|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Nov 30, 2017 4:07:03 GMT
405 Words
|
The Monster
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
There would always be something serene and magical about Christmas in London. It was definitely better than ‘Christmas’ in California. While he made the trip annually, this trip had somehow turned out to be better, unexpected. Sure, he’d been dating Cassidy for just a couple of months, but it still amazed him that she had stuck around as long as she had. He was lying to her, which probably helped, but it was self-preservation versus animosity towards her. His lifespan was on the cusp of ending and to tell her would be to gain pity from her and he was not about to have someone stay with him for the sheer fact that he was dying. Even so, it sickened him to think that she would find out and hate him before he died.
The plane ride was where he found himself thinking the most. She was watching the stupid movie on the small screens that were barely visible around heads and he...he was watching her. When she laughed, he’d smile because the sound of it was bright and full of life, something he couldn’t say about his own half-laugh that he often did. When he met eyes with her occasionally, he’d find himself staring because she was everything he could have hoped to find and to know he would have her for such a short amount of time was gut-wrenching. She’d make a face at him, stick her tongue out, laugh and then return to the movie. And all he could do was squeeze her fingers on the hand that he held to so tightly.
Once the plane landed, he shook himself from the despair because she was looking at him now and he had no intention of her seeing how much turmoil he created for himself. He offered her a quick smile, allowing his excitement to settle in. He was home and she was with him. Could he have ever asked for more?
“Right! So, we can do the tourist-y things if that’s what you fancy,” He said with a dramatic eyeroll in her direction and a flash of a smirk. “Or you can live life like a local and see all of the best things. Your choice really.”
I've turned into a monster and it keeps getting stronger
|
|
|
|
962 posts
|
0 likes
|
Authored by
Nu
|
Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Nu on Nov 30, 2017 21:50:42 GMT
265 Words
|
With my feelings on fire
Guess I'm a bad liar
It was safe to assume that Cassidy was smitten by Will. Yes, he had an impossibly prickly exterior but the center was gooey and that was what made the dark haired woman stay. He had been the perfect gentleman while still maintaining what they had from the beginning. There was something so satisfying being with someone who continuously challenged her in the best way possible. He still got on her nerves on occasion but that was to be expected.
Surprise didn't even cut it, however, when he invited her to fly to London, something he apparently did every year.
The plane ride was uneventful, though Cassidy couldn't help giggling every now and again realising she was holding hands with her boyfriend, traveling to his hometown together with his siblings. She did notice how much Will kept watching her. Sometimes she was immersed in some dumb airline movie but there are times when she could feel his gaze on her and it made her feel warm and tingly inside. She fell asleep a couple of times on his shoulder, surprisingly not leaving drool spots after but she did have bad breath when they finally landed so she avoided talking to him until she could get a mint in her.
Just in time for his question though, she popped a couple of mints in her mouth and chewed before attempting to talk. "I want fish and chips. The greasy beer batter kind with chips the size of my thumb." She held up her thumb for emphasis as she gathered her things to start getting off the plane.
but still all we do is fear
|
|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Dec 1, 2017 5:45:54 GMT
348 Words
|
The Monster
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
Fish and chips. She was in the most incredible city in the world and she was worried about fish and chips. It took all he had not to slap his hand against his forehead. She was so American sometimes that it physically hurt. While he had grown up in England and was fully up to snuff on his fish and chips hot spots, he had so much more he wanted to show her. There was so much more to offer than greasy beer battered fish and chips the size of her thumb. Will let out a sigh and shook his head, "Alright, alright. I s'pose I can swing that."
Will followed her off the plane and took her bags from her once they were walking through the airport. As they headed to the escalator, he figured he should probably mention their transportation arrangement as well as the place they would be staying. It was always uncomfortable talking about his financial stability. He was met with questions of why he was becoming a doctor when he could live comfortably without working a day in his life or why he'd stayed in the States when he easily could have gone to Oxford or Cambridge. Clearing his throat he looked down at her, "So, uh, once we reach the lower level...there's going to be a man with my last name on a card. Look for that. He's our ride." In a limo. With a bar.
"Cassidy, I just want to warn you now, my life in England is a lot different than my life in America. You're going to learn things about me here and I don't want you to look at me any differently because of it," If she wanted to stay with him for his money, he supposed it was only fair. After all, if they ever got married before he died, she'd be inheriting his portion of his family's fortune.
