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doux-ciel · 5 years

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Sanctuary

A/N: Hello my lovely angels ✨👼🏻🏹 I’m back with a little one shot, it’s not too dramatic lol at least not as dramatic as I would make it. I’m just trying to write stories that make me smile. And I hope this story makes you smile too!!

Tagged: @youngdumbxlit @cvlms @jess---writes @jadeswritinggarden @bambimattel @requiemdelune @writing-under-the-stars @bzrtales @viviscreams @thewriterkatie @erinisawriter @seraphilth @godxblooded

*let me know if you want to be added or removed*

*Im going to have a link to my post in which it asks if you want to be tagged in my WIP’S*

If so click here -> ✨✨✨

Moving her glasses to the side Sumi Turner rubs her eyelids slowly; suppressing a yawn. Hearing the heart monitor beeping softly behind her. Turning her head over to the patient currently laying the bed. Sumi’s eyes scan him, looking at his chest rise and fall. Smiling to herself she places her hand over her heart. Admiring her work, knowing that one more person will live another day makes her job worth it. Untangling her legs from the chair she places her limbs onto the white granite floors. Sumi walks out the room, having been there all night she knew she had to give herself a break. Her feet leading her to the front desk, after telling on of the nurses to give her any updates on her patient, she feels someone tapping her shoulder. As she turns her body around she is met with one of her co-workers, Kirby.

Kirby holding a drink carrier in her hands, examines the young surgeon with her one eyebrow raised she asks, “Did you spend the night here again?”

Holding her tongue Sumi honestly didn’t want to answer but she could tell there was no lying to Kirby. She already knew she could see the puffiness under eyes and the handprint on her face from the sleeping in that very uncomfortable chair for half the night. Sumi’s mind went to something else, Kirby’s attitude. It was different today; Sumi was confused as to why Kirby was in her face all of a sudden. Not even 7 hours earlier they got into a heated discussion and it didn’t end pretty. Sighing, Sumi rests her body on the desk her back digging into a clipboard. “Yeah I wanted to make sure my patient was ok throughout the night.”

Reaching behind her she moved the wooden clipboard away from her aching back. Looking at the drink carrier in Kirby’s hand Sumi’s nose recognizes her favorite coffee. Yes it came from the crappy hospital cafeteria but still, after a long shift it felt like liquid gold in her body. Swallowing her lips she glances up at Kirby’s face pointing to the cup holder. “I really need some of that”

Handing Sumi a cup of the 2 coffees that sit in the holder Kirby chuckles, “Well it's actually for you, it’s a peace offering from last night.”

“You mean because you?”

Kirby puts up her free hand, silencing Sumi. “Let’s not get into that right now”

Accepting the offer Sumi grabs the cup, taking a sip.

It felt like liquid gold. Being present in the moment, feeling the heat of the hot beverage going into her body instantly brings her peace. Humming to herself Sumi grins a bit, her eyes meet Kirby’s who was staring at her. “Thanks anyway...I really appreciate this”

Kirby’s gives Sumi a nod with her eyes closed. “Your welcome”

After a bit of uncomfortable silence Kirby starts the basic conversation of adults, asking about kids. Which Sumi absolutely despises, “How’s Peyton doing?”

She was rolling her eyes inside her mind, she hated it when people try and make a more awkward situation more awkward. Setting the cup of coffee on the countertop of the desk, she cracks her knuckles. “With my mom....she honestly makes me wish I didn’t have a kid”

“Sumi!!”

Wincing at Kirby’s voice going up a few octaves, she could feel that anger she had just 7 hours ago rising back up. Looking around the hallway she sees a family member of a patient walking down the hall. “What?! Your not with her when we go home, she’s only 8 but she is a terror.”

Kirby eyes brown like pools of honey give Sumi a concerning look. “Well your going home right? You need to rest.”

“I was wanting to maybe sleep in the on call room and just-“

“No!! Sumi I get it you love your job but you have a family you have to see...and not just a couple days out the week”

“Kirby I need to be here for my patient, he needs me”

“Your family needs you more” she argues.

Not that Sumi wanted to admit it but she knows Kirby was right. Unlike her mother she wanted to actually be present in her daughter's life. “Your right....I think Peyton should be at school by now so the house will be quiet, maybe I can stop by 580 Street.”

Kirby, who was not familiar with Sumi discussing her personal life is taken aback by her announcement. “580 Street?”

“It’s a house I used to live in” Sumi answered.

“Why-“

Not even 3 seconds later they both hear a flatline dial and a loud beeping noise occurs throughout the hallway. A bunch of nurses rush to the room where Sumi’s patient who just had surgery was laying.

“He’s down!!”

“Sumi we need you in here!!”

“Starting compressions!!”

Not thinking twice Sumi’s legs were starting to run to the small 32 sq. foot space when she feels that same soft hand grab her shoulder. “Sumi I got this....now go!”

Leaving the hospital Sumi heads down the road, past the sav-n mart and the piggly wiggly. Looking around fairly fast moving town in the middle of nowhere she feels happy to be seeing the sun rise. Rolling down her window she feels the somewhat warm air now prickle at her skin.

Stopping by the store she grabs a fruit basket. As she was in the parking lot eating some crappy Burger King hash browns she had gotten prior to coming here she looks in the back at the basket.

It looks tacky

Throwing her hash brown cup in the bag she promptly returns the dreadful fruit basket and instead gets a candle from the home section.

580 street is where she was headed and she wanted to make sure the family that was moving in knew her well. She wanted to make a good first impression.

20 minutes pass and she is now turning into the driveway of 580 street, she sees the red door she has grown to love.

Sumi seeing the new family move in, greets the mother and her children. As she was looking around the house, she made sure everything was clean and put in their correct position just as she had left it.

Going upstairs she looks in all of bedrooms, first she goes to the one on the left. The smallest bedroom out of the three, not seeing much but a suitcase, a bed, a dresser and a mirror in the room. She goes on to the next room, the second biggest room in the house. There was 2 sets of bunk beds, a dresser, and a toy box. Something on one of the beds caught Sumi’s eyes.

A teddy bear.

A teddy bear that looked familiar, she used to have one just like it when she was a kid. The one she left when she they left their old life. Grabbing the bear she looks at the button eyes and feels the faux fur on its exterior.

A voice interrupts her thoughts, “Is something wrong?” Jumping out of fear Sumi meets the face of the woman who would be staying here for the next 2-21/2 years.

Catching her breath, Sumi replies while placing the bear back on the bed. “No....nothing wrong just remembering old memories when my family first moved into this house, how grateful we were.”

The mother holding her infant daughter gives Sumi a hug. “Now your making me and my kids grateful.”

They hear a thump coming from downstairs, and a tiny squeal from one of the children. Trina pinches the bridge of her nose, walking out into the hallway she yells down below. “Sierra what did I tell you about running in here?!”

The child replies, “We just got here momma you haven’t told me anything”

“You watch your mouth, you hear?” Frustrated, Trina grips the stair beam; her knuckles turning red. She rolls her eyes and turns to Sumi handing her the baby. “Can you take her for a minute?”

Sumi reaches out and grabs the sleeping infant from her, cradling the young child in her arms. Just then a thought quickly came to Sumi about the extra room downstairs. As Sumi sees Trina quickly walking down the stairs She calls out to her, “Also can you leave the room downstairs open...I’m leaving that for a guest who will be staying here with you.”

“Someone’s staying here with us?”

“She’s staying only for a little bit, until I find something more permanent.”

“Who is she?”

“She goes by Mama bear.”

Flashback

The sound of rain

Sumi remembers the sound of the soft patter of the rain on the window.

Mama Bear hates it when you get too close, she fears you could fall in the glass.

Nobody knew her real name so everyone just called her Mama Bear.

She took care of 15 children all from the age of 3 months-12 years old in what we call a back alley nursery.

We were the children of the mothers who were prostitutes.

Our mothers might not have regular 9-5 jobs like the rest of the world but they work hard, if not harder than them.

And Mama Bear was the one who took care of us when they were out doing god knows what with god knows who.

All I know was, she was all we had.

If not for her we would all probably be in the system.

We stayed in a small 500 sq. foot apartment which smelled of piss mixed with household cleaner.

She bathed us, fed us, sometimes if she had time she would even teach us, whether that be spelling or writing. But most of the time she was the only one looking after all of us.

Being at the tender age of 9 I was over being stuck in the house with 15 other kids for most of the day when I could be outside playing.

But I knew we didn’t live in a safe neighborhood, we didn’t live where you could just run around and play outside.

When I would come home from school I would be embarrassed to walk down “Easy Street” where Mama bear lived. Where everyone knew you only lived here unless you were in a gang or you were a street walker.

