Sawyer Bay

[bekahgomez]

as sawyer laughed at her for admitting how she melted whenever kirby looked at her, rebekah rolled her eyes. "i’m not telling you anything anymore," she muttered, shaking her head, her cheeks lightly pink. "i don’t even know how she does it," she added, "it’s exactly like that, she knows which buttons to push, and she’s going to be a great lawyer, she’s got a way with words," she assured. rebekah let out a small sigh. "i’ve been with people before, and for the first time, i wasn’t worried about whether she’d stop loving me or just walk away whenever she felt like it… it felt real, the way she talks to me and everything, it’s just… incredible," she admitted, more honest than before, and it didn’t sound like she hated her anymore, not really. she looked over at sawyer. "you deserve someone the complete opposite of lacey, what a bitch," she rolled her eyes. she was genuinely glad he’d found someone soft, someone kind. she didn’t know daphne, probably wouldn’t get past a simple hello, but from the way sawyer talked about her, it sounded like he’d found the right person. when he told her he wouldn’t change her for anything, she smiled, bumping her fist against his after calling them the same document in different fonts. they were both chaotic, both a little messed up, but they had each other. she wrapped an arm around his back, leaning into him. "i wouldn’t either," she said softly. "it’s us against the world."

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer laughed under his breath at Rebekah’s flustered little threat, shaking his head as if he’d treasure every second of embarrassing her later. But as she kept talking, the amusement softened into something quieter. He listened properly, eyes dropping for a moment as she described what it felt like to finally trust someone, to stop waiting for the door to slam shut. He understood that more than he liked to admit. When she mentioned Daphne, his expression changed without him noticing, something warmer, more thoughtful. Daphne was different. There was no performance with her, no guessing game, no feeling like he had to earn scraps of affection and call it love. With her, everything felt steady in a way that almost unnerved him. Real in a way he couldn’t explain without sounding ridiculous. Like for the first time, he wasn’t bracing for impact. At the mention of Lacey, he snorted. “You always did know how to sum people up in five words or less.” He nudged her shoulder lightly, but there was gratitude underneath it. He knew she meant it. When she leaned into him and said it was them against the world, Sawyer’s grin softened into something more genuine than usual. He slung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer, pressing a quick kiss to the top of her head. “Damn right it is,” he murmured. Then, after a beat, with a crooked smile, “World’s got no chance, either. We’re nightmares incoming." Sawyer pulled back just enough to look at her properly, a mischievous glint slipping back into his eyes. “Lawyer and lawyer, though?” He let out a laugh, already picturing the chaos. “That’s terrifying. You two get in one argument and it's off to court.”

[daphnelolopezz]

Daphne hesitated a smidge, trying to get a read on her own feelings. "I could never hate you, Sawyer." She slowly signed, "I love you, that doesn't go away with one mistake...But I need to work out how I feel about...the whole thing, I kind of feel like..everyhing we've done and said is build on lies....if...If i think what we have can survive it, if its worth it if...You have not lost me...I don't think...I just need time," She tried to sign slowly, but it was hard because her mind was racing so fast. "But do me a favor Sawyer....don't...don't be too hard on yourself...telling the truth can be hard and sometimes..sometimes we turn into cowards...and thats okay, its human...You don't fuck things up, you just make choices and sometimes they turn out badly...i doesn say anyhing about you as a person...and I know you tend to...be too hard on yourself..so.. even if im not around... just...be kind to yourself, you don't only deserve that, you need it."

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer watched her hands as she signed, letting her finish before he said anything. His expression softened a little, though there was still guilt sitting plainly on his face. “You’re right to feel that way,” he signed. “If I were you, I’d probably be questioning everything too.” He admitted he didn’t blame her for feeling like the foundation had cracks in it now, because he was the one who put them there. “I lied because I was scared,” he continued, honest about it. “Not because what I felt wasn’t real, but because I thought the truth might make me lose you before you even really knew me.” He shook his head slightly. “That doesn’t make it okay though. Fear’s an explanation, not an excuse.”

He nodded slowly when she said she needed time. “You can take all the time you need, Daphne. I’m not going to push you or try to rush you into forgiving me," he signed again. “What we had, what we have, that part was real to me. Every moment of it.”

When she told him not to be too hard on himself, he let out a small breath. "I think I need to sit with what I did. Not to destroy myself over it but to make sure I never make that kind of cowardly choice again.” After a pause, he added more quietly, “And for what it’s worth - hearing you say you still love me, even now - that means everything to me."

[bekahgomez]

as sawyer gave her advice on how to deal with kirby, rebekah didn’t roll her eyes like she normally might—she just listened. he was her friend, and she knew he wanted the best for her. “she knows exactly what she’s doing,” she said, rolling her eyes as she took her phone back and glanced at the screen before slipping it into her pocket. “honestly, she’s some kind of mastermind.” she let out a small sigh. “but yeah… calling the way we met an explosion actually fits. i never thought about it like that, but you’re right.” she groaned dramatically, leaning back. “you should slap me or something, make me change my mind.” then she shook her head quickly. “and before you say anything, no—I don’t let people control me like that, so it’s not because it’s familiar,” she added, though a small smile tugged at her lips at how protective he sounded. “i know what toxic looks like, and somehow… this hatred thing we’ve got going on doesn’t feel toxic like that.” she exhaled slowly, realizing that putting it into words was harder than she expected. “i won’t give details—for both our sakes—but i do know when i want to listen to her and when i want to tell her to fuck off,” she admitted. “the problem is sometimes she just looks at me, and you know what happens then? i melt. it’s so annoying. loud bekah just shuts the hell up and suddenly i’m standing there waiting for kirby to tell me how to behave.” she made a fake gagging noise. “i hate myself,” she declared dramatically. when sawyer mentioned his own relationship being the opposite, her head tilted slightly. “you don’t always need words,” she said with a soft smile. “and if intense isn’t your thing, that’s completely fine. you’re allowed to be soft.” then she pointed lightly at him with a grin. “but you know what i see? no matter the format, we both get knocked flat—either by eye contact or by someone giving an order. we’re not that different there, sawyer.” she chuckled. “we’re basically the same person in different fonts.”

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer listened to her without interrupting, arms loosely crossed as he leaned back. When she called Kirby a mastermind, he huffed a quiet laugh. “Yeah, that tracks,” he said dryly. “The evil genius vibe was already on the table.” He watched her tuck her phone away, then shook his head when she dramatically told him to slap her.“Tempting,” he said with a crooked grin, “but I’m not trying to get punched again today.” As she explained that it wasn’t about familiarity with toxicity, Sawyer’s expression softened a little. He gave a small nod, clearly taking her seriously. “Hey,” he said calmly, “I wasn’t saying you don’t know the difference. You do. Better than most.” When she admitted that sometimes Kirby just looked at her and she melted, he snorted, unable to help himself. “Oh wow,” he said, dragging a hand down his face. “So the big, scary Loud Bekah gets taken out by eye contact.” He shook his head, though the teasing smile stayed. “That’s brutal.” Her dramatic declaration of hating herself made him chuckle again, but there was still that familiar protective tone under it. “You don’t hate yourself,” he said. “You’re just unfortunately very into someone who clearly knows exactly what buttons to push.” When she started talking about his relationship being softer, Sawyer shrugged a little, glancing down before looking back at her. “Yeah, well,” he said lightly, “I'd been in a toxic relationship for way too long. I needed to find someone more zen." A grin slowly spread across his face. “Okay, hold on,” he said, sitting up a little straighter. “That’s actually kind of accurate.” He pointed at her for a second like he was emphasising the point, then suddenly lifted his fist toward her. “Hell yeah,” he said with a laugh, holding it there expectantly for a bump. “Different fonts, same chaotic document.” He glanced at her, eyes scanning her face like he was memorising the little quirks that made her her. “You know,” he said quietly, his tone more sincere now, “I like that we’re so similar. Feels like, I don’t know, like someone finally gets it, gets me.” He gave a small shake of his head with a soft laugh. “Wouldn’t change you for the world, tho. So don’t go changing for anyone else.”

