thousand cuts

♡ 

Had it really only been a few hours ago that Matthew had pinned her up against the full-length mirror in her bedroom so that he could fuck her like a man possessed? Had it really only been a few hours since she had begged and pleaded for his cock and his cum as if nothing else in the world mattered even in the slightest? A cruel wind had blown in, and it had been more than enough to turn the tides between the two of them completely, and now their earlier rendezvous might as well have happened in another lifetime entirely. Looking at him now - it hurt, twisting the knife that had plunged deeply into her stomach the moment she had first seen him with that beautiful and mysterious woman back in the ballroom, and she could tell just by the way that Matthew was holding himself, like tempered steel that had been left for too long in the hearth and was now white-hot and threatening to shatter beneath the simplest blow, that she wasn’t the only one who was upset tonight. She had no idea what she might have done to earn his disapproval this time, but whatever it was, it invoked a harsh, humorless laugh from Matthew that she had never heard before as he finally turned around and looked at her directly in the face.

And he was livid. There was nothing fond or gentle in the sound of his voice as he said her name, and each word that escaped him afterward was more angry than the last. In that moment, she could have both slapped him across the face and kissed him desperately on the lips; they were constantly walking the thin and dangerous line between love and hate, and right now, Baby could no longer tell one apart from the other. “You look at me the exact same way that you look at every other woman in this fucking estate, Matthew; don’t you dare try to feed me that bullshit,” she said breathlessly, tremulously, fluttering towards him in the rose-gold gown he had all but worshiped her in mere hours ago so that she could jab one of her prettily-manicured fingers hard into the center of his broad and muscular chest. “And of course you have no idea who I’m talking about right now. What’s wrong, honey? Can’t keep track of your ten billion girlfriends?” 

Her voice wavered, quivering just as much as the cool nighttime breeze blowing onto the balcony, and she had to avert her gaze fretfully to blink past the dewy sheen of tears that had marred her luminous brown eyes. As desperately as she tried to retain her furious composure, there was no hiding the hurt that all but radiated off of her trembling frame; he wasn’t the first man to cast her aside as if she meant absolutely nothing tonight, and she had a feeling that he wouldn’t be the last, either. “A plaything. That’s what you think you are to me, Matthew?” she asked with a wobbly, incredulous laugh, looking up at him again beneath the moonlit sky overhead. “It took you less than two weeks of being my bodyguard to give in and fuck me, and even less time to leave me when the position no longer suited you. I think you know better than anyone else in the manor just how easy it is to do whatever the hell you want,” she added shakily, and she was no longer able to reign in her tears or stop them from cascading down the flushed apples of her cheeks. “Because that’s what you’ve always done, right? Collect as many hearts as possible so that you can stomp all over them when you’re done.” 

-

“Do not throw that in my face, Baby, not when I have to see you wrap yourself around another man like a damn vine.” He hissed before he could stop himself. He didn’t want her to know. He didn’t want her to see that it ate at his core, the jealousy and selfishness that he hated in himself. He stepped closer towards her till the air around them was near suffocating, eyes like burning steel as he tried to keep his hands to himself, because he knew the second he touched her, all reason and anger would melt away till it was nothing but white-hot devotion that left him blind. 

Could she truly not see? 

“I look at you like you hung the fucking sun, are you fucking with me?” He snapped, hands shaking as if he wanted to pull his hair out in frustration. “You have me. I am yours, so... so pathetically yours, it scares me sometimes. So much so that more often than not, I don’t give a shit about whether or not you think you’re mine.” He would take whatever she it was would give him, even if it meant having to feel like he was swallowing coal every time she was away. “The last time-” He stopped himself before he could continue, looking away as if having to physically restrain himself. 

The last time he felt this way, it nearly destroyed him... and even then, it was never like this. He didn’t know if that was worse. 

He stayed silent as he listened to her, trying his very best not to pull her close as he watched the tears stream down her face. That wouldn’t help either of them. He let out a derisive snort before moving further away because close proximity did not do for a clear head... and then there was silence. As if the earth stood still for a moment. 

“What I’ve always done?” He repeated quietly as he clenched his jaw, mind working far too fast for him to keep track. “Is that really what you think of me?” Someone so callous as to do that. As if every moment shared between them... every night spent in her bed, every morning where he would hold her as if she were a piece of soul missing from his life... Did she think that meant nothing to him? As if that was just another notch in his belt. 

He stood there almost stunned, staring at her... tragically still thinking she may have hung the sun. “I suppose we’re one and the same, then.” He bit out, swallowing the lump in his throat that suddenly made it terribly painful to talk. “Feel free to stomp on mine a bit more on your way out.” 

