Master list where you can find all the chapters that are out here!
A/N: I do plan on working and updating this until BTSV releases, so this is an ONGOING - SLOWBURN fanfic.
Summary: Lisa Kendrick is just an average 28 year old from Earth-1218. Where superheroes, much less Spider-Heroes aren’t suppose to exist, and even if they do, they’re all comic book characters. The laws of nature and physics here don’t allow superhumans to exist. So what happens when Miguel is hunting a runaway anomaly Spider from another dimension that gets sent to our world and takes a bite out of Lisa? Will Miguel treat her as a fellow anomaly? Or Something else?
Follow me on my side blog @maddiethecanadianassassin I’m way more active there now
I haven’t forgotten my Spiderverse fanfic project, just going through major personal stuff that’s had me unfortunately shelve writing as a hobby for me for a while.
Journalist Siraj Abudayeh ( @siraj0), who lost everything in November 2023, wanted his story to be shared.
After almost two years of genocide, through which he got displaced multiple times, he finally had the chance to return home in the North. Now, once again he faces the danger of artillery shells and bombs and has to evacuate as the area has been marked for attack.
Please donate and boost; do what you can do to help. Chuffed campaign allows you to donate as low as €1 euro. Remember, that food is also scarce and really these campaigns are lifelines for families like Siraj's , where all twenty four members depend on the fundraiser.
Also, credit to Gazan artist Mohammed Al-Haj’s piece from his Displacement series for reference and inspiration in the first panel. The piece speaks volumes to the loss and desolation of such an experience, and it is something that no one can truly fathom unless they have been a victim of it themselves. I highly encourage people to go and support him as well.
Tag list under the cut, let me know if you wish to be removed
Warnings: PG13 for brief mention of implied S/A, sexual, steamy activity
Summary: Lisa and Miguel figure out how they're going to spend the night.
A/n: sorry about the second big hiatus, life loves to kick my ass but I am back!!! (fingers crossed) and here's a little something for Valentine's Day!
*******
For the last fifteen minutes I sat at the edge of the abnormally large bed, scrolling through my phone trying desperately to figure out how I accidentally booked a room at a ‘love hotel’ and not a regular one. After confirming my credit card transaction did indeed go through, the most logical conclusion I came to was that in my distressed haste to vacate the Park family estate, I hadn’t paid attention in my internet search when I accidentally mistyped a word and clicked on the first pop up result that mentioned the word ‘hotel’.
The good news was after making some calls, I found an actual hotel nearby that would have a room up for grabs. First thing in the morning. If we could make it to the check in desk by 9am before anyone else, it was ours for the taking. The bad news, because it wasn’t available until morning, meant we were stuck here for the night.
“I can’t believe I missed that…” I grumbled, my shoulders and back hunched low as I stared at my phone screen in disbelief.
Miguel had been idly pacing the room since our discovery. I couldn’t quite get a read on his expression or how he was feeling. I was worried he was stressed just as much as I was, or upset even that this had happened. It made the other conflicting feelings inside me even worse when he was standing there in nothing but a towel wrapped snugly around his waist.
He asked Lyla to do a security sweep in the event somehow a villain from another universe was playing some sort of trick on us. Lyla confirmed there were no signs of any cameras, listening devices or booby traps in our suite. No tampering involved. We were safe.
I felt awful making him worry. The image of Miguel bursting into the room, his skin still wet from the water of the tub as his crimson eyes flared, terrified I was hurt or worse.
“It was a common mistake, Lisa,” Miguel’s voice was calm, his expression softening in an attempt to reassure me. “I know you didn’t do this on purpose.”
“I know, but I still feel awful that it happened.” I sighed, shaking my head in shame, and the second my eyes trailed over the drawers that contained the lingerie and condoms, my cheeks flushed and my gaze diverted immediately to train on a spot on the polished floor.
When was the last time this room was used? What did the last tenants end up doing in here? How often is the room sanitized and cleaned to look so spotless?
“Mona…” I heard footsteps approach me before Miguel’s feet came into view, then his legs as he knelt in front of me. His arm rested on his knee while he reached over with his free hand, gently coaxing me to look up at him. “I’m not upset. It’s just a room. We do not have to do anything you’re not comfortable with if that’s where your concern is.”
“Yeah, but I’ve never been to a hotel like this before. What if we get kicked out cause we’re not– you know?” My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, part of my hair falling in front of my face as my gaze trailed down.
Don’t look at his calves, don’t look at his calves!
“Lisa, they’re not going to kick us out. I promise you that’s not how this business works.” Miguel shot me a deadpan look, but I could see a flicker of humor in his eyes. “Do you want to hop back to my dimension and spend the night at my place?”
I’d love that more than anything.
“I would, but…” Something held me back from accepting as I nervously fiddled with my fingers. “I want to stay here in case my mom reaches out.”
“I understand.” Miguel nodded softly before his hand lowered to gently coax our fingers to intertwin, giving my hand a squeeze. “At the end of the day, it’s just a hotel. We paid to stay here for the night, and that’s what we’ll do, and find a new, better hotel in the morning.”
“How do you know that?” I asked him suddenly, my expression perplexed. “Have you ever stayed in a love hotel before?”
Miguel shook his head, curious about my interest. “No, but my dear little brother Gabriel has and all due respect, I don’t quite understand the appeal.” I raised a brow at his answer, and when Miguel seemed to realize I appeared skeptical, he gave me a look as he stood up to his feet in front of me. “Want me to be completely honest?”
“Of course.” I nodded softly. I always wanted us to be honest and open in times like these.
“When it comes to intimacy and…” His cheeks flush a little as he coughs into his fist to compose himself. “... making love with a romantic partner? I prefer to do so in the privacy of our respective homes, particularly so we don’t get interrupted by the occasional knock of housekeeping and room service.” Miguel explained gently, hands on his hips. “In the case of our relationship, when we get to that stage, I want it to be on your terms, where you’ll feel most comfortable and safe, particularly in my arms, but that’s just me.”
He shots me a playful wink as he finishes and before I can think of it, a tiny chuckle escapes me, my cheeks flushing slightly as the corners of my mouth turn up.
“Whether it's your room with the sounds of the bustling city of New York in the background or my room looking out at the backdrop of Nueva York. You call the shots, Lisa. I won’t initiate anything you’re not ready for until you tell me to.”
The longer he spoke, the harder I felt my heart beating harder and harder in my chest.
“You’ve really thought about all of that?” I asked him as my cheeks suddenly felt extremely warm.
Miguel offered me a smile that made my knees weak. “Since our first kiss, mi Mona Lisa. I haven’t stopped thinking about it.”
The warmth I felt in my cheeks spread to my chest, and the pit of my stomach. He really had been thinking about that? Making out? Love making? With me? Sure I had dreams of Miguel in the past, and they were all wonderful ones at that. But every time I’d dream or even try to think of the two of us going any further, I’d suddenly see Ji-Ho’s face, that stupid look he had when he tried to advance on me and I’d hear him yelling. It triggered a fight or flight response in my brain, and it always chose flight.
Miguel was not Ji-Ho. He’d never do anything to hurt me or take advantage of me like that. I knew that, of course I knew that. Deep down in my heart I did, and yet there was still a small piece of it that was afraid something would go horribly wrong.
“Lisa,” Miguel’s voice brought me back to reality as I suddenly felt the mattress dip and found him sitting beside me. Still with a towel around his waist. “Is there more to it that you want to talk about?”
Stay strong! “Come again?”
“It’s more than just the room that’s bothering you, isn’t it?” He asked me, a shred of vulnerability in his eyes. “Back when we were out to dinner with your mom, and we were talking. . . are you sure I didn’t say or do anything that made you uncomfortable?”
My pupils widened in surprise. “What? No, Miguel, I–” He wasn’t putting blame on himself, was he? “You’ve been nothing short of perfect.” I reassured him gently, taking his larger hand in my smaller, petite ones.
“Is there anything about the two of us being intimate that is making you uncomfortable?” Miguel asked me as his thumb soothingly brushed over my skin.
My lips part, but the words don’t come out. I hesitate, my hand squeezing his like an anchor as my heart pounds and my mind races. “I’m not sure if the intimacy itself and us doing it is what’s making me feel uncomfortable, or… it might just be me.”
Miguel’s head tilts. “Just you?” his expression changes, his eyes pouring into mine. “What do you mean by that?”
“Are you sure it won’t make things more awkward?” I asked him, a hint of guilt in my voice.
“Lisa, I want you to feel comfortable enough that you can come to me about anything you want. As your partner, I want you to feel safe.” He insisted on his words by lifting his free hand to run through my hair, brushing the stray strands out of my face.
Once again, Miguel O’hara knows just exactly what to do to render me speechless.
“It’s like I mentioned before, back when I was dating Ji-Ho, if I can even call it that, he’d say things to me. Hover me, tease me and… touch me for his own amusement and pleasure. But never mine.”
Miguel’s gaze locked on to mine, the crimson of his spider power flickering in his eyes. “Did he hurt you? Did he… did he ever–?”
“No. He never got that far, but some days, there was this look in his eyes that made me realize he was thinking about it.” I shuddered thinking back on those memories and Miguel leaned closer to me, his fingers kneading my scalp to calm me. “Whatever shroud of dignity Jin had left, I’m relieved he used that to convince Ji-Ho to back off and we called off our relationship. I wasn’t sure if my cries to him about Ji-Ho’s behaviour were falling on deaf ears until then.”
Miguel’s hand in mine squeezed tighter, his fingers in my hair coaxing my head forward as he placed a soft kiss to my forehead. “I’m sorry he put you through all of that. Had I’d known all of this during our date, I believe I may have done more than just get that prick kicked out of the restaurant.”
“And risk you getting arrested?” I managed a soft smirk, pinching his chin. “As much as I would have loved to see that, I didn’t want to spend the rest of that night bailing you out of jail.”
“You wouldn’t have needed to. Lyla would have broken me out, or hotwired their system to pay my bail in full.” He grinned back at me.
I laughed at that, the mental image in my head of a police station losing power, Lyla’s algorithm taking over the monitors, paying Miguel’s bail and his gorgeous red eyes glowing in the dark as he just waltzes right out of his cell before taking a portal back home.
“You were saying?” Miguel props gently, steering us back to our topic of discussion.
“Right.” my cheeks flushed apologetically with a shake of my head and I continued. “I feel that because of what he put me through and my confidence plummeting to an all time low, I thought… I feel like when it comes to intimacy; I’m not good enough.”
Miguel’s pupils widened in shock, his face pulling back as if my words seemed to physically make him recoil. “Mona… you don’t really believe that, do you?”
The flush on my cheeks turned darker, and I lowered my head as shame and guilt washed over me.
“You’ve got to be shocking kidding me.” The low muttering of Miguel’s voice shook me to my core and for a moment, I thought he was mad at me. That was until his fingers flexed, his hand now cradling the back of my head as he coaxed me backup to look at him. “Don’t ever talk yourself down in front of me ever again. Don’t even talk down to yourself at all.”
“Miguel-!” Oxygen was snatched from my lungs, and I couldn’t breathe.
“It’s the other way around. He wasn’t good enough for you. You are one of the mostly intimately affectionate people I know. I love it when you hold my hand, your hugs, how you cuddle up beside me on the couch or in bed. I love the little kisses you give me on the cheek, or how your eyes seem to light up when I enter a room and our eyes meet.”
I suddenly felt lightheaded. Very light headed.
“It’s like I said before; when it comes to physical intimacy, you call the shots, and I’ll take care of the rest.” Miguel proclaimed with a proud smile, the thumb of his free hand brushing against my bottom lip gently. “You deserve to feel loved and to be worshipped, Lisa.”
My heart stopped, and something warm pulsed in the pit of my stomach. “Worshipped?”
Miguel practically growled, making me melt in his grasp. “Worshipped.”
I moved without thinking. Actually, no, that’s not true. I did think about this. I thought about how much I am in love with this man in front of me. I am in love with Miguel O’hara.
I kissed him. Hard at first, but I pulled back and brushed my lips against his again, more softer and gentle and I pulled back just as his arms came around me to lock me in. “I’ll be right back.”
“Um–” He stuttered, his own cheeks flushed as his arms relaxed. “Okay?”
I sat up from the bed, running to the bathroom and shut the door behind me. I was in there for less than a minute before I unlocked the door and emerged back in the bedroom. Wearing a robe. The sash tied around my waist.
Miguel went still and I immediately noticed how his towel was gone but instead of being naked, he considerately changed into sweats, perhaps not wanting me to feel overwhelmed or rush into anything. “Lisa?” He called my name softly.
“I really call the shots?” I asked him firmly. “You won’t do anything without my say so?”
“Absolutely.” His gaze hardened.
I breathed deeply, steeling my nerves. “Okay… what I’m about to do… I’m doing this for me.”
“Okay.” Miguel nodded.
I exhaled, reaching for the sash of my robe. I started untying it, and then my fingers started trembling, anxiety flowing through me like a flood.