[bekahgomez]

talking to sawyer had always felt a little chaotic, just like he said—they were both a mess in their own ways, and even if their pasts weren’t exactly pleasant, they understood each other because of them. if anything good had come out of their shitty lives, it was this. “oh, so we’re spiraling together now?” she laughed, knowing she could count on sawyer the same way he could count on her. “i’m really glad we’re friends,” she added sincerely. she went on about her classes, about how she’d tried everything to beat kirby and still failed. “of course i want to win fairly,” she insisted with a nod. “i actually need to pass that class—it’s important, sawyer,” she said, though she was smiling. “and getting praised by that teacher? that’s huge. she’s tough as hell,” she added, like that made her loss sting a little less. when he joked about starvation, she rolled her eyes. “oh, sawyer, you’re so dramatic,” she laughed, shaking her head. when she held out her phone so he could see kirby’s picture, she hadn’t expected him to actually study it so closely. she bit her lower lip, watching his reaction. “she’s definitely an intense lesbian,” she nodded. “that’s the perfect way to describe her.” she took her phone back, glancing at the picture once more before slipping it away. “i’m like an intense magnet,” she mused. “but she’s different from the other intense people i attract.” at his last comment, she smirked. “we did clash pretty amazingly the first time, not gonna lie,” she chuckled, chewing lightly on her nail. then she groaned playfully. “ugh, i hate how ridiculously hot she is. seriously, slap me if i keep saying that,” she huffed, though her grin gave her away. “but god… the way she tells me what to do? unfairly attractive.”

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer snorted softly when she laughed about spiraling together. “Oh, we’ve been spiraling together for months,” he said easily. “We just finally admitted it.” There was no hesitation when she said she was glad they were friends. His expression softened in that quiet, honest way he never tried to dramatise. “I’m glad too,” he replied, simple and sincere. “Out of all the garbage we crawled out of, this is solid. You’re solid.” When she started talking about class, about trying everything and still losing, he listened, actually listened. No interrupting. No fixing. Just taking her seriously. “I know you want to win fairly,” he said. “That’s the thing about you. You’d hate yourself if you didn’t.” At her insistence that she needed to pass, that the praise mattered, he nodded. “Yeah, it does matter,” he agreed. “Especially from someone tough. That kind of validation hits different when you’ve earned it.” When she rolled her eyes at his starvation comment, he smirked faintly. “I am dramatic. It’s part of my charm. Don’t act surprised.” Then she showed him the picture. Sawyer leaned in, studying it longer than she expected, not judging, not mocking. Just observing. He noticed the posture, the expression, the intensity behind the eyes. He handed the phone back slowly. “She looks like she knows exactly what she’s doing. That’s probably half the problem.” But you don’t just attract intense. You challenge it.” When she admitted they clashed amazingly, he gave her a knowing look. “Of course you did. Two control issues in a room? That’s not a meet-cute. That’s a controlled explosion.” Then she groaned about how hot Kirby was and told him to slap her if she kept saying it. Sawyer didn’t laugh this time. He just watched her for a second, gentle but direct. “I’m not gonna slap you,” he said honestly. “You’re allowed to think she’s hot. You’re allowed to like that she takes control.” He leaned back slightly, folding his arms. “But,” he added calmly, “make sure you like it because it feels good not because it feels familiar.” His tone stayed soft. No accusation. Just care. “There’s a difference between ‘unfairly attractive’ and ‘this dynamic is unhealthy for me,’ Bekah.” A small half-smile tugged at his mouth. “And if she tells you what to do? Cool. Just make sure you’re choosing when to listen.” Then he huffed a quiet laugh and rubbed the back of his neck. “I have the opposite problem,” he admitted. His tone shifted, still honest, but softer now. Thoughtful. “Daphne’s deaf,” he said plainly. “She talks in sign language most of the time. So when we’re together, it’s… quiet.” He glanced down at his hands. “It’s like our eyes talk,” he went on. “You can’t really fake attention with her. If I look away, she knows. If she looks at me, she really looks.” A small smile tugged at his mouth, genuine and a little vulnerable. “It’s intense,” he said. “But not loud. Not explosive. Intense in a quiet way.” He looked back at Bekah then. “It’s more like stillness. Like everything slows down and you actually feel what’s happening.” He shrugged lightly. “So yeah,” he added, a faint teasing edge returning, “while you’re out here getting bossed around by a hot hurricane, I’m over here having silent eye contact that feels like it could knock me flat.”

[bekahgomez]

rebekah felt such a massive weight lift when she talked to sawyer; he wasn't just easy to vent to, he was just easy to be around. she didn't feel on edge at all and honestly saw him as a brother from another mother, someone she could actually be herself around without putting on an act. when he mentioned he wasn't exactly a success story, she just shook her head and joked, "are we really gonna argue over who's more damaged? i don't think so, let's just agree we're both a mess and leave it at that." she laughed, "exactly," she added with a chuckle. as they hugged, she felt the pressure vanish for a moment; she really needed that, she needed to feel like she wasn't losing her mind and just have that human connection. that hug was going to make things feel a bit more manageable, at least for a while. rebekah laughed at his response, "it's exhausting, it’s like this heated rivalry," she chuckled, "you have no idea how badly i wanted to out-argue her in class every day, i’d stay up until three in the morning just to hear the teacher say, 'good job, rebekah,'" she confessed. "that’s basically it, i just want to beat her because she drives me absolutely nuts," she admitted, then asked, "do you think i'm crazy? you can be honest," she mused as they walked. "and yes, i promised you food, so don't be a baby and keep walking," she said, giving him a playful nudge before opening the door to head out of the dorm. she pulled out her phone and handed it to sawyer, "not sure if you've seen her around campus," she wondered, glancing down at kirby's picture, "but what kind of vibes does she give off?"

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer snorted at her joke, shaking his head as they walked. “Yeah, no, I’m not competing in the Trauma Olympics with you,” he said bluntly. “We’re both screwed up. End of discussion.” He hugged her back without hesitation, arms firm, grounding. When they pulled apart, he glanced at her like he was checking she was still there. “Anytime you need that, I'm here” he said simply. “You don’t gotta spiral alone. That’s kind of the deal with being friends with me." At her rant about class, he let out a low laugh. “That tracks,” he said. “You’re competitive as hell. You don’t just wanna win, you wanna win correctly.” He shot her a sideways look. “Staying up till three for a ‘good job’ is insane, by the way. Respectfully.” When she asked if she was crazy, he didn’t even slow down. “No,” he answered immediately. “Annoyed? Yeah. Driven? Definitely. Petty sometimes? Sure.” A beat. “Crazy? Nah. If you were crazy, you wouldn’t be questioning it.” She nudged him and mentioned food, and he scoffed. “But hurry up, because if I pass out from starvation, that’s on you.” When she handed him her phone, Sawyer stopped walking and actually studied the picture for a second longer than expected. His jaw tightened just a bit. “Oh, I’ve seen her,” he said finally. Sawyer glanced at the screen again, then let out a short huff. “Yeah, intense lesbian energy,” he said bluntly. “She looks smart. Intimidating. Looks like she genuinely does not give a shit what anyone thinks.” He handed the phone back, eyes flicking to Rebekah. “That’s not a bad thing,” he added, straightforward as ever. “Just that kind of person knows exactly how much space they take up. And they use it. Not saying she’s bad news,” he added. “Just saying, she’s intense. And you tend to attract intense.” He glanced at her. “So be careful, yeah, because you two will probably clash in both the worst and the best ways."