@gcssxmer​ ( Arabella & Leo )

Arabella fidgeted in front of the guard room, looking down at the box of pastries that she had picked up along the way. She knew that the security guards were likely busy, after the debacle of the other night, but the thought of not dropping by didn’t sit well with her. Not after everything they had done to keep them safe. And there was one person in particular that she was hoping to find. It had been a chance encounter really, in the brief moment of panic she had when Lilianna disappeared from her sight and she had gone chasing after her. But Leo Fairmont had been there to stop her from making a foolish decision, and had been kind enough to stay with her until the fires were well and truly under control. He hadn’t needed to do that, but the fact that he had touched the lonely woman.

“E-Excuse me.“ She took a breath and opened the door, peering in timidly until her eyes fell on just the person she was looking for. “Mr. Fairmont! O-oh good!” Arabella perked up, slipping into the room and making her way over to where he was, careful not to jostle her gift too much as she stepped past several desks. “I asked one of your colleagues about you and they mentioned you were here. I, um…wanted to apologize, for the way I behaved the other night. I know it wasn’t my wisest decision that night.” She smiled then, tenative but hopeful as she held out the box to him.. “B-but I wanted to thank you too. Properly. I-I’m afraid I didn’t know what you liked, so I bought one of each. I hope that’s okay.”

-

Chaos was one thing. The aftermath was another. While Leo was more than relieved to hear that the damages weren’t particularly fatal, and that everyone walked out of the fire relatively safe, it still was a terrible headache to deal with the logistics of making sure things remained safe, but it was a small price to pay, he supposed. He was, however, thoroughly tired from the work and the sleepless nights weren’t helping. 

“Nightmares.” He had quickly explained to someone who had asked, tone clipped and smile short as he moved past the issue. 

He yawned at his desk before resting his forehead against the cool wood, only to turn slightly at the sound of his name. He raised his head with a cocked brow, trying to piece together who it was that was speaking to him before immediately pairing the face to a name, an easy smile sliding onto his face as he stood up to meet her in the middle. “Ms. Arabella,” He greeted with a tilt of his head, reaching out to hold the box of pasties offered to him. “You really didn’t have to. I was happy to do it.” He peeked inside the box and almost immediately his stomach grumbled. 

Turns out he hasn’t been eating either. “If anything, you might’ve helped me get through the night a bit more than I helped you.” It was a much needed distraction from the rapidly fraying edges of his sanity.

FORTUNATELY FOR AUGUSTIN, he had managed to not gain any injuries from the events which occurred within the manor. perhaps he was lucky, though he usually tended to have luck on his side, as he frequently gained whatever he wished for. it didn’t take much for augustin to use his silver-tongue and confidence in order to turn the tables around in his favor, and he frequently used this ability to make those who went against him quite miserable.

noticing matthew, a man who augustin had a great interest in, he went towards him, scoffing when he noticed the other attempting to evade his presence. with a chuckle escaping his mouth, augustin followed closely behind before coming to the man’s side, his slow pace from his injury not allowing him to lose augustin.

“did you really think you could get out of talking to me? with a limp like that, you’ll be stuck with me for the rest of the day.” another laugh left augustin’s mouth, since he found the other’s condition slightly humorous due to the fact that the two of the, always had a rivalry with each other. “aren’t you supposed to be resting anyway? how sad.”

-

Bastard. This good looking, french, bastard. Matthew muttered a quick curse under his breath before ultimately slowing his pace, only to turn to Augustin with a scowl. He wasn’t too fond of the sub-breaker, his silver tongue and charming nature rubbing him the wrong way. Things just always seemed so easy for him. It was as if the man hadn’t had much conflict in his life, had everything given to him on a silver platter... and Matthew detested that. 

It didn’t help that he was easy on the eyes and had a knack for tormenting him with his presence. 

“I try my best to avoid you, Augustin, and usually it works. I was hoping you would take pity on me this time and leave me alone.” Matthew drawled, lips still tugging downward as he ran a hand through his curls, only wincing slightly at the movement. He now very much regretted leaving his chaise. At least then, he would be sitting. 

“My getting away from you seemed much more pressing than me getting rest... but since you’ve caught me, I don’t suppose you can help me get back to my seat. Make yourself useful for once.” There was nothing more that Matthew hated than asking the man for help, but he knew when to suck up his pride. 

“Heh, am I that unusual? To think a chase should be something mutual?“ It was funny, to have been called strange by a woman that he would argue was even more so. Practically swallowed up in his coat, she reminded him more of a disgruntled stray rather than some helpless little rabbit, especially with the way she was looking at him all confused and perplexed. Viktor couldn’t help but find it rather endearing, but he always did have something of a softer spot for wayward strays. Given who tended to join the Bratva, it made considerable sense to him, even if she didn’t quite understand. 

