Valentine's Day - Adam Stanheight / Reader

Valentine's Day - Adam Stanheight / Reader

A/N, it's getting close to V-Day, everyone, and tbh I'm lonely irl, but I always have Adam, and now you do, too! ;)

.

Another year, another lost Valentine's Day. You of all people shouldn’t be the one sitting at home with no one by your side. Even the weather was trying to be supportive, with all it’s sunshine and clear skies. There would have been a time when you went diving straight into that blissfulness and lost yourself in a playful craze, but… your soul had broken apart after the first breakup. Just like an apple on the tree; it was happy and alive until it wasn’t needed anymore. Cast away by the mother, like a miserable excuse for a child, never to return again.

Still, your heart was beating, and that meant you hadn’t quit. It ached, sure, and your mind felt like it was rotting, but otherwise you hadn’t quit, no. You hadn’t given up. Not yet. The thing was, there was something that kept coming back to you, even stronger than that of the last time.

Why?

Why did Cupid treat you like this? Why did she insist on breaking your heart over and over again? Why wasn’t there anyone that was meant for you? If Cupid planned everyone’s love-lives, then why had she been avoiding yours? What was wrong with your love-life? WAS there anything wrong with it? Maybe it was just yourself?

In any case, the facts still remained. You were alone on Valentine’s Day, without a single piece of chocolate or a cheerful looking flower. You didn’t even have an ounce of energy to turn on the living room light that was only one scoot away from you on the couch.

Fuck. Everything hated you.

The spoon shifted deeper into the hard block of ice cream. (Favorite ice cream) was so delicious! It almost lifted your spirits up from the hole they were in but… eating ice cream alone wasn’t nearly as fun when you could share it with someone. All your friends had people! Cupid had given them someone to take care of on Valentine’s Day, and all you got was a handful of ice cream in the dark.

This was so unfair.

Amidst your sulking on the tattered cushions of your old sofa, came the slow rustle of footsteps from beyond the condo door. There was excited chittering and laughter from your neighbors, as they presumably let some of their girlfriends or boyfriends into their rooms, but it didn’t seem to be coming from those suspicious footsteps. It was quieter after some time, but the soft susurrus of steps seemed to persist ever onwards.

You contemplated what that sound was. Perhaps it was only the prehistoric pipes giving way to their confines after such a long endeavor of life? Or perhaps it was the swish-swoosh of your neighbor's broom sweeping over the dusty vents? Maybe one could tell, but you could not.

They dragged up and up and up, those footsteps. Not once did they falter, not once did they stumble, not once did they retreat; the footfalls simply repeated. Until at last, after the final serve of ice cream was finished up and swallowed, the sound stopped.

You didn’t know what to do with yourself. You’d have been asleep right now, if it wasn’t for the abrupt change in your surroundings. What was that, anyway? Was it not the poor pipes? Was it not your soulless neighbor?

And then there it was! A teeny-tiny knock rumbling on your front door.

How could this be so? You were supposed to be alone on Valentine’s Day!

In a very sluggish manner, you stood up from the couch. Your insides were cold from the previously eaten ice cream, and your heart was heavy from the previously stated facts. But somehow you managed to get yourself to your feet, and still hopelessly miserably, you did in fact, unlock the door.

Behind it was a young man that you recognized. His brown eyes were unmistakable. His clothes, tattered and loose, were memorable - or perhaps his appearance was memorable? He was quite handsome, of course.

You stepped back slowly, your mind reeling. This didn’t feel right. This didn’t feel accurate. As you placed one foot behind the other, everything slowed down. It was like moving in slow motion. You could feel your hair blow forwards, the edges of your clothes did as well. You were walking backwards in the wind. Sound stopped, so that it was all just a lackadaisical emptiness, like being underwater.

You kept walking, tediously, backwards. Your eyes were fixed on the newcomer - distraught and unblinking - while your mouth hung open slightly - astonished and bemused.

What the fuck was happening?

The man came walking in, just as fast as you, followed by the strange slithering sound. His movements were lazy, as he looked up from the floor and brought his hands up to his mouth. The click of his lighter resonated around the entire room, ringing for some minutes afterwards. He took a deep breath in, which too was enhanced by some magical hearing aid that had not been there before. You felt yourself grow weak and you reached your hands out backwards, looking for the couch.

He put his lighter back into his pocket, and now you could see the cigarette in his left hand. He blew out on it and smoke filled your vision completely. You stumbled, as the world came back to you once more.

You crashed down, painfully, onto the hard cushions of your couch, white noise filling your ears now as well as the traffic outside the window and the people talking outside your door. The man was approaching quickly by now, a look of alarm on his face. You realized that you knew this man!

“A-Adam Faulkner?” You choked out, feeling dizzy.

Adam’s light voice made your heart flutter. He knelt over you, his hands resting on your shoulders in an attempt to support you. “Woah. What’s wrong, Y/N? Have you eaten anything today?”

You tried to remember what REAL food you had eaten, but it felt like such a long time ago. “I had… ice cream…” you mumbled awkwardly.

“That’s it!?” Adam left you on the couch to go rummage through your fridge. He came back with a sandwich. You hated sandwiches.

“Why do I have to eat that?”

Adam shoved a piece into your mouth unexpectedly, and you gagged but started chewing anyway. “Because you’re faint as fuck, and I don’t want you passing out on me.”

You took the sandwich from him miserably, and ate it slowly. You grimaced every time you had to bite it. “What are you doing here?” You asked. “Don’t you have like… a girlfriend to see?”

Adam sat back into a chair across from you, and continued smoking. “What? Are you crazy? You think anyone would want to date me?”

Your heart pounded suddenly, and your cheeks flushed red. “Oh… Right… I’m sure no one… would…” You cleared your throat awkwardly, trying to end the stupid sentence that you had started.

“So, what got you eating ice cream in the darkness all by yourself on Valentine’s?” Adam questioned curiously. You stared at him blankly, as if your eyes alone could get the words across. “Oh come on. You didn’t really think no one was gonna come see you?”

You shoveled more sandwich into your mouth. At this point you would rather eat this than have to answer his question. Instead, you asked, “What got you to come all the way up to some single person’s house on Valentine’s?”

“ ‘Single’?” Adam wondered. “That works well for my plans, actually.”

You gazed at him in dismay, starting to get the idea he was implying. You finished your sandwich swiftly after that, wanting to look pretty for what MIGHT be coming up. “Let me get dressed! Oh my god, I can’t believe you had to see me like this.” Suddenly, you had newfound motivation…

Adam seemed a little off guard by your major mood change, but he rolled with it. “Sure. I mean, whatever you like. I think you look good in what you have on.”

“I’m still in my pajamas though.”

Adam shrugged. “I guess it makes undressing easier.”

At first you didn’t think much of the comment, until you were in the bathroom. And then you realized his implication. Adam was flirting with you… or trying to. You started smiling. Now that you thought about it, it was really cute. You dressed hastily, and then presented yourself to Adam cautiously. It had been awhile since you had done anything like this.

Adam smiled at you. “There you are. Looking beautiful, as usual.”

You giggled. “Oh, stop. I don’t know what’s gotten into you.” You were embarrassed by his sudden affection.

Faulkner raised an eyebrow. “Maybe it’s nothing?” He suggested. “Maybe I’m just enjoying Valentine’s Day?”

You were completely flabbergasted. “Enjoying Valentine’s Day with me?” You were almost unsure it could be possible.

Adam leaned in close and finally got to the point of his visit. “I want to change your social status from single to taken.”

You laughed out loud. “Cheesy!”

Adam laughed with you. “I had to say it as soon as I thought of it.”

“So, is THAT why you’re here? To give me a cheesy pickup line?”

“Hey,” Adam said defensively. “It was cheesy, but… I was being honest.”

You stared at him, your mind going blank. “W-What?”

“Come on, Y/N. You’re not that dim. Or do you need me to spell it out for you?”

You shifted your feet, unable to believe your ears. You didn’t realize Adam felt that way about you. Had this been an all-time-thing, or was he joking with you? You’d been in love with Adam ever since your first meeting, but… you never thought that the feelings could be mutual. Besides, if Adam had felt this way about you for so long, then why hadn’t he done anything about it? Why was THIS year the year that he opened up?

“I… don’t get it…” you stammered.

“What’s there to get? I really like you.”

“But… I never knew… If I knew, I wouldn’t have waited so long. I thought that… you were with someone else.”

“Who else?” Adam asked skeptically. “I haven’t dated since… since Jigsaw…” He shook his head vehemently. “But, that was a long time ago. I feel ready to try again. So… does this mean… you don’t want-”

“No!” You interrupted. “I do want this! I’m so sorry for complicating it, I was trying to understand everything. It didn't make sense.”

“It’s okay,” Adam said, and pulled you into a hug.

You could hear your heartbeat in your ears. It was so loud you could have sworn the whole condo could hear it. Your face and hands were hot, and you felt faint again, but not because of hunger; it was out of happiness.

You wrapped your arms around Adam’s waist and rested your head on his chest. It was odd to you how one’s outlook on life could change within a day, all depending on the set of circumstances a person was put into. That morning you had been despairing, but now - nearly twelve thirty - you were in perfect bliss. You were just so glad to have someone of your own this Valentine’s Day.

“Hmm…” you sighed. “Perhaps Cupid doesn’t leave everyone in the dark?”

“Huh?” Adam looked down at you, a look of utter bewilderment on his face.

You glanced back up at him. “Oh, sorry. It was nothing.”

Adam placed you on the couch. “What do you want to do now? I was gonna take you to lunch.”

You straightened your back, and dusted your clothes out. “O-Of course, Adam. I’d love to.”

