????????????? || ???????, ?.

The only logical reason he should is if he wanted to pursue something more with her, but was he ready to do that?

"Because she doesn't need to know." He said.

"And why is that? From all the things you've told me about her, she sounds like someone important. So why not tell her about the person you used to be during those ten years?"

"Exactly, used to be. I'm not like that anymore." His voice laced with a bit of frustration.

Dr. Fern sighed, "Lawliet, I don't want to pressure you into doing something you don't want to do. That isn't my job, but I do want you to consider the idea because let's say hypothetically, Emmarie shows up and you're with Y/n, how would you assist that situation?"

In all this time, that never crossed his mind and knowing Emmarie, it was only a matter of time before she found his place of work and address. And if she decided to do another cameo, while he was with Y/n, he would be in trouble.

"I don't know", he answered honestly.

"I figured." Dr. Fern again advise him to consider talking to her. He doesn't have to give her full details but at least scratch the surface and then slowly get there.

.❀.

As Cecilia stepped off the subway and wandered through the wintery streets, she couldn't resist pausing at various stores. She admired the clothes and jewelry, sending pictures to Eddie so he could buy them for her.

She made a left turn, continuing her walk to Y/n's house. She stopped in her tracks after seeing something that left her jaw on the floor. "Um Sebastian, what the hell are you doing hanging out with this bum ass bitch?"

"Watch yo fucking mouth", Alan snarled at her. But she remained unfazed, "Or else? I'm not like these lil bitches. So that shit not finna work on me. Try again, the fuck."

Alan mumbled under his breath.

"Exactly what the fuck I thought. Now back to you, why?"

Sebastian tried to speak but was cut off by Alan.

"He a grown ass man and can make--", she put her hand in his face, then he grabbed it, "Don't ever disrespect me like that."

"Or else?", her fiery eyes never left his stone cold face. As mentioned before, the feud between them ran deep. Cecilia hated him more than her own best friend.

"You make my ass itch."

"Sure it ain't that yeast infection?"

"Don't confuse me with ya momma bitch."

Sebastian chimed in, "Cece, it's cool."

She never took her eyes off Alan, "No the fuck it's not, you know what his bitch ass did and yet y'all friends? Do you not have any dignity for yourself, Y/n, or better yet for Jarvis?"

He tightened his grip on her hand.

"Looks like I struck a nerve."

"Don't ever say his name in my presence again."

She laughed, "Why? You scared he might raise from his grave to fuck you up one last time and have yo' bum ass limping again?"

He chuckled then let go of her.

Cecilia stared Sebastian down. He avoided her because he knew there was no explanation worth justifying their friendship. She made it clear as of today he was no longer welcomed around them. He chose a side and should stay there rotting away like the little shit he was.

"C'mon Ce—"

Alan interrupted, "Why associate yourself with ha? Bitch ran through."

"Ya momma, bitch." Cecilia retorted.

"How does Eddie feel knowing that he got 'bout sixty guys leftover?"

"The same way that detective Y/n been fucking feels", she gave him a toothy grin, "Like he won the lottery."

Alan gritted his teeth.

"Struck another nerve."

They continued to exchange more unpleasant words until she left.

If it was any other person that had spoken to him the way Cecilia did, he would've dealt with them accordingly, but the fact that it was the love of his life best friend, he let her off the hook.

Alan continued to live in la-la land, hoping that Y/n would come around, and harming Cecilia wouldn't help those chances.

.❀.

Cecilia slammed the front door, "You would not believe what I just saw— You good? Why you sitting in the dark?"

Y/n shook her head, "What did you see?"

She went on to tell her about Sebastian and Alan hanging out. This left her puzzled. Sebastian was her brother's best friend and her brother hated Alan...

Cecilia hung up her jacket and turned on the lights, "I told that punk he's not welcomed here anymore... Now tell me what's up with you? You've been looking sad latley."

She sighed, "Just thinking him."

"L?" Cecilia question and Y/n nodded. She didn't tell her how long it's been since they last spoke to each other. They headed to the kitchen, as Cecilia rummaged through the fridge Y/n called her by her government name causing her to stop. "You never say my government name. What's wrong?"

She playfully rolled her eyes, then told her how distance he's been acting. Cecilia slowly nodded her head. "His name is L Lawliet right? Gimme 20 minutes. I'll find all his info. I'm talking about birth certificate, credit cards, address, insur—"

Y/n deadpanned.

"Girl boo. After giving him some fye cooch, he wanna ghost you??? If it was me, I would've keyed his car, robbed him, then set his ass on fire. No nigga gonna play in my face like that!"

She deadpanned again, "Thank God it ain't you."

"Before I do anything, did you let him hit raw?"

Y/n looked the other way.

"Oo you did! And you be trynna talk about me and shit 'use protection you don't wanna get an STD or pregnant', but look at you trynna be me."

She scoffed, "It was just that time, every other time we acted like responsible adults."

"Whatever", Cecilia rolled her eyes. Y/n's smile slowly faded and she began differing with her fingers, "Do you think he—" Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Cecilia beat Y/n to it and answered it. The topic of their conversation was on the other side of the door with a single white rose in hand.

Cecilia tried to close the door on him, but he put his foot in the doorway, and still she continued to slam it on his foot.

"Cece", Y/n deadpanned.

"You lucky bitch", she mumbled under breath, walking away.

They went outside to talk. He didn't plan on staying which bummed her out. He wanted to come apologize for his recent actions.

"It's fine." She said unconvincingly. L held her hand and brought it up to his face, then kissed it, "It's not and y'know it." She nodded.

"I promise I'll make it up to you." He held his pinky out. She locked hers with his and said, "I'll hold you to that."

____________________

Revised: 12/2024