#tig fandom

Lyra could tell, in the way that he had been swimming for nearly two hours, hadn't yet registered her presence and his stiff movements. As if there was some sharp tension he couldn't rid himself of.

Finally, tired of being unintentionally ignored, Lyra stood up and strode over to the other side of the pool, where Grayson's lap would eventually finish.

She couldn't help but be amazed by the way Grayson's body kept up with his merciless routine— working at the firm, cooking at home and then swimming an unholy number of laps.

It took everything in her not to think about the way Grayson's muscles moved as he swam.

Don't think about his abs, good god Lyra, not now.

Lyra plopped her feet into the pool, ignoring the goosebumps she got from the cold water.

Grayson finished his lap and surfaced, breathing hard and pushing his wet blonde hair off of his face, momentarily taking Lyra's breathe away.

Grayson opened his eyes and, for a moment, the couple just stared at one another. Lyra took in Grayson's tired features, he obviously needed rest, so why was he exerting himself?

"Gray." She said, breaking the comfortable silence. The worry was obvious in her voice.

You see, Grayson didn't usually swim just for the sake of it. As much as he enjoyed it, swimming happened to be his coping mechanism—more like over exerting himself happened to be his coping mechanism.

Grayson gave her a small, strained smile, "Hi, sweetheart."

Lyra raised a skeptical brow, "What's wrong?"

"And why would anything be wrong?"

"You don't say hi."

Grayson paused for a moment, looking positively taken aback as if he wasn't in the pool but reliving a memory, "I am perfectly capable of saying hi, Lyra."

"I never said you aren't capable, asshole, it's just that you don't." Lyra snapped back.

This made Grayson chuckle, the tension in his body easing a little. Lyra couldn't help but smile, his honey coated laughs always melted her.

"I swear you and Xander are doing this on purpose." Grayson muttered, shaking his head, causing water droplets to fly around.

If he were to say this under normal circumstances, Lyra would probably have pried as to what he meant exactly, but this was definitely not normal circumstances.

Despite Grayson's light jokes, Lyra could tell something was off. His body was still tense and his smile seemed slightly forced.

Lyra frowned, "Gray. What's wrong?" She asked softly this time. Grayson looked back at her, his gaze flying over her face in that way that made Lyra feel giddy and far too self-important.

In the end, he simply asked, "I'm going to swim a few more laps and come up, okay?"

Grayson was stalling for time, he didn't want to tell her what was bothering him. Lyra simply nodded and watched as he took off again, swimming as if he was meant for it.

She didn't leave, though, instead walking to sit near the exit of the pool-room and waiting. She watched as Grayson swam laps, over and over again, once, twice.

It was at his ninth lap that Lyra finally gave in, she practically stomped her way to Grayson— who was catching his breath at the end of the pool.

She saw his eyes widen slightly, Grayson hadn't expected her to wait.

"You said a few more laps?" Lyra deadpanned, raising her brows pointedly. Grayson let out a huff without meeting her eyes as silence enveloped the room.

Lyra noticed that he was still in the pool, he wants to swim.

She let out an exasperated sigh, "Gray, darling, please, tell me what's going on." Her voice sounded near desperate. It was her tone that got him to finally look up at her.

Lyra squatted down so she could be closer to Grayson, suddenly feeling the need to close the distance between them.

"Let me in, talk to me— don't just try and numb the pain." She gives him a pleading look which is surprisingly firm for how desperate she feels. Grayson keeps staring at her, as if he can't take his eyes away.

Its times like this exactly that confuse Lyra, she wants to be mad at Grayson for letting himself suffer alone, she wants to punch some sense into him— but then he looks at her like that, as if she is the entire world personified. Obviously, she proceeds to melt.

"Y'know what, I'll join you." Lyra says, standing slowly and making to strip off her shirt. She'd leave her shorts on.

Lyra could feel Grayson’s gaze on her, looking her up and down.

His voice came out a bit hoarse and Lyra bit back a smirk, "You don't have to Lyra, I'll come out— "

"Hush, Gray." And Lyra dived in. Grayson was there within seconds, arms wrapping around her waist and hoisting her up, out of the water.

Lyra flushed, "Grayson! I can swim! Put me down—" She punched his chest lightly and almost pouted. She was supposed to be comforting him, not whatever this was.

Seeing her expression, Grayson barked a laugh— a free laugh and Lyra's traitorous heart pounded so hard she thought she was having a heart attack.

"Grayson! You god damn tease, let me go." She insists, though she was smiling now. Grayson smiled right back at her and for a second everything seemed normal again.

Grayson looked genuinely happy. Then his expression clouded so quickly Lyra thought she'd been seeing things.

He didn't let her go, instead moving to the shallow part of the pool, Lyra simply observed him the entire time.

Just what is going on?

At long last, Grayson set her down on the edge of the pool and met her eyes before dropping them, his hands lingering on her waist.

"I visited her today." He said finally. Grayson looked pained, as if recollecting the memory hurt him.

Lyra waited for him to continue.

