・❥・ ch. synopsis: in which two special cases realize they’re much more similar than they thought…
warnings: still 18+ (MNI or be blocked indefinitely) cussing/swearing, AA meetings, alcoholism, mentions of suic*de, kissing, stalking, obsession, hints… hints… hints…! 👀
a.n: hey baby, here’s the first chapter! we’re introducing more characters that’ll play roles here! We’re building up to the crazy and insane trust me 🤭 heed them warnings, I’ll talk to y’all later <3
on the jukebox: ‘Eyes Without a Face’ by Billy Idol ✨
.
“Ledger… I like that. It’s nice to meet you, Ledger”
The man prayed this wasn’t a dream again. With his other hand at his side, he subtly pinched his jean clothed thigh… this was real life.
His other hand still stayed in yours in the cordial handshake, even though his heart skipped a beat when you ran your thumb over the front of his hand.
But this was real, you were real. You were you. The woman in his head, the woman in his dreams, the woman that seemingly stopped Ledger in his dream like state stop doing fuck shit. His savior.
“It’s n-nice to meet you too, Chiara”
You gave him another smile before turning to look at Kurt.
“By any means, this doesn’t have to end. It’s a beautiful day outside and the meeting is over. Let’s head over to Genni’s Creamery, ice cream all on me kids”
You snickered, “kids?”
“Oh absolutely” Kurt smiled brightly, “ask Ledger, he’s been my kid for five years. Too bad he’s too tall for me to beat him like mine, I would’ve did it plenty times—“
Ledger shot Kurt a playful cut to his eyes, a soft threat that had not just Kurt chuckling but Chiara too. What a gorgeous sound that was.
“You say you’ll kill him if he gets close to you, huh, Ledger?” Chiara gently pokes her elbow at Ledger’s side, glancing up at him. Her joke makes the man blush softly and laugh.
“Hey, I’ve been tryna tell him to leave me alone”
She giggles again and turns toward the older gentleman.
“Genni’s Creamery you say? They got butter pecan?”
That’s how Ledger Ward learned what your favorite flavor of ice cream was. You sat beside him at the circle table, the cold custard in a signature paper bowl with a pink plastic spoon.
The wind flowed softly throughout the decently occupied outside seating area. The bluest sky and prettiest clouds raving about.
“I have to say, I don’t think I’ve had ice cream better than Genni’s”
“Oh yeah, nothing beats this spot. You from here, Chiara?” Kurt inquires, taking a spoonful of his cookies and cream.
“Born here, did elementary school and middle school here. Some high school but my parents moved us away in the middle of sophomore year. Just a few hours up North from the city and I’ve been there ever since”
Kurt and Ledger nodded, actively listening.
“I’ve um… I’ve been back here only twice and tried living here, it just wasn’t for me.. at least at the time, you know?”
Finally, Ledger Ward opened his mouth to you since you sat down.
“What made you come back?”
It was a question that easily had your heart both racing at mass speed or sinking to the deepest parts of your body.
“Well.. my parents died and me being an only child, I didn’t have a proper sense of navigation afterwards. I tried to make friends in school, it never worked. Dating sucked. There was a sense of community here that I knew I could lean on to get me through my sobriety”
Right now, Ledger didn’t care much for the custard in his cup. With the beaming sun, he knew it was melting. But he didn’t care.
He had you in front of him, nothing else mattered at all.
“I think that’s the best part about what you do, Kurt and I knew I made the right choice reaching out to you. So thank you again, I really appreciate you for welcoming me”
Kurt sent a wink of gratitude, “hey, you’re one of my kids now, I gotta look after you—“
You suddenly bursted out in a laugh, “oh, please, enough with this ‘kids’ shit—“
“C’mon, Chiara, get with it! I’m doing what I do with my actual kids, I take ‘em for ice cream all the time, you’re only proving my point”
You and Kurt continued to joke, the sound of your laugh unconsciously made Ledger smile despite his mental disassociation. It was just hard to believe that you were really real.
Even more when you were taking him by the wrist just before he sat in his rusty orange truck, the door open and waiting on him. Your eyes dazzled in the setting sunlight.
“Hey, I hope this isn’t weird but would you want to come over to my house tomorrow? For coffee? I make a really good French Roast I’ve been told”
You dropped his wrist and crossed your arms, tugging more on your cardigan as you awaited his response.
“O-or not, I totally understand not wanting to because you don’t know me. Or we can sit down somewhere if that would make you more comfortable. I just— I would love to get to know you more. You seem really nice”
Ledger blinked and before he knew it, he was already nodding.
“E-either one works for me.. I don’t mind”
You grinned, “great! I got your number from Kurt so I’ll text you my address”
He didn’t need it. You texted him anyways but he didn’t need it. Thankfully the route you took home was on the way to Ledger’s anyways, purposefully mixing himself deep in traffic to throw off his scent was smart.
He watched your car take a turn into a casual residential neighborhood while he kept straight, he didn’t have to think much about it.
Parking his car an entire block away, Ledger Ward couldn’t help himself. He tossed on a baseball cap and a black hoodie, and hopped out on foot until he found what he was looking for… or who.
You should’ve closed your living room curtains by now, the sun had already gone down. It was easy for Ledger to blend in with the thick oak in your backyard.
You dressed in a silk nightgown that touched your ankles, your hair pinned back in a clip. You looked serene and relaxed..
You’d gotten comfortable in your reading chair with a book in your lap and a warm cup of peppermint tea. You were so fucking gorgeous… Even this far away…
.
“I’m telling you, Kurt, she’s her, Chiara is the woman in my dreams”
“The woman in your dreams or of your dreams?”
Ledger rolled his eyes as he paced around his bedroom. His clean bedroom of his finally clean house. He’d chosen to have coffee at Chiara’s this morning in the next hour.
But after returning from your backyard, you were all he thought about. He had to be in your space fully, not just on the outside.
But then he dreamed about you again, the feelings didn’t shake after he woke up.
The nostalgia made him nauseated, he was drawn to you somehow but trying to figure it out was making his head hurt. Kurt made for a great confidant.
“Can you be serious for a second, please?” Ledger grumbled, grabbing his body towel and tossing it over his shoulder. He began rummaging through his dresser and closet to create an outfit.
“Okay, okay, I’ll be serious— I’m serious, my bad. I appreciate your vulnerability and even coming to me about this. So she’s the woman, okay. Well this has to mean something, right?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. This feels like more than deja vu, it’s like I’m supposed to know her— we’re supposed to know each other. But every time I try to think about it, I get a headache”
Kurt, on the other side of the phone and physically sitting at home, genuinely looked intrigued.
“Huh… that’s really interesting, Ledge. I don’t doubt that it could be something there but regardless, I can tell that you have a crush on her and I think it’s cute. Not only do I think it’s cute but I think you should go for it, man”
Ledger only sighed, having finally thrown down enough shirts and pants on plastic hangers on his bed. He stood before the bed and looked over the items, mentally pairing pieces together.
“You think so?”
“I know so” Kurt continued, “it’s about time you got your spark back in ways other than staring down a bottle. Plus from what I can tell about Chiara, she seems level headed and.. calm. You’re quite the fire, Ledge, and I think she can cool you down”
Khaki cargos with the olive green Henley and a regular jacket. Good.
Ledger sighed once more as he took in Kurt’s words. He also took in the time on his phone, 9:30 AM, he’s supposed to be at Chiara’s at 10.
That’s what had him politely hanging up on Kurt and trekking towards his bathroom. But as he made his way there, something caught his peripheral.
A single print out, photo image taped on his mirror glimmered in the sunlight. More than usual. Ledger strolled over to it.
It was a selfie of him and Scotty. One of the last photos of them together before he died. Him and Scotty in Scotty’s car; both men smiling happily.
And suddenly when Ledger blinked, he was taken back to that fateful night.
The smell of gas and burning rubber, the sound of Scotty’s car alarm going off, and even with his eyes closed, Ledger could see the flickering of his headlights.
When he opened his eyes, he saw the dirt ground and grass. His body felt heavy and achy all over. He barely looked to his right but could see Scotty lying haphazardly on the ground as well.
