#wocsapphicfic

[hidden-treasures21]

At Last

Pairing: Okoye x Black!Plus-Sized!OC

Warning: Light Nudity, Angst,

Prompt: Vampire/Werewolf/Monster AU

A/N: Hi y’all! It’s been a minute since I’ve written for Okoye, but since I was challenged by @great-neckpectations in her WOC Sapphic Fic Challenge, I stepped up to the plate 😊 I wrote this in a day, but it took me since August 12 to type it up. Anyway, I hope you enjoy and thank you for reading!

•—MGST—•

Okoye’s head turned to the side as she listened. She could hear something in the distance, echoing through the quiet forest she was jogging through. It was a chant, a low constant chanting. For all the years she lived on this Earth—witnessing the rise of dynasties, political figures and kings meeting their demise at the hands of upset subjects—she had never encountered this language before in her life.

Lost in her thoughts, it took the sudden silence all around her to realize the chanting was gone. Okoye wavered between confusion and anger, fists clenching at her sides. With an irritated huff, she knocked over a tree, watching birds take flight and animals scatter before it hit the ground. Rolling her eyes, she continued down the walking trail, earbuds dangling around her neck in case the curious chanting picked back up again.

•—MGST—•

The next time Okoye heard the sound, she was walking through Piedmont Park. Children played, and dogs approached her because of her cloying smell. Adults tugged their pets away, giving her a wide berth as they tried to avoid her touch. She hadn’t had any contact with grown adults since the slaves were first shipped to the States.

She had evaded capture very easily since the white men were not too bright. However, she was curious as to exactly where her mortal descendants were being taken to, so she swam behind the ship, trailing them for nearly a thousand miles.

Once she knew that her being were being taken and sold into slavery, she spilled the blood of everyone who was involved: slave ship owners, auctioners, slave owners, and even their families. No one was spared.

For everyone she could not reach, she knew she needed to make a bigger mark on their lives. So she went house to house, enlisting the help of sympathetic white families and the free black people in the north. Once she gathered enough stations, she found a woman to lead her people to freedom, before abandoning them again.

Okoye’s thoughts were brought back to the present when the voice got louder. The chanting slammed against her ears; every syllable was separated with a booming bark. Okoye felt this call deep within her chest, near her heart. It felt like home.

Her feet took off running before her mind could catch up. People dove sideways as Okoye tore through the park and into the heavy Atlanta traffic. Horns honked, pigeons fluttered towards the sky, and every person she brushed against cried out in agony at her touch. She didn’t care.

Street after street, it seemed like she would never find that damn voice. Sliding down a slope, all the momentum that Okoye built up made it impossible to stop in time before she rolled into a pond. With a tidal wave of a splash, she was submerged in the murky water. She swam to the surface, ignoring the gawking passerby and plants gently brushing her legs.

The noise was gone once again.

•—MGST—•

Disgruntled and irritated, Okoye plodded home. Her shoes splattered on the concrete as she walked. She was soaked to the bone and smelled of stagnant water and decaying algae. In other words, she was miserable. With practiced movements, Okoye kept her head down and wove easily through the crowd, thoughts overtaking her mind on her way home.

She didn’t know what she was. All she knew was that she was the first of her kind.

Her memories start eons ago, when she opened her blazing orange eyes to a gorgeous sunrise near the Jabari lands. Before that, everything is a blank. Despite searching through the centuries in libraries and nearly every established society known to man, there were no records of her before her first memory.

With no past to recall, all Okoye did was run. She ran from her problems. She had to avoid detection, especially since Okoye didn’t age at all. After the first generation of people around her died off, and she was still frozen in time, Okoye knew she couldn’t stay in one place for too long. So she traveled around the world, learning things about herself as time marched on.

The first things that appeared were her strength and speed. It came out of nowhere as she was traveling through South Africa. A man was crying out for help, as he accidentally incited the rage of a mother rhino protecting her cub. She charged the man, his pleas getting more desperate as the animal gained speed. Okoye didn’t even think; she just burst forward like a cheetah, getting between the two just in time to catch the rhino by her horn. She swung her the opposite way to her cub, watching as she rolled to a stop. Okoye waited until the mother rhino left with her baby before turning to the man behind her.