Grayson gulped, "She— she found out. About our relationship," he looks up at her, "Skye."

Lyra takes in a sharp breath, the puzzle pieces falling together.

It was no secret that Lyra and Grayson were now engaged. Grayson's proposal had been quite the eye catcher and their relationship was still a hot topic.

The Heir and The Queen of Hearts, to be wed!!

Grayson Hawthorne meets his match!

The Biggest Proposal of the Decade!!

Grayson Hawthorne Moves Past Avery Grambs!

So it wasn't a surprise that Skye had found out. Really, it was expected. What came as a surprise though was that Grayson had went to meet her.

Lyra takes a deep breath, not sure if she should be prying, "Gray, are you alright?"

It was a stupid question. Evidently, he wasn't but Lyra didn't know what else to say.

Grayson took a shaky breath and moved closer to Lyra. He wrapped his hands around her and rested his head against her stomach.

"No." Grayson replies, barely a whisper. Lyra nods slowly, her hands making their way to his wet hair. She tangles her finger in it, smiling when Grayson relaxes against her.

They sit in silence for a second.

"She called me, a few days ago. Said she wanted to talk about..." Grayson pauses.

"About me."

Grayson nods, "About us."

"I told her to leave us be. Less respectfully." This gets a snort out of Lyra, leave it to Grayson to point out his exact use of words.

"And?" She says, gently.

"She went with it for a few days, but then—" Grayson gulped, this was obviously hard for him and Lyra hated herself for making him recollect it and hated Skye even more for being the absolute piece of shit that she is.

"She called again, spouted some nonsense about…" he paused, "about family." He finished.

"And what the fuck does she know about family?" Lyra’s tone made Grayson’s head snap up in surprise, she sounded absolutely livid.

“She doesn’t get to pull that card with you, Gray. She does not. That’s just sick.”

Grayson gives Lyra a small smile, which does nothing to lessen her anger and only makes her want to strangle Skye more.

How dare she hurt him? Yet again?

"I know, Lyra. But old habits die hard, I suppose." Grayson said, sounding a bit ashamed. Lyra let out a sigh.

She massages Grayson’s head to calm him, it’s alright Gray, it’s okay.

"I went. We met briefly. She… had things to say about this." Grayson leaves the last bit unspoken.

About this relationship. About us.

This time it’s Lyra’s turn to take a shaky breath, she isn’t sure why she suddenly cares about what Skye has to say. It didn’t matter before. It shouldn’t matter now.

But seeing Grayson be like…like this, so hurt and vulnerable because of a few words from Skye. Lyra can’t help but feel a bit worried as well.

"She started with the usual attempts at guilt tripping," Grayson gives an awkward shrug, "sad, really."

Lyra saw through this act, too. Because of course Grayson cares. Of course he cares and thinks and hurts for his pathetic excuse of a mother. Because that’s just who he is, cold exterior and a heart made of fucking gold.

Lyra suddenly feels a rush of fondness for the man thats draped himself on her lap, the other half of his body still in the pool.

"It’s not your fault." Lyra reminded Grayson firmly. Grayson didn’t move for a second, then replied with a simple nod.

"She went on and on for a while, complaining about anything she could think of. For a solid five minutes." Grayson said, he sounded almost amused. Lyra’s heart squeezed.

Oh you stupid idiot.

"I cut her off then," he paused, letting that settle in, "I told her to get to the point."

You did the right thing. Lyra thinks, but it isn’t what Grayson wants to hear and she knows it. Because as unfortunate as it is, Grayson still cares about Skye.

Oh you stupid stupid idiot.

"She did." Grayson said, separating himself from Lyra’s stomach to look at her, really look at her.

His eyes had a strange glint in them, he looked nervous almost. Guilty. Scared.

Lyra hated it. Her heart unable to handle that look. She reached out to him, her hand gently brushing his cheek.

Grayson leaned into the touch slightly, finding his courage.

"She talked about the family…" he took a deep breath, his hands finding Lyra’s and squeezing hard.

"Hawthornes are incapable of loving without hurting." Grayson’s tone goes cold as he speaks without hitching. He was quoting Skye.

"No matter how much you may wish to love her, no matter how much she may actually love you, it won’t last."

Lyra feels her blood begin to boil.

"That happiness you’re currently relishing in, that love you feel for her, Gray? It’s an illusion. Because Hawthornes, they just can’t love."

Grayson takes a pause, the cold look on his face slightly deterring. Lyra wants to kiss that expression off his face. She doesn’t.

"No, they have to hurt. They have to hurt themselves and everyone around them because that’s just who they are, who we are."

This time, Grayson seems to hesitate. Lyra gives his hand a squeeze, you can do it, love.

Grayson looks at her like she’s the only thing keeping him from slipping completely.

"She…," Grayson starts, having switched back to third person, "she said that I am the most broken Hawthorne."

The world seemed to hold its breathe, Lyra sees red.

I’m going to kill this woman.

