#putting my hope in uncertainty. my faith in a promise. you could even say i'm... living on a prayer. | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

eleanorbloom · 3 years

Text

When You’re Ready Ch. 18

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x f! MC (Eleanor Bloom) x Ethan Ramsey.

Word Count: 7.4k (I’m making up for my almost three weeks of absence!)

Warnings: Angst, cussing and nudity. Rated T.

A/N: Please excuse me the fact that I’m mixing past and present tense in this chapter. I tried to write it all in past tense as usual, but it didn’t feel right aesthetically in some parts, so I just let it be XD

Taglist @utterlyinevitable @binny1985 @shanzay44 @choicesficwriterscreations @starrystarrytrouble @lahellacute @lucy-268 @cinnamonspongecake @romewritingshop @bratzlahela @mrs-raleighcarrera @mercury84choices @curiousconch

______

Chapter 18: Into My Arms.

So keep your candles burning

And make her journey bright and pure

That she will keep returning

Always and evermore

Into my arms, O Lord

Bryce had never been a man of strong faiths, but he wasn't a cynical either.

He was just practical. He respected people who needed something to believe in, but preferred to put his beliefs in science because that's what was closer to infallibility compared to religion. After all, that's why he decided to become a surgeon, he believed in the power of medicine to heal people against all adversities.

However, he knew medicine wasn't enough. At least not when he's not the one holding the scalpel and giving everything he has to save a life, but holding the hand of the person he loves the most, and her life is hanging by a thread.

Doctors have medicine. They do everything they can with their knowledge and skills to save lives. But patients? All they have in the waiting is hope. And all they can do is pray.

After spending hours awake, not missing a single second of her breath, of her arterial pressure, of her oxygen levels, all the indicators that could assure him that she was alive, the passing of time inevitably starts kitting uncertainty upon him. Would it be enough? Will they do it on time? Will they do it at all? Because he knows the possibilities and limits of medicine. He knows that sometimes there won't be an answer, there won't be a cure, there won't be anything that could be done.

Sometimes, medicine is not enough and death is inevitable.

Bryce had never been a man of strong faiths, but he wasn't a cynical because maybe, just maybe, he was just waiting for the time he would need something to believe in. When his optimism and science combined wouldn't be enough. When the waiting would be so long, excruciating, and painful that he would need something to hold on to. A refuge.

Just like now.

Just like now when there's nothing left to do but pray.

To God, Allah, Buddha, Yahweh, Jehovah, Kāne.

"Please, please, let them find the antidote. Please, let them find it on time so Eleanor, Rafael, and Danny can survive. Please. Please."

There's no logic in asking the unseen something only medicine can give. But it doesn't hurt. It actually feels like a warm blanket that envelops in the middle of a tempest. At some point, it will soak with rain and it will no longer provide warmth, but it will do for a while. And that's all that he needs. Temporary comfort. Temporary faith to go through the night.

"Please protect her. Don't take her away. Don't take her away from me. Please. Please."

And then he begs like God is doing all this. As if they don't make the antidote, is because God moved his thread to not make it happen.

As if he needs to have someone to blame in case things go wrong.

Because blaming God is universal.

"They'll make it, they'll make it. They'll find the cure. She will live. They will live. Everything will be alright."

And then he just holds onto hope. He desperately forces himself to stay positive. To not think in a scenario where they don't make the antidote or where it's too late. And he tries to remain in that state, not daring to move his thoughts even a single inch, fearing that the slight movement could send him to the abyss. So he just locks himself in that state of mind. Hoping. Pleading.

Sunrise was dimly percolating through the blinds when a shriek startled him. Bryce turned his gaze, previously fixated in the monitor, and found Eleanor tossing on the bed, shuddering.

"Eleanor, what is it? I'm here, baby."—He asked, standing up from the chair and leaning over her, studying her reactions. Her breath was ragging and all of a sudden, she sat up, clutching her stomach desperately.

"It… Owww! It hurts so much…"

"What hurts?"

"My stomach and… my chest… My… My lungs and… heart…"

Her voice went mute and then hunched on the bed, her cries growing desperate.

"It's okay babe, take a deep breath."—He pated her on the back in a soothing way, hoping that the slow movement could ease her pain somehow.—"In half an hour someone from the team should come to administer the next dose of your treatment. How much it hurts? Do you think you can hold on?"

After a few moments, Eleanor nodded, thriving to breathe as deep and slowly as she could.

"Seven."

"Okay, you can do this, beautiful."

Bryce forced himself to take a deep breath too. Even if had passed several hours since Eleanor fell in that state, he could never get used to the idea of her suffering and not being able to do anything to stop her pain.

"Do you want some water?"

"Please."

Trying to ignore the lump in his throat, Bryce walked to the other side of the bed, poured a glass of water, and offered it to her, sitting behind her to give her support.

Eleanor received the glass and brought it to her mouth her hand quivering. Bryce hurried to place his own hand over hers to steady the glass and then watched her intently, waiting for her reaction.

A moment later, her eyes widened.

Fuck.

"What is it? It… it feels hot for you?"

She nodded, slowly and solemnly.

His whole body froze for a second.

"I'm doomed."

It was an affirmation, not even a complaint.

"Babe, you are not doomed. You're still standing, there's still time, and I'm sure the team will find the antidote soon."

"Stop this crap, Bryce. Let's be realistic here, it will be less painful for you in the … Owwww. Shit!"—Her face flinched and a hysteric sob escaped her mouth.—"Fuckkk, it hurts so much now…"

"How much?"

"A nine."

"I'll page Ramsey."

Bryce took Eleanor's pager and wrote frantically. He didn't know how he steadied his hands because his whole body was trembling, and his mind was feeling unbearably dizzy.

"COME NOW."

It had taken him just a few seconds paging Ethan, but when Bryce looked at Eleanor, her face was glistening with sweat and the only reason she was still staying upright on the bed, was because he was holding her from behind.

"I'm sorry Bryce… I'm… not strong enough."

"Baby don't say that. You're incredibly strong and brave."

Even through the latex, Bryce could feel how cold her body was, and when he placed a hand over her forehead, she felt even colder.

Desperate, he took her in his arms and placed her on his lap, cradling her protectively.

As she felt his warmth enveloping her, Eleanor curled up over him, grasping the fabric of his suit instinctively, and pressed her face to his chest.

He had never seen her this fragile and weak.

"I'm so tired…"

Her eyelids seemed heavy, making her incapable of keeping them open, but she was resisting, trying to see him through the window of his suit.

He looked into her chocolate eyes, tired and pleading, while he was tracing soothing circles on her temple.

"It will pass, babe, I promise. Ethan will put you to sleep, but please, please stay with me. Stay with me."

How much he wanted to place a kiss on her forehead and soothe her pain with his caresses, as so many times he had done before. When she was feeling sad, angry, frustrated, sick. He had always found a way to make her feel better.

But now…

The lump in his throat was so painful that he couldn't hold the tears anymore.

He felt so useless.

So hopeless.

He couldn't do anything right. He couldn't stop her pain, he couldn't find the antidote. And now he couldn't even hold his emotions and stay strong for her, while she was trying so hard to keep her eyes open and stay with him.

He was an utter fiasco.

And then… her body felt heavier in his arms and her grip on him loosed.

Bryce panicked.

"Babe?"—His voice was barely a whisper. He looked at the monitor, her vitals were dropping. —"Babe? Please…"

He didn't know if he was pleading to her or to the unknown.

"I'm… ssso…tired…"

His whole body relaxed when he heard her voice. She was still with him. She just couldn't with her body anymore.

He embraced her more tightly, pressing her head to his chest, and stroked her hair softly.

"Keep fighting, babe, I got you. You're doing great, gorgeous."

He didn't know how much time passed, but suddenly the sound of the decontamination tent door woke him up from his pleading state. When he looked up, Ethan was standing in the entry, frozen.

It was a shocking view, undoubtedly. Her body motionless in Bryce's arms, while he was fighting the sobs with pleading words.

"What happened?"

Baz asked, slipping behind Ethan, with an evident tremor in his voice.

Bryce cleared his throat and breathed deeply.

"She… Uh… experienced the hot-cold reversal a while ago and her pain has escalated. Started with a seven and now is a nine."

Only then Ethan could react, taking a step toward the bed, studying the bundle of bones curled up over Bryce's lap.

