Under The Lights

Side story 1 - Titan Pierce

(Yall suffered with my terrible ending, lmao I KNOW. I just wanted to get my story completed. More side stories are coming AND an epilogue, kids, married life the whole nines alright.)

Record scarfs down cereal much to my dismay. I told her i would make her something but she insisted on soggy cereal. I put the last waffle down on my plate before drowning it in syrup and taking a seat next to her. "So whose house are we going to for thanksgiving? My mom keeps blowing up my phone."

"Your house obviously. I just know y'all throw down in the kitchen and i want to meet your siblings. You've kept me chained to this house ever since i fucked up my leg."

I sigh again at her complains, i'm scared she'll get hurt again if we leave. I also got the chance to see just how clumsy she is when shes hurt, its adorable but not good for the heart. What else am I supposed to do? "Where else would we go?"

"Oh i don't know? Maybe helping your employees gut out the insides of Cafe Chronicles?"

I shake my head immediately. "We are not doing that."

"Why not? I want to see you rip up the burned carpet." She pulls out her phone. "Astrid sent me a video of you picking up the bookshelves with your sleeves rolled up."

My eyebrows furrow and i stop chewing to curiously look over her shoulder.

She sighs dreamily staring at her phone, using her fingers to zoom in on my biceps."It was hot, I wish i was there. And i would've been if you didn't hide my fucking crutches." She grits her teeth, leaning over to pick up the dish sponge before throwing it at my shoulder.

I put down my fork shaking my head. "Im sorry, okay?" I don't want her anywhere near there. My stomach still drops when i think about her trapped under that shelf.

I try to change the subject."How about we listen to some vinyl?"

Evan gave me everything i picked out for Record that day because he felt bad that my place burned down.

On the bright side her burns are healing up nicely, i don't even have to wrap them anymore.

She shakes her head, clearly not taking the bait. "Uh-uh don't try to change the subject. The next time you leave I'll crawl after you if i have to."

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Record sits on a pillow on the floor between my legs, forcing me to watch this zombie show while i help her take out her braids.

"Where should i cut them?" I say holding up the scissors.

She quickly snatches them from me. "You aren't cutting anything." She cuts two inches off the braid before handing it to me. "Start unraveling that."

I grin at her and shake my head as my fingers start to unbraid the first piece. She should've cut the braids shorter, i know her hair doesn't reach all the way down here with how much i stare at her but i keep my mouth shut.

She begins to cut the rest of the ends off her braids as her eyes stay glued to the TV. "Buckle up this is gonna take all night."

I snort."Im not complaining." Truth is i kinda like doing this, it makes me feel closer to her. And the moose she puts in her hair smells great.

I bend down to sniff her hair and she moves my face away with a grin on her face.

"Where do i put the hair when I'm done?"

"Just put it on the table. I'll get a bag when you start making a dent."

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Much to Record's word she follows me out of her place, refusing to stay in the house any longer. I sigh as i hear her crutches clacking close behind me, i don't want her to come with me, theres nowhere comfortable to sit and its just not logical. But I can't force her to stay here and watch tv so i grab her crutches and scoop her up. Her hairs in a high puff, the tight curls slightly blocking my vision as i put her in the passenger seat, throwing the crutches in the back.

I look at her when i get in the drivers seat and she avoids my eyes. Record stays quiet, humming a tune as she wears headphones, effectively ignoring anything i would have to say to her.

I pluck one of the AirPods out of her ear. "Baby."

She simply hums, still avoiding eye contact.

"Record."

"What." She drags out the word, clearly annoyed.

That makes two of us.

I lean over to grab one of her hands, kissing her knuckles to calm myself. "Record, baby please. Theres no where to sit when your armpits start to get sore from the crutches." I hesitate for a second but i know she needs to hear it. "My stomach drops every time i walk in there. I think about you trapped underneath those shelves crying and it literally breaks my heart i don't want you going in there. Not until its time to decorate. Please baby i don't want to force this decision on you, i know how much you hate staying in the house but don't make me drive you back there I'm not ready."

I know its in my head and im being selfish but i just can't. Not yet.

She finally looks at me, her face softening. "Ughh i hate you for making me cave. You better bring me back sushi for dinner. Now help me get the crutches out the back."

A grin breaks out on my face as i grip the back of her neck to pepper kisses on her face. "I will i promise."

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Words- 974