If you relax, it will enable me to do anything I-, you're mine

Tension Rising

Belle notices Davis's subtle changes, leading to a heated argument about temptation, and sabotage from Elijah. Davis goes to his favorite place; Andell and James set up
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Belle had noticed it before he even spoke.

It was in the way Davis hesitated when she laughed—slightly too long, a little too distant. In the way his hands twitched when she reached for the rolling pin, almost like he was holding back something he shouldn't. Even his smiles felt measured, like they belonged to someone else half the time.

"Davis," she said quietly one afternoon as they arranged pastries, "you've... changed."

He froze, hand mid-flour dust. "I haven't."

Belle's brow furrowed. "Don't lie to me. Something's different. You're... distracted. Nervous. Almost... tense."

Davis swallowed. "It's nothing."

Belle's eyes narrowed, voice firmer. "It's something, Davis. I can feel it. Are you hiding from me—or from yourself?"

He looked away. "Maybe both."

The words hung between them, unspoken but heavy.

(Davis pov)
That night, Belle confronted me again. Outside the bakery, the city noises dimmed as tension grew.

My jaw tightened, hearing her seemingly considerate yet infuriating words. "You think I like feeling this way?"

Belle stepped closer. "Then tell me what's going on!"

"It's Elijah!" Davis shouted, voice cracking. "He's... he's been sabotaging me—everything I try to do! My credibility, my work, even... us!"

Belle recoiled slightly, shocked. "What do you mean, sabotaging? How?"

"All the doors I thought I could open—he closes them before I even reach. People whisper behind my back. Cards I play for practice, tricks to keep my mind sharp—they twist into rumors about me!"

Belle's hands clenched. "You think that gi—... I care about you. All of you. If you can't trust me, then why should I stay?"

"I do trust you—but trust doesn't fix the world! I can't change what they say, what they think, what Elijah does!"

Belle's voice softened but stayed firm. "Then let me help you! Don't push me away because you're scared!"

I sighed softly, and then turned abruptly, unable to say more. "I need... space." Not bothering to hear what she has to say, I walked quickly, almost storming, leaving Belle alone in the dimming streets.

*music room*

I slumped into the piano bench, staring at the keys. Fingers hovered, then fell into a slow, tentative melody—jazz notes laced with blues, full of tension and longing.

"Oh lord, they'd say, 'Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths'," I said, chuckled despite my frustrated sigh. "Heavenly father, I've tried, really hard.." I said out loud, humming a tune my daddy was once sang to me. 

People down here think I'm crazy
But I don't care

"What do I gotta show for?" I whispered, still playing the piano but more dramatically as I thought about my shares of trials, tribulations and of course, all the sweet moments I had experience.

'Trials and tribulations, I've had my share
There ain't nothin' gonna stop me now
'Cause I'm almost there

I'm gonna be a mighty king, so, enemies, beware!' 

As soothing the music was, it was not enough to erase the fight. The fight with Belle, with my peers including ones I get along with, and the constant fight for civil rights within my neighborhood. and the inner fight for my self-concept/interpersonal relationships, etc... 

'I'm gonna be the main event
Like no king was before

I'm brushing up on looking down'

Regarding the differences of having interpersonal relationships while being self-confidant, I got what it takes. 

'Oh, I just can't wait to be king!' I happily yelled, no longer sitting on the piano as I slide on the floor back and forth, dancing like nobody's business.

No one saying, "Do this"
No one saying, "Stop that"

No one saying, "See here"

Free to run around all day, free to do it all my way!

I remember daddy told me
"Fairy tales can't come true
You gotta make 'em happen
It all depends on you"

Look out boys, I'm comin' throughAnd I'm almost there, I'm almost there
People gonna come here from everywhere
And I'm almost there
I'm almost there

(Andell POV)

"I'll do my best," James said quietly, looking down as he helps me out with dinner.

"Whether or not it'll be my last before deployment." He quietly said.

"James," Mama Odie said, pressing a hand to his shoulder, "this isn't the last. You just got a different kind of journey ahead. But you come back, we celebrate like always. And maybe... we pray a little harder too."