Alive at least.
Through his blurry vision, Ledger could make out Scotty trying to move his limbs. The slow rise and fall of his chest. And then finally a groan into the air.
“L-Ledge— w-where are y-you, buddy?” Scotty shakily asked. But Ledger felt he couldn’t talk at all.
He readied himself to respond but suddenly the sight of heavy boots walked into his peripheral frame, walking towards Scotty.
“H-Hey, w-what’re you doi—“
Ledger Ward blinked and he was back in his bedroom. The photo still before him on his mirror.
.
“You didn’t have to bring me anything, y’know? You just met me… yesterday?”
Ledger liked the teasing edge in your tone as he walked further into your home. He shoes off and watching you cradle a bouquet of lilies and a bag of French toast coffee beans.
He also liked the fact that your smile never left your lips either.
He shrugged, also smiling, “my mother always taught me to never show up to a guest’s house empty handed. I just hope I got you right with the lilies”
Ledger watched you begin to put the flowers in a vase full of water, spreading them fuller throughout the vase.
You looked at him over your shoulder, “I do have a favorite flower and something tells me you’ll learn it soon enough”.
What did you mean?
You sent him a wink. You grabbed a mug of topped off a warm brew, beginning to prepare Ledger a cup. There was a soft silence as you worked, something so domestic too. Enough to make Ledger’s heart race. Just you and him in your kitchen, the comforting smell of coffee in the air between you two.
Once you were finished, you approached him with the mug extended out to him. “Coffee?”
The man smiled and peered down at you, gratefully taking the mug with both hands. Your hands brushed against each other’s with the exchange, the small moment between you two felt too charged to notice each other blushing.
“Thank you” Ledger muttered and carefully took a sip, noting the steam coming from the mug. The tastebuds blossomed on his tongue, satisfaction rising on Ledger’s pretty face.
“Wow.. you weren’t kidding..”
You giggled, “I never lie! I’ve got a potful so help yourself whenever you want but c’mon, I wanna know what you like”
It didn’t take multiple cups of coffee for you and Ledger to spill each other’s guts. No matter how much either of you mentally promised to stay like a closed book.
But you’d proven yourself so warm and trustworthy, it was easy for Ledger to be a bit expressive. To laugh a little more, to joke, to smile, to relax.
Likewise to you, Ledger actually listened and cared about what you had to say. That was important. He didn’t talk over you or try to minimize the things you had to say.
Maybe that’s why it was easy to open up to him. He sat on your couch with you but at a respectful distance.
“Can I ask you something?” Ledger gently pried, his coffee mug on the coffee table, empty and next to yours.
“Anything you want”
“Yesterday I asked you what it was that had you coming back here after some time.. I could be wrong but I feel like there was more you wanted to say? But maybe Kurt being there stopped all of it from coming out. So if you’re comfortable, what’s really got you coming back?”
You smiled cordially, your beautiful brown eyes holding onto Ledger’s greenish hazels. Your body leaned against the cushions of your crème colored couch.
“I almost died”
There was a soft shake to your voice. He could feel your strength and the fact that you were trying to keep it together.
“My best friend found me the drunkest I’ve ever been in my entire life and at my lowest because of my boyfriend at the time… I wanted to die, Ledger, to put it plainly. I wanted to kill myself genuinely”
Ledger nodded understandingly, he pushed out an aura of comfort and warmth around you that he prayed you noticed. You deserved to be heard.
“I’m sorry, Chiara” He murmured.
Your smile was sad, “It’s okay. I’d never felt that strongly for someone.. nor had I felt rejection like that at the time.. from him, you know? I actually passed out in her arms and she—“
You suddenly began laughing, Ledger could see your brain working as you processed the memory, like it happened yesterday.
“— my best friend, Michelle, panicked and slapped me so hard it woke me up.. all just to stick her fingers down my throat to get me to vomit.. and thank God for her, she took me away to her house for a month to try to help me get clean”
Ledger couldn’t help but to smile at the disposition. Michelle seemed sweet and caring, like someone to have in your corner. She sounded like—
“Sounds like anyone in your life with your journey?”
Chiara observed the man before her who went closed mouthed before nodding softly.
“My best friend Scotty” he breathed out, “he uh, he died.. in a car wreck and I was with him in the car. His death was the reason I started drinking”
You couldn’t help yourself from reaching out and taking one of Ledger’s hands. You held his hand by his digits with both of your hands, caressing his skin.
“My god, Ledger, ‘m so sorry”
His sad smile mirrored yours from earlier, he shrugged, “Kurt says I struggle with survivor’s guilt and I still do from time to time… Scotty meant more than the world, losing him didn’t prepare me for this kind of hurt”
A stray tear burned in Ledger’s eye and slipped down his cheek before he even realized it. You were cupping his cheek and thumbing away the wetness before you even realized it.
That’s also how the both of you registered how physically close you’d gotten.
“I know the feeling”
Ledger raised his eyebrows, awaiting more from you.
“Remember when I said my boyfriend was murdered? That was the same boyfriend I almost killed myself over that night. He was still someone very special to me despite our differences and the bullshit he put me through.. a part of me hoped that we’d just work it out, y’know? Not for him to die on me”
You chuckled pathetically, also feeling that familiar burn in your throat. Ledger could sense it, you didn’t need to cry like him to see that you were hurting still.
A shaky, heavy hand of his reached out and found your clothed back, caressing it up and down.
“I guess you could say I’ve got some survivor’s guilt too.. it wasn’t supposed to be him but things go how they go in life, I guess”
Neither of you said anything after that nor did you pull away from one another’s touches. Your thumb absentmindedly caressed the cheekbone in his face while his hand on your back moved in circles.
“Can I ask you something now?” You said to him after a minute.
“Anything” Ledger smiled. But had he known your next question, he’d wished you didn’t ask it.
“We’ve never met before, right? You look really familiar to me.. like I’ve seen you before..”
Ledger hid his gulp surprisingly well for how close you’d gotten to him.
He hoped you didn’t hear the fact that his heart had upped a beat.. or the blood rushing in his ears. He also hoped that his face didn’t give anything away.
He smiled softly and shook his head, trying to keep his composure. “N-not that I know of? But.. if I’m not too forward, I’d love for us to get familiar”
Internally, Ledger cringed at this attempt to flirt. It’s been a long.. long time. But when you giggled, he didn’t feel as embarrassed.
You giggled and used your knee in the couch cushion to leverage yourself up.. way into Ledger’s personal space.
You really couldn’t help yourself either.
One hand on his face, the other on his clothed bicep, you placed a soft kiss to his lips. The kiss itself was simple and gentle, your mouths fully immersed within each other without doing too much. Ledger still held onto your back.
When you pulled back to look at him, your smiles of contentment matched. His greenish hazels looked relaxed.
“I’d love that”
“Me too”
.
“You kissed him?!”
“I know, ‘Chel—“
“Chiara—“
“Michelle, I know but I really couldn’t help myself”
You pushed the grocery cart along side her, speaking in a hushed tone as you entered the produce section. You’d parked your cart and walked over to grab some oranges.
Michelle Cassidy was right beside you with a produce bag, grabbing a carton of blueberries.
“What do you mean you couldn’t help yourself? In all of the years I’ve known you, Chi, when has discretion and discernment been an issue?”
You suddenly gave her a look, Michelle rolled her eyes, “besides that night, I told you we stop bringing that up, girl”
You shrugged and moved around the area, now grabbing apples.
“Seriously though, Chiara, you’ve got to be more careful. You kissed him, okay, you can’t take it back, but what about afterwards? You have to think about the things you’re doing”
You quietly kissed your teeth as you grabbed more fruit and shoved it in your produce bag.
Michelle Cassidy was only two years older than you but she had the spirit of your dead mother, it was a blessing and a curse. Sometimes you needed a best friend, not your mom in moments like these.
“Well Michelle, if you’re worried that I’m going to fuck him the next time we see each other, then don’t. You can trust that my discernment is good for that”
Michelle rolled her eyes, chuckling. You laughed but there was a hint of bitterness behind it, you couldn’t help but to be a bit irritated.