"Her vitals had dropped but are still better than Rafael's at the moment he fell into a coma."— June commented, inspecting the numbers in the monitor.—"Any other symptoms?"

"Cold sweat and loss of strength."

"Did she sleep?"

"Yes, about five hours. She woke up minutes before I paged."

June nodded, adding the new information to the chart.

"Eleanor, are you still with us?"—Baz asked, holding a needle with a crystalline liquid inside.

Eleanor hummed.

"Good. Excellent. I'm gonna administer a higher dose than last time, okay? This will put you to sleep and hopefully when you wake up the pain will have decreased."

Baz injected the dose into the IV. After a few minutes, when Bryce felt she had fallen into a deep slumber, he stood up and placed her on the bed, covering her with the duvet. Then, turned to Ethan, who was witnessing the whole process silently.

"Any progress with the antidote?"

"Yes. There's a chemical that we are synthesizing that seems to be our best option so far. We are expecting to have it ready in a couple of hours."

Bryce nodded, hope resurfacing again after such dark and tortuous hours.

After a few more exchanges, the Team left, leaving him alone again, praying with all his strength that the chemical is the answer.

Minutes feel like hours. And hours an eternity. His hand had gotten atrophied by holding hers, but letting her go isn't an option, scared that she might go if he leaves her even for a second.

He's drugged by fear.

"We did it!"

Bryce isn't sure if he's imagining it, if he's daydreaming about the moment when their friends and the team will find the cure, or if it's true. If it's really happening.

But when he sees Ethan entering the room again, his eyes glistening with pride and hope, smiling, he knows is not his imagination.

"We made an antidote."

It feels surreal. His whole body feels lighter and suddenly a burst of laughter attacked him.

Happiness, relief. Hope.

He knew there was a chance the antidote couldn't work. But he chose to believe it would.

And then he can't stop thinking about all the things they talked through the night. All their plans, all the places they would go, all the things they would do. All the things he would say to her, but he kept inside for fear.

All the love he had to give to her.

There was so much to explore and learn with her. Life was giving both of them a second chance. Not only to Eleanor but to him too.

And then all he can do is thank. Thank to whoever accompanied him through the night. To whoever held him and filled him with hope.

To whoever put a blanket over him, to keep him warm until he reached a shelter. A safe place.

Bryce was now full of hope and optimism. With the optimism he knows so well and that comes naturally to him. He's sure everything will be alright now.

And he thanks his friends and the doctors who helped. He knows words will never be enough to thank them for what they've done, but he decides to do it on the brink of his emotions, when they are more genuine, and retributions and gratefulness is all that people need after such a long night giving everything of themselves to find the antidote. To save the lives of their friends and colleagues.

The waiting in the next hours was nothing like the last one. They're full of hope.

Benjamin joined him in the room once he gave his parents the news. After a while he forced him, with the same persuasion and stubbornness that Eleanor would do, to take a break.

"Bryce, you should have some rest."

"I can't leave her side."

"I get it, I really do, but at least you should take some air, eat something, have a coffee. You haven't left the room in like ten hours. I'm sure you wanna be in your best conditions when Eleanor wakes up and not pass out of exhaustion after five minutes."

Bryce stared at Benjamin, the determination set in his eyes was the same he had found so many times in Eleanor's. Where would that come from? From their mother or their father? Hopefully, he was expecting to find it out that night.

An hour later, after catching up with his friends in the cafeteria and calling Keiki to give her the news, he returned to the room with renewed energy and a lot more confident than before.

It only takes him a minute to start talking with Benjamin as if they were old friends.

Hours flied by.

"Man, I'm not saying that Kobe doesn't have his merits, but let's be honest: without Michael Jordan, there is no Kobe."—Bryce stated, both sitting in chairs at the end of the bed.

"But we are not discussing who came first or their legacies, we are discussing objective facts. For example, Kobe beats Michael in career poin-"

"Shut up you two, we all know Lebron James is better than Michael and Kobe."

Bryce and Benjamin's eyes widened in shock and turned to the bed, where Eleanor was awake and smiling.

"Andrew! You're awake!"—Benjamin jumped up toward her side and hugged her affectionately. –"I'm so happy to see you okay, sis."

"And I'm glad to see you again, bebé."

Bryce sat on the other side of the bed and caressed her cheek.

"Hey, babe."

"Hey."—She smirked—"I should've asked you if you were team Kobe or team Jordan before agreeing to be your girlfriend but… I think it's too late to give you back now."

Bryce chuckled, giving Benjamin an amusing glance.

"I'm sure we'll be able to keep the debate on civil terms, right, Benji?

"Absolutely."

"How are you, beautiful?"

"I'm feeling… surprisingly good. Did they change the treatment?"

"No, must be the antidote that's working. And probably you're still high for the morphine."

"Did you say antidote?"

Eleanor was a mix of confusion and amazement.

"Yeah. The team created an antidote. They injected it like… about four hours ago."

"And why didn't you wake me up?"

"Because Baz put you to sleep, you don't remember?"

"No? What happened?"

Bryce looked at Benjamin who shook his head subtly.

"You were in deep pain, so Baz put a higher dose of morphine. It would have been like… humanly impossible to wake you up considering the dose."

Eleanor frowned.

"I don't remember any of it, honestly. How deep are we talking about?"

"You reached a nine, but the Team came quickly so you didn't suffer too much."

"A nine? Shit. That's pretty bad. Maybe that's why I don't remember a thing. "

"And you had a fever too."

She nodded.

"And how they did it? The antidote, I mean."

"In simple terms, they created a compound that binds to the maitotoxin and prevents it from attaching to the plasma membranes. So far has worked very well and your levels of the toxin had decreased significantly since the administration."

"And they beat the stupid Government. How embarrassing—She giggled., and how has worked with the boys?"

"They are still in a coma, but their levels had dropped too. Very slowly, though."

"I'm glad Danny is still with us. I really thought he would…"—Eleanor shook her head—"He's such a fighter."

"Yes. You all are, Elle."

"What about mom and dad, Benji? Have you spoken to them today?"

"Early in the morning, before they took their flight here. And luckily for them, they were at a stop in Lima when the news of the antidote came, so I texted them right away. They'll arrive at about 11 pm."

"Great. Great. Poor things, at least they are traveling knowing the worst has passed."—Benji nodded—"And you, kiddo, have had some rest?"

"Yeah, I could sleep a few hours during the night, but then I went to Lab to see how was the searching. It was really impressive watching all those brilliant minds working."

"Oh, yeah. I would've loved seeing Ethan working with Tobias. Those to hate each other, you know? I don't know how their egos fit the room."

Eleanor laughed, imagining the picture.

"And what about you, mister?"—He directed to Bryce—"I got the feeling you didn't sleep a wink last night."

"I didn't. I had to monitor you, but I went for a coffee and some food a few hours ago under the strict orders of my very good friend Benjamin."

"You're the best, Benji, thank you for taking care of him for me."— Eleanor squeezed his hand approvingly and blow him a kiss.—"Well then. Now that I'm feeling better, and under my strict orders, you're gonna go home, have some sleep, and spend a few hours with your sister, alright?"

"But babe... I ca-"

"Bryce Golden Lahela. I know you want to stay with me, and I swear if I were in your position I'd never want to leave your side, but please, pretty please, do this for me, okay? I bet you haven't seen Keiki since when…? the day before yesterday? Because I'm sure she was completely asleep when you left your apartment yesterday morning"

"Yeah, she was."—Bryce replied sheepishly.

Eleanor was still weak, and he could tell she was doing an incredible amount of effort to stay lucid and strong, but even like that, she had enough energy and strength to take care of him and Keiki. That selfless side of her would always marvel him.

"Please, I'd feel a lot better if you go to sleep and spend the afternoon with Keiki. But…"—She stared at him seriously and then her whole face transfigured in a wicked, almost psycho, smile—"If you don't do it, don't worry, honey, I won't be mad, but I'll kick you out of my room."

Benjamin giggled.

"Dude, do as she says. You know she means it literally, right? Because I'm already seeing her getting up from the bed and kicking your ass."

"Okay, okay, I'll go."—Bryce stood up from the bed, lifting his hands in surrender—"There's no need to use violence. Any special message for your beloved Keiki?"

"Yes, tell her I'm sorry I had to borrow his brother for too long and that I hope I can see her soon because I miss her."

