Shameless Hoe HQ

Too late to rehash the argument now. Not as the yelps and groans of your comrades and the impact of their bodies on the earth fill your reality. Your soul weighs down your feet as you long to stop and help but you agreed on one thing; at the end of the day, everyone for themselves.

You pump your arms harder as you focus on the tree line getting closer. Almost there. Just fifteen, no ten more feet.

A hot force knocks you forward. You stumble and roll over your head onto your back, flat in the dirt as you pant up at the moonlight. The clouds crawl over her face and shroud the night.

The heave of your breath is all you can hear. You close your eyes with a whimper. That's it. It's over. Just like you knew all along, there's no hope.

The burning agony impales your shoulder. Your hand shakes as you bring it up to touch the wound. Your blood smears onto your palm. You think it went right through as you can feel the ragged gap in your back. Is that good? No, none of this is. It just means you'll suffer more.

A chuckle rolls across the clearing. The drone of pained voices and crackly draw of final breaths mingles in the lull. Footsteps tamp on the grass and dirt. There's a grunt then a yipe. 5S77. Your friend, as good as a sister in this world.

"Pity." A low voice taunts. "Pretty lips."

A bullet rings out and you twitch. Then a metallic thump and another pained groan.

"Orders are to take as many alive as we can." A man snarls. "Do you long for the drought, Oppio?"

"Good as dead, chest wound." The other grits and receives only a growl in return.

"Remember your orders," the leader commands.

You try to roll onto your side. You might be able to crawl into the trees. The moon is overcast. You're not as close as the rest.

"Argh!" A man cries out and a grizzly thump makes your insides turn.

"Fuck you, coward." Dylan sneers and that noise comes again and again and again, his senseless moans and groans dwindling beneath the stomp of the soldier's boot.

"Fucking rat! Stabbed me." The soldier drags his bloody boot on the grass.

You roll onto your stomach and bite your tongue. You plant your elbows and knees. You lurch forward, the effort tearing in your shoulder.

You do it again and again. You're so close... Just as you smell the pine and feel the bristle of dry needles, a crushing weight comes down with the sudden glow of moonlight. The boot pushes your chest to the ground as the man above you snickers.

“Where’re you going, sweetheart?” He taunts.

You go limp and spread your fingers wide. There’s no use fighting. You’ve lost.

He shifts his weight and turns, the muzzle of his rifle running along your side to your hip. “Not as bony as those other plebs.” He mocks. “Bet you got a set on you.” He drags his foot off you, the dirt on his boot crumbling off. “How about you turn over and show me?”

You shudder and close your eyes. You couldn’t if you tried. You feel your strength draining from your shoulder.

“Don’t fuck with me.” He hisses and pushes the barrel of his firearm against your wound.

“Oppio.” The same grizzly warning comes as before. “Back away.”

“This one’s breathing,” the soldier above you rescinds his rifle.

“I see that.” The other man stomps up. You let your head fall to the side and look up as they come side to side. They glare at each other. 

The Oppio backs off and scoffs. “Heard, Tribunus.”

The other man, a Tribunus, high up for someone chasing stray plebs, sniffs and looms above you. He doesn’t move until the other man stalks off to bark at the other soldiers. You close your eyes and exhale. Weakness flows through you.

You whine as suddenly the man touches your shoulder. He pulls the sopping fabric back and feels along the edge of the flesh. He hums and wipes his fingers on your jacket.

“You’ll live.”

He grabs your elbow and hauls you up to your knees. You open your eyes as you sway and he tugs again. Your legs are heavy as you set your feet. You stand, hunched, as the Tribunus stays latched above your elbow.

You feel him staring at you. You keep your eyes to the ground. He turns you and checks the front of your jacket. Your numbered patch is gone. You all tore them off when you slipped through the gap in the camp wall.

“Doesn’t matter which one you are. We know what you are.” He turns you by your arm and hurls you ahead of him. “Walk.”

You slump and drag your feet across the ground. There’s two others able to limp. 6T00 and 35B4. The rest are hauled between men to the waiting truck with the caged bed. Dead or dying, they’re tossed in without care.

