Lesbehonest

Blue are completed Red are ongoing

Unlikeliest of Circumstances

Last updated: 28/7/24

Chapters: 25/?

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4

Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8

Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12

Chapter 13 - Chapter 14 - Chapter 15 - Chapter 16

Chapter 17 - Chapter 18 - Chapter 19 - Chapter 20

Chapter 21 - Chapter 22 - Chapter 23

Chapter 24 - Chapter 25

Let me help

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3

No one knows about her

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2

She’s not like the rest of them

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4

I can’t do this anymore

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4

Catholic guilt

The penthouse was quiet except for the sound of the commentators on TV and the occasional curse coming from Casey. Their two cats, Taco and Daisy, were stretched out lazily on the window nook, oblivious to the tension that was building with every inning.

Casey sat forward, elbows on her knees, gripping a throw pillow like it had personally wronged her. Her eyes were glued to the screen, watching what had once been a comfortable lead disintegrate more and more as each player went up to bat. What had started as an easy 5-0 lead was now, unbelievably, getting close to a tied game. The fifth inning had been nothing short of a disaster, a comedy of errors if it wasn’t so painful for someone who had been rooting for the Yankees for decades.

Alex was curled up beside her, glasses on the edge of her nose, blonde hair falling around her shoulders in soft waves. She was trying, she really was. She had spent years watching baseball with Casey, watching Casey play softball all the way from when they were in college together to when she finally had to stop playing for the sex crimes team after too many injuries, and she still couldn’t understand half of it. But she loved Casey, so she watched.

Well, she was mostly watching Casey get more and more upset.

“Darling,” Alex interrupted the noise from the commentators, lazily swirling her wine inside the glass. “You look like you’re about to start litigating against the television.”

Casey let out a breath, barely sparing her a glance. “Because they’re playing like idiots.” She gestured toward the screen, where the Yankees’ third baseman had just, apparently, messed up spectacularly. Alex had no idea what had happened, only that a player hadn't caught a ball.

She blinked at the screen, trying to figure it out. The players were throwing the ball around, running back and forth, nothing seemed particularly disastrous. They had just… missed? Fumbled? She didn’t know. But Casey let out an audible groan and dropped her head back against the couch, clearly suffering, gripping the pillow so tightly that Alex half-expected it to burst at the seams.

Casey wasn’t just annoyed, she was distressed. Alex had seen her fired up about sports before, but this was more than usual.

She waited for the inning to end and the commercials to start playing and hesitated before asking, softer now, “Alright. What exactly is happening?”

Casey ran a hand through her hair, the strands tangling between her fingers. “They were up 5-0. Five to nothing. And then, in one inning, they let the Dodgers tie the game. Just… mistake after mistake. Bad plays, stupid errors, it’s disastrous. They’re falling apart, the pitching is garbage, and don’t even get me started on the fielding. So many errors, Alex.”

Alex hummed like that meant something to her. It did not. “But… they still have a chance, yes?”

Casey groaned, rubbing her face. “That’s not the point! The point is, they shouldn’t be in this situation at all. It’s like watching a courtroom slam-dunk case turn into a mistrial because someone forgot to file the right paperwork.”

Alex’s eyebrows lifted slightly. Now that analogy she understood. “Ah,” she said, nodding, “so it’s an egregious failure of competence.”

“Yes!” Casey gestured at the screen as the plays were replayed for the audience. “Finally, you get it!”

Alex stared at her for a long moment before setting her wine down and shifting closer. “Darling, I say this with the utmost love and respect, but… I think you need to breathe before you have a stroke.”

Casey glared at her, but it lacked any real heat, a smile breaking through despite it. “I cannot breathe right now.”

Alex nodded, shifting even closer until she was pressed against her wife. She took Casey’s hand and pried it away from the abused throw pillow, lacing their fingers together, rubbing small circles into Casey’s palm like she did every time she needed to ground her. “Alright, I shall suffer through it with you.”

Casey huffed, but her grip on Alex’s hand relaxed slightly. “You don’t even like baseball.”

“No,” Alex responded quickly, “but I like you and I root for New York.”

Casey turned, watching her wife for a moment. Alex, with her impeccable posture, her expensive silk robe draped over her, looking completely out of place in the world of baseball-induced stress. And yet, here she was, sitting through an entire school because she knew it mattered to Casey. Casey had spent decades dragging Alex to department games, taking her to stadiums to watch them play live, taking over the TV when a particularly important game was on. She knew Alex didn’t particularly enjoy it, and yet she always watched, she was always there just because she loved her.

Some of the tension in her eased, and she could nearly feel tears come to her eyes as she thought about how considerate her wife was. The Yankees were still ruining her night, but Alex wasn’t. She was making it better.

The game dragged on, and Casey’s stress only grew and grew. The Yankees never recovered from the disastrous fifth inning, and by the time the final out was called, the Dodgers had won. Casey stared at the screen, stunned. “No. No. That didn’t just happen.”

Alex, who had long stopped paying attention to what was happening on the screen focusing instead on petting a purring Taco turned to watch her wife. Casey looked wrecked, like she had just watched a career-defining case slip through her fingers at the very last second. She knew Casey would never admit it but Alex could swear she saw tears forming in her eyes, out of frustration or anger Alex didn't know, but it was a devastating sight to see.

Alex had seen Casey upset before but this was a level of sports-induced suffering Alex had never quite witnessed firsthand and that she quite frankly didn’t understand.

Alex cleared her throat carefully. “Casey?”

Casey let out a breath, shaking her head. “They lost.” Her voice was raw, as if she had personally lost the game herself.

“So I gathered,” Alex replied dryly. She watched as Casey continued staring at the screen watching the Dodgers celebrate, like she was willing the score to change through sheer force of will.

After a long moment, Alex sighed. “Come on.”

Casey blinked, turning to her. “Come on where?”

Alex stood, tugging gently on Casey’s hand. “Upstairs.”

Casey hesitated. “Alex they lost.”

“I know,” Alex said watching the disbelief still present on her wife's face, “You need that game out of your head, and I have a very good way to help you relax before you start throwing things at the television.”

Casey blinked, momentarily distracted from her heartbreak. It took her half a second to catch the look on Alex’s face, and despite herself, she smirked. “I bet you do”

Alex smiled, pulling her up from the couch. “Darling, have I ever let you down?”

Casey sighed, but the tightness in her body had already started to ease. Alex had always had that effect on her, and right now, Casey needed that more than she wanted to admit.

Alex leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Casey’s lips before tugging her toward the stairs. “Come on,” she murmured. “I promise you’ll feel much better in no time.”

Casey rolled her eyes, but any frustration left in her expression had softened into affection. She allowed herself to be led, muttering, “I really did fail at making you like baseball”

“I'm sorry darling 20 years later and I still don't see what the fuzz is about,” Alex admitted shamelessly, giving Casey’s hand a squeeze.

Alex paused at the top of the stairs, pulling Casey in for one last kiss, this one slower, more deliberate. She let her lips linger against Casey’s for just a moment before pulling back and whispering, “They will get them next year.”

Casey exhaled, tension replaced with desire as she fought the urge to chase Alex’s lips. The loss still sucked, and she would still be mad about it for the rest of the week but right now she had far more important things to attend to.

“They better, otherwise no amount of things you can do to distract me in there will work” she said pushing them into the bedroom

The soft murmur of voices drifted in from the chapel, muffled, as Alex stood by the open door. Her gaze fell on Casey across the room, standing in front of the mirror. Casey was adjusting her dress, nervously trying to smooth away wrinkles that were not there, her fingers brushing over the lace letting them run over and over again as she watched herself in the mirror. Alex lingered for a moment, unnoticed, letting her eyes take in the woman she had loved for so many years.

Her mind drifted, to years ago, when nothing had been certain, when the love they had for each other was the only thing that they could hold onto.

~

The night they ran away had been the longest of their lives. They had gotten off the bus to a downpour of rain that only made the cold worse. Alex clutched Casey’s hand keeping her close as they walked down the street. They had been tired, dirty and scared. Alex hyper aware of Casey’s pain, each bruise, each mark, and every tear Alex had wiped away as they sat through the hours of bus ride.

“What if they find us?” Casey’s voice had been small; it was barely audible over the rain hitting the pavement. She was still shaking and Alex could tell it wasn't just from the cold she could see how exhausted Casey was, her fathers words playing on repeat inside her head, she was trying to figure out who she was and Alex knew how exhausting that was. 

Alex stopped them, they were close, she had retraced her memory to the summers she used to spend there taking them right back to the only family that had ever loved them. Casey's wet hair clung to her forehead and Alex brushed it aside letting her hand cup Casey's check. “I don't want you to worry about that” Alex said firmly, though her own heart was pounding with fear of what could happen if they did. “He’ll help us.”

Casey didn’t respond, just tightened her grip on Alex’s hand and let the warm of Alex's hand on her face soothe her anxiety. She didn’t trust easily, not after years of empty promises and punishments by her parents, but she trusted Alex.

When they reached the house, Alex banged on the door squeezing Casey's hand as she did. They could hear footsteps inside the house and a moment later, Bill appeared in the doorway, his robe loosely tied and his hair sticking up at odd angles.

