reckless behavior --

“What the fuck?” Elijah muttered to himself as he tore his gaze away from Ophelia. Out of everything she could have possibly said to him today, that was not one of them, that was not something he thought he’d ever hear her say at least not sober and in the moment he couldn’t process that. They had been dancing around whatever was between them for he didn’t even know how long and for the first time since he met her Elijah didn’t have a response. For a brief second the idea of asking Ophelia if she meant that as a friend crossed his mind, but they both knew that wasn’t what she meant so asking would just be annoying and result in her hitting him and he didn’t feel like dealing with that not now at least. As time seemed to tick on he had to say something other than that. He needed to come up with something anything and unconsciously his fingers rubbed at her side. “There’s already no going back. When you said that there was no going back. We are not who we were before you said that and you can’t take it back now.” He reasoned as he lifted her off of his lap and got up to pace around the room for a moment his fingers automatically going to the back of his neck. “I–I need time to think.” The words escaped his lips before he even knew what he was saying and his own green eyes widened in surprise. “You know how I feel about you, I know you do, but I um… Just need to figure some stuff out first.”

The second he was moving her, she knew she’d sent him into another one of his frantic states. But she hadn’t spoken up again, instead, she just watched him. There were so many times she’d told him she loved him, of course this time was different. But she was sick of carrying the burden around. Whether it changed who they were and where they were at or not, at least she finally had said something. In that moment, that’s all that mattered to her -- was the weight lifted off her shoulders so she could go back to being who she was and not the sad sap of a person who didn’t make any fucking sense. “No, what you need to do is fucking relax. You look like I just tried to stab you, Elijah. You’re going to be fine. I just needed to fucking say it, alright?” She snapped, her emotions flaring up as her usual tone took it’s rightful place. “I realize there is no going back -- I didn’t need you to say anything to me, or reciprocate a damn thing. I just needed to say it, okay? I needed to get that out of me and get a fresh start. I’m sorry, I’m sorry I’ve done this to you, I am. I don’t want anything from you, you freaking psycho. I just -- you need to breathe or something, you’ve got crazy eyes.” 

Elijah had to force himself to keep the glare in his eyes after she spoke. There was something about Ophelia thinking the idea of him yelling at her was hot that was oddly satisfying. The brief idea that she’d let him punish her in her bed if they ever got to that, briefly crossed his mind by as quickly as it appeared he willed it away. Now was not the time for that. He was mad at her and determined to stay that way. “I’m definitely gonna yell at you.” He confirmed as she sat on his lap and subconsciously pulled her body closer to his as he wrapped his arm around her waist and listened to her speak. “The worst possible draft of my life is one where you’re not in it. No matter what dumbass thing you do, or say or try to hurt me with. No matter what happens between us I will never kick you out of my life Fefe. You’re home to me and that’s never gonna change.” Despite the fact that he was still mad he needed to reassure her of that first and then let out sigh. “Is there more?”

Her eyebrows furrowed as he spoke, because even though she knew his words were honest and true -- it didn’t mean she couldn’t still shake that feeling. Elijah was home to her as much as she was home to him and that was the real struggle of it all. They were so comfortable, that she knew in the end, it’d be difficult to face him again. “But that’s my point,” She protested, leaning her forehead against his shoulder as she considered what else she really had to say. “The worst draft of my life is one without you in it too, Lij. It won't change, I’m always going to be here. But what if we can’t be here anymore? What if it gets that out of control? How will we fix it?” She murmured, her words muffled by his shirt. But as she pulled away from him, her body protested and she awkwardly sat in his lap, fumbling as she readjusted herself. Her face was suddenly filled with so much emotion that she could practically feel a lump in her throat forming. “I love you -- I fucking love you and that’s the problem. I ran away because how am I supposed to fall in love with my best friend and still face him? I know you can’t love someone like me, you’ve already been through that. Did you want me to stick around and start looking at you with heart eyes instead of punching you? How the hell would that even make sense.” 

“Hold. The. Fuck. Up. A. Minute. Why the hell am I an asshole? I haven’t done anything to you but try and love you and give you my support and this is how you treat me? The nerve.” He scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest, shaking his head at her. “Is the world ending right now? You’re acting saying something nice? Holy fuck.” 

“Love and support?” She muttered, rolling her eyes. “Please, you’re nothing but a pain in my damn ass. Which makes you an ass. See what I did there? -- Are you proud?” Grinning, the brunette gave him a wink before shrugging her shoulders. “Let me live, I’ve got 99 problems and they’re all bitches. Right now, you’re the closest thing I have to admire and the only one not currently striking an evil vendetta. Bask in the moment.” 

Esme: are you okay?

Esme: I’m just so mad.. I.. I thought I at least mattered a bit in the sisterhood,

Ophelia: sort of? im just super fucking conflicted right now.

Instead of continuing with his food Elijah left it there forgotten to give her all of his attention. He listened to her as she spoke and as much as he wanted to just let her go back to wherever she was hiding he had to admit he wasn’t surprised by her actions and the fact that she actually tracked him down was impressive for her and he sighed. “I want to hear it, but I also want to yell at you, so the least you can do is either let me have that or come sit on my lap  while you explain only two options.” He reasoned looking at her expectantly.

