#xavier shepherd

“Don’t want to disappoint the fans, baby doll. I brought Callie.” Of course. My abusive ex boyfriend would bring his niece to try to guilt trip me into facing him. “She’s so excited to see you again.” I cautiously stepped from behind the curtain. Looking into Tony’s eyes sent a chill down my spine.

“Ellie!” Callie ran over, jumping at me with her arms spread wide. “I missed you!” I held her tightly as she wrapped her arms and legs around me like a koala and plastered on a smile.

“I missed you too, Callie. You’ve gotten so big!” It had been a year since I worked up the courage to leave Tony, but leaving behind Callie tore me up inside. She was the sweetest little girl I’d ever met, always wanting to play and be friends with anyone. 

“Why did you leave, Ellie?” She leaned back in my arms, poking her bottom lip out.

“Yeah, Ellie. Why did you leave?” Tony stepped closer, placing his hand on my shoulder with a venomous smile.

“How is school going? Are you still on honor roll?” I smiled sweetly at Callie, brushing her blonde curls out of her face. I hoped the change in conversation would save me from Tony. 

“I’m on honor roll and I got four awards last year for doing so good!” Callie dropped down from my arms, but kept a firm hold of my hand. “Why don’t you come out to eat with me and Uncle Tony and I can tell you all about it!” She bounced eagerly as fear squeezed my heart.

“That’s a great idea, Cal!” Tony ruffled her hair before meeting my eyes. “Come out to dinner with us, Elaina. I’ll drive you. Then we can drop Callie off and I can take you back to your hotel.” His hand slid down my arm, leaving a trail of goose bumps as he settled on holding my wrist.

I need to get away. If I go with him, who knows what he’ll do. I can’t move. I can’t breathe.

“I can’t.” I whispered, looking down at my feet, praying he’d lose interest.

“Nonsense. Let’s go. Don’t you want Ellie to come back with us, Callie?” His voice was sickeningly sweet as he spoke to her, using my love for her to override my fear and hatred of him.

“Pretty pretty please, Ellie?” Callie batted her eyelashes at me, her big blue eyes melting my heart. I looked up at Tony. Even though he was smiling, I could see the threat behind his eyes. Callie and Tony both began pulling me towards the exit, my feet shuffling along of their own volition.

God, please, no. I can’t go back. 

“Miss Elaina!” Xavier popped out from the shadows just before we made it to the exit. “Are you leaving?” 

“Excuse me, I’m taking my girl out to dinner.” Tony glared up at Xavier for interrupting. 

“Oh! I see, ‘your girl’. I apologize, sir. Elaina has things she has to do here first.” Xavier grinned at Tony, reaching over for me. Tony stepped in front of me, squeezing my wrist painfully. I knew he meant the gesture as a threat if I said anything.

“She’s done and we have places to be. Move.” He puffed out his chest as if that would intimidate Xavier. 

“I don’t think she wants to go, sir.” Xavier’s smile didn’t falter, but his voice deepened as he crossed his arms over his broad chest.

“Of course she does, don’t you babe?” Tony turned to me with a fake smile and another squeeze so painful I had to blink away tears. I looked down at Callie, who just looked confused at the ordeal.

If I don’t listen, he might take it out on Callie.

“Of course.” I smiled at Xavier, knowing it didn’t reach my eyes. “Tell Leon I’ll be back later.” I prayed he could see the panic in my eyes.

“No.” Xavier’s smile fell as he glared right back at Tony.

“Excuse me? Who the fuck do you think you are?” He challenged, stepping towards Xavier.

“Would you like to take this outside? Don’t want to scare the girls.” Xavier grabbed my hand, pulling me away gently and I grabbed Callie, holding her as we hid behind Xavier’s large frame.

“Oh so you think you could take me? I’ll have you know I take boxing classes. I’ll take your ass down right here.” Tony pushed up his sleeves, raising his fists.

“I am giving you one final chance to leave. I don’t want to have to hurt you in front of the ladies.” Xavier cracked his neck, breathing deeply.

“Bull shit, fuck them! Let’s go bitch!” Tony yelled, shooting forward and swinging at Xavier’s face. Callie screamed and buried her face in my neck. I took her off to the side to get out of the way. Xavier thankfully dodged the punch and Tony stumbled. Xavier reached out, grabbing him by the shoulders and pulling him into a headlock effortlessly.

“I don’t appreciate you calling me names. I could flex my arm and end your miserable existence. You’re so weak, your only chance to feel any kind of power is by hurting women. You’re lucky I don’t snap your neck right here, you wouldn’t be much of an issue then, huh?” Xavier’s face twisted into a mask of cruel pleasure. He leaned down, whispering something into Tony’s ear. Tony’s eyes widened, a look of disgusted horror falling over his features.

“What the fuck, man!?” He shouted, trying to twist away or swing at Xavier, but it was a fruitless endeavor. Xavier looked up at me with that sickening smile, a darkness in his eyes.

“What do you think, Miss Elaina? Option one or option two?” He didn’t specify but the way his eyes glinted at the thought of option one had me choosing the opposite.

“Option two it is. You’re lucky Miss Elaina is merciful and kind. Say thank you Miss Elaina.” Xavier squeezed slightly, making Tony cough.

“T-Thank you, Miss Elaina.” He sputtered.

“Good rat, now apologize.” Another squeeze, a fraction of a second longer and Xavier’s smile grew.

“I’m so sorry, Elaina.” Tony grabbed at Xavier’s arm, trying to pry it from his throat. 

“I just want him gone, Xavier. Please.” When he looked back at me his animalistic expression softened.

⚔️ i think the best way to describe Xavier and Elaina as a couple is a princess and her knight.

🥹He's so gentle with her, always checking on her and making sure she's safe, happy, and comfortable.

😴She fell asleep after practice one day and he noticed her shivering and covered her with his jacket. After that he always made sure there was a blanket in the dressing room just in case she got sleepy (she'd usually steal his jacket anyway).

🩹She fusses over him just as much. He gets hurt and she's got him sitting on a stool, rolling his eyes while she patches him up and gripes at him about needing to be more careful.

💓He helps her through panic attacks and he crawls into her bed after he has a nightmare. He never has to say anything, she just lifts the blanket and opens her arms for him to lay his head on her chest. Listening to her steady heartbeat calms him.

💵He spoils her so much and she complains all the time about him wasting money on her. He just responds with "anything for you is never a waste".

📏Also the height difference? Adorable.

💞Cammie and Xavier are so soft for each other.

📺Both having such shit childhoods and having to grow up so fast, sometimes they enjoy simple childish pleasures like watching cartoons and eating too sugary cereal together.

🥹They're so tough and cold to the world but with each other they just melt. Even before becoming an actual couple, they had always had a soft spot for each other.

🎞When Xavier had a bad day, Cammie would ask him to stay with her and watch movies so he wouldn't be alone without having to ask.

👀There's a quiet understanding, having learned each others body language that the slightest movement or facial expression is an entire conversation for the two.