Veronica Gekko

archer-claringslave​:

Archer shrugged in response to Veronica’s comments about his fitness requirements. She wasn’t wrong, but he wasn’t ready to have her know he was a slave just yet. Besides that, the conversation took a turn for the serious… and the seriously insane. There was no way in hell he was going to let Veronica make a decision that could very well end with her in the same position he was in–or one much worse. “You have to be joking,” he said, sitting back in his bench to really take in her appearance. “You cannot leave him until you have a backup plan in place. Don’t do that to yourself. You think you’ve lost yourself now? It’s nothing compared to the shit you’ll go through if you end up a slave.” He narrowed his eyes at her, his arms crossing over his chest. “Sam and Hunt both have open sub slots, but I’m pretty sure they’re not really looking for a second or third.”

Veronica also folded her arms across her chest, mimicking his stubborn stance with one of her own. “What? You don’t think I could secure another claim in a year?” She looked almost hurt. “Besides, how am I supposed to secure a backup plan while I still belong to him?” She knew he was speaking from a place of complete rationality, but looking at the person who meant the most to her, whom she’d been kept from all these years, was making her see red, which provoked a little impulsivity. She raised her brow at his comment about Sam and Hunter. “Well, I’ve always gotten along well with both of them. I’m sure I could inspire a change of heart….” Veronica mused, swirling her milkshake idly with her straw. “...I asked if your Dominant had an opening. Why deflect to Sam and Hunter?” As the words left her mouth, the possible reality dawned on her. Still, she didn’t dare believe it before he confirmed it himself - although an unmistakable expression of immediate concern crossed her features.

archer-claringslave​:

Archer shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I want to keep myself fit?” he asked, his heartbeat picking up speed just a bit under his calm and cool façade. It was clear by now that Veronica thought that he’d been claimed and wasn’t a slave, and god, it would be nice to hold onto this feeling for just a little while longer. He wouldn’t outright lie to her, but the thought of just one person not knowing his shame was huge for him. He cleared his throat and frowned as she talked through her relationship with her Dom. He felt anger rising in his chest and he struggled to push it down. He’d lost touch with Veronica not because she’d given up on him but because her Dom had been jealous? Of a man months away from the auction house? He shook his head and let out a disbelieving snort of laughter. The release of that sound managed to start to chip away at the wall he’d built up around himself when it came to the woman across from him. “I’m sorry,” he told her quietly. “You deserve better than him, beautiful.”

“There’s no reason you wouldn’t. Looking the way you do has never been anything less than an asset to you…it just sounded like there was something specific motivating your continued fitness, that’s all.” Veronica sighed sadly, nodding at the pathetic nature of her situation. “When I heard you were in town, I knew I needed to see you, so thanks for doing this. I figured…if anyone can motivate me to do what I need to do, it’s you.” Veronica met Archer’s gaze, and before she could stop herself, the words came out, solidifying her decision. “I’m going to leave him, Archer. I know what I’m risking in the process, but I just can’t…do this anymore. I no longer recognize myself, and I know I’m meant to be more than a trophy sub for a small-dicked, silver-spoon-fed brat trying to overcompensate.” Veronica gave him a soft smile and attempted, half-jokingly. “Any chance your dominant is in the market for a savvy, business-minded, devastatingly sexy submissive?” It was amazing. Just being there with Archer had her old confidence rushing back. For the first time in an entire decade, she felt like herself.

archer-claringslave​:

The heat in Veronica’s cheeks made Archer smile a bit to himself. He clearly hadn’t lost his touch with her, which was weird, considering she’d dropped him so easily as he was approaching 30. He almost asked why she would need to slip away from her Dom, but then he realized not everyone would be fond of their subs socializing with a slave. He wasn’t even a second-class citizen at this point, and he was well aware of how most people thought about him. He sipped at his own milkshake and let out an honest-to-god moan at how good it tasted. He should ask Sam about treating him more often. “Got to keep myself in tip-top shape,” he said, shrugging a little. He needed to be fit for those who rented him as well as to handle anything that came up while he was on security duty. “I didn’t really expect to see you again, either,” he admitted.

Veronica smiled at his reaction to the milkshake, her brow raising at his declaration at needing to stay in shape. “That’s never been a problem for you, handsome - but may I ask why? I imagine your tour with the army has concluded by now, but are you looking to re-enlist?” Veronica was perfectly clueless about Archer’s life, thanks to Chad’s annoyingly effective decision to cut Veronica off from her life before him. “I don’t expect you really wanted to after I dropped off the face of the earth.” Veronica sighed sadly, swirling her straw through her shake, intentionally avoiding Archer’s gaze. “You should know, first and foremost, that ghosting you was the absolute last thing I wanted to do, but...well, I didn’t exactly have a say in the matter. It was either stop talking to you, or forfeit my claim entirely. Chad isn’t exactly...secure.” She spat bitterly, mainly to herself. “He had a good enough idea as to what you meant to me when he and I got together and he didn’t like it.” Veronica chuckled darkly, shaking her head at the memory. “Not that he can be blamed, really. No one can measure up to you...least of all a slimy, pathetic little...” She trailed off, biting her lip to stop herself from really going in on her sorry excuse for a Dominant. “Sorry. I’m not exactly...happy if that wasn’t obvious.”

archer-claringslave​:

Archer slid into the booth once Veronica had given him permission. It was really fucking weird to be sitting across from her like this, as if no time at all had passed since the last time they’d been here, nearly a decade ago. But a lot of time had passed, and they were both entirely different people. “That’s fine,” he said quietly. Anything at all from Pop’s was a big treat for him, even with the allowances he was given at the Evans House. But it was nice that Veronica had remembered. “Thank you.” He cleared his throat and gave her a little smile. “You look wonderful.”

