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casitafallz · 1 year

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Decay AU | Antonio’s gift Ceremony

The arrival of Antonio’s ceremony was suddenly upon them before they really knew it. Isabela hadn’t been as out to the pond as much as Tio Felix roped her into helping with the decorations more around Casita in the morning of Antoni’s birthday. Fresh for the day while most of the food and jobs were otherwise delegated out in advance.

Isa had planned for a jungle theme given that her Tio had mentioned Antonio liked animals, even ones found in the jungle so it had made sense to include that. A few times during the day, Abuela had her change out some of the more adventurous décors that she had hoped to get away with with just flowers. Instead, at the very least Tio Felix though was the one to approve of the colours; red and orange petals, the leaves green but with a blue tint in the lights.

It was disappointing.

But with the bar of expectation so low, Isabela just carried on because she knew better than to mope over discarded plants when it meant nothing given today of all days, it was all about Antonio.

She hadn’t seen much of the birthday boy herself since breakfast. Camilo and Mirabel had claimed him while she had been busy decorating and Felix had taken him down to his parents for the afternoon.

With decorating done, Isabela took the rest of the day to finish up Antonio’s birthday present. He hadn’t really forgiven her for hurting Mirabel which was surprising given how much he took after his father but it seemed likely he had his mother’s grudge-holding. This, she hoped was to get him to warm up to her again. Just a little.

Nothing too extravagant; a potted mini succulent. It was less about the plant that she had put work into, and more about the pot. Digging near the pond to plant a rooted shrubbery had revealed some clay that looked useable. She knew better than to be extravagant if her sewing was any indication of her creative inabilities so she truck to small, two-inch pinch pots and Fran had taken them get fired given it was less likely to be ‘accidentally’ broken if the potters didn’t know it was hers. On one, she had painted it orange with dark tiger stripes.

The plant itself was an Echeveria subsessilis, light blue, spoon-curved petal leaves that tapered into delicate points that were a gentle rose-pink. It looked cute though the plant didn’t quite match the pot; she went for a plant that had the least maintenance and was non-toxic. God forbid, she accidentally poisoned him… or have someone like Camilo assume something.

Content the soil was nearly packed, the plant watered, she gently set the lid on top and tied it with two pieces of string.

Her second pot, she had painted it blue with a few yellow butterflies and had also put a succulent into it but it was Sedum Major Succulent, tiny, thick round green leaves that seemed to circulate onto their branches and looked similar to marigolds if the leaves continued down its steam and were light green with a powdery look to its surface.

That was for Mirabel.

It was a small thing but she hoped at least another token would… be liked. She even put Mirabel’s initials on the side as well so she knew it was hers.

Making final checks on both, Isabela headed out into the bustling Casita. Much more than it had been an hour ago. If she hadn’t had her restrictions, she was sure Abuela would have put her into entertaining people and making them flower crowns and throwing petals. A tedious job but it had been worth it years passed to please Abuela.

From the window in passing, there were still a few more people still on their way. The tall form of Luisa wasn’t hard to miss, picking up people’s donkeys and putting them away into the temporary fencing they put up for this occasion. She couldn’t see Camilo anymore so she assume he was still out greeting people or looking for food.

Her eyes looked through faces as she went, noting a few distasteful looks her way, from a few former friends to the rude looks Camilo’s group were by the table but she didn’t care to dwell on them as she found the flash of the blue skirt and followed.

To her relief, both people she was looking for were in the kitchen though Antonio looked positively queasy holding a glass of water despite the appearance of Mirabel trying to cheer him up.

“Mirabel, Antonio.” She pulled the duo’s attention as she swept in.

Mirabel stiffened right up, though seemed to pull Antonio behind her.

The motion alone made her uneasy but she bit that feeling back as she held out both boxes to them both. Antonio set the glass he had down though seemed to hesitate to take it but did, the box seemed massive in his small hands. Mirabel took it as well but looked a little stiff about it.

“This is your birthday gift from me, Antonio. I hope you have a good ceremony.” She smiled at him though turned her attention to her sister, “Look, I know this is a bad time to give someone else a gift but I wanted to make this for you to go into your room. I…didn’t have a chance when they first built it to help and I…wanted to make something special.”

Both Mirabel and Antonio looked at each other though Antonio looked more curious as he tugged away the yarn and lifted the lid.