"Yes ma'am."

When Bryce opened the door of his apartment, the smell of sauteed veggies gave him a warm welcome.

It'd always cheered him up having his sister receiving him when he got home, but today was different. Today he was grateful for having her after the living nightmare he had been into in the last 24 hours. Her sole presence was enough to soothe him.

"Bryce?"—Keiki poked her head out of the kitchen and then ran towards him.—"Ohmygod, what are you doing here? Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, everything's okay, don't worry. Elle's awake and getting better. She's so well that…—He chuckled, collapsing on the couch.—" she made me come here to see you and have some sleep. She was worried you were too much time alone… And she's right, of course. I'm sorry Keiki, I know how abandoned you must have felt."

Keiki shook her head, sitting beside him.

"It's okay, Bryce. You needed to be with her, I totally get it. Not knowing what was happening was worse."

"I know."—He gave him a sad smile.

"Do you wanna have lunch? I have mashed potatoes pie in the oven. It should be ready in like twenty-five minutes."

"Ooh, are you serious? The one you cooked the other day? Because that was superb, Keiks"

"Yeah, the same. I actually was thinking about bringing you some to the hospital. I know you told me not to go, but…"—She gave him a sheepishly smile, shrugging, but before she could continue, Bryce hugged her, warm and tightly.—"Woah, woah, is just mashed potatoes and ground beef, no need to do such fuss."—She added instantly, patting him nervously in the back.

"Keiki, I was an ass with you for years, and now you're taking care of me like this? I don't deserve it."

"Nonsense. You know we are okay now, and you care a lot about me too, this is nothing."

Seeing Benjamin and Eleanor together had put a lot of things in perspective for him. How caring they were to each other had reminded him of his own relationship with Keiki before he moved to California. They were very close, so close, that he had no doubt that if he hadn't distanced himself the way he did, they wouldn't be much different from how Elle and Benji were.

Even if she was a six-year-old princess living in a fantasy world and he was a teenager soon-to-be a college student, they used to spend a lot of time together back in Maui. Entire days at the beach, swimming, playing hide and seek, playing tag, building sandcastles, doing races, finding forms in the clouds during the day, and looking at the stars at night.

He even learned about constellations just because she liked the stars.

But all that ended when he left and never came back.

He knew closeness and affection were still there, even if had passed ten years, even if she wasn't a kid anymore, but a teenager with a strong character that pretended to be too cool for affection. Because if it weren't like that, Keiki wouldn't have risked what she risked at coming to Boston. She wouldn't have forgiven him how she did weeks ago, and things wouldn't be as good as they were now.

After all those years, Bryce was still her refuge. The only person she could come to. And after all those years, Keiki still managed to bring out the best of him. She was making him thrive to become a better brother, a better man.

"What is it?"—She asked, as Bryce was staring at her tenderly.

"Nothing, I was just remembering those days at the beach. You were so little, and you're so grown up now… and you're even taking care of me when I should be the one taking care of you…"

She smiled sheepishly at him again.

"That's what siblings do."

"That's what I should've done in all these years and I didn't, and what I should be doing now…"

"Bryce, how many times I have to tell you…?"

"Okay, okay, I won't say it again. But… the thing is..."

He breathed. It wasn't easy for him. In fact, he used to avoid at all costs this kind of conversation because there were still a lot of issues he had to resolve with himself, but he felt like he had to say it now, without thinking it too much.

"What?"

"Look… I know things cannot be like they were before, but… I want you to know that you're the most important person in the world to me, Keiki, even if it seemed otherwise for ten years. Nothing has changed between you and me, okay?"

He didn't know how else to say it but in the way he was feeling it.

And for the first time in weeks, Bryce saw Keiki let her guard down. Her eyes swelled with tears at the mention of those memories at the beach, but after hearing his last words, her lips quivered.

"Okay,"—She said, wiping a tear from her eye—"But, gosh, what's gotten into you?"

What had gotten into him was that almost losing Eleanor also put a lot in perspective regarding how much he kept to himself. And he couldn't let that happen, let alone with Keiki. She deserved better. She deserved so much more than what their parents (poorly) had given to them, emotionally and affectively. He had to make things right, starting now.

"I love you, Keiki."—Before a sob could escape from her mouth, Bryce hugged her again, this time more tightly. –"Don't you ever doubt about it, okay? And please remember that, at heart, we are the same Bryce and Keiki playing on the beach. No matter the years."

He felt her fighting the sobs, but then she just let it flow.

"I love you too, Bryce."

Bryce breathed contently at hearing those words. That's all that he needed to hear.

After several seconds, Keiki parted from him, wiping the trace of tears off her face.

"This is a one-time bonding moment, right? Because if you're going to be this cheesy and make me cry everyday…"

Bryce chuckled.

"No, no. I know this is not your thing. This is just for today, a cathartic moment after what happened with Elle. But now we return to our regular sibling's relationship, where I'm obviously the cool one."

"HA! Dream on, Bryce. Let me inform you that today I award you with the title of the weirdest and most sentimental brother of the year."

He smiled fondly.

"I guess that makes me even cooler. I'm a total winner. Thank you, sis."

"No! You're the… You know what? Nevermind. After what you did yesterday with Kyra, and considering you're a very caring boyfriend with Ella, yeah, I'll let you be the cooler sibling, but only for this week."

"Oh, thank you for your generosity, loser."

Keiki rolled her eyes, and before sauntering to the kitchen, she ruffled his hair affectionately.

"Take a shower, weirdo. By the time you finish with all your beauty care routines, lunch will be ready."

He wasn't sure how many times he'd pleaded for that moment, how many times he'd imagined it on his mind, but it was finally happening. And it felt a thousand times better.

Bryce opened the door of Eleanor's room just as he had arrived at Edenbrook. With a navy-blue hoodie, light-blue jeans, and black and white sneakers. No hazmat suit, no gloves, nothing.

She was asleep. Her chest was moving harmoniously under the sheets, and the vitals on the monitor were almost on normal levels.

She was alright.

He walked to the other side of the bed and carefully laid behind her, placing an arm around her waist. She wasn't as cold as in the morning but still wasn't at her usual warmth. He buried his nose in the crook of her neck and breathed deeply, smelling the natural scent of her body mixed with some very faintly remnants of her shampoo. The sweetness of the pomegranate added even more joy to the fact she was safe.

His hot breath must have woken her up because, after a few seconds lost in her scent, she started stirring on the bed until she finally turned around and faced him.

"I'm dreaming? Why you're not using the hazmat suit?"—She muttered in a slurry voice, looking equally surprised and confused.

He smiled, sliding his index over her cheek softly.

"No, you're very much awake. And safe. Toxin-free safe."

"Toxin-free? Are you for real?"

"Absolutely, the last two blood tests have shown you have no traces of the toxin in your bloodstream."

"Oh my god, I can't believe it… I thought I would die here…"

"And I told you you would live."

"Yeah, and I've never been happier to be wrong."

They both chuckled

"And I've never been happier to be right."

After a moment, Eleanor started caressing his just shaved and very smooth cheek, but suddenly, she stopped, staring at him expectantly.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Are you gonna kiss me or not?"

"I was just letting you contemplate me, I'm sure you missed touching this flawless skin."

She snorted.

"I know last night I said I don't find you cocky anymore, but I can change my mind any minute, you know?"

"But you won't."

Bryce parted from her slightly and took his phone out of the pocket of his jeans. He scrolled a few seconds and then a piano melody started playing.

"Is that…?"

When I fall in love it will be forever

Or I'll never fall in love

"You said you wanted a kiss just like Isabella's…"

"Oh my god, I should've known you'd do this."

She placed her hands around his neck.

"The problem is… If I remember this right… you were the one who kissed me that night…"

"Yes, now you will. Period. You're talking too much."

"Now you realize I talk too much?!"

"Bryceeeeeee"

He laughed heartly.

"Okay, okay, miss impatience..."

Bryce tightened the grip around her waist and placed a hand over her cheek. After a few seconds of looking deeply into her amber eyes, he brushed his lips over hers. It was sweet and slow at first, but then he deepened the kiss, capturing her lips in his teeth and playing with her tongue just as she liked it.

Eleanor wanted a kiss like the one at Isabella's, but so much had changed since then, so much he had learned since then.

