New Blood | General Chat

[Littlefeets]

@benitz786

June 1st, 1999

Ahh the next part!

@benitz786

her eyes hollow and red-rimmed from the night’s… events.

It was a lot for one night…

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His features, usually carved from confidence and charm, looked softer now. The faintest furrow of his brow, the tremble of his lashes as he slept—each detail whispered his pain.

He can’t hide it in his sleep…

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The sight of him—simply… vulnerable—sent a fresh wave of pain through her chest, the kind that hollowed her out and left nothing behind.

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A kiss that wasn’t about passion but about connection, about needing her to know he was still there. And… she was.

Needing her to know he was still there, and him needing to know she was still there

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Her throat tightened painfully, emotion constricting her words. “I love you.” The words felt too small, too inadequate, but they were all she had to give.

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His words faltered, his frustration barely contained.

Even awake, it’s not easy containing how he’s feeling at this point…

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A groan escaped him, his jaw tightening. He didn’t want to leave her. Not after everything.

He didn’t want to leave her anyway…
But especially not after everything…

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Addie nodded, her fingers reaching up to brush his jaw, her touch feather-light. “I’ll be here…” She paused, searching his eyes. “Are you going to be okay?”

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He exhaled sharply, his eyes closing for a brief moment before he nodded. “I’ll survive.” The words were dry, almost bitter.

It’s how he has to be. He’ll survive. Regardless of anything beneath the surface…

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She squeezed his hand, trying to pour every ounce of her strength into him. “I know you will.”

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Her thoughts churned, dark and restless, but she closed her eyes, hoping—praying—that when she opened them again, the world would feel a little less broken.

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Sadly, Brooke, Dan isn’t alive yet .

Unfortunately it’s still another 2 years until he’s even born…

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She lifted her teacup to her lips, the bitter brew sitting like acid on her tongue. The porcelain felt delicate in her grip, like it might shatter with the weight of everything she was holding in. The laughter, the meaningless noise—it all blurred together until she felt like she was a ghost drifting through someone else’s reality.

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Hannah leaned in closer, her voice a low,
“Did you hear?” she whispered, eyes glinting with barely contained excitement. “Lauren’s gone. I saw her stuff being packed up early this morning.”

Good riddance

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He didn’t speak. He just pulled her into his arms, and Addie melted. Her body sank against his, her fingers clutching at the fabric of his shirt as if he might disappear if she let go. For a long moment, she didn’t say a word—couldn’t. She only held him tighter, burying her face against his neck, letting his warmth anchor her.

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“How are you feeling?” His voice was low, roughened by concern, but there was something steadier beneath it. She just… she wanted him to be okay and here he was checking in on her.

Regardless of if he’s ok or not, he’d still check on her

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It was both a command and a warning

Just like most things he says, particularly in regards to Leo

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wrapped up in words that made her feel like property rather than a person

Again, like most things that would come out of Richard’s mouth…

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The words were soft, but his voice wasn’t. It was sharp, like he was ready to burn the whole estate down if she gave the word.

All she has to do is give the word

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It wouldn’t stop Richard Azure from owning this moment.

Nothing would stop him from owning it…
From owning Leo in that moment too…

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“Yes, we do.” The words felt heavier than she expected, but she didn’t let them crack. She turned to face Leo, meeting his stormy blue eyes with everything she had left. Her hand slipped into his. “But we go together.”

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He had a way of hiding everything else that was going on and putting on a face

He grew up without having a choice. He had to, to survive…

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Richard’s eyes found hers through the crowd, and that smile deepened. It was a warning wrapped in charm. It always was with these people.

With Richard especially.

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And then he was descending the staircase, weaving through the crowd with predatory grace. By the time he reached them, Leo’s grip on her hand had tightened.

Leo needs Addie when it comes to his dad being around, but he also wants to protect her from him…

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It wasn’t immediate. At first, he resisted.

He resisted as much as he could

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His eyes locked onto hers like he knew leaving her here was a mistake.

He didn’t want to leave her at all

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But Richard placed a firm hand on his shoulder and steered him toward another group

Leo was given zero choice in the matter

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Richard’s eyes sharpened. “Like those girls, you’d do well to learn your place, Adelaide.”

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] “Oh Rich, leave her alone. She’s just a baby. She’ll learn.” He turned to Addie, eyes raking over her in a way that made her skin crawl. ] “Come on, sweetheart. How about a dance? I can teach you a lesson or two tonight?”

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Addie started to refuse, but Richard’s hand pressed against her back—firm.

“She’d love to.”

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The man’s hand was already on hers before she could argue, his grip like iron.

