#crysta1visions

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His head tilts down as he watches her look to his abdomen, brows furrowing as though he's not sure what to think of her comment. I should have been there. . .How different would it have been? Would have she been able to really stop him? Would it have been her with the same deep bruising that nearly makes him whimper and sob at night if he lays on it?

ARE YOU CRYING NOW? JESUS CHRIST YOU'RE SOFT -

Suddenly he nearly jerks away from her touch, a tension rising in his shoulders, gaze never daring to rise and meet her own.

"I'm fine."

LEFT A MESSAGE

"Over? Why - isn't it only the beginning?"

There's a smile that rises on his features, soft and gentle just as his hands are that reach out to hold her own.

"We can make it through the winter; once I finish the song-"

❝ do you, blair? or can you just not help yourself when the opportunity comes to kick me when i'm down? ❞ it comes out sharper than she means it to. like it's already been sitting there, waiting for the wrong moment to spill.

and maybe it has. because ever since she came back from boarding school, there's been this feeling she can't quite shake — like blair looks at her differently now, sometimes. like her being back is messing with something she doesn't fully understand. despite how ridiculous that sounds for two people who are supposed to be best friends.

it's probably not fair to think like that. and still, it's there.

❝ what is so wrong about me trying new things? about not wanting to be messy old serena anymore? ❞ her voice tightens, frustration bleeding through before she can smooth it out. ❝ being around dan and his family…it's given me perspective. on things that matter and can't be bought, blair. things we've spent years pretending didn't exist. ❞ a beat. she exhales, but it doesn't really land. ❝ and considering how many times you've come to me upset about your mom wanting you to be someone else, you should understand this better than anyone. so why are you pushing back so hard on this? ❞

@crysta1visions from here

michael's exhausted and scared-- though 'scared' might just be the understatement of the century, but it's a start. he cautiously watches his mom as she approaches and there's a moment where he regrets saying anything at all. it might've been more cruel to shrug her off, rush upstairs to his bedroom like he has the last couple of nights. but then he wouldn't have the pleasure of following up on a statement that was obviously concerning to his mom.