“Mona, are you–?”
Heat coiled through me as I grabbed the sash before suddenly turning my back to Miguel before he could speak up. “I’m gonna do it facing away!” I spoke quickly, getting the words out before my lips failed me.
“Okay.” Miguel repeated again, his voice gentle and full of patience.
I completely untied the sash, letting the ends dangle on either side of me. Slowly, I reached up for the collar of my robe and pulled it back, letting the material of the robe fall back from the shoulders and snake down my arms, getting caught on my elbows. My long hair covered my bare back, my heart pounding in my chest before I lowered my arms completely and my robe pooled at my feet.
I could physically hear Miguel’s breathing hitch. Silence filled the room after.
I fought the urge to cover my middle with my hands, to wrap my arms around myself to shield myself and hide my scars as I slowly turned on my heel and showed myself to Miguel for the first time. I wasn’t completely naked, and I wasn’t wearing any fancy lingerie, but a comfortable matching black bra and underwear that made me feel comfortable and salvaged enough of my sanity to reassure me I wouldn’t completely combust as I met Miguel’s stare.
His lips parted, mouth gaped open like a cod fish as he looked at me. His knuckles were nearly bone white as he gripped onto the edge of the bed frame. “Lisa…”
“So…?” I was at a loss for words, unsure what to say to him.
The only reason I stood there was because Miguel was looking at me in a way that didn’t make me want to run and hide.
Miguel gulped, the adam’s apple of his throat bobbing as I watched him slowly stand up from the bed. “May I?” He motioned his hand, signalling he wished to approach.
My heart fluttered in my chest, and I gulped in some air too as I nodded softly.
“I want to hear you say it. Verbally tell me.” he calmly demanded.
My heart did a backflip. “Yes.”
Miguel’s steps were calculating, his frame powerful as he came forward and stopped just inches away from me. His eyes roamed over my frame and I nervously tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear.
He steadily raised a hand up, cupping my cheek. “May I touch you?”
“Yes.” I answered breathlessly.
Slowly, Miguel’s hands glided over my skin, as if he were molding and admiring a marble statue of a work of art, a greek goddess. His hands were warm to my skin, almost burning to the touch. His hands only traveled to areas where there was exposed skin, straying away from touching my bra or my underwear as if they were forbidden. Finally his hands gently grasped my waist, his thumbs massaging slow circles into my skin.
“May I kiss you?” He asked.
If it weren’t for his hands steadying me, I would have swooned right into his perfectly muscle toned chest. “Yes.”
He leaned in and I expected him to go in for a kiss on the lips, allowing my body to feel his and his warmth completely engulf my presence. But in true Miguel O’hara fashion, he surprises me. Instead, he shifts and moves to kneel down in front of me and leans down, his hands firmly yet gently keeping me in place by my waist, and I gasp the second I realize what his intentions were.
I feel the softness of his lips along the skin of my stomach as he kisses my scar.
Then another, and another. He does this slowly, over and over. Again and again. It was enough for tears to perk up in my eyes. “Miguel…”
His lips brush my skin one more time before he pulls back, his head tilting up and our eyes lock. “You deserve to be worshipped, Lisa.”
My heart skips a beat, and another, and before I can stop myself, I say, “I love you.”
Recognition flairs in his eyes, his grip on me tensing ever so slightly. Instantly I fear rejection, that I said it too soon.
I speak again before he can protest. “If this was real; If instead we were at my place or yours, not here, would you worship me as you say I deserve?”
Miguel inhaled, nostrils flaring as his hands moved to wrap his arms around my waist, holding me near flush against him. “I would give you everything.”
“... Show me.”
Miguel instantly shot up to my eye level, capturing my lips with his in a passionate kiss. He groaned into it, guided me back to the bed. He sat down first, arms laced around my waist, securing me in his lap as my hands found his broad shoulders.
My cheeks warmed as the question lingered, but my curiosity got the better of me as I spoke, “If this was for real, what would you do first?” I asked him honestly.
Miguel’s eyes poured into mine, a small yet playful glimmer shined in them as his face inched closer to mine, his warm breath fanning my skin as he spoke. “Well, the most obvious? First and foremost, I’d kiss you,” his voice was a soft murmur as his lips brushed mine, in a light, chaste stroke. “Here.”
My heart skipped a beat, lips parting as oxygen ceased to exist in my lungs for a brief second before Miguel’s lips began to travel.
“Here.” He kissed my nose, then moved over to one cheek, and then the other. “And here.”
His kisses were featherlight, as if not wanting to overwhelm me. This felt like a demonstration, saving his full strength for the actual main event. It made my mind wander thinking what Miguel would be fully capable of accomplishing.
“Then here,” His lips brushed along my jawline before trailing down to my throat, pressing a gentle, yet firm kiss there. “Here.”
Miguel’s lips then slowly peppered down the side of my neck, his large fingers brushing away strands of my long hair to grant him better access as he traveled down and stopped at my clavicle. He pulled away, his gaze lingering on my face over his lashes as I peered down to look at him and his expression was so warm and affectionate, the most I had ever seen him show towards me since our first date.
“That was actually. . . really nice.” I admitted softly, my voice quiet.
“I’m not done.” Miguel quickly, yet all the same, gently interjected, his head tilting. “Then, but only with your consent, when you feel ready. . .”
His gaze suddenly flickered lower down my body, his eyes trailing over me. Down, over my breasts, down past my stomach, and then slowly back up again. When his gaze met mine, there was a huskiness to it that I hadn’t seen him show before and it made butterflies flutter in my stomach.
“I’d...” Miguel paused, as if to taunt me more before he slowly smiled. “Explore.”
My cheeks burned as the mental image tattooed itself permanently into my brain.
“Only when you say you’re ready.” Miguel recalled, leaning in, his lips gently brushing against mine again before pulling away. “For now, what do you want?”
“Just… hold me?” I requested. “And kiss me?”
His smile softens. “As my smart girl wishes.”
He shifts our positions, helping me under the covers before snaking in beside me. He tucks our frames under the covers before wrapping his arms back around me, holding me snuggly against his chest. We kiss until exhaustion consumes me and I fall asleep in his arms.
Even if he didn’t say it back out loud… actions can speak louder than words.
Warnings: PG13 for brief mention of implied S/A, sexual, steamy activity
Summary: Lisa and Miguel figure out how they're going to spend the night.
A/n: sorry about the second big hiatus, life loves to kick my ass but I am back!!! (fingers crossed) and here's a little something for Valentine's Day!
*******
For the last fifteen minutes I sat at the edge of the abnormally large bed, scrolling through my phone trying desperately to figure out how I accidentally booked a room at a ‘love hotel’ and not a regular one. After confirming my credit card transaction did indeed go through, the most logical conclusion I came to was that in my distressed haste to vacate the Park family estate, I hadn’t paid attention in my internet search when I accidentally mistyped a word and clicked on the first pop up result that mentioned the word ‘hotel’.
The good news was after making some calls, I found an actual hotel nearby that would have a room up for grabs. First thing in the morning. If we could make it to the check in desk by 9am before anyone else, it was ours for the taking. The bad news, because it wasn’t available until morning, meant we were stuck here for the night.
“I can’t believe I missed that…” I grumbled, my shoulders and back hunched low as I stared at my phone screen in disbelief.
Miguel had been idly pacing the room since our discovery. I couldn’t quite get a read on his expression or how he was feeling. I was worried he was stressed just as much as I was, or upset even that this had happened. It made the other conflicting feelings inside me even worse when he was standing there in nothing but a towel wrapped snugly around his waist.
He asked Lyla to do a security sweep in the event somehow a villain from another universe was playing some sort of trick on us. Lyla confirmed there were no signs of any cameras, listening devices or booby traps in our suite. No tampering involved. We were safe.
I felt awful making him worry. The image of Miguel bursting into the room, his skin still wet from the water of the tub as his crimson eyes flared, terrified I was hurt or worse.
“It was a common mistake, Lisa,” Miguel’s voice was calm, his expression softening in an attempt to reassure me. “I know you didn’t do this on purpose.”
“I know, but I still feel awful that it happened.” I sighed, shaking my head in shame, and the second my eyes trailed over the drawers that contained the lingerie and condoms, my cheeks flushed and my gaze diverted immediately to train on a spot on the polished floor.
When was the last time this room was used? What did the last tenants end up doing in here? How often is the room sanitized and cleaned to look so spotless?
“Mona…” I heard footsteps approach me before Miguel’s feet came into view, then his legs as he knelt in front of me. His arm rested on his knee while he reached over with his free hand, gently coaxing me to look up at him. “I’m not upset. It’s just a room. We do not have to do anything you’re not comfortable with if that’s where your concern is.”
“Yeah, but I’ve never been to a hotel like this before. What if we get kicked out cause we’re not– you know?” My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, part of my hair falling in front of my face as my gaze trailed down.
Don’t look at his calves, don’t look at his calves!
“Lisa, they’re not going to kick us out. I promise you that’s not how this business works.” Miguel shot me a deadpan look, but I could see a flicker of humor in his eyes. “Do you want to hop back to my dimension and spend the night at my place?”
I’d love that more than anything.
“I would, but…” Something held me back from accepting as I nervously fiddled with my fingers. “I want to stay here in case my mom reaches out.”
“I understand.” Miguel nodded softly before his hand lowered to gently coax our fingers to intertwin, giving my hand a squeeze. “At the end of the day, it’s just a hotel. We paid to stay here for the night, and that’s what we’ll do, and find a new, better hotel in the morning.”
“How do you know that?” I asked him suddenly, my expression perplexed. “Have you ever stayed in a love hotel before?”
Miguel shook his head, curious about my interest. “No, but my dear little brother Gabriel has and all due respect, I don’t quite understand the appeal.” I raised a brow at his answer, and when Miguel seemed to realize I appeared skeptical, he gave me a look as he stood up to his feet in front of me. “Want me to be completely honest?”
“Of course.” I nodded softly. I always wanted us to be honest and open in times like these.
“When it comes to intimacy and…” His cheeks flush a little as he coughs into his fist to compose himself. “... making love with a romantic partner? I prefer to do so in the privacy of our respective homes, particularly so we don’t get interrupted by the occasional knock of housekeeping and room service.” Miguel explained gently, hands on his hips. “In the case of our relationship, when we get to that stage, I want it to be on your terms, where you’ll feel most comfortable and safe, particularly in my arms, but that’s just me.”
He shots me a playful wink as he finishes and before I can think of it, a tiny chuckle escapes me, my cheeks flushing slightly as the corners of my mouth turn up.
“Whether it's your room with the sounds of the bustling city of New York in the background or my room looking out at the backdrop of Nueva York. You call the shots, Lisa. I won’t initiate anything you’re not ready for until you tell me to.”
The longer he spoke, the harder I felt my heart beating harder and harder in my chest.
“You’ve really thought about all of that?” I asked him as my cheeks suddenly felt extremely warm.
Miguel offered me a smile that made my knees weak. “Since our first kiss, mi Mona Lisa. I haven’t stopped thinking about it.”
The warmth I felt in my cheeks spread to my chest, and the pit of my stomach. He really had been thinking about that? Making out? Love making? With me? Sure I had dreams of Miguel in the past, and they were all wonderful ones at that. But every time I’d dream or even try to think of the two of us going any further, I’d suddenly see Ji-Ho’s face, that stupid look he had when he tried to advance on me and I’d hear him yelling. It triggered a fight or flight response in my brain, and it always chose flight.
Miguel was not Ji-Ho. He’d never do anything to hurt me or take advantage of me like that. I knew that, of course I knew that. Deep down in my heart I did, and yet there was still a small piece of it that was afraid something would go horribly wrong.
“Lisa,” Miguel’s voice brought me back to reality as I suddenly felt the mattress dip and found him sitting beside me. Still with a towel around his waist. “Is there more to it that you want to talk about?”
Stay strong! “Come again?”
“It’s more than just the room that’s bothering you, isn’t it?” He asked me, a shred of vulnerability in his eyes. “Back when we were out to dinner with your mom, and we were talking. . . are you sure I didn’t say or do anything that made you uncomfortable?”
My pupils widened in surprise. “What? No, Miguel, I–” He wasn’t putting blame on himself, was he? “You’ve been nothing short of perfect.” I reassured him gently, taking his larger hand in my smaller, petite ones.
“Is there anything about the two of us being intimate that is making you uncomfortable?” Miguel asked me as his thumb soothingly brushed over my skin.
My lips part, but the words don’t come out. I hesitate, my hand squeezing his like an anchor as my heart pounds and my mind races. “I’m not sure if the intimacy itself and us doing it is what’s making me feel uncomfortable, or… it might just be me.”
Miguel’s head tilts. “Just you?” his expression changes, his eyes pouring into mine. “What do you mean by that?”
“Are you sure it won’t make things more awkward?” I asked him, a hint of guilt in my voice.
“Lisa, I want you to feel comfortable enough that you can come to me about anything you want. As your partner, I want you to feel safe.” He insisted on his words by lifting his free hand to run through my hair, brushing the stray strands out of my face.