The first words out of his mouth were not thanks or praise. It was a cry of black magic. From then on, Okoye tried to only look out for herself.

Okoye’s hunger guided the majority of her actions. She quickly found that, no matter what she ate, she was never fully satisfied. All food did was take the edge off of an insatiable hunger.

Her immortal existence was tainted by another thing as well. She was unable to touch anybody. Children and animals were safe, if unsatisfactory. It was similar to hugging a statue warmed in the sun — completely present and somewhat lifelike, but there was still something missing. Everyone over eighteen years old was not safe though. Each touch — the bump of her shoulder, the graze of her fingers, the kiss of her lips — resulted in a jolting sting. The longer the touch lasted, the more damaging the effects were.

She even killed a man once from her touch alone. He loved her with all of his being, and Okoye loved him with her whole heart. They never touched though, because Okoye forbade it. One day, her warnings weren’t enough. The first and only time they kissed (because she was foolish enough to succumb to his pleas) resulted in an electrifying embrace. She only knew it ended by the thud of his body on the floor.

Okoye didn’t stay too long after that.

•—MGST—•

She was brought back to the present by her uneven porch steps. She stumbled, cursing a blue streak when she hit her toe on the lip of a stair. Even though she was nearly indestructible, it still hurt her pride.

She flipped switches on throughout the house, some regular, some ultraviolet. Once the humans figured out artificial sun rays, her life peaked, and her skin glowed. Okoye stretched slowly, bones cracking and muscles extending while she bent to the floor.

Stripping off the damp clothes, Okoye fell onto the ratty couch. A content sigh left her as her eyes slipped closed.

•—MGST—•

A week later, she woke to the chants. They hollered in her ears. She jolted from the couch, eyes darting around the room for the source.

They were close. She could feel it.

Charging up the stairs, Okoye kicked the doors of every room open. Snarls poured from her mouth, a haze of gray edging into her vision. The last door had a light that shone underneath the crack. Her foot hit the center of the door, her eyes watching dispassionately as it splintered apart. Jagged remains hung from the hinges, but Okoye paid that little mind as she stepped through the entry.

A gorgeous black woman relaxed on the bed. Okoye drank her in, eyes roaming her full figure. Skin black as pitch, it gleamed like the stars dusted her skin. Her thighs spread on the bed, dress so short Okoye could see the lace of her garter.

Okoye licked her lips at her plump stomach, plush breasts, and shining white smile. Their eyes met, Okoye’s orange meeting the goddess’s tawny brown.

With a flicker, the entire street’s power went dead, enveloping them in darkness.

Okoye’s hand lifted before she recognized it moving. A powerful urge begged for Okoye’s fingers to comb through the mane of the stranger. She paused, however, lowering her hand in defeat. Painfully, she asked, “Who are you, and how did you get into my house?”

The woman’s lips curled, bright teeth contrasted by her lips, red as a painted rose. A rich chuckle escaped her. “Do you not remember me?”

Despite Okoye’s self-pity, she let out a laugh. “No, I do not. Should I?”

The woman sat up, cocking her head to the side curiously. “You should. My name is…” A series of barks and chants left her mouth, Okoye’s eyes widening wondrously. “However, to save time, you can call me Harley.”

Smiling, Harley rose from the bed, smoothing down the tiny dress over her curves. The first step caused her face to scrunch up painfully, a silver haze appearing along the edges of her form. She crept slowly across the room, her body flashing in and out like a mirage in the desert. Harley’s breath hitched as she stabilized in front of Okoye. Her hand reached for Okoye, a sparkle in her eyes portraying excitement. However, Okoye skittered back, picking up a lamp to ward off any advances.

“Please,” Harley whimpered.

“I can’t,” Okoye replied brokenly.

“I want to be WHOLE,” Harley angrily cried out. “I can’t do it without you.”

