Breaking Rules ( Radioapple )

From Dreams to Drawings - Part 27

I just read a rly sad fic in which both Charlie and Vaggie died, it had me bawling..

so this chapter is gonna be focusing on Charlie and Vaggie a bit more

if anyone wants to read it: Beautiful Trauma on Ao3 by: SpOtconlOn, and velvettesskullearrings

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The dream came to her again, vivid and haunting, dragging her back to that fateful night. It always began the same way, with the muffled sounds of her parents arguing piercing the late-night silence.

Charlie, a light sleeper even then, stirred in her bed. The faint light from the hallway crept under her door, casting long shadows in her room. She strained to hear the words, the tension in the voices unmistakable.

She tiptoed out of bed, her tiny feet padding softly on the cold floor. Peeking around the corner, she hid herself from view, heart pounding in her chest. Her father, Lucifer, stood in the living room, his usually composed demeanor frayed with frustration. Her mother, Lilith, stood across from him, her posture rigid, eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and indifference.

"It's not enough, Lilith!" Lucifer's voice was sharp, cutting through the air. "Even with this new teaching job, I can't support Charlie on my own."

Lilith crossed her arms, her expression unyielding. "It's not my fault I'm busy with work. I can only be here once a week."

Lucifer's frustration grew, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. "You've never told me what this job of yours is. Every time I ask, you refuse to tell me. You don't offer any support, financial or otherwise. You leave everything to me. I never wanted to be a father, especially not with you, and you don't even lift a finger when you are here."

The sound of the slap echoed through the room, startling Charlie. Lucifer's head snapped to the side, his cheek stinging from the impact. He raised a hand to the reddening mark, his eyes filled with a mixture of shock and hurt.

They argued a bit more, the words growing more heated and desperate. Then Lilith's voice cut through, cold and final. "I'm leaving."

Lucifer's eyes went wide, panic and despair flooding his features. "Are you ever coming back? Charlie needs you."

Lilith didn't answer. She turned on her heel and slammed the door behind her. Charlie watched from her hiding spot as her father moved to the window, watching Lilith get into her car and drive off into the night.

"Daddy...?" Charlie's small voice broke the heavy silence.

Lucifer turned, surprise and sadness etched on his face. "Charlie, sweetheart...what are you doing up?"

"Are you and Mommy okay?" Her voice trembled, reflecting her fear and confusion.

Lucifer knelt down, pulling her into a gentle hug. "I'm not sure, pumpkin. But I'm sure she'll come back next week to see you."

But she never did.

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Charlie woke up slowly, her eyes fluttering open to the dim light of her room. She rubbed her eyes, feeling the wetness of tears she hadn't realized she'd shed. Sitting up, she took a deep breath, the remnants of her dream lingering in her mind. She knew sleep wouldn't come again, not after that.

Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she stood up and padded quietly to her door. She opened it gently, careful not to make any noise, and made her way to her dad's room. The house was silent, the only sound the soft creaking of the floorboards beneath her feet.