"And then she looked at me with so much fucking pity." Grayson says, so intensely that Lyra’s eyes stray back to his tense features and over to his clenched fists.

"She looked at me as if— as if I, this, we are already a lost cause." Grayson looks down and Lyra’s heart drops.

No. Why does he look ashamed? What is there to be ashamed about?

"Gray." Lyra says, an odd emotion in her voice. She was pleading for him to say that Skye was spewing nonsense. She was praying that he didn’t believe a word Skye said.

I love you. I love you. I love you.

"I was raised to be a Hawthorne, Lyra. Through and through." Grayson finishes after a long moment, sounding defeated. Lyra sees red.

She practically vibrates with this new found anger. Because how dare he. How dare he.

After everything they had been through together, after all those suffocating confessions, silent comforts and little secrets— how could he let himself waver.

How could Grayson let himself doubt his own love? How could he hesitate about them, about this, for even a second?

Lyra stands up abruptly, pushing Grayson out of her embrace. He looks up at her with pained eyes. He was hurting. He has been hurting for hours. Alone.

But now Lyra was hurting too, because how could he?

"Lyra." Grayson said her name like a prayer, he said it like an apology.

Why are you guilty? Why are you agreeing with that woman? Lyra’s thoughts threatened to suffocate her.

"I’m sorry."

Lyra glares at Grayson, that does it.

"For what?" Lyra snaps, her tone was ice cold. Grayson flinched before looking up at her. His face was still wet with droplets from the pool, his hair a mess because of Lyra’s massage. Grayson’s eyes were wide and focused on her completely.

He looked beautiful, Lyra’s heart throbbed.

"For what, you asshole?" She repeats, this time, some of the hurt slips into the words. Grayson reaches for her.

"Lyra—"

"No." She says, moving away. Grayson freezes immediately before his hands move back into the pool, limp beside him. He looks stricken, Lyra’s heart squeezes again.

"Absolutely not, Grayson Davenport Hawthorne."

The man in question waits in silence, looking oddly small as he looks up at her from the pool. Lyra hates it, hates this.

"I will not have you do this," she gestures to him, up and down, "the bloody self loathing."

A silence follows that declaration, acting as a period. Making the statement a fact.

"It’s not self-loathing, Lyra."

Lyra scoffs then, all sharp and pointy edges, "Oh really, Gray? Then what were you apologising for? Fucking loving me?"

Grayson flinched before the surprise gave way to anger, "I never said that."

See this is what Grayson does.

Whenever he gets too angry or too upset, he doesn’t scream. No, he goes quite instead, his tone doing all the damage he needs, locking his expressions away all together.

Lyra’s heart aches to see him this way again, so distant, after they’d been nothing but close for so long.

"No. No you didn’t, so why were you apologising to me?!" Lyra says, her voice going up an octave. Grayson stills for a bit, thinking but letting his face remain impassive.

"It felt like the right thing to say, is all." Is what he says eventually. Lyra nearly rolls her eyes.

"Wow, genius. Didn’t that go over well for you?" She said sarcastically, seeing her jab land. It should have felt satisfying, it didn’t.

Grayson’s gaze hardened, "Well, I didn’t expect you to go off for no reason."

---

...ignoring the random tense changes, i lowk cooked with this one.

Gigi being Gigi, she looks at the animal with so much softness. She’s probably mentally picked out a name and debating whether fostering it with the amount of cats she already has, will be wise.

Acacia invited them all for dinner at the Graysons house. Inside Grayson and Mattias were alone; Lyra’s idea to get them to bond; even if it’s just for five minutes.

“Lyra, wait for me! I’ll go wash my hands.” Gigi says as the cat lays down. She straightens and walks towards the sliding door; closing it behind her.

The sound of something crashing makes her flinch.

Then voices are raised; loud and angry.

Gigi peers past the room’s doorway, where the sound is coming from.

“—you think this is a joke?!” Grayson yells.

Gigi goes off into a little sprint towards the kitchen.

“What’s going on?” Gigi asks.

“Juliet. Stay out of this.” Grayson says, barely sparing her a glance.

Mattias lets out a condescending laugh, “See, this is what I’m talking about. It’s like something in you needs to control everyone’s life.”

“I don’t trust you with her, Slater. I thought I made that perfectly clear.”

Gigi feels her stomach drop with disappointment. She talked to Grayson about this. Multiple times. He doesn’t get to decide what she does and he promised her he’d try to accept Mattias.

This sure does not look like trying.

“Say that again.” Mattias says, his jaw tightening in anger.

“You heard me.” Grayson said, arching a brow.

Mattias shoves him.

Grayson stumbles back and looks at Gigi for half a second, hesitating, before grabbing Mattias by the collar and punching him.

“Grayson!” Gigi yells.

Mattias throws his body on Grayson; both falling to the floor. A chair falls and a dish breaks.

Outside, Savannah and Lyra hear it.

They’re both on their feet the moment Gigi yells again.

Back in the kitchen;both of them were back on their feet, Mattias punches him; moments before Grayson pins him against the wall.