Once again, Miguel O’hara knows just exactly what to do to render me speechless.
“It’s like I mentioned before, back when I was dating Ji-Ho, if I can even call it that, he’d say things to me. Hover me, tease me and… touch me for his own amusement and pleasure. But never mine.”
Miguel’s gaze locked on to mine, the crimson of his spider power flickering in his eyes. “Did he hurt you? Did he… did he ever–?”
“No. He never got that far, but some days, there was this look in his eyes that made me realize he was thinking about it.” I shuddered thinking back on those memories and Miguel leaned closer to me, his fingers kneading my scalp to calm me. “Whatever shroud of dignity Jin had left, I’m relieved he used that to convince Ji-Ho to back off and we called off our relationship. I wasn’t sure if my cries to him about Ji-Ho’s behaviour were falling on deaf ears until then.”
Miguel’s hand in mine squeezed tighter, his fingers in my hair coaxing my head forward as he placed a soft kiss to my forehead. “I’m sorry he put you through all of that. Had I’d known all of this during our date, I believe I may have done more than just get that prick kicked out of the restaurant.”
“And risk you getting arrested?” I managed a soft smirk, pinching his chin. “As much as I would have loved to see that, I didn’t want to spend the rest of that night bailing you out of jail.”
“You wouldn’t have needed to. Lyla would have broken me out, or hotwired their system to pay my bail in full.” He grinned back at me.
I laughed at that, the mental image in my head of a police station losing power, Lyla’s algorithm taking over the monitors, paying Miguel’s bail and his gorgeous red eyes glowing in the dark as he just waltzes right out of his cell before taking a portal back home.
“You were saying?” Miguel props gently, steering us back to our topic of discussion.
“Right.” my cheeks flushed apologetically with a shake of my head and I continued. “I feel that because of what he put me through and my confidence plummeting to an all time low, I thought… I feel like when it comes to intimacy; I’m not good enough.”
Miguel’s pupils widened in shock, his face pulling back as if my words seemed to physically make him recoil. “Mona… you don’t really believe that, do you?”
The flush on my cheeks turned darker, and I lowered my head as shame and guilt washed over me.
“You’ve got to be shocking kidding me.” The low muttering of Miguel’s voice shook me to my core and for a moment, I thought he was mad at me. That was until his fingers flexed, his hand now cradling the back of my head as he coaxed me backup to look at him. “Don’t ever talk yourself down in front of me ever again. Don’t even talk down to yourself at all.”
“Miguel-!” Oxygen was snatched from my lungs, and I couldn’t breathe.
“It’s the other way around. He wasn’t good enough for you. You are one of the mostly intimately affectionate people I know. I love it when you hold my hand, your hugs, how you cuddle up beside me on the couch or in bed. I love the little kisses you give me on the cheek, or how your eyes seem to light up when I enter a room and our eyes meet.”
I suddenly felt lightheaded. Very light headed.
“It’s like I said before; when it comes to physical intimacy, you call the shots, and I’ll take care of the rest.” Miguel proclaimed with a proud smile, the thumb of his free hand brushing against my bottom lip gently. “You deserve to feel loved and to be worshipped, Lisa.”
My heart stopped, and something warm pulsed in the pit of my stomach. “Worshipped?”
Miguel practically growled, making me melt in his grasp. “Worshipped.”
I moved without thinking. Actually, no, that’s not true. I did think about this. I thought about how much I am in love with this man in front of me. I am in love with Miguel O’hara.
I kissed him. Hard at first, but I pulled back and brushed my lips against his again, more softer and gentle and I pulled back just as his arms came around me to lock me in. “I’ll be right back.”
“Um–” He stuttered, his own cheeks flushed as his arms relaxed. “Okay?”
I sat up from the bed, running to the bathroom and shut the door behind me. I was in there for less than a minute before I unlocked the door and emerged back in the bedroom. Wearing a robe. The sash tied around my waist.
Miguel went still and I immediately noticed how his towel was gone but instead of being naked, he considerately changed into sweats, perhaps not wanting me to feel overwhelmed or rush into anything. “Lisa?” He called my name softly.
“I really call the shots?” I asked him firmly. “You won’t do anything without my say so?”
“Absolutely.” His gaze hardened.
I breathed deeply, steeling my nerves. “Okay… what I’m about to do… I’m doing this for me.”
“Okay.” Miguel nodded.
I exhaled, reaching for the sash of my robe. I started untying it, and then my fingers started trembling, anxiety flowing through me like a flood.
“Mona, are you–?”
Heat coiled through me as I grabbed the sash before suddenly turning my back to Miguel before he could speak up. “I’m gonna do it facing away!” I spoke quickly, getting the words out before my lips failed me.
“Okay.” Miguel repeated again, his voice gentle and full of patience.
I completely untied the sash, letting the ends dangle on either side of me. Slowly, I reached up for the collar of my robe and pulled it back, letting the material of the robe fall back from the shoulders and snake down my arms, getting caught on my elbows. My long hair covered my bare back, my heart pounding in my chest before I lowered my arms completely and my robe pooled at my feet.
I could physically hear Miguel’s breathing hitch. Silence filled the room after.
I fought the urge to cover my middle with my hands, to wrap my arms around myself to shield myself and hide my scars as I slowly turned on my heel and showed myself to Miguel for the first time. I wasn’t completely naked, and I wasn’t wearing any fancy lingerie, but a comfortable matching black bra and underwear that made me feel comfortable and salvaged enough of my sanity to reassure me I wouldn’t completely combust as I met Miguel’s stare.
His lips parted, mouth gaped open like a cod fish as he looked at me. His knuckles were nearly bone white as he gripped onto the edge of the bed frame. “Lisa…”
“So…?” I was at a loss for words, unsure what to say to him.
The only reason I stood there was because Miguel was looking at me in a way that didn’t make me want to run and hide.
Miguel gulped, the adam’s apple of his throat bobbing as I watched him slowly stand up from the bed. “May I?” He motioned his hand, signalling he wished to approach.
My heart fluttered in my chest, and I gulped in some air too as I nodded softly.
“I want to hear you say it. Verbally tell me.” he calmly demanded.
My heart did a backflip. “Yes.”
Miguel’s steps were calculating, his frame powerful as he came forward and stopped just inches away from me. His eyes roamed over my frame and I nervously tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear.
He steadily raised a hand up, cupping my cheek. “May I touch you?”
“Yes.” I answered breathlessly.
Slowly, Miguel’s hands glided over my skin, as if he were molding and admiring a marble statue of a work of art, a greek goddess. His hands were warm to my skin, almost burning to the touch. His hands only traveled to areas where there was exposed skin, straying away from touching my bra or my underwear as if they were forbidden. Finally his hands gently grasped my waist, his thumbs massaging slow circles into my skin.
“May I kiss you?” He asked.
If it weren’t for his hands steadying me, I would have swooned right into his perfectly muscle toned chest. “Yes.”
He leaned in and I expected him to go in for a kiss on the lips, allowing my body to feel his and his warmth completely engulf my presence. But in true Miguel O’hara fashion, he surprises me. Instead, he shifts and moves to kneel down in front of me and leans down, his hands firmly yet gently keeping me in place by my waist, and I gasp the second I realize what his intentions were.
I feel the softness of his lips along the skin of my stomach as he kisses my scar.
Then another, and another. He does this slowly, over and over. Again and again. It was enough for tears to perk up in my eyes. “Miguel…”
His lips brush my skin one more time before he pulls back, his head tilting up and our eyes lock. “You deserve to be worshipped, Lisa.”
My heart skips a beat, and another, and before I can stop myself, I say, “I love you.”
Recognition flairs in his eyes, his grip on me tensing ever so slightly. Instantly I fear rejection, that I said it too soon.
I speak again before he can protest. “If this was real; If instead we were at my place or yours, not here, would you worship me as you say I deserve?”
Miguel inhaled, nostrils flaring as his hands moved to wrap his arms around my waist, holding me near flush against him. “I would give you everything.”
“... Show me.”
Miguel instantly shot up to my eye level, capturing my lips with his in a passionate kiss. He groaned into it, guided me back to the bed. He sat down first, arms laced around my waist, securing me in his lap as my hands found his broad shoulders.
My cheeks warmed as the question lingered, but my curiosity got the better of me as I spoke, “If this was for real, what would you do first?” I asked him honestly.
Miguel’s eyes poured into mine, a small yet playful glimmer shined in them as his face inched closer to mine, his warm breath fanning my skin as he spoke. “Well, the most obvious? First and foremost, I’d kiss you,” his voice was a soft murmur as his lips brushed mine, in a light, chaste stroke. “Here.”
My heart skipped a beat, lips parting as oxygen ceased to exist in my lungs for a brief second before Miguel’s lips began to travel.
“Here.” He kissed my nose, then moved over to one cheek, and then the other. “And here.”
His kisses were featherlight, as if not wanting to overwhelm me. This felt like a demonstration, saving his full strength for the actual main event. It made my mind wander thinking what Miguel would be fully capable of accomplishing.
“Then here,” His lips brushed along my jawline before trailing down to my throat, pressing a gentle, yet firm kiss there. “Here.”
Miguel’s lips then slowly peppered down the side of my neck, his large fingers brushing away strands of my long hair to grant him better access as he traveled down and stopped at my clavicle. He pulled away, his gaze lingering on my face over his lashes as I peered down to look at him and his expression was so warm and affectionate, the most I had ever seen him show towards me since our first date.
“That was actually. . . really nice.” I admitted softly, my voice quiet.
“I’m not done.” Miguel quickly, yet all the same, gently interjected, his head tilting. “Then, but only with your consent, when you feel ready. . .”
His gaze suddenly flickered lower down my body, his eyes trailing over me. Down, over my breasts, down past my stomach, and then slowly back up again. When his gaze met mine, there was a huskiness to it that I hadn’t seen him show before and it made butterflies flutter in my stomach.
“I’d...” Miguel paused, as if to taunt me more before he slowly smiled. “Explore.”
My cheeks burned as the mental image tattooed itself permanently into my brain.
“Only when you say you’re ready.” Miguel recalled, leaning in, his lips gently brushing against mine again before pulling away. “For now, what do you want?”
“Just… hold me?” I requested. “And kiss me?”
His smile softens. “As my smart girl wishes.”
He shifts our positions, helping me under the covers before snaking in beside me. He tucks our frames under the covers before wrapping his arms back around me, holding me snuggly against his chest. We kiss until exhaustion consumes me and I fall asleep in his arms.
Even if he didn’t say it back out loud… actions can speak louder than words.
Hi!!! I love your art and how you draw Miguel and your OC is so pretty!!! 🥹❤️ your drawings inspired me to drag out of the writers block trenches and to start working on my Miguel fic again! Have a happy new year!
oh MY GOODNESS ❤️❤️❤️😭😭 IM SO GLAD YOU LIKE MY STUFF!!! fills me with absolute joy it got you out of writers block omgggg ❤️❤️ thank you so much for this and i wish you a happy near year too ❤️❤️❤️❤️
When I Am King, You Shall Be Queen - Silk & Cologne Cinderella AU
An AU set in the S&C universe - link to AO3 (X)
Chapter 2: There Was A Ball - previous chapter (X)
Pairing: Miguel O'hara x Female OC Spidersona!
Words: 2.6K+
Warnings: PG for mention of character death
Summary: The night of the ball arrives and Lisa shares a dance with a mysterious stranger.
/////////
Lisa's P.O.V.
My eyes had wandered, exploring and taking in every inch of the castle as I made my way to the ballroom. There was a ball at King Tyler’s castle in honor of his eldest son, Prince Miguel’s birthday to which everyone was invited, including all eligible maidens. Rumor was he was even searching for a potential bride to be!
The more insane part, nobody has ever seen Prince Miguel. Not since he was a child. Nobody knew what he looked like now.
I wanted to go, but my stepmother, who I quickly came to realize was wicked, forbade it and my step sisters wouldn't let me live it down all day, even going so far as to destroy my old dress. However, that wasn’t going to stop me because I had a good cry, I received help from Lyla, my fairy godmother. I have an actual fairy godmother. She had made me a beautiful dress and carriage so I could go to the ball and live out my dream.
But the magic came with a cost. At the stroke of midnight, the spell would be broken, and everything would return to normal. I had to manage my time wisely, whilst having some much deserved fun, and make it back home in time before the magic spell wore off. How hard could it be?
As soon as I walked into the ballroom, I immediately started exploring, savoring the incredible food and drinks, and idly chatted with other guests. I even caught a glimpse of Prince Gabriel chatting with a few lovely maidens. After some time had passed, I glanced at the grand clock on the wall. Just a bit past 10. I still had some time before I should consider heading back.
What else had I wanted to do and see here? Was I missing anything?
"Pardon me, milady. May I have this dance?"