Adam put out his cigarette and tossed it into the wastebasket. He leapt to his feet and went racing to the door. He looked back at you, and gestured you over with his hand. “Come on, Y/N. This is gonna be the best day of your life!”

You followed him out the door hesitantly, a small smile on your face. It was cold outside, but you couldn’t care less about the weather. The mere presence of Adam Stanheight was enough to keep you warm. “I’m excited,” you whispered bravely, closing the door behind you and staring out into the rain. “I haven’t done this in a very long time.”

All's Not Forsaken - Adam Stanheight / Reader

TW: Negative Self-Esteem/Depression.

A/N - Inspired by Disturbed's song, The Light. I hope you enjoy!

TW: Negative Self-Esteem/Depression.

.

It was Wednesday, three pm. Work had just finished for you, and as always, you’d gone to grab something to drink with your friends; Adam Faulkner Stanheight was included, of course. You were just leaving, your right hand getting cold from holding the fourth drink, it was your fiancé’s. 

You had been quiet for most of the trip from work to here. You could sense Adam’s depression as soon as you’d seen him, but you hadn’t had the heart to bring it up with him in front of your friends. You tried to tell yourself that it was just your anxiety, but you knew better than that. 

Adam greeted you with a smile though. It wasn’t one of those fake smiles either, it was genuine; one of those ‘I’m so happy to see you’ and ‘I love you so much,’ smiles. He hugged you. 

Adam though had chosen to stay in the car while you went into the shop with your friends. He hadn’t even requested anything, but you had ordered something for him anyway. You didn’t want him to miss out. That would have made you feel really sad! 

The weather had been clear for most of the day, however when work ended for you it started pouring, hail and rain were mixed in. You were unsatisfied to see that it hadn’t changed while you were ordering your drinks. You bobbed your head up and down to the song playing on the radio, as you waited for your friends to finish adjusting their coffees. You had gone through the alphabet twice when they arrived. 

Slowly, while laughing and joking, you walked back to Adam, who had his forehead on the top of the steering wheel, so as to not interrupt the silence with loud honking. Your demeanor changed at the sight. Seeing your significant other look so desolate made you unhappy. Your friends had wandered off together to go look in one of the strip malls. 

You pried the door open with a pinky finger, and then set your drink into one of the cup holders. “Hey, Adam,” you whispered. 

Adam Faulkner sat back, wiping at his eyes incessantly, trying to look completely laid back. “You’re back. Where’d your friends go?”

You attempted to ignore the sadness drifting off of Adam. “Over there.” You pointed to a shop across the street, and squinted your eyes to keep the sunlight out of them. From the corner of your vision though, you caught Adam trying not to break down. 

At first you were going to let him solve it, and not bring attention to his feelings. But after five antagonizing minutes, you got reckless. Watching him try to cover up sobs - and failing at it, by the way - was too much to bear. 

“Adam,” you breathed empathetically, and came around to his side. You straddled his lap. “I got you something.” You lifted the drink to Adam’s lips. 

Adam turned his head away. “I’m not thirsty.”

But that didn’t stop you. You turned his head towards you again, and tipped the cup forward. Adam gagged in surprise, but then took the cup from you, downing a quarter of its contents one go. 

When he was able to talk again, he looked at you in bewilderment. “You got my favorite…”

You smiled in amusement. “Of course!”

“Heh… thanks.” Adam looked insecure, as he put the cup into the holder next to yours. 

“Better?” You asked. To your disappointment, Adam shook his head. “No? Is there anything I can do to help?”

Adam just gazed at you heartbrokenly. He looked on the verge of tears. You opened your arms to him. “Come here,” you encouraged. 

Adam laid his head on your shoulder and started crying. He was so distraught it hurt you. You put your chin on top of his head, and breathed in his scent. 

The shoulder of your shirt was getting soaked from Adam’s tears, but you didn’t mind really. All that mattered to you right now was Stanheight. Your fiancé was having a difficult time as of late, due to traumatic past events. You felt really bad for him. 

Wrapping your arms around Adam’s waist, you pulled him close. There was no sound except for Adam’s weak crying. You held him tightly, rocking back and forth like you would a baby. The hollowness in your stomach increased with every breath released from his lungs. If only there was something you could do for him. 

“It’s alright,” you murmured. “I’m here with you.” You lifted your hands up his back comfortingly. “I’ll always be here.” Adam pressed closer, but didn’t say anything. “Please don’t shut me out, Adam. What’s wrong?”

You waited patiently for Adam to gather himself, and then he gazed at you. His eyes were red and squinted, tears were running down his face, and his skin was pale white. “Hi…” You greeted reassuringly once his eyes came up to yours. 

Adam choked lamely, unable to speak. It broke your heart. “I love you,” he mustered, his voice wavering. 

You felt something crack inside of you. Having your groom-to-be look at you like he would never see you again and tell you that he loved you, was so touching, but also horrible. You didn’t like seeing him look at you like that, but his words were so sweet, you almost started crying as well. 

You knew you had to be strong for Adam though. Crying wasn’t going to make him feel better. You frowned sadly at him. “Awe… I love you, too, Adam.”

“Why?” Adam asked unhappily. 

“ ‘Why’?” You repeated, shocked. “Why is space infinite? I don’t know, I just do. You’re my best friend.”

“But how?” Faulkner tilted his head at you, searching your eyes for some kind of answer. “What did I do for you? I’m just the pathetic, mentally-unstable, person in the friend group.”

You blew out a saddened breath, your chest falling in on itself. Ouch. 

“You’re so much more than that, baby,” you insisted. “You work so hard at your job. You’re so passionate about it. And you love taking care of people… Especially me,” you winked at him. 

Adam shook his head and coughed on another sob. “I’m not as good as you think,” he grumbled. 

You leaned your head down to his ear. “How so? Explain to me, how so?” 

Adam grabbed your shoulders tighter. “I’m… I’m…” Your fiancé had to think for a moment. “I’m a mess, Y/N. I’m so stuck in the past. I can’t even walk into the bathroom at night without turning the lights on. I should be better for you.”

“No,” you whispered emphatically, and pulled your head back to look at him, insistence shining in your (e/c) eyes. “You don’t need to be better. I don’t need you to be like that at all! You’ve been through something terribly traumatic. There’s nothing you CAN do. It’s okay to feel weak, Adam. You’re okay. I love you so much.”

“You shouldn’t.”

You sighed. “And cars shouldn’t pollute the atmosphere, but that hasn’t changed. So, why will I?” You responded wittily, then added more seriously.  “I DO love you. HAVE, loved you. WILL love you. You can’t make me change my mind. I know who you are on the inside, and I know that it’s hard for you to accept that you’re worth my time, but that won’t make me love you any less. One day you will get it.”

“I’m sorry…”

“None of this is your fault.”

Adam glared at you. “I NEED to be better. YOU need me to be better. I’m useless with what I’m doing right now. I can’t believe I thought going back to photography was going to be enough.”

You grasped Adam’s cheeks in your hands. “YOU are all I need. That’s it. You. I don’t care about anything else. And don’t you realize what going back to photography has done for you? It’s something, baby; you can’t blame this on that. If it weren’t for the photography, you wouldn’t be HERE. Maybe you don’t know it yet, but it’s doing so much more than you even realize. I can see it. You can’t see it yet, but I can. And I’m so proud of you.”

Adam Stanheight was stunned by your speech. He stared at you in amazement, like you’d just grown wings and learned to fly. A shockwave of emotions came crashing over him. An avalanche of feelings just so supreme to anything else it unleashed another rain storm of tears. Faulkner hugged you, pushing his head into your other shoulder. Pretty soon both your sleeves would be wet. 

You bit your lower lip. “I love you, Adam,” you breathed out desperately. “You’re so good, already. I love you.”

Adam leaned back in the chair and nodded. “I love you, too.”

You smiled contentedly. “Alright. You ready to go home?”

“Yeah,” Adam told you sadly.

You combed your hand through his hair and trailed it down his face. “I’m sorry you’re not feeling good today.”

“Mmmh,” Adam grunted and leaned his cheek into your palm, a miserable expression on his face. 

“Lemme grab my friends, okay?”

Adam glanced at you worriedly. “Alright.”

“I’ll be back.”

Adam nodded, and you stepped out of the car. You turned around speedily, coming face to face with both of your friends. You stumbled back hesitantly, eyes wide. They were watching you awkwardly. “Um… We didn’t want to interrupt,” one of the friends said.

“Oh, you heard that?” You asked.

“Why don’t we just head home?” The other friend suggested. 

“Right…” you remained standing there for a little bit, until one of your friends opened the back car door. They both slid inside nervously, and you entered through the passenger’s side. 

“We’re all ready, I think, Adam,” you informed him. Your fiancé fumbled with the keys numbly, as he started the drive back towards your apartments. 

The radio started playing, making you jump. You let your head fall back against the headrest, you closed your eyes, and rolled the window down slightly. The cool air blew into your face and hair, and did somewhat soothe you. 

“-An unforgivable tragedy. 

The answer isn’t where you think you’d find it.

Prepare yourself for the reckoning, for when your world seems to crumble again.”

Subconsciously, you tapped your foot to the beat, which was heavy and strong. The car jerked wildly to the right, then straightened out.

“Don’t be afraid, don’t turn away.

You’re the one who can redefine it.”

There was some more wobbling of the car. 

“Don’t let hope become a memory.

Let the shadow permeate your mind, and reveal the thoughts that were tucked away, so that the door can be opened again.”

There was a whimper from somewhere next to you, and you were thrown to the left roughly. You didn’t need to open your eyes to know it was a windy road.

“Within your darkest memories, lies the answer if you dare to find it.

Don’t let hope become a memory.

When you think all is forsaken, 

Listen to me now.

All’s not forsaken.

