#freckledboss

your wedding band ///, light from fireplace catches just right, it glints just a tad brighter than usual. peripheral glance ///, awareness pulls *& stare holds, something has caught @freckledboss' attention. ❝ what, ?? nailed it didn't i, ?? little fifty shades moment going on over there, ?? ❞ ///, calculated follow of gaze, eyes trail to where hers fixate, ; it lands on your ring. ❝ oh yeah, that, ❞ ///, same band it's always been, only now it tells a story. something new ///, while band slightly dulled by years of wear, three diamonds set clean into gold. surprisingly subtle ///, they're quiet *& delicate, meant for only eyes close enough to notice, ; yours *& hers,

❝ had it done the other week, ❞ ///, nonchalant you are, but pause that follows is deliberate, ; you can't help yourself. ❝ seriously, ?? you didn't notice it was gone, ?? not once, ?? ❞ ///, then the words come, all with those top-notch stark theatrics, ; ❝ i lived the scandalous, ringless life for a week, was free from all marital chains. yeah, got into some loads of trouble. frankly i'm shocked you haven't run into my mistress yet, ❞

easy humor fades ///, tone changes without cue, something real replaces. ❝ obviously, ❞ ///, you begin, as if it's already common knowledge, ; ❝ the first one's for you. ❞ a steady display ///, thumb brushes edge of ring, the gentle spin on finger. ❝ second is for our maguna, ❞ ///, you continue, a smile that tucks into words, ; ❝ *& third is me in a totally non-narcissistic way. they're us *& what we made together, ; you, me, morgan, ❞

your further inspection ///, ring that turns this way *& that way, as if to carefully re-examine. ❝ you know, looking at it now, there's plenty of room for more, ❞ ///, slow build of smirk, the look you give isn't exactly subtle, ; did you just ask for another baby, ??

this break between ///, you understand why she needs it, you pushed her to the breaking point, ; *& this is all on you. the ding ///, elevator doors slide, false facade you wear begins. news travels fast ///, employees that gawk *& whisper, how clear it's become, ; relationship status newest hot office gossip,

what passed for goodbye ///, a night of ecstasy, a night of heartbreak. conditions you made ///, to remain distant until she was ready, -ready to take you back completely. *& let's not forget ///, you left her to drown in your legal fallout, kept your distance like it was strategy. like the old days ///, your mess *& her cleanup, history has it's way of repeating,

apprehension in arrival ///, you stand outside her office, apparently also foregoing a knock. ❝ shit, sorry, ❞ ///, you remind self second too late, people with merely professional relationships don't just barge in. eccentric measures ///, the backtrack all while already inside, the office door you re-latch. knock-knock ///, but you don't wait for answer, you simply stroll in all over again, ; you're still learning,

reflex follows ///, door you close behind you, lock you flick instinctively. necessary pause ///, the subtle realization, your slow awareness of what you just did, ; ❝ should probably keep that open right, ?? ❞ genuine question ///, for how many times did this end with clothing shed, with her bent over her desk, ?? ❝ don't want bambi getting the wrong idea right, ?? i mean this looks a little odd right, ?? ❞ ///, everything out of your mouth, somehow they all become a question, ; so much for your practiced line,

the atmosphere ///, air thick with conversation, clinking glasses *& classical music. the grandeur attire ///, with the tailored suits, with the glimmering dresses. feels familiar doesn't it, ?? ///, you catch self reminiscing, lost in that of cherished reminder. a memory unfaded ///, that damn backless blue dress, the woman in it that makes it unforgettable,

as if on cue ///, universe mocks you, taunts you with very thing you're actively trying to avoid, ; pepper potts. talk about ruthless timing ///, of all places for crowd to thin, of all people to come into central view, ; it's her. but wait ///, universe isn't done provoking you, because you now notice she isn't standing alone, ; there's a man next to her. a man who ///, smiles a little too wide, laughs a little too hard, stands a lot too close,

how sudden it hits you ///, your chest tightens, your pulse quickens, ; is this what true jealousy feels like, ?? foreign it is ///, genuine jealousy, for it's something that's never truly been a threat, ; not until this very moment. tension on the rise ///, grip on glass of scotch grows shade too firm, your gaze prompt to burn hole through man's forehead. split moment ///, you consider walking over, to claim what's yours, ; but that's not your place anymore is it, ?? rationality ///, you think maybe this is good for her, you think maybe this is what she needs, you think

you think you may lose it ///, because now there's a man's hand on her arm, one that isn't your own. screw it ///, threshold come *& gone, you're a man on a mission, ; no iron suit required,

a chance at retreat ///, it's gone, because in split time you slip yourself between two. ❝ miss potts, ❞ ///, former title, any *& all terms of endearment absent. ❝ didn't think you'd be joining us this evening, ❞ ///, skew of attention, arm that rests loosely atop man's shoulders. ❝ wow, you my friend, are laying it on thick. any woman would be crazy to turn down that charm of yours, don't you agree @freckledboss, ?? ❞ ///, chance at response from either waives, you're already back at it with the snide remarks. ❝ so you gonna introduce me to your new favorite person here, ?? ❞ ///, words roll off your tongue, well before any attempts of reeling them in, ; green is not your color, mister stark,

void of space ///, it's vast *& silent, an endless black canvas of stars no longer beautiful. realization ///, it creeps in slow *& cruel, a truth you can't outrun, ; you're not making it home to her. days now weeks ///, a truth gnaws deeper *& deeper, it's a ticking clock, ; *& your time is up. acceptance prompt to follow ///, space would be your tomb, you've begun to record messages to her, ; like a man writing own eulogy,

darkest memory ///, the sound, ... no it's the absence of it, silence that deafens. quiet that pokes *& prods ///, only thing to break it is your breaths, how shallow *& further between they've become, ; but which will be your last, ??

welcoming familiarity ///, a warmth within your palm, it causes fingers to instinctively curl. her touch ///, enough to wake you from darkest of nightmares, to pull you home to safety. silence persists ///, you remain quiet to observe before grand reveal, allow room speak for itself. the undeniable signs ///, your surroundings speak volumes, confirms what you already know, ; she hasn't left your side. evidence that complies ///, makeshift bed in the chair beside, her familiar attire strewn around room,

❝ what, @freckledboss, ?? no flowers or chocolates, ?? ❞ ///, it's the best you've got, humor, ; your last line of defense. carefully crafted facade ///, it never stands a chance with her, walls begin to collapse moment she looks your way. ❝ hey, pep, ❞ ///, tender mannerisms, they're reserved for her *& only her. intimate gestures ///, they say everything, all without saying single word,