#tw ratas

[daeulj]

📍 LOBBY

‘ déjame adivinar, ¿te encontraste con tu vieja mascota? ’ roedor a costado de tercere parece inusualmente tranquilo, ¿estaría jugando a no moverse para no alertar a los vástagos de su presencia, o se trataría de un ratón acostumbrado a ellos? ‘ creo que puedo verlo, un poco... el parecido ’ bromea, en referencia a famoso dicho de que mascotas se parecen a sus dueños.

[casiang]

🔥 ヽ੭࣪ 𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗛 𝗬𝗔𝗡𝗚 ⸺͏͏ en north heaven junto a carlos iii.

[missasinf]

Idk Man I love fucking neurona duo (c!rubius & k!Quackity) so much they're those duos where it's obviously toxic and there Is no doubt about one of them on the Verge of stabbing the other, but they're so fucking petty that its actually hilarious

Like Quackity Will break a random thing in rubius' house and Rubius kills him only to turn around and suddenly aware that Quackity killed all of his pets accidentally

Like hell even in the stream where Quackity got his memory erased he couldn't do his monologue properly cause he was stuck under Rubius' basement, why? Because he had a thing from Rubius inventory so he kept him so he Couldn't break out when he was offline and keep him there forever until he got the ítem

They don't even trust each other in the revolution where they need to team to beat luzu Quackity wants to keep him obeyed by taking titi hostage and his picture until the mission Is over and if he doesn't keep the promise Rubius is allowed to kill him

AND THEY STILL STICK TO EACH OTHER, despite burning rubius' store and kidnapping his pets, despite rubius constantly killing and sending Quackity to jail for whatever inconvenience, or their constant backstabbing of each other they STILL go back to each other

Its the most ironic part that at this point of the series the only people these two trust are each other after Rubius making him the most hated of all and Quackity only person to be able to remember Is him, they tell each other more than each respective's love interest

in quackity's mind when you feel like the person Is terrible or worse than you then why feel bother to act better? So It makes Quackity comfortable not presenting a fake versión and hell even doing terrible things together with Rubius cause who else Is he going to tell him? (vice versa with Rubius he likes Quackity for his codependency and viewing him as Easy to manipulate)

Because they both need things from each other Rubius Is the only one usually awake when Quackity wants to be online and such they talk to each other, so fufilling Quackity's need for companionship and smooches off of his stuff while for Rubius its also companionship because EVERYONE hates him even sapo peta doesn't like him for his constant so despite how much brags about Quackity being under his thumb he needs him as well due to being his only friend on the server, so they both feel safe to act terrible in each other's presence when they can't in with their love interests (Luzu & Vegetta)

They hated each other completely at the beginning! All k!Quackity wanted to do is get revenge on C!rubius for exploding him with a mine and taking advantage of him not knowing anything, so he then his first thing Is explode him with a mine as well AND THAT'S WHAT STARTED THE DYNAMIC! Completely trying to get revenge in each other and trying to show up the other in minor ways like dressing up better than other or just plain ol who can kill this one person better than the other

ultimately they both need to get away from each other cause even tho i see Rubius as the more manipulative of the two in the friendship due k!quackity's actions against him either being on accident or in self defense K!Quackity knows he's terrible for him, he searches the Bear for that reason because he likes that Rubius will abuse his power as a cop so i don't know if Quackity can be entirely removed of the responsibility in the dynamic due to him encouraging It for his sake so that's why i phrase It as both instead of just rubius

after 6 months of doing this they've felt completely comfortable in each other's toxicity and somehow found It to Fit in each other perfectly that way, that its probably the strongest relationship in karmaland due to nobody being able to break them up only themselves due to their constant rivalry companionship and mutual feeling of having nobody else so they might as well be terrible together so they make this weird system now with the horn that makes i when Quackity is seriously in trouble Rubius will drop all of his usual acts and be Quackitys personal bodyguard so despite anyone's Best efforts these guys are never going to leave each other anytime soon

I realize this sounds extremely horrible to Outsiders (Or people not that good to spanish) and yeah that's kinda the point, i want to clarify this all of this plays out tonally like if Tom and Jerry were humans LOL

Tldr: i'm a k!Quackity apologist first Quiero ese rata noruega alejos de el 🤬 funny duo

[maigawa]

@geunw : Creo que tu perfume las está atrayendo.

"ah, debes tener razón" pensativa se acerca a roedor que olfatea su zapato que ha frotado veneno, acariciando su cabeza con el índice "es el olor de la muerte, las ratas lo sienten, lo perciben" ladea el rostro empujando con suavidad al animal lejos suyo, esperando que el veneno hiciera su trabajo "¿sab��as que las ratas consumen cadáveres en putrefacción? es porque perciben pestilencia en la carne, debe ser que huelo así" ni se ofende por lo dicho "deberíamos matar a un humano, y en su interior colocarle veneno para ratas, un completo caballo de troya" piensa en voz alta antes de mirar a la fémina "¿quieres ir de caza real?" le sonríe.

[klavsb]

KLAUS está siendo perseguide por una fila de ratas y DEVI es la única que lo puede rescatar para que no le noten los humanos que se acercan. / situación reversa.

como si de karma se tratara, un conjunto de roedores lo ataca de forma imprevista en medio de una distracción. estuvo un buen rato evitando colaborar con la limpieza de la ciudad — acto más por rebeldía contra la realeza que por falta de ganas, pero finalmente, cuando estos empezaron a trepar en su ropa y trataron de meterse a través de ella, su propia batalla comienzó. se arranca la chaqueta y la suelta en el suelo con brusquedad, seguro de haber apartado a varias pequeñas ratas con ese acto. situación empeora cuando siente un par de risas en la misma calle, mortales. no puede controlar todo sin ser vistas sus habilidades como vástago, por lo que al ver a devi cerca de la escena, su mirada es suficiente para indicar que ruega por ayuda. ' carajo... ¿puedes distraerlos? ' pide entre lucha. si bien no le importaría que un mortal supiera de sus existencias, su sire fue muy específica al decirle que deben mantener todo en secreto y de forma ordenada. @devidarji

[junmsli]

afterglow

pairing. enzo vogrincic x reader

cw/tw. angst, fluff, diferencia de edad no especificada, enzo tarda pero se comunica, pronombres femeninos

word count. 2.3k+

observabas a enzo reír en medio de una conversación con esteban, el característico brillo de sus ojos avivado por la chispa de la charla. estabas sentada en un sillón con un vaso de limonada, habiendo bailado solo unos minutos antes con tu novio. cansada, decidiste tomarte un breve descanso.

juani aparece en tu campo visual, eclipsando al otro par de hombres. "¿todo bien?" pregunta, pronunciando tu nombre con una ligera sonrisa amigable.

"con hambre nomás. espero que la cena llegue prontito", respondiste, devolviendo la sonrisa. el oji celeste te ofreció un bocado de su snack, el cual aceptaste gustosa. "gracias. por cierto, aún estoy un poco enojada contigo por la recomendación de 'robot dreams'. yo no olvido ni perdono", bromearon juntos, mientras él te miraba con diversión. la película había provocado un remolino de pensamientos en tu cabeza durante al menos veinte minutos.

"¿me vas a negar que es alta peli?"

"alta peli para ver en plena crisis existencial y encontrar otra razón para contemplar el suicidio como opción", respondiste, provocando una risa en juani.

"quizás, solo quizás, tengas un poquito de razón", admitió, juguetón.

alzaste la palma en señal de que se detuviera y negaste con la cabeza. después de beber un sorbo de tu limonada, añadiste: "nunca más tomaré una recomendación tuya en el futuro, rata", apuntándole con el dedo en un gesto fingido de enojo, mientras juani llevaba ambas manos al pecho, simulando estar herido.

“sos una llorona, vos me hiciste lo mismo con esa peli del chico del internado.”

“¡sí pero yo te advertí!” dices y tomas la última gota de tu limonada mientras te encoges de hombros.

enzo, quien estaba al tanto de tu diálogo con caruso en la lejanía, dirigió su mirada hacia tu figura en el sillón una vez más. un atisbo de inquietud cruzó sus ojos al notar la conexión entre tú y el oji celeste. alzó una ceja luchando contra la incertidumbre de qué es lo que te tenía tan cautivada en la conversación con juani. tras un breve pero intenso instante de contemplación, decidió acabar con su duda y se disculpó con esteban para empezar a caminar hacia tu dirección.

se acercó al lado de juani y colocó una de sus manos en su hombro con más firmeza de lo habitual, sin que este realmente lo note, tu sonrisa creció ante la imagen de tu pareja. pronunciaste "amor" con ternura, acompañado de un saludo de mano, antes de continuar con la conversación con el argentino.

"dejemos tu llanto de lado. decime qué es lo que te gustó más de la peli.”

enzo los escuchó por un par de minutos más, tratando de comprender de qué se trataba. rápidamente entendió que se referían a una película que habías visto recientemente, pero él no, a veces hablabas sobre temas que realmente él no podía seguir por su escaso conocimiento al respecto. a pesar de su esfuerzo por disimularlo un sentimiento de incomodidad lo estaba empezando a molestar, se quedó en silencio observando desde la periferia.

todo tipo de pensamientos llenaban la mente de enzo, sobre la brecha generacional existente entre tú y él. "es normal que entables una conversación tan fluida sobre un gusto en común con alguien cercano a tu edad," pensó con un deje de pesar. le dolía imaginar que la diferencia de edad podría alejarte de él, aunque solo fuera en aspectos insignificantes. anhelaba comprender tu mente, el amor y la devoción por ti lo colocaban en esta situación incómoda. ¿su edad poco a poco te alejaría de él?

cuando los chicos avisaron que la cena había llegado, todos se dirigieron al grupo para disfrutar de la comida y de una conversación interminable durante la siguiente hora. sin embargo, enzo se quedó sumido en esa preocupante idea, que daba vueltas y más vueltas en su cabeza. podía responder con simpatía a las conversaciones en el grupo pero era claro que su actitud cambió, y no se podía encontrar aquella chispa en sus ojos.

al notar esto, la preocupación se apoderó de tu cuerpo, como una sombra que se cernía sobre ti. enzo esquivaba tu mirada, sus ojos evitando encontrarse con los tuyos, manchando tu corazón de azul con cada segundo de silencio.

bajaste la mirada a tu plato, sintiendo una sensación de malestar formándose en tu estómago. te sentías perdida, sin saber cómo abordar la situación. llevaste tu mano a su pierna con un leve apretón seguido de lentas caricias, buscando desesperadamente algún indicio de respuesta en él.

probaste un bocado de tu plato, intentando mantener la compostura, consciente de que no querías que el ambiente en la reunión decaiga. los chicos notarían si algo andaba mal, y eso era lo último que querías. sin embargo, tu mano seguía moviéndose en enzo, sin lograr generar reacción alguna en el uruguayo.

¿habías hecho algo mal? ¿qué dijiste o hiciste para causar su indiferencia? te hallabas remando entre todas las posibles opciones, sintiendo cómo la incertidumbre te envolvía en un mar de dudas.

pronto la reunión llegó a su fin; despedirse del grupo se convirtió en una tarea que les llevó más de un par de minutos, prolongándose en un tenso adiós. finalmente, se encaminaron hacia el auto de emanuel, que se ofreció a llevarlos al hogar del actor. te acomodaste, con la mirada fija en la ventana, mientras movías los dedos de tu mano en un tic nervioso, anticipando la charla que te esperaba en casa con tu novio.

enzo empezó una conversación con emanuel y su pareja, y tú te excusaste con una vaga explicación sobre el cansancio que sentías. sin embargo, bajo esa fachada de tranquilidad, la incertidumbre se apoderaba de ti.

unos quince minutos después, llegaron al apartamento. fuiste directamente a dejar tu bolso en el mueble, y finalmente, decidiste romper el silencio que se había vuelto más opresivo con cada paso que daban.

"¿qué está pasando?", preguntaste, buscando desesperadamente el contacto visual con enzo, anhelando que sus ojos te buscaran con la misma intensidad que tú a él. cruzaste los brazos, una barrera improvisada para protegerte y reunir fuerzas para lo que podría ser tu primera discusión real con enzo. "todo iba bien. te dejé hablando con kuku y de repente comenzaste a actuar extraño. ¿estás enojado conmigo?", dijiste, enfrentando el problema directamente, aunque te costara un gran esfuerzo.

"no lo sé, lo siento. no quería arruinarte la noche", se disculpó enzo, con la mirada gacha y la voz cargada de pesar.

negaste con la cabeza, sintiendo cómo se desvanecían tus ánimos al mirar al suelo. "debes saberlo. me has ignorado toda la noche. algo debe haber pasado, algo debo haber hecho", insististe, el nudo en tu garganta haciéndose más apretado con cada palabra.

"vos no has hecho nada, te lo juro", respondió enzo, pero su voz sonaba distante, como si estuviera luchando contra algo más que una simple discusión.

"¿por qué te está costando tanto?” la pregunta salió de tus labios mientras esperabas desesperadamente una respuesta que nunca llegaba. “¿estás celoso de juani, es eso?”

enzo negó rápidamente con la cabeza. podría estar consumido por sus inseguridades, pero no jugaría contigo ni con la confianza que habían establecido en su relación. entonces, ¿por qué no podía enfrentarse al elefante en la habitación y discutirlo contigo? "yo confío en vos. no tiene nada que ver con juani", respondió, aunque sabías que había más detrás de sus palabras de lo que estaba dispuesto a admitir.

"si confías en mí, ¿por qué no me dices qué está pasando? somos adultos, en. podemos arreglarlo", insististe, tratando de mantener la calma.