Momma told me one time that even taking out the trash is dangerous, you could get mugged right then and there.

Momma, her real name is Odette Turner. She always would tell me Odette means wealth, she never knew why her mom named her that because she was anything but wealthy right now. Trying to raise 4 kids, my siblings and I have never experienced anything but poverty.

She always says she’s going to quit every 2 years or if she gets pregnant again, but she never does. She has been working the streets for more than 10 years.

When I was small I remember momma having a regular job, she worked as a receptionist at a local law firm. When the business failed and she lost her job, we were living on the streets for a while. One of her old friends from childhood Junie wanted her to come work at her club.

She worked as a stripper for the first 4 years of my life, then she had my sister Evelyn soon after she started. 2 years had passed and momma had another job and a pimp that came with it.

Prostitution was something I thought you did when you wanted to meet new friends but momma told me it wasn’t anything like that.

Fantome was his name and he was a scary man. Everyone knew not cross him or else no one would ever hear from you again.

Although he was a well feared individual he had his moments. He gave us shelter when we needed it, he would give us food when we were hungry and sometimes he would even get us toys. Although he was nice to us he wouldn’t get along with momma. Him and momma would argue a lot, when he was mad he would take her money and she would have to go back on the street to get some of it back.

One day when we were out at the market, I was holding Evelyn’s hand waiting by the flowers. Momma and her pregnant belly was furiously arguing with the store owner as to why she couldn’t get some apples for free since they fell on the floor. While Evelyn was crying I spotted a bear on the street, a brown dirty teddy bear.

I knew I shouldn’t have left my sister alone to fend for herself but it was just a few seconds. While I looked back and forth seeing if anybody was watching me, I let go of Evelyn’s hand and shot out in the street, grabbing the teddy bear I smiled to myself as I felt it’s button eyes and soft exterior. Maybe this would make my sister feel better. Maybe I can get her to stop crying.

I bumped into a heavyset older lady when I was on my way back to the market.

“Now you know it’s not nice to take toys that aren’t yours”

I bow my head ashamed that I had gotten caught, my arms extend out to give the bear back to the mysterious woman. My voice was hushed. “I’m sorry...was this yours?”

“No it isn’t mine, but it is one of my children’s, She threw the bear out the window because she wanted more crackers...my poor Tilly doesn’t listen.”

An arm snatched me up and I instantly knew it was my mother. “Sumi what the hell are you doing out here?”

The elderly woman places her aging hands on top of my mother's arms that was gripping me tight. The woman had kind eyes, her skin tan like leather and her eyes blue like ocean. She gets snappy with my mother, “Excuse me miss but I don’t think you should be talking to her like that”

We all hear another voice coming into the already heated conversation. A man who was not far from the scene whistled. “Hey sugar, you wanna come over to my house later?”

Momma cursed through her teeth, “Not in front of my kids”

“You a red hottie?” The woman asked.

Red Hottie = Prostitute.

Momma slanted her eyes at her, “What’s it to you?”

“Where do these kids stay while your out?”

“At home where they belong”

I see the woman staring at momma and then her belly, I see her lips purse. “I see you having another....if you need someone to look after them while your working....I could-“

“I don’t need your help!!” My mother yells causing everyone’s attention onto us.

One of my moms friends rolls up to the scene looking very angry at momma, she nudges her in the shoulder which in turn pushes me back. “Girl why are you talking to mama bear like that?”

Momma’s tone gets soft, probably realizing she was being mean to the lady. “Is that who she is?”

“Yeah...that’s her, she helps take care of Sonny when I’m away. Hell she doesn’t charge that much either.”

Letting go of my hand she rubs her skull, “Shit im sorry....I didn’t-“

Mama bear gives momma a smile,“It’s ok honey...is she your oldest?”

Pushing me to the front I’m met with her again, handing her the bear. “Yeah Sumi is my angel, she’s a wild card though. You might have to keep an eye on her.”

“Oh trust me I will never let her out of my sight.”

She was telling the truth, she never let me out of her sight until I was 10.

When I turned 10 that’s when my life would change forever.

¤ ¤ ¤

“Libre comme l’air” Odette whispered to Sumi while doing her hair.

Sumi who was sitting in between her mothers legs giggled at the funny words her mother said. “What does that mean momma?”

“Free as a bird.”

Looking up into the sky Sumi sees birds passing them by, watching them soar above made her feel happy they could go wherever they wanted.

They could be free.

“Why can’t we fly like birds momma?”

“Because Sumi.....we don’t have wings.”

“But you always call me your angel and don’t angels have wings?”

“Of course angels have wings, your wings just haven’t come in yet.”

“When are they coming? I want to fly away far from here and take you, Evelyn and the twins.”

“I wish Sumi.....I wish.”

WeIl Odette got her wish.

After 5 years of staying on easy street they finally got out.

It just wasn’t the way they had planned.

¤ ¤ ¤

“Momma why do we have to go!!”

Sumi saw as her mother was running around the apartment scrambling to get our things in a bag. She pauses yelling at the child. “Because I said so Sumi now hurry up and pack your things!!”

It was the morning just before school started, Sumi was confused because she had no idea where her siblings were. Blinking her eyes 2 times Sumi comes to her senses and yells back. “Momma what about school?”

“What about it? I’ll home school you!”

“No you can’t, you dropped out in 6th grade”.

“Sumi now is not the time to get smart with me!!”

Sumi‘s eyes start to water, “Why are we leaving!!”

“You wanna know why Sumi?! You really wanna know!”

“Yes!!!”

“Because I stole money from Fantome. Now he’s on his way over here and we need to go before he comes and hurts us.”

A light bulb went off in the 10 years old head. she runs to her mother who was in the bedroom

Grabbing a handful of pampers for the twins. She tugs on her mom’s dress. “Mama Bear!! She can fix this”

Odette shakes her head, tears pouring down her face. “No she can’t Sumi, no one can fix this.”

“Why did you steal money from him? You know stealing is wrong.”

“So is not standing up for yourself. Now either you pack your shit or your not taking anything!!”

They hear whistles outside.

“Dede”

“Oh Dede”

Odette grabbed the bag and took Sumi’s hand, “We don’t have time, let’s go!!”

As they were on their way out the apartment door and into the hallway, Sumi pulls away from her mother's arm. Running back to the apartment she yells behind her. “Momma wait!! Teddy is still in there!!”

Odette screams for her daughter setting the bag down, “Sumi you come back here right now!!”

Just as Sumi was about to enter the apartment. Odette snatches her back, hiding behind the stairs that lead up to the next floor. Odette slides the bag with her foot to them, in an attempt to hide their location. Odette sweaty hands covering Sumi’s mouth, she quickly shushes her.

Two groups of men came stomping through the building, one of them knocks on the door of Odette Turner.

“I know you in there!!”

One of the men orders the other two to kick the door down.

As they kicked the door, Odette and Sumi escaped up the stairs and out the back exit door. They got in a car courtesy of Odette long time friend Buffy driving away from the place they called home for 10+ years and just like a bird they were finally free.

¤ ¤ ¤

Odette stole 30,000 from Fantome, its safe to say the family of 5 were probably never going back home again. They moved a couple of towns over, not knowing a soul they could get a fresh start on life. After 10 years of working the streets, she was finally free.

The family is now staying in a trailer home, Odette didn't want to spend all of the money on a big house or a 3 bedroom apartment knowing all she had was that money in her bank account.

After a couple of months the money was starting to run low so she came up with a reasonable solution. She started a new job at the local grocery store; after a couple of months she got promoted to manager, taking care of her 4 kids all by herself.

Sumi was angry about the move.

Angry at her mother for not giving Fantome back his money.

Angry at herself for not saying goodbye to Mama Bear.

Angry that she couldn’t grab her teddy bear when they had to leave so suddenly.

The 10 year old resented her mother and the fact that they had to start a new life, start a new life without Mama Bear.

After 2 years of attending Huntersville Middle she adjusted, making new friends, attending sleep overs, and making new memories.

Memories she would cherish forever.

By High School she was a very hot headed teen, often getting into fights and getting detention all the time.

Odette didn't know how to steer her eldest daughter in the right direction, she didn't know why she was acting out.

One particular morning which happened to be around the holiday season Sumi had headbutted a classmate, the student retailted and they got into a huge fight in which the teacher got involved and got sent to hospital. Odette had to miss the rest of the day to try and reason

with the principal. After an hour of her arguing with him, It didn’t take long for the principal to come to a decision. He didn't want to expel her so he had given her 3 days of suspension and she had lunch detention for the next 3 weeks.

The real reason why Sumi was so aggressive with her classmates was because someone found out that her mother is still out in the streets.

