“Hey Antlers” Matteo calls out, having spotted the person in front of the hedge maze. They were facing away from him, but he didn’t remember seeing anyone around the grounds with a mutation like that before; which meant they were probably new. They looked primed to enter, and if it wasn’t getting close to dusk, Matteo wouldn’t have said anything. “That thing can take at least 2 hours if you aren’t used to it. Longer if you get all turned around” Matteo explains. “I’d suggest waiting for when it’s not going to get dark soon. The hedges do not make for a nice bed” He may or may not be speaking from experience.
The rain was turning heavy with unformed snow as Xander ducked his head and walked into Hogsmeade. It was the best part of being at Hogwarts, he’d decided - the professors were so lax with their students that they let them go straight into a nearby town to blow off steam. What was to stop anyone from leaving? From doing something illegal? The thought made Xander smile into the lining of this coat - speak of the devil, and the devil will appear, he thought. Glancing up, Xander scanned the shop fronts, looking for a familiar face among the windows and candlelit interiors. Elisha had told him to come this weekend, wanting to meet, but the vampire would be conspicuous if seen out in the open. There was something unearthly and distinctly inhuman-like about a vampire in the flesh: a chill down your spill, goosebumps across your arms. Xander loved the rush, but it would raise suspicions of others, so he slipped from the main street to the rows of back alleys. It was quieter here - most students come this far back, mostly because their business laid in the sweet and joke shops that drew them in with bright colours like moths to flame.
But the darkness drew Xander, an irresistible tug that had him glancing up and down the alley that was littered with barrels and boxes and hollow doorways, filled with excitement. As he walked, he was suddenly caught around the wrist by a pale hand and pulled into an alcove. His initial surprise was quickly replaced by joy - Elisha had found him. “You didn’t say where to meet,” Xander said, feeling a little breathless as he stared up at the vampire. “Next time we should plan these things.” Elisha wore a faintly amused expression. “Next time?” he said, an eyebrow raised. “You wouldn’t have come all this way if you could get blood anywhere else,” Xander explained, noticing how translucent Elisha’s skin looked - he probably hadn’t fed since Xander left for school. “Observant,” Elisha said coolly. Xander beamed at the praise, but his adrenaline was too high for him to truly absorb it. “Please,” he said, eyes darting to Elisha’s lips then back to his dark, hungry eyes. “I know you want it, so just-- do it.” Once the consent had been given, Elisha paused for only a moment before he turned Xander around and pushed him against the brick wall of the alcove, using his cold fingers to push back the shoulder of Xander’s coat, exposing his throat. Xander’s heart was racing, probably audible to Elisha as he waited - there was the faint ghost of a breath against his skin and Xander closed his eyes as Elisha kissed the skin just once before his fangs bit in. It was always a shock when it happened, as though his mind had downplayed it in his memories - the pain, the pleasure, the fire that raced through him. Xander could never get enough, and his hands fisted in the front of Elisha’s coat as he let himself get drained, blood running down his neck and marring his skin red.
What: The last game of the night and its down to two couples. Kurt learns the truth, Santana and Dani strengthen, Dave squashes a bug and changes the future, The UN attacks, and Kurt and Dave start a war.
When: Friday Night
Where: Their respective houses.
#Dave has joined the game!
#Kurt has joined the game!
#Santana has joined the game!
[#Kurt] says: Give me a moment, please?
[#Kurt] says: My phone is going off. Again.
[#Santana] says: Fun
#Dani has joined the game!
[#Kurt] says: Okay. Back.
[#Santana] says: Everything okay Kurty?
[#Kurt] says: Everything's fine![#Santana] says: Okay
![#Dani] says: How's Carter doing over there?
[#Santana] says: Is he asleep?[#Dave] says: As far as I can tell he is? I mean, we tucked him in awhile ago.
[#Dave] says: I'll go check on him tho
#Kurt] says: He seems to be doing okay.
[#Kurt] became a Necromancer.
[#Santana] became an Alchemist.
Necromancer[#Kurt] says: I have no idea what this song is. But I didn't know any of the other ones either
Alchemist [#Santana] says: I have it muted sooo
Alchemist [#Santana] says: I'm listening to my Spotify
Necromancer [#Kurt] used his Truth Serum on Saboteur [#Dave].