“Alexandra?” he said, putting his glasses on his face to take in the scene in front of him: two drenched, terrified looking teenagers on his doorstep. “What on earth—”

“Please,” Alex interrupted, her voice cracking and for the first time that night Casey could see Alex let down the strong front she had been keeping up for her. “We need your help.”

Bill didn’t ask questions. He simply stepped aside, his gaze softening as he ushered them in.

The house was warm, Bill led them to the living room, handing them each a towel as they sat down on the couch. Alex started explaining everything her words rushed as she recounted the events that had led them here. She told him about the months of hiding their relationship, Casey’s parents finding out, and the threats that followed. She told him about the bruises, the fear, and the ultimatum that would have sent Casey away.

Bill listened intently, his face calm, though Alex could see the anger in his eyes when he noticed the faint bruise on Casey’s arm. He didn’t comment on it, choosing instead to focus on making them feel safe.

“You two look exhausted,” Bill said gently. “Go upstairs, Alex. Your room is just as you left it. Take a shower, get comfortable. I’ll make something warm for you to eat.”

Alex nodded, letting out a breath of relief as her shoulders relaxed. She stood, taking Casey’s hand to lead her upstairs. The room was exactly as Alex remembered, soft blue walls, shelves lined with old children books law books her uncle had gifted her, and photos from summers spend with him. She guided Casey to the small adjoining bathroom, turning on the shower and testing the water temperature before helping Casey out of her damp clothes.

Casey hesitated as Alex reached for her side. “Can I see?” Alex asked softly, her voice full of concern.

Casey nodded reluctantly, lifting her arm to reveal the dark bruise that had spread further across her ribs. Alex’s breath hitched, her heart breaking at the array of colors that had bloomed on her girlfriends pale skin. She touched the area lightly, her fingers ghosting over the tender skin.

“I’m so sorry,” Alex whispered, her voice chocked with emotion.

“It’s not your fault,” Casey replied, her voice cracking as tears formed in her eyes. “I’m just… I’m so tired, Alex.”

Alex pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly under the warm spray of the shower. They stayed like that for a while, letting the water wash away the grime, cold and fear of the night. Afterward, Alex handed Casey a hoodie and a pair of sweatpants. The clothes dwarfed Casey’s frame, but she managed a faint smile, the first hint of relief breaking through her exhaustion. 

When they went downstairs, the scent of homemade soup filled the air. Bill placed two steaming bowls on the table, his expression softening as he gestured for them to sit. They ate in silence at first, the warmth of the soup chasing away the lingering chill. Then, Casey spoke, her voice quiet.

“Thank you,” she said, staring into her bowl. 

Bill gave them a small smile. “You did the right thing by leaving,” he said softly. “And you’re safe here. I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

Casey nodded, her eyes filled with tears. Alex reached across, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze.

Once they were done they settled on the couch to watch something to distract them. Casey curled up with her head on Alex’s lap, her exhaustion finally catching up with her. As her breathing evened out, Alex ran her fingers through Casey’s hair, her gaze fixed on her girlfriend’s peaceful face.

It was only then, in the quiet of the living room, that Alex finally allowed herself to break down. Tears slid down her cheeks as she looked at her uncle.

“I’m scared, Uncle Bill,” she whispered. “I don’t know how to help her.”

Bill moved to sit beside her, placing a comforting hand over her shoulders. “You’re already helping her, Alex,” he said gently. “You’re here, and you love her. You got her out of there, you saved her.”

Alex nodded, throwing her arms around him. She knew they had found safety, with someone who would protect them with everything he had. 

~

Alex smiled faintly at the memory. They were so scared, two kids running away towards the beginning of their life. Her heart was full at the thought of her uncle. He was here today, of course, sitting in the front row, probably pretending he wasn’t going to cry when he saw them. The gratitude she felt for him was something she could never fully express, he had given them an opportunity, he had fought for them when no one else had, he had taken them in.

Casey caught Alex’s reflection in the mirror and turned, her lips curving into a soft smile that sent butterflies through Alex's stomach. “How long have you been standing there?” She looked absolutely stunning, and it took Alex's breath away. Her red hair was braided loosely small pieces framing her face and a handful of tiny daisies braided into it, contrasting against the red. Her dress was beautiful off her shoulders and decorated with lace. Alex felt like she could cry. 

Alex stepped forward, her voice warm. “Long enough to remind myself how lucky I am.”

Casey rolled her eyes playfully, though her cheeks flushed a soft pink. “You’re so cheesy sometimes. You know you’re not supposed to see the bride before the ceremony, it’s bad luck.”

Alex smiled, closing the distance between them. She reached out, tucking a loose strand of Casey’s hair behind her ear. “I think we’ve exhausted all our bad luck. Don’t you?”

Casey tilted her head, her expression softening as she brought Alex closer by the lapels of her suit. “Mhm, I suppose so.”

Alex leaned in, their foreheads touching. “You look beautiful, by the way.”

“So do you, my love,” Casey whispered before closing the gap between them, giving her a soft kiss that had them both smiling into it.

~

Three weeks after they’d arrived at Bill’s house, reality came crashing down on them. Casey’s parents showed up unannounced, pounding on the door. Casey froze the moment she heard her father’s voice, her face draining of color as she instinctively took a step back. Alex moved protectively in front of her, though she felt her own heart about to explode with how fast it was beating. The man standing on the porch looked furious, his posture rigid, his hands balled into fists. Bill stepped forward, his expression calm and angry.

“Let me handle this,” Bill said, his hand resting on Alex’s shoulder as he moved past her, Alex nodded and pulled Casey further inside. “Stay here,” he added, his tone leaving no room for argument. He opened the door just enough to slip through, closing it behind him with a soft click.

Casey stood frozen, her breathing shallow and uneven. Her eyes darted toward the door, panic creeping into her expression as muffled shouting filtered through. “He’s going to take me,” she whispered, her voice so shaky Alex could barely understand her. “He’s going to—”

“He’s not,” Alex interrupted, grabbing Casey’s hands and squeezing them tightly. “He can’t. Bill won’t let that happen.” She cupped Casey’s face, forcing her to meet her gaze. “I promise. No one’s taking you anywhere.”

Casey’s breaths came faster, her chest heaving. She was spiraling, and Alex knew what was about to happen. She took Casey to sit on the couch, wrapping her arms around her as she  talked to her, trying to block out the noise coming from outside. “Breathe with me,” Alex said softly, demonstrating slow, deep breaths until Casey started to follow her lead. Alex rubbed gentle circles on Casey’s back, trying to help her stay calm.

Outside, the shouting escalated. “Cassandra!” Casey’s father screamed, his voice furious. “You can’t hide from me! You don’t get to run off you dirty little—”

“Watch your mouth,” Bill’s voice cut through the tirade. “You’re on my property, and I won’t tolerate that kind of language.”

“She’s my daughter!” her father snapped. “You have no right to keep her from me.”

“I have every right,” Bill countered. “She’s seventeen, and she has legal protections now. You want to fight this? Fine. I’ll take it to court, and I’ll bring these.” There was a pause, and Alex knew he was holding up the photos of Casey’s bruises, the ones Alex had taken the night they ran away and had given to him. “You want everyone to see what kind of father you are, Colonel? Go ahead, try me.”

The porch creaked as if someone had stepped closer. “You think you can threaten me?” Casey's father growled.

“It’s not a threat. It’s a promise,” Bill said coldly. “Now leave. And don’t come back.”

Inside, Casey buried her face against Alex, tears falling down her face as the weight of years of fear and guilt came cashing around her.

When the front door finally opened, and Bill stepped back inside, he looked calm. “They’re gone,” he said simply, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “And they’re not coming back. If they try, they’ll regret it.”

Casey broke then, sobbing into Alex’s shoulder as every pent-up emotion poured out of her. Alex held her tightly, whispering over and over, “You’re safe now. We're safe.”

~

“Do you think Uncle Bill would cry if I told him he’s my favorite person in the world after you?” Casey teased, her voice breaking Alex from the memory.

Alex laughed softly, brushing a loose strand of hair from Casey’s face. “Oh, he already knows, my love. And I bet you he’ll cry as soon as he sees you.”

Casey’s smile softened, her eyes fixated on the daisy on Alex's suit that matched the ones in her hair. “He’s done so much for us. I don’t even know how to thank him properly.”

“He knows,” Alex replied, taking Casey’s hands in hers. “Just being happy, being together, that’s all he’s ever wanted for us.”

Casey leaned her forehead against Alex’s, closing her eyes as she breathed in the moment. “Are you nervous?” she asked softly. “I didn't think I'd ever be back in a Chappell”

And it was true. For years, Casey had avoided places like this, places tied to the pain of her past. She had spent so long untangling herself from the shame and fear her parents had instilled in her, letting go of the belief that who she was could ever be wrong. It had taken years to fully understand that she wasn’t dirty, wasn’t broken, and didn’t need to apologize for simply being herself.

But she had also been a little girl once, a little girl who dreamed of a wedding day. A white dress, flowers in her hair, and promises made under a vaulted ceiling. Now, with the years of healing behind her, she felt ready. Ready to reclaim the parts of her faith that were hers alone, to walk into that space not as the frightened girl she once was, but as the woman she had become.