Harley held out her hands, palms facing Okoye. She could tell the woman was skittish. Who wouldn’t be, in her situation? However, they both needed this, and Harley was determined it was going to happen, one way or another.

Okoye’s eyes flitted around the room, seeking escape. She couldn’t hurt her. She wouldn’t hurt her. Okoye’s thorns prick the fingers of anyone who dares touch her. Why would Harley be any different?

Okoye turned, ready to run out of the room, the house, the state if need be; however, before she could take a step, a hand clumsily grabbed onto her bare arm. She couldn’t tell whose gasp was louder, the sounds blending as skin met skin. Her eyes closed involuntarily as Okoye waited for the inevitable trembling, shaking, and the thud of a body against the carpeted floor.

It never came.

Seconds ticked by, the hand on Okoye’s back getting stronger by the minute, more solid. Harley finally pulled back, leaving Okoye with bated breath as she strained her ears for a delayed response. Maybe a pained gasp? The gurgle of blood pooling in her mouth? Glass shattering as it’s knocked over with Harley’s descent? Even the sound of clattering beads against the floor, as Harley claws off her necklace during her last attempts to breathe?

Instead, Okoye felt the warmth of a soft hand caress her face. She kept her eyes clenched shut, fear filling her for the first time in centuries.

“Open your eyes,” Harley whispered calmly.

With a firm shake of Okoye’s head, she said no.

Harley rolled her eyes fondly, framing Okoye’s face with her hands. Harley’s thumbs traced Okoye’s every feature, dragging over her soft dark brown lips, feathering lightly over her cheekbones and brows, and ending with a light peck to her mouth. Okoye and Harley shuddered at the same time, both for different reasons.

“Pretty please,” Harley cooed. “I promise I won’t bite.”

Slower than molasses, Okoye’s eyes cracked open. She stared into Harley’s, wonder blooming in her gaze the longer Harley’s hands caressed her face.

With a heavy sigh, Okoye murmured, “Who are you to me?”

Harley smiled again, revealing rows of jagged teeth. “I told you,” Haeley purred, “you complete me.”

Harley twirled one of her curls around her finger, continuing, “I have waited nearly two millenia for someone to hear my name.”.”

She leaned in for a kiss, smiling when Okoye’s eyes closed automatically again. Harley’s lips embraced hers, the girls’ mouths molding to each other with an ease that came out of nowhere. A fire burned in Harley’s stomach as she pressed on, swiping her tongue in Okoye’s mouth without abandon. Gasping, Okoye jerked back, eyes worriedly combing over Harley and still looking for any changes, despite now knowing it was safe.

Harley pulled Okoye closer by the nape of her neck, a wild grin spreading across her face as she said, “Now that I have you, I’m never letting go.”

•—MGST—•

Okoye abandoned that rickety hovel and bought a better house on the outskirts of Atlanta. Only the best for her girl; of course, Harley actively tried to persuade her against it. However, Okoye steamrolled over those objections and only stopped giving Harley everything once Wakanda vetoed the vibranium jet Okoye applied for.

Harley laughs now, but she was frantically trying to find a big enough plot of land to house it a month ago.

Okoye was unrestrained in her touches, always laying a hand on Harley’s back or planting a kiss on her palm. Harley would be walking down the street, and Okoye’s hand would worm its way into the back pocket of her jeans, squeezing every so often as y’all’d walk together.

Okoye and Harley both lived so long, it was refreshing to find somebody who had nearly all the same experiences. Since the relationship was still fresh, the couple spent all hours of the night talking and reliving the past.

One evening, they laid naked in bed, hands fondling each other’s supple hips and stomachs. Harley loved spooning Okoye; the way their bodies fit together felt so right. She rested her head on Okoye’s shoulder, a content sigh escaping her lips at the feeling of wholeness emitting from her body. Harley couldn’t get enough of that.

“What’s wrong, babe?” Harley asked. “Quietness doesn’t suit you.”

Okoye shrugged, replying, “Nothing, my love.” A brief pause. “I just have a question for you.”