He knew the way she liked his kisses, how much pressure to use or how deep his tongue could go, so he was going to give her exactly that, a dreamy kiss, because honestly, he didn't know any other way.

After several seconds, he parted from her.

"Happy now?"

"Mmm… I'm not sure… Maybe you can give me another taste?"

He shook his head and kissed her again, harder. And this time he left her breathless, and giggling, and with the goofiest smile he had ever seen in her.

"Wow. 100/10."

"I'm amazing, I know."

And then, she couldn't help but look at him adoringly. Because yes, yes, he was indeed amazing. And she was completely in love with that amazing man.

"Te amo."—She said with warm candor, and then kissed him enthusiastically and incessantly for several seconds. –"I love you... god, I love you so much… Telling I was in love with you… without being able to kiss you… was a nightmare! But now I can... Finally…Kiss you…As much… as I want…"

Once she stopped, Bryce looked at her, marveled.

"What? Too much?"

He shook his head, biting his lower lip.

"No, it's perfect. Feel free to act like that whenever you want."—He kissed her forehead—"I love you, beautiful."

After receiving the official information from Ethan, June, and Baz, and being filled with kisses and hugs from Benjamin, Bryce wheeled her to her new room so she could take a shower. She didn't want to spend another second in that damned room.

"This is mine?"—Eleanor asked, inspecting the light blue bag over the bed.

"Yeah, I swung by your apartment before coming here, I thought you would need some fresh clothes."

Eleanor stood up with difficulty and wrapped him in her arms lovingly.

"Thank you, my love."

He smiled, melting by the words, but before he could say anything, she clung to him clumsily. Her legs failed her.

"Mmm, I think someone's going to need some help in the shower."

"Ooops, too bad that someone has a boyfriend with magic hands to help her."—She replied teasingly.

"C'mon, princess."—He whispered, picking her up in his arms and taking her to the bathroom.

Once he collected her shampoo and conditioner from the bag, he returned to the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

When Eleanor looked up at him, he felt the air changed instantly.

It's the intimacy.

The formula is simple. It has always been simple between them. It's just the two of them present at the moment. Whether they're alone or in a group, it doesn't matter. It can happen anywhere. It could be just an intense look; a simple touch; even a hug without saying a word. They only need to be focused on each other.

Bryce took a few steps until his lips were inches apart from hers. His hand took with precision the hook of her gown, and after untangling it, he threw it to the floor.

When his hands touched her waist, her whole body trembled, and a soft moan escaped her mouth, but soon she shut herself up by kissing Bryce delicately, sinking a hand under his shirt, craving for his skin. He conceded to her desires instantly, of course. After tugging his hoodie and shirt out, Eleanor roamed her hands roam over his bare chest, and leaving a trail of kisses up his chest, until she reached his jaw.

The heat radiating from his body had always soothed her. Even before realizing she was in love with him, being in his arms was her favorite place in the world. But when Bryce pulled her closer, enveloping her arms around the small of her back, and pressed her body flush to his, this time, Eleanor felt like she was coming home.

He wasn't her favorite spot anymore.

He was her home.

The supreme feeling of comfort and tranquility. A safe haven where she could be herself and where she's the happiest.

And where she can be at her lowest too. So she let it all go.

She let go of all her fears, all the what-ifs that had been torturing her mind; all those questions wondering how much she would've missed…

Millions of kisses and hugs; thousands of showers together; thousands of hours of amazing sex; thousands of nights talking, drinking, dancing. Adventures. Movies, movies interrupted by his unstoppable talking, by his kisses, by his innuendos. Sleepovers on the couch with Keiki. Countless moments just staring at each other without saying a word, because sometimes even for Bryce words wouldn't be necessary.

She wouldn't have lived the life she wanted to have with him. The future she wanted with him. She couldn't have known him as she always wanted, with all his wonders and terrors.

A sob echoed in the immaculate bathroom. Bryce gripped her more firmly to calm her shaky body.

The idea of dying with so much left to give was devastating.

Because she was so full of love. The moment she realized she was in love with Bryce she felt like she was going to burst. When she told him she was in love, she was choking with words because her heart inside was bursting with her purest feelings and sensations. And thinking that she could've died without giving him everything she wanted to give him, without giving him everything he deserved, was maddening.

Even if it was in the past, the fear was still too vivid.

"Let it go, love, I got you"—He whispered, his hands always drawing soft patterns on her head and back.

Love.

She could've missed that too. Bryce calling her love. Bryce calling her in so many ways.

She had always wished for a beautiful love, just like their parents had, but for some reason, it was always out of her reach despite her best efforts. And she could've died without experience it to the fullest with him. With the most wonderful person in the world.

Eleanor wrapped him more tightly, as if she's scared that he could go any minute now.

"I'm here for you and I'll always be, babe. We have now a whole life ahead of us to do everything we dreamed last night, that and much more."

How? How could he know what she was thinking? How he could know her so well?

"But… we need to start somewhere, right?-- —He whispered, pulling her gently from him.—"We need to start with something small."

He looked into her puffy and reddened face and wiped the tears off her face.

"We'll start with a shower. You need to get rid of all the traces of that fucking toxin. You'll let me take care of you, and then, if you want, we can make a visit to see Kyra and the rest of our friends, who must be waiting for you expectantly to fill you with hugs and tons of love."

"I'd like that."—She replied softly.

"Perfect."—He said before leaning in the shower to turn the faucet on.

After a few seconds, Bryce led her to the shower, and both hummed at the feeling of the hot water running through their bodies. Then he turned and looked at her, deeply.

"Are you feeling better, gorgeous?"—He asked softly and sweetly

"Yeah, so much better. Thank you, my love."

He chuckled and then bit his lower lip.

"God, I love it when you call me like that"

"My love? Well, you are my love."

"Yeah, I guess it's just that… now I understand why you were so reluctant to all this pet name situation."

"Yup, I wanted to say it just when I was 100% sure I was in love with you."

"Makes sense. Now I feel guilty for being too annoying with it."

"You're a Goldie, being annoying is part of your DNA."

He raised an eyebrow, seriously.

"But don't worry, my love is my main pet name for you now. And mi amor. Or maybe you prefer that in the first place?"

Bryce narrowed his eyes, thoughtfully.

"Tough question. I like that too, Spanish sounds so sexy in your mouth."

She smiled mischievously and then planted a chaste kiss on his lips.

"Te amo, mi amor"

"Feel free to call me however you want, but I'm warning you, I feel things when you speak to me in Spanish."

"What kind of things, mi amor?"

Bryce roamed his hands over her back until he reached her tights. Then, he lifted her effortlessly in his arms and pushed her against the wall.

"Things that… "—He kissed her hard.—"even if it's tempting to do here, I'll save it for another time. I'll create a whole kink of you speaking in Spanish in the meantime"

"Mmm, a new kink. My, oh my. I'll exercise my pronunciation, then, because it has gotten a little rusty over the years."

She kissed him hard this time, pressing her legs and heels against his back.

"Okay, as much as I want to keep going, let's slow it down, babe. We should be doing some cleaning, you know? Or you'll stay as a koala indefinitely?"

She giggled.

"Yes, I'm a koala now."

"Oh, well, then thank you for simplifying me the choice. I was always divided between calling you a sloth or a koala, but koala is perfect. It wouldn't be too romantic of me calling you a sloth."

Both cackled.

"Only in the bed."

"Specify that? In bed like sleeping or like…—He raised his brows suggestively.

"I'm multifaceted, I can be both."

Bryce chuckled.

"Of course you can, babe."

Eventually, Eleanor gave up her dream of remaining as a koala forever and returned to her feet.

Bryce took the shampoo and massaged her scalp softly and dedicatedly, relaxing her. His hands were magical in so many ways.

Then he helped her clean some parts of her body she couldn't reach, teasing her once in a while, until she was all cleaned.

Once he dried himself up and put his clothes on, he helped Eleanor getting out of the shower and took her back to the room.

He dried her skin delicately. At first, she tried to dress up by herself, but the shower had relaxed her so much, that Eleanor finally gave up, letting Bryce taking care of her as he wanted.

Even if she was feeling a little sleepy, that didn't stop her from feeling amazed with his dedication and the tenderness with whom he was pampering her.

His soft hands spread ever so softly the cream over her arms and legs, and the massaged her so exquisite on her back, that after a while she wondered if she was actually dead and that was heaven.