“You think I’ll just stand by while you ruin her life?! You don’t deserve her. You never did.”

Lyra grabs Grayson's arm. “Have you lost your mind? Let him go!”

Grayson looks at Lyra for a moment considering it. Before Gigi snaps.Her hands shaking.

“What is wrong with both of you?!” She yells, her voice breaking.

They immediately let go of each other.

She raises a shaking finger. “You do not get to fight about me or my life while I’m standing right here!”

The silence is heavy afterwards. Grayson takes a step back. Mattias takes a deep breath to calm down.

“Baby-“ he says, stepping towards Gigi.

She shakes her head and motions for him to stop. Her eyes wells up with tears and she sprints out of the room. Savannah throws both men a glare that promises a slow and painful death for making her twin cry. She looks at Lyra, silently telling her to stay with Grayson before she follows Gigi. Quietly slipping out of the kitchen.

Then acacia appears in the doorway. She takes in the scene. Lyra holding Grayson’s arm; afraid he’ll attack again. The fallen chair, broken glass, both the men’s busted lips and the tension radiating off them.

Her lips press into a thin line. She puts her keys on the counter, shifting the bags of groceries she’s holding. “Okay, so I'm going to put these away.” She said calmly, “Then we are going to have a little chat,” She said looking between Grayson and Mattias, her eyes lingering on Grayson just a bit longer,”Seeing as neither of you could act like adults for five seconds, I’m taking matters into my own hands.”

She walks past them all to the fridge and starts to calmly empty the bags she’s holding.

They all stay silent for a while, before Lyra grabs Grayson’s wrist, “Bathroom. Now.” She says, tone quiet.

“I’m fine,” Grayson mutters but let her pull him along anyway.

She closes the bathroom door behind them and turns on the light. Grayson squints a bit, his eyes adjusting to the change in brightness.

The harsh light makes the open cuts on his knuckles and his nose more prominent.

“Sit,” she says.

Grayson leans back against the counter instead, “Sweetheart-“

“Sit your ass down, Grayson.” She snaps.

So he does. Wordlessly, she reaches over and grabs the first aid kit—that she knew Acacia always keeps there—from the cabinet above her. She puts the hydrogen peroxide on a cotton and presses it to his split knuckles without warning.

He winces but doesn’t say anything.

“You’re lucky that this is all I’m doing to you.” She snaps at him. “You both could’ve seriously hurt each other."

“He shoved me first.” Grayson says with a scoff.

Lyra removes the cloth and stares at him deeply.

“Seriously? You’re excusing what happened?” She says and then continues working on his hand, “Don’t even try to defend yourself, Grayson.”

His jaw tightens, “Was I just supposed to stand there?”

“You knew what you were doing, Gray.” She says, frowning at him.

“What was I doing? You weren’t even there, Lyra.” He says, growing frustrated.

“Provoking him. Don’t deny it, I know what you do.”

Silence stretches between them as Lyra wraps his hands.

As Lyra moves onto his brows she says quietly, “You don’t get to decide who Gigi loves.”

“I was trying to protect her,” He says, “He’s not good for her.”

“Well maybe you don’t get to protect her if this is your definition.” She drops the cotton and grabs his chin to make him look at her, “When she repeatedly told you to stay out of her relationship, that she knows what she’s doing and that you’re not helping them, I’m sorry Grayson but you’re out of line here. This is not protection.”

He looks away.

“I can’t just watch her put herself in harm's way and not do anything to stop it.” He says, his eyes red.

“So you hurt her instead?” Lyra asks softly.

Grayson flinches, “I wasn’t-.”

Lyra interrupts him, “Yesterday she asked you not to do this. You did it anyway. You broke her trust and your promise.”

He stays silent. Already regretting the whole day.

“Acacia is going to make you talk it out with him. Probably apologize. You should, if not for the sake of owning up to your mistakes then for your sister.”

He nods just as Lyra steps away. “Come on, before Acacia drags you out there herself.”

Grayson stands, his shoulder tense. “Lyra.”

He stops her just before she opens the door.

“Thank you.” He says, not just for cleaning his injuries but for helping him see clearly and everything else.

She nods, smiling softly, “Just do not do it again. Or I will kill you myself.”

He smiles, bending down to give her a kiss.

They both leave the bathroom.

｡ ˚ ︶︶✩︶︶‌ ₊ ˚ ︶︶✩︶︶‌ ｡˚

They all pile on the couch. Gigi looked more relaxed, still not looking at Grayson. On one side of Gigi, sits Mattias and on the other side Savannah, Lyra and Grayson on the opposite couch.

Acacia is cleaning up the broken class, groceries already organized. She refused every offer any kf them made to clean up themselves.

No one speaks until she’s done.

When she finally turns around, she rests her hand on the counter. She looks at Grayson, silently assessing his injuries then does the same to Mattias.

“Alright,” She says calmly, “Explain.”

Grayson opens his mouth but she cuts him off. “Any of you seriously injured?” She asks suddenly.