Harley waited, watching the cogs turn in Okoye’s head as she formulated her question. Her thumb stroked her hip absentmindedly.

“The first night we met . . .” Okoye stopped, gathering herself slowly. “You flickered like a candle. Why?”

The unexpected question had Harley frozen. To be honest, she doesn’t know why you hadn’t asked the question sooner. It had been almost a year since they became a couple, so Harley were lax with your powers. She didn’t hide anything anymore; she were just waiting for Okoye’s curiosity to get the better of her. Now that it had, Harley hesitated.

“My kind . . .” Harley’s voice petered out as she reconsidered her words. Fear gripped her, breath shortening before Okoye clutched Halrey’s hand supportively.

“We’re the people that you see out of the corner of your eye.” Harley held up a hand, suddenly shrouded in darkness. “The shadows are our family.”

With a snap, Harley disappeared. Okoye knew she wasn’t far; her presence was heavy in the room. “Then you blink and we’re gone.”

“So how did I see you?” Okoye asked the empty room.

“Your kind—the immortels de minuit—have one being that calls out to them,” Harley says softly.

Harley materialized back onto the bed, twining around Okoye desperately. Hands dragged over Okoye like it was her last day on Earth.

“Only one person can hear my name, and that’s you,” Harley said happily. “I’ve been chanting for two millenia, wandering the Earth and praying someone would hear my name.”

Her answer lingered in the air as the smoke from an incense stick, curling around the couple before dissipating entirely.

“That still doesn’t answer my question,” Okoye’s voice wavered. “Why were you flickering?”

“We’re not . . . whole, without our bondmate.” Harley’s hand reached to her chest, sometimes feeling the phantom pain of her missing heart. “I lived in the shadows, but shadows are nothing without a source of light.”

“The longer we go without our love, the more unstable our forms are. That’s why my name would fade in and out, angel.” Harley smoothed the frown away from Okoye’s face, lips curling indulgently as she folded Okoye into her arms.

“I’ve loved you since before I even knew you existed; now that I know you’re alive and in my arms, my heart beats only for you.”

Okoye melted as Harley continued, “My life is complete now. If you die, I’d soon cease to exist. I’ve only known you for a short time in comparison to our substantial life spans, but when I tell you . . . “

Harley reached behind her to the bedside table, pulling a small box from the drawer and presenting it to Okoye. “I love you, Okoye of the Golden Tribe. You are my life, and I’d be honored to make you my wife.”

Beaming, Okoye sprung on top of Harley, peppering her with kisses all over her body. “Nothing would make me happier, my love.”

Harley and Okoye both had big cheesy grins on their faces as the ring was placed on Okoye’s finger. Forged from the shadows, with a jewel of the purest light in the center, the ring was the literal embodiment of their union.

At that moment, Harley’s thoughts mirrored her fiancee’s. At last . . .

•—MGST—•

E/N: Hope y’all enjoyed! I like this AU a lot! Everyone tagged are just people who I thought might enjoy this, so please let me know if you’d like to be removed!

Tag List: @storibambino @chaneajoyyy @washyourlinens @tchallasmicroagressions @wakanda-inspired @imagine-mbaku @kissmyafropuff @princessstevens @zuzuspanda @vikkidc @boonebrain @curls-and-crosses @wawakanda-btch @madhatterhelsing @scrumptiouslytenaciouscrusade @lovelynervouschaos @thedelightfulone @jayjaydrama @theunsweetenedtruth

[thadelightfulone]

Luck Be A Lady

Here is my submission for the WOC Sapphic Fic Challenge hosted by @great-neckpectations. My story is inspired by the song, Girl by The Internet 

Pairing: Domino x Black!OC

Summary: A chance encounter shows two people their worth. Planned as a two-part story. Angsty for now… 

Warnings: Physical and verbal abuse – in public settings 

Lana sips her drink and looks over at Domino. Domino is her childhood best friend and going through yet another break up with a girl who never was on her level. Lana mentally counts how many times she has had this conversation with her bestie. Rolling her eyes, she focuses back into the conversation, so Domino doesn’t think she isn’t listening to her yet again. What was the chick’s name –   

“Come on Rhonda, did not know what she had with you. I told you not to rush into that situation and now, look at you. Drowning your sorrows in Shirley Temples.”