My eyes widened when I heard the voice speak to me, and I turned to see a tall, tanned skin, and very well dressed man approach me, offering his hand. My eyes seemed to glimmer as I took in his appearance. He wore a beautiful royal navy blue suit with red and gold trimmings, matching tassels on his shoulders. White gloves covered his large hands, and his eyes seemed to shimmer like the shiniest of rubies. He had to be the most handsome man I’d ever seen.
Was he a lord? A duke, or a count perhaps?
Well, I was hoping to have one dance at least.
“Yes. . .” I answered after a brief hesitation as I gave him a soft smile, accepting his hand with mine. “You may.”
A grin spread across the man’s face as he took my hand. His large fingers grasped around me gently before bringing it up to his lips and kissed the back of it softly. My cheeks flushed, taking the breath out of me as he escorted me to the center of the ball room, the current song whining down as the musicians began to play the next piece, a slow song.
I met the handsome stranger’s face and curtseyed as he bowed before we stepped closer, my right hand taking his left as my free hand grasped his shoulder and his wrapped around my waist and our waltz began. We danced in content silence for the first few moments, our bodies swaying to the music as if we were in a trance.
“What is your name?” The man suddenly asked me.
I thought my heart was going to beat right out of my chest. “It’s Lisa. . .”
The man nods, his smirk softening into a smile. "A very beautiful name for a very beautiful girl."
“Oh, I’m nothing compared to these lovely ladies and duchesses.” I smiled softly back, shaking my head in disagreement. “I’m not a princess.”
As much as I appreciated the compliment, I was nothing compared to all these members of the royal court. I was nobody compared to them, and to my stepmother, I was nothing more than a housemaid.
"I'm sure the lovely ladies and duchesses would say just the opposite. That you are probably the most beautiful of them all." The man responded, a small teasing glimmer in his eyes before he carefully lifted my arm and spun me around.
His words and smile accompanied his strangely calm presence and I found myself wanting to believe him. “You humble me.” I giggled faintly, rolling my eyes as I swung back into step with him, although I couldn’t help but begin to notice there wasn’t anyone else dancing with us on the floor.
I glanced around as we danced, noticing we had an audience. The crowd had gathered around us, forming a large circle to give us enough room to dance. Even the king up in his balcony was watching us!
Who was this mystery man?
“They’re all looking at you.” I commented, my eyes trailing to meet his gaze.
The man seemed to have a sixth sense as he turned his head, noticing that the king had his eyes on us and he had caught his attention. However, he seemed unfazed by this, shaking his head softly as we continued dancing slowly, still in a gentle rhythm as he spoke once more with a gentle tone, ignoring the stares of the crowd as he focused his gaze back on me.
"Believe me, they are all looking at you."
My cheeks flushed darker and I bowed my head to hide my smile growing from ear to ear. Whoever this man was, he certainly had a way with words. “You certainly are modest.”
The man chuckles at the compliment before responding in a cheeky manner. "Would you rather I be conceited and brag about how handsome I am?"
I chuckled softly as I managed to steer my gaze back to him. “Forgive my boldness, but you don’t look like the conceited type.”
"That is good to know." He chuckles and looks down at me, suddenly studying me with this intense look in his eyes. “Are you enjoying the party? I’m sure a lovely lady such as yourself has gone to her fair share.”
“I’ve never been to a party. Not since I was a child, or never to one this grand of a scale.” I admitted softly.
Miguel raises his eyebrows, surprised at the admission. "Are you saying that this is your first time at a party? Why did you decide to accept the invitation now?"
“I’ve led a busy, busy life since my father. . . passed.” I took a moment to compose myself briefly so my voice wouldn’t fail me. “When helping to take care of my family, I’ve learned quickly that time gets away from me. But when the invitation came, inviting every eligible maiden, I thought I’d take a chance. I almost didn’t go. . .”
The man’s lips curved into a serious but compassionate expression as he gave a slight nod, as if he emphasized with me. "I'm glad you went. Because if you hadn't, then I wouldn't have been able to dance with you." He then pauses for a second before his smile brightens and he starts to chuckle softly. "It would have been a shame if I missed out on such a wonderful opportunity."
I match his own chuckle, my smile brightening. “And you said you weren’t modest. But I do appreciate your kind words.”
The song slowly came to an end, as the mystery man and I took a step away from each other before we each bowed and curtsied one another respectively, and an applause engulfed the room. My gaze swept over our audience, starstruck at the positive reception. Before I could comprehend it more, my dance partner approached me.
“If I may, I enjoyed dancing with you. Will you allow me the pleasure of… spending more time with you?” He asked.
I was surprised thinking that we’d respectively go our separate ways after the dance. But I found myself welcoming his company. “Yes?”
There were butterflies in my stomach again as I caught a quick glance at the clock again. I’d be cutting it close. . . But I still had a little bit of time.
The man’s expression became even more delighted at my response. He then smiled widely and offered his hand. "Let's walk in the garden." He then added. "I'll take you to a wonderful spot where time stands still. The only sounds that you will hear will be the birds, trees, and us."
Where time stands still.
I take his hand gently with mine as I smile. “That does sound wonderful.”
The man leads me away from the ballroom, out the balcony doors as one of the guards pulls down a curtain to block off the way from the other guests. We descend down the staircase into the garden, and my eyes shimmer at how beautiful and lush it looks. We continued walking, taking in the scenery as the man led me to a beautiful spot with an arch with vines and white blossoms that gives it the perfect romantic vibe.
“May I ask you something, Lisa?” The man spoke up suddenly, gaining my attention. The man’s gaze was soft as his eyes poured into mine.
“You may.” I nodded, suddenly feeling butterflies in my stomach.
"After this night, would you allow me to see you again?” He asked me, gently taking my hands in his.
My face lights up as he asks me that of all things and my cheeks flush a shade darker. “You… really mean that?”
"More than anything in the world, Lisa. You caught my heart from the moment I saw you and I want a chance to keep it with me forever. I want to know everything about you. I want to care for you. I want to keep you by my side all the time. I want to see those perfect eyes you have before sleeping and as soon as I wake up. So yes, Lisa. I mean it." There was no denying that he truly meant every single word he was saying.
“Oh. . . Oh my, that’s. . .” My mind was racing and then it dawned on me that I never asked for his own name in return. “First may I know the name of the man who has so boldly declared these intentions towards me?”
He smiles again as he raises both his eyebrows in amusement. Squeezing my hands affectionately, the man’s eyes seemed to shine like the stars as he took a breath and said. “Miguel. My name is Miguel O'Hara. And just to be clear, those intentions I declared were not so bold.” He inches closer, completely captivating my gaze. “I'm just telling you what I feel. And what I feel is something that I rarely do."
“Miguel O’Hara. . .”
The name seemed to roll off my tongue as I held his hands, looking into his eyes.
But where have I heard that name before?
I inched closer, feeling this sudden connection, a pull between us.
Wait– it couldn’t be?!
Then came a loud, echoing chime from the clock tower, and I felt as if my body had frozen like a statue.
No, it couldn’t be—!
“What’s the time?”
"The time? Right now, it must be about twelve."
“Midnight?” My eyes widened, feeling my heart face as I glanced over in the direction of the clock tower.
The clock had struck 12 O’clock midnight exactly. My heart dropped into my stomach. Any second the magic of the fairy godmother’s spell would wear off.
I looked back towards Miguel, a passionate, apologetic look forming in my eyes as I squeezed his hands. “I’m so sorry, Miguel, but I must go. I can’t explain, but I have to go.”
I pulled away as I gathered the skirt of my dress, beginning to run before I stopped and turned back towards him. “I had a wonderful time, the best night of my life. You are kind, compassionate, and I’ll remember you and this night for the rest of my life, Miguel O’Hara. Goodnight!”
My dress flowing, I took off running through the garden and back towards the castle.
I retraced my steps, navigating my way through and out the garden before climbing up the balcony steps to the entrance to the ballroom. The curtain blocking off the entrance was heavy, but I managed to push it open just enough for me to slip inside and I rush through the crowd trying to make it to the other end of the room.
I could hear a startled commotion behind me and when I looked back, my heart leapt in my throat when I saw Miguel emerge from the curtain, startling some of the other guests and a man dressed in a guardsman uniform approached him. “Your highness, are you alright?”
I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Miguel. . .
My mind flashed back to a memory from my childhood. Running away from home, riding in the woods after my father passed. I stumbled upon a young man who was hunting. That face, his eyes, that smile. . .
It couldn’t have been the same person. . .
But it was!
He was the prince?! He’s Prince Miguel. How could I have been so stupid!
The clock tower chimed again and it willed me to keep running.
I was beginning to pant, my lungs burning as I kept running down a long grand hallway. When I turned the corner, I nearly ran and toppled into someone else as I gasped for air, stopping in my tracks.
“Oh, goodness, are you alright my lady?” It was the King. Miguel’s father.
“Yes, my apologies, your majesty,” I offered the king a quick courtesy before I shuffled around him. I had meant to keep running, but before I did, someone compelled me to stop and turn to the king, “Your majesty if I may? Your son, Miguel, is such a kind, compassionate man. He’s so lucky to have you as his father. I know he’ll make a great king one day. Thank you for tonight.”
I smiled briefly, offering him one more quicker curtsey before I took off running again.
After more running, I made it to the entrance of the palace and begun my descent down the long, side staircase where my carriage waited at the bottom of the steps. I had made it about halfway down the steps when I felt something loosen and clatter along the cobblestone steps. I turned to see one of my glass slippers had fallen off and now my one foot was bare.
My cheeks flushed as I reached for it, until a familiar voice called out to me. I looked up and my eyes widened when I spotted Prince Miguel at the top of the stairs.
He had went after me?! If I wasn’t pressed to return home before he saw me for who I truly was. . . This has to be the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.
I glanced between him and the shoe and when he began his own descent down the steps, I left the slipper behind and traveled down the remaining flight of stairs and nearly toppled into the carriage. “Go, quickly!”
Miguel was quick and agile and caught the slipper on time, stopping it from toppling and potentially shattering. "Wait! I have something for you! Wait!" Miguel then started to run towards the carriage as he saw the driver preparing to leave.
My heart sank seeing the look on his face. I wished I could have ended the night in better circumstances. I’m so sorry, Miguel. . .
“Go!” I commanded.
The driver slapped hard in the reins and the horses sprinted, taking the carriage with them as I rode off into the night. I dared myself to take one last look out the carriage window, seeing Miguel holding the glass slipper in his hand. I retreated back inside, my heart pounding in my chest.
Heyyy I'm back from the dead, I did promise a Silk & Cologne update, and I am still actively working on it, but I am also working on a new AU and Chapter 2 of the Cinderella AU which I am posting IMMEADIETLY AFTER THIS POST!!
Due to writers block and the constant exhaustion of work wearing me down, I'm not able to write as often as I want to, so I unfortunately have to cut this AU short. There will be an ending, and a happy one, but it won't be the 10 chapter layout like I initially wanted it to be.
Hey sorry for not updating for a hot minute but I promise Silk & Cologne is still my passion project and we still Stan Miguel O’Hara in this house 🥰
There’s just been a lot of irl things going on that takes priority. But I have my ask box open if you have any questions about the fic, about my OC Lisa or headcanons about her and Miguel’s relationship 🥹👉👈
Warnings: Mentions of previous physical abuse and emotional trauma, mentions of sexual innuendos and items
Summary: Lisa and Miguel spend some quality time with her family in Seoul and attempt to reconnect.
*******
I was quiet as Grandma Park called us down for tea. Miguel and I made our way downstairs to the kitchen and I could barely fumble for words as I nodded silently towards her, thanking her for the drink as I tried to will myself not to look out into the backyard again. Jin was here.
Of course he’s here, dummy, this is his home. This was bound to happen eventually. I just didn’t think this would happen in the mere minutes I’d arrive here.
The tea had a pleasant scent and the taste was soothing, but not soothing enough to calm my nerves completely. Miguel sat with me at the counter, his free hand gently running down my back before the warmth of his palm pressed into the small of my back.
“We’ll be here for a few days. You don’t have to see him today if you’re not ready.” He said.
I pondered the thought. The idea of pushing off our meeting until tomorrow or even the last day of our trip had its promises. But I also wasn’t looking forward to these jittering nerves snapping at my heels and fluttering in my stomach until it actually happened.
“I was planning to serve a Tteokbokki and pork belly buffet tonight.” Grandma Park approached from the opposite side of the counter with her own mug. “But if you’re not ready, I can prepare a plate for you if you’d like to eat out in the garden. It’s especially lovely with the lights on at night.”
My mouth watered at the mention of the rice cakes and pork belly. Other than the kimchi, it was my absolutely most favourite dish I’ve had during my time in Korea, probably one of my favourite foods of all time, and the way Grandma Park made it was positively sublime. As if sensing the turmoil within me, Miguel’s hand brushed up my back again as his soft chuckle lured me to look over at him.
“Don’t drool mi Mona Lisa, don’t let poor Grandpa Park think you’ve been starved this whole time.” He smirked.