Once she was all moisturized and dressed in a mint green pajama, he took the towel wrapped around her head and began combing her hair softly and delicately. At some point, she felt like she was six again, when her mum would bathe her and then comb her long wavy hair patiently until she was free of knots.

"Gosh, you could be a stylist or a massagist, and you'd do it wonderfully."—Eleanor moaned, feeling his fingers combing her hair as Bryce was directing the hairdryer to the nape of her head.

"Of course, I'd be wonderful in anything I pursue, especially with these magic hands."

After five minutes, her hair was completely dry.

"Ponytail or braid?"

"Braid."

She was about to lift her hands to make herself a braid when Bryce asked.

"French or normal?"

She turned around with her mouth agape.

"Wait, besides all your many talents, you also know how to braid?"

"Yeah, you didn't know?"—He chuckled

"No! When did you learn?"

"When Keiki was like… four?—Bryce replied as he was dividing her hair into three sections.—"She's always been bossy, you know? And one day after a day at the beach her braid was a mess, so she said: Bryze, fixit! You're a grown-up, you shud know how to braid hair... And of course, she was right! How incompetent of me not knowing how to braid hair, right? Especially since I had a little sister with very long hair."

"Awww, love, this is so cute! Little Keiki asking for a braid. I'm melting."

A couple of minutes later, Bryce took the hair bun from his wrist and use it to secure the end of the braid.

"There, my princess. All done."—He announced, kissing her crown.

Eleanor brought a hand to her hair and felt the patterns with her fingers.

"This is perfect."

"Why the tone of surprise? Of course it's perfect! I don't do anything that's below perfection."

"I know, I'm just admiring your beautiful work, love."

Bryce gathered all her things and placed them in the closet.

"Ready to see our friends?"

"Honestly? Not yet.

"Hey, you don't have to go if you don't want to. Do you want me to call the guys?"

"No, no… besides I have to go to see Kyra."

"But you don't have to if you don't feel in the mood for that."

"I know, I just want to lay down a bit with you."

"Of course, babe"—He replied, laying beside her.

Eleanor turned to his side.

"I'm completely melted inside, you know?"

"Why?"

"For the way you've taken care of me, how you pampered me… you even braided my hair…"

"It's the less I can do for you, babe. This is nothing, actually."

She kissed him on the lips and then rubbed the tip of her nose on his.

"You know, if boyfriend lottery exists, I'm sure you're the biggest prize in history, and I'm the lucky winner."

Because she could win the biggest money prize in history, but not even that could compare to the feeling of having Bryce loving her.

Nothing compares to it.

______________________

A/N2: Make Bryce even more perfect than he already is? Achievement unlocked. Like I love to hurt him (I love angst, actually) but I also love to make him more perfect and more god-tier than he already is. Pure self-indulgence here.

A/N3: As you can see, I'm cheesy/corny not only in romantic relationships but in fraternal relationships too. I have a good relationship with my brother, in fact, we have the same age difference Keiki and Bryce have, so I know firsthand the kind of relationship they could have. And I want to give them that, despite their personalities and the fact that maybe Americans, in general, are not as caring as we the Latinos but… being this caring is something you can learn, you know? So Bryce is learning that from Eleanor. Anyway, it won't be easy, Keiki and Bryce have a lot of issues to explore yet, but Bryce had to take the first step.

Thank you so much for reading. I appreciate each and every one of you for supporting my story ❤❤❤

#bryce lahela #bryce lahela x mc #bryce x mc #bryce x casey #open heart #open heart choices #open heart fanfiction #choices #choices stories you play #playchoices #pixelberry

40 notes · View notes

land-of-classpects-and-analysis · 3 years

Note

Hey there, your analyses are amazing!!!! I'm still trying to figure out my classpect, so if you're taking requests, I was wondering if you could do Rogue of Breath?

Hello there!

I do take requests, though only with a small twist; mostly in that I tend to give a semi-brief (because, let's be honest, I have never been nor ever will be brief with these summaries dnjnsj) summary of the requested Classpect. Hopefully this will be sufficient enough until the much fuller Rogue of Breath analysis falls onto my work desk! /gen

Now, the Rogue of Breath is one that, at first, never really seemed all that interesting - on a personal note. But that was far before I had truly started to look more into the behavior of Rogues, as well as Breath-bound individuals. In a way, this presumption of the Rogue of Breath "not being interesting" is something that comes quite close in how they invite theft of their Aspect.

Breath-bound are those who simultaneously draw everyone towards them - often becoming the center of the story and whatever group they find themself in - while also seeming like some rather plain people. The Rogue of Breath is most certainly no exception to this - well, at least not fully. For, you see, the Rogue of Breath is no different from any other Rogue in that, although they brag about how much of their Aspect they have, the reality is that this is one large lie - or rather a facade, a show, an act.

The Rogue of Breath is one who would most likely talk highly about themself and all of the leadership roles they've been given, perhaps even how capable of a leader they are. Or maybe they would talk about how much influence they have, how many followers they hold, and just all of the freedom that is within their possession. They would show themself to be the most independent, free-spirited individual ever; not allowing any problem to bother or faze them for even a moment. A person so cool, they could walk through Hell itself without even breaking a sweat.

In reality, the Rogue of Breath lives a life that is almost a complete 180 of all that they speak of. They aren't someone who has a lot of leadership skills - or even knowledge. They aren't an influence on others, they don't particularly have a lot of followers to their name, and their freedom is often fleeting and almost always an uphill fight for them to achieve. The Rogue of Breath puts on this facade, though, because they've learned that their facade is who people like. It's what draws people in; it's what gets them the numbers they so deeply desire, and it gets them friends they otherwise doubt they would ever have.

Many Breath-bound tend to not stand out in a crowd, but the Rogue of Breath is quite different. It may even be argued that in the way they present themself, they are someone who invites others to notice them. Flashy clothes, wacky accessories, perhaps even wildly colored and dyed hair - these are often trademark traits of a Rogue of Breath. Whether they do this on purpose or not - or rather with the intent of drawing attention to themselves or not - is often on a case-by-case basis.

Now, one of the biggest struggles any Rogue faces in the beginning of their journey is that they allow/invite theft of their Aspect. Already they greatly lack their Aspect, but the Rogue is one who often fumbles to ever work up the courage it takes in order to truly steal their Aspect. For the Rogue of Breath, this comes in the form of them allowing/inviting theft of their leadership role, their ability to be influential, their very own freedom, or, in some cases, their own literal breath.

The reason why the Rogue allows for this to happen is because of two reasons.

The first one, as mentioned before, is because they lack the confidence and courage it takes to steal their Aspect for any reason. It is something they do not fully understand, and so it is something that intimidates them - perhaps even frightens them. The unknown responsibilities attached to it is sometimes enough to keep them away from it.

The second reason is that the Rogue - no matter their Aspect - often has far too big of a bleeding heart. Tying in with their lack of confidence and courage, they are someone who often has a hard time of maintaining their own boundaries with others. Rogues value the relationships around them just as much as they value the feelings of the people in these relationships. A Rogue is someone who helps others, not break hearts, destroy promises, or harm those they care for. Because of this, the Rogue not only allows/invites for their Aspect to be stolen, but it is often done from the very people in their group.

Perhaps the Rogue of Breath is one who has or had been depended on in the past by those around them, but someone came in and became the leader because the Rogue got cold feet. Maybe their freedom has or had been stolen away from them because of a clingy partner, and the Rogue simply never had the courage or heart to break things off with them. Maybe they got stuck with a really crappy job and have never exactly thought of an after-plan if they were to ever quit said job. For the fun of it, the Rogue of Breath could be someone who tends to fall in love for many people quite easily - having their emotional Breath taken away by someone they adore so very deeply. There are many ways in which a Rogue of Breath can have their Aspect stolen from, even for just one individual. Breath is a flexible Aspect that can take many forms - much like the people it is attached to.

Now, before I get even more carried away here, I'll say this about the journey of the Rogue and them achieving their powers: new experiences terrify many people - but it is the uncertainty that often scares the Rogue of Breath the most. Change is scary, but if the Rogue ever wishes to truly be helpful to their friends and allies, they are someone who must not be afraid of taking that leap of faith. They must feel the Breath moving around them, but also inside of them, if they are to ever truly take flight and take hold of their Aspect. Every bird is scared during their first flight, but they cannot stay in their nest forever.