"somos adultos", enzo repitió tus palabras, finalmente respondiendo a tu mirada. “lo siento. aquí el único problema soy yo."

sacudiste la cabeza y te acercaste a él. "no, en. pero tenemos que hablar. siempre lo hacemos. no somos nada sin hablar", afirmaste con determinación.

enzo asintió y tomó tu rostro con ambas manos, suspirando con amor y tristeza al mismo tiempo. una mezcla de emociones se reflejaba en sus ojos al ver tu esfuerzo por sonreír, aunque aún cargabas con la ansiedad.

"tenés razón. no somos nada sin hablar. he sido un boludo ¿no?", admitió enzo, mientras tú asentías con una sonrisa, las lágrimas amenazando con escapar de tus ojos. "no llores, amor. realmente no has hecho nada", dijo, buscando sonar lo más sincero posible, porque realmente lo estaba intentando.

"pero dime", insististe, anhelando entender qué estaba pasando en su mente.

"siento que mi edad me está alejando de vos", confesó finalmente enzo, revelando el tormento que había estado inundando su mente durante gran parte de la noche.

la sorpresa te embargó por unos segundos, y moviste la cabeza en negación una vez más. "eso no va a pasar, enzo. yo te amo", afirmaste con firmeza.

"yo también te amo, mi amor. pero me está poniendo de los nervios no poder compartir algunas cosas contigo, no poder involucrarme. estar ahí no es suficiente. necesito hacerte saber que sos escuchada y que cada palabra que decís me interesa e importa", confesó enzo, abriéndose de una manera que te hizo sentir aún más cerca de él. “¿y sí encuentras a alguien que sí comprenda hasta las cosas pequeñas que yo no?”

muchas personas afirman que enzo es alguien serio, que mantiene constantemente sus sentimientos bajo control. puede que no estén completamente equivocadas al decir que tiende a mantener un perfil bajo, pero es una mentira para aquellos que realmente lo conocen, que en realidad, él comparte cómo se siente y demuestra constantemente cuánto ama, cuida a las personas que le importan. es desgarrador darse cuenta de que había estado sintiéndose así, y que no habías podido hacer nada para calmar su preocupación. es válido que una inseguridad lo embargue.

respiras profundamente, y una lágrima resbala por tu mejilla. "me siento escuchada y amada por ti cada vez que te digo literalmente cualquier cosa, y tú estás siguiendo la conversación. o incluso si no lo haces, porque es algo que desconoces. nunca podría pensar en dejarte, ¿te das cuenta cuan feliz me haces? he dicho cada palabra con cada gramo de honestidad en mi cuerpo. no te culpo por haberte sentido así, puede que ambos lidiamos con pensamientos parecidos pero estamos para resolverlas juntos, ¿no?"

enzo asiente con una sonrisa ligera, dejando escapar algunas lágrimas que rápidamente limpiaste. el uruguayo observa tus movimientos con ternura, sus ojos reflejando un torbellino de emociones. luego, tomó tus manos con las suyas y las acercó a sus labios, besando delicadamente tus nudillos.

“sos demasiado increíble.” dice con una sonrisa que refleja todo el cariño que siente por ti, deposita un beso en tu mejilla y termina con la tarea de limpiar tus lágrimas. “te debo una disculpa amor, de cualquier manera no debí de ignorarte como lo hice, no te mereces ese trato nunca, por más triste que esté o lo que sea. saqué todo de proporción y lo siento, jamás quiero ser la razón de tu tristeza.” expresa honestamente.

“está bien, gracias por decirme, siempre estoy.” replicas y rodeas su cintura con tus brazos, enzo inmediatamente responde al abrazo y apoya su cabeza en tu hombro. “te amo.” a veces parecía que un abrazo podía decir más cosas que un beso o cualquier otro tipo de caricia, ¿no?

“yo también te amo, mucho.” las sonrisas en los rostros de ambos crecen significativamente,

“¿qué te parece si vemos una peli? la que vos quieras.” enzo propone y asientes. caminan hacia el mueble donde se ponen cómodos, apoyas tu cabeza a su hombro mientras piensas

“qué tal… ¿’flipped’?” enzo pronuncia rápido y entusiastamente un sí, tomas el control de la tele para reproducirla.

“¿es nueva?” pregunta, curioso por descubrir más sobre la película que habías elegido.

“para nada, es del 2010 y transcurre en los 50.” le respondes y antes de dar play comentas; “ahora que pienso, mis películas favoritas transcurren en el siglo pasado ¿tendrá un mensaje oculto?” él sonrió, acostumbrado a tus análisis profundos sobre prácticamente todo lo que te rodeaba, especialmente cuando se trataba de encontrar coincidencias y significados.

“¿qué sos una amante del siglo xx? con razón estás conmigo.” bromeó el mayor, provocando una suave risa en ambos mientras él recibía un golpe suave en la pierna por tu parte.

“sí, pero además de eso.” respondiste, con un destello de complicidad en tus ojos.

“los escenarios son muy lindos, te doy un punto por tu buen gusto.” enzo elogia, evocando en su memoria todas las películas situadas en aquella época.

“¿cuántos llevo?” cuestionas juguetonamente.

“331 y contando.” responde enzo con una sonrisa cómplice.

“vamos por más.” presionas finalmente play y te recuestas una vez más junto a él, listos para sumergirse en la historia que les esperaba en la pantalla.

enzo te observa con palpable cariño cuando realizas una acotación sobre alguna escena que llama tu atención, adora tu habilidad para transformar un momento tenso en el largometraje en uno lleno de risas, la manera de compartir todo lo que piensas, sin reservas, tu autenticidad inundando la habitación y su corazón.

para el final de la película, ya pasada la medianoche, culpando al cansancio acumulado y al calor reconfortante del cuerpo de enzo, te quedas dormida a pocos minutos del desenlace. el castaño nota tu suave respiración y la tranquilidad que ha invadido tu rostro mientras duermes, y decide seguir el mismo rumbo. con cuidado, apaga la televisión y se recuesta a tu lado, atrayéndote hacia él en un abrazo protector y cálido.

una sonrisa tierna se dibuja en sus labios mientras acaricia suavemente tu cabello. es un momento de paz y conexión, una imagen de serenidad y amor, donde el simple acto de estar juntos es suficiente para llenar sus corazones.

con un suspiro de satisfacción, enzo cierra los ojos y se deja llevar por el dulce abrazo del sueño, sabiendo que no hay lugar en el mundo donde prefiera estar más que junto a ti.

w/n: gracias a quien me mandó la request 🤍 aunque siento que en el camino me desvié, el resultado me ha gustado mucho :D pueden mandarme más ideas, aprovechen mis semanas de vacaciones 🫡

[mortissez]

observa a la contraria con atención sin decir una palabra más que asentir, cada expresión ajena le es llamativa por su burbujeante actitud. pequeña risita curva un lado de su boca al oír que tampoco está hecha para matar ratas. " lastima. tendremos que irnos al restaurante para no estorbar. " se echa el cabello detrás de una oreja con una astuta sonrisa, sabiendo que se saldría con la suya al final y no ayudaría a combatir la plaga. " siguen siendo fuerte y bonita por no querer matar ratas. hay que saber elegir nuestras batallas, y esta no vale la pena. " afirma con seguridad, no es que hubiese algún premio por hacerlo, sencillamente al príncipe se le ocurrió usarlos como sus esclavos sólo por que puede. levanta las cejas, impresionada por lo que le cuenta su compañera. le causa algo de gracia su efusiva manera de expresarse, pero mantuvo sus fauces impertérritas. " ¿puedes hablar con las ratas? tal vez deberías tomar medidas más drásticas y amenazarlas con que asesinaras a toda su camada. " no conocía bien como funcionaba el animalismo pero ella no permitiría la falta de respeto de un animal. no tenía problema con exterminar a los pequeños roedores, pero es que era una batalla perdida y repugnante. por cada rata que partía por la mitad o envenenaba, aparecían otras diez. " tú dime cual rata inmunda te faltó el respeto y le mostraré el hacha con que asesiné a sus amigos. "

"oh-oh" expresa repetición con frágil sensación de pena "tenemos un problema entonces" lleva las yemas de los dedos a sus labios rosados en pensamiento consternado "yo tampoco estoy hecha para matar ratas" lánguido suspiro huye de sus labios mientras sacude los hombros a modo de capricho "son asquerosas, sólo he venido porque mi sire me ha contactado esperando que apareciera, y yo sólo quería verme fuerte y bonita" le cuenta como si fuera de interés ajeno "pero no quiero matar ratas ¡no puedo!" exhala con hastío "¿y si buscamos a alguien que lo haga por nosotras?" inclina sutilmente su rostro de costado, en dirección a la opuesta. “sería mejor que estar ensuciándonos las manos con esas bestias pequeñas y maleducadas” asiente una vez “no se puede razonas con ellas, ya lo intenté y no recibí más que faltas de respeto, y lo siento pero soy una mujer bonita y respetada” no toleraría que ningún mamífero le faltase el respeto, vivo o muerto. pensó que podría buscar a su sire para que le protegiera, pero desconfiaba que sus trucos funcionaran de nuevo con él, ya se estaba cansando de ella dejándole cada varios meses. si podía enojarse con él, se lo debía por haberle quitado la posibilidad de la mortalidad y maternidad.

[chickensarentcheap]

Lost and Found- Chapter 26

Fandom: Extraction

Pairing: Tyler Rake and Esme Drummond (established OFC. However, you do not need to read the other fics to understand this one)

Tagging: @tragiclyhip @themaradwrites @secretaryunpaid @youflickedtooharddamnit @munstysmind @residentdormouse @thebejeweledwatercat @asirensrage @theesirenteller @ninjasawakenedmystar @alisbackalleybbq @arrthurpendragon @ocappreciation @occommunity @fanficanatic-tw @karimac @kmc1989

Warnings: profanity, brief mentions of blood, bruises, scrapes, cuts. Nothing major.

Link to Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/43179357/chapters/134444914

My tag list is OPEN. Please just message me or comment on this post to be added :D

*****

The house is one of half a dozen Nik has collected around the world; located on the Amalfi Coast along the southern edge of Italy’s Sorrentine peninsula. A highly secure five-bedroom, six-bathroom villa that backs onto a cliff that overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea; built a kilometre from the main road and hidden from sight by a dense, expansive lemon grove.

Despite the years of both work experience and friendship, he had never set foot in any of her homes; business always being conducted in neutral yet secretive places, over the telephone, or even -years before- at his old shack in the outback. They have always travelled in different circles; Nik’s beyond-the-job friendships extending to powerful politicians, multi-million and billionaire businessmen, heads of organized crime and the shady, top-notch lawyers that defended them. Tyler prefers to stick with the couple of buddies he’s known for years; the ones that he can trust with nearly every one of his darkest and deepest secrets. Koen and Rata both serving with him in the ‘normal’ ranks of the Australian Army before he secured his place with SASR. The former his direct superior officer for several years; since the day he’d shown up at boot camp as a cocky, wet-behind-the-years eighteen-year-old.

While Nik prefers the sophisticated, luxurious life that being a gun runner and the head of her mercenary business provides her, Tyler has always lived well below his means. Able to afford much more than that shack in the outback and even the house in the Broome, but never feeling the need for something more expensive and flashy. Even keeping the same old pickup he’d had since he was a teenager; doing his own repairs for nearly two decades before finally running the old girl into the ground.

Their distinct differences had prevented him from developing something more with Nik; drawn instead to the normalcy and practicality that Esme brought into his life. She had always longed for a much simpler and quieter existence; preferring not to draw attention to herself and never surrounding herself with those that they encountered in their respective careers Somehow managing to keep the two sides of her life -of HERSELF- completely separate; leaving the job behind the second a mission wrapped and able to -no matter how brief- enjoy a normal life. The job didn’t control her, and she didn’t obsess over her successes and failures. Indulging instead in all the little moments that came with routine and domesticity. Nik, however, was unable ever to let the job go. Spending every waking moment immersing herself in the lifestyle and enjoying its spoils. And she certainly never entertained the idea or wish of something more beyond it; laughing off any suggestion that perhaps marriage and children and settling down were somewhere in her cards.

He had never realized he wanted any of that either; his first marriage had crashed and burned, and he’d been a complete and utter failure as a father. But then he’d met Esme, and everything quickly changed. HE changed. Finding himself both mesmerized and intrigued by the love and joy she somehow still possessed for life and everyone in it, the whimsy she possessed, and those hopeful and wistful dreams that she carried with her everywhere she went.

THAT was someone he could see carving out a future with.

Upon arrival, he reluctantly puts his trust in the medic to ‘deliver’ Esme to the waiting doctor; a longtime colleague of Nik’s who has attended to many injuries -both minor and life-threatening and everything in between- over the course of the last decade and a half. The largest of the villa’s guest rooms is already prepared and stocked with various medical equipment and supplies: a machine to monitor vitals, an IV stand and a pain medicine pump. And it isn’t until that moment that he’s able to register his discomfort; plagued by near-crippling mental and physical exhaustion. His entire body screaming in pain; his lower back on fire, both his knees stiff and painful, and his head pounding from a likely concussion of his own. Yet he knows sleep will likely elude him. Plagued by a potent mixture of emotions; the profound worry for Esme, the lingering regret and guilt for his choices, and his momentary lapse of judgement. And a rage that remains on a low boil when it comes to both Alessio, his actions, and Winston’s betrayal and the words he’d spoken in the basement.

Instead of allowing himself to second-guess his decisions and plot revenge, he focuses on Millie. Carefully unbuckling her from the booster seat in the back of one of Nik’s many chauffeured cars, easily lifting her with one arm and tucking her tight into his chest. Her legs and arms dangle loosely as her head rests on his shoulder; not offering up even the slightest of flinches or mumbles when he tosses her sequined unicorn backpack -full of her art supplies, finished pictures, and her beloved doll and koala bear- over his shoulder.

“Her room’s the first one at the top of the stairs.” Nik nods toward the central staircase; gleaming white and gray marble accompanied by polished steel handrails and glass panels. “On the right.”

