Everettlawson - Tumblr Posts
Wild Ones | Gia & Everett
"Good afternoon, Mayor." Gia's grin was wide as she shoved a martini into his head. "Please, sit, drink, and be merry." Gia didn't think it was fair that Everett had to come home to an empty home and she was here to make sure he didn't have to. Placing one hand on her hip, she lifted her own glass with the other and raised it before taking a sip, herself. All her life, Gia's mother had tried to tame her humor, but Gia had never been for it. Her eyes were always sparkling with some mischief, lips forming a ridiculous joke. Gia had never believed in living life too seriously, and that was just what Everett Lawson seemed intent on doing, most days. Sadly enough, that didn't even appear to be because he wanted to be that way: it was because he felt he had to for everyone else's good. Gia thought that was awful and she'd made it her personal mission to ensure he didn't lead his life like that all the time. It was for this reason that she was there to greet him in his house when he got back from work, usually with a drink, and always with a smile. "Drink up," she added, slipping into a seat on his couch. "It's friday night and you're waaay too young and handsome to be completely sober on a friday night," she teased. "Besides, I have to interrogate you about your day. Was it good? Was everyone nice? Anyone I need to beat up for you?" she joked. Despite her teasing demeanor, she was genuinely interested to hear about it, hear about his life and how he was. If Gia had anything going for her, it all, it was that - despite her sometimes careless facade - she did in fact care a great deal. Gia would go to the end of the world and back for a friend and anyone who doubted that didn't know her very well. "And you'll definitely want to be drunk if you want to hear about mine. It's the only possible way it might sound interesting."
Giggling softly as Everett pulled her down onto his lap, Gia wound one arm around his neck, her eyes dancing with mischief. They grew more serious, however, as he spoke. Gia scrunched up her nose. "Ughh, put that out of your mind," she told him, running her fingers through his hair as she settled into her position. "There's nothing you have to do right now except drink that and tell me what your perfect dinner would be, because that's what you're eating tonight." Gia smiled at him over her glass as she took a small sip. She fit so comfortably in his arms as if she'd been built to fit there. She couldn't imagine why she'd once felt even remotely out of her element near him. She didn't care to dwell on that past, either. Afterall, he'd seen her at her best and for some reason, he hadn't left. Gia didn't like to think where she'd be, now, if he hadn't rolled into their lives and knocked some sense into everyone, even if she had a hard time expressing the sentiment. And then there was the fact that, even after all of that, he had the good grace to forgive and forget. Yet, forgetting what he'd done for her was one thing Gia knew she could never do. "Alright," she admitted, shrugging. "I may have been holding out just a bit. I promise I had every intention of doing the job hunt, but...Well, you know what I was up to last night." Gia laughed at her own ridiculous antics. She'd, of course, drunk dialed him around 2am, leaving him a babbling voicemail to tell him all about the wonderful birthday party she was attending and begging him to come join her. "Truth be told, given how well my morning went, you made the right choice staying in bed," she chuckled. "But, that's hardly the exciting part! Lill Carson is back in town!" she grinned triumphantly, as if she'd had something to do with it. "Which means I have work to do. I ran into her at the cafe. Please don't tell me you already knew," she laughed, though given the fact that both Everett and Lill had political ties, Gia wouldn't have been that surprised. She shrugged. "And, don't be upset, there seem to be some new vampires in town...but they mostly keep to themselves," she added quickly. "So it's nothing for you to worry about, at least not tonight. Oh! And Brett has the most adorable puppy!" Gia beamed, raising her glass. "Oxford won't know what hit it with all these new bodies!"
Wild Ones | Gia & Everett
Everett couldn’t help but smile. He was so glad to have surprises like this from time to time. And somehow or other, she always knew when he’d had the hardest days. He’d just gotten his suit jacket off when she placed his favorite drink in his hand. He took a sip of the New York Sour before his free hand came up and undid his tie and pulled it off. It was by this point that Gia had finally stopped talking, and Everett smiled to her. “Let’s go sit down,” he said, walking over and into the living room.