He crossed his arms, leaning against the tree as she wrestled with the garment. “Don’t worry about it too much. I’m not really here to be hunting submissives. I have much larger prey in mind.” Viktor replied cryptically, glancing over in the direction of the mansion as his expression darkened. He needed to bide his time and energy for other things beyond indulging in everything the estate had to offer. “But it is not such a bad way to kill time, yes? Ah, perhaps not as much for submissives, but if you go further into woods, I am thinking you will be just fine. I have not been seeing as many doms that way.”

But admittedly, Viktor was thrown for a bit of a loop when she finally made her request of him, and had given him an unusual gift in return. A real laugh left him then, only because it was so absurd and so very fitting for the submissive. “I don’t see why not! Sure, take it. Suits you better than me anyways.” It wasn’t particularly difficult to find a replacement, but it wasn’t every day that he came across such a strange exchange. He took the string carefully, examining it with a curious look of his own. What an odd bird, to carry around such trinkets with her. 

“Tell me, Miss, are you always carrying around strings for trading? I had no idea there was such a market for them here.”

-

“It is strange, for a place like Rosewood.” Though, she was a disobedient sub, and she did attract a certain... type of clientele. She pursed her lips in thought before deciding not to think too deep on it. “But that’s alright. I like strange.” It tugged at her lips as she snuggled herself deeper into his coat. It smelled nice. Warm and foreign and something she couldn’t quite place. 

Then he was talking again, and he continued to say things that vexed her. Larger prey? What could he possibly mean. She would have inquired a bit more, but she was not in the mood for questions. Her attention was fraying and she was much more interested in the lack of cock inside her. 

And while she would like to have plans for this man, tonight might not be the night. 

“No. That red string is special. It’s for you.” She shook her head and closed the distance between them before taking the string from him and grabbing his wrist, raising it slightly so she could loop it around like a bracelet. “I only packed one string and was waiting for the right person to give it to. You should feel special.” She looked at him pointedly before knotting it twice and tying and dainty ribbon once she was finished. 

“Don’t take it off okay? I’ll know if you take it off.” She dropped his wrist and took a step back before clasping both hands behind her back. She grasped at the bottom of her mask before pulling it over her face and tilting her head, his coat loose against her frame. 

"I wish to leave now. Don’t bother missing me. I’ll find you again soon.” He couldn’t see the smile behind the mask. 

           After the fire had broken out, Leyla had mostly wandered around in aimless circles. She didn’t belong anywhere, except out of the way, so she huddled near the forest’s edge, watching. The fire sparked hot, and she could only stare as it grew larger and began to take on more of the manor. Less quickly than she’d hoped, firefighters and medics emerged on the scene and began to combat the growing blaze and treat the wounded. She drifted around, knowing she couldn’t provide any help but wanting to do something all the same.

           She spotted Matthew seated with another medic, and she had to fight back an instinctual urge to scream at him. Not out of anger, exactly, but just the unsettling feeling that came from seeing him injured. Though they hadn’t known each other long, she’d developed a softness for him. “Seni aptal… You’re an idiot,” she translated. “You were supposed to be protecting me. What have you done to yourself?”

-

Matthew let out a snort, waving away the medic once his bandages were all done before moving his attentions completely towards Leyla, wincing slightly as he tried his very best to shift his torso to face her. “You have terrible bed side manners. I’m in pain. I think I deserve a bit more than verbal insults.” In truth, though, he was happy to see that she was alright. 

It was also a comfort not to be alone right now. It distracted him from the pain he was feeling. 

“And once again, I stand by the fact that you are more than equipped to take care of yourself. Case in point.” He gestured to his torso before raising a brow. “Maybe you should be my bodyguard.” He paused for a while before letting out a sigh and reaching out to give her hand a reassuring squeeze. 

“I’m fine, Leyla, I promise. It looks much worse than it actually is.” 

  This was suppose to be a vacation, somewhere to relax. Why is it happening? Maybe it was stupid to assume somewhere with so many… interesting characters would be safe. Nothing ever was really safe. Even in your bed and under the sheets, it’s like people forget monsters are in the dark and there’s no way away from that. “Matty.” The name slipped out again finally focusing more on him. Some part of her wanted to say he wasn’t really there, he wasn’t the last time - why would he again? No real duty to her after all. 

     Electra wanted to curl into a ball but his arms kept her in more of a sitting position, allowing her to feel his chest rise and fall.  Her own breathing somewhere between matching his own and her out of beat rhythm. How long had it been since they’d seen one and other; first arriving she’d never think he’d be here, then after running into him … well this was the last thing Electra imagined would happen that involved the two of them. Now he was telling her just keep looking at him – truth be told she wanted to keep looking at him but her eyes were staring to burn from the smoke.

         Mindlessly Electra pulled herself closer to him, arms snaking up his chest around his neck. “Are you okay Matty?” She muttered into his ear, the feeling of guilt creeping into her stomach - he was carrying her.  