“I thought Rhonda was different.” Domino twirls the cherry from her third Shirley Temple before popping it in her mouth. 

“Yeah, and if I had a dollar for every girl that you have said that about, I could pay off my student loans.” Domino throws the cherry stem at her. “HEY! You know I am right.”

“Shut up. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

“HOLD UP! You assault my ears all lunch about how horrible Rhonda turned out to be, and now you want to shut up?” Throwing ice at Domino, “Nope, it’s your turn to hear me out.” 

Domino rolls her eyes. She already knows how this conversation goes. Lana talks about how great a person she is and how she just hasn’t found the right woman for her. How she just needs to sit back and wait for her to make herself known instead of going on searches for low-hanging fruit. YADA YADA YADA. Domino takes a sip of her drink before choking on it at her best friend’s last statement.

“WHAT? Please repeat that I don’t believe I heard you correctly.”

“I was thinking that you should meet my coworker.” 

“Yeah, I guess I did hear you.” Setting her drink down, “And no, thank you.” 

“Why not? I mean you are just gonna go right back out and look for another female to give your heart to without taking the time to wait, so why not let it be her.”

Domino rolls her eyes at her friend’s read of her. She’s right, but she didn’t need to say it out loud. “No, and for good reason.” Lana tilts her head waiting for her to go on. “You work with her, what if it doesn’t work out? I refuse to hear your mouth about that.” 

“Yeah, I don’t see that happening this time.” Lana smiles, innocently at Domino. 

“So, you don’t remember the last time you played matchmaker?” Lana blinks in surprise. “Oh, so you forgot about Cheryl and her pass around puss?” Lana spits out her drink.

“Don’t say that.”

“Why not? It’s the truth.” Domino shakes her head, remembering that bad experience. The first time Lana introduced her to anyone, and it was a complete shit show.

Cheryl presented herself as the perfect girlfriend at home and in public, meanwhile when she was out with her girls, it was a whole different story. Domino and Cheryl attended a house warming party for another couple who just got married. The wife came over and slapped the shit out of Cheryl on sight. She turned to Domino and asked her how she can be with someone who wrecks homes for fun. 

Turns out, Cheryl and her girls were known in the community as the Good Time Girls…sleeping with any and everyone who made themselves available. You would never know it because each and every one of them was in a “committed” relationship. It was the best and worst kept secret, as the women who slept with the girls would pass them around among their friends and avoid anything with their actual girlfriends or wives in some cases. 

Domino left the party that night finding out that her girlfriend was literally the side chick of about 4 different women in that room, not counting the wife of the woman who laid hands on her. Lana was never allowed to set Domino up with anyone after that. 

Domino glares at Lana, “FUCK NO! I don’t trust you after that mess. I had to get regular monthly check-ups for a year, hoping that she didn’t pass anything to me.” 

“Ok, so Cheryl turned out to be the worst. But come on, my coworker is such a sweetheart. I think you should at least meet her, and if something happens, kool. If not, everyone is good.”

Domino looks at Lana who is giving her big sad puppy eyes. “No, Lana. Just let it go.” Domino calls for the check. 

“Not my fault, you are lucky in everything else in your life and suck at relationships,” Lana mumbles. 

“I heard that.” 

“Of course, you did.” Lana mouths out while Domino pays and they get up to leave. “Oooh, are you still coming to Casino Night next week?” She hangs on Domino’s arm. 

“Yeah, I’ll be there. The craps table is calling me.” Domino links her arm with Lana’s as they walk down the street.

--- Casino Night ---

Lana sparkles in her long red halter top gown, with her long brown tresses, pulled back and around to her right shoulder, exposing her long dangling white gold chandelier earrings and matching accessories. Domino is next to her wearing a white sleeved- button-down with pinstriped halter corset and matching pinstriped pants. Her hair is in two long braids under a black hat. In true comfortable fashion, they are both wearing red and black Converse to match their outfits. 