He took a seat on one of the couches, his legs stretched out across the cushions. Everett then reached up and grabbed her hand, pulling her into his lap so her legs were laid out over his and her back was against his chest. Ever since they’d first slept together, they’d had this comfortable ease around each other. They knew that they could always count and rely on the other, but they weren’t tied down to each other. It was exactly what Everett needed at this point in his life. He had a lot of responsibility to shoulder. Being mayor and Packmaster required a lot of loyalty from him. He didn’t know if he could handle a relationship on top of that.
He sipped on his drink as they settled into their position and then he finally spoke through a long sigh, “My day was rough.” A smile touched his lips and he added, “Everyone is fine, no one needs beating up. Just a lot of things that have to be done and not a lot of time to make those decisions.” But the last thing he really wanted to talk about was all of that, “I’m sure your day has been more interesting than you give credit for. What have you done?”
THE OXFORD PACK
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack. —Rudyard Kipling
"Good," responded Gia, emphatically, when Everett promised not to worry about the vamps. Live and let live had always been Gia's policy, but that was easy when you were just one wolf roaming the forests. It was different when you had a Packmaster's responsibilities: even Gia knew that. Still, she hated to see it all weighing him down. He didn't deserve that. "They don't seem too bothered by us. More interested in the humans and in-fighting, if I'm not mistaken." Gia didn't think she was mistaken, either. She spent more than her fair share of time ranging around town and chatting it up with people. Gia had always reveled in being a part of the action, in knowing what was going on around her and, as it happened, that ideally suited her to having some awareness of these things. None of the vamps seemed particularly interested in her in one way or another (unless it was Kol but even Gia knew he was only interested in her for a particular reason of another kind). No one had come here to stir up trouble for the wolves, so far. "Perfect!" exclaimed Gia, the liquid in her drink sloshing about as she raised her hands in excitement. Her expression softened with affection when he remarked how devastated both Blaize and herself had been to see their friend go. Everett had always looked out for her, even before he'd really known her, and Gia knew she'd never fully understand why. He was the first person who ever had. "Oh, Ev," she added, giving him a one-arm hug. "That is wonderful! A job means roots! And I know no one better able to help someone out than you. Thank you!" Pausing, she laughed as she added, "And that is also quite convenient for me, because visiting the both of you will be quite easy." "Yes," she confirmed. "It's a dalmation!" blurted Gia. "His name is Lucky and he is the sweetest little thing." Gia's love of animals (and, unsurprisingly, of dogs especially) was well documented. Gia wasn't one for tying herself down to a schedule, but she'd been happy to do it in order to volunteer at the animal shelter. Whenever she saw a dog, she had to stop and play with it and, of course, most canines cottoned to her - but that had more to do, she suspected, with her second nature than anything else. "I have to admit," she continued. "I'm happy to know she'll have someone there to help keep her safe, when he's grown and one of us aren't around. I worry about her." Gia had always been quite protective of the people who mattered to her and she counted Brett on that list. Even if she didn't realize it, Gia felt that Brett was essentially an honorary member of the Pack...she simply lacked their advantages. Gia's smile broadened at Everett's suggestion. She loved it when he smiled, when he laughed, or in any way loosened up a bit. Even something as who cares as suggesting three meals was enough for her. She giggled softly. "Let's do it! I could wolf down a whole horse, honestly," she teased, winking at him. Gia, afterall, loved bad werewolf puns.
Wild Ones | Gia & Everett
Everett shook his head, “The last thing I’mma worry about is a few new fangers in town. I’m stayin’ outta their business, and hopefully that means they’ll stay outta ours.” He hated thinking about them. It brought him back to those extremely difficult decisions he’d had to make after becoming Packmaster. And even though it was in the best interest of the pack, it still made him sick to think of the fact that the fanger queen had some kind of protection over them. It made him feel weak and stupid, like he couldn’t do his job right.
He shook away the thought and took a sip of the two colored drink in his hand. “I knew about Lilly. Ran into her not too long ago. She’ll be workin’ for me, actually. It was about the only way I could convince her to stay,” Everett said, his eyes meeting those of the happy female, “I remember what her leavin’ did to you and Blaize. I’d hate to think that might happen again. So, anythin’ I can do to keep her round, I’ll do.” Not to mention he wasn’t exactly putting himself out or anything by having Lilly as his assistant. She was good at it; and she was hella nice to look at.