She blushed at his compliment. God, it had been so long since anyone had that effect on her. “Really? I’m glad you think so, but this is just my “incognito” ensemble.” She gave a modest shrug. “It’s nothing like the flashy numbers you probably remember me wearing.” The understated, black dress, cloaked in a matching shade made her look inconspicuous enough. “I doubt Chad would wander into Pop’s looking for me...but just in case he does, I needed to wear something that would buy me enough time to slip away.” She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, peering over her shoulder suspiciously before refocusing on Archer. “He would lose his mind if he knew I were with you right now...” She trailed off as a waitress glided over to deposit their milkshakes in front of them. Smiling her thanks, Veronica leaned forward and took a sip of her own shake; strawberry flavored, topped with a candied cherry. She set her eyes on him and flushed again. “You look...better than I remember, and I didn’t think that was possible.” Veronica glanced to her lap and sighed, her voice going a little shaky. “I’ve missed you, Archer... It’s unreal seeing you right now.”

archer-claringslave​:

Archer was torn about seeing Veronica. Getting his eyes on her once more would give him plenty more material for his spank bank when he got a chance to use it, but honestly, he was still pretty hurt that she’d dropped him not long before he turned 30. It was probably for the best, but it still stung to think about. He took a deep breath as he entered Pop’s and made his way over to the table where she was waiting for him. “Hi,” he said quietly, and he nodded down at the empty bench across from her. “Mind if I sit?”

“Please.” Veronica responded, gesturing with a manicured hand to the empty booth across from her. She couldn’t help wetting her lips as he sat down. He looked every bit as jaw-dropping as he did when they first met, if not better. It had been so long since she’d been satisfied in any respect, especially sexually, so seeing him instinctively had her clenching her thighs together as the memories of their many, many romps came back to her. When they got situated, Veronica drummed her nails against the table, looking for a place to start. “I ordered for us already, if that’s alright. I assume your favorite milkshake hasn’t changed in the last decade? Chocolate with a scoop of whey protein powder?” She smiled fondly at him, ever amused by the fact that his dedication to his body didn’t even wane for a milkshake.

Distance made things easier. Not seeing or talking to the man she was, without a doubt, in love with, made it a little easier to justify everything that led to them falling out of contact. Chad was her Dominant. He was the only reason she wasn’t enslaved. In a way, she felt obligated to at least respect his wishes regarding who she spoke with—seeing Archer, though. In the flesh, or at least, online and able to talk to him, changed everything. Cloaked in an expensive sheet of black silk, Veronica walked hurriedly into Pop’s and requested a booth in the back corner. Smiling at the familiar host, she followed him and took her seat, where she waited nervously to see if Archer would even show. As Veronica mulled over her thoughts, she pondered the last twelve years and felt disgusted with herself. She should have fought harder when Chad forced her not to contact Archer. She should have defied him no matter the cost. But, of course, she also had her family to consider. They’d been through heartbreak already with Santiago becoming a slave. She owed it to them not to become one, herself. Veronica sighed in deep frustration. She owed this and that to Chad; she owed the other thing to her family - but what about herself? What did she owe to herself?

 Looking up, she saw Archer approaching their booth, looking as breathtakingly handsome as ever, and she found her answer. This. She owed herself this one chance to clear the air and let him know that if she had any other choice, she would never have allowed Chad to stop their communication, that it had nothing to do with him and everything to do with her miserable situation. “Hi.” She managed softly, her pearly white collar tight around her neck. @archer-claringslave​

[PM] I’ll see you there.

PM: Thank you. I hardly deserve this, but I swear you won’t regret it, Archer.

Yeah. It’s pretty impressive, what they’ve managed to build together from scratch.

[PM] Just tell me when and where.

PM: Pop’s? 11 o’clock tonight?

I guess the Evans House is probably the biggest change since you were last here, but you probably already know all about that. I’m glad you ended up coming. I hope you enjoy it like you thought you would.

 ...So I’ve heard. Members of my father’s political party are hardly pleased with the project Sam and Owen have got going, but I personally think it’s pretty remarkable.

Well, if it isn’t one of the most beautiful girls to have ever stepped foot on this campus. It’s lovely to see you again, Veronica.

A lot has changed in 12 years. I’ve been claimed, have a son, I’m a stay at home dad/caregiver to seven beautiful children.

What about you? I’m sure you’re living a fabulous life?

Mmm, you and your brother have always been so complimentary towards me. It’s refreshing, let me tell you. And thank you, sweetheart. You’re as hunky as ever, for the record.

It sounds as though everything worked out. You’ve come a long way from that crabby, resistant submissive I met way back when. I’m proud of you, guapo.

And you are as stunning as ever.  I’m doing really well, thank you.  Joe and I couldn’t be happier, claimed, married and we have a little girl.  I hope you’re having an equally good life?

I can’t tell you how nice that is to hear. Gracias, Señor. Really? Congratulations! What’s her name?