The Tribunus sighs and lets go of you. He shoves something into your hand. A coarse rag.

When you opened your eyes, the sunlight appeared far too bright for your usually darkened bedroom. Even when you went out partying, you always put the blinds down. You slept best like that.

But it was really too bright in the bedroom. Which made you stir awake from delicious slumber.

It took you a few seconds to realize you were not, in fact, in your bedroom. Or any familiar bedroom for that matter. Luxurious, bright, with a wall-wide french door leading straight outside into the lakeside outdoors.

Not the city, then.

When you lifted your hand to swipe remnants of sleep of your face, a blinding glint froze you mid move.

A huge, sparkling ring was winking at you from your finger.

And another delicate, gold band beneath.

A pair that looked very much like an engagement ring and a wedding band. Which was impossible!

You reached to the side, to a bedside table where your phone was tossed along with your lacy bra. No missed phone calls, or messages. However, when you opened your phone gallery, your world tilted on its axis.

The last series of photos were from last night. From secret dinner, bottles of champagne, close-up of hand you knew oh so well resting on your thigh. Then picture of a line of shiny engagement ring. A shot of private jet. Bouquet of flowers.

Then a picture someone else had clearly taken, since you were on it. Being kissed at the altar of an empty church at night. But with the priest present in the left corner of the photo.

You jumped out of bed, nearly falling back down on your ass when your legs refused to cooperate fully.

It appeared to be the fault of all the drinks you had last night and the wedding night that clearly happened.

You spotted him standing outside. On the deck leading to the lake. He was wearing only his pants; his hair still mussed from sleep.

Picking his shirt from the floor, you draped it over yourself quickly and stepped outside.

"Ran!" You yelled, running towards him.

"Ransom Drysdale, tell me WE. DID. NOT?!"

He turned to you slowly, not the least surprised. Holding one hand tucked in his picket, he lifted his other hand - showing you the matching glint of a wedding band on his finger.

"We did, Melba." Unlike you, Ransom didn't appear to be bothered with the situation.

You weren't angry. You were terrified.

Being married to Ransom wasn't the worst. Honestly, it might have been your dream if you ever admitted to it. But it couldn't become reality. Just couldn't!

Ransom was supposed to be only a secret, thrilling fuck. As you were for him. At first, at least.

For the world you lived in, you were enemies. Heirs to rivaling families that spent decades on trying to wipe each other out.

Jensen, and for this specific reason: he wouldn’t oogle you every now and then, he’d be full on 👁️👄👁️ the entire time he’s in your vicinity bwahahaha.

So I guess that leaves fae king!Steve.

I actually love the idea of him giving you a little space for a bit. Maybe he’s even subtlely using some of his magic to conjure butterflies or lure some sweet animals out in the open to your utter delight!

He waits until he catches you oogling him a few times before finally approaching 🤭 Is very charming but also amused by how O_O you are because he’s so much bigger up close 🫪

Yadda yadda yadda, courting and being sweet with hints of spicy, blah blah blah, you’re finally his and swept away to his beautiful fae kingdom…

Like so often when he watched you, a soft smile curled Ransom’s lips, his gaze becoming less sleepy and more curious as it shifted from you to the breakfast tray sat before him. 

It was littered with a variety of things: a loaf of bread, a glass of water, the coffee machine but no actual coffee, a jar of peanut butter, and a big sharable bag of M&Ms. And then surrounding all of these items was a decorative border of freshly picked flowers–and a few weeds, too–from the back garden.

It clicked for Ransom instantly, the way you had obviously latched on to the concept of breakfast in bed from the movie you guys had watched the other night. It was also obvious–and sweetly so–that you didn’t quite get it.

Which only made him smile wider as he bit back a laugh. 

“Thank you, kitten, I love it.”

“Really?” you asked hopefully, rocking back and forth on your feet as you watched him. 

“Really, the only thing that would make it better is if you got your cute butt back here in bed beside me so I can share all these goodies with you.”