I've turned into a monster and it keeps getting stronger
|
|
|
|
962 posts
|
0 likes
|
Authored by
Nu
|
Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Nu on Dec 1, 2017 21:49:12 GMT
244 Words
|
With my feelings on fire
Guess I'm a bad liar
Grinning widely when Will agreed to her request despite seeing him argue with himself inwardly, Cassidy squeezed his hand and opened her mouth wide in an inaudible scream. "So excited!" She exclaimed before clearing her throat and waving at a man who looked at her like she was gum under his shoe.
She let Will take her bags as they maneuvered their way through the airport. She'd been to the UK before but her father always brought her on their private jet so she had never gotten to experience different airports. She looked around the place with a curious smile on her face.
Turning to Will when he started to explain to her what a placard was, she frowned and smiled at him curiously. She was about to ask why he looked like he had a mouth full of bees when he launched into what she assumed was a speech he had been struggling with for awhile.
Narrowing her eyes for a moment, Cassidy shrugged and slid her arms through his and pulled him forward. "Don't worry, pumpkin. I'll always see you as a curmudgeon of a man." She leaned into his shoulder and squeezed his arm.
When said placard came into view, Cassidy chuckled lightly when she put two and two together. Will was rich.
She kept quiet and waved at the driver. "We're Spencer." She called out and tugged at Will's arm. "Take us to the greasiest fish and chip shop, pronto."
but still all we do is fear
|
|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Dec 2, 2017 19:54:09 GMT
325 Words
|
The Monster
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
Will always forgot that Cassidy came from a similar upbringing. Well-off, high society. But he had never mentioned his own family situation, he often didn't like to. Up until this point he hadn't even really mentioned that despite his strained relationship with his parents and siblings, he'd kept close to his uncle and his grandmother. Evangeline Spencer was a force to be reckoned with and simply wouldn't allow him to distance himself from her. Every Christmas he'd spend a week in London, five days with James and two with his grandmother and all of the upper class aristocratic types that she invited to her Christmas party.
He watched her as she laughed and he knew she'd understood the moment that she saw the driver. Cassidy tugged on his arm and he followed her without a word. They followed him out and Will helped him load the bags into the back of the car. He slid into the seat beside Cas and put his arm around her shoulders lazily, "You heard the lady, off to the pub please."
The driver gave Will a smile and nodded, "Of course, Mr. Spencer."
Will shifted uncomfortably at the formality that he used, especially as the man who was driving them had known him for nearly his whole life. He turned to Cassidy and smiled, "Alright, luv. We're basically on our own for five days, we can do what we want when we want, explore it all. However, my grandmother has a Christmas party one night and requires a full day of family bonding another. We're staying in a hotel for the first few days but then she insists on us staying at the Hall the other two nights." He chewed on the inside of his cheek and coughed, "Uh, if that's okay."
I've turned into a monster and it keeps getting stronger
|
|
|
|
962 posts
|
0 likes
|
Authored by
Nu
|
Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Nu on Dec 2, 2017 23:40:06 GMT
164 Words
|
With my feelings on fire
Guess I'm a bad liar
Cassidy and pubs did not mix well, something Adrian Carstyn would well attest to, but having Will there as her sweetheart and not the subject of her ire was probably a step up from the last time she had been in one. She slid her fingers through his over her shoulder as she leaned closer to the window to look out. She didn't notice the discomfort he portrayed.
When Will started speaking, Cassidy turned to him and reciprocated his smile. It was a welcome sight, his smile, and one she definitely hoped would show up majority of the time. When she was given a schedule, she raised her eyebrows at the thought of a party. "Oh no...I didn't pack properly." She grimaced. At the mention of the Hall, she narrowed her eyes in confusion. "I mean sure. Baby," she laughed lightly, scooting closer to him and placing a hand on his cheek. "What's gotten you so uncomfortable?" She asked, looking directly into his eyes.
but still all we do is fear
|
|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Dec 4, 2017 17:57:39 GMT
381 Words
|
The Monster
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
Despite the fact that the best fish and chips place he knew was a bar, he didn't plan on doing much drinking, nor did he particularly want Cas to based on how well she seemed to handle her liquor. Or didn't hold her liquor rather. With her fingers laced through his, he allowed himself to feel comfortable in the situation. Yes, they were in a car with his personal driver going to an expensive hotel in England where he'd be spending the first Christmas in thirteen years with his siblings, grandmother and uncle, but it wasn't a bad thing. It was honestly one of the things he hoped to hold onto until the end came and something he hoped she'd remember long after he was gone.