Alex had been surprised when Casey mentioned wanting to get married in a chapel, but she had seen the longing in her eyes and knew what it meant. Alex wanted her to have this piece of herself back. She wanted her to have the moment that little girl had always dreamed of.

“I’m proud of you,” Alex whispered, her voice steady and filled with love. She was perhaps the only person who truly understood how much courage it had taken for Casey to be standing there, ready to face not just the future, but the past as well.

~

Their time with Bill had been some of the happiest of their lives. For the first time, they felt safe. Alex’s parents had given up, happy to be free of the responsibility of their daughter. Bill treated them like his own daughters, and they couldn't have been happier to have someone that cared for them. He set curfews and made them do chores, but he also let them stay up late watching old legal dramas and made pancakes every Sunday morning. They were happy with him.

“We're really doing this” Casey had said one night, sprawled on the couch with college brochures spread out around her. “You really think we could get in?”

“I think we can do anything,” Alex had said confidently, sitting cross-legged beside her, her glasses perched on the edge of her nose in a way that Casey found adorable. She pointed at the brochure and handed it to Casey. “You’re the smartest person I know. They’d be lucky to have you.”

“And you?” Casey had asked, her green eyes soft. “What do you want?”

“I want to go with you,” Alex had said simply. “Wherever you go, I’ll be there.”

~

Casey smoothed the lapel of Alex’s suit, her touch lingering there. “Do you think we’d have made it this far if we hadn’t gotten into Harvard?”

Alex tilted her head, a warm smile spreading across her face. “Harvard gave us a caffeine addiction and a taste of the pretentious assholes we deal with on a daily basis. But we would’ve made it anywhere, Case. It’s not about the place.”

Casey chuckled, her laughter soft and affectionate. “I guess you’re right. But I will say, not matter how many pretentious assholes there were, I will never complain about getting to experience it with you.”

She stepped back, taking Alex in fully. “I really can’t believe we’re here. After everything.”

Alex reached for her, pulling her close. “I can”

~

Those Harvard years were some of the best and yet some of the most exhausting. They studied late into the night, quizzing each other until their eyes burned and their laughter turned to delirium. They debated endlessly, not just over case law but over whose turn it was to pick dinner or which professor’s class was the hardest. And through it all, they loved each other so much.

There had been moments where they nearly collapsed from exhaustion where they struggled and stumbled. Times when Casey wanted to quit after a mock trial, her confidence shattered by a professor that she swore had it out for her. Times when Alex overthought every decision, her anxiety mounting until it felt like she couldn’t breathe. On one particularly rough night, Alex had broken down in their tiny dorm, the tears she had been desperately fighting against falling as she tried to make the words on the pages unblur so she could keep studying.

“Alex, you need to rest,” Casey had told her when she noticed the incessant tapping of Alex’s foot and the tears that were falling against her will.

Alex shook her head, her voice cracking. “I can’t. There’s so much to do. If I stop—”

“You’ll still be brilliant,” Casey interrupted grabbing Alex’s hand. “And you’ll still do great.”

She stood and guided Alex to her feet despite her protests. “Casey, I’m fine. Really, I just need—”

“To breathe,” Casey finished for her, pulling her into a tight hug. Alex resisted for a moment before melting into her arms, her head resting against Casey’s shoulder. Casey held her there, her hand gently stroking Alex’s back, whispering comforting words until Alex began to relax.

She led Alex to their bed, nudging her to lie down while she dimmed the lights. Alex started to mumble more protests, but Casey climbed in beside her, wrapping her arms around Alex’s waist and pulling her close. “No more arguing,” she whispered. “Just be here with me.”

Alex exhaled shakily, the anxiety in her chest easing as Casey’s fingers threaded to her hair. “How do you always know what to do?” Alex murmured after a moment, her voice filled with so much exhaustion it hurt Casey to hear.

“Because I love you,” Casey replied simply, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Now sleep. The books will wait for you, and I’ll be here.”

From there to graduation it felt like a blur, but they managed to make it.

“You ready to be a real-life lawyer?” Alex had asked Casey the night before graduation. They sat on the steps of the library, their robes folded neatly beside them. The air was warm, and the campus was pleasantly quiet.

Casey leaned back against the stone steps, her eyes fixed ahead. “Only if you’re with me,” she replied with a laugh, turning to meet Alex’s eyes, She leaned in, her lips brushing against Alex’s under the soft glow of the campus lights.

Harvard had given way to clerkships in New York. They found a small apartment in Manhattan with the help of Bill, it was far from perfect, but it was theirs.

Their days were long, filled with paperwork, late nights, and the occasional existential crisis about whether they’d chosen the right path. But no matter how hard the days got, they always had each other.

It wasn’t long before they found themselves drawn to cases involving victims who had no one else to fight for them. They had managed to climb the ladder until they landed face first into a squad room filled with perhaps the most dedicated, yet annoying detectives that Manhattan had to offer.

Handling the squad, the cases and the victims on some days, was downright unbearable. Every frightened little girl, every tearful testimony, brought Casey back to the girl she used to be: scared, ashamed, and desperate to get out. Alex was always there, and together they managed to piss off nearly every judge in the city, jumping through loopholes to get their victims justice. 

And through all that they found a family in the people they worked with, a family that would always be there always ready to get on their nerves and yet just as quick to defend them when things got tough. 

For them, the work wasn’t just about helping others, it was about healing themselves. Each case they won, each victim they helped, was another step forward, another piece of their own pain laid to rest.

~

Alex cupped Casey’s face, her thumb brushing lightly over her cheek. “You know, all I ever wanted was to give you the life you deserved. But somehow, you gave me so much more.”

Casey’s eyes shined over with tears that she held back for the sake of her makeup, her smile radiant. “You've given me a wonderful life, Alex.”

The faint sound of music drifted in, signaling it was time, but neither of them moved just yet.

“You ready?” Alex asked, nodding toward the door.

Casey leaned in against Alex, her hands wrapping around her waist, “I’ve been ready since the day we got on that bus.” Her voice broke slightly. “I love you, Lexie. ”

Alex smiled, and gave her a soft kiss. “I love you more.”

The day had gone by and Casey had barely moved. She lay there barely able to breathe. The motion felt too hard, the pressure hurting her ribs. She was staring up at the ceiling, the tears that were falling catching on the soft brown fur of the bear. The room felt smaller, suffocating, the walls closing in on her. Her father’s words echoed in her head, “I’ll make you normal if it kills me.”

She wasnt broken, she wasnt something he could fix. Her entire life she had been living under their pressure and she couldn’t do it anymore. She couldn’t let them send her away. She couldn’t lose Alex.

The thought of being torn from the only person who truly loved all of her, who understood her—it send another rush of tears down her face. She couldn’t stay, her father would make sure she was gone by tomorrow. They would force her into that camp, try to erase everything she was, make her forget the love she had for Alex.

She couldn’t let that happen.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she sat up, wiping the tears from her eyes. She knew what she had to do. She couldn’t stay here, not with them. Not after she knew what they’d do.

Quietly, Casey got up and grabbed her backpack from the floor. She moved quickly, her hands shaking as she stuffed it with the most important things she could find—some clothes, her favorite sweater, the one she had stolen from Alex months ago, her favorite book filled with images and a photo from the Photo Booth she and Alex had taken, all of it hiding in its pages.

She opened the door to her room and heard them downstairs, dishes clinging and her fathers voice rough and loud as it always was. She took the chance to run to their room, to the box of documents her mother kept under their bed and quickly grabbed what was hers. Everything else she left behind. There wasn’t time. She needed to get out.

Wiping her the rest of her tears with the back of her hand, Casey shoved everything in her bag and crossed the room to the window. She stopped for a second looking back at all the memories, all the things she was leaving behind. It made her ache to know that her life would never be the same, that her parents were so hateful they had pushed her to this point. If she stayed she would be gone, so she would go before they could take her.

Grabbing the bear Alex had won for her and stuffing it at the top of her backpack she went to her window. The latch clicked softly as she unlocked it, the cool night air rushing in as she pushed the glass up. She hesitated for a moment when she heard footsteps coming up the stairs, glancing back toward the door. If he heard her, if he caught her leaving, she didn’t know what he’d do. But she wasn’t waiting around to find out.

With a deep breath, Casey climbed out onto the roof, it had gotten dark and she used it to her advantage, her movements quick and careful. She’d done this a dozen times before to sneak out, but tonight it felt different. Tonight she wasn’t sneaking away, she was escaping.

The gravel crunched under her feet as she dropped down onto the driveway below. Without looking back, she ran. The wind whipped through her hair, and the cool night air stung her cheeks, but she didn’t slow down. Her heart pounded in her chest, her pulse racing as she made her way to Alex’s house, each step fueled by desperation and fear.

By the time she reached Alex’s house, her lungs were burning, and her legs felt like lead. She scrambled around to the side, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She could see Alex inside asleep on the couch, the tv illuminating her features. She tapped on the window trying to get her attention.

She could see Alex slowly wake up, looking around confused until their eyes locked together Alex’s came closer rushing to the window, her brows furrowed in confusion at first, but the second she saw Casey’s tear-streaked face, the confusion melted into concern.