You need never feel broken again.

Sometimes darkness can show you the light.”

You were shoved so far to the right, your head banged the glass window. You opened your eyes then, and looked at the driver. Adam was trying to keep his eyes on the road while miserably trying not to cry. His face was strained with the effort and his hands were planted so tightly on the wheel that they were white. 

“You need strengthening, toughening.

It takes an inner dark to rekindle the fire burning in you.

Ignite the fire within you.”

Adam struggled to get the car back into the lane. Cars were coming at you from the opposite direction. In a panic you slammed your hands on the wheel, wrenching Adam away from it entirely. “Stop!” You yelled. “Brake! Brake!” 

Adam was petrified to the chair. He watched in horror as your friends screamed in the backseat. You jerked the wheel back to the right, just narrowly missing a passing car. Your heart beat heavily in your chest as the car slowly started to comply with your demands. Adam still hadn’t found the mental state to press one the brakes, or at least hit the hazard lights. You were all on your own.

Three more cars streaked past you. You tried not to flinch. “ADAM!” You wailed. “ADAM! Help me!” You could feel the car drift over on to the correct side again. “Brake! Adam!” The car was steadily increasing in speed. You tried to keep your eyes on the road and not on the speedometer. Fifty, fifty one, fifty two - road. Fifty eight, fifty nine, sixty, sixt one - road. 

There was a loud slap from right next to you, and a large gust of wind. Your friend was shrieking profanities at your frightened fiancé. They had slapped him in an attempt to wake him from his stupor. 

Adam flinched, finally tearing his gaze away from the windshield. He hit the brakes with full force. The car skidded, sliding fifty feet in its wake, and screaming all the way down. Faulkner was crying at this point, as would anyone. The song had changed and was playing Can’t Buy Me Love - by the Beatles. You flicked your fingers onto the dashboard, silencing the car stereo once and for all. 

You looked up at Adam, who was bright red, and sobbing quietly to himself. He looked mortified. Gazing back at the two others in the car, you asked, “Everyone alright back there?”

“I think so.”

“Yeah.”

“What about you, Adam?” You turned back to him.

Adam had gone completely white in the face. He was shaking and shuddering. His hands were trembling, and his lips were bleeding from his biting. Your heart shattered, and you leaned over and kissed him. Your mouth was filled with the flavor of iron. “You okay?” You asked him. 

Adam couldn’t talk. He only gaped at you in terror. You hugged him. “It’s okay. It’s okay. Breathe with me.”

“What happened!?” Someone yelled from the back. 

Adam whimpered. He choked and gagged, before he could finally speak. When he did, he could only whisper very quietly. You were the only one that could hear his response. “I was… just…” Deep breath in. “I was just…” Deep breath out. “I was just trying… The song made me think about you…”

Your mouth fell open. “Oh… Come here.”

“I tried not to… but it made me feel like… I was valid again… You know, that feeling when you’re drowning, but instead of dying your breathing… It was like that… And I lost control of the car… I’m such a fucking idiot.”

You hugged Adam. “No. No, you’re not. It’s okay. Accidents happen.”

“I almost got you killed! I almost got us all killed! How did I even pass my driver’s test?”

“Shh. That was a long time ago. You passed because you know what you’re doing.”

“Are you sure about that last part!?” One of your friends chimed in. 

You cast them a glare from over your shoulder. “Let’s just take a break from driving for a little bit,” you said worriedly. 

Adam started to undo his seatbelt immediately. He was shaking incredibly. 

“Why don’t you let me drive?” You asked. 

Adam struggled to crawl over you but you both managed to switch places without getting out of the car. It was a miracle, for sure. You started up the car, your two friends exchanging disbelieving looks with each other, and headed back towards home, Adam a total mess of a breakdown right now.  This time, the radio remained off for the rest of the car ride, and everyone made it home unharmed. The same could not be said for Adam, though. Your poor fiancé ended up blaming himself for the mistake; he would not allow himself into the driver’s seat again for the next twelve months. 

Well, there was a work in progress. But you still loved him, and that would never change. Try telling HIM that, though.  

Don't Let Me Go - Adam Stanheight / Reader

This one is inspired by Selena Gomez's song, Slow Down.

.

In a blaze of neon laser-lights and dazzling sparkles you found yourself in a loud, crowded, nightclub. The beat of the music above blended into the walls and floor. Your eyes followed all the shining, glittering, flashing lights that pounced across the dance floor. Your mouth felt dry and your mind felt fuzzy, your chest was tight and your eyes were stinging. Something about this made you excited. You waded through the sweaty river of people. You deliberately passed the bar; you’d come by yourself and needed a clear head to drive. 

You maneuvered around the place slowly, taking in the scenery, the scents, and the activity. In all four of the corners  were two or more young drug addicts shooting up or vaping. Noises were coming from the closets; either loud thudding or desperate moaning - of the two you didn’t know which was better. It smelled like canned beer, and burnt cigarettes. 

You scanned the crowd for someone as you went. You didn’t know who you were looking for, just anyone at this point. You were single, but it had been a long time since your last relationship - three years perhaps? You wanted to try again, but you didn’t know how. Maybe trying a nightclub wasn’t the way to go? There WERE a lot of people here, though… so that was good. Maybe you’d find someone after all?

You spotted a young man leaning against one of the walls, his head back, hands in his pockets, and a cigarette propped up in his mouth. He seemed to be enjoying the solitude, however you wondered if he’d be bothered by you, if you approached. You couldn’t help noticing the way his white shirt hung on his body. Maybe you’d just found a target of interest?

You approached him nervously, keeping your eyes on the floor. “Hello, sir?” You asked quietly. “You look lovely tonight. Are you with anyone?”

He opened his eyelids slightly, to look down at you from an angle. “Who’s asking?”

You shifted your feet, and looked at him. “I am.”

The man straightened his back and looked at you properly. You felt his eyes scan up and down your sides. “Oh…” he breathed. “No, I’m here by myself.”

You raised your eyebrows and gazed up at him. “Really?”

“Really. Now what’s this about? Obviously you didn’t walk up to introduce yourself.”

You stretched your hand out to him. “F/N L/N!” You stated promptly. “But no, you’re right. There was more than that. I was looking for a friend tonight, and you seemed nice.”

The young man smiled back at you. “I’d be damned if I was anything but. Nice to meet you, Y/N. I’m Adam.” He adjusted his shirt with a quick jerk of his wrist. “Adam Stanheight. Faulkner Stanheight, if you want to get fancy.” He leaned down so that his face was inches away from yours. 

You smiled shyly. “Mind if I keep you company this late night?”

“How can I turn down such a pretty person? Please, I’d love you to.”

You chuckled nervously and leaned up against the wall. It was a little quieter over here despite being surrounded by blasting music. You were content. “So, what’s a handsome fella like you, doing at a nightclub all by himself?”

Adam smirked around his cigarette. “Enjoying a good ol’ smoke. That’s why I’m here.”

“Oh, really? It’s a passtime to smoke in nightclubs?” You asked sarcastically.

“Maybe find a nice chick… or fella…” He turned to face you again. “Especially ones with a little sense of humor.” He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. 

You giggled self-consciously. “Oh… why thank you…”

“Now you answer. Why are YOU all by yourself?”

You sighed, and looked past Adam out the window. It was dark out there, not even a street lamp was on. You couldn’t see anything except for the navy blue, pitch black, sky. It looked dismal. Earnestly, you told him the truth. “I don’t know. I guess I thought it was a good time to try again. I haven’t… been like this for three years.”

Adam pushed himself closer to you, seemingly intrigued by your story. He put out his cigarette and tossed it into the nearest ashtray, all while keeping his eyes fixed on you. “So, you chose to have a conversation with me?”

“Uh…” you shrugged. “Yeah. I’m not looking for anything right now, only a friend. I was planning to just… let the friendship evolve and see where it takes me.”

 Adam moved even closer. You could feel his warm breath on your lips. “I would be honored to help you rediscover what love is like…” 

You felt chills run up your spine, and you gazed into this man’s brown eyes. “You… You’re really that fond of me?”

“I can’t help it.” He grinned at you. “I’m sucked in by your charm.”

Your face went bright red. You felt hot suddenly. Having such a cute man tell you that you looked good made you feel confident, but also made you feel awkward. You laughed nervously. 

Adam tousled your hair. “I like your voice,” he said seriously. 

You kept your eyes on the floor. “Thanks…”

Adam stepped closer to you. It amazed you that neither of you were physically touching at this point. He brushed his fingers through your hair with one hand and with the other he cupped your cheek. He came even closer. 

Now you were touching. His chest was slightly pressing on yours and your legs were starting to get tangled together. You looked up. His eyes were right there! Everything was so close to you, it made you dizzy. 

“Woah… hi…” you whispered. 

“Hi…” Adam whispered back. 

You stayed like that for several minutes. Adam slowly kept getting closer and closer to you until finally he had you in an embrace so loving and affectionate that you couldn’t believe you were you. You felt like someone else, then you realized this was happening. You snuggled closer to him, your head on his chest, his arms around your body, and his right leg holding you up. You were warm, and happy. This  was the best time of your life. You closed your eyes.

In the blissful moment of relaxation you were taken aback by the sudden pressure being added to your fragile lips. It was a slow and gentle brushing on your mouth. You moaned out loud in surprise and leaned away from Adam, thus breaking apart from his kiss. 

Gazing up at the man in awe, you realized how close you were standing to him. Your head got foggy and your hands got sweaty. You turned away from him. Adam seemed to realize his mistake. “Was… that too soon? I’m so sorry, I don’t know what came over me.”

But you were perfectly fine. You couldn’t even believe what had just happened. “It was wonderful!” You exclaimed. 

