It's been fourteen years since you've seen Tom Holland, your best friend from childhood. He was about to become King, and he needed to find a Queen. Your adopted family had struck a deal for an arranged marriage for one of their daughters. Your step...
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"I had no idea, I'm so sorry." Tom said softly. "You shouldn't have been put through any of that."
I told him about my past. Every detail, every situation I remembered. Tom just sat, and listened. It felt comforting to finally open up about these things. I hadn't even told my Papa about what had happened before he adopted me. I didn't want him to worry.
I was afraid Tom would look at me different after I told him about my past horrors, but he didn't change. He was still there, unlike so many others who would've ran away. Tom stayed.
This is something that touched my heart. Even after we had spent so many years apart, it's like we never left each others lives. We still had this bond, where we could trust each other. That is something excruciatingly important to me, especially after being deceived before.
"It's not your fault." I sighed. "None of it is."
"I know but I can't help but blame myself. If only I had held on tighter- you would've never left." He mumbled.
I reached for his hand, but he didn't flinch. Tom seemed to become more relaxed at my touch. I bent down to sit in front of him on my knees. "Sometimes things happen for reasons we can't understand."
He met my eyes, and I could see tears forming in his eyes. There is nothing more painful than seeing a man cry. What was worse was that he was Tom, my best friend. "If it wasn't that, something else similar would've happened. I'm here now, so don't fret."
"I promised to protect you, Y/N. I broke that promise." Tom stated. "I promised to protect my star, but I failed."
"Tom we were only seven for god's sake!" You laughed. "It's okay. I always forgive you."
"Always huh?"
His cheeks started to form a grin, and I mirrored this action. "It depends on how mad I am at you."
"I can live with that." He chuckled. "Let's go tell the others you're here, shall we?"
"Now?" My eyes widened. I didn't want everybody to know just yet. Especially my step-sisters, boy they'll give me hell about this.
"Yes. Now." Tom said as he extended his hand. "I think we've all waited long enough for your return."
"Okay." I sighed in defeat.
As we made it into the family rooms entrance, I tried to forcibly let go of Tom's hand. No success. "You know you can let go, right?"
He turned to look at me "I know, but I remember what happened the last time."
"It'll be fine this time, I promise." I stated. Tom nodded, and pushed open the door.
"Guess what, I have a surprise for you lot." He announced.
"Please tell me you didn't run off the bloody chickens again." Haz responded.
"No." Tom laughed. "Even better."
"A Marvel Marathon!" My friend Jess exclaimed. He sure knows how to get along with people fast.
"Nope, but good guess." He replied. "I ran into an old friend, that happens to be one of our guests today."
I walked out from the crowd. I recieved many gasps, and not long after I was tackled by countless hugs.
"Y/N!" The Queen cried out. "Where have you been all these years?"
I looked over to the other side of the room, and I saw my step-sisters glaring at me. I guess they were bothered by the fact I knew Tom before they did. It's a pity I don't give a damn.
Lady Helga on the other hand had a similar expression. If looks like she was about to kill me. On the other hand, my step-brother Alex was just smirking.
"It's a long story." I sighed.
"I can do the talking if you'd like?" Tom asked, nudging me on my shoulder. I shook my head.
-()-
Later that night I was walking down the staircase when I heard a commotion coming from the foyer. I slowly walked towards the noise, to observe it. When I was able to finally get a good look, my body instantly relaxed. It was my dear Papa.
"Papa, what are you doing up so late?" I asked with curiosity. It was hard to ever get a read on him.
"I have to leave, I have to be back home for business. It must be serious for them to phone me while I am here. I will be back as soon as I can, my lovely daughter." He smiled. "No matter what, you'll always be my little girl.
"Alright, Papa. Just be safe." I stated. "I love you."
"I love you too." He replied, as he made his way to the door.
I never really understood the phrase, 'cherish each moment you have' until now. In almost an instant, my world came crashing down. As soon as he stepped out that door, there were sounds of gunshots. It wasn't just one, it was multiple.
I ran out to him as fast as I could, falling to my knees to meet him. "Papa, stay with me. You'll be okay." I tried to block the wound with my hand, but he grabbed my wrist to stop me.
"It's fine my child, what's done is done. I will finally get to see your mother now." He coughed. "Do me a favor, don't marry for advantage. If that boy asks you to marry him, and you don't love him, don't go through with it. Above all else I want my little girl to be happy with her life. You deserve everything my child, so don't you forget that."
"If he hurts you, I'll haunt him." He laughed. I tried to hold in my tears as best as I could. I needed to stay strong for him.
"Papa, why did things have to end this way?" I asked, as a tear fell down my cheek.
"It's not the end, Y/N." Papa replied. "It is just a new adventure."
His chest lifted up and down in one last effort to breathe. That was it, he was gone. I tried screaming for any help I could get, but it was too late. I felt like my heart had just been ripped out. My tears were pouring out of my eyes like a waterfall, and I felt myself crumble into pieces. My soul. I couldn't bare the pain.
Throughout my screams of heart wrenching terror, I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around me. I turned around and cried into their chest. I didn't care who it was at this point, all I know was that my life felt empty. I felt them heave me off the ground, and heard a whisper that made my spine shiver.