“Okay!” you chirped, scrambling to return to bed and happily situating beneath his arm as he curled it over your shoulder. 

Still grinning, Ransom reached for the bag of M&Ms, popping it open and offering it to you. 

You eyed the sweets with interest, but hesitated, your warm gaze returning to Ransom before you leaned in and pressed a sweet kiss to his lips.

“Good morning,” you murmured, brushing your nose with his and making a happy sound as Ransom leaned in this time to give you a kiss.

“Very good morning,” he purred, giving your shoulder a squeeze before rattling the bag of candy at you.

He watched in amusement as you picked out your favorite color only before settling back to eat them, and of course sipping on some water at his encouragement as you two shared your very first breakfast in bed together.

A few weeks later, you experienced another first with Ransom.

Receiving a real gift, for the first time ever. 

He seemed more excited than usual as he returned from running a few errands in town, beelining to where you were keeping Ruby company in the kitchen as she prepped dinner. Ransom took your hand and pulled you away and into the living room, so it was just the two of you. 

“I have something for you,” he smiled, tugging you down beside him on the sofa before placing a flat square box in your lap. 

It was royal blue and tied shut with a silver ribbon that was arranged in a beautiful bow on top. You touched it carefully–reverently–before your soft, shy gaze flickered up to meet Ransom’s. 

“For me?”

He nodded. 

“Why?”

It was foreign to you, the concept of gifts. For so long, you had never had very many material possessions at all, let alone anything nice or special.

“Just because,” Ransom murmured, nodding to the box. “Go on, kitten, open it.”

You were so very careful as you untied the ribbon from the box, setting it aside and already planning to keep and cherish it forever. You lifted the lid and gasped at what you found inside–the most beautiful necklace you had ever seen. 

It was a flat, circular pendant with a dandelion engraved on it, and realizing what the image was had your eyes filling with happy tears as you remembered that day in the meadow with Ransom–your picnic and picking dandelions together. 

It was a moment that had felt so magical and special to you, and now this gift confirmed that it was something that Ransom held close to his heart too, and that made you nearly vibrate with joy. 

“You’re my wish come true,” you echoed your words from that day as you smiled over at Ransom, leaning against him and nuzzling his arm as he kissed the crown of your head.

You returned your gaze to the necklace, gingerly tracing around the pendant as you gazed at it and whispered an awe-filled, “So pretty!”

“You’re pretty,” Ransom murmured, pressing a kiss to your temple. “Can I put it on you?”

“Yes please!” You sat up like a shot, bouncing in your seat and making Ransom laugh. 

“Here, turn that way a little,” he encouraged you to put your back to him as he scooped up the box and removed the necklace. 

He was careful as he put it on you, pressing a kiss to the nape of your neck. 

“Let me see.” 

You turned to him, smiling big and ecstatic as he observed your new accessory with satisfaction. 

“It’s perfect.” His eyes lifted to yours, so warm and soft as he said, “And so are you.”

Bouncing forward, you kissed him, petting his hair before pulling away and jumping to your feet. Ransom called after you as you scurried into the entryway, pausing before the huge antique mirror propped against the wall and nearly crying as you admired the pretty necklace sitting against the top of your chest. 

The only thing that made it more beautiful was when Ransom appeared behind you, looking amused, his eyes so bright and tender as he came up behind you and wrapped you in his arms. 

“You’re such a sweetheart,” he hummed as you immediately sank back against him, enjoying his embrace.

“Always want to see it,” you whispered, your gaze returning to the mirror–to your necklace–as you gently touched the pendant.

Ransom perked up at that, grinning as he said, “I have an idea. Come here.” 

He took your hand, chuckling as you pouted to be pulled away from staring at your new gift. He led you back into the living room, to the sofa, digging his cell phone from his back pocket before sitting down and pulling you down beside him, so close you were nearly in his lap. 

“Here, we’ll take your very first selfie,” he smiled at you, curling his arm around your shoulders, and tugging you close. 