Ophelia sighed, loudly. Surprisingly enough, it wasn’t even dramatic on her part -- it was absolutely intended the way it came out, defeated. So as she shifted to walk over to him, she just kept a blank expression on her face. “Do you? Wait -- can you? It’d make me feel better, and honestly... it’d also be kind of hot.” Grinning as she adjusted herself on his lap, she shrugged her shoulders lightly. “Can I start with I’m sorry? I shouldn’t of handled things the way I did, and I just. I’m sorry, Lij. I really am. But having feelings in general, let alone for my best friend, my person? -- That’s fucking terrifying. I could lose you in the blink of an eye if we pursued something serious, and  I’m not sure I could ever handle losing you.”

Esme: that was.. thanks for that, that actually made sense.

Esme: I just don’t whether to be hurt or angry.

Ophelia: dont get used to it, i've had an eye opening last couple of days

Elijah was just about to take a bite of the slice in hand when he glanced up at Ophelia and rolled his eyes. “Why are you here? You decide you’re done avoiding me? Did you bring me a present at least?” He asked with a raised brow as he slid the food away from him.

“I’m not here to ruin another meal for you, please -- continue.” She noted, narrowing her eyes. Biting the bullet was hard enough when it came to him, but to actually show her face to give him an explanation she knew he deserved? Ten times worse. “And to think, I thought I was the present. Coming all the way over to apologize, and actually fucking explain myself in person. But by all means, if you don’t want to hear it -- I can go. I’m happy to continue pretending like you don’t fucking exist.” 

Esme: it’s not like they stole a shirt or makeup..

Esme: it was one of them who my ex cheated on me with. That’s a different kind of hurt.

Ophelia: like i said, compromise.

“I might have gotten slapped today. I’m not sure why. Maybe I just have that face. Either way, I need to get new glasses. I’m stuck with these contacts and they’re driving me insane. So, I apologize in advance if I seem distracted.”

“You’re not sure why, really? It couldn’t be the fact that you’re an asshole with a side of annoying dickhead? I’m absolutely heartbroken I didn’t get to do it first. -- Honestly speaking, though, I actually prefer you without the glasses. It’s nice to see your eyes and not get distracted by the frames.” 

“Yes! Come to daddy.“

"I was talking to the pizza, not you. I try to only fuck with daddy-kinks when pizza is involved.”

Glancing towards a voice she knew far too well, she couldn’t help the rude laughter that escaped under her breath. “Don’t lie, ‘Lijah. It’s not cute.” 

Esme: it’s hard to imagine that I can’t even trust my sisters..

Esme: but also not that difficult at the same time.

Ophelia: ?????

It wasn’t like Elijah had been dreaming of this moment since they met she was a nightmare back then, even for him, but over time he had developed feelings for her as well. She was aggressive, often mean, and threatened his life on occasion so of course, that was inevitable, but he didn’t think she’d ever reciprocated those feelings. He was happy just being friends so this moment seemed fairly unrealistic to him and he was about five seconds from pinching himself when her jab came and yeah based on the dull ache in his side this was definitely happening and he sat up a bit his head resting on his hand letting it hold him up as he looked down at the brunette a dopey grin taking over his face as she began to lash out at his idiotic questioning. “Ophelia Elise Devereux, you just say the sweetest things to me.” He teased her lightly knowing something in that sentence was probably gonna earn him a smack but risking it anyway. “What do you like most about me? Is it my eyes? I feel like it’s my eyes. Do they make you into a pile of mush inside? Is it the height? Do you just wanna climb me like a tree cause I get that a lot.” Yes, Elijah was aware he should have stopped talking a long time ago, or hell even just kissed her, but he was gonna milk this for all it was worth. 

Did he really just full name her? That little bitch full named her, and all she could think about was ways to torture him for the next hour and a half. There was plenty of ways to get away with murder and she knew at least twelve of them if he really wanted to push her that far. Letting him in on secrets was enough, but this? This had gone too far. She was still glaring -- even through his obvious mental breakdown as he continued to list off things about himself. It wasn’t until he said he’d gotten it a lot that she finally shoved her hand over his mouth to shut him up. “Thank you very much, Elijah. We’re done here, you can go.” Her words were a lot more harsh then she had intended, and even as she started climbing over him, she continued to hold his mouth. It wasn’t even worth it to hit him anymore, the only thing she could do was rant like a child who had an awful case of word vomit. “Better yet -- I will go instead. You can stay here, and think about what you’ve done. Because honestly? It’s none of those things. Not a damn thing you even named was less than superficial, and fuck you for thinking things that I actually really love and cherish about you are just skin deep. You could look like a dildo on the side of the road that’s been hit by a toe and I’d probably still be in this same damn stupid position.” Rolling her eyes as she let his mouth go and continued move off the bed, she couldn’t help but give him a huff. After this long, did he really think his cute face was all there was to him? She hardly would’ve kept him around.