Domino leans over whispering over all the excited voices, “The place looks great.” 

Lana looks around at all the hard work, she and her team did to decorate The OC Center, from a warehouse of rooms into a full Vegas-style casino. Complete with table games, waiters, and lounge areas surrounding a central stage off to the back left of the floor. All the important announcements will be made from there as the night progresses. 

“Thanks, I am so happy it turned out like we envisioned.” Lana smiles and waves to someone in the distance. “Now, I hate to leave you, but I do have to mingle with some of the corporate reps and our favorite benefactors. You good? Can I trust you to be on your best behavior tonight?”

“Lana, it’s a fundraiser for your job. I would never do anything to embarrass you. Besides how much trouble can I get into at a craps table?” Domino winks at Lana, as she walks away from her. 

Walking over to the table, Domino notices that the game is in full swing. Loud and boisterous as everyone shouts over their wins or losses. Planting herself next to an older woman, Domino waits for her opportunity to buy into the game. She just placed her first bet on the table and was waiting for the shooter to make their next throw when a high pitch squeal snaps her attention to a couple across the table. 

One of the waitresses brought over two drinks, and as she walked away, she was goosed by the more masculine-identified partner. She turns back around ready to swing when the gorgeous woman standing next to her, apologizes on the other’s behalf. She had already tipped her when she brought the drinks and pulled her to the side whispering to her. The waitress storms off in a huff. 

The inconsiderate chick takes a big swig of her drink and pushes it into the hands of the woman next to her. She grabs up the dice, shaking them before throwing them against the wall to her right. The dice roll a field number, and both dealers work together to payout all the wins across the table. 

Domino was paid first as they make their way around the table. So, she takes this time to really look at the beautiful woman across from her. Chocolate brown skin that is shimmering under the light. She is wearing a fitted purple gown that accents all her curves with silver accessories. And simple makeup with purple and silver flourishes making her big brown eyes seem like infinity pools.

The woman in question is taking the moment to speak to her partner about her behavior. Deep frown lines mark her face as she is speaking. Her partner clearly does not care for how she is speaking to her because she starts yelling at her. Domino cannot make out what is being said, but the purple beauty decides to stop talking and just stands there looking anywhere except at her partner. 

When her pretty brown eyes make their way to Domino, she can see the tears that she is holding back. She tips her hat at her along with a wink. The result is a returned shy smile before she dabs at her eyes to keep the tears from ruining her makeup. They keep eye contact until Domino looks away as another waiter approaches her. She takes her drink order and leaves, and when she looks back over the mystery woman is focused back on her partner who is about to shoot the dice again. 

Mean and aggressive rolls twice more before losing all her chips. Irritated and slowly progressing pass tipsy, she grabs up Miss Purple and drags her away from the table. Domino catches the grip on her wrist and the ashamed look on her face. When they are out of her sight, she focuses back on the table. That’s not her problem, but she does feel for her. No one should be treated like that. 

Domino has been playing at the table for a good hour now. She lost sight of the purple beauty shortly after they left the table. Two more shooters have played, and the latest one craps out as she finishes her ginger ale. The dealers payout and the stickman nods to Domino and pushes the dice towards her as the new shooter. Before she can pick up the dice, her attention is pulled away as she hears yelling and the voices get louder when she realizes it is the purple beauty and partner bumping through the crowd and making their way back to the craps table. 

She picks up the dice and makes her first throw to the backboard across from her. The same time the dice leave Domino’s hand, the belligerent drunk runs into a waiter with a tray of drinks. Causing her to release her hold on Miss Purple’s arm, who loses balance falling right into Domino’s arms. Domino holds onto her, giving her a wink, as the stickman announces that she landed on seven. Applause and cheers of thanks reach her ears, as Domino stands Purple upright next to her. 