“Girl, no.. or yes, it’s your life! I just want you to be safe and happy, that’s all. I know you haven’t been active or dating, y’know? I know you’re taking it easy since—“
You softly cut your eyes at Michelle making her stop mid sentence. Her beautiful brown, doe eyes softened at you. She rounded the corner until she was planted in front of you. She placed her produce bag in the cart and took both of your hands into hers.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to go there and offend you. You know I always want the best for you, Chi, I never want to see you hurt, ever. You’re my best friend and I love you”
She squeezed your hands.
“Can you forgive me?”
Michelle’s smile was soft and prying, teasing to get you to cave because she knew you would. The longest you’d ever stayed mad at Michelle for something was three days, it was hard to do so.
But it was frustrating because there were times where Michelle never gave you room to be upset at her or feel your emotions. She wanted it over and done with.
And you didn’t wanna fight. So you caved like you always did.
“I forgive you”
She squealed happily and circled your neck with her arms, swaying your body in a hug, pulling back to kiss your cheek.
“Good! Good good good because I want you to come out with me tonight to meet someone special. There’s a game on tonight and my guy’s got us first seats at the bar top with food and mocktails”
You eyed her inquisitively, “and who is this guy?”
.
“Roman, this is my best friend Chiara. Chiara, this is the guy I’ve been telling you about, owner of this amazing ass bar!”
Roman chuckled, “part owner with my best friend, I’m just taking over full time until he returns. It’s nice to meet you, Chiara”
You shook Roman’s hand and gave him a cordial smile, “likewise. Nice place you’ve got here. What’s on the menu for the game tonight?”
You and Michelle sat in the first two seats of the bar top at Ward’s with comped appetizers, your mocktails or choice, and the TV displaying a recent sack of the opposition’s QB. The both of you cheered.
The bar was decently packed out, the bar top filled with others excited at the football game. Roman stood before the both of you also watching the game, cleaning and shining glasses.
“We’re so close to a touchdown, I can fucking taste it” You muttered, grabbing a boneless chicken wing and dipping it in your ranch dressing, taking a bite.
“Shit I hope so. We keep sacking this QB so he can’t make a play. If we can just get the ball back with us, I think we got it”
You blew out a breath, “but will we actually do it though? Our boys be getting nervous, Chel. I can tell they wanna win but they can’t calm down for a fuck thing”
Michelle patted your knee and forked a loaded potato wedge past her lined, glossed lips. You took another bite of your wing and grabbed your fruity drink, the refreshing taste flowed past your throat and settled in your stomach.
“I don’t see mocktails on your menu, Roman and I’m sure Michelle told you about my situation so thank you for accommodating me. This drink is great”
Roman also smiles cordially and waved you off, “anything for my girl’s best friend, we’re all family here”
“Awwh, you’re sweet, baby” Michelle leaned over the bar top to meet Roman halfway for a kiss.
You groaned playfully and loudly, Roman and Michelle chuckled.
“Uh oh, not you over there hatin’, we can’t have that tonight” Michelle laughed again and wrapped an arm around your neck, bringing you into her side. You shoved a fry in your mouth.
“You’re single?” Roman inquired, “respectfully asking, of course”
You nodded, “for about three years now but it’s okay, I was joking truly, I’m not looking to date right now”
Roman nodded understandably, “I get that. But just know, I got a buddy for you if y’all ever wanted to hang out together”
You opened your mouth to speak but Michelle was faster.
“Or what about the four of us? The state fair’s next weekend, we can all go and hang out!” Michelle turned to you, “that’d be so fun, right? We can all ride in together, eat some food, play some games, and it’ll be totally safe”
Apprehension wore your face, the nerves beginning to eat at you almost immediately. Michelle met you at a look of understanding. Her voice dropped down to a whisper.
“This doesn’t have to mean anything with the friend and if you start to hate it, let me know and we’ll leave together, you have my word”
Still you were nervous.
“Look at how relaxed you were tonight, Chi. Let’s keep having fun together”
You peered more into Michelle and her pleading eyes before sighing.
.
‘Hey man. I know it’s been a while but I miss you! Let’s hang out, no drinks, no mess. I’m picking you up in an hour!’
Ledger stared at the text from Roman freshly out of the shower, a soft frown on his face.
It was a fresh weekend with Ledger planning on staying inside for the entirety of it but when his phone vibrated, he had to see what was going on.
The invite was semi out of the blue only because Roman was never this overt.
Something was up.
“Whaddya got going on tonight, Ledger?” Kurt Peterson called out from the speakerphone ten minutes later.
“Apparently I’m going out with Roman tonight, he texted me an hour ago. You know Roman.. can’t ever tell him no”
Kurt applauded, “hey now, good for you! You’re getting back outside, that’s great! One step at a time, Ledge, that’s all that matters”
Ledger hummed as he stood in front of his mirror, dousing himself in cologne. “If you say so, lord knows I’d rather be at home”
“I know that’s why I’m glad you’re not doing that. Get outside, get some air, get some sun before it goes down— that shit helps! I’m not saying it’s gonna cure your sobriety but it’s going to show you that there’s more to life than the bottle”
Except Ledger was already starting to feel that way.
He couldn’t get you kissing him out of his head.. so much that he returned to your oak tree during different times of the night.
He had to be near you again, he had to see you, he had to feel something. Life was already starting to feel worth it.
“Like I was saying the other day, I think you deserve to explore your freedom again. I know you haven’t done anything serious since Kenna’s death—“
Ledger quietly hissed, feeling his body go through coldest it’s gone in a while. More cold than whenever he thought about Scotty.
Sure, he spoke about Kenna the last time he saw Kurt but it was a trigger every time he heard her name.
“— which speaking of, I know her death anniversary is coming up… that reminds me, I need to send her folks some flowers and make something for little Diem..”
A sense of heat clouded over Ledger to where you’d think he was wearing 50 layers of clothes. Sweaty palms and a small sense of paranoia climbing on his back.
“Have you heard from her parents lately?”
An overwhelming second passed where Ledger couldn’t speak nor did he want to. A dry mouth and throat, he swallowed hard. Opening his mouth to try to speak, a loud honk outside of his apartment sounded followed by.
“Yo, Ledger! Come on out!”
Roman. Thank God.
“Hey Kurt, Roman’s outside for me, I gotta go. I’ll get up with you later”
Ledger quickly hung up before Kurt could even get a word in, he shoved his phone in his dark denim clad pocket.
Grabbing a jacket and his necessities, Ledger made his way outside. Roman sat parked outside, his Ford truck with tinted windows and the hazards on.
He approached the passenger side door but stopped when the window rolled down, revealing a woman he didn’t recognize.
“Oh— hey, I’m Ledger”
The woman waved, smiling. “I’m Michelle, Roman’s girlfriend”
Roman leaned over with a grin, “get in the back, playboy”
He should’ve known Roman was up to something. Ledger thought nothing when he opened Michelle’s side of the back door, the car lights turned on, revealing you sitting behind Roman.
Ledger’s heart sank when your eyes met, as did yours.
Je n'ai plus aucun espoir, un nouveau coup du sort pourrait me faire chuter / I’m all out of hope, one more bad break could bring a fall.. 🖤
・❥・ ch. synopsis: in which Ledger is forced to identify his demons.
warnings for this part: still 18+ (MNI or be blocked indefinitely) cussing/swearing, AA meetings, alcoholism, verbal berating, smut/brief hookup, and that’s it!
a.n: here we go, my loves ✨ I’m excited to bring this to y’all fr. One of y’all has more tea on this story than others — NOONY — but it’s okay, just stay along for the ride 😌 heed these warnings and all warnings going forward! enjoyyy 😚
CHIARA is pronounced kee-r-uh
on the jukebox: ‘Eyes Without a Face’ by billy idol ✨
.
What does it mean to dream? What does it mean to have? What does it mean to feel?
“Tell me about these dreams, Ledger”
“I mean.. it’ll start the same if not worse..”
.
“It is both my greatest honor and joy that I am bringing out next and final guest for the night”
The SoFi stadium was packed out on a night that wasn’t two teams competing against one another. Cameras everywhere, publicity, press and media personnel surrounding what they could.