"Brett? As in the Barr’s kid?" he asked with a raised brow. They lived in a small town, and he took pride in knowing every single non-vampire that lived there. Well, he didn’t much care for the shifters, either. But that was another story. "What’d she get? I can only imagine her with a spaniel or somethin’ of the like," he said with a light laugh. She’d always been a good kid, and whether the blonde human knew or not, most of the people she surrounded herself with were wolves. And that was always okay with Everett. Humans who preferred wolves were a good thing.
"As for dinner…" he said, leaning his chin onto her shoulder and letting out a breath, "I have some steaks we could grill up. Or we could order pizza. Or chinese." He paused before grinning playfully, "Or all three."
Gia frowned watching him. "I know that look. What're you planning?" she inquired, given Everett's reaction to her mention of the vampires. "You don't trust them to keep the peace, do you? I thought you had something worked out with their..." she gestured vaguely, trying to remember exactly what the vampire hierarchy was. "Queen." There had, afterall, been rough political waters, between the two species, after their previous Packmaster had gotten the entire Pack (including Gia, herself) hooked on V. Everyone had looked to Everett to find them a way out and, so far, he'd made it work. A genuine smile lit Gia's face as she arched a questioning brow. "Really?" she inquired when he said he'd hoped Lill would lure Gia to visit at work more often. Playfully, Gia gasped when he said he hoped she'd visit. "Are you trying to say you miss me?" she teased lightly. "All you needed to do was say so," she added, lightly. "I would've come and irritated your secretary, even if you hadn't hired Lill," she joked. Many of Everett's co-workers didn't seem to care for Gia's boisterous attitude (and more so, most likely, her tendency to distract their boss from getting his work done), but for her part, Gia chose to take it in stride, finding it entertaining rather than daunting. When it meant to getting to her Pack, no one was ever going to stand in Gia's way. Gia frowned softly. "I'm afraid that staying in her house is exactly what she's been doing too much of lately. I think I'll pay her a visit, tomorrow. Something's changed, there, but I couldn't begin to tell you what." She smirked, making an effort at being her usual gregarious self through a veil of concern. "You know how much I hate mysteries." What she really meant, of course, was how little she could abide seeing a friend unhappy. Gia was the sort of person who would move earth and sky just for the sake of a smile. "Wow, you do trust me," she teased as she took his AmEx card. "While I'm at it, I think I'll go dress shopping as well," she joked, reaching for her cell phone. She stopped though, turning towards him as he seemed to remember something. Yet, when he pulled her to him, his mouth finding hers, she gasped in surprise. Reaching up, she put one hand against the back of his neck, pulling him closer, her other hand touching his face as he deepened the kiss. She felt his tongue against hers, a smile curving her lips as they kissed, and she got onto her tip toes to push herself closer before he suddenly pulled away. "Tease!" laughed Gia, but her smile returned when he thanked her. Head tilting, she bit her lip, softly, knowing what he meant. Gia had never been good with words, or with explaining what she was feeling, but the warmth she felt was in her cheeks and her dancing eyes. Glancing down, she felt lost to explain just what she owed him and how happy she was just to try and make it up to him, but she couldn't think of a way to articulate it. Instead, she shrugged. "You really do miss me, don't you?" she teased, before laughing softly and flashing his card at him as she returned her attention to her phone briefly, her smile following him.
Wild Ones | Gia & Everett
When Gia mentioned that the vampires were interested in the humans and in-fighting, his ears pricked. The last thing he wanted was to get involved in any vamper business, but he also didn’t want any humans getting hurt. And he knew he’d never forgive himself if he knew and didn’t do anything. He made a mental note to go talk to Kol, see what he could find out. Even if he didn’t want to. But he wasn’t going to let anyone be hurt. Ever, not if he could help it.
Everett smiled as she wrapped her arm around him. Gia had a way about her that always made him smile. Especially when she was this close. His thick arms wrapped around her in return, and he kept her close, even as she pulled back to continue talking to him. “I was secretly hopin’ it’d mean you’d visit more often,” he told her with a wink and a playful smirk. There weren’t many times that he got to really relax and be the playful person he was inside; but Gia always made sure he did.
"I am too, though… The best thing for her to do is to just stay in her house," he said, "I’ll have to visit the pup once he’s got his adult bark, so I can do my best to know when she might need help." It wouldn’t be much, but it’d be something. And Brett had made friends with more than a few wolves; so he knew he’d have back up if ever he needed to protect her.