They both shake their heads, not looking at each other.

“Good,” She says, “because if any of you got the other injured in my house this conversation would be completely different.”

When no one replies —the girls choosing to stay out of this— she sighs and motions between them, “This does not happen here, nor does it happen in front of my daughter. I don’t care who started it and I do not care what you’re about to explain yourself with. This incident will not be repeated itself, understood?”

When they both nod, she looks at Grayson. “You do not control your sister's life. Whether or not Mattias is good for her is irrelevant, it's not up to you to decide.”

He opens his mouth to speak but Acacia stops him with a look saying she’s not done. “And you,” she turns to Mattias, “We do not get physical in this house. Ever.”

He nods. “I’m aware.”

“Good,” she nods, “you’re both adults, about time you act like it.”

Her gaze flicks to Gigi, softening immediately, “You good?” She asks softly.

When she nods, Acacia straightens. ”Now make peace.”

｡ ˚ ︶︶✩︶︶‌ ₊ ˚ ︶︶✩︶︶‌ ｡˚

Later, after the conversation is over and Grayson apologized to both Gigi then; although reluctantly Mattias, Savannah stops him in the hallway. “Explain.” she says, glaring at him.

Grayson rubs the back of his neck, “Sav-.”

“No. You don’t get to explain your way out of this. You embarrassed Gigi, scared Lyra, and made one simple comment into a whole fight.”

“I had my reasons.”

She arches a brow at him, "Of course you did.”

She steps closer to him, “If your actions make Gigi feel like she has to choose between youand being with a guy she loves-.”

“It won’t.” Grayson interrupts; meaning it this time.

“You will not win,” she finishes, “then you won’t have anyone but yourself to blame.”

He nods, knowing arguing with her is pointless and that she’s right. She looks him over and walks away, her heels clicking on the floor.

When the rehearsal was over my co-dancers gathered their belongings. They were all nervous about the upcoming performance.I had to sit down for a while, I’ve been getting dizzy often lately. Maybe it was because I haven’t been sleeping well, my nightmares were starting to come back. As the other dancers began filling out she told them goodbye and went to the bathroom. She stared at herself in the mirror, god she looked exhausted.

The bathroom door swings open, revealing Jessica, the newest ballerina to join them.They hadn’t really talked much, because Jessica always kept to herself.

She glances around the bathroom then focuses on Lyra. “I’m so sorry to bother you, but could I borrow a pad or a tampon?” She grimaces “Unexpected appearance. I have errands to run so I can’t go to the grocery store.”

I gave her a soft smile.

“Of course. Just give me a minute.” I set my purse on the counter and start digging around for the pink bag that has the emergency stash that I always keep on me.

I really need to organize this purse, I thought. I can’t find my stash. I refill it after every period. When was that again?

Dread slithers down my spine, landing in the pit of my stomach. My chest feels tight and my fingers tingle. Numbers blur as I try to count the numbers back, I can’t even remember today’s date.

Grayson and I discussed having kids sometime in the future. But that sometime couldn’t be now. We just got engaged last month, I couldn’t possibly be pregnant could I?

The woman’s staring at me. Waiting expectantly.

“I’m so sorry. I don’t have any with me.” I force the sentences out. My voice sounding numb to my own ears. “Check with the other girls before they leave.”

Jessica nods and wishes me a good day. My phone starts to ring. Grayson. I pick up and put him on speaker as I change out of my sweaty clothes.

“Hello?”

“Lyra. Where are you sweetheart?”

“Uhm..I’m about to leave the studio now.”

“Long day? You sound tired.”

“Yeah.”

Grayson pauses. She knew he was trying to figure out what was wrong just by her voice.

“Listen Gray. I’ll call you back okay? I got to go now.”

“Alright. Drive safe.”

✦ ⎯⎯ㅤִㅤ୭ ୨♡୧ ৎㅤִ ⎯⎯ ✦

When I finally get in the car I try to calm myself. My hands are trembling on the steering wheel, and the car feels too hot, too tight. My heartbeat thuds in my ears, fast and uneven.

I press my forehead against the steering wheel and squeeze my eyes shut. It’s not that I don’t want kids, I do want kids. But I can’t handle them right now. I try to replay the last month like a lifeline. Rehearsals, date nights, Grayson carrying me to the bedroom when I fall asleep on the couch.

With a shaky exhale, I turn the key and drive out of the parking lot. I park near the gas station. I sit there for a while, my eyes burning with tears for being short with Grayson earlier. I don’t want to hide this from him. I’m braver than this. Stronger than this. I let out a deep breath and get out of the car. As I cross the parking lot and into the convenience store I try to assure myself that it’ll all be okay.

When I get inside the store the woman behind the counter says “Evening.”

I nod in response and give a tight smile as I pass the counter and head towards the woman section. There is a wide variety of birth control; well too late for that no? Next to them are pregnancy tests. A whole shelf of them. All of them have different brands and colors promising quick and efficient results. I frown in confusion.