“You looked so… pure… I couldn’t resist.”

You nodded in understanding, and turned back to Adam. Confidence was rising inside you steadily and you kissed him again, swifty, lustfully. Adam took his hands in yours and leaned even closer - if that was even possible. You sighed into his mouth a couple of times out of desperation. “I haven’t felt another’s lips in so long.”

“I’m glad I could be the one to fix that,” Adam whispered in your ear seductively.

You shivered at his words. “Thank you. You’re really good at it.”

“Is there anything ELSE I could help you with?” He gave you a wink. 

You shook your head. “N-Not yet…”

“I can change that, if you’d like?”

“Oh…” You blushed. “No thank you. Not yet, at least.”

“Sure,” Adam leaned back against the wall, his arms over his chest once again. “You’re really too pretty to be all alone like this,” he said. 

“I’d say the same about you,” you replied cheesily. 

Adam stepped away from the wall, and held his hand out to you. “Care to dance, Y/N? It’s been kind of a quiet night. Why not add some cream to our coffee, yeah?”

You giggled shyly at his analogy, and took his hand. You let him take you to the dance floor, where he pulled you close, super close - like so close that your lips were almost touching one another’s - and began to guide you into a waltz. He moved forward, you moved back. You put your head on his shoulder, and reveled in his smoky scent. 

You went around once, then twice, then three times, then four times. All sense of time went out the window. You just kept moving. Your bodies were so close. All you wanted was to feel his body right next to yours… all night long… 

It was too soon to be thinking like that, and you knew it. You discarded the thought immediately. But your movements were slow, like you were in a time lapse of zero-point-twenty-five; a slowed version of the song playing above. Your breath was loud, your heart was heavy, your vision was dark. 

Five times around now.

You just wouldn’t stop. You couldn’t. Neither of you. It was like you were stuck on repeat. Rewinding everytime it was getting close to the end. You didn’t want it to change. You were happy. It had been so long since you’d felt arms around you. 

Felt your heart beat like it was lovesick.

Felt your stomach doing butterflies.

Felt someone else’s body heat.

Felt someone else’s heartbeat.

Felt a closeness to someone you’d never met before.

Felt like someone loved you. 

You hugged Adam at last, still moving in a waltz, but no longer keeping up the position.

Six, seven, eight, nine, times around. 

Damn, this was too good for you. You didn’t deserve this, did you? You only met this guy right now. You knew nothing about him yet. But that’s what second dates were for, right? 

You were in denial. You wanted to love again, but you were scared. You felt like it was too soon. How had you found the perfect guy by accident, your first time in three years? Were you just that lucky, or was he not what he said he was? Or was your fate just perfect? 

Fuck. You were indeed in love. And there was nothing you could do about it.  

Adam pulled his fingers through your hair slowly, and you breathed in carefully, allowing your mind to relax. What the fuck were you doing, letting yourself loose like this with someone you didn’t know? Another deep breath, and yet another spin around. You’d lost track at this point. Was it eleven or twelve? You breathed in again, and you could hear Adam’s rhythmic breathing slow to match up with yours. 

In together, out together. In together, out together. 

Once. 

Twice.

Three times.

Again and again, again and again.

Around, around, around. 

The only thing that told you the laser-lights were flashing were the red and orange stripes flickering across your closed eyelids. Your movements were starting to waver, so were Adam’s. You danced until, finally, you both came to a stop. You raised your head up searchingly. “What’s wrong?” You asked it like you’d known this man for years. 

He answered it like he’d known you for years. “Thought… It was getting late. You need a ride home? I can take you.”

“No,” you said instantly. “I… shouldn’t…”

“You’re right. Let me call you an uber. I’ll pay.”

“No.” you leaned into him, pushing him back. “It’s getting closer to the end, hit rewind…” You mumbled inaudibly. 

“Hmm?” Adam asked quietly. 

“Let’s keep going.” You insisted, turning again. This made thirteen. “I’m not ready to leave yet.”

Adam smiled into your hair, and started again. “Okay. We can stay for as long as you want. I guess I don’t really have anywhere to be tomorrow.”

“Good,” you whispered as you started waltzing around the dance floor once more. It was quiet as the night dragged on, and a cool breeze started to blow in through the open window, but for you the night would never end. You wouldn’t have it any other way. You were just happy that you’d found someone to spend a little time with. 

You were able to get away from your dreary life at home and open up to someone. To talk with someone. To feel someone. Finally, you were getting on with your life. You were so relieved to be passing this blockage. 

You pressed your cheek against Adam’s chest, turned your nose up, smiled, emotion so strong within you, your mind was numb. In a haze of satisfaction, you raised your head, your vision blurring from the neon lights. Adam’s face was darkened, but even so there was still kindness showing in his eyes. His lips were just within eye level, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else. You parted your lips slightly, almost hesitantly, then put your mouth on his, stretching up on your toes to reach better. 

The dopamine rush engulfed you; clouds departing to reveal the sun after a rainy day. You gasped, your mind spun, Adam kissed you back. The warm flavor was like rosy, poofy, wedding cake. The way in which it filled your mouth so silkily was fascinating, and how the supply was just endless. You would never run out of anything here. Not from a source as strong as this! And, with this in mind, you dove in deeper, all with the intent of keeping Adam Stanheight from going home.

It worked. Of course it did.   

Falling For You - Adam Stanheight / Reader

This was inspired by a Three Days Grace song, Over and Over. :) First story in five months, enjoy! 

. 

Fury, resentment, passion, repetition, falling, falling, falling. Always falling into that pit of bitterness. Red curtains pulled back, hot steam dripping from the window, and the whole world flipping over. You were so angry! Outraged at yourself, as you watched Adam leave through the window, heart beating fast, and breath coming slow. Your hands pulled at the red, fluffy curtains, boiling up, up, up until you thought you’d explode. You shut the curtains closed for the fourth time, and stalked to the bedroom in your apartment, hoping to get some sleep tonight, but you didn’t want to lay on the bed. You weren’t even a little bit tired. 

That feeling crept back into you again, the loneliness, the emptiness, the deadness. You felt like nothing without him, but you tried to convince yourself you didn’t. You were desperate, that's what you told yourself, every single time. 

No matter, you felt those feelings every damn day, but you knew better. Adam wasn’t the one to blame for this, YOU were. You couldn’t get over him. You, you, you, you, you, you.  

The bitterness revamped itself suddenly, causing you to crash to the floor, clutching your head in frustration. Terrible, terrible, frustration. You slammed your fists into the wooded floor of your apartment, your mind reeling, trying to get over your feelings. But Adam’s face stayed in your mind, so fresh, and you screamed. 

The pain of having him leave ate at you. You got to your feet, taking deep, calming breaths. You had to be strong in order to overcome this, but you didn’t like it. What was wrong with you? Why did this always happen? Why couldn’t you stay at home? Why did you have to do the same thing every time? Why, why, why, why, why, why, why?

You took cautious steps toward the door, despite your better judgment. Your heart tried to climb back into your chest, but it slipped and fell back down, and you knew what you had to do. 

“I feel this shit everyday,” you grumbled wretchedly, fighting with the cold doorknob. It was sticky. You forced the door open with vigor, and the pained creak it made made you flinch. “Why do I do this?”

You headed down the stairs, your stomach churning with unhappiness, but your heart beating with love. You needed this. No, you needed HIM. You needed ADAM. “So here I go again…”  You ran out the door, screaming Adam’s name, begging him to come back, begging him not to leave you again. And there you went, chasing him down again, like every time. Like last week. Like two weeks before. Like three weeks before. Like fifty-two weeks ago. You couldn’t stop. Over and over. Over and over, you fell for him, and you didn’t try to, but it kept happening, like a song on repeat. Over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over.  

“Adam!” You shouted, as you ran around the corner. There he was, sitting in his car, having a smoke break before leaving you for the week. Your heart melted into a puddle. He was so attractive. He was… perfect… Your fury dissipated. Just seeing him made you happy. Seeing him with that damn cigarette caused you to stumble over your feet. You breathed a sigh of relief. 

He’s still here…  You realized. Oh, geeze. Why do I do this? 

You walked up to his car, and greeted him gently. “Hi…”

“Y/N.” Adam sounded surprised to see you standing at his car window, even though it was a weekly tradition. He should have been used to this. “How are you?”

“I’m… I’m…” Words left your brain as soon as he asked the question. 

“Awe, cat got your tongue?” He blew on his cigarette. 

“No, no. It’s only just… I don’t want you to go.”

Adam was silent, as he focused on his cigarette. 

Your heart had palpitations, as you fell for him once again in your lifetime. “Oh boy,” you whispered, trying to get a hand on your feelings. “I don’t really feel like that…”

“Hmm?” 

“Nothing…” You gasped anxiously.

“Mmmh.” The responses were so similar but you could hear the difference. This one was more dubious sounding than the first. It killed you having to lie to him. It killed you telling him it was nothing. It killed you trying to leave him. 

“I should get going.” You forced the words out through gritted teeth. 

Adam only gave you a disbelieving squint of his eyes, but he never took his lips off the cigarette. Those soft, thin, lips… Oh how you wanted to kiss them. 

His hollow cheeks… His lithe body… His long legs… 

Oh, fuck…

You wanted to mark him. Make him yours. But you also knew what was best for you. Knew you shouldn’t date your coworker. Knew he was a bad idea. It took so much energy to walk away from him, when he made your mouth water like this. You felt good next to him. You didn’t want to go back home. You didn’t want to wait till next week. You knew better, but you wanted him instead. 

I’ll just keep wasting all my time, if I don’t confess now. 

“Hey, Adam…” You murmured, walking closer to the car. 