It makes the bitterness return; the realization that Millie has her own ‘place’ in Nik’s home. An expansive and beautiful suite fit for a princess, decorated in all of her favourite colours, holding all of her favourite toys and belongings, the closets filled with her clothes. He had been robbed of all of that; never getting the chance to put a crib together, change a single diaper, put her in a bubble gum pink onesie, or slip one of those ridiculous flowered headbands onto her head. He never got to tuck her in and read her a bedtime story; he was never able to help with potty training or assist with brushing her teeth. He hadn’t witnessed her going from rolling from back to front and side to side to sitting up and eventually pulling up into a stand. He wasn’t there when she’d taken her first steps, hadn’t seen her learning to run, and hadn’t heard her first words.

So many missed opportunities. Things that others had been blessed to experience. While he’d never even known of her existence.

He uses a hip to push open the door and an elbow to flick on the light. The room is enormous; possessing its own walk-in closet and ensuite bath and a separate crafting area sectioned off with a dinosaur AND princess-themed room divider. An entire wall is taken up with built-in shelves, hosting books, stuffed animals, and a wide selection of Barbie dolls, action figures, and matchbox cars. A wrought iron canopy bed sits in the middle of the room and atop a three-stepped platform; the frame decorated with pink and gray camouflage drapes and the mattress covered in a Batman comforter.

Tossing the backpack in a nearby chair, he climbs the steps to the bed; Millie clutched to his chest with one arm as his free hand pulls back the blankets and flat sheet. And she gives a slight whimper and a heavy sigh when he places her in the middle of the mattress; her eyes flickering open as she lets out a long, soft “daddy” and reaches up for him.

Time seems to stand still. His entire body tenses as the emotions -profound and overwhelming- rush through him. It’s been a long time since he’s been called that; over a decade since Austin had addressed him that way during his last weeks in the hospital as the cancer ravaged him. Esme had been the one who’d given him a semblance of hope; that one day he’d once more be given that title and he’d hear the word come out of a little one’s mouth. When she left, that dream had evaporated; gone was the one person he could ever see making that kind of commitment and building that kind of future with. And while Millie may not be fully aware of what she’s saying in a semi-conscious moment, it still nearly brings him to his knees; tears welling in his eyes as his throat tightens and his heart hammers within his chest.

Grumbling her displeasure of being awakened, Millie sits up in bed; her brow furrowed and eyes half closed, a pout curving her lips. Stuck in a state of disorientation and confusion as she glances around the room. “Where are we?”

“We’re at Auntie Nik’s house. The one in Italy. Remember how I told you? About how we were going to stay here for a few days?”

“Oh…” Yawning noisily, she presses the heels of her palms into her eyes. “...yeah…I remember. Where’s momma?”

“The doctor is taking a look at her. Just to make sure she’s doing alright. Then she’s going to sleep. Just like you’re going to. You want jammies on or are you just gonna sleep in your clothes or…?”

“Jammies, please. Where’s Franklin? And Posie? I can’t sleep without Franklin or Posie. Posie needs her jammies on, too. They’re with mine. They match.”

Collecting the doll and koala out of the backpack, he drops them on the bed. “And the jammies…”

“In my dresser. Top middle drawer.”

He searches for pyjamas for both her and the doll, finally locating matching nightgowns: white cotton with thin straps, the fabric emblazoned with colourful butterflies.

“Those are my favourite!” Millie enthuses, as she wriggles out of her clothes. “Mommy made those for us! Out of pillowcases! They’re really supposed to be dresses, but I always liked wearing them as jammies. So does Posie.”

“Your mum’s a pretty talented one, isn’t she?”

“Most of the time. Just don’t ask her to cook. She’s not very good at that. At all. My dirty clothes go in there…” She nods towards the ensuite bathroom.. “...that’s where the washer and dryer are.”

“You have your own washer and dryer? You're four.”

“It’s not like I know how to use them. They’re just there. For convenience, I guess. Well, I do know HOW to put stuff in the wash and in the dryer. I just can’t reach to turn them on.”

“You are way too smart for your own good.”

“Mom says that all the time.”

Retreating to the ensuite, tossing the clothes into the washer; leaving the door open for more to be added later. And when he returns to the bedroom, both Millie and the doll are already in their pyjamas; the four-year-old waiting in bed with a hairbrush in one hand, and a package of elastics in the other.

“We have to do my hair. Or it gets really knotted when I’m asleep and then it’s really hard to brush it in when I get up.. And it hurts like hell too! Do you know how to braid hair?”

“No.”

“I can teach you!”

“How about we leave that for tomorrow? When it’s not so late. Think maybe we could do something else with it? Put it in a bun or a ponytail or…?”

“Ponytail is alright. But you gotta put it up on the top of my head, or I can’t sleep. ‘Cause it hurts to lie on it.”

He gingerly and patiently works the brush through Millie’s tresses, then gathers it in both hands and secures it with the hair tie she passes to him. It’s a simple experience shared with his daughter, yet it brings back vivid memories of similar moments with her mother. Those times when Esme would be busy in the kitchen; focused on a recipe she was trying to recreate or the baking that had that little cabin filled with delicious aromas. He’d approach her from behind; sneaking a kiss to her cheek or temple before putting her hair back for her.

“What else?”

“I gotta brush my teeth.”

“How ‘bout we skip it tonight?”

“Momma won’t like that.”

“I won’t tell her if you won’t. We’ll just make sure you brush them twice as long after breakfast.”

“Does that work? Does it really make up for not doing it before bed?”

“Of course. Would I lie to you?”

Millie shakes her head, ponytail swaying from side to side.

“So does your mum read a story to you or…?”

“Sometimes. Not every night. Only if I ask. I’m too tired tonight. No stories. But thank you.”

“Do you want me to just tuck you in or…?”

“Will you snuggle with me? Just for a little bit? It’s been a really bad day, and I’m still super sad. I need a snuggle. A really good one. And momma can’t do it, so…”

He agrees to the snuggle; moving towards the door in order to shut off the lights, pauses with his hand on the switch. “You got a night light or something?”

“Nope. I’m not scared of that dark, daddy. I’m not a baby!”

He wants to tell her that yes, she is. That she’s HIS baby. How regardless of how old she gets and how many children she has of her own, she always WILL be. And while the first time being called daddy had been a shock, the second occurrence hits even harder; the realization that it was a fully conscious decision on Millie’s part and not just a slip of the tongue… a random moment…while still teetering on the edge of sleep. He’s thankful for the darkness that envelopes the room when he turns off the light, able to hide the tears sparkling in his eyes and the millions of questions a very observant Millie will lob at him. And climbing into bed beside her, he wraps both arms around her; that tiny body snuggling tightly against him, doll and bear under one arm, her face nestled in his ribs.

“You good?”

“I’m good. You’re nice and warm. And comfy. You make me feel safe. Like I don’t have anything to be scared of.”

“There’s nothing to be afraid of. No one can hurt you anymore. I won’t let them.”

“Promise?”

“Promise. And I’d promise with a million pinkie promises.”

“That’s a lot!”

“That’s how honest I’m being. You and your mum ARE safe. And I’ll make sure you stay that way. I won’t let anyone hurt you guys. And there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for either of you. You know that, yeah?”

“Yeah.” Nuzzling her face against his side, she places her free hand on his chest. “Will you draw on my back? Please? It helps me sleep.”

He obliges, his own eyes closing as his fingertips create random patterns on her back. Several minutes passing before she yawns and raises her head to look at him, eyes sparkling in the moonlight that streams through the curtains.

“Daddy?”

“Millie?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“You’re supposed to be sleeping.”

“I’ll go to sleep AFTER I ask my question.”

“What is it?”

“You and momma lived together, right? Before I came along? In Australia?”

“We did.”

“In the house you live in now?”

“No. A different house. In a different part of Australia.”

“But the house you live in now is the house we are ALL going to live in? Or do we have to get a new one?”

“We won’t have to get a new one for a while. There’s enough room for all of us. And maybe one or two more people.”

“That means you and momma can start having babies!”

“That’s something your mum and I would have to talk about. I don’t know if she’s quite ready for that. Having babies.”

“Well, I hope she’s ready soon. ‘Cause I really want to be a big sister. And I’m not getting any younger!”

“If you think you’re not getting any younger, how do you think I feel? I’m way older than you are.”

“How much older?”

“A lot.”

“How much is that? How old ARE you?”

“I’m forty.”

“Holy shit!”

“Excuse you? Forty’s not THAT old.”

“It’s middle age! You’re older than momma!”

“I am.”

“Momma’s only thirty-four. But she’s going to be thirty-five soon. Maybe we can have a party for her. For her birthday.”

“I don’t see why we couldn’t.”

“We can even make her a birthday cake and put up balloons and streamers and play games! We can even take her out for dinner!”

“You got it all planned, do you?”

“Most of it. I don’t know about the guest list, though.”

“That’s something we can talk about when it’s closer to the time. For now….” He drops a kiss on the top of her head. “...it’s time for bed. It’s late. And it’s been a really long day. Time to sleep, okay?”

“Okay.” Pushing herself up onto her elbow, she pecks his cheek, followed by the corner of his mouth. Her face buried in his ribs as she once more lies down next to him. “Goodnight, daddy. Love you.”

Tears threaten once more. “I love you, too. So very much.”

*****

He’s teetering on the edge of sleep when a soft knock comes to the door; Nik standing on the threshold, motioning for him to join her and the doctor in the hallway. Carefully slipping from under Millie’s arm and out of bed, he tucks the blankets around her slumbering form and then leans down to press a kiss to her forehead. Reluctantly leaving her side, he joins Nikand the doctor in the hallway, quietly shutting the door behind him.

“How’s she doing?” Nik inquires, her voice scarcely above a whisper.

“She’s finally asleep. I don’t know where she gets all that energy from. She wore me out a long time ago.”

“You’ve got your work cut out for you, daddy. She’s cute as hell, but she can be a real handful. And you’ve just been thrown right to the wolves.”

“Esme?” Tyler addresses the doctor. “ How is she?”

“Very lucky. Considering the intensity of the crash and the damage done to the vehicle, I’m surprised we’re not looking at life-threatening injuries. If not worse.”

“Anything I need to worry about or…?”

“For the most part, I agree with the medic’s findings. There’s no sign of internal bleeding, and there’s no dilation of the pupils, slurred speech, or difficulties with reflexes. And no confusion; she was able to tell me her full name, what day, month, and year it was, and give a very detailed description of what exactly happened. Ruling out a brain injury, the diagnosis remains the same; whiplash and a moderate to severe concussion. Both should begin to ease within the next few days. I do suspect a bruised liver and spleen, however. I’ll be able to monitor those over the next forty-eight hours. For any sign of tearing or rupture.”

“He does think the sternum is broken,” Nik pipes up. “Based on the severity of the pain. And limited movement.”

“Nothing more than a hairline fracture,” the Doctor explains. “And nothing that we could repair surgically or even cast for. The best course of action is none; just letting it heal on its own. She’ll need to rest it for at least four weeks; no lifting anything over ten pounds, no repetitive movement. She can wear a sling if she finds it lessens the discomfort. As far as I can tell, the majority of the pain is actually from the contusion caused by the seat belt; deep and prolific bruising from the top of her shoulder, running diagonally to the left hip. I have her on IV antibiotics and pain meds for the next twenty-four hours; after that I’ll be able to switch her to oral medication.”

“Can she eat or drink? If she wakes up hungry or thirsty…?”

“She’s allowed both solids and liquid. I suggest keeping meals small and light. Her system is in shock from the amount of injuries and the pain; anything too heavy could cause stomach upset. And preventing further discomfort is important at this time.”

“And how long will we have to stay here? When can I take her home?”

“Within a week, she should be able to move around quite freely and without much difficulty or pain. I wouldn’t suggest flying any sooner than that; the altitude would put pressure on the brain, and with the concussion, it could cause severe issues. Swelling, blood clots, aneurysms. It’s safer to wait seven days. After that, even when home, you’ll have to keep an eye on her; make sure she stays on top of her meds, and follows the rules when it comes to healing properly.”

“But she’s going to be okay? She’ll be back to normal? Eventually?”

“She’s young and healthy. There’s nothing to suggest she WON’T be back to normal. Just keep an eye out for anything that suggests trouble; severe headaches beyond what a concussion would provide, any unexplained swelling and redness anywhere on the body, a high fever, speech issues, or any loss of consciousness. If any of those happen, she has to be seen immediately. Wherever you are. Now…” Tilting his head to the side, his eyes narrow as he takes in the various bruises and cuts on Tyler’s neck and face. “...perhaps I should take a look at YOU now.”

“You don’t need to. I’m fine. I cleaned myself up. Fixed what I could. I don’t…”

“You should be looked at,” Nik gently persuades. “Esme wasn’t the only one in that accident. You’re pretty banged up. Just let the doctor take a look and…”

“I said I’m fine.” His voice stern. Harsher than it needs to be. “I’ve gone through a lot worse. And lived to tell about it. All I really need is some sleep.”

“If you have your own concussion or some internal damage or…”

Ignoring Nik, he once more addresses the doctor. “I’ll let you know if I start feeling worse. Right now, I’m just tired. I just need to rest. It’s been a hell of a long day. Thank you,” He offers his hand. “For taking care of her. If anything had have been seriously wrong…”

“She’s going to make a full recovery. And because of her good health and how she’s taken care of herself throughout her life, she’ll likely heal faster than most. Right now, rest and relaxation are her best friends. And keeping up with a med schedule. I’ve left my home and cell numbers on the nightstand in the bedroom; call if you have even the slightest bit of concern. I’ll be right over.”

Nodding in both appreciation and farewell, he turns on his heel to head for the bedroom next door.

“Tyler…wait…”

“Nik, not tonight. I’m not in the mood for this shit. I’m tired, and I’m sore, and I desperately need at least a few hours of sleep.”