“Or I could just make Sujebi instead?” Grandma suggested with a teasing glint in her voice as she stared me down with a twinkle in her eye.
My eyes went wide as I set the cup down, hands flailing. “No, no, no, it’s fine!” Plus, Sujebi had a little too many vegetables for my personal liking.
“I’m teasing, tokki.” Grandma Park calmed me down with a gentle laughter. “But in all seriousness, do you want to wait?”
I glanced between her and Miguel, seeing a look of support and strength in his eyes. It filled me with the lack of confidence I wasn’t feeling earlier. I regained my composure before meeting my grandmother’s gaze again.
“No, I. . . I want to do it tonight. I can do it.”
“I’m so glad!” Grandma Park smiled, eyes brightening as she clapped her hands together. “If you want, why don’t you both help me prepare everything? It will be great bonding!”
I nodded along in agreement. “I think it could be fun.” Also a great distraction until tonight.
“I’d be honoured to help, Grandma Park.” Miguel offered her a kind smile as his free and came up to squeeze my shoulder with a comforting gaze. “Lisa has been singing your high praises about your ‘killer’ kimchi since she told me about this trip.”
“Aya! The kimchi, of course, how could I forget? I’ll make that too.” Grandma Park’s eyes lit up as she suddenly scrambled from the fridge to an assortment of cabinets to gather ingredients. “In fact, Miguel, why don’t I show you how to make it?”
The look on Miguel’s face made me snort as his eyes went wide. “¿Lo siento?” Ge glanced between her and myself with surprise, I was surprised he remembered to set his cup down before almost losing it out of his grasp as he looked at me. “Are you sure?” - What, sorry?
“You’ll be okay.” I reassured him as Grandma Park ushered him to come around the counter.
I watched as he got up from his seat and walked around, joining her as they both washed their hands before getting started. “So, Miguel, when are you and Lisa getting married?”
It was as if every piece of glass and fine China shattered in the room, no, the world. Way to blindside us grandma, I didn’t know you were that desperate for grandkids!
My heart was pounding in my chest as I sat there completely frozen as a statue. Of course Grandma could be a little forward, but this was absolutely pushing it to the limit and then some. I look over at Miguel, terrified about how he’ll respond as I can see the gears in his head turning. As if sensing my distress, whether noticing my physical reaction or through our bond, Miguel clears his throat, looking at my grandmother dead in the eyes.
“That depends, are you paying for the wedding?”
There was a brief pause before she burst into laughter, her hand smacking the table. “Oh, ho, ho, you’re a funny one!”
Miguel glanced over at me, winking playfully as the red crimson hue flickered in his eyes. Crisis averted. Well played, smooth operator Miguel.
“Now then, Lisa tells me you work in a tech company?”
Grandma Park and Miguel chatted as they prepared the spicy cabbage dish. Miguel gave her the same speech as I had done in the past with my friends, minus all of the Spider Society and him being from another dimension. He had explained that while he was born and raised in New York, I almost caught his Nueva York slip up with a silent warning gaze, his family came from Mexico.
“Oh, I love Mexico!” She smiled brightly, her voice a stunned awe as she glanced over at me. “Your grandfather and I went there for our 2nd honeymoon, it’s absolutely beautiful!”
“2nd honeymoon?” I gawked at the older woman. “This is the first I’m hearing of this. When did that happen?”
“Oh it was years ago, tokki, after we renewed our vows.” Grandma Park waved it off as if it were nothing. “It was absolutely breathtaking. Miguel, would you take Lisa to Mexico anytime soon?”
My cheeks turned red as I nearly choked on my tea as I slammed the cup onto the counter. “Grandma!”
“What? I’m just saying it’s a lovely vacation destination, perfect for the summer or if you need a break from winter, which I hear New York’s are atrocious.” Grandma played it off again as she was just making idle conversation.
Miguel stayed quiet at first, following along with grandma as he helped her spread the kimchi paste along the watered and salted cabbage, turning the green leaf into a spicy red. Our eyes met and a pulse of warmth suddenly shot through the bond as he smiled warmly. “I’ll put something in the books.”
I hid my face with my mug, sipping my tea almost too loudly and not at all suspicious. ‘You’re saying that to not hurt her feelings are you?’
‘Would you like to go? I’d love to show you around my Mexico City, or we can go to yours. I’m not picky. Although for me personally, your oceans look so much cleaner.’
‘I’ve. . . never been to Mexico.’ I admitted honestly, sparing a glance at him.
He kept his gaze on me the whole time, and never looked away once.
‘That settles it then. Let’s plan a trip together once we get back.’ He smiled at me and then his face suddenly contorted as if holding back a sneeze. “Is that–?”
“Ah, you must have smelled the chili powder. I tend to use more than the recipe requires to give a little more of a kick. Are you alright, Miguel?” Grandma Park asked out of concern after Miguel shook it off with a disgruntled huff.
“Yes, I’m fine, just. . . allergies.” Miguel answered after a brief pause and then instantly regretted it when she gasped.
“Allergies?” Grandma Park lifted a hand towards her mouth but recoiled, almost staining her mouth with the paste.
“No, no, he’s not allergic to this, grandma,” I reassured her, reaching over and comforting her. “Miguel has a very. . . sensitive sense of smell.” I glanced over at Miguel, searching for any sign that I was overstepping. “Since he was a kid.”
“Yes. . .” Miguel nodded slowly in acknowledgement. “Sorry, I got my words confused.”
“Ah, I see. . .” Grandma Park nodded along.
“Apologies for scaring you.” Miguel glanced over at her, an apologetic look in his eyes.
“It’s quite alright.” Grandma Park smiled warmly. Then her face suddenly lit up as she reached and opened a drawer. “I have an idea!”
She rummaged around for a moment before pulling out something I didn’t quite make out at first. She turned to Miguel, motioning for him to lean forward. Miguel had a puzzled yet curious look on his face as he did as asked and then my mouth dropped as she slipped on a pair of scuba goggles on him.
There was no air in my lungs as my hand went up to my mouth, desperately trying to mutter my laughter. Miguel stood back up, exchanging a look that said ‘I’d never buy you coffee ever again’.
“Not a word to any of our friends back home.” He grumbled after I snapped a picture on my phone.
By friends, I knew he mostly meant Lyla.
“I promise.” I singsonged, crossing my heart with my finger.
Miguel and Grandma Park resumed their work on the Kimchi. As I watched them while finishing my tea, trying as I might, despite my brain telling me repeatedly to not look, I turned and glanced toward the giant glass windows that overlooked their backyard.
I found Grandpa talking with Jin, Pom Pom’s little tail wagging excitedly as they hovered near their feet. They looked over a series of flowerbeds in the garden, probably discussing the flowers. Jin actually seemed. . . relaxed. Dare I say happy.
I glanced down at my now empty tea cup, a nervous bubble forming in the pit of my stomach.
I can do it.
*********
The hours seemed to slowly tick by, as if the universe was taunting me about the inevitable. Watching Miguel spend time and getting to know my grandparents helped me a little with my nerves, and whenever I needed him, Miguel offered his shoulder to lean on or his hand to hold and squeeze.
It got immensely better when my mother finally arrived.
“I’m so sorry I took so long! My meeting with the fundraiser at the country club across town took forever, and the traffic was awful!” She rambled on before enveloping me in a tight bear hug. “Oh, I missed you baby!”
“I missed you too, mom!” I nearly wheezed and gasped for air after finally pulling away from her grasp.
She looked over to Miguel, her smile beaming as she shook his hand. “Miguel, I’m so happy you could join us. When Lisa told me you’d be tagging along, I was over the moon!”
“Of course.” Miguel smiled back at her with a warm gaze. “I wanted to provide moral support.”
To catch up and spend some mother-daughter time, Janet quickly took me out shopping at a nearby mall to pick out an outfit for tonight. We tried to look for something that screamed ‘confident daughter who won’t take no more shit from her step-father’. By we I mean me.
In the end, I settled for a nice pair of matching black dress pants and jacket with a blue blouse and flats. Nothing too lavish, but I wanted to be professional and be a better person. If Jin was making progress like mom said he was, then I’d try to put in some effort for this dinner.
When we returned, Grandma not only finished the kimchi with Miguel’s help, but she also roped him into helping prepare the rest of the buffet! She had to stop him twice from trying to sneak a piece of the pork belly and threatened him with no dessert if he didn’t comply. Miguel claims it was an exaggeration.
“I only swiped 1 piece.” He claimed.
“1 pork belly and 3 rice cakes!” Grandma Park corrected.
After that was done, Jin had retired to his room, so Grandpa gave us a tour of their recently renovated backyard. It was a giant, beautiful garden with various assortment of flowers, a giant cherry blossom tree and a meditation corner.
“It was Jin’s passion project these last few months.” he had explained, offering me a flower to smell.
I held it delicately in my hand, catching a whiff of the aroma. “They’re beautiful…”
After the tour of the garden, we went back inside and I showed off the new outfit I got to Miguel, and he had me help him go through his entire gizmo inventory for the perfect outfit to A) make a good impression with my family and B) Not make it so obvious that he wanted to match with me. He was mostly opting for the latter.
After passing the time and waiting a painstaking couple of hours and a shower to clean myself up and calm me down, it was dinner time.
We all sat in the dining room, Miguel, myself and my mom on one side, followed by Grandpa, Jin, and Grandma on the other. We mostly ate in silence at first, making the occasional small talk. It helped that Grandma’s cooking was absolutely fantastic. I couldn’t remember the last time I drooled so much over a piece of pork, and the Tteokbokki was killer.
Of course, good food isn’t enough to stop the inevitable.
“Lisa, Janet showed us your performance back in New York.” Grandpa initiated the conversation, his eyes beaming with pride. “We are so proud of you.”
My heart fluttered with warmth as I smiled at him. “Thank you, grandpa.”
“Oh, yes, it was wonderful! The bright lights, the pretty colours! Very well choreographed. Everything seemed so lively!” Grandma Park praised before glancing over at Jin. “Jin watched it with us, he was very impressed.”
All eyes turned to Jin at that comment. He swallowed his food before pausing, our eyes meeting.
“Remember, Jin?” Grandma Park pressed.
“. . . You were exceptional.” He nodded firmly.
I didn’t remember holding my breath until I sighed in relief, letting the nerves and tension ease out of me as we all resumed eating.
Just. . . exceptional?
“You’ve been keeping up with your practice.” Jin noted.
“It was a little tricky at first, you know, restricted to bed rest and all, but I got by.” I replied.
I don’t know why I worded it like I did, but after I spoke the words, the air around us suddenly became tense.
“Why New York, if I may ask?” Jin went on, his eyes locked on to me. “There were plenty of well established teams back in Toronto.”
I would have stayed. But the memories, the scars… they ran too deep. “I needed a fresh start.” I shrugged my shoulders innocently.
Jin’s gaze lowered to his plate, his fork picking at his food before his eyes narrowed up at me. “Korea could have been your fresh start if you stayed.”
“Jin!” Janet shushed him, her head whipping towards him.
My heart dropped.
The gloves were officially off.
“Why didn’t you come to me the day before the show?” Jin pressed on, his eyes solely focused on me. “Instead you waited until the last possible second, right before your debut show. Did you want me to cause a scene and stop the performance altogether?”
“I wasn’t saying I wanted you to stop our whole performance, I said that ‘I’ wanted out. The rest of my group could have performed just fine without me.” I stated, my stomach suddenly turning into knots.
I didn’t mean for things to get so heated. I thought we’d wait until after dinner before getting into the nitty gritty and do family therapy. What sucked the most about this was I just lost my appetite for grandma’s killer Tteokbokki.
“Even on our good days, you constantly criticized what I’d do, eat, dress!” I stressed, nearly flinging away a piece of pork.
“I was trying to look out for you.” Jin responded in earnest. “As your popularity grew, all eyes were on you, Lisa, just waiting for you to let your guard down. That’s the dark side of this industry, I was trying to protect you without showing too much favoritism.”
Favouritism?!
“By constantly making me feel like I wasn’t good enough?” The outburst slipped out before I could even think of the words. “By attacking me?!”
Miguel’s free hand slipped under the table, squeezing my thigh and holding me into my chair. He knew fully well that if this went on for any longer, I might jump out of my chair and leap right for him. His eyes were sharp as he glared towards Jin, like a panther sizing up his prey. If I wasn’t going to take the dive, he would.
“I acknowledge what I did was outlandish and absolutely awful, but I am still your father. I may not have been there when you were brought into this world and in your early years, but I watched you grow. I helped mold you into the capable woman you are now.”
Something snapped in me as I dropped my chopsticks onto my plate. “No. You molded me into the woman I was 2 years ago. Times have changed. I’m not the same, broken, fragile thing I was back then, and I never will be. I molded myself into this capable woman I am today. You had nothing to do with it.”
I shot up from my chair, tossing my napkin to my plate as Miguel’s hand fell from my lap. All eyes were on me, but I focused my attention solely on the pair I wanted to address.
