Ember X Wade oneshots

Cracks in the hearth

Ember has always been the anchor of her family. Raised with a strong sense of duty and responsibility, she's spent her life helping her father in Fireplace, ensuring the family business runs smoothly. Her commitment to her family is unwavering, but it's also left her with little time to nurture her own dreams and desires. Now, as a mother and wife, those same responsibilities are beginning to weigh on her more heavily.

Wade, on the other hand, is a calming presence in their lives. His empathy and emotional openness have always balanced Ember's fiery drive. But lately, he's noticed that Ember is more distant, her usual warmth replaced by a quiet frustration that bubbles beneath the surface. Wade tries to reach out, but his efforts seem to fall short, leaving him feeling helpless and disconnected.

One evening, after another long day at the Fireplace, Ember comes home exhausted. She finds Wade in the kitchen, preparing dinner, a warm smile on his face. But Ember's too tired to appreciate the gesture.

"Hey, I made your favorite," Wade says, trying to brighten her mood.

Ember forces a smile but doesn't hide the weariness in her voice. "Thanks, Wade, but I'm not really hungry."

The tension between them is palpable, the air thick with unspoken words. Wade, sensing something is wrong, decides to press the issue.

"Ember, we need to talk. You've been distant lately. Is everything okay?"

Ember's exhaustion gives way to irritation, and she snaps. "Of course something's wrong, Wade! I'm doing everything I can to keep this family together, to keep the Fireplace running, and I feel like I'm drowning. And you're just standing there, smiling, as if everything's fine!"

Wade, taken aback by the outburst, tries to remain calm. "Ember, I know you're stressed, but I'm here to help. You don't have to do this alone."

But Ember's frustration has been building for too long. "Help? How, Wade? By being your usual easygoing self while I handle everything? You don't understand what it's like to have this much pressure on you, to feel like you're the only one keeping things from falling apart!"

Wade's own emotions start to surface, his usually calm demeanor cracking under the strain. "That's not fair, Ember. I've always supported you, always tried to be there for you. But you shut me out! How am I supposed to help when you won't let me in?"

The argument escalates, their voices rising as years of suppressed feelings come to the surface. Ember's resentment over her sacrifices clashes with Wade's frustration at being sidelined. The warmth that once defined their relationship now seems distant, replaced by a coldness neither of them expected.

As the fight intensifies, Ember and Wade's words become sharper, more hurtful. Ember accuses Wade of being too passive, too content to let her carry the burden of their lives, while Wade accuses Ember of pushing him away, of never trusting him to share in the responsibility.

"I'm tired, Wade," Ember finally says, her voice breaking. "I'm tired of feeling like I'm carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. And I'm tired of feeling like you don't understand."

Wade's face softens, the anger fading into sorrow. "I do understand, Ember. But you've never let me in. You've always tried to do everything on your own, and now it's tearing us apart."

The realization hits them both like a wave. They stand there, the silence between them heavy with the knowledge that their love is at a breaking point. For the first time, they're forced to confront the reality that love alone might not be enough to keep them together.

That night, Ember and Wade sleep on opposite sides of the bed, their backs turned to each other. The physical distance between them is nothing compared to the emotional chasm that has opened up. Ember lies awake, her mind racing with thoughts of their fight, wondering if they can ever bridge the gap that has formed between them.

Wade, too, is lost in his thoughts. He's always been the emotional anchor in their relationship, but now he feels adrift, unsure of how to reach Ember or how to heal the wounds they've inflicted on each other.

Days pass, and the tension between them remains. They go through the motions of daily life, caring for their daughter and managing their responsibilities, but the connection that once defined their relationship is missing. Ember throws herself even more into her work, trying to escape the pain, while Wade grows increasingly withdrawn, unsure of how to break through the wall that has been built between them.

One evening, after another long day, Ember finds herself alone in the Fireplace, staring into the flames. She thinks about her parents, about the sacrifices they made for her and how much she's tried to repay them. But she also thinks about Wade, about how much he's given her, even when she didn't realize it.

As she watches the flames dance, Ember begins to see that the fire that once fueled her drive has also burned her out. She realizes that she's been so focused on holding everything together that she's pushed away the one person who has always been there for her.

Meanwhile, Wade, sitting alone at home, reflects on their fight. He knows he can't change who he is, but he also knows that he can't stand by and watch their relationship crumble. He decides to reach out, to try and reconnect with Ember before it's too late.

Wade makes his way to the Fireplace, finding Ember still lost in thought. He approaches her slowly, his heart pounding with the fear of rejection. But when Ember looks up and sees him, there's a flicker of something in her eyes—hope, maybe, or a willingness to try.

"Ember," Wade begins, his voice steady but full of emotion, "I don't want to lose you. I know we've both been hurt, and I know we've both made mistakes. But I'm willing to fight for us, if you are."

Ember looks at him, her eyes filling with tears. "I don't want to lose you either, Wade. I've been so caught up in trying to do everything on my own that I forgot what really matters. We're a team, and I need to start acting like it."

In the weeks that follow, Ember and Wade work together to rebuild their relationship. It's not easy, and there are moments of doubt and fear, but they're committed to making it work. They begin to communicate more openly, sharing their fears and frustrations instead of letting them fester. Ember starts to rely on Wade more, letting him in and trusting him to share the load.

Wade, in turn, steps up in ways he never has before, showing Ember that he's not just there to support her but to walk alongside her, no matter how difficult the path may be. Their love, once strained and fragile, begins to strengthen again, built not just on passion and warmth but on understanding and mutual respect.

The story ends with Ember and Wade sitting together by the fire, their hands intertwined. The flames before them burn bright, a symbol of the love that has weathered the storm and emerged stronger on the other side. They know that there will be more challenges ahead, but they also know that, together, they can face anything.