You watched, confused, as Ransom fiddled with his phone before holding out in front of you both. And when he pressed his smooth cheek to yours, you hummed your content, glancing over at him with soft eyes as you heard a strange clicking sound. 

“We can take a few,” he muttered, readjusting how he held his phone.

When he leaned in close again, you got distracted, nuzzling into him like a kitten seeking affection, oblivious to the shutter sound of his phone camera going off a few times.

And hours later, that night in bed, once you were fast asleep and curled close to Ransom’s side, he scooped up his phone–still wide awake–and scrolled to his camera roll. 

To those selfies with you. 

As he swiped through each one, he felt himself melt more and more, because in every single photo, you were just gazing over at him in adoration. A little awe, too.

It was right there before his very eyes, how much you cared about him, like no one else ever had before, and it made something unfamiliar rise up in him. Something that had his eyes stinging and a lump swelling in his throat. Something that had this light, fluttery feeling he had never felt before invade his chest.

It had Ransom setting his phone aside and sinking down in bed beside you, curling up as close as possible so he could watch you sleep–looking so pretty and at peace–as he whispered, “You’re my wish come true, too” before kissing your forehead and holding you close.

You frowned from your spot curled up on the sofa, watching as Ransom paced across the living room. He seemed both anxious and excited as he stalked back and forth, muttering to himself.

He stopped suddenly, turning to you, his next words more for him than you. “It will be fine. He’ll just be here for the day. It will be good to see him. It’s not a big deal.”

You nodded tentatively, mustering a smile despite the way your belly fluttered with nerves. 

Because today you were meeting Ransom’s cousin. He was traveling out to the manor, and from what you understood, he lived far away, in the same city where Ransom used to live before being sent here. 

Ransom perked up, lips tilting at the sides, “And it will be so good for you! My cousin is a tech genius and low key hacker and was able to get a bunch of essential paperwork created for you. So now you’ll have an official birth certificate and social security card and passport, all the things you need or may ever need, you know?”

You nodded again, unsure of what any of that stuff was, but if Ransom said it was good, you believed him. “Thank you!”

As if on cue, the doorbell chimed, announcing the arrival of Ransom’s guest. 

“Come on!” he held out a hand to you, grasping it gently as you hopped to your feet and hurried to the front door alongside him. 

When Ransom opened the door, the smile froze on his face, his shoulders hunching as he spied not one familiar figure, but two.

“I cannot believe you were exiled to the fucking middle of nowhere,” Bryce laughed before his gaze flickered to you and widened. “Well, well, well, what do we have here?” He shoved his way inside, slapping Ransom’s chest as he gave you a wide, wicked grin. “Of course if anyone could bag some play in the middle of nowhere, it’s you.”

You didn’t understand half of what the stranger said, but the way he was looking at you made you feel scared, and you curled in on yourself as you retreated to hide behind Ransom. 

“Hey!” Ransom snapped. “Lay off, Bryce, don’t be a dick.”

“Geez, is that any way to greet your best friend after months away?”

Sneering, Ransom turned his attention to the second stranger still standing on the doorstep, his cousin who was aiming an apologetic smile Ransom’s way. “Jake. What the fuck?”

“Sorry,” Jake cringed, broad shoulders lifting to his ears. “He kind of just…wouldn’t take no for an answer after I mentioned coming out here to see you.”

Rolling his eyes with a huff, Ransom stood back, gesturing Jake inside. He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the unpleasant surprise before reaching for you and tugging you close. 

“Kitten, this is my cousin, Jake Jensen,” the big blonde with the kind eyes waved at you with a friendly smile that you hesitantly returned, “and this is Bryce.”

“Langley,” Bryce purred, touching his tongue to his teeth as he gave you a shameless onceover. “What’s your name, kitten?”

“Don’t fucking call her that,” Ransom snarled as you quietly whispered your name.

You felt on edge now, seeing Ransom so worked up all of the sudden, and also because Bryce was making you extremely uncomfortable even though you didn’t quite know why.

“Dude, chill, I thought you’d be happy to see us, damn.”