Alex pushed the window open, leaning out. “Casey?” Her voice was soft, but Casey could hear the worry. “What’s wrong?”

“Let me in,” Casey choked out, her voice shaking, desperate with sobs that wanted to crawl out her throat. “Please.”

Without hesitation, Alex disappeared for a second, and Casey heard the sound of her unlocking the back door. She rushed to meet her, and as soon as Alex opened the door, Casey crashed into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Alex’s arms tightened around her immediately, holding her close. “Hey, hey, it’s okay,” Alex murmured, her voice gentle, though panic was creeping into her tone. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you, Case. What happened?”

Casey couldn’t speak. She just clung to Alex, her fingers digging into her shirt as if letting go would make everything worse. Her body shook with sobs, her face buried against Alex’s neck.

Alex guided her inside, shutting the door softly behind them and leading Casey upstairs to her bed. They sat down, and Alex kept her arms around Casey, rubbing slow circles on her back. “You’re safe here. It’s okay.”

Alex felt helpless, she held tightly to Casey, waiting as sob after sob came out of her. She had never seen her so distressed and not knowing what had caused it had her so worried she felt like she was going mad. Casey was barely breathing between her cries, the desperation in them making Alex’s eye glaze over.

It took what felt like forever, but eventually, Casey’s sobs subsided enough for her to speak. Her words came out in ragged gasps, choked and broken, as she tried to explain what had happened. “My dad…he knows…they both do. He—he called me a pervert. He said—he said I was disgusting. That I’m.. that I’m—”

Alex’s felt her breath knocked out of her at the words, her grip tightening protectively around Casey. She pulled back just enough to look at her, brushing the hair out of her face, her blue eyes full of worry and love. “Casey… they’re wrong,” she whispered, her voice filled with so much conviction that Casey almost believed it. “They’re wrong. You’re not. You’re perfect, just as you are.”

Casey just shook her head, a hollow look in her eyes. She hugged her arms tightly around herself, a faint wince escaping her lips as her hand brushed against a tender spot on her arm.

Alex’s brows furrowed, and her gaze dropped to Casey’s arm. She reached out, gently lifting Casey’s sleeve to reveal a darkening bruise wrapping around her arm, the clear mark of a handprint. Her breath caught, her eyes wide with shock. “Casey… who did this to you?”

Casey swallowed hard, her gaze shifting away. “My dad,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Alex’s hands were gentle, but her voice was filled with barely controlled anger. “Is… is there more?”

Without a word, Casey lifted her shirt slightly, showing Alex the darkening bruise that was starting to form on her ribs. Alex’s face went pale, her jaw tightening as she took it in, her hands shaking as she looked at Casey, barely holding back her tears. She didn’t say anything for a moment, just stared at the bruises, her mind racing. Finally, she took a shaky breath and gently lowered Casey’s shirt.

“Stay right here,” she whispered, her voice tight. She left the room briefly, returning with a small ice pack. She knelt beside Casey, her fingers gentle as she traced them on Caseys side, her touch so careful it made Casey’s chest ache. “This will help a little,” Alex murmured, pressing the ice pack to Casey’s ribs, her hand lingering to hold it in place.

Casey winced at the cold but Alex kept the pack still, she then pulled out a small camera her expression sad, a camera Alex had that Casey knew was filled with their happy moments. “Case, I’m going to take pictures of these, okay?” Her voice was steady, but her eyes were filled with a fury Casey had never seen. “Just in case. In case we ever… in case you need to show someone.”

Casey nodded numbly, letting Alex take the photos. She hated the idea, hated that this moment was now something to remember. Hated that it was now going to be tainted. But as she watched Alex, the determination in her girlfriend’s eyes made her feel safer. She knew Alex would protect her. She trusted her.

With the bruises documented, Alex sat back down beside Casey, her hand resting on her knee. “What happened after that?” she asked softly, her voice gentle but urgent.

Casey shook her head another sniffling “My dad… he… he said they’re sending me to a camp. Tomorrow. He’s taking me tomorrow morning, Lexie—”

Alex’s arms brought her back in, pulling her as close as she could. She felt nauseous at the thought. She had heard, had been threatened by her parents at some point, but the thought of Caseys parents actually following through and sending their daughter to one of those places made Alex feel like she was going to be sick. “No, they can’t… they can’t do that. Casey, we won’t let them. We won’t let them take you.”

“I don’t know what to do,” Casey cried, her voice breaking. “I can’t go back home. I can’t. But if I stay, they’ll find me—”

“We’re not staying,” Alex said firmly, her voice strong despite the fear in her eyes. The decision quickly made. “We’re leaving. Tonight. You and me.”

Casey pulled back, her eyes wide with fear. “No, you can’t… you can’t just leave because of me. I don’t want you to throw everything away.”

“I’m not throwing anything away,” Alex said, her voice soft. She cupped Casey’s face gently, wiping away her tears with her thumbs. “I don’t care about any of it if I don’t have you. I’m not letting them take you away.”

“But… your parents—”

“They don’t care about me,” Alex said quickly, pain glazing over that was gone as fast as it came. “They stopped caring years ago. But there’s someone who does. My uncle, Bill. He’s like us, Casey. He understands what we’re feeling. He lives upstate, in New York. He’ll take us in. We can be safe there.”

Casey’s breath caught in her throat. She didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to process any of it. Everything was too much. They had been happy the day before, everything had been perfect and now it was all falling apart.

She knew Alex meant it. They were going to run away—leave everything behind, leave the people that hurt them, the awful town they had never felt welcome in. They didn’t have a choice. If they stayed, Casey’s parents would destroy them.

Alex was right. They couldn’t, they had to go.

“Okay,” Casey whispered, her voice shaky. “Okay, let’s go.”

Alex gave her a kiss, a soft kiss that sent a wave of warmth through Casey. They rested their foreheads together as the last of Casey’s tears fell. “Okay” Alex whispered giving her another peck and pulling away.

Alex packed in silence, the weight of what they were doing sinking in with every item she shoved into her bag. Casey had taken only what she needed—the things she couldn’t live without—and left everything else behind. It didn’t matter anymore. She sat there, the ice offering her some relief as she wondered how she had managed to find herself so lucky to have someone like Alex by her side.

When Alex was done she grabbed Casey’s hand giving it a soft squeeze. “You ready?”

Casey squeezed her back with a small nod “Yeah. Im ready”

They went down the stairs, Alex turning all the lights off and grabbing her keys as they walked outside. She locked the house, giving it one last look as they headed out into the night.

The bus station was quiet at this hour, the sky just beginning to lighten with the first hints of dawn. Alex bought two tickets, one-way, to upstate New York. Casey stood beside her, still feeling the last waves of shock pass through her, trying to wrap her mind around what they were doing.

They were really leaving. Running away together. It would’ve been romantic had the situation not been so dire.

As they boarded the bus, Alex took Casey’s hand, not leting her go as they made their way to the back, finding seats by the window. The bus was nearly empty, just a few other passengers scattered throughout. It was perfect—no one would notice them. No one would care.

Casey leaned her head on Alex’s shoulder, her body exhausted from the everything that had happened. The adrenaline had worn off, leaving her feeling drained, her emotions overwhelming. But there was one thing she knew for certain—Alex was with her. Alex was always with her.

“I’m sorry,” Casey whispered, her voice chocked up and soft.

“For what?” Alex asked, her fingers gently brushing through Casey’s hair.

“For making you leave. For… everything.”

Alex leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Casey’s forehead. “You didn’t make me do anything. I chose this because I love you, Casey. I don’t care where we are, as long as we’re together.”

Casey felt tears prick at her eyes again, but this time they weren’t tears of fear. She shifted, pressing a soft kiss to Alex’s shoulder, her heart swelling with gratitude and love. She didn’t deserve this. Didn’t deserve Alex’s kindness, her love. But Alex was here, holding her, refusing to let her go.

They were running, yes. But they were running together.

Casey’s heart pounded as she stood frozen in the doorway, her breath caught in her throat. The suffocating silence between her and her father was more terrifying than any yelling could be. His rigid stance was exact, his uniform pressed and pristine, the medals on his chest catching the dim light as he glared at her, cold and unmoving. Air Force Colonel Richard Novak was a terrifying figure; his eyes bore into her, and she could see the fury in them.

“Where were you?” His voice was low, measured, each syllable edged with menace that made her blood run cold. She hadn’t seen him in months. He had been on deployment, and part of her had wished he would never come back—that maybe, if he stayed away, she could continue sneaking moments of happiness. But now he was back, and somehow, he felt more dangerous than ever.

"I-I fell asleep at a friend's house," Casey stammered, gripping the strap of her bag so tightly her knuckles turned white. She tried to keep her voice steady, but she could feel it shaking, betraying her.

His eyes narrowed, and a cold smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "A friend’s house, huh?" He stepped closer, and she could smell the lingering scent of his aftershave and the bite of his uniform starch. "Which friend?"

The question hung heavy, and her mind scrambled, desperate to find an answer that would pacify him, that would make this moment go away. “A... a friend from softball,” she stammered, the lie slipping out despite knowing it wouldn’t work. It was pointless—she could see the disbelief etched in every line of his face.