“I can acknowledge you’ve made progress in most aspects of your life and behavior, and I’m glad you have people that can help you. But, clearly, there’s still some work to be done about this–” I pointed a finger between the two of us, “-if it's even remotely salvageable. But that’s apparently not going to happen tonight.”
A chill crawled through the air, the room turning cold and suffocating as tears burned in my eyes, but I held strong to keep them at bay. I turned towards my grandparents, bowing my head respectfully.
“Thank you for the lovely meal.” I leveled my head as I glanced around the table to look at my mother and Miguel. “Excuse me.”
My chair scraped against the floor as I backed away, stepping away from the dining room table and down the hall, before slipping outside into the backyard.
**********
Miguel’s P.OV.
After Lisa stormed off, Miguel had the urge to stand and go after her, to comfort her, but her mother beat him to it. She shot a disappointed glare towards her husband before excusing herself from the table. Grandma and Grandpa Park looked upon us in shocked silence, swearing softly in their native tongues.
A million thoughts were running through Miguel’s head. 90% of them ended with Jin as a corpse. But that would leave a horrible impression with Lisa’s grandparents. They weren’t at fault for his behavior and they had both been lovely to them since their arrival.
“She came here because she believed, even with the smallest of chances, that you had changed.” Miguel’s eyes narrowed darkly towards Jin, his crimson eyes piercing into his very soul. “You just proved her wrong, and wasted her valuable time.”
There was a flicker in Jin’s eyes, but he didn’t move from his chair, his knuckles bone white as he held a death grip on his fork.
“We’re here for another few days. You have until the hour before our flight to apologize to her, because if you don’t, I think I know Lisa well enough that she would never want to see or hear from you ever again.” Miguel growled lowly, his fists held firm at his sides to stop himself from completely losing his cool.
Jin remained silent in his chair before slowly releasing his fork, the sound of the metal clattering softly against the plate as he leaned back in his chair. As if he was just now coming to terms with what had just happened. And then he spoke up.
“I am glad she has someone like you to watch over her.” His voice was quiet, punctual. “It’s hard for her to go through discussions like this on her own.”
The tension seeped away from Miguel’s body as he took a breath, his fingers loosening. “I don’t care what you have to say about me.”
Miguel casted an apologetic look towards Grandma and Grandpa Park, thanking them for the meal before excusing himself from the table. His footsteps were heavy, but quick as he sauntered to the opposite end of the house to the giant sliding screen door. He stopped at the archway, a hand at the door as he watched Janet hold Lisa close in the bright spotlights of the yard as she cried into her shoulder.
He wanted nothing more than to take Lisa in his arms right there and then, but knew Lisa needed time. So he waited.
“What do you want to do, honey?” Janet asked Lisa, hands on her hips as she put on her serious mom face.
When she put on that face, she meant business. A true mother’s intuition.
Lisa took a breath and looked into her mother’s eyes and said “I don’t want to stay here tonight.”
Miguel took a deep breath, nostrils flaring as he gripped the doorway tightly before pushing off from the door and headed upstairs to pack their things.
*********
Lisa’s P.O.V.
It was a long drive. Of course the closest available hotel I could find that wasn’t booked on a Friday night was on the opposite side of the district. But so long as there was an available room with a bed where I could lay down and just pass out and forget tonight even happened, I’d be happy. I wanted to call a taxi, but grandma insisted Ja Hoon drive us out of concern for our safety. By our safety, she of course meant mine.
Miguel convinced me to accept the offer, as she just wanted to make sure I’d be taken care of. The lights of the street lamps shined over our faces through the dark as Ja Hoon guided the car and pulled over in front of a small building. It looked modern enough, perhaps not a lavish hotel or anything like my grandparents house, but it would do for one night.
We got out of the car and Ja Hoon helped us with our luggage. I offered him a polite, thankful smile with a curt bow of my head. “Thank you for driving us, Ja Hoon.”
“It was no problem, Miss Kendrick.” He bowed back. “If you require my services again, I’m a phone call away.”
He glanced over to say goodbye to Miguel when suddenly he froze, his eyes slowly going wide as if he were realizing something.
“Ja Hoon? Are you okay?” I asked with a concerned look in my eye as Miguel placed a hand on my shoulder to keep me from stepping forward.
“No, no, everything is fun- fine! I meant fine!” Ja Hoon spoke quickly, bowing again with more urgency before making a beeline for his car. “Enjoy yourselves!”
The car started and he took off down the street, his back headlight blurring off in the distance.
“That was. . . weird.” I glanced over towards Miguel with a raised brow. “Any idea what that was about?”
“No idea.” Miguel looked equally as confused as I was.
“Whatever, it’s getting late, and I’m too tired to dwell on it.” I shook it off, surpassing a yawn that crawled its way up my throat as I grabbed my suitcase. “Let’s go inside.”
Miguel followed close behind me as we entered the lobby and greeted the receptionist with a warm smile. She checked us in, handing us both our keys.
“Unfortunately this room is booked for the morning so we can only accommodate you both during your time tonight.” She explained.
Odd. Do they not normally take walkins?
“That’s alright, we’ll only be here one night, thank you.” I nodded in understanding, but at this point I was so tired I was simply pretending to get some sleep.
“Enjoy your stay with us, and if you require any extra services, our room service is open all night.” She smiled, waving us towards the elevator.
“Thank you.” Miguel nodded as he gently pulled me along as we both stepped into the elevator.
The doors closed in front of us and for the first time since we left the house, I let out a deep sigh as I leaned against Miguel. “Tired?” He asked me as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pecking the top of my head.
“Tired doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling right now.” I groaned.
Tonight was. . . something. A disaster? Maybe I wouldn’t go that far. But it blew my expectations out of the water in the worst way possible. I hadn’t raised my voice like that since the accident, and the look on his face. . .
The elevator chime snapped me out of my train of thoughts as we arrived on our floor. Walking down the hall, I found our room number as I unlocked the door and opened it, stepping inside. I sighed in relief seeing a nice, clean room with a bed and bathroom.
“Oh thank god, now I can sleep a little easier. . .” I cheered, nearly toppling onto my knees right there and then.
“Don’t pass out on me yet, mi corazon.” Miguel snickered, ruffling my hair with his hand. “Actually unpack your things and get ready for bed first.” - my Sweetheart
“Fine.” I huffed, lifting my suitcase onto the couch to unzip it. “But I call dibs on the better side of the bed.”
“Then I call dibs on the first shower.” Miguel smirked back at me, taking off his coat and putting it on the hanger.
“Deal.” I caved, the idea of a shower sounding absolutely incredible too.
Miguel made his way to the hotel bathroom as I opened my suitcase and started rummaging for my pajamas to set them aside on the bed before putting away the rest of my things. But as I approached the bed, I noticed something off about this bed. It seemed rather large, even for two people. Had the room I booked on a last ditch effort to get out of the house been a deluxe and I didn’t notice?
Was this even a king size bed?
A low whistle caught my ear as I heard Miguel speak up, “Lisa, what the shock is the size of this bathtub?”
“What?” I turn and walk over to the bathroom, standing in the door to peer inside. My jaw nearly dropped to the floor as I looked at the giant size bathtub with molded seating and jets. “A bathtub? That looks like a jacuzzi to me!”
“I have never been more excited to take a bath in my life.” The balls of his feet bounced with an excited spring as Miguel immediately pulled his shirt off, motioning to his body and height. “This was why I switched to showers.”
“Well then you go on and enjoy yourself while I finish packing.” I chuckled at his enthusiasm, my cheeks a light shade of pink as my gaze trailed over his exposed chest before quickly averting my gaze back to his face. “You deserve a moment to yourself and relax after tonight.”
“That’s my line.” He teased before his expression softened, pointing to his gizmo. “If you want, since there's plenty of space, you can join me? I can have Lyla whip out swimsuits for us to help you feel comfortable.”
My heart fluttered at the gesture, a soft smile on my face. He wasn’t forcing me into anything I wasn’t ready for, but wanted to still help me find ways for me to relax. “That’s really sweet of you, Miguel, but I’ll be okay for tonight. Just don’t use all the hot water.”
“Yes ma’am.” he gave me a salute, waiting for me to leave before starting the water and stripping off the rest of his clothes.
As I was leaving, I couldn’t help but notice that the shower was also a generous size as well. Was it some sort of theme in this hotel? To make us feel smaller or shrunk like in ‘Honey, I Shrunk The Kids’? Cause this was one weird way of showing it.
I stepped back into the bedroom, noticing a small bowl of red cherry candies on the side table. I popped one into my mouth before I resumed unpacking. I took a handful of clothes, humming the tone of a song to help soothe me as I reached for a drawer on the dresser. I pulled it open and before I could put my clothes in, I recoiled and dropped my clothes.
I gasped, but no scream came out of me as I covered my hands with my mouth. I tiptoed back to the open drawer and peeked inside. Surely my mind was playing tricks on me. This couldn’t have been the hotel’s fault. Did the previous tenants of this hotel room leave these behind?
A generous helping of strawberry flavoured condoms was on one side, floral pattern lace and lingerie on the other in three different colours.
My hands were trembling as I reached out and picked up one of the condom wrappers. When my hand made physical contact with it, my heart skipped a beat, a wave of anxiety washing over me before I threw it back and slammed the drawer shut.
There’s no way. There’s absolutely no way.
I opened another drawer and stared in shock. An assortment of vibraters and other ‘toys’ was inside. I checked all of them. Every single drawer had something inside, all but one. I didn’t feel comfortable putting my clothes in that drawer after what I saw.
Okay, there were way too many of these things for the scenario to be that they were left behind. But why would the hotel have all of this stuff–!
Wait a shocking minute.
I noticed a remote control on top of the dresser. I reached for it, turning on the TV. A streaming service came on screen. At a glance, it seemed normal enough until I cycled through their selection. Everything was an R or X rated adult film. My skin turned pale as I dropped the remote and it clattered to the floor. There was another remote embedded on the side of the headrest of the bed with over a dozen buttons, and I don’t know how I didn’t notice this until now; There were no windows.
“Miguel!” My voice cracked as I called for him, panic rushing through me as I suddenly felt light headed.
“Lisa?” His voice responded, followed by splashing and the pitter patter of his feet against the cool tile floor of the bathroom. He emerged in the bedroom, hair damp and body soaking wet as he hastily tied a towel around his waist. “What’s wrong, what happened?” He brandished his fangs and claws, scanning the room for signs of danger.
My heart panged at how he looked, realizing he literally flung himself out of the middle of the bath because he heard me call for help. I felt awful for disturbing him at this moment and silently vowed I’d make it up to him later with all the fancy soap and fancy shampoos he wanted, heck even a bath bomb or two.
“I made a mistake!” I blurted out, the first set of words coming to me as I scrambled to steady myself.
“Hey, hey, hey, breathe,” He commanded, stepping forward as he recoiled his claws before placing his hands on my shoulders, the water staining my shirt but I didn’t care too much right now. “Just breathe.”
He waited for me to take a couple deep breaths in and out before speaking again.
“What mistake? Was it dinner?” He asked.
“No, it’s this room!” I clarified, my voice tense with a slight, anxious whine to it. “I booked us the wrong room.”
“What are you talking about, Lisa?” He asked me, trying to get a read on me but I could tell by the look on his face he was struggling.
The words were right there on the tip of my tongue, but for the life of me I couldn’t get them out. All I could do at the moment was lower my head in either shame or cowardness, perhaps both, as I pointed to the TV.
Miguel glanced over at the screen, his eyes trailing over the text. His eyes widened as his hands moved away from my shoulders, one of his hands coming to his towel to hold it in place. He turned back to look at me.
“And the dresser. . .” I muttered softly.
Noticing that some of my clothes were littered on the floor, he was about to speak up until his voice trailed off once he opened the drawer containing the condoms and lingerie, then the same one with the sex toys. He didn’t need to open the others to know where this was going. He did a once over around the room before his eyes met mine, finally understanding the source of my stress. “Lisa…?”
I sucked in one more deep breath before I blurted out the words. “I accidentally booked us a room in a love hotel!”
As if this night couldn’t get any worse.
*******
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Warnings: Mentions of previous physical abuse and emotional trauma, mentions of sexual innuendos and items
Summary: Lisa and Miguel spend some quality time with her family in Seoul and attempt to reconnect.
*******
I was quiet as Grandma Park called us down for tea. Miguel and I made our way downstairs to the kitchen and I could barely fumble for words as I nodded silently towards her, thanking her for the drink as I tried to will myself not to look out into the backyard again. Jin was here.
Of course he’s here, dummy, this is his home. This was bound to happen eventually. I just didn’t think this would happen in the mere minutes I’d arrive here.
The tea had a pleasant scent and the taste was soothing, but not soothing enough to calm my nerves completely. Miguel sat with me at the counter, his free hand gently running down my back before the warmth of his palm pressed into the small of my back.
“We’ll be here for a few days. You don’t have to see him today if you’re not ready.” He said.