Ultimately, the Rogue of Breath is one who is meant to steal their Aspect, yes. However, because of their kind-hearted way, they are someone who would steal Breath and apply it to where it is seemingly lacking. If the Rogue believes that someone holds too much authority over the group, then they will do whatever they can to help relocate some of that Breath to those who may be lacking in it. The same can go for influence, freedom, flexibility, carefree, and the literal oxygen in which Breath manifests itself! If the Rogue thinks or believes their Aspect is imbalanced in the group, then they will try to restore that balance.

Of course, if the Rogue is inclined to maintain their boundaries and keep some of their Aspect for themself, then they eventually accumulate enough of it to the point of being able to steal through it. A Rogue of Breath is one who could be quite the sneaky thief - though anything they steal would most certainly be for the sake of someone in need. They steal through the breeze around them, or the smart mouth and trust they've acquired through leadership.

No matter what, though, is that the Rogue of Breath is a person who has a lot going on. What really matters to them is gaining and maintaining bonds with others, but also learning when one is just far too draining for them to maintain. They have to realize their own self worth if they ever want to really shine, and that can often be daunting for Rogues. What if the real them isn't one people like? What if they real them is someone who only causes misery and suffering, rather than fun and joyful times?

The Rogue of Breath is a tentative leader, but it is because of this tentative attitude that allows for them to be so respected in their group. As a leader, they know when enough is enough, and when a problem is better suited for another person - they don't beat around the bush, and it's an attribute many people appreciate about them. Everyone has a chance to play the group captain when the Rogue of Breath is around, but don't exactly think the Rogue will always allow for their Breath to be stolen. They may not be the strongest player, but they are one of the far more kinder leaders out of the group. And, for what it is worth, the real them is someone people much prefer to be around.

WHEW, that definitely went on longer than I expected jnsjns once again, I do hope this will be enough to help you get a clearer idea of your own Classpect - at least until the full Rogue of Breath analysis is selected to be written! And thank you for the kind words, as well! It always means a lot uvu /gen

#Mage Musings #Not An Analysis #Not A Full Analysis #Rogue of Breath preview

3 notes · View notes

fal-carrington · 5 years

Text

Just The Two Of Us Pt.2

Pairing: Kamilah x Mc x Adrian

(Part1)

Disclaimer: The characters are NOT mine

Prompt: After the last night fighting against Gaius, before his fall, he puts his plan into execution, changing the lives of Adrian, Kamilah and Mia forever. Friendships may end, a heart may be broken and a new love may arise. In the end who will win the girl's heart?

Tag list: @loveshamelessly @scarlet-letter-a0114 @thecleveridiot09 @galaxyside-0 @desiree-0816

6 months later

"Oh, damn it!" Mia screamed as she landed on the other side of the Raines Corp basement, her back hitting an airbed tightly, needless to say that was useless. One more attempt, another failed attempt to try to be disconnected from Kamilah. Lily ran to help her friend get up, Kamilah leaned her back against the cold stone wall a few feet away from Mia in the basement, her back also sore from the impact. Gaius was not joking when he said that the girl's pain would be her pain from now on. The queen frowned with that inconvenient pain, adjusting her posture and rearranging her suit. "No, no!" Adrian shouted through the thirteenth-century book in the middle of the basement, desperately searching for answers as he saw no result of his new experience. That was all he'd been working on for months, trying to find a way to disconnect both. First he had appealed to science, hired the best scientists money could provide, believing their blood to be the main source connecting them, but finding that the blood that bound them now was only one, and that Mia's blood had adapted to Kamilah's, once again found himself frustrated in all his attempts by using science to be flaws. So he called for the only possible alternative. The supernatural. Jameson was dead, Gaius dead. The only ones with the answer were dead. Kamilah sighed approaching her friend. "Adrian." She tried to call him. "Do not even try, Kamilah." He refused to look at her. Kamilah, unlike Adrian, knew how to recognize a lost cause when she saw one. She no longer had any hope of disconnecting herself from Mia. After several failed attempts and no positive response, there was not much to do. She was cynical and responsible enough to warn him that the situation could not go on for long. "We both know very well that of all the things Gaius has put together for us both, they all had permanent effects. I can not believe this time there's a way out.” Kamilah said quietly. "No, this one. I will not give up,” he said convulsively. "Look at her." Kamilah pointed at Mia, leaning against Lily's arms. "If you continue with these failed assaults, she will end up dead. Is that what you want? You'll kill her!” Adrian turned his face for the first time, there was a somber expression on his face, but his face lit up at the sight of Mia, but then that thought came into his mind that he could never have Mia, since she belonged to Kamilah, and Kamilah did not even tolerate her. "Kamilah, you do not know what's best for her!" He turned to her. "Lately I know what's best for her more than you!" "What are you insinuating, Kamilah ?!" Adrian's deep voice increased. "Enough!" Mia's voice echoed through the room, drawing their attention. She tried to stand, unsuccessfully, causing Lily to hold her again. "This is exactly what Gaius wanted, to get you two to fight, do not you see?” She approached the two tall vampires with Lily at her side. She turned to Adrian, her eyes softening. "Adrian... I understand that you are frustrated with this, believe me, I am too. But this time, I am with Kamilah on this one, you are giving every day more of yourself pursuing a goal that we may never reach. We tried everything, and nothing works. And I feel... That part of me dies every day more in seeing you like this. Maybe there's nothing else we can do.” She touched Adrian's face with an obvious sadness on his face. Her brief touch, until she moved her hand away and went to the stairs with Lily, leaving them alone. Adrian touched his cheek watching her walk away.

"Adrian. We have been in this situation for months, I did not want to be living this as much as you, I know perfectly well that the three of us are going through the same pain—" Kamilah started to speak, but was interrupted by him. "Are we, Kamilah?" His tone suddenly hostile. "As far as I'm aware, Mia and I are in love with each other, and we can not be together because of the circumstances, and you know that and still, you married her." Kamilah opened her mouth in disbelief. "Excuse me, I just did it to protect you! Gaius would have killed you!" "He would have killed me anyway!" "If it were me, you would have done the same!" Kamilah said. "Do you think it was in my plans to marry a mortal in her twenties, knowing that my closest friend is in love with her ?!" Kamilah touched her own chest, Adrian rolled his eyes with his arms crossed. "She promised before everyone to be faithful to you! She will be bonded and married to you until her death! How do you think I feel about this? Have to see my best friend have everything I wanted, everything that was meant to be mine? And you do not even like her!" "I did all this for you, I gave up my freedom, I married a mortal, I saved your life and her life, and yet, do you think I'm selfish? I'm well aware of your feelings for the girl, I would never do any of this if your life was not at risk! Mia saw the situation with the same eyes and did the same for you! " "Do not put Mia in the middle of it!" He shouted angrily. "But, she's in the middle of it. She's part of that. Do you really think she'd be happy to see you dead? How do you think I'd stay with you dead? Never in my entire life have I even considered the idea of marriage, and she is only twenty-two years old, she is too young. You know perfectly well that there's no way I'm going to have feelings for her!" "Do not make promises you can not keep, Kamilah." Adrian sighed, running a hand over his face, tired. His eyes on the floor throughout that conversation, when he looked at Kamilah, there was a look of resignation on his face. A sad look, mixed with anger. Kamilah opened her mouth to argue, but then fell silent. "I... I'll stop trying. For now. For her,” he said decisively, Kamilah nodded.

"We still have an issue to address. The Ferals.” Kamilah said, reminding him that there were still hordes of ferals, created by Jameson and scattered throughout the city. "We have to deal with the rest, they are a threat. To the city and to us.” "I agree. I can deal with them,” Adrian said. Kamilah took a deep breath for what she was going to say, whether or not that had to be said, she had to discuss it with Adrian. "What is it?" He asked, noting the uncertainty on Kamilah's face. "I believe it's better, and safer... As long as we're dealing with the ferals, Mia stays with me at my house," she said, waiting perfectly for Adrian's confused and angry reply. "Absolutely not!" He said shaking his head. "Adrian, think about it. She's connected to me, I can protect her. If she's in my line of sight, I can keep her safe and prevent any harm from happening to her, that pursuit can last for months, maybe even years.” Kamilah said rationally, she knew that although Adrian denied it, he knew she was right. "No. Never. She can stay with me there. I can also keep her safe." "We both know this did not work out very well last time." Kamilah crossed her arms. Adrian bit his lips, running his hand through his hair, the frustration in his face evident. "You know nothing's gonna happen between us." "You two in the same bed?! Let's not discuss this, Mia will stay with me. I can take care of her.” He pointed to himself, angry. "I'm trying to talk to you civilly, but it seems like you do not understand, I have more voting power than you do. We're talking about my wife, after all." Adrian opened his mouth in disbelief, the apparent anger on his face. "The same girl you consider irresponsible and a bad influence. The wife that you do not nurture any kind of feelings. So do not try to pretend you care about her.” He said bitterly. "I swore I would take care of her, that I would be faithful, in joy and sorrow, until death do us part. You know me well enough, I take my promises very seriously. She is my wife, and she will be my wife until we find a way to undo what that monster did, which seems impossible.”