“Softball.” He repeated it slowly, as though savoring the sound of her lie. "I see." His expression hardened, eyes dark and cold. "You’re lying to my face now, Cassandra? Do you think your mother and I are idiots?"

Casey took a step back instinctively, shaking her head. "No, Dad, I—"

He cut her off, stepping forward, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "You think we don't know what you're doing? Sneaking around with that girl behind our backs?"

She flinched, the venom in his voice stinging more than she could handle. "I—it's not—" she started, but the words caught in her throat.

His hand shot out, grabbing her wrist, his grip tight and painful. "Don’t you dare lie to me," he hissed, his face inches from hers now. "Your mother’s been keeping me up to date on what you’re doing. She’s not stupid—she knows you’ve been seeing that girl, even though she forbade you from it.”

She felt his grip tighten, his hand iron-hard around hers, sending jolts of pain through it. “I always knew there was something wrong with you, and you proved me right the second you started spending all your time with that…that dyke."

The word hit her like a punch to the gut, and Casey felt her stomach twist. She bit down hard on her lip, trying to keep the tears at bay, but they were already threatening to spill over.

"Your mother saw you,” he continued, his voice dropping to a mocking whisper. “At the fair—she saw you kissing that girl. She was so disgusted she called me right away. She didn’t want to believe it, didn’t want to believe her daughter could be one of them.” He motioned towards her mother, and all Casey could feel was the terror of knowing they’d made a mistake that would cost them everything.

The room spun as the reality of his words sank in. They had been so careful but her mother had seen them, and everything she had worked to keep hidden was now laid bare. There was no going back. Every part of her felt exposed, stripped down to the parts she had tried so hard to protect.

He didn’t even give her time to process it before he spoke again. “Do you understand how humiliating it is to have to leave my post to come home and deal with you and your perversions?!" His voice was rising now, each word cutting deeper and deeper into her, painfully twisting inside her. "You think you can just do whatever the hell you want? God, Cassandra, do you have any idea what this means for us? For our family?"

He released her arm, only to throw his hands up in disgust. Casey staggered, clutching her arm where his grip had bruised her skin, feeling the sting of his anger reverberate through her. She wanted to scream, to defend herself, but the fear held her still, her voice lodged somewhere deep inside her.

“Do you think I’m going to stand by while my daughter parades around, humiliating us, throwing everything away for... for some disgusting perversion?” His words grew louder, harsher. “God, Cassandra, do you have any idea what people would think if they knew my daughter was some... filthy queer?”

Every word felt like a blow, tearing through her until she could barely keep herself upright. She had known, deep down, that this was how they would react, but knowing it hadn’t prepared her for the crushing weight of actually hearing it. Her entire body was shaking, every muscle tight with fear.

"Dad, please—" she began, her voice barely above a whisper, desperate to calm him down, to stop his temper before it got worse.

But he wasn’t done. "You’re disgusting," he spat, pacing now, his fists clenched at his sides. "This isn’t normal, and I’m not going to let you keep going down this path.”

There was a moment of silence, and Casey’s mother cleared her throat with disdain. "We’ve been patient, far more patient than we should’ve been," she said coldly, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. "We’ve tried to help you get in the right direction, Casey, but this…this is unacceptable. It’s immoral."

Casey felt a sob building in her chest, but she forced it down, refusing to let them see her break. "I…I love her," she choked out, the words slipping from her lips before she could stop them. It was the truth. No matter how hard this moment was, she couldn’t deny it. She didn’t want to deny it anymore; they already knew, they had seen them, so it didn’t matter anymore. It felt like a last attempt, a last desperate moment to get them to understand that their words couldn’t be true when what she felt was love. But of course, it didn’t work. It would never work.

His eyes turned steely, his jaw clenching so tightly she could see the vein pulsing at his temple. “Love?” he repeated, his voice laced with bitter scorn. “You don’t know what love is, Cassandra. You’re sick. Twisted. This isn’t love—it’s a disease, a perversion.”

Casey’s knees felt weak, and she swayed slightly, struggling to hold herself together. "No," she whispered. "You don’t understand."

Her father took a step toward her again, his voice lowering to a dangerous growl. "No, you’re the one who doesn’t understand. You listen to me, and you listen good." He jabbed a finger into her chest, each word punctuated with venom. "This ends, right now. You stop whatever the hell this is with that girl, or I swear to God, I will make your life a living hell."

She knew the threat was real; he never made empty threats, not against anyone, not even with his daughter. Casey’s breath came in shallow gasps, her chest tight with the weight of it all. She couldn’t speak, couldn’t move. She was frozen, trapped in the crushing realization that no matter what she did, no matter how much she loved Alex, this hatred would never go away.

She knew, with gut-wrenching certainty, that he would do everything in his power to destroy her if she disobeyed. “Dad, please, I—”

“I’m not interested in your pleading.” His hand reached into his jacket, pulling out a small folded brochure. He shoved it into her hands. “This is what you’ve done. This is the result of your perversions.”

Casey’s shaking fingers unfolded the paper, her eyes scanning the bold letters at the top: Camp for Righteous Transformation: Helping Your Child Rediscover the Right Path. Below that was the horrifying promise: A Safe and Effective Environment to Eliminate Unwanted Same-Sex Attraction.

Her blood turned to ice.

She felt his fingers wrap around her shoulder, almost mocking, more painful than before, making her wince. “Pack a bag,” her father said, his voice cutting through the shock and pain. “You’re going there tomorrow morning.”

Casey’s heart stopped, her eyes widening as she looked up at him. “What? No, no, you can’t—”

“You’ll go,” he said, not an ounce of care in his voice. His mind was made up, and Casey knew it. “I will not have a daughter who’s a filthy dyke. I will fix this.”

He released her with a disgusted shove, the force sending her stumbling backward until she hit the edge of the stairs, her feet catching beneath her, a sharp pain shooting up her side as she slammed into the railing. The shock of it took her breath, her ribs throbbing as she tried to steady herself.

She held back a cry of pain, blinking away the tears that burned in her eyes. He didn’t even seem to notice what he’d done, his face twisted into that of a man she didn’t recognize.

She took as deep a breath as her body allowed and looked up at him. “I’m not broken,” she whispered, her voice shaky, desperate. “You can’t make me go.”

Her father’s eyes blazed with fury as he slammed his hand into the wall beside her, making her flinch. “You will do as I say,” he spat. “You will pack your things, and you’ll go to that camp. I will not have a daughter who’s a filthy dyke. I’ll fix this, Cassandra, if it’s the last thing I do.”

Casey’s throat tightened, her entire body trembling. She was trapped, backed against the wall with nowhere to run, no escape from the hatred in his eyes.

From the hallway, her mother’s voice cut through the silence, chilling and detached. “We should have seen this coming,” she said, her face twisted in disgust as she joined them. “All those lies, all those times you snuck out to see her. You’ve disgraced us, Casey. You don’t deserve our kindness anymore.”

Terror clawed at her chest, her vision swimming as she looked between them. They would never understand. They would rip everything from her—the love she had found, the part of herself she was only just beginning to accept.

“I’m not going,” she choked out, tears blurring her vision. “I can’t… I won’t go.”

Her mother’s lips curled into a sneer. “You don’t have a choice. You’ll go, and we’ll make sure you find the right path again the one Gon intended.”

She looked between her parents, tears blurring her vision. “You… you just don’t understand,” Casey whispered, her voice choked with rage and heartbreak. “You’re full of hate. I… I hate you.”

Her father scoffed, a mocking smile on his face. “You’re right,” he sneered. “I don’t understand how you turned into this disgrace. But I’ll fix you. I’ll make you normal if it kills me.” His voice was filled with finality.

Without another word, she scrambled up the stairs to her room, slamming the door behind her. Once inside, she collapsed onto the bed, her body aching, bruises already forming on her skin. The sobs she had been desperately holding back finally broke free, wracking her entire body as she buried her face in the bear Alex had won her, clutching it close. Her body shook with the force of her cries. She was scared, terrified really, her heart breaking into a million pieces.

Casey tugged at Alex’s sleeve, her curiosity mounting as they walked down the street, Alex had been tight-lipped all afternoon, a playful smirk on her lips as she led them toward their date destination.

"Will you tell me where we are going already?" Casey asked, trying to pull more information out of her girlfriend.

Alex chuckled, her hand squeezing Casey’s briefly before she slipped it back into her pocket, glancing around. "It’s a surprise, Case. Don’t you like surprises?"

Even though they’d been together for months, the secrecy surrounding their relationship was still a weight on their chest. But being together made that weight feel lighter, like they could breathe.

Casey huffed, though she couldn’t help but smile. "I mean, I do, but you’re being awfully suspicious."

"Am I?" Alex teased back,she leaned in closer her voice dipping low in that way that always made Casey’s stomach flip."Don’t worry. You’re going to love it."

A few more steps, and suddenly, Casey caught the sounds of distant carnival music, the excited shouts of people, and the sweet smell of sugar drifting through the air. The local fair came into view, its bright lights and spinning rides now in full view.

Casey’s eyes widened as she turned to Alex, a smile tugging at her lips. "The fair?!”