“I wasn’t going to…”

“I don’t need to have the doctor look at me, and I sure as hell don’t need you getting on my ass. So if you're even thinking about bringing up me leaving when all this is over…”

“Actually, I WAS going to say that I had your things brought to the room. And that there are fresh towels and facecloths in the bathroom. I would have had one of the other guest suites made up, but I already knew you would argue with me; that you wouldn’t want to be away from her.”

“Despite how rough things have been…between us…I do appreciate it, Nik. Everything that you’ve done. Especially in the last few days. I don’t agree with what you did; not letting me know that Esme was alive and that I had a kid out there. And it’s going to take me a hell of a long time to get over it. I can’t pretend I’m not pissed off. That I’m not hurt. I can’t just turn all that off, you know? It isn’t something I can just forgive.”

“I couldn’t betray her trust. Not even for you. She relied on me; to keep her and Millie safe. And I…”

“Safe from who? Me? I wasn’t a threat to them. You didn’t need to protect them from me.”

“She wanted to protect you. She thought she was doing the right thing. And whether I agreed with that or not…”

“I’m not going to get into this right now. I just can’t do it. I’ve said everything I needed to say. Other than thank you. For taking care of her and Millie. Keeping them safe. You didn’t have to step up like that, but you did. And if it wasn’t for you, who knows where they’d be right now. Kinda scares me to even think about it.”

“I took care of them for YOU. Because I knew one day she’d track you down and you’d get that chance; to be a family and grow old together. I WANTED that for you, Tyler. I wanted you to get your ‘happy ever after.’ And I’ve never seen you as just a commodity. You’ve always been more than that. Much more.”

“I want to believe that, Nik. I do. But right now…”

“You’re hurt. You’re angry. And you’ve got every right to feel those things. I just hope one day you’ll realize what I did, I did for them and YOU. Try and get some rest. It’s been a long day. And Millie is going to have you up and bright and early, believe me.” “If it’s before the crack of dawn, I’m sending her to you.”

“Don’t even think about it. I plan on sleeping until noon.”

“You’re gonna up with the sun, and you know it. It’s just who you are. The way you’re made.”

“Try and relax, Tyler. It’s safe here. THEY’RE safe.”

“Sometimes that’s easier said than done.”

“In a week’s time, you’ll be back home. With your family. The chances of any threats finding you there…”

“There’s always a chance, Nik. You know that.”

“I’ll do what I can. When it comes to handling things in New York City. Making sure the trouble stays there. And once things settle down…for good…that’s it. You’re free.”

“Only if you’ll let me be.”

“It’ll be hard to let you go. We’ve been through a lot together. SEEN a lot.”

“You should know by now that you can’t get rid of me THAT easy. After all, you’re Auntie Nik, yeah? Something tells me Millie wouldn’t stand for you just up and disappearing.”

“She doesn’t have to worry about that. She’s my family. So is her mom. And so are you. Sleep well. You’ve earned it.”

Nodding in agreement and apprehension, he moves towards the guest room, hesitating as his fingers curl around the door handle, and just as Nik steps onto the top landing of the stairs. “Nik?”

She hesitates.

“Thank you.”

She manages a weary smile. “Goodnight, Tyler.”

*****

A long, hot shower makes him feel almost human again. Thirty minutes spent standing motionless under a punishing stream of hot water as it not only rid his hair and body of remaining remnants of debris and blood, but brought some relief to his lower back, base of his skull, and both shoulders. Afterwards in the light of the bathroom, he’s able to better assess the damage done to his body; various cuts and abrasions along both arms and legs, large bruises on the front and backs of his thighs and in the middle of his back, several smaller across his collarbone. A perfect impression of the steering wheel -and its emblem- covers the majority of his sternum, and the skin on the left side of his rib cage has begun to turn vivid, various shades of purple and blue. Far surpassing the damage done in Georgia and Vienna, even WITH the gunshot to his hand and to his lower left abdomen. The latter missing all vital organs and lodging near his hip; an easy removal for the medical team at the Graz-Karlau prison. Barely leaving a scar behind and requiring a very short rest and recovery time.

He navigates the bedroom by both the streaks of moonlight that spill through the window coverings and the glow given off by the portable ECG machine monitoring Esme’s vitals. Rummaging through the rucksack; he locates the lone pair of sweats he’d packed for his initial business trip; grimacing at the stiffness in his knees and discomfort in his back as he steps into them. The bed -more expansive than an average king- is more than large enough for both of them to sleep in, and for her to be kept safe from his tossing and turning; eager to spare her an errant elbow to the back or stomach or a knee into a thigh. And he creeps to her side, watching as she sleeps soundly; light, peaceful smile curving her lips’ with her face turned towards the window. The soft, silvery sheen the moon casts upon her face shows off the various cuts and bruises that she’d incurred earlier in the day; the vivid purple and blue upon her forehead, across the bridge of her nose, and on the tops of both cheeks and under one eye.

It’s painful to look at; the mere thought of her injured and in discomfort nearly splitting his heart in two. Hating his perceived negligence and failure to keep her safe had led her to this; hooked up to various wires and tubes from the IV and pain. Hurting far worse than he’d ever expected it to; believing that watching his son suffer and waste away had steeled him against witnessing someone experiencing pain and illness. But it aches to his very soul; twisting and wrenching at his guts and a sorrow -for someone who is still very much alive- creating a death grip around his heart. And emotion chokes at him as he crouches at the side of the bed; smoothing a hand over her hair and laying his palm on the top of her head, thumb repeatedly brushing across her brow.

“I’m so sorry, Me.” He grazes his knuckles over her bruised and swollen cheek. “I am so fucking sorry.”

She murmurs in her sleep, then releases a long, soft sigh as she nestles her cheek into his palm.

“And I’m sorry for being as angry and as hurt as I am. I know you did the best you could; that you left because you were scared, and you wanted to protect me. But you kept my daughter from me. When there was no reason to. And I don’t know how long it’s going to take me to get over that. If I ever really do. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love you. I have ALWAYS loved you. Those five years changed nothing.” Leaning forward, he presses a lingering kiss to her brow, then to her lips. “You sleep, okay? ‘Cause that’s the only way you’re gonna get better. Because that’s what Millie needs; her mom back to normal. And I need that too.” He pulls back with a heavy sigh; running the tip of his index finger down the bridge of her nose. “This is all going to be over soon. I promise. There’s nothing for you to be scared of anymore. No one can hurt you now. And they won’t hurt you EVER again.”

His knees crack, and he bites back the pain as he stands. The limp in his right leg more pronounced as he retreats to his side of the bed, peeling back the layers of blankets and slides underneath. His body is sore and weary, and his head immediately sinks into the pillow; the case and the crisp, linen sheets cool and refreshing against his skin. He’s never experienced this level of exhaustion; not even during the months of tedious and often agonizing physical therapy sessions that had preceded his release from the hospital in Dubai. It’s a tiredness that is bone…SOUL…deep; both limbs and eyes feeling impossibly heavy, his own body seeming rooted to its place. And despite the years of frequent bouts of insomnia, it isn’t long before rest claims him. Lulled to sleep by the faint beeping of the EKG machine, Esme’s soft rhythmic breathing, and the rolling of the waves as they wash up onto the shore.

*****

He sleeps soundly despite the pain and only over-the-counter pills to dull it, stirring only once when the nurse crept into the room in the dead of the night to change Esme’s IV and med bag and then reset the pump. He remembers a brief, exhausted chat; the nurse apologizing for waking him, the exchange of pleasantries, and his peppering of questions in regards to Esme’s vitals and the continued care she’ll be receiving. Already back asleep before the woman even finished her duties and slipped from the room. When he finally wakes for the day, it’s courtesy of a tiny hand repeatedly -and remarkably vigorously- shaking him and a tiny voice calling his name. And cracking open his eyes, he moans in discomfort when he’s immediately greeted by the sun’s harsh rays, followed by Millie’s wide, beaming smile as she stands at the side of the bed. Clad in her pyjamas with her doll under one arm, teddy under the other; her high ponytail having loosened in her sleep and now sitting at an awkward angle on the side of her head.

“Hi!” she chirps. “Hi, daddy.”

“Hey…”

“Did you sleep good?”

“Better than I expected to. Is something wrong?”

“Nope.”

“You’re okay?”

Millie nods.

“What are you doing? What…?”

“I’m hungry. My tum is complaining.REALLY loud. I went downstairs and looked for Carmen, but I couldn’t find her. And there’s no brekkie waiting in the kitchen. Usually, she has brekkie finished and waiting for me.”

“Who’s Carmen?”

“Auntie Nik’s cook.”

“Auntie Nik has a cook?”

“And someone that shops for her, someone that books all her appointments, a chauffeur, and a maid.”

“What does she do? If she has all those people doing everything for her?”

“Wears nice clothes and kicks butt and takes names.”

“Is that what you’re going to be like? When you’re older?”

“I’m already like that.”

Chuckling, he reaches out to playfully tug on her ponytail. “So I guess this means I better get my ass up, yeah? Can’t exactly do stuff on your own.”

“I CAN make my own breakfast. Well, just cereal and toast, but still, I’m ONLY four, so that’s pretty good, right? That I can do that?”

“Your mumma’s been doing a damn good job, that’s for sure. Teaching you things.”

“She wants me to be strong and independent. But not grow up too fast. But one day, I’ll be able to make pancakes and scrambled eggs and bacon. Not just boring old cereal and toast.”

“Are you trying to tell me you want something else? More than that?”

She giggles as she drops her chin to her chest. “I’m REALLY hungry. I could eat the shit out of a dead hippo.”

Smirking, he tosses off his blankets. “Where did you learn that?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t give up my sources.”

“Well, you know what? I could eat the shit out of a dead hippo, too. So why don’t we go downstairs and raid the fridge, and see what we can dig up. Sound good?”

“Sounds good.” She steps back as he slides out of bed, her brow furrowing as she studies her mother’s bruised and battered and sleeping form.. “ What about momma, though? She’ll be all by herself. She might get lonely. What if she wakes up and we’re not here? She might be scared. And sad. I don’t want her to be scared and sad.”

“IF she wakes up, she knows we’re not far away. That we wouldn’t just leave her. She knows how much we love her; that we’d never just take off on her. Besides, she’s going to be doing a lot of sleeping for the next few days.”

“‘Cause the doctor said so?”

“It’s the best thing for her. So that her body can get better. And that’s what we want, yeah? Mumma to be all better?”

The four-year-old nods.

“How ‘bout you tuck her in? She’d like that.”

Her face visibly brightens. “Like a momma burrito?”

“Something like that. Don’t do it as tight, though. And be careful; you don’t want to get tangled up in all those wires and tubes. Careful and gentle, okay?”

Handing him her doll, she scurries around to Esme’s side of the bed; slipping her body between the machine and the IV stand and gingerly stepping over or slipping under various tubing and wires. Carefully spreading and smoothing the blankets over her mom’s body, then loosely tucking them underneath her. And a distinct sadness darkens her eyes and furrows her brow when she runs a palm over Esme’s hair and leans in to press a kiss to her cheek.

“I miss you, momma. I love you. You’ll feel better soon. I promise. Daddy and I will take really good care of you! Right, dad?”

Nodding, Tyler leans down to drop a kiss on the top of her head when she scurries back to his side; plucking the doll from his grasp.

“I’mma leave Posie here,” Millie announces, then proceeds to lift the top blanket and tuck her under it. “So she can keep an eye on mumma! And if mumma wakes up, she’ll see Posie here and know that I’m coming back for sure. ‘Cause I never leave Posie behind. Not for good!”

“You know, you have a really big heart in that little body of yours.”

“Momma always used to tell me that I got that from my daddy. That his heart was way bigger than his body, too. Is that really true? ‘Cause your body is super big!”

“Is that a polite way of calling me fat?”

“You’re not fat! You’re thick!”

He smirks. “I wonder where I’ve heard that before.”

“You’re like a giant! You’re really tall and crazy big! Do you think it’s true? What momma said? About your heart being bigger than your body? Because if it is, your heart is super huge!”

“You know what I think? I think your mum’s the most amazing human being I’ve ever known.”

“Next to me, right?”

“Yeah…” Scooping her up onto his arms, he presses pressing a kiss to her temple as he settles her on his hip. “...definitely next to you.”

*****

He relaxes in a poolside lounge chair; hair damp and matted to his head, his aching and tired body clad in a pair of board shorts bought during an impromptu shopping excursion with Nik and Millie. The latter fast asleep against his chest; snoring lightly, her eyes shielded by a pair of pink and purple polka-dotted sunglasses, her bathing suit -one of many she’d excitedly picked out- beginning to dry in the heat. Exhausted from the morning and early afternoon activities and the drama of the last seven days; the time spent in the sun and water solidifying her successful escape from New York City. Content and relaxed; confident that her old life is now firmly behind her and the new one is just lingering on the horizon. And despite the worry and sadness revolving around her mother’s injuries, she feels safe and secure; putting all of her trust into her surroundings and the people around her.

Nik joins them, standing at the side of his chairs with her hands shoved in the pockets of a pair of wide-legged, burgundy linen trousers and a pair of oversized sunglasses. A smile curling her lips as she glances down at a snoozing Millie.

“Out like a light.”

“She’s had a hell of a week. It was bound to catch up to her.”

“She doesn’t do that with just anyone. Fall asleep on them like that. Means she feels safe. Secure. She trusts you.”

“I’m not sure she’s making the right decision. Look what her mum’s trust in me got her.”

“What I said on the plane…about what happened…I didn’t mean for it to sound like I was blaming you.”

“That’s exactly what you meant for it to sound like. I know you, Nik; I know you don’t say shit you don’t believe. And you’ve never been one to pull punches.”

“I wanted an explanation. A reason. For how things went so wrong, so quick.”

“And I told you. They came out of nowhere. There’s no way I could have seen it coming. It just happened. And it happened THAT fast.”

“You didn’t hear anything? See anything? You..?”

“I was concentrating on driving. On getting us to the meet-up point. We’d just gone through all that fucking bullshit with Winston..”