Adam Stanheight put out his cigarette, sensing this was going to be important. He gazed into your eyes expectantly, but didn’t say a word. He was patient with you, and so gentle, and kind.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” You asked him nervously, your heart tearing into your ribcage, screaming at you that this was wrong. You were so weak, and you leaned through the window. “Please.”

“Sure. All you had to do was ask,” Faulkner replied smartly, and you got red in the face, heat making you dizzy, and you fell to the ground, crying. 

Adam got out of the car nonchalantly, and knelt down in front of you. “Y/N,” he said seriously. “What’s wrong?” He hugged you, and you hid your face into his shoulder. 

“I don’t want you to go,” you choked out again. You were so on edge you didn’t feel right. You didn’t know how to feel. You didn’t even know what you wanted to say to Adam.

And Adam smiled. He knew. Even if YOU didn’t, HE did. “Y/N…” 

Your mouth was suddenly being pressed up against by his thin lips, grounding you, bringing you back into real life. His kiss was excruciating, lulling. “I love you,” he said breathlessly. 

“I try not to…” you admitted.

“Let me hear you say it.”

“I fall for you,” You replied. “You make me fall for you.”

Over and over… You added silently to yourself. 

“You don’t even try to.”

Adam kissed you again, and the world started spinning. Faster, faster, faster. So fast, you couldn’t even see the trees, they were all blurring together. And your lips locked with Adam’s so perfectly, so evenly. This was right.

“Who’s quitting?” Adam asked. 

He was joking, but you answered so quickly, it shocked both of you. “I will.”

Adam studied you. “That’s nice of you.”

“I’d do anything to be with you,” you blurted.

“Yes, I know,” Adam said casually, like he was expecting you to say that.

“So many thoughts that I can’t get out of my head,” you confessed. 

“What kind?” Adam inquired, leaning in close.

You felt goosebumps arise all over your skin. “Let’s go inside, and I’ll tell you,” you breathed out.

Adam kicked his car door closed with his left foot, and came to walk beside you. “No, please. I’d like you to SHOW me.” 

You could feel him pressing up against you so insistently, rubbing your back longingly, and you were so weak, too weak. You looked up at him, eyes as big as a deer’s. “For sure.” You made a promise, and promises were hard to break. 

Cornelia Street

A/N This is a long story inspired by Cornelia Street which is a Taylor Swift song. Also, if y'all are getting my content let me know via message or comment! I haven't seen any activity for a month... :( anything helps ~ TwooneZ. <3.

.

Breathe, you told yourself. Breathe. Just breathe. You’ll be fine. You closed your eyes, trying to lose yourself. That! Right there! Oh, yeah…

The sparks on your lips lit up like fireworks. You opened and closed your mouth. Feeling Adam Stanheight’s mouth working wonders on your lips was amazing. A little bit of biting was included.

The street lights flashed by the window, filling the car up with dim, golden, light.

Adam’s hands were on your skin, crawling up your body, under your clothes, rubbing on sensitive and non-sensitive places, filling you up with affection and attention. His gentle kisses fell from your mouth to your jaws. He sent a trail all the way down to the bottom of your ear. 

You leaned into him, moaning, gasping, breathing. Waves of dopamine rolled over you continuously, setting your mind at ease, pleasuring you, but only just. 

Adam let his lips fall to your neck, caressing you softly. He left marks on your skin, causing you to shiver and shudder, but that didn’t make him think to stop, he liked it. He messaged the same place on your neck with his lips until it was numb and bruising, and then he kept going. Taking care of you was his first priority. 

You were pinned between the car door, and your boyfriend. The cold glass of the window pressed into your back, and the door handle jammed into your side, but you didn’t care. Adam was all you could think of. 

You gasped audibly, making the driver flinch. Adam only grabbed your knees and stretched them away from each other. Faulkner was making bold advances, but you liked it. If you both weren’t so drunk, then maybe you’d have a little more compassion for the uber driver, but you were shitfaced.

Adam’s sloppy kissing was more than arousing. Somehow, you were for it. Your boyfriend’s hands started brushing up along your inner thigh, his thumb rubbing circles. His lips had gone from your neck to the center of your chest. He was making sure not to ruin his piece of artwork. 

You choked on air, as Adam used his free hand to stroke your cheek. You felt his calloused hand go up and down your cheek. Up and down, up and down, lulling you to sleep. You turned your head into his palm, taking in his smokey scent. You loved that smell, loved how it stung the back of your throat. 

Adam started to work his way back up your body, while his hand found an interesting place to linger. You rolled your head back so it was leaning on the window. Adam brushed his nose past all the places he had kissed, stopping by your own nose. He smiled against your lips slightly, and pecked the very edge of your mouth. You were driven mad by this, he knew it.

A silence drifted between you as you looked into the other’s eyes, mesmerized. Dazzling, gleaming, streams shone in Adam’s eyes, pulling you deeper into his trance. His brown eyes made you hungry for more. 

Your boyfriend kissed you again on the edge of your mouth, and then kissed your upper cheek, where he trailed his nose back down your face towards your lips. You trembled a little at the soft feeling of his nose grazing your chin, and then stopping at your nose again. 

His breath was warm and wet as it wafted past your face. You could smell the leftover metallic from his previous cigarette. You hummed out in contentment, happiness filling you up just like bubbles expanding in the bath. You grabbed Adam’s wrist and sighed. 

Adam was already undoing the button to your jeans. Clearly he had major plans for tonight. 

You tilted your head at him, and giggled. 

“Shh,” Adam whispered in your ear. “Let me take care of you.”

His words blended together like a long susurrus, and wreathed around you. You breathed in his scent deeply and collapsed onto the window, blacking out finally. Adam put his forehead on your chest, his eyelids getting heavy. He took a look at his partner one last time. You were so attractive laying like that. Damn, if only he’d been a little quicker, maybe he would have had time to actually fuck you. Oh well, that was for another time. Right now… he could really use a nap. Adam fell asleep on your chest.

When you awoke the next morning, you had a pounding  headache. You could hear something coming from the bedroom. It sounded like… Adam… but there was another voice there with him. They were talking about the next series of photoshoots. A client must have come over while you were sleeping. You got up, the whole world flipped upside down, and you sank onto the couch again. You ended up crawling on the floor just so you could get some refreshing water. 

You could barely remember what happened last night, you vaguely knew what had happened on the ride home but that was it. However, you still had a major arousal, and some kind of relief would be appreciated. You would wait to ask Adam.

After a few minutes you were able to stand up properly, without feeling nauseous and falling over. You headed into the bedroom, and pushed the door open. Your vision was kinda blurry, but that was okay, it would pass. 

You entered the bedroom slowly, gripping the glass of water in your hand tightly. In the back of the room you could see Adam with his camera up to his face. He was taking pictures of a young woman. She wasn’t dressed much, save for a couple of silks. Adam usually didn’t do THIS kind of thing. But, you assumed he had agreed to it last night when he was drunk, and now was going through with it. It was fine. You were used to him having other people over. It wasn’t like he was banging them or anything, he was a photographer… Freelance photographer to be exact. 

“Who’s that?” The young woman asked strictly. “You said no one was here! Is that why you had me walk through the living room with my eyes closed!? Are you cheating on me?”

“What?” Adam asked, baffled, and stared at the young woman. Obviously, he was still too hungover to process anything correctly as well. 

“I said, who is that woman!?”

Adam looked over his shoulder at you. You could see how bloodshot his eyes looked and how tired he seemed. There were black circles under his eyes. He had been up all night by the look of it. “Oh. That’s Y/N.” He gave you a lovesick smile. “Hiii.” He waved at you.

You stared straight passed him, at the other woman. Anger and jealousy were eating at you from within, churning your insides into nothing. You glared at her, unable to believe your eyes. Adam was with another lady!? You thought it was just a client getting her pictures taken. What was this?

Hot iron boiled in your stomach like unchewed red meat. The arousal was starting to fade away. “What’s going on?”

“I should be asking you that!” The woman yelled back. “I was just here with my fiance!”

Adam opened his mouth to interject but you stormed out of the room. Behind you, you could hear Adam crying. “Why did you say that? Why would you do something like that? I don’t even know you!”

“That’s not what you said last night!”

Fuming, you stuffed a bag with most of your clothes and you left the apartment. You were not thinking straight to bring anything else, all you were was drunk and dumped. Your heart felt like an injured bird, not able to fly, caged, and wingless. You’d never be in the air again.  

Fuck, he’s leading me on! He gets paid to stalk people, why would he cheat on me? That doesn’t make any sense. Maybe that’s why he has abandonment issues. Shit… 

Everything was starting to click into place, and it hurt. Way too much. 

You slunk swiftly towards the bus stop, hauling your belongings behind you. You scurried downward, painful shocks throbbing through your shoulders with every sob released from your lungs. The longer it took you to get to the bus stop, the more your chest hurt. 

Blindly, numbly, you stretched the crinkled dollar bill into the driver’s palm, and maneuvered into the back seat. Sniffling and choking, you endured a long and excruciating drive across the city. You were already gone by the time Adam called you. 

“Y/N? Y/N? Where are you?”

“I left,” you said bluntly. 

“ ‘left’?” Adam inquired in disbelief. “What do you MEAN?”

“I LEFT,” you repeated firmly. 

“I- uh- wh- but- ugh.” Adam trailed off for a couple of seconds. “Okay, listen. I know what it looked like, but it wasn’t THAT. She was a young woman I ran into last night. I don’t remember anything, but according to her I said I love you. I thought I was talking to you!”

“How do you mistake me for HER!?”

“I mean… you have the same color hair?”

You scoffed, unable to believe your ears. Somehow, hearing Adam’s voice made you relax. You felt better. 

“Same color eyes?” 

You rolled your eyes, and scoffed again. 

