What Could've Been
Alex x Reader
Alex meets you again after years (His POV)
Here's a little something I wrote while procrastinating the Zaros fic and request I'm currently working on💀
ENJOY‼️
✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧
Life in New York was all I’ve ever wanted; one major decision that changed the trajectory of my career path for the best it could ever be. But something was missing, New York just wasn’t home. My parents visited and my friends called but the loneliness was inevitable.
The collection of memories I held close to my heart had sufficed for more than a decade but I just couldn’t stay in some place, where I was all alone, anymore. Besides I had made enough money to restart a comfortable life back home, so I did just that. I moved back to England.
Initially I didn’t take any of the job offers I got, I needed the time to reconnect with the people I left. I was able to catch up with friends and colleagues, but not everyone stayed in one place. People move and change, start afresh and continue living. Maybe I should do the same.
I also couldn’t stay unemployed forever, so I decided to reopen a studio. It was nostalgic for sure, although I had no one to share the happiness with this time. Given my much improved resume, work was a bigger hit than it ever was and soon I found myself shooting for big companies and events.
Like the one I’m currently photographing. Some huge law firm hosted their annual anniversary celebration and hired me to capture important moments throughout the night. It was a lively event, a rich and deluxe atmosphere that I sure as hell did not fit into.
“Mister? Why do you look so worried?”, I hear a small voice, then felt a tug on the leg on my pants.
“Ah well hello there, who might you be?”, I squat to face the small child in front of me.
“Allison sir! But you can call me Allie!”
“Allie huh? That’s a cute name, I’m Alex”
“All my friends call me Allie! Nice to meet you Mr. Alex.”
“Really?”, I raise an eyebrow and she nods, “So does that mean we’re friends now?”
“It does!”
I take her little hand in mine for a handshake and she giggles.
“We’ll at least I have a friend here ton-”
“Allison? Honey where are you?”, a worried voice comes from behind Allison, a familiar voice.
“I’m hereeee!” Allison legs go of my hand and runs towards the voice as I get back on my feet.
“Allie I told you not to sneak off like that, I was worried.”, the familiar voice continues, gentle and soft as I remember it.
“It’s okay,” Allison drags the owner of the voice over to where I’m stationed. “Look I made a friend!”
“Oh really? Well let’s meet the... m”
I couldn’t hold eye contact. Not after how abruptly I left them so many years ago.
“Meet Mr. Alex!”
“Name, hi”, I start off, a weak start even for me.
“Alex, its... its good to see you again” their voice still as soft as ever, delicate like flower’s petal.
“Oh? You know Mr. Alex?”, Allison chimes in.
“Yes Al, Mr. Alex and I were... friends when we were younger.”
“friends”
None of this should bother me, a child shouldn’t need to know of our history together.
“Alex, this is Allison, my daughter.”
“my daughter”
Except it does bother me. It bothers me a lot actually.
“We’ve already met!”, Allison’s voice rings in again.
“Right, I’m sorry sweetie.” they laugh with Allison.
“I knew it, I definitely remembered your eyes from somewhere.”, I reach down to pinch Allison’s cheek.
“It’s nice seeing you too, Allison has quite the charm.” I forced out.
“Yes, I get that very often. I didn’t you were back, I thought you’d stayed in New York for good.” they smile.
God, I miss that smile.
“Hahaha I just missed home. I didn’t feel like being away any longer.”
“Ah I see. Well then welcome back.”
“Thank you”
There was nothing else to be said, and the silence could eat me whole.
“I’ll get going now, I hope you have fun tonight.”, they broke the silence.
“Yeah, you too.”
I watch as Allison holds onto their hand walking back to the middle of the room. My chest burns, it burns so much I feel like I might throw up but I keep watching them. I watch as they approach a man wearing a suit, who turns around and lifts Allison in his arms. His other arm wraps around their body and he kisses their forehead. I couldn’t take it anymore; I couldn’t watch anymore. I promptly excused myself, running to the bathroom. My throat clenched and I threw up. I must’ve stayed there for at least an hour. I cried and cried, more than I’ve ever cried even when we broke up.
I couldn’t help it. I kept thinking, that could’ve been me. I could’ve been the one holding a child that was ours and comforting them when they needed it. I wouldn’t be photographing anyone else tonight, I’d be beside them holding them and kissing them.
IT COULD’VE BEEN ME. IT SHOULD’VE BEEN ME. WE COULD’VE HAD IT ALL.
Could’ve, would’ve, I left… so we didn’t.
65 notes
·
View notes