Fans filled the seats like usual, dressed in their supportive gear. On the field, was a gargantuan stage at center mass. On said stage was a silver podium.
The crowds buzzed, both on a content level and fan level. Anticipation rang in the air as they took in the words of the presenter, mister Wyatt John.
“Your next guest is the epitome of resilience, hard work, determination, and dedication to his craft. Dedication to a project when presented to him. Dedication to seeing every single detail through”
Folks cheered, people whistled, cameras flickered, and clicked.
“Ledger Ward gave his life to the sport of football and the corporation that is the NFL. Not just for the monetary aspect when you’re damn good at it—“
People laughed.
“— but for the community, the fanfare, the love of it all. He uplifted teammates, assisted the team with outreach, and generously took his talents back home where he donated to not just schools in the area but his own elementary and middle school football little leagues”
The crowd work was overwhelming. It shook the stage.
“But this is not my story to share nor is it mine to make you understand. I am excited to give the floor to one of the best. Los Angeles please stand and give your best to the incredible Ledger Ward!”
From the curtains in the back, the man of the hour emerged. He dressed himself well— slacks, a simple dress shirt, black shades, and dress shoes. Not to mention, his shimmering, diamond pleated championship ring.
Ledger, with the biggest smile he’d ever known, stepped up. He took in more than the sun that day— the cheers, the cries, the yells, the chants, the smiles, the camera shutters, the everything.
Wyatt’s handshake turned into a hug that Ledger happily accepted. He soon took Wyatt’s place on the podium and peered out to the crowd.
“Thank you! Thank you all so much!”
Upon the quieting crowds, Ledger Ward began pouring his heart out.
He gave the crowd both a memorized, off the dome speech that warmed their hearts through and through. The final words tugged at Ledger, a deep sigh slipping past his lips.
“It is with a deep sadness that i say that I am announcing my retirement and departure from not just this team but this company”
Camera shutters, soft boos, gasps, some moments of quiet silences that you could hear a pin drop.
“But please don’t count this as a loss for myself or the sentiments that I mentioned. I am confident that stars have been built to fill my shoes and take this team higher than I could’ve ever dreamed of. Speaking of dreams, besides being successful like this, my wish was to always be a family man”
A warm, deep smile pulled not just at Ledger’s face but at his heart and soul.
“You all know that I’m married but I am excited to announce that my wife and I are expecting our first family together”
Happy tears blurred his green eyes, a loving crack in his voice as he spoke. Another roar in the audience sounded out, another shake in the stage commenced. Ledger felt the support.
“If y’all wouldn’t mind being this loving, I’ve actually brought my wife with me today—“
Ledger turned towards the curtain.
“—baby, you back there?”
From the back emerged a woman… with no face.
She sauntered out with a wave to the cheering audience, draped in a crème colored sundress, her protruding pregnant belly hugging the fabric. Dark hair pressed out in heated curls that flowed softly through the wind of Los Angeles.
The sunlight hit a piece of gold on her hand, immediately catching Ledger’s loving eyes. He couldn’t stop smiling. He met the woman halfway with loving hands on her stomach and a kiss on her… lips?
A dream.
Eyes closed and feeling it. That was until he opened his eyes. Ledger’s heart sank.
The crowd was still there, he could hear it. But the woman wasn’t— his wife wasn’t. Where she was, Kenna Roman stood. Holding Diem who laid her head on Kenna’s chest. Kenna who wore venom in her eyes.
“You’re a sorry excuse of a man and I wish every person in this crowd could see it”
Ledger frowned, still not quite understanding the sudden change in scenery. He pulled back.
“You don’t deserve this. You don’t deserve for people to clap for you, to cheer for you, to support you.. let alone to love you, Ledger.. that’s why I’m leaving.. and I’m taking Diem”
That probably tore Ledger the worst. Eyes teary but for the wrong reasons, for the saddest reasons. They flickered from Kenna to the baby blonde that snuggled closer to her mother.
“N-No— Kenna, no, please don’t—“
“Why not? So you can sit at home all day and get drunk? And forget about her? Forget about me? You only think about yourself, Ledger. You need to grow up”
Suddenly the scene around Ledger, Kenna, and Diem began to fade and break down. No more bright sunny day at SoFi. No fans, no press, no honorable look ons of those inspired by him.
“You’re a fucking mess and you’re alone”
Soon, Ledger was back at his house. His living room, on his couch. To his right and his left were empty bottles of cheap beer at his feet. His clothes— gone the designer, bring in the tethered, worn out, and dirty.
Kenna still stood before him. Diem still in her arms.
“You’re pathetic, Ledger”
All Ledger could do was look on, the tears in his eyes strayed down his cheeks. He watched her and Diem disappear into nothing.
Heavy emotion clouded and weighed Ledger’s heart, except he couldn’t bring himself to cry any harder than he had before. Instead, he reached at his feet for another beer bottle hoping it was full.
But something stopped him. A voice. Something so angelic, soft, and sweet. A stark difference in tone that said his name alone from Kenna’s distastefulness.
“Ledger”
He tried to ignore but and reach for the bottle.
“Ledger”
He frowned deeply, looking around his living room, only to see no one.
“C’mon, Ledger, wake up. You’re better than that”
The scene around him changed again to complete darkness and that’s when Ledger Ward realized—
His eyes finally opened to the white ceiling before him. The subtle sound of a lawn mower and barking dog somewhere in his neighborhood legitimized to Ledger that he was awake. This wasn’t a dream anymore.
An odd feeling settled in his chest, nothing like it before. Not since Kenna broke up with him.
He sat up and ran a hand down his face, grogginess suffocating him. A look around the room showed that Ledger Ward was a single, lonely, suffering man.
It was probably why Kenna left him. Clothes everywhere, takeout food bags elsewhere, and you could count on some alcohol bottle being on his nightstand.
His digital clock struck 12 PM. But his charging phone showed a clock and then some, a text from the last person he wanted to see.
‘You’re late, Ledge’
.
“Hey everyone, my name is Ledger”
In unison, the supportive group called back: “Hi Ledger”
Ledger Ward knew he was foul for holding up an achievement chip of 30 days sober before a group of struggling addicts knowing he was one himself. Knowing he hadn’t seen 30 days sober in years. Knowing the bottle was his anchor.
“I’m dedicating my 30 days of being sober from alcohol to my best friend Scotty who I think about every day. I loved him like a brother and I know he’s looking down from heaven, guiding me through every day. From this 30 days to the next”
Though his actions were false, the sentiments of his words were true. Scotty’s death was something that Ledger would never be able to reconcile. It just didn’t make sense.
He feigned a proud smile as the small group of 20 cheered for him. All except one. A glare from across the room, so heated that Ledger was determined to ignore.
That was until now.
“I see you got my text. Thank you for coming”
His mentor, Kurt Peterson, said from across the desk in his office. Ledger sat in the chair opposite of him, avoiding his eye contact.
“I can appreciate that, Ledge, I really can. You know what I can’t? Getting up in front of a crowd full of addicts praying on bended knee that they can see 30 days of their demons and lying to their faces. ‘S pretty fucked up, don’t you think?”
Ledger half shrugged, “how would you know, Kurt? I haven’t seen you in… 4 years? And we don’t talk outside of these AA meetings”
Kurt eyed Ledger got a painful, exposing few moments.
“You think I don’t know you and it’s really offensive to me, Ledge, actually. I know you. I promise I’d know when you’re doing better. Not to mention how long I’ve been running this place and when I see a lying addict versus a trying one. You ain’t tryin’, not by a long shot”
Ledger finally slumped, his shoulders dropping. He hung his head in a rightful shame as the same feeling swarmed his chest.
“What’s been going on, huh? ‘S gotta be more than still pickin’ up that bottle because of Scotty. I got you through that, Ledger, I thought you were doing alright”
Ledger stayed silent, he wasn’t ready to open that can of worms. Not about Kenna, not about Diem.
“How’s the bar going? How’s Roman?”