“It doesn’t matter,” Adam muttered. “Whatever I said to whomever, isn’t important. I thought I was talking to you. I want you to come back. We can talk this through. I don’t even know who she is!”

“How’d she get in?”

“Um. I dunno. Guess I gave her my address… I was so fucking drunk last night… Just tell me where you are. I’m so worried about you!”

You looked down at yourself. Your sweater was uncomfortable, your jeans were crooked, and you were cold. Your duffel bag was looking limp and lonely, very isolated and incredibly sad. You realized that you were a long ways away from home, and the closest place was Adam’s apartment. You didn’t want to leave Adam, if there was a chance you could make it right you would take it, of course you would! 

You peered out the window and searched for a street sign. It was too dark to see anything. “I don’t know,” you grumbled disappointedly. You asked an elderly woman sitting next to you which street you were on. She turned her back on you, and kept typing on her phone.

Awkwardly, you turned back. “I’m… on a bus.”

“Shit, you LEFT.”

“That’s what I said.”

“I didn’t know you meant it like that.”

“Just get me home, Adam!” You whimpered desperately. 

“Okay, okay. Let’s figure this out.”

“Adam! Let me in! Let me in! Goddamnit, are you on the phone with that wench/swain!?” The voice of the other woman came barreling into the speaker phone. 

“Get out!” Adam shouted. “Get out! No, no, I don’t care! No! Don’t do that! I said GO!”

“Adaaaaam,” the woman whined. 

“No! Don’t open that! What the fuck?”

“Adam?” You asked quietly, shifting your feet back and forth. The elderly woman was giving you dirty looks.

“How did you get into the bedroom? I locked the door,” Adam told the woman.

The woman replied snidely, “Your sweet little lover left their spare bedroom key. Oh, and what’s that? Their promise ring, too? Boohoo.”

You could practically feel the flinch that Adam made at that remark. “I’m sorry, Adam,” you interjected. “I didn’t mean to. I jumped to conclusions.”

“Tch,” Adam sighed dismissively. “Nevermind. I don’t blame you. Just come back. I love you.”

You didn’t know how to respond to that. Fortunately, the woman started yelling again. “You tricked me! You pervert! I bet you wanted to see me naked.”

“Y/N,” Adam said flatly. “I’m calling the police. Hold on, okay? I’ll get back to you. Just… figure out where you are, and I’ll come get you. Did I tell you how worried I am? I’m so worried about you.”

You nodded. “I’ll try.”

“Okay. See ya.” Adam hung up, and left you all alone. 

The old woman said finally, “Young kids these days don't know no manners.”

You shot her an angry glare, and then got up and strode to the front. You asked the bus driver where the next stop was. He said it was three miles. You hung your head, and accepted your fate. That was when you noticed the woman at the back rummaging around in your duffel bag. You went charging down the aisle. 

Though there was nothing of importance to you in that bag, you would have preferred to keep all your clothes. You ripped the bag out of her fingers. “What are you doing!?”

“Young kids don’t know how to share, these days.”

You stared at her in horror, and then sat down all the way at the end of the bench. You put your bag daintily on your lap. 

You got out at the bus stop. You were scared, and soaking wet, but you didn’t have anywhere to go. You sat there, feeling lonely. When Adam called you back, you said, “I don’t know where I am. All I know is that I’m on the third bus stop in Delaware.”

“Delaware!?” Adam exclaimed.  “What the hell are you doing in Delaware?”

“Um…” You found it hard to speak suddenly. 

“Oh, nevermind!” Adam seemed to realize the stupidity of that question. “I’m coming to get you.”

“Two hours? Adam, it’s better if I just take a bus.”

“Y/N, no. I’m coming to get you. We need to take care of each other.”

You sighed and sat down. The traffic was low but still busy. You watched the cars pass by you, and you were jealous of everyone who didn’t have to sit in the downpour. You rocked back and forth on the wet  bench and watched some sort of movie on your phone until it died. By then Adam was only thirty minutes away. He had told you just before the power shut off on your phone. It was a long wait, quiet and still and empty. Nothing happened on the street for a long time during those minutes. 

Your legs were freezing and your hair was plastered to your head. You were miserable. When Adam saw his S/O sitting like that all alone, he flipped the fuck out. He parked to the side in a hurry. The curb was yellow, but this went unnoticed.  Adam hurtled himself at you, collapsing on your lap. It was currently two thirty. “Y/N, Y/N, Y/N! Oh, shit, oh, shit!”

Faulkner pulled your hair back with both hands. Each hand was on either side of your head, and his thumbs pinned your bangs to your forehead so that he could get a clear view of your face. Adam was distraught. 

Swiftly, he plunged his face forward and kissed you right on the lips, taking your upper lip in his mouth. It was short lived, and he backed away looking frantic. “Look at you! I can’t believe you did this!”

You stared past him embarrassedly. “I know. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done this.”

“Let’s get you in the car. It should still be warm.”

“I just feel…”

Adam pushed you into the car, and then crouched down to look at you. He was in between your legs, keeling on the wet pavement, gazing into your face. “Yeah?” He asked, concerned.  

“Oh, it’s nothing,” you muttered shyly. 

You tried to pull your feet into the car, but Adam turned you straight towards him. “No. Tell me. Tell me. I want to know.”

You huffed and shook your head, getting too humiliated to continue. “No… Nevermind. I care a lot about you.” You tried to pull your feet inside again.

“Don’t leave me like that,” Adam murmured. “Tell me what’s wrong. I can’t help you, if you don’t talk to me. Come on, baby, we’re supposed to be open with our significant others.” 

You looked into Adam’s searching face, and blushed a bright red. “I hope I never lose you, hope it never ends. I’d never walk Cornelia Street again. That’s the kind of heartbreak time could never mend.” You wrung your hands together self consciously. “I get mystified by how this city screams your name… Or rather… New Jersey…” You laughed awkwardly. “Not Delaware…”

“Is that all?” Adam asked you gently.

You shook your head. “I’m so terrified of, if you ever walked away. I’d never walk Cornelia Street again. Ever again.”

Adam’s round puppy eyes were taking all of you in, like a fish gasping for air out of water. “Holy hell, Y/N. I didn’t know any of this. I’d never leave you. That lady wasn’t even supposed to be here. I’m sorry I scared you.”

“Take me home, Adam.”

“Yeah, yeah. Of course.” Adam got to his feet and allowed you to get in the car. 

Adam had been riding with the windows down, but you didn’t mind because the heat from the car heater was warming you up well enough, not to mention Adam had lended you his jacket - or rather flannel. It was hanging loosely on your shoulders, you didn’t have your arms in the sleeves. 

The ride home was silent, but pleasant, although the events of the day wouldn’t stop haunting you. You felt bad about them. You felt humiliated. You wondered what Adam thought. Did he think less of you?

To add on to the anxiety, you couldn’t believe how fast you’d jumped to conclusions. You were concerned about that, too. Was Adam judging you for that? If he was, what was he thinking? You fought with yourself for telling him about your fears. At the end of the day, perhaps Adam wasn’t the one with the abandonment issues? Perhaps… 

Well, perhaps it was actually you?   

Bleeding Out - Adam Stanheight / Reader

A/N sorry for the long delay, also my non creative title creating. Anyway, this is inspired by Imagine Dragon's Bleeding Out. It's a loooot longer than usual, but please enjoy!

.

The news had been informed to you as soon as you got home from work that day. It was all too earth shattering. Like someone was covering your eyes with a painted blindfold, so as to hide the truth from you. It made the air cold and stale, made your skin crawl, made your head reel. You stared at the detective, your mouth so dry it might as well have been its own desert. Your heart felt weak, and you glanced up at and down your room. It was so cold. Tears filled your eyes and you shook your head, begging yourself to have the strength to move. It was all so unreal. You hoped you would wake up soon.

The firm, calloused, hand put itself on your shoulder. The grip was tight, and pushed on your tense muscles. It was trying to soothe you, but failing utterly. The blue eyes were grave, and sad. They gathered all your information from one single glance. The voice that spoke was fragile; low but sensitive, reassuring and empathetic, apologetic, reluctant.

The detective told you it was okay. He asked if you had anywhere to go. He wanted to know if you wanted to stay there. He was wondering about your last interaction. He was fearful for you. He wanted you safe. So did the other officers. You couldn’t even speak. You just wanted to be there. You had to see it for yourself. It seemed way too impossible.

“It’s going to be okay.” The officer’s deep voice spoke to you soothingly. “I need you to come with me, Ma’am/Sir.”

You looked into his eyes. “NO! I need to see him! I need to see if it’s true, please take me to him. I love him, I love him! He’s my boyfriend, you don’t understand!” You were hysterical. Tears stained your white face. Your heart lurched painfully with every heartbeat. “Please,” you begged.

The officer nodded sadly. “Okay. We can figure something out. Just come with me. Do you have anyone to stay with?”

You shook your head. “N-No. Just him.”

“Okay. Do you want us to bring you back here?”

“Just tell me what happened again, officer. Is… Is A-Adam still alive?”

“As far as we know. The report came in just a few minutes ago. A friend of yours told someone to come get you.”

Your mouth flapped open and closed uselessly for several seconds. “Is he okay?”

The policeman shook his head helplessly. “We only know that Adam was kidnapped three hours ago. He’s being held in an underground basement in New Jersey.

You stared at him in disbelief, the gears in your mind turning slowly, excruciatingly. You stammered short breaths. “I-I-I don’t understand. What did he do? Why did they take him?”

You were pulled out of the apartment by the man. “We have people working on finding him. Would you like to go with us?”

“Yes!” You exclaimed. “Yes! I need to see him again!”

“Okay. Get in the car. You’re going to be fine, Y/N.”