-

He wasn’t going to let anything happen to her... He’d keep her safe. He didn’t know if it was the gnawing guilt that hadn’t really let him go since that day of the raid when he had let her down, or if it was something much deeper, much more entangled with the chords of his heart that made him so adamant to get her out of there unscathed. Either way, he had her in his arms and he wasn’t letting go. 

-

“That’s dangerous waters you’re treading there, Hastings.” One of the guards commented as he nudged at Matthew lightly, eyeing the way the other was looking at their contessa. Matthew let out a scoff before moving his attentions back to the target, gun clocked and smile still tugging at his lips. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He denied, though it was plain as day on his face

“Falling in love is a shit show. Get out of that burning building while you still can.” 

- 

They were so close to the exit, Matthew could almost taste the fresh air. He hoisted her up a bit higher and pushed forward. “I’m okay.” He responded quickly, and with one final push, he ran them out of the building and moved them towards the safety of the woods. His lungs let out a sigh of relief as he coughed out smoke, hand moving to cradle the back of her head as he walked further away from the manor. “I’m always okay. You know that.” His steps slowed down till finally they were away from immediate danger. He let out a sigh and sat them both down on the cool damp grass, holding her close to him still as he willed his heart to calm down before finally pulling away and cradling her face, eyes moving over her features quickly. 

“Are you hurt anywhere? Ellie, love, are your arms okay? You didn’t get burned?” 

It was scary how easily you slip back into shoes you thought you’ve thrown away. 

@gcssxmer​

He hadn’t managed to find his way back to Dove after the fire had broken out and he’d been terrified on her behalf ever since, he’d had … his own issues to deal with in the immediate aftermath of the inferno, but now that it was the next day and some sort of normalcy already seemed to be returning to the estate (singed ballroom and all), Henry was determined to seek out his favorite disobedient submissive as soon as possible. He hated himself for not being able to locate her during the chaos, instead he’d ended up in the woods and—well. He certainly didn’t plan on telling her, or anyone else for that matter, what had transpired there.

Normally when he wanted to see her, he conveyed his desire to one of the lovely front desk girls or even a concierge, and Dove would be packaged up quite prettily and deposited at his doorstep by one of the onsite guards. Today, however, he was seeking her out on his own, he was terrified that she had been hurt, or that something had happened to her during the fire, he needed to see with his own damn eyes that she was alright. He thought back fondly to the eerily cute schoolgirl costume she had donned during the event, the way she’d fluttered and flounced around in that temptingly tiny skirt and made him laugh harder than he had in a good long while. 

He just hoped that he wasn’t too late now. He made his way earnestly through the cells, deep within the darkest and most forbidden part of the estate, its honest to god underbelly, and he cleared his throat before shouting out into the unforgiving frigidity of the corridor, “Dove? Dove, are you down here? It’s—Henry.” He hesitated, suddenly worried that perhaps she wouldn’t want to hear from him at all, even if she hadn’t been wounded in the blaze. “Please, love, just say something so I know you’re alright. You can even tell me to bugger off if that’s what you’d like.”

-

Screaming. Fire. Heat. Every time she closed her eyes, that sole memory was what engulfed her whole, leaving her irritable, sleepy and just very much done with this whole mess. She tossed off her blanket and began pacing her cell like an angry cat, hopeful that she would walk off the energy that seemed to fizzle around her like electricity. 

And what pissed her off the most was that she didn’t know why she was angry to begin with. It was probably the lack of sleep, probably the shame of having been so scared and out of control during the fire, probably the jealousy that coursed through her veins when everyone else seemed to have someone to hold tight when they needed comfort, when she had... no one. 

Eugh... That sentiment reeked of co-dependence. She didn’t need anyone. 

Who cares if no one seemed to have looked for her. She got out of there on her own. She took care of her little burns, she walked herself back to her cells... She was fine because she made sure she was fine. She nodded her head as if agreeing with internal monologue, only to turn at the sound of a familiar voice calling out her name. 

A very familiar, very comforting voice that Dove hated to admit made her feel much more at ease. 

“’Bugger off’? What the fuck is this man saying...” She muttered to herself, moving to the front of her cell and popping her head down to see out of the keyhole of her door. 

“Stop yelling! Stop being so British!” She yelled back petulantly, eyes narrowing as she glared at her wall. “You’re not even suppose to be here! You could get me in trouble.” It was a flimsy excuse. She didn’t care about getting in trouble. She just didn’t want him to see her like this, dark rings under her eyes, hair flat and lack luster and scowl permanently etched on her face. 

matthew and augustin 

While it was recommended (and very much needed), Matthew was getting tired of being on sick leave. It had been alright the first few days, but he was now on day three and things were starting to get far too dull for his liking. So there he was, lounging on one of the many chaises scattered around the estate, pencil in hand and crossword in the other, brows furrowed in mild frustration. 