[bekahgomez]

sawyer was the closest thing she had ever had to a brother; her family was completely deconstructed, her parents were out of the picture, having painted themselves out long ago, and she only had her grandmother—the only person who believed in her and wanted her around. after spending all that time with her in argentina, she made a promise to come with her to euroville and be the person she needed. “if you’re a total disaster, i’m even worse, so i want to think you’re not a total disaster, because where would that put me?” she laughed, nudging his side. “i love calling people out, that’s why i’m studying law—think about it, bay,” she teased, sticking her tongue out at her best friend. she hugged him like they were sealing a promise, holding him close as a sigh of relief left her; she was a very physical person, she liked human contact, and that hug—she’d started it because she knew sawyer needed it, but she found relief in his arms too, like the weight on her shoulders suddenly felt lighter. “men like to think they’re not emotional, that fucking sucks, dude,” she joked, smiling. “of course you’re emotional—if someone says they aren’t, that just makes them a sociopath,” she laughed. “c’mon, rocky,” she teased. “oh yeah, you love free food, huh?” she chuckled. “that was a cute moment until you called me sunshine—don’t call me sunshine, i’m a thunderstorm, i can’t be tamed, not sunshine, that’s lame,” she laughed, squinting as she guided them out of her room. “not drown, we can dip our sorrows, i’m not rich,” she added with a laugh. “i don’t like her, i hate her so much i want her to want me,” she admitted, laughing at her own words, “and she’s not my girl,” she corrected him as they walked out of the building. “she’s my classmate, and we hate each other, but maybe the line between hate and sex is thin,” she mused. “i want to slap her and kiss her at the same time,” rebekah confessed, “don’t tell anyone or i’ll kick your ass.”

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer listened, hands resting on his lap, jaw tight. Bekah filled the space the way she always did—jokes stacked on confessions stacked on laughter that was a little too sharp. In his head, things churned: anger he didn’t know where to put, old hurt that never really left. But her voice cut through it. “I meant what I said back then. I don’t promise things I’m not willing to bleed for.” She joked about them both being disasters. He let out a breath that almost passed for a laugh. “If you’re a mess,” he muttered, “then I’m not exactly a success story.” A glance at her. “Guess that makes us even.” When she hugged him, he stiffened out of instinct, then gave in, arms settling around her. He told himself it was for her. He knew that was a lie. The noise in his head dulled. “Don’t act like that was charity,” he said under his breath. “You needed it too.” At the emotions comment, he scoffed. “Some of us just don’t make it everyone else’s problem.” She called herself a thunderstorm. He nodded once. “Fair. Sunshine was pushing it.” As they walked, she talked about the girl she hated and wanted all at once. Sawyer listened, eyes forward. “Sounds exhausting,” he said. Then, quieter, “But familiar.” When she threatened him into silence, he snorted. “Relax. I’m not your enemy. So, you want to screw this girl you hate because she gets under your skin in a good way, is what you're saying?” He didn’t say what sat heavy in his chest—that she was constant, that she made the anger easier to carry, that being her person felt like something he couldn’t afford to lose. Instead, he nudged her shoulder lightly as they stepped outside. “C’mon,” he said. “You promised me food.”

[bekahgomez]

hearing the roughness in his words, how he genuinely felt grateful to have her by his side, made rebekah smile warmly at her best friend; she didn’t believe he needed to thank her — she was there because she considered him family, and she’d show up for him no matter what. “you don’t know if you ruined it until you talk to her, or sign at her, or whatever,” she said softly, “and if she likes you, i’m pretty sure she’ll see it as just a little bump in your story.” she shook her head. “i’m here because i love you, but i really think you can win her back,” she nodded, “i know you, bay — i know how deep down you’re just a guy who wants to be loved, and i’m sure daphne can see right through all the tough exterior.” at his playful words she smiled. “forever,” she agreed. “i know the feeling, and i’d hate to know i turned my back on someone i care about,” she added softly. when he squeezed her hand, she let go only so she could wrap her arms around him and pull him into a tight hug. “i think you’re getting too emotional,” she teased lightly, “let’s get something to eat.” she leaned back to look at him. “do you feel like going out? i’m not as pretty as daphne, but i can be good company,” she joked, “and it’s on me, so honestly? i’m your best option right now.”

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer listened to Rebekah, the tension in his shoulders loosening bit by bit as she talked. He didn’t look away from her—didn’t even try to hide the way her words hit him. He wasn’t good at being vulnerable, not really, but with her? It always slipped out anyway. He huffed a quiet, self-conscious laugh. “Yeah, yeah… whatever works,” he said, his tone soft but threaded with that playful edge he always used to keep himself from getting too sappy. “You make it sound simple.” But her belief in him—that made his chest feel warm and unbearably tight. When she insisted she loved him and knew he could win Daphne back, Sawyer looked down for a moment, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You give me way too much credit,” he muttered, though the way he said it made it clear he appreciated every word. He nudged her shoulder lightly. “But… thanks. For believing I’m not a total disaster. Like I can proving I am again and again." Her line about him just being a guy who wanted to be loved made him snort softly. “Wow. Calling me out today, huh?” he teased. When she echoed “forever,” Sawyer’s smile finally cracked wider, more real. “Damn right. You’re stuck with me.” The moment her arms wrapped around him, he returned the hug without hesitation, burying his face briefly against her shoulder and letting himself breathe. He didn’t hug many people. But Rebekah? She didn’t count as “people.” She counted as family. When she teased him about getting emotional, he scoffed with exaggerated offense. “Me? Emotional? Nah. Never. I’m a rock. I’m a mountain. Completely unshakeable.” A beat. Then, with a crooked grin: “…Okay, maybe a little emotional. Just sometimes." She suggested getting something to eat, and Sawyer leaned back enough to look at her, eyes brighter now. “Going out sounds good,” he said, shrugging like it wasn’t a relief to have something to focus on besides his own mess. “And hey—don’t sell yourself short.” He tapped her cheek gently with two fingers, smiling. “You’re pretty enough company for me, sunshine." He pushed himself to his feet and offered her a hand up. “And if it’s on you?” he added, wiggling his brows. “Yeah, even better." Sawyer’s grin softened as he looked at her. “Thanks for being here, Bek.” Sawyer stepped close, looping his arm easily around Bekah’s shoulders, pulling her just enough to make her feel the warmth of him beside her. He gave her a crooked grin, voice low and teasing. “Come on,” he said, leaning slightly so his words brushed her ear, “let’s go drown our sorrows with food… maybe drinks too. Maybe you can tell me about that new girl you’re pretending you don’t like,” he murmured, voice low and playful, the words carrying just enough edge to make her laugh—or squirm—while still keeping the moment intimate. He gave her a gentle nudge with his shoulder, clearly enjoying the game he’d started.