Alex shrugged with a grin. "Well, I figured we deserved some fun."

Casey’s heart fluttered at the thoughtfulness of it. "That sounds perfect… but isn’t it a bit too public?"

Alex gave her a reassuring glance, lowering her voice, her hand ghosting near Casey’s. "There are going to be so many people and crowds, no one will be paying attention to us. Where did you tell your mom you were going today?"

"I told her I had softball practice until late," Casey said, a bit of nervous laughter in her voice.

"Perfect," Alex said with a smile. "Then relax. Let’s play some rigged games."

They wandered deeper into the fair, the bright colors and noise a perfect backdrop for their hidden glances and quiet touches. It was exhilarating, but nerve-wracking all the same. Each time they passed a group of people, Casey would feel her stomach twist in knots, but Alex kept her close. Just a brush of their hands here a shared smile there, she trusted Alex. In this crowd, no one would notice two girls stealing moments of affection.

When they passed a booth filled with stuffed animals hanging overhead, Alex paused, looking at the game where you had to knock down three rows of bottles with a ball. She paid the booth operator and picked up one of the balls, a determined look on her face. 

"I’ve got this," she said confidently.

Casey raised an eyebrow, trying to hold back a laugh. "You’ve got this? Lexie, you’re good at a lot of things but you suck at sports."

"Well I’m good at geometry so that’s got to count for something," Alex replied with a smirk.

Casey snorted, stepping up to the booth alongside her. "Geometry and hand-eye coordination are two very different things."

Alex shot her a playfull glare “Well not all of us can be softball players with great aim and strong hot arms” she threw the ball, and it flew wide, missing the bottles. She frowned, biting her lip. Casey, still grinning, stepped forward, taking another ball into her hand.

"Here," Casey said softly, stepping behind Alex. "Let me show you how." She stood behind Alex, guiding her hands to hold the ball correctly. Alex froze for a moment surprised by Casey’s touch, a blush creeping up her neck, but she didn’t move away. Casey’s body pressed against hers, and for a second, all Alex could focus on was the warmth of her girlfriend’s touch.

"Just follow my hand," Casey whispered, her lips brushing against Alex’s ear. With that, Casey guided Alex’s arm back and then forward, the ball hitting the center bottle and knocking it down.

Alex turned her head slightly, catching Casey’s eyes. "I did it."

Casey smiled, her face just inches from Alex’s. "You did"

They lingered in that closeness for a second longer than necessary before Casey reluctantly pulled away, her hand brushing against Alex’s as she stepped aside. Alex picked out a small stuffed bear from the prize rack, holding it out to Casey, a soft smile on her lips.

"For you," she said.

Casey took the bear, blushing at the gesture. "I thought you won it."

"Let’s call it a team effort," Alex replied with a grin, her eyes full of love.

They wandered off, the smell of fried food wafting through the air which made Casey’s stomach let out a low growl, making Alex laugh. After months of dating she had discovered that her girlfriend was pretty much a bottomless pit, she trained so much that her body was almost always demanding food so she had made it a habit of carrying snacks for her. 

She gave Casey a wide smile looking over the food stands "Guess that’s our next stop," she said, gesturing for Casey to pick. The smell of fried dough and sugar filled the air, and Casey’s eyes lit up.

"I could definitely go for a funnel cake," Casey said, glancing around the fair’s food stalls.

Alex nodded, and they got in line, eventually grabbing a paper plate piled high with a warm, crispy funnel cake. They found a quiet bench a little ways off from the main bustle of the fair and sat down. 

Casey took the first bite her eyes lightening up the moment the powdered sugar and fried dough where in her mouth. She tore off a piece and held it out to Alex, smiling when Alex raised an eyebrow at her. "You’ve got to try this!"

Alex leaned forward, taking the piece from Casey’s fingers. Her lips brushed lightly against Casey’s fingertips, sending a shiver through her. They smiled at each other, the sweetness of the moment brief as they pulled away quickly.

"You’re right," Alex said, licking a bit of sugar from her lips. "This was a good choice."

They ate in comfortable silence for a few moments, stealing glances and smiles between bites.  Every so often, their knees would bump, or Alex would brush her foot lightly against Casey’s leg, sending sparks between them.

Casey, licking powdered sugar from her lips, glanced at Alex. "I never would’ve imagined you liking these sorts of things."

"Why not?" Alex replied, taking another bite, looking at the people passing by laughing and enjoying the chaos of the fair . "They’re fun. Ridiculous, but fun."

“I don’t know, you’re from the city, you don’t strike me as the country fair type” she snickered shoving the last piece Alex left her into her mouth. 

Alex grabbed her hand under the table and gave it a light squeeze “Well I can’t said my parents ever took me to one but I do enjoy it, especially if I’m with you and get to watch how happy you are” she smiled and watched the way Caseys eyes seemed to sparkle with the string of lights above them. She loved Casey’s eyes, her smile, her dimples. She would do whatever it took to make her smile, to make her happy. 

Alex squeezed her hand again. "Maybe it’s not the fair I’m enjoying. Maybe it’s just being here with you."

A tint of red covered Casey’s cheeks and Alex was sure she would never get tired of seeing her blush. “Well I am happy, this is a great date” She had the urge to lean in and kiss her but stoped herself before she could. 

With the plate was empty, Alex stood and tossed it into a nearby trash bin.

"Come on," she said, offering Casey her hand. "There’s something else we need to do."

Casey hesitated for a second, glancing around at the crowded fairgrounds. "Isn’t this a bit risky?"

"There’s going to be so many people, no one’s looking at us. I promise. Plus holding your hand for a second won’t kill us" Alex gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Besides, I’ve got something planned."

She dragged Casey through the crowd, looking back to see her laughing at Alex’s rush and it sent a feeling of warmth inside her. The fair’s ferris wheel towered in the distance, its brightly colored lights twinkling against the darkening sky. Alex pulled them toward it, and before long, they were sitting side by side in one of the little cabins, slowly lifting into the sky.

As the wheel turned, taking them higher and higher, the noise of the fair faded, leaving only the sounds of the night and the creak of the ride. The cool evening breeze played with their hair as the sun began to descend in the sky.

Alex took Casey’s han in hers giving it a tight squeeze, resting their laced fingers between them.  The touch sent a familiar spark through Casey, and she leaned her head against Alex’s shoulder, their bodies pressed close together in the small cabin.

"This is nice," Casey murmured, her voice soft and content.

Alex nodded, her thumb gently tracing circles on Casey’s hand. "Yeah. It is."

For a moment, the world outside didn’t exist. Up here, it was just them, no crowds, no fear of being seen, just the two of them and the quiet, shared closeness that came so naturally now.

As the ferris wheel made its slow descent, Casey sighed, pulling away just slightly. "I wish we could stay up there forever."

"Me too,"Alex whispered, her breath warm against Casey’s ear.

Once they were back on the ground, they wandered through the fair’s more secluded areas, where the crowd began to thin out. They eventually found a small, tucked-away spot behind a food stand, hidden from view but still below the glow of the fair’s lights.

Alex glanced around, then turned to Casey, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know it’s hard," she said, stepping closer. "But I won't let anything happen to you."

Casey’s chest tightened, but in a good way. She felt safe, cherished. "I’m okay," she whispered back, "as long as I’m with you, I’m okay."

For a moment, everything else faded. The world around them disappeared. Without thinking, Alex leaned in, her lips brushing against Casey’s in a soft kiss. It was gentle and sweet, but filled with the intensity that all their kisses carried.

They pulled away, the sound of the fair slowly returning to their ears. Casey’s heart pounded in her chest, her cheeks flushed like they always did, but the smile on her face matched Alex’s.

"You know," Alex whispered, "I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of sneaking kisses with you." She gave her another peck, their foreheads resting together.

Casey grinned, her hands still intertwined with Alex’s. "Me neither."

They stayed there for a while longer, stealing a few more kisses before returning to the lights and noise of the fair, their love burning just as brightly as the lights overhead.

After a few more games and more food they headed back to Alexs house, where they could spend some more time together before Caseys mom started to wonder where she was. They took advantage of the empty streets to walk close together, their hands brushing with every step. Casey smiled and quickly gave Alex a peck on her cheek. “Thank you, it was a wonderful date” 

Alex smiled brightly and nudged her lightly “Im glad you enjoyed it, I had a great time with you.” 

Things like that made Casey fall even harder for Alex, she never had anyone who cared for her that much, who seemed to know everything about her. She smiled, her hear bursting “You know me so well” she whispered her fingers brushing Alex’s skin. “I love that about you. I love… you” 

Alex’s breath hitched and she stopped in her track at Casey’s confession, her eyes widening for a brief second before softening “I love you too, Casey” she whispered back, her voice brimming with emotion. She reached her arms around her, hugging Casey close. The hug surprising both of them. As much as Alex wanted to kiss her right there they where still on the street so she just held her close trying to convey all of her feelings into the hug. 

They rushed to Alex’s after they pulled apart, tears in their eyes, well aware that they would only have an hour before Casey had to go. As soon as they were through the door Alex wrapped her arm around Caseys waist, her lips pressing against Casey’s in a deep kiss. 