His head tilted as he pulled it out, touching the succulent leaves with some level of scepticism though he looked vaguely more interested in the pot, “Tiger stripes.”

“Si, I heard from your Papa you liked animals so… I thought it seemed fitting.”

“What’s this?” Antonio prodded the leaves again, “It looks like candy you can eat.”

“Don’t eat them, while it’s non-toxic… it‘s not food. It’s called a succulent plant, kind of like Cactus but without the thorns.”

“Uh-huh..” Antonio’s attitude wasn’t… enthusiastic though she hoped Mirabel would be a little more pleased though she hadn’t opened the box. It just sat in her hands, yarn still on and looked just as tense as before.

“You…aren’t going to open it?”

Mirabel looked up at her and then down at Antonio. “Not yet. I don’t want to overshadow Antonio’s birthday by opening it now…”

She could sense Mirabel’s implication; bout waiting and maybe she was right but… she did want to give her something from the heart.

Isabela nodded, though an awkwardness lingered for a moment before Isabela decided to take herleave before she overstayed and caused an issue. Her attention turned as she noted a familiar face across the doorway. Mateo and his family must have arrived.

Inside the kitchen, the two remained there until she was gone, not breaking the silence for a moment.

“Camilo, why don’t you leave that box in Mirabel’s room?” Antonio asked quietly, looking up as Mirabel’s form shifted back to Camilo.

Camilo scowled at the box in his hand. “I can’t believe she tried to seek Mirabel out… like how many times does she have to be told. She’s not allowed to do that” He shook his head, opening the box though his expression didn’t get any better, “And Mirabel deserves so much better than this…plant and so do you, Hermano.”

Isabela couldn’t talk to Mateo in the crowd as his sister and father were next to him and there was no sign of Francesca but that was unsurprising; the Lopez family never attended a gift ceremony so she didn’t hold onto much hope of seeing her anyway.

“Abuela,” Isabela called, seeing her pull her shawl on tighter though she internally winced with how Abuela’s jaw tightened before turning her stern gaze to her. “How many of my punishments are still on tonight? Given it’s a special occasion I thought—“

“Aside from what’s already been dropped, there is no change,” Abuela stated. “I’m sorry but a punishment is still a punishment. I will not lift anything just for a night. Special occasion or not, it has to stand and certainly not when the Madrigals are so public. The town knows you are being punished and they need to see it.”

Isabela’s shoulders sunk but she kept her expression composed despite feeling like a wilting flower inside. “Okay, Abuela.”

That meant she’d be in her room the whole night, not enjoying the party or… festivities. She was only forty-five minutes away from her curfew. She wouldn’t get to see much of Antonio’s new room…

It had crossed her mind last week when talking to her friends about all of this but she had hoped… a little bit of hope she could have a little more for tonight. As a family. That they could see her behave even without the punishment.

Abuela gave her a lingering look before she brushed onwards and into the crowds that had formed though a low hush echoed.

Isabela slipped out as well though she found her family easily, slipping in past her father though Camilo and Dolores appeared next. Isabela watched as her mother welcomed Camilo into a half hug with a shred of jealousy, watching the support she had for him. Camilo just took it with a smile. Dolores though was happy to hold hands with Mariano when he appeared.

Tia Pepa and Tio Felix moved around the balcony from the steps then from through her flower curtain that Abuela had her make for Antonio’s entry until they reached the side of Antonio’s door, falling into each other’s arms with an edge of anxiety as they waited.

Isabela folded her arms across her chest instead though soon enough, Abuela turned to the crowds on the steps with her candle in her hands.

“Fifty years ago, in our darkest moment. This candle granted us a miracle.” Abuela stated, "and the greatest honour of our family is to use our blessings to serve this beloved community. Tonight we come together once more as another steps into the light to make us proud.”

The words were so familiar that had grown with each passing child, Isabela could almost remember being amazed the first time she had heard Abuela speak of such timings.

Soft music played, signalling Casita to open the curtain. Antonio looked so small as the curtain was pulled away though he looked petrified standing there all alone, barely moving at Casita’s encouragement before he looked off to the side, his arm out, speaking softly out to the other before… Isa realised it was Mirabel as the girl stepped out, taking his hand.

Her brows furrowed though she hoped that Mirabel didn’t do something to ruin this… though she supposed it didn’t matter; she couldn’t do worse than her. Slowly, Mirabel looked just as uneasy as Antonio as they passed down the pathway towards the steps, up to Abuela who smiled warmly down at the both but the tension…the fear was easy to see if you knew why.