"I'm almost entirely certain that my grandmother will have plenty of things for you to choose from. To be fair, the woman has good taste," He laughed and shrugged away her worries of not packing properly. Unfortunately for him, he too would be playing dress up at his expense. Evangeline was not a woman to question and when she wanted her party and her family to look a certain way, they did. James had luckily already warned him of a few options. Hard no.
With her body closer to him, he felt warm and yet still had a shred of uncertainty about the whole thing. She had met his siblings, but they were so much different than his family in England. They had to be in order to survive under their parents. Will was closest with his grandmother and uncle and to think of Cassidy not liking them or finally being able to pinpoint why he was as pretentious as he was, it made him worry. Not to mention, one look at his uncle and she'd see what he'd have been like at that age if he was ever to make it there. A charming, quick-witted drunk. Not much different than who he was now. "I'm just nervous I guess. This year has a lot of pressure on it with Lottie and Miles being there and...and you."
I've turned into a monster and it keeps getting stronger
|
|
|
|
962 posts
|
0 likes
|
Authored by
Nu
|
Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Nu on Dec 5, 2017 0:06:06 GMT
110 Words
|
With my feelings on fire
Guess I'm a bad liar
Cassidy nodded and smiled at Will's reassurance. It felt weird hearing him talk so freely about the family he actually cared about. It was nice, but weird. "And she wouldn't mind me raiding her closet?" She asked. The thought of wearing another woman's clothes made Cassidy rather uncomfortable but she shrugged it off.
With his feelings laid bare, Cassidy warmed up and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. "I'll be on my best behaviour." She grinned. "Besides, Charlotte and Miles already love me."
She tilted her head slightly and looked at him. "Is that all that's bothering you? Is there something I can do to make you feel better?"
but still all we do is fear
|
|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Dec 6, 2017 6:11:44 GMT
253 Words
|
The Monster
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
Will had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing. "Well, I'd be a bit worried if you raided her closet," He cleared his throat and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "They're not her clothes, my love. She has personal stylists on speed dial more or less. The woman is well-versed in the fashion industry out here and throughout Europe. I'm fairly certain she'll have the whole day leading up to the party packed with clothes and hair and makeup for you ladies. Don't worry, Lottie is being subjected to it as well. Except it's all week."
He kissed her back and did his best to smile genuinely at her comment of his siblings already loving her. It was a touchy subject seeing as they still could hardly stomach him. He nodded, "I'm not worried about you being on good behavior, Angel. It's...it's just..." He failed at finding the right words so he shrugged and hoped she would drop it.
But he supposed he shouldn't be surprised by the fact that she wouldn't. "I'm worried about what you'll think of them. I mean...they're the only family I've had for my whole life. They know everything about me and...if you don't like them...I don't know what I'll do. It's hard enough that my siblings hate me and love you."
I've turned into a monster and it keeps getting stronger
|
|
|
|
962 posts
|
0 likes
|
Authored by
Nu
|
Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Nu on Dec 7, 2017 6:11:24 GMT
353 Words
|
With my feelings on fire
Guess I'm a bad liar
Laughing at Will's little speech about his grandmother, Cassidy was now piecing together just how rich Will actually was. To be that influential without actually being a celebrity, Cassidy was beginning to wonder if her jeans and t-shirt ensemble would be appropriate to meet the lady. Though she had grown up in the lap of luxury, Cassidy never actually subscribed to the lifestyle. Especially since she got into college where no one actually went to class with anything more than exactly what she was wearing.
That wasn't to say she didn't like dressing up because when she did, she went all out. So the idea of being dressed by professionals did actually excite her. "The poor girl." Cassidy laughed lightly, knowing just how little Charlotte thought of fashion.
Little gestures like the hair sweeping had Cassidy's heart fluttering. It was such a small thing but in the grand scale of things, having Will be this affectionate with her was pretty damn amazing. Especially considering two months ago, they would have murdered each other without much remorse.