They kissed slowly, savoring the moment. When they finally pulled away, Alex rested her forehead against Casey’s, trying to catch her breath.

“I’m so happy,” Casey murmured, her fingers still laced with Alex’s. “I never thought I’d have this—someone who understands me, who makes me feel safe. I don’t ever want to lose this.”

“You won’t,” Alex promised, her hand moving to gently stroke Casey’s hair. “I’ll protect this, I’ll protect us, no matter what.”

They cuddled on the couch after, spending the rest of the night making out until reality creepy back in and it was time for Casey to go. She  glanced at the clock, biting her lip. “I should probably get going soon. My mom’s going to start wondering where I am.”

Alex frowned but nodded “I know. But I hate when you have to leave.”

“Me too,” Casey said softly. “But we’ll see each other tomorrow, right? My mom has a dinner party so I can come over.”

Alex smiled, stepping closer to her. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

They shared one last lingering kiss by the door, Casey’s fingers brushing against Alex’s wrist as she pulled away. She loved Alex, and Alex loved her. She kept repeating that as she walked home wishing tomorrow would come faster.

By the next day Casey had snuck back to Alex’s as soon as she could, the warm afternoon sun filtered through the large windows of Alex’s spacious bedroom, casting golden light over the soft white bedspread. Casey lay on her back, her hand playing with Alex’s fingers as they lay close, their legs tangled together. 

“I can’t believe your parents are never around,” Casey whispered, her voice soft, filled with awe at the contrast between Alex’s home and her own where her mothers presence was suffocating. “It’s like…our own little world.”

Alex smiled, her thumb brushing lightly across the back of Casey’s hand. “It’s one of the perks, I guess. We can just be…us here. No one watching.”

Casey looked over, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. “I like being us,” she murmured. The date at the fair had been fun but here, in the quiet of Alex’s home, it was easy to forget the dangers of being found out. It was just them.

Alex shifted a little closer holding herself over Casey, the space between them closing as she tucked a strand of Casey’s hair behind her ear. Her gaze was soft, filled with affection. “I like it too,” Alex said. “And I want to make sure you’re comfortable, always.”

“I am,” Casey said, her voice barely audible. Their faces now only inches apart. 

Alex’s heart skipped a beat at the admission. She knew what was at stake for Casey, and that would always drive her to be careful. “I love being with you, I love you so much.”

Casey’s expression softened even more, the weight of Alex’s words sinking in. It was that gentle love, the understanding, that patience, that made her fall deeper in love with Alex every day. She lifted her head up a bit until her lips met Alex’s, they kissed for a moment until Alex lowered herself back to lie next to Casey. 

As the evening light began to fade, they found themselves lying even closer, Alex’s arm draped lazily around Casey’s waist as they snuggled into the bed, talking about nothing and everything. Casey’s head rested on Alex’s shoulder, and she closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of the girl she loved. “I wish the world didn’t hate us,” she admitted, her voice barely a whisper now.

“I know,” Alex whispered back, pressing a soft kiss to Casey’s forehead. “But I’ll keep you safe, I promise.”

For a while, they just stayed like that, quiet comforted by the others presence until Casey got the courage to ask one of the questions about Alex that had been buggin her mind for weeks  

"Alex," Casey whispered after a while, breaking the quiet. "Why did you leave New York? You never really told me."

Alex tensed for a moment before exhaling softly, her fingers tracing idle patterns on Casey’s stomach. "I got caught," she said, her voice quieter now. "With a girl."

Casey blinked, processing the words, her heart breaking for Alex. "Caught? What do you mean?"

Alex shifted to face her more directly. "My parents found out. They walked in on us, and it wasn’t pretty. Instead of dealing with it—the whispers, the judgment—they sent me away. I think they thought a Catholic school, would be a good fix. To get me away from... that part of me." She sighed, looking sadder than Casey had ever seen her.

Casey’s chest tightened as she listened. Suddenly, Alex’s distance when talking about her parents made sense. She reached up and cupped Alex’s cheek, turning her head to meet her gaze. "I’m so sorry, Alex," she whispered.

Alex leaned into the touch, her eyes closing for a brief moment. "It’s fine," she murmured. "I have you now. That’s what matters."

They kissed again, this time with more tenderness, a sweet kiss that left them dreamy and sleepy. Soon enough, the day caught up to them. Without realizing it, the room turned into a warm cocoon of drowsiness. Alex’s hand found its way to Casey’s waist, and Casey nestled into her neck, both of them lulled by the calm around them. Their eyes fluttered shut, and before either could stop it, sleep claimed them, their limbs tangled beneath the blanket.

The next morning, the harsh light of the early sun cut through the curtains, interrupting the peacefulness of the previous night. Casey’s eyes blinked open slowly, her mind still foggy with sleep. For a second, she smiled, seeing Alex fast asleep next to her, hair messy from sleep, the warmth of Alex’s body beside her, the quiet safety of being wrapped up in her girlfriend’s arms.

Then it hit her.

Her eyes shot open, and she bolted upright. “Oh my god!” she gasped, her voice frantic as the reality of the situation crashed down on her. “I didn’t go home—I didn’t—my mom’s going to kill me!”

Alex stirred beside her, groaning softly as she blinked up at Casey in confusion. “Case…what’s wrong?”

“I didn’t go home!” Casey repeated, panic rising in her voice as she threw the blanket off. She was up on her feet, grabbing her shoes and jacket, her heart pounding. “She’s going to lose it, Alex. I have to go. I have to go now.”

Alex sat up quickly, her expression shifting from grogginess to concern. “Hey, hey, calm down,” she said, trying to reach for Casey’s arm, but Casey was already pulling away, frantically searching for her bag. “It’s okay. We can figure it out.”

“No, we can’t! She’ll know something’s wrong! How am I supposed to explain this?!” Casey’s voice cracked with anxiety as she tugged her jacket on, hands shaking. Her mind was spinning with panic. 

Alex stood and grabbed Casey’s hand, trying to ground her. “I’ll help you, I’ll think of something. Just breathe, okay?”

But Casey was already halfway out the door, panic driving her forward. “I’ll see you later,” she managed to say over her shoulder, rushing down the stairs.

The air outside burned her throat with each panicked breath, and Casey could feel the tension in her chest as she sprinted down the street toward her house. Her heart was racing as she approached her front door, praying she could sneak in without anyone noticing. But as she turned the knob and pushed the door open as quiet as she could be, her stomach dropped.

Standing there, just inside the doorway, was her father. High and mighty in his uniform, the image of intimidation staring her down to nothing.

The look on his face made Casey freeze in place, her breath catching in her throat.

Casey lay in her bed for what felt like hours after managing to pull herself up from the floor, the ceiling blurring as she stared at it. The silence pressed down on her, broken only by the sound of her mother moving around downstairs, heels clicking against the hardwood floor and the clang of pots and pans. Her cheek still burned. It wasn’t the first time her mother had struck her, far from it, but it had never stung like this before. Maybe because this time, it wasn’t just about discipline. It felt like punishment for something deeper. Something inside her.

Alex’s face flashed in her mind again, and for the first time, Casey didn’t push it away. She let herself think about Alex, really think about her. The way her blonde hair fell over her shoulders, how her blue eyes seemed to see through every wall Casey tried to put up. The way Alex was always so composed, how her clothes fit her frame perfectly, highlighting the slight curves of her figure. She couldn’t stop thinking about every part of her.

Who was she? Casey didn’t know anymore. She had spent years pretending to be someone she wasn’t, someone who could survive in her parents' house, someone who could fit into the narrow expectations her family had set for her. But every time she was around Alex, that mask slipped a little more, leaving her fighting the urge to just yank it off and see what would happen.

It wasn’t just attraction, Casey realized. It was something else, something that scared her more than her mother, more than the thought of her father finding out. Alex made her feel like herself, and that terrified her. Because what if being herself meant losing everything else?

Casey sat up slowly, running her fingers through her hair as she tried to calm the thoughts that wouldn’t stop bombarding her. She pushed herself off the bed and moved to her desk, where her schoolbooks were piled high. She flipped through the pictures tucked inside her books, the ones she had quickly hidden when they had fallen and Alex had picked them up.

The familiar warm feeling flooded her as she looked at them, and this time, she didn’t try to stop it. She looked and looked at these women she had convinced herself she only admired, but now started to see what her eyes wouldn’t let her before. Their beauty, their bodies, their breasts, the way their clothes clung to their figures. She didn’t just want to look at them, she wanted to be with them. She wanted to kiss them, to dance with them, to be close in ways no boy had ever made her feel.

Could she really just pretend like nothing was happening? Like she wasn’t starting to feel things she couldn’t control?

She caught her reflection in the mirror across the room. Her eyes looked tired, her cheek still red from where her mother had slapped her. She stared at herself, trying to see the girl her parents wanted her to be. But she wasn’t there anymore. That girl was slipping away, bit by bit, and Casey didn’t know if she even wanted her back.

The weight of that realization settled heavily in her chest. She couldn’t keep living like this, trapped between two versions of herself, the one her parents demanded and the one she was terrified to embrace. The thought made her stomach twist with fear, but beneath that fear was something else. Something that felt like hope. Or maybe freedom.

A knock on the door startled her, making her heart jump. She shoved the photos back into the book just as the door creaked open.