Odette was still a prostitute.

All of the laughter that would occur when Sumi would walk into the lunch room.

All of the snide remarks by them as she would change in the locker room.

All of them mocking her, teasing her, belittling her.

It was all too much for the 17 year old to handle, so in turn she fought anyone who say her mothers name out their mouth.

Many years of anger management and counseling made Sumi realize that violence was not the answer to everything.

It made her realize that selling her body is all her mother knows, she has been doing it for as long as she can remember.

At age 18 is when the light would start to shine through on their very gray lives.

At 18 her mother met Juno.

Juno was a local police officer, who was well known in the town and whose wife just had a baby girl.

Nobody knew the secret life he had.

Nobody knew instead of arresting the prostitutes on his late night shift, he would sleep with them.

One of them being Odette.

Odette was nothing like the 18-24 year olds who would just wear a skimpy top and try to blow you for $100. She knew what she was doing and lord knows she did it well.

Being 36 years old she was well experienced in what it takes to get your money's worth of a man.

Juno was crazy for Odette and Odette felt the same way, but when days would pass. Weeknights would go by of them staying in a crappy motel room. Odette getting on her knees and him washing up afterwards because his wife needs him got stale pretty quick.

She needed more from him.

She craved more from him.

She got pregnant by him.

She blackmailed him into getting them out the trailer and into a 3 bedroom house.

It worked.

"Isn't this house wonderful?" Odette exclaimed as she put the key through the red door.

"Momma you know your wrong for lying to the man like that." Sumi sighed while walking into their new home. Her brother and sisters rushed passed her quickly running up the stairs to choose which bedroom they want.

She was pregnant but got an abortion, her exact words were. "I'm not having a white man's baby"

So she lied and said she lost the baby but she needed the house for her kids to have a stable environment to grow up in.

He let her have the house, he took care of all the bills and explained to her to not tell a soul what he had done.

She obliged and we never saw him again.

Sumi thought she would follow in her mother's footsteps and become a street walker like she was. But she knew better, she knew her sisters were looking up to her and she’d be damned if all her family was, was a bunch of people fucking for money to get something to eat.

She decided she wanted to make something of herself, she wanted to become someone that contributed to society.

She attended college and after many, many, many hard years she became a Cardiac Surgeon. And she couldn't see herself doing anything else.

She knew this was her calling.

Buying a decent sized apartment for her mother and siblings she knew that was the right thing.

580 street was on its last leg and it wasn’t safe for her mother to stay their anymore.

Sumi starting the remodeling on the house meets a contractor named Esai.

Esai was the best and worst thing to ever happen to Sumi Turner.

After dating for 1 year & 8 months, the house was finished and so was the relationship.

Sumi was a workaholic, always seeing patients, scrubbing in on surgeries, even spending the night at work. Rumors spread quickly around town and it was revealed that Esai was sleeping around with other women. When Esai found out that she knew about the other women, he knew he had to get in her good graces. Sumi knew she would never find a man like Esai, plus she felt he was sincere about the adultery.

Instead of ending the relationship she took him back.

He kept his word, 2 more years would pass when the couple got married stayed in the house with the red door. Although things looked good on the outside of the house it was anything but pretty on the inside.

After marriage counseling, talking to their local pastor, they even went on a couples retreat to Greece. They decided to go their separate ways, Sumi stayed in the house while Esai left and went to live back home with his old roommate.

Sumi wasn’t fond of kids, of course growing up she was around them constantly but by no means was she ready to be a mom. But life knows how to throw curve balls, unexpectedly Sumi became pregnant. She knew Esai had always wanted kids and she knew he would want to be in their child's life. So the now exes were bound to see each other for the years to come.

When their daughter Peyton was born Sumi thought she couldn’t love anybody or anything more than her. She knew it would be hard taking care of a newborn with her just starting her medical career but she knew she had it in her.

Mama bear taught her to take care of the people she loved, so she did just that.

Moving back in with Odette wasn’t the plan but she knew, she needed help. After her maternity leave ran out and Sumi was back to work and Odette was a full-time grandma, showing Peyton the love and attention that her actual children had never received.

After many months of staying in the 3 bedroom apartment, Sumi needed a change.

A change of space for Peyton and Sumi.

Of course she could go back to 580 Street but that house didn’t feel like home.

So she wanted to make a new one.

Moving into a small 2 bedroom one-story house Sumi and Peyton lived well.

The house with the red door sat empty for 3,485 days until one day Sumi had a thought.

A thought that would change her overall look on life for the better.

580 street became a sanctuary for women with children who didn’t have a home.

Sumi thought becoming a surgeon was her destiny, But helping other women who didn’t have anything, was more rewarding. Seeing how her mother struggled for years to provide a stable home for them really pushed Sumi to be that light in the darkness. To make that walk way from poverty to middle class living.

She needed to do this not only for the families she meets; but for herself as well.

End of Flashback

¤ ¤ ¤

Peyton, Sumi’s daughter was in the back seat of the car waiting for her mother to come out the bank making a withdrawal.

The May weather was very humid but not scorching hot like June or July, grabbing her Ipad Peyton begins to play a game.

Sumi emerges from the building, money in her hand and her mind clear on one thing.

Getting Mama bear back home with her.

Sumi recognizes her old neighborhood, it has changed a lot since she left, some of the stores that she had gone to as a child disappeared. Her old elementary school got tore down, even Mama bears apartment building looked abandoned. Parking on the side of the street Sumi looks into the windows of the old apartment, seeing nothing but the light in the hallway.

Her attention moves towards the back seat where her daughter sat, sleeping. She didn’t tell her where they were going, she just announced they were going on a girls trip just the two of them and they were to meet a special friend along the way.

After a few minutes of waking Peyton up and grabbing their bags, they both walk into the building where Sumi stayed all those years ago. Reaching the front door Sumi takes in a breath, she doesn’t know if she’s even here, if she’s dead, she didn’t know anything. Putting one foot in front of the other, her hand gripping Peyton’s she knocks on the door.

No Answer.

She tries again.

Still no answer.

Peyton starts to whine about how scared she was, Sumi clicks her tongue, placing her hand on the door knob and turning it open.

The door opened.

The light shining from the hallway reveals an old frail woman, her skin had lost its color, her hair was dirty and tangled, her eyes are still blue like the ocean. She was in the kitchen eating some crackers, pleading with Sumi, “Please don’t take me away, I will listen and clean up after I finish please let me live here….my children might come back.”

“Mama bear?”

Peyton was very afraid of the dark and not having any lights on really bothered the 8 year old child. Leaving her mother’s side she feels across the wall searching for a light switch and when she finds, she flicks it on.

Mama bear frantically runs towards to child, not to scold her but to turn the lights back off, she then retreats back to her crackers, taking little bites of the salty food. “No lights….if they see they will know someone’s in here”

As Mama bear ran Peyton caught a whiff of her body odor, she stands back by Sumi whispering. “Mom she smells”

Sumi who couldn’t believe what she was seeing, she of course wanted to hug Mama bear so bad, but she knew it was too early for that. She quickly embraced Peyton in a hug patting her bum laughing at her daughter’s comment. “Shh...I know.”

As the mother and daughter got settled into the very dark apartment, they decide to light some candles throughout the house. Sumi knew the power was still on in the building so that meant the heat and water was on as well. They both decided to give her a hot bath, Peyton was in charge of washing her hair while Sumi was in charge of washing her body. While they were waiting for the water to fill up the claw foot tub Peyton and her two high puffs start to brag about her mother to Mama bear. “Mom knows how to make the perfect bath! She can do other cool things as well, like make my hair pretty for picture day and she makes really good grilled cheese.”

Mama bear shows the little teeth she had left to the child, observing her face, she touches her cheek feeling the soft skin of Peyton's face. “And who are you?”

“I’m Peyton”

“Peyton, your not one of children”

“No” Peyton replies shaking her head.

Shutting off the water from the tub Sumi Places her hand in checking the temperature making sure it's not too hot, but also not too cold. Satisfied with the temperature she walks over to Mama bear kneeling in front of her. “Mama bear….it’s me Sumi”

Giving Sumi a blank look she starts to take off her clothes.

Sumi not wanting to believe she didn’t recognize her squeezes her hands, her manicured fingernails digging into her palm. Turning her attention over at Peyton it seems as though she didn’t have the shampoo bottle in her hand, Sumi tells her to fetch a bottle out the bag in the living room and then they will get started.

Sumi while helping her with her pants, bends down grabbing her foot and pulling it out the leg of the pants asks again, this time emotion evident in her voice. “Mama you really don’t remember me?”

Mama bears hand lands on Sumi’s back it had two meanings, one for balancing herself to not fall and two for comfort. Lifting her other foot out she replies, “Sumi you think I’d forget that beautiful face of yours?”