It’s just a stick you pee on right? What could be the difference?

I sigh and grab three boxes at random and head towards the register. The cashier looks up at me and starts ringing the boxes.

I pay for everything and leave the store, starting to make my way towards the car.

I get in the car and start driving. Gigi calls me on the way and starts telling me about her day. Talking to her eases my worries a bit and gets my mind off the pregnancy. I hang up when I park at home, promising to call her back as soon as I can. I grab the grocery bag and lock my car. As I make my way towards the front door I decide that I’ll tell Grayson before taking the tests.

I unlock the front door and call out “Babe? I’m home.”

“In the kitchen.”

I put my keys on the counter and throw the bag on the couch.

I walk into the kitchen and head towards Grayson. “Hey.” I say watching him pull something out of the oven, pizza.

He glances up and smiles. “Hey, my love.”

I lean down to kiss him and steal a slice of pizza.

He laughs and stands up. In the distance his phone starts to ring, he kisses the top of my head, whispering be right back and goes out the kitchen to answer his phone.

✦ ⎯⎯ㅤִㅤ୭ ୨♡୧ ৎㅤִ ⎯⎯ ✦

After a while of Grayson not coming back I go look for him, only to find him staring on the couch. The bag does nothing to hide the boxes spelling out pregnancy tests in red.

“You’re pregnant?” Gray’s voice is calm and unreadable. I don’t know what I expected his reaction to be but no reaction definitely wasn’t on my check list.

I shift on my feet. “I don’t know.” I say getting defensive. “That’s what the test is for.” I say with sarcasm evident in my voice.

I reach out and grab the bag. I turn around and start heading towards the bathroom. I ignore Grayson as he calls after me. Before I reach the bathroom he grabs my arm. I twist around to face him. “Lyra Kane. Talk to me.”

“I have nothing to say.” I’m being short with him. I know that, but I can’t really help it.

“Well, surely you have something?”

I sigh. “I just want to take this test, Grayson.”

He lets go of my arm and I spin around and enter the bathroom. Hesitating on whether to let Grayson enter or not. Deciding on the latter, I grab one box from the bag and hand Grayson the other two, then I slam the bathroom shut behind me.

“How long does it take?” He asks from behind the door. I asses the box and skim the instructions “It says three minutes.”

I walk towards the mirror and look myself in the mirror. I take deep breaths and brush my teeth. I’m stalling.

This is happening soon. Too soon. We were supposed to get married in 4 months. If i’m pregnant now I’ll be very pregnant then.This wasn’t supposed to be happening.

“Lyra?” Grayson asks as he softly knocks on the door.

“One second.” I call back. I pee on the stick then I stand there not knowing what to do. Hold it, I guess? Wave it around like a magic wand? I peed on it, so i’m not putting it on the sink.

I open the door and hold the test out to him. “Here. Hold this while I take the other 2.”

He fumbles with the boxes in his hand. “What? Why?”

“Because I peed on it. I’m obviously not putting it on the sink.”

“What does it say?” He looks at the stick and squints.

“Not yet, Grayson! Three minutes.”

“Right, okay. I’m sorry.”

I lock the door again and lean my back against it, feeling guilty. I shove my guilt aside and pee on the other sticks.

I open the door then hand them to him and wash my hands. “Does it say yet?” I ask nervously.

As grayson is about to look down I put my hands on his and stop him from looking.

“I’m so scared.” I whisper, my eyes filling with tears.

“Hey hey. Look at me. It’s going to be okay. We’re going to be okay.”

When I stay silent for a while, I feel his eye drilling into me. “Do you not want a baby?” He asks me softly.

“No I do! But I wanted it to be on my terms. When I’m ready! We’re supposed to get married in 4 months! I don’t want to get married while pregnant.”

“Lyra.” He murmurs and the way he says my name makes some of the panic ease a bit. “Sweetheart, listen to me.”

I shake my head and look at the floor. He gently lifts my chin so I have no choice but to look at him.

“You think I’m not scared too?” He says vulnerable in a way he’s not with anyone but me. “I’m so unbelievably terrified actually. I don’t know how to be a father. The same way I didn’t know how to be someone worthy of you. But I am trying, and we will figure this out together. If there’s one thing i’m sure of is that you’ll be a great mother.” He exhales a shaky breath “I can barely be a functioning adult half the time-“

I let out a tiny laugh.

He smiles a teary smile, “It’s true. But I have you, and you’re the strongest person I know. So I will make sure you have me no matter what it costs. I will be sure to be be someone worthy of you-“

“You already are, Gray.”

He shakes his head. “To continue being someone worthy of you, someone you can rely on. If this result is negative, then when you’re ready. If it’s not then we’re in this together. If you’re worried about the wedding we’ll get married whenever you feel like it. Tomorrow, next week, whenever you want it, baby.”

I hold his eye for a minute then I look down and remove my hands. He kisses my forehead then he turns his hand and i lean forward to see. Two lines. All the tests, 3 for 3. I take in a sharp breath. “I-it’s positive.”