"Well, then let’s do it," he said with a broad grin, leaning up so he could pull his wallet out of his back pocket. He made good money being the mayor, and so he enjoyed being able to pay when he and anyone he was with wanted food. "I’ll hand you my card so you can order our delivery, and I’ll go get the steaks started," he said as he pulled out his AmEx and placed it in her free hand. In one swift and easy movement, they were both standing, and he gazed down on her from his place in tall stature. "Oh, and," he said with a grin before leaning down and pressing his lips against hers. He slipped his wallet back into his pocket before wrapping that arm around her waist and clinging her close to him, deepening the kiss. But just as it got to the point of no return, he pulled back and winked down at her, "Thank you." He hoped she would know what he was thanking her for. Being here, and always making him smile.
Gia’s green eyes sparkled, watching him approach her. She waited to move, listening to the rhythm of his heart, pounding like a drum, giving her ideas of her own. When he was close enough she reached for him with her free hand, letting her hand slide across his muscular chest and grinning softly when he tossed the phone and card away. She had no need to speak, knowing too well what was in his mind as her own heart quickened, matching his beat. Slowly, she edged her unburdened hand up, glancing against his frame to flatten against the back of his neck and entwine with his hair. Her eyes remained fixed on his as well, anticipation exciting every part of her. Gasping when he pulled her close, Gia leaned into the kiss, her mouth hungry for his. She wrapped both her arms around his neck, pulling him towards her while pressing against him. His body felt right against hers, like interlocking pieces of a puzzle. Without breaking the kiss, she unwound her left hand, pulling it down to find the buttons of his shirt, in looping them. Her right hand still clung to him, gripping his neck, running through his hair, touching him with a ferocity so great it was as if life depended on it.
Wild Ones | Gia & Everett
He’d been on his way out of the room, he really had been. He’d been ready to answer the call of those steaks in the fridge and grill them up to perfection. But then, when she’d called him a tease, he halted. And when she’d spoken further, he turned back to face her. There was a hint of a smile on his face. And then slowly, ever so slowly, he stalked back towards her, a gait that was typical of a wolf who was deciding what to do with whatever they’d set their sights on.
He knew exactly what he was going to do. And the closer he got, the more his heart rate rose. He knew she’d be able to hear it. He knew she would instantly understand his intentions; because she understood a baser part of him that no other he’d ever been with would understand. With Gia, he could completely and totally be himself.
As he reached her, he reached up and combed his fingers through her hair. His other hand reached up and yanked her phone and his card away from her, tossing them into a nearby chair. His eyes never broke from hers. And as his hand that was in her hair reached the back of her neck, his fingers closed into a fist, holding her hair in his clutch. A low, possessive growl sounded in his throat. Not unlike the one that he’d given the first time they’d ever slept together.
His hand that had tossed her phone and his card away now reached around and flattened against the small of her back. He abruptly pulled her body into his, but it took a few seconds before he gave in and pressed his lips down to hers. Sure, he could be a tease. But right now - after a long and stressful day - he wanted to be with her. Being a tease simply wasn’t enough. He wanted to ravage her, and know that no matter how much they got of each other, they’d always want more.
Biting her lip, Gia giggled softly as he lifted her top over her head and brushed his fingers through her hair. Cupping his face in her hands, she pulled him close, trailing her lips against his skin, gentling biting his earlobe. Pressing her eyes closed as his fingertips explored her flesh, her hands dropped to his shoulders, resting her forehead against his. He wasn't the only one who felt the tension between them. No matter how many times they had each other, Gia hungered for more. He seemed to know what she wanted, what she needed without her ever having to say a word and seemed to need it, as well. Gia couldn't have said where it began but deep down, she hoped it never ended. Whether it was in bed or simply a conversation, he had a way of making her feel whole, somehow, in a way she never seemed to without him. She'd never communicated this - or even tried - all she knew was that she needed him closer. Growing frustrated with all the buttons, she met his eyes. "Hope you don't like this shirt too much," she growled softly before ripping it off and hurling it in a heap at their feet. Her hands eagerly explored the delicious curves of his muscles. When he whispered to her, she gently touched his cheek, smiling warmly, her fingers tracing his jaw down to his chin, to his chest and lower, lower. As he said he needed to take her to bed, she leaned against him and nodded early. "I was beginning to wonder when you'd say that," she joked, pressing her lips to his, before her pulling away, teasingly, her hand entwining with his as she backed up, towards the bedroom.