[bekahgomez]

rebekah had learned early on that family wasn’t defined by blood, but by choice. her real family was her abuela and sawyer—those were the people she could count on, the ones she wanted to protect and see happy. that’s how she knew they were hers. her parents? they were just people she was related to. if they didn’t want to know her, they didn’t deserve the title. and she was proud of that—of believing that family was something you built, not something you were handed. “i want to say it because it’s true, and you don’t have to thank me, sawyer,” she said softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. the way his eyes lit up when he talked about daphne made her smile even more. “you’re really out here ready to protect your princess, huh? that’s cute,” she teased, poking his side just to see him blush. his reaction made her shake her head with a quiet laugh. “sawyer, that’s how people see me—and i don’t give a fuck. if it helps me with work, then fuck the rest, honestly,” she said with a shrug. “but we can’t pretend that’s not the image people have of me. that’s how this girl sees me too.” she paused, noticing the shift in his expression, her tone softening. “there’s no easy way to tell someone you’ve got a girlfriend but you want to cheat on her with them,” she said quietly. “but if what you two have is as real as it seems, you’ll have to give her time. she’ll come back around,” rebekah assured him gently, her gaze steady. “i’m sure of it.”

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer’s chest tightened as he listened to Rebekah, a mix of gratitude and frustration twisting inside him. Seeing her there, so steady and kind, made a small warmth bloom in his chest—he was lucky, unbelievably lucky, to have someone like her in his corner. “Yeah…yeah, I know,” he muttered, forcing a small smile, though his hands fidgeted in his lap. “I—God, Bekah, I don’t even deserve you sometimes.” His voice was rough, edged with the anger he still carried at himself and at the years that shaped him into someone he sometimes hated. “I’ve done a lot of dumb shit…a lot of things I wish I could take back.” He glanced down for a moment, jaw tightening. “And now, I…maybe I’ve ruined the best thing I ever had,” he admitted quietly, his tone almost a whisper. There was a sting in his eyes, a mixture of guilt and fear that he might’ve lost her trust—or worse, lost Daphne completely. Then, looking back at her, a faint, grateful smile tugged at his lips. “But…you’re here. You still choose me. Even if I'm an asshole. Maybe I'll be able to win her back around too?” His voice softened, tinged with relief, though the shadow of self-reproach never fully left his expression. "Sawyer and Bekah. Best friend pact forever, right?" Sawyer reached out, gripping Rebekah’s hand firmly, his eyes meeting hers with quiet intensity. “You got my back, and I got yours,” he said, voice low but steady. “Thanks for showing up…when everyone else turns their backs.” There was a weight to his words, a mixture of gratitude and relief, and the squeeze of her hand was his way of saying more than he could put into words. Even with all his doubts and anger at himself, in that moment, he knew he wasn’t alone—and that mattered more than anything.

[bekahgomez]

rebekah was going to be there for sawyer—that was all she could do. she wasn’t going to leave him when he was going through something like this. in her mind, if they had met back when her whole life flipped upside down, he would’ve fought for her in the way her parents never did. “you don’t have to imagine that,” she said softly, “i’m sorry, but only having my grandma on my side… that makes you my family.” it was sad, but sweet at the same time. she hadn’t spoken to her parents since being sent to her grandma’s house, and she didn’t want to. when sawyer mentioned not wanting to get caught sneaking in, she smiled, glad the heavy talk about family and fear of losing people had passed. “you should,” she teased, “maybe next time daphne can suggest she go on a date or hang out with friends or whatever, so you can enjoy your time and be your loud self.” she wiggled her eyebrows at him, already knowing the kind of face he’d make at that suggestion. but then the conversation shifted toward her. “i don’t play hard to get—most people would call me a slut if they knew what i do,” she admitted, almost like that was what he meant. “as if you haven’t seen me sleep around,” she tried to brush it off quickly, pushing the spotlight away from her. and thankfully, he let it shift back. but when he said she might hate him, her brows furrowed. “why would she hate you?” she asked quietly, searching his face. “what did you do?”

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer listened, every word from Rebekah settling into him like a soft weight. When she said she’d be there for him, he let out a breath that felt like it had been held too long and managed a small, crooked smile. He reached out, fingers brushing hers in a quiet, grateful squeeze. “You don’t have to say that,” he murmured, voice low. “But… thank you. Means more than I can say.” There was something in the way he said it — honest, a little raw — like the idea of being called family both comforted and scared him. When she teased him about sneaking in and suggested Daphne could go out so he could be his loud, stupid self, Sawyer snorted, the sound half-laugh, half-exhale. He shook his head and let a corner of his mouth lift. “I don't want her to get into any trouble with anybody. She's the opposite of me.” Her quick, self-protective brush-off about 'not playing hard to get' made something ache in him, and he glanced at her with an expression that had no judgment in it — only a slow, careful affection. “Don’t ever call yourself that. You're single and living your best life." Then, Sawyer’s face fell, and the small lightness left him. He dragged his hand through his hair and breathed out, the admission coming with a hard edge of regret. “Because she was the other girl. And I never told her.” His jaw tightened; he was angry at himself more than anything. “I was with Lacey, I didn’t say a damn thing before everything happened with her. So yeah—she’s gonna be pissed. And she should be. I fucked that up, and I hate myself for it.” Sawyer’s jaw tightened, his gaze dropping for a moment like the weight of it was too much to hold her eyes. He dragged a hand through his hair, frustration bleeding into the gesture, before he finally forced the words out. His eyes finally lifted to hers, a little sad, a little desperate, like he was bracing himself against the judgment he thought he deserved. “That’s why she’ll hate me.”

[bekahgomez]

she had never wanted sawyer to feel alone—sure, she could be messy, loud, self-absorbed in the ways people liked to call her out for, but never with him. never with sawyer. he was family in the kind of way that didn’t vanish when she screwed up, the kind that stayed. she’d stay, too. “i know it’s scary,” she said, softer this time, before smirking, “but you’ve got me. and my grandma—she’s ready to fight anyone’s ass for you, so we’re covered.” a chuckle slipped out, trying to keep the weight from pressing down too heavy. “you don’t even have to ask for help, i know when to step in,” she added, flipping her hair back with mock-arrogance. “you’re just copying me, because clearly i’m a role model. i know exactly what you feel.” her wink was playful, though her grin betrayed the fact she was only half joking. listening to him talk about daphne made her smile without meaning to. it wasn’t her style—long-term, lasting things—but the way he lit up reminded her maybe she wanted to be looked at like that someday, even if she never admitted it aloud. “worth it, huh?” she teased, her grin widening. “good thing her sister’s a heavy sleeper then, or you’d be in trouble.” when he called her out for being honest to a fault, she shrugged. “of course. i’m spicy, not sweet. sugarcoating’s for cowards.” still, the warmth in her tone lingered. “i’m glad you know i’ve got your back.” but then came his questions. the slip he’d caught in her voice. she hated how easily he read her. nerves prickled, and she pushed to her feet, opening the door like it was the only escape. “are you coming, or what?” she rolled her eyes, trying to smother the crack in her voice. “she’s not a new girl,” she blurted once he stepped into the hall, her tone sharper than intended. “she’s an asshole.” she shut the door behind him, words rushing as if speed would make them truer. “just a classmate. she suggested this place, that’s it.” even she heard the lie lacing through. sawyer would hear it too. “let’s go back to your girl,” she muttered, a flimsy attempt at redirecting, shoulders tight as if holding her walls in place.