Saboteur [#Dave] whispers: I did things to my stuffed animals. Terrible things.
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: David..
Alchemist [#Santana] says: Wtf Dave?
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: Just wow.
Saboteur [#Dave] says: What the hell
Saboteur [#Dave] says: I dont.....?
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: Uh huh. Truth's out.
Saboteur [#Dave] says: that was fake truth?
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: Is there such thing as fake truth?
Quantum Physicist [#Dani] stood in front of the Pirate Ship.
Quantum Physicist [#Dani] accepted a drink from ship's captain!
Quantum Physicist [#Dani] drank vodka and staggered back 10 spaces.
Quantum Physicist [#Dani] is drunk.Quantum Physicist [#Dani] says: Oh no... ...hic!
Jukebox: The Killers - Mr. Brightside
Necromancer [#Kurt] got infected with Chlamydia.
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: Wow. Finally a cool song.
Saboteur [#Dave] says: Kurt....
Saboteur [#Dave] says: I love this song tho
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: Yes?
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: Oh!
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: I've never seen this video though. Oh wow.
Saboteur [#Dave] says: Really?
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: Yeah. The costumes in it are gorgeous. I think I found a new favorite song for a while.
Alchemist [#Santana] says: This song is the shit
Saboteur [#Dave] ate his Lemon, ran 3 spaces forward and removed his Evil Disease.
Saboteur [#Dave] says: Gdi Kurt.Alchemist [#Santana] rolled 10.
Saboteur [#Dave] says: I can't escape your evil disease.
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: No, no you can't. Haha!
Necromancer [#Kurt] answered wrong and lost 1 Speed.Necromancer [#Kurt] pierced Saboteur [#Dave]'s chest with his Sword.Necromancer [#Kurt]'s Drain Soul stole a part of Saboteur [#Dave]'s soul. Necromancer [#Kurt] gained 1 Soul Power.
Saboteur [#Dave] died and lost all diseases (Evil Disease).
Necromancer [#Kurt] entered the deadly pyramid.Necromancer [#Kurt] received the Curse of the Pharaoh.Necromancer [#Kurt] received the Curse of the Pharaoh.Necromancer [#Kurt] died in the Pyramid.
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: That's what I get for murdering Dave.
Saboteur [#Dave] says: ....you killed me........
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: I did..
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: And now look! I'm alive again!
Saboteur [#Dave] says: ....
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: :)
Saboteur [#Dave] says: Don't worry, just wait till im alive again :)
Saboteur [#Dave] says: :)
Saboteur [#Dave] says: :) :) :)
The Life Ward brought Saboteur [#Dave] back to life!
Necromancer [#Kurt] died from the Curse of the Pharaoh.Necromancer [#Kurt] died and lost all diseases (AIDS).
Saboteur [#Dave] says: Wait how did i come back alive???
Alchemist [#Santana] sweat off her AIDS.
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: Damn it?!
Saboteur [#Dave] says: But yay for no aids
Quantum Physicist [#Dani] says: oh man, sorry I gave everyone aids
.Alchemist [#Santana] says: I set a life ward Dave
Alchemist [#Santana] says: And Babe!
Saboteur [#Dave] says: Ohhh thanks santana
Alchemist [#Santana] says: Welcome!Alchemist.
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: I think a vampire just talked to me.
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: All of you are going down.
Quantum Physicist [#Dani] says: I'm sorry! I didn't exactly plan on giving everyone aids
Saboteur [#Dave] says: Don't worry Kurt, you're going down too :)
Alchemist [#Santana] says: It's okay I didn't really have them
Necromancer [#Kurt] says: I'm already dead!
Saboteur [#Dave] traveled to the Prehistory with the TARDIS.Saboteur [McBobbo] has altered the time line!
Necromancer[Dynamite Dick] says: "Dynamite Dick"
Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Pikachu?
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: I'm marrid to Dynamite Dick ;)))
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: :o
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: I mean I think mine is cute
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: Dave..
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: yes?
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: Oh god, it turned my name into that?!Saboteur [McBobbo] says: Yep!
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: Wow.
Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Babe?
Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Which one are you?
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: Yees?
!Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Oh okay!
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: oh! I should book mark this song!
Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Do you play this for your kidds babe?
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: I haven't played this one, but I have done a couple Schoolhouse Rock!
Seductress Alchemist[Pikachu] says: Ah, which ones?
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: Oh um, I'll show you later?
Quantum Physicist[Tooth Fairy] says: Maybe when we're not playing a game? I have had a couple of times when they said they've watched already but i mean, I obviously don't rea;;y remember?
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] used the Time Machine......and ended up in the Future.Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] got anally probed by aliens and has to skip a turn.
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: .......
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: well now..
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Oh yeah.right
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Oh shit, babe xD
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: I'm not sure how I feel about what just happened to me.
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] used the Time Machine......and ended up in the Future.
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Not good
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: ...back to the future
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] found an EMP Generator in the future.
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: i'm not sure how i feel about what just happened to you.
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] cast Drain Soul on Saboteur [McBobbo].
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: ....KURT COULD YOU STOP.
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: Stop what??
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: You casted drain soul on me
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: Oh. Yes. I know I did.
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: ....
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: :D
Saboteur [McBobbo]'s diss card killed Necromancer [Dynamite Dick].
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: You murdered me, David?
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: :)
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] rots in peace. (1)
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: Alls fair in love and war
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: I'm wounded.
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: No.
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: Worse.
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: You'd never kill me, right babe?
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: I'm dead.
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Nope
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: I'd help keep you alive
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: And this is why i married you (probably)
The U.N. became angry and stole Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy]'s ACME Pogo-Stick.
Saboteur [McBobbo] got blinded, kidnapped, lost 10 Rupees and moved back 5 spaces.
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: ....whats with the UN
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Damn, UN
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: first dani then me?
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: You got blinded and kidnapped and lost your money because I was dead.
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: See what happens?
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: I mean, that just proves you sent them after me
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: In your death.
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: It's part of my life insurance.
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: The person that murders me goes missing.
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: .....
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] hypnotized Saboteur [McBobbo]
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: .....
Saboteur [McBobbo] used Hinder to knock Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] 5 spaces back!
Seductress Alchemist[Pikachu] says: SOMEBODY CALL THE DOCTOR I KNOW WHERE THE WEEPING ANGEL IS
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: Wait
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: you do?
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: YES
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: I can call?
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] used her Sonic Screwdriver to call the Doctor
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] decided to become the Doctor's companion.
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: Santana?
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Middle ages
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] didn't quite help the Doctor to find the Weeping Angel.
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Well damn
Saboteur [McBobbo] used Hinder to disarm Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] for 1 turn!Saboteur [McBobbo] used Hinder to make Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] lose his Mining Pick!
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: David..
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: ....who denied me
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: Why are you coming at me?
.Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] drank aphrodisiac and lost one speed.
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: I did it!
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Aphrodisiac babe?
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: ;)
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: I figured why not
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Okay
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] used her Dark Wand to turn Saboteur [McBobbo] into a Turtle!
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: .............
Saboteur [McBobbo] is no longer Denied of victory.
Saboteur [McBobbo] buried his eggs and gained 2 karma.
Saboteur [McBobbo] is human again.
Saboteur [McBobbo] won the game!
Saboteur[McBobbo] says: you all t r i e d
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: DAMN IT
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Babe?
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: Am I allowed to kick you out of your room and make you sleep on the couch? Funky colors, man!
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: Nope.
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: I think I'll do that anyway.
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: Nope.
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: Yes. Funky colors, man!
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: Make me.
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Babyyyyyy
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: I'm close enough. I'll lock you out of it. Hehehehehehehehehe.
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: yeees?Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Wanna go to beddd
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: I did not make that laugh noise. Funky colors, man!
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: Oh believe me Kurt I know how to get my self in there.
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: No. I'm way out there, man!
Quantum Physicist [Tooth Fairy] says: Yes that would be nice.
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: Damn it.
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Okay
Seductress Alchemist [Pikachu] says: Later losers
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: nice try though Kurt ;)
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: see ya santana
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: && Dani
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: I'm running in there and locking you out. I'm way out there, man!
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: Obviously you aren't if you're still at your computer
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: Bye Santana! Funky colors, man!
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: Fine!
Necromancer [Dynamite Dick] says: Woah! BYE!