“So uh,” Jake stepped forward, nudging Bryce out of the way as he kept his tone light, trying to break the tension. “Here’s all of her documents. I fabricated everything she could possibly need.” He handed a large, brown envelope over to Ransom, keeping a second one for himself. He held it up, “And there’s a bunch of legal paperwork for us to go over and sign to move the app along to the next phase.”

At that, Ransom straightened, looking genuinely excited, which had you perking up, too. 

“What’s an app?” you asked curiously before you could stop yourself.

Bryce snorted, disbelieving as he gaped at you. “Who doesn’t know what a fucking app is? I know we’re in the country, but I didn’t realize we went back in time.”

You wilted at his mocking tone, but then Jake shifted to block Bryce from your view, his smile warm and encouraging as he explained,  “It’s like a program you can use on your cell phone or other devices to access various softwares or games or the like. We’re calling ours DIYbrary and it’s this really awesome one stop shop for all the DIY media that you could ever need. But instead of needing to go to Pinterest and YouTube and Google, you can find it all in one place!”

You understood nearly none of what Jake had just said, but he seemed so happy and enthusiastic about it that you smiled excitedly along with him as you said, “Wow!”

Watching you with an amused smile, Ransom touched your back, earning your gaze. “DIY means ‘do it yourself,’ so it’s kind of like an online place that will host all of this educational media–like tutorial videos and write ups–of how to do different things. Like cooking, crafting, gardening, pet care, all kinds of stuff.”

Better understanding what they were talking about–and how amazing it sounded–you hugged Ransom’s arm as you gazed up at him with big eyes. “And you made that?”

“We all did,” Ransom shrugged, his cheeks going rosy under your soft admiring gaze, as he gestured to the other two. 

“Eh, speak for yourself,” Bryce scoffed, moving further into the manor and gazing around with interest. “I was more there for moral support or whatever, but I’ll cash in on it anyway.”

You caught the way Jake’s eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched as he glared at Bryce, gripping the envelope of legal paperwork in his hand even tighter before he felt your gaze. He straightened, the hardness in his eyes fading away into something curious and knowing as he watched you, then Ransom, before a small smile tilted his lips.

“So, how about we get the boring paperwork out of the way?” he suggested. “Then we can catch up,” he told Ransom. “And get to know each other better,” he said to you. 

You perked up at that, your smile tentative. “Like, friends?”

“Yeah,” Jake murmured. “Like friends.”

You didn’t have many of those, but you had some, more now than ever before. You bounced excitedly on your feet as you told Jake, “Ruby and Savannah are my friends! Now you can be my friend, too!”

“Cool, I’d love to be your friend,” Jake replied earnestly. 

He shared a soft smile with Ransom before the latter turned to you and gave your back a rub before speaking to Jake.

“We can sit in the dining room. We have a whole lunch spread being set up on the back patio, so we can head out there after.”

He gestured to the doorway leading into the dining room, waiting for Jake and Bryce to go through before turning to you. 

“You can come sit with us if you want, or you can go help Ruby with setting up lunch, or just go hang out, whatever you want. I don’t want to force you to stick with me if you’ll be bored and uncomfortable.”

“I can go with Ruby?” you perked up at that idea. “You won’t be mad?”

“No, of course not,” Ransom smoothed a hand over your head. “I know it’s a lot, having new people around, and Bryce is just…”

“Mean,” you whispered. “He has mean eyes.”

Ransom grimaced. “Yeah, he’s…a lot. I’m sorry, I didn’t invite him, but he tends to just do what he wants anyway.” 

Wanting more than anything to smooth the furrow from Ransom’s brow, you chirped, “Jake is nice!”

“He is, he’s a good guy, that’s why I didn’t mind you meeting him.” Sighing, Ransom said, “Why don’t you go sit with Ruby?”

“Okay,” you nodded, eyes fluttering as Ransom ducked near and pressed a lingering kiss to your forehead. 

“They’ll only be here for a few hours, okay?”

“Okay.”

Despite knowing Ransom had to step away for a while, you pressed against him, sinking into his embrace as he held you for a moment, snuffling along your shoulder. 