Wild Ones | Gia & Everett
Everett could feel the ferocity in her touch, and it only fueled his want for her. He and Gia shared a bond so different than anything else in the world; it was one that he didn’t know he could describe to others. All he’d ever be able to say when asked about her was that she meant the world to him. He’d do anything for her; he’d die for her. And hell, they practically had a daughter already in Devon.
Everett sighed against her lips, his hands travelling down her sides, gripping the fabric of her shirt and pulling it up and off of her. His fingertips brushed against the exposed skin of her torso while the other came up to brush her hair back from her face, then his fingertips brushed down her jawline. His lips formed a bit of a smile as he gazed down at her, their lips just barely touching. “Good God…” he sighed out before brushing his nose past hers.
They’d both agreed that this wasn’t exclusive. They could both be with whoever they wanted. And Everett had definitely had his fair share in the non-exclusiveness of this… whatever they were. But, he had to admit that nothing felt better than this. It felt cliche of him to think it, but it was true; she fit perfectly in his arms. He was well over six foot, and she still fit into him perfectly.
He’d never been too religious. He didn’t know if he believed in God or not. But in these moments, he had to believe there was some higher power that had put them on the path to each other. “Think I need to take you to bed,” he said, leaning down and letting the tip of his nose run down her neck, taking in the scent of her skin.
When Gia got his text, it took everything in her not to shoot back with a thousand worried texts. She had known, of course, that he was meeting with the vampire queen. Why, she could not say, but the knowledge alone had been cause of anxiety enough - his text only served to heighten it. Yet, he said he was coming over. This was clearly a face-to-face matter so Gia (just barely) managed to restrain herself and instead merely replied, I’ll be here. She heard his truck when he was still a little ways away and headed to her bar in the kitchen to make him (and herself) a stiff drink. She had a feeling they’d need it. As he pulled up to her house, Gia went to the window peering down below. She watched him talk to Devon and then she watched him walk away, Devon’s eyes following. Gia bit her lip in concern and went to meet him. It was the urgency in his eyes that made her chest constrict, placing the drinks hurriedly on the nearest surface, she was enveloped gratefully in his arms. He pulled her close and she wrapped her limbs around him, resting her head on his shoulder. She breathed him in - a fresh cacophony of musk and death and anxiety. So, it was the vampire queen. Gia pressed a kiss to his shoulder before pulling back ever so slightly to look at him when he spoke. Her lips parted ever so slightly. It felt as though her lungs were burning, seared from the inside out, to see him so tortured. She reached up to touch his face, shaking her head. “I already know you did what you had to,” she said softly, brushing back his hair lovingly. Uncharacteristic anger sparked in her chest and ignited her heart as she watched his tormented eyes. Gia wanted to drive away the pain but there was a part of her that wished to see whoever had done this repent of ever having hurt him, too. Everett had enough to deal with without some vampire forcing his hand towards something he so clearly did not appreciate. “What did that bitch want?”
Aftermath || Gia & Everett (closed)
After seeing and speaking with Ariella, Everett didn’t know if he’d done the right thing or not. He’d always done what he thought was right and what was best for the pack, but sometimes he couldn’t help but doubt whether he deserved to be in his position. Was he good enough for the pack? Did they deserve better? Times like this, it certainly seemed so. All he wanted was peace; but with vampires around, that seemed near impossible.
He pulled out his phone and texted Gia, Hey, I need to talk. I’ll be at your house in a few. He tucked his phone away in the pocket of his jeans as he dropped into his truck. And as he drove, he mentally kicked himself. What the hell had he agreed to? He sighed. He’d known that taking hold of the pack and cleansing it of the V problem would be hard, but he’d never even imagined that it would come to this.
As he pulled up to Gia’s home, he put his truck in park and smiled as Devon came running to the car from her place on the grass in the lawn. He climbed out of the car and hugged Devon tightly. “Hey, baby girl,” he kissed the top of her head and combed his fingers through her hair. “I need to talk to Momma, ‘kay? Stay out here, but only in your lawn. You hear me?”