Saboteur [McBobbo] says: You love me deep down ;)
After the few in depth text conversations he had had with Danneel lately, things were all a little... confusing. They had been apart for a while, sure... But things were going well. They were still friendly and working together to keep things good for JJ but now, it seemed like the lines were blurring again. The more he tried to fight it, the more he seemed to be pulled into it. But he wasn’t going to focus on it... For all he knew, this was all in his head. After inviting Dani over, he pushed himself up off the bed, to go check on JJ, who was fast asleep on the rollaway bed. She had really worn herself out all day and probably wouldn’t stir for hours at least. Eventually he heard a soft knock at the door, and he went over to pull it open. “Hey, welcome to my humble abode,” he greeted with a smile, stepping aside so she could come in.
Alexa got herself dressed, deciding on wearing her Dean Ambrose shirt and a pair of jeans. This morning had started off bad and she just wanted go grab some lunch with Dani and Danica. It’d be the perfect distraction and the pefect way to keep her mind off of things.
She drove to the cafe, it was called J’s and it was one of her favorite places to eat here at home. Looking around she didn’t spot Dani or Danica yet so Alexa found a seat for the three of them outside, waiting to see her second mom.
Notes: Santana and Dani meet up to have a fun night out.
Santana was actually pretty excited about going out with Dani tonight, although she’d make sure that didn’t show too much. They hadn’t exactly hung out around the same groups of people in high school, so Santana had never really considered Dani a friend. But being in New York with other former classmates had broadened her usual circle so she didn’t see why that couldn’t be the case for her and Dani as well. Especially considering the girl seemed to be lots of fun to be around, at least with what Santana had heard from high school.
While moving to New York had definitely been a good move on her part, she still felt kinda lost. Moving to the city was supposed to be her big break, so she could find out who she was but things just didn’t come that easy. Instead she was stuck in a lousy apartment with a weirdass roommate who barely spoke English, working her butt off to find a decent job. It was obvious that she had come with expectations that were way too unrealistic for her situation, but she held onto the hope that after a few weeks of settling in, she’d find something worth her time. She was Santana Lopez after all.
Santana wasn’t new to the party scene and getting dressed up, but it still took her ages to get ready every time. When Dani had mentioned ‘having fun tonight’, Santana had assumed she meant making use of their fake IDs, so she planned her outfit considering. Better being overdressed than underdressed, she had thought, so she was prepared for whatever the girl considered 'fun'. Once she was satisfied with her attire, a tight black dress that showed off her most prized assets, and black pumps, she sent Dani a text telling her she was ready and asking where they should meet.
When Chloe got Dani's text, she had mixed feelings. She still wasn't sure if she was going to regret giving Dani this, what was it now, fourth chance? She really hoped the girl was serious this time, because she didn't want to waste any more of her time on someone who was dishonest and unfaithful. She'd understood that Dani had to obey her orders for the weekend, and had been okay with waiting until Tuesday to meet and talk, but now that it was Tuesday, her doubts were growing, and she was starting to lose hope of this working out. But she'd agreed to give Dani one more chance to prove herself, so that's what she was going to do.
She sat on her couch, watching netflix on her laptop, and waiting for the girl to arrive.
Who: Chloe and Dani
When: Sunday 6/1
Where: Chloe's room
What: Talking about their relationship, or lack thereof.
Chloe made sure she looked perfect in the mirror before Dani came. She wanted the girl to see that she was perfectly fine without her, even if that was a lie. She had been holed up in her room for the past two weeks, not talking to anyone, and not really caring about her appearance or the state of her room. She walked to the door when she heard Dani knock, letting her in. She didn't say anything in greeting, just looked at the other girl expectantly.
Dani had to stop herself from saying the word wow the moment the door opened, though every part of her screamed to do so. She stepped inside the room, avoiding looking around it. Her everyday life had enough reminders of the younger girl, but being in her suite was like hitting the motherload. She took a deep breath- no, that didn't really help. All she breathed in was Chloe. Her eyes finally made their way up to Chloe's, and for a moment she just stared at her. "I have a lot of things to tell you, is that okay?" She finally said, breaking the silence that filled the room.
Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead," she said, moving back towards the couch. She sat down, crossing her arms over her chest and continuing to look at Dani with mild contempt.