His nickname for her still brought a smile to Cassidy's face but this time it felt a little strained. Whatever Will was worried about, worried her too. He'd always seemed so sure of everything and yet family perplexed him.
"Will, they don't hate you." Cassidy straightened herself beside him and took his hand, squeezing it lightly. "They just don't know you." She said quietly, casting her eyes downwards to their entwined fingers. "They don't know why you..." she let her words linger before looking up at him, hoping he understood where she was going with it.
She had mixed feelings about continuing the line of conversation but in the end, she took his hand and brought it to her lips. "I like you, Will. And your siblings. If they're an extension of who you are, I don't see any reason not to like them too." She brought one hand up to his cheeks to pull his face towards her. She looked into his eyes and gave him a sweet smile. "This week is going to be good."
but still all we do is fear
|
|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Dec 7, 2017 6:40:49 GMT
357 Words
|
The Monster
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
Will shrugged at Cassidy's comment because he didn't quite think that Lottie had such a rough end of the deal. Miles was the one that probably got screwed the most. However, he was probably pleased with the arrangements with Charlotte's friend staying just a few rooms away.
He laughed shortly at her declaration that his siblings didn't hate him. He was positively certain she was wrong about that. Charlotte had all but yelled it at him and she wouldn't speak to him. Miles was a bit more forgiving, but even he couldn't stand Will. Nothing they did was ever mentioned to Will, they told him nothing and allowed him to have an opinion about nothing. He was just a stranger to them and he wasn't sure he'd ever have enough time to change that. But Cassidy didn't know that and neither did they. He looked down at their hands and focused on keeping his frustration to himself. It wasn't Cassidy's fault that things were this way. It wasn't even his....
"No, they wouldn't would they? Nobody does," Except for his uncle. James was the only person who could understand why William had stayed away from them for as long as he had. He closed his eyes briefly as she spoke, attempting to ease his anxiety, and while it mostly worked, there was still a twisting in his stomach about the whole thing. James was the universal cool uncle. Charlotte, Miles and Will all loved him and he was certain that was the only tie the Spencer siblings would all have. Perhaps later down the line James would be able to explain the whole thing to them and they wouldn't hate him as much when he was gone.
Will looked up at her finally and nodded, "Yeah, it will be." He quirked the side of his mouth up and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Alright, we're here and it looks like my uncle is as well. You ready?"
I've turned into a monster and it keeps getting stronger
|
|
|
|
962 posts
|
0 likes
|
Authored by
Nu
|
Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Nu on Dec 7, 2017 7:48:19 GMT
224 Words
|
With my feelings on fire
Guess I'm a bad liar
Cassidy could feel the tension in the car build a little and she tried to ease it by not responding to Will. She didn't know how to either because she didn't know their dynamic. But as big of a rift she and Dylan had, she couldn't quite hate him. And if she had to really think about it, Will wasn't entirely unreasonable. There had to be something big that happened for him to write his family off. She still didn't think it was fair for him to give his siblings the same treatment but anger got the best of a lot of people.
She squeezed his hand comfortingly though and left it at that.
When he announced that they were at their destination, she perked up and looked out of the window to look for anyone who resembled Will but couldn't find any. She looked back at him and gave him a nervous grin. "Not really but uh...let's just go before I chicken out." She laughed and left the car, her hand gripping Will's tightly. She wanted to give the best impression to Will's uncle and she wasn't entirely certain her nerves were going to do that. She looked up at him and for a moment, her anxieties melted away and she just smiled at him. "It's just fish and chips, right?" She chuckled.
but still all we do is fear
|
|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Dec 7, 2017 21:12:21 GMT
272 Words
|
The Monster
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
The expression on her face was priceless. He couldn't believe that she was nervous about his uncle, despite his own nerves. He couldn't remember a time he'd seen her worried to meet someone. He also couldn't remember a time that anyone had been worried about meeting his uncle. James was the usual favorite. "It'll be fine, love. I'm sure he's half pissed already," Which he wasn't sure was a good thing or a bad thing. With a pub came James. Besides, it was the only reason Will knew of the place.