As they were walking to the bath water she questions Sumi, “Why didn’t you visit?”

Sumi was afraid she would ask that question but she knew it was bound to come up. She had rehearsed it so many times in her head as to how she was going to answer. But nothing just seemed right, she answered honestfully, “I was busy”

Mama bear settles into the water, “Too busy to come see mama?”

Looking behind her Sumi checks to see if Peyton was nearby, not seeing anything she turns back around. Letting out a sigh, her eyes flutter as she thinks about her answer. “You knew how dangerous it was for me to come back.” Thinking about way they left when she was 10 years old, how Fantome said he would go to the ends of the earth to find us. Some say he got locked up, others say he’s still on the streets and a sprinkle of people say he cleaned up, got out the game and got a real career. Nobody knew the truth but Sumi didn’t want to take that risk of being here long to run into him. Mainly for the well being of Peyton.

As Sumi got the wash cloth ready she dipped it in the water, taking it out and placing some soap on the cloth. Lifting up her arms Sumi starts to scrub away all the dirt and dead skin off of Mama bears armpits. Mama bear quietly states. “It shouldn’t matter…..I clothed you, I bathed you, I hugged you when you needed it, I took care of you like you were my own. Your still my child Sumi, although my mind is leaving me these days. One thing I’ll never forget is how all of my children impacted my life, you all made me feel whole. But no one came to visit….no one came to see how I was doing, if I was ok.”

Hearing that made Sumi wish she had came sooner, to check up on her, even a letter would have made her day. But nothing, for 12 years Sumi not once thought she would ever come here, but for Mama bear she would do anything. Continuing to wash her up Sumi’s lips slowly started trembling and her nose was starting to run, sniffling while holding tears back she cries out, “Mama I came back for you….I came back to take you-”

Peyton’s feet come running up to tub, bottle in hand she steps closer to Mama Bear, “I can start on her hair now mom!”

Turning her face over to the wall Sumi uses her arm to wipe her face. Both of the adults chuckle as the child pours some shampoo into her hands, she starts to work the shampoo in her hair. Seeing it foam up excites the young girl, she giggles as she molds Mama bears hair into a mohawk. Sumi smiles and continues to wash her up, thinking about how life would’ve been like if she never left.

Would have she became a surgeon?

Would she have Peyton?

Would her mother still be alive?

A hand placed on top of Sumi’s breaks her thoughts, looking down she sees a very bony wrist knowing it was Mama bear’s she felt safe.

Their eyes meet and she takes Sumi’s hand bringing it up to her sunken in cheeks. “My Sumi….a mama herself”

¤ ¤ ¤

As Sumi and Peyton slept on one of the couches, Sumi’s mind couldn’t stop racing and she thinks back to when they had just arrived in town. Stopping by the old market where Odette used to argue with the owner daily. Still the same but of course the owner died years ago so one of his daughters had taken over. Sumi was getting some essentials for Peyton and herself, also for Mama Bear in case she can’t take care of herself. As she got to the register the daughter started talking about Momma bear and what has happened over the past 12 years. “Her son took her to a nursing home after last thanksgiving, even though she started to lose her mental faculties little by little bit she was still going strong, raising all those women’s kid. CPS raided the place and took all the children away from her. Of course the city wants to tear down the property and make some new apartments. Of course her son was on board, and is still trying to get her to leave the place but she keeps going back every time.”

An unsettling feeling set in the pit of Sumi’s stomach but she didn’t know why, ringing up the total the Indian woman repeated. “That will be $26.68.”

¤ ¤ ¤

It was early morning; 6:45 a.m. to be exact, Sumi was sitting by the window looking out into the sky, watching it change colors as the day moves forwards.The suns starting to peek out in between the buildings. She has always loved to wake up early and experience the earth right as the moon falls and the sun rises again. Hearing her daughters snores tickled the mother, She swore she was raised by bears with a snore that loud. Knowing today was Sunday and its Esai’s week to pick up Peyton, Sumi knows he’s going to be upset. Her ex husband was an amazing father, never a day late to pick Peyton up, always going to her school events, never complaining about how hard it is to take care of her knowing he has very little income.

He was the father Sumi wanted for Peyton. But Sumi often times thought about the way she would treat her daughter, not giving her cuddles at night when she was scared, missing out on field trips when she’d be at work. Being a parent is hard, but being a mother is even harder.

Knowing no one was awake Sumi needed to speak out loud, turning her head away from the window and facing the living room of the 500 sq. foot apartment.

“Will I be able to take care of my child? When I didn’t have a good example myself?”

Sumi sees Mama bear walk out the back room, “It’s ok, you will get the hang of it.”

Rubbing the back of her neck Sumi responds with deep sorrow. “I think it’s too late.”

Mama bears eyes squinted as her eyebrows furrow.

Defeat was not a contender in her house.

She slowly walks over to Sumi bringing Sumi’s face into her hands; her voice was scratchy but Sumi could still understand what she was saying, “It’s never too late, look at your mom she redeemed herself.”

“Can I redeem myself Mama? Am I doing the right thing?”

Mama bear takes a seat on the loveseat nearby, patting next to her Sumi then follows popping a squat. “I remember when I first started my nursery I asked the same thing...am I doing the right thing? Some moms would sell their children, some moms would take them on the street with them. Some moms would never come back. I said dear god I don’t know what I’m doing. Or if I’m teaching these children the right things but the thing about motherhood is, you don’t what is the right and wrong thing to do. But now as I look at you, I know I did the right thing. I’m happy to see you become a mother, to see you try and fail and teach her the right things…I’m grateful for you Sumi.”

A loud bang on the door startles the 3 females as they were having a quiet morning in the apartment. Peyton woke up in a panic and ran to her mother when the pounding kept occurring.

They hear a voice yelling on the other side of the door. It sounds manly, like Mama Bears son.

“Mom open the door I know you're in there!!”

Then another voice.

“You need to evacuate the building ma’am”

The first voice again, this time Sumi can tell he’s enraged. Although Sumi never knew she had actual children she knew it wouldn't be long before they came bursting through the door.

“Mom just come out so I can take you to a safe place.”

Sumi goes to open the door when a smaller hand grips hers, not letting go. Sumi sees Peyton and those big hazel eyes looking back at her. Crust in her eyes, her hair has flatten out but the child was determined to not let her mother’s hand go. She pulled with all her might forcing Sumi to step away from the door.

“Mommy I don’t want her to go!”

Ignoring her daughter cries she shakes Peyton off and turns the knob allowing them access.

“Mom!!”

“Mommy no!!”

As Sumi stepped back taking a look at the son, she realized he looked very familiar, he must have observed her face too because he was just as shocked.

“Fantome?”

He looked better than before, looked like he has been off drugs for a while. Having on an appropriate outfit for the weather he walked passed her, his only concern at this point was his mother. “I don’t go by that anymore….my name is Nero I don't know why your here but you need to leave so I can take my mother and leave this god awful place.”

Sumi scoffs “This god awful place? Really?”

The building manager nudges him, “Nero take her and lets go”

Sumi quickly places her hand around Nero’s exposed arm stopping him from leading Mama Bear out the door. “No!! Not yet...let me tell you something this place was my safe haven. This was the place where I knew someone else in this crazy ass world cared about me. This is where I knew when I was home, I still feel at home here. This tiny 500 sq foot apartment was the best thing that ever happened to me. Now my daughter got to experience a night here and as you can see she loves Mama Bear like she’s been here all her life.”

Nero clears his throat staring directly at Sumi, he wears a cold expression while getting his arm out of her grip. “Are you done?”

Although so badly Sumi wanted to just grab Peyton and Mama Bear and run she knew what was best for her, she knew mama bear needed to be wherever her son placed her, if that be a nursing home then so be it. She just wanted to make sure she was safe.

Before she walks out Mama Bear whispers to Nero, Nero who didn’t expect the request let her have one last look around the place, she has called home for more than 20 years.

As she was slowly walking around the vicinity she walked around as though the apartment was more than 500 sq. feet. walking over to the same spot over and over. A part of Mama bear didn’t want to let this place go, she didn’t want to let her nursery die out. She also knew she couldn’t keep living like this, like there was still children living here with her.

She needed to let that dream die out as well.

As she heads back to the front of the apartment where every waited for her to come back. Mama Bear sees Peyton who was crying like somebody had died, Mama Bears’ own eyes starting to get glassy as she holds back tears.

“Peyton you're my last child...my lucky number 16, take care of your mom for me as I have for her, make sure she feels loved. Your mom was one of the bravest out of all my children. She used to help me with the kids when she got older. She became my guardian angel, she made me fall in love with you just as I did with her those many years ago.”