"What are you two arguing about now?" Mia appeared on the staircase, the weariness evident on her pale face, they both turned to her. "We were arguing about where you're staying," Kamilah said patiently. Mia walked downstairs, looking at both of them uncertainly. "I have a house, guys." She pointed as if it were obvious. Kamilah sighed with her hands on her waist, Adrian's face softened. "With the situation of the ferals, with our... Situation. Kamilah and I thought it might be safer for you to be a place where we can take care of you and protect you.” Adrian approached her, gently touching Mia's hand. "But, Lily..." "Lily, it's not an option for you," Kamilah said coldly. "And... what are the options?" Mia bit her lip, looking uncertainly at both of them. "You're more than welcome to come and live with me in my penthouse." Adrian smiled, passing security and comfort to her with that look. "You know... You know I'll always be there to take care of you." "Or... You can come live with me," Kamilah said quietly. Mia's eyes widened in surprise at the queen's. "With you?" She asked in surprise. Kamilah sighed. "Mia, listen. You and I... We're married now.” Kamilah said choosing her words carefully, noting that Adrian flinched at that. Mia looked at her shyly with interest and surprise in her face. "And we're connected, until we find a way to undo that, if we can do that, you're my responsibility. You're my wife, I have to protect you.” Mia noticed the rare vulnerability in Kamilah's voice. "I do not want to be a burden on you." "You will not be. I promise.” Kamilah shook her head.

Mia swallowed hard looking at the two vampires who looked at her expectantly, waiting for her answer. She turned to Adrian after a long moment, touching his hand. "You know how I feel about you, do not you?" She asked softly, Adrian nodded. "I loved every second that we both spent together, you'll always have a place in my heart Adrian. You know how I love you.” Kamilah looked away as she heard this, avoiding looking at that scene. "But... Kamilah, are my wife now." The sadness on Adrian's face was apparent. "We did what we had to do, and I do not regret doing what I did, you're alive after all." Mia gave a weak smile. "You do not love, Kamilah," Adrian said in anguish. "But that was a real marriage... That we both can not undo. And I promised, I promised I would be faithful to her. And right now, the right thing to do... It would be if we both lived together. Please, don’t make me choose between you and her.” Mia said with tears in her eyes. Adrian sighed.

“Why? Cause you’d choose her?” He asked almost crying with his eyes wet. "Yeah. I’d choose her.” Mia said unexpectedly, causing Kamilah to look at her intrigued. The girl was choosing her. Something she would never expected to hear from Mia.

“I understand. I think our relationship just ended.” He said sadly. "I'll give you both privacy," Kamilah said after a while as she watched the scene of exchanged glances between the two, she had to get away from that environment fast. The only thing that crossed her mind was to go to the balcony of Raines Corp, take a breath or feel the cool breeze of the night beating her face, it always relieved the eminent tension in her mood. She did not think she would find Lily, eating a sandwich in Adrian's private restaurant. "Heya." Lily smiled as she approached the counter. Kamilah immediately picked up a bottle of whiskey, filling her glass. "Whoa, geez... Things are worse than I thought." Lily commented watching her drink the glass in one turn.

“I have 2063 years old and I went through a lot of lovers, how many you can imagine.” Kamilah laughed bitterly. “They all died with the time and I went on, but in any moment of my life I would imagine that I would be married.” She said looking at her wedding band at her finger. “If we were back in my time at Egypt’s, I can swear things would be different.”

“Come on, Mia is not so bad, you know that. She’s brave, she cares a lot about people. If you give her a chance to meet her for real, you gonna see that.” Lily tried. "Mia hates me. Adrian hates me. I ruined the happiness of the happy couple. They just broke up downstairs, Adrian basically gave her a ultimatum and she choose me over him.” Kamilah filled her glass with whiskey again. "And all I was trying to do was save both of their lives."

“Oh, god. I can’t believe this is actually happening," Lily pointed out. "But... You and Mia are a couple now. You had to save the life of your best friend, and you ended up with a wife. And, admitting it, Mia is kind of hot and fucking smart, you know that.”

“I’m not interested in my best friend’s ex. Adrian would never forgive me if I fell for her. Which we both know there’s absolutely no chance of happening” Kamilah said angrily. “I’m the only one rational and responsible here, can not they both see that we have no other choice?" She filled her glass again with whiskey. "They're in love, usually people like that do not see the voice of reason," Lily said quietly. "So, what are you going to do?" "I believe... I believe the right thing to do would be to live as a couple. I mean, there's no other way to get rid of it, with her, I can make things right, I can make my home her home, take care of her, give a health plan. A good life for her, we both know she deserves it. She's young, I do not mean to arrest her, she can go out with anyone she wants, sleep with whomever she wants, but in the eyes of society, we can just... Pretend.” Kamilah shrugged and sipped her glass of whiskey. "You know, for someone who does not care about her, you really are willing to do that," Lily said with a smile. "How... how has she been going these last few months?" Kamilah asked. "She's kind cries sometimes," Lily admitted. "She's pretty stubborn to admit she's not satisfied with the situation, but she's not unhappy about her choice to save Adrian's life, she does not regret it, but just between us... About the situation being this way, I'm glad she has you to take care of her. I know you will not disappoint her. And, maybe you end up feeling something for her that you did not expect."

Kamilah looked at her with those words. What did Lily mean? "When can we go?" Mia's voice made them both look at her, standing between the doors of the restaurant, next to Adrian.

Mia and Lily’s apartment "Do not forget your sweaters!" Lily came out of Mia's closet carrying three sweaters in her hands as she helped the girl pack her bags. Kamilah waited patiently in the living room, reading her e-mails on her cell phone. "I do not know if all my clothes will fit in two suitcases," Mia said looking at her luggage on her bed. "I guess I'll have to come get the rest of my things later," she said contempltively. “I'll miss my bed though.” She touched the sheets.

“Kamilah’s house will make you forget this place really quickly, I’m telling you her place is huge and amazing as fuck, but I’m going to miss my best friend.” Lily said smiling.

“Own, Lils.” Mia opened her arms, hugging Lily tight. Lily wiped the tears from Mia’s face.

“Kamilah will take care of you. She may seems cold and difficult, but she’s nice, you know that.” Lily said. “I can’t believe you are actually married.” Lily laughed.

“I know, I know.” Mia wiped the rest of the tears with her sweater sleeve. “Neither do I. It’s so strange.” Mia shrugged. “Anyways, help me pack the rest, she will not be happy if we make this any longer.”

When the two finished packing Mia's things, they ran into Kamilah in the living room, who stood up gracefully, putting her cell phone in the pocket of her jacket, and elegantly placed between them.

"Is that all?" She asked, furrowing her face towards the suitcases.

"W-Well, there's still some things, but I can pick them up later," Mia said looking at that tall, beautiful woman in front of her. She had to stop stuttering every time Kamilah put those cold, brown eyes on her.

"Okay, then." Kamilah came over to retrieve the suitcases.

"Careful, it's heavy—" Mia tried to stop her, but Kamilah took both of them with ease and turned to the front door without saying another word. Mia and Lily exchanged glances.

"That was scary and sexy," Lily observed. Mia rolled her eyes. The two followed the vampire queen to the entrance of the apartment, Kamilah packed the suitcases with agility in the trunk of her Mercedes, and got into the car without another word. "If you need anything. Call me,” Lily said hugging her best friend again.

"I will." Mia smiled before getting into the car, intimidated to be in Kamilah's car. Lily put her head in the window.