“Which was probably weighing heavily on your mind. Probably had you on edge. Distracted.”

“...and all I wanted to do was get the fuck out of there. Get to you and Yaz and then to the airport. I thought the roads were clear; Wick had people blocking all the intersections, and you had eyes on things. Or at least I THOUGHT you did. Had you not pulled the guys early…”

“I thought you were in the clear. You were only three blocks away. I made a decision based on that. I did what I thought was best.”

“So did I. I did what I thought was best for Esme. To get her the fuck out of there. I had just gotten her away from Winston; all I had to do was get her to the airport and on that plane, and everything else was going to be easy. I trusted you to have the people in place. To have my six. And if I DID let my guard down, it’s because of that. Nothing else.”

“I admit, it wasn’t my best decision. I should have left them in place longer. Until we actually DID meet up. But…”

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore, Nik. You’re beating a dead fucking horse. I’m tired, and I’m sore, and I’ve got a lot on my plate. I don’t need this, too. Can we just let it go? I think you fucked up, you think I fucked up. Can’t we leave it at that?”

“I think I deserve an explanation. Not as your friend. But as your boss.”

“And I’ve told you everything there is to know. There isn’t always an explanation or a reason, Nik. Sometimes, shit just happens. There’s nothing simple about this job. It’s not just black or white. And you of all people should know that. You…”

When Milliie whimpers in her sleep, his mood abruptly changes; the tension in his jaw and shoulders releasing, the brightness returning to his eyes. And he smooths a hand over her and down her back, his lips soft as they press against her brow. “It’s alright, Amelia. I’m here. I’ve got you.”

She heaves a long, content sigh, then nestles her face against his chest and shoves her thumb into her mouth. And for several minutes, he and Nik remain silent; his chin resting on the top of Millie’s head and his hand rubbing her back in smooth, slow circles.

Nik uses a fingertip to sweep wayward strands of hair off of the little one’s forehead. “She’s beautiful.”

“She is. Esme and I do good work.”

“You most definitely do. Although I’m not sure how much work Esme actually put in. I think her genes were completely absent that day. Millie looks just like you.”

“That’s an awful thing to say about my kid, Nik. That she looks like her old man.”

“You know how many times Esme has heard it? How many people think she’s just a nanny? No one ever believes they’re actually mother and daughter. Until Millie opens her mouth of course; she tells stories EXACTLY like her momma does.”

“All over the damn place.”

“The only two people I know who can go off in five different directions and never get back to what started everything off.”

“You know how many times Esme will start a story, only for me to never find out what the original point of it was? Too many to count.”

“It’s just part of who she is. That exuberance and that light that she’s managed to hold onto. I’ve never met anyone like her, you know. Not in this circle, anyway. I don’t know how she does it; holds onto that optimism and that brightness. Everything she’s been through…the things she’s seen and the things she’s done…all of that has been stacked against her. Yet she’s still…Esme.”

“She’s the strongest person I’ve ever known. How many people do you think would have stuck around on that bridge? For someone like me?”

“Not a lot.”

“Yet she did. For some reason. She wasn’t leaving me there. And she had every reason to, believe me.”

“She saw the potential. Things about you that no one else did. Or maybe you just never LET people see them. See YOU.”

“Maybe a bit of both.”

“Maybe…”

“Were you there? When she was born?”

Nik nods. “I was.”

He glances down at his daughter; taking a deep breath and then noisily clearing his throat. A vain attempt at pushing away the emotion that threatens to choke him.

"Tyler…”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Being there. For Esme. I’m glad she wasn’t alone.”

“She asked me. If I’d be the one to go in with her. And regardless of what you think, I tried telling her; convincing her to call you and let you know you were going to be a dad. I told her there was nothing for her to be afraid of; you weren’t going to ignore her call or turn her away or question whether or not the baby was yours. That there was nothing she could ever do to make you hate her that much.”

“I didn’t hate her at all. I never did. I loved her. I never STOPPED loving her.”

“And that’s what I told her. That you loved her and missed her and were spending all your time looking for her. That if there was ever a time TO contact you, that was it; the baby was very close to being born, the nursery was done, and the name was picked out. I told her you would be on the next plane there; to be with her and see your daughter come into the world.”

“But…”

“She was scared. Of rejection. Because she loved you, and her heart couldn’t take it; if you wanted nothing to do with her or the baby. I told her that that would never happen, but…”

“She’s pretty damn stubborn.”

Nik nods.

“You know I never got to see that with my son, either? Him being born? I was in Iraq; on my second tour with SASR. We were located just outside of Mosul. Mia was pissed about it; she was already six months pregnant when I signed up to go, and she knew there was no way I’d be back in time. I tried to justify it; I was one of the commanding officers, and they needed all hands on deck. Now I realize it’s just who I was; I wasn’t capable of putting her first. And I probably never even should have tried being a family man. I just didn’t have it in me.”

“You were young. You’d already spent years devoting everything you had to the military. It becomes ingrained in you. The only thing that really matters. Believe me, I know.”

“Sometimes I wonder if I ever really wanted to be. A husband and a father. At least back then.”

“You were in love. And you wanted to make her happy. You were willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.”

“I was. In love. Or I thought I was, at least. Took me until I was thirty-five to figure out it wasn’t the real deal. I think I just settled. The same way Mia did. I wasn’t really her type; she’d always been into lawyers and politicians and businesses. I was just some guy in the army. I wasn’t anything special.”

“To her, you were.”

“Guess she just wanted something different. Someone a little more dangerous. Younger.”

“And you were there. Ready, willing, and able. And lonely.”

“I don’t know what I was. Stupid, for the most part. But I’d lived practically my entire life without a family; my mum was long dead, and I’d already cut my dad out of the picture. Mia was there. I liked being around her. Not that we actually spent a lot of time together, considering her career kept her busy, and I was always being shipped off to different places.”

“And then your son came along…”

“He just sort of happened. We didn’t plan on having kids. She wasn’t even sure she wanted any. I was just so caught up in thinking I was in love and had found my ‘happily ever after’ that I didn’t really give a shit if we had any or not. But things happened, and he came along, and I tried my best to be a good dad. We know how THAT turned out.”

“That one choice you made…that one mistake…doesn’t mean you were a terrible father. It doesn’t negate the good things, Tyler. Or the love you had…you STILL have…for your little boy.”

“It was a hell of a mistake, Nik.”

“Doesn’t change the fact you loved him. That you still do. Or that HE loved YOU.”

“I never thought I’d be a dad again. I had no plans to be one, that’s for sure. I’d already done that once, and it didn’t end well. And then Esme came along and everything changed. I changed. She made me want to be a different person. A BETTER person. She wasn’t like anyone else. I knew that right away.”

“I think she knew that same thing about you.”

“Once she stuck around after Dhaka, I knew that was it. That SHE was it. I don’t regret it, Nik. The way things happened. I know it was the wrong place and totally the wrong time, but I wouldn’t change it. I wouldn’t change a fucking second. I would take that bullet to my throat a hundred times if it meant I’d be with her.”

She blinks at his honesty.

“When we decided to get the house and started talking about getting married and having a family, I was terrified. Of being a husband and a dad again. I didn’t want to fuck it up. I’d already screwed over one wife; Mia deserved a lot better than I ever gave her. That’s when I told myself it would be different. That I’D be different. I’d be the man that Esme needed and wanted. That she deserved. I’d be a good dad. The one I never had. I would do everything right; I’d be there for my wife, and I’d put my family first, and I wouldn’t be a total fucking failure.”

“You were never a failure, Tyler. You…”

“I used to think about it. Esme being pregnant. Seeing her get bigger and bigger. Feeling the baby move. Making a nursery. Going to all the appointments. I was looking forward to it; going through all of that with her. I’d missed it all the first time, I wasn’t going to miss it again.”

“I know what you’re going to say. I know…”

“That was all taken from me. I never got the chance. I was ready and I was willing, and I was able, and it never happened. Sure, she got pregnant, and the baby came along. But I just didn’t get to know about it. I didn’t get to be part of it, did I.”

“Tyler…”

“I don’t hate you, Nik. Let’s get that out of the way. We’ve been through way too much together. Not to mention everything you did for me after Dhaka and everything you did for Esme and Millie. That you continue to do for them. I could never thank you enough; for keeping Esme safe and for making sure that she didn’t go through everything alone and that she and Millie were taken care of.”

“I don’t need your thanks. They’re my family. So are you.”

“Like I said, I don’t hate you. I might not like you very much right now…”

“And I deserve that. I know I do. But I don’t regret the choices I made. I don’t regret helping Esme or keeping her secrets. And I would do it all again. No questions asked. And I’m sorry if it hurts you to hear that. It was never personal, Tyler. I never did any of that to intentionally hurt you. And I DID try and convince her to contact you. Many times.”

“I really hope that’s true, Nik. That I don’t find out something completely different. Because that whole not hating you thing? That could change. I can’t make any promises.”

******

Nik settles on the lounge chair beside him, stretching out of her legs and setting her clasped hands on her stomach.

“It was a beautiful day.”

Tyler arches a quizzical brow.

“When Millie was born. It was sunny and cool, and the leaves were just starting to change.”

“Seems kinda fitting. That she came along when she did. It was always her mum’s favourite season; Esme used to go on and on about fall in New York City. About how she’d always take walks in Central Park; she loved seeing all the different colours and hearing the leaves crunching under her feet and how the air actually seemed fresh for a change. She made it sound incredible. Beautiful.”

“She has a knack of seeing things differently than we do. She holds onto so much trust and wonder; she sees the beauty in everything. And everyone. She could watch the same sunset a million times and find a million different things to marvel at. I used to tease her about it; almost scold her for being that way. For always seeing the cup as ‘half full’. But now that I think about it, wouldn’t it be better if we all saw it that way?”

“She’s just different, Nik. From what we’re used to. We’ve all been through hell and back. In one way or another. And somehow she’s still like that. I used to give her shit for it, too. Always said she was setting herself up for disappointment if she kept seeing the world like she did. Seeing the good in everyone no matter how shitty they treated her. Even told her how stupid it all seemed; that she was being naive and childish and she was just going to get hurt.”

“If anything…anyone…is a breath of fresh air…”

“I realize now that if she didn’t see things the way she did? Millie wouldn’t even exist. Esme wouldn’t have stayed on that bridge. Dhaka wouldn’t have happened the way it did. The things that went down between the two of us. She wouldn’t even have given me a second look. She would have just seen me as a huge mess. A liability. And moved on with her life.”

“I know you talk about how she came along when you needed it the most, but have you ever thought that maybe you did too? That you came along when she needed you to? Because despite all that light and that brightness and that love for the world and everyone in it, there was a very broken and lonely woman…little girl, even…under all of it. I would see it sometimes; this sadness that would just take over. When she’d just seem so lost and vulnerable and hurting. That changed. When she met you. I saw it in that hospital. All that time she was holding on and fighting for you, she was holding on and fighting for herself too. She wanted to be what YOU needed. And what you deserved.”

“She is way more than I have ever deserved.”

”But she doesn’t see it that way. She doesn’t see YOU that way. You came along, and you pulled her out of a really dark, horrible place. And I know it’s hard to see that when you’re in a pretty bad place yourself, but it’s true. The two of you found each other when you both needed it the most. She didn’t just save YOU, Tyler. You saved her too. In more ways than one.”

Swallowing around the lump of emotion sitting square in his throat, his fingers moving through Millie’s damp hair as he nods slowly, considering Nik’s words.

“I know you probably have a lot of questions. About the last five years. About Millie. Maybe even about before she was born. If there’s anything you want to ask or know about it or I can help you understand better…”

“How was it? The pregnancy? Was it really hard on her? Were there any complications? I mean, I assume everything went okay, or we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now, but…”

“It was pretty uneventful. There were no scares. No real health issues. Yaz and I got a place in the city. We wanted to be close by; to keep an eye on her, make sure she was taking care of herself and that she got everything she…and the baby…needed. She was never alone, Tyler. Not physically, anyway. We were there when she needed us. Maybe too much at times. I’m sure we annoyed her a lot. I know I can be pretty assertive and overwhelming at times. And Yaz…”

“He’s always had a hard-on for her. I don’t think her being pregnant changed that. Knowing that little freak, it probably made it even better in his mind.”

Nik laughs. “Yeah, maybe. But it’s been harmless. He’s always known he doesn’t stand a chance.”

“I mean, she has bad taste in men, but it’s not THAT bad.”

“He was so into things. He loved the idea of being an uncle. He was constantly buying Miillie things; always showing up with toys and outfits and things Esme could put away until she was older. And when we found out it was a girl? He got even worse. That kid was going to be the biggest, most spoiled princess on earth.”

“Esme knew? That it was going to be a girl?”

“She didn’t want to know at first. She was pretty adamant about waiting. Letting it be a surprise. But she ended up caving. At the very last ultrasound. And low and behold, baby Rake was a little girl. We always called Millie that. By your last name. It might not be that on paper, but we talked openly about it. You were always on her mind, Tyler. There wasn’t a day that went by where she didn’t think about you. TALK about you. You may not have been there, but to Esme, that baby was just as much yours as it was hers.”

“I would have been there. If she’d called me out of nowhere and told me about the baby, I would have gotten on the first flight out of Australia. Nothing…no one…could have stopped me from being there. Not you, not Winston, not The High Table. No one.”

“And she knew that. Which is why she was determined NOT to tell you. I’m not saying she made the right decision. Or that I agree with how she handled things. But it was not my place to tell you. Especially about Millie. I couldn’t betray her, Tyler. Not even for you.”

“As hurt as I am, as PISSED as I am, I’m just glad she wasn’t alone. That people were there for her. I fucking hate I didn’t get the chance, but it’s never really about me, has it? It’s about her and Millie. Especially Millie. Always has been. And that’s the way it should be.”