The man sighed, running a hand down his face, “he uh— I um— o-once I realized I was about to spiral, I put him in charge. Made him full time and put me down to part time to t-try and take care of myself..”
Kurt nodded sincerely, his arms folding over his chest. A burn seared in Ledger’s throat, a ball forming. He knew what was coming next and he was quick to stop it.
“You gotta talk to me, Ledge” Kurt mumbled, “last I spoke to you, the bar was your pride and joy. You had boundaries, you knew what it was when it came to drinking, you knew when to stop. You knew what to do whenever a memory of Scotty triggered you. This feels different, this feels new. What’s going on, buddy?”
Ledger glanced up to find that Kurt was already staring at him, stern yet inquisitive. He wasn’t letting Ledger evade anything.
He simply sighed, “she left me”
“Kenna?”
Ledger nodded and Kurt Peterson seemed to finally understand.
“She took Diem knowing Diem was the only person that single-handedly helped me through Scotty’s death at its precipice”
“Diem’s not your kid, Ledge—“
“It doesn’t fucking matter, Kurt, she meant something to me! She meant something to me a-and Kenna took her away from me. S-she knew I was suffering and she left me…”
Tears burned Ledger’s eyes once again, raw and painful. They slid down his cheeks with ease.
His chest felt heavy and sunken, he’d finally admitted the hard part of his feelings out loud to someone that… cared?
“So yeah.. yeah I relapsed, fuckin’ sue me, Kurt”
Ledger shrugged, chuckling darkly.
“I have nothing else to live for and there isn’t much convincing to prove me otherwise… maybe I thought lying about being clean for 30 days would make me feel better about how shitty my life is”
The person before Kurt Peterson broke his heart. This might’ve been worse than the version of Ledger when Scotty died, this Ledger seemingly had nothing to lose.
The light in his greens were starting to fade, his body language was turning sour, and his aura was depleting by the milliseconds.
Nothing to lose.
And somewhere in his soul, Ledger was starting to believe that.
.
So much to lose that it wasn’t just indulging in drinking, it was sex too.
Sometimes it was two women in a day, nothing more than that. Ledger just wanted to feel something.
Much like tonight. He didn’t need to know this woman’s name or anything about her. Her hand felt a little rough in his as he trailed her up his driveway.
From the driveway, into the house, past the living room, into his bedroom where he finally cleaned up. It smelled of cedar and oak, fresh sheets and a duvet on the bed.
Pulling her in between his legs as he sat down, the woman caught the message almost immediately. Their lips met in a heated match, in sync and moving well against each other.
“‘Need this off’a you, pretty boy”
Ledger chuckled, allowing her needy hands to paw off his leather jacket and toss his shirt over his head. He didn’t notice it the first time.
It wasn’t until he had this woman naked and bouncing on his aching cock that he could finally see the look in her eyes.
His hands gripped her hips hard, keeping her steady on him. She cried out and dug her nails into his shoulders, grinding and trying her best to meet his pumps from below.
“Feel so good, sweetheart” Ledger grunted and reached up to grope her breast. The nameless woman bit her lip softly and went to mimic his actions, her hand caressed his skin tight pectoral.
He didn’t notice it.
That was until her hand ghosted over the scar—his scar— that scar. Ledger caught her hand with a quickness, a searing grip at her wrist. She hissed at the contact.
His lust filled eyes suddenly grew cold as he stared up at the woman.
His thrusts still powered, a bit harder, a bit angrily. The switch had been flipped that fast.
“Don’t do that—“
“W-what happened?”
“‘S none of your business, you understand? You were doing so good up to this, don’t fuck it up now”
He slapped at the skin of her asscheek harshly making the woman cry out.
“But—“
Ledger’s patience was plummeting by the seconds. He reached up and grabbed the woman by the throat, bringing her down for a searing kiss. He felt her melt in and relax.
Fucking finally.
Anything if it meant she’d shut the fuck up.
“‘Jus be a good girl and give me this fuckin’ pussy” Ledger heatedly whispered against her lips, “don’t say any—fucking—thing else, just let me take care’a you, yeah?”
He fucked up into her like an animal, absolutely ravishing the poor woman. She whined pathetically and held onto the ride.
It was all she could do.
.
“You’re so fucking worthless, Ledger”
Another nightmare. This time there was no scenic view. No place, no event, nothing. Just a black void and Kenna’s face.
Kenna’s face that stayed with her nose turned up in disgust.
“Look at what you’re doing to yourself, you don’t deserve to be loved.. not after what you did to me.. or Scotty…”
Ledger, alone in bed, tossed and turned; a thin layer of sweat on his forehead.
“Scotty deserves to be here and if I had it my way, I’d trade you for him in a heartbeat. Maybe Diem and I wouldn’t have had to meet you.. had to have you in our lives if Scotty didn’t die”
There was a certain rise and fall of Ledger’s chest that grew unstable, he was getting angry. Angry, emotional, upset.
But similarly to the last time Kenna made a distasteful appearance, he watched her open her mouth to speak but she was halted.
In the same instance, Ledger felt a pressure on his chest. Except it wasn’t a heavy, uncomfortable pressure.
In fact, it was the complete opposite. Soft, gentle, reassuring, and loving.
Even in a dream state, Ledger could feel his body relax. He watched Kenna’s face disappear. The sound of a voice in his ear, had her face leaving even faster.
“Sleep, Ledger” the hand pressed firmer, “just go to sleep..”
Just like magic or something. He took one more breath before allowing himself complete release, plunging himself back to what was taken from him.
.
“Can I trust you not to judge me if i tell you this?”
Kurt Peterson chuckled as he shuffled his paperwork, aimlessly moving around his office. Ledger stood somewhere within the office space, arms crossed.
“Don’t laugh, just answer—“
“Well excuse my reaction of a very stupid question. Respectfully. Ledger, have I not seen you on the verge of losing your goddamn mind?”
“I mean, yes but—“
“Then that answers your question. From top to bottom, let’s go— I’m working but I’m listening— you’ve been having these dreams since Monday— okay. What’s so weird about ‘em that you’re asking about trust? Are you having sex in these dreams?”
Ledger hissed out and waved off Kurt, “No, Kurt, Jesus!”
“Okay great, not sure if wanted to know that. What else is going on?”
Ledger’s sigh is deep from his chest and enough to have Kurt glance over his shoulder.
“I mean.. it’ll start the same if not worse. The first few times, I’ll be somewhere, there will be a time and a place and it gets ruined. As of last night, it was just a… void. Complete black, darkness. All I saw was Kenna. With the first dream, it was Kenna and Diem… I think that might’ve been worse”
Kurt nods, still doing his own thing. Eventually, he sits down at his desk while Ledger still stands.
“I mean, the words don’t feel good”
“She talks to you in your dreams?” Ledger nods, “what does she say?”
“What doesn’t she say? She fucking hates me which is weird because she wasn’t like that when we were together… to her, I’m a good for nothing, broke ass drunk with nothing going for myself.. last night she said I was better off trading places with Scotty”
Kurt hissed.
“Shit, sounds pretty harsh.. you don’t believe that, do you?”
Ledger shrugs, “I don’t know what to believe, anymore, Kurt… and then, I’m getting woken up from these nightmares by a voice of a woman I’ve never heard in my life… she’s fucking saying my name Kurt, she’s addressing me in my dreams. By name”
That has Kurt frowning and leaning forward in his chair.
“Only heard? Have you seen this woman in these dreams?”
Ledger shook his head, a sigh releasing from him.
“The weird thing? It.. it doesn’t bother me”
Kurt watched Ledger physically relax a little.
“Her voice calms me down and makes me forget that Kenna was there in the first place. In fact, in one dream, the more she spoke, the more Kenna disappeared…. Couldn’t sleep for shit last night because of the nightmare I had.. I heard her voice and I actually slept”
The look on Kurt’s face was indescribable to Ledger, he wasn’t sure if Kurt was really understanding him or if Kurt was planning on having the man committed.
After a moment, he finally opened his mouth.
“H-how does this woman’s voice make you feel? When you hear it?”
Ledger took a beat, “seen”
.