I say looking at Grayson. He frowns then he looks up at me and starts laughing in shock and disbelief.

“It is.” He drops the tests to the floor and sweeps me from my feet. I let out a startled laugh as he spins me around. “We’re having a baby!”

He puts me down, a hand on my waist to steady me. I press my palms to his chest and look up at him. “Grayson-“

He doesn’t let me finish, he cups my face in both hands and kisses me, firm and breathless, like he’s conveying his feelings to me without having to say them.

When he pulls back, he rests his forehead against mine, both of us breathless.

There are still many things that we will both figure out but for now it’s just us. At the end of the day, it was the person who held my fears without flinching that I wanted to build a life with. And i wouldn’t have it any other way.

AAAAND THATS IT.

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

The storm rolled in fast. Texas thunderstorms often did. 

You were sitting in the library pretending to read, but really you were just eyeing Grayson’s slender body across from you. The way he leaned into the pale green wingback chair with his legs in an open stance could make your mind wander. Luckily he seemed too invested in his work to notice your traitorous gaze. 

Damn him, you thought to yourself. Why’d he have to be such an arrogant prick? A hot arrogant prick.

Grayson always knew what he was doing, and it drove you nuts. He drove you nuts. You found him both frustratingly annoying yet insanely attractive at the same time, and he always used that to his advantage. 

What you didn’t know was that his grey eyes flickered up to your figure when you weren’t looking. Perhaps roaming your body a little longer than he should, before looking away.

Meanwhile, Xander insisted he could fix an ancient fuse box which was located in the corner of the library. He kept rambling on how it was important for the fuse box to function during a storm every time you questioned him. As your friend, he had tried multiple times to set you up with Gray, all of which had failed miserably. You could only hope this wasn’t yet another attempt.

Then came the darkness. Total, suffocating, pitch black darkness. Somewhere in the distance, thunder cracked so loud the walls of Hawthorne House shuddered, and you swore you heard Nash curse for the first time in your life. 

“I got it!” Xander’s voice called in unison to the crackling thunder. Yet the lights still weren’t functioning. “But, uh…it seems the generators have stopped working.”

Jameson glanced over at Xander with a seemingly knowing glint in his eye, but he remained unusually silent. 

“We have ten generators,” Grayson stated dryly, as he finally looked up from his work for the first time in hours. 

Xan gave a small smile as he looked to his older brother before he gave a simple. “I know.” 

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

The plan should’ve been obvious right then. How convenient that you and Grayson were the ones sent to the maintenance wing to retrieve batteries for some flashlights. The maintenance wing itself was a rarely used part of the estate that smelled like dust, damp wood, and a box of tools.

Neither of you spoke much as you searched through cabinets in one of its many rooms. You had never been down here yourself, only seeing staff occasionally head down the wing every so often. 

Then, by some miracle, Grayson found some batteries in a worn-down tool chest. You watched intently as his nimble fingers slowly undid the back of the flashlight to place the batteries inside. Everything he did was slow and careful, and you tried not to think too much of it. With a click it turned on and created a soft beam of light in the darkness of the room. 

Still it was eerily silent, and without any words said you both nodded in agreement to go back to the library. Your hand reached for the door knob and twisted it without a problem. But to your horror when you went to push it open the door didn’t so much as budge. You turned again, pushing it harder this time. It didn’t open. 

“Let me,” Grayson’s voice said from behind you with a tired sigh. 

You stepped aside, shooting him an annoyed glare that you could only hope he saw in the darkness. 

“It’s stuck,” Grayson muttered after his try, shouldering it once, twice. “Swollen shut.”

You turned the knob again, and kicked the base of the door. Nothing. It seemed the humidity had caused the old wooden door to swell.

Another flash of lightning lit the small, cluttered room through the dusty window, followed by a deafening boom. Accidentally, your hand brushed Grayson’s arm as you pulled away from the door knob. 

He didn’t move away.

“Well,” you exhaled, trying to ignore the way your pulse quickened at the unexpected situation. “I guess we’re stuck.”

A moment of silence passed. Then Grayson’s voice, low and warm in the dark:

“Could be worse.”

“Could it?” you echoed with slight sarcasm, raising a brow he probably couldn’t see in the low light.

“You could be in here with Jameson so,” He drawled slowly. “…yeah it could.”

You could barely see the smug expression on his face. Yet you knew it was there, and that thought alone was so infuriatingly attractive.

“Touché, Davenport.”

There was a slight tilt to his lips it wasn’t quite a smile, but close enough to make your heart flutter. Grayson Hawthorne smiling at you. Hell must’ve been freezing over. 

You crossed your arms, leaning back against the cold wall. “If you say something smug, I swear to God, Davenport…”

“I wasn’t going to,” he replied, still in that maddeningly calm voice that made you want to simultaneously strangle him and kiss him. “But now that you’ve said it, it’s tempting.”

You let out a laugh that was more of a scoff if anything, shaking your head. “Of course it is.”