Devon groaned a bit before nodding and trudging off and dropping back into the grass. He smiled. He’d never had a child of his own; and at this rate doubted he ever would. But that girl was a daughter to him. He didn’t care how odd it might be to others.
He made his way into Gia’s house, closing the door behind him. It didn’t take long for him to find the brunette, and he practically ran to her, gathering her up in his arms and holding her close to him. He let out a breath into her hair. “I think I just made the worst mistake of my life, Momma,” he sighed into her hair. Even with how shitty he’d felt before… Just having Gia in his arms made him feel so much better.
Isn’t that a good thing? she was on the verge of asking, when he said Ariella was going to release the wolves. The words were on her tongue, ready to be breathed into existence when he continued. She could feel the blood draining from her face when he continued, her fingertips felt cold. For a moment, even Gia Desstrin was lost for words. It had hardly faded from Gia’s mind that she had once been one of those wolves, she had shared the addiction with them, the thrill, the lust. She’d been spared the worse ramifications - being held by vamps and subject to whatever horrors they might choose to inflict. Gia had escaped that, but Everett had not. Gia knew that sacrifice had weighed on his conscience since the very day he’d turned them over and she could see that reflected back tenfold now. Gia’s throat felt dry, dry and raw. Swallowing was like breathing in sand. “Oh, Everett,” she shook her head. “I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry.” She’d been such a fool. All those years ago, she could have spared everyone a little pain through the rest of their lives, if she’d just swallowed a little then. But she’d been weak instead, they’d all been weak, save Everett. If there was anything she wished she could take back, it was that. Clearing her throat, she shook her head, trying to process everything he was telling her. She couldn’t look at him when she asked the next question. “Any wolf?” Hesitantly, she met his eye, again. She had to know how far this went, if Everett might be forced to kill Tristan or herself, or if it was those who had succumbed to the V all those years ago, poor devils. Gia could picture each of their faces and wondered how she’d been snatched from their terrible fate. Gia let out a long breath before turning to him, cupping his face in her hands, she tilted her forehead to touch his. His skin was soft, his breath warm. His face was a mask of misery and Gia felt as if there were hands wrapped around her delicate throat, strangling the air from her lungs to see him suffering. “I know it can’t feel like it,” she whispered. “But what you’ve done is a mercy.” She pulled back slightly to brush the hair from his face. “God only knows what the vampires would do. Now it’s their choice to live and to breathe free air. I imagine they’d agree it’s worth the risk.” She pressed a tender kiss to his poor creased brow. “Everett, listen to me. You’ve do e better than stand up to some ancient vampire queen, you’ve stood up for us. What Pack could possibly ask more?”
Aftermath || Gia & Everett (closed)
He let out a breath, closing his eyes and leaning his head into her hand. It was scary how comfortable she made him feel. He’d been all but ready to surrender his role as packmaster, but seeing her and the way she so fiercely believed in him - like he did in her - made him pause. He knew he was a good leader most of the time; but the decision he’d been forced to make… It wasn’t easy.
"Let’s go sit down, babe," he said, his deep voice low as he spoke. He combed his fingers through her long, brown, silky hair. He let her hand him the drink she’d made before they walked over and sat down. He let out a long breath before taking a sip off of the drink she’d made him. It was nice and strong, just like he needed it. Gia always knew exactly how to take care of him.
"She told me that she was gonna release those wolves," he told her, looking over at her. When he’d first become packmaster, Ariella had come to him and said that the vampire community was volatile towards the pack; and to appease the angered crowds, she asked for the three wolves that Everett had abjured for choosing to continue using instead of get clean. Everett had sworn to himself when he became packmaster that he would always choose pack. And even though he’d grown up with those three wolves; they were no longer part of the pack. And in order to protect the pack, he’d agreed that she could have them.
"But she…" he looked over at Gia; knowing this next part would hit home, "She said she tried to get them to relapse and they didn’t. So she got the vampire community to agree to let them go… On my word that I would kill any who relapsed.” Guilt and self-loathing washed over him. His whole frame seemed to collapse from the burden of this. His head dropped, and he shook his head. “All I could think was that I’d rather do it myself and know they didn’t suffer than let them be at the hands of vampires who might torture them.”
