Ember X Wade oneshots

Psychologically injured

Ember Lumen, once a bright and joyful child, had her innocence taken from her at a young age by a pedophile. This traumatic event marked the beginning of years of repression and confusion. As she grew up, Ember began to act out in ways that seemed inconsistent with her fiery personality—quiet moments of immaturity, sudden childlike behaviors, and deep-seated feelings of shame. She always buried the memories, too painful to confront, but they lingered in the background, shaping her into someone who, though strong on the surface, was secretly broken inside.

Ember's boyfriend, Wade Ripple, had always been her opposite—gentle, open, and deeply empathetic. He could sense something was wrong with Ember, even if she didn't always say it. They had been together long enough for him to notice the patterns: the way she froze when intimacy grew too tender, how her body would tense at certain touches, and her sudden withdrawals into isolation.

One evening, as Ember and Wade sat by the Element City riverbank, something triggered a memory Ember had long tried to suppress. It was a seemingly innocent moment, a child playing nearby, that unleashed a flood of painful recollections—the words of her abuser, the crude touches, the slaps, the feeling of filth clinging to her skin. She gasped for air, her heart pounding in her chest, as her mind was assaulted by flashbacks.

Panicking, Ember fell to her knees, trembling as she struggled to breathe, her body folding in on itself. Wade, immediately sensing something was horribly wrong, rushed to her side, his hands hovering cautiously as he tried to figure out how to help.

"Ember," he said softly, not wanting to overwhelm her. "I'm right here. You're safe. You're safe with me."

Her body shook violently, and through her sobs, she muttered words he had never heard from her before, words laced with shame and horror. "I-I can't... I feel... dirty. I feel him. I remember everything. The way he... hurt me."

Wade's heart sank, realizing for the first time the full weight of the trauma Ember had been carrying. He stayed calm, despite the intensity of the moment, knowing that the most important thing was to keep her grounded in the present.

"You're not dirty," he said firmly but gently. "You're not what happened to you. You are so much more. Breathe with me, Ember. Focus on me."

She collapsed into his arms, shaking and sobbing, her mind still caught between the past and present. He held her close, whispering reassurances, telling her over and over that she was loved, that she was safe, and that she was not defined by the horrific things done to her.

As Ember's panic began to subside, she opened up to Wade about what she had been through. She told him about the man who stole her innocence, how she had never told anyone because of the shame, how even as an adult she sometimes felt like a helpless child trapped in that nightmare. She shared how everyday moments could trigger her—like the smell of smoke or hearing certain harsh words—and how she would spiral into self-blame, despite knowing it wasn't her fault.

Wade listened without judgment, his own tears mingling with hers. "I'm so sorry, Ember," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "No one should ever have to go through what you did. But you're not alone anymore. I'll be with you every step of the way. Whenever it feels like too much, we'll get through it together. You're strong, Ember. Even when you feel weak, you're strong. And I love you."

With Wade's support, Ember slowly began the long journey of healing. Together, they sought help from a therapist who specialized in trauma, learning techniques to manage her triggers and navigate the complex emotions that arose. It wasn't easy, and there were days when the pain felt unbearable, but Ember knew that with Wade by her side, she could face the darkness that had been haunting her for so long.

The scars of her past would always be there, but she learned to reclaim her life, step by step, day by day. And in Wade's gentle love and unwavering support, Ember found hope—a reminder that even in the aftermath of unspeakable pain, healing was possible, and she could still shine bright.

The end!