“Dude,” Bryce scoffed from the doorway. “You coming or what?”

Stiffening, Ransom gave your back a rub before shooting you a small smile, then turning toward the dining room. 

You watched him go with a frown, shuddering as Bryce caught your gaze and shot you a wink before being shoved out of sight by Ransom. 

Jake rifled through the stack of legal paperwork, organizing it as Ransom and Bryce sat at the table on either side of him. 

Bryce smirked at Ransom, leaning across the table as he drawled, “So did they cut off your balls before they shipped you out here, too?” Laughing at Ransom’s irritated look, Bryce went on, “I’ve never seen you acting like such a fucking dope over some pussy.”

“Don’t talk about her like that,” Ransom growled.

“Wow, you have it bad, huh?” Bryce snorted, crossing his arms and slouching back in his seat. “Never thought I’d see the day that Hugh Ransom Drysdale would be tamed.”

“Shut up, Bryce,” Jake interrupted, shoving some papers his way, and a pen along with them. “Sign or initial anywhere there’s a little sticky arrow.”

Rolling his eyes, Bryce didn’t bother to read any of the fine print before him, just started to scribble his signature as needed to get it over with. 

Jake turned to Ransom, setting papers and pen before him now too. “Same deal for you.” He hesitated before leaning close, keeping his voice low as he met Ransom’s wary gaze. “She seems really sweet. I’m glad I could help and…I’m happy for you, Ransom.”

Ransom’s face softened, but he didn't say anything, focusing his attention on the paperwork before him as he started to review it all. 

Still smiling, Jake turned his attention to his own stack of contracts and legalese.   

Ransom and Jake had barely started when Bryce scribbled his final signature with a flourish before shoving the paperwork away and rising to his feet. “Where’s the bathroom? I gotta take a leak.”

“Through that doorway then down the end of the hall,” Ransom pointed without looking up. 

“Be right back,” Bryce hummed, smiling to himself–in a devious way–as he sauntered from the room and out of sight.

You turned off the bathroom faucet and dried your hands on the soft towel, pausing as you caught sight of yourself in the mirror, and specifically your dandelion necklace.

Grinning you leaned in closer to the mirror, touching the pretty pendant for a second before straightening, because you had things to do! Fun things! 

You were excited to help Ruby set up the table on the patio. You loved making the spreads so pretty and inviting, and the yummy food was your favorite, too. 

Opening the bathroom door, you gave a squeak when you found Bryce waiting on the other side. You got a glimpse of his devious smirk before he was pressing so close that you stumbled away from him and back into the bathroom. 

He followed you, shutting the door behind him before pressing you up against the bathroom counter and grinning at your startled look. 

“God, look at you, you have sweet good girl coming off of you in waves.” He hummed, his gaze slowly drifting down the length of you. 

When he reached out and tugged on the hem of your dress, fingers grazing your bare thigh, you shied away, shoulders hunching as your eyes burned with tears and your heart hammered in your chest.

You hadn’t felt this scared and unsafe since the last time you had been in the shed with your poppy, but this was different, too. Something about the way Bryce was looking at you made you feel dirty.

When his fingers touched your bare skin again, trailing higher, you jolted, trying to turn away with a quavered, “No, please.” 

But you had nowhere to go in the tight space, and certainly not with Bryce looming so close, his tall frame brushing up against you as you hugged yourself and tried not to cry.

“Has Ransom fucked you yet?” Bryce asked, grinning when you trembled harder and sniffled. “Yeah, of course he has. Who could resist such a sweet, innocent temptation? Especially when he has fuck all to do out here.”

“Want to leave now,” you trembled bravely, eyes flickering up to Bryce’s, fear zipping up your spine at the malice glittering in his gaze. 

He ignored your request, resting his hands on the counter on either side of you, trapping you before him as he leaned in close. 

“You know Ran and I have shared women before, maybe he’ll share you with me, too.”

You shook your head, then whimpered when Bryce suddenly grabbed your chin, his grip harsh and painful as he tipped your face back and leaned in so close his nose brushed yours. 