Everett - a man who’d probably only cried once or twice in his entire life - was close to tears. “What kind of leader agrees to kill his own kind? What will the pack think of me?” he whispered, a hand coming to his face and running down it, “The pack deserves better than me. I… I can’t even stand up to a fucking fanger.”
Gia swallowed a breath. It felt like saltwater in her lungs. She'd done this, she knew deep down, she done this to him. Ariella was only a conduit, demanding justice for their sins, but Ariella hadn't committed those sins: Gia had. Even at the time, she'd known it was a bad idea, she'd known she should do better, be better...but instead she'd given in. That was what she'd feared. "Ev, I-" she shook her head, but she found, quickly, she didn't have to say anything all at once as he pulled her into his arms, onto his lap. Gia didn't say anything at first, as he buried his head in her neck, but rather wrapped her arms around him, fingers running through his silky hair. She felt as if her heart were imploding, collapsing in on itself, ripping itself apart as fell in shred to sink deep beneath her ribcage. "You deserve better, Ev," she whispered, "So much better." His breath was hot against her skin as he spoke. She glanced up at nothing, feeling a tear drop down onto her face, running down her cheek. Hastily, she wiped it away before he could see and nodded. She couldn't begin to fathom why, sometimes, but he always had placed such deep trust in her and the last thing she had ever wanted to was to betray that - especially now, given what it would mean for him. She swallowed, waited till she felt sure of her voice - that it would not waver, would not crack, and answered. "I know we'll be ok," she said, slowly. "Because you're here." His fingers were tender against her skin, closing her eyes, she focused on the sensation, leaning into his touch as her eyes opened to meet his again. Her brow creased as he spoke and she reached up to place a hand over his. "Devon makes it easy," she said with a small smile, through it all, at the thought of their daughter. The tears she'd fought back started to enter her eyes again as he spoke, as he went so far as to declare pride in her, but she did not cry. It was a small victory, and hard won. "Everett, don't you see? All of that, all of it...Came from you. I never could have done it, any of it at all, before you came along and saved us all." Her eyes lowered as he spoke of the released vampires. She bit her lip, softly. "I don't know what we can do for them," she began. "Except maybe some anonymous tip to one of those v-rehab charity places that've been springing up lately. Maybe the humans can help," she suggested with a shrug. They'd been abjured and that was absolute; it had to be. Gia couldn't see a better answer. "Or perhaps we could chase them out of town, somehow." She wasn't sure that would actually help them, but it'd get Everett off the hook, at least. Gia bowed her head when he spoke of Tristan. "I'll call him tomorrow," she promised. "We can work it out, I'm sure. Having a strong support system, and realizing the ramifications on others beyond yourself, that people count on you...it's a big part of moving on," she added. "I'd know. And I know we can help him, too. He's one of us and he's stronger than he seems. We can save him." Gia tilted her head forward, resting her forehead against his. "You are not their lackey," she assured him. "You belong to nobody outside this Pack." Cupping his face in her hands, she pulled away just enough to look into his deep brown eyes. "Everett, listen to me. We'll save you, too. That fanger can't touch you, can't make you do anything you don't want to, you hear me? I won't let her." She paused, gazing at him, caressing his cheek before smiling softly. "That's the beauty of being a Pack: we're never really apart, not ever. We're gonna get through this, together," she whispered. "And in the mean time, Everett, we're gonna be safe to do that because of what you did. You gave us this chance, and no one else."
Aftermath || Gia & Everett (closed)
He let out a breath, “I got the feelin’ that she meant any wolf in my pack who relapsed; and the three that I abjured…” He sighed again, placing his drink on her coffee table then reached out, pulling Gia into his lap and leaning back into the couch. He felt best when he held her like this, so completely surrounded by the smell and feel of her.
Everett buried his face in her neck for a moment, just trying to get himself together. He knew how empathetic Gia was, especially with him, the last thing she needed was to suffer because he was suffering. “I believe in all of you,” he finally spoke against her skin. “Tristan… and especially you,” he said, pulling back to look at her.