Dani continued to stand, the look on Chloe's face telling her that she was most definitely not invited to sit beside her. "I had to go home last week, back to London. Things had gotten really bad. Like they were already bad, but they got worse." She started to pace, giving her something to do other than shrink under the weight of Chloe's stare. "I had lost you because I was stupid, I was losing Lily. It even felt like I was losing Nic. Everyone was just...leaving me, and I didn't know how to deal with it. I did drugs to numb the pain, I had sex to numb the pain." She winced a little. "And then when nothing was working anymore and I had lost all hope, I reached out to my parents for help. I have bipolar II disorder." She said softly, now turning to face the blonde. "Those really, really, good times we had- that was real. That was us being a truly good couple. Those times when I was reckless, like when I cheated on you, I was in a hypomanic state. It's not as severe as full on mania, but it still impaired my judgement. And then those times when I was so sad, and so unhappy, that was because my depressive states follow right after the hypomania." She hesitated before sitting beside Chloe. "I'm not saying that it makes up for anything I did- nothing ever will, I made a really terrible mistake in hurting you again. But that's...what's been going on with me for the last five months, apparently."
Chloe listened as Dani spook. She understood the depressive states, having her own diagnosis to deal with, but the mania wasn't something she was really familiar with. She chewed her lip. While knowing that Dani had a mental health issue did explain some things, it didn't completely excuse her behavior. Chloe still wasn't ready to forgive the girl for what she'd done, the repeated instances of cheating. She frowned at the girl. "So what are you saying? What do you want me to do about it?" she didn't intend for that to come out sounding as harsh as it did, but she still wasn't pleased with Dani, and she wasn't going to sugar coat anything.
Dani shrunk back a little into the couch, her eyes falling from Chloe's face and onto her lap. "I-I don't want you to do anything, I don't expect you to do anything." She had come her knowing what she wanted to say, but hadn't planned on how Chloe would act towards her. It shook her confidence. "I never answered your questions about the whole thing, and I figured I owed you that much."
Chloe saw Dani's face fall, caught the stutter in her voice. She hated the way it made her feel, like she wanted to drop everything and comfort her. She crossed her arms tighter around her chest. "Okay. Well, thank you, I guess," she said, sucking in a breath. She paused for a moment, staring at a space in the distance. She cleared her throat. "Are you still fucking whoever it was you cheated with?" she asked bluntly.
Dani didn't think twice as she nodded slowly. She didn't want to lie to Chloe about anything, especially not when she deserved the truth. "Yeah, I do. I spent my first night back with him." She focused on breathing, trying her best to ignore the pounding in her chest. "We were partnered together for exams." She didn't expect Chloe to know who she was talking about right off the top of her head, but at least she had indirectly answered the mystery of 'who did you fuck'.
Chloe frowned. She hadn't wanted to know who it was, and she still wasn't positive, but now she could figure it out if she wanted to. She picked at her nail polish. "Are you /with/ him?" she asked.
Dani found the courage to look at Chloe, shaking her head. "No. And it was never about that." She bit her lip as she tried to think of the right way to word it. "The first time that I slept with him, it had been because I was feel so disconnected and I wanted sex. He flirted and I was unavailable, which made it okay for us to do. I mean not, okay okay obviously, but that's what started it." Chloe knew the story, she had lived it with Dani. "The second time, the same thing had happened. I wanted to feel something. I never went into it wanting to be with him. I like spending time with him because he dominates me and makes me feel safe, but he's with so many other people at the same time that I would never feel special. I'd be another submissive he's fucking, and I don't want that. I want love."
Chloe swallowed. What she hated most about this whole situation was that it had taken her so long to trust Dani enough to tell her that she loved her, to talk about claiming her, and then all that trust had just been blown to hell. It would take even longer to build it back up, if that's even what she wanted. Dani wanted love. Well, she'd had it, and she'd screwed that up. "So you want someone who only dominates you, only cares about you, only loves you. And so, when you /had/ someone who did all those things, you decided it would be a great idea to cheat and fuck it up. Yeah, that makes sense."