“I bet you’d cry so pretty taking two cocks at once, kitten.”

He turned your face to the side, leaning in to drag his nose along your cheek before he pressed a kiss to your skin. His mouth brushed your ear as he whispered, “I’ve known Ransom practically his whole life, and you’re one in a very long line of fuck ‘em and chuck ems.” 

Bryce turned your tearful eyes back his way, smirking when he saw his meaning register in your hurt gaze. “It’s just a matter of time before Ransom gets bored with you and leaves you, too.” He shifted closer, pressing his hips against you, and you gasped as you felt his hardness twitch against your belly. “But if you’re nice to me, show me what a good girl you can be, maybe I’ll keep you company once he’s gone and you’re all alone.”

You shook your head, both at Bryce’s lewd offer, and the thought of Ransom leaving you–of being all alone. Again.

Your tears finally spilled over, and Bryce laughed meanly, shoving away from you before slipping out of the bathroom and leaving you there to tremble and cry as you sank back against the counter, shaken. 

Ransom frowned as he found the dinner table set for two, but you completely MIA. 

He didn’t think it too odd that you didn’t join him, Jake, and Bryce for lunch, because he could tell you were uncomfortable by their visit. He figured you were off hiding away upstairs until they were gone.

And now they were and had been for a while, but Ransom hadn’t seen hide nor hair of you in hours.

Calling your name, he jogged upstairs, heading toward his bedroom and feeling his chest tighten when you weren’t in there either. 

“Kitten!” Turning on his heel, Ransom rushed down the hall and toward the guestroom you had stayed in those first couple of weeks but hadn’t occupied in months, not since you had started to spend your nights in his bed. 

The room was just as untouched as ever, but as he turned to leave, he heard a muffled sound coming from the closet. 

He hurried to the door and pulled it open, his stomach sinking as he found you curled up on the floor, hugging one of his sweaters, your eyes rimmed red from crying. 

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Ransom asked, sinking to his knees before you. “What happened?”

“Don’t leave, please!” you wobbled, reaching for him and clinging to him desperately as you babbled and hiccupped, “I’ll be good! I’ll be smarter and better! Please. Please, Ransom! Don’t leave me all alone!”

“Hey, I am not leaving you,” Ransom promised, gathering you close and hugging you tight.

“Promise!” you begged, holding up your trembling pinky. 

“I promise,” Ransom said, fixing you with a very serious look as he gently hooked his pinky around yours and gave it a shake. 

Rather than reassure you, his promise only seemed to distress you more, and Ransom could only watch–completely at a loss–as your face crumpled, and you sank against him, clutching onto him for dear life as you cried harder than before.

Ohhhhh, this sweet, traumatized bean. Stupid, gross Bryce!!!! It was only a matter of time before the outside world worked its way into their lil bubble 😭

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You lift the glass and sniff it. It tingles in your nostrils. You peek up and find the Legate watching, as he has been. You put your lips to the brim and make yourself drink. The taste alone makes you wince and you quickly recoil.

You dab your lips with your knuckles and slowly draw your hand back, catching sight of your dirty fingernails. Everything about you doesn’t belong here. You drop your hand and once more ponder the depths of the alcohol.

“Too strong?” He asks. “I could mix something up. Or I have wine.”

You flinch and shake your head. “Don’t mean to waste it– August.”

His name scrapes your tongue each time you say it. It’s like a child saying a curse word in front of their parents. You drink again, scrunching up your face as you gulp tightly.

“If you don’t like it, you don’t need to drink it.” He says.

You bite your lip and shift your weight between your feet. Your legs ache horribly from the day behind you as your head spins at the night ahead.

“I wouldn’t…” you begin and your stomach growls loudly. Your chest burns with the dregs of the sour alcohol. You shake your head. “Apologies.”

“None needed,” he steps around and takes the glass from you, thick fingers brushing over yours. He drains it in a single motion and puts the glass down. “You need food.”

You ball up your fists and press them to your side. You push your shoulders up. “I…” you reach into your jacket pocket. “Okay.”