I pondered the thought. The idea of pushing off our meeting until tomorrow or even the last day of our trip had its promises. But I also wasn’t looking forward to these jittering nerves snapping at my heels and fluttering in my stomach until it actually happened.
“I was planning to serve a Tteokbokki and pork belly buffet tonight.” Grandma Park approached from the opposite side of the counter with her own mug. “But if you’re not ready, I can prepare a plate for you if you’d like to eat out in the garden. It’s especially lovely with the lights on at night.”
My mouth watered at the mention of the rice cakes and pork belly. Other than the kimchi, it was my absolutely most favourite dish I’ve had during my time in Korea, probably one of my favourite foods of all time, and the way Grandma Park made it was positively sublime. As if sensing the turmoil within me, Miguel’s hand brushed up my back again as his soft chuckle lured me to look over at him.
“Don’t drool mi Mona Lisa, don’t let poor Grandpa Park think you’ve been starved this whole time.” He smirked.
“Or I could just make Sujebi instead?” Grandma suggested with a teasing glint in her voice as she stared me down with a twinkle in her eye.
My eyes went wide as I set the cup down, hands flailing. “No, no, no, it’s fine!” Plus, Sujebi had a little too many vegetables for my personal liking.
“I’m teasing, tokki.” Grandma Park calmed me down with a gentle laughter. “But in all seriousness, do you want to wait?”
I glanced between her and Miguel, seeing a look of support and strength in his eyes. It filled me with the lack of confidence I wasn’t feeling earlier. I regained my composure before meeting my grandmother’s gaze again.
“No, I. . . I want to do it tonight. I can do it.”
“I’m so glad!” Grandma Park smiled, eyes brightening as she clapped her hands together. “If you want, why don’t you both help me prepare everything? It will be great bonding!”
I nodded along in agreement. “I think it could be fun.” Also a great distraction until tonight.
“I’d be honoured to help, Grandma Park.” Miguel offered her a kind smile as his free and came up to squeeze my shoulder with a comforting gaze. “Lisa has been singing your high praises about your ‘killer’ kimchi since she told me about this trip.”
“Aya! The kimchi, of course, how could I forget? I’ll make that too.” Grandma Park’s eyes lit up as she suddenly scrambled from the fridge to an assortment of cabinets to gather ingredients. “In fact, Miguel, why don’t I show you how to make it?”
The look on Miguel’s face made me snort as his eyes went wide. “¿Lo siento?” Ge glanced between her and myself with surprise, I was surprised he remembered to set his cup down before almost losing it out of his grasp as he looked at me. “Are you sure?” - What, sorry?
“You’ll be okay.” I reassured him as Grandma Park ushered him to come around the counter.
I watched as he got up from his seat and walked around, joining her as they both washed their hands before getting started. “So, Miguel, when are you and Lisa getting married?”
It was as if every piece of glass and fine China shattered in the room, no, the world. Way to blindside us grandma, I didn’t know you were that desperate for grandkids!
My heart was pounding in my chest as I sat there completely frozen as a statue. Of course Grandma could be a little forward, but this was absolutely pushing it to the limit and then some. I look over at Miguel, terrified about how he’ll respond as I can see the gears in his head turning. As if sensing my distress, whether noticing my physical reaction or through our bond, Miguel clears his throat, looking at my grandmother dead in the eyes.
“That depends, are you paying for the wedding?”
There was a brief pause before she burst into laughter, her hand smacking the table. “Oh, ho, ho, you’re a funny one!”
Miguel glanced over at me, winking playfully as the red crimson hue flickered in his eyes. Crisis averted. Well played, smooth operator Miguel.
“Now then, Lisa tells me you work in a tech company?”
Grandma Park and Miguel chatted as they prepared the spicy cabbage dish. Miguel gave her the same speech as I had done in the past with my friends, minus all of the Spider Society and him being from another dimension. He had explained that while he was born and raised in New York, I almost caught his Nueva York slip up with a silent warning gaze, his family came from Mexico.
“Oh, I love Mexico!” She smiled brightly, her voice a stunned awe as she glanced over at me. “Your grandfather and I went there for our 2nd honeymoon, it’s absolutely beautiful!”
“2nd honeymoon?” I gawked at the older woman. “This is the first I’m hearing of this. When did that happen?”
“Oh it was years ago, tokki, after we renewed our vows.” Grandma Park waved it off as if it were nothing. “It was absolutely breathtaking. Miguel, would you take Lisa to Mexico anytime soon?”
My cheeks turned red as I nearly choked on my tea as I slammed the cup onto the counter. “Grandma!”
“What? I’m just saying it’s a lovely vacation destination, perfect for the summer or if you need a break from winter, which I hear New York’s are atrocious.” Grandma played it off again as she was just making idle conversation.
Miguel stayed quiet at first, following along with grandma as he helped her spread the kimchi paste along the watered and salted cabbage, turning the green leaf into a spicy red. Our eyes met and a pulse of warmth suddenly shot through the bond as he smiled warmly. “I’ll put something in the books.”
I hid my face with my mug, sipping my tea almost too loudly and not at all suspicious. ‘You’re saying that to not hurt her feelings are you?’
‘Would you like to go? I’d love to show you around my Mexico City, or we can go to yours. I’m not picky. Although for me personally, your oceans look so much cleaner.’
‘I’ve. . . never been to Mexico.’ I admitted honestly, sparing a glance at him.
He kept his gaze on me the whole time, and never looked away once.
‘That settles it then. Let’s plan a trip together once we get back.’ He smiled at me and then his face suddenly contorted as if holding back a sneeze. “Is that–?”
“Ah, you must have smelled the chili powder. I tend to use more than the recipe requires to give a little more of a kick. Are you alright, Miguel?” Grandma Park asked out of concern after Miguel shook it off with a disgruntled huff.
“Yes, I’m fine, just. . . allergies.” Miguel answered after a brief pause and then instantly regretted it when she gasped.
“Allergies?” Grandma Park lifted a hand towards her mouth but recoiled, almost staining her mouth with the paste.
“No, no, he’s not allergic to this, grandma,” I reassured her, reaching over and comforting her. “Miguel has a very. . . sensitive sense of smell.” I glanced over at Miguel, searching for any sign that I was overstepping. “Since he was a kid.”
“Yes. . .” Miguel nodded slowly in acknowledgement. “Sorry, I got my words confused.”
“Ah, I see. . .” Grandma Park nodded along.
“Apologies for scaring you.” Miguel glanced over at her, an apologetic look in his eyes.
“It’s quite alright.” Grandma Park smiled warmly. Then her face suddenly lit up as she reached and opened a drawer. “I have an idea!”
She rummaged around for a moment before pulling out something I didn’t quite make out at first. She turned to Miguel, motioning for him to lean forward. Miguel had a puzzled yet curious look on his face as he did as asked and then my mouth dropped as she slipped on a pair of scuba goggles on him.
There was no air in my lungs as my hand went up to my mouth, desperately trying to mutter my laughter. Miguel stood back up, exchanging a look that said ‘I’d never buy you coffee ever again’.
“Not a word to any of our friends back home.” He grumbled after I snapped a picture on my phone.
By friends, I knew he mostly meant Lyla.
“I promise.” I singsonged, crossing my heart with my finger.
Miguel and Grandma Park resumed their work on the Kimchi. As I watched them while finishing my tea, trying as I might, despite my brain telling me repeatedly to not look, I turned and glanced toward the giant glass windows that overlooked their backyard.
I found Grandpa talking with Jin, Pom Pom’s little tail wagging excitedly as they hovered near their feet. They looked over a series of flowerbeds in the garden, probably discussing the flowers. Jin actually seemed. . . relaxed. Dare I say happy.
I glanced down at my now empty tea cup, a nervous bubble forming in the pit of my stomach.
I can do it.
*********
The hours seemed to slowly tick by, as if the universe was taunting me about the inevitable. Watching Miguel spend time and getting to know my grandparents helped me a little with my nerves, and whenever I needed him, Miguel offered his shoulder to lean on or his hand to hold and squeeze.
It got immensely better when my mother finally arrived.
“I’m so sorry I took so long! My meeting with the fundraiser at the country club across town took forever, and the traffic was awful!” She rambled on before enveloping me in a tight bear hug. “Oh, I missed you baby!”
“I missed you too, mom!” I nearly wheezed and gasped for air after finally pulling away from her grasp.
She looked over to Miguel, her smile beaming as she shook his hand. “Miguel, I’m so happy you could join us. When Lisa told me you’d be tagging along, I was over the moon!”
“Of course.” Miguel smiled back at her with a warm gaze. “I wanted to provide moral support.”
To catch up and spend some mother-daughter time, Janet quickly took me out shopping at a nearby mall to pick out an outfit for tonight. We tried to look for something that screamed ‘confident daughter who won’t take no more shit from her step-father’. By we I mean me.
In the end, I settled for a nice pair of matching black dress pants and jacket with a blue blouse and flats. Nothing too lavish, but I wanted to be professional and be a better person. If Jin was making progress like mom said he was, then I’d try to put in some effort for this dinner.
When we returned, Grandma not only finished the kimchi with Miguel’s help, but she also roped him into helping prepare the rest of the buffet! She had to stop him twice from trying to sneak a piece of the pork belly and threatened him with no dessert if he didn’t comply. Miguel claims it was an exaggeration.
“I only swiped 1 piece.” He claimed.
“1 pork belly and 3 rice cakes!” Grandma Park corrected.
After that was done, Jin had retired to his room, so Grandpa gave us a tour of their recently renovated backyard. It was a giant, beautiful garden with various assortment of flowers, a giant cherry blossom tree and a meditation corner.
“It was Jin’s passion project these last few months.” he had explained, offering me a flower to smell.
I held it delicately in my hand, catching a whiff of the aroma. “They’re beautiful…”
After the tour of the garden, we went back inside and I showed off the new outfit I got to Miguel, and he had me help him go through his entire gizmo inventory for the perfect outfit to A) make a good impression with my family and B) Not make it so obvious that he wanted to match with me. He was mostly opting for the latter.
After passing the time and waiting a painstaking couple of hours and a shower to clean myself up and calm me down, it was dinner time.
We all sat in the dining room, Miguel, myself and my mom on one side, followed by Grandpa, Jin, and Grandma on the other. We mostly ate in silence at first, making the occasional small talk. It helped that Grandma’s cooking was absolutely fantastic. I couldn’t remember the last time I drooled so much over a piece of pork, and the Tteokbokki was killer.
Of course, good food isn’t enough to stop the inevitable.
“Lisa, Janet showed us your performance back in New York.” Grandpa initiated the conversation, his eyes beaming with pride. “We are so proud of you.”
My heart fluttered with warmth as I smiled at him. “Thank you, grandpa.”
“Oh, yes, it was wonderful! The bright lights, the pretty colours! Very well choreographed. Everything seemed so lively!” Grandma Park praised before glancing over at Jin. “Jin watched it with us, he was very impressed.”
All eyes turned to Jin at that comment. He swallowed his food before pausing, our eyes meeting.
“Remember, Jin?” Grandma Park pressed.
“. . . You were exceptional.” He nodded firmly.
I didn’t remember holding my breath until I sighed in relief, letting the nerves and tension ease out of me as we all resumed eating.
Just. . . exceptional?
“You’ve been keeping up with your practice.” Jin noted.
“It was a little tricky at first, you know, restricted to bed rest and all, but I got by.” I replied.
I don’t know why I worded it like I did, but after I spoke the words, the air around us suddenly became tense.
“Why New York, if I may ask?” Jin went on, his eyes locked on to me. “There were plenty of well established teams back in Toronto.”
I would have stayed. But the memories, the scars… they ran too deep. “I needed a fresh start.” I shrugged my shoulders innocently.
Jin’s gaze lowered to his plate, his fork picking at his food before his eyes narrowed up at me. “Korea could have been your fresh start if you stayed.”
“Jin!” Janet shushed him, her head whipping towards him.
My heart dropped.
The gloves were officially off.
“Why didn’t you come to me the day before the show?” Jin pressed on, his eyes solely focused on me. “Instead you waited until the last possible second, right before your debut show. Did you want me to cause a scene and stop the performance altogether?”
“I wasn’t saying I wanted you to stop our whole performance, I said that ‘I’ wanted out. The rest of my group could have performed just fine without me.” I stated, my stomach suddenly turning into knots.
I didn’t mean for things to get so heated. I thought we’d wait until after dinner before getting into the nitty gritty and do family therapy. What sucked the most about this was I just lost my appetite for grandma’s killer Tteokbokki.
“Even on our good days, you constantly criticized what I’d do, eat, dress!” I stressed, nearly flinging away a piece of pork.
“I was trying to look out for you.” Jin responded in earnest. “As your popularity grew, all eyes were on you, Lisa, just waiting for you to let your guard down. That’s the dark side of this industry, I was trying to protect you without showing too much favoritism.”
Favouritism?!
“By constantly making me feel like I wasn’t good enough?” The outburst slipped out before I could even think of the words. “By attacking me?!”