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer could tell the moment she spoke that her words were a mix of genuine care and a bit of her usual bravado. She’d never wanted him to feel isolated, and that was something she made clear to him over and over again. It was hard not to be amused by her confidence, even when it was laced with a hint of mockery. The wink that accompanied her words seemed like an attempt to hide whatever else was brewing underneath—something deeper that she didn’t quite want to show. She wasn’t the type to wear her vulnerabilities on her sleeve, but somehow, Sawyer always caught them, and he didn’t miss the way her grin was a little too bright, a little too forced. "I honestly don't know what I would do without you. You're like family to me, Bekah." Sawyer grinned, his usual smirk pulling at the corner of his lips when Bekah teased him about Daphne’s sister being a heavy sleeper. “Yeah, lucky for me,” he replied, his voice light but with a hint of something genuine underneath. “Wouldn’t want to be caught sneaking around... especially not when I’ve got this much on the line. She's the only hearing one that I need to worry about when I'm there." He shifted a bit, not quite sure how to explain the way Daphne made him feel, but it was obvious from the smile on his face that he was thinking about her more than he cared to admit. When she spoke again, it came out sharp. Sawyer raised an eyebrow at her response, a half-smirk creeping onto his face. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms as he watched her. “Are you sure about that? I don’t know... sounds like you’re dodging something.” He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing playfully as he added, “I know you like playing hard to get sometimes." Finally, she attempted redirecting the conversation, though it was clear to anyone who knew her well that it was just a tactic to deflect from whatever had started to unravel in the quiet spaces between her words. Sawyer’s shoulders slumped slightly, his usual grin replaced with something more serious. He pushed a hand through his hair, looking at her with a mix of frustration and concern. “Well, as I was saying,” he began, voice tight, “I don’t know if my girl is still my girl. I don’t know if she hates me.” The words came out heavier than he intended, the unspoken weight behind them making it clear he was struggling with something more than just a casual annoyance. He shrugged, trying to play it off, but the vulnerability in his voice gave him away. “I don’t know how to fix it. She’s pissed at me."

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer listened to Bekah, his jaw tight, trying not to let his frustration show too clearly. He knew she was right. Knew it deep down in that quiet, stubborn part of him that didn’t like being told what he already understood. His dad wasn’t going to change. Hell, he never had—not for Sawyer, not for anyone. But hearing it out loud, from someone who cared about him, still felt like someone was peeling off a scab he hadn’t meant to pick at. He let out a slow breath, hands digging into his jacket pockets as he kept his eyes forward. “Yeah,” he said after a long beat, voice lower than usual. He glanced over at her, catching the wink, the way she tried to keep it light. He appreciated it—even if part of him wanted to scream instead of smile. He gave her a crooked half-grin, trying to meet her tone. ” When the topic shifted, Sawyer’s shoulders dropped a little. It was easier this way—laughing about Lacey, rolling his eyes when Bekah called her a bitch like it wasn’t still an open wound. “Lacey was a trainwreck wrapped in lip gloss,” he said, "hot but a lot to handle." He laughed—actually laughed—when Bekah teased him about having better luck with girls, and when he showed her the picture of Daphne, there was no hiding the way his expression softened. “She’s... different,” he said simply, because he didn’t have the words for what Daphne meant to him. But Bekah’s reaction made something in his chest ease. He liked that she got it, that she saw the effort. “Yeah, learning ASL was... hard, but it felt worth it. She makes things feel worth it.” Then, glancing at Bekah with a smile that was a little more sheepish: “And yeah, her sister might kill me, so... lowkey is definitely the move. I'll continue to sneak into the room for now." Her comment about him not playing by the rules earned her a grin. “Rules were never really built for people like us, huh?” he said, giving her a light nudge with his elbow. “You’ve always been my mischievous friend." But when she teased him about being in love, something flickered in his eyes—brief, almost too quick to notice. He rolled his eyes, but the smile stayed. “Okay, calm down. I’m not proposing, idiot” he said, bumping her shoulder. At her joke about needing food to balance out his overly romantic energy, he laughed again—this time easier, freer. “Yeah, alright. Let’s get food. Nothing sweet. I’ve clearly hit your emotional limit.” He paused, glanced at her sideways, a little more sincere this time. “But hey... thanks. For being real with me. Even when I don’t want to hear it.” He glanced at Bekah, the corner of his mouth lifting in that crooked way that always gave him away when he meant something. “You know,” he said, voice a little softer, “you’re one of my best friends, Beks.” He held her gaze for a second, then extended his hand, offering his knuckles for her to bump. “You’re a real one.” His grin widened, something sincere tucked beneath the usual Sawyer charm. “I always know who’s got my back. And it’s you.”

[bekahgomez]

rebekah wasn't known for pleasing people, she liked being loud, she liked people to look at her, but one thing everyone knew about her was how brutally honest she could be—except when it came to kirby, who she’d never admit her feelings to. she knew sawyer was angry, and maybe she would’ve liked to tell him everything was going to be okay, that things with his dad would get better, but it wasn’t true. she knew how that story ended—not the same plot, but close enough. when sawyer called lacey a trainwreck wrapped in lip gloss, rebekah shook her head. “she was a massive bitch. you won’t say it but i will—she was an asshole who didn’t deserve someone like you, and let me tell you, if someone ends up with her, i hope they make her suffer the way she made you suffer, or she ends up dating someone as stupid as her,” she muttered under her breath. if rebekah was anything, it was a little revengeful. hearing sawyer talk about how learning sign language for the girl was worth it, how she made him feel worthy, softened rebekah a little, a small smile tugging at her lips. “rules were made to break,” she nodded, “just be sneaky enough her sister doesn’t kill you,” she added, sticking her tongue out at her best friend. “i wouldn’t say mischievous, i’d say chaotic. i’m a sweet piece of chocolate wrapped in chaos—and that’s what brings people in, what can i say,” she grinned, brushing her hair back dramatically. “you should let me come help you pick out your suit. i wanna get a dress...” she teased, nudging his side with her elbow, smirking. “i’m real with you because i love you,” she said, “you’re my best friend,” she added, knocking her knuckles against his in a soft fist bump. “of course,” she mused, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and guiding him outside. “what are you feeling—burgers?” she asked, glancing at him. “i know a place ki—” she caught herself, “a classmate told me about. doesn’t sound bad, honestly.”

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer took a slow breath, the weight of everything pressing on him like a heavy fog. He looked at Rebekah, knowing how rare it was for her to show this side—the care beneath the loud, chaotic exterior. His voice was quieter, deeper, as if digging through the guilt that had tangled inside him. “I know I’ve been carrying a lot... anger, frustration. And yeah, maybe I’m scared. Not just about my dad, but everything falling apart. But hearing you say that about Lacey, it... it helps. Feels like maybe I’m not as alone in this mess as I thought.” He let out a small, humor-tinged sigh, a little of the weight lifting. “Learning sign language for Daphne, it was more than just the girl. It made me feel like I mattered. Like I could matter to someone, even when everything else’s broken. That was worth every second.” Sawyer smiled faintly at Rebekah’s teasing, a spark of the old easy friendship flickering back. “Chaos suits you, honestly. I wouldn’t have it any other way. And yeah, sneaking around is harder when only one person in the house is hearing. If I make one loud noise - I'm out." His gaze softened as he caught the fist bump, the simple gesture grounding him. “You’re the only one I trust like this. You don’t sugarcoat, and I respect that more than I can say. Knowing you’re here... it makes things feel less hopeless. It makes me feel less hopeless too." He paused, the hint of a grin returning. “And burgers sound perfect. Lead the way." Sawyer raised a brow the moment Rebekah said, “ki”—that little slip didn’t go unnoticed. A sly grin tugged at the corner of his mouth as he nudged her back playfully. “Oh yeah? ‘Ki’? Don’t think I didn’t hear that slip. Who’s that, huh?” His tone was teasing but curious, the spark of mischief lighting his eyes as he waited for her to spill whatever secret she was trying to hide. Sawyer nudged Rebekah’s arm gently with his own, his playful grin widening. “New girl? What’s she like?” he asked, eyes gleaming with curiosity and just a hint of challenge, waiting to see if she’d open up or try to dodge the question.