You take out the tin of peanuts and lift the edge of the lid. He sighs. He catches your hand and squeezes.

“Peanuts?” He says.

You look up at him, blinking wide. “It’s… what I have.”

“Right,” he clings to you a moment then lets go. “It’ll take a while to have something proper brought up. A snack for now.”

He turns and crosses the room. You watch him press the button beneath a sleek round speaker installed in the wall. He speaks into it. “Food. Now.”

He lets go and turns back. You hold the lid under the can and pinch a peanut between your fingers. You slip it in your mouth and chew slowly as you’ve trained yourself to do. Something tickles your hip.

You look down as Lupa sniffs at you. You reach for another nut and pause. You peer up at the Legate as he looms, pacing slowly.

“Is she allowed, noble–August?”

He tilts his head and shrugs. “She does as she likes. Peanuts won’t hurt.”

You offer her a nut and she takes it between her front teeth. It’s a silly sight to see her take it so daintily in her large fangs.

“You’re generous. She eats better than most and you’re sharing your nuts.” He muses.

You rock and look down at the canister. “I didn’t think…”

“You may sit. You must be tired.” He insists.

You take it as an order. You sit on the edge of the settee. Lupa follows and rests her head on your lap.

“You said you were digging.”

“Yes, sir. August.” You say as you have a nut then put the lid back on and clutch the can.

“In the drought land?”

“Yes.”

He runs his fingers along his stubbly cheek. His features are stoic and forged in precision. Clefted chin, thick nose, dark brows and mustache, square jaw, and the bluest eyes you’ve seen.

He continues to walk around, even, balanced, patient steps. His hands slip into his pants pockets then out again. He turns and removes his jacket, draping it over the back of the cushioned chair nearest to him. He turns and traces along his lower lip thoughtfully.

“How long were you in that camp?” He asks.

You swelter under his question and gaze. You tuck away the can of peanuts, the few left rattling in the tin. “I’m… I’m not sure. I was in another. Before.”

“Where?” He asks.

You swallow dryly. “I don’t know that either. Apologies.”

“And how old are you?”

You look at the wall. Lupa turns her head and nuzzles your hand. You open it and let her rub herself on your palm. You scratch under her chin.

“In my twenties, maybe. I think.” You answer quietly.

His eyes stay on you. You swear, he hasn’t looked anywhere else. Lupa groans and hops up next to you on the couch. You jolt in surprise as she forces herself over you and lays across your lap.

The Legate chuckles. That noise is startling. It’s like a rumble of thunder. He comes close and reaches to pet her back.

“She usually doesn’t introduce herself with anything less than teeth. She gets her manners from me.” He strokes her thick fur. “She smells something on you.” 

He bends as he pets her more firmly, his fingers combing through her fur. He curls down her side and his fingertips brush your dirty shirt peeking out from under the open jacket. He pauses and pinches the fabric.

He hums. “We’ll deal with that too.”

He pulls back and stands at full height. He hesitates then pivots and sits next to you, just where Lupa’s tail wags against him. He stares you down and you shrink back and focus on the black fur as you pet the dog.

“I’d still like to know your name.” He says as he stretches his arm across the back of the couch.

Your hand freezes then shakes. You stop it as you pull it back to fold over your chest with your other. For a moment, you can’t breathe. 8E15. The numbers repeat in your head.

“Why will you not say?” He asks.

You squeeze your hands until they throb. You release them then tug on the torn collar of your jacket. You point to the sewn patch with your number.

He clucks. “I won’t call you that.”

You let go of the fabric. “I can’t tell you. I… this is the name they gave me.”

He exhales through his nose. You keep your head down as you await his fury. You twitch as you feel something behind your neck. His fingers delve beneath your bent collar and pet along your nape.

“I’ll have to come up with something.” He says as he continues to touch you. Your spine goes rigid as you fight against the tremor spreading through you. “Venus would suit you, I think.”

Lupa lifts her head up to poke your chin with her nose. You drop your hands into her fur. She’s the most comfort you’ve had in a long time.