"Yes, Angel. Just fish and chips. It'll be good," He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. With his arm slung around her shoulders he led her to where he saw his uncle sitting. it was the usual spot, in a corner, without many televisions nearby so that he didn't have to deal with the Neanderthals. He had his drink dangling from one hand while he had a book open in the other. Typical. It wasn't long until James glanced up and his eyes went from Will's face to the girl on his arm.
Will lifted his arm from around Cassidy's shoulders just as James stood up and walked towards them. The man embraced his nephew and Will laughed, "You know it is only noon, yeah? What's this, number 4?" He jabbed the man in the stomach and beckoned for Cassidy to come closer, "Angel, this is my, as promised, half-pissed uncle, James."
I've turned into a monster and it keeps getting stronger
|
|
|
|
962 posts
|
0 likes
|
Authored by
Nu
|
Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Nu on Dec 8, 2017 17:49:50 GMT
399 Words
|
With my feelings on fire
Guess I'm a bad liar
His attempt at assuaging her worries about meeting his family didn't help much but Cassidy wasn't anything if not adaptable. Or rather, she tried to be. She had managed to somewhat tame the beast that was Will, what couldn't she do? And with what all Will had told her about his uncle, it should be a breeze.
She supposed it wasn't just the fact that she was meeting someone else but rather the implication of being introduced to his family just two months after they started dating that made Cassidy's heart leap into her throat. She wanted something more than a shallow relationship with Will, that much she knew, but meeting family was always a daunting task, wasn't it? She had the pleasure of knowing Miles before she even knew about them being siblings but knowing James was someone Will obviously looked up to did not help her nerves.
Cassidy immediately held a hand up to Will's cheek when he descended upon her nose, her thumb stroking his much too defined cheekbones and she smiled, the gesture warming her through. She leaned into his hold when he slung an arm over her shoulder, her eyes keeping a look out for anyone resembling Will's family. When a man stood up from the end of the bar, her breath caught in her throat and she more or less melted.
He looked almost like a copy of Will, if not softer and more relaxed in his own skin. Cassidy could immediately see Will in his mid thirties in the man and she could not be any more turned on. She had to physically remind herself that this man was someone she should be impressing and not drooling over.
Much as she was confident in her ability to smooth talk anyone, Cassidy suddenly found herself unable to muster two words together as the two men hugged and joked with each other. She just stared at James as heat rushed up to her cheeks. The man was beautiful, enough said.
When she finally got her bearings, Cassidy moved forward and slid an arm around Will's waist, holding him close. Though whether it was because of her affection for him or her inability to suddenly stand straight was beyond her. "It's nice to meet you, half-pissed uncle James." She plucked up the courage enough to joke as she extended her hand towards the older man.
but still all we do is fear
|
|
|
|
944 posts
|
0 likes
|
Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
|
Advanced Member
|
Post by Trix on Dec 9, 2017 20:14:41 GMT
350 Words
|
The Monster
Everything I touch isn't dark enough
Upon the approach to his uncle, Will kept his eyes on Cassidy and he appreciated the approving look he received from his uncle before they hugged. Once they disengaged, and Will felt Cassidy's arm loop around his waist, he replaced his arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. He noted the look on her face though as she was looking at his uncle and he only wished that he could read her mind in that very moment. All that came to his own mind was that she was taking notice of how well put together his uncle was comparatively. Even as he was buzzed.
James stuck his own hand out and took hers, giving a gentle squeeze and a wide smile, "So you're the girl my nephew is smitten with, aye?" He glanced up at Will with his eyebrow arched and laughed. "I can see why and it's not just the looks, I can assure you," James winked and released her hand before gesturing for them to join him.
Will's eyes rolled back in his head and he snorted. He moved his arm from around her shoulders again, only to settle his hand in hers. He sat one barstool down from his uncle, leaving an open one beside James for Cassidy to sit. Perhaps he was putting his theories to a test, or maybe he just wanted her to feel included, he'd never own up to which it was. "While I'm not shocked that you're already drinking, don't you have suit fittings later for the party?" Will joked.
The older man shot him a look before tipping back his glass and shrugging, "I probably do. I'm certain I'll hear about it from your grandmother when I go. But alas, the drink just lured me in as it always does. Cassidy, darling, would you like one? Will get your lady a drink, we'll have some fun before I have to go, yeah?"
I've turned into a monster and it keeps getting stronger
|
|
|