Storm of Hearts: Graham Crackle x Reader: Carmen Sandiego 2019

Chapter 14: The Fire

Author's note- so this chapter is just pure angst so get ready! I swear the fluff is on its way y'all just bare with me. Also yes a lot of (Y/N)'s backstory is heavily inspired by myself. But this an x reader story so.... HAHA

Flame always grows most beautiful in the night. The flicker of embers skating like stars against the dark. The hint of ash echoing over the shoreline as the waves rolled in. It took me back. Back to when I got my first apartment and would sleep out on the balcony just to see the stars for a while longer. Back to when rehearsal fell deep into the night but the laughter and joy from all around me kept me awake. Back to the years in middle school when I discovered my passion, surrounded by books with theatre lore as I tried to piece together the incoherent notes on my mp3 player. Wondering if I could ever sound like the Broadway stars I heard playing in my ear.

"Well Dove, welcome to vile."

I sighed. My palm waved over the dying light of the candle, The shiver of smoke cutting my hand from the rest of the island. Tonight it was just me, sitting on the dock staring at my little candle. Alone. Stuck with thoughts and feelings I wish would go away.

"(Y/N)? Hello? You still awake?"

"Graham?" I looked up to see his reflection against the shadows. He was paler than normal, with bags burrowed under his eyes. I could feel my cheeks grow warmer at the sight. 

"Knock it off." I thought cursing at my own heart.

He gave a small smile and sat down next to me,
"It's cold out here, you should go inside and get some rest mate. It looks like it might storm."

"I can't fall asleep."

"It's been a week mate and I don't think you've had a good night of rest since, are you sure you're okay?" He leaned in making me aware of how close we were. Too close. My breath felt twisted and jumpy as I tried to regain my composure.

"I-I just miss my life. I miss the world. I keep thinking this is all just some nightmare- that I'll wake up and have everything back. I guess it didn't occur to me until after Greenland just how gone everything is." I stood up the watching as the waves crashed against the shore, "Because I miss it all. So much. I can't stand it. Everywhere I look I try to-"

"Its okay dove. I'm here, you don't need to talk about it if you don't want to."

My eyes softened,
"Thanks."

"I heard they're sending you on another caper soon mate. South Africa I think. There's your chance! I know it'll be hard but-"

"Don't you get it? Even if I did escape what do I have? All my friends all my family probably think I'm dead- my career my house my life-everything it's all gone. What kind of life would I lead? Constantly having to keep on the downlow so vile would believe I was dead? At least if I stay here, I can have some use. I-"

"(Y/N) don't say that this is all my fault and I-"

"Your right Graham it is all your fault. I-"

I felt like screaming. A million different things were blasting through my skull, digging and digging into me,
"I should hate you. I should despise you- you ruined my life. You took my life away that day. Why don't I? It doesn't make sense." Suddenly the thunder that had been waiting in the clouds sprung at my side. I stepped back, shaky my thoughts swirling like a tornado "except-"

"Except?"

The lighting gleamed in his eyes as the rain began to pore down my skin. I grabbed my candle, dimming with each drop until the ember finally faded leaving the world dark.

"I'm going inside. Good night Crackle."

"(Y/N) wait."

He grabbed my hand and I turned back. Our eyes meet. He looked even paler under the lighting strikes. I began to feel sick,
"Good night Graham."

~

"Whats wrong have a fight with your boyfriend?"

"Don't Tigress."

It was the next morning and I looked like hell. I couldn't get a wink of sleep all night. I felt bad for snapping at Graham but at the same time almost wish that I snapped more. I was right he did ruin my life. Maybe not willingly, but he still did it. Or maybe it's my fault for trusting him.

Graham pov

I choose this. She didn't.

I starred blankly at the training equipment in front of me. I hadn't been able to focus enough to get anything done.

Probably because I couldn't get any sleep at all last night. Her words kept playing and playing in my heard until I felt sick. With each crack of thunder I rolled back further on my bed, until I was pressed up against the wall.

The worst part was I couldn't even really be mad at anyone. I didn't know what would happen when I took her with me I just wanted her to be safe. I wasn't thinking. And maybe that makes me the biggest idiot of all.

"I just wish I could start over, for her. And make sure none of this ever happened. If I had just told her to go away-ugh. Not like I could change it now."

Guilt was eating me up like hell inside. I shouldn't care why do I care? Plus that smile she always gave me- the way her cheeks lit up- definitely definitely not helping.

I almost wished black sheep was here, she would know what to do.