Isabela watched intently with the rest of the town as Antonio held the offered Candle as he reached the top, nodding softly along with agreement to Abuela’s words before he approached the door. Her heart thudded in anticipation, leaning forwards even before Antonio finally touched the door handle.

The door flooded with light, the candle in Abuela’s hand brightening with a wash of magic that seemed to spread out from the door… then a bird seemed to land onto Antonio’s outstretched arm out of nowhere.

She couldn’t see his face but she could hear his voice echo down.

“Uh-huh, I understand you,” he giggled, “Of course, they can come!”

The bird let out a shrill sound, Dolores’s eye twitching a little but in the sky, birds seemed to descend into Casita, even through the crowds as land animals seemed to join in and up the stairs. Calls of amazement echoed before finally, a picture formed of Antonio on the door, animals around him.

“We have a new gift!” Abuela declared her face light with joy and happiness that Isabela hadn’t seen in a while.

Isabela smiled brightly, clapping with enthusiasm for her Primo. At least now Abuela would find some relief in this. Her mother led the way up the steps though Isabela trailed after them.

“Antonio, can you open up and see what waits?” Abuela asked, turning her attention back to the birthday boy.

Antonio grinned, his face filled with happiness and joy before he turned again and opened up his door, his animals pushing past him to get inside before he did.

Her head tilted as she tried to get a glimpse inside over their heads, Luisa’s shoulder just clipping into her line of vision as she reached the top of the steps though her attention turned back as she heard sharp gasps of those still downstairs to see a huge jaguar running up towards them, Isabela’s heart stopped for a second before it ran straight in but there were no screams of terror inside.

The townspeople began to filter in after that, making it hard to see in again. Every part of her itched to follow in and see what was going on… to see what Antonio’s room was to match what gift he was given. Something to do with animals, clearly but… what she didn’t know yet.

Sighing in frustration, Isabela clambered up into the bannister though her eyes widened as she caught sight of a huge tree inside, a vast and open space that looked to go even bigger than her room to a huge, jungle that the animals seemed to immediately start to inhabit. Antonio’s tiny form rode onto the back of the Jaguar around the tree, disappearing from sight but she could only see the back of her family through the crowd.

After a few minutes, Antonio and the jaguar return to the family, Tia Pepa immediately coming to hug and kiss his cheek before Abuela dropped to his side but their words were too quiet to reach her this far back until Abuela rose to her feet.

“We need a picture! Come, come, come. It’s a great night!” Abuela called, waving the family over, “It’s a perfect night. ”

Her heart thudded in her chest as the family seemed to crowd together, Abuela seemed to gesture to the side to encourage even Mirabel awkwardly into the shot as the camera was pushed in.

“Everyone, together!”

What about her? Why wasn’t Abuela gesturing for her to come in?

“La Familiar Madrigal!”

The question was in her throat… but it never reached her tongue before the flash went off.

She felt her heart break just a little as she felt the same pain of isolation… and unwant, it seemed to beat with each of her heartbeats through he veins, spreading heat into her eyes and seeming to tie a knot into her throat as she realised that… none of them had noticed.

Even as the moment was over, the musicians began to move in and set up… no one looked around or…thought to see her.

Hazily, Isabela clambered down and hurried from the steps to take a breath and ended up in the kitchen. The kitchen was quiet, her fast breaths echoing loudly as she tried to regain her composure a little more before she reached to the sink to wash her hands at least; Casita turned the top on for her as she sniffled.

She couldn’t help the slight shaking of her hands under the cool stream of water, but the temperature was cold, very cold. Enough to help keep her grounded than to spiral her off in a panic.

Why didn’t Dolores mention anything? She knew she was out there; she could hear her. Abuela knew she was out there… she knew her punishments.

But… Isabela had to hope that…they simply forgot; the first gift ceremony since Mirabel’s and no doubt stress was keeping them from thinking about the rest of the family. Maybe… maybe they’d ask to do a reshoot with her in later once the rush calmed down?

After a moment and composing herself finally, the water turned off and she found a rag to dry her hands, pressing the heel of her palm into her face to feel the coolness against her skin.

One day at a time.

She could talk to them tomorrow. Her eyes flickered to the clock; a vivid reminder of her curfew ticking closer and closer.