Domino grabs up the dice again and asks Purple to blow on them for her. She smiles at her and blows on the dice. Domino hits on eleven, making her and everyone at the table winners twice over. She leans over and whispers into Purple’s ear, “I think you might just be my good luck charm.” Purple flushes and looks away from Domino before her partner roughly yanks her away from the table. Domino is about to reach for her when she sees Purple shake her head. She pulls back and watches as the arguing couple leave the building.

Domino looks at the table, and they all have solemn looks on their faces after witnessing what just happened. “It gets better, right?” She asks to no one in particular and picks up the dice to start shooting again. 

Lana had finished making her rounds when she sees Domino at the craps table. “How goes it?” 

“Not too bad. I’ve been the shooter for the last 45 minutes, but I am kind of over it now.” Right as she says that, she craps out. She waves goodbye to everyone at the table and walks over to Lana. 

“Okay. Why do you look so bummed?” Lana locks arms with her as they walk through the casino tables to one of the bars. “Nevermind, get a drink and help me keep an eye out for someone.”

“Well, damn. Thank you for asking and not letting me answer.” Lana pushes her shoulder. “Fine, who are we looking for?”

“My coworker. She said she had to step out and she would be right back.” 

Domino puts down her new glass of ginger ale, “Lana, I told you. I do not want to be -” Domino stops short as a new person approaches them.

“Lana, I am so sorry. I had to get D out of here. She was drunk and showing her ass again.” Purple looks over at Domino, “Oh my god. I am so sorry about earlier.” 

Domino shakes her head, “Don’t worry about me. Are you ok?”

Purple looks down, “Yeah, thanks.”

“Dee was here? Why was she here, Parker?” Lana doesn’t acknowledge their side chat. 

“She is still my girlfriend, Lana.”

Lana exaggeratedly huffs and rolls her eyes, and then she looks over at Domino and back to Parker, “Wait? What are you apologizing for?”

Parker looks down, and Domino decides to save her the embarrassment, “She ran into me while moving out of a waiter’s path. No big deal.” 

“Oh ok.” Turning towards Domino, “Domino, I would like you to meet my coworker, Parker. Parker, this is Domino, my best friend.” She winks over at Parker. Domino takes Parker’s hand in a friendly shake.  

“It’s nice to meet you, Domino.” 

“The pleasure is all mine.” She nods her head to Parker. Parker smiles at her before taking her hand back.

“So, Dee? I thought you ended that months ago. You know after she cheated on you for the umpteenth time.” 

“Lana, I don’t want to discuss this right now.” Parker’s eyes water. 

“Fine. Fine. You are right. But we will talk about this.” Grabbing Parker by her right arm, and grabbing Domino’s left, she asks, “Why don’t you join Domino and I for the evening then?” 

“I’d love to, but I probably should head out. I’m sure Sandra is looking for me after the scene D caused and I don’t have it in me to deal with her right now. I just came back in to catch you like I promised.”

Lana reaches out to hug Parker, “Well, if you must go then fine. Lunch tomorrow, so we can chat.” Parker nods back before meeting Lana’s hug. 

“It was nice to meet you, Domino. Maybe, we will run into one another again.” 

Domino smiles at her, “I would like that.”

Lana nudges Domino, whispering, “Get her number, dummy.”

Before Domino can say anything more, “Why don’t I get your number then?” Parker has her phone out, and Domino takes it, putting her number in the phone. 

Domino hands it back to her, “Don’t be a stranger.”

“I won’t.” Parker turns to leave. Domino watches her closely and smiles to herself before she hears some coughing. 

“What is that?”

Sighing deeply, “What is what, Lana?”

Pointing at Domino’s face, “That. Your face. That look. What is it for?”

Rolling her eyes, and shaking her head, “Nothing.” 

“That’s not nothing.”

“It really is.” 

“You think she’s pretty.”

“She’s gorgeous…”

“And?”

“Taken, or did you not hear her?”

“Yeah, about that. I didn’t know.” Domino waves her off. “Nah, I wouldn’t try to set you up with someone in a relationship.”