After their one on one, it was time for the huddle. Retreating from his office and approaching the main room, Ledger’s eyes caught sight of the back of a dark haired woman.
A pang of familiarity.. a deja vu like feeling hit him square in the chest.
If that wasn’t enough, it was her beauty when she turned around and took a seated chair in the circle. A seated chair across from him.
She sat with a small smile on her face, arms crossed, a feeling of inwardness that Ledger recognized. She was a bit introverted and awkward. A crème cardigan decorating her arms, long enough to drape to the floor.
Dark hair? Draped in crème? Like his dream…
If that wasn’t enough, it was when she spoke. Kurt warmly stood before the group and introduced her.
“Friends, we have a new face among us and I ask you to do what you do best: make her feel more than welcomed. Folks, give a warm hand for Chiara”
She stood and smiled, quietly thanking Kurt as he took his seat next to Ledger.
“She’s got quite the story, Ledge” He whispered.
Quite the story indeed.
“Hi all, my name is Chiara Elaine Batiste”
“Hi Chiara”
She smiled.
“I’m here because I turned to alcohol when I shouldn’t have but at the time, it made the most sense and it felt like all I had. My boyfriend was killed but prior to his death, I was pregnant and had suffered a miscarriage during that. I was already grieving that loss then he left me forever about two months after that so it became far too much to bear”
Your composure was strong despite such tragic circumstances that you were describing. It had Ledger hooked and tuned in.
You stood tall, playing with your fingers but examining all of the faces in the crowd… including Ledger’s.
“The more I learn about myself, the more I learn that I’m tougher and stronger than the days where I’ve wanted to fall in. The alcohol had me weak and so dependent, and that’s not me. Nothing holds me down and keeps me small, nothing or nobody. The moment I felt myself start to slip, I reached out to Kurt and he got me roped in”
Chiara smiled over at Kurt in gratitude.
“I’m excited to be here and to keep proving that I’m the survivor, the fighter, and the winner in all of my stories. Thank you”
When everyone clapped, Ledger made sure he clapped the loudest. Or at least made sure you knew you were supported. He’d give you a standing ovation if you asked.
If not that, he was eager to approach you when Kurt offered it. Time felt slowed as Ledger walked closer and closer to you, you were grabbing a cup of water from the coffee bar.
When you saw the two men approach, you smiled. With your lips and the gentleness carried in your eyes.
“Chiara, I want you to meet someone”
Her browns locked on Ledger’s greens, he’d already been looking at her.
“Chiara, this is Ledger Ward. Ledger meet Chiara”
If it wasn’t your physical appearance that struck deja vu gold to Ledger, it was when you parted your lips after slipping your hand into his and shaking.
“Ledger… I like that. It’s nice to meet you, Ledger”
His heart plummeted and it felt like someone dumped ice all over him. This couldn’t be real.
s/o to my frenn @loreofsarai for tagging me! 👯♀️💕
Rules: Make a new post with the names of all the files in your WIP folder. People send an ask with the title that most intrigues them, then tell them something about it!
Let Me In - ledger ward x oc
Million Days - jackson brooks x oc x terry richmond
Feature Me - cameron cade x oc
Sanctuary - terry richmond x oc
Daughter - smokestack twins x oc
no pressure tags just in case yall wanna ask some questions 🫶🏽: @loreofsarai @keyaho @sofia-da-1st @n0r4sarchive @stupors888 @bigbootymalo @nubiagurllll @plan3tch1ld @capricornrizingheaux @mamasturn @blckblossom
@capricornrizingheaux gonna answer your comment up here <3
sooo I've been working on (aka writing and rewriting 50 million times) Sanctuary since late 2024 😭. It started off as a fic for a wrestler I no longer support, so I switched it to terry richmond! My oc, Azure, moves states 4 years after her husband dies on duty. She's navigating her grief and a new stage in her life when she meets Terry, a single father also navigating the loss of his brother. It's a little heavy but it's all about learning how to love while starting to live life again. This story is honestly my babyyy, and its the second story in my lil universe. (feature me is first, then sanctuary, then daughter)
million days came from a reminders of him press tour tiktok that tyriq did. the one where he was answering this or that:book tropes and I was thinking about terry the same day and i was like why not both? so I took a little bit from what he said, put my own lil spin on it and voila! a love triangle between childhood best friends. it was originally supposed to be a ledger fic, but tyriq decided to hop on quinn and I liked the idea of a fine ass special agent and a fine ass former marine fighting over a beautiful black woman 🤏🏽
I'm sat for anything you decide to drop✨️ Both stories sound like good stuff🤏🏾🤏🏾🤏🏾 But after these breakdowns, I'm extra intrigued with Sanctuary! There's a Terry Richmond/Aaron Pierre drought on here, and I'm siccckk about it 😭 Pls tag me when you start dropping the fics! <3
by CLICKING THE SOURCE LINK of this post, you will be redirected to #689 gifs of TYRIQ WITHERS (1998) in REMINDERS OF HIM as ledger ward. please reblog if editing/using in any way.
jackson brooks x oc (kori daniels) x terry richmond
warnings: surpriiiise shawty, none for now.
The knock caught her off guard.
Kori hadn’t been expecting anyone. Not this early, and for damn sure, not unannounced. For a second, she stood in the quiet of the house, brush still in hand, paint drying in uneven strokes across the canvas behind her. The sound came again, firmer this time, echoing faintly through the familiar walls she had never quite gotten used to calling hers alone. She wiped her hands quickly against an old rag, barely glancing at the streaks left behind before crossing the room and pulling the door open.
Jackson Brooks stood on the other side of the threshold. His buzz cut was sharper in person, framing a face she knew too well and not well enough anymore. Kori could only stare at him, caught amidst recognition and disbelief. He looked like he didn’t belong there, like the world he came from hadn’t fully let him go, but his eyes… his eyes were the same. Warm. Locked on hers.
“Kori?” his voice was barely above a whisper.
Her name settled into her chest immediately, loosening a knot she hadn’t realized had been bound so tightly. “Jackson…” It came out softer than she meant it to. She stepped forward without thinking, the screen door shifting slightly with the movement, like she needed to close the distance just enough to believe he was actually standing there. “What are you doing here?”
“I was…” he started, glancing briefly past her into the house, confusion flickering across his expression as he took in the space. “I thought your parents-”
“They moved,” she said gently, the words coming easier than the feeling behind them. “A while ago. They’re in a senior community now, I’m…” She hesitated, then gave a small, almost self-conscious smile. “I’m here now.”
Something about that seemed to settle and unsettle him at the same time.
“Baby?”
The voice came from behind her and the moment shifted.
Terry Richmond stepped into view just over her shoulder, his presence filling the doorway instantly. He moved without hesitation, one hand brushing lightly against her back as he came to stand beside her, his gaze landing on Jackson. Kori felt the contact instantly, familiar and steady, and she leaned into it without thinking, just enough to anchor herself as everything else tilted.
“Hey,” she said, blinking once as she glanced between them, reality settling back into place in pieces. “Jackson, this is Terry.” Her voice steadied as she spoke, even if the beating in her chest hadn’t quite caught up. “Terry, this is Jackson. We,” She paused, the history too big to fit cleanly into a sentence. “We grew up together.”
Terry extended his hand first. Jackson took it, the exchange brief but solid.
And standing there in the doorway of a house that held every version of who she used to be, Kori became suddenly, painfully aware of the space between who she had been and who was standing in front of her now.
-
a/n: what they say in the road to el dorado? 🤭
taglist (lmk if you wanna be taken off if this one!): @loreofsarai @keyaho @sofia-da-1st @n0r4sarchive @stupors888 @bigbootymalo
Pairing: Tyriq Withers x Selah Andrews
Summary: It's been 7 years since Selah was in a relationship. Now, 7 years later, Selah is exploring the phases of intimacy with a new lover.
Warnings: 18+ sexual themes and situations, and mild language.
The Phases: Phase 1
WC: 3183
Note: Be nice and engage!
Weekly date nights were non-negotiable. A ritual to satisfy Eros to ensure their love would survive the twists and turns of life. A time to shut out the demands of the outside world and cocoon themselves in each other without distraction.