Miguel’s free hand slipped under the table, squeezing my thigh and holding me into my chair. He knew fully well that if this went on for any longer, I might jump out of my chair and leap right for him. His eyes were sharp as he glared towards Jin, like a panther sizing up his prey. If I wasn’t going to take the dive, he would.
“I acknowledge what I did was outlandish and absolutely awful, but I am still your father. I may not have been there when you were brought into this world and in your early years, but I watched you grow. I helped mold you into the capable woman you are now.”
Something snapped in me as I dropped my chopsticks onto my plate. “No. You molded me into the woman I was 2 years ago. Times have changed. I’m not the same, broken, fragile thing I was back then, and I never will be. I molded myself into this capable woman I am today. You had nothing to do with it.”
I shot up from my chair, tossing my napkin to my plate as Miguel’s hand fell from my lap. All eyes were on me, but I focused my attention solely on the pair I wanted to address.
“I can acknowledge you’ve made progress in most aspects of your life and behavior, and I’m glad you have people that can help you. But, clearly, there’s still some work to be done about this–” I pointed a finger between the two of us, “-if it's even remotely salvageable. But that’s apparently not going to happen tonight.”
A chill crawled through the air, the room turning cold and suffocating as tears burned in my eyes, but I held strong to keep them at bay. I turned towards my grandparents, bowing my head respectfully.
“Thank you for the lovely meal.” I leveled my head as I glanced around the table to look at my mother and Miguel. “Excuse me.”
My chair scraped against the floor as I backed away, stepping away from the dining room table and down the hall, before slipping outside into the backyard.
**********
Miguel’s P.OV.
After Lisa stormed off, Miguel had the urge to stand and go after her, to comfort her, but her mother beat him to it. She shot a disappointed glare towards her husband before excusing herself from the table. Grandma and Grandpa Park looked upon us in shocked silence, swearing softly in their native tongues.
A million thoughts were running through Miguel’s head. 90% of them ended with Jin as a corpse. But that would leave a horrible impression with Lisa’s grandparents. They weren’t at fault for his behavior and they had both been lovely to them since their arrival.
“She came here because she believed, even with the smallest of chances, that you had changed.” Miguel’s eyes narrowed darkly towards Jin, his crimson eyes piercing into his very soul. “You just proved her wrong, and wasted her valuable time.”
There was a flicker in Jin’s eyes, but he didn’t move from his chair, his knuckles bone white as he held a death grip on his fork.
“We’re here for another few days. You have until the hour before our flight to apologize to her, because if you don’t, I think I know Lisa well enough that she would never want to see or hear from you ever again.” Miguel growled lowly, his fists held firm at his sides to stop himself from completely losing his cool.
Jin remained silent in his chair before slowly releasing his fork, the sound of the metal clattering softly against the plate as he leaned back in his chair. As if he was just now coming to terms with what had just happened. And then he spoke up.
“I am glad she has someone like you to watch over her.” His voice was quiet, punctual. “It’s hard for her to go through discussions like this on her own.”
The tension seeped away from Miguel’s body as he took a breath, his fingers loosening. “I don’t care what you have to say about me.”
Miguel casted an apologetic look towards Grandma and Grandpa Park, thanking them for the meal before excusing himself from the table. His footsteps were heavy, but quick as he sauntered to the opposite end of the house to the giant sliding screen door. He stopped at the archway, a hand at the door as he watched Janet hold Lisa close in the bright spotlights of the yard as she cried into her shoulder.
He wanted nothing more than to take Lisa in his arms right there and then, but knew Lisa needed time. So he waited.
“What do you want to do, honey?” Janet asked Lisa, hands on her hips as she put on her serious mom face.
When she put on that face, she meant business. A true mother’s intuition.
Lisa took a breath and looked into her mother’s eyes and said “I don’t want to stay here tonight.”
Miguel took a deep breath, nostrils flaring as he gripped the doorway tightly before pushing off from the door and headed upstairs to pack their things.
*********
Lisa’s P.O.V.
It was a long drive. Of course the closest available hotel I could find that wasn’t booked on a Friday night was on the opposite side of the district. But so long as there was an available room with a bed where I could lay down and just pass out and forget tonight even happened, I’d be happy. I wanted to call a taxi, but grandma insisted Ja Hoon drive us out of concern for our safety. By our safety, she of course meant mine.
Miguel convinced me to accept the offer, as she just wanted to make sure I’d be taken care of. The lights of the street lamps shined over our faces through the dark as Ja Hoon guided the car and pulled over in front of a small building. It looked modern enough, perhaps not a lavish hotel or anything like my grandparents house, but it would do for one night.
We got out of the car and Ja Hoon helped us with our luggage. I offered him a polite, thankful smile with a curt bow of my head. “Thank you for driving us, Ja Hoon.”
“It was no problem, Miss Kendrick.” He bowed back. “If you require my services again, I’m a phone call away.”
He glanced over to say goodbye to Miguel when suddenly he froze, his eyes slowly going wide as if he were realizing something.
“Ja Hoon? Are you okay?” I asked with a concerned look in my eye as Miguel placed a hand on my shoulder to keep me from stepping forward.
“No, no, everything is fun- fine! I meant fine!” Ja Hoon spoke quickly, bowing again with more urgency before making a beeline for his car. “Enjoy yourselves!”
The car started and he took off down the street, his back headlight blurring off in the distance.
“That was. . . weird.” I glanced over towards Miguel with a raised brow. “Any idea what that was about?”
“No idea.” Miguel looked equally as confused as I was.
“Whatever, it’s getting late, and I’m too tired to dwell on it.” I shook it off, surpassing a yawn that crawled its way up my throat as I grabbed my suitcase. “Let’s go inside.”
Miguel followed close behind me as we entered the lobby and greeted the receptionist with a warm smile. She checked us in, handing us both our keys.
“Unfortunately this room is booked for the morning so we can only accommodate you both during your time tonight.” She explained.
Odd. Do they not normally take walkins?
“That’s alright, we’ll only be here one night, thank you.” I nodded in understanding, but at this point I was so tired I was simply pretending to get some sleep.
“Enjoy your stay with us, and if you require any extra services, our room service is open all night.” She smiled, waving us towards the elevator.
“Thank you.” Miguel nodded as he gently pulled me along as we both stepped into the elevator.
The doors closed in front of us and for the first time since we left the house, I let out a deep sigh as I leaned against Miguel. “Tired?” He asked me as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pecking the top of my head.
“Tired doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling right now.” I groaned.
Tonight was. . . something. A disaster? Maybe I wouldn’t go that far. But it blew my expectations out of the water in the worst way possible. I hadn’t raised my voice like that since the accident, and the look on his face. . .
The elevator chime snapped me out of my train of thoughts as we arrived on our floor. Walking down the hall, I found our room number as I unlocked the door and opened it, stepping inside. I sighed in relief seeing a nice, clean room with a bed and bathroom.
“Oh thank god, now I can sleep a little easier. . .” I cheered, nearly toppling onto my knees right there and then.
“Don’t pass out on me yet, mi corazon.” Miguel snickered, ruffling my hair with his hand. “Actually unpack your things and get ready for bed first.” - my Sweetheart
“Fine.” I huffed, lifting my suitcase onto the couch to unzip it. “But I call dibs on the better side of the bed.”
“Then I call dibs on the first shower.” Miguel smirked back at me, taking off his coat and putting it on the hanger.
“Deal.” I caved, the idea of a shower sounding absolutely incredible too.
Miguel made his way to the hotel bathroom as I opened my suitcase and started rummaging for my pajamas to set them aside on the bed before putting away the rest of my things. But as I approached the bed, I noticed something off about this bed. It seemed rather large, even for two people. Had the room I booked on a last ditch effort to get out of the house been a deluxe and I didn’t notice?
Was this even a king size bed?
A low whistle caught my ear as I heard Miguel speak up, “Lisa, what the shock is the size of this bathtub?”
“What?” I turn and walk over to the bathroom, standing in the door to peer inside. My jaw nearly dropped to the floor as I looked at the giant size bathtub with molded seating and jets. “A bathtub? That looks like a jacuzzi to me!”
“I have never been more excited to take a bath in my life.” The balls of his feet bounced with an excited spring as Miguel immediately pulled his shirt off, motioning to his body and height. “This was why I switched to showers.”
“Well then you go on and enjoy yourself while I finish packing.” I chuckled at his enthusiasm, my cheeks a light shade of pink as my gaze trailed over his exposed chest before quickly averting my gaze back to his face. “You deserve a moment to yourself and relax after tonight.”
“That’s my line.” He teased before his expression softened, pointing to his gizmo. “If you want, since there's plenty of space, you can join me? I can have Lyla whip out swimsuits for us to help you feel comfortable.”
My heart fluttered at the gesture, a soft smile on my face. He wasn’t forcing me into anything I wasn’t ready for, but wanted to still help me find ways for me to relax. “That’s really sweet of you, Miguel, but I’ll be okay for tonight. Just don’t use all the hot water.”
“Yes ma’am.” he gave me a salute, waiting for me to leave before starting the water and stripping off the rest of his clothes.
As I was leaving, I couldn’t help but notice that the shower was also a generous size as well. Was it some sort of theme in this hotel? To make us feel smaller or shrunk like in ‘Honey, I Shrunk The Kids’? Cause this was one weird way of showing it.
I stepped back into the bedroom, noticing a small bowl of red cherry candies on the side table. I popped one into my mouth before I resumed unpacking. I took a handful of clothes, humming the tone of a song to help soothe me as I reached for a drawer on the dresser. I pulled it open and before I could put my clothes in, I recoiled and dropped my clothes.
I gasped, but no scream came out of me as I covered my hands with my mouth. I tiptoed back to the open drawer and peeked inside. Surely my mind was playing tricks on me. This couldn’t have been the hotel’s fault. Did the previous tenants of this hotel room leave these behind?
A generous helping of strawberry flavoured condoms was on one side, floral pattern lace and lingerie on the other in three different colours.
My hands were trembling as I reached out and picked up one of the condom wrappers. When my hand made physical contact with it, my heart skipped a beat, a wave of anxiety washing over me before I threw it back and slammed the drawer shut.
There’s no way. There’s absolutely no way.
I opened another drawer and stared in shock. An assortment of vibraters and other ‘toys’ was inside. I checked all of them. Every single drawer had something inside, all but one. I didn’t feel comfortable putting my clothes in that drawer after what I saw.
Okay, there were way too many of these things for the scenario to be that they were left behind. But why would the hotel have all of this stuff–!
Wait a shocking minute.
I noticed a remote control on top of the dresser. I reached for it, turning on the TV. A streaming service came on screen. At a glance, it seemed normal enough until I cycled through their selection. Everything was an R or X rated adult film. My skin turned pale as I dropped the remote and it clattered to the floor. There was another remote embedded on the side of the headrest of the bed with over a dozen buttons, and I don’t know how I didn’t notice this until now; There were no windows.
“Miguel!” My voice cracked as I called for him, panic rushing through me as I suddenly felt light headed.
“Lisa?” His voice responded, followed by splashing and the pitter patter of his feet against the cool tile floor of the bathroom. He emerged in the bedroom, hair damp and body soaking wet as he hastily tied a towel around his waist. “What’s wrong, what happened?” He brandished his fangs and claws, scanning the room for signs of danger.
My heart panged at how he looked, realizing he literally flung himself out of the middle of the bath because he heard me call for help. I felt awful for disturbing him at this moment and silently vowed I’d make it up to him later with all the fancy soap and fancy shampoos he wanted, heck even a bath bomb or two.
“I made a mistake!” I blurted out, the first set of words coming to me as I scrambled to steady myself.
“Hey, hey, hey, breathe,” He commanded, stepping forward as he recoiled his claws before placing his hands on my shoulders, the water staining my shirt but I didn’t care too much right now. “Just breathe.”
He waited for me to take a couple deep breaths in and out before speaking again.
“What mistake? Was it dinner?” He asked.
“No, it’s this room!” I clarified, my voice tense with a slight, anxious whine to it. “I booked us the wrong room.”
“What are you talking about, Lisa?” He asked me, trying to get a read on me but I could tell by the look on his face he was struggling.
The words were right there on the tip of my tongue, but for the life of me I couldn’t get them out. All I could do at the moment was lower my head in either shame or cowardness, perhaps both, as I pointed to the TV.
Miguel glanced over at the screen, his eyes trailing over the text. His eyes widened as his hands moved away from my shoulders, one of his hands coming to his towel to hold it in place. He turned back to look at me.
“And the dresser. . .” I muttered softly.
Noticing that some of my clothes were littered on the floor, he was about to speak up until his voice trailed off once he opened the drawer containing the condoms and lingerie, then the same one with the sex toys. He didn’t need to open the others to know where this was going. He did a once over around the room before his eyes met mine, finally understanding the source of my stress. “Lisa…?”
I sucked in one more deep breath before I blurted out the words. “I accidentally booked us a room in a love hotel!”
As if this night couldn’t get any worse.
*******
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