“Five letters... The iridescent internal layer of a mollusk shell...” He tapped his pencil against the newspaper before grunting. “How the fuck am I suppose to know?” He scribbled down a few vowels that might fit, only to catch sight of an incoming presence he very much did not want to be around right now. 

He let out a string of curses before immediately getting up (wincing only slightly) in an attempt to escape him. 

A BROAD    grin finds her features; matching his own. “ smart answer, hastings. i leave a hell of a black eye. ” quickly grin subsides, fist made to punch his forearm lovingly. “ you think you’re the shit. that’s why i have to keep you in place now and again. on my soul you liked being gagged last week. ”  she laughs then, banter familiar and warm. their interaction was easy and comforting. 

SHE LIFTS    the chilled glass to her lips taking a hearty sip. “ i can’t help your dick print is always making a appearance when we’re with them. i have no choice but to stare. ” her nose wrinkles in humor, catching lingering gaze and rolling her eyes affectionately. she gave him a hard time; a easy push and pull between the two. she makes herself comfortable at his side, leaning to gently press her cheek to her shoulder. resting her head and leaning into him to comfort herself and maybe even, him. “ i’ve been looking for you this whole time. everyone else was pretty boring. where were you? hiding from me, right? me being your bully and all. ” a soft chuckle. 

-

“I did like being gagged last week. Just as much as you liked being tied to my bed frame the week before that.” He said with a snort, taking another swig of his beer. He turned to her with a fond smile before letting out a sigh as he accommodated her weight against his, finding that it was a much needed comfort after the increasingly overwhelming feeling of uncertainty and loss welling up inside him. 

He pressed his lips together before tapping his beer bottle against the counter. 

“I wasn’t hiding from you.” He began simply before finally shaking his head. “I’m hiding from my ghosts of Christmas past and present.” He rubbed at his chin tiredly before turning to her with a raised brow. “Are you going to pry? Do I have to mentally prepare myself for your prying?” 

Absolutely nothing had gone according to Baby’s carefully-concocted plan tonight, and as she reflected back on everything that had - and hadn’t - happened, she realized that her calculated ambitions had been nothing more than the foolish, childish hopes of a little girl. All she’d wanted was to be loved and adored tonight, not just by the many men whose hearts she longed to claim as her own, but by Adonis and Bunny as well, the two siblings she’d only just started to reunite with. She’d dreamed up wild fantasies of fluttering beautifully into the ballroom like an ethereal goddess from heaven above and forming an unshakable bond with the only family she had left in-between the clandestine trysts she hoped to have with the men she worshiped so dearly, and yet - despite her best efforts to earn their affection, she’d been rebuffed at each turn, leaving her…painfully abandoned and alone. Just like always, because when had she ever been enough to convince anyone to stay? When had she ever managed to be somebody’s dream girl?

And sometimes she just felt so terribly young. Too young, even, to be tangled up with far too many men who just so happened to be old enough to be her father and then some, and yet she was constantly trying to act older than her twenty-one years as if that somehow had any effect on her worth. She wasn’t innocent in the way that Tatiana was, or even Bunny, and hadn’t been since long before her eighteenth birthday, and perhaps that was the crux of it all - perhaps that was what made it so continuously easy for people to leave her behind. 

Her heart was in her throat and her vision was blurred by her tears as she shakily pushed her way through the crowded ballroom to step out onto the balcony instead, opening the stunning french doors she’d begged Raphael to install and drawing in a startled, gasping breath at the sudden rush of cool nighttime air upon her flushed and dewy skin. She’d been hoping for a moment alone, but of course she couldn’t have been granted even that; standing before her at the bow of the balcony himself was - Matthew, because even though he didn’t turn around to look at her, she’d recognize him from behind no matter what, with or without the sound of his low baritone voice. Even if he was wound up in the presence of another woman, one that Baby had never seen before - one who, in the span of the few moments she’d been able to witness them interacting for, had drawn more emotion out of Matthew than Baby felt like she ever did.

“You’re such a fucking asshole,” she breathed out, then, shaky and tremulous as she looked incredulously at his back, because he wouldn’t even grant her the courtesy of turning around to look her in the eye. Her tiny little hands curled up into dainty fists at her sides, and she didn’t dare take another step before him - she was so sick and tired of being the one to ask how high she needed to jump, and then maneuvering her way through a seemingly endless amount of hoops soon thereafter. “No, I don’t have a cigarette, Matthew, but you already knew that. Why don’t you head back into the ballroom and see if your latest plaything shares your filthy little addiction. You know that I’ve always hated when you smoke, but what does that matter, really, when you’ve got so many women waiting at your beck and call that you can just continue to do the same damn thing over and over again: whatever the fuck you want.”

-

He couldn’t help the way his shoulders stiffened at the sound of her voice, couldn’t help the tightness in his chest and the steel of his eyes as he slowly turned to look at the woman that constantly took his breath away... and when he saw her, his heart ached, but now with an anger and frustration that had his jaw clenching so tight it hurt. Mostly, he knew he was just overwhelmed. Seeing Electra again made his head spin, and when he had set out to look for Baby, to look for the one person that could breathe life back in him... he saw her with Luca. 