“Esme was having that baby no matter what. Not once did she ever think about not having her. Let alone talk about it. She knew it wasn’t going to be easy and she was lonely and sad and missed you every second of every day. Millie was part of you. Her only connection to you. And there was no way she was giving that up.”

“She’s always wanted to be a mum. She talked about it a lot. When we lived in The Kimberley. About coming close with Mark and having that taken away from her. I don’t think she ever got over that. And I knew one day it would happen; she and I would get our shit together, and we’d start a family. I didn’t think it would happen this way, mind you.”

“She never stopped thinking about you, Tyler. Loving you. She talked about you all the time. About wishing you could be there. So, please…PLEASE…don’t ever think she didn’t want you in her life. Or Millie’s life. Because nothing could be further from the truth. That baby was all she had. Aside from Yaz and I, Millie was her only connection to you. And no one could take that away from her. She wouldn’t let them.”

“Did she ever talk about me to Millie?”

“Maybe not by name. But even she was just a tiny baby. Millie heard stories about you. And all good, believe me. Esme has NEVER said a bad word about you to that little girl. And she always promised that she’d take Millie to meet you; that one day they’d go to Australia and track you down and let you meet each other.”

“Esme had chances. She’s had four years, Nik. She…”

“She had to be ready. She had to get over all that fear and worry she had. I couldn’t force her to just stop being that way. We’ve already established how stubborn she is. But I’d be honest with her; I’d tell her that she needed to contact you and you had the right to know you were a dad. That you deserved to be part of Millie’s life. But other than that, there wasn’t much I could do.”

“What about when Millie was old enough to start asking questions? What did she tell her then?”

“She would tell Millie that her dad was a good person. A big man with an even bigger heart. That he lived far away and one day, they’d go and visit him. And that she loved him very much. She always would.”

His voice quivers with emotion. “I don’t even know what to say. What IS there to say?”

“I know it hurts, Tyler. What Esme did. Having your child kept from you. I can’t even begin to imagine what you’re feeling. But you need to know that it wasn’t done maliciously. It started with her wanting to protect you, then ended up being about wanting to protect herself.”

“From me? She didn’t need to protect herself from me. I’ve never been a threat to you. I have never hurt her. I’ve never raised my voice, let alone a hand to her. I never would. I’d kill myself if I ever got that way. If I ever laid even a finger on her in THAT way…”

“She was protecting her heart. She was scared, Tyler. That you’d turn her away. That you’d turn MILLIE away.”

“That would never…EVER…happen. No matter how pissed or hurt I was.”

“Rationally, she knew that. But fear…and love for that matter…don’t always have us thinking…or acting…rationally.”

Sighing, he glances down at Millie; running a fingertip down the bridge of her nose and then pressing a kiss to the tip.

“Would you like more?” Nik asks. “Kids?”

“I’d love more. I’d love to go through it all with her. I WANT that, That experience. With HER.”

“But…”

“But it’s kinda selfish, isn’t it? Wanting it for ME. She has to want it too.”

“I don’t think you need to worry about that. Something tells me she’s on the same page. She loves being a mom. And she’s good at it. Damn good.”

“She’s an amazing mum. I couldn’t have asked for a better mother for my kid.”

“You’re going to get your ‘normal’. Your ‘happily ever after’. It won’t be much longer now.”

He nods in agreement. “Thank you, Nik. For telling me all of this. I needed to hear it. Esme can say it all until she’s blue in the face, but hearing it from someone else?”

“It’s a different viewpoint. Coming from an outsider looking in. I just didn’t want you to think she never wanted you in her life, In Millie’s life. Because she did. She missed you, Tyler. Every second of every day. And believe me, I know she wishes she could change things. Go back in time and make different decisions.”

“I told her I wouldn’t want that. When you change one thing, you change everything. I believe that. And even if it were possible, I wouldn’t risk it. I wouldn’t risk a damn thing.”

Smiling, she reaches out and lays a hand on his shoulder, lightly squeezing. “It was never about her not loving you, Tyler. It was always about how much she DID.”

[sweetsweethate]

TW rata mojada

[sayuriiz]

espacio temporal: noche del 12 de enero de 2024 / instantes antes del ritual. participantes: sayuri, azumi (su sire).

tw: mención de vi*lencia, abus*, manipulación, gaslight, pensamientos oscuros.

Probablemente fue estúpido por su parte esconderse, intentar pasar desapercibida y fingir que todo se encontraba bajo control.

¿Cuándo ella siquiera estuvo en control de nada? ¿Cuánto tiempo podría pasar la noche en cibercafés, pasear por cementerios a medianoche y encerrarse en una casa abandonada en cuanto saliera el sol? La paranoia ya le estaba afectando.

Tenía que encontrar una solución mejor, no podía seguir así eternamente.

Al menos las ratas empezarían a saber un poco mejor, supone.

No.

Definitivamente era estúpido.

Y lo descubrió cuando regresó a improvisado escondite.

Por muy elegante y sofisticada que pareciera sentada en aquel viejo trozo de ladrillo roto, con su largo vestido blanco, el pelo perfectamente recogido y una dulce sonrisa en los labios, el aire que rodeaba a aquella mujer era aterrador. 

Azumi.

Su primer instinto no fue correr. Había visto a esa mujer demasiadas veces, era capaz d encararla. Aun así, se quedó congelada en su sitio al verla levantarse y acercarse con elegancia. Instinto, hábito. Solo sus sombras empezaron a rodearla de forma protectora. Pero la mayor las ignoró por completo.

En el fondo sabía que acabaría encontrándola.

— Mi dulce niña, — rompe el silencio con su voz, timbre tan maternal como siempre. Aunque Sayuri sabía que no era así. Cuanto más dulce fuera, más difícil sería para ella luego. — Qué lugar más indecoroso para ti. Esa ropa, además — la coge por los hombros un momento, suspirando como una madre preocupada que acaba de encontrar a su hijo perdido. Debía de estar desaprobando cada una de sus decisiones. Y así, entonces, la abraza con fuerza. — Lo has de haber pasado muy mal estos días, mi pobre Sayuri.

Se resiste a abrazo, empujando, incluso arañando su cara, su tentáculo de sombra tratando de herir a la otra. La casa abandonada se convierte rápidamente en testigo de una pelea. Era una rutina que ambas mujeres conocían bien, una que había estado en su lugar desde la primera semana que pasaron juntas como sire y chiquilla. pero la otra era más fuerte y su agarre nunca vaciló. Ni tampoco atinó a atacar de regreso, tan solo molestándose en contener la furia de cainita.

— Tengo tantas ganas de matarte — gritó Sayuri. Su vena asesina no podía contenerse cuando estaba cerca de ella, la ira y un fuerte deseo de venganza siempre sacaban lo peor de ella (lo que al final no le gustaba y la dejaba sintiéndose tan sucia).

Sorprendentemente, o no, una carcajada surgió de repente de los labios de sire.

¿Qué carajos le hacía tanta gracia?

Normalmente, mujer se limitaba a darle una palmadita en la cabeza cuando hacía sus amenazas infundadas, como una niña a la que no se podía tomar en serio y sólo la veía como un adorable chihuahua. Condescendiente, así era todo.

Pero ahora Azumi se estaba riendo.

Y parecieron pasar siglos hasta que se detuvo.

—  Por cierto, hablando de ello ¿cuándo planeas llevar acabo tu acto final? He estado esperando pacientemente…

¿Qué?

Sayuri pestañeó, confundida. Y la otra lo notó.

— Ya sabes, ¿cuándo realmente planeas matarme? 

No importaba qué tontería más dijera Azumi, Sayuri sintió en ese instante como todo se desvanecía a su alrededor, tiñéndose en negro. Propia respiración, aunque no lo necesitase, se atoró de repente en la garganta.

“Me había llenado de orgullo ver cómo intentabas deshacerte de mí.”

“Estabas creciendo tan bien.”

“Pero ahora veo que vas hacia atrás, no podemos permitir eso.”

“No seas un rebelde sin causa.”

No escuchó nada de esto.

Eran tonterías.

¿Cómo lo sabía? ¡Se aseguró de no darle nunca ninguna pista! Cuando estaba cerca de ella en casa y en el trabajo, jamás dejó de comportarse como era usual en ella. Incluso cuando se iba a entrenar, o idear algo, siempre tenía la excusa perfecta... así que ¿Cómo?

Y la otra parecía disfrutar viéndola tan perdida, tan indefensa en ese preciso momento, pues le dio unas palmaditas en la cabeza y la obligó a darle otro abrazo, esta vez sin encontrar resistencia alguna pues el shock seguía presente. Para Azumi, ¿todo era un juego? 

—  Querida, ¿has olvidado que lo sé todo de ti? Cada paso que das, cada pensamiento que tienes, no hay nada que tu madre no sepa. ¿De qué otra forma puedo cuidar de mi adorable hija, sino? No importa cuánto intentes ocultarme algo, siempre lo sabré — era tan zuccarino que la ponía enferma.

Lo que Sayuri ignoraba era su capacidad de leer mentes y lo mucho que Sire invadía su mente con frecuencia sin que ella se percatara, tan ignorante de aquel mundo. Con frustración se aferra a ropas ajenas, cerrando sus ojos para evitar llorar de la rabia que le provoca. Creía plenamente que Azumi sólo podía manipular fácilmente a los demás, por ende, no es capaz de entender cómo lo sabe ¿En qué se equivocó, dónde fue su paso en falso para ser un libro completamente abierto a sus ojos? No era su culpa, pero para Sayuri, la única opción posible es que la responsabilidad cayera sobre sus hombros. Tal vez era demasiado previsible. Azumi juega con esa ignorancia, por supuesto. Y logra justo lo que desea cuando comienza a cuestionar cada paso que da. 

Todos sus secretos, dudas e intenciones, así, al descubierto.

El shock fue demasiado fuerte, lo suficiente como para hacer que su espíritu de lucha se desvaneciera, dejándola confundida e indefensa ¿Por qué cada vez que sentía que estaba ganando o dando un paso adelante en este juego de mierda, tenía que ser golpeada con algo nuevo que la descoloca? Simplemente no podía ganar. Era frustrante. Odioso. Inaguantable. Quizá perdió desde instante en que se resistió al abrazo, estaba condenada desde aquel instante un año atrás. No tenía elección real.

"Pero no te preocupes, mamá te espera con los brazos abiertos."

Por supuesto, ser arrastrada a casa no era gratis.

No era un gesto amoroso ni cariñoso en absoluto.

Tenía que pagar por la audacia de su desobediencia.

____________

Con vendas en los brazos que ocultaban unas cuantas heridas visibles que no se habían curado de la noche a la mañana debido a su dieta insuficiente, y un vestido y atuendo nuevos e impolutos elegidos personalmente por Azumi, Sayuri se encontró en un ritual contra propia voluntad. Una muñeca, otra vez. 

A la mierda con todo eso. Ella ya había superado esa mierda. Era demasiado diferente a meses atrás, aquel ritual donde se forzó a cruzar los aros de fuego, ahora no sentía ningún respeto por su clan. Prefería no estar allí. 

—  ¿Por qué carajos tengo que participar de este intento berreta de carrera de la muerte? —  Sayuri protesta, aunque duda referencia sea captada. Sentada en el coche mientras mira a la mujer mayor con puñales en los ojos, negándose a abrir la puerta y salir ahí fuera para enfrentar el ritual. —  Me da igual, los odio, prefiero morir allí ¿Sabes? Lo haré, te ridiculizaré y te humillaré a ti también, le demostraré a los viejos la mierda de Lasombra que han creado. Y no podrás hacer nada ¡Porque ya no estaré en este mundo! 

Ante eso, la otra ignora berrinche y desplantes, tan solo le ajusta alegremente el sombrero y le mete la cinta bajo la barbilla, acomodando moño. Tratándola de nuevo como a una niña que no sabe lo que es bueno o no para ella. 

— Porque soy tu madre — ahí estaba de nuevo, la palabra que la hacía sentir enferma, pero Azumi sonrió. — Y como tu madre, no puedo dejar que arruines tu vida por un estúpido capricho infantil. Podemos tener esta conversación mañana más tarde.

Por eso Azumi la buscó a propósito cuando lo hizo, la llevó de vuelta a la casa y la hizo parecer una Lasombra hecha y derecha, al menos en apariencia. Ella debía formar parte de este ritual, hacerlo bien, brillar, demostrar su inexistente lealtad. Evitar ser tachada de traidora.

Con un suspiro, Sire le mira. — Mira lo que me has obligado a hacer, nunca me ha gustado usarlo en ti

Después de eso, Sayuri no recuerda mucho.

Ya estaba bajo un hechizo sin siquiera darse cuenta.

Dominación.

Azumi sabía exactamente qué emoción concreta cambiar en ella: su profundo odio se convirtió en una loca adoración... y ¡voilá! Algo tan simple provocó un efecto dominó en todo su ser. No había que dar muchas órdenes, tan siquiera.

Mostraría su cara en frente de antiguos. Demostraría su lealtad. Disfrutaría del ritual. No moriría, no tenía que ganar.  Todo con una sonrisa radiante y una actitud orgullosa. Pero rápido, sólo una hora.

Luego desaparecería.

A fin de cuentas, el tiempo era esencial en estos asuntos, ninguna magia era eterna.

Ni para Cenicienta ni mucho menos para Sayuri.

[bluebudgie]

Re: character stories finding an end.

I promise I have characters who retire peacefully and live a long fulfilling life, but those are not the ones that rotate in my head for this topic.

under a cut because: death tw , suicide tw

I just like abrupt unceremonious endings I guess.

Neljje - Got absolutely no set timeframe for this but unless some unpredictable future plot twist gives me any reason to make major changes to his arc he will eventually get killed by chak. All the ley energy knowledge and wilderness survival skills in the world won't help you if you practically radiate the magic that is food for murderous insects several times your size. He has no regrets.