“Casey?” Her mother’s voice was deceptively calm, the kind of calm that only came after she had convinced herself everything was back under control. She stepped into the room without waiting for permission, her gaze sweeping over Casey as if nothing had happened. “Dinner is ready.”

Casey clenched her jaw, not trusting herself to speak. Her mother didn’t like silence, she never did.

Her mother sat on the edge of the bed, smoothing the fabric of her skirt like it was some formal event and not an uncomfortable conversation with her own daughter. “I don’t want us to fight, sweetheart,” she said, her tone sickly sweet. “I just want what’s best for you.”

Casey swallowed the knot in her throat but said nothing. She knew what was coming next. She had heard it all before.

Her mother sighed with annoyance. “I’m not trying to control you, Casey. I’m trying to protect you. That girl is bad news. She’s not your friend, Casey, she’s trying to tempt you.”

Casey felt the familiar frustration rising, the words her mother used to describe Alex making her blood start to boil.

“She’s not—” The words spilled out before she could stop them.

Her mother’s face hardened instantly. “I will not let you ruin your life by falling under the influence of that kind of person,” she spat, her voice cold and sharp. “You’re acting like a child, Cassandra. A stubborn, ungrateful child. I didn’t raise you to be like this.”

Casey stared at her mother, feeling the sting of those words like fresh slaps. Was that all she was to her? Some stubborn child who needed to be fixed? Was there anything about her that her mother even liked?

“Well,” her mother said, standing up abruptly and smoothing her skirt again, her voice back to its icy calm. “That’s enough of that. Come downstairs before the food goes cold. Hopefully, by the end of dinner, you’ll stop with this nonsense.”

After that night, Casey didn’t stop seeing Alex. Not after the slap, not after her mother’s warnings, not after the gnawing guilt that sometimes kept her up at night. She couldn’t. Alex was too important. It was different with her, and that difference was what made Casey learn how to push the fear down, hiding it carefully.

She didn’t talk about Alex, didn’t let her offer to walk her home anymore. She wasn’t stupid, she knew the rules of her house, knew when to keep her head down. So, instead, Casey kept it all to herself. She’d sneak glances at Alex in class, her heart skipping when Alex would catch her eye and smile that knowing smile. The flutter in her chest was a familiar feeling now, one she had finally admitted to herself.

She had a crush. A real, undeniable crush on Alex Cabot.

And though the guilt still lingered somewhere in the back of her mind, she was tired of feeling ashamed. Tired of pretending she didn’t want something more. She had spent so much of her life pretending to be whoever the people around her wanted her to be; with Alex, she wanted to be real.

The thought of Alex made Casey’s pulse quicken. Her face, her laugh, her teasing comments that always felt like they had a deeper meaning. Alex wasn’t oblivious to the growing tension between them, far from it. She would lean in just a little too close when they talked, her fingers sometimes brushing Casey’s arm when she handed her a book, a playful smirk dancing on her lips whenever Casey blushed.

And Casey did blush, every time.

It was after one of those moments, after Alex had made a casual comment that Casey was reading too much into, that she found the confidence to ask, “Is that offer to watch Thelma and Louise still open?”

Alex smiled brightly at her. “Always.”

Two nights later, Casey stood outside Alex’s house, her heart racing. The Cabot home wasn’t like hers. Alex’s parents were well-off, the kind of people who had art hanging on the walls and bookshelves filled with first editions, even if they weren’t there most of the time. There was a sophistication to it all that made Casey feel out of place, but Alex never made her feel that way.

When Alex opened the door, she smiled wide, stepping aside to let Casey in. “I made popcorn,” Alex said casually, but there was a glimmer of something in her eyes, something that made Casey’s pulse rush wildly.

Casey smiled back, her nervousness starting to melt away as Alex led her into the cozy living room. The TV was already on, the opening credits of the movie rolling across the screen. The soft glow of the lamps cast a warm light over the room, making it feel like their own little world.

They sat on the couch together, and as the movie played, the space between them seemed to shrink. Little by little, Casey found herself inching closer to Alex. Or maybe Alex was the one shifting toward her. Either way, by the time the film reached its dramatic climax, their bodies were nearly touching.

“You were right,” Casey said, her voice quieter than she meant it to be. “It was a good movie.”

Alex smiled, her eyes glinting under the dim light of the TV. “I’m glad you liked it.”

Casey felt her stomach flip. She wasn’t sure what to say next, her mind swirling with too many thoughts, too many feelings.

“Do you think they loved each other?” Alex asked suddenly, her voice soft and thoughtful as she glanced at the now-dark screen.

Casey blinked, her heart skipping a beat at the sudden question. She had thought about it throughout the movie, and it made sense now why her mother didn’t want her to see it. She hadn’t seen two women kiss before, never on screen, and certainly not in real life. The kiss was brief, yet she couldn’t stop replaying the image in her head. “I like to think so,” she said, her voice tentative. “I think it’s heavily implied, at least.”

Alex nodded, her gaze shifting back to Casey. “Yeah, me too.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence between them crackling with unspoken tension. Casey could feel Alex’s eyes on her, and it made her skin tingle, her breath catching in her throat. She shifted slightly, her knee brushing against Alex’s.

There was a beat of silence, and then Alex said softly, “Casey?”

Casey swallowed, her nerves twisting tighter “Yeah?”

Alex tilted her head, studying her. “Have you ever kissed anyone?”

The question caught Casey off guard, her heart skipping a beat. Her face flushed, and she felt the familiar warmth spread across her cheeks. She shook her head slightly. “No, I… I haven’t.”

Casey’s cheeks flamed and she worked up the courage to finally ask. “Have you ever…” she hesitated, her throat tight, “have you kissed a girl?”

Alex’s smile softened, and she nodded, her eyes never leaving Casey’s. “Yeah. I have.”

The answer made Casey’s stomach flip. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but hearing Alex say it, so casually, so easily, it did something to her. The nerves buzzed under her skin, her thoughts racing in a dozen different directions. “What’s it like?”

Alex tilted her head slightly, her smile widening, but it was soft, reassuring. “It’s… soft. And it makes the butterfly in your stomach go crazy, in the best way. It feels good,” she said, her voice lowering just a little. “At least, I think so.”

Casey swallowed, her throat dry. Her fingers twisted together in her lap, and she bit her lip, fighting against the storm of emotions inside her. “It doesn’t feel wrong?” she asked, her voice so quiet it was almost a whisper.

Alex shook her head gently, her eyes never leaving Casey’s. “No, I don’t think so.” She said softly, shaking her head. “I think it feels right.”

Casey’s heart was thudding so loudly she could barely hear anything else. All her life, she had been taught to be afraid of this, of the feelings stirring inside her, of the want she was too scared to acknowledge. But nothing about this moment, about sitting here with Alex, about them, was wrong.

Alex leaned back slightly, giving Casey space to process, but her gaze never wavered. “You’re beautiful, you know that?” she said quietly, but with so much sincerity it made Casey melt. Boys had called her beautiful before but it had never felt like this. “I love it when you blush.”

Casey’s face heated even more, her skin burning under Alex’s words. She opened her mouth to say something, anything, but no words came out. She was drowning in the tension between them, in the emotions she didn’t know how to handle.

“Alex, I—” she started, but her voice cracked, and she looked away, unable to keep her composure under Alex’s gaze.

But Alex didn’t press her. Instead, she leaned in just a little closer, slowly, her voice gentle and reassuring. “You don’t have to be scared, Casey. There’s nothing wrong with what you’re feeling. With what you want.”

Casey’s eyes flicked back to Alex’s, her heart hammering in her chest. “Being scared is all I know,” she whispered.

Alex’s eyes softened, and her hand moved slowly, brushing against Casey’s arm and moving up to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear, a small touch that sent shivers down her spine. “Let me show you,” Alex whispered, leaning in just enough that Casey could feel her breath against her lips. She was giving her space, time to pull away if she wanted to.

But Casey didn’t want to pull away. She wanted… she wanted to know. She wanted to feel what Alex had described, what she had seen on that screen. Her heart was still pounding, her body shaking with nerves and anticipation, but the pull of the girl in front of her was too strong.

Alex leaned in, her lips hovering just a breath away from Casey’s, waiting, giving her a choice. Casey hesitated for only a second longer before she nodded, her breath catching in her throat.

Alex’s lips were soft, just like she had said. The kiss was slow, gentle at first, like Alex was easing her into it, letting her take her time. And it was everything Casey hadn’t known she wanted, warm and soft and right. All the fear and confusion melted away, replaced by the sensation of Alex’s lips against hers, the way her heart fluttered wildly in her chest. Alex’s hand slid to the back of Casey’s neck, pulling her closer, deepening the kiss. Casey’s skin tingled as a wave of warmth flooded her, she leaned into the kiss, her hands trembling as they found their way to Alex’s arms, holding onto her as if she were the only thing keeping her grounded.

When they finally pulled apart, Casey’s head was spinning, her heart racing in a way that left her breathless.

Alex smiled softly, her forehead resting gently against Casey’s. “See?” she whispered, her voice, the one she used only with Casey so warm and comforting. “Doesn’t that feel right?”