Again, he had no right to feel the jealousy that raced through his bloodstream like venom, but it was there all the same, sharp and acidic and too damn destructive for its own good. And so there he was, standing meters away from Aphrodite, more than aware of his mortality to the point that he wondered if that feeling would ever go away. “Baby...” he tried, voice tight and eyes ablaze, but she kept going, her words like scratches that just seemed to infuriate him more till he couldn’t hold it in any longer.

He let out laugh, harsh and cold before taking a step forward, but not enough to close the seemingly growing distance between them. “My heart, are you sure you want to play this game.” He hissed, another step forward. “I looked at no one the way I looked at you tonight... but I suppose that can not be said for the both of us.” Why would he when he was so terrifyingly entranced by her. His confession came out almost pained because it was true, and it scared him. “And I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about. A plaything?” His mouth twisted into a scowl as he met her gaze head on. “I wouldn’t know anything about that... but you would know all about playthings, my dear, wouldn’t you,” his heart continued to ache as he tried to banish the memory of her wound so tightly around another man. “That’s what I am to you, after all, right?” It tasted like copper in his mouth. “A plaything.” 

Was that all he was? Was that what he was doomed to be? Electra perhaps thought the same way, had strung him along, only to cut at his strings when she realized she didn’t love him. Oh to be mortal amidst the divine. 

“And you of all people would know I can’t afford to do whatever the fuck I want.” He would no doubt lose her completely if he could... and he would much rather do far worse things than have that happen. “If I did, things would be completely different.” 

matthew & leyla 

“Fuck, holy mary mother of god!” Matthew hissed as he leaned his head back so he could rest it against the wall, jaw tight as the medic dabbed lightly on one of the burns on his chest, the top part of his costume now peeled off to expose the rest of the damage from the fire. “I thought you said you’d be gentle.” He managed through clenched teeth, turning to his side where the nurse could only smile in amusement. “You got this, big boy, just a few more.” He let out a choked out laugh before turning at the sound of someone approaching. 

A strained smile tugged at the corner of his lips. 

“Hey, you.” He greeted hoarsely, gaze softening as he patted the patch of grass next to him for Leyla to occupy. “I’m happy to see you in one piece.”  

There was so much going on, the stark change in the energy of the night making Ana dizzy. When it all happened, Ana was finding solace in the hallways, away from the party-goers as the maze was out of the question and the stables were a lost cause. She had hoped to a few moments to herself to relieve herself of the ache that was building inside of her because of the things she happened to see but also because of the tease of one man. But her hopes for a peaceful moment were shattered, just like the glass during the explosion. Ana was huddled over, seeing the clear blue remains of the windows all around her and feeling the breeze hit new exposed cuts on her skin. There was a loud ringing in her ears and Ana could barely make out the alarms and the screaming and she was stunned, unable to move from her spot as her eyes refocused and she saw people–guests and workers alike running like mad.

It took only a few seconds for her sense of flight to kick in. One foot in front of another, ignoring any pain and her brain telling her legs not to move. Smoke started to fill the place up but Ana beelined it for the clear night sky, grateful to get out and a lung full of fresh country air as she scanned the crowd around her. Guests in all manors of undress and more people filling out. She could still hear the horrified voices and she vaguely recalled the sight of an all-too-familiar guard with curly locks aiding in getting people out.

But with one scan of the crowd, Ana was sure he wasn’t. She waited, spinning around when her ears finally started to work again, listening to the familiar sound of his voice or to lock in on sad blue eyes. She kept waiting, away from the main exit and path, as less and less people were running out. He could have gotten out another way she reasoned, but the more crashes she her, the more embers flying up into the sky, the more Ana’s heart dropped and before she even realized it, she grabbed a discarded cloak from the ground, haphazardly forgotten in the normal chaos from before and ran back inside. A girl who used to run away was now running towards and screaming out his name over the roar of the flames and smoke.

It was getting harder to see but somehow, she found him. He probably noticed her first but Ana wasted no time in closing the distancing and trying to calm the panic inside. “Matthew,” she said, finally like an answer instead of a dreaded call into the darkness. He was half-buried under the fallen ceiling and it felt like the fire invaded her blood as Ana focused her attention on the wood, still intact but so dangerously close to catching on fire. With some inhuman strength, she grabbed hold of the man, pulling him out as best as she could before she hurt the heart-stopping sound of more things falling. She twisted her head back and saw his legs free and almost fell back in relief. “Villain saves the prince,” she joked, tears falling from her eyes but a dumb relieved smile on her face. They weren’t clear yet but at least he was out. “Can you walk?”