“Mama bear…” Peyton ran to hug her one last time.

Mama bear rests her head on top Peyton curly mane. “Shhh child, don’t cry….You’ll see me again.”

Now it's Sumi’s turn, after all of these years she has gotten the goodbye she has always wanted. Hugging Mama bear so tight she cried in her arms as she wailed out. “This is harder than the first time I left.”

This was not how it was supposed to go.

Mama bear was supposed to come live at 580 street.

Sumi was supposed to help take care of her.

They were supposed to be back together again.

Mama bear smooths out Sumi’s hair, kissing her on the forehead she replies, “I know I know but it’s gonna be ok”

All the laughter, all the cries, all the love that was shown through this place showed. The crayon markings on the wall added character to the rather dreary and run down apartment. To Sumi it was her childhood.

This was her sanctuary.

¤ ¤ ¤

After a couple of months have passed it was nearing the end of fall and winter was soon to come. The family that was currently staying at 580 Street were hosting a dinner party and of course Sumi with her family were in attendance. As they set the food out on the table and everyone got in their preferred seats a ring of the doorbell filled the house.

Sumi who just took a bite of her fish looks over at Peyton who was sitting by her mother Odette. “Peyton get the door please”

Peyton gives her mom a nod, hopping out her seat she quickly gets the door.

“Mom!!” Peyton yells out to Sumi.

Everyone’s chatter went quiet as Sumi looked around, nervous as to what her daughter was yelling about. She rose up from her seat at the table. While turning the corner to the entryway she clears her throat before seeing him.

“Nero?”

Sumi found out after Momma bear got put into the senior home that Nero AKA Fantome had actually got his life on the right track, quit pimping out girls, quit drugs, made a new path for himself. He went to school, got a degree and was now making enough money to support himself and support the family he was raising with his longtime wife whom he met when in school.

Nero who was bundled up in a coat, scarf and hat gave them a sheepish grin, “She said she couldn’t go another day without seeing you...she refused to go back unless I brought her here.”

As he moved out the way, they saw her. A smile plastered on both Peyton and Sumi’s face as Peyton ran to her almost knocking her over.

“Mama bear!!”

“Mama Bear!!”

Mama bear embraces Peyton while waving at Sumi. “Hey sugar!!”

Inviting them inside Sumi showed Mama Bear around the house, they even invited her to stay over dinner. Of course Odette and Nero talked, they had a very emotional reunion but they came to an understanding that he is only here for his mother. Also Evelyn and the twins don’t remember Mama bear as much as Sumi does but they have heard the wonderful stories Sumi has told about her over the years. As they were all around the table eating Mama bear wanted to make a toast. Getting everyone’s attention wasn't that hard, Looking across at Sumi she begins to speak. “Sumi, I provided a sanctuary for you and my other children to stay in and now you provide the same thing for other women looking for a safe haven, I raised you right...Sumi thank you for becoming a mom, I was so happy to hold your daughter. I hope god won’t let me forget this moment.” After dinner was over and hugs were exchanged Sumi was walking Mama bear to the car when she stopped all of a sudden. “Sumi?”

Sumi who had no coat on was freezing, her body shivering as she leans into Mama bear, trying to get some body warmth. “Yes?” “My name is Ramona.”

Sumi let out a breath, a smile appeared on her face while she looked up into the sky thinking about all the years Mama Bear has taken care of her, taken care of her neighborhood.

She thought of Ramona which meant, ‘Protecting Hands’

It fit Mama Bear perfectly.

Nero opens the door for his mother to get inside the car, once she’s in he closes the door but not before taking off his own coat and placing it onto Sumi’s back.

“Thank you.” He states while looking out into the distance not once placing his eyes on Sumi.

Sumi looks up at the 6’6 male as she wraps the coat around her body. “For what?”

“Your the only one of the 15 children that has ever came back for her….to love her like she loved all of you.”

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kingsofeverything · 5 years

Text

11/11/11

@chloehl10 @ham-palpert @reminiscingintherain @realitybetterthanfiction and @laynefaire tagged me in this. Thanks y’all! I’m sorry I’m such a slack ass and it’s been weeeeeeks since I drafted this half finished, soooooooooo....

I’m going to combine and put everything under a cut.

The first 11 are from @chloehl10

1. What’s your favourite fic you’ve ever written, and why?

Don’t Want Shelter because it’s the first fic I put emotional effort into. That universe, that Harry and Louis, all of it are very vivid and alive in my head. I love them.

2. Pick three words that you think describe your works overall.

Long ass sentences 👀

3. How long does it take you to write a fic?

Depends. Writing doesn’t usually take me long but editing does.

4. What’s the hardest thing about writing?

Realizing that I’m probably never going to write some of the ideas I have

5. Do you listen to music or anything while you write? What’s normal for you when you write?

I don’t usually, but sometimes. Idk that I have a normal. I really prefer to be alone and quiet.

6. How do you come up with titles for your fics?

Songs usually. Sometimes they just come to me though.

7. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a new writer?

Get a beta. But not just a beta. Get someone who can talk fic/plot/story with you as well.

8. How important do you think tags are when you are publishing a fic?

Very in some ways, no at all in others. I tag mainly for readers so they know enough about the fic to decide whether or not to read. I don’t tag specific sex stuff usually though every now and then I’ll throw in ‘anal fingering’ just to mix it up. I don’t tag who tops/bottoms. I do tag with fic reccers in mind thanks to B’s @nottooldforthisship instructions!

9. Do you write for fests/exchanges? If so, do you enjoy them? If not, why not?!

I have and I do but not often. I like running them and I have done exchanges in the past but it’s not really my thing to write for them. Is that weird? I feel like it is but ehhh

10. Which work of yours are you most proud of and why?

An Unbalanced Force aka marold harold because.... idk

11. What’s next for you?

Currently working on a short pwp hiccup fic

These 11 are from @ham-palpert

1. Have you ever been burned by a WIP that never updated? If so, describe that traumatic experience.

I have not! But more in a ehhhh I’m not too bothered way. I’ve definitely read WIPs that weren’t completed but idk I guess I love on quickly lol

2. Speaking of WIPs, do you like writing (or reading) them? Why or why not?

I don’t write them. As in even my fics that have been posted as WIPs (DWS and HFL) we’re completely finished aside from some editing before I started posting. I change too much when I write. That padlock in TSHU? Thought of it at the end and went back to add it to the beginning.

I will sometimes read a WIP but not often. Mainly because I don’t remember anything between updates

3. Are you a dialogue person? An inner-monologue person? A heavily descriptive scene-setter?

I think I’m gonna pass? I literally have no idea. I don’t think I heavily describe scenes but I guess that depends on the scene? This is when I send for help and ask Nic

4. Is there a scene from a fic you’ve read that you wished you’d written/thought of first?

Not really

5. Would you rather read a 150k angsty fic, or a 10k fluffy one-shot?

10k one shot

6. Do you enjoy writing smut scenes? Does it make you feel super awkward? Do you need to have a cigarette afterwards?

Sometimes smut scenes are fun to write. Especially if there’s something different about it. Sometimes I have to be in the mood. Sometimes I feel like I need to shower after lolll

7. Do you click through the recently updated list on AO3 or read exclusively fic recs? Or a bit of both?

Neither. I don’t read nearly as much as I used to. I’m nowhere near caught up on Big Bang.

8. How many words, on average, do you write a week? Do you try to stick to writing goals?

Oh wow. Idk! I could actually figure it out since I track my words per day. When I’m steadily writing, I’d say 10k a week is average? Probably more tbh

9. Are you someone who comments on the fics you read (and liked)?

Yes

10. Of all the fics you’ve written, which one came to you the easiest?

marold harold I think

11. If you had to live in one of the AUs you created, which one would it be?

Marold harold and I’d be Kate McKinnon

these 11 are from @reminiscingintherain

1. Has your writing changed now from the way it was when you started? If so, how?

yeah definitely. more plot heavy and just better overall

2. Does anyone IRL know about your writing? If so, have they read it?

yes, but no one’s read any of it. i almost sent tshu to my therapist lol

3. Is there anything you’ve written that you wish you hadn’t?

4. Do you have a set location or setting that you have to write in? A favourite cafe? The only seat that’s comfortable?

no, i will write literally anywhere. on my phone or laptop. i like writing on my back porch when it’s not a million degrees outside

5. What are you working on? If you can (i.e., it’s not on anon!), share five lines!

5 lines from the hiccup fic:

When he opens his mouth to answer, Louis hiccups and flattens his hand against his chest, shaking his head. He points to his mouth, hiccups again, then again, snaps his mouth shut and pushes past Harry, who turns and follows him out of the club to the relative quiet of the street.