You slunk into the police car, feeling scared. Your breath was coming fast, but you were trying to remain calm. You had been asleep twenty minutes ago, so your mind was still a bit foggy. As of right now, you seemed to be wide awake. All you could think about was your boyfriend.

The car ride was silent and unbearable. You shuffled your feet back and forth on the floor, feeling miserable. The policeman pulled into the station. “We’ve just got news on his location,” he commented. We want you to stay here, while a team goes to get him.”

You launched yourself out the door, and grabbed his shoulders. “You have to let me go with you!” You shouted. You shook him back and forth lightly. “You can’t keep me from him, I have to see him, I need to see him, I can’t leave him all alone, he needs me. Don’t you understand, of course you don’t, you’ve never been in love, have you, I have to go with you! I have to!” Your words were rushed and panicked. You weren’t even making complete sentences.

“I can’t, Ma’am/Sir. I can’t put a citizen like you in that kind of danger. It goes against my entire job.”

You latched your arms around his neck and hung there, your knees weak and your face pressing into his shirt, allowing tears to soak it. You sobbed loudly. The officer held you up kindly, and let you cry on his shoulder. He had dealt with these kinds of crimes before. This was practically NORMAL for him. He guided you inside, and dropped you onto a blue-cushioned chair. You were in a waiting room, surrounded by other people, but you were the only one crying, and you were the only one being loud enough to interrupt.

“I’m going to be inside that room.” The officer pointed to a doorway on the right. “You are with people who want to help you. If you need anything, you’re welcome inside. I’ll try my best to help you. Our lovely receptionist over here, Lindsy…” he pointed to a young woman behind a counter. “...can help you with anything, okay? She’s a very nice lady.”

You stared at the man and the woman in awe, your body numb. You’d only met this person right now, but somehow your mind had latched on to him. You didn’t want him to leave you! “No!” You whined. “Don’t go!”

The officer laughed. “I’ve gotta find your baby, okay? So that way you can see him again. I’m sure he’d appreciate it if you let me do my job.”

You stared in horror at the man as he slid into his office. Your chest felt tight, your eyes felt hot, and they stung whenever you blinked. Your head hurt.

“Mister Bale!” The receptionist called after him. “Do you want it written or printed?”

The officer poked his head out again. “Printed will be just fine, Ms. Sower. Thank you.”

You were left to yourself for the remaining time. Speaking of time, time was a precious thing, for there was so much of it, much more of it than there was money on the planet - nevertheless, to you, there seemed to be too much of it. Why was everybody still here? Didn’t they know that your boyfriend was in unsafe conditions? What were they doing? Why weren’t they doing anything? You started to panic. “Lady,” you sobbed. You collapsed onto the counter, behind which the receptionist was looking at you. “Please, you have to save him! Why’s no one helping him?”

Lindsy stretched her arm out across the counter to comfort you. “The police are working on it. Mr. Bale is leading the investigation in fact.” Her voice was calm.

Your knees gave way beneath you, and you fell to the floor. Lindsy came out from behind the desk, she lunged for you. Lindsy caught you in her strong arms. Vision blurred, you put your head on her shoulder, crying and screaming. Lindsy simply combed her fingers through your hair carefully, murmuring and whispering to you in an attempt to make you feel better. “Madam / Sir, I want you to breathe. Your boyfriend is going to be found, I promise.” You wailed even louder.

Mr. Bale came back out of his office, his steps firm, but light. He swept into the waiting room, and pointed at Lindsy, not even seeing you there. Everything was blurring together. All of the officer’s movements and words seemed slow and laggy. “Get… Merrit… and… Kingsly…” He nodded. “I’m… ready… to… leave…”

Lindsy smoothed your hair out and then stood up and went to retrieve the other policemen. You gazed up at Mr. Bale. “Are you going to get Adam?”

Things started to come back into real time again. Mr. Bale knelt down. “Yes-”

“-I want to go with you!” You yelled.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. I don’t want to endanger you.”

You grabbed his waist. “PLEASE!” You were so hysterical that you couldn’t even remember your manners, not even social norms. All you wanted was to see Adam Stanheight again.

The officer grit his teeth, and sighed. “No.” He kicked you off of him, and you fell onto the floor. At any other time you would have considered yourself deserving of that treatment; if someone had been pleading on your legs like a crybaby, while you tried to save people’s lives, you would’ve gotten annoyed as well. You had barely even skimmed the floor, but it felt like you’d been crushed. You didn’t think Mr. Bale was very nice for kicking you.

As you got to your feet, two men walked up to Mr. Bale. They started talking hurriedly, all at once, and headed for the police car waiting outside. Lindsy still wasn’t back yet, and an idea was forming already in your mind. You strode confidently to the reception desk, and disappeared behind it.

There was a green,tiny, basket by the computer. There were many car keys inside it already. From the left, you could hear Lindsy’s voice around the corner. “I know, Sir. I think they must have found Bale first.”

In an instant, before you could even have time to think, your hand launched out and dove into the basket. The metal cut into your skin and you recoiled, pulling with you a car key of your own. Lindsy opened the door, just as you closed your hands around the keys. Your fearful eyes looked up into the receptionist’s, your face white, your heart thudding into your rib cage.

Lindsy was surprised to see you standing in her office. “Y/N…” She said sternly. “What are you doing? Can I help you?”

Lower lip trembling from anxiety, you shook your head timidly. You kept your eyes on anything except for hers. The wall, the ceiling, the desk, the bottom of her dress, the tips of your shoes. Lindsy grabbed you, hard, by the forearm and tugged you out from behind her desk. “If you need anything, Y/N, you can ask me from that side.” Her tone was strict.

You shifted back toward the blue chairs, keeping your head down. From inside, you could hear the car engine start up, and you knew you had to get out of there. You leapt from your chair in a hurry, and catapulted out the sliding doors. Lindsy, who had barely had the chance to sit down, called out to you in alarm. She went racing after you.

You hurtled into the nearest cop car, your whole entire body rigid with fear and adrenaline. Lindsy was coming around the brightly lit corner in front of you, while Mr. Bale and his partners headed for the exit. You scrambled for the seatbelt.

“Y/N, Y/N, Y/N!” Lindsy was shouting. “Come back! What are you doing?” She spotted you in the car. You locked eyes with each other. You backed out of the parking space, nearly hitting the car behind you. Ms. Sower flinched. “Ma’am/Sir I need you to step out of the car.”

You ignored the authority. In fact, you couldn’t have cared less about her direct order, if you had tried. You made a beeline for the exit, leaving Lindsy gawking after you in complete confusion. In the rearview, the receptionist made a phone call, as you sped off down the road, rapidly catching up to the nice policemen.

Finally, you thought. I’m coming for you, Adam! I promise!

The ride seemed to take an entire season! Every stop sign, and red light took up more time than you would have wanted. Each second waiting was another wasted moment. As soon as you could move again, you always slammed the gas harder than the last time. You kept yourself several cars behind Mr. Bale, just so that you didn’t get caught stalking him.

When you pulled into a dark, gloomy, parking lot, you could hear the policemen talking amongst themselves. One of them said, “Peter, Lindsy left a voicemail?”

You halted the car near the street, so that way the officers wouldn’t run into it, if they tried to back out. It was too dark to see where it was anyway.

Mr. Bale looked at him. “What was she saying?”

You unclicked your seatbelt, and held your breath, fear rising inside you.

“The man/woman you brought in earlier stole one of the cop cars. They’ve been following us.”

Mr. Bale sighed. “I’ve seen a lot of shit, but I’ve never had one of my rescuees steal a police car from me. This one certainly has obstinance.”

“Should we go in, then? Or should we go back, to make sure he’s/she’s safe?”

You were outraged that the officer would even think that! They’d traveled all this way here, just to go back!? NO! You wouldn’t allow that! You flung yourself out of the car, yelling. “You won’t leave my boyfriend in there!” You ran up to each of them. “I need you to save him, I love him! Don’t you fucking leave him in there, or else what good are you? You save people, am I wrong? Tell me I’m wrong!”

Mr. Bale shook his head. “No, Ma’am/Sir. But seeing as you’re already here with us, you might as well come along.” He planted his finger firmly on your sternum. “Stay. Close. I’m not about to lose two.”

You shrank back, nodding profusely. “Yes, Sir. Just let me see Adam!”

The officers walked ahead, keeping you in the back for protection. You followed hesitantly. You knew you shouldn’t be here, you knew you shouldn’t have stolen that car… or those keys… but you had been in such distress! Maybe now you had a guilty conscience, but all the same, you didn’t regret what you had done.

In front of you was an abandoned building. It looked like it had been a warehouse of some kind, a long time back. Boxes were littered all around the place, but mostly it was open, empty, space. At the far end of the room was a large, double door. It led to an elevator that traveled so far underground it took five whole minutes to reach the bottom. Your stomach flipped repeatedly as you let the elevator take you down. The stairs were blocked off by large, crooked, boxes.

You found yourselves on the lowest level, a basement. White tile made up the floor and walls. Everything was white, and it hurt your eyes. The lights were blasting from above, reflecting off the tiles. You squinted. The three men took up positions in front of you, staying in formal order. Obviously, they knew what they were doing. You stumbled along blindly, keeping your head down, until you rounded a corner. And that was when you heard muffled screaming and shouting.

Adam’s voice was the one you heard first, shrieking and squealing and sobbing; panicking. Your heartbeat started up again, and you charged into the policemen, struggling, forcing your way through them.

The men pressed closer together. “Y/N!” Mr. Bale exclaimed, grabbing your arms. “Stop! You need to stay back. Let us scout the area first.”