Setting the rag down, Isabela made to leave the kitchen until her eyes caught bright, familiar colours from the bin close to the exit.

It was only for a second and she almost ignored it before a sense of uncertainty flashed through her gut that pulled her back from the doorway and gravitated her back towards the bin… but she found herself staring down into the bin but was unable to help the return of the deep ache of rejection through her chest as she fully processed what had been thrown away.

On the bedding of unusable vegetable cuts that would have been thrown into the compost outside was the broken pieces of Mirabel’s little pot she had made. The succulent was torn—by hand given it was a thick plant and hard to separate naturally—in two and a few stems were bent off to the other side.

Antonio’s one also lay there… the pot cracked and otherwise undamaged but… thrown away nonetheless.

Both her presents…unwanted.

With the shake to her hands returning, she collected them both, doing her best to collect all the pieces, even as they cut her fingertips a little and slowly took them back to her room and carefully set them unsteadily down onto her large desk, trying to swallow down the lump in her throat.

Isabela just found herself staring at it. A part of her still denying it because… Antonio hadn’t been too distasteful earlier.

Had… had she mistaken Mirabel’s desire to reconnect? Tried too soon? Was the plant itself too much of a reminder? Isa could only imagine the damage the pot had now… there had been a lot of force applied. Thrown down to the floor maybe?

Either way… unwanted.

Isa didn’t know how long she sat there sweating in the emotional ache, but a soft knock on the door pulled her attention, idly, she rose to her feet and went to answer it. She had half expected to see Dolores or her parents, Isabela blinked as she saw it was Mateo. He looked a little nervous, though her new stairway up seemed to suit his needs to keep him hidden, not that he needed to give everyone was now inside Antonio’s room and enjoying the party.

But his paranoia was justified enough that he was sweating a little around the temples and looked a little twitchy.

“Hi… I couldn’t speak to you earlier, I was hoping we could spend time together while my family’s busy in the party?”

Isabela smiled dully at his thoughtfulness but it didn’t lighten her dampened mood. “I can’t leave my room, Mateo. It’s turning eight o’clock soon and my curfew is… not lifted. I asked earlier… but Abuela was adamant about it.”

The look of disappointment flashed across his face for a second before he nodded. “Of course, I suppose there’s always tomorrow?”

“Or, you can join me here? It’ll be nice to have company.” She offered, opening her door further though she hoped immediately that Dolores was too into partying and celebrating with her brother to note their presence.

She derived to have this if she was robbed of everything else today.

Mateo still looked uncertain but an opening of a door somewhere close, he didn’t hesitate to step through though almost stepped off the bridge into her own pond to pass her. “Ooh… okay there’s an immediate bridge…” His hand came to his chest, his hand gripping the door frame a little tightly.

His little mishap made her smile softly though stepped away and down her bridge over her pond though she watched as he fully took in her room after making sure he wasn’t going to fall into her pond in her wake.

His eyes grew wide, his jaw slacking as he took in her personally crafted space. It took a few seconds for him to collect himself, turning to look more into the pond, at her fish though looked interested upwards to the three-tier pond and onwards to the far waterfall.

“Wow, your room is…amazing.”

Isabela smiled softly, “I’ve done a lot of work. Abuela thinks it’s a mess because it’s not all pink flowers that it used to be. I’ve…grown out of that. This is the only place I have the freedom of my gift.” More or less, but she wasn’t going to tell him that.

“I can see.” He continued to sound impressed, moving around to look at her creations so she let him as a quiet shadow, some warmth of his genuine interest and awe soothing the lingering aches from her family.

Bubo’s cooed from his pot, echoed by the new one in a slightly higher pitch, pulling Mateo’s attention from a bright blue Jade vine that hung low from her ceiling to her large desk where the pot was stationed beside

“Is that—“

“The potato that is Fran’s sworn enemy, Si.” Isabela gestured him onwards, “Bubo made a new one. Bubo, the second. B2 for short.”

Mateo knelt down next to the pot though she gently brushed away the soil and tugged Bubo and the little on out onto the top. Bubo the second had some form of nubby arms and legs in the week since it was grown but not walking yet. Bubo the adult was as it ever was in its pot and still without clothes.

“They’re kinda cute.”

“True, but like all root veg; dense.”