Dani chewed on her bottom lip as she listened, knowing how stupid it all sounded especially when she had already had someone who had done all of those things. "I don't make much sense." She shrugged a little before deciding to just tell Chloe everything she'd been holding in since they'd broken up. She wasn't sure when the other girl would agree to see her again. "When we were together, that first time we got back together, you had to deal with Lucy and the effect that she had had on my life. I loved her, and you knew that. No matter how much I love you, there's always been that elephant in the room that was Lucy. And I want you to know that this whole thing has made me realize how much I love you." She hesitated before reaching out and touching Chloe's leg. "I want you to know that even if I'm with someone, you're going to be that elephant. You're the girl I pushed away when all you ever did was try to love me. You're the girl that I'm in love with, the one that I would be with in an instant if it were at all possible."
Chloe narrowed her eyes slightly. She didn't quite understand the whole loving more than one person at once thing. For her, it had always been easy to prioritize, pick the person that she care about most and ignore the rest. Of course, she didn't have that many people she was close to anyway, so it was probably easier in her case. But still, if she was to ever give Dani another chance--what was this, four now?-- she would have to know that she was the only one. There could be no elephants. She chewed her lip. "And what would you be willing to do for another chance to be with me?"
Dani thought for a moment. "Honestly, I want to earn it. Like really earn it. I'm going to stop sleeping with Wyatt." She bit her lip, realizing that the name had been dropped. She shrugged and pushed forward. "Because it's not fair to tell you I'm in love with you and then continue to sleep with other people. I have people who are expecting more than friendship from me, and I'm going to let them know that that's not the case. I have a girl. And I don't want to use my disorder as an excuse, but honestly once the medication starts to fully work, I think I could start working towards being the girl you deserve."
Chloe pressed her lips together, thinking through her decision. She had a lot of anger towards Dani. Felt a lot of betrayal. She thought back to the good times they'd had together. She did want that back. But there was so much standing in the way. It would take a lot of time for Dani to build up that trust again, to earn Chloe's love. But if Dani was willing to try, Chloe could be too. She took a deep breath. "You're going to have to work very hard to prove it to me that you're serious. That I can trust you."
Dani couldn't hide the surprised look on her face and she sat up straighter, almost like it would help her hear Chloe better. "Would you let me do that? Would you let me fight for you like that?" She had to bite her lip to keep the biggest smile from spreading across her face.
Chloe nodded slowly. She couldn't guarantee that it would work out, and she couldn't give Dani a concrete time frame for how long it would take to earn her trust, but she could give her a chance. "Yes," she said. "The first thing I want is evidence of you telling all those people that you are unavailable. And I know I can't order you not to talk to anyone, but if you want to prove to me that I can trust you, you're going to cut yourself off from Wyatt completely. Can you do that?"
Dani watched Chloe seriously, ready to hear the list of demands that she would need to follow in order to make this work. She nodded as she listened, making a mental list of the people that she would need to tell that to. The biggest person would be Lucy, who she was under orders of that night. She was about to say okay when the final demand was given, her breath caught in her throat. She'd become friends with the boy. He was the person who would show up at her room with his kitten just because she didn't feel okay. Now that she knew him, it was hard to imagine her life without him. She looked into Chloe's eyes and bit her lip. "I don't know if I could stop talking to him entirely. He became my friend, he is my friend. And I love you, I love you so much and I'm more than willing to stop sleeping with other people and stop talking to them romantically, but I can't cut him out of my life completely." She sighed. "I'm sorry. He's been a good friend to me, and it's not fair to him to lose me as a friend for something he has no control over." She moved to the edge of the couch, ready for the retaliation of what she'd just said. "And I know that's not what you want to hear."
Chloe frowned, furrowing her brow. She would admit that it was a little unfair of her to expect Dani to ditch her friends for her, but Dani hadn't exactly been fair to her, had she? If the girl was truly serious about earning Chloe's trust, she would have to make concessions. Chloe pulled her knees up to her chest, increasing the physical distance between them. "Fine. Then you're not allowed to have any private conversations with him. Anytime you see him, you have to tell me about it. I can't be expected to trust you if you continue to hide things from me. For that matter, I want to be privy to all your private conversations. I told you it wouldn't be easy to regain my trust. Can you comply with these orders?"