“It’s fine…just my luck, right?”

--- 2 Weeks Later ---

Domino is downtown in the middle of the workweek, headed to her favorite bookstore. She finally received a call that her special request arrived. It has been a month of patient waiting, and she cannot wait to dig into a good read. Anything to get her mind off Lana and Parker. Her best friend will not stop asking about her, and the latter never used her number, so there is nothing to tell. 

The bell chimes overhead as she makes her way to the back of the old shop. She waves to the familiar faces of the workers she passes in the narrow aisles. She presses the small buzzer to notify someone behind the curtain of her presence.

“Domino! Long time, no see. Where ya been?” The cheery attendant greets her. 

“Hey Shelli! Working, so I just haven’t had the time to come by and hang out or attend any events.”

“Well, we have another Sip & Chat in a few weeks. I hope you can make it this time.” 

“I’ll do what I can.”  

“Great! Let me get your book for you.” She nods at Domino and goes to a shelf on her left. 

Domino’s phone rings, and without looking she picks it up, “Hello.”

“Domino?” A shaky voice whispers in her ear.

Looking down, she sees a number, not saved in her phone, “Speaking.” She hears loud banging and yelling in the background. She gets a bad feeling and realizes the person might be in trouble. “What’s going on? Do you need help?”

“I need to get out of here.” 

“Where are you?” She enters the address into the GPS of her phone, “I’m about 10 mins away. I’ll be right there, ok.”

“Okay.” 

“Shelli, leave the book. I gotta run, but I will be back.”

Domino makes it to the address that the caller sent. It’s a small one-story house, and a broad-shouldered individual is throwing clothes and furniture out the front door. Yelling and screaming obscenities at someone still inside. As Domino approaches the front of the house, the person turns towards her. 

“Oh, so you came to get your lil slut?” Domino recognizes her from The OC Center’s Casino Night. It’s the drunk chick who was with Parker. 

“Where is she?”

“Inside.” She points through the open door, “Take her; I’m done with the bitch anyway.”

Domino walks past her and into the house. “Parker! I’m here. Where are you?” She is almost knocked to the ground as Parker launches herself into her arms as she enters the hallway. Domino looks down at the bruising around her eyes and her tear-stained face. “Let’s get you out of here.”

She sees the bags next to Parker as she sets her down. Grabbing the bags and her hand, they make their way out to the house. They walk over to Domino’s car, and she opens the passenger side door for her. When Parker is sitting comfy inside the car, Domino closes the door and watches Dee stumble her way over to the car. 

“Enjoy my sloppy seconds.” She reeks of alcohol, swaying in front of Domino. Leaning over Domino, she looks into the car, “I never wanted you anyway.”

Standing up as straight as she can, she comes face-to-face with Domino’s fist. Dee drops to the ground, knocked out cold. Domino wipes her hands off and makes her way to the driver’s side door. Getting in, she looks over at Parker. 

“You good?” Parker nods, “I’m gonna take you to Lana’s, ok?”

“Thank you.” Domino nods at her. 

They ride over in silence. Parker thinking about what she has just been through while Domino’s thoughts are scattered. She calls Lana to let her know she is coming through to drop off Parker. She hangs up before she can ask for details. 

Lana opens her front door when they arrive. She takes a good look at Parker, “Dee?” Parker walks by her into the apartment. Domino drops her bags by the door. “Stay.”

“Nah, I should go and let you guys talk.” Lana looks at her friend, she already knows. 

“Then, at least come in and say goodbye.” 

Domino follows Lana into the apartment and walks over to Parker who is on the couch. “Parker?” She looks up, “I’m leaving, but I just wanted to say that I am glad you are ok.” 

Parker stands up and gives her a big hug, “Thank you for saving me.”

Returning the hug, Domino whispers in Parker’s ear, “We gotta stop meeting like this.”

Parker looks up and quietly laughs, “Yeah.” Domino lets her go and hugs Lana before walking to the door. “Don’t be a stranger.”

Domino turns around and says, “I won’t, definitely not now.”