It began how it usually did. He arrived at her door—fifteen minutes early, as usual—with new flowers to accompany the overflow of tulips on her dining room table, and a smile and gentlemanly charm that made her knees buckle and her stomach leap with glee.
She shouldn’t have been surprised. He’d been perfect since day one—and since making their relationship official just shy of four months ago, he continued to prove himself worthy of her attention and adoration.
Yet, it was different from what it had always been. A deeper attentiveness to her needs. Whether it was when she eyed her water level and asked for a refill. Or remembering her preference to soak her silverware in boiling water, a nice ceramic mug waited for them on their arrival. Perhaps it was as simple as giving her his napkin once hers hit the floor.
Maybe time did that to a person. Made them hypersensitive to the desires that nestled themselves deep under selflessness and fear of being too much, too soon. She didn’t know.
Selah should’ve known better than to get so deeply into her head at a perfectly planned dinner with her perfect man that she still wasn’t sure how she was blessed with. But when she heard his laugh, hearty and straight from the belly, she was sucked back in. She smiled.
It was a nice restaurant. Small and dimly lit with soft jazz from a live band playing in the background. The food was delicious—her steak was cooked to perfection, mashed potatoes whipped better than Willow Smith’s hair, and roasted broccoli with the perfect crunch.
Not to forget the company she was blessed to keep. He kept her on her toes—asking thoughtful questions, praising her for what she’d consider the bare minimum, making her laugh so hard she thought wine would come out of her nose.
“I have a question...suggestion—however you receive it,” he said once her laughter subsided to a gentle sigh. Her fingers cupped the base of the wine glass, and she swirled one, two, three times before raising her eyebrow in anticipation.
He leaned back; his long arm tossed lazily across the back of the neighboring one. His knee brushed against hers. The slender stem of her heel grazed against his calf in response. His lip quipped. “Stay with me tonight.”
Record scratch.
She blinked, unsure if she’d heard him right. Suddenly, the wine seemed more interesting than him. The words hung in the air like perfume—sweet, lingering, and slightly overwhelming. Stay with me tonight. It hadn’t been the first time he invited her into his space, but it was the first time it felt like a question with layers.
She’d come over in the morning for breakfast. Maybe stop by to drop off lunch when he worked from home. Perhaps she’d stay while he wined and dined her after a long day. But never did she stay overnight.
She tilted her head and pushed her glasses further upon her nose. “You’ll see me tomorrow.”
He hummed and nodded, slow and sure. “Even more of a reason for you to stay.”
Her heart thudded, once, then twice. Loud and boisterous in her ears. He could see her thinking—could hear the well-oiled gears turning behind her eyes. So, he softened, leaned in just enough to know he wasn’t pressing.
“But only if you want.”
She felt like Alice. The rabbit hole opened.
Her lips parted, but no words came. Stuck. She felt stuck. Her jaw had been locked and wired shut, like her brain forbade her from permitting herself to enjoy what the night could bring. So, she did all she could do without alarming him—smile and nod.
God, he looked at her like she hung the moon and the stars—with pure adoration.
Soon, she was home. Standing in front of the suitcase that hadn’t moved, but taunted her all the same. Should she bring her bonnet? Of course. Her hair would be frizzy if she didn’t. Oh! Her eczema cream—that was in her skincare bag. Oils, oils, oils. Her scalp would get dry. Hopefully, it wouldn’t stain his pillows. Wait—how could she assume she would be sleeping in his bed?
Did she want to? Did he want her to?
“Get it together, Lah,” she grumbled as she fished for her phone in the front back pocket of her wide-leg jeans. Her mind raced faster than 44 on the track as she searched for her sister’s contact. “Pick up, pick up, pick u—girl, I am freaking out!”
“For what?” Judah questioned. Selah could see it now. Her sister’s eyebrow raised and upper lip ticked in confusion.
“He asked me to stay the night. I’ve never stayed the night before. I’ve never stayed the night with a guy before, Jude! Oh my goodness—what if I snore? Do I snore? Like, is he even used to seeing Black women in their natural state, like for real?”
Selah wasn’t dumb. She knew what came with being with a man of his caliber. Being the “first” wasn’t always the flex people assumed it was. But here she was. The first and the freaked out.
“Selah, he likes you. He’s been with Black women before. They may not have looked like you, but they were there. You’ll be good. If you really don’t want to go, don’t force yourself to. But it could be good for you. Get a lil’ more comfortable with each other.”
So she packed slowly, deliberately.
Her favorite crewneck with her sorority letters on the front. Her new electric toothbrush, which she was determined to use to get the most out of the price she paid, skincare, and other items to hold her over. She even packed another outfit just in case. She mentally high-fived herself.
“It’ll be fine,” she told herself as she stuffed her phone charger in her purse. “You’ll be fine.”
Selah should have known he would find something to do in her absence. When she re-entered the living room, she saw him sitting on the couch, legs spread wide, phone in hand, scrolling through pictures of—take a guess, now—her.
“You weirdo,” Selah laughed and pulled her suitcase behind her. “M’gone for 20 minutes…”
Tyriq turned to face her with a smile and wiggled his eyebrows. “Girl, you should know I don’t play about you. Come here…”
He stood to his feet, his body towering over hers. She thanked God for glasses, or else she’d never get to see the beauty of her man in the way she could now, from his sandy hair to his pretty eyes and gentle persona. If she were bold enough, she would’ve pinned him against the couch.
A smile would do.
“Mhm, mhm, mhm, girl.” He brought his left hand to her face, finger drumming against her bottom lip before capturing her mouth with his own. Selah’s grip loosened on her suitcase, and her fingers clawed the expensive fabric of his shirt as she whimpered softly.
Her body was on fire. Her glasses fogged. All of a sudden, one heartbeat turned into two. She broke the kiss before he had his way with her in the living room.
“You,” she sighed, wiping her lip gloss from his lips. “Are a problem.”
She pushed her glasses upon her face, swiped her purse off the edge of the couch, and slung it over her shoulder. Tyriq grabbed her suitcase and began to haul it out of the apartment, but not before swatting her backside. She gasped.
“Takes one to know one, baby. Let’s go.”
The ride to his apartment was short. Filled with soft laughs, lingering glances, and squeezes on her thigh. Less than twenty minutes—14 to be exact. Enough time to calm her nerves, but not enough time to prepare herself for what the evening could bring.
While she’d never admit it, she almost liked his apartment more than hers. She’d yet to turn her house into a home, but that’s all she felt each time she crossed the threshold. The outside world was drowned out by rich incense and soothing R&B on vinyl.
In the few days she’d been gone, he managed to add a few pieces to his space. Old vinyl covers on the wall in the dining area. Two fine line drawings of a Black woman. A new vinyl—Mahalia Jackson—beside a funky lap on the side table.
So contemporary. So him.
“You okay?” He asked attentively, eyes scanning hers for any sign of discomfort. Any sign that she felt coerced rather than fully on board.
Selah’s stomach twisted. No, no, no. Now she felt bad. He’d gone above and beyond, as he always did, and her mind was keeping her from enjoying being in his space. She stepped forward, took his hands into hers, and said: “I’m great. I do wanna take a shower though.”
Relief fell on him like a rushing wind. Tyriq smiled and nodded. “Alright, cool. Let’s get you settled in.”
Selah’s feet tapped against the floor until they reached his bedroom. It was cozy. He’d changed the bedding since the last time she’d been there. Gray sheets had been exchanged for a white comforter as white as snow.
On the nightstand was an updated picture as well. No longer was it only a photo of him and his friends from his college days. A photo of her beside him was next to it. Her heart fluttered.
Tyriq rolled her suitcase by the closet door and clapped his hands together, capturing her attention. “Towels are on the counter. If you forgot anything, check under the sink—I’m sure you’ll find what you need there. Imma hit the other bathroom and pick a movie…cool?”
Selah nodded twice. “Smooth.” He ducked down to press a kiss against her cheek before heading toward the door. “Holler if you need me.” With a soft creak of the door, he was gone.