The flashlight beam danced across the cluttered room as Grayson adjusted it in his hand. He didn’t look at you when he spoke next.

“You always do that,” he said quietly into the darkness.

Your brows furrowed. “Do what?”

“Assume the worst of me.”

You scoffed, partly frustrated that he was right. “Maybe because you’re usually acting like a cocky bastard.”

That finally earned a real smile, a crooked smile with dimples that was entirely unfair to your heart rate.

“Maybe,” he allowed. “Or maybe you just like having an excuse to be mad at me.”

You rolled your eyes, ignoring the sudden, warmth that threatened to spread in your chest. “Not everything’s about you, Hawthorne.”

A crack of thunder shook the walls again, and without thinking, you flinched. It wasn’t much just a tiny little movement but he caught it. 

Of course he did. Grayson saw everything.

“Scared of storms?” he asked, and this time his voice was softer. Not teasing. Just surprisingly genuine.

You exhaled, irritated more with yourself than him at this point. “I’m not scared. I just don’t like them.”

“There’s a difference,” you added on a moment later, not wanting to seem vulnerable. You refused to.

“Fair,” he murmured. “I used to hate them too when we were kids. This house was always worse in the storms. Too big and too quiet.”

You looked at him then, really looked, and for once, the perfect, untouchable Grayson Hawthorne looked human. Vulnerable. And maybe, just maybe, a little lonely.

It did dangerous things to your resolve.

“I’m fine,” you said quickly, the sharp edge slipping back into your voice like armor. “You don’t have to play hero.”

He huffed a breath of laughter, and for a second, you thought that was the end of it. Expecting to fall back into an awkward silence.

Then he took a step closer.

Not in some grand, dramatic way that you expected from a Hawthorne. Just one small step. Into your space. Into the dim glow of the flashlight between you. Close enough that you could smell the cedar and soft mint tones of his cologne.

“I’m not playing anything,” he said, voice low. “And for the record…” 

His eyes flicked to your lips, then back up. “You’re insufferable.”

Your pulse jumped, suddenly hyper aware to his closeness and the way his eyes flickered downward. “So are you.”

A beat passed, a heavy, charged, inevitable beat. Like the final tick of a clock before it stuck midnight on a new day once again.

And then with the look in his eyes, like some unspoken dare, you closed the space between you.

It wasn’t a soft, tentative kiss. It was all teeth and tension, months of bickering and stolen glances and unsaid things colliding in a single, breathless second. His hand cupped your jaw, his thumb brushing your cheek, and you fisted the front of his suit jacket. Like you were still half pissed at him for making you feel this way in the first place.

When you finally pulled back, both of you a little breathless, neither spoke.

Footsteps echoed down the hall.

“Hello? Lovebirds?” Xander’s voice, sing-song and way too smug for your liking. You cursed silently to the youngest Hawthorne in your mind knowing full well this was his doing. “Should I leave you two in there, or—”

Grayson didn’t even hesitate. He turned, shouldered the door again, and this time it gave. 

The humid air of the hallway rushed in, as you both rushed out. Escaping the room and the kiss like it was a moment you both never wanted to admit to. 

You shot Grayson a glaring look as he passed you, back to his usual infuriating self.

“Not a word,” you warned, your eyes narrowed like you could strangle him right there. 

He smirked, running his hands over his suit to smooth out the crinkles you had caused before adjusting his flashlight.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

But as he walked ahead, you could’ve sworn you heard him quietly say, “Could be worse.”

“Asshole,” you muttered underneath your breath as you watched him walk away. 

Maybe storms weren’t so bad after all.

╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯

i honestly think that yes there are fandom opinions that aren't valid at all because there are opinions with COMPLETELY VALID points that i can understand but there are also just some opinions that are straight up mischaracterisation or makes no sense

some characters are sensitive topics here that may or may not accidentally target someone on here and that's NOT my intention so i won't talk about them. i will however use savannah as my example

i've seen people who hate her for hating the hawthornes and avery or for being too serious/stuck up (but then turning around and loving grayson) and those to me are the opinions where i just think it's... not valid or i just won't take you seriously. cuz be fr rn you're fr proving jlb's point in creating savannah with the second one and for the first one i just think it's so stupid to hate her solely for that reason. to disregard her whole character JUST because of that like did you even pay attention to her reasons??

but that being said there's reasons i CAN understand for not liking her like her infantilising gigi or her being a white feminist. i don't talk about either of these things a lot because frankly i just want to have fun here. but they are completely valid reasons for not liking her that i would understand because i see it and i personally dislike too (especially as the youngest in my family for the first point).

but the thing is most savannah haters they DON'T hate her for these two reasons or at least it's not their main reason which makes it so fucking annoying when they exist and talk hella shit about her without even using even half of their comprehension abilities that they use for the hawthorne brothers or other male characters.

ALL THIS BEING SAID none of this ever gives you a valid reason to hate on or send death threats to someone for their opinion even if their reason is fucking stupid

aight bye i hope i worded this well