(oh lol sorry, I'm worse at picking up jokes online than I am in real life, which is really saying something)
Sebastian nodded calmly, his expression softening at her words. "I'd love to hear whatever you want to tell me," he answered soothingly, continuing to bounce the little girl up and down on his knee.
(Lol. Sorry. I should have made it more clear.)
Devon nodded slowly and thought back to what happened.
“I had just turned seventeen a few days prior to this. I was on my way home from a drama practice later one evening, and it had gone late, so I thought I might take a shortcut,” she started to explain before telling Sebastian about that night and everything that happened afterwards.
(my bad, dw about it)
Sebastian's whole body tensed slightly in anticipation of what she was going to say next— he knew how this was going to end. But he stayed silent, eyes trained on her.
“I went through a few alleys without much trouble, but in one of them was a man hiding in the shadows. He must have been watching me as I passed because as soon as I had walked by him, he grabbed me, and—“ Devon stopped suddenly, the memory so painful it was hard to say. Her eyes had widened as if she was really back to that night, her blood pumping from utter terror. “The next thing I knew, I was on the ground, alone and bleeding. My jeans were torn, scratches were raked down my sides, and there was a bump growing on my head from where he hit my head against the wall, which must have knocked me unconscious…”
She took a deep, shuddering breath and closed her eyes. Her hands were shaking like they did whenever someone was hitting on her, and her breathing had quickened. After another few deep breaths, she could breathe normally again.
(Oh, Devon…)
Although this was what he’d been expecting, Sebastian’s eyes widened in horror, filling with sympathy. “Oh god….” he breathed, reaching out to comfort her but quickly pulling back once he realized what a bad idea that was. “I’m so sorry… I’m so, so sorry…”
The sight of Devon like this, her hands trembling, eyes alight with fear, filled him with both rage and sorrow about what had been done to her.
(Poor Devon….)
(Sorry…😭)
Devon shook her head and cleared herself of the memories. She opened her eyes slowly, still trembling, and turned to face him again.
“I’m okay, now. Don’t worry. You… You’ve actually helped me with it a lot,” she said softly, giving him a small, wavering smile. She frowned suddenly and looked away again, remembering more.
“My parents were distraught… The doctors said I had a low chance of pregnancy, and they even gave me some pills to take. I refused, though. If I got pregnant, I was keeping the baby. No one could convince me otherwise. Not my parents, not my best friend, not even my boyfriend. No one could get me to take the pills.
“And then I started getting morning sickness a few weeks later. My parents took me back to the doctors, where I found out that I was carrying a child. Again, my parents were devastated. They couldn’t have a pregnant teenage daughter in their house. Think of what it could do to their reputation!” Devon scoffed and shook her head. “There were options, though. It wasn’t too late to take a different pill and get it all over with. But again I refused, much to my parents dismay…
“After my first trimester, they tried again. They took me to the doctors, where they told me that there was still a way to get rid of the baby. After all, it was nothing but a fetus, right? Nothing like a true human being yet. But, no. It was still my baby. And only I would decide its fate.
“Realizing that they couldn’t sway me, my parents started to look for homes for my child. Without consulting me. They looked for a few adoptive parents, but I still wasn’t going to let my baby go. They told me that I couldn’t live with them if I refused to give it up, and I was horrified. How could they do this to me?
“And then my friend offered me a place to stay, so I packed my bags and moved into her apartment with her. She helped me through the rest of my pregnancy and high school until Layla was finally born in January. And I couldn’t have been prouder of myself and what I created inside of me,” her voice softened as she got to this part of her story, and she looked over at her miracle as she finished.
(I hate unsupportive parents…)
(I’m sobbing oh my god)
It was as if her story had robbed Sebastian of all his words. He just sat there, eyes watering slightly, as he listened to the horrors she’d been through.
Finally, he remembered how to speak. “That’s horrible… Devon, I’m so sorry. But I’m glad you decided to tell me— you know I’m always here for you, right?”
