πΉ one more rose cuz I'm desperate for your writing
Bro... <3 Thank you awwww, these are some deleted scenes from BHC when I was thinking of putting some Leilane flashbacks in. I was going to have some parallels between Leilane failing and Shirnyx succeeding, and Onyx worrying over whether his Khat crush would fail too fdkjhfddf. It didn't really fit though, so it's just been hanging around in the doc for ages dfjkhdffd I hope it's not too boring!
βSometimes I think about how fortunate I am that Leilaβs never shown much interest in boys.β
Blinking, Onyx looks up from the paperwork on his desk towards the couch in his office where Shirley now reclines. Despite Shirleyβs business-like appearance in his everyday mannerisms, he rarely does work at the desk that Onyx had ordered for him when they first began sharing their office ten years ago. Rather, he tends to sprawl himself over the couch, his papers spread everywhere, organized by a system that only Shirleyβs brilliant mind can comprehend. Onyx was shocked when they first became partners, but now finds Shirleyβs habit amusingβespecially considering the amount of work he gets done in such apparent disorganization.
But of course, the most important thing here isnβt Shirleyβs position on the couch, but what heβs said. In all honesty, Onyx has never given CJβs interest in boys (or, rather, lack thereof) much thought. Sheβs still a little girl, after allβ
Β Shirley chuckles, but Onyx hears a hesitancy behind his laughter. βSheβs getting to that age, you know.β He lets out a bit of a sigh, relaxing a little further into the couch cushion, his expression bemused. βNot that Iβd mind grandchildren, mind you. But Iβm picky. Very picky.β He laughs again. βI almost feel sorry for the poor boy who falls for my Leila.β
From the tone of his voice, Onyx can tell that heβs definitely not sorry. Itβs endearing how transparently disdainful Shirley is towards this poor hypothetical fellow. βI think I feel more sorry for him than you do,β he laughs. βYouβd enjoy terrorizing the boy.β
βMaybe I would, maybe I wouldnβt.β Shirley smirks, staring up at the ceiling.
...
βCJ, dear, Iβdβ¦ Iβd like to help you, if I can.β
βItβs Leila. Sheβ¦ I thought sheβ¦β CJ rubs at her eyes, dark streaks cascading down her face. Her voice shakes uncontrollably. βEven just last week, she said that she l-likedβ¦β A sob escapes her, and she hides her face in her hands. βI thought she was inβ¦ inβ¦ that she liked me; I donβt know how I misinterpreted everything so badly. I messed everything up, and now she hates me and sheβll never want to see me again and I ruined our friendship and, and, andβ¦β
Hesitantly, Onyx reaches out to her, and just as hesitantly, CJ leans against him, her body stiff, trembling.
Now he understands.
...
βWhatβs the problem?β
βOh, nothing.β Shirley says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. βLeila only has a boyfriend. I canβt believe sheβd do something like that without consulting me.β
βAh. I heard.β The words slip out before Onyx can stop them.
Shirley blinks. βDid you?
...
βI almost wouldnβt have minded, reallyβ¦β Shirley smiles ruefully. βIf she had to like anybody, your daughter would be an inoffensive choice.β He laughs a little. βBut then Iβd be seeing you even more than I already do, which is already an exorbitant amount of time.β