The dance was suffocating. Every step felt heavier. He whispered things in her ear—crude comments, promises she wanted no part of. His hand drifted lower once, then again, lingering until her stomach churned.

“I’m engaged.” Her voice was sharp, but his laugh was sharper.

“And? A beauty like you shouldn’t be wasted on just one man.”

He pulled her closer, and she tried to push away—but his grip didn’t budge.

“And, so get your grubby, disgusting fcking hands off of m-.”

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“That’s enough.”

An older woman stepped in, her eyes cold and commanding. She pulled Addie free, shielding her like a fortress. Addie didn’t know who she was - but clearly she held enough power in the room that the man who was previously attempting to… you know… well he… he backed off. Walked away with a laugh and his hands held up as if he was caught red-handed before going to get a drink “Hold your head high, dear. Never let them see it drop.”

Good. Someone needed to rescue her

Otherwise Leo would’ve eventually gotten the chance to get involved first, and I can’t imagine that wou;d’ve gone well.

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“Addie.” Her name wasn’t a question. It was a lifeline. And God, she wanted to take it.

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But her stomach twisted, the memory of that man’s hands still burning against her skin. She felt dirty. Like his touch was something she couldn’t scrub away no matter how hard she tried.

Leo understands that…

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His voice dropped lower, roughened with something sharp. Worry. Anger.

He’d do anything to protect her

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She flinched. It was small, barely noticeable, but Leo noticed. His eyes darkened, the muscles in his jaw ticking as his thumb brushed over her skin again.

There was no way he wouldn’t notice

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But she could feel his hesitation, the way his shoulders tensed as his father’s voice filled the room.

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my son, Leo,

Probably would’ve said Leonardo, instead of Leo.
Only close friends, and Addie get to use Leo.
And Richard would probably prefer using his son’s full name in general

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Her nails dug slightly into Leo’s arm, but he didn’t flinch. If anything, his grip tightened around her waist, grounding her. Steadying her.

And he probably needed it too.

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currently sixth in line for the English throne.”

Definitely had the importance of that emphasized

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t wasn’t just an announcement. It was a statement. A declaration to the world—and to her—that this was no longer her decision.

He made his decision, but at least it was approval

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She felt Leo shift beside her, his fingers brushing over hers in a silent question. Are you okay?

She wasn’t.

But there was no time to answer.

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Richard leaned in, his breath too close, his voice barely a whisper.

“Now be a good girl and conform.”

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She felt Leo’s hand on her back, a steady pressure guiding her through the sea of people

His first priority is to be there for her and make sure she’s okay

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Her hand rested on her lap, her fingers curled loosely, but she felt the phantom weight of Richard’s words, his breath so close to her ear. Conform.

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Leo’s grip tightened on the steering wheel. “We never should’ve gone.”

Nothing could change his mind on that

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He looked tired. Exhausted, even, but his eyes still held that same fire—the one that always burned for her.

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“You shouldn’t have to prove anything.”

Leo doesn’t even think there’s anything she could need to prove

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“But I do.” The words slipped out before she could stop them, and Leo’s head snapped toward her.

Leo couldn’t sit by and let her think that

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“No, Addie. You don’t.” His voice was sharp now, edged with something dangerous. “You’re already enough. I hate that they made you feel like you’re not.”

She’ll always be enough.

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“You’re still thinking about it, aren’t you?”

He knows her too well

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“All of it.” Her voice cracked slightly, but she didn’t try to hide it. “I hated tonight.”

He didn’t feel any better about it either…

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Leo’s lips pressed into a thin line, and he pulled the car over. The engine hummed softly as he turned to face her fully.

He needed to be able to see her, face to face.

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“You…you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. If this is too much—”

“Stop.” Her voice cut through his. “I want this. I want you.”

Leo searched her face, his eyes darker now.

“But?”

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“It’s not.” His voice was steady, grounding. “It’s just my family. And they’re not going to change who we are.”

He’s learned to deal with them his whole life, and he doesn’t want Addie to change and conform to what they expect. He wants his Addie. The version of her he fell in love with.

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The faintest hint of a smile tugged at his lips, but his eyes—God, his eyes—were soft. Not just soft. Steady. Like he’d been waiting for her to wake up, for her to see this.

He wanted her to be awake for it

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“I wanted you to have your ring.”

He knows how much it matters to her. To both of them

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He just smiled softly—the kind of smile that said he’d do it all again if it made her happy.

He’d do everything to make her happy.

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The kiss wasn’t frantic or rushed, but it wasn’t slow either. It was deep. A confession without words. Her lips lingered, and so did his, until her pulse wasn’t pounding out of fear anymore but out of something warmer. Something safer.