Page 47 of All's Fair in Love & Wrath

Malice: Monroe can sew him back up. Saigie-poo, don’t go too deep and no vital organs

Saige: I know how to handle your president. If you hear him barking like a dog later, ignore it.

Saige: I’ll meet you in our room, Cam. Don’t be too long. Be ready to beg

Saige has left the chat

Chaos: This is why I fucking hate group chats

Malice: So you’re really admitting this is a group chat now? Because it’s always been one

Me: I guessfuck me then?

Sin: Sorry buddy. I think you’ve got to earn her trust and this is a good gesture. It was hard as shit to keep my distance from Bristol when she was engaged but becoming her friend first was an incredible privilege

Me: But you didn’t stay away from her

Sin: You know what I mean, I didn’t put any moves on her. Not really. Just needed to be around her, had to have my eyes on her

Me: I never thought this would be me

Me: I just want her to feel better

Sin: Glad you’re admitting it. That’s the first step

Malice: All it takes is the right woman and you’ve got yourself a queen

Me: You think she’ll like it?

Malice: It’s not a shit board, which worked for Saigie, but I think this is good for her

Sin: This is a good way to show her you care

Chaos: A big one

Sin: Leave it to you. You just got to one up all of us in every area?

Malice: Bad enough he has a big dick that’s pierced, by the way. Did you guys know his dick had jewelry? And more than mine! Do you think Rogue is piercing now or just tattoos? I want to add some more

Sin: Rogue doesn’t want to pierce your dick buddy

Me: You all care way too much about my dick

Sin: They’ll have fun

Chaos: So chill the fuck out. There’s gotta be good days with the bad. You did good

Yeah. This is good. She’s going to like this. I promised her one day she’d be more than fine, and maybe this is step one. Tiny moments of good that will eventually fill her days.

Chapter Sienna

SIENNA

The sun has long set behind the mountains when Axel comes back to the room. Our eyes meet as I look up at him from the puzzle I’m working on at his desk. He doesn’t say anything, just walks over, his body at my back as he peers over my shoulder.

“I remember this one. Took me a full week. You’re better at this than me.” I look down at the puzzle that’s about a quarter of the way done already. This one is another fall landscape, the trees a beautiful burnt red, bright orange, and deep yellow. Fog dances over the grass and the tree trunks, a few birds in the misty sky.

“Well, I’ve got nothing but time to kill, so it keeps me busy. Plus, it helps keep my mind from spiraling into a pit of despair and worry.”