“You can stay, Harry.” Louis shoves his hands in the pockets of his faded jeans and turns to glance at Harry, who’s walking beside him. He hiccups and groans, kicking his foot out and stomping. “Fuck me, man. This sucks.”

6. Have you ever written something for a fic, but ended up removing a whole scene in its entirety and using it for something else?

i think so but tbh i can’t remember lol

7. Are you a linear writer? Or can you write scenes out of order and put them together at the end?

i’m a linear writer, but i will skip over parts of a scene like....... i’ll write a bunch of dialogue with nothing around it and fill in later

8. Betas/Britpickers… opinions?

always always always. i would literally not write if i couldn’t have a beta lol

9. How much do/can you write on average at any given time?

huh idk. i’m a fast writer, but i’d say like probably 1.5k a day is average for me?

10. How organised are you? Do you have lists and/or spreadsheets, or do you just wing it?

i’m the worst lol i tried to organize my google docs and that lasted like a week

11. What made you start writing?

i was bored and i thought hmmmm wonder if i could write a fic. turns out i could!

alrighty these 11 are from layne :D

1. What is your favorite trope to write? To read?

EXES/ENEMIES TO LOVERS

2. What other fandoms do you write in/have you written in?

not a one

3. What’s one fic idea you want to read, but would never write?

i honestly don’t know because i write what i want to read

4. When do you do most of your writing - morning, afternoon, night? Which time of day do you find most productive?

i think i’m most productive in the morning, but i write when i find the time

5. Writing routine? What do you drink? Do you have a go to snack?

i don’t have a routine. i usually drink water or coffee, but occasionally vodka, wine, or beer. i don’t snack while i write but now i want to

6. Have you ever been writing something and had to get up and walk away from it? What was it and why did you have to step away?

i had to walk away from tshu because it was stressing me out that i couldn’t invent time travel irl so i wrote heading for limbo for a few weeks and went back to it lol

7. What is your most favorite scene you’ve ever written?

oooooooooooooooooooooh oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh this is such a good question and i hate it lol i absolutely HATE picking favorites of anything but i’ll say that the scene from tshu when louis shows zayn his tattoo and everything right before and after that

8. Have you ever had an ending to a story, but couldn’t figure out how to start it? I don’t mean the typical -And they lived happily ever after - but a fully fleshed out ending with your usual writing pair, but you had no idea where to start? Did you ever write it?

nooooooope

9. What is the oddest thing you’ve ever drawn inspiration from?

idk i think being stuck in a hurricane with no power turning into don’t want shelter was pretty odd

10. You’ve accepted a prompt to write a fic using a Whitesnake song for the title. Which song do you choose, and what is your fic’s summary?

here i go again - 70s trucker au (i’m not summarizing because i’m actually planning to write this one, though the title with be different. probably.)

11. Your most recent fic is being made into a movie. What would you change your main characters’ names to and who would you fancast to play them?

ok so i’m cheating here by picking tshu instead of my most recent fic because my most recent fic is canon pwp lol and i’m sorry but i’m so lame with actors and stuff idk anyone who’d play them. and idk about names either! SORRY LAYNE

last but not least!

these 11 are from @realitybetterthanfiction

1. What made you realize you wanted to start writing fan fiction?

we were hanging at my parents’ house during a hurricane when they had power and we didn’t, and i was bored af and i think nic had just recently published her first fic and i was like....... huh i wonder if i can do that?

2. What fic changed you as a reader or a writer?

nic’s 5 times fic called fire and ice! i remember reading it and thinking WOOHOO PWP!!!! and then crying because she snuck all these FEELINGS in. so it made me think about writing in a different way, i guess. it can be fun and emo lol

3. What is your best writer’s block buster?

idk. haven’t really tried anything.

4. What’s the last non fan fiction book you’ve read?

uhhhhhhhhhhhhh a book about physics and space science (fic research lmaoooooooooooooooo)

5. If you had or have skills like our talented artists in the fandom, what’s one scene you would like to illustrate? (Can be your own work or another’s work)

THE JUGGLING SCENE FROM STRANDED IN A DREAM

6. What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever gotten?

just keep writing! you can edit later!

7. What’s one genre you’re hesitant to write but really want to explore?

idk i don’t think i have one? maybe aliens?

8. Would you ever cowrite with someone else? And if you have, how to you divide the work?

nic and i are trying BUT IT’S HARD AND WE DON’T KNOW WHAT WE’RE DOING

9. Do friends outside the fandom know you write? Are they supportive? (I hope they are!!!)

no but my husband does and is

10. What is your favorite fic Niall? (give me all the Niall!)

niall and his churros!!!!!

11. What is your favorite supernatural category (examples, vampires, ABO, werewolves, angels, aliens). And can you give a girl some recs?

vampires!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i don’t have any recs because my faves are old and everyone knows them: madalynn_bohemia’s vampire series

#11/11/11 #11 questions #i didn't make any questions or tag anyone

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purplepatton · 6 years

Text

heading straight for the castle - one

summary: logan sanders is a prince who wants nothing to do with the responsibilities the throne gives him. roman prince is a civilian who would give anything to be royalty. when an odd twist of fate leads them to meet, the pair realize something remarkable: they look exactly alike. from there they decide to switch places, wanting to see how the other lives. but a simple switch quickly becomes something more as things spiral out of control in the kingdom

trigger warnings: none for this chapter, but if you need something tagged let me know!

artist: the stellar @keuwibird (find her amazing art here if you haven’t seen it yet,,, trust me it’s amazing)

beta: the amazing @logically-sided!! i want a give her a big shoutout because she helped me so much with this fic,, without her this fic would be shoved somewhere in the back of my wip folder lol. she was such a big help with everything, from fixing my grammer and giving me suggestions when i got stuck. she’s the real mvp,,, thank you again liz!!!

notes: so this is my big bang fic! i know i’m a little late posting (sorry about that) but better late than never! i’ve decided that instead of posting the story all at once, i’m just going to post a chapter every day (or every couple of days) because with school starting and work i don’t have much time to sit down and format everything properly lol (plus this gives me more time to make sure everything is ok lol) but, yeah! hope you enjoy it, because i had so much fun writing this story :))))

If there is one thing that Logan hates more than anything in the world, it would have to be sitting in on the council meetings.

Maybe it’s the way the members drone in pompous tones about issues that rarely hold value. Maybe it’s the way the members take ages to decide the proper course of action, when in reality it should only take them a few days. Or maybe it’s just because the meetings always seemed to happen when Logan was doing something he enjoyed, therefore taking away the precious moments he had to himself, which were few and far between these days.

Whatever the reason, Logan can feel his attention slipping as two of the council members begin an argument about taxes and the possibilities of raising them. It’s been the same argument all week; although this time the two decided to add insulting each other into the mix.

Logan can feel the disgust curling up in his stomach. He clenches his fist, and tries his best not to scowl outwardly because these people are supposed to be professionals. Yet here they are arguing like children. No wonder nothing ever gets done around here; everyone is too busy focusing on their own petty differences to make any significant changes.

Pushing himself to his feet, Logan storms out of the room and leaves the council to argue among themselves. Once he’s outside the doors, he leans against the wall and tries to bring his emotions under control. He needs to think clearly, and his emotions are only clouding his thoughts. He breathes out slowly and forces himself to relax.

“Wow.” A voice next to him says, sounding amused. “You lasted forty minutes in there. That’s got to be a new record or something.”

Logan has long gotten used to Joan’s habit of popping up out of nowhere, so this new appearance does little to phase him. Instead he turns towards his aide standing beside him and raises an eyebrow. “Only forty? I could have sworn it was longer.”

“Well, you know what they say,” Joan says, falling into step alongside of Logan. They head down the hall and away from the muffled voices of the council room. “Time flies when you’re having fun.”

Logan snorts, catching the sarcasm in their voice. Joan grins widely at Logan’s slip in composure, and Logan has to resist the urge to blame the council for his lapse in control. Instead, he rolls his shoulders back and asks, “Where to now?” Because even he can’t keep his schedule straight in his head; not when there is so much to do and so much is changed at least five times a day.

“It’s one in the afternoon.” Joan says in reply, not answering Logan’s question at all.

That means that whatever is on Logan’s schedule next is something he should remember, and is probably something he’s been looking forward to. He furrows his brow and tries to think.

It hits him a few moments later, as they’re walking down the hall that eventually makes its way to the back of the castle. “Oh!” He says a bit too loudly, drawing the attention of a maid who happens to be hurrying past. He flashes her his smile usually reserved for the reporters before lowering his voice and addressing Joan. “I nearly forgot. I guess I really do need a break.”

