whatever his name was.

“I fell and I should’ve called you sooner so that you could pick me up, Daddy.”

He rubbed her back still confused. “What does that mean?”

“Mikey didn’t take me to prom cause he liked me. He took me cause h-h-he wanted to have sex with me.” The anger rose within him. He wanted to go find the little shit by he had to comfort his baby first. “He asked me to come to the hotel party with him and I figured it would be fun since … since some of my other friends were going. Bu-but when we got to the room there wad no one else. He tried to kiss me and I told him I was wanted to go with everyone else. He told me to stop acting like I didn’t know why he asked me out.”

“What did you do then, Princess?” Roman tried to keep his anger at bay, it was getting harder and harder.

She laughed a little as she rubbed her nose. “I kneed him in the balls when he tried to take my dress off and called an uber.”

“That’s my girl,” He joked, “Look, you did good. You fell and I was here. I told you Daddy will always be there to pick you back up. Even when you think I’m not.”

“I love you, Daddy. Thank you for not getting mad.”

“Love you, too, Princess. Go on, get this stuff off and get some sleep. We can talk more in the mornin’.”

Roman waited until he heard her bedroom door shut before going to Koda’s room. His look alike was sprawled across the bed, mouth open and snoring. Roman laughed a little as he popped his bare chest waking him up.

“What? What? Something wrong?” He asked sleepily.

“Yup. Mickey didn’t listen, now we gotta pay em a lil visit,” Roman explained quickly, “Get dressed. I’ll be in the car calling your uncles and cousins. Don’t take all day or your ass is gettin’ left.”

Nobody messes with his princess and gets away with it.

———

@lavitabella87 @thiickreigns @x-fivefoot @macfizzle & whomever ender this finds!