-

“You shouldn’t be here.” Was the first thing he heard himself say over the roar of the fire, hoarse and rough through the smoke. Before he could say anything else, however, she was already pulling him out, tugging at his arms as he attempting to push at the beam with his knees, the pain searing hot through his legs till finally, after what seemed like forever, he was free. He grunted as he pushed himself up on all fours, only to look up at her with his eyes shining and his chest tight with incredulity. 

Villain saves the prince. 

He couldn’t help the choked laugh as he reached out to cup her face, a moment of insane tenderness amidst the havoc that was around them. He pressed his forehead to hers before wiping at her tears. “Misunderstood, what did I tell you.” He huffed, attempting to stand up, only for his knees to buckle and for him to come crashing down. 

“I-I can’t...” He growled, hands now gripping at her waist. 

“Please... Help me up...” 

@gcssxmer​ .

    An all too familiar scene played out in front of her, as if someone decided there was a part in a movie they just needed to see again. At first all she could do was stare as people ran, probably most never having dealt with something like this – she hadn’t even really dealt with what happened the first time. There was no connection between brain and body, her mind empty yet clouded with noise filling her ears she couldn’t find one thing to focus on. Although years since then, Electra hadn’t fully realized the extent of her trauma, how deep the roots of it had gone - through her legs to the floor, refusing to let her move. She probably wouldn’t have even noticed Matthew if it wasn’t for the stranger that’d pushed her out of their way - no limits to someones survival mode.

   Her tongue to dry perhaps from the alcohol, mouth opening - having to force a word out only for it to barely pass her lips. “Matty-” 

-

“Where is she?” Matthew hissed as he grabbed at a guard fleeing the fire. He looked up at Matthew with crazed eyes before pointing back to the burning building, smoke pluming from the open windows. He cursed under his breath before releasing him in favor of making his way towards her, only to feel someone pull him back. 

“Are you insane?” The man wheezed out, coughing out black and blood as he tried to pry Matthew away from the fire. He fought and he yelled as several more pulled him away, his eyes fixed on the fire that he felt took his whole world. 

-

The second he saw her, it was as if nothing else mattered. He had been on his way out of the estate when she caught his eye, a familiar pull that had his feet moving towards her without another thought. “Elle...” He murmured softly, panic seizing his throat, and the next thing he knew, he was running. 

“Ellie, I’m coming! Stay where you are.” He was coming. He was coming to get her. He would save her this time. 

He swallowed down the tar stuck in his throat, coughing at the smoke and without another warning, he scooped her up into his arms, holding her close to his chest and making his way to the exit. “I got you, love. Keep your eyes on me. We’re getting out of here and you’ll be safe.” He murmured into her hair, moving through the wreckage as he tried his very best to keep his heart from beating out of his chest. 

.

Though it was good that he was smiling—that probably meant it was not too serious—Anya was not entirely placated. Blood was blood; it was supposed to stay inside the body, and she hated the sight of it in any context, mostly because of all the other horrible contexts in which she’d seen it before.

So she frowned deeply and watched with great concern as Matthew pulled out a small medical kit. It didn’t bode well that some guest in the maze had managed to hurt him like this. She could imagine all too well that the other guy was much worse off, but she didn’t really want to. “Da, is making sense. Still…” She tilted her head, brown eyes earnest as she searched him for signs of deeper pain that he might be hiding. “Is not good you are being hurt this way. During a party, too!”

A good time… Anya bit her lip slightly, trying to think of a way to phrase her reply which wouldn’t give away just how much anxiety had been following her all evening. “Is being slow,” she said finally, and truthfully. “Not many people are finding me here in maze. Is… probably is more tricky spot to find. But is good, is time to enjoy the flowers!” She couldn’t help herself, not when she saw him wince. She had to do something other than just sit and watch. “Here, Sir,” she said, reaching out for the antiseptic and the bandages. “I help, yes? Please, you are hurting, Anya fix this.”

-

Matthew was not unfamiliar with getting hurt. Bruises and scrapes were not only a part of his job, they were a part of his life. His knuckles had been bloodied too many times and he could map out the scars that littered his body from years of fighting just to make it through. It was nice, though, for someone to be so concerned over it. “Just means it’s a good party.” He said, smile crooked as he attempted to dissuade her from her worries. 

He found he didn’t like seeing her so worried. 

He allowed her to reach for the bandages and stopped for just a moment with a bewildered expression on his face. He was about to protest, but it seemed that she was more than convinced that she was going to help him, and he didn’t have the heart to tell her no. He pressed his lips together before nodding his head and handing her the reigns. “Alright, if you insist.” He rested his arms against his knees and leaned forward slightly to close the distance between them for her benefit. 