Selah scratched the crown of her head and huffed, dropping to her knees to open her suitcase. She pulled her self-care items out and shuffled to the bathroom before he returned to retrieve something.
“Breathe…” she told herself as she bent over the soaking tub to turn on the water. One, two, she flicked the switches for the fan and the lowlight, then shed her sweater dress and heels before stepping behind the curtain.
The water beat against her skin soothingly. Pounded her chest like it was trying to knock the thoughts loose. This was new territory. Crossing uncharted waters. And it felt foreign.
It had been seven years. Seven years, and she'd only been intimate once, which was a total failure, if she admitted it out loud. So bad that she considered herself a virgin, and the event was a fragment of her imagination with a non-playable character.
It had been seven years and for the first time in a long time, she'd accepted a boyfriend’s invitation to stay the night—freaking the hell out over what hadn’t even occurred.
“Worried about the wrong shit,” she mumbled, forcefully rubbing her hands over her face. But was she, though?
There were two answers—yes and no. He was the personification of the trauma she had to face. No, not like that. On one hand, a part of her still held onto the pain of being disregarded and belittled by men who looked like him, and was scared shitless for a man to see her vulnerable. Flaws and all. On the other hand, she was weighed down by half the stuff she’d just made up in her head.
The last time that happened, she ended up dissatisfied and embarrassed—something she declared would never happen again. Yet here she was, standing in his shower, listening to him shuffle through his drawers for clothes, ending a beautiful night with a man who put her on a pedestal.
What was there to worry about?
Deciding not to run his water bill through the roof like she’d done her own, Selah turned off the water and stepped on the plush black rug below her feet. It was soft and soothing. God, he had great taste.
She lifted her skincare bags, searching for her pajamas. Her eyebrows furrowed. Black and satin. Not in her possession. She groaned under her breath, half laughing. Figures. “Oh my go…Tyriq?”
The shuffling stopped.
“Yeah, baby?”
“I, uh…I forgot my pajamas.” She mentally face-palmed—it sounded like a corny setup she read in books. Lo and behold—she was no better. “Can I wear one of your shirts, please?”
The rustling resumed. “Uh, yeah. Yeah.”
His knuckle tapped the door twice before opening it slowly. His strong arm poked through, a neatly folded shirt loosely in his grip.
“Thank you.” Her eyes scanned the riffs and ridges of his strong forearm before breaking away to moisturize her body and slip the shirt over her head.
She huffed lowly and wrung her hands tightly—an anxious tick. She shook her shoulders and knocked everything into her bag one by one—lotion, oil, cortisone cream, toothbrush, toothpaste. She folded her curls into the bonnet that was on its last leg and looked into the mirror. “Let’s get it.”
When she opened the door, there he was. Lying on the bed, comforter pulled just below his navel to show his toned chest and broad shoulders as he thumbed through the movie selection.
His eyes caught hers, the endless rom-com options forgotten. He smiled and beckoned her closer with a wave of his hand. “Hey, pretty girl.” Immediate swoon. “How was your shower?”
Selah smiled small and crawled onto the bed beside him, tucking her heels beneath herself. Her fingers drew lines along her bare thighs. “It was good.” She felt small beneath his gaze, albeit full of wonder and awe. She drew her hand up and scratched her neck awkwardly. “Anything peak your interest?”
His light eyes lingered on her for a beat before nodding. “Yeah. You said Revenge of the Bridesmaids was one of your favorites, right?”
Could this man be even more perfect? He could be, she noted. But then, he’d explode because no more perfection could fit in the wineskin that stored what was already there.
Selah’s eyes lit up. “Yes!” Thank her lucky stars for a man who liked her enough to remember every detail about her.
The movie had no audience. They were distracted, unable to focus with the heat of warm bodies pressed against their own. They lay beside each other in true intimate fashion—him on his back, one hand tucked behind his head while the other caressed her thigh. Her head rested on his shoulder, but her hand clenched the comforter. The closeness was nice, but boy, did it make her nervous.
“You’re tense,” he murmured, voice like velvet in the dark. His thumb swept slow circles against her thigh. “Feel free to get comfortable with me. However you need.”
Her lips parted, but nothing came out. What did comfort look like? She didn’t know.
She inhaled deeply. It had been years, but comfort wasn’t supposed to feel foreign. Just let yourself lean. He’s steady—you can trust that.
She eased her leg over his hip, testing, measuring his reaction. The way his chest rumbled told her it was more than okay.
Her palm rested against his chest—solid, warm. She hadn’t forgotten what that felt like, only how safe it could be.
Her palm settled against him, her fingers instinctively curling—the tips of her red nails scratching at his chest softly. Then, she felt it—his heartbeat, drumming fast and unsteady under her fingertips.
His grip on her thigh tightened just a fraction. Enough for her breath to tremble and for an additional, unwelcomed heartbeat to appear. She quietly prayed he couldn’t feel it.
His breath fanned her ear as he asked, “Better?” His question fell on deaf ears. She was infatuated; she couldn’t shake the feeling of his erratic heartbeat beneath her palms. It wasn’t just her, it was him, too. He was human. Warmth. Flesh. Nerves. Just like her.
When she lifted her eyes, his were already waiting. A seafome green ocean with raging waters coming to ravish the shores with accompanying hurricanes. The movie flickered and hummed behind them, but it was static compared to the pull between them.
“Come here,” Tyriq murmured, coaxing, but not commanding. His hand left her thigh to brush a fallen curl from her cheek. His fingers toyed with the hairline of her bonnet.
She hesitated. How much closer does he want me? Until his thumb swept across her skin again, higher this time. Slowly, carefully, she shifted. Her left knee dug into the mattress, then the other. She straddled him, nervous laughter caught in her throat.
Tyriq’s gaze roamed her face, deliberate and reverent. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. And, goodness, did he mean it. Fully and wholeheartedly with his entire being. She was art to be observed, studied, and immortalized. From her eyebrows, which she swore were too thick for her face, to the lips she hated wearing red on, to her thighs, she often covered to keep eyes off her flare-ups. Everything about her—stunning.
Her hands found his abdomen, curling around his firm sides, grounding herself.
He didn’t push her. Just lay there, looking at her, letting her decide like the chivalrous man he was.
Her chest rose and fell, her nerves humming. Beneath the jitters, a realization set in like an imprinted thought. She wanted to be here—with him, on him, in an intentionally crafted space that forced the world away. Her hands lingered on his abdomen a beat longer, fingers pressing into the warmth of his skin.
She exhaled, letting herself revel in it all—the feel of him beneath her, the way he looked at her like she was the creator of the cosmos.
Selah leaned down—first tentative, then firm—pressing her lips to his. She felt it. How quickly his chest rose and fell once she kissed him. She heard it. The smallest sound—a moan, groan? She didn’t know. She liked how it sounded; she did know that.
Tyriq pulled her close, and for a split second, she felt him falter—an almost imperceptible inhale and shuddered exhale. Her thighs squeezed his sides, and the tiniest movement of her hips—instinctual and unplanned—had his teeth grazing her bottom lip. A curious hand crept around her waist and followed the curve of her back before falling on her backside, giving a gentle squeeze.
Every noise she made, he swallowed whole, and it proved to be fuel to a flame. Movie be damned. Selah was stepping into her power. One tentative kiss, one deliberate move at a time.
Each day is a mix of kink, sin, horror, and supernatural desire. Use the prompts however you like—one-shots, drabbles, original works, or Sinners-style stories. I’ve curated a list with a base of an idea to start but you can tweak it and write it however you like!
Once upon a time, the Tumblr community of Aaron Pierre fans made a fun tradition of writing and sharing fanfiction works and series related to the actor or characters played by him, many of which were incredibly enjoyable. That tradition has since been disrupted by a certain subset of individuals within this community. In an effort to reverse that, I have created The Aaron Pierre Writing Contest.
I hope this brings back the fun times and gets our creative juices flowing. Happy writing!
Additional details for clarification:
- Writers can use any character played by Aaron, as long as the work itself remains on theme.
- You are allowed to exceed 2,000 words.
- You may write under any and multiple genres - fluff, horror, smut, etc.
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