“The great Logan forgetting something? Looks like it’s the beginning of the end.” Joan says with a faux expression of pity. “Best get your affairs in order because it’s all downhill from here.”

This time Logan manages to school his expression into something more neutral, although his lip twitches and betrays his amusement.

The pair follows the hallway until they stop in front of a rather plain door. It’s nothing special, just wood with a simple design carved into it. It’s rather out of the way from the other places in the castle, in a region that’s only really used by servants. Which makes it the ideal location for Logan and Joan.

Logan knocks on the door while Joan keeps an eye out for anybody who might happen to walk by. There is a slight pause before the door is swung open by a women with long brown hair and sparkling eyes.

She’s happy to see them, if not impatient. “It’s about time!” She huffs, dragging both Logan and Joan into the room and closing the door firmly behind them. “I was beginning to think the two of you would never show up!”

It is quite possible that Valerie Torres is an actual goddess.

She had worked in the palace as the head seamstress for many years, and had been with Logan for a good number of them. She was kind, hardworking and a rather good listener. Logan had spent so much time with her - what with all the suits and fittings he needed for the meetings and parties and interviews he needed to attend - that she quickly became one of the few people Logan actually trusted.

And when Logan had approached her with a half formed plan to gain some freedom, she had immediately offered her help.

Now she shoves a bundle of clothes into Logan’s arms and instructs him to change into them. He takes them and dutifully walks to the small corner of the room that’s sectioned off by a hanging sheet to change. He quickly swaps out his lavish clothes for the more ordinary polo shirt and jeans. He finishes adjusting his tie around his neck (an accessory he insisted on despite of Valerie's protests, because he is a serious person and serious people wear neckties) and steps back into the main section of the room where Joan and Valerie are waiting.

He stretches out his arms. “Well?” He asks. “How do I look?”

“Completely ordinary.” Joan drawls from where they are lounging on a chair.

Valerie frowns, walks over and musses up his hair out of it’s carefully styled position into a more casual and relaxed style. It’s not a complete change, but Logan knows from past experience that it’s enough of a change that people will need a second look to identify him. And the time it takes them to take a second look is just the amount of time he needs to slip away.

“There you go.” Valerie says, content with her work. She crosses her arms and narrows her eyes. “Are you sure you don’t want Joan come? I’d feel a lot better if they were with you.”

Logan rolls his eyes. Every time he goes out of the castle it’s the same song and dance. He’s had this exact conversation with Valerie many times, and each time it goes the same way. He doesn’t understand why Valerie expects his answer to change.

“I just want an hour to myself.” He says, frustration creeping into his voice. “I understand your concerns, but I’ve been doing this for so long now that the odds of something going wrong are infinitesimal.”

Valerie frowns because it’s not the answer she wants to hear, but there’s really nothing she can do to stop him. “Fine. Be careful.”

“You know me.” Logan says with another one of his faked smiles. “I’m always careful.”

The afternoon rush was in full swing, but Logan doesn’t mind the way people are swarming around him and pushing to get to where they want to go. He lets the flow of traffic push him along with the crowd, not caring where he ends up.

It’s a nice sort of feeling, just wandering around and not worrying about where he has to be.

He’s visited this part of the city so many times that he could probably walk it blindfolded. As he rounds a corner in the crowd, he spies a small bookshop that’s a favorite of his. It looks rather empty, but Logan can’t remember a time when it had actually been full. It’s always half empty like this, which Logan likes because it means the store is quiet enough for him to focus on whatever he happens to be reading.

With his eyes locked onto the store’s sign Logan starts towards the store, not paying attention to where he’s actually walking.

Logan immediately regrets this decision as he proceeds to run headfirst into someone. It’s a painful collision, and Logan falls back onto the ground with a grunt. His glasses had fallen off in the process, and the world around him has melted into a blur of color and movement. He reaches around him, trying to find his glasses so he could see what was going on.

Someone is standing over him, and even though Logan can’t see a foot in front of his face, he assumes that this is the person he ran into because a steady stream of apologies is being directed at him.

“-wasn’t looking where I was going, are you okay?” A hand grabs his and hauls Logan to his feet. Logan was not ready for the sudden change of position and he wobbles slightly before regaining his balance.

Logan tries to assure the person that he’s fine, but he can’t get a word in edgewise as the person babbles on. “You don’t look hurt, that’s good. I swear I didn’t mean to run into you, I was just in a hurry and you just sort of appeared and I-”

The voice cuts off for a reason Logan isn’t exactly sure of and he takes the opportunity to say, “I’m fine, thank you. I just need my glasses. You wouldn’t happen to see them lying around, would you? I’m afraid I can’t see anything.”

His glasses are shoved into his hand rather roughly and he pushes them onto his nose, feeling the tension that had been building up in his shoulders relax as soon as he was able to see. He looks at the person in front of him and the first thing he notices is the person’s expression.

He’s looking at Logan in shock and alarm. For a moment Logan doesn’t understand what could possibly be so worrying to this boy (who on a second glance looked around Logan’s age). Then he sees what the boy sees and his jaw drops.

The boy looks exactly like him.

Taglist (let me know if you want to be added/taken off): @basilstorm@artistfromthestars@storytellerofuntoldlegends@romananalogicality@verymuchanidiot @istolelittleredshoodie @dont-cry-croft @speechless-angel@thefamouszombiebouquet @wolfwalker100 @datonerougecookeh@virgilient @virgil-is-verge@impatentpending@zaisling@trixie85592 @sillysandersides @hamster-corn @adventurousplatypus @unring-this-bell @mymiddlenameisunderscore

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lupienne · 6 years

Text

Days of his Wives (19)

Negan X Wives. Hopefully-not-forever WIP. Chronological reading not really required. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18)

Chapter 19: Greater Good (in which Amber grins and bares it)

After Mark’s burning, Amber struggles to continue being a ‘wife’ to Negan. In a few scenes not posted/finished, Amber has several awkward moments with him intimately, and Negan asks if Amber really wanted to stay and wants an answer sooner than later. (Smut)

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'I want a fucking answer.'

It was best to answer Negan with action. Amber laid in her bed. The ceiling was a blur before her eyes. She laid there for an hour... or maybe several. The light was hitting one wall when she laid down, and it had shifted to another when she got up.

What's my action?

She looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was bed-headed, but it looked good that way, like she'd just gotten laid hard and rough.

'You're fucking crying... you don't want me to touch you.'

Her form blurred before her eyes.

She could do this action: Go to the closet. Get a regular shirt and jeans and her coat, and walk out the door. Wave goodbye to the girls. Go back to Mark, and let the world have its way with him. And hope that Negan wasn't lying when he said she could leave, that she could go back to work, and earn her points as everyone else did.

She pictured Negan from last night. Looking at her with those earnest eyes, his hands clasped together. And the night earlier, when he'd stopped when she'd screamed, the way he had kept his touch off her.

'Why didn't you just fucking leave, instead of embarrassing us all?'

His hand, holding the Iron. His jaw clenched, the slight way he'd shaken his head at her. His eyes, disapproving, disappointed.

I think I could walk out. I think I always could.

She sniffed, wiping her hand over her face. There was no greater fear... than the fear of the unknown. And it still crawled in her belly, and haunted her mind.

'I want to be here.'

'You'd better start showing it.'

She moved. Action. Opening her night table, pulling out the red satin bra and panties. She pulled off her plain lingerie and put on her scarlet letter, the attire she'd worn when she'd created this entire mess with Mark, and...what she would wear to make it right.

Nothing can make this right. But... I have to try.

She walked through the sitting room, then into the bathroom with vacant, light steps, like she was not in her body, like she was not there at all.

She opened the top drawer, reaching past contraceptives and kink gear, closing her hand around the bottle of lube. Strawberry Heaven. The bottle was sticky, and she unscrewed it with a grimace. She hated the smell. She hated the artifice of it.

I've got to fake it long enough. I've got to act it out so convincingly that even I'll believe it.

Her fingers slid beneath her panties and created lust and longing. Wet heat that smelled like berries and sugar. But if he noticed, she doubted he'd care.

She leaned into the mirror, cheeks cherry red. He liked her blush; loved her hair tousled. She stuck her lower lip out in a pout. That was going overboard.

I hate myself.

Stop it. Don't say that. Don't even think-

don't think about anything.

She adjusted her lingerie set, making sure her cleavage was pushed up perfectly. She gave a final kissy-face to the mirror. Time to fulfill her mission - one battle in a never-ending war.

The girls were still involved in their cards, but Nova's eyes tracked her. Amber ignored her, opening Negan's door just wide enough to slip in, before shutting it quietly behind her.