Dani licked her lips, nodding slowly. What Chloe was asking from her right now was fair, and Dani did love her enough to do these things for her. "I can do that for you. So Wyatt and I can't have private conversations at all, but with everyone else I can and you can read them? I just want to make sure I'm getting it right." She pursed her lips a little bit. "What about texting. That's private, more so than private messages. Will you be reading those too?"
Chloe pressed her lips together. "Yes. That's correct. Texting falls under the category of private messaging. Is that acceptable?"
Dani wanted to say yes, that that was acceptable. But she needed to be honest. "If I say yes, I will be opening my entire world up to you. Which I'm fine, but I want to do that on my own terms. If I say yes, I won't be able to hide anything from you, or do anything that I shouldn't. Which I don't want to do those things anyway, but I can't force you to trust me. I can't force myself to open up to you. And I don't want to." She stood up. "I want to earn your trust back, however long that takes, and this isn't a big deal because I won't be able to hide anything from you, but it's the principle of the matter." She put a hand on Chloe's knee, giving it a squeeze. "I'm going to fight for you, but on my own terms. Maybe it'll take a year, maybe more. I don't know. I just really wanted to tell you all of that."
Chloe sucked in a breath. She knew her terms had been strict and intrusive, but she'd really just wanted to see how committed Dani was. "Okay. But if you're not going to my terms, then I can't promise that I'm going to hold out for you. I can't promise that I'm not going to be with other people. But if you want me to trust you, I'd suggest being completely celibate. Got it?"
Dani nodded, shrugging her shoulders a little. "I would never ask you to wait for me while I decide what it is I'm doing, or while I'm working towards making this work." She hadn't come to her suite expecting any of this. She'd honestly just wanted to explain to Chloe everything that had been happening. But still, if Chloe was willing to give her a little bit, she was willing to work with it. "Fine. I will tell you this though, I'm under orders by Lucy tonight and by Wyatt tomorrow. I'd be lying if I said that I'm not going to do anything with either of them. After exams, I will end my sexual relationship with Wyatt. After tonight, I will end my thing with Lucy. I have people I'm spending time with this week, and then after that, I'm done." She maintained eye contact, hoping she wasn't coming off too rude.
Chloe shrugged. She was sort of losing her motivation to even give Dani another chance at this point. All this talking wasn't really doing anything--she needed hard proof that she could trust the girl, and actions spoke so much louder than words. "Okay. Do whatever you want. I'm just saying, you know how to build up my trust again. It's up to you to do it."
Dani chewed at the inside of her lip. She knew exactly what Chloe was saying, exactly what she would have to do to change everything with them. The longer that she talked with the other girl, she knew that it would take so much more than this conversation to even begin to make it right. If this thing was meant to happen, it was going to take time. And for right now, time was perfect to Dani. She needed to learn how to deal with herself, with her own feelings, before she could commit to a relationship again. The one thing that she was sure of though was that she did love Chloe. "Do you wish I hadn't come?" she asked quietly.
Chloe hesitated a moment before answering. "No. We needed to talk, so we were on the same page," she said simply. "Are we on the same page now?"
Dani wasn't even sure at this point, she was confused by all the things she was feeling. She let out a chuckle. "Let's just recap, to be on the safe side."
Chloe tugged her lips into a tiny side smile then spoke, "So we're not together. We're not going to be together until I know I can fully trust you. But I'm willing to give you one last chance. If you fuck up, that's it. We're over for good. If you prove that you're trustworthy, we'll talk again and figure out where to go from there. And you know what you need to do to prove to me that I can trust you."
Dani grinned back at her. "Deal. It may be a while before we're ever together again like how we were," she added, "but I am in no way, shape, or form expecting you to hold out and wait for me." She smiled down at the other girl, a fluttery feeling in her stomach. "Can I hug you?"
Chloe stared at Dani for a moment before shaking her head. "I'm sorry. No. I need a little more time to forgive what you did."
Dani shook her head, putting her hands up in defense. "That's totally understandable. I think time right now is going to be our best friend." She offered Chloe a half smiled before looking over her shoulder at the door. "I guess I should go then?"
Chloe nodded. "Goodnight," she said, signifying for Dani to leave.
Dani nodded in return. "Goodnight, Chloe." And with that she turned and exited the suite, closing the door quietly behind her.