Lahpp - Again no set timeframe for this, but it's a simple truth that his body will sooner or later fail him; already at the current time he has long outlived his predicted life expectancy (the wonders of medicine). Despite making it so far, the thought of his illness "winning" against him freaks him out, and instead of making peace with the situation it only becomes worse the older he gets. He's abnormally scared of death. In morbid irony he would take his own life (a gun shot, likely) in a state of delusional panic just so he can "prove" (to who even?) he was the one in control until the very end. It goes without saying that he really wasn't.

Petthri - Unlike the other two this is one idea for a plausible conclusion to his story rather than a set in stone ending. I really don't know yet what will ultimately happen to him. But one ending I can definitely see is the one where he does actually snap. Tries to break out of the Inquest in an act of very, very tired despair; taking down several labs in the process. Stuff gets set on fire, things explode, it's a mess. He gets shot in a random corridor by unnamed Inquest security. And that's the end of it. If he goes out like this, this happens years before Lahpp's eventual death. (If it's any comfort, I can just as well see Petthri returning to Rata Sum in a far, far away future. I really don't know yet.)

Njálur - His is a special case in the sense that quite honestly narratively I think his story should have ended years ago. But I'm keeping him around because he's a playable character and I don't want to "close any doors" for potential future arcs. That said, this man's life is miserable. The court broke him. Genuinely, wholeheartedly fucked him up. As grim as it is, he hasn't gotten better in years and even though I personally disagree, he doesn't see any way he ever will. If he was part of a novel with a definite end he would have taken his exit long ago.

Lastly I actually have one character who has had his story conclude, and that's my old charr weaver. A pragmatic decision because I wanted to use his character slot for a new character, but ultimately fitting his existing story. He did succumb to chronic illness, but his was more of a bittersweet ending. He was prepared for it (as much as someone can be), he was among loved ones, and he lived a fulfilling life with no regrets. Now he's resting peacefully.

-- Addendum: Njálur and Lahpp deserve therapy tbh but alas I decided to let them be doomed by the narrative and that in itself is part of their character. Letting them find (mental) healing or redemption would obviously be the desirable outcome and it goes without saying that I believe that every person has a chance to get better and find happiness; but as for this fictional setting it'd betray the part they play in the story. Sucks for them ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[chironshorseass]

a goo goo rata (a chironysus fanfic)

today is jillians bday aka ronald and she asked for this so of course i will deliver 🥰 @annabethy this ones for u i hope i was traumatizing enough <3

tw: smut and diarrhea kink. don’t like don’t read 🙄

“look sweaty pie!” dionysus roared

“what?” chiron sweated.

“our baby just said his first words!” dionysus said lovingly.

chiron’s boobs bounced boobily down the stairs. “let me here!” he exclaim

and there was their perfect son he had weird ears and his nose was a fat blob and he was weird and green (horse and god blood do not mix and theyr dicks where two big so the baby turned out strange, but they loved little shrek regardless.

“a goo goo….” shrek stumbled over his words and dionysus embraced chiron lovingly slapped his ass hard.

“not here carnation” chiron scolded but in a sweat manner because they love each other “the child is watching” he explains

“awww man! but ur right my ass cheeks” dionysus purred

meanwhile the child had spoken the words of god and anime

“a goo goo rata!” shrek skreechd

“he’s saying it!” they both said together then looked at each other in wonder because even they’re sentences were cordinated amazingly.

“a goo goo rata!” shrek repeated again and again.

awww, they thought.

“he’s perfect.”

“i know.”

they look at each other again but this time the meaning is different. chiron accidentally shuts himself and dionysus grabs a fistful of the diarrhea and licks it clean.

“i see the paul head we cooked together wasn’t digested properly” dionysus said seductively

chiron was very turned in by this point “ooh la la.”

they fucked in front of shrek and shrek left to take over camp because

the end

[beauvm]

hi, pals ! inti again being annoying. bueno, me había quedado pendiente la introducción de beau. así que acá se las dejo con el mismo mecanimos de siempre, más info abajito y si quieren conex con él, me dejan un corazón.

tw: rehabilitación.

beau margraff aka literalmente ángel que todo el mundo necesita en sus vidas. :/ ok so,,,,, este muchachito vivió un montón de cosas en su adolescencia ( su infancia fue peor, not gonna lie ) y después de que la vida en sí decidiera que él solo había llegado al mundo para ser una basurita del montón, él eligió darle un cambio a todo lo que llevaba aconteciendo con él. empezó rehabilitación y prefirió hacer el intento de ser una mejor persona. and man,,,,,, he really is the greatest person out there.

tiene veintisiete años.

no tiene el mejor pasar económico and it shows, pero creo que incluso si sí tuviera dinero sería medio una rata porque no se fija demasiado en lo material.

es un caballero, su mamá era la persona a la que más quiso y siempre sufrió ver que su papá no la trataba como ella merecía. así que su única meta es ser el hombre que desearía que su mamá hubiera tenido acompañándola hasta su último día. ( no sé ustedes, yo ya estoy llorando. )

es súper, súper, súper callado. no porque sea tímido ni porque no tenga nada que decir sino porque simplemente se da así, casi todo lo procesa en sus pensamientos y después comparte lo mínimo y necesario. sin embargo, los silencios no son incómodos con él. y si lo son, a él le encanta escuchar al resto así que no le molesta que lo llene la otra persona.

sobre esto mismo, él siempre presta el oído y jamás se atreve a juzgar, a no ser que se trata de algo que realmente lo interpele de manera muy profunda. es ese amigo que siempre va a escucharte y, quizá si siente que realmente puede ayudarte alguna forma, darte un buen consejo.

es súper segundero, pedile lo que quieras y si está en sus manos y te tiene cariño, te lo va a dar.

tiene su aire enigmático and ladies dig that así que puede ser medio encantador, ego no le falta así que cuidado con sus sonrisas torcidas y las miraditas soslayadas.

no consume ni una sola gota de alcohol ni tampoco drogas. lo único que fue incapaz de dejar es el cigarrillo, único vicio que condona.

[glyhndzkr]

Rumah - Ibbas, Done

Alhamdulillah saya ucapkan karena pada pukul 10 waktu indonesia barat tadi, target sejak 2020 lalu telah tercapai. Oh senangnya... *berusaha tetap chill

Yak wkwkwk jadi sejak lulus SMA dan cukup sering berlari salah satu target yang entah kok kepikiran adalah lari ke Pondok dari Rumah. Ga deket, sekitar 39 kilo kalo diputerin lewat tugu Kartasura, bisa lebih deket kalo ga muter.

Itung itung sekalian latian buat Jogja Marathon minggu depan, ah cobalah tak ke Pondok. Selama H-1 yaitu pas Sabtu kemarin, alhamdulillah bisa dibilang sangat excited dan ga sabar buat segera coba besoknya. Dan cukup percaya diri juga, cuma masi ada ragu ragu nya hehe, makanya baru upload SW mau lari, ya paginya, ga malemnya, takit gajadi kayak dua tahun belakangan Hehe.

Selama lari, pas mulai jujur ini termasuk yg enjoy bgt, pertama karena emang udah excited, kedua karena sadar ya, kali ini larinya sangat jauh wkwkwk dibanding biasanya, jari kecepatannya ga ngoyo, target HR maks ya Zona 4 tapi tetep diusahain Zona 3 ke bawah dengan pace rata rata 5:30/km. Ketiga, karena udah sepekan lebih TWS rusak, ketika coba lari sambil musikan rasanya, asik aja gt hehe. Dan keempat, karena pagi, suasana terik tak ada, adem, ayem, tentrem jalanannya, enjoynya luar biasa. Bahkan sampai Slamet Riyadi, Purwosari, kek masi amaan bgt, mantap. Baru habis itu...

Jalan yang awalnya CFD mulai beralih ke jalan biasa, pagi yang adem mulai beralih ke terik matahari pelan pelan, dan suara TWS yang mulai mengecil, mulai memunculkan sekelebat "waduh" di dada, buset bahasanya, biasa aja kali napa wkwkwk, oke. Oiya sama beberapa kali mau sendawa, tapi kok gabisa bisa, mesti kek ada yg ikutan naik, bikin agak begah dikit lah perutnya. Tapi karena masi awal pergantian suasananya, kondisi nafas masi terkendali, dan kaki belom pegel, alhamdulillah masi bisa stabil pacenya.

Baru mulai 20+ yaaa bolela istirahat hehe, sejak tadi berhenti cuma di km 16 minum pertama, yg malah bikin agak tambah isi perutnya wkwkwk, waduh. Tapi masi belum sesering itu, berhenti cuma kalo emang pas lagi agak begah aja perutnya, dan itu kek cuma under satu menit, paling pol ya 2 menitan lah. Kayak gitu terus sampe sekitar km 30 an, tiba tiba...

Kaki pegaaaaaaaal bangeeeeet, awikwok.

Jadi, kukira awalnya, kalo emang udah 21an kilo aja bisa kalem kakinya, mau dipanjangin sepanjang panjangnya, ya kalem aj, pasti bisa. Ternyata enggak. Wah pegalnya ini luar biasa, dipake lari pegel, dibawa jalan, eh lha kok tambah wkwkwk yowes akhirnya beberapa kali berhenti lebih lamaaan daripada yg pas 20k+, stretching bagian hamstring sama betis karena emang disitu aja pegelnya, walau ga terlalu ngaruh, tapi okela. Ke Alfa, di Delanggu, beli Pocari, mayan juga lah, walau cuma bertahan beberapa menit aja, trus pegelnya dateng lagi. Alhasil, daripada gaada progres, mending jalan biar maju terus.

Jalan lari jalan lari, jalan jalan jalan lari jalan lagi, wkwkwk. Akhirnya keliatan Alfamart deket penggung dari kejauhan, karena jalan Solo Yogya udah panas bet, lurus terus lagi, bosen, belok masuk gang, lebih nyaman. Maju maju maju, agak banyak jalannya hehe, mulai keliatan nih, landmark landmark jalan Troso - Penggung yang masi bertahan.

(dengan asumsi otw nya dari Penggung) Masjid ijo kiri jalan, patung pemanah, konter konter hape tempat dulu cari hedset sama mp3, SD, apotek, dan Masjid Joglo sampe Akhirnya, Ibnu Abbas yang sekarang mesjidnya udah gede, gapake dinding kaca, cat bangunannya ijo ijo, linkungan sekitar yang juga lebih ijo dan rindang, kompleks kamar mandi masjid yang masi sama aja tegel biru wkwkwk, pun satpam kesayangan rakyat Troso, Pak Asep dan Pak... waduh lali wkwkwk yang masi setia menjaga dan deket dengan santri. Luar biasa.

Baru dateng, sapa pak satpam, minum, istirahat duduk bentar, dan disapa sama santri, eh ternyata anggota halaqoh (mentoring) ku pas kelas 12 dulu, Alim yang ternyata sepupune Zahra, aku kelas 12 dia dulu kelas 7, alhamdulillah jadi ada yang ngajak ngobrol (selain pak satpam) selama istirahat. Sempet bahas kedokteran juga, kok belum koas, awikwok. dan lain lain. Ga lama ternyata beliau dijenguk, saya lanjut ke masjid mau sujud syukur dulu hehehehehehehe.

Kelar masjid, balik, langsung ga lama pesen gojek, sambil nunggu, eh diajak ngobrol sama bapak2, yang ternyata kenal Nayaka, dan beliau adalah reserse polsek, ngobrol yaa seputar kehidupan anak beliau yang lagi sekolah dan sedikit hal lain. Gojek dateng, saya pamit, bapak e juga pamit, tapi saya duluan, tiba tiba, disamperin, eh kamu pelari to, saya juga. Ya sambil di jalan sirothol mustaqim, ngobrol dikit, pisah lagi, otw penggung, nunggu bis lama, ke alfa dulu, nunggu lagi dapet, alhamdulillah, Solo i am coming. Jadi kalo ada yang bilang saya PP lari, itu hoak harap jangan dipercaya, sekarang masi mustahil mungkin, tapi suatu saat nanti, pas tua, moga bisa aamiin.

Sampe solo, solat dulu, nunggu bentar, alhamdulillah terima kasi sanget matur nuwun arigato syukron, mas Solon datang dengan mantapnya menjemput, walau agak salah si, aku di pintu keluar arah Solo, beliau di pintu keluar Jogja :) Ya akhirnya jalan lagi dikit hehe, numpak, gas, ngobrol biasa, tapi yg ini beneran kedengeran, ga koyo biasane sok supir e ngomong opo, sing dibonceng daripada gaenak, kita, dengan menyesuaikan intonasi yg terdengar, hoo ya pak, oh poyo?! wkwkwk, hmm bener pak. WKWKWKWK. alhamdulillah terdengar. Sampeeee, akhirnya di Rumah.

Eh pada lagi makan diluar. Rumah dikunci. Untung tadi bawa makanan yang dikasi Alim dari Uminya, hatur nuhun sanget Alim dan ibu, jazaakumullah khayran katsiron. Kelar makan, yang makan di luar dateng, masuk, mandi, cuci, tidur dan Terima kasih. Tunggu cerita Jogja Marathon pekan depan, insyaaa allah, dan mohon doa baiknya, makasi.

Eh eh kelupaan, entah juga kenapa, ini pun yg terjadi post Tektok Lawu Cetho kemarin, kan sbenere saya ada nyeri dengkul, lha kok habis dibawa lari malah enakan wkwkwkwk. dan sebagai evaluasi, mestinya penambahan strength training sama stretching biar kuat dipake lebih lama. sekiaaaan hehe.

Rumah Ibbas don ga bang? done.

[thecampbellowl]

✦ ・ closed starter with @aidankeef

TW: Violência, bullying, assédio

Charlie estava sendo seguida. Desde que havia saído da biblioteca aquela noite depois de um dia inteiro analisando registros, ela havia sido capaz de perceber os dois semideuses que falhavam em ser discretos em sua perseguição. Gostaria de fingir que não os conhecia, mas aqueles dois a atormentavam há um bom tempo, sempre ameaçando uma altercação física com a mulher que era muito melhor do que eles. Começou a andar mais rápido e os dois também aceleraram o passo. Como havia sido tola ao pensar que o cargo de conselheira a protegeria agora!