Devin nodded slowly, unwilling to tear her gaze from her daughter lest the tears in her eyes spill.
“I know, Seb… Thank you,” she whispered, her voice tight.
(He should hug her. She totally needs a hug, and she might flinch at first, but she would still like it. He wouldn’t even have to ask.)
(Alright :)
Sebastian couldn’t stand it any longer, watching her eyes fill with tears, with pain…. His heart felt like it was about to burst.
He shifted closer to her on the couch and reached over to give her a loose, soothing hug, with more than enough room to pull away.
Devon started at the touch, freezing up for a moment. She looked up at him before leaning closer and burying her face in his shoulder.
He was so understanding, so caring… He obviously knew that she might not be comfortable with the touch, but at this point she just needed comfort. And he gave it to her the best out of anyone she knew these days.
Seeing that she was fine with the contact, Sebastian hugged her a little tighter, though he still held her with the utmost care.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…” he kept murmuring into her hair, not realizing that his eyes were also brimming with tears.
Devon choked back her pained sobs and just let herself relax into his embrace. She slowly moved her arms from her side to wrap them around him, clinging to him like he was the only thing keeping her afloat in a raging storm. Right now, he and Layla were her lifelines, the things keeping her from drowning in her memories, in her pain, in her heartache…
“It’s okay to cry….” he whispered, stroking her hair as gently as he could. “I’m right here…”
Devon sucked in a quiet breath as her eyes started to sting with the force of the tears pricking at them. She nodded slowly, a few drops slipping from her eyes.
Layla looked up at her mother and the man with a confused expression. What happened? Why were they crying?
“Mommy?” she questioned softly, causing Devon to completely break down and let loose the dam building behind her eyes.
Sebastian held her close to his chest and began to rock her gently from side to side, snuffing out the sparks of panic that had begun to fly within him. It's okay that you're crying, he seemed to be conveying with his body language. It's okay to break down.
Devon let Sebastian hold her, more grateful for him in that moment than she would ever be able to explain. This man was so amazing to her, giving her the space she needed but willing to always be there for her. Maybe, just maybe, they really had a chance at a bright future together…
It was only after Devon had begun to calm down that Sebastian realized how incredibly close they were. His heart began to pound, but he did his best to ignore it.
Now is not the time. You can feel all mushy and romantic later.
(I feel sort of like Sebastian’s being too perfect… should he mess up soon?)
(I mean, if you want… It would definitely be a point for drama.)
Devon eventually pulled away, wiping at her eyes. She cleared her throat and rubbed the side of her neck.
“Thank you,” she whispered softly, unsure of what to do now.
(Idk, up to you)
“No problem,” Sebastian answered gently, leaning over to pull a few tissues from the box on the coffee table. “I just hope you know that you’re loved, and you’re safe now.”
(We should do it. Lol.
I’m sorry, Devon…)
Devon nodded slowly as she took the tissues and wiped her eyes. “I know… It means a lot to me, you know,” she murmured quietly.
(😢)
(What would he do, though?)
Sebastian nodded, absentmindedly stroking Layla’s hair. “I’m just glad you told me..”
(Erm… He could get mad about something and yell? Or… Idk what he would do, tbh. I don’t know him well enough.)
“I’m glad I told you, too,” Devon said quietly, looking over at her daughter. “It’s nice to have someone who knows…”
(What would he get mad about though? Hhh I’ll think of something I guess)
Sebastian nodded again, unsure of how to proceed.
(Maybe he’s mad about something that happened with his parents or one of them, and he accidentally takes it out on Devon without thinking?)
(Maybe, yeah. We’ll see, I guess)
(Anyway, should we skip?)
Sure, to when? Can it still be before the fight? I’m still trying to come up with a specific reason for him taking anger out on her)
(Yeah, it can be. Maybe… He takes her somewhere fun for a date?
not it)