[bekahgomez]

bekah was trying to be honest, telling sawyer what he needed to hear, not what he wanted to. his father wasn’t going to change—she knew it, and deep down, so did he. but if she could help him move past that, she’d be proud to say she helped him dodge a bullet. those kinds of parent-child relationships were the ones that slowly killed you from the inside, and she didn’t want to see sawyer go through that. maybe she wasn’t being completely honest with herself, but if that little lie helped him leave his dad’s place, she was okay with it—it wasn’t like she was lying in court, nothing bad could come of it. “i think that helps you forget things,” she said, “maybe not the best way, but the happiest,” she added with a wink. “i’m buying the drinks—I want to build a reliable career as a lawyer, make people see they can trust me... and i really don’t want to get arrested, even if men in suits and handcuffs do something to me,” she chuckled. “i’ve watched too many emergency shows,” she added with a laugh. when the conversation shifted away from heavy family stuff, she noticed how sawyer relaxed—that was the version of him she liked most. “jesus, rebekah, no—lacey was a fucking bitch, that wasn’t my fault,” he said, throwing his hands up in mock defense. “you better have better luck with girls,” she teased, raising an eyebrow. when sawyer showed her a picture of daphne, she smiled—she looked sweet, genuinely kind. “that’s really cute of you, and such a thoughtful gesture,” she said, honestly impressed. learning ASL just to talk to someone? that was real effort. “so what i’m hearing is, you can survive the parents but not the sister—keep things lowkey,” she grinned. “yeah, you don’t really play by the rules. that’s probably why we’re friends,” she said, winking. hearing how daphne made him want to be better made bekah smile, though a small part of her ached—because the girl she wanted didn’t make her feel that way. “ugh, just propose already, you’re making me sick with how in love you are,” she teased, giving him a playful shove. “can we get something to eat? nothing sweet though—you’re giving me diabetes with all that daphne talk.” she joked.

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer listened to Bekah, his jaw tight, trying not to let his frustration show too clearly. He knew she was right. Knew it deep down in that quiet, stubborn part of him that didn’t like being told what he already understood. His dad wasn’t going to change. Hell, he never had—not for Sawyer, not for anyone. But hearing it out loud, from someone who cared about him, still felt like someone was peeling off a scab he hadn’t meant to pick at. He let out a slow breath, hands digging into his jacket pockets as he kept his eyes forward. “Yeah,” he said after a long beat, voice lower than usual. He glanced over at her, catching the wink, the way she tried to keep it light. He appreciated it—even if part of him wanted to scream instead of smile. He gave her a crooked half-grin, trying to meet her tone. ” When the topic shifted, Sawyer’s shoulders dropped a little. It was easier this way—laughing about Lacey, rolling his eyes when Bekah called her a bitch like it wasn’t still an open wound. “Lacey was a trainwreck wrapped in lip gloss,” he said, "hot but a lot to handle." He laughed—actually laughed—when Bekah teased him about having better luck with girls, and when he showed her the picture of Daphne, there was no hiding the way his expression softened. “She’s... different,” he said simply, because he didn’t have the words for what Daphne meant to him. But Bekah’s reaction made something in his chest ease. He liked that she got it, that she saw the effort. “Yeah, learning ASL was... hard, but it felt worth it. She makes things feel worth it.” Then, glancing at Bekah with a smile that was a little more sheepish: “And yeah, her sister might kill me, so... lowkey is definitely the move. I'll continue to sneak into the room for now." Her comment about him not playing by the rules earned her a grin. “Rules were never really built for people like us, huh?” he said, giving her a light nudge with his elbow. “You’ve always been my mischievous friend." But when she teased him about being in love, something flickered in his eyes—brief, almost too quick to notice. He rolled his eyes, but the smile stayed. “Okay, calm down. I’m not proposing, idiot” he said, bumping her shoulder. At her joke about needing food to balance out his overly romantic energy, he laughed again—this time easier, freer. “Yeah, alright. Let’s get food. Nothing sweet. I’ve clearly hit your emotional limit.” He paused, glanced at her sideways, a little more sincere this time. “But hey... thanks. For being real with me. Even when I don’t want to hear it.” He glanced at Bekah, the corner of his mouth lifting in that crooked way that always gave him away when he meant something. “You know,” he said, voice a little softer, “you’re one of my best friends, Beks.” He held her gaze for a second, then extended his hand, offering his knuckles for her to bump. “You’re a real one.” His grin widened, something sincere tucked beneath the usual Sawyer charm. “I always know who’s got my back. And it’s you.”

[daphnelolopezz]

Daphne couldn't hear Sawyer crying, but she felt it. She saw and felt it so badly. They just kind of stood there hugging and crying for a while until Daphne pulled away to look at him. She looked at him and then signed, hoping he'd understand her. " I love you, but I don't know what to do with all of this... You didn't just lie to me. You took away my choice if I wanted to be in this situation or not...and that's even worse... I just...I don't know how to process this, Sawyer. I don't know how to react... I don't know how I feel now..about you..about us...myself... the fact that I'm mad at you, mad at her....mad you were hers first... I just...I just...Can't see how this is gonna work out..." She tried to explain, but how was she to explain something she couldn't understand herself? She put her hands on his cheek and stroked it softly. " You're not a bad person, I don't believe that, but this is really bad, and I just don't know what to do about it"

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer’s throat tightened, guilt twisting in his chest like a blade. He couldn't meet her eyes at first—he didn’t feel like he deserved to—but when she touched his cheek, he leaned into it like it was the only thing keeping him grounded. He took a breath, shaky, broken, and then signed back slowly. His hands trembled, but he forced the words out.

"I know. I hate myself for that. I was scared—selfish—and I told myself lies so I wouldn’t have to face the truth or risk losing you. And that’s on me. All of it is on me." His hands paused, eyes searching hers. There was pain in them, but no defense. No excuses. Only regret. "You have every right to be angry. At me. At the whole thing. And I don’t blame you. I should’ve been honest from the start. I should’ve given you the truth so you could choose what you wanted. I failed you. I failed us." He swallowed, the weight of everything almost too much to carry, but he kept going.

"You’re not wrong to question us. I hurt you, and that’s not something I can undo. But I love you, Daphne. Fuck, I love you so damn much. And I’ll do anything—everything—to earn your trust again. Even if it takes time. Even if you can't promise me anything right now. I just—" he paused, his hands clenched for a second before forcing them to still, "—I just want you to fight for us, too. Even a little. Even if you hate me right now. Can you do that?" he asked, eyes locked with hers. "Can you fight for us?" He hesitated, swallowing hard, and the next part came out like it physically hurt to say. "Or have I already lost you for good? Did I fuck everything up like I do for everything else?"