A hand came up to cup her face, “I mean, look at you. Look how far you’ve come from those days. You’ve come to befriend the very source of your former addiction. You’re the best mom I’ve ever seen to that beautiful girl outside…” He let his fingers come up to brush her hair back from her face, “Goddamn, I’m so proud of you, Gia.” Tears nearly filled his eyes again but he fought them back.
"But what about those three I abjured? They don’t have the pack anymore to keep ‘em strong; and Tristan. He has the pack, sure… But I’ve seen the struggle in him everytime the topic is brought up or a vamper goes by. It’s with him every second of the day… And there ain’t a damn thing I can do," he said, a bit of anger in his last few words.
He gripped Gia and pulled her to him again, his thick and muscular arms enveloping her as he fought back the urge to cry - or scream. “I feel so powerless, so useless to those who depend on me most,” he whispered into her hair, “I can’t defend us against our biggest threat. And now… I feel like their damn lackey; carryin’ out their orders just to keep them from slaughterin’ the whole lot of us.”
goddamn, i’m so proud of you - an evia moodboard
A soft smile broke against Gia's features as he laid them down, kissing her. His fingers felt good, sliding through her hair and, reaching up, Gia touched his face. she listened to his words and the meaning behind them carefully and nodded softly. "I know," she responded, softly. "It's how I get through the day." She ran her fingers through his beard, and added, "You're the only family I've ever needed." Gia thought of her family, thought of the way her father had last looked at her...She'd felt so horribly broken, then, but now looking back, he'd never supported her, never been there for her. She was stronger for having left that behind: she was stronger for having someone in her life who would always have her back, always tell her truth, and never turn his back on her. She'd never really needed what she'd had, to begin with, but she'd needed Everett all along. "And that goes both ways," she assured him. "I'll never leave you. If you need me, I'll always be there, I promise you." She shifted slightly. "Challenges just make us appreciate when things are easy all the more, that's all," she murmured. "And soon we're gonna see just how good we have it."
Aftermath || Gia & Everett (closed)
Everett let out a breath as she pressed her forehead to his. He hated himself for everything that had happened. But, hearing Gia’s words, he had to believe her that everything would be okay. It would be the only way to get through this. Just like he’d gotten Gia through her addiction, she and he would support each other through this new challenge to come.
Knowing that she didn’t hate him for what he’d done, that she believed he’d only done the best with what had been offered to him, he felt better. “I dunno what I did to deserve a woman in my life like you, Gia, but I thank my lucky stars every day,” he said thorough a sigh. He wrapped his arms around her and leaned in, pressing his lips to hers before pulling her with him as he laid back on the couch.
He held her close as they laid there, and his fingers twisted the ends of her hair absent-mindedly. “You and Tristan ain’t goin’ through this alone, babe,” he whispered, “I mean it. After all I’ve done, I’ll do anythin’ to help the both of ya. Make sure to keep that in mind, okay?”
Everett Lawson and Gia Desstrin for the Christmas ship meme! (Is that too far back? I'd say our Icelandic peeps but idk if it's too soon for them? 😂)
who starts putting up decorations in october?Gia, and Everett always sheepishly asks her to come decorate his office.
who buys the advent calendars?Everett, he likes being creative for all the little surprises.
who places mistletoes all around the house?I think they both would, trying to surprise the other
who wraps the presents for other people?Gia, though Everett always tries his best but his hands are just too large for all that nonsense.
who puts the final star/angel on the top of the christmas tree?Everett raises Gia up so she can. He likes seeing her smile when she gets to.
who’s the one that hates eggnog?Everett, he had a bad experience their first Christmas together going way too hard, so he’s avoided it ever since.
who’s the one that bakes christmas cookies for guests?Gia (probably with Brett’s help/ and Ella’s too [lookin @ u @laurenplayspeople])
who sends out the christmas cards?Gia, though Everett is the one that insists on three different photo sessions being done for them; just because he likes having all kinds of pictures with her.
who knows all the words to twelve days of christmas?Gia, Everett gets tongue tied and ends up laughing the whole time.
who’s the better snowman builder?Gia for sure. Everett gets distracted and ends up rolling around in the snow.
who starts snowball fights?Everett, most likely while Gia is building said snow man.
who’s the one that wakes the other on christmas morning by playing christmas songs really loudly?Everett, for sure. He’s always been a hella early riser so he likes to jump up on the bed to wake her up on Christmas morning.