Inevitable Flame

Rebound Life

It had only been a week since their life-changing discovery, a week since even more thoughts of their best friend refused to stay down in the darkest pits of their mind.

Right, where the fuck they belong...

And a week filled with guilt they weren't more upset about the situation.  All of it was just left out as if their horrible wife wanted to be found out. 

Their wife was cheating on them, and they were simply scribbling away on important documents for only 1 of the seven university's they owned.   No tears, no anger...

Maybe a little frustrated...

The more Raine felt already so detached from their marriage the more their best friend took over their mind.  As if she had colonized their thoughts giving them endless wonderfully dirty fantasies and desires.    It started so innocently.

Images of her laying in their bed with them.

Topless...

What she would sound like giggling from morning kisses on her shoulders. They smiled at the thought of making her happy.

It all went downhill from that point on. 

Thoughts of her laying bare under them took over. With flushed cheeks and an embarrassed or nervous smile, they wanted her to call out for them.  They wanted to be above her, grabbing and bruising her hips with their fingers.  

Their eyes closed, dropping their pen with the thoughts of taking her into a dark room, pressing her body against hers. Pulling her hair just a little because she seemed like the type to like a little rough handling. They wanted to watch her head shake when they asked if she wanted to stop.

Then make her legs shake

The more ran through their mind the more guilt they felt, thinking of her that way without her permission.   They respected her more than anything and didn't want to offend her.. But on the other hand..

She's gorgeous and her body isn't being appreciated

The bard rubbed their eyes, trying to shake the unholy thoughts away. However, all that stopped was the thought of thinking of just a friend.  They groaned, then stood up, and walked out of their office. Calling out in a stern tone.

"Veronica!"

A woman with blonde curled and ocean blue curls walked over a minute later, files in hand. "Yes, mx whispers?" She replied in question. "Is there anything left on my agenda today? I want to go ahead and get it done"  Raine said, adjusting their sleeves. Veronica looked at her computer and then quickly reported. " nope! You finished everything!" she beamed, her curls bouncing slightly with the movement of her neck.    Raine sighed, holding the bridge of their nose.

This isn't what they need right now..

"Alright. Thanks, Veronica.. I'm just going to leave then"  the bard said through their teeth, annoyed with the turn of events.  "Well have fun! Have a great day"  Veronica replied, her country accent peaking through.  

Raine left, only to find themselves avoiding home and at the public park. 

They didn't want to have to face her, or even be bothered with the thought of her. 

To love someone.. Only to find out you wasted years of your life..

Tears slowly drew to their eyes, and a familiar voice was behind them.  "Rainestorm? Are you okay?"  

Their neck snapped back, to see the same gorgeous ginger woman they'd just been fantasizing about not even 10 minutes ago.  "Eda.. What's re you doing here"  they asked, and she took a spot next to them. "I had the day off, and Rapsody is at kindergarten" she explained with a lopsided smile.  Raine chuckled. "How lucky, but I meant what are you doing at the park?" They replied, making the woman blush.

"O-oh!.. Uh.. Yeah, I come here sometimes.."  She replied nervously, then noticed the small tears surfacing in their eyes. "Raine. Have you been crying?"    She asked, her tone soft and compassionate.   Raine chuckled, pulling back from her, clearing their eyes. "Don't worry about it, I'm fine" they insisted.

She's told that lie a few times before

After a terrible 5 seconds of consideration, she pulled them into a hug. "Raine.. I don't know what's going on.. " she muttered in their ear. "I have an idea"..  She scoffed. "Just know I'm here for you.. " 

Soon she felt the warmth of their arms wrap around her waist, holding her close. Her cheeks started to flush, and her eyes seemed to widen and swell with hope. "Raine.. Wow." She whispered, feeling her friend bury their face in the crook of her neck. "Hm?" They hummed, still holding back tears. "You're so strong.. it's amazing" she muttered, letting her body fall into them somewhat.

Raine chuckled, clearing their eyes to look at her golden ones.  "You're the strongest person I know.. " they replied, a soft smile tattooed on their face.

"Be serious"  the woman said In a small giggle.  "I am." They insisted. "You're raising a child on your own... You hold down a great job, you're just all kinds of wonderful" they gushed, their cheeks turning a light shade of pink. 

Fuck I love you..

She thought, biting her lip back to keep it in. "Thank you, Raine, that means so much to me" Eda replied. She wanted to say so much more. She wanted to do so much more.

But they were married..

She pulled back k, setting her hands in her lap. Wanting nothing more than to kiss them.. Be kissed by them. Held, praised..

All of it.. She wanted them to have all of her. 

Was that too much to ask for?

Both adults sat there in silence before Eda said. "Sorry, I didn't say anything... "   Raine looked up, immediately understanding what she meant.  "You knew? " they asked, feeling a little hurt she didn't say anything. 

However they remembered, that she did say something. She did warn them, and they didn't follow up on her advice. "Yes you did.. " she muttered, their broken haze on the grass dancing with the wind.  "You warned me.. And I didn't listen to you. I'm sorry" they sighed, making her heart swell.  She hugged them again, breathing in their Cologne. "Don't apologize, rainestorm"  she whispered. Hearing them chuckle.

"My sweet tangerine.."

The old Nick name made her head spin, running a shiver up her spine.

"I swear il always listen to you for now on"

Lilith found herself once again caught in the whirlwind of overworking at the office. Frantically searching for a file amidst stacks of papers, her hair disheveled and eyes filled with panic. Her friend Darius observed from afar, his expression a mix of concern and disappointment as he watched her push herself to the limit.

As Lilith's desperation grew, she finally mustered up the courage to ask for help from Darius. With a calm demeanor that sharply contrasted with Lilith's frantic state, he swiftly located the elusive file she had been desperately seeking. However, this was just one instance in an ongoing cycle where stress seemed to consume every fiber of Lilith's being.

The room began to blur around Lilith as exhaustion took its toll on her body and mind. In a cruel twist of fate, all she could see was everything spinning out of control before collapsing onto the unforgiving ground beneath her feet physically unable to continue pushing past her limits any longer.

Darius stood frozen in shock at seeing his friend succumb to burnout right before his eyes. Without hesitation or second thoughts about appearances or boundaries between them, he gently lifted Lilith off the floor

in a non-romantic manner

and guided her towards his car waiting outside - determined now more than ever to ensure that she made it home safely despite their late hours at work together.

Driving through empty streets illuminated only by dim streetlights casting long shadows across their path; silence enveloped them both during this somber journey back to her house.