“And I don’t know what you mean.” He smiled. “I found you.” 

     this was the first time of the night, maybe even the first time here at rosewood that zazie was able to actually feel the tension leave her body. it brought her back to before her life had turned into a complete cluster fuck. maybe just for a few minutes she would pretend that her situation was different. she followed his lead to the middle of the dance floor happy that they seemed to just blend in with the other people around them.

     if only that was actually true, she thought. again she’d pretend, by keeping her focus on leo, refusing to look around her. “ i hope i’m a better dancer than then, ” a chuckle slipping from her at the memory. “ maybe you’ll get out of this unscathed. and thankfully here i won’t bash my heel on an end table. ” god did she wish she was back in time to that moment, or any of the other many she spent at the fairmont house.

-

“I think I have the right to remain silent.” He teased back, twirling her around before reeling her back in for them to continue. It was a nice memory to look back on, though. One that he kept in his back pocket along with the rest of his memories of home, and Zazie, whether she liked it or not, was part of what made up his little life back home with his family. 

They were quiet for a while before Leo finally managed to squeeze her hand lightly. “Listen, I know this place isn’t... where you want to be right now... And I don’t know if it’s selfish of me or not... But I’m glad you’re here.” He let out a deep chuckle before continuing. “I miss home less when I’m with you.” 

Camille’s expression softened as she felt his hands curl in her skirts. It was sweet, the soft affection she’d craved when she was younger. She frowned as she inspected his hands. “Maybe not exactly, but I usually find some way to be useful at these things,” Camille explained with a smile. It was preferable to being lost in the crowd. Her smile grew a little wry as she shook her head. “You’re far too trusting,” she informed Leo. “And much too kind, Thank you,” she added. She tried to keep the pleased smile on her lips small, but it was clear that she was happy to have earned his praise (even if it was more the dress than her).

“Let’s go this way,” Camille suggested, taking a step towards the edge of the crowd. “Aside from this, have you at least been enjoying the party?” Going through the crowd was daunting, especially if it risked losing Leo in the sea of people. The submissive was far too tempted to take the man’s hand as they moved. “Your costume is very clever. You make quite a dashing Apollo. I rather like the glitter,” she informed him with a sly smile. It did look good on him, as troublesome as it was. “We’ll get your eye rinsed, and then we can take off as much  or as little glitter as you’d like.” It wouldn’t take long for them to slip through one of the semi-hidden doors that would lead to the bustling staff-only area.

-

Leo smiled as he continued to follow her (perhaps he was far too pleased to be following Camille in the first place, but she didn’t need to know that). “Too trusting? You’re saying that like it’s a bad thing.” He weaved through the crowd with her, side stepping a couple getting particularly steamy on the dance floor. He got a touch bit distracted, only to find that he was a few steps away from Camille. He reached out and gently took her hand, smiling almost sheepishly. 

“If I get lost and find myself with glitter once again attacking my corneas, I’m a goner.” He explained. “And... enjoying is definitely a word I would use to describe my evening. I’m still on the clock, but Rosewood definitely knows how to throw a spectacle. Have you been enjoying yourself?” He followed close behind her before finally moving beside her, though his hand still held hers despite now knowing the way. 

He pushed through a carefully concealed door and grinned at the staff bustling through the halls. At the end of the day, behind the fantasy of it all, Rosewood was a carefully oiled machine and they were the cogs and gears that helped make it work. 

.

There were a few times when Rodolfo allowed himself to watch the familiar man from afar. And every time, Rodolfo would look away before the man got too close to notice or every time he would slightly glance his way. The older man had looked the same from afar but up close, Rodolfo could swear that he saw signs of the years that passed by in the dom’s face. 

“Maybe you’re mistaken,” Rodolfo insisted, rather weakly. The silence between them spoke volumes. No doubt that their time together still resided somewhere deep inside the other man’s mind. But it was too insignificant, too short-lived for the man to remember it. That, Rodolfo thought, hurt almost as much as his betrayal.

Please. With just one word, Rodolfo’s will buckled. All his carnal instincts directed him to let the man do as he pleased. “Okay.” A small sigh escaped from his lips. At least, bandaging the small cut shouldn’t take long. As soon as the older man finished, Rodolfo could leave. “Is it possible for you to just do it here?” A pause. Rodolfo almost forgot. “Sir?”

-

Something didn’t sit right with Matthew, but he decided that he couldn’t ponder over it too long, not when he needed to do his job. He pressed his lips together before gesturing for the other to take a seat. He straddled the empty side of the nearby bench and brought out the bandages and antiseptic he carried with him whenever he did his rounds for the maze. 

“Matthew.” He corrected, knowing that if the man continued with calling him Sir, he would fail to cover up his reaction. “Call me Matthew.” He cleared his throat before soaking up a piece of cloth with the alcohol. 

“This is going to sting.” He said quietly, dabbing it against the wound gently. A short silence passed between them before Matthew spoke again. “And I’m not mistaken. I very rarely forget a face.” He paused. “Do we know each other?” He pressed on.