You launched yourself from right to left with all your strength, twisting your arms wretchedly, throwing your shoulders all around. Bale had you in a tight grip. So tight, that you couldn’t even release yourself from his hands. “Stop it!” You screamed, lashing out with your feet, trying to kick him away from you.

Your feet collided into Bale’s knees. The officer stumbled, a small, amused, smile on his face. He rolled his eyes. “You really don’t like letting me do my job, do you?”

You threw yourself back, shifting all your weight onto him. The two of you fell on the floor, causing Mr. Bale to let go of you.

In a flurry of hands and feet - fast as light speed - you jumped into the air and took off down the pristine hallway.

You crashed into the metal door, and smashed your fists against it. You screamed for Adam until your voice was sore and raw.

“Chill out, Y/N. We’re gonna help him out,” one of the officers told you calmly.

You sank down to your knees and started bawling.

“It’s locked.”

“Did you DO your research, Harver?” Mr. Bale asked sarcastically, scanning the top of the door. “John Kramer, creator of the most recent traps in New Jersey. Kidnapper and murderer.” He began struggling with a notch on the door. It was a little slab that stuck out of the middle of the door. It looked like it could slide up and down, but it hadn’t been used in a really long time. It was rusted in place, perhaps. “There has to be a way inside from out here.”

Harver, the officer on the right, scoffed. “Did you do YOURS, Sir? Kramer wouldn’t MAKE a way inside at all.”

The notch shot up along the door at that moment. It made a horrific screech and then a lock snapped open somewhere to the right. Mr. Bale threw Harver a smug look. “Gardener,” he addressed the second officer with him. “Stay with Y/N.”

The officer on the left sat down, cross legged, behind you and patted your shoulder reassuringly. “You hear that?” He asked amiably. “You get to wait with lil’ ol’ me.” He grinned at you. You didn’t look at him, just pressed yourself further against the wall, and listened quietly as the two other officers pushed open the door and went inside.

The yelling inside instantly got louder. You could hear Adam’s voice clearly now, as well as the other man’s. They were arguing about something, each of them sounded desperate and urgent.

“The police!?” Adam’s voice cracked. “Look, Lawrence, the police! It’s the police, don’t shoot me, don’t shoot me! Please, please. Oh my god!” There was a loud bang from inside the room, and you lost your self-control. Blinded by love, but mostly fear, you wrestled free from Gardener’s grasp, and bolted into the room.

Mr. Bale, and Mr. Harver were standing by the door, trying to assess the situation. Meanwhile, in the corners of the white bathroom, were two men. One of them, you didn’t recognize. He had a gun pointed at the man across from him. Adam Faulkner Stanheight was across from Lawrence. He was crying and begging, pushed into the corner as far as he could go, his knees up and his hands behind his head. His flannel was laying on the floor beside him. He could barely take his eyes off Lawrence to get a good look at who was in the room with them now. Gardener came in to help his partners.

“ADAM!” You screamed and launched yourself at him. You grabbed him, hugged him and started bawling into his shoulder.

Your boyfriend was so stunned to see you here. He wrapped his arms around your waist. “Y/N? W-What are you doing here? How did you get in? How did you find me?”

“I was so scared that you were dead!”

Adam laughed wryly. “So was I.”

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“Not yet… Just very cold and wet.”

“Y/N…” Mr. Bale said plainly from the side. “Come back here. We don’t want you getting involved in this. It’s not safe.”

“So why the fuck did you bring them!?” Adam shouted.

Mr. Bale simply looked at Adam condescendingly. “Because your baby couldn’t keep herself/himself from stealing a cop car and following us all the way here before we could figure it out.”

Adam’s mouth fell open and he stared at you. You grabbed his cheeks. “I love you!”

Adam shook his head. “I love YOU.”

Bale grabbed your arm and hauled you away. “Okay, hold onto your lovesickness for a little longer. We don’t need more pedestrians in the way.”

You sank back a little bit, feeling hesitant and wary. Mostly you wanted to be touching Adam again. But you knew the police were right. It was safer for you outside the crime scene.

“I will not let my daughter die…” Lawrence’s voice was low and maniac. He cocked the gun once again.

The policemen moved towards him. “How ‘bout you give me the gun?” Harver asked. He was the closest one to Gordon.

Lawrence looked at them, his face white as snow, the whites of his eyes so bloodshot it looked like they were glowing. You noticed the blood seeping around him on the ground and you flinched back into the Mr. Bale. “Holy shit! His leg!” You gagged, feeling something heavy rising up your throat, and tossed yourself to the side, trying to block your view. Mr. Bale held you up protectively, watching tentatively, as his partners took care of things.

“I need to…” Lawrence sounded insane, like he had lost himself to the trauma of this event. He pulled the trigger without even looking, without even making sure he was aiming in the right direction. Not even making sure the gun wasn’t facing himself.

Your heart plunged, all kinds of sickness left your body instantaneously. All you could see was the bullet heading straight for your boyfriend’s chest. You didn’t even pause to think; it was instinctive. Leaping from your place by the door, arms spread out on either side of you, eyes open wide with terror, and your mind numb, you landed protectively in front of Faulkner, on your knees, gazing at Lawrence with hatred.

The bullet pierced you on the left side of your chest, only inches away from the most vital organ. Hot, searing, pain overtook your entire left side, and you screamed, crashing down onto the cool, tile floor. Blood welled from your chest and spilled down your clothes.You could hear the clanging of Adam’s chains, as he fought against them to get to you. “No! Y/N! Fuck, no! No! What the fuck!?”

Mr. Bale pointed at Gardener. “Call an ambulance! Probably get a locksmith as well.” Gardener ran into the hall, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

“Y/N!” Adam shouted. You were just out of reach of his hands. “No, no, no, no! Y/N!”

Mr. Bale came over and rolled you onto your back. Your vision was blurring and you were getting light headed. The last thing that you saw was the officer bending down to examine your facial features, and then you passed out.

You woke up on a park bench, with the green grass under your feet. Adam was in the building across from you, he wasn’t looking at you. You gazed around dumbly. From the side you could hear a soft melody drifting towards you.

So I bare my skin, and I count my sins

And I close my eyes, and I take it in.

And I’m bleeding out.

The air was warm and blew into your hair. You felt content as the sunlight touched you gracefully. Your mental state was relaxed and you felt right at home. You breathed in the Spring scents of flowers and life, feeling inspired. And the music continued distantly.

You tell me to hold on,

Oh, you tell me to hold on.

But innocence is gone,

And what was right is wrong.

Inside the strange, tall building, you could see the silhouette of your boyfriend through the tinted windows. He seemed totally indifferent to your presence, and it made you feel slightly jealous. What part of this wasn’t worth being with you? Again, the music came to your attention. It was solemn but meaningful.

‘Cause I’m bleeding out.

So if the last thing that I do

Is bring you down

I’ll bleed out for you.

You wondered what Adam was doing over there all by himself. Gently, you started to get to your feet, your clothes blowing in the wind. You swept across the grassy field dreamily, leaving behind the calming music.

So I bare my skin, and I count my sins

And I close my eyes, and I take it in.

And I’m bleeding out.

I’m bleeding out for you.

Slowly, you made your way to the building. It towered above you terrifyingly. And then, you reached for the door handle. It was hot from the sun, and smelled metallic. You breathed deeply, and pulled open the door.

You couldn’t see inside, it was mostly just white, but you could hear indistinct voices - one of them being excessively familiar to you. They sounded distressed, and scared. If they weren’t all talking at once, maybe you could have understood what they were saying. That was, until the familiar voice spoke. You could hear its words clearly.

“I can see them!? Are they okay? Really? Y-Yeah, but… you’re sure? I love them so much.” You walked inside.

In a painful, spluttering, daze, you tossed and turned in your hospital bed. Your eyes were open, and you were gazing around the place, high on medical drugs. Adam was bending over you, a worried look on his face. He was examining your face, but his gaze still flickered down to the wound on your chest sometimes.

He traced a thumb down your cheek, his bottom lip trembling. He was crying, and it broke your heart, but you didn’t have the energy to move. You stayed still, gazing up at the ceiling, face blank.

“Please come back to me…” Adam whispered. You blinked, and locked eyes with him. Adam’s eyes stretched wide when he saw your acknowledgement. “I love you.” You looked into each other’s eyes for a couple of short seconds, and then Mr. Bale came walking into the hospital room.

“I’m just about to leave,” he said. “But I figured I’d give you both one more check in.”

Adam nodded briefly, and forced his gaze to rest on the police officer. “Oh.”

“How’s she/he?” Bale pointed to you on the hospital bed.

“Doctors say they’ll be alright.”

“And you?” Bale inquired. Adam shook his head, the only response he could muster. “Hmm. It’ll take some time, but… you’ll figure it out.”

It was silent for a minute, both men watching you gravely. Their heart beats were pounding nervously, but the simple matter of having each other’s company was enough to calm them down.

Bale’s voice was somber and sympathetic, and echoed lightly off the tile walls. “She/He loves you.”

Adam exhaled sadly, not wanting to think about how much you loved him. He couldn’t take any more of the heartbreak.

“She/He proved that tonight, you know. Made a big deal of going with me, just for you, just to see you. But my job won’t allow that.”

Adam raised his hands up to his face, and started crying harder. You stared at him miserably, wishing you could move, but for some reason you were so tired. You closed your eyes.

“Well, I’m going to take my leave,” Mr. Bale said eventually.

“Okay…” Adam answered, and Bale started for the door. “Hey, um… Did you catch him?”

Bale stopped to adjust his vest. “No,” he replied quickly. “We went back to the site… The body was gone from the room.”

“Huh.”

In silence, the officer left the room again, leaving Adam staring at you. You felt Stanheight comb through your hair with his fingers. “I love you.”

You relaxed your head into his hand sleepily. I love you, too.