[laceyspencr]

the way this was happening felt perfect—she was offended, of course she was. if anyone could cheat, it should’ve been her, not sawyer. how could he do that to her? “oh, so she didn’t know? what a pity. i bet you loved having your little dirty secrets,” she spat, eyebrows raised, every word like a knife. when her name trailed off his lips, lacey turned to face him, feeding off the tension she knew she was creating—that’s what she wanted, to make them suffer. but then his expression shifted with that quiet, stupid question. who have you become? her blood boiled. a cold, cynical smirk crept onto her lips—she was going to end him. “who have i become?!” she snapped. “i hope you’re aware of how much i’ve done for you,” she lied. “the girl you fell in love with in the fucking beginning?” her voice dripped venom. “that girl made you who you are. do you think people would even like you if it wasn’t for me?” she scoffed, twisting the knife with every word. “you don’t get to say you’re sorry and hurt me. if you were really sorry, you wouldn’t have cheated. if you had any respect, you would’ve been a man and broken up with me before putting your hands—or eyes—on her.” her nail tapped hard against his chest. daphne had vanished at some point—lacey didn’t know when, didn’t care. “she’s the only one who understands you?” she mocked with a cruel pout. she didn’t care about his breaking voice. not anymore. “you’re a fucking dirty asshole,” she snapped. “i gave you everything, and this is what i get? you making me feel guilty over something i couldn’t have known because you’re too immature to speak up? if you’d told me, i would’ve helped. but no—you’re a goddamn child who needs to be read like a book.” her smirk deepened. “you know what? i hope you two are happy. no—fuck that. i hope you regret hurting me. that’s better.” she corrected herself. “you two deserve each other. i hope you burn in hell.” @sawyer-bay @daphnelolopezz

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer stood there, his chest tight with a thousand clashing emotions—anger, guilt, regret, confusion, and a deep, stinging hurt that he didn’t know how to carry. Lacey’s words didn’t just hit him; they tore through. And still, in the middle of it, all he could do was try to speak, to explain the unexplainable. His voice was rough, barely holding together. “You didn’t make me who I am,” he said, eyes dark, jaw clenched—not because it was easy to say, but because it had to be. “You made me question who I am." He looked at her, trying to meet her rage with honesty, even if it was already too late for honesty to matter. “It wasn’t about keeping secrets,” he said through gritted teeth, his voice shaking with restrained frustration. “It wasn’t about wanting to hurt you. I didn’t even know who the hell I was anymore. And every time I tried to talk, it felt like I was talking to a mirror of what I was supposed to be. Not a person. Not someone who actually saw me.” Her nail stabbed against his chest, but it was her words that bled him dry. Still, Sawyer didn’t flinch. “Don’t talk to me about respect when you only ever listened to the version of me that fit your story,” he muttered bitterly. “I’m not saying what I did was right. I’m not asking you to forgive me. But don’t pretend like you ever really wanted the truth.”His voice dropped, broken now, cracking in the silence she left between her venom. “You don’t know what it was like to feel like I had to disappear just to keep the peace. You say I’m a child? Maybe I was. But at least I’m not pretending anymore.” He didn’t fight back the emotion in his eyes. It was all too raw. Too real. “You’re right,” he said, barely above a whisper. “We do deserve each other. Me and her. Because at least she didn’t turn everything I said into ammunition.” He exhaled sharply. “I’ll carry what I did. I will. But don’t rewrite history like you were some saint who saved me. You didn’t save me. You fucked me up just as much as I fucked you up. God forbid I wanted a taste of freedom for once in my life."

[bekahgomez]

rebekah wasn’t the best person to talk about family, she hated her own, but her grandmother—the old woman—was living in buenos aires, way too far to be there for her like she wished. that’s why she wasn’t going to tell sawyer things would get better, because that’s not how things worked. his dad was an asshole and nothing was going to change that, rebekah knew it too well. she was speaking from experience; things didn’t magically get easier, not when someone like that was involved. but if she sounded harsh, it was only because she understood, and she’d be there for him regardless. “i make it sound simple because i was like you, and i decided to cut that mess off. now i have my abuela, and yeah, it sucks she’s in argentina, but not having my parents around? that’s the best thing i ever did. i don’t miss them at all,” she said, even if deep down she kind of did. “you’re not alone like i was. i’ll be here to get you drunk until you forget,” she teased, nudging his side. the way his face softened when he talked about his girl told her everything—he was in love. she hadn’t felt that kind of thing before. “i never thought i’d live to see sawyer actually loving someone,” she chuckled. she’d hated lacey; she knew that wasn’t love. “okay, sounds like a fucking keeper. don’t screw it up with her, sawyer, or i’ll flirt with her myself,” she joked, though they both knew she wouldn’t. “lacey was a fucking selfish bitch. how was i supposed to like someone like her?” she scoffed. but when he mentioned the new girl’s name, her whole expression softened, a small smile pulling at her lips, an open invite for him to keep talking. “can i see how the cute cute girl looks like?” she asked gently. “you’ve been learning asl? that’s crazy. wow, how did i not know that?” she smiled, clearly impressed. “you climbed up a pipe to see her? full-on rom-com move,” she laughed. “wait—her parents are deaf too, right? i mean, you can be pretty loud sometimes,” she added with a smirk.

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer listened, back pressed against the wall, one leg kicked up casually, but his shoulders were too tense for how laid-back he tried to look. Rebekah's words weren't sugarcoated—nothing she ever said was—but that was exactly why he heard them. She didn’t try to tell him it would get better. She didn’t give him false hope. She just got it. When she said she’d cut her parents off, his jaw tightened—not out of disagreement, but because the thought lived in the back of his head more and more these days. Her voice was steady, matter-of-fact, but Sawyer heard the weight under it. He didn’t believe that, not completely. Not when her eyes flicked away like that. But he didn’t call her on it. Instead, he offered a quiet, “Yeah... I get that.” He didn’t mean just the part about the parents. He meant the whole thing. That ache of pretending not to want something. When she nudged him and said she'd get him drunk until he forgot, he huffed a laugh. Shook his head. “You really think it’s that easy to forget, huh?” he asked, glancing sideways at her, but a ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You buying or stealing the drinks? Or am I going to be your accomplice?" Then she mentioned Daphne — and it was over. Sawyer’s whole face changed, like someone flipped a switch and the light came on behind his eyes. His mouth tugged upward without thinking, a grin he couldn’t hide even if he tried. “Yeah, well, neither did I,” he muttered, running a hand over the back of his neck, sheepish and a little flushed. “Didn’t exactly see it coming.” When she brought up Lacey, he winced, laughing despite himself. “Jesus, Rebekah,” he said, shaking his head. “Tell me how you really feel.” “Yeah,” he admitted, quieter this time. “I know that now. I think I always did.” He grinned, pulling out his phone like it was a badge of honor, thumb tapping through photos. He held it out to her with a proud, almost bashful look. “That’s her. And yeah, I’ve been learning ASL. Started a few months ago—she doesn’t even know how much yet.” He paused. “Her parents are deaf too. Whole house signs. Her sister, Este, is the only hearing one in the house." He chuckled, rubbing his face. “I climbed up her porch pipe and through her open bedroom window. I don't think she's allowed to have boys in her room but I don't play by the rules, you know that." When Rebekah laughed and teased him about being loud, he rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop smiling. “I’ve been working on it, okay?” he said, nudging her back. “You think I’d mess this up after all that? Nah. She’s… different. Real. It's kind of a bonus that her parents can't hear me anyways." He glanced down at his phone again before locking it - smiling at Daphne's face. “She makes it easy to want to be better.”