Warmth flowed over her skin. He'd pulled a chair up to the fireplace. Plaid pajama pants stretched out, the soles of his feet getting roasted. He seemed perfectly still, book held up to his view. Bare arms, bare chest.

"Have you figured that book out yet? 'The Art of War'?"

"All warfare is based on deception," he said. "I think that's a point to remember."

She couldn't agree more. Thighs sticky with deceit. Meeting his fire-flickered gaze. These bedroom eyes always lied.

Negan tilted his head, watching her curiously. The firelight diffuse, softening him, casting his muscles into stunning, shadowy relief. Like the sculptures of Michelangelo, masculine beauty chiseled from hard stone, made soft, made flesh.

Hot. He looks super hot.

That, at least, wasn't a lie. She could take that and run with it.

See. Don't think. Feel. Don't feel.

Her hand slid slowly up her stomach. She turned her back to him, fingers expertly unhooking her bra, languidly extending her arm to let it fall. Turning back to him, arms crossed over the soft flesh.

Her neck tilted lazily to the side, blond strands tickling her shoulder.

He watched her. The wolf and the deer. The doe stretching her arms up lazily, body curved to the side in an elegant arc. Her skin stroked by shadows, darkness under the swell of her naked breasts.

The wolf had gold and blood eyes, the wolf had gleaming fangs. He smiled as she approached with swaying hips. "Are you deceiving me?"

She pressed against his knees, looking down with hooded eyes. Mouth slightly open, her tongue licking upon her lower lip. A wet pout. "Why do you ask? Are we at war?"

She lit her fingers on the book, gently pulling. He relented, letting her take it away. She bent her knees, lithe and graceful. Setting the book onto the floor, straightening up with her eyes on his.

"I don't know, Amber..." His voice was a low rumble. "You certainly seem to be fighting me."

"Not anymore..." She whispered, casting her eyes down. She reached out to grasp his shoulder, holding on so she could climb into his lap.

She stroked his chest, moving her hands slowly up to his cheek. Kissing his slightly scratchy chin; she ran a finger along the stubble-sharp length of his jaw. "You need to shave," she whispered.

"Yeah..." His hands settled onto her waist. Her hour-glass waist, so slender and lovely, those big hands nearly able to touch fingers when they encircled her. His breath hitched slightly.

She kissed up his jaw and to his ear, gently tugging the lobe in her teeth. Laying her cheek against his warm, soft hair. His hands were sliding upwards, cupping a breast in each palm.

He smells good... he's warm...

She desperately grasped for the positive.

I have to see him as a lover...If I'm gonna make it through this...I have to... love him...

Those fucking fingers, softly pinching her nipples, rubbing them, they had curled around the Iron, they had-

How can I love him – how can I even -

She blinked hard, and took his face in her gentle hands. Staring into his eyes, she saw no protest, so she dropped her lips to his, slid in her tongue, moaned into the depths of him...

Like screaming down the trapdoor to Hell, what the fuck is going to echo back up to me...?

Lucifer had originally been an angel. He'd been beautiful. He was something you could've loved – maybe you still could. If you could see past all his transgressions -

She shifted in his lap, grinding her pelvis against him, feeling the hardening lump underneath her. The sticky lube getting pleasantly warm...her own wetness beginning to flow now.

He turned his head away from her kiss to regain his breath. His profile was beautiful in its refinement; the elegant sweep of nose, his fine brow, hair dark as storm clouds, eyes like copper... Be shallow. Just see him. The outside. Don't look deeper, don't think deeper, don't remember what he's done, don't even remember what you've done, just...

shut everything down, just-

Her lips to the beating pulse in his neck. Sliding wetly to his ear, her breathy words traveling the pathways of his nerves. "Fuck me," she whispered, "I want you to fuck me..."

That's all I have to do.

His hands slid up her thighs, tightened on her ass. His mouth opened like he was going to say something, and she kissed him again – Just shut up, Negan.

She rocked on his trapped member, sliding wet cloth up and down...he wouldn't be able to stand this teasing much longer. His breath was heavy when she took her mouth away. Her hand slid down, fingers slithered beneath his pants. Just a light brush of her fingers on his hot flesh, then she withdrew them.

"Ok..." he breathed. "...Yeah." Whether or not he had misgivings over her change in behavior... that was a moot point. He was on her battlefield now, and she held the higher ground.

She slipped off of him, just long enough to strip off her underwear, and then she was back on his lap again, reaching both hands into his pants.

It's not him I have to deceive... it's me.

He only cared about consent. Love meant nothing. Any connection beyond physical was too much for him.

This should be so easy then. I can make him anything I want. He's a blank slate. All I have to do is paint my picture on him.

Her hands clenched around his dick, pulling it free. Pushing it onto his belly, writhing her wet folds up and down its length, just teasing...oh feel that slick wetness, those strawberry fields, all the way up to the tip, all the way down to the balls.

His hips jerked at the apex of her grinding, trying to penetrate, but she slid down again. "Not so fast," she whispered. "I want to go slow... I want to really feel you." Her lips on his neck again, suckling a reddening love mark.

Love Mark... Mark... can that be my picture... can I pretend he's Mark? She closed her eyes and rocked on him, one hand stroking his hair.

Mark had long hair of blond, textured like a horse's mane. No! Now his hair is fine and silken and short, the pelt of a rottweiler. Mark had the smell of cloves and cheap laundry detergent. No, now he's a wood fire and a leather coat! Mark's body, so slender and soft and reedy? No, he's hardened muscles and long, tall bones, his hands sliding up my back, big and rough, no...Mark's hands aren't like that, Mark is not-

Deceit! This is a war! Deceive yourself, now.

It was getting hot between them; she felt the sweat rising. "Oh..." he groaned, and tried to still her movements, his hands holding her hips in place. She pressed her forehead to his, eyes on his, Christ, there was no deceit to be had there. She couldn't pretend those depths- all rich chocolate and cinnamon- were anything like Mark's -

Can you feel it? The thick shaft pushing into her, her walls clenching so snug and wet around it, every inch enveloped in her warmth. Can you feel me... feeling you...?

She had to close her eyes now, pressing her face into the junction of his shoulder. His hands settling on her waist, moving her hips in slow circles. She shuddered, moaned into his skin, damp from her fluttering breaths.

It feels good...

She wanted to whisper his name. Mark. It almost slipped past her lips and she had to tighten them closed, changing it to a whimper.

"Isn't this better...?" he rasped against her neck, his tongue trailing her salty skin. "When you're not fighting me?"

Please don't talk.. Mark's voice wasn't that low, earth-moving rumble. How could she pretend when he wouldn't shut his mouth?

He moved her faster upon him, and she angled her hips so his length hit lovely spots inside. Another name bitten back. She kept her eyes closed, moaning as he kissed and sucked her neck.

How can I pretend anyway? Her hands on his shoulders, muscles hard as rock, chiseled from granite.

Even at his gentlest, Negan was not Mark. She could close her eyes. Close her ears. But the feel.. he was too hot, too fierce, too big... She shuddered. A dire wolf to a cocker spaniel, a nuclear bomb to a grenade.

His hands slid up her back and he was being sweet, he was kissing the soft spot on the underside of her jaw, purring, telling her how good she felt.

And that was good, because it meant he would keep her, it meant she could be of use. I failed you, Mark, I hurt you, but I'm not going to let it be in vain. She clamped her hands down on his shoulders, pulling her face out of his neck. Time to give this asshole his money's worth. She writhed and rocked and rode him until they were both groaning from the slick glorious friction.

"Amber..." he was breathless. "Yeah...that's so fucking good... fuck..."

Yes, good. That's what you are...my good deed.

Those eyes, predator eyes, those hands, the hands of a killer.

You're my necessary evil.

She ground down on him, driving him in deep. Sweat glittering from the exertion and the roaring fire behind her.

Good...good! ..you're my greater good.

She gave him her answer, her final decision as her traitorous body writhed on this man. As her walls clenched and pulsed around him, as he released inside her. She cried his name to the ceiling, the stars, and all within earshot. The name of her savior, the only name that mattered. The only one that could save Mark.

"Negan!"

-------

"Ok. Way too fucking hot." Negan scooped her spent body from where it draped onto his chest. He tottered over to the bed. "Damn, babe, you made my knees fuckin' weak." He laughed and set her on the mattress.

She curled up, distinctly aware of the air moving in the room, cool across her sweaty skin.

"I guess you're staying then?"

She wished he didn't have to be so dense about everything. I just rode you like a show horse, you idiot. I put on your favorite red lingerie. What the hell do you think?

"Yeah, Negan," she pressed her face to his black blanket. "I'm staying."

#negan #comic negan #comicnegan>#negan fic #lups writing

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