"Drive safely, childrens," she said with a smile, Kamilah rolled her eyes, leaving Lily waving back. A few blocks ahead, Kamilah drove in silence, Mia curled up in the car seat, hugging herself, staring at the vehicle around her. She had never been in a car so elegant and big. Kamilah’s perfume was all over the place.

"Are you cold?" Kamilah asked looking at her of the corner of her eye.

"Just a little," she replied timidly. She saw Kamilah turn on the car heater. Seconds before she came sneezing.

"Are you feeling well? We can drop by the pharmacy,” Kamilah suggested.

"I'm... It's just that with all these experiments we've been through, I end up with low resistance. I caught the flu."

"And you let Adrian almost kill you today with that craziness ?! Very responsible of you, Mia.” Kamilah scolded her.

"What did you want me to do? Adrian was so excited that he had finally figured out a way to free both of us. I had to.”

"And now you're sick," Kamilah said.

"I'm fine." Mia rolled her eyes.

Despite Mia's complaints, Kamilah drove to the pharmacy to buy drugs and painkillers for her.

Kamilah’s penthouse

"Here we are." Kamilah said as the doors to her penthouse opened, she stepped in front of Mia, carrying her suitcases. Mia followed just behind, looking around that gigantic place. The young girl swallowed hard, discredited with that place, it was like being between modernity and antiquity, everything around her was so sophisticated, elegantly decorated and full of old and historical things. Mia took a few steps hesitantly, Kamilah left her keys on her key chain. It was all so open and black, she could see the buildings of New York through the glass walls, the view was beautiful, but it was impossible not to look at the decorative items of Kamilah's house. She watched the Egyptian objects on a glass table leaning against the wall, beneath an Italian painting of a Renaissance artist, which Mia remembered in her history lessons. She took another few steps, spotting a large leather couch near a black piano. Certainly there was much more of it, much more to see and explore, she knew it.

"... Mia?" Kamilah called out. Just then, she realized that Kamilah was talking to her and she was not paying attention.

"Uh?" She asked disoriented.

"I asked if you were hungry," Kamilah said as she pulled off her jacket.

"Oh no. I'm good.” Mia said quietly, her arms crossed, still looking around her shyly. “Thank you.”

"I think maybe I'm with low stockpile of human food at the moment, I was not ready for your arrival, but we can sort this out in the morning, I can ask Maria to go to the market and get what you want,” Kamilah said. She was always so practical... With everything. She take it as if everything could be solved with only a point of order.

"Who... Who is Maria?" Mia asked curiously.

"My maid," Kamilah said.

"And, she knows about... you?" Mia asked.

"Yes, but she is trustworthy. She's been with me for almost fifteen years. She comes two days a week to clean the place, so do not be surprised if you see her around here often,” Kamilah said. "Well, I'll introduce you to the house." Kamilah said walking ahead, Mia hurried to follow her. "It's your home now, which means you can do whatever you want, go wherever you want, eat whatever you want, any time you want, without the need to ask me." Kamilah went down a long corridor, soon her office appeared where—according to her, it was the place where she spent most of her time in the house, the library, the gym, the guest rooms... And finally the last room. Her bedroom. "This is my room. Our room.” She introduced. "Our?" Mia stepped inside, staring at the black-walled room, it was huge, in the center of the room was a king size bed with white sheets, a large rug, a closet on the right, and the other side of room was the bathroom. "Like... We're going to sleep... Together... In the same bed?" Mia pointed to the bed. Kamilah looked at her as if questioning her sanity. "Do not worry. I do not bite.” Kamilah said approaching her. “You can decorate as you please, but leave the bed. I like, it’s comfortable.” "That's not what I'm worried about." Mia swallowed hard looking at her. "I barely stay at home, so the bed will be practically yours. You can have the left side of the closet, I do not care.” Kamilah left Mia's suitcases on the bed. "So, what do you think?" She looked at the girl who was expressionless. "You have a hell of a home," Mia commented, taking an unexpected smile from Kamilah. "I'll take it as a compliment. I think you can handle yourself from now on.” Kamilah said.

“...Do you mind if I take a shower?" Mia asked, Kamilah turned to her with frowning brows and a grimace. "Uh... Right, this is my house now too." She said, Kamilah nodded.

“I need a drink.” She said leaving Mia alone in that huge room.

“Home sweet home, I guess.” Mia said quietly to herself with her hands on her waist.

After a long bath in Kamilah's bathtub, Mia finally finished packing, putting on a set of pajamas, a pair of shorts and a tank top, she wiped her blond hair and left the bathroom hesitantly. Everything in Kamilah's house was large, dazzling and charming. She was not accustomed to all this, and she doubted she would ever get used to it. This was her life now, living in a penthouse, living a life of luxury next to Kamilah, the vampire queen, CEO and best friend of Mia's ex-boyfriend. This could not be stranger and uncomfortable. She sighed, taking a deep breath before leaving the bathroom, at least the bath had helped to get that bad feeling out of her body, she took her medicine, and when she reached the living room, she came across Kamilah.

She was quiet and calm, playing on her piano a beautiful and sad melody. A glass of whiskey lay on top of the piano. Mia stopped to look at her, was anything that woman could not do without perfection? Kamilah's brown eyes rose from the keys and found hers, she felt her cheeks burn with Kamilah's warm gaze.

"You... You are really good at that," Mia complimented. The shadow of a smile appeared on Kamilah's face, Mia approached her, Kamilah's eyes never left her, Kamilah could not help, but notice the curves of the girl's body in those intimate clothes, the almost transparent shorts, the blouse with the cleavage marking her breasts. Her blond hair fell over her shoulders, messed up. She was really beautiful and attractive, there was no way to denying it.

The damn thought of throwing the girl in her bed and having her all night long disturbed her. She wondered what Mia's taste would be, her lips, what it would be like to kiss and bite that whole neck. To stare into those green eyes as she made the girl scream her name. At that moment, the queen cursed herself for that sudden desire to invade her conscious, Mia was the love of Adrian's life. And Adrian was her best friend, she could not have her.

"Thank you." She said taking her eyes off Mia, and focusing on the keys. "What is it?" Kamilah asked as she noticed the girl's uncomfortable behavior. "I know that look, you're thinking of something."

The blonde bit her rosy lips uneasily, putting a blonde wig behind her ear.

"... I have some conditions, for this between us to work." Mia forced herself to look into Kamilah's mesmerizing brown eyes. The vampire raised a perfect eyebrow in response, the curiosity killing her from within.

"Conditions?" Mia bit her lower lip.

"Requests," she corrected herself.

"Go ahead." Kamilah nodded. Mia took a deep breath before continuing.

"I need a job. I do not want to stand here doing nothing alI day. I can not work for Raines Corp after all that's happened.” Mia sighed. "... And I also do not want the men’s of your Clan following me around the city. I'm not used to it, I do not like it."

"I can think of the first suggestion, but the second is non-negotiable. They're protecting you."

"Kamilah ..." Mia shook her head. It was almost impossible to argue with Kamilah, her word was always final.

"Absolutely not." Kamilah stood, Mia drew back a few steps, startled by the sudden movement of the beautiful woman in front of her, where Kamilah approached her until she was inches from the girl's face. Those brown eyes studied her coolly, her face impassive, perfect.

"I'll try to clear things up for you." Kamilah began to speak in a quiet voice. "I did what I did to protect Adrian, not for you. For him. I could not care less about the life of another mortal. And it cost me a lot, including my friendship with him. You and I are married and connected, whether you like it or not, that is, we have roles to fulfill with each other in the eyes of society, you can think as an act. Adrian does not seem to understand, so I hope you understand, I'm not expecting your love, your affection, or anything like that, so do not wait back from me. You do not have to like me, much less I of you, if you fulfill your part of the agreement, that is to be my fake wife, you can have everything you could possibly want. I will fulfill with mine, and both we are satisfied. I’m a woman of word, Mia”

“This... This is a wedding, a relationship, not one of your contracts!” Mia argued, red faced.

“Yes, it is. It's just business, now you’re my associate, so don’t think about fail with me. Understood?” Kamilah said those final words like a hangman about to kill her new victim, she passed Mia silently and entered her office. A solitary tear trickled down the girl's face as she watched her life turn upside down.

#choices you play #bloodbound #kamilah sayeed #bb #kamilah x mc

106 notes · View notes