[bekahgomez]

she got sawyer on a deeper level. she knew what it felt like to be betrayed by family, to realize she didn’t belong, and to make the choice to walk away before they could hurt her again. the only person she still considered family was her grandma, and even then, their relationship was long-distance, not ideal. when she looked at sawyer, she saw a version of herself—someone still hoping things would change, someone who didn’t want to give up on the people who were supposed to love him. but the truth was, they weren’t going to change, and if he didn’t look forward, he’d get dragged under by the same weight she barely escaped. she didn’t want to be harsh, but she also didn’t want sawyer stuck in a cycle with a man who treated him like a punching bag. “it’s hard, i know it is, but you need to start thinking about yourself. you’re all you’ve got, and you can’t count on a man who treats you like that,” she said, her voice firm but gentle. “and you have me. i’m not going anywhere.” loyalty was everything to her, and she meant that with every fiber of her being. “just think about it, but remember—this pain? it won’t last. you won’t always feel this way. you deserve a real life, sawyer.” when the topic shifted, all she wanted was to keep him from drifting back into thoughts of his dad. that man didn’t deserve space in sawyer’s head, not after everything. and she wasn’t going to judge him, not when she was a mess herself, using people to get what she wanted, chasing after chaos like it gave her oxygen. she couldn’t judge him, not when she got it in a way most people wouldn’t. “don’t dwell on the past, it happened,” she said with a shrug, “and you’re still here. that’s what matters.” when he started talking about the girl who made him feel seen, made him feel loved, rebekah had to bite back a smirk. “you love her?” she asked, voice softer now, a rare gentleness in her eyes. “tell me about her—forget the mean bitch, i never liked lacey anyway,” she added, dragging him toward her bed. “she was selfish as hell, queen bee attitude and all. i wanted to knock her off that throne so bad,” she mused with a grin. “so come on, tell me about the love of your life.”

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer sat there, quiet at first, soaking in everything Bekah was saying. It hit different, coming from her. She wasn’t just talking at him—she got it. Not in a fake, pitying way. In the real way. The lived-through-it way. The still-standing way. When she said “you’re all you’ve got,” something cracked in his chest. Because yeah, he knew that. Deep down, he’d always known. But hearing it from her, soft but solid, made it harder to ignore. And when she followed it with “you have me”, his jaw clenched just to keep everything else from falling apart. He didn’t know how to say thank you for something like that, so instead, he just nodded once, slow and heavy, his eyes locking with hers like he was trying to make her feel it—how much it meant. He swallowed hard. “I don’t even know what that looks like,” he admitted, voice low. “But I’m starting to think maybe I want to find out.” He let out a breath he didn’t realise he’d been holding. She wasn’t trying to fix him. She wasn’t handing him a lecture or sugarcoating anything. She was just there. In it with him. And that meant more than anything else. “You make it sound simple,” he muttered, almost smiling. “Just… move on, huh?” And when she brought up her, the girl who saw him, the one who made him feel something good and not broken, his face changed. His whole energy softened. Sawyer didn’t answer right away, but the answer was already written all over him. “I think I do,” he said quietly. “It’s like... she sees right through all the mess, and still wants to stay. Even when I try to push her away, she doesn’t go. I screwed everything up and she still held me afterwards even when I really didn't deserve it." He let himself sink into the mattress beside Bekah, finally allowing the weight of everything to settle just a little. “And yeah,” he added with a crooked grin, “I know Lacey wasn't your favourite person." He glanced over at Bekah, a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. Sawyer’s grin tugged at the corners of his mouth before he even said her name, like just thinking about Daphne lit something up in him that nothing else could. “She’s called Daphne,” he said, the words soft but full of something real. “She’s the cutest-looking girl. Like—cute cute." He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly aware of how stupidly smitten he sounded, but whatever. “She’s deaf,” he added, eyes flicking up to meet Bekah’s. “So we sign. Or write stuff to each other if we’re lazy. I’ve been learning ASL—still kinda suck at it, but she thinks it’s adorable when I mess up.” And then, with a sheepish, too-honest laugh, he added, “I keep climbing up her drain pipe. And no, that’s not a metaphor—like, literally scaling the side of her house to sneak into her room so her parents don't know I'm in there."

[bekahgomez]

family relationships weren’t her thing. her parents had sent her out of the country because they thought she had broken their trust. the only person she talked to daily was her grandmother. the lady still lived in argentina, the time zones were crazy, but at least she could still talk to her. her family? yeah, she visited them from time to time, but it wasn’t the same. she didn’t feel like she could trust people who had accused her of something and turned their backs on her. now, she lived on her own, had her dorm, and kept her life separate from theirs. she was happy, and she wished sawyer could do the same—walk away and live his life without having to deal with the asshole that was his father. "i don’t feel like i’m the wisest. in fact, i have someone in my life who keeps reminding me how stupid i am or how dumb my choices are, but sometimes you just need to walk away," she said softly. "i'm here, and i want to be by your side, but i don’t want you hurting, sawyer. that asshole doesn’t deserve you." she felt bad, knowing her best friend—the one person she could talk about anything with—was going through so much. "it’s not my fault people are more receptive after sex. they tell me what i need, and that’s it. my mentor gets her information, and i have a good time," she mused simply. but his next words caught her off guard. "you cheated on lacey?" she blinked. she knew their relationship was bound to fall apart, but cheating? that sounded more like something she would do, not sawyer. still, she wasn’t going to judge him. "i’m not going to scold you for cheating. i’m just going to say i’m happy you found someone who makes you feel alive," she said softly, her hands moving to hold his. "you actually matter, and if that girl is what you need to believe that, then go for it," she mused. "but you should break up with your girlfriend, just so it doesn’t come back to bite you in the ass," she added with a smirk.

[sawyer-bay]

Sawyer, grappling with his own tangled family dynamics, found himself drawn to her words. She had always been a beacon of resilience, navigating her fractured relationships with a quiet strength that he admired. Her parents had sent her away, accusing her of betrayal, yet she had carved out a life of independence, tethered only to her grandmother in Argentina. Her advice to Sawyer was heartfelt, tinged with the wisdom of someone who had walked away from the pain of familial rejection. She was urging him to consider his own happiness, to step away from the shadow of his father’s disapproval. Her voice, soft yet resolute, carried the weight of her own experiences. She didn’t claim to be wise, but her words resonated with a truth Sawyer couldn’t ignore. "I know but he's all I have." Sawyer's family was broken beyond repair. He didn't have family bonds or attachments to anyone. He was alone if not for his dad. When the conversation shifted to relationships, her candidness caught him off guard. She spoke of her own unconventional approach to intimacy, unapologetic and pragmatic. "If it works, it works, right?" But when Sawyer admitted to cheating on Lacey, her reaction was unexpected. She didn’t judge him; instead, she offered understanding and encouragement. Her hands, warm and steady, held his as she told him he mattered—that he deserved to feel alive. Her advice was practical, urging him to end his current relationship to avoid future complications, delivered with a smirk that lightened the gravity of the moment. Sawyer couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for her presence in his life. She was his confidante, his anchor, and in her own way, she was helping him navigate the storm. Her words lingered, a reminder that sometimes, walking away was the bravest thing one could do. "I shouldn't have cheated but I did. I can't go back and change that. I will break up with her when the timing is right. I love her, always will, but things with Lacey don't feel like they once were. Daphne makes me feel seen."