Mateo snorted at her remark. His hand came to gently prod the potato in its scarred belly. “What happened to it?”

“Oh… he took a dive into my gardening tools. Luckily, they don’t feel pain. I’ve threatened to eat them if they keep reproducing.”

“Ah.” He still smiled though gently dug a little hole and Bubo happily wandered and jumped into it and so, he covered him back up. “It’s still amazing.”

“Thank you.”

“I wish Fran would let her issues go but… that’s not a war I’m willing to wager.”

Isabela smiled softly because they both knew Fran’s unease and contempt and…it was enjoyable but also, Isabela still appreciated the value that Fran had grown up with. Enlightening even.

“We all knew we’d be losing.” Isabela sighed out. “I wish she was here.”

Mateo’s attention turned, though he nodded in agreement. “We can talk with her tomorrow, let her ramble while checking how the water clearing is going.”

“Indeed.” Isabela did look forwards to that, a new day; away from Casita and her family. She had no plans to be with them if she could help it; not after the mess of the day. She didn’t want to see either Antonio or Mirabel and be reminded of their distaste more than necessary. Not to mention, now the ceremony was done, they didn’t need her to decorate.

“Are you okay?”

“Hm?” Isabela blinked a little

Mateo’s head tilted a little. “You get a faraway look when you’re conflicted bout something.”

Isabela sighed softly, quietly damning his observations. “You…know the gifts I made for Mirabel and Antonio?” seeing him nod, she continued, “I gave them to them today.” Though she pursed her lips beside him to the desk’s surface.

“What, Oh…” His voice trailed off her he picked up the broken shard of the pot, twisting it gently in his fingers and set it down, picking up the cracked one next to examine in the light “I’m so sorry.” He set it down, a hand coming to her shoulder.

Isabela shrugged gently, not to shake it off as she slipped into the chair, pushing the second one out for him. “I…I thought he would have at least…tried to like it.” Her voice wavered, “I thought…he could have understood the time and effort I put into making something like that. Not something so cheap like a bouquet of flowers or petals…” Using her gift had felt cheap and maybe that was Fran rubbing off on her but it felt true that for a gift time and effort showed the value and what they meant to them. Like Mirabel’s designs on her new shirt and re-dyed skirt. People wanted to know they were worth that effort.

It stung.

“Maybe he just…doesn’t get it. He is five after all.” Mateo tried, leaning forwards in his chair “Some kids don’t tend to understand the gravity of a situation or.. a gift. My…Mama once gave my sister when she three a doll that she expected to keep forever…it went straight into her potty.”

Isabela wrinkled her nose. “Luisa did use to try and feed Mirabel my flower petals when we were younger…thought her eating magic petals would give her early magic to go to sleep on command. Baby Mirabel was a grumpy, biting teether.”

It was… an old memory. One of many she had only really recalled after finding a few pictures stashed away of them all. One was back before Tio Bruno left, where Mirabel was still a baby on their Mama’s hip trying to tug on Mama’s hair and sucking her thumb. Luisa was three, attached to their papa’s leg and camera shy. Back when Abuela started to take her under her wing; dressed in a pretty pink dress and little pigtails. Abuela’s pride and joy.

She had kept the family photo and it was next to her bed now.

It was wishful thinking at this point to hope she’d fully get their family back together like this. Their family would never be the same because of her and the family knew it.

Isabela let out a heavy sigh, leaning against his arm. “I still wish Fran was here. It’d be nice to hear her complain.”

Mateo snorted, shifting a little so his arm was wrapped around her shoulders. “She does love complaining… though finding out your 5-year-old cousin broke his birthday gift from you is gonna piss her off a lot. You know Fran would call that out…in public.”

They winced a little, though more for pity for Antonio than Fran’s lectures and Pepa would no doubt be furious at Fran… it wasn’t worth the tension as much as it hurt to know of Antonio’s blatant rebuke. It was Mirabel’s that hurt the most out the both of them.

If she wasn’t going to accept her gift… perhaps it was time to stop and spare herself that hope that Mirabel wanted back as her sister than the shadow of Casita to be avoided. She couldn’t keep hoping for that.

Much like she could hope her mother would come and give her a big hug of comfort, or the look of pride and trust in her Abuela’s face. She still ached for it but she had held back the impulse to show off to her when Isabela knew Abuela would only see risk and hazard in her new plants.