Tentou pegar um atalho para o chalé, mas não demorou para que os dois a alcançassem e a empurrassem contra a parede com força desmedida. "E aí, rata de biblioteca, achou alguma solução pra essa merda de Acampamento nos seus livros inúteis? Duvido muito", um deles falou em tom maldoso enquanto a mantinha contra a parede. O outro abriu um sorriso malicioso. "Fiquei sabendo que você nunca beijou, corujinha. Eu posso mudar isso hoje." Charlie arregalou os olhos, a cor sumindo de seu rosto com a insinuação. Sacou a adaga recém-adquirida, mas um dos rapazes derrubou a arma no chão com facilidade. Ela estava completamente cercada.

[neswina]

Si la vida te da limones, las cambias por unas mandarinas que están más dulces.

Promt: 12 - “I'm not saying I didn't like it“ / “No niego que me haya gustado”

Fandom: Safir

Ship: Hazal x Aleyna #Hazeyna

Audiencia: T

TW: palabrotas

Después de recorrer un poco de camino, Aleyna cambió de opinión en eso de volver a casa.

—Ya que estamos aquí, ¿por qué no salimos un poco? Necesito despejarme. —No sé yo, Aleyna, no sé si estás para salir de fiesta. —Opino lo mismo que Hazal, no sé si estás de ánimo para salir… —Tonterías, si Yaman puede divertirse, yo también. ¡Y vosotros! —Pero… —Ni peros, ni peras, Okan, ya mañana me preocuparé de mi vida. Hoy me merezco un desquite, un despejarme, ¡algo! No quiero pensar, solo divertirme un rato.

Hazal y Okan se miraron perplejos, pero llegaron a la conclusión de que era mejor hacerle caso y animarla, no lo estaba pasando bien y había que concederle un poco de diversión. Como Okan disponía de una casa en Estambul accedieron a la petición de la chica, ya que por lo menos tendrían un lugar donde descansar sin meterse cinco horas de coche para volver a casa. Se fueron a la zona de moda a ver si podían pasárselo bien. Las primeras dos horas fueron divertidísimas: bailaron, bebieron, volvieron a bailar, bebieron, rieron, siguieron bailando, bebieron más…

—Me lo estoy pasando fenomenal —Hazal le dio un golpe en el hombro a Okan. —Yo también, pero ¿no creéis que ya habéis bebido suficiente? —No, si solo hemos bebido ¿cuatro? Copas —Aleyna contaba las copas. —Estás equivocada, han sido ocho copas. —Hazal contó con ella—. ¿Ves? Ocho —Ah, pues sí. Ocho. No son muchas. ¿Pedimos más? —Aleyna estaba muy contenta. —Uff, yo ya no puedo más. —Hazal señalaba su vaso medio lleno—. No quiero beber más. Pero bailar sí. ¡Vamos a bailar!

Okan se quedó en la mesa alta, dando un sorbo sin ganas a una bebida mientras veía como Hazal y Aleyna bailaban en la pista y se lo pasaban de fábula.

—Oye, guapa, ¿bailas conmigo? —No, gracias. Estoy bailando con mi amiga. —Aleyna le dio la espalda al chico que le estaba hablando. —Bueno, pero puedes dejar a tu amiga y venirte conmigo. —Qué parte de la palabra no, no has entendido. Que te pires. —Hazal había activado el modo protector. —No estoy hablando contigo, pequeña. —A quien llamas pequeña, mecagoentus…

Aleyna la sujetó porque iba a saltar a la cabeza del pesado y se la llevó a rastras al baño, a ver si se calmaba. Con la adrenalina de la discusión la borrachera se les pasó un poco.

—Por dios, Hazal, no puedes saltar a la cabeza de un tipo que te saca una cabeza. —Pues haberle dado tu un sopapo, que erais de la misma altura. —Hazal se estaba refrescando la cara. —Ese tipo era un imbécil, no se merecía nada por nuestra parte. Somos mejores que él.

Hazal dio un respingo ante las palabras de la chica, se sentó encima de la encimera, donde estaban las piletas para lavarse las manos, y habló con tranquilidad.

—Ese ha sido siempre tu problema, Aleyna, siempre te has creído mejor que los demás. Mejor que yo, que Feraye… —Cualquiera es mejor que Feraye. —Dijo mientras se retocaba el pelo, mirándose al espejo. —¡Ves! Es que no puedo contigo. Eres arrogante, altiva, caprichosa, no sabes hacer nada por ti misma, te dejas pisotear por tu madre… —Con mi madre no te metas… —Aleyna quería muchísimo a su madre, pero últimamente sospechaba que todo lo que se suponía que hacía para que ella mejorase, solo eran excusas para que su madre consiguiera sus objetivos, olvidándose de ella en el proceso. —Tu madre es una rata sarnosa, que nos vendería a todos para salirse con la suya. Y lo sabes. —Hazal se cruzó de brazos. —Y tu eres el perro faldero de Feraye, no sabes hacer otra cosa que seguirla. —Qué sabrás tu de la amistad, Aleyna, no tienes amigos porque nadie es suficiente para ti. ¿No lo ves? Hace un rato has sido majísima, has estado amable, me has invitado a una copa, hemos bailado y hemos reído. Pero en el momento que hay calma, vuelves a ser la de siempre… —Hazal la miraba con dureza cuando Aleyna se acercó de sopetón a ella. —Porqué me olvidé de todo y de todos, solo era yo. Y me lo estaba pasando realmente bien. Muy bien.

No saben como pasó, pero pasó. Las chicas se miraron a los ojos y se besaron apasionadamente. ¿Fue el alcohol? ¿la rabia que se tenían? ¿Algo oculto? Cuando se separaron, respiraban entrecortadamente.

—¿Qué ha pasado? —Hazal apartó las manos de la chica y las levantó como si eso fuera un atraco. —Ni idea.

Aleyna se fue corriendo del baño, intentando huir de lo que había pasado.

—Aleyna, ¡espera! —Bajó de la encimera y salió corriendo detrás de ella—. Pero adónde irá esta ahora…

No la vio en la multitud y fue a ver a Okan.

—¿Has visto a Aleyna? —Sí, cogió su bolso y se fue fuera. —El chico señaló la puerta de salida, confuso. —Vale. Voy a buscarla. Tu sigue haciendo lo que quiera que estés haciendo.

Y se fue corriendo fuera del local.

—¡Aleyna! ¡Aleyna! Dónde se habrá metido esta chica… —Hazal se fue andando calle arriba y al girar en otra calle la vio—. Aleyna, por fin te encuentro. —Déjame en paz, vete. Déjame sola. —No, vamos a hablar de lo que ha pasado antes. —No quiero, déjame en paz. —Aleyna no dejaba de caminar, mientras Hazal la seguía. —¡Pero, chica! Para, por favor. —la cogió del brazo y la paró—. Tenemos que hablar de esto, no puedes huir. —Sí que puedo, lo estaba haciendo. —la chica protestó, pero se quedó quieta—. Deberías irte, quiero estar sola. —Aleya, vinimos juntos y nos vamos juntos. —Hazal sonrió amistosa—. Venga hablemos, vamos a ese puesto de té.

Las chicas caminaron juntas hasta un paseo a orillas del Bósforo, donde había un pequeño puesto de té ambulante y otro de bocatas, pidieron y se sentaron en una pequeña mesa.

—Pues se ha quedado buena noche… —Aleyna le dio un sorbo a té. —Sí, la verdad es que sí… ¿Por qué de repente es tan complicado hablar? —Hazal se rio de la situación. —Porque las cosas se han complicado… ¿Qué nos pasó? —Aleyna estaba roja. —A ver, no voy a negar que me gustara… —¿Te gustó? —Aleyna posó el bocata en la mesa sorprendida. —Sí. —Hazal se sonrojó—. ¿A ti no? —La verdad es que no lo sé… —La muchacha se iba poniendo más roja por momentos. —Un poquito sí, va admítelo. —Hazal le dio un golpecito con el hombro y sonrió—. Que lo sé yo… —A ver, no estuvo mal. —Aleyna se tapó la cara, se rio, abrió los dedos para dejar ver un poco sus ojos y habló—. La verdad que nada mal. Todo lo contrario. —¡Bien! Hemos avanzado. Ahora que a las dos nos ha gustado, tenemos que saber por qué. A ver, por mi parte te diré que eres una chica atractiva y encima hoy he conocido a una Aleyna diferente: divertida y simpática. Y creo que eso me ha atraído hacia ti. —Oh. —Aleyna estaba sorprendida—. Pues no sé, yo solo sé que tenía unas ganas terribles de besarte y lo hice. —Oh. —Sí.

Las chicas se quedaron mirando como los barcos flotaban en el agua y se movían al son de la marea, hasta que se decidieron a volver a hablar.

—Entonces… ¿Ahora qué hacemos? ¿Hacemos como si nada? —No, yo creo que eso no sería conveniente. Creo que deberíamos probar otra vez, tenemos que comprobar si fue cosa del momento o algo más. —Hazal miró a la chica con picardía. —Estoy de acuerdo. —Aleyna miró alrededor—. Pero aquí, no. Hay demasiada gente. —Vale.

Hazal se levantó de la mesa, cogió de la mano a su acompañante y se fueron a un callejón lejos de miradas indeseadas.

—¿Te parece bien aquí? —Hazal sonaba un poco impaciente. —Sí, es un sitio con cero romanticismo… Pero puede valer. —Aleyna miraba el callejón con disgusto— ¿Cómo lo hacemos? —Pues nos besamos y ya… No veo la complicación. —Te saco cabeza y media, si te beso me desnuco. —La chica hizo el gesto de partirse el cuello con la mano. —Nunca he visto a un tío quejarse de eso… —Hazal se rio—. Espera, finolis, creo que tengo la solución para tu problema. —había una caja de cervezas tirada en el suelo, la cogió, la puso enfrente de Aleyna y se subió encima—. Ves, siempre hay una solución para todo. —Tienes unos ojos muy bonitos… —A mi me gusta mucho tu pelo…

Hazal acarició el pelo de Aleyna, con suavidad, enredando su dedo índice en uno de sus rizos, mientras la otra muchacha no sabía bien como reaccionar, cerró los ojos y se dejó hacer. Sintió como Hazal le daba pequeños besos por la cara, haciéndole pequeñas cosquillas, hasta que llegó a sus labios, primero fue un beso tímido, muy sutil, para poco a poco ser más apasionado. Aleyna no sabe cuando se abrazó a la chica y cuánto tiempo estuvieron besándose. Solo quería que durase. Mucho. Quizá una eternidad. Pero al cabo de un rato pararon para tomar aire.

—Yo creo que ha sido algo más que el momento. —Hazal le dio un besito. —Opino lo mismo. —Aleyna tenía una sonrisa bobalicona en la cara y correspondió al besito de su compañera—. Va a ser que me gustas. No termino de creérmelo. —¿A que sí? Pero a la vez se siente… —Natural, como si todo encajara y estuviera en paz. —¡Exacto! Es rarísimo.

De repente Aleyna se dio cuenta de algo y se le borró la sonrisa de la cara.

—Estoy casada. —Ya. ¿Y? —Que no se lo podemos decir a nadie, ni siquiera a Okan que se va a ir de la lengua a los dos segundos de que nos vea o se lo digamos. —Pillina, ¿me estás proponiendo ser tu amante? —Hazal la miró picarona, pero la broma no pareció sentarle bien a Aleyna. —No… ¿o sí? Yo que sé. Solo que no podemos decir nada o ser nada hasta que solucione lo mío con Yaman. No creo que haya problemas con que me dé el divorcio. —Perfecto entonces, seremos solo amigas hasta que te divorcies. —Me gusta que estemos en el mismo equipo. —Aleyna besó divertida a su compañera. —¡Ey! Nada de besitos hasta que seas una mujer libre. —Hazal le puso la mano en la cabeza a su futura ¿novia? La alejó de ella y se rio a carcajadas mientras bajaba de la caja de cervezas. —¡Oye! No es gracioso. Esto va a ser una tortura.

Hazal y Aleyna se volvieron al bar, para ir a buscar a Okan e ir a descansar, entre abrazos, risas y carantoñas.

—¡Dichosos los ojos! Me habéis dejado solo, sois unas amigas pésimas. Pero veo que ya os lleváis bien. ¿Qué ha pasado? —Okan las esperaba en la misma mesa donde le dejaron. —Pues nos ha unido un pesado. ¿Nos vamos a casa? Quiero dormir. —Hazal se apoyó en un hombro del chico. —Vale. Pero conduce tú, que parece que vas bien.

Hazal y Aleyna iban en la parte delantera del coche y Okan luchando por no dormirse en la parte de atrás y no veía como las chicas se iban dando besos furtivos y dedicándose sonrisas cada dos minutos.

Al llegar a la casa Okan cayó en uno de los sofás del salón y las chicas se fueron al piso de arriba donde estaban las habitaciones y se miraron sorprendidas cuando se dieron cuenta de que solo había una habitación.

—Pero si abajo caben, mínimo, tres habitaciones y aquí arriba solo han hecho una habitación. ¿Pero que aberración de arquitecto ha hecho esto? —Hazal estaba horrorizada por lo mal que estaba dividido el espacio—. ¿Qué necesidad hay de hacer un salón de tropecientos metros cuadrados?

Aleyna empezó a reírse muy fuerte.

—¿Te preocupa el hecho de que haya un salón enorme y no que haya solo un cuarto? —Sí, porque no me importa dormir juntas. —A.

Hazal cogió de la mano a Aleyna y sonriendo, entraron juntas en la habitación.