As she had thought before, how could she show Abuela a living, moving plant or potato when she’d clearly hate it? She couldn’t hope for a good reason; she dreaded the idea that Abuela would restrict her gift more for that. It scared her to think about it. It put her impulses into place very quickly.

Isabela swallowed thickly, blinking rapidly to get rid of the wet heat in them but she could feel the rise of emotion was back and harder to squash down again.

“Hey, you’re gone quiet again?” Mateo’s voice echoed, pulling her from the darkening thoughts. “Want to go onto the balcony and have some fresh air?”

Her hand touched his knee as he made to rise, shaking her head at him.

“My family will never be the same.” She whispered. “I kept hoping they’d forgive me and we could move on but…now that I think about it I just…” She hesitated, “they don’t want me.”

Mateo’s eyebrows pulled in, shifting from sitting beside her to kneeling and grasping her hands tightly, thumbs brushing over her knuckles “That’s not true, Isabela. They’re your family.”

“They don’t. My mother hasn’t hugged me since that day…or Abuela. I miss physical affection and love. Mirabel’s not allowed around me and Luisa’s like a shadow…making sure we don’t cross paths. She hates me.” Isabela shook her head. “No gift, mine or ones I give…are wanted. I’m redundant.”

“Look, you are wanted, Isa. Even if you can’t see it.”

Isabela pulled a hand free, to wipe away the tear that had dropped. “It’s Antonio’s birthday… I wasn’t allowed into his room…I can’t be part of the party and… I wasn’t even part of his photo. A family photo…” She jumped to her feet, shifting away from her desk and paces uneasily along the broken pathway. Her heart thumping blood faster through her veins. “No one even noticed, Mateo! I wasn’t there and no one noticed!”

This was no doubt the start of the bad dreams she had been having; being edged out of their lives and this was the start in her reality. Should she try and avoid pictures and see if they continued to forget her? She could take that? Would they miss her?

Mateo’s large hands came to her shoulders, forcing her to a stop. “It’s not your fault, Isa… you’re still part of the family.”

Isabela just scoffed, “Just like how my Tio was part of the family… and now he’s gone and no one talks about him. No one’s allowed to talk about him. What if I’m next?”

Dead or left, she didn’t know. It was a mystery of which was true but… she didn’t know how he had the strength to leave Encanto. Nowhere to go to and everything he had left behind. It was terrifying enough that was…what kept her holding onto hope here.

“You’re not him.”

“No, I’m not. But that doesn’t mean anything. My room has become more like his… more steps in my own tower.” She allowed her feet to guide her from his hands to her wardrobe where she had long since hidden away one of the few things she had asked of her Tio.

From the back of it, she pulled out a wrapped item and dumped it unceremoniously on her bedsheets and unwrapped it and let him look at it though didn’t watch the curiosity and amazement on his face as he picked it up.

It was of her, looking like she was almost dancing in joy amongst the spurts of leaves, pollen and plant life. Lost in a moment of pure creation.

Once upon a time, it had given her hope that she had a bright future in the iron grips of Abuela’s expectations, one more day and maybe the glimmer of this future was there.

Now she looked at it and thinking about it properly…

It wasn’t.

“My Tio said I had a bright future. The life of my dreams with a growth of my abilities.” Isabela’s voice dripped into a seething distaste. “This was me seven weeks ago. He lied to me”

Tio Bruno lied.

Her future was not bright or one of her dreams, she was bound down and her gift, while had grown was not wanted. Her future was not filled with light or anything and now… it was very possible she’d be living her nightmare….

It was terrifying.

Mateo gently placed it down though his expression was soft though she allowed him to pull her into a hug, resting her forehead against his chest but she couldn’t help but sink into his arms a little, visibly aware this was the first time they had ever properly embraced with emotion. He felt…warm. Comforting.

“I just want to be happy.”

His hand rubbed her back. “I…” He started, “I don’t know how to help… but I want to.”

“Please..” her voice was barely above a whisper. “I just need someone.” Her mind didn’t consider any ramifications of what this would mean… but she needed something—anything to feel good. To feel loved… and wanted. It all felt like it was crashing down on her now…

Even for a night, she needed something. From anyone willing to give.

Her hands slipped down to his waistband, a soft tug for her to imply her want from him, listening to the heavy and fast thuds of his heart, though his hands were hesitant as